The Fangirl Initiative: Sky Destrian

Showing posts with label Sky Destrian. Show all posts

I’ll be getting back to my series on Relationships in The Avengers soon, I promise. But when I saw on Twitter that it was International Women’s Day, I knew I had to focus on some great fictional ladies. It can be hard to find well-written women in fiction, but once in a while, there are a few precious gems. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, these are just a few of my favorite heroines I’ve come across over the years. They amount to, more or less, 15, so that's the title of this post. Hooray, alliteration! Also, I've kept this post (mostly) spoiler-free.

1. The supporting ladies on Parks and Recreation

Obviously, when I think of fantastic female characters, I think of Leslie Knope. And as Amanda showed us, she really is awesome. However, it’s hit me while watching Parks and Rec lately just how much the rest of the ladies rock, as well. So it’s time to show them some love.

Ann Perkins: She’s often the foil and straight man to Leslie’s wild side, so sometimes she can get lost in the shuffle due to the loud personalities of the other characters. But honestly, I think Ann is awesome. I find her very relatable, especially in the episodes where she realizes she changes herself based on which boyfriend she has. She’s also hilarious in and of her own right, because she’s so deadpan. While Parks and Rec’s sense of humor is often larger than life, Ann allows us to see a sense of humor that’s a bit more subtle. I love that. Kudos to Rashida Jones for playing such an awesome character.

April Ludgate: Who doesn’t love April? Her creepy, dark persona makes my life. But the best part about April is that the writers have often shown us her vulnerability underneath the hardened exterior she projects. We saw this particularly in season 7, though it’s sprinkled throughout the entire series. One great piece of evidence that indicates her soft side is that she’s in love with Andy, who’s practically a ray of sunshine. I love April so much, not only because she’s so dark, but because she’s relatable in so many ways.

Donna Meagle: It wasn’t until season 7 that I realized how much I love Donna Meagle. She takes no crap and isn’t afraid to speak her mind, but she’s also intensely loyal to her friends. My favorite scenes with her happened with Jerry in “Pie Mary (Producer’s Cut)”. And I’m wildly happy about where she eventually ended up. But most of all, Donna, thank you for reminding us to…

Honorable mentions: Shauna Malwae-Tweep and Joan Callamezzo, whom I personally find hilarious. Thanks for the laughter, ladies. And to Diane, because I love Lucy Lawless.

Shoutouts to: Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza, Retta

2. All the ladies on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Marvel has been doing an amazing job bringing females to the big screen, and AOS is no exception.

Melinda May: Okay, okay, I confess, I’m a terrible person because at first, I wasn’t sure if I liked Melinda May all that much. HOWEVER, over the course of the series, I’ve found myself falling in love with her. She’s another one of those ladies with a badass exterior, but we have been able to see vulnerable moments, mostly with how she cares for Skye and Coulson. While she is an incredible fighter, I appreciate the way she has a good head on her shoulders and can think quickly. She has a gift for tactical thinking, which is something she desperately needs.

Skye: Skye has been my favorite since day one. She is basically a fangirl in the first episode--why wouldn’t I love that? As the series has gone on, though, we’ve seen her become something extraordinary--she went from hacker to S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, to, ahem, [SPOILER REDACTED]. And her personality has grown by leaps and bounds as well, which is incredible to see. When I think back on our very first episode of AOS, I can’t believe she’s the same person.

Jemma Simmons: Like May, I wasn’t sure if I liked Simmons. But now, I adore her. She has a sharp mind, but the greatest thing about her is her compassionate heart. She searches for answers because she truly loves humanity, I think. I love the blending of brains and heart. I also think we’ve seen her at her best in season 2. While my heart breaks over Fitzsimmons, this season’s events have been great for her character arc, and I can’t wait to see where she goes.

Honorable mentions: All the ladies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This honestly deserves a post of its own someday, but I wanted to give it a quick mention here. Truly, Marvel has some of the best ladies out there. From the deadpan Pepper Potts to Agent 13, the Marvel ladies are a true gift. (Black Widow especially. You already probably know how I feel about her. Also, AGENT CARTER.)

Shoutouts to: Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Elizabeth Henstridge

3. Felicity Smoak (from Arrow)

Felicity Smoak from Arrow is one of the best-written female characters I’ve ever seen. While I’m not very far into Arrow, I still had to give her a mention because she is fabulous. She’s quirky, nerdy, smart, beautiful, and a great role model for all fangirls everywhere.

Shoutout to: Emily Bett Rickards

4. Jessica Day (from New Girl)

Who's that giiiiirl.... it's Jess!

Jess is one of my favorites. She’s adorable, feminine, and hilarious. Like a lot of my favorite characters, she has a good dose of awkward. She’s strong, but vulnerable. She makes us laugh with her singing and dancing. And best of all, she likes Lord of the Rings.

Shoutout to: Zooey Deschanel

5. The ladies from Once Upon a Time

Emma Swan: Emma is fantastic. She starts out as a bail bondsperson and then grows into even more of a heroine as the story progresses. We see her fight a dragon with her gun and a sword, and she will do anything for the people she loves. She learns to open up over the course of the show, but still retains her ability to defend herself (and her family).

Regina Mills: Nobody touch Regina! Yes, she started out as the Evil Queen, and yes, we do hate her for a while, but she cleans up her act and then becomes arguably one of the best characters on the show. She’s loyal like Emma is, and once she uses her magic for good instead of evil it’s a sight to see. The only beef I have is that the storywriters seem like they just really don’t want to give her a happy ending.

Snow White: Snow’s a little busy now that she’s taking care of her family, so we haven’t seen her as active in the storylines as she was in the beginning. And that’s really a shame. Seeing Snow White as a wanted outlaw and warrior, who knew how to think on her feet, was awesome. Seeing a woman warrior with a soft heart was even more awesome. Please, OUAT, bring back the kick-butt Snow that we love.

Belle: She’s strong, yet has an unfailing loyalty and optimism to those she loves (aka Rumple). She’s not afraid to cry and is one of the softest characters in the series, I think, yet isn’t afraid to get stuff done.

Shoutouts to: Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Ginnifer Goodwin, Emilie de Ravin

6. The Bennet Sisters from The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Elizabeth Bennet had a vlog? Me too.

This is one story that you must check out if you haven’t yet. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a webseries on YouTube that ran from April 2012 to March 2013. It’s a modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, told via vlog-style episodes and social media accounts. It was brilliant. You can watch all episodes here. And if I may say so, they did a wonderful job of giving us ladies to love and root for.

Lizzie: Obviously a take on Elizabeth Bennet, this version of Jane Austen’s famous character is my favorite. She is wickedly smart and unfailingly sarcastic, and a bit impulsive. Like in the original story, she makes snap judgments. She is flawed and she is real, but she is also amazing. She is hilariously funny, loyal to her siblings, and dedicated to her dreams. She’s wonderful and I love her.

Lydia: I never loved Lydia until this version. Lydia starts off as “totes” exuberant, and she is definitely a bit obnoxious. But over the course of the series, we see her get hurt and go into a downward spiral. We see her broken. It hurts a lot. And yet Lydia is resilient, and by the end, we know she’s going to be okay. (It’s a character arc that really hurts and I’m still not over it.)

Jane: JANE. Jane is that character that you want as your best friend, your confidant, and your everything. She’s one of the sweetest people I’ve ever seen--too sweet for me to express. She’s there for her sisters whenever they need her. Like her sisters, she gets hurt in the series, but believes in love enough to try again. She also will offer you a cup of tea anytime you need it.

Honorable mention: Charlotte Lu, featured above. She helps Lizzie run her vlog channel, is Lizzie's best friend, and keeps everything sane and rational. She's also ambitious and just a great character. Also, Gigi Darcy. She plays a big role in the series, and you end up falling in love with her. She went on to have her own series, too--Welcome to Sanditon.

Shoutouts to: Ashley Clements, Mary Kate Wiles, Laura Spencer

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This list is by no means the end, and I hope to feature even more awesome female characters in the future! Please check out the Twitters I linked in order to support these actresses for bringing us such amazing characters. And lastly, who are your favorite female characters? Tell me below in the comments!

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

On February 27th, 2015, Leonard Nimoy passed away at the age of 83. He will be greatly missed.

Andrea Wiesner

The world lost a great person this past week. I never got to meet or know him personally, but I know he had a lasting impact... on my dad, me, and millions of others. Prayers for those that did know him!

"Live long and prosper. Peace and long life." It seems it could be said that that was true for the man who made those words famous... 83 years, wow! Leonard Nimoy, you will be missed. Thanks for the memories!

Jaime Heller

Despite the numerous roles he’s played over the last sixty years, Leonard Nimoy has been and always shall be my Spock. I don’t want to diminish his talent in any way by saying this, but Spock was the first role I saw him in and the last role I saw him in. And I’ve loved every moment of his character. From the Live Long and Prosper hand signal to the stoic dialogue, he was truly amazing at playing the “pointy-eared hobgoblin” (Bones’ words, not mine).

Star Trek has been something that kind of changed my life in a way only a handful of over fandoms have. For me, it was the “next step” beyond Star Wars to introduce me to my love for science fiction and fantasy. I used to “watch” the show with my dad, which became something much more special than “just another TV show” (we have all three seasons of the original series on DVD). But I’ll admit I didn’t really care much until the 2009 reboot movie came out.

And then I was in love and still am.

Leonard Nimoy starred in that as well—as the pivotal point of the story. And I loved J.J. Abrams and the rest of the crew for including him. Because it wasn’t just a reboot now. It was Star Trek in an alternate timeline. How cool was that?

In addition, Leonard Nimoy had that unique voice that could be recognized anywhere. From Atlantis to Transformers and various other voice acting roles in between I enjoyed watching movies that included his talent beyond just acting. I hadn’t even remembered how influential he had been in other things over the years.

But my favorite thing he has done besides Spock is the famous, hilarious, and downright perfect rendition of “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins.” It’s definitely worth watching (and learning). And it appeared in the 2013 STID car commercial, “The Challenge,” that featured both Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto (aka both Spocks) in a race to get to the golf country club. Also a hilarious moment that I will forever love.

Following Leonard Nimoy on twitter was also one of the best social media decisions of my life. Because not only was I following an 80+ year old man on twitter, but the advice and encouragement he spread across the web with a few typed tweets was wonderful. He “adopted” anybody who needed a grandpa as his grandchildren (“honoraries”), he encouraged people to stop smoking or not start at all, and he always ended his tweets with the #LLAP (Live Long and Prosper). He was truly an inspiration.

It was a sad day to hear he had died—especially since for me, it came quite unexpected. I immediately messaged my sister about it and we talked about how sad it was (we're both trekkies and she wrote a song for me about Star Trek once). It saddened me further when I realized next year would have been the 50th anniversary of Star Trek and he didn’t make it to that. The world has lost a bright star and it will be long and hard for Leonard Nimoy to be forgotten. He will always be Spock to me and he will always live long and prosper in the hearts of Trekkies everywhere.

Mirriam Neal

Looking back through my life, there are many threads that wind themselves back through every year as far as I can remember. Leonard Nimoy is one of these threads; or, more specifically, Mr. Spock and Star Trek. I grew up with my parents telling tales of Star Trek, tossing around quotes like ‘He’s dead, Jim’ or ‘There be whales here!’ or ‘I feel…fine.’ When I was old enough to watch them, I drank them in and immediately fell in love with Spock; throughout the whole Original Series, he was my favorite. His struggle to maintain his Vulcan dignity while grappling with his human half was something of constant interest.

Several years ago, a friend gave me a dozen vintage Star Trek books. One of them was full of behind-the-scenes stories, anecdotes and tales from the cast and crew. Leonard and William had an ongoing rivalry of the best kind – who could make the other laugh, who could shock the other most. Leonard would put William’s makeup in the fridge so it was freezing the next day, William would crack a joke on set in an attempt to break Leonard up during filming. You can find bloopers from the Original series on Youtube, and watching Leonard is always the best part.

While he played a stoic Vulcan, Leonard was always the first to smile or laugh, the first to see the joke in any situation. He was a rare person, someone who took his craft seriously, who showed a sense of humor and a sense of solemnity. When I read the news of his death, I could only sit in shock while the reality of it seeped into my bones, and then I cried. It was surreal, a part of my life that would not stretch into my future.

Leonard Nimoy meant a lot to me. He will always be part of my past, and when I tell my own children tales of Star Trek, I’ll tell them of Spock most of all; of the most human Vulcan in the universe. Thank you for everything, Leonard Nimoy. Live long and prosper.

Sky Destrian

Star Trek in my family is practically genetic. Just like your hair and eye color, Star Trek gets passed down throughout the generations. While the concept of traveling through space is certainly interesting, it's the heart of the show that I'm after: the people in it. The various Star Trek characters have meant so much to me over the years. So when I found out about the death of Leonard Nimoy, I cried.

I had already heard about the deaths of DeForest Kelley and James Doohan, but those were before I was born. This was real and happening right in front of me. It was my first experience parting with someone from the Star Trek universe, and someone who was extremely important to me at that.

I never met Mr. Nimoy, obviously. And even when it comes to Star Trek, I know the most about Star Trek: The Next Generation, not The Original Series. But, like many of my generation, one of my first exposures to the Original Series was through the 2009 reboot. As Jaime said, Leonard Nimoy starred in that, and he was fantastic. That was only the beginning.

My dad took me through the original Star Trek movies after that. We started with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, in which there's a moment that has every Star Trek fan crying at the end. That scene, and The Wrath of Khan, are both incredibly close to my heart. We then watched Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, which brought Spock to life in the most glorious of ways.

But, I have to say, my favorite portrayal of Spock is in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Spock tries to fit into the hip and trendy world of Los Angeles, and due to this, he interjects swear words into his speech like everyone else. Hearing a Vulcan use profanity is one of the funniest things I've seen. It's so endearing, in a way, and quite frankly, hilarious. My favorite line is, "They are not the hell your whales!"

Though Spock was a logical being, set on the pursuit of the mind, I would argue that Spock has taught me--and all of us--how to feel. He is arguably one of the most sensible, real characters in Star Trek. While he claimed to be logical, underneath it all Spock was one of the most human characters of all.

As James Kirk said in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, "Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most... human."

But I'd be amiss not to mention that Leonard Nimoy's life went far beyond his role as Spock. Nimoy was a writer, a director, a photographer, and a musician. He wrote two autobiographies, titled I Am Not Spock and I Am Spock, respectively. The titles (and content) of these autobiographies reflect the nuanced relationship Nimoy had with Spock. While it appears Nimoy grew to appreciate Spock later in life, he certainly felt the difficulties of being so closely associated with the character.

That's why I feel it's important to note Nimoy's other achievements. He had a great love for photography. He did several photo series focused In 2007, he did a particularly meaningful photo series called "The Full Body Project," centered around celebrating fuller body-types. (There's a really awesome article about it, here.) His photography is also in several museums.

Nimoy also went behind the camera; he directed several Star Trek movies, starting with Star Trek III. He was also a poet, and shared one last poem with us before he died.

While Leonard Nimoy is not Spock, through his roles in Star Trek over the years, he has impacted many people, the nerd community in particular. As Jaime mentioned before, Nimoy offered himself as an adoptive grandfather to anyone who wanted it. That's the kind of person he was to us: a fatherly figure, always there for us to trailblaze the way to our next adventure. He was the helmsman of what now has become a flourishing community of nerds. In many ways, he has changed the world of story and fandom forever. We are better people because of his existence, and I am thankful that he chose to share so much with us.

The world lost someone incredible last Friday. However, I firmly believe his legacy will live on in many ways. It will live on every time we continue to look at the world with wonder and excitement, and metaphorically explore the stars (whatever that looks like for us). Most importantly, it will live on every time we improve our world.

"It's all about trying to make the world and the universe a better place. I'm proud to be connected with it. I think we need that in our lives. We need ethical, heroic people trying to do the right thing to help others and to improve life on this planet and in the universe." -- Leonard Nimoy

I can say that without a doubt, Leonard Nimoy has made the universe a better place. Because of him, I am inspired to do the same.

Thank you for your impact on the world and us, Mr. Nimoy. We have been, and always shall be, your fans. LLAP.

In tribute: Leonard Nimoy #Spock pic.twitter.com/x7Y06Y5Fg2
— Andy Marlette (@AndyMarlette) February 27, 2015

Artwork by Andy Marlette.

Please feel free to post your tribute to Leonard Nimoy in the comments.

actors

It's been a sad day in fandom. Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played Spock in Star Trek: The Original Series, passed away today at the age of 83. The cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Known prominently for his role as Spock, Leonard Nimoy has been one of the trademarks of Star Trek. He began his role as the logical Vulcan in 1966. His last appearance as Spock was in Star Trek: Into Darkness, but he played an even bigger role in the 2009 Star Trek movie. He has made his indelible mark on the world, and he will be missed.

Nimoy's costars, William Shatner and George Takei, reacted via social media.

"I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love." -William Shatner http://t.co/U8ZN98tVYp
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 27, 2015

Post by George Takei.

Other tribute tweets have been posted by celebrities, Star Trek cast and Star Trek fans alike.

There is sorrow in my heart. A beautiful star has faded. #LeonardNimoy Your spirit will live long and prosper with us always.
— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) February 27, 2015

my heart is broken. i love you profoundly my dear friend. and i will miss you everyday. may flights… https://t.co/WPJmt1X4ox
— Zachary Quinto (@ZacharyQuinto) February 27, 2015

It is with sadness that I heard of Leonard Nimoy's death. I was lucky to spend many happy, inspiring hours with him. He won't be forgotten.
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) February 27, 2015

Feels like we lost the head of the family. Thanks and rest in peace, Leonard.
— John Cho (@JohnTheCho) February 27, 2015

Woke up to the awful news that Leonard Nimoy passed. RIP to a true gentleman. Not many of those left in our Biz.
— Marina Sirtis (@Marina_Sirtis) February 27, 2015

RIP, Mr. Nimoy. You really did live long and prosper, and we were all the richer for it.
— Jeri Ryan (@JeriLRyan) February 27, 2015

Live long and prosper. So long, Mr. Nimoy.
— Elijah Wood (@woodelijah) February 27, 2015

#LLAP RIP to the best First Officer. @TheRealNimoy
— Jonathan Frakes (@jonathansfrakes) February 27, 2015

To Kirk, the last word: "Of my friend I can only say this. Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most human"
— Mark Gatiss (@Markgatiss) February 27, 2015

He not only lived long and prospered, but inspired us to do the same. Thank you @TheRealNimoy, for everything. #RIPLeonardNimoy
— Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) February 27, 2015

Fans also posted their thoughts.

"The only blue and gold that matter today." pic.twitter.com/LmVK4XzM5Q
— David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) February 27, 2015

If you're having trouble understanding the grief over @TheRealNimoy's passing, here it is: Every geek just lost their favorite grandparent.
— John Scalzi (@scalzi) February 27, 2015

And finally, Leonard Nimoy himself graced us with his Twitter presence up until the very end.

Any here want to make me their honorary grandfather consider it done. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) January 15, 2014

I will be sharing my poetry. Today's is, "You and I have Learned," which is in my book, These Words Are for You. LLAP pic.twitter.com/CsHAtmtDnz
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 22, 2015

A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015

The Fangirl Initiative team will be putting together a tribute as well, but to honor Mr. Nimoy in the way that we want to, we need a little time to collect our thoughts. Stay on the lookout for that.

RIP, Leonard Nimoy. You lived long, and prospered.

Sky Destrian

Some of the best romantic pairings have come from literature. As fangirls, the written word has often been a refuge for us, and reading about our favorite characters finding love can be a beautiful experience. In our third collab of the month, we share a few of our favorites.

(If you see a blank space, it's probably a spoiler. Highlight it to read.)

Izzy Stevenson

Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks

From the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Lupin (left) and Tonks (right). Illustration by Mary GrandPre.

I’ve always been a fan of characters who you would never expect to be a couple, but at the same time feel perfectly matched. When I first started shipping Lupin and Tonks at the start of Order of the Phoenix, I expected my OTP to be considered a crack ship. He was older, calm, and shy; she was youthful, outgoing, and rebellious. But I couldn’t help it. Something about it just felt right. You can imagine my surprise when the author revealed she also apparently felt they belonged together. Tonks and Lupin may have had some rocky patches in their relationship, to say the least; but to me, they’ll always be my miracle ship that became canon against all odds.

Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Brandon

From Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Illustration of Col. Brandon visiting Marianne by C.E. Brock.

At the start of Sense and Sensibility, you would never think of pairing Marianne and Colonel Brandon. They young woman is frivolous and highly emotional, with her head in the clouds, and doesn’t think too highly of the calm and somber older man. Colonel Brandon on the other hand has fallen deeply in love with Marianne, though his dream of earning her heart seems hopeless. But as time goes on, and Brandon reveals more of his inner character, we see a depth of emotion inside of him that only Marianne can match.

Sophie and Howl

From Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

The cover of the audio book for Howl’s Moving Castle

Sophie and Howl are, at the same time, the most lovable and most incorrigible people. Howl is independent, chaotic; and despite secretly being brave and kind, he has set himself up as a coward and a dangerous villain. Sophie is structured, bossy, clumsy, and refuses to stop interfering in Howl’s life even when her help consistently results in disaster. Needless to say, the two can’t stand each other or get enough of each other. Normally I’m not a huge fan of love/hate relationships, but it just works so well with them. Oh, and Sophie is also cursed to look like an old woman and needs Howl’s help to turn back into her normal self. As you can imagine, the resulting tale is both hilarious and endearing.

Jaime Heller

Ah, so many choices. Narrowing down all the possibilities to two or three is a lot harder than it looks!

Here are my recent favorites that just won’t leave my heart alone:

Luca and Lia from the River of Time Series (Lisa T. Bergren): These two. Oh my heart. I might be completely biased because Luca swept me off his feet as he swept Lia off her feet. What a heartthrob. But I feel that these two crazy kids balance each other and complement each other. Luca can make her laugh; and she stuns him with every action she makes. Talk about swoon-worthy.

art by lostie815

Cress and Throne from the Lunar Chronicles (Marissa Meyer): As much as I adore the other couples in the Lunar Chronicles (Scarlet and Wolf are a close second), my heart skips with joy when I think about Cress and Captain Carswell Throne. Cress is adorable with her hugecrush and fangirling over him; and Thorne is just the type of sly, charming man to make anybody happy. While I’m not sure how they’ll romance story will end up, my fingers are crossed that they do end up together. Because deep down—past his snarky scoundrel-ness—I think Thorne cares about Cress (or maybe that’s me hoping he cares for her).

Special BROTP mentions: Legolas and Gimli (obviously from Lord of the Rings), Liesel and Max (from The Book Thief), Lucy Pevensie and Mr. Tumnus (obviously from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe).

Mirriam Neal

For some reasons, it’s harder for me to have a book OTP than it is to have an OTP from a TV show or even a book-to-movie series. When I DO have a book OTP, it tends to be pretty unpopular (and sometimes blatantly illogical but WHO CARES, they have CHEMISTRY). So I hunkered down and came up with a proper list of the OTPs that wrecked my life.

art by Loki-Ellahell

Katniss Everdeen and Finnick Odair (The Hunger Games)

I know. I know. Everyone adores Finnick/Annie and Katniss/Peeta or Katniss/Gale. And I’ll admit, Finnick/Annie are beautiful and I love that pairing – but honestly, this is one of those ‘yeah, I know it doesn’t happen and yean, I know there’s no reason for me to ship this except I DO, DAGNABBIT’ OTPs. They’re both tributes and both emotionally damaged, suffering from PTSD and the loss of loved ones. They’re both emotionally needy even though they try to act as if they aren’t. They’re both selfless and have courage and skill in spades. They have beautiful chemistry (especially in the movies)…and so Katniss and Finnick (Kinnick? Finniss?) remain a sad, doomed, beautiful OTP close to my heart.

Gwindor and Finduilas (The Silmarillion)

He loves her. She doesn’t love him. He dies. I still can’t talk about it.

Rica Wiersema

(Spoilers present in white text: highlight to read.)

1. Ella of Frell and Prince Charmont of Kyrria

Book: Ella Enchanted

Despite the horrendous mess of a movie that Miramax tried to create in 2004, this book was still one of my favorite fantasy reads growing up because it thoroughly fleshed out the originally-shallow legend of Cinderella (which I normally dislike, I might add. I would love to go into detail about why the movie Ever After is the best film adaptation of the Cinderella myth, but this is about book OTPs, so that's a tale for another time).

   Not only did Ella Enchanted allow the romance between Ella and Charming to start early and grow naturally, but it also included a phenomenal plot twist by placing Ella under an spell/curse of obedience to any and all commands. The breaking of the curse is one of the most romantic and beautiful moments of fairytale magic I’ve ever read… so of course, the movie horrifically changed it.

   In the book, Charmont eventually gets down on one knee and, unaware of the curse, says simply, “Marry me, Ella.” Though he didn’t mean it to be, it was an order… and one that Ella did want to follow. But she knew that if any of his enemies were ever to find out about the curse, they could force her to put him and the kingdom in danger — perhaps even murder Charmont. Because of this, she knew that she couldn't marry her true love and childhood friend at any cost, so she stood rooted to the spot and was put through horrific pain for trying to resist the spell… but at last she was able to put her foot down and shout, “NO! I WILL NOT MARRY YOU!”

With the spell broken, she’s at last able to run around the house, cheering and yelling over and over, “I won’t marry you!” to the confusion of many, many people… but of course, now that the curse is no longer a threat to Charmon’t safety, she’s free to marry him and live happily forever afterwards.

   The breaking of the curse in the book is such a phenomenal portrayal of a selfless love that so many people overlook in romance… and it’s so much better than the film adaptation. But it’s hard to understand unless you read for yourself.

2. Podo Helmer and Gwendolyn Igiby

Book[s]: The Monster In the Hollows, Book III of The Wingfeather Saga

Frankly, where do I begin with these two? Half of their story wouldn’t even make sense without having read the entire series, and the other half of their story is practically wrought with major spoilers. Their entire romance is told as a flashback, in the third book of a four-book saga. But I’ll do my best:

Podo Helmer was a largely self-made man who ran away from home to grow up as a thief in the East Bend of Skree. He spent much of his adult life as a peg-legged pirate of Symia, doing many things that he would eventually come to regret in his later years.

   One day when he came to the port city of Ban Rona, he saw a most beautiful woman and left the sea forever… but their story isn’t near as simple as that.

As it turns out, that beautiful woman had a pretty ugly personality, and during their courtship he fell in love with her gentle, homely housemaid Gwendolyn instead. However, to prove his love for Gwendolyn, he had to take a historic beating from the very closed-off, rough-and-tumble inhabitants of the Green Hollows.

   But in the end, Podo earned Gwendolyn’s hand. The wild pirate was slowly tamed by the plain young lady from Ban Rona, and she introduced him to a world of honor and selfless love for family that he hadn’t known growing up. Also, their daughter went on to marry the High King of Anneria.

   But then Gwendolyn was lost to battle when the great nameless evil, Gnag the Nameless, invaded from the east and attempted to destroy every kingdom in his path. Podo then became the central protector of his three grandchildren… particularly his pint-sized granddaughter Leeli, who sang like a songbird and had a lame leg just like him. She and her mother were the only pieces of Gwendolyn that he had left.

   Podo went on to guide his family through battles and betrayals as a wild-but-wizened old man, fighting to his last breath to keep his family safe… all because of the love that one woman taught him about all those years ago.

Sarah Munson

My truest OTP is me with a book. Yup. That right there is true love. Within the pages of countless novels, though, I’ve found so many couples to fall in love with. I could probably write my own book filled with my favorite fictional pairs, and all the reasons I ship them.

When I got Agent Sky’s email saying we were doing a collaborative post on book OTP’s, I was giddy, and also a little overwhelmed. There are so many good books, with so many stellar couples! How could I choose? I have at last narrowed my choices down to a couple of couples. (Which is my ridiculous way of saying I’ve selected two couples to talk about.)

The first is one from my favorite book series, the River of Time by Lisa T. Bergren. If you read my Valentine’s Day link-up post, you know where this is going. Yes, I am once again talking about Lia and Luca. I really tried to stop myself from picking them again, but what can I say? Luca and Lia are right at the top of my OTP scale. They instantly have a spark, but they know how to be friends first. They’re at ease with one another, and spend many scenes teasing and bantering. When Lia and Luca are together, laughter is often present. Yet they know how and when to be serious, and their mutual understanding is perhaps more attractive than their shared sense of humor. Each deeply trusts and respects the other; even when they disagree or fight, they don’t attack the other person’s weaknesses. I love that no matter what they face, these two are more than romantic partners; they are an enduring team. Also, when I was struggling to come up with a “celebrity” couple name for Lia and Luca for the link-up, Jaime came to my rescue and christened the pair Evangeluca. I think it’s perfect, just as Luca and Lia are for one another.

My second couple is more famous, being from one of the best-selling series of all time. I fully ship Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley. I was cheering for Ginny from the moment she arrived at Hogwarts, though I was glad she and Harry don’t become romantically involved until the latter part of the series. Both have very strong, somewhat stubborn personalities. They’re fighters, brave even when they don’t want to be, and deeply devoted. Their connection to one another is far stronger than simple romance. They’re united in their values, experiences, and even some struggles. Harry and Ginny first get to know one another without the pressure of a relationship, so when they do eventually start going together, each already understands the other’s strengths and weaknesses. They look out for one another, making sacrifices and hard choices, even giving up their budding love for a time. Ginny and Harry do not have a smooth road, but overcoming every obstacle ultimately brings them closer together. And despite all the dark times, they still have fun together and know how to cheer one another up. Theirs is a love that grows gradually, continues steadfastly, and lasts eternally.

Sky Destrian

While I tend to ship people more in movies or TV shows, there are a couple book couples that have stolen my heart.

1. Augustus Waters & Hazel Grace Lancaster

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Move over, Romeo and Juliet. This is the heartbreaking OTPs to end all OTPs. It really hit me how much I shipped them when I watched the movie. The way they connect and become deeper friends, then fall in love, is so beautiful.

I related a lot to Hazel Grace--her quietness, her hesitancy to fall in love. Augustus is one of the sweetest boys. The way he cares for Hazel, even though she resists at first, is so beautiful. He reads Hazel Grace's favorite book and falls just as in love with it as she is, then takes her to Amsterdam so that they can find out the true ending.

If you are somehow unspoiled by the ending of this book and haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it. Then go watch the movie. There will be tears.

2. Sam & Grace

The Shiver Trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater

(Heads up, I haven't read Linger and Forever yet.)

I read Shiver last month and fell head over heels in love. With the prose, yes, but also the main couple, Sam and Grace.

These two complete each other. Sam is an a sensitive, artistic boy, and Grace is pragmatic, good with numbers and figures. It shouldn't work, but it really does. Their slow descent into love is one of the most beautiful things I've read in a long time, and when they finally admitted to each other that they loved each other, my shipper's heart was completely happy. I look forward to reading the sequels. You'll be hearing more from me about it, I'm sure.

What are your book OTPs? Tell us below in the comments!

BOOKS

The Fangirl Experience is a monthly column suggested by Jaime Heller, featuring contributions from both our staff and our readers. Everybody has those moments when being a fangirl feels like the world has become perfectly balanced. It's those moments when you feel a stir in your heart that maybe you've made the right decision in falling down the fandom vortex. When, in the words of my good "friend" Zachary Levi, your "unbridled passion for something, or things, defines who they are as a person without fear of other people's judgment." It's that moment you want to share with the whole world, scream to the rooftops, about what happened. Maybe it's a small moment, maybe it's a big one. But every fangirl has one--or will have one--and we would like to share ours with you.

Because our Initiative would be nothing without the Experience.

By Jaime Heller

The first time I heard about Owl City was when “Fireflies” became a chart topping hit. Everybody knew it; everybody was singing it. It peaked my interest, but I wasn’t convinced it was “anything special.” Until my sister bought his CD, Ocean Eyes. She’d listen to it and so would I.

And I was enchanted.

It wasn’t “Fireflies” that swept me away into a whimsical world of daydreaming and song. Yeah, it was one of the songs that contributed and to this day I’ll sing it loudly while listening to it as I drive down the road. But it was almost everything else by Owl City that caught my attention and tripped me head over heels.

I memorized all of Ocean Eyes, becoming a bigger fan than my sister (though she definitely shares in the love for Adam Young and his talent). I eagerly anticipated new music, listened to old music, and become a little bit of an obsessive fangirl. I hadn’t known I loved music that much.

All Things Bright and Beautiful arrived and I didn’t think I could fall any more in love with Adam Young; but I did. In fact, I cherished ATBAB more than I ever did OE. Every song spoke to me, made me feel like dreaming, and jumpstarted my imagination. From “reality is a lovely place” to a song about the “saving grace of the galaxies” and even to the half-rap, half-singing of “Alligator Sky” I was smitten. Owl City easily became my favorite musical artist.

Adam Young released a CD for his old band, Sky Sailing, with old songs. These too swept me away and I sat in the back of my high school math class writing lyrics on the side of my paper and daydreaming about a story based on the songs (Yes, I know, crazy. But hey, I did it. And it’s become something special to me that I keep close to my heart).

But listening to his music, poring over his lyrics and their meanings, and relishing the wonderstruck feelings I gain over and over each time I listen to him wasn’t enough. I wanted to see him in concert because I knew it would be nothing less than perfect.

There was a concert near where my sister was soon after the release of ATBAB. I wanted to go so badly, but a four hour drive wasn’t really an option for my sixteen year old self. So instead, I bought my sister a ticket and sent her money to buy me a shirt (and gave her a knitted owl hat). She went with a few friends and said it was a magical night.

Because the concert was held at a Christian college, Adam had the opportunity to speak more freely about his faith, and thus, he played my favorite song of his “Meteor Shower.” My sister tried to describe the experience to me, which was amazing. Apparently, the “Meteor Shower” performance had extra sound effects, such as what was like meteors or shooting stars whooshing by. I can only imagine what it must have sounded like.

Thus, I still longed to see Owl City in concert. A few years passed, and I had kind of lost my hope that it would happen. Life happened, I got busy, I graduated from high school, and college was just around the corner.

As was Owl City’s next and latest CD, A Midsummer Station. I had to buy it before I moved into the dorms of my college but couldn’t until later. Much to say, my first semester of college was deeply lived out with this CD as the soundtrack (not that my life in any way reflected it, but I was constantly listening to it).

And then came the day that I saw his next tour line up.

He would be two hours away. The closest he’d probably ever be and it was reasonable driving distance if my sister came to visit. And it was only a week or so after my birthday.

I thought I was seeing shooting stars.

I begged for tickets for Christmas. My sister wanted to go. She would drive up to take me. I had a friend who has a birthday a week after mine, who incidentally adores Owl City just as much as I do.

We had to go together. The three of us.

But I didn’t get tickets for Christmas.
I thought my chance had gone past. I would have to wait until the next time. Again.
But then my mom, out of the blue, nonchalantly said something about my sister and me going. And I *internally* screamed. It was happening! I was going to see Owl City!

It was a cold day. We—the three of us, me, my sister, and my friend—stood outside in line for while freezing. My tummy was flopping all over the place with excitement. Only a few more minutes until we’d enter. Only a little while after that until he’d be on stage. Only, only, only…

I remember the lighting was dark, we were in the middle of the crowd (standing room only), it tightly packed, and my sister had hold of my arm. There were a few more obnoxious people in front of us with signs that blocked the view during specific songs and also they were being pushy and dragging their friends in front of us (aka cutting in front of us rudely). But we were content.

We stood for a long time waiting. We stood as the opening band played. I can’t remember their name or if they were good because once Adam Young and the Owl City band stepped on to stage I was lost in a dream.

It was a beautiful experience that my words fail to describe to the capacity that I would like. I know I was exhilarated to be there. It was the best concert I had been in a while—or perhaps ever.
He played mainly songs from A Midsummer Station, which was okay—not my favorite, but still amazing to hear. I was floating among clouds, rocket ships, and dreams. ‘

When it was over—my life changed forever—I returned to my dorm room and wrote about the experience. Here are a few words I penned that night:

“I just came back from the best concert of my life. It is one I have been dreaming of for a long time now, and it has now come true, which is fitting for who it is. The band is Owl City, the singer is Adam Young, and my heart is soaring high on clouds and happiness. It was pure loveliness. Pure joy. Pure hope.

[I am not sure I can quite express just how magical and beautiful and astounding the concert was.] I go to a lot of concerts with a lot of variety of bands. I have been to many amazing concerts with fun songs and breathtaking moments, but this was a whole different level. This was THE ONE. THE ONE concert I have always wanted to go to. The concert I have been waiting to experience since I first fell head over heels in love with Adam Young’s voice, his style, his tempos and his upbeat optimism. [The dreaming and the joy and the imagination expressed in his songs is more than magical. It is incredible and unique and enchanting. Enchanting. I am wonderstruck. Completely and utterly wonderstruck.]

It was not only beautiful because I believe he makes beautiful music, [the whole atmosphere was beautiful. The light show, the other band members, my sister and my friend beaming at me from both sides… it was all fantastic. But my favorite part of it all was the little quirks and smiles and faces and interjections Adam Young made during the songs. He laughed. He smiled. His eyes wandered up the stars that were not quite viewable with the ceiling in the way, but it was almost as if I could see he was starting up at them. There was the crazy dancing that made me laugh hysterically and feel warm inside as I realized I probably look exactly the same when I try to dance around to music (I am highly uncoordinated). Looking up at the stage at him singing, I saw a little boy living a dream. I saw a kid on Christmas looking around with big eyes at the presents. I saw a man truly blessed and humble about where God has placed him in life. And that was the most incredible thing of all.]

[The magic and wonder of the night will eventually fade. It already has. I am exhausted from the excitement and the heat of the moment. The feelings and the memories will fade back. The ideas and songs and the beauty of it all will become just a dusty old memory that is hidden away into the cobweb corners of my mind. But the knowledge of what I felt, what I experienced, what I saw and what I dreamed will live forever. I have been struck with a lightning bold of inspiration. Looking up at the stage, hearing words of gratitude from his lips and knowing only a few years ago he was a kid making music in a basement and now he is standing on stage surrounded by a crowd of people who know the words to every song, I see a glimpse at dream come true. And I want that dream. I want that dream with my writing. And I am not going to give up. I’m going to be that girl who a few years back was writing stories in her dorm room late at night, scribbling scenes and ideas down on paper in chicken scratch handwriting, and I am going to tell the world what my heart and my head can I agree on. And that is dreaming and not giving up on that dream.

I’ll follow the light through the dream and disasters and I will shine brighter than a shooting star.]”

Maybe Owl City isn’t for everybody, but for a daydreaming girl from a small town, he is every inspiration I need. I proudly declare my “Hoot Owl” citizenship and listen to his songs without shame. The only thing that could have made the night better was if my favorite song, “Meteor Shower,” had been performed.

But there’s always a next time, right?

By Sky Destrian

There's always that first fandom. The first time you found yourself completely head-over-heels for something. In many ways, Owl City was one of my very first fandoms.

My love for Owl City has been around for so long that I almost can't remember when it started. But of course, I know it started with the ever-popular hit, Fireflies. I heard it, and while everyone else was getting sick of it, I was playing it a million times on YouTube. I branched out into other songs after that (one of my favorites was Rugs from Me to You). When it was time for Owl City to release another recording, I pre-ordered All Things Bright and Beautiful. That's about when the hardcore fangirling began. The moment I got it, I ripped open the package and ran upstairs to listen to it. It was magical, really. That's still one of my favorite albums, and those songs have made their way into my subconscious.

I was a hardcore fangirl, I have to say. I watched all the videos and all the songs on repeat. I ordered a pack of Owl City t-shirts with one of my friends (and still wear them! You can see one of them in my bio photo here). I had dreams about the music. I read his blog and soaked in the words. I wrote my own blog posts about him. I was obsessed.

I suppose it's no surprise that I had to see him live.

A couple years before I found Owl City's music, I had heard of Mat Kearney and Owl City touring together. They had come to my state. At the time, I didn't think it was possible for me to go, so I didn't pay much attention. I regretted that later in life when Mat Kearney and Owl City became my favorite artists ever. So when my friend messaged me saying that Owl City would be coming to Denver in the summer, I knew this was my chance. I knew I had to go.

We were very nearly late. Car trouble and general delays made it seem like we may not make it there on time. We made it to a family member's house to scarf down some dinner, then left for Bluebird Theater. Once we got there, the parking was atrocious. We had to walk quite a ways till we got to the theater, and as someone with a chronic illness, it wasn't easy. Add to that some confusion over whether we could bring our water bottles in, and by the time I got into the cramped, hot theater, I was exhausted. I very nearly cried as Owl City's opening act was playing, because I was exhausted. And would it all be worth it?

Oh dear past me, you shouldn't have worried. It. Definitely. Was.

The stage got quiet and a gorgeous instrumental song started playing (I think it was Umbrella Beach or Hello Seattle?). The lights started to flash. They were all sorts of colors and shapes, projected into the darkness. Honestly, the way Owl City sets up his shows are exactly befitting to his music: they. are. magic.

Every song was beautiful. It sounded just like they did on my CD player, that very first summer that I fell in love with his music. When I get sad, sometimes I still think about how beautiful the vocal riff in "Gold" sounded when Adam Young sang it live. I also think about screaming along to WAKE ME IF YOU'RE OUT THERE at the top of my lungs. I cannot express what a good feeling that is.

After the concert, my friend and I took pictures next to his luggage, true to our fangirl form. As we left and drove along the highway, with the city lights bright against the dark, I was... well, "wonderstruck, blushing all the way home."

While some of the concert has faded from my memory, the mark of it indelibly remains. I would go so far as to say I was changed by the experience. That had been one of the hardest years of my life, but because of Owl City, I forgot about it all. After wishing for years, one of my greatest dreams had been fulfilled. I had seen a glimpse of something beyond myself. And for just one night, magic was real.

In conclusion, this is what happened: I was able to rest assured... 'Cuz dreams don't turn to dust.

P.S. - Thank you, Adam Young, for your music. In times of sadness and pain, you have helped me more than you know. I was a little girl who dreamed, and because of you, I continue to. Thank you.

Have you ever had an out-of-this-world fangirl experience? The Fangirl Initiative wouldn't be complete without the help of you, our readers. We want to hear and feature your stories and tales. If you have a fangirl experience you'd like to share in this column, let us know!

concerts

Fandom is full of couples to love. From Beauty and the Beast to Thor and Jane, we've got so much to love about... well, love. One True Pairings (OTPs) have wrecked our hearts, and will continue to do so for years to come. There's nothing quite like rooting for your favorite people to get together, and rejoicing when they do (or continuing to angst about how they're not together for 5 seasons). Whatever the scenario, we fangirls know this feeling well.

So what better way to celebrate than a blog link-up?

Your OTP Dream Team--aka Jaime Heller, Sarah Munson, and myself--put our heads together to create a link-up where you can headcanon about your favorite fictional couple.

Wait, what? How do I do this?

You answer our 14 questions on your blog about your fictional couple of choice. Then, sign the linky below. We want this to be a huge event, so be sure to check out the links of the fellow participants!

Step by step guide:

1. Pick a fictional couple. Whether it's from a book, a movie, a TV show, a manga, a video game... anything goes. (They must be characters not of your own creation, however.)
2. Check out our questions and come up with your answers. No answer is the wrong one! This is where you get to dream all about your favorite fictional OTP.
3. Post the answers on your blog. Don't forget to link back to this blog! Also, please use our button below, or link back to this blog.

4. Come back here and sign the linky!
5. Enjoy! (Side effects include headcanons, lots of feelings, and potential tears.)

So what are you waiting for?

Here are the questions you'll need to answer.

What is their current relationship status, and how did they meet?
Why do you want them to be together? What makes them better together?
What song(s) remind you of them?
How would they divide household chores (cooking, cleaning, etc.)?
What would this couple argue most about, and who is most likely to compromise?
What interests do they share?
Are they introverts, extroverts, one of each?
What would their first date be like? (If they've already had their first date, describe their ideal date.)
Do they get along with each other's families?
In what ways do they drive each other crazy? In what ways do they drive other people crazy together?
Where would they go for their honeymoon/a romantic getaway?
Do they share any similarities to classic romantic couples? (I.E., Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Beauty and the Beast)
What would their "celebrity couple" name be? (I.E., Brangelina) 
Where do you see this couple in 10 years?

An InLinkz Link-up

We can't wait to read your answers!

P.S. - Tonight we'll be having a Twitter chat to celebrate Valentine's Day. Join us at 8:30 PM EST at @tfi_blog and via the hashtag #thefgi.

Jaime Heller

Love isn't just limited to the screen--there are lots of songs about it, too. We gathered up several members of the Initiative to talk about our favorite love songs.

Amanda Horn

1. One of my favorite love songs is "The Scientist" by Coldplay. It's not a happy song by any means, but it's a lovely and tragic song. It also reminds me of Daniel Faraday and Charlotte Lewis from Lost. Daniel loves her so much and I think this song accurately conveys his thoughts.

2. I'm a big fan of musical theatre and one of my favorite songs from a little-known musical named Side Show is called "I Will Never Leave You." Side Show is the story of a pair of conjoined twins in the 1920's. They sing this song near the end of show, when they realize that though other people may leave them, they will always be there for each other.

Izzy Stevenson

When I think about Valentine’s Day, my memory takes me back to the very first day I became interested in boys. That, of course, was the day the holiday first made sense to me on any kind of level, and I still remember it well. It was right near Valentine’s Day, in fact. 15 years ago, and I was around nine or ten. The same song kept playing over and over on the television as part of a special Valentine’s Day commercial. Today I still associate that song with the excitement of young love.

As much as we love our OTPs, I think we can all admit that the best kind of romances are the ones that take place in the real world. My favorite thing about the song “My Idea of Heaven” is the music video, in which the singer, Leigh Nash, has some of her personal married friends write on cards about what their idea of heaven is.