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14dayswithyou · 2 days

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Meowdy Saint! ^^ lolol hello hello o/ hope you are doing good!!

So this masterpiece of a game has been invading my mind with ZERO chill lately which directly translated to me coming up with a TON of questions orz I really didn't realize how many I ended up compiling lol

If you don't feel like answering this many please feel absolutely free to ignore this ask or only answer the ones you like the most, the last thing I want is for you to feel overwhelmed! ^^

ALRIGHT LET'S-A GO

-does he know how to give massages? :00

-during day 1, how did Ren come up with a book on the local flora?? It seems like such a random topic to pick when put on the spot without already having a genuine interest in it lmao

(I am not sure if this⬇️ questions falls under character deaths, if it does I really apologize and absolutely feel free to ignore it ^^)

-uuhh I know there is already a lot in this ask(im seriously sorry orz), but I was wondering if we will eventually get an SFW alphabet for Ren/[REDACTED] for the folks who don't care about the nasty 👉👈

-THIS IS THE LAST THING I PROMISE 👹 will there be a guide to get all the endings? I'm not sure if there is one already and in that case I missed it 100%

Also I find it ironic how the fandom is trying to find out every single aspect of Ren/[REDACTED]'s character the same way he must do with angel lmao

ALRIGHT THATS ALL IM SO SORRY FOR ASKING SO MUCH THE REN BRAINROT HOURS ARE SO REAL IM LOSING BRAINCELLS orz Remember to take care of yourself drink water and take breaks!! ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧

(Also sorry if some phrases don't make sense, english isn't my first language as I am 🤌 lolol)

✦゜ANSWERED: Under da cut because this got long >:3

-do Rendacted's memories remain intact when he resets the day or do his wipe too with everyone else's? Also is there an in-universe answer for why he has these glitchy powers or is he just Built Different™? Ren's memories remain intact!! I mean... He remembers each time you get a bad end and sometimes says something different... >:3 There is also an in-universe reason as to why he has his abilities — I won't spoil anything, but his real name (along with River's and one other character) have a reeeeally big tell. But what this tell is is for me to know and you to find out >:3

-if angel made it VERY clear that they would be mad asf and prolly even start hating and leave Ren/[REDACTED] if he were to hurt their friends(or killing people bc this man needs to chill fr), would he listen to them? Bc I know that if he touches Violet, Elanor, Kiara or god forbid Moth I'm personally deleting his kneecaps 🥰 Ren (and by extension [REDACTED]) knows not to harm anyone if he knows you won't like it — and even then — he won't actively show that murderous side of him in the first place. To Angel, Ren is just a timid, normal guy.

-since it seems to me that Ren/[REDACTED] is only kinda meh at cooking I was wondering if he actually made the not burnt pancakes in day 3 or if he had some store bought ones that he passed off as his own lol Ren is actually good at cooking, he's just a bit out of touch since he doesn't normally cook for himself! It's normally microwave meals or takeout for him... ^^; And yes, Ren did burn and burn the pancakes in Day 3 — he was distracted by something on his phone :3

Bonus cut Day 3 content: I took out the scene where Ren started to profusely apologise for burning the pancake because he often had to cook when he was younger. Given the dynamic of his family and the environment he grew up in, Ren didn't have much room to make mistakes ;n; I cut this scene out because I felt bad ksgskd So y'all get to have flustered, happy Ren instead!!

-does he know how to give massages? :00 If that was one of Angel's interests or desires, then sure!! ^^

-during day 1, how did Ren come up with a book on the local flora?? It seems like such a random topic to pick when put on the spot without already having a genuine interest in it lmao Someone else likes flora too, and it sure would be funny if Ren (eventually) starts to mimic certain traits and interests of the person you have the highest affinity/relationship points with in order to make himself look more appealing… >:3c

-if I understood correctly Maple should be Jae's dog right?? Did you have a specific breed or age in mind when creating her? I got curious because in my head she automatically popped up as a young australian shepherd to match with Jae's hyperactive dumbass energy lol❀⸜(˶´ ˘ `˶)⸝❀ It was mentioned in Jae's lore post (I'll link it here once I find it), but Maple is a Labrador! (Leon would be Jae's Australian Shepherd hehe) In my mind, Maple is only 2 or 3 years old, but that wouldn't really fit the official timeframe... ^^; Jae adopted Maple during high school so he wouldn't feel lonely at home, and it's been over 6+ years since then.... hgdshjg

-staying on the dog topic lol, in day 1 when angel gets up from the couch to get Ren the inflatable mattress(iirc) and he follows right behind them i immediately thought he acted like a puppy lmao. So would he mind being called 'puppy' as a pet name? Angel affectionately calls Ren a puppy during the scene in Day 1 where they meet up after work, so that nickname definitely could work!

-from an ask from last year it seems [REDACTED] would ultimately kill angel if there was ultimately not way to enter in their life?? Gotta say I was very taken aback by this, would this still be the case after a year of building more to his character? (Ok I went back to check the ask again but I can't for the life of me find it anymore maybe I dreamt it up idk😭😭 im really sorry if that is the case jdkslajdl) aaa I think you might be mistaking that ask for something else? ;v; [REDACTED] would NEVER harm Angel in any capacity, and they're a very patient person. Even if it took decades for Angel to fall in love with him, they'll wait.

-THIS IS THE LAST THING I PROMISE 👹 will there be a guide to get all the endings? I'm not sure if there is one already and in that case I missed it 100% I've shared a spreadsheet that lists all the available choices, the points you earn from each of them, and the endings you can get — however it's only available on Discord and I don't really want to share it outside of the server and potentially put it in the hands of minors. Sorry!!

Also I find it ironic how the fandom is trying to find out every single aspect of Ren/[REDACTED]'s character the same way he must do with angel lmao Hehe >:3 There's a loooot of lore that won't ever be mentioned in the game (since it doesn't seem fitting/I don't see a reason to), so I'm happy to provide it here!

#💌 — answered.#💖 — 14 days with queue.#to be tagged later #icant-pickthenameiwant

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hazbinhotelie · 3 days

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Could you do an Alastor x extremely flirty reader?

Be warned, these assholes have the worst pickup lines. I’m also a horrible flirt so yk. That probably reflects in my writing lol

From the moment I first met Alastor, the so-called Radio Demon, I knew this was going to be fun. His perpetual grin, the way his voice crackled like an old radio broadcast, and that vintage red suit – he was a character straight out of a noir film. I couldn’t resist; I had to flirt with him. It started innocently enough, a comment here, a wink there, testing the waters.

"Alastor," I said one day, leaning against the bar in the hotel lobby, "do you come here often, or just when you know I'm around?"

He tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly in confusion. "I live here, my dear," he replied, his voice as smooth and eerie as ever. "Why do you ask?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Oh, just making conversation."

Days passed, and my flirtations became more overt. "Alastor, if you were a vegetable, you'd be a cute-cumber," I said, smirking at my own cleverness.

He blinked, clearly perplexed. "A...cute-cumber? I assure you, my dear, I have never been associated with vegetables."

It was almost adorable how the demon didn’t catch on at first. But then something shifted. One day, after another of my shameless attempts – "Alastor, if I could rearrange the alphabet, I'd put U and I together" – I saw a flicker of realization in his eyes.

"Interesting proposition," he murmured, and there was a new edge to his smile. He still seemed unsure why I was flirting, but it was clear he was beginning to understand.

Then, without warning, he decided to play along.

"You know," he began, cornering me in the hallway one evening, his grin even more devilish than usual, "if you were a fruit, you’d be a fine-apple."

I laughed, genuinely delighted. So, the game was on.

Each day became a duel of wits and charm. "Alastor, do you have a map? Because I just got lost in your eyes," I said, batting my eyelashes dramatically.

"Ah, my dear," he countered, "if you were words on a page, you'd be the fine print."

It became our ritual. I’d flirt, he’d counter, both of us trying to outdo the other. It was exhilarating, a thrilling challenge I hadn’t expected.

One evening, as we stood in the dimly lit lounge, I decided to step up my game. "Alastor," I said softly, leaning closer, "are you a magician? Because whenever I look at you, everyone else disappears."

His eyes gleamed with mischief. "My dear," he purred, his voice sending shivers down my spine, "if you were a melody, you'd be my favorite tune, played on repeat."

“Oh? Maybe I don’t have to be a tune for that. You’re playing with me enough already,” I said slyly. I couldn’t help but laugh. This powerful demon- a literal overlord!- was now fully engaged in our playful flirtation, and it was more entertaining than I could have imagined.

"Touché," he said, raising his glass to me.

He inclined his head, his grin widening. "It appears we have reached a stalemate," he said, his tone dripping with amusement. "But rest assured, my dear, I will emerge victorious in this delightful game."

"We’ll see about that," I replied, winking at him.

One afternoon, I found him in the library, poring over an ancient tome. Probably something Charlie or Lucifer owned. The dim light cast long shadows, making the atmosphere perfect for my plan. Silently, I approached and, leaning over his shoulder, whispered, "What’s a charming demon like you doing in a dusty place like this?"

He turned slowly, his crimson eyes meeting mine with a glint of amusement. "Searching for knowledge, my dear. And what brings you here?"

"Just wanted to see if the stories about you were true," I said, my voice low and playful.

"Stories?" His eyebrow arched.

"Yes," I continued, moving closer until our faces were just inches apart. This was the first time I’d done this with him without anyone else nearby- the first time we were guaranteed to be uninterrupted… "About how dangerously captivating you are."

Alastor’s grin widened, and for a moment, I thought he might close the distance. But instead, he leaned back, putting just a bit of space between us. "Captivating, you say? I do aim to please."

I laughed, stepping back and allowing him to see the light blush on my cheeks. He had played that one perfectly, but he didn’t make another move. Today wasn’t the day, then.

Another day, as I lounged in the hotel's garden, I saw him approaching. "Alastor," I called out, reclining on a bench with deliberate nonchalance, "have you ever danced in a garden before?"

His eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I can't say that I have. Are you offering to teach me?"

Without a word, I stood and held out my hand. He took it, and I led him to a small clearing among the flowers. We began to dance, the steps slow and intimate, the space between us almost nonexistent. At one point, I spun and ended up with my back against his chest. I could feel his breath on my neck, and I almost dared to close the distance, but instead, I turned around swiftly, creating a sudden gap.

"Nice moves," I said with a smirk.

Alastor chuckled, clearly enjoying the game. "You’re quite the dancer yourself, my dear."

That night, the stakes were raised even higher. We found ourselves alone in one of the hotel’s many hallways, the moonlight casting eerie patterns through the windows. I decided it was time for a bold move. "Alastor," I said, my voice barely more than a whisper, "have you ever wondered what it’s like to kiss me?"

He seemed taken aback for a moment, then recovered, his grin returning. "I can't say the thought has ever crossed my mind." A lie.

"Really?" I stepped closer, our bodies almost touching. "Not even once?"

He leaned in, his lips just inches from mine, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. I could feel the heat between us, the tension almost unbearable. Just as our lips were about to meet, I pulled back, a teasing smile on my face.

"Maybe another time," I said, turning on my heel and walking away, leaving him standing there, momentarily speechless.

The next morning, he caught me off guard. As I was sipping my coffee in the dining room, he appeared beside me, leaning down so close that his breath tickled my ear. "You know," he murmured, "you left me quite intrigued last night."

I looked up at him, my heart skipping a beat. "Did I now?"

"Oh, indeed," he said, his voice a seductive purr. "Perhaps we should continue where we left off."

He reached out, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face, and for a second, I thought he might actually kiss me. But just like I had done, he pulled back at the last moment, his grin widening.

"Or perhaps not," he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

#alastor hazbin hotel #alastor the radio demon #hazbin hotel alastor #hazbin alastor #hazbin hotel #alastor #the radio demon #alastor hazbin x reader

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theodorenmyth · 2 days

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Slytherin boys reacting to you being in a dazzling outfit (like a tuxedo or a ball gown!) maybe for the Yule ball? Like total hermione moments

certainly!

Slytherin boys reacting to you in a tuxedo for the yule ball.

includes ; Lorenzo Berkshire, Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Mattheo Riddle, Blaise Zabini

Lorenzo Berkshire ;

Lorenzo's eyes widen as you enter the room, his usual confident demeanor faltering for a moment. His gaze, sharp and calculating, takes in every detail of your attire, appreciating the elegance and sophistication you radiate. Lorenzo's expression remains composed, but there's a subtle lift of his eyebrow, a sign of his approval that doesn't go unnoticed. He recovers quickly, a charming smile spreading across his face. "Well, don't you clean up nicely," he says, his tone teasing yet appreciative. "Care to dance? I'd hate to see that outfit go to waste."

Draco Malfoy ;

Draco tries to maintain his cool facade, but you catch the brief look of surprise and admiration in his eyes. At first, he might offer a smug smirk, trying to maintain his cool demeanor, but inside, he'd be quite impressed. He might even find himself momentarily speechless before regaining his composure enough to offer a compliment, albeit in his trademark slightly aloof manner. He approaches you with a smirk, his voice dripping with its usual arrogance. "Impressive," he says, looking you up and down. "I suppose I can spare a dance. After all, someone has to show you off."

Theodore Nott ;

Theodore is more subtle in his reaction, his eyes lingering on you just a bit longer than usual. His dark eyes widened, and a faint blush dusted his cheeks. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. Theo's dark eyes gleam with amusement, a silent acknowledgment of your impeccable sense of style. Theodore's cool demeanor doesn't falter as he approaches you, his steps purposeful and confident. Theodore's demeanor is relaxed yet observant. He gives a small, approving nod, a rare smile playing at his lips. "You look… remarkable," he says quietly. "Shall we?" He offers his arm, his usual reserved nature slightly softened.

Mattheo Riddle ;

Mattheo's reaction is a mix of surprise and genuine admiration. He whistles low, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.Mattheo's typically stoic expression softens just slightly as he catches sight of you, dressed to the nines in your elegant tuxedo. Mattheo's dark eyes linger on you for a moment longer than usual, a subtle indication of his appreciation for your impeccable sense of style. Though he may not be one to show his emotions openly, there's a flicker of intrigue in his gaze as he takes in the sight before him. "Who knew you had it in you?" he teases. "Save me a dance, alright? I wouldn't want anyone else stealing you away looking like that." It was a rare moment of warmth from the enigmatic Slytherin.

Blaise Zabini ;

Blaise is the epitome of calm and collected, but his gaze is unmistakably appreciative. In Blaise's eyes, elegance is a language spoken fluently, and your dazzling presence at the Yule Ball would undoubtedly capture his attention, if only for a moment longer than usual. Blaise is not one to be easily impressed, but tonight, you've managed to catch his attention in the most unexpected of ways, and he finds himself unable to look away. "Impressive choice," he says smoothly, his voice carrying a hint of genuine respect. "I suppose this means I'll have to step up my game." He offers a sly smile. "Shall we make an entrance together?"

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

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worldsewage · 2 days

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Callie, in my opinion, is the factually greatest character in the splatoon series. As one of the oldest characters in the series she has made quite the impression! In splatoon one her characterization was mostly hand in hand with Marie, but that is okay! Her and Marie have a wonderfully fun dynamic. People rave about Pearlina but I think I love sibling dynamics just as much as lesbian ones! Marie and Callie bicker a lot but it's clear, especially from Callie in the first game, that she genuinely loves her cousin. Her first choice was team Marie, and though this is likely just stage dialogue, I think that's a sentiment she actually does hold. Her and Marie's dynamic is put to the test in splatoon 2 but it comes out on top. However, in splatoon 2, we get a deeper look at her psyche. Callie is someone who craves companionship. We see how she struggles without it. When her and Marie drift apart, it leaves her unable to be happy. She draws a sad face on the window and posts it to her blog. Craig and Three were gone as well, leaving her completely alone. However, who was there? Octavio. Now, Octavio isn't evil per say, but I would say that a lonely and isolated Callie would be prime for manipulation into working for him. And she does choose too, first willingly, and then putting the shades on. However she is no less isolated down there as she was up there, surrounded by fans but not by friends, not ones who actually care about her anyways. Octavio is using her for his status. The other elites likely see her as an enemy first. When Marie offers her that hand she's saying 'I'm sorry, lets be the squid sisters again' and Callie lets herself believe that she is loved. Splatoon 3 we see the end of this arc. Callie is now happier. She wants to go to space. She has a more mature outfit, reflecting that she has matured. She doesn't seem lonely anymore. I think her and Marie had some serious conversations and both restructured their lives so the other could be in it more. This lead to both becoming happier overall. Marie still has her podcast, for instance, but now Callie joins every so often. The reason Craig doesn't die is specifically so that Callie is not losing anyone else. We also learn from Smollusk that Callie now has Octoling friends, showing she has that companionship she so desired. What will happen in future games? Will Callie learn how to function without Marie? Will she become brainwashed again? Only time will tell, but whatever is in store for this lovable inkling, I can't wait to see it. Perchance.

No one is as unshakeable as Callie fans online…

#you’re right btw.#carnying

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cursedcola · 2 days

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I followed you at first for the twst content and while reading through some of your posts I saw something that changed my life forever /positive

I didn’t know what OLBA was but my life has become infinitely brighter and more colourful since playing it. I was addicted from the get go (I put in 24 hours within the first two days) and bought the dlcs for Cove on the third day I had it. I would say “curse you!!” if this game hasn’t genuinely made my life better 😭 Suddenly I am excited to fail because that means I can improve; suddenly trials are to be triumphed, not suffered. I have genuinely started waking up more ready for the day than I have in years. My crops are watered, my animals are fed, my skin is clear. Life is good???

Thank you cursedcola tumblr user for being the reason I met the loml Cove Holden 🫶 I hope life sends you joy in your darkest moments, like your post about OLBA sent joy to mine 👍

Yet another has been converted to the Cove Holden coven. My friend, I replay OLBA whenever life gets me down. It’s one of the few games where I genuinely wish I could wipe my memory and experience it from the start all over again.

I hope you’re as excited to play the next in the series as I am - if you haven’t heard, go look up OL:Now and Forever. It is currently in production with the demo available for play. All the GBPatch games take place in the same universe yet each have an entirely different vibe. While OLBA is all summer fun and breezy beaches, OLNF gives vibes of late night bonfires and dancing in the rain.

There is also OLBA’s predecessor - XOXO Droplets. I played this before OLBA which enhanced my experience because of cameos, but it’s a great uplifter in terms of comedic relief and unique character development (I shall not spoil in case you want to play hehe).

Some other games that might evict the same feelings you experience from OLBA are: Sun Haven and Blooming Panic. Both a bit niche for their respective genres but very refreshing.

As a side note, there is an animated show called Bee and Puppycat which also carries similar themes and messages to OLBA…just in a more, hmm ‘pastel’ way? You should check it out if you’re interested hehe.

- COLA <3

#our life #our life beginnings & always #our life now and forever #olba #olfa #olnf #game review #game reccomendations #visual novel

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dawnbreakersgaze · 2 days

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I keep seeing your amazing posts abt Dawnbreaker!Zayne but I genuinely don't know where to get his card in the game :(

Do you know what cards contain his Dawnbreaker lore?

Hey there! I'm glad to have pulled you to the deep shadows of the way of the Dawnbreaker 🌄

So while Dawnbreaker does technically have a singular card, it is only a 3☆ card and does the not have any lore associated with it-

Many of us were hoping the new myth would be Dawnbreaker, but with the Xav card using the tagine of "Dawnbreak" for some godawful reason, it's pretty clear they're going a different direction there.

So as it stands, the only place to find Dawnbreaker's lore right now is via the Anecdotes

You can find the Anecdotes under the Date portion of the app if you haven't read them yet. I highly recommend you give them all a read I'd you haven't yet!

The first one is wonderful and very fluffy (and also where you meet my other boo Dr. Greyson~ who is so worthy of loving btw) it's just all around feel goods ♡

The second has a reference to Dawnbreaker, though it is from the perspective of Dr. Zayne rather than DB himself, and gives some wonderful insight as to why Dr. Zayne has so many nightmares and makes you wanna hug that poor man even tighter.

The third Anecdote, Still in Dark, is the one you want to pay the most attention to. It is from the perspective of Dawnbreaker Zayne, and details a moment of his life and the way he and Dr. Zayne are connected through space and time. It is... sad. There is no comfort here. It is all Bad Feels and Trauma so take that warning as you go into it. It is so so worth the read though, I promise!

I hope you come back and tell me all your thoughts when you read them because I would LOVE to hear them!!!

#kay's answers #YES COME JOIN ME IN THE SHADOWS AND LOVE DAWNBREAKER WITH ME 🥺#*coughandmaybegreyyaknowcough*#lnds #love and deepspace #lads #l&ds #zayne #Dawnbreaker #🌄 dawnbreaker

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steddieas-shegoes · 11 months

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Liam: I think there’s algebra in this game I need your help

Me who has failed college algebra three times: probably not the person to ask but if you go to mathway.com they’ll give you the answer

Liam: but it has to be done fast

Me: I couldn’t tell you what 3x7 is right now dude I think you’re gonna be on your own here use your resources

Liam: you’re my resource

Me: oof that’s a concern for you

#personal #not steddie #to be clear this is genuinely just a game #if it were for school or something I would be making more of an attempt to help #but I am currently seeing triple from a migraine so #sorry kid #conversations with liam

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its-tea-time-darling · 6 months

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nothing good is about to go down here babes...

part 2/? of babyboy's descent into madness (1, 3)

#tbosas #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #2nd one right after bc i've got no self restraint when it comes to strategical posting (how would that even work??? lmaoo i genuinely dk)#i might also be a tad obsessed with the colors in this one #remind me to post a before and after editing comparison of gifs at some point btw #bc i remember before i made gifs myself i had no concept of the fact that it wasnt just taking screencaps and So Much More Work lmfao #tbosasedit #coriolanus snow #thgedit #the hunger games #the hunger games: the ballad of songbirds and snakes #the ballad of songbirds & snakes #also #just to be clear #the descent into madness started long before this scene lmaoo xlkjaldfjlkdsjf #my gifs #tom blyth #babyboy's descent into madness

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ruporas · 2 years

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revisiting a memory

#kingdom hearts #roxas #roxas kh #cue dearly beloved #a tune i'll never forget for the rest of my life actually #i could Overshare so much of my memories about kh in these tags but i think i will refrain #its so embarrassing but.#yeah. im just posting some kh work ive done awhile back... there was a particular time during the summer #where i was just rereading the 358/2 days novel #and roxas has always shined as a character to me. and most people who got obsessed over kh2 the moment it came out #and maybe its just me who when rereading the 358/2 novel got particularly focused on the perspective of axel and xion's bc it wasnt as #explored in game but #seeing roxas' actions and emotions pour through from another person's lens #like axel's and xion's. man. he's just so genuine and always has been and it's so clear the one thing he wants :(#im RAMBLING again but i love kh #anyway #gk posting soon #ruporas art

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odessa-castle · 1 year

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I'm bouncing around a larger post about Nishiki and the mortifying ordeal of being known, but in the meantime I'm thinking about Nishiki and Kiryu and how the clothes make (or don't make) the man. Like, beyond my visceral horror that Kiryu begged Nishiki to pick out a safe and boring suit for him in Y0 and then said he was envisioning something purple with gold stripes.

I'm thinking about Nishiki's incredible sensitivity to image and his need to control how he's perceived. I'm thinking about Kiryu's inability to let go of the past. I'm thinking about how KIryu dresses like who he thinks he is, and Nishiki dresses like who he thinks he wants to be.

There's some interesting incidental dialogue between Nishiki and Kiryu in Y0 while they're en route to the men's suit store. I wish it wasn't so easy to miss, because there's a lot to unpack here. (I'm just transcribing the English in-game subtitles here; I don't speak Japanese so I have no idea how loose vs. direct the localization is in this part.)

NISHIKI: …now that I think about it, you've been dressing like an old man since we were kids. KIRYU: Have I? NISHIKI: Yeah. The few times we got to pick our clothes, it was always like, "you're choosing THAT?" NISHIKI: I wouldn't say you're a plain guy…You'd pick shirts with weird prints though. KIRYU: Guess I forgot all that. It's weirder to me that you haven't. NISHIKI: Well, confession time. You're why I started caring about fashion. I swore I'd never go out dressed like you. KIRYU: Come on, I'm not THAT bad. [we have already discussed why kiryu is, in fact, that bad.] NISHIKI: [laughing] Aww, did I hurt your feelings? NISHIKI: Well, this time you've got me with you. I'll see my bro gets taken care of. KIRYU: Heh. What an honor. NISHIKI: Leave it to me.

Nishiki doesn't bring up Sunflower Orphanage much; when he does share memories of his childhood, those memories are kind of painful (see: "do orphans not get to dream?"). Kiryu's surprised that Nishiki remembers how they dressed as kids, but it makes sense that wearing a limited selection of hand-me-downs stuck with Nishiki so strongly. His clothes announced his poverty, and they weren't even his -- he had to share them with the other orphans, so what he wore showed he belonged to yet another stigmatized group. And I'm sure people picked up on those visual signals, especially other kids. Kids can be vicious, and appearance is an easy and immediate target! We don't know for sure how young Nishiki interacted with his peers and teachers, but given what the Morning Glory kids go through in Y3 (and given, like, everything about Nishiki), he probably didn't have a great time.

Kiryu frames his childhood as poor but loving, and places much more emphasis on the latter. There might be some rose-colored glasses at work there -- let's look at the flashback where Kazama tries (and fails) to violently dissuade Kiryu and Nishiki from joining the yakuza.

KIRYU: I owe you everything, but this isn’t about that. [...] We’ve looked up to you for all this time. Your car. Your confidence… The way everybody bows to you. We idolized you. I want that life, too. Is that so wrong!?

Nishiki doesn't really speak in this flashback, but like, Kiryu uses "we" enough for us to draw some obvious conclusions about Nishiki's own motivations. That being said, I don't think Kiryu's being dishonest or disingenuous when he describes his childhood as happy, and himself as well-loved. He's not ashamed of his upbringing, and he doesn't hide where he came from. Nishiki seems to have the inverse view. It's not that he doesn't love (at least some of) the people he grew up with, but what comes up first for him is what he didn't have. He didn't have money. He didn't have respect. He didn't have a cure for his little sister. He didn't have a lot of choice, right down to the clothes he wore.

(There's a whole other essay here about why Kiryu's and Nishiki's perspectives diverge on this, but I'm trying to limit the scope of this post. Suffice to say that, while I don't think game canon gives a timeline, I do think Nishiki was a little older when his parents were killed -- old enough that he actually remembers them, at least.)

The same mindset fuels Nishiki's interest in fashion. Yeah, part of it is that he's ribbing Kiryu, but I think it goes deeper than Kiryu wearing ugly shirts. Nishiki doesn't want people to look at him and see what's missing. Fashion isn't a means of personal expression for him, really. It's a message. It's the interplay of knowledge and resources and presentation: knowing what clothes read as successful and trendy and expensive, being able to afford those things, and convincing people that your successful important outfit makes you a successful important person. And he's not wrong about the social dimensions of fashion.

NISHIKI: Try sporting a suit that runs 500 grand for once. Trust me, you’ll see the world in a whole new light. KIRYU: Fashion’s not my thing. Besides, Kazama-san never wore flashy clothes. NISHIKI: You do realize he’s the family captain, right? Number two in the whole Dojima operation? You get to that level, you can wear whatever you damn well please. But for the rest of us, “flashy” is part of the business. KIRYU: So that fancy new car you bought was just “business”. NISHIKI: Yeah, and that fancy lighter of mine, too. Which you still haven’t given back. KIRYU: You want to play the rich guy, quit being so stingy. NISHIKI: But you get what I’m saying, right? People see the expensive car, the designer jacket, and the gleam of that little Dojima pin, they pay attention. A yakuza’s only as good as his image. [...] Take your buddy today. These squeaky-clean idiots, borrowing money just to blow on tits and booze… Nobody in this town gives a crap about substance. What you see is what you get.

That's our first take on one of the major themes of the game: what does it mean to be yakuza? Again, there is truth to what Nishiki's saying here, particularly in terms of the ethos of the eighties. I'm not an expert on the bubble era, but the worldbuilding in the game speaks for itself. People hail taxis with 10,000-yen bills. You punch money out of punks during random street battles. Nishiki keeps a personal bottle of high-end booze at a bar he's visited twice, mostly because he "can’t stand being taken for a bum." The act of spending is important, not what you're spending it on.

Nishiki's outfit in Y0 is perfectly suited (heh) to that outlook. And look, I might be inviting controversy here, but in context, I think it's a werq. Yes, it's loud. But the silhouette -- squared shoulders, single breasted, thinner peaked lapel -- is right on trend for the time period, and it fits him well. The colors look good on him. The bold pattern (no, it's not animal print) under the solid maroon is a risk, but he pulls it off. And excess aside, he knows when to pull back on the accessories. It's bright and confident and memorable, and boy would Nishiki like to be all of those things.

Also -- and importantly -- Kiryu would never go out dressed like that. Because we can't talk about Nishiki and Kiryu without talking about Nishiki's Mt. Fuji-sized inferiority complex. Mastering image doesn't just make Nishiki stand out; it makes him stand out from Kiryu. Let's go back to the beginning of the game.

NISHIKI: I’ll admit, though, you’re finally starting to look the part. You make a pretty convincing yakuza. You’re done with collections today, right? KIRYU: Yeah. NISHIKI: Good. That should put Kazama-san’s mind at ease a bit. KIRYU: Heh, dunno about that. But he always knew all I could do is fight. You’re the one who’s good at the dance.

Nishiki then calls attention to the "rags" that Kiryu's wearing, which...is not an unfair assessment. (TUCK IN YOUR SHIRT, KIRYU. HEM YOUR PANTS.) As the two of them walk around Kamurocho, Nishiki offers Kiryu plenty of hot tips, from meeting girls to making big bucks to cozying up to the brass. But even when Nishiki's opining on his area of expertise, there's a competitive edge to it. "You asking me to pick out clothes for you means you admit you have terrible taste," he tells Kiryu on the way to the suit shop. Kiryu tells him to shut up, but there's no actual hurt behind it. Kiryu doesn't really care that his taste in clothes sucks. Fashion isn't important to him. Most of the things Nishiki knows so much about don't really matter to Kiryu. And that makes Nishiki feel more insecure! Because if Kiryu rolls out of bed looking like a yakuza, if Nishiki's image counseling sessions aren't helpful or meaningful, if Kiryu can skip the dance and get to the top on the strength of his fists and convictions, then who cares about Nishiki's 500 grand suit or his hourlong hair care routine? If image isn't what makes a yakuza, what does that make Nishiki?

At the end of Chapter 6, Nishiki tries to look out for Kiryu again -- this time, by granting him a merciful death before the Dojima Family drags him to the Hole. It's one of my favorite scenes in the game. Nishiki's crying too hard to aim the gun properly; Kiryu tells him to man up and shoot. Finally, Nishiki collapses.

NISHIKI: Can’t do it… How could I shoot you!? Without you, I’ll always be nothing. Can’t make it as a yakuza… No. I wouldn’t even still be alive now if I didn’t have you beside me! I’m just… If you’re not with me, I’m useless! Nothing means anything!

Mastering image hasn't granted Nishiki anything of substance. At the end of the day, Nishiki's playing dress-up, and he knows it.

And I'm almost certainly getting into overthinking-this territory now (if I haven't gotten there already), but I kind of like the spin this puts on Nishiki ripping his expensive suit off in Chapter 14 when he decides to fight the Dojima Family at Kiryu's side. Like yes, ripping off your outer layers to get at the naked (so to speak) truth -- your irezumi, and what it represents -- is just Yakuza Storytelling 101. It's decisive, it's kind of dumb, it's great, it gets me hyped every time. But I like that Nishiki's honest answer to "what does it mean to be a yakuza?" isn't about looking the part. I am genuinely trying not to end this paragraph by saying that Nishiki must become like a dragon, but like...you get where I'm going with this.

Of course, Nishiki's back to playing dress-up in Y1/Kiwami. I'm not the first to call the Patriarch Nishikiyama look a glow-down (though I like the patterned white tie). Like, fashion-conscious Nishiki would look good in a Hedi Slimane/Tom Ford-esque skinny black suit. But he picks a silhouette you'd expect to see on a much older man, torso-swallowing pants and all. The slicked-back hair doesn't help. He's just so transparently trying to look bigger and broader and older, and he doesn't pull it off. Big Bad Patriarch isn't a good look for him, in any sense of the phrase.

A final thought: Kiryu's clothes, and Nishiki's commentary on them, are the subject of their first conversation in Y0 -- and of their last. Kiryu's costume progression in Y0 is a pretty obvious commentary on his journey, to the point where Kiryu and Nishiki explicitly call attention to the color connotations in their final exchange. As a Dojima grunt, he wears black, and it doesn't look good on him because "brutish thug who keeps his head down and does what he's told" isn't a role he's comfortable with. He wears white when he works in real estate, but the change in color isn't enough to sell anyone on his transformation into a civilian. Although it's a little rich for Oda "Red Clown Shoes" Jun to chide someone for not wearing a proper suit. At the end of the game, Kiryu's in his classic grey suit, and well, the game spells it out:

KIRYU: I’m not feeling black or white these days. This is where I’m at right now. I chose it myself. I’m making it a fresh start. NISHIKI: Fine, fine. See if I care! Wear it the rest of your life!

Nishiki, dismayed, tells Kiryu that the grey suit already looks dated, but for Kiryu, "fresh start" doesn't mean "on trend". His image might be out of step with how other yakuza view themselves, or want to be seen, but if he's always going to look like a yakuza, he might as well stake his claim on what being a yakuza means. Still, it's telling that, even as a young man, Kiryu looks like a throwback to an earlier era. As the series progresses, the games hammer this home more and more. How many antagonists tell Kiryu that he's out of touch with the modern world, that he represents a version of the yakuza that no longer exists, that it's time for him to make way for the next generation?

"Wear it the rest of your life!" is a funny little in-joke, yeah, but...it's a little sad when you think about it, isn't it? Kiryu gets new outfits from Y3 on -- and in every game, he ultimately puts the suit back on and heads to Kamurocho. It's exactly of a piece with how Kiryu views being yakuza. We, and he, can debate the exact extent of his retirement from the Tojo Clan's affairs, but the yakuza isn't a career for Kiryu, it's a set of beliefs he carries with him. He wears the suit the same way he wears the dragon on his back: as an indelible part of his self-image.

#yakuza #ryu ga gotoku #yakuza meta #kiryu kazuma #nishikiyama akira #kazuma kiryu #akira nishikiyama #i've been poking at this thing intermittently for months but a certain tournament really got my mental gears going again #yakuza's just really fun to put under a microscope #i'm interested in the way the games do things even when i don't like what they do #(although to be clear i *do* generally like how rgg dresses its cast)#(even the outfits i make fun of are usually like...coherently delivering a statement about the character wearing them)#genuinely did not think i'd spend so much time writing this but hey #maybe i'll do these kinds of posts more than like...biannually...if they're sufficiently interesting #meta

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