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#but.. idk. its just hard. these identities are so hit and miss with ppl and them understanding and being hurtful later on
the-kipsabian · 8 months
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#feeling really weird in my body tonight so im going back to bed#idk just.. have had gender and identity issues today. its just. a lot#like being ngc and not out of the closet cause i dont wanna talk about it is so exhausting and im just. yeah#not to mention the whole aroace thing#just been thinking a lot today. idk. i know im not faking any of it but bringing it out to ppl is just. so much sometimes#i have two irl friends who know. one thats thankfully very careful about it around other friends cause he knows im not out yet#but its still exhausting. especially when the conversation goes on those rails while undermining specifically my identities#without these ppl knowing about it. and i dont wanna talk about it cause technically its irrelevant but like..#idk. im just afraid of being left alone. being called awkward and weird and faking it and that its just a phase and... yeah idk#idk where this is going im just complaining now. i would just like to exist as myself without having to explain shit#cause these are terms and things i would have to explain. oh whats an agender? then why do you still look feminine and not enby(???)#how do you know youre ace if youve never dated? or aro?? as if these things dont work the other way around#im just already tired of it but i feel like eventually i should break it out. these ppl are my friends. we have a trans person in this grou#and ppl understand him and his perspective. i guess part of that is the thing im afraid about tbh. that they think im following a trend#or an example. that i havent been dealing with this for at least like five or six years before they came out as enby and later trans to us#but.. idk. its just hard. these identities are so hit and miss with ppl and them understanding and being hurtful later on#aaaand now im crying. this is so stupid im going to bed good night#night is an absolute mess on main#(tho be clear tho ive known im ace for over half of my lifetime now. the five to six years was about being agender/enby. fyi)
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Do you have any hcs for Magnus taking ppl to pride for the first time? I kinda feel like he’d act as a guide for others, making sure everyone feels safe and happy during their first time. Like, I can picture him bringing daylighter Raphael out for the first time, showing Meliorn around (bc even though they’ve been around for a while, the Seelies don’t really do human stuff) and holding Alec’s hand while he looks around in amazement.
well surprise surprise this got very long. bet y’all never saw that coming
ok so i particularly love this ask because like, the idea of meliorn going to pride for the first time is a riot and i adore it
like seelie society has developed completely independently from mundane society in every way, hell, it existed before humans did. so there's absolutely no reason whatsoever to believe that their culture even has the concepts of gender of sexuality, and believing that it would be the same as modern western ones is just straight up anachronistic tbh
so like personally i hc that seelie society has no gender (and therefore no concept of sexuality in the way that we see it), so the idea of pride- doesn't even make sense to them, cuz there's no concept of these identities, much less a history of oppression that would bring forward the need to celebrate their resistance like there currently is
so meliorn would want to go just to like, see what that's like and what's it all about. and the whole time they're just following Magnus around and like, taking notes. hm, interesting, what is this trans thing again? ah yes, people who dont think their personality matches the one mundanes believe would be brought by their genitals. hm. fascinating. and Magnus is just like, laughing loudly and it's the best pride he's ever been to, because he knows how ridiculous queerphobia and cishetnormativity are, but meliorn can make that so clear in their words in a way thats just, like, fantastic to hear, you know? and they dont even mean to, but it's great all the same
plus meliorn actually does feel good because a lot of people look at them and smile broadly or even wave, especially younger people who are just like, in awe of them and Magnus, who are so unapologetically gnc and indisputably beautiful, and looking at them is just like, inspiring, you know? and Meliorn has never felt this admired and appreciated and they dont even fully understand why, they're just walking around in their usual clothing and leaf makeup and everyone is just like, in love with them. and it's nice. they can tell there's an edge of sadness to the whole thing, like how their normal everyday existence seems to be so shocking and refreshing for these people, but mostly they feel good about it
later they bring their findings to the other seelies - you know, the ones who dont usually leave the realm and are way less familiar with mundane culture(s) than they are - and the others are like. shut up. there's no way this is real. the shape of their genital defines what wavelength they are supposed to find appealing? this makes no sense. and meliorn's like "idk what to tell u buddy i literally physically can't lie" and they're like surely this is an elaborate prank
but anyway it's fun and nice and they enjoy it greatly and ask Magnus a lot of questions, and Magnus loves going with them more than anyone else because its just so fun and the way this is completely unnatural to them feels refreshing - Magnus doesnt have to explain why he feels the way he feels, for once, but rather he has to explain why people dont get that, and thats a good change tbh
okay onto other ppl im sorry for this tangent djdndjdndk RAPHAEL YES. god i just. okay i love the mental image of Magnus taking Raphael to pride aaaaaaaa
like okay first of all so many layeRS to make this emotional, okay. the fact that he's now a daylighter and can enjoy being out in the sun, the fact that this is a bright costumed parade and it kinda reminds him of the día de los muertos parade and makes him feel at home, the fact that he gets to celebrate and meet other ace ppl - just, so many good things going on here dundidmdi
and Raphael was kinda unsure about going because 1- pride can get pretty sexual at times, and while he gets it and doesn't mind other people's business, he doesn't want to be hit on or participate in that; 2- big crowd makes senses go craycray and it can get very overwhelming and he's scared of overload, plus it's just not his scene in general with huge parties and such. but a part of him does want to go and he's torn, so of course Magnus is immediately like "oh dear, don't worry, i can take you, i'll make sure it's good" and Raphael is like okay
so Magnus takes him and it's :') nice, because as always he’s just so attentive. disclosure i’ve only ever been to the São Paulo pride so i’m gonna go with how it works in here but im assuming it’s not that different in like, other places. also São Paulo currently has the biggest pride parade in the world along with NYC so you know, i think it’s influential at the very least
anyway so he finds a section that’s led by ace pride groups, one that’s considerably small (in number of ppl) and spacious, and it’s. nice. very nice. magnus makes it a point to paint the ace pride colors on raphael’s face (we deserve raphael in makeup tbh) and raphael is all like “it’s fine, it’s not like i’ll want to draw a lot of attention” (like he isn’t wearing the ace flag colors already) and magnus is like hush, let me have this, i want my boy to have a good pride experience. so raphael lets him and hides his smile and lets him, and it’s. cute okay
also idk why but i have the mental image of raphael seeing some other latino guy with some sign like. “i’m not your fetish” or something of the sort, and kind of tearing up because his whole life he’s been seen as this kind of sexual fantasy that couldn’t not be about sex, much less not be interested in it, and he feels seen. and it’s nice, okay
and as promised it’s not too overwhelming in matters of like people, tactile issues and such (there’s little magnus can do about the noise other than spell raphael to decrease his sensitivity so he doesn’t get overwhelmed, which is not ideal because it makes communication a bit harder between them, but he does it anyway if raphael asks him to), and if raphael gets tired, they can always turn into a corner and take a portal back home and cuddle the post-crowd jitteriness away. so it’s a success. and raphael hugs magnus later and thanks him and says that it was so great, that he’s missed this, the energy and the colors and the sun, and he never thought he’d get to have it again, and he did thanks to magnus. and magnus hugs him back and tells him “anything for you, my boy,” and it’s the sweetest thing okay im emo
also okay this still falls under Raphael and Meliorn but the POLYCULE okay, or at least saiaphaeliorn. like sign me the fuck up for the 4 of them together at pride, meliorn and magnus helping make some cute pride-themed makeup on the other 3, just aaaaaaaaa. maia looking absolutely gorgeous with her face framed in the bright bi colors, maybe a sunny dress with the trans flag colors? just because i think she’d look so cute in like, a mostly white dress with baby pink and blue details, okay. simon just paints the pan flag on his cheek but it’s still vibrant and cute and it suits him. and ghhghghghg meliorn delicately painting raphael’s face with colorful glitter..... effervescent, okay. just beautiful
and they get to hold hands in public and laugh and crack jokes and simon loves the music and the festival and raphael smiles fondly at him and maia singing along (him and meliorn definitely don’t know what the fuck they’re singing, but it’s okay because they’re clearly happy and that makes the two of them happy too) and just duahsdiahdaiuha soft okay. also they all get to experience meliorn’s takes on the whole thing and it’s fantastic and as usual meliorn gets raphael to laugh until he almost cries, and simon smiles brightly at the sight and gives meliorn a peck for their efforts, and just aaaaaaaa
in short they’re SOFT and i’m SOFT. and look yes i know that usually parades esp big ones are super crowded (lord knows the SP pride parade is an experience) but if in SP with 5 million ppl parading i could find sections with less people where you had enough space to walk holding hands and hear each other and not be overwhelmed, then i’m sure they can too, especially with magic and powers at their disposal. so i’m going to have this
also like. as much fun as this is for magnus (and it definitely is, it’s very nice to get to enjoy to be himself openly, and to bring kids there for their first time, and you know), it’s also bittersweet because like. he was there at stonewall, he was there for the first pride, you know? and apart from the obvious part where he lost so many friends who were there, there’s just. the very bad memories of the riots, because as important as they are and as much as he obviously doesn’t regret them, riots are hard, they are the language of the oppressed. he’s had to magically protect people from being shot by the police, he’s had to withstand trial by the Clave for using magic to shield the people from the tear gas and risking being seen, he’s had to save a lot of lives and he’s failed at it sometimes, too (i’ll always hc that he’s the reason neither Marsha nor Sylvia died during the riots and you can pry that away from my cold, dead hands). and he’s also seen it be whitewashed and lose some of its resistance and meaning, he’s seen Sylvia be booed at a later march when she spoke against imprisonment, and he’s seen so much be lost
and in that sense going to pride with alec later on might be his favorite, because it’s not like, a first time where he’s trying to get everyone to have the most fun they can and shit, you know? plus alec loves watching more than he does participating, he feels way too exposed in the crowded streets with so many openings and whatnot. but watching from a rooftop, where he has the best view, can still hear the sounds and enjoy the colors and the beauty of it from a distance? that’s perfect for him, and it’s a different experience
and magnus sits by his side as they watch, hand in hand, and reminisces about everything that he’s experienced after so many years, all the changes he’s seen, how he feels pride but he also feels loss and he feels old, and he fears what happens if pride’s history is forgotten, you know? and alec listens to him, listens to his version of this story, playing with magnus’ fingers and just enjoying the sound of his voice and the sight. and it’s nice. alec is always super attentive and enjoys hearing him talk and magnus can get lost in his memories unapologetically, you know? and it’s good
but that’s later on, of course, when they’ve already attended plenty together. for alec’s first pride he probably wants it to be like, perfect, so much so that alec has to tell him to slow down again, because of course magnus wants alec to have The Full Pride Experience, but alec would rather soak it up slowly than participate in a lot of stuff, anyway. magnus paints the rainbow flag on his cheek (one of the only occasions alec lets magnus put glitter on him, then promptly complains for the next three months because i swear that stuff is still on my skin, magnus, the other day i found some on my shoes! and magnus laughs at his antics as always and alec is forced to laugh too and can’t even be mad) and they kind of stay more by the end, and alec is kind of smiling in disbelief to himself the whole time as he watches all the colors and the unapologetic way people express their pride, and magnus can’t stop looking at him and grinning, too. and they walk hand in hand and it’s cute
(later, magnus says, see, mundane culture isn’t so bad, is it? and alec looks at him with a way more serious look, full of joy and happiness, and says, no, it isn’t. and kisses him and thanks him for everything, and it’s sweet)
also I'm soft thinking about Magnus reminiscing about planning the first pride along with "his dear friend Brenda" to Alec and/or Raphael, them putting their arms around his shoulder as he tells them the softer stories, too, the good things they did
small bonus: Magnus plays 2 truths and a lie with Simon regarding his memories of past prides, and Simon gets it wrong every time and is all wide eyed by the end, which makes both Magnus and Raphael laugh :)
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tiny-space-robot · 3 years
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Okay so Fire Emblem anon here!! Here's a Kinda Super Long Bc I Got Carried Away description of a few Fire Emblem games, plus some characters that seem like they hit tropes you like!
The good news is that there's not a super huge overarching timeline, there's several smaller timelines that are seperate from one another except for the crossover games. I'm gonna go with describing the newer ones that you're most likely to be able to get your hands on and play; a lot of people complain that they lean into some anime-tropey stuff and are too easy, but tbh, that's a perk just as often as it isn't. Basically, it's Game of Thrones, but rated T and with more cute girls and old men who are friendly instead of creepy.
Tbh, it's a turn-based strategy game with visual novel elements for characterization, if strategy games aren't your thing and you're just interested in the characters, watching the support conversations on Youtube might be more your thing. All the characterization, none of the resetting the same goshdang level thirty times. Anyways, description of the games in passing, including a brief description of the plot concept, pros and cons, trigger warnings, and some characters you might be interested in if you're just looking up characters.
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Awakening: for the 3DS. Follows Robin, an amnesiac mage, after they're found in a field by a band of knights called the Shepherds. Involves the undead, a twink in a mask, timey-wimey shenangians, and the usual cast of oddballs you'd expect from a Fire Emblem game.
Pros of Awakening: customizable player character, intro of Casual mode (turns off permadeath) and the Pair Up system, which lets you put characters together for shipping reasons strategy and stat boosts. Also doubles as a shipping simulator, since you can pair off characters and meet their later in the game due to said timey-wimey shenangians.
Cons of Awakening: there are some....very concerning combos of names/skin tones/plot relevance for certain characters, so go in with a warning about implicit racism. Also if you like strategy games, this game is relatively easy to break and make "too easy," but tbh that's what Lunatic Mode (the Ultra Unfair Hard Mode) is for.
Trigger warnings across the main plot: underhanded politics, attempted assassinations, martyrdom, an optional character is implied to stalk Robin but idk how to tag that, identity crises, conflicts within a family, character who isn't you looks like you, backstory child abuse, an optional character is a bad portrayal of DID if you squint?
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Fates: is actually a group name for two games set in the same universe, and a DLC bonus story: Birthright, Conquest, and Revelations. All for the 3DS. All three games star Corrin, a pacifist raised in seclusion in the kingdom of Nohr. Each game reflects a different path Corrin can take in navigating the war between the nations of Nohr and Hoshido: Birthright has them stand with Hoshido, Conquest with Nohr, and Revelations has them strike out (nearly) alone. Each path has a completely different storyline, cast of characters, and difficulty curve.
Pros of Fates: honestly, the characters here cater the most to the avid pro-shipper and multi-shipper. I just love this cast. Both Nohr and Hoshido have four members of the royal family you can play and get to know, each of those royal family members has two retainers who are various levels of dedicated and/or unhinged, and the cast just widens and widens. Also a character customization and shipping simulator point for the same reasons Awakening gets it. Also, canon fujoshi rights (there's a character with a skill called Daydream, which boosts her stats when two male characters are paired up near her. one of us, one of us). Also the first game with canon queer characters: both Rhajat and Niles are bi.
Cons of Fates: unfortunately, the writing is kinda rushed or badly translated in some places. Also *shakes IntSys* my lore! Give me more lore! Also, iirc, you could get both physical games in a bundle for a discount when they came out, but not anymore, so it's sorta like Pokemon with version exclusives. Which is less fun, since you can't directly trade characters. Also the fandom for this game is RIFE with discourse, which is kinda sad bc I just wanna talk my ships with ppl sjxhdjdn
Trigger warnings for Fates: child abuse might as well be Nohr's middle name, in-universe racism (since Hoshido is p obviously Japan-inspired, and a lot of Nohrians are rancid to Hoshidans), kidnapping, on-screen murder, lots of fighting your loved ones (on both main routes, you gotta fight the playable characters from the other side AAA), su-c-de, death of sibling(s) in certain routes, demonic-like possession, there's like six characters people can read as bad mental illness rep, Niles especially is discourse bait for being a kinky (yes that's canon) bi man of color but also he's awesome so die mad antis
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Shadows of Valentia: for the 3DS. A remake of Gaiden, the second game in the series. Follows Alm, a farm boy from a small village in Zofia, and Celica, his childhood best friend. Zofia and the nation to its north, Rigel, are two nations ruled by the dragon gods Mila and Duma, respectively. Normally, they're in equilibrium, but Rigel is invading and Mila is missing, prompting Alm and Celica to independently investigate the problem.
Pros of SoV: the most like the old-school Fire Emblem games, but it also has the permadeath-off mode. also the first to be fully voice acted! The art style is gorgeous, and the plot was polished up from the old game--two characters names Berkut and Rinea were added, and they are PEAK OTP the diskhorse can die mad. Also the cast is pretty fun all around, from buddy squad and the older brother/dad figure they adopted along the way to "hello this is my gang of childhood friends, we're gonna kill a god" Also introduces Mila's Turnwheel, which lets you rewind your moves if you realize you goofed big time and screwed yourself over.
Cons of SoV: has the most references to other games, but you won't, like, be lost if you don't get them. You just might have a few interludes of "who tf is Camus/the White Wing Brigade/etc" but it's easy enough to look up on the wiki. Also tbh, the plot kinda drags in the middle, there's some filler battles to try and make it feel more realistic and it feels...weird. Also no custom character, you are Alm and Celica and you will Like It.
Trigger warnings for SoV: you know that thing where a girl character gets killed off for a guy character to angst over? the game starts with a fakeout version of that. also a character slowly goes mad over the course of the plot (but it's really well done imo?), there's some self-sacrifice stuff in there, classism is a major theme, possession/selling your soul™, there's a couple of levels where you're exploring tombs/prisons, I'm sure there's something else but I'm forgetting right now
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Three Houses: on the Switch. The newest game in the series, and the most polished imo? Stars Byleth, a wandering mercenary turned teacher at the Officer's Academy. The Academy, housed in Garreg Mach Monastery, teaches youths from across the land of Fodlan how to be warriors, commanders, and knights. Students are sorted into three houses based on their country of origin: the Black Eagles are from ghe Adrestian Empire, led by the heiress-apparent Edelgard; the Blue Lions are from the kingdom of Faerghus, led by prince Dimitri; and the Golden Deer are from the Leicester Alliance, led by Claude, grandson of the Duke. You choose one of these houses to lead, and then everything quickly goes sour.
Pros of Three Houses: It's such a rich experience! The music is incredible, there's so much lore, and you can wander around the Monastery and hang out with the students to your heart's content. Also, it's four storylines for the price of one, even if they're all relatively similar in the first half. It does a pretty solid job of weaving together its themes into a satisfying narrative that will make you consider everyone involved. Also we got our first bi main lord (Edelgard) and non-white main lord (Claude is mixed race) in one fell swoop! Also, given the setting, it's teacher/student ship heaven.
Cons of Three Houses: just gonna come right out and say it: one of the villainous factions in the game is pretty substantially tied up with some anti-semitic tropes. There's no way to ignore it, it's just bleh, and I'm not gonna send anyone in without that warning. Also, though there's some characters you can persuade to switch sides, or spare, there's no route where there's a happy ending for everyone. Also there are so many people who are fake deep about the themes of the game, so be ready for the worst takes imaginable about your faves. also super trigger heavy, see below.
Trigger warnings: MANY. Garreg Mach and the Church of Seiros are very reminiscent of catholic religious stuff, for anyone with religion triggers, blood in cutscenes, death of a parent, death of a sibling (different characters), major gaslighting vibes in some places, lots of people going unhinged, some white savior™ vibes in places, body horror, creepy ass weaponry, backstory genoc-de (mostly not related to the anti-semitism), blood magic (definitely related to the anti-semitism), in general it goes to a lot more effort than the other games to make you think about what's Actually going on, even if it doesn't always work.
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As for characters you'd like, if you just want to look some characters up, my recommendations based on what I understand about you include:
Awakening: Libra fits 'gnc man of the cloth' so well it's actually a conversation in game: "so what's a woman of the cloth doing here?" "...man, sir, man of the cloth." And Then He Never Gets Misgendered Again. Also Nowi's supports sometimes feel like a jab at antis-- she's a manakete, a person who can transform into a dragon. Manaketes also grow really slowly, as in "middle aged looking manaketes are like 1000 years old," so she's got major baby face and copes with being mistaken for a teenager by making jokes. Also Gregor, who she first appears with, is pretty fun--older mercenary with a thick accent who is like 80% here for a good time. Also Walhart, who's a villain but got some content added as DLC.
Fates: any interactions between Corrin, Leo, and/or Camilla are probably right up your alley--Camilla is obsessively protective over her siblings in a way that's Very Definitely Platonic™, and Leo also canonically has a crush on her in something that was cut in the English release. Also Gunther--once upon a time he was your classic knight in shining armor, now he's semi-retired, Corrin's personal guard, and covered in scars (and his voice is gorgeous too)
Echoes: my biased answer is to listen to every single line Ian Sinclair read for Berkut because he absolutely did NOT have to go that hard. My actual answer is to point you in the direction of the pegasus sisters Catria, Palla and Est, or maybe the older gentleman who's the head of the Priory, I forgot his name oops abbdbd. Also Clive is a devoted husband to one Mathilda, who looks just like an older version of his sister Clair 🤔
Three Houses: knowing you, you'd adore Hanneman--an older professor who's extremely passionate about his work, to the point where he tends to forget personal space and such. Also Seteth, like I mentioned before (join me in simping for him and his gorgeous pecs) and like, honestly, I know ppl make jokes about Alois but he's rlly good. Soft, awkward but he doesn't care, dad jokes everywhere. And also Mercedes, both because she's the biggest sweetheart imaginable and everyone should love her, but also bc she is just walking potential for the kinds of stuff you post on this blog. On one hand, she's the oldest student at the Academy and attached at the hip to one of the youngest, Annette (tho people act like they have a way bigger age gap then they actually do) and on the other hand, she has a long-lost half brother she can encounter (who I will not name for HUGE HUGE spoilers reasons) who she spends the rest of her life with in one of her endings. Heck, he has three possible endings total! Total!
Basically I brought the games up bc I'm used to being on the side of the fandom where everyone shoos anything uncomfortable under the rug, but there's so much material here that's being wasted I SWEAR
If you have any other questions I can send another anon? Your call! Thanks for hearing me out I love ur blog :3
OKAY!!! sorry for answering so late, but this ask was pretty much a BOOK (not that I´m complaining though! thank you so much! ;;u;;)
and from what I read here, I THINK if I´m going off on my first fire emblem adventure, I´ll try and pick up three houses if I get the chance! I have read your trigger warnings (thank you so much! ;u;) and I think I can take it! >:3
again though, I am really, really not a fan of anime and the anime artstyle in general (blergh! XP) so I´m not sure how I´ll cope with that in particular, but then again, an artstyle does not make a game! u3u
AND HANNEMAN SOUNDS LIKE A WINNER TO ME!! I looked him up and OOOF!!! he may not have NEARLY as many wrinkles as I´d like him to have, but the facial hair is definitely a step in the right direction! ;3c
NOW YOU GOT ME INTERESTED!! 
LETS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!! (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
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madokasoratsugu · 6 years
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rain rain go away
[soutaku; AU where Souma is a part time cashier part time piano prodigy, and Takumi is a famous novelist who recently got fucked over by identity theft. 
but this fic is about getting caught in the rain and deals with none of that heavy stuff]
a/n: ayyyyyyy back w another au, will i ever fuckin stop. 
btw: u might notice i used 'yukihira' instead of 'souma' like i usually do here. this is bc ppl in this au mostly know souma as 'yukihira' so i used that. more details about this au coming soon. maybe. perhaps. idk lmao
ao3 / ffnet
The weather bureau’s cheery mascot mocks Takumi from his phone screen, beaming “a sunny 35°C, don’t forget your sunblock!”.
Takumi despondently looks down at the quickly gathering water at his feet, ears drowning in the sound of rainfall pelting down.
Sunny indeed.
He pockets his phone and hastens his steps; this inclined path was not doing his leather shoes any favours.
Takumi barely bites back a yelp when a gust of wind crashes into him full force. He stumbles back a step, then two, and catches himself just in time to prevent his untimely demise onto the muddy pavement.
His umbrella is not so lucky and snaps cleanly in half, accepting its end swiftly.
During a brief moment of sheer upset, Takumi considers screaming in frustration, but the heavy rain convinces him to start running instead. This doesn’t stop him from glaring at his umbrella in disbelief for the betrayal as he stuffs it into his chest to reduce wind resistance
Speaking of things to protect. Takumi clutches his briefcase closer to his chest, muttering a short curse at how absolutely soaked it felt. Thank god he’d moved on from hand written drafts to thumbdrives and technology. He might just kill himself if the final draft of his book was ruined from something as stupid as faulty weather reporting.
Amidst the storm, Takumi can make out a dimly blinking ‘24/7’ sign. An arm shielding his face from the rain, he sprints as fast as his already burning calves can take him.
The welcome jingle of his apartment’s corner minimart has never sounded more welcoming.
He does suck in a chilled breath when the blast of air conditioning hits his very wet back, however.
Takumi navigates the store with speedy ease, snatching two towels off a rack close to the automated door, and making his way to the register immediately. He slaps it down on the counter along with his briefcase, and he would have apologised for the unnecessarily sour attitude if it wasn’t for the fact that he recognised the redhead behind the counter.
Too many late night trips to the minimart during the past year -  whether it be a genuine need for something or just to get a breather from his work - had familiarised Takumi with him.
“Bad day?”
Takumi blinks the water from out his eyes, and smiles tiredly at Yukihira.
“Just the weather.”
And that was true. Takumi had been having the best day of his life, prior to this.
Doujima-sensei had informed him that his comeback debut novel was selling like hotcakes, and its sequel’s draft Takumi had brought today was right on track - just a few chapter revisions and finalising a few administration matters, and off to the printing press it would go.
Then the sudden downpour had started, turning Takumi’s forty minute uphill trek from the cafe back home into a desperate dash.
So now Takumi was left stranded and feeling like an old dishrag in his drenched peacoat and soaked leather shoes. Which, he had thankfully sent for weather proofing. He still had the possible loss of a good coat to mourn, however.
At least his hairdo was still intact. Takumi briefly slides a hand over his slicked back bangs, admiring the gel’s handiwork. Isami always did have a better eye for beauty products.
As Takumi thinks about how this would save him time later, he misses the way Yukihira swallows a little too hard at the movement and slips on the keys of the register.
“It’s really pouring out there, huh?” Yukihira says, quickly ringing up Takumi’s purchases.
“Yeah, I could tell.” Takumi rolls his eyes, and Yukihira responds with a laugh. Takumi pays in exact - he always does, when Yukihira is behind the counter. It’d become a silly little routine that Takumi was trying to see how long he could keep up.
Yukihira has the graciousness to rip open the packaging of one of the towels, handing it to a very grateful Takumi.
Takumi dries his face off first, then quickly wipes his neck. Yukihira leans on the counter with crossed elbows, tilting his head to one side, watching.
“No umbrella?” Yukihira asks.
Takumi wordlessly holds up his broken contraption. Yukihira’s eyes crinkle in a wordless laugh.
“That’s some real bad luck, Takumi. Wanna get another one?” He tilts his head to the other side, where a rack of portable umbrellas are arranged along the side of the wall, next to the newspapers.
“No thanks. I don’t think it’ll do much good now.” Takumi sighs, rubbing his hands in the warm cloth.
“I was gonna ask about a raincoat but it seems your coat is a pretty good rain -coat at this point.” Yukihira grins.
“Ha ha.” Takumi throws the towel in Yukihira’s face, and it smacks him with a satisfyingly wet sound. Yukihira makes a faux dying noise, before removing the towel.
“Then how about some oden? We just got a batch fresh.” Yukihira pushes himself upright, putting the towel into a plastic bag, along with Takumi’s other purchase.
Takumi’s stomach decides to growl in a timely fashion. He flushes beet red, while Yukihira grabs a pair of tongs and sing songs, “Yes it is!”
“Thanks.” Takumi replies, pressing a hand against the warm glass display, where a row of split containers with assortments of ingredients bobbing in hot soup seat behind. “I was thinking of grabbing a snack before - oh shoot , I hope the florists’ is still open.”
“Florist?” Souma looks up for a moment, stirring the soup with the ladle.
“Yeah. I need to pick up a bouquet.” Takumi smiles.
“For?” Souma scoops a hearty amount of soup and carefully pours it into a paper bowl.
“I’m going to a recital later.” Takumi explains. “It’s...an important performance to me, and I wanted to give the pianist something to show that. I mean, not that i’ll be able to hand it to them directly, with how performances generally work. I have a friend who knows them, so they promised to do me this favour.”
Erina had been surprisingly forward about it too. Something about helping Hisako with a few favours a while back, so this would be the least she could do for all the help Takumi had given her wife.
It was an incredibly uplifting offer, especially at a time when Takumi was still trying to brush the whole incident with name fabrications, ghostwriters and Mimasaka off his back.
To be able to thank the person whose music had encouraged Takumi out of his depressive slump was the only reason he had worked so hard to make his next novel a bestseller like it had become.
“That’s sweet. Did you get a good seat? Where is it?” Yukihira says, while handing Takumi his cup of oden. A few wooden skewers have already been stuck into the bowl, and Takumi takes the cup gratefully.
“Mmm. I got one in the middle, row L seat 17.” Takumi lifts a fishcake out, taking a bite. Quickly, he devours at least half of the cup’s contents before speaking again. “So this rain is really a downer. I still have to change, too.”
Yukihira stretches his arms above his head, then twists his torso to look at the clock behind him. “When’s it start?”
“Eight. But someone’s picking me up at six forty, so I have to hurry.” Takumi blows on a piece of radish before taking a bite.
“Eh, there’s still another hour and half, you’ll be fine.” Souma dismissively waves, and a part of Takumi agrees, but the more paranoid half screeches at him from the back of his mind.
“Still.” Takumi jabs at a piece of konnyaku, lifts it out of the cup and frowns at it. “Hey Yukihira, want it?”
“You don’t like konnyaku?” Yukihira asks, though he’s quick to lean over the counter with his mouth open.
“I’ll eat it if I have to.” Takumi says, popping the triangular piece into Souma’s mouth. He tries not to stare at Yukihira’s lips. “But I don’t really like it.”
Yukihira nods, chewing. Meanwhile, Takumi drinks the rest of the soup in one long gulp.
“Okay, i’ve got to go.” Takumi quickly tosses the empty cup into a bin nearby, stuffing his broken umbrella in afterwards. “But first.” He opens his wallet to pay for the oden, and realises a little sadly he doesn’t have change anymore.
He hands Yukihira a ten dollar bill, listening to the clacks of the register as it swings open and the clatter of coins as Yukihira quickly takes out change.
Yukihira’s fingers are warm as they press the coins into Takumi’s chilled palm. Takumi resists the urge to hold the hand a little longer.
“See you around.” Yukihira says, voice somehow softer than usual. Takumi gives in to the momentary urge, and squeezes Yukihira’s hand briefly, before moving his hand to shove the change into his pocket.
Grabbing his briefcase, Takumi flashes Yukihira a smile as the turns to leave. “See you.”
Yukihira raises his hand in goodbye, and smiles brightly back.
“I can’t believe you only arrived half an hour before your own recital!”
Erina’s aggravated voice is only partially blocked, with Yukihira’s childish attempt at covering his ears with both hands.
“I arrived before the performance, it’s fine!” Yukihira tries to reason, and he thinks he hears something in Erina snap when he does.
“Even so - !” Erina extends her arm, smacking Yukihira in the chest with a sheaf of papers. Yukihira recognises the hasty scribbles of musical notes as the one he’d handed to his manager just prior.
“What is the meaning of suddenly adding another piece into the performance? A new one, too!” Erina leafs through the sheets, scanning the piece. “And the title! ‘That feel when you see your crush drenched in the rain ten out of ten’? It’s not even spelt out!”
Her hands are shaking with pure fury now. “Souma, this is your comeback recital! You can’t just keep changing things like this!”
Yukihira blinks quietly. He takes in Erina’s stiff form, her contorted expression, and feels his soften in response. He rubs her head, careful not to mess up her hair too much.
“Thanks for worrying about me, Erina. But it’ll all go okay. If it’s that piece, i’ll be fine.” Yukihira looks off to the side, towards the curtains that part the wings from the stage.
Somewhere beyond that maroon drapery, past the lights and amongst the darkness of the hushed audience, a certain blond will seat, arms full of odd blooms.
Erina heaves out a submissive sigh. “...I know. I’m the one who knows your potential best, after all.” The statement is almost grudging.
Yukihira shoots his original co-debuter a winning grin. Erina returns it with a haughty sniff.
“If you don’t mind me asking, though…,” Erina trails off, waiting for Yukihira’s nod of approval before continuing. “What made you decide to return? After all this time, and everything that happened….” Erina ends off uneasily.
Unconsciously, Yukihira moves his left hand over his right. Then he brings his hands up, spreading his fingers out before him. The scar that runs unevenly down from the joint between his third right finger and fourth and odd splotches of discoloured skin on both hands stare back at him.
The warmth from the brief squeeze before still lingers.
“This is my eulogy to mother.” Yukihira begins softly. “And also,” He shifts his weight onto one foot, so he can peer past the curtains and comb through the audience to mid-row L, seat 17. Upon seeing a familiar blond head, he smiles. “I found my muse again.”
“Does it have anything to do with this book of yours you had me bring?” Erina grabs the book she’d placed earlier on a spare music stand, and thumps it gently against Yukihira’s still outstretched arm.
Yukihira takes it, and thumbs to the very first page.
‘Dedicated to Souma; for gifting me with music that became my reason to try again’
Just then, Shinomiya’s loud, singular clap rings out through the backstage.
“Five minutes before we go on!” He instructs, a loud reminder for any lollygaggers.
Erina immediately reaches out to straighten Yukihira’s lapels, and snatches the book from his hands. She looks him directly in the eyes, all previous playfulness gone.
“Do it for them.”
Yukihira nods, a professional smile pinned to his face.
“Of course.”
And that’s the last thing Yukihira has time to say, before he’s ushered towards the stage and met with stadium lights and the roar of applause once more.
37 notes · View notes
comicteaparty · 6 years
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August 30th, 2018 CTP Archive
The archive for the Comic Tea Party chat that occurred on August 30th, 2018, from 5PM - 7PM PDT.  The chat focused on The J-Man by Jonny Aleksey.
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✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
COMIC TEA PARTY START!
Good day everyone~! This week’s Comic Tea Party is now officially beginning~! Today we are discussing The J-Man by Jonny Aleksey~! (http://jonnyalekseydrawscomics.com/thelatestpage/) For those new or in need of a reminder, discussions about the comic are freeform, so please feel free to bring up whatever you wish. However, every 30 minutes I will be dropping in a discussion question for participants to help those who would like a prompt. These questions are totally OPTIONAL to answer! If you miss out on any though, they’ll be pinned for the duration of the chat once they’re posted~! Remember, constructive criticism is allowed, but the primary focus here is to have fun and appreciate the amazing comic~! All that being said, let’s get started and have a great discussion!
QUESTION 1. What is your favorite scene in the comic so far and why?
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
yo
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
HI THERE JONNY
sorry I'll stop the caps locking
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
should I answer the questions too?
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
lol
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Well, I guess my favorite scene to design was the final pages of #4
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
if you want to answer the questions i wont stop you. though this is basically the only one thats non spoiler-y
and anything specific you liked about designing those pages?
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
There was a lot of quiet still shots . I enjoy writing dialouge enough but visual emotion is more interesting to me.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
i do think that shows through the comic throughout. not that the dialogue or other aspects are poor, mind you. but i do think the comic shines strongest when its relying on the visuals.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
Agreed.
The comic has a really great art style that lends itself really well to action and dramatic scenes
And the expressive characters
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
yeah. although definitely the action. theres something in the movements that feels immensely fluid.
ironically though, i think my favorite scene is the end of #5. i enjoyed the emotional drama of jonny realizing that the world simply just isnt this easy to define black and white thing. and i think that just adds a good emotional layer that helps followup on the fact that #3 had that sense of moral grayness as well. i also just liked seeing jonny having his own little folders for villains. thats just kind of cute. practical but cute.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
ye
I just wonder when our boy the J-Man will return
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
(working on next ish
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
yessssss
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
#3 was probably the first true character arc in the comic
I'm glad it followed up nicely so far
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
Good to hear
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
yes and im really enjoying the balance of the villains. like theres this great moral grayness to them where their motives and backstories are sympathetic. but i like that in this case it doesnt go too far. like the story keeps it clear that nah, theyre sympathetic and have dimension, but theyre 100% the villain and need to be stopped.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
Oh, Jonny, I have something to report, if you don't mind
http://jonnyalekseydrawscomics.com/jonny-concept-art
I think the images here are broken
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
oh yeah. I haven't gotten around to fixing that.
There's just so much to do in one day :0
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
I can imagine
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
I keep putting stuff like that aside so I can work on the archive stuff.
but Justin what's your fav scene. I really wanna know.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
yes do tell SJ
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
Crap uhh It's been so long ago
http://jonnyalekseydrawscomics.com/thelatestpage/125 bu I'd say this scene was a pretty fun one
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Oh yeah, that took a long time to make.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
how long?
if ya remember
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Probably the whole day
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
wow, that quickly huh?
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
I wonder if anyone noticed that pipe gag.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
maybe but definitely not me. now i see it and thats a fantastic detail.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
i never saw it either
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
I like sign jokes a lot. Probably cause of The Simpsons.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
i can see that
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
i want to say i really like jonny's costume design. i like the contrast of colors but i also like how its this mix of superhero and street clothes. i think it really expresses his personality well that this is his choice of uniform.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
I remember when he was drawn with rainbow colors one time
as a joke
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
The rainbow would make a cool special short sometime.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
nice
Aw yeah now I remember
you were doing a Q&A
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
His suit got more "professional superhero" as it went along but I'll be damned if he ever loses his sneakers.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
aw yea
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
tbf sneakers seem very comfy for fighting
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
indeed
for me my footwear of choice are boots
cause they hit hard
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Made it. ^.^ I liked the scene where Abe gave Johnny the costume. Like, I know you're not going to quit this, so I've got your back. And you be styling.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
MATH
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
He'll wear boots in the winter
yo!
That was very nice of him.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
boots good for kicking?
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
boots are made for walking
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
abe is the bestest of best friends. abe is the vip. has the costume, has the science, has the loyalty. A+ friend.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
you sure bout that
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
QUESTION 2. Of all the threads in the comic, there is one that stands above the rest: Who is the Big-Man? What do you think the Big-Man’s ultimate goal is? Is he up to something big, or is his goal simply self-profit? We’ve also seen many people are in the Big-Man’s pockets. Do you believe they’ll stay loyal, or will one of them eventually bail and squeal on the Big-Man? What do you think will happen if Jonny discovers the identity of one of these accomplices? What if it is someone he knows? Do you believe, at current, that Jonny would be able to beat the Big-Man? Or do you believe the Big-Man has something up his sleeve? Lastly, what do you think the Big-Man’s next move will be in regards to dealing with Jonny? Will he continue to try and capture him, or will all efforts move to elimination?
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Ok, this one I can't answer.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
you mean this one?
http://jonnyalekseydrawscomics.com/assets/images/static/Sergei-Sternoff-Updated.png
cause he's pretty big
if you know what I mean
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
no not that one, but fair point. unless this was all a rouse. and if we think sergei is out of the picture well never suspect him of being the big-man O_O
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Sergei's just a hired goon. Not very bright.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
of course cause he has to follow the dumb muscle stereotype, is that it?
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
(Just reading the backlog. Incidentally, I only made it to the end of #5, the two parter. Lots of pages!)
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
That's pretty far. You only missed the prequel. (Hope we discuss that later)
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space��✨
lol
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
I think I noticed that pipe gag in passing, it only really registered subconsciously.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
i unfortunately did not include a question about the prequel cause i worried it was too far along, but the questions are optional. and so we can talk about it towards the end if we so choose.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
ok
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
The Big-Man is actually Johnny himself, who time travelled back into the past and is now trying to set himself up to be a better superhero.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
that would be quite the twist
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
It's the reason he knows so much.
Actually, Big-Man's probably just an extra terrestrial.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
interesting theory
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
that is interesting and not something that occured to me
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
Oh I also found this guy on the site
http://jonnyalekseydrawscomics.com/assets/images/static/Unknown-Man.png
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
who's dat??????
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
it's easy
it's [NAME REDACTED]
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
actually can even make that make sense. he was interested in that one energy project cause the big-man needs unlimited energy to get off earth and get home. big-man just homesick.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Oh yeah, and there's the Question too.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
so im gonna assume the big-man's goal is something like world domination. maybe on the underground black market level, but some sort of domination. but one thing from this question set i believe is that one of the ppl in his pockets is gonna squeal. someone somewhere is gonna get a conscience and be like, "nah maybe this is a bad idea."
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
lol
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Rebel: I like it! It's why he's interested in the scientists too.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
because nothing like becoming the president for a day or two
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
idk, money doesn't talk
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Does Big-Man need world domination though? He's already got all the neatest gadgets, from the stuff used in the first chapter to whatever the heck hypnotized a scientist to smuggle out blood samples via camera feed.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
Nonsense
they ALWAYS want world domination
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Maybe shady Question guy is the squealer.
By the way, the smuggling of samples I think means Big-Man doesn't need to try and capture him. In fact, that whole thing could have been a ruse to distract from the real crime.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
that is true. you could make an argument big-man already owns the world. he has no goal and is just playing with his toys. but then jonny came and he was like "a shiny new toy!?"
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Why not just grab Sleepy Bear though? Seems like an easier target somehow.
Guy's more sentimental. (Which is weird for an AI.)
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
J-Mam is too protective of Sleepy to keep him out of his sight. Don't think it'd be easy to kidnap him.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
lol
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
thats good. i think id be too horrified if sleepy got kidnapped.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
That is a good point. Would need a decoy.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
decoys fooling the big bad
Never fails to amaze me
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
"Wait, you're not sleepy bear, you're... grumpy bear!"
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
i read that as "Sleepy Bar"
"Come get your Sleepy Candy Bars Today!"
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Sleepy Bar is what he's called in Boston
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
i think sleepy bear was a great addition. because partners are good. and like, its good for the j-man's image. nobody is gonna look at a superhero with a backpack bear and think he isnt the best superhero.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
XD(edited)
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
good PR
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
I also want to give a shotout of my own to Jonny's costume/outfit I like how it almost looks like he's in casual gear or something
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Honestly, sleepy bear creeps me out a bit. I think maybe because of that one panel where he was putting on the outfit, and it felt vaguely like the robot putting on someone else's skin just to blend in better.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
but then you see him from the front and
wait what
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
In terms of someone working for Big-Man who might flip, aside from mystery question man, it could be that female scientist person who got kidnapped.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
gonna blame FNAF. cause i did get FNAF vibes for a moment tbh
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
"Inhale my dong enragement child"
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
But that's why he wears the bear suit. Cause his robot body is scary.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
idk she seems unlikely to flip to me. mostly cause i dont think shes on the end that realizes the extent of evil. that one friend whose name i forget has a dad that got roped in though. and i think hes the most likely to flip and then jonny will be sad realizing the big-man is just basically everywhere.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
orly
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Jonah's dad is the most sympathetic character for me. Sleepy Bear too actually.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
There is that. Not sure I remember which friend you mean in context though.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Jonah Knoxford, Jonny's friend from Cali.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Oh, right! Kinda forgot about him, that's plausible.
Could be that Abe's scientist guy friend gets recruited too.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
it would be reluctantly if that happened
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Yeah, like I don't see him knowing what he's getting into there, but his discovery seemed like it'd be useful to evil purposes if they learned of it.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
maybe theres a twist coming that jonah's dad wanted to protect jonah, but jonah was already working for the big-man the whole time.
to protect his dad
its the whole switcheroo double cross
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
Since they're both Jonathans in a way
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Big twist: The big-man is actually the big-woman. It's Jonny's mom.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
hahaha tbf i did consider that possibility. that maybe its a woman pulling the strings. just going pronoun wise by the fact its big-man. XD
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
How better to stay one step ahead of the police than to be married to the chief.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Big-Man could just be a code name
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Actually, it would make sense to obfuscate that way, everyone's looking for a guy, you're in the clear.
Big-Man... code... he is actually an AI.
An alien AI.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
i like the alien theory over the AI personally speaking. if only cause an AI just keeps making me think of 2001 a space odyssey atm
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
"I'm sorry, J-man. You can't do that."
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
I'm sorry, J-Man. I'm afraid I can't do that.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
QUESTION 3. Jonny would not be the superhero he is today without the help of the mysterious substance Jaintium crashing to Earth. What do you think Jaintium even is? Is it just an undiscovered element as the scientists believe, some sort of sentient, alien being, or a bit of both? Why did the Jaintium-related entity save Jonny? Was he just a convenient host, or was it a good will attempt to save Jonny’s life? Was the Jaintium crashing on Earth a coincidence, or is there something more to it? Whatever the being was, do you think it and Jonny will continue to work symbiotically? Or is there some dark foreshadowing in the fact we often see a mental embodiment of it goading Jonny into more extreme methods? Do you think Jonny will suffer more side effects, whether they are for better (i.e. new powers) or worse? Do you think others will discover the origin of Jonny’s powers (besides those that know), and if so, what do you think will happen to people’s perception of The J-Man?
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
The one answer I'm pretty sure about is that he was just a convenient host. It's interesting that both Jonny and the Alien had a presence inside, kind of making up the whole being.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
crap I stepped out for a bit, my apologies
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Technically, the superhero's name is just "J", isn't it? (That was an amusing bit, where it's like 'I can't use my name'.)
Waiting for the crossover with Q from Star Trek.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
at first. He's trying to get people to start using J-Man now
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
or Q from Street Fighter
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
"Is this a Q&A? No, it's a Q&J, we're not answering anything."
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
I would watch that
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
I guess it's nice to be thought of as a "Man" when you're, y'know, still young.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
haha i did like him almost using his name and then being like "wtf self." i like how no one called him out on the fact that it sounded like he was going to say something else.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
"you da man now, dog"
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
"I'm Jo... J... J. Jonah Jameson. Wait."
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
The next coming of Jojo's bizarre adventure?
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
i do agree with math in that i think jonny was just a convenient host.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Yare yare daze.
One thing I kind of wonder, was Jonny actually dead? Like, can Element-J actually revive the freshly deceased? Or was Jonny still bleeding out?
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
gonna go out on a limb and say that i think the crash to earth was a bit of both. in that i think whatever creature was in that meteor left its origin point for a reason but that arriving on earth was not intentional.
im assuming he was dead tbh O_O
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Ooo, I'm saving that question for a later issue, Math
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
itt Rebel influences the future of J-Man
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Rebel: I could go along with that. Might be that arriving on Earth was just the closest place that could support life.
Also, the element seems to be trying to get itself back together, based on Sleepy Bear. Maybe you can use it to find more of the same. They could track J-Man that way, figure out his identity.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
actually could be an interesting conflict. like mr. stone showing up in jonny's living room and then jonny's dad getting home and being like "ITS YOU!!!!!"
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
"You have no chance to survive, make your time."
Though what if it's Abe's father who manages to figure out a way to track using the element? And he tells Jonny's dad?
Plus it is radioactive, even though the cells are preventing anyone from getting dosed. Maybe the half life is such that they can work something out based on concentration in the air.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
damn I should be writing this down
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
You're free to use anything you like as a red herring.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
this is going on the assumption theyd want to devote the resources to that atm. cause tbh theres probably a lot of other things to learn about the element first.
like why is it stable cause iirc past a certain point most elements are not stable
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Rebel: True. But if Big-Man's been stealing it, maybe the police want to track it to find HIM. J-Man's a fringe benefit.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
and can only be made for a fraction of a moment
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Actually, maybe that's what grapple-girl was measuring. That time she poked J-Man in the eye.
I want to see more of her, incidentally.
I feel like she's that Megan person who had moved back into the area?
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
that was my thoughts exactly too
that it was this megan who was moving back
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
write it all down, please J
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Most of the mystery I have worked out. Just the little details I could use.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
I feel like she'd have lots of cool gadgets, because she doesn't have superhero powers (that we know of).
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
lol
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Actually, that's something I'll mention - at first, I thought the J-Man had kind of attracted more evil to him, what with bulking up Sergei and Big-Man sending in goons. The idea that superheros cause supervillains. But then there's been a few like Heatwave who already existed. So maybe not as much?
I wonder if Megan's defeated anyone.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
i usually assume with superhero genres its a bit of both
that some ppl are already super powerful
but that superheroes attract more super powerful ppl to be made as well
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
hmm
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
which is logical
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
maybe
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
cause you cant do the evil unless you can neutralize the ppl who can stop you
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Makes sense to me.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
and thats assuming the superhero lady is megan. it might not be even if we theorize the same. but the possibility exists.
i wonder if the jman's world has like a justice league or avengers equivalent
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
They work out of Sweden.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Maybe in the future. As of right now the only public-known supers are J-Man in New York and The Valve in Seattle. J-Man's on his own.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Until Abe gets his superpowers.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
there's more beings with superpowers in this world?
*shot
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Waiting for the issue where Abe and Jonny switch minds.
I'm not even sure which minds - J-Man's head is crowded.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
actually that was a point i thought that was worthy of discussion. is the being using jonny as a host sapient and when we see those mental manifestations were seeing the creature? or is the creature not really sapient and those manifestations are simply a side effect of the joining that sort of splits jonny's mind into extremes?
QUESTION 4. Besides the bigger mysteries, there are many, many smaller mysteries that have been left unanswered. Who is the shadow person who appeared to help Jonny when Jonny was fighting Sergei? Why did they help Jonny, and how did they know about the tranquilizer? Who was the mysterious masked person Jonny met before getting distracted by Abe’s father’s kidnapping? What was the masked person up to? Have we seen the last of Heat-Wave, or will Heat-Wave come back to exact revenge on Jonny or someone else? What about any of the other villains we’ve seen? Do you expect we’ll see them again, or will they stay away for good? On a less superhero level, do you think Jonny will continue to be able to keep his secret superhero life secret? Who do you think might find out next, how, and what will it affect? Finally, what do you think will happen if Jonny’s dad finds out The J-Man is his son?
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
I feel like it's sapient but still very confused by the Earth.
Good questions, I feel like I already talked about some of 'em.
I'm psychic.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
lol
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
is masked lady who we assume is megan a crime fighter or is she more an antihero up to her own business that requires a hidden identity? that is a question we havent addressed
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
I think she's up to her own business, but not necessarily an antihero.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
Maybe
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Just fashion challenged.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
not a fan of black skin-tight suits?
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Actually, maybe she's the blue character in the 'previously' art.
Jonny: .... Got me there.
I still don't think she's antihero like catwoman though.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
looks at his characters with black skintight suits
hides them in a corner
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
i do think shes up to her own stuff. my antihero opinions are out until we see her again. i dont see her and jonny joining forces though.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
We don't know if she was doing any illegal stuff cause J-Man interrupted her. Very rude.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
True. That's a good point actually J-Man needs better social skills. He tends to assume the worst.
His shades of grey skills are getting better though.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
i assume illegal cause she ran off and wasnt doing any crime fighting. although tbf vigilantism is pretty illegal so j-man is, in fact, the criminal
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
"I was the criminal all along..."
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
His dad would be dissapointed
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Could it connect back to the prequel that I didn't have time to read?
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
yeah i really hope his dad finds out. that sounds like such the epic emotional drama
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
On some subconscious level, maybe his dad suspects.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
maybe. idk about that.
i liked that the prequel had mr. stone. cause in the main comic i always was like "man this is a weird lighting choice for mr. stone." and now it all makes sense. its not lighting. the name is just literal
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
He's stoned?
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Oh man. I hope that wasn't confusing.
I guess I coulda conveyed it better.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
I just thought he looked pale, I think...
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Nah, his skin is pure concrete.
He beats up Jon Sr. pretty badly in the prequel
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Ouchie. Stone cold.
So, two things I want to get out there in the last 15 minutes or so. First of all, WOW, how much time has likely gone into this... because I followed the link of the old vs new fight with Sergei, and it looked REAL different. So, a lot of early stuff was drawn twice, I guess?
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
nah its okay. it wasnt something that really bugged me. just one of those hmmm thats odd maybe theres a reason. i just like knowing now and in retrospect i feel sort of dumb for not realizing XD
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
heh
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Yeah, I first made 6 issues in high school (2011-2012), but I didn't like the art and some story elements so I decided to remake them for the webcomic. #1-3 are those old comics redone.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
that long ago huh?
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Damn, that takes willpower. IMHO.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
yeah. J-Man now is about 4 years old
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
happy 4th!
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Second thing I wanted to mention was all the little cameos and things that were mentioned to be there from other comics. That's classy, like going the extra mile in my opinion. Kudos.
I also remember seeing Christmas arts on Twitter with some of the people I follow.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
I like cameos
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
oh yeah I got one of those last year
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Not sure what I'm gonna do this year.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
I's amazed at having the time and inclination for all that. Whoa.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
that outfit for sleepy bear is adorable
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Works as nice promotion too.
Random question, d'you think anyone could remote into Sleepy Bear and take over? Does he have a good firewall?
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
It started as a thing to do cause there wasn't a Tapas X-Mas collab last year (and this year too, sadly)
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
seriously, thank ya for the awesome art, Jonny
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
if sleepy bear could be remoted into, that sounds like the makings of a personal FNAF
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
I hope Christmas J-Claus returns this year
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
The Jaintium in him would probably disrupt anyone trying to hack him remotely. I'd have to be a physical connection.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Rebel: Maybe it's Megan's way of getting a sidekick.
(If Megan's not the girl, this'll look real silly when someone goes through the backlogs.)
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
that sounds adorable. fighting over sleepy bear and who gets to have him as a partner
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
(Maybe if SF does a holiday thing Santa-J will come back)
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
sounds good
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Jonny: Fair point. Interesting how it's not ruled out.
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
And before we go I wanted to say keep it up with J-Man, you've really turned it into something magnificent. @The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
As to mystery masked person providing tips, maybe it's just another manifestation in Jonny's head.
And I think HeatWave will become a hermit somewhere. If he returns, it might be to help J-man at the climax.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
i considered that. but perhaps its that one chick from the prequel you didnt read math.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Rebel: Ahh, hmmm.
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
i do hope heat-wave returns. and also makes fire puns. "If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen."
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
Wait, we haven't mentioned ships! So, anyone out there shipping Jonny and Abe?
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
Puns are always good.
LAST MINUTE SHIPS GO
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
(Actually, some of the bonus art is really cool, like for Halloween. I laughed at the BL one for April 1st.)
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
Don't want to burst your theories but the chick from the prequel was Jonny's Mom.
MathTans the super Pun 👑Prince👑
So Jonny's Mom IS the Big-Man. Wait.
The Undefeatable Jonny Aleksey
This year's Halloween pic will be video game based
Superjustingo of ✨Time🕑&Space☄✨
Nice
✨🐱 RebelVampire 🐱✨
COMIC TEA PARTY END!
Unfortunately, the scheduled Comic Tea Party time is now up~! Thank you everyone so much for reading and joining this week’s chat~! We want to give a special thank you to Jonny Aleksey, as well, for making The J-Man and volunteering it for our reading queue. If you liked the comic, please be sure to support Jonny Aleksey’s efforts however you’re able to. All that being said, if you would like to continue discussing this week’s comic, we highly encourage you to do so~!
For next week, Comic Tea Party will focus on MORBIDITY by Charu. As always, please use the next several days to read as much of the comic as you would like. We hope to see you next Thursday on September from 5PM to 7PM PDT for the chat~! Until then, happy reading~! Comic: https://tapas.io/series/MORBIDITY
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