Hoshi's Notebook

If these are OOC I will walk into the ocean. This is barely proofread word vomit I wrote in the middle of the night with a headache. Why is inspiration so inconvenient.

MDNI 18+

What's that? You think that carpenter girl is an annoying airhead? Oops, enjoy your frozen soup.

Ashura is an old coward? His aversion toward violence is pathetic? Hope you don't get salmonella from your undercooked peki!

The human should just go back to whatever hole they crawled out of and die? He's spitting in your drink. Four times.

So, having hobbies and even jobs as something that *isnt* your Path isnt an issue, its straight-up abandoning it that is. Sifuu, even though she goes monster hunting, *is a smith* still and thats her job. Hassian is learning to become a smith, so its fine that he isnt one *yet.* But for Reth, he doesnt just have a psrt time job as a cook/bartender and hes learning carpentry on the side. His parents died, theres no one (except Tish, i guess) to teach him carpentry, unless they both found a differebt teacher. AND he sucks at it, and doesnt enjoy it, and could not possibly make any money by doing it, which he NEEDED (needs) in order to take care of Tish. So its a lot more likely that what happened was, he was declared like, the Estate Heir basically of his parents' business and literally ciuldnt run it. So instead he abandoned his Path. Its also possible that he abandoned it before they died, we actually dont know the timeline on that iirc, but its a lot less likely imo. I think he was saddled with this legacy he couldnt continue, and so abandoned it and basically gave it to Tish, who was also not old enough to run a business afawk. She had to open her own store in Kilima and make a name for herself there, and whether or not everyone recognized their last name is... really not mentioned. Its worth pointing out that their surname being Keita is a THEORY. A relatively well-backed theory, but still a theory (or even headcanon) it is not confirmed. There is definitely evidence that it could be, but until its basically stated ingame, i dont treat it as fact.

I bet there is a lot of official government stuff going on with Paths that we dont get to hear about, and even if not, the whole Path Declaration ceremony takes place in front of hella friends and family, and Reth and Tish probably had moved in with other family, possibly more carpenters, possibly not, but I'm sure Reth had basically made it clear that he was not going to persue carpentry or try to find anither mentor after his parents died, whereas Tish, i bet put a lot of effort into finding someone to teach her, or at least honing her own skill, and made it clear that she DID want to persue carpentry.

Another thing worth noting about Paths is that there seems to be different societal pressure/backlash if you abandon your declared Path, vs not declaring your family's Path

So like, Auni is still thinking about that he wants to do, but hes pretty sure it isnt farming. But he feels some pressure because his entire family is built on farming crops and ranching animals. What he REALLY wants to do is basically declare some kind of Order-related Path, which im sure is part of being an initiate of the Order, but hes too old to join atp.

Kenyatta, likewise, faces a loottt of pressure from Eahe and probably Kenyara about declaring a Path in governance, which she does NOT want to do. I mean, her friendship quests are basically all centered around that storyline, finding what she *does* want to declare a Path in, and probably dealing with the fallout that comes with not following in the "family Path" of governance.

But these are a lot more lenient pressures than declaring your Path in what is essentially the family business, and then saying "actually no, nevermind" which is what Reth did. Hes treated like am outcast by a lot of Majiri for being a Path traitor, and they even tend to see him as completely noncommittal because he couldnt just stick to the Path he already declared. They see him as flaky and unreliable, untrustworthy. At least if he had declared a Path in cooking from the start, people wouldnt give him nearly as hard a time, at least imo. Paths are about the committment to serve your community in a specific, declared way. He said he was gonna be a carpenter, now what happens if he moves to a village that doesnt have one? Theyre gonna kinda expect him to be one, and he isnt.

Luckily, Tish IS, but i hope you get the analogy here. I think Hassian's situation is interesting too, he's VERY old-fashioned/traditional, moreso than a lot of other Majiri (even some of the older ones like Sifuu) and so even though he enjoys hunting, and it DOES help the community, he has declared to follow in his mother's Path in smithing, and places much higher importance in the village always having a smith as it should, rather than being able to do what he enjoys more. At least as a job, im sure he'll still go hunting to feed himself. Point is, there seems to be a lot more importance with sticking to your Path than there is to declare that youll follow your family's Path.

I just realized i didnt answer your literal first question which was "can you just lie and start over in a new town" basically, which.... maybe you could?? Maybe if you didnt have a magistrate who may or may not have been supposed to run your entire damn province... like, Eshe is VERY alert and probably harshly vets any newcomers. Even Hassian and Sifuu wouldnt have been allowed to live there if not for Chayne sponsoring them, i imagine its about the same with Reth and Ashura. And, hell, we know from the start of the game what she puts US through to get our citizenship! A lot of it is obviously learning Palian Majiri culture, which Reth and Tish wouldve already known, but im sure they still had some kind of process for being allowed to live there.

Imagine Reth just laying there behind the crates, or on the dock under the stars, with Character and staring in their eyes and giggling like a schoolboy after that kiss. Perhaps he has an overwhelming urge to hug them, squeeze them so hard against himself that maybe, just maybe, they can occupy the exact same space and be one and never have to be apart ever again.

The only way Reth is able to express himself for the following hour is just more little kisses; on Character's cheeks, neck, shoulder. Burying his head in the nape of their neck and trying to hide how deeply he loves them but also how terrified he is. Terrified for their safety, terrified for their future, terrified that he may never be free enough to give Character the life they deserve.

But he sees these glimpses of the life they could share, the tender little moments and all the new experiences that are possible together. If he could just work a little harder, be a little smarter, dream a little bigger then maybe freedom is something to fight for.

Reth and Tish's parents died 15 years ago and Reth had to take care of her since. If we're being generous he was a teenager when this happened.

In the trio's level 5 quest resolution, Tish says Reth has been lying to her for 3 years, meaning his cartel work.

She also says that he was involved in some shady characters back in Bahari City, meaning he likely did some crime there as well.

We also know from one of Tish's early friendship quests that she and Reth moved to Kilima relatively recently, but the exact timeframe might be retconned at this point.

We also know that they have other relatives but we know fuckall about if they tried to take care of them in any way after they got orphaned. Is it the Path thing? Was it cuz Tish is sick?

So when did Reth get involved with the cartel and how? Cuz with what we have, it seems he was working with them for at least a little bit longer than he's lived in Kilima. Was it after abandoning his Path? How long after? How did the cartel scout him for a delivery boy? When did Zeki come into the picture? How the fuck did he get money when Tish was still young/an apprentice? Did he do other unrelated crime? Did these mystery relatives help? I need answers.

So, one thing that sticks out to me is i SWEAR when i started playing, Tish said the apron was for their *3 month anniversary* not 6 month, but that couldve been retconned. Just like the 15 years thing was actually also a retcon! Its previously said 10 years, or 5 years, and now its 15. With that out of the way (and bear with me, because im gonna use modern irl years here, as we have no idea what year it is ingame yet, just that its "a little after 400 FC")

If we assume that Humans started appearing at the time the Open Beta launched, in August 2023, then Reth and Tish's parents died in 2008, Reth joined the cartel in 2020, and then they moved to Kilima in probably spring ish (like Feb-March) 2023. Then Humans arrived in August 2023. The only real problem with this is that, regardless of when YOUR Player shows up, they say the same timelines; 15 years, 3 years, 6 months. So if your Player arrives in Palia in 2025, then the timeline as spoken in dialog gets screwy, right?

So, for CASt canon/lore/whatever you want to call it, i just adjust whatever timeline they say to the player, and keep the *dates* the same. 2008, 2020, 2023 (although i have an actual calendar i made up for CASt but thats neither here nor there)

I actually didnt change the 15 years thing though, because i headcanon Reth to be ~27 and i dont think itd be realistic to leave a kid younger than 12 to raise his little sister alone; ideally hed be at least a mid-teenager, about 15-17, and even better, a young adult, but we also dont know exactly how Majiri age, just that they live longer, so ive had to kinda pretend they age the same as Humans for now... so, my model for CASt is more like, 15 years ago, and then 2020 and 2023.

With this model, if your Player arrives in March of 2025 (like Daphne from CASt does) then the timeline is 2010 their parents die, and in 2020 Reth joins the cartel and they move to Kilima in early 2023. Then Humans arrive in August 2023, and what Your Player/Daphne should be hearing from them is "He's been hiding this from me for five years!" And "for our 2-year anniversary in Kilima"

Anyway, i hope that makes sense?? Palia is a bit strange with timelines because they retcon certain things and not others (like changing how long ago their parents died, but not changing how long ago they moved to Kilima or how long Reth has been in the cartel) and they definitely dont change things based on when YOU PERSONALLY got to Palia. Its not possible for Reth and Tish to be in Kilima when Humans first arrived in 2023, and those Humans got to meet them, and now all of a sudden in 2026 theyve only been there for 6 months, but thats how it can come off to newer players

Anyway

since I'll likely never write the fic I have in mind:

Character running their hand along the tattoo on his arm after learning what it is and telling him he isn't alone, that they're in it together from then on

Character saying "I love you" first and Reth's brain just short-circuiting and him going "haha yeah... but like as a friend tho... or maybe just a really good colleague." because he can't believe they love him

Additionally, when Character mentions marriage, Reth again goes "but like... platonically or...?" because he just cannot fathom someone loves him enough to want to be tied to him forever

Not only does Reth spend months and months cooking for Character and helping them find who they are and what they like, but Character helps him find himself, too, after he finally has the freedom to do so

Character realizing that Reth has extreme talent for cooking, he just needs proper rest and nutrition

Character feels so unaccepted and foreign for being Human, and Reth feels so unaccepted and foreign for not following his Path, and it brings them so close together and creates a very deep bond

Character wanting to usher Reth onto a better path but, like Ashura, being so afraid it would make Reth pull away, they instead try to help him in his criminal activity instead until the Ashura confrontation. Only then when Ashura tells them how highly Reth values Character do they fight really hard to improve his life and encourage him on a better path

Zeki is great, but I headcanon that Character fought tooth and nail to get the funds together to free Reth from his debt

Reth turning magenta constantly and unable to hide his blushing with every sweet word spoken and stuttering through his words

"Misery loves company" ushers in hours and hours spent laying on dirty old blankets crying together and holding each other

“Are you okay? Come here…”

“No, no, stay down. I’ll handle it.”

“Where were you? I was worried sick.”

“I made you some soup and tea…”

“Ssh… It’s okay…”

“You’ll freeze to death in that. Come, I have a change of clothes for you.”

“You look pale. When’s the last time you ate?”

“The ground doesn’t look very comfortable. Come on, put your head in my lap.”

“You’re freezing. Take my jacket.”

“Stay down, you idiot. You’re done for the day.”

“I got you.”

“Come on, let’s get you in bed.”

“What happened to you? You’re dripping! Did you not dress for the rain?”

“I got you flowers to aid in your recovery.”

“You look good like this. All careless and comfy…”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Some tips and tricks I’ve seen on Tumblr, on Pinterest or have learned the hard way while writing. These are pretty basic but sometimes basic is good!

Realizing they can feel the person touching them. Maybe they’re not touching but they can feel the warmth.

Accidentally saying something flirty and both of you freeze. Or saying something flirty and the other person panicking and running away

Eyes dropping to lips. Eyes looking them up and down. Eyes unable to look away. Eyes unable to make contact without blushing. Eyes are you best friend.

Mirroring. When people have crushes or like someone (or want someone to like them) they do what is called mirroring. If character 1 crosses their arms and character 2 has a crush on them, have character 2 cross their arms too.

New Girl taught me about toes. If their feet are facing you, they want to stay. If their feet are pointed away, they want to leave. I’ve found its not always true but its something you can mention or use.

Unable to stop smiling. Unable to stop laughing.

Touching the other one when you laugh. Touching them to move them out of the way. Touching them and not moving your hand away

Hugging them when you see them. Sharing a bed. Trying to be near them at all moments.

Looking at their lips and fantasizing about kissing them.

REPOST!!!

₊˚⊹⋆ Black hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Jet black hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Blue-black hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Brown hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Light brown hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Dark brown hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Chestnut brown hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Auburn hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Red hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Ginger hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Strawberry blonde hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Blonde hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Platinum blonde hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Ash blonde hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Golden blonde hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Sandy blonde hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Dirty blonde hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Honey blonde hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Silver/Gray hair

₊˚⊹⋆ White hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Salt-and-pepper hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Blue hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Green hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Purple hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Pink hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Lavender hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Teal hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Turquoise hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Gray hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Silver hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Blonde highlights

₊˚⊹⋆ Brown highlights

₊˚⊹⋆ Red highlights

₊˚⊹⋆ Caramel highlights

₊˚⊹⋆ Balayage

₊˚⊹⋆ Ombre

₊˚⊹⋆ Two-tone hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Multicolored hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Burgundy hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Mahogany hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Copper hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Ebony hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Golden brown hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Platinum silver hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Chestnut highlights

₊˚⊹⋆ Rose gold hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Lilac hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Coral hair

₊˚⊹⋆ Pastel blue hair

(๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑) TEXTURE MATTERS MORE THAN TASTE!! "it tasted good" tells me nothing. "The crust shattered into a thousand buttery shards" or "gummy, like chewing a tire" NOW I'm there. Crunch, slime, melt, chew, squeak (yes some foods squeak and it's horrible)

(๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑) Food is memory!!! your character doesn't just eat chicken soup, they eat the chicken soup that tastes like being home sick from school, like their grandmother's kitchen, like the last good day before everything changed. FOOD CARRIES STORY!!

(๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑) Temperature is a character!! scalding coffee that burns your tongue, ice cream so cold it gives you a headache, room-temperature pizza at 2am that tastes like regret. Temperature changes the entire experience!!!

(๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑) The SOUND of eating reveals character. Do they slurp? Chew with their mouth open? Cut everything into tiny pieces? Eat standing over the sink? These tiny details tell you who someone IS

(๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑) Describe what it does, not what it is!! Don't say "the spicy curry" say "the curry that made her sinuses open up like floodgates and her eyes water and why did she think she could handle this"

Your characters don't need to be perfect.

Let them be wrong. Let them make the obviously bad decisions. Writers tend to have this pressure to make characters sensible, reasonable, logical and likable.

Let them ignore warnings, pick the poison, text the ex, and refuse the help they so desperately need.

And yes, this applies to your protagonist too. Your hero? The that's saved the world countless times and refuses to kill? Let them trust the wrong person. Do they cling so tightly to their values that not killing would actively hurt those around them?

Being flawed is a characteristic we all have and letting that bleed into your writing creates tension. Tension breeds interest. It creates growth and story.

If your characters only do what you would do in that situation, then they're closer to puppets and not characters.

I don’t know if anyone has ever done this before but, here ya go… The Different Types of Fanfiction! 

Its amazing, and it makes me wonder what kind of fanfic im writing 🤣

Was CHFiL an Alteration? Or Different PoV? Because it follows the reader insert character and she doesnt just go with the main characters everywhere they go, she's off behind the scenes doing her own thing... like, she never "shows up on screen" essentially?

Is CAS like, Drabbles? Because it follows like "the Human that does the plot" which kinda makes it just, mostly Canon, but then its a lot of expansion on dialog and why stuff happens (like, how taf did Reth get soup on the library ceiling?? He got too excited and wanted to share it with Caleri and he tripped in the doorway 🤷‍♀️)

So mostly canon but with Additions, some Alteration, and a bit of 'There, I fixed it for you"

OCB is definitely an AU, but also like, kinda set in the past from Canon??? So i drew it shittily on my phone im so sorry