✨ you only get one chance...

[liltuna]

THE FIRST IMPRESSION MEME   You only get once chance to put your best foot forward. Screw that up, and you'll be forever seared in someone's mind as the person who had spinach in their teeth, or worse! ✨HOW TO PLAY 1. Drop a top-level! 2. If you have previous CR with someone, you'll have to let them know what your first-impression of them was. If this is your first time meeting, you'll be compelled to share what kind of vibe they give off. It's okay to be honest! Are they gross? Do they seem approachable? Do you find them incredibly hot?  3. Find out if your first impression was correct! Maybe that strange loner actually has a heart of gold? You'll never know unless you talk to them!

Comments

[cryptant]

If those are of questionable morals, or you were unwillingly involved in a tragedy— [ Kirschtaria stresses with his index finger uncurled and pointing up. ] That would make you an anti-hero. Dare I say that is more popular nowadays?

[flamescion]

Are you... making excuses for me?

[cryptant]

I am only creating a hypothetical scenario.

[flamescion]

[Well, it sounds pretty real to her! Kiana's brow furrows before she gives up on it.]

Yeah, and what about the love interest? Some childhood friend, or a new manic pixie dream girl?

[cryptant]

Must there be one? [ Kirschtaria asks, nodding along. ] Those two options are good enough, though I am not as familiar with romantic troupes to give an educated opinion.

[ What if...manic pixie dream girl childhood friend? ]

[flamescion]

Of course! I don't buy into the whole "good deeds win you love" but... people who struggle together for the same cause can create really strong bonds! Isn't it a little romantic to have someone know what you've been through, experienced trials and tribulations with you, and support you all the way? I mean, sure, it goes both ways. But I'm sure the hero would be comforted knowing at least one person cares enough to say "I love you" at the end.

Isn't that kind of connection worth saving the world for?

[cryptant]

You are very passionate about romance. [ He lightly chuckles at her explanation. That must be important to her, so he's in no position to disagree. ].

I feel similarly, but with bonds of friendship.

[ With the small difference he expects no reward at the end of it. The satisfaction of defending something beautiful is inspiring enough. ].

[flamescion]

Well... we're still talking about a hypothetical fiction story, right? So of course it's going to have friendship. And found family! In fact... "I love you" doesn't have to come from the 'love interest'.

[I love you. Ich Liebe Dich. Her 'mom'...]

[cryptant]

We are. Please don't worry. [ He prefers the wholesome band-of-friends approach in fiction too. Like a RPG. But he has never played those. ] Found family? As a foster sibling?

[flamescion]

Could be! Or a mentor that becomes like a mother, a friend like a sister. Someone whose bond goes beyond explanation, but isn't romantic.

[Honestly, thinking about it makes her heart hurt. Cecilia and Himeko were both unequivocally kind. Kiana would not have been able to 'reform' after the 4th Eruption had it not been for both of those women taking her in; each in their own maternal way.]

[cryptant]

Are you sure? [ He blinks and nods along her idea. The "older" sibling figure, the admired senior, the teacher who guides the hero, those roles are common in films, however...] Being the protagonist's mentor is probably the most dangerous role in a fictional journal.

[flamescion]

You're right. But how are they supposed to improve and grow without a guide?

[cryptant]

Hm. Maybe we can switch genres. How about a comedy?

[flamescion]

...Do you really like this kind of thing? "Hypotheticals" and the crafting of stories?

[cryptant]

I hadn't had the time to do this before, but what-ifs are pleasant. Perhaps one of my friends rubbed off his love for stories.

[He has spent quite a time with Merlin in these spaces, although the Mage of Flowers would probably balk at the f-word.]

[flamescion]

No time? Why? Were you some big study nerd?

[cryptant]

Something like that. I spent a lot of my youth inside the halls of different faculties.

[flamescion]

Haha. I was never much one for stuff like that.

[History her worst subject of all! Honestly if something isn't 'exciting' enough to catch her attention she quickly loses sight of focus. Pretty much the same problem she has with cooking.]

[cryptant]

I am sure you are gifted in many fields outside of academics, Kiana.

[She's definitely more "street smart" than Kirschtaria. He can recognize this flaw of his.]

[flamescion]

Yeah, I guess you could say that. I could probably pick up ten of you just fine.

[Well, perhaps the weight of ten Kirschtarias. He's to tall for that many to be feasible as far as bulk goes.]

[cryptant]

I believe you. [ He assures her. ] I suppose I am not very heavy— for my height.

[ Before the Singularity runs his muscular mass was more normal. ]

[flamescion]

If that's the case we can probably increase the number. As a Valkyrie I can do much more that a normal human could.

[Technically, as a Herrscher, she can do more than a Valkyrie could. Though that comes with more baggage than the other.]

[cryptant]

Oh, you are a Valkyrie?

[ Kirschtaria asks, blinking and staring at her head with the suspicious lack of wing appendages growing out of her hair. ]

Apologies, I've seen a few of those, and they don't look like you, Kiana.

[flamescion]

[Then perhaps consider her Knight Moonbeam battlesuit.]

Oh come on, Valkyries are a cool enough legend that of course a bunch of girl-dominated groups are gonna take their names! In Schicksal the Valkyries are a collection of women who have been altered with Honkai DNA to save the world. I mean, the organization Shicksal is pretty shitty, but the Valkyries themselves are just trying to help humanity.

[cryptant]

[ Ah. Now that's the iconic Valkyrie look he remembers from the Norse Lostbelt Cryptercord chat with Ophelia. ]

So it's inspired. [ He hums. He is unfamiliar with "honkai". Nonetheless, he nods, thinking it must be similar to Lord Animusphere's Designed Children project which was a failure before poor Mash. It certainly revealed Marisbury's lengths to protect the future, even with methods Kirschtaria thinks a little too much. ] Forgive me. It wasn't too unrealistic for you to be a true Valkyrie from Norse mythology, considering this place.