Vox's Wants

[Ashley Engel]

PLAYER WANTS

What is your plotting philosophy?
You know, I’d never actually thought about this before. I’m used to pick-ups, where I just follow the other’s person’s lead for how to handle things. Personally, I guess I’m really adjusted to that so I’m more prone to looking into what another person/group would prefer for handling things. All on my own opinion, though.. Hm.

Well for starters I won’t hold plotting as an iron-clad contract. Things change, characters develop. Especially if a discussed idea is for way down the line. So I like to bounce ideas around and make plans and thoughts and plotting concepts, but if between point A and point B variables change to make an idea hard to manage, it’s not something I expect someone to force just because we discussed it.

As for knowing things ahead of time or not, it depends. If an event revolved heavily on how a character would handle/react to something, I’d like to know about it beforehand just to provide feedback so I don’t get two posts in and go “but that probably wouldn’t happen like that”. If a plot is just something already in motion that is going to happen, and my character’s involvement is reaction-based, then I’m more than fine with surprises and twists. =)

Finally, for an outline or a starting concept, I can work with either. I used to plan out things meticulously but they never worked out fully so I stopped and just started enjoying what parts of the ride happened, versus which ones I wanted to get to. I still enjoy either route though, so this would largely come down to a partner/group preference.

What types of plots are you interested in playing?
Oh gosh, that’s another great question. I suppose it’s not fair to say “all of them”?
Generally I like dialogue and emotional interactions. Action is great too, don’t get me wrong. But sometimes I find a lot more power in a quiet conversation over coffee than a big explosion and danger. Overall I really enjoy anything that takes my character out of a set comfort zone. Always playing moments where their strengths shine is awfully boring. So playing on fears, insecurities, and roads still untraveled gets me excited.

I like everything from pointless fluff exchanges to largely altering moments of self-discovering and development. I’ll try anything at least twice, so while I have my own interests there’s rarely a plot idea I will outright say no to.

What types of plots are you not interested in playing?
Very few, if any.
Like any adult, I have the ability to say “no thank you” so I don’t ever want people to worry about suggesting something that might offend me or somesuch. Even if my list of dislikes is fairly scant. I typically add things as I come across them, but I haven’t really stumbled into anything before I really couldn’t stand. I guess.. if I had to list something, it would be “perfect” plots. Anything where one or more character/s never does anything wrong, always had perfect hair flowing in the breeze, and no one ever gets hurt. When I roleplay I like to see the good and bad parts of all the characters involved. I want to see a moment of shining triumph for everyone as much as the next person, but if that’s all there ever is then it ceases to be an accomplishment and is just the mundane. So I am definitely not interested in flawless exposition plots.

How often can you reply to any given thread?
I have work on wednesdays, and sometimes thursdays. Any day other than that, unless I have personal plans (which isn’t terribly often, sadly) is free. My sleeping schedule is horrendous though, so time might be weird. Generally I’m up about 1-4pm and I crash around 5-7am. But sometimes things happen and I’m up at 10am and down by 5am, so it’s a little bit of a toss up there. In general though I’d say I’ve got about a sixteenish hour window 5/6 out of 7 days a week where I’m around for post replies.

What is the longest you're willing to wait for a reply to a thread?
Mmm. Probably around a week?
Some of my favorite partners were on busy schedules and would reply to me once a week or so. I typically don’t mind waiting that long, since life is hectic and always comes first. Good posts are worth the wait, n’all that. I mean, I always get excited when people reply sooner than that, but who doesn’t? If a reply takes longer than a week, I miiight ask if things are ok on the other person’s end. If they need more time for understandable reasons, I’ll back off. If the spark is just gone for whatever was going, I’ll try to be polite in asking if the thread can be closed/idea summarized for plot closure.

Are you open to RPing over instant messengers? If so, what's the best way to contact you and what times are you generally available?
Uhh. Hm.
I don’t want to say no? I wouldn’t mind it per say, but I’ve never really done it over IMs before so I don’t know how it would feel. I got a chatango thingy (though I’m clumsy with it, be warned) and a skype but I mostly use that for friends/ooc chatter and stuff. I wouldn’t be against trying on other platforms per say, but I know I don’t like doing things over AIM or email. So there’s that?

Are you open to post volleying?
I didn’t know there was a term for that.
I’m cool with it. As for setting it up.. uh.. just ask? I mean, I don’t know if there’s a special process here I don’t know about?

Anything else?
My life is sometimes aggravatingly spontaneous. I try very, very hard to stick to any time-based promises I make, but sometimes I have to just say “I have to go right now, I’ll be back later” and leave. This isn’t very often, but I feel like I should give a warning anyway.

A reason behind it (however flimsy) is just that my friends/family tend to make very drop of the hat plans at times. So there are nights where I’m told I need to be ready and out the door in ten minutes, and that’s it. I will try to reschedule things like that if I promised I’d be online at a certain date/time but sometimes things just happen, and it’s all I can do to give a warning here and now.

PLAYER LIMITS

What are you limits regarding powerplay/godmoding?
Typically I range this off how much I trust the other player. Around here, I’m just going to go ahead and give everybody my faith. I don’t mind other people moving my character to a degree when it helps progress a scene. Anything that seems obvious is fine, though you’re always welcome to message me and ask if you’re not sure.

Things I consider over the line are motions where someone would be assuming how my character would think/react. (ie- assuming she fell over during an earthquake is fine. assuming a much stronger character than her picked her up forcibly is fine. but assuming she would say something, or do something that requires thought is not ok)

In regards to any combative/physical situations please feel free to message me about it. I have no issue just back and forth quickly stating what character would do what ooc so one person can write a reply without it having to turn into two sentences back and forth for a while. Just as long as reactions are discussed so the scene can be kept accurate.

What are your limits in regards to romantic situations?
Hoo boy this is a lot to answer.

First and foremost, the only things I have issues with are very select kinks. And I mean VERY select ones. And given Hammel’s rules about cutting to black, I doubt that will ever be a real issue? Though you’re welcome to establish those details loosely with me in ooc if that’s rules-appropriate, since I do believe sexual preferences are as much a part of a character and their psychology as any other detail. (So conversations like Bob likes X, would that be an issue for Sam? are fine to bring up in my book.)

As for pre-plotting or not, both are fun. If someone thinks it would be interesting to have Bob and Sam hook up down the road I’m happy to set up scenes to progress things towards that outcome. However, if a thread with someone else suddenly brings up a strong potential for Bob and Alex to be a thing, I wouldn’t turn it down just because of the idea with Sam. I would, however, expect there to be some conversation had about it ooc. For a more personal example, if Ash managed to hit it off with someone and the other player thought it would be cute if they eventually developed into a couple, I’d be more than happy to see that through in threads bringing them closer. But if another thread happened wherein relationship potential sprung up for Ash or the other character, I’d really prefer if there was a conversation about “hey, this thing happened, would you prefer it handled like a love triangle, or scrap the original couple idea, or what?”

I don’t really believe in saying “no I can’t plot with you because I promised another player my character would wind up with theirs”. I do strongly believe in keeping people informed when character development happens that could change discussed plot ideas, though. And that applies to more than just romantic situations.

Oh, and as for rejection/triangles/age-gaps/ect. I’m fine with it all. You can tack polygamy and open relationships on there, too. I, as a player, am fine with just about everything. The only things you’ll probably want to consider are possibilities with characters’ preferences. But even then I enjoy plotting things like “what events could lead to this person being in this sort of relationship?”.

What are your limits in regards to sex (within the TOS)?
I think my answer here is fade to black? To be blunt I’m used to exchanges wherein nothing was omitted, for the sake of having that information and character development in mind. So my limits are identical to ToS and my partner’s limits in this area. If you have a preference, I will respect it. Otherwise I won’t really pull any punches in posts, up to the point of cutting out according to ToS. I will not tread that line recklessly. As soon as things start getting racy, I will fade out. If something would be done or said during that cut out scene that would affect character development, I’ll try to bring it up ooc as cleanly as possible, and I welcome anyone else to do the same- again assuming that is rules appropriate.

What are your limits in regards to violent scenes (within the TOS)?
There really isn’t a lot I won’t write. Almost all of my writing history has been fairly heavily stepped in violent scenes, so none of it particularly upsets me. I will, like sex, prescribe to the ToS and my partner’s limits, but personally I don’t really have any that anyone else needs to be wary of.

What are your limits in regards to abuse/rape in plots?
This is a more tender area. I am fine with abuse/rape in plots as long as it is taken seriously. I have another character not on Hammel that is pretty much drenched in serious, adult themes and events and nothing upsets me more than when the whole concept is written off for including these things. Only because it means at some point someone else brought up those topics without tact or care. I take “adult” events very seriously. Bad things, horrible things, do happen in the world. I don’t like to censor or cut them out of my writing, because I feel like real victims of those events cannot censor or cut the memories out of their lives. I have no issue writing these topics, as long as all involved parties understand the real weight and psychological effects of what is being written. I do not appreciate anyone suggesting abuse or rape to “spice up” or “add drama” to a character or plot. These things, to me, are events used to portray real reactions and effects. If I am involved in a rape or abuse scene it is with the intention of portraying a character reacting to it as I feel would be realistic for their personality and setting.

This applies to any other “adult” themes that run the risk of offending or triggering someone. I have no problem writing plots that included these things, as long as they are respected and taken seriously.

Anything else?
Well since that was a fairly heavy last question.. Uhh, something lighter..
I really love chattering ooc! Even if some of the plot ideas are AU junk or never used, I really enjoy just sitting around talking to people. So never be afraid to hit me up, even if it’s for pointless conversation. =) And if you ever want my skype for ooc or rp nonsense, never be afraid to ask. Especially if we’ve already done a thread/plot together!



Credit to Rhi-Rhi from Spirits of the Earth for this questionnaire.