#fantomette YOU are cool just know it

[fareehaandspaniards]

Hi Fareeha! I was wondering, about your bloodborne ships what was your first impressions of them?

What intrigued you and what happen that made you like them that much now? Or did it just came naturally? ;)

I am sorry it took so long! It's 1 PM right now, I managed to GOT up somehow lol... Don't even remember how fell asleep yesterday. Also was occupied with fanfic, trying my best, etc... But to the topic:

Since my first ship was gehrmaria, I’ll start with it.

Romance, sadness, age difference... An old hunter grieving for his beloved who has passed away. All this reminded me of old european ballads that I was reading in my 16... A very beautiful story, unexpectedly romantic for Bloodborne (although it can be interpreted in different ways, not only romantically, but still it is fascinating). Let me add that they both look aesthetically stunning! They are classical, they are tragical, they are... perfection.

First impression for all other ships was: "How do you guys know anything about them?? There is nothing in game about them!!! How can you ship Caryll, mf is not even NPC?? Where do you get an information?? Who tf is Edgar? Oh, I killed him?..."

I swear I was shocked, when learned that fandom has CRAZY amount of ships. First Playtrough I barely got who is Laurence lmao, what IS Healing Church and so on... I can say sincerely - I started to Really understand, why is Valtr insane, why Laurence is VICAR, not bishop, why Annalise's hair are white and not brown, who tf can be siblings in a damned Research Hall and etc ONLY because of @katyahina timeline. My brain can't contain SO MANY info I swear, but I am trying, getting Insight every time I read this (in a good way ofc, I want to see Amygdalas in my sweet Yharnam-like city!)

So. Ships with Micolash. At first I brought him together with my hunter, Guillermo, and was pleased with myself - my story for them sounded convincing, thoughtful and hot xdd Guillermo - a madly in love hunter who, for seeing a drop of light in Micolash (in his past) and hearing Kos's whispers, is ready to die a hundred times, endure literally everything... Poor man! xD And Micolash who is insane enough to feel neverending cycle of NewGames, I mean, that he may even remember that he died already from hunter's hand, that hunter killed him 4 different ways, and I think Micolash would be frightened and lost? He genuinely thought that Nightmare is a perfect realm, HIS realm, but it turns out that someone else is good as Micolash himself to eat cords and ascend but succesfully. Oooof. I like that, Love and Despair, Love/Hate and etc. Oc x canon is really fine, when there are FEELINGS and TENSION between your char and canonical char.

After some time I got to know that silly guy with glasses on from a bridge is somehow really interesting deep character! xD And he's a cutie himself! (I mean look at him. My sweet accountant, my beloved nerd, and it's not a sarcasm!! He looks exquisite) I really like Edgar x Micolash for my beloved love/hate theme, slight toxicity and Edgar’s unspoken dependence on his enemy (Micolash is often made too “submissive” in their pairing. He may be and even must be bottom, but he is too much dominant as a person to be so naive and crying because Edgar-senpai is ignoring him). Edgar is a choir boy, soft, afraid of Micolash, is angry with him, but inside he cannot live without his attention. And Micolash - I think he liked Edgar as something unusual, fresh in his life (or death), something absolutely different from everything he had seen. Moreover, a spy. Moreover, he is so confident in the Church. But can change his opinion and most likely will. A perfect object of entertainment and moral debate. You can break him and win him over to your side. Nice pairing. I'm still in love.

Laurence x Micolash - kjdsflak;sdjfwernmfklaaaawoooooo!!!11!1! This ship is driving me crazy, I can't!! xD They look great together, they are similar, they are two brilliant minds seeking for knowledge, two scientists, two rivals, two assholes. But it seems to me that they would definitely have separated, because such similar people are unlikely to be together for a long time. I mean, they both need primacy too much. And it would destroy them. I also don't like Laurence, I can't help it. Maybe because I still don't fully understand his character?.. Maybe.

Damian x Micolash - amazing! I am now captivated by this pairing and am writing a story based on it. They are beautiful combination of an adult, serious Damian and an energetic, hot-tempered Micolash, as a couple they are divine. Damian... still waters run deep and all that. He is strong, thoughtful, cold, he can knock out any threat to his loved one. As a former Tomb Prospector and a Mensis Scholar, a byrgerkinght student, he must be really educated and smart, but also well-built and powerful, graceful and deadly. Micolash is his master and also a little boy. I headcanon that Damian is like 15 years older than him? And that's great. Wonderful, soft ship with a deep conflict of Damian's humanity and Micolash's curiosity and confidence.

Am I shipping anything else? With such passion - no. But in general, I like Laurence/Ludwig, Caryll/Rom, recently one nice person helped me realize the potential of Micolash/Adeline and I am kinda hmmmmm interested? XD I need more time to think of it. I met this pairing earlier but was like "pppft they couldn't even met!", don't blame me :'D

I respect all pairings, if they have something like plot in them. It’s especially nice to see when an artist or writer is truly devoted to his favorite couple and describes it with soul, it just makes you look at the couple from a different angle and start scrutiny.

[fantomette22]

YOOOOO FVFGFGFGF SCREAMING RN

FANTOMETTE YOU WERE RIGHT with your idea that maybe the reason Dragon Communion existed even through Godwyn making peace with Ancient Dragons is that stone Ancient Dragons hated the Greyoll-type of feathered and assimilative Dragons!!! HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A PSYCHIC VFBYGCFGGG

GOD FUCKING DAMMIT DRAGON FASCISM REAL 💀💀💀

I KNOW RIGHT ?!?!?! fbbfbvBPBvM

Yeah so I did found this item too a bit earlier today too XD I indeed ascend jagged peak but didn't did the bosses yet because to hard for now 💀

And so yeah I read it and I was like : omg I was right???

I'm really happy they explain a bit more how dragon communion work! Because yeah my theory was that ancient dragon worked together with humans and it was a cult kinda toward them and supervise by them directly. But I always found it quite odd because why would ancient dragons lead a cult who encourage humans to kill & eat the hearts of their kind?!

But now we know! Because ancient dragons (placi, fortissax, lansseax, gransax...) had a big fight with greyoll type of dragon XD idk if you got to this part of the lore but yeah complicated to know who really start this all thing even if it seems there's a culprit...

Anyway I guess you went to the great altar of dragon communion to get the item too and saw what's there but I have some thoughts to share below. Plus about which dragons can be found on jagged peak!: (lil spoilers warning)

Ok so

Damn that thing is so huge. Seems Bigger than greyoll for sure and I really wonder if it's not bigger than Gransax. Hope there's its name somewhere.

Also at first, I thought that it died on accident and "fall" on a very pointy rock (the base is stuck in the ground like a rock). But after looking more closely I notice it's form was quite unnatural and even had a very long clean cylinder like a spear ^ (also a pick like that alone made 0 sense naturally bfhjcb). So I think it was build for sure. But it's terrifying. How did this enormous dragon died excalty??

Also on the way of jagged peak. ---

There's a first dragon boss (greyoll type) (who kicked my ass) who master both fire AND thunder! I found this detail quite smart, those are closer to ancient dragon for sure. Make sense with the timeline etc

Then a bit later there's 2 dragons beating the shit out of each other 😂 Like wtf (got my ass beat too I will do him later).

So does it mean dragons beat the shit out of each others and that's why there's all dead around?? help

Also I got very surprised by the following boss O_O

I expected like another vouivre / greyoll type at first

NO NO it's a fucking new ancient dragon!!!

I just stand there for a few second because my brain was shocked!!!! I will beat them later hbbvcb I hope we'll get cool lore after beating this one.

And like tou can guess I didn't tried Bayle yet. So not sure what he look like but seems very very coo! And lore on him is very intriguing.

[katyspersonal]

So yeah, have been playing some SOTE this evening... and it is 4 AM... and I need to wake up to work at 7 AM... 🤡 me 🤝 @jarognieva

I don't believe I went far, some highlights so far:

1) "But never again" 💀

2) I spent 40 minutes alone on trying to kill annoying knight in the first Mausoleum, until I gave up and got @fantomette22 to help me. And then offered to help HER. We both now have the bitch dead thanks to our incredible strategy: she runs around and distracts the jerk while I spam him with the spells. Team work XDDDD

3) "Fantomette get off my DICK, you are way too good at killing bosses fast I don't want spoilers, sorry I am not as good at this game as you!!! 😭" *kills a Ghostflame Dragon* *kills the Lion Dancer* *kills the uhhhh that one Demihuman swordsman*

4) Lion Dancer battle was so fun and beautiful, holy shit...? Very impressive

5) I was forced to return to shield and spear strategy. :/

6) Celebrants lore?

7) Really interesting items

8) "Shut UP Val, you are TOO good at maps and finding places, stop rubbing it into my face I know I am absolutely useless and can't find shit on my own ;-;" *finds a bunch of curious places and secrets he didn't*

9) He straight up just.. ignored me...

I hoped if I moved very slowly maybe it could have stayed that way.. but nope, one millimeter and I was obliterated xd

10) I might be completely sleep deprived but that Demihuman swordsman used Waterfowl Dance?? Or not? I hope he fucking did because meeting Malenia's teacher is all I really want anymore

11) I absolutely love the feature to see the new items and items discovered in chronological order, helps me to not forget to read the lore as I proceed. Genuinely the most helpful feature after adding the jump button!

12) Interesting NPCs, curious about the guy whose mask weirdly resembles the Wormfaces, and the lore that only Miquella didn't give up on Frejia and healed her wound is sweet..

13) Every second fucking item I pick in this joke place mentions the crusade and how cringe Messmer is and whatever gfhyhgh I like how they can't let me forget for one second that he's a war criminal xD

14) I guess Smouldering Butterflies ARE still Melina's, since Messmer has his own now xD

15) I really want to access that like.. really red place I see from the cliff but don't know how to step into.. I hopefully will figure it out

______

Okay in general it is really fun to play, though so stupidly hard that I have to try different strategies. Again. But seeking everything in blind is cool, after all the only spoilers I've gotten is That One plot twist and the fact that final boss (?) is not my blorbo but some random idiot so gfgfhfhyj Still so much stuff to pick

[val-of-the-north]

Hey! BEAUTIFUL PERSON AWARD! Once you are given this award you’re supposed to paste it in the asks of 8 people who deserve it. If you break the chain nothing happens, but it's sweet to know someone thinks you’re beautiful inside and out. 💞💕 (you don’t have to answer this if you don’t want too ^^)

Hi Val thanks for being so kind and cool! You always have such good ideas and your lil drawings are so fun xD Can’t wait to see more from you!

Awwwww.... thank you so much Fantomette. You are too sweet. Honestly, you are just incredibly nice all the time so it's not surprising ahah. It's nice to recieve this stuff from time to time.

Honestly, same to you buddy. Your art is always so nice to look at, and you are improving real fast too. Love to see it. Have a great day!

[algernoninwonderland]

Miraculous, intertextuality and why referencing other works all the time isn’t necessarily a great idea

TL;DR: Miraculous loves itself some pop culture references, they’re in the show all the time for you to enjoy, especially if you’re a big nerd.

Only, making a list of references and trying to replicate what other works did before yours doesn’t make your show good by association, and when it comes to Miraculous, these references seldom do these original works justice. Instead, it makes comparing these other works with Miraculous really easy, and the comparison is rarely flattering.

Miraculous would be a much better show if it tried to be its own thing, a few scenes are just that and they are great. It’d be a wonderful show were they not so few and far between.

Miraculous is made by nerds, as is the case with most cartoons. The show itself lets you know that right away. It’s a pastiche of magical girl anime and Silver Age comics, it uses a lot of their visual languages, and references its other inspirations a lot, for instance:

The name of its fictional locations, (Françoise Dupont is a regular kid with a masked detective alter ego named Fantomette, Marinette’s address is a reference to a French illustrator who often drew a talking ladybird)

The way its characters look (Master Fu is both Mr Miyagi from the Karate Kid and Muten Roshi from Dragon Ball, when akumatised, Mme Couffaine becomes basically Captain Harlock and her houseboat becomes the Arcadia) 

Sometimes entire scenes are references to other works (Aurore’s akumatisation is straight out of Utena’s Dark Rose Saga, “Gorizilla” has a King Kong pastiche). 

You could fill an entire Wiki with all the references in Miraculous if you wanted to. If you paid me well, I’d do it myself.

Wearing your inspirations on your sleeves is a double-edged sword, really.

On the one hand, you showcase the things that inspired your creative process, a way to say, “hey, that show/film/book exists within a landscape, it’s the heir to such and such work”. You acknowledge that you owe a lot to your predecessors, you acknowledge that there’s no such thing as a 100% original thing. That’s a great act of humility. 

And intertextuality conveys meaning, too! Let’s take a very mainstream example. When you notice that ha! The pod-racing scene in Phantom Menace comes from the 1959 movie Ben-Hur for instance, you get the sense that you understand the cinematic masterpiece that is Episode 1 a bit more. It tells you that your movie about space wizards owes a lot to other genres, and that it transposes these genres to another setting, space! “It’s Ben-Hur, in that that slave kid is pod-racing for his freedom, but I gave it my own spin,” George Lucas tells you. “Look, the funny Gungan stepped into that space cow’s poop! Haha, sure hope I’ll sell lots of toys and buy myself some death sticks!”

You feel really smart when you get a reference, too! “Hey, that’s a Dezaki effect right there!” “Wow, is that a robot from Castle in the Sky in Age of Ultron?” Likewise, if you don’t recognise the work being referred to, you might get curious about it! References send back to other things and your knowledge of these things and when you get it, it feels nice. Lots of people discovered Utena thanks to Steven Universe and that’s really cool, and these references add to the meaning of the cartoon! Folks who casually got into RWBY but didn’t know Soul Eater and Cowboy Bebop heard about those shows and many others while discussing RWBY and I’m sure lots of them got into anime thanks to RWBY!

On the other hand, by being so open about your sources of inspiration, you expose yourself to criticism, especially in the case of your work being compared with what inspired it: it might be seen as derivative, or even worse, unable to do these previous pieces of media justice by only retaining and replicating their most superficial elements without a great understanding of what made them work, gratuitous fanservice for nerds.

And I’m not quite sure where Miraculous stands. Oftentimes, it feels more like a Spider-Man/Kamen Rider crossover with bits of outdated shoujo manga and superficial wuxia sprinkled in there than a show at least trying to be its own thing.

And the problem is, Sailor Moon is better at being Sailor Moon than Miraculous could ever be, as it uses its visual language better, and it has a tiny thing called “the main character having a group of friends who aren’t props and a plot you can follow” that is the very reason why people liked the manga and anime in the first place. Miraculous only retains the very superficial aspects of the manga/anime and of the genre. Marinette still trips over a cat in the opening. Because that’s how it happens in Sailor Moon. Her characterisation as a civilian screams “Usagi Tsukino but more stressed out”.

Spider-Man is better at splash pages than Miraculous because ML’s CGI is pretty meh when it’s not in motion, these weird filter effects don’t look great, that only works when you’re Into the Spiderverse and have comic-book aesthetics. Queen Wasp has a whole sequence that is just that scene in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 only this time Queen Bee sabotaged a metro on purpose to stop it. It’s not an awful scene, it carries its point across rather well (Chloé is a selfish nerd who thinks she can be like these comic book characters but truly isn’t fit to be a hero) but the original did it better, it was more impressive, there was more tension to that original scene, some really interesting camera and foley work that made you feel the weight of that train. It didn’t feel cheap the way that scene in “Queen Wasp” did.

Utena’s Black Rose Saga explores the psyche of some of its secondary characters the audience is already familiar with, with problems we could already identify within them. It offers an examination of the storyworld from another point of view, and helps build it further. There’s always a proper buildup before these characters have a mental breakdown in an moody elevator with a butterfly pinned on the wall that turns back into a chrysalis, because the characters are going through a kind of regression that makes them easier to manipulate and turn into “villains” while acting out their true desires in a twisted way. “Stormy Weather” has most of that, an elevator with dramatic lighting, a butterfly and a mental breakdown, but the character is all new to us so it’s just not that impactful. Often, that one secondary character who’ll get transformed has had spoken lines, yes, but that’s only minutes before they get akumatised.

“Kinda the same but a bit worse and missing some of the key aspects of what made the original thing so good” isn’t much of a tribute, is it?

In an earlier post, I stated that Animaestro was basically “I have watched a lot of animated shows and I know how to mimic them, the episode”. It told us nothing about animation as a medium except that it’s cool sometimes and that you get to imitate other people who are much better at the things they do than you are. 

It’s not a clever metacommentary, it’s just “me likey moving pictures”. Good for you, I guess… Did you really need an entire episode to make that point?

And then you’ve got all the bad outdated shoujo tropes with characters falling on top of each other, aggressive flirting (harassment, really) from Adrien portrayed as really sweet and romantic because it’s just like in the shoujo manga (which one?) you see… And that’s just not great, is it?

Miraculous is a much better cartoon when it doesn’t try (and fail) to emulate other shows and movies and comic books and manga. The only thing it tells us about these works is that That Guy and co really like them and that copy-pasting them is the best way they’ve found to show their love. Imitation and flattery and all of that I guess.

“Look, it’s like in that scene in the anime! Did you like the anime? It sure was a good anime, and if our show makes you think about it, then it’s also good, right?”

No, you guys, I’m sorry but no. If making references was all it took to be good, then gaming webcomics would be regarded as masterpieces. 

Very often, the show seems interested in being anything but itself. And it’s a shame, because there are lots of ideas the show kind of brings up but never quite touches. Marinette is interested in fashion design? That’s great, show us more of that! Make it an important part of her character, and by the same occasion, make her creations look not-laughable. Miraculous could be the first cartoon to explore what it’s like to be a biracial kid with a Chinese parent in France (would that work with a crew of almost strictly middle-aged white men is another question to which the answer is a resounding “no”). The show is set in Paris? Cool, how about exploring the city outside of its landmarks every tourist and their mom already knows?

Inexplicably, in the middle of an episode when you expect it the least, you get brilliant bits of directing that aren’t references to other works. Alya becoming Rena Rouge and her first steps as a superhero? Brilliant, really immersive, loved it, not a reference. The sad car scene in Puppeteer 2? It’s really really good, not a reference either. All the unexplored lore? It seemed really promising and having more of it would help us understand things a bit more!

People don’t just like your show because it reminds them of another show. Why watch it if you can watch that original work in the first place?

Trying to make a superficial mashup of all things you think are great in other works is not the way to do these works justice, nor is it the way to make your show interesting, let alone good. 

[fareehaandspaniards]

I want so much to have more time for creative things... I barely have time to continue my Gremia/Damian fic (and despite lack of time I WRITE IT), I have so many ideas, want to tell about Byrgenwerth life of my favourite scholar four - Micolash, Rom(my little ginger sigma-female), Laurence and Caryll, explain my vision of their lifes and write lots of headcanons for them! Explain how Gehrman and Laurence met, how old is Gehrman in my opinion (at least how old he WAS during byrgenwerth era), who is Willem and why he is cool character, tell the whole story of Gremia! I realised yesterday that I see him as a complete complicated person with flaws, funny stories, good and bad sides, things that he likes and dislikes, his possible connection with other characters. I think I have the whole vision of a bloodborne lore by now!

Want to share so much! But time... :'^( I didn't even finish my comic (3 of 6 panels) yet but I still remember about it!

Yesterday I started new drawing again, don't like how I draw at all, I guess it's a sort of period of self-digging? I drew sketch for Micolash/Saint Adeline art but god it's so hard right now. That time of being artist (lol I am not tbh) again. No good line in 10 minutes of struggling wtf I need to sit, take a deep breath in, breath out and draw, learn, read guides, but TIME!!

I want to tell that I ship Micolash/Adeline (as MicoEdgar, both are good, just in different time of Mico's life), Laurence/Rom, Gehrman/Lady Maria, Gremia/Damian, Caryll/Rom in their young age and etс!! Iship lots and lots of things

And with my head full of ideas and cool stuff I have 1 fucking day to take rest of work, and tomorrow 31th of December I am gonna work and it will be hard (I couldn't even guess that life of florist is so hard)

SO!

I often got into depressive mood but husband and friends from Tumblr take me out of it just posting their stuff and being themselves and talking with me sometimes. Just know my mutuals that I may not talk with you but I love your works, what you write, post and everything... Just no energy. All I do is reblog and like your amazing stuff and what you reblog sorry

If you want - send me asks, because even if I am so busy, when someone wants me to do something (write, draw and ;alejfrwlemfgvew;) I'll do it with much more motivation than if I would want myself to do something!

Hope New Year will be great! I always got sensitive when it comes to New Year, cry often when it's 00:00 because I overcome with feelings - so many things have passed, those I deeply cherish in my heart and those I hate (but never really want to forget something! ANY experience makes us stronger and helps to survive). I hope you all will have wonderful year! Even if you feel bad - I have a belief that destiny leads us to places where we MUST be and it is always something that is best for all. World is living in balance with it's good and bad, I always say that. Just maybe we need to look around ourselves and look for good things that surround us but we don't see them/don't care about them/don't want to know.

[fantomette22]

Wow nintendo direct was amazing!!! (The xbox live! too but summer game fest? Kind of a joke)

So new Mario & Luigi game? Pretty cool + Mario party? So cool my brother will be happy!

Donkey kong country remake hell yeah!!!! I played this game with my lil bro on wii way too many times.

We got Dragon Quest 3 remake hell yeah!!!!! (In love with DQ since DQXI so i’m hype to play it!)

There’s so many other cool games too!

Freaking Ace Attorney spin off let’s gooooo!!! (Already need to play the Apollo trilogy help)

OMG NEW ZELDA GAME TOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

I saw the thing i was like omg that’s the same models as the Link awakening remake. So i thought omg a Link to the past remake?! 👀 but i played a Link to the past on 3ds (incredible game too! I love it) and i quickly realised it just couldn’t be ALTTP with what’s happening on screen. So dungeon maker? No a whole ass new game with princess zelda as the protagonist! WOW that’s insane

I cannot believe they made a ALTTP / Link’s awakening sequel after 30+ year…

But fantomette wtf are you saying there’s literally a Link’s between world?? (Yeah that’s why we don’thave alttp remake too 😂 i love this game as well!) i know! But it’s like a whole couple of centuries after ALTTP.

So Ganon return with weird dimensional shit hello?! But yeah could be an awesome in between games hehe

And i guess Metroid fans are feeling insane right now 😉 congrats guys!

Damn so many games to buy & plays 💀

But first elden ring! And i hope we’ll get KH news soon too 💀

[katyspersonal]

I don't believe I am going to make much SOTE progress today, especially since this traitor @fantomette22 is apparently asleep/busy and can't help me right now -_- So yeah, some extra stuff before bed

1) It is interesting to think of an implication of this item.. damn, apparently there WILL be places where you are stuck but can't teleport or something? :p Okay then.. Sacrificial Twig + this shit it is, then?

2) They continue with the "monkeys are trying to comprehend magic" lore!

! Onze is the Demihuman swordsman I fought in the Belurat Gaol earlier! The sword is dropped by a Demihuman Queen you fight in Cerulean Coast! I mean, yeah, even in the base game there was a Demihuman in Weeping Penunsula who used a Glintstone Staff, but damn..

3) Miyazaki: Yeah DLC area map will be like the size of Limgrave :)

Also Miyazaki:

Me: Girl you ok? 💀💀💀

4) I love the woman with Sulyvahn's blades, but I can't defeat the woman with Sulyvahn's blades ;-;

Maybe eventually.....

5) WAIT gdhyyf it is like, a symbol of moon and flame or something?????

This is adorable gfhgfhgggb I know it makes sense, but aww

6) I already screamed about it at Fantomette, but

HOLY SHIIIIIT SHE WAS FUCKING RIGHT ABOUT DRAGONS FASCISM THIS WHOLE TIME WHEN WE QUESTIONED WHY WOULD DRAGON COMMUNION BE A THING IF GODWYN BEFRIENDED ANCIENT DRAGONS THE ANSWER IS THAT ANCIENT DRAGONS FUCKING HATED GREYOLL-TYPE DRAGONS I REPEAT THEY HATED THE "IMPURE" OFFSPRING OFF THEIR SPECIES WHAT THE FUUUUUCK AAAAAAA

7) There is a new Carian Knight! And it is a big deal since they were "no more than a dozen"! Cool!!!

And it is a girl! However I am curious.. Moongrum, Moonrothyll... why their names start with 'moon'? Are they siblings? Or maybe Carian Knights had ancestry thing going on so those born with expectation to be raised as Carian Knight had 'moon' names in advance? Or they assume 'moon' name as new one upon entering a service (least likely since we already can recall exception)? Arghhhh

8) Okay this was actually an important one for me personally! So basically @jarognieva asked me whether I've met Queelign and I said I had no idea who it was. So greeeat, I've missed an invader -_- She said he was at Belurat and I checked but he never appeared, so I assumed he is one of those invaders that vanish after the boss of the area is defeated. (Who thought it was a good idea? I bet I've missed a cool drop... ;-; ) However, she added that he also invades in another place but she would not tell where! I didn't mind that and continued exploring the DLC as usual. So, after defeating that red bear beast at last (horaaaay!!!), I decided to check a distinct building on that map, and GUESS WHO I'VE MET?????

THE FUCKING GUY HIMSELF LOL!!! OF COURSE HE HAS A FUCKING PETRUS HAIRSTYLE LMAOOOOOOO GGJHJGJJ

So basically bro talked shit (that all 'graceless' shall meet death in Messmer's flame), that already made me REALLY want to kill him as if this cursed hairstyle wasn't enough gghghg . And he also called us 'graceless heathen' upon death lol. But it ACTUALLY clicked when he dropped an item, like:

Okay all 6 of you already had enough of my lunatic ravings about how much I abhor this specific type of attitude, as well as my theories on Messmer's motivations being rooted in purism of religious kind when anon asked about my expectations for him (I haven't met him yet so schhhh). But it is.. more than that. Miyazaki hates this sort of people too, especially he consistenyly bullies clerics in his works. Just.. read this description

Like not only this gave me some STRONG hatred for this character already, but also reminded me of one of the reasons I ended up loving Miyazaki's works so much to begin with. Shit like this just makes me feel understood, and without exagerration, reading this gave me HUMANITY RESTORED effect after I was feeling low because of a certain spoiler 😔 Honestly.. I don't care how many dramatic blonde twinks he will do dirty with a random plot twist, but as long as he addresses his disdain for this kind of people in his works I'll always love his games. Like I know it sounds oddly emotional but you need to be familiar with his other works to understand vfhgjbghb My faith in him as a creator straight up got restored, it is a personal detail for me!

9) So I figured that Ascetics are dropping pieces of their set.. I had suspicions, yeah, but now I am just sad ggjhhhjj I don't want to grind these guys *ends up doing it anyway probably*

10) For some reason I am starting to really like that hornsent guy who drafts maps of Miquella's crosses! Knowing Soulsborne tho I guess I just need to wait for something bad to happen to him -_-

11) Some people (all two of them) legit thank me for showing these item descriptions because they can't play the DLC themselves, but the players they watch don't stop to read items lore! Okay.... I guess I'll continue, heheh;

[fareehaandspaniards]

I sometimes wonder how comes you ended up SO attached to Damian specifically? When you first appeared you was just one of us Micolash simps, but before I've noticed it is just Damian everywhere ggjhggkj Sorry if you've answered somewhere already, but what made you so obsessed with Damian? What was that thing that made you see his potential and appeal the way you do now?

Well, yes, you were right to point out that when I came here, I was mostly interested only in Micolash! But gradually getting used to the character, you start to think about his surroundings! And if Edgar I liked from the first glance and he always will be my favourite nerd-accountant-church boy with issues, then Damian I just ignored at first xd And in the game did not really notice him, although he stands out among the phantoms - Loch Shield, ability to heal with choir bell, Mensis cage (AND his amazing look. Long hair and tired old face? Ooooh, I'm in). The cage in particular makes you think that he is a very difficult character which belongs to an enemy fraction and fights on your side. Well beyond that, it was worth taking a closer look at him and it all went on its own :'D

Most of the fandom sees him in a similar way - caring, selflessly giving of himself to Micolash, loyal to the core, a bit slow due to age, and cozy man. My first vision of him was also like he is an absolute angel, the purest creation in the entire game! That was second phase of my simping I think xD Granddilf with the biggest heart and purest soul, loyal servant of his beloved one - oh my god!! Makes me go crazy because I want him to be respected immediately, be loved and cherished. Maybe he is my type? I don't know. Old, really OLD man with loving heart and I-i-i-i... melting...

One of my headcanons is that Damian can kill a human, do crimes, cruel medical experiments (he is a Mensis scholar after all) but he can never hurt a child! ^^^^ There is him with little Yurie, Micolash and Edgar, and image I drew after a cool discussion with Fantomette! We talked about possibility of Edgar being Micolash's son, which means that Damian could possibly be his godfather xd

(Also you may see a plushie bunnie in little Micolash's hands and it has much more sense that it may seem!)

I am too lazy to explain I am sorry Dx But I wrote about bunny and little Irzhie here, in an ask game. The question was - what would be his favourite toy? >>>

Me and my husband talked about Irzhie too much and came to many funny and creepy conclusions and ideas (Damian's obsession with his little brother, projection his brother on Micolash, insanity, necromancy and,,,, Many other things :^) , so that picture was born)

(Sorry to put it in your ask lkak.ermkeamg,g,fdmg BUT you can't shut me up when it's about Damian D: )

I mean you can put Damian in ANY headcanon and he still be kindest man ever existed.

In myvision of lore he helped Rom when she felt really bad in Byrgenwerth, was one amongst three people in the whole college who supported Caryll, he protected Micolash his whole life, he was trying to soften Micolash's deeds and didn't want him to involve innocent children in his experiments (as much as adults. But I believe that Yahar'gul people were sort of fanatics so there were many volunteers for School of Mensis medical stuff), he was the one who will always do his best to help whenever you ask.

And my poor old man is also a saddest creature, because the fact is a fact - no matter if he hates or loves Micolash or just fights against his ideas in game, Micolash is in a Nightmare and Damian is here. I shipped Damicolash and it was really bittersweet. Mico dies and what is left for Damian? Only grieve and sorrow?

Damian/Yurie - bitter end, Damian/Rom - bitter end, Damian/Micolash - bitter end, Damian/anyone else - bitter end! :^)

Anyone else except sir Gremia! (This man deserves another post he is also so complicated! My husband KNOWS how much I adore him. Many of our daily jokes include him lol) Gremia has a strong need in an "adult/mother" archetype and also in "wife/lover", he needs someone who will pat his head and whom he can protect. And Damian needs someone to take care of, to protect and to be protected by that someone (Theme for another post :Р)

Damian, who gave love but didn't receive it, who did his best for Micolash but ended up leaving the Mensis School because his beloved crossed all bounds of sanity, who believed in Kos, his goddess of mothers and children, who genuinely tried to help everyone - I wanted him to be happy.

It really concerned me and I think then started the third phase of simping, when I found out that Sir Gremia exists and Damian just can't be perfect (it's so wrong and boring. I love when a character is like alive person, so it means they are problematic! There are no "normal" people)

I have to say, as you mentioned, I have seen him as a chad, attracting everyone to him xD But right now for me he has flaws, he can be very annoying sometimes, plus overprotection of Micolash (I think Micolash even got tired of him. Sounds like an absolute Micolash plus that may be a reason he let Damian go from serving him), weaknesses and traumas, cruelty and coldness in his heart, and a strong attachment to the past. But he's the kind one. And that's what hit my heart the hardest way. He is player friendly for his own unknown reasons, but I believe his destiny and talent is to lead and protect, which is what he has been doing all his life.

I write a fic about him and Gremia right now, connected with the early Healing Church and I want to put there all my headcanons, big and small and finally finish his story and give him the end of the game that he deserves

I am sorry for the amount of text. Old man took a place in my heart, he does not only looks like an absolute perfection but also seems to be a wonderful person with lots of issues and flaws. I LOVE HIM

I need to improve my drawing skill so I will draw him better and he will become more popular :'D

Maybe I got a little off-topic? But I want you to know how I see him - it's the main point of my simping xD So hard to put all my thoughts in one text. Hope it's not hard to read. It's much easier to write a story than tell the chaos that is happening in your head with your blorbo xD

[fareehaandspaniards]

@fantomette22 shared with me cool headcanon idea about Edgar being Micolash and Rom son! And now I can't be stopped!! (Rom is drawn as close as I could do to Fantomette's vision of her!)

Also imagine Damian in pre-Mensis time (a Tomb prospector!), who just learned that Rom and Micolash will have a child!

(I also hc him as person who DREAMED of becoming a parent! A best dad you could imagine!)

There are SO many funny situations in my head oh Kos...

Edgar and Good Hunter are about to fight, and Micolash just throws album with Edgar's childhood photos on a hunter's head (it's pretty heavy lol)

Micolash teasing Edgar in ANY possible way and impossible amount of dad jokes!!

Damian being protective and caring godfather, who saw Edgar in a funny sweet dress when Ed was like 7 (you know, that old fashion for boys to wear dresses), and Damian still screams about it, because he was too cute...

*leaves with awooo*

[katyspersonal]

Re: This post

First off, congrats on three years, girlie!! This is so cool, man. I love seeing Soulsborne games change people’s worlds and give them passion and inspiration for years afterwards <333

(Now hurry up and get to over ten years like me you scrub 😎😎)

Asfghajsdg but in all seriousness, I love that we both started getting active around the BB tumblr fandom around the same time, because even though I was a Soulsborne junkie, I had never found a stable group of lore-friends to enjoy it with, and throughout 2020-2021, I was just drifting aimlessly after watching my old fandom community collapse.

I had been only using tumblr for random shit on another account before this one, but one day I looked up something about the Doll and Gehrman, kinda wondering if the whole “Even the Doll” creep-theory had any other interpretations. I just didn’t like the idea that Miyazaki had written his main “sad old man” of Bloodborne to be a weirdo because it didn’t sound…right? Something felt really off lol. His “sad old men” types usually are dark because of their grave mistakes that led to the deaths of people they cared about/innocent people.

It’s always more tragic than it is gross, and Miyazaki is big on that type of story-telling. He likes his refinement. Sure enough, that gave me the hunch that the Doll wasn’t…ya know.

And voila! I stumble across your brilliant post! I think it was one of the things that made me finally create a Soulsborne blog because I wanted to reblog it. I’m not sure if that’s the exact timeline, but it was definitely part of what drew me over here.

And now here we are, going strong, trying to move on after going through fandom drama hell, and it’s been three years!

Honesty? You are kicking ass <3

Girl you say this, but at the almost same time, Fantomette also started scouting the fandom and figured she wanted to stick with me over that post :pensive: That post makes me extremely nostalgic! It was just... so chill, so nice, so leveled. 0% fatigue. Where did that nice version of me go and who is this angry unlikeable bitch typing this ask response now? xD

But yeah, overall, Soulsborne games are just written in such a way that it genuinely helps to know all of them on at least basic story level to understand each of them individually! The more I learned about reoccuring themes in other games in the series, the better my lore understanding became. You know I would not do shit on Research Hall and Deep Sea without DS3, or better grasp ER characters without entire DS trilogy! If you don't want to play, just learn their themes and story, I promise it helps a lot!

Anyways thank you for the nice words; I had not even noticed how fast the time went by! It feels like I have not done "enough" considering three years span, but maybe I am underestimating myself and focusing too much comparing amount of my drawings compared with faster and more talented artists. After all, fandomry is first about discussions and passion, and I've had nothing BUT that on the way x) So yeah, let's just give up and die watch fandom crash and burn. Because, you know what? THE very "system" that made it crash and burn to begin with will also, eventually, crash and burn, and something good will sprout from the ruins. And we won't miss it! Except, that good era will also crash and burn eventually. And then the thing that destroyed it will. And then what people build from THOSE ruins will. And then another thing... and another thing... and another thing.....

STILL I want you to be there for me through every turn of the downward spiral, you chicken <3 *stabs u affectionately*

[fantomette22]

Fantomette, we all know who it is already, just were waiting for you to believe us :P I also got a garbage message today - someone telling me I can't use mistranslations as an argument because I don't speak Japanese (despite the fact that I am referring to the translations of OTHER people - Last Protagonist and Arukimania, who do speak Japanese professionally). And they also called it a 'white girl moment'. There is only ONE person in the entire Tumblr fandom section who is obsessed with using 'whiteness' as accusation, and there is only ONE person who is grasping at literally EVERY imaginable attempt to dismantle truth about Gehrman so they can spread their hatred towards the character (since I mostly bring mistranslation to resolve his case and before me and you got asks, I brought up that "his curious mania" is a mistake - again, citing a professional Japanese speaker). They are inventing every possible reason to drag our old man down, now they reached the level of "you can't just use studies of someone else, you need to do your own" with me citing professional translators. Cool? Then you can't follow doctors prescriptions and should yourself become a doctor to be able to care for your health? Hypocricy of woke logic in action, good hunters.

PS: Hey looser, give up already. I know, she knows, he knows, we all know, even people who don't LIKE me know. You really need help if you get THIS butthurt about the fact that fandom will never share YOUR (inaccurate) interpretation of the character save for a small pool. Maybe consider characters like Seluvis who are ALREADY what you want "those disgusting cis white males >:(" to be, instead of giving headache to the fandom that was chill and respectable to each others hcs before you fell here like the rotten apple that you are. You quite basically exist here just to fight, stalk, hate, shame, manipulate and lie - yet you have the guts to claim that people like ME have no life?

So hm this is for the person that have nothing better to do than sending weird anon asks and harassing people.

I don’t go harrass you or argue h24 because i don’t agree with your views or your stuff. Just move on or block me. It’s not like you ever show interest in the thing i post & create anyway.

[katyspersonal]

Also another highlight of ER gameplay is how much Patches helped me without intending to (Fantomette don't read if you didn't find him yet)

So like I explored god knows how much and leveled and seen all kinds of caves yet, until I went down in the lake one (haven't killed dragon there yet, I am working on it). So there was that basic bitch boss cave ok? And I waited for like TEN DARN MINUTES for the boss to appear! TEN minutes!! I thought the game lagged so I gave up and decided to dig in the chest, and MOTHERFUCKING-

HE WAS THE BOSS HGKMKKGYHV LITERALLY THE LAST THING IN THE WORLD I EXPECTED!!!! PATCHES WAS A BOSS AAAAA

And so many years later he invented a new trick than just throwing the player off the cliff gfhfjgb And this time it is ACTUALLY player's fault because he didn't ask for help, nor gave advice, nor tossed shiny coins near the cliff, he just... left a chest near a place that looks like a camp, so it was ACTUALLY unfair to open it if you think of it. Damn, they made him have a point instead of being hostile when you didn't even do anything bad ;-; He's grown so much xD unlike his hair

As for how that helped me, I returned in that cave later. He wasn't there (later I learned if you take too long he leaves, so I had to see what he'd say in Youtube), but there was the trap chest. It teleported me in unfamiliar area but I already knew THIS kind of bears was dangerous, so I just snuck away for a bit... Found some sort of chapel, stepped on the round lift there, and it was just. Going down and down and down until it opened such a beautiful sight????

So apparently that took me into a super fun secret map UNDER the main map, it was so entertaining to explore! I could not stop taking the screenshots because there THE SKY AND THE COSMOS ARE THE ONE, and there I found those herbs I needed to craft the anti-madness boluses but had NO idea where to find. Also there were pillars I kept igniting and pillars on the way up the stairs, so when I found them all I got to fight a cool giant reindeer!

Basically the coolest adventure ever that would have missed out on if Patches didn't do his thing bykgjhgfg Because I honestly doubt I'd be able to find that spot on my own.

[katyspersonal]

Hey, it’s nice to see you around again! I saw you say you are reading a fan fic soon? That’s cool that you are getting back into it. Do you have any recommendations? :0

Heeeeeey! ❤️ Here, I finally consider myself having read 'enough' Bloodborne fanfics, sooooo let me just share a few! Though I will be sincere; my selection of characters and themes to read is a bit narrow (for now), I do not read anything in the row x) Let's see!

This is a short and finished fanfic that explains the mechanics of Micolash's mirrors teleportation from alchemical and occult standpoint, as well as HOW and WHY he is 'the Host of the Nightmare' and... without any exagerration or flattery?

This is basically all I've ever wanted from fanfiction about Micolash. I was honestly impressed by alchemical and historical knowledge elaborated and how precisely it is explained how things WORK. Fictional universe giving very exact formulas, mechanics and rules of worldbuilding always felt like absolutely next-level thing for me, and something I think Bloodborne fandom REALLY needs. ESPECIALLY regarding the dark academia horror related characters like Micolash. Writing level is also very good.

ALSO, this particular fanfic made me realise something about School of Mensis that BLEW my mind, so I will bring up a bit from it in another post, stay tuned in

(Not to mention that I am absolutely in love with this portrayal of 'early' Micolash, only just having set a foot on his path to insanity, being very stubborn and determined yet clearly having no realistic esteem of how HARD this way will be. Almost childish naivety of a boy that fell in love with inhuman knowledge...)

Now finished works end. x) This fanfic I actually got recommended several times as one of like, two people that love Edgar. I am already enjoying it VERY much, it was definitely worth the hype from my friends I'll say.

It is written in the style of letters and diary notes mostly by Edgar, though sometimes scribbles of other characters are found and... Well, in this case, I did not KNOW I needed this. I absolutely love reasonable and analytical approach of Edgar and how well old English is imitated. (I personally also find this fanfic very handy as a reference to how people in Bloodborne setting would talk, since I just can't imitate this style as someone for whom English is not even the first language... Thank you for teaching me 5000 old-fashioned synonyms. )

Honestly, I think this is the best format for describing Edgar's slow descent into insanity possible; we can see how he loses his objective and falls in love with Micolash through his eyes, it illustrates the progression much more effectively than third face writing would in my opinion. I would not even call it a ship fanfic not yet at least?, he falls in love not with a man but with a cult leader but that is... even better? I don't want to spoil at what point the fanfic is right now as I write this post, but it was SO awesome that I've been thinking about it all day. Without irony, I want Whatever This Is even more than normal "ship" now o_o'

This is also a work in progress, an ambitious project to tell the full story of discovery of the Old Blood and Pthumerian secrets, getting help of Cainhurst in investigations, all the researches, forming of the Healing Church and so on so on...

I am really impressed that Fantomette, as someone without prior experience with writing (and not speaking English as native language, like me) jumped to something so big. But honestly? I've had a lot of fun reading this story. It is just... so many characters, so many themes, and chapters are written absolutely correctly in how they lead events from point A to point B and how the mood changes. There is never too much emotion+information, and never not enough. I don't know how to explain it well as I am still a visual artist, not a writer, but it legit feels like watching a fun TV show! You get invested.

I will be blunt; skill, artistry, grammar (especially in foreign language), sometimes even consistency... they all are important but there is always time to develop them. The most, and most, and MOST important thing for the writing, without which NO skill matters is to be entertaining and engaging. And this fanfic did entertain me and did make me care about what was going on, so of course I can recommend it with clear conscience.

(Also, side note, I gave her many advices on how to improve this or that sentence and pointed out some wrongly used synonyms or typos... I was worried that I'd accidentally destroy her self-esteem, but she has been receiving constructive criticism very well and is willing to improve. Like.. I can just say this person has talent and will go very far.)

So yeah! Waiting for the latter two to get more chapters and be finished.. and also hoping for more stuff like the first one please!

I'd say I am very particular on the 'gives my blorbo a justice' fanfics, and those that either do not focus on a ship or make it weeeeeeeird. Each of the listed fanfics are an example of what I am after; exploration and exact explanation of the science and magic, study of a character and their progress as a person, and detalization of 50000 events and characters that formed Yharnam's story! If you got some more, let me know too!