Collected essays from the relationship meta poll
I too suffer from Incurable Rambling Syndrome, and gave not one, not two, but THREE essays on Marly's relationship meta poll.
So, just in case anyone's feeling masochistic enough to read them, I've collected them under the cut.
Stan/Rosalyn: Okay, so Stan/Rosalyn is one of my OTP's, but I have two really different opinions of it in canon, and in camp. In canon, it's a lot less complicated, for one things, since the party is able to go about their mission without incident, defeat Beiloune, and when things calm down enough after the last boss fight, CLASSIFICATIONS ARE OVER WITH. And this is a big big thing. Without being Classified anymore, Stan and Rosalyn might actually have a shot at doing something about that whole "we have to hate each other because I'm a Hero and you're an Evil King even if we do have masses of subtext and witty banter that quite possibly acts as a cover for UST" issue. So, there's a good chance their brains will actually work, and while I don't think they're ever going to stop antagonising one another, I do think without Classifications they have a chance at something that isn't based around "I need this person to feel my career choice/existence is validated", which is how a relationship between the two of them would have been, while still under Classifications, at least on Ros's end. And that is not healthy AT ALL.
Which brings me to Stan/Ros in camp. Basically, the above scenario happened. Rosalyn cleaved to Stan because he was the one stable and familiar thing in an unstable place. Doll!Marlene was back, Ari was insisting he wasn't going home with them, and there are all these heroes around, and people who AREN'T ostracising her for her shadow, although that was actually good, but anyway, yes. She really centered her life on Stan at first, and it wasn't until she realised she could still be a Hero, and probably an even better one than she was at home, here in camp, that she began to stop needing Stan to justify her existence. The good part is, that was better for Ros, the bad part is, she really started having issues that can be summed up like so: "Hello, you're dating your arch-enemy, Rosalyn. And he hates when you do nice girlfriend things. And you hate doing nice girlfriend things for him, because he's your ARCH-ENEMY" and then they broke up. Over a misunderstanding. And then they got back together. And broke up again. Over a misunderstanding. And, while they've settled for being enemies who might end up making out against a wall before/during/after their fights, they haven't gotten back together since. However, Rosalyn hasn't stopped loving him, and will freely admit it. BUT, she doesn't want to date him ever again, at least not while they're in camp. She's not that self-destructive. Recently, she's realised they might still have a chance at an actual relationship again, but not while they, especially Stan, is still Classified. So, I think her outlook on this whole situation is a lot healthier than it ever was, and while I love Stan and Ros together as a couple, there are so many things that are dysfunctional and wrong with the relationship there are times when I really wish both of them could be hit over the head with a clue bat.
Rosalyn/Tayuya: This one came out of left field, just ask half the players I'm in regular contact with. I had no end of flailing over the developments that were taking place here, because I was expecting the odd makeout session and a rehash of Stan and Rosalyn's dynamic and got...a surprisingly stable, functional relationship. I didn't expect things to get as serious as they did, because Ros has Stan and Tayuya has the Four, and for either of them to get so close to someone besides their idiot man-tards and not treat said relationship as a bit on the side that isn't ever going to go anywhere is really an accomplishment for both girls. Every time they thread, I am continually amazed they've got such a healthy relationship, and it's due to Tayuya's support, friendship and genuine interest in Ros's self-betterment and wellbeing that Ros was able to break out of the rut she was in and go about Heroing and bringing justice to camp in the way she has. And it's because of Tayuya that she's never going to push herself so hard she burns out and her house ends up in Triste like Hopkins' did. They've dealt with large and serious issues with maturity and a determination to make sure this relationship works, and seven months on, I'm still floored by that. I honestly didn't think Rosalyn was capable of a healthy relationship, and while she might not have taken an interest in Tayuya for the right reasons (she initially reminded her of Stan A LOT, and in some ways, of Annie) I really do believe this is going to work out.
Rosalyn/Sound Four (by which I primarily mean Ros/the twins): This is the ship-that-will-never-happen-and-that-probably-means-it-will. Granted, that wound hinge on a lot of things that haven't happened and might not ever, but their relationship has been pretty hard to predict, so we've just given up trying, really. We expected all the yelling, arguing, "we've got to coexist and not kill each other for Tayuya's sake, but ONLY for her sake" and clash of worldviews; but the hair-pulling, general retardation and genuine affection they've come to have for one another was a surprise.
For Rosalyn, the twins, and the rest of the Four in general, are basically a repeat of the Fake Evil Kings she fought and befriended back home. Like how Beiloune turned the seven generally-peaceful demons into Evil Kings with his power, and they committed evil deeds because of his influence, she looks at the Four getting trained by Oro from a young age and being given their Curse Seals in the same way. It doesn't absolve them, but it doesn't mean they aren't redeemable, in her eyes. From the point that I apped Rosalyn from, after much resistance and hemming and hawing, she's become tolerant of the fact she has to travel with and fight alongside Former Evil Kings, she's accepted that while it might not be the most conventional thing for a Hero to do, Linda, Epros and the rest are her friends and allies. And after all, being around the Hero so much has to be good for them, as far as keeping them off the path of evil goes!
She's essentially followed the same pattern with the Four (excluding Tayuya, because she, at least, gets spared the lectures); putting up with them because she has no other option, then deciding to boss them around/Beautifully Correct them with her stunningly Heroic values and inherent goodness (did I mention Ros's ego rivals Stan's sometimes? Okay, most of the time), and eventually coming to accept them as her team, and even friends.
This is all well and good, save for the small matter of how the twins remind her of both Stan and Ari in a lot of way. Stan, because of the bickering and constant stream of insults, the gigantic egoes, the insufferably cocky attitudes that're likely to get them killed, and other likewise charming qualities. Ari, because of the whole mentor gig, (although, in the twins' case, it's so she has an excuse to teach them how to function in society marginally well enough that they don't get themselves killed as opposed to just teaching Ari how to fight so he doesn't get himself killed, or let Stan rape him lead him down the Path Of Evil) the unconditional acceptance of her non-Heroic qualities, seeing her when she's at her worst and not hating her for it; all the things she's not used to, that top her hard.
It is, however, important to mention the twins are even more stupid than Stan, and even less mature than Ari was when Rosalyn first met him (and then he becomes a buff and manly man with a higher attack stat than hers and she tries kissing him and my canon hurts me). AND THE BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MATURITY IMPROVES.
The sad thing is, apart from it hurting my brain and making me facepalm on a regular basis, this would likely be a very healthy relationship for everyone involved. There are massive amounts of unconditional trust and affection between them as it is. And given how serious Rosalyn is about Tayuya; it'd probably last just as long.
So, just in case anyone's feeling masochistic enough to read them, I've collected them under the cut.
Stan/Rosalyn: Okay, so Stan/Rosalyn is one of my OTP's, but I have two really different opinions of it in canon, and in camp. In canon, it's a lot less complicated, for one things, since the party is able to go about their mission without incident, defeat Beiloune, and when things calm down enough after the last boss fight, CLASSIFICATIONS ARE OVER WITH. And this is a big big thing. Without being Classified anymore, Stan and Rosalyn might actually have a shot at doing something about that whole "we have to hate each other because I'm a Hero and you're an Evil King even if we do have masses of subtext and witty banter that quite possibly acts as a cover for UST" issue. So, there's a good chance their brains will actually work, and while I don't think they're ever going to stop antagonising one another, I do think without Classifications they have a chance at something that isn't based around "I need this person to feel my career choice/existence is validated", which is how a relationship between the two of them would have been, while still under Classifications, at least on Ros's end. And that is not healthy AT ALL.
Which brings me to Stan/Ros in camp. Basically, the above scenario happened. Rosalyn cleaved to Stan because he was the one stable and familiar thing in an unstable place. Doll!Marlene was back, Ari was insisting he wasn't going home with them, and there are all these heroes around, and people who AREN'T ostracising her for her shadow, although that was actually good, but anyway, yes. She really centered her life on Stan at first, and it wasn't until she realised she could still be a Hero, and probably an even better one than she was at home, here in camp, that she began to stop needing Stan to justify her existence. The good part is, that was better for Ros, the bad part is, she really started having issues that can be summed up like so: "Hello, you're dating your arch-enemy, Rosalyn. And he hates when you do nice girlfriend things. And you hate doing nice girlfriend things for him, because he's your ARCH-ENEMY" and then they broke up. Over a misunderstanding. And then they got back together. And broke up again. Over a misunderstanding. And, while they've settled for being enemies who might end up making out against a wall before/during/after their fights, they haven't gotten back together since. However, Rosalyn hasn't stopped loving him, and will freely admit it. BUT, she doesn't want to date him ever again, at least not while they're in camp. She's not that self-destructive. Recently, she's realised they might still have a chance at an actual relationship again, but not while they, especially Stan, is still Classified. So, I think her outlook on this whole situation is a lot healthier than it ever was, and while I love Stan and Ros together as a couple, there are so many things that are dysfunctional and wrong with the relationship there are times when I really wish both of them could be hit over the head with a clue bat.
Rosalyn/Tayuya: This one came out of left field, just ask half the players I'm in regular contact with. I had no end of flailing over the developments that were taking place here, because I was expecting the odd makeout session and a rehash of Stan and Rosalyn's dynamic and got...a surprisingly stable, functional relationship. I didn't expect things to get as serious as they did, because Ros has Stan and Tayuya has the Four, and for either of them to get so close to someone besides their idiot man-tards and not treat said relationship as a bit on the side that isn't ever going to go anywhere is really an accomplishment for both girls. Every time they thread, I am continually amazed they've got such a healthy relationship, and it's due to Tayuya's support, friendship and genuine interest in Ros's self-betterment and wellbeing that Ros was able to break out of the rut she was in and go about Heroing and bringing justice to camp in the way she has. And it's because of Tayuya that she's never going to push herself so hard she burns out and her house ends up in Triste like Hopkins' did. They've dealt with large and serious issues with maturity and a determination to make sure this relationship works, and seven months on, I'm still floored by that. I honestly didn't think Rosalyn was capable of a healthy relationship, and while she might not have taken an interest in Tayuya for the right reasons (she initially reminded her of Stan A LOT, and in some ways, of Annie) I really do believe this is going to work out.
Rosalyn/Sound Four (by which I primarily mean Ros/the twins): This is the ship-that-will-never-happen-and-that-probably-means-it-will. Granted, that wound hinge on a lot of things that haven't happened and might not ever, but their relationship has been pretty hard to predict, so we've just given up trying, really. We expected all the yelling, arguing, "we've got to coexist and not kill each other for Tayuya's sake, but ONLY for her sake" and clash of worldviews; but the hair-pulling, general retardation and genuine affection they've come to have for one another was a surprise.
For Rosalyn, the twins, and the rest of the Four in general, are basically a repeat of the Fake Evil Kings she fought and befriended back home. Like how Beiloune turned the seven generally-peaceful demons into Evil Kings with his power, and they committed evil deeds because of his influence, she looks at the Four getting trained by Oro from a young age and being given their Curse Seals in the same way. It doesn't absolve them, but it doesn't mean they aren't redeemable, in her eyes. From the point that I apped Rosalyn from, after much resistance and hemming and hawing, she's become tolerant of the fact she has to travel with and fight alongside Former Evil Kings, she's accepted that while it might not be the most conventional thing for a Hero to do, Linda, Epros and the rest are her friends and allies. And after all, being around the Hero so much has to be good for them, as far as keeping them off the path of evil goes!
She's essentially followed the same pattern with the Four (excluding Tayuya, because she, at least, gets spared the lectures); putting up with them because she has no other option, then deciding to boss them around/Beautifully Correct them with her stunningly Heroic values and inherent goodness (did I mention Ros's ego rivals Stan's sometimes? Okay, most of the time), and eventually coming to accept them as her team, and even friends.
This is all well and good, save for the small matter of how the twins remind her of both Stan and Ari in a lot of way. Stan, because of the bickering and constant stream of insults, the gigantic egoes, the insufferably cocky attitudes that're likely to get them killed, and other likewise charming qualities. Ari, because of the whole mentor gig, (although, in the twins' case, it's so she has an excuse to teach them how to function in society marginally well enough that they don't get themselves killed as opposed to just teaching Ari how to fight so he doesn't get himself killed, or let Stan rape him lead him down the Path Of Evil) the unconditional acceptance of her non-Heroic qualities, seeing her when she's at her worst and not hating her for it; all the things she's not used to, that top her hard.
It is, however, important to mention the twins are even more stupid than Stan, and even less mature than Ari was when Rosalyn first met him (and then he becomes a buff and manly man with a higher attack stat than hers and she tries kissing him and my canon hurts me). AND THE BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MATURITY IMPROVES.
The sad thing is, apart from it hurting my brain and making me facepalm on a regular basis, this would likely be a very healthy relationship for everyone involved. There are massive amounts of unconditional trust and affection between them as it is. And given how serious Rosalyn is about Tayuya; it'd probably last just as long.