#ilw clown

[professor-abeloved]

the way i clicked this in a drunken panick and ended up with the FUNNIEST scene ever 🤡❤️

[spacetravels]

hii can you share your ilw mc and who they romanced i miss ur choices ocs,…

I WUV U… yes ofc this is stevie phan the new clown in town… they/them swag but also is chill w he/they hehe

i love playing a sarcastic stupid mc but also i’m so sick of them (said affectionately)… they’re gonna give college an honest shot cuz of lia bestieism… uhmmm their LI is abel it’s like this

it was SO HARD to pick an li tho i love them ALL but hm. in the end i picked the mixed ending for stevie cuz it rly felt the most natural for them… they’ve grown to love westchester and do feel the most At Home there and i think they’re just gonna be stupid happy to do whatever they want (to be free is to be content with who you are, is their opinion and this is how they feel the most free :3)

what else. omg. definitely was a prankster in skewl. tends to say the first thing that comes to mind which is often poorly timed jokes and can’t read the mood, ever… rude but they’re jjust a little guy you can’t be mad at a little guy… this post except they’re still together:

[aces-and-angels]

Okay ILW, come through with the P!nk lyric

[saibug1022]

Hi! Pretend all of your favorite characters & OCs are in high school together. Who would win each of the following categories? (And here's a hug... hope the sadness passes soon!)

Most Likely to Succeed

Class Clown

Best Dressed

Class Pals

Class Sweethearts

Teacher's Pet

Most Athletic

Class Flirt

So for convenience I'm going to narrow it down to only the characters in my mc list, let's go

Most Likely to Succeed: Magnus Bishop (LoA/Windverse)

Class Clown: Asterin Nightbloom (Blades of Light and Shadow)

Best Dressed: Castor Athantis (It Lives Within)

Class Pals: Callum Wyland (Hero) & Taylor McKenzie (Endless Summer)

Class Sweethearts: August Rose (Crimes of Passion) and Mattheo Lazarin (Bloodbound)

Teacher's Pet: Julian Athantis (ILW)

Most Athletic: Leon Vance (It Lives Beneath)

Class Flirt: Eros Blackwell (Immortal Deisres)

I can't believe I filled this whole thing without including Val, what's happened to me. Also I am not tagging all these books lmao

[itlivesproject]

This isn't an ILW ask but I really love to get more games from you guys. It doesn't even have to be Choice-related like you guys could make a game about an MC being haunted by a clown in the Alaskan wilderness and I would still play it because YOU GUYS made it

Bruh (gn). This is so sweet 🥹🥹 if we end up doing something we will let you guys know for sure!! ❤️

[aces-and-angels]

final thoughts on the ilw finale: matthias edition (ch 23 spoilers below) @itlivesproject​

First, I would like to applaud everyone on the @itlivesproject​ team for creating such a wonderful gaming experience ♥ The storyline, visuals, music- all of it would not have been possible (or as freaking amazing) without your tireless efforts. To the kings, queens, and rulers of the ILW crew: please accept these flowers 💐💐💐

my betrayal route: 

edit: I know we were told to keep the sound on for the finale, but I think this WHOLE route needs to be played over clown music, anyways back to me trying to empathize w Boo Boo the Clown Rowan (dumb, evil edition)

ILW has variants- this is known. Matthias’ route has variants galore. Why try to change him when you can join him and change the entire narrative instead? I can’t think of any villains from past Choices books that have captivated my attention the way Matthias has. And with the sheer amount of options I could choose from to see how his story would end- I had to explore them all. 

As a reader, I was giving his character some major side-eye throughout the series. But taking myself out of the equation, the way he is written makes it perfectly believable that Rowan could fall for his deception. A master manipulator, through and through. Prepare to make a lot of enemies with this route, because no matter what, everyone will hate you with every fiber of their being. Here’s the proof: 

*wipes single tear from eye, sniffling* look at all those consequences. As everyone who has ever played ILW would say, PB could nevaahhhh 😗💅

In my main Matthias x Rowan route (where Ro is loyal to Matty to a fault), my attempt at betrayal didn’t give me the two evil lovers sipping cocktails by the pool epilogue that I was anticipating. Instead, my Rowan was dealt a more tragic (albeit karmically hilarious) conclusion that fits this portion of my analysis that I’d written on Grandpa Matty for ch 21: 

Matthias’ cruel nature is no secret to MC, regardless of their relationship status with him. Romancing him, however, allows MC to justify it. But that doesn’t stop that bit of doubt from creeping up. What happens when they’re no longer enough? Deep down, they already know the answer. But as of right now, Matthias loves them. Wants them. Ironically, they voice out this hidden fear to Adrian: “It’ll never be enough. No matter how much you get, you’ll always want more.”

If we’re defining a happy ending as getting everything you want, then yes, it is possible for Matthias to have one. In fact, it is guaranteed. MC’s happily-ever-after with him, however, will always come with strings.

Humanity and Matthias do not mix. Period. His flashback scene to when he was still a mortal confirms that he has always been a man that wanted more. More than what the fates allowed. And if that wasn’t convincing enough, Mama Loha comes in and reads him to filth. Rowan’s ties with Matthias are severed the instant they become human. It was a messy divorce lmaoo

Rowan, the failed villain. This ending leaves them the most at odds with themselves, in my opinion. 

From this:

To that: 

Imagine feeling completely whole for the first time in your life, only to think of yourself as useless seconds later. Every iteration of Rowan grapples with their identity- their connection to the Power, and what that means to them. The tragedy of the blood!matthias route is Ro falling victim to Matthias predatory nature- the same one he used to manipulate Jocelyn, and countless others, to his will. He filled their ears with sweet nothings that they were more than eager to receive. Except, Matthias never accepted Rowan. Not completely, at least. 

Matthias (to Rowan): “My darling, how anyone could think you were something so trivial as human is beyond me. You, my dear creature, are something the likes of which the world has never seen. A rose would pale in comparison to your beauty, and a lion would cower against your power. You are beyond extraordinary, and now you are all mine.”

Matthias builds Ro up to be what he wanted, not to what they were meant to/wished to become (in this route): human. Every other LI (unless you utterly fuck them over) will love Ro regardless of their fate. Matthias, on the other hand, proves that his love was always conditional. To the best of my knowledge, the only way you are able to achieve a successful Matthias x MC romance is if Rowan casts aside their humanity completely. Not even staying as they are, a mix between human and the Power, will work. While Matthias doesn’t flat out reject Rowan if they refuse to merge with their other half, it is impossible to be with him as they are. What happens when they’re no longer enough? Turns out, they were never enough to begin with.  

There is something especially cathartic of having Ro kill Matthias after he betrays them. Justice for all the lies he’d woven over the years. But even in death, the scars that Matthias left on Rowan remained. Seeing the relief Ro has after regaining their power is sad to witness because it shows just how little they valued themselves. Grandpa Matty really did a number on them: made them think their worth was solely tied to their Power half. The only thing that made them special to him. The only thing that could make Rowan feel special now. 

At the very end of the chapter, when Rowan is surrounded by wealth, Power flowing through their veins, they long to go back home. Back to Westchester. Despite having everything they thought they wanted, they yearn for the one thing they can’t have. The thing that they were told didn’t matter- the thing that made them useless. The same thing that, in the end, was all they truly desired. And that friends, is a sad way to send our Rowan off. 

but on the other hand girl how could you be THAT blind he MURDERED PEOPLE and wanted to do it AGAIN- always trust Lincoln you dumb hoe

ILW refusing to let Ro stay human in a blood/betrayal route is just screaming: you really think??? you can just go back to being a mortal??? after doing all of that???? How Rowan came to denying their humanity is tragic under the lens of Matthias’ manipulation. But their descent to the dark side- their willingness to go against everyone who has ever really loved them? Yeah, that part earns them a special place in clown school with a big helping of consequences. Alone, wandering the Earth, never truly at peace- a fitting end for a fallen villain

---

Quickly touching on the other variants of Matthias’ route: 

I am HYPE that we get to win as the villain. If I’m fully committing to Ro’s evil era- I’m playing to win- and I wON BITCHES

Also I guess being an all powerful being makes wearing clothes seem trivial are they really just doing each other raw and walking around in the the nude 24/7????

DOUBLE CROSSING IS EVEN WILDER 

I was POSITIVE that if Ro didn’t cross Matthias, he would end up killing them in the epilogue. Esp since they both had the thought of killing each other to achieve their ultimate, final form

This option is just a big middle finger to every relationship Ro has ever had. They really said I choose ✨me, myself, and I ✨

Also killing Matty will forever be so satisfying. The sinister smile they have right before they do it: chills.

There is also the option to play as the villain and lose (Ro and Matty die) but who would wanna put themselves through that??? hahaha.... definitely not coming from someone who decided to read all the BAD endings first

If you made it this far down the post, heyyyy thanks for sticking with me😄 I’m curious on y’alls thoughts on Matthias’ fate in ILW. How’d his story end for you? Feel free to share below/in the tags! 

[aces-and-angels]

final thoughts on the ilw finale: amalia edition (ch 23 spoilers below) @itlivesproject

In my humble opinion, Amalia x MC’s route is the most deserving of a Blood ending. No offense to the other LIs, but Ro only knew y’all for a month and you want them to give up being an all powerful entity??? (jk you’re still valid if you ended up going blood route w/ your respective LI lol) 

I had to remove my personal preference of having Rowan be half human/half Power and fully embrace their ties to humanity. My gameplay for Amalia’s route is unique in comparison to how I approached other LIs. Out of every LI, Amalia’s story was the only one I played with the intention of achieving the Blood route ending. (To prove my point: if I tried to rock with the Power in her route, Ro loses all their nerve lmaoo)

my blood route:

Not too shabby as far as final stats can go 😗

Why was I so determined to get a Blood ending? It all starts with a now very debunked theory I entertained on the genesis of Rowan. The theory being: what if Amalia was the one who brought Ro back from the dead? Dw, the clown makeup has already been applied- BUT it was a very interesting concept for me to explore and ultimately led me to pursue a Blood-centric route. It allowed me to view Rowan as a human who was given a second chance at life by his best friend. The alternative theory I had can be seen here: 

In case anyone is interested in reading the post in its entirety (click here) 

Removing Amalia from the equation, these predictions follow the same thread of yearning for humanity. Oh, mortality. How intriguing you are. I’m gonna pat myself on the back for being half-right about the Power being drawn to human nature. It just wasn’t drawn to our dear Rowan specifically. Admittedly, if my theories were true, it would’ve placed an unfair preference over Amalia’s love story. Coming back from the dead just so you could stay with your best friend for a little longer? Their love story can’t be that epic lol. Plus, we wouldn’t have gotten all that sweet lore. Or meet Mama Loha. Or get to see this scene:

Ghost!Rowan: Though I’ve gotta say, I was pretty surprised about us and Amalia. Or I guess I should say you and Amalia.

Rowan: What do you mean? Weren’t you in love with her, too?

Ghost!Rowan: *shakes his head with a smile* Nope. That was all you.

A small weight Rowan never noticed was there lifts off their chest as they realize with full certainty that while much of who they are was siphoned from the ghost in front of you, the love they have for Amalia is theirs. All theirs.

This exchange between ghost!Ro and... the other Ro (lol) is special when you compare it to the other reactions you can get with the LIs. For instance, here’s Abel’s: 

Ghost!Rowan: And I’ve gotta admit, I’m a little jealous of you and that cute professor guy, He’s a cutie, and a sweetheart. I don’t think I ever could’ve landed someone like him

Rowan: You mean Abel?

Ghost!Rowan: Yeah, that’s the one. Congrats by the way.

Rowan can’t help but laugh.

Rowan: Thanks. 

There’s no sigh of relief seen in Abel’s route (or the others I’m assuming). Not like in Amalia’s. Why? Let’s take a look at a couple of scenes:

Amalia’s romance route really has the potential to have the sweetest or most heart wrenching conclusion 😭😭😭 but let me get back on track before I spiral too much over Lia’s shadow ending 

Out of everyone in the gang, Amalia is the only member who knew Rowan when they were human. This fact brings a point of contention between the pair that is touched on numerous times. The reveal of Ro’s true nature has the most impact on Amalia because not only does she have to come to terms with her best friend’s death, she needs to decide how this ‘new’ Ro will fit into her life. Her faith in Rowan is determinant on a player’s choice to fix her college records/telling her the truth. Refusal to do either pushes her over the edge- and  eliminates any possibility to advance Rowan’s relationship with her. How could they when she sees them as the reason her life’s goals are put on an indefinite pause- a Power creature wearing the mask of her dead best friend. 

While Amalia does come to accept Rowan for who they are now, what draws her back in is their display of humanity, despite not being exactly who she once knew. 

Amalia: “It was you, not the first Rowan, who planned my twenty-first birthday party. It was you who cheered me up after I got my first C on a college test. It was you who sent me care packages and you who was always there for me. And I realized that even if you aren’t the same person I knew in middle and high school, these past few years were real, and... I care about you Rowan. Not just the person whose body you were put into.” 

This kindness would have been overlooked by her had Rowan leaned into their more selfish desires. 

Rowan’s battle with their identity is consistent throughout every possible timeline you can create for them. Their memories with Amalia- are they really theirs? How can they claim to be Amalia’s best friend when they aren’t sure which memories are real THEY WERE LEMON DROPS As someone who is at odds over who they are, finding out that their love is truly theirs is nothing short of special.

Characterizing Rowan as I did, it feels only fitting that they choose to become human at the end. It’s also extremely heartwarming to know that Ro x Amalia get to walk through life together, as they always have, for as long as they can. Their epilogue gives domestic housewife realness and I 👏 am 👏 here 👏 for  👏 it  👏 Cook them meals, Ro lmaoo If that’s not enticing enough- there’s also this- we get to see ILW’s best bone doggo, Moss, one last time. That alone made this finale satisfying as hell. The love story I have woven for these two is tooth-achingly sweet, and the ending is even sweeter. I mean, look at this:

Look me in the eye and tell me this doesn’t scream romance. I dare you.

AND THIS:

Other points:

Lia being a martial instructor for kids- adorable

Lia being adored by said kids- amazing

Ro stopping by to help with training too- okay we get it, they're soulmates

The romantic undertones throughout Amalia's final diamond scene were beautifully written

And the choices you get after the bathtub 😏😏😏- yall ate w that one

This is the slice of life energy these two deserve 😭

Ending the same way as they began, with Lia comforting Ro from a nightmare was a very full-circle moment

In conclusion: I love Amalia de León

Bonus: amalia x ro's dynamic in a nutshell: