Didn't want to clog up another post's tags but I was reminded of Slay the Princess and how weirdly split the reader reactions to Shifting Mound and the end choice were.
Over here on tumblr I found most people like Shifty as do I. She is what you make of her, and she has every right to be cautious of a shadow monster with a knife coming at her while she is chained to a wall. Even when she fights back, if you are brave so many of those fights become ecstatic exchanges of blows and tests of ability and a joy. But especially on reddit I've found so many people truly despise her, expecting her to be some doe eyed helpless victim in order to spare the feelings of poor poor LQ who feels so bad for having to do this, like really, why can't she just see that and lay down and die so this is easier for him? Which I'm sure says nothing about any players.
Both of these characters are being forced to do something horrible and I think it's very important that the "other" is shaped as woman. Can you get out of your own damn misery and think of her as a person, see why she did what she did, how she felt, how YOU made her feel, what YOU did to her, put aside your justifications and look at the plain facts: You ran at her with a knife and she defended herself. No she wasn't cute and apologetic about it, but neither were you. Can you realize that both of you are the victims of a third force you should focus your hatred on? Can you put on your big boy pants and empathize with a woman who is not nice to you?
Similarly I was also baffled by how in some communities "killing Shifty and death=complete perfect good ending" was the unquestioned standard. I think all endings make sense from an rp and story standpoint, but I have such a hard time wrapping my head around "endless unchanging stagnation where not even death can free you" being the best choice. Now that I've read the Farthest Shore by LeGuin I feel even more strongly about that. There is no change. You can never improve. You'll never become better at the things you love. You'll never discover new things to love. You'll never repair relationships, build new ones, leave bad ones. You are stuck in ceaseless grey sludge forever and ever and ever and ever and you can't even change your mind about this choice. But I guess you never have to experience fear and loss so never experiencing joy is worth it? There is no change so you'll never have to try and grow, you are allowed to just sit in your room and be miserable eternally, at least you are "safe" from failure and heartbreak.
gamechangershow
germansingergirl
snowghoul
blakekathryn
turnnoffyourmind
dailybridgerton
kianamaiart
stormborns
