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elysiansparadise · 4 months

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Your Saturn in their houses

Credits of the photos -> A quiet wild

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 1st house: You will have this calming effect on your partner, who will grow a lot as a person with you by their side. You will make them have a more mature vision of life and you will make them think and act in the long term. The relationship with you will make them analyze more about themselves, be more introspective and analytical of what they are and do. You will help them take life more seriously, have ambitions and be more realistic with their way of approaching life. You will make them reconsider their priorities and become more focused and responsible. You will help your partner create healthy boundaries that make them feel good about themselves, you will encourage them to be more independent.

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 2nd house: You can help your partner put their finances in order, you can encourage them to make the necessary expenses and not waste their money. You will teach them to be more careful with their money and to value what it will take them work to achieve. In the best of cases, you will help them with their self-esteem. Your partner will know firsthand that if they are going to be with you, the relationship will have to be taken with the proper focus and dedication. They will immediately know that it is possible to have a serious relationship with you. They will deeply value that unique ability you have to commit, being one of the values that they will most appreciate about you.

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 3rd house: You will give direction to their ideas, you will encourage them to think in the long term and take seriously the way they relate, and you will also help them to be clearer and more concise about the idea of communicating and making their ideas known. If they are indecisive people, you can help them focus and concentrate on what is truly important. You will teach them endless things that they will find interesting and useful for their daily lives. In their eyes you will be someone very intelligent, sharp, honest and very prudent, they will feel that they can tell you anything and you will know how to keep it between the two of you. They see in you a counselor and someone with a lot of wisdom.

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 4th house: At first you might have given them the impression of being someone reserved with their feelings. They will see in you a person with stable emotions, someone who is clear about what they want on an emotional and bond level. They feel that their heart will be safe with you, that you will take care of it and treat their emotions with the necessary devotion and care. You will teach them to take their hearts and feelings seriously, you will encourage them to improve internally and cleanse and heal their inner world of things they carry. You will give them a strong feeling of security and inspire trust quickly. There is a strong level of devotion and support on your part and they will always value it.

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 5th house: With you they will have many lessons about their self-expression and ego. This relationship with you will help them better define who they are, their value, their talents and above all, you will help them take themselves more seriously. They may feel that they want to be more responsible, and in general that they want to improve for you and the relationship. You will show them a more responsible, attentive and devoted side to romance, a constant one in which you will not only make them feel good or loved at times, but always. You will teach them the values and efforts of a relationship and make them feel comfortable showing this devoted side in a relationship.

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 6th house: And just when things seemed unclear or stable, you came into their lives. Not only do they see you as a great support in their lives, but as a person who inspires them to work hard and never give up. You can put a lot of order in their lives even if you don't realize it. You will always give them strategies and comments that make them improve. They will be touched that you take their well-being seriously in all areas of their lives. They will have the vision of you as a very hard-working, dedicated and mature person, characteristics that they will find admirable.

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 7th house: It is likely that this relationship will be your partner's first serious one, you will teach them to take the relationship in a committed way. You will give them a lot of support and loyalty and they will know that they can count on you at all times. They will turn to you to make decisions that they consider important. This relationship will make them have more structure and organization in their life. You will teach them not to have everything on their shoulders and that eventually you will be there to offer your shoulder and support them. This relationship makes them mature and they’re likely to consider marriage, especially if your Saturn aspects their Venus or Moon.

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 8th house: You are likely to help them break down the barriers they put between themselves and emotional intimacy, you can give them that vibe of being someone who won't hurt them and with whom they won't experience what may have made them suffer in other relationships. There is a strong karmic charge between you, you will be someone who teaches them a lot and gives them a lot of support in their healing process and in their search for peace after the storm. Your person can become more spiritual and more aware of these sides of themselves that they need to work.

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 9th house: You will help your person to have a lot of growth internally. You will encourage them to finally decide what they value most and what they will put the most focus on. They will greatly value your honesty and will know that they can always have deep and meaningful conversations with you. You will inspire them to act more positively about life, without forgetting realism. You may be able to help them realize their dreams even when they themselves see them as very distant. You can help them define their philosophy and the things in which they find happiness. You will teach them to use their rational side and they could feel the need to expand their knowledge.

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 10th house: They will see you as a very competent and capable person, and they will be influenced by these qualities to be more ambitious, to work harder and to achieve many things. You will directly or indirectly encourage them to take on more responsibilities professionally and they will likely feel that they need your approval or to make you proud. They will see you as someone with a lot of wisdom, someone even very intelligent, and they will always see you as their greatest support and source of admiration. You will give them a feeling of solidity and they will be able to see you by their side for a long time, likewise, you will have a presence in their future plans.

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 11th house: Your presence in their lives can give them clarity regarding their purpose and future plans, you can make them consider many things and distance themselves from the criticism and expectations of others. It will give more serious meaning to your friendships and you will likely distance yourself from people who were not the best influence in your lives. You can be a reality check for them, because you either motivate them to create plans to fulfill what they dream and aspire to or you make them evaluate if that is really what they want in the long term. You will teach them the committed and stable side of a friendship regardless of the nature of the relationship.

🤎Your Saturn falling in their 12th house: You will be able to help them heal and motivate them to change everything they feel should be different. Unconsciously they will want to be more reliable for you, more stable for the relationship and more devoted to the dynamics of it. Being the house of dreams, it is possible that they feel that by your side it is possible to make their dreams something real, they will feel your support at all times whether you are present or not. They will see you as someone who is somewhat lonely and as someone who is selective with whom they invest their time and effort. You will help them find their inner strength and that desire to move forward.

#astrology #synastry #saturn #astro post #your saturn in their houses #synastry saturn #synastry post #astro notes #astro observations

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kolyasupremanxy · 1 year

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Hellooo

Love your work lots💗

A smart, well spoken and highly intelligent/strategic reader with an knowledge that may challenge Dazai and Fyodors brain, how does that sound? I think it's a nice change of scenery when the s/o gets to play the clever witted character every once in a while

With Ranpo, Dazai, Fyodor, Nikolai and Chuuya please (or just anyone you want)

Hugs and kisses 💋

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬/𝐨

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬 + 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 : 𝐅𝐲𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐯𝐬𝐤𝐲, 𝐃𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐢 𝐎𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐮, 𝐍𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐮𝐲𝐚, 𝐄𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐩𝐨, 𝐍𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢 𝐆𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐥

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: fluff ( ? )

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 2.9k

𝐀/𝐧: Sorry for the wait—

𝐅𝐲𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐯𝐬𝐤𝐲

Fyodor would be initially intrigued by the intelligence and strategic mind of his s/o, finding their ability to challenge him intellectually to be refreshing and engaging.

He would enjoy engaging in deep, philosophical discussions with his s/o, relishing the opportunity to bounce ideas off of someone who can keep up with him intellectually.

Fyodor would be impressed by his s/o's ability to read and understand complex texts, and may even ask for their input on his own writing.

Despite his arrogance, Fyodor would be willing to listen to his s/o's opinions and ideas, and may even incorporate them into his own strategies and plans.

Fyodor would appreciate his s/o's ability to see through people's lies and deception, and may even ask for their help in identifying potential threats within his organization.

He would be attracted to his s/o's confident and well-spoken demeanor, finding it to be a rare trait among those he associates with.

Fyodor may become possessive of his s/o, seeing their intelligence and strategic mind as valuable assets that he cannot afford to lose.

He would enjoy testing his s/o's limits and seeing how far they can push themselves intellectually, often challenging them to solve complex problems or puzzles.

Fyodor may become jealous of his s/o's other intellectual pursuits, feeling threatened by the possibility that they may find someone who can challenge them even more than he can.

Despite his sinister personality, Fyodor would have a soft spot for his s/o, often showing a gentler side of himself when they are alone.

He would appreciate his s/o's ability to keep up with his fast-paced and complex way of thinking, finding it to be a rare and valuable trait.

Fyodor would see his s/o as an intellectual equal, and would value their input and opinions on a variety of topics, both personal and professional.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

Fyodor and you were sitting in his study, surrounded by books and papers strewn across the room. The two of you had been discussing various philosophical ideas and debating different theories for hours, both thoroughly engrossed in the conversation.

Fyodor leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on you as you spoke. He was impressed by your ability to articulate complex ideas in a clear and concise manner, and found himself admiring your intelligence and strategic mind.

"You truly are an impressive individual," Fyodor said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

You returned the smile, feeling a sense of pride at Fyodor's words. "Thank you, Fyodor. It means a lot coming from you."

Fyodor's expression turned serious as he leaned forward, his gaze intense. "You know that I value your intelligence and your abilities, don't you?"

You nodded, feeling a sense of warmth spread through them at Fyodor's words.

"Good," Fyodor said, a note of possessiveness creeping into his voice. "Because I cannot afford to lose you. You are too valuable to me."

You felt a thrill of fear mixed with excitement at Fyodor's possessiveness, knowing that it was a side of him that few people saw.

"Of course, Fyodor," they said softly, knowing that it was best to placate him for now. "I will always be here for you."

Fyodor nodded, his expression softening once more. "Good," he said again, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

𝐃𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐢 𝐎𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐮

Dazai would be immediately intrigued by his s/o's intelligence and strategic mind, seeing them as a worthy challenge to his own intellect.

He would enjoy teasing and bantering with his s/o, relishing the opportunity to spar with someone who can keep up with him intellectually.

Dazai would appreciate his s/o's ability to read and analyze complex texts, and may even ask for their opinion on his own writing.

Despite his tendency to take things as a joke, Dazai would respect his s/o's intelligence and strategic thinking, valuing their input and ideas.

He would enjoy playing mind games with his s/o, testing their ability to read between the lines and uncover hidden meanings.

Dazai would be attracted to his s/o's well-spoken and intelligent demeanor, finding it to be a rare and valuable trait.

He may become jealous of his s/o's other intellectual pursuits, feeling threatened by the possibility that they may find someone who can challenge them even more than he can.

Dazai would be flirty and charming with his s/o, using his wit and intelligence to win them over.

He would appreciate his s/o's ability to see through people's lies and deception, often using them as a sounding board for his own strategies and plans.

Despite his tendency to take things lightly, Dazai would have a soft spot for his s/o, often showing a caring and protective side of himself when they are alone.

He would enjoy debating and discussing various philosophical ideas with his s/o, relishing the opportunity to learn from them and challenge his own beliefs.

Dazai would see his s/o as a true intellectual equal, valuing their input and ideas on a variety of topics, both personal and professional.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

You sat in your favorite armchair, engrossed in a thick tome about existentialism. Dazai was lying on the couch nearby, his eyes closed and a bored expression on his face.

"What are you reading, Y/N?" he asked, not bothering to open his eyes.

"An interesting book about philosophy and existentialism," you replied, not looking up from your book.

Dazai let out a groan. "Ugh, that sounds so boring. How do you even read that stuff?"

You chuckled. "It's fascinating, Dazai. It challenges my mind and makes me think about the world in a different way."

Dazai shrugged. "To each their own, I guess. Personally, I prefer books that are a little more... entertaining."

"Entertaining?" you repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Dazai sat up, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, how about we play a game? I'll give you a word, and you have to come up with as many synonyms as you can in 30 seconds."

You couldn't help but smile at Dazai's silly suggestion. "Alright, let's do it."

Dazai gave you the word "happy," and you quickly rattled off synonyms like "joyful," "ecstatic," and "elated." Dazai was impressed by your quick thinking and challenged you with more difficult words.

The two of you continued the game, laughing and joking along the way. Even though Dazai didn't share your love for philosophy, he appreciated your intelligence and enjoyed testing it in his own silly way.

As the night wore on, you realized that sometimes, it's not about the subject matter of what you're reading, but the joy of learning and challenging your mind. And with Dazai by your side, you could do both.

𝐍𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐮𝐲𝐚

Chuuya is initially surprised when he meets his intelligent and strategic s/o, but he quickly finds himself drawn to their wit and intelligence.

Despite his initial arrogance, Chuuya is willing to listen to his s/o's ideas and opinions and often engages in deep conversations with them.

His s/o's intelligence and knowledge often impress Chuuya, and he loves to hear them talk about their favorite books and ideas.

Chuuya enjoys testing his s/o's knowledge and challenging them to think in new ways.

He is impressed by his s/o's ability to think on their feet and come up with creative solutions to problems.

Chuuya appreciates his s/o's confidence and intelligence, and often relies on them for advice and support.

His s/o's intelligence also makes him want to better himself and learn more about different subjects.

Chuuya often surprises his s/o with romantic gestures and fancy dates, enjoying the opportunity to impress them with his taste.

His s/o's intelligence and quick wit often lead to playful banter between the two of them, which they both enjoy.

Chuuya's respect for women extends to his s/o, whom he treats with chivalry and kindness.

While he can be brash and impulsive, Chuuya's s/o helps to ground him and provide a different perspective on situations.

Despite their differences, Chuuya and his s/o share a deep connection based on mutual respect and admiration for each other's intellect and personality.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

You and Chuuya were assigned to work on a difficult case that required a lot of strategy and quick thinking. Chuuya was confident in his abilities, but you surprised him with your intelligence and problem-solving skills.

As the two of you were brainstorming, Chuuya suggested a plan that seemed too risky to you. "I don't know, Chuuya, that plan seems too dangerous," you said, your brow furrowed with concern.

Chuuya rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me you're going to start doubting my abilities now, too," he scoffed.

You shook your head. "No, it's not that. I just think there might be a better way to approach this."

Chuuya raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? And what's your genius plan, then?"

You took a deep breath and outlined your idea, explaining your reasoning and analysis. Chuuya listened intently, his expression gradually shifting from skepticism to interest.

"Hmm, that could work," he said, nodding slowly. "I didn't think of that. You're pretty smart, aren't you?"

You couldn't help but feel a little smug at the compliment. "I try," you replied with a small smile.

Chuuya looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking again. "You know, I have to admit, I underestimated you at first. But you're proving to be quite the asset on this case."

You felt a warm sense of satisfaction at his words. "Thanks, Chuuya. I appreciate that."

From that point on, you and Chuuya worked together seamlessly, using your combined intelligence and skills to successfully solve the case. Chuuya admired your intelligence and even asked for your advice on future cases.

Despite his initial doubts, Chuuya learned that intelligence comes in many different forms, and he was grateful to have you as his partner in the investigation.

𝐄𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐩𝐨

Ranpo is initially intrigued by their s/o's intelligence and finds it refreshing to have someone who can keep up with him.

He's often playful with his s/o, teasing them and challenging them to solve riddles and puzzles with him.

His s/o finds him incredibly entertaining and is often amused by his childlike antics, despite his incredible intelligence.

Ranpo can sometimes come off as arrogant, but his s/o has a way of humbling him and bringing him back down to earth.

He's always eager to learn from his s/o and is open to exploring new ideas and concepts.

Ranpo's s/o is often the one who helps him stay organized and focused, as he can get easily distracted by his own thoughts and interests.

Despite his childish behavior, Ranpo is incredibly loyal and protective of his s/o, and will go to great lengths to keep them safe.

He loves to surprise his s/o with thoughtful gifts and surprises, often going to great lengths to plan elaborate surprises and scavenger hunts.

Ranpo's s/o is often impressed by his quick wit and ability to solve complex mysteries, and enjoys watching him in action.

He can be stubborn at times, but is always willing to listen to his s/o's opinions and ideas, and values their input greatly.

Ranpo is not one to shy away from a challenge, and often encourages his s/o to take on difficult tasks and challenges.

Despite his incredible intelligence and detective skills, Ranpo is still a human being with emotions and vulnerabilities, and his s/o is always there to support and comfort him when he needs it.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

You and Ranpo were walking down the street when suddenly, you both saw a group of people gathered around something. Curious, you both made your way towards the crowd and found that there had been a murder. The police had just arrived and were starting their investigation.

Ranpo was already analyzing the situation, and you could see his eyes darting around as he took in all the details. You, on the other hand, were also trying to piece together what had happened, and you began to explain your theories to Ranpo.

As you spoke, you noticed that Ranpo was listening intently to everything you said, and even nodding in agreement at times. You could tell that he was impressed by your intelligence and analytical skills, and it made you feel proud.

At one point, as you were explaining your theory about the motive behind the murder, Ranpo interrupted you with an excited exclamation.

"Did you see that? She's my girlfriend, and she's very smart, but I'm smarter, of course!" he said with a grin.

You couldn't help but roll your eyes at his cockiness, but it was clear that he was proud of you and wanted to show it off to everyone around.

The police officers were also impressed by your analysis, and they began to ask you questions about your theory. You answered them confidently, and Ranpo stood by your side the entire time, nodding along and occasionally adding his own comments.

Eventually, the police were able to solve the case with your help, and they thanked you and Ranpo for your assistance. As you walked away from the scene, Ranpo wrapped his arm around your shoulder and grinned.

"Looks like we make a pretty good team, huh?" he said.

You smiled and leaned into him, happy to have someone who appreciated your intelligence and analytical skills as much as Ranpo did.

𝐍𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢 𝐆𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐥

Despite being a criminal, Nikolai is always willing to learn and expand his knowledge. He admires his s/o's intelligence and often asks them questions about a wide range of subjects.

Nikolai loves to challenge his s/o's mind with puzzles and riddles. He finds it entertaining to watch them solve problems and is always amazed by their abilities.

Nikolai is a big fan of birds and often talks to his s/o about them. He dreams of one day having a pet bird of his own.

Despite being a sadistic criminal, Nikolai is incredibly cute and joyful. He has a tendency to act like a child at times, especially when he is excited about something.

Nikolai loves to use his body language to communicate. He is not afraid to be silly or make a fool of himself in front of his s/o.

Nikolai is also very affectionate towards his s/o. He loves to cuddle and give them small gifts to show his love and appreciation.

Nikolai has a unique sense of humor and loves to make his s/o laugh. He finds joy in the little things in life and is always looking for ways to brighten up their day.

Despite his joyful nature, Nikolai is also very determined when it comes to his work. He takes his job seriously and will do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means making tough decisions.

Nikolai is very intuitive and often knows what his s/o is feeling without them having to say anything. He is very empathetic and always tries to make them feel better when they are down.

Nikolai is very proud of his Ukrainian heritage and often talks about his homeland with his s/o. He enjoys teaching them about his culture and traditions.

Nikolai's scar is a constant reminder of his past, but he wears it with pride. He sees it as a symbol of his strength and resilience.

Nikolai's s/o is his biggest source of inspiration. He loves watching them succeed and is always in awe of their intelligence and strategic thinking.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

Nikolai Gogol, with his love for theatrics and quizzes, challenges his intelligent and strategic s/o to a game of wits.

The two of you are sitting in Nikolai's luxurious office, surrounded by expensive furniture and paintings. Nikolai is wearing his usual silly grin as he poses a challenge to you.

"Let's play a game, my dear," he says, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "I'll ask you a series of riddles, and if you can answer them all correctly, I'll give you a reward."

You raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what if I can't answer them?"

Nikolai chuckles. "Then I get to ask you a question of my own choosing."

You agree to the terms, feeling confident in your intelligence. Nikolai starts with an easy riddle, which you answer quickly. He follows it up with a more difficult one, but again, you answer it with ease.

Nikolai becomes more and more impressed with each correct answer you give. He can't help but smile at your intelligence and wit.

As the game goes on, the riddles become increasingly difficult. You can see the gears turning in your brain as you try to figure out the answers. Nikolai, on the other hand, continues to wear his silly grin, thoroughly enjoying the game.

Finally, you reach the last riddle. It's a particularly tricky one, but you manage to solve it after a few moments of intense concentration.

Nikolai claps his hands in delight. "Well done, my dear! You truly are a formidable opponent."

He reaches into his desk drawer and pulls out a small box. "As promised, here is your reward." Inside the box is a beautifully crafted brooch, studded with diamonds.

You thank him graciously, feeling both satisfied and pleased with yourself. Nikolai, still beaming with pride, can't resist one last comment.

"Looks like I've finally met my match. But don't worry, my dear, I'm still the silly one in this relationship."

Do Not Copy or Plagiarize Any of My Works. Reblogs Are Very Appreciated.

#bsd imagines #bsd #bsd fanfic #bungo stray dogs #bungo stray dogs x reader #bsd x reader #nikolai gogol x reader #nikolai x reader #chuuya x reader #nakahara chuuya x reader #fyodor dostoevsky x reader #fyodor x reader #dazai osamu x reader #dazai x reader #edogawa ranpo x reader #ranpo x reader #bsd headcanons

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astrologged · 1 year

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Metis in the signs

Metis (9) is associated with intelligence, problem-solving abilities, and strategic thinking. It represents the ability to adapt to new situations, and the capacity to find creative solutions to challenges.The placement of Metis in the birth chart can give insight into a person's intellectual strengths and abilities, as well as their natural aptitudes for problem-solving and decision-making. It also indicates areas where a person may need to exercise caution or employ strategic thinking in order to achieve success.

Metis in Aries: A strong intellect and problem-solving ability that is often expressed through impulsive actions. There is a tendency to take risks and pursue new ventures with enthusiasm and confidence, but also a tendency to act first and think later. This placement gives a competitive edge and a desire to be at the forefront of new developments. There’s a talent for strategy and quick thinking, particularly in high-pressure situations. It's important to be mindful of impulsiveness and consider the consequences of actions before taking them.

Metis in Taurus: Have a practical and logical approach to their problem-solving abilities. They have a strong ability to strategize and plan for the future, and their decisions would be rooted in practicality and common sense. This placement suggests that they have a talent for managing finances and investments, and could be successful in business or financial fields. They also have a strong appreciation for the arts, beauty, and material comforts.

Metis in Gemini: Have a strong mental acumen and the ability to handle complex and multifaceted ideas. The native possesses an innate curiosity and a love for learning and gathering information, which could lead to a career in fields such as research, teaching, or writing. They also possess strong communication skills and the ability to convey complex ideas to others in a clear and concise manner. However, there’s also a tendency towards overthinking and analysis-paralysis, which could hinder decision-making and action-taking at times.

Metis in Cancer: Is highly intuitive and possesses excellent emotional intelligence. This placement indicates someone who is capable of understanding and reading emotions in themselves and others, which can help them navigate complex social situations. They’re nurturing and caring, with a natural talent for providing emotional support to others. They are sensitive to the needs of those around them and have a deep understanding of the emotional dynamics in their environment. At times, this placement also has a tendency towards overthinking and emotional insecurity.

Metis in Leo: Represents a strong analytical and creative mind, and a need for self-expression and recognition. Metis is associated with wisdom and cunning, and Leo is a sign associated with creativity, individuality, and leadership. This individual has a natural talent for problem-solving and strategic planning, as well as a strong desire to be in the spotlight and be recognized for their intelligence and creativity. There’s a strong willpower and the ability to think outside the box in order to achieve their goals.

Metis in Virgo: Have a very strong mental capacity and analytical ability. People with this placement are highly intelligent and able to understand complex information quickly. They are highly organized, methodical, and detail-oriented in their approach to problem-solving. They have a natural ability to see patterns and connections that others may miss, which can make them highly successful in fields such as science, mathematics, and technology. However, they’re also prone to overthinking and struggle with indecisiveness at times.

Metis in Libra: Has a natural talent for balance, harmony, and diplomacy. They have an ability to see all sides of a situation and can easily find the common ground between opposing viewpoints. There’s a love of beauty and aesthetics, and they may have an artistic or creative talent. They might struggle with decision-making and can sometimes become indecisive or passive in their approach. They benefit from learning to assert themselves and take a more active role in their relationships and life decisions.

Metis in Scorpio: Possesses an incredibly perceptive and strategic mind. They get to the heart of the matter and uncover hidden motives and secrets with ease. They are comfortable with complexity and are not intimidated by the darker or more taboo aspects of life. They often make excellent detectives or investigators because of their ability to see through lies and deceptions. They’re also incredibly resourceful and strategic in their personal and professional lives, which can lead to success in areas such as business, finance, or politics. On the negative side, this placement also indicates a tendency towards manipulation or a desire for power and control, so it's important for those with Metis in Scorpio to use their gifts wisely and ethically.

Metis in Sagittarius: Has a strong intuition and foresight, as well as a love for adventure and exploration. They have a natural talent for seeing the bigger picture and connecting dots that others may not be able to see. There’re also an interest in philosophy, religion, and higher education. However, there may be a tendency to be overconfident or take risks without considering the consequences, so it's important to balance intuition with practicality.

Metis in Capricorn: Is someone who has a practical and disciplined approach to their strategic planning and problem-solving skills. They are ambitious and focused on achieving their goals in a calculated and efficient manner. They also have a talent for managing resources and finances, and have a long-term vision for success. However, they also need to be careful not to become too rigid or inflexible in their thinking and be open to adapting to changing circumstances.

Metis in Aquarius: Have a highly analytical and innovative mind that enjoys solving problems and discovering new ways of thinking. These people tend to be highly intelligent and original, with a strong desire to break free from convention and challenge the status quo. They possess a natural talent for science, technology, or other cutting-edge fields, as well as an interest in humanitarian or social causes. There’s a tendency towards eccentricity or unpredictability, as well as a desire for independence and personal freedom.

Metis in Pisces: Have a highly intuitive and imaginative mind that is able to understand complex, abstract concepts. There’s a talent for creative problem solving and finding unconventional solutions. There’s a strong spiritual or mystical inclination, and an ability to tap into the collective unconscious or the deeper realms of the psyche. There’s a tendency towards escapism or self-delusion, but also a capacity for visionary thinking and intuitive insights.

#metis #in #the #signs #aries #taurus #gemini #cancer #leo #virgo #libra #scorpio #sagittarius #capricorn #aquarius #pisces #asteroids #asteroid #astrology

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tiddygame · 2 months

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hello im sorry i wrote more for @myriadblvck ’s streamer au ghoap

I time travelled and around 4,000 words magically appeared in a document titled: "you didn't juju on the fucking beat soap" I think I was possessed by something. anyways here’s that:

tw: is it a panic attack? is it just typical ghost angst? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ just be careful it's mostly fluffy (ghost is mean to himself cause he almost kissed soap on the forehead)

also i just realized after i wrote this whole thing, this is based on my general knowledge of dog tags… as an american. writing about the british military. so if you know your shit about the british military, uhh sorry in advance. my bad. from a very brief search i think a lot of it’s the same or at least same enough but this might hurt for people that know a thing or two. whoops!

fun fact: did you know for a brief stint (iirc, >40 years from around 1960s to 2010ish) the american military was printing soldiers’ ss numbers on their tags? yeah can’t imagine why they switched back to serial numbers.

Ghost had been pacing outside of his office for three minutes before he actually entered. When he did, he didn’t say a word. Just sat down in one of the chairs, fidgeting. It wasn't that uncommon of an occurrence, he was normally either gathering his thoughts before talking to Price about something more personal or hiding from what/whoever he didn't feel like dealing with.

When it came to mission debriefs, he was clear and concise. However, personal matters were a different story, and based on the way he anxiously opened and closed his hand, he'd guess this was a personal matter.

Price didn’t ask. He knew that whatever it was Simon needed to say would come out eventually. For now, he continued filling out paperwork and trying to figure out what it was that had Ghost so worked up.

Honestly, there wasn't much guesswork involved. Chances were, it was probably yet another leave request. He knew from Gaz (who was such an awful gossip he sometimes wondered how the man made it through interrogation training) that Simon had been visiting some social media person he had taken a liking to.

(Look, yes, Price knew about Twitch and live streaming and everything. He’s not actually that old. However, as long as he kept up the front of the old man who complained about the keyboard on his phone being too small, he didn’t have to deal with social media. Sure, it caused all of them to joke that he was geriatric and on his last legs, but he was able to convince Roach that he doesn’t know what TikTok is, meaning he wasn’t in charge of reviewing all the bullshit he and Gaz posted. A fair trade if you ask him.)

He also knew that Gaz was convinced the two were in love to the point that he and Roach had a bet going to see when they would get together. Price thought it was rather stupid, but he had to admire their ability to keep it under wraps; if the lieutenant found out they’d been placing monetary bets on his love life, he had a feeling he would need to find replacements for the 141.

Regardless, Price hoped that one day Simon would tell him about the friend but, until then, he was happy to fill out any paperwork that would get the poor man off base. God knows that idiot needs a vacation.

Simon was bouncing his leg, messing with his fingers, and staring off into space.

Three of his nervous habits at once? He must be even more worked up about this than Price thought. But, he was a patient man. It was about seven minutes of companionable silence before Simon spoke.

“I need replacement dog tags. I seem to have lost mine.”

Price looked up. He could see the chain around his neck and the outline of them still under his shirt.

"You do?" Price shuffled his documents around, eventually finding a blank piece of paper he could write on.

"Yes sir."

“And do you know what happened to them?”

“I believe they were knocked off during the fight from the last mission. I didn’t notice until later that night when we were back at base.”

Price paused and looked up from where he had been writing.

The last mission had been an odd one. Ghost normally stuck further away, their eagle-eyed lieutenant typically stayed at long to mid-range, watching for hostiles and making sure whoever else was in the field wouldn’t get caught off guard by someone they hadn’t seen.

During the last mission, he decided to engage at close range, a far cry from his usual approach of sniping hostiles from the shadows.

At one point, their lieutenant had been tackled and almost strangled. The fight had pretty much ended, his attacker was the only one left there. Ghost, being The Ghost, dispatched him with ease, but it stuck out to Price. Ghost may prefer to stay further back, but that didn’t mean that his hand-to-hand combat skills were lacking by any means.

He remembered thinking at the time that it was a clumsy mistake, that Ghost would have had to be intentionally trying to fuck up to get knocked down. He assumed the man had just been caught off guard, but he knew that theory wouldn’t hold up to any scrutiny. Ghost isn’t one to get caught off guard.

What was stranger yet still was Ghost specifically pointing it out in his mission report, calling even more attention to it.

Price set his pen down and leaned back in his chair.

“You planned this?”

“I plead the fifth,” said the British man.

Price just continued to stare, curious to see if this was actually going where he thought it was going.

“Is this off the record?” Simon eventually asked.

“Of course,” almost everything the 141 did was of dubious legality. Not reporting a conversation about possible wasted assets was far from the worst thing that had been swept under the rug.

“Then yes.”

“Why?”

Simon didn’t answer. Price waited, giving the man time to gather his thoughts, but based on the way his mouth opened and closed before he slumped in his chair, it seemed he didn’t know what to say at all.

Price had an inkling he might know what this was about.

“You know, Gaz likes to keep me informed,” Ghost looked up at him, somewhat panicked yet resigned, like he already knew what Price was going to say.

“He tells me you have a certain someone you’ve been visiting?”

“Yes.”

“Is this person a friend or…?” Ghost once again paused, calculating the potential consequences of his available responses.

He didn’t answer.

“Hmm,” Price paused, wondering how far to push before he continued, “You want to give this person your old dog tags?”

“Yes.”

Of course he would pre-plan “losing” his dog tags. Price mentally chuckled, leave it to Simon to be such a sap that he wanted to give someone his dog tags yet still make sure to follow protocol so he never actually risked going without them.

He had to hand it to him, it wasn’t a bad plan.

Price had a smile now, knowing his grumpy hard-ass lieutenant had a sweetheart he wanted to be sappy with.

“Romantic or platonic?” Price tried again.

“… I don’t know,” he’d never seen Simon look quite so… forlorn.

Hmm… That would explain his hesitancy.

He was pushing how much Simon was willing to divulge.

“And does this person know the significance of you giving them your dog tags?”

Well, curiosity killed the cat…

“No, they don’t.”

…But satisfaction brought it back. How interesting, the plot thickens.

“Do you plan on telling them?”

There was a long pause, after which it dawned on Price, “You want to give them your dog tags because they don’t know.”

It wasn’t a question, he already knew. Simon somehow slumped further, attempting to hide his face as if he weren’t wearing a balaclava.

His grumpy hard-ass lieutenant. Absolutely smitten with someone yet too shy to say anything, deciding on a quiet confession, one they likely wouldn’t pick up on.

Price chuckled, jotting down the necessary information he would need when he got his hands on the right paperwork, polishing up some of the details of Ghost’s story to make it more believable, before reading off what he had written to Ghost to make sure he got everything right. Ghost nodded once, and that was that.

“Replacement tags will probably be here in two to three weeks.”

“I would like to request leave for two to three weeks from now.”

Price handed him the form, having already grabbed it. He noticed how the man seemed to calm at just the thought of getting to visit his mystery person.

Oh, he thought to himself.

I am definitely joining Roach and Gaz’s bet.

<><><><>

They were lying on the daybed in his streaming room, or, well…

No, that’s not quite right.

Simon was lying on the daybed.

Johnny was lying on top of Simon.

His computer was still softly playing quiet (non-DMCA) music from where his stream had just ended. Instead of turning it off, he had decided to unplug his headset and leave it on, the music just loud enough to be heard.

Simon was sleepily scrolling through his phone, trying to pretend like he hadn’t almost dropped several times while dozing off, desperately trying to stay awake. Johnny had watched his struggle and decided to lay down right on top of Simon, not even trying to pretend like he was trying to fit on the remaining space on the daybed. Why would he when Simon was right there?

It was meant to be a joke, having thrown himself on top of him to annoy the man into sleeping on an actual bed (he claimed he wasn’t tired but the comically loose grip on his phone and the waking world said otherwise.) However, unfortunately for said sleepy man, Simon was very, very comfortable.

His head was resting on Simon’s chest, arms under his back like he actually was just a pillow, one hand reaching higher to feel where Simon’s hair had begun to grow out slightly.

I wonder if he would let me help him cut it…

Simon had said he was like a clingy cat, his free hand running through his hair in the same manner one would pet a cat to prove his point. The joke's on him though, he likes it.

Simon had tried to stop but Johnny didn’t let him, threatening to tickle him if he did.

(“I’m not ticklish, I just don’t want you throwing a tantrum.”

“Yeah, sure. Whatever you say,” he was definitely ticklish, and one of these days he was going to prove it.)

At some point, Simon had given up on keeping a grip on his phone, letting it drop to the side. They would probably have to go digging through the cushions to get it out of whatever crevice it had fallen to. As of right now, the idea of ever leaving his spot was comical at best.

The sun had begun to set, orange and pink tinted light filtering through the sheer curtains, making everything look more like a dream. Or maybe it was just the proximity to the man below him that was making him feel so serene.

Johnny took a second to inhale and exhale slowly, appreciating the moment. He hoped that this memory, this beautiful tranquility with Simon, would be something he cherished for a long time to come.

He knew that they had things to do. Soon, Simon would be catching a flight at some ungodly hour, headed back to save the world yet again. But for now, he was happy to nap away in their own little bubble. He never was a religious man but here in the arms of Simon Riley, he was tempted to think heaven was real, and that it was right in front of him.

“I almost forgot,” Simon mumbled, not sounding any more awake than he looked, reaching up for the collar of his shirt. Thankfully, the hand that was running his hair remained. He didn’t like proving the cocky bastard right, but he probably would have thrown a tantrum had he tried to remove it.

“They had some fuck up along the line or something and accidentally printed me an extra set of dog tags. I was just gonna toss ‘em but thought you might want—”

Johnny was now wide awake, sitting up and yanking the chain out of his hands.

“Don’t you fucking dare throw them away, of course I want them!” Simon’s face reddened, a frequent treat for Johnny now that he had gotten more comfortable going without the mask. Simon might have been good at keeping a poker face, but without his mask, he was a blushing mess.

He wondered if the blush was from his obvious jubilation at the gift or if it was because he was now straddling the man. Such pesky details, however, (even ones that would keep future Johnny awake at night) were far less important than examining the necklace in his hands.

It was obvious this was the older set, the metal worn and dented in some spots though the writing was still clearly visible.

“Calm down, I’m not going to take it from you,” the gruff tone was severely undermined by the aforementioned blush. It was hard to sound tough while half asleep on a daybed and being used as another man’s pillow.

Johnny stared at them for a little bit longer, feeling every dent and wondering the story behind how they got there, before putting them on.

He smiled at the man under him, “How do I look?”

He was going to joke, asking if he looked like a rough and tough soldier ready for war, but something in Simon’s eyes made him stop short.

He was looking with… with… Reverence was far too intense of a word for the softness of the moment but it was the only word that came to mind.

Simon reached up with his hand, grabbing the tags, his knuckles grazing his chest.

Well, that’s just fucking unfair.

Simon was supposed to be the blushy one. Not him, goddammit!

Though, he thinks when they make eye contact, they end up tied for who is blushing the most. They stare for a while, maybe it should have felt awkward but it was too adoring for either to feel any form of uncomfortability.

Neither moved.

It was Johnny that broke first, smiling at him, yet again tracing all of the scars he could see. It was his new favorite hobby, especially when Simon would blush making the scars on his face all the more visible.

He took one more second to sleepily appreciate the man before him, then went back to using him as a pillow. His hands went back to where they were before, one under Simon’s back and one playing with his hair. His head, however, did not fall back to his chest, instead resting in the crook of his neck and shoulder.

Simon’s hand returned to running through his hair, his other now coming up to rest on his back, rubbing up and down a few times before the sleepiness from earlier fully returned with his hand stopping somewhere around the small of his back.

Johnny leaned up slightly and gave a chaste kiss to the part of his neck that he could reach, then settled back to where he was. The hand in his hair paused.

“Thank you, Simon.”

A second of delay, and then the hand continued.

“You’re welcome, Johnny.”

Simon shuffled slightly, getting comfy before—

A kiss, on his forehead.

He couldn’t stop the blush and smile if he wanted to. He snuggled closer before drifting off to sleep.

When he woke, he was in his bed, practically tucked in. His window had been opened slightly, blackout curtains that had been drawn closed now swaying slightly with the breeze. When he focused, he realized he could smell petrichor and hear heavy rainfall outside with the occasional grumble of thunder.

There was a note on his nightstand. As he expected, it was Simon’s handwriting, apologizing for not waking him up before he left. It said that he had made breakfast for him (pancakes, with enough for when his sister would inevitably try to steal them), that he made sure to lock the front door, and left the window cracked.

He giggled sleepily at the last line. Regardless of the context, it always made Simon anxious to have the curtains open, much less to leave a window open. But, he also must've known how much Johnny loved the rain and set his worries aside, just this once, so he could wake up to the rain.

He set the note down and flopped back onto his pillows, his hand felt something cold and he remembered.

The dog tags.

John MacTavish is no stranger to crushes and heartbreaks.

He's had high school sweethearts, been in and out of love, he knows his way around the world of dating. Which is why he most certainly does not squeal and kick his legs while holding the tags like some kid with their first crush.

He did it like a grown man, thank you very much.

He grabbed his phone and sent Simon the worst pun he could think of; it was tradition at this point to send him some god-awful joke before his flight.

Simon has probably already forgotten about the whole exchange. He probably woke up and assumed he threw them away when he noticed he wasn't wearing them. It was probably stupid, an insignificant gesture with no meaning. But to Johnny, it felt like everything.

He sighed dreamily at the ceiling and felt the cool metal once more. Thunder roared outside. He thought about how he had felt in the man's arms. Thought about how much he wanted that again.

God.

His phone dinged and he immediately reached over to grab it.

I'm fucked, aren't I?

<><><><>

Elsewhere, Ghost was in an airport terminal, having far too much time to think.

Over the weekend, it was almost impressive how many times Ghost had talked himself into and back out of giving Soap his dog tags. He really hoped he hadn't made a mistake.

Simon felt the spot that Johnny had kissed and wondered if he remembered it. Wondered if he had meant it.

Simon thought about how Johnny had looked cradled in his arms when he carried him to his room, the way he had reached out for him when he laid him in bed. The way he had grabbed his wrist and clung to it, grumbling when Simon tried to pull it back.

If asked, he'd say that he had woken up late and that's why he was so far behind schedule. He'd keep the part where he sat there, kneeled in front of Johnny's bed, waiting for him to fall back into a deep enough sleep to pull his arm away all to himself. After all, it would have been rude to wake him up, no?

He had made sure to plug up his phone and, upon seeing the forecasted weather, hesitated before opening the window. It was only barely cracked, just enough for the sounds of the outside world to shamble in, but not so wide as to worry about water damage. He stared at it, convincing himself not to worry and that Johnny would like waking up to the fresh air.

He turned back to make sure the man was still asleep, still comfy, but stopped for a moment. He approached the bed and hesitated before running his fingers through his stupid haircut, almost wishing the man would grab his arm and give him an excuse to stay.

He didn't. Simon did, however, lean in to give him one last kiss on the forehead as some stupidly sappy goodbye, before his brain turned back on and he ripped himself away.

What the fuck is wrong with you? What? He grabs your arm in your sleep so you feel entitled to be able to kiss him?

Simon backed away, staring at the hand that had just been in his hair. He felt dirty.

For fuck’s sake, relax. It's not that big of a deal, you did it earlier; the man fell asleep in your arms, a forehead kiss isn't too much of a stretch.

He went to the kitchen and scrubbed his hands for a while, only stopping when he thought about how much water he was wasting. He still felt dirty.

Not a stretch? You don't get to decide that. How would you feel if someone tried to kiss you while you were unconscious? If they said that they felt they should be allowed to do so because you fell asleep?

He had started making pancakes. Something quick, easy, and reheatable for when Soap woke up. Like making him breakfast would make up for trying to kiss him in his sleep.

Why can't you just be normal?

Eventually, and after a run-in with Soap’s hell-spawn of a twin, he had to leave. The time on his phone showed that he should probably already be halfway to the airport by now but he has always been a selfish man.

He had snagged some paper and left Soap a quick note, hoping the apology would make him feel better about worse sins than not waking him up. It didn't.

He stared at the man for a second, admiring him, before he reminded himself that he was a fucking creep and left.

The storm left the flight delayed by 1.5 hours. Ghost had sat waiting, wireless headphones on and connected, but not playing anything. He had far too much time to think.

Simon thought about how Johnny had looked, his dog tags around his neck, silhouetted by the fading light, the sun behind his head as if even the stars knew they could never compare to him.

He stood and started pacing. Amongst the screaming children, feuding families, and people who think they're entitled to listen to their music without headphones, one middle-aged man having an existential crisis didn't stick out.

He thought about how he had never understood weighted blankets so well until Johnny had thrown himself on top of him. It should've hurt. He should've been annoyed. Instead, Simon selfishly hoped he would never get up.

It took him a while to put his finger on what he had been feeling exactly. Finally, he realized.

There, in that moment, he had never been so happy to be alive. It was a startling emotion to discern amongst the swath of negativity he normally felt. It startled him so much, he had snapped out of his reverie and stopped short in his pacing. When he checked the time, he saw he had one missed text from Johnny.

Soap (art streamer): i was trying to think of an airplane joke but none of them landed

Simon chuckled and sat down; he almost forgot about their dumb little tradition.

Ghost: Disliked.

Soap (art streamer): everyone is so mean 2 me 💔

Ghost: It is not my fault your pun was so Boeing.

Soap (art streamer): well i thought i could wing it

Ghost: Did you look up what giving do-

Ghost: About the tags, you

Ghost: I think you make me want to live

Ghost sighed and fell back further into his seat, coming to a conclusion that his subconscious had long ago discovered.

I'm in love, aren't I?

Soap (art streamer): speechless huh? finally, the Wright reaction to my comedic genius

Ghost: Absolutely awful, Mactavish.

Soap (art streamer): :D

Took you long enough, dumbass.

<><><><>

Soap’s twin spent a good bit of time staring at her brother's new accessory.

“Is something wrong?” he challenged, hoping she wasn't in a bothersome mood.

She failed miserably at hiding her shit-eating grin but didn't care.

“Nope!” she replied.

She had run into Ghost early that morning before he left.

"Detergent."

She was pretty sure he never even learned her name, just jumped straight into calling her detergent.

"Ghoul," she greeted, glaring at the man.

Being required by law to not trust him, she checked on her brother as he was still gathering his things and noticed the necklace.

“You gave him your dog tags,” she accused, like she was framing him for murder.

“Yes, I did,” he replied casually, as per usual robbing her of the fight she so desperately wanted to pick.

“Did you tell him what it means?”

“...What does it mean?”

Damn, he was good. If she wasn't convinced that he was the devil incarnate, she might have fallen for his feigned ignorance.

“100 bucks and you buy my silence.”

“I don't know what you mean.”

“200 then.”

“It doesn't even mean anything.”

“Hmm. Well, I suppose you might be right… JOHN!” their neighbors were probably going to complain.

“What the fuck are you doing?” ooh he was getting panicked now.

“If it doesn't matter then you won't mind me telling him to look it up,” she started walking to his room, “JOHNSON!”

“Fucking Christ, woman! Just— Fucking— Here.”

He pulled out his wallet and started counting bills. Damn, that was easier than she thought.

“What did you say? 100?”

“Nope! That was before inflation. Now it’s 300.”

“What the hell is wrong with you? You said 200!”

“So you admit you tried to scam me?”

“Just take the 100 and g-”

She didn't even get to yell, he reached for more before she could finish taking a deep breath in.

“Just shut the fuck up! Here! Three fucking hundred!”

She was tempted to raise her price further, but she was no gambler, she was a strategist. She knew a defeated man when she saw one. If she played this right, she could extort money out of him for a long time to come.

Something, something, vampires not fully killing their victims and all that.

She took the money, counted it, and then held out her hand to shake.

“It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Wraith!”

He didn't shake her hand.

“Christ, both of you are awful.”

He packed his stuff and left, broke, broken, and defeated.

She ate as many pancakes as she could, rich and victorious.

She thought about how much power, how much blackmail she had in this moment.

“I’m fantastic actually,” she walked to her room.

I am going to be so fucking rich by the time they get their shit together.

#ghostsoap #soapghost #ghoap #streamer au #streamer! soap #streamer!soap #streamer! au #ft. Old Man Price and Chronic Shit Stirrer Twin Sister (unnamed)#ghost never changes soaps contact name #my version of ghost in this au has convinced himself that he's nothing more than an incel/neckbeard #and that's why he is the way that he is #[I know my mess of 'family hcs' or whatever was derailed to shit but I still think ghost would call his twin detergent]#i’m scheduling this for when i’ll be asleep so goodnight i hope you all sleep well and drink plenty of water #my writing

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loquatenjoyer69 · 24 days

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Matoba and Burden and Desire

I originally watched/read Natsuyuu back in fall of 2022, and then a few months ago, literally out of nowhere, my brain was like “Hey, remember that loquat story Matoba told in that one arc? It felt like there was something there, let’s go reread that,” which I did, and have been in hexorcists hell about ever since.

(pictured: a sane person’s reaction to reading natsuyuu)

And really, that’s it. The loquat story feels like there’s something there, but I couldn’t quite figure out what was going on. But after my close rereading of that arc, I think I’ve at least come to one coherent conclusion about it, even if it’s perhaps the most basic one: I think the loquats are an allegory for the greater themes of burden/desire in this arc. The following is my attempt to lay out my thoughts, but unfortunately I have never been known for my conciseness or my ability to organize my thoughts, so be forewarned. This will be rambly and include a few tangents/too much detail.

The story of the Miharu family is a story of a family that was once respected, had a relationship/contract with powerful ayakashi, and eventually fell into ruin, leaving behind their contracts. The ayakashi, the mihashira, still come to uphold their part of the agreement without fail, but the family is gone. So who comes in their place to maintain the contract? The Matobas, and in the present day, the current head of the Matoba clan is Matoba Seiji. In order to maintain this deal with a group of powerful youkai, which neither he nor his family actually made, Matoba has to come and perform the welcoming ritual to avoid incurring the wrath of the mihashira.

Matoba is a character marked by burden, I think. Though he is the head of the most powerful exorcist clan, and therefore one might expect that he can pretty much do what he wants, I don’t actually think he has much personal freedom. The only son of the main family, he was probably marked as the heir from birth (if not, he would have had to be once his sister left but I still need to read 120+ so I don’t know exactly what the deal with her is). The clan’s interests are his interests. He can’t do anything that might hurt the reputation of or endanger the clan, and he is obligated to do things that benefit the clan. Matoba is Matoba.

In chapter 25, in his debut arc, he tells Natsume 「使えるものは使わないと。人を守る為に、強い妖が欲しいと思っているだけですよ。その為には恨まれたり代償を払うことを気にしていたら、この家業はやっていけませんしね」

"One should make use of useful things. I just want ayakashi in order to protect people. If I was worried about being hated or suffering consequences, I could not carry on the family business,"

(this is actually one of those annoying instances of a Japanese sentence that’s more dense than would sound good in English. Matoba seems to be explaining his personal worldview/thoughts here with 思っている even though in English you’d never say “I just feel like/think I want strong ayakashi…” He’s explaining that this is the way he thinks, I think lol).

Matoba doesn’t get the privilege of having a good reputation among humans or ayakashi, since we learn in special chapter 17 that no good ayakashi will make deals with the Matobas because of their famous broken promise. Matoba Seiji not only inherits the burden of monthly eye-stealing visits, he also can’t make contracts with ayakashi and takes on all the distrust that’s built up over generations from both humans and ayakashi.

And now Matoba is taking on the debts of a dead branch family to avoid possibly endangering his own.

In the locked room, when Matoba is goading Natori into breaking them out, he says 「どうです？あなたには解くことができますか名取。無理ならばすべて私が片付けてさしあげましょうか？」

"Well, can you do it, Natori? If you can’t, shall I take care of everything for you?"

I’m unsure how much of this is Matoba teasing Natori (as he seems to like doing in the Homura arc) about how he’s not as powerful/skilled as Matoba, and how much is him simply making an offer because he’s Matoba and he’s The One Who Takes Care Of Everything. I think either way, there is at least a good amount of the latter going on here.

In special chapter 17, Matoba shows up at Natori’s house and helps him exorcise the ayakashi that’s been haunting him. After Natori wakes up, he tries to offer to help Matoba in some way. I think he felt uncomfortable being the only one being helped, and wanted to find something he could offer Matoba, even though Matoba seems to have everything he needs. Natori offers to listen to his problems, and Matoba smiles (of course) and says he’s fine. Even teenage Matoba is like “You’re not the one who helps me, I’m the one who helps you.” Though this chapter is from Natori’s perspective, so Natori believes Matoba was just using him to get an ayakashi, I’m not sure that’s true. I don’t know for sure what Matoba’s motives were, but I don’t believe teenage Natori is an unbiased observer of him lol.

Now that we’ve laid all that out, let’s talk briefly about the Miharus, a once respected family who made a deal with ayakashi they didn’t understand, and fell into ruin. According to the ayakashi who wants to sabotage the ritual, there was a member of the Miharu family called Masakiyo. Masakiyo was stern for the most part, but there was someone he loved. However, he couldn’t be with that person because he couldn’t make them shoulder the burdens of his family business, but neither could he simply abandon his family. He had to stay with his family and let this person go. This was the only time this ayakashi saw Masakiyo cry. Then we get this panel:

(pictured: bench of I Hate My Life, credit to @joelletwo for that lol)

In his despair, Masakiyo wished there was no Miharu family. The ayakashi, feeling indebted to Masakiyo for letting it go during an exorcism, overhears him and decides that destroying the Miharu family will bring Masakiyo happiness. This is an unintended contract between the two of them. Masakiyo unwittingly causes an ayakashi to spend years (decades?) trying in vain to destroy his family in order to repay a perceived debt. This isn’t Masakiyo’s fault, really, it was just an unfortunate misunderstanding. The ayakashi didn’t understand that Masakiyo wanted it to be free and live the life he couldn’t. “You were almost exorcised because of human circumstances. You were saved on the whim of a human. What debt? You are free. Go wherever you want. Live however you want.”

After all the mihashira business is wrapped up, Matoba thanks Natori for his help, Natori says he probably couldn’t have gotten out of the room without Matoba, and Matoba laughs and says “Then we’re even this time.” Neither one is indebted to the other this time…they’re even. Then Natori says The Line:

「何かを継ぎ背負っていく…その真の重みは私などにははかり知れません。でも今はこう思うようにもなりました。重いものもひとりでなければと…」

"I don’t know the true weight of shouldering a burden you’ve inherited, but now I’ve come to think that even heavy things can be carried if you’re not alone,"

(this is another one of the aforementioned Dense Japanese Sentences, and I really prefer the fan TL version of this line but I’m translating it this way to try to convey all the stuff he’s saying). Natori once again reaches out to Matoba, trying to offer him maybe the only thing he can: support, listening to his problems, shouldering his burdens. This time, though, we don’t get a Matoba Smile and “I’m fine,” we get this:

(pictured: Matoba on the bench of I Hate My Life, or “Matoba Cow Beach” as I refer to this image in my head)

What is Matoba thinking here? I really don’t know. If I draw the obvious parallel with Masakiyo, I guess he’s contemplating his two…selves, as it were. His duty to his family vs his personal desire for companionship. And I do think Matoba wants companionship. I read his behavior in special chapter 15 as genuinely wanting to be friends with Natori. I think he was excited that there was someone else his age who was relatively powerful, and who wasn’t concerned with all the Matoba stuff. Hence his insistence on Natori calling him Seiji. He wanted to be close to Natori.

And finally, we can come back to the loquats. Natsume hears Matoba mocking the mihashira for continuing to protect the Miharu house even after the family has all died out, and thinks perhaps Matoba is envious of ayakashi who go to such great lengths to keep promises.

"Matoba-san, who keeps breaking promises, and doesn’t have anyone to make new ones with."

Matoba wonders how the welcoming ritual will go next time, but decides he won’t worry since he probably won’t even be the head of the clan at that time. Natsume offers him a loquat, saying cheer up, and Matoba does his Thing, saying “How odd, do I look upset?” and then tells The Story.

When Matoba was a teenager, he really wanted to try the loquats from Yorishima’s yard. One day, he was there with Natori, and Yorishima gave them both one. The loquat was delicious and sweet; Matoba felt that his “desire had been fulfilled,” but Natori got a sour one, and Matoba felt like Yorishima-san had wanted to give a loquat to Natori, and only given one to Matoba because he was there, so he thought “Ah there’s no winning even in such a small thing as this.” Matoba gets what he wants, but it wasn’t meant for him, and the one it was meant for is worse off, so did he really win? He was the only one who got to enjoy the delicious loquat. These are the unintended consequences, the burdens if you will, of desire.

Natsume speculates that the agreement with the mihashira began when someone had the wish to protect the Miharu family, and there was an ayakashi who happened to be there, much like the situation with Masakiyo and the sabotaging ayakashi. A simple and innocent wish accidentally creates a generations-long burden that Matoba eventually has to shoulder.

I think Matoba must be painfully aware of his power and influence, and that even his smallest actions could cause unintended consequences. I wonder if he sees the Miharu family as a warning of what could happen to his own family if he slips up… And it wasn’t just a mistake on the part of the Miharus, but a failure of the Matoba clan head of that time, whose responsibility it was to look out for the branch families. Matoba Seiji is not just responsible for the success of his own family, but protecting the branch families, and of course non-exorcists as well. I imagine he feels like he doesn’t have the time or room to act on any of his own personal desires, and his little loquat anecdote is evidence of that, to me. It’s bittersweet (lol). And Natori’s takeaway, meanwhile, is more casual as you might expect. When Natsume asks him if he likes loquats, he says he’s not sure because his first one wasn’t very good. To Natori, a loquat is something he might try again and like. To Matoba, it’s a reminder of what he can and can’t have.

#natsume yuujinchou #matoba seiji #really sorry this is so long and i'm sure i could cut it down. i am bad at that.#i hope i ended up saying something though lol #i want to try to write more thoughts about other stuff #hopefully if i do it more I'll get better #my meta

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saylessastrology · 10 months

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Saylessastrology Observations - Capricorn

1. Sun in Capricorn: Individuals with the Sun in Capricorn are known for their ambitious, practical, and disciplined nature. They have a strong sense of responsibility and a drive for success. They possess a patient and persevering attitude and are willing to work hard to achieve their goals. They value structure, organization, and long-term planning.

2. Moon in Capricorn: With the Moon in Capricorn, emotional stability and practicality are emphasized. These individuals approach their emotions with a sense of maturity and responsibility. They may appear reserved or stoic, but they possess a deep sense of loyalty and a strong work ethic. They seek security and stability in their personal and emotional lives.

3. Mercury in Capricorn: Mercury in Capricorn individuals have a focused and strategic mindset. They possess excellent organizational skills and a practical approach to communication. They are methodical in their thinking and prefer to analyze and plan before taking action. They value clear and concise communication and often excel in areas that require structure and precision.

4. Venus in Capricorn: With Venus in Capricorn, individuals approach love and relationships with a practical and pragmatic mindset. They value stability and commitment in their partnerships. They are attracted to individuals who exhibit ambition, responsibility, and a strong work ethic. They may have a reserved and cautious approach to expressing affection but are deeply loyal and devoted to their loved ones.

5. Mars in Capricorn: Mars in Capricorn individuals possess a focused and determined energy. They have strong self-discipline and the ability to work diligently toward their goals. They are willing to invest time and effort to achieve success and may have a natural talent for strategic planning. They possess a strong sense of responsibility and exhibit great patience in their actions.

6. Jupiter in Capricorn: Individuals with Jupiter in Capricorn experience expansion and growth through discipline and hard work. They have a practical and realistic approach to life. They value long-term achievements and possess a strong sense of responsibility and integrity. They have the ability to manifest their goals through persistence and careful planning.

7. Saturn in Capricorn: Those with Saturn in Capricorn have a deep sense of responsibility, self-discipline, and a strong work ethic. They possess a practical and cautious nature and are willing to put in the necessary effort to achieve success. They have a deep respect for tradition and structure and may possess leadership qualities. They often experience personal growth and maturity through challenges and hardships.

8. Uranus in Capricorn: Uranus in Capricorn individuals possess a progressive and unconventional mindset within the context of societal structures. They have a desire to bring change and innovation to established systems. They may challenge traditional authority and seek to revolutionize the areas of life governed by Capricorn’s influence.

9. Neptune in Capricorn: Individuals with Neptune in Capricorn possess a practical and grounded approach to spirituality and dreams. They may find inspiration and fulfillment through hard work and structured pursuits. They may have a talent for manifesting their visions in a tangible and practical way.

10. Pluto in Capricorn: Pluto in Capricorn individuals experience transformation and regeneration through the transformation of societal structures. They have a profound influence on the structures and systems of society, bringing about deep and lasting change. They possess the ability to rebuild and transform old systems into new and more efficient ones.

11. Capricorn Ascendant individuals possess a composed and dignified presence. They often have a lean and well-structured physique, with a reserved and serious demeanor. Their facial features may be chiseled and their posture is typically upright and poised. People with Capricorn Ascendant have a mature and responsible aura. They approach life with a strong sense of discipline, ambition, and a desire for achievement. They value hard work, perseverance, and long-term planning. They have a natural inclination to take on responsibilities and may be seen as reliable and trustworthy. Capricorn Ascendant individuals are known for their professionalism and their ability to project an air of authority. They have a strong work ethic and are often driven to succeed in their chosen endeavors. They possess a natural sense of responsibility and are willing to invest the necessary time and effort to achieve their goals. In social settings, Capricorn Ascendant individuals may appear reserved and cautious. They prefer meaningful and practical conversations over superficial small talk. They value quality over quantity when it comes to relationships and prefer a close circle of trusted friends. These individuals have a practical and grounded approach to life. They possess excellent organizational skills and are adept at managing their time and resources effectively. They have a natural ability to navigate the complexities of life and often excel in roles that require leadership, structure, and long-term planning.

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truevedicastrology · 2 years

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Having Saturn in each house 1-12

Saturn in the 1st House

The first house is all about self-identity. When Saturn is in the first house, it can show that there may be some challenges around self-esteem or feeling like you're not good enough. We may feel like we have to put on a mask or put up a wall in order to be taken seriously. We may also feel like we're always being judged or that we're not good enough. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your self-esteem and confidence. This can be a test to see if you're able to overcome these feelings and learn to love and accept yourself. With Saturn in the first house, you may have felt shy or inhibited in your youth. You may have struggled to find your identity or to assert yourself. As you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's discipline to your advantage, and you will become a strong and focused individual. Saturn in the first house can be a difficult placement, as it can represent some challenges around self-esteem and confidence. However, this can also be a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your self-esteem and confidence. With Saturn in the first house, you may have felt shy or inhibited in your youth. However, as you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's discipline to your advantage, and you will become a strong and focused individual who won't stop because of someone else.

Saturn in the 2nd House

The second house is all about money, possessions, and values. When Saturn is in the second house, it can show that there may be some challenges around money and possessions. We may feel like we're always working hard but never getting ahead. We may also feel like we're not appreciated for what we do have. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your financial situation or your relationship with possessions. This can be a test to see if you're able to overcome your materialistic desires and learn to be content with what you have. With Saturn in the second house, you may have felt restricted in your ability to earn money or to enjoy material possessions. You may have had to work hard for what you have, and you may still feel that you are not where you want to be financially. However, you can use Saturn's influence to your advantage by learning how to budget and save. Saturn in the second house can show that there may be some challenges around money and possessions. We may feel like we're always working hard but never getting ahead. We may also feel like we're not appreciated for what we do have. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your financial situation or your relationship with possessions. So stay positive and keep yourself high in terms of value because you are great and only have to battle Saturn till maturity.

Saturn in the 3rd House

The third house is all about communication and learning. When Saturn is in the third house, it can show that there may be some challenges around communication and learning. We may feel like we're always misunderstood or that we're not good at communicating our thoughts. We may also feel like we're not as intelligent as we'd like to be. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your communication skills or your self-image. This can be a test to see if you're able to overcome your fear of speaking up and learn to express yourself clearly. With Saturn in the third house, you may have found it hard to express yourself in your youth. You may have felt shy or like you were not being heard. As you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's discipline to your advantage, and you will become a clear and concise communicator. Saturn in the third house can show that there may be some challenges around communication and learning. We may feel like we're always misunderstood or that we're not good at communicating our thoughts. We may also feel like we're not as intelligent as we'd like to be however once we achieve a more mature level in our lives we will feel and be much greater. Keep your mind in check and stay sharp!

Saturn in the 4th House

The fourth house is all about home and family. When Saturn is in the fourth house, it can show that there may be some challenges around family and home. We may feel like we're always working hard but never really feeling at home. We may also feel like our family doesn't understand us or that we're not good enough for them. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with your family or your self-worth. This can be a test to see if you're able to overcome your fear of intimacy and learn to open up to others. With Saturn in the fourth house, you may have felt that your childhood was not as stable or secure as you would have liked. You may have struggled with feelings of insecurity or anxiety. As you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's influence to your advantage, and you will create a strong foundation for yourself. Saturn in the fourth house can show that there may be some challenges around family and home. We may feel like we're always working hard but never really feeling at home. We may also feel like our family doesn't understand us or that we're not good enough for them. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with your family or your self-worth. You are not alone with family problems and there are many others with the same planet placement in the fourth house. You should always maintain a safe and positive approach towards your family and home and good thing will return in favor.

Saturn in the 5th House

The fifth house is all about creativity and self-expression. When Saturn is in the fifth house, it can show that there may be some challenges around self-expression and creativity. We may feel like our creative endeavors are never good enough or that we're not as talented as we'd like to be. We may also feel like we're not appreciated for our creativity This can be a test to see if you're able to overcome your fear of failure and learn to take risks. With Saturn in the fifth house, you may have struggled with issues of self-esteem in your youth. You may have felt that you were not as talented or creative as you would have liked. As you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's influence to your advantage, and you will create a strong foundation for yourself. Saturn in the fifth house can indicate some challenges around self-expression and creativity. We may feel like our creative endeavors are never good enough or that we're not as talented as we'd like to be. However, with Saturn in the fifth house, you may have the opportunity to overcome your fear of failure and learn to take risks.

Saturn in the 6th House

The sixth house is all about service and hard work. When Saturn is in the sixth house, it can show that there may be some challenges around service and hard work. We may feel like we're always working hard but never really getting anywhere. We may also feel like our health is never good enough or that we're not as healthy as we'd like to be. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with your work or your health. This can be a test to see if you're able to overcome your fear of failure and learn to take risks. With Saturn in the sixth house, you may have felt like you were always working hard and never getting ahead. You may have felt like your job was never good enough, or that you were never able to find the right career. As you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's influence to your advantage, and you will create a strong foundation for yourself. Saturn in the sixth house can represent challenges with work and health. This is a good placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with these areas of your life.

Saturn in the 7th House

The seventh house is all about relationships. When Saturn is in the seventh house, it can show that there may be some challenges around relationships. We may feel like our relationships are always difficult or that we're never really able to find the right person. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with yourself or your relationships with others. This can be a test to see if you're able to overcome your fear of intimacy and learn to open up to others. With Saturn in the seventh house, you may have struggled with issues of relationships and partnerships. You may have felt like you were always the one doing the work, or that you were never able to find the right partner. As you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's influence to your advantage, and you will create a strong foundation for yourself. Saturn in the seventh house can show that there may be some challenges around relationships. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with yourself or your relationships with others.

Saturn in the 8th House

The eighth house is the house of death and rebirth. It's a place of transformation and can be a bit scary. When Saturn is in the eighth house, it may indicate that there are some fears around death or the unknown. We may feel like we're always facing death or that we're never really able to move on from our past. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with death or your relationship with your past. This can be a test to see if you're able to face your fears and learn to let go. With Saturn in the eighth house, you may have struggled with issues of intimacy and trust. You may have felt like you were always the one in control, or that you were never able to let go and truly be vulnerable. As you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's influence to your advantage, and you will create a deep level of trust and intimacy in your relationships. Saturn in the eighth house can be a bit scary, but it can also be a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with death or your relationship with your past.

Saturn in the 9th House

The ninth house is the house of travel and higher learning. When Saturn is in the ninth house, it can show that there may be some challenges around travel or learning new things. We may feel like we're always learning but never really getting anywhere. We may also feel like our beliefs are never really challenged or that we're never really able to find our true purpose. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with knowledge or your relationship with your beliefs. This can be a test to see if you're able to overcome your fear of change and embrace new experiences. With Saturn in the ninth house, you may have felt like you never fit in or that you were always the outsider. You may have felt like your beliefs and opinions were never taken seriously. As you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's influence to your advantage, and you will find a place in the world where you feel at home. Saturn in the ninth house can show that there may be some challenges around travel or learning new things. We may feel like we're always learning but never really getting anywhere. We may also feel like our beliefs are never really challenged or that we're never really able to find our true purpose.

Saturn in the 10th House

The tenth house is the house of career and public reputation. When Saturn is in the tenth house, it can show that there may be some challenges around your chosen profession or how the public perceives you. We may feel like our career is never really going anywhere or that we're never really able to achieve our goals. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with your career or your relationship with your reputation. This can be a test to see if you're able to stay focused and disciplined in your work, even when the going gets tough. With Saturn in the tenth house, you may have felt like you were always working hard but never getting ahead. You may have felt like your career was a never-ending uphill battle. As you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's influence to your advantage, and you will find success and satisfaction in your chosen profession. Saturn in the tenth house can show that there may be some challenges around your chosen profession or how the public perceives you.

Saturn in the 11th House

The eleventh house is the house of friends and community. When Saturn is in the eleventh house, it can show that there may be some challenges around your social life or your involvement in groups. We may feel like we're always alone or that we're never really able to find our place in the world. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with your friends or your relationship with your community. This can be a test to see if you're able to be patient and tolerant of others, even when they don't see eye to eye with you. With Saturn in the eleventh house, you may have felt like you were always the one left out or that your friends never really understood you. You may have felt like your hopes and dreams were never going to come true. As you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's influence to your advantage, and you will find a group of friends who appreciate and support you. When Saturn is in the eleventh house, we may feel alone or that we don't really fit in with our friends or community. This placement can be a test of our patience and tolerance, but it can also help us to find a group of friends who appreciate and support us.

Saturn in the 12th House

The twelfth house is the house of the unconscious and hidden things. When Saturn is in the twelfth house, it can show that there may be some challenges around your hidden fears and secrets. We may feel like we're always being attacked or that we're never really able to find our place in the world. This is a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with your hidden enemies or your relationship with your spirituality. This can be a test to see if you're able to confront your demons and let go of the past. With Saturn in the twelfth house, you may have felt like you were always swimming against the tide. You may have felt like you were never really understood or that you were always the one in the shadows. As you mature, you will learn to use Saturn's influence to your advantage, and you will find a place where you can feel at peace and in harmony with the world. Saturn in the twelfth house can be a challenge, but it can also be a great placement for Saturn if you want to work on your relationship with your hidden enemies or your relationship with your spirituality.

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roxykisser · 11 months

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classpect titles: identity vs. the narrative

right. here’s something i’ve been meaning to talk about for a while. the assignment of classpect titles.

before i start, i want to make something clear: i’m not here to tell anyone how to identify. i am of the opinion that everyone knows themselves best. i’m not here to tell anyone how to classpect: this is a wacky business filled to the brim with speculation. this is merely an account of my views and opinions.

the classpecting community at large, here on tumblr at least, is very concerned with one’s personality when assigning classpect titles. this approach also necessitates a focus on both class and aspect in tandem; making sense as one full concept, a one and done thing, rather than two components of a title. a title, not a name.

a prince of heart is one who destroys heart. therefore the prince must destroy heart. he cannot engage in destructive behaviour, fall into that class’ archetypal pitfalls and climb its archetypal highs, and also have an arc concerned with identity, see the world in those terms at the same time. he must always be a [destroyer of heart].

it all ends up rather stereotypical; a prince destroys, therefore the prince is bad. a knight protects, therefore the knight is good.

i find it more constructive to look at classes as archetypes, because at their origin, this is what they are. patterns of behaviour one repeats again and again, falls back on when they are at their wits’ end. this is where the narrative view of classpects comes in.

class represents the hero’s internal processes. their values. a sort of concise list of their greatest faults and greatest strengths, like horoscopes in the newspaper. made to be generic. made for the hero to grow with and past them. it makes sense then why most prefer to classpect based on personality: it is easier to look at yourself as a list of traits than it is to look at yourself as a history, a narrative path you’ve walked. actually, that brings me to a good metaphor: your class is your shoes. the trail you walk. your aspect is the scenery.

classpecting from a narrative angle requires a shift in perspective, and acknowledging one stark difference between the hero title of myself and say, the hero title of jake english. we are both hope players, yet one of us is a person. the other is a character. the title system in homestuck is made around characters. the game is deliberately set up to help its players grow, and in doing that sets them on a path loosely defined by their title. people are a bit more complicated.

seeing yourself as a character isn’t easy. it’s almost impossible. characterhood is objective; personhood is not. in a story, we see its characters’ entire arcs in one line, we can clearly identify the inflection points in their stories and which themes repeat again and again. but as people our lives are ongoing; we are not afforded the same omnipotence, the ability to see time all at once.

class is incredibly hard to determine because of this. aspect is a bit easier. it is the themes that repeat again and again in our lives, a backdrop for all else to happen. it is a lens through which we see and understand the world. a light player might see their world as a story. a heart player might see the world as a tangle of identities rubbing up against and affecting each other. the possibilities are as endless as paradox space, which is to say not at all or quite a lot, depending on how you look at things. and how big you are in the scheme of them.

of course some measure of both narrative and personality classpecting must be employed for the most accurate outcome to be produced. one cannot look at the forest’s reflection in the lake and claim to know the beasts within. one cannot build a house with only bricks. but a healthy harmony should be strived towards in order for the result to be most accurate.

if you would like to read some posts from people who know these things better than me, i recommend @classpect-navelgazing, particularly their masterpost, and @urcharactersclasspect, whose opinions i found very particularly eye-opening.

#harley posts #classpecting #homestuck classpecting #classpect theory #hs #homestuck

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remnant-verse-if · 2 months

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Hello everyone, this will be the main post for Remnant: 21 & Before the Incident. I've decided to make a more concise summary of the following stories that take place in the same universe. Your support is appreciated!

Remnant: Twenty-One <- Demo [225,948 words] ________________________________________________

Tags: Isekai, Action, Supernatural, Fantasy, Psychological, Tragedy The skies are gray. Devils run amok. Is this some sick divine punishment by some sort of god? Your body is no longer yours. Will you survive this world or will it break you? The cycle of reincarnation calls for you to lose every part of yourself until you're born anew. Remnant Twenty-One, only you can undo this shattered world.

You’re taken to a mysterious room and greeted by two strangers. They tell you that your life is no longer, but you aren’t necessarily dead. You cross through a door on the other side of the room and enter a world similar to your own. Except, there’s the existence of demons, Devils, and other supernatural entities. Not only that, you’re trapped in the body of the Chosen One, the hero who will save humanity. The issue is there’s no time for training or preparing, the final battle is in five days!

Fight against Caph and the four Enforcers. One Enforcer for each day which will test the potential of your main character. Meet new/‘old’ teammates that will aid you in the final battle. Maybe even find some love with them? There might be a more sinister force out there than the Devils. Survive to the best of your abilities in this new world. Good luck out there, Remnant Twenty-One.

Before the Incident <- Demo [71k words] ________________________________________________

Tags: Action, Superpower, Adventure, Fantasy, Revenge The world is truly unfair, but what if you were allowed to enact your revenge. Will you destroy yourself before you destroy those who have wronged you? The ends justify the means does it not?

You and your best friend haven’t talked to each other in a while after losing your parents. Until one day, your friend reaches out to you about Starford Festival. Celebrate the festival with your best friend and reminisce about your past together! Tradition says when you light sparklers while watching the late-night fireworks, a great change will come to your life! Enjoy a slice-of-life-filled prologue!

This story takes place around 1.5 years before the main events of Remnant: Twenty-One. You never knew demons existed until now. Join the Organization and take arms to enact a battle against the Apostles, a secret society that wishes to open the Gates of Hell. Manifest your powers based on the prologue. Will you get your revenge or will you fall before you can achieve it?

Remnant: Twenty-One ________________________________________________

Customize the Chosen One and your original self to your liking.

Mold out your personality the longer you live in this world.

Romance the agents of the Organization in your short time here.

Build bonds with your allies

Your choices will determine who lives and who dies in the story

Indulge in the Chosen One's Sealed Evil

Try your best to avoid suspicion

Before the Incident ________________________________________________

Customize your agent to your liking

Decide what your past ambitions were, they will affect how you perceive things.

Find love in this crazy world of Contract users and demons

Determine what your definition of revenge is.

Will you continue to feed into the cycle of revenge?

Unlock a Contract at the end of the prologue (Powers below):

Wanderer: You can switch between a magical katana and a revolver. You have higher physical prowess and agility with this Contract. Your foes won’t be able to keep up with your speed and aim. You essentially cover both long-range and short-range. Fuel your desire for vengeance. Painter: You wield an ink brush that allows you to paint constructs and summons. Use your creative skills to deal with your foes. The world is your canvas and only you can paint your retribution. Arbiter: Words are powerful. Especially when they can bend reality. Manipulate your targets to convince them of lies. These lies will become their truths and ultimately their downfall. The world is unfair, so why not fix it with your justice?

Remnant: Twenty-One ________________________________________________

Ash [M/F]

A powerful contract user that was close to the Chosen One. They came back to things being much more different. How will they react that you're no longer the person they loved. There are more mysteries and problems for this person.

Anja [F]

A cheerful individual who acts as the communicator for the team. She often likes to keep things lighthearted. However, she hides her internal struggles for the sake of the mission. Will she make it to the very end?

Sigma [M]

A clueless musclehead through thick and thin. He's incredibly strong and has a heart of gold. Yet, he still yearns to learn the truth of who he is. Can he forgive himself in time, or will he die with regrets?

Uri [M]

A man who doesn't really know how to talk to people properly. He has trouble expressing his true feelings, but there's no changing the fact that he deeply cares for the team. He holds the Chosen One in high regard. Will you raise him up or will he crumble?

Before the Incident ________________________________________________

Apollo/Anna [M/F]

Your best friend you haven’t spoken to in a year. Celebrate the Starford Festival with them and recall the memories you had together in high school and college. Perhaps you can find love at the festival as well?

Syo [M]

An odd man with an eye patch. He has a casual attitude to most things and has a lax personality. However, it seems as if he knows a lot more than he actually leads on. Have you seen him in another story?

Tenth [F]

A stoic woman with strong convictions. She’s quite serious most of the time. She gives Syo a hard time for his laziness. She wants what’s best for people and wishes for them to reach their full potential, although her methods can be quite unhealthy. She's also a hopeless romantic.

???? [M/F]

This person has a wild heart and a passionate personality. They can be quite too much for people and they’re intense all around. Abrasive and rude. Could there be more layers to this individual?

???? [M/F]

This person was born from a high stature. Manners are everything in this world. Reputation is king. How you present yourself is life and death. They have high expectations of how people should behave. Are you proper enough?

???? [M/F]

You’re on opposing sides. Is it possible for you to shake this person’s convictions and join you? Or will you meet a tragic fate in your journey for their love?

#interactive fiction #interactive story #interactive novel #interact if #if #dashingdon #choicescript #hosted games #remnant21 #beforetheincident #bti

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tyrantisterror · 3 months

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You seem to have been enjoying Baldur's Gate III a lot. Would you mind giving your thoughts on the individual companions? I'm just curious to see what your take on them is.

Yeah sure! The game's been rotting my brain for months now in part because of its character writing, so I can stand to gush about the companions a bit.

Before we get to the companions individually, I want to talk about them as a group, because one of the things that makes this game so impressive to me is its commitment to its core themes, and that extends to how the companions were crafted as a group. See, each of the core six companions have the following things in common:

The mindflayer tadpole that threatens to turn them into a monster against their will (i.e. the thing that gets them all together on a quest)

A personal history of being abused and exploited by someone they trusted

A Want that comes as a result of their personal history of abuse that is self destructive but understandable given their circumstances

A Need that comes as a result of their personal history of abuse that they have written off or ignored because their past makes them think fulfilling it is impossible

A point in their character arc where they will come into conflict with the player character if the player character tries to advocate for their Need over their Want. If the player values the Want over the Need, the relationship will initially go smoother, but end badly.

The overall theme of Baldur's Gate 3 can be loosely summed up in one of its major recurring songs, I Want to Live, and that's ultimately what each character's arc is a variation of: the desperate desire to live in a world that has been trying to kill your mind, body, and soul to the best of its ability. Got it? Cool, we can talk about the characters now that we've got this established.

Oh, and, uh, this game covers some... HEAVY themes, given that abuse is one of the common denominators between the companions. I'm going to try to be gentle in talking about it, but this will cover some of that subject matter, so this is your warning if you want to avoid that.

Companion 1: Astarion, My Bisexual Awakening

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I'm going to start with the companion I feel is the most talked about/popular/overexposed I suppose, Astarion. I feel like anyone with even the vaguest knowledge of Baldur's Gate 3 probably recognizes Astarion at this point, even if it's just as "that annoying vampire twink I'm sick of seeing." There's already a growing "he's popular so he sucks" movement about Astarion here on tumblr and at the cesspool of hate known as Twitter, because of course there is, he's popular, ergo he must suck.

...

I think Astarion is one of the best written video game characters of all time.

There's this one great tumblr post that summarizes Astarion's role in the narrative really well, with the great punchline of "Astarion is kinda like if they sexualized gollum," which is not only funny but perfectly accurate. I can't really top that, so I'm just going to talk around some of its points a bit, but I highly recommend reading it yourself, it's more concise and well-thought out than whatever this ramble will be.

But, ok, so, "I Want to Live" is our theme, right? Astarion is dead. Dead to begin with, Marley style. He has been killed, at a young age, before his time. Sure, he was brought back to a sort of life, being a vampire and a member of the undead and all, but the life he knew is gone. All the pathos one can mine from being a vampire is played up here, for as Astarion himself notes, he's not even a full fledge vampire, but a vampire spawn - "All of the drawbacks, few of the perks." Worse, as a vampire spawn, he's magically bound to the will of the vampire that turned him - forced to live out his undead life as a slave to a sadistic monster that abused him in every way a person can be abused.

Which is why Astarion is the only companion who's entirely thankful for the mindflayers kidnapping him and implanting a tadpole in his head - because they broke that magic connection to his master, and gave him resistances to many of the stock vampire weaknesses to boot (hungry tadpole doesn't want its meat suit burning in the sun, after all). Astarion's life was so fucked that getting a brain-eating parasite was a unilateral improvement.

But while the magic connection is severed, the psychological affect of the abuse Astarion suffered lingers. His master made him use sex as a lure to bring victims to his lair, and so Astarion still believes that he has to offer people sex to "earn his keep" - that his body is a tool for others to use for their gratification, and if he refuses their desires he puts his life at peril. Astarion hates putting himself out to help other people not only because no one has done that for him during his long undead life, but because doing so puts his life at risk. Astarion is power hungry - his Want is to be as strong, no, stronger than his master, so that way he can never be afraid again. Astarion Wants to be a true vampire.

His need, however, is to find value in the life he has now. He needs people who love him for who he is, not what he can offer, and who will protect him the way he has needed protecting for hundreds of years. His need is to be shown that kindness isn't a weakness, that charity is possible, that power does not have to be gained through selfish and cruel means. You're shown this in the game's approval mechanic - while Astarion will disapprove of you putting yourself out on a limb for others and revealing sensitive information freely, he has a soft spot for whenever you help someone who, like him, is being exploited. Because while he'll protest otherwise, Astarion wants to believe kindness is possible, and that the horrible things he's suffered don't define him. Astarion may believe he's just a tool to serve others' desires, but that doesn't mean he doesn't wish to be more than that.

And I know the cynics among you are like "Oh, ok, so the cute vampire twink has a ludicrously tragic backstory. How is that original or good writing?" Because that's the thing, right? If there's an effeminate, brooding bad boy character that lots of teenage girls like in a piece of media, it HAS to be shallow wangst at its core. Every tumblr sexyman is just Edward Cullen when you cut past the bullshit, right?

Like, I know I'm not going to convince the "Thing popular so thing bad" crowd on Astarion's quality no matter how many words I write, but, like, there is a reason for the hype. Dude's got fucking layers! The different interactions with him you can have, the dimensions you can bring out of him by how you choose to engage with him, all paint this great tapestry of a character who takes the concept of a vampire and explores it to a depth few pieces of media have every plunged to.

And he's fucking funny! Dude's got some of the best lines in the game, and his voice actor didn't just give him a sexy sultry voice, but, like, shades of Tim Curry that make him endearingly weird and goofy and witty as hell while still being very sexy.

And yes, he's a sexy vampire, that's a big point in his favor and what most people are dwelling on. And I'm standing by the sexy part - listen, for the past few years I've been kind of wrestling with whether or not I'm bisexual, and the question was laid to rest the first time this fucker flirted with me in game. My heart raced, my cheeks flushed, I reflexively giggled and went "Whoo!" like a Southern Belle in need of a feinting couch. Every time he's flirted with me since has given me the fucking vapors. Thank you, Astarion, I'm bi for sure now. you solved that fucking riddle pretty decisively.

Let's move on.

Companion 2: Shadowheart, A Fellow Lapsed Catholic

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Shadowheart is a bundle of contradictions. She's got some of the best quips and quickest wits in the game, and she's also a huge fucking dork. She is oozing with confidence about the role she's been assigned to play and is incredibly assertive in group social situations, but on her own she's a mess of insecurities and is constantly plagued with doubts about her worth. She's constantly preaching about the need to be pragmatic and self-focused, but loves it whenever you are kind and generous. Depending on your choices during the tutorial level, she can become the first ride-or-die party member you get, and she's also a miserable pile of secrets who is terrified of you discovering what she really is.

See, Shadowheart is a cleric of Shar, the Goddess of Darkness, which is both in a literal and figurative sense - that is, Shar is the goddess of night and the absence of light, but, like, also the goddess of loss, and sorrow, and hopelessness, and secrets, and lies. The Goddess of Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss, basically. Being raised to follow the goddess has plagues Shadowheart with guilt over the secrets she's had to keep, the cruelties she's had to inflict, and the distance she's kept from all people in her life as a result of the church's creed. If you're a nerd who comes into this game knowing who Shar is, you'd probably be immediately suspicious of Shadowheart when you find out her alleigance, because Shar's basically one of the more prominent evil gods whose followers are always fucking things up for everyone.

However, I did not come into this game knowing that, but I did come into it knowing what's it's like to be raised in a religion that teaches you that many of your natural desires for companionship are wrong and to feel guilt and paranoia over how your every action will be judged, for like Shadowheart, I am also a Catholic.

Shadowheart's Want is to become a Dark Justiciar, which is basically the Sharran equivalent of the Spanish Inquisition, and to fully prove her devotion to Shar's will. The way she talks about Shar is so thickly coded with the way children of abusive parents talk about said parents that's it's legitimately frightening to witness at times. Shadowheart doesn't blame Shar for hurting her, she knows it's her fault for disappointing Shar in the first place.

Shadowheart's Need is to leave the fucking Catholic church. Depending on your choices, she can accomplish this with the help of two moon-worshipping lesbians, at which point she dyes her hair a color that would piss off her parents Shar and proceeds to indulge in a somewhat hedonistic rebellion of self actualization that only a lapsed Catholic can fully comprehend. I love her.

Companion 3: Lae'Zel, The World's Most Loyal Toad

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Ok, so, brief tangent: one of my favorite games of all time is Dragon Age Origins, and it is one of my favorite games of all time in part because it has Morrigan, one of the best characters in all of fantasy fiction, fuck you fight me. Morrigan is a divisive character in the DA fandom because she is notoriously hard to please if you're trying to be a good person - it was so prominent a criticism, in fact, that "Morrigan Disapproves" was put on a fucking t-shirt to play on/monetize the controversy.

But, see, the thing about Morrigan is that she's 1. incredibly complex and 2. designed to challenge your worldview, and to be challenged in turn. Morrigan isn't just an evil bitch, she has a genuine philosophy for why she behaves as coldly as she does, which in part stems from her awful upbringing by her cruel, selfish hermit mother who was trying to shelter her from an even crueller world that would see her in chains just for being a witch. Morrigan has been taught that love is a weakness others will exploit, that kindness is folly, and that everyone is out for themselves. And you need to contradict her on that - getting to know her inevitably involves fighting her on this point, and you proving to her that the cruelty she's been taught is wrong. If you are willing to listen, to argue, to truly understand this character, she grows because of you. It makes her character arc so fucking satisfying, when you get to the end of the game and she realizes that she does love you, she does want to be kind, and that even though she now feels more accutely than ever how love has made her weak, she can't be without it. It's so fucking good.

I bring Morrigan up because almost all the companions in Baldur's Gate 3 are on her level, in part because they are designed like her - to challenge you and be challenged in turn. And none of the core six are more like her than Lae'zel.

Which, sadly, includes the fan backlash part. A lot of fans of the game hate Lae'zel - she's too mean, they say, too hostile, to proud of her strange and callous worldview, too critical of our normal and kind outlook, too difficult to relate to.

These people are cowards.

If Shadowheart is Catholic, then Lae'zel is, like, Christian Reformed. A fundie. She's been training at Githyanki Bible Camp for years to be her lichqueen's perfectly loyal soldier, only to run into this minor snag of being kidnapped by Mindflayers, the ancestral enemies of her people, and infected with a tadpole that will turn her into one of them, the Worst Fate that can become a Githyanki. Luckily, she's read all of her people's Chick Tracts, and knows that if she can get to one of the Githyanki creches, they can use their special machine to pray the tadpole out of her brain and save her.

Lae'zel has drunk the metaphorical kool-aid of her people, but only to a point. See, Githyankis are viciously racist, but Lae'zel is REALLY quick to accept you and most of the other companions (not Shadowheart, though, as like a true Fundie, she cannot stand a Catholic) despite them not being Giths like herself. Yeah, she'll preen and posture about the superiority of her kind a bit, but she sides with you within seconds of meeting you, and from that point on she is ride or die until you give her a good reason to think otherwise. Lae'zel can be mean, stubborn, and arrogant, but she is above all else loyal.

Her Want is to be a perfect Githyanki warrior, earning the respect of her queen and serving her endlessly in the Astral Plane. Of course, when you actually get to that creche she's pointing you towards early in the game, this all falls apart on her, because just like Fundamentalist Christianity, Githyanki culture is little more than a sham designed to uphold an evil and exploitative power structure where the rich drain the life and resources of everyone beneath them and declare it the will of the divine. In this case, that "drain the life" part is explicitly literal, as the Githyanki queen literally devours the life force of any gith that gets even a bit close to rivaling her in power. If Lae'zel tries to follow her dream, it will end with her queen eating her soul.

Lae'zel's Need is to not only break out of her culture's indoctrination, but to find a way to make her life worthwhile on her own terms. It's heartbreaking to witness, honestly, because unlike the other core companions, Lae'zel has no idea what a life outside of her Want looks like. What is she without serving her queen? What the hell does she want? If you've been taught God your queen is all that is good, then how the fuck you you figure out what good is when you realize she's actually evil?

And while she goes through this seriously traumatic existential crisis, she finds the energy to be invested in the struggles of you and your companions. When the other characters are going through The Shit in their respective arcs, Lae'zel is always quick to note that she thinks they are strong and deserve more than they're getting - even Shadowheart, that fucking Catholic!

Because the first word you'd ever use to describe Lae'zel, the one that most succinctly captures who she is, is LOYAL. She fucking rocks, I love her.

Companion 4: Wyll, The Unjustly Underrated

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Almost no one talks about Wyll and it fucking sucks, man. I mean, we all know why (it starts with a Ra and ends in a Cism), but still it fucking blows dude. And yes, I include myself in this, anyone who's followed my blog can tell that Wyll's not the companion I fixate on the most.

But listen, I promise you, if the game let me take along four companions instead of three, Wyll... would be competing with Lae'zel for spot #4, and Lae'zel might win out because she's an angry girl, but... fuck I'm losing the plot.

Wyll is great though! He's severely underrated! He's one of the nicest companions you'll get, first of all, but he's not just a nice guy. Everyone's got layers in this, right? Wyll is nice, but he's also a bit arrogant - a glory hound, really. He's the only companion who's given himself a superhero name, and he routinely uses it. Dude wants to be fuckin' Batman so bad, it's wonderful.

He's also the most actively fucked member of the party. Everyone's got abusers in their past, but Wyll's is the only one who's followed him to your camp. Mizora, the devil he sold his soul too, frequently shows up to give him shitty tasks and shittier punishments, and is one of the most hateful fucking characters I have ever encountered in my life. Like, to put this in perspective: if you know me, you know that I have certain... preferences... when it comes to women. So if there was, say, a demon lady character who's also a bit of a dominatrix, and I fucking hated her guts, you'd probably be a bit surprised given, you know, my preferences.

But the way Mizora treats Wyll? The way she talks about him and to him? It's fucking heinous. She's not fun evil, she's evil evil, and she's got to fucking go.

It kind of reframes Wyll's kindness and cockiness as you experience it, because beneath the showy acts of heroism and the bluster, Wyll is a sad little dog in a burning apartment telling himself "this is fine!" over and over again.

Wyll's Want is to be a hero and make the sacrifice of his soul worth something. He has accepted that there is no redemption for himself, that Mizora preying upon his vulnerability in the past is something he can never recover from, that he cannot be free of her chains, and only hopes to use what time he has to do some good, even if it inevitably comes at the cost of his life.

His Need is to break out of Mizora's control, to wrest his fate back into his own hands, and to prove what has always been true: that he IS the hero he's selling himself as. It's a real Rango arc if you think about it.

Companion 5: Gale, The Friend With the Messiest Fucking Love Life You've Ever Heard Of Goddamn

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Gale... kind of breaks the companion formula, a little bit? Like, for the other five core companions, there is a clear-cut situation where they were abused and exploited by an asshole - Shar exploited Shadowheart, Cazador the master vampire exploited Astarion, Mizora exploits Wyll, etc. Gale's fucked up traumatic relationship is a bit... messier, and harder to untangle, because by his own admission, he was not blameless in it.

Gale is a wizard, and like all good wizards in fiction, he's a bit of a mad scientist. He was so good at wizarding, in fact, that the goddess of magic itself, Mystra, reached out to him, and eventually the two had a little romance. Now, fans have gone back and forth interpreting this, with some saying that Mystra was grooming Gale from childhood and thus is as bad as Cazador/Shar/Mizora/et cetera. I feel that's kind of a bad faith reading of the character, one that's actively ignoring the concept of what an ageless immortal goddess is to try and fit it into a human context.

For nerds who know about the setting, Mystra is NOT an evil goddess like Shar. In fact, she's kind of a vitally important goddess to have around, as Magic is such an integral part of the reality of this setting that not having a god of some sort for it results in an fucking extinction event - which the characters in the game know for a fact because at one point in the past, a mortal wizard killed Mystra and made that extinction event happen. Mystra reformed, as gods do, and eventually things got back to more or less normal, but that doesn't do much for the shitload of people and creatures that died during the period of time where magic was dead.

And that's what ends up souring Gale and Mystra's relationship. Gale, being mortal, felt he had to prove he was Mystra's equal, and so set out to find a source of magical power not unlike that used by the wizard in the past who killed Mystra. And when Mystra saw Gale doing that, she freaked the fuck out because she thought she was going to get killed again - because the wizard who slew her in the past ALSO felt he needed to prove he was equal to a goddess.

Neither character takes the breakup well. Gale feels like fucking shit because he fumbled a literal goddess, and also got a piece of super destructive magic lodged in his chest in the process that's slowly killing him. And Mystra is worried that the super powerful piece of magic lodged in Gale's chest could kill her, and also about the cult using a very similar piece of magic (it's a big plot point for the game I won't go into it this is already too long), and so, in an act of cruel godly pragmatism, she sends D&D Gandalf to tell Gale to use his the magic murder ball in his chest to kill the cult, even though it'll destroy him in the process. "Hi sweetie, please kill yourself on my behalf, k thanx!" basically.

It's... it's a mess.

Gale's Want is to prove he is Mystra's equal by mastering the ancient magic he's found, and either win her back or, better yet, become a god himself and dethrone her. As I said, he's got a bit of a mad scientist in him.

Gale's Need is to move on from this relationship, talk things out with his ex, give her her dvds the ancient magic artifacts back, and move on with his life.

I like Gale. He's got funny lines, he loves his cat, he's a goofy nerd, and while his love life is a mess, his heart is mostly in the right place. He needs some nudges to do the right thing, but he's a good guy deep down, and I always love it when fiction shows a relationship that falls apart not because one person in it was "bad," but because the two people were just not compatible. Yeah, Gale fucked up, but you can understand why he fucked up, and he can understand it too if you help him own up to his mistakes and move forward. Also, he loves his cat, he can't be all bad.

Companion 6: Karlach, the Most Beautiful Woman I've Ever Seen

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Karlach is my favorite companion in this game, which is why I saved her for (sort of) last. And, yes, sure, part of it is because of my aforementioned preferences with women...

she's so goddamn pretty

But it's also because of how she plays with those core themes I've mentioned. Karlach was sold into slavery as a teenager, where her devil master ripped out her heart and replaced it with an engine to turn her into a super-strong gladiator. She's been living in literal Hell for years, fighting every day to survive, and like Astarion she actually views being kidnapped by Mindflayers as a godsend since it freed her from her enslavement.

Unlike Astarion, Karlach doesn't have a long life to look forward to. That engine in her chest can't work properly outside of Hell, and it will eventually break, overheat, and melt her from the inside out. Karlach is the only companion who knows she's going to die soon whether or not the tadpole is taken out - no matter how this adventure ends, she will die.

At least, that's what she's told herself. Karlach's Want is to never return to Literal Hell, no matter what, because she's afraid if she does she will be taken as a slave again, and that there is no hope for a good life if she touches foot on that ground again. Following this want means she WILL die - either by the engine, by her enemies in the mortal plane, or by turning into a mind flayer (because while mind flayers can retain their hosts' memories, they are NOT the same being as their host).

And Karlach is convinced she's ok with this! No, really, she's fine! This is fine! She's got a few days left to live, and she's going to enjoy them! She is unfailingly kind and compassionate, always willing to help others, always cheery and taking the best view of her friends and people in need, a ray of fucking sunshine.

And beneath it all she's terrified and sad. When you get towards the end of the game, and Karlach feels how close the Inevitable End is, she reaches a breaking point where that happy facade snaps and it's... it's gut wrenching, man. It breaks your fucking heart, because as much as she's determined not to risk setting foot in Literal Hell ever again, she really doesn't want to die.

...

Karlach's Need is to go back to Literal Hell long enough to get that engine replaced. Her Need is to find hope, TRUE hope, not just a facade of optimism - a true belief that she can face the worst and come out of it ok, that she can survive, that she is not alone in facing the darkest shit this world can throw at her. Her Need is to find the strength to believe that she can live, even if it's hard, even if it's Hell to get there.

And Karlach is worth it. She is worth Hell.

Companions 7 - 10 Speedrun

I don't have as much to say about the four other companions you can get in the game, mainly because I already love these six so much that trying to take time to get to know four other weirdos who I don't get to recruit until halfway through the game just... like, there's a party limit of four characters and one is me, I can only take three of you along at a time, I'm prioritizing the one's who've been with me since all the goblin shit in Act 1, feel me? The rest of you seem real neat but I've got my nakama all set, we're good.

Halsin is the one I know the most of these four because he helped me at the tail end of the goblin stuff and he seems fine. He's a big nice hippie who turns into a bear and is into polygamy and carving wooden ducks. A lot of people thirst for him, but he's not my type - like I get the appeal but this is a case of Not My Favorite Pennywise Hentai But OK as far as I'm concerned. I like his subplot about restoring balance to the cursed forest, though. Felt like teaming up with Smokey the Bear.

Minthara is the companion that used to require you to kill a shitload of innocent people to recruit, but people found weird work-arounds that involved turning her into a sheep and so the developers sighed and released a patch where you could recruit her without mass murder using only slightly cheesey means. She is Genuinely Evil, but in a complicated way that's still fun from a character perspective. She's also a great comically serious character - i.e. someone who's so serious all the time that they end up being incredibly funny on accident just by their muted reactions to all the weirdness around them. From the clip compilations I've watched on youtube, her romance is basically a Lady Macbeth situation, and that's pretty hot. If it weren't for Karlach, I'd... romance Astarion, but if it weren't for Astarion, I'd... romance Shadowheart, but if it weren't for Shadowheart, I'd... romance Lae'zel, but if it weren't for Lae'zel, I might romance Minthara. Or Wyll. One of the two.

Jaheira is a character from one of the previous Baldur's Gate games, neither of which I've played, so I had no preconceptions or attachments to her going in this game. She basically becomes your surrogate mom as the game goes along, and I mean that as a compliment. She's pretty great and fills a nice emotional niche - I didn't use her that much because, again, I've already got six close friends to rotate out, I'm not going to ditch them for long periods of time to hang out with my MOM, but it was nice having her along for the ride a few times.

Minsc is the OTHER returning character from the previous games, and from what I can tell he's basicall Kronk from The Emperor's New Groove but with a funny accent. I like him, he's fun comic relief, and he throws a hamster at people while telling it to eat their eyes. I don't have a lot to say on Minsc, I just think he's neat.

At some point I might do a followup to this gushing about NPCs from the game, because goddamn the supporting cast is great too. Omeluum, Us, the Emperor, fucking Dame Aylin. Dame Aylin is so goddamn fucking cool, I want to read novels about her adventures, she rocks so hard. All glory to the Nightsong!

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crooked-wasteland · 6 months

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We've Peaked

A little more than halfway through the second season, Helluva Boss has finally found its place where it performs best: embracing its own mediocrity with an emphasis on shallow storytelling and a narrative death spiral that only serves to strip the world and characters of depth every time they are engaged with. It’s almost disappointing to see how highly rated this episode is by fellow critics solely because of the superficial aspects that add nothing to the plot, nor do these scenes affect change in the characters. It is far from the worst episode, but it has every major narrative flaw from every previous episode inside of it, that seems to get a pass because it's a “Special” and not necessarily expected to progress the main series in any way. My counterpoint is that an episode that is self-contained should then be able to narratively progress a character, if not the plot, which Medrano and her team continues to fail to accomplish.

To make my points concise, I will alternatively deconstruct the episode as is while including a general rewrite of how Medrano could have accomplished the same story with any shred of competence.

The narrative needs to skip around a bit, so, starting from the present, FizzaRolli is in a frenzied state of distress while looking for his foundation to hide his imperfections. It is far from a subtle metaphor of Fizz requiring the image of perfection while being “broken” underneath. It isn’t in any way revolutionary from the setup to the execution, though that isn’t to insinuate it is bad because it is unoriginal. Arguably, nothing is. But this scene establishes the major conflict throughout the episode, that being FizzaRolli's self-esteem. The issue is, this scene is a contradiction from the actual cold opening.

FizzaRolli and Blitz going to the Mammon show sets up the entire backstory premise of FizzaRolli’s climb to fame, but presents a confusing representation of what Fizz’s self-esteem issues are. There are generally a ton of problems with this opening on a systemic scale. Why is the circus so run down if FizzaRolli’s shows are so popular that he has a fanclub as a teenager? Why is it the audience is supposed to be invested in FizzaRolli’s self-esteem about being good enough when every external indicator in the episode shows Fizz as already being at the top of his game. The star of the circus, his own obsessive fanclub, winning Mammon’s clown pageant and being the “Host with the Most” for Ozzie’s shows a character who has maintained a very consistent rise to fame. Shoehorning in a singular and random nobody claiming Fizz is overrated after fawning all over him doesn’t warrant the tearful meltdown he has associated with his abilities, nor would it warrant the shaky sense of esteem he apparently keeps with him the entire rest of his life. Even in Oops, it's Blit’s insinuation of FizzaRolli being a sugar baby pet of Ozzie’s that upsets him, not any jab at Fizz’s abilities.

The alternative version that would have made all of this make sense would have been not questioning FizzaRolli’s ability to do, but the crushing weight of expectation to continue to succeed. The fear of having “peaked”. It’s why he can both be at the top and severely anxious. The knowledge that once you’re at the top, there is an awfully long way to fall would have made far more sense than Fizz questioning his actual ability to get to where he is. The reason Fizz can’t be obtuse to his popularity and fame is because of every other episode we have actively seen him revel in it. Just the episode prior he is so confident in his status that he shows off ostentatiously with a limo decked out in phallic shaped sparklers and even says that it's nice not to be a recognized celebrity after that display. It’s clear that being “good enough” is not a long-standing fear for Fizz’s character, but that it should have been the pressure to keep being “good enough”. This misinterpretation of what their own character’s weaknesses are, and said weakness being the plot, is the root of the obnoxious weed that has strangled the show from the beginning.

Once again, I also can’t help but point out the lack of information on Tilla is still a huge problem with this storyline. For a character whose existence is the inciting incident for the entire series:

As I said, this episode is merely the accumulation of every other episode’s main problems put front and center. It’s almost an exercise in self denial to limit the number of tangents that my arguments could go down.

1) Blitzo meets Stolas to “help” his mom, being the inciting incident for the entire series to this point.

2) Tilla’s implied death in the fire is why Blitzo lost his family as a whole

3) Tilla’s implied illness is why it makes implied sense that money was never used to make the circus better/safer so the fire never happened despite FizzaRolli being so popular that he has a rabid fanbase so he must be making the circus substantial money, which Cash even claims when he is a child.

Regardless, the insecurity in the flashback sequence of FizzaRolli and Blitz is fundamentally not the same insecurity as seen in the rest of the episode. Not only does it not make sense for the character, it makes no sense for the storyline up to this point.

Then there is the confusion that supersedes the plot: the timeline. It is nothing new for Medrano to lack a clear definition of her own narrative; linking The Circus with Loo Loo Land was one of the most egregious misunderstandings of her own story that generally derailed the escalation of the relationship between Stolas and Blitz and required the assassination plot to be unwritten. So this episode puts us back in that exact same position by having it be that somewhere between this episode’s flashback and the accident from Oops, FizzaRolli went through puberty, won the pageant, got prosthetics, went through rehab and instantaneously exploded in fame. It is a miserably scrambled mess of events that just necessitates the practice the writers obviously utilized to get to this point: Don’t think about it.

Fizz had to have won the Clown Pageant before he got his prosthetics because he has his prosthetics. It's clear they were designed and built by Asmodeus so he would have needed connections with a Sin before that. Fizz linking his romantic relationship to Ozzie with his business relationship with Mammon specifies how that connection was made. As such he needed to win the pageant BEFORE the accident, so regardless of Fizz entering the first ever pageant or a subsequent one, it doesn’t change the complications of the timeline.

Back to the story issues at hand, Asmodeus is very clear that he would prefer if FizzaRolli would not attend the Clown Pageant that year. The fact that he has Fizz’s foundation in hand to give insinuates that Ozzie was actively hiding the makeup from his partner to keep him from going in the first place. Regardless of how much one would prefer to read character into these actions, it makes it very clear that Ozzie is not impressed by Fizz’s participation and he tries everything imaginable to talk the jester out of it, just short of forcibly locking him in their home. FizzaRolli makes the claim in this scene that being in the pageant is for himself and not Ozzie’s opinion of him, only for that to not be the case come the emotional turn of the narrative. When the reason Fizz breaks away from Mammon isn’t because he has any confidence in himself, but because Ozzie would love him anyway contradicts the entire setup. It additionally weakens Fizz’s resolve and the meaning behind his rejection of Mammon by making it not at all about him and all about the relationship. It isn’t FizzaRolli overcoming a codependency, but merely reassigning the target of it from Mammon to Asmodeus. Which, in terms of the beginning, is his brokenness. He never fixes that metaphors, just that it is okay now which is never the case with codependency.

Then there is the pointless addition of Blitz’s to the story. Unlike the Theft subplot in The Circus where it felt like some kind of repercussion should have come from the event due to its inciting nature, Blitz’s presence in this episode is purely unnecessary. Which falls back into how Medrano and Spindlehorse fail to optimize time and animation (and thus funds) in the show.

There was absolutely a way to have this episode work with only the most minor of changes that would have overwhelmingly shifted the plot and made all these elements cohesive. This is why I state this is one of the worst episodes, but that this is probably the best Helluva Boss will ever be able to achieve moving forward. It isn’t a means of insulting Medrano and the team by calling this episode incompetent, it is merely stating a fact. The issue with this episode is that it is incompetent and this is why:

As previously stated, the episode needed to keep a clear focus on the nature of Fizzarolli’s self esteem issues. They put their money on the wrong horse in practice, but just a slight contextual shift would have rectified those problems. Still have the episode play out generally the same

I personally do not like how one dimensional the antagonists are in this episode. The clown competitors deserve to have some dignity and be defined as something other than “bitch”. I am pained every time a female character in this show gets boiled down to that one word. There is a major difference between a character being “bitchy” and a character just being a “bitch”. It's demeaning to women, makes them one dimensional, devalues feminine competitiveness and ambition to being a personality flaw. It is agonizing to witness it happening over and over again.

Have Fizzarolli become progressively overwhelmed by his need to be the best and seeing younger and fresh new talent threatening his status. Not necessarily because Mammon or Ozzie would replace him, but because of his fear of losing value in himself due to equating it with his professional popularity. Have Blitz be a voice of concern about FizzaRolli’s declining mental health. Play into that relationship they started building in Oops by having Blitz say something along the lines of “This isn’t you.” Go back to the line in Oops about how he demands to know if the sex thing is all Fizz is about anymore and show that, actually, no, it isn’t.

Stepping back a bit, it feels highly inappropriate to include a child in this episode when placed in context with the show. Especially a disabled child where this merely feels like a manipulation ploy by the creators that shocks the moment out of being a true emotional connection.

For one, the pageant and Fizzarolli’s performance prior to this scene has been rather sexual, additionally the sexualization of the entire performance starts with the designs for the girls in the competition and merely becomes more overt from there. It is obvious this isn’t a show for a child as young as the one depicted, maybe a teenager, but not a child. The argument can be made that it is Hell and whatever, the show’s sense of values oscillate based on what reaction the creators are seeking to elicit from the audience. The choice of having the character be deaf is simply the cherry on top of what the purpose of this character was: Brownie points. This entire sequence is solely to garner praise for representation and animation instead of playing any narrative role or being impactful to the characters. It isn't even a deep representation, but one that disappears once they feel they did enough to earn that adulation, utilizing a real disability real people live with as a means of creating attention and praise for themselves.

Instead, this scene should have focused on the poor kid who was thrown out. It could have been a group of kids who shouldn’t be there in the first place due to their age and lack of money, allowing the deaf child to remain in the story and have a more meaningful impact. Start the scene with FizzaRolli being obviously uncomfortable with his older fans and how this life he has been working to achieve and maintain actually isn’t what he wants. Having this scene after a moment where Blitzo tells Fizz, “You haven’t changed that much. I know you, and this isn’t you.” could really show how stressful Fizz’s job is because he doesn’t belong there.

Use the kids being tossed out or shooed away as the inciting factor for why Fizz gains his confidence.

The biggest problem with the deaf child scene is that the interaction lacks any depth. FizzaRolli doesn’t break through his own insecurities by engaging with the child, instead it is cut short and the scene is immediately forgotten with the comedic villain from the beginning interrupting the moment and the kid proceeds to vanish, no longer useful to the creators.

This should have been the moment when FizzaRolli had his emotional turn.

Remove the Ozzie scene in the back room entirely and have Fizz engage with the kids. Ask them their names and what their interests are. Treat them like people and not just props. Having Fizz be poor growing up himself, have them connect on that. Growing up in an adult world with nothing and being unwanted unless they are useful for some greedy or selfish adult. Have Fizz rekindle his genuine love for performing through the kids and wanting to give them the best performance, because he sees how he inspires them. Added with the (admittedly inconsistent) world building that Imps are socially regarded very lowly, it brings power to Fizz’s position and resolve to be the performer who would have inspired himself when he was a kid.

Following that scene, have Fizzarolli cut the Meet and Greet short and run back to his dressing room where Blitz is and have Fizz ask Blitz to perform with him like when they were younger, incorporating Blitz’s presence in the story more fully and allowing their relationship to progress from the previous episode. This allows Fizz’s song to feel empowering because it is coming from him and inside himself, not because his buff boyfriend is just behind the curtain to protect him. It would legitimately be Fizz risking something in the process of rediscovering himself and reclaiming his identity as well as reconcile Fizz’s past with his present to merge a new future.

This isn't even touching on the super public reveal of the one secret Ozzie and Fizz are supposed to be living under that has been proven not to matter seeing as how many demon nobility are dating the "lowest" of commoners in this universe. Additionally, people have already known about the Ozzie and Fizz relationship based on the newspaper, so, again, having the resolution being "true love" and the reason everything is okay at the end being about a romantic relationship just further reaffirms the implied belief that the creators think codependency is romance and relationships can replace a personality.

The point being that these changes don’t fundamentally alter anything from the episode while creating a stronger character for FizzaRolli and progressing the larger story. It would have also been a moment for Blitz to grow as well and set up the starting point of a turn for his character too. It could have rehabilitated the worst parts of Seeing Stars and additionally worked on Blitz’s self esteem issues vicariously, showing how bettering yourself can also improve those around you. It also wouldn't have taken much to make these changes in the writing and editing process because these problems are so glaringly obvious and simply required a couple more eyes on the script to make it something good.

So the only reason it failed to identify any of these weaknesses can only be chalked up to pure incompetence. And excuse me if I guild the lily for a moment, but if these slight changes were missed for how they would have benefitted the characters and elevated the story, then there is no reason to believe or hope the writing will ever get better.

Helluva Boss has peaked.

#helluva boss critical #helluva boss critique #helluva boss criticism #vivienne medrano #vivziepop #helluva boss #vivziepop critical #spindlehorse critical #spindlehorse criticism #vivziepop criticism #helluva boss episode 7 #helluva boss ep 7 #mammon's magnificent musical #in this essay i will #long reads #long post

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mythaura-blog · 11 months

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Development Update - May 2023

Hello hello folks, Miyazaki here! We've got a big update for this month--we've rolled out Mythaura's battle demo and are so excited for you to give it a try!

Topics covered include:

Battle Demo & Guide

Quarter 4 (2023) Rewards Reveal

Beast Creator Contest

New Homepage Splash Screen

More info available under the cut!

Battle Demo Guide

Welcome to Mythaura's battle demo! Here's a concise guide to help you navigate the 3v3 battles and make strategic decisions:

1. Battle Setup

The battle takes place between your beasts (on the left) and the enemy beasts (on the right) and ends when one side is defeated. For this demo, all beasts in this demo are level 1 and have average size for their species.

2. Beast Details

Click on the info icon in the corner of your beast's avatar to view its details. From here, you can read their abilities and see a breakdown of their stats.

3. Elements

Each beast has 2 elements, including a species element that is always shown. You won't know your opponent's secondary element.

For this demo, a beast's secondary element is currently randomized.

Check the elements page for more information on elements and for a breakdown of type effectiveness.

4. Turn Actions

Each turn, your beasts can perform one of the following actions:

Use an ability or surge ability.

Defend themselves or an ally.

Rest to regain stamina.

Once all players have submitted their actions, the round is resolved with the following priority:

Resting beasts rest first.

Defending beasts defend next.

Abilities are resolved.

Within each action type, the order is determined by ability priority, beast speed, weight (with lightest going first), and then randomly if all those values are the same.

5. Abilities

Beasts start with 4 abilities: one surge ability (species-based), one neutral ability, and one ability for each element. If a beast's species and individual element match, they will have 3 abilities.

Abilities with elements can be super effective or resisted, affecting the damage dealt. Pay attention to moves' effectiveness and your foes' abilities for better results.

Abilities incur fatigue and the fatigue cost is shown on the ability button.

Abilities will generally have a small chance to miss or be a critical hit. The chances of these can vary per ability.

Abilities have 3 types: Combat, Projection, and Support.

Combat: Attack vs Defense

Projection: Focus vs Barrier

Support: Non-damage dealing abilities

6. Surge Abilities

When a beast's surge meter is full, they can use their surge ability for a powerful effect. Surge abilities don't incur fatigue and never miss. After using a surge ability, the surge meter goes back to 0%. Please note that the surge abilities in this demo may be changed before the game’s official launch.

7. Defending

Beasts can defend themselves or allies, reducing incoming damage by 75% for that turn. This effect does not stack. Defending slightly charges the defender's surge meter and recovers a small amount of stamina.

8. Resting

Resting recovers a substantial amount of stamina and a small amount of health.

Remember, understanding abilities, elements, defending, and resting will help you make the best decisions during battles. We have provided an in-app form you can use to report bugs and provide feedback. Good luck and enjoy the demo!

Planned battle demo updates for the future:

A "quick queue" button that queues with the first available other quick-queue person and does not require a PIN

PvE Mode versus an ai battler

Timeout for move submission

Controller support

Weather effects

Ailments

Ability to set desired element from the queue screen

Better reporting and improvements to history, such as remembering when you discover a super effective element on a specific opponent

Quarter 4 (2023) Rewards Reveal

Our Quarter 4 rewards have been completed and are ready for their public debut! Thank you to the Ko-fi Sponsors who voted on the different Glamour and Companion concepts, we appreciate your support and feedback.

Q4 (2023) Glamour: Koi Pond

Q4 (2023) Companion: Blooming Jackalope

Q4 (2023) Solid Gold Glamour: Adult Basilisk

Special One-Time Companion: Radiant Golden Ossiflage

1x copy will be awarded to all previous and/or current Bronze, Silver, and Gold Sponsors

Sponsors of all levels may purchase one (1) additional copy of the Radiant Golden Ossiflage in our Ko-fi Shop.

Beast Creator Contest

We're back with another Beast Design Contest! We're looking forward to all the fantastic creations that this community comes up with.

Here are the parameters:

Each individual can submit one (1) Beast option for consideration

Any species fine (babies included)

Fill out Google form; provide both a picture and the preview code

We’ll pick three winners to have their Beasts featured on the front page for Quarter 1 (July 1 - September 30). Winners will also receive:

1x Beta Key

1x Quarter 4 (2023) Skin: Koi Pond

1x Quarter 4 (2023) Companion: Blooming Jackalope

These rewards will be applied directly to your account.

Submissions for the Beast Design Contest are due by June 15, 2023. The form will close at 11:59pm PST. Winners will be announced in the July 1, 2023 Development Update.

Homepage Splash Screen

Our wonderfully talented senior artist, Luci, created a scene detailing an early stage in a group of adventurers' journey in Mythaura. This perfectly captures the vibe of the opening series of introductory quests that players will undertake at the start of the game. We hope you enjoy the art, and hope that you look forward to playing through Mythaura's single-player story when we launch!

Mythaura v0.17

Updated homepage layout

Merged and finalized battle demo, fixing several bugs found along the way

Thank You!

Thanks for sticking through to the end of the post! We hope you love the battle demo and are looking forward to your feedback, which will help shape the nature of the game while still in its early development--leading to a lasting impact when Mythaura launches. Your help here is invaluable!

See you around the Discord!

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