#[ I'll likely continue updating this over time so people can see the things I add for him and all ]

[wolfpackmuses]

      ❝Injured beyond repair, I know nothing besides this: I must resist the                     Dark Urge, lest it consume my mind.              I must discover who I was, and what happened to me.            Before my twitching knife-hand writes a tragedy in blood.❞

           ind. sel. Multimuse account revamped 04/03/2023.

             Featuring muses from Dreamworks, Disney,                   Baldur's Gate 3, and more.                      Written by Zombie.

     — Rules and Muses —  About Balasar, The Dark Urge — Meme Tag—               — Promo template made by calisources! —

[yooglefics]

The casual type: 05 . The art of paying attention

Pairing: Min Yoongi x fem!reader Wordcount: 3,354 words Genre ( for the whole series ): AU. College!verse. Strangers to friends with benefits to ???. Eventual smut. Hurt / comfort at times. Fluff for cute friends. Summary:  ( Series ) • Hobi and his girlfriend set you up with a friend of hers to help with whatever happened months back. However, no one really expected things to end the way they did. ( Ep. 05 ) • Sometime the little details mean more than people think. More info under read more.

Includes ( this chapter ): The squad<3. Subin my love. And other new characters. A kind of out of nowhere jump in time ( just a few weeks ) because the writing just flowed like that, I don't know what to tell you. A mini-drama ( this is the spoiler I posted on ko-fi the other week ) and a bigger drama.  Author's note: so… I'm sorry this took so long to be updated Y_Y As you may know, inspiration hasn't been too good these days, but after some lovely comments and knowing people are interested in this story, I finally finished this chapter, so thank you! Also, let me know if you figured out what the drama was before the end, or if you had a theory about it, etc. Hopefully you like this one, and remember to leave a comment, reblog, send an ask, follow or what not, to help my motivation. Thank you for reading <3

“Kang Subin, queer and honorable member of the divorced parents club.” Is how your roommate introduces herself friday night, pointing to the latter as the reason she is only now, a month after classes started, arriving to campus and the city in general. 

She says her dad insisted on doing a year abroad as he did, assisting to his Alma Mater and hopefully fall in love with the city to move full time with him. And she did love it… a little too much. She admits the change of scenery was liberating, she could be a totally different Subin from the one in Seoul, and sadly that meant neglecting her notes and putting at risk her art history degree.

You're glad to note she will be joining you ( and some of your friends on occasion ) for classes, since she managed to keep her notes high enough to not lose her first semester. And then you spend the weekend getting to know each other, practically becoming friends overnight. Subin says it must be a you thing, and shaking your head no, you confess essentially begging the administration for a roommate because you're stuck with silly boys and all girls hate you because you aren't cool like them. She laughs, asks if that means the plan is making everyone hate her too and be stuck with you. And you freak out a little, but her laugh keeps flowing across the dormroom and you know she is joking; you know that things would be fine.

Monday arrives and between classes, you continue to give Subin small tours of the campus, mostly the art building and where all the vending machines are. 

“There's more than I thought, could you make me a map?” She jokingly asks.

“I'll ask Jungkook for the one we made last semester,” you know he has it because it was offered to Yoongi before.

“Hey, y/n!” calls Taehyung, appearing at the other end of the hall with Yoongi, and when he asks “you got some gum?”, you know they were just on a smoke break.

“Oh, hi, Tae. Nice to see you.” Sarcastic tone all over it, “are you having a nice morning?”

He rolls his eyes and Yoongi laughs at his side.

“Sorry, I'm actually not. And I'm running late,” still you give him a look and as a little kid he repends. “Hi, you guys look pretty today, as alway.” He adds before you can argue anything, and only then Subin chuckles, understanding this must be part of your dynamic. “Do you happen to have some gum for us, your lovely friends?”

“Yes, actually.” Taking one strap off, you move your backpack to your front, looking for the little package they keep stealing from. “Here,” you hand one wrapper to Tae, who starts running in the other direction immediately, screaming how much he loves you. And a “nice to meet you!” to Subin.

Everyone laughs, Yoongi turning back in your direction after Taehyung disappears down the hallway.

“You want one?” You ask and before being able to stop yourself, you add, “Is cherry, though” 

“Of course it is,” he smiles and you look away, pretending it's only to search for another one to offer Subin. Memories of friday’s night invading your psyche and shyness your whole body. 

Well, that's your own fault.

“Thank you,” she says, looking at the two of you while unwrapping it. “I'm Subin, by the way, the new roommate.” 

“Oh, she actually found one!”

“Just hoping she doesn't abandon me too,” you pout and Subin wraps one arm around yours.

“Never.”

“Yoongi,” He introduces, thumb pointing to himself and then behind, “And that was Taehyung, but I guess you'd meet the whole squad later.”

“Ah, yeah. I've been told she collects cute guys.”

“Did someone actually say that?” Yoongi asks when you're not even surprised.

“Yeah and when I asked about girls she looked relieved,” subin goes on, “I actually wanted to know, you know.”

Yoongi and you laugh, “someone doesn't like competition,” both say in unison.

“I told you, they lied.”

“Well, I can't really say that yet. I've to look first,” Subin insists, walking through the cafeteria's door. And it doesn't bother you because it comes from a place of curiosity and not horniness. No shame to anyone, your friends are hot, but you've known them for so long and know they have other great attributes that sometimes it feels superficial and it bothers you.

Besides, as a friend, you need to keep their egos just high enough to be healthy for everyone involved.

“Listen, kids,” calling for the table's attention, you stand in front of them, “this is Subin, my—”

“New roommate?” Asks Jungkook, remembering the text you sent, and you nod excitedly.

“That's Jungkook, he is in music and sports.”

“Which ones?”

“All. Some. We don't have time for that,” you joke, but only continue with the rest of his introduction after the youngest clarifies is soccer and box this year. “Oh, he also takes an art class with Taehyung and I, and now you, this semester. You know Tae from earlier, the one who keeps stealing my gum.”

“You're the one that tells me to not show up to class with cigarette breath!” He pushes back against accusations.

“I think she wants you to buy your own,” Jimin suggests.

“Or quit,” adds Hobi and the table laughs even more.

“That’s Hobi, the group's mom.” Tae offers after.

“Does that make Mai the dad?” Jungkook asks, with a serious expression on his face.

“I'm telling her so,” Yoongi says, already phone in hand and texting his best friend.

“You'll have to meet Mai later, she is great,” you continue, “but Tae is in arts. And Hobi and Jimin, are both dancers,” index finger pointing at their direction as you say each name, “and well, you already know that's Yoongi, he is in music too.”

“And the last new guy, right?” Subin remembers from your talk earlier after she met him for the first time, “I guess I took your title.”

“Are we enemies now?” He jokes, “I was about to offer you my chair, but now I don't know.”

Again, laughs all around and before anyone can think about the sitting arrangement too seriously, Jungkook is standing up, saying he needs to go back to the house before his next class.

“Oh, you are the biker from friday!” Subin exclaims as Jungkook’s helmet comes into view, everyone turning to look at her, “can't believe I forgot to ask you.”

And then five pairs of eyes are on you, all but Yoongi's, since he doesn't need an explanation. 

“...What?” Asks Tae, finally.

“Had to call her to my rescue because I lost my key and from the hallway's window I saw someone drop her off on a motorcycle,” she explains, “that's when the girl told me about you collecting cute guys.”

“But that wasn't me,” says Jungkook.

“Yeah, you weren't with us that night. We were all at the house, so who was it?” Ask Jimin, and the curiosity in his voice makes you nervous. You have never lied to them, and starting right now without preparation is terrifying.

However nothing compares to the feeling on your stomach when Yoongi answers, “it was me, actually.” And without a beat, your friends are looking at him now, “What?”

“You what now?” Mister interrogation Tae goes on, “Why were you together? What time was it? Was it late?”

“You were alone? Why?” Asks Hobi.

“We can't hang out now?” You ask back, wasn't he who set you up in the first place? And yes, it didn't turn out the way they planned it, but wasn't the whole premise to get to know Yoongi?

“Not what I meant,” he corrects, “Just… you didn't say anything.”

“Well, you guys canceled, what were we supposed to do? Not do anything just because you weren't with us?” Yoongi answers before you. 

“And we just hang out, you know, eat junk food and chat. Nothing to write home about.”

“Aww,” coos Jungkook, sliding his arm over your shoulders, “does that mean you missed us? You really love us, uh?” you pull back, sticking your tongue at him and pushing him towards the exit, telling him to hurry because if he is late to class you aren't covering for him again.

Thankfully, that's enough to get them off your back and Subin’s arrival provides better entertainment through the lunch hour, as your friends don't hold back on their questions to get to know her. And you're glad they seem to like her as much as you do.

“So… should I've not mentioned the bike thing?” worries Subin later, when everyone has left and is only her and Yoongi at the table.

“Don't worry about it.” He reassures her, offering a tangerine slice when she doesn't return the smile. “Seriously.” 

Is not her fault, he thinks. He can't blame the guys either for wondering and going into big brother mode as soon as they hear you're hanging out with someone, since the prevalence of that is not the best right now. And although he does feels bad about keeping things a secret from them, mostly Hoseok, who Yoongi himself give the “you better be careful with what you do with my best friend” talk, it consoles him a bit to know that the both of you are on the same page with what you have. 

Maybe if they knew it wouldn't be a big deal, he thinks. Better him than anyone else, right?

Putting away your phone and with the excuse of going to the bathroom before class, Subin and Tae follow their journey to the second floor without you and without suspecting anything. As you walk in front of one of the classrooms, a hand wraps around your forearm and pulls you in.

“What th—!” scream is interrupted when you recognize Yoongi. “You almost gave me a heart attack! I could've punched you.” And with adrenaline still running through your body, you actually push his shoulder with less force than you first intended.

“Ouch.” He rubs the place you hit, dramatically, as he explains, “Sorry, I panicked. There were people around and I didn't want to scream your name”

“Yeah, we should be careful after what happened at the cafeteria. Good save, by the way.”

“You own me,” he quickly returns.

“I do not,” you deny, crossing your arms, “You were the one insisting on going into the parking lot, I told you to leave me at the gate.”

“Well, forgive me for being a gentleman.”

You laugh, “and modest.”

Yoongi smiles, relaxing his body against the wall beside the door, “are you telling Subin about us?” he asks before you can question him about why he asked to meet.

Uncrossing your arms, you fiddle with your nails instead, scratching the acrylic paint off of them. “What is your opinion on that?”

“You can't answer a question with a question, miss.”

“Well… I don't know.” Is your final answer after a few seconds of silence. “She is cool and I really think we’re going to be friends and maybe I can gossip to her about you.”

He chuckles at that.

“And also she said sorry and asked if it was supposed to be a secret.”

“Really?” Yoongi sounds surprised, “She asked me that too earlier and I told her to not worry.”

“I feel bad about it because it seems like she is actually worried she messed up,” you share, “maybe I should just come clean. Only to her, at least. But of course not, if you don't want to.”

“No, it's okay. I think is good you have someone to talk to. And she seems nice.”

You nod in agreement, relieved you don't have to start hiding things from Subin as soon as you two met.

“Also,” Yoongi goes on, holding your hips and bringing you closer to him. You allow him to without much thinking. “It was nothing to write home about?”

“What?” 

“Friday night, you said that earlier.” 

“Did your ego get hurt?” You tease.

“No. But I didn't know you were a liar.” he throws back and you laugh. “I'm going to call you Pinocchio now.”

At that, you gasp, “stop giving me nicknames!”

And your attempt to pull away is just that, an attempt, because between laughs he holds you closer. “But is funny. And all of them are true.”

“They aren't.”

“Are so.”

“I don't like you.”

“That's not what I got from friday.”

“Yoongiii—.” you gasp again, his laugh louder this time.

Wanting a clarification stops him from dumping his phone back into the duffle bag and so, throwing the strap over his shoulder, he makes his way over to Chris and other teammates. 

“Are you ready to go?” His roommate asks, and Yoongi nods, “good, I'm just waiting for Ha-ri.” 

“Hey!” As they turn around, it is not difficult to recognize her as one of the cheerleaders since she is carrying her pom-poms and all, but is only as they continue talking that Yoongi realizes who she is, “sorry, I was saying goodbye to the girls and planning for next practice.” 

“Don't worry, babe.” 

“You must be Yoongi, hi,” she waves her free hand enthusiastically enough the pendant on her bracelet makes a jiggly sound, catching his attention “welcome to the university. And the team. Go, Bears!”

She seems nice, Yoongi thinks, “Go, bears!” first in the air, he chuckles in response before they all make their way to the parking lot and to Chris’s car.

The drive home is short and filled with questions about his last school and the reason he transferred, which Yoongi manages to give simple and vague answers that satisfy Ha-ri’s curiosity. It definitely helps that he has been questioned about it more than once the last few weeks, giving him more than one chance to practice before today.

The more weeks pass, the less people ask. And soon the mystery of his arrival is pushed to the side as people decide to talk about his accomplishments in the basketball games.

Every now and then someone recognizes him as an ex Tiger's player, and asks why he changed teams, but before anything can get to deep, a “well, now you are on the right team,” or something alike is thrown his way and he couldn't be more glad for the rivalry between the universities.

For what is worth, the change has proven to have been a good decision. Of course he is nostalgic for the past and he misses hanging out with Mai more often, but he has friends, basketball and music. He has even been planning to perform at school events with Jungkook as he did with Jay back then. 

It feels like he is starting to build a new life, and it wasn't as difficult as his brain told him it could be.

With chuseok around the corner the university starts to plan the events for the weekend and some professors feel generous enough to give extra credits for participation. Others just used it as an excuse to make the assignments related to it, that's his and Jungkook’s case.

Yours is the first one, because getting a good grade for hanging out with your friends sounds too good to pass out. That's why for the last few days you have been following them around taking pictures and notes, preparing your article about their performance Saturday night. 

“Are you done?” Yoongi asks from his spot at the end of the bed when you take the headphones off, the ones he made you wear so he wouldn't have to listen to himself on the interview recording.

“Yep. I only need Kook's side and I'm done,” end of the sentence elongates a bit, arms in the air as you stretch your back.

“How long for him to be here? I need him to go over something before he eats and gets a food coma.”

“I'm glad you're already prepared for that,” you giggle, “Because he is not even seeing my texts.”

“He is still busy?”

“Yeah, kissing someone for sure. Does he think I don't have things to do too?” 

“Like making out with someone too?” he jokes, putting his guitar down on the bed, deciding to take a break too.

“Why? Are you jealous?” you tease, trying not to laugh and is surprising when you're met with a serious expression as you spin around on his desk chair.

 “I thought the rule was to tell if there were other people.”

“I'm just kidding,”

“Wow, a comedian.” he rolls his eyes, and you know he is only pretending to be annoyed.

So, you push. “I'm funnier than you, don't get mad.”

“Cocky.” 

“What, you don't find confidence attractive?”

“Oh, I find a lot of things about you attractive.” 

Touche; you think as a smirk appears proudly on his face and makes you turn around, shy reaction at the security of this voice.

And he laughs. Of course.

“Shut up, Yoongi.”

“If you want to kiss me, just do it,” he only has to stretch a bit to pull on the chair, making you turn to him again and bringing you close.

And you do kiss him.

Not only to erase his stupid and attractive gummy smile, but also because you've missed it.

With projects and exams, with Yoongi not only being in a different major but also in his third year, hanging out only the two of you hasn't happened as much. 

You don't mind. You understand that is not a priority and there is something relaxing about it being an unspoken agreement, something that you truthly appreciate. 

But you would be lying if you said that you didn't miss Yoongi's lips against yours and the way his hand cups your cheek, still gentle as he tries to lead the kiss. 

Looking for closeness, your hand finds balance on his tight, making you contemplate ditching the comfiness of the desk chair for a sit on his lap.

“Is pizza night, baby!” breaks through the house before you can make another move, making you jump and pull away on instinct. Moving out of Yoongi's reach, even hitting the desk with the back of the chair as you stand up in record time.

“Careful,” he murmurs and you don't understand why he isn't freaking out. Even dears to chuckle.

“Min, come out!” another voice calls out.

“That's not Jungkook,” you say as a matter of fact, your brain still in shock.

“I'm starting to think he stood us up.” He stands up, looking at his phone still without texts from the younger guy, “Wanna meet my roommates? They have pizza, apparently.”

And your empty stomach makes the executive decision to hide your shame, and disappointment, in exchange for some food.

You're introduced to Jin first, who introduces Namjoon while taking the knife out of his hand with a “let hyung do it.”

“I swear he never lets me hold a knife for more than five seconds,” he says and you find it adorable, but Namjoon seems genuinely confused and maybe a bit hurt by it. 

You wonder what more there's to that. But before you can ask anything, a third roommate comes out of the kitchen, “Is for your own good and the wellbeing of everyone involved,” he says, making your whole body tense as the familiar voice rings through your ears.

“That's Chris.” Jin says, and you almost answer that you know, but for a second it is even hard to breathe.

Nevertheless, you don't need to say anything, because your silence is everything Yoongi needed to confirm that an introduction isn't necessary and in fact, you'd probably rather forget about him. 

Because is him.

The guy who hurt you.

A/N: I missed writing this! again thank you to anyone who has show interest one way or another, you're the reason this chapter was actually finished uwu♡. A/N 2: I'm working on the intros for the characters that aren't part of the squad, and sometimes I ask for your help with fc's suggestions or names, so... that's something to know if you're interested. Send a tip on ko-fi and get some rewards!!

♡ Tag list: @n33mesis , @mggv97 , @wobblewobble822 , @bbou-doir , @m00njinnie , @nariee02 , @sexytholland , @itsmina29 , @ktownshizzle , @take-u-2-an0ther-w0r1d , @kimtaehussy .

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[melbatron5000]

My murder board

Updated 4/22/24

I'll add links as I can, but here's what I've got so far on the Good Omens season 2 puzzle/game. I feel it's important to note that I think we've been given all the puzzle pieces and a bunch of helpful hints besides.

The continuity errors:

Crowley's hair (POV thing)

Crowley's sideburns (POV)

The Bentley, "our car" but then it is Our Car in 1941 also -- WTF (There is a line in the book about someone being powerful enough to make something change and then make it so the change always was that way, but damned if I can recall the line or context now. Need to re-read AND re-watch! Found it! It's when Crowley first meets Adam after he's come into his powers -- he reads Crowley's mind and history like it's a book and this is the impression it leaves Crowley with. Adam's power is very similar to how the Book of Life is described in the show. Curiouser and curiouser!) (POV!)

Eccles cakes when Crowley leaves the shop, it's still morning, the continuity of time is messing with me. When they get the eccles cakes, it's light out. When Crowley leaves, it's dark out. He throws a lightning temper tantrum. He comes back after 9 by the clock in the shop. I still think it's not unreasonable to assume Aziraphale simply tidied away the eccles cakes in that time. Nina would have liked her plate back, after all. But all of this begs another question: 4a. Why is it around 11:30 when Aziraphale leaves Maggie's shop with the record and says he knows what he'll be doing for 21 minutes, but after 4 pm when Gabriel shows up? What happened for those 4+ hours? See 6. Clocks are wrong. Time is wrong!! (4.b the eccles cakes are prominent in at least one promo poster. Even if they don't disappear, do they mean something else??)

Portal rug it's a faded rug right up until the ball, when it becomes a thick red rug, then it's back to faded once the ball is tidied away. It just got made pretty for the ball, then changed back. The change is a nothingburger.

Clocks are wrong -- all over the damn place!!

Cross on Gabriel's statue -- appears to disappear. (POV)

Honolulu roast sign -- appears out of nowhere. (POV)

Title/location cards -- but there are some spots where the S1 title cards are used, what's going on there? (POV clues? -- this needs a closer look)

Drawing of Gabriel -- the one Aziraphale draws in the shop is NOT the one he shows the pub owner in Edinburgh. Why? (POV)

Wet roads/series poster -- what is up with all the rain??

Lights at Marguerites -- on again, off again. (POV? Or is it just when she's closed and open? It's a cafe, after all, they won't be open in the morning.)

Aziraphale's chair position in the Final Fifteen

1941 photo, Crowely's hand

Repeating extras -- not just repeating, but acting oddly -- walking back and forth, touching things, not eating, dressed the same every single day, etc. Do the people on the street in Edinburgh behave the same way?? (POV?)

Resurrectionist sign at the pub -- one with a scalpel, one with a butcher's knife. And it makes me think -- was Mr. Dalrymple a surgeon and a scientist with a scalpel, or a butcher with a cleaver? (POV. Wait, Aziraphale is the only MC there -- whose POVs would we be seeing?? Crowley's. He calls to tell Crowley what he found, what we're seeing is Crowley's idea of what happened.)

Store front signs -- appear and disappear. (POV)

Whickber street as seen from Heaven vs. on location -- the one Saraqael looks at in Heaven is the Google Maps picture of SoHo from 2019 with the book shop added in. It's not even from 2023! There is a building being torn down in it. In person on the show, it's different -- and the building is long gone in actual Google Maps 2023. (I think Saraqael is trying to hide the big miracle. She's showing the arc angels the book shop when it got reset by Adam in 2019.)

When Shax talks to Crowley and he takes off driving. When she appears, he is parked further up the street than when he leaves. Noticeably so. (POV? Or scenes out of order and this is a different time than it looks like?)

Edinburgh castle -- when Aziraphale arrives in Edinburgh, the castle is behind him. When the camera switches angles to behind him, Edinburgh castle is in front of him. The street he is on (streets, actually) are real streets. The castle was put in the first shot deliberately, but exists for real in the second shot. (POV)

Edinburgh streets -- when Aziraphale arrives in Edinburgh, the street he parks on is cobblestone. When the camera switches to behind him, the street is paved. (POV)

Weird sounds of all kinds?? (POV? Some of them yes.)

Crowley's sunglasses. Could this be explained by POV switches? If so, why do they change halfway through and then stay that way?

Questions about things the characters do:

Where did Crowley go during the Job flashback? And why was he wearing his spy turtleneck? (To meet up with Saraqael, perhaps? Seeing as Shax interrupted their meeting earlier that day?)

Where else did Aziraphale go in Edinburgh? And why did he go to the graveyard?

What did Gabriel need to bring to Aziraphale? What happened to it? (God's voice? A message from god? The Book of Life?)

Why does Micheal do the magician's "nothing in the box" display with the matchbox? It's a very specific action. Something's in that up with that damn matchbox. We're being asked to look at it, while something else happens that we're missing. And someone noticed that her nails are in terrible shape when she does it, but our eyes are on the matchbox.

What else did the Metatron say to Aziraphale? (Anything? Are we getting the whole, accurate story? Most of it? Any of it?)

How long was Crowley in Heaven, and what happened while he was there? (Did he sneak around and steal something? Did they harm him? He's acting a bit weird when he comes back.)

What happened to Aziraphale's briefcase? The one he took to Edinburgh. Where he did who knows what. (Is that a POV thing??)

What, if anything, is wrong with Crowley's memory? (Or is he just dissing Furfur and Saraqael?) (OR! Given the Gabriel removed HIS OWN MEMORY AND PUT IT IN THE FLY, so apparently angels ((AND demons??)) can affect their own memories, did Crowley deliberately do something to himself to get rid of unwanted memories??? He seems pretty untroubled by not remembering Furfur or Saraqael or why they made gravity -- almost as if he doesn't care the memories are gone. Okay, maybe he's gotten rid of some memories himself, but then WHY??) This could be a big old nothingburger. Or is he dissing Furfur and offering plausible deniability that he's met with Saraqael before -- like, when he was wearing his spy turtle neck??

What is Shax's mission? She says she's Crowley's replacement, but then she asks for "what she needs" from Crowley on the bench. Huh? What does she need?

How does Crowley know about hand washing in the Resurrectionists minisode? (This strikes different than the "lead ballon" remark on the wall. It's hard to say if Crowley knows about lead balloons, or if they're speaking an angelic language and it's being translated for us and the translator has a sense of humor or is trying to convey Crowley's sense of humor. The hand washing is actual, concrete, specific knowledge of the future.) Ah, I just re-read the book, where he mentions helicopters to DaVinci, and also Neil said this. It's something Crowley can do. He's a demon, he knows things.

What is going on with Maggie? I don't think she's a demon, but there is something up with her. (Also, one of the men in the graveyard in Edinburgh has a tattoo that says "no regerts." That's a real tattoo that circulates around the internet every once in a while -- I think it's a subtle reminder that humans aren't necessarily great at spelling, either.) But she has a Mason symbol on her necklace, and I still think the Masons are significant somehow; Aziraphale can't miracle-influence her; Aziraphale expects her to feel the arc angels arriving.

Why does Gabriel speak with god's voice? (Was that what he needed to bring? That message? But he says he needs to give Aziraphale something, and both times he speaks in god's voice, it's to Crowley. Hmm. IS that God's voice? It's a woman, but who is it?)

How did the pub owner recognize Gabriel's picture so fast? He says himself, "Look pal, I see a lot of people -- oh, yeah, I remember him!" ?? Was it just because Gabriel was weird at him?

Why is Crowley throwing books? It gives us a laugh, but is there a reason for it? He even seems confused as to why he's carrying them right before he does. (This is a POV thing -- the lens is "Aziraphale's" lens, so I think we're seeing Crowley tell Aziraphale what happened while Aziraphale was gone, and how Aziraphale imagines it would go.)

Why is Saraqael the only angel to react with fear before anyone else recognizes the Metatron? (Is it because she's been working WITH Gabriel, Beelzebub, AND Crowley and Aziraphale to thwart the second attempt at ending the world? Neil says he had some secret things for Sandalphon to do, but the actor wasn't available, so Saraqael does some of those things instead . . .)

Aziraphale gently laughs at Muriel's Inspector Constable persona, but then IMMEDIATELY adopts a just as over-the-top reporter persona. Is he doing it deliberately, or is he that un-self-aware? If he's doing it deliberately, why? Who's he trying to convince he's not that savvy? The pub owner? Anyone who might be spying? US?? Is that a POV thing? And if so, whose?? (AHA! I think this is Aziraphale telling Crowley what happened, and Crowley picturing Aziraphale being adorable in his disguise. Aziraphale is not that silly actually, but probably not as slick as he wants to think.)

Why the heck did Maggie and Nina go talk to Crowley while the Metatron was talking to Aziraphale? What they had to say wasn't important enough to leave Nina's shop during a rush, and I definitely don't think they derailed Crowley from what he needed to say to Aziraphale, though it might look at first as if they did. So what was that about?

When Shax stops Aziraphale for a ride, he says, "Oh, I really need to get to --" and then is cut off. He really needs to get to where? It's an easy assumption to think he means the book shop, or London. But is that all he means? Or was he on his way somewhere else? And if it was just the book shop, what does he mean he's late? Late for what? And that lens is still Crowley's lens -- Aziraphale is relating the story to Crowley. Crowley also knows where Aziraphale was going besides Edinburgh.

Crowley can tell something is wrong. Something. What?

Good God, this questions list just keeps getting longer. Why would the Metatron allow Beelzebub and Gabriel to leave, after trying to stop Armageddon 2.0, but come after Crowley and Aziraphale like that? Just because of the big miracle? (Which I'm not sure they did.)

Why does Crowley say "Oh, God," right before his confession in the final fifteen? To let Aziraphale know that he understands what Aziraphale is saying? That God (or the Voice) is there? Seems possible.

Why didn't Gabriel come down the lift in the Dirty Donkey? He also says he had to carry that box for sooo long. Where was he wandering around?

When Crowley leaves Heaven, he tells Saraqael and Muriel to come, too. But in the elevator, Michael and Uriel are there! When the fuck did they show up??

The whole time Aziraphale is in Maggie's shop asking about Every Day, he is looking out the windows and is VERY nervous. Is he just concerned about leaving Gabriel on his own, or is he nervous about something specific? He does react to the car horn outside as others have noted, but he is already jumpy and checking the windows repeatedly, the car horn isn't anything particular, he's just already fixated on the windows.

Why does Beelzebub tell Shax to attack the bookstore? Aren't they worried about Gabriel being harmed? And they know Hell is understaffed. Maybe that's why they command it? Because they know Shax won't be able to get the demons?

Questions about the world:

What about the Masons? It's such a specific thing for the pub owner to bring up, what is the meaning of it? And Maggie has a Mason symbol on her necklace. Did the Masons carve the statue of Gabriel? When did they see him?

The only narration we hear in the entire season is Aziraphale in the Resurrectionist flashback. Why? (Maybe to throw us off? I think we have multiple POV characters in season 2, not just Aziraphale, but we only hear Aziraphale so we assume he's the POV for the entire season. But still, why do we only hear him narrate 1 flashback? Argh, is he reading the diary to himself in the present day? That would explain the end, "And that was the last I was to see of Crowley for some time." If he is reading it in the present day, why? What made him think to go back to THAT entry?? Oh, duh! He JUST heard the story of the jukebox from Maggie. And Gabriel appearing -- same city that statue is in. Of course he thought of something important from that diary entry! Now, what did he notice?)

Is the Book of Life a real threat? We hear two stories about it, that it's real and that its ability to erase beings was something to scare the cherubs with, this is inconclusive. Crowley gets nervous after Beelzebub talks to him, but he could just be upset that their little break is interrupted, and now Heaven and Hell have taken an interest in them again.

Is reality fucked up? How? Whickber street bubble, Aziraphale's power turned up (how?), etc.? A LOT of it is POV shifts!

Job 41:19 on the matchbox: 1941?? YES. Bullet catch/kiss scene!

Where TF is God? "There was nothing for Her to do" my ass. She narrates. That's it. So there was nothing for her to narrate? Hm. (Because there was a host of other narrators? Are the Crowley/Aziraphale through the ages flashbacks in S1 narrated by God? I don't think they are, but I need to rewatch. They are not! And they aren't narrated by God because Crowely and Aziraphale are the POV characters in them.)

So many promo posters show Aziraphale, Crowley, and Jimbriel together, or symbols of them. Three feathers: two white, one black. Tea cup, cocoa mug, wine glass. The three of them. Not with Beelzebub, not with Muriel, the three of them. And all three of them have been Jesus-coded in some small way. No one else. Those three. What. Why. Are they the sacrifice required to bring about the new world? Why not Beez, then?

Wait. Two Crowleys?? WTF. There are two Crowley puppets in the magic shop, and Crowley doesn't remember Saraqael or Furfur. Is he dissing them, or is that the second Crowley that never did meet either of them? Am I insane? I have no theory here, just some wild speculation that needs a lot more time to simmer. Two actual Crowleys, or two ideas of Crowley? Or something to hurt my head?

Why are they in a cave in the opening sequence? The guy who made the opening sequence says they are in the fly that Gabriel stores his memory in. Okay, why? And Crowley lights a match to see. Hm. What else was in that fly that Gabriel didn't take when he got his memory out?

An album on the wall in Maggie's shop says "Rat Keith." This seems to me to be an allusion to The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, by Terry Pratchett. In the book, some men have tied several rats' tails together to create a rat king that keeps the wild rats under control -- except that the rat king has too much power and is doing way more than just that. People die. So who's been given too much power and is now running the show instead of being a puppet? The Metatron, perhaps? Hm . . . Also, Keith is the young boy who plays the part of the Pied Piper for Maurice's scam. He leads all the rats out of town, never mind that the rats can talk and are in on the scam.

Things I think I know:

NEIL GAIMAN IS A LYING LIAR WHO LIES. Except when he's dropping hints or answering straight out. All of his answers to anything anyone asks about GO are suspect at best. (I cannot blame him or anyone else on the cast or crew -- they spent A LOT of time and energy building this very meticulous puzzle game for us -- why would ANY of them give ANY of it away? That would ruin all the fun!)

God has been removed/has vacated. Where did she go? I wonder if anyone knows. Is She just standing back and watching? In the book, Crowley says that anyone who can create a whole universe in six days doesn't let a war of rebellion happen unless they want it to. But that he and Aziraphale wouldn't understand, because if they understood, they wouldn't be them. It's INEFFABLE. He also then FORGETS what he was talking about a minute later.

God doesn't narrate because She's busy being Maggie. Aha!

The Metatron is working for himself. The dice on his tie seem to imply that while God does not play dice with the universe, this jerk surely does. Also, see the rat king observation above, #10.

Gabriel was bringing Aziraphale a message, the box is a red herring. But that brings me to another thing I suspect -- there was something else in the box, and the box is deeply important. Ah, damn -- is that what Crowley gave to Aziraphale in the kiss? Whatever was in the box? Was that what he found out while he was in Heaven? What Gabriel took? Did Gabriel put it in the fly with his memory?

Heaven did something bad to Crowley while he was there. That coffee is a red herring to draw our eye away from him. But that brings me to something else I suspect -- Crowley's knackered and a bit off when he returns from his TEN HOUR JAUNT in Heaven not because they did anything bad to him, but because he stole something very important. Maybe the thing he gives to Aziraphale during the break up?

Crowley and Aziraphale did NOT perform a huge miracle. I don't know what happened, but it wasn't them working together. (Or did they? Are angels and demons more powerful together? Did the Fall create a schism between them that weakened them all? Or are they and Saraqael hiding who did do the big miracle?)

This is a 2 man con. Of course it's a 2 man con. I read American Gods. Crowely and Aziraphale have a plan. This might be version B or C, they might be springing it sooner than they hoped, but that break up was a ruse. A hard, painful ruse, but a ruse. They knew their respite would be short-lived, they've been putting something together for years now.

Crowley put something in Aziraphale's mouth during the kiss. I don't know what, but something he had to swallow. obligateweirdo pointed out that he seems to palm something out of his mouth when he touches his lips the second time, and that Houdini's wife used to slip him the keys to his cuffs with a kiss before his shows. Whatever Crowley gave Aziraphale, it's physical. And Michael Sheen has said he doesn't want to share what's in Aziraphale's pockets -- because Aziraphale put whatever Crowley gave him into a pocket?? Was it the fly? (But didn't that go into Gabriel's eye and stay there?) And if it was the fly, what was inside it?

Gabriel went somewhere else before he went to the book shop. He didn't come down the elevator at the Dirty Donkey. Did he go to Edinburgh? Is that why the pub owner recognized that picture so fast? "Oi! That's that naked bloke was in here last week!" (Or was him walking down the street because we first see him from Nina or Maggie's perspective?? POV muckery?)

SECRET SONGS??? Why are the songs secret?? I'm losing my mind, what is happening??

Several narrators. I'm not even sure how many, but we're seeing the world through the eyes of characters, not God or a faceless narrator. This is part of why things are weird. I don't think that's the full explanation for the whole season, but I think it's a big part of the weirdness. A book that comes up often in the show is The Crow Road by Ian Banks. A brief description of the book says that it is written from the point of view of several characters and the story is told out of order and in no particular fashion, with changes from character to character POV coming at no particular interval and with no warning. AHA! (I did come up with the idea before I saw this post, but @highlandwhackamole beat me to writing it. Well done!) NOW I'm wondering if we aren't also seeing the story as told by the characters we see, but as heard but an as-yet unknown character . . .

The scenes are out of order. The DAMN SCENES ARE OUT OF ORDER! I don't know their correct order, but they are out of order. The Crow Road, again, is told out of order, forcing the reader to piece the scenes together (from a brief description, I'm thinking more and more I need to read this book rather than try to skim it). Is it as simple as watching the scenes in chronological order??

Our angel and demon have hidden something in the book shop. Something important. I have no current guesses as to what. Crowley still has his crank from starting up the nebula. What else might he have taken with him? Is that it? Or something else? HOLY SHIT ARE THEY HIDING JESUS??? Is THAT who did the miracle??

When Aziraphale tells Crowley that their Gabriel miracle set off alarms in Heaven, he sort of raises his eyebrows and says it in the same way he says other things he doesn't mean -- the same tone he says "I forgive you" after the Kiss, or how he says "He says he's Bildad the Shuite," in the Job minisode. It wasn't the Gabriel miracle that set off alarms in Heaven, it was whatever Saraqael was doing, or whoever Saraqael is hiding, and Crowley is well aware of it and whatever Saraqael is up to. Aziraphale just told Crowley that they have to take responsibility for whatever Saraqael did to allay Heaven's suspicions. They are talking in code through more of this season than we first think.

The rainbow lens flairs sure look like eyes. Like a pupil and iris. Is this a subtle hint that we are seeing through someone else's eyes?

When Crowley and Aziraphale argue about what to do with Jimbriel, behind Aziraphale is a privacy screen, and behind Crowley is an open door. Does this reflect how each of them feels, that Aziraphale believes they are speaking in private and Crowley believes they are being listened in on?

Repeating themes:

Beverages of all kinds -- tea for Aziraphale, wine or whiskey for Crowley, cocoa for Jim.

Time -- lots of clocks/mentions of time

Love/partnership/togetherness being stronger than separateness

Queer couples -- is literally everyone in season 2 in a non-cis-het relationship?? Even the guy in the graveyard says he uses his phone for Grindr -- a gay men's dating hook-up app. Nothing wrong with it, but it's an interesting writing choice. Why? Equality and representation -- or a Clue? (I think it's a POV Clue!)

Memories/forgetting/remembering

Payment -- money comes up in both the Resurrectionists minisode and the Flesh Eating Nazi Zombies minisode, but no one pays for anything in present. There is bartering, but no money.

Rising from the dead -- Job's kids (even though they weren't actually dead), bodies used for science, Nazi zombies, the Second Coming.

Unreliable narrators

Death in general -- but 9a., I'm a dirty pagan, why didn't I make this connection sooner, death always leads to REBIRTH, change, something totally new and 9b. there are tarot cards in the magic shop, and even if you're not a dirty pagan, the Death tarot card means transition, something must die before a new thing can be born. Hmmmm.

Morality and what is "good" and what is right

Recognition and identity

Repeating words and phrases OMG the list goes on:

Technically

Properly

Isn't it just?

Too late

Funny old world

Not as such

Made for each other

EVERYWHERE

Obviously

Hints:

Powell and Pressburg films

The Crow Road

Catch 22

The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, Terry Pratchett in general

Jane Austin

Book Good Omens

The titles of episodes, minisodes, places, etc. 7a. The Arrival: a book and a movie, though the book seems far more relevant. And lovely. The Clue: a movie. Companion to Owls: a line from a Bible story. I Know Where I'm Going: a movie. The Resurrectionists: two novels, each called The Resurrectionist, singular. Both look unhinged. The Hitchhiker: a Twilight Zone episode. Nazi Zombie Flesheaters: Literally no other reference. ?? Nazi Zombies do appear in a LOT of movies, comics, and video games, usually as a dark joke. The Ball: a video game. Irrelevant? It's a puzzle-based game, so maybe not. Every Day: a song AND a movie. Some themes repeat here: Puzzle games, being re-directed from one's path to find true love, death and being brought back to life in a gruesome and unpleasant way.

That's what I have so far. I'll try to update with new ideas and information, as well as links to things that support my theories as I find them.

[bills-pokedex]

To whom it may concern (Bebe and Cassius):

I'm sure we'll all well aware of the current event surrounding a certain Unovan(?) entrepreneur who stylizes himself as a genius. It is therefore unnecessary to show me news about his latest "innovative endeavors" for the express purpose of "watching [me], an inventor, age about ten years every time."

So to get it out of the way for the thirteenth and hopefully final time:

Yes, I'm aware.

No, I don't know how he got a stainless steel tank, a rocket cobbled together from spare parts, a self-driving car that occasionally ignites into a ball of flames while trapping its driver in thanks to multiple design flaws, or the brain chip past an ethics committee.

Yes, I am "salty" that I made one mistake with one of my inventions, and now I'm constantly scrutinized by the Pokémon Cutting-Edge Technology Research Institute's ethics committee.

No, I do not want the brain chip.

Yes, I want to study the brain chip.

The fifth point is out of morbid curiosity as to how it got past an ethics committee, not respect.

Hopefully, this clears things up.

Best, Bill

-

{From the Mun:

I found this in the drafts, and I thought it would be hilarious to bring this out and tack on an update post while I'm at it.

But the biggest thing is, I'm . . . actually leaving Tumblr. Now, the main reason for that is my main got super borked up. I've been told by my followers over there it's not shadowbanning, but I'm pretty sure it's random-ass shadowbanning. I cannot receive asks, I can't tag people, I don't have DMs, and I don't show up in notes. As for why, I can't fathom. For the most part, I've kept my nose pretty clean on that account, other than that one time somebody in the writeblr community kinda lost it and tried to use a bunch of random people as a scapegoat for drama reasons. Yeah, idk.

Anyway, the point is, I've submitted a ticket a few months ago and then . . . never heard back. And honestly, for personal reasons, I'm not really inclined on remaking.

Personal reasons being I'm gunning for writing an actual book, as you might know from my last-ish post? Like, non-Pokémon book. Though I'll admit some bits might be familiar to those of you who've hung around the blog for a while. Here's a hint: take powerverse, gender swap it, role swap it, and then stick it into FFXIV and add more steampunk. It's been cooking for the past year you haven't seen me, and I'm aiming to start pitching it to agents by the end of the year. If you'd like to follow along, if you're also a writer who would like to make more writing friends, or if you just like my writing for some reason and want to keep up with me, you can find me at jaxwolffwrites on both Bluesky and Twitter. Bsky moreso, but you'll get progress on this project on either of those other platforms.

Now, I will say this: just to be fair, I'm doing three things:

Closing the askbox. Admittedly, if you've been sending me asks for the past three months, I haven't seen them anyway. Sooooo I probably should've done that ages ago. Sorry about that.

Answering any ask I've saved to the drafts. Any ask. Please note that I don't know if the borking I've described above extends to this blog as well, so Bill won't be replying to replies or reblogs/tags. Apologies for that in advance. There are 49 posts in the drafts, and these will come out fairly slowly as I continue to keep up with my writing schedule on the other project.

Leaving this blog up as an archive. Assuming Tumblr doesn't nuke the main and the backup account that was created in an effort to avoid total nuking, and assuming Tumblr doesn't nuke this blog itself, I really want to leave this up so you can enjoy this pretty much forever onward. You all are the reason why this blog has gone on for so long, and I want to preserve this blog as a thank you for following me for so long.

So yes, after I clear the drafts, you'll likely see one last farewell from Bill and Lanette, and then that will be that. To everyone who's followed, thank you so much for following and supporting this blog over the years. As many ups and downs as running this had, I still look back on every moment as one fun adventure.

So thank you, and take care.}

[onlyancunin]

Hey guys,

a little update on my situation with my ex if anyone's interested. Gonna be a doozy, but there's just so much in my head right now and I know there might be some worrying about me.

Or maybe I'll just spark a bit of confidence in someone else ✨

You know how you get a pizza, all excited, try it, and it's not good? Like it was fine at first and hey, you were hungry, but with each bite it progressively got worse. Do you stopped after a piece or two or three. And just tossed out the rest.

But it was enough to give you a severe food poisoning. So you spend a good portion of the next however many days throwing up and not being able to meet with friends and family because you're too sick. And you're so frustrated, because the pizza wasn't even that good, and you didn't eat that much, but you're still unable to function??

So yeah, I got severe emotional poisoning from relationship with my ex. But after we broke up I got nowhere to go, and he agreed to continue living together, so that I can move out once I secure money for deposit and whatnot.

Never go for that.

Last Sunday ex threw another jealous fit at me, making me unable to work for another 2 days - and then he was off to holiday with his friends (which couldn't come quick enough, I literally counted hours for him to leave). That left me and severely poisoned, but also gave me opportunity to collect myself and regroup a little away from him.

3 days later I had a new place and just today I got the keys.

Coincidentally my post about him about two months ago sparked a friendship with someone from here (Tumblr is a country okay). She kept me together through all that and let me tell you this was fucking tantalizing. It's surreal how things can change in such a short time. Having her as a friend truly opened my eyes as to what a relationship is NOT, seeing how someone who was just a stranger a few months ago, today cared for me more than he ever did.

I gave myself up for scraps of attention and believed when everyone around was telling me he is "one of the good guys". He came from nice, big family, with stable finances, nice group of friends. A noble job, a paramedic, which always impressed my sorry graphic design/IT developer ass. Like the only thing I'm saving is oceans from existing with the amount of shit that's being produced partly by my designs. So it felt good to be supportive of the good person and finally have a family, since I do not have one of my own.

Which is probably why I took the break-up so badly, even if I initiated it. I felt incredibly guilty for letting everyone around down. Everyone loved him. And I mean everyone. The only thing I ever aired I discussed with people outside of our common friends, and those were the people who told me something doesn't add up. And as I started following my gut feeling (and had a speedrun to breakup by hurting my knee and needing help where my ex completely dropped the ball), he started acting up. Suddenly setting boundaries with his family was me being jealous over him even having one, I just couldn't understand apparently how I'll never be the most important to him. Me asking him to be here for me when I'm having a hard time was met with "You're having a hard time EVERY DAY!".

Essentially I just ruined his family visits, his vacation with my knee injury, his days with my bad moods etc. But he ruined one too many Sundays for me.

So here I am, packing my sh#t and planning what goes where because I know I will be thoroughly exhausted after all things are moved, so I need to plan ahead.

And I still throw up emotionally, sobbing every 10 minutes, I don't even know why anymore. I just cry until I stop and then I continue prepping for move.

It's just a bad pizza.

[theworldreturning]

So the Askapalooza is officially over, now what?

So the Askapalooza has ended, and I did say that the end result of what would happen to this blog would depend on what I thought about things by the end. So here's what I personally feel is going to happen.

I personally enjoyed being able to answer questions that people had about the characters in this specific version of the world, silly or not! It was fun to think about what they would get up to even if it was mundane or not super serious at all.

I do, however, feel that the idea for the blog was a bit too vague for most people to engage with, and that is my fault for not giving much to mull over. So what I'm going to be doing with this blog going forward is this:

- The blog is going to continue existing, and you'll still be very much able to ask questions! The experience was good enough that I'm more than happy to keep it going, even if responses won't be as quick as they were during the Askapalooza.

- Aside from answering asks, I'm also thinking of posting all things relating to this AU to this blog as well. (Character design sheets, character facts, silly headcanons, and events I feel would be "canon" to this AU) Hopefully it can add more intrigue and context and spark some questions for those interested!

- For the "Canon events" (basically story events): They won't at ALL be posted in any chronological order. Maybe in the future I'll make a master post showing the events as chronologically as possible, but for now I'm just showing things that happened as things that happened. Unless stated, don't assume it's all happening in the moment, in fact most canon events at first will probably be past events.

- I WILL help with putting what point in time these events happen for context on the post itself. A system I was thinking of using was something like this: [O.W., M1, Magicant, Visit 1] This would read as: "The events in this post happened in the Old World (O.W.), during the time of Mother 1 (M1), specifically the first magicant visit." Events set in the New World will start with N.W. and work the same way: World, "game", Place, Specifics (if any).

- Lore will DEFINITELY be more fleshed out than it was during the Askapalooza. I joined basically last minute, so I didn't have anything exciting to share. Sometimes I may just do text posts about some minor canon things that wouldn't warrant a whole drawn post.

- I'll probably work on this blog in short bursts as I get ideas. I'll basically be trying my best to queue up posts that I have as I make them, leave for a bit, and come back and do it again.

Aside from that, I'll also be slowly working on making the blog look more finished, instead of just using whatever images I had in store. Again, this was set up pretty last minute, so the presentation ain't the best.

Aside from still using the askapalooza tags, non-question posts will use the fandom tags as well to help more people find the blog. Question posts will just keep the AU tag and Askapalooza tags cause I don't want to flood the normal fanbase tags with them if they happen to get too many.

In any case, this is what's happening from now on.

TL;DR: Blog is staying up, you can still send asks. Anything relating to the Au will be posted here. There'll be more fleshed out lore and such as a result. Blog will be updated in short bursts as I see fit.

[felassan]

Electronic Arts Q1 2024 Earnings Conference Call (August 1st)

This happened today and Dragon Age was mentioned in the opening Prepared Remarks section of the call (emphasis mine):

"To do more extraordinary things for our people, players and communities, our teams are building the strongest pipeline in the history of EA to drive multi-year growth. Over the next few years, we will launch numerous experiences that grow and deepen the fandom of our legendary IP. Our multi-year targeted investments toward our biggest opportunities include global titles like blockbuster storytelling from Dragon Age, incredible skateboarding gameplay and social connection from skate, and a revival of EA SPORTS College Football that celebrates the action, culture and tradition of the sport like never before. We’re also hard at work on a new experience from The Sims that will transform what players can do with creativity, a sprawling action adventure Iron Man game, a reimagination of Battlefield as a truly connected ecosystem, and the expansion of the Apex Legends universe across platforms, geographies, and modalities of play. The most recent reveal of our Black Panther project — set in a massive, explorable universe — marks the latest chapter in EA’s collaboration with The Walt Disney Company and the Marvel Games team."

[source and full Prepared Remarks transcript]

Dragon Age was then mentioned during the Q&A section of the call (emphasis mine):

Q: "Last quarter it was noted that players were concentrating their spend on major franchises. Just wanted to see first if there was any update to that? And then, Andrew, in your commentary you highlighted a goal for Apex as an experience across platforms, I'm assuming that includes mobile as well, so can you speak to how you envision potentially relaunching that title on phones and how the approach could differ to the prior game? Thank you." A: "Yeah, so let me touch on the first part. I do think we continue to see big titles getting bigger, and live services getting bigger, and certainly as a company with a broad portfolio of large-scale IP and large-scale live services, we believe that we will be long-term beneficiaries of that trend. You know, that doesn't mean that we won't build smaller titles over the course of time. There are these incredible stories that we believe should be told in the context of entertainment. We are focusing our investment so that we can build a cost-base around those that's appropriate, but we're also really getting behind our biggest opportunities, and as we've talked about, our strategy and building these experiences that entertain massive online communities. Our expectation is that will be a large scale growth driver for us. But, you know, when thought about the right way, games like, you know, Dragon Age, and Jedi, can tell truly blockbuster stories and really break into that top category of games. I think what we see today is the mid-tier and lower games that, you know, maybe did pretty well through Covid because people had a lot of spare time - they're the part of the industry that really aren't doing and performing as well. And as we think about our future, you should expect that we'll continue to focus our investments and our energy and our resources against these big opportunities because we do believe that is where the industry is trending."

[source: call audio webcast]

There were no further mentions of Dragon Age, Mass Effect or BioWare during the call.

Here is the latest Existing Live Services & FY24 Title Slate (announced titles), from the call's supporting documents -

[source]

The next EA earnings conference call - for Q2 2024 - is on November 1st 2023 at 2pm PT.

[source]

lastly, when the full transcript of this call becomes available I'll post the link/add it to this post. ^^

Edit: Here is a transcript of the full call.

[cravingsfromatwistedone]

[ WORK AND LIFE UPDATE ] HELLO DARLINGS! I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG, LONG TIME SINCE I'VE LAST POSTED. IN THIS POST, I'LL BE TALKING THROUGH EVERYTHING THAT HAD HAPPENED DURING MY ABSENCE, INCLUDING SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN LINGERING ON MY MIND IN THIS POST, I'LL BE TALKING ABOUT:

CURRENT STATUS OF AUTHOR AND WORKS

WHAT I'LL BE DOING WITH THE BLOG

REMOVAL/WITHDRAWAL OF CERTAIN FANDOMS

CONCERNS FOR REQUESTS

POSTING SCHEDULE FOR POST

CURRENT STATUS OF AUTHOR AND WORKS

THE REASON I'VE BEEN SO RADIO SILENT IS MAINLY SCHOOL AND FAMILY STUFF. TWO YEARS AGO, I WAS BUSY TAKING CARE OF MY SISTER'S KIDS (FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR SO TO SAY) AND JUST LAST YEAR, I ENROLLED FOR FOUNDATION (AND I'M NEARLY DONE WITH MY SECOND SEMESTER, YAHOO!!) I COULDN'T REALLY INDULGE MYSELF IN WRITING (OR DRAWING) ANYTHING BECAUSE I WAS HAVING MASSIVE WRITING BURNOUT FROM HAVING TO CHURN OUT SO MANY WORKS IN THAT YEAR (THE YEAR OF 2022 WAS A WILD ONE, NO JOKE-) THAT WASN'T THE ONLY THING THOUGH, THE FALL OUT I HAD WITH TWISTED WONDERLAND WAS ALSO THE MAIN CAUSE FOR MY DISAPPEARANCE. FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS AND HALF, I WAS INACTIVE IN THE FANDOM, THE GAME AND EVERYTHING IN GENERAL. TWISTED WONDERLAND WAS THE MAIN REASON I STARTED UP THIS BLOG AND I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE GRATEFUL TO MEET AND GET TO KNOW SO MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE, WRITERS, ARTISTS DURING MY STAY. SO TO SEE THAT I WAS SLOWLY LOSING PASSION TO WRITE FOR TWISTED WONDERLAND WAS VERY DISHEARTENING, BECAUSE ALL OF YOU DARLINGS WHO LOVED MY TWST WORKS MADE THIS BLOG AS IT IS NOW. I DID TRY TO FIX THIS BY MAKING MY TWST BLOG INTO A MULTI-FANDOM BLOG, ADD MORE FANDOMS FOR PEOPLE TO REQUEST IN AN EFFORT KEEP THE BLOG ALIVE BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, I FAILED TERRIBLY. SOMEWHAT (GENSHIN, ARKNIGHTS, ALCHEMY STARS, ETC) I FELT MISERABLE, BECAUSE I WAS MAINTAINING A GOOD STREAK OF POSTING MY WORKS BUT THEN I SEEM TO JUST…RELAPSE INTO ANOTHER DISAPPEARING ACT. I WOULDN'T SAY THAT IT WAS A BURNOUT FROM WRITING BUT MORE LIKE I DIDN'T RESONATE ENOUGH WITH THE FANDOM ITSELF. MY GUILT ATE ME UP FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE I COULDN'T DELIVERY ON WITH MY PROMISE, REQUESTS PILING UP IN MY INBOX AS IF REMINDING OF ME INCONSISTENCIES SO I STAYED INACTIVE. AGAIN. THERE WERE EVEN TIMES THAT I EVEN CONTEMPLATED OF DELETING THE ENTIRE BLOG ITSELF OUT OF MY OWN SELFISHNESS BECAUSE THE BLOG WAS GRADUALLY TURNING INTO A CHAIN, SOMETHING THAT WAS DRAGGING ME DOWN. ONCE AWHILE, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHTS LIKE 'YOU HAVE PEOPLE WAITING ON YOU TO DO THEIR REQUESTS, WHY AREN'T YOU DOING IT?' 'YOU SHOULD DELETE THE BLOG, YOU KEEP DISAPPEARING SO WHY SHOULD YOU KEEP IT?' I COUNTER THESE THOUGHTS BY REASSURING MYSELF THAT I'M 'BUSY' WITH SCHOOL, THAT I'M HAVING A 'BURNOUT' AND THAT IT'S ALRIGHT TO KEEP THE BLOG AS IT IS. I DON'T FEEL BETTER REGARDLESS BUT IT HELPS FROM KEEPING ME DOING STUPID LIKE NUKING THE ENTIRE BLOG AND REGRETTING IT AFTER IT'S ONLY REALIZE HOW MUCH PEOPLE LOVED MY WORKS BECAUSE AN IRL MUTUAL OF MINE TOLD ME THAT SHE GAVE A LINK OF A WORK I DID TO A FRIEND, THAT SAID FRIEND LOVED THAT WORK TO BITS AND I QUOTE "THIS WRITER IS SO GOOD! I WISH THAT THEY WOULD CONTINUE ON WITH THIS PIECE!". THAT ALONE, STOPPED MY IMPULSIVE THOUGHTS OF DELETING THE BLOG. IT MADE ME REALIZE THAT SHE, LIKE MANY OTHERS, THOROUGHLY ENJOY READING MY WORKS. IT FILLS ME UP WITH JOY, GIDDINESS EVEN THAT PEOPLE GET HAPPY OVER MY WORKS. I FEEL LIKE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE MANY DISAPPEARING ACTS I'VE DONE, IT'S BECAUSE I DON'T WANT ANY OF YOU, MY DARLINGS, TO BE UNSATISFIED WITH WHAT I'M WRITING. IT'S A TERRIBLE LOOP I CONFESS, I PLACE AN UNREACHABLE GOAL ON MYSELF AND IF I DON'T ACHIEVE IT, I GET SO UPSET WITH MYSELF THAT I JUST RESORT INTO ANOTHER 'DISAPPEARING ACT' IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT I CONCOCTED UP A SOLUTION FOR THAT….I THINK?

WHAT I'LL BE DOING WITH BLOG

I WON'T BE DELETING THE BLOG! THAT, I ASSURE YOU IS A PERMANENT DECISION I'VE PLACED ON MYSELF. I KNOW THE FEELING OF DISTRESS WHEN A FAVOURITE WORK OF YOURS GETS DELETED OR THE AUTHOR JUST WENT UP AND DEACTIVATE THEIR BLOG THUS LOSING ACCESS TO THEIR WORK AND I DON'T WANT MY DARLINGS TO GET THAT FEELING! EVER! THE BLOG WILL GET OCCASSIONAL THEME CHANGES BASED ON MY MOODS OR TASTE SO THERE'S THAT!

REMOVAL/WITHDRAWAL OF CERTAIN FANDOMS

I WILL PERMANENTLY STOP WRITING FOR SOME FANDOMS SINCE I FELT LIKE I'M DOING THE FANDOMS UNJUST BECAUSE I'M NOT MAKING ANY WORKS FOR IT. ON ANOTHER NOTE, POSTED WORKS FROM LISTED FANDOMS (THAT WILL BE STOPPED/SEMI-ONGOING) WILL NOT BE DELETED! THEY WILL CONTINUE TO STAY UP BUT THEY WON'T BE UP FOR REQUEST ANYMORE. THIS ALSO INCLUDES MASTERLISTS FOR THE LISTED FANDOMS. BE SURE TO READ MY PINNED POST FOR ANY REQUESTING DETAILS!

PERMANENTLY STOPPED

ARKNIGHTS

ONGOING (UNLIKELY UPDATES)

TWISTED WONDERLAND, GENSHIN IMPACT, ALCHEMY STARS

AT THE END OF A RAINSTORM, THERE'S BOUND TO BE A RAINBOW! SO CONSIDERING THAT I'VE STOPPED WRITING FOR SOME FANDOMS, I'LL BE ADDING NEW FANDOMS AS WELL! TAKE NOTE THAT MY CURRENT FIXATION IS SPREAD OUT MESSILY SO THERE'S A CHANCE THAT THESE FANDOMS MIGHT NOT BE OPEN FOR REQUESTS. I WILL EXPLAIN MORE IN THE NEXT POINT BUT FOR NOW, I'LL RELEASE THE (POSSIBLE) FANDOMS I'LL BE WRITING FOR

(POSSIBLE) FANDOMS I'LL BE WRITING:

JOJO'S BIZZARE ADVENTURE ( PART 1, 2, 3, 4 )

FIRE EMBLEM THREE HOUSES

FINAL FANTASY 15/XV

POKEMON SWSH

CONCERNS FOR REQUESTS

I WILL BE REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF REQUESTS AND NOT OPEN THEM AS REGULARLY AS BEFORE. IN ADDITION OF REDUCED REQUESTS, I WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING REQUESTS FOR CERTAIN FANDOMS BUT STILL PRODUCE WORKS ON IT. THIS IS BECAUSE I WANT TO AVOID HAVING TO FEEL THAT WRITING A PIECE OF WORK IS A CHORE. I WANT TO MAKE WRITING SOMETHING THAT I CAN LET MY CREATIVE JUICES FLOW AND NOT SOMETHING THAT IS RESTRICTED AND OBLIGATORY TO DO EVERY DAY. THE CURRENT REQUESTS IN MY INBOX WILL BE WIPED COMPLETELY. FOR REQUESTS THAT HAVE MADE IT INTO DRAFTS, THEY WILL POSTED SOON! I JUST NEED TO TIDY UP SOME PARTS BEFORE THEY'RE READY FOR PUBLIC VIEW

POSTING SCHEDULE FOR POSTS

I'M GOING TO SAY THIS OFF THE BAT THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE NO SCHEDULE. I'LL BE POSTING MY WORKS WHEN I'M AVAILABLE OR WHEN I'M FEELING LIKE IT. I WON'T PROMISE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER GOOD STREAK OF DAILY POSTING OR WEEKLY POSTING BECAUSE HOW FICKLE MY LIFE IS BUT I'LL TRY TO MY BEST TO POST AT LEAST SOMETHING ONCE IN A BLUE MOON, TO LET ALL OF MY DARLINGS KNOW THAT I'M STILL KICKING

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. FOR STAYING WITH ME FOR SO LONG AND SUPPORT ME DESPITE OF MY MISTAKES. FOR READING THIS POST UNTIL THE VERY END. I JUST HOPE THAT I'LL BE MORE KINDER TO MYSELF AND THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO BRING JOY TO YOUR LIVES ONCE MORE, EVEN IF JUST A LITTLE BIT

[dinoburger]

None of us really know either way, but I do remember speculation in the mid-late 2010s re: whether or not the TF2 comics were leading into something space-related (between what happened to Sniper's mom, the spaceships located in several in-game maps, and the perpetually-unfinished valve map rd_asteroid that used to be in the game's playable map rotation). Entirely guesswork, plus a dash of hope that Valve would continue the storyline post-comics.

:\ yeah, though, ultimately… the comics really shook up the status quo of the game and the established setting, but it's hard to see what conclusion they could've been barrelling toward. Real intrigued by that comics/Helen infographic you posted a few days ago -- I've likewise been puzzling over what Helen's debt could be (for all of the comics' hiatus and then some, lmao). Either way, I don't believe there's enough foreshadowing for us to have figured out whatever-it-is, and then there's the eternal question of "What Comes After?" (both in-universe and regarding Valve's seemingly-dwindling interest in the IP) looming over it all.

(like tumblr user milfy, I'm not really sure what comic 7 could've done to conclude things in a satisfactory way. ngl, sometimes I wish we'd gotten something set during gravel war or mvm -- at the risk of sounding overly critical, I'll admit I personally feel like the fandom missed out on getting some more gravel war era/group-focused content.

though with the then-ongoing [and, hell, somehow-currently-ongoing] status of the game itself, I also feel like the comics ending on too Final a conclusion would've soured some folks' milk. perhaps this is why I continue to entertain the "it was leading into another update" train of thought -- the idea of the comics smacking a big old super-conclusive "The End" onto everything seems unlikely to me, but I cannot fathom what would have come afterwards. or how any currently-raised plot threads would be resolved, if at all.)

… This ask was a whole lotta reiteration/conjecture, so I want to add that I love the TF2 stuff you've been drawing/writing. The classic team and Conagher family lore are so, so fascinating to me, so it's been Like Christmas Morning to me for months lmao. have a good one -🍊

oh man, I would've loved to have more stuff that actually delved into developing the characters during the Gravel wars/MvM... hell, they could've even played off the Scream Fortress shenanigans and have like, a big, ridiculous magical adventure

I also didn't know about the space stuff, that also could've been a cool direction

there's part of me that wants to hope they had some idea of what they were doing but the more I look at it, the more the plot feels like it dissolved more into "stuff that feels really big and important happening" rather than one coherent mystery to unravel, which... the journey should also be important. This is the stuff people criticize Marvel movies for, the twist becomes more important than the actual story. Putting all the eggs in that basket.

I definitely agree... idk like. I think they even could've gotten away with having different canons and not feeling like they had to pin the ultimate resolution of the entire game to the comic, either. Comics can be like that! Different iterations and interpretations of the same universe, that's cool too! IPs get revised and retconned and improved all the time, tbh I think like... the current obsession people have with canonicity can be grating at times.

I think in some ways it's even harder to get past that with an inconclusive work like this because yeah, it does end up being that everyone hopes whatever the conclusion is will be worth the wait, that it'll scratch that itch, and the longer folks go imagining some grand conclusion the higher expectations end up being. You can't really blame them either, at a point, because that's all they really have to go off.

and thank you so much! I love those guys, so I'm grateful when it's appreciated!

[aelaer]

“Nobody asked about my writing” meme

Thanks for the tag, @tea-understands :) Thankfully I have a small handful of folks who ask me about such things but I do love these memes.

 1: what are you currently working on? 

The Big Boy Fic! The finale of Earth-197320, which I'm 99% certain I am calling Above the Shadows. And I'll have a fun update on Write Every Day June in a couple days.

2: summarize your current project 

It's the fifth and final fic in a series that I started 4 years ago from an anonymous prompt sent to @amethyst-noir. I really clicked with it and she gave me her blessing to pursue it as a full-fledged fic, and here we are today.

Here's my first stab at a proper summary that I wrote for this questionnaire (tell me what you think y'all??):

2019 starts off in crisis-mode as rifts within the borders of reality begin spiraling out of control, drawing the resources of the Masters of the Mystic Arts thin. Tony now juggles the problems of a suddenly-absent Stephen, keeping his work with the sorcerers a secret, and Pepper's uncertain future. Stephen does what he can to maintain the stability of reality while keeping the promises he made. And somewhere out there, the other Stephen Strange is still hiding, putting his own plans into play.

3: summarize your current project poorly 

An author split up what should have been a single work into five separate stories because she wanted to fulfill Bingo cards in 2019, leading to a series that the readers are probably going to need to reread because there's so much detail in Fic 5 that calls back to stuff that happened in Fics 1-4. Fics 1-3 match the length of Fic 4, and Fic 5 is well over the length of Fics 1-4 combined, making for even poorer fic splitting choices. Whoops.

4: describe your favorite character or characters

I mean. Do I really need to? If you're on my blog you know who my faves are.

I guess quick summary as they are in the series in particular:

Stephen Strange: Has an enormous guilt complex that he's been working through a lot. He got better with the help of new friends. His work has endeared them to him quite a bit.

Wong: Has taken a leadership role, but not the title of Sorcerer Supreme for reasons not yet established to the readers. Carries his own secrets. Excellent poker face, but not emotionless.

Tony Stark: Has been blatantly ignoring the Accords ever since he went against Ross's back to find Steve in Siberia and has been continuing that trend since. Seeing the feds turn their eyes on Peter changed his opinion quite strongly. The Steve Issue is still difficult.

Other Strange: He thinks the Avengers and Masters of the Mystic Arts have failed their duties and that he can protect all of reality by himself. He just needs more power.

5: post a line from your current project without any context 

Closed my eyes and scrolled and went to a random page. This is what came up.

Oh, Jesus Christ. This explained so much about the man.

6: how do you get through writers block?

If it's not something health-related which just makes it physically very hard to work on items, I'll switch projects with my shorter fics. For a long fic like this, I'll put on a sprint and just power through 15 minutes at a time to get the harder bits out.

For health-related stuff (including mental), you sometimes just need to work on that first before you can be in the right space to write.

7: would you want to live in the world of your current work? 

Hell no. Superhero worlds are terrible for normal people.

8: briefly discuss your outlining process, if you outline 

I write an outline with the main beats of what I want in that chapter. Then when I get to the actual chapter, I'll sometimes expand the outline with more detail in that chapter section itself. I often go back to the main outline and add new things as I come up with them, or switch around elements in the story to a new chapter. This is how the planned outline has grown from around 12 normal chapters and 1 interlude chapter to 18 normal chapters and 2 interlude chapters (with potential for more growth seeing as I'm getting into some areas that have original outlining that I no longer am certain I want to use as they were ideas from over 2 years ago and the story's evolved a lot since then).

9: what is the aesthetic of your current project?

So much plot. Rewriting a lot of the end of phase 3 to push my Found Family agenda. Fix it vibes, but I think it's a natural fix it arc from the canon drama that could have happened in canon if the Russos gave a damn. A lot of character exploration into their own separate journeys and growth arcs. Pretty accurate on Marvel tones with action, drama, a bit of snark and humor. An itty bitty dash of canon romance but we all know I'm including it only because it needs to be there due to the plot and character arc reasons and not because I'm all googly-eyed for the genre.

10: what song sums up your current work the best?

Each chapter in the series takes a song lyric from a specific song and I identify that song with the story pretty heavily. For instance, Illuminating the Shadows took "The Light" from Disturbed.

For Above the Shadows, it's "Phoenix" by Fall Out Boy (who I'm seeing live in concert in a couple days, yay).

Tagging those who I know are writing/trying to write: @mckiwi, @sobeautifullyobsessed, @burglarhobbit, @amethyst-noir. No obligation either way. Also if I didn't tag you please feel free to take this (and you can poke me here if you'd like as a reminder that you're still actively writing fic regardless of the fandom and I'll try to remember for these sorts of things).

[galvanizedfriend]

do you ever get into writing slumps but try to write anyway? if so, do you manage to do it? does your work come out as good as when you're inspired?

All the time, nonnie. I think everyone who's into writing goes through slumps every now and then. How long those slumps last and how well I can cope with them varies. 😂

Even going through slumps, I can still sometimes write. There are moments where I can't even bear to open a document, but in others I'll just push through anyway. However, if I have to force it, my writing usually comes out very crappy. I'm definitely not one of those blessed souls who can churn out incredibly inspired words whenever. 😂 It takes some for me to get there.

What I try to do is find things that might get me in the mood to write. Like sometimes I'll just pick up a book. Whenever I see good writing, it usually gets my groove going. With The Wolf, I often had to rewatch certain parts of the show, and that would then make me want to go back and write my fix-it version. What will get you in the mood will change from person to person, so it's really just a matter of figuring out what works for you.

The thing with writing is that, for me, it's a process. I know some people prefer to just type their whole story down and then immediately post it, and that's totally ok. But I'm the kind of person who can't post anything unless I've read it at least twice. I used to have beta readers who would help me spot glaring issues or problems within the story, but not anymore, so I will read the chapters/stories over as many times as I can. If I'm still not happy, I'll keep on editing until I am. That's why it takes me such a long time between updates these days (I'm usually not happy lol). So when I'm writing, at first I don't mind much about the quality, just about getting it out, cause that will be my first draft. I feel it's easier to work the story once I have a rough version.

So what I would say is: just write. If you have the motivation but not the inspiration, write whatever you can. Follow your plot ideas, your scenes, and just get it down. Then you can go back, re-read it and figure out which parts need more work, if you have pacing issues, or continuity issues, or if you need more dialogues, or to add a different scene to make the story flow better, and so on and so forth.

Something that I do a lot is outline the story before I start writing it properly. I have entire stories completely outlined, from start to finish, that I simply can't get myself to write because I don't have the time. 😂 But that helps me to know exactly what I want from a fic, and then reading it over I have a pretty idea whether I'm missing anything. And when I do get to write it (like say with a chapter of The Wolf), it's a wonderful guideline. I know exactly what is going to happen, which scenes I need to work on, in what order, etc. I definitely work better and more easily if I have everything organized from start to finish before I start writing the chapters.

That's how I do it, anyway. But it's really just a matter of finding the thing that will get you in the right mood and help you organize your thoughts better.

Anyway, nonnie, I hope this is helpful! 😊

[fakesaintess]

His Body Is My Coffin

Chap Summary: Part 1 of a two part update, this one from Deuce's perspective. -------- His look? Deuce ponders that. He can't remember the night people continually bring up but he can see the remnants of it in himself. He runs his fingers across his exposed ribs, slipping one in to brush against his heart. Although he doesn't believe it, the idea that he died makes his chest ache.

Chapter 3

Epel's thoughts are unknown to Deuce who's following behind his new, but only because of bygone eras, upperclassman. They cast wary glances over their shoulder occasionally to see if he's still following. He assumes they're nervous he'll run off and give the school a scare. Deuce has no interest in that. Though they may ask, Deuce has already had his phase of striking fear into the hearts of all. There's no need to repeat that.

He follows them through the mirrors and to his old dorm. He gazes at the building, the maze, the rose trees, and then in the most soothing tone he can muster up says, "The rose maze looks different. It's nice." Soothing is what he'll try to be, not scary, not harsh, not unnerving, but soothing in a way that'll make people feel safe despite what he is now.

"All things that live one day die so new things can blossom in their place. That's what happened to the old rose maze." And that's what happened to you, is what Riddle left unsaid but implied.

"I've heard some flowers that die bloom again next year. I'm no scientist but I don't think that's wrong. Just how things happen." Deuce isn't any flower, that he knows, but he is back and he won't let that be changed.

"If the rose maze is no longer as you remember it the inside of the dorm must differ as well. Come inside." Riddle backs down, generously so if you asked him.

Deuce feels like he's doing a lot of following today. He only adds to that by following Riddle into the dorm. Trey tags along with them but remains suspiciously silent. Or, what Deuce believes to be the truth, he's doing his best to avoid contact with Deuce. He isn't sure why, but be could take a few stabs at the reason why. And he's taken plenty of literal stabs.

Riddle only briefly explains rooms as they weave through them, naming what they are, their usage and the number of rules Deuce would need to know about said room. It isn't till they get to bedrooms that they all stop.

"Due to my influence, the number of students in this dorm has remained the same since the start of the year. This means in each room there are four to a room. Except," Riddle opens one of the doors one handedly with flare, "This one. You'll be the fourth one to this room."

"This is the same room as Ace. I'm sure he'll show you the ropes since you seem to be friends." Trey says. He's smiling in a way that seems natural. Natural in the way that makes him look like he's hesitant about what's happening but is making the best of it.

"It does seem like you'll be spending your time together. Forgive his future behavior and actions." Riddle closes the door to the room. "I'll lend you the necessary rulebook for this dorm and needed textbooks for your classes can be gotten from the library until you get your own."

Riddle looks Deuce over up and down then frowns. "While there are many things you need we will focus on getting you the necessary clothing for campus life first. For now, borrow some of Ace's uniforms."

"Can't we just wash this one?" Deuce asks, tugging at his shirt collar.

"If we were to put that in the wash it'd fall apart." Riddle says.

"It suits your look." Trey offers that as a forced compliment.

His look? Deuce ponders that. He can't remember the night people continually bring up but he can see the remnants of it in himself. He runs his fingers across his exposed ribs, slipping one in to brush against his heart. Although he doesn't believe it, the idea that he died makes his chest ache.

"When's your birthday?" Riddle asks, an unexpected topic jump.

"Um, June 3rd." Deuce answers.

"As your birthday nor anyone else's is today, we'll host an Unbirthday party to introduce you to everyone else. Time will be needed to set things up before you can reveal yourself. You should spend that time in Ramshackle. Check if any of your things remain. I'll send someone to fetch you when you should appear." Riddle's rapid fire delivery includes exactly what Trey believes shouldn't happen, introducing Deuce to everyone all at once. There's no point in Trey protesting, not that he wants to. Riddle had made up his mind.

"Before I go, can I check out the rose maze? That's changed too so I wanna take a peek." Deuce asks.

"We can look quickly. Trey, head back before me. Try to inform whatever members you can about the Unbirthday party." Riddle orders, hoping to hurry to school.

Trey is grateful for the chance to slip away from Deuce. Deuce can tell as he leaves with a goodbye.

There's no time to get caught up in that, Riddle looks Deuce in the eye before Trey is even out of eyesight. "This will be quick as I stated earlier. I will not miss out on any more of my classes than absolutely necessary."

"I just want one look." Deuce pleads his case.

For once, he is not being lead or instructed to go somewhere. Although Riddle is with him, Deuce is in charge of the twists and turns they take. He mimics a path he used to take as closely as he can manage with the maze's new layout, leading him to the maze's center. Rose petals flutter through the fresh air like a painting, a scene that would stick with someone. And it does stick with Deuce, not for its beauty, but for it's unexpectedness.

In his mind the statues within the maze had no reason to be replaced. Yet here they were. The replacements are near identical the old ones, leaving the place to look familiar. But not the same. It's like Deuce had woken up in a universe that differed one step to the left than his own.

He walks up to one and grazes his fingers over an area where he and someone dear had once carved their initials in. Not to break any rules, it was to show how they believed their time together would be preserved for generations to see.

That memory has been scrubbed clean. Everything and everywhere Deuce has been today no longer carries any sign he was there. Riddle had said flowers die so they can he replaced. Deuce has come to the realization that he has not been replaced but something else entirely. He has been forgotten. It is like he never existed in the first place.

"Riddle," Deuce clenches his fish, bone rubbing unpleasantly against bone, "Did you really not know who I was?"

He turns from the statue to face Riddle. "Is all that's left of me a ghost story that no one believes? Does anyone even know I who I am? That I ever was someone real? Was all I did to change worthless? Did I achieve nothing in the end?"

Deuce looks to be in pain as he talks. To a point that stirs something deep within Riddle. Anguish is a recently familiar feeling to him. While he thinks to attempt comfort like people had done to him all kind words dry up on his tongue. "It seems so."

All he can manage for Deuce is to offer him a hand to hold in comfort.

Deuce reaches for Riddle's hand, brushing his fingers against it before jolting away and running off in a random direction through the maze. He doesn't keep track of the turns he takes, focusing just on running to keep him distracted. He can hear Riddle behind him, shouting things like, "You're going to get lost!" and "Don't knock a single rose out of place with your tomfoolery!" This must be a way to show that he's at least trying to help with Deuce's misery. Hopefully.

Deuce doesn't slow down. He keeps running until he's out of the maze. Out of the maze and colliding into someone that he knocks off their feet, but thankfully catches them before they crash to the ground. It's the first person he had met. Epel Felmier, his savior. Is he here to save Deuce once again?

Deuce knows that is not possible. Deuce cannot be saved from the fact he's been scrubbed from existence. It's already too late. So he must find out what Epel is up to.

"Epel, it's you. What are you doing here?" He says.

[blushingquincy]

The Complete Guide to Falling for the Freak

By: blushingquincy

Chapter 2- Truce

Allison Campbell has it all: a big house, good grades, and popularity—but underneath all of that, behind the perfect girl next door facade, is truly where it gets interesting. When she gets stuck tutoring the notorious Freak of Hawkins High, Eddie Munson, her life takes unexpected turns as she battles her step dad, her awful friends and, most importantly, falling in love for the first time.

⚠️WARNING: smut, cussing, bullying, domestic violence, abuse, drug use, underage drinking. I’ll add more warnings as I update

Chapter 2- Truce

Allison's next class after lunch is Study Hall. Study Hall with Eddie Munson. Normally, Allison wouldn't sit with him, but she figures she needs to talk to Eddie. Mrs. O' Donnell had probably already spoken to him, but she wants to introduce herself since the two of them had never talked before.

Allison had, admittedly, avoided speaking to Eddie. It's not like she believed all the awful things people said about him. It's just that talking to him would be more trouble than it was worth—someone would see them, someone would tell her parents, and her parents would kill her. She didn't have time for that.

She makes her way to the back of the classroom where he sits, leaning back in his chair and reading Lord of the Rings. Well, he has good taste in books if nothing else.

"Hi!" she says, and Eddie looks up with a start.

"Uh, hey?" he looks back at his book, but his gaze keeps flickering over to Allison. "Do you need something?"

"Oh! Um, I'm tutoring you. I don't know if Mrs. O' Donnell told you. I mean, I'm sure—"

"She has," Eddie interrupts curtly. "I don't know if you've noticed, princess, but we still have a whole half a day of school left. You couldn't have left me alone until then?"

Allison bristles at the tune. "Well, I thought it'd be nice to introduce myself. I'm Allison."

"Nice to meet you," Eddie says sarcastically. He looks back down at his book and turns the page. When Allison stays seated, he looks back up at her. "That's your cue to leave. Bye now."

She huffs. Rude. She twists around in her seat, looking around for another empty seat—but of fucking course, all the seats are full.

She turns back around and slumps down with a huff, crossing her arms. Great. She's stuck sitting next to him who clearly does not want her there. The air is heavy at the table, tension so thick that you could slice through it with a knife. Neither of them are saying a word. Allison hates it. Sure, Study Hall is supposed to be silent anyway, but this is the … wrong silence.

She sneaks a glance at Eddie. He's put his book down at this point, instead resting his cheek in the palm of his hand and glaring at the front of the room and sucking his teeth.

"What's your problem?" she demands.

He looks over. "My problem?" he whisper-yells. "Oh, I'm sorry, your highness. Forgive me for not being thrilled to be tutored by some snobby cheerleader who can't even leave me alone until the end of school."

Allison's skin boils. She gnaws at the inside of her mouth and when she continues, it's through gritted teeth. "You don't even know me."

"Believe me, I know exactly who you are."

"Oh, my God." Allison scoffs a laugh. "Well, do you know what I know about you, Eddie Munson? I know you're a fucking hypocrite. You go on and on about cliques and how you hate people who belong to certain groups, but you know what your little club is?"

She leans closer, so close that he she can feel Eddie's hot breath on her face, even when he reels back slightly and stares up at her with furrowed brows. "A clique," she whispers, as if she's sharing a secret with him.

"What!?" Eddie stands up now, slamming his hands on the desk so hard it makes Allison jump. "How the hell are we a clique?"

"I wouldn't expect someone who's repeated senior year three times to know the definition of words, so I'll explain it to you. A clique is a group of people who share similar interests, spend time and rarely let others join in." She smirks. "So you can stand on the table and shout all you want, Munson, but face it. You're. In. A. Clique." She emphasizes each word with a tilt of her head.

Eddie goes slack-jawed. "Huh…" he says slowly, sitting back down. "I gotta admit, you have a pretty good point."

There's silence for a moment as Allison bathes in her victory. Then, suddenly: "You know, you're hot when you're mad."

Oh, my God.

"You know what, I think you might be right." Eddie says "I actually don't know you—but I'll have you know you don't know me either. So, what do you say we get to know each other?"

He holds out a hand. Allison looks down at it, and then back up at his face. He's grinning. He actually has a nice smile when he isn't being a sarcastic asshole. "Truce?" he asks.

Allison hesitates for a moment. Then—oh, whatever. She shakes it. "Truce," she agrees.

The bell rings and they both stand up. "So, I'll see you after school? My place or yours?"

"Mine," Allison says. "My step-dad probably won't let me go to a boy's house, even if it's only for tutoring."

"Why?" Eddie wriggles his eyebrows. "You think something's gonna happen that will get you into trouble, sweetheart?"

Allison's face heats up. "No, I just have a controlling asshole for a step-dad."

"Oh." Eddie's flirty demeanor shifts into something more apologetic. "Sorry. That sucks."

"It's fine, you didn't know." Allison assures. She rips a piece of notebook paper and writes her address in a quick, messy scrawl. "Here, come by after school ends."

Eddie winks. "Will do, sweetheart. See you in a couple hours."

The nickname makes her heart flutter.

[nenekiribookwyrm]

CWs: mention of death.

March 2023 Update!

The weather continues to get warmer and my scales are thankful for it. I've had a massive case of cabin fever lately and been itching to go out flying in weather that won't freeze me into a dragon popsicle. Here's the update on what's been going on around the castle this past month.

Firstly, I had a death in the family about halfway through the month that knocked me off-balance in terms of getting things done. Add to that finishing up an intensive project at work and it might not be a surprise that I didn't get much done creatively this month. I'm trying to be patient with myself as I move through the grieving process, but being creative is a big part of how I like to spend my free time. So the last half of March has been a blur and I'm hoping that next month I'll be able to pull myself out of the funk and start making things again.

If you didn't see me talk about it last month, I was recently published in Happy Howlidays: A Furry Short Story Anthology which has a bunch of holiday themed stories and features my story "One Last Winter Ride". I'm pretty proud of how this one turned out and hope that you'll check it out! https://thurstonhowlpub.storenvy.com/products/36440494-happy-howlidays-a-furry-flash-fiction-christmas-anthology

I joined a werewolf themed game jam at the beginning of the month and while I haven't worked on my submission as much as I had anticipated at the beginning of the month, I am still excited to submit whatever I have done. I think I'm going to need to pivot my project into something with a lot smaller scope if I want to submit something complete, but I have a few ideas that might work for that. It's just making sure that I make the time to get those ideas written down. If this sounds cool to you, please check out the list of games once everyone has submitted theirs and play them: https://itch.io/jam/werewolf-jam

The current deadline is April 6th, which is the next full moon, so howl with us as we play some fun indie werewolf experiences.

We're in the middle of Furry Awards Season and the window to vote on your favorite furry books and short stories is closing fast! The Ursa Major Awards close at the end of the month, March 31st and the Coyotl Awards close voting on April 15th. Make sure that you vote and make your voice heard:

https://ursamajorawards.org/Voting.htm

https://coyotlawards.com/2022-coyotl-awards-ballot/

Twitter is going through another death gasp, and with the proposed changes being implemented soon I figured it was a good idea to mention I am other places. You can find me at the links over here: https://nenekiribookwyrm.carrd.co/

It feels like Tumblr and Cohost are going to be the places I post a lot of stuff should Twitter fall, so be sure to check those places if you want to keep up with me on social media.

Contact your representatives! If you live in the United States, there are a ton of anti-trans bills that are being pushed through right now and we need to call our senators and house members to let them know that won't fly. There's also the matter of the Tiktok ban bill, also termed the RESTRICT Act, that is much more than a proposed ban on Tiktok. It has a lot of wide reaching applications that could make privacy on the internet much more difficult in the future. I would recommend reading up on the bill and then calling your reps to let them know how you feel. It's a rough time for LGBTQ+ folks, especially trans people, and we gotta stick together through it.

I've been catching up on reading and as such, I'm posting reviews over to my Goodreads account: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/97223644-nenekiri-bookwyrm

Of note this month was Rafts, the debut book from Utunu which I enjoyed quite a lot. A very sweet gay love story that touched me.

That's about everything I have to share for this month. Here's to healing and a better state of mind the next time I speak to y'all.

Curl up with a good book and be kind to yourself

[theglassdragoncollective]

[VD: Tiktok of soundoftheforest giving an update on an embroidery project, starts with her holding up this big blanket with massive sewn on fuzzy fabric leaves, with her massive collection of pinned insects on the wall behind, saying, "This is another update on my leaf blanket" She smiles and hold it closer to her face, continuing, "I am loving this thing." Cuts to her sitting on it draped over the entire surface of a couch as far as we can see, saying, "Progress has slowed down a little bit cause I keep trying to find the right colors of cloth to make the moths and the butterflies and the snakes, and I did try to embroider some vines, and they were looking really funky, so I might not be adding those" Cuts to a close up of part of the blanket with a hand over a leaf, excitedly saying, "but I did add" flips the leaf over with a noise of excitement showing a moth and a bunch of eggs sewn onto the underside of the leaf, continuing, "oh a little white ermine moth with some of the eggs" She brushes over them with a finger, continuing, "oh I'm so excited. I love ermine moths. Their pattern can vary from all white to with some black dots, and also birds don't eat them because they're poisonous." Cuts to a wider view of the blanket, continuing, "The plan is after I finish doing all the embroidery, and adding all the insects underneath the leaves" the camera moves in on the blanket, continuing, "then I'll sew on a back" she flips a corner of the blanket, to show the back with all the embroidery strings, continuing, "so then you don't see all of the little strings in embroidery." She fiddles around with them a bit, then cuts back to her standing, holding the camera out in front of her and the blanket on the couch behind, saying, "but that might take a while, because I still wanna make some worms to hide underneath and also the pill bugs and a bunch of moths and butterflies and some more caterpillars, like I wanna do a wooly bear caterpillar. It's gonna be fantastic. I am very excited. Also, I keep getting asked if I would be willing to sell these. I am happy to tell people how to make them or figure out how to make a pattern, but if I were to sell these with the amount of time and detail that I am putting into this, if I just did minimum wage, like not including supplies, it - it's - it's gonna be like over 4,000 dollars, so I don't think I would be selling these." End VD]

[mariaurore]

Welcome!

Hello 👋🏻 welcome to my Sims 4 side-blog 😄

Mari Aurore is my self insert sim (and OC). She's mostly from FFXIV but I kind of insert her into every universe. She's currently married to my biggest anime crush 🫶🏻 Capt. Hitsu from Bleach ❄️💙

(-Shortening his name from canon so this long pinned post doesn't appear in search 😅. iykyk.)

As my favorite Marvel hero puts it (in the movies), "I love you in every universe."

I realize most people dislike seeing OC x Canon pairings, so I'm not expecting much, if anything.

However, I'm enjoying my time in Sims 4 and wanted to create this side-blog to share the craziness that sometimes happens, and maybe some builds that I create in my spare time 😊

Dividers are mine, created by me. Do not steal them.

Autonomy: High (I intervene moderately, but I let them do their own thing mostly)

Auto Age: Off

Mods I use:

Lasting Friendships: https://www.nexusmods.com/thesims4/mods/1637

Javier Hair: https://www.patreon.com/posts/82647030

Euphoria Hair Set: https://www.patreon.com/posts/euphoria-set-64450916

Somik and Severinka S&S Cookbook: https://www.curseforge.com/sims4/mods/cookbook-s-s https://www.patreon.com/somikseverinka/

No Fig Deal Garden Care System: https://ravasheen.com/download/no-fig-deal-garden-care-system/

Upscaled Sky: https://www.nexusmods.com/thesims4/mods/1360

Snowflake Retexture: https://www.nexusmods.com/thesims4/mods/1163

PVZ Sunflower (Solar Panel): https://www.nexusmods.com/thesims4/mods/596

A.I. Upscaled Food: https://www.nexusmods.com/thesims4/mods/463

A.I. Upscaled Gardening: https://www.nexusmods.com/thesims4/mods/732

A.I. Upscaled Collectibles: https://www.nexusmods.com/thesims4/mods/1965

Custom Pool and Fountain Colours: https://www.nexusmods.com/thesims4/mods/149

Horoscope Windows: https://www.nexusmods.com/thesims4/mods/1764

Sky Seating Group: https://www.patreon.com/posts/sky-seating-78782767

I will continue to update this list as I install mods, but at this current moment in time, these are the mods I am using.

Before I made this blog I was using different hairstyles for Mari. I cannot find the links to those mods (I'm usually good about bookmarking). If I find them again, I'll post them.

More About (Personality & Gameplay)

Mari (INFJ): Very cooking focused; she either already has it or she's gonna get it eventually. That includes all things gardening, seasonings and spices. However if I feel something is detrimental to the overall gameplay, I'll skip over it (for example, I've heard some awful things about the eco lifestyle DLC & outdoor retreat DLC and that's one I wanted for stargazing).

Eventually I'd like to build her, her own restaurant. Not sure what to put on the menu yet though.

Hitsu (INTJ): Loves to Snowboard 🏂🏻

Both: Extremely Loyal 💞

Takashi: Still growing~ 🐤. Toddler: Calm & Inquisitive. Child: Whiz Kid, Genius.

Max: Automation 🐈

Some INFJ & INTJ Compatibility Links:

Compatibility of INFJ with INTJ in relationships

INTJ and INFJ Relationship

5 Reasons Why INFJs and INTJs Make the Best Friends

(If you're curious and want to read 🤷🏻‍♀️. I've been researching a lot into the Myerr-Briggs personalities lately.)

Quick Navigation

Age Brackets

Sim Count

Ordering Food & Drink at the Same Time (Dine Out)

What goes into a Restaurant? Analyzing Chez Llama

Creating my own Restaurant, Celeste & Buying it

First day working at a Restaurant (Celeste)

How to delete an unwanted Household in your game & Give a Home to a Homeless Household in your game

How to add Corners to Stairways

Shared Builds

Cafe - Blueberry Waffles (& How to edit a Restaurant Menu)

Hitsu Household v1 & v2

Hitsu Residence

Senju Estate

Restaurant - Celeste Bistro

Hitsu Household v3 & v4

For now, they can mostly be found under my tags #Mari or #Teku in-game.

My #Mari tag finds them more than my #Teku one does (I don't know why 🤷🏻‍♀️).

My DLCs

The only reason I'm including this list here is for people who are legitimately curious of what I own 🤷🏻‍♀️

I try not to go crazy using DLCs when I make builds because I understand that some people are confined to the DLCs they own. Often I see builds that use 20 DLCs and it's like... you guys know that people don't have that many DLCs, right? Personally there are some I refuse to buy because I know there are mechanics in them that make gameplay awful or don't mesh with how I want to play.

Typically when I forego using a limited amount of DLCs it's because I'm making things for myself and then I decide to share it later. But if I'm originally making a build with the intent to share it- I limit myself.

Holiday Celebration Pack

Island Living

Blooming Rooms Kit

Get to Work

Cool Kitchen Stuff

Cottage Living Expansion Pack

Greenhouse Haven Kit

Romantic Garden Stuff

Spa Day

Snowy Escape Expansion Pack

Dine Out

Get Together

Seasons

Home Chef Hustle Stuff Pack

My First Pet Stuff

Cats & Dogs

Fitness Stuff

Kids Room Stuff

Parenthood

Perfect Patio Stuff

Toddler Stuff

Discover University

High School Years Expansion Pack

Growing Together Expansion Pack

Jungle Adventure

Modern Luxe Kit

Poolside Splash Kit

Realm of Magic

Movie Hangout Stuff

Everyday Clutter Kit

City Living

Pastel Pop Kit

First Fits Kit

Incheon Arrivals Kit

Outdoor Retreat

Cozy Bistro

Artist Studio

Old posts that were created before unlocking this blog are going to be short and sweet. They were created for "story building" and "context". New Posts will have more 'rambling' or 'diary entries' in them (as I put it).