Questions and Answers
I answer questions about my OCs. (Write something more… substantial)
I will try to avoid posting information that is only found here? I want the main story to not require looking at other pieces of work.
Question of the Day (2024)
- 1. How do they punish themselves when they make mistakes? (July 16, 2024)
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Gonna be mean to the three sibs. Do they need help with whatever brain bullshit they've been afflicted with? Better question is: who fucking doesn't HDJGKSJFKS
Alas, they’re stuck in a… figurative(?) cage and cannot leave Paulo, let alone seek help on their own- Burr - if it’s minor and related to work (e.g. missed a spot when cleaning), he’d lightly chastise himself but work to fix it — or go beyond if possible, to make up for his mistake. How he works as a servant is a reflection of Paulo (or however that phrase goes), and Burr can't have their Perfect Image tarnished by flawed workmanship. if only their sisters and the other crew would realize this……
- Ziri - brushes it off… unless her family is involved. Then, wallows in self-pity, usually veiled as “fuck, my parents would be so disappointed in me if they found out.” usually culminates in acting impulsively with other people… and crying onto their shoulders after [INSERT INDULGENT ACTIVITY OF CHOICE HERE]
- Dawn - beats herself up the most out of the three. doesn't help that she’s born with the ability to break shit easily. either dissociates, or (suicide ideation) starts thinking how much better off everyone would be if she didnt exist
- Paulo - they simply Don't. they think they’re above making mistakes, and will only act if someone important is involved. even then they would foist responsibility onto one of their staff/lash out at them behind close doors
- 2. If you could self insert yourself into your OC universe (AS A CHARACTER can't be some meta god thing or whatnot) what would you be? August 11, 2024
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The Paragon — ASSUMING I am actually able to be On that godforsaken ship, it's either
a) I fucking. get invited as a plus one. the passengers are invite-only, and they're all rich/powerful people Paulo wants to Bear Witness to the new direction they're taking their company
b) I work on that Damn ship. servant is probably the position I'm most likely to land. almost Certainly would be subject to workplace abuse But Hey at least there are other crew members that empathize and care DKJKGKJS - 3. Might be a loaded question: why are you writing your story? Are you trying to say something/explore themes that are important/interesting to you, or do you just wanna see and develop your ocs in different scenarios, or is it helping you explore something personal for yourself, all of the above or something entirely different? You don't have to go into detail if you don't want to but you can! August 14, 2024
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The Paragon was Originally meant to be a short thing on the side for me and my ex to work on — it gave me an opportunity to bring back characters I had since third grade And make new ones. and it also let me… go ham and do whatever I Want. it…… snowballed from there. ooooops
- I started doing more shit for myself — compared to the first story I had, where I, uh, sanitized my main group of OCs so they wouldn't come off as ~Problematique~ to former friends of mine
- Writing The Paragon inadvertently Might have Maybe made me realize shit about myself — good/bad/etc. e.g. was talking about Eli with my ex and I realize halfway through the conversation they Might have unchecked BPD DHDJKDKGKDS (I don't go As ham with assigning disorders to The Paragon mfs like I did in the past But they show… Symptoms)
- This is mostly a self-indulgent thing (I say while shoving away the need to Design The Motherfucking Ship/do Extensive Worldbuilding with my foot). I have… No clue if there are any Important messages I wanna say
- 4. What are your character's feelings about gender (either as a topic, their own, or their awareness of other people's lives n which they choose to identify)? What do they believe? How much do they think about it? How does that affect how they present themselves? How does it affect how they treat themselves/others in relation to their gender identity? August 30, 2024
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eli: frustrated as Hell they do not know What they are. nothing seems to stick, nothing Feels right. they don’t really give Themself the grace or whatever they give others about this kind of thing. tries to distract themself with theater so they don’t ruminate and get upset over not knowing Who they are
they present themself with…… This v. coping(???¿) by trying to arrest the room with this kind of fashion — different from how Paulo does things by dressing so garishly people have no Choice but to look at ‘em. they wouldn't be caught Dead wearing Just a shirt/tie Or Just a dress
slightly unrelated, but, while I may not be As willy nilly with assigning disorders/etc to my The Paragon cast compared to the other ocs I had before…… sorry dog i’m smacking you with bpd symptoms - 5. More of a meta one but: if someone were to write an analysis post for each of ur OCs, what would u hope they picked up on thematically? September 7, 2024
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I Cannot like, get Too in depth because I'll end up in Spoiler Land but
ggggeneral theme I would Like to get across for The Paragon is…… identity. As I'm writing and worldbuilding with my ex I realize, Oh Shit, I have one, Actual, consistent theme here????? genuinely surprised DKJFKJSL (this sort of spans the other stories I've got in mind But it's more prominent here with mfs like Eli)
I tend to get, like, Ogre Can't Comprehend Deeper Ideas In The Ulysses with explaining OC shit, but I Do have an example that is already not spoilers
vardan, eli, Possibly jet too… maybe more: bbbbe??? proactive??? in getting agency?? (← frankly Do Not Know How to word that properly). don't isolate yourself, especially if there are others who Are willing to support you
also general thing: wow people who choose themselves over showing compassion for others, especially if they're the ones in power, fucking suck huh - 6. What are your OCs favorite animals? What do they like the most about them? September 12, 2024
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vardan: Huge cat person. while he never Owned any pets, stray cats would hang around the family library. his parents let him play and take care of them, as long as they go near the dangerous (for cats) flowers in the garden, or go inside the library. he never Got the Stigma around cats, understanding that sometimes they just Need space and aren’t as… in your face I guess(?), when compared to dogs. he ended up mirroring a couple mannerisms for stimming: head bonks, chirping, purring… even hissing at his parents when he was really young (he’s… Extremely embarrassed by this incident). vardan only does this around people he’s comfortable with; he hasn’t stimmed like That ever since his imprisonment.
- 7. More about everyones worldbuilding, what are the most important locations (or just one if u only have the one) in ur story? Why did you choose those specific sets to tell your story/what made you gravitate towards that idea in the first place? You can be as broad or specific as you'd like. September 16, 2024
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me when I havent designed the Damn cruise that the story, which is about A Cruise, takes place
seeing this post on my dashboard. it is the reason I was able to bring back old as fuck ocs from third grade-middle school, and is why vardan, jet, and other mfs on the cruise exists https://bananonbinary.tumblr.com/post/188499257400
I think the setting was what had me gravitate towards the idea. that, and it gave me the opportunity to work on Different ocs, a Different story, with a Different person (my ex) after…. not great experiences which led to me shutting up about my ocs, before I met them. and them being Really chill and not judgmental allowed the both of us to fuck around with ideas I would’ve Worried about in the past - 8. What are your OCs opinions on spicy food? (Bonus: y’all can include sweet/sour food too, just any food with a specific Flavor) September 24, 2024
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- kalama: LOVES spicy food — it’s her favorite thing to cook for herself. she has a relatively high spice tolerance and balks at things that aren’t actually as spicy as advertised (e.g. fast food chains that sell Ghost Pepper flavored things but don’t actually taste like they have it)
- syn: (first time talking about him… tfw huge named cast) eats spicy things for masochistic purposes. compared to audra, the musician he’s managing, syn’s spice tolerance is… low. he thinks taco bell sauce is too spicy. but that isn’t stopping him from downing Really spicy things (think those samyang buldak noodles) at 3am
- 9. Your OCs are tasked to make a group cocktail where each character chooses on ingredient to put in there. What would each character put and how will the concotion turn out? (Bonus if you make the characters actually try it/share how they'd react to the mixture) October 21, 2024
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from my ex:
- eli: something sentimental - aged red wine they had to celebrate the success of their first major role
- misty would probably like… put in a fruit flavored sparkling water? or soda
- kalama doesn't trust the other motherfuckers in the group to put good shit. one would think she'd add something fruity, but she pours water in an attempt to dilute whatever is inside
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all three hamad sibs? depends on how their work shift went.
Burr: (good day) mead (bad day) a few Glugs of everclear
Ziri: (good day) cider (bad day) whole bottle of whiskey
Dawn: (good day) non-alcoholic pina colada (bad day) half a bottle of marshmallow flavored vodka - syn: some cheap beer. kinda hoping the others add more expensive shit so he can piggy back off of that
- tab: VERY fucking concerned about what everyone else is putting, especially skye. does Not trust that guy. and Ziri too if it's had a really shitty day. adds a Bit of blue curaçao syrup
- ara: the type to actually confuse champagne with some other wine but flex that they know the difference. does not shut the hell up flexing their (misplaced knowledge)
- aidan: monster, or some other energy drink
- riley: mint-flavored liqueur. yummy Mint
- nur: a Quick Splash of flavored vodka, like smirnoff (probably cinnamon flavored)
- sable: half a small container of lime juice (my ex also said for her, she puts a rare part of an animal that causes drunken hallucinogenic feelings)
- kailani: rum. how much xe adds depends on how much Paulo has pissed xem off that day
- sol: trusts that cody won't add something awful. a splash of white rum
- cody: Like, coconut water dude
- skye: he is the last one to add something. it's milk.
audra puts in pixie stix
corvo putting meat/formaldehyde - 10. What are your OCs relationship to art? (Art ranging from the visual arts, to written works, to music, to more abstract representations/performances.) What art do they enjoy looking at or creating, if any? If your OCs don’t have any strong feelings about art, why? November 8, 2024
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Ara: (fine arts, painting/mixed media)
- it’s their living/passion
- taking advantage of students that are a part of their atelier. takes credit for art (did the same w/ ex-wife)
- avoids family related pieces of art or art that calls them out/brings their flaws to light
- INTRINSIC TO WHO HE IS → cannot do magic without art (trauma related)
- wants to do more art, but is stifled by being stuck in ara’s atelier :^(
- resonates with tragic, heartwrenching — or generally emotional — pieces the most
- 11. How much do y'all think about race when designing human (or nonhuman) characters? Is it something you actively think about when you create characters, writing (back or in) stories? December 19, 2024
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Compared to the first story I made in like… Middle/high school, I think I'm more… Conscious? Think more? On race when it comes to characters Now. Not just in a "oh why not have POC in a fantasy setting. I want more of that" thing, also like… Trying to be conscious of… Certain Implications?
Admittedly some of it is Worries that I will do a Caricature
With the gods… I Don't really have plans to make gijinkas — I don't want to honestly. The gods are furries. Deal With It — but… It might be obvious? Probably?? What they might be… What with names like, Pamaragul/Danum/Aldo/Bulan/Kamatayan/etc, and the attire they wear. And also the shit that happens to the planet they collaborated on that is… I suppose it could be akin to how Christianity is used to erase other cultures
I guess it'd be considered Strange to like… Assign human characters races when the planet they're on is Not Straight up earth. But my justification is it's My Thing and I want to see more POC that aren't written as stereotypes or fall into the "POC Dies First" type of tropes goddammit KJDKJFDJKLJLSK
Question of the Day (2025)
- Eli: Doesn't even remember what their original face looks like. They notice their eyes first — then a stray hair. And their chin, and cheeks look off — time to fix Those… They use their talent so much, morphing their image, but they've never been Fully satisfied. Even with their current look — it Is them, but at the same time, they have this nagging feeling, like… It's not 100% Them. Like there's something that would better fit, but they haven't a clue what it is, and it frustrates them to no end
- Ziri: Dislikes her face — IMMEDIATELY looks at "imperfections". Being born with, in essence, superhuman vision, she is more keen to notice flaws and other bothersome things. Adding living under Paulo's roof for over a decade (YAY being subjected to some loser CEO's fixation on perfection :weep: )… Appreciates Eli (envies him, really), since… Their face is perfectly molded to their liking.
Gonna keep it vague. The buildup to the horror, the Sacrilege… how the crime scene bastardizes a place of worship and something innocent like a halloween party And birthday party… and how fucking visceral and disgusting it describes the scene. Even the little anecdote, though it may seem out of place, it Adds to that gross feeling
It’s very cruel, brutal, and disgusting
…… And I realize I Maybe lean into that as me and my ex are writing for The Paragon SBSNFNDJGKDNVKDSJ
- Aidan: Accepting Ara’s offer to join their atelier. Never work for your heroes WORST mistake of his life
- Vardan: Not running away/fighting back the day his family was captured
- Paulo: They regret nothing. Perfection incarnate harbors no regrets
that being said……
- Romance: depends on who you focus on, I Guess ? It would probably only have the first two days of the cruise emphasized. Second night onwards would likely glean over the horrific shit. Majority of the relationships will end in tragedy though haha
- Honestly I don't think vardan would have a Huge focus — his jailer would Not let him roam Free
Actual answer: I think it would diminish many horrific aspects of the cruise by having it all Offstage. “Cozy” would not work. It would focus on what’s causing the cruise to spiral into chaos, and plot armor… [INSERT CHARACTER OF CHOICE HERE] would need… heavy plot armor if they were to try Talking to people to get clues in a civil manner — you're stuck on a ship with rich powerful people who are self serving, conservative assholes
Thinking about how [REDACTED] falls into disarray. because, who knew, being surrounded by rich, greedy, self-serving, conservative assholes will spell trouble :toricheese:
Certainly doesn't help when [REDACTED] brushes off the One who idolizes [REDACTED]
Also cage imagery/cages as a theme — okay This I think won't have to worry about spoilers
If they ever feel compelled to get something, they’d have to disguise themself so no one catches them (paparazzi and also to avoid anyone working for a certain socialite). Street food vendors lately are harder to come by in caveta (Thanks, Ethan…)
- Vardan: Yes, and it stings knowing he Cannot go back. It’s been demolished, in its place a mansion made in its owner’s vapid vision. And even if he did try going back, the neighborhood he remembers is gone. No block parties, no festivals, only dirty streets the government says will get cleaned, but never does. They’re too focused on instilling The Hustle and hatred towards people like him
- Burr, Dawn, and Ziri: Also Yes. They're still Technically in their hometown, but they walk where the library used to be. Cleaning stupid, egotistical projects their master (eugh) commissioned to stroke their own ego
Plant magic (what he’s born with) is, in comparison, Way more common. Vardan was lucky that his family’s library had a ton of information on magic history/techniques/etc, and that they were willing to let him learn something new (as it typically puts a strain on the body).
…… Unfortunately rich conservative assholes only see him as a potential soldier to take care of their adversaries.
Also bee pee dee. Looking back on old works the signs were pretty blatant HDNFKSNFJDJJD
- the amount gore stays the same
- a Lot would be different. first off is I wouldn't have another person working on it — a lot of my ex’s ideas Are in this. I wouldn’t have that other perspective
- babby me would probably get upset that i’m entertaining not-so-wholesome relationships and sand it down to be… Not that. hilarious in hindsight since babby me would think the gore gets a pass
- Eli: 100% would take, but only when no one is looking, or if he’s disguised as someone else so They take the blame. He’s in a rush to take what he can, but will eat — yes, even unpopular cookies. He’s learned to not be picky
- Burr: Yes, for Dawn. Purposefully picks out the best one
- Ziri: Yes, for Dawn (and itself). Takes the smaller one for itself, gives the larger one to Dawn
- Dawn: No. She doesn’t like cookies.
- Vardan: Would take if no one is looking. It’s oatmeal raisin — he actually prefers them over chocolate chip (fruit > chocolate). Will also take lengua de gato
- Jet: No, they don’t take. If they have to, it’s to give to someone else. They’re picky from being spoiled by their family’s baking. The only cookies they fuck with are cannoli cream cookies
- Rien sees it and the next day the jar is no longer there. In its place is a note encouraging the virtues of restraint and self reliance
- Dawn: Cry. She tries to go to Misty or another coworker she trusts for support. The best thing that would happen? She gets Whisked away to live happily ever after with someone, away from Paulo, away from PPA Industries
- Ziri: Play hooky. She tends to go to Tab, as they’re closer to her. But… she will vent to pretty much anyone. What would make her day? Getting whisked away from Paulo, away from PPA Industries
- Burr: Bottle up the negativity!!! It would be unbecoming of one of Master Paulo’s head servants to Show Feelings! He tries to make stuff in his spare time, it takes his mind off of whatever made him upset. What would make his day?
Getting whisked away from Paulo, away from PPA IndustriesGetting recognized by Master Paulo Perfeito-Alto (or… anyone in the company) for his excellent work!
Question of the Day (2026)
- 1. Make a tier list of OCs you feel like talking about at the moment from Easiest to write to Hardest. January 2, 2026
- Easiest: The Hamad siblings (yes, all three), Ara
I Want to say also easy: Vardan, Eli
Kinda hard: Aidan
Hardest: Jet, Nova, characters who are Bubbly or """""optimistic"""""
(yeah I know I have a morbillion dipshits onboard but ppphhhhhhhbt) - 2. In your opinion, what's the most humiliating/embarrassing thing your OC has to go through? February 27, 2026
- Answering for Burr since he's on the mind.
Having to work for a billionaire since childhood. He and his sisters have no choice: they saved their little family, and they must pay the price! It's the Best thing to ever happen to them. They gave them a roof to live under, food, clothes… All they need to do is tend to Paulo's every whim. Burr will Absolutely do that Happily, no matter how Ridiculous the request! In fact, how DARE you sully Paulo's good name?! - 3. What places/time periods/things have you used as inspiration for your OCs’ setting? April 29, 2026
- I guess to start, for [hell cruise], I’ve been, like, Triple checking if even certain phrases or shit like Baja Blast would be anachronistic (after August 1998). It may not matter in the Grand Scheme of things compared to looking up Cruise Ships to the point of searching deck plans for old ships, but it’s the little things.
Like, seeing someone reference generative AI in the 90s would not make sense — unless the character is fucking Genie Aladdin, or some cosmic being of that nature, or the setting Itself has established gen-AI as something that’s Been around. Setting affects characters in ways one may not realize. I think - 4. What's everyone's celeb/fictional crush? May 20, 2026
- Jet has a light crush on Iseul. They discovered his music first, and then got Swayed by the photoshoots he does for magazines
- I think Dawn has a celebrity crush on Eli. Having a situation where I Know Eli is for Sure multiple people's celebrity crush (being a well known/infamous actor), but Who specifically? iunno
- 5. What is a hobby your OC would have a natural talent for but is unlikely to ever pursue (be it from disinterest, lack of time, too embarrassed, etc.)? July 23, 2026
- At one point, Vardan proudly proclaimed to his pars that he would become a dancer when he was older, which spurred Zinn to order more books on dancing and its history.
In a cruel twist of fate, the gods vexed him with those dreams while he partook in this farce of a waltz. Deep down, he cursed them so.
Shamelessly plugging prose from the sneak peek as my answer. And also singing (Pinoy singing genes DBDNFNDSJ), but Rien doesn’t want a songbird in the circus. -