#otome stuff

I’ve been playing an otome game on my Nintendo Switch (“Temirana”), and I’ve been completely absorbed. Not just because of the story and lore (which is very good!!), but because of the characters. Their personalities, their dynamics, the way they’re written… it all just hits different.

And somehow this set my brain on fire enough, so I can’t stop thinking and yapping about it. And I’m still early in the game. (THANK YOU NIKI FOR ENABLING ME. I LOVE YOU💙😭).

Milan is this stoical blacksmith who claims he doesn’t talk much but then goes on detailed tangents about his craft and other things that are very interesting. (Me: “Just keep talking.”) Protective, mature, gives those “I got you, just calm down” vibes without needing to say it. And his voice? Deep and calm, and you can hear the smile when he delivers his dry remarks. I can’t breathe. (He is also super hot.)

I think I'm not prepared for his route. At all. I'm giggling and kicking my feet every time he opens his mouth (or just exists, really). Suddenly I'm not a responsible adult anymore but more like twirling my hair in front of my screen on a constant basis. HELP.

Josephy is a proud prince (of a lost kingdom, no less) who banters constantly but has these genuine moments of insight that just floor you. He cherishes honor, always keeps his word, makes me want to smack him affectionately ALL THE TIME. (It’s the kinda dynamic where you think the MC and him should get a room and make out asap and then acknowledge their feelings, but well. It’s a slow burn.)

His VA is one of my all-time favorites. The emotional range, the intensity in certain scenes (he made me cry in other games before). I’ve been wrecked before by this voice, and it’s happening again (I think). But Josephy's also just very well-written. I think his story will be amazing. I just know it.

Adel is a farmer with the softest voice (and hair, I guess?) and pretty puppy eyes who yearns and suffers because he feels like he’s not good enough to be a knight. Not good enough to be a hero. Humble, self-sacrificial vibes, strong morals, so caring of others, and when he gets vulnerable and contemplative in his monologues I just melt. HELLO??!

And when he gets so excited about small things, he shows this genuine delight and his laugh gives me cuteness aggression and makes me go: awww. But he can also be very firm and all that. No idea about his story yet, but I'm intrigued. And in case that needed clarification after that long description: The Phainon energy is pretty strong with this one. (Even his looks kinda fit…)

And then there’s Alison, MC’s personal guard, who’s super attractive and handsome (makes you want to jump on him, seriously) and not even a Love Interest (WHY!!). Lazy attitude but actually super competent and mature. Teasing constantly but always knows the right thing to say. His voice has this confident drawl that just oozes “nothing will happen to you as long as I’m here” and I’m SUFFERING. He is so damn hot AND FOR WHAT.

And yes I have a thing for voices in case that wasn't obvious at this point.

Ah well, now you see how I tend to react to characters. (The favorites I write for here are certainly no exception. Just shows differently depending on the character.)

ANYWAY. Here’s the thing about my creative process: when I get stuck with writing, I turn to games like this for relaxation. And then my brain goes: “OMG I NEED TO WRITE FUN STUFF NOW. ALL THE TENSION. LET THEM MAKE OUT LET THEM YEARN LET THEM SUFFER IN ALL THE GOOD WAYS. ALL THE BANTER AND TEASING AND JUST GOOD DYNAMICS.”

The character personalities unstick my writing brain. Suddenly I have 50 ideas for scenarios, different dynamics, emotional beats I want to explore. The voice acting makes me think about how other characters speak, their cadence, the subtext in tone. And then I’m productive again.

This is why you’re getting a mix of serious projects and drabbles right now. My brain needed the creative reset, and apparently that reset involves stoical blacksmiths, arrogant princes, soft farmers, unromanceable guards, and voice actors making me forget how to breathe.

This process has worked for years, by the way. I can only recommend it. Stuck → consume good character writing → creative explosion → WRITE ALL THE THINGS. It’s a cycle.

So yeah. That’s where my head is at. Chaotic, inspired, and very much in my feelings about fictional knights. :D

I'll probably play some more later today, so imagine me spiraling even more which will lead to more...fanfic writing. :D