#think of the conversations the characters could have with the emblem rings if they had real actual connections

[its--ali]

Okay okay but like. Listen. Imagine it with me here

I feel like it would've been so much more compelling of a story if instead of "spirit copies of heroes from other worlds aka games we already know" the rings contained the spirits or souls of actual heroes from the same world/realm who fought in the war last time and were the ancestors/from the same countries as kingdoms who protect the rings

Like idk if I'm making sense but like. Instead of these two divine Dragons summoning the imprints of heroes from elsewhere 1000 years ago they went around the land and recruited the best/strongest heroes from each kingdom on the continent/surrounding islands, and at the end of the war linked their souls to these magical rings so they could he called on for help should the seal weaken in the future? And then these heroes/warriors go on to become the ancestors of the present day heroes who end up using the rings and that's why specific ones have certain stronger connections?

Like. I just. Idk. I feel like it just would've been a lot more interesting and compelling of a story if they had actual personal connections to the rings and without needing to rely on the older games and characters to hold the story up, without changing too much diametrically around the story itself.

[kimium]

What are your favourite things about Chrobin (FEH) as a ship? Feel free to expand as much or as little as you want in terms of details! 💜

Aw, thanks friend! I'm super excited to answer this question! For anyone who isn't aware, Chrobin is the name of a ship from Fire Emblem Awakening (Chrom/Robin). They also appear in the mobile game, Fire Emblem Heroes (FEH).

Note: When I talk about Robin in general, I use gender neutral pronouns (they/them). Unless I'm talking about a specific Robin from FEH.

I also have spoilers for Fire Emblem Awakening here.

Let's get started!

Reasons I love Chrobin

I think the core reason why I love Chrobin so much is summed up nicely in this post HERE (not my post). I highly recommend reading it to understand the full picture, but in general:

I like Chrobin because it wasn't intended to be "canon" yet recently Intelligence Systems (I.S.) seems to be pushing it as a "heavily implied canon pairing".

I think it's so funny that within the game proper I.S. strongly intended/hinted that Sumia is Chrom's "canon wife". Yet in recent material for Fire Emblem Awakening (in Heroes), this perspective has shifted drastically to focus on Robin. And that the first time we as a player base saw this "unofficial shift" was in the Valentine Banner with Duo Chrom.

Now, I know the logical answer to why they paired Duo Valentine Chrom with Male Robin is because they didn't "want to suggest a canon pairing with Female Robin". However, when past Valentine Duo units HAVE been canon couples/ very strongly hinted canon couples (such as Alm/Celica), there was no way the fandom was going to sit and go "yeah, this is 100% heteronormative". Nope! Instead I saw fanart for months after that banner's drop with all the gay Chrobin dancing across my dashboard.

However, the cherry on top is how it seems I.S. is leaning into Male Robin/Chrom HARD. I'm still not over the Engage paralogue, I.S. They're spirits. Together. In a Ring. Are you kidding me??

Also, I love how I.S. simply isn't separating Chrom and Robin. Look at our most recent example is with our new Young Awakening banner dropping tomorrow. I.S. once again did NOT separate Chrom and Robin (this time a duo unit with Female Robin in lead). I hope this won't be the last time I.S. strongly "suggests" Chrobin because I'm loving this.

Love is presented as both a character flaw and strength regarding Chrom's death at Robin's hands.

Due to being a strong Chrobin shipper, every time I think about the bad timeline, I want to scream my feelings out to the world. Chrom dies by Robin's hand only because they're possessed by the Fell Dragon, Grima. There could have been other ways to kill Chrom, I'm certain, but the implication that having Robin do it was the most efficient way to do it? That Chrom would never see that coming because of the trust, loyalty, love, and devotion to Robin?

(Or what about Lucina? If Robin is one of her parents this means Lucina willingly travelled back to the past knowing she has to kill Robin. That's the entire point of time travel is to stop the apocalypse. The only way is to kill Grima's vessel AKA Robin. Yet, she can't do it.)

Are you kidding me, I.S.?? I need to scream into my pillow all my feelings.

They always had chemistry (my opinion) in their supports, but Heroes and Engage only added more.

Look. I walked into Awakening blind and I 100% firmly believed in my first play through that Chrobin was end game. I thought their relationship dynamic was interesting and clearly charged with "they are more than just friends" energy. We add in the Duo conversation/dialogue from the Awakening Valentine banner + Engage's entire paralogue with them?? I'm looking at I.S. like I'm looking into the camera from The Office.

And there you have it friend. I know I have other reasons why I like this ship but here are my core reasons. I hope you like this answer!

[aubins]

TOA Anniversary Munday!

Celebrating TOA and the people who contribute to make our group what it is.

Repost, don't reblog. Only fill in what you feel comfortable sharing!

Happy anniversary, TOA! Here's to many more years spent together.

NAME. darcy, but i also go by elio in other places

PRONOUNS. they/them

BIRTHDAY (NO YEAR). january 9

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? WHAT IS YOUR TIMEZONE? sea & gmt+8

ROLEPLAY EXPERIENCE. i couldn't give you an exact timeline tbh i do it very on and off for the most part

GOT ANY PETS? not at the moment!

FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR. there aren't really seasons where i'm from, so more generally my favorite time of year is the start of it! something nice about seeing the year turn over i think

SOME INTERESTS AND THINGS YOU LIKE. my life is a constant cycle of consume new media > fixate on said media > repeat so my current interests really depend on what i've gotten into recently haha (rain code right now i fear) otherwise some things i always like to talk about regardless are atla, orv, ace attorney, and specifically venti from genshin & ryuki from somnium files. i'm sure there are other things that i can't remember rn tho haha. in general, i also like math, reading & writing (i mean. you know LOL), photography, and music (i play the piano)! i also just like to learn in general

SOME FUN FACTS & TRIVIA ABOUT YOU. i speak three languages, though i can only confidently say i'm fluent in two. my mandarin has unfortunately suffered from years of disuse

WHAT NON-FIRE EMBLEM GAMES DO YOU PLAY? ace attorney, somnium files, rain code…there is a pattern here lol but those aside, other games i like that come to mind are 13 sentinels: aegis rim, hades, pokemon, and honkai: star rail

FAVORITE POKEMON TYPE & POKEMON. fairy types & ditto :] i just think it's a silly little guy

HOW DID YOU GET INTO FIRE EMBLEM? my brother came home with fe3h one day and i decided to play it too because he seemed like he was having fun

WHAT FIRE EMBLEM GAMES HAVE YOU PLAYED? fe11, fe12, fe16 (+ hopes), & fe17! though i got a little bit through awakening before i stopped, and i've watched play throughs of the tellius games & sov

FIRST FIRE EMBLEM GAME. three houses

FAVORITE FIRE EMBLEM GAME. i don't know if i would say i have a specific favorite to be honest

ANY FIRE EMBLEM CRUSHES? hm, not really? if i had to say one, maybe yuri, but that's in part gender envy i think haha

IF YOU'VE PLAYED THE FOLLOWING GAMES, WHO WAS YOUR FIRST S SUPPORT? WHO WOULD YOU S SUPPORT NOWADAYS? — THREE HOUSES. claude…probably yuri these days though haha — ENGAGE. technically no one because i immediately reset it after, but i gave the pact ring to veyle before i did

FAVORITE FIRE EMBLEM CLASS. mages are fun! in general i just like magic conceptually

IF YOU WERE A FIRE EMBLEM CHARACTER, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CLASS? i used to do archery so probably an archer!

IF YOU WERE A THREE HOUSES CHARACTER, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR AFFILIATION? i am heavily biased toward the golden deer because they were my first route haha but i'm an ashen wolves liker at heart so probably between those two

IF YOU WERE AN ENGAGE CHARACTER, WHICH EMBLEM WOULD YOU ENGAGE WITH? ooh…byleth? goddess dance is silly methinks

HOW DID YOU FIND TOA? i was struggling a lot with my writing at the time and stumbled upon the heart & soul ad on twitter! it was rather serendipitous timing i think

CURRENT TOA MUSES. one mister yuri leclerc

WHO WAS YOUR FIRST TOA MUSE? IF YOU DON'T HAVE THEM ANYMORE, COULD YOU SEE YOURSELF PICKING THEM UP AGAIN? my first muse was the lovely marianne von edmund :] she is very dear to my heart which unfortunately means i was very hard on myself when it came to writing her so probably not, but i think of her time in toa fondly

HAVE YOU HAD ANY OTHER TOA MUSES? caeda very briefly from when i first picked up the archanea games, and est whose app i wrote on the spot in the middle of the night after rereading her base conversations & supports

DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE A TYPE OF CHARACTER YOU GRAVITATE TOWARDS? i'm sure i probably do, but i wouldn't be able to put my finger on it myself. i think the process that happens for me when it comes to muses is that i find characters with certain aspects that i find interesting and would like to explore, then i learn to write them. and very rarely a character will just hit me over the head with a steel chair (yuri and est namely for muses i have/had in toa haha)

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE YOU ENJOY WRITING THE MOST? i love exploring a variety of relationship dynamics, though antagonistic relationships and found family in particular are my favorites (paw against the glass for the ashen wolves..) and i like writing the disparity between what a character thinks internally versus what they would actually express externally. more generally, i really enjoy writing combat!

FAVORITE TOA-RELATED MEMORY. i think any silly rng moments with the dice. two that come to mind immediately are est & sirius whiffing their attacks against one another in arena and, far more recently, waking up to yuri immediately getting bodied in team zofia. those made me laugh a lot haha

HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE TOA? by the letters! t-o-a

GOT ANY DELUSIONS THAT DIDN'T SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE? fun fact of the day is that edelgard was going to be my first muse before i got intimidated at the idea of writing a lord mfksldjflskd i unironically have delusions of writing sommie haha but otherwise i have half-written apps for clarisse, both solm royals, lysithea, and shez

[emblematicemblazer]

World building and theories of Engage

Attitudes towards Solm. 

‘Solm is an open minded country. They have always had good relations with Firene.’

That is how Alfred in Chapter 4 : A Land in Bloom, introduces Solm to Alear. The introduction is friendly and paints a positive picture of the queendom. It is mentioned that Queen Eve had no problem agreeing to sign a nonaggression pact with them which continues the friendly picture. 

Céline is a little more cautious when she considers Solm. When Fogado invites her for tea in their support conversations

Fogado: ‘Being royals of Solm and Firene, I think it’s important we get to know each other. Talk about different values and whatnot. Could be beneficial for both of us.’

Céline: ‘Haha, spoken like the prince of a nation obsessed with trade.’

Fogado: ‘Nothing wrong with a little give and take.’

Céline: Forgive me, but I must decline for now. The Firenese lifestyle is more pastoral. We lack your taste for intrigue and risk.’

Fogado: ‘You make tea with me sound like some kind of big adventure.’

Céline: ‘Quite a dangerous one, yes. Good day, Prince Fogado.’'s

Céline's role as a princess and protector of Firene requires a certain amount of suspicion and caution. Two royals from different countries engaging in tea is not as simple as tea with friends. There are risks of secrets being leaked and offence being caused. Her attitude towards Fogado's invitation is not surprising considering these facts. In her mind Solm is a trading nation that keeps secrets and can engage in unconventional and risky political and diplomatic activity. She is also aware that Fogado uses his charisma to gather intelligence.

‘Such as the way you curry favour with foreign nobility to pry information out of them.’

Her view of Solm is as a nation engaging in secretive and risky activity and any engagement comes with hidden motives. I

Hortensia is equally as suspicious of Fogado's motives. 

‘Act innocent if you want, but even in Elusia, we’ve heard what a flirt you are.’

She accuses Fogado of being a flirt and is surprised to learn that he is actually helping people and not just socialising for the sake of it.

There is a theme of ignorance about Solm's environment and culture. This is evidence through the various support conversations the Solm characters have with characters outside their kingdom. 

Vander is surprised by the singing, howling and dancing at a religious gathering he attends with Pandreo

Framme selects an outfit for Timerra made of heavy fabric which does not suit the heat of Solm and limits movements which is important for her ability to fight at a moment's notice. 

Boucheron teaches Panetta the etiquette of Firene and is surprised to learn that there are no etiquette requirements for nobles in Solm.

Alcryst is invited to parties by Pandreo. At first he fails to enjoy them because he is trying to apply British convention to them. He is surprised to learn that there are no rules or structure to a Solm party.

 Anna asks Timerra what would sell well in Solm. 

Diamant tried Timerra's style of leadership, intrigued by her concept of being able to protect her people if she knows them.

This ignorance is demonstrated in the main story as well. Alear and the royals of other nations are shocked by the casual nature of Solm's royalty. In Chapter 13: The Sentinels, Alear and the royals are surprised and stunned as Fogado shouts for his mother in a very normal, casual way. There are no airs or graces, not even when Sefonia and Fogado mention the potential location of their powerful and precious Emblem ring; ‘the doodad drawer'. 

[27emailsicantsend]

Chapter Six: Date Night

February

Ever since that day, the things I didn't say, they haunt me. And I know that I'm to blame, so go ahead and blame it on me.��I know that I'm too late, but I'll say it anyway, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Though it's far too late. And it was me, it wasn't you. It's cliché, but it's true.

And if you ever hear this, I hope you know that I'm not proud of who I've been. And if I see you again, I hope you know that I wish you nothin' but the best. My biggest regret... I’m sorry.

-”i’m sorry”, Joshua Bassett

Ricky was ecstatic to finally have a Valentine’s Day with his girlfriend. Not one he had to hide or pretend around his feelings, but a true day with Gina. And funnily enough, Valentine’s Day was to hit the day before the Sweetheart’s Dance, so the weekend would be filled with extra time with Gina. 

Unwillingly, Ricky's conversation with Zac seemed to live on virtual replay in his mind. Ricky re-watched High School Musical 3 about a dozen times trying to comprehend Troy’s decision after he graduated. Obviously because he loved Gabriella, but how did he know he wanted to do basketball and theater? How did he know what school offered both? How did he decide he wanted to go to school at all?

Ricky tried not to let this edginess effect him, but he definitely had his moments. He found himself staying at home after school more often, avoiding everyone including his friends. Mike and Jenn tried to intervene and help him, but he only pushed them away too. He even found himself pulling away from Gina. An upsetting consequence to everything overwhelming him in his world.

Ricky tried to make it clear to Gina that he wasn’t pulling away over anything she had done, but that he was overwhelmed with his own personal stress. His conversation with Zac and thoughts of the future made it difficult for Ricky to think about anything else when he was around others. He didn’t want to make the same mistakes he made with Nini, so he opted for some alone time until the dance. Gina was incredibly supportive and understanding, which only made Ricky miss her more by the time Valentine’s weekend rolled around. Although, he would have been remise if he didn’t see her at all, so he still tried to stop by for their nightly routine when he could. Gina didn’t poke or prod him too much about what was wrong, she would just let him read her their stories and remind him that she was there when or if he was ever ready to talk about it.

Then there was the play, which wasn’t helping Ricky mentally either. He tried to live up to his role as Phillip, but it just frustrated him more- knowing Phillip was Zac’s character and that Phillip, unsure about his life, seemed to have a magical opportunity put out in front of him. The constant frustration of everyone else knowing their identities seemed to creep into every part of Ricky’s life.

Ricky just wished for a lightbulb. A sign. Anything that would guide his choice, but he just felt stuck.

When Valentine’s Day finally came around, Ricky made sure too arrive to school early. He wanted this to be a special day for Gina, so he arranged with the front office to have 6 random boxes of chocolates show up to each one of her classes from “anonymous”. Ricky also attached a note to each box giving Gina a clue where to meet him after school for their surprise Valentine’s date.

After stopping by the office, Ricky opened up his locked to a surprise. A large amount of red, pink, and white confetti fell out. Behind the confetti, on the top shelf, was a book made of brown leather and handbound with twine. It could only be the work of Gina, Ricky concluded to himself.

Ricky grabbed the book, examining the cover. It had an emblem sewn into the front: a gold ring and in the center of it were the initials “R&G”. Ricky’s fingers slowly brushed over the handsewn bumps, taking in every detail. After a few moments admiring the details, Ricky slowly opened the book up to the first page. The pages were made of crinkled brown paper and the first one displayed a polaroid sitting centered in the middle. It was a photo of Ricky and Gina the night of Thanksgiving two years ago at Ashlyn’s house, Gina holding a gluten-free turkey cupcake and Ricky wearing his hat. They looked elated to be in each others company, smiles stretching from ear to ear. Underneath was a “R+G” written in gold writing and Thanksgiving themed stickers splattered the page.

Ricky flipped to the next page, which displayed another photo of Gina and Ricky. This time, they were standing with their castmates. Ricky recognized it as the night the group performed the first High School Musical. This page was now surrounded by Christmas trees and fairy light stickers. 

When Ricky got to the next page, he was greeted with snowflakes and “Happy New Years!” stickers placed eagerly around a jaggedly cut photo. The picture displayed Gina and Ricky, waiting on stage for the auditions of Beauty and the Beast to start. 

Ricky turned page after page, each one a new month and another picture of Ricky and Gina. Waves of memories, holiday stickers, and flashbacks of Gina came at an overwhelming rate. Each crinkled paper filled with times forgotten and accounts of Ricky and Gina. All of the photos had something to do with the pair, even if they were only by each other unknowingly.

“It’s our story,” Ricky heard Gina coo behind him.

“Gi... it’s... beautiful,” Ricky couldn’t find the words to say (again), but he knew he was in awe at this beautiful thing she made him.

“In every picture, either I was by you or you were by me... even if it was coincidental,” Gina said as she took a step in front of him. Her words caught Ricky off guard. He wondered how she knew what he was thinking? 

He continued to examine the book as he listened to Gina finish her sentiment, “We never left each other’s side, even if it felt like it at times”. 

This was the sentence that caused Ricky to finally look up at her.

Gina was in a dark blush sweater, french-tucked into some ripped skinny jeans. Her pink converse paired nicely with her sweater. Her hair was in it’s tight curls, two large light pink barrettes holding back one side. Ricky was in awe at how she could get prettier day by day. How someone like Gina Porter not only chose him once in a Hollywood Theater, but every day after that.

“Ricky,” Gina placed her hand on the book as she talked, “there are pages in the end so we can keep adding to our story. It’s not over yet”. 

Gina then pushed the book down and placed her lips softly onto Ricky’s. He kissed her back and at first it was full of warmth and enjoyment of this moment with her. However, Ricky hadn’t resolved everything he needed to over his two weeks. This caused an aching feeling to creep inside of him, which he tried his hardest to push down. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew what was bothering him. All he wanted to feel what Gina was trying to give him: reassurance, but instead he felt flustered and worried. 

What if we’re like every other couple? Ricky thought as he continued to kiss Gina. What if we break up too?

Cutting off Ricky’s thoughts was a loud bell that rang for class. Gina backed off of the kiss, looking at Ricky observantly. Ricky stared back at her, as he closed the book and held it close to him. 

“Thank you, Gina. This was... wonderful. I mean it,” Ricky sputtered out. 

Ricky’s intention was genuine, but he knew it didn’t sound that way. Gina nodded her head in understanding and walked off to class. He couldn’t tell if she was upset or not, but he was sure that was not the way she wanted it to go. Feeling slightly defeated, Ricky placed the book back on the top shelf of his locker. He then kissed his hand and patted the book before closing the door again.

Later that day, Ricky was waiting at the coffee shop where he and Gina went after school in September. He hoped that what he had planned would make up for the awkward conversation he had with Gina earlier. He wanted to make this night one to remember, so he decided to shake off what happened earlier and move forward in his plans. 

Gina might not have even noticed, Ricky comforted himself.

Being back in the coffee shop was another wave of past year memories he wasn’t expecting to have. He thought about how many fans Gina and he once had to dodge, all of the rumors and secrets. Once the movie stopped filming, fans began appearing less and less in random places. Tabloids began to leave Ricky and Gina alone (this also could be with the dissolve of Dani) and Ricky felt free to date Gina in public without worry. Ricky was even able to set up an entire table for his night with Gina, before one person recognized him and asked for a photo, leaving immediately after.

The table Ricky set up had a white tablecloth draped over it with red rose petals scattered on top. A bouquet of red roses laid over the spot where Gina was to sit, across from Ricky. At each of their seats was an iced latte (for Gina) and a cappuccino (for Ricky), as well as a gluten-free coffee cake that stood tall in the center of the table. 

Ricky had finished setting the table about twenty minutes before Gina arrived. When the time came for Gina to appear, Ricky anxiously played games on his phone while he waited. About five minutes into his games, he heard a bell chime on the door. Gina walked in, her outfit still the same. A stark contrast from Ricky’s outfit. Ricky wanted to make the evening special, so he changed into a black suit jacket and pants, a white button-up over halfway buttoned. 

When Ricky caught his first glimpse of Gina, he nearly spilled his drink. He had tried to stand up too quick and hit the disposable cup a little too hard, having to catch it quick before it fell. He jolted quickly to the other side of the table, pulling out Gina’s chair before she sat down. Once she was positioned, Ricky pushed her chair in before carefully placing the bouquet of roses in her arms. Noticing the shock overcoming Gina’s face, Ricky kissed Gina’s forehead nervously before sitting back down in his chair.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Gina,” Ricky said timidly.

“Ricky... you did all of this?” Gina gawked, ruminating over the items on the table.

Maybe the shock was anger? Ricky backtracked, wondering if Gina possibly didn’t like all of the attention. But he quickly came to his senses. Gina? Not liking attention? That can’t be it.

“Are you... mad?” Ricky asked hesitantly. He had no idea what Gina was thinking or how she was going to react. Most of the time he felt in sync with her, but she was still Gina. She wouldn’t be herself if she wasn’t keeping Ricky somewhat on his toes.

“No, not at all”. Gina’s mouth curved up slowly, eventually showing elation. “This is the most wonderful... nicest thing anyone has ever done for me... ever”.

Ricky thought back to the time he helped Gina ask EJ to Camp Prom- how much work, effort, and hours the two put in to make the night special. Of course, this was just before EJ shattered her world. Ricky still wasn’t ready to forgive him for that, even though Gina had made attempts to coax him in that direction. Ricky wondered if maybe this really was the first time someone did something truly special for her.

“I go big, Gina. You know that,” Ricky smirked playfully.

Gina looked around the table some more, her face suddenly started to drop again. Her eyes stiffened in a way that was only meant to hold back tears, as she observed every object. Ricky noted there wasn’t much to look at on the table, so he was confused why she still wasn’t really talking.

“There’s something else,” Ricky probed, watching Gina stare at the table for a few more seconds. She ran her fingers over thoughtfully over one of the petals. She did this a couple of times before looking up at Ricky. Her face changed from sad, to looking like she had just made a massive breakthrough. Which, Ricky couldn’t help but notice, to her credit she did.

“The chocolates? You sent them to me?” Gina asked, her eyes still glowing with some repressed tears.

“Yes, the ones for the scavenger hunt?” Ricky responded, not following Gina’s cues.

“No... the chocolates last year, on Valentine’s Day. Ricky, you sent them to me,” Gina concluded, finally connecting the dots.

Even though Gina wasn’t asking if he did what she suspected of him, Ricky shyly confirmed, “Y-yeah. I did.”

“And you lied to me about it?” Gina prodded.

Now Ricky began to panic- he knew how much she hated liars. And he was caught for his crime an entire year later. It took EJ less than a week for Gina to leave him for lying. Ricky knew there was no way he was recovering from this.

“I-I’m so sorry Gina. Everything was so weird back then with Nini and you were upset about your mom- I was helping your mom because I wanted to help you. I regret not signing the card, not telling you it was me. I tried to tell you during camp, but then you were with EJ. It was like we never got our timing right. I’m so, so sorry,” Ricky begged as he braced for impact from Gina behind the table.

But then, something unexpected happened. A single tear ran down Gina’s face before she placed the roses in front of her and walked over to Ricky. When she reached him, she crouched down and gently kissed his cheek. 

Then Gina whispered one more thing to him. 

“I lied. That was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. I guess you can consider us both liars now,” Gina said with a breathy laugh. Gina sure knew how to keep Ricky on his toes.

After Ricky and Gina finished their food, Ricky led Gina outside with his hands over her eyes. The snow was falling quick, preparing for yet another storm to come the next night. When Ricky pulled his hands off Gina’s eyes, she was able to see a horse drawn carriage, ready to take them around a park nearby. Gina gasped, apparently not able to express her joy in words. She hauled her arms around Ricky, squeezing him so tight it hurt his arms. He didn’t care.

Ricky ended up looking down during the embrace and noticed Gina was still in her pink converse. He looked around at the piles of snow beginning to form, some looking a little slushy where the carriage was parked. He scooped Gina up in his arms as she let out a giggly shriek, and then proceeded to carry her to the carriage.

The rest of the night was filled with small talk, a heavy blanket and cuddling to keep warm, and snow piling in hair. Ricky thought about how they might get sick from being outside in this weather, before his attention was distracted by Gina. She looked like a snow angel in the winter wonderland enfolding them. She was so close to him and yet, seemingly untouchable as she took in the sights around her. The view was perfect.

The next day, before the Sweetheart’s Dance, Jet came over to play video games with Ricky. They needed something to do while they waited for dinner and the dance that night, since Gina and Kourtney were getting ready for dinner. After hearing a knock on his door, Ricky let Jet in, who was shivering and covered in snow.

“Dude, this weather is getting out of hand,” Jet said, brushing the snow off of his coat.

“I know. I think the dance is still happening tonight though,” Ricky added, grabbing a couple of root beers from the fridge. He tossed one to Jet, who had made himself comfortable on the couch. His legs were propped across it, so his head could turn and face Ricky in the kitchen.

“Good, I’m glad. This is the first dance Kourtney and I have been able to go to as a couple after all of that ‘secret dating’ business. I’m bummed she is going to be gone next year though,” Jet reflected.

Ricky didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to think about next year or any of the problems that could come with it. He resonated with Jet on one matter though- after a long time in hiding, it was nice going to the dance with Gina publicly.

“She just has her whole life planned out it seems like,” Jet continued as Ricky grew more tense. Ricky wondered why Jet wouldn’t drop the subject, especially if he wasn’t responding. “Did you know she has already applied to music school in California? Close to Nini? There’s no way she won’t get in”.

Ricky could feel the worry flood through him, his heart beginning to pump heavy in his chest. Of course Kourtney has it figured out, Ricky ruminated. They all do! Why am I the only one that seems out of the loop in this next step of life ordeal?

“And like, that means we’re going to be separated, but maybe it isn’t a bad thing. Did I tell you the documentary during camp caught me singing a song I wrote? They’ve been debating sending me to California, but my mom wants me to graduate-”

“Can we just not talk about this?!” Ricky finally snapped.

Jet looked taken aback, but not scared. Ricky knew Jet was probably used to the attitude he got when he was stressed. Flashbacks of the night of Color Wars ran through Ricky’s mind as he remembered Jet's unsubtle reactions to Ricky’s tears.

“Is this about Gina?” Jet asked, in the same condescending tone from that night. He adjusted himself so he was now kneeling on the couch. He was giving Ricky a scary, parental glare. Now it was really feeling like the night of Color Wars.

“Kind of- look. Whether it is or isn’t, I just don’t want to talk about it,” Ricky insisted. 

Ricky tried to brighten his tone as he suggested a new topic. “Weren’t you here to play Halo, not worry about our futures, any way?”

“I can’t believe you still can’t admit to me when you’re upset. Feelings aren’t scary, Ricky!” Jet pushed.

And there Jet did it again. He said exactly what Ricky has been fighting so hard to admit. This time, he conceded.

“I-I’m just... I don’t know what to make of my life.... after...” Ricky stumbled, scratching the side of his neck.

“You graduate?” Jet finished his sentence.

“Yeah, after I graduate”, Ricky echoed back, dropping his arm.

“Have you even applied to any schools?” Jet asked, concerned. He looked like a miniature Ricky, doing the eyebrow thing Ricky does. It was a little frightening for Ricky to see, really.

“No...” Ricky looked down sheepishly.

“How have you not applied to any schools, Ricky?! Applications for fall semester are usually closed by next month!” Jet scolded.

“Ok, dad,” Ricky responded sarcastically. “I don’t even know if...”

He couldn’t say it. The sentence was too difficult to muster out.

Jet knew, though. College was just assumed for everyone, but maybe it wasn’t for everyone. It wasn’t a thought Ricky fed into a lot, but it definitely crossed his mind from time to time. The tension kept Ricky paralyzed in his spot, unable to break eye contact with Jet.

Jet eased up, lowering his body so he seemed less threatening. “We don’t need to talk about it anymore, Ricky”. Ricky felt a wave of relief as he listened to Jet add one last thought. “But, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make a decision. Waiting it out might feel like the best thing right now, but it could be to your detriment. Make a decision and if it’s the wrong one, you’ll know”.

Gina’s voice echoed through Ricky’s head: I never do things right the first time, Ricky.

Maybe he didn’t either.

Later that night, after a rousing several rounds of Halo, Mario Kart, and Mario: Super Smash Bros, Ricky and Jet got ready for the dance. Ricky wore his same suit from the night before, but buttoned up his shirt all of the way, adding a blush pink tie, and topping off the look with his black converse. Gina and he promised to wear their matching pairs tonight. Jet was wearing a black suit, polished leather shoes, and a red and black striped tie.

At about five that night, the boys got in Ricky’s car and drove over to Gina’s house. They had to leave a few minutes early, because the snow was starting to come down harder and Ricky wanted to drive safe. When they got to Gina’s two-story house, they knocked on the door and were welcomed by Ms. Porter and Mr. and Mrs. Greene. Mr. Greene seemed to keep giving Jet a side eye as they waited for the girls to come down the stairs, but Ms. Porter was all talk with Ricky.

While Ms. Porter was giving Ricky a run-down of how to put the corsage on Gina (which seemed easy enough, but Ricky was polite enough not to stop her), he heard Kourtney and Gina scream “you ready?” from upstairs.

“Yes!” The group yelled in sync, an nervous energy flooding the room.

Kourtney walked out first, waving at the group over the balcony that hung above the stairs. She was in a short red dress, that had bowtie straps and layers of tulle at the bottom. Her hair was in large, loose braids around her head, little red hearts scattered throughout her light brown curls. Ricky could feel Jet shaking next to him, until Ricky realized he was also shaking just as much- if not more.

She walked out next, a long pink satin dress, with a large slit up the side revealing her light pink converse. One of Ricky’s favorite things about Gina was her ears lined in jewelry, but this time the rows of earrings led down to a long, silver, dangling pair. She was showered in sparkles, from her earrings to her dress. It was like every movement Gina took reflected off of her. Her hair was in tight waves, pulled back in a loose pony tail, with some extra hairs framing her face. She looked ethereal.

Ricky felt a lump form in his throat, his stomach turn to liquid and his cheeks go ablaze. The room suddenly began to tilt on it’s side. Adrenaline found it’s way into Ricky’s veins as he marveled at Gina. Gina was always beautiful, but in this moment she had somehow transcended that. His eyes felt glued to her as he watched her make her way to the banister, smile at the group, and then gracefully walk down the stairs.

Ricky remembered meeting all of the celebrities for High School Musical. How everyone awed and gawked at their almost intangible presence. He remembered wondering how someone could seem to lose all sense of being a rational human around another human. But now he knew what it was like to be star struck. This glowing, amazing feeling Ricky got when he was with her began to happen all over again. The feeling he never wanted to end. It had somehow made it impossible for Ricky to look away; he was drawn to every subtle movement she made.

“Hey,” Gina said softly, tilting her head sweetly at him.

“H-hey. I-I got this,” he stammered, holding up the corsage awkwardly in it’s box, “for you”.

Gina giggled as she watched Ricky fumble his attempt at opening the box. The flower almost took a tumble to the ground, but his reflexes were fast enough to catch it. That was about as graceful as it got for Ricky however, because the rest of his attempt was anything but smooth. He searched every path his mind had for information on how to put it on. He remembered Ms. Porter giving him advice, but the recalling the contents of that advice proved to be futile.

Now how?... Ricky thought, trying to slide the corsage on Gina’s wrist, while also trying desperately not to crush every petal. Like this?

“Like that,” Gina affirmed Ricky’s thought once the bracelet was on her wrist.

Gina grabbed a small box from her entrance table. It held a pink boutonniere that was sprayed in sparkles, some small white buds decorating it. She stepped inches from Ricky’s face to pin the small flower to his jacket. After she finished placing the flower, she held Ricky’s jacket hems and gave him a soft peck on the cheek, whispering “thank you” in his ear.

Gina began to pull away when Ricky grabbed her arm, “wait”. She paused, her eyes flicking back and forth as she observed his features. “You look so beautiful. I am so lucky”. 

Ricky couldn’t help but shake his head in disbelief that Gina Porter was his girlfriend. It felt like a dream he never wanted to wake up from. She looked at his toes, her cheeks turning scarlet. Ricky lovingly wrapped his arms around her until the couples were called to the living room to take pictures. Gina enthusiastically grabbed Ricky’s hand and led him there.

After about 20 minutes of nonstop photos, the couples begged their parents to surrender them so they could go to dinner. The parents obliged before Ms. Porter reminded Gina to bring a pair of boots with her in case the snow gets too deep. Ricky helped Gina put her coat on before she grabbed her boots. He then held the front door open for the other three (Jet gave him an extra loving “thank you”), before holding the car door for just Gina.

The entire theater group decided to meet up for dinner before the dance. Ricky was ecstatic to spend time with his chosen family; even Red decided to join the group with his date, Kaleb (the backup dancer who worked at Slices with him). The conversation remained pretty fun and light-hearted, until Kourtney announced to the group that she put in her application for school in California.

“That’s got to be hard for you, Jet,” Seb chimed in, his mouth full of pepperoni pizza.

“It’ll be ok. We’re still working things out,” Jet sounded like he was lying through his teeth.

“How about you, Ricky? Any decisions yet?” Carlos asked, dabbing some grease off of Seb’s chin.

“On what?” Ricky was pretending not to listen, in the hopes no one would ask him about the subject. His efforts failed.

“School silly!” Ashlyn chirped; Maddox staring intently at her new girlfriend.

“I- uh....I....”

“He’s not sure where he wants to go. There’s just so many choices,” Gina rescued Ricky, wearing a concerned look that matched her tone. She looked over at Ricky nervously and all he could give back was a shoulder shrug. No one else seemed to notice this interaction.

Ricky thought that was the end of the conversation that night, until he and Gina were slow dancing to “Everything” by Michael Bublé. Gina and he were swaying to the music, resting their heads on each others’ shoulders. They were each holding a hand with their other hands resting on the others’ waist. Ricky was singing the lyrics softly in Gina’s ear as she listened.

“Ricky?” Gina spoke a little over halfway through the song, interrupting Ricky’s delicate lullaby.

“Yeah?” he replied, perking up his head.

“Have you decided? What you’ll be doing after school ends?”

“I don’t know,” Ricky said, growing uncomfortable. He wanted Gina to change the subject, but she seemed insistent.

“Ricky, you’ve got to figure this out. We don’t have much time left together”.

Ricky never alluded to that last part... Gina came up with that on her own. 

“What do you mean by that?” Ricky pulled his head away, now looking right at Gina’s inescapable brown eyes.

“I mean, I know what you’re going to choose. And it isn’t me”.

“Gina, when we gave each other our promise rings, I promised to choose you,” Ricky insisted.

“But if you stay in Salt Lake, that’s not going to work!” Gina’s tone moved up a decibel. Ricky could see a couple people that were dancing nearby turn their heads.

“Hey, can we not do this here?” Ricky begged, just wanting to enjoy the night with Gina. “C’mon, Gi. This is our first dance together. Can we just have fun and talk about it later?”

Gina seemed upset, but she obliged. The two came together to dance again, not finishing the subject matter. Ricky held Gina closer for the last part of the song, his hand that was on her waist now comforting her by caressing the high part of her back.

As much as Ricky wanted to not think about his future, the fact that it had already been brought up three times in one day made him feel a lot of pressure to think about it. He tried to have fun with Gina and not show his mind was slightly preoccupied for the rest of the dance. He wasn’t sure if she noticed, but she did a great job hiding it if she did.

Ricky couldn’t stop thinking about Gina saying “that’s not going to work”. He wondered what wouldn’t work? The two of them doing long distance? He did it just fine with Nini.... well maybe that wasn’t true, but he justified that he and Gina would be adults. Besides that, if he stays in Salt Lake, then he will be with Gina for a year before she goes off to school. That would give him plenty of time to settle in with Jenn being his new step mom, start college, and spend time with the one he cares about most. Then, when Gina goes off to New York, they could do long distance for a few years until he graduates.

Ricky also thought about going to school in New York, but how would he get in? His grades slipped miserably during his parents divorce and the schools Gina are looking at are probably schools like Julliard. He would never get into one of those. He doubted he would even get into a school with a high acceptance rate in New York. It just seemed like too much of a risk for an uncertain outcome.

Ricky only knew that one option was certain: he was not letting Gina give up on her dream of going to New York. She had worked far too hard to get to this point and not get recognized. Luckily, she seemed to be in the same boat as Ricky about this idea.

The more Ricky thought about it, the more he felt settled on staying in Salt Lake and going to Salt Lake Community College. He wasn’t sure in what field yet, but the rest of the plan made sense. He concluded that he could take some generals during his first year. He would get to be around Mike, Jenn, his friends, and Gina. Yes, this was the plan. He was determined to make it work. He concluded that there was no way Gina would say no to it- everybody wins! The burden of making a decision was finally gone. 

Once Ricky made his decision, the rest of the dance helped the night be one he would remember. He danced his heart out with his friends and Gina, savoring every moment. He even made a joke about meeting Gina at coat check. happily this time, before helping her put on her coat again. 

After the dance ended, the couple decided to spend some time at Ricky’s house before Gina went home. The snow was coming down the heaviest it had been in two days, but Ricky insisted that Gina come over because he secretly wanted to lay out his new plans with her. She obliged happily, so the pair said goodbye to their friends and made their way over to Ricky’s.

Ricky and Gina walked in the front door to the house. All of the lights were off, so Ricky assumed Mike and Jenn were out on a date. He was happy to know he would get to have this conversation alone with Gina before anyone else learned about his future arrangements.

“That was one of the best nights of my life, Ricky,” Gina said, kicking off her snow-soaked converse. She had taken her boots in with her, throwing them down next to Ricky’s converse he had added to the pile.

“Me too. Thank you for being the best date. Cider?” Ricky offered.

“Of course,” Gina said, some playful sass in her voice.

Ricky grabbed a couple of Mike’s champagne flutes and poured the cold sparkling cider in them. He flopped on the couch next to Gina, his arm propped around her shoulders before they clinked glasses.

“Cheers, to the best dance date and girlfriend in the world”.

“Cheers to that!” Gina clinked Ricky’s glass heartily.

He pulled his flute back quickly. “Hey!” He jested. “This calls for payback”.

“No!” she shrieked happily as Ricky took the flutes out of their hands, placed them both on the coffee table, and then tickled Gina’s sides mercilessly.

When Gina began to laugh so hard she couldn’t breathe, she sputtered out, “ok! ok! You’re the best boyfriend in the world!” Ricky kept tickling her. “And date!”

Ricky surrendered his hands with a gleeful smile on his face.

Sitting back up, pleased he won the tickle battle, Ricky placed his arm back around Gina and grabbed his cider to drink again.

“Well, guess what your best boyfriend decided tonight?” Ricky hinted, a little smug. He took another sip of his drink and gave a breathy “ah”.

“What?” Gina asked, her mouth still pulled up from ear to ear.

“I, Ricky Bowen, have come up with the perfect plan for us after I graduate. I know what I’m going to do!”

“What do you mean?” She asked, seemingly perplexed that such a plan could exist.

“I mean I am going to stay in Salt Lake- with you! I’ll go to community college here and get my generals while getting to be with my dad, Jenn... and you. It’ll be perfect”.

“Your generals?” Gina didn’t seem convinced. In fact, she didn’t seem happy at all about the news.

“Yes, my generals. What’s up? You don’t seem to be sharing my excitement. I thought you’d be thrilled I’m staying?” Something seemed off to Ricky. The entire conversation was starting to put him on edge.

“Well... Ricky, I’m so happy you want to be with Mike and Jenn, but do you even know if the local college offers the classes you want? Do you even know what you want to go into for your degree?”

“Well, I don’t know what I want to do, but that’s the best part! It gives me, you- everyone more time”.

“Ricky,” Gina began. Ricky knew panic was definitely settling in... but it was as if the panic was shared between the two of them. 

Why is Gina acting so nervous? Ricky questioned to himself.

“We don’t have time,” Gina finished her original sentence.

“Well, I know that I have to apply and everything before the deadline, but these colleges are really good about taking last minute applicants-” Ricky justified.

“No, Ricky. Listen to me, please,” Gina begged, cutting him off. Something was definitely wrong.

Gina moved Ricky’s flute back to the coffee table and held Ricky’s hands softly in his lap. Tears began to fall down her face in a steady stream. Even when crying, she still looked stunning to Ricky.

“You’re the first person to know and that’s how I want this to be, but Krystal wasn’t just a choreographer from the movie. She was a talent scout for Julliard as well. I mentioned New York for after I graduate school... because it will be when you graduate too. They want me to graduate a year early”.

“And miss your senior year? Gina, don’t you think they’re asking too much?” Ricky worried, his protective side appearing easily for Gina.

Gina tensed, but she didn’t seem mad. 

“No- I don’t know. All I know is this more than I could have ever dreamed of. Ricky, if I make it as a dancer... in Julliard... do you know the opportunities I could get? I could do dance on TV, Broadway, private school... anything. This is huge for me,” she explained sincerely. Ricky could hear the passion in her words, see the anticipation on her face. Gina’s road in life had always been clear, but now it was paved for her.

Ricky held Gina’s hands a little tighter. “I just want you to be happy. We can do long distance. We’ll make this work”.

Gina looked away for a few seconds before answering. “Isn’t that what you did with Nini? And look at where that ended up”.

Ricky was only hurt because it was true. But something was different with Gina than it was with Nini. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he knew their ending would be different. It was the warm feeling he had been trying to place for months now. This same feeling intuitively promised that long distance would work if they tried hard enough.

“I... I just don’t think that’s the case,” Ricky’s words struggled out as he tried to defend his case. He didn’t know how else to explain it to Gina.

“Ricky, we don’t know that. It’s not just a ‘trope’ that couples break up when they try to do long distance or go to separate colleges. Even some of the strongest ones fall apart,” Gina persisted.

“But they’re not us, Gi. We’re different”.

“Different how?”

Ricky’s ability to formulate a sentence seemed like a cakewalk compared to now. He had no idea how articulate his thoughts. It was like every word Ricky ever knew had shambled into alphabet soup. He was grasping for letters, words, and sentences but couldn’t structure his thoughts. 

Ricky let go of Gina’s hands to rub his temples. Now he felt water forming in his eyes.

“We just are!” Ricky stood up, unable to contain the energy pulsing through him. “Don’t you see, Gina? We will make this work”.

“Ricky, I don’t know how. I’m trying to be realistic here. It’s why I didn’t keep going after you the first time I moved. I knew we wouldn’t have been able to keep up with the chaos my life has always brought me... I’ve just seen so many of my friendships fall apart once I move. And watching you and Nini... I want us to be on good terms,” Gina shut her eyes tight as she said her last sentence.

Ricky was pacing but it had paused. His back was turned to Gina. He couldn’t bare to look at her because he knew what she was saying. “You mean, you want us to end on good terms?”

Ricky stopped trying to hide his frustration, which led to large pockets of water falling down his face. Falling down both of their faces.

“... I don’t want to... at all.... and we don’t have to now... but if it’s going to end that way, maybe... we wait...?” Gina sputtered out.

“Wait for what? To inevitably break up apparently?” Ricky turned to face Gina. His brain was attempting to pound it’s way out of his head and his jaw somehow became permanently locked. His feelings were bouncing back and forth between upset, sadness, anger, and confusion.

“No, I mean after we graduate. Maybe we can be like those characters in Serendipity that were always meant to come back, to find each other? Our promise rings, remember?” Gina held her hand up, the ring glimmering on her pinky finger.

“No. Because I promised I would always be around for you and now you’re promising to maybe, hopefully be around ‘if the day comes’?” Ricky took his ring off and handed it to Gina. She began to weep harder as she looked at it in her hand. “Gina, we promised each other we would make this work no matter what. If you can’t keep that promise, I don’t know what else to do”.

“Is this really what you want? To break up with me?” Gina asked, her eyes flickering back and forth between his.

Ricky felt confused.... it seemed like that’s what Gina wanted so why did everything feel so turned around?

“No. I don’t know! It seems like you think it will happen regardless. So I don’t know why we’re going to keep seeing each other if you believe it’s going to end”. 

“Ricky, that’s not what I’m doing! I just want to know if Salt Lake is what you truly want. Because if it’s long distance- I’m sorry, that’s not going to work for me! I want to be with you, but you need to decide. Not because of me, but because of what you truly want”.

“I thought I knew until this got thrown in. Now I don’t know anymore, because New York sure doesn’t want me. Maybe I just want some space,” Ricky snapped.

Gina clenched her fingers tight around the rings. She walked over to the door and put her coat on before jamming her feet upsettingly into her boots. Ricky followed her over, wanting to ask her to stay. Ask her to figure things out. Change her mind. But he couldn’t find the words.

Gina stood up and looked at Ricky, the tears now subsided. 

“I’m going home. When you decide what you want, let me know,” Gina remarked, keeping her voice surprisingly steady. She swung the door open to leave, just to be met by a giant gust of cold air and snow blowing in.

“Gina,” Ricky paused her, holding her arm. Every instinct was telling himself to stop her, but somehow he couldn’t. His heart was hurting too much. “Let me at least take you home. It’s freezing outside”.

“Ok,” Gina said, her face swollen from crying.

Ricky ran to his room and threw on his own boots, a few moments later escorting her to his car.

The car ride was dreadfully awkward and silent. He hated fighting with Gina. He couldn’t help but think about this time last year when he and Gina were trying to get out of a different rough patch. His system felt overloaded with Déjà vu, even after he dropped her off. Neither of them said good bye to each other.

Ricky tried to open his front door once he got home, but it got caught on something pink. Ricky took a closer look, only to feel his heart fall about 1000 feet in his chest. Gina’s converse. He picked the shoe up and set it to the side carefully, before running to his room where he would spend the rest of the night regretting every sentence that was still lingering in his living room walls.

**********************************************

The rest of the month was absolutely brutal for Ricky. He wanted so badly to right whatever wrong he created, yet he couldn’t convince himself he was in the wrong. All Ricky did in his decision making process was try to make a plan that worked for Gina so he could be with her. Now it seemed like she was ready to throw it all away and go to the other side of the country. He was willing to do anything- even long distance to make it work- and it still seemed to be not enough.

What came next was even more painful. Gina and he stopped talking to each other outside of rehearsals. When Ricky broke up with Nini, it was clear cut. A line in the sand. However, this felt different and ten times more painful, because nothing seemed like a hard and fast rule. He didn’t know if he and Gina were even separated after their conversation and he didn’t know how long they wouldn’t talk. Every time Gina saw him in class she would sit on the other side of the room. If they saw each other in the hall, she would walk away.

One time, Ricky even tried to return Gina’s shoes to her. They had been tormenting him nonstop. He never moved them from his front doorstep, so every time he walked in, that was what he saw. Every time he left the house, pink haunted him from behind. It was a nightmare that didn’t seem to end. He finally reached a breaking point and told Gina at school he needed to talk to her. It couldn’t wait. He tried to tell her if she was really done, he needed to return something to her, but she cut him off before he could finish his sentence. She stated that, “everything else in our lives seems to be on pause right now, so this can be too,” and then walked away. This was a scene that had been on loop in Ricky’s head ever since it happened.

Mike tried to ask Ricky a couple of times where Gina had been and why she hadn’t been over, but Ricky asked Mike to drop the subject. It wasn’t that his dad and him weren’t getting along, but Mike was beginning to get a little pushy... on all fronts. Mike was frustrated Ricky hadn’t picked what he was doing after senior year (he made it extra clear Ricky would not be “freeloading” off of him by living at home rent free), that he wouldn’t open up about the situation with Gina, and that Ricky seemed to be of no help wedding planning either. Most of the time, Ricky would just leave the house and go skateboarding at the skatepark. It was the only thing that seemed to clear his head lately, a specialization that once belonged to Gina.

With Gina so set on Julliard and so set on avoiding Ricky, he began to believe they were really over. She announced her decision to leave to New York to the theater crew about a week after she told Ricky. Everyone, except for Carlos who met her with a “see you there!”, were upset she was leaving again. Supportive, but upset. She brought a light to the theater department that was irreplaceable, even when it was dimmed in Ricky’s world.

By far, the most excruciating part of the separation was having to play Phillip and Anne for The Greatest Showman. Not because they had to act out a hopeless romance, but because it was real. Ricky finally understood what Zac was saying about “not being as apart from his character as it seemed”. The realization hit the first day Ricky and Gina did a full run-through of “Rewrite the Stars”. 

Words were hard for Ricky to grasp, but music never was.

Every line felt like one more crushing reminder of what isn’t happening but what could be between Gina and Ricky. 

Ricky wondered why Gina was so insistent long distance wouldn’t work between the two of them. He knew that if they tried, they could make long distance or anything else work. The thoughts of the night they separated ruminated in his head as he sang:

You know I want you It's not a secret I try to hide You know you want me So don't keep saying our hands are tied You claim it's not in the cards And fate is pulling you miles away And out of a reach from me But you're hearing my heart So who can stop me if I decide it's on my destiny?

What if we rewrite the stars? Say you were made to be mine Nothing could keep us apart You'll be the one I was meant to find It's up to you, and it's up to me No one could say what we get to be So why don't we rewrite the stars? And maybe the world could be ours, tonight

Ricky was surprised, however, to see how much Gina was acting out her part as Anne. He knew the song was a “two worlds that should be meeting, aren’t” piece, which would evoke some painful emotion, but what happened next- he wasn’t prepared for. He watched Gina choke out the second verse and chorus, tears streaming down her face like the night they split, as she sang:

You think it's easy You think I don't wanna run to you But there are mountains And there are doors that we can't walk through I know you're wondering why Because we're able to be just you and me within these walls But when we go outside You're gonna wake up and see that it was hopeless after all

No one can rewrite the stars How can you say you'll be mine? Everything keeps us apart And I'm not the one you were meant to find It's not up to you, it's not up to me When everyone tells us what we can be And how can we rewrite the stars? Say that the world can be ours, tonight

Gina choreographed the entire number by herself. Ricky was impressed with the flexibility and agility she seemed to know on a seemingly unconscious level. The dance was a firm reminder to him that she was good enough for Julliard. It made sense why she got accepted so early... because she was exceptional for her age.

Ricky couldn’t help but be in awe at Gina’s capabilities with dance. She was able to use Ricky’s skateboarding talents as a means of helping him with the choreography. Ricky knew how to achieve large stunts, he knew how to be graceful in the air, and he knew how to land with coordination- all things Gina needed for the number. Whenever he got nervous, she would greet him with a, “just fly”. That was all he needed to let go of any tension he felt before landing his big stunts.

But regardless of how beautiful and easy the song should have been that day, Gina’s emotion felt still and awkward. Ricky wanted to ask Jenn to stop, to let Gina have a minute with whatever was going on with her, but Jenn also asked them to really feel this scene. 

So, Ricky justified to himself, maybe that was all Gina was doing. She was just feeling the scene.

You know I want you It's not a secret I try to hide But I can't have you We're bound to break and my hands are tied

Gina sang the last verse, overcome with emotion. Her hands were placed gently on Ricky’s as she sang. But when she started to step away, Ricky felt something he wasn’t expecting as she slid her hands gently off of his: Gina’s promise ring. 

[blueberry-lemon]

(This chart is a silly over-simplification, but I think it helps sum up what Engage is.)

This post contains no plot spoilers, but does discuss gameplay mechanics from Chapter 1 to Chapter 8.

Spoiler-Free First Impressions of Fire Emblem: Engage

I'm enjoying Fire Emblem: Engage!

When the first few images of the game leaked a year or two ago, I didn't know what to think of it. Even the first trailer left me a little on the fence about how much I would enjoy it, but I was ready for Fire Emblem to take a jump back into the pool of "colorful, dumb, silly nonsense."

The game has definitely been putting a smile on my face.

Gameplay: A Hundred Options For Tweaking Your Experience

FE: Engage's central mechanic is the idea of wearing Rings. There are 12 "Emblem Rings", rings that contain the spirits of 12 former Fire Emblem main characters. From the very first trailer, it was obvious that this served to be a powerful buff for your ring-wearing unit and a powerful blast of obvious nostalgia fanservice.

What I was surprised to learn from Nintendo's Ask The Developer interview was that the inspiration for the Emblem Rings came from a desire to streamline past FE mechanics. Fire Emblem 4, Fire Emblem Awakening, and Fire Emblem Fates all include the ability to have your units fall in love, boost each other, and have a child who is a mix of their strengths. Awakening and Fates also had the "pair-up" system that let two units travel together in one tile, fighting as a pair. These mechanics are probably my favorite addition to Fire Emblem. I loooove the idea of mix-and-matching different units who can form a bond with each other, protect each other, and make a whole "new unit" that reflects them both.

The developers said that the downside of falling in love and having a kid is that it took, like, half the game for the player to get to that point. They wanted a mechanic that they could introduce at the very start and was much quicker to use, and thus the Emblem Ring idea was born. It helps players "get to the fun part" faster. The Rings can also be unequipped and swapped at any time! You unfortunately can't have your Awakening characters re-marry and have new kids whenever you change your mind.

Wearing an Emblem Ring gives you boosted stats, new skills, and the opportunity to "Engage" in battle, where your character actually fuses with the spirit. When you strengthen the character's bond enough with the spirit over the course of the game, they can even permanently inherent some of the spirit's stats and skills, allowing them to keep them even when they take the Ring off.

I really like the Ring mechanic. I think it makes it really streamlined and makes it really beginner-friendly in the sense of letting you swap the Rings among your characters between every battle. It gets a little more detailed and overwhelming over time (it turns out there's 120-ish other Rings in the game, that give very minor buffs, but they don't get fancy character models of voice acting) but at its core I think it captures that "pair-up" idea in a new way.

Writing and World: Brimming With Colorful, Trope-y Energy

Fire Emblem games have always, always, always been corny, cheesy, cliche, whatever you want to call it. They deal with broad, recognizable fantasy archetypes and tropes from anime and JRPGs. The plots are somewhat cheesy or somewhat affecting, depending on the game. Each individual character, in each game, is going to either resonate with you or they're not. In most cases, they're not going to be "complex, three-dimensional people" unless you invest in seeing all of their Support conversations.

Engage is very much still in line with this. However, I think FE: Three Houses put a different type of effort and emphasis into the overall writing. That's not to say that Engage has objectively worse writing, but I think it can easily come off that way. The plot does a good job of "getting to the point" really fast, but I don't think it starts off on the right foot in terms of sounding original. The characters are charming so far, but most of them have been bad first impressions for me. For some of them, I couldn't even tell you what their one personality trait is yet? Others have me hooting and hollering.

Overall, I think Three Houses was a big step forward in terms of "how much effort the team put into fleshing out the Support conversations" and Engage feels more similar to the games from the previous eras. I'm hoping it proves me wrong when I get further!

In general, the world and characters are part of a fun, trope-y, fantasy adventure. But I'm hoping there's something a little more original and interesting to chew into later.

Hub World and Progression: Throwing Everything In The Pot

From Fates onward, the Fire Emblem teams have been experimenting with what sort of "hub world" and "long-term progression" systems should be featured in between battles. They've tried several different approaches, and Engage feels like "throw all the spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks."

Engage's hub is less grounded and realistic than FE: Three Houses and FE: Three Hopes' hub worlds.

Engage's hub lets you...buy casual clothes for your characters to wear in their off-time.

Engage's hub has activities that are...frankly, pretty buckwild.

I think I might love Engage so far.

[crapmagak]

Engage Drip Marketing: Anna, talking, and Bonus Firene Theories

This ones probably gonna be a quickie. And honestly, it’s nice to have a little breather.

Anna intro tweet…

Anna is a merchant in training. It seems she's traveling around various countries in search of treasures that might sell for a pretty penny.

And cutscene tweet…

Anna is surprised when she realizes Alear is the Divine Dragon. It seems her instincts as a merchant are at work.

"T-the Divine Dragon? Y-you're the Divine Dragon? I-I'm sensing a good business opportunity...

...Ahem, my name is Anna. Just call me Anna-san. Nice to meet you!"

Seems Anna’s a recruitable unit in the game, and not even dlc. In fact, she seems to be a main story recruit. And considering the background behind her, I think she’s recruited during or after the Fierenesse ruin chapter.

The crit clip just says Anna is an ax fighter, with nothing new about the class. Oh well, they don’t really need to make new bios for repeat classes anyways. Anna herself has never really had a dedicated class given to her either, but I’m surprised she’s an ax fighter instead of a thief. Maybe it’s a hero's reference. Or maybe ax fighters can promote into a more fitting class for her. We also see more of the bridge chapter, and the Brodian map theme. Maxes me eager for whenever the ost leaks to youtube.

But we’ve also got a bonus tweet about the talk action…

Units with the Talk icon on them can be conversed with by choosing the Talk command when next to them. There are units who will become allies when spoken to, so use the Talk command actively. There are units who can only be spoken to with certain ally units too.

So, this monk unit with a unique color scheme and design, that Alear can talk to, is absolutely recruitable. It’s also clear they’re among the villagers you’re meant to save in that one chapter. I’m guessing they’re a boy, probably our second healer unit.

Speaking of which, I think I have a better idea of how Firene is gonna shake out story wise. Basically, in the Dragon Awakens trailer, the subtitles reveal one piece of dialogue comes from Queen Eve. “My kingdom has another Emblem Ring in its possession.” So, I think this means those ruins our heroes seem to end the Firene arc on would be the ring's location (Perhaps Micaiah’s?). On the way there, our heroes clean up some local bandits, and recruit this monk, Yunaka, and Anna. But there are two things of note to me.

1: I find Eve’s voice kind of off. Like, it has the same deep, airiness I associate with sexy female villains. Like, before the subtitles I thought this was a line of dialogue from Ivy. Like, that could just be an odd line read. But the fact it’s playing during the ominous music cut in showing off a lot of villains kind of makes her look sus. And considering the everything about Emperor Morion, the leaders of the four countries aren’t looking too good. If the ruler of Solm is also evil seeming, this story may be going some interesting places.

2: In the Engaging with Emblems trailer, we get a look at a town covered in familiar windmills, burning to the ground, and full of Elusian soldiers. This makes me think at some point in the story, Firenze is gonna get invaded again, and that each country's arc doesn’t end on the first visit. This also makes me think if Eve doesn’t turn out to be a villain, she will also meet the fate of Fire Emblem parents.

All in all, it seems like there really will be characters skipped over in favor of the main royals and their retainers. Not a terrible choice considering how close release is, in my mind. Still, I’m absolutely gonna spoil myself when the game comes out so I know how to recruit everyone. 

[moonybadger]

UGH finally finished Fire Emblem Engage!!! Thoughts under the cut.

I have so many mixed thoughts on this one, at least partially because I went into it with such a sour attitude. The story and (some) characters really grew on me near the end though!

Pros:

Good character animations

I like most of the characters, though more of them then I’d like lean too far into “my entire personality is one joke” category for my tastes

Good character moments, even if only handful of them get complete arcs

A good amount of nice support conversations

I do really like the villains in this! They’re fun and evil, with just the right amount of camp and development to get me invested.

REALLY REALLY great english voice acting, holy heck. I thought Three Houses english voice acting was really good, but I think Engage is even better in that department.

While I dislike the removal of the troops falling in love, I do like that it frees me up to see more conversations without worrying about it affecting the character’s endings. That was something I always got really micromanagey about with previous games, so I do like that that freed me up a little?

I did actually get really invested in the family drama between Alear, Veyle, and Sombron; I thought it was all handled very well and engagingly written.

Veyle and Alear’s relationship is very sweet, and really became the central element of what I enjoyed in the game

I feel like Alear really reaches their potential for character the most successfully out of the more modern FE games; specifically she feels like a better written version of Corrin (but Corrin has a better design, so I guess it all evens out in the end?)

The characters that get introduced in their own paralogues I like a lot (the retainers mostly all blend together I’m afraid) Special shout out to Yunaka, Lindon, and Mauvier (Mauvier REALLY surprised me, he got a ton to do in the story and he ended up one of my favorites by the end. Still kinda in shock that his datamined age in game is only 31 though???? What the fuck)

Pretty graphics

Very fun gameplay 

SOME of the character designs

Cons

Really just not a fan of this art style.

World building is pretty dull

I really miss the portrait art :(

Characters largely don’t matter outside of the Designated Royal sibling

Character arcs mostly don’t continue on past the initial country they’re relevant in (did you like Alcryst? Well sorry he doesn’t get any dialogue after you leave Brodia)

The middle section really drags narratively for me; like everything from when Alear looses the rings to once they FINALLY realize Veyle is being mind controlled is  just kinda eeeeeeeh. Solm ends up just feeling like a mark off on a check list and the story feels like it’s spinning its wheels because we KNOW that Veyle isn’t really bad and we’re just waiting for Alear to realize it already. It does pick up pretty well after that tho

To be honest, even the beginning drags for me??? It was just really slow and not very interesting. For me, it takes until Brodia for the story to grab me and then it looses me again once we get to Solm before engaging me again with the Veyle stuff.

Does the thing in Fire Emblem Fates that I hated, where a lot of characters were either “Royal Sibling who gets to say story relevant lines”, “Royal Sibling Who Doesn’t Matter”, or “Retainer of one of the Royals who doesn’t matter to the plot”. (there’s a handful of exceptions! But not that many) FE:TH was REALLY good about making everyone in your army feel at least a little story relevant, so I’m very disappointed at seeing it backslide

No more romance supports for my troops >:( This actually really bothers me lol, I don’t know why they did this. I don’t need everyone to be romancable by everyone else, like I don’t mind just doing what previous games did where characters had like two or three potential final relationships they could end up in in the future

Alfred dies young if you don’t romance him??????? This is bullshit

I actually don’t like most of the epilogues! Alfred dies young, Mauvier just wanders off somewhere and dies randomly, Yunaka just straight up disappears, and Lapis’s epilogue has her dubbed “the potato goddess” or something. What.

This is a very personal issue with my own playthrough where I had Alear paired up with Diamont, but their paired conversation and ending were so boring.

I don’t care for the Emblem Ring paralogues; at the very least I wish more characters in your army got to have some dialogue or participation in them because they desperately need the screen time

Just in general I’m not a huge fan of the Emblem Rings as a concept, but I’ve always been really resistant to FE games referencing previous games too much (I’m looking at you Fates, and you deciding to just include three characters from Awakening for fanservice)

A lot of this game feels very influenced by both Fire Emblem: Heroes AND Genshin Impact

All the other character designs

[theclockworkmonk]

Out of the Mouths of Babes — Chapter 2

Read on AO3

Read on FanFiction.net

Chapter 1 on Tumblr

Prompt: “Uncle Ron said something about Harry knocking Ginny up, but I don’t know what he means,” Teddy said.

************

"They can't be serious…." Harry muttered in disbelief as he stared down at the very official-looking letter.

"Who's serious about what?" asked Ginny, stepping into their living room.

Harry jumped and quickly tried to hide the letter behind his back. "Nothing!" he squeaked.

He should have known better. Ginny got a mischievous glint in her eye and darted around him, trying to get at the letter. They spent a minute chasing around each other, but eventually Ginny faked him out into tripping over the coffee table, and she quickly snatched the letter out of his hand with a triumphant laugh, making Harry once again wonder if she wouldn't be even better at Seeker.

"Ooooo," Ginny sang dramatically as she saw the emblem at the top of the parchment, "an official statement from the Wizengamot! Have they come up with a new award to bestow on you?"

"No, it's even worse," mumbled Harry.

"Oh, well now I'm very interested," Ginny teased, "am I worthy to take a peek at such official correspondence between such important people?"

"Well, it actually concerns you too, Missy," said Harry, crossing his arms, "so go ahead."

"Hold on, let's see if I can get the right tone." Ginny cleared her throat, pointed her nose in the air, and continued in her haughtiest tone,

"To the esteemed Harry James Potter,

After consideration of your actions to serve and protect the Wizarding World of Great Britain, as well as the recent discovery of your lineage to the Ancient and Noble House of Peverell, previously thought to be lost, it is with great honor and pleasure that we offer to restore your line to its former status by bestowing upon you one of the vacant Lordships!?"

Ginny dropped her character and her mouth gaped open in disbelief. "Along with the accompanying seat on the Wizengamot!" she finished quickly.

She looked up at him with wide eyes, and her face split into a wicked grin and Harry knew he would never hear the end of this.

Harry snatched the parchment back.

"Yeah, so in other words," he began before she could start getting her jokes in, "they're embarrassed by how many of their seats are still empty after half their members were thrown in prison or fled the country for being Death Eater collaborators, so they're once again trying to use me as their poster boy so they can look like they've turned over a new leaf. Except they clearly haven't, since they only deemed me 'worthy' after they found out which dead pure-bloods I'm descended from, so they're still the same navel-gazing, inbred aristocrats they've always been!"

By the time he was finished, he was shouting and he panted to catch his breath.

Ginny, however, still found the whole thing hilarious.

"Oh, it breaks my heart to see Lord Potter so displeased," she bowed low to him with a flourish of her hand. "Let me know if there's anything a lowly peasant like me can do to serve you."

"Yeah, yuck it up, Weasley," said Harry dryly, "Like I said, this affects you too."

She looked back up at him with a sardonic look. "How does your having to sit through long parliamentary bullshit have to do with me?"

"Well," said Harry, stepping toward her, "if I'm a Lord, that means that, if I ever get married one day—"

"Hypothetically speaking," said Ginny.

"Yes, then that hypothetical girl — whoever she might be — would become a Lady."

"Hmmm," hummed Ginny thoughtfully. She wrapped her hands around his neck and he snaked his arms around her waist. "So you think this is relevant to me because you're hoping to make me your Lady? That's mighty presumptive of you, Lord Potter."

"Well, I wouldn't say hoping," lied Harry. "It's just a logical possibility to consider, strictly because you're pure-blood, of course. But I'm still keeping my options open. After all, you know how much of a ladies man I am."

"Yes, of course. But you know…" said Ginny thoughtfully, tracing circles over Harry's chest with her finger, "'Lady Ginevra Potter….does have kind of a nice ring to it."

"Oh, but things would be expected of you, m'Lady," said Harry, "and you would definitely have to stop all that Quidditch nonsense. Such a vulgar and violent activity is beneath a woman of your standing."

"Oh, well, I guess that's settled, we have to break up," Ginny sighed, "We're just a part of two different worlds."

"I'll always remember you," said Harry romantically, "but alas, I must kiss you goodbye."

He bent down and gave her a kiss, then they broke apart as they cracked up into laughter.

"Come on, I'm not going to let anyone call me a Lord," said Harry, rolling his eyes, "and obviously I'm not actually going to sit on the bloody Wizengamot. Those seats are transferable, so I can give it to someone who will actually know what they're doing. My first instinct is your dad, but he probably won't want it either, and they'll do anything to get him off again. Andromeda would probably feel at home there, but could do some good. Or maybe McGonagall."

Ginny groaned. "You can be so boring sometimes, you know that? You have a chance to put Luna in a position of power, that would drive them insane! Oh, or how about Aberforth, that would be hilarious!"

Harry laughed. "We're not all agents of chaos like you, Gin. I swear, sometimes I think you're Eris in disguise."

"Oh, you think I'm a goddess?" Ginny flirted, "then I guess you better worship me."

"Hmmm," Harry kissed her again, but then sighed and pulled back. "Sadly, there's no time for that, we're already running late for dinner at the Burrow."

"Alright, should we go together or do you want to keep up the pretense that we're actually living in different flats?" she asked him pointedly.

He gave a weak, embarrassed smile. "I know it's ridiculous, and I might be a coward, I've just managed to escape your mother's disapproving stare so far in my life, I'd like to keep it that way as long as possible."

Ginny rolled her eyes but led him by the hand out the door of their flat, past the wards they had put up. Harry wrapped an arm around her waist, and turned on the spot, feeling the squeeze of Disapparition.

*********************

"Come on!" urged Ron, "I'm hungry!"

"What else is new?" laughed Hermione, as she finished a letter she needed to send and tied it to Pig. After she sent the little owl on his way, she turned around to see her fiance standing by the fireplace, bouncing on his feet like a child on Christmas morning.

"Honestly Ron," said Hermione, shaking her head, "one would think you haven't eaten in a week, and there's no way that your mother even has dinner ready yet."

"Yes, but her pre-dinner scones should be coming out of the oven right now!" said Ron cleverly, "And I might as well have not eaten in a week, don't pretend like I'm the only one who's sick of our sad attempts at cooking."

"Alright, alright!" said Hermione. She joined him by the fireplace, threw some floo powder into the grate, and together they stepped into the green flames.

"THE BURROW!" Ron shouted clearly, and after the spinning sensation and flashes of various fireplaces, they stumbled into the sitting room of Ron's childhood home.

Ron's excited smile faltered when they saw the sitting room completely empty, with no one there to greet them. He recognized the overlapping voices of his family instead coming from the kitchen, and with a rush of horror he feared that his precious scones were already being eaten by an army of Weasleys. He led Hermione by the hand across the room towards the kitchen, and he started to make out individual voices.

"I just don't understand why they haven't told us!" said his mother.

"He probably knows what we're likely to do to him," grumbled Charlie.

"You've been away too long, brother mine," chuckled George, "I guarantee you she's the one keeping it under wraps."

"In any case, we know that pushing the issue will do nothing but make things worse," said Ron's dad gently, "We just have to—"

"Scones ready?" asked Ron loudly as he and Hermione entered the kitchen, and Hermione had to resist the urge to swat him. The conversation he had interrupted seemed interesting, and her suspicions were confirmed (and her curiosity inflamed) when all talk instantly ceased the moment they walked into the room. Six heads snapped towards the arriving couple as Molly, Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Percy, and George widened their eyes in surprise and fear, like they were caught discussing something covert. Hermione also noticed how a few of them (mainly Ron's two oldest brothers) then narrowed their eyes venomously at her and her boyfriend.

While the kitchen of the Burrow was usually one of the warmest, most welcoming rooms in the world to Hermione, she noticed a distinctly cool, tense atmosphere this time. She looked sideways and saw that even Ron had clearly noticed, his eager smile slipping from his face.

There were several seconds of silence as the older family members' eyes all flittered between each other, holding a silent conversation that Ron and Hermione didn't know how to join. Then the loud ding of the kitchen timer made them all jerk suddenly.

"Wow, do I have great timing or what?" said Ron proudly, trying to ease some of the tension in the room, but some of his laughter died in his throat. His stomach didn't let him dwell on it, however, as Molly bent down to take the scones out of the oven, and the sweet, fresh smell filled the kitchen.

After she put the plate of scones on the table, Ron casually flicked a cooling charm over them before grabbing one greedily. The other Weasley men took their own, but they looked more like it was just something to do with their hands. While Ron hummed as he took a big bite, they chewed theirs thoughtfully.

"I should check on the washing," said Molly quietly, without looking at anyone. She grabbed a laundry basket and headed outside towards the clothesline.

"I'll help!" said Hermione cheerfully. She was always happy to help with the chores at the Burrow, but she also wanted to get one of the Weasleys alone to figure out what they had been talking about.

Molly didn't answer and continued outside with Hermione behind her.

"How have you and Arthur been?" asked Hermione pleasantly.

"Well, my days are still dreary, with no children left in the house," Molly sighed. "I knew that children don't stay children forever, but I certainly wasn't expecting my younger ones to hit so many milestones so quickly….and in the wrong order." She finished more quietly

Hermione frowned. Did Molly think she and Ron were getting married too soon? She had never expressed that before, she was overjoyed when they had announced their engagement.

"Er….well, Ron recently got promoted from Junior Auror," said Hermione uncertainly as she began helping Molly take garments off the clothesline and put them in the basket. "He'll be taking more serious cases now." So his career is well on track, if that's what you're worried about.

"I'm touched that you and Ron are willing to indulge that to me!" said Molly sharply

Hermione pursed her lips. Her patience was running out.

She stepped towards her soon-to-be mother-in-law and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Molly…"

For the first time, Molly turned to look at Hermione and the younger woman flinched back at the cold distrust and disapproval she saw in her eyes. Hermione felt a rush of deja vu, and after a short moment she realized where she had seen that look before: it was the same look she had received from Molly her fourth year, when the older witch had believed Rita Skeeter and was under the impression that Hermione was Harry's manipulative girlfriend, breaking his heart by messing around with Viktor.

"Mrs. Weasley...have I done something wrong?" asked Hermione weakly.

Seeing the hurt on Hermione's face, Molly's own harsh expression softened and was replaced with a wave of guilt. Her eyes got watery and her lip trembled, and before Hermione could say anything else she suddenly found herself being hugged tightly.

"No dear, you haven't done anything wrong," said Molly in a choked voice, as Hermione awkwardly patted her back, thoroughly confused. "I'm just being silly. I understand you're not choosing sides, you're just being a good friend."

Molly pulled back, and was smiling weakly at Hermione.

"Er...thank you," said Hermione, more bewildered than ever. "I don't mean to be rude, Molly, but I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh no, of course not," Molly winked dramatically, "There's nothing to tell, I'll drop it. Come on, dinner is just about ready."

Before Hermione could insist more strongly that Molly explain what the hell was going on, Molly picked up the now-full laundry basket and returned to the house, leaving Hermione blinking dumbly behind her.

******************************

As Hermione followed his mother outside, Ron continued to chew into the warm, buttery scone, barely looking at his surrounding family members, the earlier tension all but forgotten to him.

"So….little Ronnie doesn't come around for dinner as much as he used to," Bill pointed out.

"He and Harry have been burning the candle at both ends at the Ministry," said Percy.

"Hmm-hmm," Ron nodded, engrossed in his scone, not looking up to see the stern looks on his brothers' faces. "More than we need to be, honestly. But because of Harry's saving-people-thing, he's always sure that the next case will end in disaster if the dark wizard isn't caught right now, and of course he would be lost without me, so whenever he's working overtime I am too." He shrugged.

"Oh yes, I think we're all well aware how loyal you are to Harry," Charlie said darkly, "Even over other, older loyalties, as a matter of fact."

"Charlie…." began their dad warningly.

Ron looked back up, and grew uncomfortable again when he saw that all of his family members were looking directly at him. Earlier, he had assumed that the awkward tension in the room was because he and Hermione had interrupted an important conversation, but it seemed to go beyond that, like they were pissed directly at him for something he had done.

"What's going—"

He was interrupted by his mother re-entering the house, holding the laundry with one hand and wiping tears from her eyes with the other. Hermione followed in shortly behind her, and Ron looked pointedly at his mother and gave his fiance a quizzical look, but Hermione just returned a confused, helpless shrug.

"The roast should be almost done now," said Molly happily, and waved her want to send a flurry of plates and cutlery flying to settle in front of where each of the Weasley men were sitting.

"And I'm such a terrible mother, I neglected something," chuckled Molly, and bent down to kiss the crown of Ron's head. "We all missed you, dear."

"Mum…" Ron grumbled awkwardly, but he saw his brothers look at each other with slightly guilty expressions, and as they followed their mother's lead, the atmosphere of the room became friendlier.

Charlie drew in a deep breath and sighed. "I need a drink."

"Excellent idea!" pipped George. He waved his wand and summoned a large bottle of firewhiskey from the cabinet along with several glasses, which zoomed right past Molly's face, causing her to jump and shriek.

"For the last time, only the cook can summon in the kitchen!" Molly scolded him, "I won't have this room devolve in complete chaos of flying objects until someone gets a concussion!"

"And I know you don't always act like it, but you are all of age," said Arthur, raising his eyebrows at George pouring several glasses of whiskey, "so I see no reason why you can't bring your own drinking supplies instead of raiding mine."

Molly huffed. "Well maybe it will be best if we stopped keeping that poison in the house—"

She stopped abruptly as they heard a faint pop from outside, coming from down the pathway, and Ron knew that Harry and Ginny must have arrived. Instead of beaming and rushing out into the garden to greet her two favorite children, however, Ron saw his mother gasp and a bit of the color drain from her face. His family members all looked at each other with that same expression he first saw when he came into the room.

Charlie gave a low growl and picked up a glass. "Yup. Definitely need a drink."

[yandere-sins]

Bad Decisions

[My Commission Info] | [My Ao3] | [Ko-Fi]

I was again commissioned for a companion piece to this one! This time from the reader’s pov and some backstory. Thank you ♥

Characters: Ignatz Victor (Fire Emblem: Three Houses) x Reader Words: 3401 Warnings: Yandere, Obsession, Mentioning of stalking, Mentioning of War/Death/Blood

You could still remember the first time you met him vividly.

Taking a seat on the ledge above the training grounds, you heaved a long breath, trying to calm your racing heart. If only you could have put this energy into training more, instead of using it as a reason to take a break, but your legs felt wobbly just from thinking about getting back up. For the better of the last three weeks, you had trained and studied tirelessly. Being granted the chance to attend the academy of your dreams was no reason to slack off, and you were thankful for the opportunity you were given. 

But… rubbing your sore legs and feeling your feet pulsate in the tight leather boots as they finally got a break, you had to admit that it was more challenging than you expected. Even though you had built up stamina and muscles before coming here, you were still met with the instructors’ high expectations for their top-tier students. Day in, day out, you were either on your feet and training or with your head in the books studying. No wonder it felt so draining when all you did was pressure yourself more and more on being perfect and prepared for all that would come your way. After all, your expectations of yourself far exceeded the ones anyone had in you. 

“It’s tough, isn’t it?” a timid voice called out to you, and you turned your head towards it, a flask with water being held out in your direction. Surprised you took it, finally getting a look at the person behind the voice. A young man, not much older than you, smiled at you friendly, his glasses tilting a little from him leaning forward. Without waiting for your reply, he pointed at the space next to you, asking, “Mind if I join you?” and you shimmied to the side to allow him to take a seat.

“Swordsmanship isn’t my strong point either. I keep forgetting where to put my feet,” he laughed bashfully, rubbing the back of his head. He appeared friendly, approachable, and kind, but his physique was on the weaker side, making his struggles a tad obvious. Nonetheless, you weren’t one to judge someone based on appearance, and taking a sip from the water flask, you felt yourself be soothed by the refreshment. Having spent so much time holed up in the library or handling weapons hadn’t given you a lot of chances to make friends, so having someone be so kind and nonchalant around you genuinely made you happy. 

Handing the flask back to him, the young man gladly accepted it. His shirt had stains of polish and sweat on it, and you realized he must have come from training himself just like you. You wondered what year he was in, or if he was a classmate you just never noticed. 

“Sorry, that was weird, wasn’t it? Approaching you so out of the blue. I’m Ignatz. Ignatz Victor, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” 

Though his name didn’t ring a bell, you shook his hand out of respect. Even if it started out a little awkward, you two soon fell into a comfortable conversation as you shared your weak points, and so did he. Your words weren’t forced out, and you started to relax around him. At the same time, Ignatz laughed and smiled at you, putting you at ease as well. Perhaps you two were more alike than it appeared at first glance, and thus you were relieved to find someone like-minded. 

At that moment, you didn’t find him approaching you so weird anymore. More so, you were relieved to have someone accept you so openly and interact with you, who had been rather lonely up to this point. Part of you had always wanted to make friends in the Monastery and hang out with them, and this was the closest to it you had come. It was also refreshing to have someone to talk to, and as it turned out, Ignatz was able to lift your mood significantly with his input and suggestions as you spoke about your everyday life at the Monastery.

“Come,” he prompted, jumping down the small ledge and standing before you. Holding out his hand to you gallantly, he waited for you to join him back on the training grounds with a kind smile. You didn’t feel pressured to join him. Instead, you wanted to join him, agreeing that it might be good to not cool down too much. 

“Let’s see if we can help each other,” Ignatz laughed, and perhaps, for the first time since you arrived, you let out a chuckle. Taking his hand and letting him lead you back to where the weapons were, you agreed with an enthusiastic, “Okay!”

It wasn’t a friendship you expected to have, but with every passing day, you felt yourself growing and thriving from it. With Ignatz by your side, new things were opened to you. He took you out in the city and showed you around the fields. His interests sparked new ones in you, and soon enough, you weren’t caught in that somber life you had built at the Academy before. Having someone to motivate you and lift the burden on your shoulders with a clever and upbeat nature made you strive for more and greater things. He picked you up when you were down and in a slump, helping you to enjoy your time much more than you did when you still struggled to find your place. Time passed on, and you two still stuck together. Everything was going so well.

Until it wasn’t anymore.

It was the little things that made you nervous. The glances that lingered too long, the hand next to yours on the library table whose pinky kept touching yours. Goodbye hugs that were too tight and eyes that tore away from anything just to look at you. Ignatz’s unfinished paintings that he never worked on again once his attention shifted to you instead, making you feel bad for the waste of paint, and the tests he seemed to flunk because he only ever cared for your lectures. 

Somehow you were glad when he wasn’t allowed to change classes. This way, you’d have at least a little bit of privacy since he wouldn’t let you go train alone, even if you told him you had a different sparring partner this time. It had started out so innocently. You were just two people who got along well and spent a lot of time together. But now, roughly three months since you came to the Monastery, you wondered if there was anything else going on.

By now, you had made new friends and then lost some, but you found the courage to join clubs and help the student council because Ignatz had been with you all this time and supporting you. Without him, you probably wouldn’t have had the success you achieved, and while you were glad for such a good friend by your side, you slowly felt like you were drowning again. Not drowning in work and insecurities like in the beginning, but drowning in Ignatz’s presence in your life. 

Truth be told, you wanted to spend some hours alone every now and then. With everything going on, you searched for ways to relax and destress from the buzz of the day, and not always did you wish for company that, frankly, made you anxious. Even if it was hard to pinpoint - perhaps because part of you wished you didn’t have to pinpoint it at all - something about Ignatz felt off. 

There were off-hand comments about your life that he shouldn’t have been familiar with. Finding out about your extended family was weird, but you thought it might be registered somewhere that he could have stumbled upon. However, when he brought up your favorite toys and books from before you had joined the Academy, you raised an eyebrow. His mentions were so casual and woven into conversations that it was sometimes hard to find them, but when he also started to talk about the days you spent apart from him in the Monastery, you knew something was up.

Part of you only wanted to believe he might have a crush on you.

Sure, as sweet and positive as he was, Ignatz still occasionally tended to be clumsy and awkward. It was always easy to forgive him for a wrongdoing as he’d apologize and learn from his mistakes, though, so you never worried much. Still, it seemed like he tried to get even closer than he was to you by following you around and checking on you more often than not. It might have been pleasant and cute at first, but you had to admit you were beginning to be creeped out by his obsessive observation of you, knowing even little details like your toilet breaks or what you had for lunch. 

Perhaps it was just his way of trying to tell you how much he cared and wanted to be with you. But what if it wasn’t?

The thing he didn’t realize was that the more he pushed himself on you, the more you wanted distance from him. It had been a harsh realization, one over which you lost sleep for a few nights. Because how would you be able to make it clear to the person who had supported you all this time, kept you company, and helped you through everything, that you wanted to have a break from them? Perhaps, a few days or a week. Maybe it would stop the negative feelings you had about him if only you wouldn’t interact for a while. At least, that’s what you hoped.

Waiting in front of his classroom, you picked at the skin around your fingernails nervously. Class was already dismissed, but you could see Ignatz talking with the teacher, his back turned to you. It was taking a while, but you had to do it. Better now than never. If he had feelings for you, he had to realize he wasn’t showing them in a way you were comfortable with. And if he genuinely liked and appreciated what you two had, he’d understand your request for a break as well. 

It was nerve-wracking to wait for him, but eventually, you heard his signature laugh as he waved goodbye to the teacher and turned to leave, sorting his papers for a moment before he noticed you. Anxiously, you lifted your hand in a greeting, and Ignatz’s eyes widened and began to shine amorously, a broad smile curling his lips. He was so happy to see you that he quickly ran up to you, almost colliding with some passing student. But he didn’t even care, only coming to a halt right in front of you. 

“Ah, I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” was his first response even though you two hadn’t actually made an appointment with each other. Ignatz stood closely to you, almost enough so that your chests would touch. It was a kind of forced intimacy that made you uncomfortable. Still, in foreknowledge about what you were going to drop on him shortly, you allowed it. 

“Actually…” you mumbled, looking around in hopes that the crowds would start to dissolve. “I’ve got something to tell you. But maybe not here?” 

Ignatz’s expression only grew softer as he heard that, and you wondered what he thought you were going to tell you. Nevertheless, he softly pulled you by the hand and into the small garden next to the classrooms. Sure enough, there weren’t as many students here as most took after-class activities or went to the training grounds instead, and it made you feel better. Breaking his heart in front of everyone was an embarrassment you didn’t want to put Ignatz through. 

“So, what’s up?” he laughed, happy as ever, but he had yet to stop holding your hand, which you pulled away from his for him instead. 

“Ignatz, it’s just…” 

As expected, it was hard to form the words in your mouth. There were too many accusations on mind that you didn’t want to hit your friend with, but how else were you supposed to tell him? Something had to come to mind now, preferable a reason that wouldn’t ruin your friendship. Ignatz looked at you expectantly, as if he was hoping for a confession rather than a break announcement, but you simply didn’t return those feelings of his.

“I wanted to talk to you about us, and--”

Just when you finally managed to bring up the courage to confront him, a voice behind you called out to Ignatz, who - reluctantly - looked away after his name was called out a second time. “Byleth wants to talk to you!” a student you didn’t know announced to Ignatz, and you bit your lip.

Just your luck.

“I will go after--” Ignatz tried to argue, dismissing the call, but you gave his arm a pat to get his attention, quietly releasing him to go. 

“It’s not that important anyway,” you assured him. Like a liar. “We can talk about it some other time.”

“Are you sure?” Ignatz questioned, furrowing his brows. You could see his honest disappointment in not hearing the words he was desperate to receive from you in his eyes, but you just nodded. “Of course, we can always talk about it later!”

Reluctantly, he looked back to the student who was waiting to lead him back to Byleth before he sighed. “Okay, I’ll be quick. You can tell me after that!” 

“S-Sure,” you mumbled, forcing a smile on your lips, and Ignatz reached out his hands, squeezing each arm comfortingly as he saw your awkwardness. Finally, he passed you by, not without having his eyes on you until he really couldn’t anymore, and off he went. Just like that, you had missed your chance to tell him, and with it, all the courage you had built just for this moment.

Just before he turned the corner, Ignatz stopped, and your eyes met for a split second. “I’ll see you at training later?” he asked, sounding worried. You gulped before nodding, and he went on his way with a tender smile playing on his lips. It was the first time you really didn’t want to go train since you came to the Monastery. Just sit out for the day, and maybe, forever, so you wouldn’t have to see him.

In the end, you never got around to tell him. Before you knew it, you were busy with your duties and studies. Even though Ignatz’s behavior continued, you didn’t have the time to give it your attention. 

Then it happened. The event that would change everything in your life and everyone else’s.

And the tragedy ensued.

As you carried yourself through the forest, colliding with countless branches and thorns in your way, you felt so frustrated. It all could have been different, but now that you chose this path, it would be the one to die on. If only you had told him your feelings back then. If only you had made an effort to hold him back and fess up. Then nothing like this would have needed to happen.

Your hands were stained with the blood of your friends and comrades. The same ones you spent the best months of your life with. The ones that helped you get proficient enough to kill them and the ones that begged for mercy as you gave them a quick death. And yet, because you never told him to back off, you had never been able to make the same cut with Ignatz. He had been the beginning and the end, the reason you had survived for so long and the reason why you were now deserting from the fraction you swore your fealty to. 

Goddess, you were pathetic. 

Secretly, you had always known this. No matter how hard you tried to cover it up, you weren’t a genius or especially well-raised like the others at the Academy. You didn’t even have a title to defend, and you chose the side that seemed less risky when it was time to decide to whom you gave your loyalty. All the efforts you had put into your time at the Monastery had been the only thing you were good for - working hard and diligently. But you weren’t cut out for these heavy burdens. 

And you couldn’t kill the only true friend you ever had when it was most crucial to do so. 

Your whole life could have played out differently. You could have asked to be moved to another frontier in the countryside. Maybe you’d have died at some point, but at least you wouldn’t have to meet all these people you once loved and admired, seeing them die one after the other. Or maybe you should have just given up and let Ignatz do the deed, at least so you didn’t have to hear the words you always dreaded. He had utterly taken you aback with his confession, and you felt even more confused and appalled than back in school. 

Hearing him confess his love, you simply couldn’t fight him anymore. 

It was wrong. Wrong to run, both from your duties and Ignatz, but it had been the only thing you knew how to do. You never learned any better, never stood up for yourself in any choice you made. Following instructions and orders was all you could do, and even if you tried to do something on your own, you’d always end up needing to rely on others. Plagued by these thoughts, it only pained you more when you heard Ignatz shout behind you, realizing he still wasn’t going to let you go.

“I looked up to you! I needed you, and you needed me! And yet, you betrayed us! And yet, I only liked you more!”

Yes, you needed him. You needed someone to save you when you were lost. But right now, you needed anyone but him to take pity on you. Anyone but Ignatz to tell you what to do. You needed to decide on your own what you were going to do from now on!

A sudden push tore you out of your thoughts. You had come so far and almost reached the other end of the forest, but the saving light disappeared in front of your eyes, replaced by the dirty ground as you crashed down. Frustration, pain, fear - all of it caused tears to collect in your eyes. The weight of Ignatz’s body on top of you made you struggle against him, the last effort to escape the clingy obsession he had with you. 

“I love you! I love you so much, don’t ever leave me again!” he yelled, his face contorted in pain as if he was the person going through a lot. What expression were you making? It satisfied you to see the disgust visible in your face reflecting in Ignatz’s eyes, hoping he’d get the hint. Twisting and turning your wrists, you hoped it would cause him to let go, but his grip only tightened the more you moved.

Out of sheer willpower, you managed to lift your pinned down right hand to his face, scratching and fighting against him. But alas, he kept you where he wanted, making you wonder where he managed to gain so much muscle strength to do it. He looked different now, but all you could see was the nice guy who first approached you at the training grounds, a weak but chipper young man. And yet, perhaps because of the war, or maybe you simply never noticed it before, the aura of madness was all that surrounded him.

It was just like back then. Ignatz was the one who took the decision about your life off you. It was a slow, painful realization, your screams being covered by the ones on the battlefield, and your tears disappeared in the dirt beneath you. You’d never have the last word in your life. Someone would always come to take it away from you. Maybe you were just not meant for it, but there was nothing more terrible you could imagine than not being the master of your own self. 

Bad decisions led to this outcome. But how could you have known back then, when Ignatz was a wolf in sheep’s clothing?

[roamingpoffin]

Mr. Genova: Instructions for Use

Hello there! I recently got to re-read Hetalia’s story about Napoleon in occasion of a trip in Corsica, and suddently remembered this adorable little guy. While there are a lot of wonderful people that took the mantle and tried to give character and story to what are actually just 2 sketches from 3y ago, I also noticed some disappointment (understandable) and…. misinformation from lack of context and historical knowledge about the topic. I know that seeing the 4th italian brother when maybe your country isn’t in yet can be frustrating, but trust me when I say that Genova is a very important character for many of the events that occurred between the middle-ages and WWII (does Colombo ring a bell?).

With that said let’s try to discover together who actually was is Mr.Genova!

Why Genova and not Genoa? Genova is the correct italian name of the republic/city while Genoa is it's english version and, incidentally, the name of Genova's most renowed football team. So just like for Venezia and Roma we'll keep the original pronunciation.

In this first part we’ll talk about Genova design

[Original sketch by Hima, I just polished and colored it to better convey my ideas about his design.]

I’ve heard people complaining that “he just seems like a fusion of Romano and France”, funnily enough not only the comparison is quite on point, but it’s coherent with Genova’s history and probably intentional on Hima’s side.

To understand what I mean let’s look at a little map of modern Italy

We can immediatly notice some things ->

1) Liguria (the name given to Genova’s historical territories after the city became “capoluogo di regione” in 1948) borders with France and Monaco. For all it’s life Genova had to fend against France and would often end under it’s dominion for brief periods; at the same time their vicinity favored a similar culture and language (with one BIG exeption we'll see another time): Monaco and Corsica, previously territories of Genova, retain a great resemblance with Ligurian when speaking their actual language, aka Corso and Monegasco. At the same time Ligurian presents some elements common in french that are actually absent in standard italian.

2) Genova is situated in front of the Ligurian sea and has open access to all of west-Mediterraneum, becoming the most important harbor in north-west Italy since it gained his autonomy from the HRE around 1096 A.D. Due to Liguria peculiar geografical conformation (no plains and the Alps-Appenines isolating Genova from the rest of north Italy, favoring a climatic bubble that makes the region a greener version of the south) our republic decided to limit it's expansion towards northen countries and instead focus on the Mediterraneum sea, becoming Spain and by proxy South Italy best commercial/political buddy till (almost) the end of it’s indipendent life.

3bonus) Yes guys Seborga is a little town in the Ligurian hinterland and was part of the Genovese republic. While Seborga's story is really interesting (might do a focus in the future) the general history and culture of the 2 is the same.

NOTE: every time I use the term “Italy” during any period pre 1861 consider it only as the geographical meaning of the peninsula (Italy as a country wasn't a thing till then).

PALETTE AND DESIGN

With this introduction in mind it makes sense for little Genova to have his hair styled similar to France and a darker shade compared to Veneziano. While the dark gray used by Hima could hint at both black and dark brown, the latter is by far the most common color in Liguria so I decided to go with that.

His eyes are anybody’s game to be fair, but I decided to be as faithful as possible to the average ligurian so, just like Feli and Lovi when Hima decides that his eyes aren’t olive anymore, brown/light brown is the most common color in Italy (+ we already have Seborga as the random flashy neighbouring brother).

To end our palette the skin tone could be an in between: probably darker that a Northener but lighter than a Southener (no mayor arabic nor germanic influences here)

CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES

clothes -> nothing too important to say, the clothes are fit for the XVIII sec., they shows Genova’s status as a wealthy commercial republic and unofficial bank of Europe (yup, before Switzerland Genova had that role and it’s banks are considered the oldest in Europe). As long as the colors used aren’t too flashy everything is fine.

crown thingy(?) -> now this is where things become interesting. There are 3 possible options I could think as of why Genova, of all the possible accessories, has a crown when it wasn’t even a monarchy. Pick what you prefer or feel free to add your personal interpretation if you want.

1) money and superbia: as written before, during it's prime Genova was a wealthy republic, lending money to half of Europe and being the indiscussed queen of west-Mediterraneum (ofc Venezia was the queen of east-Mediterraneum, but that’s another story for another post). The city even got the nickname “Superba” to enanche the grandiosity and way too much pride of it’s people. A crown would be a fitting choice for someone who is probably a bit narcisist.

2) city status: in ancient paintings the personifications of countries and cities were made recognizable by the presence of a little crown on their head. Adding to that, in Italy to be a full fledged town or city you must receive a crown symbol to put on your emblem, maybe Hima is hinting at Genova actual predicament.

3) the Lanterna: I’ll admit the first thing I tought while looking at Genova was “that looks like a little tower”. A bit strange, but actually not farfetched; if you have ever visited Genova you’ll know what I mean when I say this city has a lot, and I say A LOT of towers positioned trough the historical center. The reason? To protect themselves from the French/Ottomans/eventual pirates, in the XVI sec. Genova decided to build a massive system of walls and towers that surrounded the city. There is also a specific tower that is considered the symbol of Genova itself “la Lanterna”. The Lanterna is the oldest Lighthouse still in function trough Europe; maybe if you glance at its modern look it doesn’t scream “tower”, but before it was semi-destroyed by the French army in 1513 A.D. Lanterna beared a striking resemblance to what Mr.Genova is wearing.

“MUGUGNO LIBERO”

Last but not least, the infamous pout that gave Genova the label of “Romano 2.0”. It’s not random, it’s not wrong, it’s such a toughtful and unexpected touch that Hima would be declared honored guest by any Genovese (and made me personally laugh like an idiot for an hour).

What Genova is doing here has a specific term in the local language, mugugnare!

What is “mugugnare”? Mugugnare is a peculiar way of complaining and rambling specific of the Ligurians. This act is soo ingraned into the culture of the region that it’s considered an art and will take a good part of any conversation you’ll have with a local.

I’ll be more specific when we’ll touch Genova possible characterization, just you know that where Romano is loud, pretty offensive and direct the mugugno is more subtle and passive-aggressive. It can and WILL BE directed at anything, from the weather to jobs to Venezia and the rest of the north.

This finally brings us in what defines most of the characters of Hetalia, the wonderful land of stereotypes.

See you in the next part where we’ll talk about the temperament and culture of what is often considered the “black sheep” of north Italy!

[boxboysandotherwhump]

The new boy in town.

Tags:  @salamancialilypad  @whumpfigure @albino-whumpee @comfy-whumpee  @ashintheairlikesnow   @haro-whumps   @moose-teeth @vickytokio​ @yet-another-heathen​ @orchidscript

Chapter 2

CW: body-shaming/ insults, discrimination/ dehumanization of mutants, an insect gets hurt, a nearly fistfight ensues

Heat thrummed through Gideon’s bones and throbbed in unison with his building headache. His patience had shriveled up like dried fruit under the torrid summer sun while this horrible lavender scent clung to his hair,  his skin, his clothes, making him dizzy.

It became stronger on the village outskirts, Gideon realized as he hurried after Director Sahin. The man ascended the crooked stone staircase effortlessly, his moss-green robe billowing behind him. His artfully decorated spear swayed with every step he took, not brushing a single leave. The only thing rustling through the underbrush was the wind and the creatures living there.

A twig caught in Gideon’s black curls, while the Director rambled on about the virtues of disciplinary work. How it encouraged the growth of one’s character, or some shit. The twig broke off with a quiet snap, painfully pulling at his scalp. Gideon’s mood dropped even lower. It was going to be a nightmare to fiddle all those shitty branches and leaves out of his hair later on.

He was seconds away from losing his barely-held composure. 

The only thing keeping him from bursting at the seams was the promise he’d whispered into his brother's grave, a last farewell bedded beside a corpse. 

Gideon had come to this godforsaken village to learn how to fight and survive in the forest, not to become some obedient little soldier boy! But in order to do that, he had to get cleared for training again and out of suspension.

If he had to play the director’s errand boy for a day to achieve that, so be it. He had endured worse.  

“Haaah, here we are.” Director Sahin inhaled deeply, arms falling wide. “Finally. My dear friend’s farm. Tell me, young Gideon, is it not simply beautiful?”

Gideon shrugged. “‘S’ okay.”

Granted, the house did look cozy, resting encircled by giant roots with its warm brick walls, but those gigantic snails everywhere sent a shudder down his spine. If he had to touch those slimy monsters he-

The farm’s sliding doors opened before he could utter a protest, and a fine-boned, middle aged woman emerged, followed by a huge man with a greying beard.  A boy, probably his own age but significantly shorter, held the door open for them.

The older woman’s lips curled into a crooked smile as she caught sight of Director Sahin, whose whole face had lit up. Dark eyes shining. 

“Moira. My darling. Please do not tell me you are about to leave? Not when I looked forward to seeing your beautiful face again.”

Gideon suppressed a gag. Moira crossed her arms, smile growing sharper. Her eyes held a warm twinkle as she spoke. “Eric; charming as ever.”

The man behind her stepped closer and huffed:  “M happy ‘ter see ya too, Eric.”

“Oh Ansgar you flatter me. But I must confess, I am not here solely for tea and a chat-“

The Director rattled on and Gideon’s focus wandered to the girl that had stepped out the door behind a blonde woman. A fancy grey blouse hung off her thin shoulders, nearly covering the  lace trim of blue silk short. A stark contrast to the more practical attire favored by most villagers. But that wasn’t what caught Gideon’s attention, no, he had seen all sorts of fancy getups up in Berlin -in the city's upper ring that is- what drew his eyes to her, was her face.

Its left side was oddly deformed, her pale skin uneven like a creased silk sheet, drawing her left eye down and her full lips up. She mouthed something to the boy, smiling, earning a smile from him in turn.

“Ah yes may I introduce: Gideon, my newest student.”

Having lost most of the adults’ conversation Gideon tuned back in just in time, to give them a curt nod.

“I will send him to collect the salve after the feast, then,” Director Sahin announced, please as can be. 

“Wonderful.” Moira clapped her hands. All back to business brusqueness.  “Sahar will appreciate not having to deliver it for once. Right?”

The other boy snapped to attention, green eyes wide and fingers twitching like the hands of a pianist. A grateful smile rose to his face and he nodded.

Oh great, so Gideon had to take the trip up here twice. 

They descended the stairs, lined up one after another on the narrow path. Sahar right in front of him, following the strange girl. He had avoided Gideon’s eyes as he squeezed past him, careful not to touch, probably scared off by his uniform. The school’s emblem, embroidered on his stainless white shirt, proudly declared him a scout in training. Deadly. Fearless. The little farm boy definitely did better not to mess with an insect slayer like him.

The girl came to an abrupt halt, frozen in the woodland’s shadows before it gave way to the dusty hill road. Gideon nearly collided with Sahar, when he heard it.

A primal, bone chilling hiss tore through the hot afternoon air, rattling through his very core. 

Every hair on his body stood, muscles tensing, on edge just like his fraying nerves. 

He knew that sound. 

Even though he’d heard it only once before. On the crusade from last-stand-berlin to the village, where he had seen the beast it belonged to lurk on the riverside, watching them.

He would never forget a spider’s hiss. 

And there one stood, right in front of him, its eight thorny legs towering high above its ugly head. The spider’s giant yaws worked, rubbed against each other in agitation. Its razor sharp fangs glistened in the sun.

A man sat atop its massive, hairy body, scar-faced and clad in a straw cape that was fastened to a beetle’s shell armoring his left shoulder. Shimmering in iridescent hues of blue and green. The man did not smile as he glanced down at them. A silent challenge was edged in the hard lines of his rugged face.

Tense static filled the air, an almost tangible thing that bit at Gideons fingers. It wormed its way into his bones, crawled over his scalp.  

He almost, almost, flinched when Director Sahin shouldered past him, spear drawn and followed by the other man. Both planted themselves right in front of him and the others.

The intruder’s scar stretched with the rise of his eyebrows, eyes slitting in a lazy half-grin.

 “Hey, there. Hold your horses. Before someone does something he regrets later.”

“That a threat?” Ansgar grunted.

Moira ducked past him, face twisted in a furious scowl as she spit. “Oh, something other than entering our village on a damn wolf-spider you mean?!”

The corded muscle in her boney arm flexed as she shook her fist at the man, unveiling a wrath behind her primly dressed form that no one would have wanted to fall victim to.

He, however, just leaned closer, smile stretching into a shark-tooth grin. “Gutsy, are we? I like that.”

Director Sahim stepped up beside her, spear held in a steady grip. “How could you make it past our InD-Units with this monstrosity?! God show you mercy if you did something to-”

“What do you think I am?!” the intruder drawled, hands raised in mock offense. “A monster?! Only reason I got past your insect defenses was this baby here.”

Gideon had to stand on his tiptoes to catch a glance of the small round device that sat embedded into the spider’s head, partly hidden by the man’s straw cape. A little red light blinked in a steady rhythm above three buttons, which the man was careful not to touch as he rapped his knuckles against it. 

“Renders her absolutely obedient. All natural instinct turned off. See?”

He unsheathed a knife from a holster strapped around his leg and its steel blade shimmered in the sun before he rammed it in one of the spider’s eyes, plopping it out with a nauseating plitch. The spider endured its master’s violation in utter stillness, only its yaws twitched, creating this awful hiss in their never ceasing movement.

 “She’s docile as a lamb.”

“And how exactly is that supposed to work?” the girl inquired, meeting the man’s stare with a calculated cold composure. She ignored the incredulous look the blonde woman gave her, as she mouthed: “Charlotte, what are you doing?”

The intruder's mouth twitched.

“Man, what do I know, Missy?! I’m a mutant hunter not a scientist.” He leaned closer, eyes narrowed, fixed on the girl's deformed face. Venom spiked his words, dripped from his tongue like acid. “My expertise lies in chasing down freaks.”

The condescendingly cruel way in which he spoke, wielding words like a weapon meant to pierce and twist where it hurt most, reminded Gideon oddly of his father. Anger welled up in his chest, buzzed down his legs and made them move. He planted himself right between the girl and the intruder.

How dare he compare someone to mutant scum?!

“Tsk. Mutant hunter?! You’ve ever even seen one? Or are you just talk? Threatening girls?!”

“Gideon.”, Director Sahim hissed, squeezing Gideon’s shoulder in warning as he tried to pull him back. 

The man gave them a wry smile. “No no. Let’s hear him out. Have you ever seen one boy?”

“Yes.” Gideon spat, unable to reign his emotions back in. “They’re hideous monstrosities.  And I’m going to find and kill every single one of them.”

The man burst into violent laughter, shoulders shaking and head thrown back, nearly losing his balance under the force of it.

“You do have guts, I give you that. But also lots to learn. Do you really think a girl can’t be a mutant? Monster’s come in all shapes and sizes, boy.” His eyes wandered back to Charlotte.  “Just ugly, that’s the whole lot of them.`` 

The blonde woman gasped, searching for words to shoot back, but falling silent as she noticed Charlotte’s expression. 

Red blotches burned on her face, rage twisting it into a vicious scowl. The afternoon sun set her copper curls on fire. Ready to spew fury and flames, she opened her mouth but Sahar was faster, his small voice piping up.

“Char- Charlotte is… is no- no mutant and and and she’s neither ugly nor weak. And and and people who talk about, talk about killing others for no- no, no reason are… They’re the- the real monsters.”  

His fingers fiddled with his shorts, tapping and twisting in the dark, worn linen as he stumbled over his words. His big green eyes jumped from the rocky street to the spider’s fangs, lingered on the intruder’s face before landing on Gideon. They narrowed as he all but spat the last words in Gideon’s face.  

“The hell you just said?!” Gideon’s nostrils flared. How dare this little runt run his mouth about things he didn’t know shit about!

Crossing his arms, Sahar forced himself to hold his ground against Gideon’s furious, wide eyed stare.  “You you, you heard me.”

Gideon heart hammered in his throat, pumping liquefied fire through his veins. His hands twitched.

“I give you one chance to take. That. Back.”

The boy’s trembling fingers dug into his forearms, knuckles whitening as he lifted his chin.

 “Never.”

A roar tore from Gideon’s throat as he leapt forward. Rage burned through him like a wildfire, ready to ignite everything his fist would come in contact with.

Beating the selfritousnes out of that stupid stammering farmboy was the only thing that mattered now. Everything else blurred to background noise. Even the stranger on his shitty spider. 

In that frozen second between charge and impact, Sahar’s  feet moved. His body tilted to the side. Dodged Gideon’s blow. Effortlessly. He bounced back. Landed on the first stone step and uncrossed his arms. Ready to defend himself. His fingers had stopped twitching.

That little runt had nerves! 

Gideon broke into a sprint.

“You sure are good at dodging!” He swung his arm back. “Try to handle this!”

Muscles flexing Gideon readied for impact, only for his arm to be janked back. A  large hand had wrapped around his wrist. Stopped him mid punch.  Craning his neck, Gideon stared up into Ansgar’s stern face.

Fuck he’s fast?! 

“Looks like ya still got lots t’ learn about respect ‘n self-discipline, young man.”

Director Sahin sighed, eyes still locked on the intruder, who watched the spectacle with a lazy kind of interest.

Ansgar released Gideon’s hand and turned to Sahar. His grey eyes glistened like ice shards. “Same goes for you. Ya disappointed me, Sahar.”

Sahar blinked up at the man, eyes round and full of disbelief.

“Wh-what- what, what do you, do do do do- what do you  mean?”

“I haven’t trained ya to run off ‘n start mindless fights. I tried to teach ya discipline ‘n how to survive these woods.” Ansgar’s voice did not waver and every word made Sahar shrink into himself. His fingers tapped a hectic distorted rhythm over his leg

The intruder snickered, “someone’s a stuck up,” earning Moira’s venomous glare. 

“But- but I didn’t- he he he he he was, he was the one who-“

“Enough,” Ansgar thundered. “Don’t argue with me. If ya want a beatin’ so bad I’ll give ya one later. And now back t’ the farm. Ya grounded for the week. No fest. No nothin’!”

Sahar crumbled under the man’s anger, head ducked between his shoulders as the first teardrop fell. It trickled down his trembling jaw, painting a glistening path on his warm skin.

Voice reduced to a shaky exhale Sahar nodded,  “yes, sir.”, and stormed up the stairs.

He had just vanished between the thick bushes, when the intruder broke out into a new laughing fit.

[hbcsource]

Helena Bonham Carter’s Interview with ‘The Sunday Times’ | 20 December 2020

“I have always found that clowns seemed sad,” Helena Bonham Carter tells me over a patchy Zoom call. “That’s why they have to paint their smile on.” She pauses thoughtfully. “I often dress in clown-like things — baggy trousers, braces, white face . . . I love a white face. I don’t know where that comes from. I like any mask, to be honest. Anything that stops me from being me.” Bonham Carter has been feeling the tears of a clown a lot this year. She has seen her industry struggle and worries for younger performers. She has been mourning one of her beloved friends — Nell Gifford, the founder of Giffords Circus — and she has just finished narrating Channel 4’s animated version of Clown, Quentin Blake’s wordless book about a toy who is determined to escape the dustbin he has been thrown into and to build a new life for his fellow binned playthings. “The clown has been discarded on Christmas night, rejected and forgotten, and the story is about how he’s found again and how, through being loved, he comes to life,” she says. “It’s very poetic and touching. The pathos of the clown.” In recording it she found herself thinking a lot about Nell, who died a year ago. They met years ago when Gifford’s traditional circus — vintage tents, old-school performances and artful storylines, written and directed by the mighty Cal McCrystal — was just making its reputation. “We had similar backgrounds,” Bonham Carter says. “Both of us had a parent who had a traumatic brain injury, and our response was similar — an instinct to create our own worlds. She ran off to the circus. And when my amazing father’s brain tumour operation went wrong, I found an agent to help me live as other people. Our lives went through similar things — children, divorce — and we helped each other jump on to the next step. When she died it was very sudden. She had cancer, but I thought she would defy everything.” The film of Quentin Blake’s book, published in 1995 and told entirely in pictures, is the first offering from Eagle Eye Drama, the production company launched by the team behind the TV drama brand Walter Presents. Walter Iuzzolino, its founder, recalls his route into showbiz began when, as a six-year-old in Italy, he watched the Disney Silly Symphony Santa’s Workshop on television. “It was a symphony of movement as the elves worked to create the toys and paint the sleigh,” he says. “It was a hand-drawn piece of 1930s modernist art. I asked my grandparents who did this, and they explained what a producer was. At that point I knew what I wanted to be.” The animation itself was Covid-induced. Eagle Eye had a drama ready to go into production when lockdown closed things down. Iuzzolino realised a replacement project could be created by animators working at home. The team had always loved Quentin Blake and was delighted to find the option on Clown was available. “With Quentin’s drawings being so beautiful, we immediately discarded the CGI PlayStation animation that’s everywhere today — and I hate it,” he says. “We went back to the roots of the craft. I wanted to create my own Silly Symphony. We found artists and animators in the UK, Italy and around the world, and had to produce 30,000 frames, working around the clock while recording the score one instrument at a time. “And then we met Helena — her voice is like the finest Belgian chocolate melted on a Viennese cake. At our first meeting she talked about Giulietta Masina, Mrs Fellini, in La Strada, and I knew she understood the tinge of nostalgia, sadness and melancholy about the clown.” Bonham Carter is flattered, but slightly unsure. “I’m narrating, although I think the cartoon might have been better without me,” she says modestly. “For the genuine children watching, it may help to have my voice guiding them through the story. It has no words as a book, so I’m not doing any characters. I am just the voice-of-God narrator.” She pauses and thinks that through approvingly. “Voice of God. I like that. I’ll try that on my children — ‘I am the voice of God today!’” She remembers the conversation about Masina. It was her husband’s film La Strada — about a brutish circus strongman, played by Anthony Quinn, and his little clown assistant, played by Masina — that began Bonham Carter’s loving relationship with clowns and circus. “I always found the mainstream Zippo-style circus too loud and brash and in-your-face, although I suppose I was always drawn to clowns,” she says. “Why else would I dress like them?” Does that mask thing work? Does it protect her? “Of course it doesn’t,” she says, sighing. “It’s more likely to reveal the internal you. I get excited about acting because it holds the promise that you could become someone else. Then you see yourself and go, ‘Dang, again I didn’t do it. Again I’m revealing myself.’” She bursts out laughing, a full throaty chuckle. “When will I get the message?” she says. She’s 54. “I’m always doing too much. Early on in my career I was told by a director I have an expressive face, and I’ve been trying to keep it in check ever since. And words! I use far too many words. Even my name has too many words in it. The bane of my flipping life. Can I have your autograph? Ugh. It has 18 letters. Brad Pitt only has eight.” And she chuckles again. Having fallen for Masina, she found herself drawn to the circus in the most unexpected ways. “I love the circus family that goes back for years — handing the skills down to the next generation,” she explains. “So the only showbiz thing I forced Billy and Nell, my children, to do was tap dance. It’s not circus, but it felt connected. I tortured the hell out of them by dragging them along every Saturday morning — it’s the only vicarious ambition I’m ever going to force on them.” Has she never considered clowning herself? “I can’t run away and join the circus, I have responsibilities,” she chides. “Nell and I did have serious chats about an act, but we never got around to details. At one point I was going to descend on a moon singing a song, possibly going commando.” She sniggers. “I think one day I will get into the ring somehow.” For the photoshoot she seems to have gone halfway towards the big top. Her look is based on Masina’s little clown — a bowler hat and big boots. “Doing the photoshoot was very cathartic, and I’m afraid I did rather take it to the limit . . .” Her laugh bubbles up again. “I’m a Covid-starved actress, I haven’t had a part for a year, so give me a costume and I will go for it. My children are 17 and 13, so they are no longer prepared to dance with me — photoshoots are my chance to dance by myself. I had the music on and was throwing myself around.” I have the same problem, I confess. My daughters used to dance with me in the kitchen, but now find the idea of Dad dancing a crippling embarrassment. She is outraged. “We don’t have to say goodbye to their childhood just because they have,” she exclaims. “Have you read The Velveteen Rabbit?” I have, I say, but I can’t these days. It breaks my ageing parental heart. “But think about what the story says,” she urges. “It’s like Clown. These toys are the classic result of children growing up. They are discarded, and it’s an emblem of age. The rabbit is losing its ears, but that’s because it’s been so loved. You and me, our faces can sag and our bits can fall off, but that’s because we are being loved.” I give a small gasp. She gives a determined nod. “You remember that this Christmas, Stephen. You hold on to your children’s childhood. Don’t let them take it away. Carry on dancing. Spread the word! Parents and teen-agers: carry on dancing!”

[a-gromova]

Berlin long-post

Guys, this will be a very long post. VERY. Perhaps it will be something like an essay.

For the first time in many years, I can clearly say what level I like in the game (I can just as clearly name my favorite location only in the first season). Yes, I want to talk about Berlin (are there people who were left indifferent to the level?). I just want to express my thoughts, which came to my mind during the walkthrough. This is partly an attempt to piece together a puzzle of information about the characters (47, Grey, Olivia, Diana), which is diluted with screenshots. I would be glad if you read it and express your opinion. Maybe you will correct me or, on the contrary, supplement my words, because the stream of thoughts can take me completely in the wrong place.

Spoiler territory begins, so be careful. Well, in general, everything is the same as always: if you are too lazy to read, you can look at dicks pics, they are pretty good (I think).

For me, Berlin is Hieronymus Bosch in its purest form. The level is disgusting inside and out (and I say this in a positive way). This include the oppressive atmosphere of emptiness, the behavior of agents, dialogues, the very environment of the club. It's all so nauseous, so... unnecessary. But it attracts. Bosch. Bosch in its purest form. This captivates me. This is the dirt you want to plunge into.

We begin the level in a ringing void, in which the beating of the heart is heard like a bell. I still haven't decided for myself whether it's a heart beating of 47 or not, but MY heart seemed to be beating in unison with it. And as soon as the club appears on the horizon, the beat of the heart flows into a musical beat. It's great. I don't know about you, but I'm delighted.

During the first walkthrough I immediately wondered: who killed this poor fellow? And now it seems to me that it was Olivia. Especially when you consider that the corpse is close to the gas station and in the phone conversation she, shivering, reports that she SEEMS to have killed one of the agents. Why ''SEEMS''? Because, obviously, the injury was non-lethal. We can ''read'' it on the corpse: the knife is stuck in the left shoulder. Sloppy, as if in a rush /chase. The injury is not lethal, but the guy had a hard time. Perhaps he died of blood loss much later.

I was obsessed with an idea that we need to find targets ourselves. Previously Diana did it for us, but "she can't help us now". First, I was confused. But later my mood was like ''HOW COOL IT IS''. I don't know why some ppl consider ICA agents as not remarkable. Guys, c'mon, I didn't even immediately realize that there are more than 5 of them, and they are all different! Each has its own position, undercover role, manner of speech. The agents are amazingly described, and for me they stand in the same rate with Tamara Vidal now (an insanely smart and interesting woman).

Have you ever seen Montgomery??? It's just FDIFSDJFKJFDKFLDKFLJSL. Such a DICK. Too bad 47 just kicked the table. It could be a way better if 47 low the table on agent's head and jump on the top of it. Smth like a control shot jump. Such a disgusting character... I hope that he just compensates his small penis with his speeches, because I just wanted to break his face for what he'd say.

I think you've already understand what exactly pissed me off in his speech. Yeah, the mention of Grey.

Aaaaand let's smoothly move on to this. Now I want to step back a little from the discussion of Berlin itself and say something to everyone who had a hard time going through the scene after Dartmoor. Yes, Lucas was my light, my sunshine and my motivation to play over the past years. Yes, his death was a shock (such a shock that I said "fuck" and turned off the game after 47 appears near the gas station). But I do not like being sad for a long time. Like... SAD.

Listen. Listen. It would be bad if after death the character disappeared from everywhere forever. THAT would be crap. It would be bad if there was not a single mention of him in the game after his death. But... Berlin, Mendoza, that fcking train. We learn A LOT of information about Grey here, which complements his portrait. C'mon! Chechnya, guard's and agent's whispering. Yes, damn it, they are afraid of him. If 47 is a legend, almost a myth, then Grey seems to be the real incarnation of the devil for them. I repeat, they are afraid of him. Otherwise I don’t know why a huge well-armed group was send to capture him (which walks on the train in sapper armor). I just listened to all these dialogues with a malicious smile and was like hehehe dats mah boiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

After all, the character is still in the fandom, the fandom has no end, everyone in it is alive and happy. So, Lucas, lie down, do not twitch, and I will bring hydrogen peroxide and a first aid kit.

If you don't call me the best psychologist after that, just don't talk to me ever again.There is so much shit in life, no need to be sad in such a good fandom. Just DON'T.

Let's return to Berlin. Or rather to Rolf, the owner of the club. From the dialogues we understand that he knew Grey for a long time. At first I even thought that it was Rolf who gave 47 and Grey motorcycles. These ones:

But then I quickly realized that I had problems with geography, and there was simply no point in bringing bikes from Germany to England. By the way, an interesting point: in my mind bike doesn't fit 47. Any expensive and stylish car - yes. Lucas is the opposite. The bike fits him, but the car is not.

I don't know what kind of "business" they had there. But if you consider that Grey already had experience working with the Delgado's drug cartel (and Rolf, for a moment, has a cocaine warehouse in a club), this "business" could be is somewhat similar to a mutually beneficial partnership with Rico.

And the very dialogue between Montgomery and Rolf hints us what could have happened if the one man didn't die, you know. And that's cool too. "To help him and two friends out to... well, slip away". As I understand it, this is about the so-called "Team Grey" (Lucas, 47, Olivia). And after Dartmoor everyone was supposed to meet in the safehouse in Berlin. It was an ideal plan, if the Constant hadn't found Diana and Grey. The only question is what would they do next. Planning to capture Edwards again, based on the dossier we've took from Carlisle?

Hell, I love IO because they leave a huge part of the plot just in the dialogues, which makes the game extremely replayable. And every time you pass a level you just oh. OH! This allows players make their own guesses and put the puzzle together. Not to mention the little things that are just scattered around the location. At first I THOUGHT I saw Florida Man. Then I realized that it is not my imagination. This guy is generally the best flexer:

I will end the essay with a comparison of 47 and the club logo. 

I love that the mission is called "Apex Predator" and the bikers' emblem bears Fenrir, an alpha predator from north myths that devours the sun. It is he who begins Ragnarok - the end of the world. It seems to me that this is a direct allegory to 47. It is in Berlin that his bloody procession begins, which puts an end to this story. But damn it, how nice to watch this end of the world.

That's it, I've already said a lot. Let me summarize briefly: 47 - alpha predator Lucas - lie down and don't move, I'm already going with a first aid kit Olivia - keep it up Diana - queen Montgomery - dick

[emblematicemblazer]

World building and theories of Engage

Brodian Military

Brodia has a vast military housed within the many gates and garrisons that lead up to the great hall of the castle. The castle itself is a military fortress built up in a great rock with defence at its heart. In chapter 7, The Kingdom of Might, you are provided with a military installation of a ballista that can only be helmed by an archer. It is the first time you encounter such an installation, it is a sign of the military focus. In the manga, Diamant says that no one can get inside the castle. 

At the start of the story, Brodia is at war with Elusia. I believe this war is loosely based on the Anglo-Scottish Wars comprising the various battles which continued to be fought between the Kingdom of England (Elusia) and the Kingdom of Scotland (Brodia) in the early 14th century through to the latter years of the 16th century. Just like the Anglo- Scottish Wars it wasn't just a war of military strength but also a propaganda war. Alcryst describes the Elusians as 'wicked' and justified military action as 'keeping their unpredictable country in check,' in Chapter 7, The Dark Emblem. Elusia's worship of the Fell Dragon and the first Divine v Fell Dragon wars make it quite easy to create a malicious stereotype of Elusia. This stereotype would aid the arguments in favour of military action. Another justification for military action is profit. The nobles certainly push for military action to increase their territory and their resources. Diamant laments the difficulty of changing the single minded focus of the nobility in his conversations with Alfred and Ivy. 

Military might is the main method of social mobility. If you compare the retainers of Firene and Brodia, three out of four of the Firenze retainers come from the nobility and have a history of friendship with the royal family, whereas three out of four of the Brodian retainers come from the common folk. Amber, Jade and Lapis impressed in military tournaments to obtain their roles. Saphir is another demonstration of someone with strength gaining an important position in the Brodian military. She was originally a commoner from a fishing village.

The main units you receive when the Brodians are recruited are infantry. The infantry units mainly use physical weaponry and Lapis introduces the smash weaponry. Citrinne is an exception to the rule, She is a magical unit from the nobility and while the other characters are associated with strength, she bemoans her lack of it. This is evident in her conversations with Alcryst and Lapis. Lapis is renowned for fighting bears, Jade has earned the title of 'Iron Wall' and Amber is infamous for going off to fight monsters. 

Amber is the only Brodian aided by an animal. He comes riding in on 'horsey' in Chapter 8, The Kingdom of Might. I believe the reason for this is because Brodian pride requires strength to be displayed without help. King Morion wants to fight King Hyacinth without the aid of an emblem ring. He wants to show strength without any aid. He fights Hyacinth on his own two feet. When King Morion fights King Hyacinth, the majority of the troops are infantry. Amber does not have that same sense of pride. He needs to have aid from other humans (Jade and Diamant getting him out of trouble) and animals (cuddly alpacas or his horse), even if he sometimes rues not being able to complete a job because he has had a pratful moment. 

Fighting ability is an important quality in a Brodian ruler.  In Diamant's support conversation with Timerra they discuss their different ruling styles. 

 "I don’t think I do. I train to grow stronger so I can better protect my people."

 He sees the ability to protect his people as the most important leadership quality, that could be because of a culture of competition and strength and a history of war. Despite this culture he also wants to bring peace to Brodia and end Brodia's bloody history. 

 "Ultimately, as leaders, I think it’s our duty to believe that peace is possible." (Conversation with Timerra)

 "My father was focused on our kingdom’s affairs when he began expanding our territory by force. That singular focus is how things have always been done in Brodia…but that needs to change." (Conversation with Ivy).

 Diamant understands the need to change the culture of his kingdom and the relationship to other kingdoms, he also recognises that change takes time and there will be resistance. It would be interesting to visit Brodia 1000 years in the future and see if the seeds of peace and economic changes sown by Diamant have endured. 

[fatesdeepdive]

Entry 20: Oops! All Supports #2

You know, now that Ryoma and Felicia have joined us, we actually have all of our main units. Let’s learn a bit more about them via mediocre Support Conversations.

Support: Corrin/Ryoma

C: Corrin asks Ryoma to tell her about what their siblings were like as children. Ryoma doesn’t, because he’s busy.

B: Ryoma talks about what the siblings were like as kids. Hinoka was a crybaby and the other three were exactly the same as they are as adults. Ryoma also talks about how he wishes Takumi had more mental fortitude, Azura opened up more, and Sakura took better care of herself. It’s nice that he cares so much about his siblings, but also Ryoma is roasting them.

A: Corrin is sad about having missed her life with the Hoshidans and Ryoma promises to make new memories with her. He also gives Corrin a ring the Hoshidans made as children and promised they would give to Corrin as soon as she returned. I guess they all forgot until now.

S: Ryoma reveals that Corrin isn’t a blood relative, something that he’s known for years and never told Corrin. This makes everything he does in Conquest really weird. Also, it’s kinda messed up that he lied to Corrin constantly up until now. Corrin states that Sumeragi, who died saving her, is still her father. Then Ryoma proposes and they get married. Ugh. I wonder how the other siblings would react to Ryoma marrying their sister, because the letter doesn’t exist in this timeline.

Review: Ignoring the inceSt Rank conversation, this isn’t great. Corrin wanting to learn about her past is good, but it only happens in the B-Rank. Ryoma vowing to make new memories is good, admittedly, but I wanted more from this one.

Support: Kaze/Setsuna

C: Setsuna sneaks up on Kaze by accident, because apparently she’s uncomparably stealthy when spaced out. Kaze offers to train her to become a ninja.

B: Setsuna falls in a pit and Kaze helps her escape.

A: Setsuna, thanks to Kaze’s help, learns to escape from the traps she constantly gets caught in. Kaze decides that Setsuna should stick to being an archer.

S: Kaze explains that he’s been spending so much time with Setsuna because he’s constantly worried she’ll accidentally kill herself. He proposes so he can always be around to protect her.

Review: Okay, but just okay. Setsuna accidentally being sneaky is fun and Kaze worrying about her is cute, but that’s about it.

Support: Hana/Jakob

C: Hana asks Jakob to train with her. He is very rude to her.

B: Jakob makes fun of Hana for training. Hana explains that she trains so hard so she can protect Sakura, something Jakob somehow didn’t figure out.

A: Jakob agrees to spar with Hana so he can become stronger for Corrin.

S: Jakob proposes.

Review: This one has some good dialogue, with Hana and Jakob bouncing off one another in a fun way, but the plot is lacking and Jakob is a bit too mean.

Support: Azura/Hinoka

C: Hinoka apologizes for ignoring Azura recently, which is a thing that she’s been doing I guess.

B: Azura and Hinoka go shopping together.

A: Hinoka gives Azura a necklace she made.

Review: None of these are very good. Worse, they don’t even flow together. It’s a shame Hinoka and Azura’s line is mediocre; Hinoka’s characterization is centered around her losing Corrin, and Azura was essentially a replacement for Corrin. There could be some great drama derived from their interactions, but this Support Line is incredibly mediocre.

Support: Felicia/Subaki

C: Subaki is terrified of Felicia because of her klutziness. This makes Felicia cry and throw wet laundry at him.

B: Felicia, upset over the C-Rank, almost ruins dinner. Subaki, hiding in the pantry, stops her.

A: Felicia, thanks to Subaki’s help, makes a good meal.

S: Subaki says he loves Felicia because of the chaos she brings.

Review: This one was cute. Subaki freaking out over Felicia being cursed is fun, as is him injuring himself to protect her.

Support: Sakura/Silas

C: Sakura tries to ask Silas something, but can’t spit it out because of anxiety.

B: Sakura, still unable to spit it out, tries to examine Silas. She mutters something about a curse.

A: Sakura finally explains what’s going on. She thinks Silas is cursed and has fake memories, which is actually a really interesting idea. He says he doesn’t.

S: Silas is sick...lovesick! He proposes to Sakura by pretending to be unable to breathe. Normally it’d be cute, but Sakura’s a medic and I feel like messing with her head like that is uncalled for.

Review: I like how the game acknowledges that Silas is a dumb character who they should have given a better backstory. Setting that aside, this one isn’t great. Sakura spends three Supports mumbling before she explains what’s going on. Remember, these supports are usually read days apart by players.

Support: Mozu/Saizo

C: Saizo finds Mozu farming, the most important thing to do while you’re invading an evil empire. Saizo offers to help her out, because he grew crops as a child in the mountains.

B: Mozu cooks for Saizo and he likes it because it reminds him of the country.

A: The same thing as the B-Rank.

S: Saizo offers to take Mozu back to his village and proposes.

Review: This one is surprisingly cozy and nice for a Saizo support. Not bad.

Support: Hayato/Hinoka

C: Hayato fins Hinoka folding origami cranes. She explains the classic paper crane wish trope and Hayato offers to help.

B: Hayato supplies Hinoka with papers enchanted with magic charms.

A: Hinoka completes the charms with Hayato’s help.

S: As Hinoka teaches Hayato more origami, he proposes because of her compassion.

Review: Not bad. Calm, but nice. I especially like the detail of young Hinoka folding cranes and wishing for Sumeragi’s safety. I guess she didn’t fold enough.

Support: Azama/Rinkah

C: Rinkah goes to Azama for healing and refers to him as a heretic. Azama refuses to heal her. She then dies in a battle with a swordmaster who proceeds to eviscerate Azama, because that is what happens when you don’t heal your allies.

B: Rinkah points out that calling Azama a heretic is justified, because he is an atheist. Azama does not deny this and explains that he’s a monk not because of faith, but because his parents were. Rinkah goes full Jehovah’s Witness on Azama and demands he worship her fire god, who is also apparently a dragon because every Fire Emblem diety is a dragon.

A: Rinkah suggests Azama stop being a monk and he explains that he’s a monk because he’s good at healing people and put in a lot of work to become one. Rinkah begrudgingly accepts this.

S: Rinkah and Azama agree to go on a pilgrimage to a mountain associated with the god of flame together. Also Azama proposes because he likes arguing with Rinkah.

Review: I have very mixed feelings on this one. Azama’s atheism is such an interesting idea that hasn’t shown up in any other supports yet. I don’t really think this support uses the concept as well as it could, and Rinkah is unbearable during this one, but it is a line that gives Azama depth.

Support: Kaden/Oboro

C: Kaden finds Oboro making braided bracelets. She offers to teach him how to braid.

B: Kaden tries and fails at braiding.

A: Oboro finishes Kaden’s braid for him and gives it to him as a gift. Kaden praises Oboro’s passion and Oboro thanks him for giving her company. Then he tries to quit and she drags him back.

S: Kaden finally makes a braid, which he proposes with. It’s cute.