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kzuha · 2 years

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#QUARRELS

CHARACTERS: ALBEDO, BENNETT, CHILDE, CHONGYUN, KAZUHA, THOMA, XIAO, XINGQIU

GENRE: ANGST(-Y?)/FLUFF(-Y??) (help?? neutral??)

PAIRING: CHARACTER X GN!READER

WARNING: hurt benny‘s feelings and you’re done >:(

“FIGHTS BETWEEN YOU TWO.”

NAVIGATION

#ALBEDO

he can be so outright mean- (ノД`)・゜・。

see, he doesn’t necessarily want to be mean, he just comes off that way - his words a little too cold, a little too calculated

he’s just a very rational and dry person? sometimes it’s hard for him to see things from your point of view-

so naturally, when he’s convinced that his point of view is the only rational and correct one, he often doesn’t bother thinking about your point of view - thus, leading to some fights here and there (● ˃̶͈̀ロ˂̶͈́)੭ꠥ⁾⁾

he’s working on it, he swears! but it’s hard to switch that rational part in him off when that’s all he’s ever known :(；ﾞﾟ'ωﾟ'):

afterwards he usually apologises for his coldness, but after some time you’ll get used to his vocabulary and realise that, while his words may be a little cold in the heat of the moment, he himself really isn’t!! ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶

“you’re being irrational. have you thought about this for even a split second? this is idiotic.” “sorry, i was a little harsh earlier, no?”

#BENNETT

may barbatos have mercy on his poor soul (*´-`)

he hates, hates, HATES!! fighting

“0/10, absolutely would NOT recommend!!“ -poor benny, probably

he tries to find a peaceful solution or compromise at any cost since he just wants it to be resolved :((

the first time you fought he tried to ignore it and pretend nothing was wrong - which, as he soon learned, was apparently not the right approach…well, he tried!! ʅ（◞‿◟）ʃ

he probably gives in pretty quickly just to be done with the argument :( also probably gets his feelings hurt by some offhand comment you make, so please, pls be gentle with benny, i beg of you ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡!!

fights usually get resolved rather quickly though, partly because it’s pretty hard to stay mad at him!! and every single time the two of you make up he’ll give you a little kiss to “seal the fight away” (*´꒳`*)

“okay, how about this, then?” “maybe we’re both right!! okay, baby?”

#CHILDE

yes, he loves you but he’s also very strongly opinionated and incredibly stubborn-

he’s always soft for you in pretty much every aspect, but if you ever get into a disagreement, don’t expect him to go easy on you or give in just because he’s in love with you .°(ಗдಗ。)°.

can be a little hot-headed at times, and usually you’ll have to find a compromise because the chance of him agreeing with your opinion is extremely slim to nonexistent- (*´-`)

he’s like a pouty child when he realises that you’re right, and he’ll do anything but outright say it- he’ll just be like “okay, the argument is over! wanna go out for dinner?”

also!! fights with him are so incredibly annoying?? he’s so confident and tries his darnest to get you to agree with him (￣Д￣)ﾉ

so, sometimes, the only way to get him to come off his high horse and actually discuss things with you is by giving him the silent treatment for a while…he breaks so easily pls- (°▽°)

“y/n, you know i’m right so just give in!….babe?” “okay i’m sorry! i’ll listen, alright? please stop ignoring me, i’m dying!!” (´༎ຶོρ༎ຶོ`)

#CHONGYUN

noooo fights make his heart hurt (´Д` )!!

fights are so incredibly tiring for him, because he has to keep his cool while simultaneously arguing with you…you!! his favourite person!! his home!!

sometimes he gets overwhelmed and just has to leave for a while, because it’s just too much and he can’t handle it :(

he doesn’t want to run away or ignore the argument!! and he always comes back with some treat he got for you from xiangling because he feels bad (´；ω；`)

fights rarely get out of hand or all too loud, since you’re both very cautious of each other’s emotions!!

chongyun will get a little heated and immediately pauses to calm down because he doesn’t want to let his feelings get the best of him and be mean to you just because he’s frustrated _:(´ཀ`」 ∠):

“i’m sorry i had to leave, love. i think we both calmed down a little, right?” “listen! you can’t-….sorry, give me second to calm down, okay?”

#KAZUHA

he either sounds very calm and collected during a fight or it sounds like slam poetry, no in between!!

he can be so eerily calm during fights- like, he just sits there and listens to you talk without any expression on his face (・・?)

he’s so respectful and nice, though!! like he already is such a nice man, there is absolutely no way he’d ever raise his voice towards the one he loves? hello??

fights with kazuha are more like civilised discussions? he doesn’t like to be mean or petty towards you, and he’d much rather get the problem sorted out instead of engaging in unnecessary bickering that would hurt you both in the end (´；Д；`)

and you’re usually mildly irritated at most, simply because he possesses such a calming energy and it would feel so?? wrong?? to direct your anger towards him-

“mhm…uh-huh…i see darling, i didn’t think of it that way. you see, i thought-“

#THOMA

he has the cutest stank face ever- (・∀・)

very much passive-aggressive!! it’s pretty subtle and most people won’t pick up on it, but you absolutely do (╹◡╹)

fights aren’t really that serious between you two?? serious topics usually don’t break out into full-blown arguments, since thoma is very understanding and respects your opinions!!

so, the fights usually are about pretty mundane and silly things? and boy oh boy, does he enjoy the bickering sometimes ♪(´ε｀ )

he doesn’t like fighting, don’t get him wrong! you being upset at him, him being upset at you, both of you hurting and being mad at each other is absolutely one of the worst things for him!!

“oh, you were saving that? sorry, i needed it to make dinner!” “silent treatment? when did i do that?? ƪ(˘⌣˘)ʃ” (he did indeed do that)

#XIAO

absolutely ruthless and doesn’t even realise it!!

he’s so incredibly straightforward when he’s angry or simply doesn’t agree with something, and he absolutely does not have a filter- (*´ー｀*)

he doesn’t know how to properly manage his emotions sometimes, and he’s not particularly used to arguing with someone? especially someone he adores so deeply? (￣ー￣ )

his emotional management just short circuits and he can get pretty worked up as a result, which in turn gets you worked up :(

he does sometimes say things he doesn’t mean, and you’ll have to talk to him about it after making up because he’s emotionally constipated and doesn’t know what to say or how to bring it up - he’s working on it!!

the worst thing he does is just vanishing during fights? and he’ll straight up won’t come back for a few days, which just makes everything hurt even more (・Д・)

he listens to everything you say after you’ve made up though; he’ll do his best to work on his behaviour during disagreements because, let’s be honest, he’s never really had to compromise with anyone, so it’s still a learning progress for him!! but he’s trying!! ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ

“i don’t want to discuss this useless matter anymore. are you too dense to understand?” “i…did not mean to be so harsh. i will try to be more calm in the future.”

#XINGQIU

did someone say awfully petty? ( ・∇・)

he loves riling you up and provoking you during fights, and more often than not he just makes everything worse (*´Д｀*)

it feels like he doesn’t take the argument serious, which just hurts? especially if it’s something you’re very passionate about

he doesn’t go too far, though - once he sees that it’s actually something you’re serious about, he almost immediately drops the act and turns serious

it’s almost startling to see him go from teasing and petty to very serious and understanding?

yes, he enjoys riling you up and seeing you get worked up because of him, but he never ever wants you to be upset or, even worse, hurt because of him!! he loves you!!

he’ll be so sweet when making up, reassuring and lovey-dovey, very different from his usual teasing self!! (*´ω｀*)

“mhm, very sorry about earlier, love.” “no, i didn’t mean it, promise. was just trying to get under your skin.”

TAG LIST: @whygz @blissmal @zhongchi14

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babygirldennis · 3 years

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This shit is fake bby!!!

Here she is.. My masterpost of all the dumb, illogical bits of info contained within these s15 “leaks” that make me fairly confident they are complete bullshit. It also includes my little tinhat theories that have absolutely no evidence.

I will be putting it all under a Readmore in case you don't want to risk it or if you simply Do Not Care

First up, I'd like to point out that these call sheets repeatedly give very detailed backstories to characters that have few lines which conveniently paints a picture of each episode's plot. And I'm not an expert so correct me if I'm wrong, but after looking at other similar casting calls, they only ever include the demographic and necessary skills.

Basically who in their right mind would write up casting calls that give away so many spoilers? Seems like that could cause and issue if they were leaked lol. But anyway that's my 1st point. But onto the actual content

So the conceit of this episode as a whole is that during the pandemic, the gang "gamed the system" and received three (3!) Loans to start businesses that went bankrupt. One of these businesses is implied to be the one started by dee and charlie who end up selling to Qanon shaman. Already this is so impossible baby.

1. We've already seen the gang try to get a loan and it didn't work. They don't have good ideas. Ur telling me, they managed to finagle 3 separate loans for 3 separate business ideas from an actual bank?

2. Maybe I just have bad reading comprehension but how does one have a business that is both fictitious and bankrupt?

3. If the customer is supposed to be Qanon shaman, an actual real life guy, why are the only descriptors white and male? They say he's shirtless so are they going to paint on all of the tattoos he has? And if so, doesn't that kind of ruin the dramatic reveal when charlie "throws in" the viking helmet? Why would he do that anyways? Sus.

Moving on

Alright this episode would fucking blow for obvious reasons but im going to refrain from looking at this through my gay dennis thruther lens because im biased.

Purely from a narrative standpoint, a woman hasn't been shown to be interested in dennis in nearly 5 years during the wade boggs episode. Ever since, every single woman he approaches has been actively creeped out by him. And now I'm supposed to believe that 3 "smart, passionate woman" (In Their Twenties!!!!!!) agreed to go on a date with him? And Anna even slept with him! Just because he what? Agreed with her? I'm not buyin it.

Plus the concept of this scenario lacks any potential for comedy. When iasip gets political, they always discuss a very specific topic using hyperbolic situations and flawed metaphors. If this is supposed to be a political episode, what ultimately lukewarm point would rob be trying to make here? So far we know they're ranting about

The patriarchy

Privilege

Socialism

No more personal responsibility(?)

The... nature of power in society(??)

How on earth would an episode like get approved? This shit sounds like a Ted talk. It sounds like it was written specifically to sound like a political episode so boring and pointless it would generate outrage and mile long essay posts from Tumblr users and reddit users alike. Almost like this one lol.

On a completely unrelated note, do not try and convince me that Frank "casual cock ring wearer" Reynolds is unable to perform.

Jeez this is getting out of hand fast. Let's move on

Ok now we're starting to getting into the Ireland of it all. Let me go on a bit of a tangent here about all this.. Now I thinq there are just 3 possibilities. Either this is all a publicity stunt and there is some truth to the Ireland rumors, the entire thing could be bogus from some weirdo fan (ps, if a fan did write this I want you to know I fucking hate you. You did this to me), or it is a publicity stunt but Ireland is just more bullshit.

I am going to assume it was a publicity stunt, otherwise I just wasted my entire evening and I can't have that kind of mentality rn. Additionally, I'm Going to tinhat here for a second and say that the Ireland rumors are true, but the details are different.

I say this because if they were going to do filming in Ireland, they probably figured that that information would be impossible to hide. In essence, my completely unfounded hypothesis is that this leak was their fucked up little way of controlling the situation while simultaneously messing with us.

Ok tangent is over, returning to the casting calls. From the looks of it, dee starts a "scam" acting class and has some very devoted students (Note that Tony was also the name of the porn shop owner. Seems weird!) Presumably after the gang replaces her with a monkey as the title suggests.

Honestly, there isn't too much here that's a red flag to me... seems like a nice little dee-centric episode that is the link to the Dublin angle. Assuming I am At All right, this could be a genuine plotline for Dee. However, the monkey could be a red herring and there could be a whole different side plot with the guys. who's to say. Next one!

Ah yes this is the dennis we all know and despise.. no red flags for me here really, I'm also running out of steam because idk if it shows, but I am majorly sleep deprived atm. Anyway I'm going to the next one

Okay this is where things start getting weird again ough a migraine just hit, anyway back to my earlier point about how casting calls would never contains major spoilers bc the people who see these wont be under any kind of NDA..

These ones reveal that bonnie dies. Again, that info wouldn't be in a casting call.

But also they suggest charlie has a irish penpal named Shelley who is his biological father. First off charlie is illiterate, although as pointed out by @undeadbreeze shelley could also be communicating in symbols. However, this scenario is still unbelievable to me for a couple reasons:

1. Bonnie's last name is Kelly obviously, and we know it's her maiden name because Jack's last name is also Kelly. But Shelley's last name is... also Kelly? In the context of this big ol hoax, it feels like it was written to show that look! his last name is the same as charlie's! That's how you know that's his dad! But It would be way too big of a coincidence if charlie's dad happened to have the same last name bonnie.

And 2. There's the whole mystery of charlie's long-lost sister from 'charlie got molested' but never any mention of a brother which according to this, shelley has been pretending to be his brother for years. And we all know how much rcg loves their continuity, it seems uncharacteristically lazy to just tack this on without any prior buildup.

And finally let me talk about mac for a second and specifically the line in gus's summary "both are gay men who are attracted to the priesthood for all the wrong reasons"

Iasip has commented on pedophilia in the priesthood many times in the past which leads me to believe that they are implying that mac is a pedophile? Please let me know if I completely misread the implications of that statement, but if not, then that is completely insane and one of the biggest indictators that this is fake. Mac is awful, just like everyone in the gang but he is definitely not a pedophile.

However even if i did completely misread that, it's still proof this is fake.. For all his faults, Rob put a surprising amount of care and effort into mac's coming-out. It hasn't been perfect, but Mfhp in particular firmly established that mac's faith is integral to his identity so Its unlikely that rob would throw all of that away for a cheap shot at priests.

Ok my brain is irradiated sludge at this point, but in conclusion. I hope that 1. I'm right, at least about it being fake (Otherwise damb that'll be so humiliating for me) And 2. This eases ur fears a bit. I don't want to lose all faith in future seasons bc I love iasip and miss the gang. If you read this far youre insane but I literally love you so goddamn much because I spent so so long tapping this out on my silly little phone

Please feel free to add on or message me your thoughts and opinions I need to know I'm not the only one who uhhh went a bit insane. And finally: whoever made these is a cunt. Mwah.

#iasip #s15 spoilers #oy vey.....#they could also be written by a reddit fan who is too much of a pussy to just write fanfic but that seems kinda unlikely?#cause 1. itll be disproven so everyone will know u just... wrote weird fanfic #and 2. there are a lot of little details that are so random that even if this is a fan just messing with people.... why put in so much effo #wahtever im pressing post #actually tho what gge fuck is that priest line supposed to imply #i guess for mac it could be talking about his view that god smites enemies and u must fear him blah blah #i jus don't know what it was supposed to imply about gus!!!#bc they describe gus like he is fat mac with healthy views on the bible which :]#then that last line just gives me whiplash what does that mean!!

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probably-haven · 3 years

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after binge reading i have come to a new revelation: I’m not a fan of most Xiaoven fanfics

Don’t get me wrong, I love the ship and its one of my favorite to think about.... but most of the fanfiction for the ship just- doesn’t sit right with me for a number of reasons.

Disclaimer: these are personal opinions from my own taste and are in no way an attack against any authors out there, because frankly fanfic authors are great and not like i could do better lol. As these are personal opinions, I acknowledge here and now that a number of people disagree and that they are under no obligation to change their opinions in any way as it is not and never will be my intention to tell others what they should be thinking That said- read at your own risk if you want- meh, anyway-

time to share some opinions that have been on my mind lately

The biggest reason.... is how they handle Xiao. And I don’t even mean mischaracterization because Xiao is such a complex and yet simultaneously simple character that as long as you’re somewhere in the range of “Xiao vibes” it’s really hard to write him out of character because of his complexities. What I mean is something that i actually completely agree with as being accurate to his character. In nearly every single fanfic I’ve seen, there is some element of idolization that Xiao has for Venti, or for the sake of reference, Barbatos. He tends to think himself beneath Barbatos and/or indebted to him, whether that be because he’s an archon, because he saved him, or simply because of Xiao’s tendency to dehumanize(yes i see the irony in that word usage) himself. This by itself isn’t an issue but its often how this trait of his is treated.

Imma just list a few ways I’ve seen this be handled within Xiaoven fics. - It isn’t handled, it’s just there and accepted as a part of who he is in the story - It isn’t handled but his trait is treated as source of humor within the story - Venti(and others) roll with it (finding humor in it, just cant change it, encouraging it, making jokes about it, etc.) - Venti takes advantage of it(whether accidentally or purposely) - it’s actually addressed(by Venti or someone else or the narration- can go a number of ways, but just- even a brief reference to the fact that its not a good mindset fits in here) - savior!Venti(Where venti disagrees with it but the way it’s written gives off “god among mortals” vibes- like he’s just being humble and truly is above him in reality) - its the focus of the story - not directly addressed but shown to be destructive. - they chose not to not include this in the story’s characterization of Xiao(just saying that this is valid ahead of time) Theres others but i have a lot already. Note that I tend to read more ‘serious-toned’(idk if that makes sense) fics so that may skew my perception

Now there’s a few that i have issues with on their own- both instances of it not being handled, Venti(and others) rolling with it, Venti takes advantage of it(purposely(and without good intent)), and savior!Venti. Xiao not only has this trait, but he is unfamiliar with what is normal in relationships or emotions as a result of isolation and inexperience. He is also either not aware of or not concerned with what is considered strictly “healthy.” Combining these makes for a rather dangerous combination and just accepting it as “oh he’s just like that, it’s who he is” or making it out to be something funny- It’s not wrong or bad by any means necessarily, and I could still possibly enjoy it to an extent depending on a series of different factors, but its- not as often. Even in the case where I do enjoy reading it however, I would still feel uncomfortable sharing it with or recommending it to others because in the first instance it feels like normalizing a destructive and dangerous mindset, and in the second case it does the same while simultaneously making a joke of it. It’s the same deal with Venti or other characters rolling with it, but that’s probably gonna be mentioned later too. Not to say that this is a “wrong” way to handle it, that it makes the fic bad, or that authors even are normalizing anything by doing so, just that in my specific instance- not a fan.

I’ll get to the others when i talk more about Venti, but for now: It’s the focus of the story. I think I saw like... 2? where the story was like- focused on this and why its a problem which- power to them, address those real world problems like a boss- but also i wouldn’t actively seek it out or anything- like, good job, but doing so just leaves it open neutrally for other factors to decide how good a story i think it is.

not directly addressed but shown to be destructive. You’d think i wouldn’t like this- but frankly in fanfiction not everyone wants to address every character flaw verbally because it can through off story, narration, dialogue, and general flow to do so. This can be with an event, an action, a dialogue, a mere comment, making it actually fit into the it’s actually addressed category except that its- subtle enough to make its own category. plus i live for show not tell- in everything- its a thing. im- very much a fan of when the fics do this but the subtlety is easy to miss and its not common so-

It’s actually adressed- doesnt have to be a lot- just mention anywhere or imply anywhere that maybe idolizing someone as a god and savior and being in a relationship with them while having little knowledge of standards, emotions, relationships, or healthy behaviors in general- maybe isnt the smartest idea in the word. (”Call me Venti, not Barbatos” by itself is not enough to fit in this category tho as a note)

Now lets talk about Venti...

uh.... those who have followed me for awhile will probably already know this but... I have a lot of opinions on Venti and a pretty- “niche(?)” perception of his characterization that isn’t shared by a lot of others- so I don’t actually read as much Venti fanfic in general as you might expect because I often end up disagreeing with how writers portray him, which again, in no way is their characterization wrong, but- “their perceived truth” conflicts with “my perceived truth” and by extent so does the characterization, though neither is any more correct than the other from an objective point of view, if that makes sense... but anyways now that that’s said, moving on before this becomes a philosophy lecture, as fun as that would be for me. I’ll try to keep my “perceived truth” out of this for the first bit.

Venti’s response to this:

He rolls with it: this depends on the mood of the fanfiction. If they dont put a lot of stress on that trait of Xiao’s it totally fine but if the trait seems to be a major part of Xiao’s character, it seems like normalization once more. (more on this later)

he takes advantage of it purposely: if its an AU or something and Venti’s like a villain(i saw a few) then- villain venti isnt my cup of tea but i have no qualms. If they don’t portray Venti in a negative light while having him take advantage however that’s a bit uncomfortable to read for me because it feels like normalizing taking advantage of that mindset as well as the mindset itself. However, i did see a number of instances of Venti using it as leverage for like- self care- which i definitely have no qualms. Xiao: [insert probably destructive idolizing statement about being indebt] Venti: How bout you pay me back by actually sleeping for once smh or other variations are okay and depending on the vibe are actually a really fun dynamic as long as it doesnt turn into romanticizing or normalizing it, y’know?

Venti accidentally taking advantage of it.... I love angst- and in most of these theres a sense of guilt when he realizes- and i just think thats a lovely way of addressing the dangers of such a mindset for both sides. As long as it doesn’t keep repeating to the point of romanticization its totally cool to read in my eyes(not irl ofc). If Venti never realizes he accidentally took or is taking advantage it feels a bit like normalization, and if he does but just- doesn’t care thats- a rip.

savior!Venti...... i- i hate. the story giving off vibes that Xiao’s mindset is technically correct while Venti oh so humbly tells him to treat him as an equal like the wonderful and charitable person he is.... i just- no. of course thats over dramatizing it- I think the main thing that gives it this vibe is when Venti doesn’t seem either concerned, surprised, uncomfortable, or otherwise have a negative feeling towards Xiao’s mindset. Just- it makes the whole thing weird in my eyes when Venti doesnt really seem to have his own reason to oppose the mindset idk-

fact time!

Venti is the god of freedom. His backstory is freeing Mondstadt from a god’s tyrannical reign. His origin is a windsprite, just another breeze bringing changes for the better. His form is a nameless boy who played an instrument and then died, thus failing at his only dream and only ever accomplishing anything because of the help of others. He slept for a thousand years after the archon war to avoid putting Mond under the rule of yet another tyrannical god. He only even became a god because Andrius chose to let him. He wouldn’t have even had that chance if the nameless bard had survived, he’d remain just another wind while his friend ascended to godhood. Venti sacrifices his own power for his people’s freedom.

now that I’ve laid out a number of canon facts, time for opinions:

Venti has little to no desire to be seen as a god. He thrives in, comes from, and emphasizes a lack of superiority in quite nearly everything. The first Ragnvindir, who canonically turned his back on Venti after Decarabian’s fall, likely did so because one- he anticipated power would corrupt and Venti would soon become just another tyrannical god, two- he suspected Venti used the nameless bard in an attempt to rise to godhood, or three- idk insert other possibilities to acknowledge again that i could totally be wrong.

Look me in the eyes and tell me Venti wouldnt trade godhood for his friend in an instant. His godhood was only granted to him because his friend died and could easily serve to constantly remind him of what could have been and what he lost. Venti takes no enjoyment from being seen as superior and in my opinion, I feel that it could actually make him largely uncomfortable when his divinity and abilities as an archon get involved-

also self promotion for my favorite posts- check out #archon war era venti if thats interesting to you

so anyway Venti rolling with it or making jokes about it just doesn’t sit right with me.-

Okay! enough talking about that mindset!

idk- i have... a few/lot of other gripes and stuff or just things that kinda throw off the vibe for me but that’s the main one plus my general personal pickiness when it come to Venti fanfics- but this has gotten long enough already-

idk i just felt like rambling about it and i haven’t done a long post in a while so-

again, I love the ship and its actually one of my favorites- just the fanfic isnt my thing..... that doesn’t mean i don’t still love it and come up with a whole ton of brainrot and ideas on it tho lmao

#genshin impact #genshin xiao #genshin venti #xiaoven #genshin barbatos #opinions #discourse #? idk ill tag it just in case #dont mind my constant backtracking and justifying and repeated disclaimers-#i just have a crippling fear of being cancelled lol

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fakeikemen · 4 years

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Katara's Grief

(This is my first attempt at a meta post and I know that this has probably been already done but I just needed to get it off my chest and go on a little rant and it kinda got long so bear with me.)

A lot of the hate on Katara stems from the fact that she keeps on mentioning her mother's death at every chance she gets and invalidates other people's pain to assert that her suffering is the worst of the lot.

And even though everybody is entitled to their own opinions, I'm gonna point out why I think the aforesaid claims are not exactly correct.

First we'll take a look at; Katara's Backstory:

We know that Kya is killed in a fire nation raid and that Katara had been the last person to see her alive before she leaves the tent on her mother's insistence. Only to come back a few moments later and find her dead body. This, in itself is a traumatising event.

So yes, her mother died. Other people in the story go through far worse. You're not wrong when you say that.

But what is more important in Katara's story is the aftermath of her mother's death.

As Sokka says while talking to Toph in "The Runaway" in B3 Ep7:

Sokka: When our mom died, that was the hardest time in my life. Our family was a mess, but Katara? She had so much strength. She stepped up and took on so much responsibility. She helped fill the void that was left by our mom.

As an eight year old, she had to force herself to grow up to step into her mother's shoes and raise herself and her elder brother and simultaneously look after the entire village after her father left to fight in the war. She had to do all of it by herself.

In face of all her responsibilities, she never really had the chance to simply be a grieving child lamenting the loss of her mother. She habituated herself to caring more about others than herself (We see this trait in the entire series as she acts as the stand-in mom friend for the entire Gaang with an exception of Suki and Zuko). She ended up bottling her feelings of grief, resentment, guilt and rage deep within herself.

She had to give up an extensive part of her childhood where most children focus on figuring themselves out, to become a mature and responsible person who was working as the immovable pillar holding up the family and even the whole village not much later.

She put up a strong front to help others and pretended to be fine even though she was hurting inside the whole time.

She could never find any closure from the situation. She never got over it.

Moving on to the criticisms:

1. Katara keeps on mentioning her mother like a broken record:

Here are the number of times Katara mentions her mother's death (not sure if that's all of it, lmk if there are any others):

1. In her first scene with Sokka

Katara: Ever since mom died, I've been doing all the work around camp while you've been off playing soldier!

2. A short while after she meets Aang

Katara: Well, I just want you to be prepared for what you might see. The Fire Nation is ruthless. They killed my mother, and they could have done the same to your people.

3. A short while after she meets Haru

Katara: I lost my mother in a Fire Nation raid. This necklace is all I have left of her.

4. A short while after she meets Jet

Katara: Sokka and I lost our mother to the Fire Nation.

5. In the swamp after she sees a vision of her mother

Katara: I thought I saw Mom.

6. In the Crystal Catacombs with Zuko

Katara: I don't? How dare you! You have no idea what this war has put me through! Me personally! The Fire Nation took my mother away from me.

7. A short while after she meets Hama

Katara: We completely understand. We lost our mother in a raid.

8. Repeated mentions in The Southern Raiders episode

(Most of the episode basically)

The first mention with Sokka is in the middle of a siblings' spat where she tells off Sokka for trying to act as if he were superior when it was obvious that in the face of the gaping hole that was left by Kya's sudden death, Katara had shouldered much more responsibility.

When she tells it to Aang, she uses it as a proof that the Fire Nation is capable of immense cruelty and destruction.

The Gaang travel all around the world and meet different people affected by the war in different ways. So when Haru, Jet and Hama narrate their own stories, Katara sympathises with them and talks about Kya's death in lieu of "I understand, the Fire Nation hurt me too."

After they got separated, Aang, Sokka and Katara each had their visions and after they get back together, they all mention their visions and so does Katara.

When left alone in catacombs with Zuko, whom she considered as the face of the Fire Nation— the same Fire Nation that had her mother killed and forced her father to leave to fight in the war, she has a meltdown where she rightfully accuses him of all the bad things he's done and then breaks down while talking about how the war has cost her i.e., by causing her mother's death.

The Southern Raiders is the episode where Katara hunts down the man responsible for her mother's death. If you think mentioning Kya repeatedly in this episode is uncalled for, then I don't know what to tell you.

In all the incidents mentioned above, Katara mentioning her mother's death is a very natural occurrence is the respective conversations. She mostly talks about Kya's death to either extend her sympathy or to use it as an example of the ruthlessness of the Fire Nation.

Another fact to be noted is that 70% of the Gaang's storyline is followed via Katara from a narrative point of view. Plus, being the mom-friend, she acts as the spokesperson. Considering that Kya's death is a major event that played a huge role in shaping Katara's life and is also the source of her severe, unresolved trauma, which acts as the driving force of her story, it is only natural that she brings up this topic whenever she is engaging in a deeper conversation.

It is us as the viewers who have seen her from the start and already know about her mother's death and we see her talking to multiple people about it. Which is why it might come across as repetitive to some people.

While, Kya's death is not necessary information that everyone needs to know, Katara talking about it never comes across as a forced or unnatural.

2. Katara invalidates others' pain because she thinks she has suffered the most:

First of all, if anything, Katara is the most empathetic person of them all. As the mom-friend of the group, not only is she their constant moral support, she also helps them untangle and sort out their own feelings. She is also able to tap into issues that aren't said out loud.

Instances of Katara helping and supporting Aang, emotionally are uncountable.

She is the first one to notice Sokka's sour mood in B3 Ep4 "Sokka's Master". And even though his insecurities seem baseless, she validates him (by saying "I'm sorry you're feeling so down" instead of something like "That's a dumb thing to say") and knows exactly what to do to cheer him up.

In B3 Ep7 "The Runaway" she has the insight to understand that Toph's unruly behaviour is caused by the mixed feelings she has about her parents even though Toph's herself never talked about it.

She even reaches out to Zuko in B2 Ep19 "Crossroads of Destiny" even though she used to think of him as the face of the enemy.

But then there's The Southern Raiders.

Ah yes, that episode where Katara is extremely OOC and a total b*tch.

Agreed that she said some things that she definitely shouldn't have said. But like, she's just 14?? And has been hurting on the inside since she was 8?? And pretended to be fine just for the sake of other people?? Like, there's a limit to how much she can have her shit under control?? And she did a real good job of Sokka's upbringing and taking care of the village and taking care of Gaang on her own?? Some people out there are really willing to forget everything she has ever done just because she was mean for 5 minutes?? A traumatised 14 yo shouldn't be villianised and called toxic because she got mad and lashed out at people that one time??

But here's my take on the scene anyway:

When Aang gets to know that she's going to go face her mother's killer:

Aang: Um ... and what exactly do you think this will accomplish?

Katara: I knew you wouldn't understand.

Aang is a non-confrontational person who prefers running away from difficult situations as opposed to Katara who firmly stands her ground and is never afraid of confrontations. Katara had approached Aang only hoping that he would understand. But going by his dismissal, he obviously doesn't understand the burning need that she has to confront the man who had single-handedly destroyed her childhood. (Most people infer that what Katara means is that she thinks that Aang doesn't understand the pain of losing people. And so does Aang, I guess)

But things start getting even more tricky when:

Aang: Katara, you sound like Jet.

In all honesty, this is probably the most insensitive thing that she could've heard from anyone right then, let alone one of her closest friends. Hearing herself being compared to a homicidal maniac just because she wants to avenge her mother's killer. (No, I'm not justifying murder but there's a clear difference between homicide and avenging someone's death. And Aang may not be my favourite character but I do love him but this wasn't really a good thing to say either. And he wasn't even mentally distressed in the very least to be completely lacking tact or a filter.)

And then the situation escalates:

Sokka: Katara, she was my mother, too, but I think Aang might be right.

Katara: Then you didn't love her the way I did!

After 6 long years of Katara bottling in her dark feelings and letting them fester inside herself, she is finally letting them out and the first things she faces in a span of few minutes are outright rejection, invalidation of her feelings, comparison to a homicidal maniac and nothing akin to the unconditional support that she has provided to everybody. Her own brother tells her that he is siding with the boy who just compared her to a homicidal maniac.

Yes, accusing your own brother of not loving your mother enough is a very cruel thing to do. But both Sokka and Katara know that she doesn't entirely mean it.

But also, there is one very important factor in here:

In B3 Ep7 "The Runaway", Sokka says to Toph:

Sokka: I'm gonna tell you something crazy. I never told anyone this before, but honestly? I'm not sure I can remember what my mother looked like. It really seems like my whole life, Katara's been the one looking out for me. She's always been the one that's there. And now, when I try to remember my mom, Katara's is the only face I can picture.

Katara overhears this conversation just as Sokka had meant her to.

This dialogue lets us know that Sokka's coping mechanism has made him suppress all memories of Kya and replace them with memories of Katara in order to attain a semblance of normalcy.

Both Katara and Sokka had very different ways of coping with Kya's death. Katara pressed down her feelings and tried her best to pretend to ignore them while Sokka partially succeeded in forgetting her.

When Katara first hears these words she is shown to be crying. But if she were to remember these very words while she was justifying herself infront of her own brother and a close friend for wanting to avenge her mother, it would've had a negative impact on her.

In her rage, she would've thought: "Of course he doesn't want to avenge mom. Because he doesn't think it's worth it and that's because he doesn't even remember enough of her to be mad about her death."

And for someone who has spent each day of the last 6 years trying to fill in the shoes of her mother and experiencing her absence everyday, the idea of forgetting her mother is a ridiculous concept to her.

Her thoughts would have quickly derailed to: "He didn't love her enough to remember her."

In light of these thoughts, saying "Then you didn't love her the way I did" doesn't feel out of the blue.

No, I am definitely not justifying what she said, I'm just laying out a possible explanation to why she said what she said.

Yes, she should've apologized to Sokka for this and I think that they definitely should've had a long conversation about their mother's death and how it affected them. Between Katara supressing her feelings and Sokka supressing his memories, i don't think they ever had this conversation.

But sadly we are given neither of these scenes.

Tl;dr: Everytime Katara mentions her mother, it's with good reason and I don't think it's fair to call a character toxic when they lack a mind to mouth filter for 5 minutes and say some mean things. And considering all that Katara has done for everybody, it isn't fair at all.

Peace out!

#antis really be out there ignoring everything she does to hate on her because of two lines she said #nvm katara is one strong badass girl stan her for good grades and clear skin #katara #atla #atla meta #meta analysis #avatar the last airbender #water tribe #kya #sokka #hakoda #gaang #atla gaang #avatar gaang #zuko #aang #toph #ira's posts

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liquid-luck-00 · 3 years

Text

Maribat Secret Santa 2020

@maribat-secret-santa-2020

Happy Holidays everyone🎁

In my defense there was a minimum of 2000 words and there was no max so this ended up being 6112 words sorry, I think. There is some Adrien, class and Lila salt, Adrien gets some sugar later.

Without further ado @eve-v0lution I am your Secret Santa, enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~

Marinette has never been a normal girl. When she was born the goddess Tikki appeared claiming her as her chosen and the next Ladybug. She was born the granddaughter of Ra's Al Ghul, the head of the League of Assassins, the sister organization to the Order of the Miraculous. Her older brother, and twin, Damian was called to be the next Demon.

When they were five, she was taken to the Temple of the Order of Miraculous. she and her brother kept in contact, but it wasn't much more, than 'yes I am still alive, are you?' which was fine with them. As they were often trained together by both the League and the Order.

A week before they turned 10, she was named the Great Guardian and given the Miracle box. On their 10th birthdays he returned to the League to support her brother as he was officially named the heir of the Demon. However, things never went that smoothly. Slade Wilson led an attack on the League killing their grandfather. Damian rushed on to fight the Mercenary. She followed at his side the only thing she said before entering the fray was "Duusu fans" and combat fans dropped into her hands.

Between the two of them, they pushed Deathstroke back. However, he didn't retreat before throwing a sword at Damian. She called upon Wayzz's "Shell-ter" catching the sword in the shield’s dome. She took the hilt of the blade before dropping the dome. The two of them shared a look before running to find their Mother. Together they used Kaakli's portal to go to the Order.

However, they were met with an equally gruesome sight. Many of the monks laid dead, those that weren't were not in much better of a condition.

A single elder survived, speaking of the simultaneous attack on the Order and League. He told them that he will rebuild the order, but that Mari needed to keep the Miracle box safe. In the end Mother told them that she will be leaving them with their Father.

To say it was a surprise that their Father was Batman would be a stretch. Mother and Grandfather only allowed perfection, so not as surprising as one would think. Batman being Bruce Wayne, sure that wouldn't be her first guess but so what. What actually surprised her were her new brothers.

Damian hated them but she loved their antics. Where Damian became the next Robin, Mari stayed in the cave manning the comms as well as their numerous and often injuries.

However, when she did join everyone on the roof tops, Scarlet joins them. A red cropped hoodie that ended a little below her ribs. A long sleeve Kevlar shirt with a high neck. Black gloves and arm guards were holding the sleeves of the hoodie down. Her pants were the same Kevlar as the shirt and was just as formfitting, there were guards on her thighs that wouldn’t impede on her movement as well as knee pads connected to the shin guard. Short combat boots, a red sash tied to her waist hiding the utility belt and yo-yo, and a mechanical mask that conceals the bottom half of her face. And to top it off Tikki turns her eyes violet and her hair to white.

"Scarlet" Nightwing called to her. They were partnered and patrolling the west side of Gotham.

"Yes"

"Let’s race"

"What do I get when I win?"

He held his hand to his chest in mock hurt "Just so you know one week, anything the winner says is law for one week for the loser"

"Make it one favor redeemable whenever and you've got it" she challenged. He was torn but he agreed.

"Count me in" they heard Red Hood.

"Same" Red Robin also entered "Robin?"

"Tt. No"

"Fine. First back to the cave wins" Nightwing answered. "Go!"

She swung through Gotham and dropped into a pitch-black alley 'voyage' Mari whispered too low for the comms to pick up. Dropping through the portal and into the cave. Her transformation dropped and Tikki went to sit on her shoulder. Alfred was there waiting, Duusu perched on his shoulder as well, with a tray of cookies. She gave him a nod in silent thanks, as she still had a comm in her ear.

Ten minutes later Red Hood pulls in and was about to celebrate when both Red Robin and Nightwing crash into him. Creating a mess of limbs over the motor bike.

"Ha I win now you guys owe" Jason was about to rub in his victory from the bottom of the pile when Mari giggled, pulling the attention of her three brothers.

"Sorry Jay but you lost" she, Alfred, and the kwami were clearly in the middle of tea and cookies.

"She is correct Master Jason. Miss Marinette has been here for the past 10 minutes"

"Tt. Honestly don't race against some one who teleports." Damian grumbled as he walked away from the Bat-mobile.

"Don't worry. I'll wait until you forget you owe me to cash in" she smiled wickedly. "Good night."

And that was when they remembered 'Right Mari has the ability to use the powers of several pocket-sized gods' that was a lesson they wouldn't forget soon. Well Tim and Jason didn't forget; Dick would still bet against her though.

Jason found out she is the perfect prank partner. And no one in or out of the manor was safe. How they managed to swap all of Green Arrow's arrows, each being a different gag, was a mystery even Batman couldn't or wouldn't attempt to solve. The fact that the Justice League saw and heard Batman fall to the floor laughing, scared most of them from finding out. Those who didn't learned what happens when you don't leave well enough alone.

School was well boring; between the curriculum of the League and the Order she had already gotten 2 PHDs and 5 masters. School was nothing more than a pleasantry at this point. Father wouldn't let them out of school, something about needing to be normal kids. That only seemed to draw the twins into the spotlight more, because they were the only two blood children of Bruce Wayne. Damian became known quite fast as Gotham's Ice Prince, but Mari became known as Gotham's Sunshine just as fast.

But don’t let the name fool you, within the first year their classmates learned that yes Damian Wayne is scared of something, and that something was actually a someone who just happened to be his twin sister. Damian apparently was feeling petty about something, and for the life of her she can’t remember what, but he decided to write in big red letters ‘NO!!!’ across every page of her sketchbook. She found that out during lunch, and that was when the entire school learned that the little sunshine child was the only thing that can put the fear of God in the Ice Prince.

---

Freshman year Mari finally got her Dad to agree to letting her into the exchange program for the next four years.

So, she decided on Paris.

Why, why did this exchange have to be four years long. I’m not gonna survive this.

Admittedly it started off okay, okay not really but then things went downhill, fast, faster than you could imagine.

It started when she met her host family. They met her at the airport and that was an experience, I guess.

"Mlle Wayne? Correct" a tall slender woman in glasses asked her.

"Yes Madame" she replied with a polite smile.

"Natalie Sancoeur" the woman replied "And this is" she started but was cut off by a boy around her age, he had blonde hair and green eyes. But what stood out to her was his attributes reminded her of an overexcited and hyper puppy.

"Adrien Agreste" he smiled at her, so she did what was expected of her in polite society.

"Marinette Wayne" and she extended her hand to shake his. However, instead he pulled her into a hug. Once she realized what was happening, she pushed away from him and took a step back. She looked at him and her thought of him being a puppy was only reinforced with the look on his face. So, she looked at Sancoeur, while the woman looked at Agreste with indifference she looked at Mari as if she was in the wrong.

This is going to be great. Was the only thought as she endured the drive to the Agreste household.

Agreste would not shut up the entire way and seemed to be hurt that she didn't answer him. Agreste was also the one who was to give her the tour of the mansion. It wasn’t so bad it gave her the chance to gauge the defense systems, which was lacking, and the layout was simple compared to the Wayne Manor, the League's compound, and the Order's temple.

Unfortunately for her, Agreste ended the tour with her room and then proceeded to sit on the bed and continue to ramble about whatever was on his mind. She did try to get him to leave but that was a complete waste of time and effort. Kwami it was like he couldn't hear me or more likely didn’t even care about my opinion. So, she put in her headphones, hid them behind her hair, pressed play to of music and went to unpack.

As she was finishing setting up the bathroom she noticed, like every other door in this house, there was no lock.

Ugh I need to speak with Monsieur Agreste.

She went back out and saw him. Agreste was at the desk where she had set her laptop and was trying to open it.

"Excuse me but what are you doing?" she asked pointedly, having taken out her headphones and set them in the case.

"I was trying to see what you had on your laptop" he shrugged "can you tell me the password to get in?"

"No" she deadpanned; he had the gall to look shocked. That was when Mme Sancoeur entered the room, without even knocking.

"Lunch is" was all she said before Agreste cut her off.

"Natalie make her open her computer for me" Agreste whined.

She was about to speak but Marinette beat her to it. "Um No. What I have on my personal computer is none of your concern" his face fell while Mme. Sancoeur pursed her lips. "Furthermore, I am assuming since you are at the desk, the bed is askew, and the drawers are open and my clothes are in shambles you were going through my things" she was now glaring at the blonde invading her space. Now he had the decency of looking ashamed. "Am I to assume lunch will be held in the dinning room?" Mme. Sancoeur only nodded, and she left the room.

Lunch, if you can call it that, was also a disaster. Apparently, Americans eat chicken noodle soup, a hamburger, and a load of fries. Because that was what was set in front of her.

Ugh this is going to be a long four years.

"Mlle. Wayne, I hope everything has been to your liking" M. Agreste, Gabriel, as he introduced himself earlier spoke. “You have hardly eaten.”

"Would you prefer my honesty or would you rather me lie to you" Marinette responded swirling the water in her glass.

"Your honesty" he answered slightly unsure.

At this she scoffed "I am going to assume that you and no one else had bothered to read the file of my information that was sent to you" he as well as Mme. Sancoeur remained quiet "Because if you had you would know I am a vegetarian."

Mme. Sancoeur searched some thing on her tablet and there was a soft "oh" from her.

"Your son is also suffocating, to the point that when I asked him to leave the room so I could settle in peacefully, he remained as if I hadn’t asked him to leave" M. Agreste was going to say something but she continued "He also has no sense of privacy as he went through all of my belongings and was attempting to go through my laptop as well." Again, he was going to say something, but Mari continued. "On the topic of privacy neither the bedroom door nor the bathroom have a lock."

“Paris is completely safe, as the house is protected, it should not matter if there is a lock on the door” he replied in a monotone.

“I’m sorry doesn’t matter, in what universe is it alright for two teenagers of the opposite sex be in a house where one of said teenagers doesn’t respect the other enough to leave them alone” she almost started yelling, but kept her head and voice level.

M. Agreste didn’t respond right away, but he gave a small hum before stating that “I will take your request into consideration.”

“Alright, just know that I will guard myself and will not hesitate to use force if necessary” she knew they wouldn’t take her seriously but hey I am warning them, they only gave a nod that they heard. “Also M. Agreste I tend to have a strict morning regimen is it possible for me to continue it using the home gym while here?”

“Of course,” he waved dismissively.

“What does this regimen include?” Mme. Sancoeur asked politely.

Marinette had a wicked smirk as this was going to be the lightest of her routines, she could give but would still most likely shock them. “Oh it is nothing much just a 5 kilometer run as a warm up, then half an hour of boxing, a half an hour of sword forms and training, half an hour of holographic combat training, followed by half an hour of ballet, and half an hour of meditation.” She was smiling watching their reactions and it was priceless. “I usually start around 4 in the morning.”

All of them were shocked, and who would blame them, here I am in my 5’2” high glory with a sunshine disposition stating I can most likely drop kick them into next week. “Actually, if you don’t mind, I was unable to do it this morning on account of being on an airplane, this will be a good way to see the city” so she smiled leaving them gobsmacked.

Finally, she was able to breathe as she ran the streets of Paris listening to her music softly. Back at the mansion she had figured out she had an audience less than ten minutes into boxing, but she continued. As she was about to start the holographic training, that Tim, Barbara, and she had created, but by now the entire Agreste household was watching her. “If you’re only going to watch me leave or else have the decency to spar” she shot at them.

“I’ll do it” little Agreste spoke up “But if I beat you, you’re giving me your computer password.”

“Fine, but when I win, I get locks on both my bedroom door and the bathroom inside” she challenged.

Agreste senior nodded his head and replied bored “Only if you win.”

“First to be knocked down three times loses” she grinned. She went to grab her two training twin swords and handed one to little Agreste.

“These are real swords” he exclaims clearly off balance by the weight of the weapon.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, neither have an edge” they got into positions and it was easy to see who would be victorious. I got locks and some privacy oh the small victories are truly sweet.

---

Sunday was uneventful, but so long as she was in the mansion for meals unless she had checked in with Mme. Sancoeur, she was free to her own devices.

Monday she would come to regret that it had to end later, but not for a while at least.

Mari rode to school with little Agreste and that was her first mistake. Everyone in the entire school watched her exit the car added to the fact that she's starting in the middle of the semester and that kicks.

She was wearing a charcoal shirt splattered with metallic red paint, a faux caramel brown leather jacket with a hood, black jeans with burgundy all stars. Her hair was down, and a black messenger bag was over her shoulder.

She got out and simply walked in and towards the main office ignoring everyone, she got her schedule and a map of the school. The principal himself walked her to her homeroom and to her horror little Agreste was in the class.

"Mlle. Bustier" he spoke. "Meet your new student."

"Please introduce yourself" she spoke with a sweet smile.

"Bonjour my name is Marinette, and I will be a part of your class for the next four years."

Marinette moved to take the open seat in the back but of course Little Agreste had to speak. "Mari there is an open seat behind me."

It took all of herself control to not facepalm. "I prefer the back"

"I'll spar you for it"

Now she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes or the one playing on her lips "Okay Agreste, but what makes you think you'll win this time?

"Fencing uses lighter swords" he answered mumbling the end.

"Wait why are you challenging the new girl?" a boy in a red hoodie and two-toned hair asks.

"Probably to redeem his honor from our last bout" she was now smiling. Maybe this won't be all bad.

"Then I get the next challenge" the same boy answered confidently.

"Alright" she agreed "Name your sport, um..."

"Sorry Le Chien Kim" he supplied. "Swimming freestyle"

"You're on" a devilish smirk on her lips. Afterwards everyone introduced themselves and she sat down in the back.

They spoke with M D'Argencourt about it during lunch and he told them to wait until after school for the fencing club to set up. So, they did. Honestly, the class isn't so bad, just a little pushy, apparently a student isn't here today but should be back soon. When they all went back after school, that was when Marinette saw her.

"Gami" Marinette ran to the girl in a red fencing outfit and gave her a brief hug.

"Mari-hime what are you doing in Paris?" she asked.

"Exchange program" Mari waved it off.

"Your brother?"

"Not interested" Mari responded.

"So why at the fencing club?"

"Agreste challenged me."

She looked towards the blonde and gave him a pitying glance. "Then you should both change"

"Right" Mari called as she went to the locker rooms. Her uniform was a red bodice with black sleeves and pants, but the gloves, shoes, and socks were a shade of green so dark it appeared black, the stitches on the entire thing were in golden thread. Both her saber and helmet were a combination of black and gold.

They both got into positions when Marinette heard her.

"This is going to be a slaughter" and Gami was right.

Faster than anyone could blink Mari had scored a touch before little Agreste even moved.

"Huh and here I was hoping for a challenge. Agreste" she turned away from him and faced Kagami "Match?" was all she asked, and the girl stood and faced Mari.

Facing Kagami was like fencing Damian. Both are powerhouses and decisive, but Mari's strength was in speed and agility. They met each other strike for strike, she is probably one of the few civilians that may be a match for her and her brother. By the end of practice, she was offered a spot on the team which she accepted.

To little Agreste's dismay Kagami offered to show her around Paris, to which she had agreed.

---

One-month Mari had to settle into her new class. She made fast friends with Le Chien, after their swimming match where she also met a girl named Ondine, Alix Kubdel was next she is competitive with a need for speed, side note never let her meet Jason. Max Kante and Nathaniel Kertzberg were also added to our little group. She met Luka Couffaine while wandering Paris for inspiration, they became fast friends, and she designed the costumes for Kitty section as well as their Demo Album cover. The final and most shocking, apparently, addition to their group was Chloe Bourgeois. Along with Kagami her small group of friends were unshakeable and for the next four years will be thankful for them.

After that one month, a weasel entered the class. Her name was Lila Rossi and everything that came out of her mouth was a lie. Honestly, Mari wouldn't give her a second thought but then the strikes against her grew.

Lila's first mistake was lying about her best friend, Jon, or in reality about Superboy. Oh, she was in a relationship with him. Sorry but Jon is super bi, but leans towards men more, like a walking romantic mess that was a golden moment when he figured it out. The same can be said when it finally dawned on Damian when he figured out for himself. As the amazing sister that she is of course she would tease those two. But the teasing and cooing only escalated when the two started dating. So ya not buying that he took you out, much less as Superboy.

Lila's second mistake was threatening Mari in the bathroom. Please if your going to threaten someone make sure you aren't being recorded. And second don't threaten a Wayne, especially an Al Ghul turned Wayne. So, Marinette recorded every lie, every threat, and every reaction. If she were going down not even the Devil himself would think to help her.

Unfortunately, it had a rather annoying side effect. Little Agreste kept pulling her aside to try and make peace with the liar.

"Please Marinette, can you stop calling out Lila" he repeated for the up-tenth time . They were on their way to dinner about two months after Lila rejoined the class. "Just take the high road"

They were in the hallway outside of the dining room.

"No" Mari stated as calmly as she could. As they both walked in, Mme. Sancoeur and M. Agreste were already inside.

"Why? Her lies aren't hurting anyone"

"Not hurting anyone" she spoke finally turning towards the blonde "What unicorns and rainbows paradise do you live in?"

"Wait, what?"

"Nino almost didn't enter his script for a contest because Lila said she would get someone in Hollywood to help produce it" she answered "It took Max, Nathanial, and I almost an hour for him to submit it on the thought it couldn't hurt"

"Okay that's one"

"Alya's reputation as a reporter is plummeting. She doesn't fact check and believes Lila solely on the idea that 'Lila wouldn't lie to her'. Where Lila uses her blog to spread her lies."

"Yes but no one believes everything they hear or read.”

"Really" Mari arched her brow, Alfred would be proud "then explain how most of Paris believes you and Lila to be an item"

"Mlle. Wayne came to explain" M. Agreste finally spoke.

"Oh, most of Paris believes that your son is in a romantic relationship with Lila Rossi" Mari spoke calmly as she opened her phone and pulled up the post from Alya's blog to show the screen.

"What?" the confusion was clear on little Agreste's face as he also pulled up the blog. The meal for her was quite quick but M. Agreste held back little Agreste.

Mari was sketching in the quiet of her room latter that evening when she heard a soft knock at the door. She opened the door and there stood little Agreste fidgeting.

"I'm sorry I never liked how Lila hung off of me but that was harassment, then I realized that's what I've been doing to you I am so sorry. You probably hate me for how I acted, and I understand if you can't trust me or forgive me and I'm sorry." He spoke so fast and barely breathed as he turned about to leave, but he stopped when Mari spoke.

"Okay. Redo"

"What?" he asked tilting his head.

"Let’s start over" she smiled.

"So, you forgive me!"

"No, I am not forgiving you" he looked saddened "I will hold you accountable, but I am, willing to start a new chapter."

"Okay” he looked a bit relieved.

"Hello. I am Marinette Wayne." she extended her hand to shake his.

"Adrien Agreste" he smiled shaking hands. "I'Il get out of your hair then." he sent a small wave that she returned and left.

---

Okay so maybe I exaggerated a bit, but Lila did make these past three and a half years a living pain. Mlle. Bustier fought to keep their class for all four years. The only addition was Kagami in the second year of Mari’s exchange.

But here she was sitting in the back with her friends waiting for the last class of the day to start. Then it happened Principle Damocles and Mlle. Bustier walked in.

"Mlle. Wayne" Damocles called.

"Thank the gods" Mari stated packing up her things and she walked down. "I would say it was a pleasure but that would be a lie" Mari just finished speaking when Alya decided to open her mouth.

"Where are you going class hasn't even started." Alya smiled trying to get Mari in trouble, but neither adult did anything.

"If you really want to know because it seems you've forgotten. I am a foreign exchange student from America, where I will be finishing the final term." Her words must have made some sense to their one community brain cell because they nodded, and she left.

Marinette flew back to Gotham and oh was this going to be great.

Of course, when she landed Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman were making mischief in the airport. She recorded a video of the Bats stopping them, of course they were monitoring it because of her flight but I digress, and Nightwing lecturing them while Batman looked so done. Along with Jay-Jay or really Red Hood taking Mari's phone and taking a selfie with her, her hair was in braid tucked into a black beanie with a pair of red sunglasses. A halter top that had a golden rod yellow X on it. The top quadrant was red, and the rest was back. A black sweater lined and faded to red at the bottom. Comfortable black and red leggings with black flats. She posted the videos and picture captioned 'Back in Gotham. Home Sweet Home! Hood give me back my phone.' on her public account, before even exiting the terminal.

Her class will be here in about two weeks and stay as long, but right now she need a good stretch.

She found Alfred and loaded up her bags into the car and jumped in, told Alfred, transformed, and portaled out. As soon as the portal closed, she was in the middle of a huge hug from all her brothers. Patrol wasn't too bad, there was a run in with the Riddler and a separate incident with Killer Croc but that is a light day in Gotham.

After patrol was mostly filled with junk food, video games, and movies with her brothers.

Going back to Gotham Academy was like she never left. In a way she didn't, as every break she made sure to spend some time with her friends, dragging Damian with her. She would constantly text or video chat with them. To the extent that they knew about Lila and her class, almost as well as her family.

Two blissful weeks of quiet and patrols filled with teasing and bets was amazing. Yes, she will miss patrolling with Nightrunner. Yes, he is part of the extended Bat clan, but it is different with her brothers.

---

Three days granted that was longer than Marinette gave the class to avoid a villain attack. Of course, it had to happen when they were visiting, WE. Dick had volunteered to lead the tour, mainly to get more evidence, but Mari wasn't there. Since she was on break, she decided to take lunch for her brothers. The cafeteria food was good but still, and Tim would probably be holed up in his office.

She was in a blue collared button up tucked into a black skater skirt. A black and indigo letterman Jacket, black glasses frames and blue heels finished the outfit.

"Nettie?" Dick asked when she entered the cafeteria.

"Brought you lunch." Dick's face lit up.

"You are a god send"

She giggled as he took the food. "Not exactly but close."

"You going to force Timmy to eat"

"Yeah. Is he still in his office?"

"Should be"

"See ya at home Dicky Bird" she turned and found herself facing her class. Most of them registered she was there and glared at her seemingly guarding Lila from her sight, her friends noticed her so she sent a wave to Kagami, Chloe, Kim, Alix, Nathanial, and Max.

Getting Tim to eat usually proves a challenge. Mostly because he has one hand glued to a coffee mug and the other on his work. Yet when you make an entire meal into finger foods that are perfectly bite sized it is a breeze. She was going to leave when both Tim's and her phone shot an alarm. It was from Dick 'WE 2 Face' In a flash Mari transformed and waited for Tim, opened a portal, and fell into the lobby.

The two of them took out the goons and restrained them before turning towards Two Face.

"The word on the street is that you and the bird are dating, and you know the Bat." Two Face spoke out to everyone, "Let's hear what other secrets these lips will spill." A gun was held up, presumably to the teen's mouth, but neither Red Robin nor Scarlet could see.

He was clearly holding a teen hostage, and that was when they saw the two hanging sausages, Lila. For the first time since Mari had known her, she was quiet, or at least silently whimpering.

"So, who is she dating?" Scarlet asked yoyo in hand pointing at Lila.

"Robin" she gasps.

"What!?" Both of them yelled before Red Robin started again. "Crap when did I get a girlfriend. Scarlet please tell me this is just a hallucination! I swear if this is, I won’t drink a single drop of coffee for a month!”

Scarlet however was barely standing doubled over with laughter. "She’s a little young for you don't cha think."

"Not helping" Red Robin was in full out panic pacing back and forth trying to comprehend what was being said.

That was when Lila seemed to find her voice again "I'm dating Robin not you."

"Wait, What?" Both vigilantes snapped out of their laughter and panic respectfully. They shared a look and fell to the ground laughing. Two minutes later Batman and Robin showed up. Scarlet and Red Robin were now on their feet but still laughing. No one not even Two Face moved because as everyone knows, Robin is taken and no one will be getting between those two, much less a girl.

"Robin" Batman nodded and to the two laughing teens, Robin nodding in acknowledgement.

"No need B" Red Robin finally stopped laughing.

"Hey Birdie when did you get a girlfriend?" Scarlet asked fully knowing the answer already.

"Tt. Don't be idiotic Scarlet."

"Then why is she saying she is?" Two Face now had the bat fam's attention.

"Who are you?" Robin asked the girl pinned between Two Face’s arm and gun.

"Apparently the girlfriend you never knew existed before three seconds ago." Red Robin supplied, now fully enjoying the shock on his brother’s face.

"Is that why you two were laughing like idiots?"

"Well yes" Scarlet spoke up then whispered 'Voyage, Venom' and Two Face became frozen in place.

Lila was now glaring at Scarlet as she began to yell "What the hell. Why didn't you do that sooner!"

Scarlet snapped her fingers and pointed at Lila "Oh now I remember you" she semi shouted getting the attention of everyone in the lobby. "You’re the girl from Paris who said she was dating Superboy." Lila now seemed to significantly pale.

"Are you saying this girl has claimed to have dated both Superboy and I" At this point both Scarlet and Red Robin had moved and were physically holding back Robin.

"Scarlet" Batman called.

"On it" 'Voyage' "Hey Supes your boyfriend needs you" Superboy then took Robin in a hug from behind resting his chin on top of Robin's head. Her brother now willingly refraining from moving to stay in his boyfriend's arms, while Red Robin left to talk with Commissioner Gordon.

"Miss you are lucky no one was injured, and we were here to take action, your fantasies are just that. Let's go" Batman had lectured the girl who could have been switched with a statue at this point.

All the vigilantes left, and Mari sure as hell made certain Tim finished his food. In fact, he hadn't even changed out of his Red Robin uniform, so Mari guarded the door. She only left when he finished eating, knowing he could now fully react.

Mari was walking out of the elevator and into the lobby and you could practically see the change that occurred. Most of the class were huddled together, her friends were to the side along with Adrien, and Lila was practically glued to the teacher.

She spotted Alfred with Dick not far from her friends, so she decided to go over and speak with her friends.

Unfortunately, that just caused hell's gates to open as she approached, she heard. "You knew she was a liar didn't you" Alya yelled at her friends and Agreste, but Alya was specifically yelling at Agreste. That made her blood boil, so she stepped in.

"Yes, but you didn't believe me when I told you, you didn't believe them either" Mari was now standing between her friends and the blogger. "Agreste didn't want to rock the boat and how you were all treating me it is no wonder."

"Ya but she is a liar, and you are a bully" Alya retorted.

"Was I a bully. Or was that what you were told by the liar" Alya now went quiet. Of the almost four years she was in Paris there was never any proof she bullied Lila. No bruises, no destroyed items, just she said claims. "Yes, I called her out on her lies but that was all. You all were the ones who acted on her words that I bullied her with no proof and bullied me to ‘teach me a lesson'. I have more than enough evidence however, on most of this class and the liar, for cases of assault, slander, defamation of character, and destruction of property."

By now everyone in the lobby was watching this unfold. The class seemed to pale and attempted to shrink in on themselves. Lila and Mlle. Bustier seemed to try to become one with the floor. Her friends were to the side struggling to not laugh along with Dick and Chloe you traitor put down that phone.

"Miss Wayne" an employee came up to Mari seemingly afraid to get her undivided attention.

"Yes" She smiled, becoming Gotham's sunshine that everyone knew, allowing the employee and the other Gothamites to relax.

"The CEO has locked himself in his office and the Board meeting starts in three minutes" the employee fidgeted with the tablet in his hands. That snapped her into professional mode.

"Dick is the tour done?" she held out her hand to take the tablet, opened it and started going trough the documents.

"Ya"

"Go dig Tim from his office. I'll deal with the board."

"On it"

She quickly looked up to her friends "Sorry guys we should catch up later." She walked away the employee on her heels giving her more information.

A whistle was heard next to the group. "Damn I feel bad for the Board members, Mars is on a warpath and not her usual professional warpath" Dick said to Alfred.

"Reminiscent of Master Bruce even" was Alfred's response.

"She really is a Wayne"

"Master Richard"

"Yes Alfred"

"I believe it is in your best interest to retrieve Master Timothy as Miss Marinette is on a 'Warpath' as you say" Alfred barely finished as Dick began to sprint to the elevator. Alfred only sighed as he followed the eldest Wayne child, leaving very bewildered and mortified Parisians in their wake.

#dc x miraculous #dc x mlb #maribat #mlb x dc #miraculous x dc #batfam #marinette wayne #Adrien salt then sugar #ml marinette #damianette twins #damimari twins

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oddluver · 3 years

Text

I need a moment to collect my thoughts, theories, and headcanons about Time Traveler!Karl. This might be a long one. I’ll be referring to the characters and not the real content creators.

Currently, the characters in the present SMP have 3 lives canonically. The future descendants of our SMP characters have died only once. Is it safe to say that Dream and/or Karl have altered timelines so much that there might be a gap in generations to spawn with only 1 life rather than 3?

In the present SMP, Karl was killed by Technoblade during The Festival and canonically has 2 remaining lives (correct me if I’m wrong). Dream has stated, recently, that if he dies then everyone on the SMP dies a permanent death. This was said after Tommy took both of his lives and that Dream was the only person who knows how to resurrect a dead character.

If it’s possible that Dream does indeed have 3 lives, then this means that he will die at some point in the present SMP. Once he dies, the remaining characters and future descendants will be affected. Their next death would be their last or they spawn in only once.

In the future SMP, Ranboo’s descendant, Ranbob seems to worship and idolize Dream. The Lost City of Mizu is technically built as a shrine for the future descendants’ ancestors. Ranbob’s obsession to kill or trap anyone who enters the City of Mizu may be due to the influence of Dream.

Ranbob shares Ranboo’s characteristic trait of memory loss and aversion to water. In the present SMP, Ranboo is manipulated by Dream and forced to do things for Dream when he slips into his unconscious state. He is also part Enderman, in which Enderman are aversive to rain/water. Is it possible before Dream’s death in the present that he caused generational trauma in Ranboo’s bloodline that would lead Ranbob down his current path? Also, why is Ranbob living under the ocean? How did he get there and could he ever leave his watery prison?

If it’s the case that Dream has infinite canon lives, then his permanent death for everyone claim may be a bluff for further control of the SMP. To understand this, we would have to dive deeper about Time Traveler!Karl.

At what point Karl knew he could time travel, we don’t know. However, we can see some of his motivation. Karl never really had his own place on the SMP. Rutabagville was a flop, Party Island has its temporary uses, and El Rapids went through hell and back. Then, Gogtopia was built and simultaneously destroyed in a single day. Karl gained his own power to build, destroy, and become recognized by the other citizens (doesn’t this sound like someone familiar)?

The episodes may not be canonically correlated, but this is where I’d like to draw some points. We can agree that Gogtopia and the beach episode takes place in the present SMP. The present SMP is where our Karl spawns in after time travelling. However, taking a look at both past and future episodes, there is a dark relationship. In both instances, Karl could not prevent the deaths of those in that time period.

For the most part, Karl is an observer. In The Village, Karl was in the role of a god, who tried to save the citizens without giving too much away as the narrator or in this case as a time anomaly (someone who doesn’t belong in that time). In the future SMP, he was even more an observer by looking through the eyes of his descendant. Without having a physical body, unlike in the present SMP or in the past, Karl definitely had no chance of interfering.

Karl is motivated to fix the wrongs by time traveling. In every travel, Dream or his presence was there. Karl has met Cornelius face to face (whether this is Dream himself, his alternate self, or an ancestor is unknown). He also saw through Issac’s eyes of Ranbob’s Dream shrine (this would especially be problematic if Dream has infinite canon lives even in the future). During the beach episode, Dream immediately put his armor back on after it concluded. Despite not being in the present all the time, Karl does notice the subtle changes due to his actions and I bet Dream does too.

Dream has said that he wasn’t supposed to be in prison, initially. It was meant for someone who knows too much. Karl could very well be that possibility with him time traveling everywhere. No matter where Karl goes in time, he’s anchored down to the present SMP. With him anchored, how far will he let himself go to fix the mistakes?

Part 1/2. Sorry if this doesn’t make all the right sense. Comment your ideas/opinions about Time Traveler!Karl. I’d love to hear about them.

#dream smp #tales from the smp #karl jacobs #dreamwastaken #ranboo

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princesssarcastia · 3 years

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Thoughts on Star Trek AOS? (And do you think Kirk was on Tarsus?)

i have SO MANY THOUGHTS about star trek aos, so buckle up. brace yourself.

star trek aos is a terrible disaster and i love it SO MUCH. for me, star trek 2009 is still in that class of unreasonably pleasing movies like the mummy or stardust or jumanji: welcome to the jungle. what they are isn’t exactly top notch but you love them for being exactly what they are.

star trek aos is a star-studded fucking phenomenal cast of some of the best actors working today, which makes up for the very inconsistent writing and unfortunate low-level current of sexism.

literally where would i be today if chris pine could not make faces Like That. i honestly couldn’t tell you.

overall, I have quite a few bones to pick with JJ Abrams for setting up a star trek universe that is less Wacky Space Utopia adventures with liberal political commentary ranging from unsubtle to im-hitting-you-over-the-head-with-my-opinions-like-they’re-a-brick—

to this kind of overtly militarized action-hero adventure porn where one white man saves the universe from Scary People Who Don’t Look Like Us And Are Crazy. I also don’t appreciate what they did to Jim Kirk, turning him into this womanizing self-centered bastard who has to be in charge. I REALLY don’t appreciate the casual misogyny, what with the last of rank stripes for women and the gratuitous sex-ed up scenes and the way that Amanda Grayson gets fridged for man-pain and and and— you get the picture.

Or at least, that’s what they tried to do to jim kirk. and god fucking bless chris pine for being able to make facial expressions, because i firmly believe if pretty much almost anyone else had played Jim Kirk as written by JJ Abrams, that’s exactly what he would have been.

But because of chris pine’s acting, instead, most of the AOS fandom and I realized/decided that this “womanizing” version of jim kirk actually really really hates himself so much, most likely for trauma reasons.

we took that shit and ran with it and never really stopped.

zachary quinto is also like god tier casting. unfortunately the writers for the first two movies mostly gave him Anger as a primary motivator, which like, is not exactly how I would interpret Spock at all, but quinto played this Angry Spock so so well.

ZOE SALDANA PLAYS THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE, NYOTA UHURA, PERFECTLY AND THAT’S ALL I’LL HEAR ON THE MATTER.

john cho should be cast in everything ever he’s amazing and I love seeing him. this man has the range. hikaru sulu is the backbone of this fucking ship. this man wins the big damn hero award every single movie.

i still miss living in the same world as anton yelchin. i really, really do.

I also have found family feelings all over these movies, where these baby versions of iconic characters from the sixties are brought together too early to witness too much fucking trauma. harry potter references aren’t exactly in vogue right now, but there’s this one piece from a—well, actually, its a harry potter reference in an mcu fic i read years ago, now that i think about it, but anyway:

it was something like, there are some things you can’t go through with a person—like that mountain troll in harry potter—without becoming friends for life. there are some crucibles that will bind you together forever. and awful as it is, I think Nero and the Vulcan genocide were the AOS crew’s mountain troll. there’s no going back or separating, after that.

also I feel like there’s a ton of competence porn in this trilogy that i deeply, deeply enjoy.

star trek: 2009 and into darkness are both grimdark male power fantasy bullshit that only accidentally hits all the right buttons for me. I love them dearly but i know EXACTLY what they are, thank you.

star trek: beyond is a delightful movie with no real plot where our favorite crew are finally Adults With A Modicum Of Common Sense And Stability, instead of Disaster Children Angsting All Over The Place, and they get to save the universe with the power of excellent rock music and friendship. how cool is that?!? i wanna give simon pegg a high five for making this movie.

on a more meta note, what I find kind of satisfying about these movies is that—for all his many faults that i’m always happy to expound upon—JJ Abrams actually went for it. He Did That. He just made his own brand new timeline, killed jim kirk’s dad, then gave him an abusive uncle/step-dad, then literally destroyed one of the founding planets of the Federation, then he, in an iconic fashion, switched Jim and Spock’s places in the infamous “wrath of khan” death scene, so instead Spock gets to watch Jim die.

and you know what? I can forgive a lot of bullshit for that kind of poetic angsty fanfic plot detail.

every time uhura says, “an alternate reality,” in star trek 2009 just gives me chills. every time she says it, you feel the weight of sixty years of history and legacy sitting on these people’s shoulders, the weight of arguably one of the most popular TV shows of all time.

imagine, living in a new world you’re aware isn’t the one that was supposed to be. imagine that!

oh! and on the question of tarsus:

what I think is probably true irl: JJ Abrams has never thought that far ahead in his life. correct me if i’m wrong, but hadn’t he.....not even watched star trek.........when he made these movies............like lol i’d bet you this man didn’t even really know Tarsus was a thing. And even if he did, I don’t think he thought it was part of the new canon he was creating. AOS is much more self-contained than the serialized universe the original star trek was, so I don’t think that AOS was intended to encompass all those things, like tarsus, that we as a fandom like to obsess over.

what I personally enjoy: i love me some AOS fic that explores the ridiculous amounts of trauma that comes from living through a genocide. I think that, given we all decided AOS Jim Kirk hates himself, and engages in a shit ton of self-sabotaging and destructive behavior to cope, it’s a reasonable jump to think that at least some of that comes from some survivor’s guilt bullshit from Tarsus. And honestly, hit me up if you want recs for this, because boy do I have them. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: no one does angst quite like AOS!Jim Kirk.

what I believe wholeheartedly: this is like Schrödinger's Plot Point, okay, it both exists and doesn’t exist simultaneously. it’s easy to read tarsus into some of jim’s behavior, and it’s easy to read none of it in, and both of those choices are valid. go with your gut, go with what makes you happy, go with what you think makes sense. This is where fandom lives, in these little details that fall through the cracks.

anyway WOW did I talk a lot. those are at least some of my star trek thoughts. i do have others, but i’ve expounded on them before on this blog, and y’all don’t need me to repeat myself

ask me my thoughts on ______

#star trek #aos star trek #jj abrams #ask meme #actually i also had the tarsus convo with a mutual recently #and like 99.99% of my fandom opinions it boils down to: You Do You Babe We're Doing This For Fun #long post #(oops)#lupanymeria

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babydotcom · 3 years

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asami and sokka for the ask game

Vee my abhorred thanks for the ask! I haven't watched past maybe S2E5?? of Korra but I'll give this woman everything I got. Sokka under the cut bc I already know I'm gonna ramble.

First impression: hnnng pretty lady

Impression now: HNNNNG PRETTY LADY WHO ALSO CAN KILL ME HNNNNG

Favorite moment: The first time she uses that electrocution glove thingy in a fight. So hot.

Idea for a story: I know very little about this woman but I think a korrasami college au where she tutors korra so korra can keep her athletic scholarship and they fall in love would be nice :)

Unpopular opinion: The whole Mako/Asami>Makorra>Korrasami pipeline is weird. Like I get we're dealing with Nickelodeon here and Mako getting Sokka'd is Hilarious but damn that whole situation was stupid.

Favorite relationship: Asami/Me. Duh. But also I think Bolin and Asami were funny together. I don't remember very much though.

Favorite headcanon: She drives a mo-ped right?? Consider dirtbike racer Asami I guess :D

Sokka!!!

First impression: Aw man this guy sucks. He reminds me of my brother.

Impression now: AWOOGA HELLO favorite boy best boy I love him so much. There are few characters I have ever cared about as much as I care about him. I relate to him in all the worst ways and I desperately want him to be happy. He's simultaneously the most competent genius in the world and my poor little meow meow. He's great. I love him. I look up to him. I project onto him like a motherfucker.

Favorite moment: Any and all moments where he is being vulnerable. It's never for his own sake but this boy needs to let it out sometimes, jeez. The haiku club. Killing melonlord. The moment he realizes he is going to die with Toph on the airship.

Idea for a story: I won't say much bc I've already got this one in the works but I feel like we need to explore what his life looked like between the men leaving and Aang resurfacing. I don't know if you guys realize this but he was pretty much Chief for two years??? At age 13??????????????

Unpopular opinion: I've managed to only follow smart people but I think the greater fandom doesn't appreciate Sokka's intellect as much as it should. Like. This guy is not your average Joe goofball funny guy who only serves to be a sexist sidekick to his sister. He is bar-none the smartest character in the entire show, and his whole arc is about learning and growing into this world he's never seen before. He is cynical and mean and self-deprecating and kind of an asshole but that's all because he's a child of war and had to be the man of his tribe FAR before he was actually a man. S1E1 Sokka is 1% of who Sokka is but some of y'all act like he didn't grow.

Favorite relationship: Sokka has such beautiful relationships with all of the main cast so it's ridiculously hard to choose. Sokka and Katara have a lovely complex sibling relationship and how much they love each other bleeds into every single moment of the show. Nobody knows them like they know each other but they still have so much to learn as they go on this journey together. I like him and Toph because that's simultaneously his buddy and his little sister. It's the S&K relationship without the baggage which puts S in this position of Protector (which Toph would not like him thinking that way pre-finale) AND Pal and Toph is such a good friend for him? Like she's got all of his snark and brashness without the cynicism. S&Aang is so lovely because Aang is just everybody's best friend, and I like how he forces S to have fun. I think Suki and him make a good pair because she really challenges him and Sokka gets to learn that he can't and shouldn't protect everybody and that's a really important lesson for him. and S&Zuko.... y'all already know how I feel. The parallels drive me up the wall insane. They would be the same person except that Z&K have the same personality and S&Azula would be much more similar if Ozai hadn't fucked Azula up so bad.

Favorite headcanon: Non-binary Sokka all the way. I have a post about Sokka's relationship with masculinity already so I won't expound to much on it here, but it's incredibly unhealthy and I think that in a world post-war or in a modern au he'd really kind of reckon with that relationship and realize that he's putting up this front that isn't useful to him anymore and realize that there are a lot of ways to Be A Person. also the Inuit have a term for intersex people (as far as my sources have shown and this may be completely wrong and please correct me if you know better), sipiniq, and typically they were raised as boys until they reached marrying age and then they could decide to have children or not?? Again I could be wrong but sipiniq sokka is a very interesting concept to me and could line up really well with canon.

game here!

#is this anything #thank u vee my love for the ask. you really see yourself up asking me about sokka though. worms in my brain #ask games #sokka #asami #atla #lok

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oldfritz · 2 years

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hey, i am the anon that asked the 4 questions. the more answers, the merrier, but 10 was What is your favourite quote by / about them? :D

Hey, you asked for this ages ago and I just...never got back for my own internal, fucked-up-head, 'looking at my highlights is too much right now' reasons but, well, here we go. Here's some Fritz quotes!

Quotes about Fritz that are Correct:

'It was unfortunate that the greatest single positive influence on Frederick's youth was Voltaire from whom he took much wit but also much spite' (Blanning, 141).

'Where his father's thinking had been prescriptive (looking to past practice), particularist (anchored in the here and now), and pious, Frederick's was rational, universal and secular. To legitimate his authority, he postulated a social contract, by which the luckless inhabitants of a state of nature delegated to a sovereign sufficient authority to maintain external security and internal order' (Blanning, 129). Love this whole section of his bio, but this breaks the heart of the topic.

'Here is the real nub of the matter [Frederick William's approaching death]. The crisis upset him because it once again emphasized the gulf between the man of reason and the man of action. Frederick could gain the liberty he desired once he was king only by the king's death, but that liberty would disappear once he was king. This thought sobered and frightened him. It was scarcely the first time it had occurred to him, but as Dr. Johnson one day would say, "When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully."' (Asprey, 102).

'The acquisition of Silesia changed permanently the political balance within the Holy Roman Empire and thrust Prussia into a dangerous new world of great-power politics. Frederick was fully aware of the shock effect his assault would have on international opinion, but he could hardly have forseen the European transformations that would unfold from that easy winter campaign' (Clarke, 183). One of my favorite instances where a historian agreed with me <3 and I read it right before I started my BA too!

Quotes by Fritz that make me pause every time I encounter them:

First off, can't find the first volume of his posthumous works which is pissing me off, BUT he has a couple of very funny and bitter quotes on the English which, while they do sometimes sting, aren't exactly wrong. He would've agreed with Oscar Wilde on a lot.

Added to that this gem when the English marriage was still an idea: 'when Frederick had responded to his father's sneer about the 'vile clique' which supported the English by saying "I respect the English because I know the people there love me"' (Blanning, 42). I like it for two reasons: 1) while Fritz was alive, on again-off again relationship with the English public and 2) by 1918 and definitely by 1945? Lol

I cite this one a lot when I get into his head but it's true: 'they have cut deeply into the marble, and that stays for ever' (his Oeuvres, 271).

"I have been unhappy all my life and I believe that it is my destiny to stay that way...but I still have a last resort, and a pistol shot would simultaneously put an end to my misery and my life" (Fritz's The History of My Own Times, 90).

#asks #anonymous #frederick the great #old fritz

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jokertrap-ran · 3 years

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(未定事件簿) 莫弈 [剧情: 第2章] [Tears of Themis] Mo Yi Private Story Translations (Chapter 2-6)

*Tears of Themis Masterlist / Mo Yi’s Masterlist / Mobile Masterlist *Spoiler free: Translations will remain under cut *Mo Yi’s Private Story tag is #Tears of a Personal Psychiatrist. *Chapter 1 can be viewed here!

Location: Mo's Mental Health Research Center

After the questioning session, Mo Yi and I both came to the conclusion that Li Yu had been lying.

But a coffee shop with a huge influx of customers wasn’t really the place to be talking about things like this, therefore, we both returned back to Mo Yi’s Research Center to continue our discussion about Li Yu.

MC: You think Li Yu’s lying too? I was worried that maybe I was just overthinking things.

Mo Yi: Of course; the contradictions on her person were obvious enough, but before that...

He poured a cup of tea, gently nudging it towards me.

Mo Yi: Humor me and my selfishness a little, would you? Can I hear what you think about this first?

MC: Sure. You can also help me see if there are any loopholes in my own conclusions.

Mo Yi: Okay.

MC: The story that Li Yu told was very distinct, and very confusing.

MC: The “Five-step trapping method” was perfect and complete without a single fault or flaw; so much that it was to the point of being fake.

MC: But;

Mo Yi: But, what?

MC: Maybe she wanted to put the focus on the five-steps. That’s why she glazed over the more important details of the questions.

Li Yu’s slightly panicked expression flashed through my mind, making me frown.

MC: Firstly, she’d secretly downloaded the social application that everyone around her had been using out of curiosity; intending to try it out for herself.

MC: The system recommended Wang Chen to her after she had filled in the APP’s information collecting questionnaire. That’s when they both had their first contact with each other.

MC: ...But if that’s the case here, then some of her previous statements as well as some of the things she did will be, logically speaking, contradictory of itself.

Mo Yi: Oh?

MC: At that time, I had asked her if she usually used social software like this. Her answer was no.

MC: She'd also added that she had only wanted to take a look before deleting it immediately after.

MC: If so, then why would she waste so much time filling in that content-heavy questionnaire? And even then, why truthfully so?

Mo Yi: Maybe it's just a mandatory requirement from the software itself? Or perhaps Li Yu's just the type of person who's so serious that she's stubborn to a fault?

MC: ...We can't rule out that possibility either; but this isn't the only strange thing at this point.

MC: How would Wang Chen have ever known about that one unique line of hers if she didn't set up her own profile page?

MC: Even if the system was able to match people in accordance with their interests, even taking it a step further and connecting the two who both love the same title.

MC: This is still a line unique to herself. So just how will someone else, not to mention, a stranger, even learn about it all so easily like that?

I looked at Mo Yi, seeking his opinion.

He nodded.

Mo YI: Any other suspicious points?

MC: Yes. The second strange thing about all of this is the reason behind her suicidal scars.

MC: Li Yu said that those wounds were inflicted after they had broken up, because she couldn't bear to leave him; and used this as a way to convince him to get back together with her, but...

MC: But the end-goal of all PUAs tend to be the complete emotional obedience of the girl.

MC: In order to attain this goal, they'll have to be the one to take the initiative throughout all their interactions together and take control of their relationship. This is the only way that PUAs can guarantee that the girl will be put through the "Five-step Trap" according to every dictated step, until they completely fall apart in a desperate mess.

MC: But in Li Yu's case, this dynamic appears to have been switched since Wang Chen was the one making the compromises. This fails to fall in line with the usual PUA line of thought.

Mo Yi: But then, what if Wang Chen’s motive was to crush Li Yu’s self-esteem? He did accomplish that in the end after all.

MC: No. Generally speaking, when the girl reaches the state where their self-esteem has been all but crushed, they'd have already built a high level of emotional dependence with the PUA.

MC: Only through doing this, will the PUA be able to make a mountain out of a molehill with the girl's mistakes, using it to completely destroy their personality.

MC: Let's suppose that Wang Chen wished to use how she had "previously tried to break up" as the mistake to amplify; if so, then,

MC: He'd have to first ensure that Li Yu's emotional dependence on him is at a high enough level that she'd definitely want to get back together with him after breaking up; but…

I recalled what Li Yu had said back then.

MC: Li Yu suggested a breakup because she couldn't stomach how Wang Chen was also simultaneously dating many other girls. This goes to show that she has still maintained her sense of reason.

MC: Under these circumstances, there is a higher chance that Li Yu wouldn't get back with him. On the contrary, Wang Chen blocking her seems to be the more reasonable response here.

MC: If I were in his shoes, I'd much rather maintain the romantic relationship we have going between us and continue "brain-washing" Li Yu, rather than to run the risk of losing my prey.

MC: This way, all the previous work I've done doesn't go to waste, am I right?

MC: Besides… How should I put this…? The way she presented herself already exposed her.

Mo Yi: ……

MC: If I'm not wrong, that shiny thing under her eyes was probably to make her lower eyelids appear plumper to sell the "teary eyed" look.

MC: And judging from the color of the scars on her hand… I'd say that that was special effects make-up at play.

Having said that, I couldn't help but to sigh, feeling conflicted and semi-dejected about it all.

After hearing my explanation, Mo Yi's mood appeared no worse for the wear. He lowered his eyes as he thought on it for a while before the sides of his mouth slightly lifted.

Mo Yi: It looks like you don’t need me to explain anything anymore; you’ve already thought this whole thing through.

MC: Did you conclude that Li Yu was lying through these factors too?

Mo Yi: Not completely. The reason why I deduced as such was mainly through her moods and state of being as she spoke.

MC: Her mood and her state of being?

Mo Yi: Correct. It's normally a difficult feat for someone to remain completely impartial and rational when it comes to someone else, or another matter.

Mo Yi: This is especially true for PUA Victims. As they sink deeper and deeper into the web of lies that the opposing party weaves, they'll end up losing their judgement towards reality in exchange.

Mo Yi: If you study the self-accounts of these victims in detail, you’ll come to realize that most of them veer more towards “feeling” than “reason”.

Mo Yi: It is hard for them to take an impartial stance and completely tell someone else about the PUA techniques that they’ve been subjected to.

Mo Yu: But Li Yu was different.

I don’t know what thought had just slid into his mind, but his lips quirked up in a hint of mockery.

Mo Yi: The logic and explanation she gave was clear; the important points were all clearly highlighted. All the steps of the “Five-step Trap”; it’s progress, is clearly shown in her story.

Mo Yi: Also, Li Yu didn’t have any emotional fluctuations while she was re-telling the entire story, asides from the couple of times where she displayed some un-interesting waterworks, if it even counts.

MC: ...No wonder she gave me a weird sense of disconnect when I talked to her; It’s just as if she’s...

Mo Yi: As if she’s a third-party, who’s telling a story that has absolutely nothing to do with herself. It doesn’t hurt, nor does it tickle; but she has to put on an act by faking emotions.

MC: That’s it; that’s just how it feels like! Although she’d occasionally break out into tears at the table, I can’t really feel that she’s actually upset or anything like that.

MC: But based on what she said, she’d obviously already gone so far down the hole that she even contemplated suicide. If so, then how can she still be so calm?

Mo Yi: That’s precisely the case here.

MC: ...I’ve still got to give Li Yu a pat on the back for being able to make such an almost realistic lie.

MC: Truth to be told, if I didn’t notice the way she had presented herself and held onto a shred of suspicion, it’d be hard for me to say for sure that I wouldn’t fall for her bluff.

Mo Yi: Actually, what Li Yu said wasn’t entirely a lie. It was something fabricated from truth.

MC: A lie fabricated from truth!?

His words held such profound meaning that it shocked me the moment it came out of his mouth.

MC: Wha… Sorry, Dr. Mo; I really don’t understand what you’re getting at this time.

Mo Yi: It’s a very clever and high-handed way of doing things. I’d never have thought of this either, if I hadn’t noticed her little slip ups during her conversation.

Mo Yi: Earlier, you said that she had presented many loopholes when speaking of the details pertaining to the matter throughout the conversation; correct?

MC: Yes.

Mo Yi: Knowing all of the specifics detailing the “Five-step Trap”, yet nothing about the details when it comes to daily life.

Mo Yi: There's only one way this sort of narrative will appear in PUA-related cases.

MC: How?

Mo Yi: Most of the so-called "relationship mentors" use this sort of narratives to share their "hunting methods" with others when writing their own accounts.

MC: Dr. Mo, are you saying that Li Yu is...

Mo Yi: That's right. I think Li Yu should be someone from the PUA group herself; a staff member who’s responsible for converting the experiences of the Mentors into actual text.

Mo Yi: She put several cases to her knowledge to use by piecing them into a story. And it’s precisely because she’d haphazardly pieced them together, that the logical loopholes came to be.

Mo Yi: I think that the truth that binds all these stories together beneath the lie should be that Wang Chen had found a girl to target through a social media platform.

Mo Yi: Disguising himself as his persona of a “poet”, he approaches his target through an extremely targeted approach, succeeds, and everything goes smoothly without so much as a hitch.

Mo Yi: But the good times didn’t last long, for the girl realizes just who he really was and asked to break up; Wang Chen could only accede.

Mo Yi: This story should have ended here, at this point; but a story like this isn’t captivating at all, so she added suicide to the fray.

MC: Captivating…? So, you’re saying that Li Yu is knowingly trying to get us to investigate Wang Chen by guiding us to him?

MC: Hang on… I remember that she’d asked about the whole incident with He Kunpeng before she left, which means...

MC: Li Yu came charging headfirst at us! The groups that both she and Wang Chen hail from should be the very same one that we’re looking for!

Mo Yi: Correct.

MC: But if that’s the case, then wouldn’t it mean that the progress of our investigation has already been exposed?

Mo Yi: Probably not; Li Yu wouldn’t have asked you over and over again if you’d found any important leads otherwise.

Mo Yi: This is similar to how that chat group has suddenly disappeared; I think the other party is only aware of our actions.

Mo Yi: It’s just that this time, they got the information from somewhere or another that we were looking for a PUA Mentor who had hurt female students before, so that’s why...

Mo Yi: Rather than being a sitting duck and awaiting their own doom, how about taking the initiative and making the first move? Maybe abandoning this “pawn” that’s already been targeted will be able to save the rest of this game of chess.

Mo Yi: And Wang Chen just so happens to be both the one we’re looking for, and the “pawn”.

He expressed his deductions slowly and impactfully, answering several of the questions that had been nagging at me along his train of thought.

MC: So, we’re still going to investigate Wang Chen?

Mo Yi: Of course. A “pawn” he might be, but as long as he’s been on the chessboard before, he’ll have definitely left traces in his wake.

MC: If that’s the case, then let’s make the best of our time and act fast.

I enthusiastically voiced my assent and invited him to proceed on together, but he had suddenly gone quiet.

He looked at me quietly for a while before he finally spoke. But the words that left his lips were akin to a basin of cold water that had been set outside in a cold winter’s day, bearing a cold and biting chill.

Mo Yi: It'll be for the best if you don't take part in the upcoming course of action.

☆⋅⋆…⋅─────────── ⋆⋅✾⋅⋆ ───────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Previous Part: (Chapter 2-4) | Next Part: (Chapter 2-7)

#Tears of Themis #Mo Yi #Translations #Otome #Mihoyo #未定事件簿 #莫弈 #Private Story #Tears of a Personal Psychiatrist

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sonicgetsrawed · 4 years

Text

Cass and Hugo Save the Tangled Universe

Started as a cracky fic about everyone getting thanos snapped, turned angsty, but we got the crack a bit in the end! Hope y’all enjoy!!

“What does this do again?” Cassandra asked, lifting one of the various items on Varian’s workstation.

The young man, and wasn’t that strange to think of Varian as anything other than the small fourteen year old with a crush on her, quickly grabbed it out of her hand. “Don’t touch that. I have a system and everything needs to stay in place if this is going to work.”

“And this piece of metal helps how?” She asked, watching as Varian placed it back on the counter where she had grabbed it from.

“That,” Cassandra rolled her eyes at the new voice. It had been a month since Varian had returned from his own adventure and brought with him, she shuddered, Hugo. “Is a very important piece of metal. It makes sure the radiation and oxygen levels stay where they need to be so we don’t, well you know, die.”

“Sounds fun.” Rapunzel said, sounding more or less unconvinced at her own words. “And this will really help?”

“Theoretically.” Varian started, rubbing the back of his neck. Cassandra repressed an eye roll, she hadn’t been back for long herself and it was still hard to get used to the fact that not everything Varian created anymore was bound to blow up. “If this works,” and there was that little snort laugh she was used to hearing, at least that hadn’t changed. “Corona will have an unlimited supply of power.”

“No more lanterns or candles.” Hugo added, wrapping his arm around Varian’s waist. Her eyes narrowed slightly. She knew she was the last one that should judge, but Hugo had betrayed him and now he was apparently dating Varian. She was trying to be supportive, that didn’t mean she had to like it.

“And everywhere will have hot running water, with a reliable system!” Varian squealed excitedly, a wide smile on his face.

“Well, what are we waiting for?! Let’s turn it on!” Rapunzel said, just as excitedly as Varian, her hand reaching for the on switch.

“No, no, no. It’s nowhere near ready.” Varian said sheepishly, grabbing Rapunzel’s wrist to stop her. “There’s still so much we don’t know about how the library works. It’s like a limitless energy source, but also very heavily magic based and we all know magic can be-“

“Unpredictable.” Hugo finished, his eyes darkening just a hair, but Cassandra recognized something in that look. She didn’t know much about what happened inside the library other than they couldn’t save Varian’s mom, if that look was anything to go by it hadn’t been good.

Rapunzel tapped her finger against her chin, before her eyes lit up and she grabbed Varian by the hand, effectively pulling him out of Hugo’s grip. The other did not look happy about it, although he didn’t say anything. “Then we have much to discuss. Do you think you could have a presentation ready by the next council meeting? I’d really like to get everyone’s opinions on this.”

Cassandra tuned out the rest, she had no place in that conversation anyways. Rapunzel may have welcomed her back with open arms but not everyone was so kind, unlike Varian she was replaceable, good fighters could be found anywhere. A mind like Varian’s was not something so easy to come by, and strategy wise it was something one would do better to have on their side. Her eyes snapped up at the sound of metal clanking together. They narrowed when she saw Hugo tampering with the machine. “Varian said not to touch that.”

“Correction, Varian said for you not to touch it. I on the other hand know what I’m doing.” Hugo drawled, continuing to do who knows what to the machine.

“Just because you think-“

“Know!”

“You know what you’re doing, doesn’t mean you should.” Cassandra sneered, electing to ignore his interjection lest she strangle the younger where he stood. Instead she opted to grab whatever odd tool he had been using to do whatever it was he was doing.

“Hey!” Hugo shouted, reaching for the tool. “I was trying to fix something.”

“You were being annoying.” Cassandra corrected, expertly dodging Hugo’s advances.

“Guys, is now really the time?” Varian interjected, moving back towards them, eager to stop the little skirmish before something bad happened. He was too late. Hugo surged forward, grabbing Cassandra’s wrist, but not being able to stop his other hand from reaching out and breaking his fall while simultaneously hitting the on button. The machine whirled to life, the green of the portal filling the space. “What did you-“

Cassandra watched in horror as Varian dropped to his knees, a pained expression on his face as he shakily held his hand up, or what was left of his hand. He was fading, bit by bit, disappearing.

“Varian? What happened?” Hugo let go of her, joining Varian on the ground, taking what little remained of him into his arms.

“I- I think I miscalculated.” Varian’s lips twitched into something more reminiscent of a smile. “Fascinating isn’t it? The science I mean, just…. fascinating.”

“No, I mean yes, but, Var, I can’t lose you. Not again.” Hugo cupped his face, Varian placing his hand over his.

“I-“ and then he was gone, Hugo left on the ground staring at nothing. Cassandra felt just as empty as he looked, Varian was gone. Her pseudo little brother gone, all because she couldn’t let his sleazy ass boyfriend do whatever the fuck he was doing to the machine. They could find a way to reverse it, surely with the three of them they could bring Varian back.

“Cass?” A feeling of dread filling her once again. She turned slowly, Rapunzel already halfway gone. “Cass, I don’t know what’s going on, but I believe that you can fix it. You-“ Her crown clattered to the floor, the only piece left of her.

“Raps?” She knew she would get no response, she was gone, still a part of her hoped this was a cruel joke. She picked up the crown, running her fingers over the cool metal, she’d bring them back, she had to. “Come on, let’s go get someone who can help us figure this out.”

“I can figure this out. I worked on this with Varian, you know.” Hugo responded, finally standing. She decided it was best not to acknowledge his red rimmed eyes.

She sighed, placing the crown down on the counter. “It still wouldn’t be a bad idea to get someone else’s help. Maybe they could see something we don’t.”

Hugo rolled his eyes, if he hadn’t told Varian he’d try to get along with his friends he would’ve argued, instead he just bit his tongue, forcing back the cruel words that threatened to slip past his lips. “Fine. Whatever, let’s do it your way.”

They made their way through the castle, not a single soul in sight. The halls littered with abandoned maid carts, linens, and other various items. The kitchen wasn’t much better, food left on the stove, the fires still burning. Even the dungeons were empty, spears abandoned where the guards once stood. It was like everyone dropped what they were doing and left. The town was very much the same, every last person, no, every last living thing, was gone. Not even the birds chirped in the trees, or the crickets played their little songs nearby. It was all so eerily quiet. Just her and Hugo. And wasn’t that odd, that after everyone was gone Hugo still remained. She turned sharply, sword drawn and at the ready. “What the fuck did you do?”

Hugo stepped back, eyes narrowed as he held up his hands. “What did I do?! You were the one that caused this! If you would’ve left me alone none of this shit would’ve happened! Take responsibility for your own fucking actions for once in your fucking life!”

This time Cassandra stepped back, her sword lowering ever so slightly. “I have! I know what I did was wrong. I’m fixing it, but this, this, isn’t my fault.”

Hugo laughed, the sound cold and bitter, and every bit judgemental. “You didn’t fix shit. You ran from your problems. Set off on this big fucking grand adventure because you couldn’t take the heat. Own your fucking mistakes like the rest of us.”

“Oh, like you? Because from where I’m standing all it looks like you’ve done is weasel your way into Varian’s good graces so you don’t have to face the consequences of your actions. I swear if you even think about hurting him-“

“Like you did?” Hugo cut her off, stepping forward, no longer caring about the sword between them. “You’re a fucking hypocrite you know that? I may have lied, and cheated, and fucking shattered Varian’s heart to pieces, but I own my mistakes. I work my ass off every fucking day to make it up to him. I never claimed to be a good person, I never said I never hurt him, ‘cause I fucking did. I’m not proud of it, I know I don’t deserve someone like Varian. But you can bet your hypocritical ass I’ll spend every fucking second of every fucking day for the rest of my fucking life making it up to him. And I don’t give a shit if you like me or not, but this isn’t going to bring them back. So get off your high horse and fucking work with me.”

Cassandra stood, shocked for a moment as his words sunk in. He didn’t wait for her to respond, already marching back to the palace. She wasn’t running from her mistakes, she had faced them and earned back Rapunzel’s trust, hadn’t she? She wasn’t running, she wasn’t. She clenched her fists, jogging a bit to catch up to Hugo. “Hey!” He didn’t even acknowledge her, which pissed her off more. “Hey! You can’t fucking say that shit and walk away, you fucking jackass! I earned my redemption, same as Varian! So you don’t get to call me a hypocrite, you little piece of shit!”

Hugo turned suddenly, his face dangerously close to hers. “You didn’t earn shit. You just think you did because you’re the princess’s friend and she used her power to keep you from suffering any real consequences. You’re fucking entitled and you’re too fucking stubborn to see it. So, shut the fuck up and help me. Or don’t, at this point I don’t really give a shit about what you do. But I’m bringing them back one way or another.” He didn’t even raise his voice, but something about its lower, quieter tone made it all the more dangerous.

There was no room for argument. Not that she wanted another one, he was right about one thing, they needed to save their friends and it wouldn’t get done with the constant arguing. She could recognize that much, they could always hash out their problems later, once everyone was safe and sound. “Fine, I’ll help.” Cassandra agreed, Hugo finally backing up.

“Good. I’ll need someone to hold the light.” Hugo said, his tone no lighter than before, not that she could blame him, she was still pissed herself. They just needed to get through this, then they could go back to hating each other. She’d done worse, she had pretended to be interested in Hubert, she could put up with Hugo to get their friends back, how bad could it be?

Really bad, apparently. Just five minutes into trying to figure out the machine the arguing had already started back up. “I thought you said you worked on this with Varian.” Cassandra said, holding the little glowing vial so Hugo could see whatever schematic he was looking over now.

“I did. That doesn’t mean I remember everything about it. There’s a shit ton of trial and error in this.” Hugo huffed, adjusting his glasses for the millionth time as he squinted at the paper in his hands. “Varian, I love you, but goddamn it you have to be more organized.” He mumbled under his breath, she still heard.

Cassandra sat up straighter, suddenly at full attention. “You love him?”

Hugo stiffened, but nodded nonetheless. “Of course I do. I just haven’t told him yet, so keep your mouth shut.”

Love was not a subject she was comfortable with, not something she fully understood, but talking about that was infinitely better than the stifling silence or the arguing. “Why not?”

Normally he wouldn’t have answered, he shouldn’t have, it was frankly none of her damn business. But if this didn’t work and he never got Varian back, if they never got anyone back, would it matter? Hugo shrugged. “I wanted to do it right, I guess. Take him on a proper date for once, all that romantic shit he deserves. Tell him then.”

Cassandra hummed, maybe she had misjudged him, he was still a little shit, but he did seem to truly care for Varian. “Well when we get them back-“

“If we get them back.” Hugo interjected, frowning harshly at the paper.

“When we get them back, you can take him on that date. Now, let’s see those schematics.” Cassandra reassured, grabbing her own handful of the papers. She hoped they got Rapunzel back soon, she was already sick of being the positive one. She glanced at Hugo, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. She hated to admit when she was wrong, the more time she spent with him though, the more she could see why Varian was drawn to him and how much Hugo cared for him. “I appreciate how much you care about Varian. He needs someone like you in his life. I still don’t like how you got here, but I think you’re good for him.”

Hugo chuckled lightly, his darker tone gone, a bit of light returning to his eyes. “Was that an apology?”

“Not a chance in hell, kid.” Cassandra shot back, her eyes narrowing at the paper in her hands, just looking at it gave her a headache.

“Hey! I’m not even that much younger than you!” Hugo protested, a smile overtaking his features before Cassandra could respond. “You sly little bastard. Of course you’d fucking encode it and not tell me.”

“So, you found something?” Cassandra asked, leaning over to look at his paper.

Hugo hummed in confirmation, grabbing a blank piece of paper and begun writing on it. “Yes! All we need is-“ his eyes drifted to her chest, and for a second she thought she was going to have to slaughter him on the spot. Did it really count as murder if no one would be around to accuse her? “That! Give me your necklace!”

Cassandra raised an eyebrow, instinctively reaching for her necklace. “My necklace?”

“Yes, give it. I need the Cassandrium.” Hugo clarified, holding his hand out for her to drop it in. She complied, not bothering to ask what he needed it for, she wasn’t likely to understand anyways. She patiently watched Hugo work, doing whatever he told her to, until finally he stepped back, wiping the grease off his face. “That should do the trick. Would you like to do the honors?”

“Sure.” Cassandra agreed, taking the offer for what it was, an olive branch. She flipped the switch, holding her breath as the machine came to life once again. Hugo looked just as nervous as her. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, Hugo covering it with his own. They both sucked at words and emotions, but it was their silent acknowledgement of working through their problems together. “It’ll work, and if it doesn’t we’ll try as many times as it takes.”

Hugo sucked in a breath as the room lit up, both covering their eyes at the sudden onslaught to their eyes. When it subsided they slowly lowered their hands, Hugo laughing at the scene in front of him.

“Hugo!” Varian laughed, running forward, Hugo meeting him halfway. Their lips locking in a kiss as soon as they were close enough. “I knew you’d figure it out.”

Hugo laughed again, pressing their foreheads together. “Would’ve been a lot sooner if you’d left me the code.”

“Where would be the fun in that?” Varian teased, capturing his lips once more.

“Cass?” Cassandra turned, smiling as she faced Rapunzel, the other looking disoriented but otherwise in one piece.

Cassandra wrapped her in a quick hug. “You’ve got to stop scaring me like that, Raps.”

Rapunzel laughed. “No promises.”

“Is anyone going to explain to me what the fresh fuck just happened?!” Eugene exclaimed, running down the steps, towel wrapped around his waist and soap in his hair. “I was taking my bath, disappear who the fuck knows where, and then I’m returned to a fucking ice cold bath! If this was a prank I swear I’m skinning all of you alive!”

The group of four exchanged a look with each other, before simultaneously scattering across the room. “Not it!”

#tangled the series #varian and the seven kingdoms #varian #cassandra #hugo #varigo #Rapunzel #eugene fitzherbert

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whiteasy · 3 years

Note

👀 another one for you! reibert or anything that strikes your fancy?

Flipping through my messy files i found some pikuani but it wasn't shippy shippy. It's a take on aroace! Annie in a queer platonic relationship with Pansexual! Pieck. Modern setting.

------

Annie took great relief in thinking that Pieck might’ve been the only thing that Annie did right in her life. After all the failures and misery, Pieck was the only thing she truly felt content with. She valued every moment she spent with her for the last ten years of their lives, and she often found herself entertaining the thought that maybe Pieck felt the same about her.

She didn’t doubt for a second that the other woman loved her, but she wanted to be the one perfect thing in her life too. The mere thought was simultaneously tempting and appalling. Annie sometimes indulged herself, when she would be lost in thought whilst taking a bath, lavender-scented candles burning nearby, along with the steamy and foggy ambiance which provided her with the perfect setting for daydreaming. It would’ve been so wonderful if Pieck thought of her as the best thing that ever happened to her. Call her a narcissist or conceited, but she was only human. She yearned to be someone’s best thing. She knew how this sounded and if she ever decided to share with anyone else her opinions on her relationship with her best friend, she’d have to correct them on their assumption that she and Pieck were in love. Or in a relationship. Or even both.

Everyone they’ve ever met assumed the same, yet the two women never felt the need to correct anyone. What they both had would make much more sense if they conformed to society’s expectations when it came to two single women practically eloping to Brooklyn without a single word to both their families. Who lived for the last ten years in the same apartment in 8th avenue and shared the same bed every day ever since. But it still wasn’t what anybody thought it was.

Annie had once told her publisher, a blond man her age who had been pining for her attention for almost two years before he gave up, “we’re not together” referring to the nature of her and Pieck's relationship. Annie had watched as relief washed over Armin and could tell he believed he finally had chance to woo her, “I love her like I’ve never loved anyone in my life.” Armin took a small swig from his wine then, ruminating for a while before he said, “but not enough for something more."

For some reason, Annie didn’t argue with him on it. Granted, she often never went through the trouble of engaging in debates– she preferred nodding politely or subtly steering the conversation toward a less intense and taxing direction. But, this time, she did it out of contempt.

Armin was a lovely guy but, she couldn’t bring herself to waste a single minute and explain how wrong he was about her feelings for Pieck. To her, it was an insult to say that she didn’t deem her dearest friend “enough.” That word would’ve only been appropriate if used in statements such as “her remaining days won’t ever be enough to show Pieck how much Annie cared about her," or “everything she had ever said or done would never be enough to repay Pieck for staying by her side even when it got so much fucking bad.”

Armin and everyone who shared his thought process didn’t deserve the truth. They wouldn’t understand anyway.

#pikuani #pieckani #wip meme

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bellatrixobsessed1 · 4 years

Text

Kissing Dead Pearls (Part 17)

The ocean is kinder to Azula than she expected. It might be the sense of freedom and adventure that she craves or possibly the feeling of getting away from the past. It feels better. She feels better. She can’t entirely shake the feeling of sullenness that creep in every now and again, mostly at night as she lies in her cabin, but she still feels like some weight has been lifted from her shoulders.

She sits on the deck for the longest time, watching the waves roll by and scanning the waters for any sign of life, a familiar face on a stalled or damaged boat, possibly on a thin strip of debris. She holds a book and reads a page every now and again.

She sets her book aside and reapplies her sunscreen. Preferring fresh air to the antique but stale air of the lighthouse, she has always been rather tan. Her excessive amount of time spent on deck, has deepened her complexion that much further.

She can’t see anything for miles so she puts her book aside and wanders over to the steering wheel. Her father stands behind it, face to the sun and the wind. The open ocean seems to be treating him rather well too, his skin is just as tanned and he has taken to grooming his beard and hair again, both of which flutter almost absurdly majestically in the breeze.

Azula finds herself faintly humored, he hasn’t yet taken the braids out of his beard. The night prior, Katara had declared that they needed to get pirate looks, that Sokka would have brought pirate hats and eye patches along if he had planned this trip. By the end of the night they all had the most awful improvised eye patches and bandanas. And Jet had very boldly vowed to give Ozai the most swashbuckling beard on the high seas.

She had muttered something about him becoming a hardened pirate and giving Khozen a little competition. Ozai hadn’t particularly fancied that idea, citing poor hygiene as the chief reason for his objection to the lifestyle.

They have been sailing for a week or so and have made several stops on little islands and land masses. Most of them were unoccupied, another handful boasted single houses on privatized land. They’d knocked on several doors and inquired about Sokka. It had been as futile as Azula had anticipated. Though it wasn’t an absolute waste, the third house that they came by was home to a grumpy old woman and her cheerful husband.

Much to the woman’s annoyance, the man invited them in for lunch. Azula doesn’t have a taste for pineapples served with dishes that otherwise had no fruits. Pineapple on pizza is an absolute no. She found herself of the same opinion when the old couple served it with shrimp and rice. She took to eating only pineapple and the buns they’d meant as an appetizer. Katara on the other hand was delighted, doubly so to have a new recipe for La-bsters. She vowed to name it after the old couple. The old woman was adamant that Katara name it after her cat. And so La-bsters will soon have a dish called Miyuki’s meal.

She can’t say that she will forget that night, the taste of pineapple and shrimp will always haunt her nightmares and she has a feeling that Zuko won’t be deleting the video of her trying it any time soon. It is just as well, she knows that when Sokka sees it...if, she corrects herself. If Sokka sees it, he will get a kick out of it.

“I can take the wheel.” Azula offers. “Go get some water, father.”

He pats her back, “I’ll be back in a moment.” His voice is steadier, livelier and his eyes aren’t so tired. She isn’t entirely sure if he has any lingering withdrawal symptoms, if he does, he doesn’t show them. He does know, however, that he still has cravings. He is irritable on those days and they give him space. On those days he lurks below deck in the cabin by himself, refuting all offers for company. On those days she does most of the steering and Katara keeps watch for her. Zuko fills in for her when she needs a break. And Jet, though he doesn’t steer the boat, being as he has a horrid sense of direction, does most of the cleaning and ship repairs. Though she finds that his emotional support is the most helpful.

Ozai remerges on the deck with two water bottles. He holds one out for her. “Thank you, father.”

He nods and crosses his arms as he peers towards the horizon. His face stern.

“What’s wrong?”

He presses his lips together. “We’re going to need to find a place to port. The weather forecasts are calling for a storm.”

“How bad is it going to be?”

“It isn’t supposed to be a hurricane, but they advise that boats be kept out of the water if possible.”

Azula nods, “and when is it supposed to hit?”

“As of now, they are predicting early tomorrow morning. They say that it could break in the afternoon. I would prepare for an early morning storm.”

Azula nods. For a time they are quiet. “Father?” She looks up.

“Yes?”

“How are you holding up?”

For the briefest moment his lip quirks up. He holds up his AA chip, it glints gold. “I’ll have my purple chip by the end of your journey.”

She doesn’t think that it is just her journey. It was her idea, yes. But all five of them are on it and for their own different reasons. For their own ideas of closure. She wants to say that her father is on two of them simultaneously. “You’ll make it to your bronze chip, right?” A year is a long time, she is aware.

His firm grip his back on her shoulder. “I hope so.” He gives it a squeeze.

“Mom would be proud.” Zuko leans in the doorway. “She wouldn’t want you to drink because of her.”

“I’ll leave you two alone.” She would like some time with Jet anyhow.

.oOo.

Zuko’s stomach is tying itself in knots. He has been keeping his distance from his father, but it is time to confront the man. If for no other reason than to keep Azula happy. She loves their father dearly. And for as much as she insists that she doesn’t care, he is certain that having their family rift apart would break her.

“I like to think so.” Ozai agrees. He is silent for a very long time. Zuko doesn’t know what to fill the silence with.

“Believe it or not, I want Azula to be proud too.” Another long pause. “And you.”

Zuko isn’t sure what emotion comes over him exactly. Perhaps a sense of empowerment or satisfaction. It is now his turn, his turn to yell about disappointments and expectations. It would be so easy. So easy to note how funny it is that Ozai is the family disappointment, not him.

He very nearly does. At the last moment he recalls just how easy it would be to cause his father to drink again. He also recalls that they are on a beverage free boat so no opportunity would arise. Instead he says, “I’m trying to be proud.”

“But…” Ozai prompts.

Zuko shakes his head. “I’m still angry.” He replies. “About the drinking, about how you dragged Azula down the beach, about how you left us to handle your job... about how you used to call me a disappointment.”

Ozai gives a long exhale. “We never really settled that did we?”

“No.” Zuko shakes his head. “I still don’t know if you’re proud of me. Azula says that you are. She said that you found my cooking and baking helpful. But you never said it.”

“Zuko, I didn’t think that I had to.”

He almost grows teary eyed. “You did.”

Ozai seems to nod and says nothing more.

“Can you make me proud too? Can you really try?”

“I’m really trying now.” Ozai swears.

Zuko is still skeptical.

“Come here for a minute.” He calls to Jet. “You, steer the ship.” He and Azula make their way over.

Jet gives a thumbs up. Just as they are disappearing below deck, Zuko hears, “hey Katara, come steer the ship for a moment!”

Ozai leads him into the kitchen. He pulled a loose board from the wall and comes out with an unopened bottle.

“You’re kidding!?” Zuko scowls. “Azula is…”

“Not going to know.” Ozai finishes.

“You’ve been…”

Ozai shakes his head. “This is the only one I brought aboard...just in case.”

“Why would you show me that?”

“Follow me.” He motions for Zuko to follow him back on deck. He gives it a quick scan, presumably for Azula. Finding the coast clear, he fully appears on deck. He reaches the bow.

“Father, what’s that?”

Zuko’s stomach knots, he can only imagine how tense Ozai is. But the man seems rather relaxed. He holds up the bottle and throws it overboard. “I was saving it just in case.” He pauses. “I’ve always told the two of you to tough it out and forget the baby steps…”

“That was the second manliest thing I’ve seen all year!” Jet declares.

“What was the first?” Zuko asks, desperate to shake away the last remaining vestiges of anxiety.

“Toph doing bench presses.”

Ozai rolls his eyes. “You kids do the strangest things.”

.oOo.

Azula goes to bed feeling both hopeful and uneasy. It has been a good day, a soothing one. Her father seems well, better than he has been in a very long while. She feels as though they are beginning to close the gap.

But Jet... The day with him had gone well. Perfectly in fact. She almost wishes that it hadn’t. She almost wishes that he would do something to piss her off, to break her heart, anything. But he hasn’t, he has only been patient and supportive.

She puts her head on the pillow, clasps her hands over her middle, and fixes her eyes on the ceiling as she takes in the gentle rocking of the boat. In shifts they are on the lookout for storm clouds and a safe place to dock. She ought to relieve Zuzu and take a second shift, she doesn’t think that she will be sleeping anyways, regardless of the soft ambiance of the waves.

Her head is whirring with possible scenarios and countless conflicting thoughts. Jet isn’t Sokka. Not by any means, but he suits her in a way that Sokka doesn’t. They have more things in common. And yet she craved the clash that she and Sokka had--it was fun.

She finds that she is very easily able to picture herself curled up with Jet right now. Can picture herself doing so time and time again. Just as much, she can vividly see herself holding Sokka tighter than ever on the way home. Of course this image is tainted with a knowingness that Jet will be lonely in the cabin over.

Azula wishes that he will do something to make her hate him. To make it easier for her to break things off. A much deeper and darker part of her, hopes that they don’t find Sokka. This part of her is mercifully small, more or less an intrusive thought that she casts aside as soon as it arises.

She just wonders what she would tell Jet if they do find Sokka… Or what she would tell Sokka…

Her mind wanders further and she finds herself fretting that she might not get to decide anything at all. That when she tells him about Jet, he will make up her mind for her. She reminds herself that the odds of finding him are slim to none. That she should just get some sleep instead of fretting over something that might not come to pass at all.

But that is not how her mind operates. She is a girl of plans and she spends the night running through scenario after scenario. Script after script until dawn breaks and Zuko cusses loudly.

She hears a rumble of thunder.

#Avatar The Last Airbender #Azula #Zuko #Ozai #Sokkla #Jetzula #Katara #Jet #Fanfiction

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