bad rap

[insertusername]

bad rap

The things we become known for aren’t always what we’d like to be known for. Reputations are hard to run from. Sometimes they’re not even deserved. So here’s your chance to set the record straight. Clear up some misplaced assumptions, debunk any rumours about yourself and defy your stereotypes.

how to play:

Top level with something(s) your character is tired of people assuming about them, blaming them for, or pigeonholing them about, etc. Say it in person or over text.

Comment on any surprising, or not so surprising declarations.

Comments

Raddle | Animal Crossing: New Horizons | OTA

[mask_up]

Just because my species can secrete poison doesn't mean I'm always secreting it! I can control it, I haven't had an accident since I was a tadpole, and I'm a very hygienic doctor. Please don't think less of me as a medical professional just because of my species.

[horticulturalist]

I believe you.
I bet you're a great doctor.

If that sounds sarcastic, it's not. Promise.

[mask_up]

Thank you. And if that sounds sarcastic, it's not. I wouldn't have left the city if more people had been willing to go to a doctor like me, but... they weren't, and I couldn't keep a general practice open.

[horticulturalist]

I'm sorry.
I know what it's like to just want to help people. But you can't. Because they won't let you when know what you are.

I hope you get your practice back.

[mask_up]

Actually, I'm moving to an island. It's small, but the community is made of many different species, and they don't care that I'm a poisonous frog. They only care that I'm a doctor that's willing to work and live out there. And I am. I don't want any community to go without help.

Maybe I was never meant for the city. Maybe it's best to go where I'm needed, even if it's not where I thought I wanted to be.

[horticulturalist]

That sounds nice. Peaceful. [This is Larry giving you all his optimism.]

Are you disappointed?

[mask_up]

I think it will be. A place I can make a difference - that's all I wanted.

A little. After all that hard work, I'd thought that people would see my credentials, my training, instead of seeing my yellow spots. I've always wanted to see the best in people. Sometimes, though, their best isn't what I wanted it to be.

[horticulturalist]

It's understandable.

It's not fair. No matter how many times you prove yourself. No matter how credentialed you are. It's like they're only capable of making one thing of you. And if that one thing isn't something they like... well. Too bad.

[mask_up]

That's why I decided to move to the island. Things are fairer, there. The man running the town is a raccoon, who got tired of being viewed as shady and wants to raise his kids somewhere away from that kind of backwards thinking. There's a koala who wants to run a gym, but never got a chance because people think of koalas as lazy. I think maybe there people will see me as who I am, not what they want to make of me based on my being a poisonous frog.

Moving is a big thing. But sometimes big changes are good.

[horticulturalist]

That sounds like a good place to be. I hope it ends up feeling like home.

[mask_up]

I hope so, too. The human who told me about the place seems to share a lot of my thoughts about all people being able to do what they want regardless of species. I'm trying to remain optimistic. I don't want to become bitter over the things that have happened, you know? I feel like if I get bitter, then they've won, somehow.

[dontpetmeibite]

Nobody's fitness for a profession--or anything else--should be judged by their form, their function, their alt-mode, or their mode of creation.

...did you ask him out yet?

[mask_up]

...sort of. We had coffee together by the river and I held his paw, but I got too nervous to do anything else and I didn't call it a date when I asked him out.

[God why are relationships so hard.]

He hugged me before we went back to our homes. He's never done that before. That's a good sign, right?

[dontpetmeibite]

Yes. That's a very good sign. Also, I am given to understand that 'let's go and get coffee' is a very typical first date, similar to 'let's go and get energon fizz'. So there's a chance he knows it was a date.

But ask him directly next time.

[mask_up]

The island has a lovely cafe. We sometimes go there on Sunday mornings, to chat and wait for the turnip vendor to arrive so we can do our shopping. So he might not have known it was a date. But I was nervous! It's all very new to me.

But. Next time I'll say it! Maybe I'll ask him out to dinner. That's less ambiguous, right?

[dontpetmeibite]

Yes. But what's even less ambiguous than that is saying, "I would like to ask you out on a dinner date," and paying for both of you.

[mask_up]

O-oh. Um. That's a little forward, isn't it? I don't want to come on too strong or seem pushy.

[dontpetmeibite]

Would you feel it was forward or pushy if he asked you that question? I doubt it.

[mask_up]

Well, no, but Raymond's better at sounding casual than I am. If I say it I'll end up speaking too loud or squeaking or worse, croaking if I'm nervous enough! That would destroy the mood completely!

[dontpetmeibite]

He might think it's cute! Soundwave loves it when I do cat things, sometimes. If somebody likes you, they usually like seeing you be yourself.

[mask_up]

Maybe. I did hop onto my roof once in front of him, and he didn't seem weirded out by it. But croaking isn't as cool as hopping.

[dontpetmeibite]

Look, purring is generally considered adorable, but I've made some incredibly untoward and ungraceful noises, and the mech who loves me just smiles, unless it's one of the ones that means that I'm hurt.

[mask_up]

Sometimes my eyes glow, when I'm startled. It's what I'm most worried about. My friend Apple screamed when she saw it and ran.

[dontpetmeibite]

...is that not normal for organic people?

[mask_up]

No. I've only ever met one other person whose eyes did that.