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zhoras-bitch · 1 month

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Chiming into the UT/UB discussion with my two cents.

The reason I didn't like UT is because its whole conflict felt so very artificial. They push these ideas, but the story gives me no reason to believe them.

The story tries to push MC and Kit's relationship as a forbidden romance, but the only thing that makes it forbidden is that Austin will throw a temper tantrum when he finds out about MC and Kit. As trashy as affair books like TNA, FCL, and TBB are, at least the MC and LIs' relationships actually feel forbidden.

They try to say MC and Kit's relationship affects the ranch, but the story gave me no reason to believe that.

They try to push Kit as a heartbreaker and a player, hence Austin trying to "protect" MC from them, but all we ever get is two scenes of fangirls/fanboys flocking around Kit, with Kit being totally unresponsive (on that note, I personally found Kit to be textbook definition of a personality-less customizable LI).

They try to give MC and Austin this backstory about their parents passing away when they were young, hence Austin's overprotectiveness and infantilization of MC, but it felt very poorly set up compared to MC backstories/traumas like the ones in ACOR and ILITW. They just kind of throw the background details at you and expect you to roll with it. Also, was MC being set with having a business major even all that important?

Heck, it didn't even feel all that sexually charged to me outside of the CGs, despite being a "17+ sexy" book. I generally hate PB's style of smut writing but at least books like TNA and Surrender and Witness are interesting in that their smut is fun to mock. UT just had me either bored out of my mind or frustratedly yelling at my phone.

There's also a point that a lot of people have brought up, where the whole "older brother protects younger sibling from their player friend" is supposedly meant for wlm and doesn't make sense otherwise. In a mlw route, that attitude would come off as slut-shamey; and in a mlm or wlw route, it'd come off as homophobic. These can be interesting concepts to explore, but the story doesn't acknowledge them. Though I'm not fully sure how I feel about that aspect, so do with it what you will. Though even as someone who likes to see gender-reversals of typical cisheteronormative relationship tropes (hence why I generally play GOC LI stories with a mlw route when I can), this book still felt incredibly flat to me.

Now I haven't started UB yet, but I do think that part of what appeals to me is Mandy being a LI. And not just in the aspect of having two non-GOC LIs. Despite Mandy veering dangerously close into the stereotypical "girly girl talk best friend that only exists to validate your feelings for LI and be your walking wardrobe" back in UT, she was actually the only prominent character I found remotely likeable. Like, the only one I felt was able to bring some degree of common sense to the table while Austin was acting like Caillou over MC and Kit's relationship.

So seeing her return as a LI is pretty awesome. Buuuuuuut like someone else said, it is weird that they did this despite hinting towards Mandy/Austin at the end of UT. Like, why not a throuple relationship between MC and Mandy and Austin? I mean, as much as I hated Austin, that still would have been pretty interesting.

One last thing I will say though. Outside of Mandy... I'm not sure what connection UB and UT are even meant to have with each other. IIRC, PB even admitted that they couldn't be bothered to include the option to transfer data from UT to UB, hence why people were getting Kits and MCs in UB that didn't match the ones they chose. I'm gonna hazard a guess that even HSS:CA has more to do with OG HSS than UB has to do with UT. Not that UT had a lot going for it anyways, but you get the idea.

Sorry for the long post, but yeah these are pretty much my thoughts.

I somewhat agree. I think that UT conflict works in theory, but there are a bunch of issues with the book's implementation that make it hard for some readers to feel invested and even plot points that seem to work against it, thus lowering the stakes. I'll try to keep it as short as possible, but here are my thoughts:

The story would work better if MC was in high school. I understand that they wanted to write smut, and that's why they couldn't do it. But narratively, 'My parental figure doesn't approve of my crush' is 1) very juvenile 2) works better when the parental figure actually has legal power and authority over MC. But when MC is a 20 something adult it's like. Girl (gn) you can do whatever you want, what's Austin gonna do about it? Get mad?

Austin and MC’s relationship should've been a bigger focus since it's essentially the main conflict of the book. Specifically I wish we saw more of Austin's loving side, saw how much he did for MC and grown to care about him the way MC does. That's another reason to set the story earlier too. That way we could've seen more of the aftermath of their parents dying, MC relying on Austin more as their caregiver and their only living relative and him fighting tooth and nail to protect his sibling. Without that emotional investment Austin is just some asshole, and it's really unclear as to why I as a reader should care about hurting his feelings.

Kit should've been more problematic. I agree with your point about how them being a player is stated but never really shown. I guess they were too afraid to make them unlikeable, but you have to give Austin a legitimate reason to be against their relationship with MC. Give them and Austin a sour past. Or make them wear a leather jacket. Just something that would scream 'trouble' to an overprotective older brother.

Finally, the resolution of the whole Austin and MC's conflict felt a little too... easy to me? I wish MC could call out the problematic side of Austin's behaviour more overtly, Austin reflect and meaningfully change, and them both come together as a family again.

(Typing this all out, I now honestly want a retelling of UT with highschooler MC, which is set shortly after their parent's death and centers largely around MC's relationship with Austin and his struggle to keep custody of their sibling without letting the family ranch completely fall apart.)

As for Unbridled, I think it's pretty obvious what they were trying to do. They saw UT was successful, so they wanted to capture that audience again with a sequel. But UT had no more story to tell, hence the spin-off. So to answer your question, the connection between UB and UT is literally just smut+cowboys+grumpy ML. Mandy is really only there to tie these books together so that they can market it under the same brand and (hopefully) pull in the same audience again. Which makes it doubly funny that UT fans seem to hate UB and vice versa.

Maybe they did plan to make UB about Mandy and Austin initially and then back paddled when they saw that a lot of people didn't really like Austin all that much? It's kind of a conspiracy theory, but it is funny to think about. It does make the entire Austin and Mandy plot line in UT essentially irrelevant, which is objectively not very good writing. But I didn't like Austin, so I'll take it.

#answered #cadybear420 #playchoices #anti untameable #choices unbridled

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choices-binglebonkus · 1 year

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I think another issue with modern Choices releases is that for love interests in a sort of forbidden/reluctant lovers arc, a lot of the longing, pining, and tension is very artificial. Very cold and robotic. The angst exists but it’s not written well, nor is it compelling.

Kieran in TCH kidnaps the MC and keeps them at the moon court against their will, yet they yearn for them anyway because…horny??? To Kieran’s slight credit though, they do gradually become less of an asshole, though not by much, and certainly not enough to get the bad taste out that their previous behavior left. Then as the book progresses the MC, despite the persistent danger, uncertainty, and mental distress they face, actually start to genuinely care enough to risk their life to help them, but why? Why does the MC suddenly care so much for someone who, kidnapped, imprisoned, and even physically harmed them?

Shockingly enough, I do have a reasonable theory. I think the MC may be part bull because they charge full speed at those red flags without even a second thought.

Agent Gray from TPA, who I constantly criticize, is another shining example. Our MC also likes them because…horny. I think when there’s a poorly done love interest and you have to ask why the MC loves them so much, the answer is always going to be “because horny”.

Anyway, back on topic, Agent Gray and the MC also find themselves inexplicably head-over-heels for one another even though A. the MC is mourning the apparent loss of Rowan, who they had MILES more chemistry with, and B. Gray is…really aloof. Not in a charming way, either. No matter what the MC says or does, Gray acts like the MC has just stormed into a restaurant and purposely bellyflopped onto their table and fucked up their dinner.

Personally, if I were stuck with someone like Agent Gray in real life, I would try to get the hell away from them. I wouldn’t want to work with them, I wouldn’t want to be their friend, and I sure as hell wouldn’t want to fuck them or date them. Like, please do not be pissed at me for insert random ass reason here. But somehow, even though Gray is constantly annoyed by us, they’re somehow super thirsty for us anyway and there’s always sexual tension which, to be quite honest, feels fake as shit.

And of course there’s Kit Jackson, the blandest cowperson in the west introduced in Untameable. From the get go, like a lot of the other poorly done reluctant love interests, there’s a mutual attraction between Kit and the MC which goes no further than carnal desire rather than actual fleshed-out and realistic companionship and mutual respect. They both constantly have to tiptoe around the MC’s sexist, insecure, obnoxious brother because apparently he matters enough to have some say in their relationship even though it’s none of his goddamn business.

Not that the relationship is anything to write home about, of course. As I said, their relationship is fueled primarily on lust and promise of sex. Any sexual tension that emerges in the story is laid on so thick it loses any meaning and appeal. It doesn’t help that we “tame” Kit, as if they’re a wild animal and not a person.

And who could forget Reagan Thorne, our creepy, lecherous, perpetually moody and disgruntled billionaire lawyer. This is definitely a forbidden/reluctant romance, but Reagan takes it a little further than most of the others. They inject themselves into our vulnerable, recently separated MC’s life and manage to have some level of control over all of it. Clothes, work, social life, hell, even her HOME was given to her by Reagan under their adamant insistence.

But somewhere along the way, Reagan can’t hold back in the name of their lawyer-client relationship and lets themself “fall” for the MC. Rather, they “fall” for the MC because she’s vulnerable, sweet, innocent, and other similar connotations used in the book and dialogue. Reagan’s reluctant lover route is a pretty textbook definition of the word “predatory”.

So while the forbidden/reluctant lovers archetype can be a veritable goldmine, PB’s recent iterations of it have been bland, confusing, unrealistic, and even exploitative. And I suppose that’s just one more of the many reasons Choices has become more and more disappointing in more recent times.

#anti agent gray #anti kieran #anti kit jackson #anti reagan thorne #anti surrender #anti untameable #anti the phantom agent #anti the cursed heart #choices stories you play #playchoices #choices stories we play #pixelberry #pixelberry studios #playchoices fandom #choices stories you play fandom #choices stories we play fandom #long post

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bonnechoice · 1 year

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It's such a shame that Kit is giving me Nothing, bc this sprite is SO CUTE 😭

Honestly, cute enough that I'm more interested, now that she's opening up, but as you can see I need the 💎💎💎... Sorry girl...

#tbh it's just that having the controlling white brother who's keeping a hidden set of books...#it leaves such a bad taste in my mouth just on the surface but since Kit and MC are wlwoc it's 😬#playchoices #my choices #my caps #my lis #choices untameable #choices kit #kit jackson #anti untameable #I'm just trying to be courteous if there's ppl in the tag that block crit #i don't have strong feelings for this book it's just not very good imo

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masked-alien-lesbian · 2 years

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Since PB likes giving their boring ass books where nothing actually happens a sequel *cough TNA cough Surrender cough* I got a bad feeling that UT is getting a sequel as well.

#please let me be wrong for once #choices #pixelberry #playchoices #anti-surrender #anti-the nanny affair #anti-TNA #anti-UT #anti-untameable

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veliseraptor · 3 months

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Top five spiciest untamed opinions!

man, I've been in my own little corner of fandom for long enough that I feel like I struggle a little to parse what is spicy of my opinions and what isn't, but here's a go at it

The Untamed is a show with complex, morally grey characters that's telling a slightly different but not inherently inferior story. Maybe I'm just a bit defensive about this, and I have with time come to appreciate a lot of things about the novel over the way they play out in the show, but The Untamed was the first version of the story that I fell in love with and I think at least some of the criticisms of it overstate the degree to which it morally simplifies the story. I think, whether because of requirements of censorship or other reasons, that the moral messiness of the story is subtler, I don't think it's absent, and while Jin Guangyao in particular falls victim to a pretty intense villain edit the narrative still has plenty of sympathy for him (even if the audience, all too often, does not). I think it's telling a slightly different story (as others have discussed), but I think it's a strong adaptation that still works with the underlying themes of the text.

However, that being said, The lessening of Wei Wuxian's culpability, as in the introduction of the second flautist, weakens his character. I feel like the character of Wei Wuxian as we see him in The Untamed still has the recognizable flaws of the character from the novel - I think the degree to which they're sometimes claimed to be toned down is overstated, which I think I've written some about before. He's still at least a little arrogant, causes problems, has a definite temper, and doesn't always respect other peoples' choices, among other things. But what The Untamed does do is remove some of his culpability, or at least temper it - both for Jin Zixuan's death and the massacre at Nightless City, which are two moments that contribute to a strong tragic arc in the first life, which makes for a more powerful (imo) arc in the second life. Removing, or at least lessening, Wei Wuxian's culpability for Jin Zixuan's death and Jiang Yanli's death makes him more a victim of circumstance than of his own human flaws, and at least for me, a character who is doomed by their own flaws is a far more compelling one than one who just happens to fall victim to outside forces. It makes him, I would argue, more passive and less of an active force, and I think the culpability for those two deaths - and the loss of control that causes it - makes for a more powerful narrative than that of a man who is victimized by someone else's actions.

Jin Guangyao was a good Chief Cultivator. I see people talk about him as though he was corrupt and evil and just plotting all the time, but the Bad Things™ he does mostly happen before his tenure as Chief Cultivator and, even taking those into account, have a limited impact on the world at large (with the exception of Nie Mingjue's death, but even that I would argue has more personal repercussions than broader political ones). As far as his responsibility for the cultivation world at large, we have no evidence prior to his downfall that he is negatively perceived by people, except for the fact of his birth/origins.

this is more MDZS-related than Untamed specific, but: MXTX deserves praise for writing "problematic" and messy queer sex, but it's just not hot. I don't have a whole lot to add on this one, but one of my least favorite parts of some corners of The Untamed fandom are people who are thoroughgoing MXTX antis who are quick to cry about the ~problematic~ aspects of Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian's sex life (which, honestly, I think are overstated a lot of the time, as is the weirdness of the sex scenes); however, in my opinion, the sex scenes as they stand just aren't very sexy, and I don't think that's intentional (as it arguably is in SVSSS). The sex scenes may be a shortcoming in the text, perhaps, but not the one certain people think it is.

this is again a stronger argument in the novel but I think it's present in the show as well: Jin Guangyao and Wei Wuxian are "there but for the grace of god" foils, but not in the sense of Jin Guangyao being "Wei Wuxian if he made bad moral choices" but in the sense of "who Wei Wuxian could've been if his circumstances were different." I've definitely written about this before and how much it drives me nuts the way people treat narrative foils in this story in general as Goofus and Gallant style duos, but this is a specific one. I think Jin Guangyao is an example of a story that runs alongside Wei Wuxian's, but ends in a different place, and I think the story isn't saying that he ends in that place because of something inherently worse about Jin Guangyao, but because of the way his circumstances happen to diverge from Wei Wuxian's in specific key ways. In some ways his ending is even a near beat-for-beat rewrite of Wei Wuxian's death, and Wei Wuxian receives the grace of a second life not because of any inherent merit, but actually because of his bad reputation. I think this goes for Xue Yang, too, actually.

I absolutely know I'm forgetting things and there are probably things back in my bitchy opinions tag that I could dig out, but here's at least a few that came to mind.

#conversating #maester of spreadsheets #lise has opinions #none of these feel so bitchy they need to go in the bitchy opinions tag but just in case i think i'll #lise's aggressively bitchy opinions about irrelevant and unimportant matters #lise memes #top five meme #the sad queer cultivators show

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ourbeloved1011 · 10 months

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Grow tf up. It's been 4 years since that show finished. Yibo even removed it from his bio. Theres nothing wrong with liking a show but insisting on some delusional rpf that's harming actual people??

Hi Anon,

Thanks for spending your precious time dropping by & bravely leaving your not-so-kind comments anonymously (or should I say nasty & harsh for telling me to grow tf up) when this is OBVIOUSLY a fan blog dedicated to Yizhan. It's like you're knocking someone's door uninvited & forcing yourself to rudely barge in.

Well, there must be a good reason on why I've been purposely not hashtag individual artists' names in my posts & include only related tags & mention 'this is just my personal thoughts, CPN' to STAY IN MY OWN LANE - in my own bubble & space. This is to avoid from being discovered by people who's trying to 'start something' & serve as my own effort to protect the artists from being harmed by my words. I really despise unnecessary conflicts right when I've made myself clear on my dashboard that this is a shipper blog.

In simpler words, if you don't like it, it's not my problem. No one asked for your opinion, anon. You've got the wrong place to begin with. However, since you've dropped me an ask, let me enlighten you at the very least.

Before I start, here's some of translated versions of Xiao zhan's personal statement after the incident (which I refuse to elaborate more):

"Everyone has their own choices and freedom of expression. No matter if you like me or you hate, it's your personal right. Passion should be the source of strength for everyone. I hope that this passion doesn't exhaust or harm anyone."

You can read the rest of his statement in my recent reblog or here: https://www.tumblr.com/ourbeloved1011/723921396167819264/xiao-zhans-previous-personal-statement?source=share

Here's my personal thoughts, again, CPN.

I couldn't agree more. It's crucial for everyone to take his words seriously and it's my wish to be what he wished for. I admire, respect & support both xiao zhan & yibo whole-heartedly. It's not fair for you to judge & say that this isn't fan love.

Bjyx is a fandom made up of different individuals. Not only bjyx, any fandom or group of people in this world will have the same concept.

Now, let's talk about generalization.

You can't simply generalize a group or fandom & labelling them as a whole harmful existence. Every fandom has their own good & toxic fans. You don't have any control over that. Surely, all kind of people exist in bjyx BUT same goes with solo fans. There's no exception.

It's like labelling the whole Wen clan as evil when you know very well that Wen Ning and Wen Qing aren't the same kind. In fact, they are Jiang clan's life savior. It's totally unfair.

"You should punish the people who bit you. Wen Qing & Wen Ning have never gotten their hands on anything bloody. Or do you want to execute a collective punishment?!" -The Untamed, Wei Wuxian-

Why do you need to be the exact same way as Jin's clan judgmental behavior? We never learn, we've been here before. I won't take any sides on which fandom need to be banned or which one is the 'real' supporter. Collective stereotype will never be the final answer.

I see two people in everyone. There's no point in proving this.

However, I do believe in one same group commonality. If you continuously act excessively, intentionally crossing all the boundary of morality & bring harm to others, you will belong to TOXIC FAN and ANTIs regardless of where you come from- either you are a bjyx fan or solo. I will not support any act of sexualizing & harassment behavior towards them. There's always a limit, visible lines & common sense to conduct & follow. Sadly, EXTREMISTs do exist everywhere.

Just like what xz been telling us, it's your personal right as long as your passion doesn't harm others. Joining bjyx is our right & passion to support them in our own way. Doesn't mean that you've the right to speak up or write anything that you see as 'the right way', you also have the right to blatantly disregard those who don't share the same view as yours. That's why the word RESPECT is there in life dictionary. Otherwise, human can't co-exist this long.

If you don't have anything good to say, you can just remain silent. If you can't accept & respect, just stay away & ignore. It's that simple.

I don't understand why people needlessly hurting others with their unnecessary hurtful choice of words that can leave permanent scars to others. I personally feel sorry for these people. I don't get it. I really want to understand- what's the real reason for you to be so mean & harsh & hateful? For example, telling people to grow tf up. Who are you to judge? I'm just chilling with myself without causing trouble to others.

In bjyx point of view, we just adore & admire the beautiful & deep connection that both of these guys have. It's rare to have someone that you can click so well instantly in life. We wish to support them against all the odd. That's all.

Ironically, people who freely generalize about other groups get upset & butthurt if someone generalizes about a group that they belong to. The thing is - everyone is an independent individual & fully responsible for their own actions.This is why it's important to mind our own business & stay in our own lane.

Back to your statement. Delusional fans. I'm not actually delusional. I'm very self-aware as a person. In fact, I started as someone who's neutral. It's for my own self-satisfaction to feed my curiosity. I've always been the kind that will find & dig further to know something better. It's my personal trait. I'm not blindly being a delusional fan without basis and accept every rumors I heard about them. I do observations, selectively choosing, analyzing & eventually come to a conclusion. So here I am.

If you claim us to be delusional, you can say whatever you want because your opinion doesn't represent or reflect us. Just a side note, I don't agree with those fans who are intentionally keep overanalyzing these two with every single thing they do each time. People may get annoyed by it. I can see where it's coming from. They are two different individuals with distinct originality & identity. Hence, I only believe in whatever solid reasons I personally chose & filtered to trust.

It's not my job to convince you that they're real & it's not your job to judge, raise doubts & throw hateful comments in what I believed in. No need to make others feel bad & depressed further with your painful remarks. This world is cruel enough to live in. We don't need to be liked but respecting us is not an option. Be kind.

Yes. Yibo removed it from his bio. So what? To be honest, I don't really care much about it. Friendly reminder. He removed not only the untamed but he removed ALL his dramas. Seriously, I don't see any issue. If anything, I would be grateful to Yibo for keeping the untamed there for so long.

Let me remind you of the scene where wei weixuan is forced into a situation with practicing demonic cultivation is his only option to protect himself & survive. Again, everyone is being so judgmental towards him, only to find out later- the real reason why he chose that path. My point is, don't assume something as if we know everything. Anything people put out to share is calculated. You're allowed to see things that they ONLY ALLOW you to see.

What do you mean by these shippers harming actual people? There are plenty pictures everywhere during Yuehua concert, the whole arena was mostly filled with bjyx fans led lights, yellow, green & red- all coming to support Yibo. Not only concert, they've been continuously supporting both of them in other projects and events in the past until today.

'True' fans won't bring any harm to the artist no matter how good their intention is. Boycotting isn't the answer. It brings more damaged to the artist than good.

Tell me. Who's gonna be there if it's not for them?

Credits to respective owners. I don't own anything.

Yibo. Did they really bring harm to you?

Credits to respective pic owners.

Really? What were you looking at?

Credits to respective pic owners.

Few things to ponder:

If either xiao zhan or yibo hates bjyx & don't want any fans to associate them with each other, they would've addressed this many years ago to stop. Like how they made clear stand to some of other cps & supertopics. If you ask me for proof, again, you can just find them through my reblog posts. You can easily see them right away. That is, if you really care to read & bother to know.

Let me use back your words- It's been 4 years since the show finished- but the fandom is still standing strong & able to fill in the whole arena. Just to highlight, xiao zhan & yibo have zero public interaction together since the past few years but the numbers of new bjyx fan is still continue growing until today. The irony. How is this possible? For what reason? The normal cp fandom will eventually dies down once the main actors moving to the new project in the same year. Do you ever wonder what's the reason behind this fandom to stay this long for years? Both of them don't have any same project, no collaboration together. No promotion. Literally nothing. Then how? Funny isn't it?

It still remains mystery to think of why until today, xz & yibo never clarify & make statements to clear the air that they are just close friends. They can easily shut down the fandom in one go. Doesn't it bother you to be shipped with your own close friend for years if it's not the case? Well I do.

Also, why bjyx fans were not banned from entering the venue? Why their banners & led lights were allowed to go in? This is a sign that the existence of this fandom has never been denied. Or wait. Has this bjyx fandom been acknowledged indirectly?

People may find comfort in stanning both of them. Probably, it's the only source of joy in life to some. We never know. Don't be such an asshole trying to kill it. Spread love. Not hate.

Thanks anon for giving me the opportunity to rant :)

#yizhan #bjyx #bjyxszd #ask #bozhan #ggdd #🐢#bxg #cpn

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lurkingshan · 8 months

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BL/QL Ask game : The Ugly, the Bad and the Worst

Tagged by @clara-maybe-ontheroad to start some trouble. There are a lot of these, so I'm mostly going to do quick hits and maybe expand on a few that really get me going.

The categories are:

Worst soundtrack / weirdest song choice in a BL

It would be easier to list the BL soundtracks that are not horrible (offense intended).

Most cringe-inducing line (cute)/Most cringe-inducing line (actually bad)

I'm so bad at remembering specific lines of dialogue unless I think they're beautiful/heart-wrenching, so I got nothing.

Most stupid decision made by a character

In a BL?? Baby, I do not have all day.

Worst plot line

Hmmm I'm gonna give in to recency bias and say faking amnesia to get your fiancé to love you again after you iced him out and denied him sex for four years because of your tiger attack-related PTSD (no I am not making that up, never change actually Naughty Babe).

The most problematic show you've watched

Problematic is in the eye of the beholder, so honestly who can say.

A show people love but you find bad

LOLOLOL. There are. So many. Probably the one with the wildest fandom fervor :: Shan personal enjoyment ratio is KinnPorsche.

A show people find bad but you will defend

Theory of Love and y'all stay wrong about this. It is easily one of the best early Thai bls and the writing, character development, and narrative structure are all excellent, but people hate slutty characters so they can't deal with it.

A show that is just objectively bad but you enjoyed it/were horny/because of that one character

Why r u? What can I say, I'm a Fighter/Tutor girlie.

A bad show that you kept watching because you were intrigued/fascinated

Hmmm I usually just drop it if I'm truly not having fun. I guess you could count me finishing Minato's Laundromat 2 despite knowing any hope for it was over at the end of episode 9. I just needed to see how mad I was going to be in the end (pretty damn mad).

A bad show that you would still recommend

There is too much BL nowadays to be trifling with the bad shit.

The character that ruined a show the most/most awful character that you hated

PLERN PLENG (Together With Me). cc: @bengiyo the co-president of the Plern Pleng antis.

Most awful character that you loved

Boston, a beautiful chaos demon (Only Friends).

A character that wasn't awful but that you just don't like

Anyone played by Podd or Jimmy (it's their faces I can't stand them sorry to those men).

A hero that should have been a villain

This is an interesting one! I’m not sure this counts, but I’ll just say I did not love the way The Untamed white washed Wei Wuxian and removed his culpability for all his worst choices (I recognize this was largely due to censorship). I much prefer the more morally complex and deeply flawed version of him we got in MDZS.

A morally bad character you're into/you're not into and you wish people would stop being into

I don't believe in holding fictional characters to real life moral standards. Bad behavior makes for good stories.

The show that disappointed you the most

Let me take this opportunity to drag Plus & Minus again, a show that had all the right ingredients to be a top tier friends to lovers narrative and absolutely blew it to do some beyond clichéd noble idiocy and breakup bs that violated character and undercut the relationship to such a degree that I can never rewatch or enjoy anything about it again.

The Worst Show of Them All Because of Your Own Reasons

Hmm I do not have one. It's rare for me to not be able to find something of value in any media I consume.

Tagging @chickenstrangers @sorry-bonebag @kayatoasted @blmpff @twig-tea in case you want to play!

#tag game #bl ask game

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violettduchess · 2 years

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A/N: Here it is....one final leaf left on the Fall Fluff tree. Unexpected cancellation of a class gifted me the time to finish it.

Thank you for everyone who participated in our event! Chev was my first fic for it and fittingly, he is my last!

Chevalier Michel x reader

Word Count: 657

It happens because of cinnamon and an innocent idea that just won’t leave you alone, one that keeps scratching at the surface of your mind until you decide to give in, buckle down and learn everything. After all, you have to be ready to make your case to the King of Rhodolite.

After several hours, you are ready for him.

He comes to bed, shedding the day's weight with every article of clothing that he removes. You watch him undress, needing only one hand to undo clasps and buttons and hooks where mere mortals would need two. It is here, in the intimacy of your shared bed, that he finally releases the tension in his body, that cold line of strength and diligence that vaults him from human to mythos. His spine curves as it settles back against the satin pillows, the tight lines of his shoulders relax.

Those morning glory eyes are sharp with curiosity as he notes the book in your hands. Why is a simpleton reading something as tedious as a treatise on foreign agriculture? That question is the opening you need. You sit up straighter, laying the open book down between you as you begin to explain your idea for a greenhouse in the far corner of the royal gardens, an isolated area without much in it aside from a bare stretch of grass and a few, unenthusiastic hedges. He says nothing so you press on, explaining why cinnamon would be a perfect choice for said greenhouse. You regale him with information about light and soil conditions and temperature. You catapult facts about cinnamon types and harvesting and propagation. You shower him in the medicinal uses for cinnamon, ticking things like ‘anti-inflammatory’, ‘antioxidant’ and ‘good for your blood pressure’ off with your fingers. You make your case using every bit of knowledge you have gleaned over the past few hours and end with the admission that yes, you know it's one of your favorite spices but really, this whole idea benefits everyone.

And even then he says nothing, that gaze trained on you as you speak, not looking away once. Unbeknownst to you, he has been memorizing the play of expressions across your face, that face he holds in such esteem. He follows the way your lips move and your eyes gleam as you explain everything you have learned. The lift of your brow, the tilt of your head, even the untamed fall of your hair over your shoulder please him beyond measure.

Words run out and you stop talking, waiting. He shifts, reaching down to move the book away from where you laid it between the two of you. You watch the deliberate movement, the slow grace of it, and wonder why such a small gesture has sent your heart into such a sudden tailspin.

And then grace dissipates as he reaches for you, his grasp a bit rough, lacking in finesse. The gleam in his eyes explains why, the frostfire that burns in them, the heat of wanting something. He has you in his arms and covers your mouth with his. The king may be ice but the man is fire, his hands sliding over your bare arms, sparks to your kindling. Your fingers slide around and under his arms, grasping his shoulders as he bends his long body over you, his lips moving over yours roughly, turbulent and almost messy with hunger.

You gasp as he drags his mouth away from yours, leaving a trail of careless, fiery kisses down your jaw and the side of your neck. Somehow the part of your brain that controls speech is still functioning, albeit on very shaky legs.

“All this because I researched cinnamon?” Your voice is breathless, a whispered sigh in the night.

His husky laughter against your skin fans the sparks already marching through you, heat now spilling from your veins and flooding your whole body.

“I admire dedication,” he murmurs into the hollow of your throat, his arms caging you in. “Allow me to demonstrate.”

Tagging: @aquagirl1978 @atelieredux @alixennial @alexxavicry @queengiuliettafirstlady @rhodolitesrose @somekidnamedkai @ikemen-prince-writers-posts @bellerose-arcana @thewitchofbooks @ikehoe @redheadkittys @themysticalbeing @dear-mrs-otome @firestar-otomeobsessed @curious-skybunny @leotoru @ariamichel @kpop-and-otome @queen-dahlia @moonstruck-writing @scorchieart

#ikemen series #ikemen prince #ikepri #ikepri chevalier #chevalier michel #chevalier x reader #fall fluff autumn angst ccc #ikemen fanfic #ikemen fanfiction #violettwrites

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playchoicesconfessions · 2 years

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Sent by @spoopy-kittys

'I like the untamable book but I cannot stand Austin. Never let his sister speak up for herself or show him that this is some one time thing. I get why they never told him from the beginning, he’s such a big baby and doesn’t own either her or Kit, nor can he tell them what he can or cannot do.'

POSTS/CONFESSIONS DO NOT REFLECT MOD'S PERSONAL OPINIONS!

#untameable austin #anti untameable austin #untameable #choices untameable #choices #playchoices #choices stories you play #confessions #mod kamie

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cadybear420 · 2 months

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Cadybear's Reviews- Untameable

Welcome to the thirty-fifth official Cadybear's Reviews! Today I'll be talking about Untameable, which I have ranked on the "PooPoo Tier" at 1 star out of a possible 10. My last and only playthrough of this was around March-September 2022.

Holy fuck this one is so bad. It’s so bland it’s so bland it’s so bland.

I think this is the first story in Choices to actively anger me. Well, actually, that would actually be OG HSS 2 because of the basketball game drama, but at least that had an excuse for happening and it didn’t taint the whole book.

Admittedly, this is a weird one to put in the Poopoo Tier along with shit like Surrender and FCL. When you get down to it, it isn’t really offensive or problematic like those two are. There isn’t any glorified toxicity or half-baked resolutions of toxic behaviors or anything like that. But it still had me shouting and ranting at my phone screen with little to no redeeming qualities… so I put it on the tier.

To start, the story isn’t even that charged with smut outside of those CGs, despite it being a “sexy” book. I mean, at least excessive smut would have made it interestingly bad or fun bad. But no, it’s just boring and frustrating bad.

Kit is easily the blandest LI I’ve ever seen. Like, textbook definition of a soulless customizable LI. The story tries to push them as a “player” but all we ever see of that is two scenes where people flock over to Kit and swoon over them. But Kit was completely unresponsive to it, so how am I supposed to buy them as a player and not just a local ranch heartthrob?

The conflict as a whole is super artificial and contrived. I’ll give the affair stories this– as contrived and melodramatic as they are, their “forbidden” attractions actually felt forbidden, by virtue of the LI (or MC in TDA’s case) already being in a relationship with someone else.

With Untameable, they try to push Kit and MC as a forbidden romance, but literally nothing about it is forbidden besides the fact that Austin will throw a baby Caillou temper tantrum once he catches Kit and MC. Like, he straight up claims their relationship affects the ranch but HOW DOES IT DO THAT. HOW. WHAT MENTAL GYMNASTICS DID YOU DO TO GET TO THAT. IN WHAT WORLD DOES THAT MAKE ANY LOGICAL SENSE.

It’s not even one of those “it’s more interesting and refreshing as non-wlm” routes like something like SW, TCH (1), ID (1), DLS, and (presumably) Alpha are, despite the “older brother wants to protect younger sibling MC from player friend LI” trope that was meant more for wlm routes. Because, again, it’s trying to force high stakes and forbidden romance where there is none.

I have no idea why this absolute doodoofart of a book got a sequel. But hey, at least it’s gonna be about a different cast of characters, with Mandy as a LI. Honestly, Mandy was probably the only major recurring character in this book that didn’t bore or annoy me despite leaning very dangerously into the “best friend who talks exclusively about diamond outfits and how you totally deserve to bone the LI” trope.

#choices stories you play #choices #choices stories we play fandom #choices game #choices stories we play #anti untameable #choices untameable #untameable #anti ut choices #anti choices ut #choices ut #anti ut #ut #cadybear's reviews

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rosethornewrites · 1 year

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Hi new Tumblr followers.

Some of you may have found me via the random poll that went viral. This is largely a fandom-related blog with occasional posts about life, the universe, and everything. Sometimes social or political issues.

If you didn’t notice from my Tumblr bio thingie, I’m 39yo enbie queer, have been writing fanfiction since the late 90s, was a professor until December when I quit due to department toxicity and burnout, and I advocate on queer rights/issues/history, disability, anti-racism, anti-capitalist, etc. issues. I’ve previously been involved in protests, particularly when I was more able-bodied. I am a published poet, recently was involved in developing an academic textbook involving the Holocaust, and am generally active in literary communities beyond fandom. I warn you, I also like to randomly quote Hamlet at inappropriate moments.

Fandom-wise, I’ve written mostly for Yu Yu Hakusho, Slayers, Pandora Hearts, Miraculous Ladybug, Mo Dao Zu Shi/The Untamed and a smattering of other fandoms. I mostly write in the MDZS/Untamed fandom now. I used to participate in Kinkmemes on LiveJournal, including helping to run a small one for the Slayers fandom. In the 2000s I ran a small Yu Yu Hakusho fanfiction contest. I helped judge several other contests, as well. I used to RP a lot, as well. I often beta read for friends, though I don’t do it on any large scale as I don’t want to.

I don’t tend to share my IRL info based on a prior fandom’s wannabe-BNF creeper’s henchpeople threatening to dox me. Not that it matters since I’m currently unemployed by choice and necessity.

I like Tumblr as a throwback to the relative intimacy of blogging in Internet 1.0, where even in anonymity there’s more connection than through modern social media, which seems largely comprised of screaming into the void with the dubious pleasure of going viral as the only goal and “reward.” In other words, I’m internet old and crotchety.

I previously went “viral” when I posted about murmurings that Fanfiction.Net might go away, and wound up deleting that post because the notifs were driving me crazy. I also had a random post about a class get featured on a FB group, and was accused of being racist toward white people for simply using the word “colonialism.” As in “English was spread to many places via colonialism and thus has many dialects, none of them more valid than any other.”

The only saving grace to this poll going viral is the fact that it’ll be over in a few more days. I’m not really sure what about this poll tickled so many people into sharing, but from many of the tags it seems to be the fact that it brought up childhood memories and nostalgia for a lot of people. Likely the fact that it was done without the capitalist push to buy something added to the appeal.

Anyhoo, welcome.

#about me

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zhoras-bitch · 1 month

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"Unbridled captured my attention initially because it was supposed to have two non-GOC LIs (after a bunch of single-LI books). I also generally like LIs who are more peppy and openly friendly, so I knew I would like Mandy. Then the story actually came out and tugged at my heartstrings a bit with MC's backstory. And then the MC-Ryder-Mandy dynamics sealed the deal for me. I'm also not big on the newbie MC, but Ryder's support and Mandy being their biggest hype woman kind of makes up for that for me. They have a bickering but loving little found family vibe which I'm enjoying a lot."

This whole paragraph is it for me. I like having multiple LIs, especially in a smut book: no point in being a mega hoe if that energy is only directed towards one person. Plus, I like having non-custom LIs (or a mix like FA with Blaine vs Ayna and Tatum or more aptly LoA with Gabe vs Aislinn). I generally enjoy the 2 LI books because they make the LIs play off each other well (Gabe vs Cas, Arthur vs Lancelot, Rainier vs Kaine, etc). I also like LIs who are anything but broody and stoic, whether they're shy and sweet like Nia or more charming and boisterous like Charlie from DS.

It also didn't have the POS that was Austin. Honestly, UB is one of my fav smut books and UT is one of my least fav smut books which is super funny

Yeah, I get you completely! Broody and stoic is the one type of LI I can (almost) never get into, and there are soooo many of them 😩 It's another reason I like multi-LI books, because in those I have the option to choose literally anything but that lol.

Also, Austin was so annoying to me fr. The constant infantilization (both from him AND Kit) is what really sucked all of the joy out of the book for me, it was soooooo frustrating. Like, I understand it had to be there to create conflict yada yada, but personally? I just wanted to reach out through the screen, grab Austin/Kit by the shoulders and tell them both to shut the fuck up 🤣

#answered #anon #playchoices #choices unbridled #anti untameable

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choices-binglebonkus · 2 years

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It sucks that stories like Untameable and Surrender end up with sequels while plenty of others don’t, because I can tell that *most* of the writers at PB are very talented and have a lot of great ideas. I mean, look at some of the stuff they’ve written over the years. I know not everything is written by the same writers, but I can tell these writers know what they’re doing. It just sucks that their talents are being diverted to cheesy clichés and perpetuation of toxic relationship dynamics.

#anti untameable #anti surrender #choices immortal desires #immortal desires #choices id #id #choices stories you play #playchoices #choices stories we play #pixelberry #pixelberry studios #playchoices fandom #choices stories you play fandom #choices stories we play fandom

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weedsleaf · 3 months

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Exploring the Symbolism of Hair in Film: From Rebellion to Conformity

In the realm of cinema, hair is more than just a fashion statement; it serves as a powerful symbol that communicates a character's identity, values, and journey. From sleek and polished styles to wild and untamed locks, hairstyles in film are laden with symbolism, reflecting broader themes of rebellion, conformity, and personal transformation. Let's delve into the intricate symbolism of hair in film and explore how it shapes characters and narratives.

The Symbolism of Hairstyles in Cinema

Rebellion and Nonconformity

One of the most prevalent themes associated with hairstyles in film is rebellion and nonconformity. Characters who reject societal norms and challenge authority often sport unconventional hairstyles that defy traditional standards of grooming. These rebellious hairstyles serve as visual cues that signal a character's defiance and individuality. For example, in "Fight Club," Brad Pitt's character's unkempt and disheveled hairstyle reflects his rejection of consumer culture and societal expectations, embodying the film's themes of anti-establishment rebellion.

Conformity and Social Status

On the other end of the spectrum, hairstyles can also symbolize conformity and social status. Characters who adhere to societal norms and conform to conventional standards of grooming typically sport polished and meticulously styled hairstyles. These conformist hairstyles signify a character's desire to fit in and adhere to societal expectations. In films set in corporate environments or high-society settings, characters often sport sleek and sophisticated hairstyles that convey wealth, power, and social status.

A Look Back at the Evolution of Men's Hairstyles in Cinema

Classic Hollywood Elegance

In classic Hollywood cinema, leading men often sported impeccably groomed hairstyles that epitomized elegance and sophistication. From Cary Grant's slicked-back hair to Clark Gable's debonair side part, these iconic hairstyles symbolized charm, confidence, and authority. In films from this era, hairstyles reflected the idealized image of masculinity prevalent in society at the time, reinforcing traditional gender roles and ideals.

Counterculture and Rebellion

During the 1960s and '70s, counterculture movements ushered in a new era of rebellion and self-expression, reflected in men's hairstyles on the silver screen. Characters portrayed as rebels or outsiders often sported long hair, beards, and unkempt styles that challenged traditional grooming standards. These counterculture hairstyles symbolized a rejection of mainstream society and its values, embodying the spirit of rebellion and individualism that defined the era.

Men's Hairstyles in Cinema as a Valuable Resource for Readers

Understanding the symbolism of hairstyles in cinema provides valuable insights into character development, narrative themes, and broader cultural trends. By studying iconic characters and their respective hair choices, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the complex ways in which appearance shapes perception and identity. Moreover, exploring the evolution of men's hairstyles in cinema offers a glimpse into the changing ideals of masculinity and fashion throughout history.

For example, Jake Gyllenhaal's haircut in "Prisoners" serves as a compelling case study in character transformation. Gyllenhaal's rugged appearance in the film, characterized by a closely cropped haircut and scruffy beard, perfectly complements his portrayal of a determined detective navigating a harrowing investigation. The intentional styling choices not only enhance the authenticity of the character but also deepen the audience's immersion in the story.

Conclusion

Hair is a potent symbol in film, conveying themes of rebellion, conformity, and personal transformation. From sleek and polished styles to wild and untamed locks, hairstyles in cinema reflect characters' identities, values, and journeys. By exploring the symbolism of hair in film and examining the evolution of men's hairstyles over time, audiences can gain a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling and the profound impact of appearance on narrative and character development. Ultimately, hair serves as a visual language that enriches cinematic storytelling and enhances the viewer's understanding of complex themes and emotions.

#movies #curly hair

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