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then and now

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the joker is so fucked up for this one. OCD based death trap is crazy

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advice for a character who grips control like a lifeline. who wants to be in charge of every little thing because whenever they're not in control of something something bad could happen. has happened. they can't let a single variable be wild or in someone else's hands

How to Write a Controlling Character

Backstory Rooted in Trauma or Guilt

This character likely has a history that has ingrained the belief that they must be in control or face devastating consequences. Perhaps they once trusted someone else with something crucial—a promise, a responsibility, or a life-altering choice—and that trust was broken in a way that had lasting repercussions. For example, maybe they lost someone because they weren’t “careful enough,” or they experienced a betrayal when they trusted another person’s plan.

They might frequently flash back to this moment, possibly catching themselves thinking, If only I’d been the one in control, this wouldn’t have happened. This memory fuels their need to keep a tight grip on everything, especially if they’re in high-stakes situations.

Rigid Daily Routines and Habits

This character’s day is probably packed with small rituals and routines that give them a sense of security. From double-checking door locks to setting multiple alarms, they rely on routines to give themselves a sense of order. In fact, they might be nearly ritualistic about small actions—checking emails three times before sending, never leaving a task halfway finished, or meticulously arranging their workspace.

Even something as simple as making coffee can become a precise process. If someone moves one of their tools or a file from their desk, they may feel a spike of frustration or even anxiety, seeing it as a disruption to their personal “system.” They could feel that control in their daily life is the only thing keeping chaos at bay.

Intensely Observant of Details and Mistakes

They are hyperaware of mistakes or inefficiencies in others, mentally cataloging things like a coworker’s slight lateness or a friend’s disorganization. They may feel a sense of superiority (or frustration) over people who don’t “have it together” and take it upon themselves to organize or “fix” things for others.

In conversation, they might cut people off or “correct” them even over small points, often justifying this to themselves as necessary. For instance, if someone shares a plan that seems half-formed, this character could immediately dive in, pointing out potential problems or filling in details.

Controlling Relationships and Social Situations

This character struggles in relationships where they aren’t the dominant or organizing force. They might instinctively take over when making plans with friends, micromanaging even casual hangouts to make sure everything goes “right.” For example, they might pick the restaurant, plan the travel route, and check weather forecasts—assuming that if they don’t, no one else will think of these things.

When someone resists their attempts at control, they can respond defensively, often turning cold or resentful, unable to understand why anyone wouldn’t want them to manage the situation. Statements like, “Fine, but don’t blame me if this doesn’t go well,” are frequent in their interactions.

Extreme Anxiety or Panic When Control Is Taken Away

When things go beyond their reach, this character might experience panic, as if they’re suddenly powerless. For instance, if an unexpected roadblock prevents them from handling a task (like a canceled flight they needed to board, or a plan that falls apart), they might spend hours trying to regain control, calling every contact or frantically exploring alternatives.

Their reaction may feel extreme to others. Even minor setbacks—such as a colleague taking initiative on a project or a friend planning something without consulting them—can trigger a disproportionate response, like clenching their fists, pacing, or silently stewing as they feel the situation “slipping.”

Inability to Accept Help or Collaboration

Their controlling nature makes it hard for them to collaborate, as they believe their methods are the only ones that work. For them, accepting help feels like an admission of weakness or failure, so they rarely delegate or ask for assistance. If they do reluctantly accept help, they are constantly supervising or “suggesting” things, making it feel more like they’re still in charge.

In a team setting, they might take on all the major tasks, either out of distrust in others’ abilities or a feeling that no one will match their standards. Their motto could be something like, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” even if that means working late or burning out.

Reluctance to Show Vulnerability or Need

Since vulnerability and control rarely coexist for them, they avoid showing weakness at all costs, preferring to mask stress or struggles as “just part of the job.” If they do become overwhelmed, they’re more likely to shut people out, saying, “I’ve got it handled,” even if it’s far from true.

When people push them to let go or share the load, they might lash out, accusing others of “just not understanding.” They often see their intense responsibility as a form of sacrifice, justifying their behavior with, “If I don’t handle this, who will?”

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The Shape of Ideas

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this is why being religous and a bad person is so wild to me. you have your god, who encourages you to love and be lovable, and yet

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I want to point out how the final fight in Epic is not in song 38 but song 40.

How after Odysseus became "the monster" he then, was the last boss to fight

And Penelope fights him.

Because she fights for her husband, for the man beyond the trauma, for the man WITH the trauma, for the man she will always love and will wait forever if necessary.

She makes him angry, he gets furious and Penelope is the only character so far who matches that fury and tames it.

And Penelope wins.

She defeats the "monster".

And all it's left... it's just a man. Her man.

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Ares watching odysseus murder all of the suitors with a bucket of popcorn and a piña colada: oh hell yeah.

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how i imagine poseidon (who i believe can feel when people invoke not only his name but the ocean as well) reacted to hearing antinous plotting to kill telemachus and dump his body (parts) in the ocean

*up on olympus in apollo's infirmary*

poseidon: *recovering and enjoying peace after athena had left a day ago*

poseidon: *to himself* ahh finally some peac-

poseidon: *feels someone invoking the ocean*

poseidon: *focusing on who's saying it* who on gaia is...is that coming from ithaca...

poseidon: wait- ITHACA?!?

poseidon: *fully focuses now*

antinous: *in the ithacan palace*

antinous: cut him down into tiny pieces...

poseidon: *listening in full now* cut wh-

antinous: ...when the crown wonders where the prince is-

poseidon: the prince? yoU MEAN ODYSSEUS' SON?

antinous: only the ocean and i will know!

poseidon: *in full panic mode* OCEAN?!

poseidon: *now attempting to get out of bed in panic* HADES NO, I AM NOT INVOLVED WITH THIS I-

apollo: *coming to check on his uncle after hearing him shout*

apollo: uncle wh- *sees poseidon attempting to get out of bed*

apollo: *hurrying over to get him back in bed*

apollo: uncle calm down! you're gonna rip your stitches!

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they removed posting from tumblr. now there's only scrolling down through the vast blank expanse. great

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“I’m kidding. This isn’t a trade offer. This is a fact.”

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every single photo I see of Kirby, the baby Asian elephant born at Houston Zoo, is absolutely killing me

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I know it's unfair vilification and stuff but it's also a lot of fun to see old media and stuff where people were SO scared of big animals like lions, sharks, crocodiles and wolves were fully expected to just come and eat you the moment you stepped into their territory. In older media we also made that assumption about gorillas and in still older we thought it'd be whales. But some animals that will actually fuck you up got left behind. Boars will kill you and eat you. They're way more likely to do so than any of those other things actually. Hippos, obviously, got off like bandits always being depicted as cute and dopey. And then there's the squids. Not giant kraken size squids. The eight foot squids that hunt in packs and will fuck you up if you fall in the water at night. I can't BELIEVE people slept on that. It's like all they cared about were the huge deep sea ones we never see. The medium size wolf pack squids were right there.

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"We have seen what the king will do to those with their hands in the air 🕺🕺🕺"

As I was listening to Odysseus I for a second was anticipating one of the suitors saying this- before I realized it was cut 😭

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My reactions to the Ithaca Saga below the cut (read at your own risk)

The Challenge:

PENELOPE!!! I LOVE HER SO MUCH YOU DOJT UNDERSTAND! We knew most of this song from snippets already- but like?? It didn’t prepare me??? The parts with the suitors gave me chills, and the WAITING BIT!!! Before the underworld saga I knew that Penelope would sing Waiting, before we knew Anticlea would- but now hearing it with all the prior knowledge of waiting make it that much more gut wrenching-

Hold Them Down:

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this song going in. Again, another one we knew a lot about, but???? The opening bit, just being a slightly darker version of what Penelope just sang?? Made me feral??? I won’t say much more about this one cause frankly the topics are not my favorite- but Antinous dying at the end?? The blood gurgle as he gets shot in the throat?? So unsettling? Loved it.

Odysseus:

So Much To Say About This One. IM HERE FOR FERAL ODYSSEUS. Man is amazing for the torches like he is Scylla- also! I love hearing all the different voices of the suitors! I don’t think we have had this many solo ensemble parts in any other song and I am loving it! THE OPEN ARMS REFERENCE WAS VILE- TELEMACHUS MY BOY! AND ATHENA’S QUICK THOUGHT I FRICKEN TOLD YALL SHE WASNT DEAD!

I Can’t Help But Wonder:

THE FIRST REUNION OF THE SAGA! I UGLY CRIED!! TELEMACHUS!! THEN THE WARRIOR OF THE MIND CALLBACK!! ATHENA! I died guys. I listen to this and died. This is my ghost speaking- THERE IS A GIRL HE HAS TO SEE!

Would You Fall In Love With Me Again:

They- they are back together. They would do anything to be back together and they made it!!! TRICKY PENELOPE MAKING SURE ODYSSEUS IS HER HUSBAND WITH THE WEDDING BED! MADE OF THE OLIVE TREE! I love her so much- and then she forgives Odysseus!!! SAYS HE WILL ALWAYS BE HER HUSBAND!!! THE WAITING. Also. Also. That instrumental? Before their final lines?? WAS THE MELODY OF JUST A MAN. SLOWED DOWN AND MUCH MORE ORCHESTRATED. I’m sobbing???? IM SOBBING??? I LOVE YOU.

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Lady DeVoid and Lad Devoid

wait you’re onto something,,,

eclipse tried calling himself that and she shut it down immediately

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i need to get into cars