#Ashe is also now her Boss btw!

[riftdancing]

You asked for it, so it begins.

First Question! Lets start with the obvious. Mihli Mihgo. What was it like stepping from one world to the next? Was she lost? Was it horror? Was there wonder in seeing a new world? I can only imagine there were a lot of feelings. Does she ever want to go back, or has she found home here?

It was in short, very traumatic. Where she comes from she was a hero, much like a Warrior of Light. But right now she's not even sure if she managed to save her people, or if they were simply left defenseless without her.

When Mihli arrived in Eorzea, she washed up on the shores of La Nocea with out any recollection of who she was, or where she came from. Luckily, she was found by Sea's character, Ashely Hawke, who brought her home to Shiro, an employed Doctor for Firelight Trading Company. As his house was already full with one stray (one of my other characters - Poki Mewri), he sent Mihli to live with a colleague in Ishgard, Lysander Ervaut under the idea that through his research, Lysander might be able to help Mihli regain her memories.

In return Mihli would live under his roof, but would provide some basic domestic chores (such as cleaning, fetching parcels and groceries, and cooking) to pay her board while he investigated her case.

As a man who fought in the Dragon Song War... he also has some hellacious trauma centered around dragons. And Mihli... just happens to have a small dragonet she's adopted as her daughter named Sasavi. While it was tricky at first, Lysander (though he'd outright deny it verbally) warmed up to Savi pretty quickly.

In hindsight, putting a feral street raised cat and a baby dragon in a Noble Dragon Traumatized Isghardian's home... It's safe to say these three had a bit of a rough start.

But it wasn't without a bit of proper etiquette training. Mihli spent her first few months with her nose stuck in many various books learning first and foremost about Isghard's History and her customs, but also about much of Eorzea so that she could better blend in with the populace. (IE: See the picture above: No, Mihli, you shouldn't go out in public with holes in your clothing...)

They were also able to acquire a small bit of fantasia, which when taking a singular sip helped her look less Mithran (left) and more Miqo'te (right). Naturally she retained the majority of her appearance, but as you can see some qualities like her ears and tail, were more altered than say her facial features.

I've been pretty loose in Mihli's history in this post and earlier posts. I had some Lore drawn up for her that I've currently put on hold due to Dawntrail bringing with it a FFXI-based Alliance Raid. I kind of want to see what they do with that lore before I concrete her backstory. Mostly whether or not Vana'diel is simply a completely different timeline of the source, or if Vana'diel is it's own shard. Or even... something else entirely.

Originally I was writing it as if it were it's own shard. But we'll see what happens and after that I'll probably be a lot more in depth about writing her character publically.

Currently, Lysander has helped Mihli regain her memories and she is currently struggling between the ideas of both worlds. I have referenced it in a few places like this, but ultimately I don't think Mihli wants to go back to Vana'diel permanently. In fact I think she may even be a smidge apprehensive about going back short term. Not because she doesn't miss Vana'diel or it's residents (lord knows she misses her adopted Mom something fierce). But because she's afraid of the unknown. What if a lot of people did die because she failed them? Would she be better off not knowing? Can she live with the idea of not knowing long term?

These are all questions I intend to play with during Dawntrail for her writing. Especially since, like I said before, the Alliance Raid will help me fill in some of the blanks of her canon. ...Since XI will be fully canon in some way at that point. Ultimately though, Mihli has come to love Eorzea. In truth she is more at home in this universe than she was in Vana'diel. There are so many friendships and bonds that I don't think she would ever be able to go back to Vana'diel long term. Given the choice, I think Mihli would pick Eorzea in every timeline.

Mihli is also extremely inquisitive, curious, and adventurous. She has a lust for adventure and a thirst for knowledge. Equal parts bookworm and adventurer, exploring Eorzea and meeting people from all walks of life and cultures has been an incredible experience for her. Also seeing where things line up with both universes has been a delight for her. After all Vana'diel and Eorzea share similar if not the same races like the Mamool Ja. There have been several instances where a friend or colleague of hers will insist something is called what Eorzean's call it and in turn Mihli will absolutely insist on the Vana'diel terminology. Its very cute.

If you're interested in more about Mihli's character or past I've touched on it lightly here when talking about Sasavi. I should really talk about her more, but until Dawntrail I kinda wanna play it cool.

I am excited to blend her story better into the canon lore!

[felikatze]

Ooo how was Silver Snow? Still have to play that one :0

okay so context is i started silver snow like. YEARS ago. two years, probably. got 3h burnout. only started playing it again for [extremely secret reasons i will reveal hopefully on the 27th otherwise please do strike me down. anyway.]

which means i played the back half of silver snow's part 2 with like, NO memory of what a slog part 1 was to replay. that is to say, with part 1 done by some... mysterious other being, who was me, once upon a time, it was great!

a lot of moments that were meant to be serious were just. so silly though. but i am NOT the first to say this. like. the magic missles. what else. hubert's posthumous "hey btw u still gotta kill these guys lol."

it's like this game FOR SURE needed another year in the oven cuz the ASSPULLS dear god. like. seteth knows the slitherers exist. at the very least, he knows that there are people who supported nemesis. so could he. i dunno. investigate those guys himself. esp when rhea actually comes back and the two start chatting w flayn and talk abt all this slitherer stuff it's INTERESTING that maybe they could unravel the mystery behind the greatest tragedy to befall them!!

that like, maybe seteth and rhea can find some closure in catching those who killed their family!! that'd be like, COOL, wouldn't it, if seteth, as deuteragonist of silver snow, and the whole church crew, could've, like, sensed that something is Off abt the imperial army, and. yknow. not. had hubert tell them.

WHATEVER. IT'S WHATEVER

i generally LIKED part 2 outside of the Magic Missle Cutscene which just made me laugh so fucking bad. i gotta admit rhea's last speech to byleth actually nearly made me cry cuz it just lays rhea bare and actually shows growth on her part. like in her captivity she very obviously had time to reflect and she at last sees her mother is never coming back, but, at the very least, all this struggle has brought her byleth, her dear child, and that alone makes it all worth it. she acknowledges byleth for who they are and she is so so proud of them. it made me tear up.

and then it's WAGRGRGRRG RHEA TURNS INTO A MONSTER NOW CUZ FUCK YOU WE NEEDED A FINAL BOSS!!!!!

i think the shadowdropped lore of "yah btw all high ranking church members get some of rhea's blood" is quite frankly REALLY GROSS? obviously it's just there so the final map has additional enemies, and is thus a consequence of the setup for the final boss also being a total asspull.

but it's. gross. for. yknow. "the lizard pope has a secret section of the church where she gives people her blood" is. DO I EVEN NEED TO EXPLAIN HERE???

also this totally dilutes that she saved jeralt's life with her blood because jeralt and rhea's relationship was obviously special and complicated compared to other church members and it gave him a unique perspectice on rhea and that HE had a crest of seiros was LORE IMPORTANT because it meant byleth had a higher chance to actually obtain sothis' power and now you're telling me that like, a whole map's worth of fuckers got the same deal for free? without the emotional baggage? hey, fuck you??

the last cutscene where rhea dies in byleth's arms and she's obviously confused and lost and dying so she calls byleth mother even after her whole speech abt byleth being byleth it. it got to me. that was actually good writing in that one.

gameplay wise it was. hm. well i certainly had fun but the final map was TOO LONG. like u need to take out EVERY white beast which means u need to circle the ENTIRE fucking map before u can even THINK abt fighting rhea. whereas in ch20 i just went "fuck this i'm killing edelgard rn" and then i could and i did.

god BLESS the fucking archer brigade (petra, ashe, and last minute addition underlevelled cyril with that one no crest legendary bow), for being the ABSOLUTE HARD CARRIES on this clusterfuck of a final map. combined they could defeat one white beast per turn with that sweet sweet EFFECTIVE DAMAGE.

i will take ashe to endgame every single fucking time and all tier list makers can eat my dust. does ur meta breaker have lockpick utility. no they dont. ashy-boy best boy i will take no arguments.

also who the fuck needs an actual tank when u have seteth. thanks seteth for insane bulk and rally def.

thank u lysithea for customary dark knight baja blasting. lysithea is always good.

ch21 was fucking Confusing bcuz i didnt know where i was supposed to actually go first and ch20 was "wow this is just the blue lions finale except WAYYYYY easier because edelgard cant snipe me."

other maps i do not remember probably because all of them were also on blue lions. i know the ailel map was and FUCK OFF JUDITH. GO AWAY.

the funniest fucking thing is how silver snow just SKIPS the battle of eagle and lion because you dont have any of the house leaders. it just skips over the dramatic midpoint that existed primarily for All of the marketing. seteth drops in. hi byleth. by the way. dimitir is dead. claude has retreated. the empire has taken heavy losses so we gotta warcrime them right this fucking moment. byleth are you in.

yeah sure thing seteth let's fucking roll. time for a false flag operation. hey what's that weird light in the sky it's -

YE OLDE MAGICAL MISSLE!!!!!

anyway yeah. three houses stays three houses. which is to say. a very mixed bag that under the line leaves me kind of ambivalent these days but i could say "yeah that was fun" again considering i have like. no memory of replaying white clouds outside of "oh yeah edelgard was there."

[witnessprotectionprogramurl]

first act of homestuck summarized from memory because I feel like it:

there is an unnamed boy turning 13 today

I do not remember when today is

his name is John Egbert (NOT zoosmell pooplord)

he has a friend called Dave who we know is cool because he wears sunglasses

he goes to the mailbox to get the sburb demo but it's not there

sburb is a videogame btw

he has another friend named Rose who we know is a girl because her text is pink

she wants to play sburb with him

sburb has 2 disks for some reason

he only finds the first one

also there is a harlequin doll

human sized

and John puts fake arms on it

it will be important later believe it or not

John tries to get the second sburb disk sneakily

he fails, thus triggering a boss fight

the boss fight is with his dad

just realized I forgot literally everything about captchaloguing things to the sylladex

whatever it's fine

his dad is obsessed with clowns

sorry I mean harlequins

anyways John runs away with the sburb and starts playing it with rose

ALSO AT SOME POINT HE DROPPED HIS GRANDMAS ASHES ON THE FLOOR

this too will be important later

the slur counter by now has got to be on triple digits

rose starts moving shit around in sburb and accidentally rips apart John's bathroom

through sburb

in real life

I forget what happens now but remember the harlequin doll?

also remember the grandma?

so the grandma merges with the doll

so now the doll is possessed

by the grandma

there's a bunch of machines and contraptions being placed by rose inside John's house

there is a meteor

it hits earth

everything explodes

close curtains

[languidangel]

Ohmygod ohmygod. I'm so sleep deprived but I called out of work so it's fine. I kinda did a quick as fuck playthrough (took me six hours with the breaks I took because I'm bad at videogames) and I have some thoughts SEPARATE WAYS SPOILERS AHEAD:

I didn't think they would retcon Ada saving Luis, it was more so something I just really HOPED would happen but the fact she was RIGHT THERE and still went after Krauser? In character but disappointing. I guess her character arc is a slower one. Although maybe she just assumed that what Luis said was true or Leon could help him idk.

WESKER AND ADA OHMYGOD?!? I SAID THEY WERE FUCKING AS A JOKE BUT CAPCOM SAID BET! THEYRE FUCKING FUCKINH OHMYGOD?!?!?!

Whatever shit with the one thing (I think U3 in the original but I'm not sure if it was given a different name here) was...somewhat anticlimactic. I can see the different strain not needing radiation to kill it but I think it would have been more interesting if Ada coughed it up way later in the game.

No Wesker OR Krauser boss fight wtf.

WHAT THE FUCK WAS WITH WESKER JUST SITTING OUT ON A BOAT AND MAKING ADA DO EVERYTHING?!?! JUST TO SHOW UP SOMETIMES WITH A GUN LIKE "hey wifey :3 btw if you don't get my amber I'll shoot you" ??????

No Ada background story :(

The jacket bit was kinda cute. But also?!? Why does the merchant need it???? Hello??? I guess it probably is expensive lol. Poor Leon.

THE LUIS AND ADA DANCE SCENE HOLY SHIT I ALMOST FORGOT LUIS FLIRTED SO MUCH. THE MOST BISEXUAL MAN EVER OML. Anyways...AND THE TIED UP LINE????? I LOVE THEM TOGETHER ACTUALLY THEYRE SO CUTE!!!

I think people have already mentioned this but Krauser??? Is here??? Why???? How the fuck did he even hear about Los Illuminados? He's (supposedly) not working for Wesker????

"fly, my pretty" ADA I WILL BE SUCH A GOOD SPOUSE, YOU ARE SO ADORABLE EVEN IF YOURE A LITTLE MORALLY BANKRUPT BUT LISTEN OKAY

God and her fucking melee moves, she serves cunt this entire DLC.

Okay now for the bit that will make people mad. I'm SO SO happy with how they changed Ada/Leon's relationship. I actually really disliked aeon and somehow them having what feels like a more natural relationship given Racoon City...made me actually consider that ship. Like I actually felt the weird sort of longing that they both had for each other that I didn't enjoy in 4 original or 6 (omg 6, that needs its own rant post) Ada is clearly still attracted to him but she has to be forced to see him having gotten over her, at least to whatever degree Leon can get over anything, especially seeing him with Ashley. Ohmygod. There's a lot of subtext I'm reading into but her watching them after she wakes up on the cot, I could feel the conflicting emotions there even though Ada didn't say shit about it, because she wouldn't.

How DARE you make me fight more regeneradors Capcom

I wanted more Ash/Ada interactions and the one we got was okay but I feel like with how little Ashley actually saw Ada, a lot of her questions to Leon don't...super make sense?

Anyways I will be playing it again sometime, it was really good. I definitely missed some things.

[trickarrows-bishop]

SEASON 4 SPOILERS BELLOW ⁉️⁉️⁉️

the skip between season 3 & 4 and that sudden TENSION

now i must say ashlyn is SOOOO me coded when first realising she was 🏳️‍🌈 right? like making it her JOB to mention when something is queer? pretty me when i first came out- but i digress !!

we can see they’ve ONLY gotten closer and closer over that jump between s3 and s4, with ashlyn ALWAYS texting on her phone NOT to her boyfriend but to maddox. she is the first person she tells about casting, NOT big red. ofc i must add i do believe that before she realised she like maddox romantically it wasn’t ash’s intention to have the break up with big red- but anyways idk i just thought that

ON TOP OF THAT i can only IMAGINE the praise that maddox gives her friend when finding out she got cast as Kelsi. i just know the messages included “OMFG OKAY DONT FORGET ME WHEN UR FAMOUS” and “IM SO PROUD OMGGGG” and so on bro i JUST KNOW IT ‼️

and ash is EXCITED to do hsmtmts 3, as are the rest of them HOWEVER notice how quickly she goes quiet when maddox turns up ⁉️⁉️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🤨🤨 gay as HELL fr. anyways back to actual plot, she talks to the camera in “the office”-like way and talks about how she doesn’t get how it is awkward between her and maddox considering the text ALL the time.

now ofc, OFC, i am aware that when you text someone every second of ur life and/or meet someone from online 9 times out of 10 say it’s gonna be a little bit on the awkward side- completely and utterly aware of this okay? BUT YOU TELLING ME THAT THE AWKWARDNESS COULD NOT ALSO BE FROM 🏳️‍🌈🤨☝️🫵 like brother there is a difference between the tension they had in that one scene of looking across to each other in the rehearsal room and tension between two online friends first meeting

"you were a boss today!!" and DO YOU SEE MADDOX PRACTICALLY RUSH OVER TO ASHLYN ??? OH BOYYYYYYY "UHM you think so?" "UHM I REALLY KNOW SO" although i am not visibly seeing her twirl her hair and kick her feet and blush like crazy I KNOW DAMN WELL THAT MADDOX IS INTERNALLY. and within that we see kourt completely ignored while they OBLIVIOUSLY flirt with each other- "you know, goth looks really good on you" "thank you i'm wearing like twelve necklaces" like that is as straight as ME now.

EPISODE 4 WOOOOO

one of my fav episodes honestly like omg so first let us deep dive into THAT scene in nightmares come to life where maddox appears in the reflection + thOSE LYRICS 🤨

so FIRSTLY most of us all connected that maddox being in SPECIFICALLY her camp uniform tells us that this all originates back to camp. the idea of ashlyn having feelings/a crush on her STARTED back then, but she's been FAR too oblivious, thinking to herself "no, i have a boyfriend!!" like girl bffr. BUT LET US TAKE IT FURTHER WITH THE LYRICS WOOOoOOoOooOOoo

the basics of the song is how each character had something on their plate they REALLY didn't wanna deal with (the nightmares)- examples including ricky not wanting to tell gina the truth that dani will have to take over as gabriella, kourtney having to make a choice about schools, carlos and his relationship with seb- and of COURSE ashlyn and her underlying feelings for maddox.

So many feelings inside, new ones that don't wanna hide i gotta listen, so here we go hit the ignition i'm in for a ride ???? LIKE SHE DEADASS WAS JUST LIKE "new feelings. for maddox. yeah. gotta take that into account now oh no lets just GO WITH IT !!" like girlie THANK YOU FOR CONFIRMING IG ??? like the whole episode prior she was just like "surely not !! lol" and now in episode 4 she's like "uhm. actually ☝️ I MAY-" like OMFJDSAFGASKHGDF AND THEN THE ONE LINE SAYLOR HAS? LET ME RUN WITH IT HOLD ON NOW ‼️‼️ "You'll find they soon take over" OKAY SO THE DREAM SEQUENCE, IN ASHLYN'S MIND (perhaps. maybe im just DELULU) MADDOX IS TELLING HER "the feelings are gonna take over btw!!" LIKE AUFDAFSKJGH

anyways onto the episode itself. NO ONE else understands ash's costume other than maddox first of all. like. made for each other wth then of course i cant lightly NOT touch on "SHE NEEDS MOUTH TO MOUTH. AS A FRIEND." now. ik this all can be like "yeah hella gay lets move onto the call it what you want scene" BUT YALL REALISE THE REASON SHE'S THOUGHT MOUTH TO MOUTH IS BECAUSE SHE OBVIOUSLY, NON-STOP THOUGHT AT SOME POINT ABOUT KISSING HER RIGHT??? NO STRAIGHT EXPLANATION. NONE.

and ofc the Call It What You Want scene oh my GODDDDD y'all i cried when i realised it was a madlyn duet like HOLY SHIT there is a madlyn duet AND ITS ON SPOTIFY for me to LISTEN TO. call it what you want is JUST SUCHHHHH A MADLYN song;

written from ASH's perspective, she's saying, quite clearly- "i've never been in a situation quite like this, ive never had feelings quite like this, all of this is new but if there's one thing i know for a FACT- I WANT YOU." like SKDFLGASKDHFgalkfhGLlkjfhL oh my GODDDDDD and that almost kiss at the end? HOW INSANE OF THEM TO PUT THAT THERE BUT HOW IN CHARACTER??? LIKE YEAH IF I HEARD THIS SONG I TOO WOULD BE ATTEMPTING TO KISS ASHLYN. and maddox running away quickly? so SO SO in character. .she isn't sticking around to find the damage that she's "caused" in nearly kissing ash- she's running away, most likely heartbroken to once again go off and text maddison like it's a coping mechanism of some sorts.

episodes 5 & 6

alr y'all it may surprise you but not a lot went down in these episodes madlyn wise buT we very much had the redlyn break up (aka the most chill breakup known to man ((or at least in hsmtmts)))

big red was a complete ally !! (no one is surprised) and was like "okay now GO GET UR GIRL !!" what a king but once again im gonna zoom in on maddox being back with maddison for that moment. as we know from the finale at least a LOT the time that maddox is with maddison she seems to find a way to bring up ashlyn. (ngl i would KILL for a scene with maddison and maddox like that but i'm taking what i've been given...) and im just trying to think of how that must've felt for ASH. while maddison on the other end of the phone would've been like "omg !! hi !! ur the one who's like !! perfect for maddox !! hello !!" ash most likely would've gone home and like practically SOBBED into her pillow.

from the finale maddox also mentioned that she hadn't heard anything from ash since halloween, which either means they stopped talking or just kept talking, gaslighting themselves that it didn't happen (very gay of them either way)

the only other thing madlyn coded that i must add on is "so you're single again?" from maddox. like girl the fact you just BLURTED that out tells me you've been thinking about it a LOT 🤨 gay as hell i love them sm

GAY FINALE EPISODES (7&8)

now. OH MY GODDDDD i must say i cannot pull apart what happened in ep 7 to what happened in ep 8- it was a BLUR, so stay WITH ME here. both of them were FULLY ready to confess their feelings yall !! we had maddox practicing her LINES like she was apart of hsm3 while ashlyn had like a five step plan (which included a tree) into confessing her feelings 😭 like. FINALLY. after what felt like- FOREVER on this season, they were once again on the same page WOOOOOOOO

ofc we see maddox also texting maddison (no thoughts head empty) which once again kinda just proves my point of maddison being a rebound/coping mechanism for maddox. if she cant be with or talk to ashlyn rn she'll just have to settle with maddison (of who, as we covered, seems to hear a LOT about ash as it is). maddox ALSO sees a certain scenario happen. yk the one. the one with ash, big red and andy.

ofc this probably sets the first crack in the glass of her changing her mind about confessing her feelings- if ashlyn is with big red why should she bother telling ash the truth? and then the balloons. oh my god THE BALLOONS. ofc OFC maddox should've read the note first, but i think that along with nearly breaking that light board, girlie was not in the right head space to read that note immediately (my dramatic ass would've probably ripped it up before reading it 💀💀) AND THIS TIES BACK TO THE WHOLE MISCOMMUNICATION AND MISUNDERSTANDING SUBJECT. if maddox had literally read the note first instead of going off to find jet and rant to him (i love it when siblings are siblings) and had talked about the near-kiss to ashlyn, ash wouldn't probably have been hurt as much when maddison PICKED UP THE PHONE

now with ash omg that plan she had? the cutest thing on the planet. EJ also 100% earned his spot as captain of the ship carving that into a tree back at camp in season THREE. like. okay king that gaydar rlly was working ??? omg ??? plus ashlyn KNOWS that one of the most important things to maddox is camp, so the fact that she was able to include that still into her confession, therefore not making it ALL about herself really just showed how much she cared about maddox and who she is. PLUS they met at camp. like. i will cry don't make me DO IT. the whole "so... should we just stay friends?" the gayest thing to ever happen im so serious abt it too. sapphics can literally kiss on multiple occasions and say we're just friends. that TINY addition of them not IMMEDIATELY just becoming gfs and hesitating ??? just a little bit more accuracy for the gays and i WILL BE EATING IT UP

and ofc the kiss- no comments will sum it up better than carlos'. "IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU TWO. THIS IS SO ENDGAME" he's so real and me coded

other notes that im remembering after the kiss include;

read this one on twt and i nearly screamed; maddox "leaving" for new zealand and ash's reaction. put this into picture now that we know ash's full story. she started the whole series not really having any friends, eating lunch usually alone in a classroom. now fast forward to the finale, she's about to loose her best friend and girlfriend to this new movie, her cousin has gone off to college and she'll be losing more of her friends at the end of the year. imagine how devastating that would've been for her. holy FUCK.

on a lighter note ; the one madlyn lyric in Love You Forever being "I wanna live like I've never even heard the word regret" is so insane i love LOVE LOVE them FUCK HOMOPHOBIA (sorry got too passionate there)

maddox in that born to be brave clip at the end kissing ash's hand and being all 🥰🥰🥰 while BIG RED IS SAT NEXT TO HER oh my GOD i cannot be normal about them

I WANNA ALSO SAY HOW AMAZING THE ACTING WAS FROM BOTH JULIA AND SAYLOR. TOGETHER THEY PORTRAYED AND GAVE US SUCH A DELICATE AND BEAUTIFUL SAPPHIC RELATIONSHIP THAT I (AT THE LEAST) WILL BE TREASURING FOR LIKE. EVER.

conclusion- i love gay people and this ship. feel free to word vomit abt them in the comments, chances are i will word vomit back xoxo

y'all i wrote an essay to my friend on why madlyn is perfect, enemies to friends to lovers, and built up on terrible communication and misunderstanding. one note and i'll drop it

[merakiui]

Hey ho! Long time no see!

[SPOILER WARNING FOR THE ARCHON QUEST]

I finished the archon quest yesterday and holy shit. I think I'll re-watch it on yt cause I feel like I didn't really comprehend what went down. Especially after Signora's boss fight, when the traveler walked away, completely traumatized.

Also, what I wanna say: I feel like that isn't the last thing we saw of Signora. It just feels so wrong that she was killed off just like that.

And I kinda wanna share this theory:

What if the Musou no Hitotachi doesn't kill the opponent? Yes, it's a special technique, but Signora didn't just drop dead, she turned to ashes. Could also be me, grasping for every little bit of hope, that Kazuha's friend and Signora are still alive.

Btw, if you visit his grave after the cutscene, his vision will be there.

And one last thing: Scaramouche's real name is a fucking tongue twister. Like, I can't say it twice in a row without getting it wrong somehow. - 🐉

Hello, 🐉! I hope you’re doing well! :D

(spoilers below!)

It was a wild ride of a quest, that’s for sure! However it’s not without its faults. Thinking about it now there were some things that didn’t sit right with me, such as the pacing or how certain scenes/characters were handled. I’m also hoping Signora and Kazuha’s friend are still alive, but it feels like that might not be the case. T_T When the traveler walked away from the fight, it was such a chilling scene! They’ve been through so much throughout the entire Inazuma arc. I hope they’ll be okay...

I was very surprised when the traveler suddenly challenged Signora to a duel, though! I wasn’t expecting them to say it so suddenly. Part of me was hoping that the ‘to the death’ part wasn’t actually true, but after the Raiden Shogun executed Signora in front of the traveler and Paimon it became clear. Although I really wish they hadn’t killed her off just like that. I was hoping we could learn more about her past. At least we have her boss battle. Whenever I fight her it feels like she isn’t truly gone. >_<

On the bright side, we got lots of lore for Scaramouche...even if his past is also very sad. D: 

[beclynn-herondale]

Can I ask for some help?

I saw the TMI tv show and I really really NEED to get my love for Clary and Jace back and remember the real Clace. Can you please remind me some quotes or something about them? Something about how they never fell out of love? About how they never bossed people around? How they cared about others? How close Jace and Alec were as parabatai ? How love and respect and trust holds the TMI gang close and not only sense of duty? How they are rebellious teenagers and not an impulsive and stupid gang of young adults?

My brain is lost-

Also, feel free to ignore and delete, I just felt lost and since you are the CEO of the Support Clace gang on Tumblr, I thought I should send you an ask. I love your blog btw

Hello, lovely peach blossom

Here's some of my fav couple quotes from them. They are eloquent sword babes, honestly.

"Let her go," Jace said, his voice soft. He hadn't meant to speak so softly or gently. The tone took him back years, years and years to a small boy comforting a bird, speaking softly to it, taming it, petting its wings. To a time and a moment gentleness had not been foreign, and love had not been destruction. To his most treasured memory of home. There was no reason to look at this girl, with her wild red hair and her bright eyes and think of home. But he did.

Clary. Of course that was her name. Clary, clearity, clary sage that folklore said gave mundane the sight. A name that sounded like lightness, brightness and seeing. Exactly the right me for a girl who seemed able to see anything. To be able to see through anything. To be able to see through him. She gave a glance behind her, not at the three of them, but just at Jace. He stood very still as her gaze tracked over him — puzzled, dazzled, amazed. As if, like Hamlet, she looked on something that was wondrous strange to the human eyes. And in her green eyes he thought he saw a flicker of regret as she turned and walked away from them.

"There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clearity. "I love you, and I will love until I die, and if there's a life after that, I'll love you then." - Jace

"And I would do it again. I love you, Jace Wayland-Herondale-Lightwood-whatever. I don't care. I love you and I will always love you, and pretending it could be any other way is just a waste of time." - Clary

"Every time I think I'm missing a piece of myself, you give it back to me." - Jace

"You don't have to. I have enough faith in you," she said, "for the both of us." - Clary

"I didn't know," he said. "I didn't know you needed me." Her voice shook. "I always need you." - CoFA

"As long as I can dream, I willl dream of you." - Jace

"And now I'm looking at you," he said, "and you're asking me if I still want you, as if I could stop loving you. As if I would want to give up the thing that makes me stronger than anything else ever has. I never dared give much of myself to anyone before—bits and pieces to the Lightwoods, to Isabelle and Alec, but it took years to do it—but Clary, since the first time I saw you, I have belonged to you complete. I still do. If you want me." - Jace

"In some ways, we've been through something no one else can ever understand but the two of us," he said. "And it made me realize. We are always absolutely better together." - Jace

"My heart is your heart," he said . "My hands are your hands."

"But it doesn't change what we are to each other. It's like there's always been a piece of my soul missing, and it's inside you, Clary. I know I told you once that whether god exists or not, we're on our own. But when I'm with you, I'm not." - Jace

"There are a hundred trillion cells in the human body, and every single of the cells in my body loves you. We shed cells, and grow new ones, and my new cells love you more than the old ones, which is why I love you more than I did the day before. It's science. And when I die and they burn my body and I become ashes that mix with the air, and part of the ground and trees and stars, everyone who breathes that air or sees the flowers that grow out of the ground or looks up at the stars will remember you and love you, because I love you that much." - Clary to Jace

"You mended my heart," he whispered. "You picked up the pieces of a broken, angry boy and you made him into a happy man, Clary." "No," she said voice shaking. "You did that. I just—cheered you on from the sidelines." "I wouldn't be here without you," he said, soft as music against her lips. "Not just you—Alec, Isabelle, even Simon—but you're my heart." "And you're mine," she said. "You know that."

"I was going to ask you again tonight," he said. "I thought about it for a long time. I didn't want to pressure you. But I decided to trust what you said—that you only said no because of your vision," he said. "Since I met you, Clary, you have been the blade in my hand, even when I carried no weapons. I could always fight any demons but my own. You were my sword and shield against every moment I felt worthless, against every moment I hated myself, against every time I thought I wasn't good enough."

"You taught me it takes more bravery to love completely than it does to walk unharmed into a battle," he said. "To love you and to be loved by you is an honor, Clary." She grinned at him. "And what do I get in return for that honor?" "My sparkling wit," he said. "My charming company. my good looks. And. . ." He looked up at her suddenly serious. "My heart, for all my days of my life." She bent down to kiss him. "And you have mine," she said.

"I love you, Jace Herondale. I love you and I need you like light and air, like my chalk and paint, like beautiful things in the world." - Clary

Jace and Alec parabatai quotes

Jace and Alec moments

Here's a link to a post of mine that have my favorite Jace and Alec moments

And here's some Graphic Novel babes for you

Also I'll make a post about the people they've helped and been there for it's something I have actually been wanting to do 😎

[iceywrites]

The Asheiji way of life

Top three times boss's lover saved us (from boss)

In our recent post, boss's lover came to know that we accidentally threw his natto away because of a certain second-in-command we know (🔪) and since then we haven't had his brownies. Boss, for some reason is having the time of his life seeing the distance between us and that dessert grow further apart.

Anyways, here we go.

#3.

Both of us, as in NY Cones, were asking for a day off because we wanted to go on a date. But we didn't tell anyone about our romantic status because we wanted a little private time. We asked boss's lover to cover up for us. He did it without blinking an eye. He also gave us some money for the date. We love you so much ❤️

#2.

Boss hates pumpkins and because we are so shitty, we bought him some pumpkin spice lattes. Boss's lover came to know about that. He baked pumpkin pie to pair up with the beverage. The best part was that boss actually liked it. He still doesn't know about it but we're hoping that when he does, boss's lover will save our ass. Please 🥺.

#1.

When we got our own kitten, we hid it at boss's place for a while till we properly learnt it how to nourish her (from boss's lover, of course). He's a natural. Boss doesn't hate animals but he was still trying to fight with from the fact that his lover loved their dog more. Why did we leave her there? Because we didn't have the best place to keep her then. Till date, boss's lover has kept it a secret from boss. (We are once again requesting you to save our asses. Please 😭)

To summarise it, boss's lover is the sweetest person ever. He has always taken care of us and helped us when we needed it. We love you so much and we're very sorry for the natto 😭😔 if either of us could cook, we would have made it for you.

Comments:

dontmakeanarniajoke said:

You hid an entire cat at our home??? AND PUMPKINS??? WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?

sadpoemsandletters replied:

My partners' son saw this. He now knows that you are afraid of pumpkins. I'm sorry little brother but I'm pretty sure you're going to be sent a lot of pics of pumpkins from either or all of our phones.

dontmakeanarniajoke replied:

@sadpoemsandletters YOU HAD ONE JOB YOU ASSHOLE

yutlungapologist said:

OMG YOU GUYS ARE DATING?! THAT'S SO CUTE UWU

pineappleheadman replied:

I need to wash my eyes now that I've read this

nycones replied:

uh thanks ig

yutlungapologist replied:

MY BF WROTE THAT I WOULD NEVER WRITE THIS KINDA SHIT YOU FUCKERS

skippingrope said:

@dontmakeanarniajoke they literally just wrote a love letter for your lover

dontmakeanarniajoke replied:

@nycones YOU WANNA FIGHT ME?!?!

pineappleheadman replied:

Aw boss getting jealous. So cute uwu.

nycones replied:

We literally just have buy a pumpkin boss

sadpoemsandletters said:

@dontmakeanarniajoke say nya

dontmakeanarniajoke replied:

What the fuck does that mean???

sadpoemsandletters replied:

Just a cool thing to say

dontmakeanarniajoke replied:

Why should *I* say it???

skippingrope replied:

Cause you're not cool boss

dontmakeanarniajoke replied:

Excuse me?!?!

pineappleheadman replied:

Then say it and prove your coolity

dontmakeanarniajoke replied:

Never say that word ever again

nycones replied:

Just say it boss

sadpoemsandletters replied:

say it

dontmakeanarniajoke replied:

... Nya?

sadpoemsandletters replied:

Not here. Say it out loud.

[Ash whispers nya]

skippingrope replied:

I'm sitting beside you boss yet I couldn't hear it

pineappleheadman replied:

Yeah bro you gotta be louder than that

sadpoemsandletters replied:

I'm sitting in front of you yet I couldn't hear a thing

nycones replied:

We're a safe distance away from you yet we couldn't hear a thing

dontmakeanarniajoke replied:

Why do I feel like y'all are tricking me into something

norinorinatto replied:

Please 🥺🥺🥺

[ash screamed Nya]

dontmakeanarniajoke replied:

WHY ARE YOU ALL LAUGHING???

pineappleheadman replied:

Everyone say goodbye to boss's brother. Boss is strangling him and his brother is too weak from laughter to defend himself.

nycones said:

@norinorinatto can we please have our brownies back 🥺 we're extremely sorry about the natto 😔

norinorinatto replied:

Yeah ig

dontmakeanarniajoke replied:

@norinorinatto before you make a decision, you must know that these two threw you NoriNori t shirt away because they thought it was a dirty cloth (I'm still angry btw)

norinorinatto replied:

WHAT???

nycones replied:

Boss why 😭😭😭

[danddymaro]

Addiction | Old Snake x Reader

An Ending to MGS4 that ends in happiness for our good boi Snake

Fixed/Edited

BTW: Let’s shift the events around and pretend he went to go talk to Big Boss Before Meryl's wedding.

Thoughts are italics in quotations = 'Example'

Flashbacks are in italics = Example

Word Count:  2225

Addiction

From betwixt the snug place of his lips, the smoke in which he took pleasure from was snatched, aggressively pulled out in a single motion,

"Snake," A familiar male's voice said in a harsh whisper, sounding frustrated and disappointed all together, "Just what in the world do you think you're doing!?" Otocon added with the same tone of exasperation.

Silently, Snake's blue eyes drifted right to see the bespeckled brunette male giving him a half-hearted glare, his entire expression full of annoyance as he glared onto the man that seemed many years older than what he truly was.

"You know you shouldn't be smoking," Hal said while shaking his head in the same disapproval, making sure to exaggerate a low dragged out sigh, "Honestly...Snake, you'd think that at least today you'd make an exception." He added.

'Today...' David started, 'Today is a special day... for not just me, but for her too,' He thought while grunting, knowing just what the other man meant, feeling guilt weigh down over his shoulders as he recognized his selfishness.

With a dull gaze as a response, Snake returned the look back to his long-time friend, 'I know this already...don't think I don't,' He silently told the man while pressing his lips together tightly.

Tearing his eyes from the hardened dark chocolate orbs, David then trailed his oculars down to the discarded nicotine as it now lay on the floor, a small, thin line of smoke still rising from its end, a gentle flicker of a red spark still visible as well.

He could pick it back up. After all, it was salvageable, but even so, his reaction remained prolonged.

He stared at it for a few moments before he closed his eyes to rid himself of the tempting image.

"You will end up smelling like burnt ash and tobacco. I don't think she'd like that," Otacon continued to speak, convincing him to make the right choice.

Dropping his shoulders, Snake nodded in defeated agreeance, knowing it to be true.

After a few silent minutes passed, he then gave a frustrated sigh and stepped on it, crushing it under his shoe and making sure it was put out by the stomp.

"yeah yeah," David grumbled, because he was well aware of the fact and had already mentally kicked himself for it.

"I know you're nervous," Hal then said with a soft, understanding smile rising, "it's understandable," he said while placing his hand on his friend's shoulder, "But you should do it for her. " He added, truthfully, also being concerned for Snake's health.

"Now come on, " Emmerich said with brightened brown orbs, "It's about to begin," he reminded the other male, his index finger tapping the little face on his watch as an exited grin overtook him.

Having spent almost his entire life in battle, it wasn't like he could fit into the normal world with ease. He couldn't just chuck himself into an easy everyday life as simple as that, no matter what anyone tried to tell him.

He'd been told to live his life, to enjoy what bits he had left and to salvage it the best he could, but he hadn't the least bit of an idea as to how to do so,

'how? ' He wondered helplessly, uncertain as to just how he could go on so simply.

What could a man that's known nothing but battle do in the normal world?

He couldn't go back to his family as other soldiers would often do, because he had none. He had no mother, father, brothers, or sisters, to fall back to. 

Heck, he didn't even have a damn dog to go back to and run toward at the end of the day.

All in all, he had nothing. So, he couldn't just join into the masses of civilians and blend in, because it just hadn't been in his plans.

He'd never thought that far along, and for a long time, he'd thought there was nothing there for him.

But of course, life had its crazy, little surprises, especially one he'd never anticipated... 

"Marry me!" She said out loud, her voice rising with plea, the sudden proposal stopping his movements entirely. 

His steps came to a complete halt, and the foot that had almost touched the ground stayed suspended for a moment, hovering over the placement by just a centimeter.

He then took two slow breaths before he placed it down to the Earth, turning to the woman with confusion, his brows knotted together to show a visibly painted look of dumbfoundedness,

"wh..what?" He breathed, almost inaudibly as he tried to comprehend what he'd heard.

 He was certain that it was just his old age playing with him.

 He just knew it was the only explanation as to why he heard her say the words because it was just unfathomable to him,

'I must be hearing things,' He thought to himself, deflated at the sudden realization that dawned upon him.

Dementia; he probably had dementia.

He'd thought he had just a bit more time before then, but it seemed that he wasn't lucky enough, and surely the old age he presented himself with had finally fully beaten him,

"What...what did you say?" He asked slowly, staring at her with furrowed brows.

She took a step forward, inching herself closer to him with anxiousness, seeming uncertain on coming near,

"Did...did you not hear me?" She squeaked, face turning beet red, seeming mortified at the fact that she had to once again repeat herself.

" Perhaps... but I could have been mistaken." He grumbled, watching her continue to move closer to him.

Slowly, and tentatively she stepped forward, soon standing three feet from him, staring up at him with a harsh swallow, a small lump gliding down her throat before she spoke yet again,

"I...I...I said ...I ... I said ... will you marry me..." she repeated with strain, sounding much smaller the second time around, losing all the sense of confidence she'd previously fueled herself with.

"Marry you..?" He repeated, still at a loss.

At her side, he noticed she held the white bouquet full of flowers tightly bound within her hold, and it was the same bunch that Meryl had thrown up in the air not a few moments ago.

When she realized just what he had been staring at, she held it up with a rather quirky smile, " I think this kind of means I'm next, and I don't see anyone better around," she said while raising both her brows to dance up and down until he turned away from her, not in the mood for the show of playfulness,

"Huh?!

- What! Please don't go!" she cried out, rushing after him, soon managing to stand before him, her arms widespread to stop him from moving past her,

"I'm being serious!" She declared, looking up at him with frantic (e/c) colored eyes, "You have to believe me!" she added, continuing on with her story.

She reminded him of the fact that they'd met before. It had been a while back, an event that had embedded itself deep within her heart, even if he'd forgotten,

"Because..." She started, " Because I've thought of you every day after that," she confessed. "And then I spoke to Hal, and he brought me here, he told me that now...Now was my chance to tell you. " She confessed to him.

She'd waited years, pinning for the man through each and every one of them, waiting for the day she'd one day stand before him again.

And it all began to make sense by then, why Otocon seemed so insistent on him joining the ceremony, despite his own refusal to show because he'd had other plans in mind, all of which didn't include infecting everyone with his miserable air.

"I'm not exactly meant for romanticism, " he told her. " And even if I were..." He trailed off, keeping his eyes drawn away from her, his words dying out as he let her fill in the blanks.

Even if he had been willing to take the risk, to suddenly go off and get hitched to some strange woman he just vaguely remembered,

his life was draining, and all in all, he had nothing to offer her.

"You're better off with someone else... " he said lowly, " someone who has the time," he added with the same dejection, moving to leave her behind before she stopped him again,

"Wait," She said with a stilled breath.

Her two hands both grasped his, stopping him and effectively holding him back. The soft, warm palms of her two hands enveloped his own hand which was much rougher and less dainty, " Let's at least try?" she said with hope,

"I already know," She told him, " I've already known about your condition...but still..." She went on, daring to step closer, " Still... Even then, it doesn't change the way I feel, and, in fact, It just fuels me to want to be with you even more, " She admitted.

"It's sudden, I understand, but at the very least, give me the opportunity to come closer to you." She tried to compromise,

"If you begin to feel the same way I do...then... then we can make something of it. " She told him, slowly convincing him with the lovely stare of her pleading, (e/c) colored eyes.

He reflects back to her proposal far more than he cares to mention because it had been the moment his life took a complete turn, going from muted grey and black to cheerful, colorful vibrancy in every step that she accompanied him in.

And it all lead him to where he was now, standing before her, dressed properly and prim, left awestruck at her beauty, moreso than he typically was, reminding him that perhaps his luck wasn't so bad if it had somehow aligned their lives together.

she held his hand in hers as she slid the silver band onto his finger, the smile she wore on her red painted lips never faltering, not once losing its lovely show of fulfilled happiness, because she couldn't be any more joy-filled, something everyone commented on.

- There wasn't a happier bride in the planet.

Her cheek was then pressed to his chest, her nose scrunching up as she let out a soft sigh, not sounding angry, but he knew she wasn't all too pleased either,

"You were smoking..." she said softly, closing her eyes slowly as she let her body be led by his slow movements.

He wasn't a dancer, and she wasn't either, but nonetheless, they rocked together, bodies pressed close as their friends watched the couple's first dance together.

"I can smell it on you," she added with a small sound of exhaled air produced from her nostrils.

She hated loving the scent, the smell of smoke making her think just of him and nothing more.

"I was nervous," he said in defense, his response making her giggle softly,

"Don't tell me you want out already?" she asked him, drawing back slightly to look up at him, saying it in a joking manner, but even then he could hear the uncertainty in her voice. 

"Because I think it's a little too late for that," She reminded him.

"...Do you?" he asked her back, and he watched her shake her head in denial,

"Of course not silly," She said earnestly.

And he loved what followed, what always came after she looked up at him,

"I never would," She breathed, her gleaming eyes soon straying down to her wedding band, lovingly eyeing the silver piece, " David, I loved you then..." she started sweetly, her gloved hands sliding up from his chest to his cheeks, " and I love you now..." she reminded him, rising up on her already heeled feet.

His paled blue eyes closed, his mouth melted onto hers before she brought him the tender heat of their plumped goodness.

His two hands then fell over her hips but didn't stop to land on them, instead, they slid around her, his arms taking complete hold of her during their loving connection in an embrace that spoke more than words ever could.

"I'll love you always," she managed to murmur between their mashed mouths.

A squeal of enjoyment left her as he squeezed her tightly within his arms, loving all the attention he fed her.

She lived for it; Blossoming beneath his rays of affection.

"David..." she said again, drawing back, her eyes brightened with a type of light he knew existed only when he stared at her, because the woman adored him, something he'd always found to be unbelievable, yet a bliss.

He'd gone days without the death stick, days which later turned into months, and finally years.

He'd gone the rest of his breathing days without so much a thinking of them, but not a single one of those passing dates did he resist her, always caving in to her, even in their darkest days.

By then he'd found out that there was something far more addicting than nicotine, and it was the sweet flavor of her lovely lips, the warmth of their tender press, and much more the dedication behind each one that she let graze him.

All in all, she became his one fixation, the one thing he couldn't ever dream of living without.

[mulletcal]

hi, idk if ur doing requests or not, sorry to bother u if ur not but i was wondering if u could write a blurb ab y/n having a bad mental health day or hasn’t been the happiest in a while and cal like helps her through it and talks with her?🥺 btw i love ur acct

idk if you watch colleen ballinger but her husband did something so cute for her in one of her recent vids so i wanna kinda recreate it 

also i’m gonna say that this is like a world minus the pandemic that’s happening bc we all need a lil escape every once in a while

(also also i touched on what happens here in my first blurb i ever wrote SO this can just be an expansion of something like that)

—-

You had been coming to the end of your rope for a while now - burning the candle at both ends had always been your default setting, but your mental health was starting to take a dip because of it.

Your phone had been going off with texts from Calum all day, expressing to you his excitement about songs he had been working on, or little ways Luke had pushed his buttons that day, or just things about his own mental health.  It’s not that you didn’t want to talk to your boyfriend, it’s just that you didn’t have the energy to.

Ignoring another text from him, you headed out to do your grocery shopping - you knew that if you didn’t at least have some easy to make foods in your house when you encountered the worst of it, you wouldn’t eat at all.

The trip to the grocery store was short, grabbing a few essentials that you knew were comfort foods to you, and easy to make.  Heading back to your apartment, you were slightly alarmed when you saw rose petals that trailed from the elevator to your door - wondering what Calum could be up to.

Opening the door, the faint smell of lavender invaded your nostrils, your apartment dimly lit with candles that led down the hallway to what you assumed was the bathroom.  Taking in a deep breath, you followed down the hallway where your assumptions were proven correct.

“What’s all this?” You asked, eyes lifting to meet your boyfriend who had just been sitting on the closed toilet seat waiting for you to appear.

“You’ve been taking care of everyone else so much lately, I thought I should take care of you,” Calum replied simply, “I waited to draw the bath cause I know you hate it gets cold.”

Pouting slightly, you went to stand between his legs, looking down at him.  “Cal, you didn’t have to do all this, I’m fine.” That was a complete lie, but you’d hoped Calum would buy it.

“Bullshit,” Guess not. “Baby, you’ve been burning the candle at both ends so to speak for weeks now.  I just want to be here for you,” He murmured, pressing a kiss to your wrist.

You weren’t one to say no to a bubble bath, so you agreed.  Calum made quick work to add your favourite bath salts and bubbles to the warm, almost too hot to soak in water, encouraging you to strip down.

What you hadn’t expected though, was for him to slip into the bath first, motioning for you to come sit in front of him.  He had been around when you were having a bath, sure, but he wasn’t usually one to join. Running his now damp fingers in your hair as you settled against him, you shut your eyes.

“I also put on some tea, it’s on your mug warmer,” His lips were pressed to the side of your head, eyes glancing over to where the mug sat. “Now, wanna talk to me about what’s going through that gorgeous mind of yours?”

Your eyes remained closed, breathing evenly from your nose as you tried to let the eucalyptus scent soak into your skin.  “Life’s just too much, y’know? Work has been crazy busy, my boss can be such a nightmare, horrible at communication and never acknowledges when a task is complete. We just go onto the next. I also hardly have time to see you, so I feel like I’m being a terrible partner to you.  The anxiety is overwhelming, and it’s hard to feel enough.”

Calum listened, he always listened, so patient and kind.  He waited for you to finish speaking before he had spoken up, “Is there a way you can improve communication with your boss? Like maybe weekly meetings where you discuss what you need from each other in the week moving forward?” He suggested, and it honestly didn’t sound like a half bad idea.  “As for me, you know I’m always here for you my love.  No matter the day, place, or time, I’m always here to listen.”

Your hand reached up to cup his cheek, turning your head so you could plant a kiss to his free cheek, “I know, thank you.  Also that’s not a bad idea, I’ll bring it up to him tomorrow.  Hopefully that can establish some work life balance as well.  I go in early, I stay late - and I’m making less than the people who are working hourly.”

Through your rant about your work week, Calum began  to take some water and pour it over your head, and you were confused at first, “M’gonna wash your hair, just relax.” So the next few minutes were spent with your eyes shut once more as Calum massaged the shampoo into your scalp.

Your bath hadn’t lasted much longer after that, the water beginning to grow tepid and slightly uncomfortable.  But Calum made sure that once you were dried off, you were wrapped in your fluffiest robe, light kisses being pressed to your cheeks and nose as he did so. 

“Why don’t I stay here for the next little bit? Tour doesn’t kick off for another month, and I’d like to see you as much as possible before I go,” Calum asked, toying with his own fingers.

“I love you, you know that? I’d love nothing more.”

tag list: @haikucal  @talkfastromance4 @softbabiestan @boyfriend-cal @calum-uncrowned @wildflowerirwin @irwindoll @gosh-im-short @atlcalm @thesubtweeter @heavenisapeach @ridingcthood @loveroflrh @wokeupinjapanisabop @mantlereid @inlovehoodx @irwinkitten (laura i didn’t know if you wanted to be tagged in everything or just ash content so i’m tagging you in this too 🥺)

[rainywritingsx]

Oof, the league villains kiddnap Endeavors side-kick, wanting to use her as bait, but she insists that it wont work. Of course, they dont believe her until a few days pass, no one has tried to look for her, media coverage is very small, and its as if no one really gives a shit and she just says "I told you, no ones coming. Do you really think Endeavor would let himself be embarrased like this?"

Gosh I love this idea so much! It’s so creative and cool!! You didn’t specify any league members/how you wanted it to end so I came up with something myself, I hope that’s okay! If anyone has any feedback for me, feel free to let me know! ^^

Oh and quick reminder: requests are closed right now!!

Words: 1390

Warnings: uhm, talking about killing? Nothing too specific. Btw I applied the Dabi is Touya theory here :D

tick. tock. tick. tock.

It felt endless.

At this point Y/n was able to ignore the pairs of eyes that were fixated on them. They let out a sigh before a soft chuckle escaped their mouth. They gazed at the leader whose plan it was to kidnap them, and with a smirk they spoke.

"Well, I told you, didn't I? Of course they wouldn't look for me. No media coverage, no search team, no missing posters. Do you really think the Endeavor would let anyone know that one of his sidekicks was missing." They laughed emotionlessly and shook their head. It was unbelievable. Y/n used to look up to the hero, thinking he was so cool for still doing his best despite the fact that All Might was obviously the number one hero.

In reality, he was a man who just wanted fame and glory, no matter the costs. And they only realised this after working with him and being kidnapped. He really didn't give a damn about his sidekicks at all.

"It's too embarrassing for him to talk about. He'd rather want me dead than to let anyone look for me." They continued. What they didn't notice was a certain black-haired guy tensing up. Dabi's hands were clenched into fists underneath the table he was sitting at, but his face didn't give away amy emotion.

On the inside however, he was fuming. He knew the man was a bastard, of course he did, but not even putting effort in looking for the people that work for him? Without them he'd be absolutely nothing.

This was just more fuel to the fire inside of him that was filled with hate to the hero, and to wannabe heroes in general.

"Oh! Can we keep them, Shiggy?" Toga smiled sickly as she grabbed her knife. "I bet they would even better bleeding on the ground!" Shigaraki grumbled in annoyance as he stared at his drink.

"Well, we definitely can't let them go after they've been at our hideout for days." Dabi sighed. Y/n chuckled.

"I see at least one of you here has a brain." Dabi couldn't help but smirk at their words.

"He's right! Hey, I'm here too!" Twice said, to which y/n rolled their eyes.

"Drop the attitude, brat." Shigaraki snapped at the hero, who just looked at him.

"Just tell me what you'll do with me. Being tied to a chair isn't exactly the most comfortable way to sit for days." Y/n said, completely unfazed at the villain's annoyed tone. They just wanted to leave, or at least not be stuck to this chair anymore.

But they were also aware that these villains couldn't just let them go, that'd be suicide. That was if y/n would tell anyone, and since they didn't know the hero well they didn't want to risk it at all.

"They're useless. Let's keep them!" Twice said, to which y/n almost laughed. His split personality was amusing to watch at times since there was nothing else they could be doing.

The room was silent. Nobody spoke, and it seemed Shigaraki was in deep thought. What could he do with them? Really, he could just make them into a pile of dust since they were completely useless..

"Tomura-kun, if you want them dead let me do it at least!" Toga, who knew exactly what her leader was thinking, pouted. Y/n slightly cringed at the thought, but then again they were sure that however they’d kill them wouldn't be pleasant.

"Nope, psycho." Dabi said as he finally got up and took some steps towards y/n, whose eyes slightly widened at the sudden action. His steps were slow, and his gaze was piercing through their soul.

"I'll do it. Just not here, don't want the hideout to be ruined do ya?" He spoke lowly as he looked at Shigaraki, who narrowed his eyes at him.

"And why should I let you do it?" Shigaraki asked.

"Psycho girl is going to make a mess of it here and our little hero might escape, they can try to escape from you so they wouldn't completely turn into dust, Spinner isn't here right now and Twice..." he didn't even finish the sentence because he was pretty sure it was obvious.

"So, crusty face, I'll just take this little brat here so we can continue our next mission instead of wasting any more of our time." He said as he grabbed their arm while undoing the knots in the rope. Y/n sighed, not feeling the urge to fight back. No one looked for them, they had no idea where they even were and even if they escaped, the league of villains would definitely look for them. This was probably their only way out.

When he was sure Shigaraki was okay with it, he was still his boss and didn’t want a fight, Dabi roughly pulled up the girl and took her with him. When they were out of the villains’ sight however, his grip quickly loosened, which confused y/n. What was he even doing?

Dabi sighed internally. Were they really an idiot?

Y/n continued following the villain, wondering where he would finally stop. Would he do it out of nowhere? Or would he give them time to prepare themselves? They were so deep in though that they didn't realise Dabi had stopped walking, so they bumped into him before muttering what sounded like an apology.

"Go." Y/n frowned. What did he mean?

"What?"

"I said, go." Dabi spoke monotonously. Y/n shook their head in disbelief. Was he serious?

"A-are you serious? I thought you were going to kill me?" They asked, very confused by the man's change of plans. Or was this his plan all along?

Dabi sighed and put his hands in his pockets.

"Look, lets just say that Endeavor and I... know each other. I know what that man is like so I know how you feel.  You're not a stupid fake like him, but you actually are a true hero, as stain would say too probably." This still confused y/n. He didn't even know them, why did he have sympathy for them?

"I don't owe you an explanation anyway. Just go, little hero. But if I hear you tell anyone about this, I won't hesitate to burn you to ashes." Y/n slightly gulped at the harsh tone but nodded. Dabi chuckled softly at the hero's terrified face before nudging his head to the left.

"If you continue walking down that street long enough, you'll end up seeing some signs that show where Endeavor's agency is." Y/n couldn't help but pout slightly at his words. At this point, they didn't want to work for him anymore.

"A little bird told me that Hawks' agency is in need of some new people. You could always go there." Y/n couldn't help but smile at this. He was being nice to them? Wow. They were about to thank him when Dabi stopped them.

"Don't even thank me. We kidnapped you, I set you free. We're even now." Y/n nodded. They felt weird. They didn't want to leave... it wasn't that they had feelings for Dabi, it was just weird that someone was finally being decent to them after all these days.

"Just try to stay lowkey, or add a mask or something to your costume. The league will think you're dead so showing your face isn't a smart move." Just why was this guy helping them? They were confused but grateful at the same time.

"I will."

"Well, good luck little hero. Maybe we'll cross paths again. Can't wait to fight you and see what you can do." He smirked before walking back inside. Y/n smiled and started walking off. Though the league hadn't tortured them, sitting for days and then suddenly having to use their legs was weird, so running was quite hard.

Dabi was a very... interesting guy. They wondered what his and Endeavor's connection was. Part of them wanted to know more, but Endeavor would never open up about his private life and it was clear y/n didn't mean much to him.

It was all okay now though. They were going to start fresh somewhere else.

[stoneygo]

S-Force Analysis/Deck Profile

As the new S-Force (Security Force) Archetype will be released in the new Booster: Blazing Vortex, I've decided to make an analysis on the archetype, my thoughts on each card, and leaving a deck-list for casual play 😎

Archetype Explained

S-Force another column based archetype where your S-Force monsters nerfs your opponent's monster(s) that's in the same column; they also banish one another to dish out more support for themselves, for an example:

Banishes one S-Force Monster from your hand to special summon another from your deck.

It also has another effect: "Each of your opponent's monsters in the same column as one of your "S-Force" monsters can only target that monster for attacks.". If you didn't get this effect already by reading all it's saying: "While this card is on the field, your opponent can only attack S-Force monsters in the same column of the attacking monster" this locks your opponent (not you), from attacking freely.

Is another monster that banishes one of your S-Force monsters from your hand to supply a (Quick Effect): "When your opponent monster (they control) activates their effect you can banish one S-Force Monster from your hand and destroy that Monster"

Now this effect is... ok? It doesn't negate the activation/effect it just destroys the monster, it doesn't target the card either so I guess if you wanna out a monster that usually activate their effects but it cannot be targeted... This is the effect you can use to out that card... I guess? 🤔

The other section of the archetype is stunning your opponent in someway, but for the effects to work: they will also need to be in the same column as the S-Force monsters so...

Each monster that your opponent controlls that's in the same column as this card, when they leave the field they will be banished!

Once, per, turn... If this card is Summoned(Special/Normal) to the field, you can add one S-Force Card from the deck to the hand! Might be helpful for getting some of your support cards from your deck to the hand; it's dissatisfying that this card is not a lvl 4 or lower monster; which forces you to Special Summon if you don't have/wanna waste a tribute summon...

Each monster that's in the same column as this one, will lose 600 ATK.

Once, per, turn... If this card is Summoned(Special/Normal) to the field, you can Special Summon ONE BANISHED S-Force Monster onto the field. This is a great way how to bring back monsters you banished with (S-Force Rappa Chiyomaru) or (S-Force Orrafist), back onto your field. The only thing is you "CANNOT" Special Summon a banished (S-Force Pla-Tina), so she cannot target herself for the SS...

Each monster in the same column as this one, cannot change their battle position.

Once, per, turn... If this card is Summoned (Normal/Special), you can target one monster your opponent controls and switch their battle position. This effect is an overall meh... It's a good option for non-link related decks

The Spell/Trap cards that make this archetype "WORK"...

(Which is a Secret-Rare BTW), This can only be activated once, per, turrrnn... Once activated you can add 1 S-Force card from your deck to the hand; Also when an opponent attacks one of your S-Force monsters that's in the same column of the attacking monster ([S-Force Rappa Chiyomaru] can force this activation with her effect) this effect can only be used "ONCE" per turn...

Activate 1 of these effects:

Special summon from the hand

Add 1 monster from the GY to the hand

Can only activate this card per turn...

Again pretty decent support...

Target cards up to the number S-Force monsters you control (with different names), and send them back to the hand; If A S-Force Monster effect would banish A card(s) from the hand, you can banish this card from the GY instead.

This is actually a pretty good trap card, it doesn't destroy and it's a pretty good spot removal for pesky cards... only downside for this card is that it "TARGETS" but I can't complain too much it's a GREAT out for Mystic Mine; The other effect comes in handy as-well if you wanna activate Rappa Chiyomaru, but you have no cards in your hand... you can banish the trap SS the Pla-Tina, Pla-Tina then goes for one of your banished S-Force Monsters and place them back on the field 😇

Another great recovery card (or A second Pla-Tina). You can SS 1 S-Force Monster from your GY or that was banished "INTO" a column of your opponent's monster they control; If this card is in the GY you can then banish it, then move your S-Force Monster into another (Main) Monster Zone.

A pretty good card to recover some loss of your S-Force monsters that was sent to your GY rather destroyed/used for ED summoning; Needing your S-Force Monsters in your banished pile so your "S-Force Pla-Tina" & "S-Force Specimen" becomes live.

That one ED Monster

Requires 3 Effect Monsters, including a S-Force Monster to link summon.

(Passive Effect): You cannot Summon/Set monsters to a zone(s) this card points to; At the start of the Damage Step, if this card attacks: You can banish all monsters this card points to.

(Quick Effect): Once, per, tuuurrrnnn... You can target 1 face-up Effect Monster your opponent controls; negate its effects until the end of this turn, then you can move that opponent's monster to their Monster Zone this card points to.

This monster carries the deck, but the whole targeting thing isn't so great, since "MOST" boss monsters cannot be targeted with card effects but I can't complain because of the 2 passive effects which are really good on their own.

The Profile

Main Deck

Monsters

1x PSY-Frame Driver

3x PSY-Framegear Gamma (The gamma package for negation)

2x Archnemeses Eschatos (Banishing your S-Force Monsters for a Boss monster that can destroy & can't be destroyed is a honest trade-off + you can use the effects of "S-Force Specimen"/"S-Force Pla-Tina")

3x Parallel eXceed (This is general support for cyberse LINK plays)

3x Radian, the Multidimensional Kaiju (SPOT REMOVAL)

1x S-Force Gravitino (Not really needed at 3 nor useful at 2 since this can be searched with the field and special summoned with Rappa Chiyomaru, also can be recovered with specimen & pla-tina)

2x S-Force Pla-Tina

3x S-Force Edge Laser/S-Force Orrafist (Most likely will replace with Edge Laser once it's out)

Spells

3x Allure Of Darkness (Draw Power)

3x Cynet Mining (Search for Edge/Orrafist)

1x RoTA (Search for Rappa Chiyomaru)

1x Terraforming (Search for field... to search for things)

3x S-Force Bridgehead

1x Called By The Grave

3x S-Force Showdown (This card was the most complicated card I've ever handled in a deck, I wanted to see it when I have another S-Force Monster in my hand, but didn't want to see it if I didn't... I decided to run it at 3 since I have so many searches, so I at-least will have 1 S-Force Monster in the hand)

Traps

3x S-Force Chase

3x S-Force Specimen (Reasons are obvious...)

Extra Deck

1x ZEUS

1x Firewall eXceed Dragon

2x Time Thief Redoer

1x Accesscode Talker

1x Apollousa Bow of the Goddess

1x Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax

3x S-Force Justify

1x I:P Masquerena

1x PSY-Framelord Lambda

1x Union Carrier

1x Link Devotee

1x Link Disciple

Side Deck

3x Nibiru

2x BLS - Envoy of the Beginning

3x Artifact Lancea

3x Iron Dragon Tiamaton

3x Ash Blossom

1x Bujinki Ahashima

[gyakutengagotoku]

GS4 vs AJ:AA - Episode 2, Part 4

I don’t want to start every one of these posts with an apology about being late again, so I’m just going to apologize to my eyes for keeping open this long. They burn, still do. I was tempted to count this day as another “unannounced sick leave” day, but I persevered for you all. You’re welcome.

And, uh, I’m just gonna leave a joke here that no one will get until they click the Read More link.

“What do you call a distressed lawyer who’d forgotten his badge in his house?” “Oh, darn, ok... house key.”

10/19/20 edit: Oh, nooo! I can’t believe I forgot to revisit the Detention Center! I’ve corrected this grave error. Now it’s complete. Also, since this case is a bit free-form in how it progresses, I’m just going the order I went the first time I played, or close enough to it.

--

> Wright Anything Agency

> Examine: piano

<Apollo> ピアノの上に、奇妙な 道具が並べられている。 There are all sorts of strange paraphernalia sitting on top of the piano.

<Apollo> これだけ道具があるんだから、 何かマジックやってみせてよ。 It seems a shame to have all these props and not do a trick or two.

<Trucy> いいですよー！ You asked for it!

<Mr. Hat> また会いましたね。 ビックリくん、でしたか。 Heeeey, Mr. Righteous, was it? Wakka wakka!

<Trucy> ちがうよ。オドロキくんだよ。 “王泥喜　法介”！ Justice, Mr. Hat! Apollo Justice.

<Mr. Hat> ああ。“汚泥鬼　呆助” Just is? Apollo just is what? That's what I want to know!

<Trucy> “ドロ”しか合ってないよ！ Oh, you're hopeless!

<Apollo> ‥‥そいつはもういいよ。 ...Please, make it stop.

"It seems we meet again. Bikkuri-kun, was it?" [also means shock] "No, no. It's Odoroki-kun. 'Odoroki Housuke'!" "Ah, I see. 'Ohdorokie Housekey'." "You only got the 'doro' part right!"

...Anyway, if you look at the JP script above, you can see Boushi-kun got all the kanji wrong, though it's still pronounced the same way. Also, it's funnier when you realize Minuki just called him 'mud' because that's actually part of his name.

> Examine: silk hat

<Apollo> みぬきちゃんと同じ、 ブルーのシルクハットだ。 A blue silk top hat, just like the one Trucy's wearing.

<Trucy> それは、みぬきのイメージカラー 《ミヌキー・ブルー》です！ It's my trademark color! Trucy Blue!

<Apollo> ‥‥勝手に“色”を 自分のものにするなよ。 I don't think you can trademark the color blue.

<Trucy> やっぱり、��テージに立つ人間は、 目立たないとアレですから。 Standing out is everything when you're up on stage!

ほら。オドロキさんだって、 キメてるじゃないですか。 Bet you didn't know you've got your own color, too, Apollo!

全身《オドロー・レッド》で！ Crimson Justice!

<Apollo> ‥‥おどり出したくなるような、 おどろおどろしいような。 You make me sound like some second-rate superhero.

<Trucy> でしょー？ At least it's better than being a first-rate super zero!

"Look, it's obvious what yours is too. A full-body 'Odoro Red'!" "...I'm guessing you'd want me to dance or be super flashy." "Right?"

Fyi, "おどり出す" (odoridasu) means "to break into dance" and "おどろおどろしい" (odoro'odoroshii) means "eerie" or "exaggerated"; basically not being subtle at all.

> Examine: plate of spaghetti

<Apollo> 喫茶店のショーウインドウで おなじみ、ロウ細工のスパゲティだ。 A dish of plastic spaghetti like some restaurants put on display.

そういえば、こんなの どこから持ってきたの？ Where did you get this, anyway?

<Trucy> パパからの誕生日プレゼントです！ It was a birthday present from Daddy!

うれしかったなあ‥‥ ずーっと欲しかったから。 I was so happy... You don't know how long I wanted one of these!

その夜は、抱いたまま寝ちゃって、 ヘシ折っちゃいました。スパゲティ。 I fell asleep with it, cradled in my arms, and the spaghetti bent!

<Apollo> （意外に女の子のウケがいいのかな。 　こういうの‥‥） (Mental note: What she really wants for her next birthday: A bowl of plastic food...)

"(I guess this kind of thing is really popular with girls...)"

If anything, it's really popular with girls who work with attorneys at this firm... usually they ask for some sorts of noodles, or some saucy meat in buns if you count the EN versions.

> Examine: table

<Apollo> 手品用のテーブルの上に、 ポットが置いてある。 A hot water pot sits on a magic table.

このテーブル、 どうしてこんなに脚が細いのかな。 Why is the stand for this table so flimsy looking?

<Trucy> ‥‥うーん。 カッコイイから、かなあ。 ...Hmm. Maybe it looks better that way?

<Apollo> ‥‥もっと、おもしろい コタエを期待してたのに。 ...I was hoping for a more professional explanation.

<Trucy> ‥‥うーん。 Well...

シカケがないコトを 見せるため、とか？ Maybe to show that there's no tricks involved?

<Apollo> ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ マトモだね。 ... Not bad.

<Trucy> ‥‥アタリマエのコト 言っちゃ、ダメなのかなあ。 I still think it's just that it looks better that way.

The last two lines were: "......Well, that was pretty honest." "...I think giving the obvious answer would be against the rules, though."

Btw, I can see why they translated Apollo's line as "Not bad", since 'matomo' can be used in contexts where someone is giving something a "decent" rating. I just think Minuki's next line makes it more clear about what he means, though with the changed context, it's only fair Trucy's last line here is changed too.

> Examine: Charley

<Apollo> 観葉植物のチャーリーくんだ。 It's Charley, the houseplant.

ずっと前から、この事務所で 育てられているらしい。 They've had it for years, apparently.

<Trucy> “くん”なんて、シツレイです！ “先輩”って呼ぶの。 That's "Mr. Charley" to you! He's been here longer, after all.

<Apollo> ‥‥は、はあ。 ...Right, sorry.

<Trucy> チャーリー先輩、すみません。 レイギを知らない新人でして。 I'm sorry, Mr. Charley. He was raised by a tribe of heathens.

<Apollo> （水をやりながら、 　なんか言ってるぞ‥‥） (She's saying something to the plant as she waters it...)

<Trucy> あ。それから。アイサツは “おはようございます”ですから。 Mr. Charley forgives you. This time.

<Apollo> ‥‥そういえばココ、 芸能事務所だったっけ。 ...Is there anything else I might do to please His High Leafiness?

Huh, I've spotted a legitimate mistake in translation for once: Apollo's line in (). For reference: "It's Charley-kun, the houseplant. They've been raising it for a long time in this office." "'Kun'!? That's so rude! Call him 'senpai'!" "...Right, sorry." "I'm sorry, Charley-senpai. He's just a newbie who doesn't know his manners." "(She says to it, as she waters it...)" "Oh. From here on, you'll greet him with a 'Good Morning, senpai', okay?" "...Oh yeah, this is a talent agency, isn't it?"

10/10/20 edit: Thanks, Ash. Tweaked Odoroki’s last line here to make it clearer what he means. It’s customary in talent/entertainment agencies to uphold a stricter code of seniority, especially one with a reputation. It seems it’s also customary for staff to say “Good morning” as a general greeting regardless of what time of day it is. The only reason Odoroki forgot his place is because he’s still used to thinking this place is a law firm.

> Talk: Wocky's Father

<Alita> なんかね。今の組長さん、 極道から足を洗おうとしてるの。 Did you know that the boss is trying to get out of the business?

<Apollo> え。そうなんですか！ （極道を‥‥やめる？） R-Really? (Mr. Kitaki wants to quit being a gangster!?)

<Alita> フツウの企業に生まれ変わろうと しているみたい。 He's trying to transfer his assets into a normal company.

滝太クンのお父さんがね。 最近、急に言い出して‥‥ He only announced it recently, out of the blue...

組員のヒトたちも、ずいぶん とまどってるみたい。 I hear there's quite a lot of confusion in the ranks.

<Apollo> （そういえば‥‥似合わない 　エプロンをつけてたな‥‥） (Hmm. I wonder if this explains that apron?)

‥‥でも、それ。 滝太さんは反対しそうですね。 ...I can't imagine Wocky going along with that.

<Alita> ふふ。あのヒト、 やんちゃなトコロがあるから。 Hee hee. He's highly motivated, isn't he?

<Apollo> “やんちゃ”って 感じじゃないですけど。 Um, that's not the word I would have used.

<Alita> 『オレが組長になって、 　ゼッタイ極道をつづける！』って。 He said, "I'll be the next Big Boss, and keep the Family alive."

ちょっぴり、背伸びしたい オトシゴロなんですよね。 I think he's at that age when boys want to make a mark on the world.

<Apollo> （ややこしそうだもんな。 　あの親子） (That's not the way I would have put it...)

Fyi, she uses "yancha", or "naughty kid", to describe him.

The last line here: "(What a complicated father-son relationship.)"

>

<Alita> 最近、すごーく 儲けてるの。キタキツネ一家。 His father moves in a lot of circles... He's really focused on profits.

滝太クンのお父さん、 いろんな世界にカオがきくから。 The Kitaki Family's been making a killing recently!

<Apollo> （たいした人物らしいな。 　滝太クンのお父さん‥‥） (Again, not the way I would have put it...)

<Alita> 滝太クン。『極道がカネ儲けに 走ったらオシマイだ』って。 But Wocky says it's not about the money. They have the gangster tradition to uphold.

<Trucy> それって、アレですね！ Ooh, a generation gap!

“ぜねれーしょん・ぎゃっぷ” ‥‥ってヤツ。 They've even got the ever classic "what about the family business" thing going...

<Apollo> ふつう、父と子の主張は 逆だけどね。 Usually, it's the father worried about tradition...

The first three lines here: "Lately, they've been making soo much, the Kitakitsune Family. Takita-kun's father holds a lot of influence in lots of places, after all." "(His father sure seems like a big deal, alright...)"

> Present anything to Alita

<Alita> ごめんなさい‥‥わたし。 事件のこと、詳しくはわからないの。 I'm sorry, I don't know much about the case.

わたしにできることは少ないし、 あなただけが頼りなの。 I... I feel so helpless. You're my only hope.

滝太クンのこと助けてあげてね‥‥ Please, help my Wocky-Pocky...

Hahaha, she said "Pocky". I just imagined Wocky-style Pocky sticks and I want some. I bet they'd have some foxy designs on that choco...

Ahem, sorry. I just wanted to share. She doesn't call him anything different here in the JP either.

> Move: Detention Center

<Apollo> よし。河津さんの��を聞いてみよう。 ‥‥ちょっと疲れそうだけど。 Alright. Let's have a little chat with Mr. Stickler. (I hope I don't regret this.)

<Trucy> 貴重な“目撃者”ですからね！ He is a valuable witness!

<Apollo> （まあ‥‥ある種“貴重な” 　目撃者だよな、アレは‥‥） (He is a bit "precious", I'll give him that.)

<Stickler> なんなのですか‥‥ ワタクシはこれで、忙しいのですよ。 Please, keep this brief, if you would. I'm quite busy.

今日中に、論文の構成をまとめ‥‥ ムムッ！　アナタがたはッ！ I need to finish this paper... Nyurk! I-It's you!!!

<Apollo> ‥‥河津さん。 お話をうかがいに来ました。 ...Mr. Stickler. We'd like to have a few words with you.

<Stickler> ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ ......

‥‥まあ、いいでしょう。 手短にお願いしますよ。 ...Very well. As long as they're few.

<Apollo> （立ち直りが早いな‥‥） (Nothing would make me happier, believe me.)

“(He sure was fast to return to form...)”

> Examine: guard

<Apollo> 面会のようすを監視する看守だ。 A security guard. He stands here, watching this room.

オレたちの話を聞いているのか いないのか‥‥‥。 I have no idea if he's listening to us talk.

まったく、表情が変わらない。 I'm not even sure he's breathing.

That’s a bit harsh there... It was just “His expression doesn’t change at all.”

> Talk: Panty Theft

<Trucy> みぬきのパンツのシカケを 知りたかっただけですもんね。 You wanted to know the trick to my panties, right?

<Stickler> あ、あなたはッ！ Y-You're here, too!?

<Trucy> ‥‥？ ...?

<Stickler> どうか、あなたを “先生”と呼ばせてくださいッ！ Oh, Great Trucy! Teach me!

<Trucy> ええっ！ Eh!?

<Stickler> なんとかして 教えていただけないか！ I must know the secret of your panties!

ワタクシの人生を狂わせた、 あのパンツのナゾをッ！ My very existence hangs in the balance!

なんなら、このワタクシを あなたサマの“弟子”にッ！ Please, make me your apprentice!

<Trucy> オドロキさん！ なんとかしてください！ Apollo! Help!

<Apollo> いいんじゃない？ カッコウもマジシャンぽいし。 I dunno, I think he'd make a great "lovely assistant".

<Trucy> そんなムセキニンな‥‥ Don't say that, Apollo...

Hahaha! He straight up called her “Sensei”. That’s kinda cute if I’m being honest.

Odoroki’s last line here: “Why not? His uniform kinda looks like a magician’s outfit too.”

> Present: anything

<Apollo> ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ ...

（‥‥証拠品、見てくれない） (...Fine, ignore my evidence. See if I care.)

（おおかた、パンツのナゾの 　コタエを考えているのだ��う） (I wonder what he's thinki... On second thought, let's not go there.)

Actually, Odoroki has a pretty good idea: “(He’s probably still thinking about solving the mystery of those panties.)”

> (optional at any time) Return to W.A.A. to talk to Trucy

> Present Magic Panties

<Trucy> スゴイでしょ、みぬきのパンツ！ 法廷でも大カツヤクでしたよね！ Aren't my panties amazing? They were a big hit in court.

<Apollo> （たしかに。今日の裁判の 　決め手になったもんな‥‥） (They were the star player of the day, that's true.)

<Trucy> 明日の法廷も、 みぬきにおまかせです！ What should I show them in court tomorrow!?

<Apollo> （毎回、パンツにたよる弁護士には 　なりたくないな‥‥） (If only I could count on panties to save the day every day...)

The last two lines: "You can leave it to me to make a show in tomorrow's trial too!" "(I've had enough of being known as the 'panties attorney' these days, thanks...)"

I know nothing about that, I swear.

> Move: Eldoon's House

<Guy> 屋台が“現場”って どーいうコトよ！ How can a noodle stand be a crime scene, that's what I don't get, Trucy-doll!

あのヤロウ、死んでまでもヒトの 商売のジャマをしやがって‥‥ Even in death he's after my neck, I tell ya! Bah!

ワシが、そんなに しょっぱいってか！ Can't even cook an honest noodle...

<Apollo> “あのヤロウ”‥‥ですか？ "He"...?

<Trucy> “死んでまで”というコトは‥‥ 被害者の宇狩院長さん、かなあ。 "Even in death"... You mean the victim, Dr. Meraktis?

<Guy> まあ、そんなワケでな。 I tell ya.

ワシのカオも《極みそ》並みに しょっぱくなっちまうワケよ。 It's enough to drive a man to make his soup even saltier.

<Apollo> （‥‥やれやれ。 　キゲンが悪いみたいだな‥‥） (Remind me never to eat his noodles when he's in a bad mood...)

"What do they mean, the noodle stand is the 'crime scene'!? That jerk, even in death he's in my way of a good sale... Not even I'm that salty!" "'That jerk'...?" "'Even in death'... You mean the victim, Dr. Ugari?" "Yeah, that's him. Makes me so salty that I could even rival my 'Extre-Miso'."

By the way, "Kiwami" means "Extreme"! ...But seriously, it shocked me how well I could fit "extreme" with "miso".

> Talk: Noodle Stand

<Guy> あの屋台はな。 矢田吹家の男児が代々、 That stand... For generations, it's served up the very best noodles us Eldoons could make.

ちぢれ麺と秘伝の“みそ”と ともに伝えてきたのだ。 A tradition of noodles and salty broth.

ある種、このあたりの歴史そのもの と言ってもいいシロモノなのだ。 It's more than a stand, it's history, I tell you.

<Apollo> （それは言いすぎだろう） (Watch what you say or it might become true...)

Originally, he said "(That might be pushing it a bit.)" Though, I gotta admit I like the way the loc team did it.

>

<Apollo> あの‥‥ムギツラさん。 Mr. Eldoon, I don't mean to pry...

あなたの、ムカシのお仕事って、 なんだったんですか？ ...but what exactly did you do before you became a chef?

<Guy> フン！　クチに出すのもイヤな、 ニガくてしょっぱい思い出だよ！ Bah! Let old noodles lie, that's what I say.

<Apollo> （なんとなく‥‥ 　ハナシが見えてきたぞ） (I'm starting to get an idea of what he did, anyway.)

<Guy> とにかく！　トナリのオヤジは、 ワシから夢を奪って死んだのさ！ He stole my dreams and left me with nothin' but noodles.

《営業停止》という、 ドえらいメーワクを残してな！ And now I don't even have that!

Originally, he answered: "Hmph! Even saying it aloud brings back horribly bitter, salty memories!" "(I'm starting to get an idea of what he did, anyway.)" "Anyway! That geezer next door stole my dreams dead, he did! And I was left with a big, fat 'Business Suspension'!"

> Talk: Meraktis Clinic

<Guy> 個人の医院にしちゃ、 リッパなモンだろ？ He's the only doctor at that clinic, you know. Pretty impressive, eh?

ヤツは、成功するために ヤクザたちと手を組んだのだ！ I'll tell you the secret to his success... The mob!

<Apollo> やくざ‥‥というと、 《キタキツネ一家》ですか？ You mean... the Kitaki Family?

<Guy> 連中、“抗争”とか言って ケンカが多くてな。 They're always having one of them "turf wars" or whatnot.

ケガ人が絶えなかったのさ。 そこに目をつけたのが、あの宇狩だ。 Always an injury or two that needs fixing. Meraktis saw a chance for some business.

《キタキツネ割引》という サービスを始めた。 So he started giving the Kitaki Family a good deal...

<Apollo> わりびき‥‥ A deal...?

<Guy> きっと、先代の知恵の結晶‥‥ Every fifth operation for free!

《やたぶき屋スタンプ割引》の アイデアをパクったんだよ！ He stole the idea from my pops! One free bowl of noodles a week, he used to say.

To clarify, it seems the noodle stand tradition was to provide customers a stamp discount. I'm not sure if it's standard or not, but most shops I know that have stamp discounts count by fives or tens, so on the 5th or 10th purchase, there's a discount or some special deal that comes with it.

> Talk: Former Profession

<Apollo> オヤジさん。もしかして、 “ムカシの職業”って‥‥ Mr. Eldoon... or should I say "Dr. Eldoon"...

<Guy> ‥‥バレちまったみたいだな。 Figured it out, did ya?

そう、ワシは外科医だった。 おととしまでな。 That's right, I was a doctor. A surgeon... until the year before last.

<Trucy> じゃあ。宇狩��んは、アレですね？ “しゅくめいのらいばる”ってヤツ。 So Mr. Meraktis was your rival?

<Guy> ‥‥アンタ。 ラーメンのネギは好きかい？ ...You like those onions they put in the soup broth?

<Apollo> え。はあ。ワリと。 Um, yeah, kind of.

<Guy> ちりれんげでスープを飲むと、 かならずネギがまじっている。 You take a spoon, you drink some broth... Those onions will find their way in there.

ネギ好きにはたまらないが、 ネギ嫌いにもたまらない。 For people who like 'em, why that's just fine. For people who hate 'em...

‥‥ワシは、 ネギが大ッキライなんだッ！ ...I hate onions. Hate 'em!

いちいち、よけいなところで 味わいのジャマをしてくさる！ Always sneaking in from the side, gettin' in the way of a good tastin' spoonful.

アイツがそうだった！ 宇狩のネギボウズがッ！ Well, that's what he was. An onion! Onion-boy, that's what I called 'im.

And to clarify here, it's usually green onion, or scallion as some chefs prefer to call it, that you'd find in soup broths. Personally, I love that stuff and grew up with soups where my mom would add it all the time, no matter what soup she was making.

Fun fact: "たまらない" (tamaranai) can change its meaning to the opposite side depending on the context. If you mean it positively, it's "irresistible"; if negatively, it's "unbearable". Basically, there's a strong response of some kind.

> Move: People Park

<Apollo> あれ。なんか、 ちょっと印象がちがうような‥‥ Huh? Does something about this scene look different to you?

<Trucy> きのうは、地面に青いシートが 敷いてありましたから。 The blue tarps are gone! Maybe that's it?

<Apollo> ああ、そうだっけ。 あ。あそこ。 Yeah, I think you're right. Look over there.

<Trucy> きのうの、白い刑事さんですね。 The white-frocked detective from yesterday.

ゴミ箱に向かって土下座して、 必死にあやまってます。 She seems to be apologizing reverently... to the trash can.

<Apollo> ‥‥カワイソウに。 きっと、捜査が進まなくて‥‥ She's... under a lot of stress.

すこし、アタマがおかしく なっちゃったんだな。 The investigation's probably not going so well.

By "apologizing reverently", they mean she's prostrate before the trash can. More likely, she was just head-down focused on tracing those footprints, but to be honest, I get that feeling a lot, especially lately. Straining your eyes on little things or bright screens for such a long time...

>

<Ema> ちょっと！　アンタたち！ Hey, you there!

ナイショ話なら、聞こえないように やってくれないかなあ。 If you're going to talk about someone behind their back, do it more quietly, please!

<Apollo> あ。刑事さん、どうも。 Oh, Detective Skye. Hello.

<Trucy> なんか、今日も ゴキゲンななめみたいですね。 You seem as gloomy as ever.

<Ema> ホント、最低ね。 新しい道具はうまくいかないし。 This is miserable! Miserable! I just got a new kit, and I can't get the stuff to work.

じゃらじゃらした おニイさんには、やさしくされるし。 And everyone's all smiles for that glimmerous fop.

<Trucy> じゃらじゃら‥‥？ 牙琉検事さんのコト、かな。 Glimmerous...? Does she mean Prosecutor Gavin?

<Apollo> ふつう“ちゃらちゃらした” って言うんじゃあ‥‥ More to the point, doesn't she mean "glamorous"?

<Ema> あのヒトが歩くと、クサリが じゃらじゃら鳴って、気になるの。 When he walks his shiny chains catch the sun and glimmer in my eyes! It's distracting.

さくさくさくさくさくさくさくさく さくさくさくさくさくさくさくさく。 MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH

<Apollo> （この刑事さんが歩くと、 　さくさく言って、気になるな） (Speaking of distracting...)

It pains me to admit that "glimmerous" is not a real word, but in my heart it is.

Anyway, originally the word Akane used was "jarajara", which is onomatopoeia for a jingle-jangle sound. Odoroki tries to correct her with "charachara", which also can mean the same thing, but also can refer to "flirty" or "flashy" types. She specifies she means "jarajara" because his chain necklace keeps jingle-jangling around her.

> Talk: Prosecutor Gavin

<Ema> ちょっと、合わないんだよね。 I won't lie, I'm not fond of the man.

ああいう、 じゃらじゃらしたタイプは。 Those glimmerous types always rub me the wrong way.

<Apollo> “ちゃらちゃら”‥‥ね。 "Glamorous"... right.

<Ema> やっぱり検事さんはこう、クールで ちょっとミケンにシワ寄せて‥‥ A prosecutor should be cool of wit and furrowed of brow.

“じゃらじゃら”より “ひらひら”した感じが理想よね！ Less "glimmerous" and more "simmerous"... you know?

<Apollo> ‥‥まったく イメージがわかないなあ。 ...No, actually, I don't.

She wants less "jarajara" and more "hirahira" from her prosecutors. I'm sure you all know that "fluttery" sound by now.

> Talk: Ema, reject her offer

<Apollo> ‥‥今は、やめておきます。 失敗したら、悪いし。 I think I'll pass. Wouldn't want to waste a kit if I messed up.

<Ema> うーん、困ったなー‥‥ 手を借りたかったのに。 Really? That's too bad... I really could use the help.

<Trucy> えー！　やりたいな、みぬき。 トクイなのに。手打ちうどんとか。 Aww, I want to try! It'll be just like making pancakes in the dirt!

<Apollo> （あとで気が変わったら、 　やらせてもらおうかな‥‥） (I guess I can always talk to her again if I change my mind...)

Aw, Minuki mentioned it'd be like pounding up udon dough. (Who knew that udon dough would become a lot more relevant down the line in a future game...)

> Accept it, examine any set of prints

<Ema> あ。そのカオ。 I know that face.

なんか“見つけた” みたいなカオしてるね。 That's the face of someone who's made... a discovery!

<Trucy> あれ。 やっぱり、わかっちゃいます？ Hey, how did you know?

<Ema> ふふん。 科学捜査官の目をナメちゃダメね。 You can't fool someone trained in the ways of science!

<Apollo> （そこは“カガク”は 　関係ないと思うけど） (Next she'll have us analyzing face prints...)

<Trucy> とにかく。宝月刑事さんに おねがいしちゃいましょうよ！ Let's ask Detective Skye to help us, Apollo!

Originally: "(I doubt her eyes had much 'scientific' procedure to do.)"

> Examine smooth footprint, present wrongly

<Ema> ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ あたしがナニ食べてるか、わかる？ ... Know what I'm eating?

<Apollo> まあ‥‥ カリントウ、ですよね？ Um... Snacks?

<Ema> あたしね。フキゲンなときは、 カリントウ食べるの。知ってた？ Snacks. More precisely, whenever I'm in a bad mood, I eat chocolate Snackoos.

<Apollo> ‥‥それは、知りませんでした。 ...I had no idea.

<Trucy> たぶん、オドロキさんのコタエが ちがった、ってコトでしょうね。 I think she means you picked the wrong evidence, Apollo.

<Apollo> （まわりくどいな） (...I had no idea.)

Ah, here it is, the origin of Snackoos. They were "karintou" before, which are a kind of crispy, bite-sized, brown-sugary cookie sticks. On the occasion, you can find a few bags at your local Asian supermarket.

> Present: slippers, get Ema's permission to investigate

> Move: Detention Center

<Wocky> はーい、お待たせ！ ボクのかわいいペテン師ちゃん！ Yo, 'sup, my little imposter!

<Trucy> きゃあッ！ な。な。なんですかッ！ Eeek! Wh-What did you call me?

<Wocky> うお！　な。なんだ。アンタかよ。 美波ちゃんだと思ったぜ！ Dizzam! It's you!? Sorry, G, thought you were Alita.

<Trucy> コイビトを“ペテン師” 呼ばわりしてるんですか？ "My little imposter" sure is a strange nickname.

<Wocky> あれ？　そんな感じで言うだろ、 シャバのヤツらは。 It's a clink thang. You wouldn't understand.

ええと‥‥ あ。“堕天使ちゃん”か？ D-Did I say "imposter"? I meant "poster"... like "poster girl", 'aight?

<Trucy> “ペ”や“だ”は いらないと思いますけど。 If you're going to drop part of that, why not drop "poster" and just call her "girl"?

<Wocky> とにかくよォ！　オレにとっちゃ 弁天サマなワケよ、ある種。 Cause she's so much more than that, G. She's like... She's like an angel. A fallen angel.

The localizers got lucky here that the word “imposter” is close enough to “poster” to make that joke. The joke had to be changed from Japanese, since it was more wordplay. Takita actually made a mistake; he meant to call her “ 堕天使ちゃん” (datenshi-chan), like a “fallen angel”, but called her “ペテン師ちゃん” (petenshi-chan), “imposter”/”swindler”, at first.

Then, Minuki says: “I don’t think you need to add the ‘pe’ or the ‘da’, though.” “Anyway! She’s like Benten-sama to me, in a way.”

Benten, or more formally Benzaiten, is the Japanese name of the Buddhist Goddess of Wisdom (and sometimes as Shinto Kami) who often is seen holding a biwa, a Japanese lute. She was originally based off of the Hindu Goddess of Wisdom Sarasvati, whose name was honored in ancient Chinese Buddhist texts as the religion carried over and later to Japan.

>

<Wocky> ば、バカ言うなよ！ オトコってヤツはなァ。 M-Man... I ain't trying to hear that!

タイセツなものを守るために戦って、 それで死ねるなら本望なんだ！ A man fights to protect what's valuable to him, you know what I'm saying?

<Wocky> ミナミちゃんに会いてえよォ。 つれてきてくれよォ！ ...I miss my fallen angel!

アンタ、オレの ベンゴシなんだろォ？ Hey, you go get Alita for me. You're my lawyer, aren't you?

<Apollo> （やれやれ‥‥ 　世話の焼ける依頼人だな） (Lawyer, not gopher...)

“(*sigh*... What a troublesome client.)”

> Talk: Alita Tiala

<Apollo> 来月、ケッコンされるそうですね。 So, I hear you're to be married next month?

<Wocky> そうさ！　 もう、サカヅキはかわしてるんだ。 Straight up! We poured the nuptial 40 out on the stoop!

ミナミちゃんも、来月からは ウチの一家さ。サイコーだよな！ Alita! Oh, snapplecakes! She soooo foine!

<Apollo> （ヤレヤレ‥‥ 　そうとうホレてるみたいだな） (I think he's smitten with her in his own weird way.)

Man, how could I have left out most of Wocky’s wonderful swag-talk...

By the way, Takita mentions how they even exchanged sake cups. This practice is a pretty big deal in Japan and one that most people wouldn’t do lightly. There’s usually a solemn oath to be made with such an exchange. It doesn’t have to be between lovers getting married; just between two (or more) people who swear to abide by some social contract.

And guess what, it’s the very same practice that Yakuza are renowned for doing when they swear brotherhood among their ranks. One does not simply become “kyoudai” without some serious exchange of... Wait. I can clearly remember someone in a Yakuza game who was kinda “ok” about things and it happened. Okay, it’s usually the case anyway.

> Talk: Kitaki Family

<Wocky> 極道ってのは“ワル”の道だ。 “ワル”にこそオトコの美学がある。 Life in the Family is a G thang. It's about being a man.

‥‥わかるだろ？ ...You know what I'm saying?

<Trucy> みぬき、女の子だから。 わかんないなあ。 Sorry, I'm not up on my G things. I'm not even sure what a G thing is...

“I’m a girl so, no, I don’t get it.”

>

<Wocky> オヤジのヤツ。ここ最近、 急に弱気になっちまってさ。 But my old man, he's gone soft.

《切った張ったの時代は 　もうオシマイだ》なんて言ってよ。 He says the old rival gang days are over. He just wants to make money!

<Trucy> いいじゃないですか。 Isn't that a good thing?

<Wocky> バカ言え！　カネもうけに、 なんの美学があるんだよ！ Man, there ain't no soul in making money!

ワルってのはな。スカッと生きて、 アッサリ死ぬもんさ。 Better to live fast and die young. Fo'shizzle!

<Apollo> （やれやれ‥‥） (*sigh*...)

There’s actually an important point his dad makes here, about how the gang war days are over. While he certainly is referring to the way that the Kitaki Family is going legal again, it’s also true to modern Japanese history.

While the 80s had a huge economic boom and Yakuza were likely all up in that biz, it led to a huge bubble that collapsed and a depression that lasted through the 90s. Though Japan was still relatively quick to recover, through the 2000s and on, Japan entered into a period of changing politics and much more governmental intervention. For the once very profitable and romantically dramatized Yakuza, renowned as the “necessary evil” to keep petty crimes off the street, future prospects weren’t nearly so hot for them anymore, and their MO had to change. Some formerly Yakuza-run Big Zaibutsu Biz went completely legal and stand to this day. Even as a concept, the Yakuza gradually fizzled out in popularity in public opinion. Only traces of their former glory remain in crime drama series and games like this.

And then there’s the Yakuza series and their memes.

>

<Wocky> 見てな。 オレが組長になったら。 Wait till I run the yard. Then everyone'll know what time it is.

《ワルい奴ら》のカッコイイ世界を 作ってやるぜ！ That's right! O.G. time all the time. Represent!

<Trucy> “ワル”はどうかと思うけど。 夢があるって、イイですよね。 Apollo, why does he keep talking about "Old Guys"?

<Apollo> （平和な子だよな‥‥） I don't think that's what "O.G." means, Trucy.

The last two lines: “I don’t know much about being ‘bad’, but it’s nice that he has a dream to follow.” “(Such a peaceful kid...)”

> Talk: Pal Meraktis

<Wocky> 公園で、ヤツと出くわした。 なぜか‥‥屋台を引いていた。 When I run into him in the park... and he's dragging this noodle stand behind him!

<Trucy> あの。滝太さんが “要求”したんじゃないですか？ Wait, you didn't put him up to that?

ほら、アレ。 “みのしろきん”感覚で。 Like, you know, in the movies?

『イノチがおしければ、 　屋台を引いてこい』みたいな！ "If you value your life, you'll bring the stand..."

<Wocky> ‥‥ムジャキなカオで くだらねえコトを聞くな。 ...Shorty, you're more wacked than I am. And that's saying something.

<Trucy> ううう‥‥みぬき、 シンケンだったのに。 ...But I was serious!

Wacked, indeed. Or as it was originally: “...Don’t gimme that stupid crap while lookin’ so innocent-like.”

> Present: anything

<Wocky> ‥‥‥‥‥‥ふーん。 いいんじゃねえの。 ... Yeah, whatever.

<Apollo> （何か別のコトを考えてるな。 　ちゃんと見てないぞ） (He seems preoccupied... I'm not sure he even looked at my evidence...)

<Wocky> ‥‥ミナミちゃん。 会いてえなあ。 Alita, man. Alita.

“...Minami-chan, I wanna see you again, babe.”

> Move: Meraktis Clinic

> Examine: reception desk

<Apollo> 病院の受付だ。 当然だけど、ダレもいない。 The clinic reception desk. No one's here, of course.

カウンターに、標語のような ものが張り出されている。 There's a small sign on the counter...

《ココロとカラダに 　やさしい、明朗会計を》 "Please pay your bill: Remember, we're the ones holding the scalpel."

‥‥深いな。意外に。 Brutal... but effective.

Originally, the sign read: "Treat your heart and body well with a honest bill." So it has a similar message, but isn't as directly threatening.

> Move: People Park, ask about print analysis, present slippers & sandals

> Move: Meraktis Clinic, then its Office

> Examine: cabinets

<Apollo> うわ！　なんだコレ！ Whoa! What are those?

カベ一面、ビーカーで 埋めつくされてるぞ‥‥ The wall is covered with beakers...

<Trucy> きゃあああッ！ 中で何かが動いてますッ！ Eeeeek! Something's moving inside that one!

‥‥オドロキさん！　みぬきの かわりに、見てくださいッ！ ...You look, Apollo!

<Apollo> そ。そういうのは、自分の 目でたしかめなよ！　‥‥あれ。 H-Hey, look yourself! You can't... Oh.

‥‥なんだ。金魚じゃないか。 ...It's a goldfish.

<Trucy> わあ！　他にも、 いろいろなお魚がいます！ Wow, they're all fish! So many kinds!

<Apollo> （まったく‥‥ヒト騒がせな 　インテリアだな‥‥） (Whoever designed this had a sick sense of humor...)

That "sick sense of humor" must be from someone who likes to cause trouble or raise false alarms... Basically, a troll.

Oh wait, Meraktis definitely was a troll. He trolled Eldoon since they were kids and kept doing it even in death. Man was a master troll to the end... Normally, I don't respect trolls, but I can make an exception for someone who dedicated his whole life (and death) to the trade.

> Examine: safe, present fingerprint set, enter code

> Examine: papers

<Trucy> これは‥‥ カルテ、ですね。たぶん。 This looks like... a medical chart.

レントゲン写真といっしょに、 １組だけ入ってます。 There's an X-ray in here with it.

<Apollo> レントゲン写真‥‥か。 見てもイミがわからないな。 An X-ray...? Hmm, can't make heads or tails of it.

‥‥カルテも読めないし。 ドイツ語だから。 And I can't read the chart either, it's all in medical- speak.

Interestingly, this medical chart is written in German. I know historically, Japan had quite a long-term relationship with Germany even before the advent of WWII, and German engineering influenced quite a bit of Japan's growth in industry before the US came along, so the Japanese still have a few words borrowed from German and other European languages, especially in regards to scientific terms.

Case in point: "karute" from Karte, which is German for "map". The transition isn't perfect, of course.

10/10/20 edit: I blame Google Translate for this. So it can mean “map”, but it also can be used for “charts” in general, including medical ones. Though, “karute” in JP is used exclusively to refer to medical charts.

>

<Trucy> でも、名前のトコは日本語です。 患者さんの名前‥‥《北木　滝太》 But, the names are easy enough to read. Look, by "Patient" it says... "Wocky Kitaki"!

<Trucy> あの滝太さん、ですよね。 ‥‥依頼人の。 So this is Wocky... our client's chart, huh.

<Apollo> どうして、このカルテが １組だけ、金庫に‥‥？ Why would this one chart be here in this safe...?

医師のサインは、ええと。 《担当医：宇狩　輝夫》か。 Let's see, the physician's signature says "Pal Meraktis".

え‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ Eh...

<Trucy> どうしたんですか？ オドロキさん。 What is it, Apollo?

<Apollo> こ。ここ‥‥ “カルテ処理”の担当者の欄‥‥ Look here where it says who filed the chart...

<Trucy> ええと。 担当看護師‥‥《並奈　美波》 Let's see... "Nurse Alita Tiala"...!

<Apollo> 滝太クンの婚約者、だよな。 なみなみなみなさん‥‥ Alita Tialita is Wocky's fiancée!

<Trucy> “な”が１コ多いです、 オドロキさん！ That's one "ita" too many, Apololo!

Ha. Alita's name in JP is "Namina Minami", last-first, and Odoroki added one too many na's to her name. Look at Trucy wrecking his name, though.

>

<Apollo> なんで、ここに彼女の名前が！ Never mind that, what's her name doing here!?

<Trucy> し。知りませんよ！ でも。名前があるってコトは‥‥ How should I know?

どうやら、この病院のスタッフ みたいですね。みなみさん。 Though... I guess it means she's on staff at this clinic?

<Apollo> ‥‥どうして、今まで 教えてくれなかったんだろう‥‥ Odd that she neglected to mention this before now...

<Trucy> それは‥‥ヤッパリ。 何かの理由があったんでしょうね。 I'm sure she had her reasons.

<Apollo> （‥‥なみなみなみさんは、 　宇狩外科医院のスタッフだった） (So Alita Tiala worked at the Meraktis Clinic...)

（しかも‥‥きたきたきたきの 　カルテを処理している‥‥） (And she had access to Wocki Kitaky's medical chart!)

<Trucy> “き”が１コ多いです、 オドロキさん！ You got the "I" and "Y" wrong, Appolo!

And Wocky's name is "Takita Kitaki", last-first, and Odoroki added one too many ki's this time. Look at Trucy still wrecking his name. Now I can't unsee "Apollo" as looking weird.

> (optional) Move: People Park

> Present: lamp

<Apollo> そうだ。 このスタンド、見てもらえますか？ Say, could you take a look at this lamp?

<Ema> あれ。電球が割れてるね。 Hmm. The bulb's broken.

<Apollo> そうなんです。 ちょっとオカシイですよね。 Right. Strange, isn't it?

<Ema> うーん。そう？　あたし、 よく割れるけどな。電球。 Really? I break bulbs all the time.

デスクが散らかってるからね。 すぐ落ちるの。スタンド。 My desk is a mess and my lamp is always falling over. ...Not too bright, huh?

<Apollo> （問題外だな、それは‥‥） (Ouch...)

<Trucy> ちょっと、気になりますよねー‥‥ I still think it's kind of odd...

I swear this bit about the lamp falling over is a direct reference to Turnabout Sisters. Emphasis on the word "stand" too. Odoroki even said: "(That's practically unthinkable...)"

> Move: Eldoon's House

> Present: medical chart

<Trucy> あの。どうしたんですか？ ダマりこんで‥‥ Why the sudden silence, Mr. Eldoon?

<Guy> なんだ、こりゃ‥‥ どういうコトだよ、コレは！ What...? What's going on here!?

<Apollo> いやいや！ こっちが聞きたいですよ！ That's what we want to know!

その、カルテ‥‥ オレの依頼人のものなんですけど。 That chart belongs to my client.

<Trucy> 今、サツジンの容疑を かけられて、裁判を‥‥ He's on trial... On suspicion of murder.

<Guy> バカ言ってんじゃねェよ！ On trial! That's crazy!

そんなネムたいコト言ってたら‥‥ 死ぬぜ、このクランケ。 You can't put him on trial! He's ABD!

<Trucy> ‥‥くらんけ？ ...ABD?

<Guy> 患者だよ、カンジャ。 こいつは‥‥一刻を争う事態だ。 All but dead. He's knocking on the Pearly Gates, and someone's about to answer.

Originally, he refers to him as "kuranke", which is from the German word "Kranke", which means "sick".

For the record, no, I don't know German. Ironically, I have Google Translate to thank.

10/10/20 edit: Thanks have been revoked. The word actually means “patient”, not simply “sick” as an adjective.

> Move: Detention Center

<Wocky> はーい、お待たせ！ ボクのかわいい堕天使ちゃん！ Don't cry angel, Daddy's back and Daddy's...

‥‥って。 またオマエらかよ！ ...Oh. You again.

<Apollo> あの。 毎回、その登場をするんですか？ Do you always have to announce your entrances like that?

Hey, he got it right this time, good for him.

<Wocky> まあな。さっきは オヤジにやっちまってさァ。 Man, my old man, he... Man!

かなり気まずいムードに なっちまったぜ！ Now I'm all in a funk, and it's his fault.

<Apollo> （‥‥そのケイケンから 　何か学んでほしいな‥‥） (One can only assume that his father tried to teach him a lesson. And failed, clearly.)

<Wocky> それにしても。 アンタらも、ゴクロウだよな。 You two got your work cut out for you, straight up.

オレはもう、 カクゴはできてるってのにさ！ Course I don't care if they lock me up. I'm ready to go!

<Apollo> （やれやれ‥‥有罪になる気 　マンマンだな） (Some days, I wonder why I do what I do.)

“(Oh, boy... He’s sure pumped up about being convicted.)”

> Present: medical chart, then talk about Alita again

<Trucy> ‥‥《宇狩外科医院》ですね？ ...The Meraktis Clinic?

<Wocky> そこでさ。出会っちまったワケよ。 オレだけの堕天使ちゃんに。 That's where I met her. My fallen angel...

<Apollo> 並奈　美波さん‥‥ですか。 You mean Alita Tiala?

<Wocky> 最初は、オレのコト、 コワがってたみたいなんだけどさ。 She was scared of me at first, turns out.

ひかれちまったんだろうなァ。 オレの“悪”のミリョクに！ But you know what they say -- the bad guy always gets the ladies.

<Apollo> はあ‥‥ Right...

I try not to waste entry space, but I was just reminded of a certain song about “Why good girls always like bad boys?”, but mixed with “How baa-a-a-ad can I be?” and I hate it, thanks.

> Present: anything else

<Wocky> ‥‥‥‥‥‥ふーん。 ダッセェの。 ... Man... that is so far off the hook, it's off the chain, G!

<Apollo> （何か別のコトを考えてるな。 　ちゃんと見てないぞ） (He seems preoccupied with something else...)

<Wocky> ‥‥ミナミちゃん。 何してんのかなあ。 ...Wonder how my Alita's doing. Man, I miss her.

Man, I suck at ending these posts. Here, have more Wocky free-stylin’.

Fyi, his first line here, he’s calling something “lame” and I dunno if he really did see but didn’t care or didn’t notice it at all.

[terrifying-testicles]

Sugar Daddy!Bakugou x Reader Ch. 1

Okay soooo I had this written weeks ago but just needed to get it typed up and wasn’t sure if I wanted to post it without part two ready. I’m impatient though! So, here it is! This is more of an introduction into why our gremlin would be a sugar daddy, so hold tight guys, the second part gets into the actual sugar daddy nonsense. I also have plans to get saucy as the series continues, since I wasn’t originally planning on it turning into such a m o n s t e r. Also, the line I put in near the end is an actual thing someone has sent me before. Go figure. 

Btw, the reader’s quirk is based on my OC’s quirk, Energy Manipulation and Absorption, which she will explain in the second chapter, I promissssse. Enjoy!

Words: 6.3k

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“Well how am I supposed to help you if you won’t even tell me your type?” “I don’t want your fucking help!” Bakugou huffs and increases his pace to avoid Kirishima’s persistent pout. Kirishima jutts his bottom lip out further. He honestly didn’t understand how his partner could be so fast and agile in such baggy pants. The two heroes continue walking through the city, on their usual patrol. It had been a relatively quiet day, only having calmed (threatened) a rather rowdy group they had strolled upon earlier in the day. Given how little there was to hold their attention, Kirishima filled the gaps with conversation. However, recently the topic had been circling back to Bakugou’s love life, which was, in Kirishima’s words, “almost more depressing than Denki’s.” The red head had been trying to goad Bakugou into giving him something to go off of so that he could help set him up with somebody. Of course, Bakugou objected. Kirishima was beside Bakugou in three long strides, silently thanking the Gods for the few inches over his friend in height. “Oh, c’mon man! You and I both know how lonely you are—” “I’m not lonely! I don’t need annoying people to fill my time. You do that enough,” Bakugou snapps harshly, refusing to meet Kirishima’s eyes. “Bro, listen,” Kirishima steps out to block Bakugou’s path, left hand raised in a placating gesture. Bakugou’s fists clench at his sides as he levels Kirishima with a ferocious glare, teeth clenched. Despite his hostile posture, he makes no move to push his partner out of the way. “The last time you tried to date someone it didn’t go that well,” Bakugou growls.

“But! I think you’ve let that discourage you! You should try getting back out there, man. You don’t know who you could be missing out on.” Kirishima gave a small, reassuring smile. Bakugou scoffs and crosses his arms. He casts his glare aside and notices a few people around them. Already tired eyes catch a couple of women who were watching the two of them from across the street, leaning in to whisper conspiratorially. “You really aren’t going to leave me alone about this, are you shitty hair?” he rumbles lowly. Kirishima shakes his head vigorously, not unlike a 5 year old denying that they broke their toy. Bakugou sighs dramatically. “I’m not about to have this conversation here.” He accentuates his statement by glancing back to the women across the street, who now scurry off at the heated look he sends their way. Kirishima’s carmine eyes light up. “You mean you’ll actually talk to me ab—” “Yes, alright?” Bakugou hisses. “Just— later. And you can’t keep bugging me about it after that!” The ash blond punctuates his statement with a gloved finger shoved into Kirishima’s broad chest. He only grins, nodding his head before stepping to Bakugou’s side and throwing a hand across his shoulders. “Excellent! I have this idea…” “Shitty hair—” Bakugou’s warning tone is interrupted by the shrill whine of an alarm. Both men snap their heads up to see a storefront about two blocks down blow out in a spray of glass, three figures jumping out and bolting away from the now wailing alarm. “Fucking finally!” Bakugou roars, feet already carrying him in a spring, Kirishima hot on his heels.

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“I’m sorry, I know this isn’t the last thing you want to do today but he’s too new. If he ruins another experiment I’ll throw him in the pressure chamber.” You sigh through your nose, setting your coffee on the cafe table. “I’m in town right now, so it’ll be at least fifteen minutes before I could get there.” You press your shoulder against the phone so that you can shake the two sugar packets, ripping the tops and pouring them into the black coffee while your coworker continues to grumble on the other line. “You’ve got to give him a chance, Aki, he’s only an undergrad. He doesn’t know just how serious our work is.” A sound between a laugh and something offended has you pulling the phone away from your ear quickly. “Why not have him do some observation, keep him busy with recording data or something?” you suggest, smiling to the barista as you shoulder open the door. “What, and have him mess up the numbers? I don’t think so!” Aki yells. You roll your eyes. You thoroughly enjoyed your days away from the lab, but always felt anxious for the disaster group that were your coworkers, worried about what they were up to while you were gone. Too many times had you come back to a poorly hidden disaster or a professor greeting you to explain what new things your lab had been banned from doing or using. “It’s just reading numbers and writing it down. He can’t be any worse than you and that radiologist from Ikeda’s lab.” You sipped your coffee to hide the smug smile spreading across your face in response to your coworker’s sputtered response. “That was only once and we paid for the damage!” You laugh. “Still. Why do I need to go in anyway? I’m not coming in on my day off just to babysit the intern.” You really put up with far too much, more than a supervisor should without bringing in your bosses, but it was never anything you couldn’t handle yourself. You would likely die trying to fix your lab partners’ mistakes before getting the Dean involved. They may run you ragged but you’d never put the lab and your chance to conduct research in jeopardy. “It took three of us to set this experiment up, and not counting the shit inter there’s only one other person in the lab.” “I don’t get paid enough for this,” you grumble into your coffee. “I’ll owe you!” Aki singsongs. With another eyeroll, you hum into the speaker. “Fine, fine, I should be on the train in li—” A loud rumbling draws your attention away from your phone. You and the pedestrians around you look down the street, where the sound of explosions and screeching metal grew louder. You ignore your coworker’s yelling, stepping off of the sidewalk to get a glimpse around the street corner. Another explosion shakes the ground beneath your feet, almost throwing you off balance. You watch people run away from the right side of the street but being 10 meters away you were unable to see the actual force behind the tremors. Your curiosity had always posed a problem for you. Plenty of broken bones and burns and disciplinary action growing up has only proven how dangerous the depths of your inquisitive nature can be. Most people in this situation would follow the crowd and put self-preservation first. You couldn’t be most people if you actually made an effort. So, as bodies brushed past you and orange light flickers across the glass of the office buildings across the intersection, you push forward. Just to see, you tell yourself. You had only moved forward a few steps before a loud crack shocks her into stillness. Glancing up, your (e/c) eyes go wide, the skyscraper on the corner beginning to bow out at the 10th floor, glass cracking and bursting from the pressure, two floors above and below the point of tension suddenly bared to the open sky. The corner beam of the building rips away, split at the place where it bowed out. The piece that meets the ground whips out and down, arching and then reaching around the side where all of the commotion seems to come from, and effectively out of sight. A strong impulse tells you to get just a little closer, to watch whatever mayhem was unfolding so near, but before you can take a step, you hear a scream above you. On the 11th floor, the room that was once a corner office is now destroyed, the floor falling. The floor flaps down, desk sliding with gravity until it tumbles out, landing with a loud crash on the pavement. You, however, only see the person clutching onto the disconnected floor, legs kicking around in panic. You look around to find the street fairly empty. Not only of people, but of heroes. “Please don’t get caught,” you mutter under your breath, slipping your phone into your back pocket before dashing forward.

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“Stay still, you bastard!” Bakugou propels himself forward in the air, heat blanketing the exposed skin of his neck and the back of his shoulders and forearms. After giving chase, he and Kirishima had taken two bank robbers down with ease. The third, however, proved to be a challenge. His quirk had something to do with manipulating metal, and Bakugou was absolutely fed up with being smacked by lampposts and narrowly avoiding cars. The fucker had even managed to throw a manhole cover at the explosive hero and Bakugou really wasn’t looking forward to the resulting bruise on his shin. The criminal kept dipping between different streets to throw him off, but Bakugou was locked on, refusing to lose him. Bakugou shoots forward with another blast from palms open to the world whipping past him. Like this, he was easily gaining on his target, who ran on foot. The man checks behind him at the rapidly approaching blasts, panic in his eyes and the set of his jaw. Swiftly, he throws his left arm out and his hand shakes, but he never slows his pace. Bakugou was so close. Another blast and he brings his knees up closer to his chest, a wicked grin curling at his limps as he aims his body at the criminal. Creaking and shattering drew Bakugou’s eyes up, barely catching the steel beam swinging out from a building and right at him. His eyes widen and his palms shoot out, detonating just in time to push him back from the beam. He lands harshly but keeps his footing and is running in a matter of seconds. He sees the criminal pushing himself up, likely having been thrown over from the blast. He’s almost to his feet when Bakugou comes up behind him and slams one gauntlet-clad arm across his back. The man grunts as he goes down. Bakugou grabs the man’s hands and keeps them in a vice grip in one hand, the other reaching back for the quirk-nullifying cuffs. “You’re gonna regret running.” He barely has them out of his belt when there’s a loud scream. Bakugou looks up to see a desk fall through the air to the left of him. A shoulder bag follows, and his vermilion eyes shoot up to catch legs dangling from the corner of the building the villain destroyed. “Shit!” he yells, slapping the cuffs onto the villain, harshly in his haste. He takes two steps away from the man with a threat to stay put, palms aimed at the ground and ready to blast him into the air, but before he can even get a spark going, he sees [h/c] hair just to the right. It takes him a moment to realize it’s a person. A person jumping through the air. Is that a civilian?! He watches her gaining altitude, knees curling up to her chest, arms aimed out, and she lands, ungracefully, on the floor below the person dangling. Now that Bakugou has moved he can see the floor falling out and the person’s failing hold on the edge of it. Bakugou blinks, realizing that he’s just standing there watching this. He’s a hero for fuck’s suck! He runs closer to the mess of glass and office decoration. Bakugou get a better look at their position: from the way the floor sags down if the civilian feel they’d clip the edge of the floor below them, but it would be likely it would also fall in with the force of their fall. There was also a chance of them tumbling over the side with the momentum. The woman stands straight and reaches up to the person with both arms, speaking to them, but Bakugou can’t hear her from this distance. The person turns their head to look at her and he’s sure they respond before the woman bends her knees as if bracing herself. Bakugou’s hear pounds in his chest, and then the person lets go and tumbles into the woman’s awaiting arms.

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You hadn’t thought farther than making it onto the 10th floor. Your landing had been met with an unsteady surface, the floor beneath your very feet warning of impending collapse. Anxiety inflates in your chest, wind whipping at the hem of your shirt, hair brushing your shoulders and you are distantly thankful you put your hair up on the way out of your apartment this morning. The person before you whimpers, clutching as tight as they can to the carpet, fingers drained of color with the strain. You step closer to them. “Hey,” you try not to yell and startle them, but the wind whistling past the maw of destroyed glass makes it harder to hear anything. The person tenses. “Oh my Gods, please help me.” It comes out as a sob and your chest tightens. You take a deep breath and take another step closer, arms spread out before you in an almost welcoming gesture. You quickly eye the space behind you from your peripheral, where the floor begins to bow in at the point where it once met a corner and now meets the city air. “Listen, I’m right behind you. You’re going to have to let go and fall back into my arms. I promise, I will catch you.” Promise? You purse your lips at your own choice of words. The person turns their head as much as they can to see you, eyebrows furrowed, tear tracks obvious on their cheek now. “O-okay. Please don’t drop me…” They turn their head back and tighten the grip of their aching hands momentarily. You bend your knees, ready to brace yourself for the weight. You hate your impulsive nature but remain thankful for the nature of your quirk. “Ready.” She yells. When you feels the person’s weight hit you, you absorb the force of them throwing themselves backwards, but still stumble back somewhat, right foot sliding and lodging itself in the gap between the floor and the steel frame, which gives a low groan at the force you unknowingly put out in your panic. Arms securely around the person’s waist, you glance back to check your foot placement. The floor that had been dislodge from the frame is sagging in more with the pressure of your weight pressing right into its weakest point. “Now what?” the person asks, sounding winded. “HEY!” You startle, craning your neck further to find the source of the shouting. Your breath catches in your throat as you spot a hero. Not just any hero, but Ground fucking Zero. You let go of the person and turn to fully face him, brushing away the hair that blows into your eyes. Below, Ground Zero is walking up, kicking glass aside. “What the fuck are you doing?” he yells. His arms hang at his sides as best they can with the gauntlets he wears, shoulders bunched up and what you know to be his signature scowl pulling at his lips. “Uh, well, I –“ you try fishing for an excuse, but are cut short by the jolt of the floor under your feet. The added weight of another person and support of the building’s frame quickly disconnecting have you struggling to think fast. You hear Ground Zero curse but can’t decipher it, not that you’re focusing much on it. “Jump!” You look back at the hero as he walks closer. The person grips your arm tightly. “W-what?!” they squawk at him. “Fucking jump! You did it before, didn’t you?” His tone is impatient, but you feel the anxiety hidden behind it, mirrored in the way your knees tremble slightly. “But that’s t-ten stories!” You bite your lip and glance to the person holding to your arm deathly tight, a tremor running through their body. “Hey,” you start softly. Their wide eyes cut over to you. “Don’t worry. I caught you. That man down there is a pro hero, so if I can catch you then you have nothing to worry about.” The frenzied look does not leave their eyes. “Come on!” Ground Zero barks. You look at him, then back to the person. “It’s okay,” you say before reaching one foot forward and bracing it on the empty frame. You push slightly to test its strength and hear the slightest protest from the floor beneath you. “Step up here, I’ll keep you steady.” The person lets out a sound somewhere close to a sob, shakily moving after a moment’s hesitation. They step up, both hands holding yours so tight you feel your bones creak. You keep your other foot on the increasingly unstable floor to provide yourself balance as you keep the terrified person steady. Ground Zero holds out his arms, and he looks ready to dash whatever way he needs to receive the civilian safely. You nod to them, and it’s still another minute before they let go of your hands and leap out. Ground Zero moves forward and locks his knees as they land in open arms. He ends up falling back onto his ass, but the person scurries to their feet and offer to help him up. The blond hero brushes them aside and hops to his feet. “Your turn, lady.” Ground Zero rolls his shoulders, possibly to prepare himself for the next impact. You puff out a laugh. “I’m good.” As his face morphs into confused rage, you remove your foot from the floor, swing it out, and use the one on the frame to push off. You ignore the ‘what the fuck’ screamed at you and focus on your landing. Blacktop comes at you fast, and a breath away from landing you flex your toes out, energy dispersing through the movement and the pavement cracks shallowly beneath the front of your feet. Rolling to the heels, you gaze up to your right, only to find vermilion eyes boring down at your. Ground Zero must have gone to catch you but didn’t make it to you first. He’s less than an arm’s reach from you, heat rolling off of him, and you wonder if it’s from his exertion or his anger. “Are you fucking crazy?” he spits. You frown and cross your arms. “No,” you’ve barely turned to face him when he’s suddenly right in your face, teeth bared at you in a snarl. “You could’ve died up there. What kind of dumbass are you?” “Well, they could have died, and you weren’t here.” You snap back, angry at his scolding. Was he right? Of course. Were you going to admit that and roll over? Fuck no! You didn’t respond well to most authority unless you were paid to. Ground Zero growls, a retort heavy on his tongue. “Zero!” His head snaps to look over his shoulder, murder in his eyes. Red Riot now stands beside the villain Ground Zero had been chasing, holding him by a cuffed arm. The ash blond grumbles and turns back to the newest source of his annoyance, only to find the space in front of him empty. He frantically looks around. You have already made it to the end of the street, eager to avoid whatever the explosive man had to say. You look back, seeing the stunned and furious look on his face, and hive a wide smile and a waggle of your fingers before darting around the corner. Hopefully he wouldn’t give chase. You pull out your phone, dialing your coworker as you slip into the curious crowd of onlookers and flee the scene of your impromptu rescue.

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Bakugou slumps into the booth, arms crossed against his chest and a scowl hard-set on his features. After the fight, they’d talked to reporters, did the necessary paperwork, and all Bakugou had wanted after showering at the agency was to go home to his cat and zone out to nighttime television. Instead, Kirishima had talked him into (“harassed” as Bakugou had put it) going out and grabbing a drink. He had to admit that a drink would help ease the irritation from being shown up by some wannabe civilian. Of course, Kirishima had steered him to a bar near their apartments and when they approached a table the redhead had seemed set on, Bakugou was met with the familiar cackling of two of their friends. “Oi, what the fuck, shitty hair? I thought you said this was ‘winding down’?” Bakugou huffed as Kirishima slapped Sero on the back in greeting. “What? We know how to wind down,” Kaminari feigned offense, scooting further into the semi-circle booth and patting the now open seat beside him. “And it involves shots!” the blond cheered, Sero laughing in response. “He’s already two in.” Sero took a sip of his drink, obvious in his refusal to down it in one go. “You guys better catch up.” The challenge wasn’t subtle, Kirishima laughing and looking over to Bakugou. On any other day, he would have put up a fight, or made a bigger deal out of it than necessary before partaking. Instead, he reached out, snatched Sero’s glass and knocked it all back. Tequila was not on of his go-to’s, but he should’ve expected the tequila-based cocktail to be the ravenet’s choice. Not that it really mattered now that it was burning down his throat and putting a different kind of heat in his chest. Sero made a noise of complaint. Kirishima laughed and stood up from the booth while Bakugou finally dropped into his own and slumped into the seat. “Why don’t we grab some drinks for the table?” he grinned at Sero, who just sighed and waved his hand at the other two dismissively as he got up to join his muscly friend. Once out of sight, Kaminari leans across the table to squint at Bakugou. “What’s got your panties in a twist?” Bakugou slumps further into the seat. “Fuck off.” “You’re mighty grumpy.” “I’m always grumpy.” “But not like this.” Bakugou kicks his leg at Kaminari under the table, but the shorter man had anticipated it and pulls his legs up to sit cross-legged. “This is more like…like ‘someone wronged me and I’m pouting’ kind of grumpy.” Bakugou growls half-heartedly. “I don’t fucking pout.” Kaminari hums a disagreeing noise. “Sounds fake but okay. You didn’t deny the first part, though!” He smiles brightly, pressing his palms flat on the table and folds himself almost in half to lean closer. “So~ who kicked your cat, huh? “No one fu—” “Some woman from patrol.” Bakugou snaps his teeth at his partner as he and Sero approach the table with a tray of shot glasses. “Shut your damn mouth,” he hisses. “What’s this about a woman?” Sero quips cheekily, sliding in and pressing his shoulder to Kaminari’s, smile wide and sly. “Nothing.” “A civilian saved someone and totally blew him off.” Bakugou lets out an undignified sound. Kaminari leans back when Bakugou slaps his hand on the table. “Shut your shitty fucking mouth before I do for you.” He growls low at Kirishima. Said man pops down beside Sero after setting down the tray, laughing all the while like he hadn’t just been threatened. “Speaking of women,” Kaminari sets down an empty shot. Bakugou’s glare was almost exhausted. “how’s your shitty love life going?” “No, nope. I told you cocksuckers I wasn’t gonna tell you shit.” “Actually…” Bakugou looks over to Kirishima’s devilish smirk. “You said you would.” He sounds far too pleased with himself, Bakugou decides, and he has not drunk nearly enough to have this conversation with these idiots. “Not with dunce face and horse mouth.” With a sweeping gesture to them, both men frowning harshly. “We’re a delight!” Kaminari snaps, taking another shot and pushing one to Sero. The latter nods sagely before downing his. Bakugou swayed his bothered gaze over to his best friend. His resolve wavers at those puppy dog eyes. He grumbles and snatches a shot, knocking it back, followed by another. The ash blond slumps back into his seat and releases a heavy sigh. The three eager men watch Bakugou expectantly. After a long beat of silence, he snaps, “Well, I’m not starting this shit! If you want to know, you fuckers gotta ask.” He eyes another shot, debating how inebriated he could be without this conversation going all kinds of sideways. Kaminari immediately goes to speak, questions ready to burst forth, when Sero holds a hand out and looks pointedly to Kirishima. The redhead purses his lips and holds his chin, contemplation creasing his brow. Bakugou avoids the scrutinizing look and reaches for the drink Kaminari had set out for, enjoying the offended scoff he gets in return. Kirishima hums. “Okay, how about” why are you so scared to try dating again?” Bakugou scrunches his nose. “I’m not scared, you moron.” “Then what is it?” Kirishima looks as if this subject honestly concerned him, that empathetic shine in his eyes that Bakugou claims to hate so much. The other two merely raise their eyebrows at their grouchy friend. Bakugou crosses his arms over his chest and huffs, looking at the dried water ring on the table. It wasn’t that he just refused to think about it. It was quite the opposite, actually. He knew why he couldn’t date someone, what he regretted in his last relationship, what he missed, what he, dare he say it, feared about getting into something that he’d only ruin again. “I can’t,” Bakugou growls and clenches his fist. “I don’t have the time. I’m gonna be number one and I won’t date someone just to leave them alone all the time.” He purses his lips, feeling the warmth of the liquor hitting him and trying to puke his feelings out in front of this many people. “If I’m gonna be someone’s boyfriend then I’m gonna be the best, and I can’t do that with the way I’m working now.” Kaminari leans forward, face scrunched in an expression of disbelief. Bakugou briefly wonders how many of the empty glasses belong to the loudmouth beside him. “Dude, that’s way less irrational than I thought that would be.” Kaminari sits back to avoid the half-hearted swat from Bakugou. He leans on the table again and says, “Why not just find a friend with benefits or something?” Bakugou sneers. “I’m not looking for a quick fuck. I can take care of myself; I don’t need to rope somebody else in just to satisfy me. Or to spread rumors about my sex life.” “I think you actually offended him,” Sero looks from one blond to the other. “Okay well, what do you want from a relationship? Like, if you could have it without the commitment?” Kaminari asks. Bakugou curls his lip and jabs an accusing finger in his direction. “Are you saying I can’t do commitment?” Kaminari raises his hands in surrender. “What? No! Bro, now way I just—” “Katsuki,” said man turns to Kirishima, shoulders tense. “what were your favorite things about having a girlfriend?” He gives a soft smile, genuine, a weapon more efficient than any other when bargaining with the gremlin. Bakugou holds his glare, then exhales, whole body deflating and sinking into the booth. Kirishima remembers talking vaguely with his friend about this when Bakugou had initially started dating his now-ex. He’d been so much more relaxed an open (as much as he could be). Kirishima knew first hand that Bakugou took his role as boyfriend very seriously and enjoyed many aspects that came with it. He shrugs. “I don’t know. I guess,” he scratches the back of his head. “I liked getting to spoil her. Seeing her light up when I bought her gifts or taking her out to dinner and showing her off.” Bakugou frowns, suddenly thinking back to all of the dates he planned, the trips he planned and endless effort he put into making her happy. “I liked getting to treat her like a queen and making her feel good.” He gives a half smirk at the multiple meanings behind that last bit. “Just wish it hadn’t turned one sided…” it’s under his breath, but the three of them catch it. Before he can spiral any further through memories, Sero snaps his fingers. “Holy shit, Bakubro, you should be a Sugar Daddy!” Kaminari, mid-shot, snorts and coughs as the liquor comes out of his nose. Kirishima dissolves into laughter, wheezing and smacking his hand on the table. Bakugou goes from a look of pure shock to absolute fury. “Ex-fucking-scuse you, Tape Face?!” Sero waves his hand around as if remorseful, though the shit-eating grin says otherwise. “Hear me out!” Bakugou glares him down while the other two try pulling themselves together. Once Kirishima gets his breathing under control and Kaminari is wiping up the liquor from the table’s surface, Sero speaks again. “I have a friend, another pro, and he’s on this sugar daddy site. Don’t give me that look, just listen!” Bakugou rolls his eyes and tries to keep his features as neutral as he can manage. “He found a sugar baby and he says it works well for him. She’s his date to galas, she does all that publicity shit with him, and he pays for outfits, lets her buy shit, I think he even pays her rent.” “Do they sleep together?” Kaminari asks with a look of bewilderment. “I didn’t ask.” Sero holds his hands up in a shrug. “My point is, if you want to treat some girl like a queen but don’t want to date her, there’s women out there who would be beside themselves if THE Ground Zero said he wanted to spoil them.” He wants to yell at him. Tell him how stupid it is, how low it is, how he’d never do something so…sleazy. “Don’t people like that expect sex? It’s the same as paying for a prostitute and playin’ ‘Pretty Woman’.” Bakugou crosses his arms again. “I mean, some sugar daddies do. A lot, actually.” Sero says the last part under his breath. “But! Not everyone does, and not every sugar baby does, either. Each person has different needs, I guess.” Bakugou scoffs, willing another refusal to come to mind. “I don’t know, man. It might be worth it to check out.” Kirishima says, picking out a shot. Bakugou grumbles and looks at his phone to take his attention away. After a couple of minutes, the rest of the group catches on that he’s done with this conversation, and move along to other topics, laughing and yelling like drunken idiots in no time.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

You crouch down, pouring the cup of food into a ceramic bowl next to the fridge. The cup wasn’t even empty before you feel a wet nose against your elbow, then the weight of your dog leaning against your left side. You laugh and turn to pet the red heeler. He shoves you over, losing your balance and tumbling over, almost knocking into the water bowl. “Rōrupan, you naughty boy! You’re such a bully, you know that?” You scratch his scruff while the brindle dog scarfs down his kibble. You stand and walk to the dining table, opening up your laptop and typing in a webpage. You walk around the kitchen, pulling out leftovers and assembling some sort of meal before throwing it into the toaster oven. Once the timer was set, you sit down in front of your laptop and sigh. “What do we have today?” you ask aloud, briefly glancing at Rōrupan, who could care less. You scroll through four new messages and grumble at each of them. All were from men with no tact in their greetings, coming on way too strong, one even saying: “Any chance you’re interested in a tall, attractive, and well hung married man?” You snap your computer shut, not even bothering to browse tonight. You would put more effort into your search if you hadn’t gotten home only mere minutes ago. You had originally joined the site as a joke, not really putting any stock in sugar daddies and that sort of lifestyle. Browsing through your options, you laughed at half of the men, coming off as try-hards facing a mid-life crisis and wanting to splurge on someone other than themselves – or their wives. You expressly ignored anyone who made their married status known, having no desire to be some rich fuck’s side piece when he had a loving wife at home. In the few months you’d been on, though, you had managed to go on a few dates, completely paid for. One man had bought you a beautiful silver evening gown for the dinner date with him. A couple of men offered to give you an allowance, which you politely declined at the realization that you didn’t want to be a reoccurring presence with these men. You weren’t a materialistic person, by any means. Your apartment was a simple one bedroom with decent amenities. It was well decorated but most of it consisted of gifts from family or absolute steals you found while browsing thrift stores. You spent more money on your dog than yourself, most times. That didn’t mean you didn’t enjoy gifts, though. Treating yourself was hard, but you absolutely lived for others tending to your needs and treating you better than most. You never looked too deep into that, ignoring the psychological implications of what led you here. Browsing may have sounded more enticing had your mind not been so occupied by one of your favorite heroes. You had dreamt so long of getting to meet the hothead, and this is not how you imagined it going down. You cursed your impulsive nature. This took the cake for “Dumbest Thing I’ve Done Because of My Cool Quirk”, which had previously been held by “The Tree Incident”, aka “The Reason I Can’t Bend My Left Leg All The Way”. You pull yourself from the table, grabbing your food and wandering into the living room. Setting the food down on the coffee table, you throw yourself onto the couch face first with a groan. He was so much dreamier up close, even when enraged. You turned your body to face away from the couch. Rōrupan trotted over, tongue lolling out of a perfect smile. You grab the throw pillow at your head and hug it to your chest. “You should have seen his eyes,” you complained to your pet. “Rōru, they could pin you in place all on their own.” Rōrupan plopped onto his rear and gave a dramatic yawn followed by a whiny rumble. “Don’t be rude,” you grumbled into the pillow. “If I see him again, I’ll DIE. He probably wants to kick my ass. Right now, I want to kick my OWN ass.” Your dog set you with a bored look. “I pulled some real vigilante shit today. You would be proud of me, bud.” You pull your head up and reach out for the still steaming plate. Sitting up, you furrow your brows and give a worried frown. “What if he tells a cop or something and they come looking for me? You’d starve without me, y’know.” At that Rōrupan leaves the room and retreats to his owner’s. You pout and huff loudly. “Let’s hope that doesn’t actually happen.”

[jq37]

The Report Card – Fantasy High Sophomore Year Ep 5

The One With Garthy O’ Brien

Welcome back you guys and a special shoutout to all of y’all who are fans of FH and CritRole. I don’t know about you but Matt and Brennan basically shaved a full year off of my life between Wednesday and Thursday with their DM machinations. Now we don’t have time to unpack all of that, but we can at least tackle the FH stuff so let’s jump right in.

Last we left off, the gang had just arrived at the floating pirate city of Leviathan. Pirates immediately start hauling them in and everyone turns to Fabian for a cue on how to react (at the exact same time, hilariously). Fabian tells them all to be mean and he makes a pirate cry immediately. Wild.  

They meet Jemina Joy who is a very cool Warforged (living automaton) pirate and also the boatswain of the city (pronounced “bosun”, they’re the boss of the crew and all the stuff on the boat, I was very into Monkey Island as a kid). One of her arms is a cannon and I need you to know that. Anyway, Fabian name drops his dad to try and get them some respect. It goes pretty OK but not as well as Adaine simply pointing out Cathilda’s presence. Jemina fully takes the knee and calls her, “Cathilda the Black, Terror of the Celestine Sea.”  Fig helps Cathilda disguise herself so she doesn’t draw any unnecessary attention. Despite the clout, Jemina still says she’s seizing the boat (it seems like they do this to get materials to keep the city afloat). Fig tries to move her with the power of rock because of course. She hits at 23 on a 20 DC check for that because of course. 

While she’s doing that nonsense, Adaine and Riz are--as always--trying to keep the party alive. Riz rolls a high perception check and noticed a pretty boy tiefling watching Fabian looking all hero worshippy. 

Thoroughly swayed between the name dropping and the rock and roll and the Cathilda of it all, Jemina offers to let them buy the Van-Boat back. Fabian, as always, is ready to throw any amount of cash at the problem and Adaine, as always, is trying to be responsible with their cash. After a hilariously long sidebar (which includes Fig, who introduced herself as a very famous rock star, saying they should “Act the part of the pauper,” which is a wild turn of phrase to just drop out of nowhere) the tiefling from before shows up and pays for the Van for them. He introduces himself as Alistair Ash and tells them that he paid with rocks magick’d to look like gold for ten minutes so they better book it. They have another long sidebar about whether they should pay or not with Adaine and wildly Fig on the side and of paying. They pay and Alistair agrees to take them to see Garthy O ’Brien (the pirate Bill had been dealing with).

On the way to see Garthy, the gang finds out that Allister is a warlock, his patron being none other than the damned madman himself--Bill Seacaster. Hilariously, Bill doesn’t take his charges souls. He makes them do microtransactions for their spells and recruit others like it’s a pyramid scheme. I don’t know what he’s gonna do will gold in HELL but it is on brand, I’ll give him that. 

A random dwarf calls Riz a slur so Fig and Kristen get him to jump to his death by turning into him and telling him he’s been dead for ten years, respectively.

Normal D&D stuff. 

Anyway, they make it to the Golden Gardens which is Garthy O’ Brien’s casino/brothel/resort (“Pirate Moulin Rogue” is how Brennan described it) and we learn that Brennan specifically made this character to F with the chat because they are this beefcake, non-binary,  aasimar/half-orc, tatted-up, succubus. My chat is usually on like a couple of seconds lag and I could have timed exactly how long the lag was by glancing over and counting off the seconds until the horned up comments started flooding in. You knew exactly what you were doing here Mr. Lee Mulligan. 

Garthy invites them in for drinks, drugs, and use of the facilities where Kristen accidentally takes the drink of a mindflayer (think, humanoid Cthulhu-monster). He’s James Whitlaw, Captain of the Crimson Claw and enemy of Bill Seacaster. The group tries to smooth things over but Fabian Sparta kicks him in the chest after he drags Bill. There’s a bit of a tousle but Garthy shuts that down before it can get out of hand. 

Post fight, the group questions Garthy and here are the highlights of that discussion:

They were supplying Bill with Palimpsests. Doing dead drops like the group assumed. 

The last time they were at the hotel, they got told by the new staff (ie: the demons in disguise) that Bill wasn’t coming and when Garthy wouldn’t play ball with them, the demons attacked them and took their pouch of gems. Garthy says the demons were probably there to ambush them for their gems. They especially wanted the Sapphire but was useless to them because it already had a Celestial inside of it.

The demons had been summoned and bound to the material plane by someone very powerful.  

Garthy doesn’t usually get gems from the Red Waste. 

Garthy has heard of the Shadowcat. They can’t see the Shadowcat in the pic (just Pok who they say is cute). Alistair also can’t see Kalina. 

Garthy tells Fig that, like they already knew, it would be super hard to break Gorthalax out. It would be hard for them to do, even considering curse breaking is one of their specialties. 

The crown of the Nightmare King passed through the Gold Gardens recently, brought by--surprise, surprise--Adaine’s mom. Adaine’s mom was coming in to get a curse broken--one placed on her by the crown. With it broken, she’d be able to handle it more easily. She tricked Garthy into doing it without revealing exactly what the curse was and was kicked out once it was revealed. Garthy’s not sure where she went but they know she was frustrated that she couldn’t just teleport there (because she hadn’t been there before and didn’t have a description of it). She left on a Falinel-bound ship. 

Garthy says Gorthalax is likely in a lot of pain in the gem he’s in.

The demons needed the gem for some kind of ritual sacrifice (namely, the one with Riz and Fig).

Also, Kristen is fully drunk for all of this. 

Post info-dump, Van-Boat (whose actual name is Zathriel btw, more info from Garthy) mindlinks with Gorgug to tell them that a fight has broken out. Gorgug has the Van drive towards them. The group pays for a suite and then Riz, Fig, and Adaine fly over to the Van (with Tracker following in her spectral wolf form). Riz jumps in the front seat, takes the wheel from Gilear, and commits a ton of vehicular manslaughter. During the fight, Sandra-Lynn gets shot and falls off of Baxter. She almost goes down but Tracker catches and heals her. 

They all make it back and proceed to reenact the house party scene from that one John Mulaney sketch (“a bunch of drunk toddlers”). People are getting wasted. People are getting tattoos. People are doing drugs. Kristen is riding Tracker like a horse (the G rated way, tyvm).  

Then, uh, something not super chill happens.

Sandra-Lynn gets totally wasted and decides she’s gonna teach Fig (who is a little cagey about if she likes anyone by the by) how to flirt without the use of disguise self and such. She decides she’s gonna demonstrate on Garthy which she does. Successfully. Sandra-Lynn who is in a relationship that is monogamous as her request. 

The drunk toddlers are herded into a room by Fig and Kristen. Kristen has Tracker cast the Moon Haven spell on the room and Fig and Adaine go to Garthy’s room to make sure Sandra-Lynn isn’t in trouble or anything. She’s not in trouble (yet) but, based on the way she’s clearly hastily redressed, she’s clearly about to run into some. Fig books it out of there, mortified. 

Fig and Adaine lie about where they’ve been to Gilear and then they report back to the group. Tracker--who is pretty out of it at this point--sleepily asks who Sandra-Lynn’s been kissing. Everyone realizes, Oh no, Jawbone is poly but the relationship is supposed to be monogamous. Big yikes. Kristen feeds Tracker a mumbly lie about how Sandra-Lynn is kissing Jawbone that I really hope doesn’t blow up in her face because then it will be the hat trick of main relationships imploding in as many episodes. Kristen and Riz go back to Garthy’s room because Kristen wants to cast something (Detect Good and Evil, the result of which we don’t see this ep--though I feel like it would have to ping Garthy since they have celestial blood, right?) and Kristen notices that someone cast Clairvoyance on her and Riz, meaning someone knows they were outside.   

Meanwhile, Fabian sneaks off to Crow’s Keep to be an emo pirate boy and talk to his dad while staring out into the sea. He’s suddenly surrounded by cloaked figures. Brennan rolls a bunch of dice, triggering Lou’s fight-or-flight, before revealing the cloaked dudes are just Alistair and the rest of his warlock friends who are all huge fans of their patron’s son. And we don’t get to find out what, if anything, they want from Fabian until next ep because that’s where Brennan ends the ep. 

Detention

Sandra-Lynn for Cheating on Jawbone

OK, there’s a lot to unpack here. 

I’ll start by saying we technically don’t know if she went through with it or not since Fig interrupted her before things could very far but we know she got naked which is more than far enough to be a betrayal imo. 

And it’s so wild because she for sure could have been in an open relationship. She’s the one who stipulated monogamy. 

On the one hand, I appreciate that Brennan is playing these NPCs as human (“human”) and failable and realistic but on the other hand, man I can’t stand cheating. And it’s not like she hasn’t cheated before. That’s, like, a major plot point. But it’s easier to gloss over something that happened a long time ago and we didn’t have to witness in real time.

Like, this isn’t good. It’s not gonna be good for the group. She forced Kristen into a position where she has to lie to/keep secrets from Tracker potentially. Also, Tracker is a wolf. There’s a non-zero chance she’s gonna be able to smell what happened. Do you really want one possibly both of the healers on the team mad at you? And they weren’t just dating They’re LIVING TOGETHER. And not just together. Together with like five--pending six--children (and pending one adult). That’s a lot of people that are gonna get forcible sucked into your drama. 

And poor Jawbone. I know he’s a trooper and he’s def been through worse but just because you can deal with something, doesn’t mean you should have to.

Anyway, Adaine said it best: Sandra-Lynn is both more and less cool than I thought she was. 

Honor Roll

Riz for His Driving Skills

I couldn’t tell you why but the phrase, “vehicular manslaughter” is so inherently funny to me.  Riz hitting a nat 20 to just mow down all the attackers in his path was hilarious. 

Note: I also could have given this spot to Garthy but I’m a little ambivalent on all the enabling of awful but hilarious life choices. 

Random Thoughts

Adaine trying to blend in by saying ahoy to everyone and getting a tricorner hat from her jacket was so good (big props to everyone who drew that, especially y’all who also gave Boggy a hat). Also, I’m glad she’s been using her jacket more in general so she’ll be more likely to remember it in an emergency.

@jamiebluewind made this really useful post with the descriptions of all the new characters and the tats the Bad Kids got which you can find here.

Also, @ttttttterrence shouted me out during the livestream so I’m returning the gesture. What’s up man!

I like that when the group is discussing how to split the cost of the suite, Fabian is just like, “I got it, don’t worry.” He clearly takes pride in being able to throw money around for his friends.

Fabian, who has for sure seen Cathilda in action during a fight: Maids can’t kill. 

Ally’s amused disbelief at the phrase, “Act the part of the pauper,” was sending me. 

Adaine: There’s no way you’re an only child. 

OK, this isn’t totally related to this ep, it’s more a point about FH in general that I don’t think I’ve brought up yet. How does a fantasy high school work in a world where races age at vastly different rates? Like goblins have a max age of about 60 and reach adulthood at 8. Meanwhile, elves reach physical maturity at the same age as humans but because they live to be like 700+ years old, they’re not considered adults until, like, the age of 100. At first I thought they were ignoring racial aging differences (like I do when I write fantasy I can’t be bothered with the implications usually) but in this and last ep, they were brought up. And I thought it might be that we were saying what everyones’ ages were in human years but, based on the info we’ve heard (like how far back Pok died for example) their ages have to be in normal years. Which brings me to theory 3: everyone ages physically and mentally at the same rate as humans to adulthood and then some races just decline more quickly than others afterwards. 

Fig: I sink into a deep depression. 

Alistair has an adorable cockney accent and he might be a little bit of a sociopath but let’s put a pin in that until next week. Oh, also, I was so sure he was gonna be Fabian’s brother too, just like half the table. 

Brennan so good at adding things in for flavor to make the world cooler. What prompted this comment is him saying that as Tracker travels in spectral wolf form, a forest path appears at her feet briefly. Very cool attention to detail.

Bill running a MLM warlock system where you pay by the spell is so, so funny. I actually am not sure if the MLM aspect of it was planned or if someone (one of the girls I think) said it as a joke and Brennan ran with it but that’s extremely funny. 

I know how leveling works in the above-game for balance but, in game, I feel like there’s no reason Bill and Gorthalax shouldn’t give everyone a level of Warlock. That would get them all 2 cantrips (eldritch blast, mage hand, and chill touch are options) and 2 level one spells (charm person, hellish rebuke, and charm person can be clutch).

Speaking of, I almost feel like this episode was setting up Fabian and Gorgug to multiclass. Fabian’s dad being a patron is a prime opportunity for him to get some warlock levels (and it would be very good for his aesthetic. I mean, magic pirate? Hell yeah). And Gorgug later in the episode says something like, “I could fix the van so fast if I had magic.” I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a level in a caster class soon. 

“Did you learn your magic in a book?”/”Yes!”/”Oh, lah-dih-dah. I can read.”

Fig: Adaine is the best at armies!

Forget if I mentioned this before but I’m very pleasantly surprised that Adaine’s mom is such a driving force this season. She’s one of the characters we explored the least last season which was a bummer for me because I really wanted to know what was going on in her head. Looks like we’re close to getting some insight soon. I’m guessing we might have another ep or half ep until we get there unless something else happens to sidetrack the group. 

I glossed over it in the actual recap but Fig casting disguise self on herself to look like the dwarf who was picking on Riz was just some peak Emily with an assist from chaos monster Ally. Here’s the scene. What’s funny is I thought I knew what Emily’s thought process was (If he sees himself, he’ll very likely be thrown off his rhythm) but then she was like, “I wanted to be someone from the area and he’s the only guy I’ve met.” Lol, bold of me to assume I have any idea what’s going on in her head. 

Adaine and, by extension, Siobhan just casually knows what a forecastle is (it’s “a raised deck at the bow of a ship”). Also, Brennan uses the word susurrous which means “full of whispering sounds”. That’s twice I had to reach for my dictionary (by which I mean Google). 

The whole concept of Garthy is extremely cool and I’m specifically talking about race. I’ve never heard of a half-orc aasimar because in fantasy books it’s usually the humans getting it on with everyone and making half-whatever babies but there’s no reason a half-orc couldn’t have celestial ancestry. The idea of a risen devil is also very dope and something I’ve only seen once (and as art, not in an RPG context--Edit: Actually, I’ve seen in twice. In one chapter of Ah My Goddess, Hell sticks a demon onto the main goddess to try and corrupt her and she ends up purifying the demon which was wild when I read it in high school but you’re not here for me to go off about my comfort manga so let’s keep moving). The idea that there are “bad” gods and so their opposition, their “demons” would be essentially angels is very clever and something I hadn’t really considered. Also the phrase  “The job is the fuck people into being decent basically,” is really A+. Well done Brennan. 

Also, my knowledge of CR Campaign 1 is very spotty so this may be very off but I feel like Brennan watched a bunch of Gilmore scenes and then snorted a line of coke before he created Garthy. 

Kristen: I’m proud of the choices I make. 

Emily: They eat brains but also drink beer?

Captain Whitlock has a peg leg tentacle on his face that he tries to face touch Kristen with and Tracker is not having ANY of that. “Under no circumstances.”

Poor Fabian, giving an awesome speech to Captain Whitlock and then rolling a 1 on his Sparta Kick. Luckily, Gorgug hit a 26 on a DC 25 challenge to give him the help action so Fabian didn’t eat it.

Sidenote, we learn there used to be a pirate king but Bill killed him. Sounds about right. 

I’m even more convinced that the rule is people who have seen Kalina before can see her in the picture after the conversation they had about it in this ep. Glad they decided to puzzle it out some more--even though I think it’s a little iffy to be spilling all your info to a pirate you literally just met (especially Fig--closed book my ass). 

Garthy mentions again that the NK defies categorization--something that came up in Adaine’s research. I’m wondering how that’s gonna come into play later. 

“I could tell you a very sweet lie, which is more my style.” I really like Garthy and I hope that continues to be the case.

Gorgug: That would be pretty disruptive...Yeah.

“Your name’s Van-Boat.”/”No!”

Riz, right before a nat 20 to commit Vehicular manslaughter: Get out of the way Gilear. I’ve killed people before, it’s fine.

I loved everyone being like, “Gilear you killed people! You’re officially an adventurer!”

Gilear, with the intensity of someone a firefighter has just pulled out of a burning building: I need the frog.

Tracker does like a crazy blood-brother type ritual for healing which is interesting because you’d think that would be bad what with the werewolf-ism but I guess it’s just through biting.

Fabian and Ragh peer pressuring Riz to do snuff, Ragh actually getting him to do it with a hippie speech about mind expansion, and Riz getting high as hell and getting Memento tats all over his body (NIGHT YORB--also, Sklonda is gonna LOVE this I bet) is such a wild series of events. 

Kristen casts a spell on Gilear so she’ll take all of his damage and he starts getting hurt the second he’s out of her eyeshot. Wild. 

“I cast friends on Gilear.”

I am going to murder Brennan for that cell tower gag. 

Sidebar: I don’t have a picture of the Leviathan map but if someone has it someone I’ll post the link here for anyone who could use it.

And while we’re side tracked, shoutout to the dude who made this song based on Gorgug’s last ep. The line, “My girlfriend's really mad and she's also a goat” is truly golden.

Oh! And someone randomly gifted me a twitch subscription to dropout! If you’re on here, thanks somePloops!

Kristen and Tracker getting neck tats of each others’ names is just so so much. 

Also, let’s pour one out for the fan-artists of FH that are also fans of CR and had to watch half the cast of both getting tatted up in back to back weeks, making any canon drawing that much more complicated. 

I don’t think I fully realized until this ep when Adaine was the only sober one of her friends in a bar reading a book how closely she’s tracking my high school/college experience. Her, “Everyone is drunk by which I mean everyone but me is drunk,” killed me because I have said that verbatim on so many occasions. Watching Siobhan play Adaine is like, therapy by proxy for me.

“I am a child.”

Adaine, lying badly: I have also taken drugs.

Kristen has a stealth of -3. Woof. 

Fig, Adaine and Riz each got nat 1 20 this ep. Fabian, Gorgug, and Adaine each rolled a nat 1 but Fabian’s was cancelled by Gorgug and Adaine’s was on initiative. 

[borisbubbles]

Eurovision 2010s: 15 - 11

15. Ieva Zasimauskaitė - “When we’re old” Lithuania 2018

[2018 Review here]

~wen wir owld HOOOOOOOOOOOO~

So close to the endgame it’s time to open all of the emotional registers. Much like Hovi, I did not expect to love Ieva as much as I do, however unlike Hovi I had already fully embraced Ieva and “When we’re old” long before rehearsals started.

And for good reason because Ieva fucking disarms me every time without fail. She herself is of course a hilarious, relatably weirdo indie girl, this time in the guise of a Born Again Hindu who ~FELT A COSMIC PRESENCE~ on the stage with her. 😍 Telling the true story of how she overcame depression by falling in love with her hubby. Flanked by holograms that project Ieva’s life dream: to be happy and grow old with the love of her life. All my hopeless romantic triggers are activated by this song. ALL OF THEM.

People are generally divided on Ieva’s voice, but um hello welcome to BorisBubbles. I ranked Nina Kralic and Jana Burcheska hellow-high. I LOVE Ieva’s husky, nasal, ovine, falsetto whine of a voice. It makes “When we’re old” for me. Ieva injects so much vulnerability and authenticity into a song that whenever she performs it, all I can do is sit in silence, tears welling up in my eyes, bleating along with the WHAOHHHHHs. Time truly stands still during “When we’re old” and I’m speechless.

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14. Conchita Wurst - “Rise like a phoenix” Austria 2014

You can be damn’ sure the highest ranked powerballad on this list is “Rise like a phoenix”. It isn’t as much as a song as it is an INSTITUTION. 

Which is why, symbollically, “Phoenix” is a very important winner. It’s a plight for overcoming hate, for overcoming bullying, from being yourself in the face and of adversity and rising from the ashes reborn, reinvented, reinvigorated. Its presentation is provocative, yet secondary, putting vocals and song on the foreground. It is rooted in the political zeitgeist of its winners, like most modern winners, obviously, 

however, ask yourself this:

Would “Phoenix” have won if it hadn’t been a great performance of a great song? 

I don’t think it would have. Take away the powerful composition and leave just the politically correct message, and you get Bilal Hassani. Take away the beard and you have, well, a really good song bond theme by a talented vocalist, that probably would’ve finished top ten, if not top five in most years. 

It’s easy to get distracted by Tom’s stick because a “Bearded drag queen” provides a lot of cognitive dissonance, which I personally love because it forces me to think, keeping my mind sharp. The use of a gimmick does NOT cheapen the talent on display here, however. Tom’s delivery of the song is flawless, hitting every note, delivering both ‘feminine’ nuturing comfort and ‘masculine’ strength to his glorious song. He even throws in some small nuggets of fierceness, providing levity, reminding us of Conchita’s drag queen roots

The act is cut from the same professional cloth; it is maybe a tad provocative, but at it’s core it remains dignified and classy, maintaining a moral high ground that instantly sheds a bad light on any hater. You may pull her down, but she’s gonna FLYYYYY.

Conchita Wurst is the best winner of this decade, period. No winning performance is as ironclad, vocally, musically or stagingwise as hers. No other winner has shown as much raw performance talent as she has. No winner has been able to make such a statement while at their core maintaining a high-quality musical standard. No winner has been such a champion of those whose voices are trampled for being different. To use Conchita’s own words after she won: “WE ARE UNITY. AND *WE* ARE UNSTOPPABLE.” 

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13. Zlata Ognevich - “Gravity” Ukraine 2013

This is the last female fronted act from 2013, you know what that means: EPIC ENTRANCE TIME 😍

What a beautiful dreamscape. I felt bad ranking Elina Nechayeva in a fairly low 39th place, but honestly, “Gravity” vibes very similarly and does the same things a lot better: Breathtakingly regal woman, a mirage of near-divine grace, stunning visual effects... SIGN ME UP ALREADY. At the core we of course find Zlata, the winner of the Best Human Award in 2013. Zlata’s backstage bits were rife with personality facts that instantly endeared her to me. A praraphrased selection from her infinitely quotable interview gold: ”I PRACTICE BIG VOICE BY HOLDING BREATH UNDERWATER”; “I COME FROM PLACE IT’S CALLED CRIMEA, IS LARGE ::reads from online dictionary:: PEN...EEN...SYOO..LA(?) WITH BIG MOUNTAIN AND LARGE SEA ^_^”; “I LOVE UNICORN IS FAVOURITE ANIMAL”. GODDESS. 😍

Fortunately her overpoweringly loud, yet disarmingly weird personality is also omnipresent during her big screen performance. “Gravity” is a mirage of Disney mojo and Zlata absolutely fucking hits it like A SHTRIKE OF DUNDAR

I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a song that is legit quotable at every interval? There is not a single line in “Gravity” that doesn’t bring out the bedroom karaoke: “IMMA LIIIKA BADDERFLYYYYY.” “NOTHING COMES FROM PRIDE, -*HAYLALE*” “NOW I FEEL NO FEEEEE-AAAAAAR.“

And I’m not even done because Gravity ALSO features an excellent backing choir (the male backing vocalist is incredible). It’s just a perfect example of world music, conjuring three minutes of pure, unicorn-endorsed magic. IMMA LIIIKE A BADDERFLYYYYY. 🦋

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12. Juliana Pasha - “It’s all about you” Albania 2010

YUARDAWAN 😀 YUGIMMEDATSAMTINANEED 😀 ITZMI 😀 ENDAMFOLIN 😀

We are at #12, which means we’re at that Olympian milestone where every entity ranked is a fucking supernatural force. In Juliana’s case a forced of pure, unfiltered, streechy harpism. 😍 It is so weird to think that she was the first of Albania’s now iconic ‘Shrieking Boss Hag” archetype because it feels like a alliance older than time, sealed and styled in cuneiform onto a shard of Sumerian pottery, blessed by the Annunaki and then embedded into the muddy banks of the Euphrates. 

Anyway, Juliana earned my HEART once she greeted us with her uncanny-valleyesque diction and cheshire-catesque leering, all YUARDAWAN! and proceeded to throw everything, both vocally and facialexpressionly, into the mix, in ascending degrees of deafening loudness. 😍

With a criminally addictive electronic schlager song too boot! One which, like Zlata features an INCREDIBLE supporting cast in a bangin’ gospel choir, as well as a very generous dollop of ❤ ELECTRONIC VIOLA REALNESS ❤

One of the fave musicians of NaziPope, btw. “It’s all about you” is such a Triumpf of the Shrill. 😍

Anyway, this high quality list of ingredients make for a very replayable ride that never spoils or grows stale, no matter how often I listen to it. Which is actually a lot. I’ve looped “It’s all about you” at countless occasions since 2010, making it perhaps the song on this list that I have to the MOST often. (Or second most because there IS a song I still have to rank that may challenge Juliana for that title.) If that ain’t a hallmark for quality, I don’t know what is. 

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11. Koza Mostra ft. Agathonas Iakovidis - “Alcohol is free” Greece 2013

Has life been letting you down? Have you been struck by a financial crisis? Do you no longer know how to continue living. Fear not, because :cracks knuckles: we are about to embark on a MASTERCLASS of unabashed drunken REVELRY:

Um a small disclaimer though. This song has a really really, really, REALLY irresponsible title. DO NOT at any circumstance use alcohol as a coping mechanism, engage in drunk driving or other activities under influence that you may life to regret later, if you live to regret it later. Also don’t drink if you’re underage. Also also, alcohol can cause obesity and cardio-vascular arrest. and cancer, possibly. Drink, but do so RESPONSIBLY. 

HOWEVER, what if this song is... a PSA???😈 An Anti-Crisis PSA that is, lol. A group of folk hipsters literally PARTYING AWAY the misery of the financial crisis in a delightfully self-deprecating fashion is just the pinacle of fun for me and Koza Mostra fucking ROLL with it. Watching them dart out in all wind directions, interacting with each other gives me LIFE.

It’s exactly that sort of industriousness which sets “Alcohol is free” apart from other party songs. There is a LOT of randomness going on in the background and it gives you ZERO time to process all of it, making every rewatch an easter egg hunt.

This approach to staging usually doesn’t work, but here it is actually very intelligent and I’ll explain why: The act places a lot of focus on Agathonas (which it should because he’s the lead singer despite his featured status), but by the same token offers constant distraction by all the Koza Mostra shenanigans in the background...  In other words, it’s an act that forces your attention away from the main event by confusing your senses, requesting all of you concentration keep up with everything that’s going on... which is actually a brilliantly accurate simulation of how 'being drunk’ works.

(btw if you listen closely you can hear the sound of Agathonas tapping his skull lol <3)

So the next time you listen to this song, pour yourself a drink (ONE drink!) sit back and embark on a Waldo-esque hunt to see how many beautiful nuggets you can find hidden in that splendid act, as the upbeat sirtaki madness fills your head with cloudy thoughts. As far as I’m concerned, Koza Mostra have WON the Eurovision Fun Contest. 

EVERYONE RISE AND APPLAUD THE  10 BEST ENTRIES IN THIS DECADE:

From now on, I’ll only include maximum 2 songs per update :o

And in this update we finally say goodbye to Greece, Albania, Ukraine, Austria and Lithuania. Read my thoughts on them, below:

LITHUANIA

Lithuania was hands down the worst country in the 00s and look at their chart now. They are slowly getting their shit together and it shows. Keep on going, darlings!!

AUSTRIA

God Austria are so boring. At least they occasionally provide us with a great entry here or there, but they’re so inconsistent in their entertainment. 2 great - 6 okay - 1 terrible is NOT a great ratio by any means. 

UKRAINE

ALBANIA

Albania are very hit-or-miss, but I really like their presence in Eurovision actually. Like Georgia they entries are so left-field that they are always *interesting* even when they’re not good. Except “Fairytale”. Fuck “Fairytale”.

GREECE

Fuck this decade was ROUGH for Greece. They are a shattered nation and if you think this chart is bad, let me remind you that their best result in the past five contests is 19th place. Same in fact, as San Marino’s highest and lower than the highest placements of Albania, Montenegro, Slovenia, UK, Ireland, North Macedonia,...