#But that does get into number crunching a LOT so XD

[desultory-novice]

Here's a probably bizarre one

Are you into Table Top RPGs? And if so what do you think a Kirby themed one would look like? In just broad strokes at least, not asking you to get in depth with all the numbers or something

I'm trying to actually make one along with a few friends of mine as a "little" group project, we're throwing out ideas, figuring stuff out and what not. Turns out making a proper TTRPG is difficult and requires a lot of thought.

I used to be! In my family, playing D&D (2nd edition!!) was like watching sports for other families! I dropped out of the hobby sometime in my teens, as I started to struggle more with roleplaying ^^; and though I've shown interest in the occasional system and even played in a handful of one-shots, a lot of my knowledge comes from overhearing stories from my siblings, who are still into it!

When I brought this concept up to my sister briefly, she mentioned something (and maybe it was spun off something legendary blogger Prokopetz had said) about trying to "twist" D&D into a system for telling stories it just wasn't keyed to tell! That you CAN do that, sure, but maybe it's not the most efficient way...?

Soooo...

...In that sense two TTRPGs that come to mind when I think about alternate ways you could do a Kirby game other than just "explore dungeon and kill monsters!" (...Note that these might not be perfect fits either, they're just ones I've heard about and caught my interest!)

Magica Logia, a Japanese-only RPG (sorry...! ^^;;) that was really popular on NicoDouga/NicoVideo that is mostly based around playing these magicians with true forms (O~ooh, Soul Forms, you say?) who go around solving magical incidents!

While there IS combat, most of it is about learning what is even going wrong and using your skills (which are more like "concepts" and all HIGHLY interpretable) to detect just WHO has been affected through roleplay scenes that play out in a turn based structure!

It was REALLY popular to do long videos of characters from various games and anime playing versions of themselves via Magica Logia and so I often think that it suits a variety of more story-based settings! (Like, a huge focus on the story of a session is finding out who has been POSSESSED by the evil forces this time and I hope you can see my vision for how well that would work for Kirby!)

Another that I'm slightly less familiar with but I've always wanted to learn more about is Ryuutama, which, to quote the main website, describes itself as "Miyazaki's Oregon Trail?!" XD

A huge focus of the game seems to be around "regular" seeming characters going to new places because they're filled with wanderlust (and Kirby IS a wanderer!) and managing the resources to get there! (How much food you have at any given time feels like it would be a natural fit forany Kirby TTRPG) 

I also like that the journey and the places you go seem to be decided on by the group as a whole, with everyone contributing something! It reminds me very much of how magical various places in Pop Star (or the rest of the Kirby-verse galaxy) can be! And I think that kind of inventiveness would be wonderful.

Do you really want Kirby and the gang to explore a re~gular old cave? If it's going to feel like Kirby, the cave ought to have... Oh, crystal stalagmites in the shape of ice cream! Or that reflect your image like funhouse mirrors! Or the ceiling is covered with moss that acts like glow-in-the-dark bedroom stars!

...Again, I haven't seen this one played before like I have with the other one so I'm mostly going off concepts I find appealing from the product page! It does make you think though!

-

As for ideas of my own, I'm split when it comes to character creation. Either everyone should be allowed to make their own "Kirby"/Puffball and you KEEP it to puffballs, or you pass on playing Kirby and let people choose from a variety of commonly returning ally races (Poppy, Simirror, Birdo, Dee, Chilly, Joe, etc...) The reason I would suggest going either all puffs or all non-puffs is because even though my ideal Kirby TTRPG is not amazingly battle heavy, I still think that would really cut down on any questions of POWER SCALING (my beloathed... :shiver:)

I think that creativity in the interpretation of game mechanics should be emphasized, and that smaller numbered dice would be better (D4s or D6s, a D10 at most??)

I can see stats being more akin to MOODS rather than like, physical prowess and how fast you are/magic potential etc? After all, Kirby is strong enough to tackle on otherworldly horrors...but the comics often depict him as being unable to when he is, say, [Tired] or [Hungry] so having to balance your player character's ~total health~ as opposed to just their HP might make things feel more Kirby-esque, as opposed to just a Kirby-themed D&D reskin! (Not that there's anything wrong with that, if that's where one's interest lies!)

Another thing from Ryuutama that I liked the sound of was each character having a key [Personal Item] that is important to them! Maybe it's not EVEN magical, maybe it's just...emotionally significant?! Maybe part of the goal of story creation can be discovering what ties these characters together through an exploration of their items! (Everyone declares theirs to the game master and the game master builds the adventure around that?)

Anyway, I think I've made my preferences for a "non-standard" style TTRPG here clear! Sorry if that wasn't your desired direction...!

-

But yes, good luck with you and your friend's project! I'm sure it IS a lot of work! I don't know how much progress you've made in the week it took me to get to this one, but I would love to hear more if you think you've narrowed in on your idea! And I'm sure a bunch of others here would be interested as well!

[raptorix]

A non-spoiler/low-spoiler writeup of my experience attending Critical Role Live Show at The Greek

The Non-Spoiler part:

My research and planning paid off! Pre-paid for my shuttle tickets and knew where to go and what to bring. I thought I'd need something to keep me busy during number crunching in the fights and brought my Switch, but found I didn't need it. ((I ended up waiting on the slow wifi to load Tumblr instead.))

Got there, bathroom break first, got in line for food, and I only had time to line up for either food or merch, so food first. Spent a half an hour in line, ate hastily on a picnic bench nearby, refilled my water bottle at the drinking fountain near the bathroom, then hiked up to my seat in the nosebleeds with my leftover fries in hand.

Shoutout to all the cosplayers!! I was having fun noticing them all while waiting for food & heading up to my seat. My row had a pretty good Keyleth cosplayer! While in line for food there was a trio cosplaying LoVM Scanlan, Pike, and Scanlan's Hand spell XD.

My row was full, and it's like airplane seating, so its not very comfortable if you're a wide person with minor claustrophobia issues. But my interest in the show and everyone trying to respectfully keep their space made it bearable. I also brought ear plugs because I value my hearing health and didn't want to injure myself, and the guy immediately to my right Could Cheer With Volume, and noticed me putting ear plugs in after his first very loud cheer. After intermission I went up a few rows to a fully empty row to be more comfortable by myself.

I also beelined to a merch booth with the shortest line during intermission and got a Live Show shirt & poster (that I gotta hang up today!)

I also anticipated the rush to leave, so I went to the bathroom in the last 15 minutes of the show, and missed what was said in the final cliffhanger. Thankfully I'll be able to catch that again on Thursday. :D Also because I was standing in the aisles for the wrap-up I was able to leave pretty quickly to get back on a shuttle to get home. Drive home was significantly faster & easier than the drive up. ((LA traffic even being terrible during a Saturday Afternoon!!!))

And now the low-spoilers/vague spoilers

Everyone's outfits were great!! The MC at the London Live Show gave a tight 5 intro with humor I didn't care for. Thankfully Brenan did a great job as a MC for this show! Concise, fun, and great energy! He joked about the socks selling faster than hot cakes and he was right--by intermission I didn't see any socks at any of the merch booths. I joked that Brenan would fill in as Tevin so Matt didn't have to juggle TWO friendly NPCs (along with the antagonist NPCs).

I assume they all discuss plans/intentions of the show before hand so they're not dicking around too much since the time slot *is* specific. I could tell Matt had pre-written notes for specific character monologues. Unless he does this for a lot more and I don't notice since I usually engage with the show as a podcast.

What I *did* predict is that Sam would return for the Live Show. With a new character!!! This guy will be interesting to get to know!! In Campaign 1, his character held a grudge against goblins for a specific backstory reason, then went and played one in Campaign 2. In Campaign 2, Nott/Veth flirted with an Aeormaton and a Minotaur, and now he's playing one of each in Campaign 3. :3

Being in a physical crowd instead of a chat room is more fun, because you can *hear* audience participation. Heard a guy assume Sam's new character was a cleric when he opened with using Divine Sense, and I whispered "That's a Paladin ability!"

Any more commentary will be a bit more spoilery, which I'm gonna restrain until we all get to see on Thursday.

[mad4turtles]

I have a request it’s a silly one I’ve been meaning to draw myself but I’d like to see your take on it. Can I see your version of a sugared up rotmnt Leo and the chaos that ensues

Oh, this. THIS is beautiful XD

---

Hamato Raphael has few regrets in his life. That's not saying much considering he's lived all of seventeen years, but he can count on his fingers the number of true regrets he has. One of them being—what else—what transpired nearly a year prior with the Krang and the damned portal.

(He's not sure he'll ever truly forgive himself for that, for all his family assure him it wasn't him, it was them. But he does his best to put it behind him nowadays. They're healing.)

His most recent regret, however, is one he could have easily prevented had he been listening to what Casey and Leo were chatting about in the T.V. room. 

Had he not been engrossed in his phone, doom-scrolling through memes on Twitter and Tumblr, he might've heard the future boys' innocent question: “Hey, Leo, what's a... a 'sugar rush'?”

Had he not been snickering at another Will Smith slap meme, he might've noticed Leo looking up to send Casey The Grin. The Grin that spells doom for every Hamato (or anyone associated with or in the general vicinity of the Hamato's). 

If Raphael had just seen The Grin, he'd have one less regret. 

~0o0~

Later, he gets a text from Donnie.

DonTron: Raphael. Did you leave the sugar snacks in plain sight and within reach in the cupboard?

Biggest Bro: … y?

DonTron: Doth thou not hear the caterwauling of the sugar-high devils currently destroying our less-than-humble abode?????

DonTron: Because I can. I have dubstep in my headphones. I can still hear the screams, papa.

Oh god.

Raph all but flies out of his room, skidding to a halt in the kitchen with wide eyes.

“YOOOO TELL YA WHAT I WANT, WHAT I REALLY REALLY WANT—!”

Leo is standing on the dining table, basketball shorts on his head and Splinter's fur brush in his hand like a microphone, his face coated in colour splatters of milk, chocolate and sugar that have Raph's nose tingling. 

“SO TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT, WHAT YOU REALLY REALLY WANT!”

Casey is shirtless, Fanta and Pepsi Max bottles strapped to his belt like guns in holsters, empty boxes of Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops taped to his shoulders like armour, the remnants of the food sticking to his face and chest, stomping his bare feet to the tone-deaf beat.

“I'LL TELL YA WHAT I WANT, WHAT REALLY REALLY WANT—!”

Mikey's head is wrapped with tinfoil, Captain Crunch's face cut out like a mask which the box shell has taped to his face, vibrant splatters of paint in every colour of the rainbow staining his body, the countertops and the floor as whips his dripping brushes wildly about like a drunk at a rave party. That explains why Casey has war paint, Raph supposes. 

“I WANNA REALLY REALLY REALLY WANNA ZIG-A-ZIG, AAAAHHHH—!”

Raph watches, frozen, as his little brothers screech like banshees, banging pots and pans like drums and dousing themselves with paint and enough sugary foods to make Raph's teeth ache second-hand. He watches as Leo attempts a backflip, slips on a gummy worm dipped in chocolate sauce and spins twice mid-air on the way to the floor, only to shake it off with his whole body and go right back to screaming to the Spice Girls. Mikey does the Toby Maguire dance. Casey twerks.

Raph watches. Donnie appears from thin air, phone already in hand and filming. When Raph cuts him a glance, he shrugs. “Blackmail,” he says at length.

Raph blinks very slowly. “You don't think that, I dunno... maybe we should intervene?”

“SENSEI! I CAN TASTE THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW!”

“YES, MY SON! UNLEASH YOUR TRUE GAY POWER!”

Donnie blinks back. “You ask far too much of me, brother dearest.” He turns back to the mayhem. 

Raph stares at him a moment longer. He turns back just as Leo clambers onto the table again and pops open a bag of skittles, to the delight of Mikey and Casey. “NOW EVERYONE'S MY BOYFRIEND!”

Raph feels like doing a lot of things. Screaming, crying, laughing, all three at once. Smashing something almost tops the list, but he settles for the next best, and least destructive, thing. 

“I'll get the hose,” he sighs and stomps away. Donnie hums and continues filming. 

Raph returns just as Mikey finishes a butchered rendition of Memory from Cats, and he feels nothing when he aims and fires streams of freezing water at the three shrieking stooges. He doesn't stop until they're out of the kitchen, screaming curses and sopping wet. Then he looks at Donnie. “Is your phone waterproof?”

Donnie cocks a drawn brow. “It's everything proof. Why?”

“Just checking,” Raph says and sprays Donnie in the face.

~0o0~

What goes up must come down, and when the boys finally crash, it's a pitiful sight.

Raph is keenly aware that their suffering is deserved. But he's just as at fault for not nipping Leo's hairless-brained scheme in the bud or for forgetting to properly hide the sugary goods April had brought from their last hangout from Leo and Mikey's grubby little hands. The guilt from that (minor though it is) and years of Big Brother instincts compel Raph to hold Casey's hair back as he hurls in the toilet, help Leo scrub his shell in the hard-to-reach areas, and wrangle Mikey's limbs into his pyjamas. Then he's lugging all three into the living room, where the inflatable mattress and blankets have already been set up.

Once they're all tucked in, he stands up with a huff and crosses his arms. “So,” he begins sternly—bleeding heart or no, he's still tired and mildly pissed. “What have we learned?”

“Sugar is Satan,” Casey whimpers in his blanket cocoon. Leo huffs a tired snicker. Raph bites back his own.

“A bit extreme, but okay. What else?”

“Always remember the wise words from Jeff Goldblum,” Mikey croaks.

“Which are?”

“We could, but we never stopped to think if we should,” Leo groans. “And also this whole situation is one big pile of shit.”

Raph nods. “Exactly, but language. And what are we not gonna do from now on?”

“Indulge in sugary sin?” Casey moans.

This time Raph snickers. “What's with the Bible stuff? You prayin' for a quick recovery?”

Casey sends Raph a withering glare. “If God was real, he'd have stopped us.”

“Nah, man,” Mikey shakes his head and shuts his eyes, cuddling deeper into the blanket and Leo's side as he shivers. “Why d'you think he stays in heaven? He's hiding from Leo.”

Leo's face cracks a stupid grin. “That's me, slayer of pink alien bitches and feared by God himself. Bow before me, mortals.”

Casey swats at him weakly. “I'd sooner bow before the toilet again. I'm never listening to you again, you asshole.”

“You asked me, though.”

“Then I'm an idiot. Which says a lot about the guy who raised me.”

“Go for the throat, why don't you.”

Raph rolls his eyes. “Alright, alright, that's enough.” He bends down to tuck the blanket snugly around them again. “Get some sleep. I'll be in the kitchen, cleaning up your mess, so holler if you need me. If you gotta puke, bucket's next to the couch.”

Leo's hand peeks out from the blanket burrito and holds Raph's finger. The snapper looks at Leo's mask-less face as it gives way to something devoid of all pretence. “... 'm sorry, Raphie.”

And just like that, all irritation leaves him in a sigh shaped like a smile. He squeezes Leo's hand. “You're good, little brother. Just don't do it again, aight? I can only take so much of you, dum-dum. Don't need you converting Mikey and Jr, too.” Freeing his hand, he raps his knuckles against Leo's forehead. The slider giggles tiredly and swats back playfully, missing by a mile as Raph stands. “G'night, fellas. Hope your dreams at as wild as Casey's twerking.”

Raph has a few regrets in his short life. But picking up after his idiot brothers in the wake of their childish antics as they howl with hysterical laughter in the other room isn't one of them. 

All part of being a big brother.

---

This was an absolute BLAST to write. Feel free to send more requests :)

Reblogs are very appreciated <3

[fizzingwizard]

Ok well! Episode 5 was a huge improvement! This genuinely felt like Digimon, at least early Digimon anyway. It was fun and action-y, and not completely devoid of character moments. The heart of this episode was Koushirou and that is SO EXCITING. I have crossed all my fingers, toes, and even my eyes that Koushirou will continue to be muy importante, just as much as heavy hitters like Taichi and Yamato are. None of this “backseat crunching numbers” nonsense!

I was disappointed last ep that we didn’t get to see the actual first meeting of Koushirou and Tentomon, but I suppose it probably went something like this:

Tentomon: Koushirou-han! I’ve waited for you!

Koushirou: A digimon! I must analyze your data!

Tentomon: Analyze my...? *blush* At least buy me dinner first!

more under the cut...

Well we also get Plotty McPlot stuff right off the bat. Remember the old series where we knew nothing about anything till like right before the first big boss battle?? They ain’t beating around the bush this time. Not sure how I feel about that - as I’ve said before, I loved the “where are we! guess we have to rely on our own incompetence!” concept of Digimon Adventure that siphoned off some of the blatant “this is an RPG” aspect. We don’t have that too much this time around - Taichi is REALLy goal-oriented and seems to even have magic powers?? as in he can read digi-code. My guess is they ALL can, courtesy of their digivices (and maybe I’ve already forgotten if Koushirou or Yamato already did this earlier?). How convenient for the plot that there’s no trouble reading secret messages at all!

^Also appreciated that this literally meant feel the words. As in, touch them.

So Taichi and Sora have had no difficulties finding this special shrine and learning the lore of the digital world. There was a Great War that shifted the balance of light and dark. We are right back in RPG territory.

We see a bunch of familiar faces. I’m not sure if this is the same makeup as previous ancient guardians in other seasons, but it’s got the essential theme at least.

And then some even more familiar silhouettes:

Now who could that be xD Mega evolutions for all confirmed!

So I don’t know if this is supposed to mean Agumon & co are literally reborn versions of these great warriors, but I think that’s what Agumon and Piyomon suddenly bursting into tears while wailing that they don’t know why they’re crying is supposed to be hinting at.

Taichi: I warned not to touch your eyes after chopping onions!

Agumon does not remember being Omegamon or jogressing with Gabumon, but Taichi remembers it. As usual, the children are an essential ingredient to transcending even evolution. The internet is the path that connects the two worlds and is the reason why the human world can be affected by what happens in the digital world if it bleeds through.

Yep, it’s Digimon Adventure. Nothing has changed

^Not even trying to be subtle xD So my current theory is we probably won’t see Takeru or Hikari as full time players until mid-season. I’m kind of hoping the kids find out they can talk to Seraphimon and Ophanimon and specifically go to meet them, only to find out they’re babies now and need constant looking after and don’t know anything helpful at all bahahaha

And here’s another familiar face err loin cloth! Although we already knew he was coming! I love Ogremon. And I find it it not-coincidental that his first real appearance precedes a Mimi episode.

Tentomon and Koushirou have restored my faith in the bonds between children and Digimon in this show.

... Yep, it’s goddamn Digimon Adventure and nothing NOTHING!! at all has changed xD

So I had thought this was DemiDevimon. I think it’s clearly meant to harken back to him but it’s too cool. Soundbirdmon. Not sure how sentient it is. Creepy lil thing. Hikari would still give it a 10/10 would hug

Capped this because I love Piymon protectiveness <3 (Sora’s there too ofc)

The kind of tech Koushirou carries around puts CSI to shame.

So he’s been in the digital world (well, the network) for like an hour and he’s already trying to get himself killed. Protectiveness masquerading as cold pragmatism. Koushirooooou. You should have some sense of self-preservation. He clearly needs Tentomon - Taichi would need a brick to the head before he’d understand this kid is not being logical here, he is in total panic mode.

Tentomonnn. I can always count on you <3

... aaand he immediately drops him x’D Tentomonnnnnnn

oh well it’s the thought that counts!! lol

Thus ends Izumi Koushirou. His voice actor peaced out. “Too many lines, too many kanji, also I don’t like not having wrists.”

This is the face he makes when he realizes “holy hell, I think I might be having an Emotion.”

first Taichi, now Tentomon... Koushirou’s going to be so buried in praise trust and friendship that he won’t be able to see his way out. Like one of those foam pits at the gymnastics center. You cannot escape and you don’t want to

I’m in hell

Okay seriously what is this. WHAT IS THIS.

^see what I mean? no wrists!

One Track Mind Yagami reminds us that we did Plot in this ep...

... only to then recall that after that, we did Koushirou stuff, which is vastly superior. I mean look how happy he is.

Taichi: Darling Koushirou!! You’re okay!

Koushirou: Yes, thanks to Kabuterimon!

Taichi: I’m so glad! Wait, Kabuterimon? ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME!?!?

Koushirou: *making bad connection noises with his mouth* g-gotta go..!

Koushirou is ready to admit he loves his partner a lot faster than old Adventure Koushirou was...

... or maybe not.

GAWD WHY ARE U SO CUTE

I love their little back and forth here. “You were talking about me!” “N-No I wasn’t!” “Yes you were!” “Was not!” Please keep giving us this quality content Toei. Tsundere Koushirou. I never thought of it. I WANT MOOOORE.

Interesting how he didn’t quite do this to Taichi though. Maybe because Taichi’s compliments were about how talented and awesome he is, whereas Tentomon’s just like “I love you bruh youre my best bruh.” Taichi, get over yourself and tell Koushirou you love him before he leaves you for a literal bug.

Welp.

So this turnip/radish village is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. And I loved the silence of this ending bit. This really did feel like Digimon, a bit more creative and intriguing than anything in episode 4. (Except for Sora and that knife.) This gives me Hope.

But it is WEIRD seeing Mimi get the “mysterious girl” treatment. Hahaha. You’d expect to discover she’s like the lost princess of the digital world. Well, she is. But she’s also going to scream whine cry and make you eat kimchi fried rice with whipped cream and strawberries xD

Mimi!!! I can’t wait to see you!!!

[plcyersandpieces]

SPOILERS--gen:LOCK Panel RTX 2019

I know I'm not a gen:LOCK blog but I'm gonna do this too because I'm here.

New merch: Shirts, enamel pins, key chains, hoodies, posters, etc.

Atsuko has stuff too

DC comics deal for gen:LOCK too, more at the DC x RT panel

Number one feedback was wanting to see more of the world, and the comic will explore.

"I really wanna see a holon surf!!"

Viz artbook and manga adaptation, more info to come in the future

gen:LOCK is coming to Adult Swim on August 3rd(!!!!!)

Blu-ray and DVD soon, including unreleased scenes, mostly cut for time

We're shown a few from ep. 6 during the invasion of the Anvil (which they called IOTA). Will not spoil, but it included a cute moment. 💚

Emmy nomination has been submitted, so they're showing the package that was submitted.

Asking the crew how they got involved!

Miles: Gray was the driving force, but there were a lot of hands that touched the script. I was working on so many things and I really wanted to work on it, but all I could really say was "Cool man! Keep it up!"

Chad and Blaine went through an internal audition process. Chad didn't end up getting told until like after everyone else. "'Oh yeah, your character is in a love triangle with Michael B. Jordan and Dakota Fanning.' WHAT???"

Blaine talking about how they were gonna kill his character and bring him back

Back to Miles, Gray approached him for Migues. "Representation really matters in voice acting." Ended up channeling how he speaks among family from San Antonio.

Monica: Auditioned for the trailer first. "I always like to use my 'grown up voice." Didn't think she'd get it because of the lead talent. She screamed so loud in front of Hodor when she got the email. Jamie Marchi heard her across the room. XD

Sung Won read for Chase, Weller, and NoN characters first. "I guess if I'm gonna lose to somebody, it may as well be David Tennant." Got to audition for his part later on. Recorded remotely from LA.

Evan: Tries to work mostly with themes and character psychologies. Loves how upbeat Chase is. Lots of cultural diversity but not preachy, was really happy to work with that. Excited to see where it goes next. What matters most is how we treat each other, and as story progresses, we'll be able to explore that more.

Important that we have correct representation. Considered the VA for Orphan Black for Val, but was turned down because she said RT needed to pull from the actual LGBTQ+ community.

Moving on!

Early development art, first from @dishwasherultimate1910

Mix of realism and stylized, female-presenting are more stylized, starting with Cammie

Chase started out almost like RWBY, even used the RWBY base

Got tips from WB Japan to make Kazu more appealing to the Japanese audience

Migues designed after Alex Jaurez in RT

Miles paused the panel to ask Chad and Blaine about how Sinclaire became a meme internally.

There was a gen:LOCK meme channel.

Pitch book was shown, Burnie wants all future pitches like that. Miles: "...shit."

Q&A!

gen:LOCK season 2 is still in consideration, so more info forthcoming. Focusing on making sure team quality of life is better, etc. (Translation: addressing crunch)

"If VAs could swap roles, which and why?"

Miles: Nugget.

Chad: Dr. Weller

Blaine: Same. (Miles: OH YEAH?? LET'S HEAR IT. (We didn't.))

Sung: Weller

Monica: I'd go for Cammie, but I can't do the accent, so probably Valentina

"Favorite scene from season 1?"

Evan: First scene, at dinner with his family. Revealing some of it was telepresence, Chase's background, why he continues to be well-adjusted.

Sung: Val and Kazu's dance, the team up at the end. Rewarding on a character level and satisfying animation wise.

Blaine: The final holon reveals.

Miles: Cammie getting her head ripped off, shattering the hope that was building up til then. And people wonder why I'm a monster! "Yeah you're in a giant robot, but that doesn't make you invincible."

First fight after revealed holons

Chad: Every one that Jodie didn't die. jk, the jet scene through the city.

The scene where Dr. Weller said good bye

Monica: Any scene with David Tennant! Also the training scenes, and Dr. Weller's speech.

"If you could make a holon, what would you make?"

Blaine: Black and gold paint, close quarters combat with a shotgun, stealth

Sung: Big mustache that's a boomerang, suspenders and boxing gloves

Monica: Giant pink fluffy teddy bear, one arm shoots candy, the other gasoline and fire. Miles: "That's the fucking scariest thing I've ever heard."

Miles: Giant Monster from Stranger Things

Chad: Skater bot

"What is it like to see these characters brought to life?"

Evan: Really excited, even where it comes close to plots you've seen before, we made it unique.

Miles: I was really floored. I never thought we'd be able to make something that looks like that. It hit me harder because I was so removed from it.

Monica: The first time I came to RT to work with Gray, and to see her move and hear my voice was "OMG!" I've never been on that side before, aside from Sienna!"

Blaine: I was really hyped up on cyberpunk, no way we could do that! It looks so good!

Chad: Soul patch? Really??? He's gonna be a dick. But really, the fact that he tried to have a conversation meant that at least he's trying.

Sung: Very very weird, but it was great! It felt like I was walking around. The cast is so diverse and colorful, representation really does matter and you did a great job.

[whumping-every-day]

For the BTHB.... Mmmm, it's hard to choose... They all sound great, but I think my favorites would have to be blindfolded(which, doesn't that fall into the sensory deprivation?) and Hard to Breathe. Broken ribs are my things....

Thank you so much for writing in, Anon! I can only do one trope per drabble... so I went with Hard to Breath. Because you’re right... broken ribs are amazing! xD

ALSO! My thanks to the other Anon, who put the idea in my head to write when Gabriel got his collarbone messed up. You inspired me in the moment, thank you!

Tagging the Gabriel Gang!  @robinshouseofwhump@pepperonyscience @pennsss @silver-sparrow-462@silverinkgoldenquill @kestrelsparverius@learningtowhump@latenightcupsofcoffee   @what-huh-imconfused@pepperonyscience @blue-flare10 @robinshouseofwhump@cagefreebirds@whatwasmyprevioususername  @captivity-whump@pink-and-purple-flowers @gonna-feel-that-tomorrow @thebluejayswhump @vickytokio

--

Usually, when Master beats him, he lets Gabriel cower.  The boy always tries to protect his stomach and head, but there’s no way to shield himself completely. He ends up with blackened arms and sides, and a back so bruised he can’t fully straighten his spine.

But this time is different. This time, Gabriel’s wrists are strapped down on either side of his head.

He’s flat on his back, and Master paces around him, examining him with a critical eye. Gabriel’s shirt is gone, and the boy shivers in the cold air, a few stray tears tracking down his cheeks. He’s pathetic, he knows, crying already – but he feels so exposed, pinned flat like a bug.

He can’t even curl in on himself; there are additional restraints at his ankles, and a thick strap over his hips and throat, keeping him immobile. He can’t move. He can’t move at all, and Gabriel whimpers and struggles out of sheer panic; Master always hurts him, but Gabriel’s never been pinned down like this. He’s never felt this helpless.

“Ah ah,” Master chides. He’s not playful as he says it; he’s not teasing Gabriel. “You earned this.” It’s a reminder.

The sharp kick to his ribs is unexpected; Gabriel’s eyes bulge, and he lets out a choked scream, short and animal. He can’t get in enough air to scream again, no matter how hard he tries, and the straps won’t let him cower. Master watches as he heaves and struggles for air, watches as more tears drip from his eyes.

“ ‘m – ‘m sorry, plea - nnghk-” Gabriel isn’t even allowed to finish his apology. The boot digs into his side again, and the boy feels something snap, white-hot and shooting. Gabriel screams, he can’t help it – even though Master doesn’t like to hear his cries. Master says that good pets can take their punishments silently.

Gabriel has always been bad at that.

The blows come in a pattern, after that. Master does not speak to him; he just paces circles around him, and every few steps, he chooses a new angle, and lays down another brutal kick. Gabriel screams and sobs and babbles apologies, but the pattern does not stop.

At one point, Master gets tired of only kicking him from the side and goes to retrieve the wooden baseball bat from the corner.

Gabriel sobs at the sight, but the man is not deterred.

The beating goes on for hours. It is methodical; every blow is considered and weighed, and sometimes the man even gives a few practice swings first. But they always come, eventually, and Gabriel has lost track of the number of things he’s felt snap or crunch wrench out of place.

“Hmm.” His Master stops for a moment, leaning the bat against his shoulders as he surveys his work. Gabriel is moaning and broken at his feet, and there’s blood spray across the boy’s face. There’s blood a lot of other places, too.

The man taps the head of the bat against the boy’s chest, and Gabriel heaves out a sob, staring up at Master with tears in his eyes. “P-p-le’s,” he tries, wheezing on the sound. His flanks quiver and rattle as he breathes, already beginning to stain purple. “Pl’s, Ma-aster.”

“Not yet, then.” It seems like the man has gotten a definitive answer, somehow, but then he’s raising the bat again.

The boy’s eyes widen in panic, and he immediately goes taught in the restraints. “Nnn-no, ple-ease – please!” He’s screaming it, begging it, but the bat falls anyway.

Once, twice, three times. The boy sobs and screams in turn, and on the third swing, his collarbone caves inwards. His Master takes a step back, and he lifts the bat again, eyeing the blood staining the tip with distaste.

“I think we can call that enough for today.”

Gabriel is left in the cuffs to shudder in pain. His Master leaves, taking the bat with him, and Gabriel is left prone on his back with broken ribs. Every inhale brings pain, and he pants and squeezes his eyes shut, tries to make his breathing shallower – but then his vision starts to spin from lack of oxygen.

He whimpers softly, calling out to the darkness for help, for mercy… but there is no answer.

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Eighty-One: Take a Chance ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Haruno Sakura ] [ SasuHina, SakuIno ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

This has got to be the strangest thing she’s ever agreed to do in her life.

Hinata Hyūga is not a woman who takes risks. She went to a safe school, got a safe degree, and is working a safe job. Lives in a safe apartment building in a safe part of town. She’s...well, she’s content.

But she made the mistake of mentioning it feels like something is missing to her best friend last week.

“Boyfriend,” Sakura immediately offered, reclined and not looking up from filing her nails.

Lips quickly pursed in a pout. “Not everything is solved by being in a relationship.”

“What else could be missing, Hina? You’ve got a good job, a good place, good friends -”

There’s an eyeroll at that which the rosette ignores.

“- and the only thing you don’t have based on all those cliches is a boyfriend. Or girlfriend.” A hand pats her own chest. “No judgment here.”

“Says the girl with a girlfriend.”

“Exactly.”

Sitting cross-legged atop her bed, Hinata considered that. She never goes out much...so there hasn’t exactly been a chance to meet anyone. And she’s terrified of dating apps. Meeting strangers based on whims and ‘matches’? Thanks, but no thanks. She’s not looking to get murdered.

“You know, the place Ino works does this cute thing once a month where they match up couples randomly. You should do it!”

“...what?”

“You draw a number from a bowl that’s a certain color for your gender - male, female, nonbinary, yadda yadda - and then you also take tags based on what you prefer. So then you go around looking for your right-colored number, and you sit, and you have an impromptu date in the restaurant!”

Dark brows furrowed disbelievingly. “...that sounds...a-awkward.”

“It can be, but it’s a safe environment, and you can can nope out at any time. That’s where Ino met that artist she dated for a while.”

“Until she met you.”

“Yeah, well...you can’t win ‘em all.” Sakura gave a grin.

“...I dunno, it just sounds...strange. What if someone gets your number but isn’t the right c-color?”

“You go redraw until you get one you want! I dunno how they make it work, but it hardly ever hiccups. Ino’d know more about it than me, but...just thought I’d throw that out there.”

“I’ll...think about it.”

And she did. In fact, Hinata agonized over it. It sounded sort of fun, and pretty safe. But questions, doubts, and fears still nagged at her, even up to the moment she walks to the door. A crowd of people already mill inside, and several debate outside. Giving them all a glance, she takes a deep breath...holds it...and then exhales.

Just try it. Sakura said they make it very easy to leave, so...just do it. Take a chance for once in your life, Hinata!

Pulling on the door, she yanks it open and makes her way in. At the front are the bowls Sakura mentioned.

A perky girl in brown buns gestures. “Hi there! First time?”

“Um...y-yes.”

“Well, just take one of these slips based on your gender,” she offers, pointing. “And then these slips here -” another point “- say what you’re looking for! Anyone already here will have their number on the edge of their table, so feel free to see if your match is there yet. If not, you can have a seat at any open table, and become the one who waits!”

Huh...well, seems simple enough. Taking a pink slip, Hinata then shyly takes a blank one of every color, cheeks pink before scurrying into the actual belly of the place.

Her number is twenty-seven. Huh...her birthday. Maybe that’ll be lucky?

Peeking around, she doesn’t find any other twenty-sevens, and eventually makes her way to a corner table. Carefully she arranges the slips at the edge, pinning them under both the salt and pepper shakers to keep them from being blown or knocked off.

For a while she just...sits. Then she starts checking texts. Eventually, she’s knee-deep reading some fanfiction when someone clears their throat nearby.

She almost drops her mobile in surprise. “...o-oh!”

They look to her with a perked brow. “...been sitting here long?”

“Oh, uh...a-a little while.” A nervous hand tucks hair behind her ear, a habit. “Are you…?”

They flash their slip: blue, with the same number as her own.

“I, uh...are you looking for a - a pink?”

“Yup. Mind if I sit?”

“S...sure!” Hinata bustles to put the slips aside now that she’s been matched, cheeks pink. “I’m Hinata - Hinata Hyūga.”

“Sasuke Uchiha.”

Awkward silence.

Hands clasped between her knees, Hinata rocks for a moment before offering, “Um...should I...tell you some things about me…?”

“Sure. You go, then I’ll go.”

“Okay...I’m twenty-four.”

“Twenty-five.”

“I work in a bakery - I got a culinary degree here in the city!”

“Business and finance - work for my father in his tech company.”

“Um...my...favorite color is purple…?”

That earns a small smile. “Blue.”

“I like sweets.”

“Not a fan.”

“Aw...hm...I like cats.”

“Same. Dogs are too...messy.”

“A friend of mine has one...he’s okay, but...yes, I agree: messy.” She draws in her lips, thinking. “...I...have a younger sister.”

“Older brother.”

“I l-like to dry and press flowers as a hobby.”

“I like hiking, mostly locally.”

“Ooh, that sounds fun!”

“I could take you, if you want.”

That...makes her pause. Go out with someone she barely knows? Possibly into the woods? What if he’s a crazy serial killer that buries all his victims out -?

“Or...maybe not.”

Realizing she’s gone quiet, Hinata jolts. “S-sorry, I...I got lost in thought! Um...maybe! I’m not very, um...athletic. I don’t know if I could keep up.”

“Could start with walks in the park.”

The park...that’s safe. Plenty of people around. “S...sure!”

“Call it a date, then.”

One corner of her mouth twitches in an attempted smile. “...sorry, I’m - I’m not very good at this whole...talking...thing.”

“That’s okay. Neither am I, really.” Sasuke leans back in his chair, one arm draped back over its spine. “I was...encouraged to try this by a friend.”

“Yeah...me too. She thought I, uh...n-needed a change.”

“I don’t get out much. My friend thought it might help my attitude. He’s just a nosy b-” Sasuke cuts off. “...guy.”

Before she can stop it, Hinata giggles. “...sorry, I...I shouldn’t laugh.”

“He lives for making people laugh, even if it means at him. Trust me, he wouldn’t be offended. And I can’t bring myself to care. You’re good.” During a pause, he tilts his head. “...I’ll admit: seems I got lucky. I was afraid I’d get some chick who wouldn’t know how to shut up. Which is what most girls he tries setting me up with are like.”

“Well, I’m...definitely not that,” Hinata agrees with another laugh. “I...wasn’t sure what I was expecting. I guess to never get matched. I haven’t really...done this before. Like, at all. Guess I just figure there’s a reason for that.”

He gives her a disbelieving look. “...you telling me you’ve never dated anyone?”

“N...no?”

Brows then lift in surprise. “...I’d never guess it.”

“Really…?”

“Yeah. You’re cute. At least, from what little I can see just sitting here having small talk.”

Color slowly blooms in her cheeks. “T...thank you. You’re, um…” Her blush gets darker. “You’re...p-pretty handsome yourself.”

“Not to be pretentious, but...I get that a lot. Which...might be why I haven’t dated, either.”

“W-what?!”

Several other couples glance over at her outburst, making her go cherry red

“I...I’m so sorry, that was so rude, I -”

“Nah - you’re fine. I just...I dunno. Anyone who’s tried did it for that reason: they liked my looks, or my reputation. Not because they liked me. So I brushed them all off.”

Hinata can’t help but wilt a bit. “...I see…”

“But, I thought I’d take a chance with this. It’s not like speed dating or blind dates. It seemed like it’d be more...relaxed. And it is. Seems I really did get lucky.”

Tucking a bit into herself, Hinata mumbles, “M...me too.”

Eventually, someone actually starts serving them, and the pair keep up idle conversation. Nothing jaw-dropping or eye-opening, but just...little things that help give a first impression. And all throughout, neither seems to dislike what they find.

By the time they’re done, they’re still talking. Even after their plates are cleared. Eventually it starts to get dark, and Hinata jolts as her phone buzzes.

It’s Sakura.

Well? How’d it go?

It’s only then she realizes how late it’s getting. A palm presses to her cheek in shock. “Oh! I...I should probably get going, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize -!”

“It’s fine - neither did I.” Moving to stand, he glances to her appraisingly. “...so, would you...want to do this again? Without the random factor, I mean?”

“I...y-yeah! I had a really good time. Um…”

“Here, I’ll give you my number…”

They do so, and even convince each other to pose for a picture for their phonebook entry.

“Guess I’ll see you around - gonna be busy, but I’ll text you when an open day pops up.”

“O-okay!”

He even walks her to her car, giving a nonchalant salute as she pulls away. It’s only once she’s back in her apartment that Hinata replies to Sakura.

It went well! Guess who got date #2? (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ

Winding down for the evening and eventually heading to bed as she keeps up her texting back and forth, Hinata indulges Sakura’s request and sends the picture.

...okay I’m gay af but I’d let him hit it.

Snorting so loud she blushes, Hinata announces she’s calling it a night, plugging the mobile in to charge and snuggling down under the blankets.

Well...maybe taking chances isn’t so bad...

     Oh dang, a post before midnight! That hasn't happened in FOREVER! xD      Anyway, this is...super duper random, but I'm honestly exhausted after a long day, and I'm still adjusting my sleep schedule, so...between a time crunch and a sleepy brain, you all get...whatever this is, bahaha!      I dunno, it's vaguely based off an idea I once saw about color coded stuff with...I think it was glowstick necklaces? to show what you are and what you're interested in. This is just...tweaked a little to involve a bit more chance than choice, I guess. I dunno, I can't brain tonight haha~      But uh...yeah! That's it for tonight. Hope you enjoyed! And thanks for reading~

[dr3aming-of-stars]

30 and/or 41 because those seemed interesting to me lol.

​Okayyy, sooooo this ended up being a lot longer than I intended, but it was fun nonetheless! xD I just can’t ever seem to write things that are short sentences, wooops!

But I hope that you enjoy!

Send me a number and I’ll write a micro story using the word or phrase:

30. harsh whisper

The forest is quiet. Too quiet for her liking, but she does not care for the eerie silence, but merely welcomes it as an odd sense of comfort.

Even the stars fall silent as they’re swallowed up by the thick branches of evergreen that coil and weave around themselves to conceal the darkened sky looming above.

The only sound that accompanies her in the lonesome forest is the sound of the leaves and bits of foliage crunching underneath her shoes, and the faint rumbling of thunder in the distance.

Just a little further, I can make it…

The girl clutches to her chest, the leaves on the ground spiraling in a windswept dance as a whisper drifts up so close, that she can practicually hear the voice in her head. It’s harsh and hoarse, and it makes her legs tremble with each press of her feet onward.

“You must pay what has been owed…” There’s a rasp to the voice, a heavy inhalation and a hand as frigid and frost bitten as fallen snow clings to her shoulder. The cold seeps into her flesh, chilling her to the very bone as she’s suddenly enveloped by the cold embrace. “You know the price. A price that has been previously sealed in blood…”

“My fate is not yours to be toiled with.” The girl snaps back, attempting to shake the grip off of her to move her feet forward that had suddenly become like heavy weighted rocks were strapped to her ankles.

Like the tide of the ocean waves were calling her back home.

But the grip on her shoulder does not desist, it clings deeper, harder to the point where she wants to scream and run towards the lit cabin in her field of vision.

It’s warm and comforting, and it’s home.

But It’s out of her reach…

“Foolish girl,” The harsh whisper rasps, swishing around to peer into her determined almond gaze that refuses to give into a lick of fear, even if it’s plainly etched across her features.

The creature, entity has no discernible features, only the harsh whispers that have haunted her dreams for as long as she can remember.  

“You cannot out run what has already begun,”

All of a sudden, the stillness of the forest bursts to life in hues of gold and pink that make her fear that she may go blind. The sounds of birds and screams unknown fill her ears to the brim that there’s a ringing, a constant ringing.

I will not…

Her feet attempt in a shaky and haphazard motion to push forward despite the world reeling around her, the entity staring at her, or what she could imagine the entity would be doing were it had eyes against its blank slate.

She manages to pull her foot up from the forest floor, pressing it forward, but the harshness of the spirits whisper rings in her thoughts a final time, a time that makes the world fade to black as the calming light of the cabin in the distance dissipates into shadows.

40. comfort food

The mid winter air is cold, even within the comfort of her bed with the covers pulled up to her chin to fend off the biting chill coming in through the open window.

She doesn’t want to get out of bed just yet. But the smell, the comforting and soothing smell of sugary sweet apples laced with hints of cinnamon drift past her nose. She can almost taste the tartness of the apples on her tongue, and it makes her salivate.

With a bit of a groggy groan in her throat, she forces her body into a sitting position, sliding her legs out from underneath her blanketed cocoon and onto the cold wooden floor that sends a shiver up from her bare feet at the contact.

She wraps the blanket around her shoulders tautly as she quietly pads across the floor of her bedroom and out to search for the all enticing scent of sweets.

As she descends down the wooden staircase, the smell grows stronger, more potent to the point where the smell of sugar, cinnamon and cloves are all that she can breath in. She quickly darts down the rests of the steps and around the corner, the length of her baby blue blanket dragging across the floor as she finally reaches the kitchen.

The smell is even more overpowering, but it’s not the smell anymore that sways her thumping heart, but moreso the person residing in it. He’s beaming at her with that endearing smile that has her heart swelling inside her chest, a deep burn coloring her cheeks crimson.

“Ah, you finally woke up. I thought I’d surprise you and bring you breakfast in bed, but I guess you beat me to it?” He mentions with a bit of a sheepish scratch at the back of his head. And it only makes her realize just how much she loves him.

“You didn’t have to go to all the trouble just for me…” Her smile is reminiscent of his own, her feet lightly trailing forward to really take a gander of the dish in front of her.

Apple crumble, her favorite comfort food.

“Nonesense, if I want to spoil my girlfriend once in a while with her favorite food, then I’ll gladly take that chance.” He smiles at her fondly, placing the oven mits on the kitchen island before he makes his way around to stand in front of her.

She laughs a bit ot herself, and the confusion splayed across his handsome features make the giggles rise even more.

“What’s so funny?”

She doesn’t answer him immediately as she steps closer to break the distance, a hand of hers poking out of her blanket to reach up to his lip to brush off a bit of flour. “Nothing, I’m just really happy and thankful that you did this for me.”

He chuckles, a hand of his own rising up to caress at her cheek. The warmth of his palm makes her sigh, leaning into the palm of his hand. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” His voice is barely above a whisper as he leans down to level with her height, placing his lips over hers.

His lips taste of the apples, and she wonders if he sampled the dish beforehand, but those thoughts are quickly abated as her grin widens and takes comfort in the moment of being wrapped around him.

The comfort food could wait a little while longer.

[variantia]

Bellum.  screeches I just did some number crunching bcus I needed to find out how much francs are worth in dollars.  then I did some more crunching bcus I was curious about what Erik’s ‘salary’ is actually worth in dollars ...

so, 20,000 francs a month = about $3660 a month

which doesn’t sound like a whole lot, but, if he’s getting it every month, that equals out to about $43, 920 a year.  so, yeah, that isn’t MUCH in today’s speaking, sure ; it’s about average.  but back in 1870 ?  let’s see what that was worth back then.

$3660 = just over $67,000 in purchasing power in 1870

$43,920 = just over $804,000 in purchasing power in 1870

now I understand Firmin’s stunned reaction.  Erik’s making the equivalent of about $67,000 A MONTH to be an opera ghost !  what the fuck does he spend it all on ?  aside from all the mechanical workings for his lair, his organ, food, clothing, envelopes, wax, candles, etc. etc. ... there’s no way he needs $804,000 A YEAR to keep himself alive and keep everything in the catacombs functional, is there ? ?

I just ... this ... amuses me for some reason.  XD

[overwatch-imagines-hub]

Fictober Day 1: Fall (Lynx X Reader)

Yes, Lynx is first on the list. Because I love them and I thought this prompt would be a good one to do with them.

This is the first one of the batch, and I haven’t written a fic in a while, so bear with me if it's a little rough. <D This one also might be a little longer than the rest of them (although that I can’t exactly promise; I never know how long I’ll write for when I start something) but I really wanted to write stupid dorky banter between Lynx and the reader, and I wanted them to spend some time at different things, sooo... details. XD

This was a weird intro. Here’s the actual story now!

~~~

You stepped out from under the overhang of the ship depot’s roof and were immediately bathed in hot sunlight. You pulled off your heavy jacket and draped it over an arm with a sigh of relief; unlike your home, which was currently experiencing the heavy chill and frequent rain of fall, Numbani was at its summer’s peak. 

“(Y/N).”

You looked to where the voice had come from and was presented with a omnic with twitching ears like a bunny, wearing a teal body suit -- Lynx Seventeen, you guessed. They were the bot you came to see, in hopes of tracking down your parents.

You picked up your luggage, a singular medium-sized travel suitcase, and strolled over to the omnic. After confirming each of you were the person you said you were, the two of you began on your way to a proper place to talk.

Looking around, you commented, “You know, if I were home right now, I’d be walking in endless puddles of rainwater and crunching leaves.”

“If I was any less undeveloped as an omnic, I’d probably short-circuit if I lived where you did,” Lynx replied, ears twitching in your general direction. “Now let’s work on finding your parents.”

During the time it took to track down your parents, parents who had abandoned you as a child to save their own selfish hides, you and the hacker Lynx had connected on a snarky, nerdy level. When the search was over--the birth parents hadn’t been worth the search but you were given closure nonetheless--you and Lynx had ended up keeping in touch and creating some sort of special bond. Ever since that first day, you had wanted to suggest the omnic to test their durability by joining you in your country for a fall. A joke at the time but recently, a couple months before this very day, you had gotten up the nerve to ask them, genuinely, to visit during the fall. 

You thought about that first meeting with Lynx now, as you eyed the ship depot anxiously and bounced on the balls of your feet to keep warm while waiting for passengers to exit the ships. The chilly breeze ruffled your hair and caused goosebumps to rise on your neck and arms as the fall air sneaked under your jacket. 

“(Y/N)!”

Your head whipped toward the sound of your name and you were greeted by the same bunny-eared omnic in the same teal body suit as were that day day in Nambani; the only difference was it was sprinkling rain and Lynx waved enthusiastically at you before trotting over.

“Lynx!” you hollered back with a grin. When they reached your side, you pulled them into a hug which was happily returned. Being an omnic, Lynx was naturally very warm and it difficult to remove yourself from their heat and back to chilliness when the time came.

“Well,” you continued, stepping away from Lynx with a shiver, “you seem to be holding up against the rain pretty well, despite popular belief.”

“Like I said,” they replied with a tilt of their chin, “if I had been underdeveloped. I’m not. I’m actually quite developed, despite popular belief.” Their body language was haughty but their tone was good natured and after a moment, they relaxed and chuckled. “So this is it?”

You confirmed with a not and followed Lynx’s curious gaze with your own as he looked around. “This is it. Not much to it but it’s home and we have a mean fall festival. Which happens to be this evening. Hope your battery’s all charged, bot, because the rain will be gone by then.”

Lynx made a sound similar to a snort of indignation, which you guessed would have been accompanied by a rolling of the eyes had they had proper eyes to roll. Then he replied, “Lead the way, fleshy.”

The ship that Lynx had taken arrived later than what you’d expected, so there wasn’t a whole lot of time to waste before the fall festival. First, you showed Lynx the way home and gave them sometime to get set up and comfortable in the new environment. After a bit of simply hanging out and chatting, you took them out for a tour of the town, eventually leading to the festival itself.

Though the festival just started, crowds of people were milling in every which direction. There were lines at red and orange booths selling snacks like pretzels or candied apples, and stalls were you could win a balloon mallet or a giant stuffed bear. People were being led onto carousels and a Ferris wheel, and soft yellow lights were decorating red tents where you could go pet animals or watch a pumpkin carving contest.

“Well isn’t this endearing,” Lynx commented, taking in the scene. “And I had managed to step in several rainwater puddles and crunch several leaves. So much of what you promised has come true already.”

“And this is just today,” you assured them, “Tomorrow is the hay ride and a corn maze.” 

“Can’t wait to sit in some hay and walk through a maze of produce.”

You rolled your eyes and took the omnic’s hand, leading them through crowds of people and to the end of a line for candied apples. Lynx gave you a look, which you took as wordless sass towards the fact that they couldn’t eat anything, and you replied with a grin. During the wait in line, plans were made for games and rides-- games while you stuff your face, Lynx had suggested, then a carousel and perhaps sneaking onto the kiddies’ roller coaster since it was the only one present. 

“You’re a big robutt,” you reminded him, “I’m not sure you would get one the coaster so easily.”

“Don’t call me a robutt,” Lynx replied, then bumped their hip with yours. “Well, I believe that you’re small and frail enough to play off as a child. Maybe I can be your companion animal.” His robotic bunny ears wiggled for emphasis, making you giggle. 

“We’d probably break one of the carts,” you observed, “Two kids to a cart; two grown people in one, one made of metal.”

“If we can’t have a roller coaster, no one can,” they declared goodnaturedly. 

They’d began to say something else until the candied vendor, a middle-aged lady, interrupted with a loud “NEXT!” right next to your ears; apparently you’d moved to the front of the line without noticing. You ordered your apple of choice and went to pay before Lynx stopped you and produced a credit chit of his own with his free hand. A little tugging gesture he made in the process drew your attention to where your hand was still holding his, fingers casually intertwined at this point. 

“Here.”

You blushed at the thought of Lynx catching you, so you looked away briefly when they offered your candied apple to you. Then, as if they had still noticed your action and felt the need to emphasize it, he tugged you out of the line by your intertwined hands and began leading you to the aisles of game booths.

Nibbling on your sweet snack and partially lost in heart fluttering thoughts, you absentmindedly watched Lynx’s ears wiggle in thought as the omnic decided which game to play.

“You’re not going to play right away, yeah?” they asked after a moment, glancing at you over their shoulder; you replied by raising your barely eaten apple on a stick and they nodded. “Well, I’ll bet you your next snack break that I can win that giant bear there.” The hacker pointed at a cream-colored teddy bear hanging from a water gun racing booth; the bear was almost as big as you.

“Does that mean if you win, I don’t get to get more snacks later?” you questioned.

Lynx’s ears perked and they nodded. “Exactly.”

You looked at your candied apple longingly, thinking about all the snacks you could be eating but now could possibly miss out on. Then you agreed to the bet after making the suggestion that, if Lynx lost, they would have to sit it in every single line with you while you tried out each snack. 

“Oh, woe is me,” Lynx quipped, “I better not lose then; I’d be rusted up and rundown by the time you finished.” You gave them a warning scowl before you both snickered.

“But,” they continued, “unless you’re expecting me to play one-handed in hopes of hindering me, I need my other arm.”

You blushed again, releasing their hand with a quick “sorry,” then followed them to the front of the booth.

You watched as Lynx paid for a seat in front of a mechanical teal water gun, which was aimed at a target. 

The goal of the game was to keep water hitting the sluggishly moving target the best you could. The more water hitting the target, the farther a little robotic fish, colored and numbered the same as the water gun being used, moved across the booth’s wall and through poorly painted cardboard waves. There could be two to five players playing at the same time and the size of prize you won depended on which place you were in when the race ended.

You stood a couple feet away from where Lynx sat on their stool, preparing for battle against three other players; two were little kids, one was a man who’s wife or girlfriend stood off to the side with you. Moments later, the game started up and your attention shifted from watching Lynx to watching the teal fish swim shift along the wall. It seemed to be moving at a quicker rate than the others and when you spared a glance back in Lynx’s direction, you noticed the three usually dormant lights on their forehead glowing faintly.

You hacker hoe, you thought, nibbling away at your apple. 

Minutes later, Lynx joined you on the sidelines with a giant cream-colored teddy on their shoulders. 

“No more snacks for you,” they stated cheekily.

“Let’s find a game that you can’t hack and see how that goes for you,” you replied.

“To be fair,” Lynx argued, “I only hacked the fish to make it go a little faster. My aim was still on point; I could have won either away.” The omnic slipped his hand into yours again, making your heart briefly skip a beat.

Did they know that they were making you flustered or did they only hold your hand to make sure you didn’t lose each other in the crowds?

“Where to next?”

“To a game that doesn’t involve mechanical or electronic figures. How about that one where you throw ping pong balls into fish bowls?”

Several games, various prizes, a couple rides, and not enough festival snacks later, the time had come. The time to sneak onto the kiddie coaster.

“I will never be allowed back to this festival,” you grumbled. You followed Lynx over the small back railing of the children’s roller coaster. 

The ride owner was busy talking to parents and helping kids into the freshly emptied carts, so Lynx ha hoped the two of you could sneak in through the back and climb into a cart before the ride started again.

“Hey, what the hell are you doin’ over there, bunny ears?” 

Well, that lasted about five seconds.

Lynx scrambled back from the cart they were invading and raced past you and over the railing. 

“Run!” they hollered over their shoulder as you hurried after them. “We’ve been compromised! Abort, abort!”

“Well that was fun,” Lynx commented, trotting up to your house’s porch and flopping onto the swinging bench perched on it.

The two of you had run for the kiddie coaster and didn’t stop running until you were about a block from your home; at one point Lynx had had to grab your hand and drag you along because you had gotten too winded to function.

“Hopefully, I’ll be allowed back next year,” you panted, flopping down beside them and leaning heavily against their should. “We wreaked havoc on our way outta there.”

“And we lost the giant bear, unfortunately,” Lynx replied with a sulky nod. Then the bot’s ears perked up enthusiastically. “I’ll just have to win another one next year. Hopefully, I’ll be allowed back.”

“Next year?” You used what little energy you had left to glance at them and immediately became lightheaded.

“Yes, next year,” Lynx confirmed. They stretched out their long legs and slipped their arms over the back of the bench, ultimately resting one arm around your shoulders. “I have so many things I didn’t accomplish this time. I didn’t win a fish. I need to win a bear again. We have to ride the roller coaster.”

Despite becoming flustered again, due to the fact that you were basically cuddling the omnic at this point, you chuckled lightheartedly and nodded in agreement. So many things the two of you have left to do together.

“Besides,” Lynx continued, “I enjoyed spending time with you. Luckily we having riding in hay and walking through corn tomorrow.”

Chilly and embarrassed, you snuggled up to the self-heating omnic and replied, “Can’t wait to sit in some hay and walk through a maze of produce.”

[ryttu3k]

After some really tedious grinding, let’s go fight some birds! Then, to Lilycove!

The current team:

Chickweed the Blaziken | level 43 | male | Blaze | Serious, takes plenty of siestas | Flame Charge, Blaze Kick, Double Kick, Cut | starter

Snowdrop the Mightyena | level 40 | female | Intimidate | Lonely, loves to eat | Ice Fang, Bite, Odor Sleuth, Rock Smash | found route 101

Sage the Baltoy | level 36 | no thank you | Levitate | Bold, sturdy body | Rock Tomb, Extrasensory, Ancient Power, Dazzling Gleam | found route 111

Sequoia the Gyarados | level 35 | female | Intimidate | Bashful, nods off a lot | Surf, Ice Fang, Bite, Dragon Rage | found route 106

Edelweiss the Skarmory | level 34 | male | Sturdy | Gentle, very finicky | Assurance, Steel Wing, Sky Drop, Swift | found route 113

Oleracea the Manectric | level 33 | female | Static | Brave, capable of taking hits | Discharge, Volt Switch, Thunder Wave, Bite | found route 118

Lovely nice numbers, haha. 36, 35, 34, 33! Also, yes, Sage has not yet evolved. I want them to learn Earth Power at level 37 before they do, otherwise I have to wait until level 40.

Highest-levelled Pokemon at the gym is level 35. Honestly Oleracea should probably hit that INSIDE the gym. And on we go!

Bird Keeper Jared leads with Swellow, level 30. Discharge OHKO! Good start, haha. Next is Skarmory, level 30. Let’s give that to Chickweed, actually, save that PP! It’s not a OHKO but only because of Sturdy XD

Picknicker Kylee has a Swablu, level 31. Another easy OHKO!

Camper Terrell leads with Doduo, level 28. Next, Pelipper, level 30. Easy pair of OHKOs!

Bird Keeper Will has a Dodrio, level 32. More OHKO!

Bird Keeper Bran has Pelipper, level 32. Et cetera.

So that’s OHKO for every Pokemon in the gym before Winona except the Skarmory with Sturdy XD Time for the actual gym battle! She leads with Swellow, level 33. It uses Quick Attack, Oleracea OHKOs it. Next is Altaria, level 35. Oooh right part Dragon - ACK Earthquake, down to the reds! Alright, Snowdrop is in! Yeah, that Earthquake didn’t do much. Ice Fang does it! Next up is Skarmory, level 33, let’s make this a real team thing and get in Chickweed! OHKO, no Sturdy here! Last is a level 33 Pelipper, and Oleracea can finish things off with a Discharge OHKO!

Nice nice :D And now Sage evolves, and I can replace Sky Drop with Fly!

ONWARDS.

I see you there, Ninja kid! You don’t scare me, I have a fully-evolved Psychic/Ground-type now! Ninja Boy Tsunao leads with Koffing, level 29. CHECK OUT MY LEVEL 37 CLAYDOL... or not because it self-destructed XD Another Koffing, level 30, and this one gets to eat Extrasensory! Finally, a level 31, and the same!

That was so satisfying.

Parasol Lady Angelica has a Castform, level 34! And it’s raining, so Discharge will work extra nicely ;D

Ace Trainer Jennifer has a Milotic! <3 Level 36, ooh, we’re actually getting HIGHER than Oleracea. She takes it out, then gets a nice heal-up.

Bug Maniac Brandon has a Masquerain, level 34. Discharge OHKO!

*weeps gently at every Absol call*

Oh my gosh found a Light Ball. Too bad my Pikachu is fucking dead.

Street Thug Gomez has a Cacturne, level 34. Yeah, Chickweed’s!

Ninja Boy Keigo leads with Ninjask, level 32. Chickweed again! Next is Koffing, level 30, and that’s Sage!

Ruin Maniac Chip leads with a Baltoy! I have a Claydol :D Snowdrop is only ten levels higher no biggie. Next is Nosepass, also level 32, and this is Edel’s! Whoa it has Discharge. No harm done, Edel is pretty sturdy. No pun intended.

Delinquent Sharlene has a Sharpedo, level 34. A satisfying Discharge OHKO!

Ranger Carlos has a Nuzleaf, level 33. Oh hey, wasn’t a Nuzleaf the origin of the word ‘Nuzlocke’? Either way, let’s try out Edel’s Sky. And it’s a OHKO! Next is Manectric! I have one of those. Time for Sage to show off their new Earth Power! And another OHKO!

My physical fitness is rubbish, thanks, Ranger Jenna XD;; She leads with Lombre, level 33. Discharge down to the yellows, Water Sport does... fuck all, another to finish it off. Next is Grumpig, level 33, and this one is all Snowdrop’s!

On to route 121!

Hex Maniac Tammy leads with Duskull, level 33. That’s Snowdrop’s! Next is Sableye, tricky. Only thing that’s SE is Fairy, but my only Fairy move is on my Psychic-type. Which. Yeah. I might keep Snowdrop in, because at least she’s strong and has other moves. Yeah, Ice Fang does about half damage. Shadow Claw from Sableye doesn’t do much at all, and another Ice Fang finishes it!

Beauty Jessica leads with Kecleon, level 32. Please beat it up, Chickweed XD;; While Mega Evolved, because hell yeah. Next is Seviper, level 34. All Sage’s!

GASP. AQUAS. They’re heading to Mount Pyre. Oh, and here’s Safari Zone! Maybe later.

Teammates Kate and Joy have a Slaking and Spinda, levels 35 and 34. I’ll get Chickweed in, and sic Snowdrop on the Spinda. Oof, Psybeam to Chickweed, you little shit. He kicks Slaking down, and Snowdrop finishes off the Spinda. Holy shit YES Snowdrop you can learn Crunch :D

Poke Fan Vanessa has a Pikachu! Sob. Level 35. Let’s get Sage in! Easy OHKO.

And my first route encounter is... a Shuppet! Hey, that works! She shall be named... Uniflora, as in Ghost Pipe.

Oh, Lilycove! Well, I’ll heal up, then head for Mount Pyre!

Back to route 121. Gentleman Walter has a Manectric, level 35. Here’s mine! Or, well, not, here’s Sage XD

Haha, there was a healer right near the entrance to Mt Pyre. Of course there was.

Okay lmfao looks like I’ve caught everything thus far available on route 122, so no catches here!

In to Mt Pyre! I already have a Shuppet, so let’s see what else is here...

Oh, Poke Maniac Mark and his Lairon, level 36 XD Double Kick from Chickweed handles it!

Ooh, a cleanse tag.

You know, Atsuko probably buries Daisy here :(

Duskull! That’s my catch, then. Monotropa, then? The genus name of Ghost Pipe!

Psychic William leads with a Staryu, level 35. Discharge takes it down! Next is Grumpig, level 35. That’s Snowdrop’s! Cronch.

Last for this level is Hex Maniac Valerie, and Sableye, level 36. Uuugh damn Sableye. Volt Switch does a fair bit of damage, switching to Snowdrop to finish it!

Black Belt Atsushi has a Machoke, level 37. Over to Sage!

“When I told everyone I can talk to Pokemon, they became concerned for me...” Interesting words from Fairy Tale Girl Momo! She has a Jigglypuff, level 35. All yours, Edel!

Young Couple Dez and Luke have a Manectric and a Delcatty, levels 36. First step, get some better fighters in, haha. Chickweed and Sage can take these two! Oh FUCKING Sing... Sage Earth Powers the Manectric, and once Chickweed wakes up, he... immediately gets hit by Attract from the Delcatty are you fucking. Ayyy he got the hit out anyway! Nice.

Man I’m just gonna skip the trainers on this level.

:D Shadow Ball and Medichamite! Nice.

Ooh, there’s Medicham in the outdoors areas. Well, that explains the Medichamite XD AND VULPIX. DARLING. Oh my goodness.

And we’re at the top. I see... at least three grunts on the path up, and Archie and Matt at the top. BATTLE TIME.

First grunt has a level 36 Grimer. Sage wrecks it.

Next grunt, leads with Carvanha, level 33. Discharge OHKO! Next is Mightyena, level 35, and that’s Chickweed’s!

Last grunt, leads with Mightyena, level 34. Over to Chickweed! Huh, I wonder if Blazikenite counts as an item for the purpose of Embargo? ...nope. No kill like overkill :’) Next is Golbat, level 34, back to Oleracea for a Discharge OHKO!

Nice.

Archie is heading for Slateport, and I have a fight with Matt! He only has his level 38 Sharpedo, and I have a level 41 Manectric ;D

Red Orb acquired. With my handy dandy Fly, we’re off to Slateport!

“We’re taking your submarine!” “Oh dear where did that voice come from?!” Check your submarine?

Aaand no more submarine. Oops. Will dash back to Lilycove as soon as I take care of these boring ol’ grunts! First one has a Mightyena, level 36, that’s Chickweed’s.

Next grunt leads with Carvanha, level 34. Oleracea takes it out! Next is Golbat, level 34. Fuck it, Oleracea can take this one, too!

Nice, a free trip to Lilycove. A brief explore of the town - apparently an Aqua grunt has 101 Skitty at their parents’ place, and a lovey-dovey couple roleplay as... Lisia and her Altaria... as one does.

Here seems to be a good place to stop!

Current Team

Chickweed the Blaziken | level 48 | male | Blaze | Serious, takes plenty of siestas | Flame Charge, Blaze Kick, Double Kick, Cut | starter

Snowdrop the Mightyena | level 46 | female | Intimidate | Lonely, loves to eat | Ice Fang, Crunch, Odor Sleuth, Rock Smash | found route 101

Sage the Claydol | level 42 | no thank you | Levitate | Bold, sturdy body | Earth Power, Extrasensory, Ancient Power, Dazzling Gleam | found route 111 

Oleracea the Manectric | level 41 | female | Static | Brave, capable of taking hits | Discharge, Volt Switch, Thunder Wave, Bite | found route 118

Sequoia the Gyarados | level 40 | female | Intimidate | Bashful, nods off a lot | Surf, Ice Fang, Bite, Dragon Rage | found route 106

Edelweiss the Skarmory | level 39 | male | Sturdy | Gentle, very finicky | Assurance, Steel Wing, Fly, Swift | found route 113

Reserves

Wattle the Taillow | level 9 | female | Guts | Quirky, alert to sounds | Peck, Growl, Focus Energy, Quick Attack | found Petalburg Woods

Bristlecone the Zigzagoon | level 14 | female | Gluttony | Lonely, good endurance | Tackle, Headbutt, Baby-Doll Eyes, Odor Sleuth | found route 103

Onion the Whismur | level 16 | female | Soundproof | Adamant, likes to relax | Pound, Echoed Voice, Astonish, Howl | found Rusturf Tunnel

Poison Ivy the Tentacool | level 5 | male | Liquid Ooze | Sassy, capable of taking hits | Poison Sting, Supersonic | found Dewford Town

Euphorbia the Makuhita | level 12 | male | Thick Fat | Hardy, capable of taking hits | Focus Energy, Sand Attack, Arm Thrust, Fake Out | found Granite Cave

Lithops the Numel | level 14 | female | Simple | Quiet, likes to run | Tackle, Ember, Focus Energy, Magnitude | found route 112

Rauvolfia the Seviper | level 19 | male | Shed Skin | Careful, impetuous and silly | Poison Tail, Screech, Venoshock, Glare | found route 114

Moraea the Spoink | level 23 | female | Own Tempo |  Quirky, quick tempered | Psybeam, Psych Up, Confuse Ray, Magic Coat | found Jagged Pass

Agapanthus the Pelipper | level 33 | male | Keen Eye | Modest, a little quick-tempered | Water Pulse, Wing Attack, Steel Wing, Quick Attack | found route 104

Rosemary the Latias | level 30 | female | Levitate | Sassy, somewhat vain | Heal Pulse, Dragon Breath, Mist Ball, Psycho Shift | found Southern Island

Milkweed the Beautifly | level 26 | female | Swarm | Lax, somewhat stubborn | Air Cutter, Mega Drain, Silver Wind, Morning Sun | found route 102

Hydrangea the Kecleon | level 25 | male | Color Change | Lonely, often lost in thought | Feint Attack, Psybeam, Ancient Power, Slash | found route 119

Sunflower the Castform | level 30 | female | Forecast | Lax, mischievous Rain Dance, Sunny Day, Hail, Weather Ball | found Weather Institute

Banana the Tropius | level 27 | male | Solar Power | Brave, a little quick tempered | Stomp, Magical Leaf, Whirlwind, Leaf Tornado | found route 120

Uniflora the Shuppet | level 28 | female | Insomnia | Mild, alert to sounds | Will-O-Wisp, Feint Attack, Hex, Curse | found route 121

Monotropa the Duskull | level 28 | female | Levitate | Naughty, loves to eat | Foresight, Shadow Sneak, Pursuit, Will-O-Wisp | found Mt Pyre

Dead

Catnip the Skitty, found route 116, killed by Lass Janice’s Marill in route 116

Daisy the Pikachu, found Slateport City, killed by Archie’s Sharpedo at Mount Chimney