Charmaine

Guideverse is essentially the sister of omegaverse! The trope originated in BL web novels, and trickled into other realms via scanlations. It’s a shared sandbox that a ton of people now play in.

It carries connotations with it, particularly of obsessive love interests. As far as I’ve seen, the two most popular guidverse manhwa are B-class Guide and Profundis, both of which feature a whole host of dark subjects.

Here’s the opening sequence of B-class Guide, which is a very quick run down of the basics:

Essentially, at some point in the future, magical rifts begin to open up and spew monsters into the world. The rifts also cause people to develop powers, but if they overexert themselves they become a monster. The only thing that can stave off corruption is the touch of a guide. (Above board, this is done by holding hands. However, all physical touch can become guiding).

The rifts are continually opening and closing, so it’s cyclical. Espers have to use their powers to fight monsters, so they have to be guided. A symbiotic relationship.

In most iterations of the trope guides and espers also have to register their abilities with the government, and sometimes (depending how dark you want to go) they’re forced to join the military.

When they’re registered, guides and espers are asigned a ranking from F to S, based on how powerful they are. Specific guiding-matches between an esper and a guide can also be tested and measured, although that’s done in percentages. Typically, the efficiency/match rate between a guide and esper is around 60%, so espers can become very possessive of any guide they have a higher than average match rate with.

Higher ranking espers typically get whatever they want, because they’re in such high demand. They might have an exclusivity clause with a guide, meaning the guide will only guide them.

Bonding is also possible, which greatly increases the efficiency rate of guiding, but also means that an esper can never get guiding from anyone else…which also means an esper can never outlive their guide.

There’s a whole bunch of diverging lore about whether guides and espers have “soulmates.” Something that comes up a lot is that an esper can “always recognize their guide,” like the one. I think this is to personal taste though.

This is one of my worst pet peeves in Role playing or doing any collaborative writing with other people. It’s something I myself have been guilty of, especially if my muse is running low and I am forcing out replies. It’s something I see a lot of even from very good writers. It’s a widespread problem, that is exhausting for an RP partner to deal with in threads especially if it’s every reply.

And just like any problem – the first step in resolving it is looking out for it and realizing it’s there to begin with. Being conscious about this I personally believe separates a good RP partner from a great one.

I’m talking about passive replies.

Passive replies come in various forms. They can be anything from a novella sized reply – to a one-liner but they all share a similar trait. They do not contribute to pushing the action of a thread forward. They tend to be a summary of the reply preceding it through their character’s eyes with a small verbal or nonverbal reaction to the character they are interacting with. They do not add any new information for the other character to react to because the reply is pure reaction without any proactive elements.

This means your thread basically becomes the equivalent of a conversation like this:

Hey, you!  Oh, Hey! How are you? Oh, I’m good. What are you up to? Nothing much, really. Have any plans? No. Not really.

It’s a functional conversation – sure, but it’s one-sided and relies on one person driving the action while the other simply responds. It is exhausting for one mun to constantly be the one driving the action of a scene forward. It makes things harder to respond to because you’re giving your RP partner fairly little to work with. The example above is obviously an extremely simplified example - but I hope you can get the gist of what I am getting at.  

Even if your character is shy, or anti-social, or maladjusted in someway – your replies can still play and active role in the situation. Being an active participant in a thread doesn’t meant that your muse has to be crazy and outgoing. It means that you have to do more than simply react to what is happening. Every reply should add at least one new thing for your partner to react to.

This can be anything from adding to the conversation – not just reacting to what was said prior. This can be your character doing some non verbal action. This could be and NPC or outside situation or the weather doing something to react to. No matter what the situation is – there are things your muse can do to be an active part of the scene, and not just a reactionary prop.

If your replies or even your starters are one of these two things:

1) Expecting someone to find or stumble upon your muse in someway. Or relies on your partner to initiate some action between your characters. 2) Is just a summary of what happened in their reply through your character’s eyes without adding anything new.

It’s a passive reply – and by nature harder to respond to. It means you should consider looking over your reply and tweaking it to give the other character something more to work with to take the pressure off and your partners should be doing the same for you. After all a conversation like this:

Hey, haven’t seen you in forever! I know right? What have you been up to? Honestly – nothing much. Work’s been murder. What about you? Ah that’s unfortunate. I’m the same, but I’m going out for drinks later want to come? I can’t tonight, have to wake up early tomorrow. Maybe we can catch up later?

Is a much more interesting conversation because both parties are doing their part to drive the action forward.

It’s easy to say that passive replies are spawned from laziness or poor writing. But they’re not (the vast majority of the time anyway). Even good writers who make beautiful replies do it. I personally think it spawns from equal parts insecurity and good intentions. People don’t want to rock the boat, or take risks with their writing in case they accidentally step on any toes. Not realizing of course that they are putting strain on the writer they are working with by letting them drive all the action.

It can be exhausting.

Roleplaying is a collaborative writing experience. A great RP partner is someone who works with you as a team to tell the story of both your characters. Each person should be putting forth new things to react to and being an active part in building something awesome. It makes for a more interesting read and more dynamic plots and quite frankly more chances for characters to build genuine chemistry.

not requested but there's something about a text thread, isn't there? anyway, these are a mixed bucket, i'll deffo post more of these, but for now, here you go, bon appetit, and if you wanna make them texts to a wrong number?? all the better! just make it clear for the person receiving it!

( sms ) : hey! is this [WRONG NAME] from the club last night?

( sms ) : wait right there, i'm on my way

( sms ) : sorry, who is this?

( sms ) : so... last night was fun.

( sms ) : can i come over?

( sms ) : did i leave my underwear at your place last night?

( sms ) : i am having the WORST / BEST day!!

( sms ) : we need to talk.

( sms ) : i'm in. whatever it is you're planning, i'm in.

( sms ) : you awake?

( sms ) : i miss you.

( sms ) : i'm sorry.

( sms ) : wanna hang out later?

( sms ) : it's honestly insane how much i love you.

( sms ) : i'm worried about you.

( sms ) : please don't say i told you so...

( sms ) : you know how you totally adore me?

( sms ) : got any plans tonight?

( sms ) : i know it's three am but i got donuts and i'm outside.

( sms ) : i'm outside. come on. we're going out.

( sms ) : i'm boooooooooored.

( sms ) : i can't sleep.

( sms ) : i know it's late, but... would you like to go for a walk with me?

( sms ) : where are you?

( sms ) : i love you.

( sms ) : are you really okay?

( sms ) : please don't shut me out. i can tell when something's bothering you.

( sms ) : can you come pick me up please?

( sms ) : this date is a total disaster. can you call me with a fake emergency?

( sms ) : why have you been acting so weird lately?

( sms ) : you know you can tell me anything, right?

( sms ) : not to sound like a tv trope, but i need a plus one for a wedding this weekend. you in?

( sms ) : wanna do fake proposals at fancy restaurants for free food?

( sms ) : wanna go on vacation together?

( sms ) : i got arrested and it's a hilarious story but i really need you to come bail me out first.

( sms ) : what the hell happened last night?

( sms ) : i don't wanna be alone tonight. can i stay at your place?

( sms ) : i got a code red situation.

( sms ) : what's shakin, bacon?

( sms ) : what should i have for dinner tonight?

( sms ) : it's so boring when you're not around.

( sms ) : so... the drunk voicemails i left you last night... you totally listened to them, didn't you.

( sms ) : i love you but if you ever eat my bagel bites again...

Ding dong! It chimed through the apartment. Barely three seconds made it before the first ring was quickly followed by a series. Someone was repeatedly pressing the button to the door bell, and they were quite impatient it seemed.

If Aki came to answer the door, he’d find no other than his neighbour Hina standing there with her arms folded beneath her chest and two burly thugs towering behind her. She looked pissed.

Ah shit, it was too early in the morning for anyone to be operational.

When Akihito first heard the doorbell, he thought he was dreaming. Eventually, thanks to whiny Bean who had returned from her freeloading session with downstairs grandma, he did get up.

"Okay, okay, coming~" He drawled, throwing on his red satin robe and picking up the half drunk mimosa on his nightstand. It was room-temperature by now and kind of gross, but he was desperate.

Swinging the door right open without peeking to see who was the impatient party knocking, Akihito yawned right into the face of neighbor Hina and her fine-looking gentlemen friends.

Her eyebrow twitched. “Where is that bitch?” Hina demanded coldly, fingers drumming impatiently against her arm. She didn’t even think of greeting or apologizing for potentially disturbing Sugiyama in his sleep first. Frankly, she didn't care and just wanted to know where her pathetic ex was located so she could find her and choke her for that little number she'd done on her boyfriend earlier this week.

Fuck, this was bad. Charmaine this house was empty when she had decided to break into it. It was supposed to be at least.

“Please, just let me explain myself.” She wasn’t sure if she could actually.

But wait, why did this green-haired boy look familiar though. Had she met him somewhere before?

Izuku had gotten a huge bouquet of flowers and homemade cookies for Inko for Mother's Day. He had called her in advance and made sure she would not be home at this certain time, so he could surprise her with a delicious cooked meal as well.

He had just found a vase for the flowers when he heard a shuffling sound. Strange, because he thought for sure that she would be out still...

Sure enough, it turned out to be a suspicious stranger in his house.

"Uh-" To be honest, Izuku was a bit too stunned for words. He hadn't ever dealt with a burglar in his own home before and honestly didn't think he would ever have to encounter one because...come on, Char, look at this place. Weren't there mansions you could have hit up? What were you gonna steal, huh? The boy's All Might action figures?

Well, Ryuji, her little brother’s birthday was coming up soon. Of course, being the dutiful older sister that Charmaine was, she had been looking for a present to get him. She hadn’t exactly planned to go hunt for one today but had decided otherwise when she caught a glimpse of all these pristine-looking All Might figurines through the windows of this house.

Seeing the toys enabled a flashback to the days when Ryuji used to beg their parents to buy him one. She had to be the one to drag him away from the toy store afterwards when they’d told him they couldn’t afford it. Consequently, she had to endure hearing Ryuji bawl over how he’d never find another chance to get his hands on this ‘special edition figurine’ because they were only sold in limited amounts.

Well, she was about to change that—

Because this house was the absolute treasure trove for All Might toys and collectibles. Getting her dearest little brother one of these would definitely make the perfect present! Ryuji would be thrilled. He didn’t even have to know how she’d managed to acquire him one.

However, what the thief had forgotten to consider was that today was Mother’s Day… apparently, this lady had a kid son she didn’t know about. (When you no longer have a mother of your own, these kinds of holidays become quite trivial as well).

With All Might clutched in her hand, Charmaine stared wide-eyed at the freckled boy who had just barged inside, essentially, catching her red-handed in the act of stealing from his home.

[ cherry ]  what is one thing you love about yourself? [ crimson ]  what is one thing you wish you could change about yourself? [ scarlet ]  what is one thing you wish you could do? [ ruby ]  give one random fun fact about yourself. [ tangerine ]  do you speak other languages? if yes, which? [ amber ]  which is your favorite season? why? [ bronze ]  if you were stranded on a deserted island, which three things would you want to have with you? [ apricot ]  what do you think your life will be like in ten years? [ canary ]  do you have pets? if yes, how many and what? [ lemon ]  do you believe in ghosts? how about aliens? [ bumblebee ]  where have you always wanted to travel to? [ blonde ]  what is your favorite type of music? favorite artist? favorite song? [ lime ]  describe yourself as a character / mix of characters you've always related to the most. [ emerald ]  bonus round: coffee or tea? morning or night? extroverted or introverted? hot or cold? fruits or vegetables? sweet or salty?

[ mint ]  when did you start your blog? what made you start it? [ olive ]  what gives you the most inspiration for your muse(s)? [ cerulean ]  what is your favorite ( type of ) character to write? [ teal ]  which fandom has been your favorite to be a part of? which has been the least favorite? [ azure ]  is there a specific character or type of character you want to write but never have? why? [ navy ]  what do your muse(s) mean to you? [ indigo ]  when did you first start writing / roleplaying? [ denim ]  have you ever roleplayed on any other site(s) besides tumblr? [ mauve ]  give one random headcanon about your muse / one of your muses. [ lavender ]  if you could change one thing about the rpc as a whole, what would it be? [ plum ]  are you more of a dialogue or a description writer? [ mulberry ]  what tips would you give someone with writer's block? [ coral ]  give a shoutout to one of your favorite blogs. [ fuchsia ]  bonus round: angst or fluff? one-liners or paras? plotting or winging it? memes or starter calls? single muse or multimuse?