𝖒𝖊𝖙𝖆 𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖕𝖔𝖘𝖙*
An Interpretation of the Flowers in Daniel's Turning Scene in Devil's Minion
Armand & The Flowers (w/ starshine-shimmyshufflesmile)
Armand's Synesthesia (w/ apoptoses)
Armand's Distinct Lack of Empathy in His Relationships, and Subsequent Emotional Arc with Daniel (w/apoptoses)
Trinity Gate, and the Armand, Louis, & Lestat of It All
"The fact that Louis’ century with Armand and Daniel’s 12 years with him ended up with neither of them having any idea of what Armand’s life had been like..." (w/ rainbowcarousels & apoptoses)
"Could you condition a vampire/would therapy work on them?" (w/ bioluminescently-unfolding)
Narcissistic Family Dynamics: The Golden Child and The Scapegoat (Marius's differentiating treatment of Lestat and Armand, and the natural consequences)
The women in Armand's life and their impact (aka Armand's Mommy Issues)
"Does Armand know or understand that he was groomed by Marius?" (my read from TVA)
𝖇𝖎𝖙𝖊-𝖘𝖎𝖟𝖊𝖉 (𝖋𝖆𝖘𝖙 𝖋𝖔𝖔𝖉) 𝖒𝖊𝖙𝖆
Armand's Lack of Self-Identity
Lost in Translation: A Quick Breakdown of Lestat and Armand's Big Scene in Blood Communion
Armand and his refusal to tell Daniel anything (Part 1, 2)
*these are definitely not ALL of my meta posts, just the ones I would particularly like to archive and/or that I tend to reference!
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I don't usually make posts when I'm upset about something (or like, at all) but honestly I'm just. Really sick of the Loki fandom as a whole. Like I'm just tired of all the pettiness and bullshit. And tbh it's on both ends of the Loki series/Ragnarok split. Both pros and antis.
This isn't so much a vague post as it's a vent post for me. You see, I've been having these feelings about the Loki fandom overall for months now, and I've seen certain posts from the positive side where I just want to - jump in and say something, or at least speak for myself as an ""anti"" (hate that word btw) bc the amount of generalizing I've seen that goes on over there wrt ppl who dislike the show is just - well it's fucking frustrating. Like it annoys me bc I've heard every dumb overgeneralization since the show first came out, from not wanting Loki to move on bc we're oh-so-traumatized to we're just bitter bc the show didn't go the way we wanted/our hcs of Loki weren't validated, etc.
I think one that annoyed me the most was the claim that ppl who hate/dislike Sylvie as a character do so out of misogyny. And like - maybe there's some truth there wrt how the character/actress tend to be bombarded with gendered slurs, and yes that's not cool, but I've never referred to Sylvie or Sophia as any slur. (In fact I don't even hate Sylvie - what I do hate is how the writers have set her up as a "superior" contrast to Loki, which to me seems very intentional on their part, particularly wrt the Trauma Olympics™ as in "Sylvie had it so much harder" 🙄 - but I digress). Yet I can't help but feel like I'm being lumped in the "antis are misogynists" bin every time I read any of those posts from the pro side, simply bc I dislike the way a character was utilized. The way those posts are written, the way they sound - it's very black and white, overgeneralizing an entire group of fans, there's no nuance or side notes or disclaimers of "hey - I know not all of y'all are like this, this is just about some I've encountered" - not even in the tags, nothing. And I've just wanted so badly to jump in and say: "hey, anti here and I'm not like that" but I refrain, bc I've grown so tired of all the fandom infighting and discourse that I usually don't have the energy to get into it. So when I see someone from that side of fandom jump on a post and say how they dislike being overgeneralized as a fan, and how they feel like they're being misrepresented, or condescended to... I can't help but feel kinda upset by that, ngl. Part of me just wants to say "yes it sucks, but recognize that your side (if not you yourself) does it too. Some of you folks do it too."
Like I've read posts implying/stating that antis who hate the show lack critical thinking skills - and like, look, there might be a bit of truth wrt, say, calling Sylvie an outright abuser (and even I've been a little guilty of agreeing to view her as a person with toxic traits as opposed to the enemy-to-lovers trope she clearly falls into - tho I still can't really fault myself for not being able to take that romance seriously due to how damn rushed and forced it felt - but that's besides the point). But there's just something about the way a lot of these posts are worded, like yes some posts are pretty reasonable, but others are practically dripping with condescending sentiment (for lack of better words) as if we're fucking stupid for having emotional reactions to media as opposed to critical reactions, when isn't that the point of media and art, to illicit emotions? Like yes, the story might be trying to say something (and it might epically fail in doing so, which is how I view the show overall) but it's also meant to move ppl. And if it fails to do so, or it garners an unintended reaction, or the characterization is too inconsistent or the story telling itself is rushed/filled with inconsistencies then can you really blame fans for, well, being blindsided by disappointment/their emotions as opposed to critically analyzing it? And yes I know this is a matter of opinion, but still.
(Like sometimes a story can be extremely well written overall, and very well thought out and fans will just be oblivious to, choose to ignore or even outright refuse to pick up on the symbolism within a story, or the internal motivations/conflicts within a character, or how a character progresses/character arcs in general. Sometimes fans will even completely and intentionally misread a character in their entirety, and the role they play within a story, no matter how skilled and how excellent the writing is within a piece of art. And sometimes fans will just overall fail to realize the major themes/hints that a writer carefully lays out. Yes this is a thing, and one I've been made aware of in the particular fandom that I'm about to join.)
But then there's stories that are just... lazily/half-heartedly written at best, and so I just don't understand where pro stans get off by being condescending to ppl like me who just couldn't be immersed due to all those flaws in storytelling. Especially when I didn't get enough out of it to even see where a lot of these conclusions fans seem to have drawn from it. Like there are some inconsistencies within the story itself, there are things that just don't make a whole lot of sense, there are many contradictions, I didn't just make them up. And again I know, everyone interprets media differently, but I don't really see what a lot of pro fans have taken from the series, bc I personally don't think its there. And I really don't appreciate being thought of as some kind of imbecile for not "getting it" when the media in question is, objectively... not all that great tbh. And I'm being absolutely neutral when I say that, like I'm literally not even hating here.
And like I could've easily have turned around and made a bunch of posts stating how pro fans are "stupid" for putting so much thought into a piece of media I personally find to be stupid or just lacking in general, but I haven't. Bc one: that's a shitty thing to do to ppl, and two: it wouldn't even be true bc so many ppl who I consider very intelligent have enjoyed this show, and do put a lot of thought into analyzing it, so despite me not really seeing where they're coming from I want to respect that. And look, it's not like I haven't had those presumptuous thoughts or knee jerk reactions, bc yeah I am in an echo chamber too, and I'm no saint - I'm definitely human and I've had some overgeneralized, uncharitable takes. But I recognize this about myself, I don't post that shit. Which is why I get so upset when I see so many other fans do just that.
Also there is a definite misuse of the depiction of torture, which is used to convey certain themes, and that's very unfortunate, and IMO very bad writing/storytelling. I probably would've been a little more charitable towards the series overall if the Sif-beatdown timeloop scene had been scrapped altogether like the writers seriously should've considered doing (due to the fact that torture has so many misconceptions and is grossly excused in the majority of media which has unfortunate real world consequences) and instead focus more on Loki confronting his fear of being alone, if that truly is what the intention for that scene was. Like yes, some antis might go overboard wrt the messaging within the show, but when it comes to things like the atrocious time loop scene... that's not a made up thing we just happen to pull out of nowhere, that's something the writers put in there and therefore, yeah that's pretty fucked.
Then on the other side I'll find myself liking a post from a negative series fan bc I'll agree with the overall sentiment of it, only to unlike it right after reading the tags bc they've said something like "ppl who like this show/movie/etc are stupid" or "if you ever defended or even enjoyed TR fuck you" - and like??? WTF. I understand disliking the show or whatever but why the hell would you brush over an entire group of real, actual people as "idiots" for simply liking a piece of media??? Like - do I think the show was a disjointed mess? Yeah, I do. Do I think it was poorly written? Yes. Do I even think the reasoning behind a lot of these writing decisions was really fucking stupid on the creators part (or at the very least, that they failed to convey their ideas clearly)? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean anyone who's ever enjoyed the show is stupid for doing so, and I say this as someone who does have the knee-jerk reaction to go "how could you like that show, it sucked so much!"
But like, at the end of the day I understand that ppl take different things out of media. And just bc you find something so stupid or unwatchable, doesn't mean others will, and that's okay bc ppl are different and have different tastes and IDK how ppl don't fucking get that??? Like why is this even a hot take when it's literally just a fact???
It's shit like this that makes me feel like leaving the fandom all together. Which I don't really want to do, bc despite everything wrong with fandom and despite my own personal disappointment with the latest Loki/Thor franchise installments I still really love Loki as a character, and I still want to write fic revolving him. I even still want to make friends within the Loki fandom bc that's literally why I created this blog in the first place, to befriend other Loki fans, like I could've easily stayed being a lurker within the fandom but regardless I think at this point it's farfetched to want this bc the fandom's just way too split and way too hostile and way too fucking eager to be uncharitable and condescending af. And I'm just tired. I'm just... really really tired of the pettiness, the condescending attitude a lot of fans seem to fucking have for anyone who might think differently from them.
I'm tired of the gatekeeping - on both sides. It's on both sides. Because saying "real Loki fans would never like/defend TR/the show" and "how anyone can claim to be a Loki fan if they hate him/his own show" aren't so far apart from each other, both sentiments basically say the same thing, just from polarized viewpoints.
And I wish more fans would just recognize that.
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I'm procrastinating so have this Nopes!AU nonsense instead, with an Adrestian pretender.
So the setting is the same Nopes, Rhea crashes on Dimitri's couch in Faerghus and all but then -
Aegir Sr manages to escape thanks to some schmucks helping him, led by a lead random who is a Hresvelg bastard (or are they?) with a Crest of Seiros (maybe a cardinal fucked, or this random is a descendant from Willy's 120 children, or just, a far far removed member of House Hresvelg (maybe Ionius's bastard cousin got a kid who got a kid or whatnot)) and they mount a rebellion against Supreme Leader, because she's been stuck in this war so the promise of MAGA in 3 weeks fell flat especially since the nobodies of Leicester managed to put off a fight, when everyone considers them weaklings (it obviously happens before Clout and Supreme Leader join hands).
Hresvelg Bastard wants to sit on the throne and doesn't believe Supreme Leader's MAGA is going to work - maybe they tried to garner support in the backwater reaches of Adrestia (aka not Enbarr) by getting rid of some Agarthans who were there trying to create War Assets or what not, and so, they start a rebellion.
Knowing they can't win alone (even if Aegir Sr gives an impassionated speech telling the Nobles who followed him/the ones who were ignored by Supreme Leader (mostly the minor ones) or who don't like her "centralising policies" that he was injustly arrested, Vestra Sr assassinated and how she turned the scions of all great families against Adrestia's best interests - if she's not taking them hostage thanks to the help she received from Arundel who is the man behind all those war assets and disparitions : can they seriously believe that she had no hand in his experiments when he is a member of her own family? She only kicked him away after he ended his usefulness, like she'll do to everyone else!) Hresvelg Bastard has a bright idea.
Banking on the masses being faithful followers of the CoS - and not giving a fig about Varley and his "new CoS" - they believe they can also rally some people under the guise of the war against the CoS, the Archbishop is a beloved figure for all commoners (who can't rely on anything else but the Church since Adrestian Great Nobles, who all joined Supreme Leader, prefer to remain in Enbarr rather than manage their lands and people) so they end up with a small army of rebellious nobles, and peasants.
Not the army that will be able to topple Adrestia's military.
Maybe they can get help from Brigid and Dagda... sure, Brigid has their Princess used as a hostage by Supreme Leader, but do they really believe they will become something else than a vassal after the war, if Supreme Leader wins?
Granted, Hresvelg Bastard is Adrestian, and ultimately thinks they cannot rely on "savages", and besides, how will allying with "savages" bolster his claim on the throne? Adrestians don't like "savages" especially the ones from the former House Nuvelle, if they have to keep the Nuvelle mages as allies, they cannot rely on Dagdans.
That's where Adrestian Bastard has a master plan : they will join forces with the CoS (not those barbarians! Just the CoS and its knights!) and assist them in retaking Garreg Mach, on the only condition that the Archbishop herself names them the true and only inheritor of Adrestia's long legacy, starting with Great Emperor Wilhelm, and recognise them as Adrestia's ruler, while Supreme Leader will be just a mere usurper.
(details could be fleshed out later on about where Adrestian Bastard gets their legitimacy from, or to throw shade on Supreme Leader and her direct ascendants).
Thus the CoS - and the Barbarians, since they're allies ! - receive a missive from some loser, backed up with the Empire's fallen nobility and some militia, who suggests they can help them defeat Supreme Leader, only if the Church of Seiros crowns them Emperor at the end of the war.
Rhea immediately wants to refuse, it is not her place to crown people or what not, besides humans will find another way to complain about it and she only wants to return to the monastery.
Besides she gave a crown to Willy, and his descendants ruined everything he stood for and are coming for her head (she heard rumours about the Empire wanting to strike "inhuman beasts" and got wind of Adrestia's "information campaign").
The Kingdom doesn't share her worries (of course since she just told them "nah") and welcomes any new ally... if this person becomes the new Emperor, maybe they could draft some treaty cementing borders between Faerghus and Adrestia once and for all, and stop this war - since the current one seems hell bent on conquering them.
Matthias Gautier has doubts though, would Adrestians accept a puppet Emperor on the throne, controlled by the CoS? Besides, it's not like Adrestia ever respected their borders to begin with, so it's hopeless to hope this new Emperor will respect them. But at least it will create a decoy in Adrestia, which will divide the Imperial Army's attention.
Rodrigue disagrees though, if this is a chance to get a peaceful resolution with Adrestia - or a new Adrestia - they could seize it, sure, Adrestia always scorned them and their borders, but if it gives them at least 15 to 20 years of peace and no skirmishes, they should take it, especially if it ends this current war faster.
Dimitri drafts a letter to propose terms to a potential agreement, Rhea reluctantly agrees (she knows it's going to end up in a disaster, but maybe by that time, Sothis would have solved things out or something?) because it might end the current war.
The agreement is definitely canceled when Hresvelg Bastard gives their reply, calling Dimitri a "reasonable barbarian", and accepts to make him the governor of "Northern Adrestia" if he swears fealty and allegeance to the Empire.
They also replied that the Archbishop shall crown them Greatest (tm) Emperor of Fodlan, marry them and "restart the divine dynasty that was broken since Great Emperor Wilhelm's passing" that will rule over the continent from Garreg Mach which will become the new capital.
Rodrigue sighs while Matthias wonders what was he even expecting from Adrestians to begin with?
Dimitri is tempted to accept "The war will end!" but looking at the stares of everyone else, he frown and hands the letter to Rhea, who hands it to Seteth.
Seteth throws it in the nearest chimney.
Sylvain still asks if they can find some sort of common ground, they have a common foe, everything else comes "later" ? Felix frowns though, if this person's plan is ultimately to make Faerghus a vassal or what not, the Kingdom helping them would be seen as acceptance of Adrestia's lordship over them. Besides, how to tell their friends and people that they are going to die to save the ass of someone who thinks they're barbarians??
Dimitri notes that he has a point, it would be unreasonable to lend Faerghus' help to people who spits on them. But what about the Church? Regardless of the "restarting dynasties" thing they promised to liberate Garreg Mach, right?
Seteth gives the longest sigh ever, but mostly says that if they have to retake Garreg Mach, it will be on their own terms, and those don't include siding with someone who only sees them as a commodity to bolster their claim, or who intends to target the ones who offered their help when asked.
Rhea thus writes the reply, enraging Hresvelg Bastard because hey, their plan was well-thought and they even allowed the Blaiddyd governance over Northern Adrestia! Ludwig says maybe they should make concessions about this "Northern Adrestia" thing, they could still MAGA but later, first they should retake Adrestia? Surely the people would enjoy them putting an end to this disaster of a war, and bringing them back peace (and food).
"Sure, but within ten years of the end of this war, we invade Leicester!"
So Ludwig leads the negotiations instead of his new liege (with some of their orders though, like "do not make it so those barbarians think we're bowing our heads to them!") and agrees to Dimitri's original terms (there's no mention about Leicester's borders though!), using the argument that as soon as there is peace they could "discuss the future of their two countries", and how "taking out the Usurper takes precedence over anything else" for the sake of their people.
Ludwig mourns his friend Igor and wonders how House Vestra managed to, well, manage Hresvelg Emperors if they are all like the one he found, but using his years of political experience, manages to organise a meeting between all parties, Hresvelg Bastard, King Dimitri and the Archbishop herself.
Aegir made Hresvelg Bastard swear not to call the Faerghians barbarians - but they broke that promise within 5 minutes when they congratulated Dimitri on his timing and fashion sense (the shiny armor!) saying something like "I never expected a barbarian and savage northerner could be on time and wear anything else than rags".
Ludwig was dying on the inside, and knew everything would be ruined when Gautier reminded Hresvelg Bastard that if they are asking for the Church's aid, they are also asking for the Kingdom's help since they are allies, so they should play the part if they want their assistance.
Hresvelg Bastard fumed, frowned and stomped the ground in frustration - what is that bum even saying??? - but Rhea cuts them before they can even say a thing, if taking Supreme Leader out is also their objective, then they shall ally but only on that grounds, the Church will offer assistance to the Adrestian population - to the best of its abilities - once the war will be over, but Garreg Mach remains a CoS territory, and Adrestia will swear a blood oath that it shall never invade nor try to conquer its neighbouring nations.
"Even Leicester?"
Ludwig screamt inside because he always scorned the faith magic classes at the Academy, and only now realises learning the "Silence" Spell could have had its uses, but he gives his best assurances that they totally agree on never attacking Faerghus ever again.
Matthias shrugs, Leicester isn't Faerghus, and those bastards never answered their call for help, Rodrigue frowns though, this will create another war. And Nopes!Dimitri only wants what is best for Faerghus, so he is on the verge of agreeing, but Rhea glares at the Hresvelg Bastard.
"Leicester, Faerghus, Brigid and even Dagda."
"It's an acceptable proposal your Majesty! Adrestia can still thrive without ruling over the continent and beyond! We can still lead Fodlan in other ways, look at those barbarians, they don't even know how to appreciate fine culture ! They eve, eat their meat boiled or grilled! Our refinement and culture is ways above theirs, and copied by those of Leicester, who envy us!"
Maybe, maybe, this will save the meeting and those "alliance" talks and discussions?
Hresvelg Bastard reluctantly accepts to "bring the wonders of Adrestian refinement" to the Faerghus and the Church in exchange for their military assistance against Supreme Leader.
Dimitri thinks those terms are acceptable - only if Faerghans aren't forced to accept those "wonders" - while Rhea knows it will end in a disaster in 200 years, but if it can stop this war, and if everyone accepts it, then why not.
At the end of the day : Nopes wise, there's a small army who allied with the Kingdom and the Church of Adrestian soldiers led by their own leader (a bit like green units) - their fate depends on the routes picked, in AG Hresvelg Bastard assumes the throne, in GW they're killed when the Srengese-Federation army marches on the Kingdom, and in SB, they followed Rhea in GM thus, died.
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