[SotP | October 2011]

[daretodo]

ME | 23 | This Thing Called Real Life | whatwedo

On the writing front, better than last month; I finally felt on top of things for the first time in a long while. On the everything else front, probably worse!

There's a very good chance (about 90%) that I'll be moving across the country before December 16th, which will mean both a change of time zone and probably a couple of weeks of extreme slow time during the move itself; I'm trying to make sure I have to do as little travel as possible, but there'll undoubtedly be a few days of complete radio silence on my part should the deal pull through. As such, I'm looking to get my ducks in a row for November and December within the next week or so.

For the sake of my sanity, I think I'm gonna need to withdraw from most of my Halloween plans unless we've spoken in the past couple of days and/or I was only needed for a cameo. (So, Batfamily's a go and Peter webbing people is a go, etc.) I need to focus on next month, and I just didn't give myself the time to do Halloween.

peter | jamie | bucky | matt | thor | charles | damian | future

PETER PARKER | 30 | The Amazing Spider-Man | daretodo

Good month for reaffirming a couple of existing relationships that had sort of fallen to the wayside. Not so good in terms of getting him out to meet other people. Unfortunately, I think that particular goal will have to wait for a while, because he's tied up in a fairly involved plot in November; barring an EP that I'll probably make close to the beginning of the month, I don't know if I'll be tagging him in anywhere.

Speaking of EPs, I was on fire with the big, silly joint EP I put up. I can't remember the last time I reached 200+ comments on a single post, and after suffering from a seemingly endless writer's block, it felt damn good to just stop over thinking every tag. I keep getting into this space where I feel like every tag has to be X-amount of words long, but, you know what? It doesn't. I'm not a wordy writer; I say what I need to say, and I move on. I can't do a hundred plus word tags each time, but I really have to work myself out of this thinking that if it's not long it's not good and that I'm careless if I don't write a novel, because it doesn't, and I was stressing myself out to the point of not being able to write at all. Sometimes I just need to write a quip; the thought process behind that quip? Unnecessary and indulgent. My writing style's not pretty or memorable -- I can't manage poetic prose without it turning purple, much as I wish I could for someone like Matt -- but it gets the job done, and I'd rather be able to write something than nothing.

It was also nice to just reaffirm that Peter's not always the most comfortable around the other super-types, particularly since they make up the majority of his connections on the island, which... Is not how he likes it, actually, and he's been a bit more reckless in his interactions with those guys, even if he's putting on a happy face for everyone else. His threads with Buffy and Claire were relatively calm and lighthearted, for example, and I like that contrast. He really needs more female company in his life, it's just hard to get him to open up to anyone these days. Then again, I suppose a broader circle of acquaintances would be better than what he has now, even if he wouldn't get close to anyone new for a while.

But back to that plot! It's been simmering... a while. Since around Mary Jane disappeared, actually, so May, I guess. Peter will be making a very foolish and reckless decision that will mark a fairly definitive end to Peter's denial period (which, guess what? Never ended). While I can't imagine not writing Peter in first-person anymore, I think his grieving process might have been better served with a more reliable narrator, if only because there's a lot of things I know that he won't admit to himself just yet. I've left bread crumbs here and there, mind you, but I do worry the development will seem a bit left-field for people who aren't in my head.

I will, for certain, require a thread with Wolverine afterward, which I'm mostly just reiterating to remind myself, since I've already spoken to Scott about it.

Developments: Beyond the aforementioned plot (Tony & Chase, Wolverine, and possibly Pepper, too, for some kind of lecture or show of concern?), I'd like to do the following at some point in the next two months:

☑ Someone finds Peter after he wakes up from a nightmare; I'd like to further establish Pete lying to loved (ha) ones and reaffirm that he's not sleeping well. Tony or Pepper probably makes the most sense.
☑ The Widow finding out his identity (?); it'd be an interesting mirror of what happened to Jessica, but, more importantly, a plot development that's separate from his usual circle and really only affects him, which, the more I think about it, the more I think could be beneficial to his development at the moment, though the timing would have to be hammered out and the circumstances... Fairly specific for him to own up to anything. Mostly just writing it down so I don't forget about this later. Will play by ear.
☑ He'll need to yell at Bones for endangering Jessica following the Lab Plot.
☑ Item! I was originally planning on giving Pete his item in November, but due to recent developments, I'll be pushing it back to December. It's not nearly as traumatizing as his previous items have been -- no graves -- but will nevertheless give me some plot to work with. It will probably be a one-shot, which is why I haven't really discussed it with anyone.
☑ He needs to move out of Casa Stark at some point. I'm thinking early December, because the architectural changes will make the transition easier to get back into his own place; it's been enough time and he doesn't want to be an imposition, even if he probably could stand to have someone look out for him now more than ever.

And okay, let's... Move on to someone else, now, I think I've written enough.

(MJ said, 'I love you,' in this week's Amazing Spider-Man and I cried like a sap. Light at the end of the tunnel that was One More Day, holy crap.)

JAMIE MADROX | 32 | X-Factor | howmanylives

I managed to vomit out his EP this month in under an hour, but I couldn't sustain the emotion through the threads, and I quickly stalled to a halt; I'd thrown around the idea of casting a Christmas show, but frankly, there just wasn't enough interest to make it worth the effort, and while I feel like there should be some kind of show for his acting class, I may just work on that for the next semester.

Right now, I really think that Jamie, more than anyone, could benefit from having a new canonmate around. Since I can't exactly operate on the assumption that I'll be getting more canonmates, however, particularly given that no one's expressed interest in X-Factor lately, I'm going to have to work out something. He and Layla have fallen into a fairly comfortable pattern, though he did absorb all of her knowledge during Powers Plot, but I'm working under the assumption that he hasn't processed it yet, because she has a lot of knowledge, and his memories are fractured as it is. At the moment, though, I find it's hard to get him to... stick. He's just not clicking and I feel like I missed an opportunity to do stuff with him during the carnival (like tagging Spike Spiegel, which I thought about doing, but then got weird stage fright) and Halloween.

I don't know; he's been in a lull for months, which, under other circumstances, would have me consider a drop, but I know I'd just reapp the bastard the right away, so there's no point. I don't want to let him go; I just want to be able to do something dynamic and interesting, which I keep saying. I just suck so hard at coming up with plots that actually require other people, though X-Factor's recent change in tone might be a good place to start. I've been kind of stuck in an 'I need a noir plot' mindframe, but that's probably not the right approach. Rinse, wash, repeat.

Developments: This is mostly just me thinking out loud, 'cause I've got nothin'.

☑ I've always thought it'd be fun if he did some detective work on the candidates running for Council and kind of... aired their dirty laundry, so to speak, but I'm relatively certain that that wouldn't go over very well, and I don't have the spoons to rock the boat right now.
☑ Sean and Meredith getting married might get him thinking more seriously about his dupe's proposal to Layla during home plot earlier in the year, so there's that, I guess, though they're finally covering the Jamie/Layla wedding in the comics, so I might just wait for that to get released before I make a decision.
☑ He needs to learn some new skills, but there's little offered at the school that he doesn't have some handle on already; him apprenticing with someone could be a good avenue to pursue.

And that's that.


BUCKY BARNES | 86 | Captain America | onlyapassenger

Man, I'm running out of steam, here. Uh, Bucky. Bucky has plot coming out of his ears. Steve's time loop will be posted on November 11th; it is still difficult to gauge how, exactly, Bucky's going to come out of this. At best guess, he's going to be so concerned with Steve that he's going to ignore his own issues with what happened for the foreseeable future. There was some discussion of Steve trying to get drunk afterwards and Bucky just drinking all his booze for him (since Steve can't get drunk), in which case, Steve would drop off an unconscious Bucky at Natalia's house, but that's not set in stone. The truth is, until this last thread with Steve is completed, Bucky's behaviour post-11/11 is a big ol' question mark; when I have more concrete information, the relevant parties (Mala [obviously], Sarah V, Laine) will be contacted. He might go looking for a fight at some point (Scott, if you ever wanted a bar brawl for Wolverine, man, I might just have the dude for you), but I'm not sure.

Adding to the question mark is the potential arrival of Bruce; it probably says something that I play the dude's son and I'm more concerned about Bucky's reaction to the Dark Knight than Damian's. Independent of how Jason reacts, Bucky's not going to like the guy. How he expresses this dislike, I will play by ear (and probably talk a lot with Di).

Peggy, however, will prove a pleasant surprise, even with the alternate universe thing, so I'm super looking forward to her arrival, probably more so for Steve and Natalia's sake than Bucky's, though I want to thread with her, too. She was easily one of the best parts of that movie, and I'm super psyched to see her interact with everyone.

Things I randomly enjoyed this month and just wanted to make note of: his interaction with Rory Williams. KAT, I want more of that, please, thank you for going along with Bucky punching the guy, that was great. Natasha, as always. I like that she can be his rock and that he can be as vulnerable as he'll let himself around her so, so much, and I anticipate he'll be leaning on her more in the next couple of months as he gets more and more agitated. (Also, that I can do schmoopy stuff like the carnival in the midst of all this; I'm so glad you and Mala were down for that bit of ridiculousness, especially since I love so much getting to play Bucky's lighter side, particularly with Steve, because stuff's getting so dark for them.) I like threads with more than two characters; it brings out different dynamics.

Developments: Another bit of thinking out loud, not gonna reiterate what I said above in regards to time loop stuff, because: unknown.

☑ I need to write a one-shot where Bucky scares the bejesus out of Damian, because I expect he'll be at his wit's end soon enough, and having some punk ass kid follow him is driving him batty; I liked the idea SarahV had of Jason finding Damian right after that.
☑ More stuff with Jessica; please note that Bucky is going though great pains to not be followed to these sessions out of respect for Jess' wishes, so the only person who knows he's doing this is, well, Jessica. He's also very good at sneaking around, so.
☑ I think I might throw together a gathering post for Cardio, just to get him some interaction before shit really hits the fan, but I'm not entirely sold on the idea yet. We'll see how much time I have.
☑ Confrontation with Bruce, I suppose? Fallout from that with Jason.
☑ Steve and Natasha keeping him on track.

And now it's time for...

MATT MURDOCK | 33 | Daredevil | hasnobullets

Ladies! This was just the month of the silly EP, apparently, at least for me; that said, I actually got some good, serious interaction out of that post, even if the premise was purposefully ridiculous. He could probably do for a few more male friends, honestly -- the opposite problem of Pete -- but for now, I'm enjoying his flirtations. I don't know if any of them will lead to a proper relationship, particularly since most of these ladies are casually involved with other people, it seems, and he's not the kind of guy who goes for friends with benefits. But even if there's no romance to come out of any of these, he's starting to get a bit more settled, which is nice.

I touched upon this elsewhere, that my own bias as a player against shipping is starting to affect my characterization -- and he would want a relationship, not a fling -- so my hands are a little tied, because I don't want to force anything, but I don't want to go into anything blind, either.

It also means it's time to shake shit up; I'm probably most disappointed to lose the Halloween plans for him. I don't know. I want so badly to do him justice, and I'm inclined to give the first reveal of his identity the weight it deserves? Which would mean a private thread with one person -- something unique and contained. Halloween presents a damn good opportunity, admittedly, but. I guess there is still four days in the month. I could get started on something and link it in November, I just don't have much in the way of ideas.

Developments: Nothing much, I don't think?

☑ He's concerned about Natasha, a little, which is in no way jealousy (it totally is, just a bit). He'll be saner than Bucky in the next couple of months for sure, though, and he is a good listener, so if Tasha ever needs an ear, SarahV, he's your dude.
☑ I'd like to deepen his friendships with Neil and Natalya and continue his flirtation with Lexie and Ellen. They're both very much his type in different ways, and I actually got weird happy bleed watching Grey's Anatomy tonight, so... make of that what you will. He's crushing. Or his equivalent of crushing, I guess.

And now for...


THOR ODINSON | 1000+ | Thor | havenoplans

Feeling a bit more solid with his voice, but I agree with what Anita said in her SotP, about needing a plan. I've been a bit directionless with him (barring his sweet Asgardian house -- there's a whole bit about Asgardian architecture being very different from Earth's on the DVD features, and I'm kinda rolling with that idea, so the finished product will be suitably large and impressive, and I hope I can find the reference picture I had again, because if not, I will just draw the place myself), but to an extent, I also feel that in itself is in character. His destiny's been ripped right out of his hands, so it makes sense that he'd stall a bit. It's just not how I like to operate, though, so I would like to start putting some things into motion, like my big island-wide plot that I want for the spring of next year. I've been disinclined to talk about it, because it's not entirely thought through, and I tend towards embarrassment when it comes to sharing my ideas; I should probably get out of that mindframe, though, otherwise nothing's going to get done.

Developments: Nothing concrete.

☑ Finishing the house, I suppose. It'll be habitable by the end of November, but probably not finished until after the New Year; I'm revising my initial timeline a bit, because Thor's gonna go big with this. He'll probably request help from the mortals~ soon for things like furniture and linens and all of that type of stuff.
☑ He will probably take Jane Foster to bed after some rollicking adventure in the snow in December; Loki, please don't be home at this time. Unless part of the shenanigans is cockblocking his brother -- that could be something fun, I have no idea. THOR'S USERNAME IS HAVENOPLANS, OKAY, I'M LIVING UP TO IT.
☑ More friends? He... doesn't really have friends, and this kinda makes me sad. Beyond his Thor canonmates, he's got Aphrodite, Billy, and Steve, basically. He could stand for a few more people, because he's easily the friendliest person I play.

And now for...

CHARLES XAVIER | 30 | X-Men: First Class | thebettermen

Xavier, my darling. What I said about Matt applies for Charles, as well -- my player bias against shipping being a bit of a hindrance -- though at least with him, he could just sleep with a woman and not want to kill himself the next morning. It's never going to be my focus, of course, but it's on my radar, because it is a part of his personality. He's a flirt. If you're pretty and over 21, he is probably interested in talking to you.

Developments: Most of this isn't new, but some of it is!

☑ He's working on his thesis to join the psych staff, and will have it completed by February. So close friends (Erik, Hank) will have heard about this by now.
☑ Lab Plot is going to serve as his impetus to get his shit together on the public service front; I'm gonna need threads with Tony Stark and probably Duck later in the month (for building crew stuff). I will send an email about this, because I'm not convinced anyone will make it this far into this post. Hank, as well, though a bit later.
☑ Erik's time loop, of course. We've only just started to thread it out, but that'll do a number on Charles' head by the time it's done.
☑ MORE X-MEN. Seriously, there are so many I haven't threaded with yet, and I'd really like to change that: Cable (I miss threading with Cable so much ;_;), Madelyne, WOLVERINE, all of those guys.

And now for...


DAMIAN WAYNE | 10 | Batman and Robin | aworthyone

I have... a very distinct feeling that Damian isn't a character that will draw a lot of repeat threads, so making friends for him will definitely prove interesting in the long run. Thus far, out of non-canonmates, he likes Layla Miller. Max is okay, too, though his connection to Jason worries Damian a bit. Regardless of whether or not he draws repeat threads, though, I totally enjoy playing the little troll.

So, naturally his whole world is about to get turned upside down within the next month, should Bruce be accepted.

Developments: ALL THE DEVELOPMENTS.

☑ Batfamily adventures! I will write up the start to that as soon as I am done with this monster of an SotP.
☑ BRUCE. I don't mind Damian playing second to Jason in terms of all the dramas, for the record; I'm not gonna get in the way of that, and can wait my turn, though Damian will be very proud to tell his father that he's the only one who hasn't screwed up by telling everyone who their family is. I'm... assuming Damian will be moving out of the place with Stephanie once Daddy Dearest is settled? Man, I haven't been on this side of a parent-child relationship since... Kate. It's been a while.
☑ Yeah, basically, Damian's gonna likely be tied up in Bruce drama next month. I'll probably still EP him, but not until I have a better sense of what's going on.

THE FUTURE | P6 | Marvel Comics

I currently have JENNIFER WALTERS on reserve, because I love her face. At this point, I don't think she's a real possibility until December, but she'd really be a nice balance to all the testosterone in my head. It's more of a slow-burn want than other characters I've apped recently, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I mean, Peter and Matt were slow-burn wants, too, so... I'm not without successful precedent. I'm making my way through her older canon at present -- John Byrne's run on Fantastic Four, ugh, SO GOOD -- at a fairly slow clip, but... Well, we'll see, I guess. Unless a teenage girl kicks her way into my head before the end of the year, it's likely a Shulkie I will app.

And I'm super excited to bump up the Marvel Ladies number, because Marvel Ladies are BAMFs, and I haven't played one in over a year.

Comments

[flareupwithlove.livejournal.com]

If he starts pinning bugs to white sheets of paper, Edmund will KNOW the island is fucking with him.

[whatwedo]

HA. I vote you work in, "Oh, bother, Damian," at some point. >_>