I was originally just giggling because Faust keeps making the exact same wide-eyed face whenever MC says she wants to make him feel good. It is extremely cute. He looks like she has introduced a completely unauthorized variable into the room.

But then I noticed it happening again. And again. And now I am pacing around the psychological corkboard with red string because why does this particular kind of attention seem to short-circuit him so reliably?

MC desiring him does not seem to faze him much. He can handle desire. He can tease her, provoke her, take control of the situation, and turn the whole encounter into one of his little experiments before she has finished processing the first sentence. But the moment she turns that attention back onto him and says she wants him to enjoy himself, the procedure stalls.

In one scene, MC tells him:

“Actually, I want to touch you.”

And he just stares at her.

In another, she straddles him, and Faust immediately decides this must be an attempted regime change:

Which is such a Faust response. Affection has occurred without prior authorization, so clearly this is an uprising.

Except then MC explains that she is not trying to seize control. She just wants him to relax and enjoy himself, and he goes quiet again. In another scene, she tells him she wants him to feel good too and caresses his cheek. His eyes widen, and a moment later he tells her that she knows exactly how to “shatter” his self-control.

At first I thought this was simply an adorable recurring expression. Unfortunately, Faust has a childhood, so now we have to discuss it.

He was abandoned as a baby and raised by Mother Therese in a poor orphanage. As he grew older, he helped care for the other children, but deliberately avoided becoming attached to them because he expected them to leave. Some died during the winter. Others disappeared after being taken in by foster families.

Then he discovered that men posing as representatives of adoptive families were actually selling children into forced labor and exploitation, and his response was to offer himself to them. He tried to bargain for them to cut their ties with the orphanage and intended the money for Mother Therese’s treatment, only for the adults involved to break their promise anyway.

So from a very young age, Faust learned that caring for someone meant taking responsibility, making himself useful, enduring whatever happened next, and trying to impose some kind of control because the adults around him could not be trusted to protect the children or keep their promises. Even as a child, he kept placing himself in the role of protector rather than protected.

And then I looked back at adult Faust and became deeply normal about this.

Because Faust is very comfortable when he is the one doing the caring. He may disguise it as observation, protection, instruction, medical interference, or general insufferable competence, but the structure remains the same. He decides the pace. He manages the situation. He stays useful.

MC saying, “I want you to feel good too,” removes all of that. She is not asking him to protect her, guide her, study her, fix something, or prove his value. She is simply paying attention to his pleasure because it matters to her.

There is no task, nothing to earn, and nothing to solve. He has to let someone else watch his reactions and trust that her care does not depend on him remaining useful or in control.

No wonder his first instinct is to call it a coup. A struggle for control is familiar territory. Uncomplicated kindness is the real ambush.

And now his line about MC knowing how to “shatter” his self-control is sitting differently in my brain too, because his control is not only arrogance or a preference for being in charge. It feels like something he built out of necessity long before it hardened into personality.

Faust can handle being wanted. Being cared for freely, with no task attached, seems to be the thing that actually leaves him without a procedure.

Anyway, Cybird needs to stop giving the prickly science vampire coherent trauma responses and then removing his shirt. This is highly irresponsible character design. 🤭

Happy 7th Anniversary everyone! This wonderful event zine which was hosted by @yanderepuck for all of us on the english servers to get wonderful new art and fics after the discontinuation of new content in the game. This is my second fic for the event and I hope you enjoy it and everyone elses hard work for the event! Pairing: Comte x Mitsuki, wc approx 1976.

A Glimpse of Eternity

“You know this is your own fault right?”

“I'm well aware.”

Comte looked over at his old friend and reached for his cigarillo taking a puff.

“Cara Mia will be happy with anything so long as it's from you.”

Comte let out a faint laugh and passed the cigarillo back to Leonardo.

“That's not helpful, old friend.”

Leonardo shrugged, smoke curling upwards into the night as Comte returned inside. The other residents were all asleep at this time and he wandered the halls aimlessly. He knew Leonardo was right, that Mitsuki would love anything he gave her but he wanted to make this anniversary special. He'd given her countless jewels, fine gowns, trips of all types, meals at exclusive restaurants. He'd also given her more simplistic gifts, flowers, a book she wanted, chocolates and she received every one with joy and excitement.

“Well this is annoying.”

Comte spoke to only himself as he continued following the twist and turns of the mansions hallways, the occasional thought or mutter escaping through his lips. It wasn't that he didn't have any ideas, just this year none of them seemed to be good enough. Mitsuki had given him everything, love, happiness, children and yet all he had given her so far felt like mere trinkets. Comte let out a sigh as his fingers reached subconsciously for his pocket watch and brushed along it.

“What could I possibly ever give you that could compare to what you've given me Cherie?”

He was about to turn down a different hallway when something caught his eye.The door.Comte's eyebrows furrowed, the door should have been shut and yet it was open just the smallest sliver.

“That shouldn't be.”

Worried one of the children had gotten out of bed and somehow opened it Comte hurriedly walked towards it. He stopped in front of it reaching out for the handle and as soon as he grabbed it the door swung open. Not outwards but inwards causing Comte to stumble forwards and losing his grip on the door that then shut itself behind him. Before he could process what exactly had happened the familiar gray haze of time enveloped him and the environment changed around him.

The Seine shimmered a soft gold under the gaslight lamps, two figures walking leisurely ahead along the edge.

“I can't believe it-”

It was Mitsuki's voice, light and bright as she leaned in to what Comte now realized was himself.

“-another anniversary already!”

“Time is generous to us.”

“You mean you're generous.”

They looked at each other, laughter rising into the night air before it shifted into gray haze.

The sun was bright, the scene familiar and bustling. It was the Foire De Chatou and up ahead Mitsuki was tugging on his sleeve like a child, a huge grin on her face.

“Those vases would be perfect for the flowers you bought me!”

“And here I thought you were displeased by their mere existence.”

Comte's tone was teasing as he feigned a sulk.

“I was displeased with how huge they were and having no place to put them all.”

The scene vanished as quickly as it came, sunlight replaced by firelight.

“Mmm Abel…”

“Tell me what you want Cherie.”

“I want more Abel, much more.”

“Are you sure? I'd hate for you to tire of me.”

A frantic shake of a head in the dark

“Never.”

Comte was grateful when the world shifted once again, not wanting to have to deal with any more...discomfort…then he was already in. The next scene was warm and familiar, but in a different way than the last. Him and Mitsuki were seated at a messily decorated dining room table and their children, several more than they currently had, were serving dishes made with more enthusiasm than skill.

“It's not burned!”

Cried one girl.

“Yes it is!”

Retorted who Comte recognized as their oldest.“No it's not!”

“It's only slightly burned.”

Another daughter chimed in trying to placate her sister.

“It's all absolutely perfect!”

Mitsuki clapped her hands together excitedly like it was the best meal she'd ever seen.

“I'll have to take you all out for pastries tomorrow.”

Cheers and squeals erupted from the children along with sentiments for a happy anniversary and Comte watched himself lean in and whisper in Mitsuki's ear.

“You’re spoiling them Cherie.”

“I learned it from you.”

The laughter and comfort faded into something more chaotic and urgent.

“More towels and warm water, quickly!”

The voice belonged to one of their daughters, no longer the small child from just moments ago. Two young girls nodded and rushed from the room, their hair flying behind them. Mitsuki lay on the bed, her breathing laboured and forehead damp with sweat as she gripped the sheets. A feeling of helplessness rose in Comte's chest seeing Mitsuki like that but before he could form a plan the door pushed open and Arthur, already rolling up his sleeves, came in followed by himself.

“You did great getting everything under control Celine. Now let's see how far along you are luv.”

“I'm pretty sure any minute now.”

Comte watched himself stride quickly over and lift Mitsuki's hand.

“Mitsuki.”

His voice was calming if not a little strained. Mitsuki squeezed his hand while smiling up at him through her pain.

“Looks like you get an extra present for our anniversary.”

“A very loud and expensive one at that.”

Arthur's joke filtered through the haze as time shifted once again taking the tightness in Comte's chest with it. Several more fleeting scenes shifted quickly before his vision before they all quietly settled into something more solid. A heavy wooden door opened in the distance to a room he wasn't familiar with. Near the center of it in front of a long mirror stood a young man, his oldest child now grown into a man. He was in a suit fidgeting with the cuffs of his jacket while looking at himself in the mirror.

“I'm sure everything will go smoothly.”

His son turned towards him, well his future self and let out a breath.

“It feels strange, being about to get married.”

A light chuckle.

“I suppose it would after almost 200 hundred years of being single.”

“You were single a lot longer than me!”

“Yes but I adjusted after a few decades and so will you.”

“That sounds so reassuring.”

A smirk played across Comte's face as his son rolled his eyes.

“I have something for you. I know traditionally the bride is the one that has something borrowed but I thought why not.”

Comte walked over and stopped in front of his son and took a handkerchief out of his pocket and tucked it into his son's making sure to fan it out as his son looked down confused.

“You never go anywhere without this, it's always on you.”

“True, but today I thought its proper place was with you.”

“Mom gave it to you right?”

“Yes, it was an anniversary gift.”

“What did you give her that year?”

Comte said nothing but a small secretive smile flashed across his face. It was silent for a while as Comte helped his son finish getting ready and then the mood in the room shifted.

“Papa?”

His son's voice was low and vulnerable, making one of Comte's eyebrows rise.

“What if I can't be a good husband? What if I make her miserable or ruin her life?”

Comte's mind thought back to his own insecurities regarding Mitsuki and he could tell his future self's thoughts had done the same. After a moment Comte's future self reached out and placed a hand on his son's shoulder.

“You'll be fine. You've grown into a good man, despite certain influences, and you care deeply for your wife. I have faith in the two of you to make it work.”

“My wife…”

Comte heard his son exhale deeply and saw his eyes go wide and he couldn't help but smile.

“Plus, you're getting married on a very auspicious day, you know. Couples that get married today are always the happiest and last near eternity.”

The world snapped back and Comte staggered. The quiet of the mansion surrounded him as he stood in front of the door, closed, just as it should be. He reached out, placing his palm against the wood.

“I take it that was supposed to help me with my dilemma?”

Comte didn't expect the door to answer back though he did wonder before slowly removing his hand and walking away thinking of everything it had chosen to show him.

Their wedding anniversary arrived in no time, a beautiful fall day and their children and mansion's residents giving them well wishes all day long. Around dinner Comte entered their room, Mitsuki sat at her vanity and caught his reflection in the mirror smiling at him before turning around.

“Abel!”

She pulled something from her vanity drawer and stood up rushing over to him.

“I've been trying to give you this all day but here, happy anniversary!”

“Thank you ma Cherie.”

Comte's lips turned upwards into a smile almost as big as Mitsuki's. He moved to his chair and sat down, Mitsuki perching on the armrest, then pulled on the ribbon and removed the lid. Inside was a silk handkerchief in a shade of warm yellow with rich golden threads embroidered along its edges. He removed it gently from its box and as he turned it in his hands he realized he had seen it not that long ago. As he unfolded it he saw the more intricate embroidery in one of the corners, an intricate A and M entwined together with a small heart beside them.

“Do you like it?”

Comte glanced up at her.

“Of course I do.”

Comte ran his fingers along the embroidery then tilted his head.

“Look closely Abel.”

Comte lifted the handkerchief looking closer, entwined in the golden threads was strands of rich brown.

“Hair?”

“Yes! I know that this type of thing has gone out of fashion even in this time but I wanted you to always have a piece of me with you, for eternity.”

Comte was at a momentary loss for words but Mitsuki just smiled at him then kissed him gently before sliding off the arm of the chair. She went back to her vanity, picking up her brush and combing through her hair.

“It won't take me much longer to get ready so we should be on time for the play.”

He vaguely registered her voice but his mind was stuck on that singular word, eternity. Gently Comte placed the handkerchief back in its box and set them on his chair. He walked over and stood behind Mitsuki letting his fingertips trail over her skin as he swept her hair back and he felt her shudder slightly.

“Abel?”

“I believe ma cherie-”

Comte placed a kiss on her neck.

“That it's time for your gift as well.”

He caught her smiling eyes reflecting in the mirror.

“Hmm, is it another necklace? I could open my own jewelry store with the ones you've given me already.”

Comte let out a chuckle then placed another kiss on her neck.

“No, this is much more intimate.”

A soft moan fell from Mitsuki's lips.

“We'll be late for the play.”

“We’ll miss it entirely actually…”

Comte placed another kiss this time to the crook of her neck then looked up and held her gaze in the mirror as he let his next words whisper over her skin

“...but we'll have a near eternity to see it again.”

“Abel…”

I ended up really enjoying his route. I don't remember much of the other routes, but even so, I can say that Charles's is one of my favourites going forward. I also now really like Charles, I suppose its no surprise since he isn't so different from Arthur who is my favourite, but maybe Charles will overtake him. I found him very endearing, even when he was lying to MC at the start of the story. I think its because there is very clearly something wrong with him despite his good intentions, he has those crazy eyes. I also find his sprite very cute, he looks adorable in cards.

I did feel incredibly sad for him though. He deals with his trauma in such a harmful way, but for most of the story, he's unaware of how damaging his coping mechanism is and sees it as a positive to society. Another thing is the way he talks about his hardships, he just sounds so accepting of it, he doesn't blame anyone but himself. Sometimes he says it with a devoid smile, and other times, he looks so sad with his puppy eyes sprite. There was one scene where he and MC are in the castle gardens, and Charles spoke about how much he enjoyed going to school, even if he was bullied, and he was so upset when he was forced to pull out and be homeschooled. He talks about how he used to stare outside his window, wishing he was as free as the birds, but he couldn't leave. He didn't want to let down his family, or force someone else to take up the mantle, so he stayed. I honestly can relate to an extent. I was teased at school but I still enjoyed it, and up until I was eighteen I wasn't allowed to do anything. Even now, there are things I want to do, but I am discourgaed to do due to family reputation, I'll try to not let it be this way though. Other scenes such as Charles talking about how he always wanted to see the ocean upset me too, I wish we got to see him go.

I think his route was built up well, sometimes Ikevamp rushes things or drags these things out, I'm glad they gave his route the time to address the complexities of his trauma so readers could understand him. This build up only made the climax even crazier. The readers are genuinerly fooled into thinking Charles killed himself, the photo of his corpse so eery. At first I was suspicous Vlad had pulled one over MC, but with the rush of everything going on, I ended up forgetting and believing the illusion was real. I thought the story would have MC go back in time to save Charles, but then its revealed it was Vlad showing her a likely reality.

I usually skip the sex scene beacuse I think its cringey and badly written, but I read Charles's second to last avatar challenge because again, it was so sad. For him and MC. It also played a huge part for his climax too (no pun intended). MC is using her trump card to try and save Charles but he isn't havening it because he's trying to save her too.

All of this leads to his story being wrapped up beautifully, I like how MC is the one rushing to save the man instead of it being the other way around. I noticed the sequence of events was similar to Snow White/ Sleeping Beauty and Charles actually pretends to be the sleeping princess whilst playing with the children in the interlude, so that was a nice easter egg.

Vlad was interesting in this route, I played his route before Charles's, so I knew what role MC has on his life regardless of the suitor she picks. If I hadn't, Vlad's behaviou would've been even more confusing. I found it sweet that Vlad actually helped Charles and MC in his own way, despite his love for MC because he wants both of them to be happy. It makes me wonder if Vlad did anything similar in Faust's route, I don't remember. I know he does with Shakespeare, he spares him and MC for seemingly no reason when it was released.

Vlad fucking hates red heads

Evidence?? Charles Will and Isaac

Charles because Vlad made the boy go insane to the point where he KILLED HIMSELF

Will because Vlad took advantage of him soooo much, he was basically brainwashed the entirety of Vincents route, and Will was 100% prepared to die bc he went against Vlad in his own route

Isaac because...well...in Vlad's route that whole scheme was on Isaac's birthday and no one even acknowledged his birthday

MAN HATES RED HEADS

PART FOUR

Word count: 348

Link to zine

PART THREE

Word count: 920

Link to zine

i was one of the participants in a zine hosted by @yanderepuck !!!! i made 2 watercolour pieces: one for Faust and one for Arthur. i was also one of the cover artists alongside @acreattaviacco and @weird-profiterole for the three tumblr election winners (where voter fraud totally didn’t happen).

please check us out, everyone really poured a lot of love into this zine to celebrate this game and fandom! a project by fans for fans 💖