#nem was killed more or less for shock value and to balance the scales after the villains lost twice

[ifyougoillfollow]

you know, we talk a lot about characters and/or relationships (of all kinds) being 'doomed by the narrative' around here, and how haunting and gut-wrenching that can be, especially when it so often takes the form of death and destruction and tragedy.

and we should keep doing that, obviously. death and destruction and tragedy kick total ass.

however. can we please spare a thought for the clowns trapped in that same (burning) room?

after all, what is a comic relief character if not doomed by the narrative to always act like a buffoon despite any and all circumstances, all for the sake of relieving narrative tension?

how must it feel, to have everyone around you dropping dead, losing limbs, losing loved ones, and otherwise being on the receiving end of unending torment - and all you can do is stand there and prattle off another zinger at your allotted time?

and what if you lose a loved one yourself, o jester mine? what if - hear me out - you lose multiple loved ones? what if it never ends? what will you do then?

well, if you're lucky, you'll get to mourn for all five of the seconds you're allowed to before the size thirty shoes go back on and the narrative moves on to other, more plot-central characters.

if you're not - well. it's a good thing clown makeup is waterproof, isn't it?

anyway, shout out to all my comedy kings out there doomed to play perpetual funnyman to their more plot-central counterparts despite being in undeniably comparable pain. you may be doomed by the narrative, but you are beloved by me <3

#fiction #writing #tropes #doomed by the narrative #yamada hizashi #present mic #yes this is about mic #as is everything tbfh #i've been wanting to make a similar doomed by the narrative post about nemuri for a while #but lbr in midnight's case it's less 'doomed by the narrative' than 'ignored by the narrative' #'forgotten by the narrative' #'fucked by the narrative' #it's not even 'sacrificed by/for the narrative' either because a sacrifice has to fucking mean something substantial #nem was killed more or less for shock value and to balance the scales after the villains lost twice #that's it #and before anyone comes after me - no i am not opposed to her death just because she's a female character and/or my fave #a look through this blog and my entire ao3 body of work will show that i am distressingly compelled by- #the tragedy of her death and what it means for her character and her loved ones #but hori has done exactly none of the work to pay off on that so i will not give him the credit for it #anyway. #don't mind me just ramblin' #meta