#but I'm still not gonna be playing any other route because I could not bring myself to kill him

[asofterepilogue]

claude is such a good unit tbh and it barely takes any investment. I just plop him down alone with a steel bow in those grind maps and watch him dodge every enemy attack and immediately put the enemy down. he crits like half the time, has decent range both for attacks and moves, doesn't even get one-shot when he does get hit once in a blue moon by the beasties. all of this with no accessory equipped and having pretty much only mastered his unique classes. almyra just makes them like that ig.

[ir-abelas-vhenan]

Something Something Yeah It's Still Solavellan Hours (Mythal is kind of here, too)

I've seen a few very beautifully articulated posts talking about the conflicted responses players are finding themselves having in regards to the decision by writers* to have Solas' atonement route possible because of his conversation with one of the remaining fragments of Mythal.

(*honestly I hesitate to put the weight of bigger game events on their shoulders because of how much I know bigger players in the company were involved, so when you read 'writers' know I just mean whoever had final say on plot)

I love reading where people are at on this, and having now breathed, re-played the scene, cried, read some more theories, and then played the scene again enough times I think I'm now able to figure out where I'm at.

TLDR: in my humble opinion, the conversation Solas has with Mythal doesn't bring him any actual closure at all. It is only the version of the atonement ending that has Lavellan in which he is actually set upon a road to redemption.

This, like everything else where I lose my mind, will be long. I tried to restrain myself and here we are, unhinged as ever.

I was unhappy at first that Mythal's incredibly brief conversation with Solas where she releases him from her service seemed to be what finally allowed him to make a decision based on his wants and not hers. My concern stemmed mostly from the fact that a lot of us are trying to be active participants in a society that recognizes patterns of abuse and seeks to establish channels through which individuals can pursue healing without the approval, consent, or demise of their abuser.

But the more I look at the scene, the more I wonder what would have happened in a world where Veilguard got just a little more time in development. Could we have gotten a scene that more elegantly conveys the theme that we cannot heal every part of our loved ones, much as we might like to?

In an imperfect world it isn't always up to us how someone finds closure, which really sucks when you'd like to ensure a loved one finds it in a way that preserves their dignity and limits exposure to the individuals who have harmed them.

And while it could be left there, I'd like to actually push back on the idea that Mythal is in any way responsible for "healing" Solas in this moment.

I went on a different tirade a few days ago about how at the end of Inquisition, Mythal says words to Solas that on their surface seem well-intentioned or placating, but they actually just serve to further bind him in guilt and a position of servitude. In Veilguard's finale, she still does not take accountability for exactly how much of a role she played in the pain that Solas, a man others have revered and feared as a god, has gone through as he cowers, actually cowers before her.

Mythal's interaction with Solas conveys exactly two things to him as far as I am concerned (I'm going to botch these quotes but my laptop is dying so please accept some paraphrase as I rush to finish this before I go cry about this analysis to my uncaring dog):

"The terrible things we did, we did together." You are forever tied to me.

"I release you from my service." But what am I releasing you to?

Because up until Lavellan joins the fray here, all I take away from the physical and unwilling emotional cues Solas gives in this scene (he is a master in trickery, for goodness' sake, the thought of so many witnesses seeing him unable to hide behind a mask has to leave him feeling anguished on top of everything else) is that Mythal has once again reminded him of everything he did in her name and telling him that all that's left for him is to go back to the fade prison and, as he as always done, endure the crushing weight of his failures alone.

To me, in my interpretation, the Solas that hears this from Mythal with no Lavellan intervention may choose to willingly step down from his original plan (and yeah, that's gonna do some damage) but he is certainly not free of his past. He's going to be reminded of it every time he turns a corner and finds more blight to try and soothe, and even the moments that he rests will be filled with more manifestations of his regret. He says it himself: where he's going? It's terrible.

Enter Lavellan. Yeah, he couldn't bring himself to listen to her at her first plea (but like damn how many times are we going to have to watch her give a heartfelt speech only for him to be like 'something something beautiful elven rejection'). But I know that you know that our clever icon knows better than to take what Solas says at face value. She tells Rook plainly that he's absolute dogshit at lies of the heart, and she says it with her whole chest.

Lavellan sees the way his shoulders slump (in resignation yes, but you can't convince me there's not a little bit of relief there, too), she hears the agony in the "vhenan" that escapes his lips (which, don't even get me started on the fact that it's been like nine years and he has no hesitation at all calling her his heart, it just spills out of him). It is not the sound of a man delighting in the steps he's about to take. They're certainly not steps he does not dislike that lead to a destination he enjoys.

And then she watches Mythal (who I can't imagine she feels any sort of fondness or respect for) pull some weird nonsense on her love one final time, and she knows it's her moment to shine.

Mythal, I would argue, pushes Solas down one more time, shames him into seeking atonement, into once again being alone.

It is the romanced Lavellan that kneels so that he cannot fail to meet her eyes. It is she who invokes their connection, not to remind him of his failures but to reaffirm his greatest strength: their love and their love alone is inevitable. Not the consequences of his past, not the regret he thinks will consume him as he seeks to mend what has been broken. It has only ever been them.

"There is no fate but the love we share". We are forever tied together.

"There is no fate but the love we share." *I* am releasing you from everything else save for this love.

Put colloquially: get absolutely fucking wrecked, Mythal.

Body language comparison to chase up the dialogue one, anyone? The way Solas shrinks before Mythal as opposed to him walking off into the fade with Lavellan at his side and standing tall, and he does not flinch when she lifts a hand to his shoulder?

Ultimately, Mythal is a part of the atonement endings no matter what. But it is only Lavellan that refuses to let him walk alone. It is only Lavellan that guarantees that his dinan'shiral ends not in a prison of regret, but a place of promise.

Mythal bends Solas until he breaks one last time. Lavellan takes each piece, claims it as hers, and uses them to build the beginnings of a future.

[seraphinitegames]

Hey, Mishka!!!

I've been replaying TWC over the last couple of months, and must say, it's been an entirely rejuvenating experience for me. Like, I was reading it the first time, although I've replayed the series quite too many (worrying number) of times already. And it still manages to amaze me, EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I've repeated this in the past, and I'll repeat it again. The Wayhaven Chronicles is a blessing for me and I'm sincerely thankful to have come across it when I did. And I'm grateful to you for making this lovely world a reality (and of course, the four beautiful vamps)! Really eager for Book 4 and have already player the demo; can say it's gonna be worth the wait. It every time is.

Replaying the series in the last few months, I had a certain uncontrollable urge to drop and ask a few questions to you. Apologize in advance for the long ask and message, but it had been bottling up inside of me for SOOOOOO LONG.

1. In Book 1, when we're to lead the investigation in one of the three directions, is there any way to get success in any direction without Bobby making a big joke out of our investigation in the newspaper?

2. In Book 2, when Nicole and Max Salinas come to report their incident, can Tina actually find out anything unusual? If so, what is actually needed to explain that?

3. In Book 3, I noticed if we choose to go the final mission alone, depending on the route chosen, Boddy/Doug will end up tagging along as well, jeopardizing everything. Is there still a way to complete the mission successfully and rescuing everyone like it happens when we go along with Rebecca?

4. Less of a question, but more of a plea. Please tell me we can get a pet anytime in the series. I was just curious if we can get one.

5. How powerful is the big baddie in Book 4 compared to Unit Bravo? You don't need to answer if this verges on spoiler-y territory.

Really sorry to overwhelm you with this, but it's just months and months of joy, happiness, and sheer ecstasy making me blabber on about this world like this. Thanks once again, for making this truly beautiful story, world, and the vampires a reality.

Have a good day!!!! Lots of love from India!!

You can never play a game you love too many times (I keep telling myself that as I gradually burn a hole into my poor old console playing Dragon Age over and over, lol!)! If it brings you happiness, then that's what is important! :D

Ok, let's see about the questions...it's been a whole since I've gone through the older games without being in editing mode, hehe!

I don't think so...Bobby is, well, Bobby. And that scene was there very much to establish their character and show the player what type of person they are.

I don't think so, again. If there's anything unusual or odd, then I usually like to let the MC find that instead of it happening 'off-screen' so it's more impactful for the player—unless it's Verda discovering stuff, because that needs to happen for…reasons.

Iirc, in the Bobby/Doug routes, you get the auction scene, so a lot of that branch involves focusing on saving yourself! But the other team that joins Unit Bravo will help in saving a lot of the captives in that version.

I would love that being a massive animal companion fan myself, hehe! But likely not, just because the MC is away a lot from home, and that's unfair on the pet, even a fictional one, lol. I was tempted to give the MC a supernatural pet that hung around at the facility—that was definitely a strong idea at one point just so I could write a pet in the series for those that wanted it (me, I was the one who wanted it, hehe!) :D

**BOOK FOUR DEMO SPOILERS AHEAD** It's not just that Book Four's villain is terrifyingly powerful (or will be. They are, thankfully for the MC and UB, in a weakened state for a while due to what's happened to them and what happened in Chapter Two) but it's a lot to do with the fact that their power specifically counteracts and weakens Unit Bravo's. So that's a double whammy!

Thank you SO incredibly much for the amazing message! It means more than you can know <3

[moliathh]

Hmm any alutegra enemies to lovers or rivals to lovers au ideas? Those are my favorite tropes but idk i can’t picture alucard hating integra…

OOOOOOhhh well!!! First of, the classic, Bram Stoker's Dracula au!!!! It's soooo easy, you just have to make Integra the Van Helsing hunter, there you go. I remember there is an Alucard/Integra fic in the Bram Stoker's novel au on AO3 but I have not read it yet, it is in my to-read list!!!

I did drafted out a Bram Stoker au too. Where Integra's role is mixed between Jonathan Harker and Van Helsing. The idea is that Integra is an occultist sent to a Transylvania castle to investigate paranormal activities there under the guise of real estate investigator. Seras plays the role of Dr Seward as Integra's apprentice who later got bitten too (erm i have not decided whether she live or die yet im sorry in every au she get changed one way or another and possibly go through death). During their investigation they encounter several different people in the castle who are different versions of Alucard. Since he already died and fragments of his soul haunts the castle. I figure each version of Alucard react differently with entirely different personality. This one is easyyy to imagine their dynamic, since Alucard doesn't outright hate Integra. They're testing and studying each other before deciding if the other one is a threat or not. That is the setting I have not write the specific events yet. And I have not write it because I didn't have the time yet.

I have another au vaguely based on the Demeter voyage. This au is vaguely thriller detective genre. Integra is the ship captain and Seras, Pip and Wild Geese was her crewmate, along with Walter as her vice captain. The people who boarded the ships are Iscariots and Milleniums, and Alucard. And then after a few quiet nights people starts dropping dead like flies. Sorts of like werewolf card game, after a few quiet kill people starts getting paranoid and starts pointing fingers and they locked the crew inside the the captain's cabin and started forcing each other to walk the plank. Seras died from stray bullets during a tussle involving guns. Alucard is actually responsible for all the kills behind the scene. He boarded the ship to target nazis from the start. I had been debating with my friend to keep this au thriller or bring it over to dark fantasy genre. If we take the fantasy route, Alucard is a seaborne monster (like Leviathan) that just eat the bodies clean off and he made Seras a siren out of pity her getting caught in the crossfire of his doings. In this au though Alucard and Integra could have a rivalry relationship at first since he didn't reveal his motives while assuming she sided with the nazis cuz she let them boarded when she did not know the insides of the millenium organization that well, and she still have a killer on board to catch. Sorry everyone, I didn't have time to write any of that I just have enough mentality to draft out the main events and the setting of it.

Besides that, you can run with their prototype design. Integra was a nazi officer in Hi-and-Low. There isn't any translation available that could help me understand the plot but I can see she is wearing a swatiska armband. Although there might be some betrayal plot in that manga I'm not entirely sure because I cannot read it. Let just assume she is a nazi. Alucard with a nazi? Even if she's Integra he's gonna blow her head clean off. I fear this au is not getting to the "lovers" part. RIP

There's also the Hogwarts au (disclaimer: I think the setting of Harry Potter is deeply flawed and I do not associate with JK Rowling in any sense, she is a bigoted transphobic racist). I sorted Integra and Maxwell in Slytherin, in charge by Walter, Alucard and Seras into Gryffindor, in charge by (the Queen) Elizabeth, Pip and Heinkel into Ravenclaw, Anderson and Yumi into Hufflepuff. Integra is Slytherin's prefect, Alucard is Gryffindor's prefect and quidditch captain, with Seras as seeker. Pip crashed into Seras during a quidditch session and broke her arm so he insisted on following her to assist her since she have one arm wrapped now. Both Alucard and Seras are orphans in this au. Alucard is a metamorphmagus because he was cursed to shapeshift into animals randomly and he have bad control over it so Integra offered to help. Alucard is good in subjects such as transfiguration and defense against dark arts, which was also taught by Walter haha. While Integra's strong subject is history of magic, alchemy and care of magical creatures, so she at least have the vague idea of helping Alucard when he just started shapeshifting out of no where into an animal. Seras is good in divination and flying but bad at transfiguration and arithmancy, she have to study from Alucard and Pip, whose strong subjects are arithmancy, potion and alchemy. Ah to the rivalry part, Integra descend from pure-blood wizards, Seras is born from non-magic parents and Alucard is half-blood, the wizard on paternal side. Not only that they at first poke at each other because of their descend and the competition between houses, Abraham, who is Integra's grandfather in this, killed Alucard's father. But they don't know that yet, hihi. Im building up so that at the beginning they bicker as comon discrimination among wizard students do, but then overcome their prejudices of each others to befriend and study together, Integra finding a way to help Alucard deal with his shapeshifting and at the same time get to study the animals he turn into. And then at some point they found out their family have a life-long feud and have to do something about it, maybe miscommunicate about it and hated each other for it idk I have not finished writing yet.

So there's that, I think the way to write enemies/rivals to lovers for Alutegra the early step is to seperate Alucard from allying with Integra. We see him devoted to her on their first meeting in canon so there was already zero ground for him to hate her for real. It is still very difficult to think about tho I cannot comes up with any scenarios where he SERIOUSLY hated her guts, he just can't. She's too easy to love, she's so kind and caring to him. He on the other hand, well um i think Alucard is not as easy to love, he's a handful! But she loved him regardless!! These lil mfs piss me off because of how much they care for each other. They're cute!!

[fireemblems24]

Scarlet Blaze Ch 11

Sorry this is taking forever, but here's ch 11.

MAIN STORY

Oh, shit, do we have to fight Gilbert next? AND ANNETTE? This suuukkkkks. It especially sucks since you know they didn't have a choice but to risk their lives just defending themselves.

Annette is so precious. Fuck. I don't want to fight her.

Gilbert being a good daddy though 😭😭😭😭

At least CF was entertaining. SB is a giant snoozefest where I have to kill all my favorites.

Man, they all sound like psychopaths. They're all super excited to go kill people who are just defending themselves. Even Dorothea's only worried about marriage.

MAP/SIDE STUFF

Shez just said that everyone who gets killed in the war "is standing in our way." Imagine comparing self-defense to "getting in our way." Yikes for that characterization compared to how concerned GW!Shez is about Claude's aggressive decisions.

Lamo, Mercedes is like wtf am I doing here fighting the Kingdom and Annie? 

Aww, Marianne (and Dorothea) are like the only two who realize they're fighting other people and not just being all murder happy like the rest. 

Dimitri just got put on par with Holst and Caspars dad by Balthis, kind of, unofficially best Kingdom warrior? 

We're addressing the Ferdinand and Hubert subplot again. Which is good. It's by far the most interesting part of SB. Though, it's just a repeat of what we've seen from it before.

Ok, they're adding some different stuff which is interesting. Bringing up that even if Fredie's dad tried to retire and stay out of Edelgard's way, that he would still have to die because of what he symbolizes. Hubert and Ferdinand disagree on whether people like Mr. Aegir can get a second chance (as in, can you when you've become a symbol).

This is especially interesting to me in regards to what happens to Rhea, Dimitri, and Claude if they surrender to Edelgard and become her puppets. Basically, Hubert is saying that, no matter what, they'd have to die because anyone who would rebel would use (fill in here) as a symbol of their resistance. Claude may be the sole exception here because he can scoot off to Almyra, but it's very obvious that Rhea and Dimitri (and their staunch allies) are fighting for their lives, because even if we're generous and say Edelgard would spare them and give them life worth living (i.e. not locked up), Hubert would most certainly have them assassinated.

Which also brings up another point. People always talk about how it's wrong/bad for Dimitri to try and spare Edelgard at the end of AM because what kind of life would she live? But always praise Edelgard for trying to spare Rhea towards the end of CF but no one - not a single soul - asks what kind of life would Rhea live? I gotta make my own post about that.

SB is really gonna be - kill yo dad, the route. Ironic since I played this the day after Father's Day.

I have to fight Sylvain 😭

SHEZ & MANUELA A SUPPORT

Manuela is flirting with Shez lol. He said he liked her voice and she pushed him with like "is that all" until he talked about her looks lamo

Aww, Shez actually likes her hungover side. Saying he likes warrior her, singer her, healer her, and drunk her. That's kinda cute, actually

Shez said that he can't keep his eyes off her. Laying it on a bit thick. And said she's more attractive now than she was younger haha.

Yeah, Shez, I have no idea how she was supposed to see that in any other way lol.

HUBERT & LYSITHEA B SUPPORT

Hubert finds Lysithea studying at night and teases her about ghosts. She runs away.

The Imperial Army is a bunch of children who don't want to eat their veggies. This is 100% cannon. Hubert orders guards to sneak them into soups for the soldiers actually get their veggies. I cannot. (though, imagine the privilege, Faerghus could never)

Lysithea freaks out because she ate veggies.

Veggies are legitimately delicious though. I don't know what the Imperial Army's problem is.

EDELGARD & MONICA A SUPPORT

Guys, I'm so excited. A Monica support. I wonder what she'll talk about.

Monica counts how many times Edelgard worried about her and invited her to tea. I just . . . no.

This support was pure cringe.

I love how "Kingdom bad" because they're willing to die to defend their homes, family, friends, and everything and anything else they've loved from invaders, but Monica is to be admired because she's oh so loyal to Edelgard that even in when Edelgard leaves her for dead, it's a happy moment for Monica because it helps Edelgard's cause. Like . . . double standard much?

PETRA & CONSTANCE C SUPPORT

Constance is something else. She confronts Petra because Petra's dad invaded and it led to the demise of Constance's everything.

I enjoy supports that address conflict, but girl, that was not Petra's fault. Don't take it out on her.

Oh, good, she's not. She recognizes that Petra's people suffered, and that neither of them were involved, so there's no bad blood.

Then she hahahas and leaves. Lamo, this made me love Constance.

Petra doesn't get a chance to say she agrees and seeks out Constance, but finds her in the sunlight, and needlessly to say, is very confused.

MAIN BATTLE

Hubert and Edelgard just said submit or die.

Wow, Linhardt is like I wish the nobles would think about all the people who they're forcing to fight. The lack of self-awareness is astounding.

Ferdinand can join the "lack of self-awareness club" for acting like it's the Kingdom causing the violence.

Baron Dominic opened the gate, risking his defenses to rescue soldiers. Hubert judged him. But we're supposedly the good guys. I swear the writing goes out of it's way to make the Kingdom look good.

Fuck. I have to fight Gustave :( He dead :( Poor Annette.

FUCK. Now I have to fight Annette.

Fuck this route. Ingrid, Rodrigue, Gustave, and now Annette - all dead.

Even Baron Dominic's death is making me sad. None of the Empire generals get this kind of humanization when they die lol.

Edelgard and Hubert sound insane. Edelgard's acting like their deaths were inevitable because of their lineage (when they would've been just fine if not for her actions), and Hubert's like he's happy to die so it doesn't matter. What a bunch of looney tunes.

Edelgard just said whoever wins gets to decide what's right. I mean, victors do write the history but yikes at the implications.

So deep - "we're up against the world itself." Sounds like a teenage edge-lord wrote this lamo.

We got crusher. Joy. Did they pry it out of Annette's dead hands?

Oh, joy, more backtracking. Revolts in the Empire. I thought we were out of the backtracking era and into kill every Blue Lion era.

xxxx

[plothooksinc]

hi! if you're still answering questions...I think you mentioned you found a life partner without dating. as a person who is thinking they might be asexual but might still want a life partner... I was just curious about how that happened for you. (please feel free to ignore if this is too personal!)

Ah, man. First, no, it's not too personal! I just delayed long enough to check in with my housemate to make sure he didn't mind me talking about this.

But for us it just- sort of happened naturally. I've known my housemate for 27 years at this point and we met when he was a customer at the RPG store I ran. Then at some point I joined a game of his and then he joined a game of mine and we started talking as more than customer-manager? And then he joined the people I took home with me at night (I hated going home to an empty house so I was constantly bringing guys home with me lmao, I don't know WHAT my neighbours thought but they were legit only coming over to hang out and play more games) and then I realised he literally lived on my route home and I started knocking on his window at 2am on my way home from work and hanging out with him there for a bit, and then we went from friendly acquaintances to actual friends, and then "that friend I will ring when I'm having a bad day, pls come over and bring me something to eat" and then he wanted to move out of home and I could no longer afford living on my own and had bounced around homeless a bit and so we rented a house together. Which was rough as hell to begin with because I do not play nice with people in my living space and so I nearly moved OUT again, but by the nature of struggling to run a business and having no money we ended up living together long enough we got used to each other's rough edges and then. Then we just KEPT living together. And a lot of life happened and we just got used to living with each other, and we've always been just friends-- I mean when we first moved in, I was still dating! We didn't even know asexuality was a thing back then. (Or at least I didn't, he might have. It didn't come up. For me, I was still engaged in "fake it until you make it???" which is the fun game of the asexual when you don't realise you're asexual.) But over time it became-- well, still friends but kind of like married friends, because we just knew each other too well and could balance each other out. When I finally was introduced to the concept of asexuality (I was 35 by that point jeez) I was so relieved I just settled right into the concept of living with my best friend for the rest of eternity. And he's also ace (or Chris Hemsworth-sexual as he puts it) and we're just... comfortable together. And know each other's minds to a very startling degree, the amount we're in sync is hilarious sometimes. Last year we bought a house together, so that cements we're just gonna live together forever. I kept this as brief as possible because you would not believe how many times I wanted to go off on tangents about the kind of incredibly decent man I live with. I have no sexual attraction or desire for intimacy of any kind, but I love him all the same. He's like a best friend/brother/something other. And... there was no plan to it, it all happened naturally. Which is probably not helpful to you I'm afraid-- we didn't plan to avoid dating and go straight to life partnering, it just happened. But all I can say is to wish you well, anon, and to also say: aces and aros tend to gather together. When I realised I was ace, I discovered a great many of my friends were also ace, because... like recognises like, I guess. And that means that if you're ace, the chances you're just gonna gravitate naturally to other aces and have a chance of just progressing into something warm and long term with one of them is a lot greater than zero. I hope for all the best for you. ♥

[leonawriter]

It's fascinating and kinda funny to me how P4 is one of the only ones where I'm like, "yeah sure I get that the developers may have intended a certain route more than others, but I simply cannot see any that would actually stick or work."

If we just go with the girls (putting Yosuke to one side, and treating Naoto as one for the sake of "well, the canon game does, and gives her a romance route"), then we have - from the party members, at least, who Yu wouldn't be literally lying to by omission about the existence of the TV world - Yukiko, Chie, Rise, and Naoto. Marie is also added in Golden.

(bear in mind this isn't that serious, and even on the ones I don't really agree with, if I think there's potential I won't outright dismiss it.)

Just going with the base game?

Yeah sorry but I cannot see Yukiko or Chie as anything other than lesbians. Like - even if we ARE just going with the basic Japanese societal read on this, it isn't even that far fetched for them to see girls fooling around with those sorts of feelings as kids. Yeah, it's something they see kids "growing out of" but it Exists.

Another point against Yukiko is, to me, that she's kinda... the story ties her down. She is stuck in Inaba. Her SL even has her choose this, in that once she finishes high school she'll go into learning how to run the inn properly.

Personally, I find it difficult to imagine Yu being "the Inn Manager's husband," although that's just me.

Chie... same as above, tbh. Although, ironically, I can see them working out better due to Yu being canonically a mystery solver, and Chie joining the police, under Yu's uncle. it's not... an infeasible match.

Rise is one of my preferred ships for Yu, but the thing is? In spite of how much she flirts with him, the moment she goes back to her Idol lifestyle, that kinda... all goes down the drain. Being an idol means having absolutely zero private life, or personal life, and there's no space for a boyfriend (or girlfriend). Anything they might have would have to be put on hold for her career, until either her publicist figures out a way to sell it, or until she stops being an idol altogether.

Naoto... uh... is to me a big "not interested" and "does not work out" because a) her "romance" route sucks from what I've seen, and b) the game heavily implies she and Kanji have a Mutual Interest, so my perspective is that when the player has Yu romance Naoto, you're breaking them up before they could even get started. How cruel.

Marie... well. I'm gonna be honest that when I went through the P4G playthrough I watched, I didn't really like her, but that's because she reads as the kind of emo scene kid that she really kinda is. But, like... she effectively fits with her contemporary (2011 and thereabouts) age group, and she's literally got the appearance of a 15 year old (give or take a godly length of lifetime for erased memories). Sure, she's a... massive spoiler, but you can take the way Yu acts in bringing her back to her senses to mean that feelings might be returned. Doesn't stop her [redacted] spoiler nature, though, and it doesn't stop people from treating her like marmite, because you either love her or hate her.

So, basically? To me? We have two lesbians who are Orientation Incompatible, one teen idol who will have to pretend nothing's happening in public, someone who's currently interested in someone else, and someone who was originally a resident of the Velvet Room he wasn't in a lot of contact with after he left Inaba, iirc.

That SURE IS an eclectic bunch of misfits, most of whom are gonna have a hard time dating him. And that's with me playing devil's advocate for a few!

After all that, and if you decide you don't want to just push past the issues they'd have or come up with your own way it'd work, you're left with either the non-party members (and remember: Yu does not tell them about the TV world, as far as I'm aware) and the guys.

Kanji is interested in Naoto. Like, canonically still blushes around her in the January/February content. I'd say not impossible but you'd have to compete with Naoto in his head.

Teddie is... well... he's Teddie. Mentally closer to Nanako's age - and that's based on how they act around each other, as much as anything. He's more the little brother of the group.

And then. Then, there's Yosuke. Yosuke "Hey, Partner, remember my scrapped romance route" Hanamura. Who seems to understand Yu and is the first to go to him most of the time, who came from the city so they can bond on that, who gets Yu. Which isn't even me trying to just go "Yu/Yosuke propaganda!" but I am just looking at them and being like. "Wow. That sure does work out nicely if you ship 'em."

All this because I'm sure I've seen two different people at totally different times suggest that Yu's "intended love interest" was Yukiko when... my gut reaction was just "what? what? no. absolutely not." And yet when I'd try and think who would be (at least in the base game), I'd come up a blank.

If it's not a teammate and we're excluding the guys, I'd actually go with Marie. Although I wouldn't say that's because I believe in the ship, so much as "well, there's objectively nothing wrong with it, or that I'd say would get in the way." Which. Well. Is more than I can say for a lot of the others. Plus, even though I don't ship it, the idea of a guy whose Persona even in future instalments is basically a nuke with Myriad Truths pairing up with someone like her, does have a certain "battle/badass couple" vibe to it.

[trashlie]

What do you think about ILY's Timeskip?

And I love your theories

Like in general or if I have any specific expectations?

I'm really looking forward to the time skip, to be honest, because I think we'll get to really dig down deep into the story through some themes that we can't really get into yet but we are starting to see are present (the rampant sexual assault from the Kims, Yui drugging people, what exactly happened to Nessa [was it staged or murder], what happened to Nol while he was institutionalized. I'm also really, really excited to see where all of our characters and key players will stand at that time. A lot can change in 2-4 years (I can't remember how far the timeskip is meant to jump, 3 to 4? Maybe?)

I want to see what route did Shinae take, what she's doing with her life. I want to see if Nol got the hell out of there and if so, what brings him back? Something I used to anticipate about the timeskip is that we'd see all three main characters going off in different directions - Nol aboard, Kousuke in Japan, Shinae perhaps going to school - and that the story reconvenes when all three come back into the story together. That's the thing, right? There needs to be a catalyst that makes the story pick up again.

A theory my friend introduced to me that I've been throwing around is that Yujing is working on two different stories - the one about Nol using his interview as she promised Rand, the other that she told Manli about that will take a few years to pull together. I think the latter story will happen during the timeskip, and I REALLY look forward to seeing the ripple effect of it!

But also I want to see where everyone is!!!! What is Shinae studying, what does she want to do, is she ready to play this game, how is her father, what are the ramifications of Yui finally crossing his path? What about Nol? What's he doing is he in a better place? Has anyone gotten themselves into therapy?! I worry about where Kousuke is gonna go, just based on some cryptic things quimchee has said on patreon as well, in general, what he's facing right now. Are we going to learn this early about Yui drugging Kousuke? How will he handle that? Can he deal with the cognitive dissonance, about everything he believes because of her? What can be believe? Who can he trust? Does he have to carry on and pretend like things are normal? Where will Alyssa be? Will she still be in GL4SS? As a mirror to Kousuke will she, too, be struggling to cope with something, will she also be so far from true happiness?

At this stage, though, I can't speculate TOO much on the timeskip or even start to talk about what I want to see because I have NO IDEA where we're going lmao Will Nol and Shinae resolve their problems? Do I have to deal with no closure? What's going to happen with Simhan? There's so many things I can only guess about at this point lol

PLUS we still have the MINI timeskip that gets us to graduation (WILL MINHYUK BE ABLE TO ATTEND SHINAE'S GRADUATION?) and Shinae's birthday. AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH so much to cover so much story to devour I'm SO excited for everything. I wish quimchee could just beam the remaining story in my head because I get soooo hungry for it lmao there's so much I want to know and see I'm dying to see what our driving plot turns into in the future AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

But if you have more concrete thoughts that you want to ask about please feel free to let me know!

Also thank you so much! <3 It means a lot to me that not only do people read all of my dumb thoughts but that they take the time to tell me how much they enjoy them! I appreciate it more than I can ever really convey ;~; <3

[olivia-dove]

This isn’t a novel thing to do in games anymore, but I still enjoy attempting to play a game as a pacifist, ie while not killing anything. There’s also a lot more "cozy" games these days, which never ask the player to fight anything. But that’s not quite the same. The fun comes from playing in a way the game developers definitely did not intend and the problem solving of finding alternate routes get achieve the same goals.

Like, the shrine puzzles in Zelda: BotW/Totk usually have a clear solution the player is intended to arrive at, and leads to a fun “ah-hah” moment. But it is also fun to reach the end of the shrine in a silly way you’re pretty sure the devs never thought of.

I guess I just like puzzle games? Or maybe I like over-complicating things…

World of Warcraft was the first game I started doing this in. I didn’t know it was A Thing yet, I was just tired of the masses of monsters I had to wade through and stubbornly decided I would play without fighting anything. I still had game time after all, and not enough allowance to just buy another game, so perhaps it was more frugal than stubborn? This was also just about the earliest one could play WoW in this way. The Cataclysm expansion had just added exp to gathering professions, without which I’d run out of quests to do and get stuck pretty fast. (This is much less of a concern today, when Chromie Time scales everything to your level and you can go anywhere, anytime…)

Since then the thought of "could I do this as a pacifist?" has crossed my mine—and lodged itself in there—while playing just about any game featuring combat.

...That was a long-winded way of saying I’mma start blogging about my pacifist gaming adventures, starting with my OG WoW.

As I've watched others in this space, I've noticed discrepancies in the definition of "pacifist" so, I'll just layout my particular rule set real quick. I'm not killing anything, with or without getting my own hands dirty. I'm not assisting, e.g. healing, anyone attempting to kill anything. I will use nonlethal force on NPCs, e.g. bring them into custody, spar or duel. When buying things from shops, I'm not gonna worry about if they had to kill something to get it. With the perhaps arbitrary distinction that I can't commission another player to go kill a thing for me. I will be catching fish because I enjoy it and I will not be taking questions about whether or not they're technically alive and if I have technically killed them by doing so.

[fadebolt]

The funny thing is, this isn't the first time we're doing a bit of region comparing through a 1v1 Tumblr poll. Remember @rain-world-region-showdown? I'm guessing many of you don't, that one has stopped posting about a year ago, but it was a pretty fun blog, and it's nice to have region duel, like the ones we saw there. Gives me some sweet nostalgia.

What's also funny is that both Shoreline and Shaded Citadel were knocked out immediately, on the very first round (and in case you're wondering, Shaded lost to Chimney Canopy, while Shore lost to Outer Expanse). And since there weren't any 'looser brackets', they never really got the chance to face off against each other. Back when that showdown was running, I had a bit of a format that I used, to rate the contestants. I'm gonna bring that format back, but I will not copy-paste the stuff I've written for these two regions. It's been almost a year, and I've played a decent chunk more, since then (which were mostly Expeditions). Have I had any overly drastic opinion shifts? No, but my feelings have likely changed enough to warrant a fresh look (while I also still stand by pretty much everything I've during the showdown... I hope that makes sense).

Anyways, time for some ratings! (I'm not gonna put in another explanation for my system. I hope it'll be clear enough, as is xd)

Shoreline: Music - 4/5 Game Design - 3/5 Visuals - 3/5 Core Identity/Gimmick and Importance - 2/5 (Would be 4/5 in vanilla, but DP has added in not 1, but 2 cooler versions of it. Ofc, WF is technically the same area, and SS has a couple core differences, but they still caused Shore to not stand out nearly as much as it did before) Enjoyability - 4/5

Overall Average - 3.2

Extra comment: I know Shoreline is one of those areas most people don't really care about - and if someone does like it, it's usually because LttM is there. But I'm one of those who are slightly positive leaning. It's an area that doesn't have a lot, that's amazing about it, but it also doesn't have much, that I'd consider to be overly terrible. It's mostly just... there, but I think the game is better off, for having it, even if it has parts I don't particularly like. (And yes, I do actually considering it to be a rather enjoyable area. The navigation is fun, its platforming rooms are nice, and Jetfishes/Jellyfishes are a blast to use. Sue me.)

Shaded Citadel: Music - 5/5 Game design - 3/5 Visuals - 4/5 Core Identity/Gimmick and Importance - 4/5 Enjoyability - 2/5

Overall Average - 3.6

Extra comment: Yeah, I know it's a little ironic, but I do view Shaded in a much higher regard than Shore, even though I find it to be a lot less fun. It just has a lot going for it, that really makes it stand out, even if it's also technically one of those 'unimportant' areas that doesn't have much 'story relevance'. I'm not an exactly much of a horror guy, really. But something about the atmosphere of this place really works for me, in ways that many other areas just don't. Not to mention, how radically different its gameplay, and its creatures are, and how the tools it requires feel actually rather good to use (the satisfaction of hitting a giant group of Coalescipedes with a Flashbangs... it's something else). Still, the region suffers from many rooms having... not so great layouts (hence why SC rooms rarely got votes in the room showdown), and the general structuring of the region is also little iffy, at times. It could be worse, sure, but there are many areas I'd be more excited to visit. But at least, it's an area I love thinking about. And I do enjoy the feels it gives me, whenever I'm using it for a route - which happens quite a lot, especially thanks to the GW karma gate, of Downpour!

So, the overall winner is - Shaded Citadel!

Shoreline or Shaded Citadel?

[immortalityismymiddlename]

Radiant!Agents(F!) Reacting to a Non!Radiant Reader! (Who's ridiculously good.) (Yes this is a xgn!reader)

Includes : Jett, Fade, Reyna, Neon and Sage!!

(might make a pt. 2 i made this half asleep btw so sorry bout that)

Sorry for not posting for a while, having trouble with the rime route..

~

Jett!:

"Okay- I'm not saying people who aren't radiants aren't capable- but it's just- how the hell?! How are they so good?! I mean- have you seen how fast they reacted??? They've barely even used their bullets and they've already killed everyone! I mean- that's just- crazy good! I gotta admit i MAAAY be a BIT. a bit, jealous of them..."

(Or in love with them..)

I'm not even gonna lie, she just WON'T shut up about you, to the point it gets annoying.

She would be very competitive and would probably make bets with you to see who's better.

Would definitely lose a lot (because she stares at you way too much in missions, even gets herself shot a lot.)

Probably confessed by accident after you kill five agents. "Damn, I think i just fell in love all over again."

Reassures you a lot, might even bring herself down just so she can prove a point to you. "Dude- you- you literally carried us all on your backs! Surprised you're not even tired! You barely broke a sweat! even if i couldn't do my job you still managed to get us all back! Without you, we probably wouldn't even be here thanks to you.."

Fade:

"I knew their potential from the start, but even so, they still manage to impress me time and time again. I couldn't even believe what was happening before my eyes,, And for someone like me,, I'd say that's a huge compliment. Job well done, (Y/N). You did good."

Like she said, she already knew a lot about you. I don't think she'd study you like the rest of the agents although i can see her trying to learn more about you so I'm assuming she already knows your potential. But it really doesn't matter whether or not she does. You still impress her.

You'll often see fade staring at you before a mission. Of course, when you look back she looks away. She wonders how good you can be even without abilities, i mean, don't get me wrong, she doesn't underestimate you because of that, she knows how hard it already is with radiant powers. How much harder can it be without it?

You'll often find her at the end of missions, waiting for you somewhere where she knows you'll walk by. Giving a compliment or two before fleeing. As if she was never there.

She loves admiring you from a far. If you're insecure about it, she'd be even more shocked. She might try to give you quick compliments whenever you feel that way. She just knows it from the look in your eyes.

Reyna:

From what i know, she wants to create a world full of radiants. (Correct me if I'm wrong!) She, of course is shocked. More than the others. She probably underestimates you. She knows there are agents without radiant abilities, but she still doesn't think someone without said abilities can be so.. good.

"Who knew (Y/N) could be so good, Quite the impressive play. Say, have you any experience before joining the protocol? Why am i asking?,, Let's just say,, you've intrigued me, in ways i never expected you to. So, are you just going to stare at me or are you going to answer me?"

She would definitely talk to you, try and know more about you. It's not every day she finds someone so,, intriguing as she says. You can often see her being in places you usually wouldn't see her at. Places where you normally go to.

Sometimes you can never tell if she wants to be friends with you or if she just wants your soul, maybe she thinks yours tastes better than the rest.

If she likes you enough, she might even start flirting with you. Might even shoot her shot with you, not that you mind. She is gorgeous.

Neon:

"Grabe ka naman (Y/N)! (Practically saying you're good/You're too much! I'm bad at translating sorry HAHA) You're killing it! Literally. Or.. yk, them. HAHA! you're amazing!"

Dude, she looks up to you and wants to be like you. It doesn't matter to her that you don't have abilities. She thinks you're amazing and she is REALLY vocal about it

"you don't need radiant powers, you're amazing with or without it! Hell, you'd be too overpowered if you had them! You could probably beat almost anyone with radiant powers!"

Loves practicing with you, more like watching you practice but nevermind that.

Might even ask you to teach her a bit.

(sorry I couldn't think much for neon)

Sage:

"Wonderful! You did amazing, Good job, (Y/N). I told you, you would. Now, would you like to join me? I made something for you in the kitchen. I think you'll enjoy it. Think of it as a,, celebratory gift."

I see her being friends with you even before she saw you in battle. Maybe even helped you feel a little confident in your abilities. I can see her helping you practice and teaching you everything you know.

She loves cooking and baking with you, for sure. She loves giving you baked goods as gifts after missions. Always telling you to relax and take a breather after a long mission.

You two would make such a good duo! She always has your back and if she had to choose only one person to revive over someone else in the protocol she'd choose you. (If she could.)

She loves you, abilities or not. You two probably get along really well and she knows that she can always count on you if she needs anything, and vice versa.

And she would always reassure you that no matter how different you are from the other agents that you are just as useful to the protocol as they are.

[heartbreakprincewille]

If we're talking about Taylor swift and young royals for the midnights album

Lavender haze X wlimon?? "I've been under scrutiny/ you handle it beautifully" that part in particular really fits to me but idk about the rest of the song, I think this song would fit them in like S3 when they're dealing with the fallout of being a public couple and suddenly Simon's thrust into the royal life and into wille's world and ends up learning a bunch of stuff he had no idea of before and learning what it's like being a royal and being with a royal and also learning more about wille and wille's life?? If that's the route S3 goes this would be the song for them

Umm I haven't seen anyone say this but midnight rain X sircus? 💀 "I broke his heart cause he was nice" ofc there's a lot of debate about whether Marcus really was nice or not bc a lot of the things he did were manipulative, whether intentionally or not, but we can all agree he's the poster boy for nice guys. "He wanted it comfortable/ I wanted that pain" how Simon's relationship w Marcus was nice and sweet and comfortable but he still yearned to be with wille even tho it was more difficult and painful and he'd have to deal with being a secret

I've already seen "you're on your kid" edits with wille specifically the part where it goes "you're on your own kid you always have been" accompanied by a bunch of shots of wille alone looking sad and those make my heart hurt lmao

Oh and both karma and vigilante shit fit wille I feel like. Vigilante shit bc he was taking revenge on August and entering his reputation era and all that "don't get sad get even" I think he took it a little far with pointing a gun at his head but I do not mind 💀 and karma would fit really well for the next season bc wille and Simon would be happy thriving and together while August would be in prison ❤️❤️❤️

What ab the other songs on the album? Do you think they could fit?

OHHH this is gonna be a long discussion so buckle up🤝

I can totally see Lavender Haze as S3 Wilmon. Like, "The 1950s shit they want from me", Wille being expected to be a conventional Crown Prince like the old times(especially the heteronormative aspect)but he's here to bring change baby😌🤚 and "I'm damned if I do give a damn what people say" like he won't be giving a SHIT about people are saying about him because he's finally with the person he loves, and he's already done giving shit about unnecessary opinions, S2 showed us that.

I agree with Midnight Rain being a Simon-Marcus song.

"My town was a wasteland / Full of cages, full of fences / Pageant queens and big pretenders / But for some, it was paradise" like it screams of Simon's desire of leaving Bjästard and how much he hates the vanity he sees everyday in Hillerska.

"I guess sometimes we all get /Just what we wanted, just what we wanted / And he never thinks of me /Except for when I'm on TV /I guess sometimes we all get /Some kind of haunted, some kind of haunted /And I never think of him /Except on midnights like this"

In the end, Simon got what he wanted(being with Wille), and he can't be any happier, but the way he treated Marcus still haunts him sometimes. Like the "except when I'm on TV" line is so on point for them because after Wille admitting he was in the video, Simon would be in the limelight again and Marcus would be reminded of everything quite a lot because of that.

Also, I totally agree that it's debatable that whether Marcus was actually nice or not, but if we think from Simon's perspective, Marcus was pretty nice to him, so yeah.

I've also seen the YOYOK edits with Wilhelm, but it's a Simon song in my mind all the way. Like "I didn't choose this town, I dream of getting out" , "Something different bloomed, writing in my room/ I play my songs in the parking lot /I'll run away" IT'S SO SIMON CODED. I think Anti-Hero fits Wilhelm way more than YOYOK.

Vigilante Shit and Karma are so bad bitch Wille and Bejeweled is Felice's song😌🤚

Sweet Nothing is also such a S3 Wilmon song for me like Simon wanting nothing from him in a world where everyone wants to derive benefit from him because he's the Crown Prince, and especially the bridge makes me wanna cry: Industry disruptors and soul deconstructors/ And smooth-talking hucksters out glad-handing each other/And the voices that implore, "You should be doing more"/To you, I can admit that I'm just too soft for all of it"

Labyrinth was already S2 Simon song in my mind and I'm glad I was right😌

Mastermind is such a Wilhelm- coded song like every line SCREAMS of Wilhelm pursing Simon in S1 and the bridge drives me INSANE like "No one wanted to play with me as a little kid/ So I've been scheming like a criminal ever since /To make them love me and make it seem effortless/This is the first time I've felt the need to confess/And I swear/I'm only cryptic and Machiavellian /'Cause I care"

Anyway I'm never gonna stop so I'm just gonna end this ask here. 😭😭 thanks for sending this, btw!

[theriverdraws]

DELTARUNE RAMBLING/THEORY AGAIN:

I guess it's a bit of a rant as well but it's not that serious lol I'm just theorizing.

I think we can all agree it's pretty confirmed that Gaster is heavily involved with Kris' whole deal, whatever it is, but I actually did read other theories about chara also being involved (even if I don't agree with it), or just another third entity controlling Kris in general.

And while I understand it a bit better after going through some versions, it didn't really change my mind, I don't think chara is involved.

Here's the thing, deltarune isn't connected to undertale directly, definitely in some ways, that's why Gaster is here, but Ut!Chara being involved in it would mean that the world of Deltarune would be directly connected to an undertale no-mercy route, and if what Toby said still holds up, he doesn't want this to be a direct sequel/prequel to undertale, so this couldn't be the case. Gaster works because he's barely an undertale character tbh, so it feels less connected if that makes sense? So him playing a bigger part wouldn't be an issue.

Also since Chara and Kris already have very overlapping personalities in some ways, it would get confusing very quickly. Which actually brings up another point:

What about a deltarune version of Chara? All the other ut characters have them.

Have you considered Kris is this alternate version? They have very similar personalities despite probably growing differently, both adopted by the dreemurrs aswell, and while Chara is the true meta name of the fallen child, you can name them whatever you want so Kris could just be deltarune version of Chara. AND if that is the case then it wouldn't make sense Kris being posessed by dr!Chara if they technically are them.

There's also a bigger possibility that Chara is just dead, since there is no one to help them like in undertale. Or that Chara is living their best life with Asriel in college idk, I just think it's very unlikely that an alternate version of Chara is also a dead devil child with similar goals as the ut version, despite the very big differences the two worlds have?

Leaving the topic of Chara behind, I also do not think there's any other third entity controlling Kris, heck I don't even think Gaster is controlling them. And by controlling I mean posession, I definitely think Gaster plays more of a puppeteer role, but I don't think he has any control over Kris without the soul inside them, without our help. Therefore it isn't some shady figure doing those fountains, it's just Kris.

And yes most of you already knew this and it's obvious BUT I think it's fair some would doubt that Kris would do the fountains willingly, and that's because of the snowgrave/weird route.

Like, first of all, why would Kris do the fountains on a normal route? Well it's a form of escapism, and they want to share this world with their friends right? So they have enough reasons to make fountains in a normal route. But why would they make a new fountain after a snowgrave route??? Why would they put the soul back in their body??? It's not like they weren't emotionally affected by this, you can see by the observations of characters around Kris that they are very much traumatized.

So, some people think that's why there could be a third entity making Kris do these fountains, like Chara or Gaster, and I don't think it's a dumb assumption to make but I would argue it's far from the case here.

The thing is deltarune plays a lot with the relationship of the player and the protagonist, that's one of it's themes, we're gonna learn a lot more about Kris in the next 5 chapters, so we don't know the full extent of their goals. Sure the motives behind the fountains are somewhat "sweet" and sad in a normal route, but what if there's more to it? What if this SOMEHOW could help Kris' problem with the soul controlling their body? Or it could be just something else entirely, the thing is - we can't judge Kris' actions too quickly.

Now, I don't think they are malicious because there isn't a single Toby character who is purely "evil" and just for the sake of being "evil", but just how certain people blaming Kris or Chara for the snowgrave route or genocide route is just a form of shifting the blame off themselves - I also think shifting the blame out of Kris' actions is also just shifting the blame away from them for the sake of keeping them "pure", when we really don't have enough information about them considering we're getting 5 more chapters in the future, and Kris could definitely be an even grayer character than we think. And so by just treating Kris like they would never do certain things to achieve their goals, specially in this awful situation they are in, filled with desperation and lack of freedom, I think we would be cutting off a lot of potential in their character.

And I think thats about it? I also don't think Kris is the knight just because if they were, there would be quite a bit of plot holes but I mean, it isn't impossible.

[harmoniouseclipse]

This is so disheartening to see. It feels so weird to add a whole new cast of characters to Genshin and have only one of them be dark skinned. Granted, Iansan will be the darkest character in Genshin when she releases, but I did see a particular issue while talking with my friend; here is the chart I made going in depth about why her skin still feels so off to me (as an artist).

I feel like they are trying (somewhat) to push more out of their comfort zones, which I applaud them for. However, when you release a trailer filled with a whole new cast and only one of them actually has dark skin that isn't pale to medium tan, it creates a bad look imo.

And regarding their other games, it's so odd to make Arlan's whole thing be named with things referring to slavery. I think the devs maybe thought that they were giving empowering representation since most of them have to do with breaking free from oppression, but it really comes off as weird and disjointed. And I also feel like they could have added much better representation regarding Penacony. I don't play HSR so I was very surprised when a friend of mine told me that Boothill was based off of Native Americans, because as an American myself he is very much reminiscent of stereotypical southern country people. Of course I'm glad they didn't go the alternative route by making him a stereotypical Native American, since I have multiple friends who are and they are all very different people, none of them acting like how Hollywood portrays that culture though. And I also have never played HI3 but again, when my friend told me about one of the character's whole thing being that she hates her dark skin and bleaches it I was again shocked. But again, since I don't play these games and I know that HI3 was still one of their earlier games I wonder if it was just the early stages of development and poor aging kind of like old movies. Not as a way to excuse it, but as a way to understand why they went with that choice and from what I have seen they haven't copied that character plot(?) in any of their other games, thankfully.

E made an incredible video regarding the topic of Genshin's colorism so I'll link it here for you to watch since she does a much better job of explaining it than me lmao

I'm gonna end it here but I do have some extra points in the tags I wanna bring up briefly, and I might continue this in another reblog if I have time but for now these are the main thoughts I had ✌🏻

So, I hopped on here and saw nobody talking about the atrocity that is what genshin is doing to Natlan and since it was suggested we move the boycott to where others may not be able to hear Twitter specifically I decided to post something which I've normally never done.

Genshin has taken inspiration for Natlan from a bunch of different ethnic groups around the world, including but not limited to the Aztec, the Mayan, the Incan, the Māori, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and the West African.

The reason this is so dangerous is because it is literally covering up and whitewashing cultures. Hoyoverse promotes itself as a "diverse" and "worldwide" game, but if you can't even represent the people you're taking from properly, then what's the point? When it comes down to it, Hoyo can make beautiful representations based on cultures. One that I find consistently mentioned is Yunjin, who has a popular Chinese opera singer singing for an idle animation.

This extends outside of genshin, too, though. One point that particularly enrages me is the point of one Carole Pepper. Now, I haven't played much HI3, but from what I've heard, this poor woman hates her skin so much that she bleaches it. And to add insult to injury when I showed two side by side pictures of Carole to a friend of mine, said friend pointed out that she dressed more feminine the whiter she got.

Arlan's skill names have also been a cause of concern for a while now. With HSR releasing another person of color, I also beg you to consider the following: "Why did no playable characters on Penacony have darker skin? It was heavily based on America's Jazz Age, so wouldn't they include the people who created said music?" Another point is that of both Aventurine and Boothill. Both of these men were influenced by minorities and heavily whitewashed. Aventurine was based on the rromani peoples, and Boothill was based on Native Americans. Neither has an once of melanin.

I'll be posting more about this issue later but for now I'll leave it at that. I'll be reposting some art I've seen that incorporates more of these cultures and studying up more on what has been portrayed through this new trailer.

[gentil-minou]

Regarding sentiadrien as a metaphor for disability. I remember in early concepts they were gonna have Adrien use a cane, but the higher ups weren't sure if they could portray it right so it was cut. If sentiadrien really is supposed to be a metaphor for disability as a replacement for what they considered including in the show for real? That's an unfortunate change imo

I've never personally disliked sentiadrien as a concept, but that angle in particular? I don't know if that's the best.

Respectfully, I would have to disagree. I think these two would be entirely different, and that is based on how they might play out.

The issue with the original concept is that Adrien would need a cane but Chat Noir (presumably) would not. This sends a message that a disability is something to pity, that heroes should not have one. I'm glad they scrapped it as it sends a very ablest message. They may still bring it back though, and do something like @sabertoothwalrus all left au (actually i cant remember if it was them or tizzymcwizzy so apologies if im mistaken) and save it for the end, to show that no matter what he's a hero. I think that would be better because the message changes.

Similarly, I think sentiadrien could be done the same way. People seem to think that in order for Adrien to be okay, he needs to become human and THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT. I want Adrien to take back his own freedoms, specifically cataclysm the ties that bind him to the ring so he can't be controlled or destroyed. But he would still be a sentibeing. He would still have his "disability" and be seen the same way.

As someone who also has a disability others can't see, it's very isolating. I always worry people might think of differently of me if I mention it, or treat me with pity. For years I never even said anything. But I've lived and thrived despite my disability and it isn't something I think needs to be fixed or pitied. It's just part of me, like everything else. I don't need to change, but the world surely does.

I think this could be a powerful message in the show without targeting any one specific disability but rather all of them (especially ones like mine that you can't see). Because they could follow the route where Adrien reveals himself as a senti and the world changes in that people learn not to let their bias go against him. Instead, he is free to be who he is, and the world becomes a little more accessible.

I think representation of all kinds matters, and this is something I don't think other shows have done. That's why I like it so much, because it clear for me as an adult but also I can show it to a kid and be like wow, you felt the same way once. And I think that could be powerful.

Tldr: definitely think treating sentiadrien as a disability could be handled well with a positive message, and i have faith in the writers.

[miss-smutty]

Forbidden

Chapter 1

A/N- I've teased y'all for so long I hope this series is going to live up to expectations, I'm confident it will though because I'm addicted and it's been super easy for me to write - I'm up to chapter 3 so far so updates can be on time! There's a slight age gap between my professor Hemsy and OC Jess but she's twenty and completely legal. You know this is gunna be a giant tease fest for the first couple of chapters cos that sexual tension is fucking gold 🥵

Summary- Jess meets the man of her dreams and then stupidly leaves without getting his number. Will fate bring them together again?

Word count- 1.5 K

Pairing- Professor!Chris Hemsworth x OC

Warnings- Swearing, age gap

18+ only!

Disclaimer: This is an entire work of fiction/AU and has no affiliation to real life what so ever! This is a fictional story about fictional characters who happen to share names and faces with some real people.

Posted: 5th August 2021

Taglist:- @innerpaperexpertcloud @pandaxnienke @chickensarentcheap @jjpogueprincess @longlostinanotherworld @mostly-marvel-musings @darklydeliciousdesires @monet-belle

@skyfullofsong123 @swaggysposts

Chapter 2

I pulled out a chair at the last available table in the unusually busy coffee shop, I thought I might've caught a break choosing the one outside of campus but alas I was wrong.

I was about to sit down when the chair opposite me slid out from under the table, my eyes lifted to meet with the most sparkly blue eyes i'd ever seen. The sight of him took my breath away. Literally.

I stood staring, frozen on the spot, my mouth slightly ajar as I looked him up and down. He was tall, so tall, definitely over 6ft and built like a dream. Thick thighs straining against his fitted trousers, wide muscular shoulders and I just knew there was a six-pack hiding behind that tight t-shirt. 

"Sorry. You were here first, I'll just grab a take-out." He smirked a side smile, amused at how I was so obviously checking him out but his sexy Australian accent distracted you from anything else.

"It's fine, I'm on my own. I don't mind if you want to sit there too." I mentally face palmed myself, drawing attention to the fact I was alone wasn't the best idea but then again he was alone too. "I don't bite." I added trying my best to flirt.

It seemed to work, he smiled at me as he sat down and I took the time to admire his handsome face. He was quite clearly a lot older than me, the laughter lines around his eyes a tell tale sign but he was still quite possibly the best looking man I'd ever laid eyes on. His hair was fair and the short beard framed his face perfectly but the one thing that stood out the most were those piercing ocean-blue eyes.

"So do you come here often?" I cocked my eyebrow at him over my coffee cup making him laugh at my reaction. "Sorry, it's been a while." He said nervously, running his hand through his hair.

"It's been a while since you spoke to a stranger or…?" I questioned casually.

"It's been a while since I spoke to an attractive woman." He finished, his eyes sparkling as he watched me almost choke on my drink.

"Oh, I err…. I don't think you're doing too badly." I absentmindedly circled my finger around the rim of my cup, crossing my leg over my other and accidently rubbing my foot up his leg. My cheeks felt hot and flushed as I looked up into his eyes and saw him smiling slyly.

"Evidently. We're already playing footsie under the table." He smiled widely, a genuine smile that stretched the corners of his mouth. I smiled back at him shyly, thinking of something to say to change the subject before I ended up looking like a tomato.

"What part of Australia are you from?"

"I'm originally from Melbourne but I lived in Byron Bay before I came to America." 

"Awesome. I've always wanted to go to Australia, the Spiders put me off though." 

"Yeah I think they put most people off but in heavily populated areas they stay pretty much hidden, I think it's the size that scare people." How have I made this conversation go from flirting to talking about spiders? And how do I get back to flirting?

"Are we still talking about spiders?" I raised my eyebrows questioningly and laughed at the innuendo, flicking my hair over my shoulder. I noticed something in his eyes when I did so, a hunger, just a little flash and then it was gone again. I'm sure I didn't imagine it though because his eyes lingered on my exposed shoulders.

I checked my watch subtly, not wanting him to think he was boring me but I had to get to class and couldn't be late again, not when this semester had only just started.

"I'm really sorry, I'm gonna have to run, I'm going to be late. It was really nice meeting you." I gathered up my bags, ready to leave.

"Already? You've only just got here." He looked disappointed, his smile fading. His mouth opened as if he was going to say something else and then closed again when he saw I was ready to leave. "It was really nice to meet you too, hopefully I'll see you again." His eyes sparkled as he looked into mine, standing from his chair to get the door for me. I felt fireworks when his hand brushed against the small of my back and his face lingered close to mine. The tension was unreal, like we were the only people in the room as his eyes hungrily stared into my soul, undressing me with his eyes. My heart stopped beating when his face moved closer to mine so I could feel his breath on my lips, the smell of coffee and his aftershave filling my nostrils. I paused, my feet routed to the spot, I wanted him to kiss me so badly but I moved away at the last minute. Surely he wasn't actually going to kiss me, we'd only just met, that would be ridiculous. Wouldn't it?

********

I spent most of class daydreaming about my tall handsome stranger and the way he looked at me but most of all how I didn't even get his name. Or his number.

Now I was feeling sorry for myself because it would just be my luck to meet the man of my dreams and then never see him again. So I'd moped about all day and avoided the invitations for drinks after class. Instead I'd

gotten home early, changed into some sweats and settled myself in front of the TV for the night.

"What's up with your face?" My roommate, Ellie said as she walked into our room, throwing her bags onto her bed.

"What're you talking about?" 

"Your face. Looks like you're chewing on a wasp."

"Feeling sorry for myself." I pout pathetically.

"Why, what've you done now?" She rolled her eyes, kicking off her shoes and throwing her legs up onto the bed. I felt so lucky to have a roommate like Ellie, during our freshman year she'd become my best friend practically straight away and now after two years together we were practically sisters.

I sat up in bed cross legged and faced Ellie, getting myself ready to spill my misfortunes of the day with her.

"Well, I went to Impresso's this morning to get my morning coffee before class." She nodded, showing her enthusiasm by also sitting cross legged on her own bed, facing me. "And it was packed full of students, there was only one table left. So I went to grab it as soon as I could." She raised her eyebrow at me, wondering where I was going with the story. "And I kid you not, the most attractive man I have ever seen, pulls out the chair opposite me." 

"Oh my god! No way. Did you talk? Oh my god, this is like the perfect chick flick. Carry on." I smiled at her excitement.

"I told him I didn't mind if he sat there, I mean of course I didn't mind, you should've seen him El. Oh, oh, oh I almost forgot" I flapped my hands, bouncing on the spot. "He was fucking Australian."

"Fuck off, you're lying. Drop dead gorgeous with the sexiest accent ever. How is this even real? Now remind me why you're sat there with a face like a slapped arse?" 

"I panicked when I had to leave, didn't want to be late for class and I didn't get his number, didn't even give him chance to ask for mine." 

"Wow! Ok, now I understand. What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't thinking, I was panicking and you know what I'm like when I panic." You sulk.

"It's ok, maybe you'll bump into him again."

"Yeah, right. I should be so lucky."

"Cheer up." she says throwing a cushion at me. "There's a party at Alpha Kappa this weekend, I'm sure we can find you someone to help get over your mystery man. Or under should I say?" She raised her eyebrow at me, smiling slyly and making me laugh. She always did know how to cheer me up and maybe a party is what I needed.

There must be some good looking boys around campus that could make me forget about my Australian hunk. Surely? I thought about the guys I'd seen around campus, the guys I'd seen at frat parties and that's definitely not what I wanted. How could a twenty year old boy match to the masculine, experienced man I met this morning. My mind was set, I'd dipped my feet ever slightly into the mature pool and that's what I wanted more than anything. There was always something missing with previous boyfriends and I was tired of all the game playing. I wanted someone who knew what they wanted and wasn't afraid to get it.

The only thing was, he didn't know I was only twenty and I had no way of finding him again. If fate did bring us back together, would he mind that I was still a student? That I couldn't even drink when we went on dates? 

Who am I kidding? Of course he would mind, he could get any woman he wanted, why would he want me?