#soma isn't soma anymore :)

[beevean]

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

Illusionary Dance

[internetskiff]

I've sometimes seen this sentiment, especially among reviewers, that SOMA's WAU ""monster plot"" contributes nothing to the main game's story, and that the storyline would infact benefit from the WAU's removal. If you ask me, that couldn't be further from the truth. The WAU is at the root of everything. Frankly, it's the main reason the game's moral dilemmas are.. well, dilemmas at all. If the WAU wasn't making monsters, wasn't there to warp the life around Pathos-II as it saw fit, the game wouldn't have even started. Pathos-II would've just remained dormant forever. Simon wouldn't be there, and neither would any of the obstacles he faces on his journey to preserve humanity. The main reason the WAU isn't directly beneficial to Earth is exactly because its understanding of "life" is so skewed. Its not just bringing things back - its bringing them back incorrectly. Every single "monster" we meet builds a case both against and for the WAU's continued existence.

The Construct shows the WAU's failure to understand humanity in the physical sense, shoving a Human brain scan into a misshapen robot body and calling it a day, leaving it to babble to itself as it aimlessly wanders the halls of Upsilon.

The same could be said for Carl Semken and the other Mockingbirds, though to a lesser degree - though capable of speech, they're still very delusional and oftentimes end up going insane. Still, in some ways you see the WAU's understanding of human psychology progress with each new mockingbird - they become increasingly coherent and increasingly sane, Catherine and Robin Bass being great examples. While the Construct has lost so much of itself you can no longer tell who it used to be, the other Mockingbirds have their sense of self intact. With the WAU's unreliable nature cemented, we move on to its attempts at preserving humans physically, with Amy Azarro being the first proper example Simon gets to witness.

She's kept alive in what seems to be a perpetual state of discomfort, and judging by the structure gel slowly overtaking her I believe the WAU may be slowly converting her into one of the Fleshers. Its keeping her alive, yes, but its doing so at any cost necessary - it doesn't matter if she's in constant pain as long as she doesn't flatline. Its treatment of actual organisms is practically an inversion of its treatment of the Mockingbirds - instead of prioritizing the mental wellbeing of the subject, the WAU prioritizes their physical wellbeing with little to no care for the mental state its "patient" is in the entire time.

Fleshers live and breathe, but they seemingly aren't "all there" at all. The lights are on, but no one's home anymore. All they do is wander the ruins of the CURIE and lash out at anyone who enters their territory - the WAU has basically reduced them to animals.

Terry's been driven insane from all the structure gel infesting his insides, and though his goal was "technically" benevolent (putting everyone into a permanent dream state where the WAU could make them live the best possible versions of their lives), he achieved it through incredibly violent means, conducting what was basically an attack on Theta and causing its downfall. So far, its attempts at preserving humans physically have simply resulted in increasingly grotesque and violent monstrosities - but I would argue you see that begin to change when Simon reaches Omicron.

When you reach it, you see the aftermath of a particularly gruesome procedure WAU had carried out - everyone's blackboxes have exploded, turning their heads to mush. We find out that one of the employees, with the help of someone particularly close to the WAU, had figured out how to poison it. They have been receiving "visions" and "messages" from a comatose Johan Ross - the WAU's "AI psychologist", someone it desperately tried to restore from a comatose state by manipulating structure gel with electromagnetic fields. Either the WAU deliberately retaliated when it figured out the poisoning plot, or it had simply overdone it when restoring Johan Ross - sacrificing an entire station's worth of lives to bring someone back. Either way this shows a tremendous amount of intelligence on the WAU's part - and also paints it as either exceptionally cruel or exceptionally empathetic depending on the perspective you view it from. Either it considered Johan so important to it that it was willing to sacrifice most Omicron staff, or it was willing to violently retaliate in order to preserve itself. Either way, Omicron houses what I believe to be a sign of the WAU's steadily improving understanding of humanity - Dr. Johan Ross.

He has been restored with both his physical health and mental faculties (relatively) intact. He isn't violent, and he perfectly understands what condition he is currently in - but despite that he doesn't seem to be physically suffering. He is still driven to eliminate the WAU, but it seems to be less out of personal suffering and more out of fear in regards to the suffering its other creations may go through. I believe he's an example of a semi-perfectly restored human - both him and Simon himself. They're both cases of, as Catherine puts it, "a sound mind in a sound body". But although the signs are there, there is no outright definitive proof that the WAU's creations will only continue to get better.

And that's what makes the game's final moral dilemma so compelling to me. The whole game has been providing us with both evidence and counterevidence towards the WAU's idea of restoring humanity. Now, it's up to you to act as its jury and executioner. By killing it you either stop it from torturing the memory of humanity, or you doom humanity to extinction in all senses of the word. By keeping it alive, you either doom the remnants of humanity to an eternal torturous existence, or you give the WAU a chance at creating something new. There is no way of knowing what choice is correct - because you don't know what the WAU is thinking. You never get to. You don't know its plans, you don't know if it even has the capacity to actually learn from its mistakes, hell, you don't even know if its capable of thought - but here it is. Making things. Terrible things, but there's a chance that it'll only get better with time. Simon himself is evidence of that chance. It has already managed to make what could be classified as a "complete" person. And if you kill it, Simon's going to be the last "complete" person it managed to bring back.

[atanxdoesstuff]

"Whenever I die... my memories are uploaded into a new body. But are they really 'mine'?"

aand my WIP is done! done-ish. idk what to add anymore; rendering is a social construct

ramblings + timelapse under the cut!

awright, so this piece was originally part of a comic-thing that i sketched out in my sketchbook. but it was just something i slapped on figuring i'd rework the composition later. well, i couldn't. it was too crowded. so this is severely reduced from the original plan.

the gist of it is that: obv the top left connor is connor-51. the side connor is actually connor-52. 51 died in "the hostage", but he did still manage to save emma! (i blame dbh youtube poop for making me think connor and daniel could shoot each other. so even tho thats not canon, let's just pretend that happened here lol)

now when you move files on your device, you aren't actually moving them. what you're doing is essentially copying the file into a new location and erasing the original. and based on this premise, i have inflicted an existential crisis on 52! :D it's sort of similar to soma, and their brain scans. is 52 the same person as 51? is it a continued existence or did 51 as a person die on that terrace, with 52 just simulating continued existence?

the game has conflicting stances there: on one hand, connor often says shit like "my predecessor was destroyed", implying that he thinks he's a different person. on the other, he also says shit like "i'll be back" and "this isn't over". and additionally, if hank has chosen to force quit life but connor still turns deviant, connor gets wrecked by 60 and to win, "transfers" himself into 60's unharmed body. and this is framed like an actual transfer.

i feel like if the data is "moved", it's not the same person anymore. to ensure the data transfer doesn't essentially kill the person and resurrect them as a clone of themselves, I think you'd need to physically disconnect, move and reconnect the memory storage device. if we're basing android physiology on currently existing tech, at least. but that's just my headcanon i use to inflict existential dread.

and here's the timelapse! :))

as you can see I've struggled a lot with this work :P i think i got to a point where this looks pretty fine to me (i still really like how i drew 52 here), although it could deffo be better.

i really want to also draw markus more. i've never even made a proper illustration for him but honestly i tried to digitally paint the grenade launcher scene bc its so pretty and i failed miserably. painting in digital is so hard?? idk i should research some stuff on how to do that because i really want to paint that scene still.

also north. north with the grenade launcher :O fuck i want north with the grenade launcher.

[one-in-a-million-fishsticks]

Whenever I think about the Belmont bloodline ending with Julius, I get so sad over how incredibly tragic the implications of that are.

Imagine the Belmont Estate becoming a historic property, owned and operated by the Romanian government because there are no direct heirs left to take ownership and the only relatives (Morris and Helsing) are too far removed from the line of succession to stake a claim.

The hold is emptied and it's contents are distributed between the Morrises and Helsings, because there are some people sitting in government who know what's up, but everything else basically becomes a historical exhibit for interested tourists to visit.

I imagine that after Soma passes and he no longer has a duty to fulfill in Japan, Alucard might come and try to visit himself. Only it isn't a home to him anymore, it isn't anyone's home anymore. It just feels utterly empty, a shell filled by the footprints of strangers, and all that he can do is walk the ancient halls with nothing to keep him company but gravestones and memories.

[lyss-butterscotch]

SOMA's ending just made me go wow,humanity is screwed and 3rd Simon is stuck on Earth.How is it still so satisfying? You willing to try it out?

It's not satisfying i hate it but i also love it. It's such a double whammy with how they presented the ending too, what a major tonal shift.

I probably should spoiler this lmao

Humanity IS screwed it's been established from the get go that everything is going to shit. All humans has been uploaded to robots and the ARC and even the last living human wanted to die. There is no salvation here.

I think it's just like what Katheryne said. 'They're in the stars, and we're here'. She knows it's not possible for everyone to be saved here, it's not possible for THEM, current Simon and Katheryne, to be saved. But even in the most bleakest moment of humanity. Even if you want to call in question if whatever's in the ARC can even be considered human anymore, some of the hundreds and thousands of years of human history still managed to survive. That a version of Simon and Katheryne survived. That is what is hopeful for her.

I think it's a strange moral dilemma, where you'd of course want to sacrifice yourself for the good of humanity. But in the case of SOMA, you are both sides, you are the sacrifice AND the saved. And if they are the same person, why can't YOU be the saved. This is why people had started to believe killing your human body would mean you 'transfer' to the one in the ARC even though its physically not possible.

It doesn't work that way, as Katheryne said.

This is also why I both hate and love the coin toss idea. It... technically isn't. Simon 2nd got copied to make Simon 3rd. Simon 2nd WILL stay as Simon 2nd. But Simon 3rd, having all the memories of Simon 2nd, will think HE is Simon 2nd when he isn't.

It's the matter of perspective too. We change perspectives to be Simon 3rd to follow his journey, so Simon 2nd became the sacrifice for the greater good. He's 'not us'. But if we stayed with the perspective of Simon 2nd, then it wouldn't be so easy to accept that we became the sacrifice because Simon 3rd is 'not us'.

Just like what Simon 3rd said when he launched Simon 4th. He's 'not us'.

It's a matter of perspective.

[pinkyjulien]

Just finished watching BeamBuddy's Soma video and it threw me back into the CP77 Mikoshi V Identity Crisis all over again ✌✌✌

Fucking insanity

AND LIKE. when it comes to Valentin

This was always in the back of my head but since nothing is really confirmed when it comes to the cyberpunk universe, how engrams and soulkiller are handled, I did not really. thought about it hardcore (because it also gives me an hard time emotionally HGHFH IT FUCKS ME UP!!! SO BAD)

Valentin Post Mikoshi have a really hard time-- regardless of which Valentin

The copy who stays in Mikoshi, stuck in cyberspace with Johnny and Alt, go absolutely crazy at first- stuck with the "man" who took away his body from him, the body he worked hard to tame and love, who tainted his mind and eventually killed him - cause he doesn't see being stuck in cyberspace as living anymore

I can imagine that version of him slowly loosing touch with his past memories, on purpose, wanting to forget about what he lost, about his friends, about Mitch (whom he remember only sharing a first kiss with right before seeing him leave into the panzer, not knowing if he survived oh my god I'm going to fucking---- --) and loosing all sense of joy and happiness tbh - like, he would end up like Alt?? just an Entity wandering the net, probably helping her in guiding the lost souls to her safeplace / her city

and he'd slowly loose his hatred for Johnny too, for a total apathy - and I'm sure Johnny would hate it, even if their relationship sucked when Val' was still human, they had their moments - apathy and total numbness can't make proper conversations, it'd drive the man insane hhhghg

As for the copy who get send back into his body, the ""real"" Valentin (UUUGGGHHHHH) he'd feel ecstatic to be back ofc, but start wondering about all this, about mikoshi, about alt, about the engram, about what it means for him to be back into his body, about him dying

My canon always had a post-star fix-it where Val' eventually get brain surgery to basically transfer the data from the relic to a proper tech directly on his brain - and tbh when I saw Phantom Liberty' ending, it was perfect, this was exactly what I had in mind

Val' "fully gaining" his life back doesn't stop him from wondering if he's still himself, similar to Shepard's identity crisis after the Lazarus project right? Are they still themselves, are they a copy, a clone, what are they

and I can't imagine a better environement for Valentin than the Aldecaldos deadass, even if they don't fully grasp the whole Mikoshi and Engrams bullshit, even if they don't understand all of it-- hell, I can imagine both Mitch and Panam annoying Carol for some in depth Netrunning lesson to try and understand better, but even she can't fully wrap her brain around it (and in Arizona, Dakota isn't around anymore to bring her wisdom 🤧)

Valentin is around for each of Mitch's nightmare and PTSD episodes, and Mitch is around for Valentin's identity crisis hhhhh reaussing him that even if he doesn't fully understand, what he knows is that they're both here, real and alive, together, and that everything will be ok 🤧🤧 PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF Im. not crying lamo I'm not ayooooooooooooooooo oh man.

I got lost along the way idk what I wanted to say but yeah... yeah............... ah man

[gwaaaaar]

Black Butler racism (or just overall bigotry) is the funniest shit ever (no it isn't. It's awful) because. Black Butler somehow got better. And worse. Spoilers under the cut for Baldroys backstory btw.

Please try not to take this as an entirely anti-black butler sort of argument. I was thinking about this in passing and thought it was something worth discussing. So DON'T COME AT ME!!!

I'm gonna start off with the easiest and earliest examples of racism.

Soma and Agni-! Wow... so I'd argue in the beginning Soma was based off of, I wouldn't say harmless stereotypes, but stereotypes that weren't applied with malice. He's a prince with like. 26+ siblings so he never really had a chance for the throne.

The 26+ siblings is... an unfortunate common stereotype applied to brown people, more specifically muslim. Soma is from Bengal and depending on where, there could be a high muslim population. But Soma is hindu. Either way, it's not. Good. To portray brown people like this. Like having 20+ kids that is a bad look. Indians do have big families, I should know, but not to that extreme and it has weird implications. Also when Soma tells Mey Rin to strip because painting naked women is better... yikes

Here is the harmful part: his and Agni's worship of Ma Kali is treated as a joke. Like ohhh look at this scary demonic hindu goddess!!! Even sebastian is weirded out and he's a demon!!! LIKE WHAT THE FUCK. :/

BUT. but. This. PALES IN COMPARISON TO THE SINOPHOBIA. Holy shitttt Lau... oh my god he is like a stereotype from mf Tintin. The opium den and the Chinese girl in skimpy clothing is crazy (and the implied incest??? What is ran mao to him again??? Theyre like siblings right???)... It really fucking sucks that the way hes portrayed almost implies that Chinese people wanted the opium crisis rather than you know. Having it pushed onto them by the British . I can be upset about Soma all I want but damn... maybe indian people did get the good end of the stick.

And, it's weird right? It's weird how one minority that normally isn't treated seriously can escape with relatively minor stereotyping compared to. TO THE SHIT TON OF OPIUM. Of course there's a lot of historical things going on, but wow the sinophobia is nuts.

I do think the main problem is somewhat classism. Victims are treated brutes for retaliating. Like that one miniarc where indian immigrants were tying up British nobles that visited India because they were angry that they were used and tossed aside and can't go back home. Soma, one of the few indians treated with sympathy, is a prince. I WILL NEVER FORGIVE WHAT THEY DID TO MINA... she was rightfully upset. The caste system is a terrible thing and she wanted to escape that, and she's the bitch? She isn't gentle to Soma, but she's in the right.

Black Butler has evolved as a story significantly since the beginning and when I say it's kind of gotten better I mean, the characters have evolved so much they can no longer rely on stereotypes. We have to take Soma and Agni seriously, they are no longer just some funny foreigners. LAU DOESN'T EVEN DO OPIUM ANYMORE AFAIK... that was like 50% of his personality and she got rid of it lmao.

edit: i lied he still does opium its just that isnt his personality anymore.

And that's a good thing! They shouldn't have been portrayed in such ways in the beginning. Stereotyping is just objectively shit writing. But also yeah shitty thing to do to minorities.

I think one of the most beautiful cultural references made later on is post Agni's death, when Soma has had enough and finally snaps. The panel that says "he has gone down the path of Maa Kali" is so poetic and my roman empire . It's a good reference back to the deity they worship, but instead of her being treated as something to ridicule or be scared of, it shows how Soma's personality, and background has lead him to who he is today. I think it's beautiful! I'm happy Soma is in the story because of that.

The same can be said about the slight transphobia with Grell in the beginning. NOW I know in the beginning, there wasn't a particular word for trans women or people in general so a word referring to effeminate/gay men or crossdressers was used. This isn't about that, language changes etc etc. Its moreso how she was portrayed as like, a sicko serial killer. Like yk, negative trans stereotypes. But over time she was recognized as a woman and gets to be her own character. Which is awesome! It's good that shes been viewed more postively over time.

Now... here's where things might be getting worse.

Baldroys backstory pisses me off. The idea that native americans were like ravaging his hometown and killed his innocent family. He even says something like how he knows their land got stolen so their reaction was probably justified but he doesn't care. It just. It just feels like siding with the colonizers you know? Like perpetuating these stereotypes to give people a reason to be "afraid". I know conflict was pretty rampant back then but there's just certain things people should be careful with when portraying... and I don't think Black Butler did a good job. I was really surprised to see that it was from a recent chapter bc it honestly read like something from the older ones.

AT LEAST we finally got a black grim reaper wooo mama

[andromebaa]

Just the Two of Us Horror Inspiration MegaPost

It's nearly Halloween so I'm going to spend an embarrassing amount of time explaining every single horror reference and inspiration in Just the Two of Us that I can recall. I'll try to include links where I can for more context.

Story in General

The biggest inspirations for Just the Two of Us were Silent Hill, Black Mirror and I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream. I've always adored psychological horror and sci-fi horror and I think it reflects in this fic. Chapter 1

One of my favourite Silent Hill games is Silent Hill 4. The game is focused on a man who cannot leave his apartment. The concept of a house that cannot be escaped from is really fascinating to me and I think it played a big inspiration for the house in JtToU. I pretty much consider one of the game's songs, Tender Sugar, the unofficial theme of the fic. Time dilation in fiction is super interesting to me. I don't think it was necessarily a huge inspiration, but The Jaunt is a beautifully creepy short story that probably rolled around in my mind while I was writing this part. Chapter 3 Okay this isn't scary or intentional, but I legitimately cannot read the hydrazine cup scene anymore without thinking about that one scene from The Princess Bride. I can't believe I did not see that sooner and now I can't stop thinking about Kokichi screaming about how Greek philosophers are all morons. Chapter 4

Again, not intentionally a reference, but that scene in The Thing is Kokichi stuck in the chair lmao. Chapter 6

When the fake Shuichi talks to Kaito over the wall, one of his lines was taken directly from Waiting for You, another Silent Hill 4 song. Chapter 7 The short burst of static that Kaito hears from the phone at the end of this chapter was directly inspired by the radio from Silent Hill 2. It spurts out creepy, distorted static when an enemy is nearby. Chapter 8 Okay the good stuff now. This chapter, especially the first half of the house (a distorted version of Kokichi and/or Oma's apartment), was directly inspired by the movie Skinamarink. That movie follows a young child trapped in a house with no windows or doors and a weird, malevolent force lurking over them. I really wanted the whole vibe of that section to reflect this. There was also definitely heavy inspiration from Silent Hill, particularly Lakeview Hotel in Silent Hill 2. The design of Shadow Child was inspired by the Larval Stalkers in Silent Hill 1. Chapter 10 Mani-Kun is a love letter to every single creepy mannequin in every horror game ever. Love you, you absolute freaks <3 Chapter 11 Miu's copy being stuck in P.A.L was definitely inspired by a bunch of different things, especially SOMA and this fantastic animated short To Be. Love some of that existential am I real or just a copy sort of thing. Chapter 12 The horror movie that Kaito mentions during the game of Two Truths and a Lie is Event Horizon. I honestly don't know how he could have sat through it, let alone enjoyed it. He probably had nightmares for weeks afterward. Chapter 13 Miu standing in the corner like a creepy fuck was inspired by the ending of the Blair Witch Project. Her whole transformation was greatly inspired by AM from I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, particularly the whole ghost without a machine idea. Chapter 14 This whole chapter was basically created as if it was a level in Silent Hill and Kaito was the protagonist lmao, especially when he explores the hospital. It even has a boss battle! I feel like the loop and the leech spouting terrifying stuff was definitely inspired by P.T in particular though. The dirty bathroom and the fact they are chained up in it is a very very obvious Saw reference lmao not even trying to hide that. Miu mentions she could turn one of them into a soft, jelly thing - that's taken word from word from the ending of I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream. Chapter 16

This chapter, particularly when Kokichi is still trapped in the debug room, was definitely inspired by Omori. Just the concept of a character in denial over a very bad thing which makes them blank out any awfulness in an act of self-preservation. The whole talking to another version of yourself was also inspired by the Stephen King story Gerald's Game. I love the idea of an isolated character having to converse with themself in order to stay sane or rationalise things. The creepy Judas Cradle chair from the hospital flashback was definitely Saw-inspired. Also it was an actual torture device that has been used in the past so that's fun. Chapter 19

Momota's personality and traits were heavily inspired by Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. The scene where he ties up Kokichi and the whole conversation he has with Miu in the snowy cabin are probably the best examples of this lmao.

Also a guy chasing after his partner and kids with an ax in a bloodthirsty rampage in the snow? Guess we need to tick off yet another Stephen King reference lmao. I swear that one was unintentional though. Oh yeah, their kids are named after Satoshi Kon (creator of psychological horror masterpieces like Perfect Blue and Paranoia Agent) and Koji Suzuki (author of The Ring and Dark Water).

Chapter 20

Kokichi's transformation into a leech was heavily inspired by I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream. Again, another reference to the soft, jelly line as well. Momota's rant about how much he hates Kaito was kind of inspired by AM's rant .

That's about it! At least, what I can recall ahaha. But yeah I love horror with all my heart and soul <3

[spireof-shadows]

ok anyway i promised u my internet idols and i am here to deliver. don't mind that there's going to be a lot of the same song... ehehe... i also haven't listened to the unit songs for the two units so like. i cannot send u any of those until i do

so !! lets just start with strpri (strawberry prince) guys i listen to! (riinu's my favorite from strpri btw)

riinu ! the red one. transmasc and i love him so much. if riinu can do it i can do it ! his liddle guy is a dogboy :). shoujorei, magical girl and chocolate, loveit

root ! the yellow guy. very soft kinda voice. love this guy. his youtube channel is mostly minecraft its funny. darling dance, bug

colon! little blue guy. also got that soft kinda voice that i enjoy. devil janai mon

satomi ! pink. has a more mature sounding voice compared to the other three. got a nice bit of power while still being kinda smooth. kinda nice tbh. shoujorei, kamipoina (godish)

nanamori ! purple. had to stop being a utaite for a bit after he kinda got doxxed or smth. like satomi has a more mature voice but still has that smoothness to it (also his voice just sounds neat) one of my faves tbh. he does solo stuff more now :) also he's the founder of strpri!! yellow, loveit, vampire (rlly shows off his power)

nanamori technically isn't active in strpri itself anymore, but he's still active as a utaite and as strpri's like. manager? kinda? so he counts. to me <3

also! lavie (root, colon, satomi, riinu)

KnightA! lets ignore that my favorite enstars unit is knights, and just move on...

vau ! red guy. leader of KnightA. i have mixed feelings on his voice but he has such a unique vocal style that i listen anyway (and im coming to enjoy his voice...). he's got a lot of interesting vocal stuff he does. gets very loud and growly sometimes its impressive. devil janai mon (he sings in a lower and a higher register to mimic deco and pino's styles, and even while singing high he can still growl and emit so much power behind that voice), loveit

soma! yellow. soft but mature voice! usually sings in his normal register but has a few times where he gets a little higher or a little deeper and growly. knightA loves their powerful voices with those growls man. ough. bug, non-breath oblige, gehenna

mahito ! blue. he doesn't do solo stuff very often but has a kinda unique voice to me... very smooth yet a bit low. you don't expect the voice that comes outta that liddle blue guy. goodbye declaration

teruto ! pink. very soft and gentle voice. i enjoy it a lot actually. he does a lot of solo stuff and has covered a lotta songs :) kyukurarin, please play-bite, magical girl and chocolate, goodbye delcaration

shiyun ! green. VERY powerful voice. loves those screams and growls. he gets growly a LOT. when not being all growly he has a very smooth voice, kinda high at times but he's also very good at singing lower ! usseewa, bug, apocalypse now, n ah ah (vocals on this one are very whispery and airy, and then he gets loud for one part towards the end :3)

yukimura ! purple. not actually part of KnightA anymore bc they wanted to go solo, but left the group on good terms! very soft voice. almost feminine sounding? good at hitting highs bc of it. very pleasing to listen to them tbh. also they're kinda controversial in japan bc they're uh ! a fucked up little guy ! read their page on the utaite wiki abt that lmao. also their gender isn't known so :3 ! tensei ringo, ifuudoudou, shoujorei, devil janai mon (w/ utu-kun)

multisongs ! unfriendly haters (shiyun + teruto), identity (vau + yukimura - their voices contrast SO much)

and !! misc guys.

utaranuki ! tanuki guy. got a nice voice. i don't have much to say abt him skdghds. urataneko, ifuudoudou, lavie, magical girl and chocolate

utu-kun ! name literally means depression-kun. most low energy covers ever i love it. also if you run his titles thru google translate they are literally so funny. smooth voice, pleasing to listen to :3 internet overdose (this song in utu's low-energy vibe is so funny tbh), lavie, vampire (shows off his low-energy vibe so well. also the full title is "i, who is afraid of blood, covered [vampire]"), bug (blood in the image, btw),

soraru ! you know soraru. everyone know soraru. soft and smooth voice. ghost city tokyo, kamipoina, menhera janai mon (w/ mazeta)

mazeta! i didn't listen to a lot of his stuff but like he has such a unique vocal style a lot like vau. soft voice with an interesting accent but also just fucking goes ham sometimes. hibana, ego rock (w/ utu-kun. shows off his "go ham" voice where he gets growly and like. sharp. for lack of a better term), usseewa (got some Go Ham mazeta in it :3)

ivudot. i don't listen to a lot of his stuff. has a very smooth like. anime protag voice. but also can sing in a higher and kinda softer register ! nee nee nee, shoujorei

whalewood! fascinating name tbh. i haven't listened to a lot of his stuff tbh but ! soft smooth voice. does some fun vocal stuff at times mostly w/ post-processing effects. gekkou (w/ suisoh), villain, traffic jam

suisoh ! also soft !! i do not listen to a lot of suisoh's stuff though so. yanno. ph, venom

visibly exploded when i saw this in my inbox/pos

thank you so much for being so through with them!!! i love hearing the thoughts. that are being thunked oughbnn ♡♡♡ i will definetely update u as i go through them hoho

but for now i'm really eepy so gonna try to get some sleep...

[beevean]

I know TvTropes is edited by different people, but I would dearly love to understand their general logic.

You find this in the YMMV page of Lament of Innocence:

Mathias is not afforded much grace for acting out of desperate grief, to the point that apparently some thought he didn't even deserve a second chance in the form of Soma.

Now, I would argue that LoI doesn't even expect you to cry over Mathias. It's very obvious that he has become a despicable person, using his friend as a pawn, causing the death of said friend's fiancée and not shedding a compassionate tear over her, and even believing he would be joined in immortality. But yes, I agree, Mathias is pitiable only to an extent: "wife died" is not exactly a compelling argument for rejecting humanity to the degree that he did.

... but then what about this, TvTropes? From the YMMV page of NFCV?

(you'd think Mathias would also get the moniker of Jerkass Woobie. nope)

One, NFCV didn't come up with the idea of Dracula lashing out due to the grief of Lisa's death. It comes from SoTN. NFCV only put more emphasis on it. Stop giving the show undeserved credit.

Two, really? Really. N!Dracula is really that sympathetic, that most of the voices he gets are all about how much of a poow bapyboy he is? What the hell do you mean, "he makes a good case against humanity"???? This piece of shit wanted to exterminate humankind and vampirekind (because he was aware that they'd all starve to death, he just refused to give a fuck) because one village didn't rise up against a bishop! When he yells "there are no innocents, not anymore", do you take him seriously?????

He does get a Moral Even Horizon voice, but it feels half-hearted, to say the least:

If you think it's hard not to sympathize with him and that being brought back as a treat rectifies it, then by definition it's not a Moral Event Horizon, because the very definition of the trope is that it's an act that makes a character completely and utterly unforgivable, on par with Griffith sacrificing the Band of the Hawk and raping Casca, to make a famous example.

(funnily enough they do the same with Lenore under the same trope, saying that apparently she understood that she crossed the line and tried to make amends. There's not, however, mention of Isaac killing innocent people and defiling their corpses for his selfish purposes. Inch-resting.)

I really, really am made uncomfortable by the serious apologism N!Dracula gets, and only because he cries a little more than his game counterpart. "He makes a good case against humanity", huh? Do you have any idea how many genocides started from motivations that were seen as reasonable? How many dictators tried, and are trying, to kill many for the perceived sins of few? Yes, I am fully aware that N!Dracula is a fictional villain, and he benefits from a cool design, suave voice, and multiple Pet The Dog Moments, I'm not really saying that his fans condone real crimes... but just like Lenore fans who justify her abuse and rape with real life rape apologism arguments such as "Hector consented at first" or "she wanted his own good", the rhetoric used here is honestly appalling.

But yes, on a pettier note, I'm also salty that game Dracula isn't afforded the same sympathy, even though he too is bereaved by grief. He just doesn't express it in a pitiable enough way. It's easier to go all 🥺 at a depressed man moping in a chair, isn't it? Ignore how said depressed man has hired two misanthropes to Forge demons to routinely send to slaughter innocent humans! It's off-screen, after all :) you don't need to see it :)

But you know who gets called Unintentionally Unsympathetic in the show?

And here I say what I said about Mathias: there is nothing "unintentional" about this, the show has zero pity for the peasants who were slaughtered. Much like you, person who roots for Dracula, the writing too painted them as stupid because believing the CHURCH BAD, and therefore, like all stupid people, deserving of gruesome punishment. Peasants are low-class and religious, and as such deserve death. "Cool" murderers like Dracula and Isaac, who are so intelligent and above the petty masses, instead deserve everything on a silver platter.

I really despise this show and the messages it sends. And the general anti-game bias, of course.

[birdforce]

i love when reviewers say soma isn't scary. like sure its not scary anymore to you after playing for 10 hours and you've figured out how the ai works but let me tell you those first 2-3hrs when you meet the construct and the flesher the proxy for the first time are scary as hell

[thereader-radhika]

Ravidasan and Soman Sambavan at Tanjore, just before Ravidasan leaves for Kadambur

"What about Maduranthaka Thevan, then?" "Let him stay alive if he wants. It will be a good thing if an imbecile like him sits on the Chozha throne for some time. The Pandya Emperor has to come of age, isn't it?"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Soman Sambavan meeting Maduranthakan and recognising him as Veera Pandyan's son

I was wandering around the garden . . . He approached me and said, “Prince! I've come here with the sole purpose of seeing you. Periya Pazhuvettarayar and Kandan Maran sent me to fetch you. A big army is getting ready to support your claim to the throne." I became quite suspicious of him.

I replied, ‘Why should I come out if there's a big army waiting there? Why can't they come here, defeat the Kodumbalur forces and place me on the throne?’

“Prince! That's not all there is. There's a dangerous secret connected with your birth. No one else will dare to tell you about it, but I will,’ he said.

‘In that case, come, we'll leave at once,’ I said.

To which he replied, ‘I have to give the Prime Minister a piece of news. Let me first go and tell him, while you stay hidden in the tunnel.’

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Aha! Who was that fellow in Sundara Chozha's garden who said he would tell me the secret of my birth? . . . While making an attempt to kill Sundara Chozhar, he killed that mute woman. He cannot be blamed.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The New King

When Chinna Pazhuvettarayar fell into the chasm, cries of 'Long live Amarabhujanga Nedunchezhiyan!’ rose above the noise of the falls.

Imagine Soman Sambavan sharing his exciting discovery with Ravidasan

Ravidasan: Soma, how did the mission go?

Soman : Failure, as usual. What about you?

Ravidasan: Success 😁😁

Soman : What? (Hugs Ravidasan) Yay! Yay! The sinner who took the head of Veera Pandyar is dead. Yay! Yay! Did she do it? Really?

Ravidasan: Well, I am not sure. All those fools were behaving like they haven't met a woman in their entire lives. Hiding, shouting, pleading, crying, choking each other . . . She too was screaming her lungs out. Anyway, our meen-vaal pierced his evil heart. I saw it with my own eyes.

Soman : Oho! Now listen to this. I might not have killed the usurper but I discovered our lost treasure.

Ravidasan: In Lanka?

Soman: God! No! How do I explain this? There is one more - an adult man, the heir to our throne, no, no, I mean, our Emperor. That mute woman has two children.

Ravidasan (gasping) : Explain

Soman: Ravidasare, think. What was the reason for Veera Pandyar's confusion? How did we recognise Nandini Devi? The mother and children look like they were cast in the same mould. You just have to meet him once.

Ravidasan : Did he come there in search of his sister? Why didn't you bring him with you?

Soman: There is a small problem. You see, our Emperor is . . . is . . . how do I say this? Maduranthaka Thevanrrr. Yes, Maduranthaka Thevar is Veera Pandyar's and the mute woman's son.

Ravidasan: Get lost!

Soman: I know, we have to find a new name for him. You just have to see him once. Just once. That woman . . . what did she tell us? Girly? Idiot? Idiots are those blind morons. How come they didn't realise that she looks like our Emperor in a longer wig?

Ravidasan (to himself) : Perhaps that's why they sent her away and never let him come out. (Aloud) If what you are saying is true, the mute woman won't trouble us anymore. Any woman will support her own son over her cheater ex's son.

Soman : Yeah, about that . . . She had to jump in between and spoil everything. She couldn't have survived.

Ravidasan: Good riddance. WHAT! Oh no!

Soman : Don't worry about that. I am willing to accept any punishment our Emperor decides. That will console Devi too. Don't tell her anything now. (They don't know that Madu doesn't give a damn about Mandakini's death)

Ravidasan: Hell! Even yesterday, I told Paramu that she is Veera Pandyar's consort. First things first. We need to retrieve the Emperor and convince him. Then make arrangements for your execution. The little Emperor will stay hidden untill we can be sure of his safety.

Soman: We only have to give a hint, he will come running.

[madraleen]

Black Butler - Canon Eps Rewatch Commentary (part of season 1, season 3, book of murder & book of the atlantic) (*spoilers for the manga up until now, ch.210)

season 1 -*twirls hair* hiiiii sebastiaaaaan... teeheee -YUUKI KAJI WE MEET AGAIN! finny. -oof lizzie. i miss her -i'm very used to jun fukuyama as blue exorcist yukio and bungo stray dog ango, and hearing his grell voice makes me go "?!?!" -"this person is a hard worker," "that person is a hard worker," lies, all lies, have you seen how hard sebastian is working for his meal -oh dude, i don't remember how we met soma anymore, so seeing him this serious is so odd -is soma really like that? i remember him with more oomph, more pizazz, more... MORE from the manga :(

season 3 -heh, ep1 doing The Most to give us a who's-who -it's... it's the circus troupe... :") -miyano mamoru, miyano mamoru -SNAAAAAAAAAKEEEEEE -doll. -was i conditioned from the beginning to like dazai's voice acting? because i remember liking joker the first time i watched s3. i remember he stood out. was it a predestined path -YES! YES THAT'S SOMA, YES! YES!! -i have a problem and his name is miyano mamoru. HE'S SO ENTERTAINING -yes yes, this is the ridiculousness and playfulness i expect from black butler's sillier moments, thank you! -doll... if i catch you, doll... -WAAAAIT, first there's ciel on vincent's left and then there's ciel on vincent's right, IT WAS THERE ALL ALONGGGG -THERE ARE LITERALLY TWO CHILDREN, HOW DID I NOT NOTICE BEFORE THE REVEAL. the way despicable kelvin's eyes track the two children, the way it SEEMS like ciel's just doing circles around his father and has mood swings, that is insane omg -i love the phantomhive staff. and how ironic, isn't it, that they stay and protect ciel for the same reason the circus troupe stays with and protects their father -this is one of my favorite arcs, if not the favorite. i actually feel bad for the antagonists. they're criminals, but they're more complex than that. they have reason, conviction, a backstory, relationships. they're the villains, but they weren't bad people, only desperate. like, seeing beast's face when she's about to be blown up, seeing joker cry, it actually breaks my heart. also my heart breaks for ciel and his ptsd. and the fact that he chooses to let the children burn, it's so character-defining. i really do love this arc. a painful arc. -seeing ciel laughing at the workhouse, sebastian should be like "my meal is turning gourmet" -yeah, gimme a minute. i need a minute after this, i'm sad.

book of murder -you know what i love? yes, first and foremost sebastian and ciel are demon and prey. but that aside, as they are now, in their roles of master and butler, they're such a team. such comrades. -ciel about to give the performance of his lifetime over "dead" sebastian. and it's a damn good performance, i never tire of it. it hurts. and the staff's reactions are genuine anyway, and they're lovely -ciel to snake is like, "if you stay in the mansion, that's the fastest way to meet joker and the others again," and it's like, yes, yes it is, but not in the way you think -.-

book of the atlantic -dear lizzie. "sure, a man with snakes works for my fiance, no biggie." doesn't bat an eyelash. i miss lizzie. -oh man, seeing ciel protecting lizzie and lizzie trusting him knowing what comes next in the manga makes me tear up a little -i love lizzie. she makes me tear up, her story is so. -how ironic was it that it wasn't even our ciel that told lizzie strong women are scary? -i love this arc too -yes, yes, this, let's not forget that ciel and sebastian are funny together, and sebastian loves teasing ciel, and ciel loves to give sebastian a hard time. -undertaker, if villain why so pretty! -tsk, i love ciel and sebastian. -alright. i'm all ready for the new season :)

[deathfavor]

Anonymous said: Kuroko, if you couldn't serve under Tatsuomi anymore but had to choose another grand general to work under, who would you prefer? What would your rankings look like?

" One of the other grand generals? " Her lips press together in a slight frown of thought. There's many implication to her not being able to serve under him for some reason. She can think of a dozen right off the bat. But it isn't abnormal on occasion for one party to have to join another. Who would she prefer? That wasn't a question she'd ever contemplated.

" That is quite the question. " She doesn't have many direct interactions to pull from in regards to how she might work alongside them. " Perhaps Tsubasa Tokugawa? " Kuroko considers it for a moment. " I would be interested in learning how she approaches her role and how her band functions. I can respect her approach to matters, and while she is often firm in her standings, she is not immovable and can change her opinion or stance as new information comes into play. " So then, where did she go from there?

" Naotora Takeda next. I am familiar with working alongside him after all and he has been of vital help in the past. I appreciate his willingness to go along with my plans and work with me despite not being a member of his band. I think it would overall be fine between us. Third would be...Shishikado Hojo. His knowledge is unparalleled when it comes to Oni and it would be a valuable experience. That said...I am not particularly inclined to those customs. " Or a living castle. That and his sleeping would probably annoy her. " Last would be Soma Date. Not out of any dislike or disrespect. " It's a quick note that she adds as soon as the name has left her lips. " Merely that I feel like I would not be as useful to the Date as I would be to other groups, and I dislike the thought of simply being present and playing no role. It feels like freeloading. " It leaves an appalling taste in her mouth. " Perhaps if he said otherwise, I might adjust my ranking, but as a whole, the Dates are already extremely well trained and organized. " And while Kuroko was known for her strategies, they seemed to be flourish completely fine on their own.

[mccnhime]

I shouldn't be allowed downtime at work. This is very rough and will be refined, but I figured I would give the Soma x Arikado fans a little crumb. Bottom Soma agenda is still very strong with me. it will be more refined by time i post it to AO3. just wanted to share what i did instead of my tickets lol

"Arikado, what is it?" Soma asks. The other had called him into his office, which is odd. Was something a miss? Did Soma do something?

"Sit." 

Arikado motions to the couch that was across from his desk. There was a coffee table with documents and a mug that probably had coffee or tea. Thinking and looking around, it really did seem like the office was like a mini little studio. It felt homey, but given that Arikado was working with Japanese intelligence and probably as hired help by the church, sleeping here or spending long hours, he supposes, would warrant such a homey looking office. Ariakdo remains standing, hands behind his back.

Soma sits, nervous and anxious, his heart beating rapidly. Arikado's expression is serious, but not unkind. He takes a deep breath before speaking.

 "There's something I need to discuss with you, Soma.”

"And that is?" 

"It's about your... feelings towards me." Arikado says, his voice dropping to a lower tone.

......

"W-What about them?”

"You've been acting strangely around me lately." Arikado observes, noticing how Soma's face turns red at the mention of it. "You're more hesitant to speak to me, and you avoid eye contact. I can't help but wonder why.”

....

 "I...don't know what you mean." He says, lying to them. He found them beautiful and attractive, and wanted them. Yet he was afraid of what would happen, what could come of it. 

Arikado isn't fooled by the denial. He can sense the truth behind Soma's words, but he chooses not to press the issue further. Instead, he changes tactics. "You can tell me, Soma. I won't judge you.”

"There isn't..." 

Arikado takes a step closer, towering over Soma. "There's something. I can see it in your eyes. You're afraid of me, aren't you?”

"No. Not afraid." 

"Then what is it? Are you scared of yourself? Of what you might do to me?" Arikado leans in, his face mere inches from Soma's. "Is it because of our... connection?”

That was it, Soma nodded at the last question. "I...like you....but I am..." 

Arikado's eyes widened slightly at the confession. He wasn't expecting that. He takes a step back, creating some distance between them. "You...like me?”

"Yes and yet I...I feel..." he struggles. "I was…” 

Arikado's expression turns pained as he realizes what Soma means. "I understand. It's complicated. You're not Dracula anymore, but you have his memories, his power…and you are afraid.”

Arikado places a hand on Soma's shoulder, his touch gentle yet firm. "I won't let that happen. I'll be here to stop you if it does." He looks deep into Soma's eyes. "But you need to trust me, Soma. You need to trust that I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, even if it means protecting you from yourself.”

Soma, despite the unease, relaxes under his touch. As close as they were, he could also smell them. A mix of something rich and intoxicating, it made him feel just the tiniest bit of feral. "Thank you…”

Arikado can feel the tension in Soma's body start to dissipate. He keeps his hand on Soma's shoulder, feeling a strange sense of comfort in their closeness. "You're welcome." He says quietly. "Just promise me one more thing.”

"Anything.”

"Promise me that you won't shut me out again. Promise me that you'll talk to me when you're feeling confused or scared." Arikado's voice is soft, but there's a hint of pleading in it. "I want to help you, Soma. I want to be there for you.”

Soma nods after some time, then takes their hand into his own, holding it.

Arikado looks down at their intertwined hands, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He doesn't pull away, instead, he lets Soma hold his hand, feeling a warmth spread through him at the gesture. He gives Soma's hand a reassuring squeeze. Soon enough, however, there was a matter of what else needed to be addressed besides feelings and as such Arikado moved to sit next to them. 

“There is another topic I wish to discuss, by the way.” 

“And that would be…?” 

“You're not just a normal human anymore, Soma. You have abilities that are beyond what a human could do." Arikado explains patiently.

“I am human!” Soma denies, standing up and moving to him. “I still-” 

Arikado raises an eyebrow. "You may not feel it yet, but your body is changing and you're not completely human anymore." He walks closer to Soma again, his expression serious. "You need to accept that, Soma. You need to accept that you are not the same person you were before all of this started."

....

A sigh. He sits back down. 

"Why me?" 

Arikado sits down next to Soma, a sympathetic look on his face. "I wish I had an answer for that. I don't know why Dracula chose you. But it's happening, and there's no changing it now." He puts a hand on Soma's back, rubbing it gently. "But you're not alone in this. I'm here to help you, no matter what.”

"Thank you," he says softly, leaning into them, sighing deeply.

Arikado allows Soma to lean against him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. He can feel the tension in Soma's body begin to ease again.

 "Anytime." He murmurs, his hand continuing to move in slow circles on Soma's back. "Just remember, you're not alone in this. I'm here for you, no matter what.”

At this Soma could only smile, sinking into the comfort of their embrace. Arikado pulled Soma closer, holding him tightly. He couldn’t help, but feel a sense of protectiveness towards him, mixed with a strange warmth in his chest. He's never been this close to anyone before, not since he became Alucard. It's a strange feeling, but not an unwelcome one and Soma noticed the slight change and as the other held him tighter. 

A pause, a beat. Soma returns the embrace, pressing ever closer.

Arikado tenses for a moment when Soma's arms encircle him, but he quickly relaxes again. He's not used to being held like this, and it's both unfamiliar and comforting at the same time. He buries his face in Soma's hair, inhaling his scent and letting out a soft sigh.

The young man could only blush, face buried in their chest as they cuddled on the couch. This felt very nice

Arikado notices the blush on Soma's face when he looks down, and he can't help but smile gently as he runs his fingers through Soma's hair, enjoying the feeling of their bodies pressed together. "You're cute when you blush." He teases quietly. 

"Ahh...I'm not blushing" he said, pulling back with a blush staining his pale skin. 

Arikado chuckles, a deep, rumbling sound that sends shivers down Soma's spine. "You are absolutely blushing. Don't deny it." He reaches up to cup Soma's face, his thumb brushing over the flushed skin. "It's adorable.”

Soma feels his heart beat faster, which Arikado notices. It makes his own pulse quicken in response. He can't help but find Soma's reactions endearing, and he's drawn to him even more. 

"You're so responsive," he murmurs, his hand still on Soma's cheek. "It's like you're a completely different person when you're with me.”

Soma wants to say it's because he makes him shy, makes his brain short circuit because he was also just so...composed. so mature and handsome, did he mention that? Soma finds his eyes trailing to their lips, suddenly wanting to kiss them, to take him off guard. Arikado follows Soma's gaze to his lips, and a knowing smirk forms on his face. He can tell what Soma is thinking, and he leans in closer, his own eyes flickering down to Soma's mouth.

 "What are you looking at?" He asks in a low voice, his breath brushing against Soma's skin.

Oh fuck. It's all Soma can do to not melt. "Your lips. I think they would look nice, slotted against mine." 

Shy and flustered as he was, he could still be smooth. 

It takes Arikado by surprise, Soma's bluntness, but he can't deny the way his heart skips a beat at the suggestion. A quiet laugh, his hand sliding down to grip Soma's chin. 

"Is that so?" He says, his voice slightly huskier than before. "And why do you think that?”

"Because I know you feel the same." 

Arikado's eyes darken at the accusation, and he pulled Soma even closer, their faces mere inches apart. 

"And how do you know that?" He asks again, his thumb tracing the curve of Soma's bottom lip.

Soma's breath is more shallow, a heat slowly pooling inside of him. "Because you would have stopped this before we got this far. We can't turn back..." Soma's voice is soft, hands tracing the older man’s chest. 

Arikado's grip on Soma tightens, and he can feel his own desire building up inside him. He knows Soma is right. He should stop this before it goes any further, but he can't bring himself to do it. He's been fighting his feelings for so long, but now that Soma is here, in his arms, it's impossible to resist.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Soma," he whispers, his lips almost touching Soma's.

"I know." A simple understanding as he leans in to finally kiss them, although shyly. 

Shy or not, Arikado finds himself melting into the kiss, his eyes fluttering shut. He lets out a low groan, his tongue darting out to deepen the kiss. He pulls Soma onto his lap, needing him closer, needing to feel every part of him. His hands roam over Soma's body, mapping out every curve and contour.

Soma isn't going to complain either, climbing onto their lap, straddling him as lips part for them. Arikado takes advantage of the new position, his hands now gripping Soma's hips firmly, holding him in place as he kisses him hungrily. His tongue explores Soma's mouth, while Soma’s own tongue reaches out to brush against theirs as they lose themselves in each other.

"Arikado..." 

"Say my name again," Arikado demands, his voice rough with desire. He kisses along Soma's jawline, his lips leaving a trail of heat on Soma's skin. "I want to hear you say it again and again.”

The younger of the two shudders, moaning at the kisses. "Oh fuck...A-Arikado ah…”

"Good boy," Arikado praises, his hands moving up to tangle in Soma's hair, pulling at the soft snow colored locks as he continues to attack his neck with kisses and bites. "You're mine, Soma. No one else can have you. Do you understand?”

Fuck. The way Arikado claimed him as his own. That no one can have him. It did things and his pants were so very tight now. The fingers in his hair and the feeling of their mouth on his neck. It was heaven. "Mmnn Arikado...you're making me feel as if I'm melting." 

Arikado chuckles against Soma's neck, his tongue darting out to taste the skin there. "That's the point," he says, his breath hot against Soma's ear. "I want to make you feel so good, you can't think straight."

His hands continue to roam, moving lower until they reach the waistband of Soma's pants.

Soma whines in the back of his throat, hips rolling as he buries his face in their neck. "Gods..." 

Arikado growls in approval, feeling Soma's hips move against him. He can feel his own arousal growing, his body responding to Soma's every action. "You're so needy, aren't you?" he murmurs, one hand gripping Soma's thigh tightly. "You want more, don't you?”

"Yes...I want more. Please, I feel so hot." 

Arikado's control is slipping, and he can't deny Soma's pleas any longer. He quickly unbuttons Soma's pants, pulling them down just enough to expose his thighs. "You're going to get everything you want, Soma," he promises, his hands massaging the soft skin of Soma's thighs.

Soma lifts up, helping the other. His arousal was much more noticable. "Is that a promise?" 

Arikado looks down, seeing the outline of Soma's cock through his boxers. He licks his lips, desires burning in his eyes. "It's a promise," he says, his fingers hooking into the waistband of the boxers. "I'll take care of you, sweetheart.”

"G-Good." He murmurs, gasping as he feels them toy with his boxers. 

Arikado slowly pulls down the boxers, revealing Soma's cock. He lets out a low moan at the sight, his eyes darkened further. "Look at you," he says huskily. "So hard and needy for me.”

It's weird, but under their gaze he feels shy, but knowing they are looking at him that way, makes him so very needy for more of him. His praise, those touches. And oh how he loved that deep, smooth baritone voice. How it was filled with such desire and need. 

Arikado watches Soma's expression closely, noticing the way he seems both shy and eager at the same time. It's adorable, and it only fuels his desire to make Soma fall apart even more.

He starts to stroke Soma's cock slowly, his grip firm but gentle. "You're doing so well," he praises, his thumb rubbing over the sensitive head. "You're such a good boy for me.”

Soma moans out, eyes hazy as he bucks his hips up. "Mmmn. Ahh.. ha...keep.. doing that." 

Arikado grins, increasing the pace of his strokes as Soma's hips buck. He can tell Soma is close already, and he wants to push him over the edge. "So sensitive," he murmurs, his free hand moving to play with Soma's balls. "I bet you could come just from this, couldn't you?”

Soma wants to answer him, wants to speak, but as Arikado starts to play with his balls, on top of speeding up his movements, left Soma with very little thought to do anything but cling to him and cum in his hand, moaning their name. 

Arikado groans as Soma cums, his name spilling from the boy's lips like a prayer. He works him through his orgasm, milking every last drop from him until Soma is trembling in his lap.

"That's it," he soothes, slowing his movements and kissing Soma's forehead. "Good boy, you did so well for me.”

Coming down from the high sees Soma nuzzling into his neck, a pleasant noise passing his lips. The praise is lovely and it makes him all the more eager to please his partner. 

Arikado holds Soma close, wrapping his arms around him and stroking his hair. "You're so sweet like this," he says, his voice soft and affectionate. "All blissed out and clingy."

He lets Soma rest for a moment before speaking again. "Are you ready for more, or do you need a break?”

Soma thinks about it. On one hand, he worries that if they break,  he might get sleepy. That was, after all, intense. Yet spent as he was, he was a horny 20 something year old and he wanted more. 

"Let's keep going." 

Arikado smiles, clearly pleased with Soma's answer. "Good," he says, lifting Soma up and laying him down on the couch. "Because I'm not done with you yet."

He hovers over Soma, his eyes roaming over his flushed face and messy hair. "I'm going to take my time with you, sweetheart. Make you feel so good, you'll forget your own name.”

Soma grins happily at this, and helps out by slipping off his pants and boxers.  Arikado watches with appreciation as Soma undresses himself, his gaze never leaving Soma's body.

 "Look at you," he says, leaning down to nip at Soma's neck again. "I could just eat you up.”

"A-Arikado I-" 

Arikado pulls back slightly, looking down at Soma with a questioning expression. "What is it, darling?”

“Please be gentle.” 

Arikado's expression softens, and he cups Soma's face in his hand. "Of course I will," he assures him. "I would never hurt you, Soma. I promise to be gentle and take care of you.”

"I...really feel the desire to bit you right now" 

Arikado chuckles at the unexpected confession. "Oh? You want to bite me?" He raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Go ahead, then. Bite me.”

Soma grins some, pulling him down to bite his neck, sucking on the skin. 

Arikado lets out a low growl as Soma bites him, his body tensing at the feeling. "Mmm, naughty boy," he murmurs, his hands gripping Soma's hips tightly. "You're marking me, aren't you?”

"Yes~”

"Good," Arikado says, tilting his head to give Soma better access. "I want everyone to know that you're mine. That I'm yours."

He pushes his hips against Soma's, grinding down against him.

"Me too...Arikado," he moans, rutting against them like a needy whore, desperate for more. 

Arikado groans at the sight of Soma rutting against him, his eyes darkened with lust once again. "Look at you, so desperate and needy for me," he repeats, his voice hoarse. "You're going to be the death of me, Soma."

He reaches down and grabs Soma's wrists, pinning them above his head as he leans in for another kiss. Soma let's him, happy to give up control and kiss his lover, body aching for more than this. Needing more.

 "I want to be consumed by you." 

Arikado deepens the kiss, claiming Soma's mouth with his own. He presses their bodies together, the heat between them becoming almost unbearable. "I'll consume you," he whispers against Soma's lips. "I'll make you mine in every way possible."

He moves his hands from Soma's wrists to his thighs, spreading them apart and settling between them.

As his hands are freed he instead keeps them where they are. His eyes are half closed as he watches them settle between his legs. 

Arikado notices Soma's hands staying in place, and he grins at the sight. "Such a good boy, keeping your hands where I put them," he says, his voice dripping with praise. "You're doing so well, sweetheart. I think you deserve a reward."

He starts to kiss down Soma's body, stopping to leave marks on his chest and stomach. Soma's groans are soft, his chest heaving as he squirms under the other.

Arikado continues to kiss and bite at Soma's skin, making his way lower and lower. He takes his time, enjoying the way Soma reacts to his touch.

"You're so sensitive," he says, nipping at the inside of Soma's thigh. "I could tease you for hours and you'd still be begging for more.”

He wants to deny it, but how could he when the dhampir was right? "Y-You aren't...mnn ahh..wrong." 

Arikado chuckles, his breath hot against Soma's skin. "I know I'm not," he says smugly. "You're like putty in my hands, so easy to mold and shape."

He lifts Soma's legs over his shoulders, his face now level with Soma's entrance. "And right now, I want to taste you.”

Soma squeaks, eyes wide as a blush dusts his cheeks. His cock twitched in response.

Arikado chuckles again at the sound Soma makes, clearly amused by his reaction. "So cute," he says, running a finger along the underside of Soma's cock. "You're blushing like a virgin."

He leans in and licks a stripe up Soma's inner thigh, his tongue tracing the edge of Soma's hole.

The young man sighs happily, enjoying the feeling of their tongue and hot breath. Arikado smirks, enjoying the sounds of pleasure that escape Soma's lips. He begins to kiss and lick around Soma's hole, teasing him even more before finally pushing his tongue inside.

The teasing and licking have him crying out Genya's name, and when that skillful tongue enters him he swears he went to heaven because it felt so fucking good.

Arikado loves the way Soma moans his name, the sound sending shivers down his spine. He pushes his tongue in deeper, fucking Soma with it slowly and deliberately.

"That's it, let me hear you," he says, his voice muffled against Soma's skin. "Let me hear how good I make you feel.”

Soma does, not very much caring who hears him as he pushes into the tongue. Were one to walk in, they would see Soma with his head thrown back. Mouth open, drooling and tongue sticking out with his eyes rolled back in pleasure. He loved everything about this, the way Arikado's tongue seemed to drive him insane. 

Arikado is both turned on and impressed by Soma's unabashed response. He keeps his tongue moving, relishing in the taste of Soma and the way he's falling apart under his touch.

"Look at you," he murmurs, pulling back for a moment to catch his breath. "You're such a mess, so lost in pleasure. It's beautiful.”

Soma moans, his cock hard, leaking with precum and begging to be touched.

Arikado notices Soma's neglected cock and decides to give it some attention as well. He wraps a hand around it, stroking it in time with the thrusts of his tongue.

"You're so wet," he says, looking up at Soma with a hungry gaze. "You're going to come again, aren't you?”

He nods, toes curling and feeling his balls tighten up, the heat unbearable as he feels the pleasure spike. "Y-Yes. Fuck G-Genya shit I can't..." he cries out, hysterical and sobbing in pleasure at how overstimulated he was now. 

Arikado can tell that Soma is close to his limit, and he speeds up his movements, determined to push him over the edge.

"Let go," he urges, his voice low and commanding. "Come for me, darling. Come for me now.”

The younger of the two does. His cum shooting out in thick ropes, coating Arikado's hand, the cum dripping all over him. Arikado strokes Soma through his orgasm, milking every last drop from him. He watches as Soma's body trembles and convulses, completely lost in ecstasy.

He finally pulls his tongue out of Soma and sits up, admiring the sight before him. "Beautiful," he breathes, looking at Soma with a mix of adoration and lust.

Soma on the other hand feels his brain melting, feels like he has...no thoughts. He isn't sure what  it is, but it is safe to say he was in a sub headspace, completely under Arikado's command, trusting him.  Arikado notices the change in Soma's demeanor, and a possessive gleam appears in his eyes. He moves closer to Soma, gently stroking his hair as he speaks.

"You're so deep in subspace now, aren't you?" he says softly. "You're mine, completely mine to use and you love it, don't you?”

A shaky nod, body shuddering as he feels the aftershocks of pleasure. Arikado grins, his heart swelling with pride at how well Soma submits to him. 

"Good boy," he praises, continuing to pet Soma's hair. "You're doing so well, following my orders so perfectly. You're making me so happy."

He begins to unbutton his shirt, revealing his muscular chest. "But I'm not done with you yet. We still have a long night ahead of us, my dear.”

Soma hums. Eyes dazed and glazed over as he watches Arikado undress more. Fuck he was beautiful. Arikado continues to undress, his eyes never leaving Soma's face. He can see the awe and adoration in Soma's expression, and it makes him feel powerful.

Once he's fully naked, he runs his hands over Soma's body, feeling the smoothness of his skin. "You look so good like this," he says, his voice huskier than before. "So blissed out and dazed.”

"Genya..." he whispers. "Please..." a desperate whine, arms around their neck. 

"Please what, sweetheart?" Arikado asks, wrapping his arms around Soma's waist and pulling him closer. "Use your words. Tell me what you want.”

"I want you to fuck me.”

Arikado smirks at the bluntness of Soma's request. "Is that so?" he says, his fingers tracing circles on Soma's hips. "You want me to take you, to fill you up with my cock and make you scream my name?”

An eager nod. 

"Such a greedy boy," Arikado chuckles, laying Soma down on the couch and hovering over him. "You're insatiable, aren't you? You can't get enough of me.”

Being laid on the couch soma sighs happily, legs spread and arms above his head once more. He watches as they hover over him. Arikado can't resist leaning down to kiss Soma again, claiming his lips in a hungry kiss as he slowly pushes into him. He groans at the tight heat enveloping his cock, relishing in the feeling of being inside Soma. 

"Fuck...! G-Genya...Sir..!" He cries out, tears pooling as pleasure mixes with pain, eyes squeezed tightly shut. He hadn’t expected him to go in without any real prep, and yet the pain felt..good. It made his mind slip further into the sub headspace. 

"That's it, baby boy," Arikado growls, starting to thrust into Soma at a steady pace. "You're taking me so well. Such a good boy for your Master.”

Oh God he didn't expect that, to hear those words. 

"M-master...?" 

Arikado notices the effect his words have on Soma, and he grins devilishly. "Yes, Master," he repeats, his voice dripping with authority. "You're my little pet, aren't you? My submissive little slut.”

A nod. Genya smirks. 

"Say it," Arikado demands, grabbing Soma's wrists and pinning them above his head. "Say that you're my slut. Say that you belong to me.”

"I-I'm your slut." 

Arikado's grip on Soma's wrists tightens, and he picks up the pace of his thrusts. "That's right," he growls. "You're mine to use however I please. I can do whatever I want to you, and you'll take it like the good boy you are.”

Soma could only nod, getting pushed further and further into a sub headsace. "M-Mastser...i...i need to cum. Please... " 

A slip of romanian: "Dragostea mea....please let me cum.”

Arikado is taken aback by the sudden change in language, but he finds it incredibly sexy. He smirks and leans down to whisper in Soma's ear.

"You're begging in Romanian now? How cute. And you're asking for permission? Such a polite boy."

He bites Soma's earlobe before replying, "Go ahead, cum for me. But I'm not stopping until I'm satisfied.”

Happy to have permission he cums again, whimpering as he finally pushes past the threshold, so fully into a sub headspace he becomes unable to do anything but whine and moan in pleasure as they keep going. 

Arikado continues to fuck Soma through his third orgasm, his own climax building up quickly. He loves seeing Soma like this, completely surrendered to him and lost in ecstasy.

"That's it, just like that," he praises, his thrusts becoming more erratic. "You're so perfect like this, so obedient and submissive. I could keep you like this forever.”

"M-master..mmm ...ah...ah ah. Fu-- p-please." A mess, unable to form any sentence. 

"What do you want, baby?" Arikado asks, feeling his own release approaching. "Use your words. Tell me what you need, and I'll give it to you.”

"Y-you..please. too much...!" He whines, crying and sobbing out in pleasure. 

Arikado chuckles darkly, enjoying the sight of Soma's tears. "Oh, is it too much for you? Are you getting overwhelmed, baby?"

He grabs Soma's chin, forcing him to look at him. "But you can take it. You can take anything I give you, can't you? You're my strong boy, my little masochist.”

Soma wants to protest, but he trusts him. Deeply. So he nods. They have never done this, never negotiated. Yet he trusts Genya and somewhere deep down he could only agree because he was a masochist, he did like this. Wanted this. 

"I..mm...can." 

Arikado's eyes gleam with pride and lust. "Good boy. I knew you could. You're doing so well, taking my cock so well. Just a little longer, and then I'll give you what you need."

He thrusts harder, his hips snapping against Soma's as he chases his own release.

Soma continues to cry, tears streaming down his face as he feels his half hard cock twitch. "P-PLEASE....MASTER PLEASE I -" 

"Please what? Say it." Arikado demands again, his grip on Soma's chin tightening. "Beg for it, Soma. Beg me to fill you up with my cum and breed you like the little slut you are.”

"Fill me. Breed me anything just...!!" His mind blank, throat sore. It hurts and feels good all at once and he's aroused and scared and starting to panic despite how hard he is trying to be good. 

Arikado senses the panic rising in Soma, and he quickly realizes he's pushing him too far. He stops moving and looks down at him with concern.

"Soma, are you okay? Color?”

Color? What color? He's sobbing and full on panicking to answer. 

Arikado curses himself for not thinking of a safeword sooner. He immediately pulls out and gently gathers Soma into his arms, holding him close and stroking his hair.

"Hey, it's alright. You're safe, baby. I've got you. Just breathe, okay? Take deep breaths.”

Soma buries his face into his neck, breathing in his scent as he clings tightly, body shaking as he tries to calm down. 

Arikado continues to soothe him, whispering comforting words and running his fingers through his hair. He rocks him back and forth gently, trying to help him come down from the panic attack.

"You're doing so well, sweetheart. You're doing so good. Just focus on my voice. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere.”

Eventually Soma calms and settles, hiccuping and clinging tightly. 

Arikado holds him for a while longer, waiting until he's sure Soma is completely relaxed before speaking again.

"Are you with me, love?" he asks softly, his tone full of concern and affection.

A small nod, another sniffle. 

"That's good. I'm proud of you for calming down."

He kisses the top of Soma's head and gently wipes away his tears. "You scared me for a moment there. I thought I had pushed you too far.”

"I..." a pause. "It felt good and then it was too much..." he murmurs. "I'm sorry...I couldn't handle it…”

Arikado shakes his head and lifts Soma's chin to make him look at him. "No, no, you don't have to apologize. It's not your fault. I should have asked you about a safeword earlier. I didn't mean to overwhelm you like that."

He cups Soma's cheek, his thumb rubbing over his soft skin. "You were so brave to tell me when it was too much. That takes a lot of strength. You did nothing wrong, I promise.”

Soma gives a watery laugh. "We didn't expect to go this far...so the idea...wouldn't have been brought up- but i...would like to do this again." 

Arikado smiles slightly, relieved that Soma is feeling better. "Again, but with a safeword. We need to establish some boundaries and rules before we go further into this.”

A nod and then he feels Arikado is still very hard. "You haven't cum yet…”

Arikado glances down at his erection, then back at Soma. "It's fine. I can take care of it later.”

"But…’

"No buts. Your comfort is more important to me than my own pleasure. I can wait.”

He nods and curls into him again. "I love you.”

Arikado holds him close, his heart swelling with love. "I love you too, Soma. More than anything.”

[gaast]

All of the philosophical questions posed by the ARK ("they're not really humans," "they're not really us," etc) are all resolved by the WAU. Don't want to be a data construct living in eternal paradise? Just get assimilated by the WAU. You get to be a human living in eternal paradise instead. You don't even need to worry about Continuity.

The game's ontology is really troubling because I genuinely can't tell if I'm supposed to be happy that the ARK worked. Simon has a very solipsistic view of what's worthy: whichever consciousness he is is the one that is privileged, with his attempts at being sorry for his 2015 self ending up seeming like he's actually sort of relieved that he is not that person anymore. For as important as the ARK is to him, he demonstrates a shocking willingness to treat the consciousnesses that would be inside it as--well, it's odd. On the one hand, he feels sorry for them, and treats them like their own beings. On the other hand, he uses these feelings to decide whether he can take their lives. Catherine's treatment of these constructs is supposed to feel callous, but she isn't the one working herself up over them just to kill them.

If Simon feels so strongly about mercy killing these constructs, then surely the appropriate thing to do with the ARK is to kill it as well.

Simon and Catherine talk about how the ARK is designed to preserve thousands of years of human history, but that simply is not what it's doing. It has preserved a tiny subsection of a history that neither can fully commit to calling "human."

It's so strange. Stories like these always baffle me. The writers convince themselves that humanity itself must be preserved and then wring their hands over whether what they're preserving, or what they can preserve, even counts. Usually it involves characters making value judgements about what gets to be saved, and those value judgements are rarely questioned. "I'm keeping all the good stuff and excluding all the bad stuff." But then--that's not human history, is it?

In SOMA, Catherine can't really pick and choose. She can only take what's available, and that's a good chunk of PATHOS-II staff. But to call that a preservation of human history... A couple dozen scientists. And a dude from Toronto.

Yet, even so, I don't get how Simon feels that these things are worth saving, considering they are not the humans he gives so much weight to. Even as he comes to value Catherine, he still doesn't really see the "copies" as being ontological equals.

And even still, he won't kill himself. He'll kill his other copy, sure (interesting, considering it also serves as an "original," and he sure gave Simon 2015 a lot of weight as an "original!"), but he's gonna survive. Even all alone, with everything destroyed behind him.

...I just think it's a mess, and not in a way that reads super super well. "We can't trust a machine to decide." But we'll trust some scientists. To make a machine. That we'll trust.

It's so muddy. The AI is the evil thing but the simulation machine is fine, even though both do literally the same exact thing, except the AI actually preoccupies itself with preserving measurable life. It's a fairly cheap way to handle things considering AI is easy to make evil, even if it isn't "evil" per se.

I think the main point that I'm trying to make is that plots like these are about authorship and most of these plots never really engage with that.