#malak ask

[whumpsoda]

For the Malak-roommate au I’m imagining if Malak works as a wood worker or construction worker will come home absolutely exhausted

cut to Adrastus having dinner ready and thralling him as he eats and leads him to a warm bath. It’s violatingly gentle, and Malak will not remember it in the morning, but in the moment his battered overworked body will sink into Ad’s arms

(Also it’ll be so so strange to hear Malak speak confidently with little to no stutters—as from what I’ve gathered the stuttering stems from long term enthrallment, correct me if I’m wrong though)

WOHEO Masterlist

Chilly and sniveling in the silent, night air, Malak pulled out his keys with clammy fingers, clamoring to turn the lock as soon as possible. The knob was cold to the touch, freezing up his clammy fingers as he stepped inside, hit with a wave of warmth. “‘M home!”

He could’ve melted into a puddle of bliss as soon as he walked in. After hours upon hours of hard work and labour, finally coming home to his cozy, shared apartment was a blissful feeling. He was so immensely tired he could have keeled over into sleep right then and there. Overwhelming the sickness soon coming over him, radiating heat seeped into his skin.

Though, it seemed he was hit with something along with the heat, something flavorful and vibrant to his nose.

And maybe-

Maybe something else… something that made his head just a little fuzzy… maybe he was just tired…

“In the kitchen, dear!” Adrastus called back - always with the pet names, no matter if he was older or not - leading him along with their voice as he ignored any urge to put down his things or rid his feet of wet boots, mind overcome with a hunger that rumbled up a moan from his belly.

The countertop, along with a table fit for the two of them, were lined with plates and platters of the most delicious looking dishes Malak had ever laid eyes on, drool slipping over his lip as he took it all in.

“Well hello there, my darling.” Adrastus swiped the oven mitts from their delicate, slender hands, a perfectly pink apron tied around their midsection. They strode with confidence, taking him by the cheeks. “I made this all for you. Feel free to dig in, please, honey.”

Jaw falling slack, their touch had his jaw going slack with a pleasurable numbness, slurring out, “All… for me?”

Trailing their fingers tenderly down his arms, they took his hands in theirs and guided him to a seat, taking all the time his heavy, weighted feet needed to get moving. They pulled out a chair and gestured for him to sit. “Yes, of course.” As he sat, slumping into his seat, they rolled their palms over his shoulders. “Feel free to get cozy now, okay, baby? Nice and warm and drowsy and cozy.”

Sighing out a breath of air he sunk into his chair, sipping in a smell of all the food that sat before him, a smile strung over his lips. “Mmm….”

“Dig in.”

Tummy groaning out once again, Malak looked for silverware, yet couldn’t seem to locate any. A hand snuck into his curls, scattering his thoughts in an instant, prompting him to simply cut through what looked to be a pan of sticky macaroni and cheese with his hands. Adrastus giggled at that, and a giddy blush crept onto his face.

“Do you like it?” They whispered, breath blossoming over his ear as did a liveliness in his tastebuds. Vigorously Malak nodded, spooning handfuls of whatever was in reach into his mouth. “Don’t go and choke now, baby.”

Shoveling more between his teeth, he lazily gave them a nod. “‘Course not… uh… um…,” their name - or… title - was on the tip of his tongue, it always was when he got home and everything was all light and bubbly, yet he couldn’t seem to unblock the thought.

“Master.” They supplied, helping Malak like they always did, and his smile widened into a toothy, dopey grin.

“Master…” he mumbled around chunks of food, delicious flavors bouncing up and over his tongue, so many so good he couldn’t name them all with his brain running so slow. That seemed right though, in a way.

“Oh, you cutie pie.” His master cooed, pinching his cheeks and planting a peck to his forehead. “Aren’t you just a little mess now? Eating with your hands like a little baby. Maybe it’s time for a bath.”

Lighting up, Malak’s expression brightened impossibly further. “Batthhh…?”

“Yes, darling, a bath, I just know you love those.” Hoisting him up with minimal effort - an action that seemed strange for a flicker of a second before it was brushed away by the cloudiness of his mind - Malak’s master carried him out and into the bathroom.

“You just sit here and watch the tub for me, okay?” They instructed, plopping him to the floor beside the tub.

His attention was quickly caught by the run of the water. “Yes… masterrr…”

It seemed almost like hours that the water trickled from the spout before it was full, but if Malak was all there he would’ve recognized it only being minutes.

“Alright, you climb right on in, it should be nice and comfortable for you.”

He did as told, crawling into the bath, letting free a pleasant shudder at the magical temperature that coated his flesh.

Their hands suck their way into his locks, frizzy and unkempt, caressing around the heavenly scritches and scratches of their nails. “Mmm…” sinking into their hold, Malak’s eyes fluttered quick to a close, nearly asleep.

“Sweet and sleepy, are you baby? It’s alright, master will keep you nice and safe while you doze. Sweet, sleepy, and docile you are. Sweet, sleepy… and docile.”

Taglist- @softvampirewhump @iys-cloud @battyfantasy @xx-adam-xx @silly-scroimblo-skrunkl

@mylifeisonthebookshelf @mis-graves @3-2-whump @whump-till-ya-jump

If anyone wants to be removed or added to the taglist, please let me know! :)

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

Malak, being Julian's familiar, is desperately fond of you and genuinely lost about how to show it.

He and his master already have a relationship comprised of misunderstandings and begrudging appreciation, so he knows that trying to get Julian to tell you that he wants to be your favorite raven is not going to help him. He also doesn't want to mess things up in his own corvid fervor between you and his master. What he does know, however, is that the silly doctor he loses so many feathers stressing about is always ready to pull out the stops for a romantic rival.

Julian doesn't know why the bird is suddenly so attached to you, but he's starting to feel a little shown up. The damn thing brings you trinkets, accompanies you wherever you go, amuses you whenever you're lonely, and even nestles up to your cheeks with fluffed feathers and soft little croaks when you're sad. The doctor doesn't feel jealous, necessarily, but he is feeling ... upstaged. This won't do.

You have a bit of an inkling about why Malak has been so overtly affectionate in the last month (something you hope stays that way) and why Julian has been dialing up the charm in the last two weeks or so (something you also enjoy). And no, you don't see any harm in quietly pitting them against each other if it means they both stop overworking themselves.

[oonaluna-art]

Raven is so happy to announce she got her ex-husband back, so why is everyone screaming so much???

I want to think that Revan's perspective, in this circumstance, is that she's excited to spend time with a man who she only understands was once her best friend.

Catching up on a lifetime, after memory loss, has to be rough.

—

[My Ko-Fi] [Patreon]

[indeepertidesif]

Could you please tell us what are the ROs love troupes?

Rune: Royal/Commoner, arranged marriage (but it’s not you they’re arranged to marry)

Thorne: Outcast/Outcast, he’s rich but his birth was a scandal, likes causing problems on purpose

Llyr/Llyra: A political nightmare, forbidden romance, second chance romance (optional)

Talya: Doesn’t realize she’s in love, cold but secretly very emotional

Malak: Suspicion at first sight, only soft for you, slow burn of the century

Aster/Astra: Doomed romance (or?)

Yan: Human/Supernatural, marine biologist exploring the wildlife

Haakon: Monster/Non-Monster, touch starved

[lady-revanchist]

And I'd give up forever to touch you,

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be;

This beautiful masterpiece was done by the one and only @stellorc! I can't even express how wonderful the final art is - Ella as always left me speechless... The scene will be a relevant one in the a future chapter of an Alek redemption fic I'm working on (and that should be updated soon!).

[asmo-cosmetics]

there's this really sad and unfortunately super common thing with abused/neglected parrots where there's only a handful of things they know how to say, because those are the only things their former owners ever said to them, usually awful, heartbreaking shit like "shut up!" and "stupid bird!"

and i'm just thinking about like. lucio at the red market looking for a new pet, and there's a vendor there he's never seen before, but they have gorgeous animals, many pristine white. maybe they were tipped off.

"good eye, my lord," they say when lucio smiles and pets the scruff of an adorable fox kit. he couldn't take her home, mercedes would get jealous, but she snuggles into his palm and he's tempted.

"lovely, no? the breed comes from the south," which lucio knows, obviously, and he meets the vendor's eyes with an arched brow.

"my dog would kill her," he says, more regretfully to the kit herself than to them.

they don't seem to mind. "perhaps a heartier beast, then," they say with a flourish, and gesture to a small cage housing a terrified bear cub, much too young to be away from his mother. "still on the bottle, but he'll be eight feet tall, at least." when they hook their long fingers through the bars, the cub ambles up and licks at their fingers, seemingly searching for a teat. poor darling.

still, "i think, in that case, my wife would kill me." nadia still hasn't gotten over the macaques.

the vendor attempts another smooth transition, but before they can, from behind them, there's a horrible screech of "ARREST THEM!"

all around there is a slight bristling reaction; the voice clearly isn't human, but the words obviously prick up the ears of these sorts of people.

the vendor scowls, turning their back to lucio to lift the blanket over one of the cages and scold, "for gods' sake, shut it, you horrible bird!"

"THIEF! POACHER!" replies the bird.

"i'd like to see him," replies the count.

the vendor whirls back around, incredulous, but stern, their lip curled. "only if you intend to buy," they say. "if i take the cover off, that damn bird screams all night."

lucio sets his jaw, and sets a purse of coin on the table. "i'd like to see him."

"s'not enough."

"HORRIBLE BIRD!"

"you seem to want him off your hands badly enough."

and reluctantly, the vendor pulls away the blanket to reveal a sulfur-crested cockatoo, brilliantly white and gorgeous and nervously plucking healthy feathers from his wings.

"UGLY BIRD! SHUT UP! STUPID CAMIO!"

"camio? is that your name, gorgeous boy?"

"STUPID CAMIO," screeches camio, then lowers his head, somehow looking self-conscious, and quickly goes back to pulling at his feathers. "UGLY BIRD!"

"i certainly disagree," he says softly. when he reaches a finger through the cage, camio lets him pet the soft feathers on his forehead, closing his eyes and bobbing his head like a little nod.

lucio slams another purse on the table and memorizes the vendor's face to describe to the guards.

nadia rolls her eyes when he arrives home with the bird, but her face crumples much like lucio's had at the cry of "UGLY BIRD!" and when lucio tells her of the vendor - the poacher - she agrees, for once, to have them hanged.

camio is loud and a bit frustrating, with her headaches, and nadia worried her husband would never have the patience, but now, when she hears the parrot's shrieking voice, it says:

"HANDSOME BOY!"

"CLEVER BIRD! CLEVER BIRD!"

"CAMIO'S DADDY'S PRETTY BIRD!"

[fraoula-me-psyxologika]

Α εισαι απο αυτες με ανοιχτές κουρτίνες κλπ;

ή ειμαι απλα ενας ανθρωπος που… ακου…. δε θα το πιστεψεις…. μενει σπιτι του…

[samtheplatypus]

Charles and Oliver are just a little bit too curious (much like Demien tbh)

Malak was just minding his business fr

They are grounded

[endstar]

Hiya Malak(s)!

Long time now see :3

Anyways, I’ll cut to the shit. Would you like some GOOD assistance in aiding to capture Doug & Bierce and gather more mortal souls? If so I have someone who you’d (probably) like!

Reply if interested x

-Aitnelav

He wants the rat gone

[whumpsoda]

I bet roommate Malak isn’t as enthralled at first cause yk, Adrastus needs him to keep up appearances for awhile to not cast suspicion on themself.

But imagine Malak comes home and Adrastus gets one of those adult cool decorate mobiles that move constantly as a sort of chandelier esq thing and Malak just slowly goes under the more he looks at it, but it’s agonizingly slow.

Just?? Adrastus enjoying the subtle protests of Malak’s psyche

WOHEO Masterlist “I’m home!” Malak announced, as always, keys jingling as he yanked them out from the lock of the front door. Adrastus focused in on the shuffles of his feet kicking off his boots, tuning out the television they’d flicked on as soon as they’d heard him arrive home.

“I’m right here, darling!” They called back, preparing to project just the right hypnotic spiral to the screen and capture their soon to be thrall’s full, drowsy attention. “Come right over to the couch, okay, dear? I have to show you something you’re just going to adore!”

They swiped through until they found their favorite, a bright, bubbling pink that always had Malak’s mind dozing through clouds of vibrant cotton candy any time he saw it. “Malak, c’mere please!”

Realizing the room was fully silent, save for the buzz of the television, their heart dropped. It was almost as if Malak wasn’t there at all. They nearly made the effort to turn around, but-

All of Malak’s belongings slammed to the floor, a sharp thud that had Adrastus recoiling. They thought they’d find him on the floor - their mind going to the worst possible outcome - but instead he was-

Adrastus melted into a thick puddle of delight, surprise boiling down into joy in an instant.

They’d completely forgotten about the newest ceiling fixture they’d installed, a spiral looking thing that twirled in a seemingly never ending loop. Malak’s jaw was falling slack, his shoulders a drooping mass as he stared with unbroken focus and awe, completely enraptured by it.

They had hoped that would be the case, and the sight of it had them wanting to hug and squeeze him as hard as they could. Jumping to their feet, they made a quick stride to do just that.

“Malak?” No answer, just as they had suspected. He was much too overcome by a trance to even hear them. “Oh, baby, aren’t you so cute.” They grabbed him by the cheeks, pulling him to face them.

Malak blinked. “Ad…?” He mumbled, brows furrowed in sleepy puzzlement.

Giggling, they smooshed his cheeks in and out. “That would be master to you, baby. Isn’t that right?”

He nuzzled into their touch, warmth and docility seeping from their flesh. Slightly he nodded, a smile creeping onto his face. “Uh huh… master…”

Guiding him to the couch, Adrastus snaked their hands from his face to his fingers, rubbing in circular motions that only worked to put him further under.

Almost he sat to the couch, before they were able to stop him. “Uh uh, honey. Couches are for masters, not sillies like you. Sit here.” Gently they had him slump to the floor before their legs, already scratching through his hair.

“S- sor… y…” trailing off as his gaze caught on the screen, Malak sighed into mellow tranquility that he would remain in for the remainder of the night with his master.

Taglist- @softvampirewhump @iys-cloud @battyfantasy @xx-adam-xx @silly-scroimblo-skrunkl

@mylifeisonthebookshelf @mis-graves @3-2-whump @whump-till-ya-jump

If anyone wants to be removed or added to the taglist, please let me know! :)

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

Do you think you could do like a characterization of the Familers?

Everytime I try to think about their personalities and how they would interact with each other, or M6, or Mc I just feel like I don't get it right. Like I've got like the very basics but that's like it

Malak is a crazy

Chandra is spoiled

Faust is a wildcard

Ianna is protective

Pepi is energetic

Idk Lucio’s familars ( i cant spell one of their names) but they are kinda like wild dogs, they do whatever they want

EVEN THEN, I still feel like some of these are wrong or don't cover most of their character or I'm mischaracterizing them on accident.

Could you maybe do some more Familers mini headcannons?

Like what do the Familers do when M6 is sad?

What do they do when Mc is sad?

How do they interact with each other on a day to day bases?

( I think you might have done one of these actually )

But I have more

What do they do when M6 or/and MC gets hurt?

What do they typically do during the day and/or What do they do when they aren't with M6?

How would they respond if M6/Mc was in a dangerous situation/attacked | How are they when M6/Mc is ill?

Some of these are probably answers in their routes but it's hard to remember/recall. I do wish they were in their respective routes just a little bit more than they are so I could get a could grasp of their personalities.

What I really want is just like a written out basis of what they are like? I don't even need the Mini headcannons ( but I do like them) Their personalities is just what I have a hard time grasping because it not like right in front of me or I'm not constantly reminded of it like the Li’s that I just forget or mischaracterize them.

So if you ever have the time and or patience, I would love if you could just write about their personalities or just more about them in general. They are right hand to the Li’s and I love them so much and I tried using the wiki but I don't trust it because apparently some of the info is just flat-out wrong. I love reading you headcannons and mini headcannons because I feel like you do the Li’s justice and this account is keeping the Arcana fandom alive. I'm very sorry that this is a really long ask and my grammar my be wrong in some areas.

I'd like to thank you if you've read through everything. I hope you keep making Arcana content in the future as me and many others really do enjoy your content and takes on the characters.

-🃏

Hi friend!! I hope you're ready for the full scale essay under the cut XD

(also, you are more than welcome to request some mini-hcs with the M6's familiars - please feel free to submit them individually so I can sort and try to answer them ^.^)

The devs don't go hugely into detail about how familiars work, exactly, but here's what we know: First, how in-tune to magic you are does affect how involved your bond is, but people still have familiars whether or not they have a lot of magical ability. Second, the bond makes the most sense if you think of it as being similar to a "soulmates AU" setup. The person and animal involved have a natural connection with the potential for a full-fledged familiar bond, but how that manifests changes depending on the effort and type of bonding that happens.

There's also a consistent pattern when it comes to vibes and personality, with the familiars being very similar to their respective humans. I'll go familiar by familiar from here ^.^

Malak:

Julian and Malak are (unfortunately) not very in touch with each other. Julian doesn't speak of him much beyond referring to him as "the raven", and while it's clear that they're more in sync than the average human and animal would be, Julian tends to find it more uncanny than comforting. Malak, in turn, tends to get quickly annoyed by this when his genuine attempts to help and protect and connect get consistently thwarted. He shares Julian's values and habits, constantly keeping watch (anxiously or otherwise) over his person and the people important to him, and often flying beak-first into situations that seem out of control with little regard for his own well being. Malak and Julian have the capacity to cover each other's blind spots. Julian is quicker at analyzing and navigating social situations that sometimes send the bird into a frenzy, while Malak is aware of magical happenings that Julian is completely blind to.

The two of them share an anxiety about the world being a constantly dangerous place and noble mindset focused around doing the right thing and protecting the people they love. The big difference is that Malak doesn't doubt his own abilities - as generally anxious as he acts with all his ruffling feathers and screeches, the raven doesn't hold himself back because he thinks someone else could do better. If anything, he's often pushing Julian to get over the self-deprecation and join him already. Unfortunately, neither of them has figured out how to listen to each other yet, which means more often than not they just get on each other's nerves. Given MC's ability to help Julian navigate things of a magical nature, they could very easily become the communication bridge between the two.

Faust

It's pretty heavily implied (if not canon) that Faust is the child of Asra's parents' familiars, Chimes and Flamel. She was given to Asra as an egg and hatched on one of their birthdays, and the two have been inseparable ever since. They have an incredibly strong bond, enough for them to send memories to each other, have conversations, communicate across long distances, and even share emotions. Faust loves Asra, herself, and MC almost equally, and in Asra's route she happily becomes MC's companion when Asra isn't around to do so. She also appears to have her own capacity for magic, frequently blipping from one realm to another as she pleases.

The best way (in my head) of describing her vibes are that one honorary younger sibling who is also the instigator best friend. While she's borne witness to Asra's toughest moments, she's received such excellent care and attention that she doesn't seem to have nearly the same levels of trauma - or maturity. Reading about her feels a lot like what I imagine reading about a teenaged Asra with a much kinder life would feel like - whimsical, mischievous, creative, impulsive, unpredictable, and carefree to the point of recklessness. She's still learning what it means to have limits (re: going off on an unannounced adventure, only to be caught and held hostage by the Devil) but when push comes to shove she's suprisingly dependable (re: sabotaging the ritual, right under the Devil's nose).

Due to her being so accessible to MC's character, she has a level of plot influence and general content that comes closer to a main character than the other familiars. It gives fan work more content to work with, but also less space to take its own creative liberty.

Chandra

Chandra is always hovering, and yet rarely directly involved. We know that Nadia used to be able to speak with her similarly to how Asra speaks with Faust, but she doesn't remember how. There's a wall between the two of them that they both seem to want to breach, but given the circumstances, they just haven't found the time and resources to do it yet. However, it's clear that they know how important they are to each other - Chandra seems to live at Nadia's beck and call, despite seeming so distant, and Nadia dedicates much of her personal time and interests to caring for her. They rely heavily on each other as allies in uncertain times (re: Nadia trusting Chandra in multiple routes to be her eyes and ears and carry her most important messages).

Chandra certainly has Nadia's independence, initiative, and desire for companionship. She's often seen on alert on the fringes and ready to step in and help take control of chaotic situations. However, where Nadia responds to a desire for companionship by initiating connection, Chandra is more reserved. She's present, she's paying attention, but she's not actively connecting until she's invited. She, like Nadia, has become accustomed to living in a Palace filled with with intrigue and uncertain loyalties, and it plays out in her reticence. She's much more likely to communicate interest by watching intently from a distance than by approaching and interacting. Over time, if MC is able to help Nadia find the way to communicate with Chandra again, they'll likely become her confidante in her efforts to be a good familiar.

Inanna

The best way to describe her and Muriel is trauma bonded. (Which, given Muriel's past, is arguably the bond that lets him receive the support he needs from her best.) They're both loners, both uninterested in connection until it's proven to be worthwhile, and both deeply distrusting of other people's motives. Inanna is Muriel's breaking point twice. First, when he's expected to kill her in the Coliseum (how they met), and second, when she's horribly injured trying to protect the heart of the forest. Both of those moments with her push Muriel to recognize his priorities and actually act on them. As a result, they have a deep mutual respect for each other - and a stubborn emphasis on still being their own people (or wolf). Muriel refers to her as his friend more easily than as his familiar.

Inanna as a character, however, seems to hold onto some of the traits that Muriel has buried under his trauma. She's more adaptable than he is, quicker to accept change, and considerably more hopeful and optimistic. She's faster to act (often the one prompting Muriel to follow through, when he'd rather continue thinking), and she's nosier. Where Muriel analyzes and then quietly judges while respecting someone's decision, Inanna analyzes and then does her best to assist any kind of good change. Whether that's leading MC to Muriel when he's injured and would rather be left alone, or expressing the affection towards them that he's still trying to hide, she acts like a big sister. Independent, a bit of a bully, fiercely protective, and loyal beyond measurement. She doesn't need to bond with MC through Muriel, she can do that herself.

Pepi

Portia met Pepi on Mazelinka's ship, as she was on her way to hunt down her older brother and beat some sense into him. The two of them bonded instantly, and when the time came for Portia and Mazelinka to part ways, Pepi gave up the life of a ship cat to stay by Portia's side. Portia doesn't seem to be fully aware of Pepi being her familiar and sees her as more of an uncannily well-bonded pet. At least, until her own route, where Pepi learns how to speak. Up until that point Portia just seems to see Pepi more as an unusually intelligent cat that she likes to talk to. The two of them are each other's family, Pepi always ready to lend a helping paw with unruly birds, and Portia always happy to spoil her with snuggles and treats.

Pepi has Portia's optimism, love of mischief, and dauntless attitude. However, they differ somewhat in how they view themselves. While Portia struggles to see herself as the main character of her own story, often fading into the background in order to support someone else, Pepi is more than happy to take center stage. This cat can and will prioritize her own needs and preferences if she thinks nobody else is going to do it, and it often lands her in trouble (re: stealing your heartsong festival gift, seeking out nap places that give her access to forbidden fishies, etc). She's quick to make her own friendships, and when you and Portia start your new life together, she'll consider you one of her family as well. Thanks to her retained ability to speak (upright ending) you'll never have to go without a conversation partner again.

Mercedes & Melchior

Lucio, unfortunately, didn't realize these two were his familiars until after he'd met you. While a large part of his menagerie building was his search for a familiar, he failed to notice how those two in particular were so attached to them. Thankfully, they're never on their own given how closely they stick to each other. Their lack of a strongly developed magical connection with Lucio doesn't really stop them from being able to communicate. They vibe with him on a similar act-first-think-later wavelength, having such little interest in impulse control that it's impossible not to know what they want. All you know is that they're hellbent on accomplishing it and on getting out of whatever consequences they invite with a pair of large, shining puppy eyes.

Besides their impulsiveness and chaotic nature, Mercedes and Melchior share Lucio's tendency to live in the moment and focus on life's pleasures. However, they also have the emotional intelligence and undying loyalty all good dogs do. When Lucio was "dead" they spent three years guarding his wing and trying to find help for him, and when you join him in his search for answers, they'll remain with you and empathize with you regardless of the dangers involved (re: one of them going with Lucio to get help, the other staying next to you and whining when Valdemar has you strapped to a gurney). They instinctively track your emotional state and are often the reason Lucio notices how you're doing as quickly as he does. For all their bratty behavior, their doggy bodies are overflowing with love for the people they care about and nothing makes them happier than being with them. Don't mistake love for respect, though - they take orders from nobody.

[oonaluna-art]

saw this incorrect quote and i thought it fit short Revan for some reason

Help, that's so funny! I'm a big fan of interpreting Revan and Malak's heights according to how their in-game models are presented.

If we ever get a KotOR 1 Remake and Revan isn't tiny anymore, I will cry.

[gizkasparadise]

Hey,

I just finished 'I loved Rome more'.

I was absolutely blown away by it, if i must confess, it's something I've read again and again over the last 3 years. It's a truly beautifully heart-wrenching pain that amazes in it sweetness.

I wanted to ask how your version of Revan's story ends. How Alek's story ends (obviously he is dead, but what happened between him and Revan after this point? did they talk? reconcile?).

What happens to Revan?

Would you ever see yourself touching this work again?

Thank you for such a kind message! "Rome" is one of my most favorite fics I've written so I'm glad you enjoyed it!!

To answer your questions (going to add the message Qs too!):

1. How does their story end?

I left it open intentionally, since that way readers can interpret their end journey in a way they best feels fit: want a tragedy? Revan keeps trying to achieve something impossible because her pride and her inability to stop moving won't let her rest and attempt to work through the closure of Malak's death and his ghost becomes an albatross around her neck. want something more hopeful? revan finds a way to bring Malak back in the unknown regions and gives the universe a cosmic middle finger.

My personal headcanon, which you definitely don't need to subscribe to because death of the author, is somewhere in the middle: revan finds happiness in having a purpose again, Malak finds peace in no longer having to fight anything and accompanies her, as always, for the ride. There's a kind of simple happy ending in that, I think!

2. Would I see myself coming back to this work?

This particular fic is 100% complete in my mind and I'm happy where it went! I do, one day, want to get back in and finish the story's sister fic about exile and bao-dur, "give place to better," which will follow kotor 2 (and will likely include this version of revan and Malak in flashbacks)

3. What's the title mean?

The title is from the Shakespeare play Julius Caesar, where Brutus says (paraphrase) "it's not that I loved Caesar any less, but that I loved rome more" regarding his decision to assassinate caesar, his close friend. I feel like the statement really sums up their dynamic in the fic--Malak might be the person Revan loves most in the world, but she loved her purpose more than him until it was too late

Thank you again for the message!!

[curtain-caller]

hi if youre still into dark deception im very glad bc i have insane rambling to share.

ao. theory for why doug never says a fucking thing out loud even when a) actively getting beaten to death or b) inside his own goddamn head (besides flashbacks that prove he DOES have a voice actor, so there'sno doylist explanation): you have to pay a toll to do the ritual to confer with a demon/bierce.

bierce, ofc, paid using agatha's life. doug paid with his voice - communication is power, especially for a lawyer and someone who relied on charisma like he did. idk i like the idea of doing Anything with demons coming with a hefty price, whether whatever happens goes good or bad for you.

HI HELLO ANON YES I AM HI HI HI Yeah, I've heard that theory tossed around quite a bit, and I can kinda see it! I have like, one or two doubts that could probably be disproved regarding it (mostly due to lack of information that might be revealed later), but otherwise, I see the vision, and it would make sense for his character. Something something all he's used his words for was to manipulate and deflect his wrongdoings, and actions speak louder than words. It also reminds me of when Doug was yelling for Bierce to open the portal at the end of Bearly Buried, and now that scene is 10x funnier to me. Just the image of Doug standing there at the portal, mouth agape in a silent scream while his mommy issues creep up behind him fucking sends me. Alas, I do wish we had a version of Dark Deception where Doug was able to talk and contribute to the conversations. I know it ruins the reveal of who we are and all that comes with that, but I just need to hear Doug talking shit to Malak ONCE please. You KNOW he'd taunt the hell out of him, tell me I'm wrong. Also, him telling Bierce to fuck off mid-level would be pretty funny. Oh well, at least we've got Monsters and Mortals.

[fraoula-me-psyxologika]

Πες το αλεπουδινι να απαντήσει, μην ντρεπεται

ΣΤΑΜΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΝΑ ΠΑΡΕΝΟΧΛΕΙΤΕ ΘΥΛΗΚΟΤΗΤΕΣ ΣΤΑ ΣΟΣΙΑΛ ΓΑΜΩ ΤΑ ΣΠΙΤΙΑ ΣΑΣ

[katkalis-the-horror-fanartist]

How do the supervisors™️ e react to things like gifts or compliments?

what I’m asking is who is less likely to punch me if I say “U look nice today” 💀

Their responses:

Neither would PUNCH YOU, don't worry😂 They're more...well-kept than that.