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dagas_isaWarnings for rantage and overuse of parentheticals. Examples are from FFX/FFX-2, but no spoilers.
I find that I have issues talking about, or otherwise making obvious my character likes and hates, especially where fanfiction is concerned. Oh yes, I have preferences. Give me a good Auron/Lulu, or Wakka/Rikku over an Auron/Rikku or Lulu/Wakka. I prefer writing for Kimahri than I do for Tidus and Yuna. And yes, I will make Tidus jokes (though it's VGR's fault for that). But while I have preferences, I try to present characters in the story as being relatively equal in virtue.
I believe that characters and the 'ships' between the characters are little niggling holes that I can slip into to identify and write and make things that feel true to me. And for the most part, my like or dislike of a character or pairing depends on how easily I can assume their skin, and see their world as they see it. And then, in that world, finding a hidden depth in the character.
Take Yuna. I never really liked her for the longest time. I don't relate to her, because she seemed too perfect to really dig into. Yet, I write for two characters: Kimahri and Yuri!Rikku (and to a lesser extent Het!Rikku) who love her dearly, despite her flaws. And when I write as them, I have to love Yuna, at least in the way that they love her, or else the story comes out as false. And so, I've slowly grown to like Yuna on my own, at least a little bit.
Personality wise, there's usually an aspect of a character I can identify with. Athletics and I have a mutual distaste for each other, but I can relate to the innocent way Wakka says hurtful things without quite realizing it. I will never be as calm and controlled, and speak her mind as Lulu, but part of me aspires to be her. I am about as far from Leblanc in my dress and manner as one can get, but something in Leblanc reminds me of my mother, who despite some head-butting on both our parts, is one of the most awesome moms ever. Tidus might embarass me on screen...
Okay, so there is a limit to how far I can take this. I have never really seen a way to identify with or appreciate Tidus except in the most etherial sense.
And the same thing goes for pairings (or threesomes). I have a few pairings I love, and a few others I like, and some I'm not sure I understand, and a few that I do understand, but don't really take interest in beyond telling![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
muusu sarcasticly "Oh yeah, like nothing is going on between them." Yet, for the most part I don't ship. I won't tell you that Rikku/Gippal, or Rikku/Wakka, or Rikku/Paine (and to some extent, I love all three ships for different reasons) is more correct than Rikku/Auron (although it's harder for me to understand the dynamics of that relationship than I can for the other three).
I just have to understand how a romantic relationship between them would work. How do characters deal with personality differences, lifestyle differences, or outside pressure? Could there be a happily ever after, or do I have to simply settle for a moment or two? Does it simply have to be a longing that will never be fulfilled? Will it be a fairy tale love, or a friendship on fire love, or because each one of the participants is what they need? Answer enough questions, I feel, and any relationship can be written plausibly.
And that perhaps, is why I cannot really get behind liking or hating any character or ship.
I find that I have issues talking about, or otherwise making obvious my character likes and hates, especially where fanfiction is concerned. Oh yes, I have preferences. Give me a good Auron/Lulu, or Wakka/Rikku over an Auron/Rikku or Lulu/Wakka. I prefer writing for Kimahri than I do for Tidus and Yuna. And yes, I will make Tidus jokes (though it's VGR's fault for that). But while I have preferences, I try to present characters in the story as being relatively equal in virtue.
I believe that characters and the 'ships' between the characters are little niggling holes that I can slip into to identify and write and make things that feel true to me. And for the most part, my like or dislike of a character or pairing depends on how easily I can assume their skin, and see their world as they see it. And then, in that world, finding a hidden depth in the character.
Take Yuna. I never really liked her for the longest time. I don't relate to her, because she seemed too perfect to really dig into. Yet, I write for two characters: Kimahri and Yuri!Rikku (and to a lesser extent Het!Rikku) who love her dearly, despite her flaws. And when I write as them, I have to love Yuna, at least in the way that they love her, or else the story comes out as false. And so, I've slowly grown to like Yuna on my own, at least a little bit.
Personality wise, there's usually an aspect of a character I can identify with. Athletics and I have a mutual distaste for each other, but I can relate to the innocent way Wakka says hurtful things without quite realizing it. I will never be as calm and controlled, and speak her mind as Lulu, but part of me aspires to be her. I am about as far from Leblanc in my dress and manner as one can get, but something in Leblanc reminds me of my mother, who despite some head-butting on both our parts, is one of the most awesome moms ever. Tidus might embarass me on screen...
Okay, so there is a limit to how far I can take this. I have never really seen a way to identify with or appreciate Tidus except in the most etherial sense.
And the same thing goes for pairings (or threesomes). I have a few pairings I love, and a few others I like, and some I'm not sure I understand, and a few that I do understand, but don't really take interest in beyond telling
muusu sarcasticly "Oh yeah, like nothing is going on between them." Yet, for the most part I don't ship. I won't tell you that Rikku/Gippal, or Rikku/Wakka, or Rikku/Paine (and to some extent, I love all three ships for different reasons) is more correct than Rikku/Auron (although it's harder for me to understand the dynamics of that relationship than I can for the other three).I just have to understand how a romantic relationship between them would work. How do characters deal with personality differences, lifestyle differences, or outside pressure? Could there be a happily ever after, or do I have to simply settle for a moment or two? Does it simply have to be a longing that will never be fulfilled? Will it be a fairy tale love, or a friendship on fire love, or because each one of the participants is what they need? Answer enough questions, I feel, and any relationship can be written plausibly.
And that perhaps, is why I cannot really get behind liking or hating any character or ship.
