It takes strength to fail
I’m the strongest ever!
- Message of the Week, Animal Crossing
Hi, nice to meet you! My name is Hilary, but most people on the ‘net call me Pie. I’m a 22-year-old fangirl, with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and a background in graphic design, who’s aiming to get into video game design and development. I’ve been online for quite a long time now, and in that time I’ve had the opportunity to fail in some pretty spectacular ways.
But I also met the best boyfriend ever, so I guess everything has turned out pretty good so far!
Anyway, you’re probably here from Shipper Squirrel, aren’t you? If you’re not interested in reading my entire Internet resume, you can use this link to jump straight to my list of ships.
WRITING FANFICTION AND DRAWING FANART
The first thing I ever really got into online was writing Pokémon fanfiction on a small AOL message board. But I was about 10 years old at the time, so naturally the result was terrible. Unbelievably awful.
But on the plus side, I was able to get to know Zarla when she was still working on becoming one of the biggest names in online fandom.
I haven’t really made anything significant in the past few years, since I’ve been trying to focus on my education. But if you’re really dead-set on finding out how awful my old work is, feel free to go snooping around for my DeviantArt, because I’m too ashamed to link it.
ROLEPLAYING
I’ve been roleplaying so long that I can’t even remember when I started. And, unfortunately, most of the games I’ve been in have ended in disaster. Whether online or tabletop.
I’m fairly happy with the game I’m in now on Livejournal, though. Let’s hope it stays that way!
BEING A BIG NAME FAN IN THE POKÉMON FANDOM
(Before you ask, my favorite Pokémon are Sandslash, Onix, Aron and Bonsly. And so many, many others.)
As I mentioned, one of the first and biggest fandoms I ever dived into was Pokémon. I had a brief stint as a moderator at Bulbagarden. And by brief, I mean it was long and eventful, full of things I am both proud and ashamed of.
For example, when the Bulbacast started up, I was one of the core cast, and an extremely popular part of the team due to the fact that I was the only girl willing to take part in this. Never mind that I spent most of it just squealing about how much I love Brock. (I haven’t re-listened to it in years, but I’m pretty sure the second episode has way too much of me gushing about how BROCK HAS A BONSLY NOW, EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL AND I LOVE IT.)
I also had a period where I was Bulbapedia’s style editor and top contributor. During this period, a lot of useless articles were added that were completely my fault. I’m sure they don’t miss me.
As for shames, when the English voice cast was replaced, I was also the one who coined the name for the SOVA Campaign and somehow became the figurehead for it. It turned into a mess, and I’m not sure that my presence there really accomplished anything. Oh well.
TV TROPES
Taking a tangent from my Pokémon fandom history, I was also part of the reason The Smurfette Principle was added into TV Tropes, and subsequently became a hot topic of discussion in several places around the internet. And even was brought up in The Nostalgia Critic’s interview with the creators of Animaniacs. (Holy shit, I loved that show!)
Would you believe it all started with a forum topic in the Pokémon fandom about the female characters? Some other fan was insisting May was a huge, revolutionary figure for female characters in shounen anime, when she’s still a token girl and basically an overly feminized version of Ash. Thus, I linked the New York Times article, and a Troper saw it and thought it needed its own Trope page immediately. And I was like, “TV Tropes? What’s that?” So, that’s how I both inspired a huge TV Tropes article and got into the site.
Except I would have never seen that article if not for being introduced to it by the outstanding Professor Bob White at Simmons College, so truthfully this is just me being part of one longer process in the big telephone game of information spreading throughout the internet. No real reason to claim any fame!
GAIA ONLINE
I joined in 2003 and didn’t use my account until 2006. I was in the first crew to beat the zOMG endboss, and had about ten seconds of fame for it. I almost became a mod but stopped due to personal issues.
Nothing but failure all ‘round, here.
WRITING MUSIC
This is a hobby of mine that started going places when I joined the MSPA music team and had one song appear on one album. And I haven’t made anything good enough since. Yup, I’m the worst part of this team.
IMAGE EDITING
I recently entered a Cracked.com Photoplasty contest and only ranked 9th. But maybe I’ll keep entering these and see if I can’t win that elusive $50.
BEING HUMBLE
Despite the nickname Pie. Ironic, I know.
REAL LIFE
Myself × My boyfriend = OTP. I love him so much, and I’m so thankful that I met him. He is the greatest ever. <3
CROSSOVERS
Lemina Ausa (Lunar) × Shimura Shinpachi (Gintama)
This is a ship that was born from RP, and it’s my all-time Crossover OTP.
She’s an over-the-top money-hungry closet-geek magical girl with a hair-trigger temper and a secret heart of gold, the heiress of the Magic Guild of Vane.
He’s a nondescript strong-hearted homemaking glasses-wearing otaku samurai who plays straight man to the jokes of the universe, the heir to the Koudoukan dojo.
She’s a lady (even if she doesn’t act like one), and he’s the Japanese equivalent of a knight. They’re both 16. They’re both prone to losing their temper, which is a recipe for wonderful bickering UST. They both have family issues, feelings of inadequacy, and reviving a school they call home to struggle with. And both of their series are obsessed with silver and packed full of crude humor.
I could go on forever. But ultimately, they are DESTINED TO BE.
Jean (Lunar) × Sakata Gintoki (Gintama)
This is another ship that was born from RP. (No, I don’t know how I managed to get two crossover ships with the same two series, either.) Unfortunately, it’s not still being played out, but the memories will always hold a special place in my heart.
She’s a gypsy who was raised by the leader of a cult, and grew into a powerful fighter with a dangerous killing instinct. But she decided she didn’t like the monster she had become, and tried to run from her past by becoming a dancer who would spread happiness throughout the world through the power of music. She maintains a positive attitude and looks for the best in everyone. A protective older sister figure to her friends.
He’s a samurai who was raised by the most noble of teachers, and grew into a powerful swordsman with a dangerous killing instinct. But he decided he didn’t like the demon he had become, and left his past behind to work Odds Jobs helping anyone who would hire him. He seems like a lazy asshole, but once you get to know him you can see he has a beautiful soul. A protective older brother figure to his friends.
Also, he has a horrible sweet tooth. And she spent years traveling the world with a carnival, and presumably knows a lot about making the worst junk food. And they both love to drink. He’s always broke, she’s doesn’t care about money. She’s hot as hell, he’s got a perverted streak.
Need I go on?
White Knight Leo (Lunar) × Sarutobi Ayame (Gintama)
Okay, this one I can’t claim I’ve played out. But I had two ships for these two series, and I thought maybe there was room for a third.
I thought about it for about ten seconds, and this came to mind, and I immediately started shipping it hard.
He’s a knight overdevoted to justice, blinded by the law to the point that he ends up fighting against the heroes trying to save the world. He struggles with it, and at one point decides to cope with his own actions by becoming MYSTERE, a mysterious hero that’s actually just him in a mask that fools know one, shouting battle cries that are horribly suggestive of S&M. Acts like an asshole, especially at the start, but is actually a good person.
She’s a ninja who’s just plain blind, at least with her glasses off. When she’s not working, she’s stalking an asshole with a heart of gold who she has a crush on because he shouted some things at her that she took as an invitation for S&M.
DO YOU SEE WHERE I AM GOING WITH THIS YET? THEY WOULD BE THE KINKIEST PAIR EVER. EVER.
Waldo (Where’s Waldo) × Carmen Sandiego (Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego)
Just google this one. I didn’t come up with it. I am not the first person to ship it, and I will not be the last.
VIDEO GAMES
LUNAR:
Ronfar × Mauri
Mia Ausa × Nash Rumack
Jessica de Alkirk × Kyle
Nall × Ruby
Dyne × Lemia Ausa
Ghaleon → Dyne
Xenobia → Ghaleon
Alex Noah × Luna Noah
Hiro × Lucia
Borgan × Lemia Ausa
ACE ATTORNEY:
Angel Starr × Bruce Goodman
Maggey Byrde × Dick Gumshoe
Mia Fey × Diego Armando
Lana Skye × Jake Marshall
Ema Skye × Klavier Gavin
Apollo Justice × Vera Misham
Trucy Wright × Machi Tobaye
Ema Skye × Darian Crescend (as a past relationship)
Franziska von Karma × Adrian Andrews
Phoenix Wright × Miles Edgeworth (but only if they’re snarky as hell)
FINAL FANTASY:
Beatrix × Adelbert Steiner
Zell Dincht × Library Girl with a Pigtail
Celes Chere × Locke Cole
Rydia × Edward “Edge” Geraldine
Garnet til Alexandros × Zidane Tribal
Irvine Kinneas × Selphie Tilmitt
MARIO BROS.:
Luigi × Princess Daisy
POKÉMON:
Officer Jenny × Nurse Joy (× Jenny × Joy × Jenny × Joy…)
ANIME / MANGA
GINTAMA:
Tama × Leukocyte King
SLAYERS
Lina Inverse × Gourry Gabriev
Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun × Zelgadis Greywords
Xellos × Filia Ul Copt
TORIKO:
Komatsu × Melk the Second
MORE TO COME SOON, THIS IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS.
