Alphonse | The Pastel Punk

Introduction

This YuuriVoice original character debuted on June 22nd, 2018, as the first of many originals that would follow in the years to come. Initially inspired by YV's player character in the farming sim game Stardew Valley, we never could have imagined that this pastel punk would go on to become one of the key protagonists of BitterSweet. The deep ties he now shares with several characters across the YuuriVerse were all developed over the years following his debut, highlighting the magical way these stories have evolved over time from "Boyfriend Audios" to the narrative adventures we enjoy today!

Background & Traits

In the small town that is the central setting of BitterSweet, Alphonse runs a convenience store left to him by his deceased parents. He resides in a studio apartment in the back of the store, which once served as a key hangout spot for he and Seth in their youth. According to Alphonse, the locals do not look upon him fondly for a variety of reasons. It is heavily implied that the townsfolk frowned upon his relationship with Seth, and it also impacted their view of Alphonse's parents.

Alphonse may come off abrasive towards strangers, but through his relationship with Boo, he begins to soften and regain his faith in humanity. The subject of his past was frequently avoided, as he swore that it truly was better off left alone, but when Seth comes back to town, the truth claws its way out.

In Alphonse's "Dark Mode" era, he let his natural black hair come in and shifted from a pastel punk into more of a goth, emo aesthetic. This time period was during his stay with Seth in the city, where they worked for Derek as enforcers and drug dealers, holding a high rank within Derek's Gang.

Alphonse's story is one of growth, grief, and the healing power of love. His relationship with Boo and their love is an unconditional one, strengthened by an almost supernatural sense of trust in one another. Their intimacy and understanding feels natural to them, and while neither of them quite know how they could be so lucky, they hold tight to this bond regardless of circumstance.

Alphonse and his family served as a safe haven for Seth during a turbulent childhood, and the two grew close. Upon reaching adulthood, Seth left the town behind and returned some time later to convince Alphonse to come with him. Seth was Alphonse's best friend and first love, but the relationship soured as the two fell into a life of crime.

Alphonse's love for Seth was fierce, but ultimately the cumulation of manipulation and toxicity between the two of them drove Alphonse to return to their hometown. However, on the night of Alphonse's departure, mysterious circumstances brought him back to their apartment in the city where he found Derek assaulting Seth. This resulted in Alphonse critically wounding Derek with Seth's knife Betty, before fleeing the scene. Seth and Derek were arrested, and Alphonse returned home to once again become the pastel punk we know today.

Dark Mode Alphonse

Sometimes, you need an e-boy original character to fill a certain niche. And, sometimes, you conjure up a way to weave that aesthetic into the narrative for a character that is the polar opposite of that aesthetic to represent the stark contrast between his past and present. Thus, Dark Mode Alphonse was born! This gloomier version of Alphonse debuted on July 19th, 2021 in the premiere episode of BitterSweet Chapter 3, and has appeared in a variety of non-canon content.

This take on Alphonse was inspired by YuuriVoice's own style and attitude back in his teens, which explains the painfully obvious "Korn" inspired backwards R. Aside from the aggressive nu-metal noises in the distance, the duality of Pastel vs Dark Mode also represents the underlying toxic masculinity elements of the story. Alphonse shirks his pastel, colorful vibes in favor of a darker aesthetic as a way to fit in more among the male dominated space he entered into, also keeping the nature of his relationship with Seth private among the gang until Charlie outed them.

These aesthetic changes may seem fickle, and that's because...they are. There are countless ways that men embrace sometimes frivolous or otherwise meaningless choices for the sake of blending in among their peers, and this element of Alphonse's character directly represents YV's own experiences and journey.

The BitterSweet Trio

During the course of BitterSweet Alphonse and Boo share their unconditional love with Seth, hoping to nurture the parts of him that have weathered away with time and trauma. This love is explicitly undefined so that listeners can interpret the relationship dynamic as best suits them, as the trio represents no one specific type of love, but rather the healing of unconditional love. For some that may be best experienced romantically, and others may prefer it to be platonically, or even familially.

The beauty of it is that there is no incorrect interpretation and every possibility is equally valid. This medium of self insert audio content allows for a collaborative fantasy between creator and listener, and is a strength unto itself.