Looking Good

[lizzypaul.livejournal.com]

What do you think the Andalite equivalent of a guy sucking in his gut and standing up straighter, or a girl playing with her hair, or any of the other myriad unconcious social cues we give out when we're worried about being around someone we admire, would be? I'm not really talking about sexual attraction or flirting, just wanting to look your best in front of the great Prince you've heard so much about.

Of course, if this was ever mentioned in the books and I missed it, that would be even better.

I'm working on some fanfic right now, and experiencing major block at this point. Any and all opinions are vigorously welcome, but please keep in mind that I'm really looking for some decidedly alien behaviors, not just human behavior transplanted to an Andalite body.

Thank you all so much!

Comments

[yukinoomoni.livejournal.com]

Maybe whipping about the tail? Tugging at the eye-stalks? Maybe seeing if the light can glint off the blade to make it look sharp?

[joking.livejournal.com]

I feel like an Andalite would want to hold his tail blade up higher. My headcanon is that an Andalite's blade must never touch the ground. All four eyes focused on the person the Andalite wants to make a good impression on.

Maybe if you reread The Arrival or The Decision? I know those have instances of Ax trying to make a good impression on higher-up Andalites.

[errorsign.livejournal.com]

I figure there would be a big unconscious emphasis on how secure the ground is wherever you are standing. 4 legs, and we have seen repeatedly how they need all 4 to function correctly for any kind of movement, would mean 4 places to worry about slippage or tripping. We have seen Andalites be naturally graceful under most circumstances, but I'm certain that anxiety/nervousness/fear would still roughly translate from Humans. Don't forget to look at what horses, bulls, goats, sheep, so on, do for inspiration; just because something is from Earth does not mean it patterns itself after Humans.

[spiletta42.livejournal.com]

Here's a good reference book for kicking loose from writer's block while writing aliens:

http://www.amazon.com/Aliens-Societies-Science-Fiction-Writing/dp/0898797063

In the case of Andalites, I think the tail blade is the most significant body part to get self-conscious about. They place great value in it.

[dgcatanisiri.livejournal.com]

The tail blade is a good starting point - doesn't Elfangor mention his instructor holding his tail like someone half his age or something in Andalite Chronicles?

I think that the hands, the way that they gesture, the way that they're held, even the usage at all, would have some significance as well, given that they used to speak exclusively with sign language. It might be less common in modern Andalite culture, but I tend to think that there might be some form of unconscious usage of them.

[rattyjol.livejournal.com]

Probably raise the tail and straighten the stalk eyes. Also if they're nervous, maybe scuffing a forehoof (is that a word?) on the ground.

[ferahgo.livejournal.com]

People have said "raise the tailblade", but I'm not so sure. Aren't there instances in the books where it makes the point that young cadets and self-important, overzealous juveniles tend to raise their tails the highest? I think it might be the case that a tailblade raised too high would be off-putting or even slightly insulting to an older Andalite, who would prefer humility from his underlings, not arrogance.

[charreed.livejournal.com]

When agitated or nervous, horses ears flick back (not pinned, just are angled backward) and they paw at the ground. I think ears would be kind of important for Andalites and I've always imagined them much more mobile than what the canon ever got into.

When scared or nervous, dogs will tuck their tails and slink their posture in front of a higher ranking dog. Maybe not to that extreme, but I imagine an Andalite getting reprimanded might do something similar.

As far as being boastful though? I imagine their posture to be extended, shoulders back, chest puffed out. Legs placed more particularly. Ever seen dressage where the horse shows off and looks so proud of itself? I just imagine this in Andalite form ^^