Comment on Analogous Memories

  1. In_a_Quandary on Chapter 5 Sun 17 Sep 2023 01:08AM UTC

    Having just written (another) No. 2/No. 9 fic, it occurred to me to revisit this chapter of yours, which I haven’t commented on (shame on me, because I genuinely love it). This is such a beautiful, heartbreaking character study of both No. 9 and No. 2. You perfectly captured No. 9’s lonely wish to embrace death (just so he can truly, finally be like one of comrades), and that interaction with No. 2 was so multi-layered and teeming with underlying implication for all the things they cannot bring themselves to say (or do). No. 2’s side is just as superbly done, with his constant denial (I especially loved the part where he assumed the mantle of Defender like he truly wanted to do when No. 9’s life was threatened) eventually peeling away to give rise to true clarity of purpose in the end. Bravo, my friend. Bravo.

    Hah, I went with that same headcanon of No. 9 being visually similar to 9S – all the more to highlight the disparity between their characters.

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    1. Hippydig on Chapter 5 Sun 17 Sep 2023 10:47AM UTC

      Aww, thank you so much for the lovely comment!

      Yeah I love the underlying edge to No.9's softness, the melancholy that separates him from his peers. I just find it a really fun juxtaposition to 9S who resents his fate to die which prevents him from making a lasting connection with 2B, whereas 9H yearns for it, in order to connect to the Male Units' trauma. So similar yet so different.

      I consider No.2 to be a really unreliable narrator, and definitely wouldn't openly admit to feeling protective over No 9 in that circumstance. I'm glad you liked my interpretation of him here!

      I admit I haven't had a chance to read your newest fic yet, but I'm saving it as a treat to myself after working a particularly grueling set of shifts. I'm just glad there's more YoRHa Boys content out there! We need more!

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      1. In_a_Quandary on Chapter 5 Sun 17 Sep 2023 12:22PM UTC

        In truth, 9H and 9S couldn't be more opposite personalities. Whereas 9H is unsure of himself, diligent, kind to a fault, and something of a stickler for rules, 9S is cocky, lazy unless motivated, only kind to people who matter to him (others receive his contempt or malice), and a notorious rulebreaker. What they have in common is stubbornness (manifesting as defiance and outright rebellion in 9S's case), the capacity to demonstrate great care towards the one they love and a hunger to explore the world and take in new experiences. 9H's yearning for death vs 9S's resentment of his doomed fate is an excellent example of their contrasting natures.

        Meanwhile, 2D and 2B are very similar personalities, and I would agree that 2D is an unreliable narrator in the same way that 2B is thanks to emotional repression. It's too terrifying, too painful to acknowledge the underlying truth of why he feels the way he does towards 9H, so he doesn't – until the end. In my newest fic, I've characterised him as already having had his epiphany, so he'll come across as a lot more self-aware. But I guess you'll be the judge of that when you do get around to reading it, which I hope you do, because I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it.

        Yes, moar YoRHa Boys fanfic is sorely needed! Alas, I think we'll be the only two writers producing it (at least in this current time).

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        1. Hippydig on Chapter 5 Sun 17 Sep 2023 07:06PM UTC

          Yep, totally agree with that analysis! They are really fun to compare and contrast for all the quirks and differences between them. Now if only someone wrote a reality where they met... *cough*

          I sure will! Once real life stops getting in the way, ha.

          You know what they say, be the hand that feeds and all that. I have a bit of a creative drought for anything that isn't Come Home With Me at the moment, but I will always eagerly partake in more YoRHa Boys content!

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          1. In_a_Quandary on Chapter 5 Mon 18 Sep 2023 04:05AM UTC

            Hey, I was wondering if we could correspond in a more convenient (and frequent) way other than these occasional story comments. I really enjoy our discourse, and there's nothing quite like talking to another author who is into the same thing as you are. Do you happen to use Discord?

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            1. Hippydig on Chapter 5 Mon 18 Sep 2023 03:26PM UTC

              I've deleted my old Discord account for some reason so I created a new one.

              Feel free to add me or whatever. I'm not particularly savvy with Discord but I'll try! I'm using the same username as AO3.

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              1. In_a_Quandary on Chapter 5 Tue 19 Sep 2023 12:10AM UTC

                Okies, I've sent you a friend request (to hippydig), I think? I can't say I'm particularly savvy with Discord either, but it is my preferred IM service simply due to its ubiquity.

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