Something I’ve noticed in the RP community is that we expect our RP partners to be writing machines. We expect them to churn out a reply almost immediately after we post ours, be on when we are, always send us memes, et cetera. Here’s the thing: our RP partners are not machines. They are human beings who need to be respected for more than their ability to write. Other than the usual “your RP partners may not feel like replying at the moment,” here are some things to respect them for, and remember when you’re RPing:
Respect that your RP partner may be in school.
Respect that your RP partner may be employed.
Respect that your RP partner may have at least one physical illness.
Respect that your RP partner may have at least one mental illness.
Respect that your RP partner may have friends outside of tumblr.
Respect that your RP partner may have a family outside of tumblr.
Respect that your RP partner may be a parent.
Respect that your RP partner may have hobbies outside of tumblr.
Respect that your RP partner may have religious obligations.
Respect that your RP partner may not always have internet, or computer access.
Respect that your RP partner may be going through a difficult life situation.
Respect that your RP partner does not have to disclose everything happening in their personal life to you.
Too often, it’s easy to say “no one RPs with me” or “no one ships with me” or “no one sends me anything” without considering any of the above, or even more circumstances your RP partner(s) may be dealing with. Too often, it’s easy to say one of those things, and not consider how the other person feels when reading it. Someone dealing with at least one of these circumstances can feel guilty for not replying right away, sending something, et cetera, or feel like they have to once they see their partner is unhappy.Â
I know I do when I see things like that on my dash.
When you start feeling guilty for not doing something that is part of your hobby, or feeling like you have to do something that is supposed to be fun, it stops being fun. It feels like a job. I know when I feel obligated to do a reply for a person, I drag my feet. I do not feel excited about the RP as much anymore. Even if they say, “Sure, I’ll wait,” I see them post elsewhere that no one sends them things, or no one RPs with them. The guilt turns on. I feel like I have to reply. It’s a passive-aggressive tactic that a person may not even be aware that they’re doing. No matter what, though, it needs to stop.
All in all, we need to show more kindness and patience towards our RP partners. The best relationships I have on this website are the ones where we treat each other with not only that, but with mutual respect. We also communicate regularly, and tell each other if we need to hold onto replies. I feel relieved knowing I can go to my RP partners, and tell them to hold onto my replies because I’m not feeling well, and I don’t know when I will be. It is an amazing feeling. We need more of that on this website, and less expecting one another to be robots.
“No, no– it’s fine, really. I promise you that you’re not the only vigilante or hero who’s felt like this before.” There was a plethora of things stirring the other Meta’s frustration, something that took Claire a second to finally figure out before jumping right back into the conversation with a response. “I do have to tell you one thing, something that you have to keep in mind especially when you’re out there.” A serious look masked any previous compassion she had with him only moments ago. Unfortunately, these conflicts of ethical moral and obligation clashed harshly against emotions- which led to distraction. Out there if you were to lose focus in a tense situation for even one second, that one second could determine whether you return with success or return in a body bag. “Stay focused, regardless of whatever problems you might be facing behind the mask; a distraction can cost you everything. I’d rather have you talk to somebody like this instead of releasing all that anger out on a mission or a call.”
“Yeah, Yeah. You’re right,” Cisco responded, knowing how dangerous his powers could be if he left himself go. “Thank you. For listening, I mean. Really, it means a lot. I haven’t had anyone that wanted to listen in a while. I always feel like a burden, letting all this out with my teammates.”
Peter scrunched his eyebrows. “STAR Labs…” he mumbled, looking away for a moment. “Nope. I’ve never heard of it. What’s STAR Labs?”
“Scientific and Technological Advanced Research Labs,” Cisco rattled off, the words rolling off his tongue. “There was an explosion that happened a few years back, gave a bunch of people superpowers. Kinda cool, Mostly sucks.”
Barry’s jaw slackened, turning away from the other and letting his smirk fall. Being threatened by a man with Cisco’s face stung, but it wasn’t a new occurrence. He was an imposing and arrogant man, and most people weren’t fond of it – Ciscos included. And honestly, they were smart not to care for him.
He runs a finger over the ring he was wearing, knowing he might need to suit up and run off at a moment’s notice. “I look like your Barry. Not hard to sneak in when you think I’m The Flash.” He muses, drumming his fingers against the mechanical device in his hand and opting to set it down back where it belonged. “Look. I am not going to hurt you, so I ask you to extend the same level of respect to me,” he stated, words taking a certain sharpness to them that bordered on a threat, though it was one he wouldn’t act on.
He watched the man’s movements closely, trying to figure out what he was thinking. “Why are you here, what do you want?” Cisco asked, his senses heightened, ready to spring into action in a moment’s notice. “I’ll respect you, don’t worry,” he added, watching the other closely.
His eyes flickered over to where his gauntlets were kept, and he tried to calculate how fast he could make it to his bag.
RAY AND CISCO RAY AND CISCO RAY AND CISCO
Ray and Cisco love to stim and fidget while they concentrate!!!! Cisco usually fidgets with candy wrappers he has laying around his desk and it drives ppl crazy w the crinkling noise but he doesn’t even notice half the time bc he goes into Hyperfocus with some new invention, then Barry or someone gives him a fidget toy and he is so over the moon about it and uses it constantly
Ray is basically the same but he usually just fidgets with like a pen or something and the clicking noise also drives ppl crazy until someone gives him a fidget toy and he’s honestly never been so focused before
I might write anything from a paragraph to a whopping essay, but send me something you’ve noticed about my characterisation or just something you want to know about my muse and I will write what I can!
Cisco backup 