Why do you dislike dystopias?

There’s no real reason! I tend to like plenty of then nowadays; it’s more just that I will like a story despite its dystopian setting rather than seeking out a dystopian setting to read. I will definitely seek out other genres or time periods to read about, but some simply have less appeal to me for just personal taste reasons. I don’t really have a criticism of them: it’s just less my thing, generally.

Some thoughts on Yanderes. Most Yanderes are, in a certain way, very loving. They love deeply. Intensely. Overwhelmingly. It’s wonderful, except – almost by definition, a Yandere doesn’t understand how to love healthily. To see them try to learn is painful (because they’re gonna do Bad Things at first). BUT. It’s also heartwarming to see the Yandere who succeeds in their own precious, broken way. Maybe that’s what makes Yanderes so appealing.

Yeah. TBH, Palm Siberia is perhaps the best example of a yandere imo, in that she basically breaks down that trope and is a beautiful character with a great arc of her own. 

I strongly, strongly, strongly dislike the trope as it is often used, which is to say, it’s kind of like LOL look at the crazy lady. Because that absolutely reeks of  misogyny. For example, I still am very unhappy with how TG treated Mutsuki, who was born female (I actually haven’t seen anyone, no matter their feelings on the character or the story, thinking Mutsuki’s yandere arc was well done). Palm can at first seem like that kind of stereotype, but she is so much more than that. And I so far don’t really have complaints about how Himiko is written either: BNHA does not seem to be mocking Himiko, even if she is kind of a fun character, as she also gets some really lovely moments, like with Twice. I’d love to see her learn! We will see. 

Stray Phoenix Ch 12 “You Will Be Found”- Hamliet – Banana Fish (Anime & Manga) [Archive of Our Own]

Chapters: 12/12
Fandom: Banana Fish (Anime & Manga)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Ash Lynx/Okumura Eiji, Sing Soo-Ling & Lee Yut-Lung, Lee Yut-Lung & Shorter Wong
Characters: Lee Yut-Lung, Sing Soo-Ling, Shorter Wong, Ash Lynx, Okumura Eiji
Additional Tags: Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Redemption, Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, Alternate Universe – Canon Divergence
Summary:

Yut Lung grew up as a pawn in the Lee family. Determined to topple his brothers and grasp a new role for himself, he is accustomed to playing every person he knows. When he is warned about Golzine’s intentions to inject Shorter with Banana Fish, he chooses to free Shorter instead, and then finds himself in a new game, one he may not know the rules to.

Stray Phoenix Ch 12 “You Will Be Found”- Hamliet – Banana Fish (Anime & Manga) [Archive of Our Own]

Is there any evidence in the story that Pakunoda or Machi wouldn’t like torturing children. I don’t get that vibe from them but if someone asked me why I don’t have anything to answer except that I feel like it

Well, they presumably did take part in the Kurta massacre, and there isn’t any direct evidence for them not liking it (though I do think there is evidence). Chrollo is actually the one who directly states he doesn’t enjoy killing people… But Pakunoda and Machi–but especially Paku–are noted to have empathy as a defining characteristic. Machi may actually be less empathetic and more tsundere, but it’s obvious she cares very deeply for Chrollo and Pakunoda and all the PT members.

Because of that, and because they seem to be more directly associated with Chrollo’s people-based side (along with Nobunaga, and opposed to Feitan, Phinks, and Shalnark who are more obviously associated with Chrollo’s ideological side) I think it’s reasonable to assume they don’t like, torture kids for a relaxing Friday night. That being said they still. Did that. And haven’t been shown exhibiting remorse, either.

So yeah.  It’s a conundrum that many characters in the series exhibit: characters like Alluka, Killua, Gon, Kurapika are all capable of truly beautiful moments, but they’re also capable of some really bad shit too. That being said, the Phantom Troupe (and Chrollo especially) are particularly a negative shadow of Kurapika, so that’s again a warning of what he could become (but I doubt he will). Kurapika, after all, chose a strategic advantage over saving a child (Prince Momoze) in the recent chapters, which disgusted Oito. I’m not equating Kurapika and Chrollo–clearly Kurapika still has a moral high ground and far more sympathetic reasons–but it’s an increasingly small one and he needs a wake-up call soon.

Oh oops, I did forget to send it then. Anyway, I really love your writing style. I love how it’s concise but how it also communicates a lot of emotion and meaning. It really hits home! Related to that, you write angst so well, especially in Stray Phoenix. I’ve been reading your fics for months, but I could feel the conflict especially strongly in this one. The build-up left me clinging to my seat, but it was always worth it! I could probably go on for a while lol, but that’s the gist of it.

My inbox has been known to eat asks, so it may very well have eaten it! XD

But thank you!!! I try–emotions are usually my primary focus. I’m also glad you think I am writing the angst well. I was anxious about this fic (I usually am when I start writing for a new fandom) but I’m really glad it’s been working!

I am almost through writing a follow-up to Stray Pheonix as well, but it’s less plot and more feels haha. Not sure if I’ll add it on as a multichapter epilogue or set it as its own thing.

Hey! I’m not sure if you got my ask; I sent it last night, and it was about your fic (stray phoenix). If you didn’t I can just summarize it and send it again though (dw it’s basically me fanpersoning about it).

OMG no I didn’t get it!! Please do send again haha; like many writers, comments are like my life blood, whether positive or (constructively) critical. And thank you so much for reading it–I’ll be posting the last chapter within the next few hours! :’)