#i also think i'm gonna add some description in the future chapters bc trying to make the emotions show this way... not easy

[wings-of-ink]

Hello! I went to sleep while finishing GC so naturally I had dreams abt it and some random questions- would you ever consider adding character descriptions for a Trans MC? (I know this is more work for u so feel free to ignore jus curious).

Also on that note I wanna add that the naming scene did in fact make me cry, I know it’s not the internet to be trans coded but- it just struck a cord with me- jus the fact that I got to choose my name and my fathers were happy for me🥲😭🙏🏼a whole box of puffs+ gone in one sitting. I can’t express how much I LOVE Da and Papa, they’re my Roman Empire I love them so much. They’re just so loving and accepting 🥲I wanna hug them

Speakin of characters I’d like to hug- Will we still be able to dig deeper into Zahns backstory even if we don’t romance them? Bc…I just…I wanna drag them back home far FAR from their Sect and just love them (platonically) forever. I wont deny tho I’m just very curious about their cult and like…wtf is going on there 👀

Ok this is already too long I’ll leave it at that💞gonna go reread this masterpiece now.

(Side note your description of the honey cakes made me wanna try them so I’m currently looking for recipes 🕺gonna eat them while I reread)

Have the loveliest day!

Sincerely,

-Oswin obsessed anon

Hello my dear!

First off, that is very sweet and I am loving that you dreamed about it!

I had wondered about making something of the sort, but like you said, it adds to an already complex system. My thinking when I did the character creation as it is was that, at least in this world, whoever you are - you just are. That's kinda how I see myself because I've always been in a grey area for my own identity. So, I just am. That's why I didn't enter any sort of specified option for transitioning.

I don't know if anything like the Trans descriptors will be in the game. If I did them, I'd want them to be at least meaningful. So, I won't say no, and it's something I'll take to heart when I consider the scope of the project.

I am thrilled that the naming scene was meaningful for you. I think I know how you feel there.

If I could magic any two people from my IF to life, I would probably go with Papa and Da, lol. Sorry to the RO lovers, but the world needs these daddies!

You will definitely see more of Zahn's backstory even if you don't romance them. Each RO will have that sort of baggage and you will be able to "try before you buy" so to speak. I haven't decided how deep that will go or how those will change depending on if they are romanced or not. I'm considering designing it so that you would need to romance them to get the entire scope of their background, problems, and such and help them find some sort of closure during their route. Zahn will start opening up more before you know it though!

Not to worry about a long ask - I love reading! Lol

I actually found a honey cake recipe that I wanted to post with a future update for chapter 3! But I'll pop it in here for you in case you want it. It's a bit fancier than what would be available to the MC's family, but it would be delectable. This chef is my all time favorite as well. Love the way he talks and his silly puns. I use his methods and recipes a lot and they never fail.

I hope your day is also lovely, Anon! Thank you for dropping in! ^_^

[stitchthesewords]

I know I said it yesterday in my tags too, but I'm eyeing Grian's deal with his wings so much. Also his anxiety when being around other people. And obviously the "For a second all Grian could see were rocks falling in front of him" line. Stitch, what have you done??? I am Concerned.

"Scar’s tone of voice was just so sincere even though the sentence he just said was the equivalent of firing 10 arrows and hopping one landed." There are a lot of delightful sentences in this chapter, out of which this one is my favourite.

Mumbo and Scar continue to be incredibly married (Mumbo keeping a spare saddle at Scar's house. That's such a specific thing, speaking to how often Mumbo visits Scar) but now we can add Scar and Grian having a breakfast ritual together to the domestic fluff pile. It's just. It's so sweet.

"‘ANOTHER BODY FOUND OUTSIDE THE MARKET’" I'm sure this won't come up again in the future :) I'm sure nothing bad is gonna happen to our boys :)

Love the detail of Scar using floral-scented laundry soap. You are so, so right, he absolutely would. I was trying to imagine it and realised it's probably lilac scented, and now I'm having emotions about 3rd life again and I am blaming you.

"the sound of birds chirping caught his interest, too. He had to fight down the instinct to reply." okay 1) adorable but 2) I'm just here like is this just a cute moment or is it a nod towards the whole "Grian doesn't look like other avians" mystery?? I am Suspicious.

I mean, okay, I can think of several very valid reasons, but at the same time I do need to judge a little. Hey, hey Mumbo? Why do you live in such a creepy forest? like some sort of dracula? smh. (Loved the description of the vault btw P: )

I loved this chapter so much! The growing trust between Grian and Scar, and the way you show it through their actions. The banter between the two of them. The balance you've struct talking about world-building and the outside forces at work, casual enough that it doesn't seem forced, but highlighted just enough that you don't miss the importance. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

what is scar's horse's name it is vitally important i know this.

I mean, okay, I can think of several very valid reasons, but at the same time I do need to judge a little. Hey, hey Mumbo? Why do you live in such a creepy forest? like some sort of dracula? smh. (Loved the description of the vault btw P: )

what is scar's horse's name it is vitally important i know this.

Yes good continue to eye it I have. MANY feelings about his wings. I can’t share MOST of them yet because I haven’t even told Atherix wtf is going on with Grian and I don’t plan to so that will just have to wait for the story to get there. BUT I love that Grian sees other avians [who he looks different from. No headwings. No feet talons. Hm hm hm] and thinks “its so rude they’re wings aren’t curled up into their back!’ And that couple with the fact that while hesitant about it, he lets Scar touch his wings to some extent! Shows off a baby feather. Hm hm hm. What HAVE I done Brax, that is the question isn’t it.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES IM GLAD YOU LIKED THAT LINE ITS MY FAVORITE FROM THIS SECTION!!! I almost cut it in revisions but I just. I loved it too much. AND IT FIT SO WELL????????

They are incredibly married yes yes. God they’re so married. You get to see more of that married vibe in the upcoming two chapters bc Mumbo will be in them and oh my GOD they’re married. Grian is looking between the two of them and wondering why they don’t at LEAST hold hands around him. I don’t totally know if Grian is aware they ARENT together bc I mean. Look at them. AND YES SCAR AND GRIAN BEING DOMESTIC TOO SDLKGAFGDF My heart. Oh my god they were roommates. Scar’s so NICE to him that Grian just casually forgets that he didn’t REALLY have a choice in staying or not.

😊 Im sure NOTHING bad could be happening. I am so sure.

Okay yes I couldn’t decide if Scar is like a floral laundry soap or a like clean detergent smell laundry soap kind of dude but then I thought about the lilacs and poppies so you saw EXACTLY where I was going I will have desertduo brainrot for the REST of my days oh my god. Have those emotions. Let it fuel you. Hehehehe

LOLOLOLOL Okay highkey this one is CC!Grian’s fault. The birch forest he decided to build in creeps me out. IDK what it is about birch forests in Minecraft but they unsettle me. I went with a dark oak forest vibe because I feel like those creep people out more?????????? But. It’s CC!Grian’s fault. And also the fact that Mumbo is a spooky vampire yes – I imagine the forest is dark enough he can go for walks in it during the day. [I can’t remember if I’ve established that Mumbo CAN go outside during the day, he just have to cover his skin/wear sunscreen and often carry a parasol]

DAAAAAAAAAAW THANK YOUUUU. I’m ngl – Atherix got to read this one early because I wasn’t sure about the content but it got her blessing so I went ahead and revised it and I’m really happy I did. Originally, the forest scene was a lot shorter [I actually doubled its length in revisions] and I think that’s what was holding me back. The chapter I’m revising now has a scene at the very end of it that I’m doing a full overhaul on before I post it and I think that too was holding me back so!!! Very glad I went ahead with the story the way it came together, I’m badababapba lovin it again.

ALSO I UHHHHHHHHHHHH HAVENT NAMED THE HORSES. I WAS GONNA NAME IT PIZZA FOR, YOU KNOW, REASONS, BUT THEN I DECIDED THAT PIZZA SHOULD STAY A LLAMA, AND IT CAN’T BE JELLIE BC JELLIE THE CAT *IS* IN THE STORY, JUST NOT. YET. YOU’LL SEE. SO. UH. LEAVE YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR MUMBO, SCAR, AND GRIAN’S HORSES IN THE TAGS IG

[kalosstarters]

Phonecalls from the other side of the world, part 1

It’s been 3000 years 2ish months since I last posted my writings but now I finally have something new to share. This is the first part of the fic that consists of several phone calls between Alain and Mairin (who sometimes have various other characters in their company) from the time when Mairin is on her individual journey (when she’s 12-16 years old). Mostly platonic Marisson with possibly some small hints of things to come. Also minor pokeshipping and contestshipping in the future chapters. (I’m afraid these first two phone calls sorta contradict each other because I wrote the first one weeks ago and the second one in a situation in which I couldn’t reread the first one)

1. From Lumiose City, Kalos, to Coumarine City, Kalos (2018)

Alain: Mairin, is everything all right? I haven’t heard of you in a long while, and it’s just not like you to not call…

Mairin (with an uncertain tone): Uhh… not really. Alain, I have to confess you something. I am not traveling currently.

Alain: To be honest, I kinda figured that out already. You are really bad at keeping things to yourself. But what are you doing then?

Mairin: Well… I’m still in Coumarine City.. My aunt.. she’s not treating my half-brother well, and I just.. I just couldn’t leave him alone there.

Alain: Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I could have helped you.

Mairin: That’s exactly why! I can’t have you help me all the time! And this has nothing to do with you, it’s something I just had to do. And don’t tell me that you’ll come here because I don’t want that!

…

Mairin: OK, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. You know I want to see you! But watching you help Sycamore at the lab, I realized I needed to find my own thing too. But I can’t do that if you are around all the time. 

Alain: Oh.

Mairin: So do you see now why I have been hiding this from you?

Alain: I guess. But you do still realize that you can’t be there forever? 

Mairin: Of course I do. I am planning on leaving soon. My brother says he’s gonna get his first Pokemon as soon as he turns 10 and nothing can get him back here again after that. He turns 10 in two weeks so I am already doing my own preparations…

Alain: At least you have a plan now… You know, I was really worried about you for a bit. So, what is your next destination?

Mairin: Hoenn! Steven and Sawyer are now back there, and Steven said I’d always be welcome to visit him. I thought seeing some new places would be good for me and there’s still a lot I haven’t seen there… 

Alain: But aren’t you scared? Remembering those… beasts we faced there the last time?

Mairin: Steven said the megalith won’t disturb them anymore and it’s very unlikely I’d ever see them again… They are called legendaries for a reason. But yes, I am a bit scared. But I will get over it!

Alain (quietly): That’s very brave of you. I’m not sure if I could..

Mairin: Did you say something?

Alain: Ah, nothing. You really have grown quite a bit! I guess Professor Sycamore needs me somewhere, but call me before you leave, please.

Mairin: I will. Bye!

 From Lumiose City, Kalos, to Mossdeep City, Hoenn (2018)

Mairin: Alain? Hi! What’s going on? And how did you find me?*

Alain: Well, Steven thought he should let me know you are there, and called me.

Mairin: That Steven.. You know, you don’t have to babysit me. I’m already 12, remember?

Alain: Yeah, I remember, but he also said… uh, never mind.

Mairin: Yes? You can tell me.

Alain: Fine. He said you don’t seem quite as.. emotionally stable as you should be… And despite your latest call, he had understood that you don’t really have a plan for your future, do you?

Mairin: Ehh.. He’s wrong! I don’t know what emotionally stable means, but I’m fine. I’m feeling much better than I felt back in Kalos. I do have a plan too! I’m going to challenge gym leaders and participate in the Hoenn League. I’m also gonna participate in Contests. Serena said they were great.

Alain: Really? Don’t you think that’s quite a lot to do? Do you even know where the closest gym is?

Mairin: Of course I do! It’s right here in Mossdeep City. Psychic type Pokemon, Steven told me. Once I and my Pokemon have rested a bit, we are going to challenge it.

Alain: Mairin, that’s not how gym battles work. Only if your Pokemon are strong enough from the beginning, like my Charizard was when I collected my Kalos gym battles, you can challenge any gym leader basically in any order. There are certain recommendations on in which order you should take on the gyms. From what I’ve heard from Professor Sycamore and Steven, Hoenn’s easiest gym is in Rustboro City, far from Mossdeep.

Mairin: Oh. I did not know that… But I’ve been training with Chespie and Bébé a lot, I’m sure they could beat any gy…

Alain: Another thing: so far you only have two Pokemon, right? The gym battles are often three on three battles, and sometimes even four on four, which means you need to have more than two Pokemon on your team.

Mairin: I was going to catch… OK, maybe I haven’t thought this quite through. But I can do this. Steven and Wallace will help me, and I’ll meet a lot of new people on my journey who will help too…

Alain: That’s the thing I was afraid you’d say. I’m sorry, Mairin, but you are leaning onto other people a bit too much. To some extend it’s fine, but you are expecting us to tell you answers to basically everything. You can’t do that all the time. Remember how you said you wanted to become more independent? This is not how you do it. You are not only responsible for yourself, but also for Chespie and Bébé!

Mairin: ….

Alain: I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have gotten angry like that. But please, consider my words. I’m just trying to help because I care.

Mairin: … I will. I think I heard Steven call for me. I’m going to tell him I’m going to travel to Rustboro City next!

Alain: Do that... And Mairin… Please remember to call me and tell me how you are doing every now and then. Even if we both want you do become more independent, that doesn’t mean you should keep everything to yourself. I do want to know.

Mairin: Right! I should go now, but I.. ugh, never mind. I’ll call you soon!

*she hadn’t informed Alain about her whereabouts which is why it was surprising to her she received a video call at Steven’s