#Guys mlp wasn’t even near this

[sherbetstudios]

a friend gifted me omori on steam and I think I surpassed the mortal realm this is a whole other field of happiness how does one express it

[spadesncrows]

ok so abt that au i was talking abt before,,, 🥺👉👈

To start off, this is something I’ve had in the back of my mind for quite a bit that I haven’t been able to fully express and show due to reasons I’ll mention later. This project has lowkey given me some brainrot so I hope my words don’t just sound like I’m going clinically insane LMAOO i swear I’m so definitely normal abt my aus guys (denial)

Dead Casino is a twst au I’ve had for a while but has been on the backburner for being very unfinished. However, since it’s a little (keyword: little) bit more fleshed out, I think I can at least give a general summary on the concept !! :D

First off, the concept behind it was a direct inspiration from mlp infection aus I’ve seen on insta. Since mlp was a large chunk of my childhood and certain variants of horror had become an interest of mine as of late, I liked the idea of mixing them together. But—of course—when I enjoy something just enough, it eventually becomes a feeling of “how can I forcefully throw it in with my current obsession into the mind equivalent of a blender” and Dead Casino was the smoothie that came out of it. Essentially, the resulting foundation is that NRC experiences a zombie apocalypse, but as with most things I obsess over, I wanted to build on that.

To get into the nitty gritty of it first, there’s a few core things abt the infection that basically effect not only what the characters face, but the story itself:

The infection is primarily based off of blot, and the concept of it using something/someone as a vessel to control and harm others

While blot zombies are the most common creature plaguing the school, blot has the capability to take over different objects as well when under specific circumstances, which leads to the creation of (mostly) nonhuman blot infested monsters

Over-accumulation of blot can lead to an increased vulnerability to the infection. This especially targets those that have overblotted prior to the outbreak, even if they had seemingly “fully recovered” :)

As for the story, I don’t wanna get super into it just bc yknow spoilers, but the general overview is relatively simple(ish). Basically, it folllows Ace and the rest of his group of survivors (mostly Cater, Trey and Jade) after the initial outbreak on campus. I wanna say anywhere from a month to a month and a half?? Basically enough time to be at least a little more accustomed to everything going on if that makes sense !!

Ace and co. take refuge in classrooms near the cafeteria, but just like everyone else, is not allowed to leave the safezone unless permitted. Surprise surprise, he leaves the safezone not permitted. In fact he does this multiple times through the first couple chapters alone. And the whole story.

But essentially, Ace manages to figure out two things the first time he leaves the safezone in the prologue:

That there are living survivors in Heartslabyul trapped there under the rule of their infected housewarden, which—by extension—likely means the situation may be the same in other dorms

That both Deuce Spade and Grim—who he hadn’t seen since the outbreak and assumed were dead—were actually alive and MIA.

And that basically kickstarts the rest of the story !! The main group infiltrates different dorms in the hopes of reconnecting with any survivors, all while trying to solve the mystery of their old friends’ whereabouts :)

Now the reason why a good chunk of this au was pretty much kept under wraps was for one main reason specifically: I had zero clue how to present it.

My initial thought was “oh!! Fanfic :3” and then it scrambled into “…comic? Animation? No?? Both?? Neither??”

…and then it kinda just sat there. I had the story, I had the idea, I had the biggest brainrot, but no way to properly explain or show it. And then I got the thought that plagues me every single time—at least once—I join a fandom: make it a video game.

At first, i wasn’t going to. But then it clicked into place just a bit too well and the ideas kept coming together and it wouldn’t stop and now we’re here :3

More specifically, Dead Casino is gonna be portrayed as a desktop game ^^ (i took like two game dev classes, sue me /j)

here’s some ideas for different mechanics I thought of including !! They’re all on my spam blog, but I have a third blog in the works rn where I’ll have all the info organized eventually :3

[1], [2], [3]

And here’s some irl doodles I’ve made for this!! These are beta designs and the like for different characters and stuff !! (Tw for body horror, knifes and guns, lmk if I need to add any more warnings ^^)

[robin-writes-and-such]

A silly man! Pony OC!!!

So this guy was made for a oneshot rp im doing with my friends, in which our party are the new replacements for the elements of harmony and the one rule is “interpret the element totally differently from the mane 6”

Lore below 👇

AMANITE AND DOUGHBOY DONT READ THIS!!!

Persiflage

MLP ONESHOT CHARACTER

Alias: Void

Former aliases: Percy, Scourge, Curse, Jinx, Hex, Karma

He/him

Aroacespec

The ultimate edgy pony

26hy

Void is a unicorn with an almost entirely black mane and pelt, (minus a few gray and white flecks here and there) and astonishingly pale blue eyes. The colour of his magic is a yellowish orange, which is a stark and jarring contrast to his depressing gothic colour scheme. He is silent and stoic, frankly quite intimidating, and seemingly judgemental. His cutie mark is a clock with a smiley face on it, which feels incredibly ominous and threatening. While unicorns are by nature somewhat tall, at least in comparison to their winged counterparts, Void towers over most ponies, being the size of a larger earth pony (earth ponies are typically the size of draft horses). He rarely speaks apart from the odd snarky or sarcastic comment.

Special talent

Of course after reading this description you probably have many questions, but one big one. Why the hell is this guy the element of laughter??? Well, first of all, with him being so stoic and serious, anything he does that isn’t serious is inherently funny because it’s unexpected. But that alone shouldn’t be enough to qualify him, right? You’re correct. You see, like every other pony, he has a special talent. And his special talent happens to be comedic timing. He has a magical sense that allows him to sense when there’s an opportunity for something funny or ironic to happen, and through magic and fate he makes it happen. He doesn’t even have to intentionally try, any time there is an opportunity for something funny around him he somehow inadvertently causes a butterfly effect that makes it happen.

Namesake

The word Persiflage can refer to a type of tongue in cheek humour that is easily misinterpreted as mean spirited when it is only meant to be humorous- similar to how Void himself is misinterpreted as mean and intimidating, when in reality his sole purpose is comedy. This poor man is just a misunderstood comedic chaos magnet.

Tragic backstory

Of course our man’s gotta have a backstory!!

Persiflage (nicknamed Percy) grew up in a very small community, a rowdy and excitable young colt. Despite his affinity for attracting chaos, He had a loving family, friends, and a comfortable life. He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. One day, a travelling comedy act came to town- featuring famous comedian John Mullmaney! Percy became obsessed with comedy, wanting nothing more than to make others laugh. Unfortunately, he bombed over and over. Every one of his jokes fell flat. Until one day, after telling a horrendous joke… “why did the banana call in sick? Because he wasn’t PEELING well!!!” To which nobody laughed, he began to sadly walk away when he slipped on a discarded banana peel, flying into the air. Everyone laughed at the irony and comedic timing of this situation, and in that moment Percy discovered his special talent- comedic timing! Maybe he wasn’t bringing disaster everywhere he went, but comedy! For a while he delighted in making ponies laugh, but like most comedians, he took a joke too far. Only in the MLP universe you don’t get cancelled, you get exiled and/or ostracized. A small filly ended up losing a leg in an incredibly comedic incident. The thing is, Percy can’t control his own power and inclination towards comedy. He just inadvertently makes it happen. Even if it means catching a young pony in a rockslide by accident. He became synonymous with disaster, a jinx, and ostracized. He decided it would be best if he moved away from home, to where he couldn’t hurt the people he cared about. He knew the only way he could exist on peace was to live near ponies that had the legendary plot armour, and couldn’t be harmed by flawless comedic timing. Luckily protagonists aren’t difficult to find, especially when princess celestia and the elements of harmony spend a suspicious and unnecessary amount of time in one place, and so he moved to ponyville.

[globophobicligyrophobiccontent]

MLP Eg Fanfiction: We can still party

By: Sannaturek at AO3

April is almost near again.

Wow, he really can't believe another full year of life is here again. And within weeks from his birthday, Snail can't avoid feeling happy, and scared...

As normal, a certain happy pink girl wants to throw Snails a birthday party at the park near Canterlot High. She usually does this for everyone, every year.

Usually this wouldn't be a problem, who wouldn't enjoy a good birtyday with friends, food, color and music? Snails didn't.

The social pressure for that day was big for him, since Snails wasn't exactly a fan of attention. Also, BALLOONS.

This was something he didn't tell anyone, even his best friend, Snips. But, balloons? Why would someone ever be scared of balloons? I tell you why, from Snails perspective, those weren't the nice party decorations and toy that everybody see. Oh no, balloons are something straight up from hell, noisy, squeaky and even worse, explosive demons.

The mere presence of balloons at his visual range put him in alert mode, waiting there and never knowing when those demons in disguise will pop loudly and unexpectedly. He just couldn't handle the noise and surprise.

Someone like him, who a time ago worked for someone as important as Sunset Shimmer, couldn't get the privilege of being scared of something as pitiful as a balloon. Also, the fact of being scared of it was not meaningful enough. Snails think you would (and should) laugh at him for that, that it's ok if you do. So he just pretend everyone is ok, every time, every year.

And with some like Pinkie Pie at you school, evade them isn't as easy as pie as can be sometimes.

He himself sometimes fell like the pressure it's at it's limits and wants to tell someone, but he's not in the mood for people to laugh at his fear, and with something as silly as a balloon. Years lf pressure just accumulated inside him.

Maybe someday, someone will know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

*After school, in the corridors*

*Snips: Hey dude, that important day is coming sooooon! How do you feel about it? I'm already looking for another perfect gift this year.

-Snails: Hey, you are right, thanks for that! But, well, fine I guess...

*S: Hey my guy, are you ok now? Every year since I knew you it's the same with you and feeling down. It's the seasonal flu taking you down this days?

-S: No! Of course no, I'm not, I'm completely fine! Whatdoyoumean?

*S: We should talk to Pinkie so she gets time to get everything ready and starts party planning. Where do you feel like doing your birthday this time? Last year near the lake was amazing! And now the field at the park near the school it's pretty and it's big, so we can get good places, but Pinkie should know better and(...)

As soon as Snails heard 'Pinkie' and 'Party Planing' his mind got down the clouds and reacts clear and loud (With a nervous touch on his voice)

-S: No! I mean, n-no, I thinks it's kinda early to get ready, and I want something small this year. I know Pinkie isn't that kind of p-party planner but we- I! I can make it work...

*S: Ok, if you feel like that... Heeey... Your voice is weird, are you stuttering? It's everything ok up there? *Snips says and point to Snails head*

-S: Y-yes! Everything is fine all right! *He says while walking slower and straighting up his gaze*.

*S: Dude, friend, guy, Snails, I know I usually not the type of person to tell you this, but if you feel bad inside, don't doubt to tell me, I'm your best friend, the cream to your berry, the flesh of your nail, the, the, well you know. The point is that we are friends since like, forever! There's nothing I can't do for you and I'll be there when something is wrong.

For a moment as he heard this words, Snails felt a little relief in his body, now moving a little faster, enough to catch up Snips.

-S: Thanks Snips, actually I really needed to hear that...

*S: It's nothing... Heeeeey why frown faces? Wanna go eat something now? I heard of a new sandwich place near here!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Snails didn't even noticed how 2 weeks flew by, and he was a day away from his birthday. The only important things about his birthday that he remembered from it('Cause he most part of the time, the anxiety of thinking about his party, people and the balloons made him dissociate) was thas Pinkie asking him for cake flavors (He answer dark chocolate and strawberries), a theme for the party(As normal, Spring Days) and the decorations(This wasn't a lot in discussion since we know the Pinkie Style, but she just wants to be sure the day is perfect for everyone).

Snails didn't told anyone about the balloons yet, since just thinking about it makes him dizzy. But when he got out of his classroom during lunch, he saw Pinkie carrying balloons to an all purpose classroom that wasn't being used. He got light headed just from seeing that, knowing what's coming tomorrow. So he and Snips ended up eating too little near the windows, in a table that nobody usually uses because it's far from the other table's at the cafeteria.

Snips knew now that something it's not ok now, because Snails only ask to eat in that table just when he feels bad or sick in some way and want to get away from people. Snips didn't want to bother Snails since felt that he already was having a hard time, so he didn't say anything during lunch.

At the end of the classes, Snail saw Pinkie Pie near the auditorium with her friends, she was waving very fast at him, clearly saying hi and wanting him to notice. He nervously waved and said hi, then rapidly proceed to go away, almost running to the entrance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That night, as every night before, Snails dreamed about how he was bullied in his old school. Classmates popping balloons usually to scare him, leaving him behind, and no adult doing anything to stop it. Even Snips was there, just saying how lame he was.

In that moment, his phone sounds an alarm and wakes him up. Clearing out his eyes and drinking a glass of water, he saw the calendar, April 12, his birthday. Ok, he clears his mind for today. His parents made him breakfast, and give him a gift, the jacket that he wanted! Amazing!

The day at school goes as every year, everyone saying happy birthday, some people and even teachers giving little gifts, and even his classroom was decorated with green streamers, his favorite color. For now he didn't saw any balloons, so he was pretty calm.

As usual, at lunch, Pinkie Pie get up and says:

-P: HEY EVERYBODY, LET'S SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A VERY SPECIAL PERSON TODAY! AND WISH OUR FRIEND SNAILS A VERY HAPPY DAY!

Everyone sings happy and Snails it's just flustered from all the attention, even a little tired, but he knows the intentions are the best, so he puts on his best happy face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the end of the classes, as usual in a birthday, Pinkie goes to talk to Snail.

-P: Hey birthday boooy! How was everything going?! I hope great because now it's just time to get better!

As he laughed, he noticed Snips wasn't with them anymore, and before hes can ask something, Pinkie blindfolds him, leading them to as he can feel, grassy, windy terrain. When Pinkie stops and get the green fabric out of his eyes, he sees 'a lot' of people (for him everything it's a lot so don't take his opinion in count)

-¡SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SNAILS! WOHOO! YAAY WOOO!

A desolate part of the park was nicely decorated he saw a lot of friends and classmates that Pinkie probably just invited, Snips was there, with a big box that looks like a gift, there was foods, drinks, a table full of gifts, another with activities to play, and BALLOONS, there weren't a lot, but yes a considerably big number, nothing that he could handle, or that's what he thought....

The party went as usual, just inner interruptions for Snails everytime a balloon popped, because someone accidentally popped it, or the wind put it in a spiky zone. He had to downplayed it saying he had hiccups or something similar. The food and drinks were delicious as always, the gifts were amazing, and even the games were fun, the cake was so tasty, the people invited was giving him proper personal space. It was actually a pretty nice afternoon for Snails.

It was almost time to go.

For a moment, he noticed Pinkie Pie disappeared, making him a little anxious. But when she came back, a chill ran down his spine. Pinkie Pie brought a bag full of inflated balloons, and began to distribute them to everyone there. Snails, reluctantly, picked one of the balloon Pinkie gave him. Faking the best smile he could at this point, he looked at Snips trying to say help me out with his eyes, but Snips was too excited for the games to understand undertones. He was hyperventilating and sweating like crazy at this point, but nobody noticed with all the voices talking and sounds of the exterior. He felt like crying, but he wasn't going to demonstrate weakness in front of his best friends, and not in his birthday, not for some stupid balloons.

-P: Ok everybody, last new game here! I gave everyone of you a balloon! Inside every balloons there's tiny paper with a number! When I say go, you can pop your balloons and check wich numbers you get! Then before you leave, look at the table over there and check with prize you got! I hope you have fun with this one!

Now making weird faces of disgustand fear, and with his legs shaking, Snails took some steps back before everything started. Snips noticed it and tried to follow him, but at the moment he moved, Pinkie gave the signal:

-P: OK EVERYONE! START! YOU CAN POP THE BALLOONS!

*POP*pop*Pop* *poP*pop*Pop*

Balloon after balloons popping. This never happened to, this new game was like a torture, why? This was never necessary, why now? Why at HIS party? He remembered his old school, the inferno was here again. It was too much for Snail to take. The people, the sudden noise, the commotion. His heart was almost running away, the pops keep going as some people struggles. Snails starts to hyperventilate, sweaty, and feels dizzy again, but a different type of dizzy.

*S: Snails? Everything fine? Hey are you ok? You are not popping your balloon *Pop* (Snips pop his balloons)

Snails can't do it anymore, his eyes got black, he felt light, he was falling, the last thing he hears it's Pinkie calling his name.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Snails wakes up again, he's sitting in a chair, and Twilight it's checking he's not hurt or anything bad. As she inspects, Snails and Pinkie are by his side, everyone is gone already. "Oh yeah, the party was almost over", it's the thing he first remember.

-Twi: It's ok guys, he's completely fine. I'm pretty sure this was just a panic attack, nothing else, but I will stay a little more just in case. Just talk a little down until he gets better, can you try, Pikie?

-P: Heeeey buddy, it's everything ok? You got me really scared right there...

*S: Snails! You're ok again(!) What was that? Do you feel fine? You scared us everyone there.

-S: Y~yeah, I'm fine, I don't know what happened...

While inspecting the surroundings with the eyes, he notices the green balloon Pinkie gave him in the game, at the table with his gifts, looking a little more and, he noticed there were some balloons attached to his chair. At the mere sight of this, Snails gets another shiver, and gets a gulp of saliva. Even when he tries to fake it, Twilight noticed it.

-Twi: I think I have and theory, but I think it's better that Snails tells you...

As Twilight says that, the three of them look at Snails. We sll think it's time for the revelation, he thinks.

-S: I-I really feel ashamed to say this, and even worse now that I ruined my party...

-P: No no no, don't say that, anything was ruined, the party was ending anyways, but if you feel like theres something to tell us, it's up to you buddy. I just want to evade you from hurting again. But if you don't wanna tell us it's completely fine and valid...

*S: Snails, remember what I told you two weeks ago, I'm your best friend, and I'll do anything for you, you can tell me everything and if you feel like having a secret, it's ok! But remember, me and Pinkie will do anything to make sure you are having a great time... We will listen...

-S: Ok, I guess this is for the best of everyone. Even when it sounds ridiculous, I hope this helps... I'm, kinda, well, mot kinda, very very scared, afraid of .... balloons...

Pinkie and Snips look at each other for a moment, then look at the chair, and the at Twilight, and when the two understand, said "Oooooooh" at unison. After that they let Snails talk again.

-S: It's just, I don't like the noise that they make when they pop, it's loud and unexpected. And I don't like that kind of stuff, makes me feel very nervous. Even when I'm looking at them I'm scared because you never know when a balloon can pop, and, and... Ok I think I talked enough, if you feel like laughing it's ok and I understand it, even I would laugh of myself... I feel so stupid and ashamed for this, I'm sorry I should...

Pinkie gives Snails a second to let his tears flow, she can see how Snails was keeping this up for himself for a long time, he didn't hsve anyone to vent his feelings. Snips gives Snails a paper napkin to clean the tears. When he calms down, the friends talk again.

-P: So, that's it? You are scared of balloons? I know you might find this weird coming from me, but it's completely fine! Your feeling are completely normal little dude! You don't have to be ashamed of everything, it's completely ok to have fears, even when we thought they're ridiculous. You should have told me before! Ooh geez I'm the one that should be apologizing! I'm the one who always plans this parties! I'm so sorry I didn't know! An I didn't take you in count. I'm sorry Snails! Accept my apologies, no more balloons in the parties I know you will be! Oh and I'm sorry for the "special" chair...

-S: You don't have anything to apologize for, Pinkie, you didn't know a I didn't told you, I'm the one who's sorry. And thanks for your statement, it make me feel more comfortable now.

*S: And with me, you think that I would make fun of you because of that? I'm your friend, I'm gonna understand you and be with you at the best and the worst, I'm not making fun of you for anything, it's ok to have fears. To make you feel better, I also have some silly fears, like high places or bears! You see, we can trust each other as always!

-S: Well, I guess we can do it, thanks for sharing that with me.

As they were talking, Twilight step into the conversation.

-Twi: I know it's very soon, but when you feel confident enough, you can let me know so I can put a little bit of my knowledge at work. You can let me know your feelings, and if you feel like it, a step by step exposure therapy. It may not cure you, but I can assure you that you'll not faint in another event. Like a little counselor program.

-S: Yeah, that sounds great, thanks, thanks to everyone for help me out. But, can we keep this a secret for now? I'm still not comfortable with people knowing this..

"Of course, yeah!" The three says.

After that, they help Snails with his gifts and Snips goes with him to assure he gets home safely.

Snails sleeps that night with much less nightmared he usually have this day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3 months later, in one of the celebrations of Canterlot High, theres balloons almost everywhere, classrooms, corridors, cafeteria, etc. And it's almost time for lunch.

*S: Aaand, usually I don't ask this, but, how's everything going with Twilight? It's working?

-S: Yes, I'm feeling a lot better now, and we are making progress and-

*pop* (He hears a balloon popping near, but start shaking again)

*S: It's ok dude, you got this, you got us.

-S: Thanks Snips.

[popculturebuffet]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990 Review: Still Possesses Turtle Power After All These Years

Cowabunga all you happy people! I freaking love the Teenage Ninja Turtles. I grew up with it from Turtles in Time, which was my first video game, to the 2003 cartoon, which I covered the first three episodes of last month, and on to present day as I re-read the idw comics after finally reading the original eastman and laird run of mirage, and impatiently waiting for Shredder’s Revenge to come out after a LONG drout of no good TMNT games. I”m a fan of these heroes four, their dynamic as a family, the endless possiblities that come from it’s long history and ablitlity to go anywhere in any genre, and the wonderful goofy shit that happens when you have a franchise about mutant turtles learning ninjitsu from a rat and fighting a dude covered in knife covered samurai armor. 

So with me finally covering the guys after almost a year last month and with a new movie set to debut at some point this year, I had the bright idea to revisit the FIRST TMNT movie after way too many years of not watching it. This movie is anear and dear to my heart: When I first started getting into the boys big as a kid with the 2003 cartoon, I badly wanted more turtles. But back then it wasn’t nearly as easy to glom onto some more of the sewer shock pizza kings: Streaming sites with all the cartoons on them weren’t all that accesable, dvd’s were expensive for the 87 cartoon, Mirage wasn’t reprinting the comics in any meaningful way and my local comic shop didn’t have any at all and I could only play the SNES when my brother had it set up on occasion like at our Grandma’s farm. 

As you probably guessed though there was one exception: the original 1990 movie, which I got at Walmart for 5 bucks and haven’t let go of since. It was one of my first dvds and is still one of my most precious. Said film hit the spot just right as like my beloved 2003 series, it was a mildly goofy but still fucking cool adaptation that stuck closer to the mirage comics, even more than the 2003 series would, while taking a few queues from the 87 series. This film is as precious to me as the 2003 series and a with a brand new movie coming up, I figured it was the exact right time to dig into this classic: what makes it still good to this day, what’s fun to point and laugh at, and how the heck Jim Henson got involved in this. So join me under the cut as I take a look at my boys first theatrical outing and why I still love watching a turtle. 

No One Wanted To Make This: Before we get into the film itself some background. As usual I struggled a bit, but thankfully found some help in the form of this Hollywood Reporter article.  It’s a fascinating read worth your time, providing an oral history of the film from the people who worked on it. 

The film was the baby of Gary Propper, a surfer dude and road manager for the prop comic Gallagher, aka that guy who used to smash watermelons but now has instead opted to smash what little’s left of his career by being a homophobic douchenozzle. He found an ally in Showtime producer Kim Dawson who’d produced Gallagher’s special. I don’t think there will be more of an 80′s sentence than “Gallagher’s surfer dude agent wanted to make a teenage mutant ninja turtles movie”. Propper was a huge fan of the comics, and with Dawson’s help convinced Laird and Eastman to let them option it to studios. 

It may come as a shock to you but the road agent for a homophobic watermelon man and a producer at a niche cable channel wanting to make a movie based on an underground comic book about masked turtles at a time when the two most recent comic book movies were Superman IV: The Quest for Peace and Howard the Duck, did not go well. Every door in Hollywood got slammed in their face, even Fox> Even the eventual backer of the film, Golden Harvest, a hong kong action film studio, took months to convince to actually back the film. 

Things did not get easier from there: The films writer Bobby Herbeck had trouble getting a story agreed on because Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s working relationship had deteroiated horribly from the stress so naturally the two could not agree on a damn thing and argued with each other. Peter Laird  made a tense siutation even worse by constnatly sniping at Herbeck and feeling he was a “Hollywood outsider infringing on his vision and characters”

Granted the script was apparently not great... but Pete still comes off as a pretnetious ass who views his weird indie comic as THE HIGHEST OF HIGH CALLINGS HOW DARE YOU SOIL IT. And continued to be kind of a prick like this throughout the rest of his time with the property. 

Thankfully the film found i’ts voice, vision and director in Steve Barron. Barron was a music video guy who knew the producers and while reluctant, eventually dove into the project rightfully thinking the film would need to be a mix of the mirage comics and 87 cartoon, keeping aprils’ reporter job, the turtles lvoe of pizza and their iconic color coding from the cartoon but adapting several stories from the comics as the backbone of the film. The guys liked barron MUCH better and things ran smoother. 

Barron also brought in one of the film’s biggest selling points and it’s most valuable asset: it’s triumphantly awesome Jim Henson costumes. Barron had worked with good old Jim on the music videos for Labyrinth, and while it took some convincing since the comics were violent as hell and that wasn’t Jim’s style, Barron eventually got him on board. This naturally doubled the budget, but given Henson’s costumes STILL hold up today and look better than the cgi used in the platinum dunes films... it was a good call. And this was brand new tech for jim, having to invent tons of new ideas and mechanisms just to make the things work, and said things still were absolute hell on the actors. Jim later ended up not liking the film for being too violent... which I find hilarious given how many muppets got eaten or blowed up real good on his show but regardless, I thank this legendary and wonderful man as without him this film WOULD NOT have worked. The costumes here look great, feel realistic, and you can’t tell the actors were dubbed much less horribly suffering in those suits. Much like Disney Land. 

The film would get picked up for distribution by New Line, and despite i’ts weird as hell origins and the long shot it had.. the film was a MASSIVE hit at the box office, owing to a combination of Batman 89 the previous year having proved comic book movies can work for audiences, the cartoon’s runaway sucess, and a massive marketing campaign. The film made it’s mark. So now we know how we got here let’s get into the film itself. 

What’s the Story Morning Glory?:

So the story for this one is largely cobbled together from some of the more notable arcs Eastman and Laird did before handing off the book to others full time as the stress of the company and the mounting tension with each other made it near impossible to work together on the book itself. 

To Save time i’m just going through what hte movie takes from the comics plot wise now to save me the trouble later:The movie takes elements from the first issue (The Turtles, Splinter and Shredder’s backstories, Shredder being fully human and the main antagonist, Shredder’s design and the final rooftop showdown that results in Shredder’s death), second and third, (April’s apartment over her dad’s old store and the turtles moving in when their home is ransacked and splinter has gone missing), the rapheal micro series (A tounge in cheek way of cashing in on the Mini-Series craze of the 80s, a one shot by modern standards and something that’s tragically been underused as an idea as only TMNT and MLP have used the idea at IDW, Raph meeting casey and their fight with one another), the return of shredder arc (One of the turtles being ambushed and mobbed by the foot and then thrown though a sky light (Leo in the comic and Raph here), the turtles being horribly outnumbered by them, Casey coming ot the rescue and metting the non-raph turtles for the first time, and them being forced to escape when the place goes up in flames), their exile to northampton (April writing in a journal, casey working on a car with one of the guys and one of hte guys looking over hteir injured brother), and finally, their triumphant return which was very loosely adapted as there are no deformed shredder clones and shredder not being dead yet in this version was not brought back by a colony of super science worms. 

So as for how this all comes together: Our story takes place in New York: A crimewave is high with muggings mysterious. There are a ton of phantom thefts going around and at most people have been seeing teens responsibile. And the police.. are at about this level of useful:

The only person doing something is April O’Neil, played by Judith Hoag. Hoag is easily the standout of the film, giving us a strong, confident woman with a wonderful sense of humor. She honestly might be my faviorite April O Neil, and given we’ve had some great ones with 2003, 2012 and Rise, that’s not something I say lightly. I honestly wish I’d recognized her in more stuff as she was both on Nashville and the mom in the Halloween Town films, and most recently was on the ScFy show the magicians. She’s a talented lady and i’m glad she’s still goin. 

April is a reporter for Channel 3 like the cartoon, though for some weird reason her boss from the cartoon is replaced by Charles Pennigton, played by Jay Patterson, whose currently dealing with his troubled son Danny, played by Micheal Turney. Pennington is horribly useless at both jobs: At work he tries to ease April off calling out Chief Sterns, who refuses to listen to April’s evidence gathered from japanese immigrants that the crimes resemble similar ones in japan in favor of trying to get charles to shut her up. Danny meanwhile is a member of the foot becase his dad thinks shouting out him and talking about him like he’s not there and generally being a dipstick will actually do anything to help him. 

I love the concept for the foot here. In addition to being a Ninja Violence Gang as always, they now recruit new members by finding kids without families or with troubled family lives and giving them a sense of family with the foot, and sweeting the bargin with a giant cave filled with arcade machines, a skate ramp and general late 80′s early 90′s kids goodies. Is it rediculous? Yes. Is it also clever as it gives Shredder an easy army of plausably deniable theives that he can pick the best out of to put in his elite that will be tirelessly loyal to him and him alone? Also yes. 

So April being public about this stuff gets her attacked, which naturally leads to our heroes coming in, first in the shadows and later directly when April wont’ give up on the case and Shredder sends some ninjas to go shut her up.. which he does weirdly as the guy jsut slaps her and tells her to cut it out like he’s on a domestically abusive episode of Full House. Raph saves her, and we get the turtles origin.. though weirdly they cut it in half. We get the ooze portion but Splinter’s past with Saki, Saki’s murder of his master and his master’s partern Tang Shen is left for later in the film and the fact Shredder’s saki is treated as a big twist despite the fact the biggest audience for the film would be kids... and kids would’ve been familiar with the cartoon where the giant brain monster routinely screeches out saki at the shredder. Maybe Barron just thought he was an alcoholic I don’t know. It just would’ve made more sense to have it all at once and let the audeince put it together. 

April becomes good friends with the turtles over a night of frozen pizza and camradrie, but the Splinters return home to find it ransacked, Splinter kidnapped by the foot, and are forced to Stay with april. Charles meanwhile tries to get April to backoff because he made a deal with the police to clear Danny’s record, without TELLING her any of this mind you, but I will save my rage on that little plot point for in a bit as Danny who he drug along sees the turtles and tells the Shredder. 

So we get the return of the shredder arc as Raph goes through a window, our heroes fight valiantly, and Raph’s friend Casey who he met earlier shows up, the two having bonded as all true friends do.. by beating the shit out of each other ending with raph shouting DAMNNNNNNN really big and dramatically into the sky for some reason. The Turtles and friends escape with an injured raph from April’s burning second hand store. She had a second hand store it was poorly established and only there because she had it in the comics. 

Our heroes retreat to a farm April’s grandma owned in Northampton, Massachutes, where Mirage was located at the time the original comics where they were exiled to the place were written and a location that has been a staple of the turtles ever since. The turtles slowly recover, lick their wounds, talk about who hooked up with who on gilligans island etc, before Leo connects with Splinter via meditation, who tells them to come back. Splinter also starts to connect with Danny and convinces him to swtich sides.. or at the very least squat in the boys old home. 

The boys return home, find danny, and prepare, Danny goes back and ends up giving away the Turtles are home.. but the turtles are ready and in an awesome sequence kick the fuck out of the foot squad sent for them with some well prepared steam vents. Casey goes to get splinter since Danny told them and with Danny’s help, finds him, since Danny found out they were gonna kill him. Casey beats up Tatsu, shredder’s right hand man, and they get him out. 

We get our final fight which is awesome up until the climax.. which is splinter casually tripping shredder with nunchucks and thier bloody history being kind of rushed and unsatsifying. Casey crushes shredder with a garbage truck, April gets her job back, more on that in a moment, she and casey hook up, and we end with the fucking awesome song T-U-R-T-L-E Power by partners in cryme. Seriously check it out it’s fucking triumphant. 

The song is just good.. cheesy? Sure but that’s half the fun. It’s the gold standard for movie theme songs for them and stacks up handily with the various animated series themes.. all of which slap. Okay... ALMOST all of which slap. Fast Forwards is aggressively medicore, which is doubly suprising to me since 4kids was REALLY damn good with theme songs. It was one of the three things they were best at along with finding VERY talented voice actors and setting japan based works in america because merica dammit.  

The plot is very solid: It skilfully packed half of eastman and laird’s run on TMNT into 90 mintues while adding things like April’s job at channel 9, the way the foot recurited kids etc. The plot flows well for hte most part and apart from one annoying subplot we’ll get to never has a moment that feel unecessary or dosen’t pay off later. And the stellar plot and fun pacing of it helps boilster the characters that do work... and help paper over the ones that are so thin the’yd fall down a grate...

Our Heroes, Villains and Annoying Middle Aged Guys:

Yeahhhh character is hit and miss here. Some are rather strong, others are the bare basics for the character their adapting and most are just to serve the plot but some work some don’t,  So let’s talk about it starting with our boys:

Raph is the most fleshed out of the turtles, being the main focus of the first 2/3 of the film, and having his anger be part of what SHOULD be a character arc, learning to temper it. And while granted MOST TMNT properties do this, to the point that Rise Raph is so loveable in part because his boisterous bruiser big bro attitude is a refreshing break from the usual grumpus we get. But at the time this hadn’t been done in every version but the 87 cartoon, so exploring it was valid.. but despite saying this should be a thing htey just forget about it and the most plot relevance he gets is going thorugh a window. He dosen’t really get a resolution.. his arc just kind of stops dead for the final half and it’s one of the film’s weaker points, one I only just now noticed on this rewatch. He’s still the most entertaining. 

Leo is the weakest of the turtles. He really lacks a personality here mostly just being leader and while his spirtual side is touched on, it’s  mostly a plot device. He’s just kinda the leader because he was in the comics to the point Partners in Cryme called Raph the leader. His role in getting taken out by the foot was taken by Raph, so he just has.. nothing to do for most of the film other than gripe at raph ocasionally and say orders. He’s probably the worst Leo i’ve seen outside of Next Mutation. I prefice that because after watching Phelous’ review it’s VERY clear those four are the worst versions of the characters, and no personality is still better than either having your team do nothing or yelling at them as your personality. I chalk this up to the Mirage Leo, and the mirage turtles to a poit being kind of bland. Not TERRIBLE characters, especially for the time, but not nearly as fleshed out or individualized as they woudl be in other adpatations, and with most traits LEo DID have, like his badassery flat out gone, he’s just.. nothing here. 

Mikey and Donnie are a double act here with both sharing a brain. Interestingly instead of his normal genius character, Donnie is Mikey’s best friend and the two simply trade jokes and schtick together. The two are interchangable.. but easily the best part of the film and a lot of the most memorable gags and lines, from Ninja Kick the Damn Rabbit! to “Do you like Penicllin on your pizza”, are from them. Thier there almost entirely as comic relief but it works, with both clealry being more modled ont he 87 cartoon turtles, a move that helps lighten the mood in darker moments. Their just genuinely charming and it’s intresting to see such a diffrent version of Donnie, and other incarnations, specifically the 2003 and Rise versions, would retain the sarcastic edge. 

Splinter is splinter. That’s about it, he’s peformed well and the puppet is amazing but he gets kidnapped a half an hour in and outside of influcencing Denny, more on that in a moment, and finishing Shredder he dosen’t do much but spout exposition. He’s not bad or anything, but he’s essentially a rodent shaped plot device. He was also puppeted by Kevin CLash, aka the guy who does Elmo. So there you go. 

April on the other hand.. is truly excellent. This might be my faviorite April. Judith’s april nicely blends the cartoon and mirage versions: She has the cartoons energy and job, but the comics sheer will and casual nature. Judith just oozes personality and her April is just a joy to watch, from her breezy chemistry filled interactions with the guys to her confrntation with Chief Sterns, knowing she’ll get thrown out by the asshole. She’s confident, and even when afraid dosen’t back down to her attackers and even helps out during the sewer ambush. I mean it’s a pot on the head but still it’s neat. She’s easily the best part of the flim and the most fleshed out of the cast. The worst I can say is they kinda shove her store from the comics, Second Time Around, in there for no other reason than it was in the comics: It dosen’t come up until it’s needed for the foot’s assault on her place. But overall.. she’s just fantastic to watch. 

Speaking of fantastic to watch, Elias Koteas is fantastic as Casey. Seriously he’s only second to the 2003 version in my eyes, getting the concept of a testorone filled average guy who decided to just go out and hit people with sports equipment after watching too much A-Team.. I mean that part of it’s not in this version but it’s implied, just right. Like judith, Elias is just really funny to watch and his big scenes, showing up just in time during the foot assault on april’s place and his fight with Tatsu are some of the best parts of the film, the former taken directly from the comics. This version isn’t without problems: His friendship with Raph, his most endearing aspect and one that has been carried throughout eveyr version Casey’s important, with the only exception so far being rise and we have a movie to fix that, is absent here. HE does save the guy, but they don’t really bond or anything. In fact he disappears for about half an hour after his big fight with Raph. But... again he’s just so damn entertaining, down to his JOSEEEEEEEEEEE Conseco bats (There was a two for one sale!).

Shredder is just a LITTLE better than splinter, if only because his actor projects a true aura of menace and I feel this version had some influence on the pants crappingly terrifying 2003 version. And the idea of the foot recurting teenagers like I said is a good one: He gives them home and a cause, they give him plausably deniable backup. And his fight with the boys in the climax is really awesome... the conclusion sucks but otherwise h’es okay. Not the deepest villian, but he has enough presence to be enjoyable.

His right hand man Tatsu, whose been adapted ocasionally since this and reimaigned as Natsu in the IDW comics, a female version, is also fine. He’s your standard grimacing goon but has enough presence to work. 

So that brings us to the penningtons. Charles, april’s boss at the station and his son Danny who’s joined the foot as he feels his dad dosen’t love him. Charles..is about as interesting and likeable as a dog turd and is the worst aspect of the film. No debate there, he just sucks. He sucks so hard he’s classified as a black hole.  The film wants you to see him as a put upon wokring dad whose frustrated with his son’s increased moodiness, skipping school and crminal undertakings and just wants to help him and loves him deep down. The problem is his actor’s delivery instead of concerned.. is just pissed. He just seems pissy and upset about the whole thing and comes off like he’s only mad about Danny doing this because he’s embarassing him and not because you know, it’s bad. When confronting Danny about stealing, he dosen’t consider MAYBE he’s part of a gang or needs help, but just wonders “Why are you stealing when I give you stuff”. Because, Dipshit, sometimes kids do crimes not because they need the stuff but because they WANT to, and because they want to act the fuck out. 

The most he does for the kid is agree to try and get April to back off the police when Cheif Sterns offers to let Danny go and not put him on record in exchange for it. The problem.. is this makes him even MORE unsympathetic. While I do get wanting to help your child, I do and it’s a sucky position... he again should be sympathetic.. but he handles the thing so badly it sucks. He just tells april to ease off, with no reason given, then fires her when she SHOCKINGLY dosen’t give up taking the guy whose refusing to take her hard work seriously or actually solve the crime wave problem to task for his shitty behavior as ANY person facing a shitty, corrput cop would. She just wants to hold him acountable and get him to actually do something. He clearly knows her on a personal level too as he talks about his issues with his son freely with her, something you don’t do with an employee unless their also a friend on some level. 

He could have TOLD april what was going on. She’d be furious at Stern’s naked corrpution and prioritizing shutting her up over actually solving crimes.. and thus put at least some of that energy into shutting him down or finding a way around it, going to the papers or something like that. Even in 1990 pre-internet, there were ways to get around Sterns blackmail and expose him so someone who’d actually do the job could get the job. Instead he just comes off as a selfish coward who rather than try and fight the guy blatantly abusing his power and using Charles own son as  barganing chip, goes along with it because it’s the easier option to simply bow to him instead of TRY and stop this. And it’s not like he’s even going after a beloved public figure or someone who could hide behind his rep: Sterns was blatantly failing a crime wave, April had called him out on his failrues and coverups multiple times. The public was against sterns.. finding out he tried to blackmail the media into shutting up about him would PROBABLY end him... I only say probably not because the public wouldn’t skewer him, but because police tend to escape consequences for blatantly murdering someone on a daily basis and Andrew Cumo is STILl mayor over in new york, the same city this movie takes place, 31 years later, depsite EVERYONE asking him to resign over a long history of sexual harassment and a more recent but still horrible history of hiding death numbers. I don’t doubt people being stupid enough to ignore this or the bilaws with cops being stacked enough for him to get away with it, but just because someone gets away with a crime dosen’t mean you shoudln’t try and go after them in the first place. Fuck. Charles. Pennington. 

Danny on the other hand is FAR more interesting and I think gets way too much flack when it comes to this subplot. Unlike his dad, whose dead weight, Danny is intresting: He provides a POV character for the foot’s MO in the film of taking in wayward teens, and his character arc is pretty engaging, slowly realizing the foot dosen’t care and that hte turtles are the good guys. HIs actor does a great job and while not the biggest presence, he’s not a bad addition to clan hamaoto and I wish other adaptations would find a way to use him. The pull between doing the right thing and his found family is a good struggle. My only real issue with his plot is the moviies flawed aseop about family. It tries to contrast shredder and his using the kids blatnatly with Splinter and Charles really loving their sons. And it works with Splinter and the kids because despite being a tad strict, Splinter clearly loves his sons and works with them to help them. The problem is ENTIRELY with Charles and Danny. As I said Charles love comes off as transasctional: He either thinks he can buy it or just expects it because he shot a bunch of goop into Danny’s mom after two minutes of disapointment. It dosen’t work with them because neither option is good for Danny. His father is neglectful, chooses throwing his jounralistic integrity out the window over talking to his son or his best friend about another way, and abrasive. Danny is no saint, he does do crimes, but it’s clearly a result of a shitty upbringing and the shredder and co actually offeirng him the love he desperatly craves. Danny goes to the foot because his dad is bad at his job but the film never adresses that and just expects Danny to go back to his dad because the plot says so. Danny would HONESTLY be better off with Splinter. No really. Sure he’d have to live in the sewers.. but he did so for a few weeks in the course of the movie. He’s fine down there. Splitner actually cares about him and took an intrest to him and knows how to raise a child. Let him become the fifth turtle. An aseop about family is not a bad thing: Loaded subject that it can be given how many outright abusive families exist, i’m one of the lucky ones who dosen’t have that issue, family is an important thing and can be a source of comfort and support. But this film tells you you should love and respect someone who does not love, respect or value you because he spent a minute in your mom’s vagina and that’s not how family should work and is outright dangerous to kids in an abusive situation. Love the film otherwise but fuck this aseop skyhigh. 

Final thoughts:

Overall though.. the film is bodacious. It’s funny, well paced, has an awesome cast, and outside of a certain bald asswipe... it’s a really good superhero film. Is it the best i’ve seen? Nope. Not even close and character wise most of them are as thin as a wet paper bag covered in ranch dressing. But it’s still a fun as hell with awesome corepgraphy, a killer soundtrack, seriously the soundtrack is damn excellent and only didn’t get it’s own section because I didn’t have enough to say and some of the best effects work i’ve seen in a film in the turtle suits. If you haven’t seen it I urge you to check it out: it’s a breezy 90 minutes, it’s on hbo max and it’s a shell of a time. Will I do the next film? 

We’ll see how this one does like wise and such, but I will be doing the rise film whenever it comes out this year. So look for that and keep possesing turtle power my dudes. If you liked this review subscirbe for more, join my patreon to keep this blog a chugging, comission a review if you have more turtle stuff you want me to cover, and comment on this. What do you think of the movie, what are your thoughts on the review, what can I do better, what other turtle stuff would you like me to cover/ Let me know and i’ll see you at hte next rainbow. 

[dzamie-oc]

Smaugust 19 - Demon

A MLP/Persona 4 crossover. Spike has fallen into a deep sleep, and Luna and Twilight venture into his mind to find out what's wrong. (2238 words)

cw: MLP, Persona 4, kidnapping mention

Twilight and Luna ran through the castle. Twilight had called on the alicorn of night when Spike had fallen into a deep sleep, and Zecora had been unable to help. With Luna's help, the two alicorns cast themselves into his subconscious. However, Twilight wasn't prepared for the twisted, creepy landscape within.

<These ponies don't know the greatness amidst them!>

Spike's voice, distorted, sharp, pained and painful, echoed all around them as they navigated the halls. Exaggerated, clingy caricatures of Rarity flung themselves at them, assaulting the mares with magically-created gemstones. They spoke in unison, "you will not harm our precious Spikey-Wikey! He who commands the respect of all!" Wherever the gemstones fell, crystal ponies rose from the ground, each wearing "Spike The Brave And Glorious" shirts. Twilight kept a shield around herself and Luna as the night mare navigated through the hallways.

<A creature that eats their kind for breakfast, they treat like a pet!>

"As weird as this is to say," Twilight shouted over the din of crashing crystals and shrieking mares with white coats and flowing, purple manes, "thank you for not telling me we have to kill Rarity."

<Unloved, disrespected... They don't deserve the noble deeds I do every day.>

"Your gratitude is appreciated but misguided," Luna called back, using her own telekinesis to guide Twilight quickly through a sharp corner, "would we not be immediately overrun, I would welcome the chance to train you in dream fighting." A gem struck the carpet before them. The pair leapt over it as it formed a crystal pony. Luna cast a spell as a Parthian shot; it struck the newly-made mare, causing her to continue to develop into a thick, crystal wall as they fled, sporting numerous eyes, limbs, and semitransparent cutie marks.

<A Brave and Glorious knight, or a ferocious dragon from all those scare-mongering storybooks... they both have the right idea!>

The purple alicorn looked back and shuddered, pure muscle memory forcing her to keep galloping on. "What kind of spell was that?!"

<Something as strong as a dragon deserves a princess!>

This time, it was followed by a soft, pleading "no... don't..." in Spike's normal voice.

"Dreams need not make sense, Twilight Sparkle," Luna replied as they came to a door. There was a rough-cut, heart-shaped hole in it, where a lock would be, and the alchemical symbol for fire printed above it. "As often as I disagree with the draconequus, adapting chaos magic from Discord can be helpful in a pinch." She squinted at the door. "A fire-attuned heart? Twilight, you are Spike's guardian. Do you know what would fit here? Something deeply related to his sense of identity."

<If I can keep her, clearly I'm the Prince Charming of legend. And if she is stolen from me...>

"this isn't right... i would never..."

Twilight racked her brain, running back through her memories of Spike, growing up with him, watching him figure himself out. Not the Crystal Heart, it was too big. Not a Power Ponies book. Not that bowtie from the incident with Owlowicious. The mare gasped. Rarity! "It's a fire ruby! He was going to give it to himself for his hatchday, but gave it to Rarity instead. When he went into Greed Growth, she refused to give it over to the rampaging... Spike, and that helped bring him back!"

<Then it is not just my duty, but my desire, my destiny! to bring her back. No matter how much she screams.>

"if she's screaming, that's not..."

A piercing shriek jolted Luna's attention to another caricature of Rarity. The alicorn's eyes gleamed as she challenged the dream monster, "you're no true Rarity! Spike would never give you that fire ruby!" The white mare grinned a manic grin full of sharp teeth a dragon would be envious of, then held up a fire ruby in her magic. Luna's horn glowed, and a powerful beam of magic drove the creature through a wall, making its own magical field flicker and break. "Twilight! The gem!"

<She will be the crown jewel of my hoard. She will respect me. They will all respect me. I will be the strongest, bravest, most glorious dragon of all!>

"it's... a lie..."

A purple hue shimmered to life around the fire ruby, stopping it just inches before it hit the ground and sprouted a crystal pony, or shattered. Twilight quickly maneuvered it into place in the lock, which clicked. The huge door opened into what looked like a corrupted version of the Canterlot throne room. The stained glass windows showed images of Spike saving the Crystal Heart, Spike dressed as his Ogres and Oubliettes character, Spike as Humbug beating up the Maneiac, Spike saving Applejack from timberwolves, and many more. The dual thrones of the two sisters had been cast aside near the doorway, and in their place was a massive pile of gold, ice cream, gems, comics, the Elements of Harmony, sets of dice, and even the Crystal Heart.

<A lie? Of course not; lying is such an ignoble behavior. I would never lie about wanting to sit above it all while mares, stallions, and all others alike worship me for the majestic dragon I am.>

"I don't want that!"

On the ornate, gold-and-purple carpet leading to the treasure pile, Twilight saw Spike. She flew towards him, only to stop short when she realized who was on TOP of the treasure pile: Spike, being fawned over by Thorax, Ember, and a much more accurate-looking Rarity... with wings.

<Lying to your own shadow? And you call yourself a knight? Disgusting. I am what lies beneath, the truth you so shamefully cover up. I am truly Spike the Brave and Glorious, and I deserve to be praised for my great deeds! You cower behind ponies, asking politely for, "oh, Twilight, may I not be dragged into your drama for one day? No? Well that's fine." I'm the REAL Spike!>

Twilight looked between the two of them; behind her, Luna barricaded the door against more Rarities and crystal ponies. "Spike? Who is... what's going on?"

The Spike on the floor turned and ran towards her. "Twilight! Don't listen to a word that guy is saying. None of it is true! I'm Spike. **He's not me!"**

Luna whipped her head around and galloped towards them, flapping her wings for speed. However, before she could get there, a blast of green flame shot from the strange Spike's mouth, striking the other Spike too fast for Twilight to even put up a shield.

<WHAT?! I AM you! Just because you constantly lie to yourself because you think it makes PONIES happy, doesn't make it true!> The room darkened; both alicorns could feel an immense power gathering from the dragon's fury. <In fact, I think you're due for a replacement. I will finally command the respect and adulation I deserve.> He glared at the intruding ponies, eyes glowing gold. <And you two will be the first brought to heel as my worshippers!>

There was a crash of thunder, and everything changed. The weather outside the hall grew dark and stormy. The scenes in the stained-glass windows altered, now with red backgrounds: changelings prostrated before Spike, crystal ponies prostrated before Spike, Applejack prostrated before Spike, the Power Ponies prostrated before Spike, the Princesses prostrated before Spike, and more of the same. Thorax and Ember hovered in front of where the hoard had been, huge, unnatural grins plastered on their faces with hearts in their eyes. And as for Spike...

A huge dragon loomed at the far end of the hallway. Every inch of what Twilight was sure were purple scales and a green crest was covered in layers of gold and gems. The creature held a long and broad sword in his mouth, his wings were enormous kite shields with Spike's face emblazoned on them as a crest, and dangling from his tail was the Rarity alicorn, trapped in a golden and diamond-encrusted cage but staring adoringly at the adorned dragon. Twilight felt a weight against her side, and turned to see that the Spike by her had fallen unconscious. She ignited her horn and blinked the two of them away from the amalgamation and the corruptions of the leaders of the dragons and of the changelings.

Luna stepped up, a look of pure determination on her muzzle. "Nightmare," she commanded, "and Tantabus." From her mane and her horn, Nightmare Moon materialized on her left, and the purple, starry dream construct flowed into existence on her right. The alicorn of dreams turned her head to address Twilight, and said, "keep him safe, Twilight Sparkle. I am counting on you. And more importantly, so is he." She crouched, spread her wings, and lit her horn; the two monsters of her own creation followed suit. Spike's shadow roared, and as one, he, Thorax, and Ember rushed forward to meet their opposition.

As magic and gems flew, Twilight concentrated on keeping a solid, purple shield up between the fight, and herself and Spike. This paid off a few times, when a diamond Luna chipped off of Spike's shadow skidded off its surface, or when a solid hit from the changeling-turned-bugbear sent Nightmare Moon careening back and using the shield to spring off of. When she felt she had the time, Twilight funneled some extra magic into Spike's body; it was a rudimentary healing spell, but Twilight hoped it would be enough.

At last, the final blow was struck: the Tantabus severed the shadow's tail with a blade of dreamstuff, cutting the fake Rarity off from the dragon, Luna struck a weak spot with a stunning spell, and Nightmare Moon used the opening to shove what is scientifically called "a boatload" of dark, destructive magic down the dragon's throat. In a flash of light, the scene had returned to where it was before. Spike stirred against Twilight's side as his shadow remained on top of the assorted hoard, the phony alicorn, changeling king, and dragon lord watching him in adulation. Twilight helped the purple dragon next to her to his feet, and they approached once more.

<I will not be denied. I am amazing, and heroic, and I WILL be treated as such!> Spike's distorted voice echoed through the room. <I have more than earned the right to be way more than a scientist's pet lizard!>

Spike sighed and walked up to the pile. "Look... you're... you're not right, but I wasn't fair saying that I don't think that way sometimes. Living with and near a group of mares who save Equestria on, what, a weekly basis? would make anyone feel unappreciated." One dragon climbed the pile, while the other slid down it, sending gold coins and small rubies clinking down the slope. "A month or so ago, I finally realized how much being blinded by my fame and ego hurt other ponies, so I tried to make up for it by pretending not to have any. Just pushing down the thoughts of a reward for everything I do to help.

"It was making me miserable, I suppose, but I did such a good job of hiding it, even I didn't realize what I was doing. I'm sorry, I didn't accept you of first because I was terrified of what I might become - what I HAD become in the past - if I acknowledged your existence. I was so scared of another 'acting on behalf of Princess Twilight' or Greed Growth fiasco that I stopped letting myself feel deserving of anything not offered unprompted." Spike stuck out his hand. "I am Spike the Brave and Glorious; no matter how much I pretend in Ponyville that I don't have a statue in my name, that's just not the case. I saved the Crystal Heart, I delivered all those friendship reports to Twilight when Discord corrupted her, hay, I even DM for Discord. Nopony deserves EVERYTHING, not me, not Twilight, not even the Two Sisters, but I have to stop pretending that, every so often, I kind of like to picture it."

The other Spike took his hand and began to glow. There was a flash of gold, and the other Spike disappeared, leaving only the young dragon who had fainted through the battle. The hoard vanished, too, leaving Ember, Rarity (still an alicorn), and Thorax sitting at a round table with paper and dice in front of them, as well as an unoccupied DM screen. He turned to the two non-Rarity alicorns and smiled. "Thanks, Twilight, Luna. I don't know what would've happened if you two hadn't showed up."

Twilight gave him a bittersweet smile, tears threatening to leak from her eyes. "You're welcome, Spike. I'm sorry I didn't notice you felt this way. We'll have to talk more when you've woken up." She turned to Luna. "And, uh, Luna? Is this a common dream thing, or a special case for him being comatose?"

Luna nodded in acknowledgement of Spike's thanks, then replied to Twilight, "it is... uncommon. Most are not so dangerous or powerful, but I've learned my way around them, as you can see. Now come, we should leave Spike to his dream. If I trust what I glimpsed of those character sheets and campaign notes, you will not want to stick around and watch, either." With a spell, she summoned a door out of Spike's subconscious, and dragged a chronically-curious Twilight away from the table and back into wakefulness.

[rabble-dabble]

CHOOSE: 

==>Dirk Strider

==>????????

==>????????

>Dirk Strider_

Your name is Dirk Strider. 

And you have a pretty awesome big brother. 

At least, you like to think so. He might not be around very much for most of the time you’re home, but when he is, he doesn’t disappoint you with the brotherly bonding he likes to do. Engaging in your interests, encouraging you to do the things you like to make, and even sharing nearly the same humor and potent irony that the both of you are pretty sure you’re the two funniest people to have lived, ever, in the history of living. 

From all the surfing on the internet, though, it’s sort of unexpected from a sibling conducted relationship. You’ve read all about them, and siblings are supposed to be supportive, and if not, the viral enemy of one’s childhood. Since you can’t really debate whether or not the enemy of your childhood was loneliness or the ideas you’ve thought about doing due to it - even once coming close to making an A.I. copy of yourself - you’re pretty sure you and he are in the clear here. Yup. Nothing ever uncool goes on between the Striders - why would it? You and he have reached an understanding that’s so unrivaled that you don’t ever think anyone could possibly beat it. As long as you don’t get yourself into trouble and he makes some time to come home and be the presence of adult you need, it doesn’t ever get weird. 

Well, only whenever you don’t find yourself breaking the rules.

It’s not like it was your fault. You did not ever have any intention in using the empty program that sat unfilled and unchummed on your desktop - you don’t even remember how it appeared there. You don’t quite remember having it downloaded or getting a particularly rancid virus. You like to keep your gear in top shape, thank you very much, because not only has your brother taught you the importance of being grateful even with the kind of provisions you have, but you learned the very hard way that being careless led to preciously lost save data on games you liked to play ironically. 

(Dave had to stay home for a week straight and binge cartoons for you to get out of that depressive episode.)

You liked following the rules though. The rules kept you safe, and kept you generally happy, and you really didn’t mind there being rules in the first place. They are obviously supposed to be there in the first place, and considering you are a kid who has no business in parenting yourself, the terms of the rules are pretty relaxed for as long as you didn’t have rules when you were first growing up. 

You think it makes it worse, though, that this was the first rule. Generally, the rule he was pretty series in making, especially if it came in first. 

“Number one, little dude: No hitting it up with digital strangers.”

And yet, the little chatbox had appeared before you like a forbidden last cookie at dinnertime, inciting years of worry and doubt and loneliness like the bitter aftertaste of an unproperly made microwave dinner.

uranianUmbra [UU] started cheering timaeusTestified [TT]

UU: cheers!! hello lovely being.

UU: woUld you perhaps be interested in making a friend?

CHOOSE: 

==>Dirk Strider

==>Roxy Lalonde

==>????????

>Roxy Lalonde_

Your name is Roxy Lalonde. 

And you think your mom is the funniest mom ever.

Oh, no, not in humor. Your mom sucks at making good jokes. In fact, you don’t think except for her well constructed book series that was able to become a best seller, and you have every copy of stored under your bedframe, she cannot make a joke to save her life. You know this because you have heard her calls with Dirk’s older brother Dave Strider over the phone, attempting not to giggle lest you be heard, and the joke she tried executing fell flatter than the “ironic” fanfiction of MLP you have bore witness to Dirk’s easily crackable computer drive. She is, as best as you can really put, not funny at all.

Oh, but she’s a great mom. She’s the greatest mom ever! Granted, you’ve only ever had her as your only mom, but the time the two of you have had together has just been a-okay in your book. More than a-okay, really, because you finally have her with you, and you get to do a bunch of mom-daughter stuff that you used to daydream about after an exhausting day of feeding carapaces, petting mutated kitties and sipping on some fermented juices.

You don’t get to touch the juices anymore. She put a stop to that almost immediately - and although if irked you just a bit, because after all she had put that there to begin with - you thought long and hard about it. And you came to the conclusion that she was right about it, and, honestly, she was mom, so what were you going to do about it? Complain??

Why would you complain about finally having a mom??

So you think she’s pretty great. 

You can tell Dirk thinks the same about his brother, even if he doesn’t admit it as easily. Once upon a time, you thought Dirk had been a little bit of a snobbish guy who got too much into your biz and about everything you two did. But, really, with the help of your mom and Dirk’s bro, you understand now - he was only trying his best. And, in some way, you had been too. Neither of you were ever supposed to take care of yourselves like that.

But now you have Mom, and Dirk has Dave, and even though it’s really small, you couldn’t wish for anything more.

What more could you possibly wish for than Dirk, Dave and Mom??

uranianUmbra [UU] started cheering tipsyGnostalgic [TG]

UU: greetings, gracefully esteemed friend of dirk!!

UU: i was wondering if perhaps yoU woUld like to make acquaintances?

CHOOSE:

==>Dirk Strider

==>Roxy Lalonde

==>Jake English

>Jake English_

Your name is Jake English.

And your Mum...

Is the most infuriating person you have ever met!!!!

Granted, she is the only person you have ever met. In real life. Ever. And that is sort of her fault too!!!! She never let’s you go anywhere, and she never let’s you think about the outside world, and if you so much as look at skyscrapers or parks or places with snow for too long she get’s this weird, contorted look on her face and you’re subjected to another talk about how the “island is the safest home we have, the world is a dangerous place, don’t go expecting it to be cozy and gentle and soft, Jake,” and now you can’t even deal with all of her nonsense about a world you have never explored. 

And it’s not like you don’t think about it. Every night that you go to bed, you listen with an open hear close to the window frame in case of the first rumble of unnerving technology comes close. Every day you’re up and around the island, you have to see and worry and think about the creatures that live among you, thinking about how easy it could be for your Mum could become seriously injured and you would have no way of reaching an outside source of help. You think a lot about how the world could be, and how fun it might be, but how overrun with horrid things it could be too. Your Mum has certainly sealed that image permanently, if not since forever and also when you first watched your (first and only) horror movie. The house had been extra barricaded that summer.

But you’re not a little child to coddle over anymore. You’re not the little boy who easily runs into his mother’s arms in the first instance of danger. Not only are you not that young scampering lad anymore who would trip and scrap his knees and cry, but you don’t think that at least seeing what the world out there looks like would ever hurt you in the slightest.

You don’t even have to stay out there. You just want to see it. See the people, real people, moving along and living their lives and watch as the cars run closely and the chatter of a good evening rolls around and see the rush of life around. You want to see snow and your breath puff coldly into the air and ice forming naturally instead of a refrigerator. You want to see the long meadows and the empty fields where the land won’t suddenly end on the other side. You just want to see it, it is nearly your biggest dream, and you hate that your Mum won’t even let you use the web without regulating what you can and cannot see. 

You’re pretty cheesed about it. You love your Mum, but at this point, you’re itching to just go anywhere, anywhere, but stay here. 

You wish you could see just the world from anywhere but your home.

uranianUmbra [UU] started cheering golgothasTerror [GT]

UU: hello fellow chUm!

You had sat there for around ten minutes staring at that message. 

UU: i hope yoU don’t mind, i’m not meaning to intrUde so brashly. i’m simply aboUnd looking for potential friends!

UU: so perhaps yoU woUld be tickled to become mine?

You had to look around and make sure Mum wasn’t near you. You hadn’t realized you were holding your breath until you let it out, and turned back towards the screen to assure that, yes, someone was able to message you. Even though Mum had blocked it and your ability to contact anyone yourself, someone had gotten through.

GT: Why, salutations!

GT: My name is jake!!

Your name is Jake English.

And, against all odds, you have made a friend.

[theinsanecrayonbox]

Game’s canceled, I’m bored, and going stir-crazy from not playing THIS game, so here’s a random dump lol

Mr M has to learn that if he makes a joke, like say “lolz how long until you make one of them [Sean or Zeke] mpreged?” that I will probably wind up doing it because you put the idea in my head lol

So I started off with Fintan, then I went “why not transpose him into BNHA” and then he got a sister once I started playing around there, so then I went backwards and made her for the Fantasy story too, thus Kaylee

I highly apologize for my no doubt horrible kanji work. in Finny/Shikaro’s case, “Fintan” is Irish meaning “white fire” (the obvious reason I picked it) or “white bull” (which I liked, because “bull’s strength” equates his father). So I wanted something along the same lines for his Japanese name, so I started with shiro (白) “white” and ka (火) “fire”; at first I was going to go with Shiroka, but then I looked up “strength” and discovered that it was chikara (力). So I went “well if i split up shiro it’ll *sound* similar to chikara”, and when I put “shikaro” into Google Translate it actually came up as シカロ which oh look has the kanji for strength in the middle of it, so in my brilliance I was all “hey if I switch カ for  火 then it’s almost the same as his English name pun-wise”. So thus, the horribly mangled Japanese ^^;

His little sister though, way easier time coming up with that...at least easier in the sense that I wasn’t mangling things as much. I played around with a lot of variations of the words “light” or “hope” and “snow” or “ice”. I eventually came away with kei (光) for “light” and kori (氷) “ice”, but when I put them together in Google Translate, they *sounded* like kyoko (though now I’m thinking it might’ve been kayoto so if that is the case, please tell me, because that works for me too). But I decided to keep just the ice part of her name for her hero name. And then going backwards to get her English name, I just went with something that sounded similar. So again, hopefully slightly less mangled Japanese this time? ^^;

Quirk wise, Shikaro generates heat lightning NOT electricity; he does super heat the air, which builds up the static charge. And Kyoko is straight up hydrokinetic.

In Fantasy land....idk, since we’re not even to game session 3, and technically Sean and Zeke aren’t even outted as a couple yet, so kids are nowhere near plausible lol (though I blame the MLP G1 magic mirror for at least Finny’s birth right now). They get the benefit of being part Suli (and Irfit but we don’t wanna go there), so inherited elemental prowess is kinda already there, plus their parents are Elemental Masters, so they probably have roughly the same powers.

And I did a MLP family because why not. Fluffy pony family ^^

So yeah, prepare to never see these guys again lol ^^;;; And again, I apologize for my horrible kanji work, but I did honestly try ^^;;

[xxhanachanxx]

When it comes to shipping, am I the only person that’s like a die-hard fan for a ship yet my mind is not screaming that it needs to be canon? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for people wanting to see their two favorite fictional characters together as a couple; but then again I’m down with whether or not a creator/developer of a film, show, video game, book, etc. can confirm that a couple is canon. Though even if I can find that adorable, let me stick with any other aspects that I want to see in various outlets aside from romance. Or what I find better, for a fictional character I still want to think about portraying them as the way they’re originally portrayed. Sure that I understand that there are AU’s or any form of alternative just so we can make up anything about our precious OTP. Even though I’m all for anyone doing AU’s, sometimes I can’t help but to think that it would corrupt my head; but I’d like to do an AU one day! I’m usually a shipper that doesn’t think that my favorite pairings are the “oh-so perfect OTP and they need to be together forever”, because even for having a ship I do have other shippings that would involve the same character! So, this would probably be the longest text post I’ve ever wrote but at the same time a lot needs to be put down. And with some of the pairings that I will mention, maybe you would be familiar, maybe I’ll not mention your favorite OTP, but do take my conception in consideration!

So my first ship that I’m going to begin with talking about will be Moana x Ariel (or MoAriel). Do I ship them a lot? Well, I’m more in between with they could be great gfs or just best friends, but the way I see it is that they make great ocean buddies! So I cannot deny they’re cute! Do I want them to be canon? No, and here’s where I say that even if MoAriel is cute I still want my mind to be on the right path where I want to portray Moana and Ariel as the way they were originally portrayed in Moana and The Little Mermaid. For Ariel, I still need to keep in mind that she has Eric and Melody (idfc if I’m mentioning the shit sequel, it was one of my favorite direct-to sequels growing up k bye). I also like seeing Ariel and Eric together! Now with Moana, I just think she’s too good for a man and I’m not even headcanoning that she’s lesbian either. While we’re in the topic with the Disney Princesses as all of the news is spilling for Ralph Breaks The Internet, and as an avid LGBT supporter myself, it’s times that I couldn’t take a few people seriously to where they say that Merida, Elsa, Mulan, and many others are lesbian or bi. NOW DON’T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY! I’m all for seeing anything LGBT-related in animation, but sometimes I get a bit iffy on that issue with what will kids think of when they see it. I mean I understand that some people would say that it would mess the kids’ minds up. All I can think for now is that if I were to have kids, I would probably teach them about gay marriage not at a young age but maybe when they get older. I guess I’m that one LGBT supporter who can’t stand some of the SJWs… but hey, if people want to headcanon that they’re gay, well they can do them. I won’t stop them for that. Like for Merida, I’d still think she’s better off without a man but I won’t headcanon about her sexuality. For Elsa, like I get that people want her to be lesbian for the Frozen sequel, but I’d prefer wanting to know about the premise of the sequel more. And with Mulan, okay I get it that her outfit is dope and I’m all for her modern outfit. But I can’t have the mindset screaming “OMFG MULAN’S BI!” I believe that she’s a strong female warrior, and even I can’t help to think that she and Shang are great together! Okay now to get back and wrap up with MoAriel, I will say huge kudos for the shippers for making that happen. Like I can’t deny that it’s an amazing crossover between the land and the sea.

Alright, so another ship I’d like to talk about, and another same-sex ship, will be TwiDash (Twilight Sparkle x Rainbow Dash from MLP:FiM). Oh hey look, Imma throwback to one of my all-time favorite OTPs especially I happen to watch some of the old episodes again! Now let’s get to those 2 questions again: do I ship them a lot? I pretty much do, especially the fact that they happen to be my favorite ponies out of the Mane 6! Do I want them to be canon? No, and it’s not because that I think they should end up with stallions instead (and apparently, I don’t want to have those pairings be canon either!). Obviously RD is one of Twilight’s best friends, so I’d rather stick with whatever chemistry they have for each other! So because I have to bring up the fact that I also have pairings of Twilight and Rainbow with stallions, here’s what I need to say about that: Of course having TwiDash as one of my MLP OTPs, I happen to like SoarinDash and FlashLight (that’s Flash Sentry x Twilight Sparkle just to clarify in case if anyone gets mistaken for literally a flashlight; and yes, I like Flash try me bitch). And as a same-sex shipper, I’m not one for giving another character shit for getting in the way of the same-sex couples that I like. So as a TwiDash fan, I really don’t give flak on Flash if he were to get in the way (and Soarin’ too, I guess). Not even to mention that not only that I’ve had it with the Flash hate, it frustrates me to see some bronies/pegasisters making attack/kill art of him (I do have a vivid memory of seeing an art piece of Flash getting attacked by Trixie just bc the artist likes Twixie.). I mean I get that Flash doesn’t have that much character development (human or pony; in fact I’m more of a pony Flash x pony Twi shipper) aside from appearing near Twilight or Sunset Shimmer to where a lot of people scream “gary-stu” or “waifu stealer”, but I will say that I think Flash deserves better. Now I know saying this as a FlashLight shipper in where they don’t really interact with each other that much, I really couldn’t help myself thinking how cute they are together though. But then again, there’s more to MLP:FiM than just shippings! So to get back and wrap up with TwiDash, sure there’s nothing wrong with having other shippings with one of the same characters! Though at the same time, and just like I mentioned from my previous statement with MoAriel, I’m not headcanoning Twilight or Rainbow’s sexualities at all. So I’ll just let my imagination flow to wherever the hell it wants!

Okay let’s get into another of my favorite ship, and this time it’s a hetero ship, ShadAmy! Yay, time for another throwback to one of my favorite Sonic ships! Though I will get into a later topic that’s kinda like the topic with me as a TwiDash fan and not giving Flash a lot of shit for being in the way. So onto the same two questions: do I ship them a lot? I think shipping Shadow and Amy together was sudden, bc I was a huge SonAmy fan back then (and I still do ship SonAmy don’t worry) and wasn’t really fond with Shadow until to this day. I guess after seeing fan art of ShadAmy, it led me to start shipping them. Do I want them to be canon? Probably not, and it’s not that I think that Amy should be with Sonic (and as an SonAmy fan, I could care less whether or not it’s canon, and if anyone screams at me that it is canon and I can’t change anything about it, leave.); and I don’t think that Shadow and Amy have a huge chemistry with each other (even if they only interacted with each other twice in Sonic Adventure 2). Now here’s the part in where I say that as a ShadAmy fan, I’m not one for giving shit on Sonic or have to make him the bad guy just bc he keeps running away from Amy. And even if I’m more into Shadow than Sonic (I promise y’all I’m not like one of those Shadow fangirls…), that doesn’t mean I won’t stop loving Sonic! And playing the games of that blue blur will always hold a special place in my heart! So what conclusion do I have for ShadAmy? Nothing probably. But no matter what I’m okay with whoever I want to ship with Amy. ShadAmy? SonAmy? I really don’t care!

Now since the pairings that I’ve mentioned so far happen to be my favorite OTPs, let’s take this next topic with talking about a NOTP. And who will I be talking about next? Enter Victor x Emily from Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride. As much as I enjoyed this masterpiece of a Tim Burton film, apparently having to think about this does grind my gears. So onto the questions again: do I ship them a lot? I’ve already stated that they’re not my cup of tea. Do I want them to be canon- okay um yeah let’s get right into that! I guess ever since I first saw the film back then, when I saw the ending scene with Emily turning into butterflies and then Victor and Victoria embraced my mind screamed, “welp, at least Victor and Victoria have each other now”. But at the same time it did sadden me to see Emily go away like that, yet then again Victor has freed her from the memories of pain and shit she’d been through with Barkis. So where am I going with this? Oh yes y’all, I actually like Victor x Victoria. And no, it’s not that I think Victor x Emily is necrophiliac. Pretty much, I’ve had it with everyone talking shit about Victoria all bc she was in the way between Victor and Emily. Tbh I could go on and on talking about defending Victoria, but to keep it a bit short it wasn’t her fault for interrupting the wedding; in fact, that can be saved for a later time. Now before I wrap up, and as I mentioned since the beginning, I’m all for alternatives or “what-ifs” made by Victor x Emily fans but at the same time we gotta accept the fact that the ending of Corpse Bride is just the way it is. Get used to it. Emily had her own happy ending.

Alrighty then, I’ll be taking this last topic discussing about WildeHopps just before I wrap this whole post up! Ah yes, our favorite fox-bunny duo; yet I do have some tweaks with what I think about them for the near future.. But anyway, let’s get into the questions one last time: do I ship them a lot? Now for anyone that have followed me for my Zootopia shenanigans, I do need to say that it seemed sudden of me shipping them out of nowhere. Like sure I can’t deny that Nick and Judy have a great chemistry, but there’s more to the film than just the shipping (or any romance outlet for that matter). I guess I should say that after seeing the film and looking at the fan art of the two, it led me to start shipping them! Do I want them to be canon? Okay see, this is where I get iffy about it bc even if Disney confirmed that they’re canon (or at least that’s what I heard) I still think that Nick and Judy need to start off as best friends first and then we shall see what will happen in the future if there were to be a sequel. So yeah, I think I’m that one person who had to cool off from seeing the ending bc yeah it’s cute but I don’t think I’ll be falling for it sorry! Friends? Couple? Again, these two have chemistry and that’s all that matters to me! So for now, I’m in both platonic and romantic sides of their relationship. And even though having this thought never occurring in my head, I don’t want to think about giving in for them to have their own mate by the same species. But hey, if y’all want to ship Nick with a vixen and Judy with another rabbit I ain’t stopping ya! Which would somewhat lead me to talking about how Judy would be shipped with Jack Savage (quick fyi for those who don’t know him, he’s a deleted character that was the main protagonist of the early version of the film); while I may not be into SavageHopps that much (and this is pretty much the same thing with my TwiDash and ShadAmy topics..), but damn some of y’all are salty on him for trying to “steal” Judy from Nick. If people want to like Jack, let them. If people want to ship SavageHopps, let them! I mean hey, he’s got Skye (who’s another deleted character during the early process) and I’m all for SavageSkye y’all! Okay, yeah I know I brought them out of nowhere as this topic is supposed to be about Nick and Judy but at the same time I kinda had to bring that out there haha. Like I said we shall see where will their future will take them, and we can have our imaginations flow wherever the hell they go!

So that wraps up with what I have to say with shippings! Thank you guys for taking your time reading this~ ❤️

[vivareverie]

"So, what now?"

That's a question I've had stuck on my mind for at least the past month or so now, regarding the state of my content production and my life as a YouTuber. It's a question that I've somewhat avoided asking myself for the past year, because I somewhat naively thought "Hey, everything'll just work out". Needless to say, that isn't the case, so here I am asking myself this question now.

Before I go any further I'd like to quickly clarify something: This isn't a depression thing. It might sound like a depression thing by the way I'm writing or the overall tone of this post, but I currently have zero mental health issues and require no sympathy in that area. All this is is an introspective look at my state of affairs, looking at what I did wrong attempting to grow my channel, and where to go next.

So, let's start from the start: My channel's success was lightning in a bottle. "Surprise! Your video has gone viral!" Starting with super short meme-y pony toy videos. Well... Admittedly that was at least a few years into my "career" at that point, but all my content before then just silly "Early-teen goofing around"-type videos, once I suddenly actually had an audience to make videos for, I obviously wanted to keep going. What's important about this "Era" is that I had a theme going on. I was the "Pony toy video guy", that was where my initial audience came from, watching my ~10 second long meme-y videos for a short giggle. These videos were very short, very easy to make, and had an audience... So, why did I stop?

Three big reasons: One, money. To make videos making fun of silly pony merch, I had to buy the merch, and, to put things into perspective, that Celestia toy alone was $50. Imagine that but for every single toy in every single video and it adds up quick. The good news is that I liked collecting them, and I had the money, but that was quickly running dry. You might ask "Well, couldn't you reuse toys?", and I did a bit, however...

Two, I hated reusing jokes, and still do to this day. Even back then I'd felt I used the "Celestia toy hits thing" joke 2-3 too many times. I suppose I'd somewhat considered it a running joke- but without putting a twist on it, it was just the same thing happening over and over again. Although "toy abuse" wasn't the entirety of my content back then- I did still try to be creative about it- but nonetheless I kinda felt that well drying up. Plus, finally, there's reason three, and this one is probably a bit obvious...

Three, I wanted to try out animation. It's history time: The reason why even my earlier pony animations looked at least half-decent was because I already knew ahead of time how to use Flash, the program used to animate MLP. This was because I used Flash to learn how to make terrible bodged-together video games, some of which are still online over on Newgrounds and Kongregate (And no, I won't be linking them (Maybe at a later date)), those games, although they were pretty terrible, did inadvertently teach me how to use an animation program, meaning that, when my YouTube channel kinda blew up, I suddenly had an entire genre of media to create with at my disposal.

Thus started "Phase two" of viv, the "Short goofy animation" phase. At the time I didn't think I was gonna ditch the toy video stuff, but after a short while I felt... More satisfied with my animation work. It took me a while to nail down why, but in the end I felt like I was "Undeserving" of the amount of attention I got from my toy content, and felt as if I had to "Earn" the amount of followers I was getting. My toy videos were recorded with terrible audio, a bad camera, very little care for lighting (One video in particular's punchline was ruined because I didn't think about lighting, "Applejack Wins" I believe was the name of that one), however my animations, with the exception of a couple of my early ones having framerate issues, were very "Clean" and felt polished, something I definitely couldn't say about the majority of my toy videos.

Likewise, my standards went up, and they went up fast. I did start off making more silly goofy short stuff, but I kept setting borders for myself making content more difficult to pump out. I wanted to make music videos, but I eventually said I didn't want to make them using pre-established "stuff you could buy on itunes" tracks, worried about potential copyright ramifications. A lot of my short videos were based on clips of songs, and I stopped doing those for the same reason. This was also a very similar (Albeit technically very different) reason why I stopped using show-style puppets, and although I technically could've continued animating show-style if I wanted, my standards had gotten higher still, and I wanted to start making animations using my own "Design" of puppets. Those are the horses you see in the banner of my Patreon page, the doofy ones with the fat noses. This starts what I'd call "Phase three" of viv.

...However, where I went, the majority of fans did not follow.

My earlier content was easy to digest, easy to share around, and easy to click on. Short doofy meme videos. Phase three of viv however- Although the content I was making was finally meeting my stupid standards, it ran into two problems. One, content production got slooooow. The entirety of the first couple of "phase three" years feels like I'd gotten nothing done, despite the, well, "Objectively better" quality videos coming out. I can count how many vivshorts I have on three hands, which is... Not a lot. It's good, and all of them are great, don't get me wrong, but throughout this entire "essay" I've been leaving out one giant big huge factor regarding my content: YouTube itself.

I'm sure you've heard this a million times before, but in case you haven't: YouTube does not promote channels that don't post often. The system likes channels that make long videos, and they like them posted every day.  This is... The complete opposite of the state of my channel, however. Especially these days, where my projects get larger, and the gaps between videos get longer. Unfortunately, the amount of production put into videos does not necessarily translate to views- Or at least not anywhere near the amount it does compared to my older videos.

I did make an attempt to make my channel more active with my Vivcast series, but, although that series has its fans (And I love you all much and you know who you are), I feel like all that did is hurt me during phase three viv. It littered my channel with videos that only a very niche audience would appreciate, and meant that newcomers would have difficulties finding the videos my channel was centered around when visiting my channel, which is, you know... A bad thing. All my Vivcast videos are now unlisted on my channel, but the playlist is still publicly available for those who still want to see them.

The second big reason why I got a huge dropoff of viewers from phase three viv was the change in style, or, more specifically, the lack of using MLP characters at all. I stopped being part of the trend, and went and did my own thing. It gave me more creative freedom, but it was less "Immediately appealing". It's far easier to click on "Rainbow Dash is Excited" than it is "The Second Day of Chrasmas". I've created a bubble of content that only those inside the bubble can enjoy, and this bubble is already inside the bubble of MLP itself, which, as much as I wish it wasn't so, has a huge huge huge stigma around it that to this day has never dwindled. Despite my content being less about the ponies themselves and more about the comedy or the writing or the animation, just the vague connection to MLP is a huge turnoff for potential new viewers who although might not care for MLP might still enjoy the content I may put out.

So, due to this, I have a dwindling viewerbase both because I'm not directly using MLP characters (Meaning the general MLP fans are turned off from my content) and also because I'm using pony characters in the first place (Meaning the non-brony side of the internet won't be looking at my content in the first place). I've inadvertently created a niche inside of a niche because I became complacent. I thought "Hey, if I make videos, the viewers will come, as they always have been", and that was true a few years ago, but I've diverted the train far far off course and not many people still want to stay on the ride.

...Okay, I should mention, no, 10k views per video is not bad in any way. That's really really good and many many many youtubers wish they got a fraction of the viewerbase I got, but it's all relative. In my case, I'd steered my life towards "Hey, I got a good following going, if I grow my following enough I'll be able to make YouTube videos for a living! That'll be super cool!" And that was okay for a long while, while I was "Doing the motions", while I was at college, while I was at university, while I was looking for a job and not finding any for... The entirety of 2017. That's a long time, that's, like, 4+ years at least. But, that whole time, it was fine. I was in no rush, I was in no hurry, no real problems, I'd gotten a little lazy and my content slowed down for it, but I didn't necessarily need the money so I wasn't churning out garbage 24/7 just to make sure I hit a threshold. I thought to myself "Hey, I'll think of something, eventually. 10k views per video isn't enough to make a living off of, but I'll make something that'll go viral again, eventually. It'll be fine."

However, that changed this January.

My new years resolution was to go back to making monthly videos. The Second Day of Chrasmas I made relatively quickly and I'd totally be up for keeping that going, I thought. But my free time was suddenly whisked away, and I was suddenly told I'd be "Working for the dole" for half the week, every week, for at least the next 6 months, or until somebody finally decides to hire me. If that's French to you, essentially that means that, in order to get the money I'm literally living off of, I'm now forced to spend ~15 hours every week doing tiring sweaty exhausting labour work, getting pricked, scratched, sunburned, and bitten, on top of the obligation I already had regarding finding work with the job employment agency I'm hooked up with, oh, and that's not even mentioning that I'm not earning any more doing this work than I was earning the entirety of 2017. essentially meaning that all the free time I'd grown complacent with the past year is now gone in the blink of an eye, and I'm getting nothing out of it.

...So I thought "Okay, 2018 will be the year I finally set my channel back on the right track." Suddenly that's something I can't do. I can't make videos that bring the views back when I literally don't have the time nor energy to make those videos in the first place. The past January shows it, I forgot to make the post-January update Patreon post because of how quickly the month passed by for me. My complacency led me down this track and now I'm paying the price for it.

Okay... So... What now?

This was the question I asked at the start of this post, and what you just read is my story leading up to this question. I don't know if I have the right answer to that question, but I have a few proposals.

One: Cut my ties with pony content entirely. This is a route I'd been intentionally avoiding because I didn't want to be one of "Those guys". You know, the "I'm grown up and more mature now, and therefore I cannot like or associate with pony anymore". That... In itself, I'd personally say is an extremely immature sentiment, cutting ties with who you once were is like denying part of your life existed. Likewise, if this were the route I'd take, I would never deny my association with MLP... However, I would be changing all my branding and future content to not be MLP related, and move into, say, video games stuff instead. That way I can tap into a very large audience of people that didn't exist within my bubble within my bubble. I may be able to grab that "Lightning in a bottle" once more... I wouldn't stop doing Bronies Reacts, though.

Two: ...Keep going. This is the significantly more risky route, but I still have unfinished business in pony content. The two big ones are Trigger Happy Horses and Brony Polka Animated, Trigger Happy Horses being very very well loved and a project I would be very happy to continue if I had the money and time, and Brony Polka Animated being a project I teased... Ah jeez, two years ago. Both projects would require at least several months straight of work to finish/continue, meaning no other content on my channel (Outside of stuff that maybe I could hire other people to edit (Which would imply I had the money to do so, which, I don't)), meaning it'd be super unlikely my channel would grow in any way from it. I'd still be inside my niche of a niche, that double-layered bubble. But... Maybe people would come back if they saw these projects as finished projects? I don't know, and I have no way of knowing- But I expect that may unfortunately not be the case.

Three: Do both... Kinda. Perhaps I could begin by doing new stuff that appeals to a larger audience and completely ignoring those huge projects on my backlog until I've reached a point of equilibrium- And then return to them once I've maintained a stability on my channel. Albeit, that implies I get to that point in the first place, I may be trying to throw darts at this invisible dart board for the rest of my life, meaning those projects go entirely unfinished forever...

...At the end of the day, if I want to keep doing YouTube, I'll want to be earning enough off of it to make it viable. This means consistent revenue, every month, every year. I'm getting a very nice fraction of that off of Patreon right now, and I thank all my patrons wholeheartedly for it, but... I need at the very least quadruple the amount I'm currently earning to get back to even attempting YouTube full time. Single time pledges won't really help either, I either need four times the amount of patrons I have or at least ten times the amount of views on my future videos, and consistently.

This revamp needs to happen. With it I'll be revamping the structure of my Patreon page before the end of the month, including probably removing the $10 and $30 pledge options... Which I feel like is kind of a terrible move because it's the last foothold I really have, I'll be cutting my revenue in half with that move alone, but I don't feel comfortable being pledged those amounts when the content I'm putting out is minimal at best, and entirely against what you were asking for at worst. Although I believe there is an option to pledge a higher amount than the given pledge amount, no rewards come with that, and nobody is obligated to do that for me.

Will this post do anything about my situation? Deep down I kinda hope it will, but really... I don't expect it to, and I've accepted that. You gotta deal with what life gives you, and when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. That term is thrown around so much it sounds like white noise so I'll turn it into a metaphor that actually means something: If you're given shit, make something out of it. Well, I've been given shit, so here I am figuring out what to sculpt it into.

It's midnight where I live now, so I'll be going to sleep. When I wake up I hope to have the answer to my question.

Good night.

- Viva

[thespnfriends]

When A Monster Strikes-Chapter Six

*Disclaimer: We don’t own Supernatural, it belongs to it’s respective creators.* -TheSPNFriends

Monsters are Real

(Rachel’s POV)

As soon as Jessica left the house for work, Rachel threw back the covers hiding her. Of course, she hadn't wanted to lie to her best friend but Rachel knew that Jessica just wouldn't understand, not about this at least. Rachel crossed the room for her window to let the nice summer breeze in and sighed in contentment.

    She knew Jessica would try to convince her not to meet with Nick and give up the search but she couldn't, she had to see it through. Rachel knew that Jessica didn't care for Nick as she didn't like most guys but given her past, Rachel understood why. After she had a bowl of lucky charms, MLP edition, she was almost ready to meet up with Nick. He said he would get her around eight so she busied herself by brushing her hair again and waiting for him. 

    Maybe she should leave a note for Jess, it wouldn't hurt. She grabbed for a sticky note when she heard a knock on the window frame. She twirled around to see Nick's face peeking through her curtains.

    "Hey, Rachel... Ready to go?" Nick asked with a goofy smile on his face.

    "Yeah," She laughed at the boy, "uh Nick why are you at my window. I have a front door." She gestured behind her.

    "Uh, I thought it was cooler this way." He said and shrugged.

    "Okay then you goofball, where are we headed?" Rachel said as she grabbed her camera and her bag.

    "Just a place I know."

    Rachel followed Nick blindly out the window and off they went.

• • • • • •

(Present Day- Jess's POV)

    "So get this!"

    Jessica turned around on one of the beds to look at Sam who was sat back at the little motel table hunched over his computer. It looked as if he were sitting at a child's play table because he was so tall and it almost made her laugh. Dean had made some excuse and then left but Jess got the feeling that he didn't like research as much as Sam did.

    "What is it?" She had been stuffing her face with a bag of chips worrying about Rachel ever since they got back to the motel and couldn't do much else.

    "Uh, I was looking online for an explanation on all the crop failures..."

    "Well, that's because it hasn't rained in like months! Which is strange because it's spring and it always rains here in the spring... I've always liked the rain so, I've found it quite annoying actually."

    Sam nodded and looked back at his laptop before continuing.

    "Yeah, also I've been comparing that to anything in the lore in relation to horses."

    "Horses?" Jessica asked scrunching up her nose in confusion, "You think that Rachel's obsession with My Little Pony is connected to her disappearance?"

    "Well, you did say this Jones guy was dressed as a pony."

    "Yeah, but he was cosplaying as Doctor Whooves. Rachel was Roseluck; it parodies Doctor Who. It was just for fun so what does that have to do with her kidnapping? They are just fictional ponies."

    "We have to cover all our options even if it sounds strange. You'd be surprised at how many times we've hunted strange creatures."

    "Like what?" Jess asked.

    "Well...all kinds of things...witches, werewolves, ghosts...creepy backwoods monsters that...um you know what? That's a story for another time. I know it's a lot to take in but monsters are real, and, well, Dean and I stop them." He mumbled near the end.

    "Right, of course." She said in disbelief.

    "I mean, you've met Cas, so," Sam said with a shrug.

    "Yeah but I went to church as a kid, believing that is easier than things that go bump in the night," Jess said as she sat down beside Sam at the table. "But come to think of it, there was this one time, a few years ago, right as Rachel and I were graduating college one of our professors was possessed by something nasty...almost died too if it hadn't had been for this rando guy that showed up." 

    "So you've met other hunters before then? What was his name?"

    "Hunters?" She asked and Sam nodded at her. "I didn't get to meet him but Rachel said he went on and on about this gate to hell that had been opened and that Dr. Livingstone, our French professor wasn't actually our professor. It was pretty scary but she told me he saved him so, I guess that's all that matters. Rachel never said his name."

    "Oh so this was after...sorry I just, uh nevermind," Sam said with a hint of sadness in his voice. Jess could see the metaphorical cogs running through his eyes and she wondered if Sam knew the hunter she had spoken about?

    Jessica watched him for a moment, "Are you alright?"

    "Yeah uh-"

    "Sam?" Jess asked. She knew there was a story there somewhere. He cleared his throat and continued on.

    "Anyway, I think the pony con thing may have a connection." He said opting to shut her out which was fine...they didn't owe her anything. She had just met them, didn't seem like the best time for a heart to heart. 

    She took a breath and continued to hypothesize with him. "Okay, just theorizing here but what if it was all a rouse. They met online, that has to be how he gets to know and charm his intended victims."

    "You could be right," Sam said and started to pace the room. A lightbulb turned on in Jessica's head.

     "Rachel wouldn't stop talking about how charming he was and kept gushing over everything he said and did... maybe that's why she went with him. Do you think he could've coerced her into coming with him?"

    "What like hypnosis?" Sam asked as he moved to the window to peer outside. Jessica watched Sam watch the horizon slowly sinking past the tree line. Rachel had been missing for a whole two days now. 

    "What if Rachel just followed him willingly? If he promised her anything that she wanted then..." Sam trailed off and turned around with a grimace. She didn't want to think of the idea but the inner detective in Jessica knew it could be a possibility as it usually was the case in these instances.

    "So you think Nick didn't kidnap her, she... went with him on her own?" Jessica asked with a hint of disgust in her voice as it all started to come together and make some sense. Not answering her phone was the give away there as much as Jessica didn't want to believe it. Sam nodded and Jess stood up from the table and paced the room with him.

    "If she went with him, she doesn't realize that he could be dangerous. She thinks he's just a guy who loves the ponies but in reality, he could be the serial kidnapper I've been listening about on the news." She said aloud but the words were mostly for her to wrap her head around it all. It was idiotic to think this was happening but Jess knew if something bad was going to happen, of course, it would happen to her.

    Jess made her way back to the table and sat her bag of chips down, not hungry anymore as they stared at Sam's computer, "But what about the horseman Pestilence? Where does he come into all of this?" Jess asked. They had filled her on basically the apocalypse as they've driven back to the motel earlier so she was caught up on it. She hadn't really known what was going on in the world and didn't understand how she could've missed it. Like the apocalypse. It was crazy. Of course there were natural disasters, murders, and the like every day but Jess just figured it was the way the world was.

    "See that's what we have to figure out...could you pass me that Bible?" He asked and pointed toward the bedside table. Time for even more research, Jess thought.

• • • • • •

(Nick's POV)

     "Rise and Shine!" Nick enunciated through the motel door. He had previously seen the other girl, Jessica at the diner with two men who had been around telling everyone they were FBI agents. Nick knew better...he could smell hunters from a mile away. He wasn't scared of two good for nothing numbskulls getting in his way. He already had Rachel and he was well on his way to making his dreams come true, this time.

    "Nick, what time is it?" Rachel questioned with a groggy voice when she finally opened the door. Nick could tell she had just woken up.

    "Time to get going silly we're almost to the place I saw them." He said as he leaned against the doorframe. He had to keep baiting the girl into coming with him, it was the only way his plans would actually work.

    "Are you sure the horses are gonna be there? I mean American Cream horses are super rare!" She said as she pulled on her shoes and grabbed her bag. 

    He could feel her reluctance and sure he felt kind of bad he was lying about the horses but he had plans, plans he couldn't just throw away. He wouldn't let anything stand in his way. Not those hunters or that girl or even Rachel from taking what he wanted.

    "Rachel you trust me right?" The girl in question shuffled her feet but she sheepishly smiled and nodded.

    "Sure, Nick."

    "Great then let's go!" Nick said as a flood of relief washed over him. For some reason Rachel was much more understanding than the others and didn't question everything he said and did, maybe it would work this time. Maybe Rachel would be the one for him.

Previous:Chapter Five                                        Next: Chapter Seven

[dearsadgoat]

recovery

recently, there was a major fire in my city. a little before the fire happened, i went through probably the lowest point in my life i’ve been in thus far. it culminated into one night of forcing myself to break down a number of walls and fake fronts i put up around me. these stood for about 5 years.

during that 5 year period i lied to myself and tried to trick myself into thinking i was something else so i could fit in with my rapidly changing friend groups, both online and in real life. i started distancing myself from a number of things, including shows, interests, and friends. i pushed away mlp for fear that my friends who were now falling out of it would ditch me if i were still into it. i pushed away my desire to learn music because the relationship between my brother and i only got worse as high school went on. i pushed away old friend groups for reasons so stupid i dont remember anymore.

instead of doing videos for fun and my own enjoyment, i started making them with the intention of becoming popular. i was never good at those and i wasn’t willing to learn to make myself better because i only wanted the success. the worst part about this was the fact that i did it for so long i managed to make myself believe that this was what i wanted, to be making low effort gaming videos on youtube well past its peak. because that’s what I thought I was going to “make it” doing. it should be noted i pushed away a group of youtuber friends before this, who may have been able to talk sense into me.

to this day i have only met one other person who makes videos.

fast forward to a few months ago. back in june, i started a new job, the one im currently working, doing lifeguarding at a pool. in july, my friends and i did our annual trip to anime expo, and aside from some incidents it was fun. i went on vacation with my family to arizona, and we saw a number of beautiful sights. i enjoyed it a lot.

however, this is the end of the fun.

anime expo, as always, brought me the panic of being around so many people. it isn’t the volume of people however, im relatively comfortable in a crowd. its the idea that i can look around in any direction and see people probably way happier and in better places in life than i am. look one way, i see a group of attractive people in cosplay that’s way better than mine. look the other way, i see a group of friends all laughing and clearly have shared interests, unlike my friends where we all have kinda splintered tastes so we don’t spend all the time together at conventions.

i spent a good amount of the convention wandering it with my friend mike. we went as Haru and Rin from Free, him being Haru, me being Rin.

around that time i was having major self image issues. i gained a good amount of weight the months prior, and i couldn’t lose it no matter what i tried, and consistently going to the gym, doing workouts given to me by professionals showing me no change killed my motivation. i couldn’t get myself to even go anymore come june.

so when mike was stopped by 10+ people (i stopped counting after a while) for pictures and to compliment him on his cosplay, meanwhile outright ignoring me, i started feeling like my image issues weren’t just “in my head” like i’d been told. despite this i tried my best to ignore it and move on. except i couldn’t.

the other cosplay i did was a crossplay of Mako Mankanshoku from Kill la Kill. I actually had the right length/hair color for Mako’s hair, so I saved money on a wig and got it cut like hers. the hair actually looked fine in context of the cosplay, however the cosplay in the context of anything was atrocious.

i couldn’t fit into the seifuku i bought, despite being sure to buy a size much larger than what you’d expect. trying to ignore my brain telling me im a fat fuck i improvised with a white shirt and a light blue neckerchief. with the wrong color shoes, basic shirt, neckerchief, basic skirt, and my hair cut instead of a wig, i was the definition of awful cosplay.

i hyped up finally being able to crossdress in public to myself for months. i’ve wanted to crossdress publicly since i was 15. at no other convention in the past did i have the courage. i got rid of pretty much all body hair, and upon finally being able to do so, i thought it was everything i wanted.

looking in the mirror showed me i was nothing more than an ugly fatass trying to look cute. i was the fucking person people at conventions take candid photos of and post on tumblr to make fun of. im sure im gonna one day come across a picture of me in that “cosplay” accompanied with some text about how embarrassing i was.

so with now both my cosplays fun sucked out of them by myself, the rest of the convention went on, but i couldn’t fully suppress the idea that i was unhappy.

the arizona trip i’ll save for another post, it’s a complete offshoot with it’s own backstory.

these are nowhere near all of the events i feel caused enough problems for what happens later, just the major ones. also there’s no way i can write every single thing that’s happened to me and contributed to my sad demeanor over the last 21 years.

after that though, the rest of the summer is a blur, i dont remember anything i did, and i don’t remember starting school again. i just know i’ve been going for almost 16 weeks now.

for some reason, a lot of things that didn’t use to bug me have been bugging me. stuff that I thought i’d grown accustomed to seeing, like the ever poisonous anti-male rhetoric that this site likes to parade. i’ve been on tumblr since i was like 13, i’ve seen it, i should be used to it and know to ignore it, right?

i guess not. every post i see related to something meant to make me feel shitty for being a guy takes another chip at me throughout the day. despite my best efforts i can’t forget them.

i just don’t have the energy to put up with stuff anymore, and it really feels like im out of energy to put into caring about things. i’ve been feeling like this since the beginning of the above five year period of not knowing why i wasn’t happy with what i was supposed to be happy with.

eventually we get to one saturday at work. two pools are being used for an event, the third is being rented out for a kids birthday party. im on the tower supervising the party when my best friend kaylie comes to rotate me. we chat for a sec, and as i start to walk off, she says my name. i turn around and she points at the water. no more than 3 feet from where im standing, two kids are wrestling in the water. except they weren’t wrestling for fun, they were wrestling to get on top of one another and drowning each other in the process. mind you, this is the deepest part of the pool and it’s only like 4 1/2 feet deep. I slide in, hoist up both of them, and launch into the caring procedure bullshit.

i get them out, tell kaylie im going to get a towel, and eventually other guards start asking me what happened. all of the sudden people are toting me as being a hero for making my first rescue withing my first year. you’d think that’s something to be proud of, right?

yeah you’d think that.

i felt nothing. all i had was that i was doing my job, and if it were like ten seconds earlier kaylie would’ve got them. i didn’t do anything special.

of course that ended up as a conflict in my mind, and on the way home i bought alcohol and spent the night drinking alone.

fast forward a few more days, and i get home from work. it wasn’t a particularly hard day, or any major thing happened, just a lot of small little things that chipped away at my patience, a few comments made by coworkers that really weren’t asked for, and this and that ultimately led to me driving home at the end of the night upset.

i get home, and think to myself im going to unwind with some video games. i dont remember what happened or what i was playing, but some major thing happened that led to me calmly turning off the game and turning to my computer to stare at it for the next two hours, only occasionally clicking to something new.

nobody tells you what it’s like to break. partly because, they cant. the way i see it everyone breaks differently. every breakdown i’d had up until that point had been loud, angry, and full of jerky motions through teary, blurred eyes. they were like someone kicking over something i was making in one fell swoop.

this time it felt like i watched someone pick away at the foundation until it all started to slide down like sand.

i broke, at first without tears, questioning what i was doing at that moment, and what i was doing in general. nothing made sense. my head couldn’t keep a thought for a moment. i felt like my chest was caving in. i didnt end up eating anything that night. i honestly can’t describe how i felt and what i did, it was such a blur.

i started going on a nostalgia scavenger hunt. something i had seen recently drove me to want to search out the mlp meetup group i used to be a part of. i found pictures of me and my friends at different events back in 2011, 2012, and i started doing what i can only describe as motioning a whimper. as in, whatever you picture when you think of whimpering, only without sound.

I saw pictures of me being happy, truly happy. i hadn’t been truly happy in the last 5-6 years since these pictures were taken. at least not for more than the occasional time.

as if on queue, a friend from one group of friends i changed myself to fit in with messaged me. i asked him if he wanted to take a trip with me, and i spilled everything.

i confessed to being a liar, a poser, a shitty person who couldn’t even tell his friends that he wasn’t everything he said he was. i told him at one point in my life i had actual ambition and ways to achieve success outside of being the scummy piece of shit i’d become when i became friends with them. (please dont misunderstand, they’re good people, i just had a warped sense of what i needed to do to be their friend back then)

he let me angrily type and rant and have a major breakdown to him without interruption for almost an hour, and finally he paused me and started trying to talk me through this.

after he gave me his piece on the matter, i turned to another one of my best friends, jacob. jacob was one of the irl friends i went to meetups with, and we’ve been friends since middle school. we’re closer than anyone else i know i’d bet, even closer than kaylie and i.

because of time differences, our conversation lasted the next two days, basically telling him everything, that i wasn’t happy with myself, that i haven’t been happy with anything for a long time. the only thing that mattered to me in his response was that nothing was different between us. he said he was going to a therapist soon, and said that i should try it. i have not, and i dont plan to for fear of what i might find out. still, everything he said i took to heart and i thank him for it.

at this point, i decided that i could fix all of this, that i could make myself someone i’d like to be. i was going to work hard and no matter what i wasn’t going to break like that ever again. nothing was going to stop me, no matter the odds.

someone up there must love testing my patience.

a week later, the fire happened. within the span of an hour i had gone from coming home from a test, to helping my mom with the recycling, to rushing home because the sky over our house was brown. the next few hours was me running on no food, a sweaty, ash-covered mess, to get everything of importance out of the house. everything that was too hard to replace was taken. as painful as it was it meant leaving behind just about everything that had value to me, as i took only the things that mattered in a worldly view, not a personal view.

God listened to my prayers that day, and the fires burned half a mile from my house, but no closer. The trail i walked a thousand times growing up was no more. it’s about 4 houses down from mine, to give perspective. everything was black and soot, trees stood with burn marks and missing leaves. The creek was dried up. everything is a mess. i walked out and took pictures of it a few days after, just for memory sake.

that day was a test to see whether or not I was actually going to keep my word. i didn’t break that day, despite wanting to often, and i did what was most important for my family.

since then, i’ve shuffled around a lot of different aspects of my life. a lot of things are changing, and im not comfortable with a lot of them. however, these are good changes. i have to make myself uncomfortable to be able to find what i belong to once again.

and i hope and i pray that this is going to be the time i prove to myself i can break out of this

[promisedangel]

King’s Island Haunt Review

I COMPLETELY FORGOT TO MAKE ONE FOR LAST WEEKEND’S TRIP, at least not until the friend who went with me reminded me during the MLP season 7 finale.

Travel to there was long, took longer cuz we got stuck in two bad choke points in Columbus traffic. We already made the mental note to leave earlier if we are returning to the Haunt next year. We ended up getting to the park little over an hour after it opened and the lines for rides/haunted houses didn’t exceed 45 minutes that night.

General Notes -The Haunt’s scenery was well done. The fog, the eyes on the Effiel Tower clone were awesome, and there was creepy music around the park to boot. One thing I am kinda disappointed about was the lack of actors outside of the haunted houses. There were only 3 sections of the park in which actors were on the prowl, and only one of them were really effective (I’ll tell that story on the second night). -We stayed at a Super 8, and it was actually pretty good. We just needed a place to sleep, and it worked. It was also near a good amount of food places to choose for breakfast! -The park offered these necklaces for $12 that pretty much said you don’t want to be scared. WHY COME TO A HALLOWEEN THING AND NOT WANT TO GET SCARED? I saw adults with these things on, too! The only way I could see these necklaces worth it, was if no area of the park was safe. If there were actors all over, maybe even in lines for rides and stuff. Then, it’d be worth it. But with only 3 scare zones, it’s not worth it.

Friday - The first thing my friend insisted we do was ride The Beast, as it was getting dark when we arrived and the ride was famous for its night ride since there are no lights around the track. When my friend was young, he and his dad swore they saw red lights, which they have since titled “The killer cows from hell”. Pretty cool ride, not the best, but it was fun riding in the front. -We hit two haunts next. First was The Slaughterhouse... which was kinda meh. Pacing felt too fast and the actors just weren’t trying that hard. - Madam Fatale’s Cavern of Terror was fun! They even got my friend pretty hard. He was lightly taunting some guy actor when this girl actor came from behind and scared him. I swear he jumped 2 feet and fell on the ground. -MYSTIC TIMBERS. AWESOME. The lore, the ride, no wonder it’s got an award already! If Halloween wasn’t so close, I would SO do oneshot based on the ride, but it’s too close and I got a request/gift to do T.T -Diamondback is now in my top five coasters EVER. Riding in the back at night was amazing, you get so much airtime!!! -Vortex is an Oldie but Goldie ride. It was pretty much a walk-on, but an awesome ride. I heard some people want it torn down, but it’s good! -Urgent Scare definitely needs an upgrade on its animatronics. In the ONE place it needs to look it’s most real, they look the fakest. Disappointed. -Drop Tower was fun, loved how it twisted on the way up. -Finished the night on the Banshee. it was cool, equal to The Raptor in Cedar Point.

Saturday -Had a nice breakfast before getting to the park as it opened. We rode Diamondback twice more as our start (In hindsight, this was a bad idea, but we still enjoyed it). -We accidentally went all the way around Backlot Stunt Coaster before we found the entrance, BUT, it led to us meeting a fellow Brony in line for it. Turned out he was at the park by his lonesome and we offered for him to hang out with us. Best decision of the day. The coaster was cool, good family ride. -Rode Vortex again with our new addition and got to know him pretty well. Also headed down to Racers, which was okay. He led us down to The Bat, which was MUCH more fun than Iron Dragon at Cedar Point. -Had to wait a half hour for Invertigo, kinda found out the park was starting to get crowded with people. While in line, we all bonded and I learned out this super intense horror experience called McKamey Manor. While our new friend seems gung-ho for it, I, on the other hand, will NEVER enter that place. Don’t hate the idea, nor the people who go through it. Invertigo was fun, but dunno if it was worth the wait. -Adventure Express was a good beginner coaster, used to be an Indiana Jones coaster before the park was bought by Cedar Fair. -Took a break to get food out of the park and relax a bit, and get sweatshirts for the night ahead. Getting pack in was a pain because we had to park so far away from the park. Made it a half hour before the 7:00 cut off point for getting back in the park. -Our goal for the night was to focus on the Haunts. We started with CarnEvil. Pretty decent, and someone gave me their 3D glasses, so it was trippy for me. Our new addition began to playfully taunt actors and was a joy to see. -Kill-Mart was fun, but mostly fun cause all of us work retail. We ended up making jokes on how it was ‘normal’ for us. Our new guy pointed out a scare and I still fell for it, so he heckled me a bit for it. -Field of Screams had a long line. Think it was a little over an hour. We ended up talking with the two girls in front of us most of the time about various horror topics and watched as one guy in the Fast Pass line scared a few people by hiding in bushes. Two other girls also fell off a fence in the line, but they weren’t hurt. Field of Screams was fun despite the wait but needed just a few more people to really bring out the best of it. There was this wide hay bale area with one actor, but two more would have really made it. One woman followed us out and scared a couple of us. This one girl behind us latched onto my friend, but she made it through with his encouragement. -We quickly went to Board to Death, which was more of a cool visual haunted house than a scary one. My friend and our new friend heckled the actors a bit, and we noticed by now that a lot of the actors over the night tried to get me rather than them. I remember this one actor woman asked if I wanted to play Twister with her and I said no. She then booked it to behind our group and got a scare out of the group of girls behind us, it was funny to just see her book it and immediately hear the screams. - We wanted to go to Blackout, cuz we had heard of various people throughout the night that it was really good, but the line was long and our new friend said he had to leave before midnight since he had to drive himself home. We made a choice and rode Banshee with him. I was, unfortunately starting to get cranky around this time cuz my feet hurt but giving him one last hurrah was worth the hour wait on Banshee. Fun fact: Banshee doesn’t allow fanny packs, BUT, if you stuff them in a hoodie pocket, they’re no problem! Just something I found funny. -We cut through the scare zone of Wasteland so we could quickly drop our new friend off at the gate. The actors in this zone were plentiful and really worked to get scares. They were really good. Sadly, we found this mom with this little girl, probably about 6-7, crying on her mom’s shoulder after going through the zone scared. Felt kinda bad for them. -We said our goodbyes to our new friend and got his contact information in hopes to meet up with him again sometime, even if it was just to come to the Haunt with him again. Did a quick picture together and then my friend and I went at it alone at about midnightish. -I REALLY wanted to hit as many things as possible before the night ended. We cut through the scare zone under the tower called Dance of the Macabre, pretty cool area. -Went straight to Backwoods Bayou. Decent place, good number of actors. The ones in swamp monster suits got us the most cuz we could barely see them coming. Saw people go into the bonus area and we mused about getting the pass for the rooms next year. -We saw that we didn’t have much time left before the park closed. We planned our route and headed straight for Blackout, and the line was less than 15 minutes!!! Was probably one of the most effective haunts in the entire park. You hold a rope with your right hand, while you navigate with your left in a dark maze that occasionally flashes with non-seizure inducing lights. Loved it. -We saw Wolf Pack had no line and quickly ran to it. The actors really tried in there and got my friend a good number of times. Really good visuals and jumpscares. -To close out our trip, we made our way across the park to ride The Beast one last time. We went slowly because my feet were screaming at me by this point. We got in line 15 minutes before the park closed and were probably the 6-7 car before the last ride. We saw The Slaughterhouse close up shop at 2 while still in line. The Beast is a pain in the back, too rough for my tastes. I tried to wedge my arm between the edge of my seat and me to lessen it, but it barely worked. -The walk back through the park to the car was sad, and a bit tough with my hurt feet after doing more than 50k steps that weekend. But we made it and I fell asleep very soon after we returned to our room.

Sunday -Another good breakfast before we relaxed a little before an easy checkout. The ride back was tough on me, felt a bit sleepy until my friend dug out some cookies and chocolate milk from the cooler to keep me awake. Once I put on Critical Role, it became much easier for me to stay awake. -Noticed some grinding when I had to brake during traffic. Turns out my brake pads were in pretty bad shape. Got them fixed this week, but it still cost a LOT. Considering I’ve had that car since 2009, they held up pretty well. -Took a nap as soon as I got home. Had plans with my boyfriend, but we ended up doing something different, but still had a good time with another friend.

Good trip overall. We hope to return next year with more of our coaster-loving friends. We also hope to see our new friend sometime before then! I’d say my first trip to Kings Island was a lot of fun, and a great contrast to Cedar Point, my home amusement park. Sad to say the only things we didn’t hit were Flight of Fear and Firehawk, and we could have done so at the start of Saturday or just after Board to Death, but we all decided against it. Top of the list for next time!

[missinghmmingbird]

STARGAZING IS FINISHED HOLY CRAP!

I finished this chapter—and therefore, this story—while listening to Pat and Woolie of Best Friends Ejaculate to Play Persona 5. Inspiration arrives at the greatest of times... 

Since this is the final chapter of this story, I wrote down a lotta shit that came from my heart ‘cause I’m a sappy SOB. I almost a thousand words of me rambling below, so be warned.

So I started a message for the ending notes of Ao3 to talk about this story, but then it got impossibly long—more so than it should be. But that really fits who I am as a person; I’m a blabbermouth once you get to know me (don’t get to know me).

I wanted to note that this is actually probably my most well received piece of fanfiction ever. If kudos are accumulated into likes/faves, then wow, that blows my mind a bit, okay?! Ahhhhh, what?!!

With that though, the fact that it took over a year to create a small fanfic involves several excus—I mean reasons. One being that, well, I do get distracted easily. I don’t “officially” have ADD, but it makes too much sense. So it’s not easy focusing, and with that and school, I’m lucky I can get any words in within a few days. Also… quite frankly, I wrote a lot of different drafts that took different directions. Weird as it may sounds, this story did have multiple endings. I didn’t have an ending when I started, so I guess that’s expected. They all had one main focus—the two main characters getting kinda sorta together. Sorta kinda being that, Peridot’s only been with them for a month.  I didn’t want to rush right into the “I love you” bs too fast because it just didn’t feel right. I don’t like jumping into the honeymoon phase without working through every other phase. And while there’s clear “confessions” (being that words aren’t said, but who needs words?!), they are not near that stage yet. Also, writing romance is kinda hard, guys why is writing kissing so difficult?!

If I ever, god forbid, decide to continue this storyline, eh, who knows? Anyway, I had different ways things happened, and even the whole fusion conundrum went differently. I won’t go into that unless asked so I digress.

I have to admit, this became very worrisome to write over time. While I have gotten compliments on the characterization—mostly on Peridot—I still felt paranoid 24/7 over such because I had not written any of the characters before this. Also, well, Peridot and Amethyst both had character development since the end of season two, especially Amethyst. Although if I wanted to explain how this works in the SU timeline, it really doesn’t diverge into different canon. While I did tag it as such, this was mostly because the canon divergence is solely on Amethyst and Peridot’s relationship; otherwise, I imagine Super Watermelon Island would still happen once the story ended. Just, maybe add in some small stuff with the two because heh, I’m so weak.

I think I’ve said this before on my other blog, but I was in a bad rut in 2015. I was in the My Little Pony fandom and wrote quite a bit between 2012 and very early 2015. I wrote for other fandoms, too, but MLP was a big thing for me. After that, however, the fascination for writing faded—both for fandom and overall. I was in a bad place and wasn’t inspired. I went into a kinda shitty place for a bit, feeling like I would never find that spark to write again. I was in the SU fandom for quite some time before I started writing fanfiction. And honestly, I wrote a lot more in 2016 than I ever really did in any other year. Stargazing was just the start into what become a huge experience for me as a writer and even a person—because of SU fanfiction, I met a group of lovely people whom I have bonded greatly with through writing and have helped me write even more; just being around other authors does help that. I am happy with what came out—though I could probably find plenty of things I could’ve improved on—I definitely feel like a year has done a lot for me.

My Plans for Future Works

For Amedot, I have a couple ideas I want to work on. Maybe something with a human AU (look at me, the person who is overall neutral on Human AUs and NEVER planned to write them… is working on that), and a few one shot ideas. Of course I have the Amedot zine I’m working on.

I also want to write more of other ships, especially Connverse. I NEED MORE CONNVERSE IN MY LIFE! And I’m writing a fairly long MysteryPearl story (long being that chapter count will be in the double digits *gasp*). And a Jasper story which is lots of work because fuck, dude, I like making this character miserable but also want to do her justice.

So overall, I’ve got a shitload of work on my plate. And it’s nice to have a list of fanfics to do. Much better than I was two years ago…

So thank you. So much.

[rantsaboutponies]

Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree

Can they please stop making these? I don’t budget my time well, it’s 2:30 in the morning, I want to go to bed. Just remember, I’m doing this for YOU guys. For YOU guys.

For the record, I wait until the last minute to write these reviews because they usually take almost three times the length of the movie to write. It’s also why I can’t watch them on TV; I have to pause constantly.

First of all, I didn’t hear jack shit about this movie. I think the viewership for each one really is dwindling. I barely even saw any porn of it! That is surprising!

Second of all, was this one ever available on Netflix? I swear I streamed the third one there, but now it doesn’t even have a listing (nor does the fourth one). Hopefully the version I got is the uncut version (it’s not a TV rip, and the runtime does match), but if I left anything out, be sure to tell me. Oh, and I’ve given up on that list of “things that all these movies do that directly contradict the fact that this universe intersects with the pony universe” that I tried to carry over into the second movie’s review, so keep that in mind.

Oh, and can anyone let me know if they see a trailer for My Little Pony: The Movie in the theater? It comes out in four months, and I’ve been at almost all of the kids’ movies this year (yes, even Rock Dog, which actually wasn’t half-bad, and The Boss Baby, which was not as bad as the trailers made it look but was still the worst of the kids’ movies I’ve seen this year [which isn’t actually surprising, since there have only been three]; I’m still not seeing Smurfs, though, and I’m sure as fuck not seeing Spark: A Space Tail), and I’ve seen nothing about it. I’ll make a separate post about that closer to October.

All right, the review proper starts...NOW!

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: DO THESE HIGH-SCHOOLERS HAVE PARENTS?! SERIOUSLY, WHERE ARE THEY?

Thirty seconds. Thirty FUCKING seconds. That’s how long it was before Pinkie Pie made me want to strangle her. Literally. Thirty seconds. Her first line. Fantastic impression you’re making on me, movie.

All right, Rainbow Dash throwing a picture of herself into the suitcase is certainly part of the annoying one-dimensional writing that she (and really, all of the characters) has had in these movies, but...I’m sorry, I still laughed. Forgive me.

Wow, the...uh...plot just started right away, didn’t it? I’m so confused. I sure hope this is a dream sequence because otherwise this is really stupid. Oh, okay, it was. Never mind.

Ah, the indie rock craze has finally hit Human Equestria. You guys are, like, five years behind on that, you know. I gotta be honest, though, I kinda like this theme song. I feel like it would sound better with different singers, but I’m digging this so far. Maybe this movie won’t be so bad? Ah heh heh heh...

I briefly forgot that Human!Twilight’s Spike was magically given the ability to talk at the end of EQG3, so I was thrown off there for a second. I just realized, though, that that means that they don’t ever have to have any connection to Pony!Equestria ever again. Smart idea, but Pinkie’s summary of the previous three movies immediately afterwards negates what you were going for there (especially since none of that has anything to do with the plot of this movie directly).

“You’ll get used to it.” Yeah, you’d better get used to your “friends” talking shit about you to your face. The second movie was full of that. *sigh*

Oh, goody, Professor Umbridge is the camp director. Please tell me she gets dragged off by centaurs at the end of this movie, too.

“Stay away from the rock quarry. That’s off-limits. Unless, of course, you’re a main character, in which case the plot will facilitate that you go there at some point during this movie, probably somewhere near the end. Just a heads-up.” (Also, “rock quarry” is redundant, dumbasses.)

Actually, the word “sapphire”’s link to the Latin “sapphir” (or “sappir” or “sapphīrus”) links to the Ancient Greek “sáppheiros”, meaning “precious stone” or “gem”, which probably linked to a Semitic source (similar to Hebrew’s “sappī́r”, referring to lapis lazuli), but may be related to a non-Semitic source such as the Sanskrit “śanipriya”, meaning “dark-colored stone” or, literally, “dear to Saturn”. And, as an interesting sidenote, the Ancient Greeks didn’t even have a word for “blue”. Also, rubies are not just sapphires “with chromium”; rubies are corundum with chromium. Sapphires contain other impurities like titanium, iron, or magnesium (which give them any of a number of non-red colors) that rubies may not contain at all; since chromium is what colors them red, chromium is the only impurity required to make a ruby. So, in other words, shut your fucking face, you smug dipshit.

By GOD, I hope Gloriosa is the villain because I really hate her.

See, even though Filthy Rich is, well, filthy rich and could very easily be an upper-class dickhead, the show never made him one. He’s clearly not aware what an utter bitch his daughter is, since he punished her for it the one time he found out, but he has always been depicted as someone who cares about his community and acts kindly towards the other ponies in the town without being condescending or displaying any obvious class distinction. It is something notably unique about the show and is something I’ve actually admired amidst its recent waning quality.

The people writing this movie apparently didn’t know that and just went, “His name is Filthy Rich? He must be the VILLAIN!” Goddamnit, you fucking worthless TV movies.

Oh, man, oh, man, please tell me that Princess Celestia is holding a flute there in the background because she’s telling a “This one time, at band camp” story. I’ve already made that joke at least five times in my head by now, so please tell me I’m justified.

Holy shit, look at that setup! These girls get massive tents with only two people in each and with FULL-SIZE BEDS! So much for “roughing it”! How big is this camp again? This must take up a ludicrous amount of space.

Please tell me they’re not going to do Sunset Shimmer’s storyline again with Twilight. Come on.

No, Sunset, if there’s anyone you should be nervous around, it’s Pinkie Pie.

Okay, Fluttershy’s line about “birds that land on your finger” WAS funny until you felt the need to explain the joke with Rainbow Dash’s “I think that only happens to you.” Rule #1 of comedy: Don’t! Explain! The joke!

Does Vinyl Scratch have an amazing wireless connection, or do her headphones themselves contain an MP3 player? I don’t see those working any other way.

Can I punch Timber in the face yet?

How the hell would you make that dock into a catwalk? The only way that would work would be if either the models entered from or the audience were seated in the water. Otherwise, the models will be walking away from the audience and not easily visible for the majority of their time on the runway. You’ve gotta think about logistics, Rarity!

PUNCH.

Hmm...Gaia Everfree’s story is kind of weak. And arbitrary. “YOU CAN’T STAY!” “Oh, please let us stay!” “WELL...OKAY. BUT YOU’LL HAVE TO LEAVE! EVENTUALLY! AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE!”

25 minutes in is a little late for your first song, guys. I was starting to think this wasn’t going to be a musical.

Oh, thank GOD, Timber is a villain, too. That means we’ll get to WATCH HIM DIE. ... Okay, fine, wishful thinking. Hell, being the villain in these movies (or on the show) pretty much guarantees that you’ll get even more screentime in later installments. (Also, he apparently can’t hear anything that’s right next to him as long as he’s offscreen. Right.)

Of course, the scene in the cafeteria reminded me of this.

And in the next scene, it’s impossible not to think of this.

So... Rarity’s just...useless. That’s been established, right?

Goddamnit, Pinkie, stop being a menace! You almost killed all of your friends! Again!

Hmm...this song sounds like a really lame, low-rent version of this.

Wha? You mean the obvious villain is obviously a villain? NO. (Except I guess that means that Timber isn’t a villain as well. Damn.)

Boy, it’s really convenient that Gloriosa is having these extremely lengthy and detailed flashbacks while they all just stand there, totally unbothered by Sunset zoning out and holding onto her arm.

I do like that they made dummies of Twilight and Sunset just because they weren’t there for the dress rehearsal. How long do you think that took?

“I GOT THIS!” That’s got to be one of the weakest things I’ve ever heard that someone tried to turn into a catchphrase.

Well, looks like someone really liked Maleficent.

I gotta ask...has there ever been a good villain song in the MLP movies or the show?

“Oh, no! She’s forming a wall that clearly has an upper bound! If only we had some sort of appendages that we could use to project our bodies upward! No, I think we had better wait until the vines completely form a dome over us. Surely that will work.”

I think the writers are trapped in this paradox of knowing that they have an actual interesting character in Sunset Shimmer but being forced to focus all their efforts on the Mane Six because they’re the main characters, despite having no personalities to speak of.

“What are these?” “I’m not sure! But clearly they will be in stores alongside the release of this movie!”

Ah, so you got out of the logistical failure of trying to figure out how the dock could act as a runway by canceling the fashion show altogether! Wow.

Okay, this song is definitely one of the better ones in this movie series, but holy crap, get some stronger singers. I mean, all right, I know you can’t, but...can’t you, like, release an official cover of this song recorded by an actual singer, like Disney does with their animated musicals?

I do always love the moronic cliché of the villain showing up at the ending celebration for no logical reason other than to scowl at the protagonists and storm off angrily.

You know, there are only so many features and accessories and superpowers you can add to these characters before you start running out of places to put them.

*GASP* OH MY GOD THAT ENDING CLIFFHANGER MEANT NOTHING! Seriously, fuck off with that shit.

And of course, the stinger has to show that Pinkie Pie always ruins everything. ALWAYS. ALWAYS.

All right, so in conclusion...these movies are all the same. I mean, I think we kind of established that already, but man...

Can we just give Sunset Shimmer her own movie? One where she just fucks off by herself and finds better friends with actual personalities and they all do something interesting? Can that be the next theatrical movie? Please?

[verdigrisprowl]

Jan 23 Lost Light Stream - Soundwave’s Bar - Transformers Prime 49-52

Prowl sat outside during Patch. He was Far Too Intrigued by the potential of the Forge of Solus, and would very much like to meet a Solus to ask her about how it works. For example, if it’s running out of energy, can you fill it with more? Or can you use a run-down Forge to build a new Forge full of energy? Can you wish for more wishes? Perhaps he’ll never know.

Also he’s convinced that Aligned bots are mad geniuses as creating things that smack stuff into existence.

Welcome to the 'excursionist' room. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((i see it)) Airachnid: I see it)) Starscream: *Sitting away from the others* Shockbox: (( as do i)) Starscream: ((see it)) Airachnid: [looks around before sitting near Whirl] Whirl: ((excellent. remember that Itsy is to blame for what u see next)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Chimera is parked on the table in bird mode, yep. So many good pats.* Shockbox: *if there is a snack table, he's beelining for it.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *And the snacks are laid out on the bar.* Shockbox: *oh hell  yes.* Ratchet: Hooooo. Forgot how nice this place is, Hot Wheels. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Soundwave. And thank you.]] Whirl: *nods courteously to Airachnid before--OH NO* Shockbox: ((....now /this/ is a quality stream. )) Starscream: :/ Whirl: Why, Soundwave. This is torture. What did I ever do to you. Shockwave: ((i love that  shockbox is just like AW YIS TREATS)) Airachnid: ... ItsyBitsySpyers: [[You are in a dance club. Deal with it.]] Ratchet: Hehehe. Whatever you say. Shockwave: ((we can hear your skype bweeps)) Starscream: they even left me out ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He sees worse every weekend.]] agoodidstraction: *pulls out a cyg* Alrighty then. Whirl: But STARSCREAM? FakeProwl: ... Nobody told me we were watching horror tonight. Whirl: Can't you find LITREALLY ANYONE else? Whirl: *SNRK* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave's helm bobs. Heh.* Starscream: It don't know which would have been worse ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Fine. He will find some you'll approve of.]] agoodidstraction: Find my boyfriend Ratchet: WHAT song is this I didn't think I was going to dance tonight but look at this Shockbox: *he's getting his snack fix. just a medium size bowl.* Ratchet: *his hips are wiggling. what a catchy tune* ItsyBitsySpyers: //It ain't out yet when you are.// Shockbox: ((snacks are always a plus.)) Whirl: I regret my words immediately. Whirl: I  never needed to see Rung like that. Shockwave: ((..ok but this just reminds me of rungs grandpa dancing on that cover)) Whirl: Wh--!? Starscream: haha Windchill: I've arrived at the wrong moment, haven't I? Whirl: *squints* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Satisfied?]] Airachnid: I could dance better than that. Whirl: Just when I think you can't do worse, Soundwave. You do. Whirl: And not that I DO dance, but if I did... I'd surely do better than THAT. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Never challenge him.]] Shockbox: (( that's a pretty good quark model tbh )) Shockwave: ((...i cant believe someone made a quark)) Windchill: *He hoped we were past these things.* FakeProwl: *oh. all right. prowl's watching this one.* Ratchet: Euuuugh. Can we go back to Whirl dancing. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Sadly not. It is difficult to find footage of that.]] agoodidstraction: Do me do me ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Next time, Wheeljack.]] Shockbox: *he looks around. perhaps he should just stick to the people he usually sits with in this new location?* Windchill: *He's going to sit down...somewhere.* Ratchet: We should get more--PROWL. Ratchet: *POINTS* FakeProwl: *and it's his dancing alternate again. pokerfaces.* Ratchet: That's MY Prowl! FakeProwl: For the record, I can't do that. Whirl: Damn right it's difficult. I don't dance. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Noted.]] Whirl: And, you DO realize telling me never to challenge you is going to be taken as a challenge? Shockwave: ((u sure abt that whirl)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Shockbox may sit anywhere he pleases.* Whirl: ((he is 1000% lying)) Shockwave: *...is that him* agoodidstraction: ?? Whirl: HA Shockbox: (( oh holy *** i've never seen a tfp shockwave model. )) FakeProwl: *oh hey it's his other boyfriend. will just ignore the shockwave next to him.* agoodidstraction: My mommy and daddy sure are good at dancing Shockwave: ((THE RARE TFP SHOCKWAVE DANCE)) Whirl: Not too shabby. Shockbox: (( can someone send me the link to that video so i can...watch it a million times over later?)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Might be wavering slightly on the spot. It is difficult not to join himself.* Whirl: Also... *will bob his head a Windchill; he is at a able with Airachnid. He is welcome to join, as well as any of the Usual Crowd* silentsoundy: --...-- Whirl: I'm gonna need more booze before the night's done though. Ratchet: How come I've never seen you dance, Hot Wheels? ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Greetings, alternate. Seat yourself.]] Ratchet: *OR HAS HE mun can't remember* Shockbox: *he's staring at the screen, his head tilted. the snack bowl is cluched close to his abdomen.* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[It is a rare privilege.]] agoodidstraction: Whirl Whirl: Wheeljack. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave pings Prowl. Would he like to take the opposite end of the booth?* silentsoundy: --greetings.  He won't be staying long, but he thanks you-- FakeProwl: *depends. how many shockwaves are over there.* Whirl: *actually kinda enjoys this, it's energetic without being a lot of SUGGESTIVE GYRATING* Shockbox: *this is... a bit hypnotic....* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Just the one, as far as he knows.* Whirl: *he'd much rather watch this* agoodidstraction: Wanna smoke with me? Shockbox: *yes, mine hasn't joined /yet/* Shockbox: *he was planning to, though.* Whirl: ........is that a joke. Cos, mech. I ain't in the mood. FakeProwl: *hmm. only one shockwave so far. but the other one is lurking around. and the problem with a booth is you can get boxed in and be unable to escape.* Whirl: 9(rip in pieces me, my bottle of whiskey is frozen shut)) agoodidstraction: Aw, c'mon FakeProwl: *negative ping. this time, he will sit with ratchet* Windchill: (( Omg not this one. )) Shockwave: *is just petting a birb and wondering how many times soundwave must have watched this if he knows it well enough to want to jump in* Airachnid: rip..)) Whirl: *swivels his helm around to stare at Wheeljack so he doesn't have to see this* No, seriously. How do you reckon I am gona smoke. Starscream: (( :( )) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Acknowledging ping.* Shockwave: ((very fitting and in character)) Shockbox: (( so much so. )) Whirl: ((HAHA I FORCED IT OPEN)) agoodidstraction: We could figure it out together ItsyBitsySpyers: *Many, many times.* Windchill: (( SO STRONK )) Whirl: ((the stronkest)) Whirl: I'd rather drink, but if you leave a cigar at the table, I'll TRY. Maybe. Bruin: *what a time to arrive, they'll just find an empty booth to pile in* Shockbox: *even if this is not /his/ lord megatron, he still finds this display...somewhat disrespectful.* Starscream: I wish I could find my Megatron doing this ItsyBitsySpyers: *Megatron is enjoying himself. What is disrespectful about that?* Starscream: Blackmail Shockwave: *i mean its canon he likes MLP so* Airachnid: you saying you have whiskey made me want to get my vodka rip)) Starscream: ((really)) agoodidstraction: Fine Shockbox: *i consider the shorts to be an alernate timeline that originated from g1* FakeProwl: ((anybody who shows off his MLP fanart on the bridge of his warship cannot be shamed by dancing to jpop)) Shockbox: *due to a certain reference in one of them.* ItsyBitsySpyers: ((they're actually canon to slendy's timeline. :) )) Shockwave: ((yeah i know hahah but FRANK WELKER VOICE ACTED IT)) Whirl: ((huehuehue airachnid)) Highgloss: Dear Unicron. Starscream: ((I will have to find this one day)) FakeProwl: ((after megatron died starscream had to clean out his weird self-insert pony paintings...)) FakeProwl: ((it was mildly traumatic)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Greetings, Doctor.]] silentsoundy: --he passes along a small container of silver to his Alternate then takes his leave-- Whirl: *he will hop up and approach the bar--is Ravage keeping it? He wants some of dat GAUGEBUSTER. In a huge glass* Shockbox: (( /rubs chin thoughtfully )) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave gives his alternate a bow. He'll be in contact.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Ravage is at the bar. State what you want and pay up.* Shockbox: (( shockbox still takes his lord megatron overly seriously. not serious enough to be disgusted, but enough to not be thrilled at such a thing. )) agoodidstraction: Wow Shockbox: (( the dancing, i mean. )) Whirl: Gimme the tallest Gaugebuster you got. I've got Shanix if that's what you guys use in this dimension. Windchill: *DIVES IN to steal Whirl's seat, like a vulture.* Whirl: *WHAT A VULTURE* Ratchet: Hey, Hh--Ssssoundwave. Soundwave is there high grade. ItsyBitsySpyers: =Barter.= Infinite: This video messes me up ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave points over to Ravage at the bar.* Infinite: On a cosmic level Whirl: Well, whaddya want? ItsyBitsySpyers: =What do you have?= Whirl: I've got... hmm, no tinsel. Some filtered engex... *tilts his head as he goes over his subspace inventory* Shockbox: *aright, he's ready to join his alternate at the table now.* Shockwave: ((ravage: gimme the good *** *snorts tinsel*)) Windchill: *Sell him Windchill.* Ratchet: [[ does ravage still owe ratchet for tinsel i cannot remember ]] Whirl: ((THAT WAS CUTE)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((i think he does. go get some booze)) Shockbox: *is his alternate capable of recieving him at the table?* Starscream: Well... that was interesting ItsyBitsySpyers: [[All right. It is time.]] Whirl: *pulls out a sealed cube of filtered engex--think medium-quality vodka* Whatever this'll get me. Infinite: history Infinite: ah yes Ratchet: *hop skips over to the bar* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Ravage smells it. Hmm. All right. Under the bar it goes. Please hold while he mixes a Gaugebuster cube as big as his helm.* Ratchet: Heya, Whirl. Heyyyy, kitty. Highgloss: This was a good day until it wasn't. Airachnid: Well that's not unusual, Smokescreen messing something up. Whirl: *he will happily wait* ,,,are you already drunk, Ratchet? Infinite: survey says ItsyBitsySpyers: *Smokescreen yells "I LOVE this tape!" in the background.* Infinite: smokescreen Whirl: You seem pretty... loosey-goosey. And don't think I missed all those "Hot Wheels" either. Ratchet: [[ i completely forgot what smokescreen's voice sounds like i always just hear patters ]] Ratchet: Yep! Airachnid: same)) Whirl: Nice, mech. *nods approvingly* Shockwave: ((it literally extends into his crotch. alpha trion, why)) ItsyBitsySpyers: =Order?= Ravage asks as he passes over Whirl's. Infinite: Transformers Prime: Knockout unearths Smokescreen's hidden treasures Ratchet: *finger guns at Whirl* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Too bad he didn't find no brains.// Ratchet: You got some of that spicy stuff? Airachnid: [chuckling] Ratchet: *@ravage of course. not whirl.* Infinite: hhwhat ItsyBitsySpyers: =What is your offer?= Shockbox: *alright, he's officially joined the other shockwave.* Windchill: (( You know Whirl's got some of that spicy stuff. )) Ratchet: Two loads'a tinsel I already gave you. Shockbox: *he looks to chimera, assuming chimera is still there.* Infinite: turned out his lights is an awfully nice way of saying invasice surgery ItsyBitsySpyers: *Huff. He thought he could get away with cheating the medic. Fiiiiiine. One huge cube coming up.* boomtank: -just gonna wander in now- Ratchet: *GOOD* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Chimera is still there! They've settled into a nice closed-optic half-nap.* Starscream: Fragging medics Infinite: we get it ko we get it Windchill: That's...weird. Whirl: ((the spiciest B) )) FakeProwl: *look at Knock Out, being the first and only person to experiment with how the phase shifter actually works.* Whirl: *snickers* FakeProwl: *it's about time somebody did.* boomtank: ....that looked uncomfortable Whirl: Ratchet... *takes his cube in one claw and pats the mech with the other* Rock on. Shockwave: *nods curtly to his alternate and gestures down to the bird* This is Chimera. *...actually speaking somewhat quietly. is he trying not to distrub the beb, or being a courteous audience member?* Ratchet: Hehehe. You got it, friendo. Airachnid: Ew. Windchill: *Blinks, aghast.* Infinite: eheheheh Infinite: AHAHHAHAh Infinite: ...heh ItsyBitsySpyers: //...You okay there?// FakeProwl: ((friendo)) Whirl: *now returns to his--Windchill took his seat. He will sit next to Airachnid, tip his chain back, and maneuver his feet into Windchill's lap* Infinite: // love that Starscream laugh Ratchet: [[ a level below friendaroonie ]] Windchill: *He was hoping for a fight, but it seems he'll have to settle.* Windchill: Take a selfie with me, bro. Airachnid: At this moment, I pity Megatron. For being inside Smokescreen's helm. Shockwave: ((oh thats right this is the ep where i got really excited about Star Being Back and then ....... yeeeah)) Whirl: A whattie? Shockbox: *he nods back, his helm directed towards the strange creature. * One of Soundwave's, yes? ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Agreed.]] FakeProwl: ((how do you evolve into a friendaroonie)) Shockwave: Indeed. Windchill: A selfie. FakeProwl: ((... why did i ask. obviously you max out friendship.)) Ratchet: [[ obviously ]] Shockbox: *is clearly resisting the urge to give pats.* Shockbox: Intriguing. Windchill: It's where we take pictures of ourselves. Whirl: *holds the cube under his helm, hunkering over his cube like some kind of horrid goblin* Whirl: Oh. Sure, if you wanna. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Chimera flicks a wing and turns to look up at their Creator. Is Creator talking about them?* Highgloss: This could have happened to anyone. Whirl: ((the seatblert)) Ratchet: *so about that giant cube of spicy stuff. has that been served* Infinite: combative pushing Windchill: *Giggles. Sorry, KO.* boomtank: Wouldn't that have killed him? Infinite: my favorite Infinite: aggressive FakeProwl: *you know what Prowl has been doing for the last few minutes? he's been watching Ratchet get drinks. that's a WAY better show than what recently ended in the show.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Smokescreen dissolves into laughter at his booth.* Airachnid: [she still can't believe that Smokescreen actually did this and was actually smart] Windchill: *He's mostly recovered, now.* boomtank: I mean, he now has a wall in his insides FakeProwl: *wow. look at that bargaining going on. yep.* Windchill: Okay, let's do it. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Negative. The wall matter was shifted away.]] Whirl: *SNRKS* Shockwave: *pats Chimera on the helm. look, theres an alternate here who wishes to also pet you* Infinite: wwwhhhAT Whirl: *uncurls a bit, looking up expectantly. Tell him where to put his head, Windchill, and he shall* boomtank: Huh. Okay, makes...sense? Kinda? Windchill: *Hold on, he has to dig his datapad out of subspace.* Windchill: *Maybe he'll put his head in YOUR space.* Shockbox: *he's sort of half paying attention to the documentary, but this personal interaction is of great interest to him too.* boomtank: ...... Whirl: *he'll bonk his head right up against Windchill's if he does that. AS IF HE'D GET SHOWN UP* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Chimera whistles a greeting to the Also Creator.* boomtank: Smokescreen... Airachnid: [Smokescreen voice] YOLO -jumps off Nemesis)) boomtank: Did you seriously...? Windchill: *HE SHOVES HIS HEAD INTO WHIRL'S PERSONAL SPACE.* Infinite: *saws vigorously on violin* ItsyBitsySpyers: "Yep!" Bruin: Oh thats unfortunate Whirl: ...*snickers at Airachnid. if you want a moment of Whirl "smiling" you've got your perfect opportunity* Infinite: *points* Infinite: that right there, Shockbox: *he stares at chimera, his helm tilting.* Starscream: How can he not tell them apart? Infinite: history worth recording Infinite: "Flyers, I need FLYERS!" Shockbox: *then, his voice even softer,* Greetings. Airachnid: [oh. that's actually somewhat precious] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Pleased puff!* ItsyBitsySpyers: <<Greetings, Creator!>> ItsyBitsySpyers: <<Chimera is functional.>> Whirl: ((omfg)) ItsyBitsySpyers: //Owch.// Windchill: *Takes picture mid-gasp.* Ratchet: *right okay back to wherever Prowl's sitting with the big cube of spice* Buzzstrike: ...poor Vehicon :( Windchill: *Now his stupid face has been preserved forever.* FakeProwl: *turns back to the show, nods to Ratchet* Shockbox: I am not your, ah- *he looks to his alternate for some help.* Whirl: *there we go; Leans back again and takes a sip of his drink* What didja need one of those for? Windchill: Because I wanted it. Ratchet: *nods* Windchill: *He's going to examine the selfie for blinking and/or photobombers.* Infinite: nYYep nyip Whirl: *nods; this seems satisfactory* ... *did Wheeljack leave him a cy-gar lie he said he woud* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Chimera tilts their helm and hops on their birdy legs a few times. What? Of course he is.* Starscream: Monsters Ratchet: *and then, tips his cube back and chugs half of it* Windchill: *But the only flaw is his stupid face.* Shockwave: *inclines helm* Chimera's recognition protocols do not distinguish between alternates. *and explaining doesn't help* Whirl: ((*** chimera 2 CUTE. STAHP)) agoodidstraction: Uhhh Windchill: *He taps the datapad, smirking.* That's a memory to cherish, that. agoodidstraction: *yes he did* boomtank: Trap Infinite: Starscream, show us your- Windchill: *And now you can't get it back, either.* Shockbox: I see. *he returns to chimera, but continues to speak to his alternate.* And it was you who created Chimera? ItsyBitsySpyers: [[A clever one at that.]] boomtank: Yup Infinite: and he is also running, in the place Whirl: *sets his cube down momentarily and plucks up the cy-gar* Well. Let me know next time you want one, mech. ... @Windchill: And send me a copy? Airachnid: Oh look, my alternate. Windchill: @Whirl: A copy of this one? Whirl: *then he's gonna just. Shove the cy-gar directly into one of the triangular vents sticking up out of his shoulder* boomtank: Nah. You think? Whirl: @Windchill: Yep. The one you just did. *the vent slats pinch it a bit, and Whirl inhales deeply... and then exhales smoke out of the other shoulder. It looks Weird as Hell* Airachnid: [she's just, going to stare at Whirl for a moment] agoodidstraction: *stares* Shockbox: (( i love how he just sort of struts out. )) agoodidstraction: There, see. Ya did it Whirl: ((OMFG HAHAHA)) Windchill: *He thinks Whirl is starting to look a little more like Satan with every passing moment, but nods.* Windchill: (( I love this episode. )) FakeProwl: *grudging acknowledgment of the intelligence behind Starscream's plan. Cobbled all this together from meager resources.* Shockwave: *slight helm shake. no, not him* Another incarnation, since... removed from the equation. *wont speak of it in terms that might upset the construct* FakeProwl: *but of course he stopped to boast.* Whirl: *inhales again, deeply, and holds it* Hmm. Not bad, Wheeljack. Can't taste it, but I can... I can feel it. Y'know? Cold and heavy. *taps his chest idly* Nice. ItsyBitsySpyers: *It's what makes him hard to put down for long.* Whirl: *the exhales again* Airachnid: [she's never seen someone without a facial intake smoke] Ratchet: Hoo. That's an angry Optimus. agoodidstraction: It's good stuff Infinite: they just look at each other like Whirl: You weren't joking! ItsyBitsySpyers: *Chimera doesn't know what Shockwave means, so all is well for now.* Infinite: "..." agoodidstraction: Hahahaha Shockbox: *he places a hand on top of his chest in a gesture of complementation.* Whirl: ((it...... doesn't have any side effects that a normal cigar wouldn;'t, does it. it's not cyber weed is it)) Shockbox: (( *holds boob thoughtfully*)) Shockwave: (love this entire scene why did patch immediately ruin this)) Starscream: someone shoot him, he's almost as bad as my Megatron agoodidstraction: ((it's wheeljack it is always cyber weed hahahaha)) boomtank: Isn't Knock Out the only medic? Windchill: *Windchill frowns in DISAPPROVAL of this new habit wafting about, and unspools a hardline cable from his wrist to connect to his datapad.* Whirl: ((I  SHOULD HAVE ASKED THIS BEFORE HE SMOKED IT RIP ME)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[You are too late, Starscream. Ours is very dead.]] Windchill: (( U DEAD )) FakeProwl: ((I do like how fvcked up and dark Patch is, but god. let Starscream have more badass competent moments.)) Whirl: *is gonna alternate sipping his delicious drink and taking a drag of his cy-gar* agoodidstraction: ((RIP)) Airachnid: The one in my universe is alive. But, at least mine is tolerable. Starscream: I'm alive, obviously Whirl: Unfortunately. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[And yes. Knock Out was our main medic.]] Whirl: ((PROWL R U LOOKIN)) Whirl: (U WATCHNG KO LIMBER UP)) Starscream: excuse me! ItsyBitsySpyers: *SUDDEN THOUGHT. Pings Prowl like hell* FakeProwl: ((HE'S WATCHING)) Whirl: Oops. Did I say that out loud? Snickers and takes another sip* FakeProwl: *what? what's the ping f-- oh. oh.* Shockbox: Chimera... *He raises his hand for the other to see.* ...Would you enjoy a, ah. Windchill: *NOW he can transfer the glorious SELFIE and send it to Whirl.* boomtank: Then why would you leave him in the wall? FakeProwl: *thanks for the warning. stands. heads to the door. he's gonna get some fresh air.* Whirl: ((come smoke some of my cybe weed prowl. it'll chill u out)) Shockbox: *completely trails off. how does he word this.* FakeProwl: ((no. it came from a jerk.)) Starscream: *Starscream is going to look away, too similar to what he has endured in the past* Ratchet: [[ have some spicy energon prowl it's good stuff ]] Shockwave: *waits expectantly, watching alternate* ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Company needed? Rumble can keep. Whirl: ! *he will save the image. Quietly. Privately. Nobody will have any knowledge of his sentimentality* Windchill: (( Everyone here is a JERK except Chimera and Zori so.)) Ratchet: [[ get DRUNK ]] Whirl: ((they are Angels)) FakeProwl: @Soundwave «Just tell me when it's over.» ItsyBitsySpyers: *Chimera chirps and watches the hand.* Whirl: *speaking of minicons... Whirl perks up and looks for the twins; where is his Usual Crowd?* ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: Acknowledged. Windchill: (( They are perfection. )) boomtank: ...What... Airachnid: This is just... embarassing. Infinite: I am the Megatron of Christmas past Shockwave: *the less he has to watch star gyrate the better* FakeProwl: *hm. he's never actually seen the outside of Soundwave's club before.* Whirl: ...*wow this is familiar to him too; luckily his inner mental sanctum wasn't QUITE as embarrassing* ItsyBitsySpyers: ((Please everyone take note of the fact that Starscream's Happy Safe Mental Place has just disappeared.)) Infinite: Ebonezer Starscream, repent from your foul ways FakeProwl: ((*takes serious note*)) Whirl: ...*drinks more* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble bounces up onto wherever Whirl is sitting. Frenzy is... somewhere.* boomtank: -don't mind Blaster going back to his data pad- Windchill: *He's barely paying attention.* Whirl: *will happily bob his head to Rumble* Hey, mech. Wanna sip? *wiggles the cube mischeivously* boomtank: -this makes him uncomfortable- Shockbox: ....A copious amount of stroking upon your back? *oh god he's bad at these things. he can only hope chimera gets what he means.* Whirl: ((they broke out the big chops for this animation)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *The outside of the buliding has no windows and is relatively unmarked save for the sign over the door. Canyon not far off, a storage shed and a huge, HUGE complex of minicon housing out back* Infinite: And the Megatron of Christmas present ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble eyes the cube and snorts.* //What, ya think I can't recognize our own stuff?// ItsyBitsySpyers: < Whirl: Hey, *I* chugged it with a sense of taste. *pauses to inhale, then exhale; vapors curl from his opposite shoulder* ItsyBitsySpyers: ((hm it's eating my chimera marks)) Whirl: ((livestream as ur master I command you to STOP)) ItsyBitsySpyers: >>Pets? Yes please!<< Shockbox: (( oh noes. )) Windchill: Whirl's trying to give you his cooties, Rumble. Whirl: ((i drank all my whiskey... bottle is empty0) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Hop hop hop lower head chirp* Bruin: *isnt sure whether to laugh at starscream or leave, so he's just sitting very still, occasionally twitching* Whirl: *nods solemnly* I am. ItsyBitsySpyers: //I got plenty of my own cooties.// He snickers. Windchill: *He knows, he has done the same.* boomtank: Not really, with Megatron Starscream: I need a drink Airachnid: You tried of offline him several times Starscream... boomtank: )) Shockbox: *barely visible, but still visible relief. * ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave points Starscream to the bar.* FakeProwl: *alright, he's looked around all he cares to. he's found an interesting bit of ground to sit on. he'll wait here.* Shockwave: *hands settle casually on the table. not enough birb for two to pet* Shockbox: *curious pets.* boomtank: ((Blaster did not say that, he's still trying to ignore this with reading ItsyBitsySpyers: *Oh! Birb can fix that.* Windchill: *WHAT NOW?* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Chimera hops back out of reach and - EXPLODES. Then reforms as a feline.* Shockbox: *straightens up in surprise.* Whirl: Well. *tips the cube in a mock-toast* Offer still stands. *looks to Airachnid* You want some? This stuff's hot enough to strip your fuel upmp. ItsyBitsySpyers: *There. Now there is plenty of cat back to pat.* Shockwave: *does not react like this is strange* Whirl: *pump Buzzstrike: o.o Infinite: "Starscream, you're an idiot" the epic poem Infinite: elogy? whatever they're called Airachnid: [puts her hand servo up] No thank you, I do not drink high grade. Shockwave: *scritches kitty hindquarters* Shockbox: .......This is a common occurence, I suppose? *he's going to keep petting despite his surprise. is growing ever more curious.* Whirl: *nods* More for me, then! *pours a great deal into his intake and then tips his head back, heron-like, to swlalow* ItsyBitsySpyers: //I thought eulogy was sayin' a buncha nice lies about dead mechs.// Windchill: He's going to wait for Whirl to finish and THEN elbow him.* Shockwave: Chimera's physiology is unique. Whirl: This is probably the nicest stuff anyone could say about THIS guy. *snrks--and then looks to Windchill, tilting his head quizzically* ItsyBitsySpyers: <<Chimera has three modes! Chimera does not want to change now.>> Windchill: More pictures. *Shoves the datapad in his FACE.* Infinite: yess drag starscream Whirl: Now? *deep drag on his cygarette* Shockbox: An avian, a feline....*He gets behind the ear, his handless arm gently rubbing against the other side of the head.* ....and the third? Shockbox: *whether his alternate or chimera themself responded, it did not matter.* Windchill: Don't be silly, I'm not in it. *He's holding it too close, FORGIVE.* FakeProwl: ((*long sigh* I could write an essay about this episode)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Content rumbling.* <<Chimera is snake.>> FakeProwl: ((i'm pretty sure i HAVE written essays about this episode)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((if you ever do, i wanna read it)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((...i think you did)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((but. if you ever write more.)) Shockwave: ((theres plenty of essays about this episode tbh)) Windchill: Look at THIS picture. *You really should, it's EGG.* My progeny. FakeProwl: ((starscream ur a shiit and a dick but u deserve better)) FakeProwl: ((all the same ur torture is fascinating)) Shockwave: ((i love the patch itself)) Shockbox: /hm/. *he's clearly interested.* Whirl: *pushes his face against it* ...! Is that...? *looks to Windchill questioningly* Whirl: Do you know what it's gonna be yet? As far as alt-mode goes? Can you tell that sort of thing before it hatches? ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave once again hoping nobody will pay attention to the bad parts of the patch* Whirl: ((how dare u show whirl a baby when he's drunk and getting high)) Bruin: *twitching* Windchill: (( AHAHAHA. )) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Laserbeak sees Bruin twitching. She'll go perch on whatever furniture he's chosen for a seat* ItsyBitsySpyers: *No one is in danger while they are in Soundwave's presence.* Shockbox: *usually these streams are the best for their educational value.* Windchill: No...I just know it's alive. Whirl: Neat. *he's being enthusiastic. He leans to the side and elbows first Rumble, then Airachnid* Look! An egg. Shockbox: *but he's not paying much attention to it, for once. * Airachnid: [glances at the picture for a moment and then goes back to watching the screen] FakeProwl: *querying ping @soundwave. is the patch STILL going?* boomtank: -He's ignoring the patch all together- Windchill: *Look at this dark almond shaped catastrophe.* Shockwave: *petting small beings can do that to a mech* Airachnid: [though Whirl smoking made her want to pull out one of her own cygs] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave confirms and provides details of what's been happening in the outside-the-patch land* Bruin: *oh hello birrb, spotter'ss not here so Lazer beak can perch on the head if she wants* Airachnid: [she lights one and takes a drag] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble snorts and looks at the picture.* Whirl: *takes another deep drag; he started this in a bad mood but man. He' Whirl: s feeling much better. Must be the booze* Whirl: Any idea when it'll hatch? Shockbox: (( i just realized....shockbox barely goes up to alder's knee and they're sitting at the same table.)) ItsyBitsySpyers: //Fliers don't lay eggs, mech. That's jus' - holy frag, it IS an egg.// Shockbox: (( shockbox is sitting on top of the table, maybe? )) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Laserbeak perches on Bruin's helm instead then. A good fine spot. Take that, Spotter.* Windchill: (( Maybe it's just a poop, we don't know. )) ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Patch ended.) FakeProwl: *that's a very long period to focus on the patch* Shockwave: ((...a good concern)) FakeProwl: *acknowledging ping, heads back in* Airachnid: I'm waiting for this to go sour. Airachnid: Never mess with sparktwins. Windchill: Not really. These things take time. A lot of it. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Damn straight.// FakeProwl: @Soundwave «They spent an entire episode on that? Was it shadowplay or interrogation?» Whirl: *SNICKERS* THAT flier does. Bruin: *nice. Birb on head is a good distraction* Shockwave: *has observed that Prowl never remains in the room when certain things are on screen* Windchill: What?! Whirl: Well, let me know when it does, mech. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Intense interrogation, emotional control. Shockbox: (( he could be sitting, chimera's head overtaking his entire lap. that'd be cute. )) Whirl: Well, okay, you didn't LAY the egg, right? You helped make it though. Shockwave: ((omg....)) FakeProwl: @Soundwave «Psychological torture?» Windchill: Yeah, I did the fun part. *He subspaces the datapad, that's probably enough for one night.* I' Windchill: ll let you know. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Not worst example known. Confirmed regardless. Whirl: *nods cheerfully* Shockbox: *is such a smallwave.* Whirl: *VERY good mood. It's getting better by the second* Shockwave: *the smollestwave he's met, certainly* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «It doesn't have to be the worst psychological torture ever to qualify.» Windchill: (( LAY OFF THE ROBOWEED WHIRL. )) Whirl: ((HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW OK)) Whirl: ((NOBODY WARNED HIM)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *...He just said it qualified. He is confused by what sounded like a correction.* Windchill: (( How many people are getting it secondhand from being in his general vicinity, THAT is the question. )) FakeProwl: *it was the way he downplayed it before he confirmed it* Whirl: ((ariachnid is in The Dank Zone probably. Maybe Rumble* FakeProwl: *"not worst example known" was an irrelevant addendum.* Shockbox: *ah, boxyverse. where everybody is a smol.* Whirl: *looks to Rumble* So do any of YOU guys lay eggs? You said fliers don't, ina  way that seemed to ply others DO. Whirl: *imply Bruin: *soundwave will be happy to know Bruin brought his own snacks rather than eating servingwear this time* ItsyBitsySpyers: *He thought it relevant since he's the one who did the worst* Infinite: dreadwing as an autobot... ItsyBitsySpyers: *Chimera is in power conservation mode now.* Starscream: Fliers in my verse can, it depends who they mate with Shockbox: (( they do have mechanisms for changing one's size in that universe. perhaps i should bring that into these streams at some point.)) Infinite: the thought kills me that it could have happened, every day Bruin: *he's eating a long cable like a twizzler* ItsyBitsySpyers: *And Soundwave IS happy about that* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Nah. No eggs here. Jus' wildlife maybe.// FakeProwl: *ratchet appears to have gone home. hmm. sit alone?* Whirl: *glances to Starscream and... just nods. Wow. Did they just have a cordial moment?* Whirl: *DID THEY JUST... INTERACT POLITELY??? Cyberweed is a hell of a drug* Shockbox: *casually resting his hand on Chimera's head. he's focused on the documentary again.* FakeProwl: *... walks up to bruin. waits quietly to see if he'll be invited to sit with.* Airachnid: The green Autobot sure is a dim one isn't he? Whirl: Hmm. *duly noted* Yeah. He's kinda... he's clearly a FIGHTER, not a thinker. boomtank: ... Shockwave: *please. as if all of them werent war criminals by the time this ended* Whirl: But, he's damn good at fighting. Shockwave: *autobot hypocrisy at its finest* Windchill: *Rolls his eyes a little.* Airachnid: [rolls her optics] Bruin: *oh, he'll just gesture to the other end of the booth* Plenty of room if ya want Airachnid: Optimus Prime, the great communicator. Whirl: *takes another long, long drag. And another long, long drink* FakeProwl: *nods; sits with.* Shockwave: ((such short lived happiness lmao)) boomtank: ....-sighs- Windchill: Good grief. Whirl: Anyway. Eggs makes a lot of sense, if you think about it. Whirl: ...*realizes he's somewhat lost the thread of the show* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave shakes his helm. He knows what's coming up and he disagrees with it mightily.* Windchill: *Snorts.* Whirl: ... Whirl: Oh, damn. Is Starscream about to die? *perks up* Windchill: Ohhhh my god. Whirl: Well, damn. Whirl: *waves a claw at the screen* What can I say? Decepticons. Shockwave: *in fairness, dreadwing -also- betrayed them at this point, but he cannot bring himself to disagree* Airachnid: I would welcome that sight. Starscream: *not looking* Windchill: *Shrugs.* Infinite: :'( Bruin: Thats a shame Airachnid: Oh, I wish he offlined him. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Small plating flare. A waste of a good Decepticon.* Starscream: What????? Whirl: *snickers at Airachnid* boomtank: ...that would be Megatron Shockwave: I cannot believe this bumbling was actually successful. Shockbox: *ah, bickering.* Windchill: Um. Whirl: PFFT. Airachnid: Ah, so brilliant. Shockwave: *long-suffering vent* Whirl: Also typical Decepticons. *mock-toasts the screen* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Neither can he. And yet it was.]] boomtank: Oh...wow... FakeProwl: ((the best part is how they immediately get self-congratulatory.)) Windchill: NOOOOOOOOO really? FakeProwl: (("ah yes we're SO smart.")) Shockwave: *scoffs at 'magic'* Windchill: *He can only writhe so much without dislodging Whirl's feet but HE' Windchill: S GIVING IT ALL HE'S GOT.* FakeProwl: ... I'm sorry, did they say they hammered their bridge into a far more powerful upgrade. FakeProwl: They whacked it into a higher technology. boomtank: Yup Starscream: ((like the sims)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[The Forge of Solus Prime can be used to create anything the wielder has the knowledge to recreate.]] Windchill: Hey, sometimes you have to beat the scrap out of things. Buzzstrike: Percussive maintenance at its best Windchill: Some people think it makes us stronger. FakeProwl: ... How. Infinite: stupid huge sword Windchill: Builds CHARACTER. Windchill: ... Windchill: What's he compensating for? FakeProwl: Also, you're telling me that your Optimus knows how to build space bridges and forge mountain-splitting blades? boomtank: No idea Airachnid: Watch that ideology fade quickly. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[No. Our Optimus knows nothing. He is dead.]] boomtank: Hmn? Whirl: *takes one last, long inhale and then reaches up to pluck the spent cy-gar from his vent and set it on the table. Whirl has sunk down into his seat* Infinite: same Whirl: *he is one contented helicopter. His engine is making a very faitn purring noise* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[But he did know. Perhaps the information was held within the Matrix. He did not have the opportunity to ask.]] boomtank: I think most timelines are down an Optimus Starscream: language Shockwave: ((speaking of essays i wrote an essay about this scene)) Shockbox: (( is this the part where they use the bomb.)) FakeProwl: *waves off the nitpicking over tenses.* So he didn't have to know himself—just be connected to a sufficiently knowledgable database? Shockwave: ((and how the cinematography paints the autobots as bad guy aggressors murdering everyone)) Airachnid: Well he does have a chronic case of self-mayrterdom. Whirl: ((lord. "THE DECPTICONS MIGHT USE THE ENERGON HARVESTER AS A WEAPON!! IT'S SO BAD!!! but we can do it)) Whirl: ((it's ok if we do it)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Most likely.]] Windchill: *Puts his gross yaoi hands on Whirl's feet and waits to see if it's noticed.* Windchill: (( :') )) Whirl: *if he notices, he does't seem to mind* FakeProwl: So, conceivably, somebody with a grafted-on Prime's arm and a mental uplink to a datanet with a wide variety of instructional tutorials could whack anything into existence. boomtank: He does. It's annoying. Whirl: Pfft. Sunds BORING, prowl. Windchill: I can whack things into existence. Whirl: Useful, but boring. Building things is SUPPOSED to take time. Time, and pride. And... *waves a claw, vaguely* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[No.]] Infinite: sword makes gun sounds Windchill: *Case in point: egg.* Whirl: FINESSE. And... and CRAFTSMANSHIP. ...*looks to Windchill* Your Junxy doesn't count. Shockbox: *is this a battle, or a slaughtering?* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[The Forge is not unlimited. Most have been drained or destroyed.]] ItsyBitsySpyers: [[But that is for another night.]] Shockwave: ((i never noticed how much the same like 3 sounds effects get reused)) Windchill: I daresay I used some finesse on him, though. FakeProwl: Hmm. So they could create anything, but no everything, before running out of power? Whirl: *exaggerated gagging noise* FakeProwl: Are they rechargeable? Windchill: *You're welcome.* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He does not know. Solus Prime has been dead eons.]] boomtank: Wait Shockwave: ((your heroes, everyone)) boomtank: What Whirl: ((i tried to like you, smokescreen)) Starscream: that's... horrible Infinite: spark extractor, all powerful artifact, Shockbox: *oh, hey, look. hypocrisy.* Infinite: kills a whole buncha vehicons boomtank: ....... Airachnid: [welcome to the Autobots] Whirl: I will never become aroused again, because of what you just said. So thanks a lot, Windchill. FakeProwl: ... Have you ever met a Solus Prime? Shockbox: (( all decepticons in the chat room are just *instantly smug* )) Windchill: (( I wouldn't have much a problem with them using it if it weren't for the hypocrisy. )) Whirl: ((as if they're any better tho LOL)) Whirl: ((right after the ep where we watched them psycholoigcally torture one of their own :) )) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[...In a sense.]] Shockwave: *but that isnt painted as good and right)) Windchill: (( Conclusion: everyone is poo. )) Starscream: At least we don't pretend we're above such tactics Whirl: ((point--and yes, everyone is poo)) FakeProwl: ((the Decepticons sure think they did the right thing there. ... except starscream. he probably didn't enjoy it.)) boomtank: Did they seriously just flatten the sparks of all those there? Airachnid: Yes. Whirl: Pfft, did *I* ever claim to be? I ran with the Wreckers, mech. Ain't NONE of us pretended we were saints. Windchill: I'll remember you said that, Whirl. FakeProwl: ((in fact i'm gonna go out on a limb and say starscream definitely didn't enjoy it.)) Whirl: I'd use a spark extractor in a second. Whirl: *ALMOST DID ACTUALY. ...ON SOMEONE HE WANTED TO HELP THO. IT'S COMPLICATED* Starscream: You're supposed to be the exception Shockwave: *a small pulse of appreciation for his native soundwave. different universe, still basically the most competent person around* Windchill: An exception sanctioned by the rest of the Autobots. Whirl: Who, me? Whirl: Pfft. Starscream: yes, you Whirl: I'm not the worst Autobot to ever live, but I'm not the best, either. Starscream: you look like one of the worst Shockbox: *soundwaves are most usually very fine specimens, yes.* Infinite: let the little squirts bite it boomtank: .... Infinite: they only last like what? 80 yrs anyway Windchill: NO. Windchill: *They're just baby humans how dare you.* Shockbox: (( only a few more episodes until season 3? )) Infinite: Weighing consequences is part of my job ItsyBitsySpyers: ((this is the last one tonight and next week is S3 beginning)) Windchill: *He just gives her a vaguely horrified look, some of it may be feigned.* Whirl: And you... look like a twig. I rest my case. Shockbox: (( yes.....good....)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[And he will not hear lectures about these three humans. They became combatants when they interfered with the war and terminated Decepticons.]] Shockwave: ((then my BOYFRIENDS BACK HES GONNA SAVE MY REPUTATION HEY NA HEY NA MY SHOCKWAVES BACK)) Whirl: Besides, the worst Autobot was Tyrest . ***. Infinite: three humans over a 'con controlled Cybertron? I'm cool with that ItsyBitsySpyers: *Since apparently someone had a problem with him threatening them in the past* Infinite: (( LOL )) Whirl: I hate that guy. D'you know he wore A CAPE? ugh. Windchill: So did Alpha Trion. Airachnid: I told you the "Stop Megatron at all costs" ideology wouldn't last long. Whirl: I only wish I'd been there to see him die. But no, I was off buggering about Luna-1. boomtank: Prime boomtank: No Shockwave: *weak and insensible* Infinite: ugh Starscream: Personally I hate my verse's Hot Shot most, but whatever Infinite: ugh worst decision ever Whirl: ((YEEE SHOCKWAVE TIUME, AND THEN.... DURGONS)) Shockwave: ((so many dagrons)) Shockbox: (( shockwave time is my favorite time. )) Shockbox: (( and in my house, it's all the time. )) Whirl: He was the WORST. And like I said--CAPE. Whirl: Tyrest almost killed half our population. Regardless of faction. boomtank: -sigh- Optimus. Seriously? Bruin: Whats 3 humns for the entire fragging planet?  That's so... Starscream: Okay, he wins boomtank: Idiotic ItsyBitsySpyers: *Blaster, stop making him agree with you. It's getting frightening.* Windchill: Um. Whirl: *nods and makes a mock-toast to Starscream in agreement* Shockwave: *if it helps, you were here first. he's the one agreeing with you* Windchill: *He just looks disgusted with everything.* boomtank: -oops?- Shockbox: *this entire end season has been pretty full of nonsense tbh.* Airachnid: [she's just smoking her cyg and staring at the ceiling] Shockwave: ((just gets worse from here)) Whirl: ((yeah this is the season that lost me)) Airachnid: [her universe Autobots are so annoying] ItsyBitsySpyers: ((it gets more entertaining to me)) boomtank: -But, hey, he's been dealing with politics recently, so...- Whirl: ((prime... u hadd promise....)) Shockwave: ((well... i like some things more and hate some things more hahah)) Windchill: (( I enjoy it despite its flaws but my muse...is a boob. )) Whirl: *nudges Windchill's stommac with one foot, tilting his head qquestioningly. He's still making that low, constant engine purr* Shockbox: (( season three is actually my favorite season, but only because shockwave is in it. )) Airachnid: fun fact: I only watched season 3 to see if Smokescreen would live and to see if I would see Airachnid again)) Shockwave: ((the bad/ridic bits are moreso lets say... exaggerated)) Airachnid: and look how that turned out)) Shockbox: (( i was....too enraptured by him to thoroughly analyze the writing...)) Whirl: ((This is all new to me so I haven't see season 3)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((is prowl working on a very long 'how the heck did you meet solus' or is soundwave out of hot water on that one)) Whirl: ((but so far end of season 2, my impression is: MEDIOCREEEE)) FakeProwl: ((I missed your reply)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((yo the audio is cutting out)) FakeProwl: ((lemme check for it)) Infinite: *fins perk up at the mention of politics* Whirl: ((paused. was the audio messin for anyoe else?)) Airachnid: yeah it was for me)) Shockwave: ((i hate Deus Ex Machina Trump Card Optimus)) Starscream: ((yeh)) Shockbox: (( yeah it's lagging bad. )) Shockwave: ((and yes it stuttered for me)) Windchill: (( I'm having some intermittent troubles. )) Bruin: ((yep super choppy)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((can you rewind a minute or two?)) boomtank: ow)) FakeProwl: *"in a sense" means "yes"* Do you have Solus's contact information? Whirl: ((sorry my dudes. it's probably my connection, my computer's not the issue...)) Whirl: ((how's it runnin?)) FakeProwl: *look Prowl doesn't care how you met. Solus knows more about how the Hammer of Make All Things Works so he's going to the source to ask questions.* FakeProwl: ((it froze here too.)) boomtank: -He's reading details of a treaty right now, actually- FakeProwl: ((i just paused/unpaused. is the video paused right now?)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Yes. He believes it is known as "The Matrix."]] Whirl: ((ok, everyone refresh. I've got it paused)) Whirl: ((gonna move my cursor around, lemme know when u see it dancing)) Windchill: (( I SEEEEE YOUUUUU. )) FakeProwl: ((i see cursor!)) Whirl: ((pet de eradicons)) Buzzstrike: it's moving! ItsyBitsySpyers: ((icu)) Shockwave: ((all good)) Whirl: ((WE ROLLIN, any good?)) FakeProwl: ... Do you have the contact information of a Solus that I don't have to hardline a Prime to talk to? boomtank: wooo)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Negative.]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave points to the screen.* Whirl: *glances briefly over at Soundwave and Prowl, apparently interested in their convo* Whirl: *but he says nothing* FakeProwl: *oh well. it was worth a try.* boomtank: ...not gonna lie, but that would be useful Whirl: ((if everyone who was Matrix compatible had a "patron prime" whirl's would 10000% be solus)) Airachnid: [she's just staring at the ceiling, she can only handle so much Autobot hypocrisy in one night] FakeProwl: ... I'm sorry, now you have a LASER that can SHOOT things into existing? Shockwave: ((by our universes standards thatd make whirl a femme)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He told you of it months ago.]] agoodidstraction: *wakes up* Oops Whirl: ((he wouldn't care if folks called him a "she" he'd roll with it)) FakeProwl: I didn't realize it was a LASER. Whirl: I'm all for the fun that MAKES things. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[It is not a - he does not understand what it is. It is not a LASER.]] Whirl: *gun Shockwave: *the reaction manifests as visible energy. how is this so surprising* FakeProwl: Your universe has brought the art of percussive maintenance to the pinnacle of its potential. Windchill: It's some kind of magic beam. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Thank you.]] Whirl: *SNICKERS* Shockwave: It is not magic. Whirl: You guys... y'all. You fellas. Have a WEIRD dimension. FakeProwl: Do you happen to have a bomb that cyberforms cities. Whirl: Weird, I tell you. *shakes his head* boomtank: That...wow... Windchill: If it's science that I don't have an understanding or explanation for, it's magic to me. agoodidstraction: so it happened like this for a lot of timelines? ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Why is your first question a -bomb-?]] Airachnid: I remember the Omega Lock being used. Whirl: Nah, not at all. Shockwave: ((im skippy :'( )) Airachnid: It was quite a sight. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((ye it froze/skip)) Buzzstrike: and video's locked up again Shockwave: ((its back now tho)) Smokescreen: :OO Airachnid: OK so it's not me then)) Shockbox: (( oh hey smokey. )) Smokescreen: DANGIT I MISSED THE TIME WITH ME STEALING FROM MEGS boomtank: Optimus...what... Whirl: ((running or no??)) Smokescreen: ..... oh this part FakeProwl: I was trying to imagine the next step up from "hammers" and "lasers" in terms of tools that you don't expect to spontaneously generate complex structures. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((it's running here)) Whirl: In our world, something called the D-Void di a bunch of stuff, there was a Deceptigod, the Matrix did something weird, and Cybertron was reborn in a primitive state. Shockbox: (( completely frozen for me. )) Whirl: I  sttill have no idea what really happened. Shockwave: ((fine for me)) Whirl: ((refresh?)) FakeProwl: ((stuttery here)) Shockwave: ((...and now the sounds out.)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((n/m it froze again)) boomtank: stuttering)) Shockwave: (GDI MAKE UP UR MIND)) FakeProwl: ((and either paused or frozen)) Windchill: (( REfreshing helps a litle. My net was being a blockhead already today though. )) Buzzstrike: annnd stopped again boomtank: and out)) Whirl: ((paused. gonna rewind. Lemme know when u see my curosr)) Buzzstrike: *is maybe not meant to find out what happened while his cohort were in stasis under Darkmount* Airachnid: I see cursor but the noise is practically demonic)) Whirl: ((it should be silent and paused)) Airachnid: nvermind it chilled out)) Shockbox: (( finally un-frozen. )) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((it's still going on my end hold on)) Windchill: (( I refreshed again and now it looks normal. )) Shockwave: ((wow it only just NOW got to pause for me lmao)) FakeProwl: Allow me to rephrase my question. Shockbox: (( nope now it's paused, so kinda frozen. )) Buzzstrike: cursor is moving very skippity boomtank: wooo)) FakeProwl: Do you have any other tools that based on their outward structure and visual design would appear to be destructive but that are also unexpectedly adept at repairing or creating complex objects? ItsyBitsySpyers: ((okay cursor moving. COME ON LS it's only like 11 more minutes)) Whirl: ((u have one prowl. it's called "a Whirl")) FakeProwl: *if he's going to complain about a bomb being the example* Whirl: ((OK WE GOIN)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave looks up as if thinking about it* Whirl: ((runnin?)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *...Points at Rumble and Frenzy?* Windchill: (( So far so good! )) Smokescreen: ............ Smokescreen: ....... this part Shockwave: ((i see bouncy cursor)) Smokescreen: oh Smokescreen: i missed- i missed a lot boomtank: Optimus. Shockbox: (( cursor is good. )) Smokescreen: optimus.... Windchill: Really. boomtank: Seriously Shockwave: ((its a heart)) FakeProwl: *snorts* I was asking more about /insentient/ ones, but very well. Whirl: ((ye :3c)) Shockbox: (( d'aw. )) Whirl: ((i've started running it on my end it should start te show proper soon)) Windchill: Oh my god. Smokescreen: ............ Smokescreen: and we're about to end for the night aren't we Smokescreen: Dangit I missed everything Airachnid: Yes you did. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[There is a little time left.]] Whirl: *shrugs* Whirl: It's not like Cybertron was doing anyone any good. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[It could have.]] Shockwave: *antennae tilt backwards* Whirl: Yeah, but "could have" doesn't count for much. Smokescreen: But it would have! ItsyBitsySpyers: ((*SOBBING NOISES*)) boomtank: .... Shockbox: *if he had brows to be furrowed, they would be furrowing.* Whirl: Lotsa things "could have" been. Starscream: maybe Shockwave: ((dis ratch tho)) Shockbox: *or tiltable antennae, for that matter.* Whirl: ((JEFFREY..... COMBS!!!!)) Airachnid: [she's glad that this didn't happen in her universe] boomtank: Sorry, but I'm with Ratchet on this Airachnid: Likewise. Windchill: (( Let me know when it ends I give up. )) Airachnid: Who cares about Earth. Whirl: ((IS IT MESSING UP again??)) Shockwave: ((no its fine)) Whirl: I'd do it just to deny Megatron, personally. Starscream: ((not for me)) Smokescreen: ..... Whirl: I'd rather him have NO planets than TWO planets. Windchill: (( I think it's just me, the weather is probably knocking me out. )) Shockwave: ((best its run all night even the chats not laggy)) boomtank: And no home!? Windchill: (( I've seen this before tho. )) Whirl: Who cares about home? ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He did. Many of us did.]] Whirl: Cybertron's not special. FakeProwl: *... their home is not worth the home of the humans.* Whirl: Well, you're overly-sentimental, then. agoodidstraction: My Megatron just got Earth Shockwave: *the home of the humans is not worth their home* Starscream: My Cybertron was never so damaged that any of this was necessary ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Where do you propose he lives? On Unicron's shell?]] FakeProwl: *there are more humans than Cybertronians; and humans are less likely to use a restored home as a secure base from which they can try to conquer/destroy the universe.* Starscream: Our war was mostly fought off planet Shockbox: *definitely agreeing with all these pro-cybertron vibes everybody else is giving off.* Whirl: In space. Wherever you find yourself. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He did. He tired of it.]] FakeProwl: *reluctantly agrees with Optimus's decision to hinder Cybertron's restoration in order to save Earth.* Whirl: *that's what HE did; he considers the LL his home more than anything else* FakeProwl: *has no interest in sharing that with the group.* boomtank: -is just glad his Cybertron never got that bad- ItsyBitsySpyers: *And some should not be so quick to tell him he was wrong to feel that way, as it was a deciding factor in his defection.* Whirl: It's not like Cybertron was every anything other than a rotten pit, anyway. Who cares? Windchill: Earth isn't much better, sometimes. Airachnid: [she's just glad she doesn't have to deal with this, being a truce with the Autobots and all] boomtank: I would Shockbox: (( audio cut out. )) Whirl: Not saying it is. *waves a claw* Shockwave: ((oh no audios out)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((audio died)) boomtank: ((audio went demonic Whirl: ((paused. refresh, lemme know when u see my cursor)) Buzzstrike: (mine's locked again, going to have to quit for tonight - thank you though!) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((seeya!)) Windchill: (( Goodnight! )) boomtank: g'night!)) agoodidstraction: Heyyyy agoodidstraction: Me Shockwave: ((cmon LS ur so close)) Starscream: ((night)) Whirl: ((night!)) Shockwave: ((im still totally behind and without audio)) Shockwave: even after a refresh lol)) Whirl: ((it's paused on my end)) Shockwave: we're not even to the pause yet lmao Shockwave: ))* Shockbox: (( so. good stream. good stream. )) Shockwave: HOW LAGGY IS THIS ITS STILL GOING. INCREDIBLE...)) Whirl: ((GOD ***)) boomtank: eeesh)) FakeProwl: ((mine's still trying to catch up too :,) Whirl: ((WHY TONIGHT, LS. WHY TONIGHT)) Shockwave: ((okay its finally paused, then black)) Whirl: ((CUTTING THE stream entirely. Gonna reboot it)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((okay)) Windchill: (( GOOD LUCK SOLDIER. )) Airachnid: LS is just acting wonky lately)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((i got cursor)) Bruin: ((eey cursor)) Shockwave: ((now we get 5 minutes of paused cursor lmao)) Whirl: ((i did a stream on friday AND saturday and it was better behaved than this nonsense >8V)) Whirl: ((WE GOT CURSORS....)) FakeProwl: (cursor!)) Whirl: ((running it again)) Shockbox: (( /clasps hands. )) Airachnid: ye cursor)) Whirl: Anyway, moot point. *waves a claw* I wasn't in charge of those decisions. Just my two cents. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((oh my GOD livestream can you not for FIVE MINUTES)) Whirl: ((is it doing it again)) Shockwave: ((it fixed itself)) Shockwave: ((got a BIT choppy for a min)) Whirl: ((did u watch me pet megatron's lil head)) Shockwave: ((ITS HAPPENING RN)) Windchill: (( Right now, yes. )) Smokescreen: ......... Smokescreen: why does this part Shockwave: (( *rando audience voice* gawrsh dancitrons datanet connection suuuuuuuux )) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((DON'T MAKE HIM SLAP YOU, RANDO)) Shockbox: (( is this a stream or a slideshow, i find myself wondering. )) Whirl: HA. Nice. Smokescreen: sounds why does this entire part exist Whirl: ((sorry, shockwabe)) FakeProwl: ((everything's slowing down because soundwave is using the same line to download Secrets)) Smokescreen: like. this entire episode ItsyBitsySpyers: ((you found him out...)) Shockbox: ((oh shiz that'd explain it. )) Whirl: ((omg soundwabe. Download windchill's instead of mine)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[It exists because it happened.]] Windchill: (( WHAT?)) Shockwave: The Autobots made a decision. These are simply the consequences. *to Smokescreen* Airachnid: Exactly. Smokescreen: yeah- but-- does the part that's coming after this need to happen? Windchill: Apparently. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Yes. It did.]] Airachnid: Yes. Smokescreen: or be shown? Whirl: What kind of bullsh1t goodbye was THAT? agoodidstraction: Aww Whirl: *waves his mostly-empty cube at the screen* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[All must be shown.]] Windchill: Don't worry, bub. Shockwave: ((and for a moment i was froze on smokeysaluting while star goes ANNND THHAAAaaTTSss HOw YOU WWWRECKaWRECKKAAAHAHAHHA)) Whirl: (9AND NOW I GET BUFFERING ***)) Windchill: When I say goodbye to you, I'll be sure to do it properly. Whirl: ((OMFG)) Smokescreen: WHEELWHEEL your silver was good! Smokescreen: But- do we need to show THAT part? ... You know which part I mean, right? agoodidstraction: Yeah? Whirl: By making fart noises with your mouth? Shockwave: ((hey its running ok again for pop to EAT ***)) Airachnid: Yes Smokescreen he's going to show it, quit asking. Windchill: Exactly. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((it went black and stuttery over here)) Whirl: ((IT'SS OVER)) FakeProwl: ((it's frozen here. :,) no worries, i know what's going on)) Whirl: ((god. DAMMIT)) Airachnid: And Optimus could have just made coordinates, jumped into the bridge, and thrown a gernade. Whirl: ((do you guys want me to replay the end for u)) Shockbox: *mun isn't going to even bother refreshing at this point. shockbox's hand is resting on one of chimera's paws.* Shockwave: ((i gave my lag cooties to everyone else it seems. oop now its buffering. oop now its ok)) Windchill: (( It's still playing for me PFFFT. )) Airachnid: Dramatic much. Smokescreen: ....... Shockwave: ((k but the framing of this scene is real good)) Whirl: Thank you, Windchill. And if you die before I can say goodbye, I'll throw you a proper funeral. Smokescreen: /He's still going to start crying here even if he knows what happens/ Whirl: Big explosions. That's how we do. agoodidstraction: This all happened wayyy differently for me ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave turns to look at Smokescreen* Windchill: Explosions? Airachnid: [is just going to laugh at Smokescreen] Whirl: Yes. Windchill: You're not planning to blow up my corpse, are you? Whirl: Lotss of fire. Blwoing stuff up. Booze. Windchill: I can think of people who might have a problem with that. agoodidstraction: Smokescreen Whirl: *perks up* You want me to? Smokescreen: /Aaand he's going to make a point to look away from Soundwave/ ItsyBitsySpyers: *Pings the alternate to see if Smokescreen needs to go outside for a moment.* Whirl: Oh, right. Okay. Junxy gets your corpse, of COURSE. FakeProwl: ((you know what, cro)) Whirl: You don't gotta be present for a proper send-off. Windchill: Well.' ItsyBitsySpyers: ((what)) Shockwave: ((next week: shockwave and dragons, what more could you ask for)) Whirl: ((AT LONG LAST. I GET TO ADMIRE PREDAKING'S FLYING)) Shockbox: (( exactly. )) FakeProwl: ((prowl still hasn't watched the footage of the cybermatter/dark energon explosion on the nemesis)) Windchill: On the other hand, I'm not sure what he'd do with it either. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((nope. he still hasn't.)) FakeProwl: ((in a little bit he's gonna comm soundwave like "YOU /DO/ HAVE A BOMB THAT CAN REBUILD CITIES")) Whirl: I told Soundwave's horrid little helpers they could eat mine. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((LMFAO)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((okiedokie)) Windchill: *This bears some consideration, but he'd rather not think about it. )) Windchill: * ItsyBitsySpyers: //Hey! Who's a horrid lil helper?// *Punch* Smokescreen: ... Wheeljack? Shockbox: *oh man he almost completely forgot about his bowl of energon.* Whirl: *snickers* Whirl: You can eat me, too, mech, if you wanna. Windchill: That's like, so frugal. boomtank: ((GAH Shockwave: *observing these events from a distance on cybertron was certainly... interesting* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Native Smokescreen plops down by alternate Smokescreen. Sup. You holdin up?* boomtank: ((refreshed and sudden sound Shockbox: *but. chimera is on his lap. the bowl is out of reach.* Windchill: Maybe some parts. Wouldn't want to get GREEDY. Shockbox: *clearly he is stuck.* agoodidstraction: You wanna drive after this? Whirl: I was saying that to RUMBLE. Shockwave: *looks over. after a moment of staring, nudges the bowl into reach* Whirl: Not you. FakeProwl: ((oh now it works. after the stream ends.)) Windchill: Too late, I call dibs. Whirl: But I guess if they wana share you can have a leg or something. Smokescreen: ??? /He's probably inching away from his alternate./ I'm fine, I'm fine. Airachnid: rip...)) FakeProwl: ((still. sick jams.)) Bruin: *has finaly pulled the end of his cabling/twizzler snack out of his subspace, also absently petting the birb hat* Shockbox: *he grabs it* Thank you. Shockwave: ((streaming probably taxes the internet connection :P )) Smokescreen: ... A drive might be nice, Wheeljack. Shockwave: You are welcome. Whirl: Too late, I already gave them permission to devour my sorry remains. Windchill: *He shrugs.* Whirl: Wait... I need to send some to Blurr, too. boomtank: ... agoodidstraction: I'll bring cubes for when we're done. Shockbox: *he nods and fuels, careful not to drop anything on chimera.* Whirl: Anyway, there's not likely to be enough of me left when--what the FRAG are we talking about my dead body for!? Windchill: *He's not actually planning on eating anyone in that sense. THAT'S ALL IN THE PAST, OKAY.* Whirl: What kinda weido ARE you? Whirl: *drinks more* Smokescreen: ... But, me- you know how it feels, right? You okay? boomtank: that was the ep where the base goes up in flames right?)) Whirl: ((yes)) Windchill: *Windchill shrugs again.* Whirl: ((sorry if folks missed the end X|)) boomtank: because it cut out on me)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave rises and busies himself over by the DJ booth to find out where the connectivity problems were coming from* boomtank: kaaay)) Shockwave: ((its ok, most people've probs seen it)) boomtank: because Blaster locked up then, at that type of ending)) Whirl: The point is... *pauses*... I forgot what we were talking about before that. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Smokescreen nods.* "Yeah. Watched it over and over. Still hurts! But I know how it went." ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy pops up from behind Blaster's couch to poke him in the side* ItsyBitsySpyers: \\HEY, UH. I THINK HE BROKE.\\ boomtank: -startled yelp and flail- Windchill: Probably something stupid. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\FALSE ALARM!\\ Whirl: *SNICKERS* Smokescreen: Thank you, Wheeljack- you don't gotta do that, but thank you. Shockwave: *briefly considers whether the predacons might like to attend once they're in the picture* Whirl: Probably. ItsyBitsySpyers: *THEY BETTER NOT EAT ANY CHAIRS* Whirl: ...*just falls into contented silence, still making that clattering purring noise* Whirl: *he's REALLY chill rn* boomtank: What? Shockwave: *they're likely to be bored by the rest of it, but-- TELL THE MINIS NOT TO GET DARKSTEEL DRUNK THEN* Whirl: ((send *clap emoji* in *clap emoji* the *clap emoji* BABIES *clap emoji*)) boomtank: False alarm on...? Smokescreen: I mean- I know how it goes, but I know how it goes later on, and it's just like- you know how we managed to help later on, but then it's like it doesn't even matter later! We still mess up, and he- Airachnid: [she's still amused by Smokescreen's emotional distress] Shockwave: *did not mean the babies, they are young for Literal War Documentaries and would probably get disruptive mid-stream, but omg the mun is so...* Smokescreen: he still goes out! And it's not like anything can be changed and I miss him and- /Dangit he's making himself more upset,. Whirl: *they should crash the party* Shockbox: (( no babies....not today....) Whirl: ((why can't we, round up all these babies)) Shockbox: (( can we just have a playdate, honestly. )) Shockwave: *babies need a baby night. play rescue bots and let them run around the dance floor)) Shockbox: (( a stream playdate. )) Windchill: (( I need my worm baby HNNNNNGH. )) boomtank: -huffs once things catch up to him- Not broke. Just...remembering a few things I didn't want to Whirl: ((PLEASE TO ALL THIS)) agoodidstraction: Smokey, ventilate Whirl: ((i need to teach my nieve Bad Habits)) Whirl: *wormniece Windchill: (( The worst habits. )) Windchill: ((But no drugs, or there will be. Consequences.)) Windchill: (( She's too young to be experimented on in that fashion, good sir. )) Whirl: ((whirl doesn't do drugs. He stays away from them. WHEN PEOPLE WARN HIM OF WHAT THEY ARE *POINTED LOOK AT WJ*)) ItsyBitsySpyers: \\YEAH?\\ Frenzy hops over the couch back and plops down next to Blaster. \\MAYBE YOU 'N SMOKESCRAP OUGHTA GET TALKIN'.\\ Whirl: ((just beep-language. and beep-curses. and screaming)) Windchill: (( Limbs flailing. )) boomtank: Ah...no Shockwave: ((...getaway is probably down to toke. as long as its safe to do so and he's not on a job)) boomtank: No. I mean I don't want to remember that Windchill: (( Baby drool everywhere. )) Whirl: ((omfg)) boomtank: Period. agoodidstraction: ((jkdlsadas)) Whirl: ((getaway IS THAT A WEED)) Shockwave: ((getaway: ur not my dad)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Smokescreen's alternate doesn't really have anything to say that's comforting, so he just sorta. Pats himself on the shoulder awkwardly.* Smokescreen: Oh- oh yeah- I am ventilating! /He's at least trying to focus on that now instead- for as much as he can./ Whirl: ((I'M CALLING THE POLICE *dials a microwave*)) Shockbox: ((i love that vine. )) FakeProwl: ((the police: "tell him to give me a joint.")) Windchill: (( That *** vine )) ItsyBitsySpyers: \\OH. ...Y'NEED A DRINK INSTEAD OR SOMETHIN'?\\ Shockwave: ((getaway: SEE MY REAL DADS COOL)) Whirl: ((B) )) boomtank: Only if you want to scrape me off the floor. Smokescreen: Wheeljack- you don't happen to have any silver on you, do you? ItsyBitsySpyers: \\EH, WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST MECH. BRIDGE YA TO NEW PRAXUS. THEY'LL LET YA SNOOZE IT OFF THERE.\\ Shockwave: ((what if the preds come and are very good customers. i cant decide if theyd put it on shockys tab or if they'd bring Interesting Stuff They Found In The Underground...)) Shockwave: ((like crystals. or a critter for ravage to eat)) boomtank: Heh. Tempting...but I have a meeeting with my timeline's Soundwave tomorrow. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy doesn't really care HOW Blaster feels, but he knows the Boss isn't going to want to get stuck comforting a bunch of Autobots all night either* boomtank: -He doesn't mind. He's just going to throw himself into his paperwork later- ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy shrugs.*  \\SUIT YASELF.\\ Whirl: *streetches* Y'know. I'm in a good mood, mech. boomtank: Thanks anyways Whirl: I wanna go do sometthing after this. Like fly, or something. *tilts his head* Practice my bridges. Shockbox: *has finished his bowl by this point. he's leaning back.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy bounces off upstairs before Soundwave can stick him with cleaning duty. Rumble curses and starts picking up.* Windchill: *Streeeeetches, sorry Whirl.* Whirl: *swivels his helm around as he sees Rumble get up,a nd then turns it again to bon at Airachnid* Seeya later, mech. Whirl: Hey! Nimrod. *nods at Windchill and withdraws his feet* Come and help me. Airachnid: [waves at Whirl] See you later. Shockwave: *quietly stands and goes to discuss the next shipment of Buzzsaw's payment with Soundwave before he leaves* Shockbox: *sadly, it appears he won't be able to discreetly run off to shove energon into his subspace.* Whirl: *and he will set his cube aside, hop to his feet, and help Rumble clean* FakeProwl: *nothing else to stay for, and it appears no conversation will be happening tonight* Airachnid: [she should get up too, she walks out, still smoking a cyg] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Oh, Shockbox is perfectly welcome to do that.* FakeProwl: *a farewell ping, and flickers out.* Smokescreen: /Also now that he's tearing up a little less he's going to go and glare at Airachnid/ ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave pings Prowl farewell* Windchill: *Windchill thinks about helping, but makes no promises and continues to sit on his butt instead.* Airachnid: [she's still laughing at him by the way] Shockwave: ((thats a lotta laffs. do ur sides hurt, spide)) boomtank: -time for him to go home too- Thanks, and good night. Shockbox: *alright, he's just gonna. scoot away from chimera without waking the bot up.* Smokescreen: ... /He's trying to avoid attempting to fight- that's just a bad idea in general! trying to spit at doesn't count as fighting though right/ ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Goodnight, those of you leaving.]] Lifts his helm and looks at Shockwave. He's got to keep working on this but he'll be able to hold a conversation at the same time. Shockbox: *he has arrived at the snack table.* agoodidstraction: Smokescreen, c'mon Whirl: *unless somewhat shepherds him out anytime soon he's gonna just kinda. clean. chill out. He's high af and happy to be in any old place rn* agoodidstraction: Let's drive Bruin: *oh, right time to go, one more scritch for lazerbeak and he's pulling out his walking stick and heading in the last known direction of the door* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Laserbeak will fly him there* ItsyBitsySpyers: *....As a guide. Not. By picking him up* Smokescreen: !! /That sounds like a good plan to him! He's going to follow Wheeljack out, then./ Whirl: ((laserbeak carries her prey into the night)) Windchill: (( HELP. )) agoodidstraction: Night fraggers Shockbox: *he is about to take one bowl and shove it in without asking, but thinks better of it.* Windchill: All right, you guys... I'm gonna go. It's time to feed. Whirl: *bobs his head in farewell* Whirl: Later, loser. Bruin: *tiny birb might be able to lift a single servo* Windchill: *If he doesn't eat soon, he will evolve into his hangry form.* Bruin: *but otherwise he is far to logr and dense* Windchill: *It is not beautiful.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble appreciates the cleaning help. He can move the booths back by himself but this goes faster.* Windchill: Bye, suckers. *He waves, and departs.* Shockwave: *stands close to the booth, but politely attempts not to be disruptive to the work* The next installment of Buzzsaw's payment is ready. Several of the items are... unwieldy to transport. *mun-- Shockwave: --imagines that at least a few of the items are somewhat ridiculous in addition to being abstract or macabre* Whirl: *he will happily take direction. This was the secret of securing obedience in whirl all along: cyber weed* ItsyBitsySpyers: *DO NOT TAKE THE BOWLS. Just the treats.* Shockbox: @Soundwave: What are my limits in terms of indulging in snacks? ItsyBitsySpyers: @Shockbox: [[Half of what remains, if you can fit it. The same restrictions apply as last time.]] Whirl: ((WHOOPS CUT OFF ME GLITCH MOB... the song was nearly done anyway)) ItsyBitsySpyers: @Shockwave: [[Will he need to bring a freight cart?]] Shockbox: @Soundwave: *A pause, then a ping of thanks. Considers soundwave an excellent host, even if the stream was being troublesome.* Shockbox: *is shoving exactly half of the snacks into his subspace now.* Shockwave: *briefly considers* That may be helpful. Darksteel is, of course, available to assist in operating it. Shockwave: ((DOWN TO THE GRAM, EXACTLY 50%)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((later soundwave finds a treat split into a portion, lifts it up like "the hell happened here")) Whirl: ((he painstakingly dissects one treat in half)) Shockbox: ((he would not be the type to be imprecise about this. )) Shockwave: ((next time soundy specifies that leaves treats looking like they boomtank: ((nope that would be illogical Shockwave: re half-eaten makes no one but Laserbeak want to eat them)) Shockwave: ((thx enter key)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((laserbeak doesn't see a problem)) Whirl: ((whirl couldn't have them either way)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Good. Buzzsaw appreciates helpful students.]] Whirl: ((not unless the half-eaten quality means they're liquid)) Whirl: *looks pu briefly from his cleaning and tilts his helm at Soundwave* So, this is... your THING now. The club. For real, right? This how you make your day-to-day. *it only seems to have NOW dawned on h Whirl: im, fully* Shockbox: *he takes his leave.* Shockbox: (( 's hella late. g'night. )) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((night!)) Whirl: ((night!)) boomtank: night!)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave glances up at Whirl, then kneels down to deal with the guilty wire.* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[One of his things. Most of what it makes is sent to the settlements.]] Shockwave: *nods slightly, waits for Whirl to be answered* ...At what time should this delivery be arranged? Whirl: Huh. *what he thinks of the matter, further, only he knows* Whirl: *assume he'll stick around to help until Rumble no longer needs them, and then will go home* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Shall do.* ItsyBitsySpyers: ((night snif! i think?)) Whirl: ((after this song I'll be shutting the stream down on my end o7)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave pulls a schedule up on his visor and skims through it.* [[Late this week or early next.]] Whirl: ((but feel free to snag whirl if u wanna chat at him about something)) boomtank: ((annnd g'night. Thanks for the stream! ItsyBitsySpyers: ((night boom mun!)) Shockwave: ((thats fine, shocky can leave right after this lol)) Whirl: ((night!)) Shockwave: ((*NOT USED TO BEING THE LAST ONES TALKING*)) Whirl: ((feel free to keep using the chat, by all means!)) Shockwave: Very well. *pings him one of the 'late this week' time slots marked as available, then steps back* Until then. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave nods at his ally* [[Until then.]] *Don't look now, but there's an affectionate tag on it.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *...Soundwave pings Whirl.* Shockwave: *pauses just long enough to make it evident that he's disobeyed and noticed the tag, then bows shallowly and departs* Whirl: *looks up and bobs his helm again* Yep? ItsyBitsySpyers: [[You are not fit to travel by bridge. Would you prefer to remain here for the evening?]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Tucks the repaired wire back into its panel and closes it up. That should solve the video problems.* Whirl: What? Pfft. Of COURSE I can bridge. *draws himself up* I've gotten pretty good, as a matter of FACT. Whirl: ...but yeah, sure, whatever. *nudges Rumble* Hear that? Sleepin over, mech. Shockwave: ((quietly chants 'sleepover' in the bg)) Shockwave: ((make a pillow fort)) Shockwave: ((paint whirls clawtips)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble hoots and yells at Frenzy to get his aft back downstairs* Whirl: ((rumble, frenzy, zori, and chimera, and laserbeak all pile on)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Good. You are restricted to the first floor. Rumble will serve energon if you need it.]] ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Enjoy yourselves.]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave heads upstairs to get some work done in place of his now sleepovering deployers* Whirl: *flips Soundwave a jaunty salute; he does not see anything weird about this* Whirl: ((and thus he sleps over \o/ CATCHA YA ON SKYPE))