Ok so, we saw how Jinu first rolled up to Gwima with the Saja Boys members, then they transformed into what we see, along with posing perfectly.
It got me thinking.
So did...Jinu send out for auditions, or did he scout the band members himself?
We've seen how the demons behave. They're not quite sure how to be "human" anymore (I'm assuming at least for the non "converted" demons). The members seems to be the same type of demon as Jinu, but if we refer to Mystery's barking during the fan sign scene, I think their mannerisms have deteriorated over time?
Which means
Jinu had to do a BUNCH of research on how modern day humans behave, how "idols" work, polish the members' appearance, and teach them all how to present themsleves.
I imagine Jinu is too prideful to hire (read: idk maybe hypnotize) a songwriter or a producer to make the band's songs, since he himself was a minstrel back in the day. So he'll have to do research into music too, and CHOREOGRAPHY.
Also, with Gwima's comment on "letting him keep his voice", I don't think any of the other members have their original voices? Maybe Gwima granted them with voices of actual good singers he had taken.
Anyway, all of this just to say, I like the mental image of Jinu hiding somewhere to watch modern boy bands go about their day and taking notes furiously. In conclusion, he's an overworked band manager. The end.
I know the game isn't out yet, and I must admit, my knowledge on the lore isn't very deep, but I was doing a frame-by-frame of the Make It Loud MV and my brainworms took off running, so the theory is born!
Spoiler alert of course. I guess this borders on headcanon too, but here we go anyways!
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Gale could be related to the Black Baron noble family
I'm basing this all on the fact that Gale has roses imagery on him.
The giant one on the back of his civilian form jacket, the pattern of his rocker jacket and the thorns along the ruffled collar, and his skill effect in Make It Loud made a flood of rose petals.
I'm not sure whether the pink or white is his real hair color, but his civilian hair feels like a drooping flower/flower bud to me, while his rocker hair is him "in full bloom".
It's a huge stretch with a generous topping of delulu, but humor me please-
So from what we know so far, we know that Julius is an adopted child of the Black Baron family. The current head took him in when he's still a child. Julius is dedicated to his family, so that probably means he's had a lot of "education" pumped into him, maybe even to an abusive degree to make him "earn his keep" in the family.
What got me curious was, why is the age gap between Julius and his "brother" so vast? From the look of it, the head is probably in his thirties, while Julius seems to be in his early to mid twenties. So Julius's adoption came off to me more as a "retry".
Retry of what you ask? Retry of Gale.
I think Gale is the younger brother of the Black Baron's head, legitimate or not.
As the younger child in a noble family, people wouldn't really care about him since he wouldn't be chosen as heir, even less if he's illegitimate. A child born out of an affair being taken in as an official member of the family is either seen as a gracious and kind act by the family, or desperation. His value in the family would be at rock bottom. He wouldn't have to study as hard unless he wanted to prove himself or threatened to, so he'd have more time to indulge in his hobby: Music.
Usually the instruments that would be "elegant" enough for nobles to play would be something like the violin or piano. A guitar is really toeing the line. A banjo is straight up an act of rebellion since it's a "peasant" instrument.
If we're going through the dramatic route, it could be something like:
Gale, the younger child of the noble Black Baron family, kept alive only for the necessity of having a backup heir, forced to grow up in the cold household and cruel noble society, pressured by the expectations from the family and their prestige. He finds solace in the small moments where he can connect with the people using music, so he made one for himself (or maybe a servant gave it to him. That'd be heartwarming and so tragic) and learned to play it.
So in an effort to try and straighten Gale out, the family could send him to join the navy (I'm leaning on the hand tattoo theory here). Then something happens that lands him in jail (maybe he helped a pirate get away or something ooohhh~), which he then escaped and now he's on the run from both his family (he would have known some secrets) and from the navy for deserting. This would give him cause to keep moving, then, of course, he found his bandmates and founded the Ranbo crew together.
Sidenote: I looked up some information on "Mayflower". It's apparently a ship's name? But also if we go with the literal name of the flower and the European theme, it would be the hawthorn flower, of which also has thorns, and the blooms can be in white, pink, or bright red. So instead of being a proper rose like his old family, Gale is his own unique flower that, when described, could be misunderstood for the other.
Anyway, so that's my take on Gale's origins. I'd love it if we can get more lore of him in the game 😭 aaaaa
Gonna drop my theory on what I think Doorman is, and what his purpose in the story is here.
I agree that he must be an entity of higher power like the Patrons. But I think he may be under a contract of some kind? With someone from the Baroness Hotel.
I don't think it's too farfetched if a hotel owner wants their establishment to become the best. But we know from Doorman's voiceline with Grey Talon that the Baroness used to be the most haunted hotel in America, but it got reduced to just the Tri-state area. However, things will go "back on track" after the ritual, so I think the condition of the contract could be for the Baroness to become the most haunted in the world.
Also since he's young ("Fledgling god" voiceline when he uses Ult on himself), in order to look for some fun in his immortal life, he could have decided to work there at the hotel himself instead of just granting the wish, thus forming a contract.
Extra delulu spice:
I'd love it if he's possessing the body of his contractor (blue light shining out of the eyes), like how Oathkeeper possessed Lady Geist's arm. A simple, bright faced doorman with a sincere wish for the business to bloom. (Maybe he's the son of the hotel owner, working his way up the ladder of stations) His wish for it to become the "best in the world" may have been innocent, but the entity that has become The Doorman has twisted it. Because what would be the best hotel if not one where its guests never leave? Not even as spirits?
So like, even though he became an accountant. He's gotta still be pretty smart to get a job as one, right? Thinking up rhyming lyrics and executing them in real time during rap battles is hard af. And since he JUST got turned into a human, he probably doesn't know anything about maths before.
My man JLP went to get two "Porceline records" (there at the cubicle wall behind him. Idk if he got it made for himself or if he's actually awarded them. I looked up "toilet seat awards" and apprantly it's an award for the participant who got last place in the competition), learned enough about mathematics and finance, passed an interview, and got an office job. An account salary is still pretty high and his cubicle is swamped with work, so we can rest easy that he's earning enough to live. Maybe even enough to still make music on the side (Soundcloud rapper JLP I BELIEVE IN YOUU!!)
The dark circles around his eyes worries me a bit, but I choose to believe that it's cus he stays up to enjoy his hobby (like all of us do ✌️) I like to imagine that now he can go to aquariums or beaches and enjoy the peace on his days off from work, or go to rap cypher events! Meet some more like-minded people!
Also I think he must be taking his own hygiene seriously now. Dude even got a can of air freshener on his desk. No one will call him stinky ever again!!
So I have been having THOUGHTS about Cook and Tim. I simply must share this with the world. Somebody see my vision please I am scratching at the walls.
I will be going over what I think their childhood were like and how their relationship developed throughout the years, up until the current time in the game.
THIS IS A HEADCANON AND VERY MUCH PURE DELULU. DON'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.
Okay? We good? Let's go.
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SO, I think Cook and Tim are about the same age, give or take a couple years.
I headcanon them to be childhood friends.
Cook is near-sighted, so when he's still a child, maybe his family couldn't afford glasses for him, so he squints a lot and makes a habit of standing close to people so he can see them properly when they speak. He finds joy in cooking with his family, in making something warm and nice, that brings a smile to the receiver's face.
Tim is a bit more well off, since his father is a shipwright. He's a design whiz, but that makes it hard for people to keep up. The other kids think he's weird for his ideas and kind of bullies him for it.
BUT COOK IS A GOOD BOY AND DEFENDS TIM. RESPECT THE ART DAMMIT!!
They start hanging out after that. Tim drawing and designing, while Cook brings him snacks and listen to Tim explaining his work.
(Insert: Tiny Cook and Tim laying side by side on the floor with drawings scattered around them oughhhh)
Also, Cook needing to fidget and taking some of the pencils and sticks and tapping a rhythm 🥁
Tim gets used to the proximity of having Cook so close by his side. So when Cook finally got glasses, Tim feels a bit lonely when he doesn't sit/stand as close anymore 🥺🥺
When they're a bit more grown up (maybe their teen years), they start having to follow their dads to work. They don't get to meet as often, but Cook still drops by Tim's place or the pier to bring him snacks. They can have a nice quiet evening together chatting about their apprenticeship.
I'm not sure when Tim lost his arms, or if they're even prosthetics at all, but it's really traumatic. Cook is there for him and helps with rehab. He supports Tim to get prosthetics so he can do what he loves again. A lot of Cook feeding Tim and helping him day-to-day happens during this time 🥹
I think Cook fell first, but Tim fell harder. Cook has always been somewhat attracted to Tim's smarts, and he's genuine in his admiration and respect for the genius. When Tim makes it big, he knows Cook isn't the type that approaches him because there's something to gain.
Meanwhile, Tim has always seen Cook as being some sort of a simpleton. Very "big dog" type of way. He likes how eager and patient Cook can be, and it's nice to be with someone who tells things to him straight instead of pandering with sweet words.
When Cook tells him that he's leaving the island to be in a band, "distraught" is an understatement for how Tim feels. WDYM MY BIG GOLD DOG IS LEAVING?! HUH?? WAIT, MY?????
That's when Tim realized that he has already fallen for Cook, but now he's going away. It hurts, but Cook has supported him in pursuit of his dreams all this time, it's his turn to support Cook.
So I think the Ranbo ship has some nifty features, courtesy of the magic shipwright :)
Cut to present time, Tim tries to catch a show whenever he can. If he's out sailing with the Wanderer crew and they cross-paths, the two spends time together to "catch up" ,,-w-,,)♡
My brainworms refuse to rest, and so I am here now with Johnny × Jean Loo Pissoir Thoughts(TM)
From what I've seen, it's either the pair starts out friendly with each other, or they're bickering, not quite fully hate but definitrly not liking each other's face as much.
I want to get into the courting and stuff, but also plot lines for the ship that has been circling in my mind. It's kinda NSFW, but nothing explicit ✌️ More under cut 👇👇👇
I'm gonna pull from my Homestuck roots a bit and bring out the Love and Hate ships, so please hang on💦 The definition here isn't 100% accurate to how it's used in Homestuck, but I find that the system is great for categorising relationship dynamics.
Love (♡) = Classic romantic lovey dovey stuff
Hate (♤) = Dislike for each other to the point of obsession
I'm also going to separate this into situations where Johnny is more dominant, and Jean Loo is more dominant. Whoever's name is on the left is the more dominant one (and the one that tops)
Johnny ♡ Jean Loo
Old fashioned flirting by Johnny. Really turning up the sweetness to make Jean Loo's composure crack, then melt right in his hands. Jean Loo is super tsundere, but he gives it up for Johnny. The confession is awkward, and Jean Loo protests when he has to bottom, but Johnny really soft and loving, so he lets him.
Johnny ♤ Jean Loo
Jean Loo is getting on his nerves. Johnny won't tolerate this anymore! If the rapper intends on continuing to bug him, then he'll teach Jean Loo a lesson! Johnny discovers his inner dom. A hidden side of him that once Jean Loo gets a taste, he gets brat tamed real quick.
Jean Loo ♡ Johnny
Jean Loo crushing hard on Johnny. He tries to flirt and makes a fool of himself confessing to Johnny. Luckily Johnny finds him endearing. He recognizes that Jean Loo is genuine, just having some difficulty expressing himself. Jean Loo is clumsy, but he does anything and everything to make Johnny feel comfortable and loved.
Jean Loo ♤ Johnny
Johnny is irritating. He's a damn oaf who doesn't know how good he's got it. Jean Loo is gonna put him under his heel and makes sure he stays there. Johnny becomes a literal bully's pet. A lot of degradation but oh wait, what's this? Johnny is into it?!
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Of course, this is just my brainworms ranting. The dynamics can shift and I'd still like it. I might write these into a fic for real someday, but I don't really have the time right now💦
Thinking about how in Chinese drama or in stories there would always be that One character (or multiple) who's personality is effeminate but looks manly, such as having a beard or five o'clock shadow yet wears flashy makeup and gaudy/eccentric fashion.
And how this One character would be for comic relief or for play-flirting w the male lead, or be the female lead's bestie. Then ultimately comes in clutch at a critical moment or have an important heart to heart with either lead characters, because as a character that is the in between of both genders, they are able to confront both sides of the problem and gives insight that the het couple never could figure out because the misogyny in the character script is too damn thick for them to see the truth of the situation.
It is GREAT to be a multi shipper. I fixate on one character then I get food from every ship that includes that character. Doesn't matter if it's a mainstream ship, crack ship or if the ship doesn't make sense. Food is food 🍽✌️
