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#also it's genuinely frustrating because i do support more people in power affirming support for palestinian liberation
kristailine · 9 months
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On Kazuya's and Jun's Love Languages
I really love this ship with all my heart like I think I shipped them way before I have known what shipping meant. It's so frustrating that we really don't know much about their relationship and dynamic in canon but I can't help but wonder what they would've been like as a couple >.<
For me, personally, I really do think that Kazuya and Jun are both suckers on Quality Time. I feel like once they felt their attraction to the other, they kept longing to be in each other's presence, and at first Kaz was probably like "I just have to know more about her because she's mysterious." and shit like that like hunny, just say you're crushing on her 😩
Jun probably thought the same like "I need to be in his presence because of the darkness that surrounds him." Just say he's hot and you wanna date him, girl.
When they do hang out together, they make the most out of their time and just really let themselves get lost in the moment. It probably also supports that no matter how short the KOIFT 2 was, it was enough quality time for them to bond with each other enough for them to fall in love or get closer to one another or however viewers wanna interpret it (as we wait for tk8 to confirm wth happened between them in tk2).
Kazuya's secondary love language - I think I'm leaning mostly on Acts of Service. He probably isn't aware because he just thinks he's doing people a favor, but unconsciously, it's his way to show that he cares about the people he values. Like that man helped Bruce seek refuge after the plane crash and fake his death so he doesn't get caught by interpol. Hell he even granted Anna her request of being put in cryo sleep.
Doing acts of service to express his love for Jun was probably the most convenient and easiest way he could ever express how much he cares about her. Other love languages are just too explicit so he mostly tries to reason to himself that 'he's just doing Jun a favor' but it's probably him doing his best to get the message across that he truly values her so he's willing to do such things for her.
I can just imagine Jun having a bad day, and Kaz, being the man that he is who sucks with speaking comforting words and probably never initiated physical affection to anyone, gets up from his seat and goes "I'll show you some of the floras in the Mishima Estate garden since you love ecology so much." and then hopes she'll feel better. "I'll go get Lee to fix those papers you need for your work." or maybe even when they're sparring, Kazuya would always be the one to get her a bottle of water and a towel to wipe her sweat off with, since Jun is probably out of breath and needs more time to recover.
Jun's secondary love language - Words of Affirmation. Have ya'll just seen the sappiest ass shit she says to Kazuya in her tk8 intros and outros and even in Tekken Motion Picture like girlie has a helluva lot to say and she is so valid so let her speak 🗣️
Tekken Bloodline (tho non canon ugh) also kinda portrays Jun being comforting with words with the way she talks to Jin after his encounter with the bullies. Jun is seen as having some kind of profound sense of wisdom which enables her to empathize and feel people due to her being psychic and also spending most of her time during childhood getting in touch with nature. So I think with that, she always has the right words to say, and she knows exactly how to put into words how much she cares for a person. Plus she's an INFJ (lol).
Kazuya probably wouldn't have let her in his life had Jun not said the right words upon meeting him. Kazuya being in such a powerful position during TK2 had him surrounded with people who only spoke of deceit and lies to get to his good side and all that, and seeing how genuine Jun was with her words and how much it deeply soothed some of his inner wounds may have deepened the way he saw her. Thus, they became closer.
I do like to think that even though Jun is good with her words, she never really got the guts to outright say I love you to Kazuya 😩 I think she be too shy and bashful for that but argh with a little bit more of delulu to the ship, maybe I can convince myself that she did. Objectively speaking really, I don't think she could ever have said it during TK2.
Honorable mentions to Jun's secondary love language - Physical touch. Like idkkkkk, probably just me but I think I got it from somewhere that her tk8 outro literal translation kinda says she wants to snuggle up to Kazuya, and that is just so sweet 😩 im crying
Just a few two cents on them really :>>
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odetojeons · 3 years
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Will You Punish Me If I Don’t? — Jeon Wonwoo
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request:  a lil drunk reader × possessive wonu angry sex pls
tags: fem and brat!reader, dom!wonwoo, edging, semi-public sex, angry sex, rough sex, oral sex (f receiving), a tiiiiiny bit of light degradation and spit kink, unprotected sex (stay safe), wall sex (oh yes you read that right), a whole lot of dirty talk, JEON WONWOO IN A CROP TOP BYE, established jeon wonwoo x reader
a/n: this took me a whole fucking day to write it 💀 i think my soul left my body on the meantime and now i’m just a spirit,, but i love this so much, pls, possessive wonu is one of the biggest moods ever 🥵 also i’m sure i made a lot of stupid grammar mistakes that i didn’t realize even after proof reading it, so you’re just gonna,, pretend you don’t see those :)) i hope you enjoy, i made this with all my heart JDJSJDJS
word count:  6244
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You know very well you’re being annoying and petty today.
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You both have been on this damn party for a while and you tried to get Wonwoo to leave and fuck you for at least five times now. You tried dirty dancing on the dance floor; nope. You tried sitting on his lap when he was talking to his friends; nope. You even tried to make out with him; but it only had lasted for a few minutes.
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It had you even more horny and angry. And that is never a good combination when it comes to you.
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But can people really blame you when Wonwoo is looking that good? You have been making a great amount of effort not to stare too much at Wonwoo’s abs peeking from his black cropped shirt, the sharpness of his V-line more visible than it should be legally allowed — it’s bad for your poor heart after all. But you do a poor job of hiding how the whole outfit affects you, because Wonwoo was looking and he had this known glint swimming inside his eyes and it’s got you licking your lips. 
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But still, he didn’t do anything.
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Well, not until you used your last resort.
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Your mind threw back to the memory of Wonwoo’s big hand resting on your inner thigh earlier when you were sitting in his lap, the veins in the back of his palm tracing a dirty path up to his forearms. And there’s always a strength, even a possessiveness in the way he holds you, his other hand squeezing a little hard against your waist, grip tightening every time someone stares at you for a second too long. There’s something so raw in the way he acts, like it’s almost unconscious, and it turns you on without a doubt.
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No matter how you looked at other people and tried to rile him up, Wonwoo still remained in his stupid composed behavior, this little acts being the only proof of his jealousy. 
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But not tonight. Tonight you were going to make him snap, no matter what. You were gonna make him fuck you rough and fast and give you as many orgasms as you wanted.
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Oh, but you were so wrong. Things totally backfired at you.
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You started by going into the dance floor again, after a few shots of some liquid courage. Swaying your hips at the beat, you tried your best to throw sultry looks at where he was sitting — manspreading, your brain unfortunately added, because he looked so hot doing that — in one of the sofas, eyes set on you like you’re the only thing that he could ever look at.
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You smirked, pleased with his reaction, before proceeding with your plan. Hands reaching forward, you touched the shoulder of the first guy you saw in front of you. It doesn’t take long for him to turn around and smile. He seemed genuinely nice, so you felt a little bad for using him to make your boyfriend jealous, but when you looked at him the guilt disappeared in two seconds.
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His head was hung low, eyebrows frown and fists clenched in where he supported his arms on the sofa. You winked at him and clearly saw how he seemed to almost visibly snarl at your teasing, knowing very well what was your intent with all of that; Wonwoo looked at you like he was about to consume you whole in front of everyone just to prove who you belonged to — and you felt your legs tremble at the idea of that.
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It was a game to see who would give in first; you to your frustration and horniness or Wonwoo to his possessives and jealousy. You couldn’t stop staring at him, the both of you shooting daggers into each other, especially when you turned your back to the guy and swayed your hips obscenely for him. 
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But it was when he put his hand on your waist and glued his lips to your ear that things started taking a turn of events; in the next second, Wonwoo was standing right beside you. The air grew thicker quickly, and your breath was knocked out of you at the sight of your — very pissed off and very hot — boyfriend looking down at you. 
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“What do you think you’re doing?” Wonwoo’s voice had rang through your ears, loud enough to make you mewl softly even through all the music going on in the background.
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“Dancing?” you asked with fake innocence, batting your eyelashes at him. Wonwoo groaned, grabbing your wrist.
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“Um,” the guy from before started. “I think I should be going now?”
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He waited for an answer, but you and Wonwoo were too busy looking at each other intensively to even care, so he cleared his throat and left.
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“Let’s go,” he stated simply, pulling at you through the crowd so you both could go outside. You giggle a little when you trip on your foot, a bit tipsy with the shots you took.
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And that’s how you find yourself currently being guided until you were both right in front of his car. Your mouth opens, ready to make a clever comment that would surely rile him up and give in to what you want, before he turns around and gets all over your personal space, so suddenly that the words get stuck in your throat. The scent of his cedarwood cologne invades your lungs, sending your mind into a little haze.
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“What were you thinking, letting another man touch you?” Wonwoo says, voice rough and firm, lips pressed into a thin line like he was still holding something back.
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And you don’t want him to.
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“You took too long, and I have needs,” you retort, stepping up into his space too, not wanting to back down even when the sight of Wonwoo’s dark, dark eyes bleeding with lust made a very noticeable shiver run down your spine.
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“What kind of need would even make you want to rub yourself all over someone else that—” he stops himself, closing his mouth before groaning, annoyed. You smirk at him, knowing what he was going to say.
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All over someone else that isn’t me.
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“Hmm, let me see,” you giggle, face centimeters apart from his, your breaths mingling with each other. “A need to get fucked hard, for starters.”
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The intensity of his gaze growing exponentially dark wipes the smile off your face in seconds. You try not to gulp when he scoffs, taking one messy step back when he takes one further.
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“So that’s what this is about?” Wonwoo questions, tone suddenly mean and sarcastic, and there’s heat licking and pooling at your lower belly faster than you expected. His deep voice never fails to leave you trembling. “You’re so desperate to get railed that you couldn’t even wait to get home before throwing yourself at some random dude.”
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Your cheeks tint red in shame and arousal, realizing this wasn’t a question. It was an affirmation, like he knows exactly how horny you are, and you try to remain composed. You are not going to give up until he loses it.
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“Maybe,” you say, a single finger trailing through his torso distractingly, and you don’t even try to hide your hunger when you look at his abs peeking from behind his cropped. Wonwoo’s face hardens at that, and you smile internally in victory. “Why? Are you jealous, baby?”
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He laughs, throwing his head back, but it only serves to make you even more satisfied. That’s exactly the reaction you expected him to have.
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“You’re drunk,” Wonwoo answers instead, and you think it’s endearing how he denies so hard that he’s not possessive.
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“Nope,” you press your finger in his chest again, but he doesn’t even buge from the place. Fuck, that’s hot, you think, licking your lips and watching Wonwoo’s eyes zeroing in the action. “A little bit tipsy? Yes. But drunk? Not at all.”
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Suddenly, you back away, trying to ignore the way your body protests against the lack of warmth, the lack of Wonwoo.
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“So if you’re not jealous, then you wouldn’t mind me getting off with someone else, right?” you trail off, feeling proud of yourself when he looks at you like you just made something emerge from the ground with psychic powers.
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“What?” he asks, tone furious, and you jump a little in place with the intensity of it, but soon recovers with a pout.
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“I mean,” you start, acting like you’re not saying the biggest stupid thing you could ever think of saying, shrugging at him. Of course it was all a lie, there’s no way you’ll ever want someone else other than Wonwoo. “You’re always telling me to wait and wait and wait, so if you’re not that jealous, then maybe I should get someone else to fuck me when you can’t.”
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Wonwoo moves so fast your brain takes a time to understand what he just did; in a second you were standing with your glorious bratty attitude, the next you were pushed against the car, one hand squeezing your jaw tight in place and the other holding your wrists behind your back. His bigger and broader body pins yours against the door, and you have a hard time breathing now.
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Now that’s a way to sober up.
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“No,” he grits out, sounding more like a growl than an actual word. Your heart is hammering like crazy against your chest, and you gasp softly when he pushes your jaw backwards until the back of your head hits the car, neck exposed for him. “No one should be allowed to touch you like this. No one but me. No one.”
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Then Wonwoo bites the juncture of your neck and shoulder, so hard you think the mark is gonna be there for days. You moan at that, hips kicking and shocking with Wonwoo’s.
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“You know nobody could fuck you like I do,” he says, sounding smug but also dead serious, and this cocky side of his during such moments never fails to make you wet.
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You inhale, reuniting the fight there’s still in you. To be honest the only thing that makes you still retort back is the alcohol. It gives you a special ability of not being able to shut up.
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“I guess someone else will have to fuck me so I can believe you.”
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You watch his demeanor change instantly at that; shoulders tensing, jaw clenching and predatory eyes — Wonwoo kisses the breath out of you. He sucks at your body lip, licking at the seam of your mouth, and you gasp, mouth parting and his tongue slides against yours. There’s a hot flash rushing all over you as your body pulses with want; Wonwoo has always been a great kisser, capable of surrendering you putty in his hands.
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He kisses you again and again and again, as if someone might take you away. He kisses you like he wants to carve his identity in your soul. He kisses you so messy and hungry that your teeth actually clack and the sounds of your lips dragging roughly and tongues rubbing against each other fills the air around you.
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Wonwoo can probably taste the alcohol, if the way he moans is anything to go by.
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It is dirty, lewd and so fucking hot you feel the fight leaving your body momentarily along with your breath, lungs burning with the lack of oxygen. There are a few tears gathering in the corner of your eyes, and you don’t even realize their presence, but then, and only then, Wonwoo pulls away. He bites at your lower lip one more time, a lewd string of saliva connecting your mouths for a short while before it breaks.
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“Seems like you suddenly forgot who’s name you scream when you’re getting railed,” Wonwoo tells you, voice poisonous and labored breath caressing the skin of your neck. “Should I remind you?”
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“Y-yes,” you moan out, enjoying the proposal, but it only serves to make Wonwoo scoff.
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“I think you need to learn how to respect me first,” he says instead, and there’s butterflies swarming together in your belly, chest still heaving for air.
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“Will you punish me if I don’t?” you retort, staring him right back in the eyes.
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Wonwoo growls.
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“You better shut the fuck up before I make you regret,” he says, and you feel a shiver rocking so bad on your body that your hips collide into Wonwoo’s, his half hard cock pressing against your stomach. The feeling makes you moan.
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“Why would I?” you ask, trembling voice giving away how much this all affects you. “I want this.”
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There’s a bit of silence before you continue.
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“Make me regret.”
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“Fuck,” Wonwoo groans, biting on your neck again, this time so far up that you won’t be able to hide it that easily. “So needy you can’t even think about anything else other than having a cock drilling into you.”
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Wonwoo kisses your moan away, sucks at your bottom lip until it’s swollen. Then, he puts three fingers in your mouth, like he’s telling you to shut up.
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Wonwoo turns his head to look down at your shuddering frame trapped between the side of the car and him. You don’t look up, too focused on sucking at his long fingers, but when Wonwoo starts to move his arm that was occupied by your mouth, you stir, and look up to meet his eyes.
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They’re dark, with a glint in them you could only recognize as devious and wicked and so so so mean. It’s the same glint he gets when he’s about to deal out a punishment, or tease you enough that you believe it’s a punishment. It makes the hair on the back of your neck stand, and a bead of sweat drips from your eyebrow. You wonder what you’ve got yourself in for the night when you both get home.
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As if on cue, answering your arousal hazed thoughts, the hand that was slowly doing a dangerous path down your body settles itself on the front of your pants. It’s heavy on your clit, and you can feel Wonwoo digging his fingers into your entrance. You barely have the sense to react, and even if you could, you reminded yourself you weren’t home yet. Wonwoo now has his hand groping your pussy in public.
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Your face flushes a dark red at the realization, feeling humiliated and embarrassed under Wonwoo’s grip. If someone were to see, they’d get arrested for sure. Wonwoo’s hand has a strong grip on your clit, fingers quickly slipping past the thick fabric of your denim jeans and lace panties so he could press the pad of it against your naked and wet folds.
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You whine quietly, and now that the hold on your jaw has been set loose, you nestle your face further into the crook of Wonwoo’s neck. With a grip on Wonwoo’s jacket, you feel him angling his head so it rests against the top of your head.
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“Wait, f-fuck, someone might see us!” you whisper-yell at him, but Wonwoo only hums and steps in closer. Your chests are flush together and he towers over your frame easily enough to hide you between him and the car. “Wonwoo—”
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Your sentence gets interrupted by your own moan when he presses a finger inside of you. You quiver, legs trembling, and you let the realization that Wonwoo is about to finger you publicly sink into your stomach. You know that the streets are deserted and there’s not one single soul around there since it’s so late, but the thought of it still has you gasping.
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“Wait? But weren’t you the one complaining about me making you wait all the time?” Wonwoo bites back, tone mean and unforgiving when he fucks his finger inside of you. He sounds almost angry and it’s making you so damn horny. “Earlier you were looking at me with such a hunger. I bet you were thinking about me fucking you in front of everyone, weren’t you, baby?”
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You moan because yes, that was exactly what you were thinking. His hand lets go of your wrists when he adds another finger inside of you. It burns a little, you think, but enjoys the pain as your arms fly up to circle around his neck and pull him closer. Wonwoo goes easily, mouth finding yours and fingers fucking inside you in a way that has you squirming.
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He soon gives attention to your neck, kissing all over it before sucking a wet blotch against the skin right underneath your jaw. Wonwoo pulls away, looking at it for a while like it gives him some sort of feral satisfaction to see you bearing one of his marks.
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“Wonwoo, I’m n-not—” your words break off into a whine, struggling to form sentences. “Not— g-gonna be able to hide the, ah, hickey i-if you suck it that far up.”
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“Good,” Wonwoo says, and his mouth finds your neck. You scratch his scalp when he sucks again, this time harder, his arm coming to help you up when your legs give in. “Want everyone to know you’re mine. Only mine to fuck, to breed, to love, to cherish, to make you my little slut.”
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You throw your head, back arching off of the car and mouth opening to let a high pitched moan scape you. Wonwoo then adds another finger, the third one, and gyrates them so hard inside you you actually feel like you’re seeing stars, figuratively and realistically — the night sky above you is adorned with a few of them.
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“Acting like a brat and riling me up like that, this is what you wanted, isn’t that right, princess?” Wonwoo spits out, lips pressed into a thin line as if he’s getting more and more angry at his own words. “If I didn’t stop you right there, would you have continued dancing with that dude, huh? Would you maybe have made out with him?”
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You try to answer, maybe tease him back again, but you can’t even form a coercive sentence. The only thing you can do is hold onto Wonwoo like your life depends on it as he fucks you furiously with his fingers, and take whatever he’s willing to give it to you. 
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“Do you think he could finger you like this?” Wonwoo says poisonously, hand squeezing at your ass hard enough that you think it’s gonna leave the print of his fingers. “Think he would have a bigger cock than mine?”
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He ruts against you as if to prove his point, hard and so fucking big it has you breathless. You know how your boyfriend is well-endowed, know he could make you feel him for days after a good fuck and your mouth salivates. Wonwoo presses the pad of his fingers in your sweet spot, jamming against it without pulling out with quick movements, and you feel like you’re going insane.
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“Since you put a lot of effort into being a fucking brat today, I will give you what you want, sweetheart,” Wonwoo laughs a little, almost as if he’s mocking you, and your whole face burns in pleasurable humiliation. “I’m gonna be rough. I’m gonna fuck you hard and fast against every surface of our house, gonna make you scream my name so everyone knows you belong to me, gonna use you, make you my little ragdoll and dump you full of my cum until you’re all heavy and swollen with it.”
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“Wonwoo— your f-fuck, fucking dirty mouth, ah—” you thrash in his grip, nestling your face further into his neck and he knew, he knew all along what was your intention with the way you were acting, and you hold tight on his hair, hearing him growl when you pull at it. “I’m gonna come. Gonna cum s-so fucking hard, fuck—”
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“I’ll make it hurt,” Wonwoo warns, his lips ghosting at the shell of your ear and hot breath tickling your sensitive skin, brings goosebumps all over it. “But I’ll make it feel good.”
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The pleasure builds quickly and you throw your head back with a loud moan, orgasm almost hitting you like a train.
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But then, everything stops. Wonwoo pulls away, fingers slipping out of you and he wipes them in his jeans. He then goes through his pocket and grabs the car keys, the familiar beep sound echoing through the empty streets when he clicks a button on the key chain, and it’s got you completely dumbfounded.
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“Come on, get in the car, baby,” Wonwoo states simply, like he didn’t just make the best orgasm of your life ebb away. Frustration sinks deep within your bones and you groan, turning to look at him like he just committed a war crime.
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“Why did you— why did you stop?” you question, heart almost jumping out of your chest and you feel like you’re going to actually die if you don’t get to come soon. “I was just there!”
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“Oh, sweetheart,” Wonwoo coos at you like he finds what you just said endearing. Face flushing dark red, you get completely embarrassed with how quick he makes you feel small. “You thought I was going to make you cum?”
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Wonwoo comes closer, holds your chin softly, a total contrast to what he says then.
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“Poor baby, I’m actually going to do the exact opposite.” he pecks your lips once. “Gonna edge you until you cry.”
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He goes around the car and opens the door for you.
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“Now get in, baby. Don’t make me repeat myself,” Wonwoo says, tone leaving no room for arguments, and you gulp before obeying.
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Wonwoo closes the door for you when you finish settling yourself inside, and goes to the driver’s seat. You watch him turn the car on as you put your seatbelt, whining when your cunt throbs in need. When he starts driving you try your best to move as quietly as you can, squirming a little until you can smooth your fingers through your clit. You gyrate them once, pleasure swarming all over your body, before Wonwoo’s voice wakes you up from your short haze.
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“No touching yourself,” he admonishes with a tsk and you groan, frustrated. He’s still looking at the road and you don’t even know how he managed to figure it out that you were touching yourself.
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Staring out of the window, your thighs rub together every time the car shakes a little. Your mind supplies unnecessary images of your boyfriend fucking you, and you curse a little. Even trying to imagine disgusting things wouldn’t delete Wonwoo’s words from earlier out of your head, and you’re getting more and more excited by the second.
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“Wonwon…” you sigh, almost a whisper, hips moving in the air and hands coming to grab at one of your breasts. You smirk, content when you hear him growl.
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“I said not to touch yourself,” Wonwoo’s knuckles turn white with how hard he grips the steering wheel. “Should I tie you up in our bed and leave you untouched or are you going to start obeying me?”
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“But you’re not doing anything,” you whine, wanting nothing else then to come.
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“You don’t know what I’m capable of,” Wonwoo says, voice low and dead serious.
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“I don’t think you know either.”
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The car comes to a complete stop right after you say that. You gulp, realizing Wonwoo has already parked in your private garage. He gets out of the car and goes to your side, opening the door, still in complete silence.
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“Turn this way,” he orders, voice one octave lower, and you gasp at the roughness of it. “Now.”
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You spring into action, take your seatbelt off, doing as you’re told, and as soon as you finish turning to him with your legs outside of the car, he gets on his knees.
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“W-Wonwoo,” it’s the only thing you manage to say as you watch him work with your pants after taking your shoes off. He ends up popping the button off but you don’t have it in you to complain, not when he’s looking like that. 
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Wonwoo finishes taking your jeans off, throwing somewhere in the garage, and then he grabs at both sides of the collar of your shirt. You frown, confused with the action, but then his hands are pulling, and he rips it in half.
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“Wonwoo,” you moan, beyond turned on as he does the same to your penties. Your clothes are torn apart but you can’t think of anything else other than fuck me fuck me fuck me. “I—”
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Wonwoo kisses you shut, lips dragging hard against yours, and you feel his hands at your thighs before he pulls at them enough so that you slip on your seat. He uses the grip to open your legs for him, not even giving you a break to understand what’s going on before sucking on your clit hard.
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Your back arches, hands scrambling to hold on something — one of them finds the steering wheel and the other finds the wadding of the seat, body thrashing everywhere before Wonwoo pins your hips down in place — knows better than to shove his face in your cunt as you originally wanted to do.
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He licks between your folds one, two, three times; the tip of his tongue prods inside your already loose entrance, and fuck if you didn’t moan, high pitched and greedy for more. Wonwoo inserts more of it until his nose is pressed against your clit, doing a sound in the back of his throat that sends just right. The wetness of his tongue feels so good pressing against your cores and kicking at your soft folds.
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“W-Wonwoo, fuck— f-feels so good—” Wonwoo thrusts his tongue inside you, and you feel like you’re seeing stars, especially when he presses just right. “Ah! Shit, your f-fucking tongue—”
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Wonwoo has to hold you down tighter, your body unable to stay put as you thrash around. You feel tempted to think how your neighbors could probably hear you, but your boyfriend is sucking the life out of you through your pussy and you can’t concentrate well enough to elaborate the thought.
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It’s when Wonwoo curls his tongue just right that has you thinking you would ascend to heaven soon. 
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“Fuck! I, ah— Wanna cum, Wonwon, I’m coming, please— let me cum this time,” you manage to get out, writhing and legs kicking everywhere. “Please!”
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But, of course Wonwoo, being the little shit he is, pulls away. Tears gather in your eyes as you groan out of frustration, and Wonwoo is just so mean.
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“Shit—” you cry out, watching his shit eating grin. You hate but love at the same time the way he’s absolutely enjoying seeing you so desperate for a release. “Y-you’re so mean.”
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“Are you gonna stop being a brat now?” Wonwoo raises a brow at you, licking his lips. You shiver, knowing that he’s tasting you by the pleased hum he makes after.
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“Fuck you,” you spit it out, too horny and angry to care.
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“Is that so?” he hums, looking at you as if you’re his prey, to which you’re starting to believe you actually are. “Maybe I should put a gag in this dirty little mouth of yours.”
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Wonwoo traces a thumb in your lower lip like he’s considering the thought.
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“But I think I’m just gonna fuck that attitude out of you.”
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You can’t even bring yourself to enjoy the comment before he pulls on your wrist so hard you get up from the seat, body colliding into his. Wonwoo’s mouth finds yours, the kiss messy and hungry and angry, to the point it makes your legs weak. Your hands scramble to take his shirt off right after you manage to throw his belt somewhere, and you stop for a moment to admire the hard planes of his abs.
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Wonwoo must be the hottest person alive. How can someone have such a handsome face and have a body that looks like it’s sculpted by the gods? He’s getting stronger with his gym practices and it's making you weak.
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“You might actually drool if you keep staring like that,” Wonwoo says, half joking and half serious, but you blush anyways.
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“Just—” you try, breath labored and chest heaving. “J-just rail me. Use me.”
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“Yeah? Want me to treat you like the slut you are?” his lewd question makes you tremble and nod your head. “Speak.”
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“Y-yes, please—” you beg, revolve slowly breaking in.
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“Of course you do,” he answers, voice a few octave lowers again, and he grabs a fistful of your hair. Wonwoo pulls at it until your head is thrown back, his face right above yours. “Open your mouth.”
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You’re quick to obey, mouth parting as he hovers over you, the only thing keeping you up is one of his arms around your waist.
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And oh god, you’re certainly not expecting when he fucking spits into your mouth, a hand coming to press against your jaw and make you close your lips, but you sure as hell want him to do it again.
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“Swallow.” Wonwoo orders, and you moan, doing as you’re told. He looks at you with a feral satisfaction, eyes dark and so full of hunger it stunts you into silence. It’s like there’s this lustful wish of him to break you in until you don’t belong to anyone else but him, and that’s so fucking hot.
⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀
He kisses you for what feels like the hundredth time — not that you’re complaining, he could kiss you for one hundred more and you’d still beg for it. But this time there’s something different, something urgent, and he grasps the back of your thighs when he finishes taking his clothes off and fish something from the pocket of his pants, hefting you up in the air, your legs circling around his waist automatically.
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Wonwoo doesn’t break the messy kiss as he walks through the garage, opening the door that leads to the inside of the house. He doesn’t waste time before slamming you into it as soon as he closes it, your back hitting the wooden frame with a loud thud as the two of you make out like it’s the last thing you’ll ever do.
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There’s too much tongue and too much spit and too much teeth, but the dirtiness of it all is what makes it even more hot.
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“Want you,” you whine out, realizing that what Wonwoo took out of his pants earlier was a package of lube.
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He rips at the top and pours at his hands, reaching behind you to stroke his hard cock, groaning at the feeling as he lines up with your entrance. The wet head nudges your rim softly, but it slips through your folds. You look at Wonwoo only to realize he’s already staring at you, devious glint in his eyes.
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You’re about to tell him to hurry up when a moan is punched out of you, high pitched and needy, because Wonwoo fucked his cock inside you in one go, nearly knocking the breath right out of your lungs. Your nails scratch all over his back and he groans at the feeling, hips kicking into you.
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“You like that?” he questions, rhetorically of course, and grinds his hips until they are flushed against your ass. You gasp for air, feeling full to the brim, and the burn in your cunt is just so good. “Think I don’t know about your little plans to rile me up?”
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Wonwoo even has the audacity to laugh, jamming inside you with slow but deep thrusts.
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“How you get more handsy with your friends when I’m around,” he grits out, anger bleeding through his thoughts and thrusts like he just hates the idea of you touching more intimately other people. “And you look at me with those eyes. Like you’re begging me to claim you.”
⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀
Holy fuck, Jeon Wonwoo is fucking you standing up and you’re not dreaming.
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Wonwoo is full on mercilessly ramming you now, sending you body into the door with every plunge of his cock, the sound of your back hitting the wood obscenely loud. It leaves you putty, can just take what he’s giving you, hands holding him for dear life.
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“Should’ve put you on your knees right in front of that guy,” Wonwoo continues, breath ragged from effort. “Make you choke on my cock so he knows who you belong to.”
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Wonwoo grabs your ass with his hands, palms sinking into the flash as he propels you back every time he fucks up. It makes the drag of his thickness press right through all the good spots.
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“Should’ve bent you over the bar counter and fucked you hard until you scream my fucking name,” he growls out, the veins on his neck and arms bulging. You tighten around him in answer to the sinful view. “Fuck, your pussy is so greedy. Always so tight—”
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Wonwoo angles his hips just right and hits against your sweet spot so suddenly that your climax — which was already at bay — escalates quickly to the point it sends your mind into a frenzy.
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And, for the third time, Wonwoo slows down, hips flush against your ass he can nudge his cockhead right above your sweet spot, missing it on purpose. Your eyes prickle with tears, and it doesn’t take long for them to run down your face; the first one goes reluctantly, but after that they start cascading down your cheeks uncontrollably.
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“So beautiful,” Wonwoo groans at the sight of you crying for him, pecking one of your tears strained cheek. “I’ve broken you in, haven’t I?”
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“P-please, Wonwon— Please, please, please let me c-come,” you sob, all the want to be a brat gone from your body. The overwhelming need grows so exponentially big inside of you you feel like you’re going to explode if you don’t orgasm.  “W-wanna cum on your cock, please, ah—”
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Wonwoo is moaning, louder than he has all day, and the satisfaction of seeing you give up on your fight and beg for him makes his hips pick up a brutal pace. You gasp, nuzzling your face into the crook of his neck and biting at the untouched skin.
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“So pretty when you beg,” he compliments, and you actually find surprising your ability to blush even when you’re being dicked down this good. “Does it feel good, sweetheart?”
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“Y-yes— Ah! Hmmm, shit—” you mumble, struggling to get words out. It’s difficult to keep your voice steady enough to say anything with the way you’re bouncing like a ragdoll on Wonwoo’s hold. “Love this— L-love you, ruin me, Wonwoo, Wonwon—”
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Wonwoo pulls your head backward with a fistful of your hair, baring your neck so that he could attack it with bites and hickeys all over. You’re sure that, by the end of this night, you’re going to be looking like some type of sexual Christmas tree, but the thought of baring your boyfriend’s marks after sex only turns you on. And he seems pretty intent on that, wanting to claim you in all ways possible.
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“Say it,” Wonwoo commands, but you don’t understand, can’t understand with your mind being in such a pleasurable haze. He fucks up right in the time he pulls you back down by your waist, downright impaling you on his cock. “Say you’re mine.”
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“Y-yours,” you answer, fingers intertwining through Wonwoo’s dark strands of hair. “I’m yours.”
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“Again,” Wonwoo growls out, basking in your pleads and moans and screams of pleasure.
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“Yours,” you repeat, and he bites on your lower lip. You have enough of a mind presence to admire his bulging biceps contorting with your weight, and his huge test firm and sweaty from the effort.
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“Again,” his possessive side gets the best of him, admiring all the marks he has left in your neck. “Say it again.”
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“Yours, ah!” a moan breaks at the end of the word, Wonwoo’s thrusts getting rougher, faster and there’s heat pooling down on your lower stomach. “I’m y-yours, all yours, only yours.”
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“Yes, mine,” Wonwoo agrees, holding your smaller frame tightly against his. “Mine,” he echoes again, muscles trembling from fucking you standing up.
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Wonwoo kisses you, the best he can with the harsh movement of your body going up and down on his cock.
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“I love you so much,” he tells you, voice soft and rough at the same time. “I have always been only yours.”
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“I’m gonna come, I’m g-going to— going to come,” you state after his words, the pull on your lower stomach growing impossibly higher, and it’s almost unbearable. “Please, fuck, please l-let— cum— let m-me cum! I have been g-good, please, Wonwon—”
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”Such a good girl for me. The best girl,” Wonwoo praises, angling his hips a little so he can press his cockhead against your sweet spot every time he fucks inside. “Come on, you can cum, sweetheart.”
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Your eyes roll so far back in your head you’re momentarily afraid they are never coming back. White hot pleasure surges in your body, the sheer intensity of your high sends your mind into a mess. The feeling of your walls clenching like a vice around Wonwoo’s cock sends him over the edge too, and the sensation of his cum shooting inside your walls only serves to add up to what you think it’s the best orgasm of your life, mind going completely blank.
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This might have been totally different from what you’ve originally planned but you know what? You’re definitely going to use this plan more often now.
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2K notes · View notes
ilikekidsshows · 3 years
Note
Hi! I loved the Adrinette analysis you made...do you think you could make a similar one for Ladybug and Chat Noir over seasons 1 to 3?
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I knew I was leaving myself open for this ask, and I kinda dreaded it, because 80% of Ladynoir screen time is dedicated to defeating an Akuma, meaning the characters have something else to focus on rather than progressing their relationship, and most the relationship stuff is just Marinette being really stubborn and refusing to properly look at her partner. In other words, there's significantly more screen time, but also proportionally less stuff going on in Ladynoir than in Adrinette because the characters are superheroes on the job and one party is actively resisting any development happening. It's also a very different kind of arc and relationship to Adrinette where the goal is just the two of them getting closer and more comfortable with each other. Ladynoir has that as well as all the trust issues and superhero team dynamics. Basically, this post is definitive proof that Miraculous has had plot development before season four, and it has had a lot of it. I got almost dizzy with it while compiling this.
Once again, I’m trying to go in a somewhat chronological order to properly track the relationship.
In 'Origins', we only get one-sided Ladynoir stuff. Marinette is new on the job and completely focused on solving the Akuma problem and nothing else. Meanwhile, Adrien actually takes note of his partner. He sees her flounder but ultimately put together a clever plan. He sees her lose faith but ultimately pick herself up and deliver a really badass speech at Hawk Moth. It's really no wonder he fell in love. The number one thing he learned about Ladybug is that she can fail and the second thing was that she could pick herself up again and grab the win anyway. I've brought up earlier in the Top Adrinette Scene discussion that Adrien is very scared of failing, because his father does not forgive failure, so Ladybug being someone who can turn a failure into a win understandably makes his heart go pitter-patter.
Meanwhile, Marinette barely noticed her partner. As I said, she was fully focused on solving the problem, but she was also getting distracted by her own insecurities. Marinette's first experience with Cat Noir was that he was kinda smooth and seemed to be much more confident than Marinette. Her second experience was that he tended to leap before he looked, but was perfectly willing to listen to her say-so. We have a very brief attempt at flirtation from Cat Noir, that Ladybug barely seems to even notice.
In 'Bubbler', Cat Noir actually gets to flirt with his Lady. He's clearly intent on getting her to notice what he's getting at, but Ladybug seems mostly exasperated with him. At this point their partnership is new and Marinette is most likely thinking back to their first case, when Cat Noir was so patient and supportive and not this...much. She still doesn't tell him to quit it, though, meaning she’s trying to accept him being a lot.
'Stormy Weather' has Cat Noir continuing in his attempts to get Ladybug to notice him and this time she responds playfully when they're not right in the middle of a tense situation. She's getting used to this being Cat's way of interacting with her and keeping the mood light.
'Lady Wifi' has the pair discussing the secrecy between them, with Adrien actively making the decision that honoring Ladybug's wishes concerning keeping their secret identities is more important than knowing the identity of the girl he's in love with, that doing so is the proper way to love her. 'Lady Wifi' is also the first time Marinette panics at the idea of something romantic being suggested about her and Cat Noir, when Alya says Adrien might be Cat Noir, that Cat Noir might be the boy she's repeatedly told Alya she's in love with.
'Copycat' shows us for a fact that Ladybug has no idea that Cat Noir's flirtations with her are genuine, and Cat Noir is growing tired of his feelings going entirely unnoticed.
Because of his growing frustration over not being able to communicate his feelings to Ladybug in a manner that she'd take seriously, Adrien goes the extra mile to write her a love poem in 'Dark Cupid'. When he receives a response that appeared with no sender, just a ladybug, he entertains the thought that Ladybug answered his poem and does in fact return his feelings (not realizing that Ladybug would need to know his identity to deliver such a note to him specifically, but Adrien does generally worry less about secret identities than Marinette). 'Dark Cupid' is also the first occasion of Marinette's by-now patented plan "Pretend to be in Love with Cat Noir" to solve problems, except that she was absolutely certain that a True Love's Kiss could occur between them, so there isn't even much room for pretending, but Marinette's denial is so powerful, she'll try.
In 'The Mime' we see Cat Noir actually testing Ladybug's receptiveness to a date, by suggesting that they could have gone to the play together if they didn't have to detransform. Ladybug replies that she has other plans before zipping away, and Cat Noir merely smiles after her. His feelings are growing, and he might still be remembering the love note he got. In fact, this is probably why he says "We are meant to be," in 'Gamer'.
In 'Animan' Ladybug actually does some of her own flirting with Cat Noir by giving him chin scritches. We also see a very straightforward gesture of affection from Cat Noir to Ladybug, when he hugs her in relief after the battle. Ladybug smiles softly at him, seeing that her partner cares about her well-being, while Cat Noir jumps back, embarrassed over his own reaction, or perhaps even afraid of censure. Adrien isn't the type of person to suddenly grab people in a hug, most likely because such "overly emotional" displays are discouraged in the Agreste household. This is the first occasion of Adrien projecting his father's supposed reaction to a thing he does on Ladybug, so he runs away from her.
In 'Simon Says', Cat Noir clings to Ladybug when faced with Gabriel looking at him weirdly (he's trying to figure out if he's Adrien, but Adrien himself never realizes his father was suspicious of his identity). At this point, Ladybug has started to become something of a security symbol to Adrien specifically against his father.
'Reflekta' is the episode where Cat Noir reminds Ladybug that he doesn't just deliver quips and he is actually a hero in his own right, even with diminished capabilities, in response to Marinette almost leaving him behind because he couldn't use his Cat Noir powers, because he'd "just slow (her) down", and then it turns out she couldn't have won without him. However, with the scene of Cat Noir taking the hit, Ladybug also starts on the process of realizing exactly how important her partner is to her success. Noticeably, it's while they're plotting together that Ladybug responds to his flirtation by flirting back, even if not very well (protip, Marinette, demeaning someone isn't funny to anyone but the person doing the demeaning, the other person is not suddenly lacking a sense of humor). Cat Noir is also a bit softer with his overtures in this episode, his cheeky flirtation gaining a bit more intimacy.
In 'Antibug', we can see the lessons Ladybug learned in 'Reflekta' sticking, with Ladybug listening to and valuing Cat Noir's input, unlike how the last time he tried to give her advice in a Chloé situation in 'Evillustrator', when she acknowledged he was right but couldn't bring herself to follow his advice. She also flirts with Cat Noir of her own volition, when she rings his bell. Cat Noir also keeps showing genuine warmth towards Ladybug instead of being just cheeky, when Ladybug compliments him. They affirm their bond after taking down Antibug.
The events of 'Reflekta' and 'Antibug' together influence what happens in 'Volpina', where Marinette is very suspicious of a new superhero showing up, without ever suspecting she could have been an Akuma in disguise. Cat Noir is her partner, and Cat Noir is her only partner. She’s not only learned his value, but has grown possessive over him. There's no need for any outsider. This jealousy over Cat Noir is actually something Marinette doesn't get over during the first three seasons the way she learns to deal with her jealousy over Adrien.
By the time 'The Collector' happens, Adrien has developed enough trust in his partner to ultimately believe her over her suspicions about Gabriel being Hawk Moth. This episode also has the first time Marinette voices concern over Cat Noir's emotional well-being instead of merely physical, who, of course, can't tell her what's wrong because it would break the secret identity clause.
'Prime Queen' has some very nice mutual Ladynoir flirting at the start of the interview. However, they're both mortified when Nadja comes out with the pictures. Cat Noir is confused, because he had no idea that their relationship could even give that impression, he must have been feeling like he hasn't been making much progress in getting closer to Ladybug. Meanwhile, Marinette goes defensive for the first time since 'Lady Wifi' only, this time, even more so. She even runs out on Cat Noir when he, very understandably, wants an explanation why he head to learn from a reporter that she'd planted one on him instead of from her. The episode confirms that Marinette will refuse to, in any way, discuss anything romance-related in relation to Cat Noir, even when there's an innocent explanation, like breaking an Akuma's spell. She's so defensive it's suspicious.
We also have another occasion of Marinette "pretending" to be in love with Cat Noir to solve a problem. While Cat Noir purrs either over the confession, having her close, or both. Marinette also jumped at the chance to "pretend" to confess her love so eagerly, that it left Prime Queen unimpressed. Still, Marinette refused to commit to the "ruse" enough to kiss Cat Noir while he's actually conscious and aware of it, because then she'd have to deal with the aftermath of kissing him.
'Dark Owl' has the first true test of faith between Ladybug and Cat Noir, when both of them have to trust the other not to look while they have to recharge. Although, considering 'The Collector', this is actually the first test only for Ladybug. At the end of the episode, Adrien also genuinely asks Ladybug out on a date for the very first time when they unexpectedly have free time from Owl-sitting, but Marinette preferred to skip off to spend time with Alya since she hadn’t gotten to see her while being so busy with The Owl's antics for so long.
'Glaciator' has Cat Noir planning an actual outing for Ladybug. The thing is, before 'Glaciator', Marinette's response to Cat Noir asking her out has always been that she has other plans, no can do. However, in 'Glaciator', she specifically says: "We'll see," and then she ends up ghosting him because she forgot to even send him a message that she didn't feel like going anywhere. At the same time, Gabriel purposefully stands him up for dinner, causing Adrien to project onto the Ladybug situation so hard that he doesn't think Ladybug even sees him as a real friend. Considering Adrien was under the same impression about Marinette in 'Puppeteer 2', it is typical for Marinette to send these kinds of mixed signals (which is fitting, considering how clear communication seems to be the biggest bullet point in her character development agenda).
On the upside, Cat Noir's compromised emotional state led to him being more frank about his feelings to first Marinette and later to Ladybug, finally making Marinette understand that Cat Noir is actually in love with her and how sensitive her partner can really be and that she can hurt his feelings. Notably, in this episode, Marinette particularly enjoys employing her "Pretend to be in love with Cat Noir" gambit, this time even going as far as kissing him, after finding out he's actually in love with her. Indeed, at the end of the episode, her rejection to Cat Noir is entirely focused on her having feelings for someone else (as well). She never once said she doesn't love him, and, in fact, never claims so in the English dub.
In 'Sapotis' we also see a brief glimpse of Marinette's jealousy over Cat Noir when he welcomes Alya onto the team so warmly but, because Rena Rouge was a teammate Marinette herself chose and trusts, she doesn't feel threatened enough to express it more than by merely keeping an eye on their interaction. 'Sapotis' also starts the arc of Cat Noir starting to lose faith in Ladybug having his best interest in mind when Rena Rouge appears out of nowhere and he's expected to just accept that no-questions-asked.
'Gorizilla' notably has Marinette repeatedly voicing her belief that Cat Noir will show up, something Adrien appreciates a great deal, going as far as blushing over something so simple. He's astounded by the fact that his Lady has faith in him, but it seems he still believes it despite the notion being strange to him.
'Frightningale' really drives home the arc going on in this season. 'Riposte' was the first time we saw Ladybug and Cat Noir seamlessly working together to neutralize an Akuma, but in this episode, they move in perfect synch while fighting Frightningale while handcuffed together. Cat Noir and Ladybug's teamwork has reached phenomenal levels.
I've repeatedly said that 'Syren' is less about Cat Noir and Ladybug's relationship and more about Fu's relationships with his two chosen. Still, this is the episode where Marinette gets put on the spot and comes through for her partner and Cat Noir learns that Ladybug keeping secrets from him wasn't of her own volition, but because of Fu, restoring his faith in her completely.
It's most likely because of the trust Ladybug showed towards him in 'Gorizilla' and their perfectly synchronized teamwork in 'Frightningale' that Cat Noir tries to confess to Ladybug again in 'Frozer'. These two episodes could give Cat Noir hope that he might be winning Ladybug over, especially since, as I said before, Ladybug has not said she doesn't have feelings for him. But she, of course, rejects him, although it's notably with more wistfulness than the last time, especially when she comments how she doesn't think it's possible for the "other boy" to not be a concern. 'Frozer' takes place during the arc in season two that covers Marinette's growing frustration at her inability to progress with Adrien the way she wants to and the discontent shows in her interaction with Cat Noir as well.
The change in how Marinette regards Cat Noir's input in fights between season one and two is especially noticeable in 'Style Queen' and 'Maledictator'. Both times Cat Noir is absent in a fight and this influences how Marinette approaches fighting the Akumas. In 'Style Queen' Marinette tries to play it sneaky but also needs to be saved by Plagg's intervention in his holder's absence. In 'Maledictator', Marinette's plan involved siccing the brainwashed Cat Noir on the Akuma's goons. Cat Noir has become necessary to Marinette, which is why he's able to galvanize her during 'Heroes' Day' by reminding her that the two of them against the world is what's always worked.
Season three as a whole revolves around Adrien losing faith that Ladybug could ever return his feelings the way he wishes and Marinette getting several warning signs about how she could lose Cat Noir. I might even go as far as saying that this season has negative Ladynoir development (in that their relationship grows more frayed and brittle instead of stronger).
A big reason for this new development direction is 'Reflekdoll', which, according to the production codes, happens early in the season. In this episode, Ladybug and Cat Noir learn the worst possible (false) lessons about themselves and each other and they carry those lessons for the rest of the season. In my 'Reflekdoll' conflict analysis, I wrote that Ladybug basically "learns" that Cat Noir is fae-like in that he isn't bothered by mortal things like stress or heartbreak. Cat Noir, meanwhile, "learns" that, while it doesn't matter if Ladybug makes a mistake because she can always fix it, him making a mistake makes him fundamentally less worthy as a hero and a person, so he could never be as valuable as Ladybug even as a person and not only strategically.
'Weredad', meanwhile, is the quintessential evidence episode for Marinette being both possessive and in denial about Cat Noir. She's literally pretending to be in love with him to him, while totally denying to herself that she feels anything for him, all the while she's feeling jealous over him seemingly moving on from her to be in love with her. The reason it's so important that no one but Marinette herself and Tikki know what went down in this episode is that Marinette's denial would never last if someone actually questioned this whole mess.
This is also an episode where we can clearly see the aftermath of what 'Reflekdoll' did to Cat Noir. He's once again projecting his situation with his father onto someone else (this time Tom), but he's also blatantly refusing to fight Tom at full strength, because he feels that it's his fault he got Akumatized, allowing himself to get hurt severely because he feels he's not that important, that he might even deserve it.
'Oblivio' has Ladybug once again do the whole: "How dare you say I'm in love with Cat Noir I am quitting this conversation right now!" routine. Cat Noir also got actual confirmation that something about him made his Lady want to kiss him when their memories had been wiped.
'Desperada' has the semi-infamous scene of Ladybug saying she doesn't need Cat Noir and, while she learns the valuable lesson that yes she flipping does, this is also the episode where Adrien repeatedly fails to use the Snake Miraculous correctly, having to give it up to someone else, feeling like an undeserving failure *turns to look at 'Weredad' and then at ‘Reflekdoll*.
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'Kwamibuster' is an episode where everyone keeps telling Ladybug not to trust Cat Noir and she believes it to the degree that she sees him as a bigger threat than a Kwami-targeting Akuma. In other words, Cat Noir being treated like a part-time hero again in season four is because of 'Kwamibuster'.
'Gamer 2.0' is actually an important episode for the Ladynoir dynamic. This is the episode where Marinette takes on way too much responsibility (voluntarily) and is really stressed about it, while Cat Noir dismantles that stress with his good humor and positive outlook. This episode enforces the lesson that was stated outright in 'Reflekdoll': "Everyone has their role", and Cat Noir's role is to be the jokester who makes Ladybug feel better. Also, Cat Noir doesn’t even hesitate to make a sacrifice play for his Lady, because he’s less important.
'Timetagger' foreshadows that Marinette's words of affirmation are losing their effect. She repeatedly says things like "I trust Cat Noir", "You're irreplaceable", "You know you're the best", but she doesn't know how to express her regard to Cat Noir in actions. And it's important to note that Adrien was raised among liars and manipulators. Even if he doesn't doubt Ladybug's intentions, he might doubt the depth and truth of her feelings for him. Because Ladybug is so nice, she might lie about valuing him to make him feel better. Words aren't enough when words are the only thing between you and your insecurities. This is also an episode that feeds into Cat Noir's worthlessness arc, with Bunnyx repeatedly insisting that Ladybug in the future is just awesome, while Cat Noir broke her Miraculous. Even Ladybug shoots him down at the end of the episode when he tries to ask for extra affirmation, claiming he "already knows he's great".
In 'Puppeteer 2', Cat Noir's hope from 'Oblivio' that Ladybug might be starting to be won over by him comes back to bite him when the wax Ladybug gets close to him by pretending to be coming onto him. He only realized she was a fake because she smelled wrong, something that comes back to haunt him in 'Ladybug', when he's faced with a perfect copy, whose only difference to the original is that she's apparently in love with him. The villains clearly know he’s so in love with Ladybug it sometimes blinds him.
With the villains using this clear weakness as an in, it's no wonder that Cat Noir finally makes the decision to move on from Ladybug in 'Heart Hunter'. He tries one more time to test her interest to see if she'd be jealous of him dating and, when she's merely overjoyed, he decides to finally move on to Kagami. However, when faced with the actual reality of Cat Noir giving his attention to someone else instead of her (instead of in addition to her), Ladybug actually finds herself hurt and questions the lack of "My Lady" in Cat Noir addressing her, but she instantly denies it when Cat Noir notices. Denial denial denial...
Aaaaaand that's a wrap! Putting this together made me realize just how interconnected the show really is but no one notices because there aren’t any secret identities being revealed, people getting together or lore being revealed. Even something that seems like a breather episode like 'Gamer 2.0' has a larger role in the arc of developing the relationship between our main heroes.
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tea-and-la · 3 years
Text
Aang as Zuko’s “Found-Sibling”
so i kind of alluded to it on my previous post but if zuko sees his relationship with any of the gaang as a foil to his sibling relationship with azula, it’s aang. 
in the season 1 finale, zuko compares the two directly:
zuko:  I finally have you, but I can't get you home because of this blizzard. There's always something. Not that you would understand. You're like my sister. Everything always came easy to her. She's a Firebending prodigy, and everyone adores her. My father says she was born lucky. He says I was lucky to be born. I don't need luck, though. I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight and that's made me strong. It's made me who I am.
here zuko makes a lot of assumptions. he is implying that because aang is a prodigy like azula, everything must come easy for him. we as the audience know this isn’t true (he doesn’t know aang’s background at this point), but it does speak to his insecurities in terms of his sister (foreshadowing to his season 2 interactions with azula.) 
contrast that quote with what zuko says to katara in the season 1 finale:
zuko: you rise with the moon, i rise with the sun.
he sees katara as evenly skilled as himself. a match, but with opposite bending elements. and that’s even reflected in the way that katara wins their match at night, but zuko wins their fight when it’s day time.
zuko (especially in season 1) sees azula as superior to him, someone who he’ll never catch up to in skill because she’s a prodigy. in contrast, he’s seen katara when she first started to bend and made mistakes (barely able to form a water whip, and the time she accidentally froze sokka). zuko has seen and acknowledged her growth throughout the show and he sees her as someone who has also had to struggle and work hard to get to her current bending capacity.
and like @sokkastyles​ already said: 
Aang is the younger prodigy who he resents for being better than him in the beginning, the one who is imbued with power and authority by birth that he lacks, the “lucky” one.
continuing on, i wanna talk about crossroads of destiny. the zk scene again emphasizes how similar zuko sees katara to himself (not azula.)
he is calm, open, and vulnerable throughout these scene with katara. he almost allows himself to forget they’re on opposite sides because of how much they have in common. but once aang comes in:
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there’s that same anger and resentment he has towards azula. 
i’ve seen some people refer to the crossroads of destiny as zuko some hidden meaning of choosing between “sisters,” but i disagree. it’s framed as a decision between azula and aang, and for zuko, it’s supposed to be an impossible choice. 
so we see him go after aang with an uncontrolled intensity that is so different from the brief peace he was able to achieve with iroh in ba sing se. and it’s easy to imagine that this is because he’s taking his frustration that he can’t express towards azula, out on aang, as a substitute. 
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we see lingering bits of zuko’s resentment towards aang, even after he joins the gaang. it’s unintentional, but from the firebending masters, we can see how he initially still holds onto that insecurity a bit.
when he initially realizes he lost his firebending he tries the forms over and over, while aang is just chilling:
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aang: that one felt kinda hot
zuko: don’t patronize me!
aang: sorry sifu hotman
zuko: and stop calling me that!
even though aang was being genuine, it’s easy to imagine that zuko is connecting this moment back to times with azula growing up. especially because we know how much his ability to fire bend is tied up into his self worth. 
he’s given the chance to “prove” himself by teaching someone who he considers superior in skill to himself (aang, just off virtue of being the avatar), and when he fails, that rears up the resentment again. 
but then, their dynamic shifts after zuko admits he doesn’t want to rely on hate and anger anymore. zuko has several moments where he encourages aang (who he was previously resentful towards) because he sees that aang needs it. he’s able to realize that aang isn’t a prodigy in the sense that he thinks he’s superior to anyone else. and he’s also able to see that aang has his own insecurities as well, as they get to know each other more on their trip. he has phrases like: 
zuko: you can do it. i know you can. you’re a strong kid.
aang: [Turning to Zuko.] We could turn back now. We've already learned more about fire than we'd hoped. [Aang shows Zuko his flame and gives a weak smile.]
zuko: No, we're seeing this through to the end.
and aang’s face as a result: 
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so in a sense, zuko is able to be needed as a big brother. and to offer support because aang is unsure about himself. 
also this scene reeks of sibling energy:
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but anyways, i think aang/zuko’s found-sibling relationship foils azula/zuko’s sibling relationship because even though they start off with resentment for similar reasons, his dynamic with aang changes.
i see people say that the reason they think katara is zuko’s “surrogate sibling” is because she provides him with care and kindness, unlike azula. the same could be said about aang.
whereas azula has made it clear that she doesn’t respect zuko’s bending, aang values and respects zuko for his skills (even when he was struggling at the beginning of the firebending masters.) aang is able to reciprocally affirm zuko as well:
aang: i don’t care what everyone else says about you. you’re pretty smart!
i also find the last few lines after they meet with the dragons to be significant:
zuko: That's why my firebending was so weak before. Because for so many years, hunting you [Turns toward Aang as screen zooms out to show Aang.] was my drive ... it was my purpose. [Aang turns toward Zuko as well.] So when I joined you, I lost sight of my inner fire. But now, I have a new drive. [Cut to Zuko's face as screen zooms in.] I have to help you defeat my father and restore balance to the world.
i’d like to think that part of losing/letting go of his anger/resentment in part was because of the new relationship he was able to build with aang. in a sense, he’s able to repair a “pseudo-sibling” relationship with a found-sibling who willingly accepts him. 
i love that they’re address their confidence issues regarding firebending together. 
and how, when they rushed to show the rest of the gaang after they returned:
aang: [Cut to Aang and Zuko demonstrating the Dancing Dragon to the rest of Team Avatar and friends.] With this technique the dragons showed us, Zuko and I will be unstoppable.
zuko has gained a found-sibling relationship that isn’t about comparing their firebending to each other, but working as a team. it’s so so meaningful that aang says “zuko and i.” the idea of zuko having a sibling relationship where he’s able to share his love of firebending and not feel insecure about it ...🥺. him having a “sibling” who wants to hang out with him and do things together and gushes about it with the confidence that aang had when he said they would be unstoppable. 
oh! not to mention that i’ve seen people say that zuko/katara have a sibling relationship because she teases him in EIP. but like .. that’s such flimsy logic. and also? aang and zuko have their mutual teasing moments especially in the firebending masters, and it’s just adorable. 
anyways, my main point from all this is that ik people love to say zuko/katara fit surrogate siblings (which i hate btw), but it’s mostly said because of katara/azula’s similar age. it doesnt matter that aang is 12, though, because honestly, he fits the “found-sibling” dynamic a lot better because of how zuko used to see aang in relation to azula. it just works better thematically. especially, because like i’ve said, and as so many people in fandom point out: zuko and katara are similar (some people... antis.. would say “too” similar). and when has zuko ever seen azula as being similar to himself? exactly. 
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fakecrfan · 3 years
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Do you think Basira and Daisy had a healthy relationship?
I am so glad you asked! I have had a lot of thoughts about their relationship, but had decided to shelve those thoughts because I was worried it would come off as me telling people to not ship Daisira, which is... not what I want to be doing. But you sent me an Ask and so I am compelled to answer!
My answer is: no. Their relationship is toxic in one of the most interesting ways I have seen portrayed in media.
This might be a bit confusing to hear, though. Normally when we call a relationship toxic, it means that one or both of the people involved are making each other feel bad. But Daisy and Basira seem to make each other feel... good. Basira is apparently Daisy’s last human attachment, and according to Elias in MAG 92, and “not being able to see Basira again” is one of Daisy’s biggest laments in the coffin. And on Basira’s end, Daisy seems to make Basira feel... secure. Supported.
From MAG 117:
BASIRA
But at least Daisy’s coming. I mean, I know she’s… difficult. Everything they say about her, it’s true, it’s fair. But, she’s solid. She’s a… a fixed point, and if she’s there, I know exactly where I stand, exactly what I’m doing, relative to her.
From MAG 178:
MARTIN
We’re here for you.
BASIRA
No. She was there for me.
So, “attachment to humanity” “support” and “security” are good things in a relationship, right? Their love for each other (whether you read it as completely platonic or not) seems genuine, and they put each other first. That should mean that their relationship is Good!
Wellllllll no. Sometimes, a relationship can feel good while also... trapping you in a harmful cycle, or stunting your growth as a person. Think: a friend who is charming and fun who you love to drink with--to the extent that, even when you’re trying to manage an alcohol addiction, you end up going into situations with them that trigger your urge to drink. Also think: a friend who keeps bringing you sugary food even after you’ve been diagnosed with serious diabetes with potential life-altering complications--because you like donuts, they used to make you so happy.
Daisy and Basira are that to each other. In particular--Basira’s attachment to Daisy draws Basira back into dangerous situations and, by extension, causes her fall deep into that “siege mentality” that shuts down Basira’s more thoughtful side. 
When Jon confronts Basira about Daisy’s crimes in MAG 178, this exchange occurs.
MARTIN
[Loudly] Enough. Enough! Someone has died! Show some respect. Or don’t you care?
BASIRA
[Incensed] Of course I fucking care!
[Quieter] That’s the problem.
MARTIN
I… I don’t understand.
BASIRA
I just… I don’t need him laying everything out for me like I’m some kind of idiot. I know, all right.
I don’t think Basira is making anything up here to make herself seem better. Basira already knew there was a problem with the police, before Jon confronted her. She already knew Daisy was corrupt to some extent, even if she had trouble facing it head on. And--she already cared.
That’s why she quit. She didn’t need a revelation from Jon or anyone else to open her eyes. She didn’t even need to see harm happen to an innocent bystander. Instead, she saw how the higher ups were covering up the killing of Maxwell Raynor, of all people--
BASIRA
They’ve given us a few days ‘compassionate leave’. I think they just want us out of the way while they figure out the official version of what happened.
--and she quit after that. 
So, here we already have someone who is coming into an understanding of the police as a flawed system without anyone needing to tell her. Here we have someone who is already extricating herself from that system, because she cares about her impact on other people. From this point, she could easily have gone her own way, taken time to reflect and never hurt anyone again.
So what brings her back into the whole mess in MAG 88?
BASIRA
I’m looking for Daisy.
MARTIN
Oh for – Okay, I don’t know where she is! I don’t know where anybody is! Why does everyone… okay, why does everyone think that I always know where everyone is, all the time?!
BASIRA
Alright, okay, alright, sorry. They just… well, they said at the station that this was the last place she checked in.
--Her relationship with Daisy, of course!
She wants to leave the supernatural and the police behind. She tells Jon the Institute is bad (MAG 73) but she walks back in because she’s worried about Daisy. And then she throws herself right back in the fray to stop Daisy from killing Jon. Shortly after that, Basira has to sign herself off as a hostage to Elias…
ELIAS
She’s quite the killer, your partner. All in the public good, of course. And she was correct, I spent some time acquiring that evidence. Or creating it. And while your superiors don’t much care about the killings, the fact there is proof… They’re not happy. And they want you brought in.
--because of Daisy’s murders, Daisy’s reckless actions giving Elias leverage. Basira throws herself in with Daisy, and it draws Basira right back into a world of violence and the paranormal that she was trying to quit. It motivates her to, once again, cover for Daisy’s errors and justify them. This takes away any chance Basira could have had to gain distance from the violence, reflect, and get some perspective. Instead, she’s thrown right back into the siege. 
Basira doesn’t even show any sign of frustration with Daisy at this. It’s not that Basira is 100% meek. We see her get frustrated with people later, express grievances, and hold people accountable later--but with Daisy she doesn’t do any of this. Instead, she immediately re-affirms that she’s on Daisy’s side.
BASIRA
Daisy, it’s… it’s okay. We’ll figure something out.
Of course, it’s not a one-way street, either. It’s not an uncomplicated “Basira good, Daisy toxic and bad” story. It’s a mutually reinforcing cycle where they are both complicit. We see that in season 4, when Daisy tries to stop feeding the hunt.
People like to rag on Basira for her actions in this season but... her actions are actually also more complicated than a simple story of “Basira sabotages Daisy’s progress.” Because Basira misses the more resolute Daisy, yes, and wishes she had a strong protector instead of another person to help... but even with that, she’s still willing to support Daisy’s progress away from the Hunt!
In MAG 133:
ARCHIVIST
You’re not happy she’s back.
BASIRA
I didn’t say that, John. I will never abandon Daisy, and… having her back is… (she sighs) But right now she’s dead weight, and I need to be able to travel light.
Basira wants someone powerful to protect her, is conflicted that she doesn’t have that but still will never abandon Daisy regardless. And, true to her word, she does support what Daisy is doing.
From MAG 140:
BASIRA
We’ve talked about it. If the Hunt takes her again, we don’t know if she’s coming back. And neither of us want that.
In MAG 146, she even praises Daisy’s path of resistance.
BASIRA
You didn’t know what you were doing.
[Daisy makes a pained sound, as if to contradict her, but stops.]
BASIRA
And since you did, you’ve spent every waking hour resisting.
So, Basira is--true to Elias’s word--being Daisy’s anchor to humanity. True to her own word, she’s having Daisy’s back, supporting her decision to quit the hunt even if it means Basira has less back up. So what changes?
MAG 155:
BASIRA
Because I’m not going to lose her.
ARCHIVIST
She goes hunting again, you might anyway.
BASIRA
And if she doesn’t, she might die.
Even at this point, Basira’s worst impulses are always about Daisy. Even when she undercuts Daisy’s progress, it’s about Daisy’s wellbeing. All she wants to do is make sure Daisy’s alive and okay, and to that end she will throw out all of her rationality and moral principles.
And then, when Daisy does finally give into the hunt, it’s for Basira.
It’s... funny to analyze and critique this behavior, because I have seen this sort of behavior in Jon/Martin fics treated as a sweet and romantic thing. You know, the “I want you to keep being a monster because I don’t want to lose you!” thing. And also the “prioritizing each other over everything else in the world” thing. Because the concept of unconditional support, of putting another person first above everything else in the world--it’s an alluring one.
But with Daisy and Basira, even though their relationship isn’t necessarily romantic, we see how harmful that mindset can be. How someone can care for you, prioritize you, make you feel like the whole world, and... the main effect of that is to stunt you, to give you so much comfort you never get out of a harmful cycle or change your behavior at all. How it can cause you to enable horrible things in the world, like police brutality. 
That is the story of Daisy and Basira’s relationship. It’s about the effects of this cycle on Basira--yes, Basira specifically and not Daisy, even though the cycle is mutually reinforcing and affects them both.
Basira appears in nearly twice as many episodes as Daisy. Because of this, Basira is the one we see discussing the relationship and what it means to her. Basira is the one we see grappling with the psychological fallout of their relationship. It’s more Basira’s story than Daisy’s--not because she’s the “victim” or that she was morally pure but because... Basira is the one who ultimately grows past this.
After episode after episode of “she needs me” and “I can’t leave her” and “I can’t let her die”--after Basira endangering herself and stunting her own growth by centering Daisy
DAISY
Partner… Come…
[MORE FOOTSTEPS]
BASIRA
Not now. Not after everything.
--Basira finally breaks free, and moves on.
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faelapis · 4 years
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thoughts on steven and jasper, and how they can help each other.
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one thing that’s great about the first ep is how steven’s new powers, and his anger, isn’t framed as just a bad thing? 
it makes perfect sense that he’s terrified of those powers in the context of “volleyball”, but initially... he’s thrilled that jasper was able to help him bring out something he was implicitly suppressing. jasper’s even kind of proud of him. it feels like honesty.
that’s almost certainly going to tie into how they help each other - steven is usually trying not to hurt anyone’s feelings, being as perfectly nice around people he wants to help as possible... but with jasper? they both sense the bs of it. jasper thinks it’s manipulation, steven ends up frustrated enough to both call her out on creating her own misery, and to fight her.
i’m not saying steven’s reaction is entirely healthy & correct - and jasper’s not the only person in this conversation with self-destructive tendencies - but i like it... because it’s NOT one of those “tough love” scenes, where a traumatized and toxic person is just. told to pull themselves up by their moral bootstraps. where someone just gives up on them, so they have to realize they were wrong without any help. without any real compassion, which means there’s no light at the end of the tunnel for them to strive towards.
sure, that may help some. i understand why it’s a popular trope, it’s a reaction to people who think they can’t be toxic if they have trauma / mental illness... but is it worth the message that you don’t deserve a support system, or any real help in getting better, until you’re already a Good Person(tm)? aka when you don’t need the help anymore? 
steven, thankfully, is not like that. he’s much kinder and more nuanced.
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firstly, he’s specific. he’s not blaming her for everything that happened to her, just her own corruption. which is basically fair. that was self-destructive. since he healed her, he wishes she would try harder to heal herself. but steven’s also fully aware there are bigger, systemic causes for jasper’s current issues. he deliberately mentions to amethyst how a lot of this, really, is because of the diamonds & his mom. which is true. 
secondly, he’s not trying to punish her. he doesn’t expect some kind of magical character development because she heard a "harsh truth”. he’s using it as a lead in to say that he wants to help, not expecting her to just... magically get better on her own. during their fight, he’s affirming what has always, and will always, be true - “i’m never going to give up on trying to help you”. 
and he feels genuinely bad when he thinks he might’ve hurt her! he had plenty of sympathy for her. even at his most frustrated, he still snapped very quickly back to "oh no, are you okay??". so at no point did he feel too harsh.
thirdly, it’s not enough. his speech just makes jasper call him out in turn. she can be plenty frustrated and spiteful to him. it’s mutual frustration, and it’s understandable why - steven trying to pull her along to school & mentioning how he healed her corruption... feels like what she was always afraid of. that she’d end up in rose’s debt. that’s part of why she rejected his healing in “earthlings”. she didn’t want to be forced to change. that would be manipulation, and she never asked to be healed... and steven knows that. he wants to help anyway.
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there are other “mutual” aspects as well. let’s go over why steven thinks he has something to learn from her - it seems jasper is able to pull some of steven’s anger out and (even accidentally) help him vent. that’s a kind of frustration he’s usually not comfortable showing people - but jasper wants him to use those feelings. she’d rather have an honest fight than anything she reads as pity. 
jasper has... a complicated relationship to her own victimhood. even though she’s comfortable calling steven and rose out, she does not want to be “weak”. she doesn’t want to be the victim, she wants to feel useful and worthy. when she’s been victimized, she tends to feel like she deserves it, and has to “fix” things that are far bigger than herself.
and you know who else that is true for? steven.
so what jasper reads as an insecurity in steven is something that’s honestly true of both of them - they want to help others / do their duty, but they need help too, even if they won’t admit it. even if they reject it when it’s offered. 
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“you're the one that needs help. you think everyone (else) needs help, but it’s only you. no one is as pitiful as you”.
“i’m not pitiful!”
not only is jasper actually correct about steven needing help, but... this could have been said by either one, to the other. the response, too, could’ve been reversed, as it reflects their common fears of being weak, or useless.
jasper summed up the issues they both face going forward - repressing these feelings, lacking purpose, refusing to accept help. that’s what they’re likely to work on together. jasper suppresses her victimhood just as well as steven does, so it’s fitting that she senses it in him. even if it wasn’t intended as helpful, exactly, she’s still foreshadowing things to come.
and that, turns out, is exactly what steven needed to release his anger, to really vent - because it’s reflective of everything he doesn’t want to face. 
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generallypo · 4 years
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“I heard your voice, so I came... Aoba-san.”
Hooo-boy, if that doesn’t get me emotional every single time. Call it my bias for eccentric bundles of sunshine and softness, or my crippling weakness for the secretly-handsome-and-devastatingly-earnest type, but you can’t change my mind: Clear is, hands down, DMMD’s best love interest. Character development-wise, thematically, romantically, he nails every trial thrown at him, gets his man,  and proceeds to break your heart in the tenderest, sincerest way possible. I am hopping with Huge Fan Energy, so this post is gonna be unapologetically long and self-indulgent and grossly enthusiastic. Yeeeee.
———— 
Look, DMMD meta analysis has been done to death, I get it. This game is old. But I think it stands as testament to its excellent production that it’s still a game worth revisiting years later — especially during these times when social contact is so hard pressed to come by and we all rabidly devour digital media like a horde of screeching feral gremlins. (Have you seen Netflix’s stock value now? The exploding MMO server populations? Astonishing.) It’s pure, simple human nature to want to connect, to cling to members of our network out of biological imperative and our psychological dependency on each other. As cold and primitive at that sounds, social contact also fulfills us on a higher level: the community is always stronger than the individual; genuine trust begets a mutually supportive relationship of exchange and evolution. People learn from each other, and grow into stronger, wiser, better versions of themselves.
Yeah, I’m being deliberately obtuse about this. Of course I’m talking about Clear. Clear, who is a robot. Clear, who is nearly childlike in his insatiable curiosity regarding the human condition.
And it’s a classic literary tactic, using non-human entities to question the intangible constructs of a concept like ‘humanity’ — think Frankenstein, or Tokyo Ghoul, or Detroit: Become Human, among so, so many works in various media — all tackling that question from countless angles, all with varying measures of success. What does it mean to be human? To be good? Who are we, and where do we stand in the grand scheme of things? Is there even a scheme to follow? … Wait, what?
Jokes aside, there are so many ways that the whole approaching-human-yet-not-quite-there schtick can be abused into edgy, joyless existential griping. Nothing wrong with that if it’s what you’re looking for, except that we’re talking about a boys’ love game here. But DMMD neatly, sweetly side steps that particular wrinkle, giving us a wonderfully grounded character to work with as a result. 
Character Design — a see-through secret
Let’s start small: Clear’s design and premise. Unlike so many other lost, clueless robo-lambs across media, Clear does have a small guiding presence early on in his life. It takes the form of his grandfather, who teaches Clear about the world while also sheltering him from his origins. It means he learns enough to blend sufficiently into society; it also means that Clear has even more questions that sprout from his limited understanding of the world.
Told that he must never remove his mask lest he expose his identity as a non-human, Clear’s perpetual fear of rejection for what he is drives much of his eccentricity and challenges him throughout much of his route. As for the player, the mystery of what lies underneath his mask is a carrot that the writers get to dangle until the peak moment of emotional payoff. Even if it’s not hard to guess that there’s probably a hottie of legendary proportions stuck under there, there’s still significance in waiting for that good moment to happen. And when it does, it feels great.
His upbringing contextualizes and affirms his odd choice of fashion: deliberately generic, bashfully covered from the public eye, and colored nearly in pure white - the quintessential signal of a blank slate, of innocence. Contrasted with the rest of DMMD’s flashy, colorful crew, Clear is probably the most difficult to read on a superficial scale, not falling into the fiery, bare-chest sex appeal of a womanizer, or the techno-nerd rebel aesthetic that Noiz somehow rocks. Goofy weirdo? Possibly a serial killer? Honestly, both seem plausible at the start.
And that’s the funny thing, because as damn hard as he tries to physically cover himself up from society, Clear is irrepressibly true to his name: transparent to a fault. He’s a walking, talking contradiction, and it’s not hard to realize that this mysterious, masked stranger… is really just an open book. By far the most effusive and straightforward of the entire cast, his actions are wildly unconventional and sometimes wholly inexplicable. But given time to explain himself, he is always, always sincere in his intentions — and unlike the rest of the love interests, naturally inclined to offer bits of himself to Aoba. It doesn’t take the entire character arc to figure out his big, bad secret — our main character gets an inkling about halfway through his route — and what’s even better is that he embraces it, understanding that his abilities also allow him to protect what he cherishes: Aoba. 
So what if he doesn’t fit into an easily recognizable box of daydream boyfriend material? He’s contradictory, and contradiction is interesting. Dons a gas mask, but isn’t an edgelord. Blandly dressed, but ridiculously charming. Unreadable and modestly intimidating — until he opens his mouth. Even without the benefit of traversing his route, there’s already so much good stuff to work with, and sure as hell, you’re kept guessing all the way to the end.
Character Development — from reckless devotion into complaisant subservience, complaisant subservience into mutual understanding. And then, of course: free will, and true love. 
At its core, DMMD is about a dude with magic mind-melding powers and his merry band of attractive men with — surprise! — crippling emotional baggage. Each route follows the same pattern, simply remixing the individual character interactions and the pace of the program: Aoba finds himself isolated with the love interest, faces various communication issues varying on the scale of frustrating to downright dangerous, wanders into a sketchy section of Platinum Jail, bonds with the love interest over shared duress, breaks into the Oval Tower, faces mental assault by the big bad — and finally, finally, destroys those internal demons plaguing the love interest, releasing the couple onto the path of a real heart-to-heart conversation. And then, you know, the lovey-dovey stuff. 
Here’s the thing: as far as romantic progression goes, it’s really not a bad structure. There’s room to bump heads, but also to bond. The Scrap scene is a thematically cohesive and clever way to squeeze in the full breadth of character backstory while simultaneously advancing the plot. In this part, Aoba must become the hero to each of his love interests and save them from themselves. Having become privy to each other’s deepest thoughts and reaching a mutual understanding of each other, their feelings afterwards slide much more naturally into romantic territory. They break free of Oval Tower, make their way home, and have hot, emotionally fulfilling sex or otherwise some variation on the last few steps. The end. 
That is, except for Clear. 
Clear’s route is refreshing in that he needs none of these things — the climax of his emotional arc actually comes a little after the halfway point of his route. When Clear’s true origins are revealed, he comes entirely clean to Aoba, fighting against his fear of rejection but also trusting that Aoba will listen. It’s a quiet, vulnerable moment, rather than the action-packed tension we normally experience during a Scrap scene. 
That doesn’t mean it’s prematurely written in — it simply means that he reaches his potential faster than the other characters. Because of that, he’s free to pursue the next level of his route’s development much, much sooner in the timeline: he overcomes his fears of his appearance, he confesses his love to Aoba, he leaves the confines of a largely dubious master-servant relationship and allows himself to be Aoba’s equal. Clear’s sprite art mirrors his emotional transformation all the way through, exposing him to the literal bone — and Aoba’s affection for him doesn’t change a single bit. Beautiful.
The whammy of incredible moments doesn’t just stop there, though. I don’t exactly recall the order the routes DMMD is ideally meant to be played in, but I believe Clear’s is meant to be last. And if you do, I can guarantee that it becomes a hugely delightful gameplay experience — in order to achieve his good ending, you must do absolutely nothing with Scrap. It doesn’t just subvert our player expectations of proactively clicking and interacting with our love interests; it grabs the story by its thematic reins and yanks it all back to the forefront of our scene. 
In every route besides Clear’s, Scrap is a tool used to insert Aoba’s influence into and interfere with his target’s mind. Using his powers of destruction, Aoba is able to prune whatever maligned thoughts are harming his target; in any conventional situation, using Scrap is the right choice. 
But one of the central problems in Clear’s route is his conflict between the impulses of his conditioning and his desire to live freely as a human would. Breaking free of Toue’s programming is what initially made him unique; growing beyond the rules imposed by his grandfather is what makes him human. In the final conflict scene, Clear’s decision to destroy his key-lock is an action of true autonomy, made with perfect understanding of the consequences and a sincere, selflessly selfish desire to protect someone he loves. In order to receive his good end, you have to respect his decision. It doesn’t matter which option you pick — by using Scrap, Aoba turns his back on every positive choice he made with Clear and attempts to exert his authority over him. This is Aoba becoming Toue; this is Aoba trying to reinstate himself as ‘Master’ right as he approved Clear as his equal. That’s blatant hypocrisy, and it doesn’t matter if Aoba is trying to do it for Clear’s ‘own good’ — that’s not Aoba’s call to make. If you truly wish to respect Clear’s free will, you will stand by. This is the truth of the moment: Clear has no emotional blockages that Aoba needs to fix. Believe in him, just as he believed in you.
The path to his heart is, and always has been, clear. Scrap was never needed from the start.
While Aoba might be the main character, Clear is undeniably a hero in his own route just as much. Tirelessly earnest and always curious, he leaps headlong into the unknown and emerges with his newfound enlightenment. He’s unafraid of weathering trials, even to the point of accepting death, and returns anew from oblivion to a sweet, cathartic ending. That’s about as textbook hero’s journey as it gets — if that doesn’t make him unquestionably, certifiably, unconditionally human, then I will scream.
And only finally… there is the free end. The final CG is like a throwback to our first impression of him: indistinct, purposefully obscured from proper view. But this time, we know better — and so does Aoba. Looks were never what mattered in Clear’s route. If you were patient, and you were open-minded, and you listened… well, what we realize now is that Clear was doing the exact same thing for you, too.
From a carefree, aimless robot-man with only the gimmick of “eccentric ditz” to carry him forward, we get a supremely more interesting character by the end: a man who has graduated from the well-intentioned but claustrophobic conditioning of his childhood; a weapon who has defied the imperatives placed on him by his creator’s programming; a wanderer who has, through unconditional patience and empathy, discovered love, and striven to become a better person for it. Who was it that ever doubted Clear’s character? He’s the goddamn goodest boy that ever wanted to be a real boy. Of course Clear is human. And in fact, he does it better than every single one of the actually human love interests. You can’t change my mind.
The Romance — kindness is really fucking attractive, okay.
Like I’ve said earlier, I have my Big Fan Blinds stuck on pretty tight. I might be conjuring sparks from thin air. But I think every choice was a deliberate creative decision on the writers’ part, and they deserve all the kudos for it — I’m just the lucky player who gets to enjoy it. But aside from Noiz (who I also think is a perfect darling as well — I could go on and on about him), Clear’s route is a model example for consent and healthy relationships in VN storytelling. This is reciprocated on both sides: never does Aoba infringe on Clear’s boundaries, and neither does Clear. They’re sensitive to each other’s needs and concerns; they ask for permission and stop when it isn’t granted (and when it is, boy do they get frisky — I’m not complaining!) I don’t need to say much more, because I think that consent is both fantastic and yes, incredibly hot (the scene in DMMD is tons more sad, go play Re:connect!). Good writing shows off the massive erotic potential enthusiastic consent puts into intimacy, and Aoba’s and Clear’s relationship is honestly a dream playground. The point is, I think Aoba and Clear genuinely do find equal balance in their relationship by the end of his route (and certainly through Re:connect). If you follow through Re:connect’s storyline, there’s even more thematic richness that comes through in the form of Clear’s greatest asset: communication. The couple get to discuss the long-term implications of them being together; they both offer concerns, points, and assurances to the other, and it’s just a soft, honest moment not so unlike the worries of a real relationship. Hearing is kind of Clear’s motif sense, but it’s really great to see that Aoba also subtly picks it up, really flexes his own communication skills to better engage with Clear. 
Point is, Clear’s route spoke to me on a lot of little levels. Design-wise, he’s already got a ton going for him, and his story builds upon it rather than against it, enriching his development and grounding him a little more solidly in the DMMD universe (and in my heart). His route, aside from being emotionally ruinous, carries a pretty solid chunk of world-building (only beaten out by Mink’s and Ren’s, probably), and the romance feels organic, healthy, and realistic. He’s not the only one with an excellent route, but he’s my favorite. If you read through all of this, you’re a real trooper and I’m extremely impressed. Thanks for tuning in. Peace.
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imitationpersonne · 5 years
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Monoma Neito: Enneagram
Tritype (from strongest to weakest functions): [social variant] 3 (wing 2), 8, 6
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3 - The Achiever
The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type Adaptable, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious
Threes are self-assured, attractive, and charming. Ambitious, competent, and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for advancement. They are diplomatic and poised, but can also be overly concerned with their image and what others think of them. They typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness. At their Best: self-accepting, authentic, everything they seem to be—role models who inspire others.
   Basic Fear: Of being worthless    Basic Desire: To feel valuable and worthwhile    Enneagram Three with a Two-Wing: “The Charmer”    Two wing: Helper - The Caring, Interpersonal Type–Generous, Demonstrative, People-Pleasing, and Possessive
Key Motivations: Want to be affirmed, to distinguish themselves from others, to have attention, to be admired, and to impress others.
The Meaning of the Arrows: When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), driven Threes suddenly become disengaged and apathetic at Nine. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), vain, deceitful Threes become more cooperative and committed to others, like healthy Sixes.
Potential Addictions: Over-stressing the body for recognition. Working out to exhaustion. Starvation diets. Workaholism. Excessive intake of coffee, stimulants, amphetamines, cocaine, steroids or excessive surgery for cosmetic improvement.
3 Feedback Loops
Healthy loop: Controlled by Basic Desire: Need to be admired -> self-improvement -> admired -> Need to be admired. In the healthy state, the need to be admired induces Type Threes to work hard to improve themselves and succeed, which often cause others around them to admire them. When Threes feel admired, the need is satisfied and a balance is reached.
Average state: When Threes’ are not working hard to improve themselves, others admire them less, which increases Threes’ need to be admired. Thus this helps Threes to again work hard to improve themselves. Thus the balancing loop can help Threes to recover.
Unhealthy loop: Controlled by Basic Fear: Fear of being rejected -> compete -> not admired -> Fear of being rejected. In the unhealthy state, the basic fear of being rejected can cause Type Threes to be competitive and hostile towards others as a defense, which makes them even less admirable, and further increases Threes’ basic fear. The cycle continues to build up.
Insight: Threes can refrain from being competitive but focus on self-improvement instead. This will lead to genuine admiration from others and lessen the fear of rejection.
3 Integration vs. Disintegration
Integration (Three Goes to Healthy Six): As Threes let go of their fears of failure and worthlessness, they start to feel less competitive with others. They relax and find that they feel most valuable while working cooperatively with others toward shared goals and aspirations, like healthy Sixes. They learn to freely offer support and guidance to the people in their lives, but more importantly, they also learn to ask for support when they need it. Threes ordinarily put themselves under such pressure to accomplish their goals with little or no help that it comes as both a surprise and a relief to them that others are happy to help them in their endeavors. In short, Threes learn to trust others and to build lasting bonds with people. They become more selfless and courageous, embodying real qualities of leadership and self-sacrifice. By letting go of their need to outshine others, Threes become truly extraordinary human beings.
Security (Three Goes to Average Six): With most people, Threes make every effort to be diplomatic and well-mannered. They do not want to say things that would be off-putting to people if they can avoid it. But when Threes feel that their relationships are secure, they can be more open about expressing their anxieties and frustrations. They may keep a “positive frame of mind” all day at work, only to come home and download their dissatisfaction onto their spouse or partner. (“I think my boss is going to go nuts on me when he finds out we still haven’t got this report nailed down.”) Feelings of self-doubt, dread, suspicion, and anger at others’ incompetence can all surface in contrast to the Three’s usual “can do” attitude.
Disintegration (Three Goes to Average Nine): When Threes drive themselves too hard, their stress can go beyond what they can normally cope with. When this occurs, they tend to go on “autopilot,” attempting to just get through things without being bothered, in the manner of average Nines. Threes going to Nine become more passive and fall into routines. They lose their focus and involve themselves with busywork to at least give the appearance that they are getting things done. If stress continues, however, they may begin to become shut down, listless, and depressed, losing interest in their projects and withdrawing from people. They feel little energy or enthusiasm and simply want people to leave them alone and give them space. They can become stubborn and resistant to offers of help at these times, not wanting to hear that they have a problem.
3 Wing 2
Threes with this wing are often highly gregarious. They have a tendency towards persona - playing a role of themselves in real life. Social perception, prestige and recognition important. Healthy side brings personal warmth, leadership qualities. Sincere desire to do well by others; may be genuinely nice people. If they have achieved some measure of success they are generous in their mentorship of others.
When more entranced, they are preoccupied with seeming ideal to others. This can extend to friendships, family, as well as at work. Want to seem a perfect spouse, friend, parent, employee, good son or daughter. Strong social focus because they need so much validation from others. Preening and boastful behavior possible. Bursts of egotism. Wanting to be on top, better than others. Slip into impersonation easily, may falsify feeling and not know it themselves. Deep emotional self-recognition is lost. Malicious intentional deceit is possible. Behavior of con-artists and sociopaths.
The 3w2 version of outstanding is closer to something that’s more w2 inclusive, accessible to everyone and more mainstream. They are on average more sociable and are more about putting their best them forward. They want to shine. The more extroverted 3w2s have a beaming brightness to them. As one poster put it:
“It is far more about end product than process for me. I don’t really need to appear to have taking no effort whatsoever, though I hardly wish to lay out my every faltering baby step in my process for review. What is more important is what you are, how you present, how you impress. It is about commanding that stage, turning in a scintillating performance, dazzling them all so you are the one that gets remembered. And sure, it takes work to get there, to be that person. But that’s just part of it all. That happens, but it is nothing to dwell on, because of course you have to work hard; that’s just part of the game, nothing remarkable there; let’s just look at what we’ve become.”
3 Social Variant The Politician/Status-seeker - Prestige, achievement, accolades
The Social Three desires influence above all and tends to skillfully read and adjust to the social norms and requirements of teams or organizations. Highly competitive, they enjoy being in the spotlight and confidently market their ideas and accomplishments. Looking good and successful is very important and they may cut corners or cover up failure, so long as the finished product makes them and their team look good.
The drive for success is directed toward winning social approval, knowing the right people, and achieving power in social institutions, whether in government, business or community groups. There can be genuine social leadership or simply self-aggrandizement through propaganda and image-making.
Social Threes seek value by gaining social recognition—by having tangible signs of progress and success. They want to be recognized for their hard work and achievement (Employee of the Month, diplomas, awards) and to have ways of measuring their rise up the ranks. Social Threes are very adaptable, concerned with fitting into whatever culture they find themselves in, be it corporate or national. If they move to another country, they are able to adapt to the norms of that country more easily than most other types. They are highly ambitious and so must balance their drive to excel and to surpass others with their desire to have others like and accept them. Thus, of the three instinctual variants of this type, Social Threes are at the greatest risk of losing track of their core values and goals. They may adapt so successfully that they find themselves adrift without tangible goals or a clear path for achieving them. In this regard, they can resemble Sevens, moving from one promising project to another as they adapt to different opportunities that present themselves. Social Threes can also get into trouble by attempting to rise faster than they are able or by taking on tasks that they are not yet ready or qualified to perform. The desire to please and to impress can become a powerful magnet that can derail the Social Three from pursuing real, achievable goals.
Social Threes are often extremely status-conscious. Most confuse their inner self with the world's badges, honors, and totems. Measure themselves by money, position, awards or results. Strive to match group standards and have the right credentials. How they rank in the eyes of others is most important. May be materialistic but with an eye towards the best brand names so as to be identified with the product's status. The excesses of this subtype make for fine morality plays about the hollowness of fame and status.
2 Wing, Social Variant The Ambassador - Ambition, aspirations, devotion
This Two uses their seductive powers in a more intellectual way to attract and engage groups, communities and broader systems. They stand out from the crowd, often taking a central or leadership role. They enjoy being ‘in the know’ and build their influence on their competence and connections. Giving more than they get may be a strategy to distract them from uncomfortable feelings. Less childlike than other Twos, their ambition and influence can mistype as a type Three or Eight.
Social Twos feel loved by having an important place in the lives of their friends, family, and colleagues. They fear being left out of social events and gatherings, so they try to make themselves indispensable to whatever groups they are involved with. They often become advisors, mentors, matchmakers, and social-event coordinators for many people in their lives. They enjoy introducing people to one another and generally act as the "social hub" of whatever they are involved with. They derive great satisfaction from giving advice to trusted friends and often initiate new relationships by offering some kind of service or counsel. Social Twos tend to be outgoing and high-spirited, often resembling Sevens, and to get energy from their interactions with their friends. When less balanced, Social Twos can scatter themselves in a large number of social commitments-trying to serve many people, but often causing primary relationships to suffer.
Twos with this subtype are notable for their ambition, particularly to be publicly recognized as someone special. Seek attention either directly from their own efforts or via affiliation with powerful people. In the former scenario, a Two works to draw an audience through socially useful works or some kind of performing. Confuse being noticed with being loved. Can sometimes act provocative or obnoxious as this is better than being ignored.
8 - The Challenger
The Powerful, Dominating Type Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational
Eights are self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. Eights typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable. At their Best: self-mastering, they use their strength to improve others’ lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and inspiring.
   Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by others    Basic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own life and destiny)
Key Motivations: Want to be self-reliant, to prove their strength and resist weakness, to be important in their world, to dominate the environment, and to stay in control of their situation.
The Meaning of the Arrows: When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), self-confident Eights suddenly become secretive and fearful at Five. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), lustful, controlling Eights become more open-hearted and caring, like healthy Twos.
Potential Addictions: Ignore physical needs and problems–avoid medical visits and check-ups. Indulging in rich foods, alcohol, tobacco while pushing self too hard leads to high stress, strokes, and heart conditions. Control issues central, although alcoholism and narcotic addictions are possible.
Feedback Loops
Healthy loop: Controlled by Basic Desire: Need to be self-reliant -> strength -> independent -> Need to be self-reliant. In the healthy state, the need to be self-reliant induces Type Eights to become stronger and capable of defending others. When Eights are independent, their need is satisfied and a balance is reached.
Average state: When Eights’ are not building their strength as much, they will become more dependent on others for certain needs. This increases the need to be self-reliant, which helps Eights to again work hard to become strong. Thus the balancing loop can help Eights to recover.
Unhealthy loop: Controlled by Basic Fear: Fear of submitting to others -> controlling -> dependent -> Fear of submitting to others. In the unhealthy state, the basic fear of submitting to others can cause Type Eights to lash out and try to control others as a defense. This unfortunately make them ironically more dependent on others, which further increases Eights’ basic fear. The cycle continues to build up.
Insight: Eights can refrain from controlling others but start to strengthen themselves instead. This will naturally make them more independent and thus reduce the fear of submitting to others.
Integration vs. Disintegration
Integration (Eight Goes to Healthy Two): As Eights begin to recognize their powerful emotional armoring and see how much it isolates them unnecessarily, they naturally become more emotionally expressive and generous, like high-functioning Twos. Underneath their drive for self-protection and independence, Eights have big hearts and generous impulses. Once they feel secure enough to let down their guards, they discover how much they care about people and how much they want to support others. In short, they want to be a source of good in the world and to express their love—and at Two, they do so. Since they remain Eights, their love is expressed in palpable ways that actually help and support people. It is a love free of sentiment, clinging, or hidden agenda, and through it, Eights find the sense of empowerment and dignity that they have been seeking.
The 8, when integrated, finally becomes more aware of other people, with a “magnanimous” instinctual understanding of those he has always wanted to protect. He will now not only be able to protect them physically, but he has developed some care and awareness for the protection of them emotionally as well. The integrated 8’s empathy has a visible similarity to the healthy 2’s, the instinctual, calm, and patient caring. Although he still is concerned with power over being loved, he has found the ability to seek power as well as love without feeling like the two goals are opposed.
Security (Eight Goes to Average Two): Eights will sometimes turn toward people they trust to be reassured about the other person’s need for them. They have an emotional, even sentimental side that they show only to people with whom they feel safe. They may appear tough and independent in public while privately doting on key people in their lives or, if they lack these, then on their pets. They may also attempt to get intimates to acknowledge their help and support or may want people to depend more completely on them, like average Twos. Hidden feelings of rejection can cause them to seek ways to hold on to those few people they feel close to, including manipulation and undermining the other. Like average Twos, they also become unwilling to acknowledge their real needs or feelings of hurt with people on whom they depend.
Disintegration (Eight Goes to Average Five): Eights usually respond to stress by taking problems and challenges head on. They are bold and assertive in pushing for control and for accomplishing their vision, whatever it might be. But this approach can leave them feeling beleaguered and overwhelmed. When stress levels get too high, Eights may suddenly switch tactics and go into periods of retreat or even isolation, like average Fives. They pull back from the front lines to assess their situation, to strategize, and to see how they can regain control. They may become strangely quiet, secretive, and isolated as they privately explore ways to deal with their problems. Under longer periods of stress, they may also develop a cold, cynical attitude about themselves, other people, and life in general, in the manner of less healthy Fives.
8 Social Variant The Group Leader/Gang Leader - Friendship/social causes, comradeship, friends/foes, solidarity
A sense of powerlessness or injustice is overcome by being part of an aligned group, usually in a leadership role. This subtype’s anger and aggression are mediated by the group’s needs, and harnessed for a common agenda. Loyalty to friends and social causes take precedence over personal feelings and needs.
The Social Eight countertype uses their power and influence in the service of others, making them appear Two-ish in their drive to support others rather than asserting their own needs. Sensitive to injustice and unfair social norms, they are loyal and protective and shield ‘their people’ from harm, unjust authority, or abuse of power. Even though they prefer not to be too vulnerable, they invite and appreciate tough feedback from close allies.
Social Eights like to “live large,” and as the name suggests, engage fully in the world. Friendship and loyalty are top values for them, and they are willing to make great sacrifices for the people and causes they care about. At the same time, they expect that others they have bonded with will be similarly loyal to them. (In this regard, they can resemble Sixes, although their energy is bigger and more direct than that of Sixes.) Often, Social Eights will gather a group of friends around them while unofficially acting as the chairperson of the group—the “king” or “queen.”
They enjoy conversation about any subject in which they can boldly state opinions and get into debates about. Social Eights enjoy the banter and energy of a disagreement about such matters, and they are often surprised to learn that others can be hurt or overwhelmed by the force of their opinions. At such times, they may try to “tone themselves down,” but they usually find this an uncomfortable compromise. More often, they seek out friends who they perceive as strong and independent, people who can take a bit of roughhousing and who will not be overwhelmed by them. Less healthy Social Eights have problems with making promises to people that they cannot always fulfill. Conning others, and exaggerating situations can become part of the picture.
Social Eights are often loyal to a group and conceive of friendship as a pact of mutual protection. Want everyone to benefit; group’s cohesion and welfare is most important to them. Often oriented to family, honest, hold themselves accountable to others. May be the group’s protector or provider. Emphasis on cooperation. When healthy, they are aggressively blustery but will back down and apologize when they’ve been unfair. Hostility directed towards outside forces who threaten the group’s welfare.
6 - The Loyalist
The Committed, Security-Oriented Type Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious
Sixes are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. Excellent “troubleshooters,” they foresee problems and foster cooperation, but can also become defensive, evasive, and anxious—running on stress while complaining about it. They can be cautious and indecisive, but also reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically have problems with self-doubt and suspicion. At their Best: internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing themselves and others.
   Basic Fear: Of being without support and guidance    Basic Desire: To have security and support
Key Motivations: Want to have security, to feel supported by others, to have certitude and reassurance, to test the attitudes of others toward them, to fight against anxiety and insecurity.
The Meaning of the Arrows: When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), dutiful Sixes suddenly become competitive and arrogant at Three. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), fearful, pessimistic Sixes become more relaxed and optimistic, like healthy Nine.
Potential Addictions: Rigidity in diet causes nutritional imbalances (“I don’t like vegetables”). Working excessively. Caffeine and amphetamines for stamina, but also alcohol and depressants to deaden anxiety. Higher susceptibility to alcoholism than many types.
Feedback Loops
Healthy loop: Controlled by Basic Desire: Need to be secure -> loyal -> security -> Need to be secure. In the healthy state, the need to be secure induces Type Sixes to be loyal to others, especially the authority. This increases their security among others, which satisfies their need and a balance is reached.
Average state: When Sixes’ are not not being so loyal to others, they start to feel insecure among others. This increases the need to be secure, which helps Sixes to again seek out authority and become loyal to it, or become more loyal to others around them. Thus the balancing loop can help Sixes to recover.
Unhealthy loop: Controlled by Basic Fear: Fear of being abandoned -> distrust others -> insecurity -> Fear of being abandoned. In the unhealthy state, the basic fear of being abandoned can cause Type Sixes to become suspicious of others and start to distrust others. This reduces their sense of security, which further increases Sixes’ basic fear. The cycle continues to build up.
Integration vs. Disintegration
Integration (Six Goes to Healthy Nine): As Sixes learn to trust themselves more, they also become more open to life and to other people. They gradually learn to relax their hyper-vigilance and simply be with themselves or with whatever life is presenting in the moment. They gain a deeper acceptance of life’s ups and downs such that they are not riddled with dread and anxiety. They are inclusive and supportive of others—and much more at peace. Integrating Sixes are able to let their minds rest in their natural, pristine state of clarity and inner quiet. They are able to stop second-guessing everything and let their own inner wisdom arise. The result is that they are more serene, grounded, and joyous—light and stable.
Security (Six Goes to Average Nine): In situations where Sixes feel secure, they begin to deal with stress by simply shutting down and becoming indifferent to their surroundings, like average Nines. They do not want to be disturbed or bothered by loved ones—they feel that they have been working hard and they experience virtually any kind of interaction as another source of pressure. They will be pleasant one moment, but can suddenly become stubbornly resistant and shut down in the next if they feel that others are demanding something of them. At such times, Sixes become unavailable and passive-aggressive, not wanting to respond to others or to move out of comforting but numbing routines.
Disintegration (Six Goes to Average Three): Sixes are often visibly nervous, reacting with self-doubt to situations and getting caught in over-thinking a problem. When stress escalates beyond the normal level, however, they jump into action—and stay in action, trying to deal with their anxieties by working harder. If, for example, they feel pressured at work, Sixes may spend their weekend frantically doing yard chores or obsessively reorganizing the closets as a way of discharging or avoiding feelings of inadequacy. They also fear letting others know how overwhelmed they are, so they may take on a false persona of competency and efficiency, like average Threes. (“Don’t worry about anything. I’ve got this handled.”) They focus increasingly on tasks and on being efficient while cutting off from their feelings so that they can stay functional, but this can lead to major emotional problems for them and for their relationships.
Social Variant The Social Guardian - Duty, fellowship, social enforcement, generating support
Being clear about one’s role in the group or society is an overriding concern. To overcome fear and avoid rejection, this subtype needs to know the rules and create clear agreements with friends and colleagues. Yet there may be ambivalence about belonging. Doing one’s duty can be both a calling and a burden.
This Six subtype connects to social ideals, working for a cause or standing up for the weak. They tend to be more ‘black and white’ than the shades of grey seen by other Sixes. They may seem like an Ennea One as they are precise and careful and prefer to follow rules and procedures. Highly rational and dutiful, they work to encourage compliance to rules or collective norms, and to ensure that everyone knows what is expected of them.
Social Sixes look for security in the social sphere—that is, through their affiliations with different people and organizations. They are warm, engaging, and humorous, trying to send out the message that they are approachable and safe. They like to enlist people, getting others involved in projects or activities they see as worthwhile. Social Sixes frequently volunteer to work in groups and committees. They do not necessarily enjoy doing this, but they see it is necessary and so are willing to give their time and energy. When more insecure, their suspiciousness may lead them to form in-groups and out-groups in the workplace or in other social or societal areas.
Often dedicated to a cause. When acting alone they will still refer to others in their mind for safety and agreement. May want to see your opinion first before they will offer their own. Focus on a social or work context and try to be ideal within it. Could persecute others in the name of their group's ideals. May imagine they can't live without the group's support. Later there's inevitable disillusionment. Then Six starts grumbling that they are not appreciated. Could go passive/aggressive, resent a boss they had romanticized.
References:
Enneagram Institute Type Descriptions
Typewatch Enneagram Descriptions
Type 3 (Blogspot)
Type 8 (Blogspot)
Type 6 (Blogspot)
Instinctual Subtypes
27 Subtypes
How the Enneagram System Works
Emotional Habits
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seasaltmemories · 6 years
Text
For Hunger
A little concerned that Alm refers to Celica as “his”, as if he can claim of ownership over her.
Alm can’t even parse out what Celica is to him.
Alm still thinks there’s a significance to their matching birthmarks, even if he’s not sure what it is (at this point, it’d be easier to count the things Alm (thinks he) knows for certain).
Either they’ve had no need for the dungeons (which I really doubt) or it’s Rigel policy to execute their prisoners.
Whatever Alm pictured it hadn’t been this. Celica bound and naked, presided over by Father Jedah, who he knows for a fact detests him and his whole family (which is interesting considering one doctrine of his religion is to submit to “rightful authority.” Well, even if he personally dislikes them, he’s smart enough not to be (openly) treasonous).
Alm’s reacts with indignation. Demanding Jedah explain himself. How much of it is him peeved that someone else is messing with his wife/archnemesis and how much of it is genuine concern for Celica isn’t outright stated but I have to say it seems more of the former than the latter.
Even Alm’s unnerved by Jedah’s (obvious) creepiness. I wonder what duties he performs or sway he holds that make him worth keeping around.
Alm’s motivations aside (which are far from pure), in this situation, I approve of him roughing up Jedah and getting Celica out of his hold as quickly as possible.
Celica’s legal position is dicey. Technically, she’s still married to Alm, which does make her a princess of Rigel, but she’s also, by choice, opposes Rigel too, so…
It’s weird how Alm is simultaneously so emotional yet so detached. He’s screaming and manhandling Jedah yet he feels divorced from the situation, as if someone else were piloting his body.
Jedah doesn’t seem to be afraid for his life, calmly explaining to Alm that he’s performing an important ritual to “cleanse” Celica’s soul of “evil” (or whatever his definition of it is) and that he’s not planning to do anything “untowards” to her.
Alm realizes Jedah’s true aim. He means to strip Celica of her free will and turn her into a servant of Duma. A practice deemed so abhorrent that it has been expressly forbidden (by anyone who’s not Jedah).
Jedah subjected two of his daughters to that fate. Creep.
Alm’s resulting anger is very relatable and a part of me wishes he followed through on his threat and beaten the guy to a pulp.
I’m as surprised as Alm is when Celica speaks up for the first time. Looking and sounding far more composed than she’s probably feeling on the inside.
Alm’s taken aback. It’s decidedly awkward to be seeing her so exposed (both figuratively and literally).
Celica, despite her weakened state, gives Alm a thorough dressing down. She knows Alm and she knows he’s only getting worked up because of his possessiveness and his pride.
Alm, stunned, lets Jedah go (unfortunately). He’s indignant that she’s not more gracious for his rescue (which was totally his intention from the beginning, yep, definitely no self-deception going on here). Celica doesn’t buy his bullshit and presses on. Alm, meanwhile, tries (and fails) not to be turned on by this. Getting distracted by the look of her lips and her breasts (really Alm?).
Celica lampoons him for his “I’m the only one allowed to lay a hand on her” mentality.
Alm snaps, gets up in her face and yells at her to shut it or else. He hadn’t counted on Celica actually clamming up.
Alm has the gall to be surprised that Celica’s terrified of him. Who wouldn’t be? If they were at the mercy of their emotionally unstable (ex?) husband, who bears a grudge against them.
Alm’s sickened to the point of nearly barfing when he realizes this. But rather than self-reflect, he’s insulted that she’s treating him like the “bad guy” (which he isn’t, he tells himself) and focuses instead on covering up his panic attack (as a ruler cannot afford to show “weakness”).
It’s frustrating to watch Alm so close to a revelation and then balk from it (but realistic as well).
When it comes to Celica, his mind and heart’s a mess and he can’t decide whether he’d preferred for her to look at him in disdain or terror.
One thing he’s sure of is he doesn’t want Jedah to see him breakdown. So he runs out of that cell like a bat out of hell. Not stopping till he’s in his room and can take care of his inappropriate erection.
He’s so shaken up, he can only repeat, “I’m sorry,” over and over again. Though if he’s apologizing for a specific something or just in general, it’s hard to tell (though I lean towards the latter interpretation).
When a second messenger comes to fetch him, all Alm wants to do is curl up and forget his shame but that would be conduct unworthy of a brand bearer (a role he tenaciously clings to) so he forces himself to get up and answer his father’s summons.
Jedah tattles on Alm (boy, did he give Jedah plenty of ammunition) and he has to endure his father’s Stern Look of Disapproval.
The King is Not Pleased about his son’s behavior. Although he expresses his anger subtly in front of Jedah, it’s exceedingly obvious from Alm’s pov (someone’s in trouble).
Jedah exits like the smug bastard he is.
Alm looks to his cousin for support but whatever Berkut’s personal opinion on the matter, he’s already decided to side with the king.
Alm, unable to take this silent stalemate any longer, tries to justify his actions to his dad (no one who’s serious about an apology adds in a but).
But the king’s not having any of it. And rebukes his son for his insubordination (it is not Alm’s day).
Alm tries to wriggle out of the accusation. He believed he was following orders since he assumed his father would want him to see Celica (so he wasn’t acting impulsively or selfishly at all).
The king sees through his son’s excuses. He berates Alm for so openly and cavalierly disobeying him when the kingdom’s already in so much turmoil.
Alm becomes defiant. He was only trying to protect Celica (ignoring that he stomped into her cell for a different reason altogether) so in his mind that makes his actions righteous and just.
The king’s mad that his son apparently thinks so little of him that he believes he would condone sexual assault, even on prisoners. Besides, he’s secure in the knowledge that Jedah’s order wouldn’t stoop to such a measure either (but torture’s totally fine).
But, as Alm rightfully points, if they’re willing to forcefully convert women into witches, what wouldn’t they be willing to do?
The king’s ensuing outburst reveals underneath all his anger and disappointment, he’s scared for his son too (which goes a long way in humanizing him).
Unexpectedly, Berkut speaks up, saying they’re concerned that Alm is taking this marriage far too seriously and that it’s interfering with his judgement (which is a surprisingly fair point).
Alm is at first enraged at this assertion but when he remembers how he’s acted in the cell and what he might have done to Celica, he’s shaken.
It turns out (if the king is telling the truth) that if Alm hadn’t jumped the gun, he would’ve gotten what he wanted. To see Celica. Now, there’s no chance he’ll be seeing her at all and, more importantly, Jedah will have free reign to do whatever he wants during the interrogation.
If being denied something he wants after screwing up is, “the most humiliating moment of his life,” then Alm’s lead a very charmed life indeed.
Approaching the prince when he’s boiling over with rage (which Jedah had no small part in) and then threatening him (not that he’s very successful in scaring Alm) is not the smartest move Jedah’s ever made.
Alm makes a brief counter-threat and then marches straight to the barracks to calm his mind and body through physical exertion (though I have a feeling it won’t work).  
At first, Celica conducts herself in a clinical, matter-of-fact manner. Noting that she’s probably alone and that the blindfold and exposure are effective tools for psychological warfare.
Celica feels she should be use this opportunity to analyze her surroundings, scrutinize what she already knows and formulate an escape plan, but she can’t concentrate. She can’t just flip a switch and turn off her emotions. And she’s terrified of how vulnerable she is, how easily her captors could take advantage of her.
Celica has to blank her mind before she can get her body marginally more relaxed. She also has to carefully think around reminders of her helplessness to avoid another panic attack. Her prioritizes shifting from escape to survival.
To fortify her mind, Celica prays to her Goddess for strength and resilience. Celica senses she’s going to be doing a lot of praying.
Then, without preamble, we jump straight into the first interrogation with Jedah.
Interesting that he starts off talking about a Zofian Duma Faithful, as if to say Celica could also “rise above” her Zofia blood and upbringing.
To make her more pliable, the interrogations are “supplemented” with starvation and dehydration.
In a subsequent interrogation, Jedah elaborates on the doctrines of Duma. Specifically, that only certain people are worthy of wielding power. Celica remarks it’s a good justification for maintaining the status quo.
Jedah switches to the attack, calling Zofians spoiled brats unable to do anything for themselves. Interested only in their own self-gratification. Celica can’t completely disagree with his assessment when it comes to her father. She recalls how she had to hide the real reason she wanted to learn sword-fighting behind a frivolous one.
Jedah proclaims that they did Zofia a favor by disposing of their ruling class so therefore Celica’s mission to take back the throne is inherently egotistical and self-serving. In her mind, Celica calls Duma an idiot because she’s working her butt off to protect Zofia. She’s done more than could be asked or expected out of anyone to ensure Zofia’s prosperity.
Jedah tells her coldly that Milla would be so disappointed in her and her methods. Celica just affirms she’ll do what is necessary to restore Zofia, even if she seethes with resentment at her father as she thinks it.
Jedah harps on her “tainted” lineage and Celica, at the end of her rope, retorts would he have her murder her own father then? While she intended for it to come across as a sarcastic joke, Celica realized that in the heat of the moment she really meant it. It’s enough to offset even Jedah.
I love how you write all of the interrogations bleeding into each other like this. It compresses and confuses the passage of time, putting us in Celica’s shoes.
Jedah changes focus to Duma scripture (which, judging from the snippets, results in a mind-numbingly boring theology lesson).
Celica can still keep track of the interrogations. They’re given her water but only to keep her alive so she’s still starving.
Jedah impresses on Celica that the Duma don’t revel in senseless violence. Unlike the Zofians, who let their lust and their passions run rampant.
Celica had never fit in at court for this very reason. She cared far more about running the country than she had about parties or sex or fun.
Jedah tries again to frame her rebellion as folly, as the campaign of one rogue agent acting without the consensus or support of her fellow countrymen.
Celica knows he’s wrong on that account. There are Zofians who feel the same as her willing to fight for Zofia’s liberation (case in point, Mathilda).
Celica, sadly, doesn’t consider herself worth anything, much less fighting for.
Celica appears to be losing it. She laughs uncontrollably (mentally and out loud) at the audacity of Jedah to say that Rigel did nothing wrong (because they conquered Zofia “fair and square”) when she witnessed them ransacking their temple and taking Milla captive. It’s the second time she’s managed to stun Jedah and she “apologizes” to him for her outburst (though she’s clearly being sarcastic).
Jadeh continues the interrogation, claiming that everything he’s done to hurt her (physically, mentally, emotionally) is all a part of the process to teach her a valuable lesson. She needs to toughen up and be grateful.
Celica is more concerned with her empty stomach and parched throat. They’re only feeding her the bare minimum.
He moves on to the story of Sage Vega. Someone who faced life’s hardship head on and let suffering be his teacher. Celica quips that while pathetic may not have fitted the sage, “[pathetic] suits [Jedah] just fine.” Then worries that she accidentally said it out loud.
Unfortunately, right at the most mortifying moment, Celica has to pee.
“..Even the king grew jealous of his following, as royals are prone to do so around holy-men.” Wow, Jedah has quite the persecution complex.
At the mention of Sage Vega’s charisma, Celica thinks of her own allies. If they’d still follow her if they saw like this (naked, scared, at the complete mercy of the enemy) and deciding they wouldn’t. Their relationship doesn’t go much deeper than their shared cause.
Celica doesn’t even think her own brother loves her, just the sister she used to be before the fire. She still cares about him, though.
Her bladder is bothering her more and more. It’s doubtful that Jedah will give her a bathroom break.
Sage Vega was apparently put in the exact same position as Celica. But he endured it serenely and came out of it a better person. So that’s the origin of this ritual? They turned the method of this guy’s torture into a purification ceremony? That’s messed up.
Jedah’s earlier words about both sides in a war needing supporters (or else it’s just wanton violence) seem to be worming their way into Celica’s head as she questions whether she’s fighting for her people or for a nation. She questions if the average Zofian citizen gives one hoot about her either.
Celica’s hunger is becoming more pressing. To the point where almost every thought is punctuated by a mention of how hungry she is.
Celica begs her Goddess not to let her wet herself. To let her keep a little shred of dignity.
In a complete 180 from before, Jedah claims that with her lineage and Milla’s favor she could go on to do “great things.” Though it’s very unlikely Jedah’s definition of great things matches up with either Celica’s or the reader’s.
Celica can’t hold it in anymore and, to her everlasting shame, she soils herself. Which was probably set up in advance as a humiliation tactic (such as stripping her naked).
Jedah’s faux kindliness as he pontificates on how Duma can “save” Celica and give her “peace,” honestly creeps me out more than anything else he’s said so far (which is saying a lot).  
Things are getting more muddled in Celica’s head. She’s lost count of the number of interrogations. Not a good sign.
It’s jarring to read Jedah go from “loving” and “compassionate,” (saying they’re all one big happy family) to callous and cold (telling her to shut up and just do as she’s directed). Sometimes from one sentence to the next.
He claims that even if she were to successfully drive Rigel out, Zofia would be in an even sorrier state then they are under Rigel’s “benevolent” rule. All to break her will.
Celica ruminates less on Zofia or family or power now, then she does on the fact that she really wants to be put out of her misery already.
Jedah hammers in his point that continued resistance to Rigel’s “rightful” rule will just bring about more suffering in the long run.
Celica remarks bitterly to herself that she knows she should just die already, like her mother did after fulfilling her baby-making purpose.  
Jedah startles her when he bang something (who knows what) close to her body. It’s all the more shocking since it’s the closest he’s come to physically striking her in these series of interrogations.
Celica pleads her Goddess for death, rather than suffer the degradation of crying openly in front of her tormentor. She keeps begging for death, it’s like a mantra in her head (my heart break for Celica here).
And then he suddenly touches her and does…something that causes her to pass out.  
He promises not to scream at her or touch her (anymore) before popping the big question this has all been leading up to. All she has to do to end this torment and finally be “at peace” is agree to “repent” and swear fealty to Duma and Rigel (Duma, of course, taking precedent).  
Was…was Celica able to hold out? Even extremely weakened and her very sense of self under attack? Wow.
What a nail-biting cliffhanger! It somehow managed to leave Celica even worse off than the last chapter did. I hope she’ll be okay but I know it’s unlikely she’ll be anywhere approaching okay after all that. Still a very magnificent, psychologically thrilling chapter! The best of the story so far and I’m excited to see where you take things from here!
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This was a quite a wild chapter (I saw as if things aren’t always crazy in this au) I didn’t intend to go into such detail for the torture as I wanted to remain a sensitive writer, but it felt necessary for Celica’s story and so I’m glad it has gotten good reception, I feel as if this really solidified the identity of the story and the direction is shall be heading
Starting with Alm’s part, he’s a character that really doesn’t know himself, looking back it’s why it took so long to get his POV bc for the most part he has been exactly as he has presented himself, while he did hide his intentions to help kidnap Mila, his worldview is slowly unraveling apart piece by piece and he doesn’t know what to do
I joked while discussing his part here that his struggle is less “too horny to function” and more how power, sex, and violence are so connected to each other and all stem from his bubbling frustration, that they kinda substitute each other and switch out he directs his aggression towards different targets, he’s always been sure until now so it as if his brain keeps trying to swap out different reactions to see which one fits, so will beating up Jedah help?  Will sleeping with Celica do the trick?  He doesn’t know the answer and that’s one of the most terrifying dilemmas for him to face
Feeding into that is Rigel’s public attitude towards punishment, despite their value of power, Rigel hasn’t engaged in legit warfare for centuries outside of domestic, inter-regional conflicts, so as a prisoner of war, Celica is still pretty unique, and while Jedah’s horribleness doesn’t come from nowhere, he is an extremist that certainly doesn’t reflect everyone’s values, especially an anti-theist like Rudolf (Alm’s father) but then comes the moral quandary of what can/should be allowed, sexual assault and physical torture is condemned yet they turn a blind eye to the psychological harm they inflict, not to mention Celica’s state certainly suggests an implicit threat of sexual violence, which they might never intend to fulfill but certainly helps breaking her, it’s one of the reason Celica’s dressing down of Alm is filled with such sexual innuendo (aside from goading and passive aggressively agitating Alm), because while they lay certain boundaries, allowing others to be crossed in the end have the same effect, whether she is pierced by Alm’s blade or “blade” the violence wrought is all the same, when he promises to take care of her, that can mean two very different things
Alm has a very self-victimizing attitude as he sees himself as tormented by Celica, so I thought having the realization that she’s frightened of him, would perfectly encapsulate that identity crisis of his, he’s never critically reflected on whether his actions are “good” or not, just trusting his base intentions and so when faced with the question “would I have done something I find unforgivable simply bc I felt justified” he is unable answer yes or no, despite how desperately he wishes he could say no, and that is going to weigh on his soul for the rest of the story
Going into Celica’s side, while she hasn’t trusted Alm for most of their relationship, she has never seem him so volatile before and very all her brutal truths and cutting remarks, she is still a teenage girl in a terrifyingly vulnerable situation, so logic is hard to mantain
Also I can never get enough introspection each session was fun to play around with, Jedah’s arguments are circular and self-contradictory but they boil down to 
1) you are inherently sinful and evil
2) Through submission to authority and what he deems the status-quo you can be purified
What makes her sinful changes from statement to statement, her father’s sins, her defiance of Rigel, for simply being born Zofian, he’s simply throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks, and what cuts the deepest are the scars already left by Zofia, that because she cares and can’t turn a blind eye from injustice like her father can, that is what makes her broken, people would like her and her life would be easier if she went with the passivity ultimately both Zofia and Rigel demand of her, if she didn’t fight and resist, she could have enjoyed the pleasures her father indulged in or the comforts Jedah promises her, but that is equivalent to wanting her dead, maybe not physically but spiritually as they essentially want her but without everything that makes her Celica
Also a minor point of clarification but it was less an actual spell but more the fear and stress taking a toll Celica that causes her to pass out at the end, gripping her chin mirrored the same action as Alm basically sent her into the same panicked response
After promising a breather for like three chapters I think it is around the corner now, both Alm and Celica have new things to contend with and for now they both have to chart new paths to take, thanks once again for your amazing reviews, they always seem to be timed to hit just when I need them
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john1106 · 7 years
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A Realistic Approach to Hope and Morality
I disagree with the Comic Alliance editorial’s position that Man of Steel is devoid of hope and morality, rather, it is a realistic view of hope and morality.
Originally Posted by Comic Alliance
“””This is not a movie about truth, or justice, or heroism, or sacrifice, or hope. Hope gets a mention. We’re told the symbol on Superman’s chest represents “hope,” but I can’t think of any moment in the movie that shows us that ideal. The characters standing in the wreckage at the end of the movie seem to represent grim endurance rather than hope. We do see a glimpse at the end of the movie of young Clark Kent playing outside with a cape around his neck. That seems hopeful. But as it’s a moment from his past, before everything went to hell, it also suggests that hope is naive.”””
If he reads the film as presenting hope as naive, I think he’s confusing the message of the film versus his 4-color image of hope which is naive. Hope takes endurance, not just idle and effortless wish fulfilment.
If you step outside the film for a bit, Henry Cavill was a kid who’s nickname was “Fat Cavill“, nevertheless he determined to be a Hollywood Actor at around 16. Not just an actor, doing theater and what not, he wanted to be in big pictures and big roles, across the pond in America. He had hope. Back then a big star, Russell Crowe, supported his hope, but told him no lies… he instilled into young Cavill the Chinese proverb, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
So Cavill had faith and would bartend, save money, come over to America where he would work as a waiter or walking dogs and audition until his money ran out and he’d go back to England, save up, and start the cycle of hard work and rejection again. He was denied Bond, Twilight, Harry Potter… and he was set to become Superman when a creative change denied him that role as well.
Then, after watching others succeed in the roles that he wanted or seeing the failure of the would-be franchise he almost helmed, he was given another opportunity and this time he got it. His hope was justified not because be blindly believed, but because he took action and made it happen by persevering and not losing hope. He’s become Superman ~15 years after determining to become a blockbuster Hollywood actor.  Faora’s actress had a similar story. She worked call centers and waited tables and grew heartsick over the rejection giving herself an ultimatum which didn’t come because she held out.
In the film, we’re shown that Jor-El and Lara’s hope takes risk, boldness, and significant cost… you don’t just get to sit and have your dreams come true, you have to challenge the status quo, take action, and sometimes be branded an outlaw, a heretic, or have to pay a great cost. Jor-El’s hopes, for Kal-El, are largely realized… his hopes for Krypton are yet to come.
Clark is instilled with great hope not just as a birthright but by Jonathan and Martha. He was the realization of their hopes as Martha watched him at night. Jonathan was sure to reaffirm Clark’s son-ship. With little factual basis, but based on faith, Jonathan affirms that Clark is the answer, was sent for a reason, would change the world, and that all his answers would come one day. The reason Clark isn’t a Marvel Mutant is because of that great destiny Jonathan communicated to him as a boy. He had to sit on that destiny for 17 years, but that doesn’t mean Jonathan didn’t instill in him that genuine hope. For the next 16 years after Jonathan’s death, Clark suffers under the substantial weight of that event (did he do the right thing?), but never gives up hope that he’ll find the answers that Jonathan promises. If he did, Clark would have resigned himself to the farm. The film establishes that Jonathan’s hopes- and Clark’s childhood caped dreams- were realized after life’s toil.
As far as hope of rescue is concerned… it’s absolutely there, repeatedly, in the film. Superman shows up just in time again and again to save the day just before the ax falls. While some people aren’t saved, that’s also life… sometimes hope isn’t enough, that doesn’t mean you don’t do it.
““““ One of the great pillars of Superman’s moral universe is his adoptive father, Jonathan Kent. This movie removes him from that role. In most tellings, Clark Kent learns his values from his decent and upstanding parents. In this movie his father teaches him to lie. He teaches him to put self-preservation ahead of the lives of others. There is no truth and justice here. There is a sacrifice, but it’s not heroic; Pa Kent dies because he’s too stubborn to see that he’s wrong. We know that he’s wrong, because the premise of Superman depends on it. Pa Kent could have been a moral guide; the filmmakers chose to go a different way. ““““
This is a perverse view of Jonathan not supported by the film. Jonathan is always honest and forthright with Clark. When Pete’s mother provide an easy cultural out for Clark’s differences, Jonathan doesn’t blame God, but reveals the ship to Clark. When Clark is bullied, Jonathan admits that part of himself that wishes Clark had hit back. When Clark says Jonathan isn’t his father, Jonathan doesn’t bark platitudes back, he acknowledges the truth of Clark’s statement and addresses Clark’s frustration, rather than his injury, Jonathan admits his own limitations as a parent and foresees that more may be needed for Clark to realize his promised destiny.
All of this is tempered by reality. Not stubbornness, not sin, not self-preservation, but that the path to hope may require patience or detours. In Jonathan’s mind, Clark’s destiny went beyond his life, Clark’s life, or those immediately around them… Clark was destined to change the world. He had that optimistic conviction irrespective of his humble surroundings or the lack of an instruction manual accompanying Clark. To realize that conviction, meant taking realistic real-world steps.
If Clark had been discovered before he met Jor-El, before his origins and powers were explained, he would have been captured, tested, and tormented. He would have been grilled with questions he couldn’t answer and live in perpetual fear of them discovering some way to control or harm him. He would have been twisted as a person and god-forbid that monster ever escaped or released onto the world. Without his answers, being discovered would cause more chaos than good. At the same time, Jonathan recognized not moving forwards was an issue as he confessed the day he died. After meeting Jor-El, secure in his identity, his purpose, and his powers, Clark could actually affect the world as he believed he was destined to do.
If this is unconvincing, there’s cultural precedent so far as the stories of Moses or Jesus are concerned.  Clark’s journey parallels the identity crisis of Moses’s youth.  Meanwhile, Jonathan’s prudence mirrors Joseph and Mary.  When Herod hunted the infant Jesus, Joseph and Mary didn���t attempt to defy common sense by standing on Jesus’s destiny… they fled.  Later, when Jesus as a young boy stayed in the temple during the family vacation (they discovered him missing three days later), his parents came back and admonished him… they didn’t just pretend his destiny made him immune to the practicalities of abandoning his family during a pilgrimage.
Jonathan isn’t coming from the comic book world where the secret identity is always conveniently protected by tropes and plot twists, where everyone who discovers suffers a concussion and subsequent amnesia or a timely demise.  Jonathan’s actions come from weighing the consequences in a realistic and protective manner.
Man of Steel laces reality with its themes giving them more weight and resonance than the typical 4-color cartoonish spoon-fed themes that are pervasive in comic book films.
Source: http://www.manofsteelanswers.com/a-realistic-approach-to-hope-and-morality/
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smallforone-blog · 6 years
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Monoma Neito: Enneagram
Triad (from strongest to weakest functions): 3 (wing 2) [sexual variant], 8 [social variant], 6 [self-preservation variant]
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3 - The Achiever
The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type Adaptable, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious
Threes are self-assured, attractive, and charming. Ambitious, competent, and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for advancement. They are diplomatic and poised, but can also be overly concerned with their image and what others think of them. They typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness. At their Best: self-accepting, authentic, everything they seem to be—role models who inspire others.
   Basic Fear: Of being worthless    Basic Desire: To feel valuable and worthwhile    Enneagram Three with a Two-Wing: "The Charmer"    Two wing: Helper - The Caring, Interpersonal Type--Generous, Demonstrative, People-Pleasing, and Possessive
Key Motivations: Want to be affirmed, to distinguish themselves from others, to have attention, to be admired, and to impress others.
The Meaning of the Arrows: When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), driven Threes suddenly become disengaged and apathetic at Nine. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), vain, deceitful Threes become more cooperative and committed to others, like healthy Sixes.
Potential Addictions: Over-stressing the body for recognition. Working out to exhaustion. Starvation diets. Workaholism. Excessive intake of coffee, stimulants, amphetamines, cocaine, steroids or excessive surgery for cosmetic improvement.
3 Feedback Loops
Healthy loop: Controlled by Basic Desire: Need to be admired -> self-improvement -> admired -> Need to be admired. In the healthy state, the need to be admired induces Type Threes to work hard to improve themselves and succeed, which often cause others around them to admire them. When Threes feel admired, the need is satisfied and a balance is reached.
Average state: When Threes' are not working hard to improve themselves, others admire them less, which increases Threes' need to be admired. Thus this helps Threes to again work hard to improve themselves. Thus the balancing loop can help Threes to recover.
Unhealthy loop: Controlled by Basic Fear: Fear of being rejected -> compete -> not admired -> Fear of being rejected. In the unhealthy state, the basic fear of being rejected can cause Type Threes to be competitive and hostile towards others as a defense, which makes them even less admirable, and further increases Threes' basic fear. The cycle continues to build up.
Insight: Threes can refrain from being competitive but focus on self-improvement instead. This will lead to genuine admiration from others and lessen the fear of rejection.
3 Integration vs. Disintegration
Integration (Three Goes to Healthy Six): As Threes let go of their fears of failure and worthlessness, they start to feel less competitive with others. They relax and find that they feel most valuable while working cooperatively with others toward shared goals and aspirations, like healthy Sixes. They learn to freely offer support and guidance to the people in their lives, but more importantly, they also learn to ask for support when they need it. Threes ordinarily put themselves under such pressure to accomplish their goals with little or no help that it comes as both a surprise and a relief to them that others are happy to help them in their endeavors. In short, Threes learn to trust others and to build lasting bonds with people. They become more selfless and courageous, embodying real qualities of leadership and self-sacrifice. By letting go of their need to outshine others, Threes become truly extraordinary human beings.
Security (Three Goes to Average Six): With most people, Threes make every effort to be diplomatic and well-mannered. They do not want to say things that would be off-putting to people if they can avoid it. But when Threes feel that their relationships are secure, they can be more open about expressing their anxieties and frustrations. They may keep a "positive frame of mind" all day at work, only to come home and download their dissatisfaction onto their spouse or partner. ("I think my boss is going to go nuts on me when he finds out we still haven't got this report nailed down.") Feelings of self-doubt, dread, suspicion, and anger at others' incompetence can all surface in contrast to the Three's usual "can do" attitude.
Disintegration (Three Goes to Average Nine): When Threes drive themselves too hard, their stress can go beyond what they can normally cope with. When this occurs, they tend to go on "autopilot," attempting to just get through things without being bothered, in the manner of average Nines. Threes going to Nine become more passive and fall into routines. They lose their focus and involve themselves with busywork to at least give the appearance that they are getting things done. If stress continues, however, they may begin to become shut down, listless, and depressed, losing interest in their projects and withdrawing from people. They feel little energy or enthusiasm and simply want people to leave them alone and give them space. They can become stubborn and resistant to offers of help at these times, not wanting to hear that they have a problem.
3 Wing 2
Threes with this wing are often highly gregarious. They have a tendency towards persona - playing a role of themselves in real life. Social perception, prestige and recognition important. Healthy side brings personal warmth, leadership qualities. Sincere desire to do well by others; may be genuinely nice people. If they have achieved some measure of success they are generous in their mentorship of others.
When more entranced, they are preoccupied with seeming ideal to others. This can extend to friendships, family, as well as at work. Want to seem a perfect spouse, friend, parent, employee, good son or daughter. Strong social focus because they need so much validation from others. Preening and boastful behavior possible. Bursts of egotism. Wanting to be on top, better than others. Slip into impersonation easily, may falsify feeling and not know it themselves. Deep emotional self-recognition is lost. Malicious intentional deceit is possible. Behavior of con-artists and sociopaths.
The 3w2 version of outstanding is closer to something that's more w2 inclusive, accessible to everyone and more mainstream. They are on average more sociable and are more about putting their best them forward. They want to shine. The more extroverted 3w2s have a beaming brightness to them. As one poster put it:
"It is far more about end product than process for me. I don’t really need to appear to have taking no effort whatsoever, though I hardly wish to lay out my every faltering baby step in my process for review. What is more important is what you are, how you present, how you impress. It is about commanding that stage, turning in a scintillating performance, dazzling them all so you are the one that gets remembered. And sure, it takes work to get there, to be that person. But that’s just part of it all. That happens, but it is nothing to dwell on, because of course you have to work hard; that’s just part of the game, nothing remarkable there; let’s just look at what we’ve become."
3 Sexual Variant The Movie Star/The Catch - Charisma,  ideal, virility, femininity/masculinity
This charismatic and enthusiastic Three focuses their competitiveness on supporting others, seeing success in relational terms. They tend to believe 'if those around me achieve success, then I am successful' which may lead them to mistype as a Two. They tend to compete for the attention and affection of those closest to them, and may suppress their own feelings to make themselves more attractive to others.
The ability to create a successful image is focused on gender identity and issues. Personal power or charisma rests on being attractive as a woman or man. Yet underneath, there may be confusion about one’s real sexuality. This subtype tends to stay in the performer role, whether on stage or in personal relationships.
Sexual Threes feel that their value comes from their desirability, so they do whatever they can to enhance their attractiveness to others. Many movie stars, models, and popular singers are Sexual Threes. They know how to project attractive qualities but also how to be a blank screen that others can project their desires onto. They often possess great charm and magnetism, yet they fear being dismissed by others for lacking some essential ingredient. As Sexual types, they want to have a strong intimate connection with someone, but because of the Three's image issues and underlying feelings of shame, they are often insecure about letting people know them too well. Thus, many Sexual Threes are able to gain attention and interest from others, but they fear that once they get someone's attention, they will be unable to keep it.
Sexual Threes want to be appreciated for their depth and intelligence, too, but they fear that others are only interested in them for their attractiveness. Some Sexual Threes may go through periods of rebellion, downplaying their physical attributes for a while to see if people still like them and to find out more about themselves. Ultimately, this type grows by recognizing their own value directly—that is, without believing that it only exists reflected in the admiring eyes of others.
Sexual Threes mask themselves with an image of what a sexually appealing man or woman is. They play roles in romantic relationships hoping to get love or admiration. Image is based on community or cultural standards of desirability or a given partner's expectations. If not committed to a specific partner then they will project an image generally and seek sexual conquests. Intimate Threes in the movies can be sexual imposters or suave, attractive ideals of masculinity or femininity. Female characters tend to be beautiful out-of-reach Sirens.
2 Wing, Sexual Variant The Lover - Seduction/aggression, assault
This subtype uses all of the Two’s capacity for interpersonal attunement to make a connection and win the approval of selected people in a one-to-one relationship, even a brief one. The use of body language and feeling tones can be experienced as seductive, although not necessarily in a sexual sense. The same capacity also can show up in a more aggressive style that demands personal attention and recognition. Highly devoted in close relationships, they may find it difficult to accept limits or take "no" for an answer.
8 - The Challenger
The Powerful, Dominating Type Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational
Eights are self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. Eights typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable. At their Best: self-mastering, they use their strength to improve others' lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and inspiring.
   Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by others    Basic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own life and destiny)
Key Motivations: Want to be self-reliant, to prove their strength and resist weakness, to be important in their world, to dominate the environment, and to stay in control of their situation.
The Meaning of the Arrows: When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), self-confident Eights suddenly become secretive and fearful at Five. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), lustful, controlling Eights become more open-hearted and caring, like healthy Twos.
Potential Addictions: Ignore physical needs and problems--avoid medical visits and check-ups. Indulging in rich foods, alcohol, tobacco while pushing self too hard leads to high stress, strokes, and heart conditions. Control issues central, although alcoholism and narcotic addictions are possible.
Feedback Loops
Healthy loop: Controlled by Basic Desire: Need to be self-reliant -> strength -> independent -> Need to be self-reliant. In the healthy state, the need to be self-reliant induces Type Eights to become stronger and capable of defending others. When Eights are independent, their need is satisfied and a balance is reached.
Average state: When Eights' are not building their strength as much, they will become more dependent on others for certain needs. This increases the need to be self-reliant, which helps Eights to again work hard to become strong. Thus the balancing loop can help Eights to recover.
Unhealthy loop: Controlled by Basic Fear: Fear of submitting to others -> controlling -> dependent -> Fear of submitting to others. In the unhealthy state, the basic fear of submitting to others can cause Type Eights to lash out and try to control others as a defense. This unfortunately make them ironically more dependent on others, which further increases Eights' basic fear. The cycle continues to build up.
Insight: Eights can refrain from controlling others but start to strengthen themselves instead. This will naturally make them more independent and thus reduce the fear of submitting to others.
Integration vs. Disintegration
Integration (Eight Goes to Healthy Two): As Eights begin to recognize their powerful emotional armoring and see how much it isolates them unnecessarily, they naturally become more emotionally expressive and generous, like high-functioning Twos. Underneath their drive for self-protection and independence, Eights have big hearts and generous impulses. Once they feel secure enough to let down their guards, they discover how much they care about people and how much they want to support others. In short, they want to be a source of good in the world and to express their love—and at Two, they do so. Since they remain Eights, their love is expressed in palpable ways that actually help and support people. It is a love free of sentiment, clinging, or hidden agenda, and through it, Eights find the sense of empowerment and dignity that they have been seeking.
The 8, when integrated, finally becomes more aware of other people, with a "magnanimous" instinctual understanding of those he has always wanted to protect. He will now not only be able to protect them physically, but he has developed some care and awareness for the protection of them emotionally as well. The integrated 8's empathy has a visible similarity to the healthy 2's, the instinctual, calm, and patient caring. Although he still is concerned with power over being loved, he has found the ability to seek power as well as love without feeling like the two goals are opposed.
Security (Eight Goes to Average Two): Eights will sometimes turn toward people they trust to be reassured about the other person's need for them. They have an emotional, even sentimental side that they show only to people with whom they feel safe. They may appear tough and independent in public while privately doting on key people in their lives or, if they lack these, then on their pets. They may also attempt to get intimates to acknowledge their help and support or may want people to depend more completely on them, like average Twos. Hidden feelings of rejection can cause them to seek ways to hold on to those few people they feel close to, including manipulation and undermining the other. Like average Twos, they also become unwilling to acknowledge their real needs or feelings of hurt with people on whom they depend.
Disintegration (Eight Goes to Average Five): Eights usually respond to stress by taking problems and challenges head on. They are bold and assertive in pushing for control and for accomplishing their vision, whatever it might be. But this approach can leave them feeling beleaguered and overwhelmed. When stress levels get too high, Eights may suddenly switch tactics and go into periods of retreat or even isolation, like average Fives. They pull back from the front lines to assess their situation, to strategize, and to see how they can regain control. They may become strangely quiet, secretive, and isolated as they privately explore ways to deal with their problems. Under longer periods of stress, they may also develop a cold, cynical attitude about themselves, other people, and life in general, in the manner of less healthy Fives.
8 Social Variant The Group Leader/Gang Leader - Friendship/social causes, comradeship, friends/foes, solidarity
A sense of powerlessness or injustice is overcome by being part of an aligned group, usually in a leadership role. This subtype’s anger and aggression are mediated by the group’s needs, and harnessed for a common agenda. Loyalty to friends and social causes take precedence over personal feelings and needs.
The Social Eight countertype uses their power and influence in the service of others, making them appear Two-ish in their drive to support others rather than asserting their own needs. Sensitive to injustice and unfair social norms, they are loyal and protective and shield ‘their people’ from harm, unjust authority, or abuse of power. Even though they prefer not to be too vulnerable, they invite and appreciate tough feedback from close allies.
Social Eights like to "live large," and as the name suggests, engage fully in the world. Friendship and loyalty are top values for them, and they are willing to make great sacrifices for the people and causes they care about. At the same time, they expect that others they have bonded with will be similarly loyal to them. (In this regard, they can resemble Sixes, although their energy is bigger and more direct than that of Sixes.) Often, Social Eights will gather a group of friends around them while unofficially acting as the chairperson of the group—the "king" or "queen."
They enjoy conversation about any subject in which they can boldly state opinions and get into debates about. Social Eights enjoy the banter and energy of a disagreement about such matters, and they are often surprised to learn that others can be hurt or overwhelmed by the force of their opinions. At such times, they may try to "tone themselves down," but they usually find this an uncomfortable compromise. More often, they seek out friends who they perceive as strong and independent, people who can take a bit of roughhousing and who will not be overwhelmed by them. Less healthy Social Eights have problems with making promises to people that they cannot always fulfill. Conning others, and exaggerating situations can become part of the picture.
Social Eights are often loyal to a group and conceive of friendship as a pact of mutual protection. Want everyone to benefit; group's cohesion and welfare is most important to them. Often oriented to family, honest, hold themselves accountable to others. May be the group's protector or provider. Emphasis on cooperation. When healthy, they are aggressively blustery but will back down and apologize when they've been unfair. Hostility directed towards outside forces who threaten the group's welfare.
6 - The Loyalist
The Committed, Security-Oriented Type Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious
Sixes are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. Excellent "troubleshooters," they foresee problems and foster cooperation, but can also become defensive, evasive, and anxious—running on stress while complaining about it. They can be cautious and indecisive, but also reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically have problems with self-doubt and suspicion. At their Best: internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing themselves and others.
   Basic Fear: Of being without support and guidance    Basic Desire: To have security and support
Key Motivations: Want to have security, to feel supported by others, to have certitude and reassurance, to test the attitudes of others toward them, to fight against anxiety and insecurity.
The Meaning of the Arrows: When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), dutiful Sixes suddenly become competitive and arrogant at Three. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), fearful, pessimistic Sixes become more relaxed and optimistic, like healthy Nine.
Potential Addictions: Rigidity in diet causes nutritional imbalances ("I don't like vegetables"). Working excessively. Caffeine and amphetamines for stamina, but also alcohol and depressants to deaden anxiety. Higher susceptibility to alcoholism than many types.
Feedback Loops
Healthy loop: Controlled by Basic Desire: Need to be secure -> loyal -> security -> Need to be secure. In the healthy state, the need to be secure induces Type Sixes to be loyal to others, especially the authority. This increases their security among others, which satisfies their need and a balance is reached.
Average state: When Sixes' are not not being so loyal to others, they start to feel insecure among others. This increases the need to be secure, which helps Sixes to again seek out authority and become loyal to it, or become more loyal to others around them. Thus the balancing loop can help Sixes to recover.
Unhealthy loop: Controlled by Basic Fear: Fear of being abandoned -> distrust others -> insecurity -> Fear of being abandoned. In the unhealthy state, the basic fear of being abandoned can cause Type Sixes to become suspicious of others and start to distrust others. This reduces their sense of security, which further increases Sixes' basic fear. The cycle continues to build up.
Integration vs. Disintegration
Integration (Six Goes to Healthy Nine): As Sixes learn to trust themselves more, they also become more open to life and to other people. They gradually learn to relax their hyper-vigilance and simply be with themselves or with whatever life is presenting in the moment. They gain a deeper acceptance of life's ups and downs such that they are not riddled with dread and anxiety. They are inclusive and supportive of others—and much more at peace. Integrating Sixes are able to let their minds rest in their natural, pristine state of clarity and inner quiet. They are able to stop second-guessing everything and let their own inner wisdom arise. The result is that they are more serene, grounded, and joyous—light and stable.
Security (Six Goes to Average Nine): In situations where Sixes feel secure, they begin to deal with stress by simply shutting down and becoming indifferent to their surroundings, like average Nines. They do not want to be disturbed or bothered by loved ones—they feel that they have been working hard and they experience virtually any kind of interaction as another source of pressure. They will be pleasant one moment, but can suddenly become stubbornly resistant and shut down in the next if they feel that others are demanding something of them. At such times, Sixes become unavailable and passive-aggressive, not wanting to respond to others or to move out of comforting but numbing routines.
Disintegration (Six Goes to Average Three): Sixes are often visibly nervous, reacting with self-doubt to situations and getting caught in over-thinking a problem. When stress escalates beyond the normal level, however, they jump into action—and stay in action, trying to deal with their anxieties by working harder. If, for example, they feel pressured at work, Sixes may spend their weekend frantically doing yard chores or obsessively reorganizing the closets as a way of discharging or avoiding feelings of inadequacy. They also fear letting others know how overwhelmed they are, so they may take on a false persona of competency and efficiency, like average Threes. ("Don't worry about anything. I've got this handled.") They focus increasingly on tasks and on being efficient while cutting off from their feelings so that they can stay functional, but this can lead to major emotional problems for them and for their relationships.
Self-preservation Variant The Family Loyalist - Warmth, affection, responsibility
Overcoming fear by making connections and agreements with others through personal warmth, this subtype doesn’t want to be left out in the cold. Experiencing a lack of warmth or a threat to their security early in life can create a fear of taking risks and a need to stay within well-known boundaries.
The anxiety of the Six blends with the self-preservation instinct to make fear and insecurity a theme for this cautious subtype. To feel safe, they build strong alliances and relationships with others. They are sincerely affectionate and warm-hearted in their interactions with others.
Self-preservation Sixes often display a personal warmth that is meant to defang the potential hostility of others. If they sense aggression or disapproval in the environment, they may counterphobically zero in on it. Use humor, charm, self-depreciation to make friends out of possible enemies. Can flatter like Twos, play themselves down, work to maintain other people's affection. Act vulnerable, invite rescue. Ingratiating, but more nervously dependent than other Six subtypes. Also less in touch with their own hostility. Worry about their ability to survive; have scary "worst-that-can-happen" fantasies.
Self-Pres Sixes can be funny and friendly and want to be involved and engaged, but they have difficulty relaxing, especially around unfamiliar others. They are more introverted and more likely to be loners than the other Sixes. When more stressed, they may stay in punishing situations longer than they should (bad jobs, bad marriages) or become concerned with having control of resources, like a less healthy Eight.
References:
Enneagram Institute Type Descriptions
Typewatch Enneagram Descriptions
Type 3 (Blogspot)
Type 8 (Blogspot)
Type 6 (Blogspot)
Instinctual Subtypes
27 Subtypes
How the Enneagram System Works
Emotional Habits
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thatswhatshername · 7 years
Text
...Things not to say.
I don't what I'm supposed to do here.
Two things:
I care about you greatly. That's why I check on you and ask about your feelings all the time. I do not have an issue with you having negative feelings. My issue is the way you handle negative feelings with me- how you treat me when you have the slightest of negative any feeling.
Would you mind sitting down with a mediator?
6.22.17
You see me as "not taking this relationship seriously"... selfish, unappreciative, childish... I'm to blame for everything.. you're scolding me for everything...
6.30.17
Now that it's over... I do feel better... but I do miss you. I think that no matter how miserable I was, I still wanted it to be you. I still wanted it to work. I still want it to work. I still want it to be you. But...I know better. It's unhealthy and unlikely that we'd ever be happy.
8.23.17
The hope never goes away. But every time I look back to see where it came from, the pain gets in the way. I really wish it hadn't panned out this way. I still think we're perfect ideally and we just don't work well when we're together. It's as if we're each other's cryptonite. I don't know if we could possibly learn to not use that type of power with one another but.. I guess it doesn't matter at this point anyway.
I should've done something like this in the last days of November 2015. If I had, maybe you would've known that I was already satisfied. No pressure. No stress. You were good being you. I couldn't have possibly wanted anything else. I wanted you to be you. I didn't need you to try to be anything different. I didn't need you to agree with things that you didn't believe in. I didn't need you to go along with things or smother your own opinions. I wanted to know you as you. I never got used to the flip flops and wishy washy stuff...I never got to see you as you consistently... I can't even tell what's really you besides tacos, music, and solitude. But anyway, I'm doing a thing. This is #1. I hope it comes out ok.
#2 From the very beginning, you made it clear to the entire world how excited you were to have me and how dedicated you were to our future. Instead of just basking in our love, I should've showed the world my joy even bigger. I should've shown people more. Showing love for each other seems like one of the few things that would've been a good competition for us. I should've made it hard for people to question us. Making a practice of boosting each other up in the world and never tearing each other down. Showing everyone what it means to be on someone's team. Letting people know where our loyalties lie. Shining a light on home base. No room for insecurity or doubt. Even in times full of struggle and frustration, not letting a moment slip where you don't know how fiercely I love you.
#3 One of my biggest regrets is that I didn't make a huge deal of every little victory. Every good day, every resolution, every kiss goodnight should've been celebrated in the most grand of manner. These days I'm working on developing a thanksgiving mindset- an attitude of gratitude (not just for yummy things). Seeing the blessings in all things and scraping up the energy to celebrate them no matter what. I realize that for a lot of people, thank you's are just kind words- and more often than not, people say "thank you" out of politeness whether they're actually thankful or not. I should've made it clear that I genuinely appreciated every little thing... more than a smile and single tear drop. Kind words, a helping hand, time... Everything counts.
#4 Sometimes I can get lost in a sea of bad memories and bad feelings. But, I have too many good memories to just give up on things...or people. I'm certain that the good outweighs the bad in general. I won't pretend that I can see it that way all the time but... I do believe it. That's probably why I always search for the good parts in things and people and whatever's in between. I think my Muslims say to give people 70 excuses. Even if no wrongdoing was ever excused, I believe that the good outweighs the bad. Even if there are more bad things than good things, the good outweighs the bad. I think that the good things are heavier. I think that the good times are more meaningful and the bad times are mishaps. I think that there will come a time when every bad moment can be recognized, acknowledged, and left behind like a bump in the road. I know that sometimes a pothole can really cause some damage but, I believe that everything can be fixed. I think we've got the tools to fix whatever's broken. I mean sure, I do believe that everything will be fine regardless but... fixed or even upgraded is definitely attainable.
#5 I hope this doesn't seem crazy. When I think about my experiences throughout the last almost two years, it actually is crazy. I've never considered actually sharing my life with anyone else... only you. Sure, I've loved other people. I've never loved anyone enough to share my entire life with... only you. I guess letting people know that they're special was never my strong suit. I thought that since everyone is special in their own way for their own reasons to their own people, it should be enough to just give people their props in the moments when they earn them and that's it. Everyone should already know that they're special. But. Everyone should also be reminded to bathe in the collection of those special moments- the moments when they're appreciated and loved. I pinned this idea for a sort of love bucket where people would potentially collect special moments/loving thoughts/positive affirmations to be reminded of them later- to be showered with them- bathed in them if necessary. Sometimes it's necessary to cover our loved ones with the security of the love, admiration, and support that they can only get from us. Seems like common sense maybe. I should've known.
#6 One of the things I admire most about you is how much you love and respect the arts but, focus on doing what you have to do to take care of yourself and eventually, your family. Thinking ahead and preparing for the future is a big deal. It's not as much of a common practice as it should be. We take care of people in a lot of different ways. We support our people in a lot of different ways. We are different from one another in a lot of ways. Although it has proven to be hard, I'm not sure if it's hard to be or hard to see. I'm not sure if it's hard to be on the same page or hard to see that we've been on the same page all along. I think that people who are different, have a lot to learn from one another. I think that differences provide outlets, and balance and opportunities for growth. I never thought that either of us were flawless or infallible but I did think that we were perfect. The perfect balance of everything anyone could ever need or want...even if it all came with a few hiccups. I sincerely believe that it was all worth it. I'm not afraid of anything being a waste of time anymore. Each experience is worth something even if it never turns out to take me where I wanted to go.
#7 I realize that it's a little late... I think that over this time, a lot of things have changed. My belief in our potential for greatness and the goodness of our hearts aren't among the things that have changed. I don't think those things will ever change. Similar to active love, those beliefs are something I'm dedicated to. I love you. I loved you after phase 1. I loved you through chapter 2. I love you now. I don't think that could change even if I wanted it to. It doesn't have to be the same for you. I know that it hasn't always been the same for you. That's ok. I've never loved for the sake of making anyone love me. It's ok. You know that I practice love for everyone and everything in the creation. That'll never change. I do hope for the best regardless of what that is. I pray the best for you no matter what that is... because I love you. Same as always. And I guess all of this is because I want everyone to know that I mean it.
I'm not as much of an open book as I try to be. There's a long irrelevant prelude to each singular experience in my notes. It's a lot to read through. I'm aware. I thought that maybe a lifetime was long enough to eventually get through it.
9.23.17
Maybe sometimes I just need a reminder of how terrible you are. Maybe I need to hate you so that I'll stay away from you. You're right. You did just have two hours of your time wasted. But guess what, you did that. I literally had one simple question to ask you. But you decided to call. You decided to go on and one asking questions. You brought up the past. You asked me what else I had to say. You opened the floor for me to just vent on and on. So idgaf about your wasted time. You're a piece of shit. I hope you realize it one day. I hope you know that having depression and anxiety doesn't make me selfish. I hope you realize that I never put anything on you or asked you for this shit. I hope you realize that you did all of this shit to yourself. I hope you realize how stupid you are and feel terrible for wasting my time and energy on you throughout your complete bullshit. Lowkey I hope someone actually hurts you the way you've hurt me. I hope someone leaves a scar on you that cocoa butter can't heal. I hope you learn to take responsibility and stop blaming everyone else for your bullshit. I hope all of your trash comes full circle and is heavy as fuck when it sits back on you.
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energysolutions · 7 years
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Speech: Launch of the Clean Growth Strategy has been published on Energy Solutions News
New Post has been published on http://www.energybrokers.co.uk/news/beis/speech-launch-of-the-clean-growth-strategy
Speech: Launch of the Clean Growth Strategy
Good morning all.
It is such a pleasure to be here today to launch our new Clean Growth Strategy. Not only because I am required to, under the Climate Change Act.
But also because I am genuinely proud of what we have achieved so far in the United Kingdom and incredibly excited about the huge opportunities for us ahead.
You may wonder why we have asked you to come to this iconic venue, scene of so much national success, this morning.
Well there are two reasons.
The first is because we are benefiting in this building from one of the UK’s biggest low-carbon combined heating, cooling and power facilities – brilliant technology that we want to see deployed much more widely.
And the second reason is… well you will have to wait for that.
Before I begin to detail all the steps we are taking, I want to thank a few people.
First, I want to thank my Secretary of State Greg Clark for his longstanding commitment to action on climate change.
From his time as Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change before the 2010 election, to his work across government, he has continued to champion the urgent need to cut emissions and seize the opportunity of clean growth and he deserves a huge amount of credit for this Strategy.
Second, I want to thank Nick Hurd, my predecessor in the department.
Nick put a massive effort into developing the policies in this plan, and I was really delighted I could take the baton from him [not just to steal all the glory] but because when I took on the Strategy, he had got it to a great place.
Thanks also to my amazing team at BEIS who have been working so hard for so long to put this Strategy together.
I also want to thank the Committee on Climate Change and their tireless chairman, Lord Deben.
You don’t realise until you sit in this ministerial chair, what a brilliant piece of legislation the Climate Change Act has proved to be, holding our feet to the fire as we consider every policy choice and empowering the Committee to keep us moving forward despite the short term political cycle.
Finally, I also want to thank all of you here today for your work cajoling, prodding, challenging, sometimes praising and, yes, criticising what we do.
We are not going to tackle the risks of climate change, nor grasp the opportunities of doing so unless we work together and I thank you for your commitment to this most important of issues.
You will know the gestation of our Clean Growth Strategy has been long, at times difficult and sometimes frustrating.
But we finally have a Strategy that is ambitious, broad and binding…
Sets out clear targets….
Harnesses the power of national innovation….
And re-affirms this government’s commitment to lead the way to a low carbon future.
So, today, in launching the Clean Growth Strategy I want to focus on three things:
First, to celebrate the extraordinary success the United Kingdom has achieved in delivering clean growth over the past two decades…
Second, as Greg said, to underline the enormous industrial opportunity for us that is emerging from the global transition to a low carbon economy – and how it will benefit us right across the UK.
And third to set out why this Clean Growth Strategy is distinctive and how it helps us meet the challenges we face.
As I said to start, the reason we are all here is the 2008 Climate Change Act, which had cross-party support and was a totemic piece of legislation. Because of that legislation we have to set out our strategy to meet the upcoming carbon budgets.
But we are also here because we want to be.
As the Prime Minister said in her foreword to our new strategy: “Clean growth is not an option, but a duty we owe to the next generation.”
And I think the UK should be very proud of our record in fulfilling that duty.
We were one of the first countries to recognise both the economic and security threats posed by rising sea levels and rising high temperatures.
And we have followed the guidance provided by that scientific understanding with action.
As Greg said, since 1990, we have cut emissions by more than 40 per cent while our economy has grown by two thirds over that time.
On a per person basis, this means that we have reduced emissions faster than any other G7 nation.
And not by sacrificing growth and competitiveness – we have led the G7 group in growth in national income over that period.
Let me just repeat that – we lead the G7 group of countries in cutting our emissions and growing our economy
Proving as false the view that we couldn’t protect the planet and raise prosperity at the same time.
Our world-first 2008 Climate Change Act set the pace for change, committing us to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least eighty per cent by 2050.
And I’m pleased to tell you we are on track.
We over-performed against our first carbon budget, and are on track to do the same for the second and third. This is a fantastic achievement.
Our action at home is matched by our ambition to see action across the world.
This saw us playing a leading role in securing the agreement of 195 countries to sign up to the now historic Paris Climate Agreement…
It commits us to being among the largest contributors of international climate finance.
And it means that from the Prime Minister, Theresa May, downwards we continue to work across the world to ensure the Paris agreement and climate action are delivered and at the forefront of international action – UK leadership that has never been more needed than now.
I know many of you in this room are responsible for this incredible success.
A success which I don’t think we celebrate enough.
Well I promise to keep talking about it and to champion it on your behalf at every opportunity, home and abroad.
The commitments made by 195 countries in Paris also present an unparalleled economic opportunity.
We are seeing the start of a global shift toward clean solutions…
Low carbon ways to get from A to B…
…power and heat produced in way that helps the planet and helps people struggling with their bills…
…and heavy industry going carbon-light.
This shift offers UK businesses and innovators huge potential to shape the future of clean growth.
Because part of the reason why the UK is considered a leader in tackling climate change, is that we don’t just see it as a problem to be solved…
We see it is an opportunity, too.
So, by focusing on clean growth, we are presented with a win-win situation…
We can cut the cost of energy…
Drive economic growth…
Create high value jobs right across the UK…
And improve our quality of life.
This is precisely what our Clean Growth Strategy is about.
You will see a list of 50 major policies and plans in the Strategy Document today, with many supporting ones in the text behind them, and when implemented there will be real change
To give you just a few examples:
For businesses, the largest pool of contributors to emissions, we will help them improve how they use their energy, aiming to increase their energy productivity by at least twenty per cent by 2030, saving businesses £6 billion…
…we will establish an industrial energy efficiency scheme to help large companies cut their bills…
…and we will demonstrate international leadership in carbon capture, usage and storage, that we need to decarbonise and improve how we do business, including substantial new investment in leading edge innovation.
Our strategy will make a positive change to how we live.
We will make it easier for homeowners to make home improvements that can reduce their energy use…
…we will invest around £3.6 billion to upgrade around a million homes through the Energy Company Obligation by 2020, and extend that support to 2028…
…we will continue to support RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive)…
… we will work towards our aspiration that every home in the country will be rated Energy Performance Certificate as Band C by 2035…
And we will aim to upgrade as many private rented homes as possible where practical and affordable – helping many of those living in severe fuel poverty.
And, our Clean Growth Strategy will change the way we travel and make our air cleaner.
We have already said and reconfirm today we will end the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040…
…it will invest £1 billion supporting the take-up of ultra-low emission vehicles, including helping consumers to overcome the upfront cost of an electric car…
…and we will make sure that those cars are powered by developing one of the best electric vehicle charging networks in the world.
Indeed you may have seen the hydrogen bus outside and we will continue to support different types of low carbon transport.
I get asked all the time – so what’s the magic bullet today?
And my answer is – we don’t have one. There is no one lever we can pull.
Instead we go through every major part of our economy and every part of government to set out ways to cut the emissions and drive innovation
Whether that’s investing in research and innovation for energy efficiency…
Or building new heat networks across the country to drive down the cost of keeping homes warm…
Whatever it takes, we are determined to make a difference.
And any set of actions that hopes to combat climate change has to cover all parts of the economy
And be focused on the next few decades, not the next few years, that is why the Clean Growth Strategy is a Strategy.
It has far-reaching goals and priorities, and sets the scene for other long-term plans government will be bringing forward like the upcoming 25 year plan from my colleagues at DEFRA, the DfT’s Road to Zero and our Industrial Strategy and its Sector Deals.
Our message is clear: this needs to be a priority for our government and the country for the years ahead, for future generations and not just us today.
And now is the right time to make these decisions because the benefits are huge.
The most recent research shows that the UK’s low carbon economy could grow over 10 to 12 per cent per year up to 2030 – four times faster than the growth of the UK economy as a whole.
By that estimate that would mean – in just 13 years – the UK’s low carbon economy would support up to 2 million more jobs and export up to £170bn low carbon goods and services each year.
And I’m not just talking about jobs in London and the South East…
This impact will be felt all over the country. We’ve already seen this happen, whether it’s the Siemens wind turbine blade factory in Hull or Nissan confirming that their Leaf electric car will be produced in Sunderland.
Like I said: a win-win situation right across the country, one that we are exploiting.
You may ask: what is different about this plan?
Well, it focuses areas of action where we get clear joint benefits:
cleaner air from low emissions vehicles…
…lower energy bills from improved energy efficiency…
… reducing waste and using resources efficiently…
…and creating a more biodiverse, resilient natural environment.
It is also a true cross-government approach – with real actions from buildings to transport, and from the natural environment to power generation.
And at the heart of our Strategy is a targeted focus on innovation.
Because I fundamentally believe that it is only through innovation that we can bring down the costs of low carbon technologies.
We want low carbon to mean low cost.
Because we need low cost to protect our businesses and households from high costs, including energy costs.
But – just as important – if we can develop the low cost, low carbon technologies here, we can capture the industrial and economic advantage from the global transition we are starting to see.
Finally, if we want to see other countries, particularly developing countries, follow our lead, we need low carbon technologies to be cheap.
So we have a new triple test to help us decide how to support new technologies:
First, does this deliver maximum carbon emission reduction?
Second, can we see a clear cost reduction pathway for this technology, so we can deliver low cost solutions?
And third, can the UK develop world-leading technology in a sizeable global market?
Of course, we can’t predict every technological breakthrough – if we’d have done that a few years ago, we would have been wrong – and not all of the choices we make will be the right ones.
That is the nature of working with such fast moving technologies.
But we are determined to create the best possible ecosystem for the private sector to invest and innovate.
If we get it right, we can see the benefits, just as we have on offshore wind, and the remarkable cost reduction we have seen where the costs have plummeted 50 percent in just two years.
And we have installed the biggest offshore wind base in the world.
To achieve these sorts of wins going forward and deliver the clean growth we need, it will require everyone to play their part.
This is not a job for central government alone.
It is a job for our devolved nations, local authorities, businesses and civil society working together; ambition and drive from every part of society and government is as important as diktats from Whitehall.
That is why we are delighted to celebrate in our document some of the amazing work that is taking place across the country.
And it is why we are setting up an annual ‘Green Great Britain’ Week, to celebrate the progress we have made, showcase UK technology and leadership, and inspire and motivate us to keep going, no matter the challenges, to deliver low carbon technology.
To meet our goals, we are going to need the full ingenuity, enterprise and determination of the British people working together.
So that answers the second question as to why we are here today.
Because we want to capture the spirit of cooperation and enterprise that gave us such an amazing performance at the 2012 Olympics from Team GB…
And use it to deliver a Green GB…
There won’t be medals on offer…
But the prize for all of us will be driving and capturing the benefits and opportunities for Britain and the world of our low carbon future.
I think that’s a race we all want to win.
Thank you.
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