#(Mirrored Counterpart) : MC

[quietplace26]

SAGAU au idea. Part 1.

/EDIT: This au is now called the Through the Glitching Mirror. More information HERE/

MC lands in the stereotypical SAGAU situation but a glitch happens and two Teyvats connect.

One of course is the SAGAU au, while the other is actually a safer one where the 'CREATOR' nonsense doesn't exist. In that safer world the MC is just known as a invisible, helpful entity that follows the Traveler around on their journey. A precious companion to all of Teyvat, if one could say.

But then the special connection the MC had with the traveler and many others is cut one day during a regular commission run, and everyone loses their shit.

All the nations desperately try to find the MC, and when they somehow managed to bing their location and pull it up on a scrying mirror... they see the MC for the first time, and they looked horrible. The people of this normal Teyvat are horrified to see the MC being hunted down like an animal by their insane counterparts.

Something about being an IMPOSTER of their precious CREATOR? It didn't matter in the end as all that matter was rescuing the MC from that rotten place!

Some extra notes.

After MC is rescued, they would most likely be traumatized from their ordeal.

So, as a way to help ease them into this safer Teyvat, MC is slowly reintroduced to every nation and its people.

Paimon also volunteers to be assigned as MC's emotional support fairy. She's small but huggable. And she can talk and talk, distracting MC from dark memories.

Of course they start in Mondstadt. Starting with NPCs, then the child vision holders, then the adults... and finally Venti.

MC mostly spends time around The Cat's Tail, playing with the cats and sometimes being coaxed to play a game of TCG by Diona or others.

Venti definitely takes MC to meet Dvalin. They definitely also cuddle into Dvalin's fluff, and nap with Venti under the sun in Stormterror's lair.

When taken to Liyue, the same process happens.

The Adepti would follow MC around, keeping tabs on them and keeping any trouble away from them via Zhongli's orders.

Spends time at Xiangling's restaurant, helping out, slowly socializing with the Liyue populace.

Guoba is also MC's personal emotional support bear creature.

Zhongli... was a slow progress. But after some time and effort, MC easily walks beside the Geo Archon, listening to him talk, enjoying tea with him as a storyteller recited stories of Liyue's history and Archon.

And with the other nations, the process continues.

Eventually starts doing commissions with the Traveler as a way to help MC get even more out of their comfort zone. Nothing too hard. Definitely NO fighting. Mostly deliveries and such.

Traveler is really happy with this as they don't have to do some of the more boring fetch quests some of the NPCs ask for.

Dottore is NOT allowed within 10 feet of the MC, much less in the same city. These are direct orders from the Tsaritsa herself.

[kannady]

do you remember me too?

pairing: sylus x mc reader

synopsis: love and deepspace was a newfound obsession of yours. you installed the game shortly after sylus was released as a love interest. it'd be safe to say he was the reason you installed the app. however, finals week was approaching and you had to say goodbye to your favourite game. not for long, ofcourse. but you decide to login for the last time to check the new event.

word count: 2k

a/n: hey everyone! honestly im loving this ffc so much! its great to see people liking it, it really encourages me to go on. ive been doing tons research on the game before adding characters and im falling in love all over again 😭. please leave your thoughts, id love to know what you think of the story so far!

check out all chapters here

Chapter Three

Badum! Badum!

Could someone's heart burst from their chest from excitement, ecstasy, and confusion? Because yours was about to. Either your eyes were deceiving you, or you had gone insane. There was no other possible explanation. Your mind bombarded you with relentless questions.

The man before you was Zayne. His freshly trimmed black hair glistened under the clinic lights, framing hazel-green eyes that sparkled like gemstones. His sharp nose and chiseled features completed that signature stoic expression. Had you died and gone to heaven?

You gulped, taking hesitant steps toward him. Even now, you couldn't fully believe you stood in the presence of THE Zayne Li. Who could?

What should you do? You'd already resolved not to ask him to prove his existence—he clearly existed, standing right before you. Nor would you show any confusion. While your family might excuse odd behavior, someone of his caliber would diagnose it as delirium—the last thing you wanted.

He scribbled in a file as you approached. Sensing your presence, he glanced up, meeting your gaze over his glasses. Is this how I die? Your heart skipped several beats as your breath caught. For a moment, you forgot how to breathe entirely. Your chest constricted while your palms grew clammy. Maybe your body was overreacting. Unconsciously, you pressed a hand to your chest, forcing a slow inhale.

"Look who finally decided to show up. Take a seat."

Holy shit. He talks!

You weren't mentally prepared for this. The truth was undeniable now—you were inside Love & Deepspace! How else could this be explained? Your stare remained locked on him. He mirrored his game counterpart perfectly, except he was flesh and blood—his ethereal mannerisms and striking features somehow more breathtaking in reality. How was someone like him just a doctor? Under these circumstances, that seemed the only sane question to ask.

"H-hi, sorry I'm late. Traffic, you know," you chuckled nervously, omitting the real reasons.

"Yes, I know. I also know you staged that whole disbelief act to avoid your fate." He gestured around the office.

"Who can escape the Master of Fate?" you muttered under your breath.

"What was that?" His expression, if possible, grew more impassive. He'd definitely heard something—but how much?

"Nothing!" Play it cool. "So, the appointment..." You gestured for him to proceed, eager to escape this suffocating situation. Just an hour ago, you'd been studying for exams—now you conversed with Zayne. Not something that happens everyday.

"Yes, I was supposed to review your test results from last month." He emphasized "last month." Apparently, you—or whoever you'd replaced—had avoided this appointment for thirty days.

"Oh. Am I okay?"

"(Reader), you should've come weeks ago. These results"—he indicated the scattered papers—"are outdated." His displeasure was evident, though it wasn't your fault. You were just inheriting someone else's consequences.

"We can redo the tests." Your suggestion worked instantly. His stern demeanor shifted to bewilderment. "We will. And this time, I'll ensure we get same-day results so you can't flee." His narrowed eyes felt like drills boring into your skull. What had your predecessor done?

Without warning, he stood and headed for the door. "Follow me."

You practically jogged to keep up with his long strides. "S-slow down, Zayne..."

He halted abruptly, making you collide with his rock-solid back. As your eyes met again, the reality of interacting with Zayne still felt surreal. He stepped aside, holding the door open. "We're here." The Pathology Department sign loomed overhead.

For what felt like hours, you followed him through various tests—exhausting but painless. Why would anyone avoid this? Finally, he asked you to wait while processing results, giving you precious time to process your situation. Zayne was real. You'd touched him, confirming this wasn't a dream. Yet your parents and sister existed here too—non-game characters. Unless...you weren't the protagonist. That would explain the discrepancies. But if Zayne was real, then so was—

Badum. Badum. Badum.

Your heart raced painfully fast, breath hitching. Icy fingers clenched as conflicting emotions brewed within you—ecstasy, terror, bewilderment. You needed to see him. Sylus.

"Your results are ready." Zayne's voice snapped you back. Following him blindly, you crashed into him again when he stopped at his office. "God! What do you eat?" You rubbed your forehead.

"It's not dietary. Spinal rigidity can stem from muscle tension, spasms, poor posture, injuries, trauma, sedentary lifestyle, fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndromes, dehydration, or nutrient deficiencies."

"You do realise you just diagnosed yourself, right? Go see a doctor." The corners of his lips quirked briefly—a fleeting smile. Barely visible, but it was there. You’d always remember you had made him smile.

Seated across from him, he frowned at the reports. "These show drastic changes."

"Well, there's a month's gap."

"Drastic changes," he reiterated.

Shit. Does he know?

"Excellent progress. You've followed my advice." He nodded approvingly. Advice? Whatever—you were safe. As he handed you a discharge form, his stare became uncomfortable.

"Why are you staring?"

"Assessing my patient."

"That's weird."

"It's my job."

"Look over there instead." You pointed randomly, hastily completing the form. Amusingly, he actually kept gazing where directed. Beautiful and literal—just like in-game. If Zayne affected you this much, imagining Sylus might stop your heart.

"All done." You stood to leave.

"Wait." Zayne's voice halted you. "Is everything alright?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

"You seem...different."

That was the understatement of the century. You were an imposter, clueless about your predecessor. Before you could respond, he added, "Your handwriting has improved."

My escape route! "I practiced. Anyway, bye!" You bolted.

Outside, reality sank in. Zayne was real. This world was real. But unasnwered questions remained. Who were you here? What was your life? What did you do? There was no one you could ask without seeming like a lunatic. Defeated, you headed home.

"I'm back!" Your mom appeared instantly. "You actually went? How was it?"

"I went! Zayne said I'm fine—following instructions perfectly."

"Wonderful! With the doctor's approval, you're all set!" Her cryptic joy raised more questions, but you feigned exhaustion, retreating upstairs.

Your room stopped you cold. Gone were your familiar belongings—replaced by game merchandise. Honeybee, Succulent Bunny, Comfy Peanut, Snowy Fox plushies. The bookshelf stunned you further: Types and Classes of Wanderers, Ideal Close-Combat Weapons, 50 Wanderer Confrontation Mistakes, Wanderers: Friends or Foes?

Before you could process this, the door flew open. Your sister leaned against the frame, arms crossed, scrutinizing you with a smug expression on her face. After a prolonged silence, she delivered the chilling verdict:

"You're not really you, are you?"

Once again, lemme know if you wanna be on the taglist and share your thoughts!

tags: @zenbutnotreally, @godoffuckedupcats, @noxus123, @madam8, @agustdxjiminx, @liz9898, @lemonn015, @tearydamsel, @diegojeanne, @alyssac9, @dummiebunny

[tessieee]

Main 7 x an MC that acts silly and talks to themselves when they’re alone

PT. 1 -- Pt. 2 after the fic that won the poll :p

Pairings: OBEY ME! Lucifer x MC, Mammon x MC, Leviathan x MC

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Spending time alone in the House of Lamentation became a rarity as the brothers and you grew closer. Some days it was mediating a fight between Mammon and Levi, others it was being dragged to go shopping with Asmo, napping with Belphie, then a Fangol game for Beelzebub, and Lucifer on your tail over assignments from R.A.D. Regardless, you gave your precious time out like bread and water, feeding those who cried out for help; you knew being needed by so many people at once made your chest swell with pride and filled a void inside you that nothing else could. 

For a while, you’d convinced yourself that the exhaustion you felt was simply because you weren't used to so many people wanting to spend time with you at once, but your denial only went so far as you began to become snippy with your favorite demons. Talking to yourself was a habit you’d picked up every time you were home alone when you still lived with your parents. Staring in the mirror to finish off arguments, speaking to no one in particular while folding laundry, anything to fill the silence. Tonight you swore up and down that you finally had some time alone while finishing up a paper for Curses and Hexes and subconsciously, began to talk to yourself again.

• —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Lucifer ~ 

“What the hell am I even saying here?” You guffawed at your words, strung together by nothing but the Devildom equivalent of Red Bull and your hopes and dreams.

“…great and then you decided to… to…completely ignore the hex counterpart”

You rolled your eyes, staring off to the side as if briefly looking at an off-screen camera. Someone has been watching too many sitcoms. “Awesome! Then I finish this and then I finish math and then I’m done. Dude, I think I’m the GOAT.”

“Thanks!”

Unbeknownst to you, your monologue had caught the attention of the eldest, who, like you, believed that he had been alone that night. Leaning up to your door, he continued to listen as you narrate your actions to an audience you never expected to have. 

“What would Lucifer say…”  You spew a poor impression of Lucifer. 

“You do know you forgot the hex counterpart! How will you be expected to make me look good for my boyfriend? Oh, Lord Diavolo!”

 Embarrassment weighed in your chest, joking about it only relieved the insecurity of whether or not he could like you back for a moment before stinging. You take note of the fact that the demon had been occupying your mind feverishly the past week, today was certainly no exception. You wished he’d check on you to see how diligently you were working. The thought of his approval made you wipe away a dazed grin, your face hot with shameful desire.

Laughter bubbled throughout the room as you made yourself laugh through the rest of your homework. Lucifer’s heart raced at the sound; as he had gotten to know you, your laughter became his favorite sound along with the haunted records he treasured. 

Being caught up in the moment certainly put him at a disadvantage as he almost missed your footsteps growing closer to the door. The prideful demon took this opportunity to feign intention and raise his hand to the door as if to knock on it. Smooth.

“Lucifer? To what do I owe.. the pleasure?” Your meek and confused demeanor threw him off. In front of his brothers you could be so witty, your retorts to the occasional friendly tease from one of his brothers at breakfast often resulted in his gaze focusing on your supple lips, he found that fantasizing about kissing you in the morning kept him distracted for hours to come. 

Your bravery and confidence that you had slowly built up with the time you spent in the Devildom was something he admired so to catch you in such a vulnerable state felt as if you two were sharing something intimate. If the hall wasn’t so dark you’d likely see his lightly flushed expression. 

“I- How long—“ You look behind you self-consciously. “Were you standing there?”

“I was just about to knock. Why do you ask?” You’re lucky he likes you. Sparing your pride, to the both of you, was almost a love language on its own. The executive decision to not nag you about your assignment at that moment was made soon after seeing your cute behavior.

“Oh,” a shy smile spreads upon your lips. You knew he’d be the last person to poke fun at you for this. “Well, it’s a little embarrassing but I tend to talk– to myself? When I’m alone— and.. sometimes around others and..” Your confession ended up sounding more like a question trailing off at the end into an awkward silence. Stupid beautiful demon face.

To your absolute delight, your awkwardness appeared endearing to the firstborn. Luckily you were able to catch sight of the slightly upturned corners of his mouth. He looked incredibly amused by your red cheeks and refusal to make eye contact.

“Are you laughing, Lucifer?” 

“You are the GOAT? Or so I’ve heard.”

“For that long?!”

There’s a moment of silence before you catch sight of his shoulders trembling with laughter, your fit of giggles in pursuit. Your heartbeat finally relaxed; you became aware of how comfortable you felt around him.

Who better than to keep your little secret? 

• —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Mammon ~ 

“Hooooly shit you’re a genius.” Your fingers flew furiously on your keyboard.

Quiet clacking noises emitted from your fingertips as your melodic voice broke the silence in your room. Music was much too distracting and you’d procrastinated enough on this assignment. Lucifer’s nagging reminded you a lot of your mother and it goes without saying you needed less of that. 

“Oh my god,” You scoff, noticing you had accidentally typed ‘Mammon’ instead of ‘divination’. The demon had been particularly clingy with you as of late, not that you were complaining. It felt nice to be needed, especially if it was him.

“Mammon.. oh he’s so cute.” You practically swooned, sighing loudly and quite dramatically. Your finger quickly made its way to your hair, twirling it mindlessly as your mind wandered from your assignment. The week’s adventures replayed in your mind. You didn’t miss the way your pose looked in the mirror, grinning and nodding in approval. Maybe you’ll post some selfies later!

It wasn’t unusual for Mammon to be demanding of your time if not the most out of all of his brothers. Who could blame him? Time flew when the two of you were together. Two peas in a pod.

“God, if I keep procrastinating like that I won’t be able to go with him.” 

You gasp quietly, taking note of the expression you chose.

“Is that like a cuss word here? Will I get smited?”

A singular “Ha!” Escaped from your lips followed by a string of words. Your frenzied typing had grown to a halt, the back of your seat used as a tool to help stretch your back. Truthfully you’d been at your homework for a couple of hours now and you still had so much left and it was so late. You wondered again where everyone went, you could hear the house creak and you’d be lying if you said it didn’t freak you the hell out.

Scrolling on your phone, you decided to open Deviltunes™ to cut the silence. Finally returning to your homework, you sang along and continued making small talk with yourself.

“Come to think of it, wouldn’t it be weird if someone was watching me right now? Nice question moron, of course, no one’s watching.” Your declaration came out less confident than you would’ve hoped. 

“You always talk t’yourself in private?” The speed at which you turned around almost gave you whiplash. Catching sight of Mammon all smug and disheveled, likely from a night out, made your breath hitch. “Worry not! The Great Mammon will grant you the favor of sparing your ego tonight!”

“Where’s everyone else?” Your arms stay crossed, attempting to make yourself look tougher. This moment didn’t affect you, certainly not! Especially because you did not care that he was the one to catch you talking to yourself and because you did not have enormous feelings for him. 

He only grinned at your weak attempt to change the subject. “Just out. Pretty sure Levi’s been here the whole time.” Both of you share a moment of agreement and you let go of a breath you weren't aware you were holding. This didn’t deter the demon from prodding you until you answered his questions. 

“You talk to yourself too?” 

“Yes, Mammon.”

“You think I’m cute?” 

“Mammon.” His eyes widened at your tone, a smile plastered onto his face as he raised his hands defensively. The avatar of greed swore he meant no harm and came in peace.

Frustration bubbled in your chest as he continued to poke fun at your habit– you were embarrassed yet the expression on your face, fidgeting, and red face went right over the demon’s head. Luckily he managed to catch on before he got pushed too close to your door. Complaints spilled from his mouth like chants he knew he’d pushed your buttons a little too much this time and, still with a grin albeit smaller than when he started to make fun of you, shifted his tone. 

“Alright, human.” He grabs your wrist with one hand, brushing stray hairs from your blushing face. “Pay attention ‘cause m’ only doin’ this once! Better not make me regret it.”

Mammon pulls you into his chest, halting your brief nervous breakdown and reminding you that despite all of the chaos you two get yourselves into he’s still your peace. You swear time freezes for a moment as you take in a deep breath, the scent of his cologne and cigarette smoke wrapping around you as his arms do. That’s your Mammon. He knew very well he wouldn’t keep his promise and you wouldn’t rather have it any other way.

• —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Leviathan ~

MC.hammah:

‘Yo Levi. You home 2nite?’

‘Heard u went 2 a Ruri-chan pop-up! Get me something cute. Thx!’

Leviathanreallordofshadows:

‘If I have time after dis line’

‘Get these randos out of line I need this figurine more than they do. > : (’

‘Ugh this is taking too longgggggg’

‘Hey! Where’d u go? Keep me company or ur fake’

You didn't bother waiting for the messages that followed, even the resident shut-in was out of the house tonight. You tossed your phone on the bed and twirled around your room in delight. The world was your oyster�� except the world, for now, was confined to the walls that made up the House of Lamentation. You could go exploring, but the sight of your discontinued essay for class held you back from leaving your room. Trudging towards your desk from your bed had to be the hardest task you completed that day.

Your head rested on the palm of your hand as your fingers found themselves in a comfortable tangle in your hair. Scanning the online textbook excerpts in hopes of finding more context to your evidence. All of the right pieces were there, you just needed the glue that would connect them all. Attempt after attempt, the words began to blend into one another and you notice you’ve been reading the same paragraph for the past 5 minutes. 

Why was focusing on this so hard today?

 You lean back to rub your eyes gently, the blue light of your laptop stinging your retinas. Maybe you were just a little butthurt that you’d heard nothing about this, especially since you’d been the one to send him the Devilgram post notifying fans of the event in the first place.

“Not even an invite? Seriously, what’s going on with him..” You frown at your lap, deciding to grab your D.D.D once again. The lock screen turns on, a group picture you’d begged everyone to take, the highlight to you was the cute poses you and Levi had chosen for this picture. Inside jokes like these often provoked the occasional look from his brothers; no one was in on them except you, him, and maybe Henry 2.0.

You scroll down the messages in your DMs with him, scanning for some sort of subtle invitation you might’ve missed but still nothing. With a quiet thud, you threw yourself onto your bed, continuing to scroll yet not finding a moment that excuse his lack of invitation.

“Guess m’ just not cool enough for these anymore.” “Did he take the fish? If you took Henry I swear I’ll rip your soft purple hair right out of your head.” You glance once more at your desk and bury your face into your comforter to let out a boisterously loud groan.

“Homework. Right! Maybe that's why he didn't invite me!”

You look into a nearby reflection with an expression desperate for approval yet you only end up with loud silence and a realization that you look insane. Focusing on your homework doesn't seem that bad anymore. The walk back to your chair is a silent one, thanks to that you were able to catch the quick footsteps from your door. Did whoever just got home hear all of that? Counting your blessings for finding yet another distraction to the assignment you were putting off, you head towards the door hoping to catch the spy. Opening it you weren't expecting to find Levi, much less with a giftbag from the event.

“Were you–” He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, embarrassed that he’d been caught so quickly. “On the phone? Y-Yknow’ with someone?”

Had he heard all of the self-deprecating monologuing you spewed? Oh, no. 

“No! No. Levi, I was just…” You trail off, talking quietly with newfound paranoia of being eavesdropped on. “Talking to myself. Obviously.”

Great. That sounded insincere! The demon shifts the weight on his feet awkwardly as his hands fidget with the gift bag in his hands. “Oh, okay. I was just wondering since it– uhm��� sounded like you were on the phone.” Poor boy… “I dunno’ I’m probably just being stupid.”

Your face softens as you hear his words. You two were too similar sometimes, sympathy was almost inevitable. Taking his trembling hands in yours you peek up at him through his bangs.

“What’s this, Levi?” “For not– not inviting you. It was supposed to be a surprise.” Ohhhh…

“Levi!” Your arms soon find themselves wrapped around his neck, overcome with emotion as you pull him close. You note he runs cold and that he smells like linen and a day at the beach. “I’m so sorry. I thought– maybe you were over me coming to events like this.”

“No! Never! You’re my– my Henry.” Levi flushed at the sudden spike in intimacy between the two of you. How he was able to keep it together this long was beyond him. “I just figured you were too busy for another event so I’d bring you something special” 

His free hand clutched your shirt to keep you close as if he’d let go and wake up from this dream where a normie and an otaku could get so close without a rip in the space-time continuum. Yet again, he supposed over time you became so much more than just a normie to him.

“It’s amazing Levi. Thank you!”

Worth it!

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Note: OKAYYY I know the fic that won the poll isn't technically my first fic. This one's kinda like a pilot episode? They're also all long kinda so that's why there's two parts soz be nice to me please

Feedback + constructive criticism is appreciated !!!

[kaedekolya]

clarence and his counterparts: man or monster?

So we were talking about Clarence’s new android SSR (Faint Night Light) in the LBC discord server, and it got me thinking about the monster allusions that seem to be a common thread across Clarence’s main stories. Then we discussed the diary entries from his White Day event, and it occurred to me that this monster imagery also ties into his modern-day counterpart – and with that, this post was born.

In other words: is Clarence a man, a monster, or somewhere in between?

[ SPOILERS: Clarence’s main stories and Chrono Theatre diaries. This meta analysis is structured as story-specific sections, namely Godheim, Eden, and the modern world, so you can skip over the world(s) you haven't read yet. No Awakening spoilers, don't worry! ]

- ☽ -

Godheim: Archmage Clarence

First, let’s talk about Godheim Clarence. As the Archmage, he bears a heavy responsibility upon his shoulders – to oversee the Magi Tower, to fight the Glacial Butterflies, and, ultimately, to protect the country and its people.

In order to fulfil this duty that he has chosen to undertake, Clarence seals his heart and shuts others out. He denies his emotions, and resents himself for having these emotions, to the point that he disparages MC for “[acting] impetuously” and belittles her capabilities when she shows concern for Amelia’s wellbeing. Archmage Clarence’s impassivity is his shield against the emotions he views as a hindrance.

Yet he was not always this way. Clarence is a casualty of cruel circumstances, a tender soul torn apart by trauma. When MC is confronted with the truth of the mages’ magic, having witnessed a mage die before her very eyes, she notes that “[there] is no pain or compassion on Clarence’s face,” because “[this] is a sight he has seen all too many times before.” Decades of watching his fellow mages succumb to the Glacial Butterflies that nest inside them, and decades of having to end the lives of mutating mages under his purview, have conditioned Clarence into numbing his heart to such pain. How else could he have stayed sane, after a century of bearing witness to suffering wrought by his own hands?

Archmage Clarence’s disposition is initially described by MC as an “[icy] presence,” but this is the facade that he projects as a defence mechanism, not his genuine self. Clarence is so accustomed to the chill of the Glacial Butterflies within him that he has taken on the frost as a personality trait, believing that his frigidity defines him. He does not view himself as a human capable of warmth; instead, he thinks of himself as a mutant, as an icy monster.

Even so, Clarence cannot deny his innate inclination towards kindness. When he notices that Amelia isn’t feeling well, he tells her to sit in the carriage. When Amelia’s temperature drops, he casts a spell to warm the shivering child up, even as he grumbles that he’s wasting his time and magic. When Amelia’s death is imminent, he tries to send her off in the gentlest way possible, then grants her final wish by conjuring a connection to the water mirror. Clarence may insist that he does not care, but his actions reflect his compassion.

It is this very kindness that steers him towards a path of selfless sacrifice, for the sake of his country and its people. The life of a mage may have been forced upon him, by the man that gave a gravely injured child no other option but the potion that would transform him, yet Clarence learns to harness his power for good. He spends his youth eliminating Glacial Butterflies and protecting the village of the snow plains, and despite the harsh conditions of the path he now treads, he does not hold a grudge against the family that sold him off and thrived in the resulting profit. Instead, he returns to check on them from afar, and when an onslaught of Glacial Butterflies attack, he protects them with every last bit of energy within him.

Still, his family’s betrayal left an indelible mark on his psyche. Back when he’d been given the potion, he’d resolved to succumb to his injuries rather than drink it. Despite his instinctive desire to live, MC notes that his “will to live [had been] virtually non-existent,” because there is “[no] despair greater than being betrayed by your own family.” The young Clarence had not seen a reason to live, when his family had forsaken him. It is only when MC saves him, urging him to live on, that he resolves to survive and repay this debt. Each time MC encounters him in her voyage through time, he is on the verge of death, and each time, his dwindling will to live stems from his despair over those he could not save. What ultimately keeps him alive is the vow he swore to his saviour.

This characterisation is one that carries through his immortal lifespan. Clarence does not live for himself; he lives for others. Whether that means risking his life to defend a village, or sacrificing himself in a ritual to save the country’s inhabitants, the underlying premise is the same – Clarence lives for the person who saved him, and for the promise he made to them. He allows others to form negative opinions of him based on the assumptions they’ve made, in order to keep the secret of the ritual and the Glacial Butterflies from them, because their scorn towards him matters less than their safety. He closes himself off from others, never permitting them to reach out to him, because he cannot allow companionship and compassion to distract him from his purpose. He “[cannot] afford to be sentimental,” because he cannot have anyone or anything clouding his judgement. Better to be the enemy of the state that saves it, than the friend of the state that cannot do anything as it crumbles. 

It is ironic, then, that Clarence’s devotion to his promise leads him from striving to live and fulfil it, to voluntarily dying for that same promise. His life, his existence itself, is secondary to the promise he has made. He will live to protect the world for his saviour, but if the only way to protect it is to die, then die he shall. Perhaps he views it as a penance of sorts, an atonement for the sins he’s committed. Perhaps he believes the new world would be better off without a monster like him.

For all his calculative callousness and stoic solitude, Clarence is deeply self-aware. Not only is he conscious of the suffering he inflicts and the ramifications of his actions, but he also ruminates upon his sins until they turn to guilt in his gut and self-loathing in the deepest recesses of his soul. He does not turn a blind eye to the pain he witnesses; instead, he looks it straight in the eye, internalises it, and forces himself to feel nothing at all.

Clarence may appear to have no qualms about exploiting people and reducing them to cogs in a plan greater than its constituent parts, but his interactions with Amelia prove otherwise. Right before he sends her off on what is meant to be a suicide mission, his carefully-crafted defenses slip, and he asks whether she hates him. Clarence believes that he has failed to live up to the Archmage’s title, that he has fallen short of being a “guiding force for all the mages” and a “protector.” He condemns himself for his callous strategies and merciless manipulation, since he has been treating people like chess pieces and “using them as [he sees] fit.” He disparages himself for “[standing] by on the sidelines, safe and sound.” He believes others hate him because he’s given them all the reasons to, because he deserves to be hated, because he, too, hates himself. All this while, he fails to recognise that he has taken on the greatest sacrifice of all – the burden of leadership, of decision-making, of being responsible for all the blood on his hands.

This downplaying of his own suffering, alongside his disregard of his own well-being, is what drives Clarence to self-sacrifice time and time again. When a theory about the Glacial Butterflies begins to take shape in his mind, he does not test it out on one of his mages, because he does not view them as expendable despite what he claims. Instead, he uses himself for his experiment, slicing his chest open and bearing the agonising pain in order to ascertain the truth of the magic within him.

On the verge of being overcome by the Glacial Butterflies, despite having prepared for this eventuality by shackling his limbs, he makes one last selfless request. “My Lord, you must kill me before I turn,” he entreats, willing to relinquish his own life for the safety of others. Even when Philip protects him from the Glacial Butterflies, refusing to kill him, Clarence believes that there is no place for him in the future that his Lord envisions.

Decades later, he still echoes this same sentiment. “There is no future without sacrifice,” he tells Lars, and he does not see himself as part of that future, does not see himself as deserving of that future. Archmage Clarence thinks of himself as a monster, not a man, and a monster is better off dead than alive.

It is a revelation, to him, that Amelia does not hate him. MC does not hate him. Lars, Alkaid, the mages that carry on the legacy of the Magi Tower, none of them hate him. They do not view him as a monster; they view him as a martyr, a protector, a saviour. Someone who did his best, and gave his all. Archmage Clarence leaves behind a legacy through his sacrifice, spurred by the human heart he still harbours deep within.

- ☽ -

Eden: Falcon Clarence

Next, we have the Falcon Clarence of Eden. The lone ranger of the desert, the mercenary that eliminates Sandswimmers with impeccable precision and works with no one else.

“A bait that only knows how to cry is a burden,” his mentor tells him, and Clarence internalises that into his cognitive framework and guiding compass. It is “the first lesson Liore taught [him];” that he must prove his worth in order to live. His scent lures the Sandswimmers to him, and so he must make himself useful by seeking out danger.

Valued only for his utility as bait, Clarence learns that his worth is determined by his fighting skills. With no other way to survive, he becomes a NEOS by fusing Sandswimmer gems into his body. Clarence pays the price of this acquired power through the gradual erosion of his memories, but that is far from the only thing he has lost. His decision to accept the integration of these foreign, beastly objects into his body has changed him irrevocably. He thinks of himself not as a human, but as a mutant being only one step away from becoming a monstrous Lost. Still, he endeavours to “remember [his] humanity,” because he refuses to become a “mere weapon [that knows] nothing but destruction.” Falcon Clarence understands that he is, by definition, a monster, but he refuses to relinquish the last shreds of his humanity.

In his first encounter with MC, he is rational and pragmatic as always, scrutinising her motives and seeing no reason to work together. Years of solitude, with no one else to depend on, have honed Clarence’s reflexes into an “instinct for self-defence.” Yet his reaction to MC’s request reveals that his solitude has been shaped by circumstance, not entirely by choice. When MC explains her reason for seeking out Eden, even though it does not sound particularly convincing, Clarence accepts it as sufficient and agrees to lead the way. Despite the potential risk of allowing a stranger close, he offers MC a ride on his motorcycle. Subsequently, he continues to help her out, defending the children’s shelter and giving her the gems he’d collected, even as he refuses to follow her any further.

Falcon Clarence claims that he works alone, but everything he does is for the sake of protecting others. He fights in the desert to protect the shelters from Sandswimmers, and he fights in Eden to protect Lin and the other NEOS from the Lost. He brings MC to the NEOS Association, so that she can rest for a night and learn essential skills from Lin. He knows that the night is dangerous, so despite his own preference for working alone, he ensures that MC has a community of protection around her.

Even as he dismisses everything and everyone else as burdens, his actions speak otherwise. Despite having met MC for only a single day, he offers his assistance to her time and time again, from rides on his motorcycle to filling water bottles with her. He could easily leave her to fend for herself, but he chooses not to leave her behind even when that would be the easier way out.

Perhaps the reason Clarence refuses to work with other people is that he’s afraid. Afraid of dragging them down, afraid of becoming their burden. He fears that history will repeat itself. He cannot bear to lose someone he cares for again, so he refrains from caring about anyone at all. Each time Clarence chastises others for being a hindrance, he is reproaching his past self for his inadequacy. Each time he risks his life to protect others, he is atoning for his failure to save his mentor.

MC says that she understands how Clarence feels, because “acting alone means nobody will be hurt because of [him].” In a way, acting alone also protects himself from being hurt. It is a defence mechanism born from his past, when he had to “learn to accept [his] losses” from a young age. He couldn’t afford to grieve Liore for long, not with the constant threat of the Sandswimmers, and so he could do nothing else but “live on with what memories [he] had left.” He’d forced himself to harden his heart to his emotions, but he could not suppress them entirely.

Clarence blames his moment of weakness, of emotional folly, for causing Liore’s death. It was her humanity, even in her final moments as a Lost, that held her back from killing him and caused her to die. He regrets his choice to this day, and perhaps it is this survivor’s guilt that pushes him to fight harder until he reaches the brink.

It is this same guilt, alongside his resolve to not lose anyone else he cares for, that drives him towards self-sacrifice. When he realises that MC needs a soul stone – his soul stone – to open the door within Central Control, he unflinchingly raises his gun to his head, as if it were the natural and logical decision to make. He is ready to offer his life without a moment’s hesitation, because that is the utility he can offer in this moment, in order to keep MC safe and help her achieve her goal. She has given him a reason to fight, and he will die trying to fulfil it.

Ultimately, it is his encounter with MC – and the companionship which blooms from it – that saves him. Without demanding anything in return, she cries for his pain, fights by his side, and shoulders his burdens with him. Clarence doubts his humanity, even as he holds fast to it, since he is all too cognisant of the monstrous traits within. In turn, MC’s unwavering trust reaffirms the humanity within him, reminding him that he is worthy of living.

Falcon Clarence may not be fully human on a biological level, and he may still succumb to the effects of the monsters within him from time to time, but he has managed to preserve his heart and his humanity. His tale is one of healing, of opening up, and of learning to value himself for who he is and not what he can do.

- ☽ -

Modern World: Clarence

Finally, let’s circle back to modern-day Clarence. At first glance, he’s the calm, collected, and capable Student Council president, who always seems to have affairs in order and circumstances under control.

Then, in his Chrono Theatre diary entries, we learn that he had a psychiatrist observing him from a young age, due to his gifted aptitude and exceptional intelligence beyond that of his peers. This revelation sparked a discussion in the LBC discord server, which spurred this message of mine that then became the basis for this meta post:

Clarence is well-versed in decorum, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it comes naturally to him. It’s likely that he learned social etiquette by picking it up from observing how other people behave, so he knows the appropriate responses to give and the socially-acceptable ways to carry himself. However, because this social understanding is not an innate trait but a learned one, there are often times when he doesn’t recognise the need for social niceties, and instead his instinctual response – founded on his internal logic – comes through.

One example of this can be found as early as his second interaction with MC, after she paints an artwork of him:

The polite thing to do would be to express interest in or appreciation of the finished product, regardless of one’s actual feelings towards it. However, Clarence “doesn’t show the slightest interest” in MC’s painting. Does this mean that he doesn’t care for it, and doesn’t see the need to put on a pretence? Quite the contrary. Instead, it’s because he thinks he doesn’t have anything useful to offer in response, and thus he stays silent.

Here, we see a disconnect between how Clarence understands the world, and how other people tend to view it. While most people would appreciate receiving praise or validation, Clarence doesn’t particularly see the need to receive either, and thus doesn’t immediately think of giving them to others. Rather, he takes a more pragmatic approach, focusing on utility; a piece of work deserves feedback for the effort poured into it. However, as a law major, he does not have sufficient knowledge or expertise regarding art. As such, he believes that his feedback would not be useful, and thus it is better not to say anything at all.

This ties into how Clarence views himself as his roles, and the functions he can serve. He understands that he has worth, but he evaluates this worth through his services as the Student Council president, or his contributions as a law intern. When he assists others, he doesn’t think of it as going out of his way to help them; instead, he views it as part of his rightful duty.

As a result, Clarence doesn’t view himself as simply “Clarence.” Rather, he thinks of himself as Clarence, the Student Council president; Clarence, an upperclassman; Clarence, a friend. If he can fulfil someone’s needs through a role that he holds, he will do it, even at the expense of himself.

We see this most prominently in Clarence’s “Break Time” R card story:

When the senior who’s supposed to interpret for an academic speaker falls ill and fails to attend, Clarence steps up to fill their shoes last-minute. William notes that Clarence can be counted on to show up whenever and wherever he’s needed, and MC agrees that he’s “the only one who’s up to the task.”

However, what most people don’t recognise are the sheer lengths Clarence will go to in order to fulfil his duties. On top of his regular responsibilities, filling in for the interpreter caused Clarence to “[burn] the midnight oil” preparing for the speech, and taking care of the sick speaker meant that Clarence could not sleep for two days. He doesn’t recognise that he’s constantly going above and beyond, because to him it’s a given, but he is in fact pushing himself past his limits, and past the line that most people would draw.

It’s interesting to examine MC’s thoughts here, because she interprets Clarence’s willingness to take a nap as a rational understanding that he needs to rest in order to keep functioning. However, this only happens after MC coaxes him into taking a break. If she hadn’t intervened, Clarence would have continued pushing himself until he completed his task – he was already at “the brink of collapse,” and he “only agreed to sleep after [MC] practically begged him to.” Clarence prioritises his responsibilities to the point that he does not recognise his own needs, and thus neglects to take care of himself.

Although modern Clarence doesn’t think of himself as different, or as anything less than a person, it’s evident that he views himself as the roles he fulfils rather than simply as who he is. In turn, this mindset is reflected in his behaviour, which then shapes other people’s perceptions of him. This is how Clarence becomes characterised as the aloof and intimidating Student Council president in the students’ eyes, even though he cares so deeply and helps out so much; most people are unable to look deeper and see Clarence as the person that he is, because he perceives and presents himself through the lens of his roles.

As such, other people often view Clarence as different from themselves – as if he’s operating on a different wavelength, or existing on a separate plane entirely. Modern Clarence’s genius sets him apart from his peers, but more than that, his perspective of himself winds up alienating himself from other people. Clarence views himself as like others, but others view him as unlike them. He blends in well enough, but he doesn’t quite fit in; he has a place in society, but he doesn’t quite belong.

- ☽ -

Clarence, across time and space

Out of all the Clarences thus far, modern Clarence is perhaps the most well-adjusted, and this reflects the importance of having a support system. Godheim Clarence and Eden Clarence were isolated from a young age and survived alone throughout most of their lives, whereas modern Clarence had family and friends around him. He may not have had the most conventional childhood, but he grew up with his older sister Jaclyn and his close friend Luca, and he also had his psychiatrist Ford observing and monitoring his development. Subsequently, after he enters St Shelter Academia, he gains a circle of friends he can rely on, such as William, O’Connor, and, of course, MC.

Expanding upon Clarence’s St Shelter Academia bonds, we see that Clarence has people around him who genuinely like him for who he is, and are willing to support him unconditionally. O’Connor affectionately refers to Clarence with a nickname – “Shi-kun” in the Japanese voiceover, or “Little Si Lan” in the Chinese one – and for all his devious teasing, it’s clear he looks out for his Student Council successor. As for William, he may whine about Clarence’s by-the-book discipline, but his clumsiness and complaints do not preclude him from helping out when needed. For all that Clarence often chastises William, he still relies on him to assist with Student Council matters, and he knows William is someone he can trust.

Compared to these two, MC is a relatively newer connection, but her bond with Clarence runs deep. Right off the bat, she’s able to meet him on his level and banter with him, and he lets down his guard enough to subtly tease her for trying to trick him. As their relationship develops, Clarence grows to trust her, sharing his inner thoughts and admitting his vulnerabilities. MC is a safe haven for him, and she understands him on a level deeper than most. While the other students may fear Clarence for his aloof disposition, or hesitate to approach him due to his detached rationality, MC sees the earnest sincerity woven into his actions and the warmth laced through his words. Others may think of him as an unfeeling robot or a terrifying monster, but MC loves him for the human that he is.

There’s a subtle but interesting juxtaposition here, in which Godheim Clarence and Eden Clarence – both possessing monstrous mutations within them – view themselves as monsters while most others do not, whereas modern Clarence – wholly human – views himself as human while most others do not. All three Clarences are keenly aware of what constitutes them, allowing this biological understanding to shape their perception of themselves, but they do not recognise that their actions paint a different picture to others.

Regardless of the world he inhabits, Clarence constantly straddles the line between man and monster. His selfless nature and dutiful diligence often lead him to self-sacrifice and superhuman feats, creating the illusion of a monster – but beneath this facade lies, always, the heart of a human.

- ☽ -

thank you for reading!♡

if you have any thoughts about this post, i'd love to hear them! responses are always welcome, and my ask box is open~

up next: android clarence, and the inevitability of tragedy. where is the line between human and machine? stay tuned for my thoughts on clarence's awakening main story!

[smahell]

what's up with mammon?: a 'short' essay about being fundamentally black-"coded" in an otome game.

The "recent" invention of the black "thug" and "yn" is rooted in the synonymity of black-ness with criminality. Deadly force has been used on black males, regarded to as "DEI's" in the work place and considered "persons of interest" if investigations are taking place, disproportionately more likely to be arrested for a crime they didn't commit.

The portrayal of Jim Crow, for example, rooted in bias and hatred reinforced black people as lazy, uneducated and thieving, seen as "biologically flawed" intrinsically because of the color of their skin.

So what's up with Mammon?

"man, what on earth does his character have to do with all this..? bringing race of all things to a dating sim?"

"'black' history? you jiggaboo!! he speaks japanese, of course he's japanese! he's just asian with a tan!!!"

"woke!"

hold it guys, wait!! don't lynch me next!!!

Within the OBM universe, Mammon doesn't fit into how human races work; yes, he is a demon, but he doesn't have a a particular "race" or "ethnicity" in association with us. Regardless, a character can be interpreted in a million different ways. It is especially easy then, for people who originate from marginalized communities to seek kinship and proper representation from characters who might not necessarily be black, but do mimic said communities - think Darwin from the Amazing World of Gumball, or Garnet from Steven Universe.

Let's consider the idea that he is black. No, not tanned, not a gyaru, not Japanese but a real black man. If that's a terrifying move to you, well...

A point that’s intrigued me at first was the fact that his character song contains largely rap verses, as well as most other songs that he has a part in. (It's obviously not due to Koba being bad at singing, he's just doing what's asked of him) Rap is embedded in African American culture, originating from the Bronx, and it was used to address issues faced by the marginalized communities that lived the “black” experience. I don't think this is a mistake or coincidence; Mammon singing about his true emotions towards MC mirrors the love for community and the respect black rappers have for those within their community. Maybe it's a stretch, but there's more.

By design, he has darker skin than the rest of his brothers. Though it isn't the fact that he has darker skin that makes him black, but the context surrounding him; most people who come from Asian or African decent have some degree melanin. (I REPEAT. ASIAN AND BLACK PEOPLE CAN HAVE DARK SKIN.)

the way he talks, WACK. (...) me, i'm tight as fuck!!

miscellaneous gameplay screenshots from google..

I don't speak any Japanese, but have you ever noticed the AAVE in the English translation? Of course, it's meant to reflect the fact that he doesn't speak the standardized Tokyo Japanese, but it mimics the dialects and phrases of real African American communities. My research gave me this comment on Reddit.

"..Mammon goes to the sketchiest places too, and he tends to hangout wherever money can be made. He’s always hustling.."

I like the use of the word "hustle" here, because the word "hustle" used to have negative connotations, especially in regards to blackness and laziness; "hustling" even now is what many black people use as an opportunity to get by to catch up to their white counterparts. The work of hustling too, whether that was selling drugs, gambling, thieving, reminds of a particular white-haired character.. not sure though. He's probably just embodying his sin. Totally.

His sin itself of greed did remind me of this forum post of how greed is used to "contain" black people:

As a black person; I found this humorously stereotypical (I don't even own a car!!) but extremely jarring — a message like this is full of genuine contempt.

The way black people have been regarded to in such a demeaning and subhuman manner, like they can barely think for themselves was utterly disturbing. But the stereotypical nature of greed and selfishness within black communities was indeed brought up as a way of why black progress is "inhibited" -- which is why Mammon's sin of greed is arguably harmful to black communities. Black people being seen as small-mind and impulsive when coming to their finances has long been dismissed by real financial statistics; black people comparatively don't have as much disposable income anyways.

Furthermore, does nobody find it strange that the only "black" character in the HoL is the thief that everyone consistently punches down? No? Just me?

This entire essay is a stretch, but I find his treatment so odd: used as a punching bag by his other brothers, called "dumb" and "stupid" - such reasons and assumptions used to justify the enslavement and imprisonment of black people. Perhaps they subconsciously treat him differently; whenever Leviathan sends him death threats, or Lucifer hangs him upside down, it it merely just for comedic purposes, or is there an agenda being pushed here? In every single family, is there truly always a punching bag? And if so, why Mammon?

Subtle cultural hegemony which comes across within these scenes; perhaps the other brothers are (metaphorically) asserting their "white-ness¹", maintaining this dominance and power imbalance though he is the second most powerful brother.

From another perspective, it reveals this issue of accommodation. Leviathan has online lessons in order to accommodate for his insecurity and bad social skills (which intrinsically stem from his envy), and the household is always bought more food to accommodate for Beel's voracious appetite.

Mammon is yet to be accommodated for; rather consistently punished and berated for even showing his sin, even though characters such as Leviathan and Asmodeus (especially within the first season of obey me) openly express these traits to the point of almost killing MC (Leviathan, Satan). Satan throughout the story, actively suppresses his sin in order to fit in with his brothers; perhaps he has seen the reprimands that his older brother has received and taken notes.

Perhaps the most interesting point I’ve seen when discussing this is the introduction of other characters with dark skin too: what about Diavolo, Simeon or Mephisto? Are they also people of colour, and if so, if the portray of POCs has been stereotypical, why do they not exhibit the same qualities as Mammon.

For one, let's separate Simeon and Diavolo from Mephisto as they were technically created years apart. I also find it interesting that the two also share a sense of ineptitude: Simeon is seen as an "airhead" and struggles with basic technology, the writers are unable to give Diavolo a coherent personality and waiver between "daddy dom" and childish prince who is much too trusting. (Or perhaps those are just contrivances which fit my argument, don't take this too seriously)

What I see them as is model minorities. Though their dark skin puts them at a disadvantage (due to the connotations of dark skin; colourism) the way they can overcome this is the absence of their accent and any showcase of sin in general; they have assimilated to their majority “white” cast.

The "suppression" of his sin may not be in relation to his black-ness, but black people can relate to it. My older sister has had to suppress her anger towards customers in order to not be seen as the "sassy black lady" at work. I've seen my brother unable to wear his favorite hoodie because he doesn't want to be profiled as a gangster whilst he goes to school. It is strange, that Mammon of all characters is unable to seemingly "assimilate" with to his power and reputation as the second brother, but such isolating and prominent experience be a source of projection for black people.

so i asked black obey me fans - do you relate to mammon? the results (may) shock you.

' i don't personally relate to him , - anon c

' just barely , - anon j

' I don’t relate to Mammon as a character and I doubt that even as I read into later lessons that I ever will , - anon v

None of them did.

..Which is fine! Black experiences are different. Anon J later cited his 'impulsive nature' and 'being laughed at and not with' as clearer points of connection.

It's also humorous that most of the people I talked to about this never stated he was black-coded but vehemently pushed towards the fact that he was black entirely, resembling real black people they might have seen before.

' He's 1000% black I don't care what anyone says Bro is black ' - Anon M

' I knew that was NAWT a pasty white boy [with] the way he carries himself (...) [the way Mammon dresses] personally does link to [having to dress] or carry yourself in a certain way as a black person so stereotypes and caricatures won't be placed on you , - Anon C

' i say this every time.. that is a man from the bay area istg. i peep a lot of his words and while town speak has inevitably reached other people—and though this mf is originally from the celestial realm (...) [his fashion sense] screams ‘oakland nigga’. , - Anon J

' I’d say [Mammon is] black without thinking [but], I’m gonna have to go with black coded , - Anon V

So Mammon resembles real black people, but does he resemble the caricatures of them too?

' ion think he fits in sone “black caricature” category which is a good thing, [but] they could’ve did more with mammon , - Anon J

' It is incredibly obvious that he was made using harmful stereotypes (...) One of those being the entire gimmick of his character. He steals stuff constantly and is always being shunned for it. (...) the fact that he’s the only darker skinned brother and does these things just irritates me , - Anon V

Contrasting opinions, but there's a subtle consensus that not enough it being done with his character; most if not all that I talked to felt as if Mammon's identity and cultural implications could be given more depth.

' give that nigga locs , - anon j

I felt bad about interviewing so many DEI hires.. so I interviewed a white person instead.

do you think mammon is black, black-coded, or something else entirely? why/why not?

' I think Mammon is black with his (not great) use of aave (the fact solmare has been kinda weird about his skin color too doesn't help) , - Anon L

what's your opinion on black characters being represented in asian media

' I think it's important to represent black people in Asia media (the way they're portrayed now is not great.. Solmare is also guilty for calling Mammon a gorilla once) , - Anon L

is there any character that you can relate to personally within obey me?

' probably Satan.. Mainly because of cats tbh , - Anon L

..thank you, anon L.

in modern day western media, there's not much need for "black-coded" characters; many creative directors have seen how crucial awareness on representation and diversity is when considering their audience. However, in many East Asian countries, such as Japan, such representation is yet to be shown to the west due to the harsh anti-immigration and foreigner stance many in Japan have taken. Mammon's black-coded-ness is a step somewhere, but not free from being seen as a caricature. However, Mammon could be seen as a more freeing countertype of the "cold and brutish" black man, showing vulnerability and love even when masked with stubbornness and subtle humor. It isn't copy paste; Mammon is popular for a reason(s).

Mammon is not just a character, he's the culmination of a writers thoughts of black people, and ideas of what would make a good love interest for the audience of Obey Me. To respect the game and its creativity is one thing, but to acknowledge the harmful stereotypes a character can carry is another thing entirely. Mammon is obviously not a black character for the sake of being black, and that is a good (and relieving) thing in the year of our lord 2025. To embrace a character for being black is one thing, but critiquing how said blackness is expressed is the foundations of universal understanding, and the deconstruction of prejudices.

¹ - whiteness as in colorism, not people from the mountains of caucasus /ref

thank you to all anons for your help and opinions, and thank you to vee and eryn for giving my ideas to format this into the semblance of coherency, and for shedding alternative third-party perspectives on the matter.

sources that could be useful to read/helped me write this:

Kendrick Lamar - GNX

Blackness in Animation

Creating Black-Coded Characters

"Piccolo is Black, Cry About It" - The Synonymity of Black-ness with Anime

[syluses]

Hey, so i want to ask about the ending of robot caleb x reader (big girls dont cry). First of all, it's an amazing story, a bit disturbing with its dark tones and yn's inner moral conflict (it's disturbing in a good way like the movie "Companion"). Through yn's pov, you managed to deliver that unsettling feeling, like this is wrong, fckd up even, but she keeps indulging herself in it. Like ok pop off literature queen.

Anyways, i wanna know what's your interpretation of the ending is?

Thats all, thank you for writing this fic, u ate 💅

Nonnie i am so so sorry for the late reply… 🥲 i was hesitating at first to answer cuz i wasnt sure whether or not i wanted to ‘undo’ the ambiguous ending if u will,.. but then i just kept on forgetting afterward lol 🥲 I still wanna maintain the ambivalence of the ending just bc i think its fun for yall to imagine how it goes in ur own ways— the opportunities are infinite. but i’ll tell u a VERY general rundown of how i picture bgdc carries on after the last scene:

Mc is unable to leave; not-Caleb keeps her tied down to him in her home- where she’s safe (at least for the moment)- while the real caleb slowly works to reintroduce himself into her life. Not-Caleb, while more morally “safe”, lets say, than his counterpart, becomes growingly worse with mc— more protective, possessive, and flat out frightening— as he realizes his time with y/n could possibly be drawing to a close- what with that psychopath hot on their tail. He does what he can to cut out the cameras and location-tracking devices in him- attempting to shut real-Caleb out as best as he possibly can without damaging his infrastructure. I even can see robo-caleb, after ‘cleaning’ his system, making the effort to relocate with mc to someplace safer before real-caleb comes, someplace hidden, someplace that doesnt exist, but that’s really not a clever or feasible idea all things considered— it’s a poor, last ditch effort made in sheer desperation to protect mc and keep her to himself.

In the end, what i see is ultimately the two calebs beefing it out in a physical confrontation. Not-caleb will do all he can to shield mc (while actively also trying to replace his original 👀), while real-caleb will do all he can to take mc. However that may look. However ugly.

They are mirrors of each other after all C:

Anyways thats my somewhat vague canon description of what happens after :] but again i encourage yall to come up with ur own ideas too hehe the possibilities for the maniacs are endless 👀

[maleyanderecafe]

What would you say are some of the best VN's you've played?

Oo that's kinda tough. I mean I have a couple of lists of what I do like (though other things are mixed in there) as well as this one which is more VN focused. My favorites tend to be ones with interesting premises or cater to my tastes specifically (which is pretty much just submissive yanderes). I also tend to like games that are less known or otherwise underrated, or some games where the yandere isn't the main feature.

The Black Box LSS series - which consist of two games, BLACK BOX LSS - The Shining Immortal and BLACK BOX LSS - The Merciful Savior. The second one is a demo and the first one is a full game. It's genuinely wild to me how underrated these games are because they have amazing artwork, characters and worldbuilding. I'm still playing through Shining Immortal, but I would very highly recommend it because its very well made. Future Recommendation.

Symptoms of Deceit - this one again is a demo, but I really like the world building and the implications of the yandere. In this world, every human has an animal (generally marine) counterpart where they get their powers from. You can tell its made by someone who loves marine life and the story is pretty cool too.

Hell Trap - I like this one mostly because I'm a big fan of yanderes in thrillers and the writing and art here are extremely nice, following a black and white comic style, though it's more of a kinetic novel given there's not a lot of choices. Still I really like how the story is written.

Dead Wishes - This game is pretty big with like 15 different love interests all with three endings each, which is insane for a game that's like maybe 10-15 dollars. There's only about three yanderes in this one but going through and meeting each of the characters was really fun, and it's a generally good game.

Vow to My Leige - this one Cherry and I played through the yandere route (though we haven't gotten through the other ones yet) but it's very well written and I really like the MC because she is crossdressing (because of course she is). Unfortunately in the yandere's route, he kinda disappears for a bit, but I think it still has a good yandere in it.

A Little Inconvenience - this is actually a newer game that came out for this year's game jam and I had a lot of fun with it. I really like the main character Sabrina and how she bounces off of all the characters and Darius has the trait of having a bag head, so I'm kind of curious how the story will go along in the future.

A Double Sided Mirror - to be honest I mostly like this demo because of Charlie- he he's a cutie patootie. I think that the general quality of this game is really good as well, so I hope that more content in the future will be made about this game. I think another things is I really like the idea of a yandere that changes so drastically for you, the player.

If we're not talking about yanderes vns and just general vns, I have a soft spot for most Chertiz games (Nameless and Mystic Messenger, especially), I also really liked Cafe Enchante which I feel is a majorly underrated otome game, and I tend to aim for more mystery style games like Danganronpa, Your Turn to Die and the Ace Attorney Series, which usually are not pure VNs but have other things mixed inside of it. I'm seriously looking everywhere for more killing game/mystery style stories with a male yandere so if you know of any let me know.

I have to put a shoutout to my game Perfect Love here because I actually really liked making this game and I think its a pretty unique take on the yandere vn story in general. I hope that if you haven't played it yet, you will because I put a lot of love in it.

There's always new games and VNs to play for yanderes, which I am always grateful for, so in the future I'm sure I'll have even more favorites I like to share.

[lynnemoonsong]

Okay, so the main quest update was... definitely something?

Broke out Starfire 1.0 for this (aka Linea's starter horse / Jorvik Warmblood). Because nostalgia. (It feels weird not doing Soul Rider quests on her, IDK how else to phrase it.)

I was not expecting Mr. Sands' death, damn. Darko really called him frail and decrepit and just yeeted him into Garnok's tentacles, holy shit.

The Dark Riders are not pleased about Darko declaring himself their new boss, but hmm.

Cool to see the Dark Riders' powers in action and how they mirror the Soul Riders' abilities. Looks like Sabine has a mirror of Anne's powers? (Not quite sure about the others and which Soul Rider they're the dark counterpart of; has anyone drawn up a chart or map of this yet?)

I was fully expecting to Soul Strike the Light Book at some point, because yeah, it was the source of the portal that Garnok was coming through, but uh...

...now there's no other way to return Garnok to whence he came if he tries coming back again down the line.

That doesn't bode well.

I was fully expecting to fight Darko and the Dark Riders again after defeating Garnok, but instead the Dark Riders were all bitchy toward Darko and said, "Fuck this, we're exhausted, see you later." and left.

...I'm sorry, what?

(Another user has commented this, but it really feels like the Dark Riders being riders with their own (twisted) love for horses and competition really feels secondary at this point. Especially with the biker chick aesthetic Sabine has since her 2022 revamp, when her previous model and characterization were 100% a take on the "spoiled rich barn brat" trope. Not to mention Jessica's characterization in SSL with her being an aspiring model.)

I did like the campfire scene at the end of the quest, and that you start it off alone at Aideen's Ascent. There's so much lore stuff going on. And the animations!! (Guess we know where the budget went, lol.)

But yeah, it's like... okay, we've stopped Garnok coming through and Mr. Sands is dead. The Light Book is destroyed, so Darko and the Dark Riders can't do the Dark Ceremony. Now what?

Also, is it still canon that the MC is Aideen reincarnated as the fifth Soul Rider? I swear I read that on Jorvikpedia somewhere before the wiki was moved.

[mspegasus17]

Steal my heart - Part one

Summary: The silver trio plans to rob a vault in Gringott's Pairing: Sebastian x fem!MC Words:1866 CW: Robbery, murder Read it on Wattpad, AO3 or under the cut ↓

"Okay, here's the plan." He pulled a note from his jacket pocket and spread it on the small sticky table in the Hogshead. Careful that no one who shouldn't could read what was written, the two figures bent over the note. "We'll go in as normal as if we were just going to your vault." "Why mine and not yours?" asked a woman's voice in an indignant whisper. "Because your vault is closer," the man explained quietly. The woman just nodded. "The Gaunts' vault is number 420, on the same floor as yours. We'll get rid of the goblin and get the money." The woman nodded again. "Do you know what protective spells await us?" she asked. The man gave her a meaningful look. "I have an informant for that. From the inner circle, if you can put it that way." He raised his wand and signalled to someone. Shortly afterwards, a tall man wrapped in a black hooded cloak came to the table and sat down.

"And you're sure it'll work?" he asked the other man. The latter ran his hand through his brown hair before answering: "Eighty per cent." "Eighty percent? That leaves twenty to fail," the woman hissed. Her blue eyes flashed. "Calm down! It'll work." The brunette man took her hand soothingly. "We'll be out before they notice us. And if not, we always have a plan B." He gave her a meaningful look, and she understood immediately. "Okay. When do we start?"

A week later, the dubious trio met at the Leaky Cauldron. They had rented two rooms in the inn in London and were preparing for their coup together in the couple's double room. The two men wore suits and the woman a black women's suit so that they looked as serious as possible. Nobody suspected what they were really up to. "Maybe you should tame your hair, Sebastian," the blond man suggested while slicing back his silky hair. The brunette man rolled his eyes, but his partner nudged him with her elbow and nodded in the blond's direction.

Sighing, the brunette gave in and shuffled to his accomplice's side. "How do you know I haven't done my hair?" he asked sceptically. "Because I've known you long enough now," the tall blond replied casually. "And do me a favour, and don't shuffle around like the peasant you are when we're in there." The brunette stuck his tongue out at him and boldly reached into the pot of pomade. "I know you stuck your tongue out at me," the blond said slightly haughtily. The brunette shook his head and began to comb his hair back with the help of the pomade. "You're scary with your superpowers. You're like Daredevil." The blonde shrugged. "Being blind must have its advantages."

The black-haired woman giggled quietly as she listened to the two men while she applied her make-up. The brunette man named Sebastian turned to her. "What are you giggling about?" She shrugged. "You are simply the best entertainment," she replied with a grin and glanced at him through her mirror. Sebastian shook his head and smiled. The woman traced her lips with the blood-red lipstick in her hand and then turned to her companions. "Are you ready?" They both nodded. Sebastian walked up to the woman and kissed her cheek. "You look stunning, my love." Said love straightened her counterpart's tie as an alibi and blushed. "Thank you. You look outstanding, too. You could wear that more often." They kissed each other on the lips. The blond man sighed and folded his arms in front of his chest. "We're not here, so you can flirt around. Do that at home." "Fine," the two lovebirds said in unison.

"Charlotte, is your purse prepared?" the blonde asked, without paying any further attention to the couple's flirting. "Yes. I used the undetectable expansion spell. That should allow us to get enough out of the vault." As if to emphasize her words, she tapped her black handbag, which she had slung over her shoulder. "Then we can get started." Sebastian clapped his hands, grinning.

The trio entered the wizarding bank with their chins raised and their chests puffed out proudly. They headed straight for two counters. Charlotte and Sebastian wanted to be taken to Charlotte's vault. The blonde man approached the large counter at the head of the hall and used his influence. "Name?" asked the grumpy goblin behind the counter. The blonde wizard put on an arrogant expression. "What was that? It should be known who is standing in front of you." The goblin leaned over the counter. "I can't remember every one of your ugly faces. So I need your damn name. Otherwise, you can disappear again immediately." The wizard raised his chin a little higher. "Gaunt. Ominis Gaunt. And my father will hear about this, I promise. Treating the heir of Slytherin like this. I should make sure you get fired." The goblin's eyes widened when he realized his supposed mistake. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Gaunt. I didn't mean to offend you in any way. Of course, I will have you escorted to your family's vault immediately." The goblin's forehead was sweating with fear. Ominis smiled contentedly and let himself be led to the next carriage.

Charlotte and Sebastian had now arrived at Charlotte's vault. "That's all. We can manage on our own from now on. Thank you," Charlotte said to the goblin who had brought them to the vault in the depths of Gringott's. However, he shook his head. "Excuse me, Miss, but I can't leave you alone. However, I can wait in the carriage if you wish." "Unfortunately, that's not possible. Imperio." Sebastian hurled the unforgivable curse at the goblin and manipulated him silently. Like the puppet that the goblin now was, he bowed and said, "Yes, master," got into the carriage and drove away. "I really hope you've made him forget the last few minutes," murmured the black-haired witch. "Of course. I'm not stupid." Sebastian nodded in the direction of the thick pillar next to the tracks. "We'd better disappear into the shadows until Ominis arrives." With that, the couple hid behind the pillar and waited for their accomplice.

A few minutes later, they heard another carriage screech to a halt on the tracks about a hundred metres away. "Leave me alone now," Ominis ordered in his "Heir of Slytherin" tone. The goblin's voice trembled as he replied, "Sir, unfortunately, that's not possible. I have strict orde-" "I said: Leave. Me. Alone." Ominis' voice became threateningly quiet, and a hissing undertone could be heard. "Otherwise, you can take care of my snakes soon. They love goblins to the bone. Would you prefer that?" "N-no, S-sir," the goblin stammered. "Then get out of my sight. Go away," Ominis ordered. The goblin obeyed.

Charlotte and Sebastian waited until they could no longer hear the carriage rattling on the tracks before they stepped out of the shadows and ran towards Ominis. "He almost peed his pants," grinned Sebastian. "I was scared for a moment, too," admitted Charlotte. "You're really good at playing the snooty, spoiled heir." She patted the blonde's shoulder and then turned to the locked dungeon. "Let's go then."

Ominis pulled out a small, inconspicuous key and handed it to Charlotte. "And remember: let me go first. This will deactivate half of the protective spells," he reminded his companions. Charlotte put the key in the small lock on the massive vault door and stepped back. The key immediately turned in the lock. A series of clicking noises suggested how many locks had kept the door locked and were now opening. The door swung open with a quiet screech of metal, and Ominis entered his family's vault. "Do you remember which objects you must not touch under any circumstances?" he asked over his shoulder. The other two said yes. "Good. Then come. And hurry. My great-grandfather has built in a magic timer. After five minutes, the door will close again. Then we won't get out of here alive." "Understood," said Charlotte and Sebastian in unison. They immediately started stuffing as many galleons and pieces of jewellery as possible into Charlotte's enchanted handbag.

"Look, darling. It suits you perfectly." Sebastian picked up a silver necklace that sparkled with rubies and diamonds. "Hmm, it matches the dress I saw in the shop window the other day," she said with a smile. "And it can soon be yours. I'll buy you the whole world with our share, my darling," Sebastian purred.

"You have two minutes left," Ominis admonished the two lovebirds. They quickly tore themselves away from each other and diligently continued to stuff the bag full. Just when there were only a few seconds left, a carriage rumbled along the tracks in front of the vault. Charlotte was startled and flinched at the noise. She tripped over a goblet lying on the floor and stumbled. She knocked over a candlestick, which fell against the dungeon's stone-carved shelf as she fell. A deafening scream came from a box on the shelf, which was apparently moved by the falling candlestick. The three thieves threw their hands over their ears and fled the vault.

But they didn't get far. Both goblins and Aurors appeared in front of the vault and surrounded them. "Don't move!" shouted an Auror, whose black hair was already turning grey at the temples. His wand was pointed threateningly at the three criminals. The other Aurors did the same. Charlotte raised her hands. "Raise your hands," she murmured to the two men. "Damn it, Charlotte, I'm definitely not going to surrender," Sebastian cursed quietly. "Shut up and do what I tell you," the witch hissed back. Her accomplices obeyed and raised their hands.

"You are hereby arrested. Robbing your own family..." The Auror with the silvery temples shook his head in disappointment. "I would have expected more from you, Mr. Gaunt." Ominis shrugged his shoulders. "There we have it: you don't know me." "Oh, but we'll have plenty of time to get to know each other once you're in Azkaban," growled the Auror.

"NOW!" Charlotte shouted, and Sebastian next to her turned into a black dragon, creating massive smoke. The growl coming from his throat made the stone walls and floor tremble. The Aurors and goblins shrank back and coughed. Some staggered backwards in shock, and two fell screaming down the abyss behind them. Charlotte blew her fiery breath on those still standing to prevent even the last opponent from taking action. You couldn't see your hand in front of your face because of all the smoke that had formed. Meanwhile, Ominis had climbed onto Sebastian's back. "Charlotte, come!" he called to the black-haired woman. Charlotte stumbled through the thick smoke towards Sebastian's huge, scaly leg and climbed it nimbly. As soon as she had sat down behind Ominis, Sebastian spread his enormous wings and pushed himself off the ground. "Duck your head!" Charlotte yelled in Ominis' ear as Sebastian raced towards the massive stone ceiling. They came closer and closer to the ceiling at a dizzying speed. With a crash, they broke through several layers of stone and out into freedom.

To be continued...

[jerzwriter]

Twenty-Five

I re-read chapter one of Wake the Dead and couldn't get Troy and Zoe's friendship out of my mind. In canon, we see them together for the first time when Zoe (MC) returns from her first day out with the Scouts. I wondered what that morning looked like for them, and this is what I came up with.

Book: Wake the Dead Characters: Troy Hassan, Zoe Rivera (F!MC) Words: 1,300 Rating: Teen Summary: It's Zoe's twenty-fifth birthday, and she's finally going to see the world beyond the confines of The Tower. She's been waiting all her life for this change, but Troy feels a little different. A/N: @choicesjanuary2024 Day 10 - Change

Zoe shifted under her covers, groaning with discontent at the thought of getting out of bed. Her mattress could be considered an antique, and she never understood how it managed to be thin and lumpy at the same time. Her blanket was no more than scraps of wool stitched together, itchy against her bare skin when she stretched. Still, within the stark, concrete walls of The Tower, this was as much comfort as she could expect, and the thought of lingering there all day had its appeal. She mulled the idea of playing sick in her mind; surely one of her counterparts could rid the colony of mice and vermin for the day, but then her eyes went wide.

With renewed energy, she shot up and jumped from the top bunk. Goosebumps formed on top of goosebumps when her bare feet hit the frigid slate floor. Just as well, she thought, now she was fully awake, and that’s exactly what she wanted to be. She had waited a lifetime for this day, and now that it was here, she didn’t want to miss a thing. She swung the closet door open; her clothing options were slim, but she was grateful for what she had. After slipping into an old, faded Henley and her favorite pair of worn jeans, she brushed her chestnut brown locks, smiling at her reflection in the dingy mirror. 

“Happy Birthday,” she winked, then bounded out the door with an extra bounce in her step. She was almost at the commissary when she heard a slow whistle and a familiar voice coming from behind.

“Well, look at you! If it isn’t the birthday princess herself!” Troy smiled.

Troy Hassan was her best friend for as long as she could remember, and that smile was as much of an old friend as he was. She couldn’t express how much she had come to rely upon it. After all, sunlight wasn’t all that common within the confines of The Tower, but with Troy at her side, she always had her own personal supply.

“It’s me!” She beamed. “A quarter-century old, and I finally get to see what the world looks like outside this monolith!”

“Hey, keep your voice down,” he cautioned. “The powers that be are awfully protective of this monolith.”

“I know,” she replied, throwing a protein bar on her metal tray. “And it’s not that I’m not grateful, but there is a big world out there, and after being stuck inside these walls for the last nineteen years, I can’t wait to see it.”

He couldn’t recall the last time he had seen her this happy, so Troy did his best to keep the fear welling in his gut...in his heart... from making an appearance on his face. He had cautioned her about the dangers in the outside world plenty of times before, and today, he wouldn’t be the one to extinguish her flame. He turned his attention to the paltry food on her tray.

“What are you doing with that crap? Put it back!”

“Why?” she asked. “I have enough on my ration card for it...”

“That’s not the point,” he tilted his head with a mischievous grin, silently urging her to follow him.

The duo walked through the grey hallways, careful not to draw any attention to themselves before reaching Troy’s room. She never asked how he managed to get a room of his own, but she was pretty sure bribery or seduction had been involved, and the fewer details she knew, the better. Besides, she thought as she flopped onto the familiar mattress, far softer than her own, it behooved her. This was essentially her “home” away from home. It’s privacy, and his company had saved her more times than she cared to admit.

“Why are we here? I’m heading out with the Scouts in an hour. It certainly isn’t time for one of our game nights.”

“Of course, it isn’t,” he grinned, pulling a small package from a cabinet next to his bed. “It isn’t even night! But what kind of friend would I be if I allowed you to head out into that big world...on your birthday, no less...without a proper breakfast.”

He pulled a plate from the canvas sack, then lifted a napkin to reveal two enormous carrot muffins. Zoe’s eyes locked on them, then on Troy, returning quickly to the muffins.

“Where... where did you get... they’re my FAVORITE!”

“Eh, you know I have my ways,” he smirked, breaking a piece off the muffin top and placing it in her mouth, smiling as she groaned with delight. “Take it easy. If you keep making those noises, people will think we’re doing something else here, and your sister will have my hide.”

“Please,” Zoe rolled her eyes. “Ana knows better. But really, where did you get these? I think I’ve had two in my entire life.”

“I called in a favor,” he replied, his voice now filled with sincerity. “It’s a big day for you, and you deserve something special.”

“Troy,” she cooed. “You’re entirely too good to me.” 

She grabbed one muffin and took a huge bite. Then she took the other and placed it in Troy’s hand, but he rebuffed.

“Oh, no. No, no, no. They’re for you. It’s your birthday, after all.”

“Don’t be silly. I can’t possibly eat two before I go. I’d be too full to run away from all the zombies that will be chasing me!”

“Zo... don’t even joke!”

“All right, but I’m serious. Take one,” she insisted. “Sharing a delicious breakfast with my best friend is the only thing that could possibly top finally seeing life outside this cinderblock.”

“Well,” he playfully nudged her shoulder, “if you insist.”

He took a piece of the muffin, licking off the crumbs that stuck to his fingers.

“I still don’t understand how this is the way you want to spend your birthday. I know the desire to get out of this place, but... it’s not safe out there, Zo.”

“I know, but I’ve trained for this. Hell, I wanted to do this seven years ago, and I would have if Ana hadn’t but in.”

“She was just protecting you.”

“Protecting me from what?”

“Flesh-eating monsters, for one thing.”

“Troy,” she consoled, reaching for his hand. “I could have stayed on pest control. Stayed inside The Tower my entire life. Play it safe, never... live. But I wouldn’t be happy, and don’t you want me to be happy?”

Troy took the now empty plate from her hands and put it on the table beside him, then he wrapped her in a warm, loving embrace.

“That’s all I’ve wanted since we were kids, Zo,” he whispered. “That's not going to change.”

She pulled back with a smile. “We'll meet up tonight, and I’ll tell you all about my adventures today. Deal?”

“Deal,” he relented with a forced smile. “Just... be safe... please.”

“Of course I will.”

He wrapped the remainder of his muffin in a napkin and returned it to the bag.

“Are you insane? Why aren’t you finishing that?” she asked.

“Because it’s yours. I know with that muffin to look forward to at the end of the day, you will do all that you can to make it home.”

“Home,” she said wistfully. “I never felt much like I had a home. But then, I guess home is wherever you are. Well,” she giggled. “You and carrot muffins.”

Troy looked at his watch. “You better get going,” he lamented.

“Yeah, I guess it’s time.” She jumped to her feet, giving Troy one last hug.

“Thanks again. I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”

“I don’t know either,” he teased. “But whatever it was, it must have been amazing.”

Zoe reached for the doorknob with a laugh. “Now, there’s my Troy. We'll catch up tonight. I promise!”

“We’ll catch up tonight,” he nodded, then she was gone. He stared at the door for a long while, then fell back on his bed. “She’ll be back," he reassured himself. "She promised."

@choicesficwriterscreations

Tagging others separately.

[valnyte]

I will yeet here my speculations on what kind of fairytale villains a cast of new characters might be based off from (obviously not all of these, but just speculation and a bunch of nonsense) at the top of my head:

The new cast could be Privy Council, Golden Butterfly, Gang member who beef with Jude, or some sort of "I'm here to destroy the Cursed" group, but I am still waiting to be proven wrong so surprise me Cry(ingformywallet)birb.

• Gothel

I'm thinking, maybe William's foil character. If William (poster boy) is all about freedom and stuff, a Gothel based villain would have an ideal but very horrific means to try and get to them (think IkeSen Kichou to Nobunaga in that IkeSen prologue where the former blows up Azuchi)

• Snow Queen

Probably could end up as William's foil too, the same way a Gothel based villain would be.

• Sea Witch (I'm sorry but really? No Little Mermaid villains?)

Honestly, they can make dubious deals which could be a hilarious foil to Victor (makes honest deals) or is one of the leaders of a gang that have beef with Jude himself.

• The dagger from The Little Mermaid

Ok, if we have the duos if the Evil Queen and the Mirror and the 13th Fairy and the Thorns, why can't we have a Sea Witch and the dagger the Little Mermaid's sisters gave her that is also from the Sea Witch? I think it would make an interestimg duo.

•Rumpelstiltskin

Very dubious deals type of character like the Sea Witch. Also has an explicitly gruesome fate in the original fairy tale so... time to get creative.

• Big Bad Wolf (really? No villain based character like this? Cybird you quite literally enjoy Red Riding Hood inspired avatars in plenty of your games)

I'm thinking of a counterpart to Liam or Harrison. Either its the Wolf from Red Riding Hood or Seven Little Goats is fine, but acts as some sort of tie-in to either Liam or Harrison. The Big Bad Wolf is sly, curious, and straight up dangerous under a mask of pretending to be caring. Also, it is one of the villains with a usually violent death.

• Hansel & Gretel's Witch

When you think about it, where are the witches based villains. I'm thinking maybe a director of a dubious orphanage that has a degree of care for the orphans they take in but is ultimately still a villain. Totally not thinking of Genshin Arlecchino. Their tragic fate might be that they are fated to be killed by a child who they originally took in.

• Cinderella's Stepmother

Where is the most iconic evil stepmother /j. In all seriousness, I'm thinking of how Curses do work and how it is fairly lucky that none of the Curses are ever inherited. The curse will affect said Cursed person in varying ways but what if for an Evil Stepmother, their curse only works situationally? For the case of an Evil Stepmother, maybe the curse is that they are fated to fall in love with someone who will die young (cue tragic noises) before them. Cue "don't fall in love with me because you will actually die" dynamic which would theoretically be the worst sort of fate on MC's end.

• Cinderella's Stepsister/s

Cybird will never bring out a direct father-son related duo but they really are pushing many limits with IkeVil, yet one can only dream. Still, with a "Stepsister curse" they can get creative, particularly in terms of how if an Evil Stepmother curse exists, surely their child would be afflicted with the Evil Stepsister curse? In Alfons' route, we have a case where the previously Mirror cursed affected the family, but what if a two curses (Evil Stepmother and Stepsister) sit with a family until the one having the "Stepsister curse" dies?

[quietplace26]

Got a official name for my SAGAU au now thanks to my friend @platinumrosetail. She was a big help with this. :)

It's called.... Through the Glitching Mirror.

(Note: I'm calling the normal, safer Teyvatians TTGM! To differenciet them from their SAGAU!cult counterparts.)

The glitch part of the name comes from the fact that at the start of the au, a glitch was what caused both Teyvats to connect and MC to fall into the SAGAU!cult au one.

Now the mirror part comes from the idea of the TTGM!Genshin characters being the reflections of the stereotypical SAGAU!cult aus. Like, yes, there's two Teyvats, they are self aware, and they know of the MC. But like how a mirror can invert things within its glass, it's similar here.

On one side of the mirror, the TTGM!Genshin characters think of MC as a companion. They've never physically seen MC but they heard them, knows the TTGM!Traveler's invisible but talkative companion was a dear friend, not a foe, and definitely not a god.

But on the other side of the mirror? Darkness. Obsession. This is the core of a SAGAU!cult au. These characters only see MC as their GOD, their precious CREATOR, and even then, as like most SAGAU aus... this obsession can lead to nothing but hurt. Especially if an IMPOSTER is involved.

And like how the TTGM!characters could only hear not see the MC, their SAGAU!cult counterparts can see the MC, but not hear them.

It almost symbolic in a way, if that makes sense? So in conclusion, mirrors mean a lot in this au.

An example of this is the TTGM!characters using a scrying mirror, or just any type of mirror as an anchor to locate MC. And when they do, glitches happen across the mirror. Like something was trying to stop them from seeing or saving MC.

Two Teyvats weren't meant to be connected in such a way, so the glitches happen continuously, threatening to shatter the mirror for good and loosing any chance to save MC. It takes TTGM!Teyvat's best shamans, alchemists, and even witches to keep the mirror stable, and even that was starting to not be enough.

But the TTGM!characters stubbornly continue onwards, and just like when Alice stepped through the Looking Glass to get back to Wonderland, the TTGM!Genshin characters step through the Glitching Mirror to travel to a darker Teyvat, and hopefully save MC.

[driftwoodmfb]

Day 2: Curiosity / Mirrored

'Sometimes I wonder about your reflection...'

Mirror counterparts! I swear this isn't going to just be alternate versions of MariPav Marx and Magolor. I based them off their soul forms, Marx Soul and Magolor EX.

Shadow Mags's outfit is a lot closer to Hyness's and his face is much more covered. He is a lot more reclusive and closed off. Just like OG Magolor, Shadow Mags lost his legs, but he has two prosthetics and uses forearm crutches to get by. I image the pain is more intense since he's constantly putting pressure on them. Dark Marx leans much more into his monstrous side than OG Marx. Instead of (metaphorically) wishing to no longer be a monster, he wished for the world to fear him. He still wished on the clockwork star, but instead was quicker on the up take for control his new powers. He had to be or risk dying an excruciating death. I don't think Shadow Magolor and Dark Marx would really get along

MariPav belongs to @desultory-novice

No filter version below:

Wait. I just realized all the first prompts start with C and all the second ones start with M. I feel like I'm missing something, MC, CM... M is probably Magolor or Marx, but C is... Maybe it's Clown and Mage?

[theunseelieif]

A commission I did for @stephschoices featuring her werewolf!MC Cyra and male Morgan. It was originally 500 words but got out of hand lol!

The dried blood is sticking your shirt to your upper arm in a way that you know will be painful when you rip the cloth off. Then the mostly-healed wound will be torn open, and you’ll be right back where you started. Nevertheless, you shimmy halfway out of it, mourning the cute blouse for a moment before gripping it tightly as you brace yourself to pull.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Morgan avert his gaze, hesitant and unsure. You nearly laugh; he’s seen far more than this…but that was before. Before, not now. You’re hardly strangers, no longer lovers; you exist in some odd in-between that threatens to crack every rib to devour your heart.

Back to the matter at hand, you remind yourself with force. Your throat bobs as your hand jerks. The shirt flies off with the fresh scabs, leaving your right shoulder raw and bloody once again. Those claws had gotten you good, and now you feel the marks as if they’re being freshly carved into your skin once more.

“Cyra, are you-?” Morgan croaks as you slam your hands down on the top of your vanity, your fingers curling into fists at the pain.

You bite your lip, sharp canines pinching and gnashing as you choke down a scream. Your mom is asleep in the other room; waking her up is not an option.

“Cyra?” Morgan repeats, hovering nervously at your side.

Already the flesh is stitching itself back together, your accelerated healing both a blessing and a curse. You force a thin smile, not wanting to worry Morgan any more than you already have.

“I’m fine,” You say, though it comes out more as a wheeze, “Really.”

His brows knit together, his hand hovering over your back as if fearful of initiating contact. You can feel the cold of his skin radiating before he even touches you, a stark difference from your own warmth.

“I don’t believe you,” He whispers.

You glance up and meet his eyes in the mirror. His skin is pale, his green eyes dark; he’s a ghost of who he used to be. That’s fine, you think; you always knew you’d love him even in death.

His gaze drops down to your shoulders, to your wound, and he freezes. You see how his pupils dilate, and you frown, twisting slightly so you aren’t just watching his reflection.

You hesitate to ask, “Is it-?”

“No.” He snaps out of it, shaking his head sharply, “It’s not…I’d never…”

“I know,” You say, as softly as possible.

“It was…the tattoo. I saw the tattoo.” The words are clumsy as they escape him, “That’s new.”

The tattoo on your left shoulder isn’t actually new at all; you’ve had it for almost two years. You recall how you’d stumbled into the tattoo parlor in your college town about a week after Morgan’s funeral, bordering on a breakdown. You’d asked for a rose through a haze of tears, trembling from the cold and grief.

A rose, because Morgan was born in June.

He had gotten a daisy tattooed on his forearm right after you graduated since you were born in April. You had thought at the time that a matching sentiment might connect the two of you across life and death. The rose helped in some small way, even though you’d thought its counterpart was six feet under.

It wasn’t, though. Morgan stands before you, and you can see the furling leaves of the daisy peek out from under his rolled-up sleeves. Never in a coffin, never beneath the dirt, but still not close enough for you to touch. He stands barely a foot away, yet it feels as insurmountable as six.

“So you…” He blinks, rolling his lips together, “I don’t want to assume-”

“It was for you.” You interrupt firmly.

The grief of what you both lost is thick in the air, but you don’t have much time to linger in your melancholy. The words hit him like a physical blow, and he takes a staggering step back before collapsing.

You go to your knees with him, sinking down without reservation to finally, finally pull him into your arms. He shakes in your grasp, so you just pull him tighter to your chest, trying to physically express what words can’t even begin to.

His hands reach up and grasp at where the tattoo is, leaving your skin chilled but flush at his touch. It’s thrilling to feel his skin against yours after going so long without it. You card your fingers through his hair, so much shorter than in your memory, and ignore the ache of your knees against the hardwood floor.

“Cy,” He whispers into your shoulder, his voice breathy, “Cy, Cyra, I’m-”

“You’re okay,” You press a kiss into the crown of his head, “You’re with me, and you’re okay, do you understand?”

It only breaks him down further, and he just about goes limp in your grasp, his body sagging against yours.

“I’m sorry, Cy,” He practically whimpers, “I’m so sorry.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” You insist, your voice kind but firm, “It was never your fault.”

“I’m different-” His voice catches, “I’m-”

You deny the notion fiercely, “You’re Morgan.”

He doesn’t speak anymore; if it’s because he’s unable or simply too tired, you’re not sure. You stay curled around him on the floor of your childhood bedroom, surrounded by memories and haunted by what could’ve been. You block it all out, too focused on the version of the man you’re presently holding to be bothered by his ghost.

You know the truth, lodged in your heart like a bullet that cannot be dug out, and that’s the fact that you never got over Morgan. You never could have, even if you’d tried. Now, as the grief in your heart migrates back to love, you know you’ll hold him close for as long as you both need.

[strange-daughter-x]

Willow Branch, the spirit of life

Willow branch's G4 counterpart is Fluttershy. She is our nature themed MC, with similar aesthetic, but in character they differ quite a bit. Willow is a breezie, a pony with a slender build and butterfly/moth/dragonfly motifs. They all have antennae and wings, like the original breezies, but are taller and more slender, kind of elven in stature and aesthetic. Breezies are a very magical and very isolated breed. they live in small glades and see themselves as protectors of nature and magic. Willow has left her glade to attend Canterlot Magic University, but she remains incredibly loyal and protective of her home. However, this also shadows into her main flaw, a "holier than thou" attitude and a tendency towards elitism. When other ponies do something in a different way than she would, she can get frustrated and blunt about what she thinks. Willow can seem shy at first because of her lack of interest in small talk (or talk at all) with other equestrians, but it is not due to fear or nervousness. However, once she becomes close with somepony, she is incredibly loyal, she pays close attention to them, and is a kind pony. Some of my favorite Fluttershy moments were where she stood her ground for something she believed in, and I decided to dial that element up until willow became our groups activist, an archetype that will come in handy later in the story! At the beginning, it seems that her only goals are to return Equestria to its "natural state" (preserving it back to some imagined perfect past) but as she grows, her goals shift to conservation- working with the environment and the ponies in it to make it better, rather than preserving it in a stagnant, idyllic state. She comes to understand that change IS nature (ty ratatouille). This character arc mirrors the overall theming and plot of the series, being the acceptance that everything our world changes and grows, and the healthiest way to deal with that is to make sure its changing for the better, rather than trying to hold onto a romanticized past.

[dragandjordjevic]

Antimatter

Antimatter is the most expensive material in the world, with estimates placing its cost at up to $62.5 trillion per gram , far surpassing any other known substance.

Why so costly? Because antimatter doesn’t naturally exist in large quantities. It must be painstakingly produced in particle accelerators like those at CERN, and even then, only a few atoms can be created at a time.

Antimatter is essentially the mirror opposite of regular matter. Each particle—proton, electron, neutron—has an antimatter counterpart: antiproton, positron, antineutron.

When a particle and its antiparticle meet, they annihilate in a burst of pure energy, following Einstein’s famous equation, E=mc².

This annihilation process releases enormous energy relative to the mass involved, making antimatter a theoretical candidate for future energy sources or even deep-space propulsion.

However, the technical and economic barriers are immense.

In nature, antimatter is incredibly rare.

It’s occasionally produced in high-energy environments like supernovae, lightning, or near black holes—but it vanishes almost instantly upon contact with matter, making it nearly impossible to store or study without advanced electromagnetic traps and vacuum systems.