#the perspective on this. i did not map out. this does not matter

[scoops-aboy86]

I imagine that if Eddie could do magic, he would (as a young teen and therefore a dumbass with a poor grasp of the possible repercussions) try to cast a love spell to make Steve fall in love with him. It's the start of his sophomore year; Steve is just an incoming freshman who no one's really noticed yet, but Eddie is instantly smitten with the impeccable hair, the soulful hazel eyes, and that cute dazed look on his face he gets whenever surprised.

Does he dare even try to talk to Steve? No. Eddie already has zero social standing as a weird nerd who lives in a trailer park and Cannot Sit Still to save his life—which on other people would make them funny class clown material, but for some reason on him makes teachers angry and classmates roll their eyes. Just talking to Steve, Eddie is sure, would be a disaster. And even if he could, chances are Steve is straight and at best Eddie would eventually get punched in the face for admitting his feelings for the other boy.

So. Witchcraft. Chant chant chant, a possession of Steve's dropped in a bubbling cauldron, a blown out candle, and boom.

Only Eddie muffed the spell. Instead of Steve falling in love with Eddie, everyone falls in love with Steve. The spell isn't even strong enough to cause obvious problems; all the girls want him, all the boys want to be him, but there aren't, like, mobs forming over the guy's affection (or lack thereof). Eddie resigns himself to (a) being shitty at magic and (b) never getting Steve.

From Steve's perspective, his whole life changed overnight. Suddenly he's on the map at Hawkins High in a big way. He makes varsity basketball as a freshman, and at the same time is allowed to join the swim team despite the conflicting schedules. Girls are falling over themselves to go out with him. And it's great!

For a while. In some ways.

It gets him his parents' approval right up until November of 1983, when he starts to realize that maybe he hasn't really learned how to build a real relationship with someone, because all he knows is dates falling into his lap and girls looking for the social status that comes with bagging King Steve. That prowess on the basketball court doesn't mean very much when monsters crawl out of the walls and all he has to hand is a baseball bat full of nails. That a girl died in his pool because of a party he threw and him and his friends doing stupid teen shit like shotgunning beers. That the friends he's had since he became King Steve are, actually, pretty much all assholes.

After that first brush with the Upside Down, Steve stops trying to be popular. He stops throwing house parties, drops swimming, stops funding the basketball team's beer and weed purchases, and really tries (with Nancy's help) to buckle down and study.

But the spell is still in effect, so even with all that, everyone still wants a piece of him. He still goes to parties, and whenever Nancy isn't free to tag along there are always girls trying to hang off him, no matter how many times he reminds them that he's already seeing someone. Eventually he gives up, and while he doesn't cheat (he might have dated around a lot, but never with overlap; he is not his dad) he stops putting in the effort to shoo them away.

(Eddie, meanwhile, watches all of this from the sidelines and kind of hates the person he thinks Steve is now. He's not entirely wrong, because the popularity did go to Steve's head for a long time, and there are plenty of ways in which Steve's really isn't a better person for it. But Eddie also isn't close enough to see who he's trying to become now, and he's also still a little bitter in nursing his own bruised heart.)

After breaking up with Nancy and falling in with the Party, Steve starts to get even more frustrated with his lingering popularity. The rest of his senior year is still all girls fawning over him and guys being jealous (sometimes with a nasty edge to it now, like Tommy and Billy). On top of the nightmares left over from encounters with demogorogons and demodogs, it really brings out Steve's bitchy side. He stops dating, stops going to parties, stops trying to achieve in his classes in favor of coasting (and hating that all his teachers let him do it, while picking on kids like Eddie who are actively trying and just not very good at it).

One day, Eddie finds King Steve at the picnic table in the woods, looking to buy weed. Steve doesn't bat an eye when super-senior Munson names his price (double what he usually charges, but it's not like Steve has ever bought directly from anyone before so it's not like he'd know), and says that if it helps him sleep he'll start buying regularly.

Suddenly, Steve is in a slightly better mood at school all the time. He still brushes pretty much everyone off and only hangs out with middle schoolers, but he's nicer about it.

And he starts going to parties again. But he doesn't dance, and he doesn't drink all that much. A lot of the time he doesn't even stick around very long. He'll turn up and people watch, bopping his head in time with the music if it's a song he likes, and park himself by whatever food the party has to offer. Chips, popcorn, the occasional pizza—nothing extensive, most of the kids who come to these parties are there for the booze and the makeout opportunities. Sometimes Steve buys from Eddie if he's there, offers to share joints with him that Eddie, still wary, turns down. When the food runs out, Steve leaves.

See, the weed definitely helps him sleep. It also gives him the munchies, and Steve has sort of gotten into the habit of just... eating. It's not like his parents are around to notice, and Dustin and the other kids don't care as long as he springs for extras so they can have some too. No one at school would dare say it to his face, and somehow it still doesn't manage to fully tank his slightly flagging reputation, but Steve is definitely starting to put on weight.

Then he graduates, and... nothing. King Steve drops off the map.

For everyone except Eddie, anyway, because Steve still buys. And Eddie has started to relax his no-smoking-with-Steve policy lately. Between the weed and the public eye no longer pinning him in a spotlight, Steve has become an incredibly chill dude. He doesn't even mind that he didn't get into any of the colleges he applied to (or any of the ones his parents insisted he applied to either, but that's a more clear-cut relief), something he confides in Eddie around the time they start hanging out outside of sales because his dad is demanding that he get a summer job. Pros include more money for weed (although Eddie has relaxed his prices as well), but cons include less free time. Steve says Eddie can visit him at work though, and he'll hook him up with freebies and discounts.

Visiting Steve at his Scoops Ahoy job is both a visual treat for Eddie and how he finds out that he's basically Steve's only friend his own age. Those shorts, man, and even with the extra weight Eddie still thinks Steve looks great. Everything that first attracted him to Steve (the eyes, the slightly comical dopiness, and the hair, regardless of the little sailor's hat) is still there, plus big hands, broad shoulders, an endearing grin, and just... Steve.

Maybe, Eddie realizes, if he'd never done that spell at all, he could have gotten to know Steve like this years ago. He never feels like Steve's last choice when they spend time together, and definitely doesn't mind that Steve seems to forget how much space he takes up these days and always sits a little too close, whether it's on the picnic table bench or on the couch at Eddie's trailer or in a Scoops booth. Steve is goofy and sweet and a little lame, but he brings his own snacks and lets Eddie talk straight through the Star War movies and the animated Lord of the Rings film, reeling off every bit of trivia and his own personal opinions he can. Every now and then, Steve even goes out of his way to ask questions about d&d and listens to the answers.

Forget smitten, Eddie Munson is in love.

(… Okay, I thought about it some more, here's part 1. Now tagged as #love spell no go au. And there's also a part 1.5, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10, part 11.)

#wg steddie #chubby steve harrington #this started out as a thought but it quickly got away from me #might continue thinking about this later #love spell no go au

[pink-strawberry-kissess]

my separate ways analysis  (spoilers for gameplay, story/plot, characters, aeon)

for my re4r post, click here (it was written without the knowledge of SW so my opinions there may not be the same as here.

gameplay

as many of us anticipated, the separate ways campaign ended up having a lot of the "cut content" from the main campaign

similarly to the original SW, the campaign is a lot shorter than the main one however it does have a few added scenes and similar style of gameplay where Ada runs faster or is faster than Leon and you're also able to travel throughout the map faster with the help of her hookshot

because of the changes between the main campaign and SW, the laser scene, which was given to Ada- which always made more sense stylistically and for her story as well

overall her chapters did seem a bit short, but I think it's this is due to the capacity of the game in general because you're going through the same locations as Leon but you're able to go through it faster so it only makes sense that you go through the areas faster

I do think that there should've been additional time spent in each location but I'm not exactly sure how they could've implemented this (but also with the new locations as a lot of ada's missions were easier than leon's)

ADA'S SOUNDTRACK FUCKING SLAPS SO FUCKING HARD

also WHY WERE ADA'S DEATH SCENES SO MUCH MORE INTENSE THAN LEON'S

ada's campaign is objectively way more fun than leon's

story/plot

what one the main changes from the original campaign and the remake one is the addition of Ada's infection

it made sense to me when we were first presented it in the trailer, however I feel like there was a lot of missed opportunities with her infection

because she ends up just throwing up the plaga after she defeats the "mother" one, all tension essentially is gone afterwards. Because this is so early in the campaign it feels like her infection doesn't really matter, and I guess it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, as we know that she's going to get out of it at some point- but because it happened so early it just feels like there's no tension with this further along in the game

one of my main complaints is that in the main campaign, because we are viewing the mission through Leon's eyes, I think we were free to speculate that he is hallucinating at points during the game.

(this was a way to have potentially added the choking scene if he were hallucinating the entire thing and we wouldn't have seen it from his POV but we would have seen it from ada's.)

And because separate ways was always meant to be a mirror, an alternate side of the game- it would only make sense to have additional scenes that we wouldn't have seen in separate ways

I feel as though even though we did get additional scenes that are from Ada's perspective- they weren't really enough to supplement the amount of scenes that actually cut from in the original separate ways

especially because a lot of the main changes such as ada saving Leon from krauser which was changed to luis saving leon, instead

I still hold the opinion that a lot of scenes that were originally ada's in the original game and were given to luis- and I see a lot of arguments that "this isn't the case" but I find it funny that most of the arguments that I hear from people saying that luis didn't take Ada scenes- are funnily enough from luis stan's

(so i find this opinion to be fairly biased. there were absolutely scenes in original re4 and SW that are strictly ada's that were just given to luis instead. you can not argue away from this, this is just objectively true)

Circling back to Ada's infection, because it was gotten rid of so early on in the game. It removes any sort of tension for any sort of follow up with Ashley and Leon's infection.

many people, myself included along with several of the actors for re4r, have pointed out that in the main campaign when Ashley is miraculously able to lift Leon up onto the chair and cure his plagas- that it is not questioned and it is simply accepted as truth-

one of the potential pivotal changes could've actually have been because of ada's new infection in the remake, she would have to get her plagas removed as well at some point. but because her plagas was different and she was able to get rid of hers earlier it removes this potential scenario to happen

many fans were speculating that because of her infection, she would have to meet up with Ashley and Leon afterwards, and help Ashley to actually put Leon onto the chair so that they could both rid their infections at the same time, and this would've also actually potentially added a aeon scene as well (which would've fit into the narrative without feeling forced) which would really help with the story as well and keep in the infection for longer as well as providing more tension for her health as well

Because the SW remake was changed in some aspects but kept the same in other aspects in ways, (as in it didn't really seem like they were pivotal to the story) it felt as though we were missing more scenes that kept us on our toes. A lot of the things that were changed were rectified fairly quickly and because of this, a lot of the scenes that followed the original beat by beat, felt too predictable and felt like the same

I was left wanting more because all of the changes that were made were fixed too quickly or they weren't really that pivotal and everything that could've changed things weren't added

that being said, i do love the contact lense update as the glasses were a bit much for today's standards, and i could suspend my belief enough for a high tech contact lense in 2004 lol

characters

Ada

although I think a lot of the "criticism" for ada's changes in the remake are in bad faith, I feel like a lot of the changes makes sense with the potential route that they want to go with ada

i've always held the opinion that remake ada was meant to show a fatal flaw and then to have her have her redemption arc as soon as possible. ada was never meant to be evil, she was never meant to be a villain, however people were unable to disconnect her with this idea.

because of the remake highlighting so many aspects of her having a heart and "changing," it really goes to show how much effort they've put into characterizing her.

we have to remember that up until 2011 even, all we really had were these hyper sexualized flirty iterations of ada where she is really just as femme fatale with little regard for the people around her, but people who have seen and played re6 and have actually spent more time with her character has seen her grow.

arguably re6, has always been her redemption arc, but because this happens so late in the series, it's hard as an audience (particularly people who don't pay attention) to really see her be this multi-faceted character.

sure, we have original SW where she essentially spends the entire campaign saving leon's ass, but it lacked a lot of her characterization beyond her desire to keep leon safe and a few quips here and there about the villagers and her interactions with wesker and krauser.

and because i don't want to talk about her voice too too much, i do LOVE ada's voice in SW. it's clear that a few of her lines were fixed in a sense, the audio changes are small but there, but a lot of her lines are adorable and really add to her being more than just a femme fatale.

the colder aspect of her makes sense with her narrative opening, that she had made peace with what she was doing. but that she still questions everything

additionally i do think that her infection was a way to make the audience sympathize with her and make her seem weaker and more human as she's particularly overpowered in og SW imo

Leon

we had very few additional scenes with leon and i was hoping for more but wasn't expecting it, it just would've been nice

the two ish scenes we got with his face were nice lol

Wesker

the changes with wesker being near or on the island were fairly interesting, it makes us question why he was there or if he was just so concerned about it ada's "incompetence" on her mission. the banter between her and wesker about leon was interesting and furthers the ideas that they had much more history that we know of.

I saw a lot of criticisms between the scene where ada passes out and wesker saves her and brings her to the bedroom. And the discourse seems to be somehow shaming ada for "flirting" with wesker despite the fact that I never interpreted as genuine flirting.

It's clear at this point in her campaign wesker has commented several times on ada's incompetent and insubordinate nature and that because she is in a position of being "dismissed " or "taken off the case" or just plainly, "gotten rid of," she resorts to "flirting" as a way to keep herself in a position of power. she knows that wesker finds her unuseful at this time, and sees no real issue with doing this as a means to keep herself safe in sense.

she doesn't fear him, but she is wary of him. but she'll still go against his demands several times.

i thought it was interesting that we could've seen potential repercussions for her ada's. wesker being told about the explosions not all going off and the ability to take down her helicopter, but he decides to let her go anyways.

the "think that gun's gonna be enough?" "interesting..." MADE ME PURRRR HELP

Because we finally have more lines with wesker, I feel like I can appropriately gauge my opinion on his voice now. I thought that I was on the opposite side of things where I held an unpopular opinion of liking wesker's new voice... but it appears a lot of people actually enjoys his new voice far more than the original. i have already stated before that i've never been a fan of the comical voices from before, and obviously due to the controversy with wesker's original VA, it makes sense that he was recast. and it would've felt a bit gross for the new VA to emulate the same kind of voice IMO

Krauser

because of the changes in the remake, it made sense that ada and krauser barely interact, (mostly due to the removal of ada saving leon scene and was changed to luis) so it didn't make sense for ada and krauser to talk. i don't think that i hate this change (the removal of them talking) but it does make this relationship odd because it removes a lot of tension between the two and also makes it so that krauser's vendetta against leon a bit odd

it felt more interconnected in the OG, whereas in the remake it really did feel like multiple stories happening at the same time where they don't connect

Luis

since seeing more of SW and more of Luis (unfortunately) I've started to hold the opinion and I believe that I actually had this prior to SW, I feel the luis' redemption arc and backstory is severely lacking any actualization.

And I think this may actually be because of the additional scenes of luis, that it has been detrimental for his overall story

the more I was forced to see more luis the more I felt like his moral standing and his desire to help Leon and Ashley and Ada, it felt like it was lacking any motivation. His desire to "do the good thing," because it "makes him feel better," has never been enough, and WILL never be enough (for me and some audiences who like to gauge WHY characters do things)

we get the verbal confirmation on why luis is doing these things, but it doesn't align with his actual desire to do the good thing in the end. his redemption arc (to me) seems pointless, and i guess that adds to the pointlessness of his character arc and his unfulfilled desired to really right the wrongs he had already done.

his dying act could serve as his last chance to really do the right thing, but it feels undeserved.

(regarding his connection to nemesis and re3r) sure his bloodshed is "secondhand," but it doesn't excuse what he had already done. i just felt as thought even though we got this expansion of his character and it helped the story of re4r and SW-

his characterization was used a plot device RATHER THAN ACTUAL GOOD STORYTELLING. every time we need something- it's luis. every time there's a problem, it's luis. every time there has to be something ELSE happening, it's luis

he was a plot device MORE than an actual character (and i don't think to praise him for his characterization in this way is THAT GREAT OF A THING TO DO)

AND THAT'S FINE. we were never meant to see more of him in the long term. luis was always meant to die and in the remake, he was at least fleshed out more

but i still feel like it was at the detriment to ada's expansion. a lot of her story was "given to luis" and a lot of her scenes were ALSO given to luis, and you CAN NOT OBJECTIVELY deny this as fact. the fact that these scenes were ORIGINALLY ADA'S in the og and then were luis' in the remake, is an UNDENIABLE FACT THAT THEY GAVE THOSE SCENES TO HIM.

we got more luis, we should've NEVER HAD MORE. this is STILL ada's story. and so much additional luis for the sake of plot felt like a disservice to Ada AND Luis.

THAT ALL BEING SAID I STILL LIKE LUIS. I THINK HIS ADDITION WAS GOOD, I JUST WISH THAT ADA HAD MORE. I THINK THEM ARE COOL AS FRIENDS. still see luis as the gay friend sjkbfsjkf

Ashley

i thought it was weird that ashley had weird npc behaviour for the ashley ada interaction

also ashley had weird 90s yaoi hands and i couldn't unsee it

enemies

WHY WERE THE ENEMIES SO MUCH FUCKING SCARIER WITH ADA

aeon

a lot of people were complaining that the aeon moments weren't as pivotal in this campaign, and while I do agree to some extent, I don't think that they were necessarily required for this remake

this may seem contradictory because of what i had said prior (luis taking ada's scenes) but because of the route that they went, i feel as though the scene where (potentially) ada saves leon from krauser couldn't have been written any other way. because of how they wrote luis to be with leon nearly constantly, it would've been difficult to change this scene.

because ada is much more in the shadows in this remake, we still have some scenes, like the boat and reunion scene. but the eagerness of ada saving leon was seen more as an afterthought than a outright desire like in og

i don't think these are wrong decisions per say but they do allow us to see a progression of ada obviously still caring for leon afterwards as the plot gives us these scenes of convenience. (like ada ringing the bell because she was supposed to meet luis there as opposed to her directly going to the bell to ring it. she still does it, noticing that leon is struggling. which i think is enough tbh)

the changes of the original boat scene having additional dialogue helped to change things, particularly in conjunction with ada's monologue that she did change, just maybe not in the overt ways that leon had expected.

i still feel as though although we lacked a few aeon scenes, it made sense with what we had.

allegedly nick apostolides opted out of saying the "she's like a part of me i can't let go," because he felt as though this line belonged to the previous VA, but i can not confirm this as fact.

i never expected nick to say this line as it didn't appear to fit narratively, however the the "true ending" of SW really showed more wesker than more of aeon which was disappointing but not surprising.

the fact that re4r had an ending with ada, and sw had an ending with just wesker felt blegh.

one of the biggest complaints i kept getting was that re4r retconned aeon. which is just kind of a weird thing because why would capcom retcon a relationship in the second date? we have to remember that re4 has always been their second meeting. they still have damnation, re6 and potentially even more aeon that we haven't see like off screen re5.

one of the biggest things that they criticized was that leon and ada, "fell in love immediately," and they wanted to rectify that with a more realistic interpretation of the ship. this makes sense to me, and although it's a lot more angst filled, we still have to remember this is early as fuck in their relationship.

additionally, i still think that when ada gives leon the rocket launcher at the end, he has a sudden realization that ada had been helping him all along, that she was the one that gave him the one in raccoon city. that the keychain for the jetski was always her making sure that he could get out as well. because TO BE FAIR. he HAD LITTLE WAYS OF ESCAPE. he lost track of hunnigan and his potential route off the island. realistically, leon was FUCKED and he had no way off the island. even if ada didn't give him the key, he was STILL KINDA FUCKED because of the bombs because of wesker.

once the things fall into place, he realizes things along the boat ride, and i think that's also for us as an audience to speculate. older audiences knows that leon and ada see each other again. i want them to see each other again to bridge the gaps.

things to note

SW being made by the same team that did re3r is a bit funny since re3r was a pretty big disappointment to a lot of fans

similarly a lot of people were mad at the $10 price tag for SW despite the fact that this is a additional campaign and was longer than re3r and funner.

OG SW was always free, which is why a lot of people were mad, but like- get fucked dude. if you want to be mad at that, you also have to be mad at the microtransactions in the main campaign then.

SW was still well done, i just have a few things that i thought were lacking.

wesker absolutely had ada's DNA (from the bed scene, i think he also injected her with an inhibitor (of sorts like luis had) but also took something from her, and i think it would tie nicely into a re6r if he and simmons had contact prior to re5.

we still never got to see what was in bob bear kennedy (is that the name? lol)

gameplay 9/10

story/plot 7/10

characters 7/10

aeon 7/10

overall 30/40

i might have additional things to say but that's all i got for now lol

thanks for reading my garbage

and again

“take it however you like it.”

#ada wong #leon s kennedy #leon kennedy #leon x ada #aeon #luis serra #luis sera #jack krauser #albert wesker #ashley graham #re4r #re4remake #re4 remake #separate ways #separate ways remake #re4 #resident evil 4

[oletus-manors-log]

OBSERVER'S NOTE:

" Happy Halloween! To commemorate today's occasion, I wrote something that is associated with the hide and seek mode. Although it was written months ago (as courtesy of my mutuals and how scared they got. Love you, Sam /p), I kept this hidden till today to post it.

This one doesn't involve any particular x reader shenanigans, but this is made in someone's perspective. I wanted to try and write this in her perspective, so I hope I brought her justice. Hope you guys enjoy it, because I have college haunting me this Halloween, haha! "

The Dentist's Swamp

No survivor has spoke of the horrors of Sacred Heart Hospital. For years, that is what she had understood-- or, at least, from her memories alone.

The abandoned hospital was not shrouded in fog like now, nor was it storming every time she came to visit. It was not teeming with danger, with walls showing signs of age- at least, from her memory alone.

No, it was different. Far, far more different than she could ever remember… Or imagine, for that matter.

Stepping afoot in the map now shrouded in darkness, the young journalist couldn't help but shiver. This was not like what she saw in the academy, and especially in her stay with others that resembled her. To her, this was different, and perhaps… Much worse than the last time she came here.

She has heard of rumors floating about, but the most common was the individual people called the 'dentist'.

—This is where the dentist used to reside in. Children go missing when they go to Sacred Heart.

—Really? How terrifying…

Indeed! After all, the only thing that is left here—

"—are children's teeth…" the journalist whispered, her legs moving to head inside the building. The lightning clapped in the sky as a bellowing sound echoed, making her jump.

She was never a fan of stormy nights. It reminded her of something so… Unsightly in her childhood. Something she could never forget, even in her time in the academy.

Step after step, she held the camera closer to her chest. All she needed to do was to get evidence, and then she can leave. That was all there is to it, right?

… So why does she feel her heart race like it'd pop out of her chest?

Clambering up the staircase, she noticed the various words written on the wall.

Get out of here!

The dentist lurks in his swamp!

Where is the truth?

The truth… How bitter.

Arriving inside the operating room, the blonde woman noticed something… Odd. From the sight of the body, it was gone— no sight of it remained. It wasn't surprising for her, but the thing that caught her eye was the jars around the place.

Some were broken as the lid rolled up to her boots, the contents spilling on some that were tipped over in the table. Her eyes widened when she saw what it was.

Teeth.

Children teeth.

Some jars were not broken, but she could see how some of the teeth were rotten. Like it mutilated in the skulls of the dentist's 'patients'.

She could vaguely hear the thunder roar outside, and the soft clink clink of the teeth that met glass shards. Some even jumped at her, making her gasp and shuffle back.

In her panic, she had hit the worn cabinet behind her, making it sway. She turned to see what she had bumped into, stiffening up as she saw what it was.

Then, she sprinted away from the scene.

She could hear the faint shattering of glass, the jars meeting its demise in the dirty ground of Sacred Heart. One by one, the shattering grew more louder than the last, echoing and haunting the journalist to no end.

And then, she hears it.

The eerie soft chimes of the children giggling… And the soft, almost inaudible calling of a man.

She could hear her heart palpating and beating like a drum, making her grow deaf. With paranoia seizing her, all she could think was to flee.

And flee she did.

She turned to leave the hospital, her footsteps growing loud in her haste. She could hardly remember if she had her camera with her, but she didn't care for it anymore.

For she could hear the children scream. Scream for her to leave.

To never be caught by the dentist.

Ah, in her haste to leave the place, she had simply forgot one such clue. Monsters roamed in the hunting grounds of Sacred Heart, not just the famed dentist.

… Which proved to be her mistake.

The Sacred Heart Hospital was a dreadful hunting ground for those that survived, much like the other maps she's seen and remembered. In her stay of Oletus, she has seen many of them fall in this place… And the eerie sounds that come with it.

The eerie sounds are always around. It always was.

Alas, as she reached the exit, she could see the gates close shut—

—Which caused the hands to reach out and grab her from behind.

She let out a muffled cry as she was dragged into the mist, covering the blood curdling screams that came right after.

…

As the mist died down, the exit gates open once more, and what was left in the wake of the 'journalist' was a camera.

… And a doll of Orpheus, marking the day yet another naughty child was 'caught'.

© ᴏʟᴇᴛᴜs-ᴍᴀɴᴏʀs-ʟᴏɢ | 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹 ✧ ʀᴇᴘᴏsᴛs ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ᴀʟʟᴏᴡᴇᴅ, ʙᴜᴛ ʀᴇʙʟᴏɢs ᴀʀᴇ | ᴀʀᴛ ʙᴇʟᴏɴɢs ᴛᴏ ʀɪɢʜᴛғᴜʟ ᴏᴡɴᴇʀs

#✎ . . . 「 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙅𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙉𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙎𝙏 」 ➠ ❝ Alice DeRoss ❞ #✎ . . . 「 𝙁𝙊𝙍𝙂𝙊𝙏𝙏𝙀𝙉 𝘿𝙍𝘼𝙁𝙏𝙎 」 ➠ ❝ drabbles ❞ #identity v #identity v writing #idv #identity v survivor #identity v x you #identity v x reader #idv x reader #identityv x reader #idv x you #identityv x you #identityv journalist #identity v journalist #identityv alice deross #identity v alice deross #idv journalist #idv alice deross

[knightyoomyoui]

Dahyun x M Reader - “Everlasting Love”

HAPPY 50K READS TO THIS BOOK AND HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR JJANG DUBLANGDUNGIE BABY SUPERHERO, KIM DAHYUN! #HAPPYDAHYUNDAY2023💞🎈🎉

New update with a new genre that I'll be trying here for the first time in my book! Pardon me if it's lacking magic, I still did my best to tell and explain the story clear and precise like I always do because that's what it matters the most for me.

Oh, and also. Beware because for sure, some of you while reading this would feel very uncomfy and sensitive at the "backstory" part. So... I have to put another trigger warning for you guys. Don't worry with th story being mixed with angst, because the ending itself anyway will be a fluff!

Lastly, you will be portraying here with a name "Yoon Seo-joon". This is also my first story here that you as a reader wouldn't be required to use your own name. Also, this is going to be narrated in a third-person perspective and one of my longest one-shots in this book.

TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of murder and rape.

A fine Saturday morning has became a start of another busy days for Detective Yoon Seo-joon when he received a duty calls coming from his station who assigned him a new case to work in.

Driving his Toyota Corolla Red 2018, he drove through the location where the said report originated. His car's acceleration slowed down, granting him to peek at the arch gateway that says "Gyeonggi-do", one of the villages here in the city of Seongnam, South Korea.

The guard performed a quick monitoring on him, immediately allowing him to enter when he presented the guard his police badge and license along with his own reason that concerns this place.

He continued to roll the wheel while keeping himself guided by the navigation map. Shortly after, the destination welcomes him as he finally arrived at this one particular spot where he could park his car safely while the person who wants to meet him is just right there waiting for him patiently.

Stepping out of the car, Seojun grasped his keys and took some belongings with him that would be needy in his investigation as he approached the villager anticipating to meet him.

"Glad that you agreed to spare some time for us to meet, detective. I'm Moon Hae-il.", the man initiated a handshake to the official who gratefully accepted.

"No worries, it's just simply part of my job to entertain some clients." Seojun smiled and gave a modest nod. "And I'm Detective Yoon Seojun, the one who will take over and help you with this report you sent to us."

"Thank you so much, detective. We are really in desperate need of assistance about this problem that currently occurs in our neighborhood here." Hae-il said with anxiety in his tone of voice.

"As what the report mentions here, you said that there's an ongoing disturbance being caused by one of the residents here that affects you and the others around here. Mind if you elaborate more? Like, what is this? Is this resident consist of a family who some sort of like fight often?"

"Actually, no detective." Hae-il shook his head, denying the guess. "They aren't a family. In fact, I don't even know how can I tell you this without being sounding... weird."

"What? Why did you think so?" Seojun furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"It's not a they, detective. It's just a single person. A she."

"And where's the weird part there?"

Hae-il didn't replied and instead gulped his throat. He sighed before looking again at Seojoon. "Just follow me please."

Seojoon squinted his eyes as he walked behind Hae-il still trying to process and wonder why does this villager seemed so bothered and nervous discussing about that certain matter. He observes the rest of the citizens who are just peacefully doing their random things while the others are looking at him and Hae-il, probably understanding what they're going to do today.

Hae-il and Seojoon stops in front of a locked huge metal gate that secures what it seems to be an unoccupied manor. The ambience is eerie and quiet, only the sounds of rustling trees, his and Hae-il breaths joining the whip of the cold wind and the gate being unlocked with a twist of the key.

The two entered the property. Seojoon quickly stated his observation at the situation around here. "Why did we just came here without the occupant's permission? Is she not at home?"

Hae-il paused his steps and slowly turned at Seojoon with a troubled expression. "That's the weird part, detective. She's here and definitely even right now, but... we couldn't see her."

Seo-joon became more puzzled, his frown deepened at what the complainant is pertaining. "What?"

"I'm telling you detective that, we are dealing with something paranormal here."

Seojoon's eyes largened as he stared at Haeil in disbelief after hearing that today's investigation to kickoff his new case to solve would be very unique and completely contrast to the previous ones he had before... because this time, the alleged suspect was revealed to be someone who doesn't truly exist anymore but the presence remains unrest.

"Wait wait, hold on." Seojoon chuckled, hands forward as he gestured on Haeil. "You're telling me that you made me come all the way here to ... to do not just an ordinary investigation for a criminal case, but a ghost hunting?"

"I-I told you it would be weird, and I'm not forcing you to help us detective but we would very appreciate if you do. This is something that puts us haunted every single night and we can't live pleasantly not when this keeps occuring." Haeil said, rising intonation of voice gets obvious with the way he's sounding like as if he's pleading for Seojoon to stay.

To be honest, Seojoon was hesitant to proceed with this case; since this is first time that he would face something like this alone and without any colleague to be there on his side; but hearing Haeil's actual condition along with the people of Gyeonggi about this phenomenon is effectively convincing him to learn more about this case and take the opportunity for a new experience to have.

He took this dream job of his with one purpose, and that is to serve and provide the need of assistance to people who rightfully needs it as soon as possible. Declining this case would make it feel for Seojun as if he's abandoning that responsibility and betraying his role that has been smooth and clean since the past few years when he became a detective.

Forming up his final decision, he sighed and looked at Haeil intently as he takes off his notepad and ballpen.

"Tell me more about it."

Haeil huffed in relief and tenderly smiled at Seojoon while clutching his hands together in result of a granted hope. "Thank you so much, detective! This means a lot to us." Seojoon just nodded, silently appreciating the grateful reaction to his service in response.

"So uhm to answer your question detective, some of us who lives near this house shared that they sometimes hear a screaming and wailing with a woman-like sound; which led us to think that the ghost who haunts this house is a woman."

"And they mostly hear it at night?"

"Yes."

Seojoon gritted his teeth, just imagining about it sends chills already down to his spine.

"What more instances they encountered this strange act?"

"Some residents who walked or pass through the entrance would just randomly hear a loud banging from the door, even their children told them that while they're playing few inches away from here, they said they had a glimpse of a shadowy figure of that woman standing in the window." Haeil additionally explained.

"Jesus, poor kids. They must be terrified." Seojoon reacted while he takes down notes in his notepad.

"Indeed they are. They became terrified too. Now barely all of us couldn't dare to stand close in this place, even me... but I don't have any choice. I own this so I had to."

"Wait, you are the landlord of this house and lot?"

"Yes, detective. This belongs to other properties that I own and sell in this village, but ofcourse; this turned out to be my most cursed possession." Haein said in dismay as he glances at the exterior of the structure. "I do admit that I'm planning to demolish this house, maybe to set that spirit free... but what I heard from their stories prompted me to hold it for a while, and that brought me here with you today detective."

"What did the residents mentioned to you also?"

"They said that they can specifically hear only one word throughout those screams that woman creates: help." Haeil said. Seojoon looked at him curiously. "So I figured that maybe... whoever that woman is, she's sending us signal in request to help her about something...

"Justice." Seojoon interrupted. "It's making sense to me now. You summoned me here to take the job by bringing that to whoever this woman who seems to be a lost soul of a victim that either coincidentally took place in your land."

Haein got shocked and nervous. "You're saying that... there's a possible crime of murder that happened here?"

"You don't know?"

"No. I have no idea, I truly believed that my house is perfectly fine and cozy for people who wants to live there... and they seem to be alright without any intentions of murdering somebody and stain blood on my property." Haeil neglected.

"There's more than meets the eye, Haeil." Seojoon reminded. "And looks can fool us anytime, because we couldn't read what they've been hiding deep inside that differs from what they show from the outside."

Seojoon steps closer at the staircase that leads to the door that has been barricaded with planks of wood. "From now on, I'm considering this to be a crime scene. Don't allow anyone to enter this place, I want you to guard this okay?"

"O-okay."

"And also... can you remove these for me? I would like to begin my investigation right now."

Haein got shocked, he went towards Seojoon with fear and worry in his eyes. "B-but detective? Are you sure about this?"

Seojoon released an assuring nod. "I'll be fine, Haein. I won't let myself be harmed not until we help that woman gets what she deserves."

"O-okay, detective. I'll be right back, I'll just gonna go get my tools." Haein excused himself before leaving Seojoon for a while, allowing the tensed yet prepared detective to remember he first set of informations he received that would hugely contribute to the unfolding of this mysterious case.

----------------------------------------------------

"Be safe, detective."

Haeil wished him luck before he lets Seojoon to enter the abandoned manor by himself while he remained outside to wait.

Bringing the flashlight with him, Seojoon switched it on and lights up the areas he peeks into as he began to examine the place. He checks all of the things, even the walls and the floor of every rooms.

The first floor was clear, Seojoon climbs to the next stage but just as he was in the middle of the stairs; he heard something that halted his footsteps and had his entire body shiver.

A sound of a woman humming softly can audibly heard slightly from one of the rooms upstairs.

Heartbeat rising, chest pounding, sweat dripping fast as Seojoon cautiously finished the last remaining set of steps before stepping in the second floor. He listened to the sound again and he noticed that the direction is coming from the left side, at the very end of the hallway.

"God, I pray for your protection. I lend you my trust to lure me away from danger." Seojoon muttered as he performed a sign of the cross before he deeply huffed and slowly trailed the path.

Directing the light to the doorway of the room, he observed that it was narrowly opened. The mix of discomfort and fright builds up inside of Seojoon. He breathed twice before courageously opened the door.

In his surprise as he entered, he didn't expected what happened next.

The famously talked ghost lady of the Gyeonggi village is standing face to face with him, near at the windows; wearing a complete white dress that almost identical to how pale her skin was.

She was standing there, looking straight at Seojoon who froze at what he's witnessing.

"I see you've been looking for me." the ghost lady said before she timidly smiled.

"H-holy shit, she's indeed here..." Seojoon whispered as he fell in the ground and stumbled at his movements while keeping his eyes in horror at her. The rumors in this village were true, because of that Seojoon has literally encountered a ghost for the first time in his whole life. The paranormal is real, he thought.

"W-wait! Don't go!" the lady pleads as she quickly slammed the door with an extraordinary force, preventing Seojoon to leave. "I won't hurt you, please."

"I-I won't, I swear. You don't have to do... that." Seojoon said while trembling, stunned at what the lady just did beyond natural in front of her. "I just came here to help and t-to look for you."

"H-help?" The lady repeated, unsure of what she just heard.

Seojoon nodded. "I am. The villagers called me here to investigate about your recent unusual activities that brings them unsettled, and we figured out that you must be in desperate need of help."

The woman suddenly choked in her tears as she covered her mouth. "H-help... oh my god, they heard me. They finally did."

"Yeah... and I'm here for you not to wait any longer. I'm here to offer you assistance by solving this case of yours. I just want you to do the same for me." Seojoon calmly replied.

The woman nodded and sniffed out her tears before wiping them off. Seojoon felt his heart ached at the sight of this poor woman. He didn't expected to feel this amount of sincerity and awfulness for whatever this lady has gone through that led her to be like this because of some horrible demise she faced before, especially when he couldn't disagree that this lady looks very pretty and carefree.

"I-I will help you. That's the only thing I want. I didn't intend to scare anyone, I just don't know how if I'm like this." the woman traced her appearance.

"I understand, and that's good to hear that you'll be cooperating. We'll solve this together, alright?" The woman nodded.

"I'm Detective Yoon Seojoon, what's yours?"

"D-Dahyun. K-Kim Dahyun."

The detective smiled in satisfaction, finally learning the identity of this ghost lady. "Nice to meet you, Dahyun. Standing here, meeting you personally... you don't look actually horrifying at all as what others might claim to be."

Dahyun removed her hands away from her face to look at Seojoon clearly while showing a little smile of appreciation to his compliment. "I like it, detective. Thanks for the kind words."

He looked at his wristwatch to monitor the time. "I guess this will do for now. I have to go home now, Dahyun but trust me, I'll be back here tomorrow to officially start investigating this case. Sounds good?"

Dahyun nodded her head and gently smiled. "It is. Goodbye and... thank you so much for doing this, detective."

"Just getting the job done, Dahyun. You're welcome and goodbye." Seojoon reciprocated Dahyun's smile before he opened the door and turn around to see Dahyun who is just watching his departure while still standing nicely in her position.

Seojoon left the manor with surreal feeling at everything that happened within a span of hours in his entire weekend. To summarize, he just opened up to volunteer a new case, arrived at the place where he met his client who informed him that it wouldn't be just a normal case... but rather a paranormal related one which is a first to his career and lastly, he freaking just met the same ghost lady that the village talks about and formed an alliance with her to find out who's behind of her mysterious death.

"Detective, how did it went?" Haein said as he hurriedly stood up from sitting in one of the rocks outside.

"I got enough of what I need for now. I'll return here tomorrow, so leave the door unlocked only for me, okay?" Seojoon commanded. Haein nodded in compliance.

The detective bid farewell as he rode his car and drove back to the police station where he slumped his head on the steering wheel for a moment to sink in everything that he confronted today before entering the said place.

He went to his office, placing out his notes and began typing on his computer to search for articles involving the disappearance of Kim Dahyun.

He did found some results and discovered that her friends filed a missing case 5 years ago, and the place that points to her last whereabouts was the exact house Dahyun's spirit remains trapped.

Due to this, it made Seojoon conifident that the house had a dark past that no one were able to know before; and the only one who can revisit despite how tragic and devastating it may be has to be the victim herself for the sake of closing the case in good terms.

Few days later, Seojoon returns to the village to visit the house and arrange another meetup with Dahyun. He couldn't help but to find it strange that he's literally talking with a ghost for an interrogation.

As he reached the front of the room where he saw Dahyun last time, he viewed her sitting on the floor and just staring weakly at the window, her arms placed atop of her knees.

Seojoon became aware of how lonely and exhausted Dahyun must've been day and night sending help to anyone who couldn't even see her with naked eyes while trapped alone.

This house became her prison for 5 years, and Dahyun doesn't deserve none of it. She just wants to be free, and Seojoon became motivated to do his best to grant what she desires.

"Hi, Dahyun." Seojoon greets her carefully, not wanting to surprise her and ruin her moment of silence.

She turned around, faced Seojoon and slowly stood up in which she greeted her back. "You did came back, detective."

Seojoon nodded. "I'm a man of my words."He strolled around the room and checked the furnitures and the interior design. "So yesterday, I did some research about you."

"What does it say?"

"There were news about your disappearance but it wasn't ruled that there's a killing involved. Your friends reported that to the police." Seojoon said, placing his hands on his pockets. "Do you remember some of your friends?"

Dahyun's face lit up. "Y-yes! I do, there are 8. Some of them were my classmates from the same campus, others aren't."

"Can you give me their names?"

"Im Nayeon, Yoo Jeongyeon, Hirai Momo, Minatozaki Sana, Park Jihyo, Myoui Mina, Son Chaeyoung and Chou Tzuyu." Dahyun enumerated. "But of all them though, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu were my first found and closest friends. They're the ones who introduced me to the rest."

"Noted that. I'll consider it." Seojoon said as he wrote at the notepad. "Later or tomorrow, I'll try to look and visit for their home address. I would like them to be part of my interrogation also, especially that two."

Dahyun nodded and hummed knowledgeably. "Y-you're going to talk to them..."

"I am."

"T-then, can I ask a favor?"

Seojoon looked at Dahyun curiously. "What is it?"

"Can you ask them what do they have to say for me now that I'm g-gone...?" Dahyun stuttered. "I don't know... I just want to know if they still can remember me these days." She frowned, lowering her head.

Seojoon approached Dahyun, he was going to grab her shoulder in comfort but realizes that he couldn't touch her due to her ghostly figure, so he brought it down and just looked at Dahyun warmheartedly as much as he can to convey his emotions.

"I'll ask them, and expect their messages once I return. I know they haven't forgotten you yet, Dahyun. You seem like a really great friend to have with, and your memories that you created with them will definitely always be there in their heart and mind... because you cemented yourself as one of the person who became a part of their life."

Dahyun raised her look and stared at Seojoon breathtakingly. She found his look to be calm, kind and comforting that were willing to be expressed solely for her who needed it on her toughest times.

"Don't be sad, Dahyun. Be positive, please. If they are unlike to what we expect them to be, we wouldn't be able to solve this case once and for all."

Dahyun traced her dress and stood straight to compose herself, erasing the uneasiness she feels from the overthinking she did. "O-okay. You were right. I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Seojoon then glanced back at his notepad.

"Dahyun, you said you couldn't remember what happened to you right?"

"Yeah. I have no idea, but I could describe that I don't feel like I belong here."

Seojoon squinted his eyes and cupped his chin. "Hmmm... I have my theories gathering up on my mind, but I'll save that for now. What's important here is that we continue to push forward with the progress and soon, we can finally unveil what led to your disappearance, Dahyun."

He inserted his notepad and ballpen back in his pockets and walked back at the doorway, but Dahyun called him from behind. "Detective!"

"Yes?"

"I just want to say that... I trust you a lot, because you've been such a good person to me. Take care as always, please."

Seojoon grinned at Dahyun and tilted his head away to avoid showing how obvious he got fluttered at her uplifting words.

"Y-yeah. You are too, Dahyun. And thank you for that, you truly encouraged me to keep on working hard." They both smiled and stared at each other for a while until Seojoon regained his senses back after being too indulged with the ethereal sight he had.

"I-I'm going out. See you again, Dahyun."

"Bye, detective."

Seojoon exits the room. As he makes his way downstairs, he grasped onto his chest while he reflects about this undescribable feeling that fills upon his heart.

Meanwhile at the same time, Dahyun viewed the scenery out of the window while having your image stuck in her head as she couldn't help but to think about you in sudden.

-----------------------

The next day, Seojoon left his house early. It was supposed to be a continuation of his investigation that he'll manage immediately but after the realization last night via phone call he received before he sleeps, he reconsidered his schedule for today by visiting a familiar place first.

Seojoon was granted access to get the gates openes up for him, he drove the car inside and parked. His arrival stole the attention of someone close to him who lives in here. As he hopped out, a little girl sprinted out and jumps on Seojoon with glee.

"Seojoon oppa!"

"Hi buddyyy!" Seojoon squatted to match her height as they hugged at each other.

"I missed you, oppa. Where did you go?" The kid frowned, making Seojoon guilty for his msitakes.

"I'm just too busy with work, buddy. I may disappeared but I never forgotten you, okay? It's just that my visit turned out to be earlier than I expected because you gave me a call last night."

"Sorry, oppa. Did I distracted you-"

"No, not at all Dahye. Don't think like that. Dahye-ssi will never be a disturbance to Seojoon-oppa. Got it?" He said while gently wiggling both of her arms.

Dahye giggled adorably and nodded back at her big cousin. "Are we going to play today, oppa?"

"If that's what you want, then let's go!" Dahye cheered happily while exclaiming a "yay!" sound as she loved spending a funtime with her beloved cousin and brother-like figure.

Seojoon stood up and holds Dahye's hand. They were about to enter the house when a middle-aged man appeared, blocking the way as he watched him and Dahye cheerfully walking together.

"Seojoon, you came."

"Hello, ahjussi." Seojoon bowed respectfully on his uncle.

"I didn't even know you'll be here. How are you doing these days?" He asked as the two were now closer at each other.

"I'm good. Busy as usual, I got a new case in hand." Seojoon answered. "But it looks like your daughter here couldn't wait anymore. She wanted to meet me sooner than later." He ruffled the girl's hair and cuddled her beside...

"I can't blame her, she always mentions you everytime while asking me when you will come back. Weeks ago wasn't enough, I suppose. She loves you so much that's why she enjoys being with you always."

The uncle stepped aside as he guided him and Dahye to enter the house. "Come in, boy. Did you have breakfast?"

"Not yet, ahjussi."

"Perfect. Join us to eat on the table! Right at the time, I bought many ingredients from grocery yesterday so we have more to eat today." His uncle says as all of them sat in the dining table while the maids served the foods one by one.

----------------------

In the midst of his playtime with Dahye, Seojoon checks the time on his phone in which brought him to stand up and pull out the keys from his pocket. The kid saw his actions and recognized what he's about to do.

"You're leaving again, oppa?"

Seojoon tightlipped at Dahye sitting on the floor, frowning while hugging her doll. "I'm sorry, Dahye-nah. I still have work to do for today. Oppa can't stay here long." he said apologetically.

He noticed her burying her face on the fluffy head of her stuff toy to hide her sadness. Seojoon sighed and goes near at the sulking Dahye.

"Your birthday is on next week, right?"

Dahye didn't respond, but that didn't stop Seojoon from sharing what's in his mind for that day.

"I'm treating you outside, you can pick whatever you want to do. Oppa is going to catch up with you, okay? We're going to celebrate your birthday without any rush." Seojoon suggested.

"You're sure, oppa?"

"Yeah. I don't want to make my sweet little princess' birthday incomplete without having me you know?"

Seojoon watched her gloomy face slowly reverted back to a delighted mood as she leaned her face away from the dool and looked at him. "Okay, I can't wait oppa!"

Relieved that he managed not to upset his beloved cousin, Seojoon hugged Dahye and kissed his crown. "See you on your birthday, Dahye. Oppa has to go now. Bye!"

"Bye, oppa! Thank you for coming!"

Afterwards, Seojoon bids farewell to his uncle as he enters his car and read his notepad, keeping him reminded of the task he had to be done before the day ends.

With the help of one of the teams in the department who are in charge of tracking down locations, Seojoon was able to receive the address where the names Chou Tzuyu and Son Chaeyoung currently lives, which transported him to the city of Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

Seojoon came in the front of the right house he's supposed to pay a visit. He clicked the doorbell and waited for anyone at home to entertain his call.

Fortunately, there's one. It was the girl named Chaeyoung who is wearing a plain oversized t-shirt and some jogging pants like a typical house attire. She holds the door as she observes the appearance of Seojoon standing in her doorway.

"Hello and good morning, my name is Yoon Seojoon. I am a detective."

"What can I help you with, detective?" Chaeyoung nonchalantly asked.

"I'm came here to ask you some questions about the disappearance of Kim Dahyun. Your connection with the victim led me to you, miss Son."

Chaeyoung gasped as she glared at Seojoon in bewilderment. Her grip on the door shuddered a little as well as the emotions getting into her after hearing that name from somebody for such a long time, might as well coming from the police itself.

"I-I'm sorry, I'm not interested to talk about it."

Chaeyoung was about to shut the door, but Seojoon attempts to prevent it by calling her again not to let go of her attention. "Wait! Miss Son, I came here to help. Please, perhaps... you may want to take a look at this."

Chaeyoung glanced back at Seojoon, who is now offering her a piece a paper. She takes it and discovered it wasn't just a paper, but something more that holds dear in her heart.

"I got this from my research. I know you and Dahyun were close friends and... I hope I can convince you through this to cooperate with me. I know you're just like me who wants to explore more about Dahyun's case."

Listening through his voice, Chaeyoung could tell that the detective was sounding very genuine and optimistic; exactly what she needed back then when they were anticipating for anyone to take her friend's case seriously.

She looks back at the picture. It shows her, Tzuyu and Dahyun in a beach all doing a pose together. "You're right. This one's special to me. It was our first getaway trip when we were only three in our group at that time." Chaeyoung expressed a bittersweet recollection.

"I-I'm sorry, detective. I-I... just couldn't believe someone... someone in the police would revisit and take control of my friend's case. It's been 5 years and up to this day we're still begging for her justice, and here you are..." Chaeyoung said as she started to tear up. Seojoon respectfully remained silent to let the girl spill out the burden that's been dragging her down since Dahyun vanished.

She sniffed, swiping her tears that ran across her cheek as she spreaded the gap of the door further to give way for the detective. "I-I'll talk. I'll answer your questions. Please, come in."

"Thank you, Miss Son." Seojoon bowed courteously.

"Just call me Chaeyoung."

As Seojoon stepped in, Chaeyoung closed the door and shouted somebody's name who is also present with them. "Tzuyu! We hve a guest!"

"Coming! Who is it!"

Tzuyu walked out of her room and the sight of Chaeyoung with a stranger greeted her. "Uhh..."

"Good morning, I assume you're Ms. Chou Tzuyu. I'm Detective Yoon Seojoon, in charge for the missing case of your friend, Kim Dahyun."

Tzuyu's eyes widened in surprise and all she could do was to look at Chaeyoung who is nodding her head to make her understand the situation abruptly.

------------------------------

"Is this where Dahyun lives?"

Seojoon asked as he presented the picture of the abandoned manor to Chaeyoung and Tzuyu. The two peeked at it and seemingly distinguished the content.

"Yes, but that wasn't her own." Chaeyoung answered. "She doesn't live there alone nor have her family with her actually."

"Her parents died when she was in highschool at that time. Her relatives took the responsibility of raising Dahyun but if we're not mistaken, she left them because they were strict and not kind-hearted." Tzuyu added.

"She approached us and we learned about her situation. We offered her help, she did took it appreciatingly. It didn't last long, however."

"Dahyun told us that she wants to try surviving on her own, so she applied for a part-time job as a maid to earn allowance for her studies."

Seojoon wrote all of the key points in his notes. "So, Dahyun lived in that manor temporarily as part of her requirement as a maid?"

"I guess so. She never invited us to visit her place to hang out, but we did brought her there once when we all came home together from class." Tzuyu replied.

"I see." Seojoon muttered. "Wait, so if she's a maid, then technically there has to be the original residents of that manor whom Dahyun works for. Do you guys know them?"

"Not specifically. We never got to see them up close." Chaeyoung shook her head. "But I do remember that Dahyun mentioned once that it was a family, and she takes care of a little girl who is the daughter of that family which she befriended with."

"Yeah, she always admire that kid, calling her cute, how bubbly she is and more." Tzuyu continued. "Well, Dahyun loves children, that's why."

Seojoon smiled at that information. He found a similarity with Dahyun in which he could relate with. "Alright, last question. When was the last time you saw her?"

Chaeyoung and Tzuyu's face demeanor transformed into a dull and bland one. It had Seojoon perceived that it wasn't a happy memory that Dahyun left for them before her unexpected disappearance. "It was at the campus. We were eating street foods outside when suddenly Dahyun just received a notification coming from that family I guess.", says Chaeyoung.

"She didn't told us what happened because she quickly said goodbye and ran away to us, but she did revealed it the day after through our group chat."

"What did she say?"

"She told us that she couldn't come with us because she's grieving along with the family while doing her job to serve the visitors on the funeral."

"Wait, come again?" Seojoon pursed his head forward and stared deeply at Tzuyu with knitted eyebrows. "A funeral? To who?"

"She said that the little girl she's taking care of died in an accident. The family didn't took it very well, since it was their only child... especially the father who always wanted to have a daughter."

Seojoon's heart ached at the story. It truly hurts him whenever he finds a child being in an inevitable danger that none were deserving to be part of. He huffed in the air for a second before drinking the glass of water that Chaeyoung and Tzuyu offered to him before they started the interrogation, in an attempt to erase the horrible what ifs of having Dahye getting put in that kind of scenario.

"Are you okay, detective?"

"Y-yeah, sorry. It's just... I'm sensitive on hearing kids being on unfortunate events, whether it costs them life or not." Seojoon cleared his throat and fixed his composure. "And whatever happened to Dahyun that will tie us to these information you lend to me, I couldn't be much more devastated for her too."

He stood up from his seat and presented his hand. "Thank you so much again for your cooperation Miss Tzuyu and Miss Chaeyoung. You two don't know how big of a contribution this is for the solving of Dahyun's case. You guys helped her again as usual."

"What can we say, we loved Dahyun more than just a friend. She was like a sibling, a sister to us." Tzuyu said. "And wherever she may be today, I hope she's at peace."

Seojoon tightlipped and looked away at Tzuyu for a while. "Not yet, but we'll get there... soon." he whispered.

"Uhm, before I go... can I ask one more thing?"

"What is it detective?" Chaeyoung pondered.

"If Dahyun's watching us today, what do you guys want to say to her?"

Chaeyoung and Tzuyu looked at each other before sighing heavily. "Dahyunnie, if you can hear us, we just want to say that... we miss you everyday. A lot."

"Just the little things we do together, we revisit it frequently as our way to remember you. And... o-oh God, it's still so hard for us to not have you on our side anymore. Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, the girls weren't still used of your absence, Dahyun-ah. Your contagious laugh, your positivity, your wholehearted personality. When our shining light was taken away from us, it felt like we're forever living in a colorless world; and we wouldn't be contented accepting that fact forever, Dahyun.

Thank you for existing in our life as our friend, tofu. Someday, when we all fly up there; we'll get to see each other again and reunited, and we will all have fun together just like the good old days where nothing can go wrong that will separate one of us from each other anymore. We couldn't wait for that to happen."

Chaeyoung and Tzuyu couldn't contain their tears as they sobbed harder at their longing messages for their bereaved friend. Seojoon got teared up at their bittersweet and emotional words. He expressed his sympathy by coming up near to them and enveloped them in a comforting embrace.

-------------------------------------

Dahyun was overwhelmed and touched at what Seojoon informed to her about what Chaeyoung and Tzuyu wanted to say to her in the aftermath of her passing. Seojoon is once again frustrated and dismayed that he couldn't get to hug Dahyun to make the consolation easier, as all he could do was to watch her cry out loud while their messages sink into her.

Seojoon also told her about the new informations he gathered regarding a piece of backstory of her past life and the manor she's locked into. That helped Dahyun to regain some memories of what she had when she was living and shared it to him right away.

Seojoon and Dahyun's conversation went longer than expected, as Seojoon just listened to Dahyun's stories about how she and the girls first met, how they supported her for the decision of taking the job and the experiences she had as a maid; in which she enjoyed because of the same reason as what Chaeyoung and Tzuyu mentioned: the little girl.

Dahyun described that she felt like a big sister she never got the chance to be for her own family because she never got a sibling. Although, the happiness didn't last long for their bond when Dahyun became one of those who suffered from the death of that girl, and possibly led to her own downfall.

As she was finished talking, Seojoon made it fair by inserting another topic for her and Dahyun to converse with. Each time passes and it was all worth it, they were too indulged with their interesting interaction that they never even gave a damn anymore for now at whatever that is happening outside the manor.

Dahyun enjoyed talking with Seojoon, for the first time since being a ghost she never felt confined and alone. Same as what could tell for Seojoon to himself, Dahyun is indeed a very entertaining and nice to hang out with. He has never been this happy to anyone else other than her cousin Dahye.

As of now, Dahyun and Seojoon were both laying down on the floor, staring the window that relfects the sunset outside. They just took a little break from the non-stop talking they had.

"Dahyun."

"Hmm?"

"I just wanna ask, if I fail to spend more time with my loved ones; does that make me a horrible person?"

Dahyun looked at him who is still steadily watching from afar. "What makes you say so?"

"I don't know, I just envy you. You get to set time for your friends while being occupied with your duty of taking care that girl and focusing on your studies. You manage to maintain yourself available and flexible while me... I couldn't do it properly."

Seojoon sighed, he sat up and tangled his arms around his knees. "I always believed that work was always the most important thing that keeps me alive. I wasn't like this before. I thought having friends or family is the one thing that makes you motivated and dedicated to keep on living for another day, but instead every single one of them abandoned me."

"I only had my work who stayed by my side, so I became even more hardworking and busy. None of people around me could keep in touch with me that would surpass an hour. In short, I'm too insufferable and boring, and I couldn't care less about it."

"Not until when suddenly I got to meet with my remaining relatives. I got uncle and my little cousin. Her name's Harin. I didn't know that when I got to be close with them, especially her... I began to reconsider things. To spend more time at other things than work. And I found Harin to be very valuable and special to me."

Dahyun witnessed Seojoon as he started to choke and sniff, sign of her impending wails that's urging him because of the increasing emotions he's trying to endure. "But I was left confused in the end. Why does when I started to change for myself and for her, the world would just randomly chose to fuck my fate after? That she has just became one of the people in my life who will just instantly left me after pouring my love and care to them."

Seojoon cried harder on his knees. Dahyun sat upright and looked at him worriedly. "After she died, I never tried to the fullest to allow time with other things than work. But these days, it scares me that when Dahye got to be closer to me... if I let myself get attached to her too, she would just leave me just like the rest of them."

Dahyun nodded understandably at his reasons. "So do you mean that, it's what that holds you back from meeting her often?"

Seojoon nodded. Dahyun hummed and sat near beside Seojoon. "Everything is meant to happen, Seojoon; and I hate to say this to you but, that's what I could tell the same for your family, friends and Harin."

"But, just like what the saying says. when a door closes, another one opens. Opportunities are endless, Seojoon. And you must take it bravely because you wouldn't know when would that be given to you again. It could be just once and Dahye could also be the last, Seojoon."

"I say, you should not resist or restrict yourself after what happened to you. Don't take it as a failure, Seojoon. Let that be an encouragement for you to keep moving forward and continue what you love to do, and that is to become something meaningful in others lives.

Sometimes, things that disappear were meant to be replaced. It all leads you to Dahye, and just like what I said Seojoon. Life is unpredictable, you don't know if everything that we have could be our last. So, I suggest you should continue expressing yourself to the fullest of being a loving cousin for Dahye... before either she won't exist no one enters your life anymore as much important as her.

Seojoon wipes off the tears in his eyes and looked at Dahyun, agreeing at her advice. "I understand now. You're right, Dahyun. I'm sorry if I had to say this to you..."

"It's no problem, Seojoon. I'm grateful that you treated me to be a trustworthy person who you can reply on opening up your problems you couldn't share easily to others, and I'm glad that I could help." Dahyun grinned.

Seojoon shortly smiled at her humble statement. He straightened his seating posture, extending his legs to the floor with his hands supporting his upper body. He glanced at Dahyun and wandered around her facial features The unspoken feeling that distracts him is detectable again to him.

"Hey, enough crying. Cmon, follow me. Let's do one more thing before you go home." Dahyun hurriedly stood up and gestures him to do the same.

"What is it?"

"You'll see. Hurry up, slowpoke." Dahyun giggled which brought Seojoon to chuckle at her adorable antics.

Dahyun walks out of the room and Seojoon followed her from behind. They reached downstairs and went at the widest room in the entire section, located at the very end next to the living room.

"Sit here." Dahyun said after she sat at one of the chairs of the piano which includes to one of the things that were left unmoved here in this house.

Seojoon and Dahyun are now sitting side by side, facing the piano altogether. "I remember how much I loved playing this piano when I was still living and serving my time here as a maid. I mostly spend my free time improving my piano skills."

"You know how to play piano?"

Dahyun hummed. "Yup! I dreamt once of becoming a successful musician... or a pianist, you know. Piano has became my favorite musical instrument so tonight, let me console you by playing one of my favorite pieces for you."

Dahyun puts her hands on the keys and starting pressing the notes to the rhythm with the use of her supernatural force to suppress weight.

The more she keeps on playing, Seojoon slowly recognizes the music she's performing. Not wanting to be left behind, she joined Dahyun by singing the lyrics of the song she's playing on the piano.

Even if it's a dream, I like it Tomorrow, I'll be there Even if you're not That's okay, I'll remember you Little by little Our memories piled up I will always keep them As they were

With my eyes only I know it won't pass onto you So I'll give back your heart One by one

Dahyun on the other hand, was astounded and enlightened at how admiringly beautiful your vocal was. "Woah, you know this too?"

"It's my favorite too."

The two beamed a smile at each other before they proceed to sing-along the night away together with the calming instrumentals to left their day with a positive mark.

As the song ends, Dahyun and Seojoon applauded each other as both were impressed at each other's talents. While Seojoon fixated himself, Dahyun grabbed his attention by speaking up to him.

"This has to be the best day I've ever had so far, Seojoon. Thank you for staying with me."

Seojoon looks at her and smiled before his face sprung up as he recalled something.

"Oh wait, I got something for you."

He pulls out in his pocket and showed it at Dahyun. The latter covered his mouth in awe.

"They gave this to me in return of what I showed to them earlier. I just thought you would like to see these for yourself, since these are your photos taken by them."

"Woah, these looks so good. Chaeyoung and Tzuyu really are the best on capturing photos in our trio." Dahyun chuckled as she adored her images on your hand.

"Yeah, they did great. You look so free and gorgeous in these similar to how can I see through you right now."

Dahyun heard what Seojoon muttered under his breath. Their stares matched and drowned once again at the charms each of them possesses. Her blush grew rapidly not only from the fluttering words she was acknowledged for, but also for Seojoon himself.

"U-uhh, I'll be leaving now, Dahyun. Good night to you." Seojoon bows and smiles at him before he walks away from her, exiting the manor while she was left alone, stunned and amazed at the possibility that Dahyun might've fallen already for the good-hearted detective.

----------------------------------------------------

Back from serious business, Seojoon returns to the village the next day and searches for the landlord Haein as new inquiries spawned into his scarlet web of thread that would be nearly tied to the center of attraction, and that is for the awaited revelation behind Dahyun's disappearance.

Seojoon is standing behind Haein who is scrambling through his wooden cabinet where he keeps all of his documents stored in one place.

He asked a while ago if Haeil could still remember who was the last proprietor of the manor where Dahyun probably got killed. Haeil responded through the use of all the might he has left for the sharpness of his memory that it was indeed belongs to a middle-aged man.

He forgot the name, but as what he could remember; he has one family member with him: a daughter, matching Chaeyoung and Tzuyu's claims. But there was one thing that struck Seojoon.

A new clue. The man is a single father. Haein depicted that when the man signed the contract, he doesn't have any woman he could tell if that's his wife or what. In fact, he never even saw him had a woman that could stand as a mother for the little girl.

Seojoon heard that the landlord mentioned about the contract, he suggested Haein to look for the copy where he was answered that he still has all the papers with him.

And that's where they at right now. "I got it!" Haein exclaimed as he raised a paper on his hands. He closed the cabinet and placed it on his desk. "There. That's the last contract of agreement I had for the manor before it was left unoccupied for years."

Seojoon examined the paper and flipped the pages. The third and last paper is where the signature and the printed name of the owner could be found.

As he reads the name of the identity of the last owner, Seojoon's eyes largened in shock. He felt like the world turned upside down as he piercingly stared at the paper.

"H-how is this possible..." He murmured as he rubbed his mouth with his hands in utter disbelief.

"What's wrong, detective?"

"N-Nothing." Seojoon frantically shook his head. "Can I borrow this? This would be very useful for an evidence."

"Sure, take it if you want detective. I won't mind." Haein shrugged.

Seojoon nodded and quickly barged out of the landlord's house. He entered the car and slumped at his seat, facing the paper back in front of him as he combed his hair in astonishment.

"Yoon Guimhwi..." He reads the name of the last occupant under the property of Haein's.

"I-It's my uncle's... does he have secrets that he's been hiding from me?" Seojoon asked to himself before he drove away.

He arrived minutes later at his uncle's residence, perfectly timed where his cousin wouldn't be around since Dahye is at her class. He want this to become personal and private, just the two of them for him to suspect his own uncle.

"Seojoon!" His uncle greeted him as soon as he appeared at the front door. He kept his stoic and observative mask worn around his face. "You're too late! Dahye is not here."

"It's alright. I wanted to see you this time, uncle."

"Ah is that so? How thoughtful of you, Joon. Then come in, let me get you some. What do you prefer? Food or drink?"

"Juice would be fine enough. Thanks uncle." Seojoon replied.

Uncle Guimhwi went to the kitchen to prepare, leaving Seojoon alone in the living room to standby and make himself feel at home, but that's not what he came here for.

He roamed around and viewed the frames of his uncle and his cousin, until there was one thing that caught him off track.

Seojoon stepped forward and traced the picture further. The eyes never lie. He's literally seeing clearly, and he doesn't know whether to deny or accept what he just discovered.

The structure of the manor is the background of the family picture of his uncle along with his cousin, photo taken in the daylight.

This just confirmed more for Seojoon that his uncle must have a huge part of his investigation. It was unexpected and a coincidence, but that's not what it matters for him. He's going to try something that would measure his truthfulness in front of something he wasn't aware of that could place his innocence in judgement.

"Joon! You can get your juice here, boy." his uncle called him from behind, bringing along a pitchel full of orange juice and some glasses.

"Thanks, uncle." Seojoon grabbed one and poured himself a drink. He returns back to face the painting and make himself obvious for his uncle to notice.

"You miss her. I know."

Seojoon heard his uncle's comment. That wasn't the one he's waiting to hear from him, but he wouldn't dodge such a painful fact. He does miss his cousin a lot.

"I do, but... can I ask you something uncle?"

"Go ahead."

"You lived here in this manor before?"

His uncle sipped a drink before responding. "Yeah, we stayed there for 3 years until we relocated here."

"Where was this located?"

"At Gyeonggi, if I wasn't mistaken." Uncle Guimhwi stated. "The neighborhood there was so kind. I wish I could pay them a visit someday."

Seojoon keeps on listing secretly on his mind. "Why couldn't you?"

"Some things are best to left behind, Joon. There's a lot of bad history I had there in that manor. I wouldn't last to witness that place ever again if I get the chance... but it's better for me not to take that at all." Uncle Guimhwi said.

"Wait, are you referring to the missing case of... wait, what's this name again- Kim Dahyun?"

Seojoon observed his uncle who stopped midway from gulping another cold beverage in his glass. It's like he just installed some flashbacks within him that he just malfunctioned.

"Y-you know that?"

"I do. Researching helps plus hello, I work at police department as a detective, uncle." Seojoon blurted.

Guimhwi started to act weird by rotating his head as if he's trying to find something for him to say regarding that matter.

"A-ahh. Right, yeah. You are." Guimhwi nervously chuckled.

"That manor was the same place where that Dahyun girl was reported to be missing. Do you know her, uncle?"

The intensity of Seojoon's playful act to corner his uncle becomes even more intense as he enjoys watching him struggle to reply. His suspicions were now being constructed and Seojoon couldn't believe that he would've get to confront his uncle for being the unthinkable type of person he never knew would turn out real.

Guimhwi remained silent for a while before he glanced at the manor. "I do. He was our previous maid. Dahye and her gets along really well. That's why when I noticed that she wasn't appearing for days and become absent in our manor, not knowing that would be the start of his missing report by the police; I was worried and saddened for her and for Dahye. They were like bestfriends and Dahyun... Dahyun is a great girl, Seojoon. It breaks my heart not to see that kid for a long time now."

"I heard from our department that they're going to reopen the case, if you will be asked to stand as the witness; would you allow me to recommend you?"

Guimhwi swallowed a lump on his throat before speaking up to what his nephew told to him. "I-I'll think about it first. That's undebatable."

Seojoon clicked his tongue and pretends to pull out his cellphone for some urgent reason. "I'll be back, uncle. I have to chat my colleague."

"Take your time, boy."

Seojoon walks away from his uncle and stopped near the door. He pressed the note icon and types down everything he heard from his uncle. He saved it for later there and not on his usual notepad so that he wouldn't be seen too obvious that he's actually investigating his uncle. This has to be included for review and analyzation back on his house or at the station later.

-----------------------------

Two days later, Seojoon was mostly devoted on investigating further about the sudden involvement of his uncle about Dahyun's case. It's making him conflicted and befuddled that after all this time, one of things he'd be looking for the case was someone very close to his life, and as of now his role is very crucial here.

His uncle has just become one of the primary suspects as the culprit of Dahyun's death.

He doesn't want it to be true, because he doesn't know what would it affect him once it does. Being a police detective, learning that there's a murderer or a killer that is highly related to you feels like a stain to your career and background as you hold your family's name along with the rank of your profession.

Seojoon was busy adjusting all of the clues he has with him when he received a phone call from his cousin Dahye.

"Hello?"

"Oppa." Her voice sounded weak.

"Dahye, what made you call in the middle of the night. You miss me already, don't you?" He chuckled as he closed a folder in his working table.

"Oppa... please come here. I don't wanna go."

Seojoon slowly furrowed his eyebrows after he heard that plead from Dahye. "What do you mean you don't wanna go? Is there something wrong going on there, Dahye-nah?"

"Oppa... appa wants us to look for new home. I don't know why but... I don't want to be far away, oppa. I love it here. Stop appa please."

"Okay okay, I'll be right there. Where is appa right now?" Seojoon asked, hurriedly wearing his detective coat and some equipments with him in case it gets handy. He has to beware, his uncle is a suspect and the suspicions he has on him are still on the top and through Dahye's emergency call, it maintains that level of the risk he has.

"H-he's with the maids, packing our things. I have to go, oppa. Appa might see me."

"Just try to be stubborn and fight back against appa's instructions. Seojoon oppa is on his way now there!" He said before ending the call and left his apartment in a dash.

Driving his car in a fast speed while keeping it steady to avoid any unlikely accidents that may be a hindrance to his chase, Seojoon successfully made it to his uncle's residence.

Just as he arrived, he saw Guimhwi trying to calm down Dahye who is forcing herself to escape from his father's grasp as she's being inserted inside the car.

"UNCLE!" Seojoon shouted, marching closer at Guimhwi who was surprised at his emergence. Dahye quickly ran at him and hugged him on the leg as she cried.

"Seojoon-ssi, what are you doing here?"

"Where are you guys going? And why are you forcing Dahye to go with you? The kid doesn't look pleased, uncle. What's going on?"

"It's none of your business. Y-you won't understand, Seojoon. Take care of yourself, but me and Dahye has to look for a new home somewhere."

Guimhwi tried to approach Dahye but she hid behind Seojoon who is gesturing his to stop. "No. Why can't you tell me why? Your home here seems fine, what's bothering you uncle?"

His uncle went silent as he avoid Seojoon's intimidating gaze, waiting for his answer. As he has no comment to offer, Seojoon starts to choke from the heavy breaths escaping in his mouth driven by the emotions increasing deep inside of him.

"U-uncle, yesterday... I asked you about the manor and if you have knowledge about the case of Kim Dahyun..."

"W-why does it concerns you, Seojoon?!"

"BECAUSE I'M THE ONE WHO HANDLES THE CASE!" Seojoon shouted at Guimhwi. Dahye started to cry behind him. " And you LIED! All of what you said was a LIE. Is that why you're doing this, uncle? Is that because, you feel guilty of what you did... that's why you have to escape and brought a child into this?!"

"How d-do you even know that I told you false information, Seojoon?! What makes sure, that you could just accuse me without any evi-"

"Dahye's not the actual child Dahyun took care of when she was working for you, isn't it?" Seojoon's lips began to twitch. "The case was 5 years ago, Dahye is only turning 6 this year, uncle. She wasn't even born during that time!"

"The girl she took care was your daughter, your ORIGINAL daughter, uncle. Harin was Dahyun's responsibility." Seojoon pointed. Guimhwi was just standing there, head lowered down with fists curling, enduring all of the blame being thrown at him.

"June 12, 2015. You must be on the manor at that day. Why? Because that was 2 days ago after Harin died. You stayed in that manor all day with Dahyun, assisting you while you grieve at your only daughter's death."

"And now, I have to confirm one thing... and I want it to hear it from you, uncle."

Seojoon adjusted the phone in his coat in which he secretly opened the audio recorder to record their conversation tonight, and to caught the suspect's reactions about his claims.

"What did you do to Dahyun on that given night?" Seojoon sharpened his tone, sending chills through the horrified and extremely tensed Guimhwi.

"Are you the one who killed her?"

"..."

"TELL ME!!!"

Dahye cried harder and Guimhwi flinched at the deafening scream by Seojoon.

Tears streamed down in his face while he stares at his uncle that has been cornered and put into hot seat, getting his innocence doubted.

"S-seojoon...

I'm sorry."

Guimhwi didn't answered in specific, but the obvious meaning behind those words were enough to shatter Seojoon's heart and soul.

"N-no... Dahyun..."

He gave in from his stance, collapsing to the ground and slowly sobbed in pain as Dahye hugged him on the back.

--------------------

5 DAYS LATER

The case was now closed. His uncle, Yoon Guimhwi was found guilty and sentenced to more than a decade in prison after he admitted publicly that he was the man behind the slaughter of Kim Dahyun's disapperance, which was caused by murder. He did it at the same room where Dahyun usually stays in the manor, explaining why is it the part of the house that is haunted the most by her spirit.

Dahyun's body was found and surprisingly, it was buried neatly on an open field somewhere in Daegu. On a positive side, atleast his uncle was right and spoke the truth about his explaination on why he did the crime.

But still, that won't change a thing that it was a horrible act to do. He hurted Dahyun for a very obssessive reason. He killed and wasted her dreams because of that. He left Dahyun locked in that manor, hoping that she'll get to cross into the gates of heaven where her soul rightfully belongs.

A proper funeral has been held for Dahyun's remains. All of her friends visited and send their thank yous at the detective for bringing Dahyun the justice she deserves.

Seojoon decided to stop at the manor where he would be visiting Dahyun again. It's been days since they haven't seen each other. She must've felt bored and lonely again, and Seojoon misses her so much already as much as she does.

"Dahyun."

Seojoon called her name after he stood in the doorway. Dahyun was just laying down on the bed with her hands placed atop of her midsection, the same posture as how deceased people were formed inside the casket.

Dahyun gets up from the bed and looked at Seojoon with a huge smile on her face. "Seojoon!" She walked closer to him as fast as she could.

Seojoon got to face Dahyun closer. The two were standing in front of each other, gap were just inches away.

Seeing her after knowing the fate she had that costs her life was too much for Seojoon to control.

"How are you?"

"I'm good, just feeling a bit weird. I feel... more alive and at rest since yesterday." Dahyun described. "It feels like I have nothing to worry about. Like, everything's going to be okay for me even though I'm still here... trapped in this manor for god knows how long."

Seojoon speculated that the completion of the case gave an impact on Dahyun's state as a lost ghost in this mortal world.

He smiled softly and didn't wasted any more time to announce her the good news. "I-It's done."

"Hmm?"

"The case. It's now closed. We caught your killer, Dahyun."

Dahyun was shocked and overwhelmed with joy and relief. She gasped, staring at Seojoon unbelievably. "R-really?"

He nodded. Dahyun jumped in glee and lets out tears of joy in her dazzling eyes. Seojoon admirably watch her celebrate victoriously, it's been a long time coming for her and finally she was able to achieve it.

As soon as Dahyun stops, she noticed that Seojoon was shuddering as tears bursted out from him, hissing and whimpering at the emotions taking over him.

"W-why are you crying, Seojoon? We did it, right?"

"Y-yeah. We did. I'm just so happy for you but I..." Seojoon blew some warm air before proceeding. "I just couldn't help but to feel bad at myself."

"Why? You didn't do anything wrong though?"

"I don't... I-I'm just ashamed to show up myself for you after what I learnt."

Dahyun looks at Seojoon curiously. "Why? What is it?"

"D-Dahyun... forgive me. I didn't know... I didn't know..."

She held her wrists and looked at him worriedly.

"You didn't know what?"

"I- I didn't know that my uncle killed you."

Dahyun was stunned. She froze in front of you, what you just told her immensely shocked her to the core.

"W-what?" Dahyun said, stepping back a bit from him.

"I wasn't close with my uncle at that time, so I never got to know about you. I-If only I did met him and you, pay some visit here earlier, m-maybe I... I could've done something." Seojoon said, shaking his head in regret and guilt. "I wanted to save you, Dahyun."

"H-how did I die?" Dahyun asked him, both were weakened and hurt.

"You were strangled to death... at this very same room we're standing in. He did that after y-you tried to escaped." Seojoon began to explain what his uncle shared in the court. Dahyun's head suddenly starts to ache as all of the memories were now flashing back from her all at once, allowing her to have a glimpse of the last moments before her unfortunate demise in the hands of Seojoon's uncle.

"Y-you did that because... you couldn't stand staying there on that manor, living while raising a child that was completely forced and unplanned for you to have." Seojoon proceeded. "You gave birth to Dahye due to the consequences of Harin's death. My uncle's obssession of having a child in replacement of Harin has what brought uncle to rap-"

"STOP!" Seojoon flinched and looked at Dahyun who is covering her head and ears as she kneeled, body curled on the floor as she fought the pain of regaining back her lost memories that were mostly full of tragedy and darkness.

"Dahyun?" He called her name to check up on her. Dahyun was also crying like him. She removed her hands on her head and looked at Seojoon who is concerned for her.

"I-I remember it all now." Dahyun spoke in the midst of her sobs. "That man needs to pay for what she did to me. Your uncle deserves to burn in hell!"

Seojoon didn't say anything as he just listened to Dahyun's rage and agony. "M-my daughter... I remember her. I can even sense her somewhere. She's alive, I can feel it."

Dahyun went closer towards Seojoon. "S-Seojoon, w-where is she? I-is she okay?"

He nodded, Dahyun smiled through her cries. "She's with me. She grown up to be such a great girl. And I just noticed that... she just looks almost as you."

Dahyun was touched and happy at the news. She cried harder, hands clasped as she prayed for the Gods feeling grateful that somehow her daughter was able to survive and able to continue living the life that was gifted to her.

"Her name..."

"Dahye." Both of them said it at the same time.

"It's as wonderful as her mother's." Seojoon muttered and stared deeply at Dahyun before he looked away as the connection he has with his uncle made him uncomfortable to look at Dahyun straight in the eyes.

"A-are you mad at me, Dahyun?"

"Me?" Dahyun was confused. "Why w-would I? You said it yourself, you have no idea what cruel and disgusting your uncle was."

"Don't be regretful about it, Seojoon. Don't blame yourself just because you have a relative who disobeyed the law opposite of the oath you took for your occupation. It might affect your reputation as a detective, but don't let it distract you from the fact that you're the one who arrested him and sent him to jail on your own. That cements your faithfulness and unbiased principle for the sake of the law and truth."

Dahyun smiled sympathetically at Seojoon. The two had each other's eyes in contact. She grinned brightly, making Seojoon eased and stable from his overflowing emotions. "I won't hold anger, hatred or vengeance from you. It's all done, I am now free... and it wouldn't be possible without you."

They paused on talking when Seojoon noticed that Dahyun's figure started to become blurry as she starts to slowly disappear. "D-Dahyun... you're-"

"I know." She nodded. "My time is up, I see."

Seojoon dreadfully looked at Dahyun after she said it.

"But before I go... I want to say this to you that I've been keeping to myself from the first day that I got to talk with you more than just my case, Seojoon.

Thank you for choosing to help me. You did it, and I'm so proud of you. Those made me even love you more ."

Seojoon starts to cry as he finally tried to touch Dahyun to hug her, but sadly he really couldn't do it. His body just went passed through Dahyun's. He became infuriated, pounding his fists at the floor.

"N-no... no, even you?!" Seojoon exclaimed. The fear of being left by someone who became dear in his heart happened again, and it hits Seojoon different because for the first time; he gets to be romantically in love with a woman despite being only the ghost of herself when she was existing like him.

"Can I join you too? I don't want you to go. I love you too Dahyun." Seojoon begged as he kneeled in front of Dahyun. She squats and leveled Seojoon's sight.

"You can, but not for now."

Seojoon looked at Dahyun. "You still have purpose to fulfill in this world, Seojoon... and I want that for you to do me a favor. Take care of Dahye for me. In the future, when she grew up and you feel that she can stand on her own now... I will just be up high above, waiting for you. And we can finally enjoy our everlasting love together there."

Dahyun formed a heart gesture to Seojoon as only a quarter of her figure is now left visible. Seojoon nodded and tapped his chest, making Dahyun happy and fluttered.

"See you on the other side, Seojoon."

That was Dahyun's last words before she vanished in thin air, as Seojoon watched his soul flew out of the window and go upwards into the destination where she can finally rest in peace.

The next day, fulfilling his promise to his stepcousin Dahye; he treated her outside for her birthday as a way to make her special day fun and unforgettable. It was also to distract her from the fact that her father is currently behind bars, Seojoon doesn't want to kid to know yet that his father is a killer.

After Seojoon bought ice cream for him and Dahye, he observed that Dahye was looking at a fast food restaurant where a birthday is being gathered. She saw the kid who is the celebrant along with her father being taken pictures by the guests.

Seojoon went near Dahye and kneeled beside her. He presented the ice cream at her, she accepted and said thank you to him.

"I wish appa is here with us." Dahye said as she directed her gaze back at the party. "Why couldn't he come, oppa?"

Seojoon sighed and pouted, thinking of a way to answer the kid's question. "Because... appa did something wrong, and he has to fix it. That's why for now, I'll be here to become your guardian."

Thankfully, the kid seems to take the explaination nicely. "I'm just jealous, oppa. She has her father with her on her birthday, but I don't."

Dahye frowned and sadly licked her ice cream. Seojoon smiled and swayed some strands of hair behind her ear. "You can call me appa for today if you want."

"Are y-you sure oppa?!"

"Yeah. Since I'm your guardian and I'm the one in charge on behalf of appa, I can stand as your father-figure too, Dahye. You can call me that as much as you want too." He shrugged. "Do you like that?"

Dahye smiled and nodded. "Yes, appa!" She replied as she hugged Seojoon afterwards. He shut his eyes as she indulge the comforting sensation of having his beloved little girl delighted in his company.

Seojoon became determined to grant Dahyun's wishes, and that is to raise Dahye and teach her to become a wonderful person just like her mother.

----------------------------

35 YEARS LATER

In one of the hospital rooms, sounds of cries from the visitors and a flatline from the heartbeat monitor can be heard as the patient who is confined there was just announced his time of death by the doctors who failed to resuscitate his life.

The woman is being comforted by her boyfriend, as she cried harder while grasping the lifeless hand of his father.

"I'll be here for you Dahye, stay strong. You heard him and I don't want to fail him either." the boyfriend said as he rubbed her back, revealing to Dahye who is now an adult and is in her 30's who just suffered a huge loss for the passing of her beloved stepfather and veteran detective Yoon Seojoon at the age of 65.

Meanwhile, Seojoon's newly ascended soul awakened in a foggy ground covered in crystal clear water in a very shallow height.

He slowly raised himself and looked around, where he could only see nothing but baby blue sky.

Noticing that he's in his younger appearance and wearing all white long sleeved shirt and pants while barefoot in the water; he walked ahead at the unknown until a gate standing tall supported with golden bars of fences to defend and guard of what it seems to be an evangelical town appeared out from the fog.

There were two guards who noticed him. He walked through them as they stood their ground with all confidence.

"State your name, lost soul." The guard who's holding a long golden trident asked him authoratively.

"L-lost soul... that means I'm truly dead...?" He whispered to himself. He knew what happened to him but he couldn't believe that this were all happening to him in reality.

"Y-Yoon Seojoon." He said cautiously.

The other guard on the booth flipped the pages of what it seems to be an enchanted book. "He's cleared."

The guard snapped his fingers and the padlocks of the gate went poof out of the air. It opened wide after and the guard stepped aside. "Welcome to the heavens. You may now enter."

Seojoon looked at the guard amazedfully. He walked inside, a white beam suddenly appeared in his body that expanded into a thread that leads to somewhere.

"W-what is this light attached on me?"

"It means that there's another soul here who is waiting to see you. Follow the way and you'll find out." The guard answered.

Seojoon nodded and continues walking. He travelled his eyes around at these unique and surreal surroundings. Everything looks unearthly, magical and spectacular.

He kept following the direction of the white beam connected to him until it came to a pause where he saw the the other end of it. It passes through the walls of a lovely looking house.

As soon as he stepped into the pathway, the door opened. Seojoon's eyes widened too when Dahyun showed up at the door looking at him tenderly.

"D-Dahyun..."

She went out of the house and placed her hands on the back. Her classic black long hair and white dress. She looked simply breathtaking and magnificent just like the first time you've seen her, and seeing her in heaven, there couldn't get even more excellent than this.

"Welcome home, Seojoon."

The two slowly walked towards each other until they closed the space between them and catched theirselves in a warm, longing and blooming embrace. Seojoon teared up as he saw Dahyun's body wrapped in his arms.

"I can finally feel you." Seojoon said as he stroked her silky smooth hair.

Dahyun smiled, feeling grateful as him. "How was your time down there?" she asked.

"It was worth it. Your lessons has what made me feel alive with purpose. And Dahye, she's in good hands now."

They seperated and faced each other dearly. Dahyun was pleased that she can finally get a touch of her lover's attractive face as she cupped it with her small cute hands.

"She had grown up to be a wise, independent lady, thanks to you Seojoon. Thank you." Dahyun nodded and sniffed at her tears. "And now that you're here, we can finally be together whenever we want and start our relationship for all time...

"... always." Seojoon took the turn to finish her words. "I love you, Dahyun."

"I love you too, Seojoon."

Both of them smiled and locked their hands together.

"Unnie! Where are you?" Someone shouted from the house. They both heard it and got alarmed, Seojoon was surprised at the familiar voice.

"There's also someone you would be very glad to see." Dahyun said to him.

The door opened, and Seojoon broke down with more tears as he saw the owner of that voice standing in front of him looking very much alive and enthusiastic.

"O-oppa?"

"H-Ha... Harin..."

"OPPA!"

Her cousin ran at him and Seojoon greeted him with a tight embrace. "Harin... Y-You're here... oh thank God, oppa missed you so much..."

"I missed you too, oppa."

He grabbed the back of his head and kissed her repeatedly on the top. Dahyun was touched at this wholesome scene.

Seojoon stood up and holds both Dahyun and Harin's hands. They formed a circle and Seojoon looked at them admiringly as he finally got reunited with the most cherished ones who entered in his life.

Back on Earth few days later, Dahye was the last person who remained in front the grave of her parents, Dahyun and Seojoon after the funeral ended.

She stared and grieved on their resting place one last time. Dahye pulls out her wallet where it contains the pictures of her and Seojoon and the old picture of Dahyun that serves as her only kept remembrance of her when it was shown to her by Seojoon as he explained to her about Dahyun being her biological mother before.

Dahye sometimes imagines what would it be like if they were a complete family, and she can experience how it feels to have a mother's love.

She looks above the skies, a bittersweet smile displayed in her lips. Dahye securedly holds the pictures into her chest.

"I hope you two are having fun up there. You two deserved it. Rest in peace, eomma and appa."

At the same time in the immaculate heavens far away from the mortal world, Seojoon and Dahyun were playing their favorite piece together in the piano as they sat beside each other while her head is on his shoulder. Harin is on the floor, listening with them while she's coloring her book.

When the song ends, Dahyun leans away and looked at Seojoon lovingly; and the two shared their first ever kiss empowered of nothing but an everlasting love they can exchange for one another on their new life in the eternal paradise called heaven.

#twicedahyun #dahyun #kimdahyun #twicedahyunxmreader #twicedahyunxmalereader #twice #twiceoneshots #twiceau #twicefanfic #twicedahyunoneshot #twicedahyunau #twicedahyunfanfic #kpoponeshots #kpopau #kpopfanfic

[tmbswhodunit]

WHO DUNNIT TMBS CHALLENGE - Don't Grow Up Too Fast

“Ugh!”

Rhonda stomped down the steps angrily, plopping down on the penultimate one and sitting next to Milligan. He raised an eyebrow at her, looking up from where he was repotting some daisies. The flowers needed more space to grow, and it was high time he completed the task.

“‘Ugh’?” He fought to keep a small smile off his face, as the eight year old still looked adorable, even in her fit of righteous fury, and tilted his head curiously.

“Mr. Benedict is being such a dad!” She exploded. “He won’t let me help with the tests, even though Pen gets to. He keeps saying he ‘doesn’t want to involve me in such matters while I’m so young’, as if I didn’t pass those same tests last time!”

She continued raging against this horrible injustice while Milligan quietly listened and resumed tending to his daisies. After a few minutes, she flopped into his side, having run out of steam.

“I just don’t get it,” She moaned, “I don’t understand why Dad won’t let me help. I’m smart enough! I did pass the tests after all, and I’m plenty brave. What’s wrong with me? Why won’t he let me help?”

Milligan was silent for a moment, thinking.

“Rhonda,” He began slowly, “Has it ever occurred to you that Mr. Benedict may be trying to protect you?” He really wasn’t sure how to explain the whole situation to a child, especially one he had only known for such a short time, but he thought that perhaps this would give her a new perspective.

“Of course he’s trying to protect me!” Rhonda threw the arm that wasn’t currently curled around Milligan’s into the air. “That’s all he ever does. But I can do things! I’m not a little kid. And Penny—”

“Now,” Milligan interrupted, somewhat thrown off by how swiftly Rhonda had understood the situation, even if her young emotions had a hard time coming to terms with it. “You know how your sister feels about her name.”

Rhonda heaved a dramatic sigh and slumped back against the stairs. Milligan privately thought it looked rather uncomfortable, but she was committed to it now.

“Why doesn’t she just go by ‘Pen’ like I said? No one’s going to ask her what it’s short for.”

“Nevertheless, she has asked us to call her by the name she picked out.” Milligan got up from where he was sitting, moving around the yard to place the freshly transplanted flowers. He had mapped everything out beforehand, and it ended up looking rather nice.

After a few seconds, Rhonda let out another enormous sigh. She stood up and began following Milligan as he worked, standing just at his elbow as she watched.

"Do—" She paused, “Do you think I shouldn’t be allowed to help with the tests?”

Milligan stopped, considering. “Rhonda,” He began slowly, “I think that you should be allowed to stay a child for as long as you can. And I think Mr. Benedict would agree. He only wants to keep you safe, and I think that you should respect his judgment on this matter.” He cocked his head, glancing back at her.

“I’ll respect him,” Rhonda grumbled, “But that doesn’t mean I have to like it! I want to help; I want to know all of the secrets. Tell me more about what you get to do on missions.”

And so Milligan began to share his stories, picking ones that he thought would both intrigue the small girl and dissuade her from attempting to join in until she was at least a little bit older.

It was dark by the time he finished with his yard chores, and Rhonda was seated on the railing of the stairs, swinging her legs. She perked up upon hearing a door shut from inside the house, leaping off the railing and calling over her shoulder, “Hurry up, Milligan, they’re back!”

They had only been gone since late that morning, but to Rhonda it had seemed like ages.

She raced into the arms of her older sister, hugging her tightly. “I’m glad you came back.” She mumbled. Then she pulled back slightly, looking at Mr. Benedict, “You too. Even though you won’t let me help.” She released Number Two and hugged her dad.

“Well, I’m certainly happy to hear that,” Mr. Benedict gave her one last squeeze before letting go and kneeling down to look her in the eye. “Do you understand why I don’t want you to help with the tests quite yet? I will always explain it to you, but I feel as though there is some other reason you might be having a hard time accepting things.”

Rhonda tilted her head to the side, considering. “I’m not sure. You say you don’t want me to have to grow up any faster than I need to, which I can kind of see. I don’t understand it, but I’m going to respect it.” She shot a quick look at Milligan, who was just coming through the backdoor, still wiping dirt from his hands.

Mr. Benedict nodded, seeming proud of her for some reason. “That’s a very mature decision to make, my dear. Thank you for your trust in me, even though you may not understand my point. I promise there will come a time when you will, and we can talk this over then if you wish.”

Smiling, Rhonda nodded. “C’mon, P— Number Two, come look at the flowers Milligan potted today!” She waved excitedly at Number Two and raced around Milligan, out the door he had just come through.

“She’s never going to let that nickname go, is she?” Number Two sighed, but she had a fond smile sneaking onto her face as she followed.

And so the two sisters went out into the backyard, grinning and laughing and dancing among the flowers and exchanging stories about their days. Mr. Benedict and Milligan watched from the window, and as the night breeze blew, every one of them was content.

#tmbs #the mysterious benedict society #who dun it mbs challenge #and another one is sacrificed to the poll gods #:3

[cosmic-d1ce]

please do a song analysis for fml please im so interested 🙏🙏🙏

Okay Christmas Kids FML we go this is long

So first, actual song is about a real couple. It's about a man that kept his own wife hostage, I believe he went so far as to have barbed wire around their home to keep her from leaving. It's very interesting

Right, so, we start with the first few lines, "Ronnette, my dear, don't ever disappear. Do what you want as long as you stay here" and it's pretty obvious what it's saying. As long as you stay, I'm happy. And that's a big part of how fml!Forever manipulates Phil, he relies on him for happiness and stability and maybe if Phil just listens, Forever won't be so unstable and erratic and self-destructive.

"I need you now, I love you so much, more than you could know" More of the manipulation, guilting Phil into staying by convincing him that he's needed and loved, because this is how Forever shows love. It's fucked up and weird and Phil hates it but Forever needs it, he needs him. It works so well because Phil always just wants to be needed and wanted.

Then, possibly my favourite line in the song, "The Christmas kids were nothing but a gift" and this is referring to the eggs. Richas specifically. How Forever uses Richas to make Phil want to stay. He takes advantage of his parental instincts and how much he misses Chayanne to keep Phil here. He wouldn't leave Richas, would he? Just like he left Chayanne? He can't. He wouldn't.

Second favourite line, two best lines back to back, "And love is a tower where all of us can live" The prison is a place they can be together and be happy. Fml!Forever genuinely believes this is good. He believes this is love, Phil just doesn't understand it yet and all he's trying to do is make him understand. Understand how much he has to be loved for someone to do all this just for him.

And then the chorus,

"You'll change your name, or change your mind, And leave this fucked up place behind. But I'll know, I'll know" talking about Phil leaving, taunting him because no matter what he does, he will find him. He will get him back. There is no where he can go, nothing he can do that will make Forever stop. And Quesadilla Island is only so big. And they can't leave. Forever knows where he'll go, what he'll do, because he's been watching Phil for so long. He can predict pretty much every move Phil makes.

"I'll know" repeats a lot.

"Appearing unsightly, with devils inside me" When Forever, for a moment, sees what he's doing for what it is. This moment of clarity doesn't last long, and the song continues quickly.

"If you ever try to leave me, I'll find you, Ronnie" repeats 4 times. Forever threatening Phil, letting him know that he really can't leave. Even if he somehow finds his way out of the cell, Forever will find him and bring him back. Always. Not only that, but the threat of what Forever would do in response to this. He'll find him... and then what? Take him back and make sure he won't do it again.

The second verse comes from Phil's perspective but the first line is a bit confusing,

"I'm leaving, Phil, I'm leaving now. I'm going to escape and you won't know how, Or where to find me when I'm gone" Phil, in the start of his imprisonment, tried to find any opportunity to escape. He tried everything. Killing Forever, killing himself, running for the door when Forever wasn't looking, running the moment they were outside. He did everything and he tried so hard and the whole time he promised himself he would get out. He'd find a way and Forever wouldn't know about it. Fatal flaw: Forever had every possible escape route noted and mapped already.

The next line, "I'll drink myself to death inside this prison cell, this prison cell" can refer to two things. The general need and want to die so he can leave, or, the time Charlie, Mariana and Roier got him drunk. They thought he'd tell them something, but he didn't. He just panicked and cried and the whole time he felt like he was dying.

"So, get me out of here" repeats a few times, this doesn't need explaination I think.

Then, the chorus repeats.

The chorus now, though, can be taken differently.

"You'll change your name, or change your mind. And leave this fucked up place behind" Forever can do whatever he wants, change everything about himself, run away, find a way off the island but,

"But I'll know, I'll know" Phil knows what he's done. And everyone else does now too. Forever can try to absolve himself of any guilt he's capable of feeling, but Phil will never forget. As long as Phil exists, the guilt will linger. If he feels guilty. He doubts it.

And it repeats and song over :3

#qsmp #qsmp philza #qsmp forever #philever #forphil #forever x philza #forever my love au #Christmas kids is genuinely such a good song i love it #I tend to overplay it tho <///3 #Also also this is one of my favourite things to do i love it #Its boring and nerdy but sjdbwjnss #Its like how i love interpreting art but everyone hates modern art so nobody wants to listen </3

[bringerofjollity44]

Very disappointed with Ahsoka: mid-season review

I watched all of Rebels just to prepare for this and I am so disappointed with what they have done with the characters. They are all played so flat, and I have to think it is the direction and not the actors themselves. Where Hera was once sharp and defiant, she is blank and emotionless; where Sabine was rebellious and independent, she is now angsty and traitorous; where Ahsoka was once spirited and charismatic she is now sour and sullen. Every character in this show feels like a different version of the same personality - all emotions feel overly reserved yet melodramatically serious. This goes for the new characters as well, including ones who were barely present in the show such as Captain Hayle in episode 1.

Moreover, the storytelling is just bad. We have little to know idea who any of these people are or their motivations:

Baylan is Dark Jedi who repeatedly alludes to some greater good and his past in the Jedi order. But how and why did he become embroiled with Thrawn, who has been in a different galaxy for years??? How did they even meet? What are the tangible things he is looking to get out of this? This goes for Shin and Morgan as well - who are they, how do they know Thrawn, and why are they so committed to him? We are halfway through the season and we are not any closer to answering these questions. (also why does Baylan know every detail of Ahsoka and Sabine's backstories??? why is his character carrying the weight of providing their backstories???)

The Ahsoka-Sabine relationship is also wildly disappointing. The writers threw us into the middle of some conflict that was depicted nowhere without providing any backstory. This allows them to add new elements to the conflict willy nilly without having to think it through beforehand. From the audience perspective, this prevents us from feeling with the characters. For example, in "Fallen Jedi" Baylan uses the fact that Ahsoka apparently prevented Sabine from helping her family survive the purge of Mandalore - which was never shown on screen or mentioned previously in the show. Instead of feeling what Sabine is feeling and internally understanding her tension regarding finding Ezra vs. stopping Thrawn, we are just told plot elements as needed. This is a classic example of TELLING and not SHOWING, while also contributing to the characters feeling like cardboard cutouts. We need to EMPATHIZE with characters good and bad throughout the show!!!!

Some of this has shown through in the plot as well, particularly with Sabine - why did she run away with the star map in episode 2?? She is a woman in her 30s, she is not a reckless teenager like in Rebels. I don't think even 16-year-old Sabine would do this - she would not sacrifice the cause for her personal gain. She has twice now played an instrumental role in helping the Dark Jedi & Morgan find Thrawn with an explicit goal of reinstating the Empire. Sabine sacrificed so much to bring about the Empire's fall!!! Why would she throw that all away now? And I'm not buying the "she doesn't have any family left" bit - even if her relationship with Ahsoka is strained, Hera is literally right there!!! One of the big themes of Rebels was choosing family when you are cast out from society/your own family. Does none of that matter now???

It feels very much like they heavily prioritized the aesthetics - which feel very "Star Wars" and are of fantastic quality - along with fan service (including cameos, live action versions of the most random Rebels characters (e.g. Jai Kell)) which makes it feel more like a Filoni vanity project than a way to advance the story of Star Wars.

Overall, I'm worried about what this show will mean for the trajectory of the entire Star Wars universe - Ahsoka is training a non-Force-sensitive individual, which has huge implications for what the Jedi are. Again, I could be on board with this, but the show has done zero explaining regarding why Ahsoka decided to take Sabine as a Padawan. The audience is just expected to accept that it's true.

On top of that, Disney-Star Wars has once again pulled the "person appears to die but actually didn't," which is getting progressively less believable each time they do it. I am also very afraid of the potential of the World Between Worlds as a deus ex machina - are we just going to use this mechanic to connect people through disjointed points in space and time whenever it serves the plot???? I will wait for the explanation when episode 5 comes out, but given how little explanation has taken place so far in the show, I have lost trust with the writing/direction of the show to do this.

Ahsoka, so far, is all flash and no substance. It feels like it is merely a way to show us characters we love in live action without doing any thinking regarding what they should be doing together. The emotions are simultaneously telegraphed and muted, which makes the characters feel dull and not true to their original characterization.

I will keep watching because I am deeply invested in Star Wars and I love these characters from my Rebels viewing, but I am so disappointed after what feels like another miss from Disney - an emphasis on fan service by bringing back beloved characters without taking any care to how their presentation is handled and whether they need to be brought back in the first place (see the horrible execution of Kenobi and The Book of Boba Fett, bringing back Palpatine with no explanation or buildup in Rise of Skywalker, etc).

Closing thought - where was Ahsoka during the main action of the original and sequel movies? If there was another Force sensitive that appears to be very significant to the Force, why was she not involved? Clearly she was very involved in the creation of the rebellion and now preventing the creation of the First Order - yet where is she in the movies? Why does no one even mention her? Again, this logical insistency makes this feel increasingly like a Filoni vanity project that does not prioritize consistency with the larger narrative of Star Wars.

#star wars #ahsoka #sabine wren #ezra bridger #dave filoni #star wars disney #hera syndulla #baylan skoll #shin hati #morgan elsbeth

[struttinevilshroom]

A Narrow Perspective of Pikmin 4

So, I played Pikmin 4 with my friend. My friend, a guy who has played every Pikmin game (including hey Pikmin and the Pikmin game in Nintendoland) and has 100% completed Pikmin 2 which happens to be the most challenging Pikmin game. As for me, the extent of Pikmin knowledge is basically just what my friend tells me and I guess also bingo battles in Pikmin 3.

I'm trying to say that, I have a Narrow Perspective on Pikmin (boom title drop).

Sorry about that, I accidentally pressed on the question and I don't know how to remove it.

I went to my friend's house and he said that we were gonna beat Pikmin 4. I was only helping him with the final cave and final boss. I should also preface that this won't have any spoilers.

How Pikmin 4's co op works is that the first player is doing all the Pikmin throwing and the second player is kinda like the second player in Mario Galaxy, it's an offscreen entity throwing things to help the first player out. The second player can throw rocks to damage enemies or to speed up Pikmin who are carrying treasures to the ship and the more rocks thrown, the more a meter will fill. Once the meter is full, the second player will obtain an item which can only be used by them. This meter does not fill too quickly or too slowly, I think it fills up at an adequate pace. We played together for 2 hours roughly and we had just enough items, we were never in excess and we were never out of any particular item that we needed at that moment. The one outlier for this would be the PikPik carrots, they were always in excess and I had 80 of them exactly before fighting the final boss. It is safe to assume that I ended the game with 77 or 78 of them because I remember accidentally throwing a pikpik carrot 2 or 3 times.

I always knew this friend of mine was professional, I watched him decimate Pikmin 2's Water Wraith and he's always sharing strategies for cheesing (to beat a segment of a game in a way that the developers did not intend) bosses in these games. I didn't know just how good he was until we worked our way to the final boss, I didn't know just how vast his knowledge of Pikmin was until we worked through this final area. We were going in almost completely blind and once he saw layout of any given map and it's enemies, almost instantaneously, he would devise a strategy. This was impressive to someone like me as I usually became overwhelmed by the bosses and his calm demeanor contrasted my surprise.

Of course, every game has the factor of chance and no matter how good you are, there will always be something you can't account for (I'm an earthbound/mother player, I should know this) and this resulted in a few losses. Like, at one point a rolling obstacle resulted in 90% of our Pikmin falling into the Abyss. Another loss, would be our encounter with an enemy from Pikmin 1 and it killed all of our blue Pikmin and the game told us that it wouldn't be wise to progress without them. Other than those 2 losses, we made quick work out each area. I can't speak for my friend but I certainly had a lot of fun even if I was just pelting enemies with rocks and the occasional bomb. I guess it's just fun when someone's really passionate about any given game and they kinda have that capacity to geek out about it and show off their knowledge and skills in regards to it. I was also able to put a face to the enemies and bosses he mentioned in our conversations about Pikmin.

This game also contains one of my favorite things in all of gaming, rest areas. Rest areas are severely overlooked, like yeah, they're gonna save you and prepare the character that you're playing as for whatever lays beyond but rest areas should also prepare the player mentally, one game that does this really well is Mother 3 and I guess Earthbound because Mother 3 gives you hot springs to restore everything and remove all ailments but also there's relaxing music, sometimes there's a rare npc to chat to which always eases my mind before a fight, Earthbound also rest areas, which are usually little parts off to the side of the action with butterflies like in Giant Step, coincidentally this is also usually in caves. I'm going to stop right there with Mother talk because I can talk about that series forever. This game also gives you rest areas both official and unofficial. In my mind, I classify official rest areas as a break from battles where you can heal up and prepare your character for what is to come while also preparing yourself as the player and unofficial ones are just the same thing but they're not there to prepare the character, just to prepare the player (this is not an actual definition, it's just a distinction in my mind). All the actual rest areas are chock full nectar and treasure but they also have ambient music to calm the player. There's also the part after you beat all the enemies on one sublevel and your Pikmin carry everything to the ship and everything is just empty. I know some people find empty spaces unnerving but I find them relaxing, I used to watch those empty mall videos to get to sleep back in the day. Anyway, there's so much empty space in these areas and it's usually a rush to get to the next sublevel but sometimes my friend would excuse himself to go to the bathroom or to do something else and I'd sit there and stare at everything. I'd stare at the emptiness, the Pikmin carrying remnants of humanity away, the dark Abyss that lay below, the beautiful graphics and I listen to the music, it's kind of beautiful in a sense, I have a Narrow Perspective on Pikmin but I wonder if they've ever explored themes like this in previous games, I know Olimar expresses some interest in the previous inhabitants but do they ever explore the idea that people roamed pnf-404 and had each of them had their own lives and now that's all gone? But who's "they"? I shouldn't be calling the previous inhabitants "them" because it's us.

Oh, he's back from the bathroom, I guess let's carry on with the review. Where was I? Oh yeah, the ambient music is really good in this game and when you're actually engaging in battle, there's this almost tribal music that plays, I've jested that it sounds like Monsters University montage music but as good as that is, the beauty of Pikmin's soundtracks always lies in its ambience...

I'm not sure how to transition to this last part so I just put an ellipse at the end of the last paragraph to make it seem like I was leaving you some food for thought even though it was a really blank statement. Anyway, Final boss. I'm not a NARC so I won't be spoiling the final boss for any readers, this is a fairly new game but I will say, if you haven't gotten there yet then please do your best to avoid spoilers because it is a doozy. Even my friend was caught off guard by it and he's a Pikmin veteran, he's crashed on the planet over 4 times now.

I do kinda wanna lightly touch on the characters, just lightly though. I didn't see any of the new characters get fleshed out (do I have to refer to the title of this review for the 3rd time now) so, I'll talk about Louie and Olimar. Louie gets placed in a more sinister light in this game. I feel like the game recognizes the extent of his evil but the characters do not. Olimar is also the most relatable protagonist ever, like he's a family man, who is mistreated at work and can't do anything about this mistreatment. This familial aspect shines through in the way he interacts with the others, (in what I've seen of this game) he acts as an authority and is clearly more experienced, not in regards to using Pikmin but just in general he has more life experience. Also he gives Louie the benefit of the doubt even after all the trouble he caused which just goes to show that he wants to believe that Louie is a good person, it's almost parental, like no parent wants to believe that their child is capable of bad things. I also watched a Pikmin 2 twitch stream the night before, the streamers were actually two content creators who inspire me in writing things like this. If You're into long reviews of old games nobody cares about, then watch Transparency on youtube. Anyway, as a joke they compared the Olimar and Louie to Peanuts characters and I thought that was really funny. Olimar is basically Charlie Brown, everyone mistreats him and he just has to go with it. Not sure who Louie is though.

You decide, which Peanuts character is Louie. I will judge you harshly depending on your answer.

With that, I draw this review to a close. We played together for 2 hours, in total my friend had 55 hours and has 100% every area on his first, blind playthrough. Everyone give him a round of applause. Give yourself a round of applause for reading this long ass review. I'm also sorry for giving you an existential crisis at one point in the review, if it's worth anything, I actually love the fact that our legacy on pnf 404 will live forever through Olimar's notes.

Thank you for reading.

#Pikmin 4 #Pikmin #captain olimar #water wraith #review #actual post #earthbound is mentioned like once

[adelle-ein]

engage plot thoughts

Finished Engage, here's my plot thoughts, full spoilers for entire game (my spoiler-light "full review" will be along shortlyish)

So tbh I don't think this is as bad and weak a plot as people were hyping it up to be. In theory the basic idea is actually really good! The issue is like…pacing and how the screentime was divided up. We spend wayyy too long wandering from country to country fighting bandits and then everything of significance is crammed into five chapters.

The plot tries to love its drama but fails to build things up well enough. Veyle only cameos in the early game as a generic Sweet Young Girl, so the big reveal — while it would have been predictable no matter what — just doesn't hit emotionally. Veyle in general just needed more time as a proper deuteragonist. Maybe have Veyle and Alear do a couple solo maps together? They get cornered by Corrupted and fight them off together (with Veyle using a different class and weapons of course), trying to get the player actually attached? Have Veyle hang out with the whole gang in a few longer cutscenes so she feels like part of the team and not a random aside? Maybe have Alear open up to her about Lumera so they have a special connection with her? I just wish they'd done something here. As it is, the only reason to pity Veyle is because she's a young kid being abused, and while of course that's something, she plays such a big plot role and we don't even get to know her as a person. There were definitely better ways, imo, to pull this off. Letting her join your army and leave again intermittently pre-reveal (a la Ninian, maybe) would have improved things.

Getting to the meat of the plot…I very much like that Alear is an adopted Divine Dragon and that this is treated like a good and legitimate thing, to the point of them even gaining physical characteristics of one. If we go through with a real world metaphor, then Lumera loved them enough that they became her "true" family, and that works very well. FE only really ever does found family stuff with its side characters, preferring to focus on Divine True Sacred Bloodlines, and having Alear as a Fell Dragon who became Divine through the power of love and wanting to be "a good dragon" is actually quite nice and helps them feel a little less like a Robin retread. The issue that is unfortunately there is effectively zero buildup to this revelation. Other than Veyle's sibling obviously being Alear, we see no connection between them and Sombron. Alear has a single flashback to 1000 years ago in an early chapter and never again until the reveals start being dropped…in the last handful of chapters. While the single time travel chapter is kinda bizarre, it's a good step from a character perspective, and I wish there was more of that. Why not show more of how they became close to Lumera and how she adopted them? When did they defect, how did that go for then, how did they start calling her their mother? Interspersing flashbacks or hell, even more time travel (as silly as it would have been) throughout the story would have fixed so much of this game's lacking emotional core and let the plot actually work. As it is, it's a good concept that we see barely anything of.

I do disagree with the people insisting that Alear shouldn't have been so upset when Lumera died because they barely know her — they barely know anyone, Lumera has been kind to them and they know she's their mother, they're mourning the possibility of what they lost as much as the actual loss. I dunno, obviously I've never been in that situation, but even if I barely remembered my mother due to total amnesia I think I would still be really upset if she was murdered in front of me and especially if she had died due to using up all her health and strength to protect me. Personally. Feels a bit silly to be defending something like this but yeah. Now I do think her death scene was a bit long and dramatic when a quick sudden death is pretty much always more emotionally effecting, but that's a separate issue. Regardless, the plot hinges so much on Lumera and her relationship with Alear, and we see hardly any of it for some reason. Lumera simply needed a lot more screentime, even posthumously. Hell, let her live for the first half or so of the game, THEN get killed off. It still would have been predictable, but at least we would have gotten to know her.

Alear as the thirteenth Emblem makes sense in a meta way, but it does make me wish that they provided SOME kind of lore as to why and how the Emblems exist. The implication seems to be that the Emblems were created in death separate from their bodies, or when their bodies were already gone? And that all of their worlds exist out there, with Sombron intending to invade them? At the very last minute Marth drops a "btw Emblems are not the same as the actual heroes" but that's pretty much all we get. Idk I'm not looking for a Zelda timeline for all the FE games, I would just like…some kind of lore explanation as to what is up with Emblems and creating new ones. As well as the idea of the new protagonist joining the old ones as an Emblem works on a meta level, we just kinda needed more lore and buildup to make it work. My usual refrain. Personally liked the idea that Elyos was created *by* the rings or is somehow linked to them, because of the way its lore feels like a mashup and homage to so many previous games but…that probably wasn't the intention. Who knows. Fire Emblem. I like that our protagonist *is* the literal Fire Emblem though. Last time it was their *waves hand* blood power, now it's just straight up them.

The Four Hounds show up way too often and only do things in their last few appearances, which is tiring. Constructing them to be semi-likeable from the beginning, and maybe not fighting them and having them easily walk away just fine over and over, would have really improved everything with that subplot. I see what the writers were going for. But they whiffed it.

Alear is fine. They are kinda forgettable and a total dumbass for the first half of the plot, but they do change and grow and become more assertive, which works. They are an actual character, unlike Byleth. And they don't do stupid awful sometimes-evil things and get patted on the back for them a la Corrin. That is all I ask really.

Basically, a mess, but better pacing with more screentime for Veyle and Lumera and more flashbacks on Alear's end could have made it a really nice mess. Alas. I do think, overall, this was a simple but good and heartfelt concept for a plot. The execution was just poor, as usual for FE, and because the plot is so simple it can't hide what a mess it is the way other FE games often do. But I like it better than SOV (I like cat food commercials better than SOV…)

#fire emblem engage spoilers #fe engage spoilers #engage spoilers #fe17 spoilers #fee spoilers #that should cover it? i think? i tried #elyos #txt #lace reviews

[whentherewerebicycles]

IT’S OVER!!!!!!!!!!!! we survived lol and the kids were SO good. in prepping for the event I talked with them about how we’d spent this whole year exploring alternatives to traditional/colonial/etc modes of academic research, so to hold a really stiff, formal academic conference at the end would be like, kinda selling out the values we were trying to practice in our scholarship. so we spent a lot of time brainstorming ways to make the event a warm, relaxed environment without high barriers to entry for the people who were joining us (many of whom aren’t academics). and they did SUCH a good job!!! just so much laughter and playfully engaging with the audience and making it feel like a really celebratory happy space. and one student made these delicious popular african desserts and served them to the whole audience during her talk, which was partly about how immigrants living in the diaspora use food to build community and feel emotionally connected to home 😭😭

and they just were SO thoughtful about how they presented the work too. like in preparing for the event this week a lot of them independently came to the conclusion that it didn’t feel ethically right to take participants’ stories out of the context in which they’d been shared and present them to an audience of strangers (“like people’s lives are just a movie you could show on Netflix,” in the words of one kid). they developed SUCH creative ways of sharing their work and engaging the audience in thinking through their core questions while still really respecting those relationships of trust they’d built. idk how to phrase this exactly but I think one of my huge learning goals for them (in the fellowship year as a whole) is that it simply does not matter what you say your values are… what matters (and what people notice & remember) are the concrete choices you make and the way you live out (or fail to live out) those stated values in your practice. we’ve spent so much time taking apart these model projects and mapping out how a stated value -> a concrete choice the researcher makes. it’s just SO cool and SO rewarding as a teacher to see demonstrable evidence that they’ve really internalized that idea and are independently applying it to their own projects and making these conscious ethical choices about how to share their work.

idk it was just so moving (people cried in the Q&A after one of the panels!) and so good and they are SUCH smart thoughtful human beings who have worked so hard on these projects. and I think sometimes I underestimate how important these kinds of year-end “closure” activities are for me too, you know? like in planning them my focus is very much on “they need this kind of event to celebrate the year and to feel like all of this hard work they’ve done is culminating in something,” but I kinda forget that these events are also just an amazing opportunity for me to step back from that day-to-day advising perspective to really look at the full picture and see how far the kids have come this year. they’ve just grown by leaps and bounds in their confidence in themselves as researchers and they’ve successfully executed these incredibly complex projects that many of them were super intimidated by at the beginning of the year. I know we’re not supposed to say “I’m proud of you” to kids because it takes away from their work/accomplishment and refocuses it on our feelings or whatever, but I’m really proud of them!!!! and I’m really proud of myself too lol I can see how much I’ve grown as a teacher/advisor in this field and how much that personal growth has positively impacted the learning experience for them. anyway I’m feeling really happy about the day and really good about the year as a whole. truly love this job and if this is our last hurrah at least it was a really good one.

#teaching #mentoring #long post

[perkwunos]

I’ve been having vivid dreams, which I’ve only just started to remember and write down. Here is one from a few nights ago:

In my dream I was at school with a friend. A professor came up to us and told us that a zoom talk we referenced and criticized in a canvas discussion page never actually got to happen. Meaning, she knew we completely BS’d our discussions. She took it in good spirits but we were both ashamed.

Later we were in a parking lot, in his car, when I spotted a bear nearby. I anxiously told him to make sure the doors and windows were closed and locked but he wasn’t responding. I noticed a bear’s snout start to poke through a small hole somewhere in the car’s ceiling above me, but then it started to descend further and further until it was almost touching me. I got out of the car and ran away, climbing over some trash.

It seemed like I was inside a warehouse, walking by stacks of boxes and furniture.There were cops screaming and pinning people down, saying they’re looking for someone. They did not bother me, however, and I was able to keep walking. Eventually I turned back in the direction to the parking lot, but many people were setting up tables, chairs, other random objects to block the way so that I had to climb over them.

The next night I would have this dream:

In my dream I was back in Mexico City. I was with my family eating at a Chinese restaurant, and people from high school were working as waiters there. I looked out a window and thought I saw UNAM (the big university’s) library, but checking google maps it not only didn’t seem to be it, but I couldn’t find anything on the map that resembled what I was looking at. Later I was walking around the streets still in Mexico City, alone, and trying to look up on google maps where UNAM’s campus was. It seemed very far from where I was, too far to walk, so I gave up on that. I noticed I passed by a red headed American woman (or at least, someone talking in American English), and then I stopped by a fountain where a blonde woman put her face into the fountain’s water and seemed to drink from it; I was put off by this unhygienic act. Now the perspective in my dream altered somewhat, and it was like I was looking at the selfies of this blonde woman—who had an Instagram model kind of look—that she’d taken in different parts of Mexico City. Things started to be narrated by another man, and we ended up in what looked to be an indoor mall where he met up with another guy, as they talked about how this mall visually demonstrated the set of all possible geometrical objects.

The figure of the absent university library is curious, and then there’s the underworld-like role of the warehouse and mall--places of commodities and capital--which both these dreams terminate in, although in the former it is outwardly violent while in the latter there is the promise of what is on the face of it infinite knowledge.

I just recently started a full-time job, and now every morning on my way there I walk by an old, enchanted-looking house. There is some type of fortune telling machine on the porch, next to a witch’s broom, and then painted on the fence nearby is what looks to be a fairy queen: a pale, purple-red-haired woman with a silver crown studded with jewels, holding a sign that says “caer sidhe” (which, as far as I can tell, is combining a Welsh and an Irish word together). The only living thing I’ve seen at that house is a cat, who will meow a lot at me as I pass by but runs away if I stop to pet it. I think constant contact with this fairy house has been making me dream.

This past week, on the evening of the autumnal equinox it suddenly started pouring rain and dropped 10 degrees (F) in a matter of minutes. Since then it’s been significantly cooler, so that it really does feel like fall got ushered in all at once. Walking back home from work Friday evening the air was crisp and slightly chill, but the sun was still out strong, the foliage still mostly green but with accents of brown and red, and there was something like nostalgia in the air; I started thinking about the ‘90s.

[dare-to-dm]

hi! i’m a relatively new follower but i was wondering if you took asks about dnd campaigns?

I’m kinda in a shorty spot rn. I’ve played dnd a lot but i never took it that seriously. i’ve moved several states away from home to go to college and my highschool friends back home wanted to start playing! i was pretty excited and i sorta dedicated myself to try and be better and 1) get into my character and 2) invest myself in my fellow players characters because i have been pretty bad at both of those. the guy dming hasn’t done it before so we did a short one shot last saturday (which went fine!) and another yesterday, bc we want him to be confident. between those two sessions i kinda redid my character just cause i didn’t like some stuff from the previous week. yesterday was very very bad.

part of the reason why the session yesterday sucked was cause i’m the only one online, i call in through discord and i have a hard time hearing them (although they can hear me well cause of a bluetooth) and i can’t see them cause our dm points the camera at the map. my character is a grumpy old guy and i’m trying really hard to roleplay that but it’s so hard when they can’t see me do physical mannerisms and i can’t interact with my friends. overall the session for me sucked because i struggled to hear people and it felt like i want actually there. then one my my friends characters killed my wolf that i had just tamed. so i quit and said i had to leave and left the call.

i was really upset about it this morning and so i was texting one of my friends and he said that it sucked for them because i wasn’t doing enough interaction , i kept being grumpy and not talking. and that i shouldn’t have tamed the wolf cause the other player had called dibs on it for meat (which i didn’t hear) ig from there perspective i was really rude during rp sections (i wasn’t trying to be, my character is an old guy and i was trying to play that. clearly not well)

and then there’s the combat. i’m pretty good at constructing characters and so i was consistently dealing more damage than other players and bc combat is my favorite part of the game, i tried to get really into and describe my attacks. last session our dm described our attacks and i was like hey! this my character i wanna say what he does! but i don’t actually know if that’s standard

anywya my friend told me that everyone was a little tired of my descriptions cause i would describe them vividly and take too long and that it kinda seemed like i was making myself the star of the show

idk where i’m going with this. i feel like maybe i should just quit and not come back for another session. i can’t be there in person anywya and obviously as things stands i’m making it less fun. i’m upset at myself and i feel bad for the way i acted cause i didn’t even realize it came across that way. i think i’ve been expecting too much of everyone involved and i know i should try and make it better by playing again but idk how to do that without sacrificing a character im really proud of and parts of the game i really love.

idk if these are the kinds of asks you usually get. you don’t have to answer if it’s not up your alley. i’m sorry for the really long message

Hey there! I do take asks, and I can definitely sympathize with your situation. I've been there before.

You've brought up several issues, any one of which would not be too hard to work out with your friends. But the combination of all of them is a doozy. Personally, I think being the only remote player is the toughest thing to deal with. It's very easy to feel isolated from your friends and like you can't actually get immersed in the role play, no matter how hard you try. In my experience, in order to make this work, you need to have one friend in particular really be your advocate to make sure you are heard and that you aren't missing anything. But even then, playing remotely might just not be fun for you. I know it isn't for me. When I was in this situation, I ended up bowing out of that particular group and finding a new group where I could play in person. That was tough, because the first group were people I had known for a long time, and finding a new group meant having to reach out to strangers. But it ended up being worth it, and I made some new friends.

As for the issue of you being rude, it sounds like if you were, it was unintentional not entirely unreasonable. After all, in some groups you would fit right in with vivid descriptions of your actions during combat. In fact, some would consider that a strength. While others might see it as grandstanding or slowing down the action. Personally, I would be cool with it, but if others are critical, that's fine as long as they give their feedback politely. I once had another player ask me to tone down my descriptions because they said it made them picture the gore too much, which was unpleasant for them. I didn't mind adjusting my style to their preference since they asked politely.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience! Rest assured that it's mostly not your fault. Honestly, you should probably seek a new group to play with. I know that's probably not what you want to hear, but I hope it doesn't make you want to give up on this hobby.

#asks #RPGs #Dare Original

[fernrisulfr]

Umbra

This was a concept that popped into my head in the middle of work one day and lived rent free in my head for weeks. When he arrived in a game, he accidentally destroyed the DM and one of the players. (The DM hadn’t anticipated what he could do mechanically, and a simple “Speak with Animals” lead to a reveal about a party member, followed by him naively blurting it out.). This was sadly my last campaign with this group, and I miss them often. 

Umbra (Druid 4)

Warforged - Druid (Stars) - City Watch- Neutral/Good - Umbra

On first meeting "I am…Umbra, for I know only darkness". Upon first use of Star Form or Paladin Smite "I am Umbra, the darkness between the stars". Wakes up covered in moss, ivy, and other plants in a ruin without memory of what or who he "really" is. Based on a character from a forum RP on Gaiaonline.

"Alright so the idea for his personality probably leans more towards the Brave/Relaxed nature. Its mentioned in Dex Entries for both Golett and Golurk that they were made by an ancient civilization to protect people; the thing is, protect them from WHAT exactly? And did they succeed? Reading up on the map itself fed more into my idea, but the mixture of the calm serene music at the start leading into the more intense sounds later sort of paints an image for me.

Imagine Umbra in the ruins of a castle or fortress, some sort of stronghold in what was "once" a village. Columns stand broken, beams shattered, rumble strewn across the floor as moss and roots take hold of everything.  Yet still the scars of battle stand. Scorch marks on the floors and walls, hunks of clay limbs mixed in with the debris. Then you come up to a full Golett, seated, propped against a pillar as sun slips in through a crack in the ceiling. It does not move, its eyes lack the glow of life. Now we don't know WHAT powers a Golett but given its ghost typing I'm assuming its souls/life energy. So something dies nearby, or perhaps the moss and plants nearby begin to wither and decay. The Golett's eyes flicker with light. The sound of a bell gongs, A slow ticking emanating from it's chest as the colour becomes solid. The Golett rises, taking in it's surroundings with confusion. It stands, attempts to stand, but finds itself briefly stuck among entangling roots. The Pokemon wanders forward in relative silence. Slowly it looks at its surroundings, each scene causing a flicker of memory. Its creation. Simple feats of strength, carrying lumber and iron, always the subtle hint they're not building sheds and farm fences. Things grow more intense, the visions turning red as fires blaze in it's memory. The images of other Golett being shattered in combat. Eventually the Pokemon returns to the sight of where it woke, the visions featuring it's last stand. Rage, desperation, and the sole duty laying before it.

An enemy lay felled at it's feet, the Pokemon's own body wore with damage. Eyes begin to flicker as it's own life ebs away. The end is near, it props itself against the pillar as fire and battle continue to rage around it. Then.....nothing. For hundreds of years, just a relic of ages forgotten. Once a soldier, a protector, built as a machine for war. Yet now he returns in a time where the war is over. Did they win? Lose? Does it even matter? A civilization lost to time. Once he fought bravely, but rising anew in the aftermath has given him perspective. Destruction begets more destruction. Sometimes one must fight, but more so than anything you must know what you are fighting for."

Backstory as Written: Umbra doesn't remember his own creation, perhaps that's normal for most creatures, but given his nature it seems odd. Of course most of his memories remain hazy and indistinct. What he does remember, was the purpose for which he was made. At least he thinks it is. To protect. The people, the land, and all those they hold dear. He was not alone in this duty, he recalls others…not names, or faces, but he remembers standing beside them. He's sure of it. Ever proud of his work was he…but things slowly changed. Days? Months? Years? Anxiety. Fear. Uncertainty. Gone was cobble stone beneath his feet…at least it felt like stone?  Replaced by dirt and grass as he carried lumber and iron….built….something. Not sheds or fences. Dangerous somethings? Deadly things for a deathly foe. Who or what was it though? The world turns red. Heat. Fire. Desperation. A squeezing in his chest he couldn't place. Roars…what was making them again? The clang of steel. Joints feel like they're stretching to their limits. Exhausted. Fewer shapes than before. So many lost…why are they lost? That squeezing becomes tighter. Fear to fury. What cannot be protected will be avenged, so no others shall fall. The world turns red.  A shape at his feet, too dark to clearly see even without the haze. Vision swimming, even before it was a memory. World goes horizontal. The stars are out...beautiful…then...darkness.

Appearance: 6′4, 275 lbs. White eyes, body made of a dark wood. Made mostly of wood and other plant based materials, but with odd black stones at his joints. Face looks like a featureless mask with eye holes and fawn like ears, large pair of antlers protrude from his head. Several belts for holding equipment. Sort of a ranger vibe. Bleeds maple syrup. Stores his Astrolabe in the middle of his chest. When he enters his story form his body turns jet black, the black stones at his joints glowing bright white as lines connected his limbs. The constellation of which power he’s invoking appears on his chest with the astrolabe acting as the central star. When not using the Starry Bow of his Starry Form Archer, he uses a regular shortbow or a club.

#dnd #D&D #Dungeons and Dragons #Character Concept #Warforged #Star Druid #DnD Druid #Umbra #Circle of Stars #Personal

[carrion-carry-on]

Whumptober No. 26

No one left behind - Separated & “Why did you save me?”

I decided to try combining the prompts for this one, mainly because it fit very well with the story I wanted to tell. This takes place after my short consecutive story following The Bad Batch after Tech nearly got whacked. The squad is trying to repay Rexyl, and they have a bit of help in the form of a banged up clone deserter named Shift and a reformatted R2 unit R2-CZ (or Zee/Zeta). This first part is mainly told from Shift’s perspective.

To get the gist, Shift lost his squad and was rescued/repaired by Rexyl a while ago. His injuries required poking around in his head, during which point Rexyl identified a foreign object (the chip) and removed it without thinking too hard about it. Zee is Shift’s friend - he bought and repaired her himself, adding to the number of upgrades over time. She has a vocalizer and speaks using something similar to TTS (think Soundwave from original G1 Transformers cartoon).

Sorry for the info dump lol. Here’s the fic/

AO3 Link

In the time that Shift has spent in the underworld, he’s had to learn a few things. Some of them through unpleasant lessons. One thing he’d been taught early on was that no one cared about you. No one could afford to. You’re on your own. And the people you trust can and might make you wish you didn’t.

It’s nothing like his old life. Back when he’d had his brothers to count on. When he’d had a family to feel at peace with. When he’d had friends to talk to. He doesn’t have that, and he thought he’d never again feel the same.

In recent times, he’s come to rely on and trust Zee more than anyone else. She’s a droid, yes, but at least he knows where her motives lie. Most of the time anyway. She has her moments when he thinks she may be hiding something. But he hides things from her, too. Just like any other person.

This is different. Shift is working with a squad again. A strange squad - one that didn’t fit regulation, and all of them deserters like himself (though theirs is more recent). They are working together, because they apparently owe Rexyl, just like he does.

They’d come to this planet - Shift had not bothered to remember its name - to fetch something for their mutual creditor. This situation was about par for the course when working on one of Rexyl’s hunts. It didn’t matter how much info had been provided. Something would go wrong, usually the result of the crazy Feeorin forgetting to mention vital information (venom, traveled in packs, etc.). Then Shift would be stuck running for his life. He’d tried to say as much to this squad. They were still underprepared when it happened.

The engineer - Tech his brothers called him - had pulled up all available information on the creature they’d been sent for. Located on a backwater planet’s moon in the Outer Rim making a home out of swamp and marshland; the bolwog. They were big reptomammals, with tough scaled hides and a sprout of fur along their backs and tail. Their diet consisted of native flora, particularly underwater tube-roots. Each of their four limbs ended in heavy-set four-fingered paws, one swipe held enough power to separate head from body. And their horns, dual set and blunted, were known to impale predators and rivals alike. Equally renowned was a wounded bolwog’s fight for vengeance. And a slight against these animals turned into a one against the herd.

Knowing all of this Hunter, their sergeant (thereby Shift’s de facto leader as well as the squad’s), set about a plan to separate one from the herd. They had spent the previous day mapping out the land and gaining local insight to herd patterns. The best time for them to hunt was at night when the animals were slowest and could not see as well. They’d have to stalk the herd, and, when in position, spook them enough to send them running. Once they had an individual picked out and separate, they could use headlamps to flash-blind it and take it down.

Tech was in charge of scaring the herd. Using recordings of local speak, then a predator’s hounding call, the bolwogs were stirred up enough to start running. Shift had been put alongside Hunter and Echo (a “regular” clone fitted with a large number of cybernetics) chasing their quarry, eventually succeeding in separating it from the rest. Zee flashed the lights. Wrecker, burly beast that he was, waited to finish the job. That was the plan at least.

Their ad’ika, or the one whom they treated as such, Omega, was eager to help. She was a bright-eyed, hardy young girl who voiced her many, many questions without hesitancy. Shift hadn’t been sure what to make of her. Knowing how dangerous this job was to be, he didn’t think taking her along was what classified as a “good idea.” But the others seemed confident in her, and a bit protective.

Omega had been placed with Wrecker and Zee. They all agreed it was one of the safer places. They hadn’t been wrong. Nothing had bothered the three of them when it came down to the wire. Their bolwog went down. And then they had the herd to deal with.

Tech and Echo were nearest each other the last Shift had seen. And he was with Hunter. Omega had shouted - and that was nearly all the warning they received. Then Hunter was moving, dragging Shift along and nearly out of the way of the swinging horn. It would have easily gored him through his cuirass if not for the save. That didn’t spare the fact Shift didn’t quite make it away.

The pain is intense. It’s bleeding all through his side, tearing up one arm. The wound is hot and it feels like there’s a weight on him suddenly. He struggles to move. He is no stranger to pain. But that was always blaster fire, electric volts, or flames, not blunt piercing trauma.

Hunter still has his hands on Shift’s armor. He struggles to move, to help Hunter move him. They’re scrambling to one of the few trees that manage to grow from the choking water and weeds. Every footstep arcs more electric, hot pain up Shift’s spine. Every pulse from his rapidly beating heart forces new blood out from the wounds and into the world. Hunter half-shoves, half-drags Shift up the tree.

They’re alone for now. Alone, but not really alone. The bolwogs that followed them are milling around at the base of their tree. Shift might chuckle if he had the energy. All that stands between them and annihilation, their final bastion - a rickety tree. He can’t see where the rest of Hunter’s squad is. Hopefully they found cover.

“You saved me,” Shift says, trying to keep his voice even despite the pain. It’s not a question.

Hunter grunts in reply. Shift can tell something’s bothering him.

“What is it?”

“Should’ve heard it coming,” the sergeant whispers.

Shift vaguely remembers Omega explaining it to him. Hunter has superior senses, it’s part of his enhancements. She was so proud as she spoke, puffing her chest slightly - her brothers are the most amazing, most brilliant. He could reason that, with so many lifeforms around, and so much going on, even the best of senses could be confused.

He waves a hand, dismissive, and says, “You still got me out... Thank you for that.”

Hunter is huffing again, then stops and says, “You’re welcome. Now, let’s see what we can do ‘bout that scrape.”

#whumptober2022 #whumptober #no.26 #no one left behind #separated #why did you save me? #fic #star wars #star wars the bad batch #bad batch #clone force 99 #star wars oc #multiple ocs #droid oc #clone oc #clone trooper oc

[fellstcr]

canon questionare. / @bloodymoonxvampire​ / ACCEPTING!        ↳  13.  Are there any other characters from the franchise you’d like to play?

        ||. Yaknow, I’ve been considering picking up one of the lettuce fam? Maybe Seteth. I doubt I will though. Come August I’ll only have the energy for 1 muse. And that should be Byleth. But when I was first considering applying I was also turning in my head Dimitri and Rhea lol. I’m so glad I went with my gut! seirosu and areadri are such wonderful partners. The entire castmates list from FE16 are so wonderful, I couldn’t ask for anyone better ;;v;;       OUTSIDE of FE16? Robin. Hands down male robin. He is lingering in the back of my head like the little vessel of an evil dragon-creation boi is. I just... you know. Have to get through the actual rest of Awakening first. RIP

↳  11. Are there some things you dislike about how the show/series/etc. portray the character you have picked up? If so, what?

            ||. Not especially? At least not in the classic sense. Unfortunately, one thing about Byleth being robbed of her voice proper is that a lot of what makes her interesting gets overlooked and swept under the rug. Or misconstrued entirely. Or overshadowed to make way for the infamous (and equally as misused) “player pandering” complaint. Basically what I mean is that her actions/dialogue are either left too vague, or in the case of CF versus every other route,  not explained at all so it doesn’t make a lot of sense — at first. I’ll try to give an example of each. 1. Overlooked          ↳  Byleth’s being a silent protagonist means her efforts to sway her respective lord (not counting SS. She is the lord of that route. God Bless You Seteth you wonderful retainer.) tends to get pushed to the side bc.... “player pandering”, supposedly. (Which is different from what I’ll mention later, promise.) The most I see this come up is with Azure Moon and her influence on Dimitri. Most people say Byleth did absolutely nothing and didn’t deserve to have the last word when it comes to Dimitri’s character arc. I vehemently disagree with this. Player character she may be, but that doesn’t stop her from consistently talking to him during the map exploration days, disagreeing with him during event-cutscenes, and ultimately being the exact person Dimitri needs to hear from to finally live for himself. Felix can’t do it, because Felix isn’t over his own Dimitri-related Trauma (and his dad just died for Dimitri so he’d be especially harsh about.) Rodrigue (Felix’s DAD) is dead, Gilbert (Dimi’s other surrogate dad &. retainer)  can’t stand up to Dimitri for crap and Dedue is too complacent. Not to mention, too, that in every. single. support, event, etc. between Dimitri and Byleth tthe narrative is building up to their moment in the rain. Their Goddess Tower may be optional (which I think in this case is dumb), but when the comment of     “No matter how hard someone begs to be saved, she would never so much as offer her hand. And even if she did, we lack the means to reach out and grasp it.“     Is paid off with  not ONE. but TWO SCENES??? Cos. You know. She IS the goddess. She’s RIGHT THERE. She cares and she’s standing right by one of the 2 people who need her the most out of this entire cast. (The other being El)            Yeah sorry but Byleth not only is her own character but she is a necessary one. And it is done WELL in AM at least, from a writing perspective.

2. Misconstrued         ↳  For... some reason there’s a very... commonplace hot-take that Byleth dislikes the Church, and Rhea, doesn’t care for the doctrine whatsoever and her absolutely loathes her destiny as goddess inheritor. I... genuinely don’t understand that... because 3/4 of her routes are Byleth being pro!church. She may be desperate for answers, and she may be consumed with an intense bout of imposter syndrome , and I would say, yes, she does harbor some misgivings towards Rhea for pushing it all onto her the way she has (and really only then when she thinks about it too long.) but... again. 3/4 routes are pro!church. She either becomes the Archbishop, becomes Queen and does NOT get rid of the church. In the case of CF - the only route where she is not pro!church - she ends up wandering aimlessly in her solo card unless you romance Edelgard or one of the others so... yay? I guess? (Also note: in every route where she ascends to a position of leadership she does go out of her way to help reform the church. It’s explicitly stated a couple of different times.)       TLDR with this one: her lack of voice means her opinions and consistent character traits can and will be up to the respective player to pick and choose from. Even someone who tries to be entirely impartial to bias ultimately will fall into this trap, myself included. (I do try, however, to genuinely keep an open mind to each route. She’s the same person in all of them, so I actually found the challenge of “how to get to CF” a ... difficult but satisfying challenge. You can read those thoughts HERE.)

3. Player Pandering       ↳  This one is about actual instances of player pandering, but there are some decisions you can make in the game that are... kinda strange in context. Romancing Rhea, for one. Like. Actually romancing her, instead of having her S support be... you  know. parental. Or something. Being entirely unable to constantly question Edelgard’s motives in the CF route despite the fact that there’s a chance that people might not play El’s route first, OR maybe only stumbled into the CF route on HAPPENSTANCE rather than by deliberate choice. There are plenty players who might actually like the church, and not necessarily want to lean into the whole “villain route” thing. (For that matter the player pandering in this case leaves it all to outside NPCs to  remind you that. yes. it’s the villain route. I love El because it’s the villain route. She’s wonderful when she’s nuanced.)         There’s probably plenty instances  in AM and VW but it’‘s been a year or so since I’ve played both routes so I can’t confidently give examples but. You get the point.

#(decided to answer these in reverse order since 11 got super long) #(i have... thoughts.) #⚔️ ooc. / mun. #⚔️ ask. / trade secrets. #bloodymoonxvampire

[mkboys]

So that thing in Moon Knight, about sometimes being able to be a ‘fly on the wall’ so-to-speak and be aware of what another alter is doing/experiencing while not fronting yourself — is that a real actual thing, or something similar? In the latter case, how is it different? Genuinely curious, Btw, thank you.

Tw for depersonalisation Hi! Isaac here, thank you for asking us a question, you're always going to have our consent when it comes to education on this topic. I'd like to start by saying we cannot be a single source for information as complex and as vast as DID. I hope this gives a sliver of insight into what it may be for others. We deeply encourage other systems to voice their opinions and correct us when they know more about this than we do, as we didn't spend as many years in the depths of research as others may have.

I apologise, I cannot say what is 'real' or not. I wish I had that answer. It's subjective and dependent on the individual's condition. This is best to be asked to either a professional who works with patients with disassociative identity disorder or OSDD variations and valid to ask other systems other than ours, as we'll be giving information from our collectively lived experience.

I am very sorry for anyone who is deeply disturbed by this film, B/eing J/ohn M/alkov/ich. Now that movie as a whole has nothing to do with DID. I don't want it to come up in search results with any connotations that it may. I will place a separate link for it with the scene because I cannot locate it anywhere on youtube, I ended up downloading the entire movie for this, and I'll include a separate post/explanation once that finishes up. Here it is!

This question is related to co-consciousness which then is further explained by a category of this topic, co-fronting; "When two or more alters are in control of the body at the same time to varying degrees…Alters may be aware of each others' actions or own each others' actions as their own to varying degrees." It will vary constantly from system to system, alter to alter, outside influences like being at work or driving. You can be co-fronting and have limited access to the body/any control. It can be simply having access to the senses (all of them, a few, or only one). This quote is from the Wizard System; ""Being co-conscious with someone else acting though is even weirder. It can be almost like being a puppet - watching your body doing things you have no intention or desire to do. Sometimes it's scary but other times it feels sort of dream-like and later it's hard to remember what happened,"" (Time Loss, Black Outs, and Co-consciousness, 2021.)

DID is so complex that we'll forget what we've just remembered. What we forgot we could remember years from now, it's not linear and it cannot be mapped out as much as we wish it. We have tried to create a timeline but our perspectives on when events occurred are not consistent with one another. It's similar to how that recent episode 5 of Moon Knight, Steven remembers his mum entirely different from how Marc does. And even with this knowledge, there is always a chance of him losing the 'reality' in those memories again for the sake of the system.

Overall, yes it happens, not as common as I know of? Because everyone has different lived experiences, and it could be what someone else has, but it could also be absolutely nothing like it. Isn't that quite frustrating? To not have a direct answer to it all? We definitely believe it can be, and that's where you'll get systems that do not want to answer questions such as these. Or some that do and direct themselves as head of information on the matter. Remaining partial to I have enough to answer, I chose to, but am one bloke on tube perceiving others to be on a plane. It's a matter of what I, an alter, am capable of. Then it trickles down to the rest of the system, and then to the body and where we are, what we are doing at that moment. If the situation allows, we will try to stay co-conscious as it's a preference to us. Other systems will say differently about their perspectives. Sorry if I am repeating myself!

I hope this made some sense yeah? Our subconscious is quite complex!

Citation DID-Research.org. 2021. Time Loss, Black Outs, and Co-consciousness. [online] Available at: <https://did-research.org/did/identity_alteration/time_loss> [Accessed 1 May 2022].

#Isaac #anon #system stuff #co-conscious #DID question #tw depersonalisation #tw depersonalization