#i'd also like to find stuff on attempts on roses if i can. i found the battle the final showdown in ship of the line is based on though :')

[quatregats]

Thought I had managed to figure out the whole timeline of where Villena had been during the war and now I'm going back through all the sources I have saved and I feel like nothing is matching up at all with what I have in my head

[enbeemagical]

Idk if this is a good time for it but I've been working on a queer fantasy story for over a year now. Sapphic romance. Brown trans enby lead. Resistance against a fascist empire. Y'know. Standard stuff.

Haven't got all the kinks worked out, need to smooth some things out in this round of edits and get back to making progress but like. Yeah. This is coming, eventually.

a handful of quotes below the cut

Thus the Empire of Light began. It was an era known for peace, its birth marked by blood and slaughter. Peace reigned as the Emperor demanded it, his word made law through fear and bloodshed when his propaganda was insufficient. It was not to last.

A thrill raced through my body at her touch, the whisper of her breath on my palm. “Yes,” I promised. “I’ll see you then.” On impulse, I pulled away, dropped to the ground to find the fallen rose. There, it wasn't even squished. I offered it to her with my best attempt at a charming look, extending my arm like a storybook prince. “Til then, take this.

“She’s scared,” Fionnuala said frankly. “Her heart’s been broken before and she’s scared to let it happen again.”

“Hope you don’t mind,” Vida mumbled in my ear, sounding more than half asleep. I snuggled into her and fell asleep with a smile on my lips.

Another sigh, sounding almost as if she were bracing for something. “Love, look. Feelings, the deep ones, they’re hard for me. I don’t know that I’ve ever had anything more lasting than a passing fancy, and you–” Her voice cracked. “You deserve better.” “You already said you want to be friends, you don’t need to explain that twice.” “No– love, listen.” Vida’s hand caught my chin as she leaned over me. “What I’m trying to say is, I’d like to try, if you still want to.”

“How can you laugh?” Fiachra teased. “Da’s got no idea what to do with another boy around! He’ll be so lost.”

Wasn't I… well, traitorous was the only word I could think of. I'd practiced magic without a license, and whether I was a girl in love with a girl, or a boy who'd been born a girl… or, maybe, neither… what I wasn't was the good daughter I was supposed to be. Maybe I was a shadow too.

Ceri’s dark eyes reminded me of an inquisitive beetle I’d found on the edge of the water bucket when I was a girl. It hadn’t meant to be any trouble, it had just been there. I’d watched it, entranced by its shining black carapace, until my mother came to see what was taking me so long. She’d screamed and slammed the bucket to the ground upside down, killing the beetle and causing me to burst into tears. Later, she’d said she was only scared.

“That’s entirely fair. Are you ready?” A bubble of laughter squeezed its way up. “No. Do it.”

“That’s politics, Shadow. One aspect of it, anyways. Changing the world, little by little.”

“Wasn’t there another way?” Ciaran was silent for a few seconds before he admitted, “Perhaps. Perhaps there was. But I still feel the world is no worse off for the loss of him, and I cannot find it in me to regret it.”

“Don’t you ever want to do something you’re not supposed to? Love the wrong way, be the wrong person, want the wrong things?”

**bonus mention to two scenes friends specifically liked that were a bit longer than I wanted for this, the "Would you love me if I were a worm?" "Yes but also please don't be a worm. ew" conversation, and the "hot" meeting scene where one character puts her finger on another's lips and says "I want you knowing you're in your right mind for this [kiss]"**

[swearyshera]

I’m sorry what??? You have a furry ex who (tried to?) committed murder?! Alice you can’t just share things like that and not give us the full story

Oh, there is the most batshit crazy story behind it. I'll stick it under the cut because it has next to nothing to do with the blog (other than to provide partial explanation as to why I'm like this). Cw for murder and horrifying sexual acts.

I'll also say, just before I start, that some of you may be aware of this - may even be aware of my involvement - so I'd ask you not to talk about me in relation to it too much. I've changed a few things about myself (including my name) to try and ensure a clean break from it, but I'm happy to talk about it still.

So... Cast your mind back to autumn 2008. At that time, a sprightly young 20-year-old me met a 19-year-old guy that we will call Steve (that's not his real name). Now, being woefully naïve and having at-the-time undiagnosed BPD, I was the sort of person who would fall deeply in love with anyone who showed me the slightest bit of kindness, and Steve did. He seemed caring, had a wild sense of humour, and genuinely appeared to love me back.

And what that did to me was that it made me ignore an entire truckload of red flags. His house was one level above a squat, bare floorboards and windows, no heating ("We can just snuggle under a blanket and share body heat") and I'm pretty sure he spent more money on beer and DVDs than he did on food. But I didn't seem to give a shit, those rose-tinted glasses were stuck firmly on, so I just ignored that stuff. There was worse, too, things that I felt a little uncomfortable with at the time and only realised years later were... well, let's just say I'd implore everyone to be able to identify what consent does and doesn't look like, because it's not always clear when you don't know for sure.

Anyhow, we'd been together about 4 or 5 months. He spent Christmas with me because he had no family to go to, I visited his house, played the "slightly bemused partner at the furry meet-up" role a couple of times, and things (at least to me) seemed to be great. Then one weekend in February, he mentioned that he was going to see some friends - absolutely fine by me, he did that fairly often and I didn't think anything of it. I texted him in the evening asking him how his day was, and he replied "Had a good day, but didn't go meet them".

That was the last message I got.

I didn't hear from him for the rest of the evening. Or the day after. Or the day after that. I got worried, because it wasn't like him to go silent - he wasn't even online on MSN (2000s reference!). And then I got a message from his aunty asking if I'd heard from him - that rang alarm bells. I reached out to a few of the people he knew, and no-one had heard a thing.

He'd been 'missing' for about a week and a half when I got another message from his aunty. She asked me if I knew a guy called Craig (again, not his real name), and I didn't. Then she asked me something that I can still remember verbatim to this day, she said "Do you have a loving family? You're going to need them, I'm sorry." and sent me a link to a news article. I clicked through to find a story in a local newspaper about two men being held for attempted murder. One of them was Steve.

The next few months flashed by as I found my belief about who he was completely trashed and flipped upside down. I discovered he'd been seeing multiple people behind my back, including this Craig guy, and I tried to find out what had happened, and what eventually came out was a completely other life that I didn't know about. I spoke to the Police about him, and was expecting to speak as a witness at the trial (in the end, thankfully, I did not have to do that). But the reality of what happened was fucking wild.

Steve and Craig had developed some weird-ass master/pet relationship, which led to 'role play' about killing Craig's parents. Craig felt that they were controlling and he'd only get peace if they were gone. In the trial, Steve testified that he thought it was not serious, although if that was the case, why did you fucking do it. On the night he sent the last message to me, he had been at Craig's house, made a show of saying goodbye to him and his parents, then waited in a nearby park. He played a game on his PSP to pass the time.

Later in the evening, once his parents had gone to bed, Craig texted Steve to invite him back in. Once he'd arrived, he was handed a knife and told to go upstairs and stab them which for some fucking reason he agreed to. Now Craig's dad was thankfully on the ball and wasn't quite asleep, and he fought off Steve and wrestled the knife from him, before restraining him and calling the police. Initially, Craig was thought to be an innocent bystander, but he was soon arrested too. Steve was charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to murder, Craig with conspiracy, and in court, both were convicted of conspiracy to murder (but cleared of the attempted murder charge).

If you think it doesn't get more fucked-up than that, boy, do I have a surprise for you. Imagine someone's asked you to commit murder - you'd want something in return, right? And indeed, Craig did offer Steve something. What, you ask? Money? A means of escape? Nope! For successfully killing Craig's parents, Steve would have the opportunity to bite off Craig's dick. I am not joking. If he stabbed some middle-aged people, he would get a fucking sausage sandwich.

So yeah... that's what happened. My life has been an absolute soap opera (although honestly, this seems a bit far-fetched even for that - but I swear to you, every word of it is true).

[livewiregoth]

Tamagotchi Uni Stuff Part 6

More parts I forgot to get to

Trying to clean up & get around to posts I need to work on & images to clean up(crop & adjust the angle due to being slightly tipped at times)

Care badges

Got some more care badges I've been working on

I kept spamming the snack while the tamas were in the baby stage since the baby stage doesn't effect trying to get certain characters. At some point I was so close to finishing the care badge that I just spammed it after reaching the adult stage.

At some point I found out that you could just spam the same outfit so I downloaded a counter app & kept at it. I only stopped because I didn't know it the screen for "You got a care icon" for the middle badge would happen if I got to the final badge so I stopped, left to get the screen then came back to continue.

By spam I mean go to the tamaverse fashion place, go to where your outfit is displayed then get the shirotama to show up so you can display your current outfit.(While also maybe button spamming to speed up the talking) Once it's displayed you speed threw the conversation before pressing the button to make shirotama show up so you can display again & repeat until you finish.(I had the counter count down for this)

I was waiting for this(meal care badge) one to happen but kind of forgot about it.

I don't really show the dialogue your tama gives you if they ask to leave but I thought I'd try getting a pic this time. I missed the first part but pretty much the full line is "My friends are calling me. It's sad but I have to say bye bye now!"

I've gotten this dialogue at least 3 different times because I've been too distracted to marry her & I'm choosing to marry my tamagotchi instead of let them go.

Tama Search

Found out there was a new special character so got pics of him today. It's Mametchi dressed up for the 28th anniversary of Tamagotchi. The only way to see him is to either be at the event or use the trick of renaming your phone hot spot to a certain code or something which I did.

These images were gotten using my ipad instead of the phone this time which kind of shows they're newer than the others. Still a little off & you can kind of see that I'm being reflected a little in the screen but still way better colors than on my phone.(Some I tried to adjust the coloring a little)

Here's the special character stickers, you only need to visit them once which means you won't see the other 2 stickers normal ones will show you.

Decided I'd show what I got so far involving the normal tama stickers. When possible I try biking around town & I did a lot of biking when I first messed with Tama Search & later when they added more characters. At the moment all I'm missing are seasonal characters for spring & finishing off the winter ones.

I don't plan to go outside in winter unless needed because I don't like the cold so why bike around for wifi signals.

So yeah I edited the date so my Tamagotchi thinks it's winter when I use tama search. As you can see I attempted to do spring as well but decided to end that idea after getting the rose character. It's not always fun to get everything sometimes & I'll be willing to go out more in spring when it's warm again so may as well so I guess despite not wanting to wait I'll save me something to do later on.

Anyway I got all the winter characters but Rednosetchi/Akahanatchi is the only one I got all 3 stickers for. I have two of Santaclautchi's stickers & I think I'm close to getting Amiamitchi's second sticker because I have two hearts with her. It's kind of hard to find her & Yukipatchi when I'm able to find seasonal characters because Rednosetchi & Santaclautchi show up more with Rednosetchi obvious being around more.

Tamaverse Arena Event

I wasn't sure if I could fit the images I had for this into the post cause I know I might be close to the image limit, luckily I was able to shoe in the images I wanted in the most with in the limits.

So an arena event happened a while back, I lost most of the time but enjoyed it.

This is an image of the only time I didn't keep getting 3rd plac

Here is the results screen & LOL THE CLOWN

At some point I lost track of how many days I played for & thought I only played 4 days. Later I found evidence that I played at the very least 5 days with one of them happening with gen10 before marrying her off. As you can see this image shows I played at least 2 days with gen10 & got 6 days so I was still able to get all the rewards in the end.

Here's Gen11 with the trophy, as you probably already know she's been carrying it around ever since I got it.

[ekaarts]

RWBY fanfic recomendation

What would happen if the Curious Cat did end up possessing Ruby in the end? Of course, she wakes up in her 15-year-old body.

Ruby Rose and the Curious Cat are now one and the same. She wakes up in Patch just the day before her fight with Torchwick happens.

But Ruby is not fine, stable would be a heavy overstatement as well. She's in pain; she just lost everything; they failed; Atlas is gone; Penny is dead; had no time to process her grief; and now she's one with a creature older than Remnant itself. So her first thought after waking up is to end her new, miserable existence. (Obviously further TW for that and other simular stuff.)

However, she can't pull the trigger. So, inspired by her uncle, she decides to avoid her problems in a way that was affective for many others.

Alcohol.

Her journey leads to Junior's bar, where she ends up meeting Roman Torchwick, who offers her a job. Led by the curiousity of the Cat, she decides to accept it.

And so Ruby starts her new life, free from the burdains of a leader, trying to find a new meaning to her new, caotic existence.

But she's no monster, she also doesn't want Salem to win. How will she manage this?

No fucking clue, we're not there yet; the story just covered the events of volume 1.

I really liked it and can't wait for the next update. Ruby tends to fall a bit out of character, but considering her mental state, it's not that noticeable or bothersome.

I personally found the way the writer portrayed Ruby's suicide attempt somewhat teraputic. Probably in the way only formally suicidal people who cope using humor can, so keep that in mind.

Also, Yang walks in on Ruby trying to paint her room red in chapter 1, so after that, I really want those two to interact. (It's a one pov fic)

Also, it turns out I absolutely LOVE the trope of Ruby somehow joining Torchwick. If you have recommendations for that, I'd love to read them! (I read Found The Good In Souls Gone Bad and am planning a recommendation post for that too in the near future.)

Lines living rent free in my head, for better or worse:

“Ruby, put the gun down.”

“Hmmm, nope!”

“The fuck haven’t you cut her off? Do you know how bad it would look for a kid to drink herself to death here, we’d have cops swarming the place faster than a flock of Nevermores!”

“...A murder.”

“That’s right Junior, you let something like that happen in my city and the Xiongs are going to have to arrange a funeral.”

“Uh, no, it’s just… you said a flock, a group of Nevermore are called a murder.”

“Junior, I fucking hate you.”

She didn’t feel like she needed to vomit but Qrow had said that exact thing before covering her shoes in barf more than once.

“Neo! If you don’t tell me where you hid my coffee I swear to whatever God that will listen that I’ll cut you off from ice cream!”

When Ruby’s fingers wrapped around the crystal she felt… something. Fear wasn’t the right word, it was more like terror. The image of a rolling dark mass of energy flew through Ruby’s mind, there wasn’t any pain, just existence one second and none the next.

Huh, neat, that was interesting. Whelp, into the case it went. Ruby had gone through far too many mind breaking realizations lately to be shocked by the fact that Dust was actually wizard bones.

“So Red, Neo wants to know why you decided to make sweet love to your rib cage with the business end of my steak knife… Got an explanation?”

“I dunno, just wanted to see if I could bleed.”

“So… How’d you join up with Roman?"

“He found me trying to drink myself to death at Junior’s, the rest’s history.”

“Aww, come on! How’m I gonna be a good terrorist if I don’t know what we’re blowing shit up for?"

Come back Ruby. I swear, I’m not racist.

Bonus from the notes and the comments:

I'm here, I'm queer.

Welcome back everyone to the latest installment of my bullshit.

Hi there, its your resident sick bitch back with another serving of my customary bullshit.

Yang: Ruby please don't

Ruby: shut up I'm thinking

[jesterthebestsir]

To 🎩 anon (you turned off anon and I'm not sure if that was an accident or not),

"Dear jester I loved reading all that you had said, i found it rather interesting and i feel that we have the same way of processing each event, methodically and in order ! The situations are rather chaotic, but sifting through each element has helped me tremendously to sort out everything.

I deeply thank you for sharing all that with me.

Seems i relate to you even more now, i am also very mature for my age (same as you) and have become rather burnt out with my schooling and life just in general. I was in a period of time where I had lost all sense of feeling, as i had spent years and years tied to people and in lots of emotional turmoil. He got me out of a very awful time, showed me what true love and kindness was. Never have i experienced that in my life, nor did i ever want to. But now that i have, i don't ever want to let go. Even though he is turning 20 in 8 days

At first, i was scared. Couldn't tell him about that specific factor of me. Although recently, i did, and i somehow knew that he had already known, yet was still too afraid i'd get left again. Seems like he cant leave me either but i guess thats a little fucked up hahaha im glad you realise the pros and cons with your situation and know that although you're obsessed with her, you know its for the better to be apart. I am yet to learn that hahaah !

I find solace knowing we have had similar experiences, although how unfortunate they are, we will find what works for us and what helps us get better. I hope you dont mind my little rambling haha I love your posts tremendously and i am glad you are doing better!

i guess i should make an anon hmmm :3

-🎩 anon"

TL;DR: Find a way to wean off him

My situation seems to be somewhat different than yours as you're still in contact with him and know much more about him than I do about her, I'm not sure how deep your obsession is with him but I'll give you some things that'll at least help you wean off him:

Highlight his flaws:

For me, my obsession centered around entitlement and objectification; she was only a girl meant to help ME through MY problems and give ME comfort. Any time it seemed like I was doing something for her, it just so happened that my attempt of self-gratification just so happens to benefit her (EX: I want to kidnap you because I don't see you as your person, but something to be owned). The more I took the time to look at how she looked, her misspellings, and her overall demeanor, I stopped seeing her as a concept meant to please me and more as a person, a person I didn't want to date.

Consider your personality:

As I grew up and started to become my own person, I realized that my personality didn't mesh as well with hers; I was easily distracted, easily annoyed, mentally unstable, emotionally dependant, but physically distant, and hypersexual. That didn't go well with how naive, childish, and go with the flow she could be and that didn't sit right with me. What if I yell at her?! What if she's uncomfortable with my advances, how would I react? What if I become too dependant on her?! Would that annoy her?! Write about him:

I didn't write about her too much, but it did help me realize how truly fucked up our one-sided "relationship" was looking back (even just a day later) at my writings that were begging myself to let go of her really made me break those rose colored glasses

Hang out with friends more:

I know it's insanely cliche, but hear me out!

As I hung out with my friend more and talked to her less, I found myself becoming slightly more dependant on them as they were healthier to be around and can keep me from doing stupid stuff like contacting her again.

Indulge in fiction:

Around 2020, I found myself getting deep into a series (that I still love to this day) that kept my attention and slowly took over my brain, almost replacing my affection for her. I found so many characters that acted just like her and a lot of them annoyed me, which I think solidified my first point of only like her as a concept and not a person.

Consider the future:

Ask yourself: a couple years from now, when you're 18 (assuming you're a minor, but if not just imagine yourself older), do you see yourself with him?

Showing him off to your parents?

Doing mundane tasks non-romantic tasks like doing laundry?

What would being with him look like?

Do you want to get married to him? Have kids? Grow old?

How romanized is your future with him? When you look at your future with him do you see an ideal person, an almost god-like being with zero flaws or do you see him?

My answer to half of these questions was,"God no"

Like I said before, I don't know much about your situation; how long you've known him, how long you've talked to him, ect ect. so these might not be helpful, but I, at the very least, want you to distance yourself from him a bit, especially if the age gap is as bad as mine (16/21).

[mephicchi]

((Drow have become a particular favourite of mine in the last 2 years or so. My fondness for elves oddly enough comes from a game about dwarves that is very anti-elf propaganda especially in the fandom. Tieflings are very fun! I'm one of those heathens who entertain the idea of taking a lot of creative liberties with their visual design. After all, what is the point of playing the ttrpg imagination game if you've no imagination eh.

I shall let that comment slide… for now… but watch out!))

Dearest Barkeep,

You're a fun one, I'll give you that. You wish to discourage my intrusions, and yet also wish me luck in not being caught. What's the matter, old man? Are you so bored buried under all this paperwork that the only thing that entertains you is a break-in? I'd hate to disappoint you, so I'll look forward to receiving word from you once you've discovered where I've hidden this note. Can't make it too easy on you, but I doubt it will prove much of a challenge for a knight such as yourself to find.

And the questions? My dear barkeep, it would be too dead a giveaway if I were to answer honestly. But I'll ponder the idea of leaving you a clue. As for dishonest answers, I'll listen to whatever you listen to, perhaps I'll even sit outside the door and lend an ear to the next bard you fancy to spend your gil on. I just love white. Pristine pure white. All this snow everywhere as far as the godsdamned eye can see. I don't know how you can stand this view. There's nothing to see. No wonder you're bored. Coeurls are lithe and sneaky. And cute. Like me, no? Hmm. No, on second thought they'd be terrible at stalking your halls unnoticed. A lovely little cherry tree could liven the space up in here, alas it would probably die by how dark you keep the space. Pity. I only drink pure spring water. Hydration… love it.

Feel free to ask more if you feel so curiously inclined, although I cannot guarantee you'll receive the truth in turn. Unfortunately I must be off now, I believe I just heard your front door. Returning from the Humming Grove cafe I expect.

Adieu.

// Your description of a game about dwarves that's very anti-elf reminds me of Dwarf Fortress, I haven't played the game myself but I've seen some stuff on it, then again, Dwarves hate on Elves in most pieces of media, so it could be any game. I too love taking lots of liberties with the design of my Tiefling characters, it's one of the reasons I like them so much, the "official" limitations that WotC put on Tiefling skintones and the kind are naught but a long forgotten "suggestion" to me, I played through Curse of Strahd as a snow white Tiefling with sun-like yellow eyes, he was a Life Cleric, I know it sounds pretty basic and way too overboard with the holy theme but it was immensely fun. (Thinking back on it I could've taken so many more liberties, like horns that form a sort of halo, or take the Tiefling variant that has wings and make them feathery angelic wings, at that point I could've just played an Aasimar though, but ah, perhaps it would have been too much, although maybe there could have been a subplot about the citizens of Barovia seeing my character as a sort of angel having come to save them, sounds too main charactery though and I wouldn't have liked to take attention away from my fellow players)

Ehm, I rambled a bit there, but to conclude the ooc part of this, dear anon, please tell me about your favorite DnD character, no matter if it was yours or one belonging to someone you played with! (If it doesn't give too much away, of course) // A good day to you, my ever so secretive patron.

I will say, when I didn't find a letter of yours in my paperwork today I was a little disappointed, yet when I was getting ready to leave my office to attend a meeting with my Count I got stung by a thorn of the rose you placed in my Uniforms pockets, for a second I thought it was poisoned and I was victim to an assassination attempt, but when I found your letter in the selfsame pocket my suspicions were proven false, or were they?

Your confusion on the topic of your intrusions is justified, but the explanation for it is quite simple, I do not mind your trespassing in the slightest, I quite appreciate this exchange of letters, but what kind of Knight-Captain would I be if I didn't take precautions after there has been a break-in to my office? Many knights of similar positions in other houses of Ishgard keep their office under constant watch, I am already a lot more forgiving than them by only having my knights check my office if they pass by it during their patrols, though that is quite frequent.

Your answers are intriguing for sure, though I shall not tell you which parts exactly, I shall keep my suspicions about your identity to myself until I have actual proof, therefore I cannot let the opportunity to ask more questions pass, even if they may be answered with little truth.

So tell me, do you fancy any particular book, or perhaps even a series of books, I noticed that someone browsed through my collection recently, it must have been you. Are you perhaps a combatant of any kind, and if you are, please do tell me what your preferred weapon is. And lastly, I do not expect a clear answer to this, since it would be boring, why are you so inclined to stay anonymous, you put quite a lot of effort into not revealing your identity, even when you have supposedly visited my tavern already, or have you? Perhaps we shall see each other in my tavern tonight, but I wouldn't know, would I? Signed, Mephiston Godefroy

[thebadjoe]

Hello again, 1moreff-creator!

You've finally managed to type up your reply about my whole chain of theories I've made quite some time ago. I'd like to thank you once again for putting all this time working on finding everything that seems off and wrong about my culprit theory.

I've had few people argue about my theory back then, but they were usually small points, or things I could easily answer. I've never had anyone do an attempt at debunking my whole theory ever before.

In fact, I think that most people tend to ignore my whole theory altogether for various reasons. Could be because it's too complex, too long to read, or they dislike the person I've chosen to accuse as the culprit. The list goes on. So it's quite the nice change of pace ever since we've been going back and forth at this game of logic chess. So really, thank you!

So now, here comes the big question for myself. After every single issue you've found out, does that change my stance on the howdunnit? Heh, you better believe that I still remain undaunted despite all of it! Why? Because I feel confident in my theory.

Now then, time for me to give my defense against every single point you've made! (DRDT CHAPTER 2 SPOILERS, BEWARE). Green bolded text are your quotes, as usual.

Actually, before I start, let me just warn everyone that this is my longest post so far. There's a total of 26 Issues aimed at my latest theory and I answered to all of them. So please, take your time y'all!

Issue #1 : Eden couldn't have stolen the turpentine

The problem with this is it would imply Eden was present at some point of Rose's and Nico's painting session, which is something we never hear about.

That's because she wasn't there at the painting session. It was mostly meant to be a session between Nico and Rose. We don't know exactly what happened during that session or how long it lasted. What matters is that there was a different time where she could've gotten her hands on the turpentine. That would be sometime during the conversation in the relaxation room about Nico's identity, it's possible Rose was still asleep by then.

You pretty much explained it yourself. After that, Rose falls asleep on a table for who knows how long, and Nico has their chat with Hu, David and Teruko about being nonbinary. So it would be the perfect opportunity.

But how would Eden know where the turpentine is?

Before we get into this, let me first state that Eden is at least able to know that Rose has turpentine because of the list of weapons that Whit has shown to everyone in the first trial. Now, to answer that question, there are two possibilities.

Right after Eden ran away from the playground crying, she could've taken a glimpse of Rose doing art stuff in the dress-up room before going back to the first floor. Once she eventually comes back to the dress-up room later on, she takes the opportunity to steal it while no one is around. This could also support the reason why Rose believes Nico stole painting stuff. Rose probably thought Nico stole it after running away when they were being forced to reveal their secret.

They moved to the second floor, which is where the painting supplies might be.

The other possibility is that Eden tried to sneak into Rose's dorm to find her turpentine. If the culprit only knew that Rose had that kind of weapon and nothing else, then they would definitly start looking into her dorm.

But wouldn't it be locked?

Normally, yes, but remember that this is Rose we're talking about. She's absentminded. It's possible that Rose forgot to lock up her room.

But wouldn't her turpentine be located in the dress-up room?

Probably, but there's no proof. It's possible that she didn't bring it to the dress-up room and didn't realise that she forgot to take it with her. It's not a great answer by any means, but it is still a possibility once we take her character into account.

But let's say that the turpentine was indeed used in the dressing room, then this possibility can still work. The culprit could try to look for Rose's weapon in her dorm first, once they realise that it's not in there, they could look around somewhere else until they stumble upon the painting supplies in the dress-up room.

So with that, I've given two opportunities for Eden to steal the turpentine, so Issue #1 is solved.

Issue #2 : The color of the theorized wire doesn't match the crime scene

Most analog clocks use copper wire, which is brown, while the wire in the crime scene is black. That could imply it’s actually aluminum or iron wire, for instance, but not copper.

This has been an issue that's been brought up in that past on a subreddit actually. Let me go ahead and do a copypasta of what I've answered on that matter. Actually, I'm gonna summarize it instead, it's kinda long. I've given a few explanations to solve that issue.

It's something done on purpose by the creator to not make it too obvious. Not a fan of this one since that would be kinda sketchy on the creator's end.

The culprit used colored copper wires. They actually do exist. But could the culprit find something like that in a clock? I don't know... It's still a possibility nonetheless.

The culprit used some of Rose painting supplies to paint the wire black in advance. That would certainly explain why some of her other painting stuff has been stolen. The main issue is if the culprit would have enough time to dry up the paint on the wires and we're sure that it wouldn't leave any extra evidence like chipped off paint. It's still a possibility nonetheless.

To make sure the wire is long enough, Eden used wire from a grandfather clock that she may have in her dorm : brass wire. This is mostly to explain the issue of the length of the wire cause it's possible that the length of the copper wires in the analog clocks may not be long enough, but who knows? That idea would solve that issue, but it would play on a clue that we've never seen before.

If it's not any of those explanations, the culprit could've possibly have their hands on black colored wires already, considering their profession. Eden had tools and all that. But once again, that plays on something that's never been presented before.

The main thing though is that I don't believe she took Hu's wire unless she stole it without being noticed. If Eden borrowed Hu's custom weapon somehow, that would just make her incredibly suspicious and we both know that the main reason why she made that elaborate murder scheme is to make sure she won't get suspected in the slightest.

I know it wasn't one of your biggest issues, but Issue #2 is solved.

Issue #3 : Ace working out in the gym

However, there is a bit of a problem for this theory in particular: for this to be the case, Ace must have been working out when Eden entered the room.

... Wait, what? Forgive me, but when did I say that? I feel like there is a huge misunderstanding at play. Let me go read my post real quick. Hmm, I can't quite find it, but I only skimmed through it. It might actually be that because I didn't quite mention it that I may have given the wrong interpretation of my theory to the other readers.

Let me clarify the chain of events regarding the moments before the attempted murder on Ace happened. Ace sets up the weight rack for his preferences in working out in the evening of DAY 2. He overhears a conversation happening between David and Arei and decides to spy on them. At some point, Ace doesn't hear anything else. The reason why is because in that exact moment, Eden sneaks up on Ace and knocks him unconscious with the turpentine. Ace didn't see this coming at all.

Therefore, Ace was knocked out when he was outside the fitness room, close by the doorway of the relax room instead. The working out and moved weight rack was practically one of my proofs that whatever Ace witnessed happened on the evening of DAY 2, not DAY 3. Issue #3 is solved.

Issue #4 : Ace is absolutely sure that Nico tried to kill him

Ace is confident that Nico was the one who tried to kill him. Obviously his words aren't exactly reliable, but the fact that he never even says anything along the lines of "even though I never saw them, I know they did it!" makes me really think he is absolutely certain he saw Nico attacking him. Keep in mind the first people he sees when he wakes up are Eden and Teruko. Wouldn't it make more sense for him to assume one of them tried to kill him, especially since he thinks everyone is out to get him?

I disagree. Sure, he could be thinking that everyone's out to get him, but there's someone who worried him a lot more than anyone else in that moment : Nico. After all...

This literally happened on the very same day he's been nearly killed. Wouldn't it make more sense to believe that Ace's jumping to conclusions and believes Nico did it because of that exchange back then?

Besides, we have nothing that shows that Ace remotely remembers how he's been attacked or knocked unconscious, much less from the person he's accusing. With that, Issue #4 is solved.

Issue #5 : The murder method applied to Ace

As far as we can tell, the injuries are only on the front of Ace’s neck, which wouldn’t happen with this method.

No, that's wrong! I have physical evidence for it!

See this on the wall? Those are traces of blood. More accurately, traces of blood from the back of his neck as his body falls against the wall and moves a tiny bit towards our right, hence the smear. There's absolutely no way that this came from the front of his neck.

In case you think that this is eitheir an error by the creator or some special artistic effects, kind of like a shadow or whatever, then here's even more proof that this is indeed blood on the wall.

Yet, Ace always holds the front of his throat in pain, never the back.

There's a simple explanation for this. Which part of the neck is more important? More vital? The front or the back? The front, of course! That's also where most of his more important parts to live are located, which would be where it hurts the most.

The blood on the wires is also a problem, as it’s irregularly spaced. If this method had been used, once the wounds began bleeding, we would expect the blood to begin covering the entire length of the wire.

Well, probably not the entire length of the wire. A part of the wire was attached on the blade of the fan, there's no way it could reach the neck. I know what you mean however.

The parts that I've highlighted in green are the parts relevant to the murder method that doesn't have blood on it. So why is there no blood there?

At first, I wasn't quite sure, but I think there's two possibilities for it.

Those were kinda loosened parts of the wire surrounding Ace's neck. It wasn't perfectly wrapped and those parts were probably not touching his neck. Not a big fan of this one, but it can work.

Those are parts that were wiped off my Nico as they were holding the wire. We kind of have evidence for this.

Before you ask, yes, there are some non bloody parts on that wire that Nico is not touching, but it's also different from the wire we're seeing on the crime scene. So it's possible that this was a minor error by the creator. Let's move on.

We can’t actually be sure the fan was moving. [...] the fan on the left (door view) isn’t moving when Teruko and Eden find the scene. We see it moving the next day when Rose and Teruko visit the gym, but not the night of the attempted murder. That’s odd, and could imply the fan on the right wasn’t moving either.

I don't think that's really an issue to be honest. We know that the fan was working both before and after the attempted murder on Ace. We also know that to set up the wire on the fan of the blade, it must've stopped moving.

So what's the conclusion that we can draw from this? That the fan didn't move at all after the wire was placed? No, that wouldn't make sense. What would make sense instead is if there was an on/off switch for the fan. That would be the most logical way to explain how the culprit was able to set up the murder mechanism and how it managed to work.

Why did the fan stop moving when Teruko and Eden found Ace's nearly dead body?

Two possible answers. Eitheir the set of fans stopped working because one of the fans broke (ripped off the ceilling) or someone turned off the switch. The second answer seems more logical to me, meaning that most likely person who turned it off would be Nico themselves since that's the suspect they find upon discovering the body of Ace. So if it really was Nico who pulled off that murder scheme, why would he turn off the switch?

So with that, Issue #5 is solved.

Issue #6 : The supposed contradiction about Ace

[...]you claim Ace was knocked out with turpentine while he was exercising. But Ace wasn’t exercising when he listened in on Arei and David, so both these claims cannot be true.

I've already explained this in issue #3. This is a misunderstanding. The culprit knocked Ace unconscious when he was listening to them, not when he was exercising.

By default, Issue #6 is solved.

Issue #7 : David's comments about Ace. Was it a lie?

The idea here is that David states the idea that Ace is an unreliable witness, so there may be some truth to that. David had also claimed something similar earlier, while he was still in his "good persona". However, who's to say that's true? [...] Ace's testimony has at least as much weight as David calling him a liar, something he isn't even actively doing btw, if not more.

In that situation, this is where we practically come at a stalemate. Both of these outcomes are possible and we don't have proper evidence to prove that eitheir scenario happened. So instead, I'll try my best to convince you, even if it's a tiny bit, that David is most likely telling the truh regarding Ace's account by doing an analysis of my own.

Let's go over what we know about David in this murder case. Upon the reveal of the secrets on DAY 1, David knew damn well what his secret could be and it was only a matter of time before his whole career is ruined. So he needed to find a way where a murder would happen before the time runs out. Which is practically why he asked everyone to share their secrets, that was his way to instigate a murder.

First question, why would he do that instead of commiting murder himself? There's a simple explanation for this : if he dirtied his own hands, he would come at the risk of getting caught and being punished afterwards. Therefore, David doesn't want to die. He wants to survive. He tried to both keep his secret safe while also surviving.

Unfortunatly, that didn't go well on his end, his secret gets exposed in the trial. He still has the remaining goal of surviving however. Second question, how would he be able to survive this trial? Since he's not the culprit, the answer is pretty much a no-brainer. David wants to find the real culprit and survive the trial.

I'm not gonna go over my theory on how David messed with the crime scene and all that since that's not relevant to this current issue. But for now, let's just say that he's trying to help in his own way. I'm also going to skip the part where David is calling Ace an unreliable witness for the time being. I'll get back to it later.

Once his secret gets exposed, David starts having a monologue that if he were in Min's shoes, he would know when to stop fighting, give up and "confess". Then we get the transformation reveal that we all know. But he also does it when most of the ultimates are starting to accuse him of being the culprit.

Then at some point, when he realises it's futile to fight back about it, he gives up and "confesses". Which is when he makes the following claim.

Obviously, we know he's not the culprit. Third question, why does he look so nervous in that moment? We know he wants to survive and we know he's not the culprit. He makes this fake confession in the hopes that someone would figure out that all of it is a lie and prove that he couldn't have killed Arei. David's putting his life at risk by making this kind of confession since most of them may be too dumb to realise that he's lying. The thought of that plan failing can be rather scary, which is why he looks pretty nervous, sweating and all that.

Fourth question, if he wants to survive by solving the case, why wouldn't he reveal what HE knows about the case, about what HE found and what HE might've done? There's a simple answer for that. He simply couldn't.

Let's rewind back a bit and think about his thought process. Since the beginning of the trial, he wanted to keep his secret while also finding the real culprit. The problem with that however is that whatever discovery he made, if he were to share it with the others, that would both put him as prime suspect and they would most likely question what his secret could be. So instead, he kept quiet about it.

Later on, his secret gets exposed. They now see him as a liar and manipulator. Even though the cat is out of the bag, telling them everything he knows about the case would be pointless because they would simply think that he's lying. Hell, he even tries to steer them in the right direction sometimes by confessing he only instigated a murder. Of course, him acting like an asshole doesn't help his case, but that's just part of his personality.

So because of this unfortunate scenario and the fact that people are accusing him of being the culprit, David has no choice but to make a fake confession and wait for someone to call out his lie with proper proof since it wouldn't make sense for him to be the culprit.

Now, let's go back to the issue being the interaction between David and Ace. Even after revealing his dark secret, he claims that Ace is an unreliable witness. If we were to believe that Ace is telling the whole truth and that David is simply lying about Ace lying, that would be quite a contradiction to his other goal, wouldn't it?

Think about it. He wants to survive by solving the case. Making this kind of lie would simply stray people further away from the truth of the case. What's the point of doing that when his career's already ruined and the only thing remaining he has is survival? It just doesn't make sense!

With that, I believe that Issue #7 is solved.

Issue #8 : Ace's confusion

[...]the way Ace behaves post-attempted murder seems to suggest that he is, in fact, lucid. He's still clearly able of rational thinking (as much as he ever is), that much is obvious from all his dialogue. [...] Ace remembers the conversation clearly enough to remember the secret, among other details.

I know it's not a major issue because you can't disprove it, but it's also true that I don't have proper evidence to prove that he's confused or something alike. So instead, the next best thing I can do is elaborate a bit more on the unreliable narrator and explain my point of view as I watched these episodes for the first time.

I've already shared the definition of unreliable narrator, but I'll show it again as a reminder. "The unreliable narrator is either deliberately deceptive or unintentionally misguided, forcing the reader to question their credibility as a storyteller." (Quote taken in an article from MasterClass)

This is something that's sometimes used in mystery novels to trick the reader. But sometimes, they can also be interesting plot twists or suspense as the readers learn about it later on. Alright, I'm gonna admit one thing. I haven't really read much murder mystery novels or things alike, but I'm pretty sure that the unreliable narrator is something that's been properly used in novels a buncha times.

For instance, in this article, the author recommends 50 books to read that has an unreliable narrator. Also, if you look up "unreliable narrator mystery novel", you will find a decent amount of must-read books. So it definitly has some hints of popularity and can work when used right.

Now, going back a couple months ago, watching the latest episodes, even when it was streamed live was pretty interesting. Ever since episode 6, I believe there were some people being suspicious of Eden at the time. It was really strange of her to be on the 2nd floor this late in the night, after all.

Then, there's Eden's comment on episode 7 ("Teruko, wait!") and her rather quick change of emotion after finding the body that seemed pretty odd (Going from sad to remaining focused for the investigation in the matter of a minute in episode 8). That made her look a bit suspicious for some of the viewers.

But then comes the first trial episode of chapter 2. I think that's when everyone starts believing that Eden is truly innocent based on her reaction to people claiming Arei might've commited suicide. She was desperate enough to explain that there's no way she would ever do such a thing. By the end of that episode, that's pretty much when I've started making more accurate investigation, took a look back at the attempted murder on Ace because I wanted to prove Nico's innocence at the time which is pretty much when I found out about the disappearing tape for the first time.

I was quite shocked, honestly. I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't think I'd be able to find such an incriminating, yet very subtle evidence that points to the real culprit. As soon as I saw it, almost everything clicked to me, things began to make sense, I was able to connect more pieces of the puzzle at a better pace. It felt amazing.

That's around that time where I created the first part of my theory. But then, not too long afterwards, episode 10 is being streamed live. And if people were still doubting Eden at the time, that was the episode where people were convinced that Eden did nothing wrong and that she was meant to survive for the later chapters as she has a very important role to play according to their POV of the narrative. The flashback scene where Arei rescues Eden really does make her look innocent, after all.

That threw a wrench at my theory, I had to change my motive entirely, but more importantly, I had to figure out the whole point of the flashback and the note. After putting a lot of thoughts into it, I deduced that this was part of Eden's plan which would make her seem the least suspicious of them all.

Then I made the 2nd part of my theory, mostly explaining the issue with the flashback and a few things about the disguise theory where people didn't seem so convinced.

But then episode 11 gets released which completly messes up with my theory, yet again. Doesn't that mean that your whole theory is wrong? Not necessarily. We know by now that Eden is most likely the culprit, that fact hasn't changed. So what does episode 10 and 11 tell us? These episodes are trying to stray us further from the truth if we take everything for granted.

Here's what I believe : Up until episode 9, this murder case is meant to be solvable, as difficult as it may be. Episode 10 and 11 are there to mess with our deduction work while also giving us additional hints. Since DRDT is practically a mystery novel, it's not really out of the question to think that the creator probably used the element of the unreliable narrator, especially since we've been going through different characters' POV.

I've already explained that it's possible that there's something wrong with what Ace witnessed based on David's account. The main issue however is that it's a bit difficult to claim that Ace was simply confused since he appeared to be lucid this whole chapter. Maybe it's done on purpose by the creator. There are a few other possibilities however. Ace could just simply be lying for whatever reason or he's just simply dumb. Whichever it is, there's something off about Ace's account.

With that, Issue #8 is solved, kind of...

Issue #9 : The ball of clothes.

[...]there’s no reason for Eden to make a ball of clothes to hide Arei. I mean, that ball of clothes fits under Charles’ arms, I doubt it’s more effective at hiding a corpse than just draping the clothes over Arei. The ball of clothes, in this theory, would only form when the clothes stick together because of the starch.

I know you were mostly saying this to point out the issue of the black string and needle, that it's not needed there. And honestly, it probably doesn't matter since it might've been only used to perfect the disguise.

Your comment regarding the ball of clothes according to my theory is interesting though. It's true that there's no reason for Eden to make a ball of clothes, whether it's before or after the murder. In fact, Eden is not the person responsible for rounding up the clothes into a ball.

According to my theory, there's only two possible candidates : Charles did it to be able to carry it more easily or David did it because he messed with the crime scene to help himself from being suspected, exposed and hopefully find the real culprit before then.

Once again, I know it was mostly to address the black string and needle, but it was still indirectly an issue aimed at my theory. So, Issue #9 is solved.

Issue #10 : Body decomposition

If Arei really died an entire day before her body was found, her corpse should show signs of decomposition. Especially when kept in a humid environment such as the Relax Room.

I've already explained it in the previous reblog, so I'll just do a copypasta for the others reading it if they haven't seen it before.

So... this is a bit complex because after spending some time looking into this, it seems like the main consensus is that from 24 to 72 hours postmortem, it shows very little changes to the body. But I presume that this doesn't take into account the temperature and the humidity of where the body is. It is true that higher temperatures and increased humidity would make the decomposition process go faster.

However, we have no idea what the temperature of the relax room actually is. Safest bet we can make is that it might be room temperature so the only thing we got that might affect the decomposition is some hint of humidity, right?

Well, there is also something else to take into account : where are they? Obviously, we don't know exactly where they are, but in general, where are they currently "living"? Indoor! Not only that, but there's decent odds that they me be hidden somewhere underground considering the lack of windows and that it's seemingly impossible to escape. On top of that, where is the relaxation room? A floor below the main floor! So it's even deeper underground if it wasn't already.

So there's a lot of factors to take into account as you can see, both good and bad, so it's really difficult to pinpoint what's the proper decomposition time. I'm also sure that the DRDT creator didn't want us to think too hard scientifically on that matter until it gets mentioned into the fangan itself. The case is already complex enough as it is.

The decomposition also brings another problem: smell.

Same thing for the smell of the body. Same problems, hard to get a proper answer. However, based on where the corpse might've been hidden, there's a slight possibility that the culprit hid it there for another reason, in case they were worried about the smell of a dead body. A rather very convenient clue that happens to be in the relax room : the incense sticks!

It doesn't eliminate a bad smell, but the incense can cover it. An incense stick can burn somewhere between 20 and 60 minutes depending on various factors (quality, length, etc.), then the smell can last anywhere from 1 to 24 hours depending on the factors.

Of course, it's hard to say if that mattered or not since the corpse was in the very early stages of decomposition. So, Issue #10 is solved.

Issue #11 : Arei would have woken up

Here comes another copypasta.

You claim Eden was able to kill Arei in the morning of the third day because she was still unconcious from the turpentine. However, this is more than eight hours after Ace woke up from his encounter with turpentine.

I feel like I've mentioned this before. If not, my bad! Anyways, there is a major difference between Ace and Arei. Ace received neck wounds when he was unconscious while Arei didn't get any wounds inflicted of that level aside from the murder.

Granted, we don't know how long someone would be unconscious from this, especially in this fictional world, but as long as there's a difference between two bodies that may have been knocked off by the same product, you can't guarantee that the wake up time should be the same.

To me, it feels like it makes sense for Ace to wake up this "early". His neck's been slashes a few times by the wires, it's most likely extremely painful. Survival instincts are probably kicking in or something.

So, Issue #11 is solved.

Issue #12 : MonoTV's rule about the relax room

Here comes another copypasta.

MonoTV says "[the Relax Room] is off-limits during nighttime". Sure, maybe he meant it closes, as he seems to imply on the next line, but to me, that sounds like he kicks anyone out of the room if they're still there. Now, I don't know what the protocol is for unconscious people, and let's be honest, neither does MonoTV, but I doubt it's "let them break the rule".

Why wouldn't it be "let them break the rule"? There's no guarantee that it means no one's allowed to stay inside, but even if it was, wouldn't it make more sense to think monoTV would allow it for the sake of murder?

What is the one thing that monoTV wants most of all? Entertainment! And because this a killing game that's presumably broadcasted around the world, murder is entertaining! I personally can't see this robot ruining this murder scheme just because someone is trying to create a loophole around some kind of rule. If it didn't involve murder, maybe he would step in, but not for the main source of entertainment.

So, Issue #12 is solved.

Issue #13 : Why the relax room?

[...]the Relax Room is still a weird place to put Arei. Wouldn't it make more sense to leave her in the gym to incriminate her, since that's where the murder actually happened? There would be no reason for Arei to go to the Relax Room after killing Ace, after all.

I suppose it would make sense to put Arei in the gym instead. So, I need to turn my thinking around and figure out a way to state that the relaxation room was the better option compared to the others rooms, even the fitness room. Why would it be the better option... hmm...

Let's think about what would've been the plan if Ace actually died and Eden was the culprit. According to my theory, Arei would've woken at some point next morning and come out of the elevator and at least 1 person would've noticed. Then people will realise that someone is missing, then they'll find the body, then Arei would become the prime suspect.

Now, let's think of a different scenario, what if 3 people found Ace's dead body earlier at night instead? If Arei ended up in the gym, next to the body, she would probably be a suspect, but they might not think of her as the main suspect.

Why? Simply because if they would discover Ace's body at night, Arei would be found unconscious. They already had a terrible experience last trial by accusing Teruko because she happened to be found next to the victim. They would probably doubt it'd be the case this time around.

Of course, there's some odds that people would still accuse her, but Teruko would call them out for it. Reminding them of the first trial.

So let's continue this line of thinking and say they would trigger the BDA at night. The investigation would happen at night, so eventually, the trial would also happen at night. If Arei was in the relax room instead, the group would begin suspecting her, they wouldn't be able to find where she is.

So eventually, before the investigation ends, monoTV would probably unlock the relaxation room begrudgingly, disable the plant misting somehow and retrieve Arei. Then the group would come at the shocking realisation that she was probably hiding in here to pull out some kind of trick. That's really suspicious!

So maybe that was Eden's line of thinking if she was responsible for the attempted murder on Ace. Eden probably figured that by hiding Arei in the relax room, Arei would become the prime suspect no matter which time the group would trigger Ace's BDA. Unfortunatly, that didn't happen. Someone unexpected came to the 2nd floor and unintentionally ruined the murder plan.

And with that, Issue #13 is solved.

Issue #14 : Eden's location to work on the disguise

The question is, where did Eden work on the clothes? To me, because of the (admittedly low, but not insignificant) risk of being spotted while working, it would make sense for Eden to work on the costume in her room, just taking all the supplies up with her. However, if that's the case, the black string has no reason to be in the second floor trash can.

The black string could be irrelevant, but that would just be weird. But anyways, the location of working on the disguise. Why the dress-up room and not her dorm? There are 2 reasons for it.

Everyone's dorm is right next to each other and the walls are not soundproof as stated by Eden in episode 3. So if she were to work on the disguise in that room, there would be the risk of someone close by hearing some odd noises happening at night. The rooms on the 2nd floor aren't soundproof eitheir, but at least, they're much further away from where the others are sleeping.

As for the second reason, it's simply because it would be a lot more convenient to do it in the dress-up room. Everything she needs is close by, if she has to work on the murder mechanism, it would be close by as well. Even though the odds are really low, if someone ends up going to the 2nd floor for whatever reason, Eden could simply hide in the changing room. Of course, it most likely didn't happen, so we don't have to worry about that.

So, Issue #14 is solved.

Issue #15 : Disguise risk (The voice)

If someone asks her a question, even something simple and cordial like "did you sleep well?", she's screwed. If she replies, she risks her voice being called out. If she doesn't, she's gonna be considered odd, people are gonna pay closer attention, and the differences will be noticed.

Yeah, I suppose that would be quite the issue. Of course, considering that there were no lines said from Arei in that moment, it's safe to say that this "Arei" didn't say anything. She obviously wouldn't be able to if that was Eden disguised.

So yeah, she took on a fairly big risk with the disguise trick. If someone decided to approach her and ask a question, the best thing she would be able to do is simply walk away in silence. It would be a little bit suspicious, but it would beat getting found out. Eden probably presumed it would be fine because of how often there's arguments happening in the cafeteria and that not many people likes Arei.

So, Issue #15 is solved.

Issue #16 : Disguise risk (Rose)

By far the largest threat, if Rose just looks in her general direction, she will notice something's off. Remember, we're talking about the girl who effortlessly noticed a sixteenth of an inch difference in her own height between her pre-Hope's Peak and killing game self.

Rose is a double-edged sword in that regard. While she may be able to notice something off or different and being able to memorize something accurately, she's also someone that tends to be rather sleepy and doesn't pay attention to a lot of things. Rose is very absent-minded.

Essentially, it's possible that she didn't pay that much attention to the disguised Arei. She could've been distraced by whatever else.

So, Issue #16 is solved.

Issue #17 : Disguise risk (Makeup)

(Regarding the makeup) I've heard it's pretty easy to smudge. Your claim is that Eden completely covered her skin with makeup during the night. [...] your method, at least, requires her to move Arei from the Relax Room to the playground. [...] and she would likely sweat. I'm pretty sure that would smudge the makeup.

I, myself, am no expert in makeup, but I presume it would indeed smudge easily from various factors. I don't recall if I specifically said that she applied all that makeup during the night. If I did, you would be right, that wouldn't work, sorry about that. There is a way to solve it however.

Eden put on the disguise and make up AFTER killing Arei. By that, I mean that she went inside Arei's room (thanks to the handbook) without anyone else noticing, she has the ability to be stealthy.

Hold on... didn't you just state earlier that she mostly spent her time working on the disguise inside the dress-up room during nighttime on DAY 2?

You're right, I did say that. I don't see any problems.

But that's literally a contradiction!!!

Not quite. It's possible that Eden simply worked on making adjustments on the costume and picking the right makeup, eye contacts, etc. during nighttime. She would then apply that whole disguise inside Arei's dorm next morning.

That doesn't work! It would mean that the culprit needed to carry all the materials from the second floor to the first floor, then enter Arei's room. Surely, someone would've noticed her carrying suspicious things. She can't hide it on her body.

Not a problem! Eden carried the required materials from the second floor to the first floor during nighttime, not the morning. Basically, once she was done with the finishing touches of the murder plan during the night, her remaining step before next morning would be to bring the materials to Arei's room and then go back to the 2nd floor to wait for the doors of the relax room to open to deal the finishing blow on the victim.

But then surely someone would've seen Eden use the elevator that morning?

Not a valid argument. Since no one really pointed out that they saw someone use the elevator in the morning of DAY 3, it's pretty likely that no one noticed anything. Not even from the Teruko's POV eitheir, since we had a 4 hours timeskip from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM because she overslept. These 4 hours are absolutely unknown, anything could've happened.

So, Issue #17 is solved.

Issue #18 : The bowling ball pin

[...]I found physical, near irrefutable evidence your disguise theory is impossible.

No matter how you slice it, there is no established way Eden could have replicated that bowling ball pin on her own. [...] if Arei's room contains replicas of her pin, it would also have replicas of her glove, so there'd be no reason for Eden to take it from the actual corpse. [...] if Eden returned the pin, there would be no reason for her not to return the glove as well. Thus, the glove wouldn't be evidence of the disguise theory.

Sounds like bad news for my theory, doesn't it? Haha!

Well... truth be told, I think I do recall someone making an argument like that in the past on some discord server. I don't quite remember what happened in that moment, I must've come up with some slightly ridiculous solution to this issue which people were probably not too fond of. Allow me to explain.

Let's give a slightly different meaning to what you're saying. According to you, just like the glove, the bowling ball pin is an accessory, which should be unique like the glove. If there are replicas of the bowling ball pin, there should be replicas of that glove too.

What's my defense on that matter? Well...

Even though it may be an accessory, it doesn't mean that the bowling ball pin wouldn't have replicas while the glove is unique.

This is probably my lamest solution so far, I know, but that's the only explanation I can give you on that issue. For all we know, it could very well be a loophole that the creator didn't take into account. Considering how small and kind of insignificant that pin is, It would be a mistake that's easier to make compared to the disappearing glove, the disappearing tape, etc.

So here's what I'll say about it for now to make it somewhat lore friendly. The bowling ball pin is part of the uniform, it is required to have a pin for each replica of the uniform. MonoTV probably messed up and forgot to make replicas of the glove. Eitheir that, or the glove in itself is something very precious to Arei, so there doesn't exist anything like it.

Also, this kinda falls into something called a Devil's Proof. We can't prove that there's no replicas of the bowling ball pin just like we can't prove that the glove isn't unique and vice versa.

If I can find a better explanation for this, I will gladly update my theory. But for now, we'll go with whatever we got. So, Issue #18 is solved, kind of...

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Before we get to the next issues, I'd like to go over the issues you pointed out on my older versions of my theory regarding the murder mechanism.

(That's when I theorized that the culprit placed Arei's neck on one side of the seasaw) [...]no matter how you place her, her head would just sorta slide out of the seesaw upon impact.

Would it really slide out? Is it steep and slippery enough for this? I suppose it doesn't really matter eitheir way.

For the jugs to actually hit the seesaw with any kind of force while still having the rope around their handles, the rope needs to be slack. That means it wouldn’t actually do anything to break the handles.

I agree. At the time, I felt like something was slightly off, but that was the only solution I had in mind at the time. Once I started having a logic chess battle between both our theories, that's when I realised that there's a much better way for the murder mechanism to work.

I don't think I need to go on further on the topic of my old murder method since it clearly wouldn't work.

I'm aware that by the time I made a reblog explaining my revision of the murder mechanism, you were probably already working on that post. I apologize for that, but thank you for taking the time to point out the errors nonetheless. Now then, let's get back to business.

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Actually, before I get into the next issues...

You've claimed the object for your theory could be the roll of tape, but as I mentioned in another post, that doesn't seem strong enough to displace/damage the light bulb and cause the light flicker. This isn't a problem, though, [...] you could tie the rope's end into a knot and throw it like that, there's a non-zero chance that would break the light.

Sure, I guess. I think it could still work with the rope tied to the roll of tape because like I said before, as long as the throw goes pretty fast and far and you're unlucky enough to reach the lights on the ceiling, it could displace a light bulb. I guess it doesn't really matter in the end. What matters is that something lighter and smaller than a ball of clothes could be thrown for that step of the murder mechanism.

Issue #19 : How the body was positioned in the playground

[...]the problem here is the distance between the scuffed ground and the seesaw. I once again refer you to the picture above. Also, what? Physically, how does that work?

Wait, what? That's not what I had in mi-

[...]I'm sorry if I'm misunderstanding how exactly Arei's body is positioned, but I just don't understand exactly what you're picturing.

Oh... I see... I suppose I was extremely unclear with the body's placement to set up the murder mechanism in my revision, huh?

So basically, I suggested 3 alternate methods to where the culprit placed the body to set up the murder mechanism according to my theory.

The first one was taping her wrists against the bars on the swing set. The problem with that is that it wouldn't explain why there were scuffed marks on the ground.

The second one was placing her body close to where the scuffed marks would be, taping her wrists to the floor. The problem with that is that I don't think it's strong enough at all to keep the body somewhat steady from the deadly impact of the murder mechanism. If we let it work like this, the whole body would've just been yanked away by the rope instead.

The third one was placing the victim's arms in between both poles of the seasaw. The thing that holds the swing set in place and helps making the seasaw move up or down. Her wrists would then be taped together. Here's a visual representation.

(Yes, I can make bad drawings)

Disregarding the proportions, the yellow stickman is the victim, the grey stuff is the grippy tape that's tying her wrists together between both poles, as mentioned earlier. Then the green stuff is the other rope which is what would kill Arei.

With that positioning, it would be able to explain how a certain part of the floor was scuffed according to my theory since there were no struggle involved. I hope this makes a lot more sense now. Sorry again about earlier. (I didn't draw the longer rope for the pulley system, but we both use it, do I don't need to elaborate on it)

So, Issue #19 is solved.

Issue #20 : Maths and Physics

i'm not gonna copy paste any of those quotes regarding the maths involved to get enough force to break the victim's neck. That area is not really my expertise, but I do appreciate the time and research you've put into this.

In short, you're saying that this method could most likely work, but it's still doubtful because of the way the body is placed on the ground as it would require more force, right?

I believe I've already mentioned this in another reblog, so let me get the copypasta.

Once the water jugs reach an adequate height (from the pulley system), Eden would then spin the carrousel the other way around as fast as possible. The shorter rope serving as a stopper would take care of the rest.

With that, Issue #20 is solved.

Issue #21 : The scuffed ground

In summary, this method is more plausible than the last one, but I'm still not confident it would work, and also fails to properly explain the scuffed ground imo.

My solution for Issue #19 would explain it, but I'll gladly give more details on the matter.

As soon as the short rope does their job by breaking the victim's neck, the rest of her body would move as a reaction. The upper body wouldnt move much as its closer to the neck and the arms are bound by the pole of the seasaw. The lower body however would move much more as its further from the neck. The movements from the lower body, especially the legs are what created the scuffed marks on the ground.

So, Issue #21 is solved.

Issue #22 : The elaborate murder method

I would like clarification on why Eden would use such an elaborate method. The point as you described is to perform a crime which doesn't need much strength.

I'll go ahead and pull a big copypasta from a different reblog to answer this issue so that others can read it without switching back and forth.

Well, we know that she's an ultimate clockmaker. According to the official DRDT tumblr, she has a tendency to overwork herself as she gets absorbed into her work. Therefore, she's pretty passionate about her work. She repairs clocks and love making antique clocks.

Clocks in general, we can safely say that they're pretty complex machines, right? Not only that, but there's usually a mechanism. Of course, both crimes seem to have some kind of mechanism involved (which is the main reason why I suspect Eden for both crimes), but if you look at it from another angle, isn't it wrong to deduce that the reason why Arei's murder method had such a complex mechanism is because it's something that Eden would enjoy?

What? She enjoys murder?!

No, that's not what I meant! These murder methods, especially Arei's, have a complex mechanism involved. These complex mechanisms reminds the culprit of her talent, her passion! Who knows? Maybe it puts her mind slightly at ease when she's working on mechanisms like that since it will be technically the invention that will do the dirty deed for her. But most importantly, she can work on that murder method because it's something she could spend time on without issues.

There is also a more logical reason as to why Eden would go for such a complex murder method. I'm sure you've noticed already, but most of the cast, especially during a trial, they're pretty dumb, aren't they? I mean... just the trial of the first chapter is proof enough by itself. The majority were accusing Teruko from the get-go, jumping to conclusions too early and it took a surreal amount of convincing and evidence to prove that Teruko is innocent. Even then, once the group was slowly starting to get closer to the truth, a bunch would jump to conclusions and claim that it's unlikely that x thing happened. Teruko literally carried the group by solving most of the trial that chapter.

So from this fact, there are two things that the culprit needed to keep in mind if she wanted her murder plan to succeed : It needed to be something that most of the cast would jump to early conclusions with no proper clue on how the murder was carried out and it needed to be something complex enough where even Teruko would have troubles solving it.

So, Issue #22 is solved.

Issue #23 : Rope on the corpse

But then, why leave the rope next to her corpse? That wouldn't make people think Arei's neck was just snapped with brute force. She could have just hidden both pieces of rope under the spinny thing.

The culprit most likely didn't wanna waste any more time than she already did. According to my theory, Eden needed to drag Arei outside the relax room at 8:00 AM since that was the earliest time the room would be unlocked.

By that time, a couple people would be awake by then possibly, so time was of the essence. Fortunately, most of the murder mechanism was already prepared and the disguise materials were ready inside Arei's room.

So once the murder plan was executed, to make sure she would save time, Eden did the bare minimum to make sure no one would figure out what was the actual murder method. So she untied any ropes that was connected to the spinny thing, placed the longer rope under it, then brought the body back with the shorter rope still attached to her neck back to the relaxation room. Every second counts.

With that, Issue #23 is solved.

Issue #24 : The BDA

Eden wouldn't have known David had seen the corpse until she found the Relax Room empty, after the corpse search begun.

It's true, Eden wouldn't have known that it was David who found the corpse first. Otherwise, she wouldn't have said "Teruko, wait!" after Whit's comment. It's weird though, right? Wouldn't it make more sense if she was more nervous ever since Teruko forced her to tag along for the BDA. That could've ruined the plan, after all.

Well, it would've if she didn't make any preparations beforehand.

What are you saying?

Well, let's go over a few facts. Eden fabricated an alibi by hanging out with Hu during the evening of DAY 3, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM and according to my theory, she hid the victim's body in the relaxation room. "But why would she hide the body?", you may ask. Well, Eden most likely hid the body to make sure it wouldn't be discovered too early. She wanted at least one person to find the body at some point during the evening of DAY 3.

That's ridiculous! There's no way she could control when a body would be discovered by someone else!

Heh! Are you sure about that? There's a certain new clue I've brought up much earlier that would come in handy in this scenario. Do you remember Issue #10? If not, let me remind you.

Incense sticks, anyone?

That's right! The incense sticks in the relaxation room. They burn up after an hour more or less and then the smell stays there for a considerable amount of hours. Eden would be able to set up the incense sticks and burn them up at the right time so that the smell would eventually dissipate at some point during the evening, she knew someone would eventually spend time in that room during the evening and they'd find the body because of eitheir a bad smell (corpse decomposition or something that could easily leave a lingering bad smell) or the lack of good odor (reaching to the box to get new incense sticks, which could be very close to where the body was hidden).

You're just being ridiculous! How would she be able to tell exactly how long the incense smell would last?!

She had two opportunities. Eden eitheir found out during the evening of DAY 1 or the evening of DAY 2. The incense sticks were originally not part of her first murder plan since she would learn about this knowledge before her will to murder Arei happened. Eden took notice of how long the smell of the incense sticks lasted and used it to her advantage to fabricate a solid alibi for the murder of Arei.

How's that for a crazy solution?! Whether you believe it or not, Issue #24 is solved.

Issue #25 : David's persona

[...]his line of "I did indeed meet with Arei last night in the Relaxation Room" by itself only seems to imply that Ace's testimony of the conversation happening on day 3 is accurate. It's strange to say you "met with" someone if all you did was find her corpse, but it's clear that's not an issue for you.

Of course, this is based on how we're interpreting the wording of what he said. But that kind of logic can also apply to what you're interpreting in what David is saying. You know, like when you claimed that David is most likely lying when he stated that Ace is lying about what he witnessed. This is David we're talking about. Of course he could've tricked us into thinking he indeed met with Arei that evening alive! Using a different wording would've probably make him look more suspicious or they probably wouldn't believe him.

[...]he left the longer rope under the spinny thing, despite clearly being connected, for example. More pressingly, he didn't help at all in the investigation, too distracted by the motives. It's weird for him to skip out on guiding the class to the conclusions he came up with[...]

I've pretty much explained it in Issue #7, but let me give a reminder.

Keeping his secret hidden was one of his two goals, which was probably his biggest priority at the time. David tried to help in his own way, but there was very little he could do without being a prime suspect and potentially having his secret exposed. Even when his secret was exposed, no matter what he would say at the time would be useless. Everyone would think that he's just bluffing.

David seems taken aback when Teruko asks about the fish. [...] these lines, in particular his first line of sheer surprise, imply David has no idea how the fish actually got there.

It's a matter of interpretation and perspective. To me, it looked like quite the opposite. It looked more like that triggered something in his brain, down in memory lane. And why would that be? Simply because that would make him recall what he did with the fishes. And obviously, he's not gonna state the truth right away since it wouldn't match his flawed and fake confession and no one would believe him anyways.

And thus, Issue #25 is solved.

Issue #26 : The note

If Eden really wrote the note to Arei just as a diversion, presumably to build an alibi, why wouldn't she specify between PM or AM? It would be significantly easier for her to gather an alibi for just 7:30 PM instead of both PM and AM.

Based on all the answers to the listed issues above that I've given, the answer should become pretty clear. The note was only written to fabricate an alibi sometime between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM, so the meeting time on the note should've been interpreted as 7:30 PM.

The reason why it doesn't specify PM is because that specific part of the note was torn up.

I'm not sure what happened to that torn up part, but something tells me that this was not intentional. I don't recall if I said anything like "maybe Eden tried to get an alibi for 7:30 in the morning too!", but if I did, I'm sorry. I no longer believe that.

Finally, Issue #26 is solved.

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Phew... It's finally over! I didn't think I'd be able to solve all of listed problems, but I did. There's only two conclusions we can draw from this. Eitheir I managed to link up every relevant clues together with my theory while also making everything sound logical, or I'm descending much further into madness.

Nonetheless, I firmly believe in my theory and whatever happens at the end of it all, I had a great time solving all these mysteries! I apologize if I confused you with my mixed up theories or bad wording or whatever. I'm actually not that great of a writer, so I know that no matter how well I think I've worked on something, there's bound to be plenty things that are off with what I typed.

Anyways, thank you for taking the time to read all this if any of you managed to survive all of that. (hehehehe)

BAD JOE'S DRDT CH.2 CRIME SOLVING THEORY PART 4

Heyo! It's me again! I'm here to solve a mystery regarding this chapter. AS USUAL, MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR DANGANRONPA DESPAIR TIME CHAPTER 2, SO BEWARE! (Click here to see my previous parts if needed)

The heck are you talking about?! You've already solved the case!

Not quite. There is one mystery that I never managed to solve... until now. So yeah, I'm going to share my ideas in regards to what happened during the failed murder attempt on Ace in chapter 2. On top of that, there's a few other discoveries that may help or hinder my theory that I also wanna share with you guys. So sit tight people, this may be the last ride to my crime solving theory (I hope...).

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Step #1 : What happened to Ace back then?

Let's bring up a picture of the crime scene, shall we? Actually, better than that, I'll bring 2 pictures!

The fitness room before the murder attempt (Picture A)

The fitness room after the murder attempt (Picture B)

As you can see, there is quite the major difference between the two. Yes... quite indeed! There is no mistaking it, there was no body before the murder attempt then poof! Ace's body appeared after the murder attempt!

...............................................

Alright, alright! I'm sorry! That was a bad joke. Let's get to business!

Let me give you a list of the relevant and noteworthy discoveries.

A fan that fell down (Ripped out according to Teruko)

A bloody wire broken in half (one half attached to the blade of the fan)

A stepstool

A broom

A roll of grippy tape (originally came from the bar by the wall)

2 weight plates on the ground next to the treadmills

Moved benches (Right bench toppled over)

Moved and toppled over weight plate rack

Traces of blood on the wall, behind Ace's neck

The fan on the left in Picture B isn't moving

So last time I talked about this crime scene, not knowing exactly how it went, I simply presumed that because there's a part of the wire taped up on the blade, it must've been some complex murder mechanism involved to make it work, kind of like the mechanism the culprit pulled for the murder of Arei (Part 1 for reference).

It is the logical way to think about this, after all. However, if you were to think that the culprit created a mechanism that works in a loop motion like a chainsaw, but in slowmotion, there are two issues with it.

There is no blood traces shown on any of the props.

Aside from the wall, the body and the wire, there are no other visible traces of blood, which is very problematic. If we want to make that looping mechanism work, the wire would probably need to be going around some prop so that the wire pattern would be more on Ace's neck height. But since there's missing blood traces, it's just simply impossible.

As long as one end of the wire is attached to the fan, the possibility of a looping mechanism doesn't exist.

Think about it. For the looping effect to work, the beginning part of the wire would also need to be moved so that it would do a lap, but once you stick the beginning of that wire to something, then that part of the wire can't move away from here.

Therefore, once the whole wire follows its intended path, it doesn't come back, it doesn't create a loop. It's yet again another impossibility.

Why does creating a looping effect mechanism matter anyway?

Because according to my theory, the culprit (Eden) created a mechanism that would work on its own while she's away from the crime scene for the sole purpose of playing around the killing game rules which would make her seem even less suspicious.

Not only that, but because of the wounds on Ace's neck, it seemed like the wire damaged his neck multiple times, so surely the mechanism must've gone back and forth to make that happen.

Yet, creating that kind of mechanism is just plain impossible.

Ha! Then your theory doesn't work! Someone else did it!

Nope, not quite. It just narrows down the list of possibilities as to how it could've been done by Eden. It's an impossible mechanism because there's no other traces of blood and it cannot be looped?! Sure, but I just gotta think outside the box.

How do I create a murder mechanism involving a wire attached to the blade that doesn't loop nor does it leave traces of blood on any of the props? There's only one possibility I can think of. Here goes!

The wire was wrapped around Ace's neck multiple times, somewhat tightly.

Huh? That can't be right! Wouldn't the wire simply leave the body after a short while, not damaging the neck enough?

That's what I thought initially at first, but then I decided to make some experiments. ....No! Not that kind of experiment! I did not wrap it there to test it out, I promise! Well... I tried out around my arm first, but took precautions.

There is a way to test it out without endangering ourselves. Find some kind of wire and use it to wrap around an object that doesn't take most of your wire to make a lap like a bottle or a deodorant and try pulling eitheir ends of the wire. You will notice that the wire just stays there, it remains tangled around the object, it even tries to kinda squeeze the object and that's precisely what happened to Ace's neck.

Because of how many times it was wrapped around Ace's neck and the type of wire it was used, with the pulling motion from the fan, it would make considerable damage to his neck which could've turned for the worst if the mechanism wasn't stopped early enough.

And that's how the culprit created a murder mechanism that can do the job without being around to see it, without creating a looping mechanism and leaving barely any blood traces on the props.

There are some issues with this idea however. But since this is the most logical sound conclusion for the murder mechanism, there's most likely an answer to each issue.

It would be very difficult to wrap the wire around Ace's neck without any kind of help.

Let me explain. First things first, they didn't wrap the wire while the body was sitting down against the wall, it would most likely be impossible. Reason why lies in the blood traces of the wire as shown in Picture B.

Only parts of it is bloody, but more importantly is the fact that a good portion of the wire starting from the part that's attached to the blade doesn't have any blood. The beginning part that's clean is obviously the length between the body and the blade of the fan. We can kinda guess from this that it shouldn't be able to reach his neck if it was sitting down.

Therefore, the body needed to be standing for the whole duration, even setting up the murder mechanism. And that's where the benches come in handy, by keeping him in place. The weight plates probably helped a bit too? In any case, there's still another problem.

The body would bend forward as there's simply nothing supporting the upper part of Ace's body.

You could say that the culprit tried to hold the body against the wall with one arm while she used the other arm to wrap the wire around the neck. However, that would be pretty difficult to pull it off as the body could problably move still (she's probably not that strong to begin with) and it would take a greater amount of physical efforts to pull it off.

So she must've used something to help with that. Some kind of prop. It took me quite some time to think about it, but I think I found a pretty good answer to this riddle.

The culprit used the broom to increase the stability of Ace's body while setting up the murder mechanism.

Honestly, the broom confused me a lot when I was trying to figure out how this whole scheme worked on the murder attempt on Ace. To me, it made no sense as to why there was a broom laying around the fitness room. I couldn't understand it.

But now, I'm pretty sure I know why. The culprit placed the broom through Ace's shirt, in the back. Then, she placed the body against the wall and with the remaining support on the lower part of Ace's body (the benches), the body would barely move from its initial position.

Hah! I don't believe you! I'm calling bluff on that one!

Oh yeah? Then how about this? Why don't you test it out yourself? This one is a pretty simple and safe test to do (as you as you don't pull any stupid stunts).

Pick up a broom or a long wooden/plastic pole, place it through your shirt, from top to bottom, in the back. Lean against the wall or a door and try bending your upper body forward. I can guarantee you that it will be very difficult to do so.

That way, it would explain the purpose of most of the props found at the crime scene.

Not true! You still haven't explained why the weight rack was moved and toppled over!

Yeah... you're right. This toppled weight rack was probably the most challenging and annoying piece of the puzzle. No matter how much pondering I've made, even to this day, I can't find anything that relates the weight rack to the murder mechanism. Yet, it has been moved.

Considering who I believe the culprit is, I don't think she would be strong enough to move it wothout someone else's help. But according to my theory, she doesn't have an accomplice.

Then you admit it. Your theory doesn't work because of this.

No, that's wrong!

It's true that I can't make a connection between the weight rack and the murder mechanism, but why should I? We already know that most props aren't part of the murder mechanism as there's no traces of blood on them. Even though the broom was used to keep the body steady while setting up the murder, the culprit removed the broom afterwards.

Alright, but what about the culprit? You just said that she can't move it without someone's help, but you denied the possibility of an accomplice. So it's impossible!

Heh! It's impossible because we're looking at this from the wrong perspective. If it's not the culprit who did it, then it's clearly someone else who did, but I highly doubt it was Nico. Considering what we know, I propose the following possibility :

The person who moved and toppled the weight rack was Ace himself.

Huuuuuh?!!! Ace?! Why would the victim do that?! That doesn't make sense!

You say that because you think that this happened around the time of the murder setup. But that's where we got the wrong idea. In fact, the weight rack in itself has nothing to do with the attempted murder at all!

Ace moved it during the evening, when he was working out. The reason why he did it is most likely to get it closer to the bench press, making it more convenient to swap around weight plates. He basically did it to match his preferences.

Didn't he work out at evening, the day before the BDA?

Nope. I've proved last time that this actually happened the previous evening, before the night of the failed murder attempt. Not only that, but my proposition would actually prove that Ace was indeed working out that specific evening. Therefore, he didn't lie about working out.

So with this, that should explain the purpose of every single clue. The rest are pretty self explanatory.

The fan was stopped to set up the murder mechanism, then turned back on only to be turned off later again by Nico, who saved Ace unintentionally or not. Otherwise, it turned off automaticly as soon as it broke. The stepladder was used to reach the fan as she was setting up the murder mechanism and the roll of tape has already been explained in part 1 of my theory.

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Step #2 : One more clue in the trash

This is a discovery made by thefandomenchantress! (Thank you btw!). This discovery actually helps support my theory and I'll explain why.

So there is this one very subtle clue that can be found in the trash can as seen in the post. There's actually a needle with black string in that small hole. It must've been part of the murder scheme somehow cause I don't quite see why else it would be found here. I have 2 possibilities that could explain the use of that needle while also supporting my theory.

First one is that the culprit used it to do adjustments to her Arei costume. Remember, Eden's pretty small compared to most of the cast, so it's possible that Arei's outfit would've been a tad too tall for her. It would require some considerable amount of time to do it, but she could've easily done it during the night, while waiting for the relaxation room doors to open next morning to pull off her murder.

Second one is related to the ball of clothes. It's possible that she sew the old clothes together to make a bigger piece of cloth, like some kind of tarp to hide and preserve the unconscious body. It would'be been easier that way instead of trying to place multiple pieces of clothing and hope that it covers the whole body.

Heck, it's possible that the culprit used it for both possibilities instead of only one of them. And that, ladies and gentlemen, would explain why there was a needle with black string in the trash can.

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Step #3 : Arei, you look so different right now!

This has probably been mentioned a couple times in the past, but it definitly caught my attention when I read this subreddit thread. Let's take another look at Arei's corpse, shall we?

So according to OP in that subreddit thread, some observations about her indicate would indicate that these parts were done recently, like probably in the morning, a bit before 8:00 am and I'm sadly inclined to agreed on that.

Basically, there are two important things to note about the BDA : the red marks on her wrists and the fact that her body was swinging at the time. There's also the fact that the crime scene left out a lot of clues, like many of them weren't removed from the scene. The left out clues are explained in the 3rd part of my theory, so I'm not gonna dwelve on that.

Instead, I wanna talk about the red marks and the body swing. Initially, I thought the body swing was just a way to had some kind of mood to the BDA while I didn't bother thinking that deep about the red marks.

But I can't deny these two visible clues can't remain that way for a long time, especially the body swing. The red marks, I don't know how long it lasts, but it probably doesn't last that long. That's why the OP in this subreddit thread figured that this whole crime must've been carried out by 7:30 AM instead, but if you read all my theories so far, you should know that it's impossible (I also explained it in that thread's comment if you need a reminder).

It is conflicting my theory slightly however because the body hanging among a few other clues (like the dead fishes in the playground and the ball of clothes thrown in the dress up room) must've be done in the evening by David, before the day of the BDA. Yet he couldn't hang the body then otherwise the body would've stopped swinging a long time ago. So that's a contradiction. Yet, it feels like David is the only person who could've done it considering what I've told in my theory. So instead, I just need to fix my idea a bit to make it work.

When David found Arei's corpse, he figured out some kind of plan that would benefit him. First, he hid the body inside the changing room in the dress-up room. Then, he proceeded to grab the fishes with the old clothes to place them in the playground and once that's done, he rolled up the clothes into a ball and discarded it somewhere in the dress-up room. Then, next morning at 7:30 AM, he retrieved Arei's body and hung it at the swing set in the playground. He then removed the tape on her wrists and threw these in the trash before meeting up with the group in the movie screening room.

Why wouldn't David move the body to the playground much earlier, during the evening instead? He placed the fishes there already, so what gives?

About the fishes... you know what? I just made a quick realisation. Let me add something.

It's possible that he didn't place the fishes in the playground during the evening, but rather kept them inside the clothes, hidden in the dress-up room, waiting for next morning to "set up the crime scene in the playground".

Going back to the question previously, considering that it's possible he didn't move anything in the playground until next morning, I'm more inclined to believe that maybe he panicked. It was the evening, everyone else was still awake at the time, there was no telling when someone else would show up, so he neede to quickly hide the body somewhere else.

Why somewhere else? Remember the conversation that happened earlier that evening in the kitchen?

He knows damn well there were a few witnesses who knew that he headed to the relaxation room at the time. So if he left that corpse there and everyone else would find it the next day, he would've been the prime suspect almost instantly, no doubt about it.

So once he hid it somewhere else for the time being, went back to the first floor and took that time to think of a plan to solve the case while hopefully not having suspicions thrown at him and possibly even get his secret safe. Sadly, he really couldn't tell whodunnit (I mean, who could?), so the best thing he could do is investigate a bit.

So he goes back into the elevator next morning, probably around 7:30 AM and lo and behold, he finds clues in the playground. Those were clues that the real culprit left them there because she was in a hurry. So upon seeing this, he knew what he had to do. He needed to drag the remaining clues into the playground, thinking that it would make it a lot easier to pinpoint the culprit and solve the case.

But why the fishes? According to your theory, he grabbed and hid them quickly before even having a plan to set up the fake crime scene.

Well, since he couldn't grab the fishes before 8:00 AM nor would it have made sense to do so if he was able to, there's only one reason I could think of : he did it for the insurance.

Insurance? What do you mean?

That's because at the time, he didn't actually know much about the murder. He didn't actually know if that was the real place where she died or if that was a temporary hiding spot. So he must've figured that if someone else were to find the body hidden in the changing room, the fishes would indicate that the relaxation room is related to the murder somehow.

Like sure, he wanted to avoid having his secret revealed at all cost, but there's something else he wanted more than anything else : David wants to survive.

And since he's not the culprit, the best thing he can do is help the group solve the murder in his own way. If he left those fishes there, if he ever became a suspect and tried to tell everyone that he found the body in the relaxation room, it's very likely that no one would've believed him. So the fishes serve as proof in that scenario.

So there you have it. This should explain the meaning behind these clues discovered recently. While we're at it, it's been stated from others, but did you notice Arei's hair during the BDA? It looks pretty messy and I'm fairly it's because her hair was wet before, just like what some people suggested before.

And before you ask, no she was not drowned. It wouldn't make sense at all and I'm fairly sure it would've shown clear signs of drowning if that was the actual cause of death, so I'm gonna leave it at that.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step #4 : A big flaw in my theory

So... there is a discovery that I made on my own and it's not a good look on a certain aspect of my theory. Let me explain.

While I was finishing up my theory, making sure I didn't miss anything, I replayed in my mind how the crime happened according to me and I somehow managed to spot a major flaw in my own theory. It's such a big flaw, I'm actually surprised I didn't notice it for quite some time after making that post.

The major flaw in question lies in my motive.

Your motive? Again?! You've been changing your motive practically every post! What's up with you?!

Sorry, sorry! I thought for sure that I was right on the money with my crazy motive theory, but it looks like I'm way off the mark. You know... motives can be pretty complicated sometimes, they're a real pain in the you know what!

So to give a little reminder as to what my proposed motive was, it has something to do with the secrets. I deduced that there must've been a possibility that Eden had the exact same secret as David (the manipulator one) and she thought that this was going to be the revealed secret if no one commits murder.

I figured it'd make sense considering her murder scheme. It practically requires a fair amount of lying and manipulation. And if she indeed had that dark secret, since David had the same secret, the host had to make a decision choosing which one of the two should inherit that secret as the public reveal. The host wouldn't want two people having the same exact secret revealed, it would seem really odd.

So the host chose David as the person who would get this secret revealed to the public (if the murder is not done on time) while Eden would have a different secret. Not a fake one, of course. Something that's still part of her, not as dark, but still embarassing enough.

I figured that since Eden's secret seemed so light compared to the others, there must've been more to it. So that's why I came up with this idea. But you know what? This actually can't work. It wouldn't make sense.

Why not?

To explain it properly, we're gonna have to go back a couple episodes and use our imagination to think of what-if scenarios. Trust me, it'll be worth it.

So Eden plans ahead for a murder because on the first episode of chapter 2, when the secrets were given, because of the unknown, she thought for sure she had a very dark secret that she didn't want anyone to know.

So what was the actual murder plan? Killing Arei? Nope! Her intended target was Ace, mostly because he happened to be at the right place at the right time while also dropping his guard. It was the perfect opportunity.

Then later on, she knocks Arei unconscious and locks her inside the relaxation room so that she'll become the prime suspect of the murder of Ace. So the culprit sets up the murder mechanism, she turns it on, then leaves the room. Then all of a sudden, Nico comes in and screws up her plan as the murder attempt failed.

And that, right there, is where we're jump into a what if scenario. Let's go back a bit and pretend that Nico never showed up to begin with. Let's do one better, let's pretend that the murder attempt on Ace actually succeeded and he actually dies. So what now? What would happen?

Well, for starters, monoTV wouldn't display the secrets on the monitor since the BDA would most likely be done much before the deadline. Then Arei would become the main suspect, as predicted by the culprit. Then after that, they would struggle a lot more to figure out who the culprit is and whatnot. So whether the groups solve it or not, at the end of that trial, they wouldn't be able to figure out Eden's dark secret (let's pretend that she actually had a very dark secret for now). So everything works out in the culprit's favor, right?

BZZZZZZZ! WRONG!

We would be forgetting a very important fact if we believe that it would go down that way in a what-if scenario. Because the secrets were mixed-up, everyone knew the secret of a different person. So in that case, Charles knows Eden's secret.

Let's keep moving with the what-if scenario. So say that they're investigating the murder of Ace, they would find a few clues, but probably not enough to solve the mystery.

So what would happen if they have to do everything they can to solve the case, but don't have a lot of information to go on? They would reveal the next best bit of information they have at their disposal : the secrets!

Considering Charles' personality, there's no way he wouldn't reveal Eden's secret. He would definitly let everyone know about her secret. Whether it was indeed a very dark secret or not and whether they find out Eden has something to do with the crime or not. He'd even ask Teruko to show it as proof since he gave the piece of paper to her.

Basically, if that was the actual motive, it would only lead to her doom. Her secret would've been exposed anyways. Therefore, Eden's motive of trying to protect her believed dark secret can't work.

While I'm at it. The same applies to any theories out there that uses something like "they want to protect their secret" as a murder motive. None of these work for any individuals... except for one. The only one that could get away with it is whoever Arei had as a secret.

I knew it! Levi did it! Levi has to be the person with the murderer secret. He killed her to retrieve the secret!

Yeah... no. While it would've been an interesting motive and plot, I very much doubt he's the culprit. The roll of tape disappearance from the first part of my theory narrows down the list of suspect by a lot.

This is another reason why my motive theory doesn't make sense. To make sure that she fulfills that "goal", she would need to find out who has her secret and kill that target. She did neitheir of those. Otherwise, Charles would've been the victim.

So now what? Are you gonna propose that there was no motive?

Not at all! There was definitly a motive for commiting murder. It took me some time to think about it, but I may have a more plausible theory for the motive.

Eden has someone she loves and cares about a lot outside this killing game. She misses her dearly.

She... killed someone because of love?! Are you kidding me?!

Nope. Well, it wasn't just love. It was more like a chain of events that led her to be done with this place and wanted a way out of here to meet her beloved ASAP. Once you start thinking about the narrative in Eden's pov, it'll start to make sense. Let's rewind back to the very beginning : the prologue.

After everyone's introductions, monoTV shows up to announce the killing game show, that they're here to kill each other and whatnot. Levi came close to dying because he broke a rule for rebelling against the mascot. Realising the gravity, most people were pretty concerned about this. Eden's reaction in that scene was the following :

Well, to be fair, I'm sure most people, even yourself if you were in their shoes, would react like this. This is pretty scary, after all. In any case, this shows that from the beginning that she wanted to get out of here.

Later on, the next day, they try to figure out any ways to escape this place which, interestingly enough, Eden is the first person to bring it up as a reminder.

And then fast forward during chapter 1, there's some wholesome friendship moments happening with the girls in the kitchen, then some other stuff happens, then there's the murder, the investigation, the trial.

Then once Teruko figures out that the culprit is Min. It becomes quite a big shock for Eden since Min was in the kitchen with Hu and Eden most of the time, but as you know, it wasn't an airtight alibi.

So, to say the least, this chapter was pretty dramatic for most of the ultimates. Even towards the end of that chapter, it was quite a shocker when Teruko pretty much pulled the middle finger on all of them, telling that she carried the trial to victory (which she honestly did). She then swore that she would never trust anyone else ever again, which set a pretty dark tone going forward. Then the screen fades to black, introducing the beginning of the chapter 2.

Right before the beginning of that chapter, we get the following quote : "I still miss you. I miss you so much that I wish I you had never been a part of my life. The worst part is, even though you left me like this, there's nothing I can blame you for."

Then once the chapter begins, we jump right into Eden's pov. So based on everything we know about both chapters and that her secret is : "Ever since you kissed her, you were afraid your sexuality would ruin your friendships," it feels like the quote we saw earlier was actually Eden's thoughts.

Anyways, despite how gloomy this atmosphere seemed to be, after monoTV revealed the motive, she says the following.

Once again, she's the first person to bring up the "escape the killing game plan". She's seems a tad keen on wanting to get out of here. She could've also been trying to lift the mood up because of everything awful that happened in chapter 1, who knows.

We all know that there's been a lot more arguing this chapter, especially that one time where there were 3 different groups bickering : Ace and Nico, Arturo and J, Arei and monoTV. Basically, not a single day goes by without a dramatic moment happening this chapter.

Despite all that, Eden tries to remain positive and try to make more friends despite how stressed out she must've felt deep down. And then this happens...

Yeah, Arei coming in the the very intense bullying on Eden, which broke her down real bad. By the way, do you remember in the first part of my theory, when I claimed that this whole scene was the spark that made Eden decide to commit murder? Then in the second part, I rejected that idea because of her flashback showing a very wholesome moment between Arei and Eden? Guess what? I'm changing my mind yet again : Arei's bullying is definitly what caused Eden to kill someone.

What the heck are you saying?! Arei apologized and they both made up afterwards. You're just contradicting yourself!

I could claim that the flashback was entirely made up, but I seriously believe that everything she told in that flashback was the truth. Yes, it's true that they made up and became friends, but that doesn't matter anymore. She had her sights on something a lot more important : get the heck out of here by any means necessary!

It's exactly because of that bullying that it made Eden realise that she really misses that certain someone outside the killing game. She misses her dearly. So to make sure that she could escape this hellish show, she needed to come up with a flawless murder plan. Hence why there's been so much efforts put into this. She's serious about this.

Becoming friends with Arei was a golden opportunity for her. She could use this to her advantage and betray her. Make Arei become the scapegoat in this case, which was the original intent in her plan. As for the murder victim, it seriously didn't matter, she only needed to sneak on someone that would drop off their guard (which in that case, it would be Ace when he was spying on David and Arei).

Of course, things sadly didn't go according to plan for Eden and she had no choice but to murder Arei if she wanted her plan to succeed. Well, she could've still made the choice, but her desire to meet her beloved out there was much much stronger than anything else. She had to.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the whole truth behind this case. Well... would be if I end up being right. It's possible I may have a few things wrong once we learn the actual truth. Let's be honest there though : everything I've told you guys so far, it makes sense, doesn't it?

If you combine all my ideas, they all seem to be connected, don't you think?

Well, it's still up to you to decide whether you believe in my culprit theory or not. There's probably a couple other possibilities out there, but it'd take as much work, if not more, to connect all the dots, so be mindful of that.

And with that, I'd like to thank you all again for reading my theory post. It's another big read, I know. I'm sorry. Maybe I could've word things better, make it much easier to read, but hey. We never truly learn or improve if we never try in the first place, right?

Alright! Next post will be a closing argument post, which should make things kinda easier to understand my whole theory. See you then!

[zodiyack]

Rude! (3,000+ Follower Fic Special 1/3)

Pairing: Billy Hargrove x Female!Hopper!Reader

Warnings: Swearing, Billy stuff, lyrics, fluff

Song: Rude by Magic!

Words: 1,798

Summary: Billy's love for Hopper's daughter is too strong to be stopped by the tough Chief Jim Hopper. Despite being told "not in a thousand years", he plans to love her regardless.

Note: Thank you so so much! I love you all, and writing your ideas, as well as sharing mine with you, has been so fucking fun and amazing! I'm sorry for my lack of words, I wish being an author came in handy with writing this, however, all I can say is that I love you all from the bottom of my heart. I've seen people do shout-outs, and ask-related stuff with their follower things, and I may do that, I'm not sure. For now, I hope you enjoy this... Thank you all, again!

Also 1/3 means that there will be two other fics released for the 3,000+ follower present!

Taglist: @urie-bowie-mercury, @matth1w, @redspaceace-writes, @fandom-puff, @darling-i-read-it, @simonsbluee, @sebastianstanslefteyebrow, @dpaccione

Masterlist | Stranger Things Masterlist

"Saturday morning, jumped out of bed and put on my best suit. Got in my car and raced like a jet all the way to you. Knocked on your door with my heart in my hands, to ask you a question, 'cause I know that you're an old-fashioned man. Yeah."

Billy was freshly graduated, working as a lifeguard whilst his girlfriend worked her own job, both saving up for their chance to ditch Hawkins and move to California. Sweet Cali. Billy was excited to show the love of his life around the place he called home. Though, physically, he left the salty ocean and windy beach behind, the place never truly left him.

You could see it in his eyes. The waves crashing in his blue orbs. He swore the scent had just barely clung to his belongings; the smell of the tangy air that followed a majority of the state. Working at a pool was the closest he got to the memory of California. Chlorine was most certainly not the salted ocean waters, but with the circumstances, he decided it'd do.

The way his face lit up whenever he talked about his home...it made Y/n more and more excited to see it. His girlfriend had grown up in Hawkins, stayed there her whole life. Never once did the Hoppers leave Hawkins.

But the second that was introduced to Billy, he knew it had to change.

Although they were saving for a big move, Billy had...other things in mind with what to do with his first large pay-check (or series, rather. Working as a lifeguard didn't pay well with just one check). He began to work more shifts to make up for the money he'd spent, and one day after calling in for a day off, he decided to put his plan into action.

"Billy, stop messing with the tie."

"It's annoying." Hands slapped away his attempts of adjusting the black silk tie.

"Well it won't stop being annoying if you keep fucking it up."

For the first time in a long time, Neil Hargrove was calm. Not happy, not amused, not pissed off for some unjust reason- just calm. He wasn't wreaking havoc and he wasn't being an asshole to his son. Billy hadn't seen this side of his dad in quite some time, in fact, he thought something important was going on and he was about to fuck it all up. And then, Susan retreated to the living room with a camera and a freshly ironed suit.

"You're not putting me in that."

"And who asked for your opinion?" Neil deflected with a raised brow. One heavy sigh later and Billy was leaving the bathroom, dawning the whole black and white getup.

Susan clasped her hands over her mouth, a tear leaving her eye, "You look so handsome! Just like your dad!"

Billy rolled his eyes, "Great."

However, his careless attitude was swept under the rug when the blue Camaro pulled up to the police station, interrupting a clearly distressed Chief Hopper bickering with his daughter. Billy had to get himself together before stepping out of the car, jaw slack after seeing the beauty he got to call his date.

"Hello Mr-"

"Don't even try play nice with me, Hargrove. She's not going anywhere with you. End of story." Hopper kept his eyes trained on the blond, body tense like a snake preparing to strike it's prey.

Y/n grabbed Billy's arm, slowly directing him to the car, "And in the sequel, we find out I am going with Billy. End of that story."

"There is no 'sequel.' The writer got drunk and lazy." She paused, turning to face her father who stood tall, arms crossed and face unamused.

"So his daughter picked up where her father left off, and then the sequel was published and the two lived happily ever after, the end."

While her dad attempted to search for a line that would better hers and force her to stay, she pushed Billy toward the driver's side and slid into the car as fast as she could, rolling down the window as Billy started it up. "Bye! I'll be back before midnight!"

The two drove off toward the school, leaving behind a trail of dust and very, very, pissed off Hopper.

Prom was better than Billy thought it would be. He didn't want to go at first, but after Max found out and spoke to her mom about it (the little redhead a cupid-in-the-making), Neil pushed him to go (as he was "doing something else besides being a lazy-no-good rebel"). It was then that he called Y/n and asked if she'd be going.

The suit came in handy. Clashing with his rocker aesthetic, he put it back on once more. The once-annoying tie proved to be somewhat okay in the end.

Can I have your daughter for the rest of my life? Say yes, say yes, 'cause I need to know. You say I'll never get your blessing "till the day I die, tough luck my friend, but the answer is no!"

Why you gotta be so rude? Don't you know I'm human too? Why you gotta be so rude? I'm gonna marry her anyway. Marry that girl, marry her anyway! Marry that girl, yeah, no matter what you say! Marry that girl, and we'll be a family! Why you gotta be so rude?

With a deep breath, he ran-over the conversation in his head once more. Like a script for an actor, he had thought of every possible outcome and every possible line for him to face it with. He almost chickened out as his fist rose to the door, but it was too late, for his knuckles rapped against it before he realized he was even knocking.

El opened the door, eyes wide when she saw the familiar mullet and button-down. "Papa..." She muttered as she backed away and out of view.

Hopper traded places with her, his lazy expression sobering up instantaneously, replaced with a grumpy scowl. "Hargrove."

"Mr. Hopper, sir."

"What are you doing on my front porch?"

He swallowed roughly, palms sweaty against his sides. "I was wondering if I could talk to you."

"You seem to be doing just that right now, Hargrove." Hop crossed his arms and clenched his jaw.

Well, this was certainly not something Billy had thought of. He was on panic mode internally, attempting to find any response that could save his hide and accomplish what he set out to do. Unfortunately, the word-vomit button seemed to be misplaced under the button labeled "help".

"I'd like to marry your daughter, sir."

Hop's eyes grew just as big in size as El's had when she opened the door. He choked on his own surprise, coughing it off, then glaring at the boy in front of him. "Over my dead body, Hargrove. If that's all, I'd strongly advise you to get off of my fucking porch while you're still alive."

I hate to do this, you leave no choice; can't live without her. Love me or hate me, we will be boys- standing at that alter. And we will fly away, to another galaxy, you know. You know she's in love with me, she will go anywhere I go-

"Billy, he's just stubborn."

"No, no, I don't think he likes me."

Y/n sighed, rubbing her boyfriend's back. He hadn't told her of his proposal plans, only that Hop seemed to have it out for him. "It'll take time, but he'll warm up to you!"

"It's been how many years since he's met me?"

"To be fair, your reputation wasn't doing you any good until now..."

"It's not like that was fucking obvious." He slouched further down in the front seat of his Camaro. To Billy, all hope was lost. If he couldn't get Hopper to give him his blessing, he was sure he'd lose his goddamned mind.

Y/n frowned. Her frown flipped around as an idea popped into her head, her lips finding Billy's knuckles and quirking his attention. "Even if he never likes you, I'm not going anywhere."

Billy laughed softly, "he'll fucking kill me if you go against him."

"Eh, that's only if he can catch us."

"You're out of your fucking mind, Y/n Hopper."

"I know."

The rest of the night was spent in the Camaro, of course, doing one of Billy's favorite pastimes. By the time the sun rose, Billy was sneaking a kiss to a giggling Y/n before dropping from her window in the cabin and running to his car, parked far enough that Hop or El wouldn't notice. He blew her one more kiss, which she pretended to catch, then he broke into a sprint.

Maybe, he thought, just maybe; there was still a chance.

His knuckles hit the door again, shifting on his feet nervously. It swung open to reveal Hopper, an unimpressed look bringing no surprise Billy's way. It was quite expected, honestly.

"What." His tone made it clear he wasn't up for fucking around.

"Mr. Hopper, if you just give me one chance to prove to you that-"

"No, no, no, no, no. Let me make it very clear to you that I want you to have nothing to do with my daughter whatsoever. No marriage, no friendship, I don't even approve of you guys fucking or whatever-"

"We're in a serious relationship, sir. It's nothing like you think it is."

This made Hop laugh. He continued to do so, holding his stomach, until he realized Billy was unamused. "Oh, you're serious?... My answer is still no, Hargrove. My answer will always be no. Go find someone else's daughter's heart to break. You're not hurting mine."

"It's not like-"

Before he could even get the words out, he was met with a door in his face. Turned down, again.

Can I have your daughter for the rest of my life? Say yes, say yes, 'cause I need to know. You say I'll never get your blessing "till the day I die, tough luck my friend, 'cause the answer's still no!"

Why you gotta be so rude? Don't you know I'm human too? Why you gotta be so rude? I'm gonna marry her anyway. Marry that girl, marry her anyway! Marry that girl, yeah, no matter what you say! Marry that girl, and we'll be a family! Why you gotta be so rude, rude?

Again, again, and again, Billy incessantly pleaded with Hopper. Different tactics were all met with the same answer; rejection.

He held up a sign outside the cabin, only for Hopper to close the curtain and chuckle as he sipped his coffee.

He asked at the door again, only for Hop to threaten to give him a black eye (which was met with "aren't you the sheriff? Isn't that illegal?").

He raced past the police station, Max leaning out the window with another sign, only for Hop to threaten them with holding cells.

He even went as far as to ask Max and El to help, but Hopper had none of that, and sent Max home with a rant full of nos.

However, if Jim Hopper thought any of it would get it into Billy's head that getting his blessing was just not happening- he was as wrong as Nancy when she claimed not to have feelings for Jonathan.

Billy had another plan in mind, and this one was impossible to say no to.

Can I have your daughter for the rest of my life? Say yes, say yes, 'cause I need to know. You say I'll never get your blessing "till the day I die, tough luck my friend- but no still means no!"

"Hopper." Billy stood before his desk, interrupting his nice date with a delicious doughnut, and earning a very annoyed glare. "I got Miss Byer's blessing. Aren't you two a thing?"

"You son of a-"

"I got Eleven's too."

"Hargrove, I'm gonna-"

"Before you cuss me out, I think you should know that I've got a stable job, an interview with a mechanic so I have a job when the pool closes for the winter, and I've got a house on the market I'm looking at. I'm devoted to your daughter and she's devoted to me. You may not like me, but I think you're a great dad, better than the one I was unfortunately stuck with. You raised a strong and amazing woman. She's incredible and I admit, she deserves better than me-"

"You don't have to say that twice." Hopper huffed, crossing his arms.

"I know she deserves so much better than me, I'm surprised she's even with me too. But she loves me, and I think you can see that. I love her too. I would never, in a million years, break her heart."

Jim stayed silent for a few minutes. The silence brought uneasiness to Billy, but that was intentional on Hopper's behalf. He finally piped up with a cough, clearing his throat, before his piercing eyes met Billy's blue orbs.

"I'll hold you to that, Hargrove."

Why you gotta be so rude? Don't you know I'm human too? Why you gotta be so rude? I'm gonna marry her anyway. Marry that girl, marry her anyway! Marry that girl, yeah, no matter what you say! Marry that girl, and we'll be a family! Why you gotta be so rude? Why you gotta be so rude?

Bonus:

(after the wedding)

"What was that about a no?" Billy quipped with his infamous smirk.

"You're lucky I'm sheriff, Hargrove."

Why you gotta be so rude?

[hellomynameisbisexual]

There are at least as many bi and pansexual people in the world as lesbians and gay men combined, at least according to surveys of western countries. But bisexuality is poorly understood - leaving bi and pansexual people feeling that their sexuality is invisible or invalid.

In Episode 1 of the new season of BANG!, people who are "attracted to more than one gender" share their experiences, and Dr Nikki Hayfield highlights some particularly damaging, often "biphobic", stereotypes.

To the outside world, Rose and Sam* look like any other straight couple. They're in their mid 20s, affectionate and obviously really into each other. The thing is, they're not straight.

Sam identifies as pansexual and Rose is bisexual. People define each of these sexualities in different ways, but for Sam pansexuality means that he's attracted to people irrespective of gender (as in, it's not important) and for Rose bisexuality means she's attracted to people "across the spectrum of genders".

For those shouting "but bi means two!", some people still use bisexuality to mean they're into just men and women, but others have broadened the definition as a response to the increase in trans identities and in resisting binary understandings of gender.

Both Sam and Rose came out in their early 20s, both had same-sex experiences and attractions in their teens and, initially, both put them down to teenaged "confusion" or "acting out".

As Sam tells me in this episode of BANG!, "Heterosexuality was expected of me and that's why it took quite a while to realise I wasn't that. It's why my parents still don't know [I'm pan]… I wouldn't be disowned or anything, but it would confirm that I'm the sort of black sheep, and that I'm less of a man in some way, and that doesn't feel good."

Rose grew up with an openly lesbian aunt; her family environment was welcoming of queerness. But she thought bisexuality meant 50 per cent attracted to men and 50 per cent attracted to women, and that the label didn't fit her because she's attracted to men more of the time.

That's until she turned 21 and stumbled across a Tumblr post.

"It said, 'you can be 70 per cent attracted to men, 30 per cent attracted to women' and I was like 'Oh! I think I could be not-straight then!'"

Soon after, Rose came out to her mum.

"When I told her… she was like 'Oh, I think I'm bi too!', I was like, 'What?! Why didn't you tell me! That would've really helped my coming out journey if you'd told me'," she laughs.

Rose's mum explained she had tried to come out as bi to some lesbian friends in the 1980s, but they told her she needed to "pick a side". This kind of discrimination from within queer circles makes bisexuals particularly vulnerable to social isolation, with many reporting that they feel "not straight enough" for straight circles and "not gay enough" for LGBTQ+ communities.

Rose and Sam are part of an open and supportive friend group, but even so - people close to them make incorrect assumptions about their sexualities because they are in a male/female relationship.

"We have had a friend who we know and love so much come up to us really drunk… and be like, 'You're just so straight! Look at you two!'... and I was like, 'No we're not!' It was sort of a funny situation but also… I don't think it's a funny joke to be like 'you're straight, haha!' Because you just don't know," she says.

Dr Nikki Hayfield is a senior lecturer at UWE Bristol, whose research explores bisexualities, pansexualities, asexualities, and LGBTQ+ sexualities generally. She's also bisexual herself.

"People do tend to take our relationships status as a signifier of our identity, and so it's much more difficult for bisexual people to be out about their sexuality, because their partner… doesn't indicate their sexuality in the way that it does for heterosexual people or for lesbians and gay men," she says.

"Bisexual people find that even if they've been explicitly out about their bisexuality, to say their friends and their family and their work colleagues, when they're in a relationship all of a sudden it's as if they didn't make that declaration of their bisexuality, and they find that people around them assume that they're 'gay now' or they're "straight now'."

Author and columnist Emily Writes was happily married to her husband when she came to terms with her attractions towards women. While her husband was incredibly supportive, coming out to some of her friends and family was trickier.

"A lot of people saw it as 'Are you getting a divorce then? Which I thought was really odd because that never crossed out minds… We have a really happy marriage and I don't see how that changes anything," says Emily.

As someone with a public profile, Emily copped the same social media flack as bisexual celebrities like Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus: That they are claiming queer sexualities as a marketing stunt. Another common biphobic trope.

"When I see somebody being like 'Oh now she's gay coz it's cool.' I just have this thing in my head where I'm like 'I've been gay! I've been gay! The whole time I was gay!' She says. "It's this thing around bisexuality or queerness, that people want you to perform it for them and if you don't then are you allowed to say that you're queer or bi?"

Here's why this stuff is so important:

- The Youth '12 survey, of 8,500 New Zealand secondary school students found young people who experience "both and same sex attraction" (gay, lesbian, bi and pansexual students were lumped together in this survey) are more likely to be bullied.

The majority of them had deliberately self-harmed. 18.3% had attempted suicide in the past year.

- Also - the proportion of them experiencing significant depressive symptoms has increased from 27 per cent in 2001 to 41.3 per cent in 2012. Opposite-sex attracted students had no significant change.

- Several overseas studies also suggest that bisexual people are at a higher risk for poor mental health outcomes than both straight and lesbian and gay people.

What can we do to help?

Sai, Charlie and Emma are students at Wellington High School who identify as pan and bisexual.

"Just normalise it. As much as you can," says Emma. "A lot of TV shows are having a lot of casual background queer characters and not making their queerness who they are… Let's hope it continues."

"I do think the term "it's just a phase' is so strange," Charlie says. "Because, if it is a phase why can't that person, like, live in that phase and be comfortable with that?"

"People are a lot more quick to shut it down the younger you are because they're like 'oh you don't know any better'," says Emma.

"It's just people with ideas about what things should be, having a go at people who don't fit their expectations, just like it happens with just your regular old homophobes," says Sai.

"I guess I just wish I had bi parents, then I'd know it was a thing. Or just bi people that are open and in my life,"

Rose, the bi woman in a relationship with pansexual Sam, has some good advice, too.

"Until I meet this new person coming into my friend's life, I'm not gonna presume what gender they're going to be, that's just putting my friend in a box... I kinda just assume everyone's bi unless they tell me otherwise."

* Rose and Sam are not their real names

[iplaymatchmaker]

Hello! I'd like to request a matchup for IkeRev. I'm an ENTP 7w8, Ravenclaw (she/her). I don't have any too defined likes and dislikes, but generally speaking I value my privacy the most (a bit too much sometimes) and I can really get upset with people who don't respect it. My hobbies include...everything; linguistics, psychology, physics, video games, reading, programming, tinkering with stuff etc. I tend to be very teasing and flirty with other people, and I'm a really big fan of idle chatter.

A little A/N:  I am still working on my last few matchups so they will get done! Life just sort of killed me and then beat my dead body with a hammer for the last few weeks😅 . I will finsih them though! Sorry for the delay!

I match you with

Blanc!

Thank you so much for requesting! I’m sorry for the (very) long wait! Also, since you didn’t specify which prompts you wanted I decided to experiment and write a sort of Princess-Advisor AU, since I wasn’t particularly inspired by the rest of the prompts for this. I might be putting this one on the prompt list👀 . I hope you enjoy this! (Also I really went ham with the prompt, but I hope you still like it!)

It’s no secret that Blanc is very flirtatious, but he is caught off guard when he finds you returning his advances, often getting the upper hand on him. Your teasing leaves him speechless and you find his reactions very amusing.

After you first meet he introduces you to Oliver’s work in an attempt to get closer to you. You end up spending a lot of time with Oliver in the workshop, Blanc usually watching as the two of you work, much to the other’s annoyance. Oliver can often be seen blushing at your back and forth, before eventually pushing both of you back to the living room.

While Blanc can’t interact with your work with Oliver, he can always offer you information on the history of both London and Cradle usually resulting in hour-long conversations on the particular period you’re covering.

While the two of talk daily, you both recognize the other’s need for privacy and it takes some time for you to really open up to each other.

  Prompt: Wild card!

The rain was coming down hard, the endless patter on your window not allowing you to sleep. You settled on using that as an excuse as you rose from bed and threw on your night robe, the news you had received earlier that evening repeating in your head.

“We have arranged for you to marry prince Charles. We believe this will secure your future.”

You pushed the words out, not prepared to confront the reality of what was to come.

You had taken a book with you, but you couldn’t wield yourself to focus as you lay on the windowsill of one of the many library windows, head resting on the glass as the rain fell. Your body shivered, but you refused to move, seeking for any distraction.

“It’s a little too late for a princess to be reading, isn’t it?” you didn’t have to look back to recognize the voice of your most trusted advisor.

“Blanc.” He squeezed in the seat next to you, sitting so close you could hear his breathing over the rain.

“Pride and Prejudice? Haven’t you already read it multiple times?” he gestured to the book in your hands, still lying on your lap, unopened.

“I was hoping that re-reading it would inspire me to be more open minded about…” you didn’t utter his name, too scared to make the engagement official.

He reached for your hand, like it was the most natural thing in the world. You didn’t dare say anything. What existed between you would have to end, but your feelings would stay. You hoped they would offer you some comfort when you wed a man who was next to stranger to you.

“The king told me about the engagement a few hours ago.” He didn’t need to say anything else. You both knew what you had to do.

“Let’s wait until tomorrow.” You pushed yourself closer to him, closing the distance between you. You lay your head on his chest and his arms wrapped around you, his warmth shielding you from the wind peaking through the cracks of the glass.

“Tomorrow then.” You weren’t sure how much time had passed. Soon you drifted off, your lovers’ embrace setting your nerves at ease.

  When you woke up the next morning, you were in your own bed, alone. It was hard to ignore your disappointment as you got ready to face the day, thoughts of Blanc occupying your mind. You knew you had agreed to end it. You were promised to another man, yet it was hard to keep your word as you came face to face with reality.

“Prince Charles will arrive in a week’s time for the celebration of your engagement. I expect you to be on your best behavior.” You could only nod, not trusting yourself to speak.

“Honey, are you okay?” your mother’s voice was kinder, but she could offer you no comfort.

“Yes, mother.” You excused yourself before your parents could doubt your words, eager to get away.

You found yourself at the stables, preparing for a long ride.

When the strong wind hit your face, all thoughts of Charles disappeared, replaced by adrenaline. The further you got from the palace, the easier it became for you to breath. Despite the ache that started developing on your legs, you continued, putting as much distance between you and your new reality. As the sun set you considered turning back, not wanting to face your father’s anger when you returned, but as you slowed it became increasingly hard to turn back.

“Thinking of leaving us, princess?” you almost thought you had imagined it, but when you turned around, Blanc was standing a few feet away from you, his face laminated by the fading sun.

“Blanc? How did you know where I was?”

“I knew you had gone riding. It wasn’t hard to figure out where you went. I know you well, after all.” He dismounted his horse and offered you his hand, helping you off of your own mount.  You stayed silent for a while, watching the sun fade into the night.

“I can’t go through with this. I try to tell myself that I can do this, but every time I think about marrying him I feel like I’m drowning.” You couldn’t look him in the eye as you tried to make sense of your thoughts. You expected him to lecture you on responsibility, but instead his hand reached for your chin, tilting your head upwards so you were looking him in the eyes. The expression on his face made it impossible for you not to fall apart.

“Please don’t try to pretend you’re fine, not around me. No matter what happens, you can always trust me.” He gently wiped the tears steadily falling down your face, holding you close, your body laying limp on his as you cried.

 When you returned to the palace, the moon was high in the sky. You tried to sneak past the guards but it was impossible to get away from the ones stationed outside your door, ready to deliver you to your father, Blanc following behind you, a respectable distance apart. He was only a few feet away but in that moment it felt like miles.

“Completely irresponsible! Riding off on your own without an escort? Do you have any idea how much you worried us” you stood silently, hoping he dismissed you quickly. Your eyes were still burning and your body aced from the ride. Despite that, it was your heart that hurt the most.

“You are going to be a married woman soon! Do you think your future husband would approve of this?” you didn’t think you had the energy to argue with him, but those words seemed to awaken something within you.

“I don’t care what a stranger has to say about the way I choose to live my life!” he was momentarily stunned, before anger flashed across his features.

“That stranger is arriving in a few days and I expect you to forget all thoughts of your life when he does!”

“Sir..” Blanc stepped forward but your father immediately silenced him.

“Stay out of this, Lapin, this is between me and my daughter.” You almost wanted to laugh at his words.

“What father forces his daughter to marry a man she barely knows in the name of love?” your entire body was shaking but you held you ground, your mind too fuzzy to think about the consequences, only eager to vent out days worth of frustration.

“What did you say? You don’t speak to me like that!” the moment he took a step toward you, Blanc was in front of you, hands outstretched in a protective stance.

“I think that’s enough sir.” The older man’s face was boiling in anger. You weren’t quick enough to stop him from landing a punch on your lover.

“Blanc!” you pulled him away, trying to protect him from your father.

“Don’t try to act heroic, boy. Don’t think I don’t know about what exists between the two of you.” Fresh tears formed in your eyes.

“Then you know why I don’t want to get married! Father, please!” you tried to plead but your words couldn’t seem to get through to him.

“Charles can offer you stability, a good life. You would throw all that away for, what? The idea of love?” Blanc’s eyes had begun to bruise and you were scared of what the consequences for him would be if you continued to argue. You wanted to end the night there, but Blanc stepped forward despite your attempts to stop him.

“I understand your doubts sir, but I can asure you my love for your daughter is genuine. I may not have riches, but I can provide for her. I live for her and only her.” The two men’s eyes were locked and you could almost see sparks flying between them. A part of you was touched by Blanc’s confession, but another was scared for the both of you. The room was quiet for a while, no one daring to utter a word.

“Is this truly what you want?” his focus was on you now.

“Yes. I love him, more than anything.” you reached for Blanc’s hand, hoping to gain the confidence to look your father in the eye, to be honest with him about your feelings.

“All right then…” your eyes widened at his declaration.

“I will hold off the engagement for now. But remember that I am always watching you, Lapin. If you dare hurt my daughter, I won’t think twice before I punish you.” He walked away, not saying another word.  Your body fell limp, the adrenaline from moments before

disappearing, leaving you exhausted.  

“Are you okay?” you nodded, pulling him closer seeking his warmth.

“You are bold, going against my father like that.”

“What can I say? I’m a man willing to go far for the woman he loves.” A smile crept across your lips for the first time in days. You reached up, cupping his cheek, finally able to get a good look at his now bruised eye.

“Does it hurt?” you almost winced as you run your fingers over his skin.

“It’s not as bad as it looks. It was definitely worth getting your father’s approval, even if it’s only temporary.”  His placed his hand over yours, the gesture conveying all the things he could express with words.

“I love you.

“I love you too.” You pressed your lips to his and everything finally fell to place. You stayed in each other’s arms that night, both tired from the day’s events, but happier than you had been a few hours earlier.

[punkscowardschampions]

Saint & Leilani

Saint: How's it going? 🙂 Leilani: it's going as expected Saint: I know how to answer questions without saying anything, remember Saint: you can't fool me Leilani: I was relying on the 😇 thing to do being you pretending you believed me Saint: You'd think so, but the issue lies in if that would require me to leave you in discomfort Saint: which would be nothing but the worst manners Saint: okay, what's one thing that's been okay and what's one thing that I could help make a bit better? Leilani: the kids are extremely adorable in their costumes, I'm in support of that Leilani: & how many of the grown ups decided to go in on this too Leilani: but maybe I was hoping you were that kind of big brother & your other sisters & brothers weren't as young as they are Saint: The majority love an event, that's true Saint: I don't know if it's a genetic thing or a cultural, but it's always been like this Saint: I'm sure the twins would have you know they're very mature for their age Saint: 🤔 how about I introduce you to Mattie? Saint: She's about your age Leilani: 😅 yeah I'm considering taking one of them with me since you already made the offer Leilani: she's Jay's sister, right? Saint: Correct Saint: she's similarly more chilled out too Saint: maybe less adorable than the kids but she shouldn't object to hanging out, kidnap might be a step too far tonight but Leilani: I don't know, it's a good costume, some people would still say adorable Saint: 😅 Saint: a good opener Leilani: thanks, I'll use it Saint: 👍 have fun Saint: let me know what you think, and if I need to get my wings into gear and do more Leilani: [pretend she's been chatting to her for ages because I feel like they'd get on, soz she don't go to your school hun] Leilani: I am now so I guess your wings won't be falling off Saint: [always the way, at least you will have an ally at these functions] Saint: 😁😁😁 Leilani: take a 🍭 Saint: 😏 More counterintuitive than the sticker ⭐ Saint: definitely finding you a new dream before you wreck the 🦷 of every kid in Dublin just to fix them again Saint: very 😈 of you Leilani: 😅😅 Leilani: maybe I'll become a vet if Grace agrees to the 🐱 Saint: What about the 🩸? Saint: though you seem to cope with the fake Leilani: oh yeah.... Leilani: I was only thinking about the 😁 parts again Saint: I do hate to be the 🌧 on your parade... Saint: it's pretty adorable how 🌤 you are Leilani: but you do need to step in there before I fully commit & get genuinely 🩸 splattered Saint: I can promise that without feeling I'm giving you unfair expectations Leilani: it'd be awkward if you had to take that costume off on account of being 😈 Saint: it really would Saint: the feathers aren't leaving much to the imagination as is 😬 Saint: no one wants that Leilani: you're not 👶🏽 enough to be running around without clothes Saint: Ahh Saint: so tough being the oldest Saint: suppose I should leave some 🍭 🍬 🍫 for the kids too? Leilani: I can't promise to fix your 🦷 either way Saint: I'll make sure to brush well tonight when I'm defeathering in the privacy of my own room Saint: I like your ears, by the way Leilani: I'll resist the urge to come & watch over you since you're the one who can fly & I'll never be a qualified dentist Leilani: thanks, I keep forgetting they're there so for a moment that was an unusual compliment Saint: I'll send you a picture if you like Saint: for evidence Saint: I'm sure your real ears are lovely too 😂 Leilani: what am I supposed to send you a picture back of, in line with you wanting to work for the government? Leilani: like, I could salute but that's getting into a weird girl guide territory Leilani: & I've never been camping Saint: Oh dear Saint: the less pictures I have of underage girls the better, I think Saint: too young for the scandal yet but best to start as I mean to go on Saint: my family aren't big campers, if you can believe it Saint: but I've been with my grandma, and for this young leaders thing I did last year Leilani: I probably shouldn't fill my phone with pictures of older boy's dazzling teeth either, my mum is very overprotective Leilani: was, I mean Leilani: maybe she'd come back & haunt me Saint: Potentially Saint: though I can try to assure her and you my teeth are not at all predatory, this might not come across as sincere with my pearly whites 😁😬 Leilani: if your teeth are harmless, you might need a dentist sooner than I could become one Saint: 🧛 gotcha Saint: okay, so not harmless, but your neck is safe Leilani: why do they bite their victims somewhere literally everyone can see? Leilani: I'd be more secretive if my goal was to live undetected forever in some moody castle Saint: You can cross vampire off your list too, you're clearly overqualified Saint: I think it's about that sweet, sweet jugular vein but there's plenty of others that are less of a Saint: 'look what I did' Leilani: maybe whoever wrote the 1st 🧛📕 didn't want to commit to going under the clothes Leilani: it was racy stuff already Saint: also potential code for same-sex relationships? Saint: but what wasn't 😅 Leilani: is Dracula gay? Leilani: good for him Saint: I think so? Saint: Unless I'm confusing my classics Leilani: I haven't read it before & I feel like if I do now everyone will think I'm going goth Saint: Not an impression you want to make? Leilani: not really Leilani: 🌤  > 🌧 Saint: we'll keep it secret or off the reading list Leilani: first rule of our new book club? okay Saint: You can think of the 2nd Leilani: there has to be some kind of limit on length, War & Peace is too heavy in every way Saint: which brings us nicely to rule number three then Saint: no Russian literature Leilani: 😅 Saint: but I'll leave it with the rules for now, this is a party after-all Saint: would you like a drink? Leilani: what can you offer me that's 🧃? Saint: [so the pub, 'cos always the pub, probably doesn't have sassy mocktails 'cos not the vibe but he can go make her one] Saint: any major allergies or dislikes I need to know? Leilani: no Leilani: you've got total freedom Saint: I like the sound of that Leilani: what are you drinking? Saint: [probably red wine, you seem the type, not getting crunk] Saint: 🍷 Saint: 🧛 of me Leilani: if you're coming out to me atm you have my unconditional love & support Saint: 😅 Saint: Thank you Saint: unnecessary but appreciated Leilani: oh then you want to do the most with the teeth cleaning for the pics you're sending later Leilani: I'm not 😤 Saint: As much as the before and after would be impressive Saint: you might feel a bit 🤢 Leilani: I've set myself up as way too squeamish here, I don't like the sound of that Leilani: I'm not like 🥀 Saint: it's your story to tell Saint: though I wouldn't accuse you of being a wilting wallflower type, for the record Leilani: please don't accuse me of anything on the record 😅 I'm not a Lolita type either Leilani: I haven't even had a boyfriend yet Saint: I think painting myself as that unreliable of a narrator would really undermine my public persona and the trust I aim to inspire Saint: is that purely because of having a protective mum or did your own thoughts and feelings come into that too? Saint: plus, technically, Nabokov was Russian, I don't know if we can read it? 🤔 Leilani: the behaviour of many boys my age came into it too Leilani: but maybe they'll be different at this school, your sister did say we're uncultured at my old one Saint: I can see that Saint: When did she say that? Leilani: 💬📱 Saint: 😕 Oh Saint: she can be quite Saint: blunt Leilani: it's okay, I know Saint: She doesn't always think before she speaks, which is definitely a bad habit Saint: but I'm sure she didn't mean that to sound so...that Leilani: I'm sure she put more than enough thought into everything she said Saint: I'm sorry Saint: I would talk to her, see why you got off on the wrong foot but I'm not so out of touch to not realize that would potentially do more harm than good Saint: I think she's insecure, for context, she didn't get into the school she wanted to go to Leilani: I know why, but I'm not sure I would've been able to approach it differently, even if I should've Saint: Is it strictly girl's business? Leilani: what does that even mean, St? 🤔 Saint: Well Saint: code for none of my business perhaps Saint: in this instance, at least Leilani: it's not becos you're a boy, it's becos you're her brother Saint: Okay Saint: if it helps, I know how she can be, and it's not because of you, it's a her thing Leilani: it doesn't help but that's more becos you tried to tell me how she could be & I rose to it anyway Saint: I could've been clearer Saint: I didn't want to seem like I was insinuating you couldn't talk to her, or something like that Saint: and I don't want to talk badly about anyone, even if it is at times warranted, she's not, you know Saint: 👿 Leilani: I found out for myself, that's the fairest way Leilani: & I'm sure I overreacted once I was 😤 Saint: I know it would make this easier, if you were to get on Saint: but just know you're under no obligation to Saint: with any of us Saint: if nothing else, I can assure she'll give you a wide berth if she has nothing pleasant to say Leilani: maybe we will in the 2nd attempt Leilani: my moods are all over Saint: Now that is girl stuff, correct? 😏 Saint: it's very possible Leilani: that's getting into weird 🧛 territory Leilani: I meant becos I'm 💣💥 by grief not being a girl Saint: Joke in poor taste at the expense of your hormones Saint: 🤐 Leilani: becos I'm a girl is never an excuse for anything, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie I have read some of Saint: My sincerest apologies Saint: you'll have to educate me Leilani: thank god for book club Leilani: you're fine though, losing my mum isn't an excuse either according to your sister Saint: She really said that? Leilani: yeah but she's just the 1st, I don't think she'll be the only Saint: But that's just Saint: bullshit Leilani: she doesn't think so, she built an entire argument around it Saint: even if you were using it as an excuse, which I see no evidence of Saint: it's a pretty valid one Saint: and it's just so Saint: callous to even suggest that, never mind assert it Leilani: it's about her, I dared to say she shouldn't make fun of Grace & by extension treat all of you badly Saint: That is a sensitive topic for her Saint: but still Saint: THAT is no excuse to behave like that Leilani: she's been looking at me like she's got every reason to be 😤 Leilani: 🙏 we're not face to face 🗨 Saint: I'll distract her Leilani: 😇 Saint: [do so boy, soz to you lol, sure she's being a delight] Leilani: [do the salute you're not gonna send him a picture of lol] Saint: [casually meet eyes over this party moment] Leilani: [what a #mood] Saint: [honestly Venus can leave early anyway we all know why you're here and you probably have somewhere else to be hoeing it up] Leilani: [yeah exactly, as much as I hate that you're like this, we know it's real] Leilani: thanks Saint: no problem Saint: I learnt not to bite a long time ago 🎣 Saint: not that that's on you, but you know what I mean, diplomacy is my friend Leilani: does she know she's helping you in your career goals? Saint: I have to assume not Saint: unless she thinks I need a running mate 😨😅 Leilani: in that costume, it'd be a stretch to 💭 that Saint: Don't even get me started on that Leilani: if you don't want to drop your workout secrets that's your choice Saint: Oh no, I was talking about hers, sorry Saint: she's really gone with the Elle Woods thing...which is just a bit strange Saint: dad's a lawyer so Saint: yeah Leilani: oh... Leilani: an extra dimension has been added Leilani: I thought she was going with Regina George Saint: easy mistake to make Saint: sure she'd say as much if I said anything Leilani: she'd say worse about both of ours probably Saint: she got her 🎁 she should be in a good mood now Leilani: why is she getting 🎁 on your dad's birthday? Saint: Right, you're an only child Saint: when you're little, and you went to birthday parties, did you ever get mad that you weren't getting any gifts or attention? Saint: it's that Leilani: I can't relate Saint: What did you and your mum do for your birthdays as a kid? Leilani: she liked to throw me a party, on theme for whatever I was super into that year Leilani: smaller scale than this but all my friends would be there Saint: Sounds like a good time Leilani: it was Leilani: what did you do? Saint: My birthday is Christmas day Saint: 💔 Leilani: I'm sorry Saint: 😅 It's not really that bad Saint: it would be if you minded Saint: but I still get presents and to see all the family so Leilani: I still feel like I should buy you a 🎁 in the summer Saint: that's when I'd have parties with friends as a kid Leilani: you don't have those parties any more? Saint: Not really my scene now Saint: I'm alright with Vee claiming that kind of attention Saint: I usually get dinner with friends as close to my birthday as we can without all the office parties being out in full force Leilani: 🍷 Leilani: very you Saint: Is that my branding? Leilani: would you like a rebrand? Saint: I'm not 😤 Saint: just curious about your 💭 Leilani: it's very blood of christ 😇🙏 Leilani: so fitting Saint: That wine is very bad though Saint: 😝 Leilani: maybe they don't want to promote 🧛 Leilani: if you drank my blood it probably wouldn't taste nice Saint: Why not? Saint: Not admitting a desire to do so with that Leilani: I don't know becos it's 🩸? Saint: 😂 Saint: Fair point Saint: just wanted to see how you'd put me off yours specifically Leilani: we'd circle back to me being underage Saint: do you think vampires ask for identification first? Leilani: no, but in this case you know how old I am Saint: I'm not going to suck your blood Saint: you have my word Saint: and I invited your here, sort of Saint: you'd have to invite me in Leilani: ignoring that being what someone who was about to drain me would say, you must've been to Grace's house before Saint: Probably? Saint: not as if I'd have much call to be there though Leilani: I'm honoured that you're looking for an invite now Saint: I never said that Leilani: 🤔 Saint: I said you would have to invite me over if I were to go all 🧛 Saint: so you're perfectly safe here and now Leilani: [giving him a look like okay boy] Saint: [little lol like okay fair enough] Leilani: [a smile back, excuse us everyone] Saint: [i'm like who a nosy hoe here 'cos I'd be 👀] Leilani: [well Astrid would just say it and we know she's there LOL] Saint: [truuu but she is an innocent soul so she probably just thinks he's being more friendly than his face usually suggests lol] Leilani: [I like to think the twins know what's up, they're sassy] Saint: [be those cheeky children who embarrass you] Leilani: [definitely & Matilda is probably 👀 on this vibe] Saint: [is cute] Leilani: [love that you're being less serious rn sir] Saint: [it's out of character enough to be a Thing™ like he's not a dick but he doesn't have to go this hard for anyone in the fam like protection, caring mode obvs so it'd be like oh hey] Leilani: [enjoy that fam, I know some of you adults are nosy hoes] Saint: [lol the goss, god bless] Leilani: what did you put in this drink? Saint: What? Saint: Nothing? Leilani: no, I mean like ingredients Leilani: it's nice Saint: Oh Saint: [whatever sassy concoction we've made 'cos you'd have that knowledge even if you don't party that hard 'cos Ruster kid] Leilani: 😄 Saint: you like it? Leilani: it's delicious Saint: 😁👍 Saint: Do I get a sticker now? Leilani: yeah Leilani: & more 🍭🍬🍫 Saint: the kids are gonna hate me Saint: better share or get mobbed Leilani: I could just invite you over to eat what the trick or treaters didn't before we got here, you know Leilani: keep you 😇 Saint: You really want to secure my spot in heaven Saint: My acceptance would hugely depend on what 🍭🍬🍫 was on offer Leilani: [the list of everything Grace bought and we know she's extra so] Leilani: so you see, I'm thinking of my own 😁 Saint: Did she expect the whole of town to show up or? Saint: I better intervene before you look like a 👶/👵 depending on how you think about it Leilani: 😅😅 Leilani: I think she's expecting me to eat my feelings Saint: Nice to have the option Saint: perhaps not at the detriment to your 🦷 or 🩸 sugar though Leilani: we'll pretend midnight snacks don't count Saint: No calories after midnight, everyone knows that Leilani: the later it gets, the less there are? Leilani: becos we'll definitely still be here later than that Saint: Might even get to breakfast Saint: what would you have then if calories didn't exist? Leilani: for breakfast? Saint: Yes Leilani: 🥞🍨🍓🍫🍒 Saint: Well that just sounds 😇😇🤤 Saint: Perhaps we can go make that happen when we finally leave Saint: or will Grace object, take on that protective role fully Leilani: taking advantage of her fear of overstepping isn't very 😇 but it is honest Leilani: & this isn't a date date Saint: Not my intention, though if you think that would be a direct impact then perhaps we shouldn't Leilani: it's okay, it's just breakfast Leilani: the calories don't even count so it can't hurt Saint: It is Saint: I wouldn't want anyone to think differently Leilani: start as you mean to go on, I recall it Saint: I mean Saint: that wouldn't be right, would it Leilani: if people think something else is happening to what is, it's easy enough to set them straight Saint: Why would they even think that Leilani: retro 💭 Leilani: you can't spend time with anyone of the opposite sex unless they're interested in the same or you're interested in them Saint: It's just ridiculous Leilani: yeah, but you are 😇 & the fittest so I can't blame people for thinking I would be Saint: I assume people would think that's the last thing on your mind Saint: but maybe I'm giving too much credit Saint: most conversations seem to end up back to when am I going to get another girlfriend Leilani: that joke you made about my girly hormones works for my age too Leilani: especially becos I haven't had a boyfriend Saint: 🙄 Saint: It isn't the be-all-end-all Saint: trust me Leilani: not a classics 📚 way of thinking Leilani: if this was Russian Lit you'd die for her Saint: that's why their particular brand of melodrama is banned Saint: and 'she' doesn't currently exist, as I said, unless you'd like me to pledge my undying, unwavering love to the idea of women in general Saint: I can knock up a speech now Leilani: sounds like fun Leilani: go ahead Saint: 😅 Leilani: not the answer you wanted? Leilani: if you offer me a speech, I'm gonna say yes Saint: I need some time to write it Saint: I also need to find a pen Leilani: [hands him a pen in a sassy manner because she would have a handbag with this outfit] Saint: [the ultimate cliche of lingering when you take something lol] Leilani: [when you can't keep the sass up cos you gotta smile at him again like...I love to think about everyone watching this] Saint: [obviously we're smiling back and being all bashful like gotta go find some paper] Leilani: [looking in that handbag for something he could write on but there's nothing because she's not that hoe carrying everything but the kitchen sink so a cute 🤷🏾 like soz] Saint: [go find a napkin to write this speech about love and womens on then find her and give it to her and hope no one else reads it 'cos that is pure flirtation if I ever saw it] Leilani: [we're keeping that napkin hens & soz Matty even though we BFFs you're not reading it luv] Leilani: okay, I'd vote for you 🗳 Saint: [not explaining that inside joke hun we have no time sorry] Saint: That's all I really wanted from you, naturally Saint: 😈 Leilani: I'm naturally powerless to do anything but swoon, we've gone full classics now Leilani: you got what you really wanted there Saint: Having you powerless to my every whim and will sounds like another genre than classic to me Saint: unless you'd like to state your case for 50 Shades Leilani: 😅 I need to read it 1st Leilani: so thanks if you're choosing it for book club Saint: Top of my reading list, I just needed the excuse 😏 Leilani: isn't there like a whole series? Leilani: you'd know Saint: I officially decline to add that to my brand, thank you Leilani: I get why, you're angry she wrote out the vampires, obviously Saint: Precisely Saint: What kind of discrimination... Leilani: [a lil irl lol like peeps aren't getting enough of a show with this] Saint: [😍] Leilani: [I hope you're re-reading that napkin or talking to your bff right then cos if you see them 😍 you'll die] Saint: Who's costume do you think would win? Leilani: your dad's Leilani: the birthday boy has to win Saint: just because it's his birthday or Leilani: yeah, Grace's is the best Leilani: I chose it for her Saint: 😅 If you do say so yourself then Leilani: if you're arguing it's becos you want me to hype up yours more Leilani: she looks amazing Saint: I'm simply saying on your 2nd go you and Vee should get on like a house on fire Leilani: 😧 Saint: It's not a bad thing Leilani: 🤔 Leilani: okay, who do you think should win? Saint: You have things in common, is the point Saint: I don't know, the kids are probably the most imaginative Leilani: what things? Saint: 💅💄👗 and thinking you're very good at them Leilani: I think I did a good job at picking her specific outfit tonight Leilani: you don't have to say it like it's a bad thing Saint: I didn't Saint: I specifically said it wasn't Leilani: sure Saint: I'm sorry if that's how you took it Leilani: I'm sorry if that's what I look like to you Saint: What, interested in how they present themselves? Saint: I don't see why you'd apologize for that Leilani: up themselves Saint: I didn't say that Leilani: I don't know how else you expect me to take thinking I'm very good at something Leilani: you didn't even say I was very good at it Saint: Does it matter what I think? Leilani: not if it's that I have an ego the size of your sister's Saint: I meant it as a good thing Saint: I don't know what else to tell you Leilani: I don't know what else to tell you other than that's not how I took it Saint: And I said sorry so that's that Leilani: yeah Saint: Don't think about it, it really didn't mean anything Leilani: I won't cause a big scene about it either way Saint: Just enjoy your evening, okay Leilani: I am Saint: Good 🙂 Saint: that's all anyone wants Leilani: I didn't mean to get all 💣💥 it just upset me, what she said Leilani: so you saying we're alike isn't something I want to hear atm Saint: I understand Saint: that's fine, it was the wrong thing to say Leilani: it isn't fine, she's the one who got to me, not you Leilani: I'm sorry Saint: I was insensitive Saint: I just don't like conflict Saint: but it can't always be straightened out so easily Leilani: I will have a 2nd go when I see her at school Leilani: maybe it'll get straightened out Saint: How are you feeling, about school? Leilani: stressed Saint: I bet Saint: it'd be weird if you weren't Saint: but you seem to be good at making friends so you'll be okay Leilani: but that was before, now I'm not gonna know if they feel sorry for me Leilani: or think they have to be nice to me Saint: Do people have to know? Saint: You need a story why you've moved school, but it doesn't strictly have to be the full truth, or the truth at all Leilani: Venus knows, I'm not having her catch me in a lie Leilani: anyway, it's what happened Leilani: I can't escape it by lying Saint: Fair enough Saint: it is the best policy, after-all Leilani: it wouldn't be fair to my mum to change the story, she can't Saint: That makes sense Saint: disrespectful Saint: well, I think, however unfortunately, that people's sympathy only extends so far Saint: you might lose some, but you will find out who your real friends are with time Leilani: there's that word again Leilani: time Saint: I think it's pretty unavoidable Saint: it sounds worse than usual Saint: but people you think are your friends can turn around and not me Saint: for any reasons, it isn't that this is happening, or going to happen just because of your mum Saint: you know? Saint: It doesn't sound comforting, it isn't Leilani: it is a little bit Saint: People are flaky Saint: you just notice when you could use some of them to not be Leilani: who hurt you? other than the girls you're unwilling to die for, I mean Saint: What? Saint: No, no one Leilani: your friends haven't? Saint: I'm fine 🙂 Leilani: I don't believe in 🙂 Leilani: give me a real one 😁 Saint: [IRL 🙂] Leilani: [IRL 😁] Saint: [looking awayayayay] Leilani: [getting him another 🍷 because you are soz you kicked off] Saint: [just like 'who served you?' 😏 bants 'cos he's not even old enough yet either] Leilani: [we just loling because this is a fam function and everyone knows it's for him but asking if she can try it, to which I say don't do it gal wine is gross] Saint: [offering it but warning her it's an acquired taste 'cos truly] Leilani: [taking a sip and her face would be ICONIC because ew, just don't spit it back into his glass babe] Saint: [loling and asking if she wants another mocktail instead] Leilani: [a hard yes because need that taste out of our mouth] Saint: [go get that boy] Leilani: you should've written a speech about why you like drinking 🍷 Saint: A toast would be more fitting Leilani: shorter & easier too Saint: and more warmly received Saint: especially by this crowd Leilani: 😅 Leilani: [gives him the pen back like there you go then] Saint: [swap that for her drink and get to 🤔] Leilani: [take a sip so he can see your happy face when you taste it compared to a second ago] Saint: How am I meant to argue with that? Leilani: I'm not doing your work for you, St Saint: 🥺😏 Leilani: maybe you could compare it to a girl, that was a very good speech Leilani: [re-reads it] Saint: Acidic...bitter...goes straight to your head and stays there 'til the next day Leilani: disgusting, leaves a horrible taste in your mouth Leilani: makes you say things you maybe don't mean Saint: might get half the room to raise their glasses Saint: if they're feeling brave Leilani: if they're feeling 💔 Saint: Yes, that too Leilani: there must be some reasons why you drink it, other than frustrated vampirism Saint: the 💔 obviously Leilani: you said you were 🙂 fine Saint: Philosophical 💔💭 Leilani: what does that mean? Saint: I'm just theorizing on it Saint: no personal experience worth noting Leilani: ... Saint: We don't need to bring the party down with my non-issues Leilani: no announcements, just me Saint: Alright Saint: but only because you don't want to be treated different, not because I think it's important or a big deal or anything at all Saint: I did have a girlfriend, 'til quite recently Saint: but no one here knows that she cheated on me, and that's why I ended things Saint: with one of my friends Leilani: how 🍷 of her Leilani: are they together now? Saint: I'm not sure Saint: Guess I'll see at School Leilani: how long were you with her? Saint: About 2 months shy of a year Leilani: that's horrible, that she didn't end it properly Saint: Yeah Saint: we were really alike Saint: I thought Leilani: we're both dreading school, I wish that was more comforting Saint: I don't want to complain, like it's anywhere near the same Leilani: it doesn't have to be the same to be something we can talk about Saint: I know Saint: it's just Saint: I already feel stupid without complaining to you Leilani: she did something stupid, you don't have to feel like that Saint: I do though, we're a close group Saint: they're both in all my classes pretty much Saint: then I think that the rest of them had to know Saint: so, what does that mean for all of those relationships too Leilani: you won't know what it means until you know whether they were keeping it from you or not Leilani: but you get to decide what happens next with those friendships either way Saint: People pick sides, and even if they already haven't Saint: it won't be the same Leilani: maybe it shouldn't Leilani: if they've picked his side or hers, you deserve different than that Saint: It's my last year Saint: bit late for all that anyway Leilani: if you go into it with that attitude, yeah Leilani: you wouldn't say it's too late for me Saint: You have time, and reason to make it work Leilani: you too Leilani: we haven't known each other long, claiming you need years is a stretch Saint: This is different Saint: I don't know how to explain it Leilani: join a club with me or something, we'll make new friends together Saint: 😅 What kind of club? Leilani: I don't know Leilani: obviously not the Russian Lit appreciation society Saint: Maybe they'll have an anti-appreciation society Leilani: 😅 it'd be popular & so would we Saint: You will be Leilani: there must be genuine clubs you are interested in 🤔💭 & I'll sign up too Saint: I have lots of extra-curriculars Saint: but there's probably a few left out there I haven't tried Leilani: great Saint: What do you want to do? Saint: Sports, music, etc... Leilani: my only demand is no swimming Saint: The chlorine? Leilani: the cap I'd have to wear Leilani: not cute Saint: 😂 Saint: [and IRL] Leilani: hey! I'm serious Saint: Okay, no swimming Saint: we have a pool anyway Leilani: oh, good idea, throwing a party would be a good way to meet people Leilani: 💅💄👙 instead Saint: Hold on, who said anything about a party Leilani: me Leilani: just then Saint: It's a bit Leilani: ... Saint: You do know my sister lives at my house too, right? Leilani: she told me she's back & forth to Paris, can't we do it when she's 🛫? Saint: Not as much as she wishes Saint: I mean, I suppose you could Saint: long as you don't post it all over socials and trash the place Leilani: we could Leilani: the point is, you're there too Saint: A pool party full of underage girls? Saint: I don't know if that's the right direction to be going in Leilani: the 2nd point is, they won't all be underage or girls Saint: Well as mentioned, I don't exactly have a lot of older boys to invite Leilani: that's why we join a club 1st Saint: How many steps does this plan have then? Leilani: I don't know Leilani: it depends how those go Saint: You're funny Saint: And I don't mean that in any way but the words I'm saying, for the record Leilani: I'll be proud becos your laughter is transformative Leilani: it makes you look & me feel really different Saint: Those are some pretty persuasive words Saint: maybe you should write the speeches Leilani: I'll add speech writer to my vision board when I get back Saint: You could do it for me Saint: if that wasn't such a 🥱 prospect Leilani: I think it could be fun Leilani: but what's my cut? Saint: Paying staff is part of a MPs fabled expenses Saint: we can make that wage up as we go along Saint: as long as people don't think I'm favouring you for any reason beyond your 🖋🗯 Leilani: [bats her eyelashes at him in an OTT manner like who would ever think that] Leilani: 😅😅 Saint: [😏] Saint: you'd get to live in London, if you wanted Leilani: who wouldn't want to live in London? Saint: It certainly has its charms Leilani: 🛍🌃💃 Saint: Those are some Leilani: add yours then Saint: 🏛 🛥 ⛪️🚇 🕌 🚖 🕍 🎭 ☕️ 🍷 🍽 Leilani: I was with you until 🍷 Leilani: still, you can show me around before I start work Saint: It's a deal Saint: maybe you'll like white, or rose Leilani: let's see Leilani: [goes off to get wine like] Saint: It takes time Saint: to acquire the taste Leilani: to kill your tastebuds Leilani: [imagine the scene of her with a glass of wine in each hand taking a sip from each and making different but as ICONIC faces of disgust, we're giving them to Matty, fill your boots gal] Saint: How many 👎s? Leilani: as many as poss Saint: 😅😅 Saint: Stick to juice Saint: apart from being bad for your 😁 and the possibility of a sugar high Saint: better option all 'round providing you brush Leilani: is this where you ask for photographic proof back? Saint: 🤔 Saint: I think I trust your dedication to pearly whites Leilani: thanks Saint: You seem...disappointed? Leilani: do I? Leilani: trust is nice, I'm not 😤 Saint: Good Saint: you can send me evidence if you want Saint: maybe your breakfast 'gram, if it lives up to the expectations Leilani: aren't you gonna be there? Saint: Didn't we decide that might not be a good idea right now Leilani: I've only had 3 sips of wine & I don't remember agreeing so Leilani: no? Saint: I don't want my eyes scratched out 💅 Saint: you did a good job on the 😱 factor on her Leilani: I don't have my 🐱 yet Leilani: you can be scared then Saint: You are a 🐱 Saint: so had I better come or else Leilani: if we share the 🥞 you'll be helping curb my chances of a sugar rush & cavities Saint: So that's the for argument Leilani: yeah & I'll keep being funny Saint: You're meant to do against now 😏 Leilani: 🤔 Leilani: the risk of your own sugar rush & cavities Saint: 😂 Saint: I would hate for you to think I'm scared of a little sugar Leilani: 🧄 & 🌤 right? Leilani: or maybe underage girls & unreliable narrators Saint: I'm the unreliable narrator underage girls are scared of Saint: except I'm not, obviously Saint: I'll take vampire rumours over that any day Leilani: at least that means you won't take some other girl for breakfast on the morning of my 16th birthday Saint: That would be very cinematic Saint: but also very rude Leilani: 💔😿 Saint: You'll have to tell me when it is so I can keep it free, avoid the 👿 Leilani: [her birthday whenever we decide that is] Saint: It's in the diary Leilani: 📱 or 📖? Saint: I have both Saint: but I'm not quite that nerdy that I've brought my paper one to a party Leilani: I was just 💔😿 that you borrowed a pen from someone else Saint: Okay, so that's pretty 🤓 Leilani: excuse you, it's not my fault I don't have 20:20 vision Leilani: 🕶🖤 Saint: You aren't that blind or I'd have noticed by now Leilani: I'm wearing contacts Saint: I mean 🕶 is a bit of an exaggeration Leilani: it's a cute emoji, I'm sorry Leilani: & 🤓 is not good teeth representation for me Saint: [actual lol] Saint: Okay, you can have it Leilani: [actual 😍] Leilani: thanks boss Saint: [try not to 😳] Leilani: [use your skin tone to save yourself boy] Saint: wait 'til the tour to decide if you accept Leilani: becos what happens on tour stays on tour or? Saint: depends how much evidence you collect 📸 Leilani: you're the 😇 Saint: Allegedly Leilani: it's your own promo Leilani: meaning you could also convince me you're 😈 Saint: I don't see the benefit in that Leilani: [a LOOK like] Saint: I'm not going to convince you of anything 😈 with just words Leilani: I definitely don't remember making it a words only rule Saint: 🤐🤔 Leilani: ... Saint: [miming both again but we're smiling] Leilani: would you like to dance? in classic 📚 it's totally scandalous Saint: As long as we leave appropriate room for God Leilani: I think if I was fully playing by my god's rules you'd have to be in the next room Leilani: & I'd be wearing 🧕🏾 instead of ears Saint: That would make your outfit very confusing Leilani: this outfit is too tight to be islam approved Saint: [show up to dance like lemme take a closer look] Leilani: [we're having a moment & all I can think about is Grace peeping] Saint: [peeping in a costume which just makes it more amusing some reason] Leilani: [it's happening but I am gonna cockblock this before it goes too hard by saying she starts crying because she can't wait to tell her mum about this & realises she can't #beentheregal] Saint: [oh baby] Leilani: [so then we embarrassed & have to go outside cos there's always peeps in the toilets at any party/fam function] Saint: [at least as Grace is peeping she can follow you and deal 'cos we're gonna assume that isn't what you want him to do] Leilani: [when you wanna go home because mortified especially since he hasn't followed so you think he's mortified but you also don't because you were and are having fun which is the whole reason we cried like #ohjoy thank god Venus is not here] Saint: [we're in actuality worried like oh we shouldn't have done that/any of this lowkey] Leilani: [lowkey outside for ages until Grace is probably freezing to death so we're back but NOT looking at him because dying] Saint: [the awks, go make yourself busy boy] Leilani: [when you're avoiding him but you don't want him to avoid you] Saint: [a mood, at least it is your dad's bday so you can make it look not blatant] Leilani: [maybe this is a good place to end the convo, like it's rude to them but legit] Saint: [agreed, like, can't really come back from this tonight, you will be going home soon gal and breakfast is not happening today] Leilani: [it'll be a hilarious awks but good starting point for the next convo we do like yeah soz I sobbed on you sir]

[justablogjs]

Love Nikki: I wish I'd known when I stared

In Game Clock/Server time In Game Currency Level Types Momo's Tips + Memory Style Types Free Diamonds Facebook Diamonds Stylist Arena Suit Recipe Tracking Deconstruction/Workshop

In Game Clock

At the very bottom left hand corner is a clock, it displays the date and time according to the Love Nikki Server. Any and all times found within the game (such as the Association Co-op or Neighbourhood Tea Party times) refer to this clock. Your local time may be very different, make sure you know how far out the Love Nikki Clock is to yours, because the end of Events are listed in the Server's Time.

In Game Currency

Stamina used to complete levels Gold Coins used to buy certain things, common currency Diamonds Used to buy things, rarer currency, used for Events – the bane of a player's existence, Hoard Them!! Star Coins Used to buy recipes, materials and dyes, rarer currency

The levels in the Mystery house, Dream Weaver, Association and Competition stores all require special currency which can be earned within by doing draws or pulls. (The two “Rooms of Mystery” have daily free draws, while the other four are free every 2 days.

Level Types Maiden Easy levels with no attempt limit, cost 4 stamina to do, You can auto-complete 1 [or up to 10 if you have the stamina and the V-Level for it (I believe it's V4)]

Princess Trickier, 3 free attempts per day, or pay diamonds for more (available extras depend on you 'V Level'), you can auto complete 1 [or up to 3 if you have the stamina and V-Level]

Levels are divided up into Chapters, Maiden Levels must be complete first before the Princess equivalent can be attempted.

Momo's Tips + Memory

After the tutorial stretch of level 1 Momo will start giving tips on how to get passing scores for each level (or S-rank). You can see these even before you start the level by tapping the little diamond-square on the level panel.

If Momo suggests an item in both normal and S-rank tips (especially if you don't have that item) it is likely a special requirement for the level.

Once you're in the level, Momo's tips can be found above the skills Icon at the bottom left of the screen, which is above the 'go fight' arrow icon.

Across from these Icons are the “Search”, “Suit”, “Background”, “remove” and “Memory” Icons

Search can let you see you clothes based on which tag and style they have, or you can search them by name. (By name is fastest when applying Momo's Tips (which will look hideous), but you don't always have to type the full name to find an item, some words appear frequently in item names, other words are much rarer, figuring out how best to search is up to each player.)

Suit lets you automatically apply any complete suit you've accepted the reward for in the achievements book. (If you haven't accepted the reward for completing the suit it won't show up in the list.)

Background just changes the background which has no baring on the final scores but is good fun in Free Dressing or Starry Corridor, while Remove automatically removes all clothing and accessories.

Memory has two options: “Best Score” and “Last Suit”. These are only available after the level has been completed the first time. Best score will automatically dress Nikki in the suit which earned the highest score for that level no matter how long ago it was, while Last Suit will put on the last thing Nikki wore to the scoring even if it failed miserably.

Style types

Gorgeous/Simple, Mature/Cute, Warm/Cool, Elegant/Lively, Sexy/Pure

There are 10 (2 lots of 5) Style Types used on all pieces in Love Nikki, but each suit will only contain 5 of them. The 10 tags can be divided in 2 (As shown above by the / marks) opposing lists, no suit will have two opposing tags (for instance you cannot have a piece that is Both Mature and Cute.) These Styles have ratings C, B, A, S, SS, and are what the Giftys (the little orange maybe bird things) score each level.

In addition there are 44 Style Tags which include things like “Modern China”, “Rock”, “Rain”, “Goddess”, “Gothic” - these are separate from the Style Types above and only appear on a few pieces, there are some levels where these Tags are important for your score and whether you use pieces with the correct tag can affect whether or not your clothes count towards your final score.

Level Tips

After the first several levels in the first stage, an icon labelled “Momo's Tips” will appear

Free Diamonds

Do Your Dailies!!! I cannot stress this enough, always do your dailies, you can earn an easy 53 Diamonds per day doing your dailies.

Dailies can be found on the right hand side of the screen up top, the open book icon labelled quests

- If you are saving for a stamina event you can do your “Complete any 5 quests with S rating” in Maiden and earn back what you've spent in stamina while earning 15 points for your dailies.

Vote in the Competition, every ten votes you do, you can get a prize, just tap the tiny picture of a gift box at the bottom of your screen. Prizes in the box include a few diamonds, or a crystal rose (currency for the competition store), or a couple hundred gold coins, or some stamina.

voting can be time consuming, but it is okay to farm by selecting one side and tapping the vote button slowly until you're out of votes if you're after the free stuff (we've all done it, anyone who's said otherwise is being less than truthful.) You get 30 votes max which recharge slightly faster than stamina, so you can get 60-90+ in a day which is an easy 6-9 prizes

Participate in the competition, this pay out can vary wildly and only comes twice a week when the competition ends, but it is free diamonds so even if you slap on whatever is at the top of your list and damn the theme: do it

Long Term Event: Daily Lucky Draw. The Balloon Icon on the right hand side of the screen about midway down, right hand tab and scroll down. This is a lucky draw event which can give a few diamonds, a couple hundred coins, stamina or star coins.

Long Term Event: Stage Bonus: the first time you complete each (most) stage(s) in the Maiden and Princess levels you will receive a prize containing (two of the four following:) Diamonds, Coins, Stamina or recipes (These recipes are generally used to complete the Stage specific suit and are occasionally needed to pass one of the levels in the stage.)

Achievements: completing certain tasks enough times earns you free diamonds and gold coins and occasionally suit pieces – Achievements are the golden medal between Quest and Event Icon.

Facebooks Diamonds

If you link your Love Nikki account to your Facebook page you can get some free suit pieces during certain events (Like the new wishes during the Frozen event or the Frost Flutters suit during the Miku event.

you can also earn about 15 additional diamonds per day through 'shares'.

You can actually get these without linking you facebook page, In the 'Change' tab of the competition, in both the Free Dressing and Go Home sections you can share for 2 Diamonds a piece, the first time you complete a level per day and win you can share for another 2 diamonds plus about 500 additional gold coins. When you do a level and get and 'F' for the first time each day you will see a 'help' button where the 'share' button normally is and '2 diamonds' under it, it isn't asking you to pay 2 diamonds to receive help, it is a share button like the other and will give you the 2 diamonds plus additional gold coins for subsequent shares.

When you raise your score (typically in a Maiden or Princess level, but Stylist Arena works too) enough to get a higher rank than you previously had (for the first time each day) you can share for a whopping 5 diamonds.

The easiest way to do this is to do a level in the Stylist's Arena, because of the way the rankings there work, just a single win per day should be enough to raise your rank for the Diamonds.

Stylist Arena

During that win you can also share for 3 star coins

Stylist Arena is the bane for many a player for a few reasons.

Reason 1: The Brief – each round has a Theme, but the Theme doesn't actually mean anything, what you're looking for in each Theme description are the words that match the style types

Reason 2: Momo's estimates – Up the top of the screen, each opponent is gauged by Momo and given an estimated score, you can use this to find an opponent you can beat by hitting 'Next' on your opponent's image but Be Warned: Momo's estimate Does Not take Skill usage into account so his estimate can be Under by as much 15,000 points (I personally try to never face an opponent who's score is over 45,000 and prefer to find opponents with scores Under 40,000 because I can't recall my score averages off the top of my head and I find it safer to fight a weaker opponent I can definitely beat than risk losing my streak. There's no penalty, it's just super frustrating, especially when you're trying to complete Arena Streak Achievements.)

"Finish ASAP" will reuse whatever your highest scoring outfit was in previous attempts and complete the battle in even less time than it takes normally, and you don't have to waste those few seconds tapping through rewards or rank up animations, which is awesome if you've forgotten to do your Arena battles until five minutes before the day 'resets'.

Like the Styling competition you get diamonds at the end of the season as well as a small bounty of Star Coins, these are used to buy Recipes, materials and dyes. (You can also get those from an association, but you're better off using the Star coins and saving you Association currency for the evolving outfits whose pieces are available at random when the store refreshes each day.)

Suit Recipe Tracking

Just below your Personal Icon at the top right hand corner is a small Icon called Guide, Selecting one of the three target spaces and select change to select a suit from the achievements tab (you can search by name or by origin type (level evolution/ from the store/ from a recipe etc) once selected the Guide will show you not only how many pieces of clothing you need to make the suit, but any recipes, material or dyes. You can deselect various pieces to show how much you need for a specific piece. When you have enough to construct the clothing piece, the Guide will let you know with a little 'go make' tag across the piece.

Deconstruction/Workshop

In your Workshop is the tab “Decompose”, which lets you turn excess pieces of clothing to coins (gold and Star), materials for customising, and Reconstruction Materials.

There is a small selection option “select extra clothes” near the top right hand corner which will select any clothing/accessory/makeup item which can't be used for a recipe, quest, evolved or customised. The list will always show 1 less in the tally of each item since it only displays duplicates of items, there will always be a piece left in the wardrobe.

If you want to throw in some of the recipe/quest/evolution/customizable clothes, you will have to do that manually. (I would suggest items which are only used in customisation, and leave yourself at least four since there's typically only four colour variations at most.)

There's a key up the top under the “Decomposition” banner to tell you what the symbols mean for the 'useful' clothes.

Spending Real World Money and closing thoughts IF you plan on spending real money on your Love Nikki Account, I would suggest ensuring your account is 100% linked to your Facebook page or you run the risk of losing your account if anything happens and the Devs will not (have never to my knowledge) refund lost-account money.

You do not have to spend real world money if you don't want to.

If you have the money, if spending it on Nikki won't hurt your finances and this is what you want to spend it on, go right ahead.

If you have the money, if spending it on Nikki won't hurt your finances and you don't want to spend it on Nikki, or if you don't have the money to spend, then don't that's fine too.

I spent a year playing before I spent real world money on the game, because until I hit the year mark, I wasn't sure I'd be playing it for very long.

Love Nikki is not Pay to Win, it's not even Pay to Play. Lately the Devs have been making Paying Players bleed for the extra suits and that's not okay, but pay or no pay:

The only way to play Love Nikki wrong is to not have fun.

If you're having fun then it doesn't matter how long it takes you to complete a level or stage or whether or not you do the Events in any percentage.

And yes, sometimes the most fun we have is having a go at Momo or crying theatrically at chapter 15 and then refusing to read any lore afterwards because you're too emotionally scarred to ever allow yourself to become invested again... ahem... moving right along!

Nikki's Info

Nikki's Info is an independent site which is honestly a godsend and if you find yourself struggling to complete a level, or if you want tips on how to do good at Stylist's Arena, I definitely recommend checking it out. I have an account over there, and I keep my wardrobe (manually) updated (the cloud doesn't like me) which means I can see a level and how to get the best out of my wardrobe.

If anyone has anymore tips they'd like to add please do (or if my information is no longer valid because updates or I've misremembered something, please tell me.)

[vranacaruje]

Castle Gýmeš, Slovakia.

This Sunday, my family and I decided to go on a small hike to see this beauty. So I thought.. why not tell you all something about it.

Disclaimer: I do apologize if I get certain words wrong, and appreciate any suggestions on how to improve this post. I am also open to any questions and will try to answer as best as I can.

The post contains the following:

a little bit of history

about the journey there and back

exploring the castle

probably me whining and complaining, really

The castle sits upon the mountain of Dúň, in the mountain chain of Tribeč. It is one of the castles of the noble family Forgáchy.

It is estimated to have been built in the years 1253 - 1270. The oldest center portion of the castle was defined by an early-gothic fortified wall which closed in a triangle shaped courtyard. On the south side on a raised portion of the land was a tower with both a defensive and residential function. Another tower was built at the end of the 13th century. Structures were built between the two in an attempt to fortify the castle further.

In this state it was found by a certain Matúš Čák Trenčiansky, a Hungarian duke. It was left in this state until the 15th century, when, under the rule of the Forgáchy family, the castle was extensively built upon - with added palaces and defensive structures. The building up of defence lasted well into the 16th century when two towers rose at the entrance to the castle.

Increased labour, fees and taxes resulted in the peasants rioting in the year 1610, though the riots were quickly pushed back and tamed by the nobility. The castle was then damaged heavily by Turks after the fall of Nové Zámky in 1663. While reconstructing the castle after the battle, they decided to fortify the southern and most vulnerable side and built up new defences with a cannon bastion.

Gýmeš was one of the few castles which were built upon well into the 18th century. The rebuilding of this gothic castle into a family crypt of the Forgáchy family is dated back into this period. It wasn't until the middle of the 19th century that the nobility left the castle for good - after which it started to slowly fall apart.

Today the castle is being worked on and constantly repaired. I'm unsure how much they want to rebuild, but I do hope that it will not be left to decay.

Moving on...

Now, I'd like to share some things about the journey there and back (and exploration of the castle). This is going to be purely personal from now on, so if you don't care you can stop reading. If you're curious, be my guest.

It takes roughly an hour-hour and a half to get up there. You hike through the woods, the path winding between trees and clearings. The forest is serene. There's not that much wildlife, unsurprisingly, but you can hear birds - swallows, tits, crows.. The leaves crunch under your feet and - now, wait a second. I'm not sure how others walk, but I like to keep quiet in the woods when I know for sure that there are no predators in that region. It makes me feel more at ease, more 'in tune' with nature. I don't like going around and stomping, kicking leaves around me. However, my family has an entirely different mindset. At the end of the day, it irritated me how much they kicked the leaves and rustled and, ugh, oh gods... Anyway.

I am not an especially physically fit individual. I'm not too proud of it, but I can get winded while simply going up some stairs. The hike there? Murderous. Okay, well, not really. There were some flat portions of the trail, some that went up, down, around. It wasn't as bad as some trails I hiked in the past. But I think you can imagine the feeling I got when I saw that the castle is only about 2 minutes away.

Finally! We made it! I have to catch my breath, eat a snack, put my jacket back on because damn it's cold up here.

The actual exploring of the castle was brilliant. I adore castles from the bottom of my dark, sad heart, and I love climbing all around them - though I still am a little cowardly and not a fan of falling (I always rush to climb something, like a little mountain goat, but then climb down like a foal that stood up for the first time). My mother does hate this quality about me and would rather I stay on the path.

There is just so much to see in old ruins. You can breathe in the air and taste the history in it - or it's the cold wind that's freezing up your lungs, yeah, probably that.

The way back.. lots more woods.

An open oak forest - "perfect for mushrooms!" says my brother, excited like a little kid, always glancing to the side with hope that he will find at least one. I'm not sure how long it took us to get back, but we were all positively starving by now and couldn't wait to stuff our faces as soon as we got home.

It took us another few hours to get home, but this was a trip well worth it.

I have a few questions for you, my darling reader. You don't have to answer them, of course, but if you're willing..

Have you ever been to a castle ruin? If not, why, and would you like to?

Do you like hiking? What's your favourite weather to hike in?

How was your weekend? Did you enjoy yourself?

Do you like going on trips with your family, or friends?

Would you like to see more posts like this?

[expensivemistake]

5, 10, 34, 37, 38 for giffing asks <3

(Giffing asks) <3

Ooh ooh ooh thank you so much!!!

5. What is your favorite movie/TV show to gif? Right now, definitely Umbrella Academy, although each season has a pretty distinct look which makes them pretty hard to combine into a gif. I also loved Glee, specifically doing songs that took place on a stage, because the colours already feel bright, interesting and enhanced by stage lighting.

10. What was the first gif you ever posted? I can't remember the first ever gif (singular) but I remember I started gifmaking in the glee fandom by doing a little set for each of my top five characters at the time. I've attempted to track down the early sets but I genuinely can't see them, even after going on blog archives, but here's a few from the first one that I found on google.

As you can tell, they look like ass hahahaha.

34. A set that took you a long time/was really hard but you’re really proud of how it came out. Oh god, the only gifset I remember taking forever was I'm Still Here, but I hated that one. I think maybe this Mash Up one. There were so many parts, and the layout was kinda tricky to make work. But also I thought it was pretty cool and unique and I was proud of it.

WAIT. Rose's Turn!!! If anyone can find my Rose's Turn set, I'll reblog it here. Because I was SO proud of that one, and it took a long, long time to get right, because it was my first blending experiment.

37. What sets, if any, do you have planned to make in the future?Oooh! Right now most of them are Umbrella Academy sets. I've still got five more to do for my TUA request meme, so I'm sort of planning for that. I really want to gif a specific bouncy castle scene, so I'll probably do that at some point. And I also want to do more music-based sets, probably based on different needle drops in that show. And at some point I'd like to do more Glee sets again, even just if I did a few songs/scenes and stuff. I also meant to do some Everything Everywhere All at Once stuff a while back, so that's absolutely on my list of things to make gifs of.

38. What are you really excited to gif that isn’t out yet Ooh, I don't know. I'm not really looking forward to any specific media right now. I normally stay limited in my gifmaking and what I actually do, rather than just... a lot of media.

Thank you so much for these!!! This was fun to work out and answer!!! xx