You know the darker the day, the more you shine

Identities have always been a strict topic for Marinette, because as guardian, she felt she alone had to ensure the safety of all the heroes who were entrusted with a miraculous, this included herself and Cat Noir

However, as much as Marinette had initially attempted to keep a strict hold on her rule on keeping identities a secret, there were eventually bound to be some who would learn who she and Cat Noir were. Marinette alone has always done what she could to keep others from learning she was Ladybug, however,  this was never foolproof as the unexpected was bound to happen. Out of all the people who came to learn about her identity, Marinette technically only ever told ONE person her secret, and that was Alya. 

Back in “Gang of Secrets”, when Alya confronted her about what was weighing on her, Marinette had to decide if she would continue keeping her secret or take a risk. Overwhelmed with her responsibilities as Ladybug and guardian, Marinette took a risk to tell Alya her secret identity, because out of everyone in Paris, it was Alya who broke Marinette’s fears over what could happen if Hawkmoth discovered someone knew her identity. Alya’s actions in “Gang of Secrets” and “Senti-bubbler”, left Marinette willing to entrust her secret, as well as a miraculous, to Alya, but most of all, it convinced Marinette to ease up on her rule to not entrust a miraculous to the people whose identities were exposed, and instead have faith her friends could protect themselves and trust they would not betray her in the same sense Chloe did, as they did not prioritize the power of the miraculous, but rather the help they could give to her and all of Paris, even without superpowers.

Now, as of season 5, including Alya, there are now 8 people who know Marinette is Ladybug, but unlike Alya, Marinette never told any of the others her secret identity, they all just found out on their own, one way or another. 

Luka was one of the rare few who learned both Ladybug and Cat Noir’s identities, but the only reason he found out both was because he was placed in the unique situation of fighting an akumatized villain with the power to potentially expose Ladybug and cat Noir’s identities. Wishmakers power transformed Ladybug and Cat Noir into physically becoming what they dreamed they wanted to be when they were kids. Normally the quantum masking magical effect of the miraculous would help confuse human minds to prevent people from connecting the obvious, so they wouldn't easily identify the heroes through appearance alone, but Wishmaker counteracted that magic by changing their entire appearance. Ladybug had hoped that by Viperion using his power of second chance, he could help them defeat Wishmaker before he got the chance to use his power on them. Unbeknownst to Ladybug, Luka felt no other choice but to lie about learning her and Cat Noir’s identities, until “Migration”, because just like Ladybug said in “Ephemeral”, if anyone knew either her or Cat Noir's identity, things could still be manageable, because at least there would still be one of them left to fight shadow moth if he took action to defeat just one of them, but if anyone knew both her and Cat Noir's identities, then it's over for everyone. Luka knew that if Shadow Moth caught him, everyone would be endangered, but he did not want to become a priority for the heroes to protect over everyone else in Paris, so he kept it a secret until he had no other choice but to tell Ladybug and all of his friends he knew.

(In "Migration", Luka reveals to his friends he knows both Ladybug and Cat Noir's identities, and must leave Paris for everyone's safety, including his own.)

Luka left Paris for his and everyone else's protection, but in the season 5 finale, it was revealed that he had come into contact with SuHan and had been under the tutelage of the guardians. Luka was taught to fight by Su Han, so if he also learned how to defend himself against the akumas the same way Su-han did in “Furious Fu”, Luka may be able to return to Paris regardless of Lila being the new butterfly holder, and unlike Su-Han and the other guardians, Luka has experience fighting against akumatized villains, allowing him to defend himself better so as to not leave Ladybug and Cat Noir to worry over his safety.

(London special, Alix reviews everything she knows about Marinette and Adrien's history as Ladybug and Cat Noir)

Aside from Luka, Alix is the only other person who currently knows both Ladybug and Cat Noir’s identities, but unlike Luka, Alix is the only person who can know any hero and villains identity at any given time, this was something that was inevitable because unlike the other heroes, Alix’s power over time left her the responsibility of ensuring the timeline stayed safe, her job meant she had to look over the history of everyone's lives to ensure everything was on track. Such knowledge would of course place her in a great deal of danger, but fortunately, she remains at a safe distance in the burrow, traveling through time. Ladybug never told Alix her identity, but she had no complaints over Alix knowing her personal secrets, along with anyone else's, because she knew it was just part of Alix’s duty as the bunny miraculous holder to one day know such secrets, secrets even she can't know, no matter how much she asks Alix. 

(Kagami learns Marinette is Ladybug)

Kagami was an interesting case. Marinette never told Kagami her secret identity, but in “Representation”, it was revealed that Kagami wound up being at the right place and time back in “Perfection”, when she overheard Marinette talk about her identity to Alya, at Anarka’s boat, during a moment of internal struggle over her love for Adrien. Even though Kagami was akumatized that same day she discovered Marinette’s identity and then later akumatized again in “Protection”, Kagami never told Monarch Marinette’s secret, Monarch never even sensed she was hiding such a secret like he did with Luke in “Migration”. Of course Kagami’s crisis over her friendship with Marinette was likely what kept her mind clouded enough to prevent Monarch from sensing she was hiding something from him, but at the same time, no matter the situation, Kagami could not help but feel a sense of loyalty to the friend who was always there for her, as both Marinette and Ladybug. 

Even after resolving those matters and being de-akumatized, Kagami did not reveal to Marinette she knew her secret, until “Representation”. Kagami is normally very upfront about things, but to know the biggest secret of Marinette’s life, was likely something Kagami felt she needed time to figure out how to tell Marinette. Kagami might have been in the dark about a lot of things about Marinette, but its interesting to see her shift from the one who knew the least, to the one who now knows everything, things Marinette couldn't even bring herself to tell Alya, like the truth about Gabriel's demise.

Felix didn't know Marinette was Ladybug until Kagami told him. Kagami telling Felix Ladybug's identity made sense seeing as he was willing to confide in her one of the biggest secrets in all of Paris, Monarch’s secret identity. Felix trusts Kagami with his secrets, but doing so meant more than it being just about trust, it was about him accepting that he needed help.

Felix put quite a target on his back when he blackmailed/bargained with Gabriel to give up the peacock miraculous back in “Strike back”, and although Felix refrained from using his powers to wipe Gabriel out of existence again (First time was in "Emotion"), Felix knew Gabriel still needed to be dealt with before he could bring further harm to him and everyone else in his life he wanted to protect, and who better to help than the one person Kagami knew wanted to stop Monarch more than anyone, Ladybug. So long as Felix prefers to rely on his own abilities, he has no interest in the powers an akuma can provide, allowing him to resist Monarch’s control, but we’ll see about Lila.

Su Han discovered Marinette’s identity with the help of a magical compass that located the miracle box. Marinette could not hide her identity from him, let alone lie to him, because the box was in her own house. Although Su-Han knows Ladybug’s identity, she had refrained from letting him know Cat Noir’s too. Su-Han may be capable of defending himself from the akumas and miraculous holders, but he has no real experience fighting against akumatized villains, leaving him vulnerable if it was ever revealed he knew both Ladybug and Cat Noir's identities, fortunately, he only ever visits Paris if it's necessary.

Marianne, Fu's wife, was someone who had a long history with Fu. Fu trusted Marianne with the knowledge about the existence of the miraculous and how he had the responsibility as the last guardian to protect the jewels that wielded such incredible power. Marinette didn’t need to tell Marianne her secret identity, it would have been easy enough for her to figure things out on her own.

Marianne knew that whoever wielded the miraculous, was in turn associated with Fu, so even after seeing Marinette in civilian form to reunite her with Fu at the end of “Miracle queen”, it would have been plainly obvious to her that Ladybug and the girl who escorted Fu after he lost his memories, were the same person. Marianne and Fu don't live in Paris anymore, so Marinette can feel assured they are at a safe distance from  the akumas.

Nathalie discovered Marinette was Ladybug, after Gabriel finished making his wish. In the London special, after Gabriel made his wish, Nathalie was originally planning to continue her efforts in stopping Gabriel the moment she returned to the secret basement under the Agreste mansion, but she instead discovered Marinette talking to Plagg and Tikki. Nathalie heard Marinette’s conversation with the kwamis and that just about confirmed Marinette as Ladybug, even before she transformed into Bug Noir. Nathalie didn’t end up learning Cat Noir was Adrien again, but now she faces an entirely new dilemma, hiding the truth from Adrien about Marinette’s secret life as Ladybug as well as the truth about Gabriel's death. Marinette might have had her doubts about Nathalie, but knowing just how much Nathalie has been there for Adrien was enough to make her feel willing to trust her. Nathalie was normally the one who was willing to be akumatized for the sake of a mission, but now that the butterfly miraculous is in the hands of Lila, Nathalie is now just another citizen trying to avoid being akumatized.

Those are the people who currently know Ladybug and Cat Noir’s identities, but let's not forget the people who knew temporarily. 

It's not the first time Nathalie knew one of the heroes' identities, in “Cat Blanc”, she saw Adrien transform into Cat Noir. However, this left her greatly conflicted about what she was doing, because she never set out to hurt Adrien. The shock of learning Adrien was Cat Noir alone made her make the mistake of telling Gabriel, who jumped at the opportunity to akumatize his own son for the chance at a quick victory. However, the events of Cat Blanc were never meant to happen and were quickly fixed by Ladybug and Bunnyx.

Lila was always hinted to be the future butterfly miraculous holder, and as soon as she got the butterfly miraculous, she wasted no time in using it to tract down Ladybug’s identity on her own. Fortunately for Lila, Marinette had no idea where the butterfly miraculous went, giving Lila the element of surprise. However, Lila knowing Marinette’s identity was something that was not meant to happen, her tampering with the timeline of events to uncover Ladybug’s identity only wound up alerting Bunnyx so she could do what was needed to help Ladybug prevent her from ever finding out Ladybug’s identity.

Gabriel had always aimed to uncover Ladybug and Cat Noir’s identities, and on several occasions, he did, even if it was only temporary. He discovered Cat Noir was Adrien in “Cat Blanc”, and both Ladybug and Cat Noir’s in “Ephemeral”. Although these moments were not meant to happen and were quickly reversed with Sass and Bunnyx’s help, as it turns out, Gabriel was at most meant to discover Ladybug’s identity without it completely destroying the entire timeline…it just had to be on the day he died. 

Fu of course knew both Ladybug and Cat Noir’s identity because he was the one who entrusted them with the miraculous. Unfortunately, in “Miracle Queen”, in a last desperate effort to protect the miracle box, the miraculous, the Kwami, Ladybug and Cat Noir, along with himself and Marianne, he wiped his memory clean. Without his memories, Hawkmoth had little to no use for Fu.

Adrien got the chance to figure out Ladybug’s identity in "Cat Blanc", but it was in “Ephemeral” that Ladybug chose to learn Adrien’s identity first and then later decide to reveal her own identity to him. In both episodes, the two learned each others identities, and each time they did, it led to disaster because of one crucial thing, Gabriel was still Monarch. The opportunity to obtain a quick victory had always outweighed any sense of logic Gabriel had, making him quick to use the control he had over Adrien to akumatize him and defeat Ladybug, but now that Gabriel is gone and the rings containing Adrien’s amok have been returned to him, who knows what's going to happen.

🌈 Iris concept

it's day three of Sangreste week and we have a free slot hurray

Since the sun and moon symbols are very important to the eminath community, I thought I'd draw something inspired by that (plus gabe as earth because it fits)

I present this:

This goes for other symptoms as well: although pain can definitely contribute to people’s experiences of these symptoms, fatigue and brain fog are actual migraine symptoms, not just pain symptoms.

There are a lot of people in video game fandoms who act like that gym rat.

Was it gatekeeping? Giving an interlocutor a basic test to see if he knew a main character as the price of admission for interrupting an ongoing conversation? Why, then, is "maybe play the game for yourself before you loudly pontificate on it to fans" considered gatekeeping?

You (general you) are able to casually consume media, which is absolutely fine and holds no moral weight either way. But the flip side of this is it also neither makes you an expert nor a fan.

I am not a Castlevania fan for watching a Curse of Darkness LP. The primary reason I want to play Curse of Darkness is because I know I'm missing something vital by not having the controller in my hands.

Moreover, video games get consumed in fragments this way, and I think games deserve better than to be consumed like you're watching Netflix in between scrolling on your phone.

The lack of tactile feedback means something will always be missing from your understanding of the game, since, as a medium, games hinge on their ludonarrative.

For as much as VNs are derided as "not real games," even the most straightforward kinetic visual novel relies on a form of interactivity when you press the start and exit buttons. Games are games for the same reason movies are movies and books are books: the medium is the message. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, interactivity forms a core part of their experience. To skip out on one half of that is to have an incomplete understanding of the work in question.

Imagine watching a movie with your back turned to the screen. Yes, you can hear the dialogue, even feel some vibrations. You might be able to get something out of the flickers coming from the projector booth, but your mental concept of the movie won't be complete without your participation as a movie-watcher. You'd miss out on the acting, the cinematography, the mise en scene, the specific design conceits that make a movie a movie, and not a comic book or a radio drama.

Video games aren't as respected as other forms of media. People tend to skip over chunks of game to reach the "good stuff," which they don't really do when watching football games or chess. Reality TV, maybe, or Netflix, but I thought everyone agreed that mindless binging does a disservice to the art.

It also becomes a problem when people act like their secondhand knowledge is equal, or even superior, to the knowledge of someone who has played the game. Like someone who watches football casually trying to coach a high school football player on their form.

You've consumed A Version of the media but have no direct experience with it. You don't know how it feels to play; you lack that immediate sense of immersion and might have missed those million small details that add up to a cumulative experience.

Even the most thorough LPs cannot possibly capture everything a game has to offer, because people skip over things that don't capture their personal interest, and LPs need to maintain a certain flow to entertain the viewer. When the player plays in private, they have more time to explore the parts of the game that interest them. In an LP, the LPer sets the pace.

To give you an example, no playthrough - ever - of Half-Life Episode One shows Alyx's nervous responses whenever you turn off your flashlight and walk away from her in a certain section of the chapter Lowlife. (Feel fairly confident in making this claim because I had to record it myself while holding the controller in one hand and a shitty old phone in the other. There was no footage of it otherwise.) This means Alyx is canonically nyctophobic, and has been since 2007.

However, because it's such a small, easily-missed Easter egg that occurs in only one area, most people can and do just barrel through. After all, why would you leave Alyx behind when the devs bend over backwards to make you not want to leave her behind? It's only something the player can discover on their own.

If someone watched LPs of the Half-Life games, they'd think Alyx's fear of the dark was a new character trait Valve invented as a gimmick for Half-Life Alyx.

The same goes for any game that relies on text as a storytelling tool. Codices are exited. Flavor text goes skimmed. Memos are unread. Cutscenes get skipped. It'd be like if you watched two opponents play chess, and the commentator fast-forwarded through a portion of the moves because the players were taking too long to think.

Games' varying levels of accessibility means you have to grade on a curve. Sometimes it's abandonware that can't be played easily. I don't think any reasonable person would hold it against you that you haven't played Prey 2006 on the 360 if it's not your thing. But this consideration runs a two-way street: it's disingenuous to then turn around and say the Bethesda sequel is better if you've never directly played the original to compare.

This ultimately is a problem of accessibility, where the solution ought to be preservation and boosting access to old games. Going "watching an LP is good enough" is pretty much slapping a Band-Aid on the wound. Plus, it feeds into the idea that games are not a medium worth preserving because they have a shelf life and can expire.

On the other hand, to harken back to my gym rat anecdote, some people come into video game fandoms treating the source material as a boring chore that can be swapped out for something else, like watching an animated adaptation. It's not the same thing, nor should it be considered the same thing. You wouldn't tell people that reading the TV Tropes page is a good substitute for watching a movie, but for some reason "just watch an LP" is treated like a sufficient substitute for Actually Playing the Game.

If you think depicting a character as a sex-averse asexual inherently infantilizes them, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as a nonpartnering asexual inherently infantilizes them, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as a black-stripe asexual inherently infantilizes them, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character who is any of those types of asexual inherently makes them inhuman, robotic, heartless, evil, monstrous, or a bad stereotype, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as sex-favorable means they can’t be asexual, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as partnering means they can’t be asexual, that’s aphobic,

If you think depicting a character as someone who has had or enjoyed sex means they can’t be asexual, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as someone who has experienced or does experience a little bit of sexual attraction means they can’t be asexual, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as a romance-repulsed aromantic inherently infantilizes them, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as a romance-averse aromantic inherently infantilizes them, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as a nonpartnering aromantic inherently infantilizes them, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as a green-stripe aromantic inherently infantilizes them, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character who is any of those types of aromantic inherently makes them inhuman, robotic, heartless, evil, monstrous, or a bad stereotype, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as romance-favorable means they can’t be aromantic, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as partnering means they can’t be aromantic, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as someone who has had or enjoyed a romantic relationship means they can’t be aromantic, that’s aphobic.

If you think depicting a character as someone who has experienced or does experience a little bit of romantic attraction means they can’t be aromantic, that’s aphobic.

Happy Sangreste Day to all who celebrate 👁️👁️

Day 3 of shitty meme/ship dynamic redraws for @sangresteweek >:)

happy new year -------------_--------------------