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To start things off: They are literally so cute my gosh. I love couples where two opposites come together so much they're literally just the best. I absolutely love seeing their dynamic evolving or just in general on screen whether it's the movies, specials or the shows from the bits I've watched so far. They're just so adorable. 😭
With that said, I do want to just chat about them a bit. This isn't really gonna be an essay thing where I go into a dive on their dynamic and stuff, more so just my stance on a specific thing with the couple and where people want them to be. It's just another one of those things I want to get out somewhere, so you do not have to agree or anything~
To start it off: I do not understand why some people were I guess actually mad that they didn't get married/engaged in band together? Just over 15 minutes in the movie tells us out right that they've only been together for a month so, I just feel like that'd be crazy? Even if this is a dream works movie. Like I know Shrek and Fiona for example, get married in the first film. But then there's HtTyD too, which doesn't really rush things like that so? (As in it didn't for the duration it had. It also very much did huge time jumps)
Anyways: On one hand I understand them becoming friends over the first movie, it kind of just worked. Poppy had obviously been pushing for it for some time now, and Branch was more so putting up a barrier than out right not wanting it. Then they had that whole trip together of course, even if it was only a few days, with the added background there that we didn't see, the growth works. Him immediately being happy and seemingly just over his issues by the end maybe doesn't, and they reworked that a bit so we won't go into my opinion on all of that. Plus, from what I know, even if they aren't technically canon, the first 2D show kind of goes over him getting back into things more, which I absolutley love, I would have taken a whole movie about that but that's besides the point. This is about them together, not Branch.
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Them then getting together romantically by the end of the second movie also fits in a way? We don't really know how much time has passed I think, but Branch already had a crush on her from what I remember so. It just makes sense to a point. Maybe I would have liked to see more on Poppy's side BUT it is what it is, and I'm not against what happened. It's cute, and then we got HiH so likeee I can't be mad.
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Moving from that point, I can't personally rationalize them getting engaged this fast though. I feel like they still have so much to figure out and go through where they are as a couple I guess? They are by no means perfect, there should still be hurtles for them both; there's like clearly still trama to work through on one end and that shouldn't be settled in one go but I guess I do also understand that I'm talking about Trolls here.
Also, I think this is the first time they've both been in a relationship right? That alone makes it feel like something that definitely needs more time from a character development point of view too? Show me more of them figuring this stuff out together. Really dive into them as a pair who still isn't perfect for longer.
The way Poppy went about stuff in the 3rd film alone did show that they are still figuring it out I guess; I want to see more of that from both ends going forward. Cause she was like highly dismissive for most of the movie to be honest? Branch wasn't really being super open about it all on an emotional level too, but he does make it clear that he hasn't seen them for 20 years early on. I feel like that + his general reactions are a big indication that his relationship with all of them is rocky, and that it was important to acknowledge his feelings and not just dismiss them. I mean she also generally knows what happened to him following that too so. It'd be hard not to think them doing that also effected him and it's odd that she never really seems to consider that with how hyper she is about wanting siblings, and with her views on what siblings should do/be. Yes they did have to go or Floyd literally would have died, but I think there was a better way to go about it, and that one part alone already tells me they aren't ready to move past this stage. In the end he does technically make the choice to do it himself at least but yeah.
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She then keeps doing this through the movie. It's almost crazy to think about the fact that it seemed like he was almost going to apologize during the moment on the pool floaties for expressing frustration. Then a bit later she convinces him to sing with them when he doesn't want to at first. She wasn't willing to understand why he felt the way he did and kept pushing the fact that he should be happy without taking time to understand why he wasn't. So in a way, I do feel like she still struggles with listening honestly?? She was so caught up in her views on siblings, how much she wished she had one and even just how cool it was to meet his brothers that she doesn't hear him until the breaking point you know? Yes the scene that follows after he walks out was wonderful, and she was supportive and knew what he needed to hear. I wouldn't say that was enough with in the context of that whole film to make me feel like they were ready to go further though. It wouldn't feel earned to me if they're dating for that one movie then suddenly they're getting married in the next in general I guess.
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That's enough of that though. I could probably talk about the 3rd movie for hours if I sat down and thought through it scene by scene, but you've heard enough from me with the Viva post as is. (Love you but you have so many little issues Band Together-)
I will say, It's not like I never want it to happen, though I can admit I'd prefer it as a "This is it, the end" sort of thing. (And I personally am for Poppy being the one to ask-) We already got a wedding sequence too, and I don't think we know how long it's been since trolls 1 so they've likely been together longer? But also it makes sense for those two in my head anyhow even if it hasn't been that long? While it just doesn't for these two.
At the end of the day maybe it's me not wanting them to take that huge step cause I have weird issues with change, or I just really can't imagine them married right now, or maybe it just doesn't really hit for me on a story telling level? I just know that I really really want to see more of them together in their current stage. In no rush in the slightest, I want to enjoy them going on more journeys where they are.
I need to see more of them figuring stuff out together, cause it's clear they have work to do, and identifying stuff with in their current relation ship that needs attention. I just need more time with them as a couple that's not ready for anything like that yet. (Maybe I also just weirdly prefer dating dynamics???) I do know for sure that I do not want to see much beyond that point though. Like I personally think the fankids I see are cute but it's not something I need to see happen in canon. Branch and Poppy are just not a couple that I want/need to see followed through to the end in a way? Not to that extent at least. I will be devastated regardless when they conclude things for good, but not going past a wedding wouldn't really bother me. It feels like a good place to end their story, if it has to end.
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I guess I maybe also like stuff that's just stuck in limbo in a way. I'm more focus on the characters and their dynamics with in each given story, as well as over all, but not in a way where I have to see time fly? For whatever reason I guess it just pains me more than it brings me joy to see growth/change/steps in a relationship happen super fast. I like when it's slow and we get alot of small moments; I don't need the big leaps as much personally. I want these characters to be able to live in their current situation and breath for a while.
I'm more invested in the dynamic walking then I am seeing it run? Maybe part of it is also that there's just way to many other things that need attention that also adds to it all for me as well really. They both need to still have time as characters on their own. They both still definitely have problems, and so do other characters that we barely scratched the surface on. (Maybe it's also just me not really seeing marriage as a necessity for a love story in general? They could never get married and their love would still mean a lot, and be just as wonderful/meaningful.)
I don't know. The idea of them canonically getting married just feels like a story closer to me, and not really suitable to their dynamic but I can't fully articulate it all without this long drawn out wall of text, talking in circles kind of thing happening. I just know it's not something I want to see for a long time, if ever, which is just a personal stance obviously. I still love them either way~ ♡
I thought I had a concise train of thought when I started this but I guess I kind of don't ahh I really do adore these two though, genuinely. Please do not take this as me hating on them, it truly isn't. If anything they apparently mean so much to me that I feel like, entire mood shifts when thinking through this all. 💀
Agree or disagree, thank you to anyone who actually read literally any of this~ ☆
I quite literally have no one to rant to about any of this stuff to be real so I might do this on occassion. Just know it's always out of love for these films though, regardless of whether I'm talking about something I liked or didn't like.
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So I follow a few people on bsky who regularly post TavQotDs and most of them are friends with one another. And recently they've all been on a huge marriage kick. "How does the proposal go?" "What does the engagement ring look like?" Etc. and there's nothing inherently *wrong* with these questions.
But it's done mostly by Astarion romancers and I... Can't see Astarion getting married like at all, but least of all immediately after the brain falls 😭 like the man just got his *freedom* you've known each other a minimum of a month and like... A max of 6ish? (Bc some of these moves would have very specific time limits and such. Plus can you imagine how much worse it'd be if this plot took place over the course of a year????) And you want him to be attached to someone else immediately????
I just don't see Astarion immediately being willing to settle down. Not when his platonic, kill Cazador, remain spawn ending is that he's an adventurer/mercenary for hire, and he's having fun with his freedom.
And I ESPECIALLY don't see him having kids (biological or otherwise. Tho he might pick up an unruly teen he thinks is neat.)
And like in general I want to interact with more of the fandom, but seeing this is just like oh we have WILDLY different views on this stuff. Especially when it comes to Astarion. And I have no way of like articulating this whole "I feel like marriage isn't in the cards for Astarion, at least not for a while. But I'm happy for you?" Without coming off as some sort of judgy prick. Bc I *truly do not get it*.
Like sure I have Elendar and Astarion remaining "together". But they actually spend months or years apart, and they never actually label their relationship. Bc they're long lived and their brains are wired different. What's a year to someone who lives 800? Monogamous marriage makes sense for people who live in short life spans, but spending the rest of your very long lived life with a single person who you are contractually obligated to spend it with (through marriage) when people change seems bananas to me. (Not to sound like a drow, but their marriage contracts make sense in terms of "okay we're married for 10 years then we renegotiate on how we're doing." GRANTED THERES A LOT MORE THAN THAT GOING ON BUT, THIS CLICKS IN MY HEAD MORE THAN "We're married until we die, yay!")
Real humans can change over the course of a decade, less even! Who I am now at 34 is NOT the person I was at 24. So the person Astarion is at 239, right as the game ends, is not the same person he'd be at 339. And sure it'd work a little different if your Tav is a shorter lived race like teifling or human. But I'm seeing this with elves and drow Tavs. And I'm just like do they stop growing as people when you think about their lives in 100, 200, 400 years from now? They're in love now, sure. Do they remain just as sacchrinely sweet as they do now? Are they able to work out their problems? Bc Astarion is emotionally stunted. He lived for 200 years as a slave and was forced to try and remove his emotions. He has to relearn all of that!
And like sure, this is all just for fun, and I'm sure this brings them some sort of comfort, and they prolly project on to their Tavs a little, and just think about being loved until the end of their life. So there's no judgement for that. but I just??? Can't imagine??? And I'm struggling to understand the appeal of having these two characters result in marriage and kids? Kids especially I'm just ???? Do you know how much blood Astarion would have to consume in order to produce living sperm???? It's *a lot*. Where is he getting access to all that blood without killing people? Without having to heal his own injuries? He's not a vampire lord. (AA I could understand but I don't think he'd have a child either, but AA is a completely different beast of me sitting here baffled and confused over the fandom perception.)
Like if this was Gale or Wyll, yeah sure I'd get it. Both of them have marriage proposals that are canon to their romances. Hell I could even see Shadowheart and *maybe* Karlach once her engine is fixed and she can finally leave Avernus permanently. Halsin is too free love for marriage imo. But he'd love to be your lover for as long as you'll have him. And Minthara... Both a child and a marriage contract are absolutely in the cards with her. Lae'zel I'm Jury's Out on, but I have issues with her getting assigned mother at 22. But *Astarion*? The same guy who *greatly* approves in act 2 if you tell him you think he needs a friend more than a lover?
Idk man. Again there's nothing *wrong* with anyone doing this. I'm just... Confused. And it makes it hard for me to engage with others on that subject.
Sighs, it's prolly "she's definitely on the ace spectrum, and possibly a bit aro." That's clashing with people's need for marriage and children.
Today is the last day of this year so y'all can anonymously send asks telling me abt any happy memory you made this year even a funny moment , anything you learn abt yourself , any lesson you want to share , if you want to send good wishes to someone !
what does it feels like to be held by that person? aside from family and friends, that special person, what does it feels like? ever since I've always wanted to feel the warmth of cuddling, being held close. I've seen and heard stories from other people that I ponder about, does it really makes you calm? also, I want to feel the kisses all over my face. by now while typing this I'm feeling emotional and I don't know why. maybe it's just that, I want to feel important you know? I want to feel special *cue twice*. anyways, I just want to share hehe
