Daily Saeran Content

You can skip ahead to the first image if you don't want to hear me get heated over alcohol.

I just want to say right off the bat, I HATE whenever they depict either one of the twins near alcohol. They do not consume alcohol; they want nothing to do with it. The only time in-game that wine was consumed by one of the twins was in V Route. Saeyoung had a single glass, and I think that has to do with the fact that he hit rock bottom. V let him go on for two years thinking his brother DIED.

Holding the party again was bound to bring up horrible memories for him two and a half years later. He picked up a glass, asked himself why his wicked mother bothered drinking to forget and drown her miserable sorrow, and then spat it out after it tasted like regret. Never again, that is what he tells himself... His curiosity and pain got the better of him in that situation. Saeyoung likely only did that under duress.

Saeran isn't going to pick up a bottle of alcohol like that. The elixir was bad enough; he's not going to drink fermented sour grapes. This isn't a dig at people who love wine, beer, or what have you. Enjoy your grape juice if you like it, people! But it gets really exhausting to see characters who have affirmed their discomfort and disdain for alcohol be depicted around it as if it wouldn't make them uncomfortable.

I wouldn't be as pressed if it were in front of Jumin, mind you. The boys wouldn't ask their friend not to drink. Just... to not try and make them drink it or push a glass near them.

I don't drink myself, for example, so I take this really personally. We live in a world where people try to minimize others' discomfort around this stuff. I'm pushing thirty over here, and I've never had a glass of alcohol in my life, and I don't intend to ever try for personal reasons similar to the twins. I can't tell you how many times I've had people say, "Oh, just a little sip, it won't kill you." It won't kill me; they're right, but no means no.

Saeyoung has affirmed that his only vice is Dr. Pepper more times than I can count... And I don't think I have to explain why Saeran wouldn't be comfortable around a mind-altering drink for more reasons than what he went through as a child at his mother's hands, do I?

My friends and I came up with a few reasonable solutions. It's possible the wine was for Jihyun since he's standing behind them. He's not as much of a heavy drinker as Jumin can be, but it has been noted in the canon that he enjoys a few more glasses when he's with Jumin because he's a social drinker.

It could also be for MC to enjoy! That's reasonable, too. It does seem like it's on the other side of the table! Even so, I don't like it being that close to Saeran or Saeyoung. That's just a me thing! That's a squick for me! It's a comfort for me to have a favorite character who doesn't drink.

I hear you, I hear you, "Hey, Kait, it's not a big deal! You don't have to make a stink." Sigh. It just made my excitement fall flat the moment I saw it is all. The fact that they depicted Zen with beer rather than wine goes to show that there's SOME communication happening between the company (or maybe the artist just noticed he seems like a beer guy) and the artist who did a wonderful job, mind you. This is not me digging at the artist, either.

It's on Cheritz for not pointing out important character traits. We had the same problem last year. Elizabeth was NOWHERE to be seen in the anniversary photo.

Hell, they commissioned Rika artwork for her birthday a few years ago that depicted her with wine, too. She isn't a drinker, either. I don't know if I'd say she's as straight-laced as Saeyoung and Saeran, but I'd put her closer to that than Jumin's wine with dinner every night attitude. I'd say she's a "I had champagne with Jaehee at a girls' night once" type of gal. Blue moon situations.

Now that I've gotten that out of my system, let's talk about everything else!

That has to be one of the largest mounds of omurice I've ever seen. Yoosung made one to share with everyone. I appreciate that he's had time to grow his skills, though. It's not easy to make those things! He has the ketchup swirl down pact compared to his last attempt... that we're aware of, anyway. There is charm to his fails, though. I love the droopy face.

Jaehee and Zen get to enjoy their beverage of choice, too. Jaehee has more than earned her coffee break. I love the off-the-shoulder dress on her, too. We don't usually see her in outfits like that, but this is definitely her confidence shining through the roof. I hope she wears tops like that more often! Not so I can oogle her collarbones or anything, but it's cute on her! It's really flattering!

Zen is wearing a corset as far as I'm concerned. Let's think about that and take a long sip of water.

Jumin looks smug for some reason. Is anyone else reading that from his facial expression? I mean, he should be; he's a handsome man, but that's the first time I've seen him make a face like that. Jihyun, too. But I'm staring at him because that huge camera lens probably costs more money than I've seen in months. I do love the fondness on his face here; he's clearly admiring his found family.

I LOVE THAT HE'S PRESENT. Part of his problem is hiding behind the viewfinder instead of being a part of the scene. He deserves to be there with everyone. Jumin thinks so, too. Perhaps that's why he's pleased. It means his friend is doing better emotionally.

Saeyoung, didn't we just talk to your doctor about your habits? Is it silly if I say I love how they rendered the Dr. Pepper can? The lighting on the Honey Butter Chips is great, too. Not too bright, but not too flat, either. The light hits it just right, which isn't an easy thing to do when you want to play with shading and highlights. I can only imagine how many layers they did on those two items alone.

That's a nice apple pie, too! It looks like an apple, anyway. They might elaborate on it tomorrow when they release the new image! I think we might get another anniversary chat or two; I can't say for certain. I am avoiding spoilers like the plague at the moment.

Strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate... the perfect combination. Saeran doesn't have to choose just ONE flavor of ice cream. He can have all of them! It's a nice homage for me, too. I think Ray likes strawberry, Suit Saeran likes chocolate, and GE Saeran likes vanilla bean.

Hey, if nobody else is calling dibs, I want one of the rosettes. They're my favorite part of cakes like this! The texture is so good. Speaking of cute flowers, it's time for me to infodump to all of you about flowers and the importance of floriography. I'm going by image order.

Red Rose: Passionate romance, the symbol of love that is universally shared across borders and seas. Cherry Blossom: The transience of life, the fleeting moment of beauty that impacts your life forever. Camellia: A deep longing for another person, whether it be romantic or otherwise. Begonia: A gentle warning, but more than just that, they are gratitude to move forward knowing you've prepared for storms by embracing your heart. Orange Rose: Enthusiastic passion, oftentimes seen as the bridge between romantic red and platonic yellow. Yellow Rose: Friendship, warmth, and joy. The ultimate token to use when you want to say, "I like you, I appreciate you, and being with you makes me happy like the sun."

Now, I had to rack my brain a little for the flowers with MC, but I want to throw my hat in the ring and suggest amaryllis. To sparkle, to shine, and to know your worth. It is a flower of real pride, and its resilience is worth noting because flowers like these bloom and fight hard to stay alive in the winter.

It's also a good pick if they're trying to convey how our selfless love for the RFA saved them as much as it saved us. Amaryllis bloomed after a young shepherdess fed the earth droplets of her blood for a month to win the heart of the shepherd who wanted nothing more than to find the most beautiful flower.

Let's look at them.

Have you seen them?

Now you have!

My only real note is that the artist forgot to add the ring to Saeran's eyes. Saeyoung has them, so I'm not sure where that got lost in the communication process. Other than that, there are no notes. That's Saeran Choi! That's my honey bunny! I do appreciate that his hair is saturated. Some artwork depicts his hair as washed out, while others have this pink sheen to them that makes it glaringly obvious he did a bad bleach job on his own and couldn't get the red out.

"Uh-uh," you said, holding out your arms. It was laundry day at the B&B, and there was nothing you loved more than spending time with Saeran. He didn't technically need your help, but you liked helping out, anyway. It was the best way to pass the time until the end of his shift and yours.

The garden didn't need you to cull weeds every day, after all!

Besides, you couldn't admire your boyfriend from the other side of the glass. Even though you would glimpse through the sliding glass doors and windows while you worked, you couldn't always make out his face from the other side of the property.

You didn't want to miss how cute he looked when he concentrated!

He dropped the fresh linen into your arms, adding, "Nu-uh is not an answer I'll accept, either. I want exact reasoning before I let you call me a princess."

"Maid princess," you clarified.

"That's an oxymoron."

"Cinderella was a maid before she married her prince, Saeran. I think you're the one who's sorely mistaken," you offered him a pillow for his pillow case. He took it without another thought, folding and unfolding the creases. You added, "You're the fairytale expert. I thought you knew that."

He scowled and shook his head. "Fine, but if I'm going to be a princess, you're going to be my prince. Ray's going to have to get over you taking his pet name."

It was the very first word that came to mind after you managed to convince Saeran to rest with you. In the past, you would've given him space to breathe. He liked distance because he had been taught to fear kindness. Back then... even if it couldn't last for long, and even if he had a meltdown and stormed off in the middle of the night once he remembered the lingering guards, you were glad for the moments in between.

You wanted to spend time with him without the pretense of the game he played to avoid the savior's wrath. His cruelty, while harsh, wasn't something you were afraid of. You realized long ago that those cruel words... choices... actions... were born of fear. You didn't hate him for it. You couldn't. You just wished you could've been with him without his dread eating away at his peace.

Now, however, you could.

Neither of you had to be afraid.

You didn't have to live on edge, wondering if you performed the scene wrong, and that was a blessing. Your life was no longer a stage play meant to invoke the survival of the fittest. It was a private stage built for two where nobody could be privy to your peace.

"I'm sorry?"

"You heard me," you said.

He huffed. "Clearly. What I don't understand is why you called me a princess. Do I look like a helpless damsel to you?"

"You definitely don't want me to answer that, my sweet," you replied, squeezing your arms around him tighter so he would nuzzle his face against your throat.

"What about me screams pretty princess? Shouldn't you reserve that pet name for someone like Ray? He would eat it up, you know? If it's a fairytale, he'll humor whatever name you call him and bark like a dog. He's already dressed up for you!"

"Ah, but that's where you misunderstand," you said, brushing your lips against the top of his head. "Ray happens to be my prince. You're my pretty princess. The difference is that my kiss saved the frog prince... and my heroics saved the princess from the wicked dragon."

Saeran's grumble didn't sound amused, but he didn't rebuke your careful thought. "Is that the story you've been telling people?"

"Well, no... the princess didn't just let me do all the work. He saved himself, too, but I had a helping hand in helping him realize that the dragon couldn't keep him locked inside the tower forever. He just had to take a chance and climb down... and I'm happy he did."