#update utterances

…In the northern hemisphere, which, as we all know, is the only one that anyone pays any attention to.

This day marks the true end of winter, twenty days after the cultural end of winter—the end of February—and, of course, four days after the prophesied end of winter, March 16th, as foretold by the Groundhog Oracle of Punxsutawney precisely six weeks prior.

Even in the real world, some prophecies can be a little off the mark, when interpreted by us fallible humans. Winter, like all seasons, always seems to last a bit longer than you expect it to.

This conclusion, however, is very real. In today's Soulbound update, as the snow melts and gives way to spring, a time of growth and renewal, so too does this chapter of cold isolation finally come to a dramatic end, and perhaps, if you're very lucky, the promise of bounty and sustenance.

With the conclusion of this foray into the past, upon this snow mountain pass, we now also pave the way for the next step of the MC's journey, a metaphorical springtime in the form of a return to the present day.

…Where it is, canonically, also still winter, because the story starts in January.

Winter always lasts a bit longer than you expect it to.

But at least in the real world, it's over…for now.

For some of you, this is a cause to celebrate.

For at least one person here on Tumblr (if you're reading this, you know who you are), it is very much not.

Regardless, it is today, and shall remain so for some time, because time cares not for how we feel about each day that passes.

Time does not care about Charlotte's feelings, either, as today's update marks her return to the annals of this long-form tragedy; and so she now finds herself in the same predicament as the MC: stationed in a frozen wasteland in the middle of nowhere, resources waning, surrounded by people she hates—potentially including you! (But definitely including Wesley/Weylon. Look forward to that.)

But as with all birthdays, the only thing one can really do is wish for something better to come on another day, knowing that this wish will never come to pass, and then snuff out the few flames lit in commemoration of this bittersweet occasion.

..I'm not sure where the cake comes into this metaphor. Assume that there is no cake.

In fact, there may be no celebration at all, depending on your relationship with her. In this case, there are probably no candles either, no flames even to snuff out, for they were never lit in the first place.

There is only the wish.

I'm sure I don't even need to explain why this occasion is relevant to the story!

But I will anyway.

This is a day of feasting, of family, of home, warmth, comfort, and plenty.

It is, therefore, today on which we further commemorate the Soulbound MC’s journey through famine, isolation, hardship, scarcity, and bitter, bitter cold.

Also, their familiy is still dead.

This is the day that proud patriots commemorate the birth of an incredible beacon of hope, freedom, and inspiration. I don't even need to name the occasion, I'm sure, as so many of you know to what I refer, even across so many cultures, all around the world, in a day many people simply, and very descriptively, call the 4th of July.

But how can we, your widespread international audience, celebrate this monumental national event that's nevertheless so important to the whole world, I hear you all asking?

Well, I don't know about the res of you, but here in the US, there are many ways people like to celebrate occasions such as this, time-honored, true-blue American traditions, such as setting off fireworks (originally from China), eating hot dogs (originally from Germany), having picnics (originally from France), and spending the day lounging in the hot, blistering rays of the afternoon sun (originally from outer space).

Of course, that's the American way. But I'm sure the rest of you can take some inspiration from our very original ideas!

Or you could celebrate this deep national source of pride by playing today's Soulbound update, which takes place in a completley different country, from a completely different world, featuring a completely different species, in a completely different month, which is all parallel to a facsimile of our world where real life countries still don't exist, because this is all fiction anyway.

But the blistering sun is still there, so that might be close enough for you!

Either way, I'm glad we could all gather here to commemorate a day of such inspiring worldly significance, which I know you're all eager to celebrate: the birthday of one of Italy's greatest national heroes, Giuseppe Garibaldi!

I think there might also be some other events happening today, but nobody really cares about those.

Today, we celebrate and honor the efforts of labor movements to bring us fairer and more just working environments—a cause that has definitely worked out really well in the US, which is now completely free from corruption, wage inequalities, and unfair labor practices across all sectors and industries.

But it was not always so! In olden days, before silly notions like "unions" existed, workers were forced to endure horrifying working conditions with no recourse, putting their own lives on the line to carve out meager existences in this cruel, cruel world.

It is this situation, of course, that the MC now finds themself in, stranded on a snowy peak without proper tools (equipment violation), fighting for their life all day and night (overtime violation), forced to work with at least one hostile, misogynistic, bullying coworker (workplace violation), constantly being shot at by enemy combatants (safety violation), and, of course, no dental benefits (health violation).

But of course, they cannot know better what they are missing, and thus cannot possibly fathom that this kind of life is unjust, and so they endure.

And now, with the new update, so can you!