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iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia · 10 months

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Nadia with an MC who’s really close to her sisters and parents due to not having a family of their own (for reasons which I’ll leave vauge so your creativity can fill them in) perhaps ?

The Arcana HCs: MC with M6's family

~ oh, we love some good found family! thanks for the request, @dameschnee123! I had fun work shopping this request with you ^.^ - brainrot ~

Julian

Let's be clear: Mazelinka's first feeling upon meeting you was relief. And she experiences it again every single time she can sense that Ilya (the rascal!) is getting into trouble again because she knows that he listens to you at least (and you seem to be sensible)

She doesn't expect you to fix him, but she's been watching him wander around with too many empty spots in his heart for way too long and she's glad you've found a home with him there

She is going to pass on all the advice, all the embarrassing childhood stories, and regularly threaten to replace him with you

Portia's a little jealous at first, not gonna lie

She's been looking up to and trying to keep up with her older brother for years, and now you've popped up out of nowhere and you have all of his love and attention! (she's more annoyed than she is upset, though)

If anything, you make it easier for her to reconnect with him. They last knew each other as kids, and having you around helps them become friends again as adults

Dinners with the four of you often devolve into Julian and Portia telling you "how it actually happened" while Mazelinka threatens them with her spoon to keep the noise down

Asra

Both Asra and their parents are so glad you're around, and while none of them would pressure you, they're all very eager to treat you like part of the family

On Asra's part it's obvious. He wants to make you a constant in his life, and having you around makes it easier for him to face emotionally difficult situations (like reconnecting with his parents)

Aisha and Salim feel that keenly. They love you right away for what you mean to their precious child, and they'll quickly come to love you for who you are as well

Aisha's mama-bear instincts are going to flare up just as quickly for you as they do for Asra. Arcana help the poor fool that causes you any form of pain

Salim, on the other hand, bonds with you over your magic and your shop. An ability as versatile as yours captured his interest as soon as he saw it, and he could spend hours browsing your collection

Aisha loves having you over for tea - regardless of whether or not Asra or Salim can make it. It becomes a weekly thing

Salim will stop by for a five minute purchase and then spend hours telling you about his latest ideas (much to Asra's embarrassment)

Nadia

You're about to be spoiled rotten

And dragged into lots and lots and lots of "spirited debates"

Nasrin is the slowest to warm up to you, only because it takes a while before she has the chance to be in the same space as you without also needing to be the Queen of Prakra

Namar has no such qualms and adopts you immediately, as do Navra and Natiqa. You are about to get dragged into so many shenanigans with them (Nadia thinks they're terrible influences)

Thankfully, Nasmira and Nafizah are quick to notice when the madness becomes a little more intense than you want it to be and will either give you an out (Nasmira) or stop the whole thing (Nafizah)

Nahara never indicates when she decides that you're part of the family, but you notice when she starts shifting her stance to keep an eye on you as well as her sisters

Nazali, being the sister most removed from royal life, will often seek you out for the sole purpose of talking to someone "normal"

There's an ongoing battle over who will be your shop's benefactor. Nadia's waiting to tell them that she owns half your stocks

Muriel

He didn't think that he had family

Or if he did, he always assumed that they hadn't wanted him

Having you by his side as he learned the truth gave him the courage to accept it, grieve over it, and grow from it

It means so much to him that there's someone he can talk to who also met Khamgalai and who is able and willing to visit the Steppe and decipher the tapestries with him

Speaking of Khamgalai, she still talks to you both all the time. It's not uncommon for her to ask you to interfere when Muriel chickens out halfway through an embarrassing baby story

She has so many baby stories - about him, about his parents, about his cousins ...

And, oh dear. She's very eager for the two of you to have babies of your own. It doesn't have to be by biological means, just adopt a kid or two or five or ten already!

She knows for a fact that Muriel has a deeply nurturing nature and would be a wonderful mentor and she's convinced that if she points out to you what perfect husband and father material he is you'll help her persuade him. (which makes him flush every time)

Portia

Ilya tried to give you the shovel talk, okay?

The only problem was that his heart wasn't in it because he had just watched you and Pasha empower each other so much that you two took down the world together and he's just a little intimidated

To his relief, Mazelinka was quick to hijack it and serve you a proper threat ("Exactly! What she said!" etc)

He doesn't want to admit it, but it was really because he's learned how ticked Pasha gets if he acts too protective and he doesn't want her to get angry at him again

Mazelinka, Portia, and you have regular get-togethers to sort out exactly what's going on with that delicious soup. Portia wants to learn how to make it, and you want to decipher its magical properties. Mazelinka is amused by your observations

Julian will often mysteriously appear and claim that he's not interested, magic's not for him, he's just here to read his book, but he's peeking over the edge and adding his two cents the whole time

Portia loves inviting them up to the cottage for family dinners and it's always a fun time. You didn't know it was possible to bruise a rib from laughing too hard, but you quickly discover that it is

Lucio

Family is a touchy matter for him

The biggest reason being that he tried to kill his own (and succeeded, in his father's case) and then ran away from them

Which is why, when it comes to the possibility of starting a family with you, he is absolutely convinced that it will end with one of his kids attempting the same thing

It doesn't help that Morga points this out every time you make contact with her, only to finish with something vaguely threatening along the lines of "children are the blessing we deserve"

If you have hair that can be braided, she will braid it every time she sees you and scold Montag for not taking better care of you

Never calls you her child out loud, treats you like the family favorite

Which Lucio notices, and whines about, but is secretly pleased by because you are one of the few decisions he's made that his mother approves of

Lucio will often ask you to tell her things on his behalf because he's convinced she'll respond better if it's coming from you

This does not work, because after giving you a curt nod she will promptly hunt him down with exactly the reaction he was avoiding

#ask arcana brainrot #the arcana #the arcana headcanons #the arcana hc #asra the arcana #julian the arcana #nadia the arcana #muriel the arcana #portia the arcana #lucio the arcana #the arcana game #the arcana fluff #asra alnazar #julian devorak #nadia satrinava #muriel of the kokhuri #portia devorak #lucio morgasson

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celaenaeiln · 5 months

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Hi! I loved your posts about Happy Robin Dick. The one thing that surprised me was about Dick's school/civilian life — can you elaborate on that? The few instances I've read where his school and peers were brought up, I got the impression he didn't fit in (off the top of my head, Robin & Batman (2021) #2)? If you have any reccommendations, I'd love to hear them! Clearly I've got a lot more reading to do! No pressure obviously if you're done talking about this :)

No worries I would love to talk about it more!

I spoke a little bit about this in this post and @northoftheroad as correct as always expanded more on it and I like the way they explained it.

Usually the bullying is a plot point that's used to cause drama or tension because of his rich boy status but by the end of the comic he finds friends and etc. It's also only ever used in the beginning of his school years like first couple days at the elementary school or new middle school or new high school depending on what age he is to make things more interesting before they settle down. I know it seems like I'm taking it lightly but Bruce used to get bullied and he's Bruce Wayne. So it's just like real life where it doesn't matter who you are, someone's gonna bully you anyway cause they feel like it.

Overall though he was pretty popular among everyone.

I want to use this perfect opportunity to elaborate on a specific point I mentioned earlier where I said "He was actually the one who went out of his way to help troubled kids because of his kindness, goodness, and empathy."

I actually had a specific comic in mind when I wrote this and it's this one:

Batman (1940) Issue #192

Where a guy Dick's looking to recruit for his basketball team starts squaring up with Dick because he hates rich kids. There's a whole story that takes place but in the end,

Batman (1940) Issue #192

Dick could've chosen to take revenge on him. Loomis hit him and he got his friends to jump Dick in civies before another friend of Dick's saved him. But instead he fought off the guys that were going to attack his friend and says,

"As Robin, I talked him into going out for the basketball team! I pointed out that if he's a star player--As he can be-- He'll become a celebrity quickly enough! After all, he just wanted folks to think he was a big shot!"

Robin Dick was a role model to everyone. There's several instances in the Teen Titans comics where Dick and the Teen Titans literally negotiate peace between the kids and the adults. They acted as a liason with Dick being the negotiator in charge. His empathy, understanding, and kindness let him do that.

First another quick example of Robin and the Titans being role models to troubled teens specifically:

Teen Titans (1966) Issue #5

And here's one of many times he and the titans took over peace talks

Teen Titans (1966) Issue #8

Teen Titans (1966) Issue #9

I got a little off topic but this is the kind of person Dick was. And this personality bled over into his school life too which is why he was so popular. There's another comic where Dick's in Hudson University and there's a conflict between the school and students and he in his civilian identity tries to negotiate between the students and the police. The students listen to him because he's popular and has influence.

#dick grayson #robin dick grayson #bruce wayne #batman #wally west #kid flash #donna troy #wonder girl #garth of atlantis #aqualad #teen titans #titans as family #cl anon asks #thanks for the ask!

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scary-lasagna · 5 months

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Can I get hc for each of the slender brothers and their reactions and how they feel when their daughter/child figure is going on a date cause I can imagine they’re either frantic about it or show some loving overprotectiveness a little bit

Slender

Mainly it's the fear of growing up that he's afraid of. Next second that passes will be him walking his child down the aisle.

He remembers how small they once were, and carrying them upside down from a tendril before they could talk beyond baby-babbles.

And now they're bringing someone home for a loving date! How time truly does fly.

And yet, it seems as if he looks the same since you can remember being picked up for the first time.

All Slender wants to to make sure that his child knows what they want in a person, and what's important about relationships.

He will sit them down in his office, and explain what being in love should truly mean.

No consistent yelling, no belittling, no being shoved to the side when the person is with their friends. Things such as that.

He just wants to see them happy, is all. And if that means giving you a $50 bill for a nice date and drive home, then so be it.

Offender

He's been there, done that.

As a father, of course he will be a little protective of his child. He knows how kids are, and how stupid they can be.

He's done a lot of stupid stuff that turned out to be good stories.

But still, running from the cops as a teenager proved to be stupid as hell. And bringing his youngest brother was even more of an error.

He'll ask where you're going, when you're leaving/returning, and who you'll be going with.

He won't call you during the date, but if it's getting close to your curfew, he'll shoot you a text to tell you it's time to start heading home.

And if you don't answer, he knows how to track you down and embarrass you.

Offender is a very chill guy, you'll be able to do your own thing as long as you're not causing trouble or in the dumps about things. He steps in when he needs to, but otherwise, life is an experience that only you will be able to decipher.

Trender

Haha oh no oh fuck

See, Trender never really 'dated' in his younger years.

He was always a homebody, and never really had interest in romance until he reached his adult era.

He'll help you get ready for your date, and tell you which clothes go with which shoes, as well as styling your hair for you.

But other than that, he's really at a loss for any relationship advice outside of everything that already makes you nervous.

He'll tell you to be careful, and then list everything that you should be afraid of, and tops it off with "have fun, though!"

It's advised to call an uncle if you want some real advice that's not fear mongering.

Trender just watches too much tiktok.

Splendor

He's super excited and just as nervous as you are!!

As your father/father figure, he's extremely involved in your life, and might accidentally overstep that parental boundary into a 'best-friend' relationship.

He just loves you so much that he wants to be included in everything!!

He has a lot of stories to tell, being the youngest he always got to bother his older siblings about 'more-than-friends' that they brought home.

Most of which thought he was the cutest thing, and was invited to hangout on the couch until they had to leave.

He'll tell you to be careful, and to stand your ground if you don't like something, even if it's just bad food someone is trying to get you to try!

And when you come home, he'll see your date off with a nice handshake and ask about all the details.

#slender brothers #creepypasta #creepypasta headcanon #slender #trender #splendor #familial

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emeraldspiral · 25 days

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Episode where Zim is out in his kid disguise instead of one of his adult/old man disguises and someone takes notice of him trying to go somewhere he shouldn't. They come up and ask him "Young man, you know you're not supposed to be here without adult supervision. Where are you parents?" Frustrated that someone would dare disrupt his evil plans, Zim forgets his cover story and blurts out "I don't have parents!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. How long ago did you lose them?"

"Fool! I have never had parents."

"You mean you've been an orphan all your life? That's terrible!"

"It is not terrible! It's great! I have no need for guardianship or supervision."

"So there's no one looking after you?"

"Zim needs no one! Now rescind your pity human!"

"Oh no! It's so much worse than I thought. You poor brave boy. Don't worry, you won't have to be alone for much longer!"

And then the interloper calls child services, who forcibly place Zim in an orphanage. He can't take back anything he said about being an orphan before because neither he nor the Roboparents have social security numbers and their address and phone number aren't registered anywhere.

A couple quickly comes looking to adopt and they decide they want to take on the challenge of a "problem child" who's not likely to get adopted by anyone else. So they take Zim home with them for a trial adoption. Initially it seems like it's going to turn into something like Orphan where the nice family is oblivious to the danger Zim presents as he plans to make them into his latest test subjects. But just as Zim's about to implant some questionable device into one of the family members, something happens that freaks Zim out so much he loses his nerve.

He becomes increasingly anxious as the family members never give him a moment alone, following him from room to room constantly pestering him to ask if he's okay.

"Do you like this show? We could switch to a different channel."

"Is it too cold for you? We could turn the thermostat up."

"Would you like some hot cocoa? Some warm milk, perhaps? Soda?"

"Hey, we were thinking of Mac & Cheese for dinner tonight. But do you have any dietary concerns? Are you lactose intolerant? Gluten-free? Vegan? Diabetic?"

"Are you okay with the volume everyone is speaking at? We could speak softer if you want."

"OR LOUDER IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE HEARING US!"

"Do you need a blanket?"

"We bought you some pajamas. But we can take them back if you don't like them."

"Do you want to talk about your feelings?"

"You know this is a safe place, right?"

"Don't be afraid to speak up if there's anything you need."

"Or if there's anything you want to talk about."

"We're always here to lend an ear."

Zim gets majorly creeped out and is convinced they're really human spies trying to get him to reveal himself and give away Irken military secrets.

He tries to get some privacy, but the only place where he can be alone is the bathroom. There's only one, and there are so many family members they have a schedule for who can use it when. But not to worry, they've already rearranged it to give him Thursdays at 3:30 and every other Saturday at 2:00am.

They send him to a new skool, which is much better than the one he went to before. It's clean, well funded with facilities in good repair, and best of all, there's no Dib around to harass him. But the staff at the new skool are far more professional than at the old skool and Zim's new teacher doesn't tolerate classroom disruptions, shocking Zim when he sends him to the principal's office within his first minute of class. At first Zim thinks it's a blessing in disguise because it means time away from his extremely clingy new foster siblings, but the one he shares a class with ends up getting sent to the office on purpose so he could stay by Zim's side. Zim does not appreciate the gesture of solidarity.

Zim comes home and his new foster parents tell him the principal called, but it's okay. They're not mad, they know it's going to take time for him to adjust. They also remind him that it's 3:30 and today is Thursday, which means it's finally his turn to use the bathroom.

He only has fifteen minutes, but he plans on escaping out the window. But it turns out the family have installed a state of the art security system to keep him from escaping. They aren't mad when he trips it though. They understand. Moving into a new home with a bunch of strangers can be scary, and he might think he wants to go back to the life he knew before because the familiarity of it is comforting, but they promise if he just gives them a chance they're sure they can make him happy.

Zim has no choice but to endure the two week trial adoption period. Initially, he figures if he acts like a little shit they won't want to adopt him and he'll get sent back to the orphanage from which he can make an escape. Halfway through however, he has a change of heart. He starts to enjoy regular kid activities like playing video games, family board game night, and riding bikes around the neighborhood, going to skool and learning actually useful and interesting things and not being bullied, having someone come and pick him up when he falls and scrapes his knee and give him an Adhesive Medical Strip and a kiss to make it all better, and the unconditional love and endless patience and forgiveness he's afforded.

He starts to think maybe there's an advantage to the arrangement. He can learn so much more about humans from actually living like one, and surely that would be beneficial to his mission, wouldn't it?

At the end of the two week period, Zim is interviewed and asked if he would like to be permanently adopted. He says "yes", only to be told "That's too bad. It looks like they've decided not to move forward with the adoption." Zim is shocked and dismayed.

"How could they not want Zim?!"

The only answer he gets is that the family "didn't feel like it was the right fit", which leaves Zim perplexed, ruminating over whatever he did wrong to make them not love him.

The episode then ends with the Roboparents coming to the adoption agency to look for a new son. Zim tries to get their attention, but they pass him over for a different prospective child and jet off without him.

#invader zim #zim #roboparents #this is almost too cynical even for this show #all hurt #no comfort #just ripping open zim's deepest wound #and letting it bleed out

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gettingfrilly · 7 months

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Let's talk about Eddy's family

Out of the three boys, I feel we know the least about Eddy's family. We may have met his brother, the only adult to ever have a role in the show, but of the Eds, he talks about his parents the least. And I refuse to believe his brother is just Like That all on his own. Something happened to that guy and I wanna know what.

So, let's look at what we know:

Eddy was physically abused by his big brother. On the flip side, his big brother also passed his knowledge onto him, the show implying that his bro took on the role of a mentor in Eddy's life. Eddy also inherited a lot of his brother's stuff from him; whether Eddy's brother had a choice in that matter or not is unknown, since Eddy could have simply taken the items out of his brother's room after he was gone.

Bro is much older than Eddy, though we don't know exactly by how much.

in the episode 'Ed... Pass it on...' we learn that the older boys in the neighborhood (Kevin and Rolf), who would have clearer memories of him than the other kids, are terrified of bro.

Eddy idolizes his brother. He pulls his pranks, wears his clothes, and speaks his praises any chance he gets.

Eddy's dad is most likely a homophobe judging by the implications of the only direct description we get of him in the bible. He doesn't want his son to be gay and worries that he is.

Eddy's mom thinks Eddy can do no wrong. Now, I've seen a lot of people interpret the line about Eddy's mom as a continuation of the line about his dad, and that she, too, is homophobic but doesn't believe Eddy is gay. However, I think they're separate statements. Eddy is a guy who gets in a lot of trouble, and usually when a kid gets in trouble, their mom is the first to be told. I think what the bible is communicating to us is that Eddy's mom flat out doesn't believe the stories about the trouble Eddy gets up to. It's probably one of the biggest reasons he keeps making trouble without fear of consequences.

Here's where things get a little more up to interpretation-y:

Here we have Eddy throwing a mug that says "#1 son" out of his closet. So. Yeah. He's the favorite child and his parents aren't afraid to say it out loud.

Eddy's dad, like Eddy, seems to have a short temper and isn't shy of getting physical with people, including his own children (important to keep in mind that this is a hyperbolic, slapstick cartoon, and not any sort of canon proof that Eddy's dad is abusive.)

Then there's the way Bro is talked about in the bible. "Before his brother went... away," why the ellipses? Was there something else to be said other than just "away?" I think the hint here is that Eddy's brother didn't just grow up and move out. There was some sort of inciting incident that lead to him living on his own. There's also the fact that Eddy has no idea where his brother lives in BPS, and that when he does show up, the first thing his bro asks is "Do mom and dad know you're here?" Eddy answers "AS IF!" which tells me that Eddy's parents would not approve of Eddy being around his brother, and both brothers are aware of that. This is followed up by bro asking "Does ANYONE know you're here?" Which. Big scary imo. Really fucking weird thing to ask your little brother before you start beating on him. Like he wanted to know what he could get away with.

So with all that in mind, here's my own personal headcanon that is not in anyway present in canon this is just what i like to imagine happened:

Eddy's brother was the family's scapegoat, whereas Eddy (in his mother's eyes, at least) was the golden child. Extremely rarely do children grow up to be violent just because. I think bro learned that behavior at home. I've discussed before that I think Eddy has ADHD, and that shit hella genetic, so I think his bro has it, too. Their mom and dad were new parents when they first had bro, and probably knew squat about raising a neurodivergent kid, and neurodivergent children are more likely to be victims of abuse. When corporal punishment didn't end up working out so well on bro, I think his parents changed tactics for Eddy. I also personally think that his mom felt guilty for how bro was raised, which is why she's so lenient with Eddy. So now, bro is jealous of Eddy and bitter about his own abusive upbringing, and he takes this out on Eddy by being exceptionally cruel and violent towards him.

This led to bro eventually doing something bad enough to get his ass sent to either juvie or prison, depending on how old he was at the time. This was hidden from Eddy, who adores his older brother, and was told that his brother had simply moved out. And that's how things ended up how they are in the show and how Eddy's brother ended up the way that he is. Again, this is just my own imagination. While it makes sense as something that could be true when you look at canon, I don't think canon actually props it up as accurate in any way. Anyway, I'm curious to hear what you guys think of bro and Eddy's family!!! especially if any of you know what the hell "Eddy's genes are working the fastest" means.

#eene #ed edd n eddy #gettingfrillyspeaks

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lifewithchronicpain · 4 months

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I have been watching the Curious Case of Natalia Grace, mainly for the second season where Natalia actually gets to speak for herself. It is so beyond upsetting, do not watch unless you're ready to rage.

There is a Lot to the story but I will sum it up as best I can. Natalia is a Ukrainian orphan with dwarfism, specifically Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita. Because of her disability she would need many surgeries for her feet, and money concerns related to this is considered one potential cause for what was to happen. After being passed around, a family called the Barnett's adopted her.

According them, Natalia was really an adult that was secretly trying to kill them. If it sounds familiar it's because it's the plot of the movie Orphan. This poor girl wound up with an incredibly abusive family that eventually decided they didn't want her but because the mother was so concerned with her image, she couldn't be seen as getting rid of a disabled child. So she tried to pass Natalia off as an adult pretending to be kid, and after lies and faked drama the Barnett's actually got Natalia legally re-aged to 22.

Natalia was actually about 8 years old. Dental records, DNA tests, doctor's records, her own biological mother, who gave her up because she couldn't care for a disabled child, all say she was born in 2003 and was a child at the time of these events.

So Natalia was put in an apt at age 8, and Mrs Barnett forced her to tell people she was 22. Ableism and ignorance of little people plays a huge part here, otherwise no one would have believed her age was 22 nor would it have been legally changed. Even though neighbors thought she was young, they went with the lie and proceeded to view entirely childish behavior as weird and annoying. Because she lacked the fucking boundaries and sense of stranger danger of a typical 8 year old!!!!! They also said she said a lot of sexually stuff, and I don't know why I should need to explain to you what 8 year olds do when they hear things!!! An 8 year old with no adult, looking to anyone for company and just help. It's beyond upsetting to think of what it must have been like for her during this time.

Natalia was evicted after a year and moved to another apartment. Not too long after being there she met a family that recognized she was a fucking child, took her in, and called the goddamn cops. First people in Natalia's poor life to do something for her. She is still with them to this day, with what looks like a beautiful loving family.

The Barnett's were charged, the husband was ables to get acquitted in part because the judge decided her Legal age would stand, and he could only be accused of abandoning a disabled person and not a minor. Meanwhile no one could let the jury know she was really a minor when this happened. Huge miscarriage of justice and the wife was never taken to trial.

It's a hard documentary to watch, especially when you get a lot of the Barnett's story first without much dissecting of the facts. But then you do get Natalia's side, and the Barnett's lies are laid to waste. One of them being that Natalia had pubic hair and a period. She never did, the wife made her say it to the husband. I mean, there's a lot of fucked up shit that happened to Natalia that I have not mentioned. I'm also not getting into the drama within the Barnett family except to say the husband tried to blame it all on the wife, claims he was abuse and avoids accountability, and is the most pathetic excuse for a human being, honestly. The wife is no better, she's just a monster.

The thing that pisses me off so much though are the attorneys, especially this one guy that Knows Natalia was a child and acts like she has to take accountability for being a troubled child. Of course he offers up all excuses for his client.

And that's the rub, Natalia had her childhood robbed from her, then and now. She's not ever granted the view of her behavior as mitigated by being a child. They even showed one of her neighbors refuses to accept she was 8 and not 22, and she knows for sure because she was hussy and just knows how to put on an act. It just amazes me how quick we are to jump to the most negative explanation for something and ignore any evidence to the contrary.

I'm just glad Natalia was able to have a voice in this drama, and that she finally has the family she had always wanted.

#natalia grace #ableism #abuse #child abuse #domestic abuse #adoption

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creation-help · 9 months

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Imagine your ocs: visiting relatives

- Who gets comments about how big they've gotten since last time?

- Who gets the "So do you have a partner yet? / when are you getting married /having kids" ect style questions?

- The older generation whispering or gossiping about some of the youngins and what they've gotten up to (at school/work/family drama ect)

- The kids crowding together to go play by themselves while the adults talk about life and how things have been. Will the kids be getting into trouble? Maybe they'll go on an adventure or arrange some super secret mission. Maybe some of the older kids dare the younger kids to do something. Maybe the kids whose house is being visited, show off some new toys or other cool stuff they got, for Christmas or such

- The old people sitting by the porch or looking at family photos and sharing stories around the table, of when some of the adults below their generation were still young and wild. Perhaps embarrassing the now adults, much to the chagrin of the current kids and teens

- Some of the teens having their angsty phase where they feel awkward or too cool for gatherings like this and try to stick to themselves. Are there any kids or perhaps adults trying to coax them into fun activities anyway? Or are they sneaking off to some secret spot they always found comfort in? Hanging around town to seek something more interesting to do?

- Who hears about relatives their age getting engaged/expecting kids/getting a promotion/their own apartment, and feels like they're not keeping up with adulthood like they're supposed to?

- Who hears about younger relatives talking about current events/their life things/achievements and/or being confused about something that's being talked about, and suddenly feels Old?

- Being a little out of touch because you haven't seen each other in a long time. All the stuff like

"Oh since when do you do x?"

"Wait you two broke up/got together? When?"

"Oh so you're living there now?"

"Woah, what's all that?"

"Hold on, did i miss something there?"

"So is anyone gonna tell me who this X person is?"

"Wow, so much new in your life! Has anything stayed the same?"

- Who's embarrassed about the way they were last family gathering? Why? Did they have a phase they got over already? Were they arguing and stirring drama? Got drunk and acted a fool? Has something drastically changed about them since then? How?

#Imagine your oc #Oc imagine #Tag your oc #Oc questions #Think about your oc #oc meme #Oc development #Oc things

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stranger-rants · 9 months

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Very convenient to turn off reblogs on that post @henrysglock after you went on a tangent about Billy fitting the profile of having a conduct disorder using extremely decontextualized bits of his story twisted in the most negative way possible while giving Henry the benefit of the doubt at every turn despite evidence to the contrary. Let's see:

Comparing Jonathan and Billy is your first mistake. They're not the same because the context of their abuse is not the same. Jonathan has a biological brother who he grew up with and loves. Billy and Max didn't have a choice in becoming step siblings, and they have no strong attachments to each other. Not only that, but Billy is parentified by their parents who make Max his responsibility creating tension between them.

He never was going to kill anyone with his car. If you genuinely believe that then you either take things way too literally or you've never heard of playing chicken. He was pissed off because of the move, which he blames Max for - and Max blames him. Max notes that this behavior isn't a pattern. It's new, and it's triggered by the move. It's fucking ridiculous for you to sit here and confidently say Billy was trying to kill anyone at any point while you give Henry every benefit of the doubt.

Be serious.

Billy also didn't attack Lucas "simply because he was black" and as a side note you don't have to have a conduct disorder to say and do bigoted things. You remove very important context to simplify the situation which isn't helpful for any character involved. He doesn't just push Lucas. He tells him to stay away from Max, and I'm going to need you to think about why Billy who wants nothing to do with his step sister would care about Max hanging out with Lucas, especially when Billy had just before been abused for "letting" Max run away.

Billy didn't want to be there, so to say she had to take a bat to him in order for him to leave her alone ignores that context. He was also incapacitated on the floor, so the bat was excessive. He also does leave her alone. He leaves everyone alone after that. The antagonistic behavior was an acute response to the move, and he settles into relatively normal but still dick-ish teenage boy behavior.

And picking on kids at the pool remorselessly? You're really stretching it. You are judging him based on one line that may be mean but it's in response to a person running when they're not supposed to. He's also 18. He's not a full grown adult man who is so much older than the children there. Again. Be serious.

...and don't even get me started on façades. Billy is literally trying to survive his father's wrath and you are using his responses to it to make the most disingenuous and vile assumptions about him. He isn't trying to get what he wants. He needs to find Max, or else. Teenagers lie. Teenagers put on acts, especially when they're in trouble and abused teenagers like Billy get preyed on by adults because of it.

Conduct Disorder is not just being a dick or being mean, especially when its reactive or related to an irritating situation a person is in. All of this in depth "analysis" of Henry and you cannot get the most basic details about Billy correct or give him any benefit of the doubt to him in return. Billy does not persistently disregard the rights of others. That's inconsistent, and his control over Max is a direct result of being parentified. He does not attempt to take their autonomy away. He even tried to defend Max's right to independence by saying she doesn't need a babysitter. He does not try to manipulate people into giving him what he wants. If you are looking at a teenager seeking attention from other adults as manipulative and "charming" then you sound no better than the people who blame teenage grooming victims for leading the adult on.

#fucking unreal #fandom wank

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rae-and-mezo · 1 year

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can you do when yn invited them to a party at their house (its a vacation day) and their is jumphouse and yn is fighting the little kids that want to fight her and ominis,sebastian, and Gareth doesn't know what to do

A/N: This is the silliest thing I have ever written and I love it!!! Since bouncy houses weren't a thing in this era, I have changed it to a playground. Thank you for requesting <3

Ominis Gaunt:

Mans didn't honestly want to be there in the first place. I mean he loves you and is honored you invited him to your house! He goes, but he is too introverted to be excited about it.

Until he hears you yelling.

It's coming from the direction of the playground and he is slightly worried. Is someone picking a fight? So he sets his drink down and leaves the comfort of the backyard to come find you.

And when he finds you in the midst of an argument with a small child, he is even more confused.

"Ominis, this little brat is insisting he can beat me at quidditch! He doesn't believe I play for the school, back me up here!"

Okay he isn't expecting it. So Ominis just sighs and shakes his head. "They do play for Hogwarts, but I am sure you are very good. Maybe you can play for Hogwarts and beat them when you go!" Kids are not his forte in the slightest but he's actually really good with them.

The kid just rolls his eyes but he walks away. "wow, MC, that was-" and then ANOTHER kid comes up and punches you in the knee. Of course he can't see it but he recognizes the uneven footsteps of a small child, and he recognizes your gasp of pain.

"What even...?" Ominis takes you by the arm and leads you out of the playground before you can get ambushed by more children.

Sebastian Sallow:

He was on the playground with you! Your little cousin asked him to play with them and of course he couldn't resist. He loves kids!

So they are playing a game of tag when he hears you yelling. This is Sebastian we are talking about, and he goes into guard dog boyfriend mode. Mans marches right up prepared to fight and to his shock it's a group of little kids that are circling you.

"Call us pipsqueaks again, why don't you!?" One of them sneers. He finds it kind of cute...until he realizes that you're not treating this like a game.

"You are pipsqueaks! Give me back my wand!" And you're trying to kick at the swarm of kids without kicking hard enough to hurt one.

"Hey!" Sebastian shouts, and all the attention goes to him. "I'll make a deal! If you let MC go, I will personally make sure they never call you a pipsqueak again!"

The kids murmur to each other before shaking their heads at Sebastian. "Okay. I will give you...this!" He produces a package of Chocolate frogs from his bag.

This time, the kids go for it, tossing you your wand and diving for the frogs.

"MC, what the hell?" He smiled in exasperation. "I'm the one usually in trouble, and with adults!"

"They took my wand." Is all you offer, even though Sebastian suspects there is more to the story. "Okay. Well, then that's reasonable."

Garreth Weasley

Even though he isn't too fond of kids, Garreth has grown up with a house full of siblings. So he definitely knows how to handle them.

And when you guys are taking a stroll through the park, he shares your annoyance when a little kid runs up and hugs your leg. "Come play!" He yells. And when you politely turn him down he gets angry.

"Loser!"

And you, being the hothead you are, takes the bate. "I am not a loser for not wanting to play with a brat."

"You're a loser for not wanting to play!"

The little debate goes on until the little kid kicks you in the shin. "Oh, it's on!" You yell, but Garreth pulls on your sleeve before you can retaliate.

"Hey kid, get lost, Or I'll tell your mom you just kicked her!"

The little kid's eyes widened and he took off.

"Um, can we go walk somewhere else?" Garreth asks with a slightly confused look.

#Garreth weasley #sebastian sallow #ominis gaunt #hogwarts legacy #hphl #garreth weasley imagine #garreth weasley headcanon #garreth weasley x reader #sebastian sallow imagine #sebastian sallow headcanon #sebastian sallow x reader #Ominis Gaunt x reader #ominis gaunt imagine #ominis gaunt headcanon

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unforth · 1 year

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I've been trying for ages to figure out how to put something into words about The Youth In Fandom and I still don't think I've quite got it but I did reach an insight about it that I think is valuable enough that I'm gonna take a stab at writing it.

For starters, I want to make it clear, there is no "The Youth In Fandom Problem." Based on my efforts running the art sideblogs for danmei fandoms, I can say with a fair degree of confidence that a vast minority of people of all ages are antis, purity wankers, pro-censorship, ageist, etc. Even among people who mark their bios with their age, it's a shockingly low percentage of people under 18 who are being super weird about this stuff, and I think that's something a lot of older folks bemoaning The Younger Generation could stand to know and be reminded of. This isn't a majority, it's just a vocal minority, and tbh...that vocal minority has always been there, at least in my own fandom experiences.

That said, I've personally been the target of "y r u in fandom, old woman? Go take care of your kids!" bullshit, and yes it's definitely real and yes it definitely happens. (I am not old, I am not a woman, I was here before the people who said that to me were born, and I spend all the rest of my time taking care of my kids, so...).

All that introduction is to posit a theory:

The kinds of people who say "you should grow out of it, you're too old for fandom, etc." don't actually really...like what they like.

I know that sounds batshit. They're here blogging about it 24/7, of course they're obsessed! But I really genuinely find myself wondering...like...are they actually obsessed? Or are they just performing obsessed because that's what their peer group is doing? Are they just following along with their friends, mimicking their friends' enthusiasm, going with the flow because they're scared of what will happen if they say "actually I didn't think that show was very good"?

I ended up with this as a theory to posit because is to arrive at "you should grow out of it," you have to start with "I will grow out of it." And to get to "I will grow out of it," you have to start with "I may be into this now but I will definitely Change." And to get to "I will definitely Change," you have to start with the base assumption that loving certain types of media isn't just part of who you are, but rather a temporary persona you've assumed overlaying some deeper Self that will be revealed with time - or that's already been revealed and that you're deliberately masking for whatever reason.

Lemme put it less abstractly (but more longwindedly, lmao).

When I was 16, I was fucking terrified. There were all these things I loved - Star Trek, Hercules and Xena, Babylon 5, Slayers, Evangelion, Fushigi Yuugi, the Wheel of Time, many others - some I'd been into for years, some I'd only just discovered. And I looked at the adults in the world around me, who didn't sleep with stuffed toys, who got into long-term romantic and sexual relationships, who settled into careers that they stuck with for 20, 30, 40 years, who had heaps of responsibilities, and it was so frightening I literally had trouble sleeping at night. My senior year of high school, I trained myself to sleep with a pillow instead of a stuffie because "what would people in college think if they saw me snuggling a stuffed wolf?" That was something I was prepared to sacrifice to be An Adult (tm), something I was (irrationally) ashamed of, something that wasn't so much a part of my personhood that I couldn't give it up. When I left home to go to school at 17, I left my wolf at home. (I brought him with me a year later, and he's now on my bookshelf. Less disposable than 16-year-old me thought, as it turns out, but that's another story.) But there were things about myself I wasn't prepared to sacrifice to fit in during college. I still wore my Star Wars shirt. I still hung my anime posters. I still listened to J Pop. My roommate might judge me. My classmates might judge me. My professors might judge me. I didn't care. Loving those were part of who I was, and I wasn't prepared to give that up.

I found solace by looking at the adults in my life who hadn't had to give up their "childish fancies." I looked at my mother, who introduced me to Star Trek, and thought if she didn't have to stop loving Star Trek to be An Adult, then why should I? I looked at my grandfather, on whose bookshelves I first found the Lord of the Rings, and thought if he didn't have to give up LotR to be An Adult, then why should I? They might not wear fandom shirts, they might not go to conventions, they might not engage in the same way that I did, but they still loved these things, and it gave me hope.

When I was saw adults who still did fan things, who dressed how they wanted, who had cool hair styles or colors, who had tattoos, I thought "wow, what a cool person. I hope I get to grow up to be like them. I hope I'll be that comfortable in my own skin when I'm that age, because I'm sure not that comfortable in my own skin NOW."

I'll have to change in some ways - find A Career, figure out this "attraction" thing everyone keeps fucking talking about, buy a house, all the rest - but I'll be able to love the things I love.

I will still be "me" when I'm an adult, just Me-Plus-More.

I wanted to grow up to be that adult. I was prepared to take figurative arrows, to fight, to slog through, to retain the part of me that felt most valuable - my ability to love the things I loved without apologizing for it. And I knew I could do that, because I already had. Man, the shit people gave me in middle school for being an out-and-proud Trekkie? smh. It was baaaaad.

Time passes. Now I'm 40, and yes, I have changed. I've had more than one career. I got married. I figured out I never did have to figure out that "attraction" shit because I learned asexuality existed and. uh. Oh. I had children. I bought a house.

And I still have a bookcase of manga and I still have a Tumblr blog and I've found new fandoms - many, many new fandoms - nearly all for franchises that didn't even exist when I was 16 and so so scared that I used to literally break down and cry over the prospect of "having" to "give up childish things."

I got myself through on the belief that I'd still be me, and I was right. More than 20 years later, I AM still me.

And that's what leads me back to "why do The Youth think they'll age out of fandom?" And it leads me back to "I can only assume their fandom participation is mostly performative." Because look. This is who I was when I was 10 and read Lord of the Rings, and it was who I was when I was 12 and I started watching Star Trek when Voyager debuted, and it's who I was when I was 17 and I pulled an all-nighter to watch the second season of Fushigi Yuugi, and it's who I was when I was 21 and spent my birthday totally sober and gaming with my friends, and it's who I was at 26 when I got buried up to my eyeballs in Supernatural, and it's who I was at 37 when I watched The Untamed and knew as easy as breathing oh my god I've found the next obsession.

If it's an embraced, realized, adored part of your persona, there's absolutely no reason to think it's going to go away. And there's no reason nor need for it to. There are always gonna be people who judge others for having passions, and there are always gonna be people who embrace others for having passions, and you just gotta identify and avoid the former and find and adore the latter. If you're young, and you love fandom, and you're afraid you, too, will "have to" give up childish things...congratulations! You've got nothing to be afraid of! You never have to change that aspect of yourself!

But...I know these teens on Tumblr who are bullying others already know that because they can see us everywhere. And instead of going, as I did, "oh wow, those older people who still love the things they love are cool! how reassuring! I can be like them!" they think "EW OLD PERSON NOT ALLOWED THIS IS MY ROOM DO NOT ENTER."

And that's weird. When I try to think, "What kind of mentality would lead someone to feel that way, act that way, etc.?" I arrive at: being in fandom is something that they're embarrassed about. Something they're ashamed of, that they think is shameful. Something childish and therefore only for kids, even when the media they're a fan of is entirely made for and by adults. Something they think is made for them in that moment but that they'll be able to easily discard when they move on to more important parts of their lives. Something they know in their heart is transient. Something they're just doing because their friends are doing it.

That's when they'd think "why would an adult still do this?"

When it's something you "know" will be "just a phase," you don it like you don the identity of "high school student," something that'll get shucked a minute after graduation.

And while I found the idea of giving up fandom terrifying, I again can only assume that for these type of person, NOT giving up fandom becomes something terrifying. "Of course this is transient. Of course I'm going to change. I can't wait to change, I hate who I am now! Why did these so-called adults not change? Changing to not like this kind of thing is a sign of Maturity and Adulthood that I am eagerly waiting for, because I believe there's something wrong with being this way, and therefore I assume the adults I see doing this are immature, have something wrong with them, are childish, cannot be Doing Adulthood Right, because they didn't give up the thing."

"I know, in my heart, that I can't WAIT to change, so if they don't want to change, if they haven't changed, something must be wrong with them."

And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is the only reason. People are way too complex for there ever to be One Explanation Of All. I'm sure some of the teens who engage in ageist bullying just think they're ~cool~ and ~different~ and their name is Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way. Others are just uncomfortable with adults, with or without cause, and think "you don't belong in the same space as me." Some surely have drank the conservative kool-aid even as they've tried to change and are pantomiming the bullshit they were fed by those around them in new and unpleasant ways. Some think "this media was made for people like me and anyone who isn't like me can't possibly be engaging it in the Correct And Proper Way."

Some will grow out of it - out of fandom, or out of thinking that being an adult in fandom is wrong/bad/inappropriate/immature/whatever.

A few especially unpleasant ones...won't.

Unlike young!me, who looked at fannish grown ups and thought "wow, I could grow up to be like them, they're so cool!", you think "ew, I hope I don't grow up to be like them, they're so weird!"

And if that's you...why are you here?

If you don't actually like who are you when you're in fandom, that's okay. You don't have to stay. If you lose your friends because your interests change, then those friends stink and you didn't need them anyway; people who actually care about you will always keep by your side even if your interests and theirs diverge. But just cause YOU are performing your interest in fandom...doesn't mean the rest of us are. Some of us genuinely like it here. And you might think that's fucked up of us, but it's honestly none of your fucking business. You do what you gotta do to grow up, and leave the rest of us already-grown-ups alone.

And if you do genuinely love it and you're just scared because you think you'll have to change - that you'll reach some mystical age of majority and suddenly wake up a different person...you won't. For better and for worse, you'll still be you, so if there's things about yourself you don't like, it'd be better to start working on unpacking that psychological baggage now, because there's never gonna be a miracle point where you Feel Better And Like An Adult unless you put in the effort to change.

Teenagers...you will not grow up to be a new person. You will never give up who you are. You will grow up to be You-Plus-More.

And if that's something you hear and go "omg that's great news!" then I'm glad to be the one who told you. Take heart. There's hope. You can be you and that WILL be okay. You can face up to and grow from the things about yourself you don't like. You can learn more about yourself. You have time, and you will be able to improve yourself, to become more like the parts of yourself you like and less like the parts you hate.

And if that's something you hear and go "oh god no that's the worst" then you need to stare that reaction in the face and understand that the only way change is coming is if you make it happen for yourself. No one is strong-arming you into being a fan. If it's not for you...then stop. It's literally that easy. But don't take out your uncertainty and fear on other random people who are more comfortable with themselves than you are. Most of us are not here because of fear. We're here in the face of our fear, as a fuck you to our fear, because we also grew up being told we'd have to give up so-called childish things to be An Adult, and it turns out that was a pile of bullshit and we can have careers AND anime posters. And we can afford more anime posters, cause our parents are no longer telling us how to spend our money.

If your participation in fandom is primarily performative...just stop performing. Be yourself, and find your OWN passion, and stop shitting on the people who have managed to be more true to themselves and their own interests. You're not cool and edgy and different; you're just an asshole and a bully, and I pity you.

Anyway as you can tell from this rambly mess of a post, I haven't really gotten my finger on my point yet, but idk. I've been thinking about this and I think there's something there???

#unforth rambles #drama #hopefully now that I've written this I can finally get it out of my head #my posts like this pretty much always flop but that's okay #if it helped me think things out for myself #about why some people are Like That #then its job is done #anyway I wrote this post in between helping my daughter get dressed #and getting my son on the bus #and making tea #and straightening up the living room #and now i gotta start work in three minutes #the big difference between teen me and adult me is that now I have to fit the fanning into these miniscule windows of time #between all the More Important Things That Need Done #it's tiring but it's worth it

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sevenboarproductions · 1 year

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[IDOLiSH7] [Part 6] Chapter 4: Like a candle

6.4.1. - Bonds | Freedom

Nikaidou Yamato: Regarding MEZZO’’’s new song… what did you mean by wanting to do it like me?

Ousaka Sougo: …I don’t know how to put it well. But in the past, when the topic of the entertainment industry or your parents came up…

Ousaka Sougo: …It… put you in a very bad mood, didn't it?

Nikaidou Yamato: I really held such a grudge, huh….

Ousaka Souko: Ah, no, that’s not…

Nikaidou Yamato: I’m sorry for causing that trouble…

Ousaka Sougo: No, no! That’s not what I was going for.

Ousaka Sougo: But now you're actively starring in movies, and even doing your best in “Mikazuki Ookami”…

Ousaka Sougo: I realized you’re separating these things from your past… I want to have that sort of mindset, too.

Nikaidou Yamato: Separating… You’re right, I'm kind of separating them.

Nikaidou Yamato: It’s not like I resolved it cleanly, but for now, I won’t let these things catch up to me.

Ousaka Sougo: That’s the feeling I got… You’ve always been a nice person, Yamato-san, but now, it’s an especially natural sort of kindness.

Nikaidou Yamato: Stop flattering me. I was just apologizing for all the trouble I caused.

Ousaka Sougo: I’m not flattering you…

Nikaidou Yamato: But, that… I get it. To put something between you and the Ousaka household, you want to complete this song about bonds?

Ousaka Sougo: …Yes….

Nikaidou Yamato: Isn’t trying to challenge yourself a good thing? But… Sou, you’re the type to overthink things easily, so don’t get worked up about it too hard.

Nikaidou Yamato: There’s a lot of families, and each one progresses differently. I think it’s fine if you do it at your own pace, Sou.

Ousaka Sougo: Thank you… but….

Nikaidou Yamato: What is it?

Ousaka Sougo: I always wanted to be free from my parents.

Nikaidou Yamato: ……

Ousaka Sougo: I wanted to live freely without being controlled. I wanted to freely sing the songs I liked and be in touch with my beloved music.

Ousaka Sougo: But when I got that… I realized that being hated and avoided is a kind of shackle, too.

Ousaka Sougo: I don’t want to care about my parents anymore.

Ousaka Sougo: I'm not wishing for them to love me, and I'm not doubting my decision, either. But I don’t want to feel like this now, after all this time.

Ousaka Sougo: I want to be carefree, unbound by anything. That’s why I want to turn that story of bonds that’s beloved by so many people into a song with my own hands.

Ousaka Sougo: But to be honest, I would be happy if I could accept my relationship with my parents honestly like you did, Yamato-san…

Nikaidou Yamato: ….Haha…. I didn’t accept it, either.

Nikaidou Yamato: I still think my father is the worst. Maybe it's just because I got fed up and gave up…. But I decided that it's fine like this.

Ousaka Sougo: Why did you think so…?

Nikaidou Yamato: Why…? Hm… I wonder. Maybe because I became an adult?

Ousaka Sougo: An adult…

Nikaidou Yamato: No, maybe not… I still feel like a kid. Wasn’t I more mature and cool last year?

Ousaka Sougo: …..

Ousaka Sougo: I could confirm it using a picture from last year?

Nikaidou Yamato: No, no, I just said that because it fit the atmosphere. Don’t take it that seriously.

Ousaka Sougo: I’m not so sure about you being a child but… right now, Yamato-san, you look carefree and unburdened. Calm and collected like an adult.

Nikaidou Yamato: Ooh, not bad, is it?

Ousaka Sougo: …I think I want to become like you, Yamato-san.

Nikaidou Yamato: ….

Ousaka Sougo: It's probably selfish of me to say that without knowing your worries, Yamato-san, but…

Nikaidou Yamato: Haha… No, that makes me happy. Thank you.

Nikaidou Yamato: Hey, Sou. It’s interesting that although you want to be free, the song you’re making is about bonds.

Ousaka Sougo: Interesting…?

Nikaidou Yamato: Bonds tie you to something. Like a rope you use to tie cattle to a tree.

Nikaidou Yamato: Having your freedom taken away and restraining yourself, that's what bonds are. Freedom and bonds, they are polar opposites.

Ousaka Sougo: …That’s true, isn’t it.

Nikaidou Yamato: Even though we all love both bonds and our freedom, they’re the opposite. And yet we want them both. Living like that is hard. But that's modern society.

Nikaidou Yamato: I’ve already forged bonds with our manager, our members and the fans. I can't leave this place behind.

Nikaidou Yamato: I don’t know what to think about my pathetic father, but I can't leave behind my mother, either.

Nikaidou Yamato: I’m sure that compared to before, I’ve lost some of my freedom. And when you’re bad at accepting bonds, you end up being immobilized.

Nikaidou Yamato: But I wouldn’t say I’m unhappy right now. Sure, it can be painful, but sometimes that sort of restraint isn’t that bad.

Nikaidou Yamato: At least that’s how I think now.

Ousaka Sougo: Yamato-san…

Nikaidou Yamato: I hope you can forge bonds that let you enjoy even the restraint that comes with them.

Ousaka Sougo: …Thank you very much. I’ll seriously think about it… about the meaning of bonds.

Nikaidou Yamato: Ah, right. Speak properly with Tama about it, too. You’ll sing that song together, after all.

Nikaidou Yamato: How have things with Tama been lately?

Ousaka Sougo: We haven’t had any trouble at all. Our problems in the past almost seem like a lie now.

Ousaka Sougo: Lately, I was busy composing, so we couldn’t talk much, but… Tamaki-kun is always considerate.

Nikaidou Yamato: Tamaki, being considerate… he’s really grown up.

Ousaka Sougo: He’s always been kind.

Nikaidou Yamato: That’s true… It was just that he was a free spirit who wasn’t used to having bonds.

Nikaidou Yamato: It’s because Tama started treasuring his bonds, that he felt like he had to do something and started changing both for you, Sou, and for IDOLiSH7.

Nikaidou Yamato: Meanwhile, you’re looking for freedom. You’re opposites in that regard. It’s interesting and kind of typical for MEZZO’’.

Ousaka Sougo: ….That’s right, isn’t it….

Nikaidou Yamato: Sou?

Ousaka Sougo: Ah… No, I’m fine. I will try to talk to Tamaki-kun about it.

Nikaidou Yamato: Yeah, you should do that.

Ousaka Sougo: …Right now, Tamaki-kun treasures his bonds more than his freedom…

Ousaka Sougo: I’m happy Tamaki-kun is considerate. It’s comfortable, and I let myself rely on him, but…

Ousaka Sougo: He might have ended up holding himself back. For me, and for IDOLiSH7.

Ousaka Sougo: I was so obsessed with composing “Kizuna”, but really, I have to properly talk with Tamaki-kun.

~ to be continued ~

6.4.2. Don’t wake me up until morning

Takanashi Tsumugi: Tamaki-san going on hiatus…

Takanashi Tsumugi: What could have caused that…? Is he unhappy with his work right now…?

Oogami Banri: Rather than unhappy, he looked impatient to me. Like he was wondering whether it’s okay for him to stay as he is right now.

Oogami Banri: His partner Sougo-kun started composing, his peer Iori-kun started producing. Everyone has a clear vision of what they want to do.

Oogami Banri: In the middle of that, it’s like Tamaki-kun lost sight of what he wants to do.

Takanashi Tsumugi: ……

Oogami Banri: He said something like, “even though everyone is working hard, I’m the only one who’s being so carefree, that it makes me feel out of place”.

Oogami Banri: But it’s not like he is moping around. He wants to do something about it. Like “Is it alright to go on hiatus for the time being?”.

Takanashi Tsumugi: Is that how it was…

Oogami Banri: Until the Re:vale’s debut, I also thought about going overseas to study dancing.

Takanashi Tsumugi: Re:vale-san…

Oogami Banri: I thought they might have told him something, but that doesn’t seem to be the case…

Oogami Banri: He also said he had no complaints about his work as an idol, the agency, his friends or his fans, either.

Oogami Banri: It really seems to just be his worries about whether it’s alright to stay like this.

Takanashi Tsumugi: Has he told the others about this?

Oogami Banri: It seems like he hasn’t. He hasn’t spoken to Sougo-kun either… Though, he did say he talked to Iori-kun about it a bit.

Oogami Banri: At the start, during the interview with the president, he asked if he could go on hiatus immediately.

Oogami Banri: But as we talked, he ended up saying that he would think about it some more. That’s why we postponed the interview, too.

Oogami Banri: He didn’t like the idea of telling the president something in the heat of the moment, then getting stubborn and being unable to take it back…

Oogami Banri: He didn’t have the feeling that this would be the case, but just in case…

Takanashi Tsumugi: …Thank you very much… Then, right now, Tamaki-san has put that idea on hold…?

Oogami Banri: Right now, at least.

Takanashi Tsumugi: So that’s how it is………

Takanashi Tsumugi: ….I can’t believe I didn’t notice that Tamaki-san was worrying about this sort of thing….

Oogami Banri: I agree… I had thought that Tamaki-kun is the type of person whose true feelings are easily noticeable.

Oogami Banri: Hiding his feelings and smiling when he cares about someone like that. Isn’t there someone that reminds you of?

Takanashi Tsumugi: Do you mean Sougo-san…?

Oogami Banri: Correct.

Oogami Banri: I don’t know whether Tamaki-kun unconsciously became more like Sougo-kun, or whether they were always similar to begin with…

Oogami Banri: I thought the same about Sougo-kun’s song. There were a lot of shouts in the first song Sougo-kun composed, right?

Oogami Banri: But now it felt like Sougo-kun was very conscious of Tamaki-kun’s presence.

Oogami Banri: While trying to change themselves, they subconsciously took on each other’s traits. It’s probably because they respect each other.

Takanashi Tsumugi: …..

Takanashi Tsumugi: …..I feel like if Tamaki-san hasn’t told the other members about it, it’s probably hard to talk about for him, too.

Takanashi Tsumugi: Please be the person Tamaki-san can turn to for advice, so he doesn’t have to worry on his own.

Oogami Banri: Yes. That’s what I intend to do.

Takanashi Tsumugi: Thank you very much…

Takanashi Tsumugi: ……

Oogami Banri: I’m sorry, it’s not the type of talk you should be having on the way home. I didn’t want to exaggerate.

Takanashi Tsumugi: No, it’s fine…

Takanashi Tsumugi: It surprised me too, but I also feel like he would’ve consulted me first if I had just been more reliable…

Takanashi Tsumugi: Now you have more work, because I couldn’t do it… I am so sorry for inconveniencing you…

Oogami Banri: It’s not your fault, Tsumugi-san. It’s because I am MEZZO’’’s manager.

Oogami Banri: Tamaki-kun probably doesn’t want to see your and Sougo-kun’s sad faces, so that’s why he told me first.

Oogami Banri: I’m sure this isn’t about trust or whether you are reliable.

Takanashi Tsumugi: …Thank you very much…

Oogami Banri: Leave this matter to me for the time being. If anything happens, I’ll inform you.

Takanashi Tsumugi: …I understand. Please do.

Yotsuba Tamaki: ………

Ousaka Sougo: Aah… Welcome back, Tamaki-kun.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Oh. I’m back.

Ousaka Sougo: Did you go shopping? If you go to buy something after work it must’ve been something you really wanted.

Ousaka Sougo: Is it new King Pudding?

Yotsuba Tamaki: No. A book.

Ousaka Sougo: A book?

Yotsuba Tamaki: Yes.

Ousaka Sougo: What book?

Yotsuba Tamaki: Why are you asking?

Ousaka Sougo: ……Good question…

Yotsuba Tamaki: Ahaha! What’s up with you, Sou-chan? You’re acting like a stalker.

Ousaka Sougo: I’m sorry! I just thought it’s rare for you to buy a book, Tamaki-kun…

Yotsuba Tamaki: I totally get that! How’s it going with the song?

Ousaka Sougo: ….Not yet…

Yotsuba Tamaki: Well, I’m looking forward to it! Good luck!

Ousaka Sougo: Thank you…

Yotsuba Tamaki: Alright, bye.

Ousaka Sougo: Wait! Tamaki-kun!

Yotsuba Tamaki: …….

Ousaka Sougo: Bonds mean… not being free.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Ehh…

Ousaka Sougo: Tamaki-kun, you like to be free, right? But bonds are the exact opposite of that. So… what do you think about that?

Yotsuba Tamaki: Haha, what a weird question. Are you looking for songwriting ideas?

Ousaka Sougo: ….Yes….

Yotsuba Tamaki: So that’s it… I think one of these is better than the other.

Ousaka Sougo: Bonds?

Yotsuba Tamaki: Yeah. Even if I was free, I’d just be like a kite with a broken thread.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Getting caught by the wind and being blown away somewhere.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Looking at the other kites being flown by children and going, “Ah, wouldn’t that be nice”.

Ousaka Sougo: …..

Yotsuba Tamaki: Not having freedom is a luxury. Because you have a place to come back to.

Ousaka Sougo: Then I… I don’t have freedom anymore, either. My place is right here.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Hm?

Ousaka Sougo: It… It’s the truth.

Yotsuba Tamaki: I’m not doubting you. So? Did that help you with songwriting?

Ousaka Sougo: ……I don’t know….

Yotsuba Tamaki: …….uh huh…

Ousaka Sougo: I, I’m sorry…. But I will treasure your advice, Tamaki-kun. Thank you so much.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Alright. Well then, good luck.

Ousaka Sougo: ….Tamaki-kun.

Yotsuba Tamaki: What?

Ousaka Sougo: Do you think we have a bond?

Yotsuba Tamaki: ………..

Yotsuba Tamaki: …Don’t ask me that after all this time.

Yotsuba Tamaki: You decide! You’re the adult here!

Ousaka Sougo: Ta… Tamaki-kun…

Yotsuba Tamaki: …Ah… Damn it… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I suddenly got sleepy so I’ll go to bed now.

Ousaka Sougo: Eh? Ah… okay. Sorry, I also…

Yotsuba Tamaki: It’s fine, I’m sorry. Good night.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Don’t wake me up until morning.

Ousaka Sougo: ………

~ to be continued~

6.4.3. - Scenery

Yotsuba Tamaki: This sucks. I couldn’t help myself and snapped at Sou-chan…

Yotsuba Tamaki: …Aah, I have to find something soon. Just like Sou-chan found composing. Or like Aya found Kujou.

Yotsuba Tamaki: My “something” … There has to be “something” for me, too…

Yotsuba Tamaki: Why am I like this…? Just like my old man, I get frustrated and start to suddenly yell at people…

Yotsuba Tamaki: …Don’t forget me. Do you know how hard I tried up until now?

Yotsuba Tamaki: For you guys…

(ring ring)

Yotsuba Tamaki: …Phone…

Yotsuba Tamaki: It’s Tenten…

Passerby A: Hey, hey, did you watch “Backyard MAGIC” yesterday?

Passerby B: I did, I did! Seeing an idol documentary sure is interesting!

Passerby A: It’s super funny! My parents weren’t interested in idols up until now, but they became fans after they watched the show!

Passerby B: Mine too, mine too! My father even said he wants to go to a live with me!

Passerby A: It’s interesting when you realize there’s a gap between their true selves and their persona! Especially with TRIGGER!

Passerby B: I totally get that! Aren’t they surprisingly funny!?

Passerby C: Right~! I thought they’d be more serious!

Passerby B: There’s also ŹOOḼ! They really aren’t as scary as I thought!

Passerby A: They seem the most grown up! But I can sympathize with their shyness.

Passerby B: I heard Re:vale were secretly on bad terms, but don’t they get along super well?

Passerby A: No, that was definitely fake… They weren’t on a TV show or anything, but they still got along so well. They’re really going at it.

Passerby C: I think so, too. They were even doing each other’s nails, that’s way too much. They’ve got an eye on each other.

Passerby B: Do you think so…?

Passerby B: IDOLiSH7 was just like I imagined!

Passerby A: They really were as expected! Ah, but Mitsuki-kun was cooler than I thought he’d be!

Passerby C: Yeah, he was really cool! He was like a working adult in the middle of a meeting!

Passerby B: Right~! Yamato-san and Nagi-kun were surprisingly spoiled and cute!

Passerby A: And MEZZO’’ were being flirty as usual!

Passerby C: Right~! MEZZO’’ debuted first, after all, so they get along the best.

Passerby A: Iori-kun is being harsh with Riku-kun, isn’t he?

Passerby C: He really is. I want to see them get along well~. I did get hooked on their drama…

Passerby B: We’ll see more soon! I’m looking forward to next week‘s episode, too!

Show director: Good work today.

Isumi Haruka: Ah… A “BackMAGIC'' staff member. Good work today.

Show director: You were really cool during the shooting. You put a lot of heart into it.

Isumi Haruka: (munching) You think so? Thanks.

Show director: That looks delicious.

Isumi Haruka: Ahaha… A staff member gave it to me. Well, I took it. Chocolate daifuku*…

Show director: If it’s okay, can you answer questions while you’re eating?

Isumi Haruka: Questions? Sure. Ah, wait, let me swallow this… Or actually, I’ll eat up first.

Show director: You can take your time.

Isumi Haruka: Okay. (munching)

Show director: Isumi-san, in your perspective, what is an idol?

Isumi Haruka: Eh!? Isn’t… Isn’t that a heavy question to ask me while I’m eating daifuku…?

Show director: Ahaha. I’ll wait for you to finish eating, so take your time to think about it.

Isumi Haruka: Eeh….

Show director: Do you want me to ask again later?

Isumi Haruka: Eeeh…. wait a minute… Hmmm….

Show director: ……

Isumi Haruka: (munching)

Show director: …….

Isumi Haruka: I’m thinking about it properly after all. Can you come ask me about it later?

Show director: Sure, I will do that.

Isumi Haruka: Are you asking this to everyone?

Show director: Yes. That’s the plan.

Isumi Haruka: Huh. Looking forward to it.

Show director: We’re looking forward to it, too. Isumi-san, since we’re here already, do you have a word to say to the studio?

Isumi Haruka: A word!? To Mr. Shimooka-san and Izumi Mitsuki-san!?

Show director: As promotion for the drama…

Isumi Haruka: Okay, got it…

Isumi Haruka: Mr. Shimooka-san! Mitsuki-san! The final episode is almost here! Please watch the drama!!

Mr. Shimooka: He said we should watch the drama! How cute~!

Izumi Mitsuki: Right~! Even though he was so cool in the drama! Like when he was covered in bright red blood!

Mr. Shimooka: Mitsuki-kun, are you watching the dramas your group mates and the other groups star in?

Izumi Mitsuki: As long as I have time, I watch them! I used to record dramas and shows my group members were in, and then I’d watch them during the day.

Mr. Shimooka: Did you pull all-nighters?

Izumi Mitsuki: Yeah. I figured they’d want to hear my thoughts, since I wanted to hear theirs, too.

Izumi Mitsuki: We live in a dorm, right? So I often watch TV with the other members and when I turn my head, it’s like, “wow, it’s the real deal!”.

Mr. Shimooka: That’s the kind of experience you only get in a dorm, isn’t it?

Izumi Mitsuki: Exactly, exactly!

Izumi Mitsuki: Even though our leader is acting so realistically on TV, when I turn around at home, I can see him sitting there eating ramen with his glasses all fogged up.

Mr. Shimooka: Ahaha! That’s nice! Even though you’re idols, you lead normal lives!

Izumi Mitsuki: It was so much fun… Whenever one of us said they’d be on TV, we made a big deal out of it.

Izumi Mitsuki: When I watched TRIGGER’s and Re:vale’s commercials, my heart was pounding, like, “I’ve met these people in real life”….

Mr. Shimooka: When did it start to sink in?

Izumi Mitsuki: Eeh, that’s a difficult question… I still sometimes wonder if this is a dream.

Mr. Shimooka: From when would it be a dream? From the time of your debut already?

Izumi Mitsuki: That’s a good question… Maybe from the point where you gave me your position as the moderator of Black or White, Mr. Shimooka…

Mr. Shimooka: I didn’t do that though!

Izumi Mitsuki: Ahaha! It ended up being an actual dream! Well then, time for a commercial!

Staff: Okay! Move the set!

Mr. Shimooka: Phew… Good work. Mitsuki-san, how about going for a drink tonight?

Izumi Mitsuki: I’m sorry! I gotta get up early tomorrow…

Mr. Shimooka: Ah, you’re busy. You may be young, but you shouldn’t push yourself. Make sure to take care of your body.

Izumi Mitsuki: Thank you.

Mr. Shimooka: By the way, did you hear about the new plan for the show?

Izumi Mitsuki: A new plan…?

Mr. Shimooka: Yeah. I was told it is supposed to be a large scale, long term project.

Mr. Shimooka: They said the president of your agency is involved, too.

Izumi Mitsuki: Our president is…?

~ to be continued ~

6.4.4. Someone’s story

Takanashi Tsumugi: ……

Takanashi Tsumugi: Tamaki-san… I should probably observe this quietly for now. But…

(door opens)

Takanashi Otoharu: I’m back.

Takanashi Tsumugi: President…

Takanashi Tsumugi: President, are you working on something big right now?

Takanashi Tsumugi: Utsugi-san talked to me about it. Revamping Black or White…

Takanashi Otoharu: That’s true. I will be able to talk about it soon.

Takanashi Otoharu: Tsumugi-kun. If this project becomes reality, I might be able to finally make Musubi’s dream come true.

Takanashi Tsumugi: Musubi… my mother’s?

Takanashi Otoharu: Yes.

Takanashi Tsumugi: What kind of dream did mother have…?

Takanashi Otoharu: It’s the same as yours. It’s an interesting thing that you ended up having the same one. I guess it’s in the genes.

Takanashi Tsumugi: ….

Takanashi Otoharu: The greatest live.

Takanashi Otoharu: Creating the greatest live was Musubi’s lifelong dream.

Takanashi Tsumugi: My mother’s dream was to create the greatest live…

Takanashi Otoharu: Yes. I wanted to make it come true together with her, but we both didn’t know…

Takanashi Otoharu: What is the greatest live?

Takanashi Otoharu: It should be a performance where both idols and audience are happy, but what does everyone being happy really mean?

Takanashi Otoharu: You were involved in a lot of lives, too. Since you’ve seen it with your own eyes, I’m sure you know that lives are mysterious, almost like a living thing.

Takanashi Otoharu: The best stars, the best staff, a well-mannered audience who are used to going to lives. A clean and large venue with a good reputation.

Takanashi Otoharu: Even if everyone gathers peacefully, there might still be troublesome lives, or even boring ones.

Takanashi Otoharu: On the other hand, you have artists who just debuted and audiences who aren’t used to lives; a small number of people in an even smaller space…

Takanashi Otoharu: Sometimes, there are lives so dramatic that they make you unable to stop crying, too.

Takanashi Tsumugi: …I understand that… In every IDOLiSH7 performance, the atmosphere and feeling was different.

Takanashi Tsumugi: It’s still IDOLiSH7 doing the live every time, but sometimes I feel relaxed and able to enjoy it, sometimes I feel excited…

Takanashi Tsumugi: It’s like the summary stays the same even though you’re looking at different stories.

Takanashi Otoharu: Right. That’s the interesting part, isn’t it? As they meet more and more people and the zeitgeist changes, they show different sides of themselves.

Takanashi Otoharu: Idols and customers take the time out of their day to come to the same space to create a live…

Takanashi Otoharu: Of course, everyone would aim to create the greatest live.

Takanashi Otoharu: “I want my heart to be moved.”, “I want to see how someone’s heart is moved.”.

Takanashi Otoharu: When the feelings of many become one, when the mood at the venue reaches its climax, that’s when miracles happen on stage.

Takanashi Otoharu: You described it as a story, and that’s exactly it.

Takanashi Otoharu: Together with many other people, we are creating a story.

Takanashi Otoharu: If even one piece is missing, you’ll end up heading towards a different ending, before the story reaches its climax.

Takanashi Otoharu: By chaining many invisible miracles to each other, we can create a story that has never existed before.

Takanashi Otoharu: If the greatest live is like that, it’s more like a monster than a thing…

Takanashi Otoharu: How could a mere human, not a god, create something like that?

Takanashi Tsumugi: …Does that mean you ended up finding an answer, dad?

Takanashi Otoharu: No, not yet. But by working on this project, I feel like I am getting closer to the answer…

Takanashi Tsumugi: …What could this possibly be…?

Takanashi Otoharu: Right, I guess…

Takanashi Otoharu: …It’s like a festival of monsters?

Passerby A: Hey, hey! Isn’t that IDOLiSH7’s Yotsuba Tamaki over there!?

Passerby B: That’s definitely him!! He’s so tall! Hot…

Passerby A: Shh… Don’t cause a fuss! Eeeh, I’m so happy… But I wonder what he’s doing in a place like this?

Passerby B: Maybe he’s meeting someone? Like Sougo-san?

Passerby A: Eeh~! That’d be so cool! Wait, someone is approaching Tamaki-kun’s table…

Passerby B: That’s someone famous, that’s totally someone famous, isn’t it! ….Oh, I’m sorry!

Ousaka Sougo: No, it was my fault.

Passerby A: Eh….

Passerby B: Mhm….

Ousaka Sougo: …….

Passerby A: That person next to you… isn’t that Ousaka Sougo?

Passerby B: Stop addressing him so casually. What if it’s really him?

Passerby A: Just take a look at his face!

Passerby B: I can’t see it from this distance… Wait, why would Sougo-san be watching Tamaki-kun?

Passerby A: I don’t know… What if we asked him?

Passerby B: No way, we can’t just ask that…

Ousaka Sougo: Ah….

Passerby B: …..!

Yotsuba Tamaki: You’re late, Tenten.

Kujou Tenn: Sorry for keeping you waiting.

Passerby B: Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god… I know this voice. Oh my god.

Passerby B: And he called him Tenten, so if it’s that person, he said his name twice…

Ousaka Sougo: Kujou-san…

Passerby A: Look, Sougo-san said so, too…

Passerby B: So it is TRIGGER’s Kujou Tennl….

Kujou Tenn: We can’t talk here safely. Let’s move somewhere else.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Where to?

Kujou Tenn: Ryuu’s apartment. The other two are out right now.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Did they ditch you?

Kujou Tenn: They didn’t. Come on, let’s go.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Okay.

Passerby A: Ah… They left…

Passerby B: We got to see some amazing people! Sougo-san is…

Passerby A: Ah, Sougo-san also suddenly disappeared…

Ousaka Sougo: ….Tamaki-kun is angry about something…

Ousaka Sougo: But I don’t know the reason…

Ousaka Sougo: Why is it always like this…? This is exactly why he gets angry…

Ousaka Sougo: What could it be…? I thought I was doing well… What made him angry?

Ousaka Sougo: I’ll try looking back on the fights we had up until now. By looking at past situations, I should be able to figure out what is going on right now.

Ousaka Sougo: What happened until now… I gave Tamaki-kun’s pudding to Re:vale-san without permission. I didn’t tell him I met Aya-chan…

Ousaka Sougo: I got drunk and caused him trouble. I threatened Tamaki-kun with a knife because he wasn’t serious enough about making curry…

Ousaka Sougo: ……

Ousaka Sougo: What a bad partner I am…

Passerby C: Hey, hey, isn’t that Ousaka Sougo?

Passerby D: Sougo-kun wouldn’t stand around in a place like this just staring at his hands, would he?

Ousaka Sougo: Yesterday’s question was really rude of me, too. Asking him if we have a bond… Of course Tamaki-kun would get mad…

Ousaka Sougo: MEZZO’’’s…

Ousaka Sougo: ….bond…

Ousaka Sougo …exists!

Ousaka Sougo: It exists, right, Tamaki-kun?

Passerby E: Hey, hey, isn’t that person Ousaka Sougo?

Passerby F: Sougo-kun wouldn’t stand around in a place like this doing a prayer pose, would he?

Ousaka Sougo: I wish I had said that yesterday! I’ll apologize via Rabicha right now and tell him what I meant…

(ring ring)

Ousaka Sougo: Yes, Ousaka speaking here. I’m sorry, I am not done yet…

Ousaka Sougo: If it seems like the delay will get too much, you’ll choose from the existing MEZZO’’ songs…? …Yes… I understand.

Ousaka Sougo: Please just give me a little more time… Even if it’s just one night… Yes. …I am truly sorry for the trouble.

(hanging up)

Ousaka Sougo: ….What should I do, I’m out of time…

Ousaka Sougo: Even though I really want to make a song about the current MEZZO’’’s bonds…

~ to be continued ~

TL notes:

Phew! Mod Riku here. We made it through another chapter!

4.3.: Haruka-kun wants you to know that you need to listen to the eating noises in the game. He didn't want me to let you know he said that, though!

daifuku - small round mochi stuffed with sweet filling

#we've been getting a lot of kind messages and we wanted to say thanks for that!#i7 translation #idolish7 translations #idolish7 spoilers #idolish7 part 6 #idolish7 #mezzo #[main]

51 notes · View notes

xbadnews · 2 months

Text

MINI CHARACTER PLAYLIST

SHARE AT LEAST FIVE SONGS THAT REMIND YOU OF YOUR MUSE, OR THAT YOU ASSOCIATE WITH YOUR MUSE’S CHARACTER ARC. Including lyrics is optional.

i can hold a grudge like nobody's business - adam jensen

Living just to say goodbye Save me from my selfish pride Can you see the words written on my face?

okay so something i talk about quite a bit is that percy tends to live day to day. it's something he works on with time but it's not a linear process; he's someone who perceives himself as dead before the story started. he lives with the intent of dying, quickly, but not before these impossible string of events he thinks somehow, through his price, he & his friends can achieve. [ killing the briarwoods, r i p l e y , taking on the chroma conclave, stopping vecna ]

but while he feels he's destined for death [ or already dead ] he's b e g g i n g to be seen. i think it was @deathwalkerr that pointed out to me how badly percy wants to be feared, how badly he wants his innate danger to be acknowledged. his pride drives him to be impulsive, which mixes super dangerously with this inability to think about the future.

You got me actin' like the old me But you don't even know me

i like these lines mixed with the sentiment of him holding grudges because there is this bittersweet feeling that comes w him getting close w vox machina. they become the closest thing he has to family, they're the people he feels closest to alive with. but he feels unknown for a long, long time.

so while he starts to engage in more positive/fun things there's still this sentiment of ' you don't know who i was, you only know what i show you ' which kind of hangs over his head for a long time before he can trust himself entirely with vm. this being said, i definitely think keyleth is the first person to draw him out of this mentality. she's the first one to bring his walls down & see percy's fluctuating definition of ' self ' .

Can I get a witness? 'Cause I can hold a grudge like nobody's business Seein' double vision Show me what you got and I'll show what you're missing

this is the chorus!!! a huge part of why it's here. again, playing off of that desire to be seen as dangerous. to be seen as unpredictable. to be handled with the caution he does not have. yes! got a lot of positive traits. he tries to be good but good is not the priority. he's also petty, angry & often unafraid when he should be.

it's also sort of a sentiment of ' well you aren't seeing it so i'll Show You ' but that's a whole nother conversation.

2. arsonist's lullaby - hozier

so first of all before i get into specifics, i have to clarify that this is one of my favorite songs for percy. one of the themes of this blog i like to dig into is utilizing your demons, using the worst parts of yourself to do what you think is necessary.

When I was a child I heard voices Some would sing and Some would scream You soon find you have few choices I learned the voices died with me

this is a sentiment i love. sort of plays off of when percy met the raven queen & asked if he was always broken & she answered yes. there's always been a darkness within him, an urge that couldn't quite be satisfied. i have this headcanon that as a kid, percy was a secret thrill seeker. he'd climb whitestone walls & frame his siblings for pranks & get up to all sorts of trouble.

he rarely got caught because no one was ever looking at him, he's the backup of a backup & what he's doing was always secondary to whatever his older siblings were doing. so there's always been this wildness within him that's manifested in different ways, that he's used in different ways. as a kid, it was just to get a thrill. as an adult it's a stronger beast entirely, but it is the beast the forged his survival.

All you have is your fire And the place you need to reach Don't you ever Tame your demon But always keep 'em on a leash

this plays on that thought of ' that beast forged his survival '. it's like, even in his most desperate times he still had that wild will to live. that rabid, instinctual fire to live. has it burned through his life like a storm? yes!!! in so many places ashes is all that's left. but you can do so much with ash. you can make ink, bricks, compost.

it's this sentiment again of utilizing that fire within him regardless of the consequences because that fire is how he's survived. it's costed so much, but it's always been apart of him. it will never not be. it's just a matter of learning how to manage it in a way that he can still live a life. that he can build whatever fluctuating definition of the future he's trying to work towards, whether or not he's able to view himself as a part of that future.

When I was a man I thought it ended When I knew loves perfect ache But my peace has always depended On all the ashes in my way

again, it's that idea of ' you can do so much with ash ' & as he grows up, he does. he absolutely does. he doesn't put out his fire, but he learns how to manage it. it's like this shift between ' what it's done to him ' to ' what he can do with it'. he learns to love longterm, he cares longterm with time. it's not a linear journey by any means, but it's one he takes. but he still uses his fire to protect his home, his friends, his family. he keeps growing, but never forgets what exists within him. what he can use to make sure he never loses it again.

3. hi ren - ren

so i'm going to clarify before digging into this that i have a lot to say on this song. it is a song based in mental illness but i also have it on percy's playlist because it definitely feels like how i imagine percy's relationship w/ orthax is. but i also love it as a back & forth because one of the things i preach is that percy's healing journey is not linear. some days are harder than others & i feel like this song nails the battle within self.

And I've been making some progress lately And I've learnt some new coping skills So I haven't really needed you much, man I think we need to just step back and chill

there are a few chunks of this song talking about doing a little better, looking at the present in a different light than his usual perception. it's this idea of 'getting better' & trying to leave old habits, old pieces of yourself in the past. which as talked about previously, does not work for percy. he defines survival by the worst, most ferocious pieces of himself & orthax is one of those things.

And when I'm gone, maybe I'll be remembered For doing something special with myself That's why I don't think that we should talk, man 'Cause when you're with me, it never seems to help

again that feeling of ' i am doing better, i will do better ' which is part of like percy;s endgame. he wants to be remembered beyond the weapons he put into this world, he wants to be better than he was previously & thinks that he can be. knows that he can be, eventually. but there is this scar of orthax left in percy's mind that leads to moments like the next lyrics.

You think that you can amputate me? I am you, you are me, you are I, I am we We are one, split in two that makes one, so you see You got to kill you if you wanna kill me I'm not left over dinner, I'm not scraps on the side Oh, your music is thriving? Delusional guy

i like these lyrics because it makes me think not only of orthax targeting ripley as a conduit to get back at percy, but also like the thoughts left from getting rid of orthax. it's like this thought of even if he's gone, it doesn't change the darkness within percy. it doesn't change his capacity for violence. it's this feeling of ' i will never be free from this part of myself & it will always remind me '

Fuck you, I don't need you, I don't need to hear this 'Cause I'm fine by myself, I'ma genius And I will be great, and I will make waves And I'll shake up the whole world beneath us

but percy snaps back. he cultivates this faith in people via vox machina, which leads to faith in self that again is not a linear progression but it's one he treasures. he knows this nastiness is apart of him but it doesn't stop him from wanting to be better, from trying to be better. he has changed the world & wants to continue to do so despite this internal pull away from self-help.

When standing in-front of my solar eclipse My name it is stitched to your lips, so, you see

this is another bit talking about orthax/percy's darkness as being a part of him, regardless of the growth he goes through. it will always exist within him, whether or not he wants it there.

As I got older, I realised that there were no real winners And there were no real losers in physiological warfare But there were victims and there were students

this line specifically i feel like alludes to one of my headcanons abt him absorbing bits of the people around him, absorbing bits of ripley specifically when he was in captivity. just that thought of ' there are victims & there are students ' like percy learned how to survive via his suffering rather than allowing it to kill him.

It was never really a battle for me to win, it was an eternal dance And like a dance, the more rigid I became, the harder it got The more I cursed my clumsy footsteps, the more I struggled So I got older and I learned to relax And I learned to soften and that dance got easier It is this eternal dance that separates human beings From angels, from demons, from gods And I must not forget, we must not forget That we are human beings

this is just here because these lyrics shape how i view percy's state of mind. ' the more i cursed my clumsy footsteps, the more i struggle'. it plays off of the sentiment of the last song, that this darkness, that orthax will always be a part of him. what he's done will always be apart of him. his mental illness will always be apart of him. but it does not define him. it's not all he is. he has fucked up, he will continue to do so, but he will keep going. it really lends to the shift between ' i will die, i am dead ' to ' i want to live, life is too full to miss '

4. this too shall pass - danny schmidt

My friend makes rings She swirls and sings She's a mystic in the sense That she's still mystified by things But scared to ask How can nothing seem to last

these lyrics specifically make me think of how percy views keyleth. their relationship is one of my favorites & i think these lyrics really hit the nail on the head for his view of her. specifically ' She's a mystic in the sense that she's still mystified by things ' because he see's her learning journey firsthand & plays a part in it. but there is this anger within her that burns things up, just like the fire within him.

i also love this song in terms of he & keyleth's relationship because of the sentiments surrounding how temperamental life is. like it passes, quickly. percy's life will be the blink of an eye to keyleth, there will be a day when she forgets his voice, the wrinkles on his forehead, passing details that won't matter in a couple hundred years. does he think she will forget him? sometimes. but he knows in his heart she wont. but that doesn't make life any longer, existence any more permanent.

also i like these lyrics because it sort of sells this idea of the peace they work towards relentlessly being a temporary solution. their work together will one day be undone & all they can do is hope it will last the span of their lives.

So I pray to hands And I pray to needs And I pray to blades of grass To find forgiveness in the weeds

percy is faithless, he doesn't hold much trust in the gods. but he has faith in the people he loves. he believes in his family. so though he doesn't practice religion, love is the closest thing he's got. which is a hard pill to swallow for him when his instinct is anything but love, when the instinct that has driven him to survive for so long. but because of him practicing love ( to the best of his ability ) he tries to practice forgiveness. it's hard, relentlessly so, but he makes that active effort to work towards it. there will always be someone wretched, but he was wretched once too. does that mean he has to trust them??? absolutely not! but that doesn't mean he's going to condemn them either.

I just never did believe And so I never prayed myself Except to those that prayed for me

this plays off of that last idea, that the closest thing to religion he has is love. that the closest thing he has to faith is in people.

5. up the wolves - the mountain goats

There's bound to be a ghost at the back of your closet No matter where you live There'll all ways be a few things, maybe several things That you're gonna find really difficult to forgive

here's that theme of forgiveness/healing not being a linear journey. percy forgives the people who hurt him in theory. it's a means to move past what they did to him, to become more than what happened to him. but that doesn't mean it's an easy process. he decides to forgive ripley right before she kills him & there is a lot of emotional debris from this

also bonus song: i'm not angry anymore plays on this theme. [i'm not angry anymore, well sometimes i am.] it's like this feeling of wanting to be better, wanting to forgive but it's a whole process when that ability for danger & to take a grudge has defined so much of what he's accomplished up until this point. it defines a part of him that he begs to be feared, that he uses as a weapon in survival. but survival doesn't have to be a fight & in order to accept that, he has to let go of a few things. of alot of things. which is not easy, it's one of the hardest things he's ever done. including taking down a literal god. but man, is it worth it.

There's gonna come a day when you'll feel better You'll rise up free and easy on that day And float from branch to branch, lighter than the air Just when that day is coming, who can say? Who can say?

again, it's this feeling of forgiveness not being a linear journey. one day he will feel better, one day things will be better & eventually he is able to see that. but it's not an immediate effect. saying you forgive someone & actually forgiving them are two separate things & it takes a long time to do, but it's something that is eternally worth doing.

he accepts the parts of himself forged by the people who's hurt him, by the people he's hurt. he accepts that they will always be apart of him, but stops holding it against them if that makes sense??? it's a huge weight off of his shoulders, but it's not immediate. it takes time, but one day he does feel better. one day he gets to be better.

tagged by: @mindhallow [ thank you this is my favorite thing to do ] tagging: @delightfalse, @deathwalkerr, @spellwound, @countercharmd , @xavthew0rld , @whalefelled, @heartheaded, @lunarfey, @luxcruor, @chosenpower, @vchloras, @firefurious

#ooc.#hc.#dash games.#i did in fact get carried away with this #it is 4am i am Alive at Last

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