Empath (trope)

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(Redirected from Touchstone (trope))
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Tropes and genres
Synonym(s)touchstone, lifeline
Related tropes/genrestelepath, psychic
See alsoHurt/Comfort
Related articles on Fanlore.


In both canon and fan fiction, an empath is a person who can not only sense feelings around them, but also has the ability to change/soothe them. Some empathic characters don't need touch for this, while others do. Frequently, but not always, this touch involves sex (sometimes dubious consent).

Some known empathic canon examples are Mantis from Guardians of the Galaxy and Professor X from the Marvel Universe. Following this line, the trope became very popular in the Marvel fandom, notably Charles Xavier/Erik Lehnsherr fics, also is a common trope in Kakashi x Iruka stories from Naruto fandom.

Touchstone

Touchstone is a related term and possibly a sub-trope. In Naruto fanon, touchstone is described as: "a partner ninja who will help them go through the stress."[1]. Or, from the fanfic "Touchstone" by paxnirvana, as: "Someone to talk to about things other than killing and duty. Most get around this requirement by finding steady lovers, actively living among extended family or by getting married." Touchstone appears as a term in Naruto fanfiction as early is 2008.

Touchstone was also used in Harry Potter fanon, possibly as someone or something that connects a wizard to nature, however the term may be obscure.[2] He has also been described as someone who can ease others' pain when they touch each other.[citation needed]

Fanworks

Empath

Touchstone

Archives, Communities & Resources

There is no canonical tag in the AO3 for the sub-trope "touchstone," however you can find several tags for "empath" and "empathy", in addition to character-specific ones such as "Empath John Watson".

References

  1. ^ Basically a fic that deals with trying to get... Tumblr.Jun 6, 2015 (Accessed 12/6/2022)
  2. ^ Harry Potter and His Incredible, Dumb Luck!, thebejeweledgreenbottle.com. (Accessed 12/6/2022)