Love and Deepspace Stuff

There are polls going around on XHS, Weibo and Xitter. So I thought it would be a good idea to do a poll here too.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ been so distraught lately i haven’t remembered to eat lunch, so please indulge with me again ˖ ࣪ ⊹

zayne: he helps you meal plan and meal prep every week, making sure your nutrition is well balanced to meet your needs as his patient and his girlfriend. besides, you won't forget lunch, of course. you're a good girl aren't you? good girls remember to eat, or they don't get rewarded. so you'll remember, won't you, darling?

xavier: he will feed you himself. that is a threat. he's your partner so you can't escape his attention. you'll never get the opportunity to forget lunch because he'll carry you kicking and screaming out of the office building if he has to. and when he can't be with you, he's strategically hidden your favorite snacks in your gear, your purse, in your desk at work and so on.

valko: shows up wherever you are to take you to lunch every day. has a meeting on the other side of town? they can wait, he's gotta take his girl for lunch. you're in the middle of a mission? not anymore. there's this new bbq place he wants to take you. if either of you are out of town, he'll video call so you can still eat together. you get the feeling it's as much for his benefit as yours.

sylus: has the fanciest most ridiculous lunches delivered to you specifically because it riles you up. does not accept critique. they may cost more than you make in a day, and they are always infuriatingly delicious. though he is disappointed you won't accept the wine pairing he's provided. the meal won't be complete without at least one glass of that new vintage he finally got his hands on.

rafayel: 8 million text messages until you send him video proof that you are eating. no he will not stop. if you block him he'll just steal thomas's phone and guilt trip you for blocking him for trying to take care of his poor cutie. sure he's a hipocrite, but it's you he's talking about right now.

getting his enrichment for the day 🙂‍↕️

I will be saying this as someone who’s done her fair share of research in marketing (and well— these are some of the most basic ideas— common knowledge if you will)

It is important now more than ever that we boycott this game. This is because the article made the point that Valko’s return will be determined by market data (also content quality and long-term planning) —Quote from article below

If we genuinely want to increase the chances of Valko returning, the strongest message we can send is through our engagement—or, in this case, our lack of it. Avoid downloading, playing, or spending money on the game until meaningful changes are made.

—

Quote from the article: “Whether Ao Yin will be reinstated should be determined by Papergames based on content quality, market data, and long-term planning. However, the continued growth of overseas petitions has provided a noteworthy signal: when a character can generate signatures, creative works, charitable activities, and offline actions in multiple countries and regions, re-examining and product validation of them is not merely a response to public opinion, but may also be a repricing of global user needs and existing content investment.”

The article itself recognizes that the growing number of overseas petitions, fan creations, charity efforts, and offline events is a meaningful signal, demonstrating social proof. It shows that this is more than just some wave of online complaints (like the trolls had done) and that there is a real and dedicated global community that cares about this character, along with creative liberty. It gives us the idea that reconsidering putting Valko back could also be a way for Papergames to acknowledge what players value and make the most of the investment— that would be an even bigger loss altogether if they decide not to put him in— already put into the character.

That is why boycotting matters. If the company is looking at market data (which they will— they use observable consumer behavior as signals of demand) to make its decisions, then our actions become part of that data. Continued spending and engagement, from a market data stand point (so in the case where we don’t look at the overall engagement, donations, and everything this community has done together for Valko) can make it seem like we the players are satisfied, while stepping back shows that the situation has had a real impact on the community and shows Valko’s brand equity, aswell as the fact that he isn’t just important for the game as a whole, but also has significant revenue potential and bringing him back would bring in a lot of profit— showing his revenue potential, covering over the original investment costs and restore engagement from those of us who have stepped away from the game.

FAQ:

Q: Shouldn’t we support PPG and spend money? What if something happens to the game?

A: Papergames is a large company, and a temporary boycott from players is not going to suddenly cause the game to collapse. Taking a step back for a few weeks is a way to show how much this issue matters to the community, not a way to harm the game.

Continuing to spend and log in as usual sends the message that players are still satisfied and doesn’t show any clear evidence of the possibility of a revenue and potential profit increase if Valko were to be brought back. A short-term pause in spending and engagement allows the company to see the decrease in player retention and an increase in “lost players” (as per the data would show regarding the many people who have stopped logging in). It shows that there is a real impact and that the community’s concerns deserve attention. The goal is not to damage the game; the goal is to provide clear consumer feedback. Boycotting gives them statistical data of spending before and after Valko’s cancellation, which would then prove his value to the game and the profit that would come from bringing him back.

Q: What if my main’s card reruns during this time?

A: The best decision would be to still boycott. I understand how difficult it may be to have to skip a card for your main and stay logged out, especially if you’ve been wanting to get it. However, spending engagement time and money into the game during this period still sends a message through market data that everything is fine and doesn’t impact player retention analytics. They do not get statistical data of whether or not Valko impacts the game.

I’d also like to add— in the most non-biased or directed way possible and as a Rafayel main— that none of the love interests would support engaging in the game during this time, especially considering what has been done to creative liberty, the developers, creatives in general, and Valko by the toxic players and if change is possible if we boycott.

Think about it. The love interests themselves would eventually be affected in the long run if Valko were to remain gone, as the original story, creative vision, and foundation and plannings of the game that made it the game we know and love would disappear, which would then impact the future of the game. The game could possibly have an eventual ending or be scrapped— as player attachment and engagement levels continue to decrease (it would not be the fault of of the boycott, but would happen because it would fail to be the game that it had always been), which means your love interest may not have anymore content and would disappear into the void. All the love interests have a sort of connection. When one is affected, all six are affected. Which means with Valko gone, the other five would eventually meet an end as the game stops functioning.

None of the LIs would want that outcome. They also would not support the harmful treatment that the fake players have given Valko, the team, the players, the game after everything that it has done, along with the disrespect to creative liberty and the ungrateful entitlement that they have shown, being rewarded and would find the behavior and actions despicable. After everything the game has provided to its community, rewarding entitlement and negativity would go against the appreciation and respect that the developers and creative team deserve.

Protecting creative freedom means protecting the stories and characters that made people love the game in the first place, as well as the people behind it.

I know the boycotting is difficult and it is hard to let go of a card you’ve been waiting for, but cards— even if we’re a little impatient— will always continue to return through reruns. However, this movement will not have another chance to make the same impact. The love interests would want us to do this. For them, for the development team, for the sake of creative liberty, and for everything that was done wrong and every extremely messed up and disrespectful thing said or done to everyone involved (including us as players and Valko himself)

Remember: If Papergames is using player behavior and revenue data to make decisions, then our actions are what they will see.

Q: I’ll boycott, but is there anything else we can do?

A: Of course! Boycotting the game gives the company statistics on their market data. On top of this, there are other things we can keep doing to show our dedication.

You can continue sharing accurate information about Valko’s situation, participate in discussions respectfully, use his tags, make posts to keep him trending, support and make fan creations, and help others understand why this movement exists. Petitions, creative works, and community efforts are very important because they show PPG and Infold that this isn’t just a temporary reaction and that it reflects a genuine connection that players have with the character.

It’s also important to keep conversations respectful.

The goal is not to attack developers, other players, or the game itself.

The goal is to show that players care about the characters and the creative decisions behind the game, and that they want those voices to be considered.

—

Overall, every action and every person taking action counts. We need to show Papergames and Infold that taking Valko away has caused serious damage to their revenue and that bringing him back, as seen through the compared market data from before his cancellation and every single thing that we have done and achieved together as a community, will increase revenue.

Bringing Valko back would acknowledge us— the players who have continued to support him— and also show the company that listening to global user demand (something they should’ve been doing) can lead to renewed engagement, stronger player trust, and future success.

It is important for us to continue boycotting the game for the sake of showing the comparable, landslide-of-a-difference in market data from before his cancellation and after.

We got this, LADies! We’ve come so far in the last two weeks, it feels unreal. Show them the effect of Valko’s removal in general and on the revenue and the potential profit increase that will come with his return! Let’s continue fighting— we’re stronger than ever! Take care of yourselves and do whatever you can to continue helping throughout the movement. We’re doing so well and I am proud of us!

Love you all <333

“doctor zayne said this” and “doctor zayne said that”.

what did doter sayne actually say?

Thought this was going to be a cute fic for Valko so here it is~!

The first time it happens, you don’t even realize what Valko is doing.

You’re lying face-down on the bed, exhausted for no reason, dramatically complaining into a pillow about how existence is terrible and your back hurts and you might actually die.

Valko walks in carrying a grocery bag.

“You forgot these again,” he says.

You lift your head. “Forgot what?”

He sets the bag beside you.

Inside are your favorite snacks, painkillers, fuzzy socks, chocolate, and your preferred products.

You stare at him.

Slowly.

“…What.”

Valko pauses like he’s confused why you’re confused. “You’ll need them tomorrow.”

And unfortunately?

He’s right.

After that, you start noticing the pattern.

Every single month, right before your cycle starts, Valko somehow becomes even softer with you.

He’ll pull you closer while you’re half asleep, pressing a kiss into your hair while murmuring, “You’re colder than usual.”

Or he’ll quietly appear beside you with tea before you even realize you wanted any.

One night you’re curled up on the couch with cramps, trying very hard to pretend you’re fine.

Valko sits beside you silently for a moment before lifting your legs into his lap.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re in pain.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

He ignores you completely, resting one warm hand over your stomach.

The warmth sinks through you almost instantly.

Your entire body relaxes.

“…Oh.”

“I know,” he says softly.

You narrow your eyes. “Are you secretly magical or something?”

“No.”

“Because this feels illegal.”

That earns the tiniest smile from him.

And honestly? That smile alone almost cures you.

Almost.

The sweetest thing is that Valko never acts annoyed about any of it.

Not when you’re emotional.

Not when you randomly start crying over a sad animal video.

Not even when you send him to the store at 11 PM because you suddenly need a very specific candy.

He just comes back with three bags of it and gently pushes your feet aside so he can sit down.

“You bought extra?”

“You looked serious.”

“I was serious.”

“I could tell.”

And then there are the nights where the cramps get really bad.

Those are the nights Valko barely lets you move.

You’ll try to get up for water and suddenly there’s a hand around your wrist.

“Stay.”

“I can walk, you know.”

“You can barely stand.”

“That’s dramatic.”

“You almost walked into the wall.”

“…The wall moved.”

At that, Valko actually laughs quietly under his breath.

Then he pulls you back against his chest, wraps a blanket around both of you, and starts absentmindedly rubbing circles against your stomach while you melt into him.

“You’re ridiculously nice to me during this,” you mumble sleepily.

“You say that like it’s temporary.”

Your heart does the stupid fluttery thing immediately.

“You know,” you say, tilting your head up toward him, “most people would be weird about periods.”

Valko looks genuinely unimpressed.

“It’s a normal bodily function.”

“Okay, but you say that like a disappointed doctor.”

“Because humans act strange about things that are normal.”

You grin a little. “So you don’t mind taking care of me?”

Valko looks down at you for a long moment, expression softening in that quiet way that always makes your chest ache.

Then he brushes hair away from your face and kisses your forehead.

Luke and Kieran share a clip of you- scolding them for being so reckless- on their spam account, and it goes viral. Maybe for the wrong reasons. thank you to everyone who has supported <3

rafayels ver | xaviers ver | zaynes ver | calebs ver |

Reminder that after 9:00AM PDT/10:00AM MDT/11:00AM CDT/12:00PM EDT on July 6th, do NOT post on RedNote or Weibo.

I repeat, DO NOT POST ON ANY CHINESE MEDIA APPS ON JULY 6TH.

At those times, it will be 12:00AM on July 7th in Beijing. July 7th is a sensitive, historical day for China. The CN fans have respectfully asked us to avoid posting on CN apps.

You are still free to post on Instagram, X, Facebook, and other American-owned media apps. For the good of the protest, please be respectful of this.

what if, before either of you know youre pregnant, he can already smell it? a persons scent shifts from time to time anyway, so its not really alarming when he notices that you smell different. its not bad or even off, really, but... he cant quite place it, the way you now smell warm and strangely soothing. (its not like hes ever had reason to stick his nose into a pregnant persons business before.)

Hehe yes yes yes

Sixth Love and Deepspace Masterlist

they’d done dealings before, and are on relatively good terms— the standard being: having had no major war between their factions and men— but he cannot still understand the inner workings of his business partner.

because when sylus leaves the room to answer a phone call, he wonders why in this planet would he leave his two children, vulnerable and defenseless, alone with a stranger.

valko worries for the children’s safety. especially this one named lucian, who balances himself on the edge of the seat’s headrest.

“you’ll fall.” he states, because it is a fact.

“no, won’t.” the sharply dressed little one replies just as assuredly. his new suit squeaks and threads strain under the unusual movements.

the other one, identical in features but not in behavior, sits on the very seat just below his brother. if lucian falls, lucian-two will be squished.

because why are we expected to sit quietly and be grateful for crumbs when we were teased an entire character, got invested, got excited, and then were told to simply move on?

no, actually.

if people can make noise when they dislike something, then people are allowed to make noise when something they did want gets taken away too.

i wanted the wolfboy. i was ready for the wolfboy. i had already made room in my little morally questionable heart for the wolfboy.