Sabitsuki

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	This character or verse has mature themes and concepts, thus those of young age are ill-advised to look through these.

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SabitsukiRust

Official ArtIn-Game Sprite

RegularDamaged

Background

SabitsukiRust

Sabitsuki (さびつき) is the primary protagonist of .flow. She spends the game exploring her own mental landscape, gathering various effects along the way. Likewise, no direct information is provided about her past or the meaning behind the sights she encounters in her dreams.

Sabitsuki's past is left vague, with little concrete information provided. She refuses to leave her room when prompted, shaking her head in a manner reminiscent of Madotsuki, which could imply that she is a hikikomori or possibly under quarantine. Her dreams are often unsettling and violent, suggesting that her personality or past experiences may reflect similar themes of darkness and trauma.

Recurring imagery in Sabitsuki's dreams includes illness, hospitals, and social isolation. These motifs may indicate that she has suffered from a severe illness, possibly one that separated her from her peers at school. This could explain why many of the humanoid figures she encounters within her dreams appear to be injured, decaying, or disfigured.

The game's narrative leaves room for interpretation regarding Sabitsuki's mental and emotional state. While some theories suggest she has become an introspective recluse due to her circumstances, others propose that she may desire connection but is unable to reach out. Her dream world, filled with decayed and fragmented visions, may be a reflection of this internal struggle, blending her anxieties with distorted memories and fears. Ultimately, the ambiguity surrounding Sabitsuki's story leaves much open to speculation, adding to the game's mysterious and unsettling atmosphere.

Rust is the deuteragonist of .flow, becoming the primary playable character after specific conditions are met.

Once Sabitsuki has collected all 24 Effects, she can access her computer again while already in flow. By discarding all her Effects, she permanently transforms into Rust for the remainder of the game, significantly altering her dream world.

Rust appears to be an alternate version of Sabitsuki, closely resembling her. While awake, Rust is visually indistinguishable from Sabitsuki. However, in the dream world, her appearance changes subtly — her hair becomes paler, her skin takes on a sickly olive hue, and her clothing gains visible wrinkles on her tank top and skirt. Her eyes also turn a faint, difficult-to-see red.

Unlike Sabitsuki, who was trapped in inescapable areas or lost her Effect when caught by Chasers, Rust instead takes damage when caught by the Fetuses, which replace all Chasers after she discards her Effects. Rust’s appearance becomes increasingly bloodied with each capture, reflecting her deteriorating state. She has a total of 15 hit points, and if she is caught 15 times during a single session in flow, she will die. Her death is depicted with her head splitting open as she collapses into a pool of gore. After dying, she wakes up and must reenter flow from the Entrance to continue.

Rust has no access to Effects, severely limiting her options for avoiding Fetuses or exploring the dream world. However, her transformation grants her entry to areas Sabitsuki couldn’t reach. In these restricted spaces, she can find three exclusive items called Empty Boxes. Collecting all three is necessary to unlock the final, true ending of the game.

There are implications that Rust might either be a Fetus or is in the process of becoming one. Examining her heavily damaged sprite reveals horn-like protrusions similar to those seen on the Fetuses. Unlike Sabitsuki, Rust cannot pinch herself awake; instead, the screen is engulfed in red static. Additionally, she is unable to sit on the ground or on chairs, with the only exception being the computer chair in Sabitsuki's Room, which she uses to access flow.

Name Meaning

Sabitsuki's name is found in the pause screen of .flow. Her name means "rust-covered" or "rust-eaten" heavily alluding to her sickness that she has and to her alter-ego "Rust".

Appearance

SabitsukiRust

• General Look:

Sabitsuki is characterized by her short, messy white hair, which gives her a disheveled and unkempt appearance. Her clothing consists of a dusty purple tank top paired with a white skirt, and she wears dark red shoes. Despite her simple, modest attire, Sabitsuki's design carries an air of mystery, reflecting her often subdued and introspective personality.

• Eyes:

In-game, Sabitsuki's eyes are generally closed, except for when she equips certain effects, such as the Eye or possibly the Cat effects. However, official artwork by lolrust depicts her with red eyes, and lol has confirmed that her eyes are a light brown with a reddish tinge. This subtle difference in eye color adds an extra layer of detail to her overall design.

• Hairstyle:

Her hair is short and styled in a messy, lopsided bed-head fashion, further emphasizing her carefree yet mysterious persona. Despite the untamed nature of her hair, it complements her unhurried and detached demeanor, reinforcing her enigmatic presence in the game.

• General Look:

Rust bears a striking resemblance to Sabitsuki, as she is essentially an alternate version of her. While awake, Rust is visually identical to Sabitsuki, with short, messy white hair and a similarly simple outfit. However, once she enters the dream world, her appearance takes on a significantly altered and deteriorated look. Her hair becomes even paler, almost colorless, while her skin shifts to a sickly olive tone. Her overall presence grows more unsettling, embodying the corruption and decay that have overtaken her subconscious.

• Regular Clothes:

Rust continues to wear the same dusty purple tank top and white skirt as Sabitsuki, although noticeable changes occur to her clothing. Wrinkles and creases mar the fabric, giving her attire a worn, unkempt appearance. The tank top clings loosely to her frame, and the white skirt now looks faded and stained. Her dark red shoes remain unchanged, though they appear slightly more scuffed and damaged.

• Special Clothes:

Unlike Sabitsuki, Rust has no access to Effects, meaning her appearance cannot be altered through traditional means. However, her body visually deteriorates as she takes damage when caught by the Fetuses. Each capture leaves her progressively more bloodied, with crimson stains marking her clothing and skin. This serves as a grim representation of her worsening state, with her appearance growing more gruesome the closer she is to death. Additionally, her eyes faintly glow red, though the hue is often subtle and difficult to discern, further reinforcing her unsettling presence.

Personality

Little is known about Sabitsuki, requiring gathering clues throughout the game to get some ideas along with some statements from the author.

• Thinks Gas Mask are Cool: During a video of the author playing through .flow, they note that Sabitsuki is trying to look cool with the Gas Mask effect.

• Violent Girl: .flow has many events that are triggered from Sabitsuki hitting things or people with her Iron Pipe, with even the author noting it's quite easy to think that Sabitsuki may be a bit of a violent girl. When in the Back Alleyway Darker Area Event that sends her into a maze, after escaping the maze a small cutscene plays of Sabitsuki leaving the door with a brooding expression on her face and holding the Iron pipe, heavily implying she attacked and possibly even killed someone.

• Dislike of Plants: .flow has a recurring images of plants and flowers giving off a somewhat sinister or off-putting vibe, with lol_rust noting that Sabitsuki doesn't like plants.

• Interest in Fashion: Sabitsuki is noted by lol_rust to have a mild interest in fashion and is interested in getting a navel piercing. When she wears the dress effect she does a curtis bow.

• Possible Eisotrophobia: Fans seem to have some belief that Sabitsuki or Rust suffers from Eisotrophobia, the fear of mirrors. Rust does cover up their face more when looking into a mirror then Sabitsuki does, which could help imply this case.

Relationships

Smile

Not much is known about their relationship, asides from Sabitsuki clearly not liking Smile. There is an achievement for killing Smile as Rust called "Joke's on You" where the description says "Get your own back.", though achievements are fan-made and only serve as an interpretation.

Rust

Rust serves as Sabitsuki's alter ego, though according to lol_rust, Rust more matches Sabitsuki's personality. However, through looking in the mirror as Rust in Sweet Sugar, Rust obtains an achievement called Eisotrophobia, where the description says "You don't look like you.", though achievements are fan-made and only serve as an interpretation.

General Information

Name: Sabitsuki

Other Names: Rust

Origin: .flow

First Appearance: .flow

Creator: lol_rust

Sex: Female

Sexuality: Aromantic (The author has noted that Sabitsuki does not understand "love" much, making her aromantic)

Pronouns: She/Her

Age: 10-20 (lol_rust noted that he could not go into detail but he would guess Sabitsuki is from 10-20 years old, considering the events she goes through in the dream world and how she looks in official art, she's likely closer to 20)

Birthday: Unknown

Time Period: Unknown

Timeline: Main Timeline

Homeworld: Earth

Residence: An Apartment in an Unknown Location

Story Role: Main Protagonist, The Dreamer

Legacy: Unknown Legacy (Not much is known about Sabitsuki's regular life other then she may be in quarantine)

Influence: Unknown Influence

Language: Unknown

Ethnicity: Unknown

Religion: Unknown

Classification: Dreamer

Species: Human (With different effects she becomes a Cat-Human Hybrid, Cyborg, Slime, Ghost)

State of Being: Regular

Physiology: Humanoid Physiology (With different effects, her physiology changes to: Cat-Human Hybrid Physiology (With the Cat Effect, Sabitsuki grows cat ears and can turn into a cat), Cyborg Physiology (With the Machine Effect, parts of Sabitsuki's body turns into a machine), Slime Physiology (With the Slime Effect, turns into a slime and can control her body at will), Undead Physiology (With Corpse Effect, becomes an undead corpse), Ghost Physiology (With Ghost Effect, becomes a ghost)

In-Universe Creator: Unknown

Occupation: Unknown

Affiliations: Rust

Enemies: Smile

Height: Possibly 140-150 cm (The author is not too sure and answered based on their tuition)

Weight: Unknown

Status: Unknown (The endings to .flow are very interpretive and are hard to tell what exactly happened, in the first ending it's heavily implied that Sabitsuki jumped off the railing to her death or it could be interpreted as she is finally free from her room, in the second ending, Rust is stopped from whatever they were about to do by a strange-looking maid with a gas mask, where they're seen carrying Rust's body afterwards either indicating that she's dead or she was incapcitated to be taken back to her room, the third ending has Rust kill her look alike and when leaving the room this time attempts to fight back against the maid while they are wielding a chainsaw, getting their legs cut off they are seen again being carried by the maid and sitting without their legs in an area with Sabitsuki later walking with headphones on her in the credits, this could be interpreted as another death or the maid has removed Rust from her body through removing her legs, giving her new legs and possibly having her potential sickness healed. As the endings are purposefully left open-ended it is ultimately unknown)

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (Sabitsuki has no moral obligations within the dream world, being kind to other NPCs or outright killing them based on the player's input. While her actual alignment is technically not known, her actions within the dream world are likely reflective of Sabitsuki as a person. .flow has many events that are triggered from Sabitsuki hitting things or people with her Iron Pipe, with even the author noting it's quite easy to think that Sabitsuki may be a bit of a violent girl. When in the Back Alleyway Darker Area Event that sends her into a maze, after escaping the maze a small cutscene plays of Sabitsuki leaving the door with a brooding expression on her face and holding the Iron pipe, heavily implying she attacked and possibly even killed someone)

Potential

• Type(s) of Potential: Capped Potential
• Level of Potential: Fixed Potential
• Description: As a regular human Sabitsuki/Rust would naturally have this potential level.
• Limitations: Not much room for growth.

Codex Statistics

Tabber Information

• "Real World": This tabber covers Sabitsuki while she's in the Real World, where she is awake.
• Dream World: This tabber covers Sabitsuki in the dream world. This falls under the Pseudo-Tiering System and these stats do not replicate what she can do outside of this dream.

Real WorldIn the Dream World

Grade: C

Tier: 10-B

Cardinality: Finite

Dimensionality: 3-D

Power Source: None

Attack Potency: Average Human level (Sabitsuki is a regular girl ranging around 10-20 years old)

Durability: Average Human level

Striking Strength: Average Human Class

Lifting Strength: Regular Human Class

Striking Strength: Average Human Class

Lifting Strength: Average Human Class

Travel Speed: Regular Human Speed

Attack Speed: Regular Human Speed

Reaction Speed: Regular Human Reactions

Stamina: Average

Range: Standard Melee

Intelligence: Unknown Intelligence (Sabitsuki seems to have a great array of imagination within her dream world, though her overall knowledge and intelligence are never explicitly known)

Knowledge: Unknown level

Grade: A

Pseudo-Tier: 10-B, 9-C with Iron Pipe

Cardinality: Finite

Dimensionality: 3-D

Power Source: Different Effects

Attack Potency: Average Human level, Bone level with Iron Pipe (With the Iron Pipe, allows Sabitsuki to damage and kill NPCs)

Durability: Average Human level. Immortality makes her very difficult to kill

Striking Strength: Average Human Class

Lifting Strength: Average Human Class

Travel Speed: Regular Human Speed, Higher with the Broom Effect (The Broom Effect allows Sabitsuki to travel around faster)

Attack Speed: Regular Human Speed

Reaction Speed: Regular Human Reactions

Stamina: Unknown

Range: Standard Melee, Extended Melee with Iron Pipe. At least Kilometers with Water Manipulation (With the Watering Can Effect, causes a rainstorm that can be followed into other areas)

Intelligence: Unknown Intelligence (Sabitsuki seems to have a great array of imagination within her dream world, though her overall knowledge and intelligence are never explicitly known)

Knowledge: Unknown level

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Powers and Techniques

SabitsukiRust

Real WorldIn the Computer

Weapon Usage (Pipe Usage; Sabitsuki is shown in the dreams to be able to wield weapons like the Iron Pipe, to damage and kill NPCs. Firearm Usage; She also wields weapons like the handgun to fire in the air and scare NPCs away), Transformation (Hide and Seek) & Multiple Personalities (Multiple Personalities; Upon Sabitsuki discarding all of her effects within the Dream World, she ceases to be and her alter-ego Rust takes over), Lucid Dreaming & Consciousness Transferral (Sabitsuki enters her dream world in .flow through using the PC, essentially uploading her consciousness into it, this is viewed as separate from reality, along with being called an alternate world and being called a dream world several times by lol_rust)

Innate AbilitiesWith Effects

Immortality (Dream Immortality; Sabitsuki is merely a dreamer within the dream and thus nothing that happens to her will kill her as she's merely in a dream, even having her guts fall out of her body has no effect on her. No matter where she's sent in the dream, even if she's trapped she can merely pinch herself awake), Supernatural Resilience (Sabitsuki can walk around just fine with the Viscera effect equipped, where her guts fall out of her body. She can live fine even with her body parts missing with the Daruma effect), Dimensional Storage (Though never directly noted, all of her effects are stored within a computer)

Additional Limbs & Teleportation (With the Arms Effect, grows additional arms that can teleport Sabitsuki back to the entrance of the Nexus, allowing her to circumvent being trapped or imprisoned), Cyborgization (Partial; With the Machine Effect, parts of Sabitsuki's body turns into a machine), Undead Physiology (With Corpse Effect, becomes an undead corpse), Flight (With the Broom Effect, allows Sabitsuki to travel around faster through flying on a broom like a witch. Sabitsuki uses to broom to fly around in the sky on Rainbow Hill), Alternate Breathing (With Gas Mask Effect, equips a gas mask which allows one to walk around and breathe in poisonous environments), Transformation (Shapeshifting; With the Cat Effect, Sabitsuki grows cat ears and can turn into a cat. With the Psychedelic effect, Sabitsuki turns into a black shiloutte with a blue light around her. With the Slime effect, transforms into a slime that can freely collapse its body and regenerate it), Irregular Physiology (With the Slime effect, transforms into a slime that can freely collapse its body and regenerate it. With the Television Effect, has a TV for a head that she can freely switch the channels on), Invisibility & Intangibility (With the Ghost Effect, Sabitsuki can go invisible to the eyes of the chaser NPCs), Light Manipulation (With the Psychedelic Effect, creates flashes of light everytime Sabitsuki changes colors), Water Manipulation (With the Watering Can effect, allows Sabitsuki to call down the rain), Mind Manipulation (With the Whistle Effect, draws NPCs either to or away from Sabitsuki with the whistle, including NPCs that are off-screen), Plant Manipulation (With the Plant Effect, Sabitsuki has plants grow around her body paired with the watering can the plants grow faster and make Sabitsuki unable to move)

In the Real WorldIn the Computer

All previous powers and abilities

All previous powers and abilities though discards all effects as the effects themselves are seen as an impurity or something undesired

---

Equipment

SabitsukiRust

Effects

There are 24 Effects in .flow that Sabitsuki can obtain. Each Effect alters Sabitsuki's appearance when equipped, with some granting her special abilities like harming NPCs, increasing her movement speed, or activating specific events within her dream world.

Collecting all of the Effects is widely regarded as the game's primary objective. Once Sabitsuki has gathered every Effect, she can trigger the game's first ending by leaving her room in the real world.

Headphones

Effect ImageShowcase

(ヘッドフォン)

Put on headphones.

Appearance: Sabitsuki wears headphones.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Activating the effect plays three random notes in succession, with a music note appearing above Sabitsuki's head for each one.

Directions: Entrance → Music World

To obtain the effect, enter the Music World and head northeast from the entrance. Sabitsuki will come across a DJ at a table. Interact with him to acquire the headphones.

Practical Uses: None.

Ghost

Effect ImageShowcase

(ゆうれい)

Become a ghost.

Appearance: Sabitsuki becomes a ghost.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Sabitsuki becomes invisible, allowing her to hide from dangerous NPCs.

Directions: Entrance → Dysmorphic World → Footprint Path → Plant Corridors → Flower World

In Flower World, find and interact with the ghost to obtain the effect.

Practical Uses: Using this effect renders enemy NPCs, including chasers, unable to detect Sabitsuki, making navigation safer. The effect is also required to access the Corrupted School.

Iron Pipe

Effect ImageShowcase

(てつパイプ)

Wield an iron pipe.

Appearance: Sabitsuki wields an iron pipe, which she can hold over her shoulder by pressing Shift.

Passive Effect: Some NPCs will be intimidated and run away.

Action: Sabitsuki can strike NPCs when interacting with them, resulting in their injury or death.

Directions: - **Utility Pole World:** Interact with the bloody pipe to obtain it. - **Town:** Alternatively, complete the Alleyway Chase event to receive the pipe.

Practical Uses: - Killing NPCs may sometimes yield money. - The pipe is necessary for accessing or triggering specific events, such as opening the entrance to the Childbirth event or provoking the Bar Kaibutsu’s retaliation.

Mono Eye

Effect ImageShowcase

(モノアイ)

Become a Mono Eye.

Appearance: Sabitsuki has one red eye. It blinks when she activates her action.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Sabitsuki's eye blinks.

Directions: Obtain by interacting with the eye surrounded by two ghosts and a pillar in Dysmorphic World.

Practical Uses: Allows Sabitsuki to make a large red eye blink in Apartments.

Diving Helmet

Effect ImageShowcase

(せんすいふく)

Equip a Diving Helmet.

Appearance: Sabitsuki wears a diving helmet.

Passive Effect: None

Action: Bubbles float from the top of the helmet.

Directions: Found by interacting with Oreko in her house in Submarine World.

Practical Uses: Interacting with Oreko with the Diving Helmet equipped decreases the Erosion Counter by ten points. It also grants an additional five Friendship Meter points when interacting with her, stacking with the five points granted when talking to her without the Diving Helmet equipped.

Cat

Effect ImageShowcase

(ねこ)

Become a cat.

Appearance: Sabitsuki grows cat ears and a tail. When transformed into a cat, she has a pure white coat and red eyes.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Allows Sabitsuki to transform into a cat.

Directions: Obtain by interacting with the cat at the end of the Rainbow Maze.

Practical Uses: Enables Sabitsuki to crawl into smaller areas that she otherwise could not access.

Broom

Effect ImageShowcase

(ほうき)

Ride a broom.

Appearance: Sabitsuki rides a broom and has a red ribbon in her hair, similar to Kiki from *Kiki's Delivery Service*.

Passive Effect: Doubles Sabitsuki's movement speed.

Action: Dismounting the broom allows Sabitsuki to walk at normal speed while still wearing the outfit.

Directions: Found by interacting with the witch in the Witch's House in Famicom World.

Practical Uses: Enables Sabitsuki to move faster, allowing her to outmaneuver chasers. It can also be used to trigger the Flight event in the Rainbow Maze.

Watering Can

Effect ImageShowcase

(じょうろ)

Hold a watering can.

Appearance: Sabitsuki holds a watering can.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Can make it rain with three different settings: light rain, normal rain, or heavy rain.

Directions: Found by interacting with the ghost holding a watering can in Plant World.

Practical Uses: Can be used to trigger the Rainbow Flower event in the Rainbow Maze.

Whistle

Effect ImageShowcase

(ホイッスル)

Hold a whistle in your mouth.

Appearance: Sabitsuki carries a whistle in her mouth.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Using the whistle causes all NPCs to move towards the direction Sabitsuki is facing.

Directions: Can be obtained by interacting with the whistle found on the ground in Visceral World.

Practical Uses: Useful for clearing NPCs from the path by making them move away from Sabitsuki. Also useful for bringing some NPCs towards her, including NPCs that are off-screen.

Gas Mask

Effect ImageShowcase

(ガスマスク)

Wear a gas mask.

Appearance: Sabitsuki dons a gas mask.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Sabitsuki lifts the mask, revealing the left side of her face.

Directions: Can be obtained by interacting with the smoke-producing plant in the Plant Corridors.

Practical Uses: None.

Machine

Effect ImageShowcase

(きかい)

Become a machine.

Appearance: Sabitsuki's body is equipped with machine parts, replacing certain limbs.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: None.

Directions: Obtained by interacting with a desk in Star World.

Practical Uses: None.

Daruma

Effect ImageShowcase

(だるま)

Become a Daruma.

Appearance: Sabitsuki is limbless, with blood dripping from the stumps.

Passive Effect: Sabitsuki moves at a slower pace and cannot pinch herself awake because of her missing limbs.

Action: Sabitsuki falls over, moves even more slowly, and is unable to get up due to her lack of limbs.

Directions: Found in the back room of Sugar Hole, behind the cleaner.

Practical Uses: None.

Slime

Effect ImageShowcase

(スライム)

Become a Slime.

Appearance: Sabitsuki takes on a green, slime-like texture.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Sabitsuki transforms into a puddle of goop and then regenerates back.

Directions: Found by interacting with the slime at the Northern Wastewater Lake.

Practical Uses: None.

Arms

Effect ImageShowcase

(うで)

Grow multiple arms.

Appearance: Sabitsuki develops three extra arms that emerge from unusual places, such as her head, resembling Monoko's second form in Yume Nikki.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Sabitsuki folds all her arms and teleports back to the Entrance.

Directions: Found by interacting with the arm protruding from the ground in Microorganism World.

Practical Uses: Allows quick teleportation back to the Entrance, saving the need to wake up and reenter. This is especially useful for avoiding chaser traps or swiftly leaving an area.

Viscera

Effect ImageShowcase

(ないぞう)

Viscera is spilling out...

Appearance: Sabitsuki has a large wound on her stomach, with her intestines hanging out of the gash.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Sabitsuki will attempt to stuff her intestines back into her body, but her efforts seem futile.

Directions: This Effect can be obtained by interacting with the body of an Onigo found in the Womb Maze.

Practical Uses: None.

Psychedelic

Effect ImageShowcase

(サイケデリック)

Become Psychedelic.

Appearance: Sabitsuki’s body takes on a glowing aura, emitting a soft and vibrant light.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: When equipped, Sabitsuki’s appearance changes slightly, with her colors shifting in a subtle way.

Directions: This Effect can be found by interacting with a distinct, different-looking section of the wall in the Rainbow Maze. After this, head to Psychedelic Town and interact with an NPC there to complete the process.

Practical Uses: None.

Handgun

Effect ImageShowcase

(けんじゅう)

Wield a Handgun.

Appearance: Sabitsuki is seen holding a small revolver-like gun, which she uses to fire shots.

Passive Effect: None

Action: Sabitsuki will fire a shot into the air. Upon firing, NPCs in the vicinity will move away from her. After firing five rounds, the gun will require a reload before Sabitsuki can shoot again.

Directions: This Effect is obtained by interacting with a dumpster in the Hole.

Practical Uses: The gun can be used to scare NPCs away from Sabitsuki.

Corpse

Effect ImageShowcase

(したい)

Become a Corpse.

Appearance: Sabitsuki transforms into a decaying corpse with a slight purple hue, giving her a rotting appearance.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: None.

Directions: This Effect can be obtained by interacting with the corpse located in the Prison.

Practical Uses: None.

Black Hood

Effect ImageShowcase

(くろフード)

Wear a Black Hood.

Appearance: Sabitsuki is seen wearing a black hoodie, covering her head.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Sabitsuki can raise and lower the hood at will. Showing her hair or covering it.

Directions: This Effect is acquired by interacting with a hooded body found in a bathtub in the Disposal.

Practical Uses: None.

Uniform

Effect ImageShowcase

(せいふく)

Wear a Uniform.

Appearance: Sabitsuki is dressed in a school uniform, typically seen with a skirt, blouse, and accessories like a tie or ribbon.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: None.

Directions: This Effect is found in the School, by interacting with the Kaibutsu located within a circle of desks.

Practical Uses: None.

Tattoo

Effect ImageShowcase

(いれずみ)

Tattoo your eyes.

Appearance: Sabitsuki has cross tattoos marked across her eyes, which appear to be open. The tattoos give her a distinct and unsettling appearance.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: None.

Directions: This Effect is obtained by interacting with Smile, located on top of the balcony in the School.

Practical Uses: None.

Plant

Effect ImageShowcase

RegularWith Watering Can Effect

(しょくぶつ)

Become a plant.

Appearance: Sabitsuki has one eye obscured by a plant, with vines and foliage surrounding her. The plants seem to be part of her, almost blending with her body.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: The plants on Sabitsuki will gradually grow. If it's raining, whether naturally or through the use of the Watering Can, the plants will grow even faster, eventually trapping Sabitsuki in place. To break free, press Shift.

Directions: This Effect is found in the Illusionary Corridors by interacting with the giant flower located there.

Practical Uses: None.

Dress

Effect ImageShowcase

(ドレス)

Wear a dress.

Appearance: Sabitsuki wears a black dress and a veil, creating an elegant, yet somber appearance.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: Sabitsuki performs a curtsy. If she curtsies towards any nearby Cleaners, they will return the gesture by bowing back to her.

Directions: This Effect is found in Snow World. To obtain it, interact with a black dress in one of the buildings within the area.

Practical Uses: None.

Television

Effect ImageShowcase

(テレビ)

Become a Television.

Appearance: Sabitsuki has a television in place of her head, creating a surreal and mechanical look.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: When activated, Sabitsuki turns on the TV. The image displayed on the screen will change depending on the world Sabitsuki is in and the current circumstances.

Directions: This Effect can be found by interacting with a television in Machine Nation.

Practical Uses: The television provides visual clues about significant elements within the current world, such as uncollected Effects, Chasers, and other points of interest. It serves as a useful tool to help Sabitsuki navigate new environments and locate important items or threats.

The television has ten distinct channels it can tune to:

• If there’s nothing noteworthy in the area, it will cycle through six possible channels:
  • Sabitsuki’s face.
  • Sabitsuki’s face with her eyes squinted shut.
  • Two orange-red sparks.
  • The face of Gisokuko.
  • A black screen with red, bloody corners.
  • A strange, blue pattern.

• Four additional channels are triggered by specific circumstances:
  • If an area contains an uncollected Effect, the screen will display a single white spark.
  • If a Kaibutsu (hostile or not) is present, the screen will show a distorted, bloodied smile.
  • When in the Back Ward room with Little Sabitsuki or any rooms leading to Empty Boxes, the screen will display an image of Rust’s bloodied, injured face.
  • In areas with Fetuses, the screen will turn red, with the display coated in either blood or rust.

Instructions

(説明書)

See the game's instructions.

Appearance: None.

Passive Effect: None.

Action: A brief description of the gameplay mechanics appears on the screen, providing an overview of how to play.

Directions: This Effect is granted at the beginning of the game.

Practical Uses: It serves as a tutorial, offering guidance on the game's mechanics and helping players understand how to navigate and interact within the game world.

Empty Boxes

The Empty Boxes consist of three items that are exclusively acquired as Rust. They don’t have official names, with the term "Empty Box" referring to the blank "got item" box that appears when one is obtained. For clarity, the guides below use speculative names derived from internal switches and flags tied to the events.

The primary goal in Rust's portion of the game is to collect all three of these items, which unlocks access to the Rust Corridor, leading to the final game ending.

Keep in mind, there's no way to track which boxes have been collected, as they are not listed in any menu.

Demon (鬼)

The entrance hole at the Back Ward's end.

Obtaining the Box.

Directions: Entrance → Utility Pole World → Apartments → Snow World → Illusionary Corridors → Back Ward

The Demon is located inside a bloody hole at the end of the Back Ward.

Upon entering the hole, Rust will find herself in a recreation of the bloody room from the Blood, Rust, and Pus event. She can proceed through the doorway, leading to a variation of the Childbirth event.

As Rust approaches, the Onigo in the room will collapse and die, clearing her path. The Childbirth event appears to have already concluded, with the giantess Onigo lying dead. Interacting with her disemboweled corpse will grant Rust the Demon Effect. Following this, the screen will fade into red static, and Rust will be forced back to the Back Ward, with the bloody hole now sealed.

Interestingly, Sabitsuki can also interact with the hole. While it initially appears closed, she can strike it with the Iron Pipe to open it. However, she will refuse to enter.

Purity (無垢)

Interact with the test tube Oreko to proceed to the Orange Laboratory.

Obtaining the Box.

Directions: Entrance → Utility Pole World → Apartments → Submarine Corridors → Orange Maze → Orange Laboratory

The Purity is located at the far end of the Orange Laboratory.

To access it, find the test tube Oreko within the Orange Maze. After interacting with her, head south to reach the Orange Laboratory. Once there, proceed right and descend the stairs. After passing the first light fixture, turn around and enter the next area.

From this point, the path to the Purity is straightforward. Continue onward and interact with the giant Sabitsuki in a test tube at the very end to obtain it.

While Sabitsuki can freely explore the areas leading up to the Purity, she will refuse to enter the final room where it is located.

Smile (笑顔)

The room leading to the Smile. Sabitsuki will refuse to enter the door directly north of Rust.

Obtaining the Box.

Directions: Entrance → Music World → Connecting Tile Path → White Room → Blood Maze → Insides → Sewers → Northern Wastewater Lake → Neighborhood → School

The Smile is located in the basement of the School.

Reaching it requires no special steps. Upon arriving at the School, simply make your way to the basement. Inside, interact with the giant, gaping mouth to obtain the Smile. Afterward, Rust will be ejected from the room with a giggle, and she will be unable to return.

Although Sabitsuki can enter the School basement, she is unable to access the room containing the Smile.

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Notable Techniques

Wake Up

ExplanationShowcase

Sabitsuki pinches her cheek, causing her to wake up and exit the dream world. This allows her to get out of situations where she's trapped or leave an area faster.

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Other

Standard Tactics: Sabitsuki mainly seems to use the iron pipe for attacking NPCs, the handgun is used to scare away NPCs, though she may use some of her other special effects when the moment calls for it.

Weaknesses

• Effect Weaknesses: As plants grow around her body with the Plant effect pairing this effect with the watering can causes the plants grow faster and make Sabitsuki unable to move.
• Standard Weaknesses: Likely has a sickness.

Note

• The translations for what lol_rust is saying can be found in the first pinned comment of the first 6 parts of his .flow playthrough. The comments are personally hearted by lol_rust too, thus the translations can be used for the profile.

Trivia

• Like many of the other Yume Nikki fangame protagonist, Sabitsuki constantly has her eyes closed just like Madotsuki.
• Sabitsuki entering the alternate world from a computer rather then a bed was noted by the author to probably be drawn from Serial Experiments Lain.
• Sabitsuki's name continues the tradition of giving fangame characters a name ending in -tsuki. However, if written with kanji, Sabitsuki's name has a meaning related to the game's events. Sabitsuki (錆つき) means "rust-covered" or "rust-eaten".
• According to her equipment screen, the skirt she wears is her favorite one and the clothes she wears are her usual clothes.
• According to a response to a fan's question by lolrust, it is implied Sabitsuki may be aromantic or on the aromantic spectrum.
• Her favorite food is cake, and her favorite drinks are coffee and tea.
• She is 4'7 - 4'11 (140-150 cm). In a follow-up tweet lol explained that he hasn't decided on it yet, and that she still seems to be growing.
• She collects CDs and books that were given to her.
• Her favorite colors are orange and red.
• She is left-handed, since her mouse is on the left side of her desk. She also holds the iron pipe, watering can, and hangun effects in her left hand.
• Sabitsuki's has white hair as lol_rust likes white hair, along with having a slightly abnormal upbringing playing into it.
  • Originally when starting to develop .flow, lol_rust had the protagonist be a completely different character from Sabitsuki, she would've had long black hair that went down her back but he discovered that having her back-facing sprite be covered in black meant she blended too much into the dark background, with Sabitsuki's color scheme being designed to stand out from her surroundings.
• Sabitsuki's design was inspire by Heater Mason from Silent Hill 3.
• lol has confirmed a variety of information about Sabitsuki on their marshmallow-qa account:
  • Sabitsuki dislikes spicy food. She also frequently gets nosebleeds.
  • Sabitsuki likes to listen to electronica and rock music.
  • Sabitsuki's favorite colors are orange and red.
  • Sabitsuki vaguely smells of blood.
  • Sabitsuki's favorite food is cake. Her favorite drinks are either coffee or tea.

Different Themes Gathered from the Dream World

Abuse

In one of the rooms at the aparmtent, Sabitsuki can come across a young Sabitsuki and a seated woman, the woman is drinking tea while Sabitsuki's cup is knocked over, if Sabitsuki goes to interact with the cup then the young Sabitsuki shakes her head. This likely implies Sabitsuki was either abused by her mother or a caretaker. It is shown in another room that Sabitsuki is in a "rough rebellious phase", where she is eating and litetering cup noodles or other cheap food, along with a pair of scissors. This could imply she is not properly fed along with her committing harm to herself. Street violence is shown across the Back Alleyway with multiple bloodstains on the floor and hooded figures walking around.

Plants

.flow has a recurring images of plants and flowers giving off a somewhat sinister or off-putting vibe, with lol_rust noting that Sabitsuki doesn't like plants. When Sabitsuki gets the Plant Effect herself, it serves as a detriment rather then a unique ability, as the plants grow around her body and if paired with the watering can the plants grow faster and make Sabitsuki unable to move.

Impurity & Violence

There are several cases of impurity & violence within .flow. According to lol_rust, effects themselves are seen as an impurity or something undesired. Street violence is shown across the Back Alleyway with multiple bloodstains on the floor and hooded figures walking around. Sabitsuki can encounter a Kaibutsu beating a pile of flesh with a blunt object in the Back Alleyway.. The Hospital has an area with hooks and body bags stained with blood. Along with an area full of corpses in the hospital.

Illness & Decay

There are many themes of illness and decay within .flow. The Hospital has an area with hooks and body bags stained with blood. Along with an area full of corpses in the hospital. The Cleaner and Rust endings of .flow have a maid with a gas mask appear, impyling that Sabitsuki or Rust are either physically or mentally ill. The viscera effect has Sabitsuki's her guts fall out of her body and the Daruma effect removes her limbs.

Different Theories

Mental Deterioration

It is theorized that Sabitsuki is slowly losing her mind, either as a result of her illness or as a side effect of the treatments she is undergoing. This could explain the increasingly unsettling and chaotic nature of her dreams.

The Kaibutsu, who display varying degrees of aggression, are also believed to represent individuals suffering from similar mental deterioration. The passive Kaibutsu may signify those who are on the brink of losing themselves, while the aggressive ones symbolize those who have fully succumbed. This connection between Sabitsuki and the Kaibutsu further supports the theory that her condition is deteriorating.

School Trauma

Another theory is that Sabitsuki did not fit in at school, often facing exclusion or ridicule from her peers. Evidence for this interpretation can be seen in the corrupted school areas where Kaibutsu chase her down with pipes, accompanied by the sounds of laughter echoing through the halls. This unsettling imagery may reflect memories of bullying and social rejection that have left a lasting impact on her psyche.

Quarantine

Sabitsuki’s unwillingness to leave her room is sometimes interpreted as a sign that she is quarantining herself due to a contagious or debilitating illness. This would align with the game's recurring motifs of hospitals, medical equipment, and deteriorating health. The theory suggests that her isolation is not entirely self-imposed, but a necessary measure to prevent the spread of her illness.

Sexual Trauma

Some theorists speculate that Sabitsuki may have experienced sexual trauma, possibly suggested by the disturbing imagery found in the Vomitgirls area. The unsettling and grotesque nature of this location could symbolize the emotional and psychological damage resulting from such an experience, manifesting in her subconscious as she navigates her dream world.

Prostitution and Maternal Trauma

A more grim theory proposes that Sabitsuki's mother may have been a prostitute. This could explain why Sabitsuki might feel unwanted, neglected, or stigmatized. In this scenario, she may have been born with health issues resulting from prenatal exposure to disease, or she may harbor resentment toward her mother for the circumstances of her birth.

Alternatively, it is suggested that Sabitsuki’s mother might have died from complications related to an unsafe abortion or childbirth. This traumatic event could have profoundly affected Sabitsuki, with the themes of death and medical trauma in her dreams representing her unresolved feelings.

Sugar Girl Connection

Some fans believe that Sugar Girl, a character in the game, could be Sabitsuki’s mother or sister. In this interpretation, Sugar Girl may have died by suicide or suffered a tragic fate, which Sabitsuki has tried to suppress. Her dream world could be a manifestation of her attempts to confront or forget this trauma.

Abortion and Physical Trauma

Another theory suggests that Sabitsuki may have been a prostitute herself and became pregnant as a result. In this scenario, the pregnancy was unwanted, leading her to seek an abortion. However, it is theorized that the procedure was botched or performed unsafely, resulting in severe physical damage and infection.

This theory could explain the frequent appearance of medical and surgical imagery in her dreams, symbolizing both her physical suffering and emotional turmoil. The act of discarding the Effects and transforming into Rust may represent the final stage of her deteriorating health.

Bad Neighborhood

Another theory suggests Sabitsuki grew up under bad parenting and in a bad neighborhood. The Back Alleyway suggests that she was commonly around lowlife scum that would commit crimes without anyone really stopping them as shown by the blood stains on the floor while hooded figures walk around.

There's an area with a bunch of men standing around being blocked by a bathtub which could be interpreted as them using the bathtub to hide the evidence of the murders they commit.

The Apartments World is very run down and barely working. Indicating that Sabitsuki likely lived in an apartment building like this.

Gallery

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  Official Art

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  'Sabisabi-chan' by lol

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  'Sleep' by lol

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  Blood that can sometimes be found in the real world

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  .flow from Yume Nikki Online with the rare black Nexus event

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  .flow from Yume Nikki Online with the rare black Nexus event alone

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  The rare red Nexus event

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  An achievement that can be gotten through gazing into the mirror as Rust

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  An achivement that can be obtained through killing Smile at the Corrupted School as Rust

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  The mouse being on the left side of Sabitsuki's computer

Battle Records

VictoriesLossesInconclusive

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