Tumgik
#that would simply be too logical and compelling
comradekatara · 1 year
Text
every agni kai we see zuko fight involves his opponent acting dishonorably/cheating:
ozai burns zuko after he surrenders, when banishing him would’ve sufficed.
zhao tries to strike zuko when his back is turned, as he’s walking away from his victory
azula aims at katara.
of course ozai and zhao are violent, spiteful, petty, and cruel. it is the final instance that especially stands out to me because azula, of all people, resorting to cheating is such a profound testament to all she has lost by this point. she doesn’t even care that this act must immediately disqualify her from winning the fight, from winning the throne. all she cares about now is making zuko hurt; she‘s been reduced to the desire for him to know her pain.
1K notes · View notes
suiana · 3 months
Note
(Any)Yandere x reader with immortality
(yandere! baker x gn! immortal reader)
he sees you come into his shop every day. sometimes with an old lady, sometimes with a young kid, but most of the time you're alone.
it's an every day type of thing to him. prepare the shop, display the goods, greet some customers and then feel his heart race as he sees you enter the store to get the same order of bread you've ordered since you first entered his shop.
it's the same every day. you come in, pay for your bread, smile at him then leave. nothing's changed. not even physical changes.
he wonders how you maintain your beauty, having served you delicious baked goodies since... ten years ago? you look as youthful as ever. not having aged a day since you started frequenting his bakery.
but who is he to judge? you're just a wonderful customer of his that he has a little crush on... right? until you weren't. right, of course you weren't. because tell him why he's seeing your name in these old books he found in his grandparent's diaries?
an ethereal being, one who never ages, they've stolen my heart forever more.
upon reading that line in his grandmother's diary, he immediately comes to a conclusion. geez, you were an immortal? no wonder you haven't aged a day since he first saw you. there's literally no other logical conclusion other than the fact that you couldn't die. well, other than maybe botox or plastic surgery. but even then people would still age! not like you where you look completely the same.
so he tries questioning you the next day. not upfront of course. he tries asking your age and date of birth... to which you simply smile and nod at him before leaving.
but he won't give up! he's not a loser like that! he must know! so he tries again and again, enquiring into your life and even giving up and just straight up asking about your status as an immortal. however, you always leave him hanging, giving him vague answers like "oh it's been a long time since then... my parents passed early on..."
he's getting more and more irritated as the days go by. and he's getting no younger too. plus, the fact that you have an effect on him, one where... he feels strangely compelled to obsess over your every move, doesn't help either.
can you blame him for taking such drastic measures like stalking you? you're not giving him the answers he wants so he'll just have to find out himself, right? maybe you're just teasing him and want him to work for the answer, right?!
that's what he tells himself at least. that way he can feel better about himself when he breaks into your house filled with antiques, adoring the way you saved portraits of yourself over the centuries... and even staining one with some... white fluid.
he swears it's not his fault. he just wants to find out more about you, you know? you're so enigmatic, so charming and alluring. how can you blame him for being obsessed with you?
so please don't be mad at him when you find yourself locked up in his room. he really only wants to find out more about you. if only you gave him more straightforward answers, then maybe this wouldn't have happened!
really, he only ever wanted to know more about you :( he swears on his life that he's not just some crazy stalker who's obsessed with everything you do!
398 notes · View notes
mariacallous · 3 months
Text
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, the Biden administration has tried to toe a delicate line: backing Israel’s war against the group in Gaza, while pushing Israel to ease the humanitarian toll of its operations and take the Palestinians’ legitimate political grievances seriously. By all accounts, toeing this line has been a frustrating and thankless endeavor—and, increasingly, a lonely one. Today, even the United States’ closest allies are calling for an “immediate ceasefire” that would put an end to Israel’s operations in Gaza. At home, the White House is facing increasing pressure from Democrats in the U.S. Congress and parts of the Democratic base to change its current tactics in dealing with Israel.
And yet, what the Biden administration understands—and what Israel’s many critics miss—is that the international community cannot dictate a solution to Israel-Hamas war by fiat. If the international community wants Israel to change strategies in Gaza, then it should offer a viable alternative strategy to Israel’s announced goal of destroying Hamas in the strip. And right now, that alternate strategy simply does not exist.
There is a brutal logic to Israel’s actions in Gaza. By its own estimates, Israel has destroyed three-quarters of Hamas’ battalions and killed two of five brigade commanders, 19 of 24 battalion commanders, more than 50 platoon leaders, and 12,000 of Hamas’ 30,000 foot soldiers. American intelligence estimates are lower, but not by much: Between 20 to 30 percent of Hamas’ fighters and 20 to 40 percent of its tunnels are estimated to have been destroyed as of mid-January. It’s also worth remembering that Hamas is structured more like a conventional military than a pure terrorist group. As a rule of thumb, conventional forces are considered combat ineffective once they lose more than 30 percent of their strength and destroyed once they lose 50 percent.
Even if Israel does not stamp out Hamas entirely but merely succeeds in driving it out of power and underground, from Israel’s view, that is still a win—even if stops well short of its goal of destroying the group, for doing so would likely prove sufficient to prevent Hamas from launching another 3,000-man complex assault like the one Israel saw on Oct. 7. Finally, it’s worth remembering that it took the United States several years to defeat the Islamic State. Israel is just over five months into what its leaders promised will be a very long war.
To be sure, there are serious drawbacks to the Israeli approach. This war will encourage long-term radicalization of the Palestinian population, damage Israel’s relationship with its Arab neighbors, and tarnish Israel’s global reputation in a pretty serious way. Yet all of these problems are long term. Too often, states and politics live in the here and now.
At the same time, Israel’s critics have failed—and continue to fail—to offer a coherent alternative way forward. Instead, more often than not, there are vague references for the need for some ill-defined “political solution” to the conflict. To the extent that there is a coherence to this alternate strategy, it revolves around using the threat of diplomatic isolation alongside economic threats that might force Israel to agree to an “immediate ceasefire.” That ceasefire, in turn, would pave the way for a longer-term political settlement, likely around a two-state solution. Problem solved. Or not.
For starters, international pressure and sanctions will not likely compel Israel to compromise. Israelis from the leadership on down are keenly aware that their country was born out of the ashes of Holocaust as a safe-haven for Jews after millennia of persecution. Israel then spent its first quarter-century fighting for its very existence. The idea that the world is aligned against Israel is deeply embedded in the nation’s collective DNA, and chants of “from the river to the sea,” coupled with surging global antisemitism, only ensure that those fears remain very much alive today.
Economic pressure—such as sanctioning settlers or restricting military aid—is unlikely to work, either. In general, sanctions have a poor track record of compelling states to abandon core national security interests. And given the Oct. 7 attacks, this war is nothing if not a core national security interest for Israel. Even if pressure did work initially, for a political solution to be sustainable, Israelis must voluntarily agree, not be pressured into it.
But let’s just say, for the sake of argument, that Israel caved to outside pressure and agreed to an immediate ceasefire. What would the day after look like? Hamas—as Israel and Hamas both acknowledge—would be left with a considerable military force, numbering in the thousands. Israel would then need to engage in another very lopsided deal to free the remaining hostages. In early February, Hamas wanted 1,500 prisoners freed from Israeli jails, including at least 500 serving life sentences for murder and other crimes, in exchange for the hostages.
So, at minimum, the group’s ranks would soon swell. And invariably, some of those released would be quite dangerous. After all, Yahya Sinwar—the head of Hamas in Gaza and alleged mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks—was freed from an Israeli prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder, in the 2011 trade of 1,027 prisoners for one captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. None of this recent history bodes particularly well for long-term peace.
In all likelihood, Israel would respond to a ceasefire by tightening its blockade of Gaza, citing Hamas’ continued existence as one reason for doing so. In particular, Israel would likely put severe limits on the quantities and types of building materials allowed into the Strip. After all, Hamas diverted an estimated 1,800 tons of steel and 6,000 tons of concrete to build its tunnel networks, and Israel would not want to see them rebuilt. The net consequence would be that desperately needed reconstruction would be severely delayed or even brought to standstill.
The fighting would not stop, either. Fearing that Hamas will make good on its promise to repeat the Oct. 7 attack “again and again,” Israel would step up its preemptive strikes on Gaza and the West Bank, particularly whenever it got the first whiff that Hamas might be planning an attack. At the same time, Hamas would continue to attack Israel, if only to reinforce its legitimacy and divert attention away from the likely dismal conditions in Gaza (thanks, in no small part, to the stymied reconstruction effort). In all likelihood, the situation would be right back where it started.
Ah, but wait: Won’t a two-state solution solve this? Probably not. Even before Oct. 7, the majority of Israelis didn’t believe in a two-state solution, or that peace was even possible. There are likely even fewer who believe that now, especially if a Palestinian state were to include Hamas in some form. Consider how unfathomable it would have been for most Americans to support the creation of a state with al Qaeda at its helm just five months after 9/11. There is no reason to believe that the Israeli public should be any different. Given considerable support for Hamas among the Palestinian population, it would be politically impossible to exclude Hamas from a new, democratic Palestinian government. And even if the new state’s government is less than democratic, it would have trouble excluding Hamas entirely—even if it wanted to—if the group still has thousands of men under arms.
But even assuming that overwhelming international pressure forced Israel to agree to a two-state solution, it’s not going to guarantee peace in the short or medium term. There are still a host of thorny issues—including borders, water rights, air rights, the demilitarization of the Palestinian state, and the partition of Jerusalem—that would need to be resolved before a second state could come into being. Then there is the problem that only one-third of Palestinians favor a two-state solution themselves, and nine in 10 don’t trust the Palestinian Authority. For its part, Hamas has made it abundantly clear that it wants one state without Jews under an Islamist banner. None of this means that the international community shouldn’t push for a political settlement, but this is at best a long-term solution, not a near-term fix.
If a two-state solution did come about, it may not bring an end to hostilities. Two states did not solve hostilities between India and Pakistan, or North and South Korea, or North and South Vietnam. Israel would be under no obligation to grant Palestinians—now citizens of a separate country—workers’ permits, which would likely tank the nascent state’s economy, just as it wouldn’t have to provide electricity and other services to Gaza, as it did before the war. At the same time, Palestinians would rightly wonder why their state should be demilitarized and not entitled to the sovereign privileges of a “normal state.” There would perhaps still be Jewish settlers living on the territory of the new Palestine, creating all sorts of problems. Absent genuine buy-in from both sides, a two-state solution would simply turn a local conflict into an international one.
There is a lot to hate about Israel’s war in Gaza. It is a bloody, destructive war that has killed far too many innocents and upended far too many civilian lives. It is by any measure a human tragedy that will reverberate across the region for years to come. But if the international community is not simply grandstanding and actually hopes to solve the tragedy playing out in Gaza, then it needs to begin by offering feasible solutions that address both Palestinian grievances and Israeli security concerns.
To its credit, the Biden administration is at least trying to move in this direction. It is pushing Israel to curtail civilian casualties, set up safe zones, increase humanitarian aid, and move to a longer-term political solution—all while still backing (or at least not outwardly opposing) Israel’s ongoing operations to root out Hamas. Some might call such a balanced approach overly tactical and unable to quickly end the war, but a good strategy is built on sound tactics.
Unfortunately, the Biden administration’s nuance is the exception both internationally and in the domestic debate over U.S. policy. Just as the political right needs to be continuously reminded that the Palestinian population is not going anywhere and Israel cannot kill its way to victory, the political left needs to be reminded that Israelis are also not going anywhere and their equities must also be taken seriously.
Ultimately, if Biden’s critics on the political left want a different war, then they need to offer an alternative strategy and subject that strategy to the same sort of analytical rigor that it trains on Israel’s current military effort. If not, the brutal logic of the current war will remain, and the ongoing tragedy will continue.
206 notes · View notes
anonymousewrites · 3 months
Text
Logos and Pathos Valentine's Day Special 2024
TOS! Spock x Empath! Reader
Mouse Note: Happy Valentine's Day!
            “Spock, dear, you can relax,” said (Y/N), smiling at their husband (husband, husband, husband, it sounded so amazing still!). “This is our honeymoon, not a mission.”
            “I am quite at ease,” assured Spock, sitting stiffly at the breakfast table. “I am simply…unsure how I am supposed to participate in a ‘honeymoon.’ ”
            The pair had been given a bit of time off from the Enterprise. This was their honeymoon, their private celebration of their marriage. They had rented a small house on the edge of a lake to just relax and enjoy themselves for a bit of time.
            (Y/N) chuckled and touched their two fingers to Spock’s. “You know I don’t care about society’s rules or ideas. What I want is for Spock, my Spock, to enjoy himself in whatever way he’d like.”
            Spock smiled slightly. “Thank you, T’hy’la.” He was glad that (Y/N) accepted for who he was. Even now, married, it was a pleasant surprise every day to know someone so kind and good-hearted loved him.
            The pair smiled at each other, and their bond thrummed with positive emotions. Each wore their ring and had their fingers touching. Truly, every part of them was connected and strengthened by their love.
            “I don’t need you to be anyone other than you,” said (Y/N), smiling. “I don’t need you to do anything for me. You show me you care every day.”
            “I intend to for the rest of our days,” said Spock. “I am aware that I am not the most…affectionate. I am not open with my emotions. I have often been referred to as ‘cold.’ I never wish to be that to you.”
            “Spock,” said (Y/N), standing and moving to his side. “I don’t care about all of that. Some people just don’t understand people express themselves differently. I have never once doubted your care. Even before we got together, you were always looking out for your friends. You don’t speak about your emotions, but you show them.”
            Spock raised a brow, and (Y/N) laughed. Spock listened to the sound with fondness.
            “Not in that way, Spock. Don’t worry, you’re very calm and collected,” said (Y/N). They leaned back on the table and smiled at him. “I mean that you do little things. You look out for your friends. You keep situations under control so people don’t get hurt. You put yourself in harm’s way so that others don’t have to. You’re a good friend, Spock.” They gazed at him lovingly. “And you’re a wonderful husband. I’m very lucky to have you.”
            Spock reached out and took their hand. “I am the fortunate one. You are…bright. Warm. Full of heart.” He looked down and back up at their eyes. “Everyone knows it. You are good and kind. It is illogical for you to be with someone like me. And so I hope you know I intend to honor my vows to you every day. People have underestimated you and valued you for less than your worth. You are more than your empathy and beauty. You are intelligent and kind and helpful and open and accepting. You are all that is needed in this world. It is illogical for you to love me, but it is logical that I love you.”
            (Y/N) smiled warmly and squeezed his hand. “I love you, too, Spock. Even if it is illogical to you, it makes perfect sense to me.”
            “Perhaps that is enough,” said Spock.
            (Y/N) rolled their eyes, leaned in, and kissed his forehead. “Of course it’s enough. We’re married, aren’t we?”
            “I admit your logic is compelling,” said Spock, rising and kissing them.
            (Y/N) laughed and pulled him in for another kiss. “Well, I learned from the best.”
            After the kiss, Spock looked at them. “So, what will do today, T’hy’la?”
            “I said I don’t care,” said (Y/N).
            “I still would like to do something for you,” said Spock.
            “Hm.” (Y/N) considered and grinned. They stepped back and turned towards a nearby controller. “Anything?”
            Spock raised a brow. “I believe this is what human’s call a ‘trap.’ ”
            “Come on, dear, will you anything I want?” said (Y/N), smiling.
            “…I admit I will,” said Spock. “Always.”
            “Perfect,” said (Y/N), pressing a button.
            Music started and filled the room. (Y/N) began to sway their hips and grinned at Spock.
            “Come on, Spock, come and dance with me,” said (Y/N).
            “I am not a skilled dancer,” said Spock.
            (Y/N) shrugged. “This isn’t a performance.” They held out their hands. “This is a spouse and husband having fun.”
            Spock couldn’t help but reach out and take their hands. (Y/N) smiled warmly, and their marriage bond flowed around them in a comforting manner. (Y/N) led Spock in a simple sway back and forth before starting to dance around the little kitchen. Spock let himself smile, and he tentatively moved with more confidence.
            “There you go, dear,” said (Y/N). “It’s not that hard, is it?”
            “Only when my T’hy’la is with me,” said Spock.
            He braved a spin and let (Y/N) twirl before pulling them back in. Taking the moment presented, he leaned in and kissed them. (Y/N)’s arms went around his neck and pulled him closer. They separated for a moment and looked at each other.
            “I love you, Spock,” said (Y/N).
            “I love you, (Y/N),” said Spock.
            Their lips touched once more, and love flowed through their bond. They would hold each other’s hearts until the end of time.
Taglist:
@a-ofzest
@grippleback-galaxy
@genderfluid-anime-goth
@groovy-lady
@im-making-an-effort
@unending-screaming
@h-l-vlovesvintage
@neenieweenie
@keylimeconstellation
@wormwig
@technikerin23
47 notes · View notes
gilded-garnet · 1 year
Text
Torturous Teachings
F!MC x Sebastian Sallow
WC: 1.3K
Summary: MC has had feelings for Sebastian since 6th year. Bored during a study session, MC asks him to teach her a new spell, and he can't resist the opportunity to make her flustered.
Notes: It's been a while! I've read a lot of fics lately about flustered Sebastian, so I wanted to write a fluffy something featuring flustered MC!
(MC is Gryffindor in this fic, though it's only mentioned.)
After almost an hour of attempting to summarise the potential side effects of improperly brewed Felix Felicis, she was at her limit. She huffed, throwing herself back in her chair and rubbing her sore wrist. Seventh year was rough. She felt like she hadn't had a moment to breathe around the amount of assignments she'd been set. Every time she handed one in she was given three more.
She looked across the table at her study companion. Sebastian remained engrossed in his writing, eyebrows slightly furrowed in that way that she loathed to admit made her insides just a little bit mushy. She had long since come to terms with her feelings for the Slytherin, which had hit her quite suddenly halfway through sixth year. However, despite being a proud Gryffindor, she was ashamed that this was something she couldn't bring herself to act upon. He was her first and closest friend and they had literally been through hell together. No, she had concluded, she would simply suffer in silence. If Sebastian wanted her to be anything more than a friend, she was sure he would have made it known; he was hardly shy.
Great, now she was frustrated as well as bored. In desperate need of a distraction, and because she felt compelled to take revenge on him for absolutely no logical reason at all, she transfigured some spare parchment beside her into a paper bird. She flicked her wand under the table to send it soaring straight into his hair, where it became snugly lodged in his curls.
To her disappointment, he barely glanced up from his note-taking, though he did reach up to extract it from his hair, holding it loosely in his fist as he continued to scribble.
She huffed. Despite his well-earned reputation as a serial troublemaker, she had found that he could be incredibly studious when he wanted to be, particularly if it was a topic that interested him. She'd never met anyone with the ability to digest books and scrolls like he did. Still, she was still bored and her stubbornness rivalled his own.
She transformed a few more paper birds and sent them flying into him. One bounced off his forehead, whilst the other collided with his chest. He sighed, irritated, and muttered: "Oppugno".
Suddenly, the three paper birds launched into the air and flew towards her. She squeeked in surprise and indignation as they swarmed her, bumping repeatedly into her forehead, hair and cheeks. She raised her arms to swat them away, but they danced out of reach just to return with a vengeance. Though she was preoccupied, she noticed that Sebastian had finally stopped writing to savour her torment, a smirk on his face. Git.
"Protego!" She cast, and the birds bounced harmlessly off her shield to finally settle on the ground.
"What the hell, Sebastian?!  She accused, attempting to tame her now unruly hair.
He shrugged, looking smug. "You started it."
"What was that spell just now, anyway?" She asked.
He raised an eyebrow at her, surprised. "You don't know that one? It's pretty basic."
She rolled her eyes. "Are you forgetting that I missed out on four years of magical education? Those extra assignments didn't teach me everything, you know."
He smiled, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "You know, I don't think I should teach you. You don't need any more spells to use against me."
"Oh, come on. I know you love playing teacher."
"Alas, you're right. I can't pass up an opportunity to impart knowledge to the needy," he replied as he stood up from his chair, stretching as he did so.
"Alright, on your feet. This shouldn't be too challenging to master for the Hero of Hogwarts." He emphasised the last part with a mock bow.
She rolled her eyes as she stood. He knew how much that title irked her, which - of course - meant he used it often.
"So, as you know, the incantation is 'Oppugno'. It allows you to direct objects or creatures to attack the target. This is the wand movement..." He demonstrated slowly for her to mimic, and he nodded, satisfied. "Give it a try."
She looked down at the stationary paper birds and recited the jinx, waving her wand as demonstrated. The paper birds twitched slightly, but showed no sign of further movement. She frowned, looking at him accusingly. "Did you teach me wrong on purpose?"
He scoffed. "Please, I take my role as teacher very seriously, thank you. Your wand movement is slightly off. Here..." he walked towards her, and she suddenly felt incredibly nervous. This feeling only magnified ten-fold when he came to stand behind her, his hand loosely taking hold of her wrist, guiding it so that her wand was outstretched before her.
Her heart was hammering in her chest, the hand on her wand suddenly felt clammy and her mouth was dry. All in all, she was a wreck, and all he'd done was hold her wrist. Pathetic, she chided herself. She had faced down goblin rebellions, taken out more poachers and Ashwinders than she could count, but this is what made her knees shake?
When he spoke, she could feel his voice vibrating in his chest as it pressed agains her back and his breath as it fanned against her neck. "You're flicking too much. It's more of an arc, like this..." He directed her movements with his own. "See?"
"Mhmm," she responded. It was all she could trust herself to say in that moment, and she desperately hoped he hadn't noticed her no doubt flaming cheeks. If he had, she hoped he assumed it was just embarassment at not being able to grasp such a simple spell on the first attempt.
Still, she seriously considered messing up again, just so he'd remain exactly where he was, but quickly convinced herself that the thought was insane. However, it didn't stop the feeling of disappointment that curled in her chest when he released her wrist and stepped back slightly to give her more room.
"Oppugno!" She cast, and this time the paper birds burst into life, rising into the air to shoot towards Sebastian, attacking him mercilessly as they had her. He put up with it for a moment, no doubt to give her the satisfaction, but soon flicked his wand to turn them into harmless confetti.
"Well done!" He said, wearing that proud smile he wore every time he taught her something new, and she felt a warm glow in her stomach at the praise. Get a grip, she chided herself.
"Yeah, thanks," she smiled back. "You were right, though, it was a mistake teaching me this. You'll have to keep your wits about you from now on," she teased. It was easy, she thought, to fall back into their usual manner. Though it hurt a bit, too.
He chuckled, and she thought it might be one of her favourite sounds. "I have seen you transform a poacher into a chicken. I don't think adding paper birds to your roster makes you much more dangerous," he said, and she laughed.
"Anyway, as enjoyable as making you flustered was, I do have an assignment to finish," he said, brushing past her gently, as if it was nothing. He was wearing a very self-satisfied smile.
She gaped at him, mortified. "I was not flustered," she retorted, her worst fears realised. The bastard had noticed.
He reclaimed his seat at the desk, raising a cynical eyebrow up at her. "Darling, your cheeks were on fire."
"That...that was because I was embarassed at failing the spell the first time."
"Your hand was shaking."
"No, it wasn't!"
"And you definitely pressed back against me, ever so -"
She wanted to scream, for the ground to completely swallow her up. This couldn't be happening. "Shut up! You have no idea what you're talking about." She stuttered, haphazerdously scooping her books and parchment into her satchel. "You are insufferable!"
The rich sound of his laughter followed her long after she had fled the room.
83 notes · View notes
star-sparkler · 9 months
Note
I know I ask a lot about August but I’d actually like ask about your aroace donnie hc. Like how he figured that out about himself and all that. Honestly a lot of people I see with that headcanon for him just hc that because that interpret him as mean and unemotional which is wrong for just all kinds of reasons. But you always portray the kind and loving side of him. That boy loves with his whole heart and its just so refreshing to see. I was also wondering if you have headcanons for the rest of the main cast.
OOOOHHHHHOOHOOHOO YOU HAVE ACTIVATED MY TRAP CARD: AROACE INFO-DUMP COMBINED WITH DONNIE FIXATION. A BOLD MOVE. BUCKLE IN, DUDE. /positive Aroace Donnie is a REALLY special headcanon for me. Part of that is identifying as aroace myself and getting enjoyment from portraying that in a favorite character, but most of it is just genuinely getting the vibes from Donnie. Because being aroace doesn't necessarily mean lacking love altogether, or being incapable of loving, it's defined by the lacking of the ATTRACTION part. There's usually theoretical love to give but no target to hit with it. The way you talk about it gives me the sense you know that already though ;w; 💓 But what a bummer to think people equate being aroace with being unemotional. Some of the kindest and most loving people I know are aro/ace. ;-; </3
As for Donnie figuring himself out, I imagine he took it all from a very logical standpoint. It's one thing to crush on a fictional character or the concept of someone and another thing entirely to feel that way about a real individual in a non-fictional scenario. Even if he could find people who, by all accounts, were his 'type', logic would get in the way of taking action. "Our interests are too different" "I'm not THEIR type" "I'm not ready to commit" "I don't like this and that about them so it wouldn't work" "Eh, the, quote 'spark' unquote, isn't there." "I am simply too mature to be hung up on this romance nonsense" "I just haven't met the right person yet" "I just don't feel like I need a partner right now" "why is everyone so obsessed with this?" "Sex and romance sells, that's why it's pushed in media, not because people are ACTUALLY /THAT/ possessed by it. That would be lunacy." "I'm too busy to devote energy and time to dating right now" "There are more important things" "I don't need another person to feel whole - that's ridiculous - I'm whole on my own" - just a growing list of cerebral excuses to put the whole romance thing off until "later" again and again, or to explain away why he hasn't "found" love yet. None of the stories he told himself were UNtrue so he carries on without realizing the drive that everyone else seems to feel isn't within him, because he's come up with a million reasons WHY he wouldn't feel it yet to begin with. He doesn't realize other people DO still feel romantically and sexually about others DESPITE being 'busy' or 'mature' or not being the other person's type. He's baffled to discover people feel compelled to date or be intimate with people they don't even know. Based on what? Appearance? A vibe? Simply because they're there? It's illogical. It's maddening. What is WRONG with people? Until he steps back and realizes he's the outlier. It's not unusual that others are obsessed with love, it's unusual that he ISN'T. But he's had crushes before, hasn't he? Atomic Lass? A fictional character. What about real people? Well, yes, he HAD crushed on someone in the past but, when he REALLY thought about it, he didn't actually want to date or be intimate with them, he just liked spending time with them and wanted to be important/special to them. He wasn't Attracted with a capital A. He also didn't have the word for a squish at the time. Alright well let's test this another way. Who would he WANT to actually date? To kiss and devote himself to that he knows? SURELY there must be someone.......There's no one. He SUPPOSES if he HAD to choose then XYZ is...passable, but he still doesn't FEEL attracted to them. The excuses from before come back. Everyone keeps saying the right person will come around. The more he hears it, the more it stings that he hasn’t found this right person but maybe he really just hasn't met them yet. But not meeting "the right person" doesn't change the fact that, across the course of his entire life thus far, there has Never been a person he desired intimacy with specifically. After a great deal of rumination, Donnie realizes his excuses aren't excuses, they're his reality. There are no people in his life he desires. There are no celebrities he desires. There are no randoms on the street or acquaintances he desires. No interest in flings or daydreaming about a friend or ogling a body with intent. Donnie doesn't feel desire for anyone. It's a lonely feeling. But Donnie's smart and capable. His excuses don't have to be excuses, they can just be, well, facts. That doesn't mean he can’t carry on though and, if the right opportunity arises, find his own way of loving and being loved despite his current reality. If anyone can do that, Donatello Hamato can. (Side note: I love the idea of Donnie being so roadblocked by his excuse that he never bothers with or gets around to dating even into adulthood. Not dating does not devalue the truth of your personal identity).
Ultimately however: Donnie scrolling through the internet as a teen, researching his bros' romantic leans to better understand how to support them, and having a "THAT'S A REAL THING?? THERE'S A WORD FOR IT????" when he first stumbles across info on the aro/ace label. “Alright yeah, that tracks. 😑”
I honestly not-so-secretly headcanon every TMNT turtle from every iteration as some variant under the aroace umbrella. x'D It's partly a comfort choice but more so it’s because of the vibes I get from them. Even when they're shown desiring someone in canon it's felt forced or out of character somehow to me. Of course that doesn’t mean they can’t be in relationships or that I don’t enjoy the ones that are handled well! They just don’t come across fully allo to me. As for Rise specifically! 👀✨ 💙 Leo I tag as grayace/greyromantic bi. That boy ain't never been straight a day in his life. ❤️ Raph feels super classic aroace straight. 🧡 Mikey pan demisexual/alloromantic (or demiromantic?). 💜 Donnie asexual demiromantic. I think if he had the opportunity to really bond with the right person, it could spark something in him the way a stranger or acquaintance would not. Knowledge unlocking love feels VERY Donald A Tello to me.
ANYWAY. This got majorly long and I’ve been picking at it on and off for a few days. Thank you for appreciating how I interpret Donnie! I always hope I’m doing it in a way that feels believable to his canon. ;w;💓
48 notes · View notes
narwhalandchill · 7 months
Text
a bit more serious/negative note on childes characterization and fandom perception, saw a post where the tone upset me quite a bit
i did do a whole vent/rant/cathartic 2.4k words of writeup on this yesterday which like did help clear my thoughts a lot but in hindsight is way too long to just release by itself so i suppose ill just summarize my thinking now
so i would really appreciate it if a certain subset of childe fans reading his character a specific way (the trauma, identity crisis, dark abyss experiences, etc. - you know the one) could stop acting as if its this like. superior canon proven hoyo intended most real and intellectual way to look at his character and interpret his narrative. as opposed to just one reading of the canon material among others. and im sure most people are civil but ive seen this tone enough to just need to get this off my chest rn.
like im not "missing" something or being "tricked" (what?) by childe or the narrative. its not some naive ignorance about this reading being a thing and the ways people argue for it. ive read his lore. p much memorized it rly. and i simply did not find the arguments that compelling or feel that inserting this additional layer of subjective interpretation atop my understanding of the canon text did much to enhance childes narrative potential or characterization for me.
simply put. applying this super strict irl psychology logic (bc yes a real 14 yo going thru some irl version of ajax' backstory would get severe psychological disturbances as p much given. i know what the DSM-V is) to fantasy game characters isnt how i enjoy engaging with childe or any character really.
genshin is a fantasy game and fantasy as a genre has always readily sidestepped things like realistic psychological consequences of various heavy experiences in favor of building a compelling narrative whenever necessary. i dont find arguments relating to irl psychology particularly relevant at all on the subject really. if you enjoy this approach, go on, have fun! but please understand that its an interpretation that people can disagree without being "wrong" or failing some arbitrary reading comprehension test.
like the dismissive tone i see from people who simply cannot comprehend that like no, this take isnt some universal truth of hoyos that every person will glean from reading up on childes lore and appearances if theyre big brain and intellectual enough is just... really fucking rude? and alienating.
im not going to go on a like whole ramble on all the things that i personally see very much as hinting towards childes characterization going quite a different direction than this popular heavy self-doubt, psychological angle would suggest. its my interpretation after all, and could be proven wrong the way any interpretation can. but for now ive read his lore for years and looked into every single tidbit that involves him and so far hoyos writing of him hasnt given me any convinving case for changing my view drastically anytime soon. and id just like to be allowed to exist in this fandom space without being randomly jumpscared by posts alleging im reducing his character to this or that just bc i see his greatest narrative potential elsewhere.
theres enough insane shit and incredibly interesting lore relating to his overall role in the story and the cosmic scale of teyvat as a whole to be invested in already. like taking childes character as depicted to us and how in-game content characterizes him at a relative face value as opposed to seeking an implied internal struggle of sth hidden and repressed is me simply finding that take the most unique, fascinating, horrifying, compelling and exciting way to see him instead. thats what i love about him and his character. like im sorry, in my eyes the dark past corrupting innocence and trauma angle has just been done to death already in media. childe can have something actually different and breaking those tropes is what makes him stand out for me!
anyway. this whole situation is not sth i wanna start flaming ppl for or make into some drama, i try my best to stay on my lane and let ppl live even if i disagree w these sorta takes on childe. and i just wish for that grace to be extended towards myself too.
30 notes · View notes
hms-no-fun · 11 months
Note
one thing i'm curious about is if you're currently reading / drawing inspiration from any other contemporary HS fanworks. i know KITTYQUEST just dropped its epilogue like less than a week ago, so it's definitely a big era for Homestuck Fanworks That Have Jade Harley Have Kids lmaoooo
i may talk a big game about how you can't hope to substantively discuss what homestuck *is* without also examining its fanworks, but unfortunately i am myself woefully under-read and out of date. i kinda stopped reading homestuck fanworks after 2020 because. well. at the risk of getting into the weeds of fandom drama. all the ones i really liked stopped updating when the fandom environment turned from passively toxic to aggressively poisonous, and there was at least a 50/50 chance that the creator of any given active fanwork was either with or supported the group of people who wielded that poison.
that feeling is far less prominent now but i am still skeptical any time a new homestuck fanwork gets popular. they have to pass a litmus test first: is this person shitty or weird about the epilogues/hs2? they don't have to have liked either work necessarily, they just have to acknowledge that those works exist, have influence, and are worth talking about, even if they personally don't want to do the talking. god this all sounds so petty, but people lost jobs over what happened. i don't think i can have a positive interaction with anyone who is simply unwilling to have an in-depth conversation about the contents of a text without feeling the need to pass objective moral judgments at every turn, nor do i think i will get much out of the fanworks such a person might produce. so i save us all the trouble and don't bother!
that said, i quite like Kittyquest. i'm way behind on it though, as i am on everything. that Kitty showed up not too long after Yiffy actually inspired me to create Edie, because i love the idea of "Jade's Daughter" being this extraordinarily flexible archetype. it feels like kind of a combo-breaker considering how rigid homestuck's archetypes typically are. i also very much admire Kittyquest's commitment to fleshing out the culture and history of Earth C, especially in the ways it seems to deliberately break from what we've seen of it in post-canon. the lack of worldbuilding the epilogues is one of its biggest weaknesses in my opinion, so i always like it when a story tries to pick up that slack. the artstyle being so divorced from homestuck's yet still somehow indebted to it really encouraged me to try different things with the types of images we started putting into godfeels. what i love about post-canon broadly is just how varied it is artistically, stylistically. i think it's good and compelling and healthy that so much art in this space is willing to play with these things in such constructive ways.
the other contemporary fanwork that really has influence on godfeels is Vast Error. which i am also behind on. but Snowbound Blood is a personal favorite whose tone (at its best) matches the vibes i'm going for in 3.2. the biggest i guess Thing for me wrt Vast Error is how different its universe engine session is from what we saw in homestuck. its logic, its mechanics, its purpose-- the whole thing is so alien, and yet it has Prospit and Derse, it has Spades Slick and other such guys, it has Skaia, so there's clear continuity. if we imagine the universe engine as a procedurally generated video game, these commonalities suggest that there are stable constants in the formula. it was that alongside all the other wildly different fansessions on MSPFA that started the gears turning which would eventually lead to the EWL. the idea of an organization of castoffs from the infinite fanontinuum of alternate sessions, who study the constants and variables across countless UE instances and build squads of sailors who specialize in particular behavioral clusters. oh this session has an overpowered Jack making it unviable? send in the Jills, they'll show him what's what.
i guess if there's a thread here it's that i'm most inspired by what metatextual trends suggest about the hypothetical Ultimate Self of any given homestuck narrative convention. i'm not saying that's a good thing but i guess it has worked out okay so far.
i could shout out other fanworks that i haven't read but i think i would rather hear from y'all. what's out there right now? what's good? i should probably catch up
62 notes · View notes
alitgblog · 23 days
Text
i forgot what volume we're on but THOUGHTS
first off what do you meeeaan we're getting the finale next week 😭
heart rate challenge is fun because of the costumes and dances and flirting in front of someone's partner you get to do, but god the results sucked. I don't care for the drama of Jin having the highest heart rate with Sienna and I don't care about Sienna rubbing it in MC's face. Can we move on???
Especially because literally on the other side of it, I just picked that MC would have her heart rate raised the most by Logan for fun, and that resulted in NOTHING. Maybe like one comment that flew under the radar during Logan's date, but nothing fun. I just had to hear about Sienna sticking her tongue in Jin's ear or whatever.
Speaking of Logan, he's just another victim of not enough screen time. Like Tyler, Hari, and Logan all seem great but you barely get any chance to talk to them outside of their intro episodes and then by then you're expected to have already made a decision on who to pick. At least Hari is around for a while, but I simply have not really talked to him since Casa aside from hearing how he's fumbling Hazel. And between Tyler and Logan, who in my mind are basically the same personality going only for MC, I kind of prefer Tyler because at this stage in the game, Logan needed to have put more pressure. Or have been an angel sent like Oliver idk he has some substance. Once again, just a waste of a good looking sprite.
I also miss LIs that had their own personalities. Like I think that's why the OG boys are fun at first: each of them being distinct enough but all having reasons to go for MC. But the bombshells this season all seem to kind of just be "yeah I like MC because she's confident and knows what she wants" and that's it. It feels gameplayer-y which is maybe why I'm less intrigued for their routes. Even small things like Lucas liking a girl that puts in effort vs Henrik liking a girl that tells it like it is, so then you kind of have to "compete" with the other characters even though it doesn't make a difference later on with who you pick feels like it gives the characters more dimension.
I also think this is why Bea and Claudia have such compelling routes this season compared to the male bombshells (and vs. some of the other wlw routes in other seasons). They have potential partners that could give them what they want, although we know ultimately probably not. Also why I think if Hari's storyline was more fleshed out and you got time with him, that when he comes back with Hazel, his story could be more interesting.
Also I liked Logan better with the hat on, he needed a different haircut lol.
Stop it please with the texts interrupting conversations there has GOT to be a better way
also fusebox trying to squeeze out as many gems as they can out of us with more of those "i heard gossip do you want to know?" choices 🙄
the pancake challenge is lame. it just made me miss s2 cake decorating challenge 😭
also at this stage in the game, i feel like we should've gotten Mr. and Mrs. (I can't remember if we already did that). But a fun food challenge is fine too, it's just that this one wasn't fun. Also the options all being either "do it correctly" or "fail on purpose?" was very lame and probably contributed to it being boring. Once again, make it more like the s2 cake decorating challenge or paint challenge in difficulty if you're gonna do this.
Also no one else flirting with MC at this point? the other LI's don't have a CHANCE. That's why it's called tempting fate, because it's all temptation and yet while they all claim to want MC, no one is really talking to her what a shame
How does Sienna have the energy to be this much of a hater?? I kinda wanted her to have a small redemption at the end of her time but we never got it. And plus with her being so mean, it's so hard to imagine that at one point she charmed Jin into even considering her, so I feel like for logic's sake, we should've seen some of what Jin saw in her.
And once again we fall into the same problem this season has had which is way too many things at once because what do you mean they had three SEPARATE firepit meetings to dump islanders?? Give them some room to breathe!!
But yeah for some reason a couple is getting dumped right before the recoupling. We say goodbye to my frenemy couple Emel and Oakley. I hated them at times, but I miss them so dearly. They do not deserve to leave. I think that should've gone to Sienna/Max or Liam/Bea. If anything, since it's a public vote they should've had those three couples be at the bottom and then everyone else vote on who they'd like to dump and then however the math works out it ends up being Emel/Oakley, just for realism if the game really wanted to dump them. I understand that it had to be them because there are LI's in every other couple, but that's why I think they shouldn't have this dumping here in the first place.
Then the final recoupling. I touched on this briefly already, but oh my god no one got a chance. This may be the first time since season 2 that I'm sticking with the original person I chose to couple up with the first time I played through (ok technically S5 I did end the game with Suresh but that season is special and in a bad way). And maybe it's just the way I've been playing, but it does seem like in the last few volumes, you really only get to talk to the OG boy you chose or the Casa boy you chose. But I haven't really talked to Claudia since Casa and I'm so sad about that. Haven't talked Max much either, so I thought maybe he was sticking with Sienna? Haven't talked to Hari. Haven't talked to Bea. For some reason before the final recoupling, MC had a chance to talk to THEO? I was under the impression that if you're on a Claudia route then you're not on a Theo route but I guess he was an option the whole time, which was becoming clear in the last few volumes, but I'm still in awe every time he shows up trying to talk to MC. (Side note: a well written Theo friends to lovers route is brewing in my head and I think it would've rivaled a Jake S1 route so that's a shame it doesn't play out that way). Logan also had that chance, but both of those were gem choices, so they don't count in my head.
Tumblr media
So no Claudia and Bea? I literally wanted to scream when Claudia said she was choosing a boy 😭😭
Logan is with Bea just because she needs to escape Liam, so I understand why, but they just seem so odd to me. Especially when Oakley and Emel were right there! Should've let them stay, at least they pretend to like to each other!!
Oh but I will miss Liam actually. Unfortunately he has much more personality than Logan so that's a shame but unsurprising that the more boring person stays the longest in love island lol.
Tumblr media
Shouldn't have to pay gems to get people to not watch Jin's girlfriend announcement
also fusebox you already got your dig at us for thinking it was gonna be a zodiac themed season, are you really doing this again?? 🤣🤣
Tumblr media
And then Max and Sienna go home in ANOTHER dumping. I'm exhausted. They couldn't have written one more volume to spread these out?
yeah yeah and hideaway again
anyway to prevent this post from being too too long I'm going to make a second post (yet again) with my ideas for how to fix these episodes because I've been okay with most of the recent volumes but idk this one in particular, although having the same problems as before, annoyed more than the others lol
still one of the top seasons of the game imo and definitely an improvement from s7 which I still haven't finished
12 notes · View notes
comradekatara · 2 months
Note
Your atla analysis is the best so I wanted to ask your opinion on something I've found the fandom fairly divided on - what did you think of Azula's ending within the show proper? Unnecessarily cruel or a necessary tragedy? Would you say that her mental breakdown was too conveniently brought about in order to 'nerf' her for the final agni kai? Also, do you think it was 'right' for Zuko to have fought with his sister at all or would it have been better for him to seek a more humane way to end the cycle of violence?
okay so im saying this as someone who loves azula to death like she has always been one of my absolute favorite characters ever since i was a kid and i’ve always vastly preferred her to zuko and found her to be extremely compelling and eminently sympathetic. i am saying this now before the azula stans come for me. i believe in their beliefs. but i also think her downfall is perfectly executed, and putting aside all the bullshit with the comics and whatever else, it’s a really powerful conclusion to her arc. obviously that isn’t to say that she wouldn’t continue to grow and develop in a postcanon scenario (i have a whole recovery arc for her mapped out in my head, like i do believe in her Healing Journey) but from a narrative perspective, her telos is in fact very thematically satisfying.
no, she wasn’t nerfed so that they could beat her in a fight. the fact that she falls apart is what makes them feel that they can confidently take her on (although i do think in a fair fight katara could win anyway), but the whole point is that it’s not about winning or losing in combat. the whole point is that zuko and azula being pitted against each other in this gratuitous ritual of violence as the culmination of their arcs is fundamentally tragic. yes it’s a bad decision to fight her, and zuko should have chosen another path, but the whole point is that he’s flawed and can only subscribe to the logic he has spent his whole life internalizing through violence and abuse.
that’s why aang’s fight against ozai, while tragic in its own way, is also a triumph for the way in which his ideals prevail in the face of genocide, while zuko and azula’s fight is very patently tragic. there is no moment of victory or triumph. even as zuko sacrifices himself in a beautiful mirroring of “the crossroads of destiny” and as katara uses the element of her people combined with techniques across other cultures to use azula’s hubris and ideology of domination against her, it’s presented as moments of personal growth occurring within a very tragic yet inevitable situation. it was inevitable because azula had always been positioned as an extension of her father, and thus to disempower ozai also means disempowering azula, his favorite site of projection, his favorite weapon.
yeah, it does rub me the wrong way when zuko asks katara whether she’d like to help him “put azula in her place.” it’s not a kind way to talk about your abused younger sister. but it’s also important to understand that zuko doesn’t really recognize his sister’s pain, despite the fact that they obviously share a father, because he’s always assumed that she was untouchable as their perfect golden child and thus never a victim. and he’s wrong. zuko and katara expect a battle of triumph and glory, noble heroes fighting valiantly so that good may prevail over evil. but as they discover here, even more so than their previous discovery two episodes prior, a battle is not a legendary event filled with bombast and beauty until after it has been historicized. often a war is simply fought between pathetic, desperate people who see no other option but to fight.
aang’s ultimate refusal to fight despite having all the power in the world is what makes him so important as the protagonist. but katara and zuko both share a more simplistic view of morality and what it means to be good. and zuko assumes that by fighting azula, he can only be punching up, because she has always been positioned as his superior, and she (in her own words!) is a “monster.” and then azula loses, and his entire worldview shatters. joking about putting her in her place makes way for the realization that behind all her posturing and lying (to herself more than anyone) and performance and cognitive dissonance, azula has always been broken, perhaps even more than he is.
azula says “im sorry it has to end this way, brother,” to which zuko replies “no you’re not.” but i think azula is truly sorry, because in her ideal world, she wouldn’t be fighting zuko. she doesn’t actually want to kill him, as much as she claims to. she’s already reached the conclusion that zuko will only truly reach once their fight is over. she lacks a support system, and she needs one, desperately. if she could somehow get her family back, do everything differently, less afraid of the consequences, she would. she’s smirking, she sounds almost facetious, but really, she is sorry. as of this moment, she really doesn’t want it to end this way. but zuko cannot accept that, because in his mind, azula is evil. azula has no soul nor feeling. azula always lies.
her breakdown doesn’t come out of nowhere, either. it’s precipitated by everyone she has ever cared about betraying her. first zuko betrays her, then mai, then ty lee, and then ozai — the person she has staked her entire identity to and to whom she has pledged her undying loyalty and obedience, become nothing more than a vessel for his whims — discards her because she had the audacity to care about someone other than him. what i don’t think zuko realizes, and perhaps will never realize, is that azula betrayed ozai by bringing zuko back home. he was not supposed to be brought back with honor and with glory. azula specifically orchestrated the fight in the catacombs to motivate him to join her, and it’s not because she’s some cruel sadistic monster who wanted to separate a poor innocent soft uwu bean from his loving uncle, it’s because she genuinely believes that she’s doing what’s best for him. she believes that their uncle is a traitor and a bad influence, and she believes that bringing zuko home with his honor “restored” is an act of love. to her it is.
yes, she claims that she was actually just manipulating him so that she wouldn’t have to take the fall if the avatar was actually alive, but also, she’s clearly just covering her own ass. she didn’t know about the spirit water, and only started improvising when zuko started showing hesitation. but even if she was only using zuko, then that was an insane risk to take, because either way she was lying directly to ozai’s face. and zuko admits it to ozai while simultaneously committing treason, so of course ozai would blame azula, his perfect golden child who tried to violate his decree by bringing zuko back home a prisoner at best and dead at worst, and instead found a way to restore his princehood with glory.
we only see ozai dismissing and discarding azula in the finale, but it’s clearly a tension that’s been bubbling since the day of black sun. and we know this because we do see azula falling apart before the finale. in “the boiling rock” she is betrayed by her only friends. in “the southern raiders” we see that this has taken a toll on her, that she is already somewhat unhinged. she and zuko tie in a one on one fight for the first time. and she takes down her hair as she uses her hairpin to secure herself against the edge of a cliff. unlike zuko, who is helped by his friends and allies, who has a support system. it’s a very precarious position; she’s literally on a cliff’s edge, alone, her hair down signifying her unraveling mental state. azula having her hair down signals to us an audience that she is in a position of vulnerability. she is able to mask this terrifying moment wherein she nearly plummets to her death with a triumphant smirk, but it should be evident to us all that her security is fragile here.
and the thing is, even though she’s always masked it with a smirk and perfect poise, her security has always been fragile. azula has never been safe. azula’s breakdown is simply the culmination of her realization that no matter how hard she tries, she will never be ozai’s perfect weapon, because she is a human being. she is a child, no less. and there is no one in her entire life who loves her for nothing. zuko has iroh, who affirms to him that he could never be angry with zuko, that all he wants is simply what is best for zuko. but azula doesn’t have unconditional support in her life. she doesn’t even have support.
everyone she ever thought she could trust has betrayed her, and so she yells that trust is for fools. because she feels like a fool. of course fear is the only way; it’s what kept her in line all these years. azula is someone who is ruled by fear, and who is broken by the recognition that fear isn’t enough. her downfall is necessarily tragic because her worldview is wrong. the imperialist logic of terror as a tool for domination is her own undoing, just as ozai’s undoing is losing the weapon he has staked his national identity to. it’s a battle of ideals. aang v ozai: pacifism v imperialism. katara and zuko v azula: love and support v fear and isolation.
zuko is unfair to azula, it’s true. he tries to fight her even as he can clearly recognize that “she’s slipping.” instead of trying to help his little sister, he uses that weakness to his advantage, tries to exploit her pain so that he can finally, for the first time ever, beat her in a fight. it’s cruel, but it’s also how siblings act. especially considering the conditions under which they were raised, and how zuko has always viewed her. and in zuko’s defense, she has tried to kill him multiple times lately, both in “the boiling rock” and in “the southern raiders.” zuko is someone who gets fixated on a goal and blocks out everything else, including recognition of his surroundings or empathy for others. so of course when he’s promised to put azula in her place he’s going to exploit her weaknesses to do so. after all, isn’t exploiting his weaknesses exactly what azula does best? so he allows himself to stoop to her level, and in fact only redeems himself through his sacrifice for katara. but it is when azula is chained to the grate and zuko and katara, leaning on each other, look down and observe the sheer extent on her pain, that zuko realizes that “putting azula in her place” isn’t actually a victory. it feels really, really bad, actually.
they’re in a similar position as they were when they faced yon rha. and now it is zuko’s turn to understand that he is not a storybook hero triumphing over evil, but rather a human being, facing another human being, in a conflict that is larger than themselves. to “put someone in their place” is to imply a logic of domination, of inherent superiority, that someone has stepped out of line and must be reordered neatly into the hierarchy. but aang disputes the notion, ozai’s notion, that humanity can be classified along these lines, that there exists an ontological superiority among some and not others. so operation: putting azula in her place was always going to be flawed, even if she was performing competency the way she always does, because they’re nonetheless subscribing to her logic.
of course they should be helping azula, of course they should be reaching out to abuse victims through support instead of more violence. but first they must recognize her victimhood. first they must come to understand that they didn’t get lucky, and they didn’t dominate her because they are more “powerful,” that they weren’t “putting her in her place.” they must understand that they are not heroes fighting villains in a glorious trial by combat. that the logic of the agni kai is flawed. that they are all victims. that they are all just scared, hurt children who are still grieving their mothers.
1K notes · View notes
fushiglow · 5 months
Note
something that intrigues me is that gojo didn't know that it was someone else using his friend's body because it's something I always have doubts about. 1 Could it be that he didn't really kill geto he let him escape and geto died on the way because as far as I know geto didn't have reverse energy. 2 didn't gojo know that there was a sorcerer called Kenjaku who his technique is to steal the bodies of other sorcerers. 3 Why was he unsure at that moment if he was sure he killed Geto. I appreciate if you answer my questions. thanks.
It simply comes down to the sheer joy and shock of seeing his best friend overriding all logic for a moment. That moment is dragged out for the sake of drama in the anime especially, but it was only fleeting in 'real' time. It seems to me that Gojō comes to his senses pretty quickly (in fact, I think he figures it out faster than anyone else after this moment), although not quickly enough to prevent Kenjaku's plan from coming to fruition.
I don't think there's any question about whether or not Gojō actually managed to kill Getō. He did — but he made a crucial mistake in failing to cremate Getō's body. Like Kenjaku says, it's a moment of sentimentality on Gojō's behalf and it has huge consequences for the world.
I *would* say it's quite easy to forgive Gojō for it, because how could anyone have accounted for the technique of a 1000 year old body-hopping sorcerer? However, considering that Ogami uses a piece of Fushiguro Toji's corpse for her technique in Shibuya, it's safe to assume that there are enough sorcerers with techniques that meddle with corpses to make taking that risk an extremely reckless decision.
As for why he didn't know about Kenjaku, the only person who definitely would have known about Kenjaku's technique is Tengen. It seems like Tengen didn't share that information with Gojō or anyone else — either out of choice or because the sorcerers didn't have any personal contact with Tengen. My assumption is the latter, because when Tengen appears to the 'heroes' at the start of the Culling Game, it's implied that Tengen taking a more active role in events is a new thing, as both Yuki and Kenjaku criticise Tengen's previous passive approach.
This criticism is why I don't believe Tengen is a secret ally of Kenjaku's, as some people think. Although Tengen could have prevented the Culling Game, she simply chose not to act until the very last moment available, at which point it was already too late. In my opinion, the threads woven between Tengen, Kenjaku, and Yuki are some of the most interesting in the whole manga, and I really hope we learn more about Tengen in future chapters!
So, in conclusion, Gojō did kill Getō, but he let his emotions override his logic in two crucial moments during the aftermath, and the consequences of that ricocheted across the entire world. While I perhaps *shouldn't* forgive him for it, I do — because it's proof that this nuclear weapon of a man is human and it's what makes him such a compelling character to me.
Thanks for the questions! ♥
17 notes · View notes
shukakumoodboard · 3 months
Note
hiiii nestie hiiiiiii howzabout. a cheeky 13 and 17 for da asks 😏
Tumblr media
2 and 17 at your command, regent piddle
2. a compelling argument for why your fave would never top or bottom
ok listen here. despite my several fics indicating my contrarian beliefs and switch agendas i must deliver what my urinary liege commands, and thus: ahem. /folds hands
forthwith i decree that gaara would never bottom.
reasoning here is two fold. one, gaara spent his entire adolescence as the forced physical container for a tailed beast. being a permanent and unwilling recipient of another being (shukaku my beloathed) would absolutely leave some trauma re: personal space and body ownership. to be kind of logical, it would make a lot of rational sense that gaara would be really disinterested in having anyone else, in any fashion, within the confines of his body. ergo, no peenbutte
and two! stemming from an entire childhood and life encased in sand armour and never being touched, it’s also fairly reasonable to assume that gaara would be very easily overstimulated by physical contact — not even specifically in a bedroom way, but like. shocked by hand on arm, or brushing in the hallways, etc. getting piped would be wellllllll outside the comfort zone of human contact for a very long time, and might generally have to be a no-go because it’s just too much stimulation and wouldn’t be enjoyable u feel me
17. there should be more of this type of fic/art
ok i know i literally just said that people shouldn’t be demanding specifics and just create it yourself or stfu, but in the interest of answering:
for fic: i think there needs to be more of rock lee’s tboy swag in the world 😤 unrelated, guess what word doc i have open
for art: very specifically i think there should be more gaalee discord msprons courtesy of one(1) bay <3 especially like. the omegaverse fic fanarts. they’re simply so frickgifnign. barbkabrkarbarbabrakrbakbrbarkbarkbBARKABRBAKRBAKBRAKBRKABRABARK
mischief and shenanigans!
7 notes · View notes
train-fans-anonymous · 6 months
Note
Im back with my AU & headcanon crap
So this is a random headcanon I have for Shockwave, one that I've had for a long time but just realized I have literally never mentioned to anyone before. It's not groundbreaking but ya know
So, in most versions of Shockwave he has his gun on his left arm and his only working hand is his right hand. I use Shockwaves IDW backstory in general, so keep that in mind.
I think Shockwave was originally left handed, and he still is even after the frame change. I know that he technically gets claws in the frame change, but that not my main point. I like to think that he was forced to use his non-dominant hand (servo) and is forced to not be able to use his preferred hand.
Maybe the planets government blacklists certain mechs from getting legally and medically approved replacements for the body parts that were changed by force. I don't know to much about the other emrapta victims but I think that if you were in good wealth or knew some people in high places you could get better quality parts.
I think the planets government would blacklist a lot of mechs from a lot of things, not very publicly and not to the lower high class to middle class. The high class are rarely blacklisted, and a lot of them do know in the back of their processor's but don't like to think about it. The people who are lower class or are 'less useful' to the common mech are commonly blacklisted from large frame upgrades or anything that could really help them, megatronus would not be able to get medically safe treatment or practical weaponry while in the pits
Well that was a lot of extra stuff other than my single headcanon I went into this with.
Oh ya sidenote: I'm better at answering questions rather than explaining stuff, so if you want or feeling compelled feel free to ask any questions (related or not) and I can do my thing for it :P
OOOOHHH okay okay love an invitation for questions but let’s start dissecting this, because I heart your worldbuilding
Blacklisting or restrictions on empurata victims
Ooh boy. Okay the implications. It’s sorta like empurata is a permanent shame or black mark on a person’s life. You’re made a breathing, walking example of what happens when you step out of line. And no doctor is going to undo this without it costing a pretty, you don’t even need a special identifier on any legal paper that identifies that it shouldn’t be undone: because you are the identifier. It’s a big risk to try and get it replaced, and I’d imagine most doctors would take one look at you and decide it’s not worth it, whatever you did to have this happen, if they get involved then whoever changed your frame could do the same to them, the risk is too high. ”if you were in good wealth or knew some people in high places you could get better quality parts.” For rich noble folks, it’s probably easier to have the contacts/connections who’d be willing to do this. But even so, empurata is a BIG thing, who knows maybe their entire reputation is ruined. It’s not a simple operation to simply have undone, and it’s really interesting to notice you only mentioned upgrading parts. Do you think any (probably viewed as insane) noblemechs would display their empurata as like a “message”? or propaganda, trying to express their views. Are they shunned by their former friends and followers and do they continue to have the opportunity of luxury AFTER empurata?
Left Handed Shockwave
👀👀
Do you think he experiences phantom pains from his hands like cramping? Or maybe sometimes he’s reach over and knocks something down because he still sometimes “feels” his hand? Is this a point of distress for him? (I know he is portrayed often as emotionless and working based solely on logic, but I like to believe even so he still experiences SOME form of emotion, even if he and everyone else insists otherwise)
More Blacklisting
Even if they were somehow to find someone willing to undergo a large surgery do you think it’d be safe? would there be people who take advantage of this and charge low with high interest rates to trap someone into servitude? (best word I can find 😔 you know what I mean)
Interesting to see that high class mechs would turn a blind eye to this… do you think it is because they wouldn’t want to lose their luxuries? are they afraid of living knowing that if they speak up they can be silenced? or do they simply not care about what’s lower than them?
On the topic of illegal/unsafe modifications. It reminds me a /lot/ of KO’s Japanese toy bios. Where he was a weapons engineer that mentioned any weapons he gave to other were unsafe and to be untrusted. I’d love to hear more about unsafe medical practices, because this is really interesting. They don’t have to give low caste mechs a good surgery, because they aren’t worth much. Additionally,
The idea that a mech’s life is worth nothing if they are lower class, because they contribute nothing to the high class society. They are disposable, replaceable in life. They mean nothing to society. 😭😭
I had a lot of fun with these idea :) thank you for sharing and sorry for taking a. While
16 notes · View notes
astatia-ghast · 1 year
Text
Moments in Time #1: A Divine Analogy
Synopsis: Clockwork explains to Danny why no one can simply fly to the Elsewhereness.
About my Moments in Time series.
------
I've always been fascinated by thoughts of how heaven, hell and purgatory fit into the Danny Phantom universe. I'm also fascinated by questions of how the Ghost Zone works physically. Where does it exist in the cosmos? What is the science behind how someone travels from one dimension to the next?
As I was pondering all this one night, I began to imagine what a conversation between Danny and Clockwork would look like if Clockwork were to explain how to get to the Elsewhereness. What kinds of analogies would he use? Thus, this scene was born.
(As an aside, I'm glad Butch Hartman confirmed the existence of the Elsewhereness. I always assumed that heaven was canon to the show, given Hartman is religious, but it's nice to have confirmation. It gives me something concrete to work with.)
I also imagined another conversation between Danny and Clockwork about how the Ghost Zone works in relation to realms like the Earth, the Elsewhereness, the Unworld, and so on. I'll post that one too if I can get the conversation to sound compelling enough. But for now, I'm just thrilled that this one is making its Tumblr debut!
Without further ado...
------
“...So, how come no one except this ‘Sojourn’ guy has been able to find the Elsewhereness?”
Clockwork smirks; Danny gets the odd sense that he is excited to explain this to him. “You know the story of Genesis, yes?”
Danny nods, though a second later, he brings his hand to the back of his neck and rubs it shyly. “Yeah... I mean, I’ve never been religious, but everyone knows the story of Genesis.”
“That is no matter,” says Clockwork, nodding encouragingly. “What is important is that you know.”
He dives into his analogy with hushed gusto. “Imagine that at the beginning of the Earth, there is a doorway in the Garden of Eden that leads directly to heaven. The first humans can use it to travel between Earth and heaven freely, whenever they want to.
“However, on the day of humanity’s fall, God closes the door and decrees that it shall remain closed forever. In fact, he doesn’t just close it; he destroys it. This doorway will never exist ever again, no matter how hard anyone tries to find it or reopen it. It is closed as completely as if it never existed at all.
“Now, you tell me: if someone born after the fall of man wanted to find this doorway, how would they do it? And before you ask: yes, there is a solution.”
Danny’s eyes bug out a little; he didn’t expect Clockwork to subject him to some impossible logic problem. He gets enough of this nonsense in school. His gaze darts this way and that as he rapidly seeks his bearings. “Um... It’s not prayer, is it?”
“No – though that would certainly help.” Clockwork smiles patiently. “The person in question is irreligious.”
If he were in any setting other than here, in Clockwork’s tower, Danny would have floundered on this until his asker took pity on him and gave him the answer. But as his gaze falls onto Clockwork’s timeless form, a surprisingly practical solution comes to him. “Could they... travel back in time?”
Pride brightens Clockwork’s features, and he nods. Danny is instantly sure that Clockwork already knew he would provide the right answer, so the fact that he was overcome with such pride anyway leaves Danny feeling surprisingly moved.
“Yes!” he exclaims. “No matter how fervently they may try, no human would ever find the doorway to heaven because they can only move forward, further and further from the day it was closed. But if they were to move backward, they would eventually arrive at a time when the doorway is perfectly usable.
“But there’s still a problem with this, isn’t there?” Clockwork beat him to it; Danny was already beginning to shift uncomfortably. “Humans can’t go back in time. So how would they get there?” A sparkle is in his eye as their gazes meet. “How would you get there?”
I would ask you to take me. Danny’s discomfort comes to a head. “You’re not about to tell me you single-handedly take the dead to the Elsewhereness, are you?”
A small, fond chuckle escapes Clockwork, and Danny’s discomfort is relieved. “Ah... If only it were that simple. No, I do not know the way to the Elsewhereness, but you have the right of it – the only way someone can get there is if one of its residents leads them there. Only they know the way. The rest of us are so blind that even if we were to find the path, we would wander off it immediately and not realize our mistake.”
The rest of the tension leaves Danny, making him once again a curious young charge in his mentor’s tower. “But do they actually have to go back in time?”
Clockwork smirks. “I don’t know, but I don’t think so. That is merely an analogy.”
Danny falls silent for a moment as he considers all this. He’d like to know what the path is really like, but something tells him his mind would explode if he tried to make sense of it. Besides, Clockwork appears to be just as stuck on this side of “Elsewhere” as he is. So instead, he asks, “Do you think Sojourn was just a resident of the Elsewhereness this whole time?”
Clockwork leans back, tapping his chin. For the first time, Danny feels like this is a question they’re working out together. “No – or, at least, probably not. Scarce have I gotten wind of what is contained within his writings, but what little I do know seems to suggest that he was no different from us. Just a normal ghost who persevered until the cosmos itself could no longer deny him.”
It’s Danny’s turn to chuckle. “Well, I’m hardly a ‘normal ghost,’ but I get your point.”
------
Clockwork loves making time-related analogies. 😝
Thank you so much for being part of the first Danny Phantom fanfic I've ever posted to Tumblr!
64 notes · View notes
stonegoldsxcrxt · 9 months
Text
ppl argue that Vader is “redeemed”— I guess I can see where they’re coming from, but really I think Vader is forgiven by Luke, and the narrative is kind enough to forgive him too. This is helped, of course, by the prequel storylines and our extensive understanding of Anakin’s character, which is that rarely was Anakin presented with very many choices, and he often chose wrong when he was, sometimes out of anger but mostly out of a very intense love and desire to protect those around him that he cared about. They don’t say that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” for nothing, after all. Luke seems to understand his father at one point thought he was doing what was right, and has the kindness to forgive him, but not absolve him of all crime. The original trilogy, being largely about Luke and generally following Luke’s feelings, offers Vader a lenient sentence for a lifetime of crime. For example, you might expect that if Han was the ‘main character’ you’d be presented with an entirely different point of view. Even Leia at the end of rotj— knowing full well her father is Anakin/Vader and her brother is hosting his funeral pyre— doesn’t seem to care, laughing and enjoying the Ewok party, and she doesn’t have to care. We aren’t mad at Leia for presumably not feeling the same way about her father that Luke does. Thus my argument is that Vader is forgiven by Luke after a selfless act which saves the latter’s life, not washed of all sin and guilt from the narrative. Anakin and Vader are the same person, condemned to death to deal with the sum of his choices, but forgiven by a son who loves him, who he died for.
This is where the sequels fail to convince me I should offer the same treatment to Kylo Ren. In a film trilogy that largely ends up being about him (much to my and many others chagrin), I rarely find myself understanding why he repeated chooses evil. Perhaps in tfa the lines from Leia about snoke whispering to him as a child were meant to imply he’s been being corrupted since birth, but in theory when snoke is killed in tlj, shouldn’t Kylo’s behavior also become altered? As in, he should be able to think more clearly about his decisions? There’s wobbly logic throughout— in tfa Leia says it’s snoke, in tfa Kylo claims his choices are largely motivated by the fact he worships his grandfather, then in tlj the narrative tries to push us to sympathize with him by telling us Luke tried to kill him (at 23, btw— common misconception that the incident happened in his childhood, which it did not).
Arguably, if I were to be led to believe snoke corrupted “Ben”, then the events of tlj— wherein Kylo kills snoke yet remains Kylo instead of reverting to Ben— suggest Kylo actively is choosing evil of his own volition. If I were to believe Kylo is acting out because he idolizes his grandfather, Vader, then Kylo is actively seeking to chose evil of his own volition. If I were to believe Luke attempting to kill “Ben” caused Kylo’s fall, I would still believe Kylo is choosing evil simply to choose evil, seeing as how an attempt on your life is scarring, but not grounds to murder others. Where Anakin’s misguided actions were motivated by fear of those he loves being hurt, Kylo… kind of just seems like he wants to be bad. All of this would be fine, compelling even, as a villain, but outside of tfa, the narrative absolutely refuses to let Kylo be what he wants to be— a villain!
For some reason, starting in tlj, the audience is repeatedly expected to excuse Kylo’s behavior. Sympathizing with an antagonist isn’t always bad, per say, but it generally comes with some sort of buy-in as to why we should care. Absent that, it kind of just seems like the narrative is bending over backwards to forgive a guy who doesn’t really seem to want forgiveness. Mutilating Rey’s character in particular to have her insist there’s good in him when he never hesitates to stalk, physically or emotionally torture, or gaslight her any chance he gets becomes baffling. Unlike Luke with Vader, she really has no reason to care this much about Kylo, or even believed Kylo IS CAPABLE of earning her forgiveness— so the narrative starts spewing more ridiculous premise to try and force a reason for her to forgive him, when he’s done nothing to indicate he WANTS to be forgiven. Though subtle, even Vader visibly has hesitation when confronting Luke— he deals him serious blows, but no where near what we know is the extent of his power. Kylo doesn’t hold back from hurting Rey any chance he gets.
Also bizarrely in comparison to Vader, Kylo is weirdly absolved of his responsibility regarding the devastation the first order has caused and allowed to revert back to “Ben” before actually facing any consequences in terms of story. It comes down to this: he is stabbed, hallucinates his father (who canonically CANNOT be a force ghost— Han in tros is NOT a force ghost, supported by both his lack of glowing blue appearance and the fact that Han doesn’t have the force), hallucinates his father forgiving him and thus forgiving himself via Han’s imagined proxy, then is suddenly Ben again. He has made no choice up to this point which allows us as an audience to understand why he deserves forgiveness from others— just an abrupt 180 in character. It comes off clunky and gauche because it is; Kylo, after a lifetime of choosing evil willingly, using his autonomy to hurt others and gain power for himself, suddenly thinks better of it for no reason. We as the audience are suddenly also expected to do a very quick 180– see! He’s good now! It is no where near as natural as seeing Luke’s journey with Vader because there is no realistic way to interpret the scene; we are forced as the audience to accept this random new “Ben” character as if he’s a different person— an affliction I might also add that doesn’t befall Anakin until he dies, meaning we see a broken Anakin still scarred and wheezing in the Vader suit— again, lasting, permanent effects of his behavior. Where as Kylo is just suddenly “Ben”— new wardrobe, no facial scarring. As if woken from some sort of trance that narratively speaking, if you wanted me to be more compelled, he should have woken from a whole film ago. It’s as if nothing he did as Kylo mattered at all, which is nigh impossible to accept when it involves literal genocide. It’s implied at the end of tlj that he Made. His. Choice. by not only remaining with the first order after snoke is slain but becoming the supreme leader!
In fact it’s the entire opposite of Vader— Vader rises up against his master and chooses to save his son. Kylo rises up against his master and chooses to clench power for himself.
I could only dream of a world where tros was brave enough to allow Kylo what he wants— to be truly corrupted and evil. I could only dream of a world where the sequels explored the impact and importance of that choice, and how to confront an evil that is no longer forgivable
16 notes · View notes
morepopcornplease · 2 years
Note
What do you say to the Christians who tell you to “give your homosexuality up to God”? That He’ll take it away if you love and trust him enough? I’m a side b Catholic. I know that my relationship with God is pretty good (though of course it’ll never be perfect unless I get to Heaven), and I feel like He’s not going to take away my SSA anytime soon, if ever. People keep telling me that they know people who’ve had SSA put God had delivered them from it, and that if I trust Him more that the same will happen with me… I just don’t know how to respond to it. Logically I know that everyone’s spiritual journey is different, but these comments have kinda been getting to me…
Sorry to just dump all of this, but you’re pretty much the only approachable side b person I know and I would appreciate whatever advice you may or may not have.
Hey 🐝 nonnie!!
So I’ve seen and interacted with these folks myself, and have gone through some crises of faith because of them, too! Probably not what they had in mind 😂
Viewing it with charity, I’d like to say Offering it Up To God is in fact the correct response as a queer Christian. However, Side B people do this already, by assenting to the Christian tenets on marriage and sexual acts; it seems they think our offering Cainian, and they have the Able solution.
As such, there are some fundamental theological statements these people are often making when they charge queer folks to simply Pray the Gay Away, ones that they have not considered the full ramifications of:
God has promised to remove all temptations (gluttony, sloth, wrath, greed, pride, envy included) from our lives if we pray hard enough.
Offering up my sexual desires is only necessary for the non-hetero.
Temptation = sin.
One can only be “saved” if one is truly free from all temptation.
It is necessary to be straight to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Objections / Responses:
God has made no such promise. “My yoke is easy and my burden light” (Matthew 1:13) implies that there is still a burden to bear, a yoke to shackle, a cross to carry, to in order to follow Christ. “For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” (2 Corinthians 1:5)
Offering up sexual desires to God is not unique to queer folks. Consider the straight person who struggles with lust/pornography/erotica, the religious who has taken a vow of celibacy, the single person who is not in the confines of marriage, the married person who has desires outside the confines of marriage (or in our own Catholic faith, desires which are non-procreative and dis-unitive). All are required.
The Lord was tempted in the desert, and is still free from sin as True God and True Man. Temptation =/= sin. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)
While my knowledge of Protestant theology of salvific justification is limited, if one is saved by faith and not by works, ie repent and believe to be saved, “by faith the believer has Christ’s righteousness imputed to him or her once and for all and thereby is assured of God’s final favor even though he or she continues to be imperfect.” [source]
See objection the second.
On a personal theological level, I find the theology of atonement, ie the narrative of Christ’s Death and Resurrection, to be a far more coherent and compelling parallel to Side B theology than to Side X theology.
In the Christus Victor theory of Atonement, Christ undergoes death himself as a way to defeat Death, viewed as the ultimate price of the fall of Adam and Eve. There is no defiance of death / triumph of the resurrection without that physical, corporeal death on the cross!
And yet… evil still exists, even after Jesus’ resurrection.
St Paul encourages us:
“[T]o keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
In other words, in order to be perfected, in order to give Christ that ultimate triumph over myself, I think it’s actually good for me to be pierced with this queercoded arrow. (St Sebastian, anyone?).
For God’s power, mercy, and goodness is not revealed through the creation of his perfect angels, but in the weakness of man being made perfect through Him.
211 notes · View notes