#ghost shells

Ultimately-- because his shell reverted when he died, Ghost indicated that all shell changes are ongoing conscious efforts from the Ghost to maintain the physical change in the Light. The generalist shell is the default, by the look of things, but since Sagira's shell didn't do that, does this imply that they have a "natural" shell? The Generalist doesn't have to be the way they all started, whether or not the Young Wolf's did.

What does that say about the shells in Eververse? Are they patterns for the Ghost to shape? Solid pieces to infuse with Light? Meta-shaped pieces to fill in with Light? Does the Hareball Shell really exist? I've always seen our inventory as quick-access data, so if the shells we keep are the same, does the Ghost make them out of Light? Reshape themselves according to guidance?

Because I've noticed the ball core bit being two different configurations, one with the round eye and one with rectangle, among other differences, which change with the shell, but as I've recently discovered, the core body thing and the flaps are indeed parts of the same whole, which comes with its own fun questions about preferences and whether or not the Ghost can mismatch if they want.

Where do the non-standard come from? Glint was like that before he found Crow. Was the shell constructed by the Ghost as they shaped it? Were they born like that? (Knowing this game, both and more)

Can a Ghost make their shell completely disappear? Reduce it to the core? Can they make extra parts, or keep extra petal flaps around? Does dirt move with shell parts? Does the shell piece continue to exist outside of the Ghost, when the Ghost isn't paying attention? Does the same piece keep the same dirt on it between materialization? (I've always said yes about armor and guns until a recombination of the data is compiled, usually by upgrading)

I'm still pondering if they can exist outside their shell (so long as they aren't disrupted).

How much of the shell is actually under their control? Implications from shell configurations are that they can't control color pattern configurations and require a blueprint to follow; same with the flaps. Since the body is two shapes, I'm still inclined to think the narrative would see the Ghosts preferring one shape or another regardless of the rest of the shell but then the question becomes whether or not they can do that or if they're stuck with what's there.

What does this say about the solid chunk shells? Like the heart shaped shell or the squeaky toy? Did the Ghost climb inside of a thing they animate or did they shape it around themselves?

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Of course, the REAL answer is that animating every single shell in the game into that cut scene would be a massive pain in the ass and the reversion saves the effort, data, and time; and is a great way to kill him visually, with more impact than just the eye winking out.

Paulie didn't flinch at the sound of wind that entered his apartment, nor the cold that washed over him as a sign that a ghost was near.

Not just any ghost, his ghost.

He could feel Shells hovering over his shoulder, her hands trailing briefly over his bare skin as he brushed his teeth in the bathroom mirror. The glass reflected his face back to him, eyes rimmed by red and tiredness, but Shells was barely visible behind him, just barely corporeal these days.

"Hi," she spoke quietly, her voice whisking away in the sound of wind she emitted. Staring at Paulie's bared neck and holding him as he leaned over to spit out his toothpaste.

It cupped its hands, filled them with water, and rinsed its mouth out before standing back up to dry off.

Its eyes drifted to Shells' reflection carefully, then down to her hands on it, placing its hands gently on hers. It could feel nothing but its own skin.

"Hello," it said, in a tone just as quiet and gentle. She was suddenly looking older in her reflection, and when it turned to look at her. "It's been a long while since you've come around."

"I'm sorry," came the quick reply.

"Nothing to be sorry for," he responded just as fast, turning to face her. He had to look up even more than he used to, thanks to her floating form, and he smiled fondly.

She didn't smile back.

"You remember I don't have much more time on this plane, don't you?"

Paulie's eyes softened. "I don't forget... but I hoped you would. Just so we could have one more night together without worries."

Shells did smile then, head drifting down to kiss Paulie's hands in silence. "You've grown softer. I missed this side of you, Paul."

"I missed you." Gentle words, gentle hands, gentle eyes.

The ghost's hair floated around like they were surrounded by a giant pool of water together, and neither could even pretend like breathing was the first thing on their minds. She lifted her head back up, eyes meeting his. "I loved you. A lot, Paul."

"You know I can't--"

"I know. But that doesn't take away my truth. You grew up as my brother, and my best friend, and you were there on my last days." Somehow, she floated even closer, and the cold seeped into Paulie's already cold skin. "And I have to wonder, to trust, that had you met your half-end before I, that you would have done everything in your power to make sure we'd stay together."

Paulie's jaw twinged with her words, even as her voice grew weaker, as she faded in front of its eyes. "I would have, yes. I could have saved you, and I wouldn't have been trapped nearly as long if I'd had you to go back to. But that's the past. It's finished. There's no going back."

"There's no going back," Shells repeated. "And I wouldn't want to." Her hands roamed to the back of its neck and she placed another kiss on its shoulder before placing her head down on it.