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jaeheekangisimportant · 6 years

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i'm Very Conflicted re. the bad ending with rika in v's route. on one hand, i'm gay, love female villains, and am just fascinated by the premise it implies. but on the other hand, it's Kinda Shitty to make the most clearly gay bit in the whole game with the villain (like yeah there's the christmas dlc kiss with jaehee but that has shades more of at least a one-sided love from mc (plus it's chaste) whereas the bad ending is very sexual)

I’m also really conflicted about that bad ending with Rika, and I actually wanted to make a post about that today so thank you for bringing it up

I love Rika, and I headcanoned her as bisexual way beforeAnother Story came along. I’m also a bisexual (partial) woman, one who has a huge thingfor lady villains and who finds Rika’s design very attractive. I’m glad my headcanon was confirmed canon, I had fun flirting with Rika, and the bad ending with her hit like ten (mostly problematic) kinks for me. If I couldjust take Rika as an isolated character, and the bad ending as an isolatedincident, if I could just take all of this for what it is and ignore its largercontext, that would be great. I can’t do that, though. So Rika’s portrayal andthat bad ending leave me with very complicated and unpleasant feelings.

I don’t think it’s inherently bad for villains to be LGBT+.Ultimately what I want is variety in representation, but it’s a problem whenyour only or most explicitly Not Straight character also happens to be thevillain. How you actually portray that sexuality plays a big part in it too

I headcanon nearly everycharacter as not straight because fuck it I can, but putting aside headcanons and justfocusing on what we’re shown in the game, Jaehee and Rika are the only characters who are not straight(I know a lot of people would want to include Seven as a canon bisexual too butthe canon on that is very… loose so I have some doubts as to whether I canreally count him buuuut let’s leave that for now). And even so, it’s way lessexplicit for Jaehee.

Jaehee’s route is all ambiguities and subtleties, the onlytime she and MC admit to having feelings for each other (sort of… MCsays it while Jaehee is asleep and Jaehee says it in a chatroom afterward) isin the Christmas DLC, which is not even part of the main game. What littleromance we do get with Jaehee is very chaste, there’s no expressions of intensedesire or anything like that. Just a very clinical “I seem to have developedfeelings for you” and a kiss on the cheek while Jaehee is asleep at her desk.That’s it, that’s all we get

With Rika, there’s no room for ambiguity. She statesclearly, and more than once, that she is attracted to you. She flirts with youvery openly, she touches you and calls you her moon, and she’s very sexual. She texts you at one point to tell you about the mole onher inner thigh and how she wants to show it to you. Which, okay, that wasreally hot and it killed me. Still, we’d never hear something like that fromJaehee. Wonder why. And then of course in the bad ending we actually see Rikaand MC in bed together wearing lingerie and they’re clearly, unambiguouslyhaving sex. Again, really hot, but… Rika’s the villain. And it’s the badending. The implications are not good

In general, sex in this game isn’t portrayed verypositively. The only times I can think of where sex is implied to have happenedand it’s not in a negative context are in Seven’s after endings, otherwise itonly happens in bad endings, where the dynamics are really unhealthy. Sometimesit’s just outright sexual harassment/assault that’s happening. Point being,there are very few positive contexts for sex in this game, even with malecharacters, but at least with those male characters you can still have positiveromantic relationships with them, and there will still be some expression of sexual desire. And at least they’re generally not villains.

Wedon’t have the same options with female characters. We don’t get a middle ground. We can either get a verychaste, barely there pseudo-romance with Jaehee, or we can get ahypersexualized bad ending with Rika the Cult Leader. Cool. Thanks, Cheritz.

I wish I could enjoy that bad ending in peace. It’s an interesting idea, and it’s really hot, and it’s something I’d love to explore more. But mypersonal thoughts and feelings about Rika and my own Problematic villainessfantasies aren’t really what’s important here. It’s shitty and reeking of homophobia/biphobia to make the game’s biggest Gay Moment a bad ending, and tomake their most (and arguably only, since Jaehee is quite closeted) openly bicharacter so sexual and also the villain. It might not have been quite as bad,if only we got more gay content with Jaehee before this, but that’s not thecase.

#ask #anon

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hinotorihime · 7 years

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@aphgenficexchange

first of all a huge apology that this is late and also not as detailed as i wanted it to be, i.e. i didn’t draw a picture for it like i planned to. the reason for this is mostly that i ended up moving with about 12 hours’ notice, but partly also because i can’t manage my time to save my life.

anyway, @nezznar, I’m your partner... again! and I decided to just take everything in your application that I thought was even remotely interesting, including:

America & Lithuania, people who ride the same public transit route OR AND penpals

high fantasy AU

epistolary format

and my favourite:

“if you’re feeling a poem as your medium, absolutely go ahead and do that.”

so here, without further ado, is

the lightning rail

i. samhain

and just like that a new year dawns: different poems, same writers and the world keeps on spinning we keep going and going just wheels on the lightning rail crackling and spitting (and chained) and ghosts walking beside us

//t.l.

ghosts beside me, leaves beneath me autumn cool and crisp inside me sun above me red and cold air weighed down with reeking smoke

--afj

a note to alfred, bless his heart

you know your life is really in pieces when your best friend in the bardic college is part of the day class and you can tell because his rhymes are so trite

//t.l.

dear tolys, you passive-aggressive shit

i guess that’s what you get for letting your best friend be someone you’ve never met outside words dropped on a lightning rail.

--afj

p.s. oh like you could do better mr night class

ii. midwinter

watch me

snow in my lungs and cold in my hair i am old, too old, for this air like steel like reels of thread trapped silk in my head mapped milky lines against the frost i am tossed through a wheel of seasons clawing for reasons in the frozen air above me

//t.l.

showoff

the frozen air above me like candles like dripping wax like pinpricks of stars like gems on my lashes (like blood on the snow all warm and brilliant and bright berry-red) like stabbing holly-leaves like dilated eyes: and so winter comes, in patterns of light.

--afj

okay that was actually pretty impressive

patterns of light patterns of thought patterns of gods-i-don’t-know-i-suppose-i-simply-- (you keep going and he asks you so-what?-so-it’s-like-that you say so-i-can’t-do-anything-else-but-go-on)

//t.l.

...are you okay?

--afj

i’m fine

//t.l.

you sure?

--afj

iii. candlemas

sure, ha, what is sure what in this world is sure i just can’t stand to watch her fall apart every year every damn year she crumbles with the snow piling up and the only thing we know how to do is carry on i suppose (there are too many supposes)

//t.l.

❤

there are too many supposes and a lot more memories: children are smarter than you think i knew. i know.

i’m here for you. you and your sister. you’ll be okay. i know it’s hard to believe but-- winter won’t last forever she’ll bloom again with the flowers with the lambs i promise. i’ve seen it. i see it.

--afj

nata says thanks

or at least she shrugged and didn’t frown which is practically applause from her you have to realize (you have to realize she’s all i have her and school and you and poetry)

//t.l.

p.s. you’d better not be showing these to anyone

what kind of asshole do you take me for?

remember old prof wang? he always used to say: learning songcraft means learning silence too. well i’m not good at one but i can damn well do the other

--afj

sorry

//t.l.

for what?

--afj

for dumping my problems on you

//t.l.

what do you even think friends are for?

you get better, you help your sister get better, i’ll be here no matter what you want to talk about, whether that’s your problems or your classwork. so stop it. you keep doing this and i’m sick of it. let people support you.

--afj

see you’re not responding because you know i’m right.

--afj

iv. alban eilir

every time i take a breath it’s like a promise in my lungs: birth and death and rebirth and redeath like all the songs i’ve ever sung at once, everything i forget and remember with the turning of the sun the seasons’ wheel sweet healing repentance and renewal and brilliant on the green

--afj

you’ve really been working at this

brilliant on the greening of the sky the bluing of the earth the browning of the land the baring of my feet and shivering of my arms (it’s still too cold for shortsleeves but who cares about that it’s spring and the snow is melting and the mud is sticky and the sun is pale-gold-brilliant)

//t.l.

thanks and also you put line breaks in weird places

sun might be pale but there’s a current throbbing through the air through the rail window i see draklings flying flurry and swoop and wheel all joy all excitement all life little scales flashing in the paleness of the sunlight (still bright enough to blind you as you watch their wings)

--afj

p.s. how’s your sister?

it’s for effect idiot

wings on dragons and wings on birds ripples under feathered skin ripples under scaly shoulders ripples off of careful words ripples in the water, ripples in the air ripples spreading cool and slow person to person fast as a thought fast as affection

//t.l.

p.s. nata’s starting to feel better. the sun lifts her spirits. she actually has energy now, can actually get out of bed.

you know you love me

fast as affection is, three things go faster: a breath before jumping dark before a candle worries when shared with a friend.

--afj

p.s. i’m really glad to hear it ❤

i do. i love you and i don’t know why you keep worming your way into my soul like a mole in turned-over soil tiny prickly claws of affection in ink-scratches dropped on the seat of a lightning-rail

you know. i’ve never really had a friend before. not like this. not this close. not this open.

...damn you.

//t.l.

p.s. she says she wants to meet you too, when we finally see each other.

v. beltain (an epilogue)

...so you know how they said we’re getting the whole week of beltain off

--afj

aren’t you going home for the holiday though?

//t.l.

my parents are traveling. i’m staying here.

--afj

fun I guess?

//t.l.

you and I will be in the same city for the entire break

--afj

#tolys is pretentious and alfred cares too much #what a team #(i love them)#aph lithuania #aph america #aphgenexchange2017 #i write stuff

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gokinjeespot · 4 years

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off the rack #1306

Monday, March 23, 2020

I don't know how much longer I will be able to write off the rack. New comics are still being shipped every week but the store is cutting back orders and rack copies are going to be very restricted. I have already been borrowing comic books from dear friends Ryan, Rebecca and Doug, with their permission when there are no copies left after pulling subscription service orders. This pandemic is a wake up call for all of humanity. No super heroes are going to swoop in to save the day. It's up to us to be careful and stay safe. I have not left our house except to go for walks since last Tuesday when I went to work to receive the new comics. I will be going to work tomorrow and then coming straight home after. I hope everyone is okay wherever you are.

Runaways #31 - Rainbow Rowell (writer) Andre Genolet (art) Dee Cunniffe (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). Part 7 of "Canon Fodder" concludes this lengthy story with the evil Doc Justice showing his true colours. The villain may have been defeated but Doc Justice might live on. It's this possibility that will keep me reading.

Batman #91 - James Tynion IV (writer) Rafael Albuquerque, Jorge Jimenez, Carlo Pagulayan & Danny Miki (art) Tomeu Morey (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). The Designer is a puppet master who has manipulated the Penguin, the Riddler, Catwoman and the Joker into taking over Gotham City. I like the unpredictability of what the four puppets are going to do. Next issue's feature villain is the Riddler and I can't wait to see what riddles he has in store for Batman.

The Red Mother #4 - Jeremy Haun (writer) Danny Luckert (art) Ed Dukeshire (letters). This is a really good creepy comic book. Daisy's visions are getting worse, which I'm hoping will lead to the appearance of the Red Mother. But I want to meet the black smoky scary guy with the white smiley face mask.

Marvels X #3 - Alex Ross & Jim Krueger (writers) Well-Bee (art) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Spider-Man and Daredevil try to get the last human being on Earth into the Baxter Building to see if Reed can find a cure for whatever is giving everybody super powers. I don't see how the kid is going to survive given who has him in his clutches now.

Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #4 - James Tynion IV (writer) Steve Epting (art) Nick Filardi (colours) Travis Lanham (letters). This issue's conclusion convinced me that I dislike the Batman Who Laughs a lot and I don't care what Perpetua does to the multiverse. But if you care, continue to read the story in Dark Nights Death Metal #1, the first of a 6-issue mini hitting the racks May 13.

Archie #712 - Mariko Tamaki & Kevin Panetta (writers) Laura Braga (art) Matt Herms (colours) Jack Morelli (letters). I'm reading this Katy Keene story because I miss Fashion Television.

Outlawed #1 - Eve L. Ewing (writer) Kim Jacinto (art) Espen Grundetjern (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). This $4.99 US one shot is a prelude to the return of the Champions to the racks. But now the kids are going to be on the wrong side of the law. The government has banned all activity by under-aged super heroes because of a major disaster. That feeling of déjà vu you're getting is because Marvel did this already with the New Warriors. If you want to see these youngsters fight against the Child hero Reconnaissance And Disruption Law Enforcement organization or C.R.A.D.L.E., pick up Champions #1 April 8.

DCeased: Unkillables #2 - Tom Taylor (writer) Karl Mostert (pencils) Trevor Scott, Neil Edwards & Karl Mostert (inks) Rex Lokus (colours) Saida Temofonte (letters). Now that the good guys and the bad guys have to work together to survive the zombies this story got more interesting. I like the familial element with Shiva and her daughter Cassandra/Batgirl and Deathstroke and his daughter Rose. I really liked how Vandal Savage meets a gruesome end. I can't wait to see what new hell is unleashed in next issue's conclusion.

X-Ray Robot #1 - Michael Allred (writer & art) Laura Allred (colours) Nate Piekos (letters). This science-fiction story about a scientist and his interdimensional travelling robot invention is typical Michael Allred whacky fun. There's a lot of crazy kinetic energy in these pages and you have to pay close attention so you don't get lost. Doctor Max Wilding is a hero in waiting.

Spider-Woman #1 - Karla Pacheco (writer) Pere Perez (art) Frank D'Armata (colours) VC's Travis Lanham (letters). I'm sad that my friend Gord McDougall, who passed away last year, isn't around to see his favourite super hero get back on the racks in this excellent debut. I really like the new costume. Jessica is hired to protect a billionaire's daughter at her sweet sixteen birthday party on a mega yacht (that spelling baffles me). When kidnappers attack we see how awesome Jess can be. The art is gorgeous and I'm going to add this to my "must read" list. The back-up story with art by Paulo Siqueira (pencils) and Oren Junior (inks) shows us how Jessica gets her new costume. There's something funny going on with it and this subplot makes this $4.99 US debut seem cheap at twice the price.

The Resistance #1 - J. Michael Straczynski (writer) Mike Deodato Jr. (art) Frank Martin (colours) Sal Cipriano (letters). J. Michael Straczynski, now that's a name that I haven't seen on the racks for a while. I'm so glad he's back. This is the comic book of the week if not the year. It starts off with a global pandemic which immediately pulled me in because of what's currently happening in real life. By the end of this first issue I realized that what happened in the comic was just a way to grant random people super powers all at once all around the world. Not a new concept I know, but it's being done by one of my favourite writers and a very good artist. I'm adding this 6-issue mini to my "must read" list. This book is from brand new publisher AWA which stands for Artists, Writers and Artisans. I will be looking for their books by Frank Cho, Peter Milligan, and Garth Ennis when they hit the racks in the future. You should too.

Conan the Barbarian #14 - Jim Zub (writer) Roge Antonio (art) Israel Silva (colours) VC's Travis Lanham (letters). The explanation of how Conan survives being run through with a sword made me groan but I read on. Conan and the remaining warriors must work together to survive the rest of the gauntlet but one of them is a treacherous killer. Who that is keeps me interested.

Something is Killing the Children #6 - James Tynion IV (writer) Werther Dell'Edera (art) Miquel Muerto (colours) AndWorld Design (letters). A new story starts here. It looks like we're going to get Erica's origin story and I'm looking forward to finding out more about Ms. Slaughter.

Guardians of the Galaxy #3 - Al Ewing (writer) Nina Vakueva, Chris Sprouse, Belen Ortega & Juann Cabal (pencils) Nina Vakueva, Karl Story, Belen Ortega & Juann Cabal (inks) Federico Blee (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). In the aftermath of Peter's "death" (he'll return eventually I'm sure) the rest of the Guardians must get on with their lives. A new client hires them but I see a big conflict of interest in their new mission. Their new client made me wonder if a copyright infringement was being made by Marvel. Someone over there forget about Bucky O'Hare? Is Blackjack related? Okay, a quick search confirms that Blackjack O'Hare first appeared in a Marvel comic in May 1982 and Bucky first appeared in the Continuity Graphics title Echo of Futurepast #1 in May 1984 with some sweet art by Michael Golden. Law suits averted.

Fantastic Four #20 - Dan Slott (writer) Peco Medina (art) Jesus Aburtov (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). This is a great one-shot story for fans thinking about adding this book to their sub. The Four return from their space adventure on Spyre with Johnny's soul mate Sky. Then the new couple goes to help Wyatt Wingfoot with an attack by the Mole Man. Everything is wrapped up nice and neat in this one issue and you will get the warm and fuzzies getting to know Marvel's First Family. I still like this book.

Valkyrie #9 - Jason Aaron & Torunn Gronbekk (writers) Ramon Rosanas (art) Jesus Aburtov (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). How many times can Jason Aaron bring about a Ragnarok-like event? As many times as he wants as far as I'm concerned. Here we have Tyr unleashing an ancient dark power and now it's up to Val to stop it. This title is still top tier.

X-Force #9 - Benjamin Percy (writer) Joshua Cassara (art) Dean White (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). I continue to read books that I feel aren't that great for a variety of reasons. I'm not fond of the art in this title and the missions that this team goes on are okay, not great. I do however, like that Domino and Wolverine are on this team. Their behaviour in this book will determine how long I stay a fan.

Robin 100-Page Super Spectacular - These one-shot anthologies are a great way to catch up on characters. There are 10 short stories featuring the 5 Robins: Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown and Damian Wayne. There are a couple of retro stories by Marv Wolfman and Chick Dixon that were hokey. I preferred the current stories by James Tynion V, Peter J. Tomasi and Robbie Thompson. The last story made me curious about what's happening with Damian leading the Teen Titans. Pick up this $9.99 US 80th Anniversary book to get a nice picture of one of comics' iconic sidekicks.

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