A (he/she), known Thing Enjoyer. Here lies a melting pot of many of those things. Particular focus on video games, left-wing politics, and art I like. Peruse at your leasure.
just finished playing a fucking INSANELY good mystery game on itch.io and i Need to tell people about it
The Unsolvable Mystery
it's a free browser text-based gothic horror mystery, where you're trying to solve a string of mysterious murders by going through the files of the last agent to investigate the case, who also died under mysterious circumstances. the premise is fairly classic but the execution... god DAMN
HIGHLY recommend if you enjoy games like return of the obra dinn, the painscreek killings, her story, sagebrush, a hand with many fingers, etc. took me about 4 hours across two play sessions! take notes!!!
updating this post now because they just released a new version of this game on steam with full graphics & voice acting and i haven't played it yet but it looks AMAZING!! pls go support the devs this is such a fuckin good game ✌️
In 1936, something terrible happened at Galley House. Decades later, with a strange contraption that reveals echoes of the past, you must un
Kaneeka leaning into her mother for a final moment of comfort before she’s consumed by her after a life time of being groomed to be suicidal for this role only for Sybil to not even bother looking at her…
One thing about Avery is they can basically be a background character in the story. Every interaction with them either optional or they aren't just a supporting character in it
I really understood this when my grandma, who basically refused to do any optional talking with characters, played. Stella, Kaneeka, Dr. Kelly, Sybil, Reese, Tabitha, Duke, Bo, and even Oscar were basically forced onto her. But by the time she got to chapter 5 she had seen Avery once. One time. And it could barely even be considered an interaction.
It is complete night and day from my playthrough where I took basically every chance to bring Avery along. There were entire scenes in my grandma's playthrough that were missing a character from mine. And yeah, some of that is explainable by my need to ask every character questions, but most of it is that I did get interested by Avery quickly. Otherwise, I could have easily not noticed them
And this isn’t a criticism of Avery as a character. You know the phrase "show don't tell." I think in video game landscapes there is a third way video games can make a point. "Play, don't tell." Video games can easily put the player themselves into the thoughts and experiences of the characters, and I think Avery works as a great example of this. They are in a town where very few people care to get to know them, and the game makes you feel this by making them an optional encounter. They blend into the background, you don't need to talk to them, they are just that waiter. Only when you go out of your way do you realize they are a fully fleshed individual. And if you don't, the only point they matter is their lowest point.
The game doesn't just tell you Avery is an outcast most people don't take time to get to know. The game doesn't just show you Avery is an outcast most people don't take time to get to know. The game makes you play that reality.
alright! details/thought process in the making of this piece :) these are all notes/dot-points i wrote while drawing, so it may not make perfect sense in some spots. forgive me if thats the case or if theres some incorrect stuff lol
its also VERY long so BE WARNED !!!!!!
partners in belief
Adeyemi’s hand on Tedesco's shoulder links to the framing of both cardinals holding conservative beliefs and aligning on more issues than that of the ‘liberals’. Despite this firm grasp, neither cardinal is looking at one another, due to their main focuses and desires throughout the conclave differing as well as their lack of interaction throughout. Despite similar beliefs, Tedesco makes it clear they would most likely not get along. They’re positioned on the (audience’s) right of Lawrence, a simple communication of their conservative/traditionalist leanings.
Despite being on opposite sides of Lawrence, Tedesco and Bellini are at level with each other. Though both believe they hold opposing views, their goals in the conclave remain the same, to beat the other side. They both believe they are fighting on the ‘right’ side of a ‘war’, however neither are nowhere near any true harm, both in high rankings of the church and shielded from the outside world during the conclave.
eye contact
Adeyemi and Shanumi both are looking solely towards each other, showing their pre-existing knowledge of each other. However, these glances are made through Lawrence, not being able to communicate effectively between each other. Lawrence becomes the wall between them as well as the messenger in discussing their history and confessions.
Tremblay and Agnes share knowing glances, with Tremblay towering over Shanumi and Agnes paired with the computer and evidence of possible wrongdoing.
Bellini looks down on his chess game, with chess pieces made to look like other cardinals. He’s not focused on the actual people of the conclave, but the game and which “side” wins. The chessboard is in the formation of a checkmate, with a piece resembling Tedesco on the losing side. The game may reflect his desires, but not reality. This also refers back to his reflection on the fact the late pope would always beat him at chess, and now a different cardinal will win over him, at the conclave.
Benitez looks down on the ongoing conclave, with his back turned. He observes the events unfolding while still disconnected, as no one else observes Benitez. He is unsuspected, and alone, but not detested.
Tedesco is only one of two of the main figures to be looking off screen away from the conclave. Despite his desire to be pope, what overcomes it as well as him as a whole is his desire for traditionalism. Despite being sequestered, he is focused on the world outside and his prejudices and ignorance preconceived prior to the conclave.
Lawrence is looking up, straight to the side. With O’Malley whispering into his ear, he directs Lawrence’s view through a gap in the conclave, offscreen. Despite being sequestered he gains information from the outside throughout the conclave, leading his focus elsewhere from his cardinals throughout the proceedings.
the dean
Lawrence is a central figure due to his role as dean. The cardinals and sisters form around him as he steers the conclave.
His white cassock resembles that of the pope’s attire, yet is empty of details. His leadership role will be a temporary one, not fully fledged. He does not want to fill the space left behind, and yet he must for the time being.
Lawrence grips his zucchetto in his hand. His insistence of having no desire to continue in his current role as dean within the church leads to holding the symbol of his status by his side, not wearing it like the rest of the cardinals. However, he does not completely abandon it, merely holds it. Despite his assertion he doesn’t want the role, he does not abandon it completely, yet.
Lawrence’s cross is the only one to show in the piece. He holds his desire to serve God rather than the politics of the conclave close to his chest, almost as a barrier, yet his struggles in faith and prayer shows through the gaps in his hands.
simony
Both sisters have their hands covering their mouths, preventing them from speaking. However, they are still seeing and listening, their places leading them to be able observe the ongoings of the conclave.
Tremblay is holding his arm over his pectoral cross, feigning innocence and using his faith and following of the late pope to swear no wrongdoing.
The bird from agnes’ office stands uncaged on top of the computer holding details of tremblay’s simony, indicating the information to be free and out in the open.
The ballots flowing around the computer follow the sway in opinion after the simony and request of sister shanumi to be brought to rome was brought to light by the cardinals. on the opposite side flow the full leaked documents, down past Tremblay and Shanumi, into the hands of cardinals, and through to their walk with the umbrella to one of the final votes they would make. These papers start forming near the body of the late pope, who was the one who kept these records. The pope's body is also positioned adjacent to both Woźniak and tremblay, those being two of the last few people to be with the pope the day of his death.
the new cardinal
Benitez is the only one not in the red and white choir dress, but in a regular cassock. The simplistic dress is plain compared to the display of the other cardinals, the black is an obvious contrast of the white attire worn typically by the pope, mirroring his belief in someone like Lawrence being pope instead of him, being completely honest and shown in his being. His messenger bag is over his shoulder, containing his only belongings. Paired with his back turned to the rest of the scene, it shows his willingness to leave the cardinals and return to his own work.
A turtle is held close to Benitez’s chest. They are innocent and unknowing animals confined in the Vatican, continually walking into places they are not meant to be and, according to Lawrence, being killed accidentally for doing so. They are loved and cared for but are still from a different place of the world, in a new territory unable to leave, similar to the new pope after the conclave. Turtles are sometimes seen as being burdened and heavy by the weight of sin, as well as a symbol of persistence, longevity and spiritual independence.
Benitez is shown with a tear down his cheek, similar to how Mary is sometimes depicted in relation to the seven sorrows of mary. The red is the same red as the cardinals cassock and mozzetta, the blood of Christ and a show willingness to bleed for the church. Benitez cries for those who bleed, the women and children he has had to aid, the impoverished and sick, etc, those he highlighted in his blessing in the cafeteria.
private living
In the book, Benitez leaves the razor he was given in its wrapping, even noting to O’Malley prior that he wouldn’t need one. Lomeli/Lawrence sees the razor, as he helps extinguish prayer candles in Benitez’s room. The simplicity and calmness of the candles and extinguishing them, even just after disagreement with Benitez, contrasts against the strain Lawrence shows in the privacy of his own bathroom.
In the film, the bathroom is cold and clinical. Lawrence faces his resignation rejection and grapples with his role of manager in the possible coming weeks. He self punishes and struggles coming to terms with his age, hitting the sink when frustrated with his toiletries bag. In the book, he purposely runs a shower so hot it scalds him and doesn't care about skipping meals. He deprives himself of pleasures in the name of faith, a sort of martyrdom is used to replace vulnerability he may have and shame he has in questioning said faith.
consumption
There is bread paired with fruit, figs, also being laid out in plain sight around Bellini’s chessboard. They can symbolise the pursuit of truth and peace/prosperity mirroring Lawrence's urge to reach the truth of his cardinal's doings. bread and fruit is offered to Lomeli/Lawrence by Benitez during the reveal of Tremblay’s actions in the cafeteria, in which he asks Benitez “Did I do the right thing, Vincent? What is your opinion?”. Benitez urges him to make peace with what he did, helping guide Lawrence to his own truth. As an aside, Adam and eve use fig leaves to cover themselves after consuming the forbidden fruit, an acknowledgement of sin.
The bowl of tortellini near Tedesco is a simple small reference to Tedesco coming from a “large and hungry family”, eating as though it may be taken from him.
Tedesco keeping his vape in the conclave is a display of his desire triumphing his traditionalist values, relying on new technology and implements to life for his own comfort and want. The black smoke from the chimney merges with the vapour he blows out, showing his downfall and loss of votes after the racist rant that hinged on his conservatism.
A triangle of tremblay, lawrence, and Woźniak are formed, with bottles of alcohol in between them. The use of alcohol by tremblay to put a mark against Woźniak is one he uses quickly when Lawrence confronts him in the beginning.
the smoke
The rise of the chimney smoke transitions from black to white as it follows Lawrence and the other cardinals up to benitez. Obviously resembling the inconclusive votes up to the final verdict, it also mirrors the colour schemes of Lawrence and Benitez, going against general expectation amongst cardinals of who would ultimately be pope.
Before surrounding benitez, the chimney smoke meets and mixes with clouds and smoke from the explosions outside of the vatican. From a distance, the rising smoke looks one in the same.
The smoke eventually rises and forms an abstract representation of a halo around benitez, typically seen among art of holy/sacred figures
im currently completely losing it about the great stalacpipe organ. are you fucking kidding me they made an organ out of a CAVE???? IT TAKES UP THREE ACRES??? i legit am about to lose it
this is a comment left on a recording of moonlight sonata played on an organ that is literally made out of a cave and its making me so emotional its not even funny
[image id: a youtube comment that reads ‘wonderful…and the moon has never shone there…’ end id.]
According to Wikipedia, it works by hidden rubber mallets on the naturally-musical stalactites that tourguides have been knocking on for over a century. The guy who made the organ may have gotten the idea when his son whacked his head on a stalactite.
"we cut the nobody scene from the odyssey" "we cut the religious trauma and parental abuse from carrie" i'm starting to think that studios barely funding original films is starting to have an effect where directors make up a story and then slap an IP on it in order to sell. or maybe some bitches just can't read anymore idk it's one or the other
the whole reason why they're so unnerving is BECAUSE there's nothing in them!! because they're unrelentingly liminal and lonely and uncomforting. there shouldn't be a monster guy in there chasing you. you should glimpse other humans (?) from a distance but they walk away before you can close the gap and then they're gone. things should run away from YOU. do u get it
jacobvanloon
tangentwithtanner
vaporwave
gracieabrams
prguitarman
