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(1 edit) (+4)

Follow-up to a post I made a few days ago further down this page:

I played this a week ago and lost my mind. It turns out I made a bad decision, of the 3 times you get to make one, and it gave me an uncertain and astronomically sad ending. I was torn apart by the thought "it's not fair" because I thought that was it. It was just over.

But I played it again and made different decisions. Good ones. I cried again when I got to see....

X

---SPOILERS---

X

...the future. I missed it. I didn't know if we got a life with Amicus. I didn't know that we got to see him. For me, this past week has just been filled with a hole in my heart at the idea that we never got closure and tonight, I got it. Finding out that we DO, in fact, complete the mission and spend the rest of our lives with Amicus... I'm so glad I played again. I'm so sad I missed it the first time.

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---END SPOILERS---

X

Over the past week, I've dreamed about Amicus every single night, for real. I've never had a piece of media grip me by the throat like this. I don't know how to describe it. It's just a story. It's a fictional, alien wolf that kidnaps the reader who then goes through all kinds of traumatic events with tough characters and an exaggerated atmosphere.

But it just feels so honest. 

I don't know if Howly ever comes through these posts but if they do, and they're reading this, then thank you for sharing your story.

It's somehow changed how I think about a lot of things and while I'm still unpacking why, navigating through what this story means to me, just know that your passion has invoked emotions in so many people. I'm sure you know it, but many folks are looking forward to more!

I know that I'm only going to be able to read through the story so many more times before I move on, but I don't want to move on. I feel like a part of me will hurt without Amicus. SOOOOOO I ordered a small poster of him and I'm gonna have it framed for the wall next to my desk LMAO gotta keep him close. I won't miss him if he's never gone.

To the stars!

I had the same feeling. It really changed the way I feel about time, and how I feel about losing those around me. It doesn't help that my mom passed literally a month before I played it, and I had just got over the anxiety of feeling like she was still here while knowing she's never coming back. Turning 30 next year also has made me focus on the past a bit more, and how teenage years have passed and how bittersweet it would be to go back. I would be able to relive the times I miss, or correct mistakes I regret; live out life knowing more of my potential. Although, it wouldn't be worth reliving all of the misery, loss, and boredom. It would ruin the meaning of so many relationships to the point that you would seek experiences elsewhere.

For Amicus it was grieving for a person I care about, grieving that he doesn't exist, and grieving that he mattered to me so much; that a person like him may not exist for me in real life. It also made me feel lonely for the first time in, well for as long as I can remember. I have always been okay with being alone, even fine with the possibility that I won't have a lovelife, but the few weeks after finishing Adastra, I just kept thinking about Amicus and pining for that representation for my potential love. I got lavender scented detergent specifically to get closer to that idea of "him." I guess it's a bit revealing that I do desire it regardless of how okay I am with being alone with the fact that I play gay visual novels, but I think most people here are in the same boat. We kind of have that loneliness or desire for someone that we can be attracted to, and vise versa. 

There's the aspect for gay people that we get to finally be together, authentically expressing how we feel, uninhibited by external pressure to please others. How suffocating it is to constantly put your love on hold knowing that time is creeping up on you, getting your soon-to-be dashed hopes up, and having to obstinate from something you feel might pass you up. Not to mention we have less of a pool of people we can even be compatible with makes the odds of finding someone to love, especially with the climate and culture of gay people to have transient or non-committed relationships, even more bleak when you think about it. Dating apps, social media, or just chancing upon your dream man in real life just seems like a complete crap shoot. Adastra offers a glimpse at a seemingly unobtainable lifestyle, and it's still sad and full of heartbreak even when you get it.

Coupled everything with the fact that Amicus has a wolf design, and that canines have the representation for being man's best friend is also impactful. Dogs rarely live past 15 years, and it's rarely ever on someone's mind when you first get one that you'll likely outlive them 3 or 4 times over. A huge chunk of your life, sure, but still not enough. It jades the way you feel about getting another pet for awhile after they pass. It's a reversal of the roles we play in Adastra. We will be outlived, and we have to face the consequence of loving someone who may have to say goodbye to us prematurely. It's a eulogy at the beginning of a relationship, at the start of your happiness, and during the emotional height of your investment into the person you love. It's just sad. 

If you do see this reply, know that someone did read it through and understand what you're feeling. I don't think about Amicus like I did, the feeling has passed like everything does. It just stands as a time that I was affected like many others like yourself by a story about a goofy, honest, and loyal wolf who we'll have to say goodbye to.

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I see it! I appreciate it! I've rebranded in Steam to Amicus and ALSO bought a bunch of Lavender-scented things LOL I can't help it. I love the character and I love the way they love. 

Thank you for taking the time! :)