#will is like the least trustworthy character in this comic

[flawseer]

#30 - "Your Choice"

Smaugust 2024

I am very fond of the second arc protagonists. They are my favorite collective of plot focus characters, which may be evident by the fact that I've been drawing them more than any other in this challenge. They are a very charming group, even if a few possible character connections are vastly underdeveloped (Moon and Turtle, Winter and Turtle, and Winter and Kinkajou could probably form very strong bonds if they were explored).

The flipside of fondness is usually the formation of strong opinions. I think about these guys a lot. One thing I initially thought was fine, but then struck me as strange on a revisit was the ending of Moonwatcher's book. You have the group (sans Winter), who previously struggled to accept Moon for her unintentionally invasive powers, ostensibly overcome their mistrust of her and solidify their respective bonds with her. Kinkajou in particular tells her that, because she makes no secret of her thoughts anyway, it doesn't matter to her that Moon can read her mind. Up to there it is all very wholesome and heartwarming. Moonwatcher then decides to give them an out, sharing the secret of Skyfire as a way to block her powers. This is a good and very noble gesture, really showing her trustworthiness and respect for their privacy here.

But then they actually take her up on that offer, right after stating they are over their misgivings. I get why they do it--Moonwatcher's uncontrollable power is really inconvenient and annoying to be around--but backtracking 5 seconds later makes their previous declaration of acceptance ring a bit hollow. If I could make a choice here, I would really have liked this to turn into a long-running character arc for the group, where they gradually learn to trust Moon and eventually decide that they don't need the Skyfire anymore, taking it off for good. And Moon in turn could work on refining control over her power so she can be around her friends without accidentally reading every thought. Maybe all of that could have been a scene in the arc 2 finale. But at the very least I would have liked for Kinkajou to stick with her original declaration and reject the Skyfire outright, signaling to Moon that--contrary to her mother's words--the powers are not a curse and that she doesn't need to be ashamed of them.

I guess here is an idea for potential fanfiction: Make them chuck the Skyfire in the bin. Let Moon see that her friends choose to hang out with her even if they can't block her powers.

-----

Long comic today. Sorry it took a while to come out. I think this is the longest one I've drawn for this challenge too.

Just one more day and then Smaugust will be done. I hope you have been enjoying this so far. Thanks for sticking with me.

[howlsofbloodhounds]

I have been trying to read 'how nightmare became dadmare' on ao3 because a friend wanted me to since it's apparently the best found family bad sanses out there (I'm usually not a fan of the dynamic) and I've been struggling so much...

they keep ignoring killer. horror is barely a character, he's forgotten most of the time. at times I feel like the whole fic is more about dust than nightmare despite the title. I had to bail when nightmare literally ignored killer giving him vital information for no valid reason despite killer being his right hand man.

this is why I don't like the dynamic. every reason why. if this is the best out there I don't want to know what else they got going on.

sorry for the rant the frustration got to me

I feel it’s often very overlooked in the fandom that killer is not canonically nightmare’s right hand—it’s literally just him and nightmare, cross and xchara were there maybe before they ditched too and a murder sans variant showed up once and then kinda disappeared, killer refers to a mysterious “the others” at one point—but for the most part it’s just him and his boss.

And Nightmare definitely doesn’t listen to him or his advice—even if that comic suggests that perhaps that is something that would change with time, the more killer proves himself. Doesn’t mean he’s exempt from being choked unconscious if he speaks out of turn or has a slip in his words, however.

What im tryna say is that it’s pretty obvious that Killer would never become Nightmare’s right hand if he didn’t prove himself and earn it. Which means it’s absolutely ridiculous for killer to be nightmare’s right hand and then for nightmare to just disregard his advice—not unless that’s supposed to be a character flaw of his, his pride and hubris causing him to overlook killer again, maybe. Doesn’t seem to be the case in this fic though.

The idea that Killer becomes Nightmare’s right hand and that position holds weight only because Killer was there first or was there the longest..is just weird to me. That’s just bad leadership. Let Killer earn that spot through his own intelligence, determination, skills, and drive for either something new or control—through displays of dedication and loyalty.

Let him prove himself trustworthy and knowledgeable. Let Nightmare train him and encourage him, let Nightmare reward him for the effort and dedication he has shown to the King’s goals. It’s a lot more interesting than…”Well, he was here the longest..” or “he was here first,” in situations where these ranks are supposed to mean something. Or at least, if it means something to Killer.

Why would he ever leave Nightmare when he’s done and said so much to earn what he has? Searching for something new, the means and privilege and resources to follow wherever his curiosity and impulses and boredom take him? To have control and power over something in his life, for once? To ensure his own safety, security and survival?

Wouldn’t it be so much harder to give up what he has when he’s fought tooth and nail, killed and tortured, threw others under the bus—for his own self preservation— not wanting to be outdone by anyone else and thus deemed useless enough to not warrant keeping around, to be deemed worthless enough to have his right to exist revoked—for it? His own curiosity? Amusement? Feeling of control, even if it’s all ultimately meaningless in the end?

People should let killer be ruthless more often. Even if it means wielding cruelty as a tool.

But yeah, a lot of bad sans family fics have the misfortune of turning into the dust sans and nightmare sans show ft. those two other guys over there ig. I was reading that fic like awhile back, but I stopped a while ago, so I don’t know how it ends or goes on—so I can’t say anything about this fic specifically when I can’t recall anything about it rn.

[femmeleatherface]

the thing about the daroga in the book that i don't think any adaptation (that i've seen, anyway) has really gotten right is that leroux sets us up from the introduction that he is really amazing and totally trustwothy

so while for most of the book the characters are all suspicious of him and say he has the evil eye and whatnot, the reader benefits from dramatic irony and knows any gut xenophobic instincts they may be experiencing are wrong, because the author himself already clued us in before the story started that this mysterious man is actually good and important

(which in term sets up the overarching message of the novel later hammered in with erik about not judging by appearances, accepting outsiders, valuing the contributions of people who would otherwise be ostracized by society lest they become the very monsters we make them out to be, etc. etc. etc...)

the adaptations... don't have that initial clue-in, so for the most part they end up feeding gut xenophobic instincts. the daroga wanders around and the characters and audience both wonder who he is and what he's up to. we are given no alternative viewpoint on him except the white characters' suspicious and often racist reactions

it's at its worst when the adaptations intentionally make him more stereotypical or "exotify" him by giving him eyeliner, a menacing character design, a forced silly/sinister accent, etc. the 1991 musical is probably the least egregious in this regard, but that's really only because he's set up in his first scene as comic relief and presented as a little too incompetent to be a threat

and sure, in the end of all these adaptations we learn the truth and get the same point across--he is a perfectly trustworthy guy and, like erik, we should not be afraid of him just because he is different--but i REALLY think we miss something and detriment his character by not getting clued in on at least some of his deal from the start

honestly, if we were ever to get that perfect adaptation where he is included and portrayed as actually important, i think the only way you could really avoid this would be to:

present the story as a frame narrative, the way the book did

deviate from the book a bit and give him slightly more to do at the start, have us actually see him doing helpful things outside of all the white characters' sphere of knowledge so we have another perspective to draw upon. it doesn't need to reveal everything about him yet (we still want suspense, after all), but should still make it clear that he is not a bad guy, just misunderstood by the people around him

[yansimstorythatiwillnotworkon]

Sumire Suzuki

Name: Sumire Suzuki

Gender: Female

Class: 1-2

Club: Gardening

Persona: Social Butterfly

Reputation:

Overall: +33

Liked: +50

Respected: +50

Feared: -50

Crush: ???

Strength: Incapable

__

Truth be told, the only reason that I changed Sumire's "innocent" personality to "naive" or "dumb" is just because I was worried that it might fuel into YanDev's fantasies or something. "Innocent" is a pretty popular anime term, but more so in inappropriate content, so I wanted to slightly change Sumire. Or at least the wording used.

But outside of my anxieties, I do think that Sumire has the potential to be a pretty comical character. Not just "weird" like Maka, but more so gullible. Thanks to this, she's likely one of the bully's victims unknowingly. Since Hoshiko seems smart, mature, and trustworthy, Sumire easily does favors for her in return for help.

I'm not sure if I'll put other students in her situation or not, but I do think that Sumire could be a unique case. Since she's so easy to take advantage of, she could be infamously used by the bullies. Especially since strange things she does could be excused as her just being weird or dumb. It's certainly a thought, and the one that's been on my mind most.

[darkstarofchaos]

Okay. Now my more in-depth thoughts about the latest EarthSpark drop. I'll be going more plot point by plot point than episode by episode, so all my thoughts about a particular character or plot device will stay together. And of course, spoilers ahead.

I guess I'll start by giving BreakBee shippers my sympathy. For a minute there, I thought Breakdown was actually going to switch sides. And the fact that he didn't would have made a lot more sense if the Decepticons had ever had any positive interactions after being freed. But outside of a couple pairs, they only ever seemed to (barely) tolerate each other, so Breakdown's line of "they're my family" rings pretty hollow. Turns out you need to actually treat your villains like people for emotion-driven beats to make sense. Who would have thought?

Once again, the Decepticons were the most disappointing part of the show. Like, I thought Shockwave's thing about the Decepticons being more trustworthy under his command was going to go somewhere, but no. Next episode the Cons appear in, they just bail. No more Decepticons for us Con fans, because now there are only two left known to still be on the planet. And one of them is back in jail. Which could go somewhere interesting now that the bots are forced to deal with him directly instead of humans overseeing imprisonment, but I don't even know if the show is getting any more episodes, so I'm not gonna bother hoping.

Also, I was undecided last night about whether Shockwave was actually a better leader than Starscream or not, because we see almost nothing of his command. Now that I've slept on it, though, I think he was actually a worse leader. Because he did the equivalent of bet one's life savings on a horse race. Only the life savings in this case was the freedom of his troops (who are stuck with no known means of acquiring energon, by the way). Betting your freedom on a race isn't logical, it's stupid. The logical thing to do would have been to refuse to bargain, because unless the kids and Bee decided a comic wasn't worth releasing the Cons over, Shockwave had all the power. So yeah, with nothing else really known about his leadership, I have to say he's terrible at it.

Moving on from the Decepticons, this family has no boundaries OMG. The movie night episode was a nightmare to sit through, because everything about it was so unhealthy? Quirky family movie night! With no empathy, no communication, and no lesson being learned. Robbie never once tells anyone to stop trying to "help", he just passive-aggressively takes it. And as usual, that stupid emotional connection thing is nowhere to be found when it's inconvenient to the plot, because no one ever picks up on the fact that they're upsetting Robbie. This kind of humor does not have a place in a show that's supposed to be about family, especially when there's no lesson about setting boundaries or thinking about others instead of yourself involved.

Episode 3 was a nightmare Twitch had. That's why everyone was so weirdly dependent on her, and why things grew progressively more absurd as time went on. That's my headcanon and I'm sticking to it. Also, I'm not convinced magnets work that way, but it seems to be within the realm of plausibility based on a search for DIY magnets, so sure.

On that note, I'm still salty that Nightshade isn't being allowed any standalone episodes, but this batch was almost entirely ensembles, so that's fine, I guess. At least someone actually referred to them using their pronouns, unlike the last batch. But I would like to know what they've been up to lately, because I would swear they didn't have that stereotypical "scientist constantly uses technical words" speech pattern before.

Okay, frustration and tedium done, let's talk about Prowl. Actually, first we need to talk about Optimus and Megatron, because they appear first, but hey, we made it to the Prowl episodes. Otherwise known as my main reason for watching this batch.

Starting off, was Optimus always this... Mean? Like, don't get me wrong, I like an Optimus who has flaws and isn't just a saint, but I would swear he was nicer in S1. I mean, he yells at Megatron for not following his orders when Megatron didn't even do anything. He was literally just standing there, in the place Optimus left him. And in both this episode and the next, Optimus is constantly snapping at him? I kinda like the dynamic, but it feels OOC based on Optimus' character from S1. I don't remember following orders being this important to him, and I don't think we've seen anything that would lead to him putting more emphasis on it now?

I dunno. I spent those couple episodes being torn between, "I like this take on Optimus" and "pretty sure he wasn't like this before, though".

Anyway! Prowl.

I generally liked Prowl. I wish he'd been a little more socially awkward, but overall, he's almost exactly what I would have hoped for: brusque and rude when you first meet him, and rather blunt in his speech, but fundamentally a good person, and pretty okay when you get to know him. Also, he's a flying car, which is awesome. He gets to join Tracks in the cool bots club.

Was really hoping he and Optimus would have a more antagonistic relationship, though, for exactly the reason Megatron said: Optimus needs someone to question him, and he needs to listen. And Prowl does question Optimus on a couple things, but it doesn't matter because he decides Optimus was right in the end. And that's the biggest issue I have with him, because he adjusts to the status quo way too quickly. Mistrust of Megatron? Gone. Concerns about relying on human children in life-or-death situations? Gone. Four episodes and the one reasonable Autobot is already drunk on the Kool-Aid.

Like. He's right about the kids. These ancient war veterans rely way too much on literal children. Sure, they have special powers that make them uniquely qualified to solve the kind of problems that keep cropping up, but the correct response isn't, "I guess you were right, child soldiers are fine in this context". The correct response is "Who the fuck put this kind of responsibility on children." Prowl was right and I am so mad that he just shrugs and accepts it in the end.

And yes, I know this is a kids' show, and that kids' shows like to have kid characters doing cool things. But "these kids are the only ones who can do what needs to be done" and "these kids shouldn't have to be in that position" are storylines that can coexist. You can put them in a position where they're forced to take on too much responsibility while acknowledging that it's a pretty messed up situation. But no, Quintus was a good person, so obviously there's nothing wrong with him choosing a pair of kids for whatever!

Moving on.

I don't remember how the Hate Plague was handled originally, but as far as EarthSpark's handling goes, I have. Issues. The biggest of them being that this is an actual disease with cells you can study under a microscope, so how in the world does contact with an infected bot lead to instant and guaranteed symptomatic infection? And why is it defeated by cold water of all things? The instant transmission would make more sense if it was some sort of energetic virus or something, but the old "spray them in the face with water to snap them out of it" trope? Really?

Loved the thing with Izzy, though. I hated every scene she was in and was surprised she didn't end up being evil in her debut episode, so it was a massive relief that she ended up being evil and we don't have to see her ever again. Technically we could see her again because she's in Autobot custody and stuff, but whatever, I never want to see her again.

The Quintessons were disappointing. Again, I don't know if there will even be any more episodes, so maybe the writers had to rush to wrap up the storyline, but considering they were being foreshadowed all the way back at the end of S1, the payoff was just. So boring. As usual, everything revolves around those stupid cybersleeves, and I'm beginning to miss the days of TFP when almost every episode after S1 was a scavenger hunt.

Speaking of TFP, that Starscream? That was late TFP Starscream. That was not the Starscream we met in ES S1. Considering he's been completely isolated with no apparent access to fuel and no company except a couple of dead bodies for weeks or months, it's completely understandable that he's not doing well, but they really threw away everything that made this Starscream stand out, didn't they?

I have nothing to say about the Chaos Terrans. They're alive again, yay. Please tell me the magic resurrection key is gone now, because nothing makes me stop caring like the ability to just restore the dead on a whim.

Overall thoughts. I don't know if this batch was actually better than the last batch, or if it just felt that way because my standards were lower. But as far as enjoyment, I honestly like S2a better. I unironically liked the body swap episode, I perked up every time Starscream was onscreen (until the last 20 minutes), and I was at least interested in what was going on, even if I was mentally yelling at the characters half the time. But watching these episodes, I was bored. If Prowl hadn't been a steady presence after his introduction, I don't know if I would even have finished the episodes, because I just didn't care. The Hate Plague was laughably simple to cure, the Quintessons showed up just to blow up, and things were just happening to the characters instead of because of them. Aside from one or two episodes, there were no plotlines initiated by the characters.

EarthSpark has truly lost its spark.

[maziijapanese]

Essential things to know before learning Japanese

Learning Japanese is a rewarding journey, but there are some key points to keep in mind to make the process smoother and more effective.

Don't study basic grammar without guidance While it's easy to learn the syllables of Hiragana and Katakana, their proper usage is often overlooked by beginners. In English, small grammar or vocabulary mistakes might be forgiven, but in Japan, such errors can be seen as a lack of effort to learn the language correctly. It's similar to not knowing how to use chopsticks properly; it's noticeable. The order in which you learn the alphabets and their proper usage is crucial, especially as it lays the foundation for learning Kanji later on. Don't skip this step, or you might regret it later.

Don't avoid difficult topics It's tempting to skip over difficult areas with the intention of coming back to them later, but we all know that's unlikely to happen. The early lessons often cover self-introduction, family, time, and basic verbs. These are essential topics, as they are frequently used in basic conversations and textbooks. Mastering these basics is time-consuming, but it's worth it. Also, make sure to learn how to combine adjectives properly and don't move on to the next lesson until you're comfortable with these fundamentals.

Invest in quality Japanese learning materials Good resources are essential for learning any language, and Japanese is no exception. Invest in high-quality textbooks, dictionaries, and online resources. They will provide structured guidance and trustworthy information, making your learning experience more effective and enjoyable. Additionally, well-chosen materials can introduce you to diverse aspects of Japanese culture and language nuances, enriching your overall understanding and engagement with the language.

Watch anime, dramas, and listen to music but don't rely solely on them Japanese culture, including anime, manga, and music, has become popular worldwide. Many fans start learning Japanese to understand these media without waiting for translations. While this is a fun way to learn slang and challenging grammar patterns, it can also teach you a vocabulary that isn't useful in everyday conversations. You might learn words about emotions and life in films, but you could struggle with practical terms like bank, stairs, airport, left, right, and post office when you're in Japan. So, while it's great to engage with Japanese media, make sure to balance it with more practical vocabulary study.

Learn proper pronunciation and intonation Learning how to use your tongue and pronounce Japanese sounds correctly gives you a new perspective on the language. Unlike English, where sound effects are mostly found in comics and cartoons, Japanese uses them in everyday speech. Understanding these nuances makes your speech sound more natural. Did you know that Japanese has at least four ways to describe the sound of rain? They even have a sound to describe silence. Mastering these aspects can significantly enhance your speaking skills.

Develop your own learning method beyond the basics Japanese has many aspects to master, with Kanji often being the most challenging, given there are over 2,000 characters. The traditional method involves learning by radicals, which is time-consuming but builds a strong foundation. While this is the recommended approach, many also find success using flashcards. A popular method is to use a three-sided flashcard: one side with the Kanji, another with the On-reading, and the third with the Kun-reading. Shuffle the cards in a box, and try to recall all readings when you pick up a card, no matter which side you see.

By keeping these points in mind and finding the right balance in your study methods, you can make your Japanese learning journey both enjoyable and effective.

[johnny-but-emo]

Give us the character breakdown of abbachio 🗣️🗣️🗣️

Yay :D

Ok, overall I really like him as a character. He’s got a good design, a nice color pallet, perfect backstory to play around with in fan content, and a personality that creates fun dynamics with everyone else on the team! Originally I didn’t care much for him (not that I didn’t like him, he just didn’t stand out to me) but during my more recent rewatches I’ve started to notice smaller things that make his character more interesting (to me at least lol)

I only really ship him with Bucciarati. They’re kind of like if an elderly divorced couple was combined with a newly wed couple, if that makes sense? Yknow, like those “I hate my wife” boomer comics mixed with the honeymoon phase shit. I do also ship Jotaro and Abba as a crackship because of a random thought I had. There’s not much to say about it other than I think it’d be funny and they would be terrible for each other.

For platonic otp, I don’t have anything, but I will say that I like the potential that he and Fugo have as a duo. They kinda give off a shitty siblings separated by an age gap vibe to me. Like, sad college drunk older brother and his younger sibling who’s still in the perfectionist prodigy child phase. If that makes any sense.

Unpopular opinion, he would be a terrible father figure. I would love to elaborate on this but I can’t think of how to right now, so if you wanna hear why I can try to give an answer later :]

and as for something I wish happened in canon, I wish that we got to see him form more of a bond with Giorno. I like their fanon interactions, so just having them interact more in canon would make me happy, but I also feel like it could’ve made his death a little more impactful. Throughout golden wind, he does loosen up around Giorno a little, but nothing actually changes. If he had started to open up more, or even acknowledged Giorno as trustworthy it could’ve set up the scene a little better. Idk. again, I can’t really find the words for it, but would love to try to elaborate.

thank you for the ask!! Sorry it took so long to answer, and feel free to add your own thoughts :3

[quidfree]

do you have a favorite character from TSH? if so, who and why? what about between papenathy?

i can’t believe this isn’t immediately apparent from my writing but my deathly serious tsh character ranking list goes like this

francis

judy poovey

everyone else

bunny & julian

also re papenathy as a rule of thumb whatever my #1 ship is usually includes my top 2 characters from a medium. i would never pair a flop with one of my faves*

*in tartt universe all characters are on the flop-menace spectrum but that’s why the pairings work internally

i was about to hit post when i realised you also asked why. ive already made multiple posts analysing the tsh charas or their relationships which i feel gets into the meat of it anyway so please peruse those tags for longer explanations but as a quick breakdown of my takes:

judy: i just find her so funny and refreshing throughout the whole book; she serves a great meta purpose in breaking the illusion of richard’s trustworthiness as a narrator; she’s actually one of the nicer people we meet relative to all the other assholes in richard’s life; her scenes speak to both her commonalities and differences with richard and i enjoy them a lot. also i love that she’s based on a real person who then did costuming for succession.

francis: do i even need to explain this… hes an icon. i love all the layers to francis (which we only even get to see bc him & richard are so #real worsties)- how he’s so dramatic and emotive but can compose himself at will, how hes both confrontational and cowardly, his random kindnesses and mean quips, his completely fucked sense of priorities at all times…. also his insane childhood & his self-made tragedy in the epilogues. enfant terrible!

i do also love richard for all that he’s a nightmare. hes suuuuuch a mess wrapped within an I Am Normal package #tarttcore. love the way he teeters between reckless self-destruction and “umm you guys are weird” judgment. his self-censorship and revisionist tendencies as a narrator. his outsider role and his actual desperate liking of his murderous rich friends who do not particularly care about him. hes literally 19…. he should have been in the club….

henry & camilla are both interesting but henry is like The Statue and camilla is The Shadow in the sense that theyre both not fully realised ppl bc of richard’s pov/pedestal. henry is kind of the mvp of tsh of course, greattttt lines, compelling character, drives the action, but ultimately hard to crack as a complete person and full of hubris that annoys me. i respect that he gave us hot takes and drama the whole way through. camilla i enjoy the pieces of- beef with judy, french post murder fever, mysterious phone calls, entanglements- but lbr she is the least characterised individual in the book and thus hard to connect to outside of fanon. i still like her tho i esp enjoy how unbothered she is living her own side stories. and i just know she suffered incalculable martyrdom running amongst those men.

charles is more of a real person to richard than the above and he compels me also. such a jarring (if telegraphed) shift from part i to part ii. in a way his descent into darkness humanises him the most bc at least hes torn up about the whole murder business in the first place! but by god his relationships are fucked.

bunny is at best funny. but hes just like. a conservative asshole whos not even smart enough for the course he nepo-babied his way into. and then julian has fun literature class bits and is admittedly also funny (he is so not willing to get dragged into the drama it’s comical) but is just a nefarious elitist weirdo. they get nothing from me.

[lokiinmediasideblog]

A lot of the suspicion towards Loki in Thor 1 stems from the other characters not knowing jack shit about magic or what Loki's capable of, and assuming he can do pretty much anything and overestimating his abilities. It's like blaming an IT specialist for an intricate cyber-attack because he's the only IT specialist you know, or your parents thinking you can hack the US government because you reset their modem. Granted, Loki was behind a lot of stuff in this movie, but that's just how it feels and that's hilarious? Especially because a random enemy's words are enough to make them suspect one of the crown princes?

How common are Loki's abilities? I assume hiding from Heimdall's sight is very rare for my own sanity. But it's weird to assume only Loki can do that EVER.

But are the Warriors 3 and Sif really assuming Loki can unbanish Thor and give him back his powers? I strongly believe he can't (at least in Thor 1, because he gets some power-up in the T:TDW ending that Odin manages to undo (implying Odin's magic is much stronger)).

And if we're talking about the comics, the Odin-force is specific to Odin, and is passed onto Thor. I wonder if they're assuming he has inherited the Odin-force, but they're unaware of his Jotun heritage and that he hasn't gotten it? And of course, Loki can't tell them why he doesn't have it... This is just me, extrapolating and making shit up.

Thor 1 establishes a very imbalanced (literal) power dynamic between Odin and the rest of the family. Odin's banishment powers are Odin-specific. Frigga in the deleted scene, would have undone them if she could. Loki would have been able to gain Mjolnir's power by changing the parameters of worthiness if he could undo it.

Either Loki was always treacherous and terrible but incredibly powerful, like in the comics (after IW and sequels, I am not inclined to believe this) or Loki was actually decent/trustworthy for most of his life but his magic has limitations.

[box-off]

ok do it talk about tf2 and postal

You asked for it.

Okay, let's start with tf2. Tf2 is one of the best games EVER in my opinion, and it's not a really trustworthy one, but it's an opinion. I love everything from character design to the community to the game itself. The comics which make me want to explode from how well the character design goes both for 3d and 2d, and the silly world that the characters live in. It's like some kind of wonderland, but it's made for a fps gamer. The first thing that made me interested in tf2 was my friend talking about it, he sent me the "Meet the spy" video and a fan made animation. I remember seeing it and thinking "Wow, those guys look cool", and when I started learning more I REALLY wanted to play as scout (who I still main to this day). I obviously knew about tf2 before but never got too interested in it. But when I started playing oh wow it sucked me in. Tf2 made me have a big standard for character design, thanks to tf2 I never watched Hazbin Hotel or Helluva Boss (no matter how hard my friends tried to make me watch it), because oh how distracting those designs were for me. Whenever I think about good character design it's the tf2 mercs, they made me realize that the characters don't have to have 300 cool guns on them to point at the character and say "THIS GUY IS COOL!", you can make simple characters that are still catchy and easy to remember and recognize, and even get to understand their main purpose from just a glance. It's even better to make them simple in some cases! (In general valve games have good designs, but tf2 stands out a lot, at least for me). The game itself always makes me feel good, surprisingly it can be relaxing if you don't get too into the competitive mood and have the luck to get normal teammates. Yes, I might be a casual player, but I'm free. Don't get me started on the amount of playing styles tho. I'm not really good at them, I always go with scout, hop around and do my shit. I do play medic in MvM tho, I just really like to have a huge shield and be like "I'll protect you", idk, it's probably the furry alpha wolf speaking in me. But in normal game, oh what a blessing it is sometimes to have a really skilled demoknight, or a good rocket jumper in your team. Or a good spy who saves the day when the engineers build their nest right over the corner, or a medic that manages to heal everyone and not die 100 times in the process. I barely talk in chat in the game (because it's distracting), but know that if you play good and I'm in your team I'm thanking you constantly in my mind. Let me add that I joined the fandom when the bots where still there so I played with them a lot. Now that this is getting fixed it's even more fun! But I managed to fall in love with this half broken game and I'm sorry, that's a big fucking gold medal for a game, if it can still pull fans while being abandoned (hopefully that changes, but it's still impressive).

Now about Postal. I am edgy. Let me be real, if you saw my art you can probably tell that I do like myself some guts and blood from time to time. And I like humor, I like to laugh, to chuckle, to snicker if you will. So me liking Postal was just a matter of time. First game I played was Brain Damaged, and oh boy, the humor was good (even tho some things I missed because I didn't play the other games). As I got deeper into other games I was so IN. Those games are just so much FUN. I like fps games if you couldn't tell, and this? This is the fps game ever, it has some fun stuff to do, you of course can shoot, you can just walk around and explore in postal 2 and 4, and it's worth it! I love exploring those games, they always have some silly stuff here and there. And what they did well in Postal 4 is that they made you explore, they hid dolls, gnomes and all that stuff all over the map, and you can explore it, not just because, but you can actually get something for it. And let me be honest, Postal Dude? Hot. He's hot, and as a dirty stinky gay man myself I appreciate the representation. But jokes aside, HE'S A GOOD CHARACTER. I love him, it's interesting to watch what he does, to hear what he says, in all the games btw, yes, even postal 3. The character design again? Really well done. Postal Dude is simple, Postal Dude is cool, he's not your stereotypical "Cool guy who kills people with huge armor on" or "The buff guy who fights everyone with bare hands" (except Shtopor, that guy is fucking RIPPED.) When I look at Doomguy? I think "Damn, you're cool." when I look at Postal Dude?? I think "Damn man, you're probably stink", and you know what? THAT'S THE CHARM OF THIS CHARACTER. He sucks! You know where he sucks even more than in the game? The movie, and you have NO IDEA how much I love it. The movie is bad, like, not just because "it doesn't represent the characters as they are in the game" but because it's a bad movie. Just as a movie it's not really well done. But! I still love it. It's a movie that is fun to watch with your friends, you laugh at how bad it is, you just have a blast, at least me and my friends did. And I have the bluray disk, so I have the behind the scenes and all that cool stuff, and you know what? It made me like this shit even more. I really wish I could play more Postal with people, and not just that, I'm also waiting for Postal 4 co-op, and some of my friends getting the game as well. Because in my opinion Postal is that type of game that has to be shown to your friends in a "Hey guys, look at this stupid game I found, isn't it so random??" way. I talked a lot about Postals funny part, yes, but I do have to also mention that Postal 1 is rally good. And yes, postal redux is just Postal 1 with a bit better graphics, but I do like it in a way (mainly because of the better quality of the loading screens, because those are just so good. I really like the artistic part of this game). Funny postal? It's good, I love funny postal. But without creepy postal there wouldn't be some stuff in the funny postal that we like so much. Other Dude? The head wound making everything look strange? I don't really think we would have that in newer postal games without postal 1!

[undercover-monsterlover]

omg hi mootie! (mutual) so as one does i was stalking your page and saw that matchups were open, and i was wondering if i could get a match up for the Marvel Cinematic Universe? :3

i’m female presenting and i use she/her or either they/them pronouns and id like to be matched with a male presenting character.

personality wise im pretty shy around new people at first and when i get to know them i get pretty silly around them. but when in public im pretty reserved and quiet no matter who i’m around. i’m also like super awkward as well 😭 but i’d like to think that im helpful, trustworthy, but also forgetful at sometimes, and maybe a tad bit sassy. also i get tired/sleepy and overstimulated and shut down easily sometimes so-

for hobbies i love drawing even if im not too good at it. and i like occasionally writing stories sometimes and making up my own characters. i love reading comics, cooking, and playing the guitar. i really really love music, music is in my ear almost all hours of the day, i’ll give almost anything a listen (except county) but i especially love the goth, j-rock/v-kei, rock, and a little bit of the indie genres. pastimes include, music obviously, putting on a random movie or tv show, and playing with my cat :3

i don’t think i have too high expectations in a partners personality, just pretty much someone who’s kind, understanding of my habits and personality, someone who’s funny and calm, someone who doesn’t push my boundaries in private or in public. that would be a deal breaker along with my partner judging my interests and the way i look and dress.

appearance wise im 5’7, i have clear glasses and black hair with red dyed tips and a strip of black and rest striped hair (a raccoon tail) i love wearing gothic/ and gothic lolita clothing, black dresses with lace and sometimes with red accents and silver accessories. sometimes i wear a white base of make up and just with simple looking goth makeup, and my hair is slightly teased. and half of the other time i just wear a baggy graphic/band shirt (most of the time it’s a black shirt) and just baggy black pants to go with it.

sorry that this is a bit long- but thank you in advance! i know my requests say that they’re closed but i don’t mind if you sent in a match up request yourself! :3 it would be one of the first requests that i’ll work on if you do so :D if you have any questions for me feel free to message me! have a lovely day, get some rest, thank youuuu

Yay, matchup number 2! No need to apologize for the long ask, that's actually perfect for me to work with. Alright, I'd match you with...

Steve Rogers

Alright, so right off the bat people may be thinking, hmm, odd couple, but wait, let me explain. The dyed hair, goth makeup, gothic clothes, they're definitely not anything like what he knew back before he was frozen. He'll be casting glances out the side of his eyes at you like 👀. And when you make eye-contact briefly, he immediately looks away, embarrassed. He's almost a little intimidated, he doesn't know how to approach you, but when he finally does, and realizes how shy you seem to be, he feels almost guilty for thinking you'd be scary. And when you actually start to become comfortable around him, he really realizes you aren't scary. You're kinda exactly his type.

At first he notices you drawing, and mentally celebrates, because he likes to draw, and isn't that just a perfect way to start up a conversation with a pretty girl! He's definitely not at all subtle when he brings it up, but who cares! He'll let you look through his sketchbook, and ask to see some of your drawings. When he does, he's pleased to see that they are all imbued with that unique...something that drew him to you in the first place.

He seems to make excuses to hang around you all the time now, awkwardly just sort of showing up when you're alone. But hey, at least he's handsome, so you let him. Your music is yet another thing he finds strange and intriguing. J-rock definitely isn't swing, but the more he listens, the more he likes it. (Maybe he just associates with you now, but who knows🤭). And he loves how passionately you just love what you love, making no excuses and accepting no criticism. He was a bit of a shy kid as well, and bullied all through his youth, so it's admirable to him how you don't seem to hide anything from him. You're just so unashamedly yourself, and lucky for you, that's exactly who he likes.

Everything you like is so new and modern to him, but he loves learning about it. He makes a point to remember everything you mention, filing it away to check out later by himself. He doesn't know what an anime is, but he'd love to find out! He soon surprises the rest of his team by conspicuously wearing a goth band tee in place of his usual button down shirts one day. But, taking a note from your book, he makes no attempt to try to validate it to anyone. Not that he needed to anyways, Tony is actually very pleased and amused.

Comics though, that's one thing he can understand. He loved to read them when he was a kid, and even had a few made about him during the war. Unfortunately it's hard to find copies of the comics he used to read, and he downright refuses to let you read any of the comics written about him. Either way, Steve is steadily becoming more and more knowledgeable about the modern world through your influence, which is an incredible disappointment to his teammates who can no longer tease him about it as much.

When you do eventually become an official couple, (he wanted to take things slow with you, he doesn't want to scare you off), he's an absolute gentleman. You'll certainly never have to worry about him pushing your boundaries or limits, he'd hate to make you uncomfortable. In public unfortunately, due to your odd couple appearence, you do get quite a few looks. A goth lolita next to what looks like a very large choir boy tends to turn heads. But he'd rather die than let other people bully you into "normalcy". So any glance that looks more like a judging scowl than surprise is met with a glare, and coming from him, it's pretty effective. He's also a major factor in your style now, he loves to buy you whatever you want, he's got that avengers paycheck to cover it all easily anyways. He may have a tendency to just buy anything with skulls on it, but he's learning, and it's the thought that counts.

In private he's just as much of a gentleman, though perhaps a little more cozy. After a long day or rough fight, he loves nothing more than to plop down on your bed and watch whatever show or movie you have on. If you ever become frustrated or overwhelmed, no worries. Steve will be your rock, and do his best to help you calm down. His tactics include: dropping your cat in your lap, bringing you water or food, or acting as a human weighted blanket. This man was made for comforting someone, just look at those baby blues.

Unfortunately you'll never manage to convince him to dye even a small lock of his blonde hair.

(Hoped you liked this, I'm still trying to figure this matchup thing out! And I will definitely take you up on your offer of a matchup if you'd be so kind 😈)

[xukies]

Sorry for the long reply/ ask, I'm just very passionate about this:

Personally I didn't get that from the scene with fragile. He seemed far more preoccupied with "ruining" her appearance, reputation, standing as a trustworthy porter company and her pride

It doesn't read as sexual gratification as much as smugness

Hes envied how comfortable in her own skin and has confidence in her looks (and possibly sexuality) and people who care for her/ admire her, possibly even healthy romantic/sexual relationships, and loving parents that didnt abuse her (at least in the ways that "daddy" didnt/arent as obvious) and now he's finally able to bring her down to his "level" to try to make them equals again in the only way he knows how, by dragging her down with him

Im not even sure if there is a sexual component? I think its far more complicated than that, and has far ,more to do with higgs' insecurities and envy tbh

I think the lick with sam is the closest of his actions to have sexual motivation, but even then I'm not sure its almost like hes trying to lay himself bare and be vulnerable while completely in control of sam? That scene is the one where his motives feel the most obscured

(with amelie i honestly keep forgeting that the deathless freaks comic didn't happen where amelie smacks his ass back right after that scene)

But I would be suprised if that was something amelie agreed to in order to upset sam further and bolster higgs as the despicable "villain"

It felt very performative, at least to me

Also many of these wikis are fairly obvious with their lgbtq+ phobia like assuming higgs must be attracted to fragile because of the licking but his attraction is questionable if its sam?

It also seems kinda fucked that its comparing sexual assult to being a pervert, when thats caused a lot of lgbtq+ descrimination in the past? Like higgs is definitely a pervert, but thats not why.

I see this consistently with wikis based on kojima games (and quite a bit of scifi fandoms too) only giving legitimacy to straight characters/ relationships and delegitmizing lgbtq+ characters

So a lot of this is my own personal interpretation, I only really used the wiki screenshot to gather the "scenes" I use and don't entirely agree with some of the terminology and phrasing. But it is a place i can use to get all the canon plot beats in one place and I already had this interpretation before reading the wiki section.

I think all the things you said can be true with him also being a bit of a creep. Like, he has a Lot of depth as a character and I don't want to dumb it down to "Oh he's just a creep who assaults people" cause that's not at all the case.

But at the same time from the moment you meet him he just gives off Bad Vibes. He can absolutely be jealous of Fragile and looking to ruin her in every way (physically, mentally, reputation wise) and still be Weird about it. He's a complex character with complex motives and no one reason for doing something.

We might just interpret his character differently but this is how I read a lot of the stuff he did. Again, not everything gets dumbed down to him assaulting people cause he wants to but he does give me personally that vibe. He can violate Sam's space purposefully to make him uncomfortable and still get some sick gratification from it. The way he creepily pats Sam sometimes, talking about Fragiles "~pretty face~", etc, these are all real things I've both seen and been victim of by people who absolutely do get off on it.

Again this is all just how I read his character, and there is no one way to interpret any character.

[newpathwrites]

Series Masterlist Main Masterlist

There Was Only One Bed (prequel)

But the bunk was another story. You had been just a little bit terrified over the prospect of sharing a bed with a man - one you barely knew. He seemed trustworthy, but he was a man still, and you hadn’t had the greatest experience with those. But his initial insistence on not sleeping in the bunk with you set your mind at ease a bit. In fact, he seemed more terrified than you were at the idea, probably worried again about his creed. Maker, this man had trust issues.

Summary: There was only one bunk… and it turns out that makes Din exponentially more nervous than it does you…

In the early days of your partnership, you and Din get to know each other better.

Note: This can be read as a standalone. This prequel turns the “there was only one bed” trope on its aroace head - inspired by an aromantic Tumblr prompt by @aro-rambles. What do two aroace work partners do when they must share a bed? - talk all night!

We’re going back now to the beginning of their partnership where they’re still getting to know each other and aren’t thinking this will be a long-term arrangement. Maybe this conversation is the turning point… where respect and collegiality blossoms into friendship and affection.

Warnings: None.

Read on AO3

————————————————————————

The last handful of weeks had been… weird… to say the least.  But your temporary Mandalorian partner proved to be a better decision than you’d initially thought once the haze of liquor that had colored your first and only extended conversation in the cantina the night before wore off, leaving you in a state of dread over what you’d done.  The Mandalorian!?  What were you thinking?

  But Din Djarin was not at all what you imagined - certainly not the bloodthirsty, armored monster portrayed in myth… or in the rumors passed around the guild of the man himself.  Din was endlessly polite and respectful, even if unnervingly quiet at times - and while he was very good at what he did, you quickly recognized a propensity for kindness, hidden behind annoyed sighs and sarcastic quips.  A walking contradiction - but one you were beginning to understand.

  Din had been almost comically stiff and awkward when he arrived at your ship that very first morning, and you realized that the alcohol had probably loosened him up, too, when you’d both shared your troubles and planned this temporary partnership the previous evening.

  “Uhhh… We need to discuss something… I was a little… drunk… last night… I wasn’t thinking…”

  You nodded sympathetically.  “Yeah, same… What’s on your mind?”

  He hesitated, fumbling over his posture a bit before settling his hands on his hips.  “My name… I don’t usually share it… It’s just… Please don’t use it in front of others…”

  “Oh,” you started.  This was really the last thing you’d thought he’d be worried about, but what did you know of Mandalorian culture?  He’d shared his name freely yesterday, albeit while a bit inebriated.  “It’s ‘Mando’ in public.  You have my word.”

  He nodded.  “Thank you… You also understand that I can’t show my face, right?  It’s important.”

  Now this, you already knew.  Everyone knew, really, because no one had ever seen it.

  “Of course, Din.  Don’t worry - I have the utmost respect for your creed… and your weapons…”

  He paused for a second, not accustomed to people joking with him this way.  But it earned a very small chuckle - and that sure felt like an accomplishment.  

  You’d find later that the man wasn’t nearly as serious as he first seemed, delivering dry, sarcastic jokes at random in a monotone that had you guessing for a moment if he was being earnest or making fun.  Somehow that seemed very him, and you delighted in learning his various character traits - each more surprising than the last.

  And despite the anonymity and rigid adherence to his creed, it became clear that he was just a person like anyone else - a kind and respectful one, who just happened to be ridiculously skilled in fighting… but he was maybe a little bit sad and lonely, too, if you were reading him correctly.  He actually seemed to genuinely enjoy your company, and you hadn’t expected that from somebody so quiet and closed off.

  Tension around the helmet, though, remained ever present.  Clearly, trust was a difficult thing for him.  He would not eat or drink in your presence, even if you offered to turn around.  The first few times he even engaged the security system in the cockpit.  He relaxed a bit eventually, leaving the door simply shut, and one day, he even agreed to keep it slightly propped open so that you could discuss the particulars of an upcoming job, granted you faced the other way.  Okay… he just needed some time to learn to trust you…. That habit, at least, stuck, and you were beginning to really enjoy your dinner conversations, even if they focused primarily on work.  

  But the bunk was another story.  You had been just a little bit terrified over the prospect of sharing a bed with a man - one you barely knew.  He seemed trustworthy, but he was a man still, and you hadn’t had the greatest experience with those.  But his initial insistence on not sleeping in the bunk with you set your mind at ease a bit.  In fact, he seemed more terrified than you were at the idea, probably worried again about his creed.  Maker, this man had trust issues.

  “Din, people our age need sleep.  The bed is plenty big enough for two.  I swear I will not lay a hand on your helmet.  And if you’d like to take it off, we can cut all the lights, and I’ll face the wall.  I promise you that I sleep like the dead.”

  He tilted his visor then, regarding you.  “And how would you know how old I am?”

  You chuckled - he was always suspicious.  “Well, we started in the guild around the same time, so I imagine we’re around the same age… Most join in their late teens, early twenties, so...  Forty-ish?  Am I right?”

  He sighed - you got him there.  “Yeah…”

  —-----------------

  Din did sleep in the bunk.  Well, the first few nights, he nervously laid awake instead, awaiting the moment you’d try to remove his helmet.  But that moment never came, and each morning, he’d find you facing the wall as promised… So finally, about a week in, he allowed himself to fall into slumber.  It was honestly the best sleep he’d ever had - unused to a real mattress and a reliably functioning ship that didn’t alarm at him all night.

  But after a few weeks of well-rested bliss, he couldn’t help feeling that it might be nice to sleep without the helmet - and maybe fewer pieces of armor - to fully enjoy this indulgence while he had the chance.  But the idea of spending an entire night helmetless in the presence of another person, however trustworthy, was absolutely terrifying, even in this pitch black room.  He had never done such a vulnerable thing.

  Din wasn’t sure why he was so terrified.  You’d given him no reason not to trust you, and your high ethical standards were well known amongst the guild - a subject of ridicule mostly, as you lost out on lucrative jobs, but a strong point in your favor as far as Din was concerned.  And anyway, what would you have to gain from violating his creed?  Besides, you’d made it abundantly clear that you didn’t much care to sacrifice life or limb to satisfy a curiosity.  His identity was clearly safe with you.

  For Maker’s sake, he was a Mandalorian. Why would he fear this incredibly respectful and unfailingly kind person who was allowing a stranger in need to stay in their ship and sleep in their bunk?  This was probably the least terrifying thing he would ever do. Alright, he was going to do it… maybe not tonight… but soon…

  It took a few nights to fully work up the nerve, but he’d decided - tonight, it was happening. Kriff… he was nervous.  He should have had the kid teach him that meditation thing.  It felt like his heart might beat out of his chest.  But he took a deep breath and stepped into the bunk anyway, shutting the door behind him to keep out the light.

  You were already tucked in, facing the wall as always, though probably still awake.  He flipped off the night vision - pitch black… good.  Letting out a long puff of air to calm his nerves, he sat down on the edge of the bed to pull off his boots and remove his weapons before bringing his hands to each side of his helmet and pulling it off quickly, before he had a chance to overthink and stall any further.

  The panic rose immediately at the nakedness of his face, just a little, but your silhouette remained unchanged, still facing the wall, so he settled himself facing the opposite - just in case - and attempted to calm down.

  But dank farrik… he just couldn’t turn his brain off.  His breath was picking up now, audible in the otherwise silent room, and that only made his anxiety more acute.  He was just about ready to grab his helmet and put it back on his head - consider this a failed experiment.  But your voice cut through the chaos - 

  ——————————

  Holy kriff … he took the helmet off…

  As much as you wanted him to feel comfortable, you really never thought he would actually do it.  And now that he had, the sound of his unfiltered breathing just a few feet from you as he settled on the mattress, the pressure to ensure his face remained protected became very, very real.  One slip-up, and you’d destroy a man’s life… and maybe lose your own - if he was the vengeful type.

  How could you possibly sleep - knowing his bare face was literally right next to you?  You were paralyzed, afraid to move a single muscle, lest he know you were still awake.  But why?  Dank farrik, you didn’t know how to react right now - the whole thing just felt so weird.

  But then his breath picked up, accelerating every few seconds, like he was panicking.  You couldn’t let him suffer like that when he’d taken such a significant step, clearly an anxiety-producing one.  What if he gave up and put the helmet back on?  He deserved a night of sleep free of its confines.

  “Relax, Din.  You're going to give yourself a stroke.”

  He let out a long exhale, almost relieved, as your words interrupted his building panic and allowed him to turn his focus elsewhere.

  “Sorry… I’ve never slept without the helmet in another person’s presence before.  It’s a little…”. He paused, trying to think of the right word.

  “Scary?” you offered, grinning to yourself at your word choice with this formidable warrior.

  He huffed.  “Yeah… Look… Loosening the creed this way is new for me...  Just don’t be offended if I put the helmet back on… It's not because of you…”

  “I understand.  So is this an intentional thing… the loosening?”

  He hummed.  “I suppose it is.  I wouldn’t have dreamed of it a few years ago.”

  Well, that was a heavy statement.  It was also none of your business.  You barely knew the man.  But… you finally got him talking about himself… and distracted him from his anxiety… Why not learn more?  He’d certainly let you know if you were being intrusive. 

  “I don’t know much about your creed, besides hiding your identity.  Is there more to it?”  You stared at the wall nervously, afraid you’d crossed a line by asking.

  But Din was taken aback for other reasons.  It was rare that an outsider took an interest in Mandalorian culture beyond weapons and hidden faces.  That was honestly… refreshing.

  “Well, hiding my identity is the creed.  But we also live by a set of tenets - mostly about honor, supporting the tribe, protecting the innocent… things like that…”

  “That’s very noble.”  Really, that made a lot of sense.  You’d noticed through the years that the Mandalorian’s bounties tended to come back in one piece - no unnecessary brutality, unlike some of the others.  You’d even witnessed him once chastising the guild’s henchmen for being too rough when he handed a quarry over sans carbonite, which on its own was rare among bounty hunters.  “I’ve always thought you seemed to have stronger morals than some of our colleagues.”

  He was silent for a moment, swallowing the automatic suspicion that arose at your knowing statement.  “Why would you know anything of me?  We’d never spoken until recently.”

  You laughed.  “You’re a little hard to miss… Mandalorian in shining armor… Besides, we’ve been running the same circles for years.  I’m sure you’ve known of me, too.”

  Well, that was, in fact, true.  He really needed to relax with the suspicious attitude.

  “Yeah… sorry…”

  Ah, so he did know who you were.  You could play his game, too, turn the suspicion into something a bit lighter maybe…

  “And how did you know me, Din Djarin?”  Your voice was almost playful.  But his answer shocked you into a moment of stunned silence.

  He paused, unsure if he should reveal what he knew, but his inhibitions were dropping as the conversation pushed forward.  “You were practicing the same good deeds that I was - and usually beating me to it.”

  What…  A pit formed in your stomach.  How did he know? “Explain.”  Your voice was a bit tremulous - this could potentially be bad news for you.

  He sensed your tension and turned his head just slightly in your direction.  “Hey, no… Relax… I’ve never told a soul…”

  You still weren’t speaking, so he continued.   “Whenever I had enough credits, I’d try to get the pucks of… innocents… but most of the time you’d gotten to them first.  And when I’d check into it, they’d had their bounty canceled… by you, claiming they were deceased… and all traces of them would disappear…”

  You found your voice, relieved a bit by the implication that he was possibly doing the same thing… a very charitable… but very illegal… practice.  “Why did you check into it if you weren’t aiming to turn me in?”

  He answered simply, “Had to make sure you weren’t thwarting my efforts.  Turned out we were on the same side.”

  You let out the breath you’d been holding.  “Thank you… for keeping it to yourself.  I can’t believe I never realized.   Why did you do it, Din?  Because of your oath?”

  He considered for a moment.  “I was once an innocent, and the Mandalorians offered me protection… I want to pay it back to others when I can.  And guild rules be damned, I will never return a battered woman to an abusive husband… or an enslaved person to their master… It’s not right.”

  Smiling through the dark, you responded, “I’m glad to know I'm not the only one.  That's why we work so well together.”

  “Yeah, probably…” he puttered off into awkward silence.

  Oh, right - you still didn’t really know each other.  You should probably quit while you’re ahead, but you still wanted to learn more about this mysterious man… he was incredibly interesting, actually.

  You cleared your throat in preparation for another potentially touchy topic, but your curiosity was killing you.

  “Am I allowed to ask about the loosening of your creed?  Did something happen that prompted you to do that?”  He hesitated just a bit too long.  “Forget it, I’m sorry - that’s none of my business.”

  Din sighed.  “It’s a fair question.  I’ve learned that not all Mandalorians follow it, and I’m honestly just tired of hiding… and sacrificing so many normal human things.”

  “Like sleeping without a helmet?”  Your voice was softer now.

  “Yeah, like sleeping without a helmet… Thanks for… making that possible.”

  You grinned to yourself.  “Of course, Din.  We all deserve some basic comforts.”

  ——————————

  The conversation continued well into the early morning hours, revived each time a topic reached its conclusion.  Eventually, you could sense that Din was tiring of talking about himself, but it was also not in his nature to ask questions of others, being rather unskilled in socialization.  So you offered up a bit about your own life without prompting.  And finally, he got comfortable asking.

  You told each other about your home planets and the families you left behind, how you got into bounty hunting, and so forth.  When things reached a lull, he hesitantly, and almost timidly, offered, “I have a foundling.”  

  This was shocking information, but it made sense - the sadness he carried with him.  He spoke of the child with the love of a parent, and his voice became almost animated relating stories of its magic.  So this was why he’d turned on the guild not long ago - and was later reinstated by Greef Karga.  Now this complicated man’s story was coming together.

  As you both became too tired for these heavier topics, you moved on to bounty hunting escapades, sharing your most humorous and embarrassing stories, especially from your early days.  How he’d tracked his first quarry right into a brothel - a thing the sheltered nineteen year-old Mandalorian knew nothing about - and he was so shocked when a naked twilek latched on to his chest plate that he’d let the bounty get away.  Or when you’d chased a spice dealer onto a small farm and fell straight into their manure pit - and it was the bounty himself who helped you climb out, covered in animal refuse, in return for handing over his puck.  That story earned a genuine laugh from your serious companion.

  But as first light began to slip under the bunk door, you both realized you would need at least a few hours of sleep before working the next morning and reluctantly agreed to end your conversation, one of the most enjoyable you could remember.

  “Hey… uhmmm… Thanks for this… getting my mind off it… It was nice going without the helmet for awhile.”

  You smiled broadly to yourself and kicked your elbow behind you to nudge his back gently.  “You’re welcome.  It was nice getting to know you, Din.  Sleep well.”

  Despite his best efforts to keep professional distance, Din enjoyed getting to know you, too… Maybe making a friend out of this temporary partnership wouldn’t be so bad.

  ——————————

  Neither of you knew it yet, but one day you would know everything about this man.  You would love him… consider him your family… marry him.  You would know his handsome face… and his arms around you while you slept… and his mouth on yours… You would meet his foundling and love him like your own - a clan of three.  And when you were both too old to do this kind of work, you would sell your ship and settle down together on a dusty planet, partners for the rest of your days.  

  You would thank your lucky stars for a chance encounter in that dingy cantina… or was it fated, after all?

  But for now, you were content to make a new friend in this lonely galaxy - an enigmatic man who similarly had no idea the place that you would someday hold in his life… and his heart…

  —-----------------

Thanks for reading!

Next chapter

[yellowbluemoonshine]

Hi, hope you're doing well.

Yuzuriha fanarts and, of course, cosplays seem to have skyrocketed after the anime's release and while this had a positive effect on the series' popularity, I can't help but think many people are missing out on Yuzuriha's character. Plot (and fan service -_-) aside, looking at her character individually, she's a finely written character. We don't get to see many logical and pragmatic female characters who can hold their own and actually fight without being a burden in Japanese media. And I find her, for lack of a better word, "tough girl" act overall quite satisfying especially when her concealed feelings were revealed and explored towards the end of the manga. This made me want to read her part in the light novel, which I am planning to do soon. Anyway, I was wondering what you think of her and her relationship with the rest of the cast and her relevance to the plot.

Hi. Thanks for the ask, anon. I hope, you are doing well too.

General Opinion on Yuzuriha;

And you explained really well. She is fine character but she is also used as fan service and comic relief a lot which is a shame so anyway, here's my general opinion on her and her relationships.

She is fine character;

She is smart. She cooparates with others in a situtions that she cant survive on her own. This also means a lot of interesting interactions between different characters. She fight well and she is independent. We dont have much female characters, especially good ones so its nice that she is in the story as good character. She is pretty. She gives fan services but at least, she still has character. She is femme fatale, a pretty woman who seduces men for her own gain and drives them to dangerous situtions. Her fighting style also fits this side of her. She is funny so at least she gives comic relief to the series. Most characters are too serious so sometimes, it's fun to have a character who is chill.

As personality, she seems to similar to Toma at first sight. They both are mysterious, kinda sadistic, they always give a smile and pretend to be trustworthy only to usually betray for their own gains and they both has earth element etc but i think she is a lot similar to Chobei in a way she is independent, she is naughty girl who wants to do whathever she wants. She is pleasure person. She doesnt care about shame to survive. She lies and she is very social, this part of her is a lot like Chobe. Only difference is Chobei wants to be leader and dominates others while Yuzuriha usually prefers to play safe. She has her own agenda. She is also very realistic or negative like Gabimaru. They both are ninjas, after all.

Though her motivation as villain was explored more because it would make sense why Sagiri is so protective of her and she would actuall have an answer to Isuzu when she said 'think about her victims and their families'. And honestly she has a point.

She is Good Big Sister;

The most interesting part of her for me is that she is actually good sister. She became ninja to gain money for her little sister. She risked her life for her many times and still tried to make her happy. And the reason she wants to live for long time isnt just because for herself. Its most likely a promise she made with her sister. And we only learn this when she is about to die, that story she told before is actually real. Jigokuraku is a story that explore humanity of criminals and Yuzuriha is one of them. She is not just bad guy for the sake of it. Her love for her sister and her motivation also gives depth to her character.

I think this wasnt mentioned enough because Chobe usually overshadow her as big brother but i think its different. I am just gonna say it. Chobei is crazy. His love with for Toma is crazy. Thats just him and Toma. Yuzuriha is good, great big sister actually and this should be talked more.

I am mentioning this because usually 'brocon/siscon' siblings love shine more but their love or obsessions is too much sometimes. So its sad to to see they overshadow just your usual loving big sister/brother. And thats very unfair.

Fake Death Scene;

I think this really ruined her character and made it hard to take her seriously after that fake death scene. She has clearly 'last moments' scene which is perfect way to end her character but she suddenly comes out of nowhere. And not only her survival doesnt make sense, and also ruined the death scene but also, her staying in story did nothing for the plot. Whether that scene shouldnt have portrayed as death or she shouldve stayed death.

(Similar thing happenned with Chobe but it was obvious that he survived with the way Toma hold him nad problem isnt him surviving at that scene but it show it happens and the whole baby thing is ridicilous.)

At least, this couldve been good chance to explore Yuzuriha's humanity tooo, but her backstory wasnt explored the way Gabi and Chobei's story was. Not just Yuzuriha, Toma and many other characters too, wasnt explored much. Though, i think thats one of the main issues with Jigokuraku. (Another issue is it shouldve been more 'dont tell, show' thing). We didnt explore much even though there were so many different characters, different interactions, there wasnt much development. For example, it would be interesting plot if some point she betrayed the main group but eventually felt regret and came back to them maybe.

Sagiri and Yuzuriha;

I think its fine ship but its full yuri fan service. My biggest issue with this is Yuzuriha suddenly flirt iwth Sagiri out of nowhere and at some point, Sagiri is okay? with it, also out of nowhere. If only we could explore why they suddenly attract towards each others (other than 'oh hot woman'). Like, why Yuzuriha suddenly likes her out of all people? Gabimaru also has idea of justice, just like Sagiri. She also has a fan, Senta who seems to admire her personality. And same with Sagiri too. She was so stubborn with her rules even against someone like Gabimaru who is victim but then she sayd 'you are not a villain' to Yuzuriha even though she doesnt know anything about her story.

Though logically you can guess Yuzuriha (also just like Toma) likes people who would do anything for her and protects her. There is a soft side to her. My only issue is that there is no development and their interaction seems out of nowhere. And also Sagiri always think about Gabimaru more than anything so its weird. But otherwise, i like fanarts. Their personality fits each others. Serious innocent girl x Chill naughty girl. Its very fun idea, but in canon story, i dont think its well explored.

Her Other Interactions;

I feel like her love for Sagiri overshadow her other interactions. She was like a big sister to Nurugai and Mei. She was good ally to Gabimaru after some point. She even teased Toma. She gets to be taught by handsome teacher Shion, that was her request. There is also interesting parallels between her and Senta. Senta who is lying to himself btu honest to others and Yuzuriha who is only true to herself but lying to others. He views her as free and admires her but her hiding hearth from anyone isnt a good thing so i wish we explore more of this. Its a shame we didnt get more of it. Anyway she clearly likes them too.

Summary;

I am not a big fan of her but i think she is fine character, her being good big sister should be talked more and i wish we get to explore her inner world and interactions more, same for other characters too.

[plothooksinc]

I extremely specifically assume that you enjoy beating up leo

Offended gasp!

In my defense!!

(1) The timing of NRFTW was such that unless I picked on Leo and involved him in the plot by force he'd just sleep through the entire thing! Very antisocial of him, 0/10, Raph would be sad.

(2) I like picking on them all! I don't think a single character in NRFTW got off without needing at least a day of bedrest by the end! The fact that Leo nearly died is as a result of injuries already existing due to the movie and is clearly no fault of my own, my hands were tied, I as an author have no power!!

(3) IN FACT IF YOU LOOK AT MY BODY OF TMNT WORK YOU WILL FIND THAT LEO ONLY GETS PICKED ON IN ... /checks A03 ...in only 7 out of 10 fics! Sometimes he gets a break and just, y'know, sips tea with Usagi on a clifftop while Gen gets choked to death by a rabid comics collector! Sure, the statistics might be very clearly against me here, but who are you gonna believe? I am the author and I am fully trustworthy in all ways!

(...in short (4) you are 100% correct, hush.)

[springlock-suits]

"Ooh, tell us about Dave"

(To start, seeing so many aus and versions that made use of "Dave Miller" during actual events in Freddy's, instead of as some random mall guard DEFINITELY inspired me, I had never before considered that potential Dave had)

Dave works at the 90s location. As William was very much Not Allowed in Freddy's after '87

(Now, I haven't read the book in. Literal years. But I think my Dave might? actually be pretty similar to TSE canon? A bit less creepy though. And more seemingly trustworthy. Take this with a grain of salt though as again, its been many years since ive read the book)

He's very dramatic and showy while kinda pretending not to be

He never really outright lies, he doesn't make anything up, its more of just not telling the whole truth and leaving out (incriminating) details

He definitely considers himself "one of them" like canon Dave does. And will walk around the place just wearing the Springbonnie mask when there's no one to see him

When I think about what I personally want from a fnaf story, want it to be in the classic 90s location, when all the murders are already said and done. And I want the employees there to start trying to unravel the mystery after realizing the animatronics are alive. It ends up being like a murder mystery, unfortunately, I can't hide from anyone familiar with fnaf who the killer is, but at least I can still keep it from the characters! Letting them discover it in the end >;]

(Fun fact! In my design, Dave's haircolor is the same as Springbonnie's fur)

My William wears glasses, and while he can usually get away with not wearing them as Dave, he still needs them for reading. So I had a (scrapped) comic idea where Theo sees a glint of light and walks into the backstage area to discover Dave wearing glasses, queuing a flashback where we see William n the same pose wearing the same glasses! A delightful hint for Theo on who Dave really is!,, that he ends up ignoring because Dave has already established himself as a Trusted Friend and coworker-

.

"Any original FNaF characters and a bit of their lore?"

Fnaf ocs? Yeah! I've ah, only actually made and designed one character for my version so far, Theo!

Since the 90s location never had a missing children incident, but still had newspapers about them from previous locations, I imagine there are in universe "fnaf theorists" trying to figure out what happened, especially since Fazbear Ent is really determined to cover everything up

So I made Theo! (Theodore Emmet)

He's a works along with Dave at the 90s (fnaf 1) location! Any lore snippets you see in the area were most likely put up by him, his favorite animatronic is 90s Bonnie

He was alive and in the area when the original missing children's incident happened, so when he saw how Fazbear ent was trying to convince people it never actually happened, it sparked his interest in finding some indisputable proof. And keep the fact that such a tragedy happened common knowledge

He's around 45 I think! Ohh wait 30ish is better. And um, theres not much else about him! ľm trying to give him some more personality and interests, but right now I can't help but keep comparing him to my version of phone dude;-;

He's really not that finshed or fleshed out yet bdjsndks