#so the fact I could help discover something about my favorite game TO my favorite youtuber of that game IS JUST

[beingsuneone]

Hiiii!! Thanks for the tag! I don’t know how I could possibly condense myself down to two pictures because who I am is so much but here was my attempt:

What's something you're really passionate about, and how did you discover it?

I think the closest thing I have is pet care, or more specifically bird care. I first interacted with my step-mom’s budgie and absolutely fell in love with her (her name was Ozzie) and nearly a year later I got three budgies of my own (Tazz, Blue and Jupiter) and from then on I’d gone down many spirals of researching proper bird care. I still do. Researching bird care extended to other animals. Proper care for cats, dogs, fish and axolotls specifically, hamster and other rodents, and several types of reptiles. I may not be as well versed in those other animals but I can tell you the basics of most; and I mean the real basics not pet store advice.

What's your favorite way to spend a weekend or free time?

I certainly like my downtime as I spend most of my time watching TV shows (lately it’s Greys anatomy [could you tell?] and modern family), reading, play games, and I always have music playing in the background, usually on my record player but sometimes just basic Bluetooth.

However, you give some money that is free to be spent and I have absolutely no problem spending my whole day shopping. I love shopping.

What's a piece of advice or a quote that has stuck with you over the years?

I think it’s always been, not an exact quote but, the concept of not caring what others think of you and just being who you are. Yes, I still do worry but for the most part I’m confident in who I am.

It’s not social anxiety, it’s more like social disdain lol (for the general public when I’m, for example, out shopping. Not online)

What's your go-to comfort food or drink when you're feeling down? (Bonus points if you can give a recipe)

Any food that Im craving when I’m feel upset will usually help but I can’t name anything specific besides coffee or tea. (I love matcha anything)

What's the most meaningful gift you've ever given or received

I don’t know and don’t particularly want to answer this question.

Bonus: What's a random fun fact about yourself that most people don't know?

It’s not really about me but I hyper fixated Shane Walsh so hard that my iPhone officially thinks we’re dating irl and has a memory called ‘the early moments’. I refuse to correct it and find it deeply funny.

Tag Game!!

I thought it'd be fun to make a tag game for everyone, so here's my version!!

alongside this picrew, and 2 pictures you think describes you, answer some questions about yourself.

What’s something you’re really passionate about, and how did you discover it?

What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or free time?

What’s a piece of advice or a quote that has stuck with you over the years?

What’s your go-to comfort food or drink when you’re feeling down? (Bonus points if you can give a recipe)

What’s the most meaningful gift you’ve ever given or received

Bonus: What’s a random fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?

i'll go first

I'm Alyssa!

What’s something you’re really passionate about, and how did you discover it?

Mythology! I've been super into mythology in general since I was in middle school, and i can just talk about it for hours. I first discovered it when my friend forced me to read Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series, and it spiraled from there.

What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or free time?

Most of the time I have to take extra classes during weekends, but other than that I read whenever I can! Be it a physical copy, a pdf or even fanfiction I spend most of my time reading. But when I can find some time for myself I either write or make bracelets. Sometimes I work on my ocs' lore with my friend, so it really depends on how busy I am at that moment.

What’s a piece of advice or a quote that has stuck with you over the years?

My mom once told me "If someone isn't willing to value you or your efforts, don't waste your time on them. Don't give your all to people who won't do the same." And while it sounds mean at first, it's actually helped me over the years.

What’s your go-to comfort food or drink when you’re feeling down? (Bonus points if you can give a recipe)

Sütlaç has been one of my top comfort foods for years now. It's a Turkish dessert made with rice, milk and sugar (and cinnamon, honey or nuts if i'm feeling fancy) Though sometimes i make cookies instead!

What’s the most meaningful gift you’ve ever given or received?

I made over 300 paper stars in a sitting for my friend, each star representing a day i'd have known her on her birthday. I chose paper stars because they meant a lot to her. I also got her a (plastic) rose because she told me she thought she'd never get flowers from anyone.

Bonus: What’s a random fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?

I used to be afraid of dogs when I was younger. The reason was because my granddad had a little dog that loved running around. Whenever we went to visit my grandparents the little thing would chase me around the garden until one of us dropped because of exhaustion. I think this was my first childhood trauma.

Tagging (no pressure!) : @romaritimeharbor , @kopivie , @ruruumin , @strxnged , @femivi +

@mlkbwunnies , @aureusveill , @milk-violet , @camvrin , @strryskys + anyone who would like to join!

[tiredsadpeach]

I’ve convinced myself my friends don’t wanna hear me so I’m posting this here instead of my twt because I’m excited and need to say something

[hiraya-rawr]

looking for your favorites 3 (sagau)

synopsis !! they can't possibly be your favorite character. . . right?

characters !! wanderer, scaramouche, chongyun, abyss prince aether, razor

note !! EVERYTHING WAS WRITTEN IN MY FREETIME bit by bit, hence why it sometimes sounds a little off i guess? i tried to fix it as much as i could ++ I'm honestly not sure if I can continue writing for the og sagau concept, I keep twisting it into something else eeh- heheheh

contains !! gn reader, mild religious themes, honestly the sagau concept is a little everywhere in this one, i couldnt seem to settle on one type, spoilers on sumeru's archon quest, scaramouche/wanderer spoilers

• • •

A Genshin Player typically has a variety of characters to choose from. Such options can range from free-to-play characters to limited five stars. Regardless of how much one invested in the game, they're bound to have at least a handful of options.

This is what all characters are aware of— that they are options among hundreds to thousands of vision holders across Teyvat, with every character being special and enticing in their own way.

There's no way they could be the favorite.

Right?

[x] WANDERER

He doesn't quite know who he is.

He doesn't understand what his purpose is either.

He just wanders, lost, nation to nation in hopes of maybe discovering a sense of fulfillment.

And with all the wandering he's done, he -of course- has heard about you. A special entity to this world. A small part of him wonders if you'd know the answers to his questions (or perhaps, you could make use of him? If he could be useful to someone like you, then surely he would feel fulfilled?).

Despite his quiet hopes, he wasn't in any rush to find you. Nor did he hope for you to actually make use of him. He just continued wandering, from the mountains of Liyue to the forests of Sumeru— all the way to where he is now. The barren desert, with nothing but sand for miles and miles to see (and perhaps that rather intimidating, flipped pyramid at a distance).

Needless to say, he wasn't expecting you of all people to follow his tracks out into the desert.

At first you were just a spech amongst the sands, then you became clearer with your approach, showing more and more the familiar features he once saw in passing amongst statues or paintings.

When you were finally within hearing distance, you raised a hand as if to call out his name, hesitating for a moment before deciding what to say—

"Wanderer!"

He tilts his head, pausing to face you as you walk closer. The sand around you stills, as if no longer fighting against every footstep you take, and instead assisting you to come closer.

"You are. . . the one this world was created for, right?" He asks unsure as soon as you were close enough

"I suppose I am?" You reply with a laugh, and he finds that he quite likes your laugh. "I tried looking for you, I'm glad I caught up before you got too deep into the desert."

"You tried looking for me. . ? Why?"

"Because how could I visit Teyvat without meeting you?" You smile softly. He looks away, it doesn't make sense.

"Meeting me, huh. . . then may I ask for a favor?"

"Anything you want."

His eyes catches yours -sunlight hitting them just right- and without missing a beat, "Can I be of use to you? Can you give me purpose?"

You freeze, hands to your side as you stare back at him. In truth, you were expecting something like this, but now? So soon on your first meeting? He looks back seriously.

"Sca– Wanderer," You begin, "You're doing this. . . to find out who you are, right?"

He nods. You sigh.

"Well. . . I know a friend back in the city who can help you. They're a traveler as well. In fact, you can say they're a friend of yours!"

"A friend of mine. . ?"

"Trust me. You'll love them. And shall we go back?"

Go back? He wonders. There's miles and miles of sand around you.

"It would be nightfall soon. I don't think we'd be able to make it back today. I'm sorry."

You turn to him, lips in a wide smile. There's something wrapped between your fingers as you hold it out for him to catch. He opens his palm, it settles down slowly— it's. . . an anemo vision. Glowing brightly.

"Why walk when we can fly?" You grin.

bonus :

"Don't you feel hot at all?" You whine, shielding your eyes from the glare of sunlight.

"I have a hat."

"I see. . . "

[x] SCARAMOUCHE

* It's conflicting, really. Scaramouche despises gods— their invisible influence taunting him like he was a defective product, like he should be ashamed to ever think he could stand on their level.

* You were... an oddity in his feelings towards such powerful beings. The world was made for you, catered to you, and people naturally adored you (just like how they adored the traveler you've shown your favor to).

* So when you, the being which his very world was created for your entertainment, landed in Teyvat, as human as any human could be— he didn't know what to expect.

* He didn't care. There are hundreds for you to meet, and he's not about to wait in line, dilly-dallying for your attention like a common peasant.

* But in the open halls of the Tsaritsa's palace, you approach with the quick pattering of your heels.

* The crowd of Fatui workers naturally part as soon as they noticed your approach. It's odd enough to hear that the player begged to go to Snezhnaya -land of nothing but barren snow- but to rush to Scaramouche's main headquarters? Unheard of!

* Yet there you were, face to face with a single option out of hundreds (the single option you chose).

"What in Teyvat are you. . ." He trails off, his face scrunched between irritation and shock. He doesn't know what to say, really. Would insulting you incur some sort of divine fury?

"I came looking for you!" You reply.

He thinks you're an idiot. He shouldn't call you that, right? Would it damn him to the abyss or something?

"Why. . ." He tries to form the words, "Why in Teyvat would you–" He pauses, looking around at the small crowd.

With a glare, the Fatui agents scatter away from the hall. It doesn't take much to scare them away like little rats. As he turns back to you, you look back unafraid, if not a little excited.

"Why are you here? Do you pity me, is that it?" He asks with a bite to his voice.

"Yes."

"I– what? So you admit it?" He scoffs, is there a limit to your shamelessness? Is this a trait natural to the gods? "Unbelievable."

"I pity you, everything you went through, but that's not the reason why I'm here! Isn't it obvious?" You say, a wide grin beginning to form, "You're my absolute favorite!"

He freezes. What? Absolutely. . . favorite?

As if understanding his speechlessness, you continue on, "I've been wanting to meet you since the very first event– ahem, first time I saw you!"

"You truly are an odd one." He mumbles under his breath because why him? Why the one who was abandoned and used numerous times? He's merely a puppet without a heart.

An empty vessel.

"And why should I believe you?" He says unconvincingly, arms folded. He notices the little chatter behind the walls, those darn recruits are listening in.

"Why would I be here if you're not my favorite?" You quip back.

He scoffs, "I don't know, but there's certainly something wrong with you in the head. You're not exactly what I expected."

"If you were expecting a certain level of power, then I could still do that. I can give you gifts."

". . . gifts?" He tilts his head.

"Artifacts, weapons, talents— they're all for you since the very beginning anyway!"

Artifacts, weapons. . . power? He thinks. Truly, if you were such an ultimate being, you could provide him anything? As if pondering over it, he suddenly pauses.

Yes, indeed you could give him these things.

But why him?

Because of favorites?

How could he be favored when he was once thrown away.

". . . Can you give me a gnosis?" He says, voice uncharacteristically soft.

"Um. . . we'll work on that. Maybe on the later arcs."

[x] CHONGYUN

* Despite modern Liyue's sovereignty from gods, it's still a nation that values traditions and piety. It's natural that with your arrival, you only deserve the best!

* That included invites from some of the highest ranking nobles and guilds. It's no surprise that Xingqiu, the second son of the largest Commerce Guild, makes an appearance to greet you in the Jade Palace, his brother and parents already done with their turns.

* Xingqiu expected a lot from you, maybe discussions of the arts (or perhaps you're even interested in novels?). What he didn't expect was for you to ask such a random question.

"Oh Xingqiu! You're here! Ah– but where's Chongyun?"

He only pauses for a second. Chongyun may be the son of a longstanding exorcist clan, but they're not much to boast about in terms of influence or wealth. Chongyun is... well, Chongyun. His dear best friend.

"I apologize, I wasn't aware that you'd like to meet him as well. Chongyun should be. . . hmm around the harbor by now, perhaps." He stands straight from his bow, "We were planning on meeting after this, your Holiness, to look for haunted h— I mean, to stroll Wuwang Hill."

You already know what they're up to as you clasp your hands together.

"Excellent! I'll go with you!"

"Wait- what?"

* Oh poor Chongyun, he would be a frantic mess in disbelief. It was hard enough to believe that you suddenly went to Liyue, but to approach him of all people? Did you mistake him for someone else? Are you going to ask for directions? Did he do something wrong?

* The thoughts swirling around his head is enough to destabilize his yang energy as you helplessly reassure him that you're there because you want to meet him as soon as you could.

"Chongyun!" You rush up to him, arms wide in an embrace— the cryo allogene freezes in place, stares with his cat-like eyes in wonder because wait, wait, wait– is the one and only controller of this world approaching him for a hug?

"I- Wait, me?" He stutters, tumbling over his words as you smile. His arms are awkwardly raised, unsure if he should hug you back.

"Yes! I met Xingqiu a while back and was wondering why you weren't with him."

"You- you were looking for me?"

"Of course I have! I've always wanted to meet you in person like this!"

As you squeeze him in your arms, you feel him go limp as his face turns red in heat.

"Oh no! His yang energy!"

[x] ABYSS AETHER

Aether knew he was damned. The minute he resolved to see through everything till the end, despite everyone thinking otherwise, he knew no one would understand why he decided to do this.

Alone, is how he decided to do this. So he sits lonely on a throne in the nave of what seems to be a dark cathedral. The walls depicting menacing murals of an era where everything went wrong. The abyss mages that normally float in worship are no where to be seen, just the way he wanted it.

Until you appeared, the little soft patter of footsteps echoing down his aisle, the heavy doors moving back to reveal your underwhelming entrance. He sees you and he wonders if he expected you to come, to blame him or get angry because how could he stray so far from his oh-so-favored sister, Lumine.

Yet, you walk up to him with a look of what seems to be sorrow.

"Are you here to blame me?" He asks and his voice echoes against cavernous walls.

"Blame you? No. . ." You reply.

"Then do you pity me?"

"Aether, I just want to understand." You confidently say, finally by the foot of his throne. He doesn't feel comfortable looking down on you like this, not you, so he stands to approach your eye level.

"Shouldn't you already understand?" He questions, curious.

"I— don't. . . I don't know everything there is to this world."

Aether frowns. Maybe because he was hoping that you of all people -mortal or god- would understand why he's doing this.

"That isn't my problem. There are bigger things for me to think about." He turns away and just before he could take the first step;

"I don't know everything about this world but if it's you– then I want to understand. I'm sure you have your reasons. I trust you more than anything."

He pauses, face in wonder, because how could you trust someone so blindly?

With an exhale and a decision made, he turns to you, "Then follow me. If you want to understand why, then stay with me."

"Okay."

[x] RAZOR

It was a classic welcome— arriving in Mondstadt, touring around the city, greeting the characters you've always wanted to meet. Despite their initial formalities and decorum, you've managed to tone down the professionalism and started to treat each other as friends.

That didn't mean they weren't very open to the idea of you meeting the less. . . civil of the bunch.

"I'd like to visit Wolvendom." You tell the small group. It's another day in the city, enjoying drinks by the taverns under the sun. Lucky for you, the Cavalry Captain and the Outrider have their time off to enjoy with you.

"Oh? Is there a reason why?" Kaeya leans back, head tilted.

"To be honest. . . I wanted to visit Razor. I'm sure you know him!"

Truth be told, you just wanted to meet a certain good wolf cub hidden in the woods. While everyone has went out of their way to meet you, Razor kept to himself in Wolvendom. Perhaps he was too intimidated by the crowds pouring into Mondstadt, or maybe he just wasn't familiar about you, but Razor was nowhere to be seen since your arrival.

". . . Razor?" Kaeya says hesitantly, "Hmm while I have no problem with you going to Wolvendom to meet him, there is another issue. . ."

"What issue?"

"The knights decided not to let you meet Razor," Amber quips in, "I mean– It's not that there's anything bad about him, it's just that he hasn't learned his manners yet. We thought it might be disrespectful if he met you so soon."

"Disrespectful?" You voice out in shock.

"Of course we know that you're not strict about that now! But I guess we never clarified the situation with Razor. . "

You huff, standing up tall with new resolve, "That's it! We're going out to find Razor and give him the biggest hug ever!"

"We are?" They echo back in unison.

"Yes we are!" You hook both your arms around theirs, dragging them out the gates of Mondstadt.

ko-fi support || general m.list

[wordsvomit101]

I'm about to do a lot of yapping.

I love definite answers rather than vague implications as much as the next person and wait for the story to come out first before making theories but this chat got me to realize a bunch of things so I need to share my thoughts. Important notes, the credits are for @shyanimeboi and their lovely friend who shares the source, couldn't do this without them. Warning though, there will be a lot of talking about flowers.

What a way to start a conversation, very flattering Lucifer, this just makes me think of how the devils and MC are pretty mutual in their attraction toward each other, this image said it the best, in my opinion.

But this also just makes me think that MC has to have some God's divinity in them and Solomon has something to do with it. My reason is kind of dumb but like, from the start of the game to now, MC could fit every character's ideal type (ex: Satan likes someone with wicked slaps, Mammon likes someone greedy, etc.), and if you stretch it enough (or inhaled a lot of copium like me), it could make sense, because somehow the angels have affection for MC yet they don't with Solomon and how MC can take off their charity belts in the Christmas cards, and now Lucifer said he has an erection just being around them (can't forget to mention, how every angels and angels' ideal type are God himself, and seeing how they act with him, it could explain why).

And the last two parts, Lucifer you're not fooling anyone, my guy. He likes being spoiled by his siblings as much as he is indulgent of them (like how he stops to tell the story of his past for the trio in the middle of the war and how he acts in his selfie comic). Of course he not gonna say it outright that he appreciates it but the fact that he found some flowers he likes says a lot (apparently this is not the first time as well, the nobles have done something like that for him, but this time is probably his favorite).

Also yes, it is in fact good for the body and mind to have plants around you when you have a common cold. "House plants can help you fight colds and sore throats. A study by the University of Agriculture in Norway discovered this fact. The research showed a 30 percent decrease in coughs, colds, sore throats, and other cold-related symptoms in people occupying spaces that had adequate houseplants. The reason? Plants help to increase humidity levels and decrease dust as well as purify the air."

This parts, this parts got me reeling. It seems normal right? I thought so too but when I think deeper into it, I have some thoughts on how he sees beauty and how he perceives beautiful things and associates them with people he loves (the 3 Seraphs) and how he see them as people, especially when it comes to flowers and plants. Flowers often symbolize beauty, growth, and the transient nature of life. A greenhouse, as a controlled environment where plants can thrive, represents a space of care, nurturing, and protection. Lucifer's frequent presence in the greenhouse basically said that it was his favorite place. It is a place where he can be surrounded by beauty in a natural and unforced way, much like how he perceives and interacts with others (he might see a flower and associate it with MC someday but we are not there yet).

Now, why am I so fixated on this? Well to me, how a person treats a flower says a lot about them and how they will treat others, for example, some see a beautiful flower, they will rush over to pick it, and some want to just hold it in their hand, some want to own it and have it in their possession, and some want to control and ruin it. While there are also people who see it and choose to just stay near and appreciate the flower, maybe they will pick it up one day or they don't. Lucifer fits the bill on the last one pretty well, he sees both the best and the worst side of his brothers, and instead of controlling them or snapping at them for how they are, he appreciates and lets them be, without trying to mold them to his own ideals. This is like observing a garden with both blooming flowers and wilted ones. Akin to a gardener who does not force the growth of plants but instead provides the optimal conditions and lets nature take its course.

Gabriel’s representation as a white lily, a symbol of purity, faith, and rebirth, yet always carries with him the “dizzying” scent of blood that is always on his body. The blood-stained petals symbolize the loss of innocence and the tarnishing of what was once pure. Like the white lily, Lucifer loves Gabriel for his inherent purity and unwavering commitment to God but hates the violence that taints him.

Michael’s representation with a black bellflower is surprisingly very accurate to his core, bellflowers themselves mean affection, constancy, and everlasting love, and the most prominent example of this is his love for both God and Lucifer, in the two stars event, even if one went out to buy the milk and the other throw himself to Hell and protect devils whom Michael despises, he still loves them. However, from what I can interpret, Lucifer could mean that instead of embracing the right "dew" (which likely means positive feelings, thoughts, and emotions), Michael chose to embrace the "dew" that only makes him cry and sad. Lucifer sees potential for beauty in Michael but is likely pained by his brother’s self-destructive choices.

How Lucifer sees Raphael as a chrysanthemum is interesting, the significance of the flower means strong bonds and a feeling of joy, and the warm color which resembles the sun means that Raphael should have been a bright and warm person like the flower is but the meaning of the "unrequited love" and how Raphael got misplaced affection, and instead of dealing with it in a non-destructive way, Raphael choose to rampage from the grief and the unjust feelings. It is basically what it could have been and what it becomes.

In some cases, it is a good thing to just simply observe the beauty of it all, but is it right to just only watch from afar as the "beautiful flowers", that lack the proper nurturing and care they want, beings he loves so much destroy everything around them and is also ruining themselves? He could cut off their roots and pick them out to prevent further damage but he didn't (since he is the closest to God, I wouldn't put it past him to pick up some habits and worldview from his Father, and perhaps, God also view the angels like how Lucifer does).

Interesting how he can see a bit of himself in MC, but the feeling of superiority is strong in the "pity" part when he talks about the devils. Like yes, he does love his nobles but he also pities them, and idk what to tell you besides that Lucifer kind of treats the devils like stray dogs or cats he found cute and pitiful and adopted them. Not saying that he's not at least, somewhat compassionate, but I think a part of him sees himself as a higher being than the devils like how other angels did.

I believe the small blue flowers are Forget-me-not, the shape and petals are pretty close to real life.

With the track record, we got and how Lucifer uses flowers as a stand-in for how he sees his brothers, and this flower, to me at least, is unlike how the other three in how it represents their characters, this flower is like something Lucifer sees to remember his dead brother by. Forget-me-not, outside of tragic romance, is a flower that often connects with death and lost (ex: In Newfoundland, it represents those who fell in World War I; In Armenia, it’s a symbol for the Armenian Genocide Centennial; It’s the symbol for International Missing Children’s Day; The Alzheimer’s Society uses forget-me-nots as a symbol for memory loss and to raise awareness for the disease).

Now, why am I focusing on the flower of all things instead of the fact that one of his brothers is dead? Well, because flowers not only tell a person's traits and personality, they also tell stories. According to Forget-me-not's legend and lore:

The first one describes a German knight who was strolling with his lady along the banks of the Danube River. The lady saw pretty blue flowers—but they’d been pulled loose by the river’s flow and were about to disappear downstream. She wanted to save the flowers, so her chivalrous knight jumped into the water. He couldn’t fight the strong current, so he tossed the flowers onto the bank, and as he was carried out to sea, he called out, vergiss mein nicht, which is German for “forget me not.”

Another legend says that the German knight didn’t leap into the river after the flowers, but rather bent to pick some for his lady when the weight of his armor caused him to topple into the water—and then he called out “Forget me not” as he was swept away. A separate German tale says the name was chosen when God was naming flowers. This one was the last, and the flower cried out, “Forget me not, O Lord,” to which God pronounced, “That shall be your name!”

The knight could be the dead brother in this situation, and I think that he and Lucifer were close when they were young, and Lucifer probably got interested in something or wanted to save something, his brother tried to help but ended up dead by an accident. Or he could be alive or in a limbo where no one could remember him except Lucifer. And I saw someone make a theory on this, here:

Apparently, he is the only light theme enemy, and given how he looks? He could be the brother but even I don't have a concrete reasoning as to why besides his appearance and power, and how he hides himself behind other angels in the presentation art and in battle. Though he would likely appear more in the future.

[nthspecialll]

I saw what you posted about Arthur being Not Actually A Good Guy and you’re so right, he’s… not cool by today’s standards. However, I was wondering if you could go a little into Charles’s stance towards this stuff/whether he’s actually a good dude or not? No pressure, just curious as to what your thoughts on him are since I’m THIRSTY for analyses on my Favorite Guy <3

Charles Smith ethics analysis

Arthur Morgan was very easy to do this with because he is the main character and with the antagonize button we get to hear all his thoughts, we don't with Charles and he is especially hard to look into because doesn't talk much and we don't see much in a lot of situations were we could get to see his stance on women for example, so this is me and @heavenlymorals combined thoughts.

When thinking about Charles's in camp interactions, at least one I think about first is the one where he and Uncle are eating and Charles only really replies only with yes and no. At first I thought that maybe he just does not like Uncle, but then I discovered that he has a similar conversation with Lenny which goes like this:

Lenny: "Good food." Charles: "sure." L: "And fine conversation." C: "Why do you feel the need to talk so much?" L: "Why do you feel the need for silence?" C: "I guess I prefer people when I don't have to them to them." L: "Point taken."

This is especially interesting because Lenny does feel some sort of familiarity and safety around Charles at other points in the game so he is trying to talk to him but Charles does not feel the need to talk to Lenny. And the way that Charles shuts down Lenny is also quite rude and mean, I don't know if I will directly call it disrespectful but at least there is a missing link between his wants and letting people down softly.

Something else is that I always saw Charles as a bit impulsive and aggressive due to two instances, the bison hunters and when he throws Micah on the ground and later tells Arthur" next time he won't get up," however there is a conversation with Uncle that makes doubt his impulsiveness.

The conversation is basically Uncle calling Charles stupid due to the fact he doesn't talk much and Charles replies with "if the choice is folk thinking I am dumb but not knowing for sure or knowing for certain because I sound like you, I would rather keep them wondering." Now if we were really talking about an impulsive character, he would have acted out when being disrespected, this could hint at that he might chose to act out against these bison hunters and Micah because he does not like them.

Now why does it matter that he hurts people he doesn't like? Well he does say "I only kill when I need to" which doesn't sit completely right with the bison situation, yes they most definitely deserved it but it wasn't needed. A few other times we also see him hurt when it isn't essential.

In the grand scheme, Charles is at least not friendly towards any of the gang members other than Arthur until chapter 5 where he has to step up and in chapter 6 where he warms up to Sadie and John as well. He doesn't speak much to any of them, just kind of gives them the cold shoulder.

Charles is lost, he says so himself and says he feels he is on earth to cause hurt, if he wants to change that, talking nicely to people could be a good place to start especially because he is a criminal and in the grand scheme is he is going to hurt people so it is the small things he has to change.

Now to talk about other vulnerable minorities it is hard, we only really have one or two situations where Charles hints at his stance at women. He does seem to have some form of respect similar to Arthur for women, he respects the German lady and chooses to help her even when there is no need, but he also enjoys the company of working women in local towns which we can see in Valentine saloon where he literally leans over to keep touch with the girl for a second longer.

Now racism, I don't see any, which is not surprising considering that he is a person of color. He helps the natives a lot in chapter 6 even though it is dangerous for him because Dutch lashes out at anyone that breathes without his command, and we can actually already in chapter 4 have the chance of Charles coming up to Arthur and telling him he will be gone a few days to help Eagle Flies break some boys out of reform school.

One thing before we sum up to mention is that Charles is highly aware unlike some of the others, he knows the Van Der Linde gang is violent for the sake of money, and he doesn't try to cover it up with some ideal like Dutch does or say "oh it is for the better" or whatever.

To sum up, Charles seems to be a fair man because he is nice enough but he gives the cold shoulder to quite a lot of people who are just trying to be nice, and if he dislikes someone he isn't scared to act violently towards them. Now when it comes to minorities such as women or other people of color such as Chinese people who were hated by pretty much everyone during this time (I have to admit I don't know especially natives stance on Chinese people), I wouldn't feel comfortable saying he absolutely doesn't hold any "hatred" towards them simply because he doesn't talk. Does he respect them or is it because we haven't seen him in situations where he gets the chance to tell his opinion?

[insidekatmind]

An Unexpected Encounter~Noni Madueke

London was lively that evening, the streets glowing with reflections from the holiday decorations and the hurried footsteps of passersby. You found yourself in a downtown café, one of those refined yet cozy places, where the air was filled with the aroma of coffee and cinnamon. You were supposed to meet a friend who, at the last minute, had texted to cancel.

You decided to stay anyway, ordering a cappuccino. There was no rush, and London at night always had its charm.

“Excuse me, is this seat taken?” a deep voice made you look up. Standing before you was him. Noni Madueke. A shy smile, a long coat, and a cap that tried to make him blend in. But for you, it was impossible. You’d followed his career, from his moves at PSV to his games at Chelsea. He was your favorite player.

“Oh… no, no. It’s free. Please, go ahead,” you stammered, trying to mask your excitement, though it was probably obvious.

He sat down and pulled out his phone, then set it on the table, glancing at you. “Are you here alone?”

“Uh… yeah, my friend canceled on me,” you replied, feeling a bit awkward, though you couldn’t ignore the fact that he was talking to you.

“Happens to me a lot, too. Maybe it’s for the best sometimes. A little time to think,” he paused, then added, “I didn’t even introduce myself. I’m Noni.”

You couldn’t help but smile. “I know who you are.”

He chuckled softly, looking away briefly. “Of course. Don’t know why I always do that. It’s a habit.”

The conversation began naturally. He told you he was in London for a short break from training, how he loved walking the city streets at night to escape the chaos of being recognized. Then, he asked about you.

You talked about your job, your interests, and how you ended up in London. It was surprising how attentive he was, how genuinely interested he seemed.

After an hour, as the café began to empty, he asked, “Would you like to take a walk?”

You agreed without hesitation. You strolled through the lit-up streets, with him occasionally glancing at you, as if curious about every reaction.

“You know, it’s rare that I get to talk like this with someone who doesn’t just see me as ‘the footballer,’” he said at one point. “You make me feel normal.”

“Well, maybe it’s because I don’t see you only as a footballer. You seem like an interesting person, Noni.” The courage in your words surprised him. You could tell by the way he stopped, his hands in his pockets, looking directly at you.

“You know, I think this has been the best evening I’ve had in months.” He paused, then stepped a little closer. “Can I see you again?”

Your heart started racing. “I think I’d like that.”

From that moment on, London was never the same. Evening walks became a habit, meeting at small cafés and sharing endless conversations under the starry sky a ritual. Discovering the more human side of Noni, his dreams and fears, became a part of your life.

One evening, after an important match you’d watched live at the stadium on his invitation, he approached you as you both left together.

“You know, football is my whole life. But you… you’re the reason it all feels even more special.”

You couldn’t hold back a smile. “And you’re the reason I’ve never felt so alive.”

That night, under the city lights, he took your hand. And it was the beginning of something wonderful.

[the-labyrinth-of-me]

Alan Wake 2 revived and expanded my love for art.

Long read under the cut

I used to read a lot as a kid. It was the first thing I did in the morning on the weekends - grab the book I was currently reading from the nightstand and continue where I had left off the other day, then go and have breakfast later. I didn't like the other language related stuff I did at school - although I was always good at it - like reading and learning poems, interpretations, the likes. I needed fiction to dive into. As I arrived in the late teenage years, I stopped reading completely, and discovered my love for music. That never faded, but reading was an interest that had simply died. When I moved out from my parent's and into an apartment with my boyfriend, I started watching movies and shows, which I never properly could at home since I didn't have my own television. Life was okay back then, ups and downs, nothing out of the ordinary. We played Alan Wake for the ole XBox 360, simply because my boyfriend was a passionate reader and the game was about a writer lol. I had so many books around because of my boyfriend , but almost never grabbed one of them (aside from Game of Thrones and maybe a handful of others, at most).

I never viewed all of those creations, those art forms, as art, however. For me, art was always reduced and exclusive to weird sculptures and undefined paintings. Stuff nobody could understand. If it's not making sense, it's art. Nothing from the entertainment field especially. And entertainment never was art for me.

A few years ago, my private situation changed. Boyfriend and I got married and we started a family. That's when entertainment related art became a sort of escapism for me. Something I could dive into rather than family business. I still didn't connect the things I was into back then as art. That only changed when I was captivated by Alan Wake 2. This game single-handedly changed my understanding and tolerance not only for my favorite forms of art (namely music and video games), but got me into exploring for myself what art is. Listening to interviews with people involved in making this game also contributed to that as they talked a lot about art. As per usual with my hyperfixations, I thought about this game, the characters and the storyline a lot and jumped into all kinds of rabbit holes. And one day, I realized that this game that is highly revolving about artists (as per the Dark Presence's nature) does in fact not feature many, many kinds of art, but can truly be called an artistic work, and is an ode, a homage to art. This game celebrates art and its existence and it doesn't tell you which form of art is better and which one is worse. It cherishes and values anything that resembles and represents art, cherishes and values creators. Artists. Poets. Novelists. Photographers. Musicians. Actors. Directors. Filmmakers. Painters. Video game delelopers. Even fan fiction authors. It is those that make fun of these art forms that the game reprimands and punishes. Hartman and the Mormants namely for abusing artists, only seeing them as tools, as content creators for the sake of creating anything, as long as it fulfils a selfish purpose. The game takes us on the journey of creating, of success and failure, try and error, rewriting, scratching, editing, more drafts, doubts, depression, the list goes on. Also addiction. Apparently, Stephen King wrote some of his books while he was drunk and he couldn't remember later what he even wrote (hello to Alan and his memory problems). Artist's addiction definitely is a subject in the game. It helps them see and expand their creativity, yes, but also causes problems, naturally.

So what is art? It's anything that triggers an emotion, basically. A song that deeply touches you. A painting that reveals more its beauty the longer you observe it. The composition of nature, captured in a photograph. The Dark Presence feeds on emotions. Alan can't escape from the Dark Place until he ties emotions into his story through Saga. His work doesn't work without emotions. And if a certain kind of art form doesn't resonate with you, try another one. During an interview, Ilkka said "never only choose one form of art, always be open for others". I tried to follow his advice and he's right about it. And I found out that, by engaging with art, you might discover a thing or two about yourself as well, because art is tied to your emotions. It's a journey through your memories, your soul, your feelings. I discovered that I appreciate art much more than I thought, and I could kiss Sam Lake simply for the Lake House DLC and its take on ai art, and the exploration of what art is, when art is art, who defines if and when someone is an artist. It's an interesting thought process that I haven't finished for myself. Sam also taught me to always carry something to write in case you get an idea for a story lol.

What did the game ultimately bring for me, then? How did and do I profit from it? Well, first of all, I joined an English writing and reading club in my hometown. I'm more comfortable to talk openly about my fanfics. I got back into reading. (roughly 150 pages left in House of Leaves). I'm more sensitive to the beauty of nature, which I try to capture in photos. It kind of feels like a piece of a puzzle I've been missing without realizing it. It has only happened once so far that a piece of media has had such a huge impact on me before (rest in peace Arthur). And the Alan Wake community is so lovely too.

I would go as far as to say that art is arguably the biggest invention of the human race. Not only because the existence of art can be traced back to thousands of years ago. But because engaging with art causes to trigger what I define as our most important trait: emotions. Sometimes I wonder if people who don't have an interest in any art form see and feel the world in a different way. If they might even be disconnected from their emotions in some point, from their vulnerability. Art makes us vulnerable. This can be scary. But, like I said, it's worth the journey to discover more about ourselves. Because without art, we'd just be apes.

[tokiro07]

UU Appreciation Week Day 7

Anything Else You Appreciate - Four Years And An Anime

When Undead Unluck started, I had no idea what it was going to develop into. For such a long time, it seemed like I was the only person who knew about it, and I was resigned to that fact. All of my favorites end up being really obscure, and more often than not end up getting canceled by the end of year 2 if they're lucky

I started #fouryearsandananime as a prayer, practically a joke, never really expecting that I'd see it come to fruition. Even if it made it that far, I never dared imagine a scenario where there were enough people reading it to organize community events like UUAppreciationWeek, much less that anyone in such a community would give me the time of day

But here we are

Nearly at the end of year five, with an anime special that will hopefully usher in season 2 on the way, and an honest-to-goodness fandom banding together to celebrate it as it approaches its natural, intended conclusion

These past five years have been such an amazing and inspiring time for me. Even at the height of my previous favorite, Medaka Box's run, I never read this closely or wrote this in-depth. My skills as a reader and writer have grown and changed so much thanks to Undead Unluck, to say nothing of how I've actively tried to improve my outlook on life

In the very beginning, I was just making small observations here and there, a theory or two when inspiration struck, but nothing consistent

Then I started doing that week-to-week, trying to always have something to say just so there would never be a week of silence in the fandom

Then it became a game of I Spy, trying to identify every hidden detail and bit of foreshadowing that I could, seeing what Easter Eggs were hidden in the background or what threads were being tied up and when. This became pretty exhausting, not very fun to write and I imagine not very fun to read

Then I started examining the themes, the narrative choices, the character arcs. The things that actually mattered to the reader experience. No longer bound by the chore of going over every panel with a fine-toothed comb, suddenly I felt inspiration rushing over me every week

With time, my reviews got longer and longer, diving deeper and deeper. I started having fun with it, giving each review a silly little title to differentiate them for anyone reading over them later. I started making previews of the topics as a sort of summary of what each chapter had to offer. I started breaking up the reviews themselves into sections to make them easier to read

Undead Unluck has helped me discover and develop both my creative voice and my reader's eye; the skills I've developed here have deepened my capacity to appreciate not just UU, but manga as a medium, enabling me to better understand what it is I'm looking for in manga and articulate when I find it

I've always wanted to write my own stories, and I've dabbled in the past, but I've never been satisfied with what I had because it always feels empty. I've never had a theme I've cared enough to dissect and analyze, no message I've been so passionate about that I wanted to share it with the world. I don't believe that's necessary for every story, but it is a standard I hold myself to. I wouldn't say I've found such a message or theme yet, but what I have found is a guideline for how to go about it when I do

Reading Undead Unluck, I have a much richer understanding of how any given character can analyze a facet of an idea, represent a different perspective, propose an alternative, or reach a deliberately incorrect conclusion. That's the kind of story I want to be able to write, and I'm so grateful that it was the kind of story I got to read

So thank you, Tozuka

For lasting over four years

For writing something so inspirational

For allowing an excellent anime to come into existence

For helping me to enjoy life

I appreciate you

[shark-myths]

🍓 🥤 🌿 for the ask game!!!! <333

🍓 ⇢ how did you get into writing fanfiction? 

one of my favorite k facts tbh. i invented fanfiction at jesus camp with my new friend eden. we clutched each other on a hillside while a god rock band performed below, puffy with mosquito bites and illicit ideas, and whispered to one another of the members of our mutual favorite band, what if they kissed each other? we were 13 years old. camp was so in-the-middle-of-nowhere you could see the whole milky way at night, the thickness of it. the grass got wetter and wetter the longer you sat in the dark, hiding from the flashlights of your counselors. every few breaths you'd see a shooting star, til you were numb to marvel, til that was just what the night sky looked like and you expected it everywhere. it was magic and no one had ever thought of it before, boys in bands kissing. when we went home to our separate cities, i started handwriting fic (decorated with gel pen! this was the year 2003) and mailing it to her in hot pink envelopes. imagine my surprise when i discovered the internet.

🥤 ⇢ recommend an author or fanfic you love

one of my favorite fics i ever read was a girl!one direction story about squirting. here it is: you change, water sea by got2ghost

🌿 ⇢ give some advice on writer's block and low creativity

love this question, as someone who has struggled in the workplace to maintain the same creative energy i had access to in school.

for creativity: read. read endlessly. try to understand on a granular, sentence-and-word-level, why you like the things you like; what makes a line funny, what makes a line scary, what draws you in to a writer's style vs pushes you out of it. what do the books you can't put down have in common? read things that challenge you--long-form novels, old novels, things way outside your preferred genres. and try to have lots of experiences in the time you aren't writing. try new things! paint something, walk down a block you've never been on, look in people's windows, cook a new meal, get coffee at a new place, go for a drive, listen to someone else's favorite record, listen to a record you hate actually, go to a new store and just look around, touch fabrics, dance, have conversations, travel for no reason, watch videos on youtube about new skills you don't intend to master. READ NONFICTION, especially essays. try to avoid doing the same things you're comfortable with or things that feel easy for a whole afternoon. bury yourself in sensation. chase pleasure. let yourself play.

for writer's block: write anyway--in a journal, in your fragmented notes file with ideas, edit or polish something that's already written, get one sentence out. i like to set a timer for 20 minutes and give it a proper try (this means staying off tumblr and my phone) and then, if it doesn't lead to anything, i'm off the hook guilt-free, because i made an effort. try writing in a different notebook, with a different pen, in a different place, even in a different font on your computer. set yourself challenges like, write a 100 word story. write a specific type of poem like a villanelle. respond to a prompt or create one for someone else. if there's a part of the story--or a different story--that feels more easeful to write and you're just trying to get there, skip to that part. to be quite honest, writing in a notebook away from technology is the #1 thing that helps me just keep moving. it breaks me out of distraction and perfectionism cycles. it feels good to fill pages, even if it's with words you don't even up using.

the other part is, accept that our brains won't do what they won't do. great writing is not created by use of force. the biggest thing i have learned about myself is that if i can't write, there's something wrong. maybe the characters in my story aren't making sense, maybe the plot is boring and readers will be just as bored as i am, maybe i need to go back and rewrite something to end up in a better place for the next scene, maybe i need a week off from a story because i'm burned out on it and i should write something else or nothing at all. but most often there's not something wrong with the story--there's something wrong with my life. i don't have the time or the energy; i'm giving too much of the best parts of myself to the wrong thing; i'm trying to write at the wrong time of day for my energy level; i checked my email first and now my concentration is entirely shot; i need to work fewer hours if i want to write more; i need more help around the house if i want to write more; i need to just let it be dirty for a while and skip my chores if i want to write more, etc. figuring out what you need to actually feel like writing--learn to feel that again!--and making it possible to set other things, even important things, aside in order to write when you feel it, is so huge for me. making a commitment to the practice of writing and not the product of it. if you're doing that, you can relax. take care of yourself and fix the imbalances in your life. the ideas will come. writing is organic and we are organisms. given space and time, things will always change from how they are right now. let yourself and your creative practice ebb and flow when it needs to instead of forcing it to be something it's not.

thank you for the ask darling sorry i ranted at you for twenty fucking minutes!!!

[just-french-me-up]

hey hi i'm buzzing with the need for dreamling fic recs if you would be so kind as to point me in your favorite direction pls pls pls

Oh friend, you asked and I shall ✨ deliver ✨

DREAMLING FIC RECS 🌻✨

of my misery make thy use by @qqueenofhades (Explicit - WIP - 129k so far - In Universe, but with some tweaks, Rescue fic) Dream is Roderick Burgess' prisoner, in all his silent, sullen, naked glory, and has given up on the thought of anyone ever helping him out of there. Even Hob Gadling. Especially Hob Gadling. In fact, he's quite sure the man never wants to speak to him ever again, regardless of his current predicament. A bummer, really, because he also happens to be married to him. (Listen that fic has slain me EVERY WHICH WAY, it has EVERYTHING, it will take you PLACES (literally), it's rewarding as fuck, has OCs to die for, just... just read it, ignore the WIP status, what's there is absolutely chef's kiss)

the unknown and static strange by @qqueenofhades (yes, again, listen, if i loved you less i might be able to talk about it more bla bla bla) (Mature - WIP - 69K so far (nice) - Dubious AU status, Memento mets Academia, Modern day with a twist) Professor Robert Gadling, under cut rocking, weird dreams having, and trauma suffering, discovers a strange piece of undocumented art that seems to follow him everywhere he goes. The Regis Somnorum won't leave him alone, and as he tries to follow that thread, a whole mysterious tapestry unfolds, putting everything he knows, or thought he knew, into question. (This fic is a fucking delight, it's just KEEPS feeding you "oh shit" moments and suspense and revelations and the pacing just keeps you on the edge of your SEAT. Again, IGNORE the WIP status I BEG OF YOU, read it, devour it)

This Rough Magic by @avelera (Mature - WIP - 36k so far - Rescue fic with a twist) Hob Gadling never fancied himself a mage or a warlock, but dabbled enough in the occult to pick up a few tricks over the years, all in the hope to communicate with his Stranger. A stranger, he later discovers, who is trapped under Roderick The Fucking Magus Burgess's manor. Now, he may not be the best magic wielder there is.... but Burgess doesn't know that, does he? (There are some VERY clever things in this fic, everyone is written to a T, I love a fic where my loathing of Burgess can burn from the brightest flame and at the same time have him not like a cartoon villain but a full human being! Can't wait to see where that goes!)

if you just let me (have you, love you) by Lost_Elf (Explicit - 25k - Human AU - Adult Film Actors AU (I see you tumblr, restricting words these days, I see you) Both very prominent in their own niches of the Internet, Dom-BDSM-oriented Dream and Vanilla-centered Hob cross paths and plan what could be (or so their managers hope) the collab of the century. And they might learn a thing or two along the way. (Listen, I read this on a whim, I wasn't too into Human AUs at the time, I was up for some smut that day, and this fic is a LOT more wholesome than the subject lets on and really gripped me! Lots of very nice details in there! And also, you know.... smut)

by the minute by @issylra (Explicit - 11K - Human AU, Sex Phone Operator Dream) Dream has a bet with Desire : he has to manage a phone sex line for some time. He's not thrilled by it. Callers are... unimaginative and unoriginal, to say the least. Except one. He has a very nice voice. He's funny. And he sounds just about as lost as he is, in life. (The tags make it sound super raunchy but it's more about developping attraction through someone's voice and getting to know someone through the phone and falling in love and.... it's just lovely, it's very sweet, it's like a little blanket with a warm cup of tea, really)

Now I KNOW this is not what you EXPLICITELY asked for but.... dare I suggest..... something with an OC thrown in the mix? Cause that's just adding a fun player to the game, with added stakes, really!

as heart for heart, for loving me by @kittttycakes (hello darling) (Explicit - WIP but soon to be finished - 151k so far - Canon compliant - OT3 if there ever was one - How to polyamory, a guide for Dream of the Endless, a primordial being who needs to use his goddamn words) When Dream finds Hob at the New Inn, he's ready to open up a little. Be a friend. Be a little more than that, though he can't quite articulate it. The only issue with that is that Hob has a girlfriend. A live-in girlfriend. A very much serious girlfriend. Dream tries his darnest to hate her, and finds he can't quite bring himself to. (It's soft, it's lovely, it has angst, it has smut, it has fluff for days, it has developping relationships GALORE (plural) and it's just a nice read to switch up your rotation, cause the potential for situations is tripled now!)

[moonlight-coffeebean-147]

Doodles featuring @twistedtummies2 ft. Usagi. Or as I like to call it… late night doodles to distract myself from how I’m being boiled alive in my apartment/hj (The boiler’s being garbage)

1. Not much to say other than it’s just based on a meme 😂 And I love Smitty’s confused face here

2 & 3

It’s super funny drawing Elias as dog images 😂 Especially with the second which I felt goes perfectly with that part in Chapter two of his introduction story. There is a third one that is still a w.i.p. But I might finish it. Btw…. At this point I’m basically gonna be known as the “Elias artist” aren’t I? 😂/lh

4. I was originally gonna do all of your Twisted ocs… but I need to at least try to sleep it’s like 3 AM 😭. Plus to me it’d be poetic for me since these four were the characters that were the most developed and I grew the most familiar with when I first discovered your page. With this I added how I drew their eyes… since I’m trying to practice with eye style variety. Technical details:

Nakoda: I’ve actually doodled him once in one of my sketchbooks before. And he was actually fairly easy to draw, I’ve had ocs that had similar hair to him before. And… I have plenty of ocs who are just as flirtatious as he is and have made the exact look I drew him with 😂

Billy: Other than Elias… he was the easiest to draw and figure out how he’d work in my style. I was at first worried about his hair since it was my first time drawing his kind of hairstyle and I’m not that used to drawing short hair. But it actually worked out. It also helped that he’s similar to one of my own giant ocs in terms of personality. Fun fact, to the point where I almost thought he had freckles… which is a trait on my oc… but he doesn’t so… 👌

Elias: Is it obvious who my favorite is 😭

Reno: ……I’m just gonna say it. His hair SUCKED to draw 😭😂 I don’t know if it’s because I’m tired… the heat was getting to me.. or what… but his hair was not working out. Like with Billy I’ve at least drawn hair similar to his in the past… with Reno it was like the first time I’ve ever drawn that hairstyle in general. Even now I’m still not that happy with it… even in the first doodle. Like bruh I just 🥲I know that’s probably just me being over critical of myself since this does count as fanart of someone’s ocs, not just that, but someone who I admire the work of, believe me my years of participating in Art Fight has familiarized me with that feeling but just….. don’t be an artist guys 😭/j. Maybe when I do the others I’ll redo him.

5. ….Usagi going through how I feel right now

Don’t know who’s next to her… could be any of the pred lads… Insert “Twisted Wonderland isn’t an Otome Game” joke here. Though I do think this could be an interesting Vore concept… being so hot and just done that even the idea of being in a warm stomach is just… “bruh can you not?” 😂. Btw… this is how Usagi acts when their in one of her moods… a lot more snappy, sarcastic, and blunt with their wording…. I wish your bois good luck with that. Also fact about Usagi is that they literally have trouble finding pjs their size since she’s a frail little thing.

Also fair warning to all the Vore enthusiasts.. it’s not necessarily a big kink for me, hell it’s why safe Vore is in the neutral section of my pinned post so in turn….. I don’t take it seriously. I very much make a lot more jokes and memes involving it.

6. To end things off… this

Death stare Usagi. Is not something to be messed with. They may be small… but they will bite and is legitimately terrifying sometimes.

Would like to know reactions to not even just Usagi, the Prefect in general making this face 😂

Anyways that’s all from me for tonight…. Or morning technically lol

Moon signing off… wish me luck in this heat. Art is hard

[focusontheheart]

Meet the Team - @boobaloof

Hi! My name is Babs. I worked on Aloy’s lineart for the Erend route on FOTH! I first discovered Horizon when I purchased my first ever PS4 in 2019 (The version that came with Shadow of the Colossus, God of War, and Horizon). I had been a bit adamant on playing it at first, seeing as how I sucked major ass at managing the Ps4 controls— but when I got over myself and bravely opened the game, I got thrusted into the most beautiful, lush world that soon dragged me under in the most blissful of ways.  From that day onwards, my creative side took over, drawing and writing to my heart's content. I’m a deeply creative person who didn’t quite have that something to create about back then— so when I  played this game, I fell in love. I could finally let that creative side of me thrive freely.

See the Q&A with Babs below the cut!

Q: What is a favorite piece of work you've done (i.e. completed, working on, in concept)?

I personally can’t choose from my artworks because— I mean, who knows what comes next. I know I’ll always one-up myself for the next one, so just choosing one is pretty difficult. I feel a special connection to each of my pieces, each telling a different story and showcasing what techniques I knew back then. 

But if I had to choose, I’ve been quite proud of my latest Ereloy piece— That one where they’re kissing in the middle of the smoke in the battlefield? Yeah. This one.

When it comes to writing it's completely different. My favorite piece, my magnum opus thus far, has been and will probably always be Allow.  That was a monster of an emotional fic for me and where I pulled at my own hair the most during the process. Building that ‘something-special-between-two-people’ in writing is such a difficult process— and a frustrating one for me, too, seeing as I’m a very emotional person.

Q: What are some of your favorite tropes to write, draw, or read?

I am very corny and very bitter. I like character introspection, angst, and character studies, I like drawing/writing/watching relationships develop and create small pockets of reality where everything feels like a dream. 

Friends to lovers is a must for me, and I like Modern AUs every now and then, too. 

Also— I adore re-imagining characters in different styles and worlds, be it canon or AUS. It’s fun to play around with what’s been established and translating into other AUs while keeping what makes the characters them, well, them. It’s also one hell of a creative exercise. 10/10 would recommend.

Q: What is an unexpected or fun fact about you?

Marine biology student over here! I’ve always loved the planet I live in, and the life it nurtures— I used to be a rowdy kid with an unhealthy obsession with wildlife, animals, dinosaurs, and adventure. Having a limitless source of undying curiosity didn’t help, either— so, this is the life I’ve chosen for myself. 

I hope to bring honor to it one day.

Q: What has been your favorite thing about working on this project so far?

Watching it all come together! It’ll be like this massive book with many different stories and special moments– who doesn’t love stories made with the utmost love and devotion? That aspect alone is what makes them special. 

And this project is certainly special.

Working with the Erend team was super fun, too. Balancing life and working on the project certainly taught me many things! Especially when the outcome is just. so. good–!

[cluescorner]

Thoughts on Canto V

Spoilers ahead. Also, disclaimer that I did not play it but instead watched it because I really like the story but I don't play the game anymore. I do not think playing it through would have impacted my experience, but do keep that fact in mind and let me know if you think my feelings would change if I had played it.

OH MY FUCKING GOD I REALLY LIKED IT! The characters were solid (though there are some problems), the theme of hoping for the future and allowing yourself to discover it for yourself rather than holding onto the past, and there were some incredible fucking moments.

Firstly, Ishmael. She was pretty stellar throughout. Watching her slowly degrade into becoming a mirror of the very woman she sought to destroy was heartbreaking, I felt like she actually had a real arc this canto that helped her become a less burdened person, and some of her deepening bonds with the other sinners were awesome. I particularly liked watching her interactions with Outis because Moby Dick and the Odyssey/Illiad are the two literary works from Limbus that I know well, and based on that info it makes sense that they would both understand and annoy each other. The moments with Heathcliff were also incredible because they've always had a really cool dynamic. Ishmael's relationships with her crew were also interesting and I feel like that could have easily been the best part of this cant, but ultimately that didn't end up happening (more on that later). I felt like the sudden character development 'Oh the other characters are my friends and they are my compass' thing was a BIG JUMP especially for Ishmael, but it's not a bad idea. I think it just needed more time in the oven, let Ishmael interact with the other sinners inside the dungeon and have her work together with them to get through things. Fortunately, Ishmael's VA + the Mili song really carried that ending so I still wound up getting caught up in the moment regardless. Speaking of Ishmael's VA...HOLY SHIT WHATEVER THEY ARE GETTING PAID IT WAS NOT ENOUGH!! Singlehandedly made me like this Canto so much more than I otherwise would have. An incredible performance all around, stand out moments include but are not limited to: Her ranting at the pirates about them not knowing what shame is, the euphoric hatred in her voice as she fantasizes about finding and killing Ahab, the grief as she discusses Queequeg and the hope as she sees Queequeg again, and OF COURSE WHEN SHE GOES AHAB MODE! Bravo Jang Ye-na, you carried this Canto through its weaker moments and helped the best ones become my favorite moments in this game.

Next, Ahab. I liked her a lot, fucking awful captain woman who reminds me of my old pastors. GOOD JOB MAKING THIS A FUCKING HORROR GAME THIS BITCH SCARES ME! I wish we could have seen more of her (and maybe we will in the future) because what we got was incredible. I was expecting a shitty boss but instead got another fucking cult leader. Her design is also a solid mirror to Ishmael's, further emphasizing the point that they are becoming more alike as this stuff goes on AND making the moment where Ishmael breaks the cycle of hatred more impactful. She is an incredible mirror of what happens where you allow hatred to consume you entirely, and the VA really reflects that. The only complaint I kinda have is that she probably should have been a lot more morally grey than she was. I feel like we just kinda got Kromer version 2 in terms of the role she played in the story and in Ishmael's life, granted that might change in the future so I will be very happy to be wrong if that's the case. But after Dongrang, I was expecting something a little more sympathetic or at least nuanced than 'evil cult leader captain lady hates that fucking whale and will kill her crew and makes that abundantly clear'. Again, I do like what we got so I can't complain too much but still.

I LOVE THAT BIG FUCKING WHALE! SCARY FUCKING BIG WHALE COMETH! ELDRITCH WHALE!

The Indigo Elder is so fucking cool. I wish he were here for more than 3 minutes and actually had something to do. They really introduced a man by having him tear the arm off the guy who we were struggling to survive against, said he was a Color and that he killed another Calamity, teased this really cool plan, and then...he's just waiting outside presumably 1v1-ing the whale but we get to neither see nor hear about it at all. I hope he comes back and we can see him do cool shit, because we had an incredible set-up with mediocre pay-off.

Ishmael's crew...I loved them so much I wish they were in the Canto for more than 1 level. They should have been introduced MUCH EARLIER in order to have their deaths have more of an impact. We should have been in the whale for longer, even if it meant shortening other parts of the chapter, just for the crew. Because those are Ishmael's ties and these are the people who Ahab's hatred is robbing the world of. What we did get of them was very strong, but Starbuck and Pip got nothing in terms of character moment and time. Queequeg got a little bit more (by the way I love that Queequeg actually looked like the design team at least LOOKED at a Polynesian person, I'm so jaded from other gacha games that I'm thrilled somebody actually looks like they're from the culture they're inspired from. She looks like a buffer, female version of one of my Polynesian neighbors it's great.) and it made her feel a lot more developed. She was a solid adaptation of Queequeg and her relationship with Ishmael was so sweet. The moments we got of them together were some of the highlights and it made me really want them to manage to escape together. Of course that was never gonna happen, but still. I also don't like how we don't even see Queequeg and Starbuck die. Are we supposed to assume Ahab killed them to manifest the ego? Did we kill them? I see some criticism around the fact that they stood by Ahab's side at the end and wondering why they did that. And I get that criticism because it is weird, but also that's just kinda what cult leaders can do especially when they're the only reason you've been alive for however long + you're slowly being overtaken by BAD WHALE JUICE. I 100% buy that they chose to follow the Captain because the Captain is always right and even when She does horrible things Her understanding is elevated above ours. And if Her fight is our fight, then surely it is ok for us to die here.

I feel like this is also a criticism that only I care about but why is the story suddenly like 'oh revenge is bad don't do revenge'? Like, I get it revenge is bad and that was kinda the point of Moby Dick. BUT WE HAVE LITERALLY DONE SO MUCH REVENGE AND REVENGE WAS KINDA SINCLAIR'S WHOLE THING AND IT'S PROBABLY GONNA BE HEATHCLIFF'S! Why is revenge suddenly bad and 'oh no it makes you just like the other person' no it does not Sinclair did not suddenly become genocidal because he kept trying to murder Kromer. Is revenge only bad when it's successful? IDK, I just hate narrative inconsistency and this immediately jumped out at me.

Overall, I really liked this Canto! I have my problems with it, but they are relatively minor compared to all it does well.

[kawaiifoxreviews]

Resident Evil 2 Nintendo 64 Version/GameCube Version Comparison:

N64 V: "Ahh, what a beautiful day in the year 1999.

NGC V: "Hello there!"

N64 V: "Huh? Wha-?! Oh, it's you, small disc. What? Are you trying to fry all my 64 bits with a classic RE jump scare?! Huh? What's a matter with you?!"

NGC V: "Oh, I didn't mean to scare you. Sorry about that."

N64 V: "Wait a minute. You're...me?! You're Resident Evil 2 as well, aren't you?!"

NGC V: "I mean...I'm you...but more, I guess?"

N64 V: "What do you mean by "more"? You think you're better than me?!"

NGC V: "...Also yes."

N64 V: "Why I never! The nerve of this generation! Tell me, what makes you so special? Huh? You think you're so rad with your extra room for data on your small disc? Let me guess, you finally made the deal with the devil himself, didn't you? I told you; we don't make deals with the enemy."

NGC V: "The devil? Oh, you mean Sony? Dude, I had no part in that. Okay? They offered to help you move away from cartridge, but your generation said no to that sort of help."

N64 V: "Wha-? What else could ruin this sublime day for me?"

NGC V: "Okay, I'm going to tell you this one last time...it's not 1999 anymore...or 2003...unfortunately."

N64 V: *Speechless*

Hello and welcome, my fellow retro gamers, Kawaii Fox Reviews here. I apologize if that bit was too cheesy for you. Also, nothing against Sony. I enjoy that company, as well. But, right now, I wanted to review/ compare Capcom's Resident Evil 2 on the N64 to the Gamecube.

Fun fact about this fox: I love Resident Evil. Always have for years and fell in love with just about all of them. Well, I actually just like 5 and 6. I even fell in love with the movies. Well, except the Final Chapter. I know, some people might find that to be taboo, but I can justify those movies in another review.

Right now, I want to share my thoughts on the miracle, that is Resident Evil 2 on the N64. If you are interested in expanding your collection of retro games for your N64, then Resident Evil 2 is an absolute must have. However, I am not going to sugar-coat it, the Gamecube version is the far superior one.

"But Kawaii Fox, why are we here, then? Should we just get the Gamecube version, or the ps1 version, or the-?"

Yes, to all of those. Sorry to cut myself off like that. I know, it wasn't very nice of me. But Resident Evil 2 as a whole should be enjoyed across all accessible platforms. For me, personally, my favorite version is the one on the NGC. Just the Gamecube controller alone is enough for me to favor this version over the other versions. To this day, that controller is my favorite. Ironically, the original N64 controller is my least favorite of all time. But never fear, I have replaced mine with the Gamepads on eBay for like $25. Such a better quality, highly recommended.

Anyway, the purpose of this review is because I find the N64 version is very fascinating. To be honest, I played the hell out the NGC version. Then, at one point, to my surprise, I had discovered that the N64 version does in fact exist. Even though, at this time, I didn't have an N64. But I was still curious as to what this version was like.

After watching a comparison video between the different versions, it came down to the N64 version. Cutscenes were cut up, textures were blurry/muddy, sound was not as clear as it should be. My least favorite part was the fact that there was a certain scene where Ada Wong was talking to another character, but she had Claire Redfield's voice. I love voice actors, Sally Cahill and Alyson Court, and I expect to hear those voices played for their respective roles.

I think the Rock put it best, "It's the biggest piece of dog shit."

However, after I got my N64, I came across this version again. I had found a video by a YouTuber by the name of Lotus Prince that dived into more of what this version had to offer, along with the other ports. Something about it, made me say, "I have an N64, now I want to experience that for myself." I got my copy from eBay and started playing it. Of course, I'm breezing through it, since I've beaten it so many times on the Gamecube.

I'm actually in the middle of Claire: Scenario B, as of this moment. Is everything downgraded as expected? Yes. And it is horrific. But, to my surprise again, it's still the same game I played and still love on the NGC. It also plays very well on the N64. As long as it performs well, I can be okay with any version of any game. Is it perfect? Hell no. But again, it's still the same game I already love.

If I had a subtitle for this review/ comparison, I would have asked the question, "How can something so bad, be so good?"

After getting into this bizarre version of Resi 2, I came across another video by a Youtuber by the name of Modern Vintage Gamer. In this video, he manages to break it down to a science of how they manage to cram this masterpiece of a game into a cartridge. That video alone is intriguing enough to not only look at Resi 2 on the N64 as a game, but as a great concept in general as to how it was made possible.

I will link both of those videos at the end. Please take a look at them.

Now, I am going to wrap this up with these finale thoughts:

This may sound a little harsh, but I believe Resi 2 had no business being on the N64. With its limited cartridge space, and the fact that it's literally the only Resi game on the console. The fact they have to include cliff notes for the first game in this game, says a lot. But, just in case you didn't know this, Resident Evil 0 was supposed to be on the N64. That project was scrapped. But man, I still would have played it. With all the classic Resi-like games we have today, it would be so amazing to bring that project back from the dead.

Despite all that, I do find this whole thing interesting. The fact that that Resi-2 manage to bounce from one Nintendo console to another Nintendo console is brilliant to me, and then from there we got RE3, RE: Code Veronica, RE: remake, RE: 0, and even RE: 4 all on the NGC. What I mean by all this, is that Resi 2 on N64 may have never been the best version or maybe even the most popular, but the fact that they stopped, and said, "Hey, let's do the same game again on Nintendo's next, more advanced, console," Or however that idea was pitched.

It's sad to say, but some companies I think just put games on consoles and call it good, when in actuality, its not. We don't get a remake or an update. It just dies on the console it lands on. But not Resident Evil 2. Resi 2 was risen from the grave...and again with the 2019 remake...and its here to stay. With that, I will admit, I am so grateful I gave this version an actual chance.

Also, quick note: If you plan to experience your Resi 2 game on your N64, please be sure to install an expansion pak. If you do not know what that is. Its the thing that is stored between your Power Button and your Reset Button. What it does is provide you with 8MB of RAM instead of 4MB. This should clean up your Resi game. Won't make it perfect, but the graphics will be less muddy. However, I have heard that it can mess up transferring between screens in the levels. Like old VCR screen tearing. I haven't experience that, myself, but I am warning you, it is possible.

Thank you so much for sticking it out till the end, guys! It really means a lot to me. As you can tell, I have passion for RE games and was really excited to do this. If I forgot something, I apologize. Special thanks to angel studios (The original name of the developers), Capcom, and Nintendo for making the impossible possible. And thank you Lotus Prince and Modern Vintage Gamer for the inspiration.

That's it for now. This is Kawaii Fox Reviews, signing off. I hope you enjoyed your stay. Until next time, stay foxy. ;)

And hey, it's up to us to take out Umbrella.

See ya!

[lumenflowered]

Hello. My name is Maria. She/her. I am a Faller from a place called Yharnam through means unknown, the Chosen champion of Ho-oh through means theoretically known, and the current Champion of the Indigo League through means I know very well, as I did defeat Lance to win that title.

Though I still am thoroughly uncertain as to what quirk of fate resulted in my arrival here, the Johto region has become my home, and I will defend it. Team Rocket is now a memory, as is its leader. They will not be missed.

Here is my Trainer Card, for those curious—I have found that I look rather dashing in it.

My team is as follows; if you would like to know more about any of them than I have provided here, you need only but ask:

Rakuyo (Meganium, X) Hunter (Furret, F) Molotov (Arcanine, M) Adeline (Gengar, F) Evelyn (Kingdra, F) Eileen (Honchkrow, F)

My Gengar, Ade, is considerably more technologically literate than I and frequently borrows my device to editorialize upon my posts, record what I am doing, or make posts of her own. When she does, she favors the color purple.

Silver is, technically, still the rival to me that she has declared herself to be. She now has her own blog at @cosmic-crobat. In previous posts upon my blog, she has utilized the color blue.

Occasionally, the god that deemed me worthy of saving Johto chooses to speak here as well. When Ho-oh does so, they do so with bold orange text, and they use that name interchangeably with another they have chosen: Solaire.

The first person to show me kindness in this world was an eleven-year-old boy named Ethan. He introduced me to the second—his mother, a woman named Reina, who I hold in the highest esteem and bear much affection for. I have lent her my device before, and her favorite color is pink.

(Ethan, in his single brief appearance here, used the color yellow. Unfortunately, Rotomblr seems to have removed that color from my post editor and I lack the technological knowledge to restore it, so should he return I will ask what he would prefer instead.)

Some time ago, there was an incident where my Pokégear was stolen and found its way into the hands of a mysterious woman known only as Dee, who distinguished her own posts with green text. I spent the following weeks attempting to solve the mystery of who she might be, only to discover that she was in fact the living Doll modeled after me.

I... do not know how she is in the same world as me. Nor do I know who her friend with the bold red text is for certain, though I have reason to suspect that they are from Yharnam as well.

Now that Team Rocket can be referred to in the past tense, I suppose I do now have the time to devote to the mystery of Dee, or I will soon. A part of me wants nothing to do with her. But she bears no responsibility for the circumstances of her creation, and perhaps she knows the answers to some of the questions I still have. Perhaps she knows something that I do not.

(OOC info under cut!)

Man these intro posts just keep getting longer and longer. Maria has a Lot To Say now that she's less depressed it seems, which is probably objectively a good thing but still. Anyway, hi, it's still me, @ofstormsandfire, with the pokeblog I've been devoting the majority of my time on Tumblr to for the past few months. I have no regrets this has been very fun and is helping with my Bloodborne withdrawal.

Anyway. Hi. I like Bloodborne, I really like Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower, and I got the idea back in November that I could make her a Faller. That, honestly, there isn't much I can do to her that wouldn't be an improvement over the Ocean Horrors. So this blog resulted!

With that said, Bloodborne is ostensibly a horror game and while Maria is currently in the world of Pokémon, that does not change the fact that she has been through The Horrors and is likely to reference them. Canon-typical themes for that may be present, I'll do my best to tag for anything that isn't average pokeblogging fare, if you'd like me to tag for anything specific feel free to just ask!

Here's some navigational tags for y'all (and I finally figured out how to make them chronological between the last intro post I made and this one, woo!)

#firebird arc: I combined the Radio Tower takeover and the Ho-oh subplot, made the Kimono Girls a lot more relevant, and ramped up the stakes slightly. Ho-oh is a firebird and I think there's a type of rocket called the firebird. I like puns. Sue me.

#from the ashes arc: Giovanni became an actual threat, there got to be an entire Rocket base in Tohjo Falls, and Silver got traumatized more. Mind the tags and also the warning OOC post at the beginning.

#kanto rocket arc: There wasn't much to do in Kanto so I had Rocket start causing problems on purpose. Silver transed her gender and Giovanni... seemed to no longer be a problem at the end of it.

#downpour arc: This hasn't started yet, and won't for a little while, but I've got one post in the tag already establishing it and letting people know what's up OOC ahead of time. I'll probably need to write another new intro post by the time this arc actually begins but it's nice to have my bases covered anyway.

#milf time and sonboy hours, #milf time: The first tag was specifically posts from Ethan and Reina, but Tumblr stole my yellow and Ethan didn't care about Rotomblr so we're not likely to see more of him actually posting. Maybe on Silver's account who knows.

#passing stranger: Posts from or relating to Dee, which y'all now know both ic and ooc is the Plain Doll. Though most of the posts in this tag are from her 24-hour takeover back in February, there will be more, she's coming back more permanently soon and I'm excited.

#rainbow wings: Posts from (or sometimes relating to) Ho-oh. They don't post that often but they're a giant rainbow bird they can do what they want. What they want, when they happen to be online, is generally for injustice to Not Happen. Good luck buddy.

#what's with this sassy lost child?: Posts from Silver, before she got her own blog at @cosmic-crobat. These days she mostly uses her own blog. I might reuse blue for another character later, or I might just keep using blue for her, we'll see what happens.

#ask game: Reblogs of ask games and responses to said ask games. This one isn't chronological.

#hints to the future: Specifically, responses to that one ask game with the gear emojis that lets you hint at future events. I am always accepting asks for this one no matter how long it's been since I last reblogged that ask game. I like hinting toward what's to come and I like writing prose.

#glimpses of the past: That one ask game with the hourglasses that lets you see into the muse's past. Again, always open because I love writing prose and I can write out prose for things that have already happened this way.

#pelipper mail: It's open, it keeps happening, it keeps causing problems. Note that while I do not have magic anons on, if you're sufficiently creative with Pelipper Mail and it isn't too story-breaking you can probably get a similar effect to a magic anon that way.

#the vampire allegations: Silly tag for posts involving the recurring jokes about Maria being a vampire. It keeps happening, due to her entire aesthetic and also me deciding she can be allergic to garlic for coincidental and completely mundane reasons.

[carbonatedcartoonist]

for the gravity falls ask game: 2, 14, 16, and 28 :3c

Hey sorry it took me so long to get to this!!!!

2-what’s your favorite episode?

I gotta go with a tale of two Stans. I know that’s a popular choice, but it was such a HUGE payoff from years of theorising about Stan’s twin brother. It was so cathartic to be proven right. And it also completely re contextualizas Stan’s entire character. The entire time you think that’s he’s just a run of the mill con man, money and self obsessive. But then ACTUALLY TURNS OUT he was a con man out of necessity for survival because he got KICKED OUT OF HIS HOUSE AT 17. And then he did it because he LOVES HIS BROTHER and he would do ANYTHING to get him back. It was never about the money. Like you rewatch the show after this episode and suddenly you see Stanley in a completely different light. I’ve never seen an episode do that to a character so effectively.

14- do you have any favorite artists/writers/creators in the fandom?

YES OH MY GOD. So gravity falls was my first ever serious fandom, so I practically worshipped the fan artists. I thought they were the coolest people alive. Standouts were @kiki-kit and @imaginashon. I loved their style so much because somehow it was the gravity falls style but even softer and rounder. I think I owe a lot of my beginnings in drawing to the two of them. I also loved @demico-art (they made excellent comics) and at @cherryviolets. I was always MESMERISED by cherry’s art. It’s so beautiful and spacey. I’m saying past tense because I’m remembering how much they influenced me when I was discovering fandom, but they do still make art now and I still love them all just as much!!

16- are you more of a dipper or more of a mabel?

I’ve been told by many of my friends that I am a mabel 100%. I’m loud, kind (at least I like to think so) and just a silly little guy! I also always kind of interpreted mabel as a bit self deprecating. I know the fandom likes to characterise dipper as the unsure and self deprecating type, where as mabel is more egotistical. But I didn’t see it that way. I always saw her loud and boisterous nature as compensating a little for the parts of her she didn’t like or was insecure about. I think it’s shown several times how she is a bit down on herself that she’s not as “smart” as dipper- such as in “Little Dipper” and “dungeons dungeons and more dungeons”. This resonated with me because I also had a very naturally gifted and intelligent brother, and I often felt lesser as a result. Also her not wanting to hurt gideons feelings even though he was OBVIOUSLY bad news realllyyyyy resonated with me. Letting people walk all over me in the name of “kindness” is. Yeah. I also kinda looked like her when I first got into GF- wore lots of sweaters, braces, long brown hair, etc.

28- share a headcanon you like/have been thinking about a lot!

Hmmmm head canon head canon. Well I do think a head canon I always liked (which the fandom is REALLY running with now to my absolute delight) was that ford and fiddleford had something going on. There wasn’t a lot of evidence at the time, mostly because we only see them briefly interact in the show (I think that the journals and book of bill give it a little more credibility) but I thought the fact that fiddleford dropped his entire life to go help ford with his project was…. Strange haha. Also ford being an outsider and shunned for his “strangeness”felt a little bit like it could be a gay allegory.

Sorry these ended up being so long!!!! I have so many thoughts!!!! Thanks for the questions.