#florida rvb

[goatbros]

hey guys i still like rvb dont worry

[polkasharks]

[joltning]

[high-voltage-rat]

Okay rvb gang real talk for a sec. I think y'all should put a little more thought into the way you draw and characterize Captain Butch Flowers. Specifically with regards to the widely accepted facecanon having native-coded features.

Facecanons in rvb generally fall under 2 categories: the ones based off of information about the person's race and background we receive in the canon, and ones that are purely headcanon, based on vibes. For example, we're told Simmons is Dutch-Irish, so it's common to draw him as a white redhead. Tucker being black is as close to directly stated as we ever get re: any of the reds and blues' races. But Sarge is often drawn as a white man despite no information being given about his race- it's usually chosen by the headcanoner based off the vibes we get from his behaviour.

So when it comes to Flowers, let's think for a second about how the fandom generally interprets his character. In canon, we see him on blue team making his soldiers a bit uncomfortable with his overly familiar behaviour, having a cheerful and upbeat demeanour. We also see him in PFL working with Wyoming to do recon, then getting hit with a tomahawk, throwing it back at the enemy, and then using his grenade launcher to bring down a crane and kill chain guy and girl. Later he's in charge of choosing soldiers to place in blood gulch, where we see he has no problem feeding soldiers through the fodder machine and covering up for Freelancer- including essentially killing Jimmy. What we see in fandom, though, is a guy who is cheerfully menacing, casually hyperviolent, bubbly facade, likes knives, 'probably has a torture basement', etc.

So I would like us to think for a moment about why, exactly, people took those vibes, that interpretation of his character, with the more violent aspects overinflated, and decided to draw him with native-coded features. I would like us all to take a second and consider the connotations behind the pile of art out there where a brown man with long dark hair in a braid is splattered in blood. To me, this particular choice just feels like another "native s*vage" trope, and I think it has really not been thought through.

Indigenous headcanons in rvb are admittedly pretty difficult. Rvb is a problematic media through and through, and there's always going to be something offensive in the way a character is portrayed. I myself hc the Grifs as kānaka maoli, due to them being from Hawai'i and Kaikaina's name- but between Grif's laziness and Kai's hypersexuality, it definitely falls into some other offensive stereotypes about indigenous people, and particularly native Hawaiians.

But to me, the distinguishing thing is that these are facets of their characters that have something deeper behind them- there are reasons for these traits that are explored both by canon and the fandom meta. Grif's laziness is a result of his personal struggle with having to care for his sister alone, as well as his general disdain for the army as an institution. Kai's sexuality is her way of seeking fun and connection in her life, likely in part due to feeling abandoned by their mother, and then by her brother. In the case of the Grifs, fandom treats them well by taking these established character traits, and not overinflating, but contextualizing them, and treating them as part of a larger whole. Grif is loyal to his friends, he's clever and observant when he's willing to show it. Kai is independent, business-savvy, and assertive. These other character aspects exist in the fandom portrayal, so their depictions don't feel like a glaring stereotype. In the right hands, with enough care and love, their negative traits can even be used to explore the impact of colonialism- how the stereotypes are based off the conditions and circumstances forced on us by its influence.

Flowers, on the other hand, has a fandom portrayal that feels like an artificial exaggeration of a single aspect of his canon character. There's very little depth behind it, no real contextualization- he hasn't been fleshed out by fandom, he's almost been reduced by it. Naturally, contextualization is going to be harder because he's a minor character and we don't hear much- if anything- about his background. But it is still an active choice by people who make fan content of him to emphasize certain traits, and it's thus far been the traits that fall into some very harmful tropes.

So my suggestion, as an indigenous person, is this. You don't have to change your facecanon, necessarily- but put some thought into it. Whether you're depicting him as an explicitly native person, or just with native-coded features, consider the connotations. Reconsider exaggerating his violent side so much: technically speaking, we've seen him kill 2 people somewhat indirectly, in the same mission that North killed like 5 in a similar manner and Tex literally murdered C.T. with a tomahawk. Do you emphasize their violence in the same way? Why did you choose to do so for Flowers? If you want him to be unsettling, his enthusiastic facilitation of PFL's activities in blood gulch and lack of qualms about using and discarding sim troopers is there to work with- something non-violent but no less sinister, something less aligned with common harmful stereotypes when applied to indigenous people, and much more founded in canon as a distinguishing part of his character.

Just stop to think "is this portrayal a reinforcement of the "native s*vage" trope?", and "is this really that founded in canon?". Think about whether someone with no experience in rvb fanon would look at your content and see more than a native guy in mystery blue guy's armour doing gratuitous violence for no reason.

Consider the less explored but canonical aspects of his character, flesh them out with headcanon. Sure, he killed chain guy and girl, but he also yanked a tomahawk out of his arm after falling from height and kept fighting- explore his resilience, what drives him. His strategic mind, using the environment against his enemies, carefully balancing the illusion surrounding blood gulch and constructing specific social dynamics. Hell, even delve into why he believes in Freelancer enough to do what he's done without issue. Flesh out your portrayal, dial back the singularity of the vibes you give him.

Indigenous people aren't exempt from being awful, or violent, or complicit in corrupt systems- but if you portray a native character that way without any depth or reason behind their choices, you often end up reinforcing a stereotype.

...and if gratuitous violence is what you want, if you like that creepy knife-obsessed murder guy, then yeah. Maybe consider changing your facecanon. Cause I'm a little tired of seeing characters who look like my people always soaked in blood and acting like they have innate uncontrolled urges to kill. Depictions like that about us were part of what formed the justification for our genocide, so please try not to perpetuate that.

[readersregrets]

I didn't know that people were still doing requests for red vs blue!! Could I please request romantic head cannons for Agent Florida/Flowers?

Agent Florida/reader

( -_•)▄︻デ══━一 ( •<•)

Florida is one of the very few people capable of making a power struggle feel affectionate. Most Freelancers are competitive by nature. Every interaction becomes a challenge. Every challenge becomes a contest. Somehow Florida manages to take all that tension and turn it into something playful instead.

He finds it incredibly entertaining when other people forget how dangerous you are. Not because he doubts your abilities, but because he knows exactly what you are capable of. Watching people underestimate you never stops being funny.

Florida has a habit of resting an arm around your shoulders and absentmindedly keeping you tucked against his side while continuing whatever conversation he was having. The longer you stay together, the less either of you notices it.

When you become annoyed about something, he somehow gets even calmer. It is impossible to bait him into an argument when he decides he is enjoying himself.

The more dramatic your frustration becomes, the more amused he is behind his visor.

Florida loves competence. He loves watching you work. He loves watching you win. He loves watching other people realize exactly how badly they have underestimated you.

What he loves even more is knowing that the terrifying Freelancer everyone else worries about occasionally chooses to curl up beside him after a difficult day.

There is something deeply satisfying to him about the fact that you trust him enough to stop being scary for a little while.

Florida's version of possessiveness is less jealousy and more quiet certainty. He never feels the need to constantly prove your relationship because he already knows where he stands with you.

If somebody flirts with you, he is usually entertained rather than threatened.

If somebody disrespects you, the amusement is saved for later activities.

One of the most attractive things about Florida is how effortless his confidence feels. He does not need to dominate every room he enters. He does not need constant validation. He knows exactly who he is.

That confidence becomes especially obvious whenever the two of you are alone. He has an almost unfair ability to make you feel completely naked, even in full gear.

Despite his reputation for being easygoing, Florida notices every reaction. Every shift in posture. Every glance. Every nervous habit. His observational skills are terrifying when focused entirely on you.

Sometimes it feels like he knows what you are thinking before you do.

The thing that makes him dangerous is not his strength.

People tend to forget how absurdly strong he is because of how relaxed he acts. Then they watch him casually move equipment that normally requires multiple people or physically separate two fully armored soldiers who are trying to kill each other, and suddenly it becomes very obvious why he was a top Freelancer.

Lifting you off your feet barely registers as difficult. The first time it happens is usually accompanied by complete disbelief on your part and quiet amusement on his.

At the same time, he enjoys seeing what happens when you let your guard down around him. Most people only know the version of you that is always alert and prepared. Florida gets to see the version that relaxes. He gets to bite at it.

He is very pleased with the trust involved whenever you allow yourself to be vulnerable around him. Project Freelancer did not exactly encourage vulnerability. The fact that you choose to give him that part of yourself is a very big ego boost.

Physical affection with Florida often involves being trapped in some capacity. Not intentionally. He is simply dexterous, strong, and has absolutely no concept of personal space once he gets comfortable.

Sitting beside him often turns into being partially pinned beneath him when he decides he wants to lean closer. He pretends to never notice exactly how much space he occupies.

Florida enjoys reminding you that there is a difference between winning a fight and winning a wrestling match. Could you beat him in combat? Absolutely. Could you break free once he has wrapped both arms around you and decided he is not letting go? That becomes a much funner question.

It is the fact that he understands exactly how much strength he possesses and never feels the need to prove it.

Which somehow makes those rare moments when he does decide to remind you all the more impossible to forget.

[sabotourist]

@grif-hawaiian-rolls came to a tragic realization

[sulphuric-onyx]

A certain teal captain for @video-garden !!!! What a man.

Ps, this may or may not have been drawn from Wyoming's POV

[theosphobia]

day 7 ! @rvbrarepairweekdos

i may be, the first and only florvic shipper...

hear, me, out.