Author's View: Mal Always Keeps Score 😱
Added 2023-09-25 12:30:01 +0000 UTCHi Hickory Patrons!
I hope you're doing well. 💚
Originally, this Author's View was entitled: 'A Trend Emerges 🔪 or 🛡'. With the alpha drops now being accelerated so one complete branch will be released each month, I realized it might be best to let you all spot the trend naturally. I was going to tease some out of context lines and go into the RO's protective tendencies along with some lore with their names/families. That is still on the table in the future, I've just placed it to the side until we have more dots to connect. 😌
Different bits of lore can be uncovered on the different RO Excursions. Playing all or most of them might grant you more insight in Fernweh including some of Book Two's mysteries.
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Password: marks
Comments
mind blown, I never knew this 'Ma' variation even existed. As much as I try to check out different scenes, some things never even occur to me - such as not knowing Mal's nickname!
ckl
2024-09-03 02:41:55 +0000 UTCMal's smile broadens following Phoebe's quip, delighting in its honesty. They can't help but want to push her by lingering right by her side to enjoy her blush. I'm nodding along at your 'subtle melancholy they can't seem to shake' mention because that's a great way to phrase it. For all of their drop dead gorgeousness, mystery, and charm, Mal can exude a certain scarred over type of sadness, especially for readers like you who take more of an interest in them. I'm so happy that you're sensing it! 😌 Trust me, Phoebe has the best chance of doing so, but it won't be easy. Mal's been put through some hurt in their life; it's very layered. I can't wait to deliver those hits to your feels. I'll be feeling them too while writing!
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-09-27 12:36:04 +0000 UTCEven I'm like: 😮 at how smooth af that was of Noire; fortunately, Mal would be able to mask their reaction a bit better from years of practice. That doesn't mean they wouldn't be affected--both by the tease and the welcome. While their smile might turn more charming, Noire would also notice that Mal finds it hard to look away after he said that so masterfully, because Mal does look for meaning (for signals--for acceptance) in what is said to them. 🥰 Honesty, they'd be smitten. It can take some time for Mal to see themself beyond their role as you might have learned from some of the choices in the alpha content. You and Noire will be able to learn why that is in addition to Mal's need to tally and test; this is a defining aspect of this route. I have to be vague for spoilers, but Mal isn't doing it lightly--they have their reasons, though how Noire is being receptive and drawn to them makes them start to lose some traction. Oooh, this was a treat to read! (Lol, Mal's change in character when there is a perceived slight or 'failure' is interesting to write. Since you are very curious about them, I would suggest trying to trigger encounters with them on the other routes if you feel up to it! R's RO excursion had the most peripheral appearance since that was my way of separating them as the author given how they clash. The other routes get some extremely interesting lines and scenes with Mal that relate to the romanced RO.)
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-09-27 12:35:47 +0000 UTCI must say I'm quite reassured that Mal's melancholy is coming through along with their mystery and allure. It seems to me Mal-mancers in particular are best positioned to sense this from them, looking past the 'red flags' or the dangerous vibe some tend to view as their defining feature. It's intentional on my part; Mal can be unnerving and is meant to be--you have to look deeper to see there's so much there, which is to say I appreciate your and Bumblebee's remark on this! The 💔 emoji becoming a ❤ (imagine that's red, please) will only ever come about through the MC. I'm confident Aizhan can mend it; she first needs to learn what shattered it in the first place. Her being smitten makes me think she'll begin triggering the longer scenes with Mal earlier on. I can't wait for her to see more!
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-09-27 12:35:29 +0000 UTCThere's that broken heart again, which makes me tense every time I see it. Like Bumblebee said, melancholy is wrapped like a wall around Mal, creating a distance even between them and MCs who are setting on their romance path. Wouldn't stop Aizhan, though--she's too smitten. I just hope the end that awaits her isn't that broken heart, because she's determined to make Mal see that he deserves, and can have, happiness.
EvilChani
2023-09-25 22:43:00 +0000 UTCthe way i just envisioned noire replying to the tease with one of his own, "i can't see why i can't have both? people eat with their eyes first, you know." but then following up with a more genuine, "i think the best meals a person could have are ones that are enjoyed /together./" food is a love language to noire! he's quite the glutton, but the feeling of sharing a meal with ones you care about and hold dearly? top tier. it's such a fun and pleasant way to get to know other people as well! a great way to bond. he would never deny an opportunity to share a meal with someone- even hypothetically. so noire would hope that mal can read between the lines and see that this is not necessarily an invitation, but moreso a welcome from him! mal doesn't need to be The Server to be able to come to noire's table, he already has a seat saved just for him. while the game is very fun, he'd also like to ensure that mal gets rewarded as well. he wants to get to know /each other/ truly. he would have opinions on his actions being tallied, but he would refrain from saying anything until he figured out why mal is doing it and what's being held against himself first. (and while noire hasn't been snubbed just yet, i know he would be so baffled by the sudden change in attitude lol)
Blaire Orion
2023-09-25 18:14:27 +0000 UTC"You know, being able to suddenly just appear before me and pin my to the spot with just your eyes doesn't exactly help you blend in to the background. I barely even remember I *have* food when you're serving me." Phoebe quips, before realising how honest a reply that had been and blushing to the roots of her hair Mal is such an interesting character. They're obviously quite arresting, but there's this subtle melancholy they can't seem to shake. Like they know how this story is meant to play out, and it's not a happy end for them. It's honestly a good half of the reason Phoebe is so invested - she can't help but want to try and heal whatever hurt is there. Which consequently means *boy howdy* am I expecting some sucker punches to the feels in Book 2 XD
Bumblebee
2023-09-25 12:51:47 +0000 UTC
