#Fran rambles

[redbatchedcumbermayned]

20 questions for writers

I was tagged by @leadflowers. Thank you so much, Ghani <333. And I'm tagging @holylustration @theevilscribbler and @pycnolite

How many works do you have on ao3?

8. I only started writing fanfic in January last year, when a certain Heinrix van Calox stole my heart.

What’s your total ao3 word count?

335,058 words, most of it part of my long fic Much Ado About The Lord Captain

What are your top five fics by kudos?

Much Ado About The Lord Captain - A Comedy of Terrors by a loooooong shot

Snow waits where love is – a RT gift exchange fic

A leap into the void – another RT gift exchange fic

The Observer – an Achilleas x Heinrix fic with an experimental narrator

To be alive beneath cherry blossoms – the companion fic to MAATLC, set more than a decade before the events of the game

What fandoms do you write for?

So far, only the RT fandom, and I can’t imagine branching out much into the world of fanfiction. I’ll return to romance novel writing (and publishing if the agents and my old publishing contacts are willing) with a Gothic romance stealing a certain Interrogator for the plot…

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I love comments, and I love striking up conversations in the comments. I made a few friends over the last year just by chatting to the people commenting on my stuff. And with how rare comments have become, I think engaging with the people who take the time and leave a short message on your writing is important. It's certainly more pleasurable than having to read reviews of your novels where you can’t respond to the author, either because it seems like you are currying favours or picking a fight.

What’s the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Goosh, without going too deep, the ending of MAATLC will probably be very angsty. Otherwise, Even More Ado About the Lord Captain (working title 😉) would have nowhere to go, and the ending of that fic could count as extremely angsty…

What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

That depends on where you land with your interpretation of the last chapters of Even More Ado About the Lord Captain (working title 😉) – I consider it a happy ending, but see above.

Beyond that, all my other fics end on a happy note, and since most of my other fics are gift fics, I tailored them to the expectations of my giftee, and none so far wished for a bittersweet or tragic ending.

Do you get hate on fics?

So far, not. I hope it stays that way. I heard about snidey comments through the grapevine, though, but I pity the people who can only hint at stuff and not come out with their opinions. They are inconsequential in the end, as would hate comments be. Hate reading means you still engage with my creative output. 😉

Do you write smut?

Yes. I am a proud smut writer. I am a prolific smut writer. Queen of blowjob descriptions (per my readers). Love me some smut, but I can’t write Porn without Plot or character development. Started the Heinrix wanks in the shower trend 😉

Do you write crossovers?

Nope, and don’t think I’ll ever start.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of…

Have you ever had a fic translated?

Again no. I just know some people use a translator to read my stuff.

Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

Another no, but I once considered an epistolary Heinrix x Argenta fic with Aparima until her interests mostly whisked her away from the RT fandom. I still think about that LI Heinrix x Argenta fic fondly…

I would always co-write something with the lovely Holy.

What’s your all time favourite ship?

Heinrix x RT, especially Heinrix x Isha. Before another game romance can swipe me off my feet like that one did, a lot of time will pass.

What’s the wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I hope I finish MAATLC and still have the drive and energy to finish the post-game fic since the ideas are jumbling in my mind no-stop and I must get them out somewhere, but if I’m still as devoted and motivated in a year? Idk

What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue. Emotions. Keeping narrative tension always exactly at the right amount throughout the story. Evocative storytelling through subtle little narrative tricks. Being proficient in a few genres and capable of incorporating them into one long fic. Writing music and dance scenes. Fight and action scenes (I hate them but I write them well).

What are your writing weaknesses?

Perhaps I should employ more vivid imagery for descriptive prose and give more insights into my characters' heads, but then I hate spelling everything that my characters do and think on the page. Perhaps because I enjoy reading dramas and plays more than novels, I let a lot open for interpretation for my readers, perhaps sometimes too much.

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in a fic?

If one is somewhat proficient in that language go ahead otherwise perhaps think again.

First fandom you wrote for?

Rogue Trader

Favourite fic you’ve ever written?

Much Ado About the Lord Captain (Even More Ado will take that spot once it's written).

[thatonewiththeponytail]

I wanna stop being busy with stuff that drains me and get busy with stuff that pumps me up

[kapfranos]

I posted this stuff on my bsky, but I figured it would also be good here. I just have a running commentary on my thoughts about Veilguard now I've finished it.

I finished Veilguard yesterday and goddamn what a game.

Is it missing some things? Do I wish things were better explained or more established lore critiqued in the world? Yes, BUT there were so many other things that worked so well

I do very much need the people who keep parroting the 'but they had 10 years' rhetoric to shut up and learn a little bit about Cursed Game Development and realise that after everything that we know about the journey this has been on, it's amazing that such an incredible game came out of it.

I am very Hungry for new books and comics

I want more stuff about the Crows and why Cantori and de Riva seem SO different from the Crow houses we'd been told about before

I NEED to know what's happening in Ferelden now, where is HoF, because mine would be PISSED at what happened.

I wish we had more social commentary on Tevinter and the caste and slavery issues - if Dock Town is Soperati-ville WHY am I not hearing about slaves outside of a couple of Magisterium codex entries with Dorian

I also just need everyone to know how much I love Antoine specifically. Beautiful sensitive loving man with a hot wife and a penchant for explosives

I would also like to kiss whichever combat designer came up with orb and dagger for mages on the mouth

The one thing I wanted back is the DA2 mage staff bonking, and they basically turned around and said yeah okay but what if you just had a knife and were also a Knight Enchanter for daggers

This is just rolling thoughts are this point BUT not being able to go and chat to my companions at any time was a bit of a loss for me.

I really enjoyed it in Inquisition, and it gives you that all important opportunity to smooch your LI whenever you want

I am slightly miffed at the over-hyping of the romances, especially when Lucanis only has like 3 specifically romantic scenes. I feel like he could have done with more to shape it out more, when the codex entries seem to show there's relationship development off-screen

I was also waiting for there to be a scene with him where the 'first kisses taste like lavender and cream' reference comes back, like COME ON

[franhelps]

i need to update my blog....

[kindaorangey]

daniel molloy proposal dessert sharing danlou scene of all time. louis has so much affection for daniel even after the way the 1973 interview ended and in episode 1 he tries to relate to daniel by bringing up his sexuality, which daniel shuts down, then louis pivots to his marriages, as if to enquire about whether daniel forced himself into these marriages/whether he was actually attracted to these women, and daniel shuts him down and brushes past it again. so when they have dinner together louis requests this dessert that daniel ate with alice, forces himself to eat human food. daniel asks louis what it tastes like to him, louis says like paste and eats it anyway. and daniel opens up a bit about alice. and then they continue to eat in silence.

[poorlemons]

i love looking at playlists for characters ive had for a couple years bc its like. at first they were just a silly guy, and now they are Haunted by the Horrors like fran whats going on, bud? i mean they were never happy go lucky but its now very violent in vibe

[omppupiiras]

I made another silly tierlist, this time for Käärijä outfits ✨ feel free to post your rankings or add them in a reblog!

[redbatchedcumbermayned]

Sorry if you have been hit by the unfollow button, it's nothing personal, I still like you but my dash became almost unmanagable

[thatonewiththeponytail]

Dental related emergencies call for drastic measures but I haaaate it.

[dranfran]

a thorough clothing analysis - ex and bee

NB: very very much inspired by @/thalfox's analysis on the obey me cast's casual outfits. clothing has a way of showing a hint of personality about the person wearing it, and a lot more about of their background and their demeanor. it's the first thing a person might see before saying "hello", so their dressing styles really do count! SPOILERS FOR SEASON 1 - YOU'VE BEEN WARNED

For each and every character, we'll be starting from the top and working our way down the outfit, and talking about any garments that might have specific connotations, as well as theorizing whatever could have prompted such a choice.

EX: sophisticated, numinous, distinguished

There's this sort of classy, Sherlock Holmes inspiration with his outfit, though with its own bold hues.

The overall dark colours aided by hints of juxtaposing cooler reds and blues show that he means business. Though, this outfit could be considered arguable too self indulgent; if Ex truly wanted to be a "formal", would he not wear a plainer black suit with no accents? It's more tailored: flashy and personal, with the contrasting collars encasing what appears to a clerical shirt with a tab collar; it's distinctly related to clerical dress and most typically worn by members of the Roman Catholic Church (54% of South Americans are Roman Catholic, so it makes sense). From the crosses on the palms of his gloves to the scarf-like belt with tassels; it is clear that Ex is deeply religious, and his childhood living within the church has clearly influenced him. His outfit, in a sense, is priest like; he is acting out a communion, but what is sacrificed as such?

His blazer has a rose pattern on the sleeve with the stems pointed upwards; keeping with this religious interpretation of his outfits, roses represent passion (suffering) and martyrdom. Is Ex himself a sacrificial lamb for the greater good of the world in his sense too? Yes, his blood is the only weakness that Blodgrim will never be able to combat, but I wouldn't be surprised if in the eyes of everyone else, he is meant to shed his own blood to prevent Blod's reign of domination and terror around the world; I mean, he literally had a patten akin to blood splatters near the bottom of his blazer.. I would never ever be surprised if he is given a justified death at the end of the series.

Keeping in line with this more numinous perception of his outfit, one of his blazer collars is furred?..

I'm just as confused as you are, but perhaps they aren't mere furs and feathers, but metaphorical wings. As a dhampir having a sole wing, this mutilation is a symbol representing the lost and the lonely, the inevitable of the fall. Perhaps Ex feels a sense of incompletion, frustration, abandonment yet aspiration; recovering from being a fallen angel with perhaps, another half of wings from another person, will allow him to fly again.

BEE: comfortable, athletic, informal

As the protagonist, Bee's design as an assistant detective stands out as scarily casual; his V-neck shirt, jeans as well as running trainers all scream that his work is more child's play; there's no separation between his work and play, rather they're synonymous with each other -- so the question lies, does he really take this seriously? Or rather, is this subverting casualness a sign of being undercover, hiding who he truly is in order to appeal or comfort to those who may reject him for his roots? It's worth questioning.

His glasses which are worn in most official art are tinted yellow, which can be worn to reduce eye fatigue, and block harmful UV rays, which probably is worn for a reason adjacent to his sensitivity to light as a vampire, but could arguable be a sort of fashion statement (as another vampire we know about doesn't wear sunglasses, but we'll get to that.).

There's too many bee motifs in his design: the yellow stripes on the back of his jacket, the bee wings near the zipper, the hexagonal patten faintly stenciled near his pockets; he is a BEE alright. This motif connotes of feelings of community, working together towards a single goal as a metaphorical hive mind. focusing more on this "hive mentality", it's not crazy to assume that perhaps an younger Bee prioritized loyalty to the group in order to easily communicate with everyone, though it's probable that the same mentality is what lead him away from Blod in the first place, and what drew him to Ex instead. The deterioration of personal judgements and one's own desires fade because in the end, you will stop making decisions for yourself for the benefit of a wider institution; perhaps this is linked to the marking on his hand, a symbol of such an old allegiance that is still bares its hold on him till the present day.

Someone mentioned it before, but Bee's J-shaped leg prosthetic is used specifically for athletes who run professionally. It's frankly reminiscent of the role of a "forager" bee, who's job it is to collect nectar and guard the hive, which probably has some link to his name ("Dimongard"). Overall, Bee's clothing is indicative of a greater yearning for belonging within the wider world; a bee must be loyal to its hive, after all.

BLOD: imposing, deliberate, dignified

oh my god blodgrim bloodriven you will go to heaven. (joke.. this guy's far from it. but seriously, i love this outfit)

His outfit is very gothic, reflective of such conventions established within the 19th century; dark moody colours juxtaposed by pale skin and blackened eyes. Blod sports a black collared shirt and a slimming waistcoat stenciled with darker diamond shapes near the bottom, and a ribbon-like tie which symbolically resembles the shape of a ribcage, which is surrounded by what I assume to be two broches which resemble bones — his outfit reeks with this lingering death imagery. The sleeves of his shirt have a sort of web-like pattern, which is then cut off by a deep maroon outlining it. The web pattern near his hand gives me this vision of a spider insnaring his prey through a web — an outstretched hand is nothing more than a trap in order to be feasted on. His furred overcoat is long with spiked lapels, morphing him from just a simple man with taste to an authoritative figure, with the spikes representing this hasher, unfriendlier side of him. (A therapist is meant to be a confidant, no? This hostile style reveals a subversion of this close familiarity and reliability: it is a facade.) The lining contains patterns which resemble eyes, subtle hints of red coming back.

He's wearing Louboutins. I just know he is. Those heels which physically elevate his height have a rich red colour on their souls. Most of his design his back, but only his shoes are tainted with the deepest of the red; this idea of blood unable to touch his person due to the highest of one's self-worth lingers throughout his design. Death does not touch Blod, but it actively surrounds him to the point where he's unable to truly separate it from himself.

On his last finger is what I assume to be a signet ring, worn mostly during the 18th and 19th century, conveying a sense of power, status and independence, but were also seen as charms for communication and associated with a professional status. Perhaps as a therapist, he'd rely on such dated methods to ensure his grip and influence on a person he may be manipulating (read: Elizabeth). Bloodgrim as a character is extremely purposeful through his words, whether that be through sheer bluntness or through other implicit means.

NB: however since the 40s rings on the pinky finger have been worn by queer people as a way to come out of the closet without saying a word... take that how you will.

Just like Ex, there are many a religious allusions within Blod's own clothes through the reoccurring motif of the snake: on his cuffs is a snake pattern, as well as the heel of his high heels (which again, have red eyes). Connotations of snake include feelings of confidence and elegance, and are closely connected to medicine -- venom was assumed to have heeling and divine properties, even connections to the fabled "elixir of life". Note Asclepius, the god of medicine, handling a snake in many of his depictions. However, snakes within biblical passages are seen as incarnations of evil: to tempt Adam and Eve, Satan turned into a talking serpent. Blod is meant to be a safe haven, but his clothes show the tempter beneath, the vampire that deliberately encourages sin and evil without the fear or fretting of getting blood on his hands because of the power that he was born with.

Thank you for reading! This took a very veryy long time to prepare due to the small amount of images of them, but I do hope this was an interesting enough analysis! I hope that season 2 of Ex and Bee reveals more about our protagonists (and I hope they release more official art so that I could go more in depth with other outfits)

edit 28/4/25 - grammar+ more specific details edit 6/7/25 - minor corrections

[kazbob]

wanna talk about balfran... like, i think u could easily chalk up their relationship as the "obvious het ship" in ffxii, and i do think you'd be right if you imagine that everyone who ships them pictures them getting married and having little half-viera babies and settling down, but like... my siblings in occurian rule, that is not true to either of their characterisation

i think the appeal of balfran IS that they have an ambiguous relationship. it IS that they could be friends, lovers, or just partners in crime. and i personally think they are all at once. i can't imagine either of them would want to settle down or even have an "official" status. balthier obviously left a life of rules and confinement where he was ignored by a father who wanted him to just fall in line for his own convenience. fran similarly left a fairly rigid community that she can never truly return to because she craves freedom. sky pirating is a metaphor for freedom from typical life. i imagine neither of them even talk about what they are. one night they are friends in a bar talking about which of the city guard is a bottom, the next they sleep together. to me, that is the appeal- the idea that the platonic, romantic and sexual crossover so casually for them. i certainly don't imagine them as monogamous, and i dont think their relationship should ever preclude other ships (filthy little multishipper)

this doesn't even count the queer headcanon's for balthier and fran. i think their stories lend themselves to queer 'running-away-from-home' type narratives, so its no surprise you see people chuck around bi for bi and t4t headcanons. i think these headcanons sing in harmony with fran and balthiers atypical relationship, rather than against it.

idk where i was going with this- i'm glad i've never seen anyone do the whole "het relationships are inherently boring uwu" thing with these two. i love atypical relationships that don't fit neatly into boxes

[phinnking]

sometimes i wonder why i am the way that i am when it comes to my particular style of writing horror and then i'll remember those few select indie horror games that permanently changed my brain chemistry and it all makes sense

[lytorika]

Okay so I'm playing Ace Attorney for the first time and I'm so 100% certain you do but I gotta say this anyways, you GOTTA know about this blue haired German girl with the whip right???

HELP. this is such an ask to get. yea i know Franziska von Karma she was the love of my life and i wanna be just like her when I grow up. I wanted to cosplay her but it kinda fell through because the wig i got wasn't the right color and I lost interest. anyway here's some art i've done of her

[blurredfloweryblood]

There is something deeply profound in indie games that pull at my heartstrings. Games like Mouthwashing, Fran Bow, Sally Face, Little Misfortune and Night in the Woods bring out feelings in me that I can't explain. The inherent tragedy of children that have tried their best with what the world has given them. Battling against their own minds and selves, looking for salvation in the deepest pits of hell. Sometimes they find it, sometimes they don't. Lost forever, hugging themselves when the world and what's chasing them is closing up around them, like a giant mouth swallowing lives not quite lived.

The feeling that the world ends even when you're still alive. The feeling of something stalking you, something that's waiting, something that will happen. The bottomless feeling in your stomach that this is the point of no return. This is something that they won't come back from. All of them, my little soldiers, who I send to battle knowing they will lose, knowing they won't come back from the wars and horrors I replay on the screen.

My dearest losing dogs, I bet so much and I lose with them, I die with them, present in my mind, my little soldiers, cradling lives that they could have lived, but alas, the cosmos of their existence wasn't made for that.

[rhiefiefie]

Itward as a character is so funny to me because you spend the first half of the game knowing that hes apparently supposed to be a mysterious, important figure that might actually be evil(?) but the game doesn't tell you until the final half of chapter 3 that, actually, hes that same strange suited skeleton that opened a vent + a window for you when you wouldve otherwise been stuck, and gave you crumbs of guidance a few times on your journey. which might make you think "huh. ok. maybe hes not that bad?"

*then* you get to chapter 4, and this character that initially might have seemed unknowable and scary actually turns out just to be a really kind & friendly guy who likes to build things and collect forks. Hes also apparently been our bff since we were an infant. And he helped us to get our cat back. He likes to make shoes. He has a funky flying machine. It has his own version of space invaders on it. Oh, and hes afraid of bunnies. Literally top tier writing

[djevelbl]

This is how I pass my time btw, when idk what project to work on--