#she doesnt want to be but she will be

[stromblessed]

Mizu, femininity, and fallen sparrows

In my last post about Mizu and Akemi, I feel like I came across as overly critical of Mizu given that Mizu is a woman who - in her own words - has to live as a man in order to go down the path of revenge.

If she is ever discovered to be female by the wrong person, she will not only be unable to complete her quest, but there's a good chance that she'll be arrested or killed.

So it makes complete sense for Mizu to distance herself as much as possible from any behavior that she feels like would make someone question her sex.

I felt so indignant toward Mizu on my first couple watchthroughs for this moment. Why couldn't Mizu bribe the woman and her child's way into the city too? If Mizu is presenting as a man, couldn't she claim to be the woman's escort?

However, this moment makes things pretty clear. Mizu knows all too well the plight of women in her society. She knows it so well that she cannot risk ever finding herself back in their position again. She helps in what little way she can - without drawing attention to herself.

Mizu is not a hero and she is not one to make of herself a martyr - she will not set herself on fire to keep others warm. There's room to argue that Mizu shouldn't prioritize her quest over people's lives, but given the collateral damage Mizu can live with in almost every episode of season 1, Mizu is simply not operating under that kind of morality at this point. ("You don't know what I've done to reach you," Mizu tells Fowler.)

And while I still feel like Mizu has an obvious and established blind spot when it comes to Akemi because of their differences in station, such that Mizu's judgment of Akemi and actions in episode 5 are the result of prejudice rather than the result of Mizu's caution, I also want to establish that Mizu is just as caged as Akemi is, despite her technically having more freedom while living as a man.

Mizu can hide her mixed race identity some of the time, and she can hide her sex almost all of the time, but being able to operate outside of her society's strict rules for women does not mean she cannot see their plight.

It does not mean she doesn't hurt for them.

Back to Mizu and collateral damage, remember that sparrow?

While Mizu is breaking into Boss Hamata's manse, she gets startled by a bird and kills it on reflex. She then cradles it in her hands - much more tenderly than we've seen Mizu treat almost anything up to this point in the season:

She then puts it in its nest, with its unhatched eggs. Almost like she's trying to make the death look natural. Or like an accident.

You see where I'm going with this.

When Mizu kills Kinuyo, Mizu lingers in the moment, holding the body tenderly:

And btw a lot of stuff about this show hit me hard, but this remains the biggest gut punch of them all for me, Mizu holding that poor girl's body close, GOD

When Mizu arranges the "scene of the crime," Kinuyo's body is delicate, birdlike. And Mizu is so shaken afterward that she gets sloppy. She's horrified at this kill to the point that she can't bring herself to take another innocent life - the boy who rats her out.

MIZU'S ONE MOMENT OF SOFTNESS AND MERCY, COMING ON THE HEELS OF HER NEEDING TO KILL A GIRL TO SPARE HER THE WORST FATE THAT THIS RIGID SOCIETY HAS TO OFFER WOMEN, AND TO SPARE A BROTHEL FULL OF INNOCENT WOMEN WHO ARE THE CASTOFFS OF SOCIETY, NEARLY RESULTS IN ALL OF THEIR DEATHS

No wonder Mizu is as stoic and cold as she is.

And no wonder Mizu has no patience for Akemi whatsoever right before the terrible reveal and the fight breaks out:

Speaking of Akemi - guess who else is compared to a bird!

The plumage is more colorful, a bit flashier. But a bird is a bird.

And, uh

Yeah.

I like to think that Mizu killing the sparrow is not only foreshadowing for what she must do to Kinuyo, but is also a representation of the choice she makes on Akemi's behalf. She decides to cage the bird because she believes the bird is "better off." Better off caged than... dead.

But because Mizu doesn't know Akemi or her situation, she of course doesn't realize that the bird is fated to die if it is caged and sent back home.

Mizu is clearly not happy, or pleased, or satisfied by allowing Akemi to be dragged back to her father:

But softness and mercy haven't gotten Mizu anywhere good, recently.

There is so much tragedy layered into Mizu's character, and it includes the things she has to witness and the choices she makes - or believes she has to make - involving women, when she herself can skirt around a lot of what her society throws at women. Although, I do believe that it comes at the cost of a part of Mizu's soul.

After all, I'm gonna be haunted for the rest of this show by Mizu's very first prayer in episode 1:

"LET" her die. Because as Ringo points out, she doesn't "know how" to die.

Kind of like another bird in this show:

#blue eye samurai #mizu #akemi #kinuyo #bes #women are birds okay they are BIRDS #the let me die line is so SCARY AND SAD like a part of Mizu wants death but she cant? she doesnt know how?? excuse you show??? #when all these other delicate birds are dying all around her #akemis character gets more and more gutwrenching upon subsequent rewatches because whenever she says her life is in danger #NO ONE BELIEVES HER - certainly not other women #because shes rich and pampered and that means shes safe and is worrying about nothing right? right????? #and it turns out that all of akemis instincts were right and she was in danger the ENTIRE TIME #also I need to make a post just for kinuyo because I am sad

[gouinisme]

#signed a former muslim in a mostly muslim area who didnt know people were actually taught that santa existed for the longest time #throwback to the time our white primary school teacher asked what we wanted from santa claus and we were all like. ma'am what do you mean #santa's not real did you think santa was real? #and she had to try her best to protect the like 2 white kids in the class from learning santa doesnt exist #poll #christmas

[bluerosefox]

Assassin Heir? Crime Fighting Furry? NOPE NO THANK YOU!

"Danyal, its time to end this game and return with me."

Danny should had known Clockwork had something in mind when he sent him on this mission. He knew he should had been suspicious of the time keeper when he noticed the little 'this is going to be fun' smile on his face when he sent Danny off into the portal.

"Get back here you demon spawn 2.0!"

But how was he supposed to know that he'd wake up in this world version of himself in a pit full of corrupted (AND NASTY) ectoplasim at the tender age of five or that when he swam up to the surface he'd be meeting face to face with what was apparently a cult.

"-O just spotted him a block away! I'll try to cut itty bitty bridie off!"

An Assassins Cult his, new to him, loving yet a little insane mother was in charge of (though during the few months he stayed in the compound he heard rumors and gossip from maids and others alike that if his grandfather returned from the dead he'll take over once again, no doubt punish Talia for creating another heir after the failure of the last one, most likely was going to kill Danny and that... that was can of worms Danny didn't wanna deal with yet)

"Ten bucks says they try to stab RR when we get the feral thing home"

"...Losers bet...."

Danny had lived with his mother for a while after being brought back from the 'dead' for apparently the first time, it turned out training a five year old with an actual sword and a dumbass hidden revenge seeking teacher was a terrible idea.

"I swear if this one tries to murder me like the others I'm asking Zatanna if there is a curse on me."

He dealt with her high demands of perfection, the endless training, and the constant comparisons to his apparent older brother Damain... Who didn't know Danny, or rather Danyal existed.

Nor did his father (when Danny, using his powers he's kept hidden since 'waking' up in this Realm, he sneaked his way around the base and discovered how he came into the world. And tbh he couldn't blame his mom how she made him, she was an assassin first and foremost, being naturally pregnant would had painted a target on her for to long... but he also felt it was unfair and an asshole move on his unsuspecting father as well)

"As your elder brother I demand you to stop running!"

Now don't get him wrong, he did like his new mother (total badass assassin lady and all that) and he knew she loved him in her own... deadly way. But yeah, she really shouldn't be taking care of kids. He could tell she struggled with wanting to be a normal mother but her first instinct after so many years was to be an assassin first.

Something she was trying to engrave into Danny with as well.

"Ah, hello Beloved. I see you've learned of our Danyal."

"Talia. Back away from him and leave Gotham now."

"I can not do that. The League needs an heir and since Damian refuses to return... I have decided to create a new one and I shall not be leaving until he returns with me."

"Talia."

Hence why when Danny, or rather Danyal al Ghul had gotten decent control over his powers he decided to leave the League. Again nothing wrong with the life his mom leads, to each their own, but he... really, really didnt want to be an assassin. Or an assassin heir.

So here he was, after almost a year on the run, using his powers and training to out smart and out maneuver his mother and her many band of Assassins, in Gotham. One of the last places he ever wanted to run to cause he knew his father and brother lived here.

It was just his luck that his mother had managed to intercept his train ride that passed into Gotham for a few hours and forced him to run into the city...

Add her assassins into the mix and running into Robin, who heard from Oracle his mother had been spotted chasing a young boy across the city, that same night.

After that it became a full on "catch me if you can" chase for not only his mother but for the batclan as well.

And after two whole days of chase, it seemed like the final showdown was about to begin because everyone was on top of this rooftop, his mother and her assassins on one side, his father and the batclan on the other and Danny well... he was right in the middle of all of it.

He just had to hope no one would notice him once the fighting started...

#danny phantom #danny fenton #dp x dc #blue rambles #crossover #writing ideas #random idea #danny phantom dc #basicly Danny is sent on a mission by CW #he wakes up in the DC version of himself in the pits after being killed and Talia tossing him in #he was created by Talia since shes head of the LOA now and needs her own heir #but she once again wants Bruce's bloodline in it so she used some leftover dna she still had #so no one knows Danny was created until he left about a year later #danny has his ghost powers since he took a dip in the pits #but had to relearn some control and kept it secret #he knows his mom would see it as 'the pits granted my heir its powers.' mindset #so hes been on the run #and didnt wanna go to Gotham cause... his dad dresses as a gaint bat #and dont get him started on the rest of the batfam #he doesnt wanna be an assassin or a crime fighting furry #in case some people didnt get it. the words being spoken happen when Danny is running all across Gotham away from those after him #guess who said what lol #i want danny to be completely independent and trying to take care of himself tbh #but hes still baby to everyone else #talia is slowy becoming a little unhinged due to being the Demon Head now #maybe due to the stress of it all? or maybe due to a curse? idk

[girlboyburger]

i heard you folks might like fluttershy? 🦋

#she's big <3 #i am redesigning my mane six designs Again bc id like to make mini comics of em when ive got the time #no it doesnt say anything about me that i draw both my ponysona and fluttershy as yellow pegasi with wings too small to fly and bodies #too big for their deamenor that live in cottages and speak softly #what are you talking about #my art #fluttershy #flutter shy #mlp #my little pony #friendship is magic #redesign #i GUESS if u wanted to call her a kinsona i wouldnt stop you.......... #pony #horse #doodle #sketch #i like to imagine the only pony close to her height in ponyville is big mac...twilight doesnt count cause shes got that freak alicorn growth #going on. speaking of. twilight will prolly be the next design bc shes the one im the most dissastified with from my last batch

[australet789]

"Alastor is a villain because he chained poor Husk 🥺"

I think you all forget THIS is the Husk that made the deal with Alastor:

The Husk that was so careless and selfish that was gambling SOULS, to the point he gambled his own soul away to save his powers.

#gives me puss in boots/death dynamic #hazbin hotel #alastor #hazbin hotel husk #like im sorry to tell you husk was not a good guy #nobody is lmao that's why they are in Hell #just because husk has 'feelings' for angel doesnt exclude him for being a dick #which he still was until the finale #please just because a character suddenly falls in love doesng make them 'good' #it's the same with Lilith #several defending her just because she was 'in love' with Lucifer #newsflash: romance doesnt make you a good person #and it bothers me greatly how fans dismiss husk's past #SPECIALLY because of huskerdust #he still has yet to show he wants to change for himself

[vesperosy]

finishing off witch hat spam with some doodles from the other week because I Am Always Thinking About Them

#witch hat atelier #tongari boushi no atelier #olruggio #agathe arkrome #my art #sketch page #rotates them in my mind..... their dynamic is fascinating to me i really want to see more of them #like.... GRAAAH. being a hardass on agathe bc she's just like how he was as a kid and he doesnt want her to make the same mistakes

[carnivalcarriondiscarded]

i have a Scene - a Plot if you will - that backs this as context. y'all are gonna have to trust me on this one <3 or read the tags...

#the song is 'in your eyes' by peter gabriel #boombox serenade lets GO!!! #in my mind immediately after this the others came over to say hi (or in sallys case tell him off) #and at first howdy's like 'oh ofc wallys there that makes sense. sally too? strange but alright' #then eddie appears and ohhhh boy its Jealousy Central Babey and howdy's train just pulled into the station #scribble salad #laughingstock #welcome home #barnaby x howdy #howdy x barnaby #OK CONTEXT I PROMISED CONTEXT #so in my mind howdy is an oblivious dumbass when it comes to his own romantic feelings. #he's so in love with barnaby (its very obvious) but Doesnt Realize It. despite being a god tier flirty fruity motherfucker #so when barnaby - thinking theyre on the same page - confesses #howdy's all like 'ohhh um. gee barn im flattered truly but - i just dont like you like that' #yk breaking barnaby's heart right down the middle #so barnaby shuts himself in his home and wally is hovering. yk Worried #and eddie - who's been helping barnaby come to terms w/ his own feelings & gauge if howdy feels the same - asks sally to check in for him #& sally goes over and Immediately involves herself. she takes personal offense on barnaby's behalf #also she lives for the drama and wants every juice detail Hot Off The Press #so while howdy is having a lil crisis as he slowly realizes Oh My Fucking God I DO Love Barnaby Like That- #barnaby / sally / wally / (eventually) eddie are all having a sleepover where they just play card games and chat #a good ol bitch n' stitch night #and howdy shows up to try and talk to barns (obvs in my head he doesnt have a boombox he just Knocks) #only to get RE-RE-RE-REJECTEDDDDDD!!!! thats how it feels you wormy mf! #bc barnaby is a) having a girls night & b) needs to emotionally prepare for That conversation #aaaaand THATS the context <3

[transcarcinization]

been closeted in my new job and i am discovering very violently how different being a gnc woman is to being transgender, mentally

#transgender #my art #like... being pushed back into 'shes gnc because she cant/doesnt prioritize being feminine' instead of 'they're gnc bc they want to be' #its this weird. stripping of intention #where my appearance is #a side effect? something that just happened to me? instead of something i'm allowed to feel pride in? #HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! IM BUSY REDISCOVERING DYSPHORIA

[jel-jel-jel]

So no Marina?!?!

#my art #splatoon #side order #splatoon spoilers #agent 8 #pearlina #my current theory is marina did an oopsie and shes the one who made this world #and thats why it doesnt seem like shes a companion this game #because shes like a secret (accidental) antagonist whos high off digital godhood or smth #she just wanted a perfect world with her pearlie where nothing changes and theyre together forever 🥺🥺🥺 is that so evil? #anyway im terrible at predicting the plot of these games lol but its a fun idea regardless #i just think marina not being shown is just SO COOL like..... girl what did you do..

[ca-3]

Omori × Persona 5 All Out Attacks!! 💜🔪

follow up to my former post, now we have Basil and Mari ✨️

#omori #persona 5 #omori game #omori basil #omori kel #omori aubrey #omori hero #omori mari #omori headspace #omori fan art #ca3 art #crossover #video games #THESE WERE SO FUN AAAAAA #basil gave me shit again tho only cause his file kept lagging for reason #but it survived!!! THANK GOD #also i know mari doesnt fight but i wanted to draw shes a princess i adore leave me alone #i imagine shes kinda like how futaba works #more of a ultimate support character rather than combative #persona 5 royal #P5 x Omori

[newttxt]

i was talking extensively with a friend about reiju’s delicate balance of caring/emotionless and her relationship with sanji

#dont look too closely or u WILL see that i drew this cold and sloppy #hopefully its legible #uhhhhh anyway. she does genuinely want sanji to have a good and safe life! #but she doesnt understand how to factor in what he WANTS from life. #and she certainly doesnt trust him to make his own decisions regarding said life #in her mind i think she sees her muted emotions as a strength. she thinks she can make unbiased choices for him #her idea of Best Possible Life would make him MISERABLE #the end #one piece #sanji #vinsmoke reiju

[azulsejos]

s2 + golbetty centric episode prayer circle 🍎💝

#adventure time #fionna and cake #golbetty #golb #betty grof #adventure time fanart #art tag #fionna and cake spoilers #(living in my dream world where the apple has to do with betty) #(and we will see her point of view or how she feels about her godhood ill take anything I just want more screentime with her) #(she doesnt even need to speak i dont mind a silent golbetty episode as she does her things. incomprehensible god) #(sorry for rambling i have a lot of thoughts positive and negative. but overall i need a season 2 i need more time with these characters..) #(anyway stay safe every1 please dont start hitting each other with rocks over the finale T_T)

[blueskittlesart]

linktober day 22: npc

nabooru! i realized i dont think ive ever actually drawn her before but she's one of my favorite oot characters :)

#in my mind shes like a reluctant older sister to link. she doesnt want to be here but hes fucking 9 so shes gonna be #linktober #linktober 2023 #oot #loz #skribbles #unrelated but ive been getting a bunch of like corny oot pmvs on my tiktok fyp recently and all the comments are like kids #who played it on the switch vc being like THIS GAME IS SO GOOD ITS UNDERRATED!!! and its so fun to see. everyone should play oot

[boylikeanangel]

ohhh the change from the game. that joel doesn't find her. that joel doesn't pull her off david whilst she's still attacking him. that she's actually allowed to fully release all her rage and her fear and rightfully brutalise this man who violated her and only after she escapes using her own wits and strength does joel find her..... THAT'S giving ellie agency baby!!!!

#it also adds to the running theme of joel failing to save her. like he found her but she had to escape by herself #joel is not nearly as all powerful in the show and thats really important #hes a protector he loves ellie but hes not always going to be there for her as much as hed want to #hes weaker than he wishes he was. and ellie is stronger than he realises #she can take care of herself. but joel finding her immediately afterwards tells her she doesnt have to. not always #sometimes hes going to be too late but he will get there eventually. shes not entirely alone #it works on so many levels. #the last of us #tlou spoilers #tlou

[haunted-xander]

Mirror

#do you think that ryne used to haye looking in the mirror bc all shed see is what she should be but isnt #shed see a minfilia that isnt the right minfilia. shed see a pale imitation of the minfilia she should be #shell never be the one thancred wants to see shes but a lackluster replacement #she wants to be that minfilia- she wants thancreds suffering to stop and she wants to be freed from the burden #but she cant. and she doesnt really want to bc that would mean to disappear. but she sees no other way #to her that was the only viable option #but now shes free from that burden #and has escaped minfilias shadow #she is herself now- she is ryne. not minfilia #ryne waters #minfilia warde #final fantasy #final fantasy 14 #final fantasy xiv #ff14 #ffxiv #art #my art #xanders art #digital art #fan art #xander being insane about ryne

[ylceon]

i would've allowed you to grieve

#my art #arknights #frostnova #talulah artorius #LISTEN TO ME #ive recently had so much thoughts about tal and grieving #like what if she doesnt even allow herself to grieve #the same way she wont allow herself to die bc she doesnt deserve it yet #and then i thought....i just know yelena would allow her to #i woudl write a 10k word essay on thsi if i wanted to #ok thats all ty #talfrost