I've only been able to play one route so far but I was absolutely captivated by the world the moment I started! I learned of this game through Naja's blog by chance and very simply put, if someone is out there trying to add more soft black girl characters in the world, especially in the world of otome games, I have to at least also give it a try and support their efforts if possible. And I have to say, I'm very happy so far that I did. There's a lot of heart in this story and I feel the love and care you're putting into it strongly. Rosea is such a sweetheart and I love reading her thoughts and seeing how you convey certain tones and moods with text getting bigger or smaller. Dianthus is the most my type in this game and so of course I'm already extremely captivated by him and finished his route first in the prologue, but Glady and Clem are very enjoyable too! Zinnia admittedly isn't the type of character I usually go for in otomes but I can't help but want to grow to like him more with the love and care put into all that I've seen like I've said (and also he must be your fav for a reason right? xD). Not to mention that design wise everyone is great in general! I appreciate Rosea having afro puffs and actually did a double take when it was mentioned in text since I'm just not used to seeing hair be described in a manner I can relate to as another black woman.
There's so much more I could say even though I still have 3 other routes to get around playing but it was important to at least say this much right now. Thank you (and everyone else who contributed to it!) for all your hard work so far in making this game; I look forward to seeing future developments and hope you take the best of care!
I just have to say, this brought tears to my eyes... I truly appreciate your appreciation for this project, and that you recognize love and care I've poured into every last drop. Your support means a lot to me. Thank you so much.
That said, I'm SO happy you've enjoyed your time in the adventure so far! I hope Dianthus has taken good care of you. <3 He's been such a mystery, even to myself. But I'm also glad you're enjoying your time with the other flower boys as well! n_n As for Zinnia, I know he's a bit rough around the edges, but be patient with him. The man's been through a lot, and it will take a lot of time and care to break through his thorny surface. Don't give up on the fussy general! (I'm currently in the process of writing his full route, alongside Clem's.)
You mentioned a great point about Rosea in terms of describing her. Look, I'm a Black woman, and I know how alienating it is to never read about our features being mentioned in this type of media. It breaks your immersion, and can also make you feel that our features have less value. They don't. They're beautiful. And I made a point to highlight Rosea's skin color and hair in the text. And not only that, but other small little details like the bonnet. It may feel trivial, but I personally feel that those kinds of details matter, as it's part of our experience.
Anyways, I've rambled on for FAR too long. XD Once again, thank you for your support and genuine interest in this twisted world of flowers. This kind of feedback is very encouraging and motivating. I'll keep doing my best!!~
I’m just happy that my appreciation and support has gone through to you. Your love and passion for it really shines through to me. It was important for me to tell you that the most. And I'm very serious about how much the world hooked me! I really love how it's been built up and written about. I also look forward to seeing more of Dianthus’s mystery, and I definitely can’t give up on Zinnia when he’s in a story made with such caring hands! I will trust you on that.
And it really is. Honestly seeing Rosea’s hair, skin, and even stuff like her having a bonnet be touched upon and highlighted was really nice to see. It has been pretty alienating and definitely immersion breaking when the protag you’re playing, especially if you have the choice to make them black, still gets described or talked about in text in ways that completely ignore it in favor of something more “default” (still using hair as an example bc there’s so many times I have to ignore or mentally re-write my hair being described as something like “long and smooth” or a character easily touching/petting it, especially without asking first @_@). I’m glad that that isn’t the case here like I said, but it’s also a little bit sad that seeing these things actually included is still infrequent enough that it makes me do a double take when I do see it. But that’s just another reason I wanted to make sure to show my support!
And it’s all good! There’s seriously so much more I can say as well (though I really should finish the other routes first at the very least), but like I said, these were the ones I wanted to tell you the most for now. I really am cheering you on with this, I really look forward to it all!
(Also, I forgot to say that I love Poppy. Poppy is very good!!)
Oh my goodness! I don’t even know where to start. I could write a whole novel here. XD It’s honestly very healing to speak with other Black women in the Otome space who feel affected by the issues we’ve discussed.
I love Otomes to bits, but it’s clear that they don’t love girlies like us very much in return. It’s a sad/disappointing reality that you’re constantly reminded of whenever you’re playing. And for better immersion, you may find yourself having to employ tactics like the ones you’ve mentioned- such as mentally rewriting hair texture descriptions and whatnot. It’s truly not a very inclusive space.
So yeah, as for myself, I’ve decided to roll up my sleeves and try to change that with an Otome of my own that will finally give soft Black girls some love. It’s far from perfect, and it will be quite some time before it’s completed, but I think these efforts matter. It’s already proven to be such an wonderful experience since I’ve been able to meet other Black women who lament these issues, but have said they feel seen because of Rosea. That truly warms my heart. 💐💐💐
Anyways, please know that your feedback and support means a great deal to me. Sometimes it feels like I’m always yelling into the void, so it’s nice to hear from folks who’ve found some value in this work. The feedback helps me improve and sparks ⚡️ ideas as well. I was at one point considering adding a scene where someone touches Rosea’s hair without permission. I think that’s important commentary. One step at a time!✨
Wow! I’ve rambled on for waaaaay too long! O.O Sorry about that. XD
Please feel free to let me know what you thought about the other Flower boy’s routes once you’ve finished them! (Don’t worry, I won’t tell Dianthus. He’ll clearly your number one, haha!)
I finally had time to play 2/4 routes! I was really excited not just from the designs, but because you sounded so passionate about the characters and giving them depth on Reddit and stuff. 🥰 The CGs are precious and extra special. I'm excited for more of them!
I really like Rosea! Her design is beautiful. I wanna protect her from all these nasty magic surprises. 🥺 I hope we get more of her backstory! I imagine there's a lot to unpack, and I like the pace at which the stories reveal the past.
(vague/fun spoilers)
and you CAN'T just
give me a strong man with nice abs and a pet bird (the cutest bird)
and say he's "actually sensitive" and give him a hug CG
and not expect me to be powerless. 😭💕 that's so many oddly specific boxes to check rofl
Clematis is the best (unless we count Poppy. I would commit crimes for Poppy). I swore I'd try one Faith route even though the Kaffirans come across as so gosh darn mean, but I settled on Glady. He's sweet as a batch of cupcakes. I imagine he's getting a hug CG in the future, right? 🥺 I'm rooting for their redemption arcs. But Zinnia did *not* like me in my first playthrough lol I sassed his Bloom scale into the negative 😆
Oh my GOODNESS! Reading this put such a smile on my face! Thank you! n_n
I appreciate the compliments on Rosea's design. A lot of thought went into every element: from her hairstyle, to her colors scheme for her dress to compliment her features, etc. I wanted her to look like an elegant princess, but not overdo it with too many bells and whistles! Also, don't worry! You'll definitely learn more of Rosea's past as the story goes on. And the flower boys will help her move forward towards the future.~
Aww! I just love your reaction for Clem, it's so sweet! >.< Trust me, he appreciate your kindness. Poppy too!
She's actually a tribute to my deceased budgie friends. She keeps their spirits alive and shares their fun personalities.
Also, it's great that you're willing to explore the Faith side at least a little. I know it can be hard to endure because of the cruelty, but change within Kaffir IS possible. This will be explored down the line.
For now though, go let Glady bake you some tasty treats! :D ~ (And you mentioned a hug CG. That's such an ADORABLE idea! I think I'll that!)
This is fantastic. I actually quit playing just before the Rite because I need a minute because dang! The tension. Also: our mom is gorgeous and Hyacinth gives me The Creeps. I would like very much to kick him. I'm going to be hard pressed to try the Faith routes!
Oh wow, this was such a nice surprise! Thank you so much!~ I’m really happy you’re enjoying the adventure so far! n_n 💐
As for the clingy Apostle…
Initially, he was one of the love interests too. But I decided to bench him for practicality’s sake, and for the structure of the gameplay.
He was always obsessed with Rosea, but as time went on, he became WAY more unhinged. I guess he figured out he didn’t have a chance with her anymore and went crazy. XD Super fun to write!
I want to be clear that I'm not anti-Hyacinth because of the yandere-adjacent behavior! In fact I was kinda 👀 a little bit until he started being so dehumanizing about the other faith. That killed the vibe for me. :) Best wishes on your writing!
Oh yes, trust me I understand! Hyacinth has A LOT of issues he needs to sort through to grow as a person.
It's painful to write honestly, but as we know, there are folks who hold unreasonably hateful views on others, and it affects the lives of those targeted groups in a negative way.
I wanted to explore and emphasize this through Hyacinth. The hatred at the top trickles down into the general public. But hopefully one day, Kaffirans will have the courage to challenge their outlook of the world.
Ahhh! Sorry for going on for so long. XD These topics are just very important to me, so I take the time to write about them in a meaningful way in my story.
Anyway, thank you for your playing and giving me your feedback! n_n It's very helpful and so much appreciated!~
I am a simple girl: I see a game that has a love interest that is a sweet childhood friend and I immediately download the game.
It'll be a hot minute before I can sit down and actually play this (going to school full time and working full time keeps me busy :c) but rest assured this is at the top of my "to play" list and I will come back with a proper comment/review once I'm done! It might be a literal month but it will happen!!
Also the art is so cute--I especially love the MC's design, she's so pretty!!
Oh my goodness, this made my day!! Thank you, I appreciate it! n_n
Don’t worry, take all the time you need to play! Life keeps us wrapped up and SUPER busy. It gets really tiring. T.T But try not to overdo it. Find time for proper rest, and to sit with your thoughts in peace. 🧘🏾♀️
Fluffy little Gladiolus isn’t going anywhere. He’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready!~ 💐
I saw a soft Black heroine and HAD to play this and I am so glad I did! This was such a fun play (and a pretty beefy prologue too)! Bell Maiden's Bloom has a lot of great lore and mystery to keep you guessing and I absolutely adore all the love interests, but Dianthus has my whole heart! I cannot wait to learn more about this world and these characters as the story progresses!
We need more soft Black girl representation like this in otome games!!
Thank you so much for exploring this twisted world of flowers. 💐 I really appreciate it! n_n I enjoyed watching your stream too. What a great time!
Gameplay wise, you’ve barely scratched the surface! It’s quite a lengthy prologue, which also includes different variations depending on the LI you end up with. There are other fun little details too, such as the favorite foods. If you picked the same food your LI likes, you’ll have a special conversation together about it later on.
That said, I’m truly happy it brought a smile to your day and I appreciate your feedback.
Hello, Naja! I don’t want to keep nagging you with messages, however I really wanted to thank you for all of your kindness and support for my otome. I never expected anything like this to happen, and I’ve been able to see that other Black otome fans feel just a tad less alienated.
I’ve seen that you’ve written an article for BMB as well, and wow… You were 100% real in your commentary and I respect that. It’s time for a change in this space, there are no excuses.
You’ve also mentioned that Otomes with Black heroines get less support in the community overall, and yes, I’ve seen this play out unfortunately. This is part of a bigger issue, and it’s truly disappointing. Humanity, let’s level up just a LITTLE bit, shall we?
That said, it truly means so much to me to hear how you can see yourself in Rosea, not just looks wise, but personally wise as well. Soft Black girls exist because, you know, we’re human. And while I was writing Rosea, I was thinking about how her personality type is looked down upon in the otome space. (Even though I prefer it over fighty girl bosses.) It’s overdone, but only for the non Black heroines. A black girl is NEVER allowed to be portrayed in that sweet, soft way.
I’ve rambled on for far too long, but it’s been such a pleasure working with you. It’s been such a validating experience, and I feel a lot less alienated. I will continue to pour all of my love and care in BMB so all the soft Black girlies can continue thier twisted flowery adventure!! 👏🏾💐💐💐
Oh! And I forgot to mention this last time, but you’re doing great on Dianthus’ route so far! I don’t want to give too much away, but just sayin’… The boy has quite the sweet tooth food wise!~
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I've only been able to play one route so far but I was absolutely captivated by the world the moment I started! I learned of this game through Naja's blog by chance and very simply put, if someone is out there trying to add more soft black girl characters in the world, especially in the world of otome games, I have to at least also give it a try and support their efforts if possible. And I have to say, I'm very happy so far that I did. There's a lot of heart in this story and I feel the love and care you're putting into it strongly. Rosea is such a sweetheart and I love reading her thoughts and seeing how you convey certain tones and moods with text getting bigger or smaller. Dianthus is the most my type in this game and so of course I'm already extremely captivated by him and finished his route first in the prologue, but Glady and Clem are very enjoyable too! Zinnia admittedly isn't the type of character I usually go for in otomes but I can't help but want to grow to like him more with the love and care put into all that I've seen like I've said (and also he must be your fav for a reason right? xD). Not to mention that design wise everyone is great in general! I appreciate Rosea having afro puffs and actually did a double take when it was mentioned in text since I'm just not used to seeing hair be described in a manner I can relate to as another black woman.
There's so much more I could say even though I still have 3 other routes to get around playing but it was important to at least say this much right now. Thank you (and everyone else who contributed to it!) for all your hard work so far in making this game; I look forward to seeing future developments and hope you take the best of care!
I just have to say, this brought tears to my eyes... I truly appreciate your appreciation for this project, and that you recognize love and care I've poured into every last drop. Your support means a lot to me. Thank you so much.
That said, I'm SO happy you've enjoyed your time in the adventure so far! I hope Dianthus has taken good care of you. <3 He's been such a mystery, even to myself. But I'm also glad you're enjoying your time with the other flower boys as well! n_n As for Zinnia, I know he's a bit rough around the edges, but be patient with him. The man's been through a lot, and it will take a lot of time and care to break through his thorny surface. Don't give up on the fussy general! (I'm currently in the process of writing his full route, alongside Clem's.)
You mentioned a great point about Rosea in terms of describing her. Look, I'm a Black woman, and I know how alienating it is to never read about our features being mentioned in this type of media. It breaks your immersion, and can also make you feel that our features have less value. They don't. They're beautiful. And I made a point to highlight Rosea's skin color and hair in the text. And not only that, but other small little details like the bonnet. It may feel trivial, but I personally feel that those kinds of details matter, as it's part of our experience.
Anyways, I've rambled on for FAR too long. XD Once again, thank you for your support and genuine interest in this twisted world of flowers. This kind of feedback is very encouraging and motivating. I'll keep doing my best!!~
I’m just happy that my appreciation and support has gone through to you. Your love and passion for it really shines through to me. It was important for me to tell you that the most. And I'm very serious about how much the world hooked me! I really love how it's been built up and written about. I also look forward to seeing more of Dianthus’s mystery, and I definitely can’t give up on Zinnia when he’s in a story made with such caring hands! I will trust you on that.
And it really is. Honestly seeing Rosea’s hair, skin, and even stuff like her having a bonnet be touched upon and highlighted was really nice to see. It has been pretty alienating and definitely immersion breaking when the protag you’re playing, especially if you have the choice to make them black, still gets described or talked about in text in ways that completely ignore it in favor of something more “default” (still using hair as an example bc there’s so many times I have to ignore or mentally re-write my hair being described as something like “long and smooth” or a character easily touching/petting it, especially without asking first @_@). I’m glad that that isn’t the case here like I said, but it’s also a little bit sad that seeing these things actually included is still infrequent enough that it makes me do a double take when I do see it. But that’s just another reason I wanted to make sure to show my support!
And it’s all good! There’s seriously so much more I can say as well (though I really should finish the other routes first at the very least), but like I said, these were the ones I wanted to tell you the most for now. I really am cheering you on with this, I really look forward to it all!
(Also, I forgot to say that I love Poppy. Poppy is very good!!)
Oh my goodness! I don’t even know where to start. I could write a whole novel here. XD It’s honestly very healing to speak with other Black women in the Otome space who feel affected by the issues we’ve discussed.
I love Otomes to bits, but it’s clear that they don’t love girlies like us very much in return. It’s a sad/disappointing reality that you’re constantly reminded of whenever you’re playing. And for better immersion, you may find yourself having to employ tactics like the ones you’ve mentioned- such as mentally rewriting hair texture descriptions and whatnot. It’s truly not a very inclusive space.
So yeah, as for myself, I’ve decided to roll up my sleeves and try to change that with an Otome of my own that will finally give soft Black girls some love. It’s far from perfect, and it will be quite some time before it’s completed, but I think these efforts matter. It’s already proven to be such an wonderful experience since I’ve been able to meet other Black women who lament these issues, but have said they feel seen because of Rosea. That truly warms my heart. 💐💐💐
Anyways, please know that your feedback and support means a great deal to me. Sometimes it feels like I’m always yelling into the void, so it’s nice to hear from folks who’ve found some value in this work. The feedback helps me improve and sparks ⚡️ ideas as well. I was at one point considering adding a scene where someone touches Rosea’s hair without permission. I think that’s important commentary. One step at a time!✨
Wow! I’ve rambled on for waaaaay too long! O.O Sorry about that. XD
Please feel free to let me know what you thought about the other Flower boy’s routes once you’ve finished them! (Don’t worry, I won’t tell Dianthus. He’ll clearly your number one, haha!)
Have a great rest of your day! 💐
I finally had time to play 2/4 routes! I was really excited not just from the designs, but because you sounded so passionate about the characters and giving them depth on Reddit and stuff. 🥰 The CGs are precious and extra special. I'm excited for more of them!
I really like Rosea! Her design is beautiful. I wanna protect her from all these nasty magic surprises. 🥺 I hope we get more of her backstory! I imagine there's a lot to unpack, and I like the pace at which the stories reveal the past.
(vague/fun spoilers)
and you CAN'T just
give me a strong man with nice abs and a pet bird (the cutest bird)
and say he's "actually sensitive" and give him a hug CG
and not expect me to be powerless. 😭💕 that's so many oddly specific boxes to check rofl
Clematis is the best (unless we count Poppy. I would commit crimes for Poppy). I swore I'd try one Faith route even though the Kaffirans come across as so gosh darn mean, but I settled on Glady. He's sweet as a batch of cupcakes. I imagine he's getting a hug CG in the future, right? 🥺 I'm rooting for their redemption arcs. But Zinnia did *not* like me in my first playthrough lol I sassed his Bloom scale into the negative 😆
Oh my GOODNESS! Reading this put such a smile on my face! Thank you! n_n
I appreciate the compliments on Rosea's design. A lot of thought went into every element: from her hairstyle, to her colors scheme for her dress to compliment her features, etc. I wanted her to look like an elegant princess, but not overdo it with too many bells and whistles! Also, don't worry! You'll definitely learn more of Rosea's past as the story goes on. And the flower boys will help her move forward towards the future.~
Aww! I just love your reaction for Clem, it's so sweet! >.< Trust me, he appreciate your kindness. Poppy too!
She's actually a tribute to my deceased budgie friends. She keeps their spirits alive and shares their fun personalities.
Also, it's great that you're willing to explore the Faith side at least a little. I know it can be hard to endure because of the cruelty, but change within Kaffir IS possible. This will be explored down the line.
For now though, go let Glady bake you some tasty treats! :D ~ (And you mentioned a hug CG. That's such an ADORABLE idea! I think I'll that!)
This is fantastic. I actually quit playing just before the Rite because I need a minute because dang! The tension. Also: our mom is gorgeous and Hyacinth gives me The Creeps. I would like very much to kick him. I'm going to be hard pressed to try the Faith routes!
Oh wow, this was such a nice surprise! Thank you so much!~
I’m really happy you’re enjoying the adventure so far! n_n 💐
As for the clingy Apostle…
Initially, he was one of the love interests too. But I decided to bench him for practicality’s sake, and for the structure of the gameplay.
He was always obsessed with Rosea, but as time went on, he became WAY more unhinged. I guess he figured out he didn’t have a chance with her anymore and went crazy. XD Super fun to write!
Thanks again. Take care!~
I want to be clear that I'm not anti-Hyacinth because of the yandere-adjacent behavior! In fact I was kinda 👀 a little bit until he started being so dehumanizing about the other faith. That killed the vibe for me. :) Best wishes on your writing!
Oh yes, trust me I understand! Hyacinth has A LOT of issues he needs to sort through to grow as a person.
It's painful to write honestly, but as we know, there are folks who hold unreasonably hateful views on others, and it affects the lives of those targeted groups in a negative way.
I wanted to explore and emphasize this through Hyacinth. The hatred at the top trickles down into the general public. But hopefully one day, Kaffirans will have the courage to challenge their outlook of the world.
Ahhh! Sorry for going on for so long. XD These topics are just very important to me, so I take the time to write about them in a meaningful way in my story.
Anyway, thank you for your playing and giving me your feedback! n_n It's very helpful and so much appreciated!~
I am a simple girl: I see a game that has a love interest that is a sweet childhood friend and I immediately download the game.
It'll be a hot minute before I can sit down and actually play this (going to school full time and working full time keeps me busy :c) but rest assured this is at the top of my "to play" list and I will come back with a proper comment/review once I'm done! It might be a literal month but it will happen!!
Also the art is so cute--I especially love the MC's design, she's so pretty!!
Oh my goodness, this made my day!! Thank you, I appreciate it! n_n
Don’t worry, take all the time you need to play! Life keeps us wrapped up and SUPER busy. It gets really tiring. T.T But try not to overdo it. Find time for proper rest, and to sit with your thoughts in peace. 🧘🏾♀️
Fluffy little Gladiolus isn’t going anywhere. He’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready!~ 💐
You did so good on the soft black girl rep and then you made the only darkskin LI a thief </3. Maybe I'm too woke tho.
I understand. I don’t think that’s too “woke” of an opinion.
However, don’t write off Clem as nothing more than a dirty thief. There’s far more to him than meets the eye.
I read Blerdy Otome’s review and dropped EVERYTHING! I am so excited to play this omg
Ah! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! n_n
I hope you enjoy your adventures with the flower boys! 💐
i like game
Thank you so much! I’m happy you enjoyed playing. n_n
I saw a soft Black heroine and HAD to play this and I am so glad I did! This was such a fun play (and a pretty beefy prologue too)! Bell Maiden's Bloom has a lot of great lore and mystery to keep you guessing and I absolutely adore all the love interests, but Dianthus has my whole heart! I cannot wait to learn more about this world and these characters as the story progresses!
We need more soft Black girl representation like this in otome games!!
Thank you so much for exploring this twisted world of flowers. 💐 I really appreciate it! n_n I enjoyed watching your stream too. What a great time!
Gameplay wise, you’ve barely scratched the surface! It’s quite a lengthy prologue, which also includes different variations depending on the LI you end up with. There are other fun little details too, such as the favorite foods. If you picked the same food your LI likes, you’ll have a special conversation together about it later on.
That said, I’m truly happy it brought a smile to your day and I appreciate your feedback.
Have a great day!~
OMG SERIOUSLY!! Okay, it's settled, I'm going to keep playing this on stream!
Hello, Naja! I don’t want to keep nagging you with messages, however I really wanted to thank you for all of your kindness and support for my otome. I never expected anything like this to happen, and I’ve been able to see that other Black otome fans feel just a tad less alienated.
I’ve seen that you’ve written an article for BMB as well, and wow… You were 100% real in your commentary and I respect that. It’s time for a change in this space, there are no excuses.
You’ve also mentioned that Otomes with Black heroines get less support in the community overall, and yes, I’ve seen this play out unfortunately. This is part of a bigger issue, and it’s truly disappointing. Humanity, let’s level up just a LITTLE bit, shall we?
That said, it truly means so much to me to hear how you can see yourself in Rosea, not just looks wise, but personally wise as well. Soft Black girls exist because, you know, we’re human. And while I was writing Rosea, I was thinking about how her personality type is looked down upon in the otome space. (Even though I prefer it over fighty girl bosses.) It’s overdone, but only for the non Black heroines. A black girl is NEVER allowed to be portrayed in that sweet, soft way.
I’ve rambled on for far too long, but it’s been such a pleasure working with you. It’s been such a validating experience, and I feel a lot less alienated. I will continue to pour all of my love and care in BMB so all the soft Black girlies can continue thier twisted flowery adventure!! 👏🏾💐💐💐
Oh! And I forgot to mention this last time, but you’re doing great on Dianthus’ route so far! I don’t want to give too much away, but just sayin’… The boy has quite the sweet tooth food wise!~