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darkestprompts · 1 year

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Tips to avoid making characters sound like they're in therapy (possibly part 1?)

Here are some ideas on how to avoid writing like this:

"I'm sorry for what I just did. My intentions were good, but I disrespected your autonomy and I shall make no excuses. I should have asked for consent before doing that."

"I forgive you. I need to apologize as well, I was tired and angry and overreacted by taking it out on you. We will work on our communication and boundaries next time."

First of all, take into account the concepts your character is familiar with. We talk the way we do because through education, media and politics we are familiarized with ideas that we then use to make sense of things. Look at the character's life and origins. What terms, concepts and metaphors would they actually come across?

Second, even if you are using a modern setting where people know all those things, realize that they will not always come to the forefront of the mind in the middle of an argument or a tense situation. What you, as the author or reader, can see clearly, to them is a complex issue fraught with feelings and contextual baggage.

Speaking of context, please, please don't forget your character's voice just because they entered Relationship Discussion Mode. Your rough taciturn character shouldn't spontaneously turn into a PhD in Psychology with a Masters in Conflict Resolution, even if they really, really love and care for the person they are talking with.

As an exercise, try to fix the dialogue above. How can you say the same things without using such blatant language? Add bits and pieces to each character that condition how they talk. Build the scene. Give details that color each character's reaction. What metaphors and comparisons do they draw? When they think of models of good and bad behavior, what are they reminded of? Do they have a creed, philosophy or religion that comes with certain vocabulary? What people marked their life for good and for ill? What does that mean for their assumptions and prejudices?

Another important aspect of dialogue is to learn escalation and de-escalation. If you want drama, you don't need to have one character say something uncharacteristic and horrible, nor do you need to make them fill the Formal Apology meme to fix it. Have misteps, misunderstandings, then let them grow organically, like a beautiful flower of shit. Similarly, let characters hold back for a second, and in that second someone backtracks just enough for them to keep talking. Let clarifications come in waves of back and forth, not in a torrent.

Now, onto some suggestions to make characters' lives more complicated :)

Have your character:

Know how they feel, but unable to express their feelings in words.

Unable to formulate their feelings into coherent thoughts, period.

Try to explain what they thought or did, but do so in incorrect, inappropriate or imprecise terms.

Have them reformulate their sentences and fail to find the appropriate language.

Hear another's explanation but misunderstand its meaning or intention.

Deliberately misunderstand another's meaning or intention because it's more convenient on an emotional level.

Think or suspect the other is lying or playing dumb even when it's time for the Serious Relationship Discussion Scene.

Think the other is misguided, confused or plain incorrect about the motivations and feelings described and that *they* know better.

Think they are practicing necessary "tough love" when they are being cruel or insensitive.

Actually practice tough love because another's behavior warrants it, even when the other is established as the oh-so poor vulnerable baby. Let it actually work.

Know they are wrong but do or say something anyway because they feel petty, vindictive or angry. Have them do that in small ways, not in big outbursts of viciousness.

Temporarily forget a crucial fact that makes what they said or did sound idiotic, disrespectful or insensitive. Bonus if they notice just after they said or did it and try to backtrack in very stupid ways.

Truly unable to understand another's experience because their own was so different.

Not have the emotional energy to argue, explain themselves or listen to others.

Fail to defend someone because of embarrassment, hesitation, fear or anxiety.

Be afraid to apologize because they feel like it's a form of humiliation or give others the power to hurt them.

Be afraid to "lose" a discussion because they always feel threatened.

Know someone has not apologized or redressed a wrong completely, but decide it's good enough because they know the other's limitations.

Give up on someone they still care about because they refused help and advice at every turn, even if they know there are reasons for that.

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aeempress · 3 years

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Apritello Express Evidences, part 1

Greetings, Apritello enthusiasts and attention! Here comes a loong post is written by totally nerd. You've been warned. Here we go.

The thing is that Apritello is a double-edged sword. The series shows us established friendship of these two, give us a lot of content with them. We can see development of relationship through interaction between the characters, their reaction about the situations they are put in. We can sense their synergy and bound through the show.

Donnie and April have incredible chemistry, and both options, brotp and otp seems fine to me.

But let me tell you why I ship them.

Apritello is the kind of pairings, which consists of small details, hints, that's hidden, but if you're sharp and attentive one, you will notice that. Apritello has a strong foundation: the best friends trope.

And from the very beginning, it works as planned.

When I start watching show, I could say that April and Donnie are best friends. It is worth noting that April is like an older sister to the other brothers, more of a sisterly figure than a friend, but with Donnie she behaves somewhat differently, namely, as best friend. Obviously, she sets him apart from his brothers, although girl tries to pay attention to all of them equally. And Donnie behaves as well.

Dee's battle shell designs for April needs as well as his. His shell transform into comfy spot for taking ride for April. Special and only for her. Because his bros are not supposed to use it (at least, he carries no one on his back), Donnie carries them by his techno-bó or his limbs.

This tiny detail shows his special treatment to her. April is a very, very special occasion to D. Don does care about her comfort, he accept the way she is. Donatello does not try to prevent her from participating in their affairs because he respects her decisions and is pleased that April can be shoulder to shoulder with him.

D is glad to be at her service.

Yeah, Dee's still playing cool, he has image to perform as tough and coolheaded guy. So Don doesn't show his intentions, interest and feeling to other people (he's tryin', but fails). Because his actions matter. They are always small, hidden, but meaningful.

April, in return, trusts Dee and depends on his tech, even knowing what his inventions are the opposite of success (usually).

Go on. Look at Donnie's facial expressions and body language when April is near.

Donnie seems more relaxed when she's around, happier. His emotional response is always different from his brothers ones.

Oh, and look, he wanted to be first to give her a high three.

They worry about each other. Look at Don. He does worry about her way more than his brothers. Yeah, they all want to protect her, but Donnie is more expressive.

Mayham has no particular sympathy for the brothers: he is afraid of Raph and behaves aggressively, he is indifferent to Leo and Mikey. Mayham immediately takes a liking to April. And then the details come back: he let Donnie touch his neck. The most vulnerable place for any living creation, for a second. Let him to study an important vial without any hesitation. Mayham depends on April trust for Donnie. When everything goes wrong for Don, the little doggie comes to his rescue, just as April would have done. Is the hint transparent enough?

We can see links with "A mystic library", wherе Donnie begins to look for solutions to save April's pet. Yes, this may seem like his next leap, "sit down, I'm smart, and now I'll solve all the problems, watch and learn," but Don says one phrase that opens up the veil of the second plan, what happens behind the scenes. "My illiteral colleagues and I was conducting a mustic research, with a life of the beloved pet, hanging in a bounce".

Strange wording, Donatello. Beloved pet? Not yours, as we can see. I can say, that everything in this sentence is true, but Donnie and Mayham has something more.

Continue. Next episode "Origami tsunami". Interactions are kept to a minimum, as April herself appears for a maximum of 5 minutes in the series itself. But devil is always in the details, dear friends.

When April was attacked and hung up, the only one who excitedly called out to her was Donny. Raph is furious that the thieves have escaped, Leo is frustrated that their plan has failed, and Mikey is worried about the salami.

Yeah, we didn't see his worries about her when she fell, because Donnie is on the mission and must be coolheaded turtle, and second, he's calm because now April life is safe and sound, out of the danger.

Dear passangers, Apritello Express arrives to the next station - episode "War and Pizza".

Bare facts:

1. April has Donnie's number on an emergency call.

2. "Anything for you"

3. Donnie is the reason why Alberto knows April's name.

No one calles April by her name (except for Donnie, while phone call, but Alberto wasn't nearby) it was "Captain O'Neil" by her chief, her badge seems blank. And yeah, you can say, that's just economy of budget, but I assure you: in the first episode we were shown the name of the delivery guy. The animators were not lazy bones and wrore "Stewart" on his badge. So if something isn't there, then it either shouldn't be there, or it really isn't, that's how this show works.

So, the reason explained in the episode. When Al has short circuit, parts of its new code flashed through its mind.

Info about April was in its memory, in its code. Alberto was a lame animatronic, and it seems somewhat outdated. I do really doubt about Alberto is being something smartass machine with complicated AI like Freddy's Pizza's ones. Quite questionable. Donatello fix Al's brain and wrote code, synchronize with his remote control. He put information about Cap O'Neil into animatronic's head. All this pictures are kind of massage: "You was created for birthday celebrations. You are machine, and there concepts of "life" and "birth". Do great party for this birthday kid and April won't be like this". Or, something like that.

So Alberto did - do a memorable party. And he do what his creator programmed him to do, but in his way.

4. In other words, Alberto was a tool to impress April. Don flaunts himself in front of her, stating how he did the upgrade while doing the upgrade, even though April is fully aware of his tech wizard. And his abilities supposed to help Cap O'Neil to finish the birthday party, so she will stay at her job, not fired. All thanks to Donnie and his upgrade Alberto. (Or not)

By the way, Donnie was the last to leave April in ruined "Alberto's". And it's not an isolated case, it is a pattern.

5. They understand each other without words.

First, Donny came at her at the speed of light. Second, she hadn't even finished speaking before Dee was taking Al apart. Third, their chaotic, well-coordinated work? Donnie was a distraction (although he wanted to just take a break from the battle or let Alberto's guard down, while April just knocked him out). Donnie and April are great team, and sometimes the DonniexApril team is much more precise, coordinated, and interdependent than the DonniexBrothers one.

D&A feel each other and anticipate each other's actions, their skills complement each other, creating an incredible synergy of their interaction. They act as a whole, while it's not always possible with his brothers, even though they're family and know each other the way more Donnie know April. And Dee hasn't trained with cap O'Neil.

Donatello didn't show his crush for April. No puppy, loving eyes, no lovey-dovey speeches, no planning schemes (at least, the audience don't see one) . He just want her attention, but stays cool and hidden. D is already her BFF, but still.

The same thing is claimed in 5B episode - Mascot Melee. Donnie has no problems with interaction with idol of his childhood - Atomic Lass. She'd put Leo in a stupor, but Donnie? He playfully challenges her to a dance duel. Yes, he adores this character, who may have become his measure of the attractiveness of others to Donatello, determined his type. But still, he's playing all cool and confident guy, he's really smooth with girls, so you will never see a puppy loving eyes from him. Only two things can betray him at this point: his voice and his body language. Remember, how's soft his voice became for Atomic Lass? Now I want you to remember the scene before, in turtle tank, when April sent guys a meme.

D is the first to respond to the message, despite the fact that Mikey is sitting closest to the screen. And the responding is a little too emotional for this situation, don't you think?

And this face of his. And he comments it. He likes her sense of humour.

The only difference between April and Atomic Lass is that the first one is a real girl who is a friend of their family, practically a member of it; and the other one is just a fictional character. It is easier to say about love for a fictional character, because it brings less problems for a teenager, especially when he is living with three brothers and a father who likes to tease as well. Donatello needs to be careful and outline the area of emotions he could show, so that he does not get hurt.

Now, dear passangers, we are returning to the previous episode, shall we?

Donnie presents to his brothers his precious Turtle tank, but she's gone, and it's really necessary to find out, who has taken her. And the first person to suspect is April.

Something is odd, don't you think? Yeah, Raphael has taken tyre for their "Midnight special", Leo claimed that Donnie's stuff is common, but they are D's beothers. It's natural for family to borrow(stole) stuff of each other. But this trend was not observed in April. She would never steal anything from Donnie, much less steal anything from him.

Actually, there is a good, logical and solid explanation here. April was number 1 in Donatello' suspect list, because he simply told her about Turtle tank. His brothers didn't know he were working at Moon buggy, except Mikey (Orange helps Dee get the vehicle from Repomantis), but they didn't know what exactly Donnie was working for. They didn't know he build the Turtle tank, he kept it a secret, to surprise his brothers. But April knew.

- Alright you! Where's our turtle tank?

- Hi, DONNIE. You have 9 seconds to say, why are you just broke my door.

- Someone's stole Donnie's turtle tank.

- Haha-ow, I see. As your best friend, you naturally suspect me.

- She gets it!

- Oh-ho, don't give me that! You're the only one could taken it!

The only one, because she knew about it.

As Splints said in this episode - "April is not a snitch"

Donatello does trust April and share with her both, sorrows and joys. But we are not shown this directly. We do not see the action itself, we do not see their calls and conversations on the phone late at night, we only see the consequence. We have no choice and take it as a given.

And the way she cooled him down? Fast, efficient, and Donnie seems to used to it. Moreover, she slapped everyone, but still, she throw Don out of window the last. However, why such a large time delay between him, being slapped and him, was throwing out of the window?

And my favourite scene. It was obvious that Donnie had taken the hardest hit (judging by his scream and the way he was putting his knuckles back in place). Don then claims that their inner circle is secure, Mikey tries to make amends for everyone, and April agrees, blowing them a kiss and closing the window. Cute and mean, isn't it? (You're cute! but mean! why do I always go for your type?! - ep. War and Pizza)

Nota bene: Donnie wouldn't apologize to April. Tough, not caring badass boy image, remember? Even to best friends. It's hard to him to express his feelings by using words, he cannot do it in proper way. But he has Mikey, who is so alike inner him. Michelangelo apologizes not only for himself, but for D mostly, because D starts suspected April.

Let's continue: the episode 8B: Hypno Part Deux

• Donnie put "Donnie's blocker" at April's phone to protect her.

It's common thing that your friend install some programs or apps on your device. But you will always ask your friend to do such a favour, and you will always know about what, when and where were installed on your phone.

And April didn't know Donnie had done something with her phone. It was a real surprise for her, to see blocker with "Donnie says no-no-no".

And you know, the interface of his app. The way he tell this current phrase. Donnie could put a huge banner "THE APP YOU WANT DOWNLOAD TO IS A REAL PIECE OF GARBAGE", as usual antiviruses do. But no, voice interface. It makes the app more personal and thoughtful. Because when Don made gifts for his brother, the program was voiced by a computer-generated female voice. Yes, the tank's interface is voiced by Donatello himself, but his voice sounds more like Google than the real Don. And, we talking about HIS BABEY, for a second. Bit still, the point remains.

• Also, Dale.

Dale is nerdy boy in purple, wow, how convenient for making a parallel with certain purple turtle.

But thing is, April doesn't like Dale. He's clingy, remora guy, who has a little obsession with April, even he's not harmful, still, such behaviour freaks girls (and not them only) out. Her classmate is usually tell her what April O'Neil is "his favourite person" and he loves her. There is little that is attractive about this behavior.

So, there is nothing new and unpredictable here that Dale was rejected. Because April didn't, doesn't and won't like him because of his lame personality and strange behaviour. Our girl in yellow do right thing: she clearly sets personal boundaries and does not allow any dubious personalities to invade them. So that's the reason she refuses to go on a date with him at the end. He's weird, obsessed, and she doesn't like him.

Donatello, as far as I concerned from different versions of TMNT, was always a little obsessive with some things. And, you know, putting a blocker inside your best friend's phone seems a little weird, because it's, in simple words, violation of privacy and personal space. And there are people who may regard this as stalking or sorta.

Yeah, for the most part, he gets away with it, not only because April's focus is in a different area, but also because their bond is stronger than April's with anyone else at school.

She has known him for years. Donnie is her best friend. I can't say that it's fine to her when Dee violates her personal space - her phone, but April can accept Donatello's personality in general.

And he does really have good intentions. Donnie installed this blocker, developed by himself only for one reason: to protect personal space April from fishy apps from nowhere, from being hacked and etc. Don knew her too well, how much she depends on stupid apps that will distract her. He also knew well, that he can't be with her 24/7 to fix problems with April's phone, so Dee put a part of himself to prevent any harm in the future.

And again, "Donnie's gifts"'s vibes. Donatello genuinely cared about April, because he wrote, coded, developed, designed, and dubbed it, turned on the database, and installed it all on April's phone. 'cause, you know, writing programs in general is a bit of a hassle, but writing an antivirus is much more difficult, because viruses are changing, and questionable applications are finding ways to bypass. Do you feel how much effort Dee put in for her?

But Donatello didn't mean to fix April, as he tried to do with his brothers. Purple turtle accepts this girl the way she is, and tries his best to play smoothly with April, by adjusting, not being passive aggressive jerk. It's his outstanding way to show his caring nature, soft side.

Remember, small but meaningful actions.

Maybe, Donnie also can foresee that April may be forced to download some suspicious program, but still, it work: he managed to prevent April being hypnotized, even if couldn't be physically with April at the this moment - Dee was working for Repo Mantis, building dog's paradise for Todd. That's why, by the way, Leo and Raph were dragged into this whole situation. Mayham would teleported literally anyone to help his hostess. Donnie just wasn't at the Lair at the moment.

And on this note, we'll take a break for now. Stay tuned, expect parsing of the series, there's a lot to discuss.

Part 2

Part 3

#rottmnt #rise of tmnt #rise of the teenage mutant ninja #rise donnie #rise donatello #rottmnt donatello #hamato donatello #april o'neil #rise april #rottmnt april #aprilxdonnie #rottmnt apritello #apritello #lonnnnnnnng post #sorry not sorry #zero regrets #apritello express

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agron-rebel-general · 7 years

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1-24 buahahhaahhaahaaa!! (Like you don't know who this is)

OMG I SO KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!! LMAOOO!!! I FREAKING LOVE YOU FOR THIS!!!!!!!! OK SO i’m going to skip over ones that I’ve already answered!!!! EEEE I’M SO EXCITED!!! @highspeedsamurai !!! YEAH!! THATS HOW CONFIDENT I AM!!!!!

2: How many ships do you have on this blog?

OMGG!! I HAVE A LOT AND I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE!!! Nagron is my main canon ship, and then I have amazing ones with others!!! Cetan, Alcide, Steve, Gannicus, LOTS of ladies from the show, crossovers like a certain greek goddess, or Guinevere and Phoebe etc etc!! BRING ME ALL THE SHIPS!!!!!!!!!

3: Are there any people you’ve been too afraid of approaching?

THEEREEE are a few to be honest!! I’ll very shyly like a post for a starter call or something!!! I’m working through my insecurities though!! Maybe one day if I get REALLY bold I shall send them memes ;)!!! I NEVER used to be like this I swear!! It stems from one of my former friends insulting my perky personality!! So I have been very....... insecure about things but I am DEFINITELY working through it!!! =D!!

4: What’s the one thing you especially love about roleplaying your muse?

I just LOOOVE how complex Agron is!!!! I really enjoy delving into his mindsets at different times!! Throughout the canon verse, AUs, other era threads, modern aus... ALL the things!!! I just really enjoy getting inside his head and describing his emotions !!! Cause . . the dude is VERYY emotional indeed!!

5: If you had a billion dollars and could only spend it, what would you buy first?

UMMM I would probably spend it on cons OR plane tickets to meet all of my friends that I wanna visit!!! This is a totally selfish answer btw!!! I really love buying things for my family and friends... I would probably spend it on them first tbh!!

6: How much cash does the mun have on them right now?

HAHAAH!!! Almost 1000 dollars..... yeaahhh I need to go to the bank!!!! =$

7: Last movie the mun watched.

Lethal Weapon 3!!! LOOVE IT!! I can never see it enough times!!!

8: The mun’s favorite fictional character.

UMMMMM there is NO WAY IN HELL I can narrow it down!!!! I LOVE the muses I play like Agron, Bellamy Blake, Magnus Bane etc!! Buuut yeah no, I can’t pick my favorite fictional character!!

9: Last concert the mun attended.

OMGG!!! I don’t go to a lot of concerts!! I SWEAR the last one I went to was a concert for Soul Decision !!! ... Anyone?? ;)

10: Last thing you did before logging in?

Organized my Dr.Seuss books!!! I’m in the middle of packing!!!

11: What is the most precious thing you own?

THAAT is really hard to pick!!! I have a few things that are very near and dear to my heart!!

12: The last time the mun cried.

Yesterday!! I don’t cry often but when it starts... its hard to stop!

13: Muse that the mun is most like. (if applicable)

UMMM ......... Melitta?? ONLY because I feel I’m one of those people who likes to support their friends and listen to them and such!!

14: Favorite Pokemon?

THEY ARE ALL SO CUTE!!!!

15: Are you artsy?

HMMM I like to think so!?!? But probably not... I do enjoy doodling random stuff and making graphics online!!! But I’m rubbish at drawing and stuff!! I guess my artsty muse is more when it comes to photoshop and such!

16: What does the mun really think about my muse?

OH WELL LOOK AT THAT.. you sent this anon so I guess I can’t answer it!!!!! No but actually... I could spend hours and write countless pages about how much I ADORE your muses!!!! You write each one to perfection, and it truly makes ME a better writer to write with you!! You INSPIRE me and I just really can’t fully express in words how much I LLOOOOVEE your characters!! You put so much thought, effort, and capture them beautifully!! I am BLESSED to have you as a writing partner!!

19: Do you have any stuffed animals?

OMG I HAVE A TON!!!!!! I kept all of my stuffies from my childhood so yeahhhhh.. I have BOXES of them!!!!! AND I AIN’T AFRAID TO ADMIT IT!!

20: Which of your ships on this blog is the fluffiest?

HMMM I would have to say Agetan!! Which is Agron and Cetan [ @cetanlittlehawk !!] They are just so pure and Cetan’s is SO innocent!!! Definitely my fluffiest ship and I LOVE it!!

21: The mun’s most annoying habit.

HMMM I used to bite my nails?? Most annoying habit... oh jeezz!! Thats a toughie!! I would say when I debate!! HAHAAHH! I get really into debates and like to use as much evidence as I can!! People tend to... not like that I guess?? So eventually just drop the argument or they run out of things to say!! hahahH! But yeah, that might be considered annoying ;)!!!

22: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Besides writing?? I love coloring, chatting on the phone and skype with my friends, making graphics, coding... hanging out with peeps.... YEAH!! thats probably all!! Going to add some stuff on my list when I learn to do more hands on things ;)!! Goals!!! ;)

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SENDING ME THE ASK MY LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVED ANSWERING THESE!!!!!!!!!

Munday Meme

#this time you stay and I go (mun)#munday meme #highspeedsamurai #CAUSE I KNOW IT WAS YOU!!!#AND I FREAKING LOVE YOU FOR IT TOO!!!!#MY BESTIE BOOO!!!!!#THANKS LOVE!!!#<3 #this was SOOO much fun!!!#also.. I could talk for all eternity #about how much I LOVE your muses!!!!#may the gods favor queue #Anonymous

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