Bastion Has Two Modes When It Comes To Ida, One Is The Unabashed Lovesick Predator Mode, Where The Mask

Bastion has two modes when it comes to Ida, one is the unabashed lovesick predator mode, where the mask falls off and it’s obvious this is a being who is hunger and very little else. A being that wants nothing more than to devour the one he loves and let his stomach show her how much she is adored. But there’s also that part of him that tries to get the most out of the fact the rules of the Manor restrict how much of him can be shown. The part of him that regrets that he can’t actually be human and is ashamed he can’t be truly good or healthy for the one he loves. They’re the same person, Bastion definitely wants to devour Ida. But he’s still acutely aware that she deserves better. Ida disagrees, not because she has self-esteem issues (though she does) but because as predatory and inhuman as Bastion is, she loves him and feels safe emotionally with him. And for someone who’s never felt any sort of safe, emotional safety feels like it’s enough. I’m not saying she’s right about that. Their relationship is not meant to be objectively healthy, but it is meant to be sincere.

Bastion’s the sort of pred who’d absolutely pull the “presses preys ear to stomach” thing on Ida. But instead of meaning it as a scare tactic he’s really just very ghoulishly trying to say “look how much I want you.” Ida would both completely get this, even be a little rizzed by it and yet still probably call him a weird ghoul to his face.

If a pred with anxiety needs to eat a specific prey to calm down is that prey an “emotional support prey”? Or “comfort food”?

Imagine a Pred begging a prey to stay hidden at their house cause they don’t want to be seen as a failure among their peers.

Or a prey who is functionally immortal and has zero control of it, being blamed for being “disobedient” or “unruly” for not “knowing their place” meanwhile they literally have no control of it and given how poorly their treated for the perceived insolence would probably digest for real if they could just to escape the punishments.

Reformation vore but in a society where reforming is considered insolence on the part of the prey or inadequacy on the part of the predator.

hmm very intrigued by this concept. is reformation bad because it shows the predator is weak-hearted? this particular society could have a very strong Predator Superiority mindset with only the most ruthless preds gaining any sort of status or respect.

or perhaps reformation is the default and only skilled predators can make it permanent, hence the embarrassment when the reformation happens? you’d think reforming an entire person, body and soul, would be more difficult than just digesting them, so a society where that isn’t true could make for a very interesting dynamic….

Composed and sophisticated sounding characters that hide something more primal or unhinged behind that mask. Is honestly my favourite trope. Like yes honey you’re so civilised! Only in reality you really aren’t and for all you keep up the appearances, appearances are hollow and deep down you know it!

Me thinking about the fact that Bastion would definitely call Ida a good girl while digesting her.