Dark Sbi - Tumblr Posts
A new fanart for There is no venom in me by ErissTheMean on ao3.
Can't wait for the next chapter!
This thing is kinda metaforical because of the 'snake mask' Wilbur has to wear. It's kinda weighting him down, but it's the only way to stay alive, so you know. Metafors...
The white stuff is snow. Just go with it. I can't do snow.
@erissdoesart here, an offering!
Link for AO3:
I don't support any action of Wilbur Soot. But I like the fanfic and Wilbur in it!
Something that I’ve been mulling over for a while is that there must also be something to say about what people are getting out of reading and writing these fics. I took a horror film class a when I first got into this fandom coincidentally and it drastically changed the way I interacted with it going forwards. One of the things I learned was how horror films can often be taken as a reflection of the fears and insecurities of that time. (Invasion of the Body snatchers being a pretty obviously parallel to the American fear of immigration etc) we also did a chapter on Body Horror and how it often works as catharsis for people who Don’t Actually Want To Do The Thing but can experience it safely through a non-invasive means. Take for example, Horror c!discduo, I read plenty of that, usually the creepy thriller fics that involve c!Dream being an obsessive and delusional stalker, because this is something I have and am Currently experiencing in real life, and reading these fics help me work out my feelings around it, once again: CATHARSIS.
So circling back to the dark!sbi trope we can look at it through the lens of what kind of cathartic feeling is this paralleling? And this doesn’t always have to be a bad feeling, there are plenty of positive feelings that can come from dark tropes. Contextually let’s consider this fandom’s experience with the sbi family dynamic in general. It’s not difficult to gather that this fandom’s relationships with their families aren’t exactly… the best. Spend any amount of time on a Philza Minecraft stream and you might be heavily bombarded with donos talking about their shitty dads(ethics of that aside) there’s definitely a large portion of people who watch the content for different reasons at different times, one of these reasons being that vicarious living through the family dynamic. Getting to see them having fun and being together is a very nice and rewarding feeling, so flash forwards into the literature aspect and we have people experiencing some different flavoured versions of this in fanfic form.
Getting back to the dark!sbi trope we can now read it through a lens of “what are these people getting out of reading this, from an emotional perspective”? And I think a huge part of it is the joy of feeling Special. Usually experienced through c!Tommy and sometimes c!Ranboo these characters are picked up by these insanely overpowered family-oriented characters who treat the main character like gold. Being Worth enough for them to be extremely possessive and protective over, with the dark!characters usually being innately capable of these feats. And when you strip away the dialogue and actions and narrative that’s what you’re left with: the desire to be Wanted by someone. Something that in itself can be a very positive thing to receive in text form especially if you feel like you are lacking in the reality department(this doesn’t automatically mean that liking the genre is an indication of your family life, I still agree with basically everything said by the previous posts it’s just a pattern I’ve noticed and can be considered as another theory in why this trope is so popular)
And no matter what stories you read I think it always helps to look at it from that angle, hacking away at the center of a story until you find the core emotions of it can allow you to experience dark stories a lot smoother and with more empathy. Instead of ragging on it for featuring content that “promotes bad behaviour”.
this is hardly even a blip in the discourse in this fandom, but it’s something that I’ve seen just often enough that it’s been swirling in my head so:
it’s completely understandable that some people don’t like the dark sbi genre of fics and avoid it like the plague, that’s half the reason why the tag even exists in the first place. the tag exists Because people know that sort of content can be upsetting for some people and they want them to be able to avoid it wherever possible.
but I think it’s also true that people tend to present and talk about the genre in a strange way. whether that’s serious accusations about people demonizing certain characters or people considering it red flags about someone’s opinions on a character, there’s this tendency to view it as a commentary on someone’s view of canon when that simply isn’t the case.
the dark sbi genre exists specifically to depict dynamics that don’t exist in canon, in the same way that a zombie apocalypse au or a hunger games/battle royale au exists to find interesting ways to bend characters’ personalities through intense survival situations.
the concept with dark sbi in particular is taking this group dynamic that the author enjoys and exploring a version of events where one or more of those characters are anywhere from toxic to outright villains. part of the fun is exploring that distortion, which wouldn’t be possible as a draw to the genre if the author wasn’t aware that it Was a distortion of the characters in question.
it’s also worth noting that there’s this weird impulse to pidgin hole the entire genre into whatever handful of fics a particular person has run into. there is no limit on what characters are changed and in what way, what setting they’re put in, and what kinds of relationships they have with each other. there are certain ideas that are popular within these spaces, but only in the normal way that people who share fandom spaces tend to be inspired by each other and rotate ideas around together. it’d be like trying to make an argument that coffee shop aus are dnf propaganda because you’ve run into fics in that genre with that pairing before. it’s just silly innit.
and again, this sort of thing isn’t for everybody. some people can’t handle horror or depictions of unhealthy relationships, and some people are more sensitive about those sorts of depictions when it comes to characters that are important to them. it’s a good thing that this genre is labeled and that people can filter it out if they don’t want it.
but as far as actually Discussing it as a fandom, there’s no reason why it should be treated any different from, say, aus where xyz character gets possessed by the egg and Does A Bad.
this is hardly even a blip in the discourse in this fandom, but it’s something that I’ve seen just often enough that it’s been swirling in my head so:
it’s completely understandable that some people don’t like the dark sbi genre of fics and avoid it like the plague, that’s half the reason why the tag even exists in the first place. the tag exists Because people know that sort of content can be upsetting for some people and they want them to be able to avoid it wherever possible.
but I think it’s also true that people tend to present and talk about the genre in a strange way. whether that’s serious accusations about people demonizing certain characters or people considering it red flags about someone’s opinions on a character, there’s this tendency to view it as a commentary on someone’s view of canon when that simply isn’t the case.
the dark sbi genre exists specifically to depict dynamics that don’t exist in canon, in the same way that a zombie apocalypse au or a hunger games/battle royale au exists to find interesting ways to bend characters’ personalities through intense survival situations.
the concept with dark sbi in particular is taking this group dynamic that the author enjoys and exploring a version of events where one or more of those characters are anywhere from toxic to outright villains. part of the fun is exploring that distortion, which wouldn’t be possible as a draw to the genre if the author wasn’t aware that it Was a distortion of the characters in question.
it’s also worth noting that there’s this weird impulse to pidgin hole the entire genre into whatever handful of fics a particular person has run into. there is no limit on what characters are changed and in what way, what setting they’re put in, and what kinds of relationships they have with each other. there are certain ideas that are popular within these spaces, but only in the normal way that people who share fandom spaces tend to be inspired by each other and rotate ideas around together. it’d be like trying to make an argument that coffee shop aus are dnf propaganda because you’ve run into fics in that genre with that pairing before. it’s just silly innit.
and again, this sort of thing isn’t for everybody. some people can’t handle horror or depictions of unhealthy relationships, and some people are more sensitive about those sorts of depictions when it comes to characters that are important to them. it’s a good thing that this genre is labeled and that people can filter it out if they don’t want it.
but as far as actually Discussing it as a fandom, there’s no reason why it should be treated any different from, say, aus where xyz character gets possessed by the egg and Does A Bad.
AU FOR SALE (MCYT) AO3
In this au Techno is a evil emperor who summoned the Demon prince Twins, Tommy and Tubbo.
The deal was the twins grant Techno immortality and the twins rule the empire with Techno.
The deal was made and a decade later the twins and Techno are still ruling the empire.
Techno and the twins have a family like relationship. The twins see Techno as a father but Techno doesn't know since the twins can't speak. The twins even call Techno papa in their head.
The twins can talk to each other through there minds as well. They have a very close bond and trust no one besides themselves and Techno.
Techno executes anyone who disobeys his order or trys to escape the empire. The twins help with the public or private executions as well since they eat human flesh to get stronger.
The Twins constantly crave blood, it gets worse when they smell or see it too. So they have to wear muzzles to help with it.
The twins always sit on the sides of technos throne whenever he's doing business or talking to other empires/Royals. Or when a execution happens.
The twins favorite servant of technos is ranboo. He and the twins are best of friends though Tommy gets a bit jealous.
Techno only has 2 friends outside of his empire. Philza and Kristin. They also rule a empire but it's a part of techno's empire.
Phil and Kristen know of technos evil doings but they are the same way just tamer.
Phil and Kristin also haven't met the twins but they have heard of them.
The twins are almost always with Techno. They stick to him like glue but when they are not around him they are either with ranboo, or they are patrolling the walls of the empire.
They help the guards make sure that no one tries to escape the empire.
When they do catch someone they make sure to bring them to techno. And every time techno laughs at the persons misery.
Technos empire consists of higher class, middle class, and lower class.
The higher class is rude and cocky.
Middle class is mostly kind and calm
Lower class is the ones who try to escape most of the time
(You can pick which mcyt is in which class but these are the Royals)
Philza and Kristin
Dream team
Techno,Tommy and Tubbo
The twins are very possessive and overprotective but Techno is much more then that.
The twins are always covered in blue and gold jewelry because techno needs to have them looking their best.
(You can add anything else or change things but I would call this Dark bedrock bros or Dark clingy duo)
Sneak peek, See ya on the 16th
By the decree of the high council as of today July, 29th, XXXX at 2:45 PM. We declare that humanity, be seen as legal citizens of the world. No longer are the pets, slaves, and unpaid workers. Any of those who keep them as such will be persecuted with the highest regard. Humans, I humbly welcome you to a brand new world. For those who are in need of assistance of transitioning into your new roles you can-
Tommy huffed as he pressed the off button on the remote. Throwing it onto the janky coffee table Tommy rests his head against his fingers. Two years ago he was cheering when hearing that news broadcast. Thinking this was his chance of finally being the big man he was supposed to be. That awe and happiness didn’t last long when reality hit.
Though he is luckier than the rest of his fellow man. Sam, his owner his friend made him a deal a year and half ago. If he graduates at a police academy with decent marks. Sam would let him move out and give him a position at his police station. Even help him get an apartment.
It seemed like a kind and generous offer to those with blind eyes. Many had said so both human and hybrid alike. Tommy knew better. It was a way for Sam to keep him close and under his control. Sam has always been a possessive controlling bastard like that. He didn’t consider it at first but after an incident he saw it as a way to finally be free and leave this god's forsaken city once and for all. Not seeing any other option to obtain his goal Tommy agreed
Beep Beep Beeeep.
Hearing the microwave go off Tommy forces himself off the old worn couch. He had been sitting on. Don’t ask him how old he got it in front of a sketchy dude a month ago, no questions asked. It made him a bad cop but he's only a cop on the clock. It beat sleeping on the floor with a sleeping bag as thin as a tissue.
So he didn’t mind the awful smell and that one soggy spot that doesn't dry. Grabbing the handle Tommy pulls the door open retrieving the still steaming cup from the microwave.
“Ow ow ow ow.” Tommy mumbled quickly, depositing the cup onto the counter behind him. Grabbing the season pack he fully pulls off the seal. Jerking his fingers away from the plume of steam that bursts free.
Grabbing the season packet from nearby. Tommy licks his lips in anticipation. He’s been looking forward to this since this morning. Just as he slightly rips it open his phone rang. Groaning Tommy slams in onto the counter. Dragging his phone out from his pocket. Accepting the call he knows who it is. Without having to look at the I.D.
“Tommy! How are you?” Sam chirps on the other side of the line.
“Hello Sam, How’s everything?” Tommy asks putting Sam on speaker. He really wants to eat hot ramen, not cold ramen.
“It’s going good Tommy. What are you eating for dinner?” Sam asks.
Tommy bites his lips as he stirs the ramen with a fork. To allow the powder to mix in with the water. “Ramen, The beef one.” Tommy reluctantly replies.
“Tommy…” Sam sighs disappointed. “You know I don’t want you eating that garbage. It's not good for your body. It’ll make you sluggish… I’ve told you. If you don’t have any good food. You can always come home.”
“I know Sam….I just…” Tommy sighs. When Tommy lived with Sam. He always made sure Tommy ate healthy. No junk food aside from rare special occasions.
These are the first two pages of Faux Independence! if you wish to see how this plays out. Read the rest on my A03 account: Mysticband! I'll be uploading this on the 16th. Hope to see you there!