#you’re not even Talking to the npc at this point you’re just making mood go up until plot progresses.

[wickedghxst]

bro who tf wrote the “persuade” shit in starfield. why do you need to say like five different things to convince someone when one or two dialogue choices would’ve worked.

[stormgardenscurse]

guys don't like me...

Summary: They’re your best friends! But some of the people (NPCs) crushing on you beg to differ, and are starting to hate seeing the guys flaunt their closeness with you.

Characters: Ace, Epel, Deuce, Cater, Leona

Ace

He’s someone that does this on purpose. It started with dropping in randomly while you were hanging out with other people. Ace picked up on their jealous stares whenever he stood a bit too close to you or laughed at his jokes.

It’s the way you visibly look more comfortable once he’s arrived, because with Ace there you feel less of a need to uphold politeness or conversation-carrying; his personality draws eyes to him instead. And then the one he’s talking to and looking at is you, but despite how that should make you feel put on the spot, it doesn’t. 

Ace dances between aggravating them on purpose and feigning ignorance. He glances at the others when you’re not looking before sporting a smile to ask if you’d go to his basketball match next week. You sigh and say of course you will, ruffling his hair so as to get rid of his smug grin. If Ace doesn’t win, then dinner’s on him. He agrees, happy to leave the room now that he’s left a mark on the conversation. The other students’ moods have dropped, but you don’t know why.

Ace is also the type to be casually touchy, to the point where strangers ask if you’re together - to which he offhandedly says ‘nope!’ only to share your drink (indirect kiss) and receive odd (and some frustrated) looks in the next minute. 

What, is this not normal? Color him flattered that you’re so lenient with him then! (Big faker, horrible horrible)

Epel

Another one that knows exactly what he’s doing, but what else should Epel do when people are eyeing you when he’s also hoping to confess as well? It’s only natural for him to take advantage of his circumstances - he’s already closer to you than they are, and frankly, while he feels bad at the way they deflate when he enters the room and your eyes immediately catch his, Epel feels a sense of pride from how charmed you are by him. It’s like seeing a garden of flowers lean towards the Sun for its attention, only to find that the sunlight has a favorite.

As jealous people sometimes do, his competitors try to subtly mention that Epel is quite cute for a boy, only for him to drop in (he wasn’t eavesdropping, just passing by) and invite you on a magic-wheel joyride. Your evident familiarity with this side of him only throws the others into confusion, and if they challenge Epel to a race, then… he can only accept it and beat them fair and square, no? 

Slightly reckless but also very well-versed (to your worry) with going at high speeds, Epel wipes the floor with them. As to why you’re not a fan of this, it’s because he suggested you sit behind him to ensure he doesn’t cheat! (He’s doing this on purpose of course, but despite your comments of “you’re trying to kill me” you comply, which only strengthens his resolve as you wrap your arms around him to hold on for dear life.)

Deuce

(the NPCs are your friends from outside of school/your hometown! Implied that you and Deuce live fairly close to one-another)

He’s just a nice guy! A guy you think to rely on when you’re in trouble because there’s no one else as genuine and willing to help, in your book. And also the person you dare to open up about your struggles too, if only because Deuce Spade is no stranger to goals that seem unreachable at the moment - like every time you try to climb higher, the earth loosens and slips from beneath your feet and tests your strength.

If he ever hears the other students telling you that he’s a magnet for trouble, Deuce almost slips into self doubt before seeing the look on your face; the obvious disagreement, the hint of offense taken just at the idea. It makes him happy that you have his back even when he’s not around, but a part of Deuce didn’t want to be a wedge between you and your other friends either.

Their complaints soon die however when Deuce’s goodness manifests in a way no one can deny (not anyone with a conscience, at least). When you texted him and mentioned you forgot some ingredients for hotpot when your friends were over at your house, half an hour later there’s a knock on your door because Deuce has run over from his place with said ingredients, saying he had extra at home (“it’s going to expire soon, just take it, don’t worry”), and in a swell of emotion you almost burst into tears at the gesture (Deuce is the only one ever).

Cater

Who’s that guy that always tags you on Magicam? Cater likes being able to see his presence on your profile - it makes him feel more supported on the vast social media sites and quick-moving trends. Whenever you comment on his posts, a smile reaches his face at the sight of a comment that actually knows the context behind the pictures.

So of course, his jealous competitors are quick to ask you about your relationship with Cater. Were you dating? If not, why was he so clingy to you?

You never thought of Cater as clingy per se. Sure, he likes to throw his arm around your shoulder and give you celebratory hugs when something good happens, and texts you a lot - but that’s just how he shows affection in general, you tell them. He’s just a really good friend, and in your head you think that a part of you also relies on his cheeriness to keep your mood up. He always seems to be keeping the energy fun for the sake of others, that you wonder if he gets bored when you both just do nothing at his dorm, flipping through your feeds and doing meaningless quizzes about your personality type.

And then you recall how Cater always asks you for your results, comparing it to his as he leans his shoulder against yours to get a better look at your screen. 

Does he know he treats you different? Maybe. But that’s for him to cling to as long as he can, before Cater has to fess up to his own emotions.

Leona

A mix of intimidation and annoyance is what your admirers tend to feel, whenever you’re with Leona.

You’re one of the only people that can approach him with a smile and ask the randomest things without fear of being shut down, and Leona simply regards you with a sway of his tail and comments here and there. If you’re feeling talkative, you strike a back and forth with him, engrossed in a conversation that onlookers can’t particularly intercept.

More annoying however, is when Leona knows they’re seething inside and just annoys them more by asking you if you could do something for him, like getting him food from the cafeteria. The goal wasn’t to make you run an errand, but have you ask him to go with you instead and buy it together. And with a purposeful act, Leona ‘reluctantly’ leaves his napping spot to be dragged away by you, hand pulling him lightly by the wrist or end of his sleeve.

Sometimes, you’re seen picking up an extra lunch while in the cafeteria line, thinking that you could save Ruggie some trouble by visiting Leona at the greenhouse yourself. Did you realize how much you were spoiling him? Leona says yes, though this awareness might be buried under several layers of him just being ‘a good senpai’ to hang out with. With time, he’ll make his stance clear though. No amount of daftness can ignore Leona when he wants to tell you something, after all.

[hajihiko]

I am sad and in need of my bed

SO MY QUESTION FOR YOU RUMPS IS

How do you think the dr2 characters cope with the big sad, what kind they are (good and bad), and who comes to help em out :)

(if you say hajime for assistance because he’s technically the ultimate therapist you’re gonna get your shoes stolen /lh/nsrs)

Hajime.

BUT not because hes the Ultimate therapist, rather because he is very adept at making people feel comfortable. Meta-wise, this is because he's the protagonist of a character-heavy game that encourages you to form a bond with at least one NPC, and most of the NPCs are jerks. Of course you want some encouragement or rewardl and your reward is the NPC opening up and trusting you, the player character.

But since we're not viewing the characters as NPCs in a game, in-world it comes out as Hajime getting even the most suspicious, awkward and stand-offish people to like him enough to overcome some of their issues, meaning he's just a comfortable dude.

So, besides Hajime;

Akane: ignores the big sad for as long as she can. Might have a little breakdown but still tries to get over it way before she's ready by distracting herself or pretending like a comfort worked 100% ("now that I've cried for half a minute I'm FINE haha see ya"). She would go to Kazuichi for distractions and someone who will probably do the crying for her. Slowly starts being open to Fuyuhiko's offer of talking things out, but only when she's already done being sad.

Sonia: Even if she is big sad in private, she has a hard time being real with it in front of others because she tends to pop into inspiration mode. She might pep talk herself (and others) several times without any real progress because she isnt letting it out. Eventually she'll yell and cry and then actually feel better afterwards. I think besides Hajime shed split pretty easily between Akane and Fuyuhiko, who are both awkward around big emotions but ultimately also very helpful.

Kazuichi: Feels big emotions all the time and sadness is a big part of it. He is very capable of feeling the things- its hiding them that's the problem- so he's used to it, but a linger melancholy cloud that doesnt go away even when he's done sobbing about it is a bigger problem. I think he would go to Sonia if he needed point-blank merciless advice (he is careful though, between not wanting to seem like he's pressuring her and not being able to take rejection when he's already so depressed) or Akane for comfort.

Fuyuhiko: it's kinda complicated because he was actually fairly good at dealing with grief in-game (once he was past the passive suicidal ideation) but that was in the middle of a murder game and. I think he would be the type to push it aside for as long as something bigger needs doing, but he suffers for it when there's nothing else to focus on. He feels better when he thinks he has some control so besides Hajime he goes to Souda, who a) has no room to judge and b) wont dare to snitch or get too mushy.

The ones most likely to intentionally seek out the sad people are probably Fuyuhiko (as with Akane post Nekomaru death) and Souda (again Akane & Nekomaru's death). Probably Sonia too? Just based on vibes (and she got Fuyuhiko a get-well-soon present).

Hajime definitely feels like the type to isolate when he actually feels the sad, but he's more likely to get frustrated or listless than outright sad (he also does not have a crying sprite in the game). I think who he goes to is really dependant on what he wants out of the interaction. With Akane, it's easy to forget anything is wrong, but she'll also be a big strong pillar to lean on. Souda is great with distractions and emotional validation (easily affected by other people's moods). Sonia cheers people up and doesnt let anyone get away with wallowing, and Fuyuhiko is a good conversationalist and has experience with actually handling grief (fun fact, all of Fuyuhiko's FTEs revolve around just talking, mayhaps because he has no hobbies besides crime but who knows) .

[jones-friend]

I picked up Inscryption on a whim and I’m sure glad I did! This game was fascinating and while its not perfect I highly recommend playing it, especially if you’re a card game enjoyer. Its an atmospheric experience with a lot I’ll try not to spoil, so I’ll be showing pictures from Act 1. If you’re on the fence stop reading here and go pick it up.

In Inscryption you press continue on a game cartridge and wake in a woodsman’s cabin. Its ominous, dark, and a figure who’s eyes you’re able to see speaks to you teaching you a game. Its played with positioning, sacrifice, and bones clawing your way to victory.

In a very dm-esque way the figure across from you runs you through a trail a la slay the spire, choosing different events and making decisions on your deck. I found the mechanical choices to be fascinating: deleting a card to put its trait on another, fusing two of the same, acquiring tribal carvings that give the same animal a trait. The first act is absolutely dripping with flavor, the figure across from you donning masks for the npc’s you meet and fight, and the moods of the woodsman’s cabin are some of the best I’ve seen in a video game. Its jumpscareless horror, my favorite. The game also doesn’t explain everything to you in ways that work, letting you discover mechanics with a sense of horror.

Then your cards start talking to you and get you on a kind of point and click adventure around the woodsman’s cabin like some kind of escape room puzzle. When you lose the figure takes a “death card” picture of you to assist you in later runs. Or not.

SPOILERS AHEAD.

This section of Inscryption was absolutely my favorite, and its telling they made an endless mode update for it. If you beat this section you find out there’s three acts. Act two becomes a pixel art jrpg deckbuilder that really wants to be a cursed 16bit game. It mixes four “scrybes” of strategy together with bones, moxes, and energy. I had a harder time with this section and did not enjoy it, it made me miss the moods from act 1. Act 3 is the desk again with a computer npc this time. You’re now playing P03’s game, who was trapped in the stoat card. Its similar to the room structure in Binding of Isaac moving room to room for goodies and fights. The game gets deleted leading to a sequence I felt was quite good, playing Leshy and losing game elements yet continuing was fascinating. Like when the scales disappeared and he declares “we just wont play for points”. Good things here. One aspect I did not like was the live action bits. I felt much of the game worked even if I did not personally enjoy them, but I felt the live action bits were just bad. I feel they’re entirely skippable. Hit da bricks. Misguided and silly.

I have three categories for why you should watch/play something. 1: its genuinely good. 2: this is a flawed thing but it has good bits to it. 3: its so bad its hilarious. Inscryption is firmly in the second category. I don’t think act 2 and 3 hold up as well, but act 1’s moods are so thoroughly powerful and ominous I can’t not love it. I’m absolutely spending time late at night playing Leshy’s horrible roguelike card game making ponderous choices as he straps on new wooden masks. If the entire game was spent in act 1, and you were playing a cursed card game with a murderer while exploring their house for an escape, this would be top tier category 1. That being said. The rest of the game isn’t bad. Not by any means. It just doesn’t hold up as well as that first act. So if you enjoy yourself magic the gathering, yugi oh, hearthstone, or even artifact you should delve into Inscryption. You’ll be glad you did.

[honourablejester]

Okay, this is rather (VERY) spoilery for the 2nd book of the Eight Petals Argent solo adventure series, but I just want to quickly talk about my fondness for this one (rather important) NPC:

Because we fucked up the portal programming, we accidentally dragged our pen-pusher employer through the gate with us, and he was not remotely prepared. To quote:

“Me? I…” Arold splutters. “I never meant to get near that portal. You must have done something wrong with the levers! I should still be in Waterdeep right now!”

Rufio sighs deeply.

“If I knew you’d bring me on this trip,” Arold continues, “I could have worn some trousers.” He lifts the hem of his robe, showing how uselessly he’s equipped for adventuring.

He literally doesn’t even have pants. He doesn’t have his spellbook. He has pretty much nothing. We dragged this poor pantless wonder on a desert island adventure with curses and pirates and horrible monsters, and pretty much everything that could possibly go wrong for him (short of actual death, thankfully) promptly did go wrong. He got happy fixing a device, gets it working again, and it immediately flies off on him:

The three of you watch the painted creature fly away.

“Shit,” Arold says when the dragon has passed beyond sight.

We come across a horrible massacre climbing a mountain and he, a half-elf pencil pusher, encounters the lovely site of another half-elf torn in two. We find her legs later.

“Half a half-elf,” Arold muses, pointing out her slightly pointed ears. The Seekers’ agent sits down in the dirt with a vacant expression. You remember that Arold never signed up to see the dangers—and sometimes horrors— that come with adventuring. Watching him stare into space, absently touching his own ears, makes you wonder whether he’ll return to his old, pampered lifestyle once you’re all safely back in Waterdeep. Sights like this can change a person.

And then, because we fucked up protecting him early on, long-term effects happen, and he winds up in a coma. And to fix him we have to destroy at least part of what he’s been sent to get. Like. He did not sign up for any of this. Later on, when we get him back alive and rescue arrives, complications happen, and we have to demand something of him rather strenuously. He gives it immediately. When everybody’s reunited again after said complications:

Arold is next off the landing boat, followed by some of the Homeward’s sailors carrying luggage. Arold hugs you fiercely.

“We should not have become friends,” the half-elf says, his voice serious. “It made me feel guilty to wish you were in my place during that voyage.”

He hugs me. We dragged him (accidentally, but still) through absolute hell, nearly got him killed, and he hugs me. And then argues on our behalf with our mutual employers to get us extra money despite the fact that we literally blew up half of what we were sent to get.

And as a crowner, he comes by our place to tell us this after some … other complications have happened, so he busts in all cheerful and walks face-first into a very tense mood. Poor bastard:

“Money!” the half-elf says, joyously. A moment later, he seems to intuit the pervading mood and tempers his enthusiasm. His voice turns solemn.

I have just finished this book (Fight for the Dawn Saber), and I have to say I am very fond of this poor bugger. I will kill people for Arold. Not a bother. And, given complications, I may well have to, but that’s fine. That’s absolutely fine. I’m gonna pick him up, and I’m gonna put him somewhere safe, some nice office with no pirates or constructs or infected aberrations, and I’m gonna shank anyone who looks at him funny. It’ll all be fine.

Sorry. Just. He’s been through a lot. I really want to just wrap him up and give him soup and (if at all possible) gently steer him out of the firing line. This was absolutely not the job he signed on for.

Anyway. Carry on.  

[talenlee]

Game Pile: We Should Talk

Game Pile: We Should Talk

We Should Talk is a 2020 conversational visual novel produced by Insatiable Cycle and released by Whitehorn games. The scenario is small, and simple, and intimate: You’re at a bar, your partner is at home, and you chat with some people face-to-face, and your partner via your phone, and… that’s it. You chat, then the story culminates in a decision point that starts with someone saying we should talk.

The game’s available on a bunch of platforms, particularly Steam and Itch, and if you’re in the right mood, right now, for a game that’s interesting, more than a game that tells a necessarily compelling story, or has specifically challenging gameplay, you should definitely consider checking it out. It’s been in a few bundles, you might even have it!

Now, if you want me to talk more about the game and how I feel about it, well, that’s spoiler territory, so let’s look at it after the fold.

The big draw of this game, and part of why it’s so ‘short’ when you actually recount the number of game choices you make, is that this is a game that wants to examine one specific point of the game’s systems, and that’s this conversation system. When you’re prompted to speak, the game gives you a text box, where statements are made up of a variety of different clauses, allowing you to tailor phrases out of pieces from exchange to exchange. This is a design interface that seems to suggest a lot of very precise fine-tuning, where every possible phrase is considered at least a little bit different to all its possible alternate permutations.

If that’s the case, then that kind of fractal spreading and careful flag management presents a game that’s packed in fairly tight in its small amount of time. The actual system is interesting to consider, and since the game is mostly about engaging with that system, it doesn’t really do anything that doesn’t fit into that system. This means that the game presents you with that conversation system, an NPC explains it diegetically, and from there, the whole game is about using that system.

Any backstory or surrounding details about your character are then told to you from implication. Characters mention seeing you in the past or dealing with something they know you’re interested in, and in so doing, the game uses its interface to do what it wants to do (encourage you to have conversations) while doing something to tell its story. It’s clever!

Now, that isn’t to say I responded to it really well, though. It feels like a game where authenticity is a big part of how it engages the audience, where these are very real-feeling conversations of real-feeling time hanging out at a real-feeling bar as a real-feeling person and I could sit here and pontificate about how well it captures that feeling, an ephemeral je nes sais quail but I’d be lying. I don’t know what it’s like to hang out at a bar. I don’t know what it’s like to get hit on at a bar. I don’t know what it’s like to meet up with an ex where there’s a little bit of a flame going on there and you’re thinking about it and so’s they, I simply do not know.

I’m not a bar guy! When I got the message from my partner at the start of the game about how she made food and wanted me there and that we lived together, I immediately wondered if I was supposed to just put the drink down and go home, because that seems the most obvious thing to do to me. I don’t like bars. I don’t get hit on. I don’t have a chequered past of complicated love interests. It’s all alien to me, and that means that for all that this seems like it’s authentic to someone else’s experience, it just made me feel awkward and, lacking no other word for it, cringe.

This is more important than you may think: Games use their fiction to encourage our ability to engage with them. If you drop me in a dungeon with a gun and some Nazis, I’m going to assume this game wants me to shoot Nazis with a gun rather than conduct seances to refine sweetened popcorn recipes. The unfamiliarity with this experience for me was weirdly uncanny, meaning in my first playthrough, I found myself stumbling around what choices to make, because I honestly didn’t know what the game wanted, or what it wanted me to want. Really, I thought it sounded like a stupid place to be, since my partner had just told me she was having a bad day and had food, but maybe I misunderstood the way the bar mattered to this character?

The result was a few playthroughs where I kind of just picked the most basic default answers I could, only changing things to avoid open and flagrant assholery. It’s funny, a lot of my involvement with this game could be reduced to pressing okay on default options, but I still felt like I played it. I also didn’t feel a want to explore, because all that exploration was in aid of avoiding my partner, who I have no reason, in the play throughs I did, to think of as anything but someone I care for who made me noodles.

It’s not like it isn’t interesting to engage with. Sitting and considering the different potential ramifications of the text system, the things you could do with it, was very interesting. I had no interest in doing it, I didn’t want to press okay on any of the alternate options, but that’s because the system was interesting to me and the fiction wasn’t. In the half-real world of videogames, the real rules caught my attention while the fictional world drifted right past me.

Fundamentally we’re talking about a design that requires you to work out what is defined and not told, and what’s not told and not defined. The result is that you’re groping around to find the shape of negative space, like a blind person investigating an elephant. It’s a mystery, of sorts, but rather than a murder or a political intrigue, you’re trying to divine the secret of why you’re a crappy girlfriend.

Interesting! Relationships-focused! Engaging! Praise upon praise for a game I didn’t like much!

Check it out on PRESS.exe to see it with images and links!

#GamePile #Games

[worriedvision]

Misunderstandings - Zhongli

Gender neutral reader, angst with a happy ending! Mentions an npc in Liyue. Kind of suggestive at the end

--

You had been talking to Zhongli for a while now, working towards confessing your feelings for him. From his actions, you felt like he returned your feelings, sometimes even making an effort to treat you to dinner instead of making you pay every time. 

Lately, though, he’s been very busy with work. You tried to catch him in the moments he was eating his lunch, but he always conveniently was going right back to work when you begin to walk towards him. It gave you the chance to plan out a confession, which was nice, but now you were beginning to question if you did something wrong. Perhaps Zhongli realised you were into him, and he became uncomfortable. Surely he would have told you to knock it off though, right?

Right?

 The next day, you’re working, and a woman walks into the store, looking to purchase a gift of sorts. She approaches you asking for help, and you give your best effort to pick out a really good gift. 

“Oh, your husband must be looking forward to seeing you again.” Your boss pipes up, the woman nodding and smiling.

“Zhongli’s been hard at work lately, we’ve finally gotten a good time to be together for once. It’s going to be so nice to see him again.” She responds. You manage to hide your surprise, simply smiling before you ask your boss to help out solely because they probably had a better idea for gifts. 

Heading into the staff room, you have to tell yourself to keep it together. You and Zhongli were not official, hell you only thought he liked you back. Maybe you jump to conclusions too quickly when it comes to Zhongli, maybe he became distant because you couldn’t see he only saw you as a friend.  You hear your boss call you back, and you nod, working through the rest of the shift before you head straight home.

--

After a few days, you realise you couldn’t stop thinking romantically about your friend. No matter what you tried, you always went back to thinking of how dreamy he was to you, how gentlemanly he is. His wife was a very lucky woman, you knew. You couldn’t will yourself to be jealous about the woman, knowing she makes her husband happy. Knowing it would be inappropriate to admit your feelings to a taken man, you do everything you can to avoid him. 

There’s times when you see him, and you almost start to walk to him, only to stop yourself when you remember he was in a relationship. You don’t let yourself look too long, merely a second, and you don’t look back when you begin to walk. You think he called out to you, but you don’t let yourself respond. You knew you couldn’t just go back to before, when you didn’t flirt with him, and you believe you merely thought up the concept of him calling out for you. 

Back at work, you see Hu Tao walking in, looking at some of the goods the shop had to offer. She waves you over, asking for your help, and you fail to prepare for the confrontation from her.

“So, what happened between you and the old man?” She whispers, giggling when you jump back at the question. 

“What do you mean?” You ask, looking at the goods in front of the both of you. 

Hu Tao hides her mouth behind her hand, holding back a sinister smile, before brushing it off, pointing at a random trinket and saying she’d take it. 

The day after that, Zhongli walks into the shop. Instead of pretending to look at the goods, however, he walks directly to you.

“It’s been a while, my dear friend.” He smiles warmly, clearly in a good mood. 

“Yes, it has been.” You reply curtly. 

Zhongli raises a brow, confused as to what he has done. Yes, he’s been working hard the past few days, but he had a very good explanation. 

“Could you tell me what’s happened? I would like to reassure you of anythi-”

“You’re a married man, Zhongli.” You spit out, making direct eye contact with him. “It’s horrible for you to two time a loving wife.” 

Zhongli grows even more confused than before, unsure of what happened. 

“I don’t have a wi-”

“Yes you do, I saw her shopping for a gift for you!” You snap at him, your boss emerging to see what had caused you to burst at a customer. “She loves you, and your way of saying thanks is by flirting with someone else and spending no time with her!”

Zhongli tilts his head, thoroughly confused.

“Dear, I have been single for-”

“Oh, don’t lie to me.” You growl out, still not realising your boss was hearing you talk poorly to a customer. “I thought you were better than that, Zhongli. It’s disgusting that you of all people would cheat on your wife.”

Zhongli tries to talk, but you keep stopping him. After a few harsh words, he lets out a shaky sigh before walking out, bidding you farewell. You turn around, only to gasp when you see your boss standing right there, arms crossed and a scowl to match. 

“What was that?” Your boss states. You tell your boss about the news that the woman from earlier was married to this man, and your boss stops you.

“She’s married to Zhonglin.” Your boss explains. “Not Zhongli.” 

You fall silent, realising you had just snapped at your friend and crush because you misheard a name. 

“Oh god.” You clasp your mouth, staring at the ground as it dawns on you that you had hurt Zhongli deeply because of a misunderstanding. You had given him a cold shoulder when he tried to get your attention, and to top it off you accused him of a crime he was innocent of. “I’m sorry. I thought- oh no.”

Your boss stops scowling, seeing you finally figure out Zhonglin was the husband, not Zhongli.  They seem to realise that Zhongli was the person you were interested in, and you were hurt when you incorrectly came to the conclusion you were the other person. Resting a hand on your shoulder, they think up a plan to make this situation right.

--

The next day, Zhongli is having his lunch, sitting at a table across from a happy couple. 

“Oh, dear, this is a lovely gift!” Zhonglin smiles earnestly at his wife, who had been returning the smiles. 

“I’m glad you liked it. The person who served me helped me figure out what you’d like best, so I can’t take all the credit.” The wife chuckles, a blush growing on her face. 

Zhongli finds himself wishing he had someone he could have that with. He wanted that someone to be you, but you had made it clear to him you ‘knew’ about something that never was. Closing his eyes, he takes a sip of his tea, only to feel someone sit across from him. He opens his eyes, to see your boss. 

“Ah, good afternoon.” Zhongli states, a casual face.

“Sir, I want to apologise how my employee talked to you yesterday.” Your boss responds. 

Zhongli smiles sadly, wishing he could just stop thinking about you. 

“I want to clear up the misunderstanding.” Your boss stops Zhongli from brushing off the apology. “In fact, the woman behind us can back my words up.”

--

Zhongli looks surprised at the husband, who shares the same look. 

“You are Zhonglin?” 

“Yes, I take it you have a similar name?”

“Zhongli.” 

Zhongli processes the information. 

So it wasn’t that you heard a rumour of him being unfaithful, nor was it you seeing him with someone else, but it was something as simple as a name. He can’t help but find a bit of humour in it, but he doesn’t laugh due to the fear that you wouldn’t believe it.

“Thank you for allowing me to clear this up.” The boss thanks the happy couple before turning back to Zhongli, leaving them to enjoy the day.

“Shortly after you left, I made sure to correct _.” Your boss continues, before standing up. “They are at work right now, if you still with to talk to them.”

--

You finish serving a customer, only to look up when someone else enters the shop. Seeing Zhongli again, you find yourself wanting to apologise to him for your harsh words, for accusing him of something he didn’t do. Managing to stop yourself from crying, you do your best to continue stocking the shelves that needed more stock. You feel him behind you, and he rests a hand on your shoulder to get your attention. 

You have no idea what you can say to make things right. You want to tell him you jumped to a stupid conclusion, that you still don’t think poorly of him. You knew in your heart Zhongli valued those he loves too much. 

“Take a walk with me, please.” Zhongli requests. You see your boss put up an enthusiastic pair of thumbs, mouthing good luck, and you nod.

Zhongli basks in the joy of knowing he still had a chance to confess to you, but you were fearing the idea of him telling you he no longer wanted to associate with you. It only made sense, considering how horrible you were to him. 

“Lovely day today.” Zhongli tries to fish out a comment, anything from you. He looks over at you, only to see you biting your lip. “I saw Zhonglin today.”

You dart your head up to him, looking to see your boss had seemed to fix the mistake you did. You hold Zhongli’s hands, hoping to keep him from walking away from you so you could make it up to him by reassuring him you didn’t think poorly of him, that you were emotional in the moment.

“I am so sorry.” You begin, Zhongli waiting for you to continue. “I misheard the name, I thought it was you, and I deeply insulted your character. I shouldn’t have called you disgusting, and I don’t know how to make it up to you.” You tear up at the end, Zhongli squeezing your hands. He pulls you in, hugging you, and he begins to respond.

“I should have told you I picked up more work, but if I did so it would have blown my cover.” Zhongli responds. “I was hoping to court you, to properly begin a relationship with you. Last night, I couldn’t help but fear someone was trying to lie to you. Upon realising the actual reason you lashed out at me, I was reassured that nobody had led you to the idea of me cheating - it had simply been a very similarly named man.” 

You let a sigh of relief out, before you look up at him, still in his arms. 

“If you’re treating me to dinner, I’m going to have to find a way to reassure you how much I love you.” You explain, Zhongli placing his hands on your shoulders.

“I’m sure we can think of some ideas.”

[your-turn-to-role]

well into the final CR1 arc and I have decided to become a Sprigg stan account

LOOK BIG MOOD

darin de paul is my favourite guest on cr, hands down

like...

1) the sheer fantastic comedic energy he brought, no other guest comes close, you can see how unexpectedly delighted all the other players are just to see him work, and matt's having a lot of fun playing demistrik too, like... god i've tried to bring sprigg's energy into some of my own npcs while dming because there really is no character more fun to play than an absolutely unpredictable old man with weird strong opinions about everything

(and quirks like the "let's come up with a mnemonic device in case we need to jump him", that are way longer than the phrase itself, in full earshot of everyone, just, fantastic)

2) i love the legacy just sprigg as a character brings? i don't know if you know this already if you're just watching it, but, sprigg's been alone for 37 years because darin de paul last played sprigg 37 years ago, in a campaign with matt's mother

like! he's full of history because he literally is full of history, and it's a legacy that's deeply personal to the show by nature of being a family relation to the dm!

3) [and, spoilers for 106 and 107, don't know where you're up to] i've talked about this before i'm sure but... darin de paul could not have brought a better character for everyone's character arcs if he tried

especially vax and keyleth

bc like... what they're dealing with right now is keyleth's worst fear. she was hesitant about getting in a relationship at all because she knew her lifespan was in the thousands of years and she didn't want to get close to someone and then outlive them. she didn't want to let things matter to her and then risk losing them, and vax helped her get away from that

he convinced her it was worth it, and then this happened. they know one way or another only one of them makes it out of this alive, and it's probably not vax. (he even has the line in 107, "i know the chance you took on me, and i've confirmed your worst fears and then some")

and neither of them are okay, meeting sprigg, bc it's that huge reminder, because sprigg ran away, and his friends died, and he forgot all their names

and everyone else thinks sprigg is just talking nonsense but keyleth looks at him and sees a mirror, she understands him perfectly and it's terrifying

and like. vax and keyleth haven't talked about this, at this point, because they don't know how to, and they're scared to even face each other. and i think, had sprigg not showed up right here, they might have done that for all the time they had left. because neither of them knew how to face this, it was just too overwhelming

but here he is. keyleth's worst possible ending. alone, left with half a mind, paranoid, stuck in this hut in the forest building traps. everyone he ever cared about has faded from his mind. and vox machina, they just found out percy and vex got married in secret, and while scanlan's teasing them, vax and keyleth are angry and silently crying in a corner, because they can't ever have that, and what do they do in this meantime, where vax is a walking ghost and they know that time's almost up, and keyleth is so desperate not to be alone?

(and the gods, too, sprigg hates ioun, even though he's her champion, he doesn't think she ever helped him and he'd be better off without her. and keyleth never understood how the raven queen helped vax, she only saw the ways in which he got hurt, and she's never been one for gods either)

but those things aren't gone. none of them are gone, sprigg's just been distracted from them. he does come to remember them, with the right help, and that's the first spark of hope for keyleth. for both of them, because he is vax and keyleth in one, he's been the lone survivor, but he keeps his friends in his heart, and he chooses to fulfill his duties to ioun and stay with her as her champion. it's reassuring vax, too, that he's not just walking into oblivion.

and it's that that grants them the courage to face up to this and talk to each other, and actually maybe be somewhat okay with this

and i could be here all day if i detail everyone, but to briefly go into it, percy and scanlan too

because ioun's library is an important step in percy's arc, which has always been about legacy. he's deeply concerned with legacy above everything, and has been absolutely devastated by both the loss of his family, his city, and their family history (matt mentions at one point the briarwoods burned a lot of the family records and percy looks so angry at that), and the fact that, under the influence of a demon, he then turned his own legacy into one of mass murder. there's a lot of important steps in percy's character arc but all of them relate in some way to, what came before me, and what do i leave for others

and this is the first spark of hope he's ever seen! he argues with keyleth in 56 about the importance of monuments, they're not about pride, they're about remembering those who came before (and, again, percy and keyleth's arcs, incredibly interlinked), and percy has none. everything that makes him has been deliberately destroyed by someone, and that's incredibly difficult for him to deal with. but here, in this library, is a record of everyone who ever lived. he doesn't have to shoulder the responsibility and guilt of turning the sole legacy of hundreds of years of family history into one of destruction. because these records are permanent, no matter what happens, his family mattered, because they're here, and no amount of fuck ups on his part can destroy that

and scanlan, scanlan's singled out by sprigg immediately. and that may just be because he's the only other gnome present, but sprigg was right, they do have a connection. because scanlan ran away. he saw the tide turning into things he wasn't ready to face up to, and he did exactly what sprigg did, and didn't care about the consequences. and he's now realising how badly that hurt vox machina

but he has something sprigg doesn't, which is that his friends are still alive. sprigg's friends died because of his betrayal, but vox machina are here to give him a second chance. and this is the episode where he really steps up. he sees that, he makes a conscious decision to not be like sprigg, and for the first time in his life, he takes responsibility. and it's scanlan stepping up that saves them

[jellyluchi]

La Squadra x Gamer!Reader + spice

A/N: I’m not much of a gamer but I have been playing a few video games lately that gave me this idea. Edit: this was drafted mooonths ago when I was still playing Hades which I haven’t touched in a hot minute...

— Genre: nsfw, minors DNI

— Warnings: suggestive content, mentions of oral, fingering

Risotto

Tries to understand and play some of your video games if you decide to teach him, depending on the type of game he’s either really good or he sucks

Prefers to watch you play in either complete silence or let you talk and explain what the game is about

might ask you questions here and there because he’s a good boyfriend who takes interest in his partner’s fav hobbies!

enjoys relaxing decorative games or puzzle games the most. Also horror for aesthetics and good stories.

depending on whether he can tell if you’re in the mood (and yes he can tell) might tease you as you play

it starts with very light touches while you’re concentrating on the game and before you can even tell somehow you’re squirming!

very good at being stealthy when it comes to teasing his partners physically

might even use metallica to heighten your experience! your game is soon forgotten and you can’t remember if you beat the level or not

Prosciutto

Most likely to have you already on his lap when you’re playing if it’s his day off and he’s relaxing

a grandpa who won’t even try your video games unless you can somehow convince him with like.... a 45 slide power point on why he’d enjoy it, otherwise it’s just not to his taste

however, in the occasion that you do convince him, it’s truly a sight to see! This man is as intensely competitive as he is shit at games LOL (running in an fps looking at the ground with no camera control rip)

prone to giving up very fast unless you really walk him through it! Even then might not enjoy it unless it’s an interesting story or concept

will be more partial to games that tackle ethics and morals or are darker themed

But his favorite game is teasing you, you’re already on his lap and he loves giving you cuddles and if your having fun with your game why can’t he have fun with his?

It will be such a sensual and soothing experiencing you won’t realize when it even began before you’re panting a bit.

The best outcome is when you willingly leave your video games to go play with him instead

Pesci

Not big on gaming on his own but enjoys them very much when he plays, loves it if you invite him to play something!

Enjoys building and open world exploring type games the most (especially if the latter has some sort of fishing mini-game)

He likes to be creative with his building or wants to get immersed in some fantastical story

Is also chill with listening to you explain your games to him if he’s unfamiliar and loves watching you play

Now if you want some ‘video games and chill’ type situation you might have to be the one to initiate.

Whether it’s hinting at it verbally or physically he would need that confirmation

But once he knows what you want he’s not afraid to support you under the desk if you know what I mean.

Likes to hear your moans overpowering the video game music because it lets him know he’s doing a good job 

Formaggio

He’s already your video game buddy most likely, and he gets playfully competitive to boot

Likes FPS the most, especially if it’s multiplayer because that means he can go against you and keep score who got most kills

But if it’s a story based game he’ll goof off and sabotage missions on purpose to see how he can mess with the game (gfx, mechanics etc.)

Also just generally a fan of shooting things in game because it’s satisfying plus he has really good aim wit all his practice

when he’s not in the mood to play he’ll comment on your gaming and get close to rub your thighs slowly

if you don’t get the hint he’ll get bolder with his touches until they’re on your ass and interrupting your concentration

likes when you get frustrated from his touches and considers it a victory if you drop your game to make out with him

Likes to make bets like ‘if you score ___ I’ll dive between your legs’

Melone

Not partial to gaming but definitely has gaming experience, mostly with rhythm games rather than traditional console or PC ones

He really likes to know the details of games from you and can listen to you for hours explaining your favorite parts 

Gets into Sci-fi games the most, he loves the world building and the creative fictional technology that they come up with esp for space travel

His skills with the computer didn’t give him much gaming skills but it did allow him to get used to the controls quickly and he gets better with time

Touching you is something he’d rather do, even if its got an interesting concept because nothing is better than seeing you try to fight your moans

If you’re concentrated in gaming or explaining something he won’t interrupt you, but will invade your personal space till you get the hint

If you don’t, he will only inch closer till he’s touching you, first in innocent spots but eventually between your legs or your chest

Loves giving oral during gaming sessions, if you need support under the table he’s your man

Illuso

Never been much of a gamer but he loves to watch you play, especially when you get riled up. He’ll make lots of teasing comments about your gameplay to make you angry or irritated on purpose 

He pretends to look down on your gaming skills only because he knows the anger fuels your hormones

He gets bored quick when asked to play, is more into the avatar making section of the game than the actual game 

The type to run around in game going through the surrounding talking to random NPCs than actually playing 

His boredom from the games usually leads to other ideas, abandoning his console he, very sneakily, gets behind you. Like a snake he’s quickly wrapped around your body before you realize

You would only notice when he’s making quick work of your clothes, he’ll stop if you ask but if not, and usually you don’t, he’ll tease your inner thighs 

Doesn’t really putting his fingers between your legs unless you give him your undivided attention. If you whine, he just asks you what you want (may or may not give it to you depending on his mood) 

His goal is to make you sexually frustrated enough to abandon the game and let him finger you instead

Ghiaccio

A competitive gamer himself, you may find yourself actually challenged when playing with him. More likely to play FPS than the rest. 

He’s definitely vocal and focused when playing, comments on your every little move like you’re making the worst decision of your life 

Thinks bets are stupid (because he’s gonna win, obviously right?) and accept whatever challenge you throw at him 

Is super smug if he wins, but if he loses and you make him do something he hates he’ll be a sore loser and curse up a storm saying he’ll get you back for it 

Ghiaccio takes things at face value, he’s not going to think you’re here to fuck unless you actually say so (in which case he goes very red not realizing your intentions) 

If he’s particularly pent up though, he will wonder about the possibility of but won’t initiate it, you really have to be the one to rile him up well 

if you play your cards right, that is, letting him win, handling his attitude about it, getting him flustered enough, he will be open to letting you sucking him off, courtesy of winning the game 

the other much more fun route would be to win against him, tease him to hell and back and just saying “shut up and fuck me” in which case he will be more than happy to oblige after the stunt you pulled when playing 

Sorbet & Gelato

These two are actually pretty accustomed to old consoles such as the n64, having had grown up during it’s time however you will still have to help them navigate any gaming interface properly 

Most likely not used to PC gaming just yet but it’s terribly fun to have them watch especially if you’re playing horror and Gelato delights in the jumpscares while Sorbet really has no reaction 

Very much likes the morbid games psychological horrors with gore, their favorite characters are always the unhinged ones 

They’re both prone to comment if they’re playing themselves and it’s fun to watch as they’re barely phased by the atmosphere or general horrors of the game

Neither of them have much fun just observing you play your game, it’s more likely Gelato will get bored and whisper something lewd into Sorbet’s ear who smirks and they move into action

The plan is simple, they just want to see you squirm, won’t it be so much more fun to play if you’re taking Gelato from behind while Sorbet goes down your throat? 

Sure, in that case you’d be in no position to play by yourself but in perfect position for them to play with their little plaything

they’re really not much for subtlety and two of them and one of you, it doesn’t take much convincing nor man power to get you on your knees. 

[waynedunlaptheorgandonor]

watched s11ep1

i will provide you with a quick review before i disappear back into the ether of twd avoidance

lots of spoilers under the cut. also i wrote way too much and i worked all night and haven’t slept so i didn’t bother to reread literally any of it, so it might be completely nonsensical, tho if you don’t expect that from me by this point idk whose blog you’ve been reading

enjoy:

hokay, first off, i’ll start by saying that i enjoyed it more than i expected to. i’ve been avoiding any sort of discussion about stuff, but my google algorithm is so fucked at this point that i still get recommended articles and stuff every now and then, so i was already pretty aware of what i was walking into, and was expecting it to be eh, but actually i prob enjoyed it more than i enjoyed the finale

(don’t get too excited tho, the finale was rly boring lmfao)

anyway

episode starts off with a tense scouting mission

it takes .005 seconds into the episode for caryl to exchange a look of longing, establishing that they are still having weird conflict and are both too fucking stubborn to do anything about it even tho they hate it desperately

i imagine that will continue for a while

rosita, kelly, carol, maggie, what’s her face with the bad hair, and lydia (i think that’s everyone?) lower down to some army bunker or something, where a bunch of walkers are taking a snooze, and the girls are very respectful of walker naptime, and do their best not to wake them up

obviously they eventually wake up, but i’ll get to that in a sec

as they’re tiptoeing through the walker tulips, there’s this split second where carol spots a machine gun, and looks at maggie with a face like, “can i plzzzz, i am mad horny for that machine gun,” but maggie tells her no. (i 110% expected her to defy orders and accidentally wake up all the walkers, but she actually behaved herself for once. well. mostly)

never fear, tho, after the girl gang collects a bunch of MREs they go back to wait for the dudes waiting up top to pull them up, and bc men ruin everything, one of the ropes break, and daryl catches it before it falls, but then a slow motion drop of blood falls on a walker’s face, and just like that, walker naptime is over, and carol uses her bow and arrow for two seconds before she is like “fuck this” and whips out the machine gun

yes, she is super hot using it

yes, daryl watches her do it

anyway, all the other girls get rescued, and carol is about to be pulled up, but bc she is a #girlboss, she first makes a beeline for one more crate full of MREs. daryl covers her while she gets the loot, and when she gets back up top they have another charged moment as carol hands him back his knife

just fuck already, jfc

titles!

cut to alexandria where everything is still not smilestimes

BUT, we do get to see uncle daryl run and hug rj and judith (and dog), and FUCKING HERSHEL JR, LIGHT OF MY LIFE is also there

istg, they could not have casted a better child, i a d o r e him

oh, and some friends of maggie’s show up too, idk

cut to a staff meeting where everyone is like, whomp whomp, we’re all gonna starve to death unless we figure out something quick

cue maggie going, “oh, i know where food is, but it requires me to tell you my tragic backstory, in case anyone didn’t watch my bottle episode”

she tells her dramatic backstory about all her friends getting slaughtered by the reapers for no apparent reason, and then she’s like “anyway, let’s go back there!”

no one thinks it’s a great idea, but a group of people decide to go anyway, including daryl and gabriel. rosita is super pissed that gabriel is going, and carol doesn’t go, probably partly bc it’s a shitty fucking idea, and also bc they have to keep caryl apart bc otherwise they’ll fix their problems ahead of schedule and they won’t be able to drag out the needless angst

daryl looks kind of annoyed that carol doesn’t volunteer to go 

bitch, i thought you wanted her to stop putting herself in the line of fire! make up your damn mind!

moving on

cut to a thunderstorm, where, if you look closely, you’ll notice daryl is wearing the STUPIDEST hat i’ve ever seen. just get an umbrella, jfc

for some reason negan is with them, bc ig he knows his way around washington dc, and no one in six years has bothered to figure out how to get around the city and/or get a map, and he is like “hey guys, maybe we shouldn’t try to walk in this fucking hurricane,” and everyone is like “FUCK YOU NEGAN, YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF US!!!” 

this will be a common occurrence 

but eventually daryl is even like “actually, it’s rly unpleasant out here, and my hat is mad stupid, can we go inside plz?”

so they go inside an old metro station, which is actually a rly cool cinematic choice. i rly like the idea, and they executed it rly well

speaking of executions

there are some fucking RULL CREEPY walkers. idk why they bothered me so badly, but they were what they at first assumed were corpses wrapped up in tarps, but turns out none of them had been properly put down, so they go through killing these rotted bodies that had supposedly been there since The Fall, and it’s very gross and cool

this entire time, btw, negan is like “hey, i know i’m a shitty person, but i have some rational arguments about why we shouldn’t be doing this right now,” and everyone is like, “FUCK YOU NEGAN, YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF US!!!” and he’s just like “god fucking damnit”

(i forgot to mention that at one point, when they’re headed into the metro station, negan is trying to warn ppl of the potential danger, and everyone is ignoring him, and he tries to talk to daryl, and daryl is like “fuck you, you think we’re BUDDIES?” and negan is like “oh, ok, so you’re gonna be like that too? fanfreakingtastic” and it’s very funny)

anyway. a fat monster zombie escapes its tarp at one point, and tries to eat some npc, and negan saves him, again is like “hey, anyone else realize that this is a FUCKING BAD PLAN?”, and everyone is like “we don’t care, you’re still shitty and we’re not listening to you, and you don’t actually care about random npc i would literally not be able to pick out in a lineup bc his face is so generic, you’re not the boss of us!!!”

it’s at this point that negan finally is like, “why am i even here? bc i know how to get around washington dc? do none of you have a map?” and i was like, “right?! that’s what i said!” 

it’s then revealed that maggie only brought negan along to murder him under the guise of “oops, he got hurt in the line of duty, it wasn’t my fault,” and daryl has this look on his face that says, “i seriously need to stop hanging out with lethal women bent on revenge bc it’s gonna give me high blood pressure,” and maggie has a badass moment where she points a gun she has for some reason at negan and is like “i have like, one shred of human compassion left inside of me, and if you keep pushing me i will fucking kill you without a second thought, so shut the hell up”

(in her defense, negan had just dropped glenn’s name to purposely antagonize her, which was rude as hell)

(for the record, i’m completely on maggie’s side here, but negan still is right that trapping themselves in a metro station is a bad call)

anyway, moving away from that briefly

i think this jump cut happens sooner, i don’t actually remember, but whatever who cares, point is, we get to the part of the show that actually matters, and that’s anything involving my love, juanita “princess” sanchez

and also eugene, yumiko, and ezekiel

they are being asked increasingly invasive questions by commonwealth ppl, some of which i wish they actually would of answered (what do they use to wipe their asses with?? surely toilet paper has long since become extinct)

zeke, who is so much more tolerable as a character now that he’s not larping as a king, has this incredibly weird and sort of sexually charged moment with a dude in an orange stormtrooper costume, where he’s like, “i bet you were an asshole cop back before The Fall, you stupid fascist, #fuckthepolice, mb literally? idk, this moment has a lot of pent up aggression that could easily translate to hate sex, it might just be the intense eye contact, but w/e, let’s just move along,” and then he has a coughing fit to remind the audience that he’s currently dying of cancer, and orange stormtrooper is like “lolz, loser, drink some water you dumb piece of shit”

cut to the wholesome foursome sitting at a picnic table in a guarded courtyard eating gruel, and yumkio, who finally has a personality, and princess are like “hey, this place fucking sucks, can we leave?” and zeke is like, “yeah, i met this orange stormtrooper who i think might be dtf and/or murder, so we should probably bounce”

but eugene is like, “but i want some hot stephanie ass, and also some bullshit excuse about how mb commonewealth will save alexandria” which, they left before things went super downhill, right? idr. it was after hilltop fell, but they don’t know alexandria got fucked either, if i recall? w/e, not important

two seconds after he says this, they talk to some people who are like “we’ve been here for four months, or maybe it’s been nine, i don’t actually remember, i’ve stopped processing the passage of time,” and the wholesome foursome takes this as a bad sign, tho that’s just the life i’ve lived as a night worker during a pandemic, so i was like #mood

but then they watch some guy get dragged away screaming to get “reprocessed” and eugene is like “ok, nvm, let’s bounce”

(my theory on what “reprocessing” is, is that they’re stuck in a room and have to watch hours and hours of customer service training videos on vhs from the 90s)

i definitely got my jump cut scenes mixed up bc i think the negan accusing maggie of a murder plot thing happened in between this scene and then the next commonwealth scene, but w/e, i’ll just finish what happens in the commonwealth arch

the wholesome foursome are trying to hatch a plan to escape, except princess, my love, is distracted watching some stormtroopers flirt, and the other three are like “wtf, dude, how can you even tell any of them apart?” and princess then tells them every stormtroopers backstory bc she is brilliant and pays rly close attention to shit, and the other three are like, “this is useful information, thank you for being an insane person”

their plan involves yumiko and eugene dressing up as stormtroopers and leading princess and zeke out of the place, which works fine actually, except on their way out they come across the Depressing Wall of Probably Mostly Dead Missing Loved Ones

they’re about to leave, when princess is like, “wait, yumiko, you’re on here, that’s weird huh?”

sure enough, yumiko  is on the wall, with a note from ig her sister 

the scene ends with yumiko going, “guys...i can’t leave...i have tragic backstory to unveil”

tragic backstory to be continued ig

back in murder metro town, npc and some other npc have stolen all the supplies, there’s a train blocking the track, and a horde of walkers are coming towards them, so things are not going fantastic

they horde is too big to take down, so they start to climb on top of the train car to get away

but dog runs away!

and daryl, being every pet owner ever, is like “gotta go get my dog, guys, try not to get killed while i’m gone, c u soon!” and he ducks under the train and disappears

#priorities

the episode ends with maggie climbing up the train car but getting grabbed by a walker and dangling off the edge, and negan is there and they have a lion king moment where maggie is like, “scar! help me!” and negan is like “long live the king, bitch” and walks away into the shadows, leaving maggie to a potential death

which, while i know isn’t actually going to happen, would be a really fucking funny move on the writers’ part

like, “look, lauren’s back! and now she’s dead, bet you didn’t expect that!”

anyway

my assumption is negan will actually end up helping her up or something, continuing his ambiguous morality bullshit that actually isn’t ambiguous bc he BEAT GLENN TO DEATH WITH A FUCKING BAT WRAPPED IN BARBED WIRE IN FRONT OF HIS PREGNANT WIFE

the maggie/negan arch is kind of dumb, but whatevs, i’ll tolerate it, as long as my boy glenn gets justice in the end

anyway, cue credits!

final assessment: good episode. i’m much more interested in commonwealth than the reapers, tho i am hoping that daryl’s personality-less ex turns out to be a monster killing machine with no conscience, that’ll be fun. princess is a gift from god. hershel jr needs his own tv show. needs more carol (and caryl)

the end! going back into my walking dead free chamber! see you next episode!

-diz

[wastelandlovingscenarios]

Romanced!companions react to their precious fem!sole survivor getting slapped or strikes by an npc right in front of them? Can we categorize this; who would be the violent/threatening/just angry group? >:^0

omg, i’m pretty sure none of them would be remotely calm if that happened... but damn imagine the outcome of that poor npc. they lived a good life. this was a short request while i work on like 7 other ones, LOL.

thank you for requesting and please enjoy!

the next request i’m posting is gonna be a react that turned out a little longer than i expected so buckle up. 🤠

-

Danse:

violent/threatening

danse would for sure fall under the violent criteria of this situation. he already has one foot in the door once someone dares to go too close to sole, but hit her? that’s a totally different story for another day. that person better be praying to some god out there to give them mercy cause danse knows he won’t. the minute he hears that slap on soles face, it will trigger him to attack without a word. and to answer the question; does danse need a gun to do the job? absolutely not. those muscles are not just for show after all. no matter how many people hold him back, he will always fight his way through the crowd of people and beat the living fuck out of the person, even if they’re begging for him to stop. he won’t even realize the damage he’s done until after and won’t regret it either way, knowing that it was well deserved on their case. now if it was a situation where it was shoving or showing signs of starting a fight with his beloved, he’d step right in front of them and stare them down angrily with the biggest scowl ever. in some cases, that’s more than enough to scare most people off towards the other direction but in a few, he’s forced to threaten them. “i advise you step away unless you desire for this situation to escalate into something that involves solely you and i.” no one will ever be a threat to sole on his watch and he will make sure that nothing will stop him from protecting her.

Deacon:

threatening mixed with violence (depending the intensity of the situation)

deacons nice. he’s really laid back in most situations and is more than willing to let things go if he feels like it’s not worth the trouble. following that, deacons nice to a certain point and if you cross that point? consider yourself on his hitlist for the rest of your life. the intensity of the situation will determine how he’ll react towards it. if the person were to do as simple as shove sole, he’d keep an eye on them and say something within the lines of, “woah, woah, take it easy.” now if it was something like a slap or a punch, he wouldn’t even let it happen, not while he’s around. deacon would have fast enough reflexes to catch their wrist and he’d grip it enough to leave a mark, a displeased expression on his face. he’d even go as far as making jokes with an evil smile, such as, “oops my hand slipped,” or “oh you dropped this,” and proceed to deck the person as hard as he can with his free hand, not caring whether or not he knocks them unconscious. after that incident, he’d constantly terrorize the poor individual, often pulling pranks on them without any breaks. sometimes, he’d even go near them and speak in a happy tone while patting their back in a manner where it seemed a little too friendly.

Maccready:

threatening

mac is aware he’s not muscular nor is he made for fighting, which is why he sticks with guns during most situations. hes a lanky man and gets intimidated a little easier than most people, knowing that many of them could take him down with something as simple as a punch. it’s easier to say he’s more confident with a gun in his hand in these instances. despite his weaknesses, he would not hesitate to step up, knowing that hes unable to control his anger. he’d immediately point the gun at the persons temple and cock it just for intimidation purposes, but knows that he’s more than willing to pull the trigger if he needs to. it benefits him and the commonwealth more than damages it, seeing that this world needs one less asshole living it in, so who is he to care if this person dies or not? he’d slowly press it harder against the persons head, angrily speaking, “back away now.” if the person does so, he’ll gladly let them walk away without an injury and instead tend to sole. he wouldn’t let them go without some snarky comment like, “yeah keep walking and please let the door hit you on the way out.” if they refuse to move away from sole though, he’d gladly take the butt of his gun and smack it against their temple within seconds, completely ignoring the persons body knocked out on the floor. mac would get sole up and out of there as soon as he can, complaining under his breath about how much of that guy was an asshole and how he shouldve shot him.

Hancock:

violent group

consider one thing; that this person who fucked over his lover is beyond dead in his eyes. no one touches his sunshine, and if they dared to? theyll be wishing they hadn’t. hancock can quickly become someone’s friend, but the same can be said if it were an enemy. if he’s willing to stab someone for getting even a little too chummy and touchy with sole, imagine what he’d do if they dared to inflict pain on them. depending on where they are, like a bar for instance, he’d grab a glass bottle and crack it on the guys head, pushing him down on the floor without another word. using his shotgun, he’d make sure he’d put a few bullets through his body before he decides he’s completely satisfied with the new makeover he’s given them. now if he was in a more violent mood and was definitely not having it, he’d want to have their blood on his hands and wouldn’t care if it stained his clothes or not. he wants to send the message to everyone watching that if anyone dares to fucking cross his line, they’re gonna learn it the hard way and he will make it very known how the outcome of the situation will be. for example, he has a knife and what better way to use it than to stab the fuck out of someone for pissing him off? in some cases (depending on the severity of the situation), he’ll shank them in a place where he knows it’ll hurt the most and leave them there to suffer so they’ll get the idea that if they fuck with the people he treasures, they have another thing coming.

Nick Valentine:

mix of threatening and just angry.

honestly, nick is very civil about most cases and he won’t get violent unless absolutely necessary. he will definitely be beyond angry and give the person so much fucking shit for their actions. nick almost never yells but in this case, he’d yell so loud, it would fill up the silence of the room. nick also uses a lot of profanities when doing so, unable to maintain his professional attitude and his usual cool. “now what the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” he’d even go as far as shoving them back, keeping a distance between sole and the person who deemed themselves as a threat to her presence. he’d try to minimize the possibility of violence arising, knowing that both him and sole are not as replaceable as they seem. he’d sneer at the person who striked sole, talking in the most irritated tone possible, “if i wasn’t here controlling her anger, you would’ve been dead on the pavement just a few minutes back, pal. consider yourself lucky that you were spared.” regardless if the person continued talking or not, nick would casually take soles hand and pull her away from the scene as he let out a remark loud enough for them to hear; “we don’t have time for the likes of you anyway, so take your trouble elsewhere.” nick has like zero shame when it comes to back talking or insulting someone he’s not fond of, so you best believe he won’t shut up until you both are out of sight.

Preston:

honestly, just angry.

preston will avoid violence at all costs, considering he doesn’t favor the idea and as much as he hates seeing sole get hurt, he doesn’t want to risk starting another issue. sole has a reputation amongst the commonwealth and the last thing he wants is to taint it or fuck it up, so he lets sole decide whether or not violence should be pursued. also considering that she has more than enough on her plate, he doesn’t want to add on to the list of problems she already has. so unless this guy is literally on the verge of gravely injuring his other half, he won’t do much besides step in front of sole to protect her from any further hits. he’d rather take the hits than to let someone as important as her take them firsthand. he wouldn’t forgive himself if such a thing happened. even if sole did most of the work in the end, he’d still send them the dirtiest look he’s ever given anyone and his hand would already be on the trigger of his laser musket, ready to fire at the guy anytime just in case. before officially leaving the person to do their own thing and bidding them goodbye, he’d get a little up close and personal, talking in the most threatening tone possible (even if he’s not the greatest at it); “once you mess with the general, you mess with the minutemen. i’d suggest you choose your battles a little better next time around.”

Sturges:

just angry

we all know by now sturges is a huge pacifist and will refuse to resort to violence unless he has no absolute choice but to do so. sturges is a very kind man and just like deacon, he’s willing to let most cases go but he respects sole too much to let violent situations like this slide. even if he’s very afraid to get into a violent situation head on, he’ll try to keep it as calm as possible, not wanting to escalate the situation more. being the considerate lover he is, he will ask sole to stay back and keep away from the person as much as possible as he tries to handle the situation himself. even if sturges doesn’t show it, he does get very angry in these instances and will not allow it to happen regardless of the reason. he’ll probably talk to the person with a firm tone and an irate expression but do nothing further than that unless the individual wants blood spilled, which in this case, sole is brought back into the situation. knowing sturges, he’d probably tell the person something like, “hey buddy, i really don’t appreciate what ya just did to my girl. ya need to quit it cause it ain’t right.” or, “if we got a problem, you can always just come to me instead of strikin’ that beautiful lady of mine. i’m willin’ to fix it with ya and if not, then i’m willin’ to take the hit.. though i’m sure my girl wouldn’ appreciate such a motive.” he knew she really wouldn’t. sole would shoot them down before he could let out a soft, “told ya so.”

Gage:

the ceo of violent

even if the raider life consists of injuries, blood, dirty work, and violence, he will never allow sole to get hurt under his watch. even if he tells her to toughen up and get used to it, he truly wants to protect her from the world and anything that could run as a potential hazard. that being said, he doesn’t care who the fuck strikes sole- it could be a man, woman, the highest and most royal person in the planet and it’d still have the same result in the end. gage wouldn’t even give them a chance to explain themselves and would simply let out a small, “oh fuck no, you ain’t.” and shoot them down himself before sole could give him an order. he would take the situation into his own hands with or without soles persmission, knowing that they crossed gages line of comfort. if he’s not satisfied with that or feels as if that’s too much of an easy way out, he’ll shoot their leg and come closer to them to step on their chest to block any chance of escaping. “wanna act tough, huh? show me how tough ya are, why dontcha? be my guest and apologize to the overboss. i’ll let her decide if it’s good enough to let ya go.” if sole were to deny every apology, he’d continue to shoot them limb by limb until he decides to put them down completely. now if sole decides their apology is more than enough, he’ll willfully let them go but let her decide their fate on whether they should be put down or not. in the end, if he had his way with that bastard, they wouldn’t be seeing the light for a long while.

[writingonjorvik]

Can We Discuss Game Hiatuses?

I want to preface this enter post with the comment that I am absolutely not saying "Oh, if you're not enjoying SSO, you should just leave the community." That's a bad argument used against criticism that I do not promote. However, I am going to talk about how if you're not enjoying SSO, why you should take a pause from playing.

I'm going to generally credit @centeris2 on this topic, because while I'm not using direct quotes (because private convos aren't exactly the style I want to use for Can We Discuss), we had a long conversation about this topic and she made a lot of good points for this that I wanted to discuss. Some of these points are based on her opinions, a lot of out thoughts blurred together so it's hard to directly credit, and she gave me the ok to talk about it and use her thoughts.

In any case, let's start with the fact that it is perfectly normally to like something and still drop it for years at a time, or to not directly engage with it. For instance, I adore the Legend of Zelda franchise (were it not obvious from my recent to be rescheduled event), but I haven't personally picked up a LOZ game for a year-ish now when I replayed Minish Cap. That doesn't revoke my LOZ fan card, that's a perfectly normal thing to do. Most of you will have done this throughout your life, more and more recognizably as you get older.

This however can get blurred by fandom. It is very often that folks with hyperfixations on a thing, who may or may not engage with something more regularly than other media, will get involved in fandom and make a lot of content for that fandom. These people can produce loads of content on a piece of media and this can fuel a community, even if the rest of the community isn't actively engaging with that media. It also doesn't specifically mean that people with hyperfixations are constantly engaging with that media. Going back to that LOZ example, I wrote LOZ fanfic for years without actively playing more than one LOZ game maybe a year or two. Content can be queued, be entirely original outside of the media, and still last a long time and engage with the fandom at large.

The point is to say, even if you make content and enjoy a piece of media, you don't have to actually be playing/reading/listening/watching it constantly. In fact, normally modern fandom culture makes that pretty easy to do, though it can sometimes make us feel like we're still engaging directly with the media even if we're technically not. But it's good to take a step back and acknowledge that. A lot of younger fans in fandom have a hard time with this, which is why I'm taking the time to point it out. A lot of young fans will hyperengage in a fandom because they want to be involved in this fandom they love, only to burn themselves out and be turned away by their frustration. It's important then to acknowledge this scenario to encourage better, healthier involvement with fandom. Still, in this situation, you can easily bow out of a fandom if you need to take a break and then come back when something new happens in it, like a new release or update. This may feel like a fandom "dies" when a piece of media ends, but for active media, it's a normal and healthy thing to do.

SSO on the other hand does not encourage the ability for people to take a break, or at least it does it at the detriment of the player. Because of the weekly updates, players are constantly checking for the chance that there is something interesting coming out. This is somewhat addressed by the monthly roadmaps the team has been putting out, but that also just extends the period of time people are waiting for news and they're still staying in the release cycle for more clarification. For instance, we know Silverglade Village is getting an update at the end of the month, but knowing SSO's release cycle, are they going to tease some more of the changes? Are they going to reveal how wide the area of update is going to be? Will any NPCs get updates with it? This is still in the weekly cycle and it keeps players from building up actual suspense for updates if we know when content is coming out. It also takes away a lot of suspense when the content isn't main content, like new areas or story. While the suspense for the Fripp quests I would say were quite large, I wouldn't say that any of the other updates have shared the same attention. This is why most companies will release roadmaps for quarters or for a year.

And this isn't to say that SSE as a company shouldn't be releasing media content weekly, they should. That's good social media. But there are ways to engage with fans that don't drag out a reliance to engage weekly, things like community contests, highlighting fans, or promoting fanmade content. But when every update is super in the eyes of social media, fatigue and apathy are going to start to kill actual excitement unless it's something major.

I don't think it's a secret that I think the weekly updates aren't good for the game on the development side. I think it creates a pseudo-crunch culture on the developers so that they can't work on larger projects that players are asking for, like an engine overhaul (it took FFXIV two years to do theirs, when are the devs supposed to have time on SSO to switch now). But, I also don't think it's good for the players. Yes, there's something every week, but how are players actually engaging each week and how much time can we build up anticipation or get excited when each week that gets diffused by something that's not super exciting the majority of other weeks? Which doesn't mean that that content is bad, but it clearly builds frustration in the community to have "filler" content. When's the next story quests, when's the next map expansion, when's the next major mechanic being added, etc. We're constantly discussing the next big thing and then finding reasons to be excited in the meantime. This does not spark joy.

But in order to take a break, either you need to be on top of your Stable Care (likely to pull you back in), or just stop caring about your horses while you're away (unlikely considering the horse girl is strong in this community). The first requires Star Coins, which is arguably saying "You have to pay real money to take a break," and the second is actively punishing you mechanically for not being committed to playing. Neither of those allow the player to take healthy, normal breaks from the community to engage in other things. And that's an issue.

Yes, MMOs need regular engagement. Active servers and participation are a part of what makes them more marketable. But there are ways to do that without penalizing players. And I'm not suggesting that the care system needs to be entirely removed, but it does need to be entirely reworked so players can leave the game without coming back penalized. Things like the care system not affecting stats, but increasing your RNG for finding doubles of crafting items, or doubling your shilling rewards from dailies. WoW's inn system rewards players for taking breaks by double your exp gain longer depending on how long you were away. Others like Guild Wars 2 will give you log in rewards that build up to bigger prizes over time. There are ways to do this.

And I understand that a lot of folks like the current care system because it's realistic. But there has to be a line in game development where enjoyment in a game is prioritized over the realism of the game, not to mention the health of the player. Yes, the daily care system is more realistic, but if it is developing an obsessive habit of play to enjoy content that is, realistically, months to years down the line, that's not good for the player and should be changed so players can break from the game without coming back to punished controls. There are better systems that can still be realistic, things like crafting feed schedules to recover health boosts faster instead of having to see the vet, increasing how often the mood goes up so it doesn't take a whole week, changing it so when taking a horse for a ride the mood will increase every 10 or so minutes by engaging with a horse you like. Rewarding players for getting on and playing the game instead of making them dread missing when they should be coming back with excitement for the game.

All of that said, I want to encourage all of you to play more games where you can. I know there are system limitations, restricted budgets, and sometimes regional limits because of limited languages or just straight regionlocks. But in the same way reading makes you a better reader and writer, gaming makes you a better gamer (and developer/designer if you go that route). It helps you identify what you like in games and in the same way that reading other things makes coming back to your favorite all that much better, so does playing other games. I'm going to reblog this in a bit with some games I'd recommend with links to Steam and Epic and I'd encourage you all to do the same.

The takeaway I hope to give is that it's normal and healthy to take a break from games. You can still engage with media without directly engaging with it through fandom. SSE can do more to not penalize players for wanting to take a break, and should. And where you can, you should play more games and break for the health of your relationship with a piece of media you like.

[lord-of-no-energy]

How They Cheer Themselves Up When They Feel Unmotivated [Avillon NPCs]

I hope you discover new methods here that help you when you feel down ^^

Rouin

He starts by identifying the source of the problem. Rouin has trouble identifying his emotions, so he takes some time to self-reflect

Sometimes, there’s no source and he’s just having a down day

Rouin has a lot of work, so he can’t really take a break. This isn’t because Lord doesn’t allow him, it’s because Rouin himself doesn’t want to leave his work in the hands of others

What he does ask for is extensions for deadlines, and for someone to be assigned to assist him in work

Once he gets more time, he makes schedules and checklists to utilize it the most. Rouin has an unhealthy schedule, so he puts in time for workouts and sleep.

Organizing his day before it starts is really satisfying for him and already motivates him

He isn’t as fit as the knights; he’s actually really underweight. Working out when underweight is unhealthy, so he eats more than he normally does.

He eats a lot of sweets because sugar contains more energy. Don’t get me wrong, he eats a balance of foods, but when it’s a down day, doughnuts and candy really help.

Working out is his favourite way to relieve stress. He hates sweating, but once he’s done, he’s refreshed and ready to get back to work

His emotional health is like a reflection of his physical health.

He knows that confiding in others is the best way to deal with down days, but he likes putting up a strong, reliable front, even when he’s alone.

But having someone special like Lord who casually motivates him with “Take care of yourself”s and “Do your best”s helps him more than he admits.

Cannae

Cannae’s mood can be seen by how many times she fails when upgrading equipment

She might be playful and purposely fail sometimes for gold, but when it isn’t on purpose, she starts beating herself up for not being good enough

I think that she gets self-conscious really easily, which affects her work, which causes her to beat herself up more, and it’s a full cycle

Her mood affects everyone who is a mile radius from her. Anyone can tell that she feels down, but when she’s confronted about it, she denies it.

She’ll never admit that she feels down so Lord will have to take initiative.

It has to be Lord, Rouin, or Lyn. If it’s someone else, Cannae will become really difficult to handle.

Lord has to give her easier equipment to upgrade and shower her with approval for her to feel a little better

Sometimes, Cannae needs to vent and scream to feel a bit better.

That little bit is what opens her eyes to why she feels down. It’s not because she isn’t good enough, it’s because she needs to self-improve

Setting goals for her improvement is what helps her the most

Of course, she doesn’t like the setting goal process and needs Lord to help

But when she achieves those goals, she feels like she can do anything in the world

Whenever Cannae falls, she might lay low for a moment, but then she jumps up higher than before

The most important thing is having someone who is willing to spend time on helping her feel better. Without them, she would never be able to get back up again.

Aries

Aries and Rouin are the most similar characters in the entire game

They want to look strong to themselves and others and repress their emotions, if they’re able to identify them at all. 

I don’t think that Aries even likes being happy. I don’t mean that in an edgy way or anything. 

You know how happiness makes your heart go faster and your body feel warm and full? Aries finds the feeling icky and disgusting. 

He also hates it because it clouds his mind and that makes him feel vulnerable.

But he definitely doesn’t like being unmotivated, it drives him crazy.

He’s a loner so once he is able to figure out that he isn’t feeling good, he’ll figure out a fix

He doesn’t like someone finding out that he’s feeling down, because he labels negative emotions as vulnerability

What he needs the most is someone to treat him like normal, not go out of their way to make him feel better. If he needs alone time, he’ll request it himself. 

He might even get a bit talkative with someone he’s relaxed around. It serves as great distraction and helps him take the first step to getting back on his feet. I’m looking at you, Lord.

Then he goes out of the way to make others happier. He does it subtly so no one can trace the acts of kindness back to him. Seeing others happy because of him is like medicine to his mental health.

If you find out that he’s discreetly helped you, don’t thank him or tell others. Don’t feel like you owe him or treat him with extra kindness. Just don’t acknowledge it at all. Please. He wants to be sure that he’s helping out of kindness, not for others’ approval.

Aurea

For Aurea, unmotivation isn’t not feeling like doing anything. Unmotivation for Aurea is not getting new ideas for designs.

That drives her nuts. Designing clothes and making others feel good in what they wear makes her happy, so it’s like her brain is hindering her from happiness.

When this happens, Aurea has to force herself to face the fact that she won’t get new ideas by continuously trying and failing.

Instead, she gets out old clothes she’s made and washes them by hand. She doesn’t like doing chores either, but seeing her old works up close reminds her of the time she was making them.

It also shows her how much she has improved from before. 

Normally, doing this ignites a spark in her brain and she’s back at work as if nothing happened.

But if it doesn’t, she looks at other designers’ works for inspiration. 

Her mind normally wanders off thinking of what the designer was inspired by when designing, and that normally points her to the right direction.

Aurea normally looks at works from designers who are better than her.

Sometimes, she invites designers she looks up to for tea and talks with them about whatever. It’s barely sometimes that they touch on the topic of designing clothes.

She’s open with her emotions, so she’s okay with asking them what they do when they feel unmotivated.

It never intimidates her, it’s more of a bonus dose of motivation. It sets new standards for her which she knows that she can reach.

Plus, those designers also started somewhere. If they got where they are now, then so can she. 

Lord

I think it’s pretty much canon that Lord prefers to shoulder stress than share it

They don’t want others to suffer because of the mistakes they made, so they prefer to remain silent and sort out the problem themselves

Even if it isn’t their fault, I think they’d still keep their emotions to themselves so others don’t have to carry the burden with them

Lord just wants everyone to be happy ok

But that vulnerability is exactly what connects the knights in the first place

It reminds them that Lord is just another human being. The only thing that makes them different is their determination to create a fair and happy world.

Not only that, it strengthens their bond with their fellow knights. They swore to protect Lord, and making sure that Lord is happy is just one of their duties. Whenever Lord seems down, the knights are active in communicating with each other to sort out a solution.

For Lord, the advice serves to show them how their knights view them. The advice a person gives is a reflection of their mindset.

Not only that, it also serves as a reflection of Lord. The advice a person gives differs depending on who they are giving it to.

This motivates them to go ask. Not straighforwardly; they ask questions in roundabout ways to get that advice

Like “What do you do when you’re having a bad day?” or “If I’m at a fork in the road, what advice would you give me?”

Yeah they’re terrible at hiding their emotions

It’s the advice they receive that really helps them get back up

All in all, Lord relies on the people around them if they aren’t at the best point in their life. It normally has more than one positive result.

This was just a recollection of extreme story lol

It isn’t wrong to feel depressed and unmotivated. Emotions are okay. What matters is how you deal with them. 

Tysm for reading! Take care of yourself.

[quazartranslates]

Welcome to the Nightmare Game - CH102

**This is an edited machine translation. For more information, please [click here]**

[<<< Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter >>>]

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Chapter 102: Slaughter Secret Society (IV)

{cw: sexual stereotyping}

When the rain stopped the next day, Qi Leren, who had been exercising at home for half a day, received a banquet invitation from a bat sent by Mrs. Kathleen. Qi Leren put the invitation letter in his inventory and went into the bathroom with deep pain - the make-up.

Yes, this was also a new skill he had mastered in ten days. Except for the red tattoo on the corner of his eye, which was painted with special material and had to be erased with special chemicals, all the other dressings have to be prepared by himself. Of course, these styles were all designed by the Trials Office, and strived to make anyone think at first sight that he was a gay man with a good “yooooo” aesthetic.

Qi Leren did not protest against this, but he insisted that a person's sexual orientation could not be judged from his appearance. Even if he was dressed in a straight style, it didn’t mean that his sexual orientation was straight. However, the court rejected his opinion, and their purpose was to make him look like a gay man. As for whether he was or not, the Court indicated that they couldn’t control him.

Half an hour later, Qi Leren looked at his unrecognizable self in the mirror and felt melancholy.

Although make-up was a good skill to have, a man doing it would be treated as a pervert…

After finishing crossdressing, Qi Leren finally examined himself in front of the mirror. Today's clothes weren’t low-necked and open-navel, but it looked strange after being accessorized with a collar. It was like going to an S&M party with a whip tied around the waist.

Qi Leren repeatedly hypnotized himself. Right now he was Red, not Qi Leren, so he walked out of the house with his head held high. Of course, in order to keep a low profile, he still put on his cloak.

On the way to the party, Qi Leren vaguely felt that someone seemed to be following him, probably from the Court, but he didn't care. Soon he came to the place written on the invitation letter.

The present destination seemed to be a small bar, which was located in the area of the Twilight Township where most NPCs were concentrated. The handsome waiter outside the door asked him if he had an invitation letter, and after seeing the invitation letter sandwiched between Qi Leren's fingers, he greeted him respectfully.

The feeling of being followed disappeared, and Qi Leren followed the waiter through the lively dance floor and walked into a quiet corridor.

"Keep walking along the hall, there is a door at the end, and someone will show you the way," said the waiter.

Qi Leren snorted lightly, stuffed the common currency used between NPCs in Nightmare World into the waiter's collar, and whispered in his ear lightly: "Thank you for guiding me, baby."

The waiter turned red, and some took a step back in a panic. He bowed and left under the teasing gaze of Qi Leren. The speed was much faster than when he came, for fear of losing his virginity if he took a slow step.

Qi Leren’s "evil charm smile" had already reached an advanced level in the business of flirting with straight men, and he walked slowly to the waiter at the end of the corridor... Well, he had already seen the waiter opposite’s face pale. Good, it seemed that this was also a straight man, easy to flirt with.

“It's fun to flirt with straight men” ——BY Qi Leren, who was having bitter fun.

After walking to the waiter and speaking flirtily, Qi Leren smoothly entered the space hidden in the bar’s basement. After the humble door was opened, mirrors and masks were hung on both sides of the wall behind the door. Each mask was beautifully decorated, looking gorgeous and elegant. Qi Leren couldn't help but pay more attention to it.

"Are you Mr. Red? Welcome, welcome." Ashley, the young man who had been saved by Qi Leren, came out from the corner and spoke with awe and excitement.

After being rescued by Red yesterday, Ashley has been thinking about this mysterious predecessor, and he was also very concerned about the man who’d played against Red. He vaguely felt that there was some kind of entanglement between them. After he told Mrs. Kathleen about it, Mrs. Kathleen just smiled and touched his cheek, saying that she also liked to play with the hierophants of the Holy See. Somehow, Ashley's heart was full of acidity.

Across from him Red nodded lightly, not caring about his complicated mood.

Ashley took a masquerade mask off from the wall and put it on his face: "Mr. Red should also choose one. Our party is a masquerade, and everyone will be wearing a mask."

With that said, he secretly looked at the side of Red’s face. He still looked so cold, but so charming, the delicate side of his face and that red tattoo in the yellow light filling him with a sense of colourful desire. With a smile on his face, he squinted at him, and his vapid, feminine voice sounded, "Oh? Why don't you choose for me?"

Ashley's face turned red and he felt overwhelmed under Red’s gaze, and even the wound from being stabbed by the Trail didn’t hurt.

"I... I think this one is very nice and suitable for you, predecessor," Ashley said pointing to one of the masks.

The mask was a half-piece, covering only the upper half of the face and covered with golden wire-drawing. There were two bright red patterns at the position of the tear groove, just like two tears, and the corner of the mask had a moon-like arc, just to reveal the tattoo on his face.

Red stretched out his hand and took the mask off the wall, putting it on his face. The silver mask made him mysterious and elegant, while the tattoo exposed in the hollow part added a few charm points to him. He looked in the mirror on the wall for a while narcissistically, then turned to Ashley and said, "You have a good eye."

"Predecessor is the one who’s won the prize."

Ashley, who bowed his head as he spoke, suddenly saw a white and beautiful hand appear in front of his eyes. The slender index finger lifted his chin. He raised his face in panic and saw Red’s face close to his. The half-mask covered his upper face, but it highlighted the charming curve of his bright red lips. He was so close that he almost touched the tip of Ashley’s nose.

"Don't waste me saving your life. So... How are you going to repay me?" Red whispered in his ear.

Ashley's comely face suddenly rose with crimson, and he glanced at Red in a panic, and then, under his smiling gaze, he closed his eyes tightly, with a shy appearance allowing this to continue.

"..." Play, play it off!

Qi Leren growled in his heart, and stood stiffly in the same place, lying in the trough, talking about a good straight man! He's a straight man pretending to be gay, and of course he only goes after straight men! What's wrong with you, you little gay! He’d only done this twice yet already gotten caught by it?! People shouldn’t respond this well!

Ashley, who didn't wait for the kiss, secretly opened his eyes. The mysterious man who hooked his chin smiled lightly and bit him full on the earlobe: "You’re so cute."

With that said, Red stepped back and blew him a kiss, swaying into the underground corridor.

Ashley gawked at his back, and the earlobe he’d bitten was burning hot. He didn't know what was wrong with him. Obviously he only liked women, but it was as if he’d been poisoned when he saw how attractive and charming the predecessor Red was. Even if he was a man, his heart beat faster for him.

Was it because the predecessor Red had saved him that he had that kind of nestling complex?

Ashley shook his head to dismiss the blushing thoughts and quickly chased after him.

The low-key bronze door opened, loud music suddenly burst out, and gorgeous lights lit the basement, illuminating the room full of men and women having fun. Mrs. Kathleen, draped in tulle and leaning against the Roman column by the door, wore a feather mask and held a glass of bright wine. She showed a charming smile to Red as he stood at the door: "Welcome to our carnival feast. Have fun."

After Red paused, he looked around at the men and women who were dressed revealingly and whispered, "My pleasure."

In fact, at this moment, Qi Leren's heart was broken: Hello, is this 110? Someone here is having a divine feast of the body, gathering people to have sex and wreak chaos. Come and save me!!!

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Editor’s Notes: Qi Leren’s just going around the Nightmare World causing everyone to have gay realizations lol. Happy Lunar New Year and Happy Valentine’s Day! <3

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[iturbide]

You don't even have to ask! Details please!

Well I always like to ask just in case you guys are the ones who have to see it on your dashboards

I’m very glad you’re exited though so crossover details go

The Starters

Because we have different lords heading up the titular three houses, and each one leans heavily into certain color and element themes similar to the common starter trio in mainline Pokemon games, it becomes almost a no-brainer to say that the Lords from Three Houses are your starter choices in this game.  For Edelgard, you have Embird, a fire-type eagle; for Dimitri you have Parcub, a water-type lion; and for Claude you have Fawnceal, a grass-type deer, reflecting both their house color schemes and emblems.

These starters, however, are unique in many ways.  To begin with, no matter which one you pick, they will always have a set gender, nature, and characteristic; they will also have perfect IVs and their hidden ability, rather than the standard one.  Since they are meant to reflect specific people, you’ll also have a limited choice on nicknames, similar to the original Red/Blue giving you options for your name and your rival’s: for Embird, it would be along the lines of “Edelgard” and “El”; for Parcub, it would be things like “Dimitri” and “Dima”; and for Fawnceal, you would have choices like “Claude” and “Khalid.”

Whichever starter you pick is also going to be your companion throughout the entire game.  As with Pokemon Yellow and the Let’s Go games, your starter will follow you outside of its pokeball, and you’ll be able to turn around and interact with them whenever you want to build your bond and get a feel for their mood.  Unlike these games, though, your starter cannot be put into a box, traded, or left at the daycare: they’re your companion, and they will stay that way throughout the game.  To give players more opportunities to train pokemon other than their starter, though (and to allow more freedom for people who like to play hardcore styles like Nuzlocke), there is a special “starter slot” that effectively allows you to bring seven pokemon with you; however, only your starter is allowed to take this extra slot, and while they’re in it they cannot be used in battle and will not gain experience or IVs even if the ExpShare is being used: they’ll just follow you around in the overworld so that you can interact with them.  To swap your starter back into your team, one of the other six will need to be returned to the PC.

In addition, each starter has a unique talent allowing them to access things that are normally unavailable: for Embird’s line, you can engage any NPC in the wilds to a battle, including those who normally are just there to offer advice or healing (since if they’re past the tall grass, they have to have pokemon); for Parcub’s line, they can detect secret entrances to the evil organization’s bases (which otherwise can only be found through either trial and error or by talking to people for hints on where to look -- plus they’re likely randomized every time a new game is started); and for Fawnceal’s line, they can locate areas well off the beaten path with new people to talk to, secrets to uncover, and pokemon to befriend. 

The Rivals

Much in the way that the starters are all based on the Lords from the game, the rivals are based on their retainers: Hubert will always choose Embird for his starter, Dedue will always choose Parcub for his, and Hilda will always choose Fawnceal for hers.  Byleth, of course, throws a wrench into the system, since they will be picking one of those three pokemon as their own starter, meaning that you end up with two rivals (one for each of the two you didn’t select) while the last will become the professor’s assistant, who will occasionally seek you out on Hanneman’s behalf.

Each rival also has unique information to share as the game progresses.  Hubert knows a great deal about the evil organization, and informs you of their existence and misdeeds; Hilda’s older brother Holst is a gym leader, so she tells you about the gym challenges; and Dedue is quite well traveled, and can point you toward special locations yielding rare items like high quality berries or pokemon that only appear at certain times/on certain days.  During the main path of the game, you’ll come across two of these characters routinely and therefore gain insight into your chosen starter’s evolutionary path, along with some extra challenges or exploration opportunities; however, the last rival will only give you that information if you backtrack to Hanneman’s lab to talk to them, something that can be tiresome and challenging in the early game before you have access to transport moves like Fly.  Ultimately, this means that you’ll likely have one gameplay challenge that goes unexplored until very late in the game or after the credits roll.

Along with the information they provide, each rival also has unique interactions with you.  Hubert is highly competitive and will always fight you when you cross paths, only giving you information after you beat him; he also gives you the occasional item to strengthen your pokemon, like Protein or Iron.  Dedue is much more peaceful and will give you a choice about whether you want to battle or not (though you have a limited window where you can change your mind if you say ‘no’); he gives you information regardless of whether you choose to fight him or not, and frequently gives you special berries when you meet him.  Hilda considers battling to be way too much effort and will only battle you a few times under normal circumstances (though with Embird’s special talent you can induce a challenge against her), preferring to give you information instead and usually giving you a held item “accessory” when you meet her.

The Challenges

Unlike the usual mainline Pokemon games, this game's traditional objectives -- the gym challenge, fighting the evil organization, completing the pokedex -- can be prioritized and tackled in a more focused manner, with incentives to do so dependent on your starter choice, since each starter’s evolution is tied to a specific narrative element.  For Embird, you need to acquire six badges in order to evolve her into Empyre; for Parcub, you need to beat three executives of the evil organization to evolve him into Soverain; and for Fawnceal, you need to talk to 500 people throughout the region before he’ll evolve into Camaradeerie. 

Given the nature of Three Houses, it only makes sense that certain key figures take on prominent roles in this pokemon offshoot:

Hanneman is the region’s Pokemon Professor

The eight gym leaders you’ll face include Manuela, Lonato, Rodrigue, Holst, Alois, Gilbert, Catherine, and Shamir

The Elite Four is made up of the Four Saints: Macuil, Indech, Cichol (Seteth), and Cethleann (Flayn)

Rhea is the region’s champion, and has been for ages

The Agarthans are the evil organization you’ll face: Cornelia, Monica/Kronya, and Tomas/Solon are the executives, while Arundel/Thales is the boss

If you pick Embird as your starter, facing the gym challenge is going to be your top priority so that you can have her final evolution (which fits Edelgard’s route in Three Houses perfectly).  Hilda will give you information on the different gyms when you meet her, and Dedue will give you info on rare pokemon you might want to incorporate into your team; however, the evil organization will be much harder (though not impossible) to access and engage with until after the gym challenge is cleared, and they will be much more difficult to deal with after being put off for so long, with run-of-the-mill members having significantly stronger teams and the executives and leader being incredible challenges.

If you pick Parcub as your starter, uprooting the evil organization is going to be first on your list of things to do so you can have his final evolution.  Hubert will give you information on where to find their bases (and notably, Dimitri will face Arundel as the boss rather than Thales, just as he does in Azure Moon), and Hilda will still give you information on the different gyms so you can level your team more and more; however, it will be more challenging to find and access hidden areas until very late in the game, so completing the pokedex will be more of a chore and the legendaries will be significantly more challenging when you finally do face them.

If you pick Fawnceal as your starter, exploring the world and working on the pokedex will be your primary focus to secure his final evolution.  Dedue will tell point you toward all kinds of places off the beaten path where obscure pokemon appear, and Hubert will still point you toward the evil organization since many of their bases are out in the wilds where you’ll be hunting for pokemon; however, leaving the gyms will result in a greater challenge, with different and stronger pokemon on each leader’s team and an even more intense Elite Four and Champion (drawing on both Claude’s paralogue against Macuil and Silver Snow’s endgame boss of the Immaculate One, since it’s mostly a copy-paste of Verdant Wind anyway).

[peanutpinet]

Playing ‘Great Escape’ (Escape room) with Nine Percent (female reader)

So basically, this is a scenario of what each member would be like when you all play an Escape Room or film ‘Great Escape’ (a show that Justin is actually on) together.

Cai Xukun

For Kun, I feel that he would be one of the few members that actually try to keep it together and lead everyone. Like he was already a leader of nine percent so I feel that if all 9 of them and you were to do an escape room together, he would try to calm everyone down, maybe even split the group into two teams of five. He would also be one of the few members that would actually comfort you if you started to feel scared or anxious about the situation.

“Don’t worry about anything (Y/N). Just figure out the passcode and I’ll make sure that nothing will scare you”

Chen Linong

As for Nongnong, I feel that he would be more on the aware side of the situation. Like how he would make sure that everyone is safe, no one would have a heart attack from the jumpscares or even to the point where he wouldn’t mind carrying someone if they had to run. Like who would have thought that this soft boi with the brightest smile would be so stronk and brave (well this is mainly based of how Nongnong can do the 4 finger push up and not be afraid during that ghost prank episode) <3

“(Y/N) watch out!! Are you ok? Are you hurt? Here, I’ll give you a piggyback ride. It’s alright, you’re not heavy at all!! (*insert his uwu smile)”

Fan Chengcheng

Chengcheng, I would feel that he would try his best to be brave but would have some shocks every now and then. Also probably one of the members that would try to tease everyone else or even be mischievous and would try to scare you but the same time wouldn’t go too far because he knows what it feels to feel scared. Would also be so lost when trying to figure out how to solve one of the password or clues.

“C’mon guys, it’s not that bad...w-what was that?! Did you guys hear that?! Aww, were you scared (Y/N)? No, I won’t scare you anymore, cross my heart”

Justin (Huang Minghao)

Okay, this might be quite long because!!! Since Justin has already been on the show for 2 seasons now, I feel that he would know his way around no matter what kind of scene/story they throw him into. Spy story where the whole agency was trashed and little source of electricity? Ha!! He doesn’t need electricity. A death case with haunted objects? Please, he knew that they’re all fake and would probably end up playing with the objects. Like he may be the youngest out of all of the members, but do not be fooled as he is damn smart (not to mention very brave!!). Would probably end up bossing some of his geges around because he worries that being in the escape room for too long may cause some anxiety to some of his geges and you. Speaking of you, since you were the only girl of the group, he would probably try his best to reassure you that everything will be alright. Even if you are older than him, he would do nothing but to make sure you were alright. To the point that he would even let you cling on him the whole entire time. Just like Nongnong, I feel that Justin would even go as far as to carry you should anything go wrong (like you guys have to run away from the npc chasing after you).

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. What about you? Did the npc hurt you? Did someone bumped you? No no, it’s alright, you can hold onto me. Does your feet hurt? Do you want me to carry you? Look, look, the exit is just over there!!”

Lin Yanjun

For Yanjun, I feel that he would be more unpredictable, depending on the situation. If he was all alone, he may have the tendency to be startled every now and then, just like Chengcheng. But I feel if he was with the other boys and especially you, his tough *cough*military*cough* side would definitely show. Like, I can imagine he’d get startled if he heard something fell but when he’s with you, he’ll be tough and more protective towards you. Like, he’ll have his arm wrapped around your shoulder or waist; especially when something startled you or you feel extra scared during a specific scene/room. He may even intertwined with your fingers and allow you to cling onto him just like Justin (sorry Zhangjing). Not forgetting to give you a pat on the head or even back, reassuring you that you’ll get through it together. I also feel that his flirty side wouldn’t really come out to play because he knows the situation you all are in and the least thing he would want is to annoy you when you’re scared. Instead, his cold joke side would come out every now and then to lighten up the mood.

“Did any of you just hear what I did? I feel something or someone is following us. Hey, it’s alright (Y/N). C’mere, nothing will touch you as long as I’m around. Guys, can we not stay here until 8 o’clock? I feel that that’s the time when the zombies come out to get us? Get it? Because it’s ATE (eight) o’clock?”

“Jun, shut it. Why did I have get stuck with you and not Justin?”

“ :(  *insert pouting Yanjun*” 

Zhu Zhengting

Alright, Imma apologise first hand because let’s be real, mama Ting gets easily scared by everything (maybe not heights). So, I feel that while he will definitely help with solving the clues/problems that may occur, he definitely would be the type to scream with you. Not just scream but even be the first to run away along with Zhangjing (we’ll get to him soon!!) But I feel he would also be the mother of the group as in if someone was scared or hurt, he would be the first one to worry about them instead of worrying about himself.

“AHHH MAMA I DON’T WANT TO PLAY!! YOU CAN HAVE MY MONEY!! Are you hurt (Y/N)? Did I accidentally hit you when that npc came? Oh no!! You got a bruise!! *proceeds to kiss the bruise* ”

Wang Ziyi

* note: this is one of the gifs I feel that would fit but I won’t put Ziyi and Xiaogui together don’t worry. They have their own part

Alright, we all know Ziyi is definitely a prince!! NOT TO MENTION HOW SELFLESS HE IS!! Okie!! So, I feel that Ziyi would dare to sacrifice himself *IF IT IS NECESSARY* He would also be the one to carry the group (literally). Zhangjing fell? Time to put him over his shoulder and yeet away. Chengcheng got startled by something that fell? Ziyi would definitely bro hug him, telling him that it was probably the wind. You crying because you were afraid of the dark? He would be there and lend his shoulder for you to cry on. I also feel that whatever physical course they have to go through, he would definitely be the one to do it. Like if they need to grab something from the dark room at then of the hallway? He’ll grab it on his own. Need to go through the air vent to open up a door? He’s on it!! Need to cross from one side to another only with 2 ropes (1 for walking the other one to hold) to pull down the lever for the bridge? He’ll be done in less than 5 minutes.

“Don’t worry everyone. There’s nothing to be afraid of!! This is all so fake. Eh (Y/N), you ok there? Did the npc scare you? Do you want me to scold them? Has everyone drink?”

Xiao Gui (Wang Linkai)

Alright, for Xiaogui, I feel that he wouldn’t be that scared especially when he’s with a large group (NINE PERCENT NINE PERCENT!!). Not to mention that he’s a ghost himself (get it? gui is ghost in chinese, Imma shut up now). Instead, I feel he would be slightly mischievous like Chengcheng. He wouldn’t really know how to figure out the codes but he would be there to scare the pig out of Zhengting. Or even annoy some of his geges, *cough*yanjun*cough*. However, I do feel that he would be the one to hype the group up. Like he’ll start shouting NINE PERCENT NINE PERCENT or even ‘CAUSE WE ARE RULE BREA-KKKK-EEE-RR’ so that everyone wouldn’t be that scared. If he’s with you, I feel he won’t scare you but he’ll be curious to what you were doing that he accidentally scared you. Like let’s say you’re going through some codes on a desk and was so into solving it that Xiaogui suddenly came up behind you, startling you. BUT HE WOULD DEFINITELY APOLOGISE IF HE DID.

“Aiyo wassup. WE ARE NINE PERCENT!!! YOU WON’T SCARE US!! COME AT US BRO!!” 

“EYO (Y/N), what are we solving right now?”

“WO DE LAO TIAN, WO MIAN BAO MEI LE (cue Yanjun looking over). XIAO GUI!! Can you not suddenly show up with no sound whatsoever!!”

“Sorry :(( I have some candies, hope it’ll make you feel better”

You Zhangjing

OKIE OKIE, HEAR ME OUT!! I can so imagine Zhangjing getting scared and snatching one of the npc’s wig like this GIF XD Alright, serious talk, I feel Zhangjing would be as scared as Zhengting; especially when you guys are all in a wide space/area and not so enclosed because I feel that the more enclosed the space is, the less jumpscares would occur. Would definitely be the first to run away from something along with Zhengting or would probably hide behind Yanjung/Nongnong. But would end up accidentally bumping to a wall or maybe of the members or even you and maybe even falling down. Would be the third person to be carried around when they’re running (after you and Zhengting). Would threaten the staff (like he’d face to the cameras) to cut out any embarrassing pictures/videos of him. Would also threaten the members if they scared him (looking at you Cheng and Xiaogui). I can imagine that he, you and Zhengting would be cornered and hugging together whilst the other nine percent be protecting you guys. Would definitely start singing to make himself (and possibly the others) better. Like I can imagine Xiaogui chanting Nine Percent and started to rap then Zhangjing followed by singing.

“None of you better scare me!! I may be smol but I will hurt you if you do. Not you (Y/N). I know that you won’t ever do that!!”

“AGHHHH!!! PLEASE DON’T HURT ME!! I’M JUST A BOY!!”

“Can you not scare us? We, we can sing for you!! FOR FREE EVEN!! What do you want? HEY YOU HEY YOU DON’T PICK ME!! EI EI!! LET THE MUSIC GO ROUND ROUND ROUND ROUND ROUND!! I NEED A DOCTOR!!!”