#finally kris gets to do something here...

[curiosity-dr]

favorite things?

[beezah-beez]

this guy cannot catch a break

[good-beanswrites]

Duet

A little Chapter 3 Deltarune thing I was inspired to write! I got the idea back when the chapter first came out, something about the soul not meshing with Kris’ piano playing but having other skills, and finally got it down on paper while riding the chapter 5 buzz LOL. It’s my first time writing in first person in forever, and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out :D

“Ooh, ooh!” Susie grabs a handful of my shirt. Her claw points excitedly to the screen, causing the bowl of popcorn on her lap to leap up dangerously with the motion. “Noelle said you used to play, is that right?”

I follow her gaze to the character playing some flashy keyboard. She lingers on the channel for an extra moment, watching the musician’s scaley arms fly across the keys. My attention quickly refocuses on her – it’s still jarring to see her here, in my house, on my couch. Her presence is as out of place as it is familiar.

“I guess,” I mutter and offer the ghost of a shrug.

“She said you took classes and everything.”

“Yeah.” She doesn’t notice my reluctance. More likely, she just doesn’t care.

“And you were actually good at it?”

“Yeah.”

“Who even taught you?”

“Your mom.”

Her next question is cut off by one of her loud, growly laughs. I keep my expression controlled, but can’t help the warmth in my chest. Susie resumes rapidly flipping though channels as she nudges me. “I mean it, loser!”

Before I can suggest we change the subject, I spot my mom in the doorway. She’s giving up on her pretense of minding her own business by stepping into the room and answering for me.

“It was a family friend,” she says. “Kris complained at first, dragging themself around the house in all sorts of little tantrums~”

“Mom…”

The last thing I need is Susie regretting her camaraderie with me. I’ve finally found people who didn’t know me when I was stumbling after them on tiny feet – I wince as mom’s tone reminds us that I’m always be the baby to her, and to everyone else in this damned town.

At least Susie isn’t buying it. She shoves a handful of popcorn into her mouth. Crumbs fly as she muses, “I get it. I’d hate doing extra classes on top of school...”

“Oh, I don’t think they minded the lessons themselves. Piano just wasn’t flashy enough.”

“Eh?”

There’s that grossly sweet smile of hers, and I know she isn’t looking at me anymore – she’s seeing me and Asriel from half a decade ago. “It’s adorable… Kris had big dreams of being in a rock band.”

“A rocker? You?” Susie’s eyebrows shoot up. “That’s badass! What made you wanna do that?”

I bend my head to let a fringe of hair hide the way my eyes dart away from the question. I try to ignore the rapidly surfacing memories of discordant plucked strings, of frustrated tears wiped away, of another’s hands guiding my own into the right shapes.

But Mom is smiling, with that unreadable shade of emotion she gets caught up in the same kind of memories. “There was always a lot of music over at the Holiday’s place. I caught Kris trying out the guitar a few times. Maybe… one day… you can take lessons. How does that sound?”

I clench my fists in my lap. I could never survive something like that. Each hour would be agonizing, letting someone else teach me instead of who it should have been. I’d be utterly miserable.

“I’d love that!” you say.

I tense, but no one notices. Mom nods, satisfied, and Susie is shifting positions on the couch. She speaks up before I can blurt out that you sure do need lessons, if your piano skills are any indication of your musical talent. She reclines across the cushions, purposefully smushing me into the arm with her legs.

“You want more classes? Nerd.”

“Tch. Weirdo.”

“Freak.”

“Dumbass.”

“You’re the dumbass!”

“Language, children,” mom warns. Then, “Well… I’ll, um, leave you to it. If you need anything, you know where to find me. Goodnight, dears.”

She flashes a smile laden with confusion as she leaves. At least she understands the concept of giving someone privacy when they’re hanging out with their friend.

“Goodnight!” you call.

---

Mom isn’t the only one clinging to a younger memory of me, though. Later that night, we discover that Mr. Ant Tenna doesn’t really see me, either. He’s seeing someone smaller, with a headband tousled in their hair and hands pressed up against the fuzzy static of the screen. He’s presenting games to that Kris, with a glossy cheeriness that covers his cluelessness.

I know for a fact he’s misled when the curtain rises, and the three of us stand decked out in wild outfits. A crowd roars, ten times the size of the previous studio audience we were facing. I gape at them.

Susie spins, checking out her new leather and spikes. Ralsei’s gentle expression clashes with his flashy makeup and mohawk. My eyes flick over my own changes: colored bangs drape over my face, a glint of silver highlight in them. Shining leather pants meet with reflective heels. A bedazzled jacket frames my figure in startling shapes. An angular guitar crosses my chest.

It would be perfect if it wasn’t straight out of a nightmare.

Even without any sort of recitals in my life, I’d dreamt of performances without any sheet music. Not only am I unsure what to play now, I don’t know how. This new instrument feels clunky in his grasp. Regardless of the darkness over the stadium, I can feel the thousands of eyes on me.

My throat squeezes. All of my muscles are aching to run. I think about bolting backstage and giving that stupid television a piece of my mind about these games. Despite it all, my feet remain rooted in place. I can’t tell if it’s you or if I’ve already been consumed by stage fright.

Chords echo onto the stage to lead in the performance.

To my right, Susie sits down at her own instrument. Without a second of hesitation, she slams down on the drums. Bitterly, I wish I could find that same sort of carelessness. My music-trained ear picks up on my upcoming cue, but my fumbling hands remain trembling.

Why is the universe so determined to mock me? Rubbing it in my face, reminding me of yet another childish dream that isn’t realistic?

I shut my eyes tight.

Then, my fingers move with ease. The instrument sings out with a beautiful, rich distortion through the amplifiers.

I jerk my head down to watch the strings – you play each chord with clean movements. You strum with my right hand, using my left to slide across the frets and shape into various sounds. I can’t help my jaw from loosening.

You hold out a note, fluttering in a way that vibrates the sound before continuing on. How the hell did you learn something like this? I finally allow myself to look up at the audience.

They roar with a fresh wave of cheers. Hands and hats wave in the air. Camera flashes sparkle over the mass like light over the ocean. The spotlights swing around to join in the dance of light and catch on the iridescence of my jacket.

Hesitant at first, then gaining confidence, I lean into your playing. You attack the notes, and I go after the crowd.

I take on a new stance in my heels, something comfortable but intense. Recalling an old photo of Noelle in dark makeup and hair dye, I flip my bangs with a new confidence. I sway and lean. I tip my head back, and hunch over the guitar. I’m not Hometown’s quiet baby. I wink at the audience.

The subsequent squeals sent me stepping backwards in embarrassment. I’m getting carried away. I shouldn’t be having this much fun. I can only do this because of you, and even so, it doesn’t change anything.

But then Susie pauses her drumming just long enough to shove a thumbs-up my way. Her hair once again flies around in a wild, fiery halo as she beats on the drum set like she’s trying to break it.

Ralsei flashes me an encouraging grin through his singing. I wasn’t paying attention to the song before, but now that I listen, it sounds like something I would have sang back then, with everyone. I can picture them now, just over my shoulder – I can see those antlers bouncing along with the heavy rhythm.

She never saw me as someone young, or weak, or lame, even back when I was. Even without you giving me an extra edge, she always looked at me like she was proud.

The thought hits me amid the dazzling lights and music that vibrates through my very bones. It’s glamorous. It’s ridiculous. It’s the most fun I’ve had in forever.

My chest heaves from the effort, half of which isn’t my own, but I’m not angry about it this time. I would never go so far to say I’m grateful, but when you jump on the next verse, I smile.

Together, we play.

[humankk]

Oh yeah I realized this a while ago and forgot to say anything here (it was mostly just in discord server and some youtube comment) but anyway

Ever Higher leitmotif, I was thinking about what the fuck it could even represent, it's in Crumbling Tower, so climbing up walls? Nope it's in From Now On, something with the prophecy? Why the hell is it even in Every Higher?

And then I realized. It's not about the prophecy.

It's about stories.

There's that one Cuptain that was talking to Bilblox and went:

* I came here to seek the sage's advice on my journey. * Surely this legend shall make me a righteous hero. * If it doesn't make me a righteous hero, then it really sucks.

Most, if not all of the cuptains are like, trying to be heroes, rescueing their princesses, so I think I can assume this apply generally to all of them, at least for the theme.

(Meanwhile the book guy just recite that A is for Apple or something.)

And where else does it play?

Dark Sanctuary, From Now On, Crumbling Tower, SPAWN, GUARDIAN, Second Sanctuary, and Third Sanctuary

The place where you learn about the prophecy, and enact its story, all according to its words.

Being the heroes of deltarune, fighting enemies, trying to get the Knight, fighting the Titan and sealing it.

All while learning about the prophecy.

It's about following the role you think you are, according to the stories that you heard.

It's the roleplaying motif.

[akanemnon]

Alright, I beat Chapter 5. Took a bit longer than I would have liked, because sleep deprivation from insomnia gives me the reflexes of a sloth (It is actually kinda concerning irl.) Also it makes it pretty much impossible to do secret boss stuff anymore, which is frustrating, but at least getting to the end is good enough for me.

Overall, I'm satisfied with how the chapter played out. Right from the getgo I was left with a fear of dread. Which is good. Very good in fact. Every time Kris is on screen all alone I am saying to myself out loud "don't do it." But that's how you know you're invested. (Also the way the chapter starts also is very VERY much in line with what I had planned for the start of The Other Script. Thank you Tobert. Very kind of you.)

I didn't expect the whole dressup scene with Susie for her date with Noelle, but it was very welcomed! Really strengthens the idea that Castle Town is her home now. Which is called back to at the end of the chapter nicely.

I didn't know what to expect from the festival itself. Probably thought of something more grandiose for how much it was talked about, but honestly it was mainly to strengthen character bonds and give us some laughs. Also genuinely, the scenes between Susie and Noelle are insanely cute. The way they are written together makes me happy, despite not being into shipping. And it much more so leaves me with dread for what's gonna happen in the Weird Route. But I guess imma find out soon when a friend is streaming it (I'm not touching it myself, you can't make me.)

As for the Dark World itself, I didn't expect it to be a direct callback to Chapter 1. I guess I should have been tipped off by the teaser of the Floradinns. The whole Dark World is essentially a variant. Though I wish they would have played more into the reasoning behind the theming outside of the manga you can find in Asgore's room with the flowers at the end. Who gave it to him? I bet it was Alphys... Or maybe he's always been a fan, idk. Though with the theming in mind it made sense for the chapter's designated final boss, AKA Flowery, to be the way that he is. Ngl when the cutscene started playing when he appeared I though my system started a completely different game. But nope... There he is... In all of his... humany flowery glory. No pun intended.

As far as I can tell, a lot of people dislike him. I mean, he is written to be a gigantic shitpost dressed up like an anime heart throb. Tied neatly together with the same schmalzy bullshit you can find these kinda characters spouting. So that was 100% intentional on Toby's part. I can't say that I hate him, but I was with Ralsei with the urge punch his teeth in by the end (big fan of Ralsei's sass in this chapter btw. My boy was SO fed up and I'm here for it.) His fight was unreasonably hard for me because of reasons mentioned in the first paragraph.

But him aside, I'm happy with what they did with the other flowers! From working on Twin Runes I figured these would be incredibly important to the story somehow, and I was correct. Now they aren't a big flower hydra (thank god, I already have people suspicious of me calling some stuff from newer chapters in my comic) but the decision to make them their own (human) characters was great. All of them are lovely and I loved learning more about them and their dynamics. They're insanely fun. Green is the best. Fight me.

Also omg the gameplay mixup was so unexpected but so GOOD. Thankfully they let you change the controlls. My Kirby-pilled brain was fighting for its life. But damn that was so insanely fun. Definitely wouldn't have guessed that the feather would do this. Good on you Toby for keep making us come up with the most out there guesses and pulling the rug from under us. Love it.

And I definitely can't forget Asgore. I'm so happy that we got to see and learn more about him. Even if some parts are still kinda vague, it's good to see him talk about realize that his obsession is the ultimate thing that broke everything apart. And I extremely curious to find out what exactly happened on that very day.

There is a lot to talk about in this chapter and this is just some surface level rambling. I'm excited to see how bad things will go. Also can we talk about the new talksprites??? The team outdid themselves. These expressions are comedy gold.

Also, again, thank you Toby for acknowleding the bit with the whole imprisioning thing. I feel seen for pointing it out in my comic (even though this definitely isn't a reference)

[lynxgriffin]

Eldritchrune - Rouxls of the Roll

1 | 2

Story Setup Eldritchrune Masterpost

Rouxls still thinks he's got an upper hand on the situation by attempting to take Lancer hostage! Unfortunately for him, this particular little guy has got a giant eldritch dragon that's gotten attached to him. The Fun Gang can continue on!

Woooo, so glad to finally have this fun little scene done! Did want to put more of a lighthearted one in here! I may run another poll to see what scene I should tackle next...

Alt text for these pages is under the read more:

Page 1

Panel 1 - Full shot of Kris as they look down with shock and surprise at the transformed K Round. It’s now not much higher than their knees, tipping around uselessly in its failed attempts to move. 

Panel 2 - Kris turns towards Ralsei watching in the foreground, and gestures towards the K Round pyramid. “You never mentioned you were capable of doing this,” they say.

Panel 3 - Wide shot of Ralsei and Kris facing each other across the now-ruined landscape in front of the castle entrance. “I have a number of magical abilities I haven’t talked about, Kris!” Ralsei explains.

Kris asks, “Why didn’t you do this LAST time?”

Panel 4 - Mid shot of Ralsei with his hands outstretched, trying to explain. “It does take some preparation, and there wasn’t the time then! Besides… I thought it best to have you trust your own skills.”

Panel 5 - Closeup on Kris, who doesn’t look happy or convinced with this explanation. They narrow their eyes at Ralsei and let out a little huff.

Panel 6 - But, there’s more important things to deal with right now. Kris turns to face Rouxls Kaard, who is still standing by the castle entrance, looking shocked. This wasn’t the turn of events he expected.

Page 2

Panel 1 - Wide shot as Kris gestures to the tiny K Round pyramid, while Rouxls Kaard looks on with a startled expression. “So. Will you get out of our path now?” Kris asks.

Panel 2 - Closeup on a perturbed Rouxls. He’s considering his options…

Panel 3 - Same shot, but a wry smile starts to cross his face. “Ha…”

Panel 4 - “...Hahaha! That was…um…merelyst a distractioneth!” He waves a hand dismissively.

Panel 5 - Full shot as Rouxls scrambles around and reaches behind a large spade spike by the castle entrance. He’s trying to grab something. “For you see, while you were occupied with my cleverest diversion…”

Panel 6 - Rouxls reaches his prize, and pulls it out towards the camera: it’s Lancer! Despite Rouxls gripping him by the head, Lancer looks completely unperturbed. “I hath taken your littlest stooge hostageth!” Rouxls declares.

Panel 7 - Middle shot of Kris as they look on, eyes wide and face surprised. 

Page 3

Panel 1 - Lancer, still gripped by Rouxls, turns and waves to Rouxls with a wide grin on his face. “Hi, Lesser Demon!”

Rouxls grimaces at the name. “Stop calling me that!”

Panel 2 - Still gripping Lancer, Rouxls steadies himself and points back towards Kris and Ralsei. “Anywayseth, hand over thoust soul, and I won’t crusheth his soft head like many grapes into a fine beverage!” Rouxls declares.

Panel 3 - Middle shot on Lancer, still gripped by Rouxls, and still smiling. “Ooh! Can I have some?” Lancer asks.

“Uugh! NO!!” Rouxls replies, frustrated.

Panel 4 - Still watching, Kris’s eyes widen and they perk up a bit…something has caught their attention.

Panel 5 - Now looking less concerned, Kris raises a hand in offering. “How about this. We give YOU the opportunity to let Lancer go, and walk away unscathed.”

Panel 6 - “What?! No! Do you not understandeth hostages, young human?!” Rouxls asks, hand raised, still looking frustrated. “I maketh the demands!”

Panel 7 - Closeup on Lancer, still smiling through it all. He adds, “I want to make a demand, too! I demand…sourdough bread bowls!”

Page 4

Panel 1 - Mid shot of Kris, still looking completely unconcerned. “The offer is open, but with a limited window,” they say.

Panel 2 - Mid shot of Rouxls still holding Lancer by the head. He extends his other hand out, looking flabbergasted and increasingly angry. “Stop talking!! Your SOUL, human, in exchange for this annoyingest creature! It is VERY simpleth!”

Meanwhile, Lancer is still thinking over his demands, and adds, “And I want…cheesy berry bites in the bread bowls!”

Panel 3 - Kris and Ralsei continue to face down Rouxls while K Round sits sullenly nearby. “It IS simple. Let him go, and you walk away,” Kris says. “Also, he asked for bread bowls.” Panel 4 - Closeup on Rouxls as he flat out yells, now full angry, his stringy hair bouncing everywhere: “No, no, NO, dammit! This witless, waste of nonsense creature is the HOSTAGE!”

Panel 5 - Wide shot of Lancer ahead of the entrance, still gripping Lancer, and now stomping his foot in frustrated rage. “I demanded something in exchange from YOU!! How can you all be so STUPID?!” Unbeknownst to Rouxls, Susie is standing directly behind him, looking none too happy about her little Lancer friend beind manhandled.

Page 5

Panel 1 - Closeup on Kris as they tilt their head, resigned. At least they tried. “Well…an attempt was made,” they say, and give Susie the FIGHT command.

Panel 2 - Kris then flinches away as, offscreen, Rouxls screams and a loud CHOMP is heard.

Panel 3 - Full shot as Susie sits where Rouxls once was a moment before, smugly crunching and chewing on the demon. Lancer sits nearby, now freed from his captor, and grins up at Susie. “Hi, Susie! We were sharing demands!” he says excitedly.

Panel 4 - Closeup on Susie, mouth still full of demon, as her eyes widen and her expression turns sour. 

Panel 5 - Susie stands up and pukes back out Rouxls’ remains with a loud BLAAAUUUUGHH! and a disgusted expression. What was once Rouxls is now a wriggling pile of hundreds upon hundreds of worms, all sliding out of her jaws. Lancer stands up and backs away from the mess. 

Panel 6 - Susie turns her head away and tries to wipe the remaining worms out from between her teeth, looking disgusted. “UUUUUUGH! AWFUL!! Worst mouth feel, ugh uuuugh!!” she yells, brushing frantically to get the taste out of her mouth.

Panel 7 - Closeup on Ralsei as he looks on with disgust at the squirming pile. Ralsei says, “He may be a, um…lesser demon, but he’s still immortal…”

Panel 8 - “I don’t think eating him would work.” In the foreground, the wriggling worms squirm together in a strangely cohesive pile towards K Round.

Page 6

Panel 1 - Nearby K Round, the pile of worms begins to coalesce back again into a vaguely more human shape…at least enough to form a face with eyes and a mouth. “S-such…horrid…indignities! It will taken an hour for me to reconstitute!” Rouxls cries. He’s slowly pulling himself back together.

Panel 2 - Closeup on Susie as she leans down towards Lancer. “You okay, Lancer?” she asks.

Lancer leaps up back onto her snout, none the worse for wear. “Sure as sugar!” he replies.

Panel 3 - Wide shot as Ralsei and Kris walk over to join Susie and Lancer by the entrance. Ralsei gives an uneasy back at the Rouxls warm pile as they go, while Kris seems determined to just move on. 

Panel 4 - The trio and Lancer continue on past the open portcullis. “F-FINE! Go and getteth thee speared by the King! I didn’t wantest your wretched worm of a soul, anyway!” the Rouxls worm pile yells pathetically after the Fun Gang. 

Panel 5 - Kris waves lazily back to Rouxls, not turning to face him. “Of course you didn’t.”

Page 7

Panel 1 - Wide shot as the Fun Gang continue on into the castle proper. The battlements look ruined, and bits of lumber, brick and cloth litter the streets. Still not much to stop them from entering the castle and looking for the King. 

Panel 2 - Wide shot as Rouxls sits next to the wailing-faced K Round pyramid, still working on reforming himself to his usual state. He lets out a loud sigh. 

Panel 3 - Rouxls turns to speak to K Round. “Well, that couldeth have gone better, couldn’test it?”

Panel 4 - In response, K Round hops up just enough to give Rouxls a good, solid poke in the eye with its pointy top. Rouxls lets out an undignified OUCHETH! 

[piscesstar3127]

what do i need to hear right now?

hii, as always I'm back with a new reading!! this reading is very blunt I'm ngl, so be mindful of that! I really enjoyed this reading and I hope you do as well!

by the way, free readings are going to be open all week to celebrate hitting 100 followers, so if you want to participate you are very welcome to! anyways let's get to the reading!

take a deep breath, quiet your mind, and see which picture calls out to you. remember to take what resonates and leave the rest!

pile one

hello pile one!! I hope you guys are having such a beautiful day! for your reading,  i got the 6 of swords, the 3 of swords reversed, and the emperor. let me just start this by saying that you guys are doing absolutely amazing. all I'm hearing is Kris Jenner saying, "you're doing amazing sweetie! go Kylie go!". you guys are leaving troubled and restless times and coming into your own. it may feel like nothing is happening, but trust that you have finally made it. it may be a quiet shift or transition away from the hard part of a journey you're currently on, this could be a mental, physical, or even an emotional thing that definitely drained you to this point. the card at the bottom of your deck was the 9 of wands reversed, so i think that whatever this is took a lot out of you and now you're exhausted, which is extremely justified right now. I just want you guys to know that all the work you have put in until now is starting to pay off. there is a message to start accepting this change though. you need to continue to have hope. I know when you're defeated and you hear something like this it definitely pisses you off, but when you start to believe again you will start to see all the good that not only awaits you, but surrounds you too. there still may be pain, dissapointment, and grief in your heart, but you are healing it beautifully. there is healing and release here, rather than a continuation of suffering, which means you are in the right direction even if it doesn't feel like it right now. you guys could've left something that was draining you or breaking you down behind, and this is the that healing that is taking place. you don't have to rush this process, it will happen naturally. don't feel like you can't feel your emotions either, they're there for you to release any pent up or stubborn things that were left behind. your resilience is quietly building as well, and those emotional wounds are starting to lose their sting. I know this was probably a hard journey for you to come out of, but there's a message here to step into the power that you've always had and are continuing to build. embodying the qualities of leadership and order, and creating structure, not just outwardly, but in your inner world will help you immensely during this time. you guys are like literal phoenixes. I keep seeing someone in their element and in their power fully, you need to get there for yourself. you will rise out of the ashes of what left you broken, and turn into something brand new and powerful. you will reclaim your personal power and gain responsibility for your life's direction. it can be a scary thing to take charge, but you certainly have it in you. use that fire you're going to create or have already, and take charge to  own what's yours! honor your journey through your pain and sadness, but also recognize your capacity to emerge stronger by reclaiming your agency in you story! you've got this pile one! you're on your way to greatness ♡

pile two

hello pile two!! I hope you guys are shining your brightest today! for your reading, I got the 4 of cups reversed, the high priestess, and the 2 of cups. are you guys in a situation with someone and it's kind of taking you out of your element? it feels like you're bending and people pleasing to whatever or whoever this is. it's like you know what you want but your not quite sure how to get it. honestly that energy that I picked up on could be from the past, and that's how you used to operate in connections. you have been disconnected or uninterested in what was around you after this, but now there's a subtle momentum that's pushing you towards openness and new emotional possiblities. you are breaking free from emotional blocks or a refusal to stay stuck in complacency. yeah you guys definitely moved past something here. I feel like you may be really frustrated though, because you're still not getting what you want. you guys have gained a lot of inner wisdom and reflection from this phase, it's just that you're moving too fast and you have to wait a bit for your physical reality to catch up to this. there's a lot of impatience here (lol), and this is probably going to frustrate you even more, but you have to go within. you're focusing too much on the outside things and not enough inwardly. there's a call to listen and trust your intuition and to pay attention to the quiet voice within you so that it can guide you towards deeper clarity and understanding. I feel like there's something that you guys are missing because of this rushed energy. the moon tried coming out and is now at the back of the deck, so there's definitely something hidden here from you for a reason. you guys honestly need to take a deep breath and chill. do a mediation, do some yoga, journal, and go within to find the peace you are looking for. the universe has your back and once you learn to let go, the universe will proceed with it's plan. you will get everything you desire, you don't have to hold on so tightly anymore. once this internal work is done, you will have your desires, you guys seriously need to let go though, your energy is so pent up and restless. your work will pay off, and you will see this in the form of a relationship, a partnership, a friendship, or in mutual understanding with you and someone else. this. also suggests that there will be a union or a balanced emotional exchange that will thrive on genuine connection. this could even just be you and yourself. you guys are okay, you will always be okay, just relax. and I know it's easier said than done, because this may be extremely unsettling or uncomfortable for you to do, especially if you love to have control, but it's necessary do that so a healthy relationship with yourself and others can emerge. you will be very balanced and free by the end of this. you have more than enough time pile two ♡

pile three

hello pile three, I hope you are gorgetastic today! for your reading, i got the tower, the ace of swords, and the 3 of swords reversed. I think you guys may be very fast on your feet lol. there's something here that you caught before it fully broke you down. there's some bad bitches in this pile lol. there is or was a dramatic shift or an unexpected event that shook your foundation where your current beliefs or circumstances stood. I just feel so fully that you guys are all business, you do not play games AT ALL. whatever this thing was, it challenged your previous understandings or stability. I feel like you guys found something out, or realized something and it caused this to happen. this disruption, though unsettling, can be a gateway to necessary truths and growth, promoting you to ressassess what is truly vital and what may need to be released. there's a strong energy of mental clarity and breakthrough - like thinking. you guys put two and two together extremely fast, your mind is fast and clear, or it needs to be. there's a message to cut away the confusion and allow a fresh perspective to emerge. only take this if it resonates, but I literally cannot get it out of mind, did someone cheat and you found out? I'm just getting this over and over again but if it doesn't resonate you don't have to take it. there's encouragement here to use your intellectual courage and honesty, this is offering you to use your strength to sift through any complexties, situations, and personal experiences with sharper and more focused insight. you guys may be in a state of shock, lots of confusion and scattered energy around you, like you don't know what to do or where to go.  you guys have very sharp minds and you need to use them. take some time for yourself, journal, meditate, whatever you need to do so that you can plan what's next and start to be clearer with yourselves. you likely use your brain to process certain things rather than your emotions, very mental people in this pile. you need to use the empowering quality of truth and clarity during or after this transformation you're having as well. I also got the death card at the back of the deck, so whoever you were before this, you will be a brand new person after. like COMPLETELY different. there's a lot of emotional healing here too. there's a softening from the harshness that heartbreak or dissapointment might have inflicted on you. there's a push to acknowledge the pain, but it also signals movement towards forgiveness, self compassion, and the gradual mending of your wounds. oh my pile three I'm giving you the biggest warmest hug right now! you guys are beautiful and have such beautiful energy, and you always will create something beautiful for yourselves. you guys have a lot of grit, you stand tall even when something breaks you or tries to, but just know you don't have to be strong all the time. you process things at a fast pace in your mind, but don't forget about your heart too. take care of it slowly and in a way that helps you truly heal, this isn't something you can rush. I also see you guys spending a lot of time alone. maybe you guys will or currently take yourselves out on dates to park, maybe you read, or paint ( anything creative really), any of these things or anything else you're into will help you feel like yourself during this time and help mend what was broken. this healing does not erase what happened in the past, but it allows the integration of the experience in a way that fosters emotional resilience and emotional growth within you. I feel like the biggest thing you need to hear right now is that you are heard, you are seen, and you're doing absolutely amazing. if no one has told you this already, you have a beautiful soul and you deserve the absolute most. I'm here for you pile three ♡

I hope you enjoyed the reading!

[myddle]

In Fate's Crosshairs: What Susie Isn't Talking About In Chapter 5

Perhaps My Most Confident Theory Yet

A couple people have been pointing out that Susie has been acting... weird, in this chapter. Trying to accept ribbons, ignoring (most of) Flowery's "princess" comments, neglecting her bond with Kris in favour of Noelle... Any one of these on their own could be excused as... sideways? character development? But all together, they have people throwing up eyebrows, some even going as far as to question Toby's writing.

While I have more faith in Toby than that, I'll admit... these accusations are hard to deny. I haven't seen an explanation that convinces me, but it's clear there needs to be one. What could possibly have caused such a drastic shift in Susie's behaviour?

Fortunately, I have an idea on what it might be. And it involves something else that's strange: What Susie Isn't Talking About.

(Deltarune Chapter 5 Spoilers, Really Long Post, Substantiated Opinions)

The Unspoken Inevitable

It is actually CRAZY. How little the Prophecy came up in this chapter. Like, I think it was only alluded to by Ralsei two or three times, and I'm not sure the WORD. PROPHECY. Was even SAID in the whole chapter. Like, correct me if I'm wrong, but the fact I'd have to check frankly says enough.

She tried to hide it, but we know Susie was haunted by what she saw of the Final Tragedy. It should be sticking in her mind, impacting her thought process, weighing on every decision. Instead, the thing on Susie's mind...

...is Noelle. Her love. ...Riiiiiight???

The Final Tragedy

Before Chapter 5, I made a prediction on what I think the Final Tragedy might be, and while I doubt I got it word for word, I think I'm on the right track. If you don't care to read that post, here's the prediction:

THE GIRL'S LOVE MUST MEET ITS GRAVE.

If Susie is "THE GIRL", which... you know, probably, then whoever her "LOVE" is is in narrative danger. Previously, I proposed that Susie is worried it could be Noelle or Kris, but honestly, I was being conservative! Susie just learned about polyamory the night before, it could be Noelle and Kris! Hell, why stop there? For all Susie knows, her "LOVE" could constitute any number of people she cares about! Kris, Noelle, Ralsei, Lancer, Toriel, Tenna? What counts!? Could you define "LOVE" real quick!? 'CAUSE THE PROPHECY SURE DIDN'T!!

So what's Susie gonna do? We know what she's like at this point, she's not gonna let anybody die because of her. So, she hatches a plan...

Susie's Idea (Derogatory)

Now, if you're following my logic so far, it might sound like I'm proposing that Susie is focusing all her "LOVE" on Noelle to pin the death flag on just her, which... no. Not quite.

As I was struggling to put all this together, I remembered an odd thing Susie said to Noelle at the lake. Something that I think is the lynchpin that explains all of her strange behaviour.

...That's weirdly... broad, right? She submitted a blank cheque. FOR A LOVE CONFESSION. That's kinda weird. And I KNOW she can do better than that; did you SEE her rizz at the hammer game!? Girl has an incredible talent for making people feel SO LOVED.

No, Susie had a reason to say that. To declare her and Noelle's feelings for each other as equal. Equivalent.

...Interchangeable.

Do you get it yet? Susie is trying to game the Prophecy, to swap her and Noelle's roles so she'll be the one that dies instead of Noelle.

And she's doing it with Noelle specifically because Noelle is her only "LOVE" that can fill the same roles as her; Kris and Ralsei are already in the other hero roles, and, you know, aren't girls (obviously Ralsei is trans, but Susie doesn't know that), so "THE GIRL" has to be Noelle.

And that means making Noelle a hero. Susie's previous apprehension in telling Noelle about the Dark World is completely gone, and while she missed her chance to tell her at the lake, she's got Castle Town going all out to give Noelle a warm welcome and induct her into the Delta Warriors.

All so Noelle can be "THE GIRL, WITH HOPE CROSSED ON HER HEART.", and Susie can be the "LOVE" that "MUST MEET ITS GRAVE".

Susie's gearing up to sacrifice herself. Because of course she is.

Evidence (20%TP)

With this in mind, a lot of things Susie says, that didn't seem very like Susie to say, take on new, disturbing double-meanings.

As much as she can... however little that ends up being.

Her relationship with Noelle... or her plan to save her? Can someone like Susie fill the same role as someone like Noelle?

As far as I can tell, Susie never fully breaks out the L-word for Noelle. She wants to love her... but she's scared. Scared of putting Noelle in the crosshairs of fate.

Blue likely meant "love" in the normal and cool and gay way (The flowers don't seem to be clued in on the deeper goings on besides Flowery), but all Susie's hearing is how she can best shape herself to take a bullet.

With this framing, what appeared to be uncharacteristic levels of yearning are revealed to be the coded words of a very scared girl. A girl that's scared to mess up, scared to lose someone she loves... and scared to die.

The best days she can have... however few that is.

Susie's sprite does this a LOT in this chapter, even in happy moments like the lake where it otherwise doesn't make much sense. She isn't saying it, but she's really struggling. And she's struggling alone, because she knows if she tells Ralsei or Kris or Noelle what she's planning, they'll probably try to stop her. And she can't allow that. Nobody else is dying because of her.

Bound In Ribbons

Now, one part of Susie's behavioural shift that is notably not explained by this theory's base premise is her trying to wear ribbons.

Ribbons have been a common armour since the start of the game, and are filled with metaphorical significance. They're signifiers of femininity, and how each party member reacts to them tells us more about their relationship to femininity.

Ralsei is shy but joyful, Kris can't object or approve, Noelle gets nostalgic... and Susie refuses them. She doesn't like 'em. That ain't her. And she hasn't been reprimanded for this, by her friends or the narrative. Her gender-non-conformity is representative of her will to defy fate and resist tyranny.

So for her to suddenly 180 on all that and not only accept, but insist on wearing ribbons, through audible discomfort... it's a red flag. And her reasons for doing it... aren't all that convincing.

Like, come on, Susie. Noelle isn't into you for your femininity, and you know that!

And her immediate reaction to wearing one demonstrates my point aptly: she was forcing herself to ask to wear the Ribbon, and resorted to a technicality when it turned out she couldn't stomach it.

But why? Why is it suddenly so important to her that she's wearing a ribbon?

Considering all of her other behaviour shifts are explained by it, I think it's a reasonable assumption to propose that something in the Final Tragedy also inspired this. Perhaps the accompanying image featured a collapsed figure wearing a ribbon, or something like that. Something that ties wearing ribbons to being the "LOVE".

A Small Aside

Sharp-brained readers might remember that Ralsei said that Susie is "supposed to wear ribbons". While he might have just meant this in the sense that Susie shouldn't be refusing to wear things she's given by "Kris", it's also possible he meant that Susie specifically is supposed to wear ribbons, which would tie (heh) wearing ribbons to "THE GIRL" role in the Prophecy, instead of the "LOVE".

Now, while I personally lean towards the former explanation, it is possible that I have the roles backwards, and that it's "THE GIRL" that dies rather than her "LOVE". This would require the Final Tragedy panel to also imply that Noelle is the true "GIRL", and while that's a lot more convoluted and might muck up a few of the "evidence" points, it... works. I guess.

Ultimately, though, it doesn't really matter which way around the roles are. The point is that Noelle is in the role that dies, and Susie is trying to swap them so she dies instead.

Beat to the Punch (That Looks Like Blood)

Now, there's a small issue with Susie's little plan, here:

I'm pretty sure Kris is already doing the same fucking thing, because OF COURSE THEY ARE.

As I've pointed out previously, as vigilant as Kris has been in being a good vessel and not expressing themselves, they've had no such restraint when it comes to Susie, and I don't think that's just because of how cool Susie is. No, I think that Kris intends to be "THE GIRL'S LOVE" to save Noelle, and has been actively pursuing Susie to achieve this.

And it's at least somewhat working. Susie doesn't use the same words as she does about Noelle, because she's trying to push her framing, but the way she talks to and about Kris makes it obvious how much they mean to her. Their talk on the way home is just one example.

But Kris's plan has hit a snag, in the form of Susie suddenly being all over Noelle. And they want to be supportive, but...

They can't. Because it's supposed to be them.

Because they promised.

This might be the true purpose of Kris & Carol's conspiracy: to save Noelle from the Final Tragedy by making Kris Susie's "LOVE", and keeping Noelle and Susie apart to keep their "LOVE" from flourishing.

Although, speaking of Carol, if she found out what Susie is planning, I could honestly see her being tempted to switch gears and make Susie "THE GIRL'S LOVE" instead. I mean, then Kris gets to live, too! And Carol likes Kris! Kris is family! Carol loves her family! Now, the only person that has to die is the town delinquent who nobody will miss.

(Wouldn't be the first time Carol's nearly jeopardised the plan with stupid, sentimental decisions. Like seriously, why was the code in that guitar!?)

But even without Carol getting greedy, the conspiracy is now in trouble, because the central piece - Susie - is going off-script. A battle of wills is spilling out over Noelle's fate, threatening to squander all of their efforts.

And you wanna know the worst part of all this?

I Don't Think It Was Ever Going To Work

I don't think Susie or the conspiracy will succeed. I don't think the Prophecy can be negotiated with in this way, and I don't think Noelle's death can be stopped... not anymore. If there is a path where Noelle survives (and I think there is)... we've already passed it.

And that's because none of these bozos have realised why Noelle is going to die, and why her death is what saves the worlds.

...

But that... is an explanation for later, because this post is already way too long. Seriously, I had to start combining screenshots because I hit the image limit, that's never happened before

For now, I invite you to reinspect Chapter 5 with this theory - which I'm dubbing Fate's Crosshairs Theory - in mind. And please, let me know if you spot any glaring holes in my thesis or smoking guns that I missed in the Evidence section.

Join me next time, when I talk about how I think the Normal Route will end and tie all of this back into my DEVILRUNE THEORY.

That's right! This was a DEVILRUNE THEORY post all along! It was all a ploy to support my headcanons! MUAHAHAHAHA!!

(Read DEVILRUNE THEORY from the beginning!)

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(Screenshots sourced from so many Youtube videos I've lost track, sorry)