#who has a shitty personality but eventually worked for the greater good

[yuurivoice]

I’ve been meaning to ask this for a minute now- so fuck it.

In BitterSweet we know that Seth’s mom (Jessie) left him behind without a trace or coming back for Seth. Can we know WHY she left? Like was Seth’s dad abusive to her too or did she leave because she felt held back and wanted a better life??

Also, I gotta know more inside idea of her leaving and leaving Seth. Did Jessie think Seth would be ok if she left him, or did she have no choice but to leave him?

(Granted I’m not excusing what she did- and she’s still a bad mom- but I’m just asking)

The short answer is, I don't really know! There's a laundry list of reasons that would fit, and I think this is one of those cases where the narrative benefits from a lack of detail.

Someone out there looks at Jessie and sees their mom, or dad, or anyone who bailed on them when they needed them. Sure there's probably a straw that broke the camel's back, but we don't really benefit from knowing it.

That, and I can't pretend to know what would really possess someone to make a choice like that. I can guess. I can imagine, or attribute things that I've heard and learned. But I don't know.

What I do know, is that Seth went on to hurt Alphonse despite having the best intentions. He literally manipulated and treated Al like shit, all because he justified it with thinking he'd eventually save the two of them from a shitty life and be his savior.

And that boy is a lot like his mama.

So maybe she had a plan. Maybe it was hard. Maybe it was supposed to be different.

Or maybe she's just a cold mother fucker.

If it ends up coming up and I need a specific answer, maybe that changes. But I like leaving a few blanks for people to attribute to her whatever they need to. If she represents something irredeemable because it's what your heart feels when you experience her story, the viewer should get to keep that and let it be valid.

If you have a hardened heart towards someone like her, I don't want to try and convince you the people who treated you that way deserve forgiveness or your time.

It will he slightly different with Seth's dad, who quite literally might be even more irredeemable in people's eyes, I'd argue he definitely is, he's been an abusive hateful fuck. But I also laid the ground work in chapter 2 for some sort of redemption.

That one is for me, not so much for the audience. And fuck, somebody has to try and solve a problem without violence, indifference, or avoidance in this damn story eventually or how fucking hollow is every supposed lesson they've learned?

Jessie is, unfortunately, gonna have to hold the L. I don't hate her and probably do view her in a light that offers more grace than most, but I'm a "try to find the good" motherfucker sometimes. And that's after a long time of not being that guy.

I haven't written someone like Seth's dad before. I don't know how I'll feel. Much like how Seth doesn't really know how to feel. I imagine that despite all the nastiness, there's at least a grain of hope because at least pops is taking action, trying, and showing real improvement. So even if his sins were greater, and it took losing his whole family to get a wake up call, he made more effort than Jessie ever did.

I want think that's worth something. It doesn't mean it's all better and forgotten and forgiven. I'd never go that route. But there's room for something better than just emptiness.

Which are all conclusions you should hopefully arrive at if you've bought into the trio and their story. If not personally, then at least enough to believe that Seth would want to try and salvage something from the wreckage.

[green-alien-turdz]

any life tips for someone still in school(school tips or not)

really mfin struggling n your real smart so i figured id ask you first

Ion know if I'm the best person to be askin life advice from, but I'll do my best. Also I suck with mildly vague prompts, so I'll do my best.

-Give yourself some mfing grace. You are not perfect n you won't ever be. That's not a bad thing! You're only human. Of course, set goals for yourself n always aim for somethin greater, but holy fuck, it's okay to not meet that. At the end of the day, you fuckin tried n that's all that matters. Even if the only effort you can put into tryin one day is just showin up or even just plannin shit out, it's a step towards bein better. You don't have to meet all of these unrealistic expectations you have for yourself. You are not a robot.

-Take breaks. Legit, if you keep pushin yourself too hard, you WILL burn out n the longer you've been pushin yourself, the longer you will take to get outta that. People will spend years thinkin that they have to constantly be this machine. Eventually you'll start to stumble, get mad, push even harder n then fade out. It can happen in the blink of an eye, which is why it's SO important to take time for yourself. Make sure you're not stressin 24/7 about whatever it is you be stressin over. The world will not end bczus you needed to catch your breath.

-Appreciate what n who you are, no matter what stage in your life you're at. If you're flunking classes, you've still got greatness in ya. If you aren't that great at socializin with friends n shit rn, that doesn't mean you're a terrible person. We can't always be what we want to be, n there's nothin wrong with that. Every second you are alive, you are growin in one way or another. There's ups n downs, but that doesn't mean shit. You are gonna be way harder on yourself n think 10x worse of everything you do that just about anyone else would. n even if there is some dickhead out there who wants to talk shit non-stop about you, fuck what they think, man. If some sad mf has nothin better to do than to put others down, then their word don't mean shit. There are times in life where you won't like what you see lookin back at you n if you're ready to change, go for it, but if you need a minute, that's okay too.

-Make an effort to see the good. Whether you're really strugglin rn or if you're in a good position mentally, always take a second to just appreciate anythin that is good. It can be the smallest things! They can be stupid things, it doesn't matter. Find some sort of positive anchor to keep you as grounded as you can be. Life treatin you like shit n you feel like shit? At least I know that this show or movie I really like exists. Did you lose someone? Well at least you had them for the time that you did. So on n so forth. Sometimes you just gotta step outside n breathe, allow yourself to just realize that you're alive. It might not be great, or good, or even okay, but you're here n there are good things out there for you.

-

Okay, now some like actual life tips lol

-You are not your grades bro. Whether it be your parents expectations or your own, the way schools gradin works just doesn't always align with how a mf might work n operate. Sometimes we just mess up a bit too or don't understand a topic all too well n there's nothin wrong with that. It just seems like a big deal bcuz of how they like to measure n quantify how smart they think you are with a letter or number. You're not gonna get everythin in life, so it's complete bs that something that you maybe just needed more time on can have a shitty score slapped on it n have you made to feel dumb n shit like that.

-If you can get a job n want one, then fuckin do it. Apply everywhere. Even if it's somethin you don't think you'd be good at, trust me, you'll pick it up. The rejection can suck, but you get right back on the mf horse n apply more places. Call or go in to check in on your application (this just reminds them sometimes to fuckin look). Interviews can be nervewrackin, but for a minimum wage job, they'll legit be around 10-15 minutes (n that's stretchin it for some). When you get the job, you will probably feel like a dumbass or a child bcuz you don't know how to do shit yet- but give it a few weeks n you could do everythin with your fuckin eyes closed. They are not gonna treat you what your worth n it's gonna suck. Hours are long when you need more time for school n non existent when you need cash. If it doesn't work, that's fine too. Hopefully you can stay at jobs for at least a year, that shows commitment on resumes.

-Don't allow yourself to be walked all over. I know this kinda goes against some of what I was sayin in the work tip, but that's slightly different (but there comes a point there too where you need to put your foot down to bein treated like garbage). This world will try n chew you up n spit you out a hundred times over, but don't let stupid mfs be the ones to do it. That friend who kinda treats you like shit? Well, talk to them about it, see if they change. n if they don't, end the friendship. Yeah it sucks, especially bcuz you probably still care about them, but if you allow even one mf to treat you n your feelings like some useless or disposable thing, then others will take the same opportunity with you. It's not always that simple, trust me, I still have people in my life that have done horrific things to me which I still allow to treat me like shit- but if you can, please bring yourself to do it. You are worth so much more than how some people might treat you. Even if this isn't an issue in your life rn, there will be people along the way who will be douches n try to take advantage of you or your generosity or whatever the fuck else. Shut that shit down as fast as you can.

[wildissylupus]

What about mirrorverse Cashe just switching places. Ashe ends up with Overwatch and Cassidy is left to rot in jail until he gets out and takes over the Deadlock Gang?

You do not know how much I've thought about these two in this universe. Cause holy shit would the betrayal hit harder.

Mostly because Ashe's home life wouldn't change, her parents would still be neglectful assholes, the difference would be that unlike with cannon, Ashe would still care what they think. Basically if we switch Ashe's morals we would get an Ashe who betrayed Cassidy and the other Deadlocks for her parents approval.

This would also be an Ashe who would join Overwatch out of guilt, because she realises that she traded what could have been her real family for a dream. So she would use her weapon knowledge and connections to help Overwatch.

To help the types of people she damned when she was a kid, maybe this way she can make up for it. This Ashe would be riddled with regret, she will always be confident but a part of her holds her back, never wanting that leader position to fall on her shoulders again because she's now seen what her decisions can lead to.

Meanwhile Cassidy would be left to rot with his worst traits. He knew he would end up in jail, knew the world delt him a shitty hand, but the hand he did get dealt could at least be useful. So he uses his age to his advantage, a sob story here, a quick and easy smile there and he's out.

And of course he gets the other Deadlock members out, they have their uses and at least this way they feel indebted to him. So he becomes the charming leader of the Deadlock gang, a gang that looks small but has an immeasurable amount of unseen influence in the gangs of the south-west.

And shortly after he gets an offer he can't refuse, training by one of the best snipers in the world and by one of the biggest leaders of Talon. So he leaves Deadlock and moves onto bigger and greater things.

And eventually, despite his better judgement, he starts to trust the people he works with. But just like with Ashe they all leave him in the dust, Reyes has a "change of heart", Genji runs the first chance he gets, Moira was never on their side to begin with, and Ana tries to kill Fareeha.

The only person who ends up staying is Angela, the person who joined just around the same time he did, and unlike the others she has a plan. A plan that Cassidy can easily get behind. A plan that Cassidy can easily play his role in.

Because Angela has never been that charismatic, and every good organisation needs a face.

[familyagrestefanblog]

They actually did it

Fucking christ I was RIGHT! They even went so far as wiping out Adrien's memory!

We're back with Chat Blanc.

That's what made Chat Blanc such a unreliable narrator, I made a post about that YEARS ago that Blanc eventually wiped out his own memories with only his love for Marinette left in all that horror while Hawkmoth having been the monster who got him. That's why he incorrectly blamed their love for having ended the world, that was all he could remember as we even saw once he detransformed!

I do not have time to write about this today but this is the worst possible outcome! We are absolutely FUCKED! "Representation" was already a combination of "Chat Blanc" and "Ephemeral" because they were never avoided in the first place and now for the rest of the finale every bad consequences we just sidelined for seasons on end! "Chat Blanc", "Kuro Neko", "Ephemeral", the entire season 4 finale!

How DENSE do you have to be to think that Gabriel Agreste gave Marinette his BLESSING?? She literally told him right in his face that "fOr ThE gReAtEr GoOd" she will let Adrien as an orphan pay for all his family's sins right after the man had a whole mental breakdown of 5 seasons of build-up because he was THIS aware of incompetent and horrible of a father he was!

He was WILLING to give her his blessing and Marinette fucked it up in every way possible! What the hell does Gabriel give a shit about the greater good?? The only thing he cares about is himself, his wife, Adrien and Nathalie! Marinette told Gabriel that everything he loves, is, was, worked for and wished to safe can go and fuck itself because for the greater good she decided that HIS SON is now going to go through every hell that's waiting for him and she didn't even care to ask what that hell will BE!

She just signed Adrien up for it and expected Gabriel to be okidoki with that?

Gabriel Agreste made the wish. It doesn't matter what excuse Marinette has, all that matters is what GABRIEL thinks. And for him she is the enemy of everything he loves and regrets having failed this horribly! What makes you think Gabriel Agreste gives a SHIT about anything else?

Why are you trusting this man?? Gabriel's love is and has always been the worst thing in Adrien's entire life!

What do you think is gonna happen now?? Gabriel made himself a martyr and wiped Adrien's memory of having been horrible while simultaneously the cover story is that Gabriel Agreste died heroically defeating Monarque by Ladybug's side because Chat Noir wasn't there and his son Adrien was kidnapped!

Adrien is gonna fucking blame himself for his father’s death! He thinks he failed his father! Adrien was created out of Emilie's love for Gabriel, Gabriel is counting on Adrien being the only person who would want to bring him BACK! We were RIGHT reading it like that in "Passion"!

Gabriel KNOWS that he can't force either Adrien himself, Marinette, Nathalie or anyone to break apart but if he takes Adrien's memories while everyone remembers how shitty of a father he was to him than Adrien will want to distance himself from them by his own CHOICE!

What the fuck is Marinette gonna do when Adrien now obviously want to go back into his fathers business because he can't remember why he left in the first place and now he wants to make it up to his dead father by stepping into his role and continuing his legacy! You think Marinette crying a bit and saying "I don't want you to work as your father's successor, you don't have to be like him!" is gonna do it??

Adrien is gonna CHOOSE to go back because from his perspective what he's doing is good no matter if his father wasn't perfect and she's just really not being understanding and unsupportive. Telling him to choose himself "but not like that!"

Fuck, im short on time, but I will scream and shout about this forever! What are you guys WATCHING that this is good? Marinette turned into an easy two-for-one kill without Chat Noir, she NEEDED him and now she lost!

Adrien/Chat Noir was NEVER saved and now his insane father GOT him! The new universe started with Adrien waking up, NOTHING before that happened no matter what other people including Marinette herself think they remember! It never happened! The universe started with Adrien and Marinette kissing him awake because Gabriel WANTS her to think taht he gave her blessing or at least what he did wasnt so bad and for good intentions so she doesn't try undoing it before it's too late!

Can you stop being so naive? Why are you trusting and insane and abusive villain father who HATES you to do you JOB?

[princess-of-the-corner]

Oh yeah I agree with the nuance, I just think having Chat + halfish of her allies turning on Maribug bc of her actions hurting them that badly would push her into 'i am a horrible person who did everything wrong' thinking .

Like, everything she did was for the Greater Good, but if so many people she cares about were this hurt and she didn't even see it, she must be Bad.

Which is why I think she'd have a Civil War ending breakdown.

Hell, I could even see her wanting and mb even trying to renounce the Ladybug Miraculous and Guardianship (and her memories).

I truly think that, if confronted by all the hurt she caused her loved ones 'for the Greater Good' Mari would break, not double down. And it wouldn't be a 'oh I'm so sorry I saw the error of my ways in twenty minutes and now we're all good now' breakdown, it would be a 'season finale, hero hit rock bottom, how are they gonna bounce back from this' breakdown.

Oh yeah it'll get there eventually.

But it's also like.

There's the initial doubling down which she has already done in Canon whenever this topic came up. If she doesn't do it, things will be worse so she has to. They understand that, don't they? She knows she's not a bad person, she's a good person! Sure she makes mistakes, but she's not a bad person!

And it gets into a cycle of 'I know you're hurt but-' which accidentally invalidates everything they feel. And I think Adrien in specific would be pissed about that because yeah this all started because one fucker decided to say 'I know it will hurt people but -'.

The problem is that she doesn't know how to fix it without confronting that you can do awful shitty things that hurt others on a monumental level and still be a good person.

And on one hand yeah she might have a snap where she goes 'I'm an awful person I should quit you'd be better off without me etc.'. But that has to be handled well for two reasons.

1.) Mari would know that quitting like that would make things worse. Throughout the fighting they've emphasized that they do still care, they're just very hurt by what happened. They also know that she does feel bad. That's not the issue. The issue is the justification of it.

and

2.) if not done right, then her having her breakdown and everyone going 'okay I see you feel bad you're forgiven' is very guilt trip. No one would be over their hurt. They'd just stop bringing it up because doing so sends her into the 'I'm such an awful person I should leave' mode. Not to say that this can't happen, though ofc it would be accidentally and wouldn't last. They need to genuinely work this out.

[faerune]

6, 7, 8, 23, 24, 25, 33, 48 for logan and ginny MWAH!!

How do they make up/apologize after an argument? Ok, before I drag Ginny I'm gunna say in her defense that all the relationships she had prior to Logan were all shitty and/or toxic in some way and with people who also did not like sharing their feelings. So, Ginny tries physical intimacy over talking it out over an argument which Logan is like okay that's very tempting but we need to actually talk. It's hard for her at first but Logan is insistent about it. They're both not really one to hold grudges though I can see Logan being a little pouty and giving her the cold shoulder for a day or two if Ginny really hurt him while he gathers his thoughts.

Then they talk it out and Logan carries Ginny upstairs.

How often do they say “I love you”? Ginny saying I love you for the first time is like pulling teeth but once she does she's always saying it. Like she likes how it sounds, how it makes her feel and the way Logan lights up and gives her a little kiss on the cheek every time. Logan says it a lot because he is a big romantic and just adores her.

What do they love most about the other? Why? I've talked a little bit about this before but Ginny loves Logan's loyalty and protectiveness. His stability that covers just a little bit of a rebel at heart. She feels safe with him and steadied. Ginny grew up in a very unstable environment so to have someone steadfast by her side is more than she could ever have hoped for. No to mention he's genuinely good. He wants to help people however tied up by red tape he may be and that really takes her by surprise.

In contrast, Logan loves Ginny's passion and rebellious nature. He's been coasting through life so long, esp after taking over the Seraph and his brother's death trying so hard to be a good brother and son and make it mean something that he's lost a bit of his spark. He loathes the bureaucracy and nobility he has to deal with. Meanwhile, Ginny just...says fuck it and does good no matter what and no matter who is upset by her methods. She'll get shit done no matter what and look out for the little people in the process.

What are the defining characteristics of their relationship? The bickering that turns into playful flirtation!!! Ginny is always trying to trip him up and he plays back which makes Ginny ecstatic. Both of their wants to do good for the greater whole. Their family!! The two of them have three children together by the current date and their kids are the most important to them. The little stumbling and adjusting it takes for them to be good for each other. Their relationship was work but it was work they were happy and eager to do. Level-headed vs chaos bringer is the iconic duo. The little letters they send back and forth to each other when Ginny leaves to go fight dragons with her Order! Them being each other's touchstones.

How do their personalities affect their relationship? Do their characteristics compliment each other, or clash often? Their personalities compliment each other more eventually but like I said it's a little bit of stumbling to almost like...get themselves lined up right? Like they need to figure things out about each other and work but once they do their weaknesses compliment each other's strengths so perfectly. They tend to curb the other's more extreme tendencies (Logan gives Ginny patience, Ginny gives Logan reality checks lmao). They bicker, mostly playfully quite a bit though that's just always been their relationship. Logan, the long suffering husband and his kleptomaniac wife.

Do they share a room/house? If so, what does it look like and how does it compliment their personalities? YES!!! Ahhhhh, so their first home they share together is technically Ginny's. She buys a large manor in Divinity's Reach with all her Hero Money because hey she saved the world shouldn't she be in a fancy house? But she hates it. It's too big, too many places for people to hide, it echoes. She doesn't even furnish it fully it's mostly just an empty house. Logan makes a dining table for her himself and as he moved in more and more the house is filled. He makes it a home (gross).

Logan recover in Ginny's house after the blight pod for a few months and she cares for him.

After some events in LWS3, after Logan charges in to "save" Jennah even though he's super injured. That freaks Logan and Ginny out and the pair of them move to Ebonhawke to be closer to Logan's parents. They have a nice little home there with a garden and two floors. It becomes slowly messier and lived in, really cozy and feels like home. Logan's dining table is still there but now their kiddos eat at it <3

How do they flirt? Who’s the worse flirt? They're both SO SLY AND CHARMING. The pair of them are always flirting, that coy teasing and smirks and little wordplay. WHEW...spicy. Logan can be way more cheesy though but that's reserved for when they're together together and have kids and he's dad!Logan.

Do they talk about their future together? Why or why not? Most of their future decisions have been spur of the moment things lmao. Logan essentially moving in with Ginny during his recovery, their move to Ebonhawke was super sudden, Ginny got pregnant on accident with their oldest and told Logan up front she was going to keep it and he can be involved or not (which...Ginny you're an idiot he loves you). The only planned aspect of their future were trying for another baby and then that turned unexpected when their twin girls were born!

Honestly, they take it all in stride and are at peace with it. As long as they're together, they handle it and that's all that matters.

Though, Logan might be approaching a stress aneurysm sooner or later.

[princesscolumbia]

Yes, I read your tags.

To be slightly insensitive: You're asking for someone to describe color to a blind person.

You're asking to define the experience of "red" to someone who has no means of experiencing it in the slightest.

Even worse, you're asking laypersons to define a metaphysical concept. This is like asking someone who happens to use consumer electronics to define the Electronic fundamental force and being disappointed when they can't explain even how the phone they're holding works.

For a romantic person, being romantic is just something that exists. Trying to define it is like an extremophile fish from the deepest ocean trench to define "water." They won't even know what water is because it simply is. It's a part of their all the everything. It's just the medium in which they are and they have never had exposure to anything else.

The "color to a blind person" analogy is slightly disingenuous as it has an implication that there's something somehow wrong with you if you don't feel romantic feelings, but that's like saying they're something wrong with a gay person or a trans person or an ace person simply because they don't fit the definition of "normal." Going back to the fish; just because your a freshwater fish that lives in a mountain lake and regularly breaches the surface of the water doesn't mean that deep-sea me isn't perfectly happy swimming around this hear warm and toasty volcanic vent at the bottom of the ocean.

(This is why analogies always break down, this one implies that "romance" is the natural environment and the aro is somehow doing it wrong by leaving that environment when...ugh! It's not any better if I say romantics are fish and aros are birds, it implies they're two different species and somehow 'other.')

I happen to be romantic, and in fact I'm poly. In that I've had to work my awareness of being poly from the opposite direction of someone who's aro on the romance spectrum, I may be able to provide some insight by showing you the mirror opposite. Exposing the previously mentioned extremophile to the vacuum of space, if you will.

I was married for 16 years, and beyond me presenting as the wrong gender for my true nature, there was always a niggling feeling of "wrong-ness," like something was missing. I'd always felt that unless I had a romantic partner, and with one it was significantly reduced. Once I realized I was almost instinctively looking for whomever the third person in the relationship was that I was expecting, I thought something was wrong. I had my water, I was swimming in it and it was nourishing me, but it was like I wasn't quite getting enough nourishment.

(As disturbing as it sounds, especially when you frame the context the properly, the prevailing suggestion was that I was misinterpreting a desire for children as a need for greater romantic love and we should have kids, that should clear up my problem. If you're squicked by hearing that "solution," good, it's a SHITTY response and should make you question the ethics and morals of the person who made it. I was young and stupid, I had a kid in part because of this shitty advice ("Just have kids, that'll fix your marriage problems right up!"), while I don't regret my daughter being in my life, it was NOT the answer...and my only regret was my inability to throw my "I TOLD YOU SO" in their face)

When I started to figure out being poly, suddenly everything fit. I tried some virtual relationships, but my spouse not being fully on board made things REALLY problematic, and eventually that relationship fell apart. (MANY reasons, this was just the icing on the cake, really)

When I started seeking new partners, I made it clear I was poly from the start with all of them and I was going to continue seeking romantic relationships with however many partners I needed to feel complete and whole, and it's worked out. I have a GF and a NB SO. I have a few other on-and-off partners in addition to them. I finally feel like everything is complete.

And to be clear, I'm not talking like, "A car missing an engine is incomplete and can only work right with an engine" or any bullshit like that, more like, "A book can be complete but the sequels help tell the full story." I'm more than capable of managing alone, but just like it feels wrong when you see, "First in a series" but can't find the rest of the books, the rest of my story was missing.

Now this is pure speculation for me, I'm NOT aro, but to extend the book analogy; maybe an aro person is just that really satisfying book that doesn't need a sequel or companion series.

I think I'd be tempted to murder if someone trashed all my TTRPG books except for my D&D player's handbook.

On the other hand, if someone suggested Johnathan Livingston Seagull needed a sequel I'd look at them like they were leaking puss from both their eyes.

it really does bother me how no one can seem to answer the question “what even is romantic attraction, really.” like some people are like “it’s who you wanna kiss and cuddle <3” and I’m like ok well kisses and cuddles can be either sexual or platonic depending on context. “It’s who you feel passion/desire/arousal for” well that just sounds like sexual attraction which you can have without even knowing somebody so I fail to see how that’s romantic. “It’s who you want to go on dates with” I go on dates with friends all the time plus “date” is a social construct anyway there’s really no innate difference between a date and hanging out. “it’s who you have deep feelings for” great news for you that can be literally any type of relationship. my friend told me she defined it as “who you wanna give roses to” and I’m like do u hear urself??? like the more I talk to people the more I’m convinced romance and romantic attraction is an elaborate socially fabricated illusion that has no real defining characteristics. and like there’s nothing Wrong with it being a constuct but why people are so attached to defending the supremacy of it is something I cannot for the life of me figure out

[magentaink18]

Hank Schrader VS Walter White

Walter E Kurtz ? Nah I’m talkin about Walter H White.

Fr though, I haven’t watched this analysis video so I don’t know what it details. But the parallels are there. I am drawing parallels from this. And I can elaborate but not right now because I can’t be bothered.

Edit: there’s a possibility that this dynamic/ antithesis in morality was what inspired the writing of the Breaking Bad characters. Because:

Hank is a cop with the DEA but is initially introduced as a horrible person - he’s not overly malicious or anything - he’s just obnoxious, cocky, and abuses his position of power to disrespect those smaller than him with no repercussions. And is just plain shitty to those he isn’t friends with oftentimes. However, he’s always referred to as a “good guy” fighting “bad guys”.

This very much reflects Colonel Kilgore’s position - he’s considered great because of his status but as an individual, is a real asshole. Both Hank’s and Bill’s (that’s the bastard’s name) inflated confidence roots from the belief that they’re invincible despite their dangerous occupation so they’ve forgotten their own mortality due to being privileged and powerful.

Since Breaking Bad is a series and Apocalypse Now is a movie, there’s more room for character development for Hank in which he has some humbling downfalls and comes out the other end significantly less shitty upon being reminded of his humanity.

Okay now on to my slightly weaker comparison: the two bald Walters who have a wife and a son who they want to make happy but just end up fucking up kinda sorta in different ways. By law/ legislation both our Walters are bad. They used to have squeaky clean records but now they have broken bad. (I suppose Kurtz doesn’t fully align with the phrase through since there are strong moral values behind all of his actions but still, he did start killing people on a whim so he did eventually (eyebrow wiggle) BREAK BAD. Also …. Both Walters have fatal illnesses neither of which end up being the death of them (Water Weight with cancer and Water Curbs with implied Malaria).

Okay on to their moral facets that make them the opposite to Hank and Bill: they’re perceived by law and societally as bad but as individuals initially, they are good people and hold values and beliefs for the greater good. Although they do have a descent into not doing much good, they initially set out to do good and still hold on to beliefs that revolve around the greater good.

I still haven’t watched the video but my guess is that they’re gonna do the whole status of good, actually shitty: status of bad, actually good thing. And use the whole “if that’s how Kilgore fought the war then I wondered what problem they had with Kurtz” line or however it goes. But hey I might be wrong - I’m sleep deprived and dehydrated and this essay was driven by nothing other than avid hyperfixtations on both pieces of media and way too many items of confectionery I acquired for Christmas being my only sustenance so uh

And of course, nobody is inherently good/bad - people are much more multifaceted than that. However, in works of fiction, characters need to have clearer defined behaviours and beliefs for the sake of the plot and entertainment.

[janiedean]

I know your anti-HP but the Kylo discourse reminds me of that time a group of people tried to argue to me that if I thought Snape didnt deserve redemption then Dudley (a child that was raised in an abusive/neglectful household, was raised to believe/act in certain things/ways, grew up to realise his parents were wrong and started to attempt to make changes to his behaviour and be nicer) didnt deserve it either. Characters that show regret and remorse deserve a chance at redemption. Others dont.

... anon, idk if I understood the last two things right (i mean if it’s what you think or what the ppl discoursing with you think), but as far as I’m concerned, distancing myself from any hp related implication here because idk idc and if I never hear snape discourse in my life again it can’t be too late so idc about this specific discourse, tldr:

irl people who fucked up and want to do better should be given a chance to. not necessarily by the people they hurt and if they committed a crime they should pay appropriately before, but if they want to? they should have the chance. not being written off as lost causes;

people who aren’t Good Victims ™️ shouldn’t be refused help or compassion just because they don’t react the way they were supposed to;

this thing about whether redemption is deserved or not is a wording that is... weird because like, you get that if you want to do better but like it’s not a question of deserving or not, you don’t do better out of wanting to get the good place points, you just do it and if you do then welcome to the club;

narratively, obviously it depends on author decision - if the author wants X redeemed then they will be and it most likely will have a narrative where X feels remorse for his actions or has a chance to make up for his wrongdoings, if the author wants Y to just be a negative character who doesn’t redeem themselves then Y won’t have that narrative;

now, I think people should be objective about things, in the sense: you can like a character that the narrative had decided is not redeemable or is written as such (let’s go for someone that won’t cause me drama, idk, RAMSAY BOLTON): you can write your fanfic about how that person gets redeemed if you want to, but if you tell people they’re idiots for not wanting ramsay to be redeemed you’re not going to look that great because 99,9% of the audience won’t want ramsay to be redeemed as he’s not written as such. on the other side, if you hate a character (kylo ren FOR ONE) who is blatantly written to be redeemed because he was and it was obvious since tlj at least, you can write your fic or do your hc where he never redeems himself but saying that he’s the worst objectively or that kylo fans suck because they like a horrid character that you don’t want redeemed is useless and just digging yourself into a grave because canon is going there and you can’t do shit about it. like, if you don’t enjoy where canon is going you’re better off making peace with it and writing your au instead of being an ass to people who disagree with you;

now this also goes with the ‘please for the love of god look at the narrative’ angle because honestly denying what the narrative is blatantly telling is not paying anyone any favors and again, you can 100% choose to ignore it but twisting it won’t work (example: I don’t gaf about jon/erys and I wasn’t too big on its canonization but the moment it happened I didn’t spend months twisting the narrative so that it would say what I wanted it to say ie that jon/erys was doomed - it was canon, I just didn’t write it in fanfic nor thought about it beyond what I had to see and ignored its existence when I could and I didn’t go to ppl shipping jon/erys informing them of why I thought S7 was written like trash - why would I?). you can do whatever you want with the characters but like try to keep a healthy divide between what the narrative says and what you want for them and be an adult about it.

now: i haven’t read hp and idc for reading it nor watching the movies but if both s/nape and the kid in question were written to be redeemed because she wanted them to then they were because it was her story and she wanted them to be and idg why people are still arguing about that twenty years later but that’s another problem entirely. if person X doesn’t think kylo ren deserved redemption too bad the narrative had decided he was getting that since the beginning and it’s not about whether he deserves it or not, it’s about what the story is saying. as far as I’m concerned as long as you want to be a good person/better person/do good things in life you should be given a chance to prove it. in literature it’s up to the author. but like one thing is what you want for the character and what the author wants and how the author writes it bc if they’re good it will leave readers satisfied or at least not feeling like they were taken for idiots, if they’re not it’s going to be bad writing. that’s literally it. and I wish this redemption discourse didn’t feel like we think you buy it at the supermarket and/or there are standards for it and if you don’t meet them then whatever.

also: you can hate a thing and recognize it’s well written. like guys ian tregillis’s milkweed tryptich had a last book that took each single choice I didn’t want it to take and I hated what happened to all of the characters......... but that trilogy was actually so well-plotted, tight-knit and well thought and thematically sound that even if I hated everything it chose to be I still can recognize that it was good writing because it made sense, the plot held up and my personal dislike for it and for the protagonist as a person didn’t make it a bad book. or you can like a thing and recognize it’s terribly written or trash or a guilty pleasure. it happens. it’s fine. and when it comes to kylo discourse... it was an obvious redemption narrative with a character that was written to be sympathetic which resonated with some people and not with others which was eventually written badly because it didn’t pay off and 85% of this movie was an insult to the viewer. that’s literally it. and it’s 2019. like... it’s time to let it die especially when he redeemed himself. XD

[thetrashywritingwitch]

Y'know there are a lot of parallels between DBZ characters and BNHA characters, mainly Goku/Midoriya and Vegeta/Bakugo

Goku is the main protagonist and is so "selfless" that he ends up neglecting those closest to him and himself for what he considers the greater good or a fun fight just to test his own strength

Midoriya is now part of a lineage with powers passed on through the generations, had to train and destroy his body to become stronger while those closest to him say he's a dumbass for it, and is able to practically master new techniques and powers with little to no training

Both of them do the same selfish protagonist things bc they think they're doing the right thing or have such narrow vision that they lose sight of the bigger picture. They're also so OP that their fights become predictably boring

Then you have Vegeta. Someone born into power and prestige with resources and impossibly high expectations both put on him by himself and everyone around him. Hes also a shitty person for a good while. Then he meets Goku and realizes his royal blood means jack shit when this no name idiot shows off his power and continues surpassing Vegeta at every milestone.

Bakugo had so much handed to him because of his quirk. Everyone expected great things and for him to become a hero like All Might. A perfectionist who turns to self flagellation when he inevitably fails due to his own short sighted selfishness. He realizes that endless training and raw firepower won't get him where he wants to go, but puts in more sweat and work than just about anyone else.

Vegeta and Bakugo have so many parallels it's insane when you think about it. They were first at the top, then dropped to permanent second best when the main character comes out of nowhere with crazy powers and the power of friendship. Vegeta and Bakugo, while born into positions that set them up for greatness, have far more tactical battle knowledge just due to constantly pushing themselves with study and training. They fell from grace, used their jealousy and anger against the protagonists that unintentionally taunted them from the new #1 spot, until they eventually swallowed their pride and learned that collaboration is important for victory and that power isnt everything.

... this has been a Vegeta and Bakugo forgiveness post and they are way more interesting and engaging characters to me than Goku and Midoriya also Goku is DBZ worst dad and husband and he sucks

[eponymous-rose]

Talks Machina Highlights - Critical Role C2E123 (Feb. 2, 2021)

After last week’s thoroughly relaxing and brief episode, tonight’s guests are Sam Riegel and Liam O’Brien!

Brian, to Sam: “You look like Tim Curry moved to Nantucket to become a sommelier.”

How did Caleb and Veth approach the ally-ship with the Tombtakers? Sam: “I mean, we got some information, and I think we got a little closer to Lucien and knowing whether he has any of Mollymauk inside of him, which is I think the most important knowledge that we’re seeking right now. Is there someone to be saved inside there? We got glimpses, and we got a little hint that Mollymauk is maybe still in there? Maybe? And we got a little more insight into their plans, so that was useful.” Liam: “We know why we were having that fucking dream.” Sam: “But other than that, it was just a road trip with assholes.” Liam: “All our plans have been ripped in a new direction, and it’s just been improvisation.” Sam notes that it feels like we’re always about to rip into Caleb’s backstory, but haven’t yet followed that thread all the way through. Liam: “It’s partially frustrating, to be sure, but also I like the idea that-- his whole shit has been selfish, it’s been dealing with the trauma that he’s been through and not the greater world, and that’s been shifting somewhat.”

Does Caleb think the book was worth it, and is he still interested in reading more? Sam: “How do you ask Caleb not to read a book?” Liam: “Caleb has spent enough time with the Nein to know you shouldn’t put a hand on a hot stove. After what happened with the book, he knows it’s a terrible idea. But maybe. But it’s a really bad idea. But reserve judgment, but it’s a really terrible idea. I think that Caleb is very aware that mages and people like him very easily fall prey to their curiosity and it can lead to bad places. But there is still that amount of scientific endeavor where you think there is value in knowing and learning, and maybe we can ride that line. He was True Neutral at the start of the campaign, and maybe he’s Chaotic Good now, but part of him is hubris, even if it’s a little bit, still.”

What about Otis has drawn Veth’s focus? Sam: “I mean, he’s a little shit. She was curious about Otis because he’s a small like she is, and in talking to him, he seemed to be real creepy, but he was just creepy and distant and didn’t value his past or family or anything like that. She sees someone who’s like her, but so not like her, and maybe that scares her a little bit more.”

How does Caleb feel about Beau being on this ride with him? Liam: “The dream is another example of how Caleb had very narrow vision of the things he wanted to do. It used to seem so massive to him, but now... To have Beauregard involved feels right. If anyone in the group is going to stop him from grabbing something he shouldn’t, it is probably Beauregard. She’ll punch him in the fucking face to stop him, which I think he needs, to a certain extent. They’re two different kinds of nerds, and I kind of like that, that this group of nine philosophers, they’ve reached out and somehow grabbed the two nerds in the party.”

How do Caleb and Veth see the Somnovum? Sam: “I mean, they seem real bad. Anything that’s a quorum of powerful entities heading towards your planet to unleash an energy of any kind, typically bad? I assume they’re bad, or at least the Tombtakers wish them to do ill.” Liam: “I think they want the kind of peace that comes from snapping your fingers and turning people to dust. Caleb sees them as a cautionary tale; they’re the worst-case scenario for arcane inquisitiveness.” He sees Allura Vysoren as the antidote to that.

Why the staunch refusal to use Halfling Luck? Sam: “I don’t like Luck! I just don’t like Luck. I think it’s cheap, I think it’s a cheat, I think it’s stupid. It just feels like a do-over.” Liam: “I am your antithesis! If I ever voice a halfling, I am going to hammer that feature!” Sam: “What I love about D&D is that you don’t know what’s going to happen. If you roll bad, okay, that’s it. If you roll well, it makes the success more enjoyable to know that it’s a pure success and don’t one where you’re like well actually... it’s so stupid. If someone was about to die, I would probably use the fuckin’ Luck feature. Well. It depends who. If it was Travis, yeah, no, he’s fucked, sorry.”

Liam drops that he’s picked Sam’s character class and race again for a hypothetical campaign three. Sam: “It’s not what I was thinking for future characters, but I’m excited to explore.”

Cosplay of the Week: an amazing Mollymauk by KatofValkyrie!

What was it like to bring the Tombtakers into the tower? Liam: “It is complicated, because he does not like him. Lucien’s just a fucking dick. But Caleb also knows that Molly’s in there somewhere. That tower’s only for the M9, and Lucien’s not in the M9. Their situation with these people is shitty, it’s terrible. Caleb doesn’t feel like they have the upper hand. He doesn’t like that they’re even going on this journey per se, because life is bigger than his bullshit. He feels like they’ve been losing over and over again, so it was a gamble to try to get on equal footing.

What spurred Veth into making sure she and Yasha have some one-on-one time? Sam: “Yasha hasn’t been getting a lot of moments to shine. Now that she’s back, I just got the impression that Yasha feels out of place sometimes, or timid, or unsure of herself. When Veth was Nott, Nott certainly had her share of those moments. I think she sees a kindred spirit and wants to make sure that she’s been giving all the opportunity she can to flourish and thrive. Dani, you’re just laughing at my mustache, aren’t you?” Dani: “Yes, that’s the only thing I’m laughing at through this whole bullshit.” Sam denies all knowledge of trolling, but eventually admits, on the topic of Yasha and Beau getting together: “They’ve made me wait this long... I’m going to make them wait a little bit longer!”

What was it like to show his friends the upper floors? Liam: “I kinda expected somebody to sneak up there before that. That being part of the tower is not even a conscious choice of his, it just is. The reason Caduceus has creeped Caleb out for a long time is because he talks about how-- Caduceus is a really kind person and wants Caleb to let go of the past. And in a really simplistic way, turn that frown upside-down. And that’s just not who Caleb is, and it’s not who everybody is. There is something to be said for trying to stay open and positivity, but thinking you can shut out the past, especially a traumatic one, is just not true. When things happen to us, we carry them. But to candy-coat it and say, ah, I’m free, or everything is good, or I’ve turned the corner... life is way messier than that. It’s not flipping a switch, it’s not bad-to-good, it is such a work in progress. Even when you make strides and start to get to a better place, you can backslide a lot. So the tower is who he is, and the tower is 7/9ths love for his friends, and 1/9th hope, but there’s still a percentage of him that carries everything from the past, and knows that he should, and knows that he should not go back to where he was. And the way to do that is not to say everything is rainbows, but to remember it. The tower is just like an extension of who he is. He’s never going to forget the past, and he’s never going to be like, I’m good, or I’ve turned a corner. He should remember the past, and he should do better, always.”

Does Veth still believe it’s possible to get Molly back? Sam: “Well, she was a person trapped in another body for many years, so has some experience there, and definitely believes that the spirit and soul of Molly is in there and just needs to be unlocked somehow.”

Fan Art of the Week: an amazing group shot by HarpySN!

How are Caleb and Veth dealing with their guilt and fear about being in the middle of this? Sam: “It definitely was a deep conversation that might have repercussions going forward. The problem with all of what we’re doing now is that we don’t have time to deal with our petty problems anymore. It’s all high tension all the time!” Liam: “It’s true; they’re not in control of their situation at all anymore.” Sam: “It’s good to have these check-ins, but it’s not like we can do anything about them. We’re reactive right now.” Liam: “He’s not happy with where they are, but they wouldn’t even be this far if the goblin hadn’t pulled him out of the mud. So part of it is, you saved me from where I was and got me on my feet again, and now it’s disconcerting to see it all just get knocked sideways by something he never could’ve predicted. I think Caleb felt nostalgic for when things were simpler, in a way, for them, when we’re both troubled drifters.”

What was it like to see Gelidon’s return? Liam: “I am the least superstitious person at the table. Ashley’s dice suck.” Sam: “It was fun fighting a dragon!” Liam: “Two massive battles in one episode, neither of which came away with a victory. I guess surviving is a victory.” Sam: “I’d forgotten about the dragon, honestly.” Liam: “I loved it. I was so upset at the idea that we were going to stealth and not get into it.”Sam: “Mercer doesn’t keep a live dragon around and not do something with it. That dragon’s coming back.”

How do Caleb and Veth feel about going to see Essek? Sam: “He can be very helpful, I believe, but as Sam Riegel, a player of D&D, I’m super suspicious. What the fuck is Essek doing up there, so close, now? I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. And I can throw him pretty far because he floats.” Liam: “I 100% agree with you. I do not understand what Essek could bring to what we are going through. I know the audience loves him, I love him too. He’s a really cool character. But he’s fucking toxic. He out of curiosity caused a war between two nations. And Caleb has been changed for the good by the M9 from months of travel with them. Essek has had none of that. Caleb has changed for the good, but not because of people like Essek. Essek is where Caleb came from. We kept the lid on the pot during the whole treaty at sea and it almost all went fucking sideways, and only because we pressed him into a corner. I hope that guy finds some sort of balance and peace for himself, but I do not see how his input here would be helpful. There’s other heavy hitters that I would try to pull in.”

Liam notes that the Cloven Crystal is in the Bag of Holding. Sam: “Do I have Fluffernutter, or is Fluffernutter gone?” Liam: “Nope. 300 pounds of fireworks? Gone. A dead mage, a threshold crest, and fireworks.” Dani: “Your basic essentials.”

[6blackfilin9]

I love your Anko fanart! Tell me, what are your views/headcannons on Anko X Kazuku?

hThank you so much for the ask, finally I can answer it

here is my big thank you for the waitng

In a nutshell, the shipp was created by accident while me and my buddy were working on our first Naruto AU in 2019, where Kakuzu and Deidara survived their shitty plotholes end eventually ended up in Konoha

Yeah

so, the shipp’s birth date is july the 1, 2019

anything like classy, aristocracy kind of tension-filled passionate gothic romance with playful, psychological games & hurt/comfort vibes with slight scent of rivalry is KakuAnko

Basically, they are: a very, very old man with absolutely horrendous background who’s trying to finally have his mother*cking 10 or 30 years of peace, and a rather young lady with a rocky youth who’s being good & noble yet has very strong antihero tendencies

You know, I think they do have potential, since, in fact, they seem to be very similar, at the core

They are both very pragmatic realists, the people of logic and reason, yet if Kakuzu’s irritability doesn’t affect him a tiny bit due to his ideal self-control, Anko’s can lead her to quite bad places, sometimes. They put their interests in the first place, and even though she tries to attach them to Konoha’s, she still has ‘personal’ things (I’ll write ‘bout it lower*). Their mindsets are so complicatedly organized that, at some point & way, it prevents them from having many close people, and makes them very hard to see through and predict

Both of them are very flexible & adaptive, independent individuals with similar outlooks on plenty of things and high intellectual level. They clearly can find plenty of traits that they would highly respect and adore in each other

Here I will speak mostly for “why and how” kind of things, bc both of them are terribly tricky to accurately figure out. But there will be some headcanons too

So, there are still some odds about them, due to the strong difference in their occupation, like, in plenty of cases they are really tricky to be brought together, because:

- Of the job

In original, Anko is a Konoha’s special jounin, and she is very dedicated to serving the country. Independently of whether she likes her job or not (depends on the plot), she orienteers at the people, at society’s gain from her work. So, accordingly, in any other AU her job is somehow connected to civil service, whether it’s something police-like, connected to science, or something like CCG in Tokyo Ghoul

Kakuzu, on the other hand, is a hitman and a persona non grata in literally all the five big countries, Konoha too (which makes it barely possible to bring them together in the original universe without hard complications or heavy drama. But still possible). He orienteers on his own gain alone, but, depending on the job, it can include others’ gain, too.

This detail makes him a saint once he holds supervising position in some company or any high position in the government (the better the working conditions of the staff now- the more money in the prospective), and the sheer nightmare once he has it on the opposite side of the law. Him as a mob boss is a complete different topic for discussion, but to get the point, in this case, the trouble isn’t him increasing the level of criminality (its rather vice-versa), but taking hold of too much control in the high and underground structures. Even as an ordinary hitman he’s rather tricky, since everything depends on the case

In most of the stories, they come to some sort of compromise, and how hard it is to reach it depends on how shitty his job is and how attached they are to each other at the moment

Like, in the above mentioned Shippuden AU and Harry Potter AU (which I also wrote with my buddy) everything went like clockwork, because there they are both more or less on this side of the law, in Tokyo Ghoul AU (which I also wrote with my buddy) it is a bit more complicated, with her being in-law and him being very much outlaw, in the Avatar AU (which I also figured out with my buddy, but we never happened to write it) it is also pretty smooth, with both of them being outlaws and then jumping out to the glory after all the shit is done, but in another Shippuden AU of mine, this all would be just a motherfucking bloody disaster

- Kakuzu is actually a hard nut to get attached to anyone

He lived too long to be truly afraid of anything, though. Its mostly because he doesn’t really need to get attached to or become close with someone to satisfy his need for communication. The man can get along with anyone once he wishes to, he can have countless acquaintances and plenty of buddies, but he doesn’t have many comrades and barely can call anyone a friend. Because he is used to lose everything and everyone he ever had or happened to have, because of his inhumanly lengthened lifespan.

It requires time for him to get used to the person, and then, eventually, in some cases, spend plenty of it to get attached

Plus, for him, due to his profession, each close connection is a really great responsibility for him. In most cases, he’d think twice of weather he is ready to take it or not

Though it of course has the personal factor, too

In Anko’s case, she has a grand privilege by being a very intelligent and keen woman, not just in cognitive plane, but in emotional, too. High emotional intellect is actually a rare trait, so she automatically stands out of the crowd for him. Even though it won’t guarantee his alliance, it will grant her his high respect and some sort of sympathy

- Kakuzu is, technically, an asshole

He does have his moral compass, which includes a great amount of common social morality, but he also has that “I am working” state

Even though Kakusu has a set of professional principles, and he still acts accordingly to what he thinks is right, one and the very same situation can be solved diametrically different once the context changes from working to casual and vice versa

This, and him being very independent and quite antisocial, makes the degree of assholeness depend on various factors

This can lead to major conflicts of interests, and if they are possible to have any compromise or not is strongly attached to the circumstances. After all, both are very, very prideful and dignified people

- In other words, the only major issue for them would be morality questions. It’s possible to make the case acceptable for Anko, since both of them ain’t truly squeaky clean, along with Kakuzu being willing enough to watch his borders

- She is provident and doesn’t really need a lot of money on a daily basis, which is much of a joy to him lol

- *they both seek for the stable ground, first of all

Taking in consideration the life conditions Kakuzu had in his youth (despite war state, he still stably had family, friends, grand respect from everyone, home, warmth and food) and how terribly he was torn out of his secured social environment, I believe what he seeks through all his bounty hunt and other money-connected manipulations is stability. Sustainability he had back then. The only way to have it in the conditions of our existent world order is to have money (and a very good mind and luck)

Anko has indeed much more altruistic motives, yet it’s still not that simple. It seems to be, on the first sight, yet considering the “Orochimaru related cases” and her very wayward behavior toward them, it’s clear she keeps her own motives and needs in mind oh so well. The service she has is very well payed, it allows her to do what she likes or believes is right, and to have the living conditions she finds comfortable. And only here, relying on the made sustainable basis, she does what she does

- Thus, they both illustrate the principle “first help yourself, next help the other” just right

- She knows she can keep an eye on him, yet it’s clear for her that her influence isn’t borderless, as well as telling him off some stuff is kind of a not wise thing to do. So in the majority of cases, she never interferes

- This is not common, yet he can actually change some plans if the situation is serious and the compromise can’t be found. He is that kind of person who works on a further prospective, and in this context, this would be the relationship with his loved one

- While Kakuzu is quite conflicted and has very reserved controversial persona, Anko is both controversial, conflicted, and sort of two-faced, on top of that

She is a very sincere, cheerful and humbly honest human being, yet she has some darker natural traits of her character that became rather strong with age and traumatic experience. Cunningness, guile, ways-depend-on-the-case and a bit of ruthlessness, that is. Moreover, she has some unsolved personal issues, which makes her even more twisted.

Like, remember the time when she confronted Orochimaru during the exam? And Kabuto, on the war? Getting rid of them is indeed beneficial for Konoha, but it’s clear that for her it is personal vendetta in the first place. She wouldn’t have tried to do this alone, otherwise, because these two are rather dangerous ones, to say the least.

She uses greater good to cover her real motives (even though it is not truly complete bullshit), and seems to have a terrible habit to keep silence about really important things, which makes her quite prone to lying, in some cases

And sometimes it very badly pisses Kakuzu off, since it makes her prone to doing useless but dangerous shit too

Yet this not any kind of separate hidden side, it is integrated into her personality, and coexists with her bright one. That’s where her violent humour comes from, for example.

But Kakuzu, on the other side, is completely monolith individual, yet sometimes his mindset can create contradictions when it comes to something important to him. but it's another topic

And seeing these layered constructions, and motives, they can pretty finely predict each other’s behavior. Not super-neatly, but they for sure see the basis. This is what helps Kakuzu to prevent Anko from doing some stupid shit, sometimes

- Anko has a role of an indicator for the people who don’t understand and see the changes in Kakuzu’s mood sometimes, since she usually reacts quite openly. Yet, when she has the same unreadable mask of cold, or one of guile, it’s a nightmare for them

- They prefer the non-verbal way to show their feelings, even though Anko is obviously the more chatty one

- They don’t say things such as “I love you”, or other sensual stuff like that really often, believing it to be some sort of cherished words that shall not be spelled mindlessly

- Anko isn’t majorly into PDA, but she fancies it much more than Kakuzu does. She has her whole moments of studying something with her hands, whether it’s a hand, scar or face. He’s more into passive display of affection, like wrapping an arm over her waist or leaning to her or something of this kind; they can allow themselves to (not sexually) kiss in public though

- She knows he doesn’t like to walk hand in hand due to considering it a youthful thing, so there are times when she intentionally walks holding on to his sleeve; generally they walk separately in order not to bother each other, but sometimes they walk arm in arm (like an old Victorian couple lol)

- Being older and wiser, Kakuzu eventually upholds some kind of mentoring position, yet he never considers himself any kind of a teacher or master to Anko, believing her to have a good head of her own. He is just insightful enough to break something through to her or give a word of advise

- This, combined with his highly powerful demeanor, also makes him have the leading position in their relationship

- Anko respects him much enough to fortify this, entrusting with plenty of life questions (like organizing the family budget), even though they make the majority of decisions together. Mostly because he is truly wise and highly experienced individual.

- This makes him one of the very few people Anko would actually listen to and take their opinion in consideration

- So basically they have equal relationship with some tendency to patriarchal order

- And it is, really, mostly economically-based disbalance, with him earning much more than she does

- Yet they never have any financial-based issues, since both of them keep in mind and respect the contributions of each

- There is major power play here, too. He has the absolute might, she has seduction. Anko loves how he makes her want to submit to him, let him have all the power, so she likes provoking him. And she knows he adores it, loves the subtle control she has over him

- They don’t have conflicts in their everyday life. Each knows how to avoid pissing one another off

- He cherishes her playful demeanor, her intellect. Combined with her cunningness, it allows her to rival him, in social sphere. The way she constructs her phrases, the way she speaks, mimics, moves, how bewitchingly it suits her feminine snaky features makes his blood boil and heart melt

- Both of them, actually, have rather specific kind of dry, dark humour. Kakuzu’s is very cynical, satirical, quite often menacing and subtly demeaning; Anko’s is very sarcastic and quite dirty, even gruesome and rather violent

- Sometimes they “fight” verbally as a form of a play. In some circumstances they may sound pretty vile, so some unobservant people mistake this for display of hate

- In general, Anko is the one to heat things up with her playful demeanor, which can include provocation and rivalry, and Kakuzu is the one to keep this energy in borders, accumulating it up to much more intense states

- They both put the comfort in the first place when it comes to household. Everything must be cozy, useful, silent and super clean

- Yet they are both very unpretentious and modest, really

- She absolutely adores when he is showing his serious, severe side, or powerful demeanor. She finds it incredibly suitable for him. She also likes how his real age is sliding out in this or that way. Like, even though he has rather young face (that of 37-40 y.o.), his eyes give away that he’ve seen oh so much more than it seems; the grumpy noises and grunts he makes, the lazy attitude in movements and the way how rapidly he finds a comfy pose once he has a chance to take a seat

- They are both rather patriotic, yet while in the most stories Anko’s feelings mostly lay towards the country she lives in, Kakuzu’s more often lay towards some places, so called small motherland.

- Kakuzu actually could be a source of deep, strong admiration and delight for her, despite all of his bullshit. The unbreakable will he has, mighty burning heart, all the wisdom, talents and mind. Being sent to fight god damn Hashirama, clearly a genius of his times, financial & management genius at the least. And, still, after all the hard times he’ve been through, he maintained the very strong sense of dignity and nobility, even though slightly twisted due to the profession and abnormal lifespan

- And the very same things can serve as the source for her chagrin: with all those traits, he could have been so much more rather than a criminal. With all the gifts he’ve got, he could have been of great use to society. He’s much easier about this, since his prospective is much wider and embraces decades (and in some universes even centuries) instead of months & years, and he knows that he’d be switching sides throughout his life, being on this and that side of the law, yet he still is a bit uncomfortable once it’s brought up

- They are deeply into science, which makes them atheists. He’s into medicine and human biology, she’s into chemistry and reptilian biology; both of them are nuts for physics, history and psychology

- They solve complicated physical and mathematical problems together time to time. She is the first one to have tea-breaks due to losing her temper over it, he tries to figure things out right until you can sense the smoke coming off his head

- Actually, they do have a stumbling stone aside from job & morality complications. And this is Anko’s attitude towards Orochimaru

What she does is basically ruins her life very-very slowly, maintaining the issues she has and planning to make him pay for all he’s done

Kakuzu knows exactly what is really going on with this attitude and why, but he can’t really do anything about it. Like, he knows he can’t make her change her mind or put something into her head

All he can do is really nothing but try to explain how those things are working, and even this option is basically a landmine field for him. At some level she does understand that he could probably be right, yet she just refuses to go back on her mind. And this is actually really dangerous, so at some moments they can fight quite badly about it

- He’s scared shitless to lose her, though; especially like that, even though he knows clearly that he will, anyway, sooner or later

- he knows that losing loved ones ends up with sheer disaster for him, yet he isn’t afraid to pay such a high price for those six, five or four decades of being with her. Because these decades are that of a paradise ones for him. Wife and family, as well as stable job, incomes and life conditions, are some sort of physical definitions of sustainability he craves. Especially family, yet it’s far ahead to plan

- The fact that he will have to bury her one day makes her rather depressed, as well as the knowledge that the only thing she can really do about it is to try to bring him as much happiness and comfort as possible before she dies

thank you, i'd say more, but it's too much already

[midnightelite]

So, I ranted yesterday, about love and obsession and a few of my close friends pushed me towards putting it on Tumblr.

I've been hearing a few things lately, about Snape and how he felt about Lily. Some people were saying that love and obsession are not mutually exclusive, and it just rubbed me the wrong way. Not because of the people who said it, they're lovely people, but because of the implication that you can do both. Love and be obsessed with someone. And I couldn't stop thinking about it and needed to just write to get it out of my head.

This is partially because I have dealt with obsession before, in the sense that I was an object of someone’s obsession. Which resulted in me losing my best friend, and me no longer feeling comfortable around them anymore, and I don’t think that will change. At least not anytime soon, and it happened in 2018.

Saying love and obsession are not mutually exclusive is coming from someone who has not experienced or just does not have the knowledge of either of these, and equating them to being similar, or possible to be felt at the same time is a very toxic view. If you truly know what love is, you would know that it is absolutely mutually exclusive.

Love is coming from a place that is so positive. You want the best for this person, and you want them to thrive. It’s okay if you guys don’t get together if it’s romantic, because above all else you want them to be happy. If you love someone you want them to be happy, and anyway you can aid in that you are willing to do. Which is a very big distinction when you are comparing the two.

Obsession is a much darker beast and comes with a lot of differences that are just contradictory to what love is. Obsession comes with a lot of factors and can present in a lot of different ways. For one thing, someone who is obsessed doesn’t see the greater picture when it comes to the object of their obsession.

I keep calling the person they are obsessed with an object of obsession because that’s essentially what it is like. You’re not a person, they ignore your flaws, will talk to other people about how you’re perfect. You can point out really shitty things that you do, and they will just dismiss it. Other people can point out flaws to them and they dismiss it.

This seems extreme, but it happens! I’ve dealt with it! And it is so harmful and puts that person in such an uncomfortable position. Part of what makes a person human and not an object is the flaws that make them, them. And ignoring any wrongs that person does is not only harmful to other people but is also working against the person who is doing the wrongs, regardless of the size.

We keep others in check by confronting them when they do something that isn’t right, if we absolve them of any mistakes they make they will never grow as a person, or they won’t realize their behavior can be harmful.

Rounding back to them not seeing the greater picture, they are not always looking out for the person’s well-being, and if they are it isn’t necessarily the want of the person they are doing it to. They are still self-serving, even if they mask it with the thought that they are doing it for this person, it’s not necessarily what that person wants or is comfortable with. And they don’t check-in to see how the person is feeling about their actions. They continue doing what they think is right, regardless of how it is affecting the person that is involved.

They don't take the other person's desires into consideration when they act. They don't care if what they are doing is hurting another person, or making them uncomfortable. In my experience they didn't even ask. They just decide what they think is the best course of action.

You can see this with Snape and Lily in the few flashbacks we get.

In the first memory we see in Deathly Hallows the way he is staring at Lily in the bushes is with 'undisguised greed.' Greed, as in an avid desire for gain. He wants Lily, and the connotation of greed means more than your share, but it is talking about objects it wealth. Not people. And we know based off Lily's response throughout the memory the only reason she entertains him is because she thinks he might have an answer for why she can do extraordinary things. As soon as he says witch she is not about the interaction anymore and tried leaving, and when she eventually does leave it's with a glare at him.

In a later memory this exchange occurs:

Snape's whole face contorted and he spluttered, "Saved? Saved? You think he was playing the hero? He was saving his neck and his friends' too! You're not going to-- I won't let you--"

"Let me? Let me?"

Lily's bright green eyes were slits. Snape backtracked at once.

This gives a huge insight into Snape's mindset when it comes to Lily. When our emotions are high we tend to lose our filter and say things we usually keep locked away even though it's how we feel. He accidentally slips and says he won't let her what? Befriend James? Label him a hero? Either way he feels like he has the right to control her actions, which is obviously against her wishes, and not in her comfort zone.

He is actively pursuing and supporting an organization that wants people like Lily to not be in their society. We know Lily is against dark arts and this movement, she joined the order of the phoenix to fight against this entity. This is the situation that had Lily ending their friendship, to begin with.

Snape didn’t care what Lily’s feelings were about the situation. He knew Lily did not support his interest in the dark arts. He joined this organization knowing that it would hurt other muggleborns. If he truly cared for Lily, he never would have joined that organization, he would have fought beside her to help stop Voldemort.

Instead, he kept it hidden, and was fine with other muggleborns being tortured as long as it wasn’t Lily. You see it again in his flashbacks when Harry is chosen over Neville as the ‘chosen one’ for the prophecy. He didn’t care about that prophecy when it was possible it could be the Longbottom’s.

As soon as Voldemort chose Lily and her child, he crawled back to Dumbledore, not because he changed his views, or wants to be good now, but because the object of his affection is now being threatened. So, what does he do? Takes the only path he can think of to save his possession.

There are so many examples I could pull, but bottom line, if it was love he would not have done a lot of the things he had.

The reason that love and obsession are mutually exclusive is because obsession does not take the object’s wants and feelings into consideration. The person who is obsessed is not checking to see if the other’s needs are being met. They have an idea of this person in their head that they solidified in stone. They aren’t there to help them grow, or change as time passes. They are trying to protect this person they barely know-because of how they dismiss and full out reject any flaws which is the root of what a person is-and keep them with them.

Love wants the best for the other person, and that person is an active participant in the decision. Love is all about respecting each other’s wants, and compromising when needed. The ultimate goal is to make that person happy. It happens despite any flaws, and wants the best for that person in a way that the person is comfortable with. You want to grow, as people together, but ultimately if that person can't be happy and fulfilled with you, you want them to go find what will make them happy and fulfilled.

This is not to say that those decisions won’t hurt, it absolutely does, but you want the best for them, and you will help however you can. You’ll feel your feelings and as time passes it will get easier, and one day you’ll find someone who wants the exact same thing for you, and you’ll feel it in return. This is for both platonic and romantic relationships.

Obsession is easily mistaken for love, but they are contradictory terms, even if you look at the surface level and they seem like they can be similar. When you get down to the core of these two things, they couldn’t be more different.

Snape was obsessed, he was not in love. It may have started as love but it became warped and twisted, and I think the moment he started acting without her consent behind the scenes, and it concerned Lily, is the moment you know that the switch flipped. If there are no conversations about what you are doing to protect this person with the person it involves, then that is the moment you are entering dangerous water.

Sorry it's so long, and also unedited. I hope if anything, that this at least helps people distinguish between love and obsession.

[mettywiththenotes]

Star and stripe's quirk is kinda like a Death Note, when you think about how it works, isn't it?

Take my shitty and very quickly done editing ascfgvhj

Back, Stars And Stripes🤺🤺Back I say🤺🤺

But yes I definitely agree. She's like Death Note without the actual Note. Makes me wonder why, if she's so ignorant and seems reckless, nobody is really keeping control on her, like that government guy from 328

Like the whole point of Death Note was that Light had so much power over people and a person like him - who has a god complex - shouldn't have the Death Note. That's why he's shown to be going insane with power as the series nears its end. I mean he was pretty crazy with it before, but when we got towards the end, thats when it was shown just how much the Death Note fucked with his mind. The power that it held was too dangerous to be in the hands of someone who thinks of themselves as "Above All"

So now, cut to Miss I'm Gonna Ignore The Government And Do What I Want And Outright Attempt To Kill A Villain. She obviously has a whole lot of power, way too much power for somebody who is willing to kill for the greater good, and it just makes me very worried

I would say she's kind of got a God Complex going on. Like, she's the "Strongest Hero". She's number one in the US. That has to do something to your mind eventually. Not only that, but if I could pretty much do whatever I wanted with a simple declaration, I know it would go to my head too

I think her character, while seeming to be about how International Heroes can be corrupt/morally gray too (which, obviously yes, but this is the first time we've actually seen evidence of this), I think its also about the responsibility of power and, if in the wrong hands, it can turn into something quite twisted and horrible

I want to see more of her and see how she'll turn out, especially with this cliffhanger where we'll have to wait another week until we find out what happened, so I honestly can't wait until the next chapter lol

She's actually interesting and I want to see where her character goes (if it actually does)

[tossawary]

omg the concept of (canon-esque? i.e. in a complete depressive state) sqh agreeing to come out of hiding to attend sqq/lbh's wedding, knowing 1000% that mbj WILL be there and WILL immediately discover sqh faked his own death, just because sqq asked him to? oof. but for a man so dedicated to avoiding his own untimely demise... how does he play it? does he pretend he has amnesia? does he go in disguise?

Okay, so the setup I was picturing for this (the Real Angsty Version) is that SQH finds out that SQQ is another transmigrator just before he fakes his death. SQQ also finds out that SQH is a transmigrator, but then SQH dies! What the hell! Leaving Shen Qingqiu to be like, “I have NO idea who that other transmigrator was or what they might have changed. Also, I’m not coping well with coming face to face with my fate: getting killed off horribly in service to the plot!” 

Only, SQH secretly gets in contact with SQQ and arranges a secret meeting, in which they discover each other’s past identities (or past usernames, at least). Shen Qingqiu is pissed off that Shang Qinghua is the author of this shitty story and confronts SQH as though this mess is his responsibility to fix. 

But Shang Qinghua laughs in Shen Qingqiu’s face (in the fashion of the asshole we know SQH can be). Like, firstly, if Shen Qingqiu claims that Shang Qinghua is alive and was in service to demons, he’s probably going to look like he’s having the next step in his ongoing breakdown. There’s no proof! Good luck convincing all those overly concerned Peak Lords of your sanity, bro! 

Secondly, Shang Qinghua already wasted his last life on this stupid fucking story he never wanted to write, so he’s not wasting his new one on this stupid fucking story either. Fuck the story! Fuck the original outline too! He’s been held hostage by the System for decades and now that he’s fulfilled his only major plot requirement, he’s done with this shit! Done with Proud Immortal Demon Way! He wants to LIVE. And he wants to live for himself for once in his fucking life! 

So, like, there’s serious conflict between SQH and SQQ. Years of living false lives boil to the surface. But, when it comes down to it, neither of them have anyone else who understands what it’s like. They’re not friends, but SQH feels bad for SQQ, especially after SQQ finally has a real breakdown over feeling like an immature young adult pretending to be someone he’s not, forced to hurt an innocent person he’s genuinely come to care about. SQH is much older than SQQ and he’s like, “Ahhh, fine, I kind of had some plan for my retirement, but I guess I can be this guy’s transmigration mentor for a bit.” 

So they do the whole Sun and Moon Dew Flower Seed thing again, only it works out better because a retired SQH doesn’t have anything better to do than garden all day. They bitch and vent at each other over random bullshit. And eventually SQH gets sick of SQQ worrying over Luo Binghe’s return. 

SQH is like, “Bro, sure, you’re probably going to die. But you have a backup body and a new life waiting for you. Your role is the story is going to end soon. You’ve already changed shit. Say whatever the fuck you want to say to him and then peace out of the plot without a heart weighed down by guilt. Unlike the shit I wrote, you don’t have to draw this mess out into as many extra chapters as possible, so just cut through the bullshit and tell him you fucked up. Mentor characters always die just before or just after big reveals anyway.” 

(Since the SVSSS System is apparently there to make something close to Airplane’s original outline happen, you could go a non-canonical direction and have it remove all secrecy restrictions once Shang Qinghua says he no longer gives a shit about the story or the plot, if you wanted to do a full Identity Reveal. Then SQH and SQQ could have a very funny moment in which they realize SQH had greater control over the System than he realized.) 

So, yeah, Luo Binghe returns, Shen Qingqiu says everything he feels he needs to say right away, and things hit a fix-it AU path from there. If Tianlang-Jun and Zhuzhi-Lang are up to their usual mischief, then Shang Qinghua probably comes back to help deal with that. Everything is resolved! 

And then Moshang angst! SOOOOO much Moshang angst! 

In the Romcom Wedding from Hell Crack AU version of this fic, I was kind of picturing that Shang Qinghua never reveals himself to be alive during the conflict, but Shen Qingqiu really wants him at his scary demon wedding for support! So Shen Qingqiu is trying to persuade SQH to come out of hiding and be his best man, when Mobei-Jun somehow stumbles onto the conversation, probably in the company of Luo Binghe. 

And Shen Qingqiu is immediately like, “Mobei-Jun, you will not murder my friend.” And Luo Binghe is like, “What Shizun says goes.” 

And so I was picturing, in this Romcom-esque Crack AU version of this fic, Shang Qinghua trying (and failing) to politely explain to an incensed Mobei-Jun that he faked his death because he was afraid of being killed for no reason someday. Which turns into Mobei-Jun being shocked and confused and angry, because that is not what was happening! Which turns into Shang Qinghua just outright yelling at him that it WAS what was happening and berating him for all his carelessly cruelty over the years. Big blow-out fight. 

While Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe stand in the corner as chaperones (to prevent any murder from taking place), shamelessly watching this utter disaster unfold with incredulous fascination. Like, “Wow! That could have been us! We’re so glad that we managed to communicate with each other like adults and avoid this kind of pointless bullshit that could have been resolved at any time with one direct conversation. Good thing we’re better than that.” 

SQH then gets involved in the wedding because the cat’s out of the bag anyway, now that MBJ knows. It’s a very big wedding with lots of organization to be done (Luo Binghe is a total Groomzilla and Shen Qingqiu gets Extremely Stressed about everything being perfect because LBH deserves it and also he will not humiliate himself in front of all the VIPs of the Demon Realm), so Moshang keep running into each other and eventually manage to work it out. 

[anarmorofwords]

I kinda wanna write a better version of tlh where Tatiana is still insane but there's no Belial bc that makes zero sense to me

In this version there would be:

Kamanna done correctly with actual genderqueer rep and not toxic relationships

Barbra and Oliver bc fight me she didn't die

Genie and Filomena bc I love them and all the lightwoods are queer

The gracelet doesn't even happen bc I refuse to write that

Grace is pretty much still the same but she breaks off their(hers and james') relationship bc she notices that he loves Cordelia

No bad James. He's not a shitty person to Alastair, and he doesn't treat Cordelia like a sex object

Anna puts a stop to Kellington and Matthew's relationship before it gets serious. She also tries to get him to stop drinking all the time

Alastair apologizes around seeing them again for the first time. The merry thieves are a little reluctant because of some of the things he did but they don't actively try to keep him away from events that they're at

Matthew notices how Alastair looks at Thomas and locks them in the sanctuary with Genie and Cordelia's help

Grace gets badly injured due to a mistake in necromancy and Christopher helps her treat it without letting people know

Lucie meets Jesse, and falls in love ofc, so in order to bring him back successfully she asks Malcolm to train her in using her magic

Matthew opens up to his mom about the incident. She doesn't blame him at all and instead apologizes for often putting her work before him

Matthew finds out about Charles and Alastair because he found Alastairxs break up letter to Charles

Matthew, the mother hen he is, decided to attempt to murder his older brother, only being stopped by James who had been there at the right time

Kamala ends things with Charles and tells Anna that she still loves them and hopes that she will give her another chance

Anna told her that they needed time to think, and that she is worried how Kamala's reputation will be affected if anyone besides their friends and Anna's family finds out

Kamala respects her decision and doesn't contact her until Anna's ready to talk about things

The merry thieves don't ignore Christopher and they actively listen and help him

The merry thieves also aren't terrible to Grace bc they realize she's been isolated alone with Tatiana and 1) she might not understand what's saying/doing is wrong or 2) that sometimes she's trying to push them away so her abilities don't accidentally make them do something

Good tid parents

James and Alastair being respectful to each other despite personal differences

Matthew, Alastair, Kamala, Christopher, and Grace being besties, or as I call them, the neglected squad

No fetishizing mlm/wlw

Domestic cuddles and taking care of the other one when they're sick

Jesse/Lucie/Matthew pairing bc I love them and I refuse to pick between lucie/matthew and lucie/jesse

Christopher teaching Grace the elements(at the time) on the periodic table

Tatiana dies at the end yay

It's very unpolished and I'm open to b hearing any feedback and/or suggestions that anyone may have

The idea came to me and I decided it would be best if I told someone before I forgot

hi, I'm sorry it took so long,but I wanted to properly answer this and I keep having either internet connection issues or little time

DON'T BE SHY, WRITE THIS 👀

In all seriousness tho... THIS IS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION?!? I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START I AM UTTERLY IN LOVE WITH THIS IDEA, I NEED IT

Look, I've been on the verge of rewriting ChoI, and I keep saying I want someone to write a TLH that will live up to its potential, but I've never actually came up with a proper idea for it, and you?!! YOUR BRAIN DARLING THIS IS GENIUS

ok hold up I'll just react to each and every single one so

yes please?!? I mean it started off so sweet in EEV?! Also actually genderqueer Anna and not dancing around the subject like CC is doing now?! That's what they deserve, and that's what we all deserve too

yesss please. also just,,,, Barbara, the feminine, not-wanting-to-fight-which-doesnt-make-her-less-badass queen that she is, getting the page space and appreciation she deserves

that's actually brilliant?!? it would be so great, just imagine the new girl arrives for her travel year and Genie is completely awestruck. I'm so invested in Joshwood it's difficult to imagine not having them, but this is actually the only valid alternative?!

ok that's fine. I think it could still happen and be done well, but tbh for now... the gracelet doesn't seem to have done anything relevant to the plot itself? I mean yeah it messed up James's life and Jordelia, but what did it give Belial? Tatiana? nothing. It makes no sense atm.

could be! maybe she's still encouraged by Tatiana to befriend/seduce him, but without the gracelet it doesn't work out? or maybe James somehow manages to realize that she's in danger and he actually like,,,, kidnaps her? idk idk

yes. YES. just,,,,z James is a sweet compassionate literature nerd who accidentally makes a good leader and he actually cares about people, and not just judges them from his high horse; he does still have hero syndrome, but he's kind and respectful and overall a good character

ANNA INTERVENES ABOUT KELLINGTON PLZ. PEOPLE ACTUALLY NOTICE MATTHEW'S STRUGGLES. JAMES DOES, TOO, BECAUSE THERE'S NO GRACELET.

ok yes, so what about: basically TMT don't harass Alastair and accept his apology, and realize they were also being stupid and mean at times at the Academy (especially Math). Matthew doesn't want to accept Alastair's apology, because of The Sin, but his behaviour alerts the rest of TMT and they inquire what's wrong and he tells them about the sin and that's how he later tells his parents (because his friends encourage him) and as you say, she just hugs him and reassures him it's not his fault; so after that Matthew slowly begins to heal and accepts it wasn't Alastair's fault, and also since they've kind of adopted/started including Alastair in things, he can't help but notice he's actually changed and he even starts to grow fond of him

then like you said, Matthew notices Thomas likes Alastair PLEASE HE SO WOULD. I'm not sure about the Sanctuary, if it actually happens (I'll get to why later on), but him and Lucie get really invested in the matchmaking schemes, they include Genie/Kamala because these two are friends with Alastair (both? Or at this point only Kamala?) but they also share some Moments during their scheming/talking about love 👀 (yes I'm a Fairdale shipper, I think it's time to expose myself lol)

Which leads me to (sorry I'm going off order rn) YES YES YES LUCIE AND MATH PLEASE. A FELLOW SHIPPER, HELLO, NICE TO MEET YOU. But since we're actually fixing him then we can give Jesse a personality and I'm totally down for poly Math/Lucie/Jesse

Lucie seeking Malcolm's help in secret, morally gray heroine style?!? no, it's probably not legal. but also has there ever been a Shadowhunter like her? If the Law doesn't expect such situations, it can't really forbid them...

Plz Matthew ready to strangle the carrot when he learns about their relationship, YES. sure, maybe he's still not the biggest fan of Alastair, but he's seen how much the boy's been through and starts to develop an attachment to him, and besides, NO ONE DESERVES TO BE GROOMED AND TREATED LIKE THAT. He's SO MAD at Charles, and he confronts him about it - remembering Kellington as he does, and it makes him sick to think his brother would do the same thing to someone. Maybe he gets very emotional over this and later finally tells his friends about Kellington? Maybe they didn't know before, only Anna did? So when they all realize what was happening then they comfort him etc? Or maybe it's just Alastair that learns now, and the others knew before, and they share a bonding moment over that?

Injured Grace seeking Kit's help is a genius idea I didn't know I needed

Kamanna giving each other time and space and deciding they need to question their relationship and figure out if it actually makes sense would be great. Anna realising she's very privileged and Kamala doesn't have those same opportunities, and also in general realising coming out should never be pressured or forced. Just,,,, Anna being self-aware and respectful towards Kamala. Well-written Anna. Plz. Also Kamanna is actually developed and not just "in love" because,,,,, they're attracted to each other? Maybe even remaining friends while Anna makes up their mind?

yeah just TMT being more compassionate and less judgy because they're not written by Judith so her bias isn't projected onto them

It's not a want, it's a need. They adopt Alastair and Grace eventually. Like, maybe not literally - although, Grace? - but you know what I mean.

I think they all should just have various friendship dynamics and switch between them, because people need more than one friend group

no fetishizing, no watching your brother make out with his lover, yessss

yes domestic cuddles, affection, taking care of wounds, all those things. plz.

Gracetopher bonding over science yes

obviously. or maybe she's imprisoned?!

ok, now for some more notes/my ideas etc., if you don't mind:

I actually think Belial could still be featured? After all, I don't think Tatiana could do much on her own, and since she seeks help from demons, it makes sense to include a Greater Demon as well. But Belial would have to be a stronger villain, written better; I'll think more about this

if that was the case, the serial killer plot could still happen, but be done better. and it would allow for a scenario I talked about with @littlx-songbxrd to happen, where it's Alastair who's falsely accused of murder. It creates a great opportunity to explore some things, because we know Alastair is much more likely to be seriously suspected, considering all the prejudices and bad rep his family has and all that

...what do you say to well-written Jordelia? 👀 Cordelia hasn't been obsessively in love with James since childhood, she only had a crush then. And now that they meet again, she's fond of him but not in love, not straight away. They're both grown up, and different people, but as they spend more and more time together, they fall in love. What if Cordelia gets to flirt with some other boys first? What then. What if she ends up choosing James, instead of going for the only boy she's ever had feelings for and idealized since childhood. What if we even make it friends-to-lovers and have James be a little jealous at some point?! but not in a possessive awful way, just "oh damn oh no"

Now I won't know peace until this exists BUT THANK YOU