Welcome to the swamp! May you find your time here restful and serene. Please make yourself comfortable, maybe find a warm, mossy stone to relax on, as you take some time from your worries...
Earlier this month, Nyamakop unveiled Relooted, a new video game where players stages heists to take back stolen artifacts from Western muse
Have you ever imagined yourself, on a visit to a major museum, busting through a wall, arms full of ill-begotten African artifacts and ready to return them to their rightful homes? No? Well, you may soon have the chance, thanks to South African video game studio Nyamakop.
Earlier this month at the annual Summer Game Fest in Los Angeles, Nyamakop unveiled its latest project, Relooted, a side-scrolling puzzle platformer—think early Tomb Raider or Prince of Persia games—where players join a crew of Robin Hood-esque thieves staging elaborate heists to take back stolen artifacts from Western museums, and repatriate them to the peoples from whom they were taken.
As Nyamakop lays out on the game’s listing on the online video game marketplace Epic Games, Relooted takes place in a near future where “the political powers that be brokered a Transatlantic Returns Treaty, promising the repatriation of African artifacts from museums.” But the hitch in the treaty is that it only applies to artifacts on “public display,” leading museums to circumvent the requirement by placing the pieces in highly guarded private collections. And that’s where players come in: scoping out a given facility, carefully constructing an exit route, and then, of course, stealing the artifact and escaping.
As Ben Myres, the creative director of the game, explained to Epic in a news post, all of the artifacts in Relooted are based on real-world pieces in Western museums. In crafting the various missions, the developer team spent two years of research narrowing done the list of which pieces, of the hundreds still held by Western museums, into something manageable.
Another non-requested set 💗 I really like doing these sets based on famous art lately, I hope it’s not too repetitive if I make it a little collection.
- As can be seen from official art and their garment, Medicine Pocket appears to be quite fond of layers along with baggier clothes. This detail led me to headcanon that he runs colder on average compared to others. (I also support the headcanon of Medi being anemic, which I was made privy to by the lovely @/medpocarchive!)
- They're definitely an oral stimmer, hence the habit they have of chewing! I personally think she prefers softer or rubbery textures since they can be seen chewing primarily on cloth objects, chew toys, and wires.
- Really good at reading dogs, and is a stickler for proper care of them. They also have a large amount of favoritism towards dogs and aren't as affectionate with any other creatures
- Ever since I saw that one piece of art of Medicine Pocket eating spaghetti and meatballs from their character designer, I've been of the belief that they love pasta. Specifically, they like noodles that can be easily slurped up.
- Really bad at self-maintenance and always has to be persuaded into being hygienic. They canonically have a musk, and along with that, I can't ignore that they never seem to take their hair out of that ponytail…even in sleep. They also aren’t too phased by self appearance and would wear the same thing every day, which I guess you can say is already semi-possible due to Laplace having uniforms (?). I feel as though they ultimately maximize convenience, and self care is lower on their list of priorities!
- Despite valuing their own personal space, I think Medicine Pocket may have loose boundaries when it comes to interacting with others and can be quite touchy. They'd become pretty agitated if you invited yourself into their space, but then would go on to put their entire body weight onto someone if in the right mood.
- He loves sticking his head out of cars, much to the chagrin of many drivers. I have no explanation for this. It just feels true.
- Loves dog themed things to the point of having a little collection of trinkets like stickers, charms, and small toys related to dogs. In modern au, she would solely have a Nintendo DS for Nintendogs!
- I see Medicine Pocket as someone who is sensory-seeking and often expresses this through their biting. Before having designated objects to chew on or the occasional person they are able to tackle and attack, I feel as though he often bit himself to the point of drawing blood. While I’d imagine this habit being the strongest when they were a child, it still occurs from time to time. I also think she’d appreciate physical pressure on top of herself when it’s time to sleep as it calms them down. They have some sort of weighted blanket or pillow.
- Despite seeming so harsh, I think Medicine Pocket would have a soft spot for kids. Due to the lack of agency kids often hold in society (along with how that mixes into their backstory with their mother), I feel as though Medicine Pocket is highly encouraging for them to use their voices. Plus, it feels like a Gordon Ramsey situation, where she’s way more lenient with younger people compared to older coworkers.
- Branching off on my last headcanon, Medicine Pocket hates adults and is highly distrusting of them.
- They would thoroughly enjoy energy drinks despite not really needing them. I feel as though she’s naturally able to stay up late due to being a night owl and having struggles with sleep. Medicine Pocket has a lot of energy, so they often have to find a way to combat it beforehand otherwise he’ll just toss and turn in bed due to feeling really antsy.
- I personally headcanon that Medicine Pocket would love alt music, specifically rock and metal. Partially because of the themes of rebellion and freedom, but also just because loud music with heavy bass tickles the right part of their brain. (Regulus often shares recommendations with them)
- Medicine Pocket loves Snoopy and always has. It's their favorite childhood media, and the only reason they read any newspaper besides Arcanists Daily. I also believe they'd just love retro cartoons and based their art style off of it because I do believe they doodle at times.
- I think their sharp teeth irritate their gums due to the awkward gaps between them in comparison to common teeth, hence their gum pain. It's either that or her chewing habit...
- Medicine Pocket may take up so much space and be so loud due to originally being made to feel small for their eccentricity. Kind of reminiscent of a small dog that barks loudly to appear bigger than what they are, subconsciously asserting power so as not to lose control of a situation.
A/N: I got the idea for the snoopy hc from a cute image of a beagle laying on a snoopy plush, I shall now share it here to ensure everyone is able to see this because it's adorable :3
Medicine Pocket is a character I thoroughly enjoy dissecting apart as I find their story in relation to their identity to be rather compelling. I say this due to everything surrounding him, from personality to motives, all act as both a rejection and defiance against the norms within her environment.
→ For some context; The system of the Foundation along with Laplace, an institution that works alongside it, actively creates an environment that places high value on “shrinking yourself down” and “being a useful tool for the cause of humanity”. Arcanists are only seen as weapons, being dehumanized and sent out to achieve the goal of world peace.
This dehumanization of arcanists is an allegory for marginalized groups that don't fit into the status quo of society, only being valued for their usefulness or what they can provide, maybe even tolerable to a fault if they can properly assimilate. The comfort of “greater” society always proves to be something to be of priority, so assimilation is drilled into our heads as something necessary and decent to do. Soon enough, such conformity is pushed to be something that deems you respect and acceptance from society, which is also pushed as something of top value.
This is prevalent to Medicine Pocket as a character due to the fact that their very existence as an intersex person doesn't conform to society's ideal, along with him being an arcanist! And with this, usually comes dehumanization as can be seen with how her mother tries to assimilate them– in trying to get the funds necessary for an operation to make them a “normal person”. Said operation is not for the benefit of Medicine Pocket in any way. The sole motivation behind it is for Medi to properly fit into the gender binary and therefore conform to the societal norm, without any consideration of what the child wants as it’s most likely seen as a condition or mistake rather than just who they are. (well this along with children not having much agency, especially in medical settings) Medicine Pocket and their body are just seen as something needed to be “fixed”, instead of someone to accept as they are.
→I feel as though this way of treatment, this rejection from society and people like her mother, are what led to Medicine Pocket possibly rejecting their own “humanity” and why they instead prefer to relate to dogs. Some proof of this can be seen in their ‘monologue’ voiceline. Within that voiceline, Medi seems to rant about his qualms with humans and their arrogance as they view themselves above animals while Medicine Pocket sees nothing but mediocrity in what they claim to be so “exceptional”. Unlike other characters, especially those within the Foundation/Laplace, I noticed here that Medicine Pocket truly draws a line between humans and themselves. Along with that, they may be the only one to talk down on humans so far as the system usually pushes the idea of human superiority with arcanists being looked down upon.
As arcanists are also said to be irrational and emotionally volatile, I see a connection as Medicine Pocket might see themselves closer to animal than human due to the natural states of both facing heavy scrutiny by humans for being barbaric and uncivilized. Perhaps they act like a dog not only due to her upbringing around them, but also because Medicine Pocket related to lab puppies growing up due to a similar loss of agency along with only being valued for their utility in the success of something deemed “greater” than themselves.
AN: Sorry this took so long! I kept overthinking what I should write, and that led to such an unnecessary amount of procrastination. I do hope people enjoy this, I look forward to posting the second part sooner than later. ^^
Take this screenshot of pouty Medi as consolation for how long this took T.T
I promise the headcanons are coming, I just had too high expectations for my ability to complete the school year/finish finals while also writing headcanons...
I'm free in a few days so dw, soon after that I have hcs (+ possible bday drabble...)
Please help the Alanqar family! Ahmed is struggling to feed his kids. His baby Ronza is almost a year old, she needs to eat. She's malnourished as is, and she needs milk. She's already lost 2 kg - she should be growing, not starving!! Today Ahmed had to go out into danger to find her milk (she's a baby, it's all she can eat) but couldn't find any due to the genocidal IOF imposed famine making food impossible and dangerous to find.
Ronza's birthday is so soon, please make sure she has at least something to keep her fed! Please do whatever you can to ensure she lives a long and happy and healthy life as all children deserve. Right now Ahmed is looking for at least 10 people to donate at least €10 - this is so achievable 🩷‼️
My name is Zeina, I am almost 11 years old, and I am the eldest daughter of Ahme… Zeina Alanqar needs your support for Help Zeina’s Family E
"Such a great time, while you're here why don't we sit down for a nice cup of tea? Choose whatever seat you like, and ignore the vines... Anywho, let's just have a good chat while we enjoy the tea!"
-> About Me
Helloooo! On this blog, I go by the name Kai!
My pronouns are they/them (because questioning that any further would cause me to spiral...)
I'm non-binary and on the aroace spectrum!
I love....
Analyzing the media I consume
Obsessing over childhood media
Storytelling in multiple mediums
Reading fanfiction
Binge-watching shows
Dissecting characterization
Rambling retrospectively
My favorite color is green!
My favorite animals are: frogs, otters, and cats...though I just love animals in general!
My favorite animes are: Revolutionary Girl Utena, Dungeon Meshi, Little Witch Academia, and Apothecary Diaries
My favorite games are: Reverse 1999 and Our Life: Now and Forever
Current Chara. Fixation(s): Medicine Pocket💊
-> What You'll See on This Blog
I plan to post mainly headcanon based content along with analysis on this page! Maybe I'll get to writing a few blurbs/one-shots as well!
I may also have a series in the works...if I'm still confident about it as time goes on ^^
"A scroll with no end was said to exist, stowed away within the trunk of the eldest tree. According to legend, the endless scroll was guidance for the true prophecy..."
General Blog Expectations
-> No outright NSFW, I won't ever write smut or explicitly delve into NSFW within my works. The farthest I'm willing to go in suggestive territory is brief mentions with its context in characterization-- or the slightest innuendo! So please treat this blog as an SFW blog. Otherwise, I might block you ^^
-> Adding on to my previous statement, please don't follow me if you're an 18+ blog...
-> Please don't expect constant new fics or really quick responses to asks. I'm kind of a perfectionist, and while I'm using this blog to work on it/be more consistent with writing without completely overthinking it...it's a work in progress! I beg you guys to have patience with me, I'd appreciate that a lot!
-> Most of my motivation for creation comes from fixations, so I must warn anyone that comes across this blog that the characters I write for won't be consistent for the most part. I do have some characters that have a permanent spot in my mind palace, so there's exceptions to this!
-> Please don't spread hate speech on here, no slurs either. I have a no tolerance policy for that, and while I doubt most people who'd like the blogs intended content would do something like that....you never know with the internet! This is supposed to be an accepting safe space. If someone threatens that space, it's an immediate block ^^
-> I doubt I'll ever have too much of a presence on here, but just in case...I DONT CONSENT TO ANY OF MY WORK BEING PUT THROUGH AI.
Request Guidelines
-> This blog focuses on content for non-male characters for gender neutral readers, with few...fixation based exceptions. Unless I directly say I'm writing for a specific male character, please don't request them! (I might consider otherwise if it's a platonic request, but it depends on my mood T.T)
-> I don't really write for pregnancy, parenting, student/teacher romance, or weird age gaps. These topics make me rather uncomfortable and I'd rather not write for them.
-> There will be a limit to how many requests I'll take at the time. (About 3 - 5) I have other things to do in my life that make it difficult to find time to write my own concepts, so it'd be difficult to manage much more.
-> Please don't spam requests. It won't make me write them any faster.
-> Don't give a vague request if possible, if you have an idea, feel free to rattle it off to me! I don't mind long requests and appreciate extra details, gives me more to work with. This is especially true if you want to give [reader] a specific trait or dynamic with a character.