those of you who have followed me for a while may have noticed that i took quite an extended absence from tumblr and i've been a bit cagey about why that is. i have been trying to be more thoughtful about the parts of myself i share with strangers on the internet, mostly as a way to guard against people who aren't very nice.
all of that being said, i've just finished my entry for the neo-twiny jam and i think the reason will be pretty obvious for everyone who plays it: i had a baby! (congratulations to me etc etc).
coming in at 494 words, this project has been a really cathartic opportunity to reflect concisely on one of the best and hardest things i've ever done.
with that, i hope you enjoy nine months out.
and i’ll kiss every scar on your body & soul to remind you that love doesn’t have to hurt.
I was wondering can we be friends with the RO's?🤔(Also love your IF and I'm eating the contents as much as I can because it's delicious😭💕)
Yes! When I first planned out the plot, I never intended for romance to be involved (I'm more into horror and dark fantasy genres). Also, at the time, I didn't know how to write romantic scenes. 😂
So, the routes focused on elements like enemies, hatred, and friendship, with no romance whatsoever. However, after giving it more thought, I decided to incorporate it. You could say it made things more ✨spicier✨.
I also love tropes involving loyal friends/besties. I find them to be wholesome and fun to write.
Thank you so much for the support! I’m so glad you enjoyed the content, despite me not updating much! 💗
Who blushes the most? What can the MC do to make them blush?
;)
(Assuming they’re already in a relationship with MC)
Aurelian:
Aurelian is not one to blush easily, but when MC surprises him with affection or care, he becomes flustered. When MC suddenly takes his hand and gently kisses his finger while gazing into his eyes and professing, "I love you," Aurelian's composure falters.
Elara:
Whenever Elara summons the courage to make the first move with MC, her confidence wavers, and she becomes flustered.
But when she gathers the strength to ask, "Would you like to spend some time alone with me?" and the MC responds with an honest and heartfelt, "Of course, Anything for you," her heart fills with warmth and happiness.
Kazuo:
Kazuo may not be easily prone to blushing, but he does feel flustered inside when the MC displays their badass side, especially during their hunts or when they work together to complete tasks.
When the MC emerges from a hunt, covered in blood and sweat, and declares, "Okay, we're done. Let's head back, Kazuo," he can't help but feel a jolt of excitement and nervousness.
Though he manages to maintain his stoic exterior, on the inside, he's screaming.
Aiden/Ava:
A's reaction to MC presence is almost comical, as they become flustered and blush at the slightest touch or interaction.
Even the most mundane activities, such as MC doing a task or MC playing with A’s hair, can cause A to shiver with nervousness.
Their heart rate increases, their palms get clammy, and they become powerless in MC presence. It's as if MC has the power to turn A’s world upside down with just a single glance.
SC:
“Every touch, every breath, every glance sends shivers down my spine, igniting a raging inferno within that only you can quench…”
STOPPP When I tell you I gasped when I saw this 😭 I love everything about this!! Thank you so much it looks absolutely amazing!!
You can’t create a ronin werewolf with past trauma and expect me to not draw him lol.
This is my scribble for Kazuo from the @unshackled-if
Really looking forward of meeting him in the story!
(I took some liberty at drawing his hair and scars.)
Ah the classic dilemma: do I want the absolute bastard red flag bearing RO or the RO that is deep in my soul and not my guts yet? 🤔
fun fact: at first, I considered making them poly…
👾 DEMO TBD
Contra Spem Spiro is a 18+ sci-fi, dystopian romance interactive fiction that follows the MC as you fight to survive an alien invasion and the repercussions of trying to live in a doomed society. This story is intended for mature audiences and will contain scenes of violence/gore, sexual themes, drug use, discussions of mental health, and explicit language. The game is a work in progress and is currently being written.
Your story starts off like any other.
Your life was normal, until it wasn’t. Two years after the invasion ravaged the Earth, you’re struggling to find purpose. The lonely life of struggle and survival is not for you. You’d promised yourself that if there was ever a zombie apocalypse, or if climate change caused the planet to move towards uninhabitable, you’d end it. That was then. That was when hypotheticals existed. This is reality, and instead of dying, you lived against all odds and continue to do so.
Why? You don’t know. You wake up fortunate to be alive. Everything between the sunrise and sunset is white noise. Insignificant.
Now, your normal shifts again. Now, you’re making a month’s long journey with a group of strangers, their faces unfamiliar except for the exhaustion in their eyes.
They have a plan, and you’re along for the ride. After all, still water is an infested one. You learned that the hard way.
This is not a story of heroes and villains, or of good triumphing over evil. This is a story of people: the kinds worth living for, and the kinds you wish were dead. This story, your story, is one of survival.
Customize your MC! Play as male, female, or nonbinary. You can determine their appearance and personality, updating it (voluntarily and, uh, involuntarily) as the story progresses. Are they charming or intimidating? Do they use their fists to solve problems, or their keen mind and deductive reasoning? Can they talk their way out of trouble, or do they avoid it in the first place?
Become an asset to your group. The perfect team has balance. Choose your MC’s strengths and weaknesses; develop them as you see fit. Make decisions that change the lives of your found family, or sit on the sidelines and watch chaos unfold. Do you believe in fate, or will you change your future by force?
Engage in romance, or keep it purely platonic between 5 love interests, with one poly option available. Looking for quick hookups? We have two of those. And yes, you can romance an alien. I don’t judge.
Survive. Easier said than done.
For each of the romanceable characters, there will be options to increase flirtation, friendship, or antagonism.
The Strong, Soft-Spoken Leader (F/M)
Ayana is 5′11. Adriel is 6′3.
Age: 29
Before the invasion, A pursued a career in medicine at the expense of leaving their family, members of the Navajo tribe. Compassionate, intelligent, tactical, and ambitious, you have no doubt that A is a natural born leader who would have thrived as a physician. Despite their warm, welcoming demeanor, A is reluctant to pursue close relationships for fear of it interfering with their sense of responsibility to the group. Help A relieve their burden by taking on a share of the authority, or encourage them to throw caution to the wind every once in a while.
“Optimism without realism is naivety. And that will get us killed. I can’t let that happen.”
The Go-With-The-Flow Girl/Boy Next Door (F/M)
Cecelia is 5′4. Chase is 5′10.
Age: 20
Always up for a laugh, C isn’t interested in the doom and gloom. Their adulthood barely began before the invasion happened, meaning they’re still clinging to what were supposed to be the “best years of my life.” That doesn’t mean they lack competence. C is damn good with technology, (and stick and poke tattoos!), able to rig up electricity seemingly from their back pocket. They take their friendships seriously, and will be the first to defend you when trouble comes knocking. Oh, and did I mention they used to work in a bakery? “Fuck, I miss baked bread.”
*C is demisexual, so although MC can flirt with them from the beginning, it takes a high friendship for them to reciprocate any romantic/sexual feelings.
The Insomniatic Anti-Hero (F/M)
Veronica is 5′9. Vincent is 6′0.
Age: 25
Even if V wanted to tell you about themselves, they couldn’t. Having been attacked by an alien those short years ago, they woke up with no memory and a nasty scar on their arm. Others marveled at how they were able to survive such an injury, but V would say that death felt like the better option. Jaded, vengeful, and hot-headed, V isn’t known for their kind words or sensitivity. In fact, who needs enemies when V is there with a scathing comment and a proverbial shove into the mud? You want to hate them, you should hate them. Of course, you don’t.
“What about this conversation makes you think I want to talk to you?”
*Because of V’s canon romantic interest in Z, if you romance V only, they will slowly shift their romantic affection from Z to MC in a realistic manner.
The Quiet, Cat-Like Con Artist (F/M)
F!Z is 5′10. M!Z is 6′1.
Age: 24
Quiet, stealthy, and quick to lash out when cornered, Z prefers the shadows to the spotlight. Why say many words when few will suffice? They made a living from con-to-con, using subterfuge and their knack for making themselves invisible to outwit their marks. Z dislikes violence as a whole and is known to have a weak stomach, though they’ll deny being an empath if asked. Z slouches too much, eats too little, and can be found staring off into the void or engrossed in their sketchbook. You’re drawn to their mystery, their light, melodic voice, and their dry humor.
“Can you all keep it down? You’re interrupting my sulking.”
*Z is the most oblivious of the romance options. Seriously, it’s like flirting with a brick wall. Romancing Z isn’t for the impatient, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If romancing Z only, you will notice that V will take longer to warm up to MC because of their jealousy. In time, they will come to support their relationship.
From Nion 8, With Love (F/M)
Xa'eks is 6′5. Xa’veed is 6′9.
Age: ???
Personal Information: ???
Is X going to eat you? Is it bad that you wouldn’t mind?
“C keeps trying to tell me what a “ticking tock” is. Please explain to them that I do not care.”
∞ POLY ROUTE
Initiate a polyamorous relationship between MC, V and Z. To romance both V and Z, you must first romance V.
It doesn’t take 20/20 vision to see that V is in love with Z. It would be a bit embarrassing to watch if Z wasn’t known to be heartbreakingly oblivious. It’s like Z hasn’t looked in a mirror a day in their life. Anyways, if romancing V is a boss-fight, then Z is the final boss in a game’s 3 part saga. So you need reinforcements.
MC can flirt with both V and Z. MC will have to begin a romantic/sexual fling with V first, admit their feelings for Z, and encourage V to come clean and admit their own. The two of you can then pull Z into your relationship. Three emotionally stunted peas in a pod. Isn’t it beautiful? ♡
Hayden Graham (They/Them)
Age: 26. Height: 5′3.
Don’t call them a girl, and you can keep your kneecaps.
Rebellious, witty, and charismatic, Hayden is a force to be reckoned with.
Roccio Marcellus (She/Her)
Age: 21. Height: 5′8
Will put on a full face of makeup to kick alien ass.
Voted Most Likely to Bring Her Music Player to a Deserted Island.
Elijah Crane (He/Him)
Age: 17. Height: 5′11
There’s no calculus in the apocalypse. Hell yeah.
“If I’m gonna die anyway, at least let me try tequila before I go!”
And many more!
Note: This post will be updated as I progress through its development. Feel free to ask any questions regarding the plot, any trigger warnings, the romance options, or the MC themselves.
Reblogs are greatly appreciated! Thank you all so much for your interest and support ♡ ♡
All my love,
Cheye (she/her) 🫰
the sands of time is a fantasy interactive fiction where you play as the mage of a small provincial town who, in the process of investigating into strange magical phenomena, finds themselves embroiled in a far-reaching political intrigue with potentially deadly consequences. and ghosts.
themes/tags : intrigue, fantasy, effects of time, power, magic, ghosts
You are a mage who, after being forced to flee from the capital for a crime you may or may not have committed, has taken refuge in Kemorlen, a small, unremarkable town ideal for keeping out of the political reaches of the Illyosian Empire. But when an apparently straightforward investigation into bizarre magical phenomena forces you into conflict with figures from your past and powerful forces that care little for you, how will you navigate through the oncoming storm that shatters your fragile calm ?
The continent of Aiolos has been dominated by the Illyosian Empire, with its back-stabbing nobles and complex court politics, for generations. Yet their hold is beginning to fray, and its rulers will do anything to take back their former power, sparking events that quickly spiral far out of their control.
Aiolos is a land at the crossroads of the mortal and spirit realms, where the effects of the underworld are felt keenly, and the delicate balance between mortal and spirit realms is ever on the verge of tipping over.
Decide whether the accusations of treason that forced you to leave the capital have a basis in truth.
Meet five characters (one male, two female, one nb and one selectable: either male or nb) and choose to pursue romance, friendship, or rivalry.
Navigate a world of complicated politics, spirits that frequently won't stay dead and magic that permeates everyday existence.
Choose your name, pronouns, gender and place of origin.
Pick which area of magic you are strongest in, out of four (warding, enchantment, healing and transmutation).
Try not to get assassinated, arrested or possessed.
[ROs]
Jasper (m) :
A familiar face from your past, and not one that you expected to see again. He's a snarky, obsessive researcher into spirits and, during your time in the capital, your closest companion. After getting caught up in the incident that provoked your rather abrupt exit, you presumed him to be dead, and he you.
Leonora (f) :
The owner of the alchemists shop next door to you in Kemorlen. Despite her saving your life (numerous times) and helping you to create a new life for yourself there, she remains a figure that you know surprisingly little about. She's blunt, impulsive, skilled with a sword, and definitely hiding something. All in all, you don't quite know what to make of her.
Augustine (nb) :
A quiet, unassuming healer who arrived in town shortly after you did. Surprisingly squeamish and possessing a dry sense of humour, they have quickly become indispensable in helping you deal with the everyday magical difficulties of Kemorlen. Their past remains a mystery to you, and you suspect there may be more to them than first appears.
Mira (f) :
A charismatic bard who wanders the roads of Aiolos collecting stories, gold, and animal companions after being exiled from her home kingdom. She seems to attract trouble, but as long as the resulting chaos makes for a good tale she doesn't appear to mind much.
Theodorus (m/nb) :
A spirit with patchy memories and a thirst for revenge after being accidentally brought back from the underworld. They're awkward, restless and struggling to reconstruct a life for themselves in a world where they are supposed to be dead.
demo : in progress. prologue is being written.
release medium : twine & itch.io
Their paths had crossed again on a day when the sun dipped below the horizon, and the moon reigned over the sky, casting its pale glow on the world below; on the world that Ida had come to know to mean more than rocks and trees, now including the slope of a nose and the curve of a hip. Lady Leith, lost in her thoughts, found herself seeking refuge beneath an ancient willow, a sacred space where the presence of love was ever palpable for the inhabitants of Riven, who sought such things in the face of everything horrid. Summer was fading now, the chill of the breeze enveloping the hesitance that lived within them both. Here, Ida watched as Leith ran fingers over her lips, contemplating. It had been only a month since they parted on that mission, where everything went wrong and blood had colored their clothes with rust and stain, and yet the kiss they had shared in the face of death had washed it all away.
Would she remember? Was it nothing to her?
Would nothing change?
It was there, beneath the weighing branches, that Leith's eyes met Ida’s again, and it was as if time stood still, and the universe conspired to bring their hearts together, yanking, violently, refusing to settle for a hazed dream behind closed eyes.
In that moment, the weight of their yearning pressed against their chests, like the longing for a season that had yet to arrive.
"Your cherry blossom lips, dewed with the honey I fed to you beneath the tombs of Oakweth,” Ida let her voice float on a cold wind, tender and tentative, “away from the pressures of what yesterday had wrought. How I miss the taste of them." Ida smiled as she approached, hiding her trembling hands with a voice as delicate as the branches that she pushed aside to venture closer.
Leith laughed, her heart caught in her chest. “Your poems had a way of making me… survive.”
“So I hoped. I couldn’t imagine a world-”
“We lived.”
“We did.” And as Ida stepped closer, her hand reaching out to gently touch Leith’s cheek, a surge of energy coursed through their veins, igniting a flame that could not be extinguished.
"Lady Leith, my persimmon. I yearn for autumn in your arms," Ida confessed, half poem, whole truth, her voice trembling with raw desire. “Have me to hold, as I will with you. For whatever time we have, for forever; for now."
In that moment, beneath the sacred tree, their lips met once more, sealing their vows in a violent kiss that trancendended any spoken or written word. Their love, forged in the crucible of yearning, would endure, unyielding and steadfast, like the ancient goddess of union who presided over their love.
Milicent: Elden Ring - Fan art by Houston Sharp
If I am to flower into something other than myself, I would rather rot into nothingness as I am.
All im saying, it'd be better to start off fully with twine. Down the line, you might switch over from cs to twine and it'd be hassle trying to send over those variables from there to over there
Yeah, that thing that I was afraid of because I always had in mind to eventually make my game into twine. It might not compare, but I know the struggle of changing from one code source to another with past projects I did for college, and I really don’t want to stress over it when I could continue writing chapters.
Joy | she/her Unshackled is an 18+ horror and fantasy interactive fiction wip. Nsfw asks are tagged #nsfw
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