#this is from chapter 3 of part 1

[lazinesswrites]

Crosshair doesn’t sigh in relief when he sees Tech gently easing open the vent grill, if only because his training and his pride won’t allow it. His comm link is still active; Hunter would definitely hear him. He will admit it to himself though: He is relieved. It sounded like they were in the vents, but it could just be a bad signal, or they could be using the vent system to go somewhere else, somewhere Crosshair wouldn’t be able to cover them. The information he's given them is all correct, his intentions sincere, but he understands why they might not believe him. Not after everything he has done. With and without the chip.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

What is Ace’s Unique Magic? I know we all seen it today, but can you please explain what it does?

Ace gets his unique magic in 7-290 of the main story! The name is Joker Snatch. Written, the UM name reads as Give me/I’ll be taking your trump card. The incantation is, “I’ll take your best/most precious treasure!”

After Ace casts his spell, Riddle is shocked and remarks that his magic “turned into a playing card.” The special effects here are the same as when Trey turned the rose bushes into playing cards in book 1. This might imply that Ace first used Trey's UM to neutralize Riddle's incoming collar? Or maybe they meant it as in Riddle’s UM became a literal card which Ace then grabbed, allowing him to use Off with your Head to collar his dorm leader. It’s hard to say with the limitations of a visual novel format and its current assets, but I personally interpreted it as the latter.

At first, it may look that Ace copied or stole Riddle’s UM. However, Sebek suggests that is seemed like “[Ace’s] magic and Riddle-senpai’s magic got swapped.”

Unfortunately, that’s all we know about Joker Snatch right now. Ace literally just got his UM, so even he doesn’t fully understand what it does or what its limitations or drawbacks are.

Like, would Ace able to reproduce even a very strong spell like Malleus’s Fae (of) Maleficence? Would he be able to feasibly control it? Would it physically harm Ace if he did? Was Sebek right that it’s a UM swapping spell and not outright stealing or copying a UM? Does this extend to all magic spells and not just unique magic? We don’t know!

I suspect we’ll learn more about it in the updates to come ^^

[triglycercule]

horrortale waterfall game broke me sorry (hey just like horror!)

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

I hope to work on *all* of these ideas eventually; this poll is to see what excites people the most!

[lunarharp]

if i just told you i love you would this world change

[partyhorn]

Doodle of Molly from that one side project I was working on a while back... got too busy to do much with it for a bit, but I'm still working on it!

[penumbra-mayhem]

i feel joy and oh how it burns (pt. 2/2)

Tank opens up to Milo about their relationship with Sam.

part 1 // hurt/comfort // 1.1k words

(I hc Tank with a stutter, more on that here.)

——————————————

“Stop hogging the popcorn,” Milo whined, reaching blindly for the bowl with one hand while his eyes remained glued to the screen. 

“St-top t-t-taking all mmmmy kills,” Darlin’ retorted, shielding the bowl from Milo’s grasp with their body.

“Well, if you knew how to aim—”

“Fuck off!” Darlin’ cackled.

Milo beamed at the sound. As he killed two more zombies, he asked, “I’m gonna get something to drink, you want anything?”

Darlin’ shook their head. “N-No, I-I’m g—fucker, that wwwwas mmmmy kill!! ”

He paused the game with a bark of laughter. “Not anymore! Alright, I’m going. There better still be popcorn in that bowl when I get back,” he teased.

As Milo got up, Darlin’ made a playful show of stuffing a handful of popcorn in their mouth. Milo gasped and snatched the bowl from their lap, exclaiming, “Y’know what? I’m taking it with me!”

He scurried into the kitchen with a titter as Darlin’ made popcorn-muffled sounds of protest from the couch. Milo grabbed two bottles of Jarritos: guava for himself and lime for Darlin’ because he knew that if he didn’t as soon as he sat back down Darlin’ would be all puppy eyes and regret and he’d have to get up again.

When he re-entered the living room, though, he found them glued to their phone looking…concerned?

“What’s up?” Milo asked as he set the bottles on coasters and placed the popcorn bowl equally between them.

“N-Nothing,��� Darlin’ muttered. They stuffed their phone under their leg, eyes glassy and unable to meet Milo’s scrutinous stare. 

“T, you look…” like you’re about to cry “…upset.”

They waved a hand. “It-It’s n-n-n-nothing, just Sam…”

“Sam?” Milo’s voice hardened, fear flashing in his eyes, “What’d he do?”

Darlin’ looked up at the sudden change in Milo’s tone. They backpedaled as they realized their mistake, “WWWait—”

“Did he hurt you?”

“N-N-N—”

“Don’t lie to me, Tank—”

“I-I’m n-n-n-n-not!” Darlin’ blurted, “N-N-No. Sam wwwwould n-n-n-never.”

Milo sat back, hackles lowering. “Then what is it?”

Darlin’s gaze lowered and they balled their hands, as if the words were inked onto their palms. They couldn’t explain. Milo wouldn’t understand. They barely even understood.

Suddenly, a piece of popcorn hit them square in the face. 

“Hey,” they retorted, glaring at a gleeful Milo. 

He threw another piece. 

“St-top,” Darlin’ whined, throwing a piece in retaliation. 

“Tell me what’s going on and I will,” Milo countered as he pelt Darlin’ with piece after piece of popcorn, “C’mon. C’mon. C’mon. C’mo—”

“Ok-kay!!” Darlin’ exclaimed, hands held up against the savory barrage. They dug their phone back out and pulled up their conversation with Sam. 

“It-It’s just the l-l-l-last mmmessage…” Darlin’ mumbled as they passed the phone to Milo. 

He took it gingerly and read Sam’s most recent text:

Thinking of you, I hope you’re having a good time at Milo’s. I thought maybe later we could get dinner at Finch & Presley’s and then get gelato at that place you like on the corner. Thoughts? No rush, take your time baby. Have fun!

Milo reread it, certain he had missed something. When his third scan still gleaned no clues, he handed their phone back and admitted, “I don’t understand. What’s the problem?”

Darlin’ shoved their phone away again. “He…he’s…so…good.”

“…go on.”

Darlin’ chewed at their inner cheek. “He mmmmakes mmme hap-p-py,” they admitted, “MMMore than I-I thought I-I c-could b-b-b-be.”

“And that’s bad?”

They nodded. 

“How come?”

Darlin’ looked away, shutting themself down again.  

Milo raised his hand slowly in response, popcorn at the ready. 

Catching the movement out of the corner of their eye, Darlin’ sighed in surrender, “WWWhat if I-I don’t mmmake him hap-p-py?”

Milo’s popcorn-loaded hand lowered in confusion. “What?”

Darlin’ shrugged; it was stupid, they were being stupid.

“Hold on,” Milo said, tossing his unthrown popcorn into his mouth before fishing his phone from his pocket. As he searched his screen, he explained sheepishly, “I uh…I like to take candids of the people in my life…and then I keep them, just for me to look at—where is, ah! here we go.”

He thrust his phone into Darlin’s hands.

They were met with a photo of them and Sam on the first night of the Solstice, laughing together in a corner. Darlin’ glanced back up at Milo.

“Go on,” he insisted, “I’ve only met him a couple of times, so I just have a few, but I think you’ll get the idea.”

Darlin’ furrowed their brow but acquiesced.

Sam and Darlin’ at the Solstice the following evening, snuggled together by a fireplace. Sam and Darlin’ on a double date with Milo and Sweetheart, discussing appetizers. Sam and Darlin’ at the most recent pack meeting, chatting with Asher.

They looked back up at Milo, their face and ears a pale pink. Milo secretly took some delight in Darlin's flustered appearance. It was a pleasant change from their usual scowl or worried frown.

“You know what all of those have in common?”

Darlin' shook their head. 

“Sam is smiling. In every single one.”

Scrolling back through, they found that Milo was right. In each photo, Sam had his eyes on Darlin’ and a smile on his face. Sometimes it was small and soft. Sometimes he was beaming, his whole face crinkled in joy. The pale pink deepened to red.

“Sam doesn’t look like that when you’re not in the room. You make him so happy,” Milo murmured, “And for what it’s worth, you make me happy, too.”

Darlin’ handed Milo back his phone and quickly rubbed at their eyes, hoping Milo wouldn’t notice. But, of course, he did. 

“Hey,” he whispered, scooching closer. 

“S-Sorry…” Darlin’ sniffled, wiping the tears from their flushed cheeks in growing frustration.

“You don’t need to apologize, T. You’re allowed to…” be weak “...show how you’re feeling.” 

Milo moved the popcorn bowl and cooed, “C’mere.”

Darlin’ lifted their head to see Milo’s arms stretched out towards them. They hesitated. Milo was sure they’d reject the offer, but then Darlin’ surprised them both as they crawled into his embrace.

Burying their face in his shirt, they whimpered, “WWWhy d-does it-it hurt?”

Milo sagged. In a sense, he’d been right. Sam was hurting them, but it was the one kind of pain Milo would allow. And the only kind he didn’t know how to ease. He tightened his hold on Darlin’, taking a moment to breathe before answering:

“Warmth can sometimes feel like burning when you’ve been cold for long enough. I think maybe it’s the same with joy. But it’ll get easier. It’ll hurt less, eventually. Just give it time.”

[inseparabiles]

taps foot impatiently

when will it be late enough to post this chapter

[muchmossymess]

you guys have no idea how much i think about the malice champions (the game calls them "hollows" and thats quite frankly terrifying)

[doctorweebmd]

8900

I was optimistic that today may have been the day, but there ended up being wayyy too much to edit. But chapter 5 is, more or less, done. One final read-through and touch up and it will be up TOMORROWWWW.

EVERYTHING IN HALVES MY BELOVED YOU ARE ABOUT TO JOIN THE RANKS OF MY FICS THAT SAY 'oh. ohhh. the writer is insane. okay. 👍'

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

I was watching a playthrough of Riddle's dream, and noticed that when Riddle orders Trey and Cater to make Ace and Deuce let go, it seems to be a parallel to book 1

Riddle orders Trey and Cater to remove Ace and Deuce, and the two juniors meekly obey their housewarden's orders with a "yes, housewarden" and a guilty look on their face both times

but the first time, it's out of an indignation over broken rules, and the second, it's out of concern for the underclassmen

I can't stop thinking about this

[You can read my own thoughts on book 7 chapter 12 part 3 here!]

YEAH 😭 THE PARALLEL IS SO STAGGERING, I FELL ONTO MY HANDS AN DKNEES In this scene in 1-17, after Ace accidentally brings a chestnut tart to an unbirthday party (which breaks rule 562). Adeuce, Yuu, and Grim refuse to leave, so Riddle commands Trey and Cater to eject them from the premises. More specifically, Riddle uses the term "drag them out."

In 7-291, Riddle starts sinking into his dream's darkness. Ace and Deuce immediately rush to him and try to pull Riddle out, despite their dorm leader's insistence that they run to safety. Because Adeuce refuse to leave him behind, Riddle commands Trey and Cater to "take them (Adeuce) and go":

In book 1, Trey and Cater reluctantly agree to do as they're told. Their expressions are pretty blank. There's a pause, and then they speak quietly, punctuated by a period, like they feel bad for what they're about to do.

In book 7, Trey and Cater look much more determined and shout their allegiance to Riddle. Look at the big text and that juicy exclamation point!!

It's a "...... yes, dorm leader." versus a "...... YES, DORM LEADER!" It's punishment for breaking an arbitrary rule, no clemency given, and commanding the upperclassmen to look after the safety of the underclassmen. Look at how far Heartslabyul has come 😭

[bedlamsbard]

running through plot ideas for The Next Big Fic in a "well everyone ELSE did this ten years ago but I haven't done it yet" *shows up ten years late with Starbucks* kind of way

[always-a-joyful-note]

An underrated thing about i7 is how they really went all in in drilling the names of the members in the first part. The amount of times their full names were listed in numerical order was not excessive but noticeable

[goldentigerfestival]

Forgot to post this earlier but I did in fact comb the entire Vesperia script to determine how many times he uses ま/まあ throughout the game, along with a few other phrases he uses repeatedly. This counts all of main story, every single sidequest, and every single skit in the game.

Final counts were:

ま/まあ: 280

Ma/Maa; translates to "well". He uses this at the beginning of a sentence usually, but it's sometimes in the middle. "Ma" is usually more quick and snappy. "Maa" is more thoughtful and/or prolonged. Obviously it can vary based on context, but that's the general breakdown.

んじゃ and any variants: 133

Nja, along with variants such as "ja", "soreja", etc. Variants are counted when they're all used to express "let's get going", when they're about to head off ("ja" could be used in a sentence such as "ja/but then, why is xyz like this", etc). They encompass translations such as "well then" (let's get going implied. includes "so then", "then" "alright then", and so on), "we should be off", "let's get going", "let's go", etc. (not to be confused with 行こう(ikou), 行くぜ, (ikuze), and other similar versions of this phrase. That can also mean "let's go", but any instances of Yuri using that particular phrase was not counted because it wasn't a variant of, specifically, んじゃ, which is also his most common "let's go" ja variant).

おい / おいおい: 66

Oi/Oi oi; translates to "hey"/"hey, hey", though "oi" is more or less an accepted word in English nowadays.

おっと: 12

Otto (not to be confused with "oto", referring to sound); an expression of surprise that can translate roughly to "whoa there" (which is the most common translation I do see for it and what I'd use in most cases too, context of course varying). The reason I included this one despite it being so seemingly low in number is because it's not a particularly common expression, much less one used multiple times by a single character? It's so rare from anyone else, which is just a regular thing relative to Yuri and his dialogue/speech (i.e. most characters sparingly use phrases repeatedly, as compared to Yuri... as you can see lol. Other characters use these words/phrases, but nowhere near as regularly, if regularly at all).

Realized along the way I should've included やれやれ (yare yare, "good grief", "oh dear", "oh boy" etc), but by the time I realized I should have in case it was an interesting count, I was too far into the script to be able to handle going all the way back through it LOL.

No. No, I am not joking that Yuri used ま/まあ 280 times throughout the course of the game. That is to say, it could be more if I missed any, but on the assumption I didn't, that's where it stands.

Why do I love this so much? Because it's a very specific character quirk of a character I adore. I'm very fond of his repetition. Thank you.

[deus-ex-mona]

how long will chapter 5 even be my g o s h

[funkle420]

*takes my last adderall so i can finish all my work in one day*

*finishes one (1) assignment*

*gets distracted and spends the rest of the day hyperfocusing on delicious in dungeon again*