The Stars are Out There

Tenna art by @9Aaaalt29 on twt

btw, idk if this will be seen by any of the countless people who already have seen and reblogged this post, but heres the original guide posted on how to make the chibi-rocky! the OP also has a separate guide for a more accurate rocky, though obviously less simple of a guide than the little thingy shown off

In Chapter 1, it's straightforward as it's establishing this theme. Analogue games, checkers, deck of cards, stuffed toys, board games, etc. Jevil serves as commentary on this as treating the world like a chessboard he's escaped.

In Chapter 2, it's computer and arcade games. In Weird Route it's turned into a grind-focused RPG, but the chapter as a whole is mostly about just about Being On The Computer. The internet as a recreation activity; a physical place you can go, or that can take you to far off places temporarily. Spamton comes to life by inserting a literal disc into his chest.

In Chapter 3, it's game shows with a TV host, rhythm games, and 8-bit puzzle solving RPG adventures (or more exp-grinding if doing Sword Route). Movies and ACTing as a performance, with all the costume changes and different sets they play within as well.

Skipping to Chapter 5 (I'll circle back), it's still games but using Anime as the lens to explore them through. While the switch in mechanics from top-down to side-scroller calls back to several early anime-style games (think Maple Story, Elsword, Grand Chase, etc.), the whole chapter is mostly a dating sim. The different choices of which characters get to partner up at the Festival activities. Meeting a 'colourful' cast of whom you can invite to tea parties Fire-Emblem style to expand the bonds between them. The secret boss is a literal romance visual novel. The Festival games and rides interplay with this as well by riffing off quintessential tropes from romance anime. While less relevant, the use of Netskie's as enemies also stands out since they reference Kitsune from Japanese folklore, which are trickster spirits that fool or play tricks on people.

I saved Chapter 4 until the end because it's when this pattern really starts to expand its criteria. The Darkworld is at a church, but the "games" in highlight here aren't really games at all. But rather about art as an ACT of play (is it any wonder why this chapter is my favourite so far). The first theme is through stories. Several library rooms and bookshelf puzzles, which Gerson exemplifies as the author of a long-running fantasy series. The prophesy as a story we are playing through is also in focus. The second is visual art - specifically accessed through the egg room - where Kris attends Art Club/Therapy. Having them draw the man only to paint a tree over top as if in repression of the truth is an especially strong example. And lastly, but perhaps most importantly, there is music. Music as expression, freedom, and escape. Dess who didn't want to play the violin her mom got for her, but found solace in guitar instead. The mixtape with Noelle on the cover. And Kris with all their desire and resistance about putting their hands on the piano keys. After all, one does not simply use an instrument, they play it.

“When he died the ravens sat in the trees outside for a week, watching. Taking turns. A horde of raccoons tried to break into the house every night, tearing at the siding. Eventually they gave up, but it was unsettling.”

I had like one, maybe two friends who were all like FUCK YEAH YOU PAINT IT WHATEVER COLOR YOU WANT, PURPLE BEDROOMS ARE AWESOME.

But when they actualy saw the finished bedroom, every single one of them was like, “Oh yeah, that’s really pretty.” (Well, the ones who supported me from the beginning were more like WOOHOO.)

MEAN YOU HAVE TO ABANDON

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY.

When I bought my house, the kitchen was multiple shades of dingy white. It was dismal, but it was now mine! So went to the hardware store for paint (well, several trips, painted swatches on panel, etc — I’m very picky. But this was the final, ‘real’ trip). It was a busy day in the paint section. There were at least five people behind me in line.

Now, remember, latex paint is slightly lighter and brighter when wet than it is when dry. And I’d decided to paint my kitchen candy-apple red. The hardware store employee took my gallon off the Paint Jiggler and cracked it open to put a dab on the top, revealing the most incredibly deep pink, and behind me I hear the entire line of people say,

“Oh my god.”

…in perfect chorus.

This is the door to my garage. It used to be white. Live your best life.

Mischief the cat says “Who goes there?”

Every visiting friend says “This is so cool.”

my garage. It used to be

white. Live your best life.

not decorating trends; those have always existed. but the idea that color and decoration is inherently childish

this is the dining room at the Eustis Estate in Milton, Massachusetts, from 1878 (where I used to work, briefly). the walls are TEXTURED MICA SHIMMER on a green background. Adult Space For Adults!

A jewelry shop in Paris c. 1901. kids can’t buy jewelry!

who can forget the classic 1950s colorful bathroom? I’m not a huge fan, but still! adult space! bright colors; decorative designs!

So here’s two examples of traditional Norwegian farmhouse interiors. You know. The kinds of places peasants live in.

This type of painting is called “rosemaling” and today you usually find it on, like, carved wooden bowls and such that are only used for decoration. But back two centuries ago, it was very common to find the interiors of homes covered in it, in projects that were painted little by little over the decades. Because it’s beautiful to look at, paint is the cheapest way of decorating your house, and what else are you going to do on the long winter nights when it’s too dark and cold to work outdoors?

But mostly, they did it because it made them happy, and it was beautiful.

I like to call my entire interior design ethos “Bohemian Necromancer.” Bright jewel tone furniture covers in paisley and mandala patterns, exciting paint colors, lots of art on all the walls… bronze deity statues, there’s a gothic crow plushy with red eyes on a shelf below a grapefruit sized obsidian orb and a large black hourglass, the jar labeled “bone dust” actually contains bone dust, there are fancy knives (functional and which I know how to fight with) on display in every room of the house so I’m never out of reach of a weapon, and everywhere you go the animal skulls on the shelves are watching you.

they perform as well as expensive HEPA air cleaners, and are comparatively VERY inexpensive. all you need is a box fan, 4 air filters, a piece of cardboard, and some duct tape!!!!