#isat happily Over and After

[fluttersfawn]

Hypothetical title screen for Bad End Forever / Happily Over and After AU

[scarlettnova13]

(ISAT artbook spoilers)

i do like how the creator of ISAT (insertdisc5) wrote their only two possible routes for Isa and Siffrin (either Siffrin going to therapy and eventually meeting back up with Isa and maybe trying something, or them trying to do something right away but breaking up shortly thereafter).

before reading the artbook (and insertdisc5's plans for isafrin), i thought they'd get together right away and live happily ever after, glossing over the big issues that comes from looping through time constantly and becoming extremely depressed, traumatized, and dissociated from reality.

just another reason ISAT is so good.

[cyten0]

Fun Cyberpunk ISAT Au idea!

Curtsy of the Lives worth living discord for helping cook this.

So, The King is a Cyborg Corporate Head, who took over and bought out the House of Change. Their 'curse' is a virus that puts people comatose through their Cybernetic implants, which he only started unleashing after he took over.

Every device and robot created by his corporation starts being controlled by a malevolent AI, that constantly cry loudly and attack wildly. They've been referred to as 'Sadnesses'.

The 'Change belief' is in fact Change inc., a cyberware corporation that was trying to be ethical and help people out, using corprate leverage to try and change Vaugarde for the better. Then the king took over, and ripped it to the ground.

Mirabelle: Mira joined the company because she genuinely believed in it's goals. She was snuck out by the old head with a cutting edge antivirus software before the place went down. Though, she has barely any Cyberware herself, which combined makes her nearly immune to the curse. She wants to stop the king and save people!

Isabeau: A street samurai who used to work for Change inc. for a time. When Mirabelle came to Jouvente, trying to get help, mot turned her down for being a Corpo, and tied to a company that had stopped being reputable. Isa however, noticed how genuine she was, and joined up.

Odile: She used to work in Ka bue, as a factory worker. When she started a riot, things went wrong. Her father sacrificed himself, begging her to live, as he helped her flee to Vaugarde. She changed her name to something Vaugardian, reclaiming something from her mother, and then spent her days seeing how far she can break the law without being caught. When the kings curse just started going out, she decided to help as someone with a little experience.

Bonnie: Bonnies sister had to use a lot of cybernetics to keep up, and make enough for the both of them. Some of which were made by Change inc. AFTER the king took over. When the king unleashed the curse, Nille was hit by both the curse, and the Sadness code., robotic enough to count for it. She managed to hold back her own body just long enough to help Bonnie flee. Bonnie uses the knowledge they gained taking care of Nille to help cook, maintain cybernetics, and fix up some body code.

Siffrin: A hacker and rouge. They pilot a proxy android body, not really meeting the party IRL at all. But their skills are unmatched, and happily joined the party.

But when Dormont happened, they went to a quiet spot, and thought to themselves 'You want to stay with them'. And then the timeloop happened.

As it continued on, they realized some oddities. They don't remember where they're from. Sometimes they can hear the king's thoughts when facing him. They... can't see where they really are...

Loop: A hologram that pesters both Siffrin and the party, only directly revealing them to Siffrin. They know the entire House. All events within the timeframe. Perfectly encoded into their circuitry. To the point where several of their loops were actually fully simulated. But now, now they can just manipulate things from the sidelines! They can find a way forwards. To fulfill the Main Directive.

King: They remember fragments. Fragments of a perfect island. They took over this human body, tricking it's old host into implants that would let them control them. And now. Now, even if they must trample the will of the people, they will remake that perfect world. That is their Main Directive.

'The Island' was once a collective AI simulation, based on a location that had been long gone. But a corporation, concerned with it's power, dismantled it with a virus. It resisted, but it's various components fragmented into various mostly disconnected pieces. Siffrin and the King are two of them.

The King is designed to run activities to fulfill objectives. Their current objective is to remake the island. They are using their curse to copy and upload minds into stored copies of people, to be placed into the new system once the framework is set and Reality is no longer necessary for them.

Siffrin is designed to simulate possibilities. But with how much resources the king has obtained for the 'island' they can take that ability to a new level and literally warp reality, in a way that matches their function. Literally exploring new possibilities by turning back time. And the end goal? Was set at that tree. When they told themselves what they wanted.

Extra details:

'Ghosts' are Siffrin's psyche bleeding into stuff they hack, and reacting to their subconscious thoughts. As well as the physical version of Errors in the time manipulation software.

In act 5, Siffrin just straight up starts to override the king and sadnesses. By the time he reaches the king, it's more out of habit. The sadnesses are gone, the king can barely act. But he does manage to force back Siffrin's psyche from himself in the end by using the curse code on him.

There's likely more to this AU, but this is what we have so far.

[favourtreestar]

[ You unlocked MEMORY OF LOOP. You will always remember this. When equipped, MEMORY OF LOOP will allow you to talk to, question and gaze upon yours truly, Loop! Enjoy, stardust~ ]

ADMIN STUFF UNDER THE CUT!

THIS IS AN RP BLOG RUN BY A MINOR, ADULTS CAN INTERACT JUST DON'T BE WEIRD. DON'T ASK WEIRD QUESTIONS ETC ETC.

Due to the nature of this blog, the character etc, there will be undoubtable ISAT spoilers for the ending, act 6, twohats etc and there'll be spoilers for SASASAAP (Start Again: A Prologue). Just thought I should make you all aware!

You can refer to the admin as Jinx, B, or just Loop. I don't mind! Do what you want stardust!

ALL ASSETS IN THIS BLOG BELONG TO IN STARS AND TIME, AN RPG GAME MADE BY INSERTDISC5, I CLAIM NO RIGHTS TO IT AND I AM JUST DOING THIS FOR A BIT OF FUN ^^

Textbox stuff made here!

No NSFW asks, please.

No harassment. That means please don't spam my askbox with the same ask over and over. Any asks I deem hurtful (bigotry, asshole shit etc) will be deleted and ignored.

This is ISAT so there may be references to some deeper, more heavy stuff. I will try and TW everything as it/if it comes up

Magic anons are allowed! I may refuse them though if I can't do them!

Loop will interact with anyone! The party, Siffrin, other Loops, OCs! You can discover how they react!

Goof asks are happily welcomed!!! Please. Please. Plea

Loop is Irish because I am Irish (and British, unfortunately, but that's not the point) and I make the rules and also because of my bsf giving me an idea. Translations will be provided to my best ability. It's a very funky language, after all.

These may get updated as we go on but the most important thing is, have fun! Thank you!!

[prism-empurress]

ISAT next gen au, chapter 1.

Hi everyone! Remember that snippet I shared that was really well liked? Well here's the full thing! Chapter 1. It's Isafrin centric but I'm going to make sure everybody else has their time to shine as the story progresses.

Everybody lives together, but Loop is still missing. They'll show up eventually though.

CW for postpartum body and muscular separation.

---

Chapter 1; "Needing a bigger nest"

Siffrin scooped up his chunky baby from her crib, as she squealed happily upon seeing the return of both him and Isabeau. Celeste clung to Siffrin, giggling and kicking her feet.

“Hiiii baby star,” Siffrin cooed, moving her hair from her face and smiling wide. “Did you have a good nap?”

Odile sighed heavily, “Of course after we put her down for a nap, you two dorks show back up.”

Isabeau grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. They had just returned from their honeymoon after being away for a week.

“We...missed her a lot, while we were away.” Isabeau said, walking over and wiggling a finger in front of his little girl.

“You were gone for one week,” Odile laughed, “Seriously.”

Bonnie gasped, eyes twinkling, upon the return of them, and ran right over, hugging Siffrin’s side.

“Frin!” They exclaimed, “Za! Hi!”

Siffrin laughed, “Hey Bonbon. Do anything cool while we were gone?”

“No,” Bonnie sighed, “Just grocery shopping. Nille had to leave for another boat ride, but she told us to tell you that she’d be back in a week or so.”

“Awh.” Isabeau sighed, “I wanted to thank her for being at our bonding ceremony.”

Celeste squealed, kicking Siffrin right in the chest. Siffrin wheezed, looking down at her.

“Haven’t you done enough of that while you were growing?” They laughed, rubbing her belly. Celeste grabbed one of Siffrin’s fingers, squeezing it tightly. “Oooh, strong grip!”

“She wasn’t any trouble while we were gone, right?” Isabeau looked at Odile, who merely crossed her arms in response.

“She’s five months. She can’t do anything except hold her head up, hold her bottle, flail her arms, and squeak.” She said, shaking her head.

Mirabelle walked over, wearing a simple clothing. “Earlier, she did spill formula over me...she somehow yanked the nipple off her bottle.”

Isabeau gasped, “Just like when I was a baby…”

Siffrin laughed, handing Celeste over to Isabeau, who gladly took her into his arms. Isabeau kissed her tiny face multiple times, making the “mwah” sound with every peck. He tickled his little girl, earning many squeaks and squeals in return.

“Aaaagh, I’m never leaving you ever again. Ever ever ever.” Isabeau sighed, holding Celeste close. “Even though you like to kick.”

Finally, the luggage was brought all the way into the family’s humble home, unpacked and put away. As Siffrin was playing peekaboo with Celeste, Isabeau and the others were chatting over tea in the living room.

“I love our house, I really do.” Isabeau said, “But as Celeste gets older…”

“She’s going to need more space.” Odile stated. “Or else the two of you will be tripping over toys, left and right.”

Isabeau grimaced, glancing over at the happy girl. She was going to grow up before anybody knew it. Siffrin picked Celeste up, pretending to bite her tiny toes. This resulted in more adorable squealing for the family to coo over.

When she was born, the family had lived in a multiple room home, but...there was no room for a nursery. So, Celeste had spent her first few months of life in a crib in Isabeau and Siffrin’s shared room. But would this have effected her mentally, down the line? She was a clingy little girl, getting upset if she didn’t see anybody she recognized. Regardless, Celeste knew nothing but love in this household.

Siffrin took a home made wooden rattle out from one of his many pockets, and shook it in front of her. It wasn’t his best work, but it still did it’s job. The wooden rattle was painted dark, with light speckles to resemble stars. Inside of it were wooden beads. Celeste laughed, reaching for it.

Isabeau smiled at the sight, then looked out the window. The area didn’t really have a yard or backyard for the little girl to play in. Nor was there any room for a swingset. For Celeste to grow and thrive, she needed a bigger house to call home.

“I’ll prepare some formula for her.” Bonnie said, getting off of their seat. “I wanna feed her. Can I, Frin?”

Siffrin smiled warmly at Bonnie, “Of course. Just remember to support the head.”

Isabeau was still doing math inside of his head, running various calculations...until Odile snapped her fingers in front of his face.

“Just look for available properties in the newspaper, Isabeau.” Odile said. “I’m confident we can find a new place to move in to.”

Bonnie left for the kitchen, and Siffrin joked “I can’t wait to teach her how to throw a dagger.”

Isabeau gasped in horror. “No no no! No sharp things!”

“Kidding, Isa.” Siffrin stuck their tongue out at him, which Celeste copied.

Mirabelle gasped, “She mimicked you just now!”

“She did?” Siffrin looked back at Celeste, and stuck his tongue out again. She followed suit.

Siffrin stuck his tongue out for longer, and Celeste did the same, until Siffrin stopped.

“Birds of a feather,” Odile laughed. “She’s going to be a major trouble maker around the two year mark.”

“Ahhh we can handle it, m’dame!” Isabeau said, waving away her worries. “She can draw on the walls a little bit, as a treat.”

“Surely you’re aware of how pricey it is to replace wallpaper…” She murmured.

With Bonnie in the kitchen, they washed Celeste’s bottle and dried it thoroughly before assembling the formula. Bonnie tested the liquid by dribbling a droplet on their wrist, and the result was perfectly warm. They carried the bottle with pride back into the living room, grinning at Siffrin. Siffrin smiled, picking up Celeste and handing her over, guiding Bonnie on how to hold her.

“I know how to do this, Frin.” Bonnie pouted, putting the rubber nipple to Celeste’s face.

Celeste immediately latched on, smiling while she suckled. Her chubby hands reached to hold the bottle up, but Bonnie kept their grip on it. Isabeau walked over, beaming with pride, as he sat next to Siffrin on the floor. Siffrin leaned against his hubby, stealthily planting a kiss on his jawline.

“It’s like she’s getting cuter every day,” Isabeau sighed. “Those chubby cheeks, that darkless hair, oh and the freckles!”

“Hard to believe, but, in a few months she’s going to start crawling…” Siffrin laughed, “So many places to explore and so much mischief to cause!”

Celeste finished her bottle, letting go of it and hiccuping. Bonnie held her upright, head on their shoulder, and patted her back to make her burp. Celeste burped, rather impressively, making everybody laugh.

“That’s my girl,” Isabeau chuckled, reaching for her.

Bonnie swatted his hand away, “No. She’s mine.”

“Uhm. Bonbon. You’ve had all week to fuss over her. Let me have her back.” Isabeau said.

“Well...Bonnie has been super attached to her, ever since Celeste was brought into the world…” Mirabelle fidgeted with her hands. “As has our rescue cat. Who somehow knew from the start something was up.”

She playfully glared at Siffrin, who laughed nervously.

“I apologized fifty times, Mira.” They said. “For keeping that secret from the rest of you. I was…”

Siffrin sighed, “I was scared of how you would react.”

Mira reassuringly patted his back, “Siffrin, it’s fine. I was messing with you. I’m just glad Celeste was born with no issues.”

Self consciously, Siffrin rubbed the loose skin that had presented itself after the birth. His gloved fingers traveled upwards to the area below his ribcage, and he grimaced. He still wasn’t used to it. But the doctor did say the muscular separation would close up if Siffrin did the proper exercises.

“Siffrin?” Mirabelle pursed her lips, “Are you okay?”

“Ah. Sorry.” Siffrin blushed, “Just...erm...recalling the big event and...what it did to my body.”

“Hmm.” Mirabelle pondered.

“No regrets!” Siffrin spat out. “No regrets at all! I just...feel…”

He struggled to find the right words.

“I think...I’m still recovering from it all?” Siffrin grinned. “It still feels like yesterday she came into our lives.”

Mirabelle giggled, “It certainly feels the same way for all of us!”

Coming out of hiding and stretching like she woke up from a nap, was the family’s rescued cat. Star was a pure lightless cat that came home with everyone one day after being spotted and assessed. She was only three months old when discovered, but after she was brought home and washed up, she received a clean bill of health. After getting used to everyone and her new environment, her personality began to shine. She demonstrated fierce hunting skills with her toys, and on multiple ocassions rested her head on Siffrin’s stomach. Even during the surprise baby shower, she presented a felt mouse to Siffrin that was very well loved.

Star waltzed right up to Siffrin, rubbing against their knee.

“Well there you are,” Siffrin said, picking her up and kissing her on the head, “Were you put down for a nap, too?”

“Oh no.” Odile shook her head, “Miss thing over here knocked over the decorative bottles on one of our shelves and ran off after they crashed down. There were no survivors.”

“So she avoided being scolded?” Isabeau laughed.

Bonnie carried Celeste over to Star, saying “Watch this!” to Siffrin.

Siffrin gasped as Celeste softly extended her hands to touch the feline friend, kicking her feet again happily.

“She knows how to give gentle pets!” Siffrin smiled, “I’m glad.”

“Star sometimes pets her, too.” Odile added. “No claws, either.”

Isabeau yawned, stretching and standing up from his spot.

“I’m really glad to be back home with you guys but I’m worn out.” He said, as Bonnie finally allowed him to hold Celeste again. “Me and the little one will lay down for a bit.”

Siffrin locked eyes with Isabeau, then looked at Celeste.

“I’m napping, too.” He said, getting up from where he was sitting.

“Alright! Mini-family nap!” Isabeau laughed softly.

Isabeau carried Celeste, while he and Siffrin walked to their shared room. But instead of putting Celeste back into her crib after being wrapped up in her lightless blanket, she was placed on the bed as Isabeau climbed into it. Siffrin followed suit, on the other side, staring at his little girl in awe. Celeste, sandwiched between the two of them, yawned softly, feeling nothing but utter love and safety.

Multiple anxieties danced in Isabeau’s and Siffrin’s minds, though. Ranging from Celeste’s developmental milestones, her overall well being, to their own individual insecurites of parenting. Isabeau never wanted Celeste to go through what he had to as a child, and Siffrin...was utterly afraid of doing anything wrong. He often held her like she was glass. He’d rather he broke instead of his beloved child.

But Isabeau softly patted Siffrin’s hand, to reassure him that they were all doing their best for her.

“I’m still scared, Isa.” Siffrin whispered, petting Celeste’s head while she slept. “What if she gets sick?”

“She had her shots two weeks ago, and everybody handles her with clean hands.” Isabeau said. “But, yeah, it is a big scary world out there…”

Silence, still gazing adoringly at little Celeste.

“She’s beautiful. There’s me and you in her.” Isabeau said after a while. “And she has a happy sound, the squeaking. I hope she never stops doing that.”

Siffrin chuckled, feeling safe, but also very very tired. He drifted off as well. Leaving just Isabeau to admire both Celeste and Siffrin.

He pulled a blanket over Siffrin, stroking his face. In the back of his mind, Isabeau recited his vow to protect Siffrin and their baby from harm.

[isatpathau]

Just got the ISAT artbook!! And had many ideas.

You guys remember how Siffrin's villian is trying to erase The Country? What if they were influenced by the Wish Cult? What if after they failed, the Wish Cult succeeded?

But wishes that big take time to truly set in stone. Lots of moving parts and all that. So what if there's a grace period on those bigger wishes? Some time to undo them.

And when after everyone's journeys are over, Sif and King wake up with a blinding headache. They can't seem to recall facts about their home. Their memories of their childhoods are a bit fuzzier. So, they talk to the others about it... And Loop gets awfully quiet suddenly. Loop remembers the headaches from before they managed to lift the lingering Wish Craft... and feels one coming back on.

So the group ends up going on a quest similar to Journey For the Dawn in OT2. They fight some prominent figures from the Wish Cult and figure out how to stop it from fully taking effect. The group fights an avatar of the wish that once defeated stops the Wish from cementing into reality.

They're are still some lingering effects because obviously the length of time where it was rewriting the world can't be entirely written-off, but The Country still exists! And "Happily Ever After BS" happens because this is based on a J-RPG and let them be happy.

[btas-swap-au]

Introduction and pinned post to the my In Stars and Time Swap Au. Is the title lazy? Maybe. Post is subjected to updates in future, so pay attention. Or don't. I'll probably tell you if I change anything.

Please tell if I start rambling in any of my posts thanks or if something isn't full clear.

BEYOND TIME AND STARS (IN STARS AND TIME SWAP AU)

THE SWAPS!

I've done my best to make sure the characters feel unique yet similar to their vanilla counterparts. However there are some changes to their personalities.

Here's the main cast:

Siffrin - The Scholar. Swaps with Odile. Came across the party (Mirabelle, Isabeau, Odile) while attempting to research Sadnessees, helping them fight and joined them. While intelligent, they hold onto a certain pride that gets in the way of being fully honest. Scared of being touched. Obsessively keeps a journal of all their craft skills as well as enemies, all coming with a pun. Unable to take things fully seriously. Keeps a coin around, enjoys taking heads and tails bets. Loves crystals and minerals. Stuck in a time loop.

Odile - The Bandit. Swaps with Siffrin. Got beaten down by Mirabelle and Isabeau who she tried to rob while drunk on the open road, who held her tied up for a few days before they trusted her and left her go. Left home as she wanted to make something for herself than let the Universe lead her along (Ka Bue takes the Universe leads ideology). Carries her mom's familytale around like a burden unable to let go off. Lost an eye protecting the party from a large sadness attack. Unlike the Odile in the base game, she acts more jaded, and cares deeply for the party. Fast and steady.

Mirabelle - The Hunter. Swaps with Isabeau. An exiled housemaiden from the House of Eternity who became disillusioned with the religion and rebelled. Lived alone in a forest, only entering local towns for trade. The one who originally started the adventure, hearing about the Emperor's curse and her good nature couldn't let herself stand by and do nothing. Does her best to be gentle, but she's slightly more rougher and confident than ISAT Mirabelle. People are still charmed, though (Everyone loves a rebel). Never feels comfortable unless her survival gear is in arms reach.

Isabeau - The Guardian. Swaps with Mirabelle. During his transition process in one of the Eternity houses in Jouvente, stumbles across a certain charm bracelet, which he decides to wear as it makes him feel stronger. However, when the curse strikes, it turns out the charm protects him from becoming a "Husk", and many believed he has been blessed by Eternity. Pressured, he accepts it. Mirabelle comes upon Jouvente, requesting for the help of any of the Jouvente knights of Eternity for help. Instead, they volunteer Isabeau to go, which he happily accepts, hoping to escape the responsibility of home. Instant friends with Mirabelle (extremely one-sided for a very long time).

Nille - The Teen. Swaps with Bonnie. The party originally stumbles upon her passed out amongst a group of defeated Sadnessees. She had passed out from hunger and dehydration, which the party quickly help her with. After hearing their story, she becomes insistent on joining them. Extremely shaky and nervous, especially with body contact, bonds with Siffrin over this. Good at martial arts and wielding massive hammers, but still a cook in training. Extremely low confidence, often falling behind in the chain of cheers ("Hip" "Hip" "Was I supposed to do something"). Misses their sibling Bonnie greatly.

The Emperor - The King, swapped with the Change God. Maniacal, Evil, Giant Ice Pick wielding Villain who took over Vaugarde and resides in the warped House of Eternity. Unleashed a curse known as "The Emptiness". Souls are frozen in time, but the bodies are kept alive, muttering and speaking any lines they can muster, husks of their former selves. Madnesses (Sadness replacements) are fully sentient creatures that are formed by the madness within people, payed in literal peanuts by the Emperor to do their work. Defying time has left a reality scar on them, making them speak in a strange manner (>_<). Blows bubbles of insanity that turn one into a husk upon contact. Wears a crown that looks like antlers.

Loop - Nothing has changed about them that differs from Vanilla, besides calling Siffrin "Gemstone" now. A big fan of entertainment, jokes, and being cheekily mysterious. Sits under The Favour Tree.

Zero - A diamond headed entity that exists as another guide alongside Loop, much to both of their dismay. Enjoys practicality, results, and efficency. Calls Siffrin "Subject". Sits on top of the stump of The Giving Tree.

Other things to say about this au:

- Certain new characters.

- Floor Bosses have personalities.

- Ghostfrin is their own character with their own questline.

- The Bomb is now a Firework.

- Instead of scripts and plays, Siffrin is more into games and puzzles.

- ENEMIES ALSO SWAP! Is it weird I've very enthusiastic about this.

NAVIGATION

Below will be links to posts I have. A page of contents, if you will. Very possibly in chronological order, I won't guarantee it though.

MISC

The Swap Gang

Enemy Swaps:

Enemy Swap 1: "Mensonge, Creux and Fierté" plus "Intrusif Trois"

ACT 1

Prologue + Waking up

An Elderly Gal on a bench

ACT 2

FLOOR BOSS 1: THE MASTER, BIG BALL HEAD (Pre-fight)

ACT 3

Zero and Loop, Together (Part 1) Ghostfrin, Encounter Four: Meet NIRFFIS

ACT 4

A Room Of Remembrance: Poem

ACT 5

ACT 6

[justdarklr]

Metempsychosis Of Stars

SPOILERS FOR ISAT ACT 3 BELOW THE CUT! Later entries will contain spoilers for the rest of ISAT, so please beat the game before reading!

CHAPTER 1.

Deviating From The Script (If Ever So Slightly)

… ( yaaaaaawn. )

You lie in bed, staring at the ceiling. Yesterday was tiring. Though… you wouldn’t have traded it for the world. Spending time with everyone, like that… helping them out… it was nice, wasn’t it? You hope you can stay with this version of them for a little longer. Maybe you’ll end up going through the whole house with them tomorrow, just so you don’t have to start it all over again. Like you have so many times.

How many times has it even been, now? At least fifty, you have to guess. Though, you’ve stopped keeping track, at this point. If you did, you’d probably start going insaaaane~!!

… you cover your single eye with your hand. You really hope this is it. That this is how you fix things. It has to be, right? Right? What else could you even try? You’ve done so much, already…

If it’s not it, you’ll survive, at least. You’ve got Loop. They can help. You’re sure of it… you think. They’re here to help, right? Helpful Loop, right?

… aaaaagh, STARS, you need to stop thinking! It’s not doing you any good!! Especially right now!

This is it! It has to be! And when you get to the top of the house, you’ll finally be free! With everyone there, by your side! And after, you’ll go thank Loop, go introduce everyone—! Because it’ll be your happy ending! Your happily ever after! It…

It has to be. It will be.

You sigh. And as you do, Isabeau turns to face you.

“… hey, Sif. Can’t sleep?”

“I— … yeah, sorry. Just… thinking. Don’t worry about me!” You say, with the best smile you can muster at the moment.

“Are you sure? I could hear you mumblin’ to yourself.”

… were you saying all that out loud? It didn’t feel like you were. But you don’t know, at this point.

“I’m sure, Isa. Promise.”

“… alright, as long as you’re sure. … um… do you mind if I tell you something?”

Oh, right. This. He never does finish what he’s saying, here. But you may as well let him go along with it.

“Sure, Isa. Hit me.”

“… okay, okay, okay. Then I shall tell you the thing! Haha! Um, okay. So, the thing I have to tell you. Is… that… I… uh…

I don’t have anything to tell you right now. But I will! When, uh, when we beat The King tomorrow. Okay?”

[ “That’s so ominous, Isa.” ]

“I—It’s not meant to be??? I, uh, just don’t wanna tell you right now. It might distract you. And we wouldn’t want that, right??? So, um.” Ahem. “I’ll tell you when we beat The King. Okay?”

“… okay.”

“… okay!!”

Aaand here comes the pillow. WHACK! Right into the side of his face! Stars, she has good aim. That never fails to impress you.

“SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!” Bonnie yells out.

“YEAH ISABEAU!” Mira follows. “SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP! CLOSE YOUR MOUTH AND SLEEP!”

“YOU CLOSE YOUR MOUTH, HOUSEMAIDEN!” Isa retorts. “YOU’RE GONNA WAKE UP M’DAME ODILE!”

“… I’m already up.” Odile grumbles.

Mirabelle and Bonnie turn to look at her, as Odile stares up at the ceiling, clearly annoyed.

“And if the noise continues, I will stand up. You do not want to know what will happen if I stand. up.”

“Sorry.” “Sorry M’dame.” “S-Sorry…” follow the other three, in quick succession.

You turn to look back at Isabeau. That interaction’s always a little funny. Even if you’ve seen it tens of times now.

He smiles at you.

“Good night, Sif!”

… you close your eyes, ready for tomorrow.

The last thing you hear before you wake up is the sound of something… crumbling.

And

Falling

On

Top

Of

You

[astroanesidora]

🎂Happy Birthday Isabeau From ISAT! 🎉

⚠️ISAT SPOILERS.(Minor Act Two and Up/ Big Act Six Spoilers!!) PLEASE do go play/checkout this game!!✨

Anyhoo!! Lol not much of a writer.. Soo this will probably not be greatest of work, mistakes here n there I just had a rush of motivation, oh well enjoy ig!✨

Sprite/Game art by InsertDisc5 aka Adrienne!

Birthday Image is from Unsplash!

(It's Isabeau's Birthday today.)

You remember because Mirabelle and them had all gathered together to discuss it when Isabeau was out elsewhere. You all came together a week before and talked about getting gifts for Isa's special day.

And so here you are all at this rental lakeside house for the next few days. Floralbreeze Lake is the name of this place, named after windy weather and with all of the flowers that always grew all year. A perfect, serene place for any occasion. The house rent price was 50 but as Saviors of Vaugarde, they were given a pass for their saving everyone quest. The owner's way of gratitude for saving the world.

Everyone's here in the big living room which shares space with the kitchen and a fire place. Isabeau is sitting at the wooden countertop with Bonnie, who's a few feet away near the stove, who's busy at cooking up some food for the occasion!

( The scent of cooked veggies and baked fish fills the air. The clanking noise of metal and sizzling of oil.)

There was some baked fish, vegetable stir fry and vegetable beef stew, some drinks and sweets like White Chocolate Mousse and White Chocolate Cake for Isabeau. The white chocolate dishes were Bonnie's gift to Isabeau. Mirabelle sits down next to Bonnie and Odile takes the other side, leaving Siffrin to sit at Isabeau's side and Siffrin was more happy to have it this way.

Siffrin watches as Odile takes a slice of baked fish, Mirabelle scoops some stew into a small bowl and Bonnie takes a small serving of stir fry, Isabeau gets some of fish and Siffrin, himself takes a nice serving of stir fry. They all eventually take portions of all dishes expect for desserts since that's for later. Everyone is occupied with eating and chatting, enjoying the warm, cozy atmosphere.

( Everything tastes so good! As always Bonnie did a great job!)

Bringing another piece of fish to your mouth, and so you chew and savor the flavor. Your fork sinks into a carrot and then into another piece of fish, you eat both, listening into the conversations around you as usual. Mirabelle is happily gushing away about her favorite books with Odile, Bonnie's listening to one of Isabeau's stories as a Defender. You gaze sweeps upon your family members as you finish up your last bits of your meal. You take a sip of water before settling down in your chair. You reach into your pockets, to double check your gift to Isa, a wooden figure of him in his fighting position. Your hands pet against the smooth and carefully carved wood after getting some assurance to clear away your doubts. You put your empty dish to the side to make some room.

Bonnie and Isabeau finish up after you and Odile and Mira do the same sometime after the other two. You and Mira volunteer to gather the dirty dishes while Bonnie and Odile, and Isa put away the leftovers somewhere. You put the three plates and utensils into the sink, Mira puts the remaining dishes along with it. The dishes will be washed later, for now you all have a birthday to celebrate.

Odile and Bonnie bring over the desserts, Isabeau has a excitied and joyful look in his eyes as he sits down again. You put the candles into the cake, Mira is the one to light them up, the cake is pushed closer to Isabeau.

"Happy Birthday Isabeau!" Mirabelle beamed.

"Happy Birthday Za!! Don't forget to make a wish!!" Bonnie rejoiced with their arms in the air.

"Happy Birthday Isabeau." Odile added, adjusting her glasses.

(You breathe in and out. It's your turn.)

"Happy Birthday Isa." You say in a gentle and kind tone.

Isabeau smiles delightfully at everyone, a small hint of blush showing on his cheeks.

"Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it. This is the best birthday anyone could ask for!" Isabeau thanked, Isabeau closes his eyes for a few moments before blowing out the candles. A small round of applause and cake is about to be sliced and given out to everyone. Mira is the one to slice the cake, giving Isabeau the slice with extra berries.

Everyone gets a slice of the white chocolate cake eventually. You decide to skip out on this one but you do snag a few berries for yourself from Isabeau and the others. Isabeau also takes the mousse once Bonnie hands one to him.

Presents are next, Bonnie explains that the white chocolate desserts were their gift to Isabeau, Isabeau gives an extra thanks Bonnie for the desserts. Odile pulls out her gift, it's something small and wrapped in simple wrapping paper, Mira's gift seems somewhat big, hidden under slanted lined wrapping paper with a small bow on top.

You reach into your pocket and pull out the wooden figure, and hold it firmly. Isabeau looks around excitedly, he smiles so brightly and his eyes sparkle with delight. Isabeau moves his hands towards to you, you hand over the wooden figure of him. His face shines even brighter at the sight of your gift.

You meet his gaze without tucking away into your cloak or hat. The wood figure of Isabeau is smooth and clean, chipped and carved into perfection with small noticeable details like his earrings, indents for his fist, clothing. Isabeau holds it with great care, a quick glance with a mix of his "fufufu" and "Really" expression over at Odile, and Odile shoots a amused look back.

"Thanks Sif, I love it." Isa murmurs to you with a smile.

Odile goes next, she shoves over her gift across the countertop. "Here you go, Isabeau." Odile stated.

Isabeau grabs it and pulls off the paper, revealing the hidden contents. It's a small wooden sewing kit, with some simple leaf patterns decor within was some threads of different shades, clips and needles and a pair of small scissors with some other sewing materials that you can't remember are called.

"Whoa!!! Thank you Madam!" Isabeau bellowed, a hand examining the sewing contents while the other hand secures your gift. Isabeau scans through the small box, he closes it and gives another thanks as Odile nods and Isabeau puts the box and figure safely to the side.

Mirabelle excitedly gives her gift to Isabeau next. Isabeau rips off the paper, Two books now sit on the countertop. They're new books, all nice and clean in good condition and having that classic new book scent. "Ummm! I hope you like them!" Mira speaks with a grin.

"Ooh! Two new books and they're about romance!! I can't wait to give these two a read when I can!" Isabeau responded with joy and excitement. He flips over the books a few times to get a close look at them. Getting in quick looks as Isabeau flips through the pages. He puts all his gifts together, the books sit besides the sewing box and the Isabeau figure rests upon one of the book covers.

Isabeau signals everyone to come in closer to him for a group hug, Odile gives her amused expression again, Mirabelle's expression glows with delight and Bonnie smiles, arms in the air like they're cheering. Isa looks at you, getting that confirmation from you, you give a nod.

You all come together, Isabeau's arms wrap around all of your family members. Your arms and everyone's arms wrap around Isabeau, everyone embraces with love, care and warmth. Like a cozy warm blanket shielding against the cold. Everyone's happy and everything's good.

[365footballorg-blog]

Au revoir, Arsene - BBC Radio 2 presenter & Arsenal fan O'Leary says farewell to Wenger

Arsene…

I won’t lie to you, I cried last Sunday – twice. I knew I was going to. The first came as you – our manager of 22 years – were applauded onto the pitch through a guard of honour in the bright May afternoon sunshine (my sunglasses luckily masked this, and I might have muttered something about hay fever).

By the second time though, the tears were proud, wistful and 60,000 strong. It was like we’d all watched the end of The Shawshank Redemption en masse.

For once, nobody left early to beat the notorious traffic, and the attendance announcement didn’t lie. The place was packed and nobody was going anywhere fast.

You, in turn, graciously strode out to the centre circle, arms aloft, to give and receive the thanks and respect you have deserved for so long, but has at times (at least in the case of the latter) been cruelly lacking.

After a 5-0 walloping[1] of our ‘nearest rivals’ Burnley – a relatively unimportant but emotionally crucial win – for one final time you were embraced like the departing semi-conquering hero you are.

‘All I’ve ever known’

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For someone who has been an Arsenal fan since he was five, it’s odd that in many ways the only manager I’ve ever really known is you.

I’ve been an Arsenal fan since 1978, when I watched the team I have come to love go down to an inspired Ipswich Town, 1-0 in the FA Cup final.

With both parents moving over from Ireland, and having little if no allegiance to any team or area, I pretty much had my pick.

At the time, most kids where I grew up supported Ipswich, who were enjoying an incredible period, but I chose the boys in yellow.

Why? First, I thought they were the underdogs. I wasn’t a bright child, and more importantly, Arsenal were a big London Irish team, both on and off the pitch, so they suited my upbringing and identity perfectly.

But spending every second weekend in London didn’t mean I got to see them regularly.

My family were born and bred in the sports of GAA, so growing up I was more likely to be watching my dad hurling on the fields that will be forever Ireland of Ruislip and new Eltham.

My grandad wouldn’t even let me watch ‘English’ sports, including, oddly, athletics!

By the time I could scrounge tickets to see Arsenal, it was the late George Graham/early (I don’t think there was another era) Bruce Rioch period.

I went along happily, and by that I mean I was happy to be there. Highbury was such a glorious ground to watch football, and to rub my eyes and watch Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright in their pomp quickly became more than a novelty, it was love.

But to all intents and purposes, I’ve only really ever known you as our manager. Which is, I guess, why the love, respect and admiration runs so deep.

So much is made of the ‘Arsene who?’ reaction that, in truth, we ALL had when you turned up at the club in 1996.

But you did so much more than just make sure Wright and Paul Merson put down the Mars bars and started eating broccoli, (the pair of them treating the vegetable like you had brought it from outer space).

You took a very gifted, but aging team, and added a belief, drive and deft hand in recruitment that saw a still big club win three titles quickly, including two doubles and our Invincibles year.

It seemed the success would be never ending, we got drunk on it – and then, the world changed.

‘The footballing world changed’

As the era of English football went from the time of the honest pro to the world of the remote, media-trained, PR-controlled global superstar, young, understandably ambitious men had their heads turned while ruthless agents plundered.

Maybe, with the stadium move your hands were tied, maybe you didn’t react quickly enough, maybe you thought you could carry on and find the gold for £500,000 here, £3m there.

The magic stopped working though, and we started watching the same movie, year after year, a few great players, but a fragility that set in and somehow didn’t go away, an early-season flourish followed by a late winter slump that saw us crash out of the FA Cup and the Champions League, and then the desperate dash to finish fourth.

Although a recent respectable run of three cups in five years is nothing to be sniffed at, we all know we haven’t been competitive enough in the league for quite some time.

The problem is that with the immediacy and ‘Fifa-isation’ (that’s a real term, by the way) of the modern football fan, there is no room for barren periods any more. We now live in a world of extremes.

Players and managers are either awful or they are brilliant, fans expect unconditional loyalty one way, but feel well within their rights to boo – and a lot worse – to high heaven when it’s not going our way.

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There’s a lot made of the game moving on and you being left behind. If that is true (and I’m not sure for the most part it is) then it’s been in one main area: money.

You always seemed like you have seen yourself as a steward to this club, part of its DNA. Now we are as much the club you have built as vice versa.

I read a great comparison once which likened you to a German in the Weimar Republic who ordered a steak in a restaurant and nipped to the toilet, only to find, on your return that the price had gone up 30,000 Reichsmarks.

You simply didn’t seem to respond to the economics of the modern game. You seemed aghast by the prices – and who wouldn’t?

The problem is that the money is there and if you don’t compete then someone else will… and they have.

Yes, some of those models have been artificially created and bolstered by Russian and Middle Eastern oil money and nobody questions that you know more about football than most fans (by most accounts, by your own admission, it’s all you do. You are probably watching a Congolese second division match as we speak which makes a lack of spending even more infuriating).

At times it was obvious what we were lacking on the pitch.

Your model of how to manage footballers is all about empowerment, the carrot and not the stick. Let the players go out there and express themselves to the best of their ability and that holistic and artisanal approach will win out.

This model is predicated, however, on those players being up to the task in the first place.

Virtually every one of those Invincibles comes across like a well-rounded, emotionally grounded and intelligent human being. Those kinds of footballers are the exception not the rule, which makes your mode of success so hard to maintain.

‘The right time to go?’

Is it the right time for you to go? Probably not. The day which would have done your incredible legacy justice would have been 27 May 2017 when we upset the odds and defeated Chelsea, both physically and tactically, as you won a record seventh FA Cup and the club’s 13th.

I have no problem with people who said we needed a change, because we did.

There’s no hypocrisy in praising you while also wanting a new direction, and as sad as I am to see a proud, stalwart of the game go, I too am excited to see what comes next.

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I feel sadness. I am a romantic, and the idea of a manager who has been with a club for 22 years appealed to the sense of tradition I love and see disappearing in the modern game.

But my overall emotion is simply of pride, of a manager who has changed a club beyond all recognition, but still retained its tradition, its values. Have you been perfect? No.

But you have done nothing but devote a large chunk your working life to make the club that is so now imbued with your DNA a success.

So thank you, Arsene. And au revoir…

‘The brilliant revolutionary who refused to change’[2]

References

^ After a 5-0 walloping (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ ‘The brilliant revolutionary who refused to change’ (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football

Au revoir, Arsene – BBC Radio 2 presenter & Arsenal fan O'Leary says farewell to Wenger was originally published on 365 Football

[fluttersfawn]

Bad End Forever AU / Happily Over and After AU

(Isat / in stars and time spoilers)

Wanted to make some concept sprites for this au idea. Siffrin just keeps looping in act 5 Everytime he loses to the king. He never wakes up from Mirabelle and the gang. He just keeps waking up in the same. Broken. House.

[fluttersfawn]

Bad End Forever is now gonna be called Happily Over and After because majority vote :0.

So I'm gonna be renaming and retagging them as such 🎊