#failbetter

Where is the Efficient Commissioner during this hell?

the game lets me pick this from the get go and i don't feel like i'm being shorted any content because i didn't feel up to romance. it's also acknowledged in game? like it's a small thing i guess but it did mean a lot when archie was like "i never thought i was someone up to the flesh without the heart" or whatever the hell it was. like i am in relationships with people who are alloromantic, all of them. and i do like that. i liked flirting and stuff prior to my having romantic feelings for them too. but like. i do really want to just feel like i'm allowed to instantly be sexually attracted to someone and feel like i'm allowed to pursue sex for sex's sake and not have that be a lesser thing. and i really, really, REALLY want to just be able to sleep with friends i'm attracted to and not in love with and i don't have to worry about someone thinking i'm leading them on just because i don't feel a certain way.

this leads me to the like way this is all presented to the player in game. namely that the game asks you up front upon meeting a character if you'd like to pursue them. this i found a bit weird upon first seeing it but i was excited and so at the second opportunity i had i got over my weird shame over it and just went yeah let's fuck this person, that is what i would like to do game. and then it doesn't judge me for this. it just goes sure, here's that content and it feels like it is around for something other than titillation. i don't mind titillation. gods know i don't. but like i dunno it's nice to have a character who is apparently my friend and i can just go "yeah i'm down to fuck" and then that means something emotionally without romance attached.

also this kind of helps me with my priorities in game since i can just go "yes, yes, no, no, no, yes" at everyone and then look at my little journal and go "right, this is who we are prioritizing". so i don't have the urge to get distracted and off task. i will admit it comes off as a bit clunky and very openly game-y even when compared to shit like tokimemo where meeting characters is literally based off grinding specific stats. i'm able to put that aside though and there are aspects about it i like. because, again, it does feel nice to have the game go "so here's this lady. do you want to fuck her just based on vibes alone?" and that's. fine. like it's fine. for once i'm not being judged for my lust at first sight deal and it's just...wonderful.

first was sketched by @zecchou, lined by @ambereddragonfire and coloured by me.

second was sketched by @ambereddragonfire and lined by me

the last was sketched by me.

the finished grid below, featuring @emway99, @anchor-ice and @missiefishu: