#body language analysis

It's something I kind of took for granted as being true before playing his quest, but after finishing it I realized there wasn't really any indication. The only thing I can really think of is his master's comments about him having a good body. Is there anything in his behavior you can think of that would lead to this conclusion if it wasn't a popular fan interpretation already/kind of just an easy conclusion to reach with a slave character?

(also kind of related but what do you think of the idea that he sleeps around/with his clients to make deals? he's obviously willing to sexualize himself with the boob window, but that doesn't necessarily mean he goes further.)

As far as I can tell, the idea that Aventurine was involved in sexual slavery comes from three (maybe four) places:

First, the comment from the master about Aventurine's appearance. People were holding this comment up as refutable proof that Aventurine was used in sexual slavery on top of being tossed into the Hunger Games; however, the response from other players on this interpretation, especially the Chinese side of the fandom, was very mixed, with a lot of people pointing out that the context in the game probably meant the slave master was talking about Aventurine's ability to attract attention from fans watching the literal Sigonian Hunger Games, rather than having a direct sexual-slavery connotation.

Second, the comment from Sparkle about stripping naked and getting on his knees for Sunday. This one has way more implication in English than I think it might for an Eastern audience, actually. In English, this pretty much sounds like Sparkle saying Aventurine trades sexual favors for success in his gambles. However, I suspect the original intention in Chinese was more about humiliation. Western audiences don't have as much history with honor-based prostration, i.e. accepting corporal humiliation as a form of reconciliation that Eastern audiences might be more familiar with. And in any case, Sparkle is Sparkle. She probably just went for the lowest blow she could think of here.

Third, the general assumption that if Sigonian slaves were being chained, branded, beaten, sent to death matches, etc., it seems logical that they would also be taken advantage of in other ways. I honestly think this is probably the fairest take--many, many real slaves around the world faced (and still face!) sexual abuse, so if slaves from Sigonia were treated so poorly you could make them fight to the death for entertainment, it stands to reason they were probably also not safe from other forms of assault. We also have no idea what happened to Kakavasha in any of the years between his being a tiny child fleeing the massacre and then being purchased as a slave as a late-teens-early-twenties person. That's a very long time for a child to have to survive on their own on an extremely hostile planet and not face risks of all kinds or end up needing to do unspeakable things to survive. So I think this is at least not that far-fetched, although it's important to say there's nothing in the game that directly confirms this.

And fourth: I read a tweet semi-recently that stated that one of the Chinese (or maybe it was Japanese) names for a quest Aventurine was involved in was actually a reference to a book about a teenage sexual assault survivor. However, when I tried to verify this myself, I couldn't find any quest Aventurine was in that was based on a book about sexual assault in either English, Chinese, or Japanese. It's possible I just missed something, but I'm taking this one with a bit of a grain of salt currently, since I can't confirm it personally.

Regarding your other question, about whether I think Aventurine sleeps around to make deals...

I definitely think he does not, for one major reason.

We're starting off strong with Brian's complete disinterest in Deb here.

She just walked in front of him, in her underwear, and unwrapped a condom under his gaze, and this is what he does: looking down (pretending to look at the glass in his hand).

Now, looking down can be interpreted as both a sign of avoidance and subdued emotions, in this specific situation.

He's not interested in her nor her body, and even less in the prospect of having to put up an act of loving boyfriend and perform a sexual act while his main worry is his baby brother and how he reacted to the blood room.

Even more so, when she literally straddles his lap, signaling that she's not reading the clear signs because — fans of Deb don't hate me — she's always centered onto herself and what she needs in the moment, namely getting laid, this man couldn't care less about performing tonight.

There's no clearer show of his lack of desire than this scene here.

Deb is pouring her whole body and soul into seducing her boyfriend and Brian is just... there.

Him keeping his eyes open during the kiss (have mercy on the pic, man was tryna talk and all, that's the best I could do) clearly means he's very much not lost in the moment but rather focused esewhere. On Dexter.

Onto the door scene:

Do you see how excited Brian is to see Dexter? How every inch of his face and body seems to be vibrating with contained energy like if he didn't focus on it he'd jump on Dexter? He even wavers after the first "Hey," becaus he expected Dexter to respond quicker and maybe a little more excitedly.

It's almost as if he's beating himself up mentally like "Too happy you idiot. No one is that happy to be at their girlfriend's brother's house."

All while Dexter seems to be wary of his presence, checking where Deb is, because Rudy without Deb around isn't an option in his mind.

Also, Brian's smile lighting up even further when Dexter moves aside to let him in tells just how much he wanted this.

Now, onto the kitchen scene:

Ignorign Brian's complaining of Debra for a moment, if we focus on Dexter we can see him sipping his beer while uncomfortably looking away from where Rudy is standing.

His is what I call a subconscious stalling. He tries to focus on the beer — even if just for a short amount of time — mostly to avoid having to look Rudy in the eyes in an uncomfortable and unplanned moment.

Brian, on the other hand, is

a. Doing a piss poor job at pretending he's never been in that kitchen before, because let's look at the reality of the situation: who in their right mind would store a meat knife — or any type of knife/cutlery — in kitchen cupboards/cabinets? Seriously, why was that man searching for a knife in the pots and pans' cupboard?

b. His very dedicated search for a knife can be read as a territorial move.

He's actively intruding in Dexter's space, rummaging through stuff, without waiting for permission of any sort. And Dexter's discomfort with it is clear.

It's almost as if he's claiming the space as his too, like a way to say "I belong here with you, deal with it."

Dexter puffing out air after he sits back down — including his sipping the beer once again — can be both a release of tension, or his body's way of regulating himself so that he can continue the interaction without revealing just how much Brian's presence is unwelcomed, and also a problem he didn't wanna deal with in the moment.

Brian points the knife at him with the excuse of "Anyway. The other half of the argument, was about you."

I see where people could be arguing his hands were full, and as humans we tend to point to things, especially when highlighting them with our voice.

Brian is also ambidextrous (if no one noticed not only was he shown using a mouse with his left hand, but he also seemingly committed suicide with the left and no one questioned it) which means he could've easily used the meat fork to point at him, but chose the knife. Why?

Subtle power imbalance show.

Brian is reminding Dexter not only who has the power between the two, steering the conversation where he wants — all while further claiming his spot at the kitchen — but also mutely telling Dexter "See how it all comes back to you in the end? You're the center of my world, problems and solutions alike."

Also, did you notice how when Dexter says "Tell her it's all your fault," he gestures down to the counter as if to ask Brian to put the knife — which he's conveninetly holding up, belly-high, while the meat fork is down by his side — down instead of pointing it at him?

And finally, once Brian realises the moment has been broken by his phone ringing, he still holds the knife almost all the way through the kitchen. Dexter, though, is undeterred, and instead puts himself in a vulnerable position, showing Brian he's not scared of him nor cares about what he's doing enough to look, rather preferring to stretch his body to open the front door, which results in Brian finally dropping the knife down onto the counter and getting out.

"Balcony" scene, Brian on the phone with Deb:

Brian glances back to the apartment twice, the first one while he's still exiting it, and the second while Deb is apologising with the "baby, I'm so sorry..."

This is another way of redirecting your body. In the previous analysis I pointed out the waist and feet directioning but, when the person you want to be with isn't in sight range — but still close by — the eyes is where it all falls back to.

He wants to be back inside with Dexter, not out with Deb.

It also can be read as Brian wanting to be done with the conversation as quickly as possible due to the fact that he considers Deb's call an interruption.

To him it looks like he's loosing control of the intimate space he was carefully crafting before. The domestic, family-like act that is cooking is often overlooked.

In extra, look how he seems to be coming up with random excuses on the spot just to shut her down. He couldn't care less. We all know this man is capable of great acting and improvisation skills, but when he doesn't care enough to do it, it shows.

It shows so much that he doesn't even bother keeping up the simple etiquette of saying "Goodbye" or any variation of it before closing down the call.

Dexter and Brian on the balcony:

You can see Brian choosing to lean in against the door frame — keeping his hand against it — closer to Dexter, and with a softer voice.

It's an intimate scene. It's Brian's way of saying "This is private, just between us."

All the actions he makes have a subtext of a seduction attempt — not in the sexual nature though.

It's psychological and emotional. It's Brian telling him "Tell me who you are. Show me your cracks. Tell me what you felt. I'm here. Closer than anyone ever dared to be. You can trust me. Open up. I'm here for you."

His "For real?" is one of the truest emotions he's shown to Dexter until now. He looks genuinely surprised that the blood room had the effect he intended it to have.

Then again, their choices on how to angle their torsos.

Dexter, as always, prefers a more defensive position, keeping to himself, looking away from Brian with his whole enitre body. He leans on the railing, arms crossed. He's not ready to let Brian in fully yet, and so, he self-protects and distances himself from the intrusion.

Him looking forward also gives both detachement and thinking freedom. By not looking at Brian he's able to think in peace without being read like an open book (which we all know Brian would be more than capable of).

Brian though, like always, prefers to leave his arms open — uncrossed, one at his side, the other on the railing — and his body pointing towards Dexter. His attention is undividedly focused on his dear baby brother.

The loose arm at his side can be interpreted as either him feeling relaxed in Dexter's presence, wanting Dexter to feel relaxed in his presence, or both.

The other hand stays on the railing, in a vain attempt to regain some closure. Not even a full minute ago they were less than 15 inches (40 cm) apart and now suddendly there's like one and a half feet (half a meter) of space between their bodies.

Brian telling the story of how "his" mother died:

He's looking down — maybe towards Dexter, but down nonetheless — while telling it. He barely blinks and seems to be actively relieving the memory.

He's physically shrinking in on himself, taking a defensive "posture".

He's exposing what for him is a painful story while also trying to shield himself from judgment and questions.

Lowered eyes signify honesty and submission in this scene, both of which Brian is actively showcasing in this moment.

You can clearly see that Dexter seems to be having his usual internal monologuing act right after he asks Brian how old he was when it happened, and yet, for the first time since the start of the show, we don't get the privilege to listen to it.

Instead, we're left to interpret Dexter as anyone and everyone else in his world does: from the silence.

He looks out to the water, which could be both contemplation and distraction. Likely the latter.

He's fully going through a heavy emotionally-charged moment, thanks to Brian's impact on it, and he's shielding himself away, no longer analysing everything like usual but simply experiencing it as it happens. It almost feels as if Dexter's Dark Passenger got muted in Brian's presence and this is the true, unfiltered Dexter we almost never get to see.

Then Brian breaks his thoughts with the "You're gonna have to face it eventually" as if telling him the classical "you can run but you can't hide", which clearly pisses off Mr-I-have-no-feelings.

In the end you can see just how much Dexter's total indifference means to Brian when he says "It's funny how life brings people together, huh?" and all his baby brother has to say is sighing while not dignifying him with a single look.

You can literally see the light go out of Brian's eyes, realising he's been shut off once again, despite his earlier almost-success.

There's not much to say about this scene imo, if yall want to jump in and give your own take I'd be glad to read it.

The only thing to point out is Brian's little smile after the "Seems like something you'd see with a chainsaw" as if he was proud of his work — which he most likely was.

And Dexter looking at him with an expression that was a mixture between "tf you're laughing at?" and "why didn't I think of that?"

Cute bonding moment here, which in context was likely intended in the show given Deb's jealousy.

It's funny how Michael decided to play this one out because from Christian/Brian I expected the happiness, kindness, and closure. But from Michael/Dexter? Not even remotely.

Dexter seemed so detached from Rudy just the night before and this is how he laughs and jokes with him the morning after? It feels like such a jump in behaviour...

This is the face of a man that is already considering murder as an option (later in the episode attempted in the parking lot).

The only thing worth saying about this scene — and the later attack on Batista — is that it sets in stone Brian's sociopathy.

When a psychopath killer thinks they're about to get caught they don't really panic much, but rather just go "alright. good to know."

When a sociopathic killer thinks they're about to get caught they panic and think of all the ways they can cover their traces, fix possible mistakes, avoid being caught at all cost — even when it means resolving to violence.

The poor face of a man that is thinking "fuck, now I'm going to have to kill her (Monique). I actually liked her (her prosthetic arm, my beloved acrotomophiliac with cheirophilia)".

Manipulation 101. Class taught by Brian Moser.

This is the scene where he looks the most genuine with Deb feelings-wise. Most likely because he knew that if he fucked it up he'd lose his only connection to Dexter.

Anyway, good ride until now, and I'm actually surprised I managed to put the entirety of episode 10 in one single post.

As always, have patience for ep 11 and 12, 2 of season 2 and Nebraska. They're coming. I just spent the whole afternoon on this one alone (for the record I started at 3PM and it's now 9PM).

Okay, I really wanted to analyze this brief moment.

When I first saw him falling and saw his friends running towards him, I was thinking "Catch him, catch him!"

They did not catch him. (To be fair though, after a few more rewatches I realized that he actually crashed WAY further away from them; he just skidded a long way. They probably wouldn't have been able to reach him in time, anyway.)

And then they're just standing there looking at him. He's quite literally unconscious on the ground. Again, when I first watched it, I thought, "Why aren't they checking on him? Why aren't they helping him up?"

Then it hit me.

These are Sonic's closest friends. They know him, better than anyone else. They know he doesn't like to be fussed over, or touched (especially when he's more vulnerable than normal) even if he did literally just almost die.

And with this knowledge in mind, I could suddenly see how very concerned they really were. Look at the tiny bits of body language they express in just this moment.

Amy covers her mouth and reaches towards him with both hands, but doesn't touch him.

Knuckles just stares at him, half-lidded eyes, and when Sonic starts stirring, he moves a hand towards him ever so slightly like he really wants to help him get up, but he doesn't.

Tails has less to analyze, since the impact literally knocked him backwards off his feet and he's just getting back up, but his concern earlier and the fact that he was the first one to start running says enough.

They love him. They know him. And they respect him.

They know he'll get up. They respect his boundaries, even when those boundaries are vastly different from the average person's boundaries.

And that knowledge that he'll be okay works out, just like they knew it would. Watch the change in their expressions and body language as he stand back up and smiles at them.

Knuckles straightens up and smiles, regaining a more normal expression for him. Amy lights up and holds up her hands excitedly. Tails gets just as excited.

And THEN Amy jumps to hug him, and high fives and fist bumps ensue.

I am definitely overthinking this, but-

Watching this behind the scenes video (contains spoilers) I noticed some things about Tom's facial expressions when he's at work but not performing for a camera vs. when he is performing for a camera.

Take a look at these first:

This is focused Tom. Focused on his work besides acting. He doesn't notice that he's being filmed or he doesn't care, in any way the camera is not important here.

He's clearly focused but to the general eye, his face actually looks more confused I'd say (take a look again at the first 3 pics for that). Which feels like looking 'naturally focused' on camera/in character doesn't come naturally to him and therefore demands much more acting than you'd maybe expect.

And then look at this screenshot:

Here he notices that there's a camera rolling (or he chooses to stop ignoring it) and breaks into a joke, specifically for the camera. So putting on a performance, so to say. (It's even more obvious when you watch the video.)

I don't even know where I'm going with this but the difference between on camera and off camera Tom is striking and it feels important. Also, I very much liked to see snippets of Tom not being focused on being filmed so I wanted to share my observations.

--

Gina, I just watched this full interview and read the body language analysis, and I have a question: Has Harry ever directly denied larry? I ask because I feel like Louis has always been the one to deny things from the start, while Harry seems to struggle with lying or addressing things directly without being totally honest.

Also, I think Harry's always been the most vulnerable of the five, which is why the other boys were more protective of him (I remember Liam mentioning he's seen Harry cry the most).

This pattern seems to have stayed with Harry post-1D too. He might have become a better liar, but most of the time, he doesn’t answer things directly, especially about his love life. And when he does, his answers are so vague, or his body language gives him away. I’d even say there are more written interviews where Harry talks about his love life than video or radio interviews.

The only time he tried was when that interviewer asked him if Two Ghosts was about Louis. And we all know what a mess that was.

He's really gotten very good at avoiding answering things he doesn't want to answer. It feels like there are certain things he doesn't mind lying about – like upcoming projects or where he goes on vacation or whatever. But he seems to avoid denying Larry or confirming his "girlfriends." The only time he did it was when he referred to "my ex-girlfriend" when talking about Cherry to Zane Lowe (and maybe I'm seeing things, but I swear he looked like he'd practiced that answer in the mirror 100 times before he said it).

I don't have the level of expertise on body language that I do on psychometrics, but I can recommend this article by an expert.

To sum up: body language is entirely dependent on context, so much so that it's impossible to know with certainty from a single conversation what any one person's gestures mean. If I ask my sister "How was dinner last night?" and she smiles big while throwing out both arms and exclaiming "it was great!", then I know dinner sucked. I know that because she isn't the type of person to use those behaviors, except occasionally in sarcasm. If I ask my dad "How was dinner last night?" and he smiles big while throwing out both arms and exclaiming "it was great!", then I know dinner was great. I know those because he is the type of person to use those behaviors in everyday life. If I ask a stranger about dinner and get that response, then it's probably safe to assume sincerity rather than sarcasm, but I don't have enough info to know. Celebrities, tiktokers, suspects, and other strangers just aren't informative enough to draw conclusions.