#(and there is a lot to his backstory that makes him act like this)

[postcardsfromheapside]

I get that we all love to exaggerate on this site, but this is such a weird way to characterize Strife.

For one, y'all have built up an insane amount of headcanon about Viago's "fatherly" feels towards your Rook that I just do not get now that I am playing a Crow Rook. He certainly has familiarity with you that Strife didn't, which suits the situation you'd have been in as a Crow, but base game? Lots of things are left open to interpretation, and much of it is enhanced by *Teia* teasing him, which could mean he cares a lot, or could just be Teia yanking his chain. Which she does. A lot.

Meanwhile people seem to have forgotten that for the Veil Jumper backstory, Strife isn't your "father figure" canonically. (unless I missed that detail mysteriously somewhere?) You are an adult working with other adults, and in that context Strife acts like every other older, contained, somewhat curmudgeonly, outdoorsy man who does actually give a shit about the people under his "command". He gives you a modest amount of shit for stepping out of line, but whenever you leave, he makes sure to say "don't die." Because it would bother him if something happened to you. It bothers him that something is happening to all his Veil Jumpers.

Not every character is going to act the same (it would be super boring if they did), and it's kinda weird that players are saying things like "they [the devs] really liked some factions more than others" because you feel it's easier to pattern a parental relationship onto one character vs another.

Viago, when playing as Rook De Riva: you IDIOT you were my favorite fledgling why did you have to make a mess of this now I have to jump through all these convoluted hoops to keep you safe. Teia stop telling Rook how much I missed them it's not funny they could have DIED. also your room is exactly the way you left it please come home

Strife, when playing as Rook Aldwir: Why hasn't this weird bug i kicked out of our camp ages ago died yet :|

[nmakii]

christmas kids

about him, who was also born on december 25th. i used to spot your face in every crowd, now i can’t even remember your smile.

— kaiser hates celebrating his birthday. no exceptions; not even for you.

cw: mentions of kaiser’s backstory, gesner being vulgar (im his biggest fan), kaiser is a meany pants, self deprecation

parties like these were a pain. kaiser stood beside his drunken teammates, while ‘all i want for christmas is you’ by mariah carey blasted for the 6th time on loop. it was disgustingly corny how he’d have to act as if he gives a damn to celebrate christmas with his co-workers. if the club owner for bastard münchen hadn’t required attendance for this party, he would’ve definitely skipped it.

to be entirely honest, he never even saw the point of celebrating december 25th. every year, the streets of berlin would be glowing with festive lights, and the halls of cathedrals would loudly ring their church bells.

but in kaiser’s dark corner of hell, his father would beat the life out of him. more so than usual— his eyes would bruise purple for weeks, and his nose wouldn’t stop the stream of red that would bleed all over his ragged clothes.

kaiser had learned from a young age, his birthday wasn’t something that should be celebrated, or even acknowledged. it was the day his scummy mother abandoned his even scummier father; it was the day trash was born. how could such an occasion even be celebrated?

with his birthday being public knowledge though, he doesn’t exactly have a choice on if he wants to celebrate it or not.

as clock struck midnight, everyone yelled out christmas greetings and wishes of good will, as well as greetings for kaiser, now a year older.

“woo! happy birthday, asshat! you’re 19!” gesner, incredibly drunk, slurs to kaiser. “a year closer to your death… in the end, we’re all just waiting for the day we never open our eyes again… oh, this is just too sad…” grim shudders, falling to the ground.

birkenstock pulls grim off the floor, and the team gathers around and very off tunely sings happy birthday to kaiser, while ness struggles to light the candle placed on top of the leftover pizza, yet to be finished.

“…happy birthday to you!” they cheer. “make a wish, kaiser.” ness smiles, holding the box.

‘what do i want..?’ he asks himself. he already has a lot more than he’s ever wanted; a comfortable home, decent company— asking for anything else would just seem… wrong.

the candle gleamed a burning red, its’ shine reflecting on kaiser’s face. the hot flames on his face, and he suddenly realizes what he wants— to be human.

that’s all he’s wanted for the longest time, why should he wish for anything else?

he blows out the candle, and they clap. “you guys didn’t need to do anything, i didn’t want to celebrate my birthday.” he lightly reprimanded. ness frowns, he was the one who had wanted surprise kaiser in the first place.

but, gesner boos at his pessimism. “don’t be a jerk, dick cheese! just accept it!” he roughly slaps kaiser on his back, kicking all the air out of his lungs. “oof..!” he coughs. “g..guh… are you sure you’re a football player? you slap so hard, you’re better suited to volleyball.”

gesner scoffs, and goes off on his rant about kaiser’s narcissism.

‘this environment… it’s hostile but, i’m still in control. this… isn’t that bad.’ kaiser thinks to himself. he doesn’t receive their goodwill; he forces it out of them, and they respond with their own form of resistance. yet, they still pass to him, no matter what. because, he’s the one in charge of this team.

“…and, you keep showing off that pretty thing you’re leaving on the hook. she could totally do better than that ‘will they, won’t they?’ situationship of your’s! seriously makes me feel bad for her…”

…kaiser wasn’t exactly sure what brought gesner to bring you up. but, bringing up your… relationship, was a bit of a sour spot for him.

he wanted to love you, you were someone he wanted to stick around for a while. you were kind, almost heaven-sent. something about you that would make him keep coming back. maybe it was the way you’d wake up early with him and make breakfast together, or the way you’d sass him and put him in his place when he was being an asshole. but, he couldn’t make up his mind on whether or not he should tear down those walls he’s built, and start over for you.

kaiser was used to restrictive environments, he thrived in discomfort. but, being vulnerable simply made his skin crawl with disgust. if it was for someone for you though… maybe he could try it. were you really worth it?

…he thinks you could be.

“it’s not a situationship, we’re just hanging out.” kaiser rolls his eyes, taking a sip of his mocktail. “plus, don’t you already have a girl you’re torturing?” he condescends.

thankfully, the party goes on without a fight starting, or kaiser’s birthday being mentioned anymore further.

and by the time kaiser arrives home, it’s already 2:30. he opens the door into his penthouse apartment.

the light is on.

he’s sure he didn’t leave the light on when he had left, there’s only one other explanation.

“s/o?” he called out.

you probably used the spare key for his apartment he gave you after much more frequent visits. did you think he was home?

“ah, hey!” you finally noticed his presence, waving hello. kaiser still had a suspicious glare on his face, his malice evident simply by his tone. “what are you doing here?”

“it’s your birthday!”

“so?”

“so, it has to be celebrated..! it was the day you were born after all.” you brainlessly informed him.

“i don’t celebrate it.” he sighs as he finally shuts the front door, dropping all his belongings on the console table.

“it’s the same day as christmas. it’s a hassle to celebrate two things.” he says the same excuse he’s used millions of times before but today, his act was getting sloppy. it’s clear by his sullen eyes that it’s more than just because it’s a hassle.

“uhuh… well, i made you a cake!���you urge him to come over. of course, it was a box set cake, but you still put tons of effort into decorating it!

what does he do? he wasn’t exactly sure on how to accept gifts in general. he passed through the narrow hall, and into the dining area.

he stared at the cake— it’s frosted in white french buttercream and its’ edges are piped blue with a french star tip. ‘happy birthday mikka’, it reads.

mikka… that isn’t a nickname that you’ve called him before. but, it’s cute. fuck, did he actually like this gift..?

‘…how sweet.’ he thinks. kaiser picked up the box with both his hands, his touch was so delicate. he carried the cake over to the kitchen counter,

…and opened the trash.

“hey! what are you doing..?!” you run to stop him from dumping your hard work into the garbage.

it doesn’t stop him though, it doesn’t even make him struggle. “i told you i don’t celebrate it.” he huffs as some of the cake crumbles and stains his hands.

he takes a frosting-covered finger to his lips, indulging in his salty sweet taste. “ah… it’s good.” he compliments. something that only happens to make you angrier.

“then why did you throw it in the garbage, asshole?!” you yell out. how insensitive could a person get?!

“i already told you, or are those ears of your’s just for decoration?” he scoffs, the air is heavy.

and at that moment, he knew it.

michael kaiser is not meant to love, or be loved.

…

“get out.” he commands. his cold eyes hit you like a dagger. “h..huh..?” you ask, indignant at how you were being treated.

you knew kaiser would be hard to unravel but, why is he acting so different so suddenly?

“i said get out. i already decided…”

“…we’re over, s/o” he decreed. “whatever romance you and i might have had is gone. go find someone else to care about you. i’m not gonna fit your romantic fantasy.”

“i— wait, mikka, we can work this out, okay..?!” you ask, a panicked expression decorating your face. “goddamnit, fine— i’m sorry for calling you an asshole, okay?!”

you sound almost desperate in your tone. but, it still doesn’t shake his decision. “no… get out. find someone who can fulfill that fantasy of your’s, i’m never gonna be the perfect boyfriend that you’re dreaming about. understand?”

and, the cold reality faces you. a look of despair on your face, it’s incredibly pathetic to be in this low of a position right now.

ah, that look on your face… he’ll miss that look of terror and desperation, on your face especially. the way your pretty eyes gleam with tears, and the way your nose scrunches, trying to hold back your snot.

“…fine. i hope you’re happy with your life, kaiser.” you spitefully spit out. his chest hurts when he hears you call him by his last name. did that hurt him..? just a little bit…

…and, that’s when kaiser asks himself the same question.

were you really worth tearing down everything he’s known just to build it all up again?

the answer was yes. you’re worth everything money could afford; you’re as priceless as every star in the sky.

it was kaiser who wasn’t worth it. you deserved more than a scummy asshole who’s too scared love.

but, that’s just the problem with kaiser, isn’t it?

the closer he wants you, the more he pushes you away.

[beanghostprincess]

A bit tired of people complaining about Sanji's principle of "not hitting women" being misogynistic when it has been clearly stated multiple times that he does not choose it and it's heavily tied to his trauma and admiration for his dad and respect for women and definitely not from seeing women as somehow weaker than him

[perenlop]

anyways i always find it more admirable when a fanwork takes an unlikable character and actually uses it to flesh them out or give them a chance to be more nuanced, rather than just bashing them like a piñata every five minutes

[unnamed-atlas]

Finally finished sweet tooth s3. Having incredibly mixed feelings

[madame-mongoose]

Thinking a lot about Chai and his inferiority complex. Like. He very much acts like he does to push people away right? He's arrogant and rude at first. Very much self centered. But it makes me think about the *why*. I think a lot of it is him setting up barriers so he doesn't have to get hurt. Instead of letting people in he pushes them away. Especially since he's disabled, I can only imagine how many times people have hurt and made fun of him in the past. And I fully believe all of this is subconscious. Especially with that dream sequence, I don't think he realizes how much he pushes others away intentionally. And yet he still craves affection and praise from his peers. I don't think him being dumb is an act tho, I think that's something he truly is. And honestly? Diagnosing him with adhd bc he's just like me fr

[doomed-era]

dude this is so funny

[pokemonruby]

i really did love veilguard in spite of all the criticisms surrounding it (i'm a fresh da fan, i played inquisition earlier this year, nearly 100% it, and it resonated with me deeply. i'm excited to play its predecessors when i get the chance too.) but i will say definitely my biggest complaint is that i just wish solas was in the story more. makes me wonder what it would've been like had it still been called "dreadwolf." 🥹

[surrender-souls]

thinking about my left behind 60s villain to the creeper proteus

[diluc33rpm]

astarion is so fucking funny as a character because conceptually he hits all the marks of a wet cat blorbo but in practice he's unbelievably hard to stand. i'll be on the bg3 companion guide and have to start CRYING from trying to find the shit under his section that gains approval. loses -15 points for gently suggesting we not massacre an orphanage in cold blood with the d&d equivalent of a nuclear warhead

[lily-blue-blue-lily]

god this show is not afraid to kill off its characters huh

[whimsiicalmuses]

‘please don’t be in love with someone else’ / for keerhei…… >:3c

Keerhei was pacing back and forth his hand running through his hair in agitation. This was exactly what he did not want to happen. Why the fuck did he stay around so long that Kiwa felt comfortable enough to ask him this question? He should have left so long ago, he should have broken the ties it would have been easier for her than what he was going to do now. He was going to hurt her so badly that he didn't think they would ever recover from it. Despite his complicated feelings for the girl who gave him a rock, he couldn't act on them. He wasn't free, he was owned by the crown, and that made it very difficult for him to have any free will. His purpose was to take care of Kouleia, and that meant everything else went to the waste side. But, he couldn't tell anyone this, he couldn't even mention the curse to anyone or he is not just risking Kouleia's life, but the crown as well.

"Don't ask me that," he growled, turning his attention to Kiwa his eyes narrowing. He was going to hate every minute of this, but his hands were tied, and he needed to let her go. "You pathetic, little girl," he hissed, almost wincing at the poison coming off his tongue. "I have been clear from the start that there is nothing here," he pointed back and forth. It is better for her to think he lead her on, instead of one of his enemies finding out that she could be a weakness and capitalizing on it. "Yeah you're hot," he shrugged, "but, you're not my type. I don't usually like naive, innocent girls."

@kissespink

[playingonedchess]

like i tend to hate every fandom cause its always annoying some way or other but theres actually so much i literally bloody despise about the ace attorney fandom and all that random fanon they made up without even realising it has absolutely nothing to do with the games. it isnt even good fanon if that could even exist most of it is total utter rubbish

[tombware]

There is! It's from before EA was even released though, and I guess not a direct statement from Larian, but it's from February 2020, when they first showed gameplay. As far as I understand, this reporter is trying to quote Swen:

There is also this video (timestamped!) talking about it, and AFAIK it was the first to show that cinematic with Astarion's nightmare (placeholder Cazador's terrifying), so I've got to give it some credence there that it's at least close to the source:

I'm curious, does anyone have any actual evidence of EA or pre-release Astarion "selling people to Cazador pre-vampirism/as a corrupt noble"? because I see people claim this a lot but I've been crawling through pre-release videos and materials and I can't find anything that points towards this in the game. I'm trying to figure out if this was a verified thing or some kind of fandom hallucination/Berenstain effect lol

the closest thing is the artbook page which points to him being a corrupt noble but there's 0 mention of magistrate Astarion selling people to Cazador

[lovelettered]

can i be hypocritical for a second

[kikizoshi]

It's amazing how much of my progress with understanding and working with Nikolai as a character is predicated on his backstory. His backstory, which is exclusive to me, because I'm the one who made it. But every time I'm working on any questions to do with his philosophies or motivations, I have to delve into his past. It's so essential. No wonder I couldn't get anywhere with canon Nikolai--there literally just isn't enough there. Not enough for someone like me, anyway. I'm sure it's possible.