#genuine character analysis? in MY memes? it's more likely than you think | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

no-brain-just-akutagawa · 10 months

Note

heya i'm getting into bsd again and realized that you're the only bsd blog i follow 😭 would it be possible for you to recommend some good blogs? i assume you'd know a few, but sorry if this comes off as pushy or weird

Hiii! Thank you for the ask, I’m genuinely sorry for taking like a million years to answer it. It’s a really awesome ask, so don’t worry, it wasn’t pushy or weird! I know it may have seem as though I didn’t like it since it took me good 2 months to get to it, but I really appreciate it and I was simply busy with real life stuff. Feel free to always ask me about cool blogs to follow, I’m more than happy to give my mutuals and other creators a shout out!

I listed some of my personal favourite blogs alphabetically to make it a bit more organized haha

For the tagged creators: I provided little descriptions for some of the creators listed here, but if I accidentally messed something up, just let me know and I’ll change it. Also don’t worry if you’re on the list without a description, it just means I didn’t know how to put my appreciation into words.

@akutagawah – edits

@awkwardbsd – general bsd posting

@bapplebeess – fanart

@bemysillygoose – fanart

@canetteto – fanart

@carrotkicks – fanart. Has an analog horror series and different storylines, so if you’re interested in exploring different stories through fanart, this is your person

@choccatto – fanart

@creantzy – fanart. The creator of a really cool fan comic called The Path to Freedom and the Bernadette 2023 animatic (as a member of the fyolai nation, I absolutely adore their content)

@credensjustitiam – fanart

@dailynakaharachuuya – fanart

@dazaistabletop – general bsd posting

@deadmitochondria – memes. The only inactive blog on this list, but it’s worth it

@death-in-a-handbasket – fanart

@destructive-delight – fanart. If you like angst and horror vibes, you’ll absolutely LOVE it here

@dsskkrt-jpeg – fanart. The creator of the Nowhere to Run animatic (and overall a fyolai icon)

@emilylovescookies – fanart

@featherphoenixart – fanart

@flower-of-darkness – THE analysis queen

@fyodors-fancy-teacup – fanart

@greendy2l – fanart

@hant-huyant – fanart (though not really active on tumblr I think)

@hoshiumiumi – fanart

@imsofrancey – fanart

@inkantigen – fanart

@itotypes – fanart and fics. The creator of Mors Omni Vincit on ao3 (the pirate!au)

@iwritenarrativesandstuff – analyses

@kaus-quietis – my jojo sis. She did an incredible analysis of Fedya that’s a must read!!! She used to post fanart, but is now focusing on her studies (let’s gooooo)

@koiblossom5 – hilarious incorrect quotes.

@kokoasci – fanart

@kyouka-supremacy – general bsd posting. The president of sskk nation (not officially, but c’mon she deserves this title)

@marshukitty – fanart

@miammey – fanart and fics on ao3. One of the only people I’ve seen who does art of the Hunting Dogs, so if you’re interested in THD, Miam is a must follow

@mochimochips – fanart. One of the only artists who consistently make fanarts of Verlaine and Rimbaud (and that’s very rare in the fandom!)

@mr-vanhellis – fanart

@nnakahara – moodboards. Our favourite historian ♡

@nixnephilii – fanart. The creator of Fyo!Atsushi au, which nevel fails to make me gasp, because it’s incredible

@originalartblog – fanart. The creator of Goosamu (who is Dazai as a goose and is VERY dear to my heart), and a few other AUs

@phonyrams – fanart

@platykool – fanart. Some of my absolute favourite fanarts of Sigma! (and doa and bsd overall, but I really wanted to highlight Sigma)

@pleucas – fanart

@pompompurin1028 – fics. Some of the best, most in-character fics I’ve ever read. If you like Dazai, you’ll ADORE her fics.

@popopretty – an absolute MVP of this fandom. Translations, summaries and trivia

@rampopurin – analysis and general bsd posting. The science side of bsd fandom (if you wanna learn about space and science through bsd go follow!)

@rinqueraa – fanart

@sandyy-boo – fanart

@sensitiveheartless – fanart and fics. So many awesome AUs and comics (they’re listed in Senhart’s pinned post, so they’re really easy to find)

@slothfail – fanart

@tatooou-art – fanart

@tecchous-thicc-buttocks – incorrect quotes

@tunamayuuu – fanarts. The creator of kny!au

uwu-m1lk – fanart

wrenkos – fanart

PS. if any of you guys want to add more creators to the list, feel free to do so in the reblogs!

#asks #you have no idea how honoured I feel to be the one to introduce other bsd creators to lovely anons

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anonymous-eggy · 5 months

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your leander analysis was soooo spot on !! it's the first one that made sense to me !! i was always like ?? why would he try to mess with you ?? it just didn't make sense to me ?? you're so big brain

exactlyyyy!

i think my point didnt really get across because i said it in a very dramatic manner, but the point is there.

at the end of the day, Leander wants to manipulate you into trusting him. for what reason? we don't know yet. To take down the senobium? for selfish reasons? both?

no matter the reason, he's cunning and manipulative. he's not prone to outbursts and immediate revenge from what we've seen in the demo. he didn't become the trusted and adored leader of a huge gang by having childish outbursts and taking his frustration out on others for not trusting him or not wanting to be around him. he's like a wolf. he will play the long game if he really has to. if it becomes a game of stamina, he'll keep chasing you until you dont want to or cant run anywhere but into his arms. into his maw of fangs that he's conditioned you to believe is home so he can finally snap his jaw shut on you.

He is the safehouse, the leader. everyone follows him eventually. he just likes to make you feel like it was your choice all along and not something he was steering you towards since the very beginning.

this is literally what makes him such an attractive character. we know in the back of our minds (whether or not we realize it) that this is what he's doing. its so bad, but it so good at the same time. he has secrets and depth to his character and we want to know them.

honestly, if anything, he grabbed mc's hand when they choose to hesitate out of desperation to prove he can handle it and gain that huge leap of trust in Mc.

which caused mc a moment of panic and surprise, thus causing their curse to flare up. the same way i assume mhin's curse would flare up to protect them. this flare up was more than what leander had planned for, so he has a moment where he has to bat away the curse with whatever stupid powerful magic he's gotten ahold of.

once again, he wants you to trust him. this is obviously a bad situation where there's only two believable and sucky ways to play it off. the truth, or a prank. so he has to pick the lesser of two bad choices and play it off like he was just messing around. like it was just jokes and everything was fine all along!!! i think theres a small crack in his facade when he says something along the lines of Mc's curse being some serious stuff he's never seen before. this is a true statement buried in false ones. its easy to breeze over. he's successfully fooled you and won if he can get you to believe he was genuinely just fucking with you.

but yeah, sure Mc could have gotten pissed with him, but isnt a moment of Mc being pissed at a joke better than them not trusting him with their curse? the trust broken from a prank is MUCH easier to repair than trust broken from a curse that almost slipped through his magical protections.

Leander wants Mc alive, safe, and trusting him COMPLETELY. He (i assume unknowingly) hints at this anytime he talks about how he shouldn't have let you leave his side. he is that one "the illusion of choice" meme.

My ending statement will be this: i am OBSESSED with characters that have a true personality hidden under a different one. the little phrases that slip out and give insight into the truth are my JAM. characters that dangle a shiny charming personality like an angler fish. maybe its because of my trauma, but we dont have to talk about that.

#eggy answers #leander #leander touchstarved #touchstarved game #touchstarved demo #touchstarved leander #touchstarved mc #touchstarved #leander ts #touchstarved theory

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daenystheedreamer · 2 months

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OH for the ship grid: i had time on my day off and wanted to see what the most popular gay ships on asoiaf ao3 are (so what is popular when you exclude m/f tags and ships) so the following ten for the meme: aemond/lucerys, alicent/rhaenyra, theon/robb, sansa/margaery, theon/ramsay, renly/loras, jon/robb, aegon ii/jacaerys, tormund/jon, sansa/daenerys can’t wait to see where u place these, peace&love 🫶

HERE MY FRIEND again the makes sense axis is a combo of 'does it make sense in canon' and 'do i understand why people ship it' so if it looks a bit weird thats why 🫶 ship discussions udner the cut mwah

aemond lucerys.... look i get it. i do get it. 1) urge for yaoi 2) there are crumbs you can bake 3) cute actors. i understand. im deep in the yaoi trenches i understand seme uke i get it i get it. but also the idea its like Canon or an accurate reading of either character is soo...... lucerys is not a femme fatale or an ingenue. he is a plot device. and aemond.... aemond's 'obsession' with lucerys is more one bred from insecurity as opposed to yaoi lust. but i do get it. one love to the lucemond people. wish u guys would be normal about the UNDERAGE luke actor. he's an adult now but can we not do countdown shit. weird as hell...

rhaenicent #1 its literally canon. its subtext its textual its openly a part of the narrative. the complex web of sexuality, womanhood and patriarchy that seeps rhaenicent is so compelling. alicent as a lesbian and rhaenyra as a butch/lesbian/bisexual/trans/dragongender are genuinely compelling analyses of the characters. #1 foreva

im normal about throbb now<3 i think in canon the theon bisexual analysis is interesting but not super vital to his character. his sexuality and manhood certainly, but i like throbb more cos i like theon rather than on its own merits.

sansaery ❤️ i enjoy sansaery as a way to explore sansa's character and specifically her as a lesbian. both characters are fun and interesting but its high up cos it has a special place in my heart<3

im not really into thramsay i have no thoughts on it. one love to the thramsays though u guys are warriors. i think it has wayyy more sub/textual basis in canon than throbb

renloras is just canon so i dont have much thoughts on it. its sweet! make me sad. rip babes loras you would have loved gymbro culture.

jonrobb is meh to me idk 🤷‍♀️ theyre fine as brothers and there's not much analysis to be had of their relationship beyond that. one love to the brocons ig. cousincons

aegon x jace is beyond nothing to me sorry 😭 but thats mostly cos im not super into the dance or hotd beyond rhaenicent. i get why it exists but there's little to no basis in canon to bake nor does it have much analysis. one love to the jacegons of course

JONMUND... okay book jonmund is meh whatever but show jonmund is real to me. jon post canon is operating a cozy bed and breakfast with tormund in alaska beyond the wall. one of my fave crackships. he's kissed by fire!

daensa🍋❤️ i love u daensa. very important to my bi!dany and lezzo!sansa thoughts. song of ice and fire 🫶

#ask #stxrks #PEACE AND LOVE TO YOU MY FRIEND 🫶

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wonderfulworldofmichaelford · 9 days

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Psycho Analysis: Freaky Fred

(WARNING! This analysis is... NAUGHTY!)

Hello dear reader, this is Fred.

You hear the words that are in his head.

To Courage the dog he is a threat,

because he’s very… naughty.

In Courage the Cowardly Dog, you see,

Fred appeared and definitely

left a mark on you and me

by being very... naughty.

So let's take a look at this creepy man,

and hopefully you'll understand

why this guy has garnered tons of fans

despite him being... naughty.

Motivation/Goals:

Fred’s a man of simple needs.

He wants to cut hair, indeed!

And his efforts would likely succeed

if he weren’t so… naughty.

He has a compulsion, you know.

He sees hair and it’s time to go!

And so he spends the\is episode of the show

being very naughty.

Performance: Paul Schoeffler is the man, you know!

He voiced Le Quack, Katz and Big Toe!

The Cajun Fox, Zalost, the Snowman, oh,

he played characters who were… naughty.

He was quite good at what he had to do,

even playing Dr. Vindaloo!

And he played our boy Fred, it’s true,

with a performance that was… quite naughty.

Final Fate: After shaving Courage’s hair,

the orderlies escort him out of there.

One could argue the ending’s unfair.

Fred was only… a little naughty.

Evilness: Is Fred evil? Who can say?

I certainly don’t see him that way.

Really, at the end of the day,

the worst you can call him is… naughty.

He shaves off hair against people’s will

because it gives him perverted thrills.

He doesn’t maim or harm or kill,

he’s genuinely just naughty.

So I suppose a 1.5/10’s the score.

I can’t really justify much more.

He’s not cruel or deadly to the core,

he’s a weird guy who’s naughty.

Best Quote: The opening lines of his sole appearance of course,

which he delivers with no remorse

as he outlines his action’s course

and explains that he is… NAUGHTY:

“Hello, new friend. My name is Fred.

The words you hear are in my head.

I say, I said my name is Fred,

and I've been... very naughty.”

Final Thoughts & Score: Alright, time to drop the rhyming act so I can actually really talk about Fred. And boy, is he ever interesting to talk about! Courage is really a cavalcade of amazing one-shot antagonists, but Fred is easily one of the best and most memorable.

A huge part of that is probably down to his single appearance being narrated from his point of view. He’s the rare Courage villain that gives us explicit insight to his thought process and why he does what he does, and what he does is… extremely strange and even suggestive. His compulsion is so strange and how he narrates it and refers to his actions really build him up to feel worse and creepier than he actually is. He’s not trying to hurt Courage in any way, he’s just trying to exercise his bizarre fetish like a G-rated Yoshikage Kira. There's a lot of ways you could read into this compulsion, but t really does make him stand out as a character due to how unique it is and how it's implemented into the story.

I think what also helps is Schoeffler giving one of his best performances on the show. Like yes, Katz and Le Quack are great, and Vindaloo is a funny meme man, but Fred is just a truly iconic character with such a bombastic and sophisticated narration that I really think he’s a contender for the best character the man played. On top of that we have a fantastic design, with his crazy hair and way-too-wide grin; literally every aspect of this guy is perfect.

But at the end of it all, you have to remember that Fred isn’t actually evil, no matter how much he seems to insist he is. At worst, he’s an anti-villain, and even then it’s in name only; the dude is just a freaky weirdo who looks like Betelgeuse and has a strange fetish he can’t help but act out on, and at worst his actions are annoying and inconvenient as opposed to horribly destructive or deadly. Like, oh no, your hair’s gone! It’ll grow back, whatever. He may be Sweeney Todd for kids, but this barber ain’t a demon; he’s just a fucking weirdo. And I love him for it.

A 9.5/10 is the score he gets,

A memorable antagonist, one of the best.

His narration will never leave your head,

and isn’t that just…

NAUGHTY?

#Psycho Analysis #Freaky Fred #Paul Schoeffler #Courage the Cowardly Dog

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cheapcigarbunnies · 2 years

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Plenty of people have pointed this out before but I am Once Again thinking about how in fan content rosemary so often gets delegated the role of "emotionally competent established relationship" to contrast against and serve as wizened romance oracles for ~uwu disaster boys~ davekat

If we're being generous I might say there's a certain sweetness to them being written as like, a shining gay lighthouse for other ships to navigate by—that they're so obviously meant to be together it's a foregone conclusion. There's a degree of power fantasy behind two queer teens being very confidently in love! But it also completely flattens out their dynamic, and Rose and Kanaya's individual characters as they're actually portrayed. It also takes the mutualism that should be present in Rose & Dave and Kanaya & Karkat's friendships and sweeps it under the rug.

I mean, just look at this A6I3 scene.

The meteor crew has been living together for 2 years(!), and Rose and Kanaya have been coyly unsubtly-yet-shyly dancing around their feelings the whole time. And it culminates in this goddamn disaster.

If the person in the room with the most social acumen is Dave then things have gone pear-shaped. Which is not to say he doesn't have his moments—I'm reminded of a snippet from a much earlier conversation he has with John about John's maybe-crush on Vriska:

which is then mirrored to a degree waaaaay later during one of the post-retcon lilypad chats about John's maybe-crush on Roxy:

These are just genuinely sweet, earnest (if teasing) emotional inquiries. And while Dave is definitely more inclined to shoot straight with John than with Rose, I can't help but think some similar exchanges would have happened at some point in the two years prior to the frustration of the A6I3 scene.

Meanwhile we have Karkat "I heard you were talking about quadrants, so I decided to pause my tantrum" Vantas, who in no uncertain terms would be fucking honored to listen to any and all of Kanaya's romantic woes. That really doesn't require any screenshot evidence, but I found this one and it's too damn cute to not include (a lilypad convo where Kanaya had just given an insightful analysis of Vriska's...issues):

All this is to say—my ideal rosemary-davekat dynamic is such: in this corner we have Rose "mommy issues" Lalonde and Kanaya "chronic friendzone" Maryam, they've been flirting since the day they met, and yet neither one can actually quite believe the other likes them Like That. And in this corner we have Dave "internalized homophobia" Strider and Karkat "flavored blasted self-loathing" Vantas, who are in all ways but physical playing shopping cart bumper-cars in a Wendy’s parking lot. Everyone is doing the spiderman pointing meme.

#homestuck #rosemary #davekat #they're all dumbasses your honor #cheapcigarbunnytext

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nextplayerup · 1 year

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what I assume about you based on your favorite ghost and pals song

happy days, appetite of a people pleaser, hyperdontia, or chattering (2019): you're in middle school

novocaine or the distortionist: you most likely call them hot and you scare me. probably also in middle school tbh

candle queen: you're not really a ghost fan you just know this one song

honey i'm home: you're either genuinely a fan of the lyrics and themes or you just like charon and/or charon x norman

reckless battery burns: good taste this song is very well produced and the pv is cool BUT. I know you care more about tamari

aura: you like women.

star of the show: you like women. and you're the "me and the bad bitch I pulled by being autistic" meme as a person

the things I deserve: you ALSO like women and you're either really going through it or this song got you through it

amygdala's rag doll: you either know it from the animation memes or you're overcome with a boiling hot rage every time someone calls it trypophobia

rotary dial: you probably relate to henry unfortunately

black & white: you have bad taste (it's okay, me too I love this one) but you're genuinely so sweet tbh

housewife radio: you're correct and probably sympathize with nancy. also more than likely you can or have done a full analysis of every little detail in this song

colorbars: you're into glitchy and digital aesthetics and you much prefer this design over his broadcast illusion one. if you're a. certain way. you might simplify him down to Gay but cmon people we are past that it is 2023

anything from nothing perfect that's NOT perfect nothing: you chose the "i'm not like other girls" option but that's okay because it's an under appreciated ep

perfect nothing: you think you chose the "i'm not like other girls" option. banger song though

those who carried on or two of a kind: I am in love with you. dystopian stuff is your vibe and you're really curious about the pv wip characters/wish it wasn't left unfinished

spider on the wall (2018)(my fav): you scare me. objectively bad taste (affectionate)

spider on the wall (2022): you scare me worse. objectively bad taste (DEROGATORY)

in iolite or chelovek: do you exist (HI I LOVE YOU) if you do you love it when ghost does stuff that's actually different and cool

uncanny, adapertio, or I had to die to survive: you'll cling onto any oc or relationship ghost drops and you probably had theories about uncanny and adapertio when you saw the similarities

culpability or pierre janet's criminal defense: you stuck around during the slow period/hiatus and I will, for some reason, assume you're an older fan

entomologists (2019): I don't think you exist either but I love you. a lot. really into the "bug" part of industrial catholic bugcore

scapeg♾️at: you relate HARD to this song. want to see your abusers in the GROUND. probably a real petty person but I admire that

deathbody: nobody seems to really like this one for some reason? but if you DO I assume you're an older fan who related to foolish and/or ttid in your youth

end world normopathy: be honest you're here for tamari

#this has been sitting in my drafts since november so it had uncanny listed as a 'new release' LMAOOO #ghost and pals #meows

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honeysweetcorvidae · 9 months

Note

hey would you like to do all the prime numbers for the ask meme too. :3

i WOULD i’m gods bravest soldier and i can answer questions

i am, like mango, going to put this under a cut, because good grief this is a lot of questions.

2. Do you plan each chapter ahead or write as you go?

lol. I tend to have a general shape in my head for what the whole thing will look like when i do multichaps, but no, i wing it; if i allow myself to do an outline then it will be Done in my brain & therefore dead in the water

3. Describe the creative process of writing a chapter/fic

1) go on swingset, play music on shuffle 2) put that bitch in a Situation in my brain 3) enter fugue state 4) hit post

5. Do you like constructive criticism?

ehh. i am very sensitive, but from people i trust & when i have time to brace myself it can be helpful? most of the time i am just sitting here though. love 2 have fun and indulge.

7. How do you choose which POV to write from?

fugue state.

genuinely, it’s just whatever feels best at the moment! I have a taste for outsider POVs, but what i do for things that aren’t that varies from story to story— WTA flips back and forth from chapter to chapter where playing heroes is scattershot, etc.

11. Link your three favorite fics right now

oh geez picking “favorites” is an ASTONISHINGLY difficult thing for me— i have read probably hundreds of fics in the shuake tag alone, and the things I like I like for different reasons, and my MEMORY is so terrible that the word ‘favorite’ fills me with dread— so I’ll go with ones I immediately think to recommend? for p5, @malevolentmango’s what you’ve already buried and everything or nothing at all are phenomenal (i am marking this as One because mango is sooo specialwonderfulthebest and i could just list everything on their ao3. god wait how could i not also shout out no ballad will be written)

and then there’s interminable ballistics, which rewrote my brain, first step, which is frankly ASTONISHING, killing care and grief of heart by @jortsbian, which made me want to tear down an office building with my nails(honorific), and so on and so on and so on. this is way more than three. @ceilingfan5 has some of the best taakitz fics out there, if you’re into taz.

i would also, of course, be remiss not to nod to the fic i’m most insane about of all time, my guiding light my life my joy my favorite most special little enormous incomprehensible sadomasochistic bug alien clown porn religious worldbuilding space opera epic, @birchbow’s price of forgiveness. i’m super normal about everything they’ve ever written for homestuck tbqh BUT PoF is my darling. (it’s NOT the one i wrote a whole real actual literary analysis essay about. but that’s because it’s too long.)

okay moving on. i did not answer this question correctly.

13. What’s a common writing tip that you almost always follow?

uh. um. uh. does “don’t misuse punctuation too badly” count as a writing tip? man i don’t know i am an insane person about writing styles

17. What do you do when writing becomes difficult? (maybe a lack of inspiration or writers block)

if it sucks hit da bricks >:/. no but actually for real though, i tend to go out on my swingset, switch to a different project, or just Do Something Else for a while! i’m a big proponent of taking breaks.

19. What is the most-used tag on your ao3?

well,

23. Best writing advice for other writers?

please for the love of god punctuate your dialogue correctly

no, but sincerely— i think that the best possible thing you can do for your work is to write what you actually want to write. do the stupid self-indulgent bullshit! write tropey nonsense, write the same shit over and over in different permutations, who cares! if you love it it’ll show.

31. Do you start with the characters or the plot when writing?

the characters make the plot happen and the plot makes the characters act? so i mean i guess characters, but they’re interminably linked.

37 I already answered;

41: Do you tend to reread fics or are you a one-and-done kind of person?

ha. hahahaaaa. according to ao3 i have visited price of forgiveness one hundred and sixty-seven times. i know i have read it logged out at least twice. so, you know,

43. Do you take a sadistic joy in whumping your characters, or are you more the “If you hurt them I would kill everyone and then myself” kind of person?

i like recovery! I like to see people brought down and still swinging, and then for them to be happy again after. so i guess the latter?

47. How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?

that’s between me and god

53. How do you spend your time when it comes to fanfiction? Are you primarily a fic reader, writer, or a perfect 50/50 split of both?

well it took me going back ~50 pages into my ao3 history to find PoF, and the last time i read it was in june, so i’d say i read more than i write

59. Does anyone in your personal life know you write fic? if not, would you tell anyone?

everyone i know knows everything about me because I have cannot-shut-up-ever-disease, yes. my mom has been forced to hear the plot of my NG+ au.

61. Why do you continue writing fics?

I enjoy writing, and I like to have a community! when I’m not writing fic I write original stuff, and I miss the engagement when I do that, but it’s still the same compulsive joy, I think. I doubt I could ever just stop writing forever.

67. Do you prefer prompts and challenges, or completely independent ideas?

independent ideas, generally! I am very bad at sticking to a prompt; my mind tends to wander ALL about the joint.

71. When it comes to more complicated narratives, how do you keep track of outlines, characters, development, timeline, ect.?

[LAUGHING]

(the answer is severe autdhd and being an extremely fast reader.)

73. What do you think makes your writing stand out from other works?

um. uh. um um uh. someone told me the other day that i am a fizzy mocktail and i don’t know what that means but i’m gonna go with that. i think my style is pretty distinctive, and i know i’m a skilled writer, so I guess. that? and i mean who else would write quite so much deeply emotionally vulnerable tentacle content. really.

#my writing #SORRY FOR THE TAGS EVERYONE. i wanted to credit people whose tumblrs i knew

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just-another-frender-blog · 1 year

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Out of curiosity, how would you say that Bender deconstructs toxic masculinity and robot tropes? 🤔 Bender having a "normal" human voice definitely applies to the second one. It was a brilliant decision because his character wouldn't have worked if he droned on like a typical robot.

This is a great question, thank you for asking it!

I want to preface this by saying that my interpretations regarding Futurama are unique to me. They stem from my love of critical analysis of fiction, and I really love overthinking fiction (my parents think I'm annoying af for this). I also think that all forms of interpretations of fiction are important and that I don't think my interpretations are canon or factual. They're just how I perceive the show and these characters.

Before I watched Futurama, I thought I would hate Bender. I usually don't like characters like Bender very much; I had this idea that he was nothing more than this stereotypical asshole. The only thing I knew about him was that he threw his son into Hell without hesitation and that alt-right people on Twitter use him for memes. When I actually started watching, I was really impressed because even though he is an asshole, the show takes great lengths to emphasize that he genuinely cares about people other than himself.

Bender works so well for me because he's so evil and awful, which is exaggerated to a comedic effect. He really doesn't have a lot of redeeming qualities, but he does have his friendship with Fry, and to a lesser extent, Leela. And his friendship with Fry is not only very genuine and played very straight, but it avoids a lot of "no homo" ideas I grew up with in fiction and irl. They're physically affectionate with one another on-screen, and they even say "I love you" verbatim (Bender says it twice).

Bender also goes out of his way to better himself for Fry or to help Fry, which isn't something he does for anyone. They confirm that Fry is the only person Bender cares about more than himself, and is the only person Bender would die for in the CC era. I don't often see this type of affection displayed in a canonically platonic male relationship, and I didn't expect this from a show that came out in 1999. And I really didn't expect this from a character like Bender, who's supposed to be the face of adult cartoon edginess.

There are quite a few hints that Bender has a more feminine side to him. He likes feminine things and he likes talking to Leela about her love life. He's incredibly sensitive and secretly cares for animals and children, despite claiming to hate them so much. But Bender has this tough guy, asshole persona he pretends to keep up, so he seems to be in denial about this side of himself. The infamous episode "Bend Her" (which I have mixed feelings about) provides a lot of evidence for this interpretation.

Now I'm really going to get into why I love Bender so much as a robot character, and why I think he subverts so many robot tropes. The show often jokes about how he's an emotionless, soulless machine, but he is the most emotional character by far. He's extremely needy, he's oversensitive, easily gets his feelings hurt, wants Fry and Leela's approval/attention, etc. I think he resents humanity because he's just as emotional as a normal human, but his emotions are constantly dismissed because he's a robot. We see this in episodes like "Obsoletely Fabulous," and "Beast With a Billion Backs."

Another thing I really adore about Bender is that he's a robot but he's dumb. He's all emotion and no logic. He's also super artistic. He has a lot of hobbies like cooking, folk singing, songwriting, and photography. And not only that, he's really pretentious about his hobbies. He gets into arguments with people about "real art" and he uses darkroom equipment for photography (even though he has a built-in camera... Bender is a very charming character lol). He's not programmed to have all these hobbies, he's not programmed to be best friends with Fry, he does it because he wants to do it.

Needless to say, Bender is probably my favorite robot character of all time other than Octus from Sym-Bionic Titan. There really is more to him than he appears on the surface. And kudos to the Futurama writers to make a robot character feel so human while simultaneously still having him deal with his struggles as a robot. I hope this answers your question about why I think he subverts traditional masculinity and robot tropes. And I apologize for writing you an essay; I had a lot to say!

#futurama #asks #bender bending rodriguez #long post #i could honestly go on longer #but the post was getting way too long already

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biggie-chcese · 5 months

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Oooo the positive fandom questions sound fun how about 1, 8, 11 and 13?

list 3 positive things about your current fandom(s)

i did just answer this same question here, but i think ill challenge myself to list 3 new things.

the sheer amount of toxic yaoi and toxic yuri appreciation in the rain code fandom. yall are so fucking real for this

the tgaa fandom's uncanny ability to bring out the most banger character analyses. just, genuinely amazing. whether it's character study fanfiction or essays written out on tumblr, i eat it up because so many are legitimately compelling. this is especially a shoutout to @hikari-kaitou's many posts about translation differences and general analysis that really changed my perspective on some characters, as well as one of my favorites- this novel length kazuma analysis. these things live rent free in my head and i always admire people who are able to articulate so many complex thoughts around stories and characters like this

i've gained some really amazing friends through both of these fandoms. just, people i genuinely enjoy talking to and that in turn makes me enjoy the source material even more

8. you hope more people will come to appreciate ___ (a ship, a trope, an episode, etc)

found family where the roles are really nebulous. don't get me wrong, if people enjoy the classic "these are the parents and these are all the siblings they adopted" that's fine and dandy enjoy your media however you want! i even enjoy it often enough and think it's cute

but. on the rare occasion i see it depicted in a way that's hard to label, it makes me so extremely excited and filled with glee. i'm sorry im gonna ramble for a moment

so for example, yakou and yuma. as much as i also enjoy the yakou fathero headcanon, i've gone insane over the one or two times i've seen them depicted closer to canon's explicit dynamic of "shitty boss and intern who are also roommates and mentor/mentee, except who is the mentor and who is the mentee changes at the drop of a hat and they BOTH fucking suck at it!!! yakou is yuma's savior, and yuma is (unintentionally) yakou's nuclear hazard level threat. the game very subtly implies that these two go out for drinks together, and yuma "millions in debt" kokohead still has to pay often enough for him to be surprised at the idea of yakou offering to do so. yuma respects yakou greatly, but of the NDA, yuma is snippiest with yakou and quickest to call the man out on his bullshit. it takes more time for him to act this way with shinigami than his own fucking boss. there are more things i could say, but they're spoilers so dont worry about it.

yakou is almost the arataka reigen to yuma's mob, but i can't even confidently make that comparison because they feel more equal than that. they feel more casual than that. i struggle to put a label to it and that's what i love about them. i would love to see more of this in general, for both fandoms i'm in, because it's fun as hell whenever i do see it

11. if you're a writer or artist, what fic or piece of art are you proud of making?

you know what, i'm pretty proud of my latest art, because i've finally drawn a background i dont mind looking at! ^w^

13. your favorite type of fandom event (gift exchange, ship week, secret santa, prompt meme, etc)

gotta say ship week, since it's the only one of these listed that i've actively participated in. prompt memes and gift exchanges are amazing too! i think i'd wanna get in on those someday. i dont celebrate christmas so secret santa's out of the cards for me. it'd be cool to see more similar events that aren't themed around holidays.

#ask #rain code #tgaa

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generalherasyndulla · 1 year

Note

for the ask meme, the five numbers you like the least. not the questions. the literal numbers.

"the five numbers you like the least" bruh I'm still not sure why I'd be expected to have strong number opinions but here we are I guess.

Also you didn't specify a fandom so I'm just gonna jump around here for funsies

12. the unpopular character that you actually like and why more people should like them

Alright listen aitsf/aini fandom. I get why a lot of y'all don't like Lien. His interactions with Kizuna early on aren't great and there's a valid critque to be said about that dynamic perpetuating creepy stalkerish tendencies "wearing a woman down until she accepts a relationship". BUT there's a lot more to him than that which is super compelling. Lien at the chronological start of the game is a former criminal trying to better himself and feeling bummed out because he got fired from a legitimate job he had because of his criminal history. Ultimately his relationship with Kizuna motivates Lien to better himself and not give up and find a job that suits his skill set. I think the exploration of classism and the struggles of trying to better yourself in a society that believes "once a criminal always a criminal" in Lien is compelling plus he's just a big dumb guy that loves his girlfriend. YES their first meeting was bad but dammit Lien being Kizuna's legs for her so they can dance is so fucking cute and it fucking got me. Sorry haters in this house I love Lien Twining.

17. there should be more of this type of fic/art

I think there should be Sam and Max fic that actually fits closer to Steve Purcell's style. I've seen some really great fanart/fan comics that I think feel very Sam and Max and fit the style of its various incarnations but fic is kind of a different story. I've definitely read some INCREDIBLE sam and max fics but overall most of them are kinda mediocre and I think it's because a lot of sam and max writers are young and aren't quite equipped to tell a story that fits sam and max, mostly by treating them too seriously. Sam and Max is first and foremost a comedy and even canon at its darkest still manages to have plenty of genuinely funny moments. There's nothing wrong with trying to explore a more serious side to the characters mind you but a lot of it in my opinion takes it too far to the point where Sam and Max don't feel like Sam and Max.

18. it's absolutely criminal that the fandom has been sleeping on...

Okay buffy fandom, maybe I am looking in the wrong place by why is there Robin Wood fandom. I know season 7 sucks but Robin is a highlight of that season for me. I think he's a very compelling character, the son of a slayer who lost his mom at a young age and takes up the fight himself. I don't think the show really used his character to the fullest potential but that's what fandom is supposed to be for. At least it is when the character with untapped potential is white but ALAS here we are. Anyway I love Robin a lot I don't talk about him much but I think he's neat and I wish there was more appreciation for him out there.

19. you're mad/ashamed/horrified you actually kind of like...

Nothing tbh. CRINGE CULTURE IS DEAD BABY IN THIS HOUSE WE'RE BEING GENUINE ABOUT WHAT WE LIKE!!!!! THAT'S WHAT THE REAL COOL KIDS (TM) ARE DOING

23. ship you've unwillingly come around to

Probably franmaya. Like I used to really like not like it when I was younger (mostly because Maya is my favourite character while I didn't care much for Franziska. Like I didn't hate franziska per se I just didn't like her as much as other. idk what to tell you somehow I didn't get the crush on franziska gene that every other sapphic woman has) but due to it being a common background ship in narumitsu fics and one really good analysis post tumblr breaking down maya and franziska's similarities in a way that actually made it click I've softened on the ship. I still won't actively seek it out but I might reblog a cute fanart here or there if I come across it.

Thanks for the asks dude, even if u asked them in the weirdest fucking way

send me some more "choose violence" fandom asks

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boundlss · 6 months

Note

7, 11, 13, and 14 for the munday meme!

7. describe your favorite relationship dynamic. (can be any kind, platonic, romantic, familial, antagonistic, etc.)

oh, hm. i'm not actually sure whether i have a favorire relationship dynamic; i don't think i really lean towards any one thing. um, if i had to say something, i think i generally tend to prefer relationships that are at least a little bit unhealthy. dynamics where one muse is deeply devoted to the other to a worrying degree---i enjoy that sort of thing, whether that's romantic, platonic, familial, OR antagonistic. yeehaw.

11. describe your ideal outcome/endgame for the muse you are currently writing. if you are a multimuse blog: do this for your current favorite muse, or the muse of the last reply you posted.

we'll exclude twain from this, to my immeasurable disappointment, and focus on some of my other favorite muses. naturally, i'd like for kazui to not only be forgiven but to find someone who will love him for who he actually is. with shiroe... i want him to find a way to continue living as he has in thedelsia, but also find a way to help get other people home. and i'd like for laz to find a place in the poorhouse.

13. what themes/motifs do you hope other people notice most about your character?

i'll answer this one strictly for kazui, since unlike my other aforementioned faves his motifs are genuinely important to the analysis of his character. i genuinely hope people pick up on the "cat in dog's clothing" thing kazui has going on, and i try to emphasize the message behind that motif when i write him. he's someone who wants particular affection and to be cared for in a particular way---and he pays more attention than he allows people to assume, but he hides everything like that behind his more relaxed and easygoing "doglike" public face.

14. which roleplay community has been your favorite to write in?

that's a difficult question to answer, believe it or not. upon reflection, there were good and bad things to every community i was a major part of. for example, i got a lot of attention when i wrote in bnha, and bsd i made a lot of close friends, but the former was really toxic and the latter has some difficult memories associated with it, so i can't really say either of them were that good.

if i'm being really honest, i like it best when there's like 3 or 4 of us all writing baccano! at the same time. it makes me happy because i know everyone there is just as passionate about it as me and we're all pretty good friends.

munday. / accepting.

#out of character #starwonderz #thank you meechi!!!!! u always come thru w the asks

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storm-of-feathers · 2 years

Note

Alex hi coucou I just had - not an epiphany but some kind of realisation. I have not watched RWBY I do not plan on watching RWBY the only things I know about RWBY come from Hbomberguy's video and your posts. Now I watched his video before I saw you post about it, so my first instinct was "well Hbomberguy has good points on lots of other media so...?" but well you're talking about the whole thing and he's talking about the first few volumes so that probably changes things and also. There's the way you talk about RWBY. You talk about it like people with Correct Opinions™ in my little Star Wars bubble talk about the Jedi. So I know nothing about RWBY and I will never know anything about it. But your posts evoke a deep kinship in me because going "[name the fandom has given the group of people who don't get it] will say that [wild misinterpretation of canon a 10 year old would not make] and explain it with [one (1) singular cherry-picked moment that is also misinterpreted] and then act like they're good at analysis?? Did we watch the same thing???" just reminds me of home. For all I know you have terrible opinions but I actually will never know and your plight resonates with me. I think it's the fact you so clearly love the show despite anything it might not have executed well? I'll automatically side with anyone with an attitude of love towards something because that's what's fun. Why would you spend your time saying so and so sucks when you could find the things you like and have fun with them in your corner. Why shit on stuff you don't like all day long. People who try to understand what the story is about and wants to tell them and love it despite its flaws my beloved. We do not know each other's fandoms and yet we have the same attitude of love. I am waving at you from the other side of the Tumblr. Hope you have a great day.

I never did watch HBomberGuys video </3 Joe said he had some valid points but I love RWBY far too much to yk. Listen to it. Anyways.

Yeah. RWBY means the WORLD to me. And while there is a lot of valid criticism (especially for volumes 4 and 5) a lot of the criticism I do see is just. Not valid. Like at all. It's a lot of "I sure do hate women" in more words than that.

My most recent argument was about the protagonist herself, Ruby. One of the STRENGTHS of RWBY is the fact that Ruby is presented as a "smaller, more honest soul." Her kindness and genuinity and true belief in doing the right thing BECAUSE it's the right thing is among her best traits as a character. And the show absolutely shows that, over and over.

So when people say she's "screwing people over" it's genuinely just BAFFLING. Especially about characters like ironwood, who absolutely screwed himself over and is also a military dictator.

And yeah the RWDE people are just. Equally as baffling. I get it, they hate the show, but holy shit don't they have?? Idk lives??? Something to make them HAPPY????

I feel you bro. Idk much about star wars outside of the memes but I feel you. I feel what it's like when you love a media so fucking much and people hate on it for generally invalid reasons. I feel it.

I love you <3 coucou!!

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randomfoggytiger · 1 year

Text

I posted 820 times in 2022

That's 820 more posts than 2021!

52 posts created (6%)

768 posts reblogged (94%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@swinging-stars-from-satellites

@everythingfox

@baronessblixen

@antiqueanimals

@muldertxf

I tagged 820 of my posts in 2022

#art - 308 posts

#txf - 186 posts

#parodyisreality - 148 posts

#life - 91 posts

#animal - 79 posts

#poetry - 28 posts

#meme - 28 posts

#x-files - 23 posts

#fic - 21 posts

#collector's edition - 20 posts

Longest Tag: 79 characters

#while in the ep she has genuine affection for her husband while being tormented

My Top Posts in 2022:

Arcadia Analysis: Mulder’s Struggle

Contrary to popular belief, it was Mulder (and not Scully-- my long post of her experience here) who was having a rough time in Arcadia.

When Mulder arrives, his enthusiasm shines brighter than Scully’s placid happiness, momentarily distracting her, the neighbors, and the viewers to his true mood: dour, trapped, tense.

He immediately oozes saccharine charm and cuddles up to Scully,

See the full post

34 notes - Posted November 28, 2022

X-Files Collector’s Edition: Time Travel, Time Loops, and Just Wrong Timing

Time travel and loops were explored sparingly in the X Files universe; but what is a fandom without a handy dandy dump truck filled with more AUs to add to the fic landfill? These are just the few that passed my litmus test, either by earned merit or because there was at least something in them that was worth reading. Which ones are which is up to you, though I recommend ChaneenW’s, FridayAt9′s, somanycandle’s, Jo-Ann Lassiter’s, Donna’s, and Lolabeegood’s works (maybe because they have the happiest outlooks by the end.)

(**Edited: included @iwtbscully’s Nine Minutes? short**)

Loose chronological order below~

Here we go!

Timeline (mostly) Intact

vessel (saved at orphan_account on Ao3)

““The scientific explanation for all this is overwhelmingly simple: salt blocks hydration, dehydration rots the cells composing the human body. In spite of this, I am struck once again with the improbability that the laws of nature would mutate to allow such a phenomenon, to make a human being age fifty years in a matter of hours.””

Dod Kalm old Scully waits for death, pondering science and impending death.

Sheryl Nantus-Sheryl Martin’s (FFN) Nine Minutes

““It was a long time, when you sat and timed it.

Watching the digital figures spin up through the cycle; headed for the top figure of 9:00. Or 540 seconds. Or whatever you measured it by.

It was still nine minutes. Nine minutes that she could never have back again.””

Cancer Arc Scully has lived her life in her own self-imposed time loop: continually obsessing over the 9 minutes she lost in the Pilot, trying vainly to regain them back by resetting her watch every few minutes.

It’s not quite a time loop; but Scully is locked mentally in one, so it counts.

((BONUS! Works well with--

@lyndsaybones’s (Ao3) Incremental

““The watch fit her perfectly when she got it. He remembers thinking that it seemed child sized then. Do they make Omega watches for kids?

But the weight started sloughing off of her like autumn leaves and he started to feel more fear than hope. The watch starts telling more than time.””

Mulder observes the measure of Scully’s decay with her expensive new watch.))

ChaneenW’s

The Birds and the Bees

““We’re in this together,” he insisted, turning to look at her face.

“We’re in this together,” she repeated, squeezing her arms more tightly around him.

“We just need to find a way to remind ourselves,” he said, starting to slur a little as his face froze. “Some small thing that we do or say could change the whole sequence of events and maybe knock ourselves out of the loop before it gets this far.””

FTF albatrosses of Antarctica keep resetting Mulder and Scully’s journey from the hallway and escape from the alien spaceship (with varying results) until those two right the wrongs the bee made. It quickly devolves from any possible angst into humor and heart while getting subtly funnier the longer the loop goes.

Twice Upon a Time

““The more time he spent here, though, the more it became uncomfortably clear that Eddie hadn’t been wrong about him. He had been a loser back then: too focused on searching for the big answers to see what was right in front of him. And although he’d been immediately attracted to Scully when they first met, had instantly respected her knowledge and expertise, and had come to quickly trust her with his life, he had to acknowledge that it had taken him longer than it should have to realize how much he loved her.””

S9 Mulder wakes in his old apartment, confused to learn he has traveled back to the Eddie van Blundht case. At first he has fun breezily solving it and looking anew at his life; but soon S4 Scully notices how differently he’s acting as the glitz and glamor of time-travel fades and homesickness sets in.

@fridaysat9′s (Ao3) A Second’s Fraction

See the full post

43 notes - Posted October 21, 2022

X-Files Collector's Edition: Overview

Two years into this fandom, I noticed an appalling lack of collective lists: “if this, then that”, “the best of the best”, “collaborative works amongst authors and also their own separate works”, and the dreaded “was this worth the hype” lists.

After bumbling around in Google Docs--compiling, grabbing alternate links, and changing my filing system every two seconds-- an idea took root and bloomed: why not share my treasure trove? There is value to this reclusive hobby, after all; and it could prove useful to others lost and alone on this site.

So, I’m putting onto this floompy site the very best recommendation fic lists... or, if that’s too ambitious, fics that should be shared, discussed, or talked about more. Or ones I just liked. So there.

I am always open for recommended topics, authors, specific fics, and criticisms to improve my current system. Cool hastag suggestions are encouraged.

Also, shout out to LilyDaleXF-- hope this doesn’t tread on her niche. I’m focusing more on entertainment and sharing selective interests rather than being a greater force for good. But she’s the OG. Check out her Masterlist here:

LilyDaleXF’s Masterlist

So!

Here we go. Buckle up!

45 notes - Posted September 16, 2022

X-Files Collector’s Edition: Creepy and Cozy Cabins

Cabins: the final destination of many, many fic tropes. For our intrepid heroes, cabins are a great setting for either great understandings of relationship-kind, or a temporary haven from their chaotic and bloodthirsty world. I like to keep an eclectic assortment of such fics and mix them all together like a crazy salad.

Loose chronological order below~!

Canon

aka Jake’s (Gossamer) 14-Day Quarantine (Gossamer)

““Mulder?" My name rasps from Scully's throat.

Ignoring the nurses' scowls, I return to her bedside.

She clears her throat, takes a shallow breath. "I'd've...preferred Bigfoot."

Me, too, Scully. Me, too.””

Post Darkness Falls Scully is not out of the woods, and is devastated at news of the ranger’s death. She slips back and forth between recovery and coma while Mulder tries to bolster hers, his, and Maggie’s spirits.

the_eternal_optimist’s Unheard Of

““The men barged right in, broke the lock on the door. I pulled my gun, told them I was FBI. They were on me before I could even move, Scully.” She winced. “A few of them had baseball bats. One of them had a—a rope, or something heavy like that. I lost my gun before I could even fire it. I think I took a bat to the back of the head.” He sighed heavily. “When I came to, I was like you found me—clothes gone, hands tied.”

“And they just stashed you there under the stairs?” she asked in horror.

He grimaced. “They, uh, they actually dragged me out to the tree line,” he stammered, suddenly sounding very small. “Threw me closer to the forest. Then they, uh, they took that rope to my back. Said something about beating the devil out of me. I think I passed out when it got too painful.””

Beginning in Chapter 3, Scully finds Mulder in the woods-- beaten to a pulp and covered in mud. She cleans him up in a nearby cabin; but his violent marauders return, not deterred by the protections of an enchanted house.

Juliettt‘s Confusion

““A sudden flash of light momentarily blinded her and she dropped to a defensive crouch.

<Silly. That's Mulder's flashlight -- he burst through the back door at the same time that you. . . .>

And then the crushing pain in her skull, the brief moment of terror and surprise, and blankness. . . .””

S2-3 Mulder and Scully wake with amnesia in a cabin. With Scully’s barely-there memories, she becomes a believer while Mulder scoffs at her “tall tales.” Skinner, flummoxed with their disappearance, arrives too late for true answers.

@discordantwords‘s (Ao3) Somewhere North of Fiji

““Behind her, she heard the slosh of water and a furtive sound, a strange squelching that she couldn't place. She glanced back at the water, saw nothing, then looked over at Mulder. He had the phone to his ear and did not seem aware of anything amiss.

She became aware of a strong odor, the stench of rotting fish.

"Mul-" something grabbed her from behind, needle sharp teeth sinking into her ankle. She tipped backwards, and the last thing she saw was Mulder's startled face, staring on as something small and gray rushed straight for him.””

S4 Mulder and Scully are half-drowned, half-mauled by the Fiji Mermaid who just. Won’t. Die. No matter how many bullets are blasted in its gut.

@sarie-fairy‘s (Ao3) Skamania County

““I’m okay. I landed on something soft, sort of.”

It was then she managed to roll over, move from where she had fallen as Mulder began to descend. As she did, a sharp pain tore at her torso, and her head throbbed.

“Hold on,” he assured.

It was pliable, yielded as she shoved away.

See the full post

62 notes - Posted December 2, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

How it feels to see your prompt used.

715 notes - Posted October 8, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#mine #2022 #year in review #definitely from this brain #cool to see everything on paper #that Joey meme BLEW UP #yay for that last minute victory from the Arcadia Analysis bunch #no one can resist a writeup on Mulder angst #this is also the year I was obsessed with animal paintings for some reason #can't explain that one except they were glossy and pretty #and Thorburn is now an obsession #couldn't remember his first name #wow #AND ALL MY POSTS ARE TAGGED!#NICE #wrap up

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lananiscorner · 2 years

Note

I was wondering which order you first played each route in 3H. Fans often get very defensive when people accuse them of stupid "first route bias" and for good reason. I think the bias exists for everyone but good, well written routes stand on their own regardless of first route bias. But what order did you play the 4 routes in 3H? And do you feel it influenced your bias slightly depending on that order? Do you think it's ever possible to not have first route bias for 3H as a game format? Thanks!

Thanks for your ask, anon!

I do think it's possible to be MOSTLY free of first route bias, because I saw it in action with @fireemblems24, who played all four routes simultaneously (switching routes after each in-game week). It was highly amusing and enlightening, reading their analysis of different versions of the same scene and the different routes. I think that's about as unbiased as you can get.

My first route was Azure Moon, because Dimitri is literally what got me into the game (I saw some fanart of him, asked a co-worker who's into FE about him, and when she described him to me, I went "omg, that's exactly the kind of character I love--I need to play this"). Needless to say, I enjoyed Azure Moon a lot. It IS my favorite route, and while I'm sure some of that is just first route bias, I feel it is also objectively the best written, narratively consistent route--the only one where it feels like a war really happened, where almost every plot thread that is being planted has at least somewhat of a satisfying payoff. The Blue Lions are also the only house where I genuinely like every character.

My second was Verdant Wind, which wasn't bad, but it has many issues, the least of which being that it underutilizes Claude, featured a house where I considered half the characters ok at best, and decided to put the best part into two lore dumps at the end of the route. The final boss came out of nowhere. This route has a lot of setup for very little payoff (e.g. the Deer never learn of Claude's origins). I was very underwhelmed, overall.

The third was Crimson Flower. I had been looking forward to playing a villain route, because honestly, anyone who declares war on another country unprovoked and works with people who kidnap young girls for blood experiments is a villain, motives be damned (as the meme goes: cool motive, still murder). And I can enjoy a well-written villain. Cersei was one of my top 6 characters in Game of Thrones, after all. Unfortunately, Crimson Flower has more tonal dissonance than "Barbie" by Aqua playing over a death metal video and is deathly allergic of letting anyone on the protagonist's side suffer serious consequences for their actions, so I was left underwhelmed and feeling like I needed a shower.

Finally, I played Silver Snow, which mostly felt like a copy of Verdant Wind (I know it's actually the other way around), up to and including a boss fight that came out of nowhere. The reveal of Byleth's origin also did nothing for me, because one chapter and a half into Azure Moon I had started and finished Cindered Shadows, so I would have access to the Ashen Wolves (which hilariously means that CS was actually my first completed route and lead to fun things like me not knowing that battalions can be depleted and divine pulse is a thing until like.... 4 maps in). Like Verdant Wind, this route had great potential, but squandered it by leaving Rhea unplayable and refusing to actually let Byleth interact in any meaningful way with all the mysteries. I like the Eagles more than the Deer though, so at least it was enjoyable on that front. I had also started experimenting with challenge runs (in this case, a full recruitment Holy Knight Byleth solo), so at least it was fun gameplay-wise. I ended up liking it juuuuuuuust a little bit more than VW.

#Fire Emblem: Three Houses #FE3H #first route bias

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waifuofbath · 2 years

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For the ask meme: Lara/Block. (Yes, I hardly need to ask whether you ship it, I just figure I'll give you the chance to rant gloriously about it if you want to.)

First of all, I thank you for this chance and I apologize for how belated this is!

Whether I ship it or not: Circa 45 fics in ao3 can attest that I do, Your Honor.

Why I ship it or not: I think it is the proof that they can both rise up from their situations, and find not only solace in each other (after all, they were the two people who knew Captain Ravel the best, they are the ones that are going to feel his absence more acutely. Yes, even if Block was the one who sent him to his death, he is genuinely going to feel that absence too.), but become better versions of themselves. They will learn forgiveness (towards the other in the case of Lara, and towards oneself in the case of Block), and this learning of forgiveness will help them move forward. Because yes, they are two characters extremely stuck in their current situations, one way or another (One in her depression-mourning state, and the other trying to change things for the better and seeing that the more he tries to change them, the more they stay the same. And maybe, leaning into each other can help them see beyond their current personal hellholes. Also, I like the idea of them getting to know each other, and, specially in the case of Lara, understand that the whole situation with her father isn’t as black and white as she painted it. (Mostly in the case that Block seems a person with a conscience. A man who is trying to make things better and found himself between a rock and a hard place)

(Plus lbh they would look cute as heck together in any iterations)

My opinion on their canon potential (chemistry, canon interactions, etc): Well, I’ve never let something as canon stop me when it comes to ships but they do have canon potential. 1. The whole situation with Captain Ravel 2. Lara being one of Clara’s bound and Block being Clara’s champion. (And friendly reminder that Lara is listed in Clara’s list as Lara the vengeful. So her reason for being there is BLOCK BLOCK BLOCK). And since I know that whoever reads this is going to say that this is only reasons for violence from Lara to Block, ah guess what, this is my interpretation of a canon that is extremely subjective and that allows for multiple interpretations. (And tbh, a girl can dream but I frankly doubt that we would be getting anything more than what we get in canon.)

My opinion on fanon interpretations/fandom around it (Favorite widespread hcs, pet-peeves, etc): I had sorely been considering not answering to this part of the ask . But efff it. Adding this under a cut:

Aside from a few people that I count among my LaraBlock family and people who might not have anything to do with the ship but whose opinion I respect, the consensus in most of the fandom regarding this pairing makes me laugh.

Because HURRDURR LARA MUST KILL BLOCK BECAUSE GIRLPOWER AND FEMINISM HURRDURR HOW DARE YOU WRITE ABOUT THEM ENDING TOGETHER.

First of all, as pointed out in the previous point: This canon allows for multiple interpretations. So yes, yours is valid, mine is valid, but I dare you to do something:

READ FURTHER INTO THE TEXT FFS.

And when I mean read, I do not only mean "read what the character says and take it at face value" which is something a lot of people in this fandom tend to do and think they are doing extremely deep analysis for some reason. Take into account the circumstances of the character. Think of who they are interacting with (you as in the player and you as either Daniil/p1 Artemy/p2 Artemy/Clara, and yes the Artemys count as two different characters). Think of what the other characters tell you about that character.

TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE THE SAME THOUGHT PROCESSES IF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES WERE DIFFERENT.

Again, Lara is a deeply traumatised woman (guess what, mourning is not an easy process and it is also one of the reasons why I ended up sympathising so much with her) in an extremely stressful environment. Taking her words and theories about Block at face value is extremely simplistic.

Specially when he turns to be something... Quite similar to Lara. He is a man at a breaking point, who is trying his best to help and change things (specially in P2, need I remind people of his pantomime with Mark????), and seeing everything crumble around him.

He is not the monster Lara has painted in her mind. He's actually one of the few characters of Pathologic that I would qualify as honorable. (specially in P2, which is the version I have fresh in my mind. P1 is a whole other thing. And!! Block in Changeling route is even another thing. He's pass the breaking point and we see the extent of his breakdown. It is uncomfortable af, specially considering that he is putting all his faith in a teenager, but that is a story for another day.)

We never know what actually happened with Ravel. He could have been an upstanding dude, someone who had been trying to change things withing the Army, a Block 1.0, if you will. (That is, coincidentally, the view I espoused in one of my very first fics). He could have been an actual monster that genuinely needed to be stopped.

But then again, IMHO those people who are like YASSS QUEEN MURDER HIM do not take into account the actual consecquences this act might have for Lara.

(and yes I have just linked to an essay of mine. No shame.)

(Also, I do enjoy fics that tackle the subject of Lara murdering Block, believe it or not. Only those of certain people though.)

Now, this being said, I have to say that I am extremely amused at how baffled people were at LaraBlock entering the most popular pairings list in ao3 (guess what happens when you actually go and create content for the pairings and characters you enjoy). AND also, at the fact that someone thought that not liking the ship would be an actual cancellable take.

The Power that the LaraBlock family has, the intelligence that the LaraBlock family has, the clearance that the LaraBlock family has, the access that the LaraBlock family has, the influence that the LaraBlock family has, the profile that the LaraBlock family has, the international implications that the LaraBlock family has.

#Ask meme #ships meme #Pathologic #LaraBlock #Lara Ravel #Alexander Block

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