#sorry to have become One Of Those Game Players but may I also say how fond I am of the way the game plays Ellie and Joel here too

[jaggedwolf]

Halfway through the Jackson chapter of my TLOU II replay and again I have so much fondness for how long the game is willing to let what happened at the dance be off-screen, how long it lets you get the vibes off Ellie's interactions with Jesse, Seth, Maria, and Dina.

[in-case-of-grace]

Alternatives to "GM" in TTRPGs

Spurred by a recent post from @imsobadatnicknames2 that found its way into my feed by way of @anim-ttrpgs' addition (this post got too big to be a reblog sorry), I've been thinking about the influence of the terms we use for the host-and-narrator role in a TTRPG. Each tends to carry some connotations and implications as to what the role might entail, and these can influence how people play your game.

At best, this may enforce your intended roles for the game, alongside its themeing. At worst, your chosen term for this role may create false assumptions, and lead to people approaching it in a way that makes it unfun for them.

There's also an aesthetic component to consider! Having a term that matches your genre and vibe can go a long way! It's gonna be a balancing act— does the term change how people interact with your game enough to become a problem? Does it match and enforce your themes and aesthetics strongly enough to balance some of those problems out?

Below, I'm gonna go over a couple common (and uncommon) terms for this role and what I think their connotations, implications, and best usecases are here. These are gonna be beholden to my own biases, of course— and you may see different connotations entirely! Maybe it'll help folk think more about what terms they want to use!

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"Game Master" is very gamey. It implies that this person is setting up a bunch of specific, pre-made mechanical challenges-- like an obstacle course. I will admit that it does have the weakest connotations of all the commonly used terms I'm aware of, though-- simply by virtue of it having become so commonplace across all sorts of games.

I think it works best with chunkier, mechanically heavy games. Due to it having a weak connotation, though, it won't hurt your game if you use it elsewhere, it is kind of the baseline these days, after all.

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"Storyteller" implies that this person is sitting everyone down and telling them a story. Like putting on a play. There's an implication that they are going to be controlling most of the narrative here-- and that the players don't have as much say in it.

It's also technically incorrect, given that...well, the players are storytellers too! The point of these games is to tell a story together!

It can work for more narratively focused games, it has some lighthearted, cutesy vibes that can be a good fit for some-- but its connotations can lead to this person taking more control than you may actually intend for them to have in your game.

It's one that I don't think accurately fits a lot of games, and is chosen more for its aesthetics and vibes. (Something I have done before, and with time it bothers me more and more.)

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"Narrator" is the opposite of Storyteller-- it implies, to me, that this person has less say in the narrative than the players. They are there to impartially narrate and describe the world's reactions to what the players do, little else. A passive observer, almost.

I think it can still work fine for plenty of games-- especially those with contemporary settings. It's the sort that, to me, feels more suited to sandboxy games that are more focused on providing a bunch of simulationist tools for players to poke and prod the world with, rather than on telling a structured narrative.

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"Dungeon Master" is particularly genre-limited. It carries a lot of the same implications that GM does, but for fantasy games in specific-- especially dungeon crawlers.

Only making a special note of it here since it is tied to A Particularly Big Game in the community. Its connotations are much stronger than GM's, though, and it feels out of place in rules light games— unless they are specifically set in a dungeon.

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"Director" is one that can have drastically different implications depending on the background of who reads it. If they're a film buff, they'll think it implies that this role has final say on everything, and retains high levels of control that the players do not share. Very much akin to Storyteller.

However if the person reading it is more familiar with video games, and the Left 4 Dead series (and games inspired it) in particular, they'll see the Director role as something more reactive and behind the scenes. They may think this person is responsible for improvising and presenting the players with challenges and scenarios that match their current situation— be it narrative or mechanical.

There may have been a specific plan made ahead of time, but it is filled with a ton of contingencies, with an expectation that improv will fill in the gaps.

Though like Narrator, the L4D type of Director implies a somewhat passive, observer role that isn't meant to have a say in the story.

I think most people will see it with film connotations rather than the Left 4 Dead connotations— which is unfortunate, considering that the L4D type of Director is actually really well suited for certain types of TTRPGs. I think "Game Director" vs "Director" may help alleviate this somewhat, but I'm unsure how effective it'd be as I don't think most people share the L4D brain association I do.

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"Referee," "Arbiter," "Judge," and "Moderator" all share the same problem as Narrator-- but 10 times worse. These are all heavily laced in passive connotations-- and imply that this person is there simply to determine the outcomes of mechanical situations, but has no say in the narrative.

They can work nicely with like, sports or competition TTRPGs in specific, though.

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"Master of Ceremonies (MC)" implies that you're not playing a game, but that this person is about to lead you through an awards ceremony, drop some bars, or host some stuffy 500 year old regal event called "the Ceremony of the Ballet Fish" or something.

I don't think this one fits in TTRPGs like, at all, frankly. I just cannot imagine someone in that role being referred to as an "MC" unless we're talking about a game that is specifically about a ceremony, or rap.

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"Caretaker" implies that this person's role is to maintain and care for the world, game, and story. It implies that they not only facilitate the garden you're all playing in, but that they also trim or rearrange it to suit everyone's needs-- including their own.

I actually think this one is very nice. It doesn't imply that they're an absolute monarch, nor does it imply that they're a passive observer. It also manages to encapsulate the amount of background work the role can often require, without taking away their say in the resulting narrative.

A Caretaker has agency in the story, while remaining cognizant and receptive of the players' agency, too.

This works really well for games focused on telling collaborative narratives, but I think it can also work fairly well for mechanically focused ones as well. It feels pretty versatile!

This one is new to me and I honestly might start using it for my games going forward, unless someone knows of a common connotation I'm unaware of!

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"Facilitator," and "Host" both imply that this person provides the space and tools for the game, and nothing else. They handed the players the keys, told them to lock up after they're done, and left to go do sick flips in their motorcycle or something nerds do.

To me, the term by itself implies this person has very little to do with the actual game. I don't think these work any better than, say, GM, without a thematic justification.

Host could be amazing for some sort of bio-horror game— or for a game show RPG. Facilitator feels DoA to me. Both, however, could work if your game really is set up so the Facilitator/Host just provides tools to the players and does little else.

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"Guide" implies that this person takes on a fairly hand-holdy role in leading the players through the game and its narrative. Maybe not quite railroading, but they definitely do a lot to keep the players on track.

This one, I feel, carries some "teacher" connotation— as if this person is responsible for teaching the players the rules. It's on them, not the players, to read and remember the actual rules.

I feel that this connotation largely ruins what good this term could do.

But, it can still work well in certain cases. If your game really is meant to have a focused, linear narrative, it can work quite well. The same goes for specific genres or settings— such as anything dealing with camping, national parks, or tourism.

---

"Overseer" taken at face value, actually could be pretty apt. They'd be someone who oversees the game and does what they can to keep things fun.

Unfortunately, due to the word's use in workplace environments and dystopian fiction— it has some pretty heavy cultural connotations that turn it more into a dictator role. They have complete and total control over the game and its narrative, even if the players disagree with their choices.

I think it can work well for games that deal with dystopian or corporate settings, where this person might actually be meant to have more control, or simply for the flavor— but not a ton else.

---

"Producer" is vaguely similar to the film-style Director-- in the sense that it comes from film. However, unlike the Director, a Producer coordinates and works together with the players to tell their story. It's a more collaborative role that shares power and agency more evenly with the table.

This also somewhat accurately implies the amount of work that goes into the role, much like the Caretaker.

However, given its origins, it doesn't imply they're playing a game— I can't entirely explain why, but it feels similar to MC in this sense. The term is very heavily entrenched in its origins, and carries strong film connotations— even though, yes, video games have producers too!

I think it'd be rad to see games using this, though. In time the strong film connotations may shake off! Like Caretaker, I think it's fairly versatile and could be well suited for a wide variety of games.

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Niche terms such as keeper, warden, overlord, president, deity, and fixer are always worth considering, too! These tend to just be one-offs used in a specific TTRPG, that suit their setting and tone in particular.

Now, each can and does have its own implications and connotations to consider— weigh those against how well it serves the vibes of your game before you lock in!

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"Host and Narrator (HAN)" implies the same things that these terms do separately-- but combines them to offset (some of) their downsides. This implies that they host and provide the tools needed for playing the game, yes, but also that they actually stick around to narrate and respond to the players.

When Narrator is combined with Host here, I think this also transforms into something a little closer to the Caretaker— as the Host and Narrator both, they have more of an active role in maintaining the space (and story) they've provided.

It feels similarly versatile, as a result. I just made this one up and don't know if there are any games that use it already, it could have legs— it is a little dry and flavorless, though. This may give it a potential leg up on Caretaker, which does have a lil bit of a lighthearted vibe that may feel off in, say, a horror game.

---

Honorable mentions - Scenestress - Conductor - SOUP (Story Overseer United (with) Players) - Their Majesty - MOMMY (Mediator Over Making Mythic Yarns) - JOE (Joe Ojoe Ejoe) - Representative (REP) - Doormat

---

Again, these are all just according to the implications and connotations I find in these terms— you may find others! What you pick is going to depend on you, your game, and your intended audience!

I don't know if perfect terms exist, and it's wise to explain whichever you use within your rulebooks— just to ensure that someone else's biases and assumptions don't lead to them misinterpreting things.

Is there anything I missed? Any terms you like to use? Do you have a vastly different set of assumptions for one of these terms? Please share!

[whore-ibly-hot]

Best friend!Retro-gamer!Yandere x Fem! Or Transmasc!Reader

"My Player Two"

18+ Minors DNI

Warnings: Dub-con, perverted thoughts, obsession, bullying, masturbation, cum play, begging, general perversion, dry-humping.

(AN: Merry early xmas or equivalent holiday, guys! I have given you all the present of rising from the grave to deliver some submissive yandere horny thoughts.)

A gentle tug shakes you out of your thoughts, making you sit up quickly and turn your attention to your friend, Lewis.

The curly haired brunettes tongue just barely pokes out between his lips, thick coke-bottle glasses slipping off his nose. He's trying his best to play his video game, whilst also keeping one hand on your shoulder. "Hey, I asked you somethin'!" He says, not glancing away from the screen.

"Sorry, just zoned out. Whatcha need?" You tilt your head and adjust your posture when he puts the hand from your shoulder back onto his controller.

"I was telling you that I think I'm real close to beating my Galaga score at the arcade on 54th. Real close to getting my initials up on that screen."

"That's great, Lewis. I'm glad all that practicing with your hands is paying off." He blushes at the encenuation. "You know, if you'd like you could come and see me, when I get that high score. It'd be pretty great." He grabs an old plastic cup by the side of his bed, handing it to you with a shake.

"I've even got a few coins for you, if you want them. Maybe we could play a couple rounds side-by-side, or I could use them, and get you a slushie or something from the prize counter." He looks at you hopefully, with large eyes. You giggle, and reach out to adjust his glasses, pushing them back up his nose. "Sure, Lewis. I can bring my own coins though how much you covet those coins." He chuckles.

The clock chimes 9:00 and your head whips over to see the time. "Oh, geez. I gotta get out of here, Lewis, I've got classes in the morning." He pouts a little, trying to think of a reason to get you to stay a little longer.

"Hey, maybe you could sleep over, just borrow one of my shirts. I'd hate to make you go home, plus I've got food here." He stands. You shake your head as you fumble around for your stuff.

"I can't Lewis, thanks though, I'll see you soon, okay? Uh, call me when you plan to go to the arcade, alright."

"Okay, goodnight then, Y/N..." he watches wistfully as you leave, trying to resist the urge to pull you back for just a few more minutes. He'd give you soda, or some more snacks. Lewis is hesitant to let anyone touch his controllers, but if you wanna play two player, he'll allow it, you'd just have to promise to be gentle. He knows you would be though, your always so gentle. With him, with animals and other people, (though he wishes it was him mostly.).

Lewis has never been popular at your school, it was bad in elementary, and only got worse when the social politics of high school kicked in. He was scrawny, freckled, and loved anything geeky. He was bad at sports and an only child, making him a little socially inept. He didn't care though, he may had wanted someone in elementary to play with, or in sixth and seventh grade to be his friend, but by eight grade year, it didn't matter. That's when he met you. Sweet, perfect you.

You were immediately popular at school. You were friendly, attractive, and outgoing, everything he tried and failed to be. Becoming your friend changed everything for him. He was still bullied and picked on, but it didn't matter. As long as you saw him as worthy, he was happy. His parents even stopped goading him about going out more, once they saw he actually had a friend, which just led him to have more time to stay indoors, with you and his consoles.

He lays on his bed thinking about how much you've meant to him, having set his controller aside, when he realizes the scent of your shampoo is still lingering on his pillow. You smell so good, and there's still a warm patch from where your laying.

"No... fuck." He whines, feeling his cock twitch to life from under his jeans. He runs a hand through his hair, fighting shame and carnal need. He quickly pokes his head around his blinds, making sure his parents aren't home yet. After deciding the coast is clear, He locks his door and gets under his bed, digging around for his book. Eventually, he finds the family photo fromthe christmas card your family sent his last december, just a couple months ago. He feels so dirty for jerking it to your family photo, especially considering your other family members pictures are on the page, but all the cute Polaroid pictures he has of the pair of you are still developing, and he really needs to look at you right now.

Normally, he'd just just turn on the adult late night channels, but he heard from some of the guys at school that usage of those channels are starting to reflect on cables bills, and he'd rather not get his TV taken.

In a moment of desperation, he kisses your photo once, before taping it up to his headboard, and grabbing the nearest pillow. Even though it's not you, and his cock desperately needs to be free from his jeans, he wants to make it romantic. He straddles the pillow, pretending in his head that this isnt weird at all, it's just.... practice for if, no, when he convinces you that he can provide reasons for you to love him.

"Y/N..." he huffs, looking down at the pillow and trying not to think about how embarrassing he's being. "I like you so much, I do, and I need-" he rolls his hips. "I need to be in you, I do." He tries to imagine what you might say.

"I know, i-its my first time too, but it'll be really good. I'll make sure I make you feel good, and I'll go really slow, even if I want to speed up." He begins undoing his pants. "You know, you thought you were being funny, making that dirty joke about practicing with my hands, but I bet some of that dexterity might carry over?" He chuckles, before groaning as he kicks off his boxers. "Stupid, that was stupid. Don't say that when this is a sure thing."

He looks down at his freckled dick, the tip red and leaking, slightly bulbous. He's pretty thin, but a decent length. He's sure if he figured out the right way to use it, he'd make you feel amazing. He's know you'll make him feel amazing.

"I'm gonna put it in now, okay? Y-yeah, yeah I'll go slow. Of course, I wouldn't hurt you or anything, unless you wanted that. I'd do anything for you." He groans, before rubbing his tip against the pillow and pumping his hips slowly. He pants, glasses fogging up.

"S' really good, not just on my dick but... but having you up against me, feels so nice to hold you." He clutches the pillow like a life preserver while he ruts away into it, whispering and panting praises and assurances to it.

"Gonna cum, god, I-I feel it coming. I wanna be a good guy, and pull it out but-" He moans. "You feel so good, I can't." He imagines in his head your on the pill, maybe for cramps, but... maybe just for him. "I-I can cum inside you? Really? Go's, yeah, yeah. Okay, I'll do that. I'll give it to you, and I'll clean you up right after I- shit." He can feel himself losing control at the thought of ruining you, the sight of his cum leaking out of your holes. He moans loudly, though it choked back and emotional enough it sounds like more of a cry. Thick, white cum comes out in strings, all across the crisp white fabric of his pillowcase.

Once that post-nut clarity hits, he groans. How could he be so stupid? This pillow had to be cleaned now, and that would wash out all the remnants of your scent. He sighs as he chucks the pillow case into his laundry basket, and tucks his spent cock back into his jeans. Wiping off his fogged up glasses, he looks at the photo of you again, taking it down from his bedframe. He leans back against the headboard as he looks at it.

"M'so in love with you, I wish I had the guts to say it. I play the hero all day, everyday in my games, why can't I just be like them. Strong enough to get the girl, and keep her. Not jerk off to a pillow and a family photo." He tucks it back under his bed. He'll impress you, he's just gotta find a way.

Several days later, you got a call from Lewis to meet him at the arcade. Grabbing your keys, you head out.

Upon arriving, you enter, and see Galaga. Huh, Lewis's initials were already on the leaderboard! He must've won before you showed up. Heading outside, you hear grunting from an alleyway. Concerned, you peek around the corner, and gasp.

"Hey!" You yell, running up. The two punks who were standing over your battered friend turn there heads, only to snicker. It's two boys from you and Lewis's class.

"Oh, Y/N, perfect timing. This geek was getting taught a lesson." The jock snickers.

"What is your problem? He didn't do anything to you guys!" You push past them to try and help Lewis up, but he looks mortified to see you. "N-no, no Y/N, don't-"

"Yeah, he didn't do anything to us, it's about what he did to you, or maybe, what you did to him." You turn around, and Lewis pales. "What're you talking about?" Your brows furrow.

"This geek has been in that shitty arcade all day, playing that game. When he beat his high score, he started dancing like a little girl. We laughed at him, and he started going off. Yelling about how he didn't need our approval, and he wasn't upset. He had something we couldn't take from him. We asked him, and he said it was you." You tilt your head.

"Yeah, man. We knew this creep had been following you around for a while, but we didn't know he thought you were friends. We said we didn't believe him, and he got so upset he started claiming he was your friend, that you loved each other. Even, heh-" The two laugh. "Even that he fucked you."

"W-what?" You gasp and look at him. "Lewis?"

"I'm so sorry, I... I needed them to believe we were close, that you did care." He blubbers, reaching our weakly to your blurry form, glasses broken.

"He got graphic with it, too. Talked about condoms and taking you from behind up in his bed, since it isn't true, the little perverts been fantasizing about it for a while. If nothing else, we did you a public service, shutting this creeps mouth." The taller jock says, trying to put a hand on your shoulder.

"Don't touch them!" Lewis screeches, blindly lashing out, weakness replaced by a moment of fury. "Jesus, he's crazier than we thought. Need us to walk you home?" The jock winks. You shake your head vehemently.

"Just go." You say coldly, not turning to face them. "Whatever, bitch. Don't blame us if this sicko does something to you." Only you and Lewis are left in the alley now.

"Y/N..."

"Don't, Lewis." You snap, making him recoil into himself. "I trusted you, you were my friend, h-how could you say such lewd things about me?" You ask.

"I-I didn't meant them to be leed, I was just angry. I mean, I would like to do that stuff with you, but it'd be romantic! I'd never try and defile you or something shitty like that. Just please, can we go back inside?" He begs. "I'll get you that slushie like I promised!"

You shake your head. "I... I need some time to process all this, Lewis. I think it's best if we don't see each other for a bit." His face falls. Despite what's happened, you almost regret what you said. He looks broken.

He kneels before you, on the ground. "Y/N, no, please. Your my only friend, my best friend, I'm sorry! I'll never talk like that again, I'll do anything to make it up to you! I-I take hormone suppression pills, o-or... I don't know, take an abstinence pledge, just don't leave. Your my everything, my best friend-"

You've already left the alley when he looks up. A few game tokens lay scattered, meant for you but having been lost from his pockets during his beat down.

"No... you're supposed to be my player two..."

[shadowshrike]

Interfering with Halsin's Portal

It's pretty well known that there are a few situations you can get in where Halsin is well and truly angry rather than disappointed or worried, but I don't think a lot of folks know one of those situations is if you mess with his portal to the Shadowfell. It's a heartwrenching bit of acting. It's also fundamental to the plot of my in-progress fic Girdled Roots, so I figured I might share it with the other Halsin-lovers out there who have never seen it.

EDIT: Please be aware this is datamined dialog and may not be visible in game. It appears to be intended to trigger if the player attempts to enter the portal, which I don't believe is possible in the final game, or at least I couldn't find a way in the most recent version. Sharing this is simply to enjoy the incredible acting and get some plot bunnies moving, not to make any commentary about the game's canon.

Halsin's Initial Reaction

Halsin: No! Stop! Halsin: It's gone... that was our one chance. You've doomed this place to darkness! Halsin: I warned you - told you this was my burden to carry. Why didn't you listen?

The pure rage and despair is visceral. Prior to this, Halsin mentions this portal has been a century in the making, but he's so calm and measured (even upon success) that it is easy to dismiss just how much agony has plagued him as he hoped to make things right. This chance is everything to him. It has guided his every action for a century. It is a hundred years of work, prayer, and guilt to rectify the horrific fate of both land and people that came to nothing because a stranger he trusted refused to listen to him.

The portal breaking is the only time we hear Halsin speak the truth of its importance to him without a hint of emotional regulation. He is wild with pain. This man who is always thoughtful and slow to anger in the face of horror with the wisdom of age and suffering to guide him has become too overwhelmed to show any kindness.

Player response

The player is given several different ways to respond, and Halsin's reaction varies a surprising amount depending on how understandable their reason is. In most cases, he states that he needs to be alone afterward.

Option 1: I'm sorry - I acted on instinct. Halsin: Words won't repair what's been done to this land. Nothing will... I need to be alone.

You can hear the ache in Halsin's voice, but he's somewhat understanding of this response. He projects more sadness than unchecked rage. The player has admitted to making a mistake, and Halsin isn't the type of person who hold onto vengeance when an apology has been made, but he's not naive or people-pleasing enough to say "it's okay" or offer comfort either. The safest thing for everyone is for him to step away to grieve when there is nothing more to be done.

Option 2: I did all the work here - I couldn't just let you take the glory. Halsin: Glory?! There's no glory here. Now there's nothing here - only shadows and the total absence of hope. Halsin:  There is nothing more to be said... I need to be alone.

Pure fury radiates from Halsin's response if the player focuses on the idea of being some grand hero rather than actually caring for the outcome. What the player did was an unforgiveable act, dooming everything that Halsin holds dear, and you have the audacity to complain about not getting glory from it. Again, he steps away, but this feels more like he's doing it because he believes you're worthless to reason with rather than because he needs a moment.

Option 3: I saved your grove - I figured it'd be best if I handled this as well. Halsin: We were this close to healing these lands. Now your arrogance has torn open the wounds once more. Halsin:  There is nothing more to be said... I need to be alone.

Halsin is still frustrated with this response and unmistakably angry, but it's significantly toned down from the idea of wanting to go through the portal for glory. More like he thinks you're a self-important idiot than a truly terrible person.

Specialized player responses

There are also three special responses you can give if you have a particular class or diety.

Druid: I thought my powers were equal to yours. Halsin: It wasn't just power this needed - it was wisdom, understanding. I suffered along with this place for years trying to understand the curse... and it seems I will continue to do so. Halsin:  There is nothing more to be said... I need to be alone.

Interestingly, he responds much more intensely to a druid than some of the other player choices. It might be in part because he feels like a druid should know better. He lectures the player like an Archdruid would initiates in his Grove, alternating between angry and explanatory, trying to get the player to understand why they were wrong and the sheer magnitude of their error. He ultimately ends in a much more resigned place here rather than personally resentful. Like a father-figure being forced through further life trials because of a child's foolish indiscretion. Frustrating, but inevitable.

Selunite: I trusted in Selûne to guide me through the shadows. Halsin: My friend - I wish you had trusted in me.

This is probably Halsin's most simple response with the least vitriol. He fully understands this answer, even if he's disappointed by it. The fact he calls the player 'friend' suggests a certain tired acceptance of this being a natural behavior for a Selunite trying to do good. We don't see this calm in other responses where Halsin was surprised by the player's choice.

Sharran: The Shadowfell is no place for non-believers - I couldn't allow you to soil it. Halsin: I should never have trusted an ally of the Dark Lady.

If you've ever taken Halsin along with Shadowheart in Act 2, then you know he is absolutely scathing toward her and her faith. He likely isn't as angry if a Sharran breaks the portal because it is utterly predictable. It merely confirms a truth he already knew and talked himself out of. That Sharrans cannot be fully trusted in matters of their goddess, even if one was good enough to rescue his people from the goblins.

[miowyaa]

My heart to you; Isagi x f!reader

A/N: Requested by @evapori ! Thank you so much for this request, I had a lot of fun writing it, I hope you’ll enjoy! This should've been entirely light hearted but it is a little sad during the beginning, oops. ALSO IM SO SORRY BUT I COULDNT FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THEM OFFICIALLY TOGETHER? LIKE he does (kinda) kiss her at the end so your just gonna have to live off those crumbs. im so sorry. Also, there's a part where the reader suggests that he becomes a “nude art model” IM NOT WEIRD I PROMISE, if you watched the anime there's a scene where Bachira and Isagi's parents meet and share that their sons are frequently booty naked at home LMAOO. CW: None! Or atleast that I can think of, if you spot any, let me know in the comments or in my dms <3

It's the game that will qualify Yoichi for nationals, he's playing with the same passion he normally does and you respond by cheering your heart out for him, just as you have been doing for every game of his. It's the last deciding point and he's running towards a goal, you can tell, but he passes and they lose. It hurts you but you know he's hurting more, and it's apparent on the walk home. 

It's a silent walk home where the silence acts as a thin veil of his true feelings, he drops you off at your front door and waves a goodbye without so much as a word. You aren't that well versed in the realm of soccer, but you are in Yoichi. You pivot to say a goodbye only to find his back already turned to you and one leg over his bike, and decide that it's probably better to say nothing. Taking out your keys, you unlock your front door and walk in, the yellow fluorescent lights greet you as they always do but today there's a certain coldness to them. It was under these same lights where you met Yoichi, and it feels like it was just yesterday. 

You were both six when you met, you recall your mother calling you from downstairs to greet someone- the son of her friend. He's bashful and stumbles over his words, he's matured since them but sometimes you can see faint traces of his past shyness. His mother introduces him and “Yoichi Isagi,” and you notice that he grips his mothers coat even tighter, but he does peek his head out a little more to get a better look at you. In return, you raise your eyebrow to stare at him rather judgementally. Your mother ushers you to go to the living room to play, and you do so. You take his wrist and drag him out from his mothers shadow, determined to show him your toy collection. He obliges, but it's not like he had much of a choice, you had a rather strong grip for a six year old.

It's been years since then, but he still allows you to pull him around like he's a ragdoll. But today, as his retreating figure becomes smaller from your view through the tiny crack you've made through the window blinds, you slump down and come to the realization that something may have changed. It might just be biased, but you can't name another soccer player that deserves this more than him, not even that white-haired guy from the other team that somehow got the reporters to listen to him so easily, not even him because he's not your Yoichi.

It's a few hours later and you're in bed, reading old text messages. Maybe it's cowardice but you find it hard to send him a message right now. Instead, you find comfort in past playful banter. You stare at your phone for so long that you don't realize a new day has begun, the sun rises and you stare out of your window dazed. The lack of sleep is evident but it all goes away with the sound of a notification. This notification in particular is his, you know this because he has a special ringtone on your phone, for calls and messages as do you on his. You spring for your phone and unlock it as humanely possible after what seems like hours, your messages finally load and a text reads out, “im coming over in 5, i have some news!”

What news? The vague text leaves you pacing around your room in worry, but you are soon snapped out of it when the sound of a rock hits your window, you look out and there he is. Wrapped in a scarf and grinning. This is a good sign, this means that whatever news he has likely isn't going to be that he has some life-threatening disease and he only has three weeks to live. You dash to the door in record time and slam it open, hopefully it didn't wake your parents. “Hi!” you pant, your rush to get to him is evident.

“[Name],” he smiles, and so do you. Like always, you grab his wrist and take him inside and he shuts the front door behind you. In your haste, you nearly make the both of you trip over several times, but luckily, you two do not end up on the floor. You make it to your room and sit him down, and with the most serious face you can make, you grab and shake his shoulders. 

“Spit it out!” you say, still shaking his shoulders, he stops you by putting his hands on your shoulders and shaking you back in retaliation, its effective. 

He pulls out a letter from inside of his coat and it's already opened, but you read the front of the envelope and in fancy font, it reads, “Japanese Football Association.” You stare at him dumbfounded but he urges you to continue. By the time you're done skimming over the letter, you're practically on top of screaming in joy. From the perspective of an outsider, you might as well be his mother from how much your screaming is embarrassing him. “It sounds like you’re more excited than I am,” he sighs before pushing you away with a finger on your forehead.

“Maybe I am, but it's about time they noticed how awesome you are. Were they perhaps blind before? It's the only explanation,” you shoot back, swatting his hand away. “But it's today! You should be more happy, you’re too calm about this,” you lean back on your bed's headboard, crossing your arms. 

“I feel like you’re plenty excited for the both of us,” he hums before he stands up. “But if it makes you feel better, I promise I'll become the greatest soccer player!” Yoichi grins before turning his back to you, flexing his muscles. 

“While you're at it, why don't you pick up a few jobs as a nude art model?” You laugh, he freezes before his arms drop down and looks at you with horror. “My mom told you that?” He looks at you fearfully and nearly drops to his knees in embarrassment. 

“No. You forget we’ve known each other for close to a decade, and plus you already promised that on the first day we met remember?” You stick out your tongue playfully. He thinks for a second before he looks at you like ‘bazinga!’. 

He leans in close to you and nearly shouts, “of course I do! The first day we met, I brought a soccer ball because before I was playing soccer- but it started raining. So my mom decided to take me to meet yours and when you took me to go play I-” you cut him off.

“You accidentally kicked it in my face.” you raise your eyebrow. Shamefully, he looks away and stuffs his hands in his pockets, you feel like he's about to start whistling and hope he does because it’d be pretty funny.

He coughs and you allow him to change the subject, and he looks like he's getting serious. “All of that aside, I don't know how long I'm not going to be able to see you for. But I hope that when we do, I'll be a better player for both of us, and I wanna make sure you’re still my biggest fan.” He grabs your hands and looks away, and you can see the redness creeping up to his cheeks. 

Is he trying to make you burst out into tears or is he naturally this endearing? You guess both but that he's not doing it intentionally. He starts debating whether or not he should just run out your door and just go there because your silence is just killing him that much, you’re staring at him with wide eyes and your jaw opened slightly, and honestly, the redness on your face might even start to rival his. But luckily, he doesn't have to do that. You break free of his hold and slap his back as hard as you can, he stumbles a few feet from the unexpected hit. “Of course I will, you dummy,” you huff as you look bashfully to the side. Yoichi lights up and crashes onto you in a hug so tight that you think that it might leave bruises later, but nonetheless, you return it. He presses a kiss to your forehead and before you cant comprehend whats going on, he runs out of your room, making sure to slam the door in the process. If you didn't wake your parents earlier, they're surely up by now. 

You stand there in shock, but not for long as you catch sight of him outside your window, running off to what's probably his football program thing, waving to you with the biggest grin in the world. You're more than happy to reciprocate.

© miowyaa | please do not steal, repost, or translate any of my work.

[argentimybeloved]

I hate seeing people STILL defend hoyo/Genshin even after Natlans trailer. I’ve seen so many excuses but none of them really work.

((if I said anything incorrect or accidentally offensive please correct me!!))

Rant(?) UTC

— “It’s a CN (Chinese) company, what did you expect?”

Just because China has a racism/colourism problem does NOT mean anything. You’re going to excuse it just cuz of that?? On top of that, CN players have ALSO disliked the lack of PoC characters. Also, blaming it on the fact that they’re Chinese is racist in itself I believe. You’re generalising a whole country as well.

With the talk that they only care about the CN fanbase is also wrong, cuz again. Even CN player base are mad about it.

On top of all that. Reverse 1999 and Dislyte, 2 games by a Chinese company have AMAZING rep from what I’ve seen and heard. They have a diverse cast and not only do they have a large variety of skin tones for their characters but their designs aren’t sexualised (*cough* Raiden and Yae Miko *cough*)

— “Oh you have (Insert character like, Kaeya, Xinyan, Candace ect) though”

And most of those characters are getting whitewashed by the company still!! Sure we have some character that DO have darker skin. But the art that the company posts of them, you’ll usually find them whitewashed.

I’ve seen people say they should be happy with Iansan.

Why?? That’s one character with darker skin in a nation based off of countries with people with darker skin.

Their skin colour is more ashy as well (as stated from other people I’ve seen, so correct me if I’m wrong there)

If you’re going to take inspiration from various countries for your game. AND make characters based on said countries, represent them better. Don’t just make them white when the people from those countries aren’t.

— “It’s HYV what did you expect??”

Oh I’m sorry, so I shouldn’t have expected for a nation to be accurately represented?

Also, many people who say this, usually have said “oh wait for Sumeru, wait for Natlan”

And now that both of those nations are released it’s:

“What did you expect”

Make up your mind please and thank you :3

And it’s not uncommon for people to wait to see if there’s at least SOME change to a game they enjoy

I’ve actually seen people say “Wait for more characters to be released”

HOW LONG DO PPL HAVE TO WAIT TO GET GOOD REP 😭😭

— “People complain yet still play the game”

People can complain and still play the game.

There’s good aspects to Genshin. The music and landscapes. Animation too. People can enjoy the game for that reason and still criticise the game.

Of course some people can quit the game due to how Genshin deals with PoC characters but others may stay for their own reasons. As long as they don’t IGNORE the problem then fine, they can keep playing. It’s their own choice.

— “They’re not white though!!”

What…

Have you seen the cast from the Natlan trailer??

I have actually seen this as an excuse and it honestly confuses me so much. Do people genuinely think that the Natlan cast isn’t mostly white people?? I hope not…

— “There’s white people in those countries too”

Okay and? Chinese people can also have tanner skin and we don’t have characters with said skin tone in Liyue.

Same with Japan.

What’s your point?

Natlan AND Sumeru are both nations based of countries that have people with darker skin. Yes you may find a white person in those countries too but that shouldn’t be your excuse of why there’s such a lack of diversity in those nations. If there’s a diversity in the countries their based off of, so should the in game nation.

— “Their designs are pretty though!”

(Not rlly an excuse but felt like I should add it)

I’ve seen people saying they like the characters design and think there pretty and that’s fine!! Can’t fault you for liking a characters design. I also do find some of the designs pretty. I will admit. It’s when you defend their designs when it becomes a problem. Just cuz you like a characters design doesn’t mean you can ignore the lack of diversity for PoC.

Especially when they’re the ones being represented

-

-

-

That’s all the excuses I’ve seen going around. The more common ones, I’m unsure if there’s more (hopefully not…) but if there is feel free to comment about it

Apparently the ZZZ team have talked about their dislike about this whole mess. Which hopefully means they’ll do better but it is also the same company.

I’ve seen a good few concept art of characters who DO have darker skin tones but apparently genshins higher ups made them lighter. Can’t fully confirm that but I have seen concept art with characters with darker skin tone.

Once again, if I said anything incorrect or accidentally offensive please correct me as well!! Thank you :)

(Silently hoping I won’t get death threats for this to the point I have to delete it 👍 - Will likely private my DMs if I can)

[butwhatifidothis]

I LOVED To Be a Creature, and it genuinely creeped me out to see the things Edelgard and Hubert said to Byleth (though it's the same as the game, stripped out of its voice acting and background music, the dialogue is so much more horrifying). Really makes me wonder if Edelgard's love for Byleth is genuine in any way. Do you think there's any real love there or is it just obsession?

Thank you!!! I had a feeling that placing Edelgard and Hubert's words in a context that isn't meant to make them look flattering would really let their casual racism shine, and I'm glad it's seeming like that is in fact the impression people are getting lol. SO sorry for the late answer btw 😭😭😭

As for whether Edelgard's love is genuine... I got opinions lmao.

got a bit long lmao under the cut it goes

If Edelgard felt the way she does for Byleth on exclusively SS and CF, I could maybe see how this is a "genuine" love (insofar as a love steeped in "I may hate your race but you're special and Not Like The Other Ones because I think you're special to me" can, uh, ever be genuine, in any case). But because Edelgard still feels as strongly towards Byleth on AM and VW where she quite literally never talks to them directly in any meaningful way, it becomes waaaaay more like she's just weirdly obsessed with this person who saved her one singular time ever five years ago from an attack Edelgard set up. It makes the "love" way more forced and contrived and obviously trying to squeeze tears out of the player for standing up against the cute girly trying to murder them. Or, alternatively, it makes Edelgard come off as manipulative, saying that she just wanted to walk with Byleth and it makes her so sad to HAVE to fight Byleth because BYLETH wouldn't stand by HER - and she's saying this on AM/VW to a person she's talked to in conversation a cumulative, what? Hour? Two? Maybe a few days, being nice? Over the course of, being as absolutely generous as physically possible and not counting the five years Byleth was missing... two fucking years? She's shitting herself over fighting this stranger she doesn't fucking know? Yeah, sure buddy, whatever you say - you see what I mean?

And honestly even outside of those two routes, I think it's more that she sees Byleth as being hers rather than actually liking them for who they are. A body to stand next to her and tell her how right she is and comfort her - who doesn't have the background of "I was literally raised to think this is my only purpose in life" muddying the sincerity of the brown-nosing - who also happens to also act as The Perfect Fighter and The Perfect Strategist to actively help her get what she wants. That view of Byleth being a tool doesn't really go away unless they marry her, seen by how they quite literally get nothing for all they've done for Edelgard should they go unmarried to a noble (guess they just weren't meritable enough once their use to her was done).

As well as how much more Edelgard doesn't like Byleth disagreeing with her or otherwise going against her flow than pretty much anyone else in the game - you lose supports points if you don't think the Black Eagle Strike Force name she made is good, she quickly denies the notion that Byleth isn't detached from others/emotions and insists they are just like she is, she gives them the same callous and thoughtless words she was apparently given once in her life while they are in the midst of mourning their recently murdered father so that they get over it already and get back to being useful to her (directly saying she will only reach out her hand when it's time for HER to move forward, not when BYLETH heals from WATCHING THEIR DAD DIE IN THEIR FUCKING ARMS MAYBE A WEEK AGO). She never treats Byleth kindly unless they do everything she wants, which like. Isn't love???? At all????

There's just this... weirdly possessive air Edelgard has around Byleth that always threw me off, especially with how easily she admits to have been willing to kill them so far into CF and how readily she cuts ties with them the second the fighting's done (which is particular because how just how clingy she was to Byleth everywhere else - you know during all that time Byleth had a use to her). Incorporating that into being an intentional part of her character is certainly interesting, but not in a way that's flattering to the idea of Edelgard genuinely being in love with Byleth lmao.

Personally tho, even disregarding almost everything else, the simple explanation is that I don't think you can really sit there and say you love someone while openly hating part of their racial heritage. Wild thought, I know lmao

[moonlightequin1]

hehehe I'm here again to share my thoughts about the new halloween event and Yuu. >:D

Jamil sort of trying to 'comfort' Skully is SO cute?? The angst is building up and I honestly hope Yuu can somehow play a bigher role in helping Skully, especially since they seem to share similarities.

But now that I think about it, sometimes it throws me off to see how majority of the fandom portrays Yuu as the overworked "therapist" who's tired of everyone and everything. Especially when it's clear to see that the cast helps out eachother a lot, while Yuu shared only a few 'deep' conversations with the boys throughout the game and also gets protected during fights. I feel like it takes away from the boys characters when the moments that show them caring about eachother and helping eachother out are completely being ignored or seemingly being re-written as Yuu doing all the work.

I totally don't mind when someone writes their Yuu to do all the 'therapist'—work, but seeing this under almost every comment section that includes Yuu is rather tiring. Especially since in-game Yuu doesn't seem to hate their stay in twst all that much.

I hope I don't sound rude haha, I guess this kind of ended up being a bit of a ramble? Sorry if I do! TnT

Hey again diggoes!!!

I actually do agree with your statement about the whole fandom's portrayal of Yuu being an unpaid therapist and TBH I thought the joke/meme was very funny at first until slowly, the joke started becoming less funnier to me when that's all people talked about when it came to Yuu's character. While Yuu isn't purposefully involving themselves in overblot incidents, they do help others without really complaining about it.

I think that one of the major reasons Yuu is labelled as an unpaid therapist is also because of how we, mostly a lot of the players for this game, tend to get tired of NRC's BS and may project that kind of feeling to Yuu (who is basically a self-insert character), which leads many of those in the fandom to think that way.

However, as you have stated, Yuu isn't the only one helping everyone out. In fact, a lot of the overblots are resolved from teamwork and cooperation on involved members. It's a group effort done by all sides of the parties despite NRC students having a knack for being selfish and prideful jerks who prioritise their needs/desires above everyone else.

But I believe another reason many tend to feel that way is because being in Twisted Wonderland, specifically in NRC, wasn't a choice that the player OR even Yuu gets to choose voluntarily which is something I would agree on partially. And unlike other characters in the game, Yuu and Grim have been involved in every single dangerous/life threatening events and even get to be involved with certain things that are far too personal for acquaintances such as them to get involved (particularly Diasomnia especially in book 7).

Although Yuu hasn't had any moments where they are shown to hate their stay in Twisted Wonderland, it is important to note that they seem to be homesick depending on the choices you choose in Book 7. Yuu doesn't really get a choice on many things, but it doesn't mean that they help begrudgingly. They help even without receiving anything in return.

With all that being said, if people were regarding this about Yuu, then the same should be said to apply to Grim; who has shown far more disregard and complaints about their involvement compared to Yuu. HELL– we even see Grim complain about the fact that Yuu helps out other characters too much. Sure, Grim starts AND stirs a lot of trouble, but a lot of times, it isn't really done intentionally. He can be naïve and really insensitive.

That's what I have to say about this topic at least! I don't really mind the 'unpaid therapist' concept with Yuu, but it does get overdone in the fandom and it does seem to disregard the efforts of the other characters too. Although, I do think that the unpaid therapist concept joke can work with people's own portrayals of Yuu, in-game Yuu hasn't really shown their complaints so far. Well, except with Crowley.

Thanks for the new message! ❤️

[yuurei20]

Concerning light and dark magic, has there really been like a significant difference between the two? Like does dark magic have certain benefits and vice versa for light? How about weaknesses? Or is it just a visual indicator for who is twisted from the "bad" or "good"? Sorry if these questions are confusing in any way and thank you if you do answer!

Hello hello!! Thank you for this question!

As of this point in the game, I am not sure if it is an indicator of anything at all! :> (Not to say that there is no symbolism happening! Just that the details have yet to be revealed, so we do not know what it might mean.)

There are various rumors as to what the different magics may represent, mostly based around who was twisted from who (as you say!), but from what I can tell they are still fan theories!

Things are complicated by how they are not always only one-to-one recreations of other characters: Jamil seems to have various elements from Aladdin and/or Jasmine, for example, while Kalim seems to have a curious amount of influence from the lead character in "Sinbad's Storybook Adventure' (a ride exclusive to Tokyo Disney Sea that technically qualifies Sinbad as a Disney character).

And we might be seeing this theme re-establishing itself in real time via the Platinum Jacket series (card groovies under the cut)!

The expressions of the characters in the Platinum series might be most charitably described as "devious," from Jamil to Jack, with (thus far) one exception:

It is exciting to think about what Silver and Kalim's cards might look like!

As for card strengths, I am really not at all knowledgeable about battles and things, so I referenced a variety of different card rankings to see if there seems to be any preference for light magic over dark magic or vice verse.

Many people recommend Epel's Applepom as one of the stronger cards in the game, but I have seen many comments that he was recently dethroned by Kalim's Playfulland card.

Dorm-Malleus also gets referenced as one of the stronger cosmic-cards, but so does Dorm-Kalim!

This is further complicated by how different cards can become stronger than others depending upon how they are leveled, what other cards they are paired with, how much the buddy levels between those cards have been leveled, etc.

I have heard from meta players that the balances of the cards in Twst are well curated when compared to other games (SSRs are a plus but not a requirement to go through the story, for example), so I think it is safe to say that there might not be any major imbalances between dark and light magics at this time! :>

[thommi-tomate]

Interview with Thomas (January 9, 2011)

By: Andreas Burkert for Süddeutsche Zeitung

Mr. Müller, where is the Golden Shoe for the best World Cup shooter?

At home, in my games room, where the dartboard and Play Station are. Everything that has now accumulated is on the windowsill. Before it gets dusty in the boxes, I'd rather put it outside.

The reason for your award, Germany's World Cup performance in South Africa, was part of every annual review. Did you watch it when this Müller suddenly walks through the picture?

Of course I've also seen Müller in a few previews. But I don't necessarily have to watch the whole thing. The year went really well and I'm always reminded of that, even if I forget about it; I can't avoid it anymore. But it's over now. I can't buy anything for it anymore. Now I have to prove myself again.

What came up in your personal review of 2010 on New Year's Eve?

It was the World Cup. But there wasn't just one moment for me, there were so many great moments.

You only made your debut for the national team just under ten months ago, in Munich against Argentina.

Yes, that was special. When I heard the national anthem, I thought: Now I've made it, now I'm really where I want to be - (A German tourist of an older age approaches the table and wants an autograph. Müller asks for her understanding that he can't now, but will be happy to do so later) - Well, since the World Cup, even those who don't know much about soccer recognize you.

Just older ladies?

Nah, nah, all the age-group are already there.

Does at least your grandma, who you greeted on TV after the round of 16 against England, have some peace now?

In the meantime, yes. The problem was that my parents, my grandma and the people here in Pähl didn't have a media manager like we did at Bayern or the DFB. But I was back home over the Christmas period and everything was nice and quiet.

People who know you well say: Müller, he doesn't take off, not even now, he doesn't drive a Ferrari yet. Don't you have a quirk? And how do you reward yourself after a year like that?

I once asked myself the same question. We have a great sponsor, so I don't need a new car. But I do sometimes walk past watch stores, but then I see that they are sometimes really expensive. Then I'd rather not, it's not worth it to me. I'm also not a bird of paradise who dyes her hair. My wife rides, which has now become important for us. Apart from that, I really do have everything. I'd have to make my own problems if I wanted to have any.

Do you ride yourself?

I tried it out a year and a half ago. Well, I didn't fall off directly, but I felt sorry for the horse afterwards. The risk is too big for me and the horse.

2011 has started for you with the loss of a title: You no longer have the thinnest legs.

You mean because of Luiz Gustavo? Well, we haven't measured his thighs yet, but it's possible. People always joke about my legs, I know they always have. But don't worry, my mother has already noticed that they don't break much. They were never a problem for me, in fact I think they helped me, even when I was younger. Because if you don't just have your body to fight back with, you also have to use your brain to run certain routes to avoid direct duels.

Is that how this urge came about? Müller goes up top, to where the ball suddenly appears?

Certain things are certainly trained automatisms. But often it's a certain instinct, a feeling for the spaces. I'm glad to have this ability.

In any case, it's difficult to compare your style with another player. Do you perhaps know one?

No, I am somehow unique. There are dribblers who are pretty similar, strikers too, but what am I actually?

Yes, what is Müller?

Hm. Well, what am I? A Raumdeuter (space interpreter) ? Yes, I'm a Raumdeuter. That would be a good title, wouldn't it?

In any case. Because, if I may say so, you do score goals, but particularly beautiful ones are rare. But you are there.

That's true, I'm not known for scoring beautiful goals. But the important thing is when it's in. I've often been accused of being lucky, but if it happens five times in a row at the World Cup, there must be another reason for it

Your former amateur coach Hermann Gerland once said: "Müller can play like shit for 90 minutes - but then he scores a goal.

The statement is correct. I consciously take risks in my game, I often try things on the direct route towards goal that are perhaps great in terms of the idea, but difficult to execute. Mistakes happen, but you have to say to yourself: no more, next time I'll try again. Reviews sometimes say: He tried a lot but didn't succeed. Yes, then it just didn't work out. I try a lot, and there are a lot of rejects. I know that, and that's why I don't drive myself crazy.

Did you get the impression after the World Cup that your opponents adjusted better to your unconventional style?

Not really. The first half of the season was a bit different, I mainly played on the right or left. It just didn't go well for the team overall, no individual player was able to break away from the trend, not even me.

Your roles change frequently. Where would you have Müller play?

I would put Müller behind the front line, which is the position at Bayern that is closer to the opponent's goal and therefore more dangerous. I can penetrate the gaps better from there. You have to be more tactically disciplined on the right and left, and the number seven position in the national team is a different right than at Bayern, because the DFB always swap sides with Mesut Özil. I need a bit of freedom to be able to play on the left or right. That's why I see myself behind the front ten. But I'm versatile and also like to play other roles.

Van Gaal said last season: "Müller always plays for me". Has this confidence made your rise possible?

He didn't even need to make that statement. Because I always had the feeling that he was counting on me.

How did you notice that, his confidence? A year ago it was said that some players were afraid of van Gaal.

Oh, I like talking like him too. He wants to create a certain amount of friction, which is why he prefers his way of talking. I really like his direct manner, we're similar in that respect

You, but also other players, were unusually outspoken in your support of the coach during the critical fall weeks. Out of gratitude?

No, there was no agreement between us, but I think everyone deliberately supported the coach. You could have asked each player individually, independently of each other, and everyone would have told you how convinced they were of him and his philosophy. Of course, in a squad of 25, there is dissatisfaction from players who don't play. But even colleagues like Hamit Altintop or even Martin Demichelis have spoken positively about the coach. And when you see what's happening here in Doha at the training camp, how they're stepping on the gas: This team really enjoys working with this coach.

Were you not worried when President Hoeneß was sharply critical and things were tight with the headstrong coach?

Not really, and after the contract extension I had the feeling that the club management was counting on him. We were all very happy about that, and the coach was also pleased that he had the support of the whole team. That's why there was never any talk of a rift between players and coach.

Then you would actually have to persuade van Gaal to stay as long as you and the others who have now signed such long-term contracts.

I think if push comes to shove, you might be able to do something about it. However, the pressure here in Munich is certainly exhausting and I don't think you can be Bayern coach for ten years without damaging your health.

At 21, you are part of the Lahm/Schweinsteiger generation, which is gradually replacing the Ballack generation. What are the differences?

Football-wise, that's certainly a level. But I think even Michael Ballack experienced different times as a young player when it was more difficult to integrate into teams. There are now many young coaches who bring in their philosophy, with a flatter hierarchy. That perhaps makes it easier for us young players today.

At 21, you've already achieved a lot. What else is there to come?

I want to bite down hard, at a very high level. In ten years' time, I want to say that I've always played at the very top for a decade and my body has endured it, and fortunately so has my head. That's my main goal.

[saika077]

Theory: Genshin is changing their target demographic. Let me explain.

Honestly I've never seen a more Whole House Mad situation in the Genshin community than with the recent Varesa leaks. I open twt and see people obviously not happy with her design, animation, the fact that Iansan supposedly lost her 5* slot for this and the fact that she's supposed to be a "chubby" cow Luchadores when she looks...like that. And then I go into xhs and see Chinese players mad about pretty much the same thing. A lot of them have been upset since Natlan's release, saying that the characters feel like east asians cosplaying as/ appropriating other cultures, which didn't sit right with them. Some are also saying that the fact that Hoyo is calling Varesa's body type "fat" indirectly insults players who have that same, relatively healthy bmi and skinny body type. And yeah, I also have that same body type and my BMI is 22 which very normal unless you're on edtwt (lol).

So it got me thinking. Who is the target audience for this? It's definitely not the majority of the global audience or the Chinese audience bc they're all not happy. And to be frank since Natlan, I've never seen anyone who genuinely like the character designs and the only ones who do are either a. Only likes it as bait to "own the libs" like "oh this makes the people I hate mad therefore I like it" or b. People who are purposefully being ignorant about how problematic the characters are and refuses to see other people's perspective. So obviously they're trying to appeal to the incels and gooners even though they are a small (yet very loud) minority.

You might have seen posts about people sharing pictures of Fontaine characters, captioning it with something like "what happened to the character designs 💔" but I'm sorry to tell you, but I think they legitimately stopped caring about appealing to the general audience and yes, it is heartbreaking to see where this game's direction is going. If you remember, the incels and gooners are mad at some of the characters and their design in this era. Some notable examples here are Lyney, Furina, and Wanderer (boy, they really hate those boyshorts, huh?). From what I can tell, for some reason these people really freaking hates it when something appeals to a wider audience (namely female players and other minorities) and not cater to them specifically. I mean, just look at these incels seething over Infinity Nikki and Love and Deepspace for existing, not to appeal to them. Not to mention the fact that Wanderer and Furina often wins the top most popular Male and Female characters polls respectively but also one of the most hated characters by incels. And for some reason Hoyo decided to coddle these freaks as their business strategy, maybe they saw how successful ZZZ is with their goonerbait and tried to copy them and decided to abandon their preexisting audience? We may never know. For the record, I think ZZZ's strategy of baiting gooners and then BAM! give them deep dank lore therefore warding off weirdos who "aint reading allat" and hooking people who can look past the goonery, maturely engage with and actually enjoy the game and lore therefore resulting in a relatively chill community (at least compared to other Hoyo communities) really freaking genius. And what's funnier is that in Indonesian social media spaces, Genshin has been called a "gooner game" by people outside of the fandom long before ZZZ's release, which at the time is obviously not true and now it's sort of become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Personally my opinion on Varesa's design is the same case for Mizuki's design for me, I get what Hoyo's trying to go for but the overall design gets ruined by the fact that they are very obviously and not so subtly trying to appeal to a certain audience. And I'm afraid at this rate it will get worse from here on out. And to the people who genuinely, wholeheartedly like Varesa's character design, you are free to do so, but you cannot deny the type of audience she's specifically made for in mind and why people think it's problematic.

[nyewclear]

hello!! sorry if you answered this before but i recall in a previous ask you said there was no bad ending for cc; will that also be the case for kurou connect since there's supposed to be 5 routes?

(also odinas nails in the demo LOL i see what you did there)

i've briefly discussed the workings of kurou connect's routes in this curiouscat, but i haven't talked about it anywhere else aside from my undergraduate thesis paper hahahaha. i will explain a bit how kurou connect is going to work!! i have a tendency to be very overzealous when i plan my games, so what i'm about to say may be radically different from what i end up executing in the future, but here's the idea.

kurou connect is not a game about getting into a relationship with kurou. it's a game about character exploration and about the barriers we all have to overcome when getting to know people. in kurou connect, you really, really don't like him. you're forced to learn things about him throughout the length of the game, but the main goal of the game isn't to date him. recall how at the end of the demo, kurou gets his car stolen. the plot then develops so that you get so hopelessly lost in the city while trying to report his car as stolen, and you're forced to be in very close proximity with this guy you don't like for a 24 hour time period. the actual goal of the game is to get home safely... and any relationship progress you make with kurou on the way there is just an added bonus. so those five routes you mentioned actually have nothing to do with your relationship with kurou by the time the game ends. rather, they're five different endings you can achieve, one of those being the "true ending" where you end up at home safely.

now... you're probably wondering where da hell the relationship portion comes into play. i'm planning to write the game so that within those five routes, there are four different "relationship levels" you can get to with kurou:

you somehow make up with him, set aside your differences, and become genuine friends with him,

you get into a huge fight and hate him even more than you already do,

one of you acknowledges your enemies-to-lovers romantic tension and does something about it based on actions either of you take during the first half of the game,

or nothing changes and everything's the same frenemies thing as it was before.

each of the five routes will have different "relationship level" shades to them based on whatever you do during the game. however, kurou connect also isn't a game where kurou just baselessly makes advances on you (this is a popular trend in many many dating sims— have you guys noticed this? the player is always subjected to the whims of the romantic interest whether they like it or not). you as the player are in control and kurou's forced to respond to whatever you say or decide. it's more fun that way! after a certain point though, he does take things into his own hands... if you know what i mean hehe ;P

so about that bad ending. are there bad endings? if we considered each route that ended in you and kurou not making it back home, then i suppose the answer would be yes, but that's getting really technical with it. if we wrapped all of the "relationship levels" into it, then it becomes a little more convoluted. the thing is, even if you and kurou get into a huge fight and hate each other's guts, it's still going to be really funny and interesting to play. if we really get technical with it, there are actually 20 different ways the game can end, but they'll all be silly and weird and full of kurou's annoying self. but if you asked me if there were bad endings, i would say no :-) yeah, you can fail, but it's not failure in the traditional sense. hopefully all of this is understandable!!!

(and yes HEHEHE odina loves her long nails but she loves her girlfriend too... a compromise needed to be made... :3)

[skaruresonic]

VN Anon here. Sorry if my ask caused up a stir. I genuinely wanted to compliment you on your efforts with your first VN and understand your inspirations behind it without coming off too strong.

I was so invested with how you approached Sonic and Knuckles' conflict -- it's a very solid adaptation of what tends to be the heart of their disagreements. I was a little caught off guard when I was trying to help Amy, so I did feel like I was thrown for a loop when I accidentally prioritised her external conflict over her internal conflict (I got a real good scolding from Sonic TwT). And Cream's event made me feel personally responsible and protective of her, and the background story that Vanilla wants the best for her but considers discouraging her dream of becoming a baker made me feel a bit seen lol. So I commend you for making me feel human emotions like I'm a part of the cast even as Sonic's buddy^^

The unique spin you added with the puns, the dogs, Knuckles' weeb deal was a fun break from expectations. And your thoughtfulness over avoiding narration fatigue is also something I appreciate heavily since I'm frankly not a vn player by trade. I was interested in seeing your spin on the cast since I tend to agree with your thoughts on the game cast.

Currently still on the meta section (the character swap is entertaining), but I like how Eggman is a genuine threat, an absolute control freak, and sees me as a tool! Guy's a hilarious bastard as always!

I guess I'm trying to say that from one artist to another, I think your art's really nice and I resonate with it! I'm gonna play Antigravity once I have some spare time!

No worries, you didn't say anything wrong. Everything's cool. :>

Thanks! Originally it was going to be a kinetic novel (linear VN with no choices) but due to my inexperience with RenPy at the time, I couldn't figure out how to make branching paths; every choice tended to loop back around, so I decided to work with that conceit instead.

OaS isn't fully non-kinetic, but it isn't fully kinetic either. Only one choice really matters, which determines whether you get the bad ending, and even that can be reversed if you know what to do. You might just have to suffer for it a little, is all.

Without getting too spoilery, each choice has a "bad" alternate route, which is implied to be Eggman veering things off-script. You can see this as early as the first choice, where he pops in with a jumpscare. Because there aren't a whole lot of choices, I tried to make each one weightier than usual, as well as fairly obvious.

The overall idea is that you'll evaluate each situation and choose the option that's best for the characters, rather than something you may personally want them to do. ex. Sonic says he's getting stir-crazy, so it would be kind of imposing your will on him to be like "no, stay home and read a book." The original plan was to tally each of the player's bad choices and have Sonic issue a warning if it looked like the player was on the path towards a bad ending, with each one slowly increasing the volume on the alarm. But, again, due to my inexperience with RenPy, I didn't know how to set up those variables. What I wound up doing instead was a more binary system where one choice is the "good" choice that progresses the VN like normal, whereas the other is the "bad" choice that loops you back around following a jumpscare.

There's nothing in the code that will punish you for making poor choices - you won't get any friendship points docked or anything like that - but since the game is about friendship, I was hoping Sonic's admonitions would be enough. The deterrent needs to be a little harsh in the absence of flagged variables.

(And that's before Vanilla puts the fear of God in you. :P)

---

Currently still on the meta section (the character swap is entertaining), but I like how Eggman is a genuine threat, an absolute control freak, and sees me as a tool! Guy's a hilarious bastard as always!

nobody appreciates Eggman's contributions xP

"Do you have any idea how hard I work, Sonic?"

"well maybe you'd ship on time if you let somebody else handle the co---"

"SHUT UP, SONIC"

And yeah, Sonic and Eggman pulling a Freaky Friday has always been my jam. There's something about it that just tickles my funny bone.

---

I guess I'm trying to say that from one artist to another, I think your art's really nice and I resonate with it! I'm gonna play Antigravity once I have some spare time!

Ty, I'm glad you're enjoying it. ^^ And no rush. I'm still working out the bugs in Antigravity.

Two recommendations, though: don't try to rollback or button-mash if you can. RenPy doesn't remember the last action you took while you're in the battle loop, so if you try to rollback during battle, it'll take you to the title screen.

I do want to see if disabling rollback will fix the issue, but that's for later. I'm currently working on making more maps.

[wardencommanderrodimiss]

Also, if I may ask, what exactly is Dragon Age? I'd never heard of it before following your blog, and I know very little about it outside of what you've said about it.

I know I could probably just look it up, but that's not nearly as fun as listening to a friend's rambles.

Okay first of all I'm so sorry for the person I've become, and the person I continue to become as we get closer to and eventually arrive at the release of the new game on Halloween. (Context: it has been a decade since the last game. Nine years for me, as I got into the fandom in the time between the release of the last game and the release of its final DLC.)

The basic explanation is: western fantasy RPG series where the player character gathers up a group of companions to do anything from save the world to survive living in the worst city in the world. The real strength of the series is getting everyone obsessed with the companion characters, who, depending on your choices, you can be friends or enemies with, even as you continue to work together, and maybe you'll fall in love or they'll break your heart or you break their heart. I got dumped by a god. I nearly got dumped by a bastard prince who I encouraged to become king. My witch wife left me and I had to go on a long journey to find her. I almost went for a sacrifice ending and then cried so hard saying goodbye to my elf assassin boyfriend (we met when he was hired to kill me) that I reloaded and made a bunch of different choices.

The other strength is the roleplaying choices that you can make to shape your own character to get obsessed with, and then continue to add lore to them in your head until you're making them in the Sims just because you love them, or have an AU where they work at Subway. Real things I have done.

What else... I think another thing the games do well is in the worldbuilding and lore, and specifically in ambiguity in those things. The first game, Dragon Age: Origins, has the PC and companions fighting to save their country from what's basically a zombie apocalypse. The zombies, called darkspawn, have toxic blood that, if a person is infected, will lead them to a gruesome, agonizing death. In the course of the game, you learn more about how darkspawn are ""born"" - they're not 1:1 pop culture zombies, it's just the best comparison to start with - but... where did they come from in the first place? Why do they exist? The Church has an answer, but the Church is very fallible. You uncover new pieces of information about them in the game's DLC, and then in later games, which half-confirm and half-deny the Church's tale, but we still don't have a clear answer. Maybe we'll finally get one in the next game!

And that's just one example. The Church had a papal schism and the two branches argue about the nature of god's mortal wife - was she a mage or not, did she ascend and become divinity or not? There's a cult that thinks she was reborn as a dragon. You find what is said to be her ashes, which have miraculous healing properties. One of your companions, if killed in the temple where the ashes are housed, resurrects as a sort-of ghost. What's up with that? Who knows! We sure don't!

So, there's a lot of fun lore to chew on, and a lot of fun characters to get obsessed with, and a lot of options for playing your own individual character and getting obsessed with them.

My favorite game of the three is Dragon Age: Origins, the first one, released in 2009. Yes, the graphics are dated, yes the combat gameplay is jank, yes it frequently crashes for some people (there are workarounds), yes there's a weird amount of sexism and some of that is trigger-warning worthy (something to keep in mind for anyone who wants to check it out), but I've played it... five, six times? Half of those as the same character, making the same choices, and yet it seems like every time I play, I find something new hidden away somewhere. A character sidequest I didn't unlock because they didn't like me enough. An NPC sidequest somewhere that I didn't explore well enough.

There's different background options for the character you create, and each of them gives you an "origin story" sequence to play. Usually only an hour or two before you hit the convergence point of the main story, but it dramatically shapes the way you see the locations and characters that you'll return to later in the story. A random merchant that a human noble PC passes by is an old friend for a dwarven noble PC. A random elf that a mage PC finds locked up in prison is the beloved cousin of the city elf PC. A random ambush by darkspawn holds a devastating reunion for the nomadic elf PC. A two-line encounter with a random woman is a lot more for the commoner dwarf PC, because that is their sister who's finally gotten away from their abusive mother. The PC is unvoiced in Origins, but that means there's more dialogue options to choose from than for the other games, which really helps me define the character I'm playing. And as a person who loves to make OCs (you know what I have going on for Pokemon), that's a big big plus.

The other games are good, too - I actually started with Dragon Age 2, and came back to Origins, because that's what I was recommended, and I think it was good because the combat felt so much better in 2, and once I was hooked on the world, I could go back to Origins. But there's something about Origins that makes me a big shill for it.

The Dragon Age fandom is, uh, contentious. If you - or anyone else here - ever want to check out the games, my recommendation is to look at cool art, make a few friends who are chill, and stay away from the radioactive discourse meltdowns that always seemed to be happening when the fandom was more active. I know lots of fandoms are toxic trashbins, I stay in a little corner to dodge that. But Dragon Age is. the fandom is special. Here's a parody post about what it's like.

But I really do love Dragon Age, and I've made some good friends, and I've had a lot of fun, and I'm very excited for the new game, and I am, again, very very sorry for the person I'm becoming.

[cleolinda]

Silent Hill 2 commentary: The Grove, the Theater, and the Hospital (3)

PREVIOUSLY ON: That's It, A Garden; The Shadows of the Lover's Tree and the Lady of the Light; the hopes and dreams of the new Maria.

Spoiler policy: Just about anything but That One Big Thing near the end of the game, particularly information about characters, their motives, and their dynamics. The game’s eight endings may also be discussed, and character deaths are described in this section. Content notes are below the cut.

Content notes: The premise of the game involves subtle mentions of terminal illness, suicidal ideation, and alcohol abuse. In this section, we have bullying, fatphobia, binge eating, and an implied eating disorder. This is another quiet section with character and setting discussion.

55:55: Into the Reverie Theater itself. So, you remember "The reason Maria used to hate bowling"?

So the idea is that Maria can't go inside whichever building for the scene where James interacts with Eddie and Laura, because Maria isn't real. In the original game, Maria mysteriously hates bowling and refuses to go inside the Bowl-O-Rama. In the remake, you'll remember (see clip above) that James seemed to remember this and assumed that Maria wouldn't want to go inside. But this time, the Bowl-O-Rama is empty, so Maria disdainfully asks why James would think that. Now that the Eddie and Laura scene has been moved to the Reverie Theater, the remake cleverly keeps Maria outside by making the entry a broken window full of jagged glass that she and her miniskirt would not want to traverse. In fact, since Maria is "from" James' mind, we now have a scenario where he tells her to stay outside, so of course she agrees. 

However, the remake makes it awkward again by having Maria add, "Not much of a movie fan anyway," leading to James giving her a lowkey what the fuck? look, and all the Let's Players get indignant that she doesn't like movies. Y'all, she is just trying to play off the fact that she can't go with him. It's deadpan. I understand you, Maria. You get in my way 24/7, but I'll miss you when you don't anymore. 

57:08: So now we're in the Reverie Theater (like a lot of people, I first read this as "Revere Theater" on the map), a section with more exploration and character work. Right now, we're in a back room overhearing Eddie and Laura talk way down in a screening room:

Some key points:

1) Eddie seems most comfortable hanging out with an eight-year-old girl, which may speak to how emotionally stunted he is from years of being bullied.

2) Is that actually kind of sketchy on Eddie's part? I don't know. I don't get the impression that either version of the game has ever implied that he preys on children.

3) Laura is bullying him even now, calling him a "gutless fatso," but mostly seems to enjoy hanging out with him.

4) Eddie is fairly certain that "the cops" didn't follow him to Silent Hill, so he has implied to Laura that he's done something wrong. 

5) He adds that he blocked the door so that neither they nor "these other monsters" can get in. Laura says, "You're weird," because she doesn't know what he's talking about. There are no monsters in Laura's Silent Hill.

6) I have my theory that you end up in Silent Hill not because you did something wrong, but because you feel guilty about it. To that end, Laura cheerfully says she always apologizes when she does "something bad," and Eddie should just say he's sorry. She's frequently bratty to James, but she clearly doesn't feel bad about it, and so Silent Hill is just one big playground to her. 

7) I should clarify that when Laura asks if Eddie did something bad for those cops to be after him, he hedges, "I don't know... maybe." Given that Eddie's personal arc is about becoming "colder," more callous, and more open to violence, I wonder if this is a midway point where Eddie genuinely isn't sure if he considers shooting a person and killing an animal to be "bad." 

8) The scene ends with Eddie lamenting that apologizing wouldn't help: "They wouldn't listen. Nobody ever listens." Without the context of what he did, yeah, I do feel sorry for him. There's something to be said for the idea that people deal with bullying and trauma in different ways, some better than others, and Eddie is a person, for whatever reason, who responds to trauma with revenge fantasies and violence. Many other people don't. Conversely, it's interesting to have a character who at least grew up with a "reason" to turn to violence, whereas James did not (as far as we know), but ended up doing something terrible anyway. And yet, Eddie is also intentionally very off-putting and unlikeable. I think he's in this story as a contrast to James so that maybe we question who we tend to sympathize with, who we think is "justified," and why.

There are several more movie posters both in this room and scattered throughout the theater; here, I'll summarize what I think they're referencing, but I have a full post over on @beneath-the-null-moon:

It Doesn't Sleep has two letters obscured, leaving us with It Doesn't S ee. I wasn't sure if the female figure might have to do with The Order, but I now think it's in line with the eye graffiti and the broken mirrors: James doesn't "see" himself or what he did. (Bear this in mind when we get to the next post and there's a poster he doesn't read correctly.) Also, I'm convinced this poster is based on a Waterhouse painting of some kind, but I can't find what I'm thinking of.

I Was Here (1:00:40): I don't have a specific film reference, although it gives me a WWII war movie vibe. "I was here" could simply refer to James' time loops or Mary's ghostly quality.

Remember Her (1:01:55): This looks like a '30s-'40s romantic dramedy to me, just based on the clothes and the visual style. In the post I go into my title search on IMDB, but I think this is also a general reference to Mary.

Nonexistence (1:06:20): I actually think this may be a specific reference to Cronenberg's Existenz (hit the post up for plot details and a trailer) with a dash of the poster for Never Let Me Go. (If I'm right about the latter, that may be a Mary reference.) Just the word "Nonexistence" could also refer to whether Mary, Silent Hill, or James himself actually exist.

1:03:10: One of the reasons I stood around in this room for so long is that if you push the furniture to get out, Laura gasps and the overheard conversation ends, so you have to hang around if you want to hear all of it. 

Once you get out, I like to search the restrooms at the front of the theater for bullets and health drinks, because, naturally, toilets are where you keep those. It's worth exploring everything up front now, because you'll be running out when you leave. I also spend this time begging for Bloober Team to patch in an autosave here at some point, because the game kept crashing at the hospital entrance after this and booting me back to "That's it? A garden?" And that is why I have played this area 5-6,000 times. 

1:05:45: "I swear there was somewhere in this game where I saw a refrigerated area where you could acquire a giant, three-gallon, fuck-off tub of ice cream. I swear I saw where you could acquire such a thing. I have not been able to find it." It's probably near one of those anger management posters I hallucinated. 

1:08:15: A little pre-discussion of the cutscene with Eddie. Scott Haining's performance really grew on me... eventually, after several viewings and then playing the game myself. Eddie's such an off-putting character that it's hard to separate the quality of the performance from that, but it ends up being very nuanced and unnerving in unexpected ways. 

In Ian's stream, he mentions the idea that SH2 shows how we all live in our own separate worlds--not just these characters in their own Silent Hills, but all of us, often talking past each other, not understanding what people really mean to say. And we'll see this when James says something that offends Eddie in a way that James maybe didn't intend (video below):

Short version: James goes into the screening room looking for "the little girl," to see if she's all right, and finds only Eddie there. Eddie admits that she was there and that her name is Laura, all while eating half-melted strawberry ice cream out of a giant container WITH HIS BARE HANDS BECAUSE WHY?? We just don't know. (Notably, Eddie's breath is visible--you might think, cold from the ice cream in a warm room, but it turns out, it's warm breath in a Silent Hill that is cold to no one but him. I neglected to mention the first time you see this in commentary 3, so I have a catch-up video discussion of Eddie's "coldness" here.)

Confronted with this and also an empty pizza box, James mutters, "Well, at least you got your appetite back." 

Eddie's expression goes from hurt to angry as he wipes his hand on his filthy shirt and sets the ice cream aside, as if he's too embarrassed to eat anymore. In James' defense, eating ice cream with your bare hands is absolutely HINGELESS BEHAVIOR, EDDIE, especially when there are SODA CUPS OUT FRONT that you could use to scoop it, DAMN, so I don't know what Eddie expected. And like, yes, I think James is being a bit dry here, maybe surprised that Eddie's out here eating this much after throwing up his entire life and all previous ones back at Wood Side (in fairness: because a corpse was disgusting), but it really isn't as snarky as I think Eddie hears it. And yet, I understand why someone who's been bullied all his life hears it that way, and why Eddie may feel disappointed that James isn't as kind as he thought he was. Whereas to us, James' comment is very, very restrained.

Did not mention: When James says, "Laura? Is that her name?" Eddie replies, "That's what she said," in this incredibly flat, creepy tone, eyes straight ahead, with an expression that seems... sinister? Every single streamer I've watched remarks on how suspicious this sounds. I have no idea why this line lands in such an alarming way, given that the game doesn't imply (IMO) that Eddie intends to prey on Laura. In fact, I'm pretty sure that he never sees Laura again. 

The scene ends with James heading off to search for Laura--surprised that Eddie isn't jumping up all chivalrously to go with him. "Now you want me to come with you?" says Eddie, and that's the line I really like, because Scott Haining brings the tone back down to something very realistic and normal and reasonably irritated that James didn't want to help him get out of town, but suddenly he's all about helping someone else. "Never mind," says James.

1:14:35: The end of the scene puts us at the foot of the room, but you'll want to head back up to a division in the rows to find a Strange Photo, and this is why I spent so much time pointing out lipsticks at Heaven's Night. I will say, for this version of the commentary, I now have two interpretations of this. Originally, I'd said that the two lipsticks look to me like they represent Mary (deathly gray-lavender shade, worn down, almost gone) and Maria (fresh, new, bright red), and that "Best flavor!" would refer to Maria, the lipstick that looks more appealing. ("James... you're a piece of shit.") This time around, it occurred to me that the "Mary" lipstick is the one that the wearer has gone back to over and over, like it's their favorite, and the red one is unused. Not to speak of people as something you "use," but you get where I'm going with this. Maybe Mary is "the best flavor." As with most things in this game, it's ambiguous. 

Sideblog time: "Promise Roger your strawberry kisses."

1:16:45: We go back to Eddie, who has resumed manhandling his ice cream. This is where I talk about Eddie's reaction to what James said. ("EDDIE! MY GOD!") Eventually we get his additional dialogue: all he knows about Laura is her name, and James ought to hurry if he wants to catch her. Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle apparently confirms that Laura came in to town with Eddie--after running away from a hospital or orphanage and hitchhiking? We don't know.

1:18:25: At this point, the only viable exit takes you into the screening room next door. Once you walk about halfway past the movie screen, you'll trigger an extremely brief glimpse of... something. You'll have just enough time to position James so that you can see as much of the screen as possible, and what you see is this (I have a clip and a screenshot for you). This is what James can't remember. This is the big spoiler on the videotape that he'll finally watch near the end of the game. And it's such a brief glimpse that you'll have no idea what you're looking at if you don't already know. 

At this point, I also pull up the inventory menu: the moving background is also a glimpse of that video, but so close-up and abstract that it doesn't give anything away. It's been there with us the whole time. 

1:20:45: Light chat about how I have physical therapy that afternoon once I'm done recording. It has taken me so long to write this up, mostly due to chronic fatigue from physical therapy, that I have since "graduated" and only do home exercises now. As I walk James up the stairs to the projection room and the theater's little film library, you get to hear about how my therapist wants me to get up and stretch every fifteen (15) minutes. "Which is not something we do in Silent Hill, Charlie!" 

1:22:00: James pushing a ladder aside and squeezing between shelves startles Laura in one of the projection rooms, and she runs off. That's... that's it. That's why we came all the way up here. We do have a turquoise oscillating fan next to a film projector, both of which would have a cyclical spinning motion, so that reads to me as "James will repeat remembering and forgetting these events over and over."

1:23:54: Once you get back down to the concession stand, James will shout, "Laura, stop! It's dangerous!" And that's why I like to search the theater in advance: the flow of the story is that James goes downstairs, sees Laura bolting out the front door, and you make him run (or stroll) after her. Now, initially, I thought, James had wanted to be a father, he doesn't know that Laura doesn't have monsters in her Silent Hill, he's been getting his ass kicked by his own monsters all day, he's worried for Laura's safety, etc. And all of that is true. However, I finally realized that, as of Moonlight Grove, he has officially run out of leads to find Mary. Laura demonstrating any knowledge of his late wife ("You didn't love Mary anyway!") is his very last thread. There will be a point where James stops chasing Laura--and it's true that she disappears and he can't follow her, but it's also true that he gets a fresh lead and doesn't "need" her anymore. I have a bit of a theory that Laura serves a White Rabbit function, because once she's "helped" him find that clue, we don't see her again until the last level of the game. And she does draw herself as a bunny, after all.

Outside, Maria says that she tried to stop Laura. So now, Laura has an imaginary lady she can't see or hear trying to tell her what to do, plus two whole-ass adult men who think that monsters are real. One of these guys was mean to her friend Mary, but he keeps acting like he's her dad. Laura is having a very weird day. 

1:24:40: For all I said about the flow of the story, we're going to take our sweet time going after her. Let's walk out to the front of the theater and admire the facade a while, since the game leads you to believe you should run out with no time to look back. I Was Here is billed on the marquee. (Of the Reverie Theater, not the Revere. And Then I Found Out I Was Wrong: The Silent Hill 2 Story.) 

1:25:53: Usually, I would go straight to the hospital from this point, and the game would crash right as Maria says, "James! Look!" If it's going to crash anyway, I decided, let's go around the long way, look for more ammo, and poke around. At this point in a previous version of the Cursed Commentary, I started talking about how Carroll Street is named after author Jonathan Carroll, and Nathan Avenue is named for Robert Nathan, whose novel Portrait of Jennie was made into a film with Joseph Cotten. Now, Joseph Cotten is one of my favorite Old Hollywood actors, so I go straight into movie recommendations at that point, including Shadow of a Doubt (my favorite Hitchcock) and Gaslight (yes, that Gaslight). Which is all to say, I really, really do not want to try that hospital entrance. But finally, I end up triggering "James! Look!" by accident ("NO--!"), and lo, a miracle is visited upon us this day, Laura gets inside and we have no crashes. HORROR HOSPITAL, DUN DUN DUN.

Next post: Brookhaven Hospital: Nurses, doctors, trees; the Jungian psyche; an enigmatic window; MARIA, GET OUT OF THE WAY

(SH2R commentary master post) - (Patreon) - (Ko-fi) - (YouTube) 

[strykingback]

Im sorry, but Jaune stans have really delicate feelings... Adam and Ironwood stans have had way more horrible words flung to them, both Bumbleby and Blacksun shippers too... It's sadly just the normal behavior of the FNDM. I feel bad that Jaune stans are receiving punches too, but they really act like it's the end of the world and like haters have kicked them in the gut. This is normal. Welcome to the actual experience in the RWBY FNDM!

I have to agree as well. I know that there are some good Jaune fans out there that understand that Jaune is poorly written as a character same with those in the Ironwood and Adam camps as well. These three characters in particular all lacked something when being written. Which I think for Adam and Ironwood fans held up firmly while Jaune stans just need to see that Jaune is poorly written... and not a good character.

For Jaune his poorly written status are in line with his lack of accountability, how the writers mostly Miles and Kerry treat him like a self-insert, and lastly poorly-done and pretty generic Semblance and allusion. What he lacks in accountability and responsibility, more respect towards his historical allusion, lastly, not being treated as a "Nice Guy" self-insert character.

Adam was VICTIM of racism even his bio on the now defunct Amity Arena mobile game even supports this. Yet people want to call him abusive or a PDFile because.

The Writers didnt know what to do with him. (Once again, fuck you Miles and Kerry.)

We still have no official confirmation about his age, despite A/rryn Z/ech claiming that he's in his twenties. Once more. Voice Actors dont write the show.

Instead of that. It would have been best to see how racism towards the faunus affected Adam when he was younger, since he has the Schnee Dust Company brand on his eye. Another thing would be to reinforce the student-master relationship and thats it. Nothing romantic between Blake and Adam just a student and master stuff that is all. T

he fact that we could have seen him at first glance hesitant to help humans after the Haven Academy attack because of his morals when he is exiled by the White Fang's council and a new High Leader. While at the same time revealing why he does not trust humans.

Not to mention making him a key-player in the downfall of Jacques Schnee alongside Blake, Weiss, and Winter. Most important of all for that specific arc being that he could see that both Faunus and Humans in Mantle suffer underneath Atlas and the corporations that live up there.

Ironwood just like Adam felt like wasted potential as well for lack of development and no exploration about his past at all. Just suddenly revealing that: "Oh he was evil all along" instead of understanding that he is in a position of leadership and doing what he can while also letting the stress of that position get to him.

We should have gotten the reveal on what happened to half of his body, why he is so focused on maintaining order to better fit the Tin Man allusion, and developing around him to the point where he reveals a kinder side to him. Showing that he has a heart.

Lastly, his semblance not being an ableist allusion for ADHD, which is on the spectrum by the way. Instead why couldn't it have been powered up shots depending on which gun he is using.

God thats another thing I want to touch on. As someone who ships Blacksun as well, I feel very sorry for the peeps who shipped Blacksun a lot, even to the point when BB did become canon that they may have insults flinged at them especially in their ask boxes anonymously. Which I also feel sorry for any BB fans who wanted a natural confession instead of the forced one they got in Volume Nine and perhaps in some case wanting Blacksun or Sunnybees (basically Polyamrous Blacksun and BB) .

To end this.

Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter The RWBY FNDM For if you disagree with what the FNDM says, thou shalt be shamed for it.