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birdmenmanga · 28 days

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@raventhekittycat

hi okay so I've been mulling this one over for the past day or two and I think I have the answer. not to be using hamburger to explain anything to an american but you're my detco mutual so I'm going to try and explain it in detco terms

There's a post going around recently about how if you've read detco and only detco, the first time hakuba shows up you're going to be totally flummoxed, because damn this guy is clearly important, he gets to be even cooler than Shinichi, he's got a half-page shot of him (in such a panel-dense series such as Detective Conan, no less!!) and he's got a fucking hawk. he's CLEARLY important. everything about the narrative is indicating that you need to PAY ATTENTION to hakuba and that he's the coolest guy and he's important!!!! and then he dies in the case lol (not for real. but still.)!! and you're like huh??? what was that. why did aoyama do that.

But with the context of magic kaito this totally makes sense. He's a beloved character that people have been waiting decades to see again. Of course Aoyama is going to hype him up!! It's his big moment after years of being locked in the backrooms!!!

Anyways reading birdmen for me was kind of like that. The author's previous series, Kekkaishi, was pretty one-dimensional at the beginning, and even after the main plot started picking up at around volume 6, it still felt quite understandable. I knew what she was trying to get at, and the spectacular job she did with the anthropocene and climate change metaphor towards the end of that series really made me interested in the rest of her works. That and the way she writes familial relationships is absolutely DEVASTATING. (I mean this with the highest of praise)

But when I read BIRDMEN for the first time, I was probably in... middle school, maybe? And I read it, sure, but I didn't get it. I could see what was literally happening on the page but the narrative choices were absolutely baffling at times. Why skip over the entire part of the plot where they figure out who the birdman that saved them was? She blatantly doesn't care about that. What does she care about then?? I knew I didn't get it, I knew there were parts of it that were important and I couldn't figure out why and THAT'S how it dug its pretty little claws into me. Even after I finished catching up it nagged at me a little bit, not often at all, but enough that every once in a while I go, huh, right, that was a thing, let me go read it again.

For the record this type of story haunting has happened to me twice. First time was the Heart of Thomas, second time was BIRDMEN. I think the thing is that these are both stories which are not what other people say they are and I think I came into both of these stories with a misconception, trying to look too hard for things that weren't important and therefore missing the things that were.

Because sure, BIRDMEN is about mental illness. Yeah, it's about an evil scientific organization growing mutants in a lab. Yeah, it's about what it means to leave your humanity behind. That's all technically correct, on a surface level, and the fandom at large likely agrees with these takes for the most part, but in my opinion none of that really delves into what the thematic messaging of the story is about.

There are cryptic conversations about authority and human extinction and peculiar outfit and ability choices. You can tell these choices weren't made to serve the purpose of "writing exciting shonen manga" because that was what she did for the most part in Kekkaishi and you can tell she wasn't putting her whole pussy into doing that here. So what was she doing? What's like. All of this. Waves my hands at this.

The short answer is that it's really about the interplay between capitalism (represented by humanity) and communism (represented by birdmen), and explores the role institutional white supremacy (EDEN) plays in enforcing capitalism. It is ALSO about queer liberation and the importance of community, but hey, that double-stacks conveniently with the communism metaphor.

But also take this opinion of mine with a grain of salt. As far as I know I'm the only one who really truly deeply believes that it is not only AN interpretation of the work, but one that was fully intended by the author.

So basically, I like it, because I think it says something true and beautiful that I also believe in, even if I didn't have the words for it the first time I read it. But I don't really think that's what people really look for in a media recommendation.

Do I like it? Yes, I love it. Will I recommend it to others? Yeah, sure. But do I think it's deeply flawed? Yeah, absolutely. It's flawed in the same ways as The Witch from Mercury— a rushed ending, too many threads that were opened and never tied together. The pacing and characterization is perfect in the beginning, and too rushed at the end. There are prerequisites you basically HAVE to read in order to understand the story (tempest for G-Witch and the communist manifesto for birdmen). I think a truly good story wouldn't have any of these things so if people don't like it I never blame them.

It's my personal experiences that make birdmen so profound to me. If you are not queer I just don't think Eishi coming out as a birdman to his mom will hit the same, just as an example. Sorry that I wasn't the kid you wanted me to be. I know you love me and you just want the best for me and that's why you're so controlling, because you think I can be saved by conforming to societal expectations. But I can't live like that. I can't be like that. And that's why I must go. etc.

Aesthetically I do love birdmen a lot. If I had to describe it in a few words it would probably be "chilling", "beautiful", and "powerful", which nicely coincides with the type of things I personally like to draw. It's also silly to a small degree but it's so serious and I know Tanabe can be way way way funnier (read kekkaishi for this. kekkaishi and hanazakari no kimitachi he were foundational to my sense of sequential art humor) so that's not really the standout trait of this series.

I can't let it go because I'm chewing this series like a bone. And it's taking me years but I am getting that sweet sweet marrow. By god. We are on year 3 of this shit and I am GOING to understand this series. and I'm going to make 3 video essays about it

#just thinking thoughts...#stray bird thoughts #so it's like... I don't like it because birdmen is good #I think I like it because I am a certain type of person and the author was trying to say something specifically to the type of person I am #OH #I'M THE TARGETED AUDIENCE THATS WHY I LIKE IT.#YEAH THATS REALLY IT!!!#A long time ago I said that birdmen wasn't written for the people who read it at the time it serialized.#it was written for the people they would become.#and I stand by that 100%#if it really stays with you there is going to be a reason even if you can't articulate it yet #and it may APPEAR sloppy to someone who doesn't see the queer or communist metaphor #like 'what is she doing what is she saying here she's not saying anything meaningful and emphasizing the wrong things'#but that sort of presumes she is gunning to make 'the best shonen manga ever'#which she clearly isn't.#I remember when I was reading fma with a bunch of my classmates and I'd lend them a volume or two every day #and a piece of feedback I received that has stuck with me was 'volume 15 was so boring'#(that was the volume recounting the ishval civil war. it was boring because we were middle schoolers and didn't REALLY get it.)#and like. I think to people who are looking for something like kks. the whole thing is going to feel like fma volume 15 #like WHAT is she going on about? ? ?#like witch hat and dunmesh I think are similar types of stories but I think these two are just executed way better than bm #but because of that it is just not as compelling to me you know.#like yeah yeah it's well constructed. we all see it's well constructed.#the metaphor is so well constructed that I don't feel the need to point it out. everyone is saying it already you know #but bm is cryptic enough and just slightly missed that execution enough that I feel like I'm pulling the analysis out of a smoking wreckage #recently I've been watching mentourpilot videos about airplane accidents and like. that's exactly it.#there's nothing to say about a perfectly executed flight.#it's the ones that failed. and in particular the ones that just barely failed by a little bit. that compels people the most.#cue my de communism is failure post. bc that bm sure did fail.

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aka-lambda · 1 year

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I tried to sketch again this 2021 drawing for the hairstyle challenge and my style changed a lot.

#anime art #fma #fma oc #fma ocs #fullmetal alchemist brotherhood #fullmetal alchemist #the ishvalan traitor is back #ishvalan civil war #ishval

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hhawks · 2 years

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the mustang fic is making me do so much research on the fmab events. like i watched it but that wasn't enough. i need more juice. i need more info.

#esp on the ishval civil war #ohhhhh trauma <3 #hera speaks ‼️

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raubtierfuetterung · 10 months

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#musikki m1 #when scar and kimblee first meet during the Ishvalian civil war #Kimblee in Ishval #I’m so obsessed with this guy right now #I love FMAB to death. So many philosophical concepts in one anime. There’s so much to think about #this song also reminds me of my poem about Ramses which I consider my only masterpiece. probably because I was guided by religious sentiment

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yourfavesupportsisrael · 6 months

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Roy Mustang from Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood supports Israel!

Roy committed unspeakable crimes as a soldier in the Ishval Civil War and witnessed the horrors of killing innocent people. Since then, he has dedicated his life to atonement and has worked tirelessly to make his once-oppressive country a better place for its citizens. He firmly believes that wrongs can be righted, and that civilians are often victims of their government. To him, organizations like Hamas are viewed as enemies that must be defeated.

#hamas is isis #israel #free palestine from hamas #palestine

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malamira · 1 month

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has anyone done enemies to lovers royai but follows canon as in riza and roy still basically grow up together and riza follows him into the military but in the midst of the ishval civil war she can’t continue on as an amestrian soldier so she defects to the side of ishval and becomes the deadliest sniper in history?

she was labeled “atropos,” after one of the fates, the inevitable. nearly every amestrian soldier who crossed her barrel in the midst of battle died nearly after. nearly every single one, because she can’t bring herself to shoot the flame alchemist.

when the war ends riza flees but she’s a wanted criminal. one of the most wanted criminals, for treason, several counts of murder, and a myriad of other charges. she’s been on the run for years, camping out on her own or in ishvalan settlements.

she’s a master in stealth, they said—for years the amestrian military have been on the hunt for one of the most dangerous traitors they’ve ever had, but she always managed to slip through their fingers. all the evidence they manage to collect somehow always goes missing. the people they take in as witnesses suddenly don’t want to talk. the records they manage to pull together conveniently get altered. they say she has a spy in the military, someone with enough power and resources to keep her safe and alive.

roy’s face is blank during meetings.

#💞.writing #royai #fma #royai fic #royai fanfiction #riza hawkeye #roy mustang #fma fic #fullmetal alchemist #this started as a random thought then my brain went into overdrive #as u can tell from the sentence structure

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chrysopoeias · 10 months

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opinion posting about riza hawkeye/otp on something i see a lot around town but i disagree with.

Anyway. One thing I see more often than not is the idea that Hawkeye joined the military in order to chase after Mustang because she wanted to protect him. Or that she chased him while in love. But that is actually not true. I know ‘Because I have someone to protect’ is meemed into everyone’s head, but that was not her reason for joining the army. And it does not make sense either.

Like in a strategy guide to get Riza laid any% speedrun, what option is most logical?

1) Go completely no-contact with Mustang. Attend possibly multiple years of the military academy, likely in a different region from where he is. Get into a speciality that is wildly different from him. Git gud at that and then hope that maybe, if all the stars align her future boss will one day for some random reason put her in the proximity of this magic scientist she has not spoken to in years. And then ??? profit?

2) Literally just call Roy on his phone number, perhaps sent him a nice letter, or visit his address.

Sure, the first thing is what actually happened. But it's way too uncertain for that to have been planned. She did not need to be a soldier to be close to him. Roy was not a stranger to Riza, she had his current up to date contact info. He gave it to her on page/screen after her dad died.

When she first sees Mustang in Ishval Hawkeye looks angered and shocked to see him. The first thing she says to him is ‘Do you remember me?’. These two had no contact at all between 1905 and 1908. Mustang got flame alchemy and skedaddled out of her life (even though he was supposed to look after her lmao) and Hawkeye also had clearly no intention of seeking him out when she could have done so easily. She did not join the army to protect him. And also, she says why she joined:

She wanted to improve the lives of the people of Amestris. So am I saying it had nothing to do with Mustang? Well no. Her reasons for joining the military are the same as his.

She looked up to him. Here is this young man who has been to places beyond her sad little town and graduated from the military academy, he is a genius alchemist and must know what he’s talking about, right? That is on top of whatever their relationship was like before then, and whatever adoration she had for him already. She trusted him and thought his dreams were wonderful. Riza also wanted to believe in a peaceful future. Remember that they live in a totalitarian military dictatorship that has been in continued armed conflicts since the middle ages. There has never been a time of peace, ever, since the country was founded. And from the normie Amestrian point of view, they are just defending themselves from outside attacks. I believe that if Hawkeye and Mustang were sent to a border conflict instead of the civil war, they would have never questioned their government.

Anyway, Riza saw an opportunity to be useful with her own two hands, beyond being a walking notebook. Even if she could die in the process, it’d be worth to try. (And the military would also give her a salary after growing up in poverty and a place to live that is not the house she was abused in). She was a teenager with no family, no guidance, no idea what to make of herself. But this was something she could do. (She could have chosen many non-violent paths instead too, to be fair, but I digress).

And then it all went to shit obviously. You cannot become a sniper and never expect to kill. Selling your agency to the state means you can’t just play hero when you want to, you will be sent where ordered whether you like it or not, and forced to commit horrors or die a traitor. Believing the naive ideals of protecting her country was a mistake. Blindly admiring and trusting Mustang was a mistake. Smarter people than me can go expand on that.

But the ‘because there is someone I have to protect’ reason Hawkeye gives for being in the military is actually the reason why she stays. She could have gotten her diploma after Ishval and leave the military behind. But she chose not to.

She stays and will continue to kill because flame alchemy is her responsibility and she has created Mustang, all his kills are mentally hers. If she quits or kills herself while he does not, flame alchemy is still loose in the world outside her control. And just like Roy, she never fully gives up on her dream about protecting everyone. There must be a way to make all this worth it. There is still a way to change the country so future generations won’t have to go through what she did. She’s already doomed so she will take that responsibility so others won’t have to. She violently and fully clings to that.

If Mustang dies before doing anything positive for the world with their dreams and his abilities, all Hawkeye has done with her short life is cause destruction, murder and create a murderer, all the suffering would have been a waste. She cannot life with that guilt or continue the path alone, she will give up and kill herself. Especially in the scenario where she kills Roy herself, and with that her only hope.

There is no way out for them. But their murder-suicide pact was not planned for since they were young. They never intended to see each other again and spend their lives like this. You can blame dad for setting them up for failure.

#verwijder later #thanks for reading my rambles if you do #i have to write it out or it keeps bouncing in my head and distracting me all day at work

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animeyanderelover · 1 year

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Hello, hi! This is my second request so I’m sorry if this is too much! If it’s is then please ignore this or the other one or both!

May I please request for Yandere of your choice with a reader who really likes their Yandere behavior? Of course minus the killing and hurting others part.

Thank you! And please take care of yourself.

I’ll do my best to take care of myself!

Tw: Yandere themes, unhealthy mindset, unhealthy relationship, possessive behavior, obsession, delusions, stalking, clinginess, paranoia, jealousy

S/o likes their Yandere behavior

Sohma Shigure

🐕Behind his light-hearted facade, Shigure is quite hyper-aware of his own obsession but is quite literally feeling nonchalant about it. Because he doesn't like getting hurt though, he's very possessive of his darling and is always somehow involved in their daily life. Also, he loves teasing you at times since it's entertaining if he can push your buttons enough to make you a bit mad, although it's still very much an asshole move. Shigure is even more of an asshole to anyone who is threatening to take the biggest place in your heart. He's a petty man despite his sometimes insightful moments and can feel quite bitter if he notices that you're very close to someone, closer than to him. He always manages to test the limit of such a person too, only that he is far more cruel than he'd be usually. He's just mean and manipulative.

🐕 He's sort of amused that you still like his behavior for the most part even if you do mention to him that you don't appreciate him being mean and trying to break apart precious bonds you have with others. Shigure expected something else but he's satisfied that you still love him. It saves him trouble that might have come his way otherwise. He likes to tease you for being a weirdo though because you actually enjoy his possessive and more clingy attitude although in a more loving way. He can't help his sometimes more shitty attitude though by testing the waters with you. He just wants to know how far he can go until you get mad, with how much he can get away. For the most part he still acts laid-back and silly but he's more genuine with all of his feelings and hides things less from you.

Roy Mustang

🔥 Roy is a charismatic and charming man for his darling but it's all really just a mask so he can hide something he often finds himself deeply ashamed about. His own possessive and obsessive infatuation. He feels so often embarrassed and guilty for his own emotions but also knows from previous tries that it doesn't do his sanity good if he tries to distance himself from you. Roy at least manages to come over as a normal lover for the most part, he has composure. In moments of weakness he cracks though and that partially rules in his trauma regarding the Ishval Civil War and the death of his dear friend. Moments of insecurity where he turns more possessive, jealous and needy. Moments where you feel his hands heating up as his temper flares up.

🔥 He's shocked when he finds out that you actually enjoy it when he gets more possessive and wants you around him when he feels insecure all the time. He expected you to react the exact opposite if you'd ever suspect that he's actually quite obsessed and is unable to come up with something good to say the first few moments. He doesn't even know how he should feel for a while. A rational part of him thinks it's wrong for you to enjoy this all even if you at least say that killing others is still wrong and he shouldn't do it. On the other hand he loathes that another part of him is relieved and even glad. He sort of tiptoes around you, observes you as if not believing you. He refuses to use your willingness yet you find him clinging to you whenever he's hit with his paranoid insecurity and wants reassurance.

Takasugi Shinsuke

❤️‍🩹 Takasugi Shinsuke is a mess when it comes to his feelings. He's driven by his anger and guilt and has set his mind to destroy the world since it took what was most important to him. He's already slightly deranged and knows it but the new feelings blossoming inside his chest worsen that even more. He didn't expect to love someone, never wanted it either since he already had a goal he wanted to achieve. Your appearance confuses him, another wish which should be forbidden for someone like him pollutes his thoughts. The man hates you, you ruin his plan and he wants to reject you but longs for you deep down. He stalks you, watches you, is possessive enough to kill anyone who might be your potential partner even if he himself rejects the idea of a relationship himself.

❤️‍🩹 At one point he nearly loses it though, the chaotic storm of feelings inside of him leading to an abduction. He's quite aloof and cold to you, expects you to hate and fear him and even wants it. Yet apparently he isn't the insane one, you are. He is unable to understand why you like his behavior and him, tries to ignore the way a part of his heart flutters out of happiness. He stares at you with a unreadable face, analyzes you in silent hopes to find out that you lie, that you fear him. You seek him out, he avoids you. He can't love but you make it hard for the irrational emotions of his who just want you. Takasugi, for the lack of knowledge how to handle your genuine affection, resorts to show you the worst and ugliest part of him so you stop tugging at his heartstrings. He can't even make sense of himself right now, torn apart between revenge and new desire.

Integra Hellsing

🚬 Integra has this domineering and intimidating aura around her that demands respect and she knows that this might scare others a bit. Integra herself is lucid about her own feelings but what is as admirable as fearsome about her is that she handles her obsession with her normal controlled ease. She goes about it in the ususal business-like manner but doesn't allow her darling much choices in the end. Alucard likes to tease his master for his obsession but luckily her temper doesn't flare up that easily. As a partner Integra is strict and controlling though and due to her showing rarely any emotional reactions, she comes over as rather detached and cold at times. She's still very protective which is shown with her willingness to punish or even kill anyone who dares to attack and harm you.

🚬 Besides shock Sir Hellsing is genuinely impressed that you actually saw through her. Her servant Alucard is one of very few people who is able to see behind her composed and firm walls so to think that you were able to do the same is a small shock for her. There is a small part of amusement too when she hears how you find her behavior actually some sort of attractive even if you firmly stand against her killing others because of you. She keeps her coolness though and just sits down with you, interested how she gave herself away to you. It's probably sort of mind-blowing for an observer to hear and see how she spends an entire hour discussing and negotiating with you regarding her obsession and what you two will do from now on. Integra keeps her word though as long as you keep yours.

Kikyo

🏹 Her resurrection has given Kikyo certain freedoms she didn't have during the time when she was the guardian of the Sacred Jewel. She is allowed to hate now, to have negative emotions and that is some sort of relief for her even if she knows that such emotions can lead to terrible actions. Kikyo allows herself to be openly more selfish though and that is strongly shown with her obsession she has with her darling. Apparently with a new life came a new love for her too, far more intense than what she felt for Inuyasha. She stays in the place where you live for a while, you get to know her and she you too, additional stalking helping her even more. There comes the time where she has to leave though and she's selfish enough to force you to tag along. She knows that it's wrong and feels partially guilty yet is too tired to be selfless again.

🏹 She thought that you'd despise her, make things more difficult yet apparently you've gained feelings for her too and are happy to follow her. Your reaction flusters her a bit as she is not prepared for this. Yet Kikyo accepts your own feelings without quarreling with herself much. She feels a great sense of relief and joy that you reciprocate her love despite her somewhat apathetic act at times. She finds her fondness for you only deepening, reassures you that she won't harm people if they haven't done anything wrong. Sure, she still keeps an eye on you for a while to just go the extra mile to be safe but after that she gives you a lot of freedom. You're allowed to explore a bit without her although she insists that you still stay close enough so that you'd be able to hear her if she calls for you since Kikyo is very protective and given her past slightly paranoid.

Zenin Maki

💚 Maki represses her emotions mostly in order to maintain her tough and cold attitude but that doesn't mean that she dislikes you even if it sometimes comes over that way. It's rather that Maki is somewhat in disbelief that she is as romantically obsessed as she is with you. Her life revolves around becoming a strong sorcerer and humiliating her entire clan via that. Maki is almost a bit hyper-aware when around you although you don't catch her fleeting and subtle glances at first. The woman is strict and as tough as usual though with a good hint of a more possessive side at times. She won't be your knight in shining armor and expects you to be able to fend for yourself, even if you're just a normal human. Messing with her darling is never a good idea though because she's serious and won't hold back if someone clearly wrongs you.

💚 You manage to elicit a rather surprised and flabbergasted expression from her when she realizes that not only have you discovered her rather obsessive feelings but also came to like the way it influences her actions. Maki is not stupid, she knows that she's in the wrong with her feelings and struggles at times still with it. She's as straightforward with her words as ever though, deeming it to be useless to deny your words. You're too sure of yourself. She questions you about your weird liking for her obsession, you sense a hint of distrust from her. She still hasn't bought your words completely yet, it's not what she expected to hear from you. She's worried that others might notice too so she tries to cool her behavior down although she eventually relaxes more around you when she believes that you told the truth. She still tells you that you're weird for liking this albeit with a slightly amused grin.

Tomoe

🦊 Tomoe speaks badly about his darling the entire time but it's merely a way to distract himself from his own attraction. He's in utter disbelief and rejects the idea that he, a fox yokai, has fallen in love with a mere human. They're weak and mortal so why? Why does he feel this strong need to protect you? He's big in stalking at the beginning, a silent shadow who watches you. Surely he'd feel disgusted if he'd see how fragile and annoying this human really is. Nothing like that happens though, it only worsens Tomoe's addiction. An abduction is bound to happen since there is a certain paranoia Tomoe feels. Mikage already left him, he doesn't want to let you leave him too. He's very possessive and jealous too, not hesitant to scare or harm anyone who harms you or is too close to you.

🦊 Tomoe can pretend as much as he wants, deep down he longs to be loved and accepted by his darling which is why their confession catches him off guard. He's paranoid though since Mikage left him despite promising to be back soon so he doesn't believe you, experience has taught him so. He might even accuse you angrily of lying to him as a way to use him. Why would you love him despite him having kidnapped you? A part of him wants to believe you but he's too distrusting. You notice him being around you more often, his gaze never leaving you. He observes, searches for any signs that you lie but can't find any. It needs a lot of time and proof from you that you like him though before he slowly opens up and mellows out. He starts doting on you openly when he knows that you're genuine and wants at the same time more affection from your side.

Jacaerys Velaryon

He probably doesn't come over as someone potentially dangerous because Jacaerys is a big sweetheart for his darling. Even a blind person would see that he loves his darling to the moon and back, constantly singing praises about them in front of his family and spoiling them with whatever they wish. Jace isn't thinking rationally, his infatuation sort of keeps him from being completely aware about his own obsession. That doesn't mean that he has those silent moments where he kind of considers if his love can really be seen as completely harmless. Jacaerys experiences darker thoughts at times which sometimes startles him when he catches himself in the middle of it. It's important to keep in mind that he's highly protective and only truly caring to those he loves. Not to mention that he's more possessive than he lets on.

He orientates himself strongly after his darling though so it's a bad thing when he finds out that you adore his behavior. Sure, you're not too fond when he uses his position and influence to scare other potential pursuers away but you know that he loves you just a lot. The moment he knows that is the moment he pretty much abandons any doubt he had in the past about his attitude. He makes you happy with him if he acts that way apparently and that's all Jace wants and needs to know. If he knows that intimidating and threatening others upsets you, he tries to cool that part of him down but he will never stop being more aggressive if someone says or even looks at you the wrong way. His behavior around you intensifies since he knows that you like it though so he dotes on you even more than before.

Rokudo Mukuro

🌫️ This guy is disgustingly possessive over his darling and everything but tame. Mukuro is rather apathetic too which only means that he doesn't really care if he hurts others or even has to kill someone if it ensures that you stay with him. He even threatens and intimidates his own darling if it helps them to stay in line. He's less involved though as he is often away and takes care of something he never tells you about. You're either left under supervision of Chikusa, Ken and Chrome or are completely alone. Chances to run are tempting but that's what he wants to test in such scenarios. If you stay, he praises you for being obedient and smart and if you try to escape, he tracks you down an crushes your hopes by displaying the huge gap in power and skill between you two. Mukuro does care but he doesn't show it very openly.

🌫️ He wouldn't have minded your fear as long as you would have obeyed either but he's pleased to know that you actually like his behavior. He doesn't question why you do though because he knows that the average sane person would despise and fear him. Apparently you are another strange one but he doesn't really mind. It just means that everything will go smooth since you'll obey without throwing a tantrum. Mukuro decides to believe you too since he's confident in his ability to read you so he just sort of knows that you didn't lie to him when answering his question since he noticed. He doesn't exactly let you of the hook easier, still keeps you locked up and more isolated but he lets his more affectionate side show a bit here and there. Terms of endearment or the occasional soft caress of his hands when he isn't away.

Chae Yul

💜 Chae Yul is the complete package, the worst mix of everything. He’s extremely possessive, obsessive, trigger-happy, jealous and terribly clingy and needy. He’s incredibly attached to his darling to an unhealthy degree and relies solely on them for his emotional support. He rejects anyone else, isolates himself since you’re the only one he wants to spend time with. He’s a red flag, toxic enough to guilt-trip his darling whenever he feels like they reject him or is paranoid enough to think that they might plan to leave him. Yul can spend every waking second with you and attempts to do exactly that since he gets anxious when he isn’t with you. He’s the tamest when he is alone with you and isn’t scary to everyone who tries to get in between you two. Worst is that Yul tends to see everyone as villains who wants to separate him from you.

💜 He’s never viewed his excessive infatuation with you as wrong and despite the wrongness of it, you find it almost endearing. You make him aware of it too although you tell him that you don’t want him to threaten everyone who does as much as greeting you, he doesn’t have to act so overly jealous and possessive. Honestly, it’s probably best if his darling likes Yul’s behavior because otherwise he’d be insufferable. He doesn’t attempt to change much though although he tears up when you express your disappointment in him for acting so overly aggressive and frightening to others around you. He hates it, it makes him feel paranoid. So he opts to keep you most of the time in his apartment where he doesn’t have to worry about others. A perfect solution, wouldn’t you agree? Just let him stay like this forever, cuddled up in your arms.

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morally-grey-girlbosses · 7 months

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Propaganda under the cut.

Riza Hawkeye:

The best sniper in the Amestris military and the common sense of Team Mustang. Would be a war criminal if there was a geneva convention equivalent in Fullmetal Alchemist. Her goal is to make the things she did in the Ishval civil war illegal and face trial for them. Fights with guns in a setting with monsters and people with alchemy magic.

Granny Weatherwax:

Granny Weatherwax is a witch. Witches don't have leaders, because Granny Weatherwax never allow that sort of thing. She knows that she is the most dangerous thing in this dark forest. She is extremely good at what she does. She is kind, but not nice. She helps her community, cures people with potions and psychology, and she is an extremely practical person. She watches herself very closely to make sure she never strays from her own moral compass. There’s no harsher judge of Granny Weatherwax than Granny Weatherwax. Here are some quotes from the books: Granny’s implicit belief that everything should get out of her way extended to other witches, very tall trees and, on occasion, mountains. Granny Weatherwax was not a good loser. From her point of view, losing was something that happened to other people. Many people could say things in a cutting way. But Granny Weatherwax could listen in a cutting way. She could make something sound stupid just by hearing it. “I did start out in witchcraft to get boys, to tell you the truth.’ ‘Think I don’t know that?’ ‘What did you start out to get, Esme?’ Granny stopped, and looked up at the frosty sky and then down at the ground. ‘Dunno,’ she said at last. ‘Even, I suppose.”

#poll #tournament poll #round 1 #riza hawkeye #fullmetal alchemist #fullmetal alchemist brotherhood #granny weatherwax #discworld

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decoloraa · 1 year

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I saw someone say things again, so let me get this clear

Some of y'all get Olivier's character wrong

And I don't mean this in a "You don't know her like I do.." matter (okay maybe a bit), this is shown throughout the story.

I saw ppl call Olivier a terrible person on many accounts. One reason why ppl have that opinion is because of her disapproval towards her brother Alex.

Olivier can't really stand Alex, there’s nothing to question about that. One reason she shares is because of what happened at Ishval: Alex stops fighting in the Civil war and gets send away from the front. Olivier calls him "spineless" for that and accuses him of running away.

Some ppl think she's angry at him because he didn’t follow the militaries orders and stopped fighting. BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE!

Do y'all seriously believe Olivier condones the Ishvalan Civil war? Yes, we never see her talk about it being wrong or openly calling it out. But she not only put Miles in a high position (during a time where Ishvalan soldiers systematically get decommissioned), she even convinces him to oppose the military from within and she wants his perspective as someone with Ishvalan blood, so she can be a better leader.

Then why does she resent Alex? Because he RAN AWAY. Alex never openly oposses the military for the war. He questions why it's happening, why the military is so brutal, and in the end, he just refuses to fight/gets sent away because he's no big use.

Olivier is someone who values when ppl have strong opinions and are brave enough to stand up for them. Alex had an opinion: The war is cruel and needs to stop. But what did he do? He just stopped being a part of it. And THAT'S the reason why she's angry at him.

To he, Alex is a coward because he didn’t stand up to his believes, NOT because he didn’t have the guts to follow orders. If he had openly called the military out for it's brutality or had tried to pull other soldiers to his side, he would've stood up for his opinion.

But instead he left the war (which on itself is better than continuing to fight) and stayed in the military both as a major and as a state alchemist. He saw the military's wrongs and didn’t act on them further. And that's what makes Olivier so angry. THAT is why she calls him spineless.

Later in the promised day, he not only protects her despite the orders to kill her. He even refuses to leave the fight even though he's injured, all to help the Elrics to fight father. He stands up for that he thinks is right and that's why we see them getting closer again.

Olivier is a complicated person and has some questionable perspectives (such as wanting to use xingnese alchahestry as a weapon). But he's not a bad person, she actually cares a lot for the people around her. I could write a whole essay on her character and the misconceptions that lie in the fma fandom about her. But what I'm trying to say: Don’t demonize her. She can be rough and isn't the nicest acting character (most of the time), but she's not cruel or an overall terrible person.

#reblogged something similar but I keep seeing misconceptions about her #so I had to add my two cents #olivier mira armstrong #fma #fma brotherhood #fmab #olivier armstrong

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asthmaticbee · 2 years

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Chapter 8: Gold - Lapis Philosophorum

gloria of rubies and gold

Rated M (for violence)

Summary

Eight years can make a lot of difference.

Edward Elric, youngest State Alchemist in history, is 15 when Executive Order 3066 takes effect, turning a civil war into genocide.

All State Alchemists are to serve at the front lines of Ishval and kill indiscriminately, humans turned weapons.

–

Edward shields his eyes against the blazing desert sun of Ishval and tries to ignore the way his white glove is stained red, pretends it’s oil instead of blood.

There is a wave of heat from somewhere to his right and up ahead, yards away but unnaturally strong, and the wind carries with it screams and the smell of burning flesh.

A shot echoes through the stillness of the high noon, and he counts to five in his head. Another shot.

This story has a playlist!

#ao3 #fanfic #my writing #fmab au #fmab #veted #gloria of rubies and gold #ishval war vet ed au #ishval civil war #ishval

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qs63 · 2 months

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Amestris Military structure and organization

This is the first of my series of long posts about the Amestrian Military. This one goes over the structure and organization of the military (and the country). To see the rest of this meta series check out the Main Post.

Amestris is a military state, surrounded by other hostile countries on all sides, the country has always been at war over its borders. For this reason, even before Bradley became Führer-president, the military was the center of the government. However, when Bradley became Führer-president in his 40s[2], twenty years prior to the series beginning[3][4], he took control of the government, parliament, and courts, effectively making current Amestris a military dictatorship.[2]

Each regional branch has a commander and a sub-commander appointed to the headquarters who serve as the head of the local government.[5] Grumman served as commander of the East until his appointment as Führer-President, with Mustang serving as his sub-commander until his transfer to Central, after which he was replaced by Major General Hakuro.[2][4][5][6] It is implied by Grumman that Roy Mustang and Olivier Armstrong became the commanders of the East and North, respectively, after the Promised Day.[8]

Administrative Organization

In terms of organization Amestris is divided in 4 regions (East, West, North, and South) and a fifth administrative district at the center of the country (Central City). Each region is a semi-independent government ruled by a branch of the military, but all four regional branches are controlled by Central Command. That means a General assigned to Central Command is higher in hierarchy than a General of the same rank assigned to one of the regional branches. This is why being assigned to Central is considered a promotion and vice versa.[1]

Aside from being in charge of the regional branches Central Command is also in charge of the Military Police and the Wide Area Government (Most likely based on Japan's koikigyouse. A branch of government in charge of coordination and operations that go beyond the jurisdiction of the local governments). In turn Central command answers to the Führer's Office, which is also in charge of the military academy, the alchemy research institute, the state alchemy agency, and the alchemy school. The military as a whole is also in charge of a multitude of establishments around the country, like hotels and hospitals.[2]

As mentioned before, the Führer's office also has control of the court and the parliament despite these technically being separate entities from the military.[2]

Diagram of the Composition and organization of the Amestrian military. [2]

What is interesting about Amestris’ administrative organization and division is that this kind of autonomous or semi-autonomous government branches usually serve the purpose of power decentralization (i.e. State vs Federal government) which is the antithesis of a dictatorship. The regional divisions must have predated the Bradley administration, all the way back to a time when the parliament and democracy still worked.

The homunculi choosing to alienate the regional branches instead of dismantling them was probably their biggest mistake. In the end, even if Central held all the political power, the soldiers were still loyal to their local branch. That left each regional command with about 1/5th of Amestris’ military power at their disposal. If the Promised Day showed us anything, it is that losing control of two of the regions (East and North in this case) is enough to overthrow the central government.

It could be said then that the measures taken to keep power decentralized somewhat work even after the fall of democracy.

An example of the military’s ability to govern is Bradley passing executive order 3066 during the Ishval Civil War, as well as his subsequent Ishvalan Policy, which prohibited the resettlement of Ishval. [7][8] Another example is Roy Mustang's New Ishvalan Policy (which involves domestic development in Ishval and international treaties with Xing).[8] This latest example hints towards a shift away from Bradley's authoritarianism under Grumman's tenure, where the regional branches are allowed more control over their own policies as opposed to being micromanaged by Central Command.

General Mission

As any armed force the main purpose of the Amestris military is warfare. However, as a military dictatorship their role goes beyond defending the country and right into governance. The military holds the executive power through the Führer-President, with the regional branches acting as local governments, and is indirectly in charge of the legislative and Judicial powers (through the parliament and court).[2]

The Amestrian military is also in charge of domestic security and order mainly through the Military Police.[2]

Military Ranks

The Amestrian military has a total of 15 ranks, 11 officer ranks and 4 NCO (non-commissioned officer) ranks, at least per the perfect guides.[1][2][3] The Wikia includes two more (unsourced) NCO ranks, but I'll explain later why those might not make sense in the “real world influence” post.

Amestrian military ranks. [1]

Führer-President (大総統 - Daisōtō)

From top to bottom the ranks are:

Officer ranks

King Bradley 1894–1915,

Grumman (1915–?)[8]

General (大将 - Taishō)

Roy Mustang (1917–?) [4][8]

Lieutenant General (中将 - Chūjō)

Grumman(?–1915)[8], Raven, Gardner

Major General (少将 - shōshō)

Olivier Mira Armstrong, Hakuro, Gärtner

Brigadier General (准将 - Junshō)

Basque Grand (1908–1914) [13],

Maes Hughes (posthumously promoted two ranks),

Klemim,

Edison,

Fessler,

Roy Mustang (1915–1917)[4][8]

Colonel (大佐 - Taisa)

Roy Mustang (1910–1915)[4][8][10],

Henry Douglas

Lt. Colonel (中佐 - Chūsa)

Roy Mustang (1909-1910)[4][10][11],

Basque Grand (1908)[12],

Storch

Major (少佐 - Shōsa)

Alex Louis Armstrong,

Miles,

Roy Mustang (1908)[4][12]

Captain (大尉 - Taii)

Focker, Buccaneer,

Vato Falman (post canon)[14],

Maes Hughes (1908) [12]

1st Lieutenant (中尉 - Chūi)

Riza Hawkeye (1911–?),

Yoki

2nd Lieutenant (少尉 - Shōi)

Maria Ross,

Jean Havoc,

Heymans Breda,

Vato Falman (1915),

Henschel,

Rebecca Catalina,

Darius,

Heinkel,

Jerso,

Zampano,

Riza Hawkeye (1909-1911)[10]

Non commissioned officers ranks

Warrant Officer (准尉 - Jun’i)

Vato Falman (pre 1915),

Riza Hawkeye (1909) [11],

Roy Mustang (1905) [7][11]

Master Sergeant (曹長 - Sōcho)

Kain Fuery

Sergeant (曹長 - Gunsō)

Denny Brosh

Corporal (伍長 - Gochō)

Cadets do not seem to have a given rank. They aren't shown with rank insignias or epaulets in the OVA “Another man's battlefield” nor in the complete art book. More about this is the Training regime Post.

Roy Mustang and Maes Hughes during their cadet days. [15]

Aside from the ranks above, two other subdivisions exist under the military structure. The State Alchemists, who have an equivalent to the rank of Major, and the Military Police, who don't seem to have military ranks at all.

The qualification exam is administered at the State Alchemist examination Hall in Central City, while the yearly evaluation can be turned in at any of the military Headquarters. [2]

State Alchemists

The State Alchemists are government employed alchemists that have passed the State Alchemists qualification exam. To become a State Alchemist, you must pass four tests: written, practical, psychiatric evaluation, and an interview. Furthermore, even after obtaining the national qualification, candidates are required to undergo a yearly assessment based on a report and practical skills, and if they do not receive a good evaluation, they may be disqualified from the program. This yearly evaluation includes commissioned officers like Basque Grand, Roy Mustang, and Alex Louis Armstrong.[1]

After acceptance into the program each new State Alchemist is granted a silver pocket watch and a certificate with an official title by the Führer as proof of their service. [1][2][10]

The state alchemists have the obligation to participate in war. In addition they must follow three laws:

Obey the military

Do not create gold

Do not create people

In exchange for their services they receive privileges in the form of research funds in the tens of millions of cens annually (the equivalent to tens of 70k dollars a year), access to military documentation and facilities, and a rank equivalent to a Major. [1][2]

It is never stated when the State Alchemist program started, but only 200 people have ever passed the exam to date, and a surprising number of them fail the subsequent yearly evaluation or quit on their own. [1] Many State Alchemists renounced after the Ishval extermination war. [13]

This makes long serving State Alchemists like: Edward Elric, Roy Mustang, Alex Louis Armstrong, Basque Grand, and Giolio Comanche an oddity rather than the norm.

Normally, they are responsible for investigating incidents. However, in some cases, military personnel take command and directly participate in the investigation. A typical example of this is the search for Scar. [2] Another example is Maria Ross’s arrest and persecution in which Colonel Henry Douglas of the Military Police Headquarters took command.[9]

Military Police

The military police is a subordinate organization of the military. They receive orders from the Military Police headquarters (which in turn receives orders from Central Command) and act as the on-site execution force of the military. [2]

Colonel Henry Douglas confronts Colonel Mustang after Mustang burned Maria Ross.[9]

While the Military Police Headquarters is under the control of Central Command and parallel in hierarchy to the regional branches, the Police officers themselves are at the very bottom of the military hierarchy, and seem to be expected to obey orders from the regional branches. The police officers don't wear a rank insignia and can be seen throughout the story helping the military personnel. [2]

If you happened to read Fullmetal Alchemist Under the Faraway Sky — Roy's vacation section, you may also have noticed that Hughes has more jurisdiction and influence than Mustang outside of East City despite being a rank below him. This is again because Hughes belongs to Central Command while Roy belongs to East Command. Roy can pull rank on him, but Hughes’ job is one level above Roy's in the government structure.

Afterthoughts

The way the Amestris military is organized means that despite Roy Mustang being Hughes’ and Edward’s superior, he is hierarchically below them. This is why in episode 1 of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Bradley not only has to inform Mustang that Fullmetal is in the city, he also has to grant him permission to use Ed to capture McDougall. This is because the State Alchemists are under the direct command of the Fuhrer's office. They do not answer to Central Command or the regional branches. Bradley is Edward's one and only boss. Ed still has to obey direct orders given by Mustang, since State Alchemists have the authority equal to a Major and a Colonel is two ranks above that, but he doesn't have to work for him. This is why Mustang considers anything done by Ed as a favor to him rather than him just doing his job.

Yeah, that also means Hawkeye was hierarchically above Mustang when she was working as the Fuhrer's aide, therefore in the Fuhrer's office. She couldn't give him orders, but she was probably handling his (or his direct boss’s) assignments, and helping approve or deny his paperwork.

Chapter 24: Fullmetal Alchemist [10]

Source

Fullmetal Alchemist Manga

Chapter 25: Master and Apprentice [6]

Chapter 36: Alchemist in distress [9]

Chapter 58: footsteps of ruin [7]

Chapter 59: the immoral alchemist [12]

Chapter 108: Journey's end [8]

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood

Episode 30: The Ishvalan war of extermination [11]

Episode 64: Journey's end [14]

Military Uniform Post