Lepidoptery

Set in GlitchyRobo's Human Domestication Guide setting, the story follows Moth Maunova, an Independent who plays an arcade fighter called Luna Fera. After suffering an ego-shaking defeat at the hands of Ghost, an unusually abrasive affini, Moth's interest in the game turns from casual to competitive. Under the guidance of Clarity, the local librarian, Moth joins her regional fighting game community, navigating new friendships, rivalries, and terminologies (what the hell is a wakeup DP?). As she clamors to beat Ghost at her own game, Moth starts to realize the plant's callous nature may be concealing something more complicated. Is she really just a sadistic bully? Or is she looking for a pet to nourish and adore? And is it scarier that the two possibilities might not be mutually exclusive?

This is a story about discovering purpose in your passions and letting them drive you to improve. Incidentally, it is also a story about shame and humiliation, things which can also drive you to improve. They can also make you feel some funny things when you pee yourself in front of the girl you like.

For our own personal reasons, we have chosen to maintain distance from the Human Domestication Guide community. However, we'd like to acknowledge Divaricated by anna//bool as being a major inspiration for the relationship between Moth and Ghost, as well as a major impetus for us getting back into writing. We'd also like to acknowledge Gamer Girl Nightmare by HoneyBeeQT, which prompted us to ask the question "What if a human could game as hard as an affini?" Lastly, a special shoutout to Okizeme by Primevaltimes for being the first FGC/HDG fic (to our knowledge).