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[elfqueen006]

I can't help but imagine Jack's son will act like Bert Simpson and be a little gremlin. Having Joseph's mischievous and trouble making personality.

That would be a fun and crazy time! Though truthfully I don't know a lot about The Simpsons 😅

I don't know exactly how far the trouble making would go, but if Jack's son is anything like Joseph there would be an internal conflict, I feel.

He wants to give his son all the love Joseph didn't have growing up but if he just keeps doing it he'll probably be like "I don't know what I'm doing WRONG?" and I think he wouldn't handled being disobeyed well.

He wouldn't do anything bad but depending on who's the more assertive one in the relationship of Jack and MC, there would have to be some sort of mediator for the kid. And Jack is going to be have to say "go to your room" a LOT in this situation.

That being said, it would be hilarious to see Jack be hit with a chair by his own son as he bathed.

[elfqueen006]

Jamie Camden (or "Cloudy"). She's sweet and somewhat skittish, which leads to many people seeing her as less than threatening. But depending on which storyline I'm focused on, she becomes a formidable antagonist. She's an intern who's goal is to land a breakout story that will solidify her as a true journalist.

In terms of story, she is Sunny Day Jack's rival. Her story really starts after becoming acquainted with May. Eventually, she finds out about Jack and comes around more often to learn more about him. May does most of the talking for him as he's wary of her presence (May even jokes that Cloudy's his "fangirl"). She does some deeper digging into his origins and compiles research. She presents the research to May, and she will either encourage or deter her from publishing her finds. This is basically after "no".

(I think of the Sunnyside story as a visual novel so there will be a lot of talk of "options" and "choice")

The story basically gives three choices presented as Cloudy researches more. What can only be described as my "canon event" for her story, Jack ignites a gas leak in her apartment kitchen and blows it up. When May sees, Jack will tell her not to call help. If May chooses not to, someone else will call it and Cloudy will end up in the hospital (the same result for if she chooses yes).

When in the hospital, brought there by Shaun (who Cloudy is developing a relationship with), May will lie and say she didn't know her apartment was burning until the last minute or admit she didn't call the police, thinking she was already dead. Cloudy, having gained a sixth sense from her near death encounter will see Jack, but keep quiet.

Cloudy becomes shrouded in paranoia, cutting off everyone, even Shaun, for the sake of finishing her new story. It becomes less about ambition and more about spite and taking control. She begins to do very shady things in order to keep people out of her way. Her once endearing skittish nature becomes off-putting and sinister.

Depending on the heroine chosen, you follow Cloudy's winning path or May's, and at least one will die.

Which OC is frequently underestimated?

[elfqueen006]

If I sound like a hater just know I love these stupid fantasy comics I’ve read like 30 and don’t plan to stop anytime soon

[elfqueen006]

this is going viral on the tweeter currently so. for you also. miku is not ai!!

[elfqueen006]

Hello visual novel fans and vampire lovers! It’s been a while since I last wrote a postmortem, so I hope I’ll be able to write this concisely (and coherently).

Dahlia was a short visual novel I created in under 36 hours for Velox Formido, a shortform visual novel game jam ran by robobarbie and Allie Vera. It’s inspired by Ludum Dare, one of the longest running game jams in the world where devs are tasked to make a game in 1 weekend based around a theme. I got my start making visual novels by entering Ludum Dare…which was 10 years ago, as of 2024!

I had my eye on this game jam for a while now, as this isn’t its first incarnation. I’ve been a bit burnt out the past year or so, not completely where I can’t make progress but to where I feel like my work has slowed down a lot more than my peers and feel I can’t make anything quickly. When I saw the jam was happening this weekend, I hopped on board once the themes were announced.

the themes

While Ludum Dare has a rigorous process of eliminating themes until it gets down to the final one, Velox Formido has it where there are 5 themes that win and participants have to use at least 2 of them in their entries. The final themes were…

Enemies with Benefits

Flower Symbolism

Doomed by the Narrative

Trapped with Someone

Forbidden Romance

I started crafting ideas as soon as the themes were announced, which was what the jam started- meaning the clock was ticking!

My first idea was a shounen rivals-esque sapphic story about two rivals meeting up for alone time. I started writing it immediately but moved on to another idea- being trapped with a vampire. I doubt I’ll ever use the first idea, so I’ve shared the snippet I was able to write for it here. Every new line is the other woman talking, so think of it as a quick back and forth.

Even though I had started on this idea, I wanted to write something more… mysterious. Frilly. Girls in cute dresses, to be exact. So I began potting an idea where a girl wakes up to find a vampire in her room, unsure if she’s had her fill yet or toying with her next meal.

the story

The “flower symbolism” theme was definitely my first pick, as I love the concept of it and played around with it in my last visual novel, Asphodelium. I named the characters Dahlia (beauty, change) and Camellia (admiration, longing). Dahlia represents a change in Camellia’s life, a sudden burst of newness. Camellia longs for something different, some way for things to change.

The other theme I picked was “trapped with someone”, as the premise is a girl stuck with a vampire in her room. I didn’t want it to be outright horror, but still a little creepy and tense.

Dahlia "I've had enough pitchforks stuck in my face for today." Camellia "And why is that?" Dahlia "Because your kind isn't too welcoming to my kind." Camellia "I was asking why you were here in the first place." Dahlia "Obvious questions get obvious responses. I needed a snack, of course." Camellia "And you chose my residence." Dahlia "Didn't you say this was your fathers?" Her words curl around the last word, like ivy growing against a trellis. She's clearly already had a "snack", but was it enough to satisfy her? Or am I the main course?

Both of them are somewhat young, but there is still the element of the unknown. This creature clearly already had a meal, but does she want dessert? Is she just toying with her food? Or is she truly delighted to find someone her age to talk to?

With the time constraints I wasn’t able to flesh out much of their dynamic, but I hope it was still an enjoyable taste! The story ended up being about 2.3k words long with 3 endings.

the art

I started doing the art about….12 hours before the jam ended. I love working with fullbody sprites as they offer me a lot more versatility with posing, but I knew I didn’t have time for that here. This time I went for 3/4ths bodies, namely just so I could cut it off at the end of their dresses. I spent about an hour on each of these.

With the time crunch I didn’t have time to do concepts for them- I just winged it! I knew I wanted Dahlia to have pigtails, though she was originally going to have a purple theme. Camellia was supposed to have proper curls in her hair, but because the game starts with her being rudely awoken, I went with messy waves instead. Think of it as bedhead rather than her actual hairstyle.

I also quickly did a main menu artwork towards the end of my crunch in about half an hour. It was originally going to be the cover art on itchio but Dahlia’s >:D sprite looks more striking.

For the backgrounds I went with free photos from Unsplash and edited them. Personally, I like the look of filtered photos as backgrounds depending on the aesthetics of the game.

I didn’t have time to edit the GUI aside from the textbox, which was NVL mode.

the presentation

Dahlia is stylized fully in NVL mode, with the textbox to one side of the screen. I love NVL mode for scenes focused on narration and setting the right mood.

I was considering making the game a different resolution, but because the NVL mode is to the side rather than the entire screen I wanted to make use of the widescreen resolution.

The game is set late at night, so each of the backgrounds had to be nighttime. To match with this, I tinted the sprites to match each of them. For example, the above tint looks like this:

transform nightcolor: matrixcolor TintMatrix("#8594d6") * BrightnessMatrix(0.03) image dahlia night = LayeredImageProxy("dahlia",nightcolor)

I wanted to try something more complex like a tint + another light source overlayed onto the sprite, but ran out of time.

Another part of the presentation I did was to have a variety of shots. I had a very limited about of art to work with (only changing mouths and eyebrows, no arm poses or eye positions) so I knew I had to be smart about how I composited the scenes.

One thing I’ve done in other visual novels was to have one character further away and have another closer to the camera but their sprite turned black. This allows me to give the illusion of depth without having a sprite of the back of each character’s head.

for instance, this is that technique in Canvas Menagerie

Doing this in Dahlia was a quick and easy way to make the visuals much more interesting rather than swapping between two mostly static sprites the entire game.

The way I do it in other games is on a per-sprite basis, meaning I set brightness and position each time. It’s hectic, really! But because of the time limit for this jam, I was able to come up with a much quicker way to set it up.

transform lefttt: zoom 0.5 xalign 0.3 yalign 0.05 transform leftttb: zoom 0.8 xalign -1.6 yalign 0.1 matrixcolor(BrightnessMatrix(-1)) xzoom -1

The lefttt transform is for the character in the back- in this example, that’s Camellia. The leftttb transform (b standing for “black”) is for the character in the foreground who’s shrouded- in this example, that’s Dahlia.

Basically, the leftttb transform sets the sprite to a bigger size than the farther away sprite, sets the position, and then makes the color completely black before flipping the sprite (because this should be us seeing them from behind).

I also did quite a few small animations in the game, such as Dahlia dancing around or bouncing up and down. You define it once as a transform and can reuse it again and again.

transform dance: ease 0.7 xoffset -59 linear 0.25 ease 0.6 xoffset 74 linear 0.19 ease 0.76 xoffset -70 linear 0.3 ease 0.7 xoffset 102 linear 0.2 ease 0.8 xoffset 0

If you’d like to see the code in action, then guess what- I’ve released the entire source code for the game on GitHub! Feel free to sift through it to see the components in action and copy some of the code for your own projects. All I ask is that you do not redistribute the game (i.e. download the code, make a build in Ren’Py, and redistribute that as your own game).

wrapping up

I’m pretty happy with how Dahlia came out. It’s short and visually distinct and helped “prove” to myself that I’m capable of making visual novels in a weekend still. I tried to avoid spoilers here, so if you haven’t played it already then give it a try!

— Arimia

[elfqueen006]

Color Palettes- Sunny Day Jack as a Magic Genie~

❤️💛💙

[elfqueen006]

I come to your blog everyday hoping to see an update to the camp counselor AU I’m actually crying because that fic was WONDERFUL AND I CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT IT I KEEP RE-READING IT 😭 /pos

AAAAAAA TY TY TY FOR COMING BACK-

It's going to take a bit. I just don't want the latest chapter to be par the course! I made it for me, and it is still, but since yall all love it so much I don't wanna disappoint.

[elfqueen006]

I was feeling nauseous, got into a messy mindset craving aggravating angst fics and I realized I was just on my period

Which explains this upcoming train wreck

Hey, trashy Joseph lovers? We getting toxic up in this whore

[elfqueen006]

Sooooo, I was wondering, how do you think Jack would react to an MC who was foreign? In this case, I'm Brazilian, and sometimes I love thinking about how Jack would react to our culture, and how the majority of us are all agitated and communicative. (And I confess, it would be cool to be able to swear without anyone understanding). Do you think these factors would harm Jack from reading MC's thoughts?

I don't know about being Brazilian or foreign. But I've had my fair share of being subject to difference in cultures.

I haven't exactly figured out the logistics, but I think Jack can read minds due to MC's spiritual connection to him via their binding or contract.

I don't feel like he'd know what you're saying in speech, but he'd get the gist of it when reading your mind. I feel like, in a sense, the two are separated - a different language almost, that only being like... a medium or entity can decipher. The idea of mind reading is a concept I often come back to in fantasy whether it be like, reading emotions or intent, or auras, or literally hearing a mesh of jumbled thoughts from somebody without their moving their mouths.

I feel like Jack would love exploring your culture also! He's all about being open minded. You might need to guide his hand a bit and fill him in on things blocked by language barriers or just difference in backgrounds. I feel like it might’ve been something tackled on the show as well.

[elfqueen006]

Wouldn't it be funny if Jack's and MC's kid becomes an emo boy? "It's not a phase dad! This is the real me!" XD

That's an adorable idea! I've actually given it some thought when imagining an "Afterlife" AU with Jack and my MC, May-Rose, who's a goth woman.

Forwarning - a ramble:

They have a kid named Jody. I always imagined him as a sweet but sensitive young boy whom Jack dotes on and May adores... in her own way. She's pretty much the "fun" parent, pulling pranks on Jody and scaring him. Jack has to get her to let up because he's genuinely scared to be around her most times as a little kid.

She learns to express her feelings in a less abrasive manner and as something that opens Jody up to her. He gains an interest in her hobbies - arts and crafts mostly - and it translates into his teen years of him basically going through an artsy emo phase. He's a happy kid! Just overall a bit weird, earthy, and oddly lackadaisical about death considering his father...

Anyway, in a sense that the kid of Jack and a general MC is just going through a rebellious phase, I feel like Jack would be surprised, but dote on them nonetheless. He'd go out and buy things to fit their aesthetic and their current interests, encouraging them to try new things.

He might have to helicopter parent a liiiittle bit, as he doesn't know a lot about modern music, fashion, or lingo. But he just wants them to be safe and not consume anything that would lead to a harmful mindset. He'll always be there for them. And if they feel like they're being stifled in some way, they can always come forth with the issue.

[elfqueen006]

How would Jack react if MC is rich and powerful?

Part of the dynamic of the MC and Jack in the demo so far is that they are in a vulnerable state, living by themselves in a lonesome apartment, presumably overworking themselves to the point to where it's detrimental to their health. Jack is there to help them make the best of what they've got and to remember they've always got him.

I feel like at first he might be intimidated. You've got pretty much well...everything. And if you're powerful, you must also probably be influential in some way - drawing others in as a result. He's not without confidence, but I think he might feel like he needs to work harder for your attention. To be considered your "equal" in a sense.

If you're the type of rich to have say... personal cooks, for example, he'd have to use other methods of making you feel special. (Goodbye blueberry pancakes 😭)

For the most part however, he'd be happy for you. You only deserve the best! So long as everything you have doesn't distract you from entering a relationship with him.

All the money in the world can't buy love, after all - which Jack has an overflowing supply of with no additional charge!

[elfqueen006]

Cruel Intentions

Girlxgirl, breakup, toxic, in the sdj universe but not explicitly.

The mean girl Shannon Willis, belongs to the very cool writer friend of mine, @ammolitestone ~. Wrote this on the fly in my notes.

~~

May had half a mind to hang up the phone. But she was curious, honestly, curious to hear what type of bullshit Shannon would come up with next. She was pretty sure the girl had a mental problem, much like the girl on the screen - the wicked and sociopathic Kathyrn Muertil.

Feeling and had no other option, she pushed *answer*.

"Yeah."

"May!" Shannon's shrill voice answered. "Why'd you storm out like that?"

"Who you with?" May asked.

"What- what are you talking about? Who am I with?"

"Yes." She said, "I want to know who you're playing in front of."

Shannon looked tentatively at her parents, who each gave a worried expression. She mentally cursed the woman, making her embarrassed like this.

Shannon turned away, "I-I'm at my parents."

May simply hummed. "Goodbye."

"No, no, no! Wait!" Shannon said.

"I don't wanna hear you give automatic messages to me. You better use your real voice or find somewhere private."

Shannon pursed her lips before putting a hand over her phone screen, looking back at her parents. "We need a moment..."

They nodded in understanding, walking into another room, when she was sure they were far enough away she hissed over the phone. "What the fuck is wrong with you, huh!?"

"There she is."

"You embarrassed me at the party, did you know that?"

"By what? Walking away?" May asked.

"Um, YES! You were a plus one for me as V.I.P and are my girlfriend. If you thought we weren't being watched, you're dead wrong!" Shannon said, "The internet is now swarming with clips of you leaving the ballroom! Within the final three hours of the day, it'll be in print on magazines."

May was grinning, "That's crazy." She said, her glee peeking through.

"And because of *what*? Something an old fart said? About something he *supposedly* heard from me?" She said.

"You think I don't know how you are, Shannon?" May asked blandly, "I knew you'd burn me eventually. I just didn't know I'd have to hear it out of another person's mouth... but you weren't exactly the secretive were you? No, even those need attention."

Shannon started to curse, then made a noise of frustration. May could practically see her ivory cheeks turning a blotchy pink.

The woman then let out a low growl, "You know...what just *gets* me about you? You think that you're just so above it all!" She spat, "You got with me so you could get revenge on your ex, right? You think I didn't know you were trying to *use* me?!"

"It's only because you could use me. It was basically a transaction, Shannon." On the other end, she made another indignant sound. "You wanted the cute goth trophy girlfriend with the cute poor job so everyone could praise you on being such a 'fluid queen' and you could call out the naysayers in your instagram comments like a white knight."

Shannon was quiet. And May almost hated herself thinking about her familiar pink lipped pout.

"We're both users, Shannon." May continued, "You're just upset you aren't the only one with the cards."

"...I could ruin your life you know. Blackmail, slander, you name it. You'll be blacklisted everywhere not only in jobs but in *life* too."

That sparked real upset in May. How *dare* she threaten her? "What do you even want from me, Shannon?" She hissed, "You could have anyone you want. Rich or poor. Do you get off from having peons around or what?"

"What if I do? Then what? You think you're *better* than me? You were *nothing* before I came forth. Ian too!" She spat, "You would've just been some instathot everyone pitied and talked about your cow udders to make you feel better!"

"You used to like them, *baby* girl."

Shannon sputtered over the line, "Sh-shut up!"

"Careful, or mommy and daddy will hear you."

She made and indignant sound, and something that resembled a sob. May actually *laughed*, which made it worse.

"Don't tell me you're crying!"

"...I hate you! I hate you, I HATE YOU!"

She didn't even register the rampant footsteps of her parents coming behind her.

"I guess that's it then." May sighed. And it really was. It could mean waking up to her DMs full of hate mail, or the gun of a crazed fan to her face. But anything would've been better than being attached to this headcase.

On the screen, Kathyrn's eulogy for Sebastian was interrupted. Bittersweet Symphony by the Verve rose triumphantly over the slow motion scene. There was no other dialogue but the speaking looks on Meurtil's person, who frowned and shed a tear as everyone silently reprimanded her.

Over the receiver, Shannon's sobs along with the consoling whispers of her parents could be heard.

"Goodbye, Shannon."

[elfqueen006]

Hint for next fic:

"MAMA SAYS, CLEAN IT UP!!!"

Hint two: it's a movie line

[elfqueen006]

25. Besides writing, what are your other hobbies?

(Also hello! I am new to your blog and very happy to be here, your writing is 😍😍😍)

I like to draw. My main blog is dedicated to art. It used to be where I had a bunch of shitposts, reblogs, AND art but I kind of want to split up my interests so it doesn't become cluttered.

I like movies. Like, a lot. I'm a movie buff. My next fic is actually going to be based on a movie, and I get most of my writing style from watching them. My favorite genres are horror-comedy and fantasy.

I read a lot of comics and I listen to music (rock, alt, r&b, etc.)

---

That's all I can think of at the moment. Thank you so much for the compliment! Y'all are real sweet to give my writing a chance.

[elfqueen006]

I've gotten a lot of asks recently y'all. For those that are waiting, please be patient. It might be until tomorrow that I answer your questions, and it'll take a lot of brain power to figure out. I try to be articulate, but I have a habit of being repetitive.

[elfqueen006]

Forget about all the sunshines and rainbows Jack presents in the tip of the iceberg. what do you think is Jack like to the deepest center of his core?

You are really all working my brain today... I like it!

Well, now... considering how many times I've replayed the demo and read fanfiction that puts into deeper perspective on how Jack operated, I honestly look to others for their takes on things and to put my jumbled thoughts into words.

If I were to describe him in a word. It might be "desperate". From what I gather, most of the Jack we know, is the face and acting, while the rest is Mr. Haberdae (or "Jacktor"). "Jack" does not know manipulation and psychology. Haberdae does. He's engaged with a psychologist to evaluate his mindset after all. And from what we can conclude, Haberdae is a man retreating into a character for his own sanity.

Haberdae is a man who has thought of having children and a family. Haberdae is a man who got tattoos and smoked at a young age. Haberdae was a troublemaker. Haberdae wanted attention and love but is implied to be neglected.

Haberdae was desperate to have someone love him. And as he is, Jack is as well.

People usually act as if Haberdae was a misunderstood angel. But what if he had flaws and maybe wasn't as flawed as Jack makes him out to be, but was still not the best. Not a good person. It's kind of up to the imagination. But I think Jack is a mask to the less than savory stuff he wouldn't want his partner knowing about.

Hell, it's part of why I made my fic, "Trash."

Hopefully, this summarizes my thoughts proper.

[elfqueen006]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you! Get to know your mutuals and followers 💗

Wow! A lot of asks today 😅

Lemme see...

Hot sweet potatoes/yams

Comics

Music with repeatable hooks

Historically accurate cultural/historical outfits

Ingenuity

I'm gonna do just 5 cus some people don't like spam asks and idk that many people personally here