winterchestnut

[winterchestnut]

• I dislike mischaracterization or misinformation as much as anyone else, but it's just a game. Play with your imaginary friends however you want. If someone wants to bitch at you, block them.

• For any of my posts, keep in mind it's blatantly obvious that each love interest by default will support and love MC/the player no matter what. They're programmed that way. They're also written to be multi-layered and complex. I know. Apparently, I have to spoon feed this to people because you guys keep getting the wrong idea.

• A-OK with yaoi ship of the guys.

[winterchestnut]

Sylus: I think I'm forgetting something.

MC: Morals?

Sylus: No, sweetie. It's something that's actually important.

MC:

[winterchestnut]

Who I think the LADS men are for

Rafayel is for

• the escapism girls

• the romantasy girls

• the “no, it’s not perfect yet” girls

• the “always the artist, never the muse” girls

• the “yeah, i believe in soulmates” girls

• the “i’m my own worst critic” girls

• the “maybe one day someone will appreciate everything i have to give” girls

Xavier is for

• the “i wish i could catch a break” girls

• the “i’m so tired, but i can’t stop” girls

• the “i’ll take a break when i’m finished” girls

• the “oh, i forgot to eat again” girls

• the “i’ll be okay, i’m used to this” girls

• the insomniacs and chronic illness girls

• the “i don’t want to be a burden” girls

Zayne is for

• the “heartbreak songs remind me more of my parents than my ex” girls

• the “you don’t know the violence it took to become this soft” girls

• the “i’ll wait until i’m in the shower to cry” girls

• the burned out gifted kid girls

• the “i’m smart, but not smart enough” girls

• the poetry girls

• the “i don’t understand why i’m not good enough” girls

Sylus is for

• the eldest/only daughter

• the “i can handle it myself” girls

• the “i don’t feel a sense of accomplishment, just a mild sense of relief that it’s done” girls

• the “mature for your age” girls

• the “i’m tired of taking care of myself” girls

• the “my worth comes from my accomplishments” girls

• the “i wish someone would take the reins so i don’t have to” girls

Caleb is for

• the “i had to grow up before i was ready” girls

• the “why are you so loud?” girls

• the “no, i’m okay, what’s going on with you?” girls

• the therapist friend girls

• the maladaptive daydreaming girls

• the “i wish someone cared as much as i do” girls

• the “i don’t think i can do this anymore” girls

nice version

[winterchestnut]

I was skeptical about these outfits, but they're not that bad–as in I thought they were bland or generic "flower child" dresses, like PG made Infinity Nikki and Love Nikki, they could do better for LaDS.

The event one that uses event currency reminds me of overalls but in dress form. A little bit of Dorothy from Wizard of Oz vibes. I think a black bow would look good in the MC's hair.

Veiled Paradise: I hate this one. I don't like bright yellows. The Pikachu evolution line is the only yellow thing I accept. Even my MC looks miserable.

Mist Rose: Are we dead?* I like it. This one is associated with... Zayne. (?) Iirc.

*I'm aware some people are theorizing these memories are symbolic of the afterlife/death for MC+the LI's.

Lilac Drizzle: My MC looks like a very tall flower girl at a wedding. Not my favorite, but the color is nice.

Tidalwoven Petals: Girl looks like she might stomp someone, stab them with her heel, while dancing tango. I'd buy it.

Midnight Bloom: This one is for Sylus's MC, and without looking at the trailer, I could sense that. I have no further comments.

[winterchestnut]

Saw this floating around the former bird app. These are banner predictions for this year. Obviously, it is subject to change should PG/InFold decide to do so.

I don't know. I don't think I'm ready guys./s

Don't come for me.

I skipped the GoT, Zayne solo, Caleb myth, and Lumiere banners because I decided to lock in on Sylus. And the last time I spent money (correction) on a banner was on the cat butlers banner.

You can find blank versions on twt. I made my own notes on what I may/may not want to pull for. The flower banner is cute; I wouldn't mind getting Sylus’s card. But I see a "wedding" banner in the works. 😈

I don't need a real wedding, Sylus. We'll get there when we get there. Just a cute "what if" date would be fine by me, like in an episode of Mirai Nikki, Yuno and Yuki go on a date to a Wedding Expo to try different cake, photography, and wardrobe vendors.

R3 AS would be nice, but there's a second myth card possibly. 👀👀👀 I'll take it.

[winterchestnut]

Okay. But when I try to say xavier needs more appreciation, I get slapped with, "He gets enough appreciation from the CN fanbase" and "The (premiere) Lumiere banner sales were the highest of the myth banners."

Jezuz. Sor-ry for trying to compliment and vouch for a LI that isn't my main. 🙄

Xavier deserves more love.

There! I said it!

The man has loved mc for three life times now, made a deal with the devil (Ever), traveled across time and space, moved planets, lived on Earth for a few hundred years to save / find her, and prevent catastrophe from happening to her, fuck even saving her as Lumiere when she was young.

She is the only one that sees him as himself. As Xavier.

He is kind, and comfortable, and selfless. He deals with immense survivors guilt and loves so deeply.

We talk about Rafayel and Caleb being the yearners and clingers. But have you seen Xavier? He is clingy as fuck, and wants nothing but her. Nothing.

Some fun things I love about him, he has one of the biggest appetites but cannot cook for shit. He is unironically hilarious, when he starts telling his little horror stories or ghost stories trying to scare MC, it’s so funny.

I feel like he gets overlooked so often, partially because he’s not as showy as the rest of LIs. I’m sure some might see him as boring, but he is safe. His relationship with MC is one of closest she has, aside from Caleb. They’re neighbours, and colleagues, and best friends. He is deeply ingrained in her life, and a foundational pilar of support for her.

Put some respect on his name.

[winterchestnut]

Credit: @/Meggadoodle85 on Twitter

[winterchestnut]

you know other dragons?

[winterchestnut]

Sylus and Zayne are certainly for the eldest daughters or only daughters. Can confirm. My mother is the eldest daughter of her birth parents, and she 100% deserves better for all the bullshit she's been through (I mean the man she's currently married to and also the shit my family have put her through).

She might be projecting when she says Zayne is my type. Zayne would be a good man for her. But also, ✨️doctor✨️.

Sylus might be "too dangerous" for her. She takes one look at me on his motorcycle, and she's gonna drop a, "Aba! Anak, Get off that death trap!"

[winterchestnut]

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄 ⋯ 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄

𝐗𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐑

You drag yourself through the door, muscles aching from the day’s mission. Tracking Wanderers had drained every ounce of your energy.

“Welcome back,” Xavier says, his voice even as he glances up from his seat. His eyes linger on your exhausted posture.

“I just need...” you start, but don’t finish the sentence.

Xavier nods once. “I understand.”

Without another word, he rises and disappears into your bedroom. Curious, you follow after a moment to find him arranging pillows against the headboard and smoothing fresh sheets over the mattress. He’s placed a glass of water on the nightstand.

“You had a difficult mission today,” he states rather than asks. “Rest will help.”

You feel a wave of gratitude as he steps back from the freshly made bed. It’s exactly what you need—no questions, no demands for conversation.

“Thank you,” you murmur.

The corners of Xavier’s lips lift slightly. “I’ll be in the next room if you need anything.”

As he turns to leave, his hand briefly touches yours—a fleeting warmth that speaks volumes more than words could. The door closes quietly behind him.

You sink into the bed, appreciating how he knew exactly what you needed without you having to explain. Outside, you hear the soft sounds of him moving around, close enough to be reassuring but giving you the space to decompress.

Just before you drift off, your phone beeps once—a message from Xavier: 

Sleep well. I’ll be here when U wake up.

Simple, direct, but somehow exactly the comfort you needed.

𝐙𝐀𝐘𝐍𝐄

You return to the Hunter’s Association HQ to report your mission. As you close the door, you finally muffle the chaos you’ve left behind. You text Zayne that you need space tonight—just a simple message before pocketing your phone.

When you arrive home hours later, you find the lights dimmed and a note on the counter: “Food in the fridge. Vitamins beside your plate. Take care of yourself.”

You open the refrigerator to find your favorite takeout neatly packaged beside a similar container labeled “Zayne” in his handwriting. A small smile forms despite your exhaustion.

After heating your meal, you sit at the kitchen island, grateful for the silence. The room door opens, and Zayne emerges, apparently just finished with his shower. His eyes meet yours briefly as he nods in acknowledgment.

“Rough day?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

He doesn’t press further, instead moving to heat his own meal. The silence between you isn’t uncomfortable—it’s understanding.

Zayne places two capsules beside your plate. “B-complex and magnesium. You’re probably depleted from today.”

You take them without comment.

He sits across from you, both of you eating in a comfortable quiet. When your phone lights up with notifications, he reaches over and turns it face-down without asking.

“Thank you,” you whisper.

“Hmm,” he hums.

After dinner, he collects both plates. “I’ll be in the office if you need me. No obligation to talk.”

Later, you pass by the home office to find him reading, glasses perched on his nose. He doesn’t look up, giving you the space you requested, but the door remains purposefully open—an invitation without pressure.

When you finally decide to sleep, you find a cup of herbal tea on your nightstand, still warm.

𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐋

You close your apartment door, leaning against it with a sigh of relief. The text to Rafayel had been simple:

Need some alone time today. Nothing personal.

You switch your phone to silent and place it screen-down on the coffee table, determined to enjoy the quiet. Twenty minutes into your peace, the phone screen lights up repeatedly. Despite your resolve, curiosity wins, and you peek.

Flood of messages from Rafayel:

just found the most beautiful pearl today! [photo attached] not as beautiful as you though  do you think it belonged to a giant clam the ocean was perfect btw not rushing you but when you feel better we should go pearl hunting miss your face already cutie no pressure just know i’m thinking of you [photo of a ridiculous sand sculpture that looks vaguely like you] made special sand art for my miss bodyguard hope you’re feeling better take all the time you need but don’t forget come back to me  i love you cutieee

You can’t help but smile at his stream of consciousness updates. He’s respecting your space physically while still sharing his day with you.

Hours later, your doorbell rings once. When you check, there’s no one there—just a small package wrapped in colorful paper. Inside is a beautiful pearl, cleaned and polished, with a note:

For your collection of memories. Take all the time you need, and keep this little piece of the ocean with you. - Rafayel

The gesture is so like him—giving you space while still finding a way to connect. You place the pearl on your windowsill where the setting sun catches its iridescent surface, creating tiny rainbows across the wall.

𝐒𝐘𝐋𝐔𝐒

You text Sylus that you need some alone time because you know how much he values communication between you two.

Take the time you need. Just keep me updated.

You sink into your couch with a sigh of relief, grateful for the quiet. A few hours later, your doorbell rings. The building attendant calls up: “Delivery for you that needs a signature.”

Inside the sleek black box is a soft blanket, a small air purifier, and some fancy tea with a handwritten note: ‘For your comfort. This should help you breathe easier. Let me know if it helps.’

You smile at the gesture and send him a quick message:

Got the package. Thank you.

His response appears almost instantly:

Good. how are you feeling?

You appreciate that he checks in without demanding your time or attention.

Better. Just needed some quiet.

Understood. dinner will arrive at 7.

True to his word, your favorite meal shows up, from a restaurant you mentioned once weeks ago. The note this time simply says, ‘Eat well.’

Before bed, you message him again:

Thanks for understanding today.

He replies quickly:

Your well-being matters to me. Now rest well. I’ll see you when you’re ready.

The message captures exactly what you appreciate about him—he doesn’t mind giving you space as long as the lines of communication stay open. It’s his way of showing he cares while still respecting your boundaries.

In the morning, when you finally feel recharged, you find another small gift outside your door—a sleek new communicator with a note: ‘This one has better reception. So we never lose touch, even when apart.’

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐁

The door to your shared apartment closes behind you with a soft click. You’d texted Caleb earlier:

Not feeling too well. Need space tonight.

His reply had been immediate:

take all you need. I’m here.

True to his word, he’s nowhere to be seen when you enter, though evidence of his presence remains—your favorite comfort foods in the fridge, a freshly made bed, and your laundry neatly folded.

You curl up on the couch, wrapped in silence. Hours pass as you decompress, your mind slowly unwinding.

At 7 PM, a gentle knock at your door. “Hey,” Caleb’s voice, soft through the wood. “Dinner’s outside if you’re hungry. No need to talk.”

When you open the door, he’s already retreated to the other room. A covered tray sits on the floor—your favorite meal still steaming.

Later, as you’re about to tackle the dishes, you discover they’ve already been done. The kitchen is spotless.

Around midnight, you hear the front door open—Caleb returning from a late Fleet meeting. His footsteps pause outside your door before continuing to his guest room. He’s giving you the space in the bedroom reserved for you without being asked.

In the morning, you wake to find your uniform pressed and ready, your boots polished, and a travel mug of your preferred morning drink waiting. A note leans against it:

Hope you slept well. I had to head in early. Take your time today. I already called your Captain to clear your morning schedule. - Caleb

Through the window, you catch sight of him in the distance, his Colonel’s uniform crisp as he strides toward Fleet Headquarters. He glances back once, spots you in the window, and gives a simple nod before continuing on his way.

Based on this request.

I legit had to open the game and check the chats just to see how they typed, lol, so I tried to match the format as closely as possible.

[winterchestnut]

Luke and Kieran: hey boss when’s your birthday?

Sylus: no

MC: hey Sylus w—

Sylus: April 18th, also my star sign is aires, my Chinese zodiac is the rat, my favourite colour is red—

[winterchestnut]

Verdant Haven of Hearts 🍁

[winterchestnut]

If you were to ask me what I think about headcanons or mischaracterizations, I would say,

"Lol, that's entertaining. You do you."

But on a deeper level,

"I Do Not Care how other people want to play with their imaginary boyfriends. What I do care about is how people in this fandom feel the need to police how others interact with a video game that can be downloaded onto a personal device. Duh, these characters have deep, symbolic, and tragic histories all packed within the game's visual, audio, narrative aspects, and SNS extras (X/Instagram/Weibo/TikTok). If you, as the consumer of the video game or fan fic, don't remember all of it, that's 100% on you. What is also on you is your response when someone wants to portray a very specific aspect of the characters' personality.* Let them. If you are not passivley accepting or keeping in mind all of a love interest's personailty as you consume media, of course you're not going to enjoy another person's headcanons, fan fiction, or interpretation. Just shut up and stop acting like you're entitled to an author's work."

Just another way of my saying this, ⬇️

• I dislike mischaracterization or misinformation as much as anyone else, but it's just a game. People will play with these imaginary friends however they want. They're not wrong. You just don't like it when someone doesn't write the love interests your way.

*Yes, I know, we all know. Rafayel isn't just a "pathetic, needy drama queen." Sylus isn't just a "big, stronk mafia daddy." Xavier isn't boring, but laid-back and calm.

[winterchestnut]

Happy Birthday, Sylus.

[winterchestnut]

THE CARRYING KISS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY HANDSOME BABY!!!!

[winterchestnut]

You know what, despite the drama, I have NOT heard of a Single LaDS Player Kill A Cat over a video game. None of that nonsense like, "Sylus/Zayne/Xavier like cats. We must kill the cats 😡 or else they'll steal our husbands," unlike a CERTAIN fanbase that hates their own character and his cat counterpart.

*bombastic side eye*

I know. I was in that fanbase. Not precisely when these incidents happened, but I saw the aftermath and the way they act.

[winterchestnut]

SYLUS: If you were also an art piece, then whoever created you...must have loved you dearly.

LOVE AND DEEPSPACE — Magnum Opus