Amaranth6

[my-a03-misc]

Oh no, I've fell down a new rabbit hole.

So... I've found cookie run kingdom. ANd because I am a horrible genshin main, I've come to a conclusion; Shadow Milk Cookie would be even more interesting if he were the cookie creation of Anya Andersdotter, the one who wrote Little Durin into existence. Because:

1. Teal Witch Mom who tells stories

2. Purple-red Brother who was temporarily also a "beast" in a world created by the Witch Mother (and co.)

3. This means he can meet Lohen, who he'd get along with like someone's (Varka) house on fire.

4. It'd add more flavor to why he's still on Earthbread despite everything and having somewhere else to go. (The answer to why is because Earthbread was his home before it was anyone else's inheritance.)

5. I want to make a Spire Scene, where Pure Vanilla meets a 'shadow' of Shadow Milk while wandering trying to find a nebulous something, and the 'shadow' does this:

THE SHADOW PLAYS: Hero and Villain Duet by Natalie Chavez

Every argument Pure Vanilla makes for Shadow Milk redeeming himself, shattered and mocked by the cookie himself, as he knew exactly what he'd say, as all heroes say.

[my-a03-misc]

Athenide stuff I'm probably never making into a full story

Athenide AU with Percy being named Paladine, like a variation of Palatine sister of Melusine from Arthurian stuff.

It would sound like Pallas, be it's own name, and be pretty unique.

The other name I'm considering is Callidore, which means beautiful gift apparently

Lesbian power couple percabeth?

As for how Percy appears in the spring, and sans Annabeth, I want to make it because over on his/her world, Gaia had won, or the Emperors had beat New Rome and were sieging CHB, or the Mist had fallen and demigods were being double hunted.  Then percabeth and some of the remaining campers and gods get together to send ppl backwards to their parents, however, smth goes wrong when humans lead by the emperors barge in and disrupt the ritual.

Percy then wakes up in the saltwater spring, sans Annabeth, and Athena claims her as her daughter.  Percy gives her name.  She's whisked off in Athena's arms, not so mildly shocked by Poseidon rejecting her, and although there's the initial weirdness of calling her would-have-been  MIL 'Mother' in the wake of the Mist failing they'd gained an understanding as MIL and DIL.  Still doesn't make Athena calling HER her daughter any less weird, especially since Annabeth isn't there, but she needs to act fine bc if the gods discover she's anything but normal she's in trouble.  She misses Annabeth like a lost limb.

...

I ended up running out of steam here.

[wordpress-blaze-222749076]

Become A More Versatile Martial Artist

Getting stuck in a single martial arts style is more common than most practitioners realise. It often happens when martial artists become overly attached to their style's techniques, traditions or philosophy. Leaving them blind to potential alternatives. While loyalty to a style can build discipline and mastery, it also risks limiting growth by preventing exposure to new techniques or strategies. In this post, I’ll explore why this happens and how to break free so you can expand your skills and become a more versatile martial artist.

The Nature of Martial Arts Styles and Their Limitations

Martial arts training is often shaped by adherence to specific styles. While these frameworks provide discipline and structure, they can also create unintentional blind spots in a practitioner’s development. Let’s break down how these styles came to be, the pros and cons of sticking to one and how ego ties into it all.

Origins of Style-Centric Training Paradigms

Martial arts styles were created as a way to standardise and preserve effective techniques. Historically, they evolved to meet specific cultural, geographic or societal needs. For instance, ancient Chinese martial arts prioritised fluid, animal-inspired movements, while Japanese styles like Karate developed for close-quarter combat. These origins ensured that techniques could be passed down systematically, preserving tradition and effectiveness for future generations.

Before globalisation, this approach made sense. Regional uniqueness ensured that each system tackled specific challenges. Whether it was unarmed self-defence, weaponry integration or battlefield strategies. However, as martial arts moved into modern times, the rigid adherence to individual styles began to limit innovation, creating barriers to adaptability.

For an intriguing history on martial arts evolution, check out this detailed breakdown.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Rigid Style Adherence

Committing to a single martial arts style has its merits. It fosters discipline and a deep understanding of specific techniques, amplifying the practitioner’s mastery. Learning within a structured environment also teaches values like respect, focus and perseverance. Traits martial artists carry into their daily lives.

However, staying within the confines of one style can create significant limitations:

Lack of adaptability: Real-life scenarios rarely adhere to any pre-formed "style." A boxer trained only in strikes might struggle if taken to the ground by a wrestler.

Rigid thinking: Over-reliance on specific techniques can inhibit critical thinking and creative problem-solving in dynamic situations.

Missed opportunities: Sticking to one system often means missing out on complementary skills in other systems, like combining Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappling with the footwork of Muay Thai.

To delve deeper into this duality, explore this engaging discussion about the pros and cons of martial arts systems.

Ego and Emotional Attachment to One’s Style

Ego plays a big role in why many martial artists remain stuck in their own style. Often, a practitioner’s identity becomes intertwined with their chosen system. This emotional attachment can feel empowering, but it also creates resistance to change. If you've ever heard someone say, "My style is the best,” then you’ve seen pride steering the conversation.

The problem here is twofold:

Fear of inadequacy: Learning a new style often feels like going back to square one. The vulnerability of being a beginner again can discourage many from venturing out.

Tribal mentality: Styles often have a culture or “team” mentality around them. Leaving that bubble can feel like betrayal or losing one’s foundational identity.

But growth in martial arts requires humility. The willingness to explore and adopt techniques from other systems can make a martial artist more complete. Here’s a deeper dive into the impact of ego in martial arts training.

Photo by cottonbro studio.

How Style Loyalty Can Hinder Progress

Style loyalty might seem like a crucial part of martial arts training, offering a foundation of discipline and identity. But here's the catch—it can act as a double-edged sword. When practitioners become too attached to their chosen style, they limit their adaptability, overlook the benefits of cross-training, and risk clinging to outdated practices. Let’s take a closer look at how rigidity in this area can block growth.

Inability to Adapt to Different Scenarios

Rigid adherence to one style often leaves martial artists struggling in situations outside their comfort zone. Traditional styles were developed with specific contexts in mind, but real-world conflicts rarely conform to a set script. Imagine stepping into a chaotic street altercation where improvisation, not pre-set drills, reigns supreme. Sticking strictly to your style's rules cripples your ability to think on your feet.

This is particularly evident in sport-oriented disciplines. For example, a kickboxer might feel out of place in a grappling scenario or a judo practitioner could face difficulties defending against striking techniques. Combat doesn't cater to rules or boundaries and neither should your skill set. A rigid mindset isn't enough to handle the dynamic and unpredictable nature of real-life confrontations.

For more insights on adapting martial arts for real-world scenarios, here’s an excellent resource: How to Adapt Martial Arts Techniques for Real-World Self Defense.

Overlooking the Benefits of Cross-Training

Many martial artists get so tied to their style’s identity that they dismiss the value of broadening their horizons. Cross-training means learning from multiple martial arts styles. Therefore, offering you a goldmine of perspectives that can sharpen your abilities.

Here’s what cross-training brings to the table:

Added versatility: Blending aspects from grappling, striking and clinch-fighting prepares you to respond to multiple challenges seamlessly.

Improved weak areas: A striker can refine ground-game skills by practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, while a grappler can enhance stand-up tactics with Karate.

Mental growth: Trying different disciplines forces you out of your comfort zone, pushing you to question assumptions formed in a single style.

For example, blending boxing with wrestling or sambo can create a more well-rounded skill set capable of handling a broader range of threats. Like building a toolbox, cross-training ensures you’re ready for anything. Here’s a fantastic guide discussing the benefits: The Advantages of Cross-Training Martial Arts.

The Loss of Effective Techniques

Styles that prioritise tradition can sometimes hold onto techniques that no longer serve modern purposes. While respecting history is vital, martial artists shouldn't let nostalgia limit effectiveness. Some methods were designed for settings that aren’t relevant today—like ancient battlefield tactics or ritualistic practices.

Consider this: certain "lethal" moves were removed from many martial arts as they became sports for safety concerns, causing practitioners to miss out on tools that could be valuable in self-defence. Furthermore, evolving fighting tactics often highlight weaknesses in older techniques. Fighters who cling too tightly to the past risk becoming dinosaurs in an ever-advancing competitive world.

This is a common problem in traditional styles where preserving antiquated techniques sometimes overshadows modern practicality. As martial arts continue evolving, so should you. If you're curious about the relationship between outdated methods and modern techniques, check out Is Modern Martial Arts Effectiveness Intentionally Reduced?.

Photo by Artem Podrez.

By refusing to let go of ineffective or outdated techniques, martial artists risk stagnation. Growth requires not only learning but also unlearning habits and systems that no longer fit contemporary needs.

Steps to Overcome Style Stagnation

Overcoming style stagnation isn't just about diversifying your skillset; it's about rethinking how you approach training altogether. Martial artists often hit a plateau when they grow too comfortable within the boundaries of their chosen style. By embracing new perspectives and habits, you can reignite your passion and become a smarter, more versatile fighter.

Adopting a Growth-Oriented Mindset

Before you can change your skills, you need to change how you think. A growth-oriented mindset opens the door to possibilities by encouraging curiosity and humility. If you're too locked into the idea that one style has all the answers, you'll block your own development.

Ask yourself: What if the techniques you’ve mastered are just one piece of a much larger puzzle? By questioning your current limits, you can begin to see the benefits of exploring other martial arts or unique training methods. For instance, if you're a striker, take time to appreciate how grappling could change your approach to distance and control.

Start small—watch demonstrations of other martial arts styles, read about their principles, or attend an open seminar. A great perspective on breaking mental barriers can be found in this article: Embracing Failure: The Path to Growth in Martial Arts. Mindset shifts take effort, but they lay the foundation for long-term success.

Incorporating Cross-Training into Practice

Cross-training is one of the most practical ways to overcome stagnation. It’s about complementing your core style with techniques from others and evolving your game. Think of it like adding new tools to a toolbox—the right tool can make all the difference in the heat of a match or real-life confrontation.

Here’s how to get started:

Set clear goals: Identify areas of your skillset that feel underdeveloped. For example, if you’re a Taekwondo practitioner, you might benefit from wrestling to handle grapplers efficiently.

Start with workshops or short programs: Many MMA gyms and martial arts schools host cross-training opportunities for students to explore various disciplines.

Commit to ongoing practice: Learning a new skill takes consistent effort. Block out time to regularly drill techniques from other styles.

By cross-training, you gain the advantage of versatility. It’s also worth mentioning that developing weaker areas through new techniques can improve your base style as well. Dive into the details of what cross-training can bring in this resource: The Advantages of Cross-Training Martial Arts.

Learning from Diverse Training Partners

The people you train with can have a huge impact on your progress. Martial artists often stick to the same few sparring partners, which can create predictability over time. By seeking out diverse training partners, especially those who practice different style. You'll expose yourself to unfamiliar tactics and perspectives.

Here’s why this works so well:

Uncovers weaknesses: A grappler might notice holes in your takedown defence, or a striker might exploit gaps in your footwork.

Pushes you out of your comfort zone: Training with someone who has a unique approach forces you to adapt on the spot.

Encourages learning by observation: Watching how others execute techniques can help you understand their timing, balance, and precision.

Don’t limit yourself to just your gym or regular dojo. Attend open mats, local tournaments, or seminars to build a network of training partners across different skill levels and styles. For a deeper understanding of why diversity is key in martial arts training, check out Learning Martial Arts For Better Social Connections.

Avoiding Ego-Driven Resistance to Change

Pride is one of the biggest obstacles to growth. Ego-driven resistance often manifests as defensiveness or excuses—"My style doesn’t need that technique," or "I don’t want to waste time being a beginner again." The truth is, clinging to pride only holds you back.

Here’s how to check your ego:

Acknowledge your fear of starting fresh: It’s okay to be vulnerable when learning something new. Everyone was a beginner at some point.

Recognise when comfort is the enemy: Over-committing to the familiar often stems from a fear of failure. Growth happens when you step into discomfort.

Measure improvement objectively: Focus on progress, not comparison. Track how well new techniques integrate with your core style rather than worrying about “perfecting” them.

Approaching training with humility not only promotes personal growth but also deepens respect for yourself and others. Martial arts are a lifelong journey and mastery comes from being open to evolution. For more on managing ego in training, this piece is worth a read: Ego in the Martial Arts.

Conclusion

Getting stuck in a single martial arts style can stifle growth and limit versatility. Tradition, ego and comfort often anchor practitioners in familiar ways, but true mastery demands exploration. By embracing cross-training, seeking new perspectives and letting go of rigid loyalty, martial artists unlock their full potential.

The martial arts journey is about growth, not boundaries. Challenge yourself to think beyond your current style and open the door to endless possibilities. Every step out of your comfort zone brings you closer to becoming a more complete, adaptable fighter.

Take the leap—your future self will thank you.

Source: Become A More Versatile Martial Artist

[my-a03-misc]

How can I use this in writing about a traumatized fighter from a nation that is heavily combat-oriented?

[my-a03-misc]

A03 Kudos Situation

I have just realized that if I kudos once as a guest and then another times on my account, I can kudos twice.

[my-a03-misc]

Burning for a Brighter Future: Sunstruck

On the day Hine was born, she'd went out with her dad to get quenepa berries for her mom, since the pregnant woman had been craving them all throughout the pregnancy. She'd often joke, "The baby in my belly is probably a quenepa berry with all of the berry juice it insists I consume."

When they got home, it was to screaming and the insistent shouts of the midwife. Those screams lasted for hours, tapering off intermittently, but remaining all the same. She'd hated Hine for those screams back then, because it wasn't good of the baby to hurt their mother, and that feeling felt even worse when some discussion of cutting the baby out came up.

All that disappeared, though, when Hine finally came into the world. It was approaching nighttime, with the labor lasting throughout the day, and where Mavuika came into the world under the bright sun at it's highest hour, Hine came into the world in the calm and lovely twilight.

Once her father put Hine into her arms, all the resentment and fear from the birth was washed away. Everything in her had changed when she became a big sister, crying out that the life in her arms was to be protected and cherished.

She'd loved Hine for as long as Hine was alive, and even beyond that.

[trashcanwithsprinkles]

Question about Natlan-can

I don't quite get what was upsetting about Natlan, besides the lack of formality, could you tell me what makes it something that needs a rewrite? I have a Natlan fic of my own that I'm trying to write well, and I want to understand what parts of it people are put off by. Your writing is amazing and an inspiration to me, so I was thinking that you could tell me what's wrong with the region.

this isn't so much a question about natlancan as it is about canon natlan but your wish is my command

(beware: massive ramble below)

contrary to what my ramblings might've led you to believe, i don't actually think natlan as it is needs a rewrite. i quite like it, both in a vacuum and in the context of genshin as a whole. could it improve? oh god could it improve. does it have things that are upsetting? yeah. it's far from perfect. but there's a lot to like there natlancan came not from the idea that natlan needs a rewrite, but that it already has been rewritten. that what we have rn is either a completely different story or a heavily altered version of what was originally planned. so the thought process was, if i was also given the order to suddenly rewrite natlan with little time and while having to abide by what the public already knew (stuff like travail and what little info there was pre-alleged rewrite); then what would i have done?

but that wasn't your question, so, i think we can separate the things i personally (and that i think a good chunk of the community as well but idk for sure) take issue w natlan in two categories: overall concerns, and story concerns. for a fixit fic, i think it's far more reasonable to ignore the former and try to correct the latter, as trying to deal with the overall concerns would require far more time and effort than any single fan should be expected to sink into something like this. still, it's your call, overall concerns:

the designs of the main roster. hardly any of them give you any meaningful information about what their characters and their roles in the plot actually are from first glance, which is what a design is supposed to do, usually. like not to beat a dead horse but why is mavuika in full leather. why is ororon an emo bat boy. isn't he a farmer? what in xilonen's design could possibly tell you she's a blacksmith? or a dj, for that matter? and what does her being a dj have anything to do with literally any part of her character in the plot? what even is varessa. why is citlali like that. what is the deal with kinich's pixels when no other ancient dragon technology has it. what is up with chasca. ifa is literally the only design up to par w the other regions and he's the random tall male that comes out after the aq is over. also hoyo is scared of melanin wbk but just because we know doesn't mean it stops being upsetting that they refuse to change. natlan isn't supposed to be based on a predominantly white-skinned region. on that topic,

what is natlan even based on like specifically. why is it all over the place. they reached for so much they ended up with nothing in the end. like i'm all for having tons of representation for tons of different people but at some point you want to think about the kind of representation you want and if you wouldn't rather just quality over quantity. like idk about you but i don't see people complaining that fontaine is mostly just france or that liyue and inazuma are literally just china and japan and nothing else.

story concerns:

natlan in-game isn't a nation at war, it's a nation with a war. outside of the best part of the aq (the war segment), the war they have doesn't affect the nation in most ways an actual war would: there seems to be little human life toll, there is negligible structural damage, and there is very little land damage. the pilgrimage is once a year (?) and they send what, five people? per year? and usually they just come back to life in the end anyway? so where are your casualties? in attacks like the ones we see in game? not from everyone's reactions, i'd think. the way the characters reacted it was like that was not the norm. so where is your war if nobody feels it? where is your war if all your warriors come back to life and you send them off elsewhere out of sight out of mind to do their nebulous fighting? i don't necessarily want doom and gloom but i want proper weight to this conflict, and outside of the war segment, there just is none.

why are the saurians built up and made to be the companions of all natlan warriors, these super important creatures they share the land with; and their coexistence is as basic as yours is with your dog? they're no more than glorified pets, slightly more sapient. but that's a minor nitpick and maybe my remembering them wrong. what's more glaring is that, of our entire main roster, hardly any of them have a saurian companion the way every natlan warrior ought to. ajaw, cacucu, and alaye don't count, just look at them. chasca has her mom and cucusaur sister but they're not her companions, they don't fight in the war with her. i'm down to accept mavuika's died five hundred years ago except would you look at that, the massive yumkasaur is also supposedly from back then?? unless i'm misremembering that?? so where is hers?? and kachina has one, right? why doesn't it fight with her? is it because it's young? if that's the case, then,

why is nobody distraught at the fact kachina, a child, has to fight in the war? aside from pacal acting like a normal person abt kachina suddenly having an unknown adult friend, nobody else seems to worry about her like they would a child. i'm not saying they have to baby her, but all the concern about her is bc she's mualani's friend and she's not strong enough yet. but not about the fact she's a literal child being made to fight a war. and if you want to say that that's the point, that natlan is in such dire straits that it's normal for children to go to war; then where are my children npc fighting in the war? i don't see them. i don't see a single other one. oh is it because kachina is the only one w an ancient name? weak excuse. if you want child soldiers you're not gonna start discriminating on which child is fighting unless you wanna make it a class/racist thing. and even then, okay, maybe there's never any reaction from anyone bc that's just how things are, right? but then what's the point of having the traveler and paimon as the protagonists? the entire reason why you have an outsider pov (which is what they are btw) is so they can be culturaly shocked when shit isn't as they are used to. so they can give you a different perspective. but no. the traveler and paimon aren't any more shocked at anything (bar the war segment) than they are during any other aq. if you wanted natlan to be this super violent always at war nation then make if fucking feel like it. again, the war segment is saving this, but still, outside of it?

mavuika is a mary sue, sorry. it's not the fact that she's perfect, it's the fact that the plot and the characters and everything around her bends over backwards to make sure she stays that way. it's not about her not having any flaws (i'd argue she has plenty), but about the 'flaws' she has never having any meaningful impact or consequences in the story. she has a batshit insane plan that never faces any relevant friction, never falters, and suceeds with full scores and with a surprise super special even better result than anticipated. all of this could work if the story just presented it differently. you wouldn't even have to change all that much about her, just about how you show it. think abt her situation for more than two seconds. could you imagine the levels of angst we could've gotten? the actual proper foil and paralels we would've had with capitano? with her relationship with those around her? but no. no, instead we have to sell, so she has to be powerful and perfect, and capitano is a man so he must have compelling depth to sell so he's the only one allowed to be decently written between the two. fuck i have thoughts about mavuika but god she's trapped in a gacha so nothing can be done

i'm a firm believer that as an outside pov protagonist, the traveler is at their best when they're filling in their role of the witness. i got secondhand embarrassment from the tumaini dance celebration sorry. i'm not against them being important to the plot, but i much prefer it when they're not the chosen one, the super special one, the only one who could ever do this job. natlan walks this line very clumsily and sort of dips into chosen one territory for a good chunk of it, but it could've been worse. the fact that mavuika is there at the end does keep it from being too bad, but like. man. this isn't even touching on the optics of the white blond foreigner being the savior here. that's a different can of worms lmao

the entire magic cure for ptsd interlude. what even. again, you could pull pretty much anything off with proper writing, but proper writing there was NONE in that scene.

i know they've been getting better and ik why this happens this is a gacha etc but i'm not the biggest fan of the whole. suddenly you have these characters after the aq is over. this isn't a natlan-only thing tbf it's an issue w all the regions. like who is varessa even. i know they give us a quest for her there's worse examples (still don't know who heizou is), but like. if you're gonna be making a fixit fic you might as well consider making her part of the actual world LMAO even if it's a minor role. always remember baizhu was in the liyue aq for all of five minutes 👍

[my-a03-misc]

Thanks for responding, admittedly, when there's smth up with the game, I gloss over it and focus only on the stuff I liked, so most of the time I need help seeing what's so bad about it, I'm glad I know now!

[my-a03-misc]

The Sixth was "Fate": Fieldtrip

This will last for a week, and may influence future story progression.

What aspect of the Herscherr is Furina using on the fieldtrip?

Life

Death

Voting ended onJul 21, 2025