natasha-in-space

[natasha-in-space]

KAIT WHEN I GET YOU/POS

In another life, we could've been everything - type of couple, it's not bad to dream!

Kinda loosely based off of @/marshmallowprotection's cowboy au, but could be just a better alternate universe for these two overall idk, I forgot to gave Chaewon a cowboy hat until I was halfway through lineart so here we are 😭

[natasha-in-space]

Woah that's an old post, but these tags are very good so I can't not reblog them! Looking back on it and reading through my take again, I definitely would have said that this switch-up between Zen and Yoosung would have worked if only they framed it differently. You are 100% right on that. And it would give these two actual meaningful depth and relevance in the narrative besides them just being 'two sides of player's choices' smh. Second chance on exploring Yoosung's grief + connecting Zen's righteous anger to his own past trauma would have been so great actually :(

It sucks what we got in the end, ugh

Oooh you've probably talked about this before but what are your biggest grievances with V's after ending? 👀

(also hey hi howdy it's been a while since we chatted! I hope you're well!!)

Faye!! So lovely to see you in my inbox <3 This will be rather rambly because I'm feeling super sleepy and tired today, but I hope I'll make my point clear!

Honestly, I could go for the whole theme of forgiveness/judgement, and how V's ae butchers it with its rather linear structure, but... Thing is, I think everyone in the fandom agrees that it was very stupid and honestly gross of Cheritz to basically push the narrative of 'forgiveness is the one right path' on players. This topic has been talked about by many people in many different ways. I don't need to go over it again.

But I think nothing truly encapsulates all the flaws of V's after ending as perfectly as the judgement ending. I do understand why not nearly as many people discuss it. Out of everything Cheritz have put out for Mystic Messenger, it's pretty agreed upon that this was their worst addition yet. You can have your very valid grievances with Jumun's bad ending dlc, but it has brought out some additional depths to his character, AND it hasn't lost what the ending was about in the first place. Having reread it myself somewhat recently, the dlc doesn't shy away from displaying your dynamic with Jumin and its toxicity rather clearly. Is it perfect? God no. I think we all can agree on that.

!SA mention below cut!

But is it miles better than the judgement ending in V's ae? Oh absolutely.

There are so many things to dissect with all that is wrong with it. But I think the two main points I hate the most about it is:

a) the treatment of Rika's SA trauma (all of her trauma, honestly, but SA especially)

b) the blatant borderline 4th wall breaking shaming of the player's choices

The first point baffles and infuriates me the most, especially so when you compare the writing of the same event in the judgement ending to how it is described in Rika's behind story. Honestly, I would have loved to get some behind the scenes information on the development period between these two dlc. It certainly wouldn't surprise me if two different teams handled V's ae and Rika's behind story, with only some basic communication happening between them. Again, is Rika's behind story perfect in the way it handles its sensitive themes? Not by any means. But you don't see people getting upset and angry over the portrayal of Rika's trauma there, do you?

Rika's behind story is a very... specific story. It's not for everyone. I can tell that with 100% confidence. But the way it handles religious trauma, longterm effects of abuse and even SA - resonates with people who went through the same horrific experiences themselves. And I think that counts for something. The depiction and exploration of Rika's religious trauma (and all that it entails, including her SA by the Pastor) brings the same feelings of catharsis that Saeran's exploration of child abuse does. For me, it was Saeran, because his experiences are so painfully similar to what I went through growing up. But for a close friend of mine, it's Rika, as they grew up in a painfully similar environment to the one depicted in her Behind Story.

It's cathartic to see that you are not alone in your pain and trauma. That's why depictions of it are important. Shying away from the uncomfortable and grotesque can bring more harm than good, in my opinion.

Anyway, that long rant aside, take that depiction of Rika's trauma, INCLUDING her SA, and now make a mockery of it. That's what the judgement ending does. It makes a mockery of the same themes that Rika's behind story spends its entire runtime exploring, and it's baffling to see. Furthermore, it makes a mockery of her trauma to directly shame the player. As if it wasn't disgusting enough as it is.

'This is what you wanted, right? You wanted Rika to suffer, right? Shouldn't that make you happy? You chose this.' - is it any wonder people were left feeling angry, judged and shamed?

It's... so insensitive and morally disgusting, and I hate it with every fiber of my being. It may not appear as gross to you if you haven't played Rika's behind story, but if you did, them using Rika's sexual trauma as a way to shame the player is utterly insane to see.

But I think what's the most frustrating thing of all is that V's ae could have been amazing. V's ae is the only time we get to explore Saeyoung's grief and his codependency on his brother. But in the judgement ending, they use Saeyoung as a narrator to describe Rika's 'punishment'. They had a great character arc, and then butcher it like many other great potential story beats in this ae. V's ae does nothing with Jumin's grief, too. It eludes to it, but it does nothing with it. They don't show us V's reconciliation with Saeran. Sure, the one scene we got is nice, but I think it would be silly to say that it holds up to a potential story arc we could have gotten instead of some other ones we did end up getting.

They mess up Yoosung's and Zen's characterizations. Yes, I said it. I get why they did that, but it doesn't make it any more believable. With such a high emphasis on forgiveness vs judgement, they needed to have the theme laid out clearly to the player. Yoosung and Zen are two opposing sides in the ae. Yoosung with his anger and desire for justice, and Zen with his desire to just find peace and let go of all negative feelings that come with Rika. Thing is... with what we have of these two characters before that point, it should be the other way around. Yoosung is the more sympathetic, forgiving one. Zen is the righteous, hot-headed one. We see that time and time again, in many other routes.

But it wouldn't make sense for Zen to be all angry and hurt over Rika now, would it? They weren't that close. And they can't use Saeyoung for that, because Saeyoung already has a completely separate character arc to that. Jumin is too rational, he wouldn't be all extreme with his anger like they need. Jaehee wasn't close to Rika at all, nor is she very emotional. V is out of the picture. Vanderwoid is a complete stranger.

They basically wrote themselves into a corner with this.

So? They switch Zen and Yoosung places. Now Yoosung is the one demanding for justice, while Zen is willing to learn why Rika is the way she is.

And the funny thing is? This wouldn't be such a blatant issue if they set this up beforehand. But they didn't. There is no indication of Yoosung being angry with Rika in the route itself. And even in the good ending vn? He's heartbroken. Not angry.

Is it possible for us, as fans, to fill in the dots with our own ideas? Of course. But that doesn't make the canon any more cohesive, unfortunately.

In my opinion, V's ae shouldn't have been about 'forgiveness' in the first place. It should have been about grief, and exploration of it in all the different ways it can present itself. It should have been an emotionally taxing, but uplifting story about overcoming your grief and moving forward. And how it can look different for everyone.

Wouldn't that be a wonderful conclusion to V's route? A route that is, in its essence, is a story about self-love and acceptance?

But ultimately, V's ae is remembered as the infuriating experience that forces you to forgive Rika, a character that not many people liked in the first place. V's ae made the response to Rika's behind story utterly biased. And I don't blame anyone for feeling this way.

It's ironic, really. That by trying to humanize and explore Rika in a more meaningful way, they ultimately made even more people hate her. After V's ae release came the peak of Rika hate. It was miserable to be in the fandom. People would get harassed, bullied and belittled for liking her, or even tolerating her. The anger at Cheritz was directed at the fans. And I still hate remembering that period in our fandom.

Looking back on it all, I can't help but feel so utterly disappointed. V's ae could have been good. But, instead we have what we have. And I will still focus on the things in it that I do like.

This turned out way longer than I intended, but as you see, I have lots of feelings haha

On the more brighter note, how have you been Faye? I hope the Summer weather is not too hot wherever you are! And if it is, remember to stay hydrated and put on sunscreen! Summer heat is one nasty ordeal to deal with

[natasha-in-space]

She was used up. You were used up.

[natasha-in-space]

I’m cute and I’m fierce, romantic and feisty. I’m like chili mango, I’m sweet and I’m spicy✨

my inspiration for this is from a piece by @/zahrageprek on Twitter 💖 go check out her stuff!!

[natasha-in-space]

cat girls

[natasha-in-space]

just found a song that fits The Character in both lyrics and musical style, which is sort of how i imagine holding your first child must feel.

[natasha-in-space]

In another life, we could've been everything - type of couple, it's not bad to dream!

Kinda loosely based off of @/marshmallowprotection's cowboy au, but could be just a better alternate universe for these two overall idk, I forgot to gave Chaewon a cowboy hat until I was halfway through lineart so here we are 😭

[natasha-in-space]

tears in my jumin lover eyes…

[natasha-in-space]

I love being madly in love with my own characters.

I love being madly in love with my own writing and storylines. It’s one of my favorite things and I hope that never changes.

[natasha-in-space]

guys........guys..........Whsat the hell....... (ss from the mysme subreddit this is from the 9th anniversary event chatroom)

WHAT THE HELL WHAT THE HELL WHAT THE HELLY turning as red as a tomato kicking my feet n' giggling WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE WANTS US TO HANG OUT WITH HER ALONE AT A SWIMMING POOL? WDYM SHE'S WEARING A SWIMSUIT WE PICKED OUT FOR HER? guys im in love with her btw fyi if y'all didn't know but im like chill with it n' stuff not too much im very chalant (vibrating in my seat) "jaehee kang with the greatest ease" is also the cutest fuckinf thing in the universe im tearing up and sobbing

[natasha-in-space]

Emo catboy time

[natasha-in-space]

Family picnic commission for megami606sama on IG!

[natasha-in-space]

Being a hacker slash stalker is hard. Unknown can attest to this.

[natasha-in-space]

You said we can request from anything right? I was wondering if I could hit you with a Yoosung Kim from Mystic Messenger then :3? Feel free to ignore of course!

hi!! yes ofc here he is :33

[natasha-in-space]

I drew this at work today <3 I really love them so much

[natasha-in-space]

say hello to my collection of bugs

[natasha-in-space]

2025 - 2021 - 2018

I'm still drawing Rika, I'm still in love with MysMe, even after all these years... Thx u so much for everything, and you guys who are still following me! I'll make art, even if it's not MysMe related, I hope u still like it!!