Certified Spielverderber

Hi! My name is Kasey. I go by she/her, I'm 21, and in univeristy, studying political science and public health on a pre-law track. I write fan fiction on AO3, and run @ask-ocean-ocr! I also enjoy theatre, singing, piano, studying, drawing, and games.

Cardio-telepathy, the right thing, and whether it was worth it. (9.4k words)

Rescued from the edge of the cliffhanger!!😆

As mentioned in the notes, outlining/planning has to resume for the next few weeks-ish.🥹 If it's not a bother on your dashboards, I'll do my best to post progress updates at reasonable intervals, and get back to chapters as quickly as possible!

Because I am a little insane, I spent my valuable time today making Pokémon teams for the St. Cassian Chamber Choir. I have some completely unnecessary thoughts, reasonings for certain picks, and headcanons below, if by some grace of god you'd like them!😆

21. If you're a fic writer and have written for this character, what's your favorite thing to do when you're writing for this character? What's something you don't like?

You guys are so sweet - YES, it is always alright!!😊 In fact I am the one thanking you for indulging me in my nonsense.

If you're a fic writer and have written for this character, what's your favorite thing to do when you're writing for this character? What's something you don't like?

Oh wowww. There are so many, this is such a fun one. I think the biggest thing I like to make a habit when writing Ocean is she is (1) a big fat liar, and (2) a walking contradiction.

I'm shamelessly quoting a message I sent to a friend while yapping about this: She thinks she's the best and she thinks she's the worst; she says she's right but deep down knows she's wrong; she sees what she wants to see but feels everything she doesn't want to feel; she thinks she understands the whole world but in reality she doesn't even know a thing about herself.

She is in such a deep, deep state of denial about many truths in her life, so she rarely states anything outright. That sounds kind of convoluted and pretentious, but what I mean is, I don't think she'd ever - in something like narration from her POV - state exactly what it is she's feeling and why, because she either has no idea or doesn't want to confront it. She doesn't acknowledge the consequences of most of her actions because again, she either doesn't understand or doesn't want to admit they were her fault. When she does, it's an important moment in her development.

This kind of answers the other part of the question: Something I don't like doing is being up-front or obvious when writing her. She's a complicated person, so none of what she thinks or feels should ever be simple. I don't know if I have ever written a sentence about her that said "Ocean feels [emotion]." on purpose. That would be too easy!! Not many people think that way, but especially not Ocean.

Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn't matter?

What a fun one!! Oh! Let's see...

Misha: Ricky the most for sure - I just think their senses of humor are surprisingly similar, and Misha treats Ricky the most like just A Guy. After that though, Penny > Constance. Penny and Misha have similar "wild sides," and Constance would bring out Misha's sensitive side. Deep chats.

Constance: If I'm not allowed to say Ocean, then Noel > Ricky. I think Noel and Constance would hype each other up a lot; nail-painting, gossip, rom-coms, but also, Noel kind of appreciates Constance and Constance encourages Noel to be himself. Constance and Ricky probably run in the same nerdy Internet circles and bond over that.

Ricky: If I'm not allowed to say Penny, then of course, Misha > Constance, for reasons mentioned above.

Noel: Penny > Constance > Ocean. Noel would respect Penny's...unhinged-ness, while also being sensitive to her rich inner world; Penny would see Noel for who he really is rather than who everyone else sees him as. They would make a lot of poor-taste jokes together. Constance for reasons mentioned above; and funnily enough, despite the animosity, I think Noel and Ocean genuinely get along in an opposites-attract way that they refuse to admit. They're in pain for different reasons and deep down, they respect that and help each other through it. I don't think they hang out much, but they're one of the first people they think to go to when they're in tragedy.

Of course!! I love these!😊

What is a color or colors that you think of when you think of this character, be it their canon color(s) or not?

On first instinct, I thought of green for money (lol). I also feel like that's how most of the fandom "colorizes" him off the bat, so it's most recognizable. But if I'm thinking about deep meaning and such, I think a nice golden yellow would suit him, because it makes me think of sunflowers, Ukraine's national flower; and a sun rising on a new day, or setting, like in the Talia projection sequence. Also something inherently hardy and hopeful about sunflowers, which is a trait I think Misha embodies.

And these questions for Ocean: 12. What's a headcanon you have for this character? 14. Assign a fashion aesthetic to this character.

And may I ask this one about both? 2. Favorite canon thing about this character? Sorry for asking so much!!

Oh my gosh, never be sorry! I love answering these SO much. In fact, I'M sorry for the degree of yapping ahead.😂😅

Constance:

Why do you like or dislike this character?

Oh my gosh. So so much. I thought her progression as a character was something I'd never seen before? So often characters who are suppressed, stepped on, deeply struggling, never get that redemption or development or get to blossom into their authentic selves like Constance does. I find her incredibly inspiring, unique, poignant, raw, honest, unabashed, resilient... Her monologue has me in shambles every time. I think she is what Ride the Cyclone is all about. Life is worth it! You are worth it! Also she's so freaking cute.

What was your first impression of this character, and how about now?

In the first few scenes of the show, I thought, "Oh, the shy pushover comedic relief character. Great." By the end of the show I was nearly in tears because, probably by design, I made a snap judgement about her, even though every single character in this show - and every single person in the world - contains an uncountable amount of stories and struggles inside of them. Now, she's one of the dearest characters ever to me!

Ocean:

What's a headcanon you have for this character?

Too many. I'll try to do a new one each time I'm asked this, so!: Though she tries to be different from her parents, some of their habits and beliefs have bled into her psyche; I think one of them would be, she is mistrustful of doctors/Western medicine, and has never been to an appointment unless the Blackwoods took her. As a result, she's just generally kind of unhealthy and has a bunch of physical problems she hides from everyone else, or thinks is totally normal and ignores.

Assign a fashion aesthetic to this character.

Oh, preppy/academia, 100%. Do I have to explain?

Both:

Favorite canon thing about this character?

For Ocean, I think it's absolutely hilarious she keeps that speech of why she's the best and deserves to be revived by a sentient novelty machine just, in her pocket, all of the time. Like yeah, that checks out.

For Constance, I love all the little bits and pieces we get of her life and all that she loves/d during her monologue, like watching her little brother dance naked to ABBA, sniffing jiffy markers, etc. It just makes her feel so...lived-in.

Of course!!!

Least favorite canon thing about this character?

That's hard. I think all of the perceived "negative" things about Ocean are necessary to make her into the more positive version of herself - even the ugly, prejudiced parts. That said, if it counts, I think we could've had more insight into what about her circumstances made her into who she is aside from "her parents are hippies," to make her attitude an iota more understandable, though not excusable.

What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

I have seen some fan content that treats Ocean's aversion to things such as sex or substance use as some kind of repressed desire that some member of the choir (honestly, usually Penny) or otherwise convinces her to overcome and indulge in. As someone with similar aversions, I always found it very uncomfortable and almost, invalidating? Like there's no way she could just...feel that way to feel that way, or because of the impact those things have had on her life.

Favorite picture of this character?

It's hard to choose a favorite, but this one of her doing the sprinkler during Seattle's It's Just a Ride has always made me laugh.

5. What's the first song that comes to mind when you think about them?

28. If you could have this character meet another in another media, who would you have them meet?

What's the first song that comes to mind when you think about them?

Oh my god. So many. But the first one that my brain produced was Oh No! by Marina and the Diamonds.

If you could have this character meet another in another media, who would you have them meet?

I think Ocean and Claire from Derry Girls would be a rampaging tsunami of anxiety if they were allowed to exist in the same universe.

Thank you so, so much for the ask!! Ohhh I'm excited.😆

4. If you could put this character in any other media, be it a book, a movie, anything, what would you put them in?

I had to think about this!! Okay, this may be HEAVILY biased in favor of my own selfish interests, but I think Constance would be such a cute Pokémon trainer. Maybe a gym leader, even. Aside from that, maybe a really fun and spunky Disney princess. I'm also biased because I think she's perfect.

7. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you like?

I love it when, post-Cyclone, Constance is depicted as sweet without being a pushover. Sugar Cloud was about her recognizing the worth of not only her life, but herself and her own feelings. I think it's possible to be kind, without letting yourself get stepped all over, and that to me sounds like what Constance might have been like, had she survived. I have read a few fantastic fics which really exemplify this! Also love it when she's not tremendously shy post-Accident, or has quirky interests, and isn't afraid to be herself. Again, that's what her whole song was about! Oh, a niche one: When people draw her with her hair down. I think her taking out her pigtails was very intentional; represented her being happy with "taking up more space." Some fantastic fan art I've seen which has this too.

🌞 Do you have a preferred time of day to write?

Ohhhh my god anon. I am so, SO sorry I forgot to answer this - it's been a hectic bundle of weeks. Please forgive me!!!! I hope it's okay I'm tackling it now!😅😭

What's a line, scene, or exchange you've written that made you laugh?

I usually get scared to write funnies, or admit I think something is funny, because humor is so subjective and if someone didn't laugh that's embarrassing for me.😂Buuut...though there are a couple of moments in JA (thinking about the gaydar/sonar debate between Noel and Ocean), weirdly enough this thing from Operation: Wedding still makes me giggle when I think about it. Don't ask me why!

“It’s not like they can start without us,” [Constance] points out, and Ocean looks up at her with big eyes, doubtful. “We’re, like, the main event. That’d be like, going to a concert without the headliner.” This time, she just looks confused. “Going to church and God doesn’t show up.” Now she gets it.

Do you have a preferred time of day to write?

Yes! I do the vast majority of my work at night. Usually I force myself to do Normal Productive Adult Things or schoolwork during the day, and then once it hits a certain time I'm allowed to work on my fun projects.

A strength test, a dart game, a hay ride, and a corn maze. (11.2k words)

Thank you all so so so so deeply for waiting; I am SO sorry life keeps shouldering into my way. Your kindness, patience, and readership keeps me going - I hope it was worth it!

🎶 Do you listen to music while you write? What song have you been playing on loop lately?

🧠 Pick a character, and I'll tell you my favorite headcanon for them. (ofc i'm gonna pick ocean :D)

Hello Gnome!! So sorry it took me a moment to get to these - finals + move-out = bad.😅

Do you listen to music while you write? What song have you been playing on loop lately?

I do not - music tends to distract me! I don't usually play things on loop either, I have to "save" my listens.😂 I guess I've been listening to Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis lately though, among many other things!

Pick a character, and I'll tell you my favorite headcanon for them. (Ocean)

I'm guessing the one where she becomes a personal injury lawyer doesn't count, because I think I yapped about that before! I have so freaking many, it's kind of hard to remember a favorite. Hmm... Slightly canon, but I think she uses a bunch of absolutely ridiculous minced oaths a lot, and you know it's serious when she indulges in the rare "crap" or "hell."

What's something that appears in your fics over and over and over again, even if you don't mean to?

What's a genre you struggle with as a writer (ex. romance, action, etc.)?

What's a story or scene you've created that you're a smidge embarrassed exists?

And good luck with finals by the way!!

Hello, Kiko!!☺️

What's something that appears in your fics over and over and over again, even if you don't mean to?

Ocean is ailed/incapacitated in some way -> denies being ailed/incapacitated -> this predictably backfires -> choir is there to help. I have a formula and at this point I'm owning it.

What's a genre you struggle with as a writer (ex. romance, action, etc.)?

I really struggle with intense angst and drama. I think it's really easy to make it feel dramatized and overblown - sadness for the sake of sadness - to the point where it fails to be genuine, so I spend a lot of time trying to somehow strike the right balance. I'll let you know when I do.😂

What's a story or scene you've created that you're a smidge embarrassed exists?

Once again, by far Strength of Will for obvious reasons, but I think my sickfics are mildly embarrassing too, maybe because of the formula they have to them. I have to remind myself I'm writing fan fiction - something free, that has no expectations attached to it, with room to be selfish - for a reason. It's okay to make stuff that's a little nonsensical or embarrassing, if it makes you happy - surely, it'll make at least ONE other person happy, too!