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sugar-grigri · 5 months

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What would happen if we killed death ?

Here we are, Chapter 150, so let's not waste any more time and get straight to the analysis.

This chapter is rich, incredibly rich, both in what it says and in the way it is presented. This time I'm going to tackle the visuals directly in the first part of the chapter.

As you've probably gathered by now, this chapter deals with the evolution of Denji's dream, as the title clearly indicates.

What's interesting is to see how it plays out visually. The alleyway is a visual element that has been used several times by Fujimoto to signify a period in Denji's life, his childhood.

It metaphorically represents not only an unhappy childhood and loneliness, but also the gap between a needy child ignored by society. Worse still, he is excluded. When Denji emancipates himself, the focus is on passers-by, on others. As Denji symbolically leaves the alleyway, he realises that he is now part of society. His dream of a normal life should be understood as a desire to live in a community, among others, and to make friends with them.

In other words, getting out of the alley is Denji's lifelong dream, the key to his self-fulfilment and to a certain path forward.

It's a metaphor that Fujimoto loves once again. In this illustration, for example, Aki and Power are heading towards the light while Denji is still in the shadows. Bathed in light, Aki and Power represent both a key to Denji's happiness and fulfilment, just as the light represents the end of a journey: their destiny, the end of their own lives.

This illustration is extraordinary because Denji's gaze is fixed backwards, towards the alleyway, focusing on his flaws and his past. He is unaware, because he is not looking at them, that the key to his fulfilment has already been found, that he is in the process of leaving the alleyway. What's more, even if this means the end of Power and Aki's existence, they are serene, as if they know that happiness, even without them, will await Denji.

That's my first comment, so let's move on to what's happening in terms of action and dialogue.

Nayuta focuses on ordinary life, which helps Denji realise that he has reached it. It may seem odd that Denji is only just realising this now, but he is someone who operates by the senses. Moving away from the alley visually helps him realise his emancipation, as does seeing these ordinary people.

But above all, if Denji didn't entirely realise it, it's also because he wasn't happy in this ordinary life, as the last arc showed. Torn by the fact that he was no longer Chainsaw Man, Denji didn't realise that he was ordinary because he thought that was what would make him happy, and as he wasn't, he didn't think that his dream had been achieved for some time. It may sound complex, but once again it makes a lot of sense when you realise that Denji is someone who functions by sensation.

But it's even more subtle than that: Denji had realised that he was getting closer to his dream, but that wasn't why he allowed himself to dream about something else. And that's precisely where the power of this chapter lies: it's by starting to dream of something else that he reconnects with his identity, because the contract between him and Pochita is the pursuit of a dream. In other words, Denji was not only Chainsaw Man to protect Nayuta from the public hunters, he was no longer Chainsaw Man because he no longer allowed himself to dream. Until then, Chainnaw Man was an empty shell.

When Denji says he wants to become Chainsaw Man, he means he now wants to dream.

We come to the figure of the raven crushed by Denji as he runs: what does it mean?

One possible interpretation is that we don't know. I'm not saying this to clear my name, but because I think that's its real symbolism. In the West, the raven is generally a sign of bad omens, whereas in other cultures, such as Japanese or Celtic, the raven is the symbol of a god, the sun in Japan. Even if we could associate the raven with the metaphor of light coming out of the alleyway, the fact remains that it is not an animal that is appreciated or venerated in Japan, notably for the fact that it is a vulture that picks through rubbish.

It's this ambiguity that the raven represents, something that can't be pinned down. It's interesting, because by trampling on it, Denji turns to another dream, is it a good omen or a bad one? No one knows whether claiming to be Chainsaw Man will help Denji find happiness.

That would be one possible interpretation. But for the sake of completeness, there is one last one.

When I say that symbolism is hard to establish, it's only when I refute an obvious one. Let me explain: whether it's Bucky and his death, Yoru and Asa's death, the birds and Yuko being killed by Fake!CSM, and finally that raven. It's obvious that not only the raven but the bird in general represents death but also the end of a period, an era, a cycle.

Not only do the birds mark the end of one cycle, they also signal the beginning of a new one. Bucky's death opens Part 2, Yoru marks the beginning of Asa's second life, and Yuko's death ushers in the arrival of the most mysterious character in Part 2: Fake!CSM. The Raven marks the beginning of a new dream.

I think we need to be more subtle in this analysis and see it through to the end. Asa and Denji both do the same thing, they either crush birds or they give death to death.

It seems impossible but just as the bird that is supposed to fly in the skies is rarely found under our feet to be crushed. Asa and Denji are the two champions, the two candidates to prevent Death, and little by little the birds mark the cogs in a mechanism that is being put in place: the confrontation with Death.

My various interpretations can add up, and when they do, they lead to one question: when we give death to death, what happens? Is it necessarily a bad thing ?

The fact that the birds symbolise a link with death is correlated with the fact that Denji loses his family and his dogs when his flat burns down. The destruction of his home represents the erasure of Denji's landmarks, what he had built up, returning to the cause of departure, since we are at the beginning of a new era, a new cycle.

The relationship with death is correlated by Barem, who not only intends to fight it but also sees it as a common denominator for all species.

I love the play on words that the flamethrower hybrid introduces: "I figure killing Asa wouldn't fire you up that much", it really supports Barem's desire to arouse Denji and get him to react.

But all that aside, there are other things to relate. Not least with our other protagonist: Asa.

To return to the metaphor of the alley, visually and symbolically, she's the one who joined Denji in the alley. She's not just a symbol of Denji's step towards others, but also a symbol of others' step towards him.

Fujimoto encourages us to reread the chapters using the key vectors of the dog and the cat.

This line is the centrepiece.

Not only does Barem support the death once again of Denji's family, his dogs and his cat, but it's much more subtle than that. They are the key to a love that is not only universal, but also the key to Asa and Denji's happiness, and to their ability to bond with other species. When Denji wanted to save Asa from the falling devil, he told her straight away to think of cats and dogs.

They are also a symbol of progress, Asa bonding with her cat after the death of her mother, while Denji bonds with Pochita after the death of his father.

They are also what unites the two protagonists of Chainsaw Man: a cat with Asa and a dog with Denji. Just as Fujimoto likes to emphasise the influence they have on each other, whether it's Asa who places Denji between the criminal and the cat or how Yoru will behave like a dog because of Nayuta.

So what does Barem's line clearly mean? What I find incredible is that every time Barem tries to put Denji against the wall, he always unconsciously provides an element of the answer.

At their first meeting in chapter 140: Barem tries to present Denji with a dilemma. Asa Mitaka or Chainsaw Man? The answer is unconsciously found in the two fingers he plunges into Denji's nose: both.

Here again, Barem thinks he has Denji pegged, it's not Asa that matters to him but his dogs and cat. But note the plural, Denji only has one cat, Meowy. Now we make the connection: Asa represents the cat. She's also important to Denji.

If you're not convinced by Barem's unconscious response, then here again you can see a parasitic gesture in the fact that he knocks Denji down. Who else always falls at the wrong time? Who fell when their family was also dying? Well, yes. Barem's only point here is that even if Asa and Denji don't know each other very well, they don't really need to, given their similarities.

Once again, Barem thinks he's cornering Denji when he doesn't realise that he's just included Asa in what he's saying. Once again this is symbolic writing, with elements of foreshadowing and denouement of the characters subtly placed in Barem's lines. Barem likes to make prophetic announcements, as he is also a believer, but his message escapes him because he is not aware of the work in which he finds himself.

But that doesn't help us to understand what happens when we kill death ?

The characters can't guess at the omens that lie ahead. Just as their own message eludes them.

The only thing we know for sure that these birds are announcing is the end of an era and a new era.

The answer is so obvious that it escapes us. We have seen the resemblance between these two protagonists, their families, their losses, the destruction of their homes, their landmarks. We could say that this would be mourning.

But moving on despite the end of all these cycles, without knowing what lies ahead. Isn't that just growing up?

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juno-of-wonderland · 1 year

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Mc/reader is a saber tooth tiger

That was surprising, everyone thought, hadn't this kind of beast man ceased to exist?

mc/reader is a boy because this is an all boys school!

Leona Kingscholar

- this lion would feel threatened at first, but as long as you don't do anything, he won't even care about your existence

- but always hearing about you no matter where you go is a nuisance

- even more so when he hears that you wanted to take his place

- what he expects, he even teases you a little, but nothing happens and that leaves him confused

- it's interesting to see its slightly larger fangs sticking out of its mouth

- u are warm and "cute", i.e. a great nap place, this is when he finally has something positive about you

- he will kidnap you for this

-seeing you strength is extraordinary

- he doesn't know what to do with you temperature problem, he lets others (or yourself) find a way to cool off

- he would think about getting a transformation potion to see what a saber-toothed tiger is really like

- there comes a point where he adopts you as a lion and now you are being introduced to the royal family

- if they offend his sunshine boy, they offend him

- they better be prepared

Ruggie Bucchi

- this one would be surprised and let it go at the beginning

- but when you start to make small stumbles because of the weather situation, he thinks "hmmm favors shyheehee"

- when he found out that you don't have to owe him to help him, he's more than grateful

- just like him, you learned that food is important and should always be shared, so many meals together

- he likes that you have a small tail like a bear

- a friend who is helpful, companion, strong and who gets you out of threatening situations (even if Ruggie is able to defend himself) is like winning the lottery!

- He is also curious to see his animal form but that would be it

- if they offend your boy , they offend him

- their life is ruined

Jack Howl

- doesn't care about you or others gossiping about, but it means he's not curious

- if you don't take the initiative or some event happens like a school project, he won't talk to you

- a very good conversation

- you and Jack will go to the gym together because yes

- he totally understands what you go through, after all he also comes from a cold region

- can count on each other

- he likes that you don't take advantage of your rarity or strength to impress others, you're just yourself

- it would take a while, but I would show you your cacti, the praise understood! these plants are very well cared for

- would defend your honor without thinking twice and you would do the same for him

bonus:

Floyd: eh~ so you're the one they're talking about, look at those teeth *he grabs your teeth*

Jade: Floyd

*you open your mouth wider showing your row of prey, Floyd does the same and you guys laugh*

Floyd: Is it true that you are super strong?

*you crouch down, leaving the twins confused, right after that you are lifting Floyd in your arms and running away, you have a giggling eel in your arms*

Jade:...at least he's having fun

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nexility-sims · 3 months

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𝐍𝐎. 𝟐 ❛ 𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 ❜ | NAKAWE, EARLY MARCH 1991

❧ 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 / 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 / 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭.

❛ News about the royal family filled broadcasts throughout the day as cheerful early birds, irreverent talk show hosts, and straight journalists alike seized on recent developments. Nothing was too trivial or unremarkable. With the quiet of death and mourning over, the messy aftermath presented opportunity—for ratings, among other things.

❧ ahhh !!! ngl, i'm very proud of this, and i think that it's an improvement on the last television montage. happy to report that there will be more :^) big grateful shoutout to @madebysimblr for the two hosts i lightly edited and renamed ! also shoutout to tom noguchi’s book for the direct inspiration djdhjf

𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭 ↓

TRANSCRIPT:

morning news

[J] That bird risked everything to put out the fire! Inspiring.

[E] It’s the Morning in Nakawe promise—wholesome coverage to start your day, every day.

[E] Now, as you know, it’s been several weeks since Princess Safya’s tragic death. It looks like her family is finally getting back to normal. We got a glimpse of some beach outings this week.

[E] Safe to say Abelina has quickly stolen hearts nationwide.

[J] Everything we’ve seen suggests she’s a sweetheart.

[E] And there she is enjoying some fun in the sun with her father. I think we’re all excited to see more of this little family—especially with two new members on the way.

[J] First Reyes twins in recent memory!

[J] Princess Leonor also took to the beach in Nakawe, although she spent her time reading instead of swimming. I bet booksellers are going to see that one flying off the shelves this week.

[E] I’ll admit that I already bought my copy! That’s Ogechi Suzu’s 1987 magical realism bestseller Learning to Fly. No spoilers, but it’s about a woman who can suddenly transform into a parrot.

[J] That’s a classic story, isn’t it? What’s Suzu’s take?

[E] A Nakawe city girl has to crisscross all of Uspana to find herself. There’s love and computers. It’s a modern update.

daytime talk

[F] Okay, we’re back! We couldn’t get a Reyes on our little broadcast, so Mencia Cipac’s here to discuss where we are post-Princess Safya. Mencia was a palace correspondent for years, and she published a fabulous book on royal childhood last fall. Today’s person of interest is a big girl now, but—well, is she really?

[F] Safya’s baby. That’s how we know her. Who is she now?

[M] That’s the question. In my book, I thought I had an answer. We’re going to watch a young person invent herself in real time—all while dealing with such extraordinary events. The premature death of a parent. Losing a role that was, by all accounts, her nascent identity.

[F] In public! Publicly.

[M] That’s right. The scrutiny and attention ... We know how hard it is. Going from a little girl to a young woman is always hard. In the public eye, even under normal circumstances, it’s absurd. In our modern history, this turn of events is unprecedented.

[F] To think, we really haven’t even known who she is.

[M] We never really know, but we make great educated guesses. We’ve see her through the prism of her role, particularly this past year. That isn’t unusual for royalty, here or elsewhere. A hard worker. Our queen’s “little shadow.” That just won’t be true anymore. I mean, we know—we’ve guessed—how Queen Beatriz is.

{Audience murmurs}

[M] So, where does that leave her? It is hard to predict. I wonder if she’ll continue to work in a similar fashion—become a loyal worker for the institution like Martin, perhaps.

[F] Oh, I hope not! Can you imagine? How dull! A beautiful girl. She’s so young. She should do something interesting—for me, because I want to see it. Someone get her on the line!

{Audience laughs}

[M] The recent surveys suggest that’s how many Uspanians feel. They sympathize, but they crave newness and excitement. Our public figures let us live vicariously, don’t they? Leonor’s generation is lagging—all children, of course, all off-limits. That means she’s the lighting rod for that collective anticipation.

[F] She was at the beach here in Nakawe the other day. The gossip is some surfers out there were chatting her up. You’ve seen those boys! She deserves the attention but, oh, so do I—!

{Crowd cheers}

[M] The talk has shifted immensely, hasn’t it? We thought there would be a wedding in a year or two, and now it’s all up in the air.

[F] Who cares about that nobody, really? The whole thing was so sweet it made my teeth hurt. Give us someone new. Someones, even.

[M] To people in my profession, the coming weeks are going to be significant. Whether she’s working as we expect or occupied some other way, her public life will be different. Romance is part of that, sure.

[F] A young girl needs it. Us old ones, too. Maybe a self esteem boost will help her out of this funk. It’s depressing, frankly, how bad she looks in those photos we’ve seen lately.

{Audience murmurs}

[F] Hey! She looks great, though! The baby fat is melting away. That mourning diet did wonders, wow. She always looked like her mother—the body, too, you know. Blessing and a curse.

[M] There’s some resemblance to her father, too.

{Audience grumbles}

[F] Jail! Legal won’t let me talk, but: right, ladies?

{Audience murmuring, interspersed clapping}

[F] Anyway, she has his coloring, yes. The darker skin—which, you know, is a shame since her mother had a very pretty complexion. Brighteners? Sunscreen? Maybe we could have a segment on good products. Bring in a dermatologist or two?

{Audience applauds}

evening news

[B] Alright, last update before the hour ends.

[R] That’s right. The Office of the Crown has given a timeline and some details on the transition. First, Princess Safya’s three children will be retaining their titles—that’s “princes” and “princess.”

[B] Courtesy, most likely.

[R] There was no explanation, but our colleagues over at Palace Affairs seem to believe so. Arnaut, meanwhile, is officially the Crown Prince of Uspana, per the same memorandum released today.

[B] That’s a big deal. I mean, we are looking at the future head of state. People my age associate him with, well, velvet and gambling. He’ll lead the nation in time. In your lifetime, if not mine.

[R] Well, Bernardo, the reality is that does concern some.

[B] It remains to be seen whether that’s fair. The coming months are going to be quite the test for him.

[R] You’ll recall better than me that he was tested in the 1970s and still hasn’t recovered—according to this month’s polls, anyway.

[B] Uspanians may not want to give him a chance, but he’ll be addressing the Assembly to formally accept the role all the same.

[R] And we’ll be reporting as it happens later this week. For now, that’s it for us. UBC Nightly News with Inti Rivera starts now.

nightly news

[R] Yesterday afternoon, Crown aides joined the chief medical examiner involved in the investigation of Princess Safya’s death for a press conference. Some reporters’ questions revealed the influence of rumor on what Uspana’s public now wants to know.

[R1] My understanding is that the Crown has not accepted the investigation’s conclusions. Can you confirm?

[A1] Incorrect. The Crown is uninvolved. Dr. Siodina issued a ruling, and the family asked questions strictly as surviving loved ones.

[R2] Did intoxication play a role in what happened?

[S] It isn’t my opinion that it led to her being in the water. It did contribute to the drowning itself.

[R3] Why did she leave the yacht?

[S] That’s a question with a psychological answer rather than a forensic one, I think.

{Reporters murmur}

[R4] Did an altercation with her husband, Lord Rodrigo, occur that night that would have caused her to leave?

[S] Um .... A moment, please.

{Reporters resume murmuring}

[A2] {whispering} Officially, yes, they argued.

[S] There was a disagreement, yes.

[A2] {whispering} No violence.

[S] It was, however, entirely civil.

{Reporters, clamoring}

[R] Following what some are now calling a, quote, “unmitigated disaster,” the Crown announced that it plans to conduct its own formal but unofficial inquiry into the accident as well as the investigation itself. In a twist, sources suggest this plan could have been in the works prior to the conference. This is a developing story.

#ts4 story #sims story #sims 4 story #royal sims #simblr #ts4 legacy #1992.story.post #1992.a1 #1992.e03

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preciouslittletoonette · 5 months

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I was just thinking about the Wish concept art and the whole worry of "Star being too similar/compared a lot to Genie". I was thinking about all the different ways they could've or even would've like, lessen the comparisons by just changing certain things.

Genie is a zany, verbally loud, fast-talking comedian type wish granter who can immediately summon things with a snap and a point of his finger. He's a cosmically powerful being bound to certain rules and the whims of his master (at least in the first film) along with the restraints the lamp has on him that only allows him to grant three wishes per master. This is the basic layer of what and who Genie is, this is what the least invested audience member would notice.

So with all of this in mind, we can now use this to both deconstruct and reconstruct Star as a character.

Starting with the established thing: Star is verbally mute, that already removes the verbally loud, fast-talking comedian edge Genie is known for. I can even push it and say on a surface level, that's a stark enough of a difference, seeing as Genie's draw was that he was such a zany fast-talker voiced by Robin Williams (RIP King). But I want to go all the way in so I will.

Now for their powers and wish-granting abilities.

Both Star and Genie should be/are cosmically powerful. They are both beings that grant wishes after all. That'll always be something they share as characters. So how do you make it different from each other?

I have a few things in mind. The biggest thing being: what are the limits of their abilities? How do their wish granting powers manifest? What is their attitude and general behavior like when they use magic?

I already mentioned Genie's limits above. I'll get to Star's soon but that's gonna be an entire talk I want to leave for later. For now, I will talk about how do their wish granting powers manifest.

When Genie grants wishes, it's a very instantaneous BOOM in your face kind of deal. He does things dramatically with comedic flair.

I think to make Star different from that, you can draw inspiration from another Disney wish granter that I'm really surprised Disney didn't do more to reference her or the movie she's from: the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio.

So the way Blue Fairy grants wishes for those who haven't seen Pinocchio in forever or haven't seen it at all: the Blue Fairy- rather than instantaneously granting your wish as Genie would- would give you the means and path towards your wish coming true, but in order for your wish to really come true, you yourself gotta have that drive, put in the effort and work towards your wish.

That's how Star's wish magic should work. While, he could still grant impossible, extraordinary wishes like make animals talk and give plants sentience, yeah. But I think it would be interesting along with being meaningful to see Star set up a path for someone's wish to come true. It could spark a small discussion between him and Asha about wishes and how one is to truly go about them. Star gets into the real truth of what his powers are like that basically comes down to:

"My powers will only go as far as the wish maker themselves are willing to go"

Which now brings us to what is Star's limit? Genie is limited by rules of the lamp and the whims of his master. Star has no such thing as he is a free being. He owes no one anything and he's bound to nothing, leaving him with no rules other than the ones he himself placed on himself. So, he's got to be possibly very powerful. And he probably could grant everyone's desires. But he won't/can't. Why?

Because it's your wish. And Star can only go as far as you yourself are willing to go. This isn't a meet half way type of thing either.

This is a "we are travelling to your destination TOGETHER. We are both gonna work on this TOGETHER. You are gonna put the work in from start to finish and I am going to help you get there no matter how long it takes or how much we'll lose along the way".

Because THIS is what classic Disney movies are about!!! THIS IS HOW WISHES WORKED IN THE CLASSIC MOVIES. YOU DIDN'T JUST WISH UPON A STAR AND YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE, YOU HAD TO GO ON JOURNEYS, PUT IN EFFORT AND MAKE SACRIFICES.

Star would be willing to go the mile to make your wish come true, but you got to be the one to lead him there.

Now for the more fun bit that'll lean in more to what Star's personality might be like. Their behavior as they do magic.

Genie is explosive in such a way that he is constantly buzzing with pent up energy that came from years of imprisonment and isolation and his magic reflects that. It is fast and wild and funny to watch.

I like to think Star's is a more relaxed, ethereal version of that. Not so ethereal, you would think of Blue Fairy when you see it though. But Star's magic gets released in a sparkly, dusty way (like pixie dust almost) as opposed to Genie's zap and puff of smoke.

Another way to differentiate Star from Genie, I think Star's gotta have lower energy than what Genie has. Genie's energy comes from years of imprisonment that bubbled and finally exploded once released. Star, I don't think would have that. Star is a star, it is very likely he could see what was happening in the world below but not really be able to interact with humans. Once he gets down to Rosas, he wants to see and touch everything. He's quietly curious with a child-like spark to him, who keeps dusting his magic with something to see what would happen.

Now for Star's shape-shifting, I think comparisons are more likely to happen with characters like Maui or Camilo because they're more recent. I think this one stands fine alone.

One lil detail I would add to Star is in regards as to how he flies. I've always been in love with how Disney went about Peter Pan flying. Sometimes when Peter lands, he does little pirouette spins which are so so so charming. And just in general, sometimes there's something oddly graceful about how Peter flies that I think would work super well for Star.

So this is my conclusion as to how to mitigate the Star & Genie comparisons by just changing bits of pieces of the surface level traits of him a little.

So Genie is as what I said above: a zany, verbally loud, fast-talking comedian type, shape-shifting wish granter who can immediately summon things with a snap and a point of his finger. He's a cosmically powerful being bound to certain rules and the whims of his master (at least in the first film) along with the restraints the lamp has on him that only allows him to grant three wishes per master.

Whereas Star would be: a verbally mute, gentle & curious type wish granter with a very relaxed, dreamy kind of magic meant to reflect his daydreamer tendencies. Star is a free cosmically powerful being with no limits to what his magic can do, with his only condition for his wish granting magic being that the wish maker themself must meet him from start to finish and put forth the effort and drive in order to make the wish come true with the help he has/will provide.

And those are my thoughts :)

#wish 2023 #disney wish #wish #the star #disney wish star #star boy #long post #wish star

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theroundbartable · 3 months

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What do you think are Merlin and Arthur’s greatest personality strengths and weaknesses? Why? What do you love about their dynamic?

OOoh... interesting question.

Arthur Pendragon:

Arthur's positive traits, his strengths, are also his weaknesses. He questions everything. He tries to see the good in people and tries to do right by them. It is kind of why he's such a resetting character. Because every time he reaches out to something, like magic, he gets proven otherwise. Yet, he can't NOT question it. He's trusting and forgiving and yet, he's the character who has most often been deceived, lied to and actively betrayed. In a strange way, this behavior makes him extraordinary. He has trust issues, in the end, but he still offers his trust to his knights and especially to Merlin. In a way, he tends to overlook the bad things people did because he values their positive traits more (like with Agravaine).

And of course, he cares more about his kingdom than himself. His kingdom is even more important to him than his father or any of the people who's love he craves.

Other weaknesses of his are obviously that he can't do basic stuff like brush his hair or cook. And I'm pretty sure he's somehow cursed that all these magic events happen around him.

Another is his self worth. He sees worth in everyone else but never in himself. His life is important only to protect Camelot. His life belongs to his people and he really does believe that. It's not that he thinks he's worthless, it's that he misinterprets it and lives as a breathing sacrifice.

Merlin:

Merlin's strength is his confidence and his faith. From the moment we first see him, he's able to face one of the most powerful people in the world and not back down, even though he knows he has to hide his magic.

He is brave and selfless. In the sense that he doesn't care about his own feelings and life as much as about others, especially Arthur. And of course, he hates conflict.

Merlin is NOT trusting. Not the way Arthur is. Merlin trusts people he has seen do good in action. He does NOT trust people he doesn't know, and in some cases, even his friends. Best example for this part is Lancelot's shade, whom Merlin almost immediately suspected. I think, in a way, he seems more naive and trusting to us because for us this is fiction and just a show. But to Merlin, it is significant that some stuck up noble saves his life without question, or that someone is willing to keep his magic secret for Merlin's sake, or that the dragon helps him find his purpose and helps him to better Camelot. That is why Merlin's trust is RELIABLE, while Arthur's is not. And that is why Arthur trusts Merlin's instincts. I think Arthur knows that Merlin has a better hunch for people's true intentions than he does. It is just that after a while, he thinks he's learned from previous mistakes and he doesn't want to be so bad at it, when HE'S the one who should know, after being betrayed so many times, while Merlin is JUST a servant with no such history (that he knows of).

Their dynamic:

How could I start this part other than with 'they are two sides of the same coin'. And I think it's really fucked up because imagine a coin with a person on each side. They would NEVER be able to ever fully see each other.

Imagine that. I think, Arthur's side is the one with the number on it that tells him exactly what his worth is, where he's supposed to be, supposed to go, what he can be exchanged for.

On the other side is Merlin who is the side that talks about where he's from, what his traditions are, etc.

Merlin has to learn his self worth through the storyline, Arthur needs to learn the traditions and where he is from and what he is truly fighting for. That's kind of why I love the metaphor.

It also means that Arthur can never truly know who Merlin is unless Merlin tells him. Can't know magic, can't know his own background and the circumstances of his birth.

And Merlin can never truly see how important he is to the kingdom. He only knows he's tied to Arthur and that SOMEDAY it will be better. That he's already reached his destiny doesn't even occurr to him.

It makes me wonder what it means when Arthur dies, in relation to this metaphor. Is the side blank now? Has the coin simply been flipped and now Merlin is at the front? What does it mean???

Anyway. What else I love about their dynamic is how intimate it is. I'll say it as I always do, I think Gwen is the better queen and makes more sense to marry Arthur since they both see only the future of the kingdom. But that is the point. Their relationship is public and a symbol of peace. Merlin's and Arthur's shared destiny is always private, always hidden behind layers of lies. Even when they finally share their true feelings, it remains intimate and private. When they are together, they are focused on themselves and their soulbond.

Where Gwen and Arthur discuss the future of the kingdom and what to do with their people, Merlin is personal reassurance for Arthur.

Here are two example scenes that shall make this more clear.

In the episode where Arthur is meant to marry Elena, he asks Merlin what he thinks about the arranged marriage. And Merlin goes on a rant to tell Arthur that his feelings matter. That being emotionally available, by choosing himself and who he loves, he WILL be a better king. In Merlin's rant, Arthur's happiness comes fist. The kingdom, second. Even though they are clearly interconnected.

Arthur had a conversation with Gwen about the marriage beforehand and Gwen accepted his responsibility to marry for the better of the kingdom, putting CAMELOT first. While promising him that he can be happy with his wife too. Even if she's not what he wants at first, he can grow to love her.

Neither of those are bad things. As I said before, Arwen makes sense and MORE sense for the kingdom. But Arthur and Merlin are more private and intimate and basically soulmates. Romance aside, this is what I think makes their dynamic so fascinating to me. It is friendship, a deep emotional bond that often times goes beyond normal friendship. (Not necessarily romantic, but definitely deeper than best friends.)

There is more I love but I don't want to spam the tumblr. Lol. Thank you for the question, anon :)

#bbc merlin #merlin #merthur #merlin bbc #faq #ask #answer

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geraltofriviacollection · 10 months

Text

Chapter Seven

Paring: Geralt x Reader

Summary: Reader is thrown into the Witcher’s world. Will she survive?

A/N: I have not edited or proofread. Please do not repost, translate or copy my work without permission. Please leave comments! ❤️ “Absolutely not!” I almost shouted at Vesemir. I can see the slight glow on my skin at his suggestion.

“We have a chance to do something extraordinary. Do you know how long it has been since we had a new witcher? This could change everything with Ciri’s help.”

“How long exactly have you two been hatching up this plan? Hmm? There is something wrong with this and both of you know it. On a moral level to mutate children and not even have most survive the process is wrong. You are fucked in the head if you think I will let Ciri be a part of this.” I snarl at Vesemir. The room is getting warmer the longer this conversation goes.

“It's Ciri's choice if she wants to be a part of this.” Vesemir volleys back. I try to breathe as my vision goes red at his words. It takes a full minute before I am able to respond.

“I will be damned before I let you sacrifice more children to the cause.Tell me did you think how Geralt was going to feel at this news? I may not like it but you can bet all the rats in the keep that he’ll fucking hate it.” The tension in the room is thick as it settles in Geralt's opinion about all of this.

“Geralt will see the reason of this.” Vesemir says, but lacks a good amount of certainty.

“Fine!” I shout. “You will not do a single thing until Geralt has returned.” I tell him.

“Lass, I don’t think-”

“That was not a question, suggestion or comment. Vesemir, nothing will be done about this until he’s come home.” I grit out.

“I can make my own decisions.” I turn around to see Ciri standing in the doorway looking at us. “I don’t need your approval or Geralts to help them.” She says coming further into the room.

“Ciri, this is bigger than you-” I start but she cuts me off and turns to Vesemir.

“How can I help?” She asks, cutting me out of this completely.

“Have you ever heard of feainnewedd?” He asked her. “It’s an ancient flower that only glows in one place. Where elder blood is spilled.” He explains showing her the flower. She moves and goes to inspect the flower.

“These have been sprouting all over the training course, where I’ve bled” Shw whispers mostly to herself. “My grandmother..she hated the elves.” She says looking at all of us. I look over to Triss who is annoyingly quiet right now standing there simply reading Ciri’s reaction to this. Fucking interesting time for her mouth to be shut all of a sudden.

“Sometimes our deepest hate is for the things we can not change about ourselves.” Vesemir says. If I wasn’t so mad I might have enjoyed his imparting words of wisdom. Ciri sighs and moves to sit on the steps processing all of this. “Something bad is brewing out there. With a vial of your blood we could protect generations to come.”

“How are you so sure it will work?” She looks up at him.

“I’m not.” He plainly says.

“I’ll do it. On one condition. You have to test it on me first.” She says.

“Alright! That’s enough.I have entertained this for just about as much as my temper will allow. No one is testing anything. If we did you can be damn sure you would not be first in line for the weird juju kool aid.” I exclaim looking at Ciri.

“You aren’t my mother. I can décide my own fate.” She says not looking at me. A sharp painful flash runs through my body at her words. True her words may be but less painful they are not.

“You’re right. I’m not your mother but that does not mean that I don’t love you any less than if I was. “ I told her. “Have you thought about Geralt? Hmm? Why do you feel the need to push yourself to the edge?” I nearly shout.

“Because I am sick of being lost! Everything that I was told my whole life was a lie! And the people I love most in the world were taken from me before I could find out the truth. This might help me find a new truth.”

“Then let us help you find your way. I can’t change the past but I can help you or at the very least we can be lost together.”

“Maybe there is another way to find out where your powers came from.” I turn to see Triss standing in the doorway. Ciri’s eyes move from me to her.

“What do you mean? Like what you did with the myriapod?” Ciri asks her.

“Less scientific than what we did there. It’s called a dol dusza. The best translation of it is Valley of the Soul. It allows me to enter the deepest layer of your consciousness and allows me to uncover things that may be hidden there. Genetic memories that tell the story of who you really are. Where you come from.” Tris finishes explaining.

“Is this dangerous?” I ask Triss.

“No. It just requires that ciri and I trust each other.” I look over to Ciri and she looks at me. I nod my head in encouragement.

“All right then. I’ll do it.” Ciri tells her.

Vesemir and I cleared the table for Ciri to lay down on. Triss hops up to sit and Ciri places her head in Triss’s lap. I walk and place my hand on Ciri’s arm and she offers a small smile at me in acknowledgment. They begin with Ciri taking deep breaths and I watch as her body relaxes with every breath. Triss begins to chant in Elder the next thing I know we are all in a tavern of sorts with different people talking.

“Ciri” I called out to her. She looks around as if she hears my voice. She turns around but looks right through me. I reach out a hand but it goes right through her like a mist. “Triss!” I called out. Tris never turns.

“Can you hear that?” Ciri asks Tris looking around trying to find the source calling for her..

Neither Tris or Ciri can see me, it seems.

Ciri sees the black knight and starts to hyperventilate. Triss manages to calm her by pulling Ciri to her. Children laugh while playing a game of knuckle bones. Ciri sees her mother sitting beautifully in a green dress.

“Would you like a story?” Pavetta Ciri’s mother asks, looking over at Ciri and Triss before looking at me with a smile.

“You can see us?” Says Triss.

“What’s wrong?” Ciri asks, looking at Triss.

“This isn’t how it’s supposed to work.” Tris says with a frightened look on her face. Memories start to speak to Ciri. Looking around a dark hall opens up in front of us. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to work at all.” Tris says as I follow behind them. Low murmuring of voices ensues.

Doors open and Ciri’s parents are speaking about Ciri. Little baby Ciri

“They would kill her if they knew.” Dad

“It’s a prophecy. Maybe it’s not true.’ Pavetta says stroking a small baby Ciri as she plays on the bed

“It doesn’t matter if it’s true, it only matters if the people believe it. And they will.” Man says, looking at his wife and daughter. He comes around the bed and strokes Pavetta’ s hand. “The boat’s ready. We can leave under the cover of darkness.” Pavetta nods once and looks back down at a small Ciri.

“This is it. This is the night that my parents died.” Ciri says softly. Pavetta turns and looks straight at Ciri. Triss gasps and tries to pull Ciri away. We all leave and an ominous voice calls out asking “What are you child? ……Cirilla.” It calls to her. The voices around us continue to whisper Ciri’s name.

A bright little suddenly appears before us. I see Ciri walk towards it as if in a trance. The space begins to change as feainnewedd blooms litter the ground as we enter into a forest. The sounds of a baby's cry can be heard in the distance at the lighting strings brightening the fog around us. We walk in the direction of the cry’s and the sound of humming begins to get louder.

A woman with pair hair like Ciri’s sits at the bottom of a tree humming to her crying child. The woman begins to tell the story of an elven warrior who was made to kill the human invader. As she tells the story she winces in pain, only then do we see the blood on her hands. Triss goes to the woman to help with her wound when the woman sets her child down and grabs triss by the throat. Triss calls out for Ciri as her feet dangle off the ground. I try to pull tris from her grip but my hands slide through Triss like I’m a ghost.

“You can not help us.” The woman calls out with many voices. “Child of elder blood, Child of wrath. The time of contempt is nigh. The world will die amidst frost and reborn of the new sun.Reborn of elder blood, of the seed that has been sown. A seed that will not sprout, but will burst into flame.” Her head turns back to Triss and begins to squeeze her again. I move to Ciri and try to shake her but all that I manage is a light push before my hands go through Ciri too.

Seven figures on horses come through the sky on horses and earth worldly voices cry out around us. I look back around trying to find something to stop this. I turn back to Ciri, determined to try one more time to snap her out of it. She looks at Tris being held by the elven woman and Screams Geralt's name.

I gasp as I sit up finding myself on the floor. I see Triss fall to her knees off the bed with her hand covering her throat. Ciri reaches for her and Tris flinches and screams backing herself against the wall.

“Something is ending. It’s because of you.” She gasp. “A seed that burst into flame. It’s you. You will destroy us all. I saw it.” She cries.

“Enough!” I shout trying to stand. I look at Ciri first. She looks terrified as she runs from the room. “Ciri!” I call out, but she just keeps running. I look back at Triss and see her still there weeping.

“Triss.” I say and she flinches. “Triss, everything is okay now. You’re safe.” I try to say in a soothing tone. I managed to wrap and arm around her, helping her from the floor. She starts to mumble somewhat incoherently. Once I got her from the floor. I am able to walk her down the hallway back to her room. I get her tucked into her bed and she just lays on her side eyes staring blankly at the wall. I gently tell her I will come back to check on her but she simply looks straight through me as if I am not even there.

I take off down searching the keep to find Ciri. I hear a shout that sounds as if it came from Geralt. I jog in the direction of his voice. When I enter the room Geralt is sitting at the foot of a bed Ciri is in and I see the vial in Vesemir’s hand. I look up at Vesemir and he looks to me and the room goes still. I feel the glow almost instantly looking at that vial in his hands. Ciri stands and leaves the room. I barely feel Geralt’s hand on my arm pulling me and I resist for a moment before I let him. He turns to look at Vesemir once more as he practically shoves me out of the room and we catch up with Ciri in the hall.

“Ciri, I need you to go pack your things.” Geralt tells her. She opens her mouth to say something but one look at my face and she nods and walks back down the hall. “What happened?” Geralt asks as he gently tugs for me to follow him to the great hall.

“You mean besides my almost committing murder?” He winces slightly at my barked question. I launch into a full accounting of everything he has managed to miss in the whole 6 hours he’s been gone. By the time I’ve finished, I’ve managed to calm significantly. “The reason we all think I’m here is to protect her but I’m scared for her, Geralt. It feels like with every step I’m pulling her away from the edge in the end I’m pushing her closer to it.” I express dejectedly placing my head in my hands. Geralt pulls my hands away from my face and pulls me into his arms.

“You are helping her, even when it may not seem like it. I am more grateful for it than you know.” He tells me.

“Thank you, Geralt.” I smiled at him. I pull away from him but even after his arms leave me his touch still lingers.

“You should get some rest and pack your things.” Geralt says turning to leave.

“Where are we going?” I ask him.

“The Temple of Melitele in Ellander.” He says striding from the room. I freeze knowing that name. Knowing that this is where shit actually hits the fan.

Well fuck.

@freegardenbanananeck

#geralt of rivia #Geralt #the witcher #geralt x reader #geralt x you #Geralt and Ciri #geralt x y/n #geralt fanfic

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hootbon · 4 months

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Okay question, the audience seems fucked up (and on the off note of their us, than their definitely gene more mentally fucked up), I have spent like the last two minutes looking into older things on actual ‘freak shows’ and such bc my brain craves the

LORE

SO, I now have a question.

“Typical features would be physically unusual humans, such as those uncommonly large or small, those with intersex variations, those with extraordinary diseases and conditions, and others with performances expected to be shocking to viewers.”

And you know, I’d think that abstractions would be something that fits the bill, my question is, why didn’t Caine use them as his freaks, if we’re going on the logic of how he’s a cruel bastard (it’s a fact, we can’t change him, get over it people—) so wouldn’t the viewers be insanely or at least moderately amused and shocked at the sight of a inhuman beast? It would fit the bill of a freak show. Caine can somewhat control them after all, like physically, or does he just find them too annoying to deal with and would rather just not have them around at all, hence why he made Aingle?

“In the early 19th century, some naturalists tortured Europe and North America with examples of exotic or unique animals, charging admission to view their ‘cabinets of curiosities’. Humans with bodies that were perceived to deviate significantly from an understood norm were often grouped with those lusus naturae shows…”

I mean, looking at this from Caine’s point of view—still having a use for the performers after their gone, using them as an animalistic form of entertainment, or like just shoving them into a cage wagon or contained area so no one would be ‘harmed’ yet people could see the ‘barbaric’ nature. Since knowing Caine if he did do that, than he would probably title Abstractions like, the ‘mindless freaks’ or something I dunno— okay so just, why didn’t he include them? Am I just over thinking this all? Probably. I don’t need sleep, I need answers and one of them is why tf did Caine let those people have the sweet release of death instead of torturing them in their insane state for petty entertainment, because it sounds like something he’d do.

They’re corrupted code, when someone abstracts their code corrupts into something indescribably broken to the point the code isn’t even recognizable anymore. They’re infectious too, they corrupt every thing they touch and break the game’s code. It would be interesting to have but they just can’t be controlled.. such is why aingle acts as a failsafe, to turn that collection of code off before it amalgamates into something hideous, essentially freeze it in time indefinitely. It’s protocol after all

Funny enough aingle existed before Caine was corrupted himself.. it’s just that code was never put to use by Caine or the developers until now.. hell Caine didn’t even know it existed before

#the amazing digital circus #tadc #freakshow au #tadc freakshow #freakshow gangle #freakshow caine

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queerfortress2 · 27 days

Note

Medic x reader headcannons????

MINE MINE MINE MINE — mod medic

READER X MEDIC

if you were looking for a extremely romantic and sappy lover, than you are in the WRONG CATEGORY BUDDY, BECAUSE WOOO HES IS NOT.

he does try, really, but in a very unorthodox fashion. like yeah it has a romantic intention when he gave you a beating heart of the enemy soldier saying it’s for you, but you did react quite badly to it.

definitely had to be coached on how to be Normal in a relationship because otherwise he would NOT get it. turns out!! people don’t like organs and guts and murder like he does. it’s just a him thing.

he does delve deeper into your interests but more importantly— your health! dating an ex-doctor has its benefits! he still remember going to medical school and residency so he can still (illegally) perform on you. of course, you deny this advance, assuming you are sane my dear friends, but it’s the thought that counts.

slowly but surely the organs and medication are replaced with flowers and chocolates, it just took awhile to get there. he really is struggling but with a— albeit creepy— smile like that, how could you be mad at him?

his love language is most likely acts of service, which means he does the little things for you. said little things being anaesthesia but details details… you’re doing better off than his subjects teammates, so can you really complain?

and let’s be honest, being a mercenary pays well, you will NOT be going hungry bestie. with this advantage no matter who you are and what your stance is on paying for dinner, he is PAYING FOR DINNER, you cannot take that away from him. good luck trying

i think he uses you as an excuse to get out of things as well. new project coming up in 2fort? that’s too damn bad he actually needs to teach you the complicated anatomy of your central nervous system. it’s a very important thing, engineer! he has to waste.

also heavy hears about you so often he probably knows more about you than you do by the time he finally meets you face to face. i mean the whole shebang, full name, likes, dislikes, little fidgets, that thing you did last week to mess with medic, social security number…/j

he can’t help it, in his eyes you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread! maybe even the greatest thing since hemlock leaves in surgery prep!

…if you even knew what that meant when he said it to you.

all in all, god speed to you medic lovers because you will not get a DAY of rest with this man, he’s either working, causing something extraordinary or reeking havoc in teufort without many precautionary measures. we all saw expiration date. beware and tread carefully you fools (me included).

#mod medic #tf2 x reader #tf2 medic x reader #medic x reader #don’t get caught writing fanfiction by director challenge #(failed)/j

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revvethasmythh · 9 months

Text

I think it's very interesting--and I mean that genuinely--that overwhelmingly in the past week or two, the responses I've seen about Relvin have centered around the idea that "he should have fought" for Imogen or that "he should FIGHT" for Imogen. I've seen this particular line pop up quite a few times in slightly different ways, and I think maybe we should unpack this a little.

Because in the physical sense, Relvin can't really fight. By that, I mean his stats probably look like Gilear Faeths and like, yeah, you can argue that Gilear tagged along during Sophomore Year and therefore, so could Relvin. But Gilear also *spoilers* died three separate times in a 20 episode span, and is only alive at the end because Emily loves him so fucking much and Brennan's resurrection rules in FHSY are more lax than Matt's. Particularly post-Solstice, where there is no resurrection to be had at all if Relvin were to die. If you want Relvin to join the Hells and Fight The Moon And Ludinus Too, it's really not feasible even on just a physical level. That's not even engaging with the question of "why would the Hells even want him there?" They wouldn't. He'd be a nuisance at best and a liability at worst.

If you want to him to Fight The Moon sans the Hells on his own, he's really not capable of that either! He's not a scholar, he's not a magic user, he's--he's a groom. A stablehand. He can't "pick up his pitchfork" (that he shovels manure with) and stand defiantly against the forces that face Imogen & Co. He's really, truly Just A Dude. Which is kind of the point I've been trying to make about him. He's lived his life around extraordinary people, and he is not extraordinary. He doesn't have the tools to fight something like this, which is part of his tragedy. Is there a world where he quits his job, leaves his horses and his home and his life and tries to become a warrior for the sake of his absentee wife and the daughter he loves but doesn't know how to love the right way? I suppose. But wouldn't that be a different story than this one? And isn't it worth finding the meaning in the one we're experiencing now?

If this argument is that he should have fought for Imogen on an emotional level i.e. having been there for her more or more outwardly shown her affection, we kind of run aground of the same problems. The ask here is that we fundamentally change Relvin's character to make him something that he is not. He is a man who struggles with emotions, and was probably desperately scared about what Imogen was experiencing when it happened and didn't want her to feel his fear. Or his thoughts about her mother. And so, yes, he pulls away (for a variety of reasons). And there is a conversation to be had about his choice to withhold information about Liliana--it's questionable. But, then, every option he was presented with was questionable. What do you tell Imogen, who was abandoned by her mother when she was two? That her mother is dead, or that her mother abandoned her? You pray Imogen never develops the same debilitating powers as her mother, but when she does? Do you give her the comfort of knowing someone else had the same powers, the same struggles, at the expense of prompting more questions about her mother? Do you take the chance to be peppered with questions about how these powers work only to helplessly look on and say "I don't know," and maybe send Imogen down the same road as her mother even sooner than she actually did?

There is no good option. There is no heroic version of Relvin that makes all the right choices and becomes Imogen's white knight father, endlessly supportive and wholly committed to her. The situation is too complicated, and Relvin, frankly, is far too much Just Some Guy to be able to really grasp what Imogen is going through or to fight it in an active way. But I do think it's interesting that this seems to be the version of Relvin that the fandom would have found acceptable.

#at this point I'm just collecting data from the things people are adding to my relvin post #and I am Learning Things #critical role #relvin temult #bells hells #also--don't be a dick on this post. there is no reason to be a dick. this is a chill measured discussion we're having about fandom #let's keep it that way

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duckiemimi · 13 days

Text

on the jujutsu mindset and power

what does it mean to be powerful?

in this post (click), i talked about how pre-defection geto operated from a place of arrogance, thinking himself better than non-sorcerers even before he defected. to expand on that, in reality most sorcerers think the same way to some degree.

(geto's case is particularly unique in that he grew up with non-sorcerer parents while having an extraordinary CT—and that later he set out to do what most sorcerers would only think of in moments of weakness. despite his background, his skills were impressive enough to earn him half of the moniker "the strongest duo," sharing the title with someone like gojo who was essentially born and bred for jujutsu. in any case, i did explore on why his background could have a lot to do with how he processed everything post-riko in that first post and a little here (click) and here, too (click)).

in chapter 74, we get some context on the time vessel association and subsequently, the history of jujutsu and how it came to be. it's said that tengen themself laid the moral foundation of modern-day jujutsu in the nara period (ad 710-784), just before the golden age of jujutsu in the heian period (ad 794-1185). despite tengen's efforts, a clash of ideas persisted between jujutsu and religion (Buddhism).

the most interesting part of the conversation here, though, is that the representative of the cult says that, "even jujutsu sorcerers who have authorization beyond normal rights for many things cannot lay hands on non-curse users," implying that historically, jujutsu sorcerers have always had more authority than non-curse users, curse users, and non-sorcerers, an authority etched in a set of agreed upon rules that ultimately developed into the modern jujutsu laws, which were established by the big three clans (click for more context).

aligned with tengen's teachings during the nara period, these rules serve as a ceiling of sorts, to disarm the power sorcerers could potentially wield against the powerless. but as we see with sukuna later on in the heian period, power can be more desirable than morality. as opposed to the famous "with great power, comes great responsibility" quote, something tengen seemed to push for, great power also comes with great arrogance, and the great lust to exercise it.

while modern jujutsu is considerably more "civil" and organized, the sentiment still lingers. the recent system centers around the concept of duty towards humanity, an obligation to protect those who cannot protect themselves from cursed spirits—or in other words, to protect the powerless. as geto once said in the anime, "survival of the weakest. that's how a society should be. the weak help each other and discourage any who are too strong."

even to its roots, the jujutsu education system instills a sense of responsibility in its young to use their powers for the benefit of society, but it's written there in fine-print: "you have power, and you have more of it than other people." we see how this manifests in two major ways, the first being an attitude of apathy (like student gojo, and to an equal or lesser extent, many other sorcerers), and the second being pride in purpose (like student geto). either way, both projections come from a place of "i am better than them, therefore ＿."

herein lies the cleverness of the jujutsu machine: the more powerful you are, the better you are as a sorcerer, thus the more you're put to work to serve its current purpose. for those who care, this acknowledgment of power becomes incentive—until it breaks them. unfortunately, with its lack of resources, the system eats its tail by exploiting its own sorcerers, who are also lacking in numbers. this is the cause of sorcerer resentment and it's what pushes them to leave or turn. after all, why does it seem like they are powerless when they've been taught all their lives that they are powerful?

the secretive nature of jujutsu makes matters worse because sorcerers do not receive direct feedback from the people they have a duty to protect, resulting in a lack of real emotional connection, of empathy. and it's here where arrogance thickens. non-sorcerers cannot give you validation for your work, and the system barely gives any, if at all. you need to have an overflowing reservoir of self-assurance to be able to get through your day to day as a sorcerer. you need to be at least a little bit arrogant to be a sorcerer. you need to believe you matter enough to make a difference, because if not you, then who?

since power is such a big theme in jjk, i do hope we get to see it punctuated in a nice conclusion by the end of the series. because really, what does it mean to be powerful when power isolates? what does power mean when you're alone?

#jjk #jjk meta #jujutsu kaisen #geto #gojo

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homochadensistm · 2 months

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Hey. This might sound super mega stupid and you are welcome to call me an idiot/lazy/etc, but I was wondering if you could give a very small guide on how to research/look for reliable info online? (Specifically about Israel/Palestine but could be in general) I feel like everything is a sea of clickbait. Sincerely, a very inexperienced teenager :( .

Thank u for asking about this, but I have to preface my answer by saying - you don't have to do any of it. You don't have to have any kind of opinion on the matter, not for israel, not against Israel, not for palestine and not against palesitne. Saying "I don't know and it doesn't concern me" is a take leagues more intelligent than picking a side like a football team based on reading 1 article or watching 1 video. I know nothing about what's going on in the Congo and it doesn't concern me. I know nothing about what's happening in Kashmir and it doesn't concern me. I cannot know everything about every single war or conflict on the planet and the only ones I'm interested in are the ones that directly impact my life. It really is OK.

I can't give you a good answer because every single piece of media is by definition biased. The bias doesn't have to be malicious, it could just be business (I.e., news outlets make more money the more ppl click on their articles, and clickable articles are sexy articles, and sexy articles are usually bombastic, controversial and anger inducing). In order to gauge which piece of information is MORE LIKELY to be true, you need to have the cultural, social and historic knowledge and contexts in ur brain, and these are available almost exclusively to the ppl who live here (the rest are the ppl who spent years studying the conflict and the region in general). I'm sorry if this isn't rly helpful or not what u wanted to hear, but it is the truth.

There's one thing I can recommend to u that transcends the Arab Israeli conflict and should be applied to anything, and that is the following statement popularized by Carl Sagan - extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. And, my personal build up on it - extraordinary evidence won't always produce an extraordinary claim. If you read something outlandish claimed to be true, it can only be true if it's accompanied by a breadth of concrete evidence. And, on my addition - just because you have a plethora of information that, when organized and presented in a particular way, points towards Conclusion X, doesn't mean that it actually does support conclusion X. The solution is again, having contextual knowledge of the specific issue you're discussing, which, in the case of the Israeli Arab conflict, would be a good understanding of the broad history of the Middle East and particularly the Levant; a good understanding of Jewish history, and a good understanding of Arab imperialism and its persistence in modernity. This requires A LOT of reading and time, so personally I think your time would be better spent on things that actually matter and meaningful to you.

#israel #palestine #knowing things is good but only if u rly wanna know em and not just half-know em #if middle eastern geopolitics interest u then start reading some books

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missmaywemeetagain · 1 year

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Pink Scarf - Epilogue (Elvis/Austin!Elvis x Reader)

Character/Fandom: Elvis - Elvis (2022)

Requested: kinda

(Read more here--Pink Scarf Series Masterlist!)

Prompt: You are part of Elvis Presley's coveted inner circle, and the currently-disgruntled wife of one of the members of Elvis' famous entourage, the Memphis Mafia. After Elvis' dynamite first performance in Vegas, you find yourself in deep water when his magnetism finally gets to you after all these years. [ Fem!Reader ]

TW: SEX. FLUFF (!!). Cussing. Historical inaccuracies in the Vegas timeline.

Rating: Explicit/Mature (NSFW, 18+, so minors Do NOT Interact) || Word Count: 2.6k

A/N: Oh, lord, here we are. THE END. It seems highly fitting that it all comes to a close on our man's birthday. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELVIS DARLIN') 💗 So here's some tooth-rotting, sexy fluff for you because I love them and I love y'all.

I have heard your requests for a paperback/ebook loud and clear (ahhh, thank you!) and can tell you I am writing bonus material as we speak and working on the process of self-publishing through Amazon. I will warn you that the physical book is gonna be HUGE (my estimate is close to 600 pages with the bonus material added 😂), but that does mean the cost of the physical book will be a little spendy (not outrageous or anything) because of the cost of printing. Just wanted to let you know in advance!

Also, I know in the past that people were interested in me dropping in for a Q & A type thing on Discord or Twitter Spaces to talk about Pink Scarf...is this something y'all are interested in still? (If not, totally okay!) Let me know in the comments if that sounds like something you'd want!

I sincerely hope y'all will stick around for my next projects as I try to get my writing career off the ground. I'm hoping to soon have a website and an Amazon page up and running soonish so you can follow my other works. I'll keep you posted! Y'all are the OG's and the best fans a girl could ask for! 💗

If you so desire, you should now have the ability to tip my blog or different chapters in the story! Of course, no one is obligated to do so! If you do choose to tip, thank you so much! I've never had anyone want to pay for my work before, so this is a big step towards my romance novelist dreams. 💜

Finally, and I can't say this enough, I am so FREAKIN' GRATEFUL for every single one of you babies, honeys, and lil' mamas supporting me out there, YOU ARE EXTRAORDINARY! I didn't in a million years expect this kind of support and response for Pink Scarf, and your reactions, reblogs, messages, asks, and comments you've given me have been a blessing beyond expression. You all are the best community a writer could ask for! Thank you so much for your support and generosity. I am loving getting to know y'all better! I love every single reaction and comment and ask, and I'm sorry if I don't get back to them all as soon as I'd like but know that I love you all and am so excited to be making new friends! And a big "Hey, Y'all!" to our friends from Elvis Twitter, Elvis Discord, and Elvis Instagram--I see and appreciate you coming over to join us! 👀💋

I also want to give a special shout out to my flower, Daisy, @powerofelvis for keeping me sane (relatively lol) and on track throughout this whole process. Thank you for all your encouragement and love (and for listening to me scream into the void), baby! 💜

If you feel so moved, please let me know what you think or how you're feeling (or send me asks)! I know I'm terribly slow at getting to them but I love every single one!

I imagined this with Elvis in mind, but Austin!Elvis works here, too, whatever floats your boat!

Apologies in advance if there are any grammatical errors or TW that I didn't catch.

(I did start cross-posting Pink Scarf to my AO3 account, as well as my NEW Wattpad account. so if you are so inclined, you can check it out/support me over there with kudos and votes and whatnot!)

Graceland, New Year’s Eve, 1969

The mansion you now call home still sparkles with Christmas decorations as you make your way through the throng of friends and visitors, smiling and laughing, sipping on a delicious champagne that you are positive is ridiculously expensive for the way it melts on your tongue. Everyone is rested and in great spirits, as 1969 was a monumentally successful year for Elvis Presley Enterprises and all those involved.

For you, it’s been a monumental year in many ways. You would never have imagined six months ago that by the end of the year you’d be in the midst of divorcing Jack, preparing for your new career as a backup singer, and moving into Graceland with Elvis, who you are wildly, madly in love with.

A whirlwind, to say the least.

Speak of the devil, you feel that telltale rise of goosebumps on your skin, that magical sixth sense you are now so aware of when you know that Elvis is watching you. You turn from your conversation with Joe and his wife Joanie to find Elvis gazing at you from across the living room with a dangerously coy smile playing on his lips and that unmistakable glint in his eyes. The heat of the look sets your body aflame, a flush rising quickly to your cheeks.

Lord in heaven, this man, you think, giving him a furrow of your brow and a disbelieving look back, only this man would be so bold as to want to take me in the middle of a party at his own damn house.

But damn it if he doesn’t even waver, completely uncaring that any of the guests might see the blatantly sexual, heated intensity of his stare. He calls it “that lean and hungry look,” and you cannot help the shiver that cascades down your spine because you know he’s about to eat you alive, party be damned.

And sure enough, he strides across the room as if no one else is here, and saying nothing at all, grabs your hand and yanks you away from your conversation. You briefly catch the look of surprise from Joanie and Joe’s smirk before being whisked away.

“Elvis!” you whisper loudly enough for him to hear you, “We have guests!” You manage to set your champagne flute on a nearby table before doubling your steps to try and keep up with his long strides.

He gives no indication of hearing you, though you know he has. But he is singularly focused, which sends warmth into your core and wetness already pooling in your panties because you know what’s coming.

He surprises you by not even making it up the stairs to the bedroom, instead pulling you into the half bathroom on the lower level. You yelp at the change in direction and then he’s slamming you up against the door while locking it at the same time.

Your yelp quickly turns into a quiet moan because his large hands and luscious mouth are suddenly everywhere, all at once. His lips crush into yours, then burn down your neck, sending fire into your belly, and you can’t help but respond. Your hands fly to his head, raking through his scalp. His hand grips the outside of your bare thigh, hitching it up to his waist, his hand slipping under the hem of your dress.

He rolls his pelvis slowly and deliberately into yours. He’s already rock hard, and the sensation of his bulge pressing into your core through his pants has you groaning a little too loud, considering you have a house full of people. Elvis doesn’t say a word though, he just smirks and places a ring-clad hand over your mouth.

That action alone has you melting into a puddle because you know, you just know how he’s going to take you: quick and dirty.

“You better be quiet, lil’ mama, or ev’ryone’s gonna know I’m fuckin’ ya senseless,” he whispers, his hot breath tickling the shell of your ear. You can smell the musk of arousal on him, the pheromones so strong they are nearly dizzying. He nibbles the lobe of your ear possessively. This action coupled with his words sends sparks showering through you.

You think you might come apart already, and he’s barely touched you.

His brilliant blues are blown black when he draws away. Free hand snaking up your thigh, his fingers first dance over your soaked panties, then dip them underneath the delicate fabric to graze up through your folds and straight to your clit.

Your eyes roll back, his hand muffling the moans that escape your throat involuntarily. He’s so worked up already, he doesn’t tease you long. Two long fingers plunge knuckle deep into your wet heat, the cold edges of his rings making you squirm a little at the intrusion. You begin panting into his hand as he so expertly thrusts and curves them to give you the maximum amount of pleasure as he stretches you out.

This doesn’t last long, though. He’s too far gone and much too needy for foreplay. A deeply primal instinct has taken over the man you love—you can see it written all over his handsome face. And you welcome it, even as you whimper at the loss of his digits when he unceremoniously pulls them out of you. You welcome it as he spins you around, pushing you up against the door. You welcome it gladly as he hikes your dress up to your waist and rips your lacy panties right off your body.

You gasp, hearing the tearing of fabric as your flushed cheek is pressed into the wood of the door, shivering both from the exposure of the air on your bare ass and for what you know is next. Soon after, you hear the clink of his heavy belt and the woosh of his pants as they thump to the floor and then he’s filling you so completely that you are clawing at the door for purchase.

He can’t stop the growl that comes from within when he sinks deep inside you to the hilt, bottoming out quickly. He’s impatient and does not linger, however, instead pulling back and thrusting into you hard, gripping your hips like his life depends on it.

You manage to keep your gasps quiet as he sets a relentless pace. Your entire body tingles, the obscene sounds from your joining sending you hurtling towards the edge of your own release. He knows your body so well, rubbing desperate circles on your clit that, along with the way he’s filling you, already has your legs shaking and abdomen tensing with pleasure.

Neither of you are going to last long. It’s evident as your breathing speeds up and the coil in your belly snaps, causing you to hit your climax hard with a strangled cry. The wave crests fast,and your walls tense and flutter around him. You love how he still can make you see stars, even in these circumstances. His hips stutter, the rhythm faltering, and he follows soon after you with a relieved and gracious groan, pulsing and coating your walls with his arousal.

Heavy breathing is the only sound in the tiny space. Elvis envelops you from behind, wrapping his arms around your waist and burying his face into your hair as he pulls you close. You live for these moments when he’s stripped vulnerable, his love so evident and overflowing, making even a bathroom quickie more like making love than you’d had in over a decade of marriage.

You sigh into him, and he kisses the back of your head. “Sorry about your panties, baby,” he whispers almost bashfully into your ear.

You can’t help but laugh, “At the rate you go through ruining them, you might as well just buy me the whole store, love.”

Elvis pulls out and turns you around, grasping your chin before pulling you into a deep kiss. It has you melting into his arms, but you know you can’t stay there long, not with a house full of people.

The swell of love you feel for this wonderful, talented, charismatic man is incredible. So many years of shared history has made it easy to slip into a comfortable life with him, so much so that you almost forget what your life was like before. It’s not without its challenges, certainly. He is still mercurial, and you still get locked up in your own head sometimes. The both of you are stubborn as hell, especially now that you’ve taken more agency for yourself in this relationship, more than you ever had with Jack.

As you pull apart and clean up, you feel incredibly lucky that things have worked out the way they have, despite so many years of struggles to make your way to each other.

Once put back together (though sure some of your guests will know exactly what was going on in the bathroom), you reach for the door. Elvis stops you.

“I was gonna wait ‘til midnight and make it a big thing, but I just can’t,” he drawls behind you.

“Wait for what?” you ask quizzically, turning around.

You gasp and your heart begins to gallop in your chest as you watch him sink to one knee as best he can in the tiny space. He pulls a little black box from his pocket. You’re afraid your heart might flutter right out of your body at the sight of it.

“You make me a better man, baby. I love you so much it hurts sometimes, and I thank God every day that He put you in my life. I can’t imagine tryin’ to go another day without you by my side. Now, I know it feels real soon, but if we’re honest, it’s been a long time comin’, and I-I-I know you’re still in the middle of the divorce and all, but y/n, would you do me the honor of bein’ my wife?” Elvis asks, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Your heart drops into your stomach. It’s both exhilaration and trepidation all at once, flooding every part of you. Part of you screams with excitement: Of course! Of course! Of course, I’ll be your wife!

But another part is filled with latent fear—fear of being consumed by another marriage so soon, still afraid that this man before you will love you and leave you like the rest. Elvis had said many times over the years that he wasn’t really interested in marriage, and you can’t help but think of that in this moment, as much as you don’t want to.

“Elvis,” you manage to breathe, “I thought…I thought you said you weren’t the ‘marrying kind’? That you didn’t want to be tied down? Are you…are you sure?”

You watch something flash in his eyes for a moment before he looks up at you again. He stands and takes your hands in his. “I-I said that cuz I didn’t think I could ever have you. I knew I couldn’t marry anyone else, wouldn’t be right. You’re the only one I ever truly wanted. I-I-I…you’re my soulmate, y/n. It’s only ever been you, honey,” he says quietly, laying it all out for you, as he pushes an errant strand of your hair behind your ear.

A happy tear trickles down your face. You know he loves you—he tells you every day. But this is so much more than that. You didn’t realize he’d put his entire life on hold for you like this. His soulmate.

As much as it scares you, you know it’s true. He’s right. This inexplicable pull that’s been between the two of you for all this time, the pull you tried so desperately to ignore and forget for so many years, is stronger than anything you’ve ever felt for anyone in your life. Every cell in your body yearns for him, and he feels like home. You fit together perfectly. Now that you’re finally in sync, everything just works.

You cannot ignore the truth that finding your way to each other after all these years feels utterly meant to be. He is there when you need him. He brings out a side of you that you never knew existed—in the bedroom, with your music, your unyielding love for him, even in the hardest moments.

The way he gazes at you now, full of hope and love, makes your knees weak. But part of you is still scared that it’s too soon, that you’ll lose yourself all over again.

Elvis reads your mind, sensing your doubts in that intuitive way of his. “The wedding part doesn’t hafta be right away…I know we gotta wait for the divorce to be final anyway. But whenever you’re ready, whenever you’re comfortable, I’ll be here,” he says, pressing his forehead to yours.

This sends a sense of relief through you, a release of pressure. Finally, you find your voice. “Let me be your everything?” you whisper, taking his face in your hands, your eyes searching his deep and worldly ones.

Elvis knows what you are asking of him, and he doesn’t think twice. His lips curl up into that beautiful grin of his as he nods. “Yes, everything,” he says back.

“Then yes, yes, I will be your wife,” you laugh, through more happy tears.

“Yes?” he asks joyfully, just to be sure.

“Yes!” you squeal as he scoops you up in his arms, pressing his pliant and soft lips to yours.

His hands shake adorably when he slides the tasteful yet extravagantly sized diamond on your ring finger.

And it sits perfectly, as though his ring was always meant to be there. You both stare at it for a moment, your hand resting on top of his.

Squeezing your hand, Elvis looks at you with a boyish kind of awe. “Are you happy, baby?” he asks quietly, his long lashes fanning out as he runs his eyes over your face.

A moment of déjà vu hits you. He’s asked you this before, many different times, and those moments flash through your head, reminding you of your deep history together. The history you now remember and share.

All he’s ever really wanted to do is make me happy, you realize. The thought sends warmth blooming through you.

You look up at him, into that handsome face that you want to spend eternity with. “Oh, I’m more than happy, my love,” you respond. And you are. So much so, you almost don’t believe it. Then you pull him down for a sweet, soft kiss. He drinks you in as if you are oxygen, bringing you closer.

“Are you happy?” you ask as you nuzzle his nose.

“Darlin’, I’m so happy I wanna sing from the rooftop,” he drawls, grabbing your ass. “I’ll marry ya right here in this damn bathroom, if I gotta. Gonna make you Mrs. Y/n Presley. Then I wanna parade you around and let everyone know you’re mine.” He almost growls the last part and presses his long body into yours.

You laugh. “Well, I don’t think we have to resort to getting married in the bathroom, but Mrs. Y/n Presley has quite the nice ring to it,” you say, smiling, putting your hands in his back pockets.

“I love you,” Elvis says unabashedly, suddenly serious.

“I love you, too,” you whisper, kissing him again. “Now let’s go tell everyone how I’m gonna make an honest man out of you.”

He laughs at that, a big and boisterous sound that makes your own heart sing.

And it will do so for the rest of your days.

*THE END*

Please let me know in the comments/DMs/asks if you are interested in me doing a Pink Scarf Q & A type thing on Discord/Spaces! 💗🧣💗

Taglist:

@atombombbibunny @yesimwriting @uselessbutinteresting @mirandastuckinthe80s @dark-as-love

@domaniquessidehoe @im-lame-irl @allybrooke05 @hangmanswhore

@jazmin2211 @kvcssghbjbcd @coldonexx @dudinhahoff @whatstruthgottodowithit @tiredbuthappy @amiets2 @saintmagx

@kvcssghbjbcd @butlersluvbot @babydollie43 @vainbimbo @meladollsims @wstelandbaby @dre6ming @normatural @ash-omalley @xcallmetaniax @galvz-42 @thejezebel @fullmetal-falcon @robinismywife @dre6ming @seaweedbrain00 @amiets2 @mslizziesblog @heisatroubleinapinksuit @calusussss @dont-feel-so-good-peter @rainydayz101 @pizzaisrelationshipgoals

@liaaacantwrite @kittenlittle24 @kaitaesupremacy @butler-trouble @eliseinmemphis @russian-soft-bitch @tattywood

@sassanoe @re3kin @thella @suspiciousmidge @hiddlepiddlediddlewiddle @carolinesbookworld @juggernort @aesthetic-lyss @stitchattacks @donnamarie23 @ab4eva

@fic-over-cannon @lacyluver @littlebitofgreen @paigevis @godlypresley @bugg06 @xhannahbananax03

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gladerwolfstarkimagines · 1 year

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Imagine dating Team Avatar

Incluidng: What they do when they realise they like you, how you get together, how they act when you start dating, what they’re like as a partner, what others think of your relationship, how they defend you, the L word, how they react to compliments, family, how they celebrate your birthday, careers, fights, working out together, pets and more!

Dating Ozai’s Agels version here

Katara

The lovely Katara, she's an overthinker and so when she realises she likes you she overthinks big time! Sure the two of you have great chemistry but what if you're just like that with everyone? You might've told Toph she was your ideal type but does that mean you're really interested in her? Yes she can't seem to get you out of her head but what if she ruins your friendship by telling you?

She's a mess and so enter her loudmouth brother (I say that with love) to the *rescue*

Sokka of course knows Katara likes you and teases her anytime you enter the room. This makes Katara very angry and she nearly always ends up exploding. You somehow never noticed though, you just assumed it was siblings being siblings and had no clue you were anything to do with it.

One day however Katara was in a bad mood and so when Sokka started teasing her about you she lost it. Sokka was also in a bad mood and he snapped back. You witnessed the siblings getting worse and worse and tried to stop it when Sokka yelled "well it's not my fault you're too much of a coward to tell y/n you like her!".

*Silence*

Katara was as still as a statue and that scared Sokka. "Katara...Katara" he said "yell at me or slap me with water. Just say something". In response Katara just ran from the room. Sokka went to follow but you asked to go instead. You found her crying nearby and went to comfort her. Katara assumed it was because you were a nice person until you told her you liked her too. Then Katara beamed up at you, her beautiful blue eyes still shining with tears which you wiped away gently. "Want me to help you get back at Sokka?" you asked. That’s how Katara knew you were perfect for her.

So the two of you started dating and it was bliss. There’s something called a honeymoon period when a couple starts dating which is where the first few weeks/months are complete bliss and happiness. Well Katara gave you the most honeymoon of honeymoon periods. She is a caring and romantic person so you got special treatment. Every morning she'd compliment you or tell you something new she'd noticed about you like that speckle in your eye or the way you pronounce a word. She'd create adorable well-thought-out nicknames for you and would bring you random gifts like flowers just because. She'd leave small love notes and poems around for you to find to show how much she cares for you. For your one-month anniversary, she creates a small ice sculpture of your favourite animal.

Even after the honeymoon phase Katara remains a caring partner. She's always there if you need to cry or rant about how your day was. She never forgets a single thing you tell her and always smiles when you walk through the door.

Of course she's also always there with her extraordinary healing powers which she uses anytime you get injured or even just for massages sometimes when you’re stressed.

Katara's friends and family love you. Sokka claims he's the reason the two of you got together and calls you his family pretty much from the start. Toph says the two of you were too lovey-dovey but even she has to admit you're perfect for each other.

Aang...has nothing but nice things to say about you two! Of course dating the Avatar's ex-girlfriend is terrifying to say the least. If Aang wanted to he could just drop you down a volcano or air-bend you to Ba Sing Sei but this is Aang we're talking about. He'll always care about Katara and if you can make her happy in a way he couldn't...then he's thrilled. He’d probably even thank you one day for making her smile so much. Honestly he’s the best ex-partner you could ever have!

Katara might seem like the loving caring motherly figure but the quickest way to anger her is to hurt you in any way. Katara is one of the most powerful benders in the world so obviously protecting you physically is a piece of cake and she won’t hesitate to use her bending to lightly knock someone away from you or smack anyone being rude to you. She’s also not afraid to verbally defend you and hell hath no fury like a waterbender scorned. Once you had to physically drag her away from a man she was trying to fight because he made an unsolicited comment about your appearance. He totally deserved to go one-on-one with Katara but you didn’t want her getting into trouble with the authorities again so let him get away with it...this time.

Katara would say "i love you" pretty quickly. She'd probably already have strong emotions for you before you even started dating so when you actually got together it didn't take long for her to fall in love with you. Katara would be nervous to tell you but also wouldn't be able to wait for long. So she'd probably just take you to one side on a random evening and explain she has something to tell you. Her hands would shake while she said it and she'd be watching you to look for any hint of disapproval but when you gasped and smiled she melts.

Katara always blushes when you compliment her and no matter how long you’ve been together she still gets butterflies in her stomach when you do. So of course you do it even more seeing the affect it has on her. Katara isn’t one to big herself up. She just gets on with things and (like a lot of women) never expects any credit for it. So you make sure to always compliment her and try to tell her something you like about her every single day.

Katara takes you to her tribe pretty quickly because her culture is of course very important. You are a nervous wreck and recruit Sokka for help. You want to learn all the customs and every bit of history so you can leave a good impression. Sokka loves his professor role and takes to it a little too well...he basically becomes mad with power. The night before your journey Katara can't find you and wanders the house you're staying at trying to find you. She hears Sokka's voice coming from the library which is weird because he went to bed hours ago. She steps inside to see Sokka yelling questions at you. "What is going on?" she asked and you both freeze. "Katara...hey" you said and Sokka glared "who dares disturb my lesson?". "Lesson? What lesson?" Katara asked and Sokka shrugged "the lesson to make y/n a master of water tribe history and customs, duh? Now get out! Y/n isn't allowed to leave until she can recite all our past tribe leaders". "Is this why you've been so tired lately?" Katara asked you "you've been sneaking here to study at night?". "And at dawn too" Sokka said "and sometimes in the day if I feel like giving y/n a quiz". "Woah that's a lot" Katara said "y/n you know you don't need to do this right?" Katara asked. Sokka went to argue that of course you had to do this when Katara kicked him out of the room using water bending. "I know I don't have to do this but I want to" you told Katara "I want to know everything I can about your culture so I can respect it and honour it properly. Plus I want your family and tribe to like me so there's that too...I just want to make this visit as perfect as possible". Katara shook her head "that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard but it still doesn't excuse overworking yourself like this". "It doesn't?" you asked and Katara shook her head "not at all! Plus y/n your dedication to being respectful and your willingness to learn new customs is already a huge indication you're going to do great. I think it's really sweet how much you've thought about it and I know my whole tribe will think so too, they’re going to love you!". "You really think so?" you asked and Katara nodded "of course! Plus I'll be beside you every step of the way to help".

Katara LOVES birthdays and always makes yours as special as she possibly can. She’d have things planned from start to finish. You’d wake up to breakfast in bed and do your favourite morning activity together like baking or reading. Then in the afternoon she’d take you out for a nice lunch and you’d open up your presents from her (which are always amazing because it’s Katara). Then you’d go home and do something fun like watch your favourite movie together or play a new game she got you. In the evening, she’d invite all your friends and family around to celebrate. She’d have all your favourite food and drinks and would make sure everything was exactly how you liked it. She’d also be constantly checking up on you to make sure you were having a good time and if anyone and I mean anyone caused a scene or made you unhappy they’d be out of there before Aang can say yip yip. You’d be exhausted by the end of the night but would feel so loved and appreciated.

Katara might be a little inclined to go overboard supporting you with your career just because typically in her tribe one person worked and the other supported. So you’d have to keep an eye on that and ensure she wasn’t putting your career ahead of her own. You’d encourage her to use her skill as the greatest water bender in the world and she’d set up a school specifically for female benders. Katara would be shocked when you told her career-wise, you’d follow her lead because she hadn’t ever expected a partner like that. You’d work out a balance where you’re both supporting each other and it’s a beautiful partnership.

When the two of you have a fight it's very emotional and intense...but is over pretty quickly. We've seen Katara has a temper and so she'd snap and go from 1 to 100 pretty quickly. You'd both scream at each other for like 10 minutes but then one of you would get upset or say something you didn't mean and you'd both calm down and realise how silly the fight was. Katara always apologises after an argument and then it's like nothing ever happened.

You and Katara do not exercise together. You tried once and Katara got too competative. She’d notice how far you’d ran on the treadmill and want to beat you, so she’d increase her speed. You’d noticed what she was doing and also pick up speed, which made Katara increase her speed again until you were both running far too fast. Long story short you fell of the treadmill, Katara had to heal you and you were asked not to come back to that gym anymore. So exercising seperately works for you!

I can't see Katara with pets just because she seems a lot more kid-focused than animal-focused. However if you're not kid-focused that doesn't mean you can't get a pet! Katara would be tending to the neighbours' kid while you're busy playing with their dog or something. "Y/n come look at the new baby" Katara called and you nodded "yeah one second...who's a good girl? Who's a good girl?" you asked stroking the neighbour's polar bear dog. You didn't end up getting around to holding the baby and that was just fine with you.

Katara is just an incredibly kind and considerate partner. She makes you feel loved and special every day and she really does have the biggest heart in the world. You’re a lucky person.

Zuko

Zuko doesn't realise he likes you until someone points it out to him and it would probably be Sokka too. He'd see you and Zuko just enjoying each other's company and ask Zuko why he hasn't asked you out yet. "Y/n? Because we're just friends!". "Are you sure about that because you smile every time she comes around". Zuko snorted "I think i'd know if I liked y/n..." then he thought about it for a few seconds and his jaw dropped. "There he goes" Sokka smirked.

Once Zuko realises he likes you he panics. He becomes the most awkward person in the world around you and blushes pretty much anytime you speak to him. You notice something weird is going on and ask Zuko if something's wrong. "Everything's completely fine! Why would you think anything's wrong?" he replied his voice getting higher towards the end. "Just you seem really tense and nervous, you keep pacing around and staring at your feet". Zuko's breath began to speed up and he was in full panic mode. "I have no idea what you mean!". Zuko was getting ready to rush out of the room when you smiled "would you maybe like to go out with me sometime? Like on a date?". Zuko paused "pardon?". "A date?" you repeated "with me". "Sokka told you didn't he!" Zuko cried and you shook your head "not at all...I just heard you talking about it. I didn't overhear the whole conversation but from how you've been acting I think I can guess what you said so...how about it? Would you like to go on a date?". Zuko nodded I'd love to!" and that was that.

You thought once you started dating Zuko would be less awkward but no. He was just as unsure and bashful but he got more confident with time. His only other relationship had been with his childhood sweetheart so of course this was all new to him and you had to show him the ropes a little. He really enjoyed all the stereotypical dates and the first time you got him flowers he nearly cried.

Zuko isn't the most intuitive partner but he has the best intentions. He's not good at sensing what you need or being able to tell your mood from looking at you but he's a fire bender not a mind reader! So communication is really important and the second you tell him you need something, he won’t hesitate to give it you.

Zuko’s friends are happy the second Zuko tells them he’s found someone. Being the Firelord at such a young age can be really lonely, especially seeing as he has no family around…but lately they had noticed a change in him. He’d been smiling more and his shoulder were more relaxed. The pressures of the throne hadn’t been affecting him as much and they all wondered why…until he introduced you.

For Zuko to tell them about you they know he must really like you and when they see you together that becomes very clear. Zuko just brightens around you and for good reason, you’re kind and caring and clearly want the best for him. So they all pretty much accept you into the group right away.

Zuko’s ex Mai is an impressive member of the Fire Nation society, not to mention one of Zuko’s few childhood friends so she’s always going to be in Zuko’s life. Your first meeting Zuko is terrified and has guards at the ready in case Mai decides to play target practice but Zuko should know by now Mai isn’t dramatic. She brings Ty lee as a middle person and greets you formally but warmly. “Welcome to the Fire Nation! Don’t worry we’re not all obsessed with honour like Zuko or permanently peppy like Ty lee. Some of us are normal…or well normal-ish” Mai says “this is the Fire Nation”. You smile at her joke and ask her about her skill with knives and combat. You talk for a good few minutes (which for Mai is like an hour) and then both move on. Zuko lets out a breath as he sees you step away from each but he didn’t need to worry. It takes a lot to make Mai angry and her ex moving on and being happy sure isn’t going to do it.

Zuko is one of the youngest Firelords in recent history and so he puts up with a lot of people questioning his decisions and he himself as ruler but one thing he does not tolerate is anyone trying to debate his relationship with you. Of course his advisors try the second he announces your relationship and he gives them a strict warning that the next time someone wants to speak ill of you or to pry into your life they will be off the council. He can become a big scary Firelord at times.

Zuko would have no clue how to tell you he loves you. He's so awkward and unsure he'd be a mess. You'd be able to tell something was going on because you'd catch Zuko just quietly watching you or sometimes he'd trail off midsentence. Whenever you asked him about it he'd go bright red and come up with some fake excuse like you had something on your face. Then finally it gets to be too much and he just kind of...yells it at you? It explodes out of him at some random moment and it takes a few seconds for you to work out what he's saying. "You love me?" you asked and Zuko nodded "yeah...unless you don't want me to". You laughed "of course I want you to Zuko and I love you too!". Then Zuko would do that really happy smile (see the photo above) and he'd go around the palace grinning for weeks.

Zuko. Cannot. Take. Compliments.

Even with a gun to his head, Zuko just cannot accept compliments. His brain freaks out when someone tries to pay him a compliment and he will deny all of them. You could literally say “your hair is nice and dark” and he’d disagree. This is a problem because Zuko is a guy worthy on many compliments and you cannot refrain from complimenting him. So your solution is the psychological technique for phobias called flooding. You basically just bombard Zuko with compliments until he begins to accept them. Slowly but surely it works! You’ve get him to stop verbally disagreeing with your compliments and instead he just shrugs slightly which is an amazing improvement.

Zuko's family is complicated...half of his family adores him unrealistically the other half barely tolerates his presence. Things with Azula and Zuko are still tense but better now they're older and after hearing all his sister went through, you really want to become friends with her. Zuko is shocked because most people run from his sister but not you. At the next family gathering, you notice Azula by herself on the side and go right over to her. You introduce yourself and ask how she is. She seems shocked and gives short answers awkwardly. You do this at every event, just small regular conversations until Azula begins accustomed to your presence. When you and Zuko arrive late to Ty lee's birthday party she sweeps over to you practically sighing in relief. "Thank god you're here! You're the only person at these things I can stomach sober". You chuckled while Zuko frowns "erm Azula? I'm here too". "Yes hi Zuzu, good to see you. Now can I borrow your partner, she’s my emotional support at these things". Zuko seems surprised and looks at you to see if you're fine with it but you're smiling and nodding perfectly happy. "Okay..." he nods and watches as the two of you disappear together. You help Zuko and Azula grow closer and your kind gesture of including Azula in your lives is greatly appreciated by the princess. The two siblings become regular fixtures in each other's lives and it's all down to you.

Being a member of the royal family Zuko doesn’t understand birthdays. In his family each year of a successful reign was more important and only big birthdays really meant anything. So he doesn’t get what you do to celebrate a birthday and at first is opposed to it. “Doesn’t it get boring year after year?” he asked you the first year you celebrated his birthday and you shook your head “not at all!”. Then slowly Zuko started really liking a day only for him. He’d get so excited the days leading up to his birthday while you were secretly planning events and wrapping up his presents. He tried to pretend he doesn’t care but he struggles to sleep the night before because he can’t wait. You notice the subtle changes and when he gasps at having a whole cake just for him he knows the cat is out of the bag. “Okay so I might really like this birthday thing” he admits blushing and you smiled “I’m glad you like it Zuko”.

Dating the Firelord would make finding a job hard because you never know if they actually want you or the Firelord's partner. So Zuko would make sure to really separate himself from your work so you can tell your company when and if you want to. Alternatively Zuko is totally cool with using his power to get you stuff so if you want to take advantage of dating the sovereign he's all for it! You want a job in your favourite flower shop? He clears a space in the palace gardens for you to practice. You want to become a doctor? All the palace doctors are your tutors. You're interested in geology? Let him just send a message to his friend Toph Beifong to explain everything she knows about rocks to you. Zuko will give as much or as little as you want.

Now Zuko is extremely hot-headed (his element is fire) so fights with him would be pretty explosive and can get heated. This is especially the case when Zuko feels insecure or hurt. He tends to lash out, saying things he didn't mean to say and then instantly regrets it. Afterwards he is distraught and pretty much does everything to make it up to you. He's really mopey when you're angry at him and when you finally forgive him he'd probably cry. He's an emotional boy our Firelord but we love him.

Working out with Zuko would be funny because he has no idea how hot he is when he works out. He has no clue he looks amazing when firebending and so just wonders why you’re staring at him. “What do I have something on my face?” he asked. “No more like you’re not wearing a shirt” you reply and Zuko blushes. “Oh...i’ll put one on. I didn’t realise”. So while you do enjoy exercising with Zuko, you don’t get much exercising done so have to work out on your own.

Zuko already has a pet...A DRAGON! So he's got the coolest animal companion you could ever want and you'd quickly become involved in Druk's life. Meeting Druk would honestly be a pretty big deal because dragons are so key to Zuko's heritage and his nation’s future so you'd be pretty scared. But the second you touched Druk's nose with your hand you'd feel the warmth radiating from him and you'd feel the bond he has with Zuko making you feel right at home. After that Druk is a huge softie for you and often goes to you when he's done something wrong so you'll protect him from Zuko. He knows Zuko can never say no to you so you're Druk's biggest protector. You also have lots and lots of dragon rides with Zuko which make the most amazing dates.

Zuko is a passionate and emotional partner. He might sometimes do things without thinking but his intentions for you are always good and the second he feels that connection with you that’s it. You’re his everything and he’d do anything to make you happy be that opposing his council or changing the mind of his people. He’s not afraid to make hard decisions for you because at the end of the day, you make it all worth it for him.

Suki

Suki is a boss so when she realised she has feelings for you, she would be pretty upfront and just ask you out. There would be no skirting around it or awkwardness either.

She'd of course have it all planned though, she's not the leader of the greatest warriors of all time for nothing. She'd have meticulously organised what she wanted to say and deliver it perfectly. A little too perfectly...you were intimidated as she made eye contact the entire time and didn't stutter once! However after she finished she shot you a big smile which made you relax and of course tell her you liked her too.

That's how you get together! As simple as that.

When you start dating, Suki is amazing from day one. She knows exactly how to play it and is very cool and relaxed while also making you feel special. She's the type to leave small gifts with handwritten notes just because. Also flowers! She will buy you flowers and leave them in a place she knows you’ll find but not bouquets, a single rose or lily because it's less showy and more intimate.

Suki is the best girlfriend ever! As a partner she is intuitive, thoughtful and makes you smile all the time. She's not one to go over the top with lovey-dovey stuff but she always makes you feel safe and wanted. She has a pretty demanding job but she always makes time for you and keeps her promises. You know you're important to her.

Suki always smiled and makes a joke about how right you are when you compliment here but you notice quickly she doesn’t really believe you. She typically brushes away your words hiding behind her smug smile and jokes. Being part of an elite team, she doesn’t know how to admit she, individually has done something right and you aim to change that. Any time you compliment Suki and she brushes it away you stop her.

“You’re so thoughtful” you said one day when Suki bought you some blueberries on her way home just because she knew you liked them. She shrugged “I’m just amazing i know”. You smiled but shook your head “you are Suki, you’re a wonderful thoughtful person who I fall for more and more each day”. That would leave Suki silent and emotional. Slowly but surely she was starting to belive your compliments.

The warriors would love you! They're all very supportive of one another so would be pleased to see Suki happy and welcome you with open arms. This was a little intimidating considering they were all highly skilled warriors who could kill you in seconds and there were a rather lot of them. So you were more than a little overwhelmed which Suki noticed. She dialled back her excited friends and started introducing you to them in smaller groups instead week by week. She did this gradually and never got annoyed with you but went completely at your pace. The way Suki handled your social anxiety made you fall for her even quicker.

Suki's ex Sokka did not handle your new relationship as well. Sokka can be pretty immature so even though he and Suki parted on good terms he was jealous when he heard you were dating. More so because it made him feel like Suki was completely over him and had left him behind. He basically thought she'd won and he'd lost.

Sokka handled this by being rude to you. He'd make sarcastic comments about you and anytime Katara or Aang spoke to you he'd huff and pout. However this didn't last long because Katara exploded at him and told him he better not make you feel bad just because he was insecure.

Suki happened to overhear the conversation and she took Sokka to one side and they had a talk about how they'd always be important to one another and no new relationship could erase all the good memories that they’d had together. After that Sokka was lovely to you and he actually officiated your partnership ceremony years later.

However when anyone who isn’t her old friend insults you Suki goes all Kyoshi Warrior on them. Suki prefers shows of force so will fight anyone who disrespects you. You had to stop her coming into your work once because you were worried she might put your manager in a chokehold. She’s very protective of you and won’t hesitate to bring down the full force of Kyoshi on anyone.

Surprisingly Suki would struggle with the L word. Not because she feels uncomfortable with the emotion but just because she’s not sure how to tell you. She’s quite physical so being verbally vulnerable is scary to her. She’d probably ask her sisters or Ty lee for help and they’d tell her to just take you someplace nice and be honest.

So she takes you to a place in the Fire Nation where you had your first date. It’d be a nice quiet evening and there were only a few other people around. Suki is good at hiding her emotions so you’d have no idea how nervous she is. She would eventually build up the courage to tell you she loved you and then reassure you it’s okay if you’re not there yet with your feelings for her. She’d finished her perfectly crafted speech and waited nervously for your response. You of course tell her you love her back and she’d smile so brightly. Then you go on to tell her everything you love about her and she’s a blushing mess. It takes a lot to make your girlfriend blush but you can do it.

When you've been dating for a few months Suki takes you to her home on Kyoshi Island. It's a pretty big deal considering this place has shaped her whole life and everyone in the community idolises her but she’s mindful of what happened with her sisters previously and makes sure you're not overwhelmed. She shows you the training halls and the beautiful beaches. Of course she also goes on for like an hour explaining everything Kyoshi ever touched and you just let her talk. "Sorry..." she says realising she's been giving a lecture not a tour "am I boring you?". You couldn't resist how happy she looked talking about Kyoshi so you shook your head "not at all, tell me more about Kyoshi's girlfriend Rangi" and Suki beamed more than happy to.

Suki is one of those people who just designs the perfect birthday. She seems to be able to guess exactly what you want and act accordingly. So one year she throws you a big party sensing you wanted to make it a big event. The next she senses you want this one to be a quieter one so the two of you stay in the house all day and don’t even open the blinds. She’s also amazing at buying presents and always gets you exactly what you want without fail. So much so, you’re sure she’s got someone to follow you or you must’ve said what you wanted in your sleep or something. Suki insists she’s just that good.

Despite Suki having a pretty self-defining career she never let that stop you from pursuing yours. You both agreed that nobody's career comes first and when you were offered a great training opportunity in the Water Tribe Suki encouraged you to take it. You'd be gone for around a year and would only be able to visit every month or so but Suki told you to go for it. She was so supportive sending you weekly letters and gifts. As her boss was also her friend Zuko, he brought Suki with him every time he visited the Water Tribe and allowed her free time to be with you. Being in a long-distance relationship was hard but the two of you put in the work and get through it.

When the two of you fight it’s not very serious. It takes a lot to make Suki angry, especially because she knows you'd never mean to hurt her and intent matters a lot to her. However we're all human and of course there would be times when you upset her. She'd go quiet and thoughtful and when you ask her what's wrong she tells you. Suki believes in honest communication and the two of you would always try and talk out whatever was happening for as long as it takes. You try to never let arguments fester and handle them as quickly as possible. Suki is nothing if not efficient.

Working out with Suki would be...hilarious. We've all seen that scene in the Boiling Rock episode where she takes out all the guards, runs up a wall and is basically just amazing. That's her on her morning jog each day. Suki doesn't pull her punches so you realised very quickly working out together wasn't a couple’s activity for you. Instead you go to the park or gym with her and sit at a nearby cafe and wave to her as she does her laps. You read or draw or whatever you like to do and she exercises. Then when she's done you go home together.

Suki is very busy so she wouldn't have time for a high-maintenance pet. I can see her with a cat that the two of you adopted when you moved in together. Suki would be the responsible good parent while you're the chaotic pushover. "Suki she's hungry, I think I should feed her" you said as your cat stared up at you. "Y/n we fed her an hour ago, she's just being greedy" Suki replied. You sighed "fine..." and sat back down. A few minutes later you left to go to the bathroom and made a bee-line for the kitchen...only to find Suki already there. "What? How did you get past me?" you cried and Suki smiled "through Avatar Kyoshi all things are possible...now go sit back down".

You wanted to name the cat Kyoshi but Suki vetos that and you name it Yun instead

Suki is an intuative cool partner. The type you can take to any event because she will get on with the people there and enjoy it. She’s a delight to be around and at times it feels like she’s your everything. She’s the thing keeping you going each day and the two of you make a very happy partnership.

Sokka

Sokka takes that typical macho approach to love. When he realises he likes you, instead of small kind gestures or just telling you, he would tease you constantly. He'd talk to you every chance he could get and would constantly be joking or messing around. Katara can read him like a book and would just sigh "when are you going to ask her out?". "Ask who out? Y/n! That's crazy! You're crazy Katara!" Sokka cried. Katara just smiled and shook her head.

Eventually though Sokka would realise imitating your accent or laughing at your hairstyle (shockingly) wasn't the great flirting endeavour he thought it was. So he'd ask you to do an activity together and you'd say yes.

Sokka would have some pretty incorrect stereotypes about dating which you'd have to help him unlearn. He'd been taught very traditional things about what the role of a male and female should be in a relationship and so might not understand what a more liberal view of that is, but through trial and error (with a LOT of mistakes) he'd learn.

As a partner Sokka is pretty damn adorable. He'd notice every little thing about you and would bore all his friends by telling them things he found fascinating. "Do you know y/n can read things upside down? How cool is that?" he cried making Zuko and Aang frown."See that is pretty cool but maybe not relevant right now..." Zuko said glancing around at the assembled council as this was a council meeting. Sokka nodded "oh yeah got it! I'll tell you about it later". His friends would all sigh about how soppy he became anytime someone mentioned you but it was sweet really and they totally used it to their advantage...

Katara and Aang walked into the room and approached. “Hey Sokka how are you?” Aang asked. “Fine, what do you need i’m really busy” Sokka replied. “Oh nothing we’re just stopping by” Aang said and Sokka grunted in response. “Hey so y/n’s arriving tomorrow isn’t she?” Katara asked. Sokka immeidately changed. His body language relaxed and he smiled widely “yeah, I can’t wait!”. “What time is she getting here?” Aang asked and Sokka began to tell them all the details. “That’s good...we were thinking of taking a trip next week. Would you be okay handling stuff on your own?”. “Sure no problem, also did I tell you what y/n said in her letter yesterday? She said the funniest thing...” and that was pretty much how they got Sokka to do anything.

You got him to reduce his meat intake just by telling him it’d be nice for the two of you to try something new together. Sokka the self-proclaimed lover of meat gave that up because you asked him to.

Sokka's friends all liked you pretty instantly. Katara thought you were a saint for putting up with Sokka's dumb ideas and sense of humour. Aang thought you and Sokka were very compatible and found it funny both Appa and Momo liked you more than Sokka. Toph was of course a little jealous given her crush on Sokka but even she had to admit there was nobody better matched for him than you. So she slowly got over her jealousy. Zuko liked you because you always treated him like a friend and not like a Firelord. They all thought you helped Sokka be a better person and made each other happy. What more could you ask for?

Suki ironically also really liked you. At first Sokka thought she'd be jealous and was wary of the two of you meeting. He even had a whole elaborate scheme when it was Katara's birthday so you wouldn't meet. Then he saw the two of you chatting by the refreshments and nearly died. He gasped and ran to help you "I think you should go see Katara" he said to you forcefully trying to pull you away. "Why?" you asked pushing his hand off you "Suki and I are getting acquainted". Suki nodded "yeah we're having lots of fun discussing all the silly stuff you say". "Wait you know who each other are?" Sokka asked and you both laughed. "Duh!" Suki smiled "I'm a trained warrior, I can pick up on things". You nodded "and she's literally wearing her captain's uniform...so that made it pretty easy". Sokka blinked "and you're...okay with one another?". "Why wouldn't we be?" Suki asked and you nodded "just because Suki's your ex doesn't mean we have to hate each other". "Yeah we're above all that sexist crap" Suki said and Sokka nodded "okay then...carry on" and left you to it. The idea of even being near your ex made Sokka furious so he found this very odd but you and Suki became good friends which was nice. He realised he didn't have to banish Suki just because they'd broken up and that this was a really healthy relationship.

Sokka is protective so if anyone and I mean anyone dares to say a bad thing about you, he’s ready to fistfight. There are 2 problems with this however

1. he doesn't take into account how badly he could lose a fight. For example when he said your name one day and Appa happened to be passing gas at the same time he took offence. He began yelling at the sky bison and then jumped on Appa, messing up his fur. Appa simply swatted Sokka away and put his paw on him, keeping him rooted to the floor.

2. Sokka's second problem was he tended to imagine insults where there were none. Once they were at Kyoshi Island and Aang wanted to go Elephant-Koi fish surfing but the fish weren't there. After waiting an hour Katara suggested calling it quits and Aang sighed "let's just go and meet y/n in Omashu". Sokka didn't like Aang's tone and immediately bristled. "Oh I'm sorry is it such a chore to see y/n? Do you not enjoy visiting her? Has she not always been an amazing friend to you?" he cried. "Of course not I love seeing y/n! She’s a great friend to me!". "So why did you say her name like that?" Sokka asked and Katara sighed "Sokka you know Aang didn't mean it like that, leave him alone!". "I will not stand by while someone insults my partner!" he cried and Katara rolled her eyes "Aang wasn't doing that!". "I promise I wasn't!" Aang said and Sokka paused "you weren't?". "No I love y/n!" Aang said. Sokka narrowed his eyes inspecting him before he sighed "okay my bad" and moved on, leaving a very relieved Airbender and angry waterbender.

When Sokka realised he loves you he'd plan a whole evening to tell you and of course because fate does not favour Sokka everything would go wrong and he'd get really upset.

"Sokka...are you okay?" you asked he continued to angrily beat the curtains which had stopped being on fire quite a few seconds ago. "Yep I'm fine!" he said but you could tell by how high his voice was going that he wasn't. "No you're not Sokka stop!" and you pulled him away from the curtains "I know our date got messed up when it rained and we had to come inside...and when our food got burned accidentally...and when the curtains then caught fire destroying all the beautiful decorations you put out...but that's no reason to get upset". Sokka sighed "but I wanted tonight to be special!". "Why?" you asked chuckling and Sokka slumped into his seat hanging his head "because I wanted to tell you that I...that I love you". You paused "you did?". Sokka nodded "yeah and I wanted it to be a real special occasion we'd both remember for years but I messed everything up!". Sokka you didn't mess anything up!" you said taking a seat next to him "I will remember this night forever and not because of all the fancy things or decorations but because of you...you saying those words are more than enough to make this memorable". Sokka looked at you "really?". "Really" you smiled.

Sokka LOVES compliments and he’s not humble either. He will happily accept them and agree with you which makes it rather funny. “Sokka that was so cool!” you cried when he successfully disarmed Zuko in combat. “I know” he smirked. “Don’t encourage him y/n” Katara whispered but you just smiled. You knew Sokka just wanted to feel loved and that’s why he enjoyed compliments so much. However you didn’t want him to get a big ego so you treated compliments with Sokka how a person might handle treats with a dog. Only on certain occasions when it was warranted and that worked pretty well.

Sokka might be nervous to introduce you to his family at first because he cares a lot about what his tribe thinks of him and doesn't want them to be disappointed he's dating an "outsider". This would be a really big test for you and Sokka because he has to decide what's more important, tradition or you. At first he'd try and keep the two separate however that can't continue forever and eventually he brings you to the WaterTribe. He's hyperaware of everything as you walk to his home together. "Is it just me or are people watching us?" he asked and Katara frowned "nobodies watching us and even if they are they're probably just intrigued about y/n". Sokka nodded but that didn't reassure him.

Then around his family he got nervous all over again. He was a ball of nerves as you chatted to his father and gran gran. "So y/n what do your parents do?" his gran gran asked. "My mother is a mechanic and my father is a stay-at-home dad". Sokka anxiously watched his elders and saw them pause "so your father stays at home and your mother works?" Hakoda asked. You nodded "yep! In my home couples choose who should stay home and my father wanted to. "That's so cool" Katara said and you smiled. "It's certainly...different" gran gran said and Sokka nearly choked. "Yes in the best possible way" Hakoda smiled "we're trying to improve the gender equality in our tribe and your home sounds like a wonderful place for us to learn from, please tell us more". Sokka dropped his fork in shock. "Sokka table manners!" gran gran said before turning to you "now dear tell me, how many of your girls are educated". Sokka couldn't believe it. He'd assumed his tribe would hate your ideals but they were more progressive than he thought. After that, he brought you home with him any time he could and even flew his father and gran gran to your home so they could see it all. Your families got along wonderfully and Sokka never underestimated his tribe again.

Sokka also LOVES birthdays but not just his own he adores your own too. Sokka is a big kid at heart and so he gets more excited for your birthday than you do. He wakes up extra early and tries his best to make you, your favourite breakfast in bed. Then he drags you to the living room so you can open your presents. He watches you excitedly while you unwrap them, so thrilled to see what you think of them. He prefers for you to spend your birthday just the two of you and gets jealous when your other friends and family want to see you too. He adores you and so having a whole day where he just gets to celebrate you is amazing in his eyes.

Sokka wants to make it super clear your career is just as important as his. Growing up that wasn't the typical attitude between males and females but he wanted it to be. When he was offered a high-ranking role in the Water Tribe he asked for time to discuss it with you and considered your job. He never assumed to know what you were thinking and listened to you. He put off accepting the job for several years so you could finish studying and then you made the joint decision to move there. He even looked into all the careers you could have in the Water Tribe and only agreed to move once you had one you were really passionate about. Just liking the sound of it wasn't enough he wanted you to really want to move and wouldn't accept anything less.

Fights with Sokka are hilarious. He might be one of the brightest minds in the four nations but he also had an immature side and that comes out when you argue. His logic went right out the window and you'd verbally destroy him. This would make Sokka very mardy and pouty which you found adorable. He’d sulk for a little while but after half an hour or so he wouldn’t care anymore and would be back to normal.

You quite enjoyed working out with Sokka because he was a big fan of rewarding yourselves for good behaviour. So you would hardly do any work and then take a nice break. It was basically just an opportunity for you and Sokka to spend some time together while possibly doing a little bit of exercise. Sokka is also totally that partner that likes to set up on the machine next to you. You don’t go around attached at the hip but if he sees you on one treadmill he will come and take the one next to you because he likes being close to you. Sokka would also be a huge hype man and so you love getting him to spot you when you do weights. He cheers you on constantly and makes exercising easier in every way.

Sokka would claim to hate animals because of all the mess, smell and noise etc but he would adore the pet you got together. He'd of course complain the whole time you were buying the pet but he'd slowly start to melt. You'd catch him covering up the little animal with a blanket at night or waking up early so he can feed and play with it. He'd even take it with him on his rounds as councillor and soon they're inseparable. "Do you remember when I said I wanted a pet and we got one for me?". Sokka looked down where your pet was curled up against him asleep "yeah well they chose me, don't be a sore loser y/n".

Sokka is a fun, unique and witty partner. There’s never a quiet moment when he’s around and nobody can make you laugh or smile like he can. He’s not only hilarious but can be serious and sweet in ways that send shivers down your spine. You have no doubt he’d go to the end of the earth for you and no matter your differences, you’re perfect together.

__________

Requested by: @angrypolicetimetravel

So obviously I didn’t include Toph and Aang because they’re both 12 but I really loved writing this for Katara, Zuko, Suki and Sokka! They’re all so fun but have such different personalities.

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iwritenarrativesandstuff · 8 months

Text

Trimax Thoughts Vol. 10 Pt. 1

Stream of consciousness again. Here goes (I say with a lot of trepidation even though I have a sinking feeling I already know what's going to happen)

Coming back to edit the beginning here to, ah... inform you all that this pretty quickly devolved into a record of my complete mental breakdown. So, uh, idk, maybe this will be actually somewhat funny to read, especially for those of you who knew what was coming. My tears will be your balm for this week. Maybe.

I don't know how to verbalize this but there's something about this image I really like compositionally. There's something about it that evokes a kind of bittersweet peace. It just really sets a tone for what I'm pretty sure I know is to come. I am not ready.

"It's 'specially because of times like these that an idiot like him plays an important role. He's doin' somethin' extraordinary. He believes." <- so so so very true! A light in the dark is not just rebellious, it's necessary. He's allowing himself to hope, not because he suddenly believes as strongly as Vash in the world at large (he's still far from that) but because he believes in Vash himself.

Fuck right off Chapel.

He's literally being impaled by a cross. There's. Something to read in that but I'm sorry I know nothing about Catholicism/Christianity...

"obsessive sense of attachment" <- so long as his disciples do as he molds them to do. in that sense, it's a little reminiscent of Knives' desperation to keep Vash with him and his quick anger when Vash does not behave the way he expects him to, but it also kind of makes Chapel the anti-Wolfwood, in a way. The true lack of hope, the way he would apparently do just about anything for his child disciples, but only out of a sense of them being easier to mold/manipulate, rather than Wolfwood's genuine love for the kids at the orphanage, and the compassion he's shown downtrodden kids in general. Chapel values Razlo because he values his usefulness, which unfortunately makes sense as to why Razlo would be so loyal to him. I have to wonder the circumstances that led to Razlo killing all those people... I don't think it would've been for no reason at all - he killed Livio's parents because they were abusing them, killed the dog likely because of a grave miscalculation of cause-and-effect when it came to Jasmine almost dying, and killed the men who were tormenting Livio when he ran off. But anyways I hate how the EoM keeps shackling him and restraining him like he's some feral animal. Has anyone ever been kind to Razlo? Has anyone ever rewarded him for anything other than being useful? Look, kid had some serious issues that needed to have been addressed (instead of training the severely traumatized hair-trigger violent kid to be... even more violent lol what did they expect would happen?), but... look at him. He was still very much a kid who saw someone who proved that he was useful to them through an incredibly violent act - the only language Razlo actually understood. Idk if there's any reaching him now but... ugh.

Orphanage lady I adore you. Also the kids refusing to scatter hjdfhbvsjdf

"Why else would he bite the hand of his master?" Really, with this and the way Razlo is restrained in flashbacks, we're going for a strong "trained attack dog" theme going on here huh? Fuck you dude. (There's also "bite the hand that feeds you" as an expression... which is interesting too, because Chapel clearly feels Wolfwood should feel honoured by his teachings... but his was never the hand that fed. Chapel tore this child down.)

NO FUCK OFF THIS IS WHAT HE WAS MOST AFRAID OF. And I hate this so much more because this means that Chapel actually knows Wolfwood's fears quite well... but ASSHOLE WHOSE FAULT IS THIS?

Yes!!! They love you! Get loved, idiot!!!!! You never had to do everything alone... :')

*ugly sobbing*

I still think Wolfwood tried to do this alone out of a sense of personal accountability and not wanting to burden Vash with his own problems - while he thinks they could've done this as a team here, I think he's still only thinking in "I failed" rather than realizing that helping would've been far from a burden. If that makes any sense. I still think Wolfwood devalues how much he matters to the people he cares about.

Here he is! Using his Plant powers without hesitation again to intervene and help Wolfwood. I can't believe the way they allow each other to become less afraid.

"I made a friend." Yes! You! Did!!! I reiterate! GET LOVED.

Aaaaaaand Wolfwood still can't quite wrap his head around the idea that his personal struggles might actually be incredibly important to Vash. See, I don't think it's that Wolfwood thinks Vash doesn't care about him - far from it, I think he definitely knows that - the heartbreaking part is the way he never seems to think he is anyone's priority. (And he really has become a priority to Vash hasn't he? He's postponing the confrontation with Knives to help him. :O) Also the way "I can't believe it." is overlayed on the panel with the church bell and the "angel" wing. Ha. Nice. Nice. This is fine.

I'm sorry but this made me laugh so hard. Imagine some angel looking guy appears out of nowhere and blocks all your bullets. Like. Yeah. That would be the response hdjfhbsdjfvh (Also I think this is a fantastic reaction image pfft)

"That overdose will make your heart rupture!" ...no...

Did he just throw Chapel? Is he dead???

AUGH I WAS RIGHT ABOUT THE SUNGLASSES. He's trying to hide his eyes again (just like he does earlier in the series when he's about to shoot with lethal intent/is trying to hide his feelings) because he thinks they reveal him as a monster or irredeemable - they do not. They never have. But Vash... apparently either hearing his thoughts or just knowing him well enough to know what he needs and responding to that instantly... :'(

...I wonder... is this the first time Razlo has registered a death as cruel? Chapel died instantly; that's not really all that cruel... the cruel part is that Razlo is experiencing personal loss.

NOOOO WE'RE GETTING A FLASHBACK TO THEIR FIRST MEETING WITH VASH'S THOUGHTS AND THE FUCKING BIRD??? THE BIRD REALLY IS MEANT TO BE VASH AND HIS IDEALS, ISN'T IT? AUGH

AW YEAH THEY'RE TAG-TEAMING BABY!!! Everything is different when they are back to back :)

Ahdjfhvbd and now they're saying the exact same things at the same time. Soulmate behaviour fr

I missed them being silly together so much... it's amazing too, because in spite of the situation, they both seem so much less tense than earlier. Still though... "why are you here?" and he can't spit out an answer, even though it should be really obvious... like I think they both know but accepting/admitting that is another matter.

God this is such an "I missed you I'm so glad you're here" moment. Probably as close as Wolfwood is going to get to outright saying that

Hello? Wolfwood's loved ones in one panel right next to Vash's loved ones in the other? Vash repeating Wolfwood's arguments of "realism" and "have to get back to the kids"? Wolfwood, you're scaring him...

I'm fascinated that the "he had become very close to me" part is overlayed with the scene where Wolfwood tries to get Vash to shoot. The whole "if I pull that out of you"... then combined with "What is important? What are we willing to do to protect it?" ...Livio and Vash are important to Wolfwood, so he is trying hard not to kill. Has Wolfwood become so important to Vash that... he might?

YOU CAN SEE HIS EYES THROUGH THE SUNGLASSES AHHHH

NO. NO. NO. HE WANTS TO LIVE PAST KNIVES. HE WANTS A FUTURE. HE WANTS A FUTURE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE STORY. HE WANTS WOLFWOOD THERE WITH HIM. ALSO I JUST NOTICED HE TOSSED HIS FUCKING GUN ASIDE TO CATCH HIM. He doesn't want this kind of life for them... he wants peace for them both... he wants them to stick together, even when there are no more battles to fight... he wants to live for Wolfwood. He wants to live with Wolfwood. Oh my god. No. No.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

STOP. WHY WOULD YOU FOCUS ON THE HAND. IT'S DIGGING INTO HIS BACK. He can't hold him... he can't...

Hey uh. Does it mean something that Vash didn't even react or feel the knives (the knives) in his shoulder because the pain of this hurts so much worse right now? (Also did I need to cause myself emotional damage by writing that out?)

REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Oh damn I think he is mad enough to kill. Holy shit.

In other news. I hate everything.

The sunglasses blown off his face again. When Razlo threatens Vash. Fuck off.

This fight scene is awesome and I love how brutal yet clever of a fighter Wolfwood is. ...I wish I could enjoy it more. Alas. I feel only pain.

I'LL NEVER BE WHOLE AGAIN. I'LL NEVER BE WHOLE AGAIN. RAZLO'S LINE AND THEN THIS. WHY WHY WHY

:O (reminds me of the Diablo chapter...)

Ok first off how the hell was Chapel still alive. Secondly, AHEOHJBFSHUCBSJVHSBJHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Livio :') (I feel pretty bad for Razlo though all things considered... I hope he's not gone for good? That'd be weird I think...)

Wolfwood, after all this shit, just laying on the ground: "yeah seems like a good time for a cigarette"

AHH AHH AHH AHH AHH AHH AHH AHHHHHHHHHH

HNNNNGGGHDFBSUHCBUHSB... HHHHH A BAPY

wait. how could it have only been six years. what.

NOOOOOOO GOD THIS IS JUST LIKE VASH THINKING MERYL WAS SCARED OF HIM ALL OVER AGAIN. SWEETIE NO I AM POSITIVE THAT KID ONLY SCREAMED BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD. THEY LOVE YOUUUUU

...oof. I think Livio's hiding too. :(

GHHHHHHHHHHH THE COINS

Hjfshvbdfjhbv Livio comic relief. I'm so sorry buddy but I needed that. Hope you're ok...?

...so this is the scene the "infamous couch" is from. Okay. Okay. I get it now. Ow.

...I'm actually fighting back tears right now. I. I don't usually cry at stuff like this. I don't know if I can do this man.

He wants him to smile even if it's not a real one. He just wants to know he'll be ok. But Vash can't smile. He can't handle this kind of genuine talk. It'll make it all real. He's actually praying. Praying for just this one person. He's. He's never done that before, has he...?

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

ugh yeah no i'm crying. i'm tearing up. oww...

Oh, well, so is Wolfwood. Ugh. Ow. Ow.

...I saw the bell and had to stop and take a break. I don't want to turn the page. I don't want this. I'll come back tomorrow. Bye.

Hhhhh... What if you died knowing you were loved and you didn't realize how much until the end. What if you died realizing you always could've come home; that you would always be recognized for who you are, not what you'd been cruelly forced to become. What if you died seeing a possible future with the ones you loved but never being able to obtain it. Because it is far, far too late for that. The gratitude, the relief, the anguish that it all ends just as you realize what you could've had, and you cry out. But you still died knowing you were loved. And that's far more than you ever imagined for yourself.

I like to think he was smiling at the end because... it finally sank in.

And the bottle is labelled Bride??? What does that mean??? (Oh wait now I want to go back and look at the other alcohol bottles in the series to see if there's anything interesting on them) But uh, yeah, is this a religious thing, because I'm... why Bride. Why "The Bride". Huh?

^Hey this is really effective. Also, fuck off.

^Nightow sensei WHAT THE HELL MAN. Was this necessary?

Yeah I saw the first page of chapter 8 and my entire stomach just lurched. I think we should all receive compensation for emotional damage here. The bird... but it's not the black kite (Vash)... what kind of bird is that, I wonder?

Ah... Vash buried him. Alone. Hm. Yes, feeling normal about this. (Also Livio woke up inside the house which means... he must've moved him there too...)

"What do you mean "why"? You of all people should know why." <-oh. ow. yikes...

Oh... oh. His hair. :(

And it's so... he protected the area from the Ark. Ok he's protecting the place Wolfwood died to protect. Par for the course for Vash really. Except... hasn't everyone here evacuated already? He's protecting the place itself. ...also idk if this is right or not, but given the way the black hair is expending his own lifeforce it's... kind of hard not to see this a little as him expending the time he was planning on sharing with Wolfwood... and also that his hair went black... like the colour of mourning. ...with the "Bride" thing too it's... no. I shan't say it. I hate it here.

Hhhhhh... they both associate him with food...

Well. This has wrecked me. Thank you guys. I don't think I can analyze anything this week I'm too sad.

#trigun #trimax #trigunbookclub #how could you do this to meeeeeee #storyrambles

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