#ref: ever

[lndslorepuzzler]

World Underneath: Sealed In Dust

Part 01: Whispers

A young man in a duckbill hat and an older man in a raincoat exchange verbal barbs and a briefcase that still smells like an explosion; the older man (who has been watching EVER) is careful not to touch it with his bare hands as he opens it to expose 4 pieces of yellowed paper.

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Part 02: "Unicorn"

Subject Anomalies Record (directly transcribed) Recorder: Josephine, Gaia Research Center, Unicorn Team, Researcher/Team Leader Date: Observation No.5, Day 42 Anomalies: Subject 001 regained vital signs after death. Details: Subject 001: Female, Evol: Anhaunsen Class Day 41 of Observation: 2:00AM For reasons unknown (suspected to be a researcher's mishandling of the subject,) the subject's energy values rapidly increased and peaked at 2:39AM. It resulted in a powerful energy burst within her body (no casualties or equipment was damaged.) All vital signs disappeared after the explosion. Day 42 of Observation (Today): 4:00PM Vital sign monitors suddenly restarted and slowly transmitted data again. Heart rate, breathing, and brain activity resumed. Not only did Subject 001 appear to be alive again, but energy values also returned to normal. A comprehensive physical examination revealed a newly created, unidentified substance in her heart.

Experiment Notes (summary): Josephine is of mixed emotions about the event; if the thing in the subject's heart is an unknown element, "then what kind of existence is she?" The group collectively decide to tall the element Aether, and thus the object in the subject's heart is called an "Aether Core." It is quietly determined that the only way to study the subject's 'resurrection' is to kill her again, to see if the subject wakes up. She calls the subject a "unicorn." Josephine finds herself unable to give a vote of approval for the process, despite believing that Subject 001 "holds too many secrets that are worth researching and carries an unpredictable amount of energy;" she "still can't ignore that (Subject 001) is a child."

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Part 03: Observation Log (summary)

Observer: Josephine Entry No. 1 They have taken to calling the girl Unicorn. After her 'resurrection,' all memories and cognition of her previous 'life' was erased; though she is able to pick up, absorb, and understand information far above the capabilities of her peers. Entry No. 2 The girl uses the Resonance Evol unconsciously. Entry No. 3 The voting results result in the beginning of experiments to kill Unicorn in an observation unit. The energy is agitated to the point where it burst, and Unicorn 'dies.' She wakes up again, and the energy of the Aether Core is even stronger than it already was. Josephine is begins to struggle with emotional attachment to the subject.

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Part 04: Post-Catastrophe Journal (summary)

Day 49, Post-Chronorift Catastrophe, Sunny The Gaia Research Center was destroyed, and Subject 001 was lost. Josephine found her in a shelter, and the girl called her 'Grandma,' though she'd never learned the term, and didn't appear to recognize her. Josephine brings her home. Day 75, Post-Chronorift Catastrophe, Sunny The little girl is still with Josephine. "Her memory is like a faint signal, intermittent and sometimes wavering." She continues to take care of her. *1

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Part 05: Journal Entry 4 (summary)

Day 134, Post-Chronorift Catastrophe, Sunny Josephine has been unable to get into contact with any of the researchers she worked with. She wonders about the intents behind EVER's research and investment. The only person she's found is Dr. Noah, and the data after the girls checkup shows her energy at half of what it used to be. The girl doesn't communicate anything about her experience in the Chronorift Catastrophe; she was alone the whole time. Josephine thinks that "maybe forgetting isn't such a bad thing for (the girl.)"

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Part 06: Dust (summary)

Duckbill feels Raincoat has more than enough information to "confirm her identity and role." Raincoat commends Duckbill for "(silencing) Josephine," and gives Duckbill a vial of some kind of drug. Raincoat gives the briefcase back, and tells Duckbill to watch the smell; Duckbill tells him to watch his handkerchief, since he'll be implicated, too. He asks when Raincoat's people intend to make their move, and Raincoat tells him there's no rush.

Conversation: (Edited as dialogue-only)

"Your Prince Shen Xinghui has been glued to her side watching over her, right? I've been curious for a while. Do people still practice feudalism where you're from? Isn't that regression in a sense?" "Hmph, Shen Xinghui can only guard her for so long. He's too busy dealing with his own issues... Don't say I didn't warn you. It's not just EVER who wants her. Strike first to gain an advantage." "The one who strikes first is helping her cultivation. If you can get rid of Shen Xinghui in the process, you'd be doing us a big favor. Isn't internal struggle your specialty? Kill Shen Xinghui and let EVER crown you as a prince. Haha--" "I can't kill Shen Xinghui, but I can do more than deal with a two-legged, carbon-based monkey like you." "You... Kill me, then. But how long can you survive in this era?" "Tell your masters they better get their hands on her fast. Based on my experience, her existence isn't as simple as the observation records suggest. If you keep stalling, EVER will end up losing more than they bargained for once she develops."

Raincoat ruminates that the drug Duckbill just took has an additional substance in it, used to "control" him. The goal is to "control" Shen Xinghui: his Evol is feeding into Unicorn's, using his love for her to EVER's advantage.

"Letting his lightblade serve her and becoming the strongest weapon in her hands is something the Resonance Evol can easily achieve. Shen Xinghui will surely give her every bit of himself... Love truly is a wonderful thing."

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*1, The text reads, "It's always just been me at home. But with her and... /Things have started to change." That ellipsis haunts my dreams. *2, Unsure if this is the same backtracker Shen Xinghui merc'd in Galactic Sunset: Desecrated Soil.

I'm not sure if this is the same Raincoat as World Underneath: Long Lost Treasures, though I'm pretty sure it's not.

This section also confirms that Shen Xinghui/Backtrackers are from the future (though not necessarily the same 'timeline.')

And, for anyone wondering, 'anhaunsen' is essentially a root word for 'enhance.'

[hometownrockstar]

I think having to make refs for art fight is kinda overblown, people get all stressed about making fully rendered perfect refs in time but honestly just using one or two full-body pics of your character that youve already drawn will work just fine. if you need a new pic then do a quick sketch, put the basic color palettes under it, and that works too. I just dont want people to feel intimidated about doing artfight cus they feel they HAVE to make brand new perfect refs or get burnt out on drawing after they make a bunch of them

[stargirl230]

ghost of you

super quick Sua screencap redraw to celebrate the new video release - no I was not expecting it to be Like That and yes I was devastated

(no reposts; reblogs appreciated)

[drawnfamiliarfaces]

some more secretive boys ;)

[soosoosoup]

Here it is, the wip/scrapped old art block attempt 😅

[windwenn]

Laura

[chirrups]

it’s them

[souvenirpopcorn]

dog 🐶

[rapidhighway]

[do2faj]

Some X-Men sketches💥

[humming-fly]

Delighted to discover that the way shadow unlocks new abilities in sxsg is a perfect parallel of the pringles iron maiden

[lndslorepuzzler]

Under Deepspace: Galactic Sunset, pt 1-10

01: Bonfire: FMC wakes up to herself and Qi Yu beside a bonfire. Qi Yu chastises FMC, "The line between being kind and being dumb is very thin. A small, smart fish swims away while it still can when the big fish are hunting." She points out that he was swimming directly into a whirlpool, which he has no response for. He claims that saving FMC was just his act of kindness for the day, and asks how long the "malicious creature will keep an eye on (them...)" after which comes the best exchange in the main story.*1

Then, discussing animals in general, Qi Yu says, "Animals that are fond of humans usually have a tragic end... One moment you're cute and cuddly, the next they toss you aside. You're forgotten, left behind. ...And you? Wasn't there something important you forgot about?"

He informs FMC that he's keeping the protocore from the Wanderer, but gives her an invitation to 'Hunting Day' at The Nest. FMC says he must be a regular, which Qi Yu gives a flippant response to; then he makes a point that she'd best wear a disguise to get in, pick up some local lingo and stop flashing the Hunter's Watch. He says he'll cover for her when it matters, but points out that one "(has) to pay a very high price for obscure information. Especially for stuff involving-... Mysterious protocores."*2

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02: Desecrated Soil: In a dark alley, Shen Xinghui is confronted by a stranger, while the Astronomy Channel talks about a dead planet, -P0159, recently discovered by the DAA. The stranger says he can't believe that Shen Xinghui was involved in Isaiah's death, that he would never attack their comrades. "As you can see, I'm a monster now... You don't want to end up like me, right? But sooner or later, you'll be walking down this path as well. Only she can save us. You, of all people, should know!" He says he's seen "that thing" with her.

Shen Xinghui cuts him off, saying "Until that day comes, no one should even think about getting close to her. The same goes for me." The stranger accuses Shen Xinghui of being a traitor, forgetting about his home. Shen Xinghui kills him; he "transforms into specks of light soon corroded by black particles. They dissolve into the cracks of the road." Shen Xinghui leaves, and the narration notes "Cleanup isn't necessary. No one would notice there being one less person of their kind. Besides, this city is riddled with filth."

The next scene brings Shen Xinghui to The Nest, where he tosses the bartender a blood-smeared, damaged protocore. The bartender notes that he always takes bounties but never rewards, and Shen Xinghui points out that he might be on the bounty list, too. He says he won't be coming to Hunting Day, and the bartender gives him a dark-colored envelope.

Shen Xinghui notes that "someone deliberately stirred up trouble in The Nest today. But he doesn't have the patience for it... There are three pairs (of eyes watching him.) It's likely his actions in the alley caught their attention. After all, birds of a feather flock together. If he makes his move here, he'll have another bounty on his head. He needs to be more careful in Linkon from now on." FMC walks into The Nest, and Shen Xinghui catches her by the arm and pulls her outside.*3

03: Luminous Veil: Now in Azure Square, FMC and Shen Xinghui have a chance to talk; FMC figures that Shen Xinghui's dodging of her questions means that something bigger is going on, but he turns the conversation toward her intentions to enter the N109 Zone. She thinks about how they've reached an understanding, in that neither of them asks the other any questions. Shen Xinghui points out that it's not the getting in, but the surviving/getting out that's going to be tricky, and tells FMC about the protocore auction. He explains that Onychinus is likely going to auction off a high-grade protocore to the highest bidder due to their earlier business transactions being ruined by Lumiere destroying a large number of protocores.

Before they can get any deeper into the conversation, FMC notices that a bunch of the patrol robots are hovering/watching them, and asks/tells Shen Xinghui that the people trying to capture him have decided to make a move. She notes to herself that they always find themselves in this kind of situation, and it's more likely a threat to Shen Xinghui than it is a coincidence. Shen Xinghui and FMC resonate to allow Shen Xinghui's Evol to destroy the patrol robots. They leave the scene.*4

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04: COMBAT

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05: Philo: Shen Xinghui and FMC show up at Jeremiah's flower shop, Philo, in a flash of light; he's startled enough to chastise Shen Xinghui until FMC peeks around his shoulder, at which point he freezes up. FMC doesn't know what to do with Jeremiah's surprise, while Shen Xinghui just reaches to water the laurel Jeremiah is holding, and tells FMC that "he's not young anymore, so he's a bit slow on the uptake now." Jeremiah starts to say 'long time no see'*5 but stops himself, and does something to the glass that makes them 'out of sight,' so they can talk. Jeremiah brings up the no-hunt zone, but Shen Xinghui explains that he needs an identity for FMC to get into the N109 Zone safely. Jeremiah agrees to help, and creates a false identity for FMC to take on once at the protore auction/inside the N109 Zone. Jeremiah tries to measure FMC for clothes; Shen Xinghui gives him a good shot with the spray bottle, and tells him she can do it herself.*6

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06: Unconventional Advice: While Jeremiah goes to start taking care of the details of the false identity, Shen Xinghui and FMC have a conversation about how exactly to act convincingly in front of the people she'll be trying to deceive. FMC points out that there's no way this was a spur of the moment thing, and that Jeremiah is too helpful, and wonders why Jeremiah isn't helping Shen Xinghui, instead. He reminds her that he's 'just a normal Deepspace Hunter,' and what follows is a demonstration of all the things Shen Xinghui is telling her; she's too polite, she needs to believe she's always right, and that she shouldn't "provoke people who have yet to show their hand."*7 Jeremiah comes back then immediately leaves after glancing over them, claiming he entered the wrong room.

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07: Stellar Guidance: Jeremiah gives FMC a box of supplies to aid her in her deception; she's curious about who he is, given how quickly he put all of this together, and how sincere he is about being glad to help her, despite never thinking he would be able to do so. Shen Xinghui inserts himself between the two of them, and FMC heads home, since Shen Xinghui "(has) plans today." Before he goes, he gives FMC a transmitter presumably pierced into her ear; "Even if you're somewhere in the N109 Zone with no signal, we can still track your location." He also gives her an inhibitor (which will make her "temporarily immune to 98.7% of neurotoxins") and a self-defense needle. FMC asks if he has a magic pocket or something, and Shen Xinghui gives her a bouquet of flowers ("They just happened to blossom. So, I sincerely hope you'll accept them.")

After FMC leaves Philo, Jeremiah and Shen Xinghui talk. Jeremiah wants to know if Shen Xinghui managed to stay calm when he saw her the first time, and if he really doesn't care about the Nonintervention Principle. Shen Xinghui points out that some have already stopped caring about it, or else many of the bad things happening wouldn't have happened in the first place. He also notes that the N109 Zone will be safer than Linkon in a few days.

Jeremiah says he can't remember all the faces of the Backtrackers, and agrees that the Nonintervention Principle is useless "for (those) whose presence here was always a mistake... And mistakes are bound to be corrected sooner or later. Maybe we're slowly being erased as we speak." Shen Xinghui asks about the condition of the Traceback 2, and Jeremiah wonders if there's even anyone on the other side of the Deepspace Tunnel who could respond to them. Shen Xinghui promises that Jeremiah will return, while Jeremiah points out that "having Evol doesn't make you invincible... And you're... This isn't Philos. And we, you know, aren't truly immortal. Our kind, I mean."

This passage closes out the section:

08: COMBAT (Challenge)

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09: Into Deep*8: FMC takes in the information that she's learned from Li Shen (that Onychinus may already have protocores in their possession,) advice from Shen Xinghui (that a powerful reputation will keep people from messing with you,) and Qi Yu (that her best bet for getting what she wants is to make herself the bait) and decides she's ready to go. She calls Qi Yu and tells him to "meet (her) at The Nest. Show (her) how to fish."*9

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Qi Yu does meet FMC; he walks her through the process of 'setting up a deal.' He stops her just before she completes the last step, reminding her that if the deal "doesn't go smoothly, (she) will be the payment, instead." FMC decides the risk is worth the reward and finishes the transaction. Qi Yu walks away, saying "Since you've made up your mind, I won't stop you. I hope you find the answer you seek."

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10: Trap: It's Hunting Day at The Nest, and FMC is the target. The red eye is back, this time as a physical object; FMC is injected with C-003 neurotoxin, and falls unconscious. Up in a side room Qi Yu speaks with an unknown man*10 about how the situation is getting more dangerous; Qi Yu points out that things are still up in the air, and asks for/is given a small black box. When asked if he's "fine with handling over a fresh catch just like that," he asks, "Do you really think they can handle the prey I caught?"

There is then an ending sequence showing the (presumed) locations of Shen Xinghui, Li Shen, and Qi Yu; at Traceback 2, in the Arctic, and in front of/disappearing from the large painting in his studio. The text reads as follows:

Traceback 2 will reach the edge of the Deepspace Tunnel's umbra within one day.

Our journey through the Deepspace Tunnel begins.

Destination is in the Orion arm of the Milky Way--

Once the home of humanity: Earth.

Activating Course Correction Engine.

The final countdown has been initiated...

When P0159's light shines through the Deepspace Tunnel, illuminating Linkon Tower's pinnacle... The closest we've been to it in last 4.6 billion years.

This galaxy's name is derived from the Greek word, "philo." It is the most exquisite gem in Deepspace.

Philos.*11

Humanity remains shackled to time.

Fortunately, there are other lives in this boundless (unreadable)

Tonight's weather, clear sky with winds around 7 miles/hour.

Everything is serene inside the Deepspace Tunnel.

Goodnight, Linkon City.

May you rest in the Milky Way's embrace, drifting in a realm of long and happy dreams.

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*1, Bar none, this is still the best thing I've ever seen. I also enjoy the implication that Qi Yu can talk to ALL animals, not just fish/oceanic creatures.

*2, Obviously, Qi Yu knows more than he lets on, as we find out later in World Underneath: Long Lost Treasures.

*3, This entire section is heavy on the Shen Xinghui lore, and seems to be painting him in the role of the classic, amoral bounty hunter. The fact that his supposed ex-companion dissipates the same way Wanderers do (in a fizzle like Metaflux) is interesting; even more interesting is that Shen Xinghui has absolutely no hesitation in killing him. Isaiah is mentioned; he has his own tag, seen below. With all of these clues, we can safely extrapolate that Shen Xinghui just killed someone who was on the same mission as he was aboard the Traceback 2, and that his physical state was deteriorating for as-of-now unknown reasons.

*4, Worth noting that at the beginning, a newscaster talks about how the Deepspace Aviation Administration found traces of organisms that once lived on P0159.

*5, Connections to life before the Traceback 2 mission, see Shen Xinghui: Myth: ()

*6, See above, with specific attention to Shen Xinghui's canon jealousy/possessiveness/abandonment issues.

*7, Refer back to *3, and the general understanding that Shen Xinghui never reveals his cards until he's absolutely sure he's on the same page as the person he's with. The FMC also mentions the feeling of danger and weight; that she is not in control of the situation despite being the one standing up.

*8, I love that this can be taken as 'into deep,' as in 'into a deep place' or 'in too deep,' as in, 'in over your head.' I feel like both interpretations work.

*9, This occurs the day after Shen Xinghui pulls her out of The Nest.

*10, He is wearing this crest, is, in fact, the EVER Group symbol.

*11, In case any of us were wondering, 'philos' is in fact the ancient Greek word for love.

[sleeplesssoporific]

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!

SHOUTOUT TO TEENAGE LWJ FOR BEING THE FUNNIEST GUY EVER 🗣️🗣️🗣️

[milkbreadtoast]

My baby brother...☺️🤏💖

[nohr-selphias]

"I love you, Zevran. I hope you know that."

"Yes... Yes, I know that."

— commission art by @sinizade, posted with permission

[dozingsun]