Son of Sonnet

This 2025 voiceover demo for myself, Son of Sonnet, is a compilation of recent character samples in this same playlist. I am able to perform other character types and voices not listed, but it is traditional to have demos and auditions be no longer than two minutes in length. I hope that the collection of performances is useful for you in assessing my ability. I'm Son of Sonnet. I'm a voice actor, audiobook narrator, former theatre actor, poet, and sometimes vtuber? Tips and commissions accepted: ko-fi.com/sonofsonnet Business inquiries at: [email protected] Website: sonofsonnet.com

Happy oshi day, Pippa.

In this middle portion of Chapter 3, we are introduced to Akhos, and this is where I start to develop my first serious criticisms of the narrative presentation. To keep it short, Akhos is a sadistic "glasses-kun" who seems perfectly willing to murder the person he's supposed to capture (in fact, he tries very explicitly to kill her). Let it never be forgotten, against the game's wishes, that Jin gives him express permission to behave this way, and that Nia will be in denial about this for the entire story. I'm sorry to spoil that, but it's something apparent on a replay without a buffer of a hundred gameplay hours to dilute the inconsistency. Akhos is so over the top that it undermines the wisdom that Vandham tries to give to Rex in the aftermath of the battle. If the localization is accurate, then it's far too abrupt a sell of "moral equivalency." While I can appreciate Vandham being humble, the comparison between him and Akhos simply doesn't land. I don't know what exactly the relationship of the members of Torna is supposed to be, especially insofar as it concerns Nia. She doesn't seem to know any of them personally, what their plans are, what kind of actions they would take, and yet she supposedly sees them as family. She was also with them for a while, so I don't know where her lapse of knowledge comes from. In a future chapter, Nia will outright say that she didn't know Rex was Leftherian, when that was the reason Torna hired him in chapter 1, and this info was also stated in front of her. I can only surmise that Nia is stupid, careless, and negligent in the extreme. Maybe it's the point: Torna is no family or unified band with a cause, but a collection of violent miscreants seeking to cause endless harm on the world. If that's the case, I hope it won't ask me to feel sympathy for them later on... **cough** youtu.be/-jy2wxTOxxg

I've been struggling to be productive this week, which I chalk up to trying and failing to adjust my sleep schedule. There is something I want to edit and put together, and it will be great when it's done,but man there is some vague internal argument going on.

I recently got shadowbanned for posting too many poems at once.

An actor analyzes Xenoblade Chronicles 2, chapter 3, part 1. While the actual gameplay of getting from Gormott to Uraya is a bit padded with gameplay features the rest of the game will fail to capitalize on (high and low tide), the narrative content in today's set of cutscenes is dense. We see the symbolism of the Serpent preventing passage to Yggdrasil, and the iconic whale of Uraya (primary enemy of Mor Ardain, and the sin of Envy), swallowing the protagonists. Later we meet Vandham's merc group and receive the formal lesson about where Blades as a people come from. For any Xeno fan, Vandham is fated to die the moment we see him. Vandham is a recurring character name (when localization doesn't mess it up), and every Vandham with an "x" in his design meets a grim fate. Symbolically, his Blade is a phoenix named Suzaku (Roc), for the Chinese mythological beast (the third of four in the narrative so far). It has both masculine and feminine features, all the color of the rainbow, and is overall a symbol of Vandham being a source of wisdom for Rex. A secret detail found in side content reveals that Vandham is also a member of royalty, in keeping with all other Diver party members. Rex is the "philosopher king," and all of his party except for Tora are proper members of royalty that are meant to serve as his teachers. As an aside, there is enough subtext to guess Nia is royalty by this point, so it's hardly a spoiler. She also doesn't have to be smart, which she isn't, to be a source of some kind of wisdom. Rex will learn something specific from her down the road. Byakko (Dromarch) as her Blade suggests a secret inhuman element, which she is sensitive about, and he is also one of the Chinese mythological animals. In X1, Dunban sums up a moral for Shulk, and here Vandham sums one up for Rex. It is still in your self interest to pay attention to your relationships, and to your connections to the affairs of your country. No matter how mundane your job, you may play some kind role in the wars your country gets in. Even if you don't care about the world, the world cares about you. Finally we have the "problem" of a Blade's existence, losing memories with each incarnation. There's an odd absence of perspective in the explanation, but I think that's the point. It's not that different from human reincarnation (in some ways it's advantageous, maintaining visual identity), but no one is willing to say that out loud just yet. youtu.be/6s3t46YH9fI

Pre-hire finally done. The job is official, and I start next week. Fourth shift. They gave me the impression that they didn't want to hire me. I was forced to go home and print an I-9 form that they proceeded to not need. It took three appointments to finally finish.

Going to bed to start my new sleep schedule. If you are going to hire me in 2027, I need to know. It doesn't have to be literally on the calendar, but it would be motivating to me at least.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2, end of chapter 2. In the end of this chapter, we reach what I believe is a defining flaw of Rex's character, and the way in which he needs to mature. When confronted with the truth by Morag, who seeks a peaceful resolution, about *why* people care about the Holy Grail, and specifically the danger it poses, Rex chooses to escalate the conflict to protect Pyra's feelings. This will have a trade off of earning respect from some characters in a roundabout way, but also make life objectively worse for an entire continent by destroying the capital's water tower. As exemplified in the campire scene, Rex and Pyra are young and falling in love. However, there is not yet a true understanding of each other. Rex will protect Pyra's feelings even to the point of violence, but doing so enables her to hide her feelings from him, and this prevents him from accepting his role as the man in their relationship, because sharing her feelings means that he will share her burden. Both parties in the relationship are erring through their kindness. Https://youtu.be/9XfE6bEAszo

In this episode, Chapter 2 continues the tonal pivot towards comedy. This for two reasons: the first is that they want to introduce difficult concepts in the lightest way possible, and the second is because the the overall narrative is a comedy in the classical sense. Tragedy is about the authority of the Divine, and Comedy is about the charity of the Divine. Rex wants to meet God in part to receive charity that will save the world. The first four chapters of Xenoblade 2 are where the majority of the lightness is, and the latter have will explore progressively darker implications. Character Analysis Morag and Brighid are introduced with the following information: 1. They are formidable enough that they can work separately, which is supposedly difficult based on assumptions about the magic system. 2. They exist in a circumstance where they *must* work separately, suggesting that there are problems in the Empire beyond their power to resolve alone, and they are shouldering the brunt of it. They are keeping things afloat. 3. They are feared by the corrupt, suggesting their noble character. 4. Morag is a woman who is dressed and presenting herself in a masculine fashion for her job, and Brighid's design is narratively an expression of her hidden femininity. Morag is sacrificing the development of a fundamental part of herself out of duty to the Empire. This is akin to Melia hiding her wings, but expressed differently. youtu.be/qvbDuZ1E1c0

In this episode, we are both told the rules, and the exceptions to the rules, setting up several mysteries at once that will take most of the game to organically explain. I think the oddest thing about Xenoblade 2 is how often fans don't seem to understand Rex as a character, and they take too many things at face value. Let's see what we can get from Chapter 1. 1. He's 15 years old, but actively working for a living. 2. He is motivated by profit, but he sends 90% of his earnings home. 3. He is greedy enough to take a job without knowing the full details, but principled enough to not take jobs for martial purposes. 4. He is mischievous enough to say "I'll pay you later," but honorable enough to do so. 5. He is an orphan from a nontraditional household, viewing a nonhuman effectively as his Grandfather. 6. He hates war, but thinks weapons of war are cool. He also has been taught to fight, and finds it fun. 7. He regularly dives into the depths of the sea (where all of the dead Titans rest) for his work, but wants to climb to Paradise (there's a really big tree) to meet with God to save the world. 8. My interpretation: Rex is worthy of being the Driver of the Holy Grail because she believes that he would not use her power for war, but his avoidance of conflict is itself a flaw that they share. Rex's narrow focus on wealth is what puts him in danger in the beginning, by not understanding that his clients are actually villains of notoriety. He will not be able to get the holy grail to paradise by ignoring the issues of the world around him. youtu.be/eK9M2zW3_tM

Happy Halloween to all.

The Dying Dragon by Son of Sonnet Originally Requested by PinkertonsGhost, in 2023. For Chris For king and court there lived a gallant knight. All armor was but paper 'gainst his might, and once he heard a dragon was nearby, he sought to look the creature in the eye. He wondered why the legends always told that dragons were all dying off or old. For what could thus destroy the dragon kin, when man was fragile and replete with sin? He found the dragon in a mountain nest, preparing to begin eternal rest. "What killed the dragon?" asked he to the sky. "The time has come that I may truly fly." He felt a loss to see the dragon's end, and offered to record its words to send. He took a knife and carved on armor plate the words of wisdom offered up by fate. When this was done, the dragon was at peace, and felt its heart approach the time to cease. "The meaning of the word you'll come know. and on that day to heaven we will go."

Pokemon Therapy by Son of Sonnet On days you're weary and your eyes are red, I'll get your Pokemon to take to bed. When you have trouble drifting off to sleep, Then tightly hug your arms around Mareep. All wrapped up tight in blankets, dreams you'll see. In morning you'll evolve like Caterpie. You'll dream of playgrounds for the girls and boys, and if you scrape your knees you'll see Nurse Joy. If ever you get stressed and life is hard, we'll call upon your trusty Charizard. If ever you feel lonely and you're blue, Just know that you are precious as a Mew. We'll take good care for worries to be gone, and heal by trusting in our Pokemon.

If you're confused, these were some of the poems I wrote over the past five years.

A Golden One By Son of Sonnet A Stoic's measured stance protects us all From following destructive anger's call. Yet Life without a Passion cannot move. Emotion drives with thought a point to prove. Emotion is an ink, and thought the quill, Articulating meaning of the Will.

Barbecue by Son of Sonnet Another trip on which I dread to go, where rabbits gather for a barbecue. So many faces, names that I don't know, repeating questions of the work I do. A rack of ribs is ready to be had, but I can't stop the shaking in my legs. Around these relatives I'm just a lad, while they all bicker on the price of eggs. I want it to be good, a time to rest, but everyone who talks is stuck on loop. I wish for time when love is not a test, when we relax together on the stoop. Another trip, and none of it has changed. The things we do to show how much we care. It isn't right when rabbits feel estranged, but I still want to love the time we share.

Wayward Woman. Son of Sonnet Grab hold of my hand. Step into my dream, Where I can be me, and be as I seem. I'd love to know you, and say what I think, And keep my words true, and fall in the drink. I try to be fun; you see how I joke. But if I were real, I'd vanish in smoke. I want to know you, for you to know me. What words will you say when you can see me? What love can I know? I'm working all day. I want to know you, and mean what I say. If we shared a dream, we'd walk all the land. I'd lead on the way, and guide with my hand. We'd find a great height that's lit by the Moon. The time that we share is over too soon. You'll whisper my name, but will I be here? For I am afraid that I'll disappear. Grab hold of my hand and look in my eyes. Accept what I say, and know it's all lies. I cannot love you like you will love me. If only I could find time to be me.