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[monasterys]

hello friends !! due to lack of motivation we are clearing the inbox ( sorry :( ) requests are still closed as we're considering whether or not we should still use this blog , merge it with our general editing blog , or just make something new and start over . thank you for your time and also your support :>

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[reunionatdawn]

My Analysis of the Best Paired Endings in 3H (Part 19: AM Sylvain/Felix)

Sylvain: I hate Crests, you know. They mess everything up in life, the future, everything… Just because I have a Crest, I'm treated as the heir, and my older brother nearly killed me because of jealousy. Bitches... they swarm to me, no, to my blood, like ants... Mercedes: …I'm sorry. Did I remind you of something you didn't want to remember? Sylvain: …Sorry, I slipped. Ah, damn, I didn't mean to show such a pathetic side… Mercedes: …No, I'm glad. It feels like I saw your true face for the first time.

The localization watered down, omitted, or completely rewrote a lot of the more interesting gender-related dialogue. In his Japanese B-Support with Mercedes, the word Sylvain used for women was "女ども" (onnadomo). This term is derogatory. It is used to refer to females in a demeaning manner and carries a tone of contempt or disdain. It is considered offensive and is avoided in polite conversation. A comparable word in English might be "bitches" or "wenches."

Sylvain: …Oh, what's up, Professor? Haha, sorry, didn't notice you at all. We've been meeting quite often lately. Oh, could it be that you're interested in me? (Female Byleth): ...Just kidding, it's a joke. Please don't make such an obvious disgusted face. (Male Byleth): Sorry, my arms are reserved for girls only! I'd prefer not to lend them to bastards.

The localization also changed some lines in Sylvain's B-Support with Byleth pretty significantly. If you are playing as Male Byleth, he refers to males as "野郎" (yarou). It's an informal term that is somewhat similar to "guy" or "dude" in English, but it's more derogatory. It's a gendered insult and it suggests that the person being referred to is undesirable or contemptible in some way. It implies qualities like rudeness, roughness, or unpleasantness. It is also considered offensive and impolite, and it's generally not used in polite contexts.

Sylvain: My brother was always a truly irredeemable bastard. Selfish, conceited, and arrogant. I've always had to clean up after him…even after he died. But, thinking about it, if my brother, not me, had been born with the Crest… Would I have become like my brother, or would there have been a different fate for me…?

"Yarou" is often translated as "bastard". In Hopes, if you take Sylvain on an expedition and ask about his likes, he says it's talking to girls. If you ask what he dislikes, he says it's being surrounded by guys, and he uses the same term. And he often used it when referring to guys in general, such as during teatime. I think he was even more of a misandrist than a misogynist, and it's a shame that wasn't as apparent in English because it's pretty integral to his character.

Sylvain: If someone is in trouble, you help them. That's what a knight, no, what a human being does. Whether it's a cute girl or a rugged big guy, it's the same thing. Ashe: …！ Sylvain: Hey, don't give me that look. Are you falling for me? Unfortunately… Ashe: What are you talking about? …I'm just a little surprised.

Even though Sylvain disliked most women, he still vastly preferred their company over men. In their B-Support, he saved Ashe's life, and Ashe came to thank him (quite similar to Sylvain's A-Support with Felix, actually). And he basically told Ashe "no homo". In the localization of their C-Support, he asked Dimitri to come to town together with him to pick up girls. But in the Japanese, he simply encouraged him to invite girls out to dinner on his own.

Sylvain: Hey, Professor. If you're free, wanna go out to the town together? (Female Byleth): I found a place with delicious food. I thought I had no choice but to invite you, Professor! (Male Byleth): In search of unseen beauties… No. Just kidding. Please don't give me that look.

While there are plenty of hints that Sylvain is bisexual, I think it makes perfect sense that he can't end up with Male Byleth or any other male character except for one. He had a VERY specific type. I don't even think Female Byleth was truly his type. But ya know, self-insert.

Sylvain: Dorothea, Hilda, Mercedes… Lady Rhea is also quite the beauty. Ah, the Officer's Academy is great, Professor. Beauties everywhere you turn! Haha!

So, what was his type? Well, he tells you on the first day of school who he was interested in. Three girly girls and Lady Rhea, who represents the Mother Goddess archetype, the embodiment of the divine feminine principle.

Sylvain: Professor, have you seen Felix? He's always disappearing when you take your eyes off him. Byleth: I saw him at the training ground. Sylvain: Well, I thought it might be something like that. Sorry, Professor. Thanks for your help! Taking care of horses, you know, it's quite soothing. They repay trust with trust. Sigh… In that regard, dealing with girls is quite tricky.

Sylvain liked damsels in distress he could swoop in and help. He thought Hilda was cute until he learned that her "delicate flower" act was insincere. And he was attracted to Dorothea, whom he compared to a beautiful flower in bloom, until he suspected she had an ulterior motive. On the day he was looking for Felix, he said he liked looking after horses because, unlike girls, they can be trusted.

Yuri: Oh, is this what they call mutual affection? I'm up for a rendezvous anytime… But next time, could you use better lines than when we first met? That was terrible! "Hello, young lady, delicate as a little bird! Would you care to chat a bit over there…" Sylvain: Oh, come on, I already apologized plenty for mistaking you for a girl! How many times do I have to say it! Yuri: I didn't really need an apology, you know. Look at this face; there are plenty who make that mistake. In fact, I even think I should have conversed with you, even if I had to pretend to be a woman. There's nothing wrong with maintaining a relationship with the future Margrave, right? Sylvain: What an enthusiastic pick-up line… I can't help but feel strange myself.

What mattered to Sylvain was whether his brain registered someone as a girl. He tried to woo a crossdresser at a harvest festival. And the pick-up line he used on Yuri was changed in the localization. He called him "delicate as a little bird" in Japanese. And he was not turned off by the idea of Yuri pretending to be a woman with him.

Sylvain: ...Sorry. Well, I understand, but it seems my mind was refusing to comprehend... Certainly, you... I mean, you're a woman. Yes, a lovely young lady, indeed. Oh no, I've been rude. I'm terribly sorry, miss. Leonie: What's with that tone... Sylvain: I really am sorry. This is a first for me, too. Even if Leonie is ro… I mean, even if she's an active girl, something like this… Leonie: You were about to say "rough", right!?

He knew Leonie was a girl, but his mind just didn't see her as a one. He used the word"粗雑" (sozatsu). It means "rough" or "crude" in English. Later, he compared her to a sunflower, rather than a delicate flower. The word he used for "delicate" was "可憐な" (karenna). And that's the word he used when hitting on Yuri.

Sylvain: It might also be one of the knights… Oh, wait, me!? Ingrid: I'll hit you. Sylvain: W-wait, I was just kidding! I'm against violence! Being too rough ruins a beauty, you know! ………… Uh, well. I-I mean, when I say "beauty," I'm not talking about flirting or anything, yeah!

In his A+ Support with Ingrid, the Japanese word he used was "乱暴" (ranbou). It means "rough" or "violent" in English. It can refer to behavior that is aggressive, forceful, or lacking in restraint.

Sylvain: I'm weary from the nonstop battles. A gentle and beautiful young lady who can heal my troubled heart, I wonder if it's lying around out there somewhere… (Best Answer): It might appear someday.

Even his notes to the advice box suggested that his ideal partner was a "Yamato Nadeshiko". The term describes the "flower of Japanese womanhood" or "traditional daughter of Japan". It's a nostalgic term for the perfect woman under the ideology of Japanese patriarchal society. Sylvain adored traditional femininity and wanted a partner who was the epitome of feminine beauty.

Sylvain: To be honest, I left home without telling my father, even though the country was in a difficult situation. Haha, I can imagine my father's angry face. "That idiot son of mine…" Haha, scary, scary…

But it was not because he was interested in upholding patriarchy. In fact, it he hated patriarchy and did not have a good relationship with the men in his life. His father was known as the "Wall of Ice". Matthias only cared about whether he had a Crest and could wield the Lance of Ruin. He didn't have much regard for his son's life and wanted him to take out a group of bandits by himself to earn his inheritance.

Ingrid: As you know, Sylvain and I have known each other since we were children. In the past, he often had bruises and other injuries on his face and body. Every time I asked, he would say he got them during training, but still…

And growing up, Sylvain was regularly beaten by his older brother.

Dimitri: Who's naïve and serious…? Besides, compared to you, most men are probably the same. Sylvain: Oh, really? A man who gives a dagger as a gift to a girl he likes is quite… Dimitri: How many years ago was that story? …If I seriously slap your head, will you forget about it? Sylvain: If I were hit with that monstrous strength, I'd die… It doesn't sound like a joke.

His Japanese voice acting during his C-Support with Dimitri conveyed a lot more distress than the English version did. Because of how overly serious Dimitri was, and his history of being abused, he genuinely could not tell that he was just joking about hitting him.

Sylvain: Ah, damn it… Joining the Empire… I wonder what Father would say… And then there's His Highness… He's definitely furious, right? That guy, when he's angry, he's downright terrifying… I wonder how I'll be killed… Just imagining it makes my legs tremble. However… it's your decision. I'll follow you…until the end. Haha, I wonder what's gotten into me. I should be scared out of my mind… and yet…

If you recruit Sylvain into CF, you'll learn that he was terrified of Dimitri's anger. He was a childhood friend, but he was never as close to him as he was to Ingrid and Felix. Dimitri was, after all, the future patriarch of the Kingdom with superhuman strength. Which would be kind of intimidating to an abuse victim. In CF, he calls Dimitri a stubborn "yarou". While he is on good terms with him in AM after his boar phase, he doesn't even have an A-Support with him.

Sylvain: Thinking that he's in the next room makes me hesitate to invite a girl over at night. I'm already scared and scared of the scolding the next morning... (Best Answer): Maybe I should reconsider the room assignments…

Sylvain's note to the advice box was about how he was afraid to invite girls to his room because Dimitri was next door. He didn't take his scoldings from Ingrid or Felix very seriously. But Dimitri's seriousness seemed to remind him of his father. And Sylvain was deathly afraid of his father. I'm sure that's why he felt like he had no way out of his arranged marriage.

Sylvain: As someone with a Crest, I was raised with great care by my parents. But my older brother, who didn't have a Crest, was suddenly treated very coldly when I was born. …My older brother even pushed me into a well and abandoned me in the snowy mountains. I understood it even as a child. I had taken everything from him. How could I complain in front of someone who wanted a Crest but couldn't get one? So, the persistent stares of women, the appraising looks of noble daughters… I had to smile and accept them. …Because I had the Crest.

Sylvain bears the Crest of Gautier which is associated with the Death Arcana in Tarot. And the theme of "death" certainly played a large role in his character arc. Growing up, he was constantly told that he should go die and his brother tried to kill him. But Death doesn't mean literal death. It signifies a time of significant transformation, transition, and change. The old version of you needs to "die" to allow the new you to be created. 

Sylvain: Ever since King Lambert passed away, I hardly get to see my childhood friends anymore…

Death also represents a resistance to change. In Hopes, if you take Sylvain on an expedition and ask him about his memories of the past, he sadly recounts how he and his old friends stopped hanging out much after King Lambert died. Sylvain would have been fifteen at the time. The same age he was when he hit on Lord Gwendal's daughter, prompting Ingrid to finally leave her room out of concern for him.

Sylvain: Actually, I have a history with Lord Gwendal. Yes, that was a story from many years ago. I met a lovely young lady, fell in love, and was nearly killed by her father… And that father happened to be Lord Gwendal. Oh boy, I was truly prepared to die at that time!

In Japanese, Sylvain's Classic Mode death quote uses the word "覚悟" (kakugo). It means "prepared for" or "mental readiness." And in Japanese, he uses that exact same word when talking about the Lord Gwendal incident. Sylvain's childhood antics (such as hitting on Ingrid's grandmother) could be seen as a harmless ploy for attention to compensate for his terrible home life. However, his involvement with Gwendal's daughter appeared to be way more serious.

Sylvain: …Well, whatever you think, Professor, I don't intend to change my attitude. You see, I may be a good-for-nothing, but I'm still a noble with a Crest… I try not to get involved in serious relationships. They only bring trouble. Eventually, I'll be quietly married off to some suitable partner and settle down.

Sylvain was extremely disingenuous with girls. He would use them for sex, then dump them in public. He was dreading the fact that his life would change after he got married and he blamed them for it.

Ingrid: Just… childhood friends, right? Then why do I have to clean up after your messes? Sylvain: Haha, nobody asked you to do that! Well, just think of it as your role and accept it. For some reason, it's been like this since we were kids, and it'll probably continue. Ingrid: …Continue like this? So, you don't have any intention of changing your ways!?

The only way Sylvain knew how to cope with his fate was by pretending that he just couldn't resist falling in love with every cute girl that he laid eyes on. But the truth was that he disliked girls and was even afraid of them. He was being literal when he said he would stake his life on flirting.

Ingrid: You keep earning resentment from women, and eventually, you'll really get stabbed. Sylvain: Haha, well, if I get stabbed, I get stabbed. I suppose that's just how it goes. Ingrid: …Dying for such a silly reason is definitely not okay, are you stupid!? …Glenn was the type to make those kinds of jokes too. And he really never came back.

Ingrid's line in her B-Support with Sylvain was changed slightly. She specifically warned him that he would get stabbed if he didn't change his behavior. And he just laughed, as if he were prepared to die.

Sylvain: I just, uh… Well, you're going to think I'm being a jerk or hitting on you or whatever… When we're side by side like this, training, I feel— I don't know—oddly at ease. Ingrid: I know what you mean. It's probably because we've been friends for so long. Sylvain: That must be it. Let's never change. Friends forever?

All Sylvain wanted was for things to go back to how they were when he was a kid. In their Houses A-Support, he emphasized that he was not trying to hit on Ingrid. The idea that things wouldn't change between them just put him at ease.

Ingrid: What do you mean you feel relieved seeing me eat? Sylvain: Haha, sorry, sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. Just seeing you enjoying your meal like that makes me, you know, feel relaxed. [...] Nobody can stay the same as they were in the past. You said something like that recently too, didn't you? That's why having something that doesn't change is really comforting for us.

In their Hopes A-Support, he offered to treat Ingrid to dinner not as an attempt to woo her, but just so that he could watch her eat. It was a relief to him that some people never change.

Sylvain: Hey Felix, you free? You must be free, right? Let's go flirt with some girls together today. Felix: Tch… You're disturbing my training. Go by yourself. Sylvain: Don't say that. Come on, we've known each other for a long time, haven't we?

The one change that bothered Sylvain more than any other was the change in Felix's personality. While he didn't like girls becoming attached to him, he was sad that Felix seemed to have outgrown that tendency and no longer wanted to spend time with him.

Felix: We've certainly known each other for a while, but that's about it. Besides, it's not what I wanted. It was just our parents' wishes. Sylvain: So, you're saying it's a rotten relationship, huh?

The phrase "rotten relationship" is kinda hard to translate. It is "腐れ縁" (kusareen) in Japanese. It means "a relationship that cannot be severed even if one wants to." It's usually a relationship that has persisted for a long time, often against one's will or preference, because it is bound up in some work, social, or family obligation. It tends to have a negative connotation, implying that the relationship is undesirable or plagued by difficulties.

It was derived from "鎖縁" (kusari-en) or "chain relationship", a term that refers to a close and inseparable relationship between two people, often described as being bound together by chains. "Chain relationship" was a positive term referring to two people bound by fate, as if they were destined to be together. But over time, the "rotten" part was added, and it took on a negative connotation.

Felix: That boar prince, it's been a rotten relationship since birth… No, even before birth. That's why I'm warning you… He harbors a beast within. You can trust in his skill in combat and brute strength, but as a person, he's utterly untrustworthy. You better be careful not to be devoured yourself.

Felix used the exact same term when he warned Byleth about Dimitri in Chapter 2. And the way he described his relationship with Sylvain is actually a far more accurate description of his relationship with Dimitri. Felix did have fond memories of their childhood together, but Dimitri's sadistic smile while torturing the rebels was ingrained in his mind. After that, he no longer wanted to associate with him, but he couldn't break off their relationship due to his family.

Sylvain: So, you're saying it's a rotten relationship, huh? Come on now, Felix. You used to cling to me like glue back in the day. You couldn't beat your brother, got into fights with His Highness, and every time something happened, you came crying to me. Back then, you were so meek and innocent. I doted on you like a little brother… Felix: ...Enough.

Sylvain disagreed that his relationship with Felix was just a rotten relationship. The implication was that it was more of a chain relationship and Felix was trying to downplay how close they were because he was hurt by the way Sylvain was acting.

Felix: Listen. I've held back until now, but there are plenty of things I want to say to you. In your personal life and even on the battlefield, you're frivolous. Whenever something happens, it's always about women… Sylvain: Hmm, what's wrong with that? It's rude to ignore cute girls… Felix: There's a limit to that, you sex fiend. If your sword skills were solid, I could acknowledge that. But you slack off even in training… Do you not feel any guilt about hurting others' feelings and holding them back?

Sylvain's womanizing certainly hurt Felix's feelings, but he was even more hurt by his frivolousness in battle. The implication was that he had no choice but to double down on his training because he was always babysitting Sylvain on the battlefield.

Felix: Being in this military academy, one becomes speechless at the sheer number of fools who, indulged by the power of their Crests and the status of nobility, neglect their training. It's truly astounding. (Best response): It would be good to give them training.

Felix's note to the advice box was undoubtedly written with a particular person in mind.

Sylvain: You know, since way back, I've been doing stupid things, and you've always been there to yell at me… Felix: Both of us getting lectured by Ingrid because of you… Try to put yourself in my shoes, I got dragged into it every time. Sylvain: Yeah yeah, that's right. Our relationship hasn't changed no matter how many years have passed. But you've changed, Felix. You were so adorable when we were kids… Now, you've become completely warped. I wonder why you grew up like this… Felix: Tch… You, on the other hand, are still a good-for-nothing, just like in the past. Sylvain: Ahahaha, what's that? Is that something the person who has always been by my side would say? Even now, look, you came all the way to me with the intention to apologize for what happened the other day, right?

Sylvain wasn't intimidated by Felix. But being yelled at by him still hurt his feelings and he kept his distance afterwards. And Felix came crawling back to him to apologize. He couldn't sever their relationship even if he was so hurt that he may have wanted to. He was afraid of losing their friendship, so it proves he was lying when he called it a rotten relationship.

Felix: …The boar prince and I have been acquainted since before birth. Before I knew it, he was always by my side… You might even say that, at one time, we were best friends.

Dimitri and Felix were always together as little kids and Felix used to whine unless they could do everything together. I've seen some people say that they were best friends up until the incident suppressing the rebellion when they were 14 or 15. But that didn't appear to be the case. At the time the Tragedy of Duscur occurred, when he was 13, Dimitri considered Glenn his best friend.

Sylvain: However, both His Majesty and Felix have really grown up, haven't they? Ten years ago, they were the kind of guys who would squabble over breaking each other's swords and whatnot…

Felix always went crying to Sylvain whenever he and Dimitri fought. Dimitri broke Felix's sword when they were nine years old. So, even by that age, Felix was clingier with Sylvain than Dimitri.

Sylvain: A little laziness is just right. If you push yourself too hard, you'll just get tired. Oh yeah, I'll treat you to a meal, so let's go out to town together, Felix. Felix: No. Sylvain: Which is more important, going to town with me or training? Felix: Training. See ya.

Sylvain lamented how cute Felix used to be in Houses, Hopes, and even Heroes. He was the only male character that Sylvain was ever interested in spending time with one-on-one. He even invited him out to dinner like he did with girls. It is very likely that he was so sad about how much Felix changed because he used to be his ideal "girl".

Sylvain: More importantly, it's time for the ballroom dance now, isn't it? There's also the White Heron Cup competition, right? So, Professor, who are we sending from our class? (Byleth chooses Sylvain as the representative for the White Heron Cup) Sylvain: Huh, me? Well, um, that's fine I guess. It's a good opportunity to show the girls what I can do. (Byleth does NOT choose Sylvain as the representative for the White Heron Cup) (Japanese) Sylvain: If anything, I'd rather see a beauty dancing than watch a bastard dancing, you know. (English) Sylvain: I get it. No worries, really. I'd rather see a beautiful person dancing instead of some goof like me.

Sylvain lumped himself into the "yarou" category, too. He was eager to impress girls during the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. But he will sound a bit disappointed if you choose him as the White Heron Cup representative. He's happier if you choose a beauty. The term he used for a "beauty" was "美人" (bijin). It means "beautiful person," but it is primarily used to refer to beautiful women.

It can sometimes be used to describe an exceptionally attractive man, although less commonly. Generally, "bijin" is more commonly associated with feminine beauty in Japanese language and culture. While it can technically be used to describe individuals of any gender who are considered beautiful, the term often carries connotations of traditional or stereotypical feminine beauty standards.

And since "yarou" is gendered, you'd think that "beautiful woman" would be the obvious way to translate that line, right? But I have to give the localizers credit where credit is due. They used "beautiful person" rather than "beautiful woman". Because they knew Sylvain would not have minded one bit if Felix had been the White Heron Cup representative.

Felix: You seem like you have something to say. …You're not seriously considering choosing me as the representative for the White Heron Cup, are you? (Byleth does NOT choose Felix as the representative for the White Heron Cup) Felix: I see. That's fine then.

Felix is unsociable. He gets annoyed if Byleth stares at him too long during teatime and he struggles to maintain eye contact when talking to people. Yet he was not as opposed to participating in a dance contest as you'd expect. He even brought it up himself. If you don't pick him, he doesn't sound relieved like most of the others. In fact, in Japanese, I'd say he sounds a tiny bit disappointed. His objection seemed to be dancing with a girl, not dancing in general.

Felix: I'd much rather swing a sword at the training grounds than dance with a girl at the ball. Sylvain: Huh? Your Highness and Felix, are you joking…? You can dance with all the girls in the school. Do you mean to say that on such a wonderful day, you'll be practicing swordplay with each other…? That doesn't seem like a sane idea!

One the "Night of Promises", Dimitri was not looking forward to the ball because he was sad that he was never going to rekindle his spark with Edelgard. He still attends the ball, and the cutscene shows him dancing next to Edelgard, as if to imply that he wished he was dancing with her instead of the girl he was actually dancing with. Felix felt the same way as Dimitri. He said he was going to skip out and train instead, something that made Sylvain sad. He used the word "yarou" once again here, emphasizing the masculine nature of the activity he's criticizing.

Felix: But… to the casual observer, it might not look entirely unlike a tryst between a man and a woman. If you're truly dissatisfied, then that's your compromise. Byleth: Unfriendly. Felix: Call it whatever you want. I'm about to head back to the training grounds.

If Byleth meets Felix at the Goddess Tower, his dialogue indicated that he did indeed skip the ball to practice at the training grounds.

Sylvain: When I heard you were heading to the Goddess Tower, I wondered who you were having a tryst with… I never expected you'd just be standing there alone, lost in thought. Byleth: Tryst...? Sylvain: Wait a minute. Seriously, what's going on? When someone goes to the Goddess Tower, isn't it to meet a lover? Here, vows exchanged are sure to be fulfilled… It's the lovers' sanctuary, you know. (Option 1) Byleth: Why did you come alone? Sylvain: Huh? Oh, well... Truth be told, I was curious about who you were waiting for. I hurried to catch up, only to find you alone in the end... Well, I must say, it put my mind at ease.

Sylvain goes to the Goddess Tower simply because he was curious about who Byleth was waiting for and was relieved to find out that she was alone. Then afterwards, he offers to make a vow with her.

(Option 2) Byleth: Don't you need to invite a female student? Sylvain: That's true. I could have invited someone, but my true love is right in front of me. Being alone at the Goddess Tower means I can try to woo you, right?

The phrase Sylvain used for "true love" was "本命の相手" (honmei no aite). "本命の" (honmei no) translates to "main," or "primary". "相手" (aite) translates to "partner" or "opponent," depending on the context. The phrase typically refers to the person that the individual truly loves or considers as their most significant romantic interest.

HOWEVER. It also translates as "favorite opponent" in specific contexts, particularly in sports or competitive activities where "aite" means "opponent" or "rival." In that context, it refers to the most formidable opponent in a competition or match, the one whom the athlete or team considers their top rival or challenger.

Byleth: …Me? Sylvain: Yes. Who else would I be talking about?

Who else would he be talking about? Well maybe someone who spends a lot of time with Byleth as a sparring partner? Someone who was absent from the ball? Perhaps someone he made a promise together with in the past?

Sylvain: Hey, Professor, I won't make you unhappy. So, how about getting married… Byleth: You're not trustworthy. Sylvain: Haha, well, that's true.

Sooo. Why did Sylvain go to the Goddess Tower? Was Byleth his true love? Or was she actually his primary rival for his true love? Well, I think we can rule out the "true love" option.

Felix: This is troublesome… The enemy is just a bunch of thieves. I doubt there are any skilled fighters among them. Sylvain: Don't be so cold. I'm looking forward to it. Come on, there might be a beautiful female thief among them.

Felix was always trying to prove his worth in battle. And Sylvain was always goofing off because he didn't value his own life. Before the group's first battle against bandits in Houses, he wasn't acting serious because there would most likely not be skilled fighters among them. He even made a joke about flirting with one of them.

Felix: If they're in a state of confusion right now, we can easily round them all up. I'm on my way. Sylvain: …No, no, no, hold on a second. Don't you think there's something strange about that fortress?

In Hopes, the bandits were a much greater threat than they anticipated, and Sylvain completely changed his tune. You gain Support points with Felix if you suggest charging the fort. But you gain points with Sylvain if you suggest a more cautious approach.

Sylvain: Ah, I thought since it's a festival day, there wouldn't be any lectures, and we could play all day… Hey, Professor. Even if you were planning an assassination, would you really choose the day of the Rite of Rebirth for it? I feel like there might be times when security is less tight. Or is there a reason it has to be this day?

Before the Rite of Rebirth, there was an assassination attempt on Lady Rhea. Sylvain didn't take it seriously because he knew the monastery's security would be tighter than ever on that day, and he was just goofing off and chatting up Hilda.

Sylvain: …But it's strangely quiet these days. Is it because the knights are out and about? Felix: I heard the knights are putting all their effort into tracking down the enemy. Sylvain: Putting all their effort… Isn't that a bit too much? Is it okay to neglect the monastery's defense? Felix: …How do you see this situation? Byleth: Maybe you're worrying too much. Sylvain: Is that so… Well, I hope the knights come back soon.

But after Jeralt was killed by intruders, he was standing with Felix, worrying about the thin security with all the knights out looking for the enemy. It's a very nice bit of subtle storytelling, showing that, even if he seemed like he was always goofing off, he was serious about Felix's safety and always kept an eye on him.

Sylvain: Come to think of it, you don't like sweets, huh? Well, thanks. I'll eat it later. …So, what do you want me to do? Ah, you want me to play matchmaker with a girl? Felix: Is your head filled with sugar or something? I'm just here to thank you for the battle the other day. If you hadn't noticed the ambush, I would probably be dead by now. Sylvain: Oh, right... But isn't that just how it goes? On the battlefield, it's all about mutual support. That's what comrades do, right? Felix: …You haven't changed a bit. Sylvain: Yeah, I'm still the same as ever. Felix: You always…

Felix is the only partner who will confess their feelings for Sylvain at the end of the Support chain. You could tell that he was mulling it over in the A-Support. He even brought a gift of sweets for Sylvain before he planned to tell him how he felt. But he chickened out. Still, he was going to say that he was grateful to Sylvain for always protecting him ever since they were kids.

Sylvain: His Majesty or Felix would probably make better hunting partners than me. I prefer to just sit back and watch.

While there are no specific childhood anecdotes related to this, a comment Sylvain made during his Hopes expedition did imply that he occasionally accompanied Dimitri and Felix on their hunting trips.

Felix: Boars are naturally wary animals, but this one seems injured… If it senses us, it'll charge. We can't afford to get injured by its massive rush. Raphael: Huh? Felix, you sound like you've fought something like this before? Felix: It's a story from many years ago, but I once let a similar quarry slip away. [...] House Blaiddyd and House Fraldarius used to go on hunting trips together. On one trip, a certain prince killed so many deer it proved impossible to fit them all on the sled. Meanwhile, I went off hunting on my own, encountered the boar, and barely escaped with my life.

Felix had a near-death encounter with a wild boar as a child. And I strongly suspect that Sylvain was the one who saved his life and got pretty hurt in the process.

Felix: You've always been like this since we were kids. Normally so unreliable, but you've always thrown yourself in harm's way and helped us when it really counted. …Every time you managed to put on that carefree smile for us, I cannot deny that I wanted to hug you a little. Sylvain: O-Oh… You're the one spouting those kinds of lines? Have you eaten something strange? Felix: Tch… I won't say it again, you fool! Now that I know you're safe, I'm going back to my room.

In the A+ Support, Felix will finally say what he was thinking back in the A-Support. He will mention how Sylvain would literally put his body on the line and then smile afterwards. And Sylvain told Marianne that a smile was the true measure of a person's worth. He always smiled because it made him feel strong.

Felix uses the word "抱いていた" (dakishiteita). It means "embrace" or "hold." It can mean to literally hold, hug, or embrace someone in a physical sense. Or it can be used metaphorically to express the idea of cherishing or harboring a feeling of admiration or longing. But the writers probably chose that word for its dual meaning.

Felix was certainly trying to communicate his admiration for Sylvain's ability to smile even when he's hurt and in a lot of pain. And in doing so, he made his intense longing for Sylvain clear. And I do not think the localizers were wrong to have Felix express his desire to hug Sylvain in a literal sense. It was all part of the same package.

Sylvain: Alright, alright. Then I'll wait while having a meal until you feel like it. Come on, Felix, let's grab a meal in town. I'll treat you. How about some meat? Felix: …Alright. I owe you one. Just for today, I'll go along. Sylvain: After we fill our stomachs, then we can go chat up some girls… Felix: ………. Sylvain: Just kidding, jeez, you're really short-tempered. Come on, let's go together, Felix!

Sylvain offered to treat Felix to dinner in their B-Support, and he got rejected. In the A-Support, he offered again, and Felix agreed because he owed him. Now, Sylvain offered to treat Byleth—even the male—to dinner in his Paralogue because he saved his life, and he owed him. So, that probably wasn't what he wanted to hear.

In Sylvain's mind, relationships were always transactional, and he was very suspicious over whether anyone really wanted to spend time with him. He even suspected that Felix came to give him the sweets just so he could set him up with a girl. So, he apparently tested Felix's intentions by suggesting they chat up girls afterward. Ya know, just to make sure they're on the same page and it's really a date. In light of what Felix intended to say, it's clear why he was upset.

Sylvain: ...Hey, uh, Ingrid. Training again today? Ingrid: No, today I'm going to the city to buy supplies. Training comes afterward. Is there something wrong? Sylvain: N-no, you're still as serious as ever, huh? Some things never change. Ingrid: …What are you talking about? I haven't changed at all. Sylvain: Y-yeah, you're right, haha. Ingrid: …Hey, what's up, Sylvain? Did you eat something strange? Sylvain: N-no, it's not that. Um… Have you found someone you like?

Sylvain was always smooth whenever he was flirting with girls. But in his A+ Support with Ingrid, he was incredibly flustered and stumbling over his words. He's a completely different person when he's really fallen for someone. Taken at face-value, the player would assume that he has fallen for Ingrid. And while that is certainly a valid interpretation, it actually isn't the only interpretation. He was particularly worried that she had been training a lot lately.

Sylvain: No, it's not like I'm flustered or anything. …I was just a little curious about the reason, that's all. Ingrid: …The reason for the makeup, huh. What do you think it is? Sylvain: Well… Is it because of a guy? If we're talking about someone you might like, going by your past tendencies… Felix…No, His Highness is also a possibility.

And the first person he asked about was Felix, due to Ingrid's history with Glenn and how Felix had changed to be more like him. But was it because he was afraid Felix would steal Ingrid from him? Or was he afraid Ingrid would steal Felix from him? While many people consider Ingrid the "canon" love interest for Sylvain, they deliberately left their A+ Support open to interpretation. I have no doubt that the writers preferred Felix as Sylvain's love interest, but they didn't want to make a gay pairing too obvious, so they left it open for Ingrid, too.

Sylvain: I've been given the opportunity for revenge. I won't waste it… even if it means stabbing each other to death…!

Regardless of which one you interpret as his love interest, Ingrid and Felix were the two most important people to Sylvain. If you do not recruit them in CF, they will die at Arianrhod, and Sylvain's dialogue changes in response during "Field of Revenge". The Japanese verb he uses "刺し違える" (sashichigaeru) literally refers to stabbing one another and killing each other.

Sylvain: Professor! Has it really been five years? We ought to raise a glass to the occasion. Celebrate your return. Nah, I'd rather commemorate it with your death.

Sylvain's CF arc is very interesting. He becomes like Miklan. The foreshadowing in his B-Support with Byleth was intended for this exact moment. He was so jealous of Byleth's ability to live freely that he wanted to kill them. And now he gets the chance. He doesn't care if he dies as long as he gets his revenge for his two friends. Sylvain felt like his parents only valued him for his Crest and his brother wanted him dead. But those two really loved him. He was so driven to kill Byleth in CF because s/he took everything from him.

Mercedes: You can't choose where you're born. It's like flowers not being able to choose where they bloom. Since we don't suffer from hunger or thirst, we can't complain even if the place is cramped. It's the same for both of us… We all have to bloom where we're planted. Sylvain: It's true that flowers can't choose where to bloom. They can't go where they want to go until they die, and if the environment is bad, they will just wither away.

Because of the arranged marriage looming over his head, Sylvain felt like a flower with his roots firmly planted. He didn't feel like he could go where he wanted to go until he died.

Sylvain: Finally… I can go to the place where they are… I'm sorry, Your Majesty… I… will go ahead and wait… Dimitri: Thank you, Sylvain. I will also… definitely go to where you all are.

And where did he want to go? To the place where Ingrid and Felix were. CF!Sylvain was relieved that he could finally join them upon his death, something that was sadly not included in the localized version. That line was especially relevant to his relationship with Felix because they promised to die together.

Sylvain: Me… disliking girls? Hahaha, no way, no way, not at all! I'm always serious when it comes to girls. I put my life on the line to woo them. Dorothea: You should focus on one person and then say that. You only have one life, and usually, there's only one person you can love enough to stake your whole life on.

Sylvain has the fewest number of paired endings out of any student. Understandably, very few women would consider marrying him. Mercedes would in order to escape her arranged marriage, but she'd have to give up her dream. And Ingrid would because she loved him and thought she needed to take care of him or else he'd end up like Glenn. But she'd also have to give up her dream.

In his S-Support proposal, Byleth was not quite sure if Sylvain was being sincere because he was still using shallow words. And Dorothea did not trust him, either, because he had to propose to her at least ten times. And of course, Dorothea will marry pretty much any nobleman in the game to secure her future. Felix had no one pressuring him and nothing to gain from being with Sylvain.

Sylvain: Do you remember? We made a promise when we were kids. That we'd die together. Felix: ...I remember. Sylvain: So, you see, there's no way I'd die before you and leave you behind.

In English, "dying together" could be taken as platonic. Just brothers-in-arms or best friends. However, there's a cultural nuance to it in Japanese because that phrase is often used in a romantic context. It implies that they will not just die but spend their whole lives together. It was, in essence, a marriage proposal.

Felix: …Well, I suppose that's true. But I'm fed up with getting terrified like this. You shouldn't just fool around all the time. Take your training seriously for once. …If you end up carelessly throwing your life away, I won't be able to die with you. Sylvain: Yeah, you're right. Once I'm healed, I'll try to be a bit more serious.

Felix uses the phrase "肝を冷やす" (kimo-o-hiyasu). It's an expression that literally translates to "cooling the liver" but figuratively means "to be frightened" or "to be scared stiff." It refers to the feeling of fear or nervousness that causes a person's body temperature to drop, often likened to a sensation of chilling one's liver.

Their entire Support chain was about how Felix never really changed. He always prioritized his training over hanging out because he was absolutely terrified that Sylvain would get himself killed and they wouldn't have a future together. After finally realizing this, Sylvain reaffirmed his childhood promise. He no longer wanted to die.

Sylvain: Anyway, I suppose you just said the things I usually say, right? Even if it's the same pick-up line, serious guys' words are taken seriously.

When Felix said Sylvain was frivolous in their C-Support, he used the word "不真面目" (fumajime). When Sylvain said he'd be more serious from now on, he used the word "真面目" (majime), which is the opposite. He also used this word in his Support with Dimitri. It means "serious" or "earnest" in English. It describes someone who is diligent, takes things seriously, and is sincere.

The "Sincerest of Knights" was not just saying that he would take his training seriously. He was also saying that he would take his personal life seriously. He wouldn't be frivolously going around picking up girls and telling them he loves them enough to stake his life on them anymore. Because he already found the one.

Sylvain: These five years, fighting and fighting… Finally, the tough times have come to an end. A new era is about to begin. …So, I thought it's about time I put an end to my own fate. Byleth: Put an end to? Sylvain: Yes. My fate is not determined by something like a Crest; it's determined by me… This is the first step towards that. Not someone trying to use my Crest, not someone decided by someone else, and not just a playmate…

Death is the arcana of transformation and typically refers to a need to start over by letting go of the past. It is about moving forward from outworn and outgrown ways of life. And that's what Sylvain's character arc was all about, regardless of whether he marries Byleth.

The term for "put an end to" is "けじめ" (kejime). It can be translated as "closure," "settling accounts," "bringing something to an end," or "establishing a clear boundary." It suggests that Sylvain is finally ready to confront his fear, establish firm boundaries with his father, and decide for himself who he forms intimate relationships with.

Sylvain: But our feet aren't roots. We can move ourselves and go where we want. If we navigate cleverly, we might not have to give up what we want to do. [...] I'm not trying to court you or anything like that. But if I, as the legitimate son of Gautier, were to propose to you… The other party would have no choice but to withdraw. It might sour our relations a bit, though. Afterward, you can do as you please. You can work at the church or become whatever you want. Mercedes: But if you did that, Sylvain, you wouldn't be able to marry the person you love, right? Sylvain: Hahaha, I'm not being serious about that.

Sylvain is a Gemini. Being the Twins, they'll flit from person to person to see what everyone has to offer, but once they commit, their lives are complete and whole. Because he and Felix made such a promise before the game even started, it suggests that they were both in love with each other, regardless of whether you go for their paired ending.

And if Sylvain already had someone that he wanted to spend his life with, but that he wasn't free to do so because they were the wrong gender to produce heirs, then it paints his behavior in a different light. His storyline was about forbidden love. He changes his behavior in Hopes because he realizes that he can go where he wants and doesn't have to give up on being with the person he loves.

Felix: I was raised to value strength above all else. Whereas you had a reason, an ambition, pushing you toward that hunger. So, tell me. What was the reason? Why were you driven to become so strong?

Not only is Sylvix the best relationship for Sylvain's growth, but it is also the best relationship for Felix's too. Felix was also a victim of Faerghus's patriarchal culture. He was taught to swing a sword before he could write and was raised with the motto: "Grow strong so you may live, and live to grow stronger".

Felix: It's like training with my brother. He always won—always—and died before I could win a single bout. From the first time I held a sword, all I wanted was to surpass him. And that's what drove me to become so strong.

Since Felix was a child, his main ambition in life was to surpass his brother, who he always lost to while sparring. And that sense of purpose continued to subconsciously drive him, even nine whole years after he died.

Rodrigue: …My eldest son was quite outstanding, you know. He was knighted at the age of fifteen.

Glenn possessed exceptional swordsmanship ability. Felix was probably so obsessed with surpassing his brother at swordplay because he was trying to earn the admiration of his father.

Felix: Sorry, but I'm not "Emile." And of course, I'm not your brother. Tch… It's so annoying being compared to someone else. Mercedes: I'm really sorry… I'll be on my way then. …Oh, the tea refill is here. Please help yourself if you'd like. …Well, see you. Felix: …I am me. Regardless of what anyone says, I'm not anyone else. …Isn't that right…Brother.

The English localization changed several lines in Felix's C-Support with Mercedes, giving it a slightly different meaning than the original Japanese version. The verb used by Felix is "重ねる" (kasaneru). It means "to pile up" or "to layer". Metaphorically, in this context, it conveys the concept of overlapping an image of one person with someone else, because they remind you of them. The Japanese version made it sound like "You're you, not anyone else" was something Glenn had to remind Felix often.

Shez: Is Dimitri really that much like his dad? Rodrigue: Oh, yes, absolutely. Well, the late King was a bit more hot-headed, it seems… Compared to me and my son, they are spitting images of each other. See, we don't resemble each other much. Shez: Yeah, you're really not very similar at all. Your looks aside, of course.

The concept of "kasaneru" played into Rodrigue's relationship with both of his sons. He had trouble viewing them as their own people, rather than just reflections of himself. He was very proud that Glenn took after him and disappointed that Felix did not. He also projected his own feelings onto Glenn. While it did seem like he chose to defend Dimitri to the death, he was not satisfied to die.

Felix: …Hmph. It's a waste to keep someone like you as a woman. Leonie: Oh, come on. That's what's wrong with you. Strength has nothing to do with gender. It's because you underestimate your opponent that you fall into traps. Felix: …Yeah, you're right.

I've seen some people accuse Felix of being a misogynist because of several comments he made to female characters. One comment was to Ingrid about finding a husband, which I'll get to later. Another was his comment to Leonie about being impressive "for a girl". His comment in Japanese is actually entirely different. He was saying that Leonie is so strong that it's a waste because strength isn't a trait that is appreciated or expected of females in Fódlan.

Felix was implying that her talents might be better suited for manhood. And she actually made him question that way of thinking. This Support showed how Felix was aware that some people don't naturally conform traditional gender roles and it would make their lives much easier if they were the opposite sex. Which is something he had undoubtedly thought about himself.

Felix: It's all well and good to remember the dead, but sentimentality will get you killed. All the tears in the world couldn't bring them back, after all. Ingrid: You have always viewed the world in such stark terms. It might even be one of your strengths. But one day, you will learn that emotions and sentimentality are also a strength, not a curse.

Felix is a Pisces, which is considered one of the most feminine signs of the zodiac due to its association with sensitivity, intuition, empathy, and creativity. Pisceans are often described as dreamy, compassionate, and deeply empathetic individuals who are attuned to the emotions and needs of others. As a child, Felix was meek, innocent, clingy, and would cry easily. These are stereotypically feminine traits which would certainly not be valued in a strength-obsessed culture like Faerghus. And especially not in a boy.

Felix: I am tired of it. For years, I've been forced to be a "replacement" for the dead. I had an excellent brother. He was a splendid knight worthy of admiration… He's dead now. After my brother's death, his presence haunted me like a shadow.

The Mother Goddess archetype is a powerful and ancient symbol found in various cultures and mythologies around the world. It represents the qualities of nurturing, fertility, protection, wisdom, and interconnectedness. Some examples are Isis from ancient Egyptian mythology and Mother Mary in Christianity. Sothis was the embodiment of the divine feminine principle.

The one who embodied the divine masculine principle was Nemesis. He represented the Warrior Hero archetype, which embodies qualities such as courage, strength, and valor. Figures like Achilles in Greek mythology, King Arthur in Arthurian legends, and Beowulf in Anglo-Saxon literature exemplify the ideals of the Warrior Hero.

Despite being the most religious country, the actual values of Faerghus were much more aligned with the Warrior Hero than the Mother Goddess. The Crest of Fraldarius is associated with the Emperor arcana. It represents the divine masculine principle. As the replacement heir, Felix's patriarchal duty was to serve as the king's sword and shield. But he hated the ideals of chivalry.

Dimitri: Heh. You know, Felix, you really are growing more and more like your brother. Always so sarcastic, and constantly looking for a fight. But deep inside, more than anyone, you—

The concept of "kasaneru" factored into Dimitri and Felix's relationship as well. Felix's gruff personality was not the natural effect of puberty. It was the result of being forced into a role he wasn't suited for. He hated bloodshed. His first battle left him horrified and he needed to desensitize himself to cope. After losing his brother and becoming a squire, his naturally sentimental and meek personality changed to become more like his brother, "sarcastic and constantly looking for a fight". Stereotypically masculine traits.

Bernadetta: Felix, did you just smile? And it was a really big smile, right? Hehehe, it's like cracking open a tough nut and finding a sweet smile inside… Felix: Tch… Don't get cocky, silly girl. Bernadetta: Oh no, the shell closed! Felix: …You've got guts to tease me like that. Seems like you really want to get in trouble.

The word Bernadetta used was "甘い" (amai). It is used for "sweet" and, just like in English, is often used to describe something that is sweet in taste or metaphorically sweet in demeanor or expression. In Japan, sweets are culturally coded as childish and feminine and liking meat is considered masculine. Did Felix truly not like sweets? Or did he just avoid them because of how they are perceived?

Bernadetta: Felix, please try this. This candy has a reputation for not being sweet. (Normal) Felix: I refuse. Whether it's sweet or not, I don't like candy. (Felix & Lysithea support level B reached) Felix: Candy, huh... If you say it's not sweet, should I take some?

It's worth noting that Felix will refuse to eat unsweet candy that Bernadetta offers him in their A+ Support. But he will actually give the candy a try if he has reached B-Support with Lysithea, after he tries her cake. And in their paired ending, he gives up the sword to spend to his life baking sweets with her. So, it suggests that he was just concerned with keeping up appearances.

Felix: If I were to die here, would you say something like you did when it was my brother? "That's the true end for a knight."

During World War II, ultra-nationalists popularized Yamato Nadeshiko as the female manifestation of Yamato Damashii. It is the term for an idealized Japanese man and refers to the traditional virtues and characteristics associated with him. These include loyalty, courage, honor, selflessness, and a strong sense of duty. This concept is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and history, reflecting the values upheld by the samurai class and other historical figures.

Dimitri: My closest friend was a knight who served the royal family. He was near to my own age, and I admired him greatly. But one day, I watched him die. He stood his ground and fought bravely, but his life was snuffed out in the blink of an eye all the same. Ingrid: I always looked up to Glenn. He was the very picture of a perfect knight—noble and virtuous. In the end, he laid down his life—the ultimate sacrifice. I feel proud of him in ways that words can't quantify. Rodrigue: To this day, I'm proud of Glenn. He gave his life to protect Prince Dimitri. If he had abandoned His Highness and fled, I don't know that I could have forgiven him… I would have been deeply ashamed.

Glenn was less a character and more an archetype. He represented the ideal man of Faerghus that Felix was supposed to aspire to be. Since he was a child, his purpose in life was getting strong enough to beat Glenn at sparring. He felt like he would only be valued if he became more like his brother. And after the Tragedy of Duscur, he felt like his father would only value him if he died.

Sylvain: The old Felix was really adorable, but what happened to make him like that? (Best Answer): Say it's part of growing up.

Whenever Felix lost to Glenn at sparring, he would go crying to Sylvain. It is likely that Sylvain was the one person, other than Glenn, who made Felix feel appreciated for who he really was. Rodrigue, Dimitri, and Ingrid always talked about how admirable Glenn was. Sylvain always talked about how adorable Felix was and was sad about how he had changed. After losing his brother, Felix probably felt like his purpose in life was keeping his promise with Sylvain.

(If Byleth is male) Felix: Having heard of your skills, I'm eager to meet you in battle. Come to the training ground later. There, you will show me what you're capable of.

Regardless of gender, Felix viewed Byleth as his personal rival, just like he did with Glenn when he was a kid.

(If Byleth is female) Sylvain: Such benevolence is a sight to behold! I don't suppose you would care to join me for tea? We could discuss education…and marriage. Felix: Control yourself, Sylvain. I have more important matters to discuss with our new professor. Come to the training ground later. There, you will show me what you're capable of.

Although, interestingly, it was Sylvain's marriage proposal that prompted him to challenge Female Byleth to a sparring match when she first became Professor.

Felix: …What. I thought it might be someone else, but it's you. Byleth: Meeting someone? Felix: I didn't have such plans. …I just wanted to come to a quiet place.

Felix skipped the ball. But he was already at the Goddess Tower when Byleth arrived. He said he just needed some quiet, but wouldn't the training grounds already be quiet on the night of the ball? In Japanese, it's clearer that he was actually expecting someone else instead of her. There's only one person he could possibly have had in mind. The person he made a promise with long ago.

Felix: You know the legend of the Goddess Tower, don't you? The one where vows always come true. It's so absurd it makes me feel like vomiting…but trying to believe in it might be amusing. Let's make a vow to the Goddess of Fódlan. I will… I will, someday, surpass you. I'll surpass your sword, your skills, and as a warrior, I'll defeat you.

Most of the students used the word "約束" (yakusoku) when referring to the legend. It means "promise". There were only a few who used the word "誓い" (chikai). "Chikai" conveys a stronger sense of commitment and means "oath" or "vow". It often involves a pledge made with deep sincerity and seriousness.

"Chikai" tends to carry a more profound emotional and moral weight than "yakusoku". Byleth rejected Sylvain's request to exchange vows. And her vow with Felix was quite unromantic. Before swearing his vow, Felix closed his eyes, which he also does in his A+ Support when he remembers his promise with Sylvain.

Byleth: What kind of vow is that? Felix: What, unsatisfied? If you're looking for a romantic relationship, I'm sorry, but hit up some other man. Unfortunately, I've lived a life devoid of such things. Blades, blood, and battles. That's all I am.

Felix wasn't disinterested in love. He was disillusioned with love. After feeling unloved by his father and cheated on by Sylvain, he was trying to fill the void of love with strength. The only way he knew how to prove his worth to himself was on the battlefield. And that was the only sense of purpose he had left in life, anyway.

Felix: Once I decided to fight alongside you and the emperor, I was prepared. …Prepared to abandon my country, to strike down my father, and to kill a man I once called a friend. But… my sword feels a bit heavy.

I found Felix's character arc in CF very interesting due to the whole "rotten relationships" idea. Remember how it means "a bad relationship that cannot be cut even if you try"?

Dimitri: Felix… You killed Rodrigue… your own father. Felix: I decided to cut down anyone who stood in my way. Even if it's my own father… Even if it's a friend I spent my childhood with. Dimitri: I see. After this exchange… I have finally resolved to kill you.

When it came down to literally cutting Dimitri out of his life, CF!Felix was very hesitant. He had a sad expression during this dialogue. And it was the same when he fought Ingrid.

Sylvain: Hey, Felix… Remember back when we were kids? We promised we'd die together, didn't we? Felix: ...Yeah, I remember. Sylvain: So… Now, it's gonna be you and me, killing each other. Felix: …Sorry, Sylvain. I'm gonna have to let you die first.

However, he showed absolutely NO hesitation killing Sylvain. In fact, he was even colder to him than he was to Rodrigue. Sylvain was clearly the real target of Felix's revenge in this chapter, not the boar. When Ingrid warned Sylvain that he was going to get stabbed if he kept cheating, it was probably foreshadowing for this moment.

Sylvain did not take CF!Ingrid's disloyalty personally and was not angry at her. He was just happy that her stubbornness hadn't changed. But he was very angry at CF!Felix. It was the betrayal he wanted revenge for. He specifically brought up their promise before expressing his desire to fight to the death. He was fully prepared to be stabbed to death, but he wanted to take Felix with him.

Rodrigue: Hmm. The dreams I held dear as a child have either already come true…or never will.

The Hero's Relic of House Fraldarius is the Aegis Shield, a reference to Greek mythology. It's likely no coincidence that Rodrigue's middle name is "Achille". He was probably inspired by Achilles, the warrior hero from the Iliad. Achilles' strong reaction to his childhood companion Patroclus' death is often taken as a sign that their relationship was possibly deeper than friendship. He lamented, "My dear comrade Patroclus has fallen—he whom I valued more than all others, and loved as dearly as my own life? I have lost him."

Rodrigue: No matter how much we grieve, the dead won't return. There's no way for them to hear our words. That's why their presence binds those living in the present like a curse. The more we cherished them, the more we become entangled and suffer… I'm not strong enough to scold His Highness for his foolishness. Byleth: Even so… Rodrigue: Yes. It seems scolding and getting them back on their feet is our duty as adults, isn't it? …Despite speaking so arrogantly, in the end, I am unfit to be an adult, aren't I?

When I first played AM and got to the scene called "Entrusting the Future", I assumed Rodrigue was still talking about Glenn when he lamented how the dead can't return.

Rodrigue: We both have a disposition where we can't just live without purpose. Both Felix and me. I lived to serve him, the late King Lambert… to support him as his right hand. Having lost the king I should serve, having lost the purpose of my life… I thought about what I should live for… And in the end, I made fulfilling our promise my new purpose. Shez: A promise… What was the promise about? Rodrigue: He asked me to admonish and correct his child if he ever strayed from the right path.

But after playing AG, there was another scene called "Entrusting the Future". And I realized he was actually talking about Lambert all along, not Glenn. AM!Rodrigue understood why Felix hated him for his comment about Glenn's death and he didn't blame him.

Dimitri: Every time I see the expression of longing on your face when you remember my father, there's always a thought that crosses my mind. I wonder if you wished to live and die alongside him. Rodrigue: …Haha, you're overthinking it, Your Majesty. Despite appearances, I consider myself quite resilient. No, I didn't wish for my own death when Lambert passed. However… if it were to fulfill a promise with him, I believe I'd be satisfied to die.

The concept of "kasaneru" played a large role in Rodrigue's relationship with Dimitri. It was very telling that he decided that his new reason to live was not to help his surviving son get back on his feet, but instead keeping his promise to Lambert. Dimitri had strayed from the right path, but Rodrigue could not scold him. In VW, this enabling caused Dimitri to throw everyone's lives away at Gronder Field. In AM, when the consequences of Dimitri's actions came back to bite him, Rodrigue took the punishment on himself, stating how there are no sins or punishments on the battlefield.

Rodrigue: He left home on his own, and now… this foolish son of mine. Felix: I have no intention of returning to you. Nor do I have any intention of returning to that boar. Rodrigue: …When a child misbehaves, it's the parent's responsibility. Felix… right here and now, you'll die!

Yet Rodrigue said he would not have forgiven Glenn if he had run away at Duscur. He could not even forgive his own teenage son for an act of cowardice on the battlefield. And if Felix joins CF, he has absolutely NO problems punishing him with death. I could understand and empathize with Rodrigue more after playing AG. I don't think he was a bad person. But he was certainly a bad father. He valued Lambert's (and Dimitri's) life above all others, even his own. And even his own sons. And Felix could pick up on that.

Felix: So, the old man's dead… Dimitri: Yes. Felix: I'll cut you down. Prepare yourself, you damn boar! Dimitri: Very well. Come at me, Felix!

There is unused dialogue that was apparently meant to be an alternate scenario based on whether Felix was defeated in Part 1 and was unrecruited in Part 2. I suspect much of his vitriol towards Dimitri in AM stemmed from jealousy over his father's affection. And because of him, he lost the chance to ever make up with his father. Their AM battle dialogue is the opposite of CF. This Felix had no hesitation cutting Dimitri out of his life violently and was prepared to die with him.

Felix: Sylvain, stand aside. My blade thirsts for his blood, not yours. Sylvain: Then surrender already. I don't even want to fight you! Felix: …Sorry. That isn't up for discussion.

But he had no desire to fight Sylvain. Because they could not finish their Support chain, Felix could not reaffirm his promise and find a new reason to live. I'm sure Sylvain knew that he was throwing his life away by trying to kill Dimitri and he was desperate to stop him. It's hard to overstate just how much more emotional Sylvain sounded in the Japanese version. He really did NOT want to fight Felix.

Rodrigue: Remember when I told you about the time I acted foolishly and got myself into trouble? Lambert broke through enemy lines and told me, "Don't waste your life." Although he was covered in wounds, so it wasn't very persuasive, was it? Dimitri: Haha, indeed. You two were truly good friends. I'm so envious of my father. Rodrigue: Haha, saying that would only make my son jealous. He'd ask, "What am I to you?"

As a descendant of the hero Fraldarius, Felix was expected to have the same kind of bond with Dimitri that Kyphon had with Loog and Rodrigue had with Lambert. But I never got the impression that he did. In Hopes, he inherits his father's title and position as the king's right-hand, similar to his solo ending in Houses.

His duty was to act as the Shield of Faerghus, and that involved protecting Dimitri, primarily from his own suicidal recklessness. That was a role he played in Houses as well, but he was mainly protecting Sylvain from himself instead of Dimitri. That's not to say that Felix did not care for Dimitri's safety in Houses. He just delegated those duties to Byleth, like when he asked her to "cage the boar".

Sylvain: Be careful, will you? …Jeez, you've even got bruises on your neck. If something were to happen to you, we don't know what will become of Faerghus, do we? Felix: I won't say it'll go smoothly without me, but I always assume I might die on the battlefield. Sylvain: Seriously, Felix… if you were to disappear now, what would happen to Faerghus and His Majesty?

It did not seem like being the Shield of Faerghus gave Felix a true sense of purpose or a reason to live. Sylvain's appeals for him to survive because Faerghus and Dimitri needed him did not seem to be very effective. In Hopes, he was pretty nonchalant about dying on the battlefield, causing Sylvain to scold him for being reckless. It was the exact opposite of their Houses Supports.

Sylvain: You and me, we'll support His Majesty and Faerghus, by complementing each other's weaknesses. Felix: …Yeah. Um… in the future too, I'll count on you. I hate to admit it, but I probably need you. Maybe. Besides… without you, everyone else would be insufferably gloomy. Sylvain: I get it. You don't have to say it. I'll always be with you, no matter what.

In Hopes, Felix was there to help Dimitri get back on his feet, both literally and figuratively. But Sylvain was the only one he could ever lean on. Felix was raised to believe it was his duty to be a literal human shield. And that's why it meant so much to him that Sylvain would always protect him.

Shez: Well, you know, Sylvain, who always fights with you, ends up being swarmed by enemies... Felix: …That's because every time, he boasts about taking charge with nonsense like "Leave it to me." Well, I believe he'd manage to get through any predicament, no matter how dire.

There was a change in Felix's C-Support with Shez. The localization stated that Felix would always get surrounded by enemies when fighting with Sylvain. But in the Japanese, it was the opposite.

Matthias: Rodrigue, fall back with the duke. The escape route is secured… Leave it to me. Rodrigue: Matthias… What a fool. Make sure you come back alive. You must! Matthias: It's been a while since I've fought to protect a friend's back. My blood is boiling with youthful fervor! Claude: Risking your life to let allies escape, huh? That's the knightly spirit of Faerghus we admire.

When Matthias died in GW, he said he would be waiting for Rodrigue and Lambert on the other side. It's extremely similar to what Sylvain says when he dies in CF. And there were many parallels between Sylvain and his father in Hopes.

Felix: I can still stand… I can still wield my sword. I can still fight…! Tch… With injuries like these, I won't withdraw…! Sylvain: Felix! Stand down! Aww, look at you all beaten up… Leave this to us and fall back, okay? Felix: Ugh… You better come back. If you're planning to die, I won't forgive you, Sylvain!

When Dedue is low on health during the SB battle at Ailell, Dimitri begs him to fall back because he cannot afford to lose him. But when Felix is low on health and can no longer stand, Sylvain is the one who comes to his aid. Rodrigue made it clear that he expected his son to fight to the death. But because of Sylvain he retreats. His future with Sylvain was the reason he chose to keep on living.

Sylvain: Ah… Felix. I'm glad you're safe. Felix: You, always trying to protect me... Don't be reckless. Even though you're weak, you always, always...! Sylvain: It's fine as long as you're safe. As long as you're alive, I… Felix: You idiot! Don't joke like that. If you ever dare to die, I won't forgive you…!

It's more obvious in Japanese, but what Felix said to Sylvain at the Valley of Torment was almost the exact same as their A+ Support. Sylvain probably knew he was going to die, just like Matthias did in GW. He was fighting to the death as he avenged Ingrid. Even though he wanted to die together with him, if it came down to it, Sylvain was always content to sacrifice his life to let Felix live. He died as a true knight so that Felix wouldn't have to. Felix had the type of bond with Sylvain that he was supposed to have with Dimitri.

Felix: …Well, I was prepared for it to come to this. With Father… and also with that boar, we'll eventually have to part ways.

Felix did not want to become a knight for many reasons. In Japanese, he used the phrase "袂を分かつ" (tasuki wo wakatsu). It literally means "to separate the sleeves" and is often used metaphorically. The imagery evokes the idea of two individuals going their separate ways, often signifying a farewell or divergence of paths. That is his entire motivation if he joins CF.

Felix: For the past five years, I've been fighting under the emperor. …I've slain quite a number of enemies. Now, I must look just like that boar from back then. …It's the face of a cruel beast that revels in blood and violence.

But if he takes that path, he becomes the very boar he hated.

Felix: …He's dead. I heard he was beheaded… But… I didn't see his head. If, by some chance, he's leading that army… Byleth: Are you truly ready to fight? Felix: …Don't underestimate me. Even if it's him, I'm prepared to kill.

In VW, Felix suspected that Dimitri was still alive all along. But he still chose to stay with the Alliance.

Felix: …I never truly understood his hatred and anguish towards the Empire. If it were me…could I have saved him? Could I have… stopped him?

Afterwards, he wondered if he could have saved him from dying like a wild boar. Even if he had stayed with the Kingdom, it wouldn't have made a difference. Only Byleth would have been able to stop him. Felix would have just died pointlessly at Gronder like everyone else. But there was no way for him to know that. In both routes, he suffers from regret and wishes he'd died alongside Dimitri. He is a lost soul, who lives only for the sword and fights with a will to die.

Felix & Sylvain (Non-AM) After the war, minor skirmishes continued throughout various regions in Fódlan. Felix, upon learning that there were battles still to be fought, chose to forsake his noble status and make a living as a swordsman. Over a decade later, he took on the role of a mercenary, and his employer turned out to be Sylvain, who had inherited the title of Margrave Gautier. The two of them were overjoyed to reunite, but their diverging paths meant that their fates would never intertwine further. After finishing his work, Felix left Sylvain's territory, embarking on another journey as a wanderer. It was a few years later when Sylvain received a sword that was unmistakably Felix's.

While Felix can eventually give up the sword and find some peace if he has a female partner, his paired ending with Sylvain is the single most tragic ending in the game. Despite having a chance reunion, Sylvain is unable to save him. While the reason for this is never stated, the Japanese ending offers a clue.

The phrase used in the Japanese ending is "道を違えた" (michi o tagaeta). It translates to "took the wrong path" or "strayed from the path." It implies making a mistake or deviating from the correct course of action, moral path, or intended direction. It emphasizes the idea of going astray or making an error in judgment.

Sylvain's arc was about realizing that his Crest did not decide his fate, he did. After Felix left him, he probably settled down with a random noblewoman, had children, and it was simply too late for him to start a new life with Felix. Because Felix went astray and chose an immoral path, it caused Sylvain to make a big mistake. Felix follows in Glenn's footsteps and dies alone, full of pain and regret. And I can't imagine that Sylvain's fate was any better when Felix's sword arrived on his doorstep. They can only be together in AM and their non-AM ending strongly emphasizes how that was the intended path for them.

Felix: Why did they die while I lived? …Even now, there's not a day I don't question. But I'm not as soft as you. I'll take my regrets to the grave. There are more important things to me now.

The localization did a faithful job with the Dimitri/Felix A-Support. It's just that, in Japanese, there was a line about how Felix would take any regrets to his grave. It was very similar to his A-Support with Rodrigue in Hopes. In AM, Rodrigue dies, and Felix never got to apologize for punching him. He even left a note in the confession box about that. But in Hopes, he could get closure with his father.

Felix and Dimitri's relationship was FAR from healthy. It probably would be much better for both of them to sever their rotten relationship once and for all and walk separate paths in life. And their A-Support was written with the idea that, if this was the final time Felix spoke to Dimitri one-on-one, that would be okay. He said what he needed to say and wouldn't have any regrets. Dimitri could sense his underlying compassion and was content to leave it at that.

Flayn: But isn't there a future beyond that where Felix can avoid taking lives? Felix: …It's fine to dream of such a future, but I don't belong there. After all, I've been swinging a sword ever since I was born. ...Swordsmen are troublesome creatures. Fighting for peace, yet losing our purpose when peace finally arrives. Flayn: …Haha, if that's the case, you need not worry. […] If you felt like you lost your purpose in life, surely you would find a new purpose. It's not like you to fear loss. Felix: …...… You really are something, aren't you? Huh… I've never even thought about it. Maybe there is such a way of living after all. ...I'm starting to get interested. Perhaps swinging a sword for the future you dream of wouldn't be such a bad idea.

One way Felix resembled his father was that he couldn't live without a great purpose in life, and if he lost that purpose, he'd need something to fill the void. He needed a future to look forward to during peacetime. He was intrigued by the idea that one day he could chop wood, fruits, and vegetables instead of people.

Felix: A millennial festival? Talking about festivities at a time like this, you're as carefree as ever, huh… Sylvain: No, no. While it's a celebration, it's also a political gathering where rulers from various countries gather. It wouldn't hurt to think about the future, right? You can't stay uninvolved either. Felix: Well, that may be true. For now, focus on the battle at hand, Sylvain. If you die here, there won't be any millennial festival or anything. Sylvain: Oops, a valid point! Well then, for now, I'll quietly prepare for the deployment. Felix: Do that. Don't neglect your preparations and end up losing your life in some trivial place.

He wielded a sword because he was afraid of loss. Getting stronger would not fulfill him the same way a relationship could. His non-AM endings really emphasize the fact that the sword was just filling the void of a partner.

Felix: I find it easier to wield a sword than to hold a woman's hand.

But personally, I think he was the only gay character in 3H (well, other than perhaps his father). He got along well with women, but I was struck by how unromantic his paired endings with them were. He is the only man to propose to Byleth at the training grounds instead of the Goddess Tower. He spends a lot of time apart from her in their paired ending and is happiest exchanging swords instead of words when they actually do see each other. It felt more like he was replacing the loss of his brother through her than really being in love.

In his ending with Flayn, he continues to wield a sword as Dimitri's right-hand and only gives it up in favor of a quiet life on his estate when Dimitri dies. When he marries Mercedes, Bernadetta, or Dorothea, he becomes the king's right-hand and travels across Fódlan with Dimitri. He spends a lot of time away from Bernie. Dorothea has to accompany him on the battlefield to get quality time.

His ending with Leonie is not romantic and they just become drinking buddies. In his ending with Ingrid, he gives up the sword when he's injured and does not regret it. The only two female paired endings that don't mention warfare, swords, or knighthood are Annette and Lysithea. But it felt like he fell in love with singing, not Annette. And with Lysithea, she dies young and leaves behind her cake recipe.

Felix: You're not cut out to be a knight. How about you start seriously looking for a marriage partner? Ingrid: …What's that supposed to mean? Felix: Just as I said. Ingrid: I understand that you dislike things like chivalry and knightly pride. Just because of that, you keep running away from your duty as the heir of the house… You have no right to speak so high and mighty.

In Japanese Felix did tell Ingrid to go find a husband, but he used the word "結��相手" (kekkon aite) instead of "夫" (otto) which means husband. "Kekkon aite" refers to someone whom you are seriously considering as a potential marriage partner but may not be formally engaged to or married yet. He wasn't telling her to go find the next man to offer a huge dowry and immediately get engaged.

He was saying that she would be better off dating, finding a serious partner that she loves, and eventually getting married. He did not say this in a disparaging way. He didn't want her to end up like Glenn nor did he want her to blindly follow the orders of a king who he considered bloodthirsty. He genuinely thought that being a wife would be a safer and more fulfilling lifestyle than being a knight.

Dimitri & Felix Dimitri formally succeeded to the throne of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus after his coronation, dedicating his lifetime to the governance and reform of Fódlan. Behind many of his achievements stood Felix, the Duke of Fraldarius, who sometimes acted as the king's right-hand man and at other times served as his advisor. Bound by a lifelong steadfast friendship, it is said that Felix mourned more intensely at Dimitri's passing than even the queen herself. The tale of their lives, akin to the legendary Lion King Loog and his sworn friend Kyphon, will be passed down through the ages as one of the stories that adorn the history of Fódlan.

In any case, Felix was projecting his own feelings onto Ingrid. If you pair her with Dimitri, it says she supported him as a wife and queen, but still insisted on fighting on the front lines in battle like a knight. If you pair Felix with Dimitri, it says he mourned the king's death more than the queen. Ya know, the wife. Chivalry promotes homoromantic social bonding among men.

Rodrigue had a wife and kids, but he devoted his life to a married (presumably heterosexual) man. He used his position as "sworn friend" of the king to fill the void of an actual gay relationship. He lost his reason for living when Lambert died. In this ending, Felix ends up following in his father's footsteps. I don't think that's a satisfying ending for him.

Dimitri/Felix: "彼らは生涯固い友情で結ばれ" means "They were bound by a lifelong strong friendship." This phrase emphasizes the steadfast and enduring nature of their friendship. The word "固い" means "firm" or "strong," implying a friendship that is resilient and unwavering. Sylvain/Felix: "生涯無二の友であり続けた" means "They remained lifelong inseparable friends." This phrase emphasizes the unique and unparalleled nature of their friendship. The term "無二" means "unparalleled" or "incomparable," suggesting that their bond was extraordinary and unmatched.

I would also like to compare the descriptions of friendship in the Dimitri/Felix ending to the Sylvain/Felix ending. Both phrases convey a deep sense of friendship, but they emphasize slightly different aspects. Dimitri/Felix emphasizes the enduring strength and solidity of their bond. In terms of depth, Sylvain/Felix carries a stronger sense of exclusivity and uniqueness in their friendship.

The term "無二" was also used in Ingrid's AM paired endings with Ashe and Dedue. Her arc was about belonging to herself, not a man. She wanted to go down in history as a knight, not as a wife. For that reason, her paired endings with Ashe and Dedue in AM don't specify her marital status. But the writers still wanted to suggest that she and her male partner were possibly lovers. So "無二" was chosen to emphasize their inseparable bond.

Felix & Sylvain (AM) Felix, who succeeded his deceased father Rodrigue as Duke Fraldarius, and Sylvain, who inherited the title of Margrave Gautier after his father's passing, both devoted their efforts to the restoration and prosperity of the Kingdom. Even amidst their busy days, their friendship never wavered. Felix would occasionally show up at the Gautier family's residence and insult Sylvain, and Sylvain, in turn, would visit the Fraldarius house frequently, solely to tease Felix. Throughout their lives, they remained inseparable friends, and there is even an anecdote that they coincidentally passed away on the same day.

In this ending, both men inherit their fathers' titles, but neither of them is forced to fulfill their unwanted patriarchal duty. Their bond is characterized by mutual devotion, not chivalry or bloodline. Their relationship effectively goes back to how it was when they were kids. Sylvain is free to go where he wants and spends his life with someone he loves, not just someone he can have Crest babies with. While he becomes a famous cheater in his solo ending, and a renowned lord in his others, here historians remember him most for his closeness with Felix.

Like Rodrigue, Felix wished to live and die alongside another man. When paired with most of his wives, he becomes the king's right-hand, a role that would require him to wield a sword and travel. But not in this ending. He stays in Fraldarius territory so he can be available for frequent surprise visits. Sylvain was his true purpose in life, and neither can live without the other. And to me, that is the ideal ending to both of their character arcs. The Shield of Faerghus died like a true knight. "The Shield's Successor" died like a true wife.

#fire emblem #fire emblem three houses #fe3h #sylvain jose gautier #felix hugo fraldarius #sylvix #fe3h meta #this is my otp from 3h #this meta is a doozy and looong #sorry i just had a lot of thoughts about them #and i really wanted to delve into their psychology #because they are such fascinating characters

[twisted-wonderland-but-gayer]

Can u tell me fluffy thoughts about the seven parents au? I'm in a terrible mood and I would be nice to hear something... Well, nice.

-🍯🐊

Some things to consider:

Feeling a ghost of a touch brush your cheek to wipe away tears and being able to tell who's hand it is.

Knowing a few different phrases in different languages because of them.

Having the best stories told to you and the best lullabies sung to you as you fall asleep.

Scar acting like a housecat and sleeping curled around you while you pet him– he will refuse to admit he enjoyed it.

Knowing a whole lot of different recipes from different cultures and how to cook them.

Watching drag queen shows with Ursula and the eels, she would even apply all kinds of makeup onto you and put you into ridiculous outfits that make you feel oddly confident.

Being able to swim along side Flotsam and Jetsam and diving with them to explore. Riding one of them across the surface of water super quicky. Petting them both as eels enjoy affection and occasionally having them nip you playfully

Calling them all different versions of dad or mom to differentiate between them. Jafar is baba.

Hades and his henchmen all gossiping together.

Nature walks with Maleficent as she teaches you all about fae life

Queen Grimhilde teaching you all about potions and skincare, even showing you how to make you own makeup. You will always pass chemistry because of her.

Ursula making a contract with you to always be happy and to be yourself. Maybe even an official adoption contract.

Watching Jafar and Iago banter.

Queen of Hearts allowing you to explore all of your interests and goofing around with you, also dressing you up in dumb outfits.

Planting red roses for the Queen of Hearts and giving her a bouquet when she feels homesick

Each of the royals putting their clothes and crowns on you, saying that you look good and would be an excellent ruler.

Toasting marshmallows using Hades fire.

The nicknames you get. "Kiddo" "Diamond" "Dragon Child" "Dearie" "Guppy" "Cub" "Vessel/Apple"

Having Maleficent turn Diablo into a Dragon, allowing you to ride on it as you fly alongside her.

All of them letting borrow their magic.

Queen of Hearts telling you to embrace and love your body and all of your oddities.

Teatime with ladies and sleepovers with the guys.

Scar teaching you self defense.

Jafar tutoring you on a hard subject, and helping you get out of sticky situations with diplomacy and hypnosis.

Everyone discussing what is best for you and what would make you happy.

Talking about a future home for all of you and taking in all of their wants to plan a perfect dreamhouse.

#twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland x reader #🍯🐊 anon #the great 7 parents #the great 7 #twst #disney twst #the great seven

[pixelblaze]

In desperate need of "Vash and Reader being parents after things have settled enough for them to have a quiet life" injected directly into my bloodstream.

Oh my gosh yes yes yes yes and YES I will TRY to do this ask justice!! aims needle k hold still

-Vash as a father

-Vash absolutely adores children. You can’t Tell me this man doesn’t want kids of his own someday.

-And as much as you wanna raise a family with this man, you both know that’s not possible until and if things ever calm down for him.

-And eventually they do. Even before he’s completely certain you guys are in the clear, he’s quick to bring up the conversation of kids again.

-And once you’re on board, he’s the happiest man alive!

-He’ll spend his evenings decorating the baby’s room and humming to himself. Maybe he’ll pick up a few parenting books and read in there.

-When the baby does arrive, it’s love at first sight. He loves that kid more than life itself. He’s holding his baby for the first time, looks directly at you, and immediately asks for another one.

-He needs to slow down a bit, but definitely a man who wants a large family.

-He’s eager to raise his kid with his pacifistic morals. It’s so sweet seeing them in the garden watching the spiders and the butterflies while he explains it’s possible to save all.

-Absolutely sings his kids to sleep. His singing voice is so beautiful and perfect for tucking little children in bed for the evening.

-He worries about the kids a lot. You usually need to tell him to calm down, but you let him check on them all the time because it’ll ease his mind, even if he shouldn’t over worry like that.

-You know this man cried on each and every first day of school his kids have. No matter how old they are. You have to be the one to pry him off his babies so they can make it to the school bus on time.

-Eventually his kids get old enough to realize it’s strange that their dad doesn’t seem to age, and he has to sit down and have the Talk with them about how he’s not a human being like them.

-This comes with many different reactions of course.

-But he tells them him being a plant doesn’t matter because he still loves them and even if he doesn’t age like them he’s not going to stop loving you or them for forever.

-It’s so cute to watch him play with the kids. He gets very into it, very dramatic. Whether it’s just play fighting or teatime you KNOW he’s gonna do a silly voice and absolutely rock at this children’s game.

-He might teach them to use a gun. I’m not sure though, what with the quiet life always calling to him, and him wanting his kids to never have to resort to using a weapon. He might teach them just to be safe though. It’s a sweet moment to see him teaching his kids.

-His kids are definitely going to grow up to be sweet and compassionate and pacifistic, just how he raised them.

-He tells them all sorts of stories based on his real life adventures. Their favorite character is definitely Nicholas the Punisher, he just sounds so cool!!

-He spends as much time as possible with his kids. The kind who remarks, “they grow up so fast” and that is Real and Terrifying to him.

-He honestly wishes they could just. Stay his little kiddos forever.

-He aspires to teach them everything Rem taught him and Knives. And he does a great job at that, really.

-HOWEVER he also Spoils his kids. He wants to be the fun, cool dad not the strict mean and scary dad, and that means Spoiling.

-The type of dad who, after you strictly say no, absolutely let’s each kid have another cookie before bed.

-You can’t stay mad at him though. You know he just wants the kids to like him, and who can blame him?

Thank you so much for reading~

#Trigun #Trigun x reader #vash #vash the stampede #vash x reader #vash the stampede x reader #my writing

[quitealotofsodapop]

How do the boys end up taking care of Mei? She has parents, AND they're rich enough to afford a dedicated nanny rather than leave her with a bunch of randos at a noodle shop. No shade to them, but I just don't think a restaurant is the first place I'd go for child care.

The situation with Mei is... complicated.

Macaque and Wukong run into the Long/Dragon parents on accident early on. Mrs Long was heavily pregnant at the time, and started chatting with Macaque as they waited in the same (supernatural) doctor's office. Wukong takes one look at the couple and ID's one of them as being related to Ao Lie. Wukong is sentimental and *may* have blown his cover a little to the Long couple whilst talking about his old stable buddy.

The Long couple are both delighted to meet someone that knew their predecessor, but also nervous cus; Wait, is that The Monkey King? And he's having a baby too!?

Tense teatimes are had.

Then the Long baby is born.

And neither monkey understand why the Long couple are disappointed. ("Whats wrong with a little girl? She's perfect.")

Little Xiaojiao is born perfectly healthy. A light dusting of green scales develop over her skin. Tiny nubs of what will become antlers poke through her scalp.

And the fingerprint of a primordial fire raging within her.

Wukong *knows* the second he sees her, that little Mei (he called her a little plum due to her scrunched up newborn face) is carrying the Samadhi fire. And he vows to protect her at all costs. The Long couple offer that he and Macaque become Mei's godparents - being the strongest individuals they know. They accept.

Macaque and Wukong frequently babysit little Mei at the Long's household. She's given the same luxuries as a little princess, but all she wants is to be held by them. The monkey couple notice a significant... lack of interest on the Long couple's part in their own daughter. And the Monkey King is known for hoarding treasures he deems unappriciated...

Far later on; something terrible happens to the Long family. Something caused by an individual who sensed the Samadhi fire sleeping in her crib, and wanted to steal her and all the treasures within the museum of a home. By the end of the night, Little Mei ends up living with her godparents.

It takes Pigsy a few days to realise that the little green-clad baby girl has been staying over multiple nights in a row. He tries to protest, but he ends up wrapped around Mei's tiny dragon-hooved finger.

Tang freaks out a little, cus while he knows that decendants of dragons exist; he's never seen a baby dragon before. Mei quickly wins him over too when she tries affectionately biting him with her gummy maw.

Sandy is completely taken by surprise when he meets her. He thought he had at least a few more months before he became an uncle! Luckily it takes very little for the sleepy baby dragon to make him absolutely adore her.

Mei develops an understanding that while she isn't with her birth family anymore, that she's very much loved where she is. And when her adoptive siblings needs company, she's always there. She does wonder why big brother Nezha and Baba cry sometimes when they hold her though.

I hope that explains enough without spoiling too much.

#long xiaojiao #lmk mei #the monkey king and the infant #the monkey king and the infant au #lmk aus #lmk shadowpeach au #lego monkie kid #lmk #shadowpeach #mei's parents #dad sun wukong #dad macaque #momcaque #Sun Wukong and Macaque are MK's parents #pregnancy tw #shadowpeach being parents #freenoodles being parents #sandy being the best uncle #lmk tmkati au story events

[asksidon]

so i got body shamed again today. oddly enough though, it was pretty funny and it boosted my confidence? it got me thinking though, i think some more fem plus size reader x sidon drabble is in order. i know its a bit vague but i know you can come up with something great, you always do!

TIA <3

"Are you sure you're okay, Y/N? I'm sorry to keep asking . . . you just seem, not like your usual self."

Anyone else would have annoyed you with the question by now. In some ways, you are annoyed that you can't hide from him when you want to. You are halfheartedly picking at a wildberry muffin as you sit with Sidon in his chambers during teatime. The prince picks up the kettle of green tea and fills your cup since it is below half-full, and you smile at him in thanks.

"Oh, my prince. I am just feeling so frustrated," you say. You nervously twist your rings around on your fingers. "I got a report back from the doctor that is troubling me. Of course, he puts every issue on my weight and eating habits, saying everything would get better if I improved them. But then he doesn't really give me any solid advice for doing that, and sometimes, it feels like the 'your weight' or 'your eating' is just a catchall for lazy diagnosis."

Part of your first instinct is to hide after you've said the words. You feel that Sidon has bigger problems to worry about than what troubles you, and you worry that maybe he will agree with the doctor and think you're just being defeatist.

The prince leans toward you slightly, his mouth in a straight line and compassion reflected in his gaze. "Is this why you have hardly touched any food today?" He gestures at your partially eaten muffin.

"I guess it is, yes. I don't have much of an appetite." Just then, your stomach reveals your lie by emitting a very loud growl.

Sidon picks up his napkin from his lap and places it on the table, then stands and walks toward the door.

"My prince? Where are you going?"

"To get you some real food, of course, Y/N. What would you like? Pasta? Sandwiches? Something else? Don't be shy - my staff love you. They'll be happy to whip up anything you like."

Clearly, he is not judging you, as you'd feared, but he also takes fussing over you to a whole new level. Seeing the look on his face, you realize this is a battle you can't win and give a quiet sigh. "I guess sandwiches would be nice."

He disappears for several moments and then returns with two heaping platters of sandwiches cut into the perfect triangles, looking straight out of a tea party with the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland.

"We have cucumber, tuna, ham, and peanut butter and jelly. On separate sandwiches, I mean. All of that at once might be unappetizing," he chuckles and sets the platters down, then resumes his place across from you.

You choose a triangle from the smorgasbord and chew it thoughtfully. Sidon picks several triangles and finishes them all before you're even through your first one.

"I'd like to talk to your doctor," he says finally. "I wonder what he'd say about me. I love food. No offense, but I could pick you up with my little finger, Y/N. You know that, right?"

"It's different for you, though." You appreciate his attempts at cheering you, but you can't seem to break through your fog to meet him. "You're supposed to be big, my prince. Like your father."

He's working his way through a peanut butter sandwich and has to pause for a moment. "What if you're supposed to be big, too?"

Finally, that gets a smile from you since now you're imagining yourself in King Dorephan's form.

"Maybe. I guess it could be genetics. Still, it seems like I'm doomed from a health perspective," you say.

"Don't say that, Y/N," he answers gently. "Perhaps you should get a second opinion from a different doctor; this one seems to have truly worried you. If nothing else, maybe another could at least give you better advice." He pauses to eat another couple of sandwiches. "Would you want an appointment with my physician? Obviously he doesn't specialize in Hylian health, but maybe he knows someone who does. And he can still check all the basic things to make sure you're all right."

You turn toward the window as a wave of emotion comes through you. Sidon always has ways of surprising you, making you feel cared for in ways that no one else has. "I . . . would like that," you answer when you know you can do so without crying.

"Consider it done, then." He stares at the uneaten sandwiches and pushes the plates toward you. "The rest are yours. I've got to go to training soon."

You don't feel quite as shy as you select another triangle.

"Who knows, maybe you should train with me, Y/N. You might be a warrior in my guard someday, besting us all." He winks at you.

"Somehow, I truly doubt that," you say after a giggle, "but thank you for saying it."

#millie berra #I hope this works #it is a subject that is both close to my heart and complex #I love writing about it through Sidon #this came into my brain since my own doc touted losing weight but didn't really give me any concrete tips for doing so in a healthy way #hate the idea that there is only one 'right' size for everyone #ugh #anyway sorry rant over #:-) #fem plus size reader #sidon x reader

[mischievous-marchie]

SFW alphabet with Arkhamverse Jervis Tetch please :)

One of my favorite versions of my absolute favorite man! How can I resist?

Arkham!Jervis SFW Alphabet

SFW, mostly fluff but - obsession, mentions of violence/murder. Just expect some Arkham!Jervis-typical yandere elements.

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Jervis is extremely affectionate. You're his everything and he'll make excessive use of all five love languages to show it. Physical touch? He can't get enough, hugging and kissing and cuddling. Words of affirmation. Everything about you is perfect and he'll wax poetic to make sure you know it. Acts of service? This man is willing to wait on you hand and foot as long as you give him your love. Quality time? Well, why would he ever leave your side? He's attached at the hip to you! And finally gift giving. Expect a barrage of Wonderland themed gifts, as well as anything he finds that makes him think of you.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

Jervis is a loyal friend. The type who will stick by your side through all kinds of hell, and he loves to help those close to him. To the point of it being his downfall at times. The friendship probably starts the moment you show him even an iota of kindness. If you actively listen to him talk about what's on his mind(without him having to use mind control), you've gained a friend for life.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

If Jervis had his way, you'd be cuddled up in bed or on the couch all day. He wants nothing more than to hold you and be held by you. Even at the table, he has your chair pulled close enough to his for some teatime cuddles. The difficult part is getting him to let go, honestly.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Honestly, settling down with you is his end goal. Emotionally, he's been ready to dedicate his life to that one special person for years. Stabilitywise, he's got a long way to go, but he's not about to let that stop him. If he's even aware of it. He's definitely better at cooking than cleaning(and better at baking than cooking). Chances are you'll be maintaining the home as far as cleanliness goes(and making sure he maintains himself for that matter).

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

The thing about Jervis is he is dedicated. The only thing that would make him want to end the relationship is a major betrayal on your part. If that happens... The love is gone now and, to put it bluntly, he'll kill you and then cry about it.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Jervis is all about commitment. When he falls, he falls fast and hard. It's true love at first sight and he'll want to marry you immediately if you'll let him. At the very least, he insists on having you stay with him.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

It varies. In general, he's very gentle with you both physically and emotionally. Soft touches and kisses. Tender words of adoration. But he does also have a tendency to get overexcited, at which times he fails to mind his grip. He may grab your arm a little too hard as he drags you over to the tea table and babbles about whatever plans he's made for you today.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

He loves hugs. He lives for them. And he gives the best ones too. Arms wrapped firmly but comfortable around you like he may never let go. And to be quite honest, he's debating it. You can tell by just how long his embraces last.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

As mentioned previously, Jervis is the type to fall fast and hard. He'll break out the "I love yous" almost immediately. The moment he's decided you're the one.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Jervis is known for his jealousy. He is extremely possessive and fully believes that the world is out to take you away from him. He's constantly on the alert to protect you and has been known to fly into a jealous rage. His anger, however, is never directed at you but rather the people he perceives as a threat to your relationship. If you don't reassure him, he may go off and kill someone.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

When it comes to kissing, Jervis is a man of variety. But the two most common are gentle kisses to the back of your hand and sloppy, passionate kisses on the lips. He's also been known to press a few to your cheek when cuddling.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

I imagine he could get along with kids well enough. He's good at keeping them entertained with stories and simple games. He's not responsible enough to supervise, however. Feeding them too many snacks and losing track of them, yet panicking over something as simple as a skinned knee.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

Jervis has two modes for this. Some days, he'll went to stay in bed an extra hour or two and snuggle. Other mornings, he's up bright and early to prepare you a lovely breakfast consisting of scones and tea. Either way, you're the first thing on his mind in the morning.

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

An hour or so before bedtime, he likes to snuggle up with you on the couch or in bed. Either way it involves warm blankets, a final cup of tea for the evening, and reading. This can be each of you reading individually or him reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass to you until you fall asleep. As you drift off, he kisses your forehead then turns out the light.

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

Jervis is an open book. Anything you want to know about him, he'll gladly tell you. He may even tell you things you didn't ask for. The only exception to this are his past crimes. At least the ones committed in anger. He's ashamed and believes that if you knew, you'd be afraid of him. Given his reputation, you probably already know. He still doesn't like to talk about it.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

It very much depends on the situation. In many ways, his patience with you is endless. He believes you can do no wrong, and if you're worried about annoying him, that's never going to happen. But if he feels that you're avoiding him or that you've betrayed him somehow, he's very quick to anger and it shows.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

He hangs on your every word and you'd better believe he's going to remember. You mention a snack you like? The cupboard is now stocked with a year's supply. A show you liked as a kid? You only brought it up the one time "yeah, I liked that show" and that was that. But when he sees old merch for it at a second hand store two years later, he remembers and he gets it for you. You're the center of his world and he wants you to know that. What better way to prove it than by knowing every little detail about you?

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

The day you said you'd be his was the happiest of his life. The memory plays on loop in his head, serving as a comfort in those moments where he can't be with you. When he thinks about your smile, the way your eyes lit up and the soft kiss when you told him you loved him... Not even Arkham can break his spirit.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

Jervis is extremely protective and very willing to resort to murder just to keep you safe. You. Might want to try and talk him out of it if the threat isn't all that severe.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

He goes all out in everything he does. His energy is seemingly endless and he wants to do everything in his power to show you how much he loves you. This means elaborate dates, fancy gifts, and 100% of his attention on you. Anniversaries and your birthday are especially ostentatious and you can expect wall to wall flowers as an expression of his undying love.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

He has... A tendency to get overemotional when things aren't going as planned. This can range from tears to explosive anger and may result in the room being torn apart and a few mind-controlled henchmen being killed in front of you. He'll need your reassurance that you still love him after such a display.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

There was a time when he was very insecure about his appearance. His peers made sure he knew he wasn't a conventionally attractive man, and mockery of his height didn't help either. These days, he's not too hung up on it. His disheveled state serves as a reminder of that fact. As long as he gets to rock his Wonderland aesthetic, he couldn't care less how he looks(although he does love it when you compliment his appearance).

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Absolutely. You're his everything. He can't imagine his world without you in it. He just knows it would be a sad and empty place, and that he would return to being a sad and empty man.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

If you ask him, he can use mind control in small doses to help you kick bad habits.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

I feel like it's obvious to say he wouldn't like a partner who's openly mean to him. But also, do not insult him. Not even playfully. He'll assume that you mean it and he won't take it well.

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)

If he's somehow not already cuddling you before he falls asleep, he will be after. He's the kind of man to cling desperately to you in his sleep so I hope you like being a living teddy bear. He's also been known to talk in his sleep.

#jervis tetch #mad hatter #jervis tetch x reader #mad hatter x reader #arkhamverse #arkham games #sfw post #sfw alphabet #cw yandere

[kimberly-spirits13]

okay I have to share a Benadryl and Taylor Swift induced dream that I had the other night that I can’t get out of my BRAIN

the entire premise of the dream is that it was the Anti Hero music video but it was Y/N and Bruce where Y/N is basically Taylor singing and the music video is like Y/N and Bruce are in this Taylor Swift music video style montage of all the rich elite people things that they do like cutting the ribbon at a grand opening, being swarmed by paparazzi, and then the part that’s the chores and it’s basically them sitting at a fancy dinner and Y/N just drinks and drinks and drinks and Bruce has her carried out as she’s screaming the entire way

the dream ends with Y/N waking up and everyone realizing that it’s just her worst public fears of what might happen in some weird world

the way that it goes by lyric

- I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser- and it’s like just a montage of Bruce and Y/N going to public outings and Y/N moves into the manor and they’re this picture perfect couple

-I wake up screaming from dreaming one day, I’ll watch as you’re leaving ‘cause you got tired of all my scheming- Bruce and Y/N break up and he leaves the manor

-It’s me hi, I’m the problem it’s me, at teatime everybody agrees, I’ll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero- this is where

Y/N gets mad wasted on champagne and keeps drinking and Bruce is looking around and seeing everyone staring at them and stuff

-Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby and I’m the monster on the hill- Bruce is being Brucie in this and talking to guests at a gala when Y/N comes in as a giant and everyone runs away and Bruce just looks at her with champagne in his hand and is just like *sigh* and she just looks down with disappointment

-the other chores is her getting kicked out screaming of the party since she was drinking so much

and then the part about being killed- the batkids are all sitting around and Steph is the Fearless 2009 lady in Taylor’s dress and the guy reading everything out is Dick

All the batkids start fighting each other like what happens in the video and Y/N does the walk through- btw steph is totally the daughter in law in this lmao

the part where big taylor walks to the short taylor’s on the roof is instead where Bruce finds Y/N sitting all alone on the balcony and joins her to find out what’s up and then it’s like yay happy ending this was all in her head and then she wakes up and that was the dream

it was wild but I figured it wasn’t leaving my brain till I posted it sooooo yeah

#batfam x reader #batboys x reader #headcanon #dc x reader #dc comics #dc characters #batfam #battinson x female reader #battinson x reader #bruce wayne x fem!reader #bruce wayne x reader #bruce wayne #bruce wayne x y/n #batman x (hero) reader #batman x y/n #batman x batmom #batman x reader

[megaphonegirlk]

give me rheagard (001) for the ask game!

when I started shipping it if I did: It's a little complicated! Probably...oh geeze. 2020? I kind of always did like it, in it's way, since the game came out...but personal exotrauma reasons kept me from admitting it out loud until we came to terms with it >_> my thoughts: They are...PERFECT, your honor! They have so much in common , but are each convinced the other's the representation of everything they hate despite them being in the exact same boat. They've got the torrid enemies to lovers angle going...two women who waged world-shattering war against one another out of a presumed hate finding out that they're far more similar than either would have ever admitted. The Flame Emperor and the War Saint Seiros clashing together, and falling in love...not to mention, the synchronicity with Edelgard's ancestor, implied to have been Seiros' lover. What makes me happy about them: They can find what they thought forever lost in one another **SOBS** , they're such perfect mirrors, and when they finally open up they're so cute together!!!. Those moments before Rhea knows Edelgard's the Flame Emperor, too...the attempts to be gentle and almost motherly, they're fantastic. What makes me sad about them: They've each lost so many people, and are only going to lose more as long as the war rages. They both fight desperately so it'll never happen again, while not understanding that it will as long as they remain locked in combat. things done in fanfic that annoys me: When they demonize Hubert or members of the holy family just to get a convenient enemy for the fic, honestly. things I look for in fanfic: Pining from opposite sides of the war, finally having to fucking talk, swordfights/battle, and i am attached to the 'dragon/Nabatean Edelgard' idea i've seen a few times. I think it'd be cute Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other: Edelgard: Byleth, Hubert, Jeritza, Any of the Black Eagles, Claude Rhea: Byleth, Manuela...a few other smaller ships. My happily ever after for them: The war is resolved, be it through Byleth's use of time loops or simply intervention at the right moment. The two women finally have to look one another in the eyes and see beyond the masks they'd put up. After years of reform and work fixing Fodlan's many problems, the two retire to the woods together to a cottage known to all their friends and loved ones, where they spend their days together. Rhea teaches Edelgard to properly handle the mutagenic power of the blood in her veins, and perhaps even helps her to fly. who is the big spoon/little spoon: Rhea is the big spoon on account of how tall she is, but Edelgard keeps trying to reassert herself as Big Spoon because she may love her but hell if she's going to _Yield_ what is their favorite non-sexual activity: Growing their own tea, and gossiping over teatime, I'd say!. Or... flying together

#rheagard #Lady Rhea #Edelgard #ask answers #ship ask game

[manonamora-if]

This is a short-ish log. I know I forgot last week, but I'm sure you understand why :P There was the AMA on that Saturday, and I was sPENT.

Teatime with a Vampire

IT IS OUT! The thing I've been working for almost a month, which I thought I'd be done in a week... It's way too long for its own good. But you CAN PLAY IT.

If you like vampires and smooches, and slightly about-to-get-steamy scenes, but also weird wtf moments, then this is perfect for you!

While you're at it, play some Queer Vampire Jam games. There's some good stuff there.

French Comp Entry

Currently writing it. An epistolary one. The base UI is ready. I have half the passages drafted. And one week to finish it.

Website update

Last week, I've been working on updating my website since it had been a while, and a bunch of new projects needed to be added. (also ended up fixing some lil things in the process). Check out how cool the first page and project-list pages are now!!

And over on itch, I've updated my page to include neat collections to find games easier.

DOL-OS

The IFDB Awards were announced and DOL-OS won the Outstanding French Game of 2023!!! I'm reeeaaallllyyy happy about this! It was also nominated for a handful of other ones like: Outstanding Twine, Trailblazer, and Outstanding Sci-Fi!

Thanks to everyone who voted at the Awards (and for me :P ) Next is the Xyzzy... any day now xD

~

I think that's all for what I've been doing. I need to add more to the @manonamora-if-reviews queue, cause I've been reviewing a bunch of stuff lately too! If only the IFDB and Tumblr would "talk" to each other so the posting would be automatic xD

~

IF Events for next week:

The Smoochie Jam, the @seedcomp-if and the French IF Comp are ending very very soon! But there is still some time to submit!

The SpringThing will still accept intents to submit until March 1!

I've started the Interactive Fiction Showcase 2024 over on itch to try to find more IF release during the year. Consider sharing the post on Tumblr!

~

And that's it for now :) The end of the month is approaching, which means a new check-in will happen (and lots of admin too... ;-;)

#devlog #progress #updates #interactive fiction #if: events #i have to do my taxes today ;-;

[jmagnabo92]

World War Teatime

After their plot to put their relationship back on their terms, Hetty and Trevor decide to date one-on-one in secret with Jay's help

AO3

*** 

          As Hetty cuddles into him in their secret room, one on the main floor rather than in the basement, Trevor can’t help grinning that their plan worked.  Sure, they hadn’t exactly planned for it to happen this soon, but Stephanie forced their hand.  

           Stephanie wanted to tear them apart, and so did Nigel, that much was obvious with his behavior in the last few months, thus when he tried to force them out of hiding, they had come up with a plan: they would come out and be extra obnoxious (Trevor's convinced that Hetty loves when he is being extra) and have a terrible date with Isaac and Nigel causing them to question the relationship and complain to their 'friends', who quite frankly they didn't expect to be helpful, and then stage a break up.  

           Now, they could go back to their relationship on their terms.  It was perfect.

           Hetty hums.  "It is too bad that I cannot stay all night."

           "It has been nice to have our nights together the passed week."

           "However, this is for the best."

           "Yeah, I'm glad our planned worked - we should get to decide when we're ready to be out to everyone and not that dirty little teapot."

           Hetty giggles.  "Exactly, and although I hated praising Elias over you -" at this, she shivers.  "- it worked quite splendidly.  Although I cannot believe Isaac agreed with me - that man was a terrible menace and horrible at dinner parties."

           "As horrible as I was?"

           "You were trying to be terrible, Dear," Hetty states.  "He was not - he was just terrible."

           Trevor grins.  "That's true.  I tried not to be as obnoxious as I was with the whole hitting on Sam thing, but I think bringing up 'flavored water' after an hour of talking about tea and deliberately spreading my legs was pretty bad."

           Hetty giggles.  "Personally, I liked the view of your genitals on display, especially because it clearly drove Nigel around the bend because you're clearly bigger than him."

           Trevor laughs.  "I never thought you'd be the one to approve of such measures or stroke my ego, but I like it."

           "I can do a little stroking every now and then," Hetty grins.  "Especially after our fake fight, I realize with recent events it might hurt you more to hear those things then..."

           "I know you're not embarrassed of me anymore, Hetty.  I know you didn't mean the things you said - it was all part of our plan and I'm okay with that."

           "Oh, good."

           "Still, maybe it wouldn't hurt if we did try dating just the two of us."

           "Have we not been dating for months now?"

           "Hetty, I told you- this is pillow talk.  It is not the same thing as dating," Trevor states.  "It's just something you do in the afterglow to extend the intimacy."

           "Trevor, we spend hours just talking after engaging in amorous congress, cuddled up together and enjoying one another's company.  That is not dating?"

           "Well, we're dating, but not actually dating."

           She looks confused.

           "I mean, we started this thing out as just two horny people getting their jollies off together, but now, we're more than that - and yet, we only really spend time in bed together.  Dating would mean going on dates just the two of us.  Actually talking outside of cuddling in bed."

           "What exactly are you proposing?  We just proved teatime is not our thing, and everyone believes we broke up."

           "Will you let me think of something and just go along for the ride?"

           "I suppose."

           "Good, now... what is our next step in getting back at Nigel?"

           Hetty grins.  "Well, I have a few ideas..."

***

           It seemed like with their public breakup, everyone as all over them wanting to make them feel better or get the dramatic details of their torrid affair.  He's pretty sure that they just wanted to make sure that they didn't miss any ensuing drama, but the fact is that it took more than a week before he could find Jay alone and feel comfortable enough to approach him about his date idea.  

           Thankfully, Jay has the iPad open, and he could type something into word and have it read it out loud to Jay.  

           Hey Jay, can I ask a favor?

           Jay jumps about a mile causing Trevor to laugh.  "I'm guessing - Trevor?"

           You finally learned my name!

           "I always knew your name, but I liked driving you nuts by calling you ‘no pants’ until you decided to get back at me with those magnets.  I just wanted you to stop using the magnets on the fridge to insist I call you by name or you'd use them to pick on me – I guess that means I am using your name."

           Well, it worked.  You call me by name now.

           "Yeah, yeah, what do you want?"

           I need a favor, that I need you to keep a secret.

           "This doesn't involve my sister or cat phishing, does it?"

           Of course not.

           "Alright, what is it?"

           I was hoping you would cook a nice dinner - nothing fancy just something you and Sam would be able to eat as leftovers - and bring it out to the carriage house on Friday night."

           Jay stares at the iPad for a solid minute before he asks, "I thought you and Hetty broke up."

           We did.

           "Then, who's the date for?"  

           Figuring that Jay would definitely not help if he wasn't honest, Trevor sighs.

           Can you keep a secret?

           "Of course."

           Hetty and I faked our breakup, and this date is for the two of us.  

           "What?  Why would you - you know what?  I want the details.  From start to finish - how did we get here because Sam has told me nothing."

           It's a long story...

           "Do you want my help or not?"

           Fine.

***

           Telling Jay the story had gotten him on board to help, he even cleaned up the carriage house a bit.  Not enough to be suspicious if Sam discovered it, but enough that he and Hetty could enjoy their date without feeling like they were dinning in dust.  

           "Alright, I am assuming you're here - the remote for the TV is on the table.  It's already set for that movie that I can only assume is for Hetty, you just have to turn it on.  Don't forget to turn it off when you leave," Jay says as he pops the tops off a couple of Snapples, despite the fact that they wouldn't be able to drink them.  "I'll be back in the morning, but I hope you two will have a nice time."

           Trevor moves to the saltshaker, knocks it over and spells out Thanks, Jay in the salt.

           Jay laughs, "You're welcome - I'm kind of excited to be part of this secret, but you know I have to clean that up now, right?"

           Sorry.

           "Oh, I almost forgot," Jay says, as he begins to clean up the salt.  "I'll put these on the table."  

           He's referring to the two flowers that Trevor asked him to buy.  A yellow rose and a blue ranunculus - the first for friendship and the second for attraction and playfulness.  He thought about more relationship type flowers, but they weren't quite there yet despite their pseudo dating.  They should probably take this slow.

           Thanks again.

           "Alright, I'm going to head out now.  Enjoy."

           Jay leaves the carriage house just as Hetty enters.  

           He smiles, somewhat nervous.  They've spent a lot of time together, talking and enjoying each other's company, but nothing like an established date.  

           "Hi, you, uh, made it," Trevor stutters, and Hetty laughs.

           "What would have prevented me from 'making it' as you say?"

           "Well, usually it's like traffic or something else coming up- I forgot momentarily that we're ghosts and those normal, well, for me, things that used to come up on dates no longer applied."

           As he moves to pull out her chair, he realizes, again, that he can't do that either.  Sometimes being able to touch things makes him forget that he's a ghost.  Even as he realizes that he needs Jay's help for setting up the date.

           "I have noticed that you tend to forget that you are a ghost often," Hetty says as she sits.  "However, it is a normal occurrence.  I suspect that having Jay and Samantha around has not helped you in that regard, but it does appear to be tapering off."

           "Yeah, it comes and goes," Trevor states as he sits across from her.  "I know that we can't really eat, but I had Jay cook us up something he and Sam can eat later, and I figured with the TV in here, we could watch a movie after."

           Hetty doesn't give any indication either way as she looks at the flowers thoughtfully.  

           "I know it's the boring average dinner and a movie date except we can't actually eat dinner, but I figured we could attempt it..."  He's starting to feel nervous again, so he mutters, "Maybe this wasn't the best idea."

           "It's lovely, Trevor.  I was just attempting to understand the flowers - you were attempting to send a message with them, correct?"

           "Oh, yes.  Uh, in honor of our fun together, the ranunculus is for attraction and playfulness, while the the yellow rose is for friendship.  I figured that since this is our first date - a red rose would be too much."

           "I like them," Hetty states.  "I learned the flower meanings a long time ago, but it has been so long that I could not remember.  To be honest, I am surprised that you know flower meanings."

           Trevor laughs.  "Do you remember when you caught Thor and I looking at the environment stuff on Sam's computer and called us Deviants?"

           "Yes, and it was an easy assumption to make."

           "Says the woman who then asked me to look up stable boys."

           Hetty gives him a look, but asking, "Perhaps, you should get to the point."

           Trevor hums.  "Well, the reason we were looking up environmental stuff was because I've learned in my years of dating that the person you're dating usually likes when you have something in common.  So, I tried to find things that would strike up conversations the best - nail polish, flower meanings, and chapstick flavors were surprising hits.  So, I memorized them and struck up conversations with those ideas as starters."

           "One must have worked a lot harder in your time to date."

           Trevor nods.  "It was fun to learn something I otherwise wouldn't have, but yeah, I put a lot of work into it."

           Hetty hums and nods.  "You know, chapstick was invented just before I died, I believe the first flavor was sweet cherry, before that we used honey or natural oils to smooth one's lips."

           "That explains why you taste like honey," Trevor replies with a grin.  "I used to mess around with all of the different flavors because if I was going to be mocked for using it - I mine-as-well lean into the idea, right?"

           "Which would explain the strange taste of some sort of candy on your lips."

           "I had both cotton candy and the bubble gum flavored blow pops on my lips when I died - although I'm sure you can also taste the alcohol and cocaine because I can."

           Hetty hums as she reaches her hand across the table to hold his, "Perhaps that is why you are so addictive."

           "We finally figured out what you like about me."  Trevor laughs, squeezing her hand.  "Well, that and my ass."

           "A lady does not discuss asses at the dinner table, Trevor."

           "Fair, let's go back to the taste of my lips instead," he teases.

           "One would think that chapstick or flowers would be more appropriate."

           Trevor smiles. "Lady's choice."

           "Flowers."

           "Good choice."

***

           The flower talk bled way into some of their other interests.  First, more talk about the flavors of Chapstick, before delving into the fun facts on Snapple caps.  Hetty thought they were a bit silly, but she indulged him, adding a few of her own fun facts that she learned over the years.  

They discussed the changes in their afterlives with a brief respite to complain about Nigel still stealing Hetty’s time with Isaac.  Their subtle plan of annoying him out of the mansion was perhaps a bit too subtle, but they didn’t want to do anything as daring as Nigel’s blatant blackmail or the tea party fiasco since that had made things worse for her relationship with Isaac.  

Then, things made way to some of their favorite things to discuss – the role play scenes they love to play out and of course, horses.

Trevor, naturally, knew that Hetty loved horses, and although he had only ridden a horse a few times, he could relate to that.  Hence, why when the horse talk started to dwindle, he told her that he had picked two movies with horses that they could watch.

She’d been delighted to watch both Flicka and The Horse Whisperer but had fallen asleep on him as they had gone from sitting side by side with his arm around her shoulders to laying down with her on top of him.  

He should wake her up, but he’s much too comfortable.  He’ll just close his eyes for five minutes and then wake her.  

Unfortunately, five minutes turned into five hours, and he’s jerked awake by the sounds of Jay muttering about electricity as he turns off the TV.

Oops.  

Hetty groans.  “It is impolite to make such a racket this early in this morning.”

“Jay probably assumes we aren’t here,” Trevor states.  

“I did not mean to fall asleep on you, Trevor,” Hetty states, despite not moving.

“That’s okay, you don’t hear me complaining,” Trevor counters with a grin.  

She gives him a kiss, and says, “Thank you for a lovely date.  I shall return to my room before Isaac awakens so that he does not suspect we are up to our old tricks, again.”

He nods.  Isaac kept tabs on Hetty far more than Thor kept tabs on Trevor.

“However, I shall see you later?”

Trevor grins.  “Our room?  Unless you’d like to use one of these rooms for more privacy?”

“I would like that.  Normal time?”

“Agreed.”

Hetty gives him one last kiss before making her way out of the carriage house.  He gets up and finds that Jay has put this phone on the counter.  He types a text to Jay’s phone in – so it’ll read it out loud.  

Sorry, we fell asleep.

Jay jumps.  “Oh, Trevor, sorry, man.  Must’ve woken you up, then?”

Yeah, but it’s fine.  If we’re to keep this a secret, it’s better for Hetty to be back in her room before Isaac notices she’s missing.

“Ah, okay.  So, did it go well, then?”

It did.  I think we have more in common than we thought.  You wouldn’t mind doing it, again, would you?

“Of course not, I like being part of ghost shenanigans for once.”  Jay grins.  “You know, maybe we might even have something in common if you ever wanted to hang out with me?”

It’s baseball season, isn’t it?

“You like baseball?”

Not as much as football or basketball, but yeah.

“Then maybe we should watch the next Mets game together?”

I’d like that.

“And we can plan your next date with Hetty.”

At first, Trevor wants to say no, but Jay does have some sound dating advice and he’s a great husband to Sam, so it wouldn’t hurt to get his advice.  Definitely would be better than Pete’s – and Sass/Thor’s advice was laughable. Good thing he hadn’t been looking for it then.

I’d like that.

“Great!”

***

Trevor could admit that he loved pulling one over on everyone.  Between his bonding with Jay, the dates with Hetty and the fact that no one had any idea that he and Hetty were enjoying some private fun time, he felt like he was pulling an epic prank on the house, and it definitely got his juices flowing.  Especially because he and Hetty were slowly ousting Nigel from the house and arranging things so that they were interrupting Nigel and Isaac’s time together just like Nigel did for Hetty and Isaac’s time together.  

It wasn’t that either of them wanted to mess up Isaac’s relationship with Nigel, but they wanted Nigel to admit what he did, to know that he wasn’t in charge, and to actually respect Hetty and her time with Isaac.  Hetty had had enough of the disrespect from men her life (especially while she was alive) and the one thing she loved about being a ghost was the inherent respect of her fellow male ghosts, but Nigel was frustratingly bucking that tradition.  

The fun part with Nigel for Trevor was whenever he’d start a conversation with him, he’d drive him nuts with details about sexual exploits and positions.  In fact, he knew a whole slew of male-male positions that he figured Nigel might not know about since he’s been dead for 250 years.  Since he knows Nigel’s frustrated with the pace of their baby stepping their relationship (probably why he’s so jealous of him and Hetty – and walking in on them), the sex talk is especially fun because he puts sex on Nigel’s mind knowing he’s not getting any.  

It was even more fun, when Trevor had gotten Flower and Alberta involved, since Nigel obviously wants to be more involved with the mansion ghosts (and incorrectly assumed that such ‘ladies’ would not be vulgar enough to discuss sex positions), he’d been delighted when they joined the discussion.  Trevor, on the other hand, wanted to celebrate with his little T-Money thing, but restrained that for later.  

When he told Hetty of these delightful conversations, she actually wanted the details, which had delighted Trevor to no end.  Of course, the first time he told her about the sex positions, she had asked how he knew about them, and he admitted about his past relationship with Ari.  It had actually been a pivotal moment for them because he had expected for her to not be accepting or mock him for being with the man that threw his body in the lake, but she hadn’t done either of those things.  She understood that sometimes you can’t help you fall for and that it sucks to want someone who doesn’t want you back.  It was at that point that she confessed about her crush on Isaac, and what a fool she thought she was for not knowing about Isaac being into men or would never be into her after the last century together.  

Trevor had assured her that she wasn’t a fool for being attracted to someone who was never attracted to her or for not knowing something that had taken Isaac two hundred and fifty years to figure out.  She had smiled and told him that at least now they both had someone that actually wants to be with them.  

That was definitely a step forward in the right direction.  

Unfortunately, more than a month after Hetty and Trevor’s first date, Nigel hasn’t combusted or realized that Trevor was just getting back at him.  Although he did complain to Isaac about the topic of conversation during their pondering time (Hetty told him about it), and which Isaac had responded that that was just Trevor.  That he, Flower, and Alberta are quite open about sex and often have some very disturbing conversations in relation to sex (at least according to him).  Hetty had added that it was only natural that Trevor would be thinking about sex all of the time with his pants off and thoughts of the hot limo driver that he didn’t have sex with (because he gave his pants to Pinkus) right when he died.  It’s like Flower dying high or Isaac’s dysentery – Trevor died horny, and he couldn’t help it.

He jokes that she, too, died horny but hadn’t had it unleashed until recently, which he gets the benefit of.  Still, Nigel remains steadfast, and they remain going out on secret dates.

Tonight, Jay had agreed to a ghost version of a ‘wine tasting’, which wasn’t wine (because wine’s too expensive for this) and was actually different types of Snapple that Trevor had, at one point, tried and that Jay could explain the taste of if Trevor couldn’t.

“Alright, you two ready?” Jay questions as he prepares to undo the first Snapple bottle.  

Trevor grins as he writes onto the iPad: Yes, we’re ready.

“This first one is the classic – the original Snapple – Apple,” Jay says, putting it down for them to sniff.  “And your fun fact is: A full moon is nine brighter than a half moon.”

“That can’t be true,” Hetty denies as she leans down to sniff.  She hums.  “I miss apples.”

Trevor hums.  “I like the taste of apple flavored things, but I never really liked eating apples for some reason.”

“Do you enjoy the smell?”  

“I do – it is very strange.”

“Ready for the next one?” Jay questions.

Trevor looks at Hetty, who nods.

Yes.  

Jay grins as he pulls out another bottle from behind the counter.  “This one is Pink Lemonade.”

“How do you make a pink lemonade?” Hetty questions as Jay uncaps the bottle.  “Lemons are not pink.”

Trevor can’t help giggling at that.  It’s a rather similar reaction to everyone he’s met, his brother had been particularly adamant that it was impossible, and he can’t help the memory of him arguing that it was not possible.  

Hey, Jay, will you tell Hetty how it’s possible to make pink lemonade?

Trevor, of course, knew, but he knows Jay wants to be involved, so he figures this is a great way to get him involved.

“Of course,” Jay grins.  “Pink lemonade is created by adding additional fruit juices, flavors, or food coloring to the recipe. Although this one – like most store-bought pink lemonade is simply colored with concentrated grape juice or dyes.”

“Added juice, really?”

“Yes, really,” Trevor grins.  “It’s really easy to make and it tastes good.”

Thank you.

“Oh, and your fun fact: Fresh cranberries can be bounced like a rubber ball.”

“Now that must be impossible,” Hetty says.

“Why are you doubting the power of the Snapple Fun facts?” Trevor teasingly asks.  

“That is highly unlikely to be true.”

“Snapple fun facts never lie.”

Hetty gives him a look, and he gets an idea.  

Hey Jay, any chance you want to try that one out?  Buy some cranberries and bounce them around?

Jay bursts out laughing.  “I suppose that Hetty’s not believing the Snapple facts?”

Definitely not.

“Well, then, maybe for your next date.”

“See?  Jay’s on board to test out the fun facts,” Trevor smiles at her.

“If we spend all of our next date bouncing cranberries around the room –”

“–it would still be better than tea and you know it,” Trevor teases.

Hetty laughs, and nods.  “I happen to like tea parties, but I could see how bouncing cranberries around would entertain you more than a tea party.”

Trevor smiles.  “I would have been fine with a tea party where we talked about more than just tea.”

“Maybe someday.”

“I like the sound of that… now onto more Snapples.”

***

Trevor was definitely enjoying this date, as more than an hour later and a dozen different Snapples and fun facts, and Hetty hadn’t believed a single one.  He and Jay couldn’t help laughing at how adamant she was that they had were simply putting made up ‘fun facts’ inside the caps just to mess with her.

“No, Hetty, we are not messing with you,” Trevor says.  “The caps are sealed – plus, look at them, how do you think Jay managed to make them look all the same.”

Hetty does look at the dozen or so caps on the counter.  “I suppose – I am still suspicious.”

“I’m telling you, they’re real – I’ll look up the Snapple fun facts webpage later, alright?”

“And how do I know you have not created a fake website page with these Snapple Fun Facts?”

Trevor bursts out laughing and turns to the iPad.

Can you believe this, Jay?  Hetty is insisting that we made up those ‘fun facts’ and that I would’ve created a website just to prove I’m right.

“That’s an elaborate lie – even for you, but I could see you doing it,” Jay teases.

What?  You’re supposed to say ‘no, he would never do that’.  

Jay grins.  “Well, it’s not like you don’t have the ability – you did manage to figure out and rework our website system in one night.”

Yes, I know computers, but that doesn’t mean that I would create a website to tell Hetty fake facts on our date.

Jay laughs.  “You know, Hetty, Trevor’s been working really hard to be a good boyfriend and he’s smart enough to know that creating a website for an elaborate lie like that would hurt your relationship, not help.”

Thank you, Jay.

“Besides, it would take a long time to make a whole website – think about how long we spent on our B&B website – and we don’t leave Trevor alone with computers for very long after the dating profile thing.”

I thought we were passed that.

“We are – I just making a point that it would take far too long on your own to do it – I’m helping you.”  

Jay grins at him.

“Jay’s right,” Trevor states.  “You saw how much effort it took to do that thing a few months back, I wouldn’t waste all that energy just for that.”

Hetty hums.  “I suppose that is true.  Besides, those magic fingers of yours have been quite busy entertaining me to create a website.”

Trevor grins, pulling her close for a kiss.  “Well, I can’t resist pleasing you with them – especially when you call them ‘magic fingers’.”

“Oh, my God,” a new voice says, jarring their attention to the doorway.  

It’s Sam.

“What is going on here?” Sam asks.

“We’re having a Snapple smelling – in lieu of a Wine Tasting,” Jay says, grinning.

“So, you know that Hetty and Trevor are in here talking about magic fingers?” Sam asks, trying not to gag.

“That part I didn’t know but we were just talking about websites and his power so… but we agreed that if you needed private time, you would tell me.”

It wasn’t going to be like that – it just came up, but we were going to return to the Snapple Smelling.

“I don’t understand – what is going on here?  Didn’t you two break up two months ago?”

“It was a fake breakup,” Jay says, gleefully.  “I finally know something you don’t know.”

Sam looks majorly confused.  “What?”

Before Hetty or Trevor could explain, Jay asks, “Oh, can I tell the story?  I really want to be involved.”

Go ahead.

           With that, Jay goes on to explain the story from start to finish, and when he finishes, Sam says, “Why didn’t you tell me about Nigel?”

           “Isaac has known me for 130 years and he still dismissed my concerns.  I do not want to mess things up for him, but I do want to be respected in my own house,” Hetty states.  “I have not experienced such disrespect since I died, all of the ghosts have respected me, but ever since Isaac and Nigel have gotten involved, Isaac has not appeared to respect his friendship with me and Nigel, well, getting to know him as not helped.  Especially not with the respite nonsense, deliberately snubbing me, and then, to blackmail me in my own home?  No, I was not going to have it, thus we took control.”

           “And we’ve been trying to drive Nigel crazy so that he’ll want to go back to the shed with Jenkins,” Trevor states.  “Or help him admit what he did and be forced to respect Hetty.  Unfortunately, he’s rather stubborn.”

           “Much like you two,” Sam comments.  “But honestly, if Nigel was giving you such trouble, I would’ve just suggested that he can’t move into the library, especially since Isaac didn’t ask me if he could – which honestly, upset me, too.”

           Hetty glances at Trevor.  “Could it be that easy?”

           “Isaac might question, why now if you were to say something,” Trevor points out.

           “That’s a good point, but maybe the answer is to just tell Isaac the truth.”

           “Risking everything?”

           “Aren’t you risking everything already?” Sam questions.  “By messing with Nigel instead of facing it head on, you’re risking looking like the bad guy.  And that isn’t the answer – all Nigel has to do is tell Isaac that he thinks you’re pushing him out and that’ll be that.  Whoever speaks first, would be the one to be believed.  Besides, you said the other ghosts were there when the check mate conversation happened, surely Isaac is suspicious about that?”

           “Yeah, you know Sam might have a point,” Jay says.  “After all, didn’t you tell me that the tea party chaos made Isaac chose Nigel’s side?”

           “That is true,” Hetty states.  “Isaac did not believe me, and I had to apologize despite knowing that I was not wrong.”

           “But this time is different,” Sam states.  “The whole room saw the check mate conversation; all you have to do is have Nigel explain what it was about – Nigel won’t be able to explain without admitting what he did.”

           Hetty still looks uncertain.  

           “It’s up to you, Hetty, but I think we’ve proven our plan isn’t working,” Trevor offers.

           “I suppose it does not hurt to give it a try.  Tomorrow.”

           “Why not now?” Sam asks.  

           “One simply does not abandon one’s date for one’s friend – especially not for a potentially unpleasant conversation.”

           “Fair enough,” Sam states, before sitting down at the counter and taking a sip of one of the Snapples.  “Ooooh, Black Cherry – love it.”

           “What are you doing?” Trevor questions.

           “Well, you two wanted a double date – so, I figure why not do it, now?”

           “Well, for one thing, you weren’t invited this time,” Trevor says.

           “Additionally, one should arrive on time to a double date, Samantha.  Our date started over an hour ago, one cannot simply come in randomly and join late,” Hetty adds.

           “That’s not fair – Jay was invited to this date, and I wasn’t,” Sam complains.

           “You didn’t want to double date us,” Trevor states, plainly.

           “That’s because you were being obnoxious – which seems to be your default setting.”

           Before Trevor can react besides a laugh, Jay intervenes, “You’re going to talk to him like that and then be mad you weren’t involved or invited?”

           “Jay!” Sam says.  “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

           “And I am – always.  It’s just – that the reason Trevor came to me about the whole dating thing is partially because they didn’t want you involved – they just wanted to date by themselves and needed a little help.”

           “Yeah, it’s not exactly – not wanting you involved, it’s just – we’re still working on dating ourselves before double dates,” Trevor states.

           “Although, if you are interested, perhaps next time,” Hetty says.  

           Trevor smiles.  Clearly, their dating as given Hetty some confidence that they could attempt a double date.  

           Sam nods.  “Uh, yeah, Jay, would you like to double date with Hetty and Trevor the next time?”

           “Oooh!  The board game date?  I’d love to,” Jay says.  “Plus, it’ll probably help to have us there.”

           “Board games?”

           “We were talking about things we liked to do growing up and Jeremy and I played a lot of board games,” Trevor offers.  “Hetty’s never played any of them, and Jay thought it was a good idea, so… we’ve been trying out different types of dates…”

           “Interesting.  What kind of dates have you had?”

           “Well, we had the traditional dinner and a movie, a walk by the lake – didn’t exactly go well, I’m not fond of the lake knowing my body was there for so long –, we watched Jay cook something – it was an attempt at a cooking date –, we just watched TV alone together, we attempted a reading date – I figured that she might like erotic literature but that … well –”

           “Erotic literature?” Sam asks, sounding appalled.

           Jay laughs, “I told him that could either go really well or terribly bad.”

           Trevor laughs, “I think it sort of worked?”

           Hetty nods.  “Although we did not make it very far into the book.”

           “Right – yeah.  Then, we tried a sports date – where we watched the Mets game and I tried to talk her through baseball…”

           “I bet that went well.”

           “And then, there was the computer date where I showed her some of the things I used to do on the computer and tried to use some Sims thing to create computerized us for Jay, but that one ended early…”

           “Because of the whole ‘magic fingers’ thing?” Sam asks before gagging.  “Oh, god, don’t answer that.”

           Trevor grins.  “Then, we tried dinner and dancing and now, this – attempt at a wine tasting.”

           “All very interesting dates, I must say,” Sam states.  “Well, I suppose we’ll join you for the board game date, and until then, I bid you adieu.”  She raises her Snapple in a ‘cheers to you’ fashion.  “Don’t keep my husband too late.”

           “We won’t.”

           “Good.”

***

           Trevor could tell that Hetty is nervous about the meeting with Isaac because she’s pacing back and forth nervously in the upstairs den.  He wants to reassure her, and support her, but she wants to do this on her own (well, with Sam’s support).  Sam had offered to be a part of the conversation since Isaac and Nigel had disrespected her, too, and had pointed out that these days women didn’t need men to defend them.  

           It almost makes Trevor proud that Hetty’s understanding that she doesn’t have to defer to a man in any way and that she can stand up for herself, it’s amazing the change in her in recent months, but he still wishes he could be there for her.  Instead, he squeezes her hand as he makes his way passed her and leaves the room just in time for Isaac to enter.  

           Since he absolutely was not going to not know how it goes, he positions himself where he isn’t seen, but can still hear what’s going on in the room.

           “Hello, Isaac, thank you for coming,” Hetty says.  “Please have a seat.”

           “I admit I am a bit surprised by the tone of the invite and the change of our pondering location.”  He pauses. “Also, I believe that you have been quite insistent that our pondering time be alone.  No offensive, Samantha.”

           “Actually, Isaac, this isn’t about pondering.  This is about some disrespect that Hetty and I have been dealing with and accepting, but we’ve decided not to allow it anymore.”

           “Oh, and you’d like me to discuss the issue with Trevor for you.”

           “What?  No, it’s not Trevor,” Sam states.  “We wouldn’t discuss that with you, anyway.  We’d be perfectly capable of handling that ourselves, and he’s actually been surprisingly good lately.”  Sam clears her throat.  “Anyway, you’re not in charge of this house, but you acted like it when you invited Nigel to live in the library without consulting us.”

           “We would have let such a slight go if it were not for Nigel’s behavior of late.”

           “Is this about the tea party, Henrietta, we’ve talked about this –”

           “No, you talked, and I listened.  If there was one thing I decided long ago, it was that I would not be railroaded like I was by Elias in life in death, too.  However, it is clear that something has got to give…”

           Hetty then goes in to explain in detail the slights and disrespect that Nigel has been doing towards her and finishes with explaining the attempted blackmail and the comments during their teatime date.  Sam adds a few details here and there about the more demanding nature of his requests compared to the other ghosts.  

           “You have to understand, he’s used to be in charge and automatically assumed –”

           “That shall not matter.  It has not mattered with Thorfinn or Sasappis and despite your Captain position when you died, you have never treated me this way before.  Certainly, no one else has ever disrespected my position as Lady of the House until now, and I will not stand for it any longer.  Especially considering that he has not apologized and continues to attempt to get between us.  Intervening on our time together, interrupting me when I speak, and attempting to brush passed the rules of TV time or backrubs when I am involved.  I have noticed his attempt to circumvent our system only appears when it is my turn.”

           “Well, I – I will speak to Nigel, and he’ll apologize, surely…”

           “I do not want some phony bologna apology, Isaac, and we both know that is what he would give just like with the tea party,” Hetty states and Trevor has to hold back a laugh.  Clearly, they’ve been spending way too much time together.  

           “Well, how do we resolve this issue if an apology won’t be accepted?”

           “We’re proposing that Nigel move back to the shed, and that, when he can give a sincere apology that he may work towards being allowed to move back in,” Sam says.  “And it would not be on your terms or Nigel’s.  It would be when Hetty and I agree that he can respect us as the ladies of this house, he can come back.”

           “You want me to ask him to move out?”

           “Yes, we’ll be there to explain if you like, but essentially, yes.”

           “I – well, I suppose that’s only fair.”

           “Good.”

           With that, they obviously decide to go talk to Nigel because the sounds of them getting up filter through the air, and now, Trevor doesn’t have to worry anymore.

***

           Hours later, cuddled up together in one of the rooms in the carriage house, Hetty has just finished telling him the story of their confrontation with Nigel, where he admitted everything and that he was sort of jealous because Hetty and Isaac share a room while he and Isaac have been baby stepping their way to a sexual relationship.  He felt that it was partially Hetty’s fault, thus he’d taken it out on Hetty.  

           Hetty sighs, happily.  “I just cannot believe that Isaac has believed me after all that.  I truly thought he would give me up for Nigel.”

           “He could never give you up – you’re his best friend,” Trevor retorts.  “But, at least, all is well, and you’ve officially won World War Teatime, which I knew you would.”

           “World War Teatime, Trevor?” Hetty asks, incredulously.  

           Trevor laughs.  “That’s what I’ve been calling it in my head.  You versus Nigel in a war on teas – well, tea parties.”

           “I love it.”  Hetty grins.  “And as the official winner of World War Teatime, I believe I deserve a prize.”

           “A prize.”

           Hetty hums.  “Those delightful magic fingers of yours.”

           Trevor grins.  “That’s one prize I’d be delighted to give you.”

           “Good.”

#CBS Ghosts #Ghosts CBS #trevor lefkowitz #hetty woodstone #H Money #sam arondekar #Jay Arondekar

[denimbex1986]

'***** 5/5

It began with an historical bang and ended with a heartbreaking posthumous appearance. In between, Doctor Who (BBC One) delivered a blockbusting adventure. Writer Russell T Davies warned that Wild Blue Yonder was “weird”. Leading man David Tennant said it was “shocking… unlike any episode ever”. They weren’t wrong. This was a deeply creepy, dazzlingly creative hour of teatime TV.

A witty prologue saw the Tardis crash-land in an apple tree, circa 1666. A certain physicist happened to be sitting beneath it. The Doctor greeted him as “Sir Isaac Newton” before correcting himself and losing the honorific. The colour-blind casting of Nathaniel Curtis, the half-Indian actor best known for starring in Davies’s It’s a Sin, could rattle a few cages. The Doctor (Tennant) and Donna (Catherine Tate) were far more concerned with the fact that the influential polymath was “hot”. They left him with the made-up word “mavity” as a parting gift. He’ll get there eventually.

The main meat of the story took place on a seemingly empty spaceship at the edge of the universe. Except this is sci-fi, where spaceships are rarely really empty. Lying in wait was “something so bad that the Tardis ran away”: two shape-shifting, war-mongering lifeforms which morphed into doppelgängers of the Doctor and Donna, planning to steal the Tardis and wreak intergalactic havoc. Like Newton said: “Odd bodkins! What the devil?”

As their physical forms settled, they sprouted long arms, slack jaws and vampiric teeth. They ran on all fours, grew to outlandish size, got stuck in corridors and melted into puddles. Unsettling and strange, they referenced horror films from Invasion of The Body Snatchers to Jordan Peele’s Us.

The design team faced a challenge bringing to life what Davies had written on the page. They rose to it. The show’s new distribution deal with Disney brings a boosted budget, which was visible in the fully realised spacecraft and Hollywood-worthy visual effects. These were supplemented by fine physical acting by Tennant and Tate, playing their own doubles in eerie style.

When they finally returned to Earth, they were greeted by Wilfred Mott (the late Bernard Cribbins), now wheelchair-bound but still a doughty warrior. Cribbins filmed scenes last year before his death. The Doctor spoke for us all when he beamed: “Now nothing is wrong. Nothing in the whole wide world. Hello, my old soldier.”

For all the hype-building talk of shocking weirdness, this was Doctor Who boiled down to its essence. The Time Lord and his loyal companion, landing somewhere mysterious, finding themselves in trouble. No big cast nor political preaching. Just a rollicking yarn in a confined setting with scary monsters. A back-to-basics “base under siege” adventure with a whopping twist.

Tennant was funny and fizzingly charismatic, revelling in his chemistry with Tate. There was warm bickering, clever wordplay and dark hints of the Doctor being haunted by his origins. Their reunited double act feels nostalgic yet thrillingly new – perfect for marking the show’s 60th anniversary, before launching its new era.

We now await next Saturday’s climactic special The Giggle, which marks the return of classic villain The Toymaker (now played by Neil Patrick Harris) – and presumably ends with Tennant’s regeneration into the 15th Doctor (long-term replacement Ncuti Gatwa). In just two episodes, Davies has restored our faith in family-friendly sci-fi. This was a jaw-dropping, joyous injection of sheer Saturday night magic.'

#Doctor Who #60th Anniversary #The Toymaker #The Giggle #Neil Patrick Harris #Ncuti Gatwa #David Tennant #Catherine Tate #Donna Noble #Wilfred Mott #Bernard Cribbins #Wild Blue Yonder #Russell T. Davies #Nathaniel Curtis #It's A Sin #Sir Issac Newton

[blorbocedes]

Hi blorbie!! The new Taylor Swift songs that screams brocedes is here:

1. Anti Hero- Nico's Song

"I have this thing where I get older, but just never wiser

Midnights become my afternoons

When my depression works the graveyard shift

All of the people I've ghosted stand there in the room

I should not be left to my own devices

They come with prices and vices, I end up in crisis"

This part speaks about Nico's mental health especially in 2016 and how he ended up getting hyper focused on winning and putting everything else on the back burner.

"I wake up screaming from dreaming

One day I'll watch as you're leaving

'Cause you got tired of my scheming"

This is about Lewis and Nico and how their mind games Olympics eventually led to the break down of their friendship.

"It's me

Hi

I'm the problem, it's me

At teatime

Everybody agrees"

This bit speaks about how the f1 fandom vilified Nico and places all the blame on him instead of admitting both him and Lewis are equally to blame

"It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero"

Just generally fits Nico because he is THE anti Hero ❤️‍🔥

2. You're on your own kid- Lewis's song

"Summer went away, still the yearning stays"

Refers to the iconic Greek summer vacation

"It’s okay, we’re the best of friends

Anyway

I hear it in your voice, you’re smokin’ with your boys

I touch my phone as it fits your face

I didn’t choose this town, I dream of getting out

There’s just one who could make me stay

All my days"

Lewis moved to Nico his best friend's hometown and I honestly believe if they were still on good terms he'd spend a lot more time in Monaco than he does now

"I gave my blood, spending tears more or less

I hosted parties and starved my body

Like I’d be saved by a perfect kiss

The jokes weren’t funny, I took the money

My friends brung home, don’t know what to say

I looked around in a blood-soaked gown

And I saw something they can’t take away

‘Cause there were pages turned

With the bridges burned

Everything you lose is a step you take

So make the friendship bracelets

Take the moment and taste it

You got no reason to be afraid"

This describes the lifestyle Lewis has been leading post break up and also the image he's been projecting to everyone around. He says he doesn't care but he cares so much.

"You’re on your own, kid

Yeah, you can face this

You’re on your own, kid

You always have been"

If there was a phrase to describe what Lewis has probably been repeating to himself since the brocedes break up then this is it.

3. Mastermind- the brocedes reconciliation song

"Once upon a time, the planets and the fates

And all the stars aligned

You and I ended up in the same room

At the same time

And the touch of a hand lit the fuse

Of a chain reaction of countermoves

To assess the equation of you

Checkmate, I couldn't lose

What if I told you none of it was accidental?

And the first night that you saw me, nothing was gonna stop me

I laid the groundwork and then, just like clockwork

The dominoes cascading in the line

What if I told you I'm the mastermind?

And now you're mine

It was all by design"

This is the only way brocedes will reunite. This monologue could be from either of their POV because both of them are capable of pulling off something like this.

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail

Strategy sets the scene for the tale

I'm the wind and I'm free, flowing sails

In the liquor of our cocktails"

They are both mind games experts and plan EVERYTHING out. Also I know these two must love to drink supper fancy and expensive cocktails

"No one wanted to play with me as a little kid

So I've been scheming like a criminal ever since

To make them love me and make it seem effortless

Is this the first time I feel the need to confess?

And I swear, I'm only cryptic and Machiavellian 'cause I care"

Talks about their generally friendless childhood except for each other and how they used the media in the war against each other. Also refers to how things only got so toxic because of how much they cared about each other.

"So I told you none of it was accidental

And the first night that you saw me, nothing was gonna stop me

I laid the groundwork and then, saw a wild smirk

On your face, you knew the entire time

You knew that I'm a mastermind

And now you're mine

Yeah, all you did was smile

'Cause I'm a mastermind"

They know each other too well ti not have already known that the other was trying to "manipulate" them into falling back in love all along. They knew and they were turned on by it.

oh hello! thank you thank you I'm actually gonna finish my work and listen to the album so thank you for this important scholarship I will keep in mind as I listen!!!!!! anti hero is totally Nico ❤️

#brocedes #taylor Swift writing yet another album about brocedes she's just like me fr #lyric analysis f1 #blorbocedes ask

[mekandawn]

Teatime Tuesday: What is the worst act of arson you have ever committed?

Caythaes blinks, ears tipped back and eyes going wide as they fidget with their hands. "I- I have no idea what you're talking about. I've- I mean, I may like fire an awful lot, but- but I've never committed arson."

A halo of flame flickers over their head as pure white translucent wing spread out from their back. Look at them, a perfect angel.

"If- if a Goldenmist guard station ever caught fire while- while I was playing with my fireworks as a young elf, that- it's purely coincidence. You- no one can prove it was connected. I was across the river at the time."

They pause to take a sip of tea before they add, "Anyway, these days I mostly, uh.... run around the Dragon Isles with a flamethrower. It's- it's good for clearing out large clusters of spiders."

#filed under: answer asks

[beautifulreflections]

Blog Post 3: The Circus and Birthdays

Blog Post 3: The Circus and Birthdays

I am person who believes in celebrating life. Those who know me best often hear me say, “Happy Tuesday” or “Happy Thursday.” Really every day is a happy day to me, not because of joy inducing circumstances, but simply because it’s another day to live and grow. I believe that everyday merits cause for celebrating. Really. This is how I approach life. The only issue with celebrating every day is that most people celebrate with cake. Before this sugar fast my daily celebration was midday tea and cookies. I highly suggest this if you’ve never tried it. It’s like teatime in Britain which is normally between 3:30 and 5 pm, except it’s right in your own home.

This weekend we went to visit my family in Alabama. It’s a four-and-a-half-hour drive which entails us being cramped in the car, but it is always worth it. My grandmother who is almost ninety years old lives in the back woods of Alabama with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. When we stop seeing gas stations and well-known food joints, we know we are getting close. And they, like me, believe in celebrating life. So, spur of the moment we decided to go to the circus, since we always make time for fun events. We got in the car and drove about 30 minutes out to this aluminum building where the circus was hosted.

After paying, we walked in and saw all the treats and snacks readily available for a hefty price. “Mom, I want a slushy and cotton candy,” my youngest son said. I told Him with firm and unwavering love that He could only get one sweet treat. Childhood diabetes is a real thing, and that’s not something I want in our lives as far as I can help it. Unfortunately, I made the rookie mom mistake of getting my kids the slushy before circus started, so midway through they were asking for popcorn, but I refused to spend more money. I already spent ten dollars and that was enough.

Really, being at the circus didn’t trip me up as far as my diet goes. Everything was so expensive, and I didn’t want to spend any additional money because we had planned to eat out afterwards. And after the circus, at Zaxby’s, I ate a salad with ranch dressing and drank ice water. I had some fries with dipping sauce too. But, before the circus my mom and I went to the dollar general in town and picked up some vanilla cake with chocolate icing for the birthdays we were celebrating that night. My cousin Kinsley was turning fifteen, and my uncle John was turning sixty- five. While we were at the circus mom had already baked the cake and it was ready for the surprise party for Kinsley.

I didn’t think the cake would bother me until we got home, and then I realized it might be a bigger issue than I anticipated. As I placed the pink and gold candles in the cake, I noticed that it was especially moist. The cake was an issue. Even so, we sang Happy Birthday and Kinsley blew out the candles as I longingly looked at the chocolate that dripped off the sides. My mom heated up the icing to make it tastier. I cut the cake giving a piece to my youngest son and everyone else. “This cake is perfect. It’s so moist. What did you do differently?” I asked my mom. Apparently, she whipped it longer. This makes boxed cake mix even better.

Surprisingly, I sat at the table and served my family. I talked with everyone and cut many pieces of cake, but I didn’t partake. Food is very much a community event in most cultures. When I was growing up, we used to sit around the dinner to eat and talk. We had a lot of great conversations there. Occasionally there would be sweets, but really it was about just being together and enjoying life. I now see that we don’t have to eat junk to be apart of the fun. While sweets are tempting, it is more important to be fully present with the people that are around you.

It's been twenty-five days since I’ve had a sweet treat. Since then, there have been numerous opportunities to eat and enjoy, but I really don’t crave sweets anymore. Apparently, the less sugar you eat the less you crave. Sure, I could have enjoyed a large piece of vanilla cake with chocolate icing. Yes. It would have been delicious. But because I didn’t eat the cake, I had the opportunity to serve others and to see their happy faces as they ate. I have realized that I don’t need sugar to enjoy life. I can still celebrate life while abstaining from brownies with vanilla ice cream, apple pie, strawberry cake, and chocolate chip cookies. Sweets do give you quick energy, but they also leave you wanting more a couple of hours later.

I don’t think I will become one of those overzealous “no sugar ever” people, but I do believe this has set the stage for healthier choices. As it turns out, cutting back on sugary treats isn't the end of the world. And if I decide to do this again, I will remember these moments of strength. I’m not running to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks for a quick and sugary pick me up anymore. And while donuts are delicious, maybe I can learn to make them at home with stevia instead. I want you to know too that it is possible to cut back on sugar and still enjoy your life. I know. I didn’t it was possible either. But I also want you to know that if I can do it, you can do it too. And maybe at birthday parties, you and I can learn to look at the people around us with gratitude instead of only the cake that’s in the middle of the table.

So yes, small steps of progress are to be celebrated, but not necessarily with a piece of cake.

[crystalelemental]

Apparently Reddit is doing some Pasio Awards thing, where they have people nominate the best options in particular categories.  It’s neat, though definitely lacking any like...consistency.  “Best” is ill-defined, seeming to cover literally any criteria, so you have people arguing based on performance, interest in the duo, or even just the character’s outfit.  Which feels a bit wonky.

Anyway I’m gonna share my stance on it all because I love talking.

Best Masterfair In any realistic, combat-focused answer, it’s SST Red.  He can literally solo the entire game.  This is not an exaggeration.  Every LG stage can be soloed by him at 3/5.  There is no other unit that comes close to his level of power.

But that’s lame, and units that can do everything without issue are no fun.  So I have a hard time saying that he’s actually “The best” in any other sense.  “You’re gonna say SS Kris, aren’t you?”  Not if I’m being entirely objective.  Like, yeah, if I’m being the way I am, I absolutely think she’s the best, but that’s for later.  In this category, I’d say SS Lyra.  100% flinch is neat, but not functionally distinct from sleep.  What puts her apart, however, is that this being a natural passive makes it so you can queue the next move before your opponent can change their action.  This means SS Lyra is the perfect disruption machine, because she pulls this off but doesn’t throw off your turn order.  Even more significant is that she does all of this with no gauge cost if Grassy Terrain is active.

I think this it’s the fact that Lyra is, at once, a powerhouse sync nuker and unbelievable lockdown utility that can shut down a majority of the game, that sets her apart.  She’s a unit who can benefit literally any team composition.  This is something I feel SST Red doesn’t do.  He’s a solo machine, but he’s not really that helpful to anyone outside of Electric Terrain.  Paralysis is one-time use, and the defense drops are nice but take longer to set up than a Leer bot or Lucian would.  As a result, SST Red feels very specific, and very...almost reliant on 3/5?  Like he can do a lot 1/5 too, but he’s no longer solo master, and then weakens substantially.  And Master Fairs, in my mind, are differentiated from PokeFairs by their 1/5 sufficiency.  Their best tools are available at 1/5, most often.  SST Red’s are very much not.  So I’m giving this one to Lyra, whose 1/5 utility is unbelievable even at base.

Best PokeFair My vote’s on SS Cyrus.  Similar reasons to SS Lyra, in that his utility alone is incredible, while being backed by great sync damage.  But I think this also counts in terms of like...the cool factor.  I love Gen 4, and that includes Explorers of Sky.  So the combination of Cyrus from the main series and Darkrai from the mystery dungeons games was a really, really cool idea.  I adore this combination.  Nothing has beaten it all year.  Not for lack of trying, but you know.

Best Seasonal I am contractually obligated to say Winter Jasmine.  And legitimately, I can't think of anything that comes close.  She's an ideal unit; perfect design, perfect partner, fantastic role with broad application.   Absolutely nothing compares.

Best Special Costume It's Rosa.  Look, there are only five of them, and the teatime alts are good but come on.  SC Rosa's ridiculous.  Top performer for Grass-type DPS and Sync damage, and packs special defense debuffs per attack to the tune of -2 per hit, also hits special attack -2 per hit, but also can use the special attack debuff as part of her AoE -2 evasion debuff.  She's a perfected Cresselia counter.  Then you add in that her trainer move carries an effective Dire Hit All effect for team support even when she's not the primary focus, and then also packs Potion with a potential Friend Mend to remove status...Rosa does a metric ton in a single unit.  A top performer in a heavily contested typing, with tremendous utility besides.  10/10, best SC.

Best Spotlight If anyone tries to tell you it’s not Lucian, it’s because they’re in the pocket of Big Gacha and are trying to sell you more microtransactions.  "But what about Courtney?  Ground Zone is so good!"  For a single type.  A type that she supports decently but not well without Ingo present, because of her tremendous gauge issues that are wildly compounded alongside SS Giovanni and Maxie.  Comparatively, Lucian is a blanket support with nigh-universally beneficial traits.  Special defense drops are tremendous, and attack drops are great for any team's survival.  But then you pack in speed buffs as well.  And now it's like wow, that guy's pretty good, but it must be tough to decide on what to use when.  What's that?  Oh, he does all of that in a single move, that's only a one-bar spam?  Oh okay, very normal, thanks Lucian.  This is a guy who enables Pecking Order, Smarty-Pants, and Inertia sync nukers, all at the same time.  He enables every special attacker.  He counterpicks purely offensive stages like Cobalion and Tapu Bulu.  And that’s before you realize this is all 1/5.  You don’t need anything beyond the one copy.  But if you get him 3/5?  Now he’s one of the top sync nukers in a wildly competitive typing.  And this dude is in the general pool.  You can pull for him with free scout tickets.  This is a PokeFair they accidentally demoted.  Lucian rules.

Best Masters Day Expansion This seems to be specific to general pool 5* expansions, so I'll do common grids separate.  In which case...it's Kris.  I think there's a good case for Cynthia, who got a tremendous overhaul on her sync, but Kris was downright lifechanging.  +150% sync, +50% move, fixes all accuracy issues, gets a massive +40 attack bonus, and can even self-buff crit.  Base Kris is nuts now, and I'm living for it.

Best 5/5 Expansion Lysandre.  Everyone's saying it, and they're right.  Lysandre was a fantastic pick for Gauntlet, thanks to his constant recovery effects.   Dude's legitimately great. His main problem was always low sync damage and lack of multipliers on an already weakened 4-bar move.  Lysandre's grid expansion handles everything, providing tremendous buffs to both types of damage, as well as Downside Up, which is just hysterical.   Including all of this in one set that also allows him to keep Healthy Buffer 5?  Lysandre has become an absolute menace.  Nothing short of CS offense parameter syncs can stop him.

Best Outfit There are so many good ones, but I think I'm gonna say Champion Serena.  Bit of recency bias, but it's so good it made me pull for Greninja.  I, known Greninja Hater, pulled for a Greninja, because Serena's outfit was so good.  I can't think of anything that outdoes that.

Best Sync Pair "Okay, now it has to be SST Red."  And it would be, but same rules apply to "Best Master Fair."  In that I do not value what he does that much.  I recognize he solos the game.  I also feel like bypassing all need to teambuild or strategize is a problem, not a benefit.

So we're setting that aside, in which case, my selection is obvious to anyone who's been here for like a week: it's SS Kris.  I'm going to differentiate "Best Pair" from "Best Master Fair" by stating that the master fair category will look at their total range of effectiveness and their relative success within that role.  In which, Lyra is uncontested.  She helps so much, and does something only she can do.  But Best Sync Pair, I think, is going to be more about how significant an impact they had, and how unique their particular niche is.  Flinch chaining and sleep chaining are not new.  Yes, Lyra is by far the most successful.  But we're looking for range of success.

SS Kris does.  Uniquely, SS Kris does.  Ingo and SS Morty are the other two with similar success, alongside the new Champion Calem.  But it is SS Kris who actively salvaged multiple targets.  Clair, NY!Lance, Winona; units that desperately needed the Rain, but also needed massive offensive support, and held types that were outside of the natural Rain multiplier for Water.  There are a lot of these.  And like all of Johtrio, Kris functions perfectly at 1/5 thanks to natural MP Burst.  All she needs is first sync, and she's able to get three uses of Rain Dance, and even guaranteed caps special attack/crit.

I will acknowledge Kris' flaws.  She does take longer to boost those needed offenses, and needs to utilize rain early for stacks of special moves up next.  I am aware.  But the range of impact that Kris had was far beyond anything any other sync pair has provided me.  She is unreal, being perfect for Rain, the literal savior of multiple units, and often an ideal pick for specially offensive units broadly due to her unique combination of moves up and offensive parameter buffing.  Kris is just perfect.  Unless you're physical, in which case, take it up with Ingo or Calem.

Best Common Grid (my own addition) I am putting this in contrast to "most effective common," which is still Roxanne.  Girl really just needed MPR and Endure, and by god she got it.  But her grid also sucks and is costly and poorly laid out, so no.  We need another.

And I'm saying it's Cheryl.  Cheryl's kinda fallen off here, but I do still love and respect her.  Cheryl's grid got amazing tools, including the coveted natural Vigilance.  She was able to cap special attack, and buff speed while doing it.  MPR on a Potion that buffs defenses made her tremendous in Gauntlet.  Really, if it weren't for her pitifully low physical defense, Cheryl would be unreal.  But every common suffers some kind of horrific flaw, and that's Cheryl's.  Truth be told though, she can handle a surprising number of physical hits in Gauntlet, just not CS with offensive parameters being as they are.

#pokemon masters