#Former Player

[dailyworldecho]

[shithowdy]

if your "original story/rpg" idea is rooted in the premise of "what if [existing franchise] was good?" then just start over. i am not kidding. your ego is like insulation spray foam being inserted into the cracks of the premise-- sure it fills the gaps, but it's beyond ugly and everyone can see it.

[unkstaarwysbr]

The Force Ghost Effect: Evaluating Team Dynamics and Decision-Making

In a spirited podcast conversation, participants embark on a metaphorical journey, likening the presence of former players or coaches to “Force ghosts” from the Star Wars universe. This captivating metaphor sets the stage for a discussion marked by frustration, strong language, and a collective desire for change. The discourse swiftly transitions to the team’s recent draft pick, James Wiseman.…

[monstrousproductions]

So, I responded to a post over on my personal blog about people behaving "weird" in public and mentioned that being a bit smelly is not, in fact, a moral failure. And I just looked at the comments and feel deeply moved to reiterate:

Smelling bad in public is not a moral failure.

In fact, I'll go one step further:

There is no moral dimension to cleanliness.

There are all sorts of reasons a person might be dirty in public. They might not have access to the facilities or products they need to stay clean, they might be coming home from a dirty activity, they might have mental or physical conditions that make it hard for them to maintain their personal hygiene, they might be dependent on other people for their hygiene needs and those needs aren't being met.

Also, with smells in particular, "bad" is subjective. I'm personally extremely sensitive to perfumes and aftershaves, and while I can sit quite peacefully in a crowded bus that smells of BO, I often have to leave shops or get off buses because someone's perfume, which they no doubt think makes them smell lovely, is actually making me gag.

You don't have to go and huff great, gusting lungfuls of air around the next smelly person you bump into in the corner shop. By all means, breathe through your mouth, change your seat, open the window, wish the situation were different.

But you do need to let go of this idea that a smelly or dirty person is also a bad person. They're literally just a person - just another human animal living in their animal body, trying to get from one day to the next. Sometimes, people are dirty. Sometimes, they smell bad. If that's not something you can encounter without taking personal offence, you need to seriously reassess your own expectations of being in public.

[avianii]

2 seconds later he falls on his face

[lazy-sixteen]

Daniil why would you say that???

Watching Pathologic (classic HD) while on break from suffering in Pathologic 2, and it really struck me how different the first meeting with the Bachelor was in each game.

Pathologic 1, well, only a screenshot can do it justice,

(Yes . . . far be it from me to call myself a person of mystical inclinations. However, when I look at you, I get the feeling that nature is playing jokes on us. It is as if both the left and right hand have clutched the head to realize for the first time they are two parts of a single whole.

>Why?

>I get that feeling too. Does that mean that we are alike?)

That's like the first thing he says to the Haruspex, and while yeah everybody in Pathologic talks like that to a degree, even in game, in character that's a wild thing for Dankovsky specifically to say.

We just spent an entire playthrough as this guy mocking and/or having breakdowns over the existence of the supernatural - especially precognition. And in strolls this 6'2 resting murder-face dude with half-a-medical degree, widely thought to be a serial killer (kinda true), and Dankovsky's like,

"BTW, my heart is telling me we're kinda two halves of the same whole.😊❤️"

Absolutely hilarious. Even funnier is that the Haruspex, grumpy at baseline and currently having the worst day of his life (so far), can agree with him. Great first impression all around!

Then over in Pathologic 2, the Bachelor is high-key fumbling, like fumbling so hard you can get an achievement for it.

Carpetbagger - Remind a colleague of the Hippocratic Oath -- and fail

Not to meme on the guy (who is of course, multi-faceted and at his core deeply altruistic even if he often seems to have trouble expressing that on an individual basis), but initial Pathologic 2 Bachelorencounter is Daniel at his most prickly prick.

He gets Artemy's name wrong (possibly on purpose and definitely twice),

condescendingly demands the Haruspex be his errand boy,

basically calls himself the smartest person in a room of 2,

and can accidentally imply that he left a couple of orphan children to die because he doesn't treat mutts (he actually refused to treat the orphans' dogs).

Yikes - no wonder Artmey spends the first couple of Days taking cheap shots at the guy.

I mean in both Haruspex routes eventually he ends up very friendly with the Bachelor, which makes senses on a thematic level given the some of the Haruspex's major themes/ideals are connection and community. You could say their first meeting was changed to be funnier ("Vorakh") or more in character for the expected tension between two people under a lot of stress who can both be difficult to get along with at baseline

However, what about if we look at it from a meta-narrative level?

While you can play Pathologic 1 as either the Bachelor or the Haruspex on your initial run, it's pretty common knowledge who you are supposed to play first.

"Daniil Danokovsky's Fun Steppe Vacation was just the tutorial for Artemy Burakh's Tormentous Nightmare" - HBomberguy in Pathologic is Genius and Here's Why

This means that the player in Pathologic 1 has already been introduced to Daniil - even if Artmey hasn't - and the game reflects that! You the player know the Bachelor, you've been him, and you probably got really attached after keeping him alive for 12 horrible, horrible days.

Even though you know he can be a bit sanctimonious and dismissive, the player knows he's rational and compassionate and thus already used the evidence at hand to figure out Artemy hasn't killed anybody!

Of course one of the first things you (the player) would want to do as the new protagonist is check on your former avatar, and the game rewards you for it! Talking with the Bachelor on Day 1 as Artemy can raise your reputation - which is super critical. It might be the increase that keeps you from getting hunted in the streets or starving as shops refuse to sell food. What a great first (Second?) impression!!

Daniil's unprompted "hey are we soulmates or is it just me?" line is funny, but meta-narratively it is also true. They are the player's first two avatars, taking turns being puppeted by the same you as protagonists through the same overall story to two opposing conclusions. They are (your) right and left hand. You've played Dankovsky, (you) know this and having previously been the protagonist this new Dankovsky seems to subliminally know this too.

Meanwhile over in Pathologic 2, the only route is the Haruspex - disregarding the Marble Nest (worst day of Dankovsky's life [so far, ad infintuum]) which has enough time fuckery going on that I shall disregard it for this analysis - you can only be Artemy Burakh.

Either under the assumption that the player of Pathologic 2 hasn't played Pathologic 1 or that they've played all of Pathologic 1 including Changeling' Route's extended murder hide and seek between Dankovsky and Burakh, We (the player and Artemy) don't know Daniil when we meet him in Pathologic 2 as anything but the broken man we saw in the depressing into.

Is he our friend this time? Is he our enemy? Whatever he is, he's certainly a sanctimonious prick.

(Today's tragedy won't be the last. I was blessed with a naturally high intelligence, and my observations indicate that a very deadly visitor has come to this god-forsaken town. That's all I can say for now.

>...I don't like you, Bachelor Whatever.)

In Pathologic 2, both the player and Artmey meet Daniil Dankovsky at at his worst, and slowly work-up from there because both of us are meeting, getting to know, and building a relationship with him for the first time.

This is actually parallel to how you first meet the Haruspex in Pathologic 1 as the Bachelor!

If you are playing in the intended order, both the player and Daniil don't know anything about Artmey besides the serial killer rumors, and likewise you meet him at his worst - (in prison and later he murders a young woman to get Daniil the infected heart he needs to try and develop a vaccine). Much like we see the worst of Daniil's classism, arrogance, and inability to connect beyond quid pro quo (hehe, latin) in our Patho2 intro; in Patho1 we initially only see Artemy's standoffishness, brutality, and stubbornness.

Interestingly, following Daniil's themes/ideals of transcendence and rationality we (the player and Daniil) don't actually end up connecting much with Artmey on the Bachelor's route. The player is influenced by the puppet, and why would Dr. Daniil Dankovsky - whose route is plagued by betrayal, manipulation, and the difficulty of connecting to even people who do selflessly care for him (like Eva) - make friends with a violent, possibly dangerous guy who practices a sort of medicine Dankovsky doesn't believe in?

(I couldn't find a good screenshot for this, but mentally insert a picture of Artemy doing a roadside dissection)

Basically if Daniil is the player's protagonist he won't reach out, because in-character why would he?

If Artemy is the player's protagonist, Daniil will try to be friends in Patho1 (because of the player's previous actions affecting both avatars) or in Patho2 Artmey will eventually connect with him because that's in-character for him.

Overall, I suppose this means that Danii's instant and uncharacteristic buddy-buddy attitude with Artemy on the Haruspex route Patho1 is completely justified from a meta-textually narrative, as is his horrific fumbling in Patho2.

And it is also very, very funny.

[scribbly-artist]

Calling it a Night

Summary: You and Viktor have been working late at the lab. But you’re concerned for his health after all these late nighters. You’ll pull him away from his work desk by any means necessary.

Author’s Notes: I let the Arcane brain rot win lmao. Season 2 was dope, I’ve rewatched S1 and I’m making my way through S2 again. I looked up some tickle content for Arcane, and while there isn’t a whole lot, I got sucked in, hard. So he is a little ler!reader fic featuring my favourite inventor/scientist, Viktor. :)

He was a little bit difficult to write for, but after rewatching the show I think I could portray him a little bit accurately. Apologises if not.

*I have written a sequel! If you like this one, here is part two.

Warning: a tickle fic. If you’re not into that, I’d advise not reading.

Words: ~1,400 | AO3 Link

The weight of your head felt like a boulder as you awoke from sleep. You weren’t even sure when you gracefully passed out on your work desk, papers strewn about messily. You swiped at your mouth with the back of your hand, letting out a yawn as you reached up to rub your eyes. Your back felt so stiff, probably from leaning over on the desk. You arched your back as you cracked it. You continued to lift your head in this drowsy state, your eyes looking at the tall, elegant windows. The sight shocked you.

The moon was high up in the sky amongst the stars. But why were you still here so late? Your gaze turned to the left as you shifted in your seat to witness your reason.

Because Viktor was still here, working away.

Both of you were doing some research in the laboratory. Both independent work, but you both enjoyed the pleasure of each other’s quiet company. You helped out Viktor when you could. Whether that be handing him a tool that was just out of reach, or to grab both of you a nice beverage or a snack so he didn’t have to grab his cane and hobble over to the kitchen nearby to do it himself. He apologised every time you went out of your way to do that in particular, but you didn’t mind. You liked caring for him and helping him out.

However, it was getting way too late at night. It looked like even Jayce had already left with no sign of him in the shared lab. You were no stranger to the late nights doing research and experiments - Viktor even more so - but you worried for Viktor’s health as he appeared more tired and pale lately.

You rose from your seat, pacing over to Viktor’s workbench. He didn’t seem to notice your presence behind him. He was heavily focused on carefully putting together a little machine. Something for Hextech, you assumed. You admired how delicately and calmly he could work. You placed a warm hand on his shoulder, making him jump, his head whipping around to look at you with his amber eyes.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you.” You spoke up, alarmed.

“It’s quite alright. Mm, I was just focusing and didn’t hear you get up.” He reached up to put his own hand on top of yours. “You must be tired - I could hear you snoring earlier.”

Your cheeks flushed at his comment. “We should really get going. The moon is already out, and it looks like it’s been for a while.” You gazed out the window.

“Just for a bit longer, it’s nearly complete.” He replied, his hand slipping away from yours as his head turned back to the pieces of metal in front of him.

“Viktor, I know you’re no stranger to all-nighters. But if you keep working, your body will shut down. You haven’t gotten a lot of rest lately,” Your mind wandered as you spoke. “I could see how tired your eyes looked. Surely you can finish this first thing tomorrow.” Your other hand joined his opposite shoulder, gliding your palms on top of them. He hummed at the touch. Maybe you could convince him to stop and leave with a bit of comfort. But he shook his head, his hand reaching up to scratch the back of his neck.

“It is indeed tempting. And I appreciate your concern. But this will only take, eh, twenty more minutes or so.” His hands went back to work, picking up a screwdriver to carefully tighten a screw. You let out a sigh at his reply, leaning back on your heels, hands still on his shoulders. You pondered for a minute. If he can’t pull himself away from his work, you would have to do it by force. Literally.

“You’re so stubborn, you know that?” You pointed out as your hands slipped down from his shoulders to grip under his arms near his ribs. You felt his body jump at the touch as you attempted to physically pull him away from his desk. “If I have to pick you up like a toddler, I will.” Your hands slipped under his arms as you pulled some more. You got as far as lifting his elbows off the bench before you heard a noise leave his mouth.

“Hahaha— please, do not grab me there. Please, be patient. I won’t be much longer.” He steeled himself from laughing anymore than that, resting his elbows back on the table as he continued to work.

You heard his laugh and felt his body jump when you previously grabbed him. You started connecting the dots in your head, devising a plan.

Your hands dropped down from under his arms to his sides instead, dragging your fingers along the way. He jumped and twitched at the touch, stifling any noise before it left his mouth. “What was that laughing about, Viktor? Is something funny?”

He started to slowly catch on. “No, it was nothing of concern. Please, disregard it.” He was aware of your fingers being dangerously close to his sides. His body went stiff as a board.

“I think it was something else. And I think it’s our ticket out of here, Viktor.” You replied as your index fingers started to draw ticklish circles into his sides, his skin quivering under your touch.

He took in a breath, steeling himself. It was hard to concentrate and not react now that you’ve already started tickling him. But if he stayed calm, he could will himself to concentrate. He didn’t dare speak, as even replying to your comment would make his focus slip. He tried to distract himself by tinkering on his little machine, but even that was difficult.

You added more fingers as drawing circles turned into scribbling into his sides. A grin plastered itself on your face. You knew that if you kept going, he’d have to give in. You glanced over to view his arms, his elbows already shaking. It was taking every ounce of willpower within in to not turn around and grip your wandering hands by the wrists.

“You’re forcing my hand, Viktor. I’m doing this for your own good.” You warned as your hands slid up to his ribs, gently tickling between the bones through his vest.

Viktor’s body shook, his hands pausing but still gripping onto the machine and the screwdriver in his hands. He shut his eyes, leaning forward to try to get away from your touch. But your hands simply followed, pinching his ribs. He let out a laugh, he could no longer hold his reactions in.

“Pleahahahase, I j-just need to tighten some more screws— haha!” Quiet laughter escaped Viktor, his shoulders shaking. You couldn’t help but laugh alongside him, his sweet laughter you never got to hear often was quite contagious.

“Trust me; you can do it tomorrow. C’mon now, let’s go home.” You punctuated your sentence by quickly moving your hands to wiggle your fingers under his arms. Viktor let out a loud bout of laughter, quickly rising from his seat and grabbing ahold of your wrists, swiveling around on his heels. He met your smirking face.

“Alright, ohohokay, I believe you have made your point,” He stated, taking in a couple of breaths to rid of the residual laughter. “We will do some more tomorrow. Let’s go rest up, and maybe even have some tea?” He suggested as he let go of your wrists and shifted, grabbing his cane from off the side. You nodded as you started to leave with him, walking side by side.

“I’ll make us some chamomile tea when we get back. It’ll make us well rested and we’ll have lots of energy for more experiments tomorrow.” The rhythmic thump, thump, thump of his cane soothed you as you both walked together, matching his pace as to not leave him behind.

“Certainly. Mm, just before that though, so you’re aware. I’ll be getting you back tenfold for all of that.” As his words left his mouth, you thought you had misheard him. Your gaze darted to his face, a small but confident smile on his lips.

Uh oh.

You could feel a little bit of sweat collect on your forehead as your face turned red.

[chasedeys]

joemarr pinky shake except joe's not even fully on screen 😔

[captainbuzzard]

man reverberating was such a funny mod.

during this inning the first ken drew a walk, stole second, then got caught stealing third before the second ken walked, the third ken arrived and drew another walk, the second stole third base, and finally the fourth ken arrived and this screenshot was taken.

[ghostlyeris]

thats!! our!! point guard!!

[cryinginthedeep]

vince and yanni - both yappers and sin bin regulars, welcome back kraken hockey! STL @ SEA • October 08, 2024

[mcelquotes]

Is trombones the opposite of ASMR?

Griffin McElroy

[atwhughesversion]

🥲<3

[bearinabandana]

Twelve is sooo a cello girlie you have no idea

[evermoredeluxe]

Taylor at the Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on December 10, 2023 (x)

[diemannschaftblr]

@/bastianschweinsteiger: 10 years, 10 pictures, endless memories 🏆🇩🇪 @/dfb_team