#Navi Nouveau

[senpati-nouveau]

A poem for those who’ve yearned to start again //

[treecakes]

feeling very hashtag tanumacore today with this outfit

[octuscle]

Pride fare

Dmitri and Igor stared at the young man with the pink hair like they would stare at a disgusting insect. It was brave of Austrian Airlines to place such a faggot at Istanbul's not exactly gay-friendly airport. And God knows Dmitri and Igor weren't exactly gay-friendly either. The two were the perfect example of nouveau riche Russians. They liked to pose as oligarchs to impress women. In fact, they were rich. But oligarchs? Not at all. But who cared. The two of them had several million in accounts all over the world. Unfortunately, most of them were currently frozen. But they had enough cash with them to look forward to a fun weekend in Vienna. Getting here had been hell. The two of them mourned the days of direct flights. But the special military operation was important and just. Quite different from the reaction of the decant West to this very operation.

Max looked at the two gentlemen who wanted to check in with him. Expensive, but tastelessly dressed. Overweight. Probably over 50, but you couldn't see that very well because both were obviously lifted. Max wouldn't blow one of these two pigs for any money in the world. But Max was a professional. And remained polite. "You two sweeties, you do know that the Pride special rate is only valid for people up to 21, right?" Dmitri grunted something about "I'm not cute, you miserable faggot." But luckily Max didn't speak Russian. "No problem, you two lovebirds, I just need to adjust a few little things." Max typed on the keyboard of his computer. "There, now everything should fit. Which one of you is Dima? I'd like your suitcase." Dmitri was about to get loud and snap at this asshole, what could he think of! Dima might have been what his mother said to him. But not some smug asshole. He took a breath. And thought that Max was actually kind of cute. So he picked up his suitcase, covered in rainbow and leather-pride stickers, and heaved it onto the baggage carousel. "And, darling! What's your boyfriend's name? I assume you want to sit next to each other." "Next to Igarjok? No thanks! Set us apart. That increases the chance that we'll meet someone hot on board." "I'm very sorry," said Max with a twinkle in his eye. "But no one who checked in with me today was really hot." "Okay, I'll go first then," said Igor, heaving his studded travel bag onto the baggage carousel. Max smiled with mock agony. Yes, the man Dima had called Igarjok didn't look bad for his age. According to his ID, he was 48, but hot… Max had seen better. He handed them their rainbow-flag-colored boarding passes and wished them a good flight and lots of fun at Vienna Pride Week.

The two took their hand luggage. Dmitri had a black leather rucksack, Igor a small antique army duffel bag from the Soviet navy. Dmitri called out to Igor that he should go ahead, he wanted to take a quick piss. Igor nodded and made his way to the security checkpoint. And Dmitri went to the nearest toilet. He had hoped to find a quick fuck there. He was always horny. In the airport toilets, there was a good chance of meeting a tight Turk. And if he waved a few dollar bills, Dmitri could be sure that he wouldn't have to wait long for someone to kneel in front of him and suck his cock… And damn, the hot Turkish macho was worth every penny! Dmitri briefly checked his reflection in the mirror. The short hair, the beard shadow on the angular face, the leather jacket. Yes, he was pretty good-looking for a man in his mid-40s. It was a privilege to be allowed to suck his cock.

When he arrived in the queue for the security check, he grinned. Igor was only ten, maybe 15 people ahead of him in the queue, obviously he had also made a toilet stop. It was hot to see Igor in front of him. Igor had one hell of a tight ass. And in the army trousers he was wearing, it really stood out. He knew that. And everyone else saw that. Dmitir could see Igor arriving at the security checkpoint. He took off his bomber jacket and showed off his muscles under his tight T-shirt. He took off his studded belt, put everything in the plastic tray and went through the body scanner. It sounded the alarm. Dmitri had an idea why and grinned. Igor grinned too as he was scanned by the muscular security guard. Amazingly thorough in the crotch area. Of course, Dmitri couldn't hear anything, but obviously the security guard demanded that Igor take his plastic bowl and come with him. The two of them were lucky!

When Dmitri arrived at the security checkpoint, the employee looked decidedly cool. Dmitri had put his jacket and rucksack in the tray when the officer asked if he had anything else in his pants. He looked very clearly at Dmitri's crotch. Dmitri unbuttoned the top two buttons, enough to show the bush of hair, put his hands in his pants and awkwardly removed the cock ring from his cock and balls. "Sorry, officer, I keep forgetting that," Dmitri said with a grin. Surprisingly, despite his piercings, the body scanner didn't pick up on it. But his rucksack was taken off the conveyor belt after being scanned. The security officer waved him over, pulled his full-body harness out of the backpack and asked what it was. The officer tried unsuccessfully to look cool. "Shall I show you what it is? But I have to take my pants off to do that…" "Come with me!"

Dmitri's body search took place in the same room as Igor's. The two security officers had brought in two more colleagues to back them up. Only by joining forces did the two of them manage to plug all the holes and get on board just in time with the final and urgent call. Igor squeezed into 9E and Dmitri into 6C. Max had gone to great lengths to make them both happy. And indeed, after the two Russian stallions, the hottest guys sat in 6B, 9D and 9F. And the purser had reserved one of the toilets just for them.

At the baggage carousel in Vienna, there was no mistaking that the gays of the world were meeting up for one of their flashiest parties. And Dima and Igarjok were guests of honor at the party. Hardly noticed in the West, it was a sensation in Moscow when the two popular teen soap stars came out. The call-up order came immediately, and the two had only managed to flee to Western Europe in a hasty escape. And it was a huge stroke of luck that they had started making porn due to a lack of money. For them and for millions of fans. They didn't know how many porn magazines they had signed until their luggage arrived. Their driver was waiting outside. A hot guy. Thank goodness. It had been over an hour since their last fuck on the plane.

[art-by-committee]

ART DECIDED BY TUMBLR FINAL VOTE

You would not believe the nonsense i've been through in the last few weeks, so this vote is super after schedule, BUT LET'S GO ANYWAY

As a reminder, this artwork will be made in art nouveau style, using watercolour, with a tranquil/magical/creepy vibe, using mostly the colours purple, cyan, green, navy and magenta.

(Tumblr has no colour option resembling navy, I'm so sorry. No, you're not colour-blind if you see orange.)

I WANT TO MAKE A GORGEOUS ART PIECE TUMBLR WILL BE PROUD OF!

[xombigirl]

New Merch Monday

First up we have the Fearne Calloway Art Nouveau Shirt. It's navy blue with a design by Alexa Rockman.

And we also have the Fearne Calloway Duster Kimono. It's dark blue with a design by Savanna Mayer.

[thethirdromana]

What are shoppy people?

There's a short version and a long version of this depending on how much you already know about the British class system in the 1850s.

Short version: they're people who have made their money in trade. The Gormons in particular are nouveau riche, probably wealthier than the Hales. They are "shoppy" because they own shops or factories.

Long version: oh blimey where do I even start.

So the British class system is arguably as much a caste system as it is a class system. Your class is determined by your parentage and is generally unchangeable throughout your life. That's true now (a working-class person who wins the lottery and never has to work again is still working class) but it was even more so in the 1850s.

Margaret comes from the traditional upper middle class. Her relatives and associates have gentlemanly careers: the army, the navy, the church, the law. It was acceptable for men of a genteel background who did not have enough land to live off to make money in these professions, and only these professions. Margaret includes medicine (the third of the "learned professions" that she refers to) on her list of acceptable professions as well, but if she were upper-class rather than upper-middle class then that probably wouldn't be OK either.

But in the 1850s the middle classes were growing. There were an increasing number of people who made money in other ways: specifically, in trade. They upset the traditional hierarchy (note that Margaret is also happy to associate with the traditional working classes). It's these people from new money, like the Gormons, who Margaret dislikes as 'shoppy'.

They might be wealthier than her family; in some cases they might be very rich indeed. But the class system doesn't allow them to transcend their origins and so Margaret views them as beneath her.

[kimolisai]

Using Bing Create with the prompt: Highly detailed whimsical art nouveau watercolour illustration of an african american man wearing jeans and a navy-blue button-down shirt embracing an african american woman with braided hair held by a red hair band and wearing a white sundress in the style of a romance novel, full-body. They are standing on a hilltop overlooking a tropical valley. Storybook, filigree, ink drawing,

[beyondthemyths-rpg]

-- thématique; L'INSURRECTION.

((NOUVEAUTÉS))  quand l'aube cachée par la catastrophe fait levé les falots fortuné d'une marine hypocrite, les insurgés soufflent le cor. ainsi, gala se meut en désastre lorsque révoltés surgissent; volent pavillon et victuailles sous cris et yeux effarés.

venez découvrir le nouveau crew sur beyond the myths; composé de léviathans exclusivement; soulèvement contre l'ordre établi, accusateurs plus ou moins virulents du système de la navy. d'un pôle radical à une approche plus modérée, divisé en faction.

[vibratingskull]

Alright @ele-millennial-weirdo asked me a little text about our boy Thrawn in my weird and strange mother language that is French, because I never write in my own language (strangely). So here you go! We'll see if i ever provide a translation

Karyn Faro marche dans les longs et sinueux couloirs du Chimaera, pour tout un chacun cela serait un labyrinthe tortueux mais elle est la Commodore du vaisseau, il n’a aucun secret pour elle. Les officiers de rang inférieur et subalterne la saluent avec respect quand leurs chemins se croisent, elle leur répond d’un hochement de tête et poursuit sa route. Elle arrive devant la porte de la suite du Grand Amiral Thrawn, donne son cylindre de codes au Stormtrooper et passe la porte coulissante.

La pièce est large, mal éclairée, sans doute une volonté de la part du Grand Amiral et une légère odeur d’alcool semble flotter dans l’air. Les hologrammes d'œuvres d’art flottent ça et là dans la pièce, égayant ce salon qui manque cruellement de personnalité si ce n’est de charme. Le luxe est bien présent par contre…

“Grand Amiral?” elle appelle doucement, de peur de le déranger dans son intimité.

“Je suis là, Commodore,” il répond depuis un fauteuil caché dans un coin où il ne peut être remarqué mais où il peut observer la porte comme bon lui semble. “Vous souhaitez quelque chose?” il demande d’une voix qui semble empreinte de lassitude.

“Les cartes Grand Amiral” elle indique, “Je vous apporte les datacartes.”

Il ne répond pas et tend la main vers elle.

“Approchez, Karyn, approchez…”

Elle obéit, comme une bonne Commodore le devrait et s’avance vers l’homme. Elle remarque le verre de whisky posé sur la table, sans doute sa seule compagnie de la soirée, pense-t-elle..

“Un problème, Monsieur?” Elle demande prudemment.

“Pas le moins du monde, je souhaite simplement vous observer de plus prêt.”répond-il en tapotant ses genoux “Asseyez vous.”

Elle marque un temps d’arrêt, une hésitation subtile mais qui n’échappe pas au Chiss.

“Allons, nous avons dépassé ce stade ne pensez vous pas?” il la réprimande gentiment, un léger sourire flottant sur ses lèvres

Elle repense aux nuits de passions qu’ils ont déjà partagés et aux baisers enflammés qu’elle prend plaisir à voler à ses lèvres. Elle secoue la tête, effectivement hésiter pour si peu est ridicule compte tenu de leur passif. Elle finit d’approcher et s’assoie confortablement sur les larges et solides genoux de son officier supérieur. Thrawn soupire, lui caressant le dos délicatement. Elle passe son bras autour de ses épaules et lui caresse les cheveux, attendant qu’il s’explique, mais il reste muet, observant la baie vitrée donnant sur l’infinie galaxie, froide et noire. Il repose sa tête dans le creux de son épaule, inhalant l’odeur de ses cheveux et le parfum du gel douche réglementaire de la Navy. 

Elle lui prend la main reposant sur ses genoux et la presse.

“Y-a-t-il un problème, Thrawn?” demande-t-elle à nouveau, avec une voix plus douce.

Il soupire à nouveau.

“Je suis las, Karyn.” Explique-t-il “Las de ces conflits triviaux, de tous ces problèmes que l’Empire se crée lui-même. De toutes ces querelles politiques incompréhensibles et de ces hommes et femmes véreux qui ne savent voir plus loin que leurs propres intérêts…” il marque une pause, semblant rassembler ses mots “Et par-dessus tout je suis las de ma solitude. J’aspire à rentrer chez moi, retrouver les miens et la chaleur réconfortante de mon foyer…”

Karyn reste coi, abasourdie par ces révélations. Combien de verres a-t-il bu pour lui avouer tout cela? Elle repose son menton sur le haut de sa tête.

“Eli Vanto vous manque?” elle murmure.

“En effet.” il admet “C’est un ami qu’il me plairait de revoir. Mais il ne pourra jamais remplir le gouffre que je ressens…”

Les notes d’alcool de son haleine remontent jusqu’aux narines de Karyn, il est définitivement soul. Il la serre contre lui, enfouissant sa tête contre sa poitrine, inhalant son parfum au plus profond de ses poumons. Elle embrasse le haut de son crâne.

“Ne suis-je pas une amie également?”

“Vous l’êtes… Et bien plus que cela. Vous partagez ma vie dans ses victoires commes ses moments les plus sombres, vous êtes une fidèle compagne et un atout précieux.” Il continue, sa voix quelque peu étouffée par le tissu de l’uniforme de Karyn “Je ne saurais me défaire de vous, vous êtes trop précieuse…”

Elle continue ses caresses de cheveux alors que son cœur s’emballe à ces compliments. Thrawn savait complimenter ses officiers mais c’était toujours montré secret dans sa vie privée, même envers elle. Une telle démonstration d’affection était particulièrement rare et très certainement due à l’alcool.

Elle le plaint sincèrement. Être envoyé loin de chez soi, chez des étrangers pour quérir de l’aide, et ensuite gravir les échelons d’une entité militaire dans un environnement hostile à sa race… Elle n’en mènerait pas large, du moins pas aussi bien que Thrawn.

“M'aideras-tu?” Susurre-t-il “M’aideras-tu, Karyn, a trompé ma solitude une fois encore dans tes bras?” enfonçant ses doigts dans sa chair, comme si elle pouvait s’enfuir de ses bras à tout instant.

Comme si elle voulait être autre part que dans ses bras…

“Bien sûr, Thrawn.” Elle embrasse sa joue. “Ce soir, demain et tous les jours si il le faudra…”

Ils regardent dans les yeux l’un de l’autre, il n’y voit que dévotion, résolution et loyauté, elle y voit noirceur, solitude et une ombre de tristesse. Mais les deux voient également l’amour. Partagé, sincère, secret… Fragile.

Ils scellent leurs lèvres en un tendre baiser qui s’enhardit et s’enflamme, les laissant pantelant. Il repose sa tête sur son épaule et embrasse son cou, sa main glissant vers le haut de sa cuisse vers le cœur de tous ses désirs.

Elle le sert contre elle, fort, comme si il pouvait disparaître.

Ce soir ils tromperont leur solitude ensemble à nouveau.

@kissed--byfire, @al-astakbar

[amaiguri]

Saegenfolk Reworks -- How I'm thinking about my pastel-goth Chinese-Viking fusion culture

Okay, so, as some of you may know, I am working on updating my Saegen culture to have more elements of my birth culture -- cuz, I legit don't know enough about it so this is a great way to learn and then like... mind-palace it into my worldbuilding (yes, I just verbed "mind-palace"). And guess what? I just finished my first sketches of a rework of the whole culture!!! <3 <3 <3 I'm REALLY pleased, it's really reasonating with me now in a way Saegen culture NEVER was <3

So, let's go over what some of the different stuff is -- Top to bottom, left to right... And I AM open to feedback and thoughts and, in fact, I encourage it <3 I consent to advice!

First thing to notice is the Saegen now have a color scheme that isn't jewel-toned red and gold… because the SVANHIK people are red and gold. I experimented with Green and Teal for the Northern lights -- but Green felt really weird. It made them too elfy. And Teal is already Telethens' color. Nouveau Thuille is purple/navy blue/black… So instead of making the red more jewel-toned, I took it towards Cyberpunk Neon/Barbie pink. Why? This is Asarlai's color in their culture now. Asarlai is the father of humanity and god of magic (up North) So wearing pink is super fatherly, magical, and clever. We still have black because black plants just work good in these near-underground settings -- absorbing waaay more light. So now the Saegen aesthetic is now like… pastel-goth Chinese-Vikings.

Next, we have the FASHION! The fashion is very very specifically stolen from the silhouette of Hanfu, just with more fur and different materials. I imagine it being Rumateur wool, but also leather and dyed animal skins and maybe bamboo silks and so forth. We still have elaborate braids and wavy hair, but in my mind, their eyes are all like the Sakha people or something. They still use their hands to paint their faces -- typically for sunscreening/snow-glare/sea-glare reduction reasons as well as receiving Asarlai's blessing. And while Thuilleans prefer silver metals, they prefer gold. This is just a contrast thing.

Next next: Houses! They mostly build out of these silvery bamboo stalks that grow under the Upper Continent. I really like these tent-like silhouettes to their houses -- with littler tents stacked atop each other. They also have igloo-like, bulb-shaped homes for temp shelters! Their ships are like dragons with their wings and blade-armored fronts (mostly for ice, but also fighting). And some even ride small whale-landsharks with sealskin saddles ❤️

Weapons and tools wise: They're really well known for their Ysse lanterns (I mean, EVERYONE IS but for different reasons). Theirs are all a really pretty pink -- the "purest form of Ysse light" (Not really.) -- and have the teardrop bulb shape. But they look like these warm, nutrient restoring fungi that naturally grow (or probably a god put them there) in Saegenheim. They also have guns (which have magic bulbs that, when struck, blast out fire. So really, they're flamethrowers but I don't like the way that sounds lol). They also use these Tang-dynasty-inspired swords and poleaxes pretty commonly.

Animal and creature wise: Their rumateurs are much bigger and bulkier -- more cattle-like thanks to the flatter plains around Saegenheim -- than the more lithe, leapy rumateurs of the Nouveau Thuillean valley. They also keep artic bunnies (even though the're considered mild pests in Nouveau Thuille) as easy food and sometimes even hunt seals. However, they have to be super careful not to murder their selkie brethren -- it is generally wiser not-to hunt seals because they might be a selkie -- and instead just ask seals for their molted skins (which they molt in one, thick slough once a year) or milk to make cheese or kumis. Not-shown: They also heavily rely on Butterflies of the Heart for Honey, Wax, and Mead --because despite their name, they're actually bees.

Above the Saegenheim cave are these enclosed plains of black bamboo forests. A currently unnamed but critically important fungus grows in tandem with the bamboo and is part of the bamboo's natural life cycle. I'm not entirely sure, but maybe something like the bamboo grows up and starts putting out leaves to photosynthesize, to pump back into the ground. The fungus feeds on the bamboo but then helps it spread further and also, gives the bamboo nutrients back in the winter. And eventually, the fungus eats the dead stalks WHILE fixing the soil for the new growth?

Regardless, the Saegen people eat this fungus as one of their staple foods.

They also eat a ground-fungus that the rumateurs and bunnies eat up here that grows small and under the frost but VERY PERSISTENTLY, much to everyone's surprise (it's the 5" one). It also works with the bamboo and tree fungus to make this really weirdly balanced flow of nutrients in and out of the soil with the seasons.

The ground fungus is usually dried, ground up, and then used for soups or baked goods (like flat breads or meat loafs.) Meanwhile, the tree fungus is usually eaten without grining but still boiled/fried/baked OR dried and ground up and brewed to make coffee. ((This is where the Northerners get their coffee -- the coffee is a lie, they are perpetually drinking an American Civil War Confederate coffee substitute XDDDDD But at least their coffee usually has good protein, micronutrients, and caffeine-like substances, unlike real Civil War coffee substitute LOL))

So Saegenheim is now in the Womb of the World, (the environment sketch) taller and this tree-like fungus grows that is also edible and can act as a meat-substitute nutrient-wise BUT it grows much slower, so it is carefully monitored by the Sages so they don't fuck it up.

Speaking of the Womb of the World -- this warm, damp refuge in the otherwise hostile, VERY NORTHERN part of the tundra is a cave warmed by the specific way the permanent Ysse Springs interact with the stones here -- warming the cave to very liveable temperatures year round. The Sages of Saegenheim have built their home here to honor the Gods who brought forth all of humanity. However, most Saegenfolk do not live here year round -- they are semi-nomadic, in that they go to the same few places and settle for the season. Different royal families will lead their people to different places, but those who can afford it will return to winter in the safe, reliable Saegenheim to catch up on news and celebrate Godsweek. They hang new pink lanterns in the streets at the beginning of every new year.

And lastly, when they aren't in Saegenheim, the Saegenfolk are often sailing. And this means they are hunting whale-landsharks, sea serpents, shrimp, and artic carp (articarp, if you will XD).

Now this closeness of location and similarity of lifestyle and respect of the Sages and Gods may lead you to believe that the Saegens are cooperative, extended-family-oriented folks.

No.

Due to the harshness of the environment, a great deal of emphasis is placed on survivability and military. And when everyone is seeking to be better, then you cannot rest for even a moment or you will fall behind. If you are not young enough to be trying to get stronger/cleverer/better/more useful, then you better be teaching others to get there or you're useless. And useless things are to be cast off…

Every family has its own sort of military hazing rituals that involve ridiculously long, cruel, and unnecessary training hours. Admittedly, it's a well-rounded education but there are all these weirdly specific judgements about you, depending on what kind of instruments, weapons, poetry, and cooking recipes you know. And even though your extended family will provide you food and teach you and find your more private tutors as you grow up… you will be constantly compared to your cousins. If you are worse than even one, you are pressed like you are worthless. If you are better than all your cousins and siblings by 200%… why is it not 250%? 300%? You cannot ever be Enough in Saegen culture.

Unless you're a Sage. Sages are judged by entirely different standard. But the number of people who try to become Sages and fail is also… quite large.

Anyway, this might've been poorly organized AND I'm still thinking about all this so if you have thoughts or feedback, let me know ❤️

[steffengiselasson]

Sonntag, 04.08.2024

Riga

„Auch unter einem großen Haufen Kot kann ein Klümpchen Gold verborgen sein“

Liebes Logbuch,

auf dem Weg zum Camping Platz sind wir nur über drei LKW-Verbotsschilder gefahren. Unser LKW-Navi hat uns das erlaubt. Entschuldigung.

Nach der Ankunft auf dem WoMo-Stellplatz „Camping&Yachts“ machten wir die Klappräder fertig für eine City Tour. Ich saß zum ersten Mal auf einem Klapprad. Die vielen Gelenke, Hebel und Stellschrauben weckten meine Skepsis. Wir stellten recht bald fest, dass Riga im Stadtzentrum nicht sehr fahrradfreundlich ist. Also parkten wir die Räder am Dom und erkundeten die Stadt zu Fuß.

Aufgrund der fortgeschrittenen Zeit bestand unser Frühstück aus Burger mit Pommes im Belgischen Biercafé Kwak Inn. Auch heute verwöhnte Lettland uns mit Sonnenschein und freundlichen Menschen.

Über Kopfsteinpflaster und durch schmale Gassen der Altstadt spazierten wir zur lutherischen St. Peter Kirche. Da Riga die Partnerstadt von Bremen ist, gibt es auch hier die Bremer Stadtmusikanten. Wer genau hinschaut, erkennt, dass sie durch den eisernen Vorhang luren.

Vom Kirchturm, den man nur per Aufzug und unter strenger Aufsicht eines Lift Boys betreten konnte, hatten wir eine tolle Aussicht über die Stadt.

Die Bürger Rigas bauten damals mit dem Bischoff um die Wette. Somit ist die St. Peter Kirche die höchste Kirche, der Dom hingegen die größte (in der Grundfläche, oder so). Ich fand es schön zu sehen, dass Ressourcen auch damals schon zweckorientiert investiert wurden. Heute gibt es übrigens immer noch ein geltendes Gesetz, welches besagt, dass kein Gebäude in Riga höher sein darf als die Peter Kirche. Die Akademie der Wissenschaften hat man entsprechend ein paar Zentimeter kleiner gebaut.

Im Anschluss an den Turmbesuch nahmen wir an einer Stadtführung teil.

Die bewegte Geschichte Lettlands spiegelt sich natürlich in der Hauptstadt besonders deutlich wider. Diese hier wiederzugeben soll nicht das Ziel sein. Zwei besonders erbauliche Anekdoten der Stadtführung möchte ich hier aber nach erzählen:

Das Katzenhaus

Lettland stand seit der Unterdrückung durch deutsche Kreuzritter im 13 Jahrhundert bis 1918 permanent unter der Fremdherrschaft durch Deutsche, Schweden, Polen, Russen… Lange Zeit war es den Letten nicht einmal möglich Schulen zu besuchen. Sie mussten als Leibeigene dienen und hatten fast keine Möglichkeit sich gesellschaftlich hoch zu arbeiten. Eines Tages hatte es endlich ein Lette geschafft: Er war aus der Arbeiterklasse emporgestiegen und erfüllte alle Kriterien, um in der Großen Gilde aufgenommen zu werden. Die Gilde lehnte jedoch seine Bewerbung ab, da er Lette war. Daraufhin kaufte der erfolgreiche Kaufmann das Grundstück direkt neben der Gilde. Auf die Türme seines Art Nouveau Palasts ließ er Statuen von Katzen platzieren, die ihre Ärsche in Richtung der Großen Gilde zeigten. Als er sich in der Folge gegenüber Bestechungsversuchen unempfänglich zeigte (man wollte, dass er die Katzen umdrehte), ließ man ihn eines Tages doch als Mitglied zu. Dann wurden auch die Katzen umgedreht.

Der Pulverturm

Auch Riga hat einen Pulverturm, dessen ursprünglichen Zweck er im Namen trägt. Als die Kriegsführung sich veränderte, verlor er seine wichtige Funktion und man ließ ihn verfallen. Eines Tages war er so marode, dass die Stadt ihn abreißen oder, besser noch, verkaufen wollte. Um die Kosten des Abrisses zu sparen, verkauften sie ihn für einen symbolischen Betrag: An eine Studierendenvereinigung. Studentenverbindungen erlebten seinerzeit ihre Blüte. Vermutlich im Übermut jugendlichen Leichtsinns kauften die Studenten den Turm zu einem Spottpreis. Die Euphorie währte jedoch nicht lang: Das Gebäude war in einem noch viel schlechteren Zustand als angenommen. Die Rettung fanden die Studenten im Dachstuhl: Über Jahrzehnte hatten Fledermäuse und Vögel ungestört den Turm zugeschissen. Die Studenten ernteten den Kot, genannt Guano, welcher ein teurer Dünger war. Plötzlich war die Studierendenvereinigung sehr vermögend. Bis heute gibt es im lettischen eine Redewendung: „Auch unter einem großen Haufen Kot kann ein Klümpchen Gold verborgen sein“.

Nach der Stadtführung brauchten wir natürlich erstmal eine Stärkung. Nach erfrischenden Kaltgetränken im Café Cuba führte uns der Weg zum mittelalterlichen Restaurant Lasite. Während ein wenig authentischer Barde auf seiner E-Gitarre moderne Popmusik klimperte, verspeiste ich eine vermutlich einigermaßen mittelalterlich-authentische Blutwurst, die netterweise einfach ohne Beilagen serviert wurde. Obwohl das Wort Grützwurst so abstoßend klingt wie kaum ein anderes, muss ich festhalten: Die war ziemlich lecker. Aber eine Beilage hätte dem schneckenförmigen Klumpen Blut und Getreide gutgetan.

Lange konnten wir dem Barden aber nicht mehr lauschen, denn um 20 Uhr gingen wir an Bord eines kleinen Ausflugsbootes.

Das Boot befuhr die Wasserstraßen der Stadt und so konnten wir alles Erlernte nochmal vom Wasser betrachten. Riga schickte uns dann im Sonnenschein zurück zum Wohnmobil, wo wir den lauschigen Sommerabend am Ufer der Daugava verbrachten.

Riga hat uns ausgenommen gut gefallen und wir werden bestimmt nochmal wieder kommen.

[marie-swriting]

Rien De Sérieux - Natasha "Phoenix" Trace

Top Gun Maverick Masterlist

Résumé : Trois fois où tu flirtes avec Natasha et une fois où tu confesses tes sentiments.

Warnings : Angst, fin heureuse, consommation d'alcool (consommez l'alcool avec modération), vomissements, confession sous les effets de l'alcool, sous-entendus de sex mais rien d'explicite, dites-moi si j'en ai oublié d'autres.

Nombre de mots : 5k

Version anglaise

Chanson qui m'a inspiré : Flirting With Her par Sir Babygirl

-Au célibat ! cries-tu avant de boire un shot cul sec avec tes deux amies Sarah et Alison. 

Un bruit résonne au moment où tu poses le verre avec force sur la table. L’alcool te brûle la gorge, mais tu pousses un léger cri de victoire. Ce soir, tu célèbres ton célibat comme tu l’as annoncé haut et fort. 

Tu as été en couple pendant près de trois ans avant que ton ex se sépare car elle a trouvé quelqu’un de mieux que toi, apparemment. Tu ne vas pas mentir, il y a une semaine, tu étais une épave. Tu étais inconsolable, tu ne sortais que pour le travail et tu restais devant ta télé à ne rien faire. Finalement, grâce aux nombreux discours encourageants de tes deux meilleures amies, tu as réalisé que c’était sa perte et non la tienne. C’est pourquoi ce soir tu veux célébrer le fait d’être célibataire et sans attache.

-Je vais enfin pouvoir faire ce que j’ai toujours voulu faire et je vais le faire sans prise de tête, annonces-tu avec joie. Je vais pouvoir m’éclater, sortir autant que je le veux, être tranquille. Tu as raison, Sarah, c’est la meilleure chose qui pouvait m’arriver. Et moi, je vous le dis, je vais m’éclater…, continues-tu alors que tes yeux se posent sur une femme aux cheveux noirs, avec elle, par exemple. Elle est magnifique.

-La phase célibataire aura duré longtemps, rigole Alison alors que tu continues à fixer la femme.

-Qui a dit que je voulais me mettre en couple ?

-Tu viens de flasher sur elle. 

-Et alors ? Rien ne dit que ça va être sérieux.

-Mais tu fais que dans le sérieux, contredit Sarah. 

-Plus maintenant, déclares-tu alors que tu recommandes un shot. 

-T’es sûre de ce que tu veux faire ? 

-Totalement ! Elle est dans la Navy, expliques-tu en pointant son uniforme, elle ne doit pas être là pour longtemps autrement dit, si ça se passe bien, tant mieux et si ça se passe mal, je n’aurai pas à m’inquiéter de la recroiser. C’est tout bénéf’. 

-Eh bien, vas-y ! t’encourage Alison.

-Et comment ! t’exclames-tu avant de boire ton nouveau shot.

Tu t’assures que tes vêtements soient en place avant d’aller au bar sous les encouragements de tes amies. Tu t’adresses d’abord à Penny et payes un verre. Tu attends patiemment que Penny donne le verre à la femme et explique que ça vient de ta part. Quand Penny part s’occuper des autres clients, la brune te regarde avec un sourire avant de boire une gorgée. Tu prends cela comme un bon signe donc tu te lèves et tu vas t'asseoir à ses côtés.

-Merci pour le verre. Bon choix, commente-t-elle en buvant un peu plus. 

-Ravie que ça te plaise. Je m’appelle Y/N et toi ?

-Natasha.

-C’est quoi ton callsign ?

Natasha te regarde surprise suite à ta question, ne s’attendant pas à ce que tu t’intéresses à ce détail.

-Phoenix, informe Natasha avec un sourire confiant. 

-Je parie que tu portes bien ton callsign.

-A toi de me le dire. Qu’est-ce qui t’amène ici ce soir ? questionne-t-elle, intriguée.

-Je profite de ma nouvelle liberté et toi ? 

-Rien de spécial, juste la détente après le travail. 

-Tu es ici pour un déploiement ?

-Oui, je reste que deux semaines. Je veux en profiter un maximum.

-Je veux également en profiter un maximum, déclares-tu avec un sourire dragueur. Tu devrais nous rejoindre, mes amies et moi. On va jouer aux fléchettes, tu es la bienvenue.

-Je viendrai.

Tu souris à Natasha puis retournes vers tes amis, la bouche grande ouverte simulant un cri de joie. Tes amies t’assoment de questions dès que tu les rejoins à la table et tu leur réponds sans perdre de temps.

-Je vous le dis, à la fin de cette soirée, j’ai au moins son numéro !

Et tu as même eu plus. 

Le lendemain, tu te réveilles dans une chambre inconnue, les bras de Natasha enroulés autour de ta taille. Comprenant que tu n’es pas rentrée après votre moment à deux, tu t’insultes mentalement. Tu ne sais pas si tu devrais attendre qu’elle se réveille ou partir tout de suite. Tu débats pendant quelques secondes avant de venir à la conclusion qu’il est préférable de fuir maintenant, surtout car tu as du travail qui t’attend. 

Doucement, tu t’extirpes des bras de Natasha et récupères tes habits au sol. Tu t’habilles en quatrième vitesse avant de marcher vers la sortie. Quand tu es sur le point d’ouvrir la porte, tu soupires de soulagement quand la voix de Natasha résonne derrière toi. Tu sursautes et te retournes vers elle, une main sur le cœur.

-Je ne pensais pas que tu étais le genre à partir comme une voleuse, rigole-t-elle. 

-Oh, eh bien, je me disais que tu ne voudrais pas que je reste plus longtemps. En fait, je…, tentes-tu d’expliquer avant de t’avouer vaincue, j’admets que je connais pas trop les conventions des plans d’un soir. C’est la première fois que je fais ça.

-Ravie d’avoir été la première. Et pour info, selon les personnes, ça peut différer, mais personnellement, ça ne me dérange pas si tu veux rester un peu plus longtemps. 

-Compris. Mais, je vais devoir y aller. J’ai du travail à faire, informes-tu, triste de devoir la quitter si vite.

-Pas de soucis. Tu vas sortir comme ça ?

Suite à sa question, tu baisses le regard sur ta tenue, ne comprenant pas sa critique. Certes, on devine que tu n’as pas une tenue habituelle pour un dimanche matin, mais elle ne paraît pas si moche. Tu ne vois pas le problème. Phoenix quitte le lit avant d’ouvrir son armoire.

-Il fait froid le matin. Tiens, tu peux prendre ma veste, dit-elle en te tendant le vêtement.

-Je suis pas sûre que je pourrais te la rendre avant que tu partes.

-Ce n’est pas grave. Au moins, ça me fera une excuse pour te renvoyer un message quand je serai dans le coin à nouveau.

-Merci pour la veste, alors. 

Natasha te sourit avec tendresse pendant que tu enfiles la veste. Tu n’oses pas bouger pendant quelques secondes, admirant une dernière fois le visage de Natasha avant de partir. Tu veux mémoriser son visage car, même si elle t’as dit qu’elle t’enverra un message quand elle reviendra, tu en doutes. Vous avez flirté, vous avez accroché, vous avez passé un moment intime agréable, mais vous n’êtes qu’une histoire d’un soir. Et puis, tu ne penses pas être prête pour commencer quoi que ce soit. 

Quand tu détaches enfin tes yeux de Natasha, tu fermes le vêtement avant d’ouvrir la porte. Natasha te demande de lui envoyer un message quand tu seras rentrée chez toi. Tu lui promets de le faire avant de la saluer.

Et, la seconde où tu arrives chez toi, tu te saisis de ton téléphone pour la prévenir : 

Message de toi à Natasha, 7h36 : 

Je suis bien arrivée. Merci encore pour la veste, je te promets de te la rendre quand tu reviendras…

Ou pas ;) 

Six mois se sont écoulés depuis ta rencontre avec Natasha. Après ton message quand tu étais arrivée chez toi, elle t’avais répondu par un simple “contente que tu sois bien arrivée. À bientôt :)” puis, plus rien. Tu ne pouvais pas t’attendre à autre chose. Après tout, vous n’aviez partagé qu’une nuit ensemble. Il n’empêche que tu avais ressenti un léger pincement au cœur en réalisant son manque de message. 

Par conséquent, tu as tout fait pour laisser cette histoire derrière toi. Même si tu la recroisais par hasard, rien ne se passerait, c’est une certitude. Tu dois continuer ta vie tranquillement où, ces derniers temps, tu as pris de nouvelles habitudes. L’une d’entre elles étant d’aller au Hard Deck une fois par semaine avec tes amies. Contrairement à quand tu étais plus jeune, tu apprécies maintenant mieux une soirée où tu t’amuses avec tes proches, une boisson alcoolisée en mains. Tu as fait quelques nouvelles rencontres, mais rien qui ne puisse arriver à la cheville de ce que tu avais ressenti en voyant Natasha. 

Ce week-end là n’étant pas différent des autres, tu te retrouves au Hard Deck. Tu rigoles avec tes amies quand une serveuse vient te servir un cocktail que tu n’as pas commandé. Quand elle te dit qu’on te l’a offert et que tu découvres Natasha au loin, tu n’en crois pas tes yeux. Tu ne pensais plus la revoir. Elle te fait un signe avec son propre verre avant de boire une gorgée. Tu lui rends le geste et bois ton verre. À côté de Natasha, Bradley la regarde faire avant de soupirer, désespéré par la situation.

-Tu devrais aller lui parler au lieu de tenir une stupide distance de sécurité.

-On ne s’est pas vu pendant six mois, je voulais m’assurer qu’elle était encore intéressée avant de faire quoique ce soit.

-Maintenant que tu sais que c’est le cas, va la voir, ordonne-t-il en tentant de pousser Phoenix dans ta direction.

-Elle est avec ses amies.

-Et ça ne l’a pas dérangée la dernière fois pour venir te parler. Je comprends pas Natasha, t’as jamais été comme ça auparavant. 

-Je sais ! s’exclame-t-elle, énervée contre elle-même. Et je déteste savoir que je réfléchis autant. J’ai l’impression d’être toi.

-C’était gratuit. Ce n’était même pas sérieux ce que vous aviez, tu n’as pas à te faire des nœuds au cerveau. Allez, va lui parler.

-Et lui dire quoi ? 

-J’en sais rien, moi ! J’ai pas eu une aventure avec elle. Si tu veux pas lui parler, invite la à danser alors, propose Bradley, agacé.

-Personne est en train de danser. 

-Dans moins d’une minute, ça ne sera plus le cas. Va la rejoindre, je m’occupe du reste. 

Natasha boit d’une traite son verre avant de marcher vers toi avec un faux air confiant. De son côté, Bradley se dirige vers le piano, attendant le moment parfait pour commencer à jouer. 

Tu parles avec Sarah qui est en face de toi quand Alison attire ton attention en te donnant un léger coup dans les côtes. Tu regardes ton amie, les sourcils froncés alors qu’elle te fait un signe de regarder de l’autre côté. Au même moment où tu tournes la tête, Natasha arrive en face de toi et Bradley commence à jouer les premières notes de Great Balls Of Fire. Les personnes du bar se mettent à danser instantanément alors que Natasha te tend sa main avec un sourire.

-On danse ?

Pour simple réponse, tu lui prends la main. Tu te lèves de ta chaise et suis Natasha qui t’amène vers le piano, tes amies sur tes talons. Vous accompagnez Bradley au chant alors que Natasha et toi dansez sans vous souciez du monde qui vous entoure. Vous rigolez, vous vous faites tournez chacun votre tour jusqu’à la dernière note de la chanson.

Quand Bradley termine de chanter, Natasha garde ta main dans la sienne. Vous vous regardez avec un grand sourire.

-Je ne savais pas que tu étais de retour. Tu ne m’as pas envoyé de message, déclares-tu, encore surprise.

-J’allais le faire, je viens juste d’arriver. 

-Tu restes là pendant combien de temps ?

-Trois semaines.

-Donc on a un peu plus de temps que la dernière fois. Il faut en profiter pour rattraper le temps perdu. J’espère que j’aurai le temps pour te rendre ta veste, même si je dois t’avouer que j’aimerais bien la garder, mais tu peux toujours venir chez moi pour essayer de la récupérer, proposes-tu avec un regard dragueur.

-Je le ferai. Au moins, cette fois, je serai sûre que tu ne partiras pas comme une voleuse, rigole Natasha et tu lèves les yeux au ciel, faussement énervée.

-Tu ne vas pas me lâcher avec ça, hein ?

-Non. 

Malgré toi, ton cœur fond en regardant le sourire malicieux de Natasha. Tu ne veux pas l’avouer, mais elle t’a manqué. Toi qui pensais l’avoir oubliée, tu réalises que tu étais loin de la réalité. Mais il faut croire que tu n’étais pas la seule. Tu es rassurée de constater que tu l’as marquée autant qu’elle t’a marqué, mais tu ne voulais pas t’attacher à quelqu’un de nouveau de sitôt. 

Cependant, tu laisses derrière toi ces sentiments conflictuels le restant de la soirée, profitant de ce moment avec Natasha et apprenant à mieux la connaître. 

Comme il y a six mois auparavant, après quelques commentaires dragueurs, Natasha se retrouve dans ton lit, tes bras autour de son corps. 

Message de Natasha à toi, 21h05 : 

Hey, je suis de retour en ville. Tu es libre ce soir ?

Tu regardes le message de Natasha pendant plusieurs minutes, ignorant quoi répondre. Tu es, effectivement, libre ce soir-là, mais tu ne sais pas si c’est une bonne idée. Depuis vos retrouvailles au Hard Deck il y a trois mois, vous vous êtes revues à de nombreuses reprises et tu dois avouer que tes sentiments pour elle sont de plus en plus forts. 

Au début, tu as pensé que ça serait un simple béguin passager, mais elle hante ton esprit et tu n’attends que le moment où tu la reverras. Certes, votre relation est plus physique qu’émotionnelle, mais tu prends tout ce qu’elle veut bien te donner. Malgré toi, elle a réussi à laisser son nom sur tes lèvres et tu te languis de l’avoir dans tes bras. Tu aimerais plus, cependant ce n’est pas son cas, tu en es à peu près certaine. Tu devrais garder tes distances avec Natasha, ça serait préférable. Ainsi, tu pourras éviter ton cœur de se briser à nouveau, surtout pour une relation inexistante. 

Tu dois lui mentir et dire que tu ne peux pas la voir. C’est ce qui est mieux pour toi. C’est ce que tu vas faire. Tu vas rester loin d’elle.

Tu n’es pas restée loin d’elle.

Sans vraiment savoir comment, tu t’es retrouvée dans la chambre d’hôtel de Natasha, vos vêtements se sont retrouvés au sol et vous vous êtes retrouvées dans le lit. Une partie de toi t’insulte de tous les noms pour ne pas avoir écouté ton côté rationnel, mais actuellement, c’est le cadet de tes soucis. 

Dans les bras de Natasha, vous discutez sur divers sujets et tu réalises que si vous aviez une réelle chance, vous pourriez avoir une belle histoire d’amour. Vous avez de nombreux points communs et votre vision sur le monde et le futur sont similaires. Tu aurais pu avoir un beau futur avec Natasha. Cependant, après chaque moment intime passé ensemble, Natasha te rappelle bien que vous n’irez jamais plus loin que des nuits partagées ensemble.

-Je suis contente de t’avoir rencontré, tu sais, commence Natasha en te serrant un peu plus contre elle. À cause de mon boulot, ça a toujours été compliqué de former des relations, mais avec toi c’est simple, sans prise de tête. On ne cherche pas du sérieux donc ce qu’on a nous suffit.

-Ouais, c’est vrai que c’est bien. Je profite à fond de ma vie de célibataire pour la première fois de ma vie, affirmes-tu en cachant ta déception. 

-Tu sais le jour où tu auras rencontré quelqu’un qui en vaut la peine, tu pourras me le dire. Je comprendrai si tu voulais qu’on coupe tout contact.

-De même pour toi .

-Tu n’as pas à t’inquiéter de mon côté.

-Tu ne veux pas de relation sérieuse ? Jamais ? questionnes-tu en la regardant dans les yeux.

-C’est pas que je n’en veux pas, c’est que c’est plus simple comme ça. Je ne pourrais jamais réellement donner à une autre personne la relation qu’elle mérite alors autant gagner du temps. Et puis, les relations à distance, ce n’est pas vraiment mon truc et je ne veux pas demander à la personne de tout plaquer pour moi, déclare-t-elle comme si c’était une évidence.

-Mais certaines personnes arrivent à trouver un équilibre entre le boulot et leur couple.

-Tu as raison. Je ne sais juste pas si je trouverai cette personne un jour.

En entendant sa phrase, ton cœur se serre. Natasha vient de te faire une bonne piqûre de rappel. Tu dois t’éloigner d’elle. Elle ne veut pas de relation sérieuse et même si elle en voulait une, clairement tu n’es pas la personne qu’elle aime. Elle t’a dit les yeux dans les yeux qu’elle n’avait pas trouvé une personne qui valait la peine d’avoir une relation. 

Tu retiens les larmes du mieux que tu peux en la regardant. Quand tu réalises que tu ne vas pas y arriver, tu éclaircis ta gorge avant de te relever et récupérer tes affaires au sol.

-Je… Je dois y aller. Je travaille tôt demain, annonces-tu en enfilant ton haut. 

-On peut aller se coucher maintenant si tu veux.

-Non, je dois rentrer chez moi. Je n’ai pas mes affaires.

-On pourra se revoir dans les jours à venir ?

-Je ne pense pas, je suis plutôt occupée en ce moment, mens-tu en remontant la braguette de ton pantalon. Je… Salut, bégayes-tu.

Tu ne laisses pas le temps à Natasha de te dire au revoir et tu fuis sa chambre d’hôtel. Tu cherches tes clés de voiture dans ton sac à main alors que tes larmes s’agglutinent dans tes yeux. Tes larmes finissent par couler quand tu quittes le parking. 

Tu le savais. Tu savais que tu allais finir avec un cœur brisé si tu continuais et ça ne t’a pas arrêté. Pourquoi faut-il que tu aies un cœur si fragile ? Pourquoi faut-il que tu t’attaches aux personnes aussi facilement ? Pourquoi ne peux-tu garder une distance émotionnelle ? Natasha y arrive très bien, alors pourquoi pas toi ? 

En arrivant chez toi, tes pleurs se sont calmés, même si tes joues sont encore mouillées. Tu te prépares pour aller te coucher et avant de t’installer dans ton lit, tu prends ton téléphone. Tu es sur le point d’ouvrir tes contacts quand tu reçois un message de Natasha.

Message de Natasha à toi, 00h30 : 

J’espère que la prochaine fois on aura un peu plus de temps :) 

Tu n’as pas la force de répondre. À contrecœur, tu supprimes la conversation puis tu supprimes son numéro - non sans hésiter pendant quelques secondes. Tu reposes ton téléphone et tentes de trouver le sommeil malgré ton cœur en mille morceaux. 

Quatre mois sont passés depuis ta dernière fois avec Natasha et tu t’en es plus ou moins remise. 

Enfin, si on prend en compte ton état actuel, on dirait que tu en souffres encore. Dire que tu es saoule serait un euphémisme. Tu ignores combien de verres tu as bu au total mais tu sais que si tu essayes de marcher, tu vas tomber. Et tout ça, à cause d’un maudit message. Techniquement, tu aurais pu passer outre ce message. N’ayant plus le numéro de Natasha, il était indiqué comme venant d’un numéro inconnu et elle ne disait rien de spécial. Son message était un simple et innocent "hey 😘", mais ça a suffi pour comprendre qui était l’expéditrice et te faire souffrir au passage. Tu pensais que tu avançais enfin et ta réaction te prouve que ce n'était qu'une impression. 

Tu es seule à ta table même si tu es venue avec ton amie Sarah. Elle est actuellement en train de danser avec un homme qu'elle vient de rencontrer. Au départ, elle ne voulait pas te laisser seule, sachant que tu noies ton chagrin. Toutefois, tu lui as assuré qu'elle pouvait s'amuser sans culpabiliser alors que tu commandais un sixième verre. 

Tes yeux fixent tes mains tenant le verre alors que tu te perds dans tes pensées. Tu n'aurais pas dû commencer cette relation avec Natasha. C'est la phrase qui tourne en boucle dans ta tête depuis que tu as quitté sa chambre d'hôtel. 

Le lendemain de votre dernière fois, tu étais allée voir tes amies et avait déversé toute ta tristesse dans leurs bras. Toutes les deux, elles t'ont affirmé que tu devais passer à autre chose, comme tu le craignais. Une partie de toi espérait qu'elles t'encourageraient à te battre pour ta potentielle relation avec Natasha. Malheureusement, tes amies sont réalistes. 

Tu continues de boire ton verre lentement quand tu sens la présence de quelqu'un à tes côtés. En tournant la tête, tu vois Natasha et tu te dis que tu ne devrais pas finir ta boisson. Ton état d'ébriété est si fort que tu commences à avoir des hallucinations. Tu ne pensais pas ça possible. 

-Hey, comment ça va ?

Ce n'est peut-être pas une hallucination finalement. La voix de Natasha te semble bien réelle.

-Oh, salut ! t'exclames-tu en tentant d'être naturelle. 

-J'imagine que c'est pas ton premier verre. 

-Eh bien, c'est possible. Probable. 

-Tu crois pas que tu devrais rentrer ? Tu es venue seule ? questionne-t-elle en cherchant une de tes amies du regard.

-Avec Sarah. 

-Tu veux que je te ramène chez toi ? 

-Non, je vais attendre Sarah, te dépêches-tu de répondre, te rappelant que tu dois garder tes distances. 

-Elle m'a l'air occupée, constate Natasha en voyant ton amie. Attends ici. 

Sans que tu puisses l'arrêter, Natasha s'éloigne de toi et va retrouver Sarah. Tu la vois lui parler et ton amie te regarde avant de hocher la tête, réticente. Rapidement, Natasha revient vers toi et enlève ton verre de tes mains. Tu t'apprêtes à protester quand elle t'aide à te relever. 

-Allez, on rentre. 

-Mais je dois rentrer avec Sarah, t’opposes-tu. 

-Je l'ai prévenue que je te ramène, t’informe-t-elle, te surprenant. 

-Elle a accepté ? 

Tu n'aurais pas pensé que Sarah aurait accepté, sachant qu'elle ne cesse de te répéter que tu dois absolument oublier Natasha. Ton état doit être encore plus pathétique que tu ne le croyais.

-Vu à quel point tu es bourrée, on s'est dit que c'était préférable de te ramener chez toi maintenant. Allez, viens. 

N'ayant pas la force de te battre, tu cèdes et suis Natasha dans sa voiture. Une fois attachées, Natasha démarre. Ta tête collée contre la vitre de la voiture, tu contemples la nuit, tes pensées tout embrouillées. 

Après quelques minutes, tu détaches tes yeux du ciel et regardes Natasha. Tu admires chaque centimètre de sa peau alors qu'elle est concentrée sur la route. 

-Tu es vraiment magnifique, déclares-tu sans préambule. 

-Oh, euh, merci, répond Natasha, gênée. 

-Comment tu peux être si magnifique ? Et ce n'est pas tout ! Tu es aussi intelligente, drôle et encore pleins d'autres qualités. 

-Pourquoi est-ce que j'ai l'impression que c'est des accusations ? demande-t-elle en entendant ton ton rempli de reproches.

-Parce que si tu étais moins parfaite ça serait plus simple. 

-Je suis loin d'être parfaite. Et qu'est-ce que tu veux dire par "ça serait plus simple"? 

-Arrête la voiture, rétorques-tu en sentant une envie de vomir monter. 

-Quoi ?

-Arrête la voiture ! Gare toi !

La voiture est à peine à l'arrêt que tu es déjà sortie. Tu peux tout juste faire deux pas avant de vider le contenu de ton estomac. Natasha vient rapidement derrière toi et tient tes cheveux. Quand tu as fini de vomir, tu respires pendant quelques secondes avant de te redresser, une expression honteuse sur ton visage.

-Désolée, c’était pas sexy.

-Ce n’est pas grave. Tu te sens mieux ? s’inquiète-t-elle en examinant ton visage.

-Ça m’a fait du bien de vomir. 

-Tiens, te dit Natasha en te donnant un mouchoir. Je crois que j’ai une bouteille d’eau dans ma voiture et des pastilles à la menthe, tu en veux ?

-Je veux bien, s’il te plait. 

Pendant que tu t'essuies la bouche, Natasha va chercher de l’eau et une pastille. Quand elle te tend la bouteille, tu te rinces rapidement la bouche avant de mettre la pastille dans ta bouche. Vous restez debout encore quelques minutes, voulant s’assurer que ton ventre ne va pas continuer à se vider.

-Tu te sens prête à repartir ? questionne-t-elle en caressant ta joue.

-Je crois, oui, mais conduis doucement, c’est plus sûr. 

-Dis-moi si tu as besoin qu’on s’arrête à nouveau. 

Délicatement, Natasha te prend la main et t’accompagne vers la voiture. Cette fois, tu restes silencieuse tout le long du trajet. Tu es concentrée sur le paysage et Natasha n’ose pas perturber tes pensées. Au fur et à mesure de la route, tes paupières deviennent lourdes et tu finis par t’endormir.

Quand Natasha arrive chez toi, elle te réveille doucement. Tu grognes légèrement avant d’ouvrir les yeux. Natasha te soutient jusqu’à ta porte alors que tu dors debout. Elle t’amène dans la salle de bain où elle t’aide à te préparer pour aller te coucher - et où tu peux enfin aller te laver les dents. Quand tu es prête, vous allez dans ta chambre et tu t’allonges sans attendre une seconde. Tu t’installes confortablement pendant que Natasha positionne la couverture comme il faut sur toi. Elle s’apprête à partir quand tu serres sa main.

-Reste, murmures-tu avec des yeux endormis. Je ne veux pas être seule.

-Je reste là, je vais juste dormir sur le canapé.

-S’il te plaît, reste avec moi, insistes-tu en tentant de la tirer vers toi. 

-Tu en es sûre ?

Pour simple réponse, tu hoches la tête. Natasha enlève ses chaussures et son pantalon, restant seulement avec ses sous-vêtements et son tee-shirt avant de te rejoindre dans le lit. Allongée sur le côté, tu cherches la main de Natasha. Elle comprend ce que tu veux et place sa main autour de ta taille, plaquant ton dos contre son torse. À son touché, tu lâches un soupir d’apaisement. 

-Au fait, il faut vraiment que je te rende ta veste, dis-tu avec une voix endormie. Je ne peux plus la garder tout comme je ne devrais pas t’avoir aussi proche de moi, continues-tu, faisant froncer les sourcils de Natasha. Je tiens à toi, tu sais. Plus que je ne le devrais. Je t’aime bien, Nat’.

Et sur ces mots, tu t’endors. Derrière toi, Natasha se demande si elle a bien entendu ce que tu murmurais et surtout si tu le pensais. Après tout, ce n’est peut-être que les effets de l’alcool ? Cependant, elle ne peut empêcher un sourire de prendre place sur ses lèvres avant de resserrer son étreinte autour de ton corps.

Le lendemain matin, tu te réveilles avec une des plus grosses gueules de bois de ta vie. Tu as définitivement passé l’âge pour boire autant sans en affronter les effets. Tu ouvres doucement les yeux, craignant que la lumière du jour ne te les brûle. Heureusement, il y a assez de lumière pour te permettre de voir sans te faire mal. En jetant un coup d'œil à ta table de nuit, tu trouves un verre d’eau et un médicament que tu prends sans te faire prier après t’être assise.

Quand tu reposes le verre, la porte de ta salle de bain s’ouvre sur Natasha, te faisant froncer les sourcils instantanément. Tu ne te rappelles pas d'être rentrée avec elle. En voyant la panique dans tes yeux, Natasha se rapproche de toi avec un sourire rassurant.

-Il ne s’est rien passé. Je t’ai aidé à rentrer chez toi cette nuit.

-Oh, d’accord. Et Sarah, elle sait que…

-Elle sait, oui. Je l’avais prévenue avant qu’on parte. Comment tu te sens aujourd’hui ? demande Natasha en s’installant en face de toi sur le lit.

-Comme si j’avais trop bu hier soir, rigoles-tu et elle fait de même.

-Je peux imaginer. Tu te rappelles de quelque chose, par rapport à hier soir ? questionne-t-elle, une pointe de peur dans sa voix

-Euh, quelques passages, mais… 

Tu t’arrêtes dans ta phrase alors que tu essayes de te rappeler de la soirée d’hier. Certains passages sont plus flous que d’autres, mais un est très net. Ta confession avant que tu ne t’endormes. Tes joues chauffent et tes mains deviennent moites. Tu espères de tout coeur que Natasha n’ait rien entendu. Toutefois, son regard appuyé te fait comprendre que tes espoirs sont vains.

-Dis-moi que je n’ai pas dit ça. Est-ce qu’on peut faire comme si je n’avais rien dit ?

-Pourquoi ? demande-t-elle sans comprendre.

-Parce que c’est gênant et parce que ça ne pourrait pas fonctionner entre nous.

-Qui te dit que ça ne pourrait pas ?

-Toi, déclares-tu comme une évidence. Tu as dit que tu ne voulais pas d’une relation sérieuse ou d’une relation à distance.

-C’est pour ça que tu ne réponds pas à mes messages ?

-A quoi ça aurait servi ? A part à me faire mal au coeur, dis-tu en évitant son regard. Je sais que j’ai dit que je ne voulais rien de sérieux quand on a commencé à se voir et c’était vrai au début, mais j’aime passer du temps avec toi, être à tes côtés, t’écouter parler même si je sais que je ne devrais pas. J’aurais dû mettre un terme à notre relation quand mes sentiments ont changé. Je comprendrais si tu ne voulais plus me parler, chuchotes-tu, les larmes te montant aux yeux. 

-Y/N…, commence-t-elle en te prenant la main. Je suis désolée de t’avoir donné l’impression que je ne voulais pas de toi. J’ai paniqué quand j’ai réalisé mes sentiments. Je pensais que tu ne voulais rien de sérieux alors j’ai essayé de garder mes distances tout en restant proche de toi et je t’ai blessé. Je suis désolée. Mais je veux une relation sérieuse avec toi. Et peu importe, s’il y a la distance, je veux essayer avec toi, car tu en vaut la peine. Je tiens à toi, confesse Natasha, te faisant relever les yeux vers elle. 

-Ne dis pas ça pour me faire sentir bien, j’étais ivre quand je l’ai dit et…

Les lèvres de Natasha sont sur les tiennes avant que tu puisses ajouter un autre mot. Surprise, il te faut un temps avant de répondre à son baiser. Les mains de Natasha trouvent leur chemin jusqu’à tes hanches alors que les tiennent se perdent dans ses cheveux. Vous vous embrassez quelques secondes avant de vous séparer. Tu gardes les yeux fermés un peu plus longtemps, appréciant ce sentiment. Ce n’est peut-être pas la première fois que tu embrasses Natasha, mais ce baiser est différent de ceux que vous avez pu partager.

-Tu me crois maintenant quand je te dis que je tiens à toi aussi ou il te faut plus de preuves ?

-Je crois qu’il m’en faut encore d’autres, oui, souris-tu avec un regard amoureux.

-Dans ce cas-là, alors…, reprend Natasha avant de poser ses lèvres sur les tiennes à nouveau.

Top Gun Maverick Masterlist

[grumpyfaceurn]

vague attempt at sewing accountability - pinned purely for my own convenience

currently work in progress (as of like, the past month) aka things I really should be working on

toile de jouy birds blouse (hem, attach sleeves)

one of two different flower prints that need to become cute sundresses

(Arthur) Morgan selvedge jeans which I interrupted cause it got too hot and I had to make shorts (the jeans pattern is literally called Morgan and I'll be adding a deer antler detail as an Rdr2 reference so yeah those are my Arthur Morgan jeans)

tailored burgundy/black herringbone tweed blazer (sewing class project to be finished some time in uh, the next two years, now semi-on hold as I wait for next round of sewing classes)

things I’m about to start any moment now

linen pantsuit with pleated-front trousers

reddish trousers with lace details

turquoise blouse from that jacquard fabric with those pleated sleeves

Minor fixes and improvements

Redo cuffs on the turtle sweater cause those are a mess

Add back pockets to shorts

Pockets, maybe new neck band, maybe cuffs for cute flower sweatshirt

Red top: shorten straps, tops titch neckline

Add sleeves to x-wing dress

the ancient pile of WIP shame

dusty pink trench coat

blue dancing dress with internal corsety structure

1890s waistcoat

various underthings (I think there’s a corset somewhere in the mix there?)

black linen pirate shirt of that one bernadette banner video

art nouveau print kimono jacket

fabric bits and bobs

light blue bouclé fabric that I bought way too much of so it needs to be come like at least a dress AND a chanel jacket (or maybe a jumpsuit?)

at least two different flower prints that need to become cute sundresses (one now upgraded to WIP)

pink skirt with sort of indian-inspired embroidery to be turned into a dress with that dark green fabric and the other gold embroidered ribbon

red/grey wool to be made into that long sleeve dress from the Burda mag OR a matching fan skirt and waistcoat?

navy linen that might be enough for a pair of pants?

various some time in the future things

take pattern off of that one zara jacket, remake it in proper grey tweed

fan skirt?

some sort of regency-ish cutaway jacket type thing

like half the things on https://blacksnailpatterns.com/ especially those bicycle trousers and the 1890s coat with the only slightly puffed sleeves

also I guess I need a blouse to go with the 1890s vest?

turnable bomber jacket (use that polyester brocade I have? With different fabric for sleeves?)

kids clothes for L (still need to discuss details)

do that same cute sweatshirt from sewing class again in black&white with 3/4 sleeves and a sort of stand up collar

That 1930s dramatic top with cape

black or grey pencil skirt

maybe cut off the top of that dotted dress that doesn't quite fit and turn it into a skirt?

leather belt bag/fanny pack/satchel kinda thing?

cat print t-shirt put on hold for now

sailor's smock in dry oilskin (to be done for tall ship races 2024?)

done

jean shorts, may add pockets some time in future

super cute flowery sweatshirt w/pattern from sewing class

rose print dress

x-wing flower print swing dress with 50s shawl collar (high urgency, needs to be done for gamescom)

[sirenjose]

Analysis of the First Officer, Jose Baden

This is a repost of my Jose Analysis.

Profile

Name: Jose Baden

Birthday: September 24

Age: 25

Social Status: Nouveau Riche

Characteristics: Straightforward, Man of Action; Quick-tempered; Sarcastic; Decisive

Interests: Sailing

Talents: Marine Navigation, Gambling

Likes: Treasures, Mechanics, Mysticism

Dislikes: Music

Deduction Summaries

Deduction 1: Tempest

Jose Baden’s family fleet encountered a tempest during a voyage and was forced to enter uncharted waters.

Deduction 2: Sacrifice

The fleet managed to find a safe haven at the price of losing its entire crew. The secrets of the sea troubled Jose deeply.

Deduction 3: At Moonrise

Jose’s reputation plummeted after repeatedly missing the tide due to alcoholism

Character Day Letter Summaries

Character Day: A Sailing Log

The diary states that Jose did not embark on the voyage, and a terrible accident occurred at sea.

Character Day: The Last Page of the Diary

Jose received his codeword from the manor’s invitation, and the way it was written aroused suspicion.

Character Day: A Page from Jose Baden’s Experiment File

?

Backstory

Characteristics:

Outspoken, straightforward, go-getter

Quick-tempered

Loves to tease people with sarcasm

Decisive

Once upon a time, there wasn’t a single man that didn’t know Jose Baden, the First Officer. His father, the captain, and him were protectors and escorts for the British crown’s maritime empire. They were wealthy, heroic, gallant, and very punctual. Whether shielding English ships, or transporting royal treasures, the Baden family were never late. Rumor has it that this was because Baden had obtained a pocket watch blessed by the God of the Sea. The tide and great waves alike would heed his call, never delaying his ships. Thus, they enjoyed the Queen’s favor in no small measure, receiving titles despite being foreigners.

But one day, Baden, who had been delayed by matters in Liverpool, did not set out to sea with his father. At sunset he awaited his father at the port, but the ship that so loyally served the crown did not return on time. In fact, the ship, as well as all its crew, never reappeared upon the sea. The Queen was enraged. Believing that the Badens had stolen her treasure, she stripped Jose Baden of his family’s riches and title. Jose Baden had fallen.

Not long after, Jose received some information. On the list of goods upon that missing ship was a certain antique Chinese umbrella, and now it had appeared in a place called Oletus Manor.

Once a knight of the sea, he decided to set foot on this cursed land himself; to find his father, or at the very least…… to take back what is rightfully his.

Analysis

Deduction 1

At Sunset

3, 2. 1… Sweet dreams.

A Voyage Logbook: We have new identities, new flags, new routes, and everything is going well, or better than expected.

This deduction may be in relation to Jose’s origins. Jose is from Spain. This is based on his 1st name, which is a Spanish name, on Jose’s backstory referencing Jose and his father as “foreigners”, and how Jose’s favorite food in game is Paella. In game, Paella has the description: “Paella, one of Spanish sailors' favorite meals”. There’s also how, in game, Jose is the only one who will eat it. Paella is specifically associated with Valencia, so it’s possible Jose may be from Valencia as well. Paella’s description also specifically talks about “Spanish sailors”, which may imply that Jose and his father initially served in the Spanish navy before they served in the British navy.

Jose’s deduction 1 is about the Baden family leaving Spain to go to Britain and joining the British navy instead. 1 possible reason for this may involve the history of Spain at that time (Identity V takes place around the end of the 19th century, as Emma’s game happens in 1898 based on her and Freddy’s deductions giving the year she was born combined with Emma’s age in game). Spain in the last quarter of the 19th century was going through a number of coups, uprisings, revolutions, and so on (such as the Glorious Revolution in 1868, a coup in 1874 as part of the Bourbon Restoration, Third Carlist War that went from 1872 – 1876, the Cuban War of Independence in 1895-1898, the Philippine Revolution of 1896-1898, and the Spanish American War in 1898). It’s also possible the Badens simply hoped for a better future in Britain (considering Jose’s father’s desires/greed, it’s possible he was just going where he thought he could earn the most wealth or reputation, or just where he felt he could find the best opportunities).

Deduction 2

Markers

Don’t lose your way.

A chart: The routes applicable to various ships between multiple royal ports are marked in detail, among which one area is marked as dangerous and not recommended for sailing.

Jose and his father weren’t anything special or famous at first, but Jose’s father was looking for such an opportunity to make a name for himself. They likely weren’t rich yet (from Jose’s backstory, it sounds like their fame only while they were with Britain, meaning not while they were in Spain). They had to work their way up and gain the trust of Britain and the Queen, due to their status as foreigners. As part of their new duties in the British navy, they traveled to a number of different “royal ports”. But besides these ports, one of the areas on their chart was marked “dangerous” and “not recommended for sailing”. This would be where everything changed for both Badens.

Deduction 3

The Windstorm

Trouble always occurs by accident.

A diary: We were caught in a storm, but it was a voyage that could not be delayed, and my father decided to change course. We knew it was dangerous, but we are the bravest sea knights, aren't we?

During one of their voyages, they encountered a storm. Despite the risks, Jose’s father refused to turn back and wanted to continue on with the voyage via a different course. This was likely because Jose’s father was determined to make a name for himself and improve his social status. He didn’t care about the risks, so as a Captain, they were all forced onward. Jose, who sees himself as a “brave sea knight”, wasn’t as confident as his father, but hoped they could survive the dangers anyways.

The alternate route Jose’s father decided to take to avoid the storm was likely the very route from Jose’s deduction 2 that was labeled as “dangerous” and “not recommended for sailing”. That would fit with Jose commenting on the new route being “dangerous” and hoping they could brave whatever they would have to face on it. It would also fit with this “windstorm” being the same “tempest” from Jose’s 1st deduction summary, with means the “uncharted waters” they were “forced to enter” was the “dangerous” area from Jose’s deduction 2.

Deduction 4 and Deduction 7

Entangled

The devil’s tentacles are just out of sight.

A news update: Despite the loss of most of the crew, the Badens fought their way out of their watery grave after two months of struggles. After defeating the marauding pirates and protecting his majesty's wealth, they finally set sail for home.

Jose’s deduction 4 aligns with Jose’s 2nd deduction summary.

The Badens’ ship managed to find “safe haven” after going through the “uncharted waters” of the “dangerous” area marked on their chart. Unfortunately, this cost the lives of most of the crew. According to Jose’s deduction 2, it took them “two months” before they were able to “set sail for home”.

It’s important to note that the information in this deduction is what was reported to the “news”, meaning it may not be 100% true. The news is only reporting based on what they were told by the survivors. I bring this up as we know someone (likely Jose’s father) did lie about what actually happened based on Jose’s deduction 7.

Sacrifice

The costly price of “bravery”.

A diary: There were no pirates or storms; just our conscience and our companions. The nightmarish waters had swept them away, but it also awakened the demons flowing through the Badens' blood.

Back with Jose’s deduction 4, the report given was: “Despite the loss of most of the crew, the Badens fought their way out of their watery grave after two months of struggles. After defeating the marauding pirates and protecting his majesty's wealth, they finally set sail for home.” But Jose tells us that there were no “pirates”. He even says there were no “storms”, which may imply Jose’s father changed course to the “dangerous” route/“uncharted waters” for reasons other than to avoid a storm.

So what did happen? All Jose tells us is that they only had “our conscience and our companions. The nightmarish waters had swept them away, but it also awakened the demons flowing through the Badens’ blood”. The part about “nightmarish waters had swept them away” seems to align with Jose’s 2nd deduction summary, which says “The secrets of the sea troubled Jose deeply.” Based on the last part of deduction 7 saying “it also awakened the demons flowing through the Badens’ blood” combined with the title of this deduction 7 (and the title of the 2nd deduction summary) is “Sacrifice”, with the following line being “the costly price of ‘bravery’”, it seems like the crews’ death were basically caused by Jose’s father. Potentially another way to phrase this is Jose’s father made a decision in pursuit of fame and fortune reckless (or potentially worse his father did this on purpose to make himself look good to the Queen). This is backed up by the fact Jose’s father lies to the Queen and the public about what actually happened during those 2 months, blaming the deaths on “marauding pirates” while supposedly seeking to “protect” the Queens’ “wealth”.

Jose’s father “sacrificed” the crew for his own benefit, then lied about what happened and made himself look good by talking about their “bravery” while trying to protect the Queen’s treasure.

Unlike his father though, Jose was deeply troubled by the crew’s deaths and the truth of his father’s actions/motivations.

Unfortunately, we know Jose’s father is the type to not care about anyone’s lives or wellbeing except his own considering Jose’s deduction 8 (which I’ll bring up later) showing he treated his own son as a tool. All he cared about was ensuring Jose continued to do his job and “get us out of every sandbank and reef”, despite the fact Jose was suffering worsening panic attacks, insomnia, and a lot of trauma from the events of deduction 3 and 4, to the point Jose “can only fall asleep after imbibing copious amounts of alcohol”. The only thing Jose’s father cared about was being told Jose might “no longer be fit to sail”.

If this is how he treats his own son, it’d be no surprise he’d be willing to “sacrifice” the lives of his own crew if it helped him gain fame and fortune.

Jose’s father lying about what happened might relate somewhat to Jose’s White Sail (“What color will the white sail be when it returns from the voyage?”) and Black Mast skins (“The straight and sturdy mast delivers victorious news”), which I believe are references to Theseus (a son of Poseidon, which is another connection to Poseidon for Jose). Theseus was the one to kill the minotaur. When he was sailing back home to his father, he was supposed to raise a white sail to inform him Theseus was alive and successful. Instead, Theseus forgot and raised a black sail, which was to mean Theseus had died. As a result of the misunderstanding, Theseus’ father, thinking his son was dead, killed himself out of grief. This can parallel how Jose’s father also essentially gave the wrong signal, lying to everyone about what happened to them (in deduction) and how his decision killed the crew. It could also parallel how Jose’s decision to not join his father’s voyage (sort of like the innocent mistake Theseus makes) is what caused him to disappear (likely die), based on Jose’s ONCE skin.

But let’s step back to deduction 4 and 7.

I have 2 theories I want to discuss.

Theory 1

The 1st is about the “safe haven” and where I think the “wealth” the Badens’ supposedly protected actually came from.

This idea is largely based on the essence trailers for Season 18 Essence 3 and Season 19 Essence 1.

The notable man should be Jose’s father (the scar is reminiscent of Jose’s, though it is clearly an older man, and doesn’t look like Jose). The storm him and the others survived in the trailer should be the same “tempest” Jose and his father dealt with. Jose’s father’s “safe haven” should be Lakeside Village, while the place he is shown attacking should be Oletus Manor. Based on young Orpheus and the Little Girl being present, along with the essence backstories and how they call this their home, this should be the same attack that leads to the death of the DeRoss couple, and the same “mob” or “bandits” Burke and Bonbon reference in their deductions.

This (+ whatever encounter they had after Jose’s father changed course) is what leads to Jose’s trauma and panic attacks/night terrors. Jose’s father and surviving crew would’ve stolen from the manor to potentially make up for their losses after they shipwreck and lose almost everything/everyone, likely so they had something to offer the Queen (and make themselves look good). This connects with deduction 4 and how it says “after defeating the marauding pirates and protecting his majesty’s wealth, they finally set sail for home”. It’s likely that the Lakeside villagers or the DeRoss couple (who we already know had many builders and craftsmen based on Burke’s deductions) could’ve helped build them a new ship. This could also explain why it’d take them “two months” before they could sail home. The fact that the back of the Lakeside map has an area where they are building a boat helps prove this idea is at least possible (that they or the builders at Oletus Manor were capable of helping build them a new ship).

The wrecked ship they left behind might be the same one in Hastur’s 2nd letter, as it mentions a man living “in the Shipwreck”. This letter is before the villagers disappear. Speaking of Lakeside, it’s already mentioned to have had a hurricane happen there according to its backstory, which would connect to or prove a “tempest” could’ve happened there that’d affect Jose’s ship.

Maybe when Jose’s father lied about dealing with “marauding pirates”, he was actually referring to the people at Oletus Manor (aka, making those at Oletus Manor out to be the bad guys). He lied by saying him and his crew were the ones defending against pirates and protected the Queen’s wealth, when it was actually the other way around (they were the pirates, and they stole the treasure from Oletus Manor). The design notes for Jose’s ONCE skin (Departure Date) actually calls them “pirates”. It likely even confirms Jose was horrified by his father’s actions as it says he wanted “the horrible/painful memories of being a pirate” to have only been a “joke”. Jose was wishing none of it had been real (which to me feels like Jose wouldn’t have participated in the attack based on this, as he just wanted to be a “sea knight”).

There’s also Jose’s Night patrol skin: “As he's getting bored on his night patrol, he notices the little girl ahead”. This may be referring to the actual “Little Girl” aka Miss DeRoss (Alice), the same one we see with Young Orpheus when he’s helping the shipwreck survivors in the S19 E1 trailer. Night Patrol may help confirm Jose met her, meaning he’d have to have been at the manor before/during the tragedy.

Burke did say the Little Girl was “curious about the Forest of No return” and that she and Orpheus “started to venture into the dangerous forest”. It’s possible on 1 of these ventures, they went to Lakeside and discovered the wreck of Jose’s and his father’s ship, like we see in the S19 E1 trailer. This could connect to Jose’s Bobolink skin, as its description talks about a “seemingly boundless forest” and encountering “natives”. In the essence trailers, Orpheus, the Little Girl, and the inhabitants at Oletus Manor are depicted like the “natives” of an island “paradise”, while the forest can be a direct parallel to the Forest of No Return. Going further into Bobolink’s description it says the “captain” talked of this being their “last treasure hunt before… retirement”. Considering Jose’s father’s actions at Oletus Manor, as well as what they get upon returning home (rewarded very well by the Queen and made her personal escort), this could be why Jose’s father would say they could “retire” after this.

In any case, if Jose and his father were at the manor in the past, maybe Jose’s father was the “friend who passed away”, with the reason the owner might (sarcastically) refer to Jose’s father as a “friend”, and Jose’s father did “pass away” based on his disappearance later, as well as why the owner “treasured the opportunity to use [Jose] in the experiment”, could be because of this event/past experience and if they came to the manor in the past.

Theory 2

The 2nd theory I wanted to discuss was in regards to the “nightmarish waters” that “swept” away the crew, as well as the line from his 2nd deduction summary which said “The secrets of the sea troubled Jose deeply”. Basically, I’m wonder if it could relate to Grace.

In part it’s because of Lost Sailor and Reef Songstress. Lost Sailor’s description is: “I hear the song from the depths of the sea calling out to me”. For Reef Songstress, her description is “On those stormy nights when the waves crash against the shore...Will anyone hear my forlorn song atop the reef?”.

“Depths of the sea” and “secrets of the sea” is referenced by Jose’s Ocean Blue skin: “People who have never been to the ocean will never know how blue it is, or how many secrets are hidden beneath”. He also references it in the deduction star quote I mentioned earlier, more obviously in the translated version: “My destiny is already intertwined with the sea. The deep sea may be where our family should return”. The “depths” is also where Grace is said to have sank after the villagers attempted to sacrifice her (it’s also where nereids, which are similar to sirens/mermaids are said to be, specifically the “depths” of the Aegean Sea).

Then there’s Reef Songstress’ reference to “stormy nights” and “waves crashing”. This can connect to the “tempest” Jose and his father encountered in deduction 3 and 4. The “shore” can refer to the “safe haven” from the “tempest” that came at the cost of the crew (or specifically back to the Season 19 Essence 1 trailer when we see the shipwreck survivors). The fact Reef Songstress asks if anyone can hear her “forlorn song atop the reef” could parallel the idea the “uncharted waters” had a reef which could’ve caused a shipwreck and lead to what we see in the S19 E1 trailer. It could also mean the reason they shipwrecked was because they’d been lured by her “siren” song. If the area was “uncharted”, it could’ve had reefs there, which could be why it was listed as “dangerous” or “not recommended for sailing”. Luring sailors to their demise, causing ships to crash on rocks or a reef, is what sirens are known for. Reef Songstress may be a way of hinting that Grace could’ve done this. Also, Lost Sailor says he hears “the song from the depths of the sea”. I’ve mentioned Grace was said to have sunk to the depths, and with Reef Songstress singing, that could mean the “song” Jose heard was Grace’s. Therefore, maybe what happened was Jose’s ships (and/or those of the fleet) shipwrecked (crashed on the reef or any other rocks or something) due to “siren” song. It’s even backed up with how in the essence Lost Sailor is from (Captain Hook’s) had a Siren (Yidhra) in it, which is proof the “song” Jose is mean to have heard was from a siren, which is exactly what Grace’s S-Tier Halberd of Silence is in her essence backstory.

I want to continue by going to Halberd of Silence, who’s description mentions she has “no interest in the temptations of the sea”. A “siren’s song” (the name of a drug on the manor owner’s list interestingly) is meant to “tempt” sailors. Her design notes even emphasized that she was a “predator” and was disgusted by people’s “hypocritical beliefs”.

Then there’s how Jose mentioned “nightmarish waters” swept the crew away, and Grace does use water in game (to damage survivors).

There’s also the essence backstory in general. Fiona as Pilgrim was luring people to Halberd of Silence, based off a “legend of the sea demon” she’d heard, which said she needed to “offer her the purest evil, and she shall bestow power upon you rivaling her own”.

Jose’s father and crew can also parallel the people Pilgrim lured to Halberd of Silence in that essence, especially Treasure Digger. Treasure Digger describes himself as “brave” despite “any challenge the high seas throw at them”, which parallels Jose’s deduction 7 title the “costly price of ‘bravery’”. Bravery in that title (sarcastically) describes his father’s actions during deduction 3 and 4 during the tempest (“bravely” tried to continue the voyage, but his decision leads to the crew’s deaths). The “tempest” + whatever happened when they changed course while seeking “safe haven” would connect to that “challenge” on the “high seas”. Then there’s how it adds Treasure Digger will “defeat those who encroach on their territory swiftly”. This parallels deduction 4 and how it was said (the lie spread by Jose’s father) they “fought their way out of their watery grave” and “defeated marauding pirates” to “protect [the Queen’s] wealth” before sailing home. Then there’s the treasure hunter bit, which I believe relates to the idea they stole “treasure” from Oletus Manor.

The part about “legend of the sea demon” can relate to the area in Jose’s deduction 2 being described as “dangerous”, though the part about a “demon” can also relate to Jose’s deduction 7 and how he said the incident with the “nightmarish waters” also “awakened the demons in the Baden’s blood”. The idea of the area having a “sea demon” can also help prove Jose’s ship may have been attacked by something inhuman. Going to the essence backstory, it says Pilgrim is luring them to “an uninhabited island regarded by fishermen as a forbidden area”. “Island” relates to how Orpheus’ and Little Girl’s home in S18 E3 and S19 E1 is referred to as an “island” or “their island of Eden”. “Fishermen” connects to Lakeside (mentioned in both Grace’s and Margaretha’s backstories).  The area being “forbidden” parallels the chart in Jose’s deduction 2 describing the area as “dangerous”, while the character relations page calls it “uncharted”.

The backstory continues by adding it’s an area where “sirens/sea monsters are rumored to be roaming” and that “it is shrouded in dense fog all year round, perilous, and full of rolling waves and pitch-black reefs”. “Sirens/Sea Monsters” connects to Reef Songstress singing and Lost Sailor hearing her “song”. “Rolling Waves” references the “tempest” Jose encountered, while “reefs” (and the emphasis on reefs as dangerous) could connect to what their ships wrecked on + is where Reef Songstress is singing from.

Altogether, it feels possible for Grace or sirens to be what attacked Jose and his father’s ship.

Jose’s skins may also help give some evidence. Basil’s description is: “Perhaps the most delicious dream of young girls is not limited to the chef's worktop”. With a chef, if it’s saying they want something besides the chef’s “worktop” which would refer to the food a chef is making, this implies the “young girl” want the chef himself, aka Jose. Sirens want to lure sailors to them.

There’s also Departure Date, who’s description is: “Dreams of romance offer no safe harbor to a truly great captain”. “Dreams of romance” again can refer to when sirens lure sailors to them, who in the myths were so enchanted by their song and beauty, they stayed on their island and starved to death. The no “safe harbor” could relate to the incident in deduction 4, as while going for “safe haven” is when most of the crew died. But as this is Jose’s ONCE skin, who’s backstory ties to Jose’s father’s disappearance, “safe harbor” is likely what Jose’s father and ship thought they were going to, as a result of “dreams of romance”, when in fact they were getting lured to their demise. Jose saying “dreams of romance offer no safe harbor” ties to his ONCE skin’s backstory, and how Jose being with his father that day would’ve kept him from disappearing.

Deduction 5

Redemption

A sin the gods can’t forgive, but a king can

New appointment: From this day forward, the Badens will not only serve as the king's royal escort but will also embark on a "special mission" for the royal family.

*Considering the games at the manor take place during the 1890s, I use the term “Queen” instead of “King” as this should be when Queen Victoria ruled (her rule began in 1837 and ended in 1901). That as well as during Jose’s backstory trailer, we are shown a Queen, as well as the trailer uses the term Queen rather than King.

After finally returning home after their “two months of struggles”, Jose’s father gave his (false) report about what happened to them, how the crew died, as well as offered the Queen the “wealth” they had “protected” (which I actually think was stolen so he had something to offer the Queen and to make him look good). This made the Queen quite happy, and she decided to appoint the Badens as her “royal escort”. At the same time, she had them embark on a “special mission for the royal family”.

Since Jose’s Departure Date skin talked about them being “pirates” in the past, I believe this “special mission” is likely what Jose’s ONCE skin was referring to. One thought to back this up is, even though privateering (seizing enemy commercial property at sea, aka pirates) was abolished in 1856, Spain didn’t sign this declaration that abolished it. That may be why Jose’s backstory states the Badens “enjoyed the Queen’s favor in no small measure, receiving titles despite being foreigners”. It may have been because they were foreigners that they could do this.

Another idea is Jose’s father simply didn’t tell anyone what he was doing, but as we have no other info or clues as to what this “special mission” was besides Jose’s ONCE skin talking about pirates, and considering the Queen believed Jose’s father stole her treasure (even though one of the items was an antique umbrella from the “Far East” that she likely acquired from someone else), that’s the idea I’m going to go with for now.

Jose’s father was quite happy with his new position and fame. It’s because of this that the Badens’ family received titles (we know Jose was a “Viscount” according to Jose’s deduction 6) and why their social status became “nouveau riche”.

In comparison, Jose was not happy at all. Jose wanted to be a “brave sea knight”, not a “pirate”. He didn’t support his father’s “sacrifice” of the crew or his lies or having to steal treasure from others.

Deduction 6

Snooze

Sleeping isn’t the only way to escape.

A diagnostic note: Viscount Baden's panic attacks are getting worse. We've tried a variety of drugs with no obvious effect. It seems that the Viscount can only fall asleep after imbibing copious amounts of alcohol. In the long run, I'm afraid he will no longer be fit to sail.

The English version uses the term “panic attacks”, while the Chinese version uses the term “night terrors” (based on Pascal’s translations).

Night terrors are episodes of screaming, intense fear and thrashing while still asleep, and the individual typically won’t respond to another’s presence or talk. They’re often paired with sleepwalking. Night terrors are considered a parasomnia — an undesired occurrence during sleep. Other symptoms include: rapid heart rate, increased breathing rate, sweating, confusion, and be inconsolable.

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks typically begin suddenly, without warning, and can strike at any time. You may have a feeling of being out of control, feel like you’re having a heart attack or dying, or fear certain places. Other symptoms include: rapid heart rate, sweating, chills, trembling, difficulty breathing, dizziness or weakness, numbness, or chest pain.

The one key difference between night terrors and panic attacks is awareness.

People experiencing night terrors are often unaware they’re having them. They may look like they’re awake, but they’re actually asleep, and it’s difficult (and often not recommended) to wake them. When a night terror ends, a person falls back to sleep. They may not remember the event in the morning.

A panic attack wakes you from sleep. You’re aware of the feelings of fear and other panic attack symptoms. It may take a long time to fall asleep again.

Jose was traumatized after the events from deduction 3 and 4 that caused the deaths of most of the crew. He suffered panic attacks and night terrors, which likely also gave him insomnia, that no medicine or drugs could fix. The only way he was able to sleep was by “imbibing copious amounts of alcohol”, meaning this was likely how and why Jose started drinking: so he could sleep and try to deal with his trauma.

Unfortunately for Jose, Jose’s father wasn’t happy about the possibility of Jose “no longer be fit to sail”, despite Jose’s issues, pain, and trauma.

Deduction 8

Drugs

To forget is the best cure.

A torn letter: I don't need my son to remember how to be a good man. I just need him to get us out of every sandbank and reef.

Jose’s father wrote a letter to someone who could help ensure Jose would continue to be “fit to sail”. It’s unknown who it was to. Based on the title “drugs”, “forgetting” being the “best cure”, and Jose’s father saying he doesn’t “need my son to remember how to be a good man”, it seems like he wanted Jose to “forget” the things that are causing his “panic attacks” and trauma. It’s possible he wanted to use “drugs” to do this, which may could have made Jose forget “how to be a good man”.

Considering the letter is described as “torn” (Pascal’s translation says it was “torn to shreds”), it’s possible Jose found this letter his father wrote and tore it up out of anger over what his father was implying (and over being seen as only a tool). The other option is it was torn up so Jose couldn’t find out about it.

In regards to who the letter was sent to, my current theory is the recipient was Sam Bourbon.

Sam Bourbon was the one who made Dovlin. We know from Demi’s deductions and backstory that he went to work for the manor owner, who we know has drugs that can make a person forget, not to mention the 2nd half of Wu Chang’s 3rd letter may have even been written by Sam. It’s possible Sam either helped the manor owner make his drugs and/or that the manor owner helped Sam perfect Dovlin so he could send it back to Demi. We also know from Jose’s 2nd letter that 1 of the Bourbons was working with his father, as Jose recognized the handwriting of the “B” of his codeword as the same handwriting of the one who signed as “Bourbon” on his father’s ledger of goods. Maybe Jose’s father was looking to acquire some of these “drugs” that would make his son forget.

Whether or not Jose’s father did manage to make Jose forget, if Jose indeed was the one who tore up that letter, it seems like this may have been the point when Jose started going against his father.

I also want to discuss why I think it was so important for Jose’s father to ensure Jose joined him on his voyages. The reason I think is because of Jose’s “blessing”.

Jose’s Blessing

The summary for Jose’s 1st letter states “Jose did not embark on the voyage, and a terrible accident occurred at sea”. The phrasing makes it really suspicious, as it says it like the accident happened all because Jose wasn’t there. Jose’s ONCE skin seems to confirm the idea that Jose brings some kind of good luck as its backstory states Jose’s father and the ship would never have disappeared if Jose had just been on that voyage. This idea probably relates to the “blessing” he received from the “god of the sea”/”Poseidon” according to his release backstory, which says he can control the tide and the waves + keep their ship from being delayed. Further proof for this idea seems to come from Jose’s “Poseidon’s Blessing” accessory, which is in the shape of the dolphin and has the description: “It's said that when dolphins appear next to your ship, you will have a smooth journey”. Jose (or at least his watch) is like the dolphin, the thing ensuring the ship stays safe.

If this idea is true, it seems of interest to call out how Jose fails to board a number of times according to his last deduction. The idea seems to imply the chance that, each time Jose fails to board, the voyage won’t have the best ending. This could explain why in deduction 8 Jose’s father really wants to make sure Jose does his job. Jose being there brings them good fortune and lets them look good for the Queen (as Jose’s backstory says this helped earn them the “Queen’s favor”). Jose not being there means the voyage won’t go as well, and thus he won’t receive as much of the “Queen’s favor”. This fits with the sort of person Jose’s father is considering he tried to continue the voyage in deduction 3 despite the storm and ended up causing the “entire crew” to be lost, which he lied about by saying they died due to struggles with pirates.

We have even less info on how Jose received this blessing than we do on what exactly killed most of the crew. The fact it’s supposed to calm the seas and keep them from being delayed, yet it didn’t help them during deduction 3 with the tempest or what swept the crew away implies Jose didn’t have the blessing until after the incident in deduction 4. If true, it could parallel something from Halberd of Silence’s essence. Specifically, the part where Pilgrim’s description mentions sacrificing “evil” people to receive power rivaling Halberd of Silence’s own. As Jose’s deduction 7 described the incident as a “sacrifice”, what if the deaths of the crew, like those sacrificed by Pilgrim, led to whatever gave Jose his “blessing”? Maybe this could parallel how Jose’s deduction 7 says “the nightmarish waters swept them away, but it also awakened the demons flowing through the Badens’ blood”. That “awakening” could connect to however Jose got his “blessing”?

Going back to his deduction 7, the “nightmarish waters” and “awakening the demons in the Badens’ blood” makes me think of what happened at the end of Grace’s backstory after the villagers tried to sacrifice her and drown her in the water. If Jose’s ship did indeed wreck, and most of the crew died, and if they ended up in the water like we see in the trailer for S19 E1, maybe Jose, after he ended up in the water and maybe almost drowned/died himself, had an experience similar to what happened to Grace (possibly also including whatever “voice” spoke to Grace in her last deduction), especially if they were near Lakeside Village and in the water there (which would be the same place Grace was “sacrificed” and heard the “voice”).

It's possible that Grace could be the “god of the sea”/”Poseidon” mentioned in Jose’s backstory that gave him his blessing. Halberd of Silence is likely meant to be based on or at least be similar to Poseidon. In Halberd of Silence’s design notes, it includes how “the sacrificed girl became a ‘god’” and later says the theme was the “mermaid queen” (she is wearing a crown). It continues by talking about the crown and jewels symbolizing “her absolute dominance of this sea area” (similar to how Poseidon is the ruler of the sea), she uses a trident (like Poseidon is depicted with), emphasizing how under her “beauty, there are endless dangers hidden” (which reminds me of the “dangerous” area on Jose’s chart). Even later it calls her the “queen of the sea” as well as refers to her as a siren, connected to how it adds “her beautiful face and graceful body are used to confuse people”, and that her trident “is only aimed at those rude intruders”. That last bit about her “trident” and pointing it at “rude intruders” could be referring to Jose’s father and crew (especially after the tempest and deduction 4, and if they really did end up at Lakeside).

If Grace is meant to at least somewhat parallel “Poseidon” or “god of the sea”, that could mean she may have been the one to give Jose his “blessing”. At the very least, Grace may parallel Amphitrite, the goddess of the sea and Poseidon’s wife. Grace being the one to give Jose his blessing also parallels well with Pilgrim. Pilgrim lured people to a “forbidden” and dangerous area just like the one Jose and his father went through, an area with possible monsters (or sirens) just like the ones mentioned to roam the area in Halberd’s essence backstory. Those that were “sacrificed” to Halberd would parallel the crew that died in deduction 4, which Jose refers to as a “sacrifice” in his deduction 7. The offering is what is said to give the person power rivaling Halberd’s, likely meaning whether Jose wanted it or not, like Pilgrim, he did offer a “sacrifice” (of “evil” people), and thus would’ve received “power” similar to Grace’s, aka he got his “blessing”. If Grace or Halberd parallel Amphitrite, Jose getting power similar to Grace’s makes sense as Amphitrite in the myths was said to have the exact same ability to control the tide and waves, to “silence” the winds and “calm” the ocean.

Captain Hook could also connect as, besides having a Siren involved in the essence that is putting everyone to sleep, he also has the image of a mermaid on his hat (similar to Halberd of Silence), and in his showroom we can see him controlling water (like the part about having “power” rivaling Halberd of SIlence), not to mention in the essence poster we can see him potentially able to breathe underwater.

There’s also how Jose’s Doubt skin could back up this idea: “I had a friend once, a happy-go-lucky fool of a person...But something happened one day, and they gave up their most prized possession in exchange for a strange ability: the power to know every smell but one - a salty astringent odor...can you guess what it is?” I think that “happy-go-lucky fool” is Jose himself.

Considering how he says “once” has this friend, it’s referring to the past. Then the reason he’d describe himself as “happy-go-lucky” could parallel how we see ONCE Jose (Departure Date) acting based on his design notes + showroom, while “fool” is Jose’s (usual) self-depreciating, as that’s how he thinks of how he was in the past.

The part about “something happened one day” could refer to the incident from deduction 4. Giving up his “most prized possession” could parallel how most of the crew died due to whatever happened while seeking “safe haven” (going through the “dangerous” area), as Jose is a “knight” so maybe you could say he values people’s lives.

In exchange (due to the “sacrifice” of the crew), the “strange ability” would refer to Jose’s blessing. The part how it lets him know “every smell but one” may be hinting to a similar message as Hook’s description: “That ‘little magic’ is dangerous and will not always have a good ending”. It may be that his blessing isn’t perfect. The “salty astringent odor” could refer to blood (based on how Doubt is from the Stormy Night Surprise event, specifically related to William’s story, which involved discovering someone ate a man aka cannibalism). This can go back to the idea I suggested previously, how Jose brings good luck when he’s on the voyage, but bad luck or tragedy strikes whenever he isn’t around. That “bad luck” coming with his good luck may parallel Doubt’s description mentions the inability to know all but the smell of blood. It could also relate to Bobolink, as it says “’4’ is indeed my lucky number”. 4 is similar to the word for death in Chinese, and is therefore considered an unlucky number. This may be meant to symbolize that if 4 is his “lucky number”, that could prove the whole idea of him being associated with good luck as well as bad luck.

Theory: The 1 who gave Jose his watch + blessing was the 1 who conducted “deep hypnosis” on Jose

The person who conducted "deep hypnosis" on Jose and left a "spiritual anchor" for him could've been the same person who gave Jose his watch. It seems like Jose couldn't have had the watch or blessing before deduction 3, as the blessing would've prevented the storm or whatever that forced the course change. So, he must've gotten it during or after the event in deduction 3 and 4. Jose’s father isn’t implied to know anything about hypnosis considering he reaches out to someone else to make Jose “forget”. Jose’s 3rd letter comments on his hypnosis not lasting too long. Therefore, if Jose got his watch and blessing from someone else, maybe they also knew how to use the watch (or some other method) to perform hypnosis. Anyways, maybe whoever “blessed” Jose would’ve also felt the need to leave that “spiritual anchor” for Jose to help with his mental state/defenses.

Deduction 9

A Chart

With no way forward, the only way left was to return the same way.

A chart: The route has a large number of corrections, and the amendment was signed by Jose Baden.

Jose had been unhappy with his father since his actions caused the sacrifice of the crew (and potentially the other deaths + theft he caused during the events of deduction 3 and 4 before they sailed home). Considering Jose’s ONCE skin and 2 of his official birthday artworks, Jose was likely quite fairly young during that 1st incident during deduction 3 and 4, so it’s no wonder this had a strong impact on him. Then there was how the “special mission” potentially involved Jose’s father caring out more acts of piracy. Jose didn’t want to do any of these things. He wanted to be a “brave sea knight”. He wanted to do the right thing, to be a good person.

Therefore, after seeing his father’s letter in Jose’s deduction 8, I think Jose made all those “corrections” to that specific “route” on the chart as an act of protest against his father, an attempt to resist and get his father to stop. Considering the deduction only specifies changes were made to a single route, that must mean the amendments were to the route Jose and his father took during deduction 3 that led to the tragedy in deduction 4 that cost the lives of the crew.

Jose rebelling against his father could tie in with how 1 of Jose’s skins is Akechi (as ||*SPOILERS for Persona 5* 1 big thing about Akechi is his strong hatred for his father to the point he desires revenge *END OF SPOILERS*||). Considering Jose’s panic attacks and trauma after deduction 4, and how Jose wants to be a “sea knight” yet his father acts like a pirate and attacked innocents at Oletus Manor (+ whatever else he may have done since then), it’s not hard to assume Jose wouldn’t like his father much (especially after having it confirmed that Jose’s father only sees Jose as a tool and not a person).

The line after the deduction’s title is “With no way forward, the only way left was to return the same way”.

I think Jose was trying to prevent his father from being able to repeat the same thing over again. Jose didn’t want this father to risk anyone else’s lives.

As the 1st deduction summary described the “dangerous” area as “uncharted waters”, and as we know 1 of Jose’s talents is “navigation”, not to mention Jose was so talented his father didn’t want to let Jose stop doing his job or stop sailing + the fame and reputed skills/talent reported in Jose’s backstory, I think the “amendments” Jose made to the chart were to map those waters. He made sure that area was no longer “uncharted”. By ensuring the safety of anyone who used that route, Jose could prevent anyone else from dying.

Especially if the crew’s deaths and the “nightmarish waters” were caused by something other than a storm, Jose would ensure no one else ran into the same thing they did.

At the same time, I think this is also the exact point Jose began avoiding joining his father’s voyages. He didn’t want to continue being apart of what his father was doing if he refused to stop.

Deduction 10

At Moonrise

3, 2, 1… Wake up.

A punishment: First Officer Jose Baden has missed the tide several times due to alcohol abuse. If this happens again, he will be stripped of his position and title.

As I said above, I think Jose only began “missing the tide” due to “alcohol abuse” after he saw his father’s note, after he reached his breaking point, and after he began to resist, beginning with the changes to the route on the chart from the previous deduction that caused the tragedy in deduction 3 and 4.

We know Jose couldn’t have missed too many voyages before this point based on the fame and reputation Jose and his father seemingly acquired that’s reported in his backstory. We also know he was reported to begin drinking back in Jose’s deduction 6, yet it’s only now in Jose’s last deduction that it calls out Jose began to allow his alcohol abuse get so bad as to miss voyages. We know from Jose’s deduction 6 that he didn’t drink alcohol because he enjoyed it, especially as “alcohol” isn’t listed as 1 of his likes. He only drinks to be able to sleep. Therefore, I think the only reason he lets it become a problem is because he’s started to rebel against his father and doesn’t want to be apart of his actions anymore.

Jose’s father disappears

Jose’s backstory trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk_0z_zAIy8

Part of Jose’s backstory:

But one day, Baden, who had been delayed by matters in Liverpool, did not set out to sea with his father. At sunset he awaited his father at the port, but the ship that so loyally served the crown did not return on time. In fact, the ship, as well as all its crew, never reappeared upon the sea. The Queen was enraged. Believing that the Badens had stolen her treasure, she stripped Jose Baden of his family’s riches and title. Jose Baden had fallen.

Not long after, Jose received some information. On the list of goods upon that missing ship was a certain antique Chinese umbrella, and now it had appeared in a place called Oletus Manor.

Once a knight of the sea, he decided to set foot on this cursed land himself; to find his father, or at the very least…… to take back what is rightfully his.

Some amount of time after Jose’s last deduction, Jose’s misses a voyage. From Jose’s Departure Date skin, combined with Jose’s last deduction, we know Jose missed the voyage due to alcohol abuse (which I’ve already explained I think could’ve been on purpose so he wouldn’t have to join his father without being too obvious about it), but he still waits for his father’s return.

But Jose’s father never returns.

From Jose’s ONCE skin combined with the summary of Jose’s 1st letter, it’s phrased as Jose’s father wouldn’t have disappeared if only Jose had simply attended that voyage. I’ve already discussed earlier that I think this was because of Jose’s blessing.

I believe Jose’s 1st letter should describe what happened during that voyage and hint at what caused his disappearance. The summary of Jose’s 1st letter stated a “terrible accident” occurred during that trip. The fact it’s emphasized to be a “terrible” accident, the only thing it could be referring to is Jose’s father disappearing.

We know from Jose’s deduction 6 that “Viscount Baden” is referring to Jose. Due to Jose’s failure to board, someone else had to take over Jose’s duties.

The author describes having to take the “Parthenope’s voyage log”. This means the name of the Badens’ ship was the Parthenope.

Parthenope (“Maiden Voice”) is the name of one of the sirens in Greek myth who, after failing to kill Odysseus when he hears the sirens’ song, kills herself (one source says she drowned herself), with her body washing up on the shore of Naples, which was originally called Parthenope in her honor. One source has the sirens located near the south-western coast of Italy. Sirens are sea nymphs that, according to one myth, were handmaidens that were given the bodies of birds or given wings. In later portrayals, they appear more as mermaids (with fish tails) rather than part bird.

The destination is said to be “a set of coordinates at the northeast corner of the Mediterranean” instead of a “port on the previous trade route”. It’s specified to be “uncharted territory”, somewhere they haven’t gone before. I wonder if the reason they were going somewhere they hadn’t gone before is because of the changes Jose made to the chart. If Jose’s father was trying to repeat what he’d done before, but couldn’t now that Jose had mapped out the “uncharted waters” of the “dangerous” area they’d taken before, Jose’s father had to find somewhere new.

It was said they took “in addition to the daily necessities for the voyage, the ship is loaded with power guns and cannons instead of other cargo to play it safe”. According to Jose’s backstory and trailer, we know the ship had an “antique umbrella” on board that day (for whatever reason).

This goes with Jose’s backstory referring to the ship as an “antique carrying ship”.

If the Badens’ “special mission” was indeed to perform acts of piracy (which could fit with the Queen getting angry when she thinks the Badens’ stole her treasure, as well as why she’d think they’d steal it), it’s possible Jose’s father went out here in search of another ship or someone to steal from. That could also go along with all the weapons they brought along, which could be used against any “enemy” ships.

According to Jose’s 1st letter, the last line of that log is “A line of distorted handwriting: The cannons couldn’t kill them…”

Considering what we learned in Wu Chang’s 3rd letter, combined with how this letter curiously found it important to describe the weather as being “cloudy”, it’s possible that the “them” the “cannons couldn’t kill” was Wu Chang. In Wu Chang’s 3rd letter, the owner talks about an anomaly that, when the umbrella is “placed in a humid environment, magnetic fields of varying strength are detected”. The owner controlled the humidity “to reach the point where the highest degree of change is observed in the magnetic field”. Once Jose reached the location, the letter states that Jose had “seen something that is beyond observation” and “seems to have been affected and fallen into confusion”.

Right after this, it says “the content is smudged”, which is quite similar to how the last line of Jose’s 1st letter says the handwriting was “distorted”.

The weather being “cloudy” could imply a storm may have been approaching, or at least that the weather was beginning to become “humid”. This is important for Wu Chang as Fan Wujiu (Black Guard) died when the rain caused the river to rise. Rain is also stated to be Xie Bi’an’s (White Guard) 1 dislike (since it’s what killed Fan Wujiu).

If those aboard the Parthenope had also “seen something that is beyond observation”, that could mean they like Jose potentially saw Wu Chang. At the very least, the crew and Jose’s father likely also were “affected” and fell into “confusion”. Either due to their confusion or because they’d begun to hallucinate, or even because they’d seen Wu Chang’s spirit or something, that could explain why the Parthenope would try to use their cannons and yet fail to kill “them”.

What happened to Jose’s father and the rest of the crew of the Parthenope can compare to part of Wu Chang’s backstory after Wu Chang had died (after Xie Bi’an killed himself and both his and Fan Wujiu’s spirits were trapped in the umbrella). It talked about a merchant buying the umbrella but hearing “the sounds of men sighing and crying as he hears walking around at night”. Later, after the merchant tried to have a Taoist do something about it, as people believed Wu Chang haunted the umbrella, the merchant encountered bandits and died on his way to visit relatives, chaos of some sort, and ends with the umbrella disappearing.

Like the merchant, Jose’s father and the crew also encountered Wu Chang’s spirit and met with bad luck that resulted in all of their deaths (and likely the ship sinking). Jose’s “blessing” and good luck, based on his ONCE skin (Departure Date) apparently would’ve countered this bad luck. I think Jose being there would’ve kept his father from disappearing specifically because of what Jose’s blessing was said to do. In his official release announcement, it describes that “the winds would be silenced, the ocean calmed”. With his blessing, the weather would never have gotten so bad or so humid, and thus the umbrella wouldn’t have had a reaction the way the owner describes or the way we see it in Jose’s 1st letter.

Also, considering Wu Chang as a deity of the underworld that rewarded those who did good and punished those who were wicked, this could also explain why he might’ve punished Jose’s father but not Jose.

In any case, due to Jose’s father failing to return, the Queen assumes they stole her treasure and has the Baden family punished by taking away their wealth and titles.

Jose eventually hears a rumor that an antique umbrella that had been aboard his father’s ship that day had turned up at Oletus manor. He decides to go there to either find out information about his father’s disappearance or to regain his family’s honor.

Despite how much Jose hates his father, he never wanted him to disappear or die. This is proven by Jose in his release backstory and trailer, where he says he waits from the beginning to the end of sunset (which he says felt “long” that day). If he truly didn’t care if he lived or died, Jose would never have waited. Even though Jose’s father treats Jose horribly, and doesn’t even see him as a person, only a tool, Jose still cares about him to some degree, likely because it is his father (and likely only family). One of Jose’s tweet replies (https://twitter.com/IdentityVJP/status/1440992250587013120) regarding his ONCE skin proves this, as he is completely torn up and feels absolutely horrid at the thought that, if only he’d been there, his father would never have disappeared:

What good am I now?

Don't flatter me...

I was confident in my skills...as a navigator...

That's why...I was so conceited...

That day...if only I hadn't made that mistake...

You mean to tell me that I could have led my father in the right direction?

That instead of disappearing with the ship...I would have saved them?

That's not...it's just...ugh...aaa...

(´⊗ ⸍⸌Ⓑ `) I can’t...I can't take it...

If he didn’t care, he’d never say something like this. If he truly wanted him gone, he wouldn’t have gone to the manor to (according to his release backstory and trailer) “find my father”, or at least attempt to do so or even just to find out what happened to him. I think Jose wanted his father to be better, to stop acting like a “pirate”, and to stop committing any crimes (and to start acting like the “sea knight” Jose wants to be).

I think Jose’s Captain Hook skin reflects this. In this essence, Jose is the very thing he doesn’t want to be: a pirate. In the story of Peter Pan, Captain Hook is the villain, but in this essence, he is the hero. The original Captain Hook should parallel/symbolize Jose’s father, while Jose’s version reflects what he wants to be (the reality he wishes was the truth). In this essence, Hook is the one to rescue Eversleeping Girl (Wendy) and defeat Forgotten Boy (Peter Pan), which is the opposite of what happens in the actual story. This can represent Jose’s desire to find his missing father, as well as a combination of his fear of becoming like his father but has a desire to be a “good” person (a “sea knight”).

There are also “Lost Sailors” in this essence. Lost Sailor Freddy’s description is “No matter how accurate the map, it’s impossible to locate the final destination”. This parallels the “uncharted waters” Jose sailed through in deduction 4 that killed most of the crew. Another possibility, related to the “final destination” being “impossible to locate”, is it connects to when Jose’s father disappeared, who’s “final destination” is also proving “impossible to locate”. I’ve already discussed “Lost Sailor” Jose, who hears the “song” of a Siren (Yidhra). Siren’s description is “Come on, now. Follow the master’s song and sail into your dreams”. This relates to the other characters in this essence, which are all “Man in Dream”, all whose descriptions imply they are sleeping. Based on Siren’s description, it seems like the Siren is the cause for all of them being asleep, which could help imply sirens are behind Jose’s father’s disappearance (and possibly behind the incident in deduction 4 and the “things” in Jose’s 1st letter).

Lost Sailor Jose implies he heard the song, but based on Captain Hook (and the essence poster), he seems to have been the only 1 that avoided the same fate as all the others (either he resisted, or maybe he broke free). The backstory for this essence mentions sailing towards “the Neverland in everyone’s heart” and that “Before everything is forgotten, the captain made a wish”. The part about Neverland may be a way of referring to everyone falling asleep. With “Before everything is forgotten, the captain made a wish” may imply before Captain Hook (Jose) could fall to the Siren’s song, he managed to resist, with his “wish” possibly allowing him to save everyone (or being what kept him from falling into “dreams” like everyone else). Another option is Jose’s father was the “captain” and the one behind people “forgetting”, while Jose was a “Lost Sailor”, member of the crew (or first mate), but became the “captain” when everyone else had forgotten/fell asleep/gone, and wished to get everyone back (including his father). It would fit considering Jose’s father is the one who said he didn’t care if Jose “remembered”, and was responsible for the crew’s deaths in deduction 4. This idea would also fit with Hook saying that “’little magic’ is dangerous” and doesn’t always lead to a “good ending” as if he’s berating or warning someone.

Jose’s Wish Bottle though shows Jose is aware that his “wish” won’t come true, as the description for this accessory is “One day, he finally realized that all the wishes are like bubbles in a dream, and that they will burst at dawn”. His father will never change, and he never returned by dawn after Jose waited throughout sunset for him. His desire to “escape” from his trauma also will never come true, no matter how much he sleeps or drinks, and now he has to deal with his father’s disappearance and losing out on his honor, positions, and title.

Because it relates a little to this, I want to bring up Departure Date. Jose’s ONCE skin alludes to Jose’s own dislike for himself, as the design notes discuss how “he was making merry all night long” and indulging in “music”, which likely explains why Jose dislikes music. He hates who he was.

Pirate Radio is another good parallel to Jose’s rebellion but also desire to regain his honor. We know he was trying to fight against Metropolis and Eternal Aurora, which parallels what I said about Jose rebelling against his father (which “rebelling” would also fit the theme of Persona 5 and Akechi). Later, he appears in another video where we see him in jail, but we know he breaks out based on the fact he has the key (not to mention the poster showing him and the others fighting against the city, along with the main COA5 trailer where they confront Eternal Aurora) + Hairdresser (Violetta’s) description proves he was successful in taking down Eternal Aurora and Metropolis.

My point though is that Jose likely knew he might be arrested. He knew the risks, but he did it anyways. I think this represents how Jose was willing to lose his position and title, because he felt so strongly about wanting to rebel against his father and because of how strong his guilt/trauma was. Jose’s “honor” is the 1 thing Jose wants back, which was the same reason he rebelled against his father. This is also proven by Jose’s trailer which has as the last line in it “I must set foot upon this cursed land, find my father, and retrieve our honor”. He says “honor”, not position or titles or wealth. Jose wants to make up for his father’s past mistakes, to reveal the truth, and to be a sea knight. This can again tie back to Pirate Radio, as he does get put in jail, like Jose being stripped of everything, but manages to break free and win the battle, meaning Jose has a chance to succeed in his quest to retrieve his honor.

[pedanther]

One final round of interesting differences between the older translation (anonymous) and newer translation (by Robin Buss) of The Count of Monte Cristo:

«Est-ce là Monte-Cristo? demanda d’une voix grave et empreinte d’une profonde tristesse le voyageur aux ordres duquel le petit yacht semblait être momentanément soumis. —Oui, Excellence, répondit le patron, nous arrivons. —Nous arrivons!» murmura le voyageur avec un indéfinissable accent de mélancolie.

“Is that Monte Cristo?” asked the traveller, to whose orders the yacht was for the time submitted, in a melancholy voice. “Yes, your excellency,” said the captain, “we have reached it.” “We have reached it!” repeated the traveller in an accent of indescribable sadness.

“Is that Monte Cristo?” asked the traveller, who appeared to be in command of the yacht, in a grave and melancholy voice. “Yes, Excellency,” said the master. “We are just reaching the end of our journey.” “The end of our journey!” the traveller muttered, with an indefinable air of dejection.

(“We are just reaching the end of our journey” is unlikely to be a strictly accurate translation of “nous arrivons”, but I don’t think that “we have reached it” captures the significance as well. It’s not just the journey to the island that is coming to an end.)

—Ne vous occupez point de cela, Maximilien, dit en riant Monte-Cristo, j’ai un marché avec la marine pour que l’accès de mon île soit franc de tout droit de charroi et de voyage. Je suis abonné, comme on dit dans les pays civilisés.»

“Never mind that, Maximilian,” said Monte Cristo, smiling. “I have made an agreement with the navy, that the access to my island shall be free of all charge. I have made a bargain.”

“Don’t bother about that, Maximilien,” Monte Cristo said with a laugh. “I have a deal with the navy, so that there is no charge for passage to my island. I’m an account customer, as they say in civilized countries.”

(A bit more detail about Monte Cristo’s arrangement with... I’m not sure that “the navy” sounds right, since we’ve never seen him have much to do with the navy, but I don’t know whether “la marine” can also refer to mariners in general.)

—Oh! non, non, comte! s’écria Morrel en saisissant de nouveau les deux mains de son ami; riez au contraire, soyez heureux, vous, et prouvez-moi par votre indifférence que la vie n’est mauvaise qu’à ceux qui souffrent.

“Oh, no, no, count,” cried Maximilian, seizing the count’s hands, “pray laugh; be happy, and prove to me, by your indifference, that life is endurable to sufferers.

“Oh, no, no, count,” Morrel exclaimed, once more grasping his friend’s hand with both of his. “Please do laugh. Be happy and prove to me by your indifference that life is only a burden for those who suffer.

(That’s not quite the same thing. Nor is this:)

Alors il lui sembla que Monte-Cristo souriait, non plus de son rire étrange et effrayant qui plusieurs fois lui avait laissé entrevoir les mystères de cette âme profonde, mais avec la bienveillante compassion que les pères ont pour leurs petits enfants qui déraisonnent.

Then it appeared to him that Monte Cristo smiled, not with the strange and fearful expression which had sometimes revealed to him the secrets of his heart, but with the benevolent kindness of a father for a child.

And now it seemed to him that Monte Cristo was smiling, no longer with that strange and terrifying smile that had several times allowed him to glimpse the mysteries of that profound soul, but with the tender compassion of a father towards the follies of his child.

[dungeons-and-dragon-age]

Some more OC associations, Warden edition >:3

Neira Surana

Seasoning: caraway seeds, plain salt, star anise

Weather: A chilly morning in early spring, when there's hoarfrost and the kind of fog that tells you it's gonna be a sunny day

Colour: Lavender, pale yellow, deep navy blue

Sky: A moonless but clear night sky right before sunrise starts

Magic power: Restoration and healing

House plant: Aloe

Weapon: A fairly plane, but well made and well balanced staff

Subject: Biology, or something in the medical field

Social media: She'd have an official warden twitter account, and maybe a private one that she never uses

Make-up product: A moisturiser (or concealer (thinkin eyebags here rn lolol))

Candy: Milk chocolate

Fear: Consequences, responsibility

Ice cube shape: Flake ice

Method of long distance travel: Train or ship

Art style: Classicism

Mythological creature: Unicorn (or Heinzelmännchen, if they count lolol)

Piece of stationery: A sturdy binder, or envelopes

3 emojis: 🤍🌌💉

Celestial body: Moon

Tarot card: Eight of cups (upright: walking away, disillusionment, leaving behind; reversed: avoidance, fear of change, stagnation) or queen of cups (upright: compassion, calm, comfort; reversed: martyrdom, insecurity, dependence)

. . . . . . .

Kala Brosca

Seasoning: Rock salt, cloves, paprika powder; also haldi (cos of the color xD)

Weather: Cloudy sky, Stuffy heat

Colour: Warm yellows and oranges

Sky: Overcast, where the whole sky looks like there's a dome of clouds

Magic power: Hmmm... I guess it would translate to force or primal magic in DA? Think Toph from atla

House plant: Snake plant or laceleaf

Weapon: A random mace or warhammer; she'll take what she can get

Subject: Photography (?)

Social media: Instagram; it would be a wild mix of super pretty and really low quality photos of places & Barkspawn & Ali & random shit lol

Make-up product: Do face masks count? xD

Candy: Citrus-y hard candy

Fear: Loss of self

Ice cube shape: Those small kinda. round (but not spherical) ones

Method of long distance travel: Ship

Art style: Impressionism or art nouveau

Mythological creature: Chimera or sphinx

Piece of stationery: Cold press paper and charcoal pencils

3 emojis: 🌼🔪☁️

Celestial body: A terrestrial planet of sorts

Tarot card: Four of cups (upright: apathy, contemplation, disconnectedness; reversed: awareness, choosing happiness, acceptance) or five of pentacles (upright: adversity, poverty, alienation; reversed: recovery, charity, improvement)