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The Reconstruction of Pla...
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hi guy's
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Rainbow hi guy's
Posted by: thunderzizi - 02-27-2025, 01:29 AM - Forum: [INTRODUCTIONS] - Replies (1)

Zizi, she/her, 23. Play toys and games TCP Yippee

[Image: Cardigan-241215162938-0.png] <- My thang

(unforchies i already have beef with the antispam because first it wouldn't let me post with my vpn on and THEN it ate my post because i had the audacity to remake my entire post too fast)

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  Conflicting Narrations: Crownkiller's Mulligan
Posted by: ThreadLurkingComorant - 02-24-2025, 09:44 PM - Forum: [OFFICIAL PROJECTS] - Replies (7)

Conflicting Narrations: Crownkiller's Mulligan


This is a Interactive Narrative with ARG Elements

The Audience is encouraged to suggest actions.

Tutor, The Last of Tiles.

You wear the name of your fallen comrades' guild as your own.

Your classification is: The Executioner, a master of arms, poise, and intimidation.

This is a meta narrative of war, romance, and the bonds between revolutionists

Content Warnings will be listed as needed but allow the above to set the tone.

Thank you.

 






[Image: NewMulligan1-1.png]
[image description: A anthropomorphic dog woman is digging through the drawers of the perspective character.]

 

You feel the rumblings of a Stranger beside your bed.

"Must be around here somewhere.."

"That tome doesn't seem to be the correct one.. you've added quite a few nice trinkets since then though.."

Your eyes go open, a woman is fiddling through your personal belongings.

Your body cannot move, your allies are seemingly out of sight.

Your comrade is next to you, sleeping behind where you are facing.

You try to stir as much as you can to wake them up, alert them.

They seem to not respond.

You can feel their breathing calm..

You really want to strike..  but your lance is across the room.

You made a pact, in a crisis like these you can summon a secondary arm, a weapon to complement your talents. to protect yourself and others..

Picture something, anything that could scare off the intruder.

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  The Reconstruction of Plaza [Crankshaft Rafflesian]
Posted by: ThreadLurkingComorant - 02-22-2025, 12:08 AM - Forum: [OFFICIAL PROJECTS] - Replies (1)

CW: Explorations of grief, Nostalgic Depression, Gentrification, and Supernatural concepts that involve memory dissonance.

Perspective: Dorothy "Dotty" Coil

 


[Image: Fleeting%20Memories%201-1.png]
[image description: First Person Perspective shot of Dotty pointing at a odd tower rising out of the ocean. A anthropomorphic rabbit woman, Lex, is on the side with her head tilting toward the viewer ]
 

You're just a touch late for your date.

Nothing too serious, she texted you where she'd be around and..

At this point 30 minutes of leeway is kind of expected. It's not too bad though, the nighttime air has always been a bit of piece for the two of you...

Though you're about a hour past this time, bleh...

You spot her leaning over the rail, maybe a little too close to the ledge for your own comfort.

The rabbit's always been just a touch devil-may-care, it's kind of her charm but...

You don't feel like taking a chance, it's not her first time beefing this.

You dive in, hugging her to discreetly secure her from taking a dunk into the ocean water.

Her ears perk up immediately.

Lex: Hey!

Dotty: Hey.

Lex: Was worried they were gonna keep you overtime with well..

Dotty: Same. Work has me a bit busy, Darkest Night's a whole thing and being a Match Monitor well..

Lex: Safety inspection stuff..

Dotty: Safety checks on the two weeks of the year where we got a uptick of prank related injuries. Know how it is. Bright side is things've gone pretty smooth so far? Policy changes done us wonders lately.. but yeah.

Lex: Happens right?

Dotty: Still..

Lex: If you feel so bad we can just stay out a little extra late, like old times?

Dotty: Hmm...

Lex: You're gonna just give me the hmm?

Dotty: I might need a little more fuel, thinking we gotta find a nice diner for a break.

Lex: I mean yeah... I could do with that..

Dotty: So whatcha been up to yourself today?

Lex: We spent the day helping Spice and Targe, they got a booth to set up every evening.  Gonna have to work some night shifts this weekend but next week I'm free.

Dotty: Witchiest time of the season.

Lex: Yep. Proud of them for going this far though with like.. everything really.

Dotty: Yeah... those two married yet?

Lex: Sorta? Like not officially and they don't really use the word but..

Dotty: But they're pretty much settled.

Lex: Yeah. Not their vibe to do it on paper like that, more old school. Pact maybe.

Dotty: That's cute..

Lex: It's a whole way of life, committed to that.

She places her hand on yours.

Lex: Think in the end they're practically as locked in as we are,  just a different way to word it.

Dotty: Don't know if you really can...

Lex: Hehe, feel it.

You give her a little look over.

Dotty: Surprised you're not dressed up, don't you usually get in on all that?

Lex: Usually? But like... bushed today. I'll get more into it after the half point. You wanna maybe get in on it too?

Dotty: Please! I've been working on a couple of things in secret so-

Lex: How secret?

Dotty: You'll have to wait and see.

Lex: A hint?

Dotty: Nope! Not yet..

Her eyes seem pretty fixated toward the horizon, you try to hone in.

Dotty: Whatcha looking at? Seem pretty intense...

Lex: Yeah? well uhhhh. I dunno, see some funny light going on. New tower maybe? Sometimes they pop up in the ocean. If you look carefully...

You zoom in just a bit.

She's right.

You point toward it.

Dotty: That?

Lex: Yeah. Always got a bit of a dreamy vibe. Have a soft spot for them..

You shake your head.

Dotty: Thing feels kinda scary honestly..

Lex: Really? Always seemed so magical...

Dotty: And that's why!

Lex: I just think it's pretty too, fan of that sort I think.

She grabs onto your shoulder.

Lex: You know?

Dotty: You're silly..

Lex: Okay but I mean it-

Dotty: Yeah.

Lex: And at this point you gotta accept it a little.

Dotty: Yeeeeah...

Lex: I wanna hear it, say you're cute.

Dotty: You say it!

Lex: No, compliment yourself.

Dotty: It's so corny though... can I put a pin in that?

Lex: Hmm... as long as it happens tonight?

Dotty: I'll take those terms.

Lex: Holding you to it-

There's a flicker at a distance, like lightning crackling.

Lex: Oh wow...

Dotty: Those are uh... origin flashes, yeah?

Lex: Mm! Must mean the tower is new-new. Wonder where it all goes honestly..

Another flash, brighter..

Dotty: I think I wanna go somewhere else for a bit...

Lex: Right now? Like...

Dotty: Please?

Another flash, one that has people around startled.

Lex: Yeah, okay. Why don't we just-

 
[Image: Fleeting%20Memories%201-2.png]

[image description: The tower flickers with lightning, a flash of still images from past interactions with people close to Dotty speeding by in a abstracted way]
 

There's very little time to make of what happens next. The worst crackling of your life, taking you back to the worst of days your memories can process...

And then suddenly your best..

And your best is now and forever ago..

And still to come..


 

 
The Reconstruction of Plaza: Crankshaft Rafflesian
Act 1, Rancher's Memory
Your name is Dorothy, Dotty for short.

You wake up in your practically empty apartment.

You were refurbished, a old model construct gone dormant in the aftermath of a old disaster.

Your vintage frame feels heavy.

Your empty room welcomes you with a sterile glow, only broken by the little relief of the world outside your window.

You need to get some rest for work tomorrow, but sleep refuses to come no matter how hard you try.

You wonder if you're really as functional as they swear, your body and mind never feel entirely there.

Broken even... 

A walk, some air, a little time around the people.

Maybe a bite at a burger joint, food's been a reliable comfort in your few years being conscious again.

Just a quick, easy, unremarkable run grab something is all you need to ease your mind right now..

Get up.

[Image: Fleeting%20Memories%201-3.png]


[image description: A monochrome room with a view of a odd looking refurbished home outside. It's evening.]

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  Cracked Shipping [Non-Canon Date Scenario]
Posted by: ThreadLurkingComorant - 02-14-2025, 10:10 PM - Forum: [OFFICIAL PROJECTS] - No Replies

Disclaimer: Anything can be canon if I like it enough.

The Suite
CW: None
Characters: Tutor Tiles, Mar C. Judgment
Perspective: Tiles
A fated meeting in Castle Styx between a Diamond and a Heart.




Your clothes charred on the edges, scales of your armor compromised with dents and cracks.

It was a delivery job, one that now has you defending a safehouse from a siege.

You needed to hold the fort, tank it out until Starman's cavalry could arrive safely.

It's very quickly became clear this was a losing battle, you needed a fresh hand.

You make it through the portal with a less than graceful landing.

Your brain becomes lucid from the haze of combat, you call out for help.

You are on the verge of collapsing on your knees.

Tiles: Lash!? Styx!?

There's a rattling noise and a little pitched squeak, must be the former roaming around these parts.

Tiles: Lashy!

You spot someone turning the corner from behind a bookshelf.

You pause.

Though the presence in front of you feels reminiscent, this is definitely not her. She fully comes out.

Tall, like Steel on Porcelain. A armored mesh of a proxy poised as a timid bird.

Tiles: Sorry to bother you...

She shakes her head at you.

???: You've done me no wrong.. are you another client?

There was a little tilt of the head. Faceless and yet the cadence of her voice makes the gesture feel warm.

Tiles: Not in the usual sense, we have a small contract but nothing too binding-

???: Ah, a part-timer?

Tiles: A way to put it.

She offers a hand out to you, metal and segmented at the joints.

You take it without reluctance. With a good tug she helps you to your feet.

???: You seem quite weary..

Tiles: In the middle of a rough one...

???: Your plating is damaged..

Tiles: It's nothing much to worry about, I have a friend who'll take care of it later. Right now I've got to gather my bearings so... may I?

???: Only if you allow me to repair your gear.

TIles:.. You, know how to do that?

Suppose it's a bit of a silly question, her appearance reminds you of some of the armor work you've worn yourself but.. the particular threading style seemed too close. Was she one of your own?

Tiles: Do you have a guild you work under?

???: Judgment... the name is Mar Judgment.

Her stature, her tone.. was this someone from a distant time?  A land opposite to yours? It didn't really feel like it made much sense..

Her aura reminds you of Styx, she must be a proxy made under his pact.. but why?

Mar: I can handle it quick, get you warmed up and ready to go back as good as new.

Tiles: You are a smith in truth then? I would love that much right now..

Mar: My operator's a bit of a tinker, one who's more than familiar with your era of armor. Bit of a fan of the classics.. think I am too.

From the future...

Was that really..? She didn't just hit on you in a time like-

No you've done plenty of this yourself. It's a classic trick, a little well placed levity helps push people through dire times and..

No time to get scatterbrained.  If she can get you back in the game, you're set.

Tiles: Do so, then perhaps a hot drink to help gather ourselves?

Mar: I can have that done..

A little diamond shaped rift slowly guided out a table, tools, and materials to get the job done.

Mar: Could you...

You give her a nod and let her take a closer look at the dress.

Mar: I can buffer out a lot of it, replace some of the plates that are a hazard to you.. what guild are you from?

Tiles: I'm the Last of Tiles..

She makes a sudden noise.

Does she know more than you..?

Mar: I'm sorry to hear that.. was it recent or-

Tiles: It'll never stop feeling fresh but... I've spend the past year in good company...

Mar: Mm.. friends?

Tiles: Friends, comrades, incredible ones of all sorts.. You have that sort?

Mar: Mmhmm, thank god really..

Tiles: As much as I can..

She gets to work quite quickly with the pace of a field medic under fire.

Tiles: You don't have to go all out like that-

Mar: You have people waiting for you. Even if time works differently in here, I don't want you to be unprepared if you have less room to rest than you expect.

Tiles: Wise words, you really are the real deal..

The proxy's face cracks open to make a small, silly smile.

Mar: From someone like yourself, I think that's high praise..

Tiles: Completely earned... is your operator here right now?

Mar: Mm? No, giving me a rest for today. He's been working himself to the bone I think, really doing his best to find a long term place to work.

Tiles: A time of peace then..

Mar: In the loosest sense, there's never such a thing.

TIles: Aye..

You lean in a little to get a better look at her.

Mar: Hold it, you're going to make my hand slip.

Tiles: You remind me of someone..

Mar: Yourself?

Tiles: Well.. more than that-

Mar: I'm aware that Styx had a knight he was friends with, I figured that's you.. I think he misses you often..

Tiles: And you-

Mar: I have a lot to think of seeing you in person, it's clear my form is product of that but.. admittedly it's nice to know what he pictured as the perfect guildsman.

Tiles: Does-

You stop yourself.

As much as you want to pry it's for the best you don't ask too much. It's a rule you've been kept to, don't get too direct about future events.

Tiles: This is the first time we've met?

Mar: Mmhmm!

Tiles: That's... quite nice. Then we're on consistent terms.

Mar:  Mm.. I see plenty of past allies and clients of his show here briefly and.. admittedly it makes me nervous.

Tiles: And why's that?

Mar: Because eventually, they will never be seen again. All that has happened will not change, and all that will come knows when my clock runs out. Suppose that's natural..

Tiles: Death type..

Mar: Mm? I suppose. You can see that much?

Tiles: The snake's playbook gives me his eye. I can look at you and get more than most.

Mar: Mm, such as?

Tiles: Well.. I can see that you're a oddity.

Mar: Obviously but that's vague..

Tiles: You exist as many....

Mar: Mmhmm!

Tiles: Became strong through great hardship..

Mar: That's to be expected..

Tiles: A Category World, you're complete in a way few can..

Mar: It came out of necessity, what more can I say?

Tiles: And...

You pause.

You can look at anyone and find out details they've never known, will never find out about themselves.

The closer you gaze, the more things become clear to you..

Tiles: Gallows?

There's a spike of pain to her on hearing that.

Tiles:.. Is he-

Mar: No, not in form you'd recognize....

Tiles: I see.. then you are-

Mar: I can't give specifics but... the life he lives now I hope is kinder.

Another life then.. that confirms your hunch but..

Does it happen sooner or later?

After the war? Do you get that far or-

Mar: Things are okay...

Tiles: Mm..

She pulls her hands away, starting to pack up shop.

Tiles: Done already?

Mar: Should be! Tell me how it feels.

You twirl around, it's more comfortable and tuned proper than it has been in a good while.

Tiles: You're a pro, just as good as the one back home..

Mar: Think so?

Tiles: Mmhmm. Think she'd be impressed if I'm honest. Have to introduce you two at some point.

You reach out a hand to her.

She lets you have her own, a confused look to her blank face.

Tiles: You dance, yes?

Mar: Well yes but-

Tiles: I want to know you a little more if that's alright..

Mar: If you do.. I need the mood just right.

She pulls away and starts toward a table on the side.

A radio setup unlike any you've seen is tuned with until some slow piece comes on.

Tiles: They still listen to this sort of thing in your time?

She returns to position.

Mar: Why not? It's not as if it ever truly left..

Tiles: But do they perform or-

Mar: Some do, if people truly love something they will never let it die.

Tiles: A nice way to look at that..

You let a little cackle slip.

Mar: Funny thought?

Tiles: Absolutely. Checking you.

Mar: Wha-

You dip her dramatically, a little squeak coming out of her.

There's a pause, a smug smile against the nervous bird..

And then you lift her back upright.

Mar: N-never been on the receiving end of one of those...

Tiles: Handle with your size often, what can I really say?

Mar: Someone special?

Tiles: More than one.

Mar: Waow..

You start breaking out laughing.

Tiles: You're silly, pleasant way.

Mar: Think you have to be, big metal bird and all that.

Tiles: A very fashionable one.

Mar: I am but a canvas to be painted on.

Tiles: Will I meet the artist?

Mar: Not today I think.. but...

The song ends, a cut to a radio station bumper. The proxy pulls away from you for a moment, giving you a sweet little grin.

Mar: I promised you a hot drink, no?

Tiles: Right.. don't feel like you've got to rush.

Mar: I'll do my best..

As she scurries off, you feel a tap on the shoulder. You turn to see Lash, Styx's proxy.

Tiles: There you are, tad late.

Lash: Things are hectic right now, high traffic..

Tiles: I understand.. you see her before?

Lash: You know the rules..

Tiles:... Mm. How am I doing on time?

Lash: You have enough to wrap up nicely..

Tiles: But not long.

Lash: Or enough, I can tell you're having a nice time.

Tiles: Wonderful honestly. I almost don't want to leave, it's all so fast and so soon..

Lash: I know.

Tiles: You deal with this all the time, must drive you mad. Being in the center of all timeframes at once, bumping into folks from across eras, never seeing them again..

Tiles: I wish I could take her back with me, she'd fit so well with everyone else.

Tiles: Is there no way to do so?

Lash: She has a reason to be in the time she's in, as much as the uncertainty hurts.

Tiles: It really does..

Lash puts a hand of comfort on your shoulder.

Tiles: I get attached to people too quick, bad for my mental health..

Lash: Life's too short to not care of others I think. And for now you should focus!

A nudge toward Mar, now holding a tray of hot chocolate and sweets.

Tiles: You're just quick on all fronts, aren't you?

Mar: Mmhmm,, See lash is here. Think she'd-

Lash: I'm quite busy at the moment but later? Broth and I are watching a movie!

Mar: I'll hold you to that.. Tiles? You still have time?

Lash gives you a little nod.

Tiles: Of course..

Mar: Settle down with me then just a little longer...

Tiles: My pleasure.

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  [PWYW] TCP sketch comms [Forum Cash]
Posted by: MonochromeClown - 01-08-2025, 11:36 AM - Forum: [MARKET] - Replies (4)

Give me a TCP to doodle, I'll sketch them and then you pay whatever in forum cash.

This'll be done either traditionally or in mspaint depending on my energy level.

(Please forgive the sloppy formatting I am on my mobile)

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  your local
Posted by: Lucy - 01-02-2025, 09:07 AM - Forum: [SHITPOSTS] - Replies (94)

[Image: PRTP894.jpg?20240123073024]

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  [GAME] ROLL TO DODGEMCARS
Posted by: Lucy - 01-02-2025, 08:52 AM - Forum: [FORUM GAMES] - Replies (6)

Simple game, this is a roll to dodge. 3-6 people enter, one person leaves. Every turn players will submit an action, which i will then write out the results of according to a dice roll. 1 being a critical failure from which you will likely not survive, 5 being a total success, and 6 being a complete overshoot from which you will likely not survive. We have fun here.
Actions will be processed in the order they are posted. First come first served.

To enter simply make a character. You can be as brief or as elaborate as you want, all I strictly need is a name and a short physical description of them.

==========

HELLO FINE FOLKS, it's me, youre lovely inter dimensional demonic being and generally suave host.
[Image: image.png?ex=6777a435&is=677652b5&hm=263...593222b6f&]
SLIDESHOWS ROB.

I WILL BE NEEDING SIX, thats right folks, SIX (or three) WONDERFUL wonderful entrants today, to compete, for glory and theiur fucking lives. Lets dodge some cars.

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  SKINSTEALER SCRAMBLE: Make the Exorcist Fall In Love
Posted by: skinstealer - 12-30-2024, 07:28 AM - Forum: [OTHER ART + WRITING] - No Replies

[Image: Make-the-Exorcist-Fall-in-Love-volume-1-cover.jpg]
Make the Exorcist Fall in Love is a relatively new manga written by Aruma Arima and illustrated by Masuku Fukayama, the latter of which has a known presence in the manga and illustration scene that I Must Investigate, and the former, as i can tell, is a complete unknown.

this both bothers me, because i desperately want to know what makes them so fucking good at writing this manga, but also, i think is the best course of action.

this is because that Make the Exorcist Fall In Love is the best portrayal of child exploitation, especially in the sexual sense, and DEEPLY, DEEPLY in the religious sense, that i have seen in recent years. it is also boldly political in every way, and in ways that would make a lot of people very mad- to the point of the manga itself saying so upfront. it is an insanely graphic piece of work that i would consider on the severity level of Berserk, and very clearly pulls from our other favorite manga of all time, Chainsaw Man. Fujimoto's influence can be felt in every crevice of this manga, and i consider that something that is not only a strength but something this story takes and runs with, planning its own course and jumping over Every Single Hurdle i could have fucking imagined it would have.

there were many times where i went, jesus, is this going to actually be anything? this is usually the point where i'd jump ship. this is Usually the point where i go "oh fuck me man i cant do this" in a manga and i have read so much goddamn manga. but Infomantis of manga recommendation fame told me that it was good, REALLY good, and i stuck with it.

every single time, i was proved right for trusting the team behind this work. pretty much every single potential issue i could have had with this one is handled. the literal only thing i can think of after my first read is an off color offhand comment about familiar-fucking cartoon axolotls that you know. i think at this point they may actually address that seriously later. i can't even be surprised if they do at this point, because that has already happened LIKE FOUR TIMES.

that's plenty of preamble though. i just need you to be ready for me to wholeheartedly recommend you a shonen battle manga about teenage priests fighting satan.


 
[Image: 870c0c4f081dec3978d98168b9bdd426074b60b9.png]
 
 
SKINSTEALER SCRAMBLE
[MAKE THE EXORCIST FALL IN LOVE]
by snapshot and parker mortis



i said i was ready for the review but i am sorry there actually are some more points to cover beforehand, just a lot less vague. as i've said, this one is Very Graphic, and about a lot of extremely painful topics- including ones i am deeply familiar with. if you're reading this review there is a high chance you know our work at least a little bit, and know that our whole deal is creating narratives about severe abuse and topics such as disability and queerness entangled within them. just as frequently, religion is involved- and often pulling from our experiences as an Ex-Christian, Sort Of. the more accurate term would be "christian-via-schizophrenic-mother's-religious-delusions", which has lead us to have a lot more strange and secular experiences with the stuff. even so, we gravitate towards media that takes on a lot of Good Ol Christian Values! through different approaches, and explores them in different ways.

our dear husband @comorant is also ex-catholic, and read this with us. he considers it one of the best portrayals of catholic guilt, repression, and most importantly, raw self destruction. i second this statement, from more of the angle of one of the best portrayals of being raised as an Other, forced to do roles and duties for some unseen, holy force- while the peers around you watch as you drive yourself into the ground.

it is a narrative critical of established oppressive structures and THOROUGHLY dissecting them with a laser sharp precision and a pointed stare at its audience. it is also a narrative of what enables those structures to exist on a fundamental level...and the way that OTHER people with different goals and an ever-similar longing for power can use that.  this is not just a story about catholicism, of Satan vs God, etc, but about global power structures, reactionary movements, and what that does to oppressed classes. the most obvious route it takes with this is, arguably, the most unifying oppressed class in the entire world, throughout all of known history.

Exorcist is a shonen battle manga about systemic abuse of children.

the premise of Make the Exorcist Fall In Love is fairly straightforward, on the surface. god is real and so is the devil! and they're stuck in a holy war! fuck! the demon lords and witches are going head to head against the church, which has trained BATTLE EXORCISTS! IN FULL PRIEST REGALIA!

AND GOD FORBID THEY'RE TEENAGERS WITH FUNNY QUIRKY DESIGNS THAT'S RIGHT THIS REALLY IS A SHONEN!!!

this manga KNOWS it is a shonen- and it's proud of it. it is silly, it is flirtatious- after all, it is a romance! the title says it all! and that doesn't conflict with what topics it's taking on. if anything, it serves them beautifully. there will be tropes aplenty from shonen throughout the ages...and in ways that make me very, very happy. i am a shonen lover at my core, but the genre has always left me with a lot of scrambled, nasty feelings when it curveballs into sketchy territory. this goes right up to those tropes- SOMETIMES VERY BLUNTLY, and says. yeah no. that does suck. but let's not just bash it- let's talk about Why it is there, and give a good fucking alternative. we'll get into that, but...

onto our boy.

our main character is referred to most accurately as Mr. Priest, based on what i believe is the official translation, but i read this on a super legal manga site so what do i know. he Has a name, but we've never heard it- and no one uses it for him anyway. it's outright stated that he doesn't even want people to use it. the in-universe documents wedged between chapters don't even use it, even when they're official documents of the church itself- or hell, even diary entries of his mentors and the staff that raised him. he is a complete unknown, and even where we are at in the manga as of writing this- 81 chapters- there is still so much left up in the air.

 
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he is, however, very clearly Made For This. he is a super powered mega priest who fuck  man i don't even think you can powerscale so please don't try. what kills me about this is that it is established from the first chapter that this was not something he signed up for. this is all he's ever known, he's been groomed into this position and the thought of being anything But an exorcist does not exist in his head. many times throughout the manga, he repeats catholic beliefs so literally and so to the letter- usually while putting himself in harm's way- that even the other priests are disturbed.

i desperately do not want to spoil the majority of this manga, so i will not. not even under a spoiler box, i refuse to spoil this beyond the first chapter and some generalized discussion. let this be a warning though for the rest of this review: i cannot possibly CW for everything in this, but GRAPHIC depictions of children in peril, especially sexual, as well as frank takes on dealing with sexual guilt, are entrenched into the narrative and themes. if this is a lot for you, please turn around now.













 
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in the very first chapter, amidst all of this introduction, we witness Priest be sexually assaulted in great detail by the demon lord of lust, Asmodeus. it is a harrowing scene and one of the most accurate depictions i've seen, at least to my own experiences, with a formative moment in life gone horrifically wrong in ways you cannot understand, and having to carry that. this is never, ever a joke. in fact, remember how i said this shonen takes on tropes and provides thoughtful commentary and alternatives?

common things, tropes, etc i have seen in shonen many, many times that this manga addresses with what i would argue is a fairly masterful stroke:

- male child protagonist being flustered by women in sexual situations
- unknowingly sexual loli trope (YES, REALLY, YOU ALL KNOW I WOULDNT FUCK AROUND IN SAYING THIS AT ALL)
- rape being funny
- rape being sexy (established from like chapter one in explicit, unambiguous detail)
- body horror as a vessel for ableist disgust
- shinji get in the robot
- extreme violence is coooool! (and also still manages to make it look cool amidst the commentary. this is the epitome of having its cake and eating it too.)

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it also tackles on the following things, if that wasn't enough for you

- the nature of revenge
- the nature of love
- social media's presence in all of this and how it is manipulated, yes they have fucking iphones and twitter is real, this is a modern day manga and you will know it
- what it means to be a part of humanity
- biometric tracking
- the confusing feeling of wondering why a manga about battle priests may be my favorite of the year, both felt by me and you, the reader
- some of the best surrealist imagery and designs ive seen since chainsaw man, like, late stage chainsaw man for fuck's sake
- touys
- mother figures and the specific ableism they can exact
- an extremely nuanced exploration THROUGHOUT the manga of the different ways child predation can occur and what leads the victim into that situation
- the true nature of Sin- and how the seven sins can be used to discuss power structures that have perpetuated for all of known history and Why they've been allowed to perpetuate
- white boy depression
- no really the white boy depression is actually an enormous part of this
- the idea of men being inherent rapists and predators, and women being inherent sex objects and breeding stock (especially vulnerable ones such as children and minorities) (yes this manga takes on bioessentialism already and i can only imagine how the fuck it's going to go in the future)
- a harrowing exploration of how grooming can be exacted upon someone from an isolated world, i cannot spoil this one but jesus fucking christ
- homophobia! big time homophobia and predation both sexually and nonsexually related to it! abuse dynamics too- that's right folks, this is not a clean queer representation this is a NIGHTMARE SCENARIO FOR ALL INVOLVED
- Cuteness ™!
- reactionary movements both globally and in specific cultures (i don't think this mangaka pair likes america much and i cheer every time they write about it, genuinely fantastic analysis shit)
- what forgiveness Really means.

it's also got divine comedy shit, which is a drastic oversimplification but it made Como jump out of his chair and yell to see some really thoughtful use of that story- which, regular readers of our HD works know that that is one of his favorite things in the world.

but: after we set up our good boy Mr. Priest as the protag, and clearly some kind of catholic superhuman weapon...

we meet the conceit of the plot.

priest has been tasked with the protection of Imuri Atsuki, a famous teenage painter...

...who is also a succubus, trying to make him fall in love with her to thwart his impending onslaught on Satan and his demon lords.
 
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what proceeds is one of the sweetest, goofiest, and heartwrenching romances i've read in a manga, with both of these two dumbass teens having to make their way through both the perils of untangling messy feelings, wrangling with disparity  between what each person wants and needs, hiding secrets and repressed urges, deliberate lies and witholding and the consequences that come with it-


and it's good! it's really really good! you made me give a shit about teen romance when generally i really do not care for how most shit does it! good fucking job, Exorcist! it is BRUTAL, it is deeply upsetting, but god if i am not standing up and rooting for Mr. Priest to just catch a fucking break already and let himself get a hug without getting triggered and throwing up. i am desperate to watch this absolute nightmare unfold. i am so hooked. jesus fucking christ.
 
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if i had to say something less enthusiastic about this manga...it is that my experience may not be yours. it Not being your thing could very possibly be true on a Large, Dramatic level, and that is because of a couple factors.

there is a shitload of delving into complicated topics of oppression, and every time they introduce a new intersectional vector to that, i'm very, Very pleased! for example, i was not expecting taking on historical depictions of religious ableism being so so deeply prominent in this one, and i love how it's taken on. however...

the things it digs its hands into are messy, complicated pieces of humanity and real world oppressive structures, and some things that may ring true to me, may not for another person- and frankly, that's okay. it feels like the team behind it deeply cares about portraying these things, and it's likely in the future they may express that in a way that isn't in line with my perspectives or experiences.

one thing i can think of off the top of my head is the emphasis on dissecting bioessentialism and natalism, particularly by religious groups- they haven't addressed how heavily this intersects with transphobia and especially transmisogyny- but honestly, i think there's a nonzero chance that they might.  at this point in time there's been multiple gay characters (i'll get to that) and an enormous emphasis on characters feeling uneasy with a harshly enforced gender binary and being reduced to what bodies they were born with...i dunno. with how much this piece talks about minority groups both as a natural part of the worldbuild and the emergent political drama, i wouldn't be surprised.

similarly, there have not been many dark-skinned characters at all, with only one shown on screen thus far (and not for long). this is another thing where i have to wonder if they'll get to it, and if my gut feeling there that they Will is correct. i have no guarantees, so let the record state that yeah there is Not much at all in that department. thus far we have been deeply entrenched in stuff relating to italy and japan, and what comes next, i have literally no fucking idea.

onto the gay characters. i will not spoil who they are or what their deal is. that's for your adventure. i cannot guarantee you will like the way they are written, or agree that they are good representation, or whatever the fuck. but they have something to say, and at the very least, for me, i was captured the whole time.

and finally, lastly...

it does show the rape stuff on screen. like, really, really on screen. it shows these teenagers dealing with sexuality way more explicitly than i am usually comfortable with, by a long shot. if you have heard me talk about Evangelion, you understand where my boundaries are on this. personally, i was able to read all of this without getting triggered. there were points where i could barely breathe from the tension, but i did not break down. this is not likely to be a universal experience.

i really like this manga. i love it, even. it's possessing my brain and i am glad to let it. if you feel like you could give it a try, i say to go for it- and if you get to a point where you'd usually quit...maybe gauge whether you're up for hearing it out and seeing what it has to say. i gave it a lot of chances i usually wouldn't- and it more than paid off.

 
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  TCP: BRANCH PLAYTEST
Posted by: Blue_Fox - 12-27-2024, 12:19 AM - Forum: [ADVENTURES + COMICS] - Replies (25)

You've been invited to play a branch of this game. It's not official, but it looks pretty fun from what you've seen. You boot up the game.
[Image: tcp001.png]
You've turned off the tutorial, but you know the gist of the commands.

GIVE- sharing gifts makes the kitties happy and well! anything can be a gift. 
CREATE- the void is pretty but has full of nothing! kitties can't walk or play on nothing. 
NAME- naming kitties makes them unique and special! they like two syllables best. 
TEACH- kitties have nothing but fluff in their heads! teaching things will make them skilled and strong. 
CHECK- checking kitties is a good way to make sure everything's okay! sometimes they have secrets. 
SPAWN: if you already have a kitty, you'll need more to keep them company! spawning with words helps you make more, but only if the limit says it's ok. 
KILL: sometimes kitties aren't nice to eachother, or go bad along the way. this helps you keep things friendly!

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  i need to survive the game awards
Posted by: skinstealer - 12-06-2024, 04:54 AM - Forum: [OTHER ART + WRITING] - Replies (12)

please present to me themes, 5 per person max. these themes can be anything. they could be a phrase, even, or a song. a moodboard. it matters not. what matters is that i will make as many pipecleaner beasts as humanly possible with the themes provided during the duration of the 2024 game awards and i require all of your help to make this happen. i will randomly pull a theme from what will likely be a fairly large pool and it will become real and in my house. no NSFW, but have fun.

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