btw will there be any romance involved in the updated ver. of 'ante meridiem'? maybe between the reader and hyuck UwuU I MEAN soz if its an obvi q. shudve read between the lines.
don't worry, it's not an obvious question and you don't have to apologize! I appreciate you asking me for clarification :) I did leave ante meridiem as if it were a mystery, so please feel free to ask any questions or make any suggestions/requests before I reboot it!
so to answer your question, there won't be any romance involved in the main plot because it won't contribute to the story line! the most I could do is imply that there is a romantic relationship between the reader (or rather, the player) and donghyuck, otherwise I'm not planning to incorporate romance whatsoever!
I'm open to requests for more video game formatted AUs in the near future though, I want to do a variety of genres and this is only my first one! (I have one planned for afterwards, but it's nct dream centric and the reader/player might have to play as one of the dreamies!)
note: there are no fixed dates that these changes will occur. admin will act upon them according to her availability.
url change (rabbitwrite → royaljeno)
theme change (both mobile and desktop, with added features and navigation)
*an additional blog dedicated to interactive au fics, video game formatted (@neodreamcast) as well as a twitter account (@neodreamcast)
all work currently featured on this blog will be moved to rabbitwrite (when the url change occurs)
ALSO:
this blog will only create fanfics in the form of bulleted lists or scenarios, one shots, conceptual planning, and *interactive video game style
for now, content is restricted to nct and monsta x only
no member x member
reader insert is only upon request or dedication (not including interactive video game aus), same with romance
aside from admin text posts, tags/mentions (if ever tagged/mentioned), and answered asks, this blog will only post/reblog content related to their work. this includes, but is not limited to: art (reblogged from admin's art blog), related media, playlists, moodboards, planning, and previews
* IN REGARD TO INTERACTIVE VIDEO GAME STYLE AUs: they will not be directly posted onto this blog, but they will be reblogged / posted about (updates on twitter posts) here.
hi there will u b updating 'ante meridian'. i like it a lot thus pls say yes to this
Hi there, thank you for showing interest in my series! It really means a lot to me as it was my first video game style fic, and I'm very happy to tell you that I will be updating it!
Actually, I'm hoping to do a reboot of ante meridiem, despite the fact that it was never completed in its initial campaign. I'm in the process of planning out everything again, and I'll be rebooting this blog as well!
I know I've kept you and my other readers waiting, so I apologize for the inconveniences and I'm eternally grateful for your patience and continued interest. I can't leak too many details now, but let's just say that ante meridiem will resemble a video game more... and many games have trailers to preview them.
yes it is! pretty much all nct members are going to make an appearance in ante meridiem eventually, but donghyuck is a very vital character to the whole story. I can’t explain why exactly because it’ll end up spoiling what happens later, but I decided not to specify his name specifically in the cast because he hasn’t technically made an appearance at all. he will appear, but that will occur a lot later and most of the time he is only mentioned. I did end up using him for all the headers and such after all, but at the same time I didn’t want it to be too obvious.
due to personal issues, the Ante Meridiem campaign will be delayed.
this means that it will most likely be unable to finish at the designated end date, which was October 31st.
the campaign will extend into November, though its end date is uncertain.
We sincerely apologize for any issues and disappointment this update may cause, but we hope you will continue to keep up with Ante Meridiem. Thank you.
✩ “Ante Meridiem” is a fanfic series for nct in game format. For more information, refer to the “Title Screen” (introductory / master post).
cast ≫ reader (gender neutral), nct
genre ≫ suspense, horror, angst
word count ≫ 0.5k
warnings ≫ none
《 CUTSCENE UNLOCKED 》
…
What will you do?
> RETURN TO TITLE SCREEN
> EXIT GAME
> REPLAY PREVIOUS
≫ PLAY
…
LOADING…
「 20XX|10|XX - AM 01:59 」
“I thought you said we were going to be visiting a house,” Mark retorted, staring at the destination with a look that bordered fear and disapproval.
“I did,” Donghyuck replied. “I just left out the part about the house being in the middle of the woods.”
“And the part about the house being creepy as hell,” you muttered grimly, making your own observations. The house was staggeringly large, its height rivalling that of the trees surrounding the establishment. It was undeniably old and abandoned, most evident through the rotting wood it was constructed of. “On the bright side, it is a lot better than some low-risk-no-fun house game. I was getting tired of Hyuck moving the Ouija board plank.”
Both boys up front turned simultaneously, narrowing their eyes at your statement.
“There is no bright side,” Mark mumbled.
“Y/N, I did not move the plank and you know it! We really were interacting with a demon, I didn’t invest in a cheap ‘n fake board!” Hyuck pouted, pursing his lips as he furrowed his eyebrows.
You rolled your eyes, ignoring them both. Mark turned the engine off, though he made no movement to exit the vehicle. “Where did you even find out about this place?”
Donghyuck on the other hand was eager to escape from the confinement of his seat, hopping out of the car with the same enthusiasm he always had towards the mysterious unknown. “I have my sources, Mark. Don’t question it!”
“Oh, believe me when I say there are better things to ask about.” you unbuckled your seatbelt before following suit, standing beside Donghyuck as you tugged the material of your jacket tight around your freezing figure.
“What’s the plan, Hyuck?”
The inquiry summoned his signature cheeky grin, boyish with an undertone of mischief. “It is what it always is; we go in and try not die.”
“We might die?” Mark echoed, eyes widening enough to pop out of his skull.
“I mean probably, this was his idea after all.” You pointed a finger at Donghyuck in mock accusation. Tagging along with him was always a gamble with death, but it wasn’t usually likely to end with losing your life. Usually.
Donghyuck snorted, waltzing over to the unstable porch stairs. With every bit of progression on the steps, the slower he moved. Once he reached the top, he looked over his shoulder to spare you and Mark a glance. “There’s a catch.”
You made eye contact with Mark, noting the way his eyebrows raised and mouth went agape. “Go on,” you urged Donghyuck to continue soon after.
“If anything happens, anything at all, you have to run. Don’t come back for me, just go.”
The seriousness riddled in his tone was so unlike him, you had trouble believing it. It seemed so genuine, but not in the sense it was Donghyuck. Not knowing how to react to the request so out-of-character, you laughed and played along. “You got it. We go in this once, but I’m not going back.”
Donghyuck nodded in affirmation, and you followed him to the entrance. You didn’t hear him mutter a brief “good” under his breath, the single word muted out by the creaking door.
…
≫ THIS IS THE TALE OF TRAGEDY, THE STORY OF A FRIEND’S DEPARTURE AND A STRANGER’S ARRIVAL.
…
≫ BOTH YOU AND YOUR FRIEND ARE IN DANGER. ONLY ONE MAY BE SAVED…
…
SO WHO WILL IT BE?
…
Want to play?
≫ YES > NO
…
《 INSTRUCTIONS 》
≫ IN THIS GAME FORMATTED FANFIC SERIES, YOU (the reader) ARE THE PROTAGONIST. FOLLOW YOUR PATH AS THE MAIN CHARACTER AND SEE HOW YOUR FATE UNFOLDS BY UNCOVERING THE TALE BEHIND ANTE MERIDIEM.
…
≫ YOU WILL ENCOUNTER VARIOUS CHARACTERS ALONG THE WAY. KNOW YOUR FRIENDS FROM YOUR FOES - WHO AND WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO TRUST WILL LEAD TO WHO WILL END UP SAFE… AND WHO WILL NOT.
…
≫ THE INITIAL START FOR THIS GAME BEGINS ON FRIDAY THE 13th (October 2017). FROM THIS DATE, PARTS THAT REVEAL BOTH PAST AND PRESENT WILL BE UNLOCKED UP UNTIL HALLOWEEN (October 31st), WHERE THE FINALE WILL BE POSTED.
…
≫ GOOD LUCK…
…
YOU’LL NEED IT.
《 THE STORY 》
After playing a “game” you really shouldn’t have, you are awakened daily from a new voicemail. No Caller ID, but you know the thing behind the other line is an old friend requesting the impossible: he wants you back… so you can save him. That is, if it really is him, and not something far more… sinister.
it is up to you to piece together the entire story of Ante Meridiem along the way. each part is a build up to the upcoming future, and each cutscene is a piece of the haunting past.
《 PART SELECTION 》
this is the fic series masterlist. once the listed part has been posted, it will be linked below.
ー the prelude [PROLOGUE]
「AM 01:27」
ー the game
「AM 01:59」
ー the invitation
「AM 02:44」
ー the arrival
「AM 03:00」
ー the main event
「AM 03:33」
ー the farewell [FINALE]
「AM 04:00」
✩ “Ante Meridiem” is a fanfic series for nct in game format. For more information, refer to the “Title Screen” (introductory / master post).
cast ≫ reader (gender neutral), nct
genre ≫ suspense, horror, angst
word count ≫ 1.7k
warnings ≫ none
LOCATION: OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE
THE TIME IS: AM, 12:15
…
What will you do?
> RETURN TO TITLE SCREEN
> REPLAY PREVIOUS
> EXIT GAME
≫ START GAME
Nakamoto Yuta was just an acquaintance of yours. The type of business you two had with each other was not very applicable to the classification of friendship. He was your go-to man for all the dangerous, paranormal activities you had been partaking in for so long, and if anyone could help you and Mark with the predicament you faced, it was him.
The Paranormalist had his own shop in town, just off the outskirts of the market. It wasn’t too far to get their on foot, a little under thirty minutes, but it was not particularly the safest hour to be out and about and you out of all people were most aware of the malevolent forces that prowled within shadows. At this particular time, you could not afford to communicate with them or allow yourself to fall prey.
So your first destination was a neighbouring household, the home that belonged to the Lee family. You were familiar with their son, Jeno, though you didn’t know him like Donghyuck did. The connection you had with him was enough to give you his permission to borrow his bike though, but that was whenever Donghyuck was unable to give you a ride. It wouldn’t hurt to give it a try now, you thought.
You rushed to the doorstep of the Lee household, ringing their doorbell only once. There seemed to be someone home, judging from the visibly dim lighting in the living room, and you knew that Jeno in particular was quite the night owl.
When the door opened, you were greeted with a vaguely familiar eye smile belonging to the boy you sought out. “Hey Y/N. Nice to see you again,” Jeno smiled softly. You caught sight of a few other boys in his living room, also friends of Donghyuck, but their attention was fixated upon the flat screen tv. “I was wondering how you’ve been lately. Are you okay?”
You mirrored his gracious expression, but decided it was best to get to the point. It’s not like you were capable of answering his question anyways. “I need to borrow your bike, if that’s alright.”
“O-of course,” he nodded, though judging by the way his eyes widened Jeno did not expect to hear your request. “But where are you off to at this hour?”
“I have to go visit The Cauldron,” you answered with hesitation. Jeno was displeased by hearing the name of Yuta’s shop, though you fully expected him to be. The way his lips pressed together in a tight line nipped at your conscience.
“I don’t think that’s the best idea. Are you sure?” Jeno folded his arms across his chest, resting his body against the door frame.
“I have to,” you replied sadly. “For Donghyuck.”
Jeno’s eyes lit up at the mention of his name. “I see… well, I guess I can’t stop you.” after running his slender fingers through the locks of his bleached hair, he gestured towards the side. “My bike is against the wall, just before the backyard. Play things safe, Y/N.”
You brought up the best smile of gratitude you could muster. “Right. Thank you, Jeno!”
He gave a small nod in return, cautiously shutting the door as you made a run for it. You kept to the walk way, careful not to step on the Lee family’s neatly trimmed grass.
As promised, the simple piece of transportation lay idle against the exterior of the house. You removed the bicycle from its resting position, eagerly hopping onto the seat as your feet fixated upon the pedals. Once you had definite control, you exerted pressure against the pedals while steering yourself towards the direction of town.
《 CHECKPOINT 》
What will you do?
> RETURN TO TITLE SCREEN
> RESTART
> SAVE & QUIT
≫ SAVE & CONTINUE
…
NOW SAVING…
LOCATION: “THE CAULDRON”
THE TIME IS: AM, 12:32
The Cauldron was a whimsically dark establishment, despite it being easily missed by the typical onlookers eyes.
Its name was not explicitly depicted in English and was instead indicated by its Latin translation, Despumat Aeni, scrawled upon the walls with black paint. Though Yuta’s shop did the carved in image of a cauldron upon the wooden door, right above the skeletal door knocker, and that was just enough assurance for you to confirm it was the correct destination.
Propping Jeno’s bike up on its own to park it, you settled your mode of transportation in an area where you could keep a watchful eye even from within the store. The windows were tinted glass, a gradient of various colors but translucent enough for one to identify the amount of dangling ornaments hanging from the inside.
Identical gargoyle statues stood on opposite sides of the entrance, glaring at you with menacing eyes of jade. Your attention was placed upon another eye, the one with a far more welcoming design just above the doorknob that served as a keyhole.
“Yuta?” you called for the storeowner upon entering the premises. At first there was no response, so you cautiously proceeded inwards. Your attention hopped from object to object; there was practically an infinite amount of items to choose from. Every bit of furniture with a solid surface adorned their own collection of trinkets to their very edges. There were even potion-like substances contained in vials and flasks threatening to fall off a particularly packed shelf. Unsettling dolls sat upon towering stacks of booksー grimoires, Yuta called them. “Mortal hands like yours” weren’t “worthy” of touching them, apparently.
“What caught your eye?” a chilling voice from behind murmured close to your ear, taking you by surprise.
Stepping forward while whirling around to see who had spoken, you were greeted by the very man you had been seeking. Yuta had practically materialized out of thin air, but you weren’t about to question it.
The so called Paranormalist was either a very convincing fraud or a brilliantly mad expert of dark arts.
“Everything,” you replied, deciding to be as respectful you could manage. “You have a lot of interesting things to look at.”
Ever so slightly, Yuta tilted his head to the side. The corners of his lips twitched upwards, curving into a light smirk. “But it’s not what you’re looking for, is it dear Amicus?” the nickname he called you in place of your real name he had probably forgotten sent a shiver down your spine. Apparently it was Latin for friend, but you struggled to deem Yuta as so.
“No, I actually came here to ask you for a new game to play.” Walking forwards, you were drawn to an unkempt desk covered with all sorts of cards missing from their piles and stray papers. Yuta followed suit, chuckling lightly as he slipped his hands into the pockets of his black trousers.
“All alone? You’ve always played with your partners in crime, I can’t help but wonder why they’re absent.”
You frowned at his straightforward curiosity, responding flatly, “They’re not able to make themselves present… at the moment.”
“I see,” the Paranormalist nodded slowly, though his curiosity seemed to satisfied by the mundane answer. “Well games played in solitude are just as enjoyable, perhaps even more. Your only problem is that it becomes more dangerous…” Yuta’s eyes fixated on you, waiting to see how you’d react.
“I’m willing to take the risks.”
Yuta grinned widely. “Now that’s the spirit!” he placed his hands on his hips, shifting his weight over to one leg as he posed rather mischievously. “What kind of game did you have in mind?”
“I need a game that will let me contact the dead,” you declared bluntly. “One that isn’t restricted to yes-or-no questions or other simple things. I need to have a full out conversation with them, more than one if possible.”
“Oh,” the tone of Yuta’s voice was different now, somber and understanding, perhaps with a smudge of sympathy. He retreated from your side, making his way towards another counter with less flair in his step than he originally started out with.
Once his back was turned towards you, he spoke up again, “Why not give them a call?”
You narrowed your eyes at the absurd suggestion. How were you supposed to call a dead person? You asked him just that.
Yuta’s hands now rested on an antique telephone you had not seen before. He then proceeded to lift it up from the table it resided on, revealing a thin little manual beneath it coated with a visible layer of dust. “We live in an age of technology Amicus, everyone yearns to stay connected one way or another. So do those who dwell on the other side!”
He handed you the manual, printed and stapled paper that looked to be recently crafted, and smiled once more. “It’s been about a year since I’ve had anyone play this game, but it’s one of my favorites.”
In the front of the manual was a black-and-white image of a telephone, similar to the one that had been covering it. Vocatio Ludum was boldly printed at the top, though its translation was right below in a smaller font. “The Calling Game?”
“Yes. If your ritual is successful, you should get exactly what you want. All you need to do is make sure you follow all of the instructions provided, I can’t stress that enough,” Yuta explained. His eyebrows were furrowed and there was hardly a trace of his previous grin, you couldn’t help but go wide eyed at his seriousness. “And make sure you’re talking to the right being!”
“Oh, I’ll know,” you nodded in understanding, folding up the manual before tucking it into your pocket. “I’ll do my best to make it work. It has to.”
For a moment you and Yuta had made direct eye contact, but you were quick to break away for the sake of returning to the entrance. “Thank you, Yuta,” you looked over your shoulder to offer the Paranormalist some gratitude.
He smiled but uttered no verbal farewell, settling for a small wave as you walked out the door. Once every bell ceased their chime, however, he disposed of the gracious expression plastered on his face. Then, after laying eyes on the telephone once more, Yuta let out a low chuckle of cruel mirth.
i just tried posting the next part of ante meridiem and it FAILED TO POST IMMEDIATELY please end me that took me over half an hour to make a post for alone
The GAME BOARD is the main database for the video game formatted fics of rabbitwrite. By proceeding further, you will have access to the fic series dedicated to various kpop idols that this blog has to offer so far.
...
≫ CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE RABBIT HOLE (navigation)
≫ CLICK HERE FOR THE TUTORIAL (instruction manual) SOON
≫ SCROLL DOWN TO PROCEED (game selection)
《 ANTE MERIDIEM 》
nct. rated T for TEEN(13+): contains (infrequent) violence and death, paranormal concepts, infrequent use of coarse language.
Initial campaign: October 13th - October 31st, 2017 <!>
In this Halloween Special, you play in the perspective of the main character. You are to differentiate friend from foe, break away from the past that haunts you, and help Lee Donghyuck before it's too late.
