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colourless-hydrangeas · 2 days ago

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[𝐵𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑠]

Fandom : ikemen prince (Prince OC X Reader)

Word count : 4k.. again..

People who might appreciate the fic : @reborn-elven-spirit @chirp-a-chirp @queengiuliettafirstlady @citrusmornings @colourless-hydrangeas

Other Vernard fics : Leon , Yves , Chevalier , Jin & Clavis , Nokto , Luke

A/N : It was supposed to be December 7th but *looks at calendar* Ugh I can't believe it... Anyway... As my little sister said, "it's the idea that counts"... Wait no she didn't say that... She said "just leave it for next year"... Dammit!!! Hope y'all enjoy! HAPPY (literally belated) BIRTHDAY VERNARD MÜRRISCH

[𝐵𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑠]

As December settled in with its frosty breath, I felt the chill creeping into the very stones of the palace. The colder days brought with them an avalanche of responsibilities for me, Belle, and I couldn’t shake the idea that perhaps a bit of movement around the palace might fight off the chill lingering in my bones.

With a determined stride, I made my way to Sariel’s office, reports in hand. “Here are all the reports from the two factions over the past few days,” I announced, placing the neatly organized stack on his desk. Sariel, his brow furrowed in concentration, took his time perusing the documents.

“Good work,” he finally commented, his voice warm amidst the cool air. “You’ve earned the rest of the day off.”

(Yes!)

My heart leaped at the unexpected gift of time. Sariel’s keen eyes caught my buoyant energy, and I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of awareness at his scrutiny. “You seem particularly lively today. I’m not implying you shouldn’t be, but it does pique my curiosity,” he remarked with a hint of amusement.

(Oh, he noticed...)

“Well, I have something in mind that I plan to do once my duties are complete; maybe that’s the source of my energy,” I confessed, a spark of excitement igniting within me.

(Ah, I should get started immediately!)

Sariel smiled knowingly, his expression suggesting he understood more than I let on. “Very well then. I hope you manage to pull it off, though I suspect it won’t be a walk in the park.”

His knowing grin lingered, and for a moment, I found myself transfixed by the subtle challenge in his gaze

(Wait… does he somehow know my intention? Trust Sariel to have a read on my thoughts…)

With a determined nod, I exited his office, my mind racing with possibilities.

(Where do I even begin? I’ve already scoured the Domestic Faction office with no success, and the Political Faction was equally unyielding. I’ve heard whispers that the palace library is seldom frequented, so that leads me to... the training ground!)

I swiftly gathered my thoughts, excitement bubbling within me as I made my way to where the soldiers honed their skills. Perhaps in that bustling place, I might uncover a vital clue.

“Not here either...?”

The training ground was alive with the sounds of soldiers hard at work, as the domestic faction members put them through their paces. I scanned the area for the one person I hoped to see, but amidst the flurry of activity, all I spotted were Leon, Jin, Licht, and Yves — no sign of him.

“Hey there, lady!”

A familiar voice called out, drawing my attention. It was Calvel, who approached with a wave.

“Oh, Calvel! You’re here too?”

I said, relieved to see a familiar face.

(Calvel is one of the soldiers I’ve gotten to know during my time here, working under Vernard… sort of.)

“Any luck locating him?” I asked, hopeful.

“No, I didn’t find him,”

Calvel replied, his eyes reflecting disappointment.

“When it comes to vanishing, he’s a pro.”

(I couldn’t agree more. At times, he seems to drift in and out like a ghost…)

“Maybe he’s gone into town?”

I suggested, but Calvel shook his head.

“Nah, it’s unlikely. He doesn’t venture into town at this time of day. Usually busy with his official duties, and today he doesn’t have any scheduled. Besides, even if he did, he wouldn’t spend long outside the palace; he has a strict routine for that.”

“Really…?” (How does he know so much about him?)

“He’s still in the palace,”

another voice interrupted our conversation.

“Hello, Leon,” I greeted him.

“Hey, I overheard you two struggling to find him,” Leon replied, a knowing smile on his face.

Calvel sighed. “You know how it is, Your Highness. When that time of year rolls around, he just disappears.”

(‘When that time of year’?) I thought in surprise. “This isn’t the first time he’s done this?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. Leon and Calvel shrugged, and Leon explained, “He tends to pull this stunt almost every year… he vanishes, only to reappear as if he’d never left right after the day is over.”

(Why does he do that?) The question nagged at me.

“Lord Sariel has had me looking for him for the last two days,” Calvel said tiredly. “I don’t even want to think about what he’ll do to me if I don’t find him today.”

“Wait, Sariel came to see you personally?” I asked, surprised.

Flashback ~

“Very well then. I hope you manage to pull it off, though I suspect it won’t be a walk in the park.”

Flashback ends ~

(Of course he would know, is there anything Sariel doesn’t know?)

“He’s been hiding for two days? If he knew Sariel was looking for him, he’d appear in a heartbeat.” Leon remarked cheerfully, glancing at the worried Calvel who let out another sigh.

(I had half a mind to wonder if he had snuck off with one of the political faction members and decided to lounge outside the palace for days!)

“Have you thought about checking his room?” I suggested, hope creeping back in.

(It’s the last place left in the palace where he could be, after all.)

Leon responded quickly, “He's definitely hiding in his room, but it won’t help much — he locks the door whether he’s inside or outside.”

(Ugh… just hearing this makes me frustrated. I know he values his privacy like anyone else, but this is a bit over the top.)

“I get it, I do. It is excessive,” Leon said, almost as if he could read my thoughts. “Convincing him to come out today would be a challenge.” He glanced at me, as if expecting I might hold the solution, and soon found Calvel looking at me too.

“What…?” I asked, bewildered.

“We’ve tried every trick in the book to lure him out on this day, and the more we try, the more cautious Vernard gets,” Leon explained with a smile that betrayed his enthusiasm for the challenge. “It’s almost like a game at this point.”

In that spacious room, the chandelier sparkled brightly, even with the sun shining outside. The thick curtains were drawn tight, casting the room in a golden hue as sunlight bounced off their fabric. The prince, with hair as white as freshly fallen snow, stood before a mirror, silently studying his reflection. His gaze wandered beyond his own features, taking in the chaotic scene around him—the scattered papers and hastily-drawn sketches strewn across the floor and bed.

With a heavy sigh, he brushed a hand across his forehead, his eyes landing on a sheet of paper sitting on the table. Beside it lay a piece of charcoal, its tip stained with dark marks. The paper bore a myriad of rough lines and shapes, hinting at the struggle to capture something—or perhaps someone—just right. He let out another sigh, standing to gather the scattered pages, each one filled with his charcoal scrawls. But they all had one thing in common: each depicted a face, one that danced in and out of focus, just out of reach.

“And I still haven’t been able to get the features just right…”

he muttered softly to himself, knowing he was the only one there to hear. His voice lingered in the air, heavy with a sense of sadness and yearning as he studied the drawings before him.

Suddenly, a soft knock echoed through the room, breaking the silence. He froze, straining to determine whether the sound was real. When the knock came again, he began to analyze the situation. It was such a light tap. Given his circumstances, no maid or servant dared approach his door or even come close. They had been warned to keep their distance; his privacy was not to be disturbed. His brothers and Sariel knew better than to intrude when he was this deep in thought. Only Clavis had the audacity to speak to him through the door, droning on about the benefits of joining some faction or another.

But this felt different. It left him with just one possibility…

"I can’t believe I’m doing this..." I muttered under my breath, hesitation creeping over me as I stood in front of the door. I knocked twice, a pit forming in my stomach. "Maybe... he’s not here?" Hope tinged my thoughts, as I wished for an easy escape.

It was true; I didn’t fully grasp why Leon and the others had pushed me into this crazy plan. Their reasons felt distant, like whispers in the wind, and yet here I was, on the brink of doing something I’d never imagined. How had I let them convince me? I couldn’t shake the guilt that wrapped around me like a heavy blanket.

Minutes passed and I hovered there, contemplating whether to knock again or just turn around and forget this completely.

(One last try.) My hand was just about to make contact with the door again when I suddenly heard the soft click of the lock turning, the door creaking open.

"Oh…" The realization hit me—he really was here! Half of his face was visible, but those familiar jade eyes were unmistakable, staring back at me with an unreadable expression.

“It’s you,” he said, his voice calm as ever, as if he’d been expecting me all along. My heart raced, and I scrambled for words.

(What am I going to say now? I wasn't expecting him to be here for real!)

Silence hung heavy between us, stretching into awkward seconds as he stood there, the door half open, his face partly shrouded in shadows. He looked patient, almost intrigued, as if he truly wanted to hear what I had to say. (Is he really willing to listen?)

“Do you need help?” he finally asked, each syllable radiating genuine care.

(Here goes nothing…) “I was just heading out of the palace to do some shopping, but...” I hesitated, biting my lip. “Because of my role as Belle, I can’t exactly roam around alone, and… well, I can’t ask Rio for help since he’s busy. Plus, I don’t want to pull the other princes from their duties just for something so trivial…” My heart raced.

(I really hope this works. This is part of the plan we cooked up, even if I’m still against spinning a tale for Vernard...)

“Okay.” His response was a bit surprising.

(Wait… what?!)

“I don’t have anything planned today anyway,” he continued, his voice steady. “I’ll go with you. It’s part of my role as your guardian while you’re here.”

I couldn’t believe he actually agreed. No one else would have fallen for this; they would have seen right through my cover story.

(But what if he knows I’m up to something and he’s just playing along?)

My mind raced with possibilities, but at that moment, all I could think about was that he was coming with me.

Vernard and I strolled through the town, the chill in the air contrasting with the bright sunlight beaming down on us. Markets lined the streets, vibrant and bustling with life.

"Thanks for joining me, Vernard. I hope I'm not interrupting your free week," I said, my voice straightforward.

"No worries! I was bored just lounging in my room anyway," he replied.

(I can't believe he spent two whole days in there... I wonder what he was up to.)

"So, what kind of shopping do you want to do? I’m here to help with whatever you need," he said, his gaze fixed on me with intention.

"Um..." (Let’s think this through...)

“Oh! Look at this!” I exclaimed, heading toward one of the sweet pastry stalls, their colors as bright as jewels, the sugary toppings sparkling like stars.

"This’ll do," I thought to myself, feeling Vernard standing beside me.

“Sweets?” he asked, a curious tone in his voice. I nodded enthusiastically. “I know what you’re thinking. I’m not as good at baking as Yves, and honestly, I wouldn’t have time to learn. Plus… I really don’t want to bother him to teach me,” I admitted.

“So you decided to take the easy way out,” he quipped, interrupting me. I shuffled and scratched the back of my neck. “Maybe.”

Just then, a cheerful voice cut through our conversation. “Oh, Mr. Verny! Good day!”

“Huh…?”

“Good day! How’s everything going?” Vernard responded warmly.

“All good, thanks to you,” the vendor beamed.

I glanced back and forth, trying to piece together their connection. “Do you two know each other?”

“Of course! Mr. Verny here is the reason I opened this little stall. I was unemployed and desperate to provide for my small family,” the vendor explained.

(Really...?)

“You have a real talent for baking, and I just had to help you,” Vernard replied modestly. “Even if I hadn’t seen your potential, I would have done what I could.”

“Hahaha, you can’t imagine how much your help changed my life! And since you dropped by…” The vendor rushed to a corner of the stall and returned with a beautifully decorated box that looked like a tart. “This is for you, quiche, your favorite. Happy birthday!”

(Quiche is his favorite? Wait, did he just say, ‘Happy birthday?’)

“You mean today is Verna—uh, Mr. Verny’s birthday?” I asked, wide-eyed.

“How could I not know? He visits me every year on his birthday,” the vendor replied proudly.

(Wait, he does?! And I thought he didn’t even leave his room on this day!)

“You really shouldn’t have gone through all this trouble…” Vernard murmured quietly, but the vendor just scoffed. “You say that every year! That gives me all the more reason to celebrate you. Consider it a gift of gratitude.”

“Did I hear you correctly? Today is your birthday, Mr. Verny?” another vendor chimed in, and suddenly, the surrounding stalls erupted with chatter.

“Oh, what’s happening?” I wondered.

Happy birthday shouts filled the air, encircling Vernard like a flock of excited pigeons gathering around a piece of bread.

(I’ve never seen so many people swarm around Vernard except for the soldiers at the palace. The townsfolk must care for him so much...)

I turned to look at Vernard, who accepted the well-wishes with a warm, charming smile. Yet, I couldn’t help but notice something odd—he was covering his left ear with his hand.

(Is this one of Vernard’s strange habits that Calvel often talks about?)

"I didn’t see that coming; the people in town seem to really like you," I remarked, glancing at the box of quiche he was holding. Vernard nodded, a gentle smile gracing his lips.

(It’s rare to see him look so relaxed. Usually, he's too engrossed in his duties at the palace, where even a simple smile seems to throw him off.)

“Sorry about what happened back there… you didn’t get the chance to do what you wanted,” he said, his eyes filled with an apologetic softness. (Right... I had meant to go ‘shopping’, but that plan went sideways.)

I turned to take in the setting sun, feeling a sense of calm wash over me.

(At least we gained some unexpected time together. I hope everything unfolds well.)

“No problem! Let’s head back to the palace,” I replied, excitement bubbling in my voice. Vernard raised an eyebrow, questioning my eagerness. “Can’t we walk around a little longer?”

“Yes, but I don’t want to be late, Vernard, and I’d rather not distract you any longer,” I urged again,

(We really need to get back.)

“…You can go back. I’ll keep walking around,” he said, not breaking eye contact.

“And when will you return?” I pressed.

“Midnight.” (What?! You're joking, right?)

“He tends to pull this stunt almost every year… he vanishes, only to reappear as if he’d never left right after the day is over.”

(I thought it meant staying holed up in his room, but now it felt more complex.)

“Why all this fuss?” I wondered, resolved to find out. “I can’t go back without you, Vernard.” His expression didn’t change, as if he had expected my response all along.

“Yes, you can,” he insisted, turning his back to me, cradling the quiche box protectively. I stepped forward, placing myself in his path.

“Just a moment ago, you were hesitant to go out, and now you’re avoiding going back? What gives? What’s with the contradiction, especially today?”

“So you realize I was avoiding the idea of going out?” he said, a hint of frustration in his tone. I winced inwardly; (Crap, he caught on.)

(While I’d tried to mask my awareness of his reluctance to celebrate his birthday, it was clear he saw straight through my act.)

“If you knew I was lying, why go along with it?” I asked, pushing onward. “You could’ve said no, and we wouldn’t be standing here arguing.”

He stayed silent, his gaze zeroing in on me as if I were a piece of art demanding scrutiny.

(What are you thinking, Vernard?)

His eyes, usually so guarded, looked sad, piercing into me with a depth I couldn't quite decipher.

(He seem so troubled?)

“I don’t want to go back now...” he murmured softly, as if the words themselves were painful. “If you want to leave, that’s fine; I’ll stay here until I feel like the matter has been completely forgotten.”

(What does that even mean?)

My frustration boiled beneath the surface. “I don’t understand what you’re trying to avoid! If you hadn’t gone out, you wouldn’t have faced all those congratulations from the townsfolk…”

I glanced at the quiche, realizing how happy today had made him, even if he didn't want to acknowledge it. “I can’t understand you if you keep quiet; you’re not giving me any reasons, and it’s making everything difficult!”

“When you chose to be my guardian, you promised to help make my role in choosing a king easier, getting to know everyone, including you.

His eyes widened at that, as if my words had struck a chord.

(Finally!)

“After hearing about you, I got curious... why do you shut yourself away like this?”

He held my gaze, but didn’t reply.

(Great. More silence.)

“Some things can’t be explained with just words...” he finally said, still staring at me, his voice barely above a whisper.

(Speaking in riddles again, huh?)

But just like that, his expression shifted, becoming cold and resolute. “Lead the way.”

(What...?)

He didn’t elaborate, just stepped aside and gestured for me to go first.

(Wait, does that mean he’s really coming back with me?)

I shouldn’t get my hopes up, though. Vernard was known for his tricky nature; he could be playing games and might vanish the moment I turned my back.

(. . . )

(Am I seriously doubting Vernard?)

I took a few hesitant steps towards the palace, glancing back to see if he was following, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. He better not disappear on me this time.

When we returned to the palace, I braced myself for Vernard to be met with stern words or mild reprimand, but what awaited us was unexpectedly jubilant. A vibrant party filled the grand ballroom, celebrating his birthday. Yet, I quickly realized the atmosphere was far from the joyous occasion I had imagined.

“I only deigned to attend because Prince Nokto extended the invitation; otherwise, I would’ve refrained from this festivity,” one guest scoffed, glancing disdainfully at Vernard.

“Perhaps I shall seize this opportunity to finally make the acquaintance of Prince Chevalier,” another added, their tone dripping with disinterest.

"If they had simply declared it a common gathering, I might have chosen to attend instead of honoring the birthday of… the likes of him.”

(What in the world...?)

Amidst the throng of nobles, I managed to blend in, donning the guise of a noblewoman. Yet, my ears caught snippets of conversation that left me utterly aghast.

('The likes of him?’ They're not talking about Vernard are they…)

“This is hardly the expression a noble lady should wear,” a voice interjected, breaking through my spiral of bewilderment.

(Clavis?)

“Regrettably, it’s not our first encounter with such remarks. For a newcomer like you, it can be quite vexing,” he remarked with an air of nonchalance, though I caught the flicker of concern in his eyes.

(I'm more shocked than annoyed. Why would they speak so disparagingly of Vernard like that?)

“That is precisely why he retreats into the shadows year after year,” Clavis continued. “He is well aware that words of ‘Happy Birthday’ will not come readily from the nobility who lamentably do not see dear Vernard as worthy.”

(They don’t recognize his worth?)

“Are you saying they harbor disdain for him? But what did he do to deserve this?”

My voice grew louder, propelled by disbelief, but I quickly tempered my tone. Just earlier, he had been met with warm greetings in town. Yet here, amidst the palace walls, I had expected something little amiable.

“It’s not so much about what dear Vernard has done; rather, it’s about what he is—persecuted by those who wield power in the court.”

(Persecuted for who he is…?)

Clavis’s words left me in profound confusion. I couldn’t fathom why Vernard would endure such harsh sentiment on his birthday. He must have anticipated the criticisms—that was why he kept himself hidden. But…

“This is nothing new for him; however…” I shot Clavis a pointed look. “You still hosted this party, forcing him to attend, knowing the likelihood of such demeaning remarks.”

“Because he asked for it,” Clavis replied, his tone unfaltering.

(What?)

“Dear Vernard knows all too well that the cold remarks await him, and honestly, I love my brothers. It pains me to hear such words spoken of him, year after year.”

His usual smirk lingered, masking whether he spoke in jest or earnestness.

“Parties are not merely for revelry and merriment; they can serve as crucial arenas for alliances and negotiations, particularly those held by the royal family.”

(His words ring true; there’s little escaping that reality.)

“They’re not here to wish Vernard a happy birthday,” I stated, realization dawning upon me.

“They seize the occasion for their own ambitions. It’s an astute method to cultivate connections with the prince on his special day. Yet, for dear Vernard…”

Clavis shrugged, leaving the end of his sentence hanging in the air, inviting contemplation.

“And remarkably, he seems unfazed, even encouraging this charade. ‘Let it be like any other gathering,’ he insists.”

(So he prefers that they treat it as a festivity rather than acknowledge him...)

As Clavis turned to leave, I found myself awash in a sea of disquieting questions.

(So, all of Vernard’s seemingly exaggerated actions today were steeped in purpose...)

He had sought to evade such an affair, yet I had coaxed him to attend, accepting the invitation only to reveal the ugly truth behind his reluctance.

(Now that I’ve witnessed it firsthand…)

His birthday celebration—a time meant for joy—had become a forum for those who bore ill will toward him. Instead of receiving kind wishes and heartfelt congratulations, he was met with neglect and derision. I couldn’t help but wonder how he truly felt, enduring this every year. It was a bitter reality, turning a day meant for celebration into one of hurtful whispers and feigned affability.

(Where is he?)

I want to find Vernard, to understand what he's feeling right now amidst all this chaos. I began scanning the bustling crowd, the lively chatter and laughter blending into a dissonant hum that drowned out my thoughts, but he was nowhere in sight.

(Of course, he wouldn't be in the center of the hall...)

My heart raced as I made my way toward the balcony, seeking the solitude I imagined he must cherish. When I finally spotted him, his back turned to the throng of guests, he stood tall, gazing at the half-full moon.

“How was the party?” he asked, his voice calm and detached, still fixated on the glowing orb above us. I hesitated, grappling with my thoughts, feeling a weight settle in my chest.

(What should I even say to him...?)

“I...” My voice trailed off, swallowed by the cool evening air.

“I hope you’ve satisfied your curiosity now.” His words lingered in the space between us, loaded with unspoken grievances. I struggled to articulate what I felt, my mind a whirlpool of confusion and regret.

Then, he turned to face me, his jade eyes shimmering like emeralds in the moonlight. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, but it was as if the wind carried my apology away—he acknowledged my lips moving but didn’t quite catch the words. “Vernard, I’m sorry,” I repeated, louder this time, desperation creeping into my tone.

“Don’t be,” he replied, stepping closer, his presence somehow soothing and turbulent at once. “There’s nothing to feel sorry for.” His gaze pierced through me, as if he saw all the turmoil I kept buried. “What I’m going through today...every day...it isn’t your fault.”

“But...considering what happened between us in town, it’s like I forced you to do something you didn’t want to do. That’s why...” I trailed off.

“Well, good point. No one likes to be forced, but I came back willingly, not under duress. I wanted to help you—to shed light on what you sought so you could make your choice and finish your task.”

(Even at the cost of his own comfort, he’d sacrifice for duty…that’s what he was trying to convey.)

He paused, a faint smile breaking through his somber expression. “Besides, going out with you today felt like...a gift to me.”

(Huh...?) My heart skipped a beat.

“You gave me some inspiration”

“Inspiration? For what exactly—?”

Just then, a voice broke through our moment. “There you are; Bossman is looking for you.” Rio appeared near the entrance to the balcony, his presence jarring me back to reality.

“Rio, give me a minute,” I pleaded, turning back to Vernard. But when I looked, he had vanished, as if the very air had swallowed him whole.

(He did it again?! He disappeared without a trace!)

(But...what did he mean when he said I inspired him...?)

Vernard was an enigma, an intricate puzzle whose pieces refused to fit together without effort. I reflected on the myriad opinions I had heard about him; making sense of his thoughts and feelings was going to be far from simple. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but whisper what I felt he might need to hear, hoping it would reach him somehow: “Happy birthday, Vernard.”

(Next time, I’ll do my best to understand you.)

As Vernard retreated to his room, a sanctuary from the world beyond—his personal haven where the chaos of life could no longer reach him. Settled at the table, he gazed at the quiché tart before him, its surface gleaming under the flickering glow of the small candle perched atop it. In front of him lay a painting, a carefully crafted image that mirrored his emotions, adorned with a tender but melancholic smile.

“Today is my birthday,” he uttered softly, his eyes tracing the contours of the small painting. The bittersweet weight of his words hung in the air. “The day I entered this world, but also… the day you departed from it.” He turned his gaze upon the painted visage, as if it could hear him.

“You wonder why I’m smiling today? Because for once, you look just as I’ve always imagined you—beautiful and ethereal, even though we never met. I sought some inspiration, a spark to bring my vision of you to life, and here you are, vividly alive in front of me.”

As his eyes lingered on the artwork, the figure became more distinct—a woman with striking features, snow-white hair cascading like a silken waterfall, and captivating jade eyes. It dawned on him that those visual cues were reflections of memories, memories of a remarkable woman who had unknowingly ignited his imagination.

Recalling the source of his inspiration—the woman he had walked with in town, the one he had just spoken to moments ago by the balcony. “With her, I dared to break my routine, to venture out and find the essence of beauty I believed I needed to envision you.”

Taking a deep breath, Vernard leaned closer to the candle, its little flame dancing in anticipation. “Now, let’s blow out this candle, shall we? In honor of you, Mother.” With a gentle puff, he extinguished the flame, the room falling into a serene stillness, as if the world had paused to acknowledge his quiet moment of remembrance.

The End ❤️✨

#ikemen prince #ikepri #other's ocs

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colourless-hydrangeas · 6 days ago

Text

Mr Machete appreciation!! :)

[SPOILERS] Homicipher Is Actually Romantic, Convince Me Otherwise [Analysis/Opinion] [SFW]

Word count: 3,332

Edit: 11/7/2024

[Feel free to skip to the last objective "Individual route discussion + what made it romantic" if you want to get straight to the point]

Homicipher is truthfully a romantic (or platonic) game. It is a game that has to be looked at from a different perspective when it comes to love/romance. A game where you have to take in consideration of the characters and the nature of their 'other world'. Today's post will discuss into what I believe made Homicipher an oddly, but romantic game, despite its shortcoming and abrupt ends.

⚠️[MAJOR LORE/CHARACTER ROUTE SPOILERS] ⚠️

Discussion Objectives:

Definition of Love & how it plays into Homicipher

The nature of the 'other world' and ghosts

Individual route discussion + what made it romantic (thoughts)

What Is Love & How Does It Play Into Homicipher?

Love has many layers of definition and associations. Maybe, that is why some may deem Homicipher to be "unromantic" and some disagree on that thought. It also varies based on the type of content/exposure you had consume in the category of love [whether romantic or platonic]. Socially, from a common standpoint, love is a strong attachment or affection for someone. Often from a social standpoint associated with dates, affection, and intimacy. However, love is always changing, since it is a social script on what its suppose to be, and changes as society progresses. Some notions stay the same but some begin to change (just like how language and certain concepts begin to change in the other world, a different society from our own). For the sake of a "true" definition of love. I will be using the definition offered by the Oxford Language Dictionary. So, what is love?

Love as a noun is...

"An intense feeling of deep affection"

"A great interest and pleasure in something"

"A person or thing that one loves"

Love as a verb is...

"Feel deep affection for (someone)"

"Like or enjoy very much"

Not long after its release there had been a fair number of comments/reviews criticizing Homicipher for its lack of romance. This claim is NOT entirely wrong. From the expectations of a "normal" Otome/dating sim it doesn't necessarily meet the requirements because of its lack of intimacy, affection and interest from a HUMAN/SOCIETAL perspective. We must remember that romance/love does not necessarily equate to kissing, hand holding, and intimacy especially considering that these are the HUMAN (societal) views on what romance/love is. A concept that had become lost in the 'other world'. So how can we call Homicipher romantic if we have to cross out the influence of our society? The answer is that we can't fully avoid it, HOWEVER, we must be open to a different perspective of what 'their' version of love is (platonic love/or romantic). No matter how lacking, dense, twisted and grotesque the moments we have spent with these ghosts are. In some shape and form it CAN equate itself to love (platonic/ or romantic). I think a lot of people forget that time itself can be equate to some complicated level of love. The fact you spend time with someone, and it develops to something further for worse or better, something that even love may not be able to name, is what this game demonstrates.

Homicipher has a consistent theme, the loss of truth, the acceptance of ignorance and the concept of eternity. Which shockingly is where the romance comes from. When we allow ourselves to rot in that world. When we ignore the exit and choose to stay, is where the romance comes through. Love is complicated. What can I say?

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The Nature of the 'Other World' & Ghosts

Alot of the ghosts we encounter can be friendly, but also just as deadly. We hear it from almost all of the casts warning or discussing about how dangerous a lot of the ghosts (including themselves) roam in this world, and in different endings, succumb to this danger ourselves. The longer we stay in this world, we soon start to become no different. As we, a human, begin to slowly transform into a different entity. We begin to react more violently (though it can be argued that since our MC is a serial killer, she might have just been violent and cruel in general). When angered, or things start not to go her way, she gets filled with bloodlust and takes it out on who she's with. Killing is a common thing to do in this world, especially when experiencing anger, sadness and even boredom. The concept of death is a little complicated as they can easily regenerate themselves back to "life". As the game progresses, we learn that some of these ghosts cannot grasp certain concepts (such as love), remember their own name and self, and don't have exact words (sometimes none) for items.

When sometimes even confessing that you like some of the ghosts they question you, and state that they cannot understand you or that feeling (platonic/ or romantic). We are in a setting that is beyond the mortal realm, there aren't any exactly "ideal" dates in a place different from the moral realm... so you're going to be stuck in a scary place, having a scary "date".

However just because they cannot understand the concept of love, doesn't meant that they can't feel it. It is something that the body may still feel, and the mind not being able to put an identity to that feeling or even situation, since meanings and concepts get lost within this realm. The fact that we are allowed to spend an eternity in this realm, with our handsome casts of ghosts. Is oddly and sadly romantic. For Mr. Crawling it is his devotion and loyalty to you, it is how he worries and cares for you, it is his affection and attempts to soothe you. For Mr. Silvair it is his care for you (as research of course lol), your usefulness (which is why he is attracted to you), but even then, one of his endings he keeps you as a head, when you had become useless to him. For Mr. Gap he finds you intriguing, he wants to play and follow you around, always asking for parts of you with consent, loves to brag about himself to you. For Mr. Chopped it is his want to rely on you, to feel safe with you, to protect him, to spend time with him. For Mr. Hood it his willingness to help you for an eternity, to roam with you forever, keeping you away from danger. For Mr. Machete it is the fact you both spend an eternity searching for a home together, to suffer boredom together, to suffer within each other's presence. For Mr. Scarletella it is his obsession for you and his willingness to spend an eternity with you.

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Individual Routes + What Made Them Romantic

[Not in any particular order]

Mr. Crawling

If I had to rank who had the most "romantic" route overall, it would be Mr. Crawling. With the definition usage of love from the Oxford dictionary, verb and noun he checks all the list. Not only that, but we spend time with him the most out of all the other casts. He was the very first ghost we meet (briefly in the beginning) and got stuck with. We are like a baby bird imprinting on him because we saw him first and spent time with him the most, so of course we might feel the most attached to him compared to the others. As the game progresses Mr. Crawling doesn't fail to let us know that he cares for us and our safety warning us of the dangers that come and explaining how to navigate our way around danger. He expresses his worries when we disappeared. He seems to have some concept of love (platonic/ or romantic) as he admittedly tells us that he likes us and ask us if we like him. He expresses how he wants to follow and protect us. He also has so many cute scenes! Scenes where he pats our head, scenes where we lay together, chat a lot together. He is devoted and loyal to us, never harming us even once.

We even get a scene where he gets jealous when we called Mr. Chopped cute with the cat headband! So, he also makes an attempt to be cute too! We are always together with him, and that makes us BOTH happy. Although we don't have our traditional romantic dates like shopping, movie night. We get a bed scene and get to take him back home with us.

There are many types of romance. Platonic and romantic. You the reader/player is allowed to view it however you want. The game does not punish you for the lack of interactions with the casts. You just end up missing out on certain scenes/moments with them is all. However, for the sake of this post I will be making attempts to talk about the romantic aspect (but platonic romance can also be put into place).

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Mr. Silvair

lt's apparent that Mr. Silvair keeps us as research material and confines us in his lair. He is interested in our body, and also interested in returning our mind/intellect back to its original state. It is this interest in us that makes him "love" us. Does confinement and research count as love? Well...maybe not in terms of human definition but in the Mr. Silvair way, it's the closest thing you can get to romantic (or platonic). Afterall, the concept of love has become lost in this world.

I believe he still has some attachment to us, because in the ending A Head's Life, he still keeps you as a companion along with Mr. Chopped. He claims that you are no longer useful/capable but that it is okay, as long as danger is no longer here. When you choose to ask him why he did what he did and ask if he likes you, he tells you it was for research and that love is something he cannot understand. He also doesn't understand why you get so angry when he helped you return your intellect back. He still though has some sort of concept of empathy, because in his route when you choose to kill him and hide yourself away. He comes follow you and expresses that he's sorry and tells you a little about himself. He allows you free will, at this point, allowing you to leave him or stay with him.

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Mr. Gap

Mr. Gap always wants a piece of us, literally. Why does he? Because it's just for fun. The most interaction we get with him is through the multiple crevices within this world and the short route he gets in chapter 4. He takes but sometimes may give. However, he doesn't fail to be thoughtful. It's hilarious how in chapter 4 when he offers us a crowbar in exchange for your heart, you can just smack him for it with no consequences. He also likes to brag about himself to you which honestly is a little cute. With his ending Return, we only have him left in the 'other world'. Our comfort lies with him, although he may be a little annoying, he is the only one we have left. We maybe have become a little codependent on him, but maybe he likes that?

God his annoyed/disgusted face is so hilarious, do it again Mr. Gap! He seems to stick around with us mainly just for funsies and being nosy, and honestly, he is so real for that. But it seems he likes to stay around with us at least. In the return end he is with us, and continues to stay lurking, perhaps watching over us until he is needed. Quite handy am I right? Haha.

He is depicted as quite the gentleman, but also just as fun and teasing. There are times where he does help you with no charge, such as barging into his hole (the face he makes in that scene is hilarious). Again, when presented with beating him for your crowbar, he gets a little upset but, honestly still helps you out. He probably thinks violence is funny which is why he constantly still teases you by asking to take away your body parts. It's just too fun!

Someone had brought up to my attention that Mr.Gap tends to ask for parts that can be easy to part with as we progress. Asking for our feet, legs, and fingers instead, when he seems to still clearly prefer the heart over the other parts. He adjusts his request when he realizes we won’t give our heart.

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Mr. Chopped

Mr. Chopped is just a head; how can he possibly be or have anything romantic? Well, not necessarily to the level of Mr. Crawling but, we get to have a few small moments with him and spend some time with him. Since he is just a head, he can't help but need to rely on others. Of course, he has to be selectively about it because falling in the wrong hands devastates him.

Mr. Chopped when he gets forced into playing with the deer child, he seems happy to see a familiar face and calls us out to help him. Our poor baby was in trouble!

His ending head hunt is tragically sad but also bittersweet. MC cares so much about Mr. Chopped that she spends an eternity as an entity searching for a lost head, searching for Mr. Chopped who she failed to rescue.

During his own special route Mr. Chopped does his best to help us, but there is only so much a head can do. To make up for his lack of body though, he seems to be more expressive with his mouth and emotions. We get to take him to get a haircut and wash his hair. This seems pretty date like to me. Although our time was abrupt and short with Mr. Chopped. It makes me happy that we get this small, cute scene with him, which makes him much more lovable.

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Mr. Hood

Mr. Hood protects you from harm, and also heeds your commands. He also carries you around. He means no harm and is there to guide. He cares for your safety and seems to dislike anything dangerous or threatening towards him and others that he protects.

At the end of his route, he states how often you get in danger and takes you with him, telling you that he must protect you since you asked him to (referring to an earlier scenario when you asked him to stay with you, when you reunited with Mr. Crawling and the others, but he leaves). So I would assume he would always be by your side now eternally staying together and protecting you from danger when needed. How cute! Some people are into that. But personally, for me Mr. Hood felt more like a father/brother to me. Maybe it was because he was always willing to guide us? But some people are into the brotherly/fatherly type of men, and hey I don't judge.

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Mr. Machete

At first, I did not see the appeal to Mr. Machete, he seemed like a ghost that killed for boredom and most of the time we just followed him around aimlessly...WELL, after playing his route and letting it soak in my brain. That is entirely the whole point of his character. He is a ghost that had become bored because he had too much time on his hands and continues to search for his home. He is our tsundere dummy macho ghost, and honestly, I love that about him. He could've killed us again like how he tried earlier, but after that first attempt, he reluctantly allows us to follow him. It's funny how much he runs away if the odds are against him, and when he mocks us it's even more hilarious. Mr. Machete likes us if we are strong opponent for him, he even expresses that he thinks we are fun and likes us when we defeat Mr. Hugeface on our own.

Not going to lie, I fell for Mr. Machete right here. We were low on blood, and he just slices his hand, FEEDING us HIS BLOOD. Like OMG that was so hot, he opens our mouth forceful, and we drink his blood. He somewhat cares about us, to be doing all of that for us. After that we get a timed choice to stall or follow him. When you choose to stall he pauses with you and asks if you're okay and to catch up with him. For someone who had been reluctant and annoyed at us for following him, took a moment of his time to wait for you. He WANTED you to tag along with him. We then venture on with him aimlessly searching for his and our home. Torturing each other with our presences. But maybe, just maybe, they can slowly become that home together that they were searching for.

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Mr. Scarletella

I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. At first, he appears to be just any ghost that wants to attack us. It took me a while to warm up to him because of so little we knew about him. I thought he wanted to take our name for fun/or collection, but then it's revealed that he knows us. That he harbors some sort of love and obsession for us and believes that we love him because of all the blood and bodies we "offered" him. In a twisted way, this situation is a cute and romantic misunderstanding. Mr. Scarletella fell in love with us for providing him many blood and bodies. He wants us to spend an eternity with him. He WANTS to spend an eternity with us. He invites us to this other world because perhaps he wants us to become a ghostly being just like him, or maybe he wants to have easier access to us (since his myth that he only appears on rainy days) to meet us. Although we didn't get to have as many interactions with him, that is what makes this love toxic. It is a parasocial love, he fell in love with us from afar. When you piece everything together with your dictionary the words he proposes to you sound like wedding vows when you give your name to him. Which make it all so more lovely, even if he takes our soul away.

(My translation/interpretation of the scene, where he asks for your name)

Chapter 2, Scene 24

Scarletella: "You found your name...?"

Scarletella: "Teach me your name." (ARF ARF WRARF)

Scarletella: "I want you." (YES PLEASE)

Scarletella: "Will you give your name?" (OF COURSE)

Scarletella: "Your name?" (👁️👄👁️)

*You give him your name here*

Scarletella: "I have your name."

Scarletella: "I have obtained you." (YES YOU DID, COME TAKE ME)

Scarletella: "Let's leave together." (ARF ARF WRARFFFFFFFF)

Scarletella: "I love you"

Scarletella: "And you love me."

Scarletella: "You gave it to me...Thank you" (I'LL GIVE YOU IT ALL)

Scarletella: "Forever/eternally together..." (YES SIR)

Scarletella: "Together." (ARF ARF WRARRF ARFA)

He is quite the romancer hehe. It seems like Mr. Scarletella has some form of concept when it comes to love, which is to be together forever, even if you end up as a blood pool. Together is together.

I find it interesting how his two endings: Scarletella and Scarlet Rain parallels each other so well. In the Scarletella ending, we (mc unknowingly) give our consent to being together forever with Mr. Scarletella, but we are still alive. When MC wakes up, she sees a clear umbrella on the floor and picks it up. I believe that we have now embodied or spirited the umbrella, spending eternity with Mr. Scarletella. He owns us now.

However, in the Scarlet Rain end he becomes ours, the umbrella stays red, and we still, eternally are together forever.

#homicipher #homicipher analysis #mr crawling #mr chopped #mr silvair #mr gap #mr machete #mr scarletella #mr hood

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