Hiiii, if it's not too much, can you describe the biggest differences between the live action characters and the novel characters in MDZS? They are a lot, so I will love even the difference between few of them! I haven't seen the live action and I don't know if I will ever, but I am curious, considering all the meta. Anyway, thank you in general, even if you don't answer!
Hello anon! This has been in the inbox forever because there are soooo many ways to answer this! However, let me be transparent that I've watched maybe like 1/10 of CQL. Among other obstacles, I simply do not care that much about Lan Wangji and he's always there (even though Wang Yibo is giving it his all... it's not his fault I'm a hater...). Chewing through a book with Ms. Mxtx's commentary was just more enjoyable to me, and even then, to be honest, I still liked SVSSS better. (I just love Shen Yuan/Shen Qingqiu so much. That dude is wild.)
Still, the live action definitely affected how I understood certain characters (...primarily Nie Huaisang) and made me interested in relationships that I didn't pay any attention to in the novel. (I freely admit that the nieyao brainrot is 100% CQL's fault.) Also I found Wang Zhuocheng's Jiang Cheng very cute and loveable. It definitely contributed to my Jiang Cheng Brain Disease.
LISTEN. HE HAS BIG SAD EYES AND THE MEANEST SNEER AND HE MIGHT BURST INTO TEARS AT ANY TIME. HE IS A BABY. A baby who could kill you with his terrifying lightning whip! But a baby nonetheless, to me.
So if you want someone with a real and knowledgeable opinion on the live action, I'm probably not the right person for that! However, here's one difference that changed a bunch of stuff about the characters that I found compelling in the novel: the second flautist.
CQL adds Su She as a second flautist doing unorthodox cultivation in a couple of different places, including at Qiongqi Path, where he seizes control of Wen Ning and is therefore responsible for Jin Zixuan's death. Removing the responsibility for Jin Zixuan's death from Wei Wuxian creates a bunch of cascading character and relationship implications that I don't love.
Firstly, all of the people who cautioned Wei Wuxian against his unorthodox cultivation are now... wrong. If he never lost control, then actually his assessment that he could maintain control wasn't overconfidence, it was just true, and he was persecuted because the Jin needed a scapegoat and wanted the Yin Tiger Tally, not because his cultivation path actually involved significant risks and drawbacks. (To be fair, the Jins actively exploited those drawbacks, the public perception of his cultivation, and Wei Wuxian's failure to manage his reputation. But it matters whether the risks exist or are just made up.)
Secondly, removing his responsibility for Jin Zixuan's death transforms both Wei Wuxian's character and how we understand his relationships with Jiang Yanli, Jiang Cheng, and Jin Ling. Because, in the novel, he kills Jin Zixuan under duress but also after a lifetime of conflict with him. Like, he hates the dude, he doesn't think he's worthy of Jiang Yanli, and he's not willing to examine his hatred and resentment even though Jiang Yanli loves Jin Zixuan and wants to marry him, even after she marries him and has a child with him. (I would argue that a lot of the resentment is because of the eventual marriage; by marrying Jiang Yanli, Jin Zixuan becomes legally recognized family to the Jiang siblings, while Wei Wuxian's relationship with them has no social recognition; I think Wei Wuxian is deeply threatened by that but can't articulate it.) It's a huge failure! Like, dude, you loved someone and you killed that person's beloved spouse. That points to a certain degree of repressed jealousy, possessiveness, longing, arrogance, the list goes on... I am so compelled by that conflict, and the adaptation just erases it.
This also affects how we read Jin Ling's relationship with Wei Wuxian. In one scenario, a teenage Jin Ling is (eventually, minus one little stab) ending the cycle of violence by not seeking vengeance for his father's murder. In the other, it was actually someone associated with Jin Ling's paternal family that killed his father, and he's maybe just... coming to terms with that? One of these scenarios is so much richer and more interesting.
How it affects the relationship between Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian is a little more subtle. It locates the responsibility for a lot of the harm done to the Jiang siblings with the Jin sect, not with Wei Wuxian, removing some of Wei Wuxian's culpability in the devolution of his relationship with Jiang Cheng. If Wei Wuxian isn't guilty of wronging the Jiang family (and instead is also a victim of the Jin sect), then all of Jiang Cheng's rage and betrayal was misdirected. They were both tricked. In some ways, maybe that's easier to patch up after canon? (I wonder if this is why many CQL yunmeng shuangjie reconciliation fics have Jiang Cheng apologize to Wei Wuxian, but not the other way around?) But it's so much less interesting to me!
Finally, it removes Wei Wuxian's tragic flaw! Dude is legitimately a genius but he's got hubris coming out of his ears and it fucks him up big time! This is classic stuff. Please stop flattening my boy!!
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HI AUBURN!!!!!! dunno if we’re close enough moots for me to req this but could I mayhaps enter in Ashi for your 1.8k event?? 😳 (WHICH LIKE. GRATS BTW!!!! THATS CRAYCRAY POP OFF)
🤔 there’s this certain rewrite w her concerning Ghost Marriage so I was wondering if I could get a rewrite where
1.) when Ace barges in, he stops the marriage between her and Eliza instead of Idia and Eliza (and Ace gets EXTRA pissed)
OR
2.) Ashi and Ace playing around w the ghost ring and a fake one
SOME CONTEXT ABOUT THIS EVENT REWRITE;
—Ashi cross dresses and shoots for Eliza right before the final group enters to try and woo her over (cuz she sees all the guys fail and she’s like “yyyeah. watch me pull this ghost lady better than y’all)
—she succeeds actually!!! she woos Eliza over w her W rizz and allows Idia to escape
—Her and Ace previously fool around w the ghost ring; causing a real and fake to get mixed up
—so guess what. she accidentally uses a fake ring instead of the one actually needed 😔 banishing no more
—NOW ASHI’S TRAPPED AND BOUND TO MARRY ELIZA!!!!!! (and Ace is left to blame)
ALSO JUST TO CLARIFY!!!!!! <333 I’d like it to be like....... besties but mutual pining yk 🙏 cuz they’re just besties so far at this stage (Ace is in denial)
NO SWEAT IF THIS IS TOO MUCH BTW!!!! I APPRECIATE IT NONETHELESS <3 gratsgrats again!!!
AAAAA dont worry ashi!!! your oc page is very detailed so i think i can write her right!! at least i hope so ^^" THANK YOU THANK OYU <3333 AAAAA!!!!!!!
thast literally so goofy i love ALL of this LMAO (mutual pining...rubbing my hands together evilly I GOTCHA!!!)
i read that thing about him calling you cherrypie and i think thats the cutest thing :(((( but he calls you goober here since that was on yuor oc page and i thought taht was funny LMAO
AND SINCE WE WERENT MOOTS WHEN YOUR BIRTHDAY WAS AROUND BUT IT WAS RECENT PLEASEE CONSIDER THIS A BIRTHDAY GIFT FROM ME TO YOU <3 i hope you had fun :D !!!
ASHI, ACE, AND THE MARRAIGE VOWS OF DOOM!!! (1.8k details)
Ashi isn’t sure how Ace acquired it (although it most likely came from a visit with Sam) but the grin on his face melts away her concern and leaves a giddy mischief in its place.
“Doesn’t it look just like that ring the Headmage wants to use to send that bride back to her realm?” Ace laughs, twirling it around the tip of his finger, “Can you imagine what would happen if someone were to switch out the rings?”
“Ace, c’mon!” Ashi shakes her head, giggling along with him.
His grin turns wicked, and before Ashi knows it he’s snatched the real ring right out of her pocket. She shrieks for him to give it back, hurling vicious insults such as “meanie” and “stupid,” but Ace doesn’t relent.
“Where is the real ring? I bet you’ll never guess.” he smirks, holding out his closed hands.
His eyebrows are doing that irritating thing he does when he’s feeling a bit too smug.
“You’re a cheater! I bet it’s in your pocket.” Ashi lunges for him, digging her hand into his pocket as Ace jerks away, trying to get her off.
Sure enough, she pulls out the ring with a triumphant “ah ha!” Ace rolls his eyes and makes a big show of huffing about it, but his eyes linger on her radiant smile as she sticks her tongue out at him.
“It’s not like you play fair either, you goober!” he cackles, jerking his arm out to snatch the ring from her hands.
As their hands collide, both rings go soaring through the air and clatter to the floor. Ashi and Ace look over in the direction they landed, only to come to the sinking revelation that neither of them knew which one was which.
“Can you tell which one’s the fake?” Ashi asks, tilting her head.
Ace removes himself from her to confidently saunter over to the rings, scooping them off the ground and flashing them with a smirk.
“Don’t worry goober, I got it. You almost messed things up there, huh? This is totally the fake one.” Ace mocks, flicking Ashi’s nose when he’s made his way back to her and places the real ring in her hand.
“Oh quiet you!” she pinches his cheek, face heating up at the teasing.
Ace rubs his pink cheek and glares, but the glare holds no malice.
Ashi watches in amusement as Idia is thrown to the side, totally blown off by Eliza. Ashi kneels before the bride, arms outstretched as if to accept her. Eliza squeals, rushing towards her “groom” with stars in her eyes. Ashi takes her hand, gently, and gives Eliza the most affectionate look she can.
“It’s an honor to be wed to you, my lady.” Ashi grins, a dazzling smile that makes Eliza swoon in her arms.
The ring slides onto her finger, and...
Nothing happens.
Ashi looks confused but quickly schools her face. Eliza doesn't notice the way her smile falls, and instead swoops Ashi up into her arms and calls for her attendants.
“Please, escort Mr. Tamadai to the dressing rooms! I await our wedding, my darling!” Eliza giggles behind her hand, waving Ashi goodbye.
Footsteps pound on the stone flooring outside the room and Ashi looks at the door with hope. The door flies open with a loud bang, causing all the ghosts to jump out of their nonexistent skin.
Heh.
“Stop the wedding!” Ace yells, pointing an accusatory finger at Eliza, “You! Bride lady! We gotta talk!”
Eliza scoffs, all warmth in her deposition gone as Ace storms up to her with fire in his eyes. Ashi tries to go to him, but the ghosts are keeping such a harsh grip on her arms that it’s starting to hurt.
“Ace!” she yells, and he whips his head around at the sound of her voice.
He turns back to the bride with a clenched jaw and a furrowed brow.
“Listen here, all of you! You can’t just force someone to marry you! Relationships don’t work like that! Ashi doesn’t want to marry you at all! Aren’t the rest of you ashamed? You’re just enabling your princess into feeling even lonelier as the years go on because you’re not letting her let go! You all sound like useless retainers to me!” Ace yells, “Let go of Ashi right now! I’m gonna get this ring on your finger and send you off once and for all!”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about! Mr. Tamadai was quite sweet in his courting! He even answered all my questions correctly! He's perfect!” Eliza insists, voice breaking as she speaks.
“Uh, news flash princess!” Ace snaps, “You shouldn’t be picking your prince based on a few questions. How about picking someone you can laugh and cry with? Someone you can share everything with?”
He looks over at Ashi and pauses.
“Someone that makes you feel like you can be something. Even if you know you’re a stupid troublemaker.” he says, voice softer for just a moment before he turns back to the princess, “Have your retainers taught you nothing? It’s embarrassing that I have to spell this out for you, seriously!”
Ashi squirms in the ghost's hold, her cheery smile fading into a frustrated grimace. The rare sight makes Ace’s breath hitch, and his anger only gets more intense.
“Don’t listen to him, princess!” Puffy yells, taking his place next to Eliza, “How dare you say such things! I would fight the world to make sure the princess is happy, you—!”
Ashi gnaws at her lower lip before slipping one of Ace’s stupid cards out of her pocket. Sliding it between her two fingers just like he taught her, she flicks it at Eliza.
The card reaches its mark.
The ghosts restraining her rush to their princess as she yelps out in pain and Ashi beams. It's funny how Ace’s tricks were useful in situations like this, even though all he ever used them for was to target Riddle.
“Princess!” she yells, running towards her, “Wait!”
Eliza shakes off her hovering attendants to gaze upon her groom, a sour pout on her face.
“Listening, I’m not actually a guy. I was dressing the part because my and my homies were trying to save Idia over there.” she points to the boy in question, watching as he shrivels up again at the attention, “But I think you should totally marry Puffy! He seems to really care about ya! And just like Acey said, you’re supposed to find someone you can laugh and cry with right? He was about to fight this whole room for you!”
Eliza stops as if considering what Ashi just said. Ace’s hand circles her wrist, as if ready to run and find cover if the ghosts actually do attack. His subtle concern warms her heart.
“Oh Puffy...I think I’ve finally figured it out.” Eliza turns to her ghostly companion and smiles, eyes full of love, “You’re my prince! My true love!”
“What?!” Ace squawks, but Ashi presses a finger to his lips to shush him.
“Princess...all I’ve ever wanted was to see you smile.” Puffy murmurs, cheeks turning blue, “It’s my dream...my lingering attachment...I just want you to be happy.”
“Oh, Puffy!” Eliza swoons, kissing him without a second thought.
“What just happened?” Ace blinks, absolutely baffled by the display in front of him.
“I dunno, but we should get everyone else out!” Ashi beams as the sound of groans and complaints reach their ears, “It sounds like the curse has been broken!”
As Ashi runs off to help a whining Floyd, Ace puffs up his cheeks and stares.
She looks really pretty in that suit.
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Y’all are being subjected to my Sims 2 tests, so there
The other set of Vargases came over for a visit and Scriabin picked up Shmee and started talking to Scriabin through him. Very normal, very usual
I downloaded some circle-glasses recolours and hghghh they look so good! Closer every day to his final details! Getting ever closer!
Edgar too! I made him a custom hair with a lighter undercut - I’m mostly happy with it, probably could’ve shifted it a shade closer to his skintone but the texturing was weird no matter what :P And his stripey shirt! I wish Body Shop didn’t have that hands-on-hips pose lol, it looks so much better in-game, but that’s all the better :)
I got some new clothes for Todd as well! As soon as I saw this ‘fit I was like “Oh that’s 100% Todd there he is.” Scriadad hug ♥ So cute
Foot-dancing together stopp it’s so cute!!
The way he looks at them stoppp <3 <3 They kept doing this right up til they left for home haha, Todd’s giggles are the cutest
Used SimPE to save him to the Body Shop, I now have infinite copies of The Boyyyy ♪
Moved him in with his “parents” as just shadow people basically, they’re not gonna matter in a bit as long as I remember how to get the Social Worker/Adoption process to work properly. Get her Todd!!
Wanna play? :D
Menacing :(
Look, Todd, your new dads are here! Initially I wasn’t sure who I wanted to adopt him, got lots of options; the first passes, the married couple with their own Todd, Johnny?? He definitely doesn’t have the facilities for a child lol
But these are the ones that showed up on their own, so the married Vargases are the winners!
Scriabin cares more about him than his actual parents ;; A stranger off the street shows him more care! Not that it’s a high watermark
Look at him being a good dad!
Weh, he just wants friends ;; Poor baby
Best timeline, thank you
While we wait for CPS, let’s get some other interactions in! Nny is mean so he tended to prank the other two with a nose flick - mostly Edgar lol ♪ Now kiss
“Oh please don’t break all my bones~ :3” I love Todd looking up at them haha <3
Pffft, I think he was talking about the other Scriabin and just how attractive he is. Classic Scriabin. Alternatively, also funny to imagine him bragging himself up about how he’s just so handsome that Edgar can’t help but love him hahaha ♪
Allow me to tickle you with my KNIFE! >:D
Get a load of this guy lol
He ended up passing out at one point - I forgot which motives make CPS show up >.> - and completely 0%’d his comfort, but for some reason stargazing increased it?? It’s the same ground wh
Is two not enough to satisfy your butterfly bloodlust child?? He ended up with three, I had him release them before he was picked up by the Social Worker - success!
He rolled a new Want as soon as Todd was taken away - “Wants to see Ghost of Todd” Woah, dark! :0
And here he is on the married Vargases’ lot!! Success!! I did it right!! Heck yeah! :D Unfortunately they were uh, indisposed at the time. Good job guys pft
Goes right for Shmee, he really is Todd <3
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Hey stranger! i saw you were accepting headcanons. thoughts on zoe x polly.
(ngl this headcanon started for me because me and my gf have matching lesbian polly and zoe pfps but i think it is pretty cool on its own)
Woah I've never considered this ship before but I can already see theyd be soo cute
Headcanons
Polly calls her "Zee" (she gives her this nickname in the IDENTITY ending and I think Zoe goes nuts over her first true nickname)
Zoe rambles on for hours about different headcanons for fandoms Polly doesn't necessarily understand but she loves to listen to her speak
Zoe's undying energy and newfound love of life is never wasted when she's with Polly, they're both the type to go on wacky adventures for dates and not get sick of each other
They would be so sickeningly sweet, matching outfits type of couple, screaming to various pop songs together, pda, all that jazz
no doubt Zoe joins the prank masters officially, (in canon Zoe loves pulling pranks and I can only assume what they would get up to together; Polly is good at hyping her up for a good prank) Scott of course is just happy that they have more friends in their club
Zoe actually likes the taste of Polly’s toilet wine, it’s weird maybe the eons of consuming the sanity of mortals ruins your palette indefinitely but at least Polly’s happy
Zoe can go a bit overboard with fandom stuff but Polly helps her understand boundaries, like what questions are appropriate to ask and whatnot
They definitely go to art events together (like couple’s pottery, and painting classes) they go silly with it and would get kicked out a lot, and polly gets drunk off the wine samples that are usually served
Going on the roadtrip together they would spend an indefinite amount of time on the road, having to stop everywhere they possibly can (they probably run out of money quick together, neither really paying attention to its depletion lol)
date nights are either crazy outings that last hours or “chill” movie nights where Zoe catches Polly up on all the shows she’s into (all while discussing her various ships) theres no in between with these two.
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