#asks: answered

[grollow]

What are your opinions on the pale king?

Oh boy. Uhm. This feels like a massively loaded question considering that I know that Pale King-related discourse is very common in this fandom but I'm feeling brave today so let's go. Prepare for a long reply, anon, hope you're ready for Ashe to actually write their headcanons on main.

Well first off, I think the fandom does the character a grievous injustice the majority of the time, which is exceedingly frustrating considering that he’s one of the few characters in the game to have any nuance at all. The majority of the fandom either goes out of their way to demonize him (by far the most common sentiment, which is infuriating), or they make him way too sympathetic and/or try to excuse/write off/defend/redeem him for the horrible things that he’s done in the events of the game. Both of these stances ignore that the character is layered like an onion and deserves to be treated as such.

I’m gonna address the demonizing thing first, because it’s more common in fanfiction which is where the majority of my followers found me, and is also where the mass of my experience can be found. Demonizing PK as “ruthless, evil baby killer” ignores the fact that he was put into a no-win situation as king of a kingdom that was entirely reliant upon him (whether by his choice or not is unclear, canon makes it obvious people are inclined to follow wyrms but we do not know for sure if this is something he wanted or just incidental). His own dialogue and actions show us that everything he did, he did with a heavy heart. He did not do these things to be cruel, he did not do these things thoughtlessly, and he certainly did not do these things and forget about them.

PK in essence was presented with next to no options to defeat an enemy that was willing to stop at nothing to get what she wanted; she was willing to kill countless people, with no thought for what all she harmed and damaged along the way. He was king and responsible for those people’s lives. He had to do something.

We don’t know what he knew going into the vessel plan. Based on Monomon’s studies, and the Pale King’s own, we can assume that he probably tried other options. We have wingmoulds and kingsmoulds to show us that he absolutely was experimenting with void before he reached the conclusion of sacrificing his own children. He had to have come to the conclusion that this was the only option that he had. Based on the seal on the Abyss, it’s one that he regretted, found disgusting, and if you take his death in White Palace to be from guilt (which I do), it’s one that he never forgave himself for. “No cost too great.”

Vessels by design are supposed to be empty. I do not think this design choice was to be cruel. I think he tried to design them not to feel not only to protect them from Radi but also to protect them from experiencing what he was asking of them. And I truly, 100% believe that by the end, he realized he’d failed. That Hollow was not empty. He just had no other option, his grand be-all end-all plan was relying on their success.

(Note: My headcanon is that World Sense is PK’s apology to Hollow, in his own way. I also headcanon that PK foresaw Hallownest being saved in one of / all of the endings, and all of them involved Hollow having to be sacrificed. I believe that he died of guilt for doing what he thought he had to.)

So with all of this in mind, though: How can you demonize him for a choice that he made, that was a no-win situation? Is it a wrong choice? Probably. Were there better options? We’ll never know. What we do know is it is not one he made lightly. He knew his acts were monstrous. He did not go into these decisions thinking himself a hero. He locked himself away afterwards and it ate away at him slowly. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. He lost everything in an attempt to save his kingdom from dying to the Radiance. Whether you like him or not, you have to acknowledge the fact that he did think that his plan would save his people. That his end goal was a good one.

(And I will not get into arguments about colonizing / conquering / etc. I do not think this is usually a source of discourse, but when it does come up, it’s usually in defense of the Radiance, who is as guilty as he is of the same damn shit. @ruthlesslistener wrote a post on that subject that I’m sure I’ve reblogged. There’s no point in me repeating it.)

So with that in mind, you might be asking yourself, “So are you not a PK apologist?” And the answer is no. He’s done fucking horrible shit and I am not sorry at all for him. I do not pity him. I do not think he deserves forgiveness. I do not think he deserves to be redeemed. There’s a big difference between understanding the reason a character does something and agreeing with it. Most of the time, when people try to redeem him, it is either erasing the whole baby pit thing (either by time travel or just simply saying it Never Happened), or altering Hollow’s perception of that act (as if they are the only one who was hurt by that act). In the case of the former, you are no longer writing the Pale King. You are writing a wyrm shaped guy. The choices he made exist for a reason. Wiping them out, without good cause, drastically alters his character. I understand people think he has a cool design/character motif, he does. But that’s not even the tip of the iceberg of what makes him an interesting character.

He isn’t a villain.

He isn’t a hero.

And he would not want you to redeem him. He sure as fuck didn’t try to redeem himself.

Let him be morally gray. That’s what makes him a fun character to write and an excellent plot device to include. Let him be complicated. He deserves at least that much.

#asks: answered #anon #headcanons #hollow knight #the pale king #look at me being brave #and sharing an unpopular opinion on main

[rayofsunshinc]

ASKS ANSWERED

from @filmdesque 🤏  to  tickle  my  muse. ( to steve aljhsfkjdshf )

As much as he wanted to maintain his cool exterior, he couldn't help but dissolve into a fit of giggles, a blend of surprise and ... delight. ❝Jonathan! I'm so serious right now. Cut it out!❞ Steve protested between between giggles that sounded anything but serious. His attempts to fend Jonathan off were feeble at first, since he was both weakened by the uncontrollable laughter and being caught by surprise.

He quickly recovered, grabbing both of Jonathan's hands so he couldn't attempt a second assault. In the process of squirming and trying to stop him, he had wrestled Jonathan onto his back. Steve's eyes widened and he swallowed hard as they looked at each other. Steve didn't break eye contact as he tore his hands away, only so he could get his revenge. He broke into a grin as he tickled Jonathan's sides.

#asks: answered #steve: asks #👀😂

[rolkstone]

Would you be able to do Helen and Maude baking?

#myart #art #the simpsons #asks: answered #helen lovejoy #maude flanders

[ginabaker1666]

For the title ask game: Just A Man?

Hope you’re having a good day bestie 🥰

- Sage 🤍 @sagesolsticewrites

Aw girlie thank you!

I would have to go with Harry Crosby and his inability to see himself for the pillar he was in the 100th, versus how everyone else around him sees him. Croz is questioning himself from the very beginning, right up until he’s sitting in the big chair. Jack Kidd even gives him a small hint that he’s not wrong for seeing himself that way, when he asks “Major, are you sure I’m the right person for this job?” And with zero hesitation Kidd says “No.”

It’s evident Crosby sees himself as “Just A Man” but we see inklings that he’s more than just that to his fellow Airmen. When he returns with Blakely’s crew after the Bremen Raid, they’re singing his praises (albeit poking a little fun) and I’d imagine he thinks, I can do this? Oh, OH! Okay, I can do this!

We see more of it in episode 8 when he absolutely pushes himself beyond reasonable limits for D-Day and then sleeps through it. And again in 9 when he’s having a heart to heart with Rosie after he’s come back from his trek home with the Russians. Crosby is constantly questioning his own mortality; “the people who fight the monsters should take care not to become the monsters” is him grappling with simply being human.

So, long short story, this is what I’d write about. Harry Crosby’s fight with his own humanity/mortality.

#Gina Baker Answers #asks: answered #Gina Baker Writes #masters of the air #harry crosby #mota cast

[yumedarling]

Hey I know it’s been years since you’ve been here and I didn’t know you were the artist for one of the many taang pic I love. The one with the prego toph carrying a big rock giving Aang one of the many shocks of his lifetime. I just want to drop a line on how awesome of an artist you are.

Thank you so much for dropping a note! It can be hard to trace down all of an artist's work since we tend to post our newest/best works and leave the old ones on older websites like Deviantart. I don't post on here as much anymore but I do plan to use it as an archive of my older artwork. And I do really love Taang and its fandom so I will try to contribute more when I can! :)

#asks: answered #taang

[xxmrvelocexx]

Frankie, do you see Johnny as a human or monster?

A monster? How can you even say that? *tugs on collar*

#asks: answered

[dontpetmeibite]

Probably haven't met him yet but I hear Redstrike is pretty date-able.

I have also heard this!

Hmmm, should I start collecting Primes?

#Asks: answered

[darkesttimelinejeffparker]

they win because they’re in charge. Same with their friends.

Anon. They only play bad guys on tv. DO, who I also love, will eventually get their reign.

Please calm down and let me enjoy my show.

#asks: answered

[grollow]

Okay so, uh... any headcanon about Divine that you'd like to share the most?

Divine, my beloved.

I headcanon her as a termite queen, which I believe is supported by some of her behavior in canon. A lot of her dialogue and behavior also brings to mind 'witchy aunt' vibes, so I've always really leaned into a heavy occult/mystic thought process with her. I like to think that she is naturally magical, as opposed to just gaining magic from being a member of Grimm's Troupe. Typically I lean into "she can read fortunes with frightening accuracy," but I like to think that she can do some other stuff like good luck charms that actually work, that sort of thing.

I've personally always thought Divine was a more important member of the Troupe than most realized. She has her own tent. From the logistics standpoint, I'm sure this is because of the role she serves in the game in giving the Unbreakable Charms, but from a lore point of view, I'd take that to mean that she's either been a member of the Troupe longer, or serves a more vital role.

I like to think she gives very, very good advice, if you can get her to be serious and pay attention. Like she comes across to me as someone who is airy, doesn't wildly pay attention to people's meanings because she's in her own world, but when you DO get her attention, she's very intelligent, wise, and able to see a more objective picture than the average person. The ideal to go to with problems if you really need to -- just don't expect her to coddle your feelings.

I also headcanon that the half of her face that is covered by the mask is injured, as a nod to Phantom of the Opera.

#asks: answered #headcanons #slimeel #hollow knight #i love divine so much i feel like she's wildly underutilized because she gets uh #boxed into 'all she does is eat things' category #but she's??? objectively a wonderful design

[rayofsunshinc]

ASKS ANSWERED

❛ you look like you got somethin' to say. ❜ ( random dialogue prompt for aaron ! ) from @aintashes

The corner of his mouth twitched toward something of a smile, but his gaze darted downward. His arms tightened where they were crossed against his chest. ❝I just think you should be more careful.❞ He started, carefully at first. One thing that he had never done was bullshit Daryl. There was no use in it. He looked up to meet Daryl's gaze. ❝We've lost a lot already. No need in losing anyone else because of recklessness.❞ He clarified.

#aintashes #asks: answered #aaron: asks

[rolkstone]

The barflies, Sam x Larry

#myart #asks: answered

[t0tentanz]

If you feel like it, I got a question about the Maelstrom initiation ritual. I know that every member has to get the optic nerve operation and thanks to you I'm now aware that they don't always "ethically source" their recruits. Does it say anywhere, whether they still go through with their conditioning/brainwashing with people that join the gang willingly? I guess it could also serve as a way to make sure they won't lose any recruits down the line, since I doubt they'd want to risk losing the recourses they invest into their members. Just curious whether you know of anything (and whether there's actually info on it) or what your take on it is.

unfortunately, there isn't really any clear information on whether or not they do, but I'd say it's possible. since malestrom known for being extreme and violent in their methods, they would probably want to ensure that all of their members are completely loyal and that's the best way to do it by their standards.

still, brainwashing is not a foolproof method, even if they're willing or unwilling because some people have a higher "will stat" and can be resistant. even those who do could eventually regret their decision (or fail entirely = death, but im sure anything potentionally seen as regret either begets you further brainwashing if not outright death). could be some members of the gang may not require it, either because they are already predisposed to violence and criminal behavior, which would make them perfect candidates.

they could still employ brainwashing tactics for members who join on their own accord to make sure there are no underlying feelings of regret or/and to instill fear of what could happen should someone try to betray them or leave.

they would probably use different tactics to assimilate different individuals based on their level of resistances or attributes. those who join willingly, they may use something like rewards or incentives and more extreme methods for those who are kidnapped.

in the end i doubt we'll get much info on that, unless one day they release some gang related history books so it's all upto interpretation and whatever you headcanon.

#asks: answered #sorry this took so long to answer #cyberpunk maelstrom #maelstrom #lore stuffs #cyberpunk 2077 #cyberpunk2077 #cp2077 #cyberpunk #t0tentanz #maelstrom cyberpunk

[unrclypirxte]

Random Asks! - ALWAYS ACCEPTING

@vendettamuses said: “Relax, I’m not looking for any trouble. I’m here on behalf of uh… ah, shit, what’s her name… Dumbo. You know- the short girl with the big ears?” The Privateer clearly couldn’t give less of a shit and was probably only here delivering a message because he was threatened to do so. “Yeah, came by because I was told to let you know she’s not doing too hot. She’s in the clinic back at the camp on a vent- a fucking vent. Can you believe someone on this island had a whole ass hospital setup? Oh yeah- anyways, she wanted to tell you she was sorry. You know, in case she doesn’t make it. Would be surprised if she did the way she was bleeding everywhere.” — to Matt and Beth :3c

---

Talking on the line that separated privateers and pirates, none daring to cross, Beth and Matt were having a good old natter. There was even some laughter, joyful shoves. Everyone was okay. All was good. And then HE had to show up.

She opened her mouth to speak, but was shushed when he began his non-urgent message. The pair shared a look of disinterest until the penny dropped. Just as suddenly as they were smiling, they were scowling. Confusion mixed with annoyance, and, in Beth's case, boiling rage.

Why was he so nonchalant? How could he be? Beth tensed, and Matt... Matt was unreadable.

"We've got to go," Matt said first, earning a scoff from the woman beside him.

"I can't, Vaas will—"

"Shut the fuck up, think for yourself. Get in the car."

And that left very little room for argument. Matt grabbed Beth by her bicep, grip white-knuckled as he barreled towards the nearest truck. He threw her inside, ordered the driver back to the compound, to the only person he knew would have any sort of equipment. Maybe see Hoyt and ask what's going on. But, for now, they needed to get there.

The ride was a blur, with Beth yelling something obscene. But then they stopped, out Matt hopped, and Beth had no choice but to trail along like a puppy. He all but barged into Hoyt's building, ignoring guards as they called out, and shoved his way into where Piper was being kept.

The sight made his stomach drop, hands to grow clammy and his breathing heavy. He ignored the " doctor " at her bedside and approached. He placed a careful hand upon her hair as Beth stood at the door watching with that familiar predatory gaze.

"Piper?" Matt called, not trying to be quiet. No, this wasn't the mainland. No formalities here. "Hey, you with me, darlin'?"

#Asks: answered #vendettamuses #Muse: Beth Schwipps #Muse: Matthew Bardham #|| I HATE YOU

[forgotten-contract]

5. Someone they've forgiven.

A chuff of a laugh escapes him for a moment before his posture relaxes, a soft shrug of his shoulders and a shake of his head; "Bold to assume I've ever forgiven anyone."

#[[All this man does is hold grudges]] #[For questions I just assume its an ooc/not Cyra asking thing!] #[else he'd just put on airs and make something up] #asks: answered

[angeloparker]

♫

1. “Woke Up Older” - The Wonder Years (x)

2. “Revolution” - Diplo ft Faustix & Imanos and Kai (x)

3. “Could Have Been Me” - The Struts (x)

4. “Only the Good Die Young” - Billy Joel (x)

5. “No Diggity” - Blackstreet (x)

#cassie <3 ily #asks: answered #ask game: ​5 song shuffle playlist