Morality & Mortality (Artificer x Reader)

ACT 2

[[CREDIT TO ALEC HOLOWKA]]

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This concludes Act 1. 

I hope you've enjoyed the story this far. 

I've been going for 4000ish words a chapter and I'm trying to reach 5000, so not only is the story going to be longer, but the wait in between chapters will be longer as well.

I'll probably do a sweep through my previous chapters and fix up any grammar issues and add a bit more flair to my story before heading to Act 2.

If anyone has any suggestions to improve my poor excuse of a story, I will gladly accept any criticism coming my way.

It's been hard trying to write, mental health issues, stress about housing stuff, and just a lack of motivation to create all together. 

I still want to get this done, this project is something I hold dear to my heart. But compared to real life issues, I've forsaken this for stuff that's higher on my to-do list.

Anyway have some character profiles. Because why not.

FIELD NOTES:

PROPERTY OF Anyone but Artificer

CYCLE 8

My Profile

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Name: Me, Myself and I.

Age: I have yet to remember my age. Not like it matters in this word anyway.

Gender: No point in adding this, I already know it.

Build: Rather- (Various scribbles have been drawn over the writing, seems like there were too many contradicting opinions)

Personality: ... I never took that much thought into this, I guess I'm pessimistic and cynical when the situation seems dire. I'll write more about this when I'm back home, I'll have time to piece together who I am there.

Education level: High. I know how to read and write, while also knowing most of the decayed technology that still persists here. I still don't know what that giant symbol with an X was unfortunately.

Advantages: Analyst, well-educated and knowledgeable. Can use Karma to heal others. Does not need the 'Mark' to commune with 'higher beings'. 

Note: I do recall reading about some sort of 'Mark of Communication'. I however, did not need this so called 'mark' to converse with the Echo in the citadel. Though, I suspect my companion requires one to also speak with them. It would be useful to obtain one for her, however the only way to get one would be to ask an Iterator...

Disadvantages: Cowardly, cannot eat meat (other than batflies however the taste is awful), unwilling to fight, amnesia. 

"You're also a bit full of yourself"  - Arti

While I've yet to see any examples of this. I suppose I could list it here...

Associated with: The Saints/The Surface. Artificer.

Favorite food: I could really go for a Dandelion Peach right now. It was a pretty common food on The Surface. The taste is to die for however.

Sexual Preference: (This section of the paper was torn to bits)

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Artificer's Profile

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Name: Artificer (Arti, for short). Unknown last name, subject refuses to let me know if there is one.

Age: "Why are you asking me this? Where did you get that pen and paper from?!?" Subject is unwilling to talk about her age.

Gender: Female.

Build: "I wouldn't say I'm skinny and I wouldn't say I'm fat. Is there a middle ground?"

Personality: Hotheaded, stubborn and a bit snarky. I feel like she's a bit of a softy deep inside though.

"You are very lucky I find you useful, or I'll be shoving this journal down your throat"

Education level: "I know how to read, never bothered to learn to write anything other than symbols though"

Note: Perhaps giving Artificer writing lessons in between cycles would improve our trust and 'friendship' with one another.

Advantages: Violently versatile, ruthlessly pragmatic.

Disadvantages: Unable to be negotiated with. Holds an intense hatred for Scavengers, will go out of her way to kill one on sight. Speaks informally. Rather uneducated.

"You mumble what you write out you know. Also, how is speaking 'informally' a disadvantage?!?"

Associated with: "Used to be with the others in The Tree. Due to my, strange traits, I was selected to go on a scouting trip. Brought my kids and settled at Garbage Wastes. The way foward through the underground was dangerous enough, I didn't think it would be worth trying to report back. Wonder how the suckers are doing back 'home'."

Note: This is the only instance where Artificer has mentioned her children, perhaps I should ask her about it. After all, someone like her is the last slugcat I would expect to be a mother.

Note 2: BE NICE ABOUT IT. I don't want a repeat of Cycle 7.

Favourite food: "Anything but a Centipede. Sure, it's filling, but the taste is (Vulgar language was used here). "This is coming from someone who eats lizards to survive by the way"

"Speaking of lizards, blue ones are the best, their hide is extremely weak so their flesh is soft to eat. Real juicy too, no wonder other lizards sometimes eat 'em"

Sexual preference: "Go to sleep or I'll make you go to sleep"

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Trivia is good, have a bonus.

1: The protagonist (or Y/N) was originally supposed to have a blindfold on at all times. It was supposed to symbolize them being 'blind to the horrors of the world'. Though I scrapped it because I have no idea how to make blinded characters.

2: The Surface is just the name of the protagonist's hometown. It isn't the actual surface of Rain World. 

3: The story's original name was The Demolitionist and The Dove. With Arti being a demolitionist and a dove being another name for a pacifist. I liked the name Morality & Mortality more though.

4: Most of the titles of the chapters are references to other things or has some sort of gimmick (ex. different language). The exceptions to this are Information, The Artificer, The Outskirts, Rain Won't Wash Off The Blood On Your Hands and this chapter.

5: The protagonist gains a new 'Mark' corresponding to the base 5 Karamic Sins (Wrath, Lust ect.) Every time an Echo is communicated with, strengthening their powers.

6: The protagonist's 'game name' would be The Apostle. However naming yourself 'crackhead' or something is still fine.

Alright, that's it, bye, have fun in The Exterior.