#should i tag lcb for this?

[applepies-and-starlight]

So fun fact about Auspice!Rodya, she likes the sea

Like, she Really likes it. Though it's more of a neat little interest that is similar to people's obsession over greek mythology (or similar to how Laios Dungeon Meshi views monster cuisine (...I think, I really need to continue watching it))

Not sure how much this changes, but her dialouge about the Laws of the Lake in Canto V part 1 changes because of this, since she's actually familiar with how the Lake operates (at a very basic level, at the very least), she just doesn't know what happens when the laws are defied aside from "Bad Idea™" until the Waves hit in the Canto

[kapacb413]

is this anything

[art-is-kayos]

Totally real merch that exists and is real. I promise.

[mango-dolphin]

Dante: <Hey guys, could we stop hazing Sinclair about this...?> Heathcliff: Heh. But how could an amnesiac tell anyone about The Trans Terrorbeast? Dante: <...........>

someone asked that i draw ishmael. and on all accounts, i very much did draw her. (i'm not counting it though)

single-image version and transcribed dialogue under the cut

Ishmael: My least favorite part about being trans? Ishmael: Hrm... there's lots I could do without,

Ishmael: But I'd have to choose The Trans Terrorbeast. Hands down. Sinclair: The— The what?!

Meursault: I recently underwent the process of fending off The Trans Terrorbeast as a preliminary step towards acquiring estrogen. Meursault: T'was unpleasant. Heathcliff: I wish they'd can that bloody horror already. Rodion: Ugh, I hated that part. Rodion: The Terrorbeast is like, so not it. Gregor: My, er, bug features let me skip that part, actually. Because I transformed. Rodion: Whaa?! Lucky... Gregor: No I wasn't. Yi Sang: I've chanced an encounter with the aforementioned "Trans Terrorbeast." Gregor: Eh...? You said you were cis...? Yi Sang: Strangely, I find your statement to be less than ideal. Sinclair: What are you guys TALKING about?!

(The text next to Vergilius reads *manifests*) Vergilius: Tch. Vergilius: I've always hated that damn Terrorbeast. Vergilius: At least it took my breasts. Sinclair: I see.

[wuthering-tempest]

every time he comes back to base he's always freshly mauled and sopping wet. and for what? 2 rocks and a tuft of grass

[offshore-brinicle]

Thinking about the three characters we've met who had already found and claimed the Golden Bough before the Sinners, Kromer, Dongbaek and now Ahab it's very interesting to me that they all have in common being women leaders of groups where they are seen as messiahs of sorts, much like how Carmen herself who is the origin of The Light was the one who united the original LobCorp team and had such supernatural charisma that she could convince anyone she wanted to join her cause of "saving humanity".

Kromer is the most blantant and cartoonish example, she's worshipped as a messiah and goddess by her followers to the point they consider basking in her grace a priviledge to the point of genuine insanity beyond what any regular person could comprehend, pure religious fanatism for their savior they believe in who will bring them a "pure, untainted" world, so much that they have cast away their individuality in their adoration, inquisitors being indistinguishable from one another.

Ahab who is a more realistic example of this kind of person even if not as infallible as the seemingly perfect Carmen; she's strong, confident, passionate, revered as a hero and makes convincing cases for herself while having the unnatural ability to appeal to people's desires and cut through them, and in her case the way the Pequod Town have come to bend to her isn't unfounded given their situation. I think that's what makes her significantly scarier and more effective as a villain and character in general; she's not just a comically evil woman in a position of power, you can very easily see why some people would fall for her words and bend to her will. She is paradoxically both the savior of the Pequod and the one who doomed them to the hell inside The Pallid Whale, yet after being isolated from society for so long with no other choices or escape and having their sense of self degraded by the Pallidfication the Pequod crew only came to see the first part.

Dongbaek is an interesting case, unlike the two women described before who are undeniably villains and egomaniacal, she's portrayed as much more sympathetic and even an outright tragic figure, however at the same time unlike them we never directly see the relationship she has with her followers. They never talk about Dongbaek herself and not even mention her in any way, only the ideology she gave them: destroy the current order to create an ideal world free from the shackles of The Wings and technological advancement, and unlike the two before who are always aided by their lackeys, Dongbaek was always seen alone, less like a hero or a goddess but more like a ghost that haunted everyone, much like Carmen's role in LobCorp. This "ghost" motif is doubly emphasized by her sickly dying appearance and how she contantly dissapeared and appeared without a trace, never letting those around her forget about all they have lost or sacrificed trapped in her vendetta.

But ultimately Dongrang, herself and even Yi Sang come to admit her motives were just as self-centered and she was just as manipulative, yet rather from a place of hubris it came from a place of deep despair and yearning.

Like Kromer, the TLA believed she would make a better world, but like Ahab, she was ultimately someone taking advantage of people in despair and giving them false hopes, all while deluding herself further, and much like Carmen, she's associated with trees and vegetation, both expressing the wish to be like one and having a disdain for The Wings, though in Dongbaek's case, she only represents half of Carmen's wish; being the plant blooming across the land, while Yi Sang is the one who would reach the sky.

In the end, all three of these women were false saviors, much like how Carmen's idea of bringing salvation to humanity led to all of the suffering within Lobotomy Corporation, the unleashing of chaos upon The City even her own endless torture as The Well giving birth to Abnormalities...it makes me wonder if all of this was intentional, as a way to parallel Carmen herself. Yet all three of them appear to us clearly untrustworthy while Carmen does not.

Kromer, Dongbaek and Ahab are immediately stablished as dangerous presences; Ahab and Kromer being the sources of Ishmael and Sinclair's suffering and tormenters they have to overcome --the source of their nightmares, and Dongbaek is introduced stabbing Yi Sang and being called "dangerous" yet Carmen is introduced as her best self and all the best memories everyone has of her, it isn't until Ruina, away from Ayin's perspective that she's questioned, it makes me wonder if they will continue to bring these characters contrasting Carmen in further chapters.

[soulanima]

Some sprites edits, expect more

[bluegooo]

Wasn't in the mood for faces, so spiky wife and heavenly bouncer for today

[almostswagkid]

Doesn't seem like they'll be having any sleep tonight 😔

[saltedteas]

girls who have charge induced headaches together and take ibuprofen together 👍

[bluarlequinno]

I'm going mad actually

Born from twitter discourse, here’s my analysis on the fandom’s interpretation of Heathmael, one because it's all over my feed which ... Ugh, but secondly, the fact that none of the sides state all things clearly and it just ends up being a bunch of misconception regarding the ship.

Let it be said that, in all honesty, I find this drama really annoying because I genuinely do dislike the ship overall in retrospect, buuuut to contextualize, this was all born from the post "ship so ass you have to mischaracterize the characters for it to work" and somebody mentioned Heathmael. And obviously a lot of people found that baffling, but is it true?

I feel it's a big... depends, because when they are shipped the overwhelming majority of people who ship them mischaracterize them to the point where it's very obvious that they don't ship them because they find their narrative foil appealing or that they comprehend why their relationship (narratively speaking) works or why are they written the way they are. Or if they value Ishmael as a character more than they value eye candy and a male character they can insert onto.

Rather you will normally find the typical characterization of “haters to lovers” that pushes this tsundere agenda in Ishmael which forcefully feminizes her and characterizes Heathcliff as some type of bad boy which lmao wtf.

This ship is extremely debated, compared to other straight ships in the fandom, and even though it's objectively a decent straight ship narratively speaking, most of the people who ship it are well... I hope it comes through which specific people I'm talking about.

People who frame it as Ishmael finally puts down that "bitch" attitude to warm up to Heathcliff which is just... Not only extremely stupid, but is clearly ooc for both Ishmael and Heathcliff, and Heathcliff can finally find an alternative of Catherine framing Ishmael as something Heathcliff gets.

They project their own desires on Heathcliff and treat Ishmael like the woman in the straight relationship that just ends up with this ass dynamic that enforces all that is wrong with traditional straight relationships which is a big disservice to what is actually going on with their relationship in canon.

Not only because it misses the point entirely and makes the environment around the ship extremely dislikeable and impossible for people to even like because of it, but also because it hurts to watch these two characters who individually are so much more and so deep and interesting be reduced to this dynamic that butchers them.

But in essence, their dynamic, if interpreted correctly and without any of the brain rot bullshit they are normally shipped on behalf of, is actually really really compelling, does it mean it's shippy? I feel that it just really... depends. I feel that I could only ship it if it's this very specific version I've analyzed in my head and that is not a traditional view on shipping, and is in a very thin line between platonic and leaning on angsty that overall is more a character analysis than actual shipping, but all in all not necessarily with them falling in love.

Which makes it really hard for me to enjoy it and I would need for them to be tackled with extreme sensibility and consideration of both of them to be able to work, but all in all I feel is both valid why people dislike it and even ones who say it is kinda bad, after all it is mostly filled with fics and fanart that clearly put in evidence just what kind of people who engage in their ship actually are which well makes some people who appreciate their characters not like it. If you ship them and aren't like this well (if the shoe doesn't fit… don't put that shoe on then).

But, I suppose it's also valid to ship them. I mean as much as I hate to admit it, it's not like there isn't anything between them in the game.

But I also feel however that even if you dislike it, it isn't really a bad ship, nor is it inconceivable, after all they are narrative foils and they end up a little better after because of each other.

However I wanna discuss that, it is important to note that a lot of the reasons I dislike the ship, is because of this inexistent triangle they do between Heathcliff, Catherine and Ishmael which is just... So petty and stupid.

To make Ishmael's and Heathcliff's relationship look better they frame Catherine and therefore her own relationship with Heathcliff in such a negative “she was toxic and abusive to Heathcliff” kinda light that just is stupid, because not only does it overly villainize Catherine while sanctifying Heathcliff when is clear both were the problem (in their relationship, not regarding the abuse Heathcliff's went through), but it also disregards Heathcliff's feelings and makes it seem as though Catherine didn't love Heathcliff which is objectively not true, both of them loved each other so much that they had no idea how to resolve it because of their upbringings, not to mention they were both literal teenagers living on a toxic household isolated and with clear ideologies that influenced them, but also Catherine lived with the guilt of Heathcliff's pain, the reason she even does what she does in Heathcliff's canto is because she feels that she cannot do anything else to make up for Heathcliff's suffering than to erase herself. Heathcliff and Catherine's souls are made from the same after all. Heathcliff loved Catherine and still as of now up to date on the story, is still in love with Catherine, his whole arc is that he now has the self confidence, self esteem and maturity to confront his feelings and his needs with Catherine without putting himself down. He is still looking for her to be able to "who guessed it" TALK. He is learning to express and find his own feelings as valid and as worth it as any other person, leaving behind his inferiority complex. Like how he admits out loud that he sees the sinners as family.

Heathcliff is more emotionally mature than people give him credit for, and he never hated Ishmael. Heathcliff hated himself and hated to see someone he saw himself reflected on sink down harder because he expected Ishmael to be better than him, and if Ishmael can't be, then what does that mean for himself?

He helps Ishmael because he is an emotionally empathic person who understands that Ishmael needed someone who would just listen, and it worked. He didn't save Ishmael nor did he become the reason Ishmael outgrew her own trauma.

If there's anything I learned from Revolutionary girl utena is that you cannot save anybody all you can do is lend a hand.

Heathcliff is a man who wears his heart and his intentions on his sleeve, now that his relationship with Ishmael is of a mutual understanding and appreciation he wouldn't be in denial if there were deeper feelings, but there aren't, he helps Ishmael just how he realizes when other of the sinners are having a bad time, or when he accommodates for others because he realizes what they are going through.

Look how in the new Canto Heathcliff is constantly speaking up on behalf of Don Quixote because he understands her and empathizes with her enough to be one to speak up when another sinner says something negative about her.

But back to the point , does this mean that I'm saying it can't mean it could be interpreted as shipping? I feel that is just whatever, obviously it can. I'm no authority, I just feel that it's not intrinsically romantic and is not fair for it to be pushed to be so.

But I feel it was really important for me to clarify because if there's anything that I dislike is putting two female characters against each other for a man especially Ishmael who I mean... Would definitely not fight for a man in the romantic sense. Let alone with another woman 🙄. She fights for things she thinks are worth her time, don't diss my girl like that, don't make this something it's not. Ishmael is not that type of girl.

But I think it is really important to acknowledge this because Heathcliff doesn't nor did he project Catherine on Ishmael, the narrative never parallels them and in Heathcliff's canto Ishmael never is framed to be in any way similar to Catherine, because it isn't there, because Heathcliff doesn't see Catherine in Ishmael because people often don't realize that Heathcliff wasn't like Ishmael, who as smart as she was, was an emotional wreck, Heathcliff was pretty aware of what he wanted to do arriving at Wuthering Heights, so for Heathcliff it's more a thing of, I don't want you if you aren't Catherine why you dare compare to her, nobody could be for me what she was. Heathcliff saw himself in Ishmael, which is very different.

And it is really important to acknowledge that because after his Canto Heathcliff still doesn't show nor say nor do anything to showcase that now his relationship with Ishmael is more meaningful that his with Catherine. Because those two relationships are different.

With this I'm not saying you can't ship them, just that you can't ignore Heathcliff's and Catherine's relationship and how It is actually framed as.

Because it isn't fair for Ishmael to be treated as the second option, it isn't fair that she's framed as what Heathcliff settles for because his relationship with Catherine didn't work and people really do frame it like that, but if you don't frame it like that than you have to acknowledge that Heathcliff wouldn't choose Ishmael over Catherine. At least not now, and Ishmael will not just jump into a relationship regardless, she spent years with Queequeg and it is something that for Ishmael just isn't easy.

But Ishmael isn't Heathcliff's anything, Ishmael canonly doesn't have any feelings for Heathcliff and if you are gonna ship them I think is important to at least acknowledge all of this so you don't end up doing that stupid thing of putting Ishmael as the other option of Heathcliff and therefore treating Ishmael as Heathcliff's instead of an individual character brought closer to another individual character.

I also believe that a reason why, at least for me personally, Heathmael conflicts me so much is because, since Heathcliff and Ishmael are hostile in the begging, and Ishmael is a female character, shipping her with Heathcliff is almost basically an indicator of people treating Ishmael pretty misogynistically and just kinda really UHM.. it's hard for me to explain it on fully, but it's just this vision of that stereotypical men and women bicker so it means they most like each other and that Ishmael should learn to like Heathcliff because she's just so uptight and hysterical which not even Heathcliff feels at all about Ishmael so it annoys me that a lot of male shippers project that on Heathcliff to build this very specific idea of Ishmael that is so far from the truth and pains me to see given how much I love Ishmael. It's pretty ironic given how literally her whole anger in part is that nobody takes her anger seriously and her worries seriously because she's too paranoid and yeah...

Does this make sense? I hope so

Now I do wanna tackle the elephant in the room, because I feel it is also a bias I have and I think talking about it could open to more fans discussing it, but... I feel like the simple fact that it is a straight ship does make people hate it, I wouldn't say I hate Heathmael, but I do admit that the fact it's straight does kinda not make me like it as much as I would if it was sapphic, but in my defense I feel at least personally that it's more to do with my relationship with Ishmael's character than the fact it's straight in general, because as far as straight ships go, Rodion x Gregor is absolutely adorable, Meursault x Donqui can be cute and I do admit that Faust x Yi Sang has its charm, but I feel that Ishmael reads as a lesbian to a lot of the fans and tbh I feel like the lenses and proofs on the game aren't like invisible and that her relationship with Queequeg and what it means for Ishmael is too important as well.

I know bisexuality is also a thing obviously, but I feel with Ishmael specifically there is something about her and being a lesbian that there isn't in any other of the females sinners, I'm being genuine I think Ishmael is probably the only sinner I fully see as a lesbian (well maybe Outis too) and it is something that resonates with my reading of her character too much to fully be able to enjoy Heathmael, at least in the "they actually fall in love kind of way".

Honestly I feel this might sprout some controversy, but I feel like I wanted to say something about them, specifically because Ishmael and Heathcliff individually to me are extremely good characters and the discourse is annoying, but also because I feel things are never fully stated ever and it leaves me feelings unsatisfied. I have been pondering about it for a long while.

Also I feel I should also talk more about Ishmael's side in this story, but ironically speaking Heathmael is harder for me to read because of Heathcliff and his misinterpretation, both of him and his relationship with Catherine overall.

Ishmael also to a certain extent, I feel people don't understand her a lot, or they purposefully ignore canon portrayal because she's a female character and is more exposed to THAT kind of treatment by fandom (at least that very specific side of people). But I think for Ishmael I'd just make a whole separate analysis post.

[sunshades]

btw hey happy almost halloween. anybody here to listen if i say this mirror world in canto 6 was them being jonathan and mina harker. the fascinator of mina's green dress is decorated to resemble a feather, too. as of wild hunt's acquisition scene, in this world catherine dies by being beheaded, as if befitting of a vampire, which mina nearly becomes in the course of the book.

[throughpatchesofviolet]

I commissioned @/freshkiiiwi for this Fell Bullet Heathcliff around two hours ago, and they already finished him ... I'm speechless. /pos

[tangentrina]

I tried imitating the funger style to draw a Gregor...

Emphasis on tried

[bardofhype]

hi limbus company fandom

so i had a thought. and that thought was "what if the sinners and all their identities had voicelines for when it was your/the manager's birthday" and what was supposed to be a funny "what if" scenario rapidly expanded into me actually thinking about it. so. because it ended up so long, i'm putting all of this under the cut so that no one has to scroll for a mile to read it all in the tag. you're welcome btw /lh

Yi Sang Base LCB: "Another year prolonging your stay in this world… may the rest of it be to your ideal pleasantness, Dante."

Seven Section 6: "The director informed me it was your birthday today, and instructed me to hand you this parcel as a gift. … I cannot tell you why she has it memorized. I try not to bother the director with such queries."

Blade Lineage Salsu: "How old are you now, Dante? … You do not know. I see. Yet another mysterious facet of you to be intrigued by…"

Faust Base LCB: "This is for you, Dante. I hope you enjoy it. … Hm? What is it for? Yes, Faust expected you to ask such a thing. It is your birthday, Manager."

W Corp Cleanup Agent: "Due to the nature of my occupation, personal occasions and celebrations are not common around the work environment. However, I am not bothered with taking a small portion of time to wish you a happy birthday."

L. Corp Remnant: "Birthdays were rarely given much worth in my old place of work- if we were lucky, a few of us would simultaneously take our breaks in order to have a small celebration. Perhaps it may not be so different here… but I hope you have a proper celebration nonetheless."

The One Who Grips: "How fortunate you are, to have lived another full year in this world with your humanity intact! Such a wondrous thing indeed… though, must you still wear that mask, even on such a glorious occasion that's just for you… ?"

Don Quixote Base LCB: "Manager Esquire!! I doth heard today is your birthday! I have collected up the others, and we are planning a stupendous secret arrangement for thee! I hope thee shalt be prepared!!"

W Corp Cleanup Agent: "Doth my ears deceive me? Is it truly your birthday, Manager Esquire?!?! What ho!!! I shall pay for thy next ride on the Warp Train, friend- the greatest gift I could bestow anybody!"

Shi Section 5 Director: "Happy birthday, Manager Esquire!! I have acquired thee a cake and gift! … Ah, I seem to have surprised thee- was I too quiet, walking up to you? Aheh, 'tis a habit of mine!"

Ryoshu Base LCB: "Congratulations. You're now one year closer to the B.D." (boundary of death)

Kurokumo Wakashu: "That's one more year you've survived now. IFFY." (impressive feat for you)

Seven Section 6: "The director told me to give this to you. Use it wisely, or I'll CUT on you." (crudely utilize tranquilizers)

R.B. Chef de Cuisine: "Word travels fast through these streets- H.B.D. I made a special pie this morning, just in case you dropped by… enjoy."

Meursault Base LCB: "Congratulations on another year. … I was only expected to give you a statement like that for today, nothing more."

Liu Section 6: "I was asked to deliver this cake to you. The candles were lit by my flame, so please do not feel obligated to blow them out immediately."

W Corp Cleanup Agent: "I was told today is a special occasion for you. Here- it is a first-class ticket you can use on the next Warp Train you board."

N Corp Groẞhammer: "You may take a day of rest today. For The One Who Grips has deemed it so- and for today is one you must experience in all its purity."

Hong Lu Base LCB: "It's your birthday today? How exciting~! Tell me, Dante- are you going to choose the acres of land, the pony, or the-- Hm? My siblings and I were able to choose between several gifts on our birthdays, was that not possible where you're from?"

Kurokumo Wakashu: "It's a special day today, is it not, Lord Dante?~ Come with me… ah, haha, no need to be so scared. I'm simply going to treat you to the finest dining I know of. Come on then~"

Tingtang Gangleader: "Happy birthday, Manager Dante~ Why don't we hit the casino floor, hmm? I've heard birthdays can be days of immense luck for the fortunate."

Liu Section 5: "Ah, you're just in time- I just finished brewing some high-class tea. Would you like some? I'll even let you have an extra cup for your birthday~"

Heathcliff Base LCB: "Mm. Happy birthday, clockface. As a gift, I'll try not to make too many wounds for you to turn the clock back for today. You're welcome."

Shi Section 5: "If you're expecting much out of me today just 'cause it's your birthday, you can bugger off. I'm not doing anything bloody special for you. … 'Less you're in the mood for some right scran."

R Corp 4th Pack Rabbit: "Oh? It's your birthday today? Bloody brilliant- come with me. As a gift, this hare's gonna teach you how to graze some grass!"

N Corp Kleinhammer: "O-oh- happy day of birth to you. I'll… see if I have time to do something better than that between all the gatherings today…"

Ishmael Base LCB: "Happy birthday, Dante. I'll try to do work without much complaint today."

Shi Section 5: "Happy birthday, Manager. This is for you. … Huh. Did I really catch you by surprise that much?"

LCCB Assistant Manager: "Today's your birthday. An important occasion that's going to make it all the more terrible if one of us slips up… I can assure you that won't be a worry with my presence here."

R Corp 4th Pack Reindeer: "Ah… happy birthday- kgh. Can you make sure not to stir up too big a racket in celebration?"

Rodion Base LCB: "Happy birthday, Dante~ Surprise! I got you something. Open it up whenever you feel like- just make sure to tell me when you do."

LCCB Assistant Manager: "Today's your birthday, yeah? Figured- so I got you something good as a gift. … Hm? Where'd I get the money for it? Oh, don't you worry your silly head about that~"

N Corp Mittelhammer: "A glorious day for you, is it not? The One Who Grips tasked me with delivering you a present today- how lucky for you, fuhu. Treasure it as much as you can, her gifts are worth slaying thousands of heretics for!"

Kurokumo Henchwoman: "Surprise, Dante~ I got you a little something with my protection fee today. Put it to good use now, you hear? Or else my sword will be a bit rash in the next battle~"

Sinclair Base LCB: "Ah- I-I completely forgot it was your birthday today, Dante- I promise, I'll be sure to buy something for you at our next stop."

Zwei Section 6: "I have a package for you, Dante. For all the good you've done for the team… you deserve this gift. Happy birthday, and may I continue being your shield!"

Jefe de Los Mariachis: "I'm doing a special performance tonight- you'll be there for it, won't you, Dante? It's a routine I've been practicing just for you, after all…"

Blade Lineage Salsu: "I hope you have a nice birthday today. I'm afraid I won't be around much- I'm needed today."

Outis Base LCB: "Happy birthday to you, Executive Manager. If you'd like, I will gather the others and have them sing your praises for the rest of today."

Blade Linage Cutthroat: "I see it is a special day for you, Executive Manager. I shall leave you to it, then- I wish not to impede what you have in mind for it."

G Corp Head Manager: "For today, I will grant you a day of rest. Only today, though- try to get out of your duties on any day but this one, and you will regret it."

Seven Section 6 Director: "I'm very glad I was able to catch you- here's some money. Treat yourself to something good today. You've earned it."

Gregor Base LCB: "Oh, hey, happy birthday, Manager bud. You think Vergilius is gonna put a little less pressure on you today 'cause of it… ? Ha, wishful thinking, huh."

Liu Section 6: "Hey, Manager bud. Come find me when it gets dark, alright? It's your birthday and all… and fireworks are much more impressive against a black sky."

G Corp Manager Corporal: "Greetings, Manager Dante, and a very happy birthday to you! I have cleared your schedule for today and have prepared several squadrons to help celebrate this special day of yours!"

R.B. Sous-chef: "Glad you stopped by. I've made a few special pies for a certain someone's special day today- put a little extra love into them, haha. Enjoy."

[eudico-my-beloved]

Capt ish and g outis are the two top dmg dealers (mostly) and my only lv 40 units so far so i think they should share a pipe and kiss (feat. the rest of my Leveled and Usable So Far units)