#you'll ship what you ship and I'll ship what I ship ;)

[ravenstargames]

✦ Lost in Limbo Devlog #13 | 11.11.24

Feels good to be back! This is our first post-Kickstarter devlog and I'm so excited to be writing it.

First of all— Lost in Limbo was successfully funded on September 20th, 2024! 🎉🎇

Yep, it has been almost two months, but it's still something to celebrate! Thanks to every single one of you for making this possible! We didn't meet all our stretch goals (there were a lot and taxes are a pain) but that doesn't mean we are giving up on those. More on that another time.

There's a lot of things we want to show y'all, so let's jump into it!

A sneak peak of Envy's postcard!

Raquel has been working hard on getting the "special postcards from your favorite LI" ready to send them to print ASAP! Initially we were going to use art we already had of the LIs, but we thought it was more exciting to offer y'all exclusive art pieces. After this, Raquel will focus exclusively on the rework of the sprites!

We hosted a few polls and got a lot of feedback. If you missed it, you can check it here!

Astro says hello :^)

As you know, the Extended Demo will feature more locations, including a glimpse of the MC's city, Faybourne! Astro is getting the main street ready for you and your bestie as you go on about your day. I've calculated around three / four different and new locations to properly pace the demo as we imagined it in the first place!

The writing deparment (me. i'm the department) has been focusing on the Extended Demo script. I have a lot of things to play with, like the flavor choices, the personality choices, and more. I want to create a proper balance because one of the things y'all asked for was more choices, and the pacing needed a bit of fixing, as we already knew!

The Extended Demo will actually introduce characters you've heard about, like your mom, your ominous grandmother, and your bestie. So no more talking about them, you'll actually get to meet them like we wanted to!

There will also be more time with the LIs, and hopefully the amount of time you spend with each one of them will feel more balanced, too.

Programming has been an adventure! Huge shoutout to Feniks for helping me figure out how to properly make a toggle for the timed choices as well as helping me polish the personality system. What a lifesaver!

So the timed choices toggle now works perfectly. That means you'll be able to turn them off if you'd like to play the game without being jumpscared by a timer—that doesn't mean you won't be able to mess up, though, on purpose or not :^) This is a dark game, after all!

The personality choice system lets you decide how the MC reacts to things including the nature of your romance with the LI. That means dialogue will automatically change in certain parts of the game to reflect the personality of your MC, some options will be locked, some unlocked, etc. There's three different personalities available.

For colorblind folks, the choices will have a different icon when you hover over them for you to know they're different!

Also, I've started coding some extra mini cgs Kayden's been working on! There'll be more in the Extended Demo to enhance the experience, so we hope you enjoy them! :^)

All the packaging stuff has arrived to our provisional headquarters (Raquel's home), and our business cards have been secured! Every backer with physical goodies will receive one for free :^) This month has been all about managing Backerkit, orders and merch, as well as preparing the Extended Demo. We hope we can receive everything very very soon and start shipping packages starting December!

For now, that's it! There's a lot of stuff going behind the scenes, a lot of things that need attention, and a lot of planning happening. Also the catastrophe the DANA has been on our cities is keeping me a bit on edge, but I'm trying to focus on work. This Saturday I'm going on a trip to Greece with my family, so I'll disconnect then! It's our first time traveling to a different country since I was like...seven years old? And we have been saving up and preparing a lot for the trip, so we are excited :^)

I hope everyone has been taking care and doing alright! Have a huge hug from the Ravenstar Team, and see you around!

[bamsywrites]

And Comes Dawn pt 12

Pairing: unrequited Isildur x Reader, mentions of Sauron/Halbrand reader, possible future requited Isildur x Reader

Tags: angsty, unrequited love, Isildur curses like a sailor and like breaks peoples bones, reader runs away from her problemsReader gets into trouble obvi, surprise kinda toward the end.

Notes: I told you I'd be feeding you but I'm not sure that yall will like this one. No sauron. Just isildur. There's some foreshadowing at the end and that's what I think might ruffle some of yalls feathers 😬😬 also it's not the best. I'm still getting a feel for isil.

“No, no. Isildurs fingers wrapped around your wrist, tilting it ever so slightly, “you must block like this. The tilt gives you the advantage to push in. It gives you easier access to defend more of your body. Having the sword straight up will make you more vulnerable.”

You nodded following his example. You'd been at this for a few hours with him. He'd been insistent when he found you were going on the expedition back to your homeland. He knew that the main reason you were going was that Halbrand was making the trip as well, but you had offered your skills as a healer. He couldn't stomach sending you into a battlefield without you having some combat knowledge.

“That's a good girl,” he commented with a laugh as you blocked several of his attempts. “But watch your feet. You have to be ready to move to either side.”

He stopped again. “Bend your knees like this,” he demonstrated the position he was talking about. “That way, you'll be ready for whatever movement you may need to make.”

You nodded and copied his position, and then you were back to practicing, trying to use everything he had taught you. He'd give you praise when you blocked or got a hit, offer advice when you missed. The light around you was dimming, and you were making progress. He was genuinely proud of the progress you made.

“One more go, alright, then I have to get some food or I fear I'll perish.” He commented, his heart soaring at the sound of your laugh.

The sound of the wooden swords hitting each other as you practiced filled the street. Suddenly, you went to block, and he was able to twirl you away, bringing you into his sword and against his chest.

“I win,” he laughed before noticing how close you were to him. He could see every freckle on your face, every faint scar from childhood, the different specs of color that made up your eyes. The air felt hot and crushing around him. He hated how gorgeous you were and how his mind would wander to a world that couldn't be.

A world where, in this instance, he could kiss you.

He he held your gaze, he didn't know for how long but then his eyes wandered down to your lips and he saw how soft they looked. He wandered if they were. He wondered if things were different, would you allow him to kiss you.

The words tumbled from his lips before he could stop them.

“I wish a could kiss you.”

And with those words, you backed away, dropping your sword and staring at him for a moment. He could tell you didn't know what to do or say, that your mind was thinking over everything. He adored his friendship with you, just as much as he did you, and he knew those words would cause a conflict in you that might destroy that friend ship.

“I need to go,” you mumbled softly before swiftly turning on your heels and making your way down the dark streets of Numenor.

“Shit,” he mumbled under his breath and quickly followed you.

Perhaps you'd stop, and he could explain. If not, he simply needed to make sure you made it to your accommodations safely. There were plenty of Numenorians who supported this venture, but there were plenty who were not and blamed you and your companions. Some even resented you. Some threatened violence. And while Isildur could understand wanting to punch Halbrand in the face, he would not allow that harm to come to you.

“Wait, come on, just wait. Please.” He called after you, his feet carrying them after you.

Why did Elros put so many damn stairs in this city?

He feared he lost you. You were much faster than he suspected. He ran a shaky hand through his hair, a chorus of curses chanting in his mind. It was when he heard your voice from a street over that he calmed, but when he registered what you said in his mind, his blood ran cold, and he saw red.

“Please, I didn't do anything. I swear.”

You sounded scared. You sounded hurt. He'd never run so fast in his life, and the sight he saw made any semblance of calm or common sense leave his mind. A group of 3 men, all Isildurs age, and you, with a fresh cut on your face.

“I suggest you all step the fuck back,” he moved stand between them and you, his hand wrapping around your wrist to keep you behind him.

They all snickered, “and what will you do, elf lover?”

The words had only left the man's mouth and Isildur had grabbed him by the back of the head, smashing into his knee. Once. Twice. Three times before any of the mans friends got involved. It was a cacophony of curses, fists, and the crushing of bones. You had pressed your back to the wall with your eyes shut tight as it all transpired.

“I suggest you leave before I break your nose like I did both of your weak, pathetic friends.” Isildur hissed, his nose was bleeding as was his mouth, but he stood there with the others shirt in his fist as his companions sat on the ground worse for wear than Isildur was.

When the man didn't respond, Isildur growled and yanked his shirt harder. “Brave enough to strike a woman, but cowardice overtakes you now? You are pathetic. A disgrace to Numenor. The valar look on you and despair.” He pushed the other away from him.

“Leave now.”

He watched and waited for them to leave before turning to you. He limped towards you, examining your face. “Are you okay?”

“Me?!” You ask exasperated, staring at his beaten body. “Are you okay?”

“I'll survive.”

~

Less than an hour later, you were seated in his room. His home wasn't far from the attack, and he sat in silence as you tended to his wounds. He watched your face intently, the adrenaline from before had worn off for both of you and the weight of the words he spoke had started to wear on you both.

The silence had been awful for him. Normally, he'd make you laugh, or there was some witty back and forth between the two of you. You’d become a close friend in a short time. His feelings for you wereones he tried to swallow and hide, but he failed.

“I'm sorry.” He decided to break the silence first. “I never meant for you to be caught in the middle of something you never asked for.”

You silently wiped blood from his chin before sitting back and away from him. “I do not wish to hurt anyone's feelings.”

He smiled sadly, looking at his lap, “I will be honest with you, my feelings are hurt all the time. You are so, obviously in love with another man, and I do find comfort in the fact that you are happy and that he returns your love.”

He swallowed thickly, “I want you to be happy, truly. You are my friend, and I do not wish you any ill, but I know what I feel in my heart, and some days, it simply aches.”

You looked down, your lip quivering, and he felt an immense amount of guilt. He saw you part your lips to speak, and he put his hand on your knee to stop you.

“You do not need to apologize or feel guilt. I do not blame you as you have done nothing wrong. I said before, and I mean it, your friendship is not a consolation prize. It is an honor. Truly. I value our friendship more than I can say.”

You looked at him, swallowing thickly, “There's nothing wrong with you, Isil. You are funny and brave and loyal. You are a good friend and a good man.”

He smiled again, of course you would comfort him in this moment. You were simply that kind of person, and that's why he adored you so. “I'm also incredibly attractive.”

You laughed softly, wiping at your eyes.

“I should not have said it,” he spoke sincerely once more, “That was unfair to you. I hope that we can move past this. I hope we can still be friends.”

You smiled at him and nodded, “I've never had a friend like you before. I just do not wish to hurt you.”

He shook his head. Did you not know you were a rose? He'd grasp tight the thorny stem if it meant he got to view the blossom. “I am fine. I will be fine.”

You wet your lips and nodded, picking at the skin of your palm.

“Truly, don't worry. The women of Middle Earth will be throwing themselves at my feet after I save them from the orc scourge. I will have to fight them off, me and Berek may not make it back.”

You laughed softly, “You are a strange man.”

“You are a strange woman. You show up to our shores with an elf and the long-lost king of the southlands. Your friends assault our people, commit treason, and you start yelling explectives in our streets.”

You glared at him, and he couldn't help but laugh. Relief flooded his body as things settled back to normal, and he escorted you home. His heart did ache when he saw you with him but a part of him knew there was more to come between the two of you, weather a deeper bond of friendship or romance, he did not know.

And he was not wrong, for 3000 years later, a part of him and a part of you would carry on in a ranger, sat at an inn and about to embark on a journey that would change the fate of all life.

[the-reinforced-recruit]

Hey, um. I eh, need your help...

The entire ship is after me right now...

You'll help me, won't you..?

*he's out of breath. He ran all the way back to the ship*

@hired-blade

Get inside the room. Now

[he lets Merc in and quietly closes and locks the door]

what the fuck is happening, I hear Captain over the radio calling for reinforcements and to watch out for one of the Mercenaries and you're.. you're bleeding.. and...

[he stares, slowly opening his belt bag, pulling out a small spool of bandages]

will you allow me to.. I don't want it to be infected. I'm panicking. I'm scared and I don't know what to do but at the very least I can do this. I'll listen, I'll hide you. just tell me what happened. what is happening.

[he is shaking]

[satureja13]

One night (or whatever time of the 'day' it was in the vastness of space surrounding them) Jack heard a rustle behind the panels! Jack: "Kiyoshi - wake up! Did you hear this?" Kiyoshi, who was sleeping way too comfortable with his mate tugged tight in his arms, pulled Jack even closer to him: "Mhh... hm? what?" Jack: "There was something rustling behind the panels! Maybe it's an alien creature coming after us!" They scrambled out of bed. Poor Kiyoshi still half asleep.

Kiyoshi: "Maybe we have an engine damage? This is an old ship. I hope we won't have a breakdown out here ö.ö " But Jack was sure: "It sounded like an alien creature." With all the weird theories Jack's world consists of, Kiyoshi didn't even bother to ask Jack when he ever actually heard an alien creature rustle to recognize the noises they're making...

They shoved their bed aside and opened the panel. Kiyoshi had a hard time convincing Jack to stay behind - and safe. But eventually he obeyed. Even though he's a werewolf (and the Super Soldier after all!) he's not invincible. And a stern and commanding Kiyoshi is undiniably hot!

And really, there was an open vent hole - leading into a narrow shaft! Too narrow for them to enter... (luckily ö.Ö')

They closed the hatch and secured it, then moved the panel back in place. Jack: "What are we supposed to do now? We should check the others' quarters to make sure they're safe!" Kiyoshi: "Don't you think maybe the Little Ones crawled in there, nosy as they are? To spy on us?" Skully chuckled from his perch on the sideboard: "They might be nosy but they are far from being that subtle! If they'd want to watch you, they'd barrel right in hahaHA!" Kiyoshi: "Where he's right he's right."

Jack: "But see! If it's not them, it is an alien creature - and it's coming after us then!" Kiyoshi: "Jack. We are the aliens out here... Did you ever think about that? Let's sleep. Your shift starts soon. We'll figure something out, hm? I'll message the others so they can check themselves." Jack: "You drop stuff like that and think I can sleep?"

Kiyoshi: "I'll hold you and watch over you." Jack: "Tch. Well, it's reassuring that you are on the side with the hatch. It'll eat you first." Kiyoshi: "I'd be not so certain about that. You are tastier :3 " Jack poked Kiyoshi in his side but snuggled closer nonetheless.

Soon after, Jack fell sound asleep. Because he did feel safe in Kiyoshi's arms. Aliens in the ventilation shafts or not... While Kiyoshi wished he could taste Jack just once again. And maybe he put a chaste kiss on Jack's forehead. That must do.

And Skully hummed 'I'm not in Love' by 10cc.

'I like to see you, but then again That doesn't mean you mean that much to me So if I call you, don't make a fuss Don't tell your friends about the two of us

Be quiet, big boys don't cry Big boys don't cry Big boys don't cry Big boys don't cry Big boys don't cry Big boys don't cry…

I keep your picture upon the wall It hides a nasty stain that's lying there So don't you ask me to give it back I know you know it doesn't mean that much to me

I'm not in love, no, no (It's because) Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me

I'm not in love, so don't forget it It's just a silly phase I'm going through And just because I call you up Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made, ooh

I'm not in Love - 10cc

If this isn't the perfect song for the two of them then I don't know which :3 It's also from Awesome Mix No 1 (OST of Guardians of the Galaxy 1)

From the Beginning 🔱 Underwater Love 🔱 Latest

Current Chapter: starts ▶️ here Last Chapter: 'Here comes the Sun' from the beginning ▶️ here

📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 ~ 7-12 ~ 13-16 ~ 23-29

[munkustance]

I know this is kinda/probably an unpopular opinion but I just don't ship Bombalurina with either of her "big ships", aka Tugger or Demeter. I mean why would I when-

CASSANDRA IS RIGHT THERE

[molinaesque]

Yo you know what I REALLY like? When people have the audacity to reblog a post that blatantly involves a thing they don't like... Just to comment/tag how they don't like said thing. Here's a cool suggestion... How about NOT engaging with the thing that's obviously not meant for you? Or yknow make your own post about it instead of piggybacking off someone else? How CRAZY of a suggestion is that?

[xxdarkxmoth17xx]

W.I.P of a meme thing I'm working on, I completed the Nuzi section

[sekwar]

Sometimes I think about how 154 doesn't have any specific emotion tied to the two sides of their face unlike other enasonas. I rolled with it anyway because it gives then a lot more freedom when switching sides: it doesn't really do anything!

They thought about this too, then forgot about it soon after.

[cherrylight]

hello everyone. do you want to see my tua self insert whose lore is so confusing and discombobulated because of time (i also have too many ideas for her lore wise so it's okay i guess). i'm being brave, because you are seeing her and i'm indecisive.

look at my darling. i love you. (i like the one on the left a lot i'm sorry)

picrew

[lunadude1996]

Good luck getting me arrested or even in a mental asylum without admitting that Leah Hennington (aka @shittirishaterssay) revealed her real name via paypal without knowing... (her words not mine) After all this time, I finally won! @pepsi-al @malama-art @weirdgirl92 @dbzebra @red-rose-corner @pokenoire @themattress @cbcanime @saturnniidae @randomtheidiot @stuffamourshipperssay @ultraericthered @skytroops

[drengar]

I'm pretty sure Dee found a meme I reblogged and I now can't find it | Accepting as always @abasketofmuses asked: ❛  my first instinct is to protect you, no matter the cost.  ❜ (rin to haru)

His eyes narrowed for a second before he relaxed. Yeah, he was well aware of that. Haru was still mentally kicking himself for not picking up on the signs earlier. For not understanding what exactly she was doing before, well, everything came crashing down. He understood why she did it but he still wished she had actually told him instead of pushing him away. But there wasn't anything he could do now to change it. All he could do now was make it clear to Rin that she could protect him but he was going to make sure she was protected too.

"That's fine, but remember I'm going to protect you too. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you again."

[beastsovrevelation]

I have this yearning to drag the characters and ships I hate through the dirt on my blog, but I just... I have no energy to waste on drama. And, I know it feels vile, I'm not really on a crusade to hurt others.

[kyouka-supremacy]

()

[paleontaxi]

//i made a bet with kyle, and if she wins, i have to delete this blog, but i'm sure she won't win, so it's fine

[grey-automa]

Here's some sketches of a new oc im working on

[malaierba]

My unpopular (why) opinion is that Toshiro's and Falin's relationship (platonic obviously) is quite beautiful and if fans weren't so odd about shipping they'd see how very sweet it is that Toshiro started liking Falin when he realised she's an odd but gentle person, when he felt a sense of kinship that he likely never felt before.

From what we see they got along, Falin has a positive opinion of him, on the few instances when we actually see them talk (beyond just memories of them talking but no actual dialogue being shown to us) it's obvious she feels comfortable enough to be completely honest and transparent with him, while still minding his feelings. She likes the guy well enough, she doesn't want to hurt him.

The marriage proposal is actually so interesting... The way they communicate with each other. Falin let's Toshiro down gently, and reveals something so intimate about herself, how she's behaved until now, what she wants to do in the future, that she'd like to visit him again!

And Toshiro is so gentle. He obviously cares about her so much (and water is wet BUT im talking specifically about how it's portrayed in this scene). If what Maizuru says is true, that was the second time he made a "selfish" request ("marry me and come with me") but he simply asks this from her and offers reassurances, "I'll make sure you're comfortable", but he's not you know the Hardass some people pretend he is.

And what I love the most... When she rejects him not only does he accept it gracefully, he's inspired by her declaration that she wants to be more independent. Why did Falin say that? To spare his feelings further? Or because she knew that this realisation, which meant so much to her, would resonate with Toshiro too?

Gonna get personal but. I'm aroace, hello. I've had a few friendships go to shit because someone confessed to me and I rejected them. And exactly one where the person accepted it gracefully and our friendship, after surviving an awkward moment, blossomed.

Like. Relationships CHANGE, and they can develop and deepen and strengthen in many ways, regardless of the dynamic they take on. When aspecs say "friendship can be as important as romance" one of the things we mean is, allow romantic love to go back to platonic love and be stronger regardless OR EVEN because of it.

Like. How beautiful, that these two recognised a bit of themselves in each other, and knew how to approach the other. How beautiful that Ryoko tells us "their friendship survived a rejected proposal, when the commonly used trope would've made their friendship unviable from then on".

How beautiful that narratively Toshiro's sacrifice is never played for laughs or made fun of or devalued because """he didn't get the girl""', but instead the manga says "it didn't pan out but it wasn't a pointless sacrifice because Toshiro genuinely cared for Falin as a person, and always did what he thought was best even when it went against his normal behaviour." How beautiful that Falin wants to meet his friend Toshiro again, that she thinks to tell him "I'm going to start being an active participant in my own life" and Toshiro thinks "I think I need to start doing that too".

How beautifullll that a rejection ended with a promise to meet again, it's so beautiful am I insane? Can someone hear me hello?

The love was there and it mattered, but it's even better. The love shifts and survives because the care is genuine, because when you truly care about a person you'll want them in your life in whatever dynamic suits everyone involved the best. Because love, whether romantic or platonic or a mix of something else entirely, is selfless.