there was something really jim henson-esque and campy about how some of the non-human races were portrayed in the new dnd movie that i really enjoyed. they could’ve easily gone the shitty cgi route or just not shown those races up close at all, but no, they said you want a bird man? we’re gonna get you a bird man
I love how in the early seasons of btvs willow is treated as though she has bad taste in clothes but now her wardrobe is like a pinterest girlie's dream
Despite how wildly Elendira was changed as a character in tristamp she's just. so fascinating to me both bc of her existence as a whole (a human/plant hybrid of sorts that Nai, despite his hatred for humans, for some reason has allowed to exist) and the idea of her being an honest, childish reflection of Nai himself.
There is absolutely no way that Elendira's disdain for humans isn't something she learned from him. And when you compare their expressions and behavior - they are just so painfully similar. From the way their emotions shift so quickly from one to another to how they show so clearly on their faces/bodies,
And how the only way to somewhat (poorly) mask themselves is to physically shift away and hide - which they both do in front of Vash specifically.
On that note, Elendira's reaction to physical pain is very interesting to me too in how it contrasts with Nai's. Whereas she throws a tantrum and cries out about how much it hurts, physical pain does very little for Nai (outwardly, that is) as shown in eps 3 and 12. Even as Vash tries to shoot down his blades or as Nai burns himself alive along the fire of Vash's angel arm, it is the emotional aspect (Vash's rejection) which actually hurts him. It can be heard in his voice or seen in his face and still, he tries to hide that too behind a smile or laugh that always seems awfully close to crying or sobbing.
Ig what I'm trying to point at is Elendira - as a metaphorical and literal reflection of him, since she's implied to be a clone, kinda - being able to voice and act out all the reactions to pain, physical and emotional, that Nai usually doesn't allow himself to show.
Extra interesting to me that she immediately labels Vash a traitor and cries harder when she mentions Nai and how Vash doesn't know.
I think a more literal tl of this bit is something along the lines of "it's your fault that lord Knives -", regardless... what is it that Vash doesn't know or that he's at fault for? Is she echoing Nai's pain, his loneliness? Why does she feel it so deeply?
And did Vash realize? What she is and where she comes from, or why she exists? Is that why he looked so sad at the sight of her? Did he see part of his brother in her too? Did Nai as a kid ever cry like that?
Not exactly a dadstarion truther either (mostly bc it took me a while to actually warm up to the idea and also hes NEVER having kids with my durge, only my tav (can you imagine this man parenting a Bhaalspawn? A dhampir Bhaalspawn?? Nonono.)) But I do find something a little compelling about the thought of this man who a) has had absolutely nothing of his own for as long as he can remember and b) sees himself as worthless and irreparably fucked up creating this tiny new person? Like, they're part of him, he made this precious little creature (with the person he already loves most)? This soft and innocent thing? (Which he would waffle awfully between wanting to keep innocent for as long as possible but also making sure they know about life's horrors so they can avoid them) Like sure the baby version is annoyingly loud and can't do anything and also gross and smells but he can teach the toddler to bite people. He is the absolute worst enabler, spoils the kid rotten. Teaches them to steal and pick locks and just lets them get away with murder. Parent #2 has to do all the actual parenting part cuz damn he's not doing the discipline thing at all.
Also the vain part of him likes looking at his kid and sort of seeing some of his face in them, since he can't use an actual mirror.
Well he'd be cured by the time he has the kid or soon after in my canon, so that last part wouldn't apply for me.
And yeah, when I say that I'm not a dadstarion truther I don't mean that I don't see it happening ever, but more that to me, that first step in itself is the one that I see as least likely.
Because I can accept that he would learn to love the kid, that he would care about it and spoil it. I can also accept (and would gladly explore) him having a complicated relationship with the kid, either early on in a postpartum depression sort of way, or further down the line in a "I can't find common ground with my teen/young adult" sort of way (or both lbr).
The problem, to me, is that I don't see Astarion going "let's have a kid!" I don't see him genuinely wanting one, and I don't see him finding any reason to lie about wanting one, and I don't see Hira believing any of those lies even if he does try. It's really the initial hurdle. The rest I'm happy to make as dysfunctional and weird as it would realistically be when a guy who shouldn't be a dad becomes a dad. One of the reasons I came up with Critter is because I find it compelling how much Astarion is not a dad guy, and how that would fuck up a person like Critter. That's juicy stuff. And also a way for me to work out my own daddy issues I guess lmao.
But getting that started? Actually inventing a reason for how Astarion would even agree to it? That's where I struggle. And that's why I'm torn. Cuz I do want to stay true to my own interpretation of a character, while also wanting to create a new character and put them both (and also Hira) in situations.
Like I'm happy for all the dadstarion peeps who have cool dhampir girlies running around on adventures and I'd love to join them, but I also think that if I were true to Astarion's characterization, that kid would have issues. Like maybe a lot of them.
I don't hate or get annoyed by BiscuitBites/Nuzi as a ship, I just don't care much for most ships in general (besides PinkLemonade/Vizzy because personally I think their dynamic is really cute ok??)
And I'm not irritated that Nuzi is becoming canon like a lot of people are complaining about, Murder Drones is not becoming a shipping-focused show because of this, this episode had probably the most horror and emotional scenes by far... I'm happy shipping wars will be over and I'm happy that people are voicing out their happiness that the ship is canon! Yippee! People are happy, everything is good, and I'm not irritated by that!
What I do find irritating about some Nuzi shippers is that I'll have actual tears running down my face from reading a V memoriam post and then scroll down to see some people saying that they "didn't care V died that much and that they're glad that V is dead to completely set in stone Nuzi as a ship".
Most of the main cast of characters were comfort characters for me and this is a shot in the heart because I loved V as a character. Even though I was kind of emotionally hurt by the last scene, I really do think a sacrifice was a good call by Liam. That won't stop me from being sad however. But PLEASE, I don't want to see people complaining about how everyone's upset over V's death and not putting enough focus on Nuzi confirmation (which both statements are super untrue, both get a respective amount of attention)
Like I understand why some people wouldn't be super upset about the (presumably) V death, you can voice your own opinion and not be too emotionally affected by the death and I'm not judging you for that, but when I see people get to the point where they're judging and kind of shaming people for getting stressed or anxious or generally upset at a character death? It kind of kills me. Please stop beatboxing I'm crying on the floor
Though a lot of Nuzi shippers I see aren't like this and I'm so happy about that, it's super nice to see that!!!! I've seen some of the most amazing works of this community come from Nuzi people and I still respect them so much because they're still people and part of this fandom even though I don't directly care much for the ship itself anymore, I'm not judging anyone based on their favorite robot pairings (UNLESS YOU'RE LIKE. A PROSHIPPER. ICK. OFF WITH YOU.) :)
pulled Hyde today! To be fair, I don't really care for him too much as a character (typical evil scientist shadow decree member, except he's the founder so he's like special) but dear God do I love his design, esp his little demon doggo(s)!
just now this woman I see regularly on the bus from and to work, and wears a suit I saw her twice today once on the way to work
her voice was higher in pitch than I thought it would? First time I hear her voice
and just now on the way home, we get off on the same area / ride from the same one too
and now she was like "hey :D the bus is finally here! :D" it was v cute!!! since im masked she wasn't able to see me go :D back so I nodded and was like "let's hope it's empty :D" and when the bus came near it was and she went "it is :D"
Ngl I'm legit terrified of what Waititi might have done to Jane Foster. If his idea of a strong female character is exclusively "violent, beautiful women" (Valkryie, Topaz, and Hela) I genuinely fear for the wildly intelligent and delightfully selfish spitfire that is Jane