don’t threaten me with a good time

They/He/Whatever I like 100 different things at the same time. Prepare for whiplash.

[pondnaravit]

[doodlespatulas]

"Doomed yuri" this, "doomed yaoi" that

WHAT ABOUT DOOMED SIBLINGS

What if we were two sides of the same coin. What if i lived in your shadow all my life but found comfort in the darkness and dont know what to do once youre gone. What if youre the only person who understands. What if you have have no idea what i went through. What if we went through the same traumas but ended up with oposite conclusions about our suffering. What if i dont recognize you anymore. What if i see the ghost of my former self reflected through your eyes. What if it never had to go this way. What if this was the only way things were ever going to go

[keets-writing-corner]

shout out to Vakama from bionicle, gotta be one of my favorite genders

Lego really said : hey you see this guy? All he wants is to make masks and hang out with his friends. He's an introvert that has so much social anxiety and self doubt that it's almost painful to watch

We're gonna make him the leader of a superhero team in which if he makes any wrong decision, thousands will die in droves :) closest he gets to any guidance is visions that he's convinced are hallucinations and that he's going crazy

anyways I love him, he does his best

[nineinchmales]

Did you know that um…. (remembers that words are very unnecessary, they can only do harm) …………

[mettaflix]

[whiteheartlight]

Onua being protective of the others is my jam

Is the first one to realize that they need to help each other to defeat their shadow selves, mostly because he sees how much danger the others are in and wants to go to their aid (and helps Lewa as soon as he has the chance)

Don't get me started on him surrendering to Lewa when he has the krana on to give his brother a chance to come back to himself

Explicitly canon that he would die for Whenua (and apparently he has caught him multiple times from falls/jumps? what are they up to down there)

When the Rahkshi come to Onu-Koro, he jumps out in front of Pohatu and the Matoran and meets them head-on, leading to him being taken down before Pohatu's even had a chance to engage

The Rahi Nui strikes Tahu and Onua instinctively puts his body between Tahu and the wall to stop him from hitting it harder

On Voya Nui when the whole rest of the team is knocked out, he knows logically that he should retreat but instead decides to act on his anger and protectiveness and charges the Piraka single-handedly

Also throws off his armor and weapons and stands in front of the others when the Matoran are attacking them to defuse the situation and protect both the Matoran and his siblings (including Kopaka so mad he was walking through fire and Gali almost losing her mind from a zamor sphere)

When Tahu can't get the words out to tell the Bahrag they can destroy Mata Nui, Onua steps up and says it for him so he doesn't have to bear that

When Gorast hurts Gali, Onua hits her as hard as she's ever been hit in her life - harder than being on the receiving end of a Tahtorak charge - and tells her to stay down unless she wants to be sent "back where you came from in pieces"

He is so good and selfless and uses his strength to protect everybody ONUA APPRECIATION POST

[whiteheartlight]

meet cute: he's exploring the dangerous remains of a neglected underground zoo and she's using her shape-shifting abilities to pretend to be his brother and lure him into a deadly trap <333

[whiteheartlight]

Vakama would so want to be there for Jaller after Matoro's death (and the self-blame and burden of leadership that goes along with that that Vakama is so familiar with) but sometimes I do wonder if he might not be the best person for that particular job... he has advice like distracting yourself and not thinking about it, but as Jaller starts to work through things he and Vakama both start to realize that Vakama's methods are.... not great. Maybe even, um, bad. and maybe Vakama needs to try some new stuff too because actually, if he still can't even talk about what happened that long ago, he never really got over any of it. Never got past the self-hatred. Jaller's not about to leave him behind with that now that he's realized. It's time to do some actual healing. Plus if he has to do the hard work, so does his Turaga, so there.

I can just see Jaller talking to Nokama like "Turaga Vakama just told me to try and get my mind off it, throw myself into helping out with the settlement. So that's what I'm going to do" and Nokama trying to find the best way to tell him that she loves Vakama more than almost anyone in the world but DON'T LISTEN TO HIM ON THIS ONE I'M SO SERIOUS

[whiteheartlight]

I'm thinking Tahu would definitely help in some ways like challenging Jaller on negative thinking and being completely confident in his ability to lead, but let's be real, he just doesn't internalize things the same way as these two. Jaller was once killed twenty feet away from this Toa and once Takanuva resurrected him, Tahu never stressed about it again. He's fine! If Jaller had died twenty feet away from Toa Vakama he would still be nightmaring about it three centuries later whether or not Jaller came back. No, there's only one Fire Toa for this job, and it's the one with the capacity to be three inches tall. That's right: all Toa leaders who fail a self-confidence check are now required to attend mandatory counseling with professional angst-handler Norik

[ctrl-alt-tahu]

I was not expecting "Tahu is actually not a typical Fire Toa, personality-wise" to be where this post took me, but here we are.

[whiteheartlight]

Hahaha. Tahu is the archetype and no one has noticed yet that when they're comparing themselves to what they think a Fire Toa should be, it's based on the legends of... well, him. Even he compares himself sometimes. But not as much. He's pretty great

[whiteheartlight]

I love Onewa but he could never have made it on any other team but the Metru. Without the context of Matau, Nuju, and sometimes Vakama also acting like huge jerks, he would come across as so excessively mean even he couldn't stand it. Truly there is no one else who could snap back at him and tick him off enough to make him a good Toa than his own jerk brothers. Actually this is why I love him. He's so mean and so good at the same time. Do NOT make him admit he is trying to grow as a person or else

[whiteheartlight]

The Toa Mata with a training schedule where they each take turns decide what to do to work out, stay fit, challenge themselves, do team exercises, anything to keep them fighting fit and ready for battle, and every day they switch out whose turn it is to plan for the day. Lewa making them hike and then go flying off the sides of mountains. Pohatu making them play the Mahri in kolhii. Tahu making them spar or having complicated team games where he gets desperately competitive (yes he has all the different team combinations of his siblings ranked for their efficacy in different tasks... the better to assign them to missions, of course. not to beat them at games. obviously). Kopaka running them absolutely ragged doing conditioning and ladders and the worst possible work outs (he does not know how much Hydraxon imprinted on him).

Yes Gali will take them swimming and sailing. Yes Onua makes them weight train and he and Pohatu are reaching the limits of what's reasonable to lift. They love and hate the system depending on the day. Sometimes the Turaga plan things for them instead. The Toa Mahri live in fear of Jaller noticing the worst days of this and making them do the same

[ghost-mantis]

Takanuva is no longer allowed to pick training. He always picks aimless wandering and poking dangerous things with sticks until Destiny happens. They did like when he picked petting a bunch of Ussals as a way to destress.

[whiteheartlight]

Amazing I can definitely imagine him picking inane ideas but somehow they always turn into accidentally uncovering assassination plots or intervening in brewing wars. But also sometimes Gali gets in his ear and then it's just sailing day two

[whiteheartlight]

Actually that poll is making me think about Vakama and Jaller having to repeatedly tell Takua off for different things out of worry for him, but Tahu, as we saw in Mask of Light, is mostly just amused by Takua and might actually contribute to the chaos by, you know, throwing him off the side of a lava fall for fun or something like that. Everybody else bewildered by Takua's complete lack of awareness to danger and Tahu is just laughing, going to save him again, and giving him a little pat on the mask. The shared ADHD bond

Takua just standing there getting lectured but he glances over and sees Tahu passing by giving him a big thumbs up and then he gets in trouble for grinning too big while being in trouble. One time Tahu caught him trying to create a lava board that would be suitable for an Ussal crab and he just sat down and started tinkering with him. If they're around the others as Toa, Tahu will try to make responsible decisions, but if it's just the two of them, Tahu will say "sure, why not" to 90% of Takanuva's inane battle plans. BOTH in trouble with Vakama and Jaller

[whiteheartlight]

Early story Tahu figuring out that Kopaka won't do anything to fight him if they're within eyesight of the Turaga or any Matoran so if they're out of earshot he'll taunt him or challenge him a little just because he does not have the impulse control not to take advantage of this and he craves the stimulation. Kopaka won't even look at him when he does this. If he can't leave the situation, he just pretends to be completely deaf to it. So of course Tahu has to keep trying to get a reaction. There's this one day when Tahu's really been laying it on thick and all the Toa are together, the Turaga turn their backs for just a half-second and Kopaka doesn't say a damn word, doesn't pause even a little, just draws back like a snake and clocks Tahu right in the mask so hard he nearly falls over in the middle of Onua, Lewa, Gali, Pohatu, and Takanuva. All of them dead silent, hands over their mouths to stop from laughing or protesting or yelping because they're going to get in trouble if they draw any attention. Takanuva openly gaping. Pohatu grabbing them both by the shoulders like that's going to stop them if they start pulling swords out. Tahu straightens up, just vibrating for a fight, physically shaking to hit him back, but Vakama's already turned back around so he can't do a damn thing. Kopaka's not even smug, just staring him dead in the mask, promising with his eyes to do it again the fucking second he gets a chance. Takanuva's going to fall over from wheezing if he doesn't get it together. Lewa still tells this story years later, he loves it so much. Just so emblematic of their early dynamic to him. Also Vakama definitely saw that

[whiteheartlight]

Kopaka getting mad about being lied to by the Turaga when they come out with the truth but he's not going to make a scene in front of everyone because that's pathetic, so he just picks Matoro up by the back of his armor and walks out. like this is mine. and he does not need to be a part of all this secrecy. it is hard enough for him to feel normal and you put him through all this. you have lost Matoro privileges today. Matoro is going "um, Toa? Toa???" but Kopaka just keeps walking

[whiteheartlight]

Tahu with kindness and gentleness in his heart I love you so much

Skeptical of Lewa after the mind control with the Bohrok because of his own internal fears about it, but realizes he was wrong, apologizes, and becomes closer to Lewa than ever

WELL DONE, BRAVE JALLER -Tahu moments after being humiliated by the Bohrok Kal and saved by Jaller because he's just genuinely this proud of his Captain of the Guard

Pats Takua on the head even after he caused trouble and nearly missed the kolhii match. Never admonishes him at all actually, that's just his wandering chronicler. Obviously fond of him

Loves cheering his Matoran on (perhaps too much) and genuinely thinks they're the best

"We should prepare for this Toa's arrival!" This man heard he would have a new brother and wanted to throw him a celebration. I do not believe for one second he was jealous about a seventh Toa

Rushes to his Turaga's aid in front of the Rahkshi AND has to be physically restrained from protecting him from the Rahi Nui as well. He would die for him. Also never holds anything against Vakama after he tells him about what he did as a Hordika

Gali is canonically his best friend. I like some Tahu/Gali myself but in canon he just genuinely thinks his sister is the best and trusts her with his life and then some. That is his best friend

Humbles himself and thanks her genuinely for saving him after he was poisoned by the Rahkshi. Calls her "my sister" very gently. This is right after Kopaka ditched her when she needed someone to talk to - it's Tahu who comforts her with his unity

At some point makes up with Kopaka to the point that he acknowledges Kopaka is the best fit to be his right hand man and makes him his deputy

Makes fun of his own ego on Voya Nui

Sees Kopaka and Gali hurt by the Piraka and becomes so angry at the sight that he throws himself back into a losing battle out of sheer fury

Wants to go after the Mask of Life with his own team, but recognizes that it's the Mahri's destiny, not his, and sends Jaller's team instead. At the time he believes he is allowing them to pursue the greater destiny while he and his team have to do things like steal and run errands for the Order. This is shown to be a difficult decision for him, especially not knowing if he was sending the Mahri into danger

"You were always heroes," said Tahu, smiling. "Now you just look the part." Don't make me cry this is what he says to the Rahaga after they are turned back into Toa

Grieves over the Matoran who turned into Bohrok on Karda Nui and wishes he could have at least known their names. Wonders how Mata Nui could let a destiny like this happen to innocent Matoran

When Kopaka, Lewa, and Pohatu come down to join him and the others in the swamp, he smiles despite being pinned to a wall by a horde of Makuta, just knowing they can handle this as long as they're together

Canonically misses his siblings when they're all separated during Teridax's reign

Fights Nektann not to take down some big boss or win any glory for himself but because he sees him hurting and killing Toa

Will be a great leader on Spherus Magna and has genuinely grown as a character in his patience, humility, and wisdom

Don't let anyone tell you this is an unkind, cruel, or misogynistic character he is a good Toa with love in his heart who learns from his mistakes and loves his people!!!!

[whiteheartlight]

also if I may this whole scene:

All present turned to see Turaga Vakama approaching. His expression was grim. Feeling the power and the wisdom that radiated from him, it was hard to believe he had ever been an uncertain Matoran forced into a role.

"Tell me, Toa of Fire, of what are you most afraid?" the Turaga asked.

Tahu Nuva thought back on all the enemies he had faced: Makuta, the Bohrok, the Bahrag, the Bohrok-Kal, the Rahi, the Rahkshi. He remembered all the battles, lost and won, all the mysteries solved, all the dangers he had faced and overcome. But no easy answer to Vakama's question came to mind.

"If you fear nothing at all," said the Turaga, "then you are a fool and you will not understand my tale. It would be a waste of time to tell it."

In times past, Tahu would have reacted to such words with rage. But he had learned much about himself during the battle with Makuta and the Rahkshi. When he spoke, it was firmly and quietly. "Ignorance, Turaga."

"Explain."

"I worry... I am afraid... that one day I might lead my friends into danger — even cost them their lives — because I did not know all that I should have known."

Vakama smiled. "Then you are not a fool, Tahu. You are a leader, for that is what every leader dreads. I hope it is a nightmare you will never see come true."

[thereadingaddic7]

Probably would have been a bit filler-y and gone on a bit long, but I think I would have liked to see a story arc on Mata Nui where the Toa Mata/Nuva have to rotate through the Koro. See how they interact with Matoran with wants and needs very different from those of their home Wahi. We don't really get much interaction between the Toa and Matoran outside of their element but a Toa's duty is to all Matoran regardless of Metru Koro. Could have been a nice setup to that line in Adventures.

[ckret2]

fucked up how we keep making jonathan go back to transylvania every year after how awful his previous trips were

[foxgirlmindcrank]

Never getting over Charlie Kirk getting shot in the throat right after he uses it to downplay gun violence. Gotta be a top 3 assassination. Up there with Shinzo getting doohickey'd.

[foxgirlmindcrank]

It's on some straight up Greek play shit. Man who uses his voice to justify violence and stir evil for years meets his end as that very violence tears out his throat. Poetic. Captured live from multiple angles. People stole his blood soaked merch to hock and his wife was giddy about sale numbers during his funeral.