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Arknights Chapter XIII - The Whirlpool That Is Passion (Part II)

ACTUALLY, BEFORE I FORGET, I heard that the friend count will rise to 100, so that means that anybody who needs an Ebenholz/Hoederer and doesn't require them to be max pot... can add me, so we can work together to cry a little less with each passing event.

WARNING: This post is going to contain a lot of yapping from me about Hoederer and how much I love him and will also have a LOT of spoilers.

Anyway, continuing where we left off last time with the furniture sets.

Secondhand Leather Chair

A sturdy, durable chair. It may be called secondhand, but it has actually changed hands plenty more times than that. There used to be many chairs like this in their hideouts, though the number who sit on them has dwindled over the years.

STOP ANOTHER ONE ABOUT THE LOSS OF SARKAZ LIVES, I AM DEVASTATED. Yeah, nothing can beat the sheer loneliness that Mlynar Nearl has soaked into his furniture descriptions because at least Sarkaz sticks together, but there's so much to unpack here I don't even know where to begin.

Portable Mailbox

A small, movable desk with a pile of letters stacked on top and a small lamp inside. Sometimes, Hoederer gets pieces of historical excerpts sent to him, but their senders have often already become part of history before he is able to reply.

This is what got me crying in bed when I first bought the room and went through all the pieces to read their descriptions. There is something so heart-rending about living a life full of loss. Home. Friends. Family. Relationships. Everybody turns against everybody and you have to both accept it and move on with it, because if you linger for too long - you end up dead, but if you keep being paranoid about it you will just never know peace.

I lost two close people and have been wallowing in my misery for months now. Maybe that is one more thing that really makes me like Hoederer. And I do like him.

The way I see him, he is somebody who strives to move forward without never forgetting where he started from and who he was. It's both endearing and charming and it's a great characteristic to have. It's so HARD to have it, regardless if we are talking Arknights, another game character, or IRL in general. Maybe /I'm/ being too much about it, but that's what 'comfort characters' are about, right?

Basement Wall Lamp

A lamp installed on the wall with a yellow glow and exposed wires. A red scrap of cloth is tied around the metal ring. Eventually, Ines broke free of the rope tied around her wrists and took her out in her sleep.

I genuinely love the design of the wall lamp. Except when it comes to the description. What the absolute ever-loving hell.

"Door Of Life"

A heavy double-action door that separates the living space from the workspace. One side is for living, and the other side is for making a living. To Sarkaz mercenaries, the two might not be all that different.

If this is also a sliding door I can absolutely confirm that maybe I am a part Sarkaz in the way I live, because my bedroom is separated from the living room with a sliding door like that with a handle and it is a big difference where you are living and where you are 'making' the living.

Work Area Rug

A rug resistant to stains and heat, ironically covered in tracks and oil stains. The good news is that the deep red color did not originate from dried blood.

Yeah? Thank goodness. We'd have to run some tests to figure out whose it is if we find a random blood puddle on Rhodes Island.

Simple Welded Chair

A high chair put together from industrial waste. Sturdy and durable, the beast skin covering it was specially treated and seems smooth and sleek to the touch. In Kazdel, kids tend to grab waste materials to renovate their dust-laden lives.

Work Area Wall-mounted Rack

A rack used to hang tools. Pieced together from recycled metals and extremely heavy, the good thing is that it saves space. Once, the mercenaries would hang their equipment from it. That equipment has long since scattered across the lands.

"Maybe a Bonsai"

A handcrafted cabinet used to store tools. In the vase sitting atop—welded together from scrap metal—is the only splash of green in the room. Back in that small house in the cramped Kazdel slums, it wasn't a sprouted potato they planted.

Okay, but, do you know what this means? Kazdel is familiar with what bonsai is. They know that little planted trees in pretty, perhaps painted or perhaps simpler in style potteries get to be a breath of green inside your house. Everybody and their aunt get to have a bonsai because it represents life and new beginnings and whatever folk tale they might have abound them.

I'm falling apart.

Weapon Maintenance Table

A small maintenance table used for the repair and upkeep of weapons. Not only do you need to smooth out any blemishes, you also need to wipe away the blood. This is where Ines learned to sew and mend her clothes years ago.

Me hanging out there for absolutely no reason with my overhead lamp and under-hand lamp while I'm cross-stitching. That's how I imagine this being used. Perhaps me and Ines can have tea here.

Work Area Ceiling Lights

A light source used for precision tasks. Warm, stable, and dependable. Comes with an air ventilation system to ensure that any volatile gases or metallic dust can be removed in time. Hoederer often worked under its light, quiet and taciturn.

Now that I am well-prepared with the horrors that are the living conditions of the Sarkaz, I'm going to go check out how things have been going with Hoederer's skills and then we actually start Chapter 13 reading.

In the meantime, this is what the Bandorio list looks like. Except here, I forgot to take out Noir and Nothing because Lessing, Zhuo Le and Logos are coming. A lot of men with L in their names approaching my vicinity.

Decided to start top to bottom since I don't think I might need him yet for the Adverse stages. It's been two weeks almost, so he's pretty much complete. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the gall to offer my services to those who got him but have other priorities.

...

You--- What even is this? Cyclicene Prefab? Another rock? It was a joke at first, but this is becoming ridiculous. ALL my men either huff paint or eat salt and nobody is going to bat an eye for it? What do you NEED this for???

An industrial product arrived at through the introduction of several excellent materials into the synthesis process, preserving luminous transmittance while vastly increasing strength and shock resistance. Prospects are high for its wide adoption in the field of defense.

Guess we are going to deal with M3-ing the other skill while I am dealing with this.

...

...

You're joking.

The gel. He wants his gel back.

At least I got to grind enough to get him up as fast as possible. Every single day was a: log-on, get base money and cards, level him up with like... 2-3 levels and leave up to 80 and then every day was a single level grind until I had no sanity.

Well, Mrs. Zofia, we are on a standstill until I manage to procure any coagulated gel. Tempted to pump levels into Crimson Solitaire or some other, but I'm not in the mood.

Imagine Zofia walks into the training room, having come from Lundi's RI specifically because she has to train with Hoederer and then just spots him eating a whole, boiled chicken for his regimen.

Pinkie: "She would thumbs-up him as a greeting." Me: "I love him."

[exoticalmonde]

Arknights Chapter XIII - The Whirlpool That Is Passion (Part I)

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY AND I WISH ALL THOSE WHO WISH TO BE HOEDERER/VENDELA/VERDANT OWNERS TO BE HAVERS BECAUSE IT'S A WONDERFUL DAY AND I AM SO OVERDUE WITH WRITING THIS ACTUALLY!!!!

WARNING: This post is going to contain a lot of yapping from me about Hoederer and how much I love him and would also have a LOT of spoilers.

I am also a great yume-shipper, so my Dr. and Hoederer are married, that information should help with the weird comments sometimes.

Might make it different parts because all those SS will never fit even up to the part I am right now.

Perhaps first of all I need to mention how the pulling went? Apart from my day being catastrophically long and arduous, I managed to sneak some snacking in-between the one additional hour I had left after returning home.

I was actually shaking. Jittering out of my bones, near-heart attack type of activity was happening on my side of the screen while everybody else watched. I was supposed to take SS of every 10-pull but... I got ahead of myself. I think I had around 130 pulls, excluding the ones that I could buy from the ticket shop and the Originium that I blew for a skin.

I even kind of... Skipped my first Hoederer. The one below is the second one, that I ended my funds for, until I could buy the level 60 pack from the shop.

But we caught the third one.

And as it happens I was underprepared with money and XP cards, though I had all the materials for his skills. Bless the green tickets for allowing me to bulk-buy some of them actually since... My god farming for the RMA70-12 is tedious, fruitless and sad.

If I could get a penny for every single time this loser was being problematic I would have enough to buy them and never have problems again.

In any case, he could be immediately E1 lvl80d, and I have been grinding enough to get him to E2 on the same day. He's currently lvl60, cooking his M3 on S1 with Wishlash giving him a thumbs up every time he pulls out a whole boiled chicken to eat.

Starved Sarkaz, am I right?

Even his little token that you get when he joins you another time... I am actually crying, I love him so much and I am so happy he became playable.

Speaking of, did anybody know that the furniture set is separated into a couple other, smaller sets, or was I supposed to learn this from googling it myself?

Apparently, the whole set is called Mercenaries' Hideout, but the smaller sections of it are:

Writing Is Meaningless

Don't Ever Truly Rest

Secondhand Goods

Maintain Your Health

And I am sitting here, tears in my eyes reading their descriptions... When I first remembered that Chapter 13 was coming with a new set I almost screamed. Dr. Pinkie was making fun of me for calling this jail cell basically the same epithets you would use for a five-star hotel, but it really was close to my heart the way it mixed compact with DIY/'Hey, you'll never guess what I found on the street' kind of interior.

And because it is based around Hoederer, we are going to look through it first and read the descriptions before I actually descend into the story.

Description of the full set reads:

A recreation of a hideout in Kazdel, based on Hoederer's description and a number of additional details provided by Ines. As for anything not recreated from their recollections, it's best not to touch—Anything added by W might just blow up.

I love to imagine that these three have to share a dorm and the Doctor just goes up to Ines and Hoederer and asks if there is anything they can do to make it cosy or somehow homey. Also to think that both of them would have recollections of these 'hideouts' in Kazdel... Meanwhile, W seems like she's never been in those? My memory is kind of fuzzy about just how old the three are in comparison to each other.

Before/After Kazdel is pretty much like Before/After Eve was on the internet.

Basement Flooring:

Flooring that recreates the vibes of the basement where the mercenaries lived back in Kazdel. Ines sometimes muses that the place would be more suitable as a small shop. The two both ignored W's suggestion to sell potatoes there.

Basement Wallpaper:

Wallpaper that recreates the look of the basement where the mercenaries lived back in Kazdel. The gray walls look almost exactly the same as before. This time, when they look out the window, it is not the dust-covered Kazdel that they see.

'Our Current State'

A light tube is attached to a frame haphazardly welded together from multiple iron plates, letting out a warm glow despite its appearance. No matter how unstable it may seem, its light can carry the mercenaries through the dark night.

Somehow this little light contraption is 10000x better than any glaring white LED lightbulb that you could ever introduce to me these days.

Rust-colored Rug

A rug showing signs of age that look almost like rust. For some reason, this makes it blend in with the room's style. Is there a color that better reflects life in Kazdel? At least it's not blood-colored.

WHAT IF I JUST EXPLODE IN TEARS???!!!!????!!!!!

Writing Work Desk

A desk piled with books and documents. There are clear traces of manual craftsmanship. Few of the Sarkaz publications sitting on the desk are actually written in the Sarkaz language.

Hoederer's writing desk, I love him so much. The place he might be writing down the different things he wants to be telling to his class, because you KNOW I will absolutely be filing for sponsorship to get him those books and songs he might want to use. Pull in other Sarkaz on the ship to help. Not sure who I have who could be specifically from Kazdel times, but we will find them for you sweetie.

Intel Organizer

A must-have document pegboard for mercenaries, usually used to confirm target information and locations prior to missions. The photographs are always taken down whenever their owner returns. Yet sometimes, their owner never returns.

... I think I am actually going to die from sadness and we have not even started the chapter yet.

Storage Steel Pipe

A rack welded together from steel pipes and plates, normally used to hang clothes and hats. "How many times do I have to say this? Do not hang your work aprons here!"

I don't know who is speaking but the 'work apron' looks like it's Hoederer's and if I have to assume it's probably Ines who is scolding him about it. Little rebel, does it anyways.

Mercenaries' Bed

A flatbed trolley turned sofa bed. The fabric has frayed, but it is indeed soft and roomy. The broken wheel hubs ensure that it stays in place. For a very long time, this was the only place where the nights were not plagued by nightmares.

Imagine being on your trolley sofa-bed and suddenly RI begins moving because there is an emergency and your silly wheels go squeak-squeak towards the other end of the room at the same speed at which you were sitting still because everything else is moving but the bed is trying to stay at the same spot---

Me: "Do we know how fast RI moves?" Pinkie: "As fast as Czernobog can move towards Lungmen. It has to be fast enough to outrun a tornado." Me: "OH. Alright. Yeah, that makes sense."

"No Overloading"

Originally an exquisite wooden hanging lamp that lets out a warm glow. There are always knickknacks piled on top. It has a warning placed above: "No stacking!" Hoederer asked Ines, "Is this really something we can use?" Ines answered, "Yes."

IS THAT A PHOTO???? IS THAT??? WHAT ARE THEY???? Books???

Simple Study Ceiling Light

A part that the mercenaries removed from who-knows-what and hung from the ceiling. It started glowing, and not only is it very bright, it's also very hot. Ines asked Hoederer, "Is this really something we can use?" Hoederer answered, "Yes."

Hoederer, sweetie, I think if Ines gets to ask 'Can we use this safely?' then perhaps we might not have to use a random fire stick someone found somewhere.

Portable Stove

A stove that's portable, easy to assemble. What's on it likely belongs to a certain dangerous individual. Do not touch. "Oh, the paper in the stove? I ran out of fuel. By the way, Hoederer, you hungry? I cooked some potatoes over there."

YEAH? WITH HIS BOOKS, DIDNT YOU W???

"Versatility"

A bookshelf put together from multiple recycled materials. The lamp at the top was brought back by Ines. She said it was to make it easier to see shadows. The box at the foot of the shelf is full of historical studies.

Yeah, I too need a dowry chest full of books to feel satisfied.

Secondhand File Cabinet

A heavy steel file cabinet containing the historical data of each Sarkaz clan. Today, even the names of many of the clans documented within are indecipherable.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[exoticalmonde]

my most normal friend shalem

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Sure As Anything, We Are Ready For The Stream

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sightseeing 📸

here's the reference! i believe it's the didgori battle memorial site

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HELP I KEEP SEEING THE COMMUNITY GROWING AND I WANTED TO POST SOME OF MY ART AND GET YALLS OPINION ON IT..I tried 😅(ALSO IM EXTREMELY NEW TO THIS)

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Hoederer

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Eve's Arknights 6 Star Character Tier List

This is so fun to do, I love the tier lists so much.

[exoticalmonde]

Reverse:1999 But I Am Obsessed With The Guys

Kryo wanted to see what my Wildnerness looks like, so here are some SS of it. This is a tiny bit after I realized I could have more people on it and I added 6, 37 and Voyager which... I got her while trying to pull for A Knight. Dikke removed because she is already at 100% and this morning I remember I saw Zima was as well...

Wh-Wait...

...

...

CLICK ARE YOU DROWNING?

Ah, amazing, this is somehow worse than anything I could have imagined. Please be normal and go back to being on the ground you wisp of WWII.

And I remember I took this screenshot because... What if they kiss hm? Did I interrupt anything? The Greek Philosopher and the Manic Scientist are doing something they shouldn't be in the Suitcase hmmm?

Speaking of things that are going to be done illegally, Pavia... What do you want this time?

Shoot.

...

Just tell me what it is.

Ah... I mean, considering the current economic crisis, I would think that would be bulle---

You're right Pavia, how could I ever consider it anything else. And you know, the SS I didn't take previously if you calling me an idiot is going to send you directly to detention.

*Raises his Insight immediately after*

Let's see what you have to say when I have your trust raised to max almost...

ARE YOU ACTUALLY IN MY APARTMENT, HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT MY FREEZER WOULD TURN MY ICECREAM SOLID WAIT WAIT WAIT WHAT---

OKAY, anyways, since I am here, might as well listen to the trust voicelines of the other important men in my life, hm?

The little smile, the nod, the squint, I am eating you, Im eating you whole and there will be not a single crumb left of your 'bread', this is devouring and you are a victim.

'Just one more page' and other lies people who like reading books say to themselves.

I'm sure you were, sweetie, let's get you to bed.

Зима can eat out of my hand and I will be ecstatic, anything you like, I will take care of all your pets my sweet, charming Siberian princess.

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Must be hard to be Neuvillette, the weather's just 24/7 livestreaming his mental breakdowns

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I'm finally on my knees The stupid pride recedes

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It's beddy-bye time but you know I will explode tomorrow, my hands were shaking so much while pulling I miss-clicked everything and accidentally skipped my first 10-pull with him present. I also broke a nail.

Thank you for coming home, Hoederer, and may you come 3 more times so I can max pot you.

[exoticalmonde]

hoederers

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I Was a Little Confused...

Pinkie: "Girlie, are you on bath salts?" Me: "I never got the joke with bath salts... Like... Actual salts?" Pinkie: "Yeah, bath salts?" Me: "Like... The water bath salts?" Pinkie: "No." Me: "You're not talking about the salts you put in water right? You mean, like, crystal meth because it looks like bath sal--" Pinkie: "No, actual drugs. The-- Bliss, the Blue Silk, Cloud Nine, Drone, Energy-1, Ivory Wave, Lunar Wave, Meow Meow--" Me: "Are you on Meow Meow right now?" Pinkie: *laughing* "Ocean Burst, Pure Ivory, Purple Wave, Red Dove, Snow Leopard, Stardust, Vanilla Sky, White Dove, White Knight, White Lightning... Those ones."

[exoticalmonde]

The Happenings Of The Week

Wow, who was going to tell me that I never M3d Tequila's skill 2 or was I supposed to find out on my own while checking the stats for characters as I attempt at this absolute terror called Design of Strife (DOS).

Someone out there said 'I want to be part of the trauma that is on Terra' and dear amalgamation of the Sarkaz conscience when I find you--- I DON'T WANT TO BE MEETING ENEMIES AND REENACTING TRUE EVENTS,

DR. KRYO TELL YOUR GIRLFRIEND AND YOUR ADOPTED DAUGHTER TO LEASH THEIR DOG WHAT THE ABSOLUTE HECK

At least one good thing came out of this event arriving and that is - Jessicalter is gone and that means we are 2 weeks away from Hoederer????!!?!?!?!? I AM SO EXCITED AND I STARTED TO CLEAR THE MAIN STORY CHALLENGE MODES with the sanity packs we got

This means you finally get to E2 because it's been a while and I am absolutely sure I'm going to be needing some nasty tanks to be holding the line for me.

Thank you for your service, now you can be equal with your other siblings... or as close as possible considering Chongyue is maxed and Ling is... well... She gets the pretty skins and I need her module right after I deal with Hoederer.

This is what farming all the Chapter 5 challenge modes and H stages (!!!) and the entire EX of Walk in the Dust looks like. I also got the lvl 50 pack of Orundums mmm yummy, that makes 122 pulls for Hedori.

BUT WAIT

SPECTER JUMPSCARE FROM THE 9-HOUR RECRUITMENT????? I FINALLY HAVE HER IT'S BEEN SO LONG HONEY. Not that I don't have the more powerful version being spectalter, but it's nice to have the options. I don't actually know how to handle her, so she's staying in E1 lvl1 hell until I decide otherwise. There's WAY too many guards waiting for my attention right now.

And, okay, listen to me, I swear I have not been doing any pulls after I got SilverAsh, he was a necessity and life has been SO GOOD to me to send me a second one even, but I wanted to check my wishes to see how many 1 pull certs I had and I accidentally pressed to pull instead of cancelling...

I'm not saying that I would have preferred anybody else (like Stainless or Gnosis) but I am saying that I know in Chapter... 11/12 I need Horn a lot and it's so much easier to HorseKnights it if I have the vulpo somewhere safe, even if she's doing barely any damage. She's doing her best for the AOE, that's what matters.

In the meantime, I need Suzuran E2 and I have the chips but I don't have the catalysts... But farming for red tickets is literally a hoax, I refuse to put 36 sanity into nothing.

In any case, I think I'm going to be doing as much of Chapter 6 as my sanity allows. And I'm talking about IRL, not the replenishable one of Arknights.

[exoticalmonde]

Alright so I'll never play gacha games, I actively dislike them.

But...lord have mercy in heaven above