#truly a silent protag

[moeblob]

Matheo giving up knowing that the chemist will just follow him wherever for whatever reason.

(I watched a gif for "no" in ASL and I apologize if I drew it wrong I don't know how I would draw a gesture in still art so uh.... please be lenient ?? I tried)

[p2ep]

it was so goated of them to canonize tamaki in p2

[galedekarios]

gale's early access dialogue transcripts - part 1: the three tadpole dreams

in early access, the dreams would only happen, if you used your tadpole powers, be that via the conversation options or the skills in your skill bar. much like the guardian now, you could customise your dream visitor. however, before you did so, the game posed a different question to you:

who do you dream of at night?

the question set the tone for the dreams: the dream figure's role wasn't so much protection as it was seduction. seduction to welcome this newfound power and to use it.

for context, i'd advise you to watch the three tadpole dreams that the protag would have in early access here.

it allows you to get a feeling for what the companions may have seen as origins at that time weren't yet implemented. as far as i know only ast*rion's first dream has been partially datamined.

each companion used to have a specific dream figure that was related to their unique backgrounds - a stark contrast with how it is now, a random figure with no true connection to them, which i think makes very little sense.

gale's dream figure took the form of mystra in early access.

i have compiled the three possible conversations you were able to have with him, following those dreams:

first dream - the first dream would usually happen after you sought your first cure (ie nettie the healer)

Gale: Good morning! And it truly is, isn't it? A very, very good morning. Do you feel as chipper as I do? The night brings council, or so the saying goes, but last night had quite a bit more in store, wouldn't you agree? How's that for feeling better? Tav (Option 1): I see I'm not the only one who woke with new-felt powers? Gale: Hardly. Tav (Option 2): It's remarkable how much better I feel after feeling so sick earlier. Gale: Remarkable - or perhaps we should call it suspicious.  Tav (Option 3): Those are a lot of questions so early in the morning Gale: That's because there's so much to ask. Tav (Option 4): Why don't we skip to the part where we have some breakfast? Gale: Let's settle another appetite first. Gale: There is a glow about you, no doubt about me too. We feel... startling well. And yet there's a certain look in your eyes. The far off distance of a haunting. Which begs yet another question: did you too have such puzzling dreams? Tav (Option 1): Actually my dreams were quite delightful. Gale: Surely not the only adjective that springs to mind. Tav (Option 2): You nod in silence. Gale: Same here. Perhaps. The jury's still out.  Tav (Option 3): Mind your own business, Gale.  Gale: Not a morning person, I see. But those eyes of yours speak volumes. Gale: What I saw surpassed the vivid. The voice was too true, the touch too tantalising, I can tell you felt the same. Sought out in the night by... what? An illusion, or a promise? Tav (Option 1): I don't see the distinction. Gale: An illusion is only a lie, but a promise is a truth that may yet come to pass. Tav (Option 2): It felt more like being prey cornered by a predator. Gale: All too apt an analogy. Tav (Option 3): It was more than a promise: these powers are real.  Gale: You have me there. As for the lure of the touch, the kiss. Gale: Let's agree that at the very least there was the lure of a promise. The touch, the kiss, the everything... Did you relent or resist? Tav (Option 1): I relented. Gale: It felt impossible not to. I did as well.  Tav (Option 2): Lie and say you resisted. Gale: Then you're stronger than me. Tav (Option 3): Lie and say you remained silent. Gale: I could not. I relented. It felt impossible not to. Tav (Option 4): How about you telling me what you did? Gale: I relented. It felt impossible not to. Tav (Option 5): The kiss, you say. Now I know why you're so chipper. Gale: The dream wasn't just about power, it was about desire. Gale: It was an expert, this apparition. First the seduction, then the spurning, then that teasing souvenir. 'You are not ready, I will return when you are'. That's what I was promised. We have some restless nights ahead of us.  Gale: Perhaps it's time indeed. The power to bend wills is a mind flayer speciality. We're the ones who are truly at risk. Power is a treacherous thing. Sometimes it makes you betray yourself. (end)

second dream (would trigger after using tadpole powers)

Gale: Good morning. I'm sorry, but I'm not in the best of moods. I tire of these dreams. Dreams. The word implies desire, but we're being played for fools. These are nothing but delusions.  Tav (Option 1): What makes you so sure they're delusions? Gale: [Jump to These dreams...] Tav (Option 2): I recall you being a lot more enthusiast after our first collective dream. Gale: I never said I'm not among the fool.  Tav (Option 3): The power we're given is real, and there's no denying that.  Gale: It’s not because they’re real, that they don’t deceive. Give it candy and a child stops asking questions. Gale: These dreams are too good to be true, and I can tell you why. Because they promises are perfect, and in perfection lies their flaw. It's the tadpole reading our every desire, but they don't read between the lines. They don't know some things are impossible. They don't know that... They don't know.  Tav (Option 1): Gale, who is the apparition in your dreams? Gale: She's... It doesn't matter. I just know her to be unreal.  Tav (Option 2): What's impossible about what you're been shown? Gale: Forgiveness. Tav (Option 1): I'll leave you to your ruminations.  Gale:  Remember: these are nothing but delusions. Don't let the illithid's close readings persuade you of good intent.  Tav [if told about Mystra - Loss scene dependent]: So it's Mystra you see. Of course it is.  Gale: I... why, yes. Clearly the tadpole isn't the only one who can read me like a book.  It's indeed Mystra I see. And yet it cannot be her. There was a time when I would have believed - but no longer. I told you that I lost her. Lost her favour and lost so many of the powers I took for granted. What magic I can still weave is met only with undercurrents of disappointing silence. Mystra has not changed her mind about me. That's how I know out dreams are delusions. Tav [Persuasion check, if not told about Mystra - Loss scene has not yet happened]: Come, you can tell me. We're among friends here.  Gale [Success]: Very well. It's Mystra I see. And yet it cannot be her. There was a time when I would have believed - but no longer. Things were different once, between the goddess and me. But things have changed. The parasite has plans for us. Gale: Suffice it to say she would not bestow upon me the favours promised in these dreams. That is how I know they are delusions. The parasite has plans for us, enacted through seduction and the promise of power. Don't be fooled. Behind the lips it wants us to kiss hide cold steel razor teeth. (end) Gale [Failure]: Another time maybe. I've said too much already. Remember, these are nothing but delusions. Don't let the illithid's close readings persuade you of good intent.  Tav (Option 3): If you say so. Now let's get going.  Gale: Very well. (end)

third dream (would trigger after using tadpole powers again)

first variation: the player used the tadpole power

Gale: The dawn broke with glorious streaks of red and fading blues – and I've never felt more tired. More dreams. More visions. Have you finally seen that nothing good can come from using the parasite's powers? Tav (Option 1): I'm sorry. I should have been more careful.   Gale: It's an all too easy mistake to make, but we have to fight the temptation. The parasite  will divide us if we let it... and conquer next. Let's not give the damned thing what it wants. [Gained Approval] (end) - Tav (Option 2): I will exercise my powers as I see fit. It's not your call to make.  Gale: Don't you see? The parasite will divide us if we let it – and conquer next. Clearly we can consider the division accomplished. [Gained Disapproval] (end)

second variation: the player had gale use the tadpole powers

Gale: More dreams. More visions. More the fool me for having used the powers of the parasite again.  Tav (Option 1): Don't be too hard on yourself. When you're given power, it's only natural to exercise it.  Tav (Option 2): Foolishness I did not expect from you. You're putting us all at risk.  Gale: I should have been more cautious. The parasite will divide us if we let it – and conquer next. To make use of its powers was a mistake I don't intend to repeat – that much I can promise. (end)

if you want to watch and listen to gale discussing these dreams with the protag, you can do so here. this youtube video has all three conversations compiled in one.

coming up next:

-part 2: major cut scenes: the deer stew scene & the loss scene

-part 3: minor cut scenes: abandoned temple of jergal, failed to save arabella, talking to the paladins of tyr and agreeing to go after karlach, edowin and the tadpole reveal, mayrina giving ethel's wand to her or breaking it, handing astarion over to the gur or defending him, reaching the druid grove, killing lae'zel, reaching the goblin camp & looking for halsin, killing the druids, priestess gut & the brand & the cult of the absolute, dror ragzlin and talking to the dead mind flayer, ogre couple, necromancy of thay, ethel, zhentarim chest, myconid colony

-part 4: gale's condition & the way it was treated in early access

taglist: @chainsawmascara, @randomfanner, @tacogoats, @khajiit-necromancer, @gwinharper, @galesenchantedpanties, @swampfaerie, @ardently-queer, @nirraein, @gale-enjoyer, @xiv-wolfram, @kairoswouldnever

i thought i'd tag the people i'd seen taking an interest in my original post! if you want to be taken off the taglist, please let me know!

[felikatze]

i think the reason i love silent protags a lot because the limitation of this staple necessitates indirect storytelling. yes it's primarily a device to allow player inserts and roleplaying, but a character's inability to state or directly show how they feel forces one to analyze much more.

when speech is filtered out, you need to reverse engineer what they could've said by how other characters reacted. Multiple choice dialogue options become concurrent thoughts in the character's mind, different facets leading to indecision, with the player only truly deciding which thought comes to the forefront.

definition comes through body language, idle animations, emotive portraits and noises of exertion. if a choice is railroaded, was the protagonist forced into it, or did they decide without player input? what do the available gameplay styles say about the character you've created? what does it mean to accept every single sidequest?

like, well and truly, making a nothing character is impossible, even in video games, because saying "yes" when asked to save the world, that's already a decision, isn't it? there is already an implication, a shadow of belief and value, in the act of playing.

[mxtxfanatic]

What was your thought process while reading Xie Lian's white no face arc? Were you terrified yet silently cheering him on (*morality disappears*) like I was, or did you have a more understandable reaction to it😮‍💨 It's a really complicated arc in my opinion, his entire personality did a twist to a degree that doesn't exist in the mundane world😂, so I'd be curious to know people's general reaction to it.

If by his “white no face arc” you mean the brief moment in book 4 when he loses it, then no, I was not cheering him on 😭

Xie Lian’s breakdown is categorically different than the other mxtx protags or LIs who have experienced a similar forsaking by general society (and who I would’ve cheered on had they done their own massacres), as rather than lashing out that the corrupt people who have caused his suffering, he almost lashes out at the people who were also being used as pawns by the person who destroyed his life, as well. Now, circumstances different from the other mxtx focal characters lead to why Xie Lian initially chooses to attack Yong’an rather than, say, the gods who intentionally refused to offer aid and then siphoned off his followers while he fought to protect his kingdom, but this just shows more why I can’t in any way view Xie Lian’s breakdown as an empowering or vindictive moment, only as him truly losing all sense of self. For a scary moment, Xie Lian almost commits to abandoning his morality to be a villain, and it’s a terrible thing to read through for how much I love his character. The only other equivalent I can think of is if post-Qiongqi Path ambush, the Wen remnants chose to turn Wei Wuxian in to the Jin, causing Wei Wuxian to attempt to massacre them in retaliation (or some ooc shit).

Book 4 has always been the hardest thing for me to read in the novel. It makes me hate all the secondary characters that appear in that section and just makes my heart bleed for everything Xie Lian had to shoulder alone because not even his closest friends and family considered him human enough to need support, protection, and reassurance. This is also why I love how this section precedes and is followed by Hua Cheng showing his dogged support for Xie Lian, like the narrative is structurally wrapping Xie Lian’s worst moments into Hua Cheng’s protection so that he can finally be safe enough to heal.

[noirbriar]

Glorestor: 5 Times They Denied (2)

+ 1 time They Did Not.

From the POVs of the various folks around the 2 elves who are convinced they are courting, or betrothed, even though they were told otherwise.

Let us welcome Lindir to the stage and hear his side of the tale.Thank you @mae-it-be-an-evening-dhros for suggesting Lindir! He actually had a small segment but Lindir popped in and said no, he would like to have the protag script instead lol.

Warnings: none too great but slight nudity.Nothing too mature.OOCs and dreadful writing mistakes are all on me ---

2] Lindir

As an ordinary young minstrel, Lindir did not expect to end up as Steward of the House of Elrond. Yet with war, it was inevitable that he had to lay down his harp and aid his Lord in every way against the forces of darkness. He is now one of Lord Elrond's longest serving staff, and have now seen the terror of war as well and its aftermath.The grief, the sorrow. The High King has fallen, and another Kingdom gone.

Ai, all that remains is woe to the living indeed.

With a heavy heart as Lindir hums.With Tilion's light absent, all he could find in him is a lament for all that is lost. With Lord Elrond now finally able to rest for the first time in awhile, the residents of Imladris finally settled, the bard is finally able to stop and breathe.

He leans back against the trunk of the oak tree he is on. As if by being nearer to the skies, he can find escape from the sadness that plagues this young valley fortress in mourning. Lindir wonders if how this is how the great Lord Maglor felt at the very end.

Lindir begins to sings a song of wandering folk and of hearth and home. Perched on the tree, he has a great view of the House in the distance and of the Bruinen and her little rivers. Soon, the other bards around Imladris joins the song, along with many more other voices echoing through their valley, soothing all the restless hearts on this moonless night of uncertainty together.

Maybe they will be alright, Lindir thinks.

Until his sharp hearing catches the sound of a soft splashing of water unlike that of the waterfalls.He continues to sing, in effort to not alert the possible intruder, while he takes a peek at the quiet creek near his tree.

A river spirit rises out of the water, his ivory skin marred with scars that has barely healed, hair dark as the moonless night above him flowing down, past that lithe body and into the water. The calm waters barely making a ripple around the figure's waist. The sight almost like from the songs of the edain of the unseen.

The figure shifts and Lindir finally sees the familiar face of Erestor. A complete professional and a master, Lindir paces himself, recovering from a dropped note and keeps singing.

Well, this is awkward.

Its not that Lindir is afraid of Master Erestor, in fact he is thankful and proud that the feanorian have recommended him to Lord Elrond for both his jobs. Its just that the advisor can be very...intense. In more ways than one.

Another soft splash and Lindir resists an urge to run in this strange situation.Quietly, he turns stiffly to spy another equally naked figure joining Erestor in the water.

Everyone has known that Lord Glorfindel and Master Erestor have been on good terms since their days in Lindon. Apart from the occasional dispute in the war room. Even with the distance before the Golden Lord was permanently stationed at Imladris, thier friendship never wavered. The two mighty guardians of Imladris are often seen sharing a glass or two, or sharing poetry and playing chess with the other. It has never occurred to Lindir till now how close their bond might truly be.

Elves are not body shy, yet something about this scene before him seemed peculiar that he felt oddly like he is intruding in something private. No matter how this situation looks like right now, Lindir takes this opportunity to silently swear to all of the Valar he lists off his head he is not a voyeur. He is just a simple bard who greatly appreciates Art and by Elbereth's name, are these two not the specimen of beauty and power?

The advisor looks over his shoulder to watch the intruder of his peace with sharp watchful eyes. Lord Glorfindel smiles wryly and does not go further, but instead finds a spot among the smooth rocks and leans back.His hair spread like a halo, sculpted muscles in full view. Arms wide like it is his personal throne, letting the cool water lap against his golden skin filled with his own share of battle wounds. His azure blue eyes filled with treelight never leaving Erestor's form.

Erestor ignores the intruder and combs back his sleek dark hair.Before he dives into the peaceful waters and into nothingness, leaving barely a small ripple in his wake. It was awhile before the advisor resurfaces for air, and continues his slow swim elegantly, like a river fae.

Glorfindel watches on.Until Erestor finally swims to the shallow waters, resting beside to the Golden Lord.His head tilted back, eyes closed like the edain, as he lounges against the cool rocks with a slight shiver.

"You will catch a cold, little peredhel."

"I'm not that weak, you ancient ass."

The minstrel blinks.This is the first time he hears of Erestor's parentage, and he too is half elven? This was news to the bard.

Glorfindel gives a non committal hum and lets his fingers wander over Erestor's skin. Letting his fingertips chase the water droplets and trace the myraid of silvery scars idly.

Lindir was not there on the frontlines but he hears the whispers of Thandor and the warriors. They told of the unspeakable anguish of Erestor, having seen Lord Celebrimbor's defiled corpse hanging from the banners of Sauron's army. Of how with a wretched battlecry, the old feanorian general laid waste to all in his way, until his armor was nothing but a blacken mess, drenched with the blood of his kills.

It was the Balrog Slayer who pulled the Tempest back from his continued carnage. Who wrestled the mad feanorian, poisoned and wounded, arrows lining his back, hauling him back behind their lines with Lord Elrond. Oh how Erestor had raged then! With a desperate Lord Elrond desperately keeping the enraged elf from bleeding out. Lashing out without pause until he wore himself out hoarse screaming in the arms of Lord Glorfindel.

They, too, have been very close. Lord Elrond, Lord Celebrimbor and Master Erestor.

Lindir reminisces silently of bygone times and happier days as he sang, until he was rudely shaken out of his musings. When Glorfindel have not only started playing with those dark long locks, but begun braiding intricate braids into the finicky advisor's hair. The larger elf hovering over Erestor's figure, fingers teasing the rounded tips of the other's ear.Before leaning in, lips brushing over a ear,nipping it playfully.

Lindir nearly falls off the tree at the sight.

The eldar often share kisses and touches but even that was...rather intimate for friends.

"Do not even." Erestor warns dryly, his eyes still closed.

"Not until you get out of this water, Eres. You are freezing." Glorfindel chided lightly, caressing the cold cheek of his companion. Who finally peaks open an eye at the Golden Lord.

"...Fine." Erestor sits up, a palm against Glorfindel's arm.The cool water leaving his skin causing a shiver.In a swift blink of an eye, a large white robe gets pulled over from a low hanging tree branch and draped over the shorter elf. Glorfindel stands and Erestor takes his offered hand without hesitation as they leave the water, pulling on their robes and leaving the creak.

"If you are restless, shall we walk the longer path to the waterfalls? There is a lovely song of home to accompany us along the way."

"There is something odd with the song tonight..." "Must be the bards being too stubborn and tired to stop when they should rest!"

Lindir has to take a long moment afterwards as their voices trail off, hands clutching the tree trunk in a death grip as he processes all that he has seen.The minstrel lifts his head and finally sees the clouds parting, tiny stars twinkling overhead with Earendil, a strange lightness blooms from within and fills his being with such warmth.

For the first time in a while, as everything clicks into place, Lindir laughs brilliantly.

The minstrel is absolutely inspired, his fatigue gone, and his steps light.His fingers tingle and is aching to play a sweet melody. An excitement blooms in his chest.

"Oh! Oh, how wonderful!"

--- A quick word with the guards on their whereabouts, Lindir makes his way into the Inner Wing. A tray laden with whatever luxurious treats and some wine they are able to spare. However, its only right for the newly engaged couple to have something sweet.

Luckily, he spots the couple finally home and heading to Lord Glorfindel's chambers. Both clad in their simple casual robes,blue for the Lord and dark navy for the advisor. Though Lindir notices Erestor's white robe is peeking out too much like its an ill fit size.

"Lord Glorfindel! Master Erestor!"Lindir chirps brightly in greeting,"It is good to see you both still up, for I have brought you refreshments!"

"Our thanks Lindir, but, it is late? I am not complaining for this lovely wine though...What is this occasion that you spoil us so?" Glorfindel muses as he picks up the bottle and nods approvingly at the selection.

"For being here and bringing us light into our hearts." Lindir adds smoothly, as the Lord pops a raspberry into his mouth, offering a strawberry immediately to his partner.

"By the way, I must congratulate you both! When is the engagement?"

Master Erestor chokes on the fruit and Lord Glorfindel turns to face Lindir so quickly nearly giving himself a whiplash. The two officials then stare at their Steward blankly. Lindir then quickly realises his error in his eagerness.

"Oh! Oh, are you both bonding without the engagement? Ahhh, in such dreary times, I can understand how you both may want to do it quickly without the fuss. For who are we to get in the way of love-" "Lindir. Lindir, hold. I think you are mistaken. Glorfindel and I are neither engaged nor are we bonding." The advisor holds up his hand abruptly and explains slowly.His words spoken with such conviction that Lindir starts to doubt himself and what he had seen.

"What?"The ministrel twitters in dismay, dropping every bit of decorum in him,"that's impossible!"

"Indeed we aren't, though we may be close." Glorfindel replies with a shake of his head."Though if by saying 'yes' gets me this lovely tray you have painstakingly put together for us, then, certainly!" The light quip added earns Glorfindel a dirty look from Erestor, which he returns with a causual shrug. Erestor just rolls his eyes.

Meanwhile Lindir is just watching incredulously, hands full, and left by the side like an extra casted in a play. Standing there as he fills the empty space while the main leads take the spot light.

Eventually, Erestor finally gives up the silent,childish banter. He instead stares longingly at the lovely bottle of wine that has his attention for awhile now. He grabs it from Glorfindel's hand without hesitation,fingers trailing across golden skin with familiarity.Another hand flicking out a knife from his thin robes and uncorks the bottle smoothly before taking a swig at the vintage. An approving nod at the taste, the ellon leaves.

Glorfindel watches him go, staring at the elf sauntering away with his prize.His eyes darken,making that treelight within glow brighter as he follows Erestor's form. The Lord then turns back to a dumbfounded Steward. With a wide smile, he relives the younger elf of his burden with a cheeky nod, a wink, and thankful tilt of his head, follows after his companion with the tray of joy.

All that remains, is a terribly confused minstrel alone in the empty corridor, contemplating everything and his life.Before screeching out aloud the same baffling thought again that night, thought certainly not the last. The distraught commotion from his Steward causing a tired Elrond to poke his head out of his own chambers in wonder-

"WHAT?!"

---

A/N: ...and Lindir afterwards develop trust issues and there is little Elrond could do to stop his songbird from ranting to his Lord till the next age about it.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5)

[goatpaste]

YOOOO, you a Silent Hill fan too??? I honestly love Silent Hill (well, except homecoming and the movies, with the 3rd game being my fav of all time), but if I had a quarter for everytime I find a Jojo fan who also happens to be a Silent Hill fan, I would have 2 quarters.

With that being sad, if you are still doing pride drawings, an aro/ace heather mason.

WOO YAY i love Heather sm, forever the best Silent Hill protag, none better

personally i LOVE the movies, especially the first one i think its great and kinda does the first games story better in a lot of ways. the second one is just fun i think the game is a better telling lol. personally i really only dislike Silent Hill 2 out of the whole series and even then i like stuff in it like the music and monster designs lol

but 3 is forever truly the champion of the Silent Hill Franchise to meeee

Buy your local Bi trans Man a Kofi!

[vollzz]

An Eves Snippet-

I hope it’s not TOO obvious, but Eves is absolutely my favorite character from my wip, blackflame (sorry protag!). This scene following them was one of the first ones I wrote, but I’m undecided on whether or not I actually want to include it in the first draft since it’s the only one not following Calliope.

Just prior to this scene, we see Eves being mortally wounded by [???]. Through quick thinking and trickery they are able to disappear into safety. I LOVE getting into Eves’ head and I find their dialogue quite difficult to write at times - it’s a careful balance of trying to sound “ancient” without being robotic, and also very specific word choice to convey their characteristics.

Thoughts, comments, questions, and constructive criticism are always welcome :)

The lithe, ethereal body thudded to the ground with ragged breaths. Nearly every inhale brought with it a cough that sprayed gleaming golden droplets amongst the fibers of the carpet. One hand pressed tightly against the sticky blood oozing from beneath a once-pristine shirt, the other desperately pushing against the ground to elevate into a sitting position.

Is this what I sense from mortal beings when I appear before them? Fear?

Perfect white teeth gritted against one another and Eves moaned with agony, hissing at the pain that resurged more sharply with each coming breath. Slowly, they lifted up the hem of their shirt to assess the severity of their wounds - the release of blood had slowed to a trickle, and one of the gaping holes had already begun to clot.

A day of many firsts, then, although it should not be surprising that my form can mend itself, and at a better rate than mortals.

Eves had been brutally wounded before, of course - but on that occasion it had not been stopped so easily. The very thought of it sent a shudder down their spine, and the image was dismissed as quickly as it had dared to grace their memory.

Eves’ free hand trembled with rage. The world that lovingly birthed their perfect form into being had the effrontery to taunt them with unknowns? To grant their body with healing only to make it agonizingly slow?

Their stomach and throat spasmed, breaking open the clots in their wounds and freeing more blood. They leaned forward and vomited a heavenly gilded river onto the carpet.

Even in this state, I am exquisite.

Blood seeped through the cracks of their fingers, steadfast in its journey to escape its prison.

I am a god even among gods. I cannot die.

…

But perhaps I must seek Leilah.

Once again, their cunning would save them; the [???] existence had only recently become apparent to Eves, and clearly not soon enough. What was more surprising was who had found [???] first. But now was not the time to think of her - no, Eves needed to act.

It is still light outside - she will be in the temple.

Stand up. I am a god. I will act like it.

Silent feet rubbed against the carpet and propelled Eves upwards, nearly causing more vomit to erupt from their mouth. They willed themselves to have new, unsoiled clothing, even as the strain of using their power tore at their insides.

I cannot die. I will not die.

It was truly ridiculous that the deities were blinded to one another, but no matter. Lovely James had tracked down one of Leilah’s Children for Eves some time ago, a beautiful, stupid woman. Stupid, of course, because she had settled for Leilah before Eves could have her.

The temple.

Eves willed their power to take them, disregarding the shred of fear that wondered if they could even make it that far. Their eyes shut as they felt the whoosh of travel, and the soles of their boots landed roughly onto the ceramic tiles of one of Leilah’s temples. Eves’ eyelids struggled against them, fluttering, but finally opened.

There. A woman kneeled before an altar in front of Eves, her backless cream-colored gown revealing the golden spinal stripe of her mark nestled atop deep ebony skin. She muttered some prayer to herself, blissfully unaware of Eves’ presence. Eves painfully stepped between the woman and the exit, forcing their facial features into a cool mask and honey into their tone.

“Simone, dear. What a wonderful occasion to see you.”

She jumped in fear at the voice and whirled around, her eyes wide as she took in Eves’ form before her. Eves hoped that their thick jacket would be enough to obscure the blood already soaking their shirt.

“Do not defile my lady’s temple with your presence, beautiful demon. Begone. I am not affected by your repulsive magic.”

“Only because you currently belong to another.”

How ridiculous to think she can resist me out of sheer willpower. So very mortal.

Eves crept forward, even as dizziness began to cloud their vision. Simone matched each step with one of her own to maintain the distance between them until her back came into contact with the stone altar.

“I have business with Leilah, lovely Simone. Summon her at once,” they crooned as they cornered her against the altar.

“I said begone, demon. I will never call for her in your company.” Her voice echoed with confidence, but Eves could feel her terror, could see the shaking hands she desperately tried to conceal. Icy blood began to trickle onto the waistband of their pants.

Come, darling Leilah, make your grand entrance.

Eves grabbed Simone by the neck, savoring the horrified shriek that vibrated from within. “You live on borrowed time. It is not often I am denied that which I desire.” Fingers pressed tauntingly into the soft flesh of her neck. “Your deity cannot heal that which is dead, can she?”

I will kill a beautiful thing if I must. I am a god among gods. I refuse to perish.

“Enough, Eves.” The hand had already released Simone before the words reached Eves’ ears - her godly presence was announcement enough of her arrival. Simone coughed violently, her fingers feathering around her neck. She stumbled forwards enough to drop to her knees in front of her deity, tears streaming down her face. Leilah bent down to lovingly caress her face, the touch erasing the hidden pains on Simone’s neck.

“You are safe now, my Child. Please leave us.” Without another word the woman ran from the room, locking the doors behind her. At the sound of them crashing together Eves released their tight reigns of control, haphazardly leaning against the stone altar. Their thoughts swirled with fog, with agony, with the ice of the blood soaking their clothes.

Leilah, her face uncharacteristically shocked, merely breathed, “You are dying, and you wish me to save you.” Eves glowered at her, even as they sank to the floor.

“I will be fine, surely. My body can heal, but I would like you to hurry the process.” They both knew it was a lie, but Eves could not bear to admit the weakness out loud. “As you can see, I have mortals to punish.”

How ironic to have called them mortals all this time, as if I cannot perish just as them.

“Mortals did this to you?” She cautiously approached Eves, stopping to kneel beside them. Her voice began to feel distant to Eves’ roaring ears.

“Heal me and you shall know all, Leilah. It is of interest to you - they are on a crusade against us. Perhaps you will be next.” Eves’ mouth filled with the sweet tang of their blood as they studied Leilah’s horrified expression. With a shaking hand, Leilah brushed away the hair plastered to the sweat beading on Eve’s forehead.

Leilah hesitated. Eves knew the debate that waged internally for her - they’d given her every reason to leave them here to die a pitiful death, but surely seeing another deity in such a sorry state must have stricken fear into her heart. Eves merely let their eyes slide shut, perhaps for the final time.

I cannot truly die. I will claw my way back to this land, and I will come for you, Calliope. You belong to me, and me alone.

Gentle hands pressed into Eves’ stomach, exploring each of the wounds from [???]. Gilded light the same color as their smeared blood burned through Eves’ eyelids, and slowly the piercing agony that wracked their body began to fade. A wicked smile stretched across Eves’ face as they opened their eyes to gaze into Leilah’s.

I am a god among gods.

I will take back what is mine.

—-

blackflame tag list- (ask to be added/removed!)

[ author’s note: thank you sm to all the new tag list friends :) love you all! ]

@hallwriteblr @kourumi @space-writes @at-thezenith @careful-fear

[4th-d-slipped]

ty for reinvigorating my interest in the mother series for .5 seconds whenever i see a post abt it . i still like talking abt my son hfjdfhfj

youre welcome thats my job! mother series enjoyment never truly dies :3c youre so correct about ness having a visible personality despite being a silent protag tho!

[starlightshadowsworld]

Do you mind if I ask your top 10 favorite characters (can be male or female) from all of the media that you loved (can be anime/manga, books, movies or tv series)? And why do you love them? Thanks....

Sure.

They aren't in any particular order, just girls and than the guys but they are my top 10 favs.

.

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Sunset Shimmer (My little Pony equestria girls)

I love every one of the girls from EG but my favourite is most definitely Sunset.

I love seeing her grow, becoming friends with the others and finding herself.

Sunset's always trying to help others, making peace with her past and her risking everything in forgotten friendship made me cry.

Girl deserves so much.

Her resolve, her empathy for others and just a good ol villian to bestie arc is why I love her.

.

.

Stella (Winx club)

We don't speak of fate Stella.

Stella makes her mark from the first episode, she's the mysterious bubbly princess from another world.

I love her, so much.

She's loving and caring, damn near sacrificing herself in the Omega dimension just to keep her friends warm.

Stella is undoubtedly one of the best parts of winx club, helping Bloom get through Alfea and her relationship with all the Winx and Brandon.

Girls also got a temper and don't take bs which I just admired as a kid and I still do.

That and I always wanted to learn to sew and make clothing things, watching her make them.

.

.

Weiss Schnee (RWBY)

The ice Queen herself, absolutely love her. Her development is everything.

I love watching her interact witb her team, both snarky and loving. She's been a bridge to keep her team, her friends from falling apart.

I love Weiss because she was willing to grow and change. She was always silently rebelling and truly realised what was important to her.

That and her weapon and semblance is just amazing.

Seeing her make amends, grow and learn and accept those around her. Being the best team mate she can be, just yess.

And IQ just hammers that point home.

.

.

Mereoleona Vermillion (Black Clover)

I love all the woman from Black Clover but Mereoleona is my favourite.

She's an absolute terrifying badass of a woman who said nah you can't teach me anything I don't know.

She's not the Lioness for no reason.

Woman's just an inspirational badass who takes no shit and shows everyone time and time again to not underestimate her.

She's funny, she's blunt and I just love seeing fight.

.

.

Princess Rosalina (Mario, Super Mario)

Don't have much to say about Rosalina, she was my favourite of the princesses growing up and I find comfort in her to this day.

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Judai/Jaden Yuki (Yugioh GX)

My favourite of the protags. I fucking love Judai's story, that he's the most idiotic, loving son of a bitch you'll ever meet.

He's hilarious in the dub and I just shake my head fondly at the stuff that he says.

His arc hits close to home, no I've never killed anyone but I have been that depressed.

Watching him go from the lowest of low to finding happiness again is heartwarming and I was cheering him on the whole way.

.

.

Casey Jones (Teenage mutant ninja turtles, 2012)

This mother fucker, my favourite character from the show till this day. He was fun comic relief and just expanding on his story now is fun.

That and knowing he's so much more than comic relief, the speed Demon episode is forever my favourite.

That and watching him, this regular guy (as if you could ever call Casey Jones, regular) make his own gadgets and become family to the turtles is just so cool.

.

.

Jason Grace (Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus)

I have ranted at length about my love for Jason Grace.

He is so underused, underutilised and under appreciated.

Seeing him lose everything, trying to rebuild it and finding a home with the seven just gets to me.

He's the golden child who stopped shining and had to find himself, and I feel that.

I love watching him interact with the others (minus the whole stupid rivalry between him and Percy that makes no sense.)

I just love him, he's my boi.

.

.

Jason Todd/Red Hood (Batman, DC)

Jason to me hits the same as Judai.

He's the fun loving child that went through hell and walked a dark path alone.

I cheer him on, I want him to be happy.

I loved his crime boss era it was so badass and just the way he differs from batman.

His ideology of controlling crime is both interesting and compelling.

I just think he's cool.

.

.

Makoto Naegi (Danganronpa)

My bean.

My boi.

Deserved so much, I love him and his long hecking speeches about hope.

He went through hell itself and everyone turned on him and came out of it smiling, I respect him so much.

[wrothian]

finished yakuza 7 last night. i have nothing to say about the story bc i truly for once never give a fuck im here to make my protag drink baby formula and fight naked men but i enjoyed it even when there was a lot of silly moments that felt like "we just need to get from point a to point b man"

whats really important here is nanba. yu nanba. NANBA. why was i not warned that there was a 41 year old ex-nurse who saves a mans life with fishing line and pokes at the stitches and tells the guy "yeah you have to take that out yourself im not doing it". why didnt you inform me that i would have a stinky lying depressed mage who casts SUMMON PIGEON and gets disappointed when he cant do mouth-to-mouth on another man? he scopes out the best places to take a "nice dump" when he goes somewhere new and considers passing out in fear to be a "defense mechanism". he is the king of bunts. hes the partys princess and is a massive coward but pushes through it anyway. why didnt you tell me ichiban would beat him over the head with the brick of friendship and love to the point that nanba cannot avoid finally confronting the claim that he doesnt have friends or doesnt deserve them. ichiban, if he were to die today, would want his last meal to be the first one that nanba showed him how to make. ichiban could suck this man dry every day for the rest of his life and still not feel like hes done enough to repay him. nanba knows when he lies and lets him keep doing it because it feels good when people are nice to him.

why is nanba a milk freak? why is he addicted to drinking milk after baths and why does he drink spoiled milk? he fights his tummy wars completely silent, stoic and unmoving, as the hand of death passes over him and adachi leaves him to die in the grass. nanba can do addition. why is he forced to do manual labor when he can add numbers? hes a frail mage that falls over if he tries to swing his cane. his healing hands always slide across each party members groin and they always thank him for the help. he lied about stealing medicine but i think his capability to save ichibans life with a thread and a rusty pair of scissors says more than enough. seong-hui destroyed him in a single, perfectly aimed orbital strike at his heart by saying he has nightingale syndrome and is in love with ichiban. DID SHE KNOW? THAT NANBA WANTED TO BE NIGHTINGALE, BUT HES A 41 YEAR OLD MAN-FAILURE? his life is only worth 2500 yen.

he has an agenda against chili shrimp. he eats random mushrooms all the time and almost dies. hes a germaphobe but only in specific instances. he gets asked if he can put off dying for a minute and he says NO. I CANT. IM A BABY. he doesnt know the difference between boxers and briefs and is ready at any time to drop his pants. whenever he wants a change of pace he tears down his cardboard house and rebuilds it, a true engineer and architect of our modern age, upon which pigeons and crows shall perch and shit all over him the moment he leaves his home. he is a self-proclaimed walking red flag and admits he has something deeply wrong with him. He always thinks hes going to die. something is going to go horribly wrong. everything is fucked. life sucks.

i want yu nanba to be my nurse for the rest of time

[poogieparadinium]

Quick little rant about Hollow Knight incoming and how cool it is!

We all know that Hollow Knight is a really good game, from challenging boss fights to gorgeous atmosphere and a compelling story line and world. However, of all the games I’ve played, Hollow Knight has one of the most casually diverse casts of NPCs I have ever encountered. Best of all, none of these characters feel tokenized or flaunted, and their personality and role in the story is just as important as their identity.

For the sake of being That Guy and tokenizing them at the moment, here is a list: - The protag / Knight: Non-binary, silent protagonist. Has many non-binary, silent siblings. - Cloth: She has a potentially female partner named Nola from which she has been separated via her death or other means which are unclear. She’s portrayed as a strong but fearful warrior and goes through a character arc focused on confronting her fears. She also has a full figure, and would be considered “plus-sized” by human standards. - The Hollow Knight / Pure Vessel: is also non-binary / agender due to its nature. Has a pretty tragic storyline and is central to the plot. -  Nailsmith and Nail Master / Paint Master Sheo are a gay couple who have a house in Greenpath and make paintings of each other. One of the few happy endings Hollow Knight has to offer! - One of the hardest quests / challenges in the game is to deliver a delicate flower from a grieving bug to her star-crossed lover’s grave. Both bugs are female.

- Grimm is a very flamboyant vampire.

- There’s a wide variety of body types shown in the bugs of Hallownest, and body type and strength / strength of character show little correlation. There’s probably more that I have forgotten as well!

As a final note, Hollow Knight would typically fall under a “bury your gays” trope, but considering that Hallownest is filled with so much death and destruction, it is more along the lines of “bury everyone”. The two happy relationships with living partners are Cornifer and Iselda, and Sheo and Nailsmith, respectively. Once again, I am very aware that while representation is great, Hollow Knight truly shines as the game it is due to its atmosphere, combat, and story. The purpose of this post is to examine how Hollow Knight does a pretty good job at representing groups we as humans see as different and underrepresented, despite being a game about sentient bugs!

[wackyrumble]

i assume from the amount of notes on the original post theres been a lot of submissions so any ones you like or find funny?

i am truly enjoying all of them so far it's been splendid. here are a few excerpts from submissions that really got me

"silent protag but COULD talk he only doesn't because his real voice drives the souls of men from their bodies. someone draws him as an anime waifu and he speaks entirely to tell them to stop (that character is canonically dead by the sequel)."

"his introduction in every other version is him on said spaceship watching the news covering his theft and includes the line "if there's anything more important than my ego around here, i want it caught and shot now""

"He still has the mentallity of his extremely smart 17 uear old self, but he is a 6 year old. Looks adorable, and NOBOFY takes him seriously, even though hes almost always right. He also does some of the craziest stuff. Like the fact that he knows what COCAINE TASTES LIKE"

"The idea of a man exclusively robbing pennies is weird within itself, but his death sentence is perhaps the strangest part of his story when put in the context of the large-scale crimes committed by other Gotham villains. Joker has canonically blown up schools before, but apparently, some Penny Aracade-related crimes are too far for Gotham authorities."

"because they have Some moral standards they tell him chopper no chopping and he agrees because one of them is a strong confident sniper lady hes decided hes in love with and he doesnt want her to be mad at him, and then he just sits in an apartment and has sitcom shenanigans for the next couple volumes. except for when he randomly decides to stage a jailbreak for a different lady who he met once and whose only interaction with him was shooting him in the hand."

also big shout out to the one person so far who dared to submit a real life person and backed it with the number one longest submission so far i admire your dedication

[faelune-home]

FFXIVWrite 2023 #14: Clear

(Spoilers for early Endwalker, post-In From The Cold!! Discussions of disconnection from the self featured in a way.

A/n: By all accounts, having a reflection moment after That One Duty makes the most sense, processing the event and how the WoL would feel from it, most people have tackled the topic by now. But I oddly struggled with this, and just how to display Fhara's anxiety and discomfort. Going too far into the feeling of disconnect felt too strong (even if its not misplaced), so trying to get the right balance was kinda hard.

In a way though I still appreciate this writing piece for being a chance to delve into a deeper, stronger emotional moment for her, since while I've done a few before, this is definitely a more intense time. I do feel I should try and write about some stronger emotional moments as well to try and get more of a feel for Fhara's more intense, non-happy go lucky sides so this maybe doesn't feel as hard to write about in future. She can't be 'anime protag' cheerful all the time aha

At least she has plenty of support when she needs it. ^^

Word count: 597)

It was like the fog had cleared from her mind and she could see once more. No longer feeling as though she was drifting disconnected from herself.

Seeing herself walk and talk and do things she would never do, readying a scythe near Alisaie’s neck, and just after she had finally been freed from that damned collar–

That didn’t happen, stop thinking of things that didn’t happen, we stopped it! We made it in time, it didn’t happen!

‘But it could’ve happened,’ Fhara’s thoughts snapped back at the voice trying to reason with her panicking, still too wound up from the experience, ‘If I was too late, or if he’d decided to ignore me, it could’ve–’

She choked back a sob, trying to stay silent lest the others worry, separated as she was in one of the half standing houses of the camp. They always worried for her, she didn’t want them to hold back for her. They only had a few minutes to rest and collect themselves, and everyone in the camp had insisted she take the time to settle after that.

She wanted to insist on chasing after the duo, because they couldn’t afford to waste time, couldn’t afford to let them gain any advantage toward their goal. But if she insisted that she was fine, if she insisted she could handle it, everyone else would worry, and she didn’t want them to worry.

Fhara bit back another cry, trying to swallow down her fear and her trembling. The sooner she felt more stable, the sooner she felt like she could keep gong, the sooner she could stand without feeling as though she would collapse like she’d forgotten how to walk on her own two legs, as soon as she could look at her hands without seeing cold metal gauntlets in their place–

Someone brushed up against her, sitting next to her and pulling her arm into their own grasp. When did they join her? She had her eyes trained on the opposite wall the whole time, she should’ve seen someone enter, should've heard them walking up to her.

“I’m right here,” the person said, giving her arm a gentle squeeze, “Everyone else is outside. They wanted to be here for you, but they didn’t want to crowd you.”

Fhara’s ear flicked in acknowledgement, even if her mind was still processing that she wasn’t alone anymore, still trying to figure out who it was with her, the panicked buzz still churning over the experience of stumbling through the streets and almost choking on smoke and oil in the air.

Who do you think it would be? Who else insists on refusing to let you deal with these problems on your own, like you always have done. She’s always insisted on doing things together, never letting you do it alone.

“I know we don’t have the luxury of time, but no-one’s leaving here until you feel ready. Until you’re truly okay. And I can’t force you to stop if you tried to push on…but I hope you take this time now. I’ll be with you here, if you want me to stay.”

Fhara finally loosened her grip on herself to clutch at Alisaie’s arm.

“Please stay. I just…I’m not ready yet,” Fhara whispered, her voice trembling, “‘M sorry.”

Alisaie pulled her into a hug, guiding Fhara to rest her head on her shoulder, despite the size difference between them.

“Don’t be. Don’t ever feel sorry for this.” A single sob broke the air, then the rest muffled into the thick coat. Alisaie simply held her tighter.

[cardboard-aliens]

despondent at the news issac clarke speaks in the dead space remake. truly no one appreciates the art of a silent protag any more. They're more compelling when their characterization is shown through their actions and animations instead of their words.

[1eos]

march 7th truly needs a fully fleshed out story arc and everything, a 5-star form of her tew!!! truly the xianzhou arc felt so badly paced bc of all the exposition nd lore for dan heng but it all lead to a whole bunch of nothin..... could've spent that time with the more interesting characters like jing yuan, fu xuan, yukong, idk the list goes on

i need 50 in depth march 7th back story quests right fucking now with a different little outfit to go with each one like what the fuck does dan heng but stand there? the trailblazer has more character and they literally do not speak. xianzhou arc is literally so full of cool shit but every section with dan heng as the lead is soooooo boring like the trail blazer is already the blank silent protag that had their memory wiped and THUSLY is the viewpoint of the audience so why the sections with dan heng? we just walk around talking to infinitely more interesting characters as he says 'im not dan feng' and in the flash backs dan feng looks boring as hell too like wtf.

got me running around with this boring ass green man while blade is begging for jingliu to try and kill him and it's so interesting but we only get snippets presented in the most boring way 😭😭😭😭😭 i literally roll my eyes whenever i take a xianzhou quest and i see that the focus is dan heng. even as a broody man lover (blade baby ilu prostate orgasms can fix mara >.<) im not compelled by dan heng. he has no other side to him like he literally does nothing im sick of looking at him all the goddamn time like everyone else is so much more fun. i LOVED the quest with yanqing and jingliu bc he was nawt feeling her shit and there was PERSONALITY. yukongs companion quest was fucking amazingggggggg like i felt EMOTIONS. why the hell did we see bailu for 2 minutes in the arc but we got like 60 of dan heng following behind that blonde bitch thinking he shouldn't but still walking? dan heng is a walking piece of cardboard that would not shut up abt his past just for it to mean nothing like throw his ass in prison see if i gaf

THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON MARCH 7TH