#raz don't get better

[ooliecat]

Okay you GOTTA share ur thoughts on the raz models now im curious

i hope this wont be too long of a post i have a bit to say.

starting off, here's a model edit i did.

They just changed too much with his face proportions. It puts me off, as someone who really likes the pn1 model.

the changes are so subtle you may not even realize what i exactly changed. elaboration under Read More.

this is gonna be so opinionated. haha. but i really dont like his pn2 model. it just looks freaky(in a bad way) and doesn't look good from many angles. its just like, ugly(bad way).

this is hard to say with pictures only but i'll try to say the main things that doublefine changed and that i put back. I'll go over some specifics but here,

Maybe treat this as a "can you spot it" list.

his new model has his eyes too far apart. Or they're too big. They need more space inbetween his outer helmet and eye corners. *

In his pn1 model the eyelids are thicker. they're a lot thinner in the 2nd.

his EYE SHAPE changed *

his helmet moves with his eyebrows *

His eyebags/dark circles are less pronounced or may not even be present in the 2nd.

Made his nose slightly bigger(?) (not a big deal, just noticed it.)

His eyebrows are more kempt and are pushed farther from the middle *

head is less square. helmet sides need to be pushed in more.

Nose bridge is less defined *

He has more, face fat?

His general face expressions also contribute to the off-look. He's not able to look angry? Or they just don't push it hard enough. A lot of raz's resting expressions in pn2 just have him look worried. Or like a kicked puppy. Don't really get it.

And none of these are particularly heinous things to do. but all together just creates a whole new Raz.

A lot of those changes come from the change in artstyle/art direction. Which i'm also not a fan of!!

And pictures are hard to provide because with Psychonauts models, no two pictures look the same for some reason. So something i listed previously may be present. These are just traits i listed to myself while trying to find some notable difference.

Why did they do this. It looks freaky. Making an already freaky character look needlessly weird.

I have quite a bit to say on other characters too. They contribute to the reason why I'm not a fan of the Pn2 models.

Hope they're clear to see. The pics are a bit dark.

Unlike Sasha and Lili these two can handle rounder edges without much detriment.

Milla's Pn2 model isn't that offensive but I still do think its the worst one. Its all down to preference on if you prefer Pn1's chilled look or every other more expressive model. Like Ror's. That model looks great, i can't imagine diversifying away from that look.

Milla and Raz both benefit from having their faced a little squished in. Examples of the Pn2 Raz model looking a bit better:

See, he actually looks kind of angry there. I like how he looks in these.

Wanted to add that Sasha and Milla both previously did not have eyebrows in Pn1 but gained them in Pn2.

No more pictures. But extra extra note, all of their colors got lighter/changed in some way. why

[aquato-family-circus]

There's a lot of interesting and warrented discussion about how Raz plays psychiatrist to a bunch of older folks he really shouldnt need to be helping. Like it's sort of crazy for a kid his age to be handling all that responsiblity, especially for how well he does it too.

But like, I also think it's interesting to consider that MOST of the people in his life don't actually encourage this behavior directly, Raz is the disruptor of the status quo. Raz can NOT be stopped from doing this it's his enrichment. Augustus lets him leave at the end of the first game because he's narratively proven himself as a hero and psychonaut and I have thoughts about how he did that without talking to Donatella first. but I Like To Think he also trusted Sasha & Milla to look after them. In the way the story is framed I think that's fine. Augustus is a responsible parent he couldn't have known the plane would crash.

I wonder what the mission would've looked like if the plane hadn't crashed in the Rhombus. I imagine Sasha & Milla probably would've taken the lead on things while allowing Raz and Lili there because Raz proved he's capable and it's Lili's dad I don't think they could physically stop her from helping.

Meanwhile Ford and Gristol over here at the only ones who ever like directly encourage the behavior of getting directly involved and jumping into minds to fix problems.

Ford I'm not entirely mad at bc for his part he's physically unable to help in the first game, and in the second game he's running on a ticking clock. So I can give a little bit of grace for him relying on A Child to do everything.

But then Gristol is just a little pathetic man who was already trying to see if he could manipulate Lili before Raz came along and he was like oh this is even better, this kid doesn't know me/Truman well AND he worships the ground the Psychonauts walk on.

Like do you follow me do you understand my vibe. The Psychonauts are stil kinda wildin when it comes to child endangerment but it's a sliding scale where some are more responsible than others lol

I feel like Hollis and Truman are going to get the reports about Raz's Exciting First Week and look at each other like "oh ok. a mole in the psychonauts is maybe the first issue to address among many."

[guiltyleisure]

ough, I LOVE your comics! they have this melancholic feel to me that is both very different then the games, but feel RIGHT. like they are the quiet bits you don't see on-screen, in-between the games or past them. if you are ok with me asking, what are your thoughts on the Deluginists and Maligula (and how it connects to Raz family). or you could answer this from another characters POV, if you want

Thank you. And to anyone who has also sent an inbox message, I've seen and read them all. I am very grateful for all the nice comments you have to say about my work.

Psychonauts 2 spoilers under the cut.

I'll be honest. I'm not the biggest Psychonauts 2 lover, especially in it's story. From my posts you can see I mostly focus on characters that appear in the 05 game.

I do include elements and character/story pegs in the things I draw. But the whole general mole/maligula/gristol plot of the 2nd doesn't interest me too much.

That doesn't mean I'm completely disinterested in the concepts laid out. The deluginist idea is interesting. But I feel it gets diluted by Maligula still being alive and the only one we see is Gristol. And I'm not too terribly interested in Malik. I like the concept of Maligula/Lucy but it's a major pet peeve of mine that she ends up being related to Raz. I like him better as some circus kid who got to be an agent. Now he's related to a member of the psychic 7, founders of the Psychonauts agency. And him ever getting the idea to go to camp was was because of Lucy. + many other things the 2nd game effected. It makes Raz so artificially special. And the whole thing is too convoluted for me. Like how you and many others mention, how much you enjoy that my comics are mundane and melancholic. I enjoy a more grounded feel.

Although I'm not all negative about it. I find the idea of Raz and Lucy being mirrors of each other fascinating. It's a character dynamic trope I enjoy a lot. I like the lines they share in the files. And Lucys story in a vacuum is interesting. I've written a comic for Fred Bonaparte after I finished Gloria's. I don't have much to share, but it does mention the Raz being related to such a figure.

My own bias aside. I think there is plenty of interesting potential concerning Raz's origins and family connections. But I'll probably be sticking to the characters I've already been writing for the time being. I apologize for not being as into it as other people are. Though I did enjoy writing this a bit. I don't mind if people ask about more characters.

[barrenclan]

So I've been re-reading the entire comic to find clues on who's dying and I've concocted this very big theory on what's going to happen (though there's a big chace I'm just reading to much into it becuase I'm paranoid).

ASSUMING RAZ DOESN'T JUST WIPE OUT ALL OF OF BARRENCLAN.

So first of all, Pinepaw will get killed by Deepdark, OR, he will join Defiance in a similar situation as Rainhaze. Hear me out, Rainhaze and Pinepaw have been compared to one another a lot, Cypressfoot mentions how Rainhaze was adventurous and curious like Pinepaw, he seems to have been the closest of his siblings to Rainhaze, they both brought doom to Barrenclan (and more comparisons I can't remember right now). Maybe Ranger will gaslight Pinepaw into joining Defiance out of guilt like he did Rainhaze. Or maybe the parallels were just to show how they both bught danger to Barrenclan

Nightberry will get killed by Sulfur. However I suspect that the foxes will kill one more cat, though I'm not sure who it could be.

Mallowstar is dead already rip

I think Prowl will kill Blacknose and/or the kits. Because when Cormorantpaw was playing with the kits he said there's a big WOLF who's gonna get them. But I don't think Raz has the heart to kill babies, so maybe just Blacknose.

One of the toxic sisters is going to die, only one, Beeface or Plumstripe, one finally up beats the other, but cannot be happy about it. I think it will be Plumstripe and she will be killed by a reptile, to show that Beeface's "obsesióo" with crawling things could have saved Plumstripe.

Slugpelt will die BUT she will take Rainhaze with her, for revenge for her daughter. Let the poor woman have one win before her death. Also based on the post you made "You're killing it,stop biting it's stopped moving etc..."

I think Daffodilpaw will live (assuming again you don't just kill them all"), completing her arc about finding meaning in her life besides what the clan will tell to.

Redpelt will live, gaining the courage and determination she needs to lead her clan and save the few remainder members. Completing her arc of personal growth.

Hopefully Cootstrom dies, if she does I think it will be Deepdark himself who kills her. The one who believed in the survivance of Barrenclan through it all, dies by the hand of the thing that came to destroy it. Maybe she realizes she was wrong all along, or dies to stubborn to change her mind.

Cormorantpaw is surviving, and not only that, I think he will kill someone from Defiance. I think it will be Sulfur (or Chlorine) because the weasel corpse his dad handed him as a kit had vaguely fox colors? (or maybe I'm reading to much into it). Either way, he is surviving, killing a Defiance member, but losing someone (or everyone) he loves yet again, everyone leaves him... Also if he survives he will probably take care of the kittens and become a good dad (he's good with kittens afterall).

I think Egrettail will die, but she has a 50% chance of it. Beeface/Plumstripe, Rainhaze and Cypressfoot also have a high risk of dying.

I think someone important from Defiance will die, maybe the ones I mentioned earlier or just another one. Not Deepdark tho.

Also some other theories:

I think the reason Deepdark want to destroy Barrenclan is because they escaped Longest-Claws' massacre. He wants to finish what he started. He defeated Longest-Claws, made a group better than his, and over all surpassed him in every way, the prey became better than the predator. He needs to destroy what he couldn't in order to absolutely impose his dominance over every creature, establish himself as death itself.

Based on the fact that there's one issue called "Time is a circle", I think there will be a loop, history will repeat itself. Based on everything I'm theorizing (or over-analyzing), a small part of Barrenclan will escape, with the kittens, but pinepaw will join Defiance eaten by guilt, in a desperate attempt to save what's left of his clan, and gaslighted by Ranger (who after Rainhaze's death needs another being to play and bend to his will) he will join Defiance and end up in a similar situation as his uncle. What Barrenclan does next I'm still not sure. But, eventually, many moons or years afterwards, a curious kit from the surviving Barrenclan will start looking for the secret history of his clan, and history will repeat itself...

That last one I think is very improbable (I think Pinepaw is more likely to die than anything else), but it will be (̶n̶o̶t̶) fun if I'm right.

Anyways that are my theories, I can't wait to be wrong on all of them :p. (*pulls out death bingo card)

What a powerful arrangement of theories! I have to say, I am majorly flattered by how much wonderful and introspective thought this comic has inspired in people. It feels very nice to know that y'all care so much about my silly little kitties. :] And I hope you're satisified with where I take the story in the end!

[jellycaustic]

Nine people I'd like to get to know better

Thanks for the tag @a-lil-strawberry! :D

Last Song: Apollo (Live on Your TV) [Rotersand Rework] by Apoptygma Berzerk :D

Favorite Color: Green! Especially dark/blue-ish green! (though pink is great too; I actually was just gushing over how awesome hot pink is yesterday)

Last Movie / TV Show: Saw I actually really enjoyed it, despite how gruesome it is. I felt like there were some plot holes, but they can mostly just be glossed over as people making irrational decisions under stress.

Sweet/Spicy/Savory: I've got a sweet tooth for sure :3

Last Thing You Googled: Jordan Peterson normal rat context (and yet I still don't know)

Current Obsession: C.H.I.M.P.S. I will black border The Cabin. Maybe not now. Maybe not this year. ....maybe not even next year. But I will get it done, some way, some how!

This time I'm specifically tagging people that I've barely talked to if at all, so if I don't tag you it might just be because we're already friends <3 @vegapunk123, @raz-b-rose, @physicsgoblin, @curly-cottage-girl, @thelegendofsqam, @landcrowe, @microfascist, @odd-vox ....and also I don't have 9, but you're a nerd if you counted :P

[technovillain]

well if it isn't the old consequences of my actions.

don't mind me i'm just writing frazie and norma into a trope i like. frazie really resents norma for what she did to razputin. she can't stand to see him cry, especially at the hands of some older kid. so she decides to lash out and be really underhanded towards norma by pretending to be her friend and trying to get her into more trouble by being a bad influence on her on purpose. unfortunately, norma quickly develops a crush on her from the attention and actually starts to lose her strict rule-following personality a bit for the sake of impressing frazie. this starts to frustrate frazie because the "plan" is no longer working. frazie starts to realize that she is actually starting to enjoy spending time with norma and realizing that the two have accidentally actually become genuine friends. norma opens up about being glad that frazie gave her another chance and acted genuine towards her, especially considering what happened between her and raz, because she is looking for a really good way to actually make it up to him. and frazie feels incredibly guilty for being a big ole petty meanie when it turns out norma was trying to better herself this whole time and their whole friendship was based on a lie T_T

[the-dons-waste]

I- What does that mean!!?

( @pea-bois )

This is so fucked up.

[falmerbrook]

Summerset Chapter thoughts

I've actually moved on to Murkmire a bit ago and forgot to do this oopsies.

Overall: I liked it! Although I have a harder time saying why or why not compared to previous expansions (although lord knows I'll certainly try to explain below). I just had a good time with it and looked forward to logging in every day to play, but I don't think it was my favorite thing ever either. I particularly liked the main quest, it gave us a lot of good characters to get attached to.

More details under cut

What I liked:

The characters! I pretty much liked every reoccurring character in the Main Quest. Obviously y'all already know I loved Darien, and I think this chapter did a good job giving him a bit more depth and setting up some very juicy intrigue for him. Raz is always a joy (although he made less of an impact in this chapter for some reason). I also liked Iachesis (although he made me feel kinda sad, but that's a good thing) and I liked how kind and mentor-ly he seemed. I really liked Leythen and Valsirenn. Their relationship was super compelling to watch unfold and they both got their own internal dilemmas set up due to each other than made them both just really interesting. Leythen was really interesting to me, but I do wish they developed what drew him to Mephala enough to make him loyal to her until he literally died. Valsirenn's voice actor was also doing over time good lord she really made me feel horrible for her. Val needs a long ass vacation after all of that. Even in a good number of the side quests there were a lot of good strong personalities that were fun to work with.

The voice acting has gradually gotten better and better with each new expansion, but I think this is the first one where it has been noticeable enough to mention. I liked the voice acting.

There were a good number of interesting side quests. Some good mysteries (especially the Russafeld one) and lots of "well that was fucked up" magical nonsense. I had fun with them.

I liked the cities and architecture. It felt tall and grand. I have more to say in my dislikes though.

I loved Artaeum! It was so gorgeous and the buildings were gorgeous (I liked the disney castle effect they had on Ceporah tower, that was a good touch to make it look bigger). I liked it so much I've taken several opportunities to just take a walk around it. It was the highlight of this chapter.

The themes with Summerset opening up to emigration were real topical, probably even more now than when the chapter first came out, and I liked their inclusion.

I liked the look of Summerset. I bit generic fantasy but it has enough of its own thing going on that I think it still stands out. The fossilized coral forests were very cool, and most of the fauna were unique but also felt like real enough animals (unlike some other eso creatures). Not my favorite visually but still nice.

On that note, I also really liked the Indriks. Good ass animal. Welwas are good too (although I recently discovered they were also in Craglorn but I skipped that one).

In the Russadeld murder mystery quest (which I just really liked in general) I enjoyed getting some worldbuilding on minor things like the different ways forensics can be undertaken. I just always appreciate when side quests are used to develop parts of the world that are otherwise mundane to us but would probably be different in a fantasy setting.

I appreciated how connected some of the story points of the side quests were with either other side quests or the main quest. It usually wasn't important or anything, but it's a nice touch.

Another thing that I have noticed gradually over the expansions that I think stood out most here was that the enemies in each zone are no longer every 5 feet. You can explore the wilderness without having to kill something every 15 seconds, and I appreciate that.

What I disliked/thought could've been better:

Now, I'm not gonna be one of those "but the cities are supposed to be made of glass!!!" people because I generally don't think the games should have to follow every single one off line or lore from previous games, but I do think they should've leaned into the glass look at least a little bit. Make the cities more colorful! The while stone and marble were pretty, but idk I just feel like they could've been colorful. Maybe keep the white buildings but make their windows all ornate stained glass so during the day the reflect on nearby building and light up the interiors with colors and at night the cities look like a sparkling rainbow? Something like that. The architecture, while pretty, was also a bit to generic tbh.

So arguably this is a complaint I could make about literally any zone/environment of any of these games, and I don't expect it to ever change, but man it is disappointing to me to see some interesting ecological lore in books get tossed out the window so we can always have a bunch of hostile animals/plants that attack you on sight when you travel off of any path. Don't tell me that Summerset's environments (or at least major parts of it) have been carefully crafted to be perfect in the way the Altmer culturally see it (and have a quest around it) and not be able to actually see that outside of like, gardens!

I find delves tedious and was annoyed that we had to go through a few of them for the main quest. I don't think that's happened in any of the zones before this but it felt lazy. Like they didn't want to bother making a new location for the main quest so they just plopped whatever you had to grab in a delve they already built.

Veya made me so angry!! I mean I guess that indicates some good writing because I cared that much and it makes sense she'd turn to more destructive ideologies after everything she went through but I was so disappointed in her and they didn't do enough with her! She just became a generic bad guy we killed (I think this comes down to one of ESO's biggest writing flaws imo, that every story has to be accessible to new players)!

So I'll be honest, daedra lore is probably one of the places where I'm weakest, so maybe I'm wrong, but the inclusion of Mephala and Nocturnal in this whole scheme felt really out of character for them. And even if they would go through something like this, they were written to just be very generically evil demon-like to me. They're designs are meh to me too (Mephala's more than Nocturnal's). Vile at least felt in character and like this is something he'd get invovled with (and I liked his design, but that's because the humanoid look is already what he's always been portrayed as). I just always felt like Mephala and Nocturnal were some of the better examples of how the Daedric Princes aren't just evil but have their own complex moralities, but in this they make them "I want to take over the whole universe!" level evil. Their motivations (once again, besides Vile) feel not in character either. They were weakest part of the Main Quest for this whole arc for me (besides Barbas, who I always enjoy).

Kinda related, a lot of their minor daedra from their realms (specifically Mephala, the other two were fine) felt kinda bland or generic to me.

Also kinda related, the didn't sell why anyone in the Court of Bedlam (specifically Leythen) would believe they Princes or go along with their goals. They wanted to create a paradise? They're daedric princes how do you fall for that??? I can see Veya or cultists who already followed them being easily manipulatable but Leythen goes from respected Psijic to taking the Daedra at their word because of seemingly nothing but grief? And he continues to support Mephala until he dies despite knowing they were lying?? I didn't get it.

Finally, there was a moment that implied that Meridia's realm was invaded that never got a conclusion. Normally I'd be like "well maybe they're setting it up for later" but I know they haven't done anything with it yet so it feels like more of a dropped plot point than a set up for the future.

Let Darien take me out for a drink, dammit!!!

[sxrrandomfanfics]

RazLili Week 2024 Day 1 - Animals

Raz grabbed Lili's hand as Truman and Augustus were deep in conversation. "You two feel free to talk as long as you want!"

As he tugged on Lili's hand, she added: "Take your time! We'll be fine!"

Augustus smiled, "ah, young love."

Truman chuckled, "they think they're being subtle."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You still have those on?" Lili asked as Raz walked around only in his acrobatics outfit. The boots seemed fine when Raz did his acrobatic tricks, but stomping about the grounds seemed uncomfortable, given that they went up to his knees.

"You never know what's on the ground at a circus. Besides, stopping at my trailer might mean that we'll miss what I want to show you."

"And what's that?"

"It's a surprise." Raz squeezed Lili's hand as the two made their way over to what seemed to be a stall that horses would be in, but it was... very tall.

"Some secret horse? Like your sister's 'World's Smallest Pony'?"

"Uh. No. I'm still not allowed around Sugarcube." Raz shook his head. "Actually, this fine lady here is the opposite of a World's Smallest Pony." Raz then opened the door to the pen.

As Lili's eyes went up, her jaw dropped lower and lower. A large elephant, wearing purple jhul on her head and back raised her trunk.

The elephant was polite as she waved her trunk. Oh, Razputin has told me so much about you!

"Yup! Lili Zanotto, meet Naomi: The Crown Jewel of the Fildes Circus."

"Fildes? But I thought you were in the Aquato Family Circus."

"Yeah! Multiple small circuses usually work together to make these shows run." Raz waved his hand. "Anyways, I'm glad you two get to meet one another."

"Wait, so you just... talk about me to random animals?"

"Not random. Naomi was the first animal I ever really learned to talk to. Well, understand the emotions, if you're including proper Zoolepathy with Harold."

"... I thought you were just lying about having the elephant to have a badass line in front of Agent Nein."

"Nope! I uh... my family agreed to have me assist with Naomi after..."

"... after what?"

He pulled my tail. He used to be awfully rude.

"Raz? Rude?"

"I mean... I think I'm pretty rude."

"The rudest you got with me was staring at me. And the worst you called Bobby was 'hair boy.' You're not rude."

Naomi lifted her trunk with a laugh. Oh, the stories I could tell you about this young man.

Raz groaned, "please, my mom is enough." He looked back up at Naomi. "Does this mean we still can't try what I wanted to?"

Oh no. I'm still fine with it. Naomi turned around, showing she was still wearing the howdah that she had been wearing for the show.

Raz then got onto his Lev-bubble, and looked down to Lili, expecting her to do the same.

Lili understood, but then smirked. "What, not even going to help me up?"

Raz raised an eyebrow, then mirrored the smirk. He put on his best theatrical voice. "Oh, my apologies, princess. Let your knight assist you onto this glorious creature so that way we may galavant around the town."

Lili laughed, joyful that he would reciprocate, and took his hand. Up, they climbed onto the back of Naomi. Lili smiled, but gulped as well.

"Nervous?"

"Never been on an elephant before."

Don't worry. I'm perfectly calm.

Raz patted Lili on the shoulder, smoothly putting his arm around her after she realized which shoulder he patted. "We won't go too far on this. Just a quick little ride."

"Wait, we're going outside?"

"It would be more fun!"

"Do you have permission?"

"Well, I often like to think of asking for forgiveness is better than asking for permission."

Oh, he begged for permission.

Raz frowned, feeling less cool, but Lili smiled.

"Glad to know you're at least somewhat responsible now."

Raz pulled Lili in tighter, smiling.

[shiningwonderland]

Natsuki Shinomiya (Repeat)

Translator: Raz (Twitter: agnadance)

Proofreader: Nadie (Twitter: nmoniag)

Editor: Mae (Twitter: itoshikimaegirl)

QA: Rei: (Twitter: wolfe_raine)

February - Winter Day's Fine

Since February, Satsuki-kun has been the dominant personality more frequently than Natsuki-kun.

Satsuki Shinomiya: No! You need to connect that better…

Haruka Nanami: O-okay!

We're practicing the verse and pre-chorus, which we're planning to record tomorrow.

I'm going to play the piano and the viola will be…

Satsuki Shinomiya: Damn it… Think about my position of having to match your crappy performance.

Satsuki-kun will be playing the viola. He shares the same body as Natsuki-kun, so I don't find it strange that he also shares the ability to play–and extremely well too.

I'm astonished how skilled he is… I feel myself being drawn into his magnificent performance…

However, there are times he falters here and there, maybe because he's a different personality from Natsuki-kun…

Satsuki Shinomiya: … Should we call it quits here? You can't give it your all if it isn't Natsuki who's playing the viola, right?

Haruka Nanami: That's… not true. Satsuki-kun is just as skilled, and… I also like your sound.

Satsuki Shinomiya: If that's true, then stop playing so badly. We're recording the instrumentals tomorrow. Are you going to play like this tomorrow, too?

Haruka Nanami: I'm sorry… I'll do my best.

Satsuki Shinomiya: It's not about doing your best. You either make results at your final performance or you don't. He's the one who's going to sing, you know…

Haruka Nanami: … You're right.

We're going to use a recording of the instrumentals during the graduation audition.

There are people who make the instrumentals solely on the computer. Another method is to record professionals performing from the music sheet.

This time, I thought that we should do as much as we can as just the two of us…

We decided that Natsuki-kun will play the violin and the viola, and I will play the piano.

Satsuki Shinomiya: He's far more critical about his own performance than the people around him, and yet he's so soft on you.

Satsuki Shinomiya: He can only get across half of what he really wants to say.

Satsuki Shinomiya: He's an airhead and never listens to what other people say, marching to the beat of his own drum… and yet he's so sensitive and fragile.

Satsuki Shinomiya: He doesn't want to be rejected by you, so he holds back quite a bit. You haven't realized that yet?

Select the Phrase!

そんなこと・・・I see… (+10 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: You have a point… There were times I felt that he was holding back too much.

Satsuki Shinomiya: If so, then take care of him better. Read how he's feeling and act accordingly…

Satsuki Shinomiya: If you're not careful, he's never going to open his heart to you. This must be because of his trauma…

Satsuki Shinomiya: He's been betrayed over and over… No matter how much he wants to believe in people, he's unconsciously always on guard.

Satsuki Shinomiya: That's why he doesn’t want you to get hurt like him… He tries too hard to prove how much he loves someone.

Satsuki Shinomiya: He knows more than anyone else how difficult it is to have someone believe you…

Natsuki-kun… Is the reason why he's so kind and always hugs me because he doesn't want me to be sad…?

… Maybe I hesitated because I couldn't handle accepting his feelings.

Haruka Nanami: … Why are you telling me this?

Satsuki Shinomiya: Who knows… It was just a whim. Anyway, let's start practicing.

Haruka Nanami: Okay!

Satsuki-kun, he worries so much about Natsuki-kun.

I'm clueless, so I'm glad he cares enough to give me advice.

そう・・・だったんだ・・・Is that so… (+5 Love +0 Music)

Satsuki Shinomiya: Not many people can tell because he's a space case… and then they hurt him without realizing.

Haruka Nanami: What should I do…?

Satsuki Shinomiya: You should be able to figure it out if you pay close enough attention to him. Keep a look out for his subtle signs.

Satsuki Shinomiya: He's hopelessly lonely.

Satsuki-kun briefly closes his eyes mournfully, but then looks at me straight in the eyes.

Satsuki Shinomiya: Show him how you feel. Never leave his side… if you can't do that, don't go near him thoughtlessly.

Satsuki Shinomiya: If you approach him without resolve, you'll hurt him.

Natsuki-kun… There's a lot of things I don't realize because he's always smiling…

But… he must be so hurt inside…

Satsuki-kun doesn't want Natsuki-kun to be hurt.

That's why he warned me…

I want to respect his feelings–no, I will.

Haruka Nanami: Understood! I'll do my best!

I can't understand Natsuki-kun as well as Satsuki-kun, but I want to try.

I love Natsuki-kun… so I want to get closer to Satsuki-kun, even just a little.

I, too, want to protect Natsuki-kun.

Satsuki Shinomiya: Hmph, easier said than done.

Satsuki-kun sulks and turns his head away.

Satsuki Shinomiya: We chatted for too long… Time to practice.

Haruka Nanami: Roger!

Satsuki-kun really loves Natsuki-kun.

All right, I'll do my best!

すいません。I'm sorry. (+0 Love +0 Music)

Satsuki Shinomiya: Don't apologize. Instead, try to do better… You hurt Natsuki every time you apologize…

Satsuki Shinomiya: He always goes too far trying to prevent you from being sad, so smile as much as you can.

Satsuki Shinomiya: You don't need to be humble or hold back. Just be by his side and keep him calm.

Haruka Nanami: But…

Satsuki Shinomiya: It's fine, just smile. He gets mad at me every time I make you frown.

He places his hand on my head.

Satsuki-kun…

I do my best to grin.

Satsuki Shinomiya: That's good… You should always smile like that.

Satsuki-kun smiles.

Satsuki Shinomiya: … There's no time. Let's start practicing again.

Haruka Nanami: … Okay.

The day we record our instrumental has come.

We have the recordings for everything else, so once we complete today's recording, we'll have our instrumental ready for the graduation audition. 

Natsuki Shinomiya: Haru-chan, are you nervous?

Haruka Nanami: … Yes, just a bit…

Natsuki has been the dominant personality since this morning.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Then I'll put a charm on you to relieve your stress. Close your eyes.

Haruka Nanami: O-okay…

I close my eyes gently.

He kisses both of my eyelids.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Here you go. How do you feel?

Haruka Nanami: Umm… My heart's pounding.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Hehe, that's not because of stress, right?

Haruka Nanami: No, it's not.

Natsuki Shinomiya: If you ever get nervous from playing the piano, just close your eyes a little. I'm sure you'll recall this.

Natsuki Shinomiya: When you do, your heart will pound not from stress but because of your feelings for me.

He stretches out his arms and then gathers me into a tight embrace. 

Natsuki Shinomiya: Think only of me when you're performing… I'll always think of you when I play…

Natsuki Shinomiya: I'm sure the beating of our hearts will change to the rhythm of love.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Our feelings ride on the beat of our hearts, our deep love and powerful bond embedded even in digital sound waves. 

Natsuki Shinomiya: Then, I'll sing while listening to the sound we've woven–the song for the one person that I love…

Ryuya Hyuga: … Are you done being lovey-dovey? Sheesh, at least acknowledge the school rules just a little bit… But I know that Shinomiya won't listen to me at all…

Ryuya Hyuga: Airheads are really something… Whatever. We got a lot of people waiting, so hurry up and get started once you're ready.

Hyuga-sensei urges us with a tired look on his face.

Haruka Nanami: G-got it, I'm sorry.

Natsuki Shinomiya: All right… I'll begin.

Natsuki-kun lets go of me and grins.

Select the Phrase!

あ・・・ Ah… (+10 Love +0 Music)

Without thinking, I grab the hem of Natsuki-kun's uniform.

Natsuki Shinomiya: What's wrong, Haru-chan? Are you lonely?

Haruka Nanami: Umm… Even when we're apart, our hearts are one… That's all I want to say…

Natsuki Shinomiya: Thank you.

Natsuki-kun pets my head, then enters the booth.

はい、頑張ってください。Yes, do your best. (+0  Love +5 Music)

Natsuki Shinomiya: Yes, I'll do my best.

ここでずっと聴いています。I'll be listening. (+20 Love +5 Music)

Haruka Nanami: I don't want to miss a single note from you…

Natsuki Shinomiya: I see… I'll put in all my love, so much that I'll empty out my heart, so please… please accept all of it…

Haruka Nanami: … Okay.

Ryuya Hyuga: I would expect nothing less… He's so young, yet he can put professionals to shame… He's one to reckon with.

Natsuki-kun… He has improved so much…

But he's not just skilled… His sound is so warm.

His sound seeps to the bottom of my heart and soothes my nerves.

I need to do my best too…

We have finished up our recordings without any problems, so now we have nearly everything in order. The next thing to do is the mixdown.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Ugh…

Soon after leaving the recording room, Natsuki-kun suddenly crouches down and clutches his chest.

Haruka Nanami: Natsuki-kun… What's wrong? Are you okay?

Lately, he has been switching personalities frequently, and the arduous practice and stress over the recording must've taken a toll on him…

Something drops from Natsuki-kun's pocket.

Haruka Nanami: A… pocket watch?

I reach out towards it without thinking…

Satsuki Shinomiya: Don't… touch that…

Haruka Nanami: Satsuki-kun…?

Satsuki-kun glares at me and reaches for the pocket watch.

Satsuki Shinomiya: … It doesn't look broken…

He takes a deep breath and slowly gets to his feet.

Satsuki Shinomiya: He pushed himself too much…

Haruka Nanami: Umm… how's Natsuki-kun…?

Select the Phrase!

大丈夫なんですか？Is he okay? (+10  Love +0 Music)

Satsuki Shinomiya: For now… Are you worried about him?

Haruka Nanami: … Yes.

I look down and Satsuki-kun lightly pats me on the head.

Satsuki Shinomiya: Don't make that face. You'll make Natsuki sad. He's fine.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I… I'm set on protecting him.

どうしたんですか？What happened to him? (+5  Love +0 Music)

Satsuki Shinomiya: Do you want to know?

Haruka Nanami: Yes, I'm worried about him…

Satsuki Shinomiya: I see…

戻ってきますか？ Will he come back?  (+0  Love +0 Music)

Satsuki Shinomiya: You're always like this… Believe in him a little more.

Haruka Nanami: Ah…

Satsuki Shinomiya: Are you worried about him?

Haruka Nanami: Yes. Is Natsuki-kun okay…?

Satsuki Shinomiya: For now…

Satsuki Shinomiya: I'm his shadow… I've taken on all the burden for him this entire time so he wouldn't experience it…

Satsuki Shinomiya: Ever since that day… But now, we're aware of each other. This is the equivalent to his heart being split into two.

Satsuki Shinomiya: On top of that, switching takes a heavy toll on him. He's so unstable that even the slightest emotional arousal can cause us to change places.

Satsuki Shinomiya: Putting his entire soul into his performance is only going to exhaust it.

Satsuki Shinomiya: He's aware of this and yet he still doesn't hold back. Do you understand why?

Haruka Nanami: …

Satsuki Shinomiya: It's because of you.

Haruka Nanami: Because of… me?

Satsuki Shinomiya: He's so weak… and is so quick to run away…

Satsuki Shinomiya: And yet he pushes himself for you. He overworks himself all for… you…

Haruka Nanami: …

Satsuki Shinomiya: We're… probably at our limit…

His voice trails off, making a mournful smile.

For the next three days, neither Natsuki-kun nor Satsuki-kun come to school.

After school, I visit  Natsuki-kun's room.

According to Syo-kun, Natsuki-kun fainted three days ago and hasn't opened his eyes ever since…

Could it be he really… pushed himself too hard?

Haruka Nanami: Natsuki… kun…

I call his name but he doesn't respond.

Eyes closed, he just breathes in and out…

Haruka Nanami: Natsuki-kun… I see that you pushed yourself too much. I'm so sorry that I didn't realize.

I squeeze Natsuki-kun's hand as he sleeps and kiss his fingers.

I want to express my feelings as gently as the way he expresses his… I love you so much…

Natsuki Shinomiya: Huh? Haru-chan…

Haruka Nanami: Natsuki-kun!

Natsuki-kun is awake! I'm so glad! I'm so happy that tears start clouding my vision.

Natsuki Shinomiya: I want to hug you…

Haruka Nanami: Huh? But…

Natsuki-kun has weakened so much that he can't sit up.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Come here… to where I can reach you…

Haruka Nanami: … Okay.

When I lie down next to him, he hugs me like I'm a body pillow.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Thank you…

He peacefully closes his eyes.

Haruka Nanami: …

I hear light snoring.

He seems to be between a state of being awake and asleep, but I can tell he's still Natsuki-kun.

I feel relieved that I was able to meet him and talk with him even just a little bit.

His breath lightly tickles my ear. I finally start realizing the situation I'm in and feel my heart starting to pound.

I'm being hugged by Natsuki-kun in his bed…

…

Natsuki Shinomiya: … Haru-chan, don't leave me…

He’s talking in his sleep—his voice sounds so faint, like he's about to cry.

Haruka Nanami: I won't go anywhere. I'm here…

Natsuki-kun and Satsuki-kun are two halves of one heart.

Their awareness of each other's existence is burdening their mental state, weakening Natsuki-kun this much.

What should I do…? Is there anything I can do?

Haruka Nanami: … Huh? When did I fall asleep…?

Satsuki Shinomiya: Finally awake?

Satsuki-kun's face is right in front of mine.

Haruka Nanami: !!!

Satsuki Shinomiya: You're bolder than I thought. Are you trying to seduce me? Your cleavage is exposed.

I shake my head furiously, gripping my shirt to hide my chest.

Satsuki Shinomiya: … I'm joking. Don't take me so seriously, Pipsqueak.

He pokes my forehead.

Haruka Nanami: …

Without saying a word, I stand up from the bed.

Satsuki Shinomiya: … You don't have anything to say to me?

Satsuki-kun grabs my arm and makes me sit back on the bed.

Haruka Nanami: … I guess I do want to ask something…

Satsuki Shinomiya: I see. I thought that you would say, "Please disappear for Natsuki's sake."

Haruka Nanami: Why would I…

Satsuki Shinomiya: I'm the one who has caused this situation. I say I want to protect him, and yet I'm putting him in danger.

Satsuki Shinomiya: And yet… I can't disappear. If I do that, who's going to protect him?

Without hesitation, Satsuki-kun closes in on me and pushes me down onto the bed.

He looks at me forlornly.

This is different from the last time he pushed me down. At that time, I felt immense hatred and rejection.

Now… This feels like he's pleading…

Satsuki Shinomiya: You're just a stranger. You'll betray Natsuki one day…

He says that, but his eyes tell me that he wants to be proven wrong.

Haruka Nanami: No, I won't!

I profusely object. That's the absolute truth, despite what anyone says.

I love Natsuki-kun, I would never betray him. I can say that with confidence.

Satsuki Shinomiya: How can you be so sure? Are you saying that your love is eternal? Do you have any proof that you will still love him ten, twenty years from now?

Haruka Nanami: …

All I know are the feelings I have right now. I don't have any proof of that.

How can I express these feelings?

Satsuki Shinomiya: He was betrayed by someone he loved very much when he was a child. 

He loosens his grip on my shoulders and sits down on the bed.

Haruka Nanami: Huh…?

I get up and sit next to him.

Satsuki Shinomiya: You already know that he has played the violin since he was little, right?

Haruka Nanami: Yes, I do.

Satsuki Shinomiya: The reason why he was able to continue playing the violin even though he has been sensitive ever since he was a child was because of that woman…

Satsuki-kun looks far away, his eyes filled with sadness.

Satsuki Shinomiya: She was a violin teacher. She was somewhat withdrawn, but positive and bright. She always complimented Natsuki.

Satsuki Shinomiya: Every time Natsuki would get sad, she would say, "I love your sound, Nacchan. You should be proud of yourself."

Satsuki Shinomiya: After some time, she changed the way she called him from Nacchan to Natsuki-kun… and then that one summer day…

Satsuki Shinomiya: Natsuki played a song for her that he made himself. "I'll play this just for you. Don't tell anyone about it."

Satsuki Shinomiya: Despite that, she took his song, presented it as her own and gained recognition through it.

He punches the bed, making a soft thump.

Satsuki Shinomiya: Natsuki asked her pitifully, "Why did you do this?"

Satsuki Shinomiya: She replied through her tears, "I'm sorry, but I didn't want it to end this way" and left him.

Haruka Nanami: …

I wonder how it felt to be betrayed by the one he loved… and be so hurt…

Natsuki-kun…

Satsuki Shinomiya: Natsuki didn't blame her at all, nor did he tell anyone else, but his heart was deeply hurt.

Satsuki Shinomiya: Then, I was born.

Satsuki-kun takes out his pocket watch and shows me the inside of the lid.

The name "Natsuki" was engraved in it, and then to the side, "Satsuki" was scrawled on it with childlike handwriting.

Satsuki Shinomiya: He received this pocket watch from the music class he attended when he won his first reward at a violin competition.

Satsuki Shinomiya: That woman gave it to him. He treasured it so much, but it stopped on that fateful day.

Satsuki Shinomiya: My name, "Satsuki," is the name of the song that woman stole from him.

Satsuki Shinomiya: The first time he went to the beach in the south, he kept making a sand castle and stayed there until nightfall.

Satsuki Shinomiya: The full moon lighting up the night sky and the sand castle must've looked so beautiful that they left a deep impression on young Natsuki.

He grins with a nostalgic look on his face.

Satsuki Shinomiya: But the next morning, his sand castle was swept away by the waves and disappeared without a trace.

Satsuki Shinomiya: The melancholy and transience of something that has been built up vanishes in an instant, as well as the beauty of its disappearance… That's what he put into that song.

Satsuki Shinomiya: The time of his precious watch stopped, and he erased that woman's existence from his heart. In exchange, I was born.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I appear when he is mentally burdened. I protect him from harm.

Satsuki Shinomiya: The reason why I appear whenever he removes his glasses is because his heart becomes unstable from his blurry vision.

Satsuki Shinomiya: He's so sensitive that he'll switch even from something like that.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I have to protect him…

He balls up his hands into fists.

Haruka Nanami: … I'll protect Natsuki-kun too.

Satsuki Shinomiya: You…?

Satsuki-kun pierces me with his gaze.

Haruka Nanami: That's right.

Satsuki Shinomiya: … Do you want to know what I thought of you when I first saw you?

Haruka Nanami: … No…

Satsuki Shinomiya: You resemble her.

Satsuki-kun scowls in anguish.

Haruka Nanami: What…?

Satsuki Shinomiya: At first, you seem weak and fleeting, but deep down, you're strong. You would do anything to achieve your dream.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I thought you were just like that woman. That's why I wanted you to get away from Natsuki. I didn't want him to be hurt any more than he already had.

Satsuki Shinomiya: Why is he being fooled by another woman that's just like her? I was so resentful. However… maybe I was the one who was wrong…

He breathes a dry laugh and smiles at me warmly.

Haruka Nanami: Huh…?

He reaches out and caresses my cheek.

Satsuki Shinomiya: You're different from her… Natsuki must've understood that about you.

Satsuki Shinomiya: He's too sensitive. He gets hurt from such little things, but he never sheds a tear. He keeps smiling…

Satsuki Shinomiya: He's more emotional than anyone… but he doesn't know how to express that normally. Music is the only way he can express his emotions.

Satsuki Shinomiya: And yet he is expected to express more than just his emotions. I was born to support him when he was about to break.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I have taken on all of his negative emotions, and yet…

Satsuki Shinomiya: When he met you, he changed… No, he tried to change. Despite being a weakling, he tried so hard to change.

Satsuki Shinomiya: Can you believe that Natsuki…? Makes me laugh...

Tears well up in his eyes as he speaks.

He should be happy that Natsuki-kun is becoming stronger, but he must be lonely that Natsuki-kun is drifting further away from him.

I understand that feeling…

Haruka Nanami: Satsuki-kun…

I squeezes Satsuki-kun's hand.

Satsuki Shinomiya: What are you doing…? I'm not Natsuki. You should do this for him instead of me.

Haruka Nanami: I… love Natsuki-kun. I'll protect him no matter what… and I love you, too.

Satsuki Shinomiya: Me?

Satsuki-kun widens his eyes in shock.

Haruka Nanami: You're also Natsuki-kun, after all. Right, Satsuki-kun?

Satsuki Shinomiya: I'm… also Natsuki…?

While still in shock, Satsuki-kun thinks for a moment and starts speaking again.

Satsuki Shinomiya: … Maybe I can leave him to you… I'll give Natsuki back.

Haruka Nanami: … But, what about you, Satsuki-kun…?

Satsuki Shinomiya: I'm fine as long as he's happy. That's all I need…

Haruka Nanami: …

Satsuki-kun looks at me with conviction.

I am lost for words.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I'm sorry for making you deal with me.

Haruka Nanami: No… it's fine.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I'm Satsuki… I'm just a fleeting existence that will be washed away in an instant once the waves come.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I knew that I'd disappear one day.

He clenches his teeth and closes his eyes forlornly.

Haruka Nanami: Satsuki… kun…

Satsuki Shinomiya: Even so, maybe I wanted to keep existing until the end…

Satsuki Shinomiya: I'm Natsuki’s shadow. I exist just for him. That's why I hated you.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I felt like you were taking Natsuki away from me… as if I was going to lose my reason for being…

Haruka Nanami: That's not true…

I open my mouth, but Satsuki-kun grabs my arm and smiles softly.

Satsuki Shinomiya: But before I knew it, I was always watching you. You have endless faith in others, you’re honest, and you’re too nice for your own good. You always seemed so vulnerable.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I just couldn't hold back from trying to protect you… I… must've been drawn to you.

Haruka Nanami: Huh…?

Satsuki Shinomiya: … It's nothing. Forget about it… Even if I were to wish for it, it would never come true…

Satsuki Shinomiya: More importantly, always protect him… protect Natsuki.

Select the Phrase!

ええ、必ず。Yes, absolutely. (+10  Love +10 Music)

Satsuki Shinomiya: Absolutely? That's a bold statement, but I'm relieved to hear that.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I'm glad to have managed to talk to you one last time.

守ります、あなたとともに。Yes, and I'll protect you, too. (+20  Love +5 Music)

Satsuki Shinomiya: And me…?

Haruka Nanami: I want to protect you, too. You won't disappear, you'll just become one with Natsuki-kun…

Satsuki Shinomiya: Even now, you still have your head stuck in the clouds… but I'm glad I was able to see you in the end.

・・・はい。... Yes. (+10  Love +0 Music)

Satsuki Shinomiya: I see… that's good to hear. I don't have any regrets.

Satsuki Shinomiya: It's time… I'm glad to have seen you one last time.

Satsuki-kun embraces me tightly.

Haruka Nanami: Satsuki… kun?

Satsuki Shinomiya: … Maybe all I've wanted to do is to hold you like this, claiming that this is all for his sake.

Satsuki Shinomiya: I… can't blame Natsuki. Before I realized... I fell for you too…

He looks at me in the eyes and gently kisses my forehead.

He embraces me more tightly.

Haruka Nanami: Satsuki… kun. My… arms hurt…

Satsuki Shinomiya: I don't want to disappear… Haruka… I've actually always wanted to be with you…

Even though he's so close to me, his voice is so faint that I can barely hear him.

Satsuki Shinomiya: … Can you be mine for just this moment?

Satsuki Shinomiya: … I want to keep you to myself, even for a short time…

He buries his face in my shoulder. I hear his breathing next to my ear, as if he's quietly trying to hold back his feelings.

It's as if he's communicating to me with no words.

Satsuki Shinomiya: Haruka… don't forget… that I existed…

This is the first and last honest display of emotion from this strong man. 

No, he's not as strong as he seems. Satsuki-kun is scared.

He's scared that he'll disappear without a trace. That is the equivalent to death… It's nothingness.

Select the Phrase!

・・・はい。Yes. (+10  Love +10 Music)

Haruka Nanami: I'll always remember you. Even if Natsuki-kun forgets, I never will…

絶対に忘れません。I will always remember you. (+10  Love +5 Music)

I wrap my arms around Satsuki-kun and hold him tightly.

忘れられるはずないです。I could never forget you. (+20  Love +5 Music)

Haruka Nanami: How could I ever forget a person as wonderful as you…

Haruka Nanami: I could never forget you… That's impossible. So please, you can rest assured.

I speak to him as I hold back tears. Satsuki-kun embraces me again.

Satsuki Shinomiya: … Thank you…

Satsuki-kun loosens his grip. He goes limp and falls back onto the bed.

Haruka Nanami: Satsuki-kun!

He's gone…

He thought of Natsuki-kun until the very end, leaving him to me.

Haruka Nanami: Satsuki… kun…

I hug Satsuki-kun's body and quietly shed tears.

Mini Game

Ringo Tsukimiya: Haa, time flies! The entrance ceremony for this term feels like it was yesterday, but now it's almost graduation…

Ringo Tsukimiya: One year is so short. We all grow so close, and yet we'll part so soon.

Ringo Tsukimiya: But if you manage to get into Shining Agency, you'll be my kouhai! I want everyone to do their best to get hired!

Ringo Tsukimiya: You have to polish your song even more to be able to get a good score on your graduation audition.

Ringo Tsukimiya: I'll do my best to give you advice, so let me hear what you have so far.

Ringo Tsukimiya: So, are you ready? Then let's begin! 

S RANK

Natsuki Shinomiya: If we were to share our loneliness and sorrow between the two of us and put them into the same beat, would we melt together once more?

Haruka Nanami: Yes… I want us to share as much as we can with each other.

Chapter End

[honestmagpie]

SOME MORE RAZ THOUGHTS. (Based on my headcanons so don't @ me about things not being confirmed in canon, this is partially about him as an adult anyway so nyeh)

Raz is a perpetual immigrant.

Like, this boy never had a passport, he probably never even had a birth certificate. He's a kid born to a family of "Circus freaks" (a phrase thrown at them that they've adopted with pride, if only to keep the kids from letting it get them down).

Raz's Campster profile set his origin as Lithuania, which was likely just 'where he was born', probably not terribly far from what's left of Grulovia. (I headcanon that Grulovia is little more than a puddle now, but what remained of the land was absorbed by neighboring countries).

Grulovian immigrants scattered after Vallermo, and no-one really wanted to talk about it. It's 'the old country' and 'the dead country'.

After Psychonauts 2, Raz ESPECIALLY doesn't want to talk about it. Not only was his family refugees from Grulovia-- his Nona was the cause of it. (And sure, she's his great-aunt, not actually his grandmother, but that won't make him stop calling her his Nona. Nothing has changed, except that thinking about the home country hurts a little, now. For different reasons.)

Raz was always a wanderer. It comes with the circus background. He travels light, carries just the essentials. A house isn't a home, but it is a place to put stuff for storage, he supposes.

He's spoken English most of his life. Nobody notices the accent unless he's talking about his Nona winning at Gruloky, or how she makes a true Grulovian Herring Bread better than anyone he's ever seen. (nobody he talks to has heard of that, but he swears it's traditional.)

But every now and then, when he goes on missions, his partners hear interesting things.

A language that Lithuanians think is Latvian, Lavtians think is Lithuanian. Raz always claims to be from one or the other when identified as non-American. Otherwise, as far as they're concerned, Raz is just a local from a little hamlet they haven't heard of.

He speaks German in the office with Sasha and Otto. On one memorable occasion he spoke fluent Russian for a mission, and shrugged it off saying it was 'safest that way'. He claimed to be second-generation Russian with family from a nearby country, because he could tell they saw 'foreigner' but wanted to make sure he wasn't seen as 'too foreign'.

He knows a smattering of a bunch of other slavic languages, using several at a time for one sentence, simply because he learned the words but didn't stay in any one place long enough for a whole language to stick, so they got jumbled together.

"How did your Dialect get so strange?"

He spins tall tales that have nothing to do with the truth, of a parent who had a dozen mistresses or a funny anecdote about a language guidebook that had multiple languages without saying which translations went to which language. Anything but the truth.

It's not that he's ashamed of his family, far from it! He loves them, he's proud of them.

But there's nothing quite like admitting to someone that your Nona is a war criminal, or that you come from a family of 'circus freaks' and traveled a lot. He's seen how people treat immigrants. As far as they're concerned, he's a tourist. He's a local. He's from the neighboring region visiting family. he's second-generation.

But when he's at home, in the circus or in Psychonauts HQ, he's Raz. He doesn't have to figure out what accent to put on, or what he has to say to stay safe. He's just a kid (A twenty-something, but a kid nonetheless).

At least the Psychonauts gave him a passport.

[anchithefreak]

I never realized how similar Mid-fight masses and Hazbin hotel are. I know it might seem like they're only similar 'cause they're demons, but I realized some more things. Let me explain.

First of all, demons. So, as you probably noticed, the characters in both things are demons. While Mid-fight masses doesn't actually take place in hell, its characters are still connected to it.

Next are the colours. Did y'all notice how, in both Hh and Mfm, the main colours are pink, red and white? 'Cause I did, which I thought I should include.

Next, we have connections between certain characters. I have a few examples. The first one are Charlie and Sarv. Both of them are really powerful in hell and have cool Af demon forms. But, they're both really nice, and they try to help people around them become better and get them a spot in heaven (While both of them can't go to heaven themselves). The next example are Ruv and Husk. Alright, you absolutely CANNOT tell me that they aren't similar! Both are grumpy men who like being alone rather than being bothered by other people. Next are Vaggie and Raz. Again, just like Ruv and Husk, they don't seem that similar, but they are if you look into it. Both are kind of introverted, and are always with people they love (Except the fact that Raz is with her brother and Vaggie is with her partner). The last example are Selever and Angel. Both are fluffy, white demons, and both are kind of rude (Sel is MUCH more rude, though-) but actually sad inside. Not to mention that they have similar personality (Except that Angel's comments are much more, well, inappropriate).

Do y'all see it or is it just me?

Edit: From @paintbrushfrog

"Another thing, Vaggie protects Charlie from possible danger and has a missing left eye, while Ruv is the protector of Sarv and is missing his left eye too!"

Thanks, dude, Idk how I didn't notice this-

[black-rabbit-razumikhin]

Raz Reads Les Mis (II)

Fantine - The Fall

We have met Jean Valjean

And we learn so much about him and I have so many thoughts, I'll do my best to keep this chronological

Of course, when Valjean is first introduced, we don't know it is him. There is a brooding man with an angry countenance who is wandering around looking for shelter for the night

He's been walking for 12 leagues (someone tell me what a 'league' is) and he's tired and hungry and has only been drinking water from fountains

But, because of his yellow passport - and the fact that somehow he is detestable enough a prisoner that everyone knows him - he can't find shelter

Not at any inn, tavern or dog kennel (guilty for laughing at the dog kennel scene)

Eventually some old woman points him to a warm house that she is sure will take him

It's our old friend bishop Charlie!

And he feeds Valjean off the best silver in the house and gives him a room just off the bishop's own

So obviously Valjean takes advantage of this and steals the bishop's silver plates when he's asleep and runs away

But Valjean gets caught (because he chose escaping but escaping did not choose him) and taken back to bishop Charlie

And what does our kind and lovely bishop Charlie do? "Bro, you forgot the silver candle holders I gave you too"

And he makes Valjean promise to be good

Valjean steals money from a child with a marmot and that's his breaking point

All horror is put behind him and he endeavors to be better than his past

What is his past you may ask?

I know this is all explained during the events but I like the logic of my timeline

Valjean is named after his dad, Jean Valjean, and let me tell you his childhood backstory confused me for a moment after reading that

But he grows up poor and he's a bit withdrawn, but he's kind enough - he pays for milk his nephews and nieces steal on a regular basis

But when Valjean gets hungry and steals bread, that's a crime worth five years in prison

Five years! For bread! That he didn't even get to eat! Dude I'd be pissed and full of vengeance at the system too

So he goes to prison and keeps trying to escape, and fails, and is now stuck there for 19 years

Hugo lets us know that Valjean is the strongest prisoner of all. Also he can climb horizontal walls like Spider-Man (or Dracula) which - Valjean, you have to be the absolute worse at escaping if nature gave you everything and you're still getting caught

Finally though after 19 years he gets out and rages against The System

Me too dude, I genuinely don't blame you

I do question the stealing silver plates from the one man to show you kindess

I do also question you stealing money from a child with a marmot

But his soul gets a whole cleansing thing when he realizes what he's done and bishop Charlie's words come back to him in a flood of remorse

Bishop Charlie really did look at this angry, sullen, vengeful criminal and go "I can fix him"

I have so many unanswered questions. I have no idea if I'm pro-Valjean or not. Hugo also does a really good job showing both sides of his predicament, how he is both "the man and the beast" and it's a battle for him to see which one wins, and how the prison system has exacerbated the problem it proclaims to fix. I don't think Hugo is a prison abolitionist, because at the end of the day he does blame how Valjean reacts and not the structure itself, but seeing some level of critical dissection of the whole thing was unexpected, but not unwelcome.

[foyle-writes-things]

OC Smash or Pass

Many thanks to @sableglass for the tag <3 Rules: Describe one of your OCs and make a poll to either smash or pass

Imma do Raz because she's mama's favorite mongrel.

Raz is twenty something hacker girl- and only stands at about 5'1". She has short auburn hair that looks like it's been cut by a drunk person with feet for hands.

She wears the same oversized black hoodie on her very thin and chronically under-weight frame and her pants look like they've been pulled from a dumpster (they were lol).

She may or may not look like she's crawled out of a bush. She's somewhat feral.

That said, she also gives a dainty porcelain doll vibe (e.g. she looks breakable). That's a lie. Don't believe it.

If you speak to her, you have a 99% chance of not getting a response or even an indication that she heard you, if you do get a response, it's probably less than three words.

Solid chaotic natural. 100% likely she will pwn every device you've ever owned.

I am tagging ALL OF THE PEOPLE: @philosophika/@thesorcerersapprentice (which ever works better for you), @tiredpapergirl, @inkovert (i will smash all of your characters Ink, i just want it in poll format)

Also: @frostedlemonwriter @mushroommanchanterelle @ghost-type-writer @sodaliteskull @sleepywriter00

As always, lmk if you want on or off the tag list. In my case, tag lists are for Tangled Wires updates and not for tag games- but if you're on my tag list there's a much higher likelihood of me tagging you.

[nosakaya]

Yuma headcanons

Support me ko- fi

-Yuma like to put different things in your mouth cucumbers tomatoes etc.

-Yuma will take you to the garden to help him - Yuma, won't show it but if I do something good for you it will blush when you thank me but won't tell you but will only comment " You stupid sow ".

- Yuma, can hit you and more than once when he gets angry so it is best to be careful around him.

- Yuma, is brutal so he will treat you objectively at first.

- Yuma will be jealous of other guys.- Yuma, will mark that you are his will leave a lot of marks with his fangs.

- Yuma likes to brag about what is his.- Yuma,will show other guys that you are his and only his.

- He will chase you, to work with him in the garden and if you don't know anything he will teach you.

- When you get to know him better he will show you his charming side.

Pl

Wesprzyj mnie na ko- fi

•Yuma lubić ci wkładać różne rzeczy do ust ogórki pomidory itp

•Yuma zabierze cię do ogródka byś mu pomagał

• Yuma, tego nie pokaże ale jeśli zrobić coś dobrego dla ciebie to się zarumieni gdy mi podziękujesz ale ci tego nie powie tylko skomentuje " Ty głupia sow ".

• Yuma, może cię uderzyć i to nie jeden raz gdy się zdenerwuje więc najlepiej być przy nim ostrożnym.

• Yuma, jest brutalny więc będzie na początku traktować cię przedmiotowo.

• Yuma będzie zazdrosny o innych facetów.• Yuma, zaznaczy że jesteś jego zostawi dużo znaków jego kłów.

• Yuma lubi chwalić się tym co jest jego.

• Yuma,pokaże innym facetom że jesteś jego i tylko jego.

• Zagoni cię, do pracy z nim w ogrodzie a jak nie będziesz nic umiał nauczy cię.

• Gdy go lepiej poznasz pokaże ci swoją uroczą strone.

[sparkanonymous]

Dragons Rising: Season 2

I'm a little bit more nervous to watch season 2; I like watching things that make me feel happy, and from the brief spoilers I've gotten about this season, this is probably gonna be more sad than anything... But I'll try.

I will be continuing to work on the two pieces I was working on before, so check the bottom of this post if you want to see my progress! (This goes for my season 1 notes post, too, by the way.)

⚠️ Spoilers for episodes 1-5!

Divider by cafekitsune

Episode 1: The Blood Moon

New Jordana look, huh? I don't really like it right now, but I can grow to get used to it.

So are the lines on her face just... permanent?

Good to know Raz has night vision.

Jordana is clearly scared about all of this... I wonder how long it will take for her to switch sides.

The bad guys always seem too distracted, intentionally taking their time to get to their targets. I kinda understand why it was that way for the little phone video in the beginning of the episode, since it's such a cramped space to work with and the movements might cause motion sickness. But with every other fight? No.

Wow, Ryu grew up quite fast.

Fugidove? In 2024?

Holy fuck, the news reporter remembered Pixal? Most of the ninja didn't even remember her. Actually, practically nobody in Ninjago city. He's either a super fan, or the writers completely forgot that fact for this season.

Is Intelligent George a parody on someone? I can't tell.

Did Sora really have to spell that out? Did they just... not think that that people watching the second season had already watched the first? I feel like spelling it out like that will make people not want to go back and rewatch the first season to see what they missed.

Also, with how much bigger Ryu is, I would've thought more time had passed. The way Sora had said that line makes it sound like she just unlocked her true potential instead of it being like... a few months ago or something.

Okay, so now we're on the "Arin really wants elemental powers" thing. He seemed mostly fine with that last season. What changed?

Arin, if you're looking for someone to be talking about those still lost in the merge, why the hell would you watch a Youtuber who only wants to talk about the ninja to sell merch? There are plenty of people that you could talk to; the people you're currently around would be far better to talk to about this. I know that they don't have the solution right now, but they are far more likely to come up with one before a fucking Youtuber.

Sora and Arin are such good friends. Even if their interests are completely different, they still partake in the other's activities, especially when the other is looking blue.

Poor Frohicky, lol

Zane would have already heard and figured out these figures of speech back in like... season 1 or 2. But he's still cute. I like that Kai and Zane are playing the video game together.

The layout of this game makes me think of the TMNT arcade game. Nice touch.

Hm... so Lloyd's getting more visions... or he's having a nightmare... or both?

So... Zane and Sora are gonna get taken down. Is Arin going to rebel, betray them? Beatrix is clearly coming back, which I figured would happen after she disappeared into that merge-quake at the end of last season.

Wu watching over his nephew is nice, but... where's Garmadon? Sure, Wu is probably more iconic and a better teacher, but Garmadon is Lloyd's father. I want to see him again... would he have the same golden glow that Wu's ghost does, or would he have a purple glow or be a purple void?

Also, where's Nya? I don't think I've seen her at all this episode.

Why is Arin's voice so soft now? It's like he's constantly whispering into the mic?

Kreel not even denying that she tried to make their mech explode back in episode 1 lol

Wait is the junkyard ghost Wu?

Wow, that was a small investigation montage.

I like Ryu's teenage model over the baby one, but he reminds me a little too much of Toothless.

That old lady shaming those throwing away a good dragon... but not taking the dragon? Oh, come on; she would've totally tried to take Ryu back home with her. It's an old lady thing.

Oh my god, Arin stop self-pitying; this is not the time.

Arin, they will be proud of you; you're a ninja.

Lloyd's gonna have a heart attack.

Woah, the camera during this fight is really wobbly. It actually feels like Arin, Sora, and Ryu are in danger.

The actual panic in Lloyd's voice.

Give me the smoke guy's name. I need it. He's really cool.

Episode 2: Shattered Dreams

Wait, the writers of destiny are still a thing? I would've thought that they would have disbanded after it was proven that writing the future didn't actually mean anything.

Their idea of fun is bagels? Yeah, I can see it.

Wait, so their entire religion isn't completely founded on made up bullshit?

Lloyd, why would you drink that?

Sora, you sound like Raven Queen.

Arin, that's robot-ist. In front of Zane? Really?

Y'all are in broad daylight. So much for being ninja.

Everybody judging Sora's graffiti, including Zane lmao

Hitting Zane in the head with a non-magic teapot lmfao

The Gong of Shattering is such a terrible name.

Poor Arin, lol

Oh, no. This is Arin's undoing. He's gonna hit the gong in order to try and get an elemental power, he'll turn evil, and then fight beside Raz. I'm calling it now!

I really enjoy Percival's character now. He's learning, he's helping out, and he seems to be kinder than when he was under Beatrix's rule. I think the rebellion was good for him.

The Master Writer was so scared, he didn't even try to run. Wow. Anyone will let the bad guys overthrow them, huh.

Euphrasia should seriously train with the other ninja; she's far too weak to be looking after a kingdom alone. (Yes, I know that they're making all the ninja really bad at fighting to make it look like the smoke ninja is way stronger than them, but still.)

It's not called the Blood Moon for anything good. Is it ever?

You're supposed to be sneaky; that glowing green spinjitzu is not sneaky in any way.

Why did Euphrasia have to say that? She could have looked relieved instead of saying that terribly said "Thank goodness your okay!"

Zane, that doesn't answer shit. A written language can't look evil. That's the dumbest shit I've ever heard.

Should Euphrasia even be here to save the Master Writer? She's using a crutch. Actually, does literally everybody have to be here for this? Bigger groups are hard to be stealthy with, and most of them aren't really being useful. They should've picked three to go in while everyone else stays behind as back up.

So Raz was the reason the worms turned evil last season. Hm...

I'm still not over it. Why is Ryu here? It should've been Lloyd, Arin, and Zane; Lloyd because he needs to confirm his visions, Arin because he's really foreshadowing something, and Zane to confirm the stupid language thing. Euphrasia would've been a good choice to bring if she wasn't using a crutch. Everyone else is just... here for no fucking reason except to just listen to the Master Writer. They're not really hiding, so any of the wolf-masked characters could easily find them. They didn't bother animating anyone except Lloyd and Arin going up the wall; they all just kinda teleported. This is bothering me so bad. (Not everyone has to be here to listen. The three that would've gone could've spread the information off screen so it didn't become too repetitive.)

See, I fucking told you. Now Lloyd's having another panic attack.

Why did the gong only affect the wolf-masks? Is the detail I missed that they have to be wearing the wolf mask to be affected by the gong? That seems dumb.

Lmao Kai

Woah, Zane glitching.

Episode 3: Beyond the Phantasm Cave

Wait, where did Kai's mech come from?

Of course when Lloyd asks for an answer, the source dragons come.

Wow, that source dragon from season 1 is so convincing, he convinced the other source dragons within seconds.

Why wouldn't Sora believe Lloyd after all of this?

Aw, Kai checking on Wyldfyre.

Nya, you trained under Wu for how long? You would know that, yes. He would bring you guys somewhere based on half-understood dreams.

Why is Zane always the one to keep an eye on the ship? Ugh.

"Now it sounds like the rotor sneezed!" Lmao Lloyd

It's sweet that Sora and Arin are talking to each other about fond memories, but... why? This came out of nowhere, and they just arrived at their destination. The writing here feels a little clunky.

Aw, now they all have grappling hooks.

Wow it sure took those snake things a while to come out to try and kill them.

Uh oh, Kai's powers not working very well...

Is this like the future telling ice thing in the original series?

Sora that is quite clearly static. How the hell did you think that was Kai?

Oh man, it's all their worst fears...

Oh, shit... The Jaya thing I've seen fanart for.

Poor fucking Nya... this is foreshadowing.

They have airjitzu. They could take the jump a lot more carefully.

Episode 4: Force From The East

Ooh, finally! Back to Cole.

God, Geo and Cole are so fruity.

That was a mouthful of exposition. They could've had a mini flashback of that moment from last season when Cole left and followed Wu. Sure, Geo didn't see that, but this show has never shied away from showing other character's perspectives during flashback sequences told by another character.

Geo being worried about Cole.

They're such an artistic family.

Bonzle is gonna make Geo panic.

Kai and Nya working together is sweet.

Me, too, Arin. Me, too.

The dragon speaking English instead of using telepathy or whatever.

"Should we... ask them what they want?" "Sure. What do you want?" *Gets obliterated* Lmao

Geo's so silly.

Finally; Cole comes to the rescue!

Bonzle's hiding something... I'm not sure what just yet. But she knew that they could leave when they previously couldn't.

Why does Zane have a Frohicky plushie? I'm so confused.

Why isn't Cole surprised to see Zane?

"- why do you have a frog-man-doll?" "It is a long and barely comprehensible story." I love them.

So that's why I thought the Glacier reunion was so... weird and terrible. They're in the middle of a chase scene.

I like how Zane tries to decipher what the problem is by examining his face... I'm so normal about this pairing, I swear.

I like how this episode is split into the stuff that Lloyd and crew were doing and Cole and family were doing, but I focus on just the Cole and family stuff. Mostly just Cole and Geo. They're family is really sweet and care about one another so deeply. Fritz and Spitz need more to do, though; they're kinda just... kids in the middle of everything, but they seem to be as strong and fast as the rest of their family, so... idk

Episode 5: The Spell at the Waterfall

Ah, the Zane and Frohicky side of the plot.

I understand what Frohicky is trying to accomplish, but Zane has already gone to him if he has a problem with the things he's doing. That's just the kind of guy Zane is. This tactic might have worked better with Kai or Lloyd.

Zane whacking the bad guy with the stupid fucking doll lmao

Why wouldn't Bonzle have told them earlier? Lmao what a mouthful.

Oh, so that kinda makes sense... kinda. For Bonzle to know when the could leave. But she would've sensed that opening a long time ago, and probably would have looked more worried throughout the beginning of last episode.

See? The entire Cole and Geo family is artistic.

Bonzle met Master Wu?!

Kai and Nya are so epic.

So, wait. i thought Wu would have taken her to meet the ninja, but I guess not?

Aw, Cole and Geo getting emotional about Bonzle's story.

"This reminds of the old days. Count me in." "That's what I'm talking about." Ugh... I love them too much...

So is one of the source dragons helping Raz? Or am I going crazy?

Of course, there are some critics I have. But I'm liking this so far, even with how often Lloyd was getting panicked and the amount of foreshadowing to future episodes I was getting. Still a little nervous about what's coming, though...

Current Progress: