Why G/A? And not X/A?

0 Kudo

Author	Comment
Aurora Goddess	Why G/A? And not X/A?	Lead	[-]
Administrator Olympian Posts: 13386 (04/16/08 8:30 PM) Shipper Enthusiast Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None I see why people ship Xena and Gabrielle. I see why people (like myself) ship Xena and Ares. For me, it seems a logical step to ship Xena and Ares if you don't ship Xena and Gabrielle (or even if you do). There's so much meat to the possibility of a relationship between Xena and Ares, for me. But Gabrielle/Ares--that one isn't as solid for me. So what I am wondering from all of you who choose to ship Gabrielle and Ares....why? What is it about them that makes you want to ship them over, I would say, the default pairing for Ares (Xena)? Is it because you are Gabrielle-centric instead of Xena-centric? And what makes you drawn to the GA ship over an XA one? (I would say that the GA ship has a lot less to draw from in terms of romantic interest, but I suppose that is always debatable). I know some people who like GA also like XA... but I'm curious to know about those that choose GA and why. XOC Forum Host, Graphic Artist and Technical Administrator "Do something SCARY... The payoff is awesome!" - Lucy Lawless AuroraGoddess.net (above) :: Shipper Seasons :: Bonded For Eternity :: Argo Archives
Aresbitch		#1	[-]
One Star General Posts: 1044 (04/16/08 9:24 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'm not an G/A shipper, not unless it's all about Xena, but I can probably guess at some of the reasons some ship them. Opposites attract. Ares is the tall, dark GOW, bent on power and not always in a good mood. Gabrielle is this small, beautiful, optimistic blonde that believes in the good in everyone, and she's a warrior to boot. I think some may ship them because they love the contrast between the two, not just in temperment and idealogy, but also in looks.
xenaandgab4eva		#2	[-]
One Star General Posts: 1229 (04/17/08 12:06 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I would like to know this too, cause it's a mystery to me. It took me a while, but now I can definitely understand X/A, but G/A???? Then again, I'm sooo Xenacentric, it's hard for me to get with any paring that doesn't include her. But I would really like to know from any G/A shipper.
TheJollyApe		#3	[-]
Three Star General Posts: 1733 (04/17/08 4:41 AM) XOC Forum Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Can't speak for anyone else, but for me it's just kinda an extension of being a subber. I've got this strange view of the show where I think that Ares is an extension of Xena (or I guess it would be the other way around). I think he is the ideal of some of the things inside of her, the darkness, anger and warrior. In a way I think Xena is what the God of War would be if born and raised a mortal female. Therefore I've never really understood the X/A shipping, it becomes a little to similar and in a way kinda narcissistic for me, which can be fun, but... G/A on the other hand I can understand, because I believe that X/G were lovers in every way, I also think that one of the reasons Gabrielle was attracted to Xena was her darkness. I think it is part of what makes them a great couple, they've got a good mixture of dark and light and they're playing with the entire opposites attract, which I'm a sucker for. Therefore it only feels natural that there should be some tension between Gabrielle and Ares. I think that there is a clear possibility Gabrielle could fall for or at least be tempted by the God of War, he is Xena only more intense and with a funky red glow. That doesn't mean I ship them in a lovey-dovey kinda way, because I could never really see that happen. However it is interesting to play with the concept and look closer at times in the series when Xena and Gabrielle drift apart (The Quest, The Rift, Season 5, Post-AFIN) and ponder what would have happened if Ares gravitated towards Gabrielle. Everything popular is wrong.
xenawp7706		#4	[-]
Royal Posts: 4851 (04/17/08 5:56 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Gabrielle is too pure for Ares. Even if in some season 5 episodes like Seeds of Faith Gabrielle was a bit tempted to go on Ares' side No Xena, No Xenaverse
JustSayNoToNutbread		#5	[-]
Administrator Moderator Four Star General Posts: 3502 (04/17/08 1:12 PM) Destroyer of Nutbread Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Everyone keep in mind that Aurora's question is directed at Gabrielle/Ares shippers. If you're not a Gabrielle/Ares shipper, please remember to be respectful of the opinion since this is a Gabrielle/Ares zone in All Ships. avatar from video by Simon Tofield
xenaandgab4eva		#6	[-]
One Star General Posts: 1233 (04/17/08 2:18 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Oops, sorry Nutty!
Aurora Goddess		#7	[-]
Administrator Olympian Posts: 13401 (04/17/08 2:28 PM) Shipper Enthusiast Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	You didn't say anything wrong. Actually, to answer my own question...well, sort of. The reason I have a difficult time seeing Ares with anyone but Xena, or having him drawn to someone instead of Xena, is simply because I can't see him falling for anyone but Xena. Xena was the one for him, completely. It's different for me when thinking about Xena because it depends on how one views the Xena/Gabrielle relationship... But for Ares, that's the reason it's hard to see, because Ares' love for Xena was so deep I can't see anything changing that. That said, interesting points, Jolly. I do know that the possibility of GA intrigued me in a couple episodes, The Quill Is Mightier and Succession and, to some extent, Seeds of Faith. I thought they might have had potential...and that they had a bit of chemistry going on there...until XA took over my world. GA is still an interesting possibility, though, but mainly once Xena is gone. That could be interesting. However it is interesting to play with the concept and look closer at times in the series when Xena and Gabrielle drift apart (The Quest, The Rift, Season 5, Post-AFIN) and ponder what would have happened if Ares gravitated towards Gabrielle. Yeah, I agree. That presents some possibilities that would be intriguing to see played out. XOC Forum Host, Graphic Artist and Technical Administrator "Do something SCARY... The payoff is awesome!" - Lucy Lawless AuroraGoddess.net (above) :: Shipper Seasons :: Bonded For Eternity :: Argo Archives Last Edited By: Aurora Goddess 04/17/08 2:33 PM. Edited 1 times.
vampirecookies		#8	[-]
Warrior-in-Training Posts: 81 (04/17/08 2:44 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	TheJollyApe wrote: I think that there is a clear possibility Gabrielle could fall for or at least be tempted by the God of War, he is Xena only more intense and with a funky red glow. Don't forget the hoo hoos. Don't think Xena has those either. Gabrielle/Ares is a pairing just so wrong that it's right. Barring anything having to do with love, I do think there's a lot of chemistry between them, even if I'm not sure how to interpret it. Their mutual attraction to Xena is obviously the dash of lime that's tarting up the pie, which only makes the relationship even more intriguing. I've read some pretty awesome G/A fanfics, not the least of which are the few that our darling Jolly Ape has penned. Did I tell you how much I've been enjoying those, by the by? Well... I have. Of course, I'm also not ashamed to admit that as an incorrigible slut for all things Gabrielle, I find a lot more interest in her alternative relationships than I do with others. Where I'd be interested in reading a well-written Gabrielle/Ares fic, Xena/Ares doesn't hold much interest for me.
Aurora Goddess		#9	[-]
Administrator Olympian Posts: 13403 (04/17/08 3:50 PM) Shipper Enthusiast Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Barring anything having to do with love, I do think there's a lot of chemistry between them, even if I'm not sure how to interpret it. Their mutual attraction to Xena is obviously the dash of lime that's tarting up the pie, which only makes the relationship even more intriguing. Yeah, very true. I think the fact that they have this mutual obsession/attachment with Xena makes it all the more interesting to ponder them together. Btw, just to note, I hope what I said about how it is hard for me to see Ares with anyone else wasn't challenging the GA point of view. I just wanted to mention the thoughts that I was having in regards to Ares and explain them, which are the thoughts that were the reason for starting the question in this thread in the first place. XOC Forum Host, Graphic Artist and Technical Administrator "Do something SCARY... The payoff is awesome!" - Lucy Lawless AuroraGoddess.net (above) :: Shipper Seasons :: Bonded For Eternity :: Argo Archives
Gabfan23		#10	[-]
Commander Posts: 234 (09/05/19 3:08 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	TheJollyApe wrote: Can't speak for anyone else, but for me it's just kinda an extension of being a subber. I've got this strange view of the show where I think that Ares is an extension of Xena (or I guess it would be the other way around). I think he is the ideal of some of the things inside of her, the darkness, anger and warrior. In a way I think Xena is what the God of War would be if born and raised a mortal female. Therefore I've never really understood the X/A shipping, it becomes a little to similar and in a way kinda narcissistic for me, which can be fun, but... G/A on the other hand I can understand, because I believe that X/G were lovers in every way, I also think that one of the reasons Gabrielle was attracted to Xena was her darkness. I think it is part of what makes them a great couple, they've got a good mixture of dark and light and they're playing with the entire opposites attract, which I'm a sucker for. Therefore it only feels natural that there should be some tension between Gabrielle and Ares. I think that there is a clear possibility Gabrielle could fall for or at least be tempted by the God of War, he is Xena only more intense and with a funky red glow. That doesn't mean I ship them in a lovey-dovey kinda way, because I could never really see that happen. However it is interesting to play with the concept and look closer at times in the series when Xena and Gabrielle drift apart (The Quest, The Rift, Season 5, Post-AFIN) and ponder what would have happened if Ares gravitated towards Gabrielle. You said it so much better than I could! But yes i agree with what you are saying. I am a subber at heart but i prefer G/A to X/A. I think Gabrielle intrigues Ares, after all his former No1 fell for her (whether you think it's romantic or platonic love) and he's wondering what the attraction is. Maybe he realises!! Certainly post FIN I could see them together, and even in S5. Maybe he really had a thing for Gabrielle in MH... Smile and the whole world smiles with you Sheila: I've got high blood pressure and water retention. You know what that gives you? Bren: Boiling water? (Dinnerladies) ******** Edina: I mean what you two don't seem to realise is that inside of me, inside of me, there is a thin person just screaming to get out. Mother**: Just the one, dear? (Absolutely Fabulous) With thanks to the talents of TaladarkieJJ & Aurora Goddess
LadyKate63		#11	[-]
Administrator Moderator Olympian Posts: 76987 (04/17/08 6:43 PM) Xena Studies Ph.D. Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I get the impression that a lot of G/A shippers are Gabrielle fans more than Xena fans, and are more interested in Gabrielle pairings than in Xena pairings. "They have this love/hate, lust/hate relationship." -- Lucy Lawless See my artwork and fanfiction at The Muse's Corner * Visit Xena Online Community Keepership and sig script by Nutty, Avatars by Cila
TheNextGabrielle		#12	[-]
Two Star General Posts: 2043 (04/17/08 8:12 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Nooo. I'm a full Xena fan but I prefer the idea of mix-and-match/different couples. You would expect Xena to fall for Ares. I mean, lets face it, she was once a mighty powerful warlord so it wouldn't be no surprise if she and Ares got together. But then there is Xena and Gabrielle, a bard and an ex-warlord. One with a past of innocence, one with a past of violence. It definetly wouldn't be expected for those two to be friends/lovers(whatever you prefer) together. I always thought of Xena and Gabrielle as hot and cold. Separate, they're just hot and cold, light and dark. But put them together and each one effects another. This probably doesn't make any sense. lol But it goes the same for Ares/Gabrielle as well. The reason why I like Gabrielle and Ares as a couple is the good and evil factor. It's like when I read the conqueror stories; the person whose good is attractive to someone powerful (and..evil?) just like a person whose evil is attracted to someone who is good (I'm not sure if innocent is the right word). However, in the end, I must admit I'm mostly just a Season 5+ Gabrielle/Ares fan. "Whatever happens, know that my love for you is endless."
TaladarkieJJ		#13	[-]
Commander Posts: 159 (04/17/08 8:20 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Well, I have mentioned it before, but I used to be a Xena/Ares shipper. I was crazy about that ship. Then after awhile I decided to read some other stuff, other pairings and so I ended up reading Gabrielle/Ares stories. Surprisingly, I liked it.. A lot ! At some point, even more than I liked the X/A pairing and I became a G/A shipper from then on :) (though X/A will always have a place in my heart too ;)) What made it so interesting? Honestly I didn't know. I hadn't given it much thought back then. Maybe I just have a thing for unusual pairings but.. I'll try to give some sort of explanation to my G/A obsession :p Gabrielle had gone through a lot of changes since she started travelling with Xena. She changed from a pure, innocent, young girl into a warrior, and quite a good one too I might add, a change not unnoticed by the God of War I think. She has gone through a lot, she even stood up to Ares a couple of times. That takes guts. I think that is something Ares could appreciate. She would never be Xena, but maybe she wouldn't have to be, she was impressive in her own way. Xena used to be on the dark side, then she turned good. Gabrielle was always on the good side, even though she has killed too, she would still be too good for Ares. But wouldn't it be appealing for someone like Ares, who has been wrapped up in darkness for so long to have someone as good as Gabrielle? As for Gabrielle, Ares stood for everything she hated but after being turned mortal a few times, it has changed him, if only a little bit, and has brought out a more human side. One that was always surpressed by his Godhood. And it seemed that Gabrielle liked the mortal Ares. I think this made him more likeable to Gabrielle. Don't forget he's damn good looking :D Btw, Yyou know what they say, opposites attract ;) Fanfiction - DeviantART Thanks to Aurora for my Keeper. Icon & banner by TaladarkieJJ. If you like my work and want to request something, message me. Last Edited By: TaladarkieJJ 04/17/08 9:13 PM. Edited 2 times.
MoyCullen		#14	[-]
Commander Posts: 244 (04/17/08 8:24 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Although I can't claim to be a true G/A shipper, I can see why people would be interested in that pairing and personally I do find it interesting in certain situations, mainly in a bitext or post-AFIN scenario. I don't think I would enjoy G/A with Xena right there on the outside looking in although Jolly's recent G/A stories have me intrigued. Certainly the bad boy/good girl dynamic certainly is a popular one overall. The idea that someone with a pure heart like Gabrielle could be attracted to a dark man/God like Ares means that she sees something there that's worth loving. It may be below the surface and initially only visible to her eyes but the possibility that she can bring it out is quite intriguing. Many of the most popular soap opera pairings like Luke/Laura were the bad boy/good girl dynamic. The whole "opposites attract" concept is very appealing to many people. "I could sing for you" Keeper by Aurora Goddess. Userbars by Nanziniemi, Aurora Goddess, TaladarkieJJ. Thanks everyone!
Scxin		#15	[-]
Commander Posts: 496 (04/17/08 8:51 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	While I'm not a true fan of the pairing, I can see a lot ot possibilities between Ares and Gabrielle post-FIN (assuming FIN really happened and wasn't, as I consider it, a bad dream of Gabrielle's, brought on by an overdose of less-than-fresh squid on the boat to Jappa). No matter how you view the relationships, it seemed clear that both Ares and Gabrielle loved Xena - and they seemed to approach her from two extremes. With Xena gone (), I could see the two of them connecting through the void that appeared, meeting somewhere in the middle - both of them loving the part of the other that Xena held. There are lots of better reasons to enter into a relationship - but there are worse reasons too. S6 Ares (post-mortal) and S6 Gabrielle really aren't that alien to eachother, (although I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be saying that out loud around either of them - ouch!).
dahllaz		#16	[-]
Commander Posts: 147 (04/17/08 9:21 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	In a lot of ways, I'm really not sure why I'm starting to dig the G/A ship. Furthermore, a few months ago I wouldn't have at all. Total subber here, so this bitexting and G/A and stuff...boy, it's really messing with my head. flails First: what Jolly said. I also think a part of Gabrielle's attraction to Xena was her dark side, even if (especially if?) it wouldn't be something she'd like to admit. On Ares' side of things, Xena may have been one of his best warriors, but I don't think he was so fascinated by her until she began to fight for the Greater Good - and kept resisting him. A huuuuge factor in why/how Xena kept resisting him and her own darkness was Gabrielle. Which leads to some fascination for Gabrielle, especially as she becomes more like them, yet hangs on to her innate goodness so tenaciously. And Gabrielle isn't afraid to stand up to Ares either. In The Furies, she wasn't all that intimidated by him and certainly was not in TQIM - in fact she was bossing him around. Not a bad feat for a mortal and this was before she became such a warrior. It may annoy him, but it's something he respects a whole lot more than someone who fawns all over him. Not that I see either one of them accepting their mutual fascination. Nooo, there'd be much resisting and a whole lotta lovely angst. Even with Ares going after Gabrielle I don't see him saying it was anything other than to try and bring her more to the warrior side, to yank Xena's chain and to 'corrupt' Gabrielle - he would not admit to his own fascination, let alone desire, for her. Really can not see anything between them that isn't full of angst, which kinda makes it hard to find fic I really like. Quite a bit of it that I've found so far seems all schmoopy and happy lovey stuff. shrugs And as Jolly said, Xena is an extension of Ares (to a large extent anyway) and so it's not that far from X/G. Second: I think I started out Xenacentric but lately am damn near all about Gabrielle. Ergo, stuff with her and especially angsty stuff (right now anyway) is just Good Stuff. userbar graphics by Aurora & TaladarkieJJ My graphics
xenawp7706		#17	[-]
Royal Posts: 4868 (04/18/08 4:59 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I agree No Xena, No Xenaverse
abbaspice1		#18	[-]
Commander Posts: 819 (04/27/08 8:07 AM) Gabrielle's Guardian Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'm a subtexter/maintexter. Most of my fan fics are about X/G and they are all about love. However, even in those stories, the person I chose to tap into Gabrielle's darkside has always be Ares. The chemistry they had together on the screen was very subtle and very hot (all at the same time) which attracted me. Again, it plays into the genre of 'bad/good' and 'light/dark' that many of us read or watch on TV. And, as stated before, I too saw Ares and Xena being way too much alike. When TPTB introduced the idea of Xena being Ares' daughter, it made all the sense in the world to me, especially since I knew Greek Gods messed around with relatives all the time (icky, but true). And Ares throughout the series messed with every female that was important on the show. So, because I believe that Ares and Xena are related, and because they are too much alike, I was never interested in X/A. To me, opposite attractions have a lot more substance and interaction possibility than couples who are alike. Heck, that is why we have the saying "Opposites attract". Paully Loyal Amazon of Queen Gabrielle Everyone is in love with Gabrielle. What's there not to love? If TPTB told the writers to write X/G as a couple, who am I to argue? Yes, I'm MILITANT. And you can thank militants such as Susan B Anthony, MLK Jr., Ghandi and Malcolm X for your freedoms.
HelAreyn		#19	[-]
One Star General Posts: 903 (05/05/08 3:04 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I've thought about it actually Gabrielle and Ares...and I think it works out because the show doesn't give everything to the audience all the time, for instance gaps in time, Gabrielle spent a full day with Ares without Xena, and we don't see every minute of that, as is the same with other times where Ares is around Gabrielle. The audience can make it all up for themselves. That might have come out wrong, but some of my favorite books are the ones that don't tell you exactly what happens in certain situations so that you can imagine for yourself what happened. And I think that is why the A/G ship works, is because it isn't given word for word so then the audience can decide for themseleves what went on for the rest of that day they were together, and what goes on when Xena is gone. But I agree with Jolly I've got this strange view of the show where I think that Ares is an extension of Xena (or I guess it would be the other way around). I think he is the ideal of some of the things inside of her, the darkness, anger and warrior. In a way I think Xena is what the God of War would be if born and raised a mortal female As a subber this just makes sense to me too, because I think its the type of souls that X and G have that would attract, so if Ares has that same brand of soul that Xena does then Gabrielle in my mind my little world would be attracted to it. No Xena, No Xenaverse! "I wanna talk to you" "The last time we spoke Mr. Smith you reduced me to tears, I can promise you I won't allow that to happen again." Thanks goes out to Trancegem for the nametag, and to a whole bunch of lovelies for the userbar.
natyanayaki		#20	[-]
Villager Posts: 2 (06/01/08 6:20 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I would agree with everyone who said that Xena and Ares are just too similar, plus I always liked the idea that Ares is Xena's father. Plus, the only living person I thought Xena had romantic chemistry with was Hercules and Rafe(that's the con-artist's name, right?) and maybe Caesar (but that's just because of Lawless and Urban), other than them I thought Xena's best stories were with Marcus and most of all Borias. I also agree with everyone who said that Ares is the personification of what Gabrielle was attracted to Xena, but I also think Gabrielle personifies the challenge that Ares is attracted to Xena for as well. We saw in successor, Ares didn't want a 2nd in command soldier who would willing do whatever Ares wanted, I think Ares thrives on the challenge manipulating someone into his fold, as well as the challenge of keeping someone under his command, even if that person gives him a fight. Plus the bad guy (who's not all bad) and the good girl (who's attracted to danger) context always interests me. It might also be true that I'm more of a Gabrielle fan than a Xena fan, but I'm not sure if I am, if that makes sense. I guess for me, Xena's past, her redemption and her choices based on her redemption is what I found interesting about her character, which is why I always liked her pre-show pairings more than her on-the-show-pairing, while for Gabrielle I was always interested in who she is and who she would become through her current choices. Basically I saw Xena as defined by her past, and Gabrielle as defined by her future but I don't know if I liked one character more than the other (though I probably did like Gabrielle more than Xena, just because I tend to get sick of title characters :-D). I think the other reason could be, to me because Xena's searching for redemption, in my mind she should end up with a good guy (Hercules), while Gabrielle who needs someone who can provide her with adventure needs a 'bad' guy (like Ares). I guess one could say, then why can't Xena and Gabrielle just end up together, and my answer to that would be while I love those two as friends, I personally don't see a romantic relationship there. It's not because I have a problem with homosexual relationships (I though Xena and Lao Ma were an amazing couple), I just didn't think that Lawless and O'Connor had the acting romantic chemistry, so while they are friend-soul-mates, I didn't see them as romantic-soul-mates (IMO, kisses and cuddling isn't just for people romantically interested in each other, I think kisses are appropriate for anyone who loves each other). Sorry I was so long winded, I hope I made sense.

Yuku free message boards

Why G/A? And not X/A?

Why G/A? And not X/A?