#he didn't deserve his own DLC

[vole-mon-amour]

This is, and always will be, an anti Daud space. I hate that asshole.

[httpsserene]

𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 - 𝐥𝐬. 𝟏𝟖 | 𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝟒𝟎𝟒: 𝐏𝐍𝐅 |

𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝟒𝟎𝟒: 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 - 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐞

summary: after all of the trials, tribulations, and failed relationships of your life, you deserve your happy ending. content warning: soft launch and hard launch. sibling dynamics (bullying). reader's mom. puns. happily ever after. elden-ring dlc spoilers! (ik it came out very recently but we’re pretending it’s older in this universe). profanity. a couple suggestive lines. attempt at humor. alcohol (reader gets drunk on nye). pairing: lance stroll x fem!black!reader

from serene: the insane amount of work i did to make fake clips of a twitch stream…there’s most definitely an easier way to do it. unrelated: i did not think a lewham win was in the cards this year, but i'm so fucking happy that he did win silverstone! of any race, i'm glad it was that one. finishing up toasty part two today, so expect it to drop tomorrow or the day after that! and most importantly, enjoy this final installment of error 404: plot not found xxx

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twitter • ynplays • december 27th

instagram • ynfanaccount • december 27th

liked by lancestroll, user35, user12, and 11,376 others

ynfanaccount: the three most popular clips from yn's twitch stream today! can you see a theme?

tagged ynplays

view comments

user1: lance liked this!!!

➥ user2: do you think he watched the stream :(

➥ user3: girl. i think he watched IRL. that was definitely a man's voice in the third clip! you can kinda hear him at the very start!

user4: don't know what's worse: yn lying to us about having a date for nye or yn gaslighting us into believing that was her sister smh

➥ yoursister: i'm not even at her house rn 🤔

➥ ynplays: whaTCHU OUT HERE BEING MESSY FOR??!

➥ user4: exposed by your own sister

➥ user5: L + ratio

➥ user6: ynnnnnnn who was thatttttttt

user7: so we can all agree that she was talking to lance in that last clip :o

➥ user8: um no. he's still in canada. yn seems like the type to have already moved on to a different man 🙄🥱

➥ user9: who the fuck are you? you must be new around here if you're deciding to talk crazy.

➥ user10: and how TF do you know that lance is still in canada? r u stalking him or smth? last clip, turn up your volume, clear as day you can hear yn almost say his name

➥ user11: worst take i've heard so far @/user8 delete your account 🤡🤡🤡

igstory • ynplays uploaded!

[caption1; when he gifts you flowers just because >>>>] [caption2; wild baby sega posing pretty in the snow 🥺]

yourbestie: answer my fucking facetime neOWW YOU WHORE

yourfriend1: "he" as in lance stroll, the f1 driver that flew all the way from canada to see you and prove that a long distance relationship with him is worth it and he also begged for you to cuddle him live on your twitch stream, gifted you flowers just because? ynplays: he *allegedly begged for me to cuddle him. you couldn't really hear it on the stream 🤓☝🏽 youfriend1: OMG ITS ACTUALLY HM INN YOUR HOUSE U LYING SNAKE yourfriend1: oh your sister is going to kill you rip 😔

yourfriend2: oh wow lance...i didn't expect him to be a returning love interest at all (sarcasm) yourfriend2: put my niece on the phone 🥱 ynplays: sega is not your niece ynfriend2: PUT MY FUR-NIECE ON THE PHONE BEFORE I STEAL HER 👺

yoursister: omw. ynplays: m not opening the door yoursister: okay? lance will open it for me ynplays: not if he doesn't want me to die he won't ynsister: if he wants to live, he will. also you gave me a key ✨

lilymhe: can't wait to see you in the paddock next year 😘 ynplays: wtf. you know who i am😨 lilymhe: alex gossips VERY loudly with george liymhe: also i love the unedited skincare & makeup videos you make, they feel like girlhood honestly ynplays: going to faint rq brb

instagram • lancestroll • dec28th • where i'm supposed to be ⚑

liked by estebanocon, chloestroll, ynbestie, and 675,432 others

lancestroll: reconnecting

view comments

estebanocon: seems better 😁

➥ lancestroll: yes you were right okay thank you

➥ user12: right about what?

➥ user13: think it's a refrence to esteban's reply on lance's previous post!

fernandoalonso: that pizza looks mid.

➥ lancestroll: what

➥ user14: IJBOL 😂😂😂

➥ user15: it feels like i just heard my parents using slang

➥ user16: that's my favorite rookie 🙂‍↕️

user17: okay yn's best friend liked!

➥ user18: soft launch radar: SCREAMING 🔊🎚️

➥ user19: does this count as a sl? it's more like a deluxe edition to an album

➥ user20: it's giving album repackaging

➥ user18: i think it's cute that he's still doing a sl !! i'm just happy they're getting back together 😌

user21: LANCE the bouquet you gifted her was sooo pretty!

➥ user22: my boyfriend has to step the fuck up (the location on this too 😭😭😭)

➥ user23: bro there's no conformation he even gave her those 😒

➥ user24: are you blind 🤨? you need to get your eyes checked fr @/user23

➥ user21: ain't it funny? how the non-believers have fallen so low into their delusion...

twitter • december 28th

instagram • ynplays • dec 30th • happy ⚑

liked by estebanocon, lilymhe, yoursister, and 179,674 others

ynplays: yes, i have a date for my new year's party: it's the 31st! 🥳🥳🥳

view comments

alexandrasaintmleux: i can treat you better than him 😩

➥ lilymhe: she's mine 😡

➥ ynplays: but pookies :( don't fight

➥ alexandrasaintmleux: okay kitten whiskers :(

➥ lilymhe: hmph. as long as you don't forget that you were daddy's first 😤

➥ user25: if i didn't know the shrek reference i'd be calling the cops

yoursister: you will send that poor man to an early grave

➥ yoursister: at least you're raising his blood pressure and not mine

➥ yourbestie: i'm just happy i'm not getting the video game rage texts anymore

➥ ynplays: haters (i love you both)

➥ yoursister: it takes the same amount of energy to love or or hate and i will always chose hate when it's you (i love you more)

➥ yourbestie: it's a consequence of cutting my hair off when we were three (ditch your man so we can have a sleepover please)

user26: lame ass dad joke in the caption

➥ ynplays: i thought it was funny 😕

➥ yourfriend1: it wasn't 👎🏽

➥ yourfriend2: should've asked the gc b4 you posted 🤷‍♀️

user27: so we all just ignoring her asking him for nudes…

➥ user28: and what about it???

➥ user29: you're just mad you don't have anybody to send you smth naughty

➥ user30: you notice how he didn't say no tho 👀👀

user31: nonchalant boyfriend core

➥ user32: nonchalant boyfriend & gamer girlfriend >>>

➥ user33: like, he just always in his own world, he rly quiet fr unless he know u

➥ user34: he funny asl tho if he know u type shit

user35: adding this to my lance stroll x reader fic

➥ user36: you couldn't WATERBOARD this info out of me 😭

➥ user37: lance stroll boyfriend aesthetic

➥ user38: ...aye dm a link to that fic LOL ☠️☠️☠️

igstory • ynplays uploaded!

[caption; ui i Lov myy bfrikenddd!!!?! happy new yrsss, ocme give me a KISS labbceyyyy]

lancestroll: i leave you with your sister for 2 seconds to use the bathroom lancestroll: you're super adorable when you're drunk lancestroll: i'll get you some water and come give you a kiss mon coeur lancestroll: you're so pretty

user39: something tells me you will not be able to stream tomorrow

user40: PUT THAT DOWN !!! ts is bigger than your HEAD GIRL

instagram • lancestroll and ynplays • january 1st • my heart ⚑

liked by lewishamilton, landonorris, twitch, astonmartinf1 and 3,492,125 others

lancestroll and ynplays: you guys haven't seen us together since last year 🤪😅

view comments

📌 lancestroll: yn's still passed out from last night but she wanted me to tell you guys that she will still be streaming tonight

➥ lancestroll: (you didn't hear this from me but she is definitely not going to be able to 🫥)

➥ user41: LMAO tell her to rest well

➥ user42: make sure she drinks lots and lots of water

➥ user43: thank u for the update messenger bf lance!!!

lewishamilton: happy it worked out for you man

➥ lancestroll: me too 😁

➥ user44: ik lewis mad as hell he didn't find yn before lance LMAOO 😭😭😭

twitch: now when are we seeing you two play overcooked on stream?

➥ lancestroll: she gets mad at me in animal crossing so i don't think it'll be in my best interests to play overcooked with her

➥ user45: yeah that game tears marriages apart

nhl: can't wait to see you guys rink side together - admin

➥ user46: nhl admin is one of us

yourfriend1: WHAT A HAPPY NEW YEAR 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

➥ yourbestie: glad to start the year knowing i will NEVER have to sit through another vacation fling ever again

➥ yoursister: well,,,what if i want to find love on vacay?

➥ yourfriend1: NO

➥ yourfriend2: UH UH

➥ yourbestie: H-H-HELL NAW ❌❌❌‼️‼️

user47: i love when soft launches only last for a few days

user48: i saw this and smiled like i had anything to do with them getting together

➥ user49: nodded my head like i know them personally 😌

instagram • ynplays • january 1st • where love grows ⚑

liked by lancestroll, nhl, estebanocon, lewishamilton and 2,582,991 others

ynplays: yeah yeah yeah stream is cancelled tn (my head is about to combust) to make up for it, canada vlog is premiering tonight 💁🏾‍♀️

tagged lancestroll, segagenesisthedawg

view comments

lancestroll: do i get vip on twitch yet?

➥ ynplays: i'll teach you how to mod too

➥ user50: modern day love story 👩🏾‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏻

➥ user51: discord mod and kitten ts

➥ ynplays: 🤢🤢🤮🤮

lilymhe: i got early access to this video, we are NOT the same xxx

➥ alexandrasaintmleux: i got it too, so we are the same x

➥ user52: damn they really tussling over yn???

➥ user53: can't blame them, i would do the same 💆🏾‍♀️

yourbestie: i feel like i should've gotten more screen time in this vid 🤔

➥ yourfriend1: speak on it bc when she wasn't with lance she was with us being annoying asl🥴

➥ yourfriend2: are we losing the friend group leader to a man? never thought she'd fall so far from grace...

➥ ynplays: friend group leader is CRAZY n y'all just happy to use me for clout huh 😤

yoursister: didn't realize we were returning to clickbait storytime yt era

➥ yoursister: sucks to see how unreletable you've become 😔

➥ ynplays: im going home and stealing ALL my clothes back

➥ yoursister: i misspoke, i apologize for my words *plays ukulele*

➥ user54: believe it or not this is love 🤓

yourmom: lance, thank you for giving my daughter the love and care she deserves x

➥ ynplays: mom this is my post???

➥ lancestroll: of course ma'am. i'll love her tirelessly

➥ ynplays: i'll love you endlessly baby 🥹

user55: HAPPY NEW YEAR YNNNNN

➥ ynplays: thank you my love! i wish you the best year everrrr

➥ user56: happy new year yn stans we up haters stay down

user57: i didn't think we'd get a vlog!!! ilysm ynnnn

➥ user58: best content creator out rn hand down

© httpsserene2024

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Hiiiii, I have a request for the newly arrived Indigo Disk-

A really happy ending for Kiki where after the whole DLC, he then starts to make amends with the BB Elite 4, his sister and protag which eventually gains him Ogerpon's recognition, prompting her to wanna go with him as an extra treat after all his angst (quq)

Yessss we gotta give him the happy end he deserves <3

.........

Setting up a small picnic within the Terarium, you brought your current Pokémon team out to play, deciding to take in the beautiful coastal biome and its warmth.

Even though you knew it was all artificial, it didn't make much of a difference to your companions. They happily frolicked in the sand and grass, although some opted to take a nap under the sun after a hard day of battling.

Meanwhile, you were fixing up a sandwich for everyone to share, deciding to add a little bit of spice to it (at Crispin's suggestion, of course). You didn't want it to be too flaming-hot for your Pokémon--or at least none that were fire types who could handle the heat.

However one in particular just seemed to be hungry for anything, as upon hearing a crystalline trill, you looked down to see Terapagos at your feet. It was gently pawing on your leg, eyes sparkling as it wondered what you were cooking up.

"Hey, little guy." You cooed, reaching down to pat its head before you scooped it up, allowing it to climb into your lap. "Smells tasty, huh? I bet you're super hungry after sleeping all those years."

It only responded with another happy trill, and you just sighed.

Who would've known this would be the legendary "Hidden Treasure" of Area Zero Heath and [Turo/Sada] sought after, the creator of the Terastal Phenomenon...

And the Pokémon that put up one hell of a fight against you, Carmine, and Kieran?

Speaking of whom...

It's been roughly a month since those events down in the Underdepths, and for the most part things have been looking up for both you and him. You were just happy to see that spark return to his eyes...

The spark he had once lost...mainly because of you.

Part of you would always remain guilty over unknowingly setting him down such a dark path--obsessing over defeating you in battle to the point where he didn't care who got hurt in the process.

He didn't wanna be that weak little kid you kept beating back in Kitakami anymore, always bragging about how much he's changed and demanding you to never hold back.

But after being humbled in front of the entire school, he was willing to do anything to have at least one victory against you.

Even if it meant utilizing a dangerous legendary Pokémon he had little understanding of....

He tried to control it, and as punishment it attacked him directly.

Arceus only knows what could've happened if your 'raidon didn't absorb the blast in time, and that selfless act made him feel all the more guilty for the way he acted towards you.

He idolized you, hated you, and yet.....you saved his life when you could have just saved yourself, his sister, and Briar instead.

He cried like a baby the whole way home, overwhelmed by everything that's happened from last year up to now, yet you comforted him and didn't tease him once.

After returning to Unova, he made a promise to fix things between you and everyone else he hurt, finally letting go of his envy and deciding to start fresh with you. His request to be your friend again had you laughing, much to his confusion..and a little worried you were making fun of him.

Then he almost sobbed after you explained that you've never considered him an enemy at all.

Despite everything, you never stopped seeing him as a friend.

Sometime later you went home to Paldea, although not without exchanging rotomphone information with him so you could have more chats.

Yep. Kieran finally got his own phone, but being from the countryside made him only somewhat familiar with the basics. You and Carmine helped him with that, of course. He loved the camera function and would often send you photos of his Hydrapple doing something cute.

They're mostly blurry, but he's getting the hang of it.

You eventually went back to the BB Academy to further your studies of the biomes, and winded up taking a small picnic break within the Terarium. No rules said you couldn't, and Drayton did insist that you didn't overwork yourself...

Which is funny coming from the guy who had to repeat classes, although you took his advice.

"Roto-to-to-to~"

Your eyes lit up as you received an incoming call from Kieran, and you greeted him with a smile, waving. "Kiki! How's it going?"

"Hey, [y/n]." He smiled back, and then he blinked upon realizing how familiar the background behind you was. "Wait..you're back in Unova? In the Terarium?"

"Uh..yeah! I was gonna surprise you, but I guess it's too late for that now." You awkwardly chuckled. "How are things going with the League?"

"Better than..I thought, actually." He sat back in his chair, tying his hair up. "Drayton and I are finally on speaking terms again."

"Oh that's great!"

"Mhm. We both felt kinda bad about how we treated each other with the whole "ex-champion" thing...said some stuff we didn't mean. Last week we were avoiding each other, and now we're having casual Pokémon battles to ease the tension between us."

"I'm glad to hear that." You nodded, taking a bite out of your sandwich.

"I..really do owe you one for bringing the club back together. I've been so bitter and didn't realize how much it was hurting Lacey and the others...not to mention how many people I wrongfully kicked out. I promise I'm gonna get all of them back into the club. I swear."

"I fully believe you. Just don't run yourself dry trying to patch up everything with everyone, okay?"

Kieran nodded in understanding, although he suddenly went quiet. You wondered why until you realized he could see Terapagos, who was currently climbing onto the table trying to get some lettuce.

"Heyyyy that's not for you, you little scamp." Teasingly, you scooped it up again, keeping a gentle grip on its belly and shell before you looked back at your friend, bashful. "Don't mind Terapagos. It's always hungry."

"I see." He chuckled. "You've been taking care of it well?"

"Yep, but have you been taking care of yourself, too?"

"...yeah." He muttered. "Carmine's been getting on my case about properly eating and sleeping again. Don't tell her this, but I appreciate it more than she realizes. And..I'll admit I was turning into a jerk like she used to be, and that's not something I want..."

"Well sounds like you're doing much better now..don't beat yourself up over it." You reassured him.

His shoulders relaxed. "I'm..trying not to....so [y/n], do you think we could meet up in person? Like at your dorm? I...feel like we haven't talked face-to-face in a while."

"Sure! I got nothing planned later so....see you in a few hours?"

"Sounds good." He smiled. "See ya."

The call ended as your rotomphone dropped back onto the table. You picked it up and stared at the case, feeling giddy about seeing him again after so long.

And to think when you first arrived here..you felt nothing but tension whenever he was in the same room as you, feeling the negative vibes rolling off of him like an aura of Bitter Malice.

You were glad those days were gone and he was your friend again.

"Pon?"

"Huh? Ogerpon..? You were here the whole time??" Surprised, you glanced over to see the grass legendary sitting on the ground beside you, being sure to stay clear of the camera view. She lowered her mask and looked at you with a knowing smile.

Considering the way Kieran freaked out when you brought her into the championship battle (not to mention him doing everything in his power to knock her out)...you would've thought she'd never wanna see or hear from him again--especially since her "betrayal" was still a fresh wound.

Yet apparently she was listening to your entire conversation with him, and had this understanding look to her starry eyes.

"Pon, ponnn?"

"Huh?" You blinked. "You wanna..see him, too? Are you sure?"

She hopped to her feet, nodding eagerly before pointing in the direction of the academy.

"Okay. Maybe..it'll be a good thing." A smile appeared on your face, although in the back of your mind you hoped that seeing her again won't scare Kieran too much.

...........

"Okay, so the Golurk congregate here....and they're usually guarding the Goletts.."

Back in your dorm room, you were just jotting down notes about recent Pokémon outbreak sightings. Ogerpon was sitting on your countertop, swinging her legs while munching on a bowl of her favorite berries you've found for her throughout Kitakami.

Right as she finished the last one, there was a knock at the door, and you both immediately knew who it was. She was a little nervous, but you reassured her that things will be okay before you went to answer it.

Sure enough Kieran was on the other side. He's never been to your dorm until now, and as he walked in was surprised and intrigued by all the stuff you had hung up on the wall.

"Excuse the mess." You chuckled, closing the door.

"Don't worry, my dorm's worse." He shyly smiled back at you, although his expression faltered as his gaze went to a certain legendary..

He immediately tensed up, not out of anger.....but like he was expecting her to use Ivy Cudgel at any given moment. "What's the Ogre doing here--wait, no..that sounded rude. I'm sorry."

"No, no. It's fine. There's actually something we've been meaning to talk to you about."

"..oh?" Turning back to you, he tilted his head.

"So Ogerpon overheard our little chat earlier, and she wanted to see you."

"She did?"

"Yeah," you nodded, feeling your heart start to race with anticipation. "And..um...maybe it's easier if she explains."

Kieran was confused as you gestured to Ogerpon, but his eyes went wide when she approached him. With no mask on, she wore a confident expression as she handed him...

A pokeball?

No..

It was the pokeball you caught her in.

"What is this? Some new trick you taught her?" Looking to you for an explanation, all he could see was your smile. "Why isn't she...afraid of me?"

"Because she knew you were trying to make amends with everybody." You patted her head, beaming. "I think she finally recognizes you as a strong Pokémon trainer, and...she wants to be yours."

".....huh?"

"She wants to be yours." You repeated, watching as he tried to process this information. And his jaw damn near dropped to the floor, but he closed his mouth and shook his head.

"Y-You're joking, right?"

"Nope. We both decided that she's ready for a new partner. Someone who's believed in her side of the story since-"

"No, no, no..I..I-I can't do that.." He shook his head frantically, backing away from Ogerpon. "I'm sorry. But she's yours, [y/n]. She chose to go with you. You passed her test and...I didn't. I was being stupid and selfish and-"

"I think I was being more selfish."

Looking up at you, he blinked a few times.

"Listen, I know everyone likes to say such great things about me...but I'm not some perfect angel." You frowned slightly. "I lied to you, I stole the Pokémon you've idolized for years...and I hurt someone who considered me a friend. You called me out on that and you had every right to."

"........"

"If anybody here needs to apologize..it's me." Bowing your head, you sighed softly. "So I'm truly sorry for the way I treated you, Kieran. I'm sorry for never considering your feelings before. I wasn't a good friend, and I wanna be a better one. So I'm gonna make this right...both of us will."

You looked back up at him, seeing the shock written all over his face. Then you glanced at Ogerpon, taking the pokeball and instructing her to get her masks off the wall. She nodded and did just that.

"You deserve to know what her power is like. The masks, the TMs I taught her...you can have them all. No trades. No strings attached..except for us staying friends, of course."

Finally, Kieran found his ability to speak again, but he was already getting choked up. "[Y/n], the apology is...th-that's more than enough for me." His eyes watered. "I forgive you. There's no way I can take her from-"

"You're not taking her away. I'm giving her to you, silly." You chuckled.

"....I..I still don't know if I can accept that. I'm not worthy of her even looking my way anymore. I was disrespectful to her wishes, I stole her mask..a-and you're saying...she forgives me?"

"I think she's gonna let bygones be bygones. Isn't that right, 'pon?"

"Ponio! Pon!" With her masks together, Ogerpon gazed at you, nodding confidently. You could only smile back as you patted her head again, seeing that she was ready for a new adventure.

You've trained her well, helping her grow stronger than ever before as you've mastered her abilities with all four masks.

But now it's time that someone else had the chance to bond with her...

Someone like Kieran.

After sending her into the pokeball for the last time, you gazed at the purple-haired boy. His whole body refused to move, so you approached him and took his gloved hand, placing the device snuggly into his palm.

For the longest time, he stared at it, and then he looked back at you. "A-Are you sure I can't just...keep her for a day and then give her back?" He began to sniffle, face growing bright red. "Because if...wh-what if she doesn't-?"

"I want you to have her permanently." Knowing what was coming, you brought him into a tight hug, feeling him wrap his arms around you and rest his head on your shoulder. "Don't worry. She's gonna love you, Kiki." You rubbed his back. "She trusts you now. She's all yours."

All he could do was nod, your shirt getting soaked by his tears as he hiccupped, thanking you over and over again. He wasn't bawling loudly like before, but he still had a tough time keeping himself together; so you led him to your bed where he was more comfortable.

You're 99% certain this poor guy's never received a hug in his life, given how he refused to let you go. So you allowed him to hold onto you for as long as he needed or wanted.

At last you got out all of the things you've been meaning to say to him...and even Ogerpon got to apologize in her own special way by wanting to be his partner Pokémon.

You thought this would have been too much for Kieran to handle, but you could see he's grown a lot and that he was ready to accept this huge responsibility.

Terapagos will remain with you, and Ogerpon will be his forever.

After everything that's happened, it's what he deserves.

[espace--positif]

This image from the third Elden Ring Book of Knowledge on SOTE has been circulating, and people are citing it as proof that Radahn was a willing participant in Miquella's plans. I don't think these words can serve as definitive proof, and I maintain that Radahn was controlled by Miquella. Here's why.

Image credits: @/Siofra_Mariner on Twitter

To me, the words "their order" and "their cause" don't prove that Radahn is united with Miquella by choice. These deliberate words make me think of Leda's group, Those United in Common Cause, who end up at odds with each other when Miquella's charm inevitably breaks. I think that that very same influence is being alluded to here, with Miquella having used his influence to control Radahn and join him to his cause.

The words "Miquella will intervene once again" imply that Miquella has to fight against some form of natural current, has to change the course of fate, in order to succeed (or try to succeed) at defeating the Lord of the Old Order; to me, the first time he intervened and changed the course of fate is referred to in the first paragraph, where they detail his resurrection of Radahn's body, free of scarlet rot. The text also refers to Radahn's "deserved rest" - again implying that Miquella's resurrection and use of Radahn is somewhat unnatural and morally wrong. If Radahn truly were a willing participant, I don't think that it would have been referred to this way. The story of one intervening with another's fate ironically occurs earlier in the base game, with Radahn stilling Ranni's fate by holding back the stars.

Next, I want to talk about, guess what, more wording.

"Miquella's wish to instill Radahn as his Promised Consort upon his ascent to godhood, a promise he made to Radahn in their childhood."

Note that the wish is Miquella's wish, not Miquella and Radahn's wish, not their collective wish. The word promise is also interesting if we look at the way Miquella uses the word in the DLC dialogue, and towards whom it's directed.

"I promise you, a thousand year voyage, guided by compassion."

Miquella says this to the Tarnished when they are grabbed. Two grabs, and the Tarnished gets their "Heart Stolen", charmed by Miquella forevermore. The Tarnished is resistant, and this is one way through which Miquella deals with resistance.

To Miquella, promises and vows are not shared agreements, but they are the way he enacts his will and influence upon others. They are unidirectional, assured, and a means to an end. His compassion extends to all, but strips all free will, and Radahn's is no exception.

A few notes that didn't fit into any of the above points:

This is my interpretation of the game and the text, and I always enjoy reading other people's interpretations. I think that's the great thing about Elden Ring's ambiguous lore; there can be many readings, and we'll really never know which are right.

I'm very biased when it comes to the topic of Miquella's desecration of both Radahn and Mohg, one in body, and one in soul - I feel like it really cemented how wrong Miquella ended up turning after abandoning all those aspects of himself in the Land of Shadow, and I felt all kinds of icky and sad when I finished the DLC because of this. St. Trina's being discarded and her death was devastating, especially when she was one of the most human and compassionate characters in Elden Ring, granting respite to all the frenzied merchants out of true compassion.

I do believe that Miquella is a victim of the cycle, though, and that he lost himself in more ways than one after witnessing what happened to his mother. To Miquella, the only way to make people stop doing horrible things is to stop them from doing anything of their own volition at all. In theory, it works. But it is so sad. I'm reminded of Melina's dialogue when you choose to inherit the frenzied flame: "However ruined this world has become, however mired in torment and despair, life endures. Births continue. There is beauty in that, is there not?" I sympathize with Miquella, I really do. I understand that he did all this because he not find any alternatives. The world being comprised of cyclical happenings that one person cannot fix is a recurring theme in Souls in general, and Miquella is just another victim of another cycle, which ends up begetting more violence, much like the violence enacted on Marika which prompted Miquella to try and fix things in the first place.

That’s it! I really needed to get this off my chest, and it definitely didn’t fit into a tweet (which is where all the discourse is happening lol). If you made it to the bottom of this yap, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this as well! Thanks for reading my ramblings <3

[asklesbianonceler]

DLCs got me having depressing Varré thoughts.

The Mohg he believed in was the same that Ansbach knew and respected. He didn't know Mohg had been bewitched. He would not have died begging Mohg to answer him. He knew the Mohg that was devoted to his dynasty and his people and after years of service to him, when he needed him, he wasnt there and he'll never understand why. I literally cannot even fathom how much that broke him, how betrayed he felt. he's so fucking tragic and so is Mohg. I truly believe that Mohg was the only demigod who had it right. He was so cast aside by the greater will and golden order that he was free of the cycle and their watchful eyes. He found strength in an outer god who didnt care to meddle with the lands between and he fucked off to create his own new dynasty completely hidden from everyone else where any being that had previously been mistreated could go and find power and a home. He only had good intentions

Mohg and Varré and Ansbach deserved better.

[floodedatmidnight]

Everything I collected that has information about Godwyn in the DLC has strengthened my love for him even more than ever.

Spoilers for SOTE under the cut.

I truly didn't expect to learn ANYTHING new about Godwyn in this DLC. Nothing. I wanted new stuff about him, absolutely. Godwyn actually being revived and becoming a boss or a npc to talk too would be amazing. I knew it was a stretch though, as his story appeared to be finished in the base game.

So when I learned there were not only three dungeons that contained lore about him, Two of them dedicated to him, I was pleasantly surprised. A new boss that we fight twice to receive their special weapons and armor relating to Godwyn, the Ancient Dragon Cult, and Duskborn. Then a talisman that speaks further about Godwyn and his loyal inner circle. While it's not groundbreaking, It was more than I ever expected.

As I think about his character now, and compare it to how Miquella was done wrong in this DLC (I am so sorry for your loss, Miquella fans), it makes me so much more grateful for these little pieces of lore about Godwyn.

While they didn't reveal shocking new light or revelations, they confirmed what we already believed about him.

That he was a good man, a good brother, a good friend, and a diplomat.

He was so beloved that his knights - his personal guards, people in his inner circle, were very faithful to him. They showed nothing but loyalty, because that's what he deserved. The fact that these personal guards were so loyal, they "switched sides" after Godwyn's death and aided in the quest to not only revive Godwyn with a replacement cadaver surrogate, but see the age of Duskborn come into fruition should tell you how much people loved him.

I'm so thankful that the new pieces of lore that were given only solidified what a great man he was. Even if we get a sequel to Elden Ring and we see no more new pieces of lore about Godwyn, characters, or boss fights related to him, I'm still happy with what we have.

Items and their descriptions encase if you're curious:

Death Knight Helm: "Golden helm of the death knights, whose own death masks served as the visards of their armor.

Enhances skills and incantations of the capital's ancient dragon cult.

The decayed golden wheel that adorns it represents their unbroken loyalty to Godwyn, he who became Prince of Death." Death Knight set (chest, arms, legs): "These knights, once Godwyn's personal guard, quested to find their transfigured master's cadaver surrogate - for the coming age of the Duskborn." Death Knight Twin Axes & Longshaft Axe: "The Knight, once the personal guard of Godwyn, was also the protector of The Prince of Death's cadaver surrogate."

Crimson Amber Medallion +3: "The Erdtree's old sap becomes amber, treasured as the most precious of jewels in the age of Godfrey, the First Elden Lord.

These Medallions, of the largest variety, were conferred to Godwyn's inner circle of distinguished Golden knights."

Ancient Dragon Knight's Cookbook: "A record of crafting techniques of the ancient dragon knight who followed Godwyn's Golden Knights into the realm of shadow."

[ir-abelas-vhenan]

Desperately Searching for Dwarf/Titan Content. Coming up (Mostly) Dry :/

Part of the strategy with my second playthrough is to pay attention to my surroundings quite a bit more since I'm no longer in a hurry. I've also always been into the paintings we find (Solas' or otherwise) but I turned up the brightness in photo mode to better illuminate this one, which lurks in a darker corner of the music room at the Lighthouse today, and I think it could be useful for people interested in examining the Solas/Mythal relationship, and perhaps for those who, like me, wish there was more content surrounding what Solas did to the titans and dwarves.

Obviously, it being art and all, it's open to interpretation, but I personally take a lot away from what seems to be a depiction of a wolf engaging in violence while a Mythal-shaped woman watches on from within radiant light (of the golden city, perhaps?)

The wolf looks haggard, gaunt, maybe? And blood is dripping from its fangs and onto a hand reaching out from the ground, so I'm taking it as perhaps the only real reference I've seen in a minute of Solas actually acknowledging what he did to the dwarves and the titans* (asterisk followed up on below the divide so this isn't too long on anyone's page).

And even that is just me making a reach there, but it does make me wonder if it was something that was originally going to be looked at more (especially with the game's previous title) and just ended up being another thing that the team decided not to keep. At the very least, despite there being 8 ish years between this game and Trespasser, the painting seems older in age to me, so I wonder when he started struggling with this self-image of a destructive beast getting its hands dirty to preserve the clean image of the one giving it commands.

*(fully fucked up their lives as they had always been and ended a good many of them, btw.) This is a side tangent that probably deserves its own post, but I do think a lot of Solas/solavellan fans would do well to grapple/reckon/sit with that a little more because the fights I've seen break out between dwarf fans who would just like at bare minimum some acknowledgement of the role he played and others who are intent on fully shutting them down are brutal.

I, personally, would have liked more that addressed this in-game other than Harding getting the chance to mention it only once to him, and that's IF she lives and you bring her to the final mission). I think there are maybe a few more dialogue references to it in Veilguard, but that mixed with the near-silence from Solas if you bring him along for the relevant DLC in Inquisition (I know some have theorized it's because a lot of people do it after he leaves the party/the devs didn't plan on him being there or that he just feels too guilty/conflicted to say anything, but with how big a plot point it is that's not enough to satisfy specifically me) just leaves me like okay...I like this character. But we get to his happy ending (if that's what you so choose for him) without ever really forcing him to struggle on-screen with dwarves and what he's done to them. And I wish we had gotten that beyond just a painting I'm inserting that plot line into.

[mywitchcultblr]

I find it amusing how some anonymous users call you a hater and a child throwing a tantrum (as if sending hateful messages wasn't). How can they be so blind to this?

The DLC writing is dogshit at best, and I am being generous. FromSoftware not only butchered Miquella's character but other things too. What happened to him wanting to cure his and Malenia's curse? There's no mention of that. The Haligtree—supposedly a home for the shunned and mistreated? Nothing. Granting Godwyn a true death? Nada. The Eclipse? Pfff. The Outer gods and the unalloyed gold? What about him being Torrent's former master? (As the promotional art implied) And the steed choosing the Tarnished? If I recall correctly, wasn't Torrent meant to pick lords? So this means Miquella trusted Torrent enough to let it choose him a consort, yet our role there is practically non-existent. Besides that, as far as I'm concerned, for one to become a god, one must be in contact with the Elden Ring, such as Ranni did, yet we don't see that in the DLC. And the thing that bugs me the most is Miquella abandoning parts of himself, like his love. Like, yeah, "Age of Compassion," but there's something you need for that and it is, y'know, love??? Where's the sense in that? Wasn't the whole point of him become a god and fix Marika's mess in the Lands Between? Not following her steps.

I'm not even going to mention Radahn because his presence here is as irrelevant as in the game.

THANK YOU ANON! Finally someone with sense! People who are saying "Oh you are just angry because the DLC doesnt confirm your headacanon or expectation." The expectation exist because of hints and lore that already exist in the base game, of course you will want to see the big pay off in Shadow. Imagine if you are Dr. Who fan and seeing 13th Doctor turned into a weeping angel but then in the next episode it doesn't go anywhere and she's immediately fine again

I will list others things that aggravate me about SOTE

The battle between Malenia and Radahn: In the base game, their battle is implied to be over runes, and because he was halting the stars and thus Miquella's fate. Malenia invaded Caelid to get Radahn's rune and solving the halted fate business, while general boi also wanting to accumulate more power so he can be Elden Lord with taking hers. Simple but effective.

But now its over a marriage with Miquella?

While it made sense for him to ally with the Haligtree so Radahn can get into the fast track of becoming Elden Lord through marrying Miquella, there's 0 build up anywhere in the base that will led us to believe Radahn even got to do anything with Miquella.

Also while he is a warmonger and certainly not a good person (I dont care what chuds on reddit said, just because a guy likes his horse that doesnt make him nice, I don't even hate Radahn or anything) he genuinely cares about HIS OWN HOLDING.

Now from what I gather from the DLC, he will agree to become Miquella's consort if he got an epic battle first. So now the motivation for Malenia vs Radahn iconic battle is... It was a deadly sparring ritual before the groom settle down? Radahn can you at least do it in a neutral zone so this battle wont destroy your OWN LAND?! There's no way Radahn didn't know that sparring with Malenia could endanger Caelid, especially with the fact that she has ROT. Radahn might be a brute archetype but he's not stupid, yet this DLC made him looks like an absolute oaf who doesn't care about whatever Caelid will survive or not...

2. Mohg: I always thought he will return, he gives me the vibe of a villain who say "I'll be back!" and I thought there's no way the Formless Mother will allow her champion to die just like that. Yeah he's back but in the worst way possible that will make his fans despairing and his haters say "I hate Mohg but he didn't deserve this."

His arc in the base is good, it is conclusive and it made sense.

A guy who was born hated, abused, and shunned by his own mother decided to say FUCK IT and created his own order, cavorting with an Outer God, committed heresy left and right, then kidnapped his half brother so he can force/convince/manipulate/doing blood ritual whatever so Miquella will make him a consort. Then the Tarnished ruined his plan, killed him. It was a well-rounded arc. Its good enough. I always admired his tenacity to give a middle finger to his family. But now? This weird over engineered brainwashing-kidnapping thing undermined the authority of both Mohg and the Formless Mother. Did she even care about Mohg? Why the Formless Mother didn't try to stop Miquella or at least warned Mohg about it?

And what the fuck Mohg is actually doing down there? What was his plan to elevate his order and replace Marika's? How he will do it if he never wanted to become Miquella's consort? With his drip alone? Maybe there are things that I missed about Mohg's plan in the DLC?? But this DLC narrative now undermined his arc and the Formless Mother.

3. Mesmer: While he is still intriguing and judging from youtube (No i havent reach him personally, because you know I'm busy but I spoiled myself, I always do for something as big as BG3 or Souls) I thought he would play a bigger role in Shadow, but not really? He's kinda overshadowed by Radahn who is not supposed to be there

Also Rellana's existence sounds like a sitcom level plot twist? Its kinda funny LMAO "Oh you think Renalla's boss fight sucks and you think she is weak? HERE WE HAVE HER TWIN SISTER RELLANA! ITS THE UPGRADED VERSION OF CARIA 1.0!" (I do like the expansion and exploration of the Carian's family tho)

4. "What about him being Torrent's former master? (As the promotional art implied) And the steed choosing the Tarnished? If I recall correctly, wasn't Torrent meant to pick lords? So this means Miquella trusted Torrent enough to let it choose him a consort, yet our role there is practically non-existent." : THIS YOU ARE SO RIGHT ANON, Torrent chose the Tarnished and Miquella asked Ranni to give the spirit calling bell to whoever Torrent chose. THAT'S MEAN THE TARNISHED ALREADY HAS A CONNECTION WITH MIQUELLA, I'm willing to bet over my right arm, this Promised Lord that Miquella/Malenia mentioned is either supposed to be Godwyn or THE TARNISHED THEMSELVES!

Look Miquella need a lord strong enough to back his claim and help him to change the world right? Why insisting on chasing after Radahn (that never mentioned to have any connection or alliance with Miquella) WHEN YOU CAN HAVE THE GUY WHO DEFEATED RADAHN AND MALENIA THEMSELVES! The Tarnished is already strong enough to challenge MOTHER FUCKING GODFREY and won! It make 0 sense for us not able to become his consort. What do you mean you can make the dream of a guy who is literally called THE DUNG EATER came true and subjugated everyone into a world of pain because shit eater is an edgelord who thinks omens and their suffering are totally cool, but not MIQUELLA'S? Its so bullshit. In the grand scheme of things, Dung Eater is as relevant as a random Tibia Mariner.

I'm still hoping we can see Miquella's ending, I hope its gonna be added. I saw someone mentioned that there's actually Miquella's ending but not implemented? I hope it can be added and at least some aspect of the missing story/plothole fixed, because Elden Ring 1.0 was quite different than what we have now...

This guy on reddit also echoed my statement

5. Godwyn: I don't care what some people said "Oh Godwyn is not supposed to be there, its just your headcanon." Brother... This DLC is about Miquella and Mesmer (even though sadly Mesmer's role seems to be diminished :/) there's should be any mention about Godwyn because Miquella and Malenia loves him very much.

There's a statue of them hugging each other, and if I'm not mistaken there were people who data mined and found tidbits about Miquella trying to resurrect him and there's stuff about Miquella giving up his throne

Show us Miquella failed to resurrect Godwyn, show dont tell! (so it wont impact Fia's ending) or please give us a mentions about him by Miquella, or knights who used to serve pre-dead and rotting Godwyn appearing in Lands of Shadow, something, anything! its like his own family, doesn't give a fuck to solve the problem that his rotting body caused.

6. The gloam eyed queen and Melina: I thought GEQ will be mentioned, since this DLC also delved into Marika's past, I mean GEQ was her rival and she's nearly becoming THE God instead of Marika. But eh nothing about her or Melina :/ Tho I do like tidbits about Marika's past and her village

There's other things... But eh I'm tired of typing lol. I do enjoy Elden Ring, I really do, and I had such a high expectation for SOTE :/ so yeah I became loud about my disappointment because I'm invested

[angel-of-the-moons]

You don't have to do this request of you still don't feel like it but I have an idea.. what happens when the reader and possessive Baraka have a disagreement that makes her seek asylum in earthrealm? Of course he's not too pleased to hear about the reader. Write it however your heart desires and thank you again for all your amazing work! Love you and this blog! 💜

I'm not sure which Baraka you mean, but given the context I definitely feel this is more MK 11-oriented!

And tysm I have been off and on with my mental health but finally chipping away at these requests because the new DLC came out for MK1!

Runaway

Possessive!Baraka x Fem!Reader

TW/CW: Angst, bit of Yandere, dark themes, some NSFW but nothing too detailed

MINORS DNI I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTENT YOU CONSUME

Dividers by @/saradika-graphics

You were scared. You were wet, you were hungry. You ached, your body sore and scraped in many places.

But you were free.

Your feet carried you swiftly, despite the soles of your shoes being worn thin; holes in places where they shouldn't be otherwise from your trek across the desert and canyons.

You were half-dead by the time you reached Outworld's capital.

You had been carried to the Palace where Empress Kitana lived, regaling her with the tale of how you fell in with Baraka, the rough and often violent warrior who had sworn his service to her.

She knew that relationships and matings with Tarkatans were often rough and bloody, it was their nature, after all; but to see one of her own people in such condition...

You couldn't even remember what had set Baraka off. Maybe a male had lingered his gaze upon you for longer than he felt was necessary, maybe you had done something without meaning to... Maybe he had a bad hunt or a fight, you just didn't know.

All you knew was that as soon as Baraka carried you into your tent over his shoulder, you knew you were in for it.

The night was rough; all teeth and claws, rough thrusts and primal, violent mating, a claim staked on your womb and body as his own.

He had left bite marks on virtually every part of you, a typical kind of "affection" among Tarkatans, to show their mate was strong and powerful, that they belonged to them.

The ones on your inner thighs hurt the most.

Kitana had urged you to rest, to let the healers tend to you while she spoke with Baraka directly. In making him one of her most trusted generals, he at least deserved a civil discussion about his treatment of you. You weren't Tarkatan--you were softer; fragile. You needed to be handled more delicately and with care...

But while Kitana left to go speak to him, Cassie Cage and her mother had come as an envoy to discuss possible supply routes to supply extra aid to the civilians injured during the final battles with Shao Kahn's remaining loyalists.

You took your opportunity.

The Earthrealm women looked at you with pity, noticing your injuries and burnt skin and cracked lips. You were scared, you knew that one of the most dishonorable things a member of a Tarkatans clan could do was simply walk away from their mate without fighting for their independence.

You would be labeled a coward, and Baraka would come for you.

Sonya had nudged her daughter and urged her to take you to Earthrealm, where you could be placed under protection by Special Forces--maybe even placed in the care of the Lin Kuei or Shirai Ryu--or possibly protected by the Shaolin monks.

You cried when you breathed the mountain air of Earthrealm; tasting your freedom and safety. You knew it wouldn't be easy for Kitana to explain to Baraka what happened--but maybe she could convince him to let this... situation slide. To take a "better", more hardy mate than you. One that can handle the way his fangs sunk into their flesh, the marks left on their body.

You didn't focus on that, instead, you let them guide you to the nearest medical bay to get treatment, collapsing on the first bed you were presented with--inhaling the crisp, clean scent of the fabrics you nestled into, your body melting into the first genuine moment of peace you'd felt since before you'd fallen in line with Baraka.

You had fallen in with his clan and into his bed in a rather rapid motion, surrendering yourself as his prized possession.

Your emotions were fragile and easy. He offered you pleasure, and security and undying loyalty, and you had surrendered to the Fakas Rakatan. By all cultural rights you were his.

And yet, you'd run away after he had given you perhaps the deepest rutting he had ever bestowed upon you. Yes, you cried and bled, but your body yielded to his pleasures regardless and responded with your own; trained to take pleasure in whatever he would give you.

He had been restless since you'd vanished, his lap bereft of your presence during the communal meals, his bed cold and his lions burning with untended desire.

He had ripped the hand off of a young male who had gotten in his way, in his rage and frustration when he discovered you'd slipped out of camp with stolen supplies.

What Baraka had not anticipated, however, was Empress Kitana to ride in on her mounts, words of you on her too-blunt teeth and soft lips.

One of the only things he liked about the "softer" race you were a part of was a mouth like that... blunt teeth and soft lips brought him pleasure he wouldn't have known with another Tarkatan. He could feel his girth swell and twitch as he remembered how yours had felt around him.

He repressed the urge to laugh as Kitana told him that you needed a more "gentle" approach, that you were weaker than he was and he should keep that in mind in the future... Or he should simply let you go.

He had laughed, at first, when she left. You were his, you had submitted. You belonged to him, and as far as the clan was concerned, you should have accepted that far sooner instead of choosing this path of cowardice and running away like scared meat rather than fight him directly about your treatment.

However... Baraka became enraged when Kitana returned with news that you had snuck off to Earthrealm while she was away; something even she took offense with. That you felt you weren't safe enough in her palace that you needed to escape to another Realm to feel so.

Baraka was able to convince Kitana to take leave to Earthrealm to speak with you directly. He would "convince" you. Be gentle with you, even...

Until you were alone.

Perhaps he would keep you on a leash, a small chain always tied around his wrist so you couldn't run away again. Perhaps he would keep you drugged with herbal teas to keep you responsive and submissive--and fertile.

He wasn't sure if Tarkatans and Outworlders could interbreed; but he made the decision that once he had brought you back to the clan, he would find out.

His blood thrummed with the promise of pleasure, weeks of you being absent would soon be taken out on your body; you would be used to the point all you could do was breathe, laying in his bed-furs, covered in his seed and scent and marks...

You were his, and he was not going to allow you to escape again.

Even if that meant maiming you to keep you close.

[rydiathesummoner]

Why Dion's character arc doesn't feel complete (IMO)

I know most likely the DLCs will cover Leviathan and Cid, but honestly, I'd rather see a Dion DLC over Cid. The reason? It feels like he's only halfway through his journey.

As we saw in the story, his life below the surface wasn't as golden as it seemed. His family never loved him. He was a tool like any other bearer. He had no mark on his face, but his father insisted on adorning him with the poisonous flower used to make the brands. And Dion's last acts were trying to atone for his acts in the Crystalline Dominion.

That seems pretty complete right? He atoned. But to me he's really just getting started. I'm talking about his emotional journey.

Dion was your typical gifted kid. By saying that, I mean that like "gifted" kids in the real world, he was born with a lot of talents that happen to be very beneficial to the world as it is, and the people running it. Dion is great at military tactics! He's brilliantly smart! He can nuke entire armies! What a blessing to his people he is!

Throughout the story it's clear to us that his father doesn't love Dion, he loves Bahamut because Bahamut helps him achieve his ambitions. Dion cares for his people, but it's unclear if the people love him for Dion, or for the protection Bahamut provides. The only way Dion knows how to get love is being useful via Bahamut.

This is a really, REALLY hard cycle to break. This sounds awful, but Terence's love is not enough to pull out of the cycle of perfection. It's a long-ass journey. It's a journey Dion didn't even start. His last words were still trying to please his father. He never realized the cycle he was stuck in, that nothing he did would ever be enough for his father to love him. He only showed the beginnings of realizing his father was shitty without needing Ultima or Anabella for it.

I wanted to see him learn that he's great because he's Dion, not Bahamut. I wanted to see him fully accept Terence's love and realize he deserves it (which is REALLY hard to do when you're in the mentality that you made a mistake therefore you are awful and deserve nothing). I wanted to see him fulfill Harpocrates's symbolism with the purple flower growing its own hue. I wanted him to fully realize that no matter when he did, it wouldn't be enough for his father and I wanted to see him learn to live with that. I wanted to see him learn to live with what he did to his people, and learn to forgive himself.

And most important of all, I wanted to see a reunion scene with Dion and Terence because that would be SO. FUCKING. CUTE.

[octo-in-the-mainframe]

DJ Octavio ramblings/analysis/theory???

I'm still mad that DJ Octavio was never given credit for composing and performing the absolute banger of a song that is Calamari Inkantation 3mix all while piloting the ship against Mr. Grizz in the middle of a world-ending event.

Like I get it. He's not an idol. He's not like, super popular among the fanbase, despite having his own rabid fans (I'm one of them).

But it just feels so wrong, knowing that the collective experiences he's shared with the Squidbeak Splatoon finally had him join forces with them, only to be left out of the song HE made???

I know the album has little octopuses all over it to signify his involvement, but I wish we had a proper explanation for why he hasn't been credited signature-wise or verbally.

Best case scenario (for me, because it gives him cool characterization) is that it ties into the idea of him not being as confident anymore. He's failed a lot over the years, lost a lot of his people, and the only recent win was when he actually worked together with the Squidbeak Splatoon that he's been fighting for a majority of his life.

If this is how he actually feels, then the recent DLC, Side Order, could hint at this as well, and portray how he seems from an outside perspective.

When reading the entry for Octavio's Splatling palette, Smollusk basically says that he needs to get his shit together because he's supposed to be a "big shot" Octarian in charge of leading his people, but that implies that he really hasn't tried since the ending of Splatoon 3.

Smollusk doesn't have the greatest understanding of the characters' motives, I'll give it that, but I honestly wouldn't say that it's too far off the mark here. It more or less accurately portrays everyone else, but just doesn't approve of their beliefs or methods.

Using this information, I think saying that DJ Octavio might be struggling to find a purpose could very well be the truth. So, maybe he's not credited because he didn't want to be? Maybe he felt he didn't deserve it? Or perhaps just didn't want to be in the publics' eye before he chose a path to follow? (He has been hiding for a while).

I don't really know, but I hope he's given the spotlight soon!

I honestly think at this point he deserves his own concert...it's not like they have to keep the other characters out either. Have him hijack the show, or do collabs with everyone. Bomb Rush Blush, Tidal Rush, and 3mix are all collabs. Plus, there's the Inkopolis Memorial Mixtape he made, which was basically a love-letter to the entirety of Splatoon 2.

And, out of everyone, Octavio is the most likely to know of every band in Splatoon, besides Dedf1sh, who is now conveniently back among public perception. He listens to literally anything he can get his tentacles on, and it's a real shame we haven't gotten more music from him.

One last thing. This relates to the DJ Octavio concert thing but...

I honestly think it would be really cool if Octavio and Cuttlefish made a song together at some point.

Octavio could do the instrumental, add some cool sound effects, and Cuttlefish could put those rapping skills to good use. Double points if they cover Calamari Inkantation together.

Alright, I think that's it for now. Feel free to cry about Octavio getting snubbed for the 1 billionth time to me.

[apricitae-world]

TRISH APPRECIATION TIME

This is a follow up of my "NERO DEFENCE TIME" post, you can check that one below:

Let's talk about her design first: dressed entirely in black with leather accents, a corset and sunglasses at night. Smooth blonde hair, cleavage and hourglass figure. No doubt, you are supposed to be alured by here since the first moment.

Trish is a more conventionally attractive version of Eva. Where Eva has a slightly hooked nose, Trish's straight and long. While Dante's mother hid her body and hair behing many layers of fabric and a veil (also evoking the imagery of a catholic saint), her clone's outfit could be seen in a nightclub.

Despite being created to lure the main character to Mallet Island by looking like his deceased family, her personality shines and acts in an almost opposite way to Eva.

Tapping into her story, the player sees she sacrifices herself to do the right thing. Despite living under Mundus' thumb her entire existence, her connection to Dante and experience of the human world is combined with her courage and resilience. Despite bring met with destruction, she endures.

In Devil May Cry 5, she accompanies V while he goes through his emotional turmoil (her knowing he is a part of Vergil is up for debate) and speaks the truth he needs to hear.

'I'm not your mommy, V." I think this sentence is great BECAUSE it crushes Vergils' expectations regarding Trish. She will never be his mom. She is her own person and deserves to be treated as such.

While Dante has the Devil May Cry shop, Trish has traveled to many places to work. I see this as curiosity (while also fighting demons) to experience what humanity has created.

She was created as torture. With a purpose that didn't involve her at all. And even so, she rose against her creator, found connections and a reason to live. There is nothing more beautiful than that.

CAPCOM SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A DLC IN DEVIL MAY CRY 4 I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU TOOK FROM ME

SHE IS SEVERELY UNDERRATED

GIVE HER WHAT SHE DESERVES BECAUSE SHE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN YOUR SEX APPEAL AND I WILL LOVE HER UNTIL MY DYING BREATH-

[astxrope]

Okay random pokemon sv dlc rant because some things about Kieran irk me so much

Don't get me wrong I love Kieran and he's an AMAZING character. But as a person i owuld be so annoyed in his presence.

And the thing with Ogrepon is he didn't kniw the true story until after we did, he was OBSESSED with Ogrepon knowing her as a monster thst attacked the town with no reason at all, sure he was right all along or whatever but that doesn't make it better he was idolizing a murderer (to his knowledge)

And I din't stand by the 'he deserved Ogrepon' or 'I wish I could have let him have Ogrepon' because (again this is if we was a real person, as a character is serves as great character development, if it was irl i'd punch him in the face) it enables his actions because he feels entitled to Ogrepon, she wants to go with us and that upsets him, which makes sense but then decides he's going to fight us to see who gets her like she's some sort of plushie to be owned.

I dunno i just feel like so many people ignore thst? Fyi just my interpretation of things I love Kieran he's an amazing dharacter but holy fuck dude

[chizups]

Am new to your tumblr (got drawn here by your pretty ocs (✿◡‿◡)) and I hope that has not been asked before but: What are your opinions on each individual Seed? And what do your OCs think about them? I always think it is interesting to see where opinions are the same or differ (●'◡'●)

Welcome! Feel yourself at home 😊

Oh, boi, do I keep my unhinged to myself when answering that? I guess we'll see. When I just got through my first FC5 run, I didn't find John to be that interesting (I didn't understand at the time really), Jacob was absolutely terrifying in a best way possible for a character to be, and Joseph became most intriguing to me, which is the case still: I am enamored with his whole character, but the more I get to know about him, the less I understand WHY, because he is infuriating, but he also keeps my underwear wet, and it's harder to say WHY by the minute 😂😅

Now that I spent some time looking into these characters, I see them a bit differently and I love them even more. Jacob was somehow the easiest for me to comprehend. I really like him as a character, and his villain image was shining even brighter when I played New Dawn: there, looking at twins, I realized for myself how intimidating Jacob actually was. I really like him as a brother/father figure, as a protector and I sorry about his fate. Can't say I would have anything to tell him, no words can fix a man like that I feel. At least none of mine. The only support I could've give is maybe hold his hand. He was a fighter and deserved better from the very start.

John opened to me with time, or rather was opened to me by people who know their shit about psychology😆 I thought he just have brain damage or something, but what escaped me at the start is his complicated set of traumas. But I know now... Again, I am very sorry about his fate, I pity him as a child, he did not deserve what he got. But John is an adult, and he is a lot. Here's my level of unhinged starts growing, because as much as I love John, I want to slap him, or stab him, or dismember him and eat his parts, while keeping him alive, I... Y'know? Normal stuff. I also have a set of my own psy problems that makes me feel a certain way about men like John: John Duncan (as well as Seed I guess at least at the start of the project) for the eyes of unknowing person would be too good to be true and therefore unworthy of trust, that means any other handsome, educated and charismatic man is untrustworthy. John Seed fucking triggers me, I feel unwanted every time I look at him, but I like him as a character nonetheless. Fuck this brat💖

Faith has impressed me by the control she has over The Bliss, it's fascinating. But she doesn't stick to my mind like brothers do, I kind of sorry about it. She is clearly a puppet, and though I pity her, and I think she is the one that was actually the closest to possible saving, I do not care that much. I'd say I wish to protect her from Joseph's influence, but it seems I got into this trap myself.

Fucking Joseph... Love. I love this man. I do this basically all the time👇

He intrigued me from the first sight, and I even envy him in some sense. But I see him more clearly now. Started after FC6 Collapse DLC, where my desire to throw this man off a cliff grew with every phrase spoken in the game. This manic asshole... The infuriating thing is, I am an aggressive scaredy cat who IRL does not trust people or religious nature easily in general, but I FUCKING KNOW Joseph would wrap me around his finger, and I hate it. And I still enamored with him.

Imagining him being chained in my basement or thrown off a cliff is an erotic fantasy by now. I am so normal about him, you can't imagine...

***

My OCs think... a lot. There's a few Alternative Universes that vary their opinions a bit because of dynamics changing and switching, but overall it stays the same.

It really all started with Dina, I played ND and needed an avatar to express my opinions, though she quickly evolved into her own character. Dina Sommer is very loyal to Jacob in every story, she won't sleep herself to guard his peace, she won't eat if he has no food in his plate. In her eyes he is the best human being, she relies on him and is devoted to keep him safe. Dina respects Joseph. To a degree. He is not higher in her hierarchy than Jacob by any means and even more than that, with time Dina starts seeing Joseph as a threat to her commander's wellbeing therefore she doesn't like him in the slightest, though she won't talk about for obvious reasons. John and Dina barely meet and talk, and it was decided that they won't know what to do in each other's presence, because they both are fucking children. Let's say whatever opinion of John Jacob is translating to Dina, it is the exact one Dina has. Dina and Faith do not really know each other.

Salome Ann Clock is a caring soul, so no matter if my story of the day is angst or fluff, she tries to look for common ground and be a peace maker, to bring comfort to others, even when she is herself broken. She is able to find some pity in herself for Faith, respect for Jacob, forgiveness and compassion for John, but she is terrified of Joseph. Even in Twisted Untitled where she is married to him, Salome sees him as an idol first and foremost and is afraid of what he does to people and her, physically or mentally. Her basic was that she did not plan on killing so many people and Seeds too. Salome wanted to arrest them. To bring justice by the law, yes, but also because she wanted to do the right thing and save them. To realize she all this time was kept alive by Joseph's word alone was crushing to her.

My favorite warframe-witch-fairy-feetless-mystical-woman Wisp is enamored with Joseph, trusted most of the things he said for a very long time, they are very close friends. She is sorry for all his losses, loves him dearly despite understanding that he is sometimes goes too far. She is also the only character that can actually push that fucker around without consequences, and I love it for her. Because sometimes she actually does. She tries to protect his image in some sense, like a sober wife talks about her drunk husband, that she loves very much, but still embarrassed by him: he is not that bad, she swears, she'll grab him by the neck later if it makes you feel any better about the situation. Wisp respects Jacob very much since he is a soldier, hence a weapon, like she is, but because he is absolutely closed to her mental reach, they barely interact, which saddens her, but she accepts it as it is. Faith is Wisp's favorite girl, she is impressed by the Bliss control just like I am. They are definitely girlfriends on easy mode, but Joseph doesn't need to know it, hehe. If situation occurs, where Joseph and Faith will be in danger at the same time, there is a high possibility that Wisp will try to protect Faith first instead of running to Joseph. Wisp's relationship with John has two options: in any other story he is just a member of the family Wisp protects, because it is Joseph's family, but they are not even friends, bc John doesn't trust her; in Seeds & Witches however Wisp is John's long time friend, a nanny you could say, he trusts her 120%, and she cares for him like she never carried for Joseph even in any other story, John is her little mew mew baby princess boi💝

Recent addition to my group of cunts is Restless Mina. Originally started in Seeds & Witches, she is mostly indifferent in relation to all Seeds there, but Twisted Untitled helped me develop her, and it happens so she is in many ways a mirror image of John, so they are not very friendly to each other, but their hostility has more of a rival aspect than if they were actual enemies. Mina likes him, but hates to admit it, she teases and taunts him often just to make him mad. It is mutual. However this is a way for them to support each other, since they are not the same just as is, but in Joseph's eye as well, receiving the same treatment from him. Joseph wakes many complicated feelings in Mina, she is afraid of him, but sees no other light on her dark path, so runs to him when in need of a good word of wisdom. Which is often. She is also intrigued by Jacob and respects him highly, though is not very sure herself why that is. She is however tied to John (he introduces her to religion) and almost prohibited from visiting the mountains. So there's not much she can express about the older brother. Mina doesn't understand Faith, her field of work and influence is very confusing to the point of being scary to Mina, therefore she does not hold very high opinion about the sister.

I think that is all❣️

[yakool-foolio]

Something I've always loved about Yakou, from when I first read his prequel story all the way to playing his DLC, is that he's so utterly passionate about the Nocturnal Detective Agency. Even when his ideal office was just a kid's dream, name written in sharpie on a makeshift badge, he never lost his creativity. The process of understanding how much his agency means to him went as follows:

Going through the prequel story first, as I did when playing through all of Rain Code, this section stands out.

In hindsight, it harkens back to his childlike wonder of becoming a detective, a Master Detective at that. To teen Yakou, Mitsume made his career seem not all like it was cracked up to be. Even though Mitsume turned out to not be a Master Detective, there's no doubt his perspective on what his future job would be like dampened ever slightly. After Mitsume eventually moved out to get married, Yakou remained sanctioned in what's most likely the same office building he and Mitsume worked in, the one with his favorite rooftop lookout. When Yakou was brought in to be trained at the WDO, it probably didn't help much either with his extravagant expectations. From what we see of the footage provided by Makoto, it's simply a tall office building. Obviously we don't know what it's like on the inside, but it wouldn't be surprising it it isn't far from the bland office he's grown used to. But despite the lame facility, it's filled to the brim with the most interesting, fantastical people in the world.

When he returns to Kanai Ward after his training and eventually gets kicked out of the office building, what exactly does Yakou do next? HE GETS A MOTHAFUCKIN' SUBMARINE! I have a headcanon/theory that Yakou found the submarine in a ship graveyard after the Blank Week and the city's isolation. After having a hole punctured into his heart by the loss of his wife, this is probably the most love he's poured into anything since then. That ship is his baby and he cherishes it! He loves Kanai Ward, but he loves his new agency just as much, maybe even more. It's a home inside a home. A place that is truly his own. And boy does he love to show it off!

He is so proud of his agency--his home--he's made for himself! After being bummed out by Mitsume's regular office, Yakou took it upon himself to be far from boring. He gets to do what his teen self wished for with Mitsume, and excitedly shares it with his detectives whom he now mentors.

It makes the sinking of the agency at the hands of the violent Yomi all the more upsetting. I'm sad and glad we don't ever see Yakou's initial reaction to realizing his agency is gone, cause on one hand you can imagine his sorrow flaring into absolute fury at Yomi, fueling his mission to bite back at Amaterasu; on the other, I don't think my heart could take seeing him so upset. But hey, Makoto replicated and recovered as much as he could of the agency in the end, and Yakou is beyond ecstatic.

Fuck that Makoto most likely wiretapped the place to all hell, Yakou gets his home back! Let him be happy, he deserves it!

And now we skip, or well, rewind, to Yakou's DLC. This is when we finally learn that the Nocturnal Detective Agency has always been with him, a childhood friend that he rekindled his companionship and love for. Home is where the heart is. Written in sharpie, his dream lies right in the palm of her hand.

And five years later, long after that dream became a reality, when he's loved and lost so much, he still carries it with him.

[shmowder]

I’m not quite sure if you’ve played the marbles nest dlc yet but if you have….could I get some hcs for how marbles nest Daniil would be with a reader? Maybe even they’ve confessed their love for him randomly during one of the loops?

I always liked the concept of timeloops. Just when Daniil thinks he has seen and memorised everything, you go off-script and confess your feelings.

A tragedian Reader? Yeah I like the idea.

Death Is The Only Way Out

[ MN Daniil x Tragedian GN Reader ]

[ Angst with a happy end..kinda, Hurt/Comfort, Love confession, Romance, 4th wall breaks, Metafiction]

It was getting dull.

The same people stopping him in the same streets, delivering the same news.

Gleefully informing him of his failures, of his supposed dead status, of the Judge lifting quarantine and overruling any speck of authority the Bachelor may have held in this town.

- The Fifth Loop -

Dankovsky stopped listening to them by now

They've already said their useful piece time after time.

He already knows where to go, without being needlessly subjected to their sadistic gossip, vaguely disguised as concern for him.

…walking by the stillwaters, her voice still haunts him.

 - The Twentieth Loop - 

He finally came to  the bitter acceptance that there is no feasible way to prevent the vial of Panacea from breaking.

No matter how many instructions he gave to Cookaroo–the kid, even handing him his own snakeskin coat to use as a cushion for the fallen items.

It ended the same... except with broken glass embedded into his coat this time around. Neither could he possibly hide them from the guard outside.

Daniil even brought a water bottle with him just to swap its content with the Panacea, to hopefully sneak it outside this time around.

The guard confiscated it all the same, with the confidence of someone who witnessed him in the very act itself.

Daniil was sure he locked the door before he did. The walls must have eyes and ears, he concluded.

As he held the Panacea in his hand, pale blue eyes chided him from not having faith in him.

- The Twenty-sixth Loop -

It never gets easier.

Having to purposely fail as a doctor, having to go against his very own instinct at every turn and butcher the self-inflicted wound on the worm.

Failing at the very basics of the basic training granted to each student in their first year of medical school.

But after the first few times of being handed a still-warm human heart–bright red, freshly plucked from someone's chest, oozing blood from every vein and crevice–He decided to pick the lesser evil... or the one that doesn't test the endurance of his lurching stomach each time.

One death was mandatory to happen this day, he reckoned, one that must involve him as a participant.

Directly or else.

Both the worm and the Herb Bride chose to die, and both of them welcomed it. The blood on his hands is something he cannot change.

He can only choose whose.

To even call it a wedding, what a tasteless joke. What crude practices.

- The Forty-fifth Loop -

How idiotic of him to think that he even had a choice to begin with. The heart was mandatory. He learned it the hard way

All the days he wasted thinking he was sparing a life, saving someone's daughter from being butchered like cattle.

Letting a patient die in his own arms, killing him with the same medical tools meant to mend and heal.

Only for it to be the wrong choice after all.

Of course it was.

Of course, this rotten town will never be satisfied until his suffering reaches its maximum potential.

Of course, he couldn't even be granted this one mercy.

Daniil stopped looking in her direction afterwards. He couldn't stomach seeing her dance.

He just focused on sparing the worm's life, accepting his curses and insults without retaliation this time around. For part of them felt deserved.

What a grim wedding.

- The Fifty-seventh Loop -

One of the tragedians appeared in front of the cathedral earlier than expected.

Daniil didn't even have the heart yet to trade you with.

Just when he was about to inform you of that, he noticed something different, Your mask was cracked.

Sure, the tragedians' clothes were always worn with visible stitches, their masks covered in tiny scratches, the white colour eroding into grey with the constant wear and tear. 

But yours was indefinitely cracked. It wasn't anything small either but a major split.

"How does it stay in place?"

The question caught both of you off-guard as it slipped from his lips.

Daniil immediately regretted asking it, he doesn't have the time for this, you're not going to tell him anything useful, you're just here to insult him and rub salt into his wounds, just like that insufferable executer dwelling in-

"Fabric glue." You answered.

Oh.

Yeah, it makes sense.

His brain must be getting very stale if he couldn't figure this one out by himself.

Without another word, he turned around and went about his usual routine for this Saturday.

- The Fifty-eighth Loop -

You're here again... even earlier than last time.

Daniil approaches you with caution still, as if you're about to grow two heads or fizzle out into a plague cloud. Because of the off-chance that you might carry crucial information that could help him finally defeat death... he must prevail.

It feels odd, attempting to strike a conversation after so many loops of people just coming to him unannounced to voice their thoughts.

You're quieter than the other tragedians, less fidgety, too. You're not acting in place like a mime performance, nor are you standing ominously still like a statue.

You're simply... there.

Eerily human-like.

Sometimes, looking at the sky, other times stretching your limbs. Loitering, in summary.

"Why aren't you with your friends?" The question came out by his own agency this time around... although it was said with a hint of venom.

Daniil stood impatiently in front of you, as it took you a moment to realise he was addressing you and not one of the townsfolk.

"My friends?" The mask twitched, your expression must have changed underneath, the crack making its movement more pronounced, "I'm not sure who you're referring to..."

"The other actors, mimes, tragedians, whatever your group calls itself." The hostility in Daniil's tone simmered down at your casual demeanour.

"We're not really friends. Coworkers, more likely." 

Daniil gave you an expected look. You weren't sure what it meant… so you continued to elaborate on the subject.

"I mean, Anton's nice and all, he always brings an extra coffee for anyone who asks, but like I wouldn't say we've ever invited each other to a birthday party or something." You explained earnestly.

"No, that's not what I-" Daniil took a deep breath, "I meant to ask, why aren't you with them? What are you doing here so early?"

You faced him, and for a second, Daniil thought he glimpsed a pair of human eyes looking at him behind the dim fabric, veiling your face from underneath the mask.

The eye contact was cut short as you urgently turned your head away, refusing to meet his face again. Realising that he's still awaiting an answer, you simply shrugged.

"I see..." So you weren't here because of his actions or something he did during one of the loops... that's both relieving and frustrating at the same time.

Without another word, he turned around and went about his usual routine for this Saturday 

- The Fifty-ninth Loop -

Daniil didn't bother addressing the townsfolk gathering outside the grocery. Their praise fell on deaf ears as he pocketed the remaining change left over from pawning his pocket watch and hurried away.

Not only was your demeanour unusual, but the way you acted when you thought he wasn't looking as well.

Daniil felt your eyes following him as he trudged through the stone yard, facing away and feigning innocence whenever he'd abruptly stop and turn to catch you in the act.

At first, he was put off by it.

But the more he observed you from far away, the more he came to the blunt realisation that you were simply bored out of your mind, and he happened to be the only changing variable nearby.

That's why he decided to head towards the Committee first thing this time around. Informing them to unlock the nearby store.

The Bachelor wasn't sure why he's doing this.

Was it a vain attempt to gain some sort of benefits or information out of you that might aid him in this seemingly endless battle?

Or was it the fact you seemed to retain your memories through each reset just like him.

…maybe the fact these two conversations with you were the closest thing to normality he has experienced through this hopeless journey.

But he cannot trust you, not yet. 

For all he knows, you could be death itself, who found another way to taunt him through exploiting his ever growing loneliness in this fragment of reality, detached from the outer world, never ending, never growing, much like a bird stuck in a cage or a soul preserved in a peanut.

He should really stop humouring these kids; their wild imagination is starting to alter his thoughts and view on reality.

You're at your usual spot, in front of the cathedral is where he finds you. 

It seems that you've taken a liking to sitting at the far end of the stairs, than to aimlessly standing around.

Were your legs tired? he couldn't help but wonder.

The click of his bag opening caught your attention, Daniil reached into the safety of a pocket lining the inner walls, three coffee beans tucked in there.

The ones he freshly bought from the grocery a few minutes ago.

“Here.” He says, unceremoniously extending his hand to you, coffee beans sitting on his palm. 

Your expression is veiled beneath a layer of black fabric. The cracked mask–was the split always this big?–offers some leeway, however. Daniil can vaguely make out the shape of your nose, poking from underneath the fabric.

With initial hesitation, you opened your hand, feeling his gloved fingers carefully set the coffee beans atop yours one by one, rather than just dumping them all down.

It wasn't feasible to feel his skin beneath the thick layer of leather, but by the gods, did the tightness in your chest claim otherwise.

“I couldn't find a kettle or sugar, but I'm sure you'll figure something out.” Daniil retracted his hand, politely taking a step back–it just hit you how close he must have been–his tone devoid of any bitterness this time. “Was it Afton, right? the colleague who usually brought you coffee.”

“Anton,” you corrected him, still staring at the coffee beans in your palm with disbelief, “...thank you.”

“I…” Gratitude is definitely not what he was expecting. Daniil's eyes softened, the tension in his shoulders easing away, “it's nothing really.”

The smile on your lips, he couldn't see, neither the glimmer adorning your eyes as you admired this humble yet thoughtful act of kindness.

“Did you get out of your way to do this? you always order the Committee to just send more guards.” Your words made him pause in place.

The genuine surprise on Dankovsky's face was quickly masked away. He opened his mouth to speak before closing it, gears churning in his brain.

“Don't flatter yourself, I had my own reasons.” Daniil took another step back, spoke with a defensive tone “...you're more observant than you initially seemed, I didn't think anyone was keeping track, least of all the tragedians.”

It felt like the temperature dropped several degrees, the quaint atmosphere vanishing in an instant as his cold eyes sized you up and down.

“The game is rigged, isn't it?” He continued, not giving you a chance to speak. “You've indirectly confirmed my suspicions, just now. I'm under constant surveillance, aren't I? That's why that pesky guard couldn't be outsmarted.”

Whatever fragile resemblance of a friendship you two held was shattered by a mere slip of the tongue on your part.

“...yes.” It came out in a whisper, yet you were sure Daniil still heard it all the same.

Without another word, he turned around and went about his usual routine for this Saturday.

– The Sixtieth Loop –

He ignored you and went about his usual routine for this Saturday.

– The Sixty-first Loop –

He ignored you and went about his usual routine for this Saturday.

– The Sixty-second Loop –

He ignored you and went about his usual routine for this Saturday.

– The Sixty-third Loop –

He ignored you and went about his usual routine for this Saturday.

– The Sixty-eighth Loop –

He glanced in your direction as he exited the theatre, having just been informed of the execution of Dora and Marat. 

Their ashes remain on the ground.

– The Sixty-ninth Loop –

He ignored you and went about his usual routine for this Saturday.

– The Seventieth Loop – 

He ignored you and went about his usual routine for this Saturday.

– The Eightieth Loop –

He ignored you and went about his usual routine for this Saturday.

– The Ninetieth Loop –

He sat down beside you on the cathedral stairs.

Eyes sunken, a look of absolute defeat on his face.

You fidget with the three coffee beans in your hand, twirling them around with your fingers. Dankovsky watches.

“I would've told you if you had asked.” You quietly explain, “I never meant to trick you.”

A heavy weight falls on your shoulder, Daniil's body collapsing against your side. Face resting against your collarbone, his breathing ghosts over your neck.

The comforting weight of forgiveness.

“Then tell me.” He sounds beyond exhausted. You wonder how close his metre is to being filled. “How can I defeat death? And don't give me any of those vague answers your colleagues do each time, I want the plain truth.”

“You wouldn't like the truth.” Plague clouds flood the streets. Polluted air passes seamlessly through your lungs as you take a deep breath.

Daniil buries his face deeper into your neck, fearing a coughing fit if he dares to breathe too generously. “I can handle it, please just… spare me some dignity.”

“You can't win. You could never win. It was always rigged. Death is the only way out.”

“I refuse.” Even after all this time, nearly one-third of a year spent in the samsara, Daniil's determination never wavered, “there must be another way, I refuse to accept death.”

“Well…” Your mask splintered, chipping at the corners as the crack grew in size, “you could always stop playing this game.”

“You really think this is just a game? Do you realise the number of people residing in the stone yard? Whole families, kids, and elderly alike will not survive the infection if the plague makes it across the bridge.”

“It was always meant to be a stand-alone story, a demo for backers, a preview test of what's to come. It wasn't made with the thought in mind to become a full-fledged DLC down the line. It's too incomplete, too linear. The endings aren't satisfying either, and it constantly loops after each one.”

“Have you gone senile? Just what the hell are you talking about?” Daniil lifts his head to be able to face you, eyebrows scrunched together in a mix of frustration and confusion.

Your eyes glance down to his chapped lips.

With one of your hands–the one that's not carrying the precious gift he graced you with–you bring his hand upwards, coax his fingers under the edges of your mask.

All negative emotions vanish from his expression. Understanding your intentions, Daniil brings his other hand to the opposite side of your face.

The porcelain mask crumbles down into dust after he moves it less than an inch away.

The silhouette of a face is visible now underneath the fabric. He moves his fingers delicately across your features.

Caressing your cheeks with his thumb, trailing down your nose with the tip of his finger, brushing against your lips, memorising the shape of your upper eyelid

Staring into those very same eyes he briefly glimpsed that day.

“I've always loved you.” Your voice sounds clearer without the echo of the mask. Your vulnerability shines through.

Daniil stares at you with wide eyes, processing everything happening at an alarming speed, taking your words to heart.

Fear flashes through his eyes for a split second, fear of the fate which befalls those he cherishes. Clouding his brain into a fog, churning in his stomach akin to bitter venom.

Eva's voice rings in his ears, Artemy's eyes bore into his own.

Yet the taste of your lips brings him back to his senses, your soft mouth pressing against his own, a thin layer of fabric separating you two, preventing your realities from ever fully merging.

“I love you.” You repeat, “and I can't watch you suffer for much longer.” 

Daniil's arms envelope you.

“Please…” You whisper, cradling his face in your hands, “stop playing the game. That's the only way to win.”

He doesn't argue with you. He peers at you with morose acceptance.

With a final kiss to your temple, the world stops in place. The two of you akin to statues, frozen in that position, preserved for eternity.

The key to immortality.

A figure stares at their reflection on the screen. The pause menu is the only light illuminating the dim room.

Scrolling down to the last option, a confirmation window pops out, asking if you're sure you want to exit the game.

You press ‘Yes’

Greeted by the usual desktop screen on your computer, you glance at the clock in the corner of the taskbar. 

It's getting late, you think. You should head to bed soon.

The DLC was too short, and it was definitely not worth the price. You still find yourself recommending it when inquired about it in the future.

The mattress sinks under your weight, the covers weigh comfortably on top of you, the pillows cradle your head.

As your eyes flutter shut, your soul soars free. Drifting amidst the streams, a starless sky filled with dreams.