#I guess the writers were like “well I haven't played the game but I know the basic lore & characters”

[my-t4t-romance]

watching my dad change a flat tire in the movie theater parking lot was genuinely more interesting and memorable than the entire borderlands movie

[i-smoke-chapstick]

What advice or tips do you have for a writer wanting to write the characters from Succession for the first time (Shiv, Kendall, Roman, Tom, Greg etc)

Not sure if this was meant for me, since I haven't yet written for Succession, but I can still try my best to help out! Here are some tips <3 Sorry for the long post.

Whenever I'm writing for a character, I really try to incorporate their canon dialect and dialogues here and there. For instance, Roman stutters on his words quite a bit erratically, and Greg has a lots of "uh"s and "oh"s and awkward, bumbling uncertainty. It's all about the characters voice, because I find fanfics with lots of dialogue to be the most enjoyable! If I was writing for succession, I'd typically try to follow these tips for each character,

Shiv: Shiv sometimes speaks with an underlying tone of superiority, and a lot of her interactions also have fraught tension. When writing a character, you need to look at their insecurities and desires to get a feel for what they want vs. how they express it. Shiv struggles with a desire to prove herself, but wants power. Because of this, she's blunt in all the wrong ways.

This sounds dumb, but I always do a short writing exercise beforehand and I really encourage it! One of my favorite things to do is just imagine the conversation I'm trying to write. For instance, if Y/N were ask Shiv what her favorite color was. She might say something like,

"My favorite color? Seriously, Y/N, that's the question you come up with? Well, if we're going to play this game, I guess I'll indulge you. Let's see... I don't know, maybe the color of money? Honestly, I'm more concerned with the color of success, and right now, it's looking pretty green to me."

Kendall: Similarly stutters like Roman, and can switch between being aggressive and vulnerable.

Here again with the favorite color theory:

"Uh, favorite color? That's a... good question. You know, it's, uh, probably something classic. Black. Yeah, black. It's, uh, timeless, powerful. Like, I don't know, it's just... it's a strong color. Represents, like, the intensity and, uh, the seriousness of, you know, life and business." (Long example, but I'll dive into this!)

Succession characters are very human. The pauses in their words, their overuse of "like" and "uh" (especially for Kendall). I try to use Kendall's "media trained" upbringing as a way for him to spin the question into something flattering for himself. Like if he was in an interview.

While as If we were writing for Roman, he might say something like,

"My favorite color? Seriously? Okay, um, let's go with... I don't know, red? Yeah, red. It's bold, it's sexy. Plus, it's the color of blood, and blood is, like, life or whatever. Or maybe it's just 'cause I look good in it. Either way, red. Final answer."

Roman has a lot more vulgarity in his dialogue, as well as pop-culture references and anything completely outlandish. Sometimes I like piecing together canon dialogue from the show to form answers as well, because the reader can more affectively imagine the character saying it!

Tom: When you're writing a character like Tom, his interactions really depend on whoever he's talking too, and how stressed he is about a situation. If he's speaking to a reader whose a Roy, or more powerful than him in a way, he's fumbling; not trying to impress them per se, but trying to fit in. Also, if in this universe you're writing, Shiv is apart of, Shiv is just a major part of his character in general, he'll probably mention her now and again. Once again, the favourite color theory!

"Oh, my favorite color? Well, I'd have to say blue. It's calming, you know? Reliable. Like a good, steady stock that just keeps going up. Plus, it’s a color that commands a certain... respect. Not too flashy, but still, quite distinguished. And, well, Shiv looks great in blue, so there's that too."

Now, if you're writing for someone like Greg who asks the question, someone who he doesn't view as a threat, Tom is much more assertive and aggressive. He'd be more sarcastic, less enthused, and simply wouldn't care. Might not even answer the question. He has the same loose, condescending tone as Shiv would.

"Oh, my favorite color? You know, Y/N, of all the things you could ask me—my thoughts on the latest market trends, insights on corporate strategy, or even just what I had for breakfast—you went with favorite color. Remarkable. Adorable, really. Y/N, what is this? Preschool? Do I look like someone who has time to contemplate the nuances of the color spectrum?"

Greg: Poor Greg.

"Ah, favorite color, huh? Well, that's a tough one. I reckon I'd have to go with a good ol' forest green. Reminds me of these long hikes through the woods back home. Plus, it's just got this calming vibe to it, you know? Like being surrounded by nature's...embrace." Que the awkward cough, realizing he's ranting or saying things that don't quite sound right.

Greg is more compassionate, more air-headed then the Roy's. He's probably the only one on this list to add a subtle,

"What about you?" To make more semi-awkward conversation.

Okay, Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. I really don't think this was meant for my blog, but regardless, I love questions like these <3

[kaija-rayne-author]

Dragon Age Veilguard wrap up review and final thoughts

So… I wrote that string of reviews (section one starts here) while I was playing the game. I’d write them either before or after logging in for the day, so I wouldn’t forget anything I wanted to mention.

Spoilers for Dragon Age Veilguard. Tried to keep them to a minimum, but they’re there.

My thoughts on breaking the media blackout I stayed under while I played Veilguard to completion.

A little about me. I’m an editor by trade. I’m an author and a reviewer. I’m a pretty heavily left leaning, queer as fuck, non-binary person, so I’m not one of the awful reviewers who are causing so many problems from what I’ve heard. No one paid me for a review or to write anything. I’ve played the game to completion and watched the credits all the way through to that awful last scene. These are just my thoughts and my knowledge. And honestly? My broken heart.

I’m just someone who has absolutely loved Dragon Age from the moment I first turned on DAO. Because I’m an editor and a writer… my reviews tend to be more in depth than an average person’s? Maybe? I have a medical background (Forensic Anthropologist) and I legitimately read encyclopedias for fun.

In case you haven’t guessed yet. I’m autistic/ADHD (AuDHD). Dragon Age has been a hyperfocus/special interest of mine for years. I’m absolutely a lore fiend. I probably know more about the lore than many people actually working at BioWare. Especially if Veilguard is anything to judge by.

Also, this is all my off the cuff writing. I haven't the time, energy, or desire to edit them.

The problem with Dragon Age Veilguard… well. There’re a lot of problems with it. I think what it really comes down to is poor adhesion to the established lore, a crappy fighting and levelling system, and poor writing. And with Trick Weekes as Lead Writer? I never in a million years would’ve thought I’d have to say that about Veilguard.

I’ve enjoyed Weekes’ writing for a few years now. Two of my favourite Dragon Age books are by them. I really wish I could write a positive review for Veilguard. But I just can’t.

There were some things I liked about it. I liked some of the mechanics. Ziplines and the Elven light puzzles were pretty awesome. I liked how some of the streamlining made the game better. I liked how the logs were a lot easier to walk across than they were in any of the previous games. Some of the characters grew on me despite their poor writing. I liked the map when I was at the Lighthouse. Being able to see when and where a companion wanted to talk to me was great. I liked the wardrobe and how nice and easy it made changing how your gear looked. There were probably a few other things I liked. I tried to be scrupulous in my review series on saying both the positive and the negative. So if you’ve got the time to read that long thing, it’s probably worth it if you’re on the fence about buying and playing it.

And if you had a hand in making that travesty of a CRPG? You really should read it. For professional development, if nothing else.

If you’re Solavellan? I’ll just flat out tell you not to. It’s not worth it. There is no happy ending for Solas and Inky. There’s no intimate scene. Every single thing most Solavellan’s have been hoping for… for ten bloody years? It’s not there. And in fact, they did Solas so dirty. There were memories of him. I wanted memories! I did not want memories of every awful thing he’d ever been forced to do as a rebel leader. They hammered home how awful Solas was with a freaking jackhammer.

As a diehard DA fan and a committed Solavellan? It was an outright painful game to play. It really hurt. And then to see his horrific wolf form (he honestly looks like a Chinese crested dog on a really bad day. I really wish I were joking.) And then to not have anything resembling a happy ending? It’s not worth your time, and it definitely isn’t worth your money. Fanfic writers will have to heal our broken hearts, because Weekes certainly did not.

No. Trick Weekes. That was not even a suggestion of a happy ending. And I will honestly never trust you again after you actually tweeted that to me. You gave me hope. And there was no reason to hope.

So… yeah. I’ll never be able to cover all the bad in Veilguard in a short (ish) review. I’m trying to keep this short!

I’m not good at that. For what it’s worth. XD.

The Lore.

There is so much Lore they had to use for inspiration. Three full games, five books, six comics, at least two coffee table/art books and probably stuff I don’t know about. They had all of that to use as inspiration. What little they did use? Was so twisted it was hardly recognizable. I went into more detail in the longer review series so I won’t here. But they hardly used the amazing amount of Lore at all. They shoved it under the rug of bad writing to make a very unsightly lump to anyone with eyes to see it.

It’s almost like they were so eager to shuffle Solas off so they could move on to writing a new game in a different age that they just… I don’t even know. Treated him poorly doesn’t begin to cover it. Screwed up the story by sidelining a plot-necessary character also doesn’t cover it. Which as both an editor and an author, I really do not understand. You don’t do that with such a plot heavy character. It leaves the consumers unhappy.

After the game play reveal. I honestly didn’t have a lot of hope. I knew Varric’s fate even before that. (It’s not good. In case you’re wondering.) Becoming an editor has absolutely ruined me by making it easy to guess what’s going to happen.

The Writing.

I’ve actually heard and seen the writers saying they were pleased with how the characters came out. Professionally? And as kindly as I possibly can? May I suggest you all learn how to write better? Most of those characters and the plot were just so poorly written. The romances were ridiculous. And I’m a romance author? So I kinda know what I’m talking about? At every juncture, you all chose the most basic, most puerile options. The only surprises for me in that game were how you completely ignored the Lore and how bad the writing was.

I think Veilguard would’ve been perfectly fine as a non-Dragon Age action RPG. And for anyone who loves it for that… I’m truly happy for you.

But that’s not how it was marketed. It had all the right Dragon Age voice actors, character names, location names… but that is not Dragon Age. You’d need to actually use the lore for that. They did not. Or if they used a little? It was heavily retconned and twisted out of recognition. The only thing even remotely close to being like a Dragon Age game were the settings, environments, and scenery. Those were phenomenal and the only thing that held that travesty of a game together. Everything else? Goddess. How do you fail so horribly at something when you have every resource you could possibly need to make it good?

Because it could actually have been good. It could’ve been phenomenal. If they’d actually written that game for Dragon Age fans? You know… us middle-aged or slightly younger/older gamers who’ve lusted for another DA game for years? If they’d paid attention even a little bit to the Lore? If they hadn’t side-lined a plot-important character? If they hadn’t retconned soooo much that I often felt like I had whiplash playing it? If they hadn’t stripped it down to the very bare bones of mediocrity? If they hadn’t basically made it for children? While condescending to them? (Heads up… kids hate being condescended to.)

If they hadn’t nerfed rogues so badly that I don’t know why they bothered to call them rogues at all? You cannot pick locks, hide in shadows, sneak, set or disarm traps, brew potions or bombs… absolutely none of the fun stuff that makes a rogue a rogue is in Veilguard. If you’re a rogue player? Skip it. You’ll just be as disappointed as I am.

Nor can you garden. You can’t make potions or bombs or… anything. You can’t craft anything yourself. You go to someone called The Caretaker at the Lighthouse and use everything you’ve collected by smashing far too many barrels (why… why with the barrels?) for them to upgrade your stuff. You can’t really dress up your companions in funny clothing or armour. They’ve scraped most of the detail out of Veilguard like they were carving a pumpkin and had to get the guts out. The problem is? Those guts are needed for any story. It’s called world building.

Get this. BioWare… BIOWARE removed blood splatter from Veilguard. There’s no toggle I can find that makes it even possible. They truly made this game for kids and not for the middle-aged gamers who… y’know… usually have money to spend on games. Do NOT ask me how that made any kind of sense. Their logo for at least two games was a blood splatter Dragon ffs. And now there’s no blood splatter option in game. I just absolutely cannot understand it.

The fighting system.

Dear gods. The fighting system. So first? They tied how often your companions get skill points to how high their bond is with you. You increase your bond with them by taking them with you (and you can only take two) and doing their quests, etc. But do you know what that means in functionality? If you’re not a tank player? You’re basically cream cheese. I’m not a professional gamer. But gaming is my number one form of entertainment. I play on hard/ultra hard for most games I play. And a lot of them are live-fighting types like DAV was trying to be.

Guess whose rogue had a permanent tattoo of ‘I have aggro please come eat me now’ on their forehead? Mine. I have a very intimate understanding of the inside animations of the dragon’s mouths. If they’re going to keep that crappy leveling system, the least they could do is let us all have the ‘no death’ toggle on every level. Won’t matter to me because I can’t imagine ever playing it again.

I lost 14 hours of my life with the crashing, glitching, and reloading I had to go through to get the damned thing to even run. (And it’s not my computer. It has an ssd. The video drivers are all updated and up to snuff. It’s around a little over midway between necessary and recommended specs. It’s just a shitty game.) It’s a shame I can’t charge BioWare for those lost hours of my life. How could they have possibly thought that this game was ready for release?

If you want to know the rest of the negatives (and a few more positives) the whole review series is where you’ll find them.

But between the actual craptastic showing of Veilguard and that last scene taking all the agency away from every character who ever came before? Oh, and with the bad guys from across the sea wearing something an awful lot like a burqa? You know… the long black robes and veils many Afghani people and other Muslims wear? Nah. I’m done. Finite. I may occasionally enjoy the first three games. But Veilguard does not exist for me. And anything they make going forward doesn’t exist for me. That last scene… WTAF were they thinking? I actually can’t believe out of all the people who must have worked on that game that no one else made that connection about maybe insinuating that people wearing black robes and veils who live on the other side of the sea are evil is maybe a bad thing!?

I just can’t anymore. If you’re looking for a no-brain needed, kid oriented, action RPG (they really did simplify this soooo much for children that it’s absolutely condescending) then you’ll probably be fine with it.

If you love the Lore as much as you love the world? If you play rated M games with romanceable companions for the intimate scenes and the romance? (You’ll be disappointed.) If you have a few thoughts on whether it’s a great idea to remove the agency of all previous characters in the entire series as being bad? If you think maybe it’s a bad idea to insinuate people in burqas are evil? If you play anything other than a tank? Veilguard is not a game for you.

[that1emowitch]

Hey I saw your ask for fanfics and I don't know if it still is or if you do AU....but my friend and I were joking about a Birdflash fast food AU...like in the mall food courts with the stalls all in the same area...thanks!

Thanks for the ask! I'm always open to any kind of fic ideas to feed my writer's block hehe I’m not completely sure what you meant, but here’s my fun little take on that! I got a cute idea and ran with it lolll Young Justice (show) AU, except Wally doesn’t know Robin’s real identity. Exists outside of the show’s canon timeline. Dick’s 18, Wally’s 20. Jason is Robin, he's like 12-ish. Alr established relationships are Artemis/Zatanna and Conner/M'gann. If you haven't watched the YJ show yet, dw, it'll still make sense. ALsO, GO WATCH IT IT'S SO GOOD

Word Count: 7191

TW: None

Summary: Dick playing games with Wally just for the heck of it and making Jason tag along. Wally’s a huge simp.

AO3 link

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Wally West, better known to the world as Kid Flash, was just exiting the changing rooms of Mount Justice with his iconic red and yellow uniform slung over his shoulder. He'd traded his speedster suit for a simple hoodie and jeans combo, his fiery hair tousled from the quick change. He didn’t mind the hustle—he was used to doing everything fast, after all.

As he walked into the lounge area, the familiar sight of Artemis and Zatanna caught his eye. The two heroines were seated on the couch, engrossed in a conversation with laughter bubbling between them. Artemis was leaning against Zatanna, both of them looking entirely too comfortable. They were dressed in casual outfits that hinted they were heading out rather than staying in.

"Well, if it isn’t our favorite lovebirds," Wally announced, his tone a mix of amusement and mock exasperation.

Zatanna looked up first, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Look who finally decided to join the living. What’s up, Wally?"

Wally shrugged as he dropped onto the arm of a nearby chair. "You know, the usual—saving the world, busting bad guys. But hey, speaking of ‘what’s up,’ where are you two headed? Doesn’t seem like a night for crime-fighting."

Artemis shot him a teasing glance, crossing her arms. "Not everything’s about crime-fighting, West. It’s date night."

Wally rolled his eyes dramatically, though a smile was already forming on his lips. "Date night again? You two are always on date night. What’s a guy gotta do to get some attention around here?"

Zatanna chuckled, nudging Artemis playfully. "You’re just jealous because you’re not invited. Besides, what happened to Conner and M’gann? Thought you were their third wheel."

"Please," Wally scoffed, shaking his head. "You think I’m hanging out with the golden couple? They’re in their own world. I’m starting to think everyone here’s got something better to do than hang out with little ol’ me."

Artemis smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Ever thought of hanging out with Rob— I mean, Nightwing? He’s always up for some action."

At the mention of Nightwing, Wally’s smile wavered just slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before he masked it with his usual humor. "Yeah, right. If only Nightwing wasn’t on a mission with the new kid. It’s Baby Robin’s first solo gig without Batman, so Nightwing’s got babysitting duty."

"Robin’s first mission?" Zatanna tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "He’s what, twelve?"

"Yep, and raring to go," Wally confirmed with a nod. "Nightwing’s been training him hard. The kid’s good, but he’s still just a kid. Guess that makes me the last wheel on this wagon."

Artemis gave him a sympathetic look. "Come on, Wally, don’t be so dramatic. You’ve always got something going on. Besides, aren’t you supposed to be a genius or something? How do you even find the time to whine about being alone?"

Wally grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I’ve got time for everything, Artemis. Speedster, remember? But if you must know, I’ve got a job to get to anyway."

Zatanna blinked, her eyes widening in surprise. "A job? You? As in a regular, non-superhero job?"

Artemis looked skeptical. "Wait, you’re a superhero, a student at Central City University, and you have a normal job? When do you sleep?”

"Sleep’s for the weak," Wally quipped, but the grin on his face was more real this time. "Besides, gotta stay busy. You guys aren’t the only ones with lives outside of the team."

Zatanna looked just as surprised. “Yeah, what kind of job are you doing, Wally? I thought you were too busy for anything else.”

Wally shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. “Just working at the food court in the local mall. Gotta pay the bills somehow, right? I can’t let my parents cover all my tuition fees. Besides, it’s not like saving the world pays well.”

Artemis rolled her eyes, but there was an amused smile on her lips. “Only you would find time to be a superhero, ace your classes, and work a part-time job. You’re insane, you know that?”

“Insanely awesome,” Wally corrected her, giving a mock bow. “Thank you very much.”

Zatanna chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re something else, West. But seriously, don’t overwork yourself. We don’t want you burning out.”

Wally waved off her concern. “I’ve got it all under control. Don’t worry about me. You two just go enjoy your date night. Try not to miss me too much.”

Artemis smirked as she grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. “We’ll try, but no promises.”

Zatanna winked at him as they headed for the door. “Have fun at work, Wally.”

“Will do. You two have fun too,” Wally called after them, watching as they walked out of the lounge, the door sliding shut behind them. Once they were gone, Wally let out a small sigh, running a hand through his hair. He loved Artemis and Zatanna, really, he did. But it was hard not to feel a little left out sometimes. Everyone seemed to have someone, whether it was M’gann and Conner, or Artemis and Zatanna. Even Dick had Jason to focus on. And then there was him, Wally West, the odd man out.

Shaking off the melancholy that threatened to creep in, Wally picked up his uniform and made his way to the zeta tubes. He had work to get to, and he wasn’t going to let himself get bogged down by thoughts of what he didn’t have. There was always tomorrow, always another chance to hang out with Dick, or to do something fun with the team. For now, he had to focus on the present.

“Zeta tube activated. Kid Flash, B03,” the automated voice intoned as Wally stepped into the zeta tube.

— — —

The night had settled into that dreary lull where everything felt slower, even for a speedster like Wally West. He stood behind the counter of the food court’s burger joint, absently handing out orders to customers with the practiced ease of someone who could do this in his sleep. Which, frankly, he felt like he was doing.

Boredom gnawed at him as he forced himself to smile at yet another tired-looking customer. I could have done this in seconds as Kid Flash, he thought, eyeing the clock that seemed to be ticking by at a snail’s pace. But, he reminded himself, it wasn’t about the speed. It was about the money. The money that kept him from having to burden his parents more than he already did, that paid for his textbooks, and that somehow made him feel like a normal guy for a few hours a week.

Not that normal was all it was cracked up to be. Wally stifled a yawn as the latest customer took their tray and walked off. Finally, a break. He retreated into the kitchen, slumping against the wall as he tried to muster the energy to make it through the rest of his shift. Maybe he could grab a snack or—

Ding!

The familiar chime of the front counter bell rang out, signaling another customer. Wally groaned internally, the small moment of peace shattered. Pushing himself off the wall, he mentally prepared to slap on his customer service smile and head back out.

But when he reached the counter, Wally froze in place.

Standing before him were two people—a young man and a tween boy. But it was the man who instantly caught Wally’s attention. He had tan skin that seemed to glow under the harsh fluorescent lights of the food court, paired with striking baby blue eyes and dark, tousled hair that looked effortlessly perfect. His smile was brilliant, the kind that could light up a room, and Wally felt his breath hitch. The man looked like he’d just walked out of a magazine, or like some kind of Greek god casually browsing for fast food.

Whoa, Wally thought, his mind suddenly blanking. He was vaguely aware of the younger boy at the man’s side, staring up at the menu with wide eyes, but it was hard to focus on anything other than the man’s presence.

The boy, who had the same blue eyes and dark hair as the man, was clearly excited as he scanned the menu, but his gaze lingered on the prices a little too long. There was something cautious in the way he looked at each item, like he was weighing his options carefully despite the fact that he was clearly well-to-do.

The young man nudged the boy gently, his voice smooth and encouraging. “Order whatever you want, Jason. It’s on me.”

The boy—Jason—looked up at him, his eyes brightening at the reassurance. After a moment of contemplation, Jason finally settled on his choices. With the man’s encouragement, Jason stepped forward, telling Wally the order for both of them. “Uh, two cheeseburgers, a vanilla smoothie, and a chocolate smoothie… oh, and a side of fries.”

Wally’s brain was still short-circuiting from the initial sight of the man, and it took a moment for the words to register. When he realized they were waiting for him to take the order, he snapped back to attention, his face heating up. “Uh, sorry, can you repeat that?” he stammered, mortified.

The young man chuckled softly, clearly amused rather than annoyed. “Two cheeseburgers, one vanilla smoothie, one chocolate smoothie, and a side of fries,” he repeated patiently.

Wally nodded quickly, punching in the order with a speed that would have been impressive if he wasn’t still flustered. He risked another glance at the man, who was now leaning casually against the counter, watching Wally with a relaxed smile. Jason was fiddling with the straw dispensers, blissfully unaware of Wally’s internal turmoil.

When the order was finally done, Wally hurried to grab the food, barely trusting himself to meet the man’s gaze again. As he handed over the tray, their fingers brushed for the briefest moment, and Wally’s heart skipped a beat.

“Thanks,” the young man said, giving Wally a smile that seemed far too dazzling for such a mundane setting. Jason took the tray, and the two turned to find a table in the food court.

Wally watched them go, a mixture of relief and disappointment swirling in his chest. The moment was over as quickly as it had started, and he found himself wondering who they were—especially the man who’d managed to leave him tongue-tied with just a smile.

As they disappeared into the crowd of the food court, Wally shook his head, trying to shake off the daze. He’d seen good-looking people before, sure, but there was something different about this guy. Something that stuck with him even as he tried to focus on the next order.

There was this lingering feeling that he’d seen that guy somewhere. Even the boy. He’d seen or met them before, but he couldn’t figure out where.

The night dragged on, but Wally couldn’t help sneaking glances at the table where the two of them sat, laughing and talking as they ate. He didn’t know why, but something about the man’s presence made his usual boredom feel a lot less heavy.

— — —

After finishing his shift at the mall, Wally had raced home, not because he had anything urgent to do, but because he couldn’t shake the strange feeling that had settled in his chest after his encounter with the young man and the boy at the food court. Something about them had lingered in his mind, like a song stuck on repeat.

Now, sprawled out on his couch with his phone in hand, Wally was absentmindedly scrolling through Instagram. He wasn’t really looking at anything in particular, just letting the stream of images and videos wash over him as he tried to unwind. But no matter how much he tried to distract himself, his thoughts kept drifting back to the striking blue-eyed man and his younger companion.

Why did they seem so familiar? Wally wondered, his brows furrowing as he scrolled past a series of memes. He couldn’t place it, but there was something nagging at the back of his mind, like he’d seen them somewhere before.

Suddenly, a post caught his eye. It was from one of the many celebrity accounts he followed, mostly out of idle curiosity. This one was a photo taken at a recent gala—a typical fancy affair, complete with a red carpet, flashing cameras, and enough designer clothes to fill a department store. But it wasn’t the opulence of the event that made Wally pause. It was the people in the photo.

There, in the middle of the shot, stood billionaire Bruce Wayne, smiling suavely at the camera. But it wasn’t Wayne who held Wally’s attention—it was the two people standing beside him. One was a young boy with dark hair and bright blue eyes, dressed in an immaculate tuxedo. The other was a young man, also with dark hair, the same electric blue eyes, and that same effortlessly charming smile.

Wally’s eyes widened as recognition finally hit him like a bolt of lightning. No way.

He quickly tapped on the photo, enlarging it to get a better look. There was no mistaking it. The young man and the boy from the food court were the same people standing next to Bruce Wayne. They were Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, Wayne’s adopted sons.

Wally sat up straighter, his heart thumping in his chest as he stared at the screen. That’s why they looked so familiar, he realized, his mind racing to connect the dots. He’d seen their faces a hundred times before, on TV, in magazines, and splashed across social media. They were practically celebrities, famous for being part of the Wayne family—a family that was almost as famous as the Justice League itself.

“But what the heck were they doing in a random Central City food court?” Wally muttered to himself, scrolling through the comments on the post, searching for any clue that might explain their unexpected appearance. There was nothing, just the usual gush of admiration for Bruce Wayne’s philanthropic efforts and the Grayson-Todd brothers’ good looks.

Maybe it’s just a rich people thing, Wally thought, trying to make sense of it. He’d heard that billionaires could be eccentric, doing things just for the experience or because they felt like it. Maybe they’d just decided to grab some fast food for the novelty of it. Yeah, that had to be it. Rich people being weird.

But even as he tried to dismiss it, Wally couldn’t shake the feeling of awe that had settled in his chest. He’d just served burgers to Dick Grayson and Jason Todd—two of the most famous people in Gotham, if not the entire country—and he hadn’t even realized it. And Dick… Wally’s thoughts drifted back to the way Dick had smiled at him, the way his voice had sounded so smooth and kind. It was enough to make Wally’s cheeks flush even now, hours after the fact.

Curiosity got the better of him, and Wally found himself searching for Dick Grayson’s Instagram profile. He didn’t follow it—he wasn’t really one to keep up with celebrities—but it wasn’t hard to find. Dick had millions of followers, his profile filled with snapshots of his life. Charity events, photos with Bruce and Jason, pictures of him hanging out with friends, and the occasional gymnastics video. Wally couldn’t help but scroll through the posts, his starstruck awe deepening with each passing second.

He’s really something, Wally thought, marveling at the way Dick managed to look effortlessly perfect in every shot. There was something magnetic about him, a kind of natural charm that seemed to leap off the screen. It was no wonder he was so popular.

Wally sighed, setting his phone down for a moment as he tried to process the day’s events. It wasn’t every day that you ran into someone like Dick Grayson in a fast food joint, and it definitely wasn’t every day that someone like Dick Grayson looked at you like you were worth noticing. It was enough to make Wally’s head spin.

But as much as he was drawn to Dick’s public persona, Wally knew that whatever fantasy he was entertaining was just that—a fantasy. Dick Grayson was a world apart from Wally West, living a life of luxury and fame that Wally could hardly even imagine. Still, a part of him couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to know Dick for real, to talk to him, to maybe even be friends…

Wally shook his head, laughing softly at himself. Get a grip, West. You’ve got enough on your plate as it is. But even as he tried to push the thoughts away, he couldn’t help but take one last look at Dick’s profile before setting his phone aside for the night.

The image of Dick’s smile lingered in his mind as Wally finally drifted off to sleep, a small, secret part of him wondering if fate had more in store for him than just a chance encounter.

— — —

The familiar hum of Mount Justice’s security systems greeted Wally West as he arrived at the team’s headquarters the next morning. The sleek, futuristic corridors felt like a second home to him, a place where he could be both Kid Flash and Wally West without worrying about maintaining a secret identity. Today, however, Wally was more focused on the remnants of the previous night’s encounter, the memory of Dick Grayson’s smile still lingering in his mind.

As he made his way through the base, Wally found himself instinctively heading toward the training room. The doors slid open with a quiet hiss, and he paused in the doorway, his breath catching at the sight that greeted him.

Nightwing was there, moving fluidly through a series of acrobatic exercises on the jungle gym, his body twisting and turning with a grace that seemed almost otherworldly. Wally leaned against the doorframe, watching in awe as Nightwing flipped through the air, landing perfectly on a narrow beam before launching himself into another complex maneuver. There was something mesmerizing about the way Nightwing moved—every motion was precise, every muscle perfectly controlled. It was like watching a dance, and Wally couldn’t tear his eyes away.

For a moment, Wally allowed himself to simply enjoy the view, captivated by Nightwing’s smooth motions. There was an effortless beauty to the way he trained, a kind of controlled chaos that reminded Wally of why Nightwing was one of the best. It was hard not to be impressed—no, more than impressed. Wally felt a twinge of something deeper, something that he wasn’t quite ready to name.

After a few more minutes, Nightwing completed his routine with a final, flawless flip, landing on the mat below with a soft thud. He straightened up, running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair as he reached for a water bottle sitting on a nearby bench. That was Wally’s cue. He sauntered into the room, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Showing off for me, Rob?” Wally teased, his tone light as he crossed the room to join his friend.

Nightwing took a long drink of water before turning to face Wally, a playful grin on his face. “You know me, KF. A performer can’t resist an audience.”

Wally chuckled, leaning against the bench as he watched Nightwing towel off the sweat from his workout. “Well, I gotta say, you make it look easy. Seriously, I was getting tired just watching you.”

Nightwing laughed softly, tossing the towel over his shoulder as he leaned back against the wall. “Comes with the territory. How’s life treating you?”

Wally shrugged, his thoughts briefly flickering back to the previous night at the food court. “Oh, you know, the usual. Classes, missions, and… working like fucking SpongeBob,” he added with a dramatic sigh.

Nightwing’s expression didn’t change, but there was a glint in his eye as he spoke. “Heard you picked up a part-time job. How’s that going?”

Wally raised an eyebrow, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “You heard, huh? Bats and their intel… Is there anything you don’t know?”

Nightwing shrugged, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. “We have our ways.”

Wally rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t help the fondness that crept into his voice. “It’s not bad. I mean, it’s not the most glamorous job in the world, but it pays some of the tuition fee. And hey, it’s kind of nice to be normal for a while, you know?”

Nightwing nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I get that. Sometimes it’s good to have something that grounds you, keeps you connected to the real world.”

Wally appreciated that Nightwing seemed to understand. “Yeah, exactly. Plus, it gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Not that I don’t love our morning training sessions or anything.”

Nightwing chuckled, the sound warm and familiar. “Yeah, I bet.” 

“Speaking of which, how’d the mission with Baby Robin go last night?” Wally asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Nightwing’s face softened slightly at the mention of Robin, though his expression remained guarded, as it always did when it came to Bat-related missions. “It was… fun,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Wally tilted his head, giving Nightwing a mock-annoyed look. “That’s it? Fun? You Bat-types are always so cryptic. A little more detail wouldn’t kill you, you know.”

Nightwing shrugged, his smile turning into a smirk. “Gotta maintain the mystique, West. Keeps people on their toes.”

Wally huffed, but there was no real annoyance behind it. He was used to this kind of answer from Nightwing—and from Batman before him. The Bats never revealed more than they had to, always keeping their secrets close to the vest. It was just part of who they were, and as much as it could be frustrating, Wally had learned to live with it.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Wally said, waving a hand dismissively. “Gotham’s all about secrets and shadows. But one of these days, I’m gonna crack that Bat code of yours.”

Nightwing laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Good luck with that. You’re welcome to try, though.”

There was something about being around Nightwing that just… made Wally feel so light.

— — —

Wally was in the middle of refilling the condiment station when he spotted two familiar figures strolling into the food court. Wally’s heart skipped a beat as he recognized them immediately—Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. It seemed like they had returned, and this time, they weren’t just passing through.

Jason looked less than thrilled, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face as he followed Dick through the food court. Dick, on the other hand, seemed in high spirits, his usual easygoing charm on full display as he chatted animatedly with his younger companion. Wally watched from a distance, trying to suppress his grin as he observed the interaction.

“You know, you could’ve just said you wanted the fries,” Dick was saying, his tone light but teasing. “You didn’t have to complain about everything else.”

Jason shot him an annoyed glance. “It’s not about the fries, Dick. It’s about you dragging me out here again.”

Dick laughed, the sound clear and bright even from where Wally stood. “Oh, come on. It’s not that bad. Besides, it’s been a while since we had a day out. And you’re the one who insisted we had to try this place.”

Jason rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a small smile at Dick’s persistence. “Yeah, well, next time, maybe pick somewhere less… mall-ish? And less here? We both know why you’re here—”

Dick gave Jason a playful nudge. “Alright, alright. You go sit at that table, and I’ll take care of the order. Deal?”

Jason muttered something under his breath but reluctantly headed towards a nearby table, his frustration melting away as he plopped down into a seat. Wally couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene. Even from a distance, it was clear that Dick and Jason had a unique, if slightly contentious, dynamic that was oddly endearing.

When Dick made his way over to Wally’s counter, Wally straightened up, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. He couldn’t deny that seeing Dick again made his pulse quicken, his thoughts returning to the charming young man he had encountered days before. Dick’s presence was like a magnet, pulling Wally’s attention as he approached with that same effortless grace.

“Hey there,” Dick greeted with a friendly smile, his blue eyes lighting up as they met Wally’s. “Back for another round of burgers and smoothies.”

Wally nodded, trying to maintain his composure despite the fluttering in his chest. “Uh, yeah. Yeah. Two burgers, vanilla and chocolate smoothies, fries. Right?”

Dick laughed, his amusement evident. “Yep. You remembered, huh?”

Wally tried not to blush. “Uh, a lot of people order this. Exact. Combo. Uh. Anything else?”

Dick shook his head, his gaze lingering on Wally for a moment longer than necessary. “Nope, that’s it. Thanks,” Dick’s gaze moved to Wally’s name tag. “Wally. Cute name.”

Wally opened his mouth to respond, but his voice caught in his throat, cheeks burning. Dick Grayson knows my name! Holy shit— He quickly rushed into the kitchen.

As Wally prepared the order, he couldn’t help but steal glances at Dick. The way Dick moved, the way he spoke, even the way he smiled—it was all somehow magnetic, and Wally found himself captivated once again. It was almost as if every gesture was calculated to charm and disarm, and Wally was more than willing to be charmed.

When he finally handed over the tray of food, Dick’s smile widened, and he reached into his pocket. Wally’s eyes widened in surprise as Dick placed a crisp $100 bill on the counter, leaving Wally momentarily speechless.

“Wow, thanks,” Wally said, his voice betraying his astonishment. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Dick shrugged, a casual yet sincere expression on his face. “Just a little something for the trouble. Consider it a tip for good service.”

Wally watched as Dick turned and headed back to Jason’s table, his movements graceful and effortless. The sight of Dick settling into the chair across from Jason, their banter continuing as if nothing had happened, left Wally feeling both elated and perplexed.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Dick and Jason’s visit than met the eye. Why did two Gotham celebrities choose a Central City food court for their outings? Was it really just a spontaneous decision, or was there something else behind it?

But as Wally watched them, a part of him dismissed the notion as typical rich people eccentricity. After all, he’d never be able to fully understand the lives of billionaires and their adopted kids.

With a sigh, Wally returned to his work, trying to focus on the mundane tasks at hand. But the memory of Dick’s smile, the warmth of his words, and the generosity of his tip lingered in his mind, leaving Wally with a curious sense of wonder and anticipation.

He couldn’t help but wonder if he’d get to see Dick Grayson again soon.

— — —

Happy Harbor Park was bustling with activity on this sunny Saturday afternoon. Families picnicked on the grass, kids ran around chasing each other, and couples strolled hand-in-hand along the winding paths. It was the kind of lively, vibrant scene that Wally West found himself unexpectedly drawn to.

His usual routine had left him feeling restless, and as he wandered through the park, knowing Conner and M’gann were on a date here. They were seated at a quaint little picnic table, complete with a basket of food and a checkered blanket spread out between them. It was a romantic setup, and Conner’s mildly annoyed expression when he saw Wally approaching was also quite classic.

“Hey, guys!” Wally called out, waving as he approached the table. “Mind if I join you?”

Conner looked up from his burger with a frown. “Wally, seriously? This is our date.”

Wally shrugged, a mischievous grin on his face. “Come on, don’t be a stick in the mud. I’m just here to hang out. You two look like you could use a third wheel.”

M'gann looked up from her salad, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Wally, you’re crashing our date? How original.”

Conner shook his head, clearly unimpressed. “You could at least find your own date. You know, someone who actually wants to hang out with you.”

The comment stung more than Conner probably intended, and Wally’s mind immediately flashed to Dick Grayson. He couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to go on a date with someone like Dick—someone who seemed to belong to a world so different from his own. The thought made his cheeks flush with a sudden, unexpected warmth.

M'gann noticed the change in Wally’s demeanor and raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, I see how it is,” she teased, her tone playful. “Someone’s got a crush. And you don’t even need to be an telepath to figure that one out.”

Wally tried to play it cool, but his blush deepened. “What? No way. I was just thinking about—uh—something else.”

M'gann’s smile widened as she leaned in closer. “You don’t need to hide it, Wally. It’s written all over your face. You’re definitely thinking about someone special.”

Conner looked between them, a smirk forming on his lips as he picked up on M'gann’s teasing. “Come on, spill it, Wally. Who’s the lucky person?”

Wally laughed awkwardly, trying to brush off the conversation. “Oh, no one important. Just… someone I ran into recently. It’s nothing.”

Conner raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Nothing, huh? So why are you blushing like a tomato?”

Wally rolled his eyes, trying to regain his composure. “Alright, fine. Maybe there’s someone I’ve been thinking about. But it’s not a big deal. They’re way out of my league. Our encounters were probably just chance.”

M'gann’s eyes softened with a hint of sympathy. “Wally, sometimes chance encounters can lead to something more. You never know.”

Wally shrugged, trying to play it off. “Yeah, well, I’m not holding my breath. Besides, you guys enjoy your date. I’m just here to crash it and steal some of your fries.”

Conner grumbled under his breath but didn’t protest further as Wally helped himself to a handful of fries. M'gann continued to tease him lightly, but there was a warmth in her eyes that suggested she genuinely cared about his feelings.

As the afternoon wore on, the three of them chatted and laughed, the initial awkwardness fading into a more comfortable camaraderie. Wally tried to push his thoughts of Dick Grayson aside, focusing instead on enjoying the company of his friends. But even as he joked and shared stories, a small part of him couldn’t help but wonder about the possibility of seeing Dick again and whether there might be something more to their chance encounters than he had initially thought.

He wanted there to be more.

— — —

The food court was bustling as usual, the hum of conversation and the clatter of trays providing a familiar backdrop to Wally West’s evening shift. He was in the middle of restocking napkins when he saw the familiar sight of Dick Grayson and an annoyed Jason Todd walking into the food court again. This time, however, they were joined by a striking redheaded girl who looked to be around Dick’s age.

Wally’s heart sank as he took in the sight. The girl was beautiful, with fiery red hair that framed her face in soft waves. She laughed at something Dick said, and Wally’s chest tightened at the thought that Dick might be on a date with her. The pang of disappointment was sharp and immediate.

Trying to mask his feelings, Wally quickly composed himself and forced a casual demeanor as he went about his duties. He avoided staring too much as Dick and his companions made their way to the counter. Instead, he focused on the task at hand, attempting to ignore the fact that the very person who had captured his interest was now accompanied by someone else.

“Hey there,” Dick greeted with his usual charming smile as he reached the counter. Wally tried not to let his emotions show as he met Dick’s gaze.

“Hey,” Wally replied, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. “What can I get for you today?”

Dick seemed completely unaware of Wally’s inner turmoil as he placed their order with practiced ease. “The usual—two cheeseburgers, a vanilla smoothie, a chocolate smoothie, and a side of fries. Oh, and we’ll need it to go.”

Wally nodded, taking down the order and moving quickly to prepare it. He tried to keep his focus on the task, determined not to let his personal feelings interfere with his work. As he was assembling the order, he noticed that Dick and the redheaded girl were chatting animatedly, their easy rapport only making Wally feel more dejected.

After a few minutes, Wally handed over the completed order. Dick reached into his pocket and pulled out another $100 bill, which he placed on the counter. Wally started to thank him, but Dick had already turned to leave, carrying the bag of food with him.

Just as Wally was about to put the money away, he noticed something peculiar—a small note folded neatly under the bill. Curiosity got the better of him, and he unfolded the note, his heart pounding in his chest.

The note read: “Call me <3 – Dick”

Wally’s eyes widened as he stared at the phone number scrawled beneath the message. It took him a moment to process what he was seeing. The world seemed to slow down as he glanced up, searching for Dick, but the group was already making their way out of the food court. Dick didn’t look back, his attention fixed on the redheaded girl and Jason.

Wally stood there, dumbfounded, holding the note in his hand. The realization that Dick had left him a way to get in touch was overwhelming. A mix of excitement, confusion, and nervousness swirled inside him. Why had Dick left him his number? Was it a genuine offer to continue their conversations, or was there something more behind it?

The note felt like a lifeline, an unexpected chance at something Wally had only dared to dream about. But the girl with Dick had made him doubt, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe he had misinterpreted the gesture.

As he watched Dick’s group disappear through the mall’s entrance, Wally’s mind raced with possibilities. He wanted to call Dick, to see where things could lead, but the uncertainty of the situation made him hesitate.

He glanced at the note one more time before carefully slipping it into his pocket. For now, he needed to get through the rest of his shift, but he knew that his thoughts would be occupied by the note and what it might mean.

— — —

The training room in Mount Justice was abuzz with activity as the team went through their morning drills. Conner Kent was working on strength training, M'gann M'orzz was practicing her telekinesis, and Artemis was running through archery exercises. In the midst of it all, Wally West was struggling to focus, his mind clearly preoccupied.

Nightwing, ever observant, noticed Wally’s lack of concentration. He had been working with the team on hand-to-hand combat drills, and Wally’s distracted demeanor wasn’t going unnoticed. After a particularly grueling set of exercises, Nightwing called a halt to the session.

“Alright, everyone, take a break,” Nightwing announced, his tone authoritative but calm. The team dispersed to grab water and catch their breath.

Nightwing approached Wally, who was leaning against the wall, absentmindedly rubbing his shoulder. “You seem off today, Wally. Something on your mind?”

Wally looked up, momentarily startled by the direct question. He tried to mask his unease with a casual shrug. “Nah, just a bit tired. Long night, you know?”

Nightwing’s eyes narrowed slightly, a sly smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Long night, huh? Anything in particular keeping you up?”

Wally frowned, sensing an undercurrent in Nightwing’s tone. “Just… stuff. Nothing to worry about.”

Nightwing’s smile widened, as if he found Wally’s evasiveness amusing. “Well, if you say so. But you know, if there’s something you want to talk about, I’m here.”

Wally hesitated, feeling a mix of embarrassment and vulnerability. He wasn’t sure why, but he felt compelled to share a bit more. “Actually, there is something. I’ve been thinking about this… hot guy who gave me his number.”

Nightwing raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Oh? A hot guy, huh? Sounds like something worth looking into.”

Wally rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a flush creep up his cheeks. “Yeah, well, he’s been showing up at the mall where I work. The thing is, I’ve kind of had a crush on him for a while. But he left me his number, and now I’m not sure what to do.”

Nightwing’s grin turned sly. “You should definitely call him.”

Wally blinked, taken aback by the straightforward advice. “Wait, seriously? You’re just telling me to go for it?”

“Why not?” Nightwing replied with a shrug. “If he’s interested enough to give you his number, there’s probably something there. And you never know unless you give it a shot.”

Wally couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. He had been harboring feelings for Nightwing, too, and the idea of pursuing someone else felt like a betrayal, even if it was unintentional. “I guess so. It’s just… I’m a little nervous, you know?”

Nightwing’s expression softened slightly, though the playful edge remained. “I get it. Nerves are normal. But sometimes, you have to take a leap. And who knows? It might turn out to be something really great.”

Wally looked at Nightwing, taking in his encouraging words and the genuine warmth behind his smile. Despite the conflicted feelings he had, Nightwing’s support was comforting. “Thanks, Nightwing. I’ll think about it.”

Nightwing clapped him on the back. “That’s the spirit. Just remember, sometimes the best things come from taking a chance.”

With that, Nightwing turned and walked away, leaving Wally with a swirl of emotions. He couldn’t deny the lingering feelings he had for Nightwing, but the prospect of calling Dick Grayson left him both excited and anxious.

— — —

Wally stumbled through his front door, a whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind. He quickly dialed the number from the note, his heart pounding in his chest. As the phone rang, he paced back and forth, trying to calm his nerves.

After a few rings, the call was answered. The voice on the other end was unmistakable.

“Hey, Walls.”

Wally froze. It was Dick Grayson’s voice. But it was also Nightwing’s voice—the same voice he heard over his comm during missions. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, and he felt his face flush with a mix of shock and embarrassment.

“No way,” Wally groaned, slapping a hand over his face. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Dick– Nightwing’s laughter came through the phone, warm and teasing. “What’s wrong, KF? Didn’t expect to hear from me?”

Wally’s mind raced as he tried to piece it all together. “So, let me get this straight. You’re Nightwing? The same Nightwing I’ve been working with on missions? The Nightwing and Robin who won’t tell me his secret identity? And you’re the guy who left me his number?”

“Guilty as charged,” Dick replied, still chuckling. “I didn’t think it’d be such a surprise. I figured you’d recognize my voice eventually.”

Wally’s cheeks burned with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. “Seriously, Rob? How long have you been playing me? Were you just messing with me all this time?”

“Come on, Wally, don’t be mad,” Dick said, his tone playful. “I thought it would be fun to keep you guessing. And, well, I didn’t want to make things too obvious. I figured you’d eventually put two and two together.”

Wally tried to keep his composure, though he couldn’t help but be flustered. “Oh, sure. Real funny. I’ve been going around with this huge crush on you, thinking you were some mysterious celebrity. And all this time, you were just messing with me.”

Dick’s voice softened a bit, though the teasing undertone remained. “Hey, I didn’t mean to make you feel like I was playing you. I just thought it would be… more interesting this way. And, in all honesty, I was kind of hoping you’d figure it out.”

Wally sighed dramatically, though he was secretly thrilled. “Well, now that I know, what do you have to say for yourself?”

“I’d say you’ve got me at a bit of a disadvantage,” Dick replied smoothly. “But I’d also say that I’m so glad you called. I was hoping we could get to know each other a bit better. Out of masks and capes. Maybe even go on a real date?”

Wally’s heart skipped a beat at the suggestion. “A date, huh? So now you’re asking me out after all the drama?”

“Yep,” Dick said with a grin in his voice. “If you’re up for it. I promise I won’t be too much of a tease this time.”

Wally chuckled despite himself, feeling a mixture of exasperation and joy. “Alright, fine. I’ll play along. But only if you promise not to make me look foolish in front of everyone else.”

“Deal,” Dick agreed. “How about we meet up at that new Italian place in downtown Star City? I hear they have amazing pasta. We could also go bother Roy afterwards — you know him as KF, I know him as Dickie Grayson. Say, tomorrow night at seven?”

Wally tried to sound nonchalant, but he couldn’t help the smile spreading across his face. “Sounds good. I’ll see you then. And, by the way, I’m still not letting you off the hook for all the sneaky stuff.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Dick replied. “I’ll be looking forward to it, Wally.”

Wally ended the call, staring at his phone with a mixture of satisfaction and disbelief. It was true—Dick Grayson and Nightwing were the same person, and he had a chance to go on a date with him. The thought made him giddy, despite his earlier irritation.

He took a deep breath and grinned, trying to contain his excitement. “Well, this should be interesting,” he muttered to himself, already anticipating the upcoming date.

With a renewed sense of enthusiasm, Wally went about his evening, mentally preparing for what promised to be a memorable night. Despite the teasing and the playful deceit, he couldn’t deny how thrilled he was at the prospect of spending more time with Dick. After all, the two people he had a crush on had turned out to be one and the same—an outcome that was both surprising and incredibly exciting.

[chemighoul]

I find being a fan of these two blogs extremely frustrating in these times. Both you and Crane chastise and condemn your readers each time Isley shows up, because we're not interacting with your blog the "right" way. We just don't "get it" when we see the initial scene, and the actual truth gets revealed later, while you tell us to "calm down" as if we should know the whole time that we're overreacting or misinterpreting. We see you unconscious on the floor with no explanation but somehow we're supposed to know this wasn't an attack and then you say WE are the ones overreacting for thinking she's done you harm!

I don't get why it's so hard for you to understand. We don't LIKE her. We like YOU, and each time she shows up, one of you gets injured and/or incarcerated. So of COURSE we're going to act antagonistic toward her! It doesn't take a psychologist to guess that's how these scenarios are going to go.

Then afterward you both get all pissy and lecture us because we're not "doing it right" (i.e. the way you want) when it comes to interacting with her. It all comes off as pretty scummy, like you're purposely setting up scenes so you can insult us with the big reveal at the end, like "Aha, you guys were so dumb for thinking this was an attack (when that's what it looks like) because obviously I was just having a reaction to an injection! Why can't you calm down and just be cool?"

I'm so pissed off that this is how you treat your fans, who obviously care about you, that I'm going to stop following these blogs for a while. I need to go cool off. Ciao.

And now, a word from the writer.

First and foremost, I am sorry to have brought you this aggravation. It's not the intention of the blog to play games like that, and given this response, I understand I haven't made that crystal clear, and hope to make things make sense with a bit of background explanation from this side of the blog.

First and foremost: Ghoul is a scrungly 19 year old runaway from the streets, isekai'd, and under no circumstances is he willing to admit to moments of peril being out of his control. This is the face of a guy built like a dowel rod who is entirely confident he can throw hands with Batman:

More below.

You can't always trust that what he says is a fully accurate picture of his scenario. He's not lying, per se, but he's also not going to post anything he hasn't curated. Such is the way of a grumpy teenager: sometimes his takes are bad and his presentation is trash. This doesn't reflect on the audience at all: this is just standard with fallible DC villains. He's gonna be a grumpy gus, but he wouldn't be responding at all if he didn't care about the people writing him letters, and I wouldn't be drawing all this stuff if I didn't think it was mutually fun.

The problem is that two days after the incident, I got a really gnarly ask about burning down Pamela's garden house, well after Ghoul was confirmed safe, and punctuated by calling her something pretty misogynistic/slut-shamey. Plausible deniability in wordplay aside, it was a wildly excessive response to a ten-hour event, and definitely not something I was going to post directly to respond to, hence his statement to cool it: both for the sake of his own advocacy, and also because he thinks people are being very harsh on what was clearly (in his eyes) not a crisis. He's a lil' stupid, he's a lil thoughtless, and he doesn't always think every side of things through, even though he tries.

On my part, I had a stupidly huge writing project that I needed to focus on over the weekend, so I handed off my tablet to my partner, who writes Jon as well as Pammy, and we agreed it'd be fun to give Jonny a scare and show that his spooky not-son can be trusted to make choices about who he associates with and where he puts his trust. They got to have fun drawing a plotline, I got my writing project done, and there was a learning experience for all of the characters involved concerning communication, trust, and misunderstanding. This is also why I didn't post anything myself until Sunday or so, because my brain was gelatin.

At no point was any of this meant to bait any of you, and I am sorry that it upset you.

We were just trying to give a little thrill, and the reaction was more explosive than anticipated. We're not DC, we're not going to fridge our characters, and we're trying to have fun alongside you while balancing our characters' expressions of their boundaries with the variety of people who write to them. They're not always going to be forgiving, they're not always going to be nice, and they are, at the end of the day, villains. This is as nice as they can be when someone's threatening their ally with arson over a misunderstanding while someone else is soliciting fetish material at 9 am.

Their writers, however, do want you to have fun and enjoy the story...so, please understand, it's not anything personal from the writers' desks when the characters are cranky about something.

We're trying to give you a genuine experience, promise.

[thedragonagebigbang]

Bang Creator Interview: Tumblr: @blarrghe  |  [AO3: blarghe

The Collaboration period has begun! In these quiet months before works are due, we want to foster a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and celebration among our participants. To that end, all participants were given the option of a formal interview by our mod, Dema, or an informal “ask-game” survey. We hope you enjoy getting to know our phenomenal creators as much as we have!

Tortured Man More Tortured by Having To Endure the Best Week of His Life

Blarghe and Dema talk art imitating life writing, romantic foils, and the Platonic Ideal Dorianmance 

Dema: I'd love to begin in OC land with you. As someone who is both an artist and a writer, do you find that making art of your OCs informs your process? Or are those pretty separate for you?

Blarghe: Hmm. That's a good question.

Dema: Why, thank you!

Blarghe: My feeling has always been that I'm a better writer than I am an artist, so maybe the writing informs the art, more. I am always getting very visual ideas, like maybe some comic-panel type storyboards in the brain, and I can't really illustrate that to the degree that I want, so it can be like it is in my head. But I can more easily make words do that.

I'd very much like to do some illustrations for my own stuff, and I love drawing my OC and some things have helped in the other way, like designing his vallaslin on paper did give me something better to describe from in writing. I'd really love to reach the point of being able to do a few comics. There are a few scenes I really see that way. I try to be quite visual in my writing in the meantime I guess, haha.

Dema: That makes sense! I have the same dream. Comics are very intimidating. So it sounds like you write your OCs before you draw them?

Blarghe: Yeah, generally. I think since we're going from a video game and I already have seen the characters that way, there's that. Though I have OCs I have not made in the character creator. I haven't invented a ton of non-canon side characters but there are a few. I think I can picture them pretty well. I wind up drawing them after falling in love with them through writing them, rather than like, designing a character visually/on paper/in the cc before putting them in a story. Honestly, I put down DA:I for a looong time while still writing da:i-inspired fic with my OC and other canon characters. So I guess I don't have to look at him that often.

Dema: I have asked several of our writers if they make all their OCs in the CC, and if that's step 1. I'm curious, too, at what point you knew you were going to make fan content of your OC and participate in fandom. Did you finish the game first? Did you come in with a foot already in the fandom?

Blarghe: Ok long answer: I was into the games first. I started playing in maybe 2015, shortly after Inquisition came out. My partner already liked the games and was excited to play it, so I wound up watching some of that and being intrigued. But I started with Origins, loved it, and wound up loving and playing all three, all of them with more than one OC, to varying degrees of completion. When it comes to writing fic, I had ideas, like, little comics and some additional fill-in-the-gaps scenes written into notebooks and stuff for all three games. Mostly expanding on the personal relationships and romances, as you do. I'd done that kind of thing for other media I liked, but never really been in "fandom" about it for anything. I've always done creative writing and original fiction as a hobby and it was just a way of getting back into that on a personal level. I wrote the most after finishing DA:I for the second time... I kind of did a playthrough I wasn't super happy with, then made a new character specifically for a romance (Dorian's) then... wasn't super happy with that character either, THEN made Taren who is my current OC obsession, and wrote like 30K words of canon-divergence fic with a whole other OC companion inserted and just had fun with it. I forgot about that until 2020, when I found it in my docs and re-read it and decided it was actually pretty good and that I could maybe try to post online, find community, etc. I've since completely scrapped and deleted that fic from AO3, but getting out there got me into doing writing prompts and writing other stories, and now here I am. (I still haven't actually finished my Taren playthrough. I will before Veilguard lol) I was definitely motivated by COVID, thought I might go insane without community, so I picked a couple things I was already into (writing and dragon age) and went looking.

Dema: I'm guessing most of the art and writing you've done for DA has been DA:I?

Blarghe: Most, yeah. If only because my long fic is a DA:I inspired modern-au. Honestly it's fairly divorced from canon lol. Most of my canon writing is for DA:O actually. And I'm obsessed with Taren, I've drawn him more than anyone ever. He is very pretty, you see.

Dema: He is very, very pretty. Is DA:O your favorite game in the franchise? Everyone hates this question but I GOTTA KNOW hahaha!

Blarghe: Yeah it is! I love them all for different aspects, but it's got that first-game start of the obsession nostalgia. I also love a finicky, strategy-heavy RPG so to me the usual combat complaints aren't really a thing. I like the pause-every-two-seconds combat hahaha. I do really love running around through the scenery in Inquisition though, and I like the characters, and the fun flashy rogue stabbing too. But I have a soft spot for Origins for really gripping you into that story and world. It's a great balance of silly and funny and dark and difficult choices.

Dema: I haven't asked anyone else this yet, but are you finding the Veilguard announcements and previews are refreshing the inspiration? Or are you avoiding all spoilers and pretending it does not exist until the release? Or some secret, third thing…

Blarghe: Somewhere in between. I've been here the whole time lol, I don't know that it hyped me up any more, but it's nice to finally have news. And I'm excited that it will mean new people in the fandom and a resurgence that way. I am not totally avoiding spoilers but still kinda keeping my distance for my own sanity. I'll definitely lock down the spoiler tags once it's actually out.

Dema: So valid. I am feeling very inspired, myself, but I think it may be more the energy of the fandom around me reaching such a fever pitch. We're like a flock of ducks getting a whole loaf of bread after years of crumbs. 

Blarghe: So true haha. I am really excited about how it looks. Can't wait to play it!

Dema: Same! Returning to Taren a bit because, well, he's pretty: you said you went through a few iterations of OCs for a Dorian romance before him, and then were hooked. What is it about Taren that makes him a favorite? Was there a particular inspiration for him?

Blarghe: Oh boy. Not a specific inspiration. I played DA:I three times, counting the Taren one that I'm not technically finished, and the first I completely missed any romance (thought I could get Harding until it was too late) but I loved Dorian's character and his personal arc hit so hard that I immediately made a new character just for him. He was like a sassy Trevelyan who didn't really wanna be there, trying to pull kind of a rogueish charming sarcastic irresponsible pretty boy to hang with Dorian but I really didn't like how that clicked. I know it's a pretty common character archetype esp in a Dorian romance to do sassy x sassy so no hate but I found the Inquisition storyline and dialogue options just wouldn't let me be that irresponsible and funny, which makes sense. I really liked the themes of how the game pushes you into this impossible role where the only thing you can do is become a big responsible hero figure. I'm sure there's a compelling story there for the kind of character I'm talking about, but since mine fell so flat to me I decided to lean the complete opposite way. And Dorian inspired it too. The more I played and considered it the more I felt like I wanted him to have kind of a counterweight romance, you know. Opposites attract kind of thing. So Taren started as this very responsible, serious character who has always been prepared for leadership, being a First, and takes all that really seriously. He's also very Dalish and has reason to distrust and argue with him, which is great for Drama, but very very sweet and genuine and wholesome, which is so fun to contrast with all Dorian's trust issues. Dorian's quite emotional and idealistic, really, so they match in that way and it's very romantic. Taren's also a bit aspirational. Part of why I like Dorian so much is that I relate to him a lot, and I was struggling with trying to become less arrogant and more genuine, so Taren embodies a lot of that for me. Part of what makes him my favourite is probably the blank-slate of it all, too. Not having the Origin and getting to make stuff up. The whole romance plot is really compelling. I stuck him in some AUs and got carried away by worldbuilding, too. And after so much time spent with him he's just the fave now. But yeah, he's not my usual archetype. I think I've made a lot more sarcastic rogues than genuine sweethearts. He has like, anxiety and trust issues and I keep throwing him in situations to give him Trauma, but that sort of, happy, sweet, genuine, and healer-class character was all new ground to me and I wound up just loving the different-ness and challenge of it.

Dema: I did want to tell you that your "This is a story about trauma and relationships and socioeconomics and questioning belief and searching for balance. It's also about finding your soulmate on grindr" summary absolutely sent me.

Blarghe: Thank you, I'm very proud of that.

Dema: Speaking of which, can you come up with a clickbait title for your bang fic?

Blarghe: Something like Tortured Man More Tortured by Having To Endure the Best Week of His Life [[REDACTED]] you can cut that last part because it does make it obvious.

Dema: A+. Thank you for the lovely interview, it's been a treat chatting!

Blarghe: Thanks! It was very fun.

[archiveikemen]

Liam Evans Main Story: Chapter 25 (Blind Love)

I do not own any of the Ikemen Series content being uploaded on this blog, everything belongs to CYBIRD. Please support them by playing their games and buying stories. Not 100% accurate, expect mistakes.

read this before interacting with my posts

Several seasons had passed with the scenery around me changing colours. Nothing changed about me, I was still spending time in the world of darkness as a fairytale writer.

Of course, Liam had always been by my side, smelling like vanilla.

There were days when I missed where I originally was before meeting Crown, but I never once regretted my decision to stay.

Even after you've made your choice, there will never be a definitive answer to what’s right or wrong.

There would surely be people who would point their fingers at me, criticising me for making the “wrong” choice.

But it doesn't matter to me.

This is what I want for myself.

…

In the basement surrounded by the smell of herbs, Roger read through my report.

Roger: This information is quite valuable. Well done, young lady.

Kate: I’m humbled.

Recently, I’ve been writing about not only Liam’s, but everyone’s curses.

It was said that people born with curses were destined to face a tragic death.

I knew that there was no way to change fate, but that doesn't mean we should just sit back and accept it without resistance.

(If there’s anything I can do, I’ll do it. Even if it’s something small.)

Roger: Come to think of it, Liam has been having less frequent episodes lately, hasn't he?

Kate: Yes, they’ve become significantly less frequent. Liam is still periodically satisfying his curiosity, but now he’s more careful when doing so.

Roger smiled in satisfaction, his facial expression seeming rather sadistic.

Roger: It’s not very good for a former doctor to make guesses based solely on speculation, but…

Roger: … Liam’s episodes may be caused by his strong survival instincts.

Kate: Survival instincts?

Roger: He engages in potentially life-threatening activities to feel alive.

Roger: It sounds rather contradictory, but it’s important for humans to feel alive.

Roger: Therefore, you should stay by his side, young lady.

Roger: Because right now, to Liam, you are the one who's making him feel alive.

Kate: … I’ll always be with him.

Roger: Well, if ever he gets tired of you, I’ll take care of you. You’re my favourite, you know?

Roger ruffled my hair with his large hand like he were petting a dog.

Kate: Wah…!

Roger: Haha, your hair’s all messed up now.

…

Standing behind the door to the basement, Liam could hear the conversation between Kate and Roger.

Liam: “You’re my favourite, you know?”

Liam frowned when he heard those words, feeling uneasy.

Liam: What if Roger takes Kate away from me? What should I do…

Liam: N-No, no. It’s a horrible thing to doubt Kate. … I’ll trust her and wait. … I’ll do my best.

Liam felt the strong urge to run downstairs and swear his unwavering allegiance to Kate, but he resisted it and sat down on a step of the stairs.

He looked like a pet cat waiting for his owner.

Liam: … Ahh, it’s raining.

The rain was a sign of an episode's onset. It always felt ice cold, but today it felt as gentle as the rain in springtime.

He heard the voice of his “other self” in his heart.

Hey, Liam. I haven't had many chances to appear lately, huh?

(... Yeah. It’s because I’ve been focusing on moving forward to tomorrow with Kate.)

Hm? Ahaha, you’re so selfish.

(Yeah. I’m sorry for always running away. But from now on, I won’t run away anymore. I want to live.)

Living is something that’s difficult for you. You know, there’s no telling what could happen to you tomorrow, right?

(... I know.)

(But even so… I still want to try my best. I’m good at that.)

… I’ll be watching you.

I’ll pay you a visit when you’re at the brink of death again. See you.

When Liam opened his eyes, the rain in his heart stopped…

Instead, he heard the sound of Kate’s footsteps as she came up from the basement.

…

The clicking sounds of the typewriter keys echoed through my quiet room.

The things I had witnessed and the stories I had written with these fingers were sometimes inhumane and unforgivable.

My fear and sorrow never faded away, sometimes I even felt scared of what tomorrow would bring me.

(But I want to keep moving towards it no matter what.)

(And I’ll reach my hand out to the man I love, because that’s what “I love you” means to me.)

Liam: … Kate?

Kate: Liam, you’re back. Good job on your rehearsals.

Liam: Thanks. Oh, I saw that the door was left ajar, so I came in without knocking—

Kate: I thought it was about time you came back, so I left it open on purpose.

Kate: So I can see your face as soon as you’re back, you know?

Liam: That’s an adorable reason. … I wanted to see you as soon as possible too.

I couldn't help but be captivated by Liam’s smile, gestures, and even every one of his beautiful eyelashes.

(... It’s like he’s always getting more and more attractive.)

Liam’s radiance knew no bounds, it was always captivating the hearts of everyone who looked at him.

It feels a little embarrassing when someone this attractive looks at me so passionately.

Liam: Kate, can you close your eyes?

Kate: Fufu, okay.

Even though my eyes were closed, I already knew what Liam was up to.

Liam: OK. You can open your eyes now.

A strong fragrance tickled my nose, and a pink modern rose was placed in my hand.

Kate: Wow, it’s beautiful… . Thank you, Liam.

Liam: Mm, you’re welcome.

Liam often bought me modern roses on ordinary days like this.

(Now that I think of it, I’ve never asked him about the reason.)

Kate: Why do you always buy me modern roses? This flower isn’t easy to obtain.

I recalled Victor once telling me that this type of rose was a rare breed made through hybridization.

Liam: Hmm— I wonder why?

(Ah, I know that look. He has this facial expression whenever he’s trying to hide something.)

I gently placed the rose on my desk and reached my hand to his side…

Kate: Take this!

I tickled him relentlessly.

Liam: Hey, s-stop…

When I chased Liam around the room as he tried to escape, we tumbled onto the bed and messed up the sheets.

Liam: Aha, AHAHA! Okay, I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you honestly…!

Liam: Hah… Kate… you really show no mercy.

Kate: Fufu, sorry. But I really do want to know the reason.

Liam laughed while laying on the bed.

Liam: Back when I was trying to buy you flowers for the first time, the florist told me about flower language.

Liam: She said that modern roses symbolise “gratitude”.

Kate: … Gratitude.

Liam: Mm, that's right. I’m grateful to have met you, for being able to spend time with you by your side, and to you for forgiving me for always sticking to you.

Liam: … Haha, it’ll be daylight by the time I’m done if I keep going, so let’s leave it as that…

Liam: Kate, I’m always grateful for everything about you.

Liam: Thank you for existing, Kate.

Those words, spoken so casually and without hesitation, carried the weight of the loneliness he had been putting up with all this time.

(Ever since Liam was born, no one has thanked him for existing.)

(Moreover, his life was always being trampled on by others and that hurt him.)

(And yet…)

– Flashback Start –

Liam: Your heart belongs to you, and only you. I hope that you’ll let me help you stay just the way you are.

(He was the protector of my heart.)

…

Liam: Everyone wants a shining star, and if it pleases them and means something to them…

Liam: I want to be that star. I don’t care if I’m just a fake.

(He struggled while trying to please everyone.)

…

Liam: Therefore, you’ll be alright, Kate. I hope you’ll always be someone who believes in tomorrow.

– Flashback End –

While continuing to live between life and death, Liam had a beautiful heart that cherished others.

Why does it have to be so difficult for him to live with a kind heart?

But still, even though there was nothing I could do to change that, I wanted to continue staying by Liam’s side and expressing my love for him.

Kate: … I should be the one thanking you.

His slightly tousled hair smelled like sweet vanilla today too.

Kate: Hey, Liam.

Kate: Thank you for being born. I’m very glad that I met you.

Liam: …

Liam: Ah…

Liam: … My heart beating so fast right now, I can feel it hammering against my chest.

Liam: Right now… I… I feel so alive.

Liam pulled me into his arms, as if he wanted me to listen to his heart beating.

His heart had a regular rhythm like it was taking care of a tiny animal.

Liam: Let me kiss you after you display that flower. Once I start touching you, I won’t be able to stop.

Liam: And… I want more than just a kiss. I want lots of kisses.

…

As our flushed skin and bodies came together, we laid down together on the sheets.

(Ah…)

Kate: Look outside, Liam! Isn’t that Betelgeuse?

Liam: Yeah, you’re right. Amazing, it's like it’s shouting at you to look at it.

The Betelgeuse shining brightly in the night sky reminded me of Liam.

They were both dazzling, beautiful, and made people want to reach their hands out towards them.

Liam: Did you know, Kate?

Liam: Betelgeuse is red because it’ll eventually explode and die.

Kate: Explode…?

Liam: Yup. It turns red as it burns brighter and brighter… and I heard from somewhere that its lifespan also gets shorter.

(... The end of the shiny red star in the sky.)

Liam: As the saying goes, curiosity kills the cat… I wonder what will be the cause of my death.

Liam was clearly referring to his inevitable tragic demise due to his curse.

But that was definitely not all he was referring to.

Having experienced a close call with death once, Liam understood how painfully fragile human life could be.

The longer someone lived, the more prevalent death felt to them.

(That would certainly be the same for me. Everyone’s life would come to an end someday.)

Liam: … You know, Kate. If I can choose how I die—

Liam lifted my body up in his arms—.

He then guided my hands to wrap them around his neck.

Through the contact with his skin, I could feel the steady beating of his heart that was a sign of life.

Liam: Please, if I can choose how I die… I want my life to end in your hands.

Kate: In my hands?

Liam: … Yes. I want to be put to sleep forever by your hands.

Liam: Only then, for the first time, I’ll feel glad to have been born.

I could tell from the look in his rose-coloured eyes that he was neither joking nor speaking figuratively, it was his genuine wish.

It sounded depressing for him to ask to be killed. But, to me, that was him wishing for himself to keep on living.

What Liam was trying to tell me was that he wanted me to stay with him and watch over him until the day fate puts an end to him.

(And so, I…)

I gently tightened my grip on his neck, just enough for him to still breathe.

Kate: … Okay. I’ll be the one to end your life with my own hands.

Kate: Therefore, please remain by my side until the very end.

Kate: Keep on reaching out to me, who will be waiting for you in your tomorrows.

Liam: … Of course. You are the only one I’ll look at.

Just like any other day in your life, the world is unkind to you today.

(But…)

In this neverending nightmare, I will continue to beg for your life.

[gensokyogarden]

it's almost new years and you guys have been there for me so much during this year so tonight I do want to make a post trying to recognize a lot of people within the community. My head is pretty fuzzy right now so I fear I'm gonna forget some folks, in which case I'm honestly genuinely very sorry, but know that so many of you have touched my life in a positive way. Since I wasn't fully around on Thanksgiving either, consider this my chance of telling you all that I'm thankful for you too.

Some of you may not see this. Either because you don't follow this blog or you've been offline for a while. But I hope even if you don't see this post you still are able to understand my feelings towards you.

At the moment I would prefer if people don't reblog this. I'm not the most comfortable with my out of character thoughts being spread around. However if you know someone in this but think they won't see it on their own you are welcome to link them to this. Also if you're mentioned in this and you REALLY want to save it, I guess I can't stop you from reblogging.

Ruler: It feels like anytime I'm in a rough spot you always have kind words for me. With how often you're in character I just deeply respect you always breaking it for me. You've helped me to feel safe in the community during a very difficult time. That means the world to me.

Annette-mun: I know we only met a year ago but you have become an incredibly close friend to me. Being honest, I rank you as one of my best friends. I have fun with all of the boardgames we play together as well as the connections we've made between a lot of our muses. I always want to recognize all the work you put in sending me those ask spams. I'm sorry that because of head stuff I haven't been able to answer most of the new set. It makes me feel as if I've failed to respect the effort that you have put in. But I hope some day in the future I can fix that. I'm very glad we're friends.

Vel: You're a really funny friend and I care about you a lot. I feel that sometimes I'm not sensitive enough to things that may bother you and worry I may have upset you at times in the past. If I have, I'm really sorry. You write Kyouko really well and your ocs are also quite fun. Thanks for letting me make Nagi. Sometimes you say things that make me feel you are self-concious about your blog and other things. So I just wanna reiterate that I am in your corner and here for you whenever you need.

Slap: I was shy towards you at first, I'll admit. It may not seem it but I'm kinda a shy person in general and I'm nervous to warm up to people, but I'm glad you joined the Touhou community. You're a really funny guy. I love reading your posts on my dash and now I also love playing the occasional game with ya. Your ability to do voice and to commit to bits is astounding. I'm really glad I met you.

Argo: You're someone who is always there for me. I really appreciate that. I left the Fate community for personal reasons years ago now. I'm very glad that, despite that, I still ended up meeting you. Because you've been such a good friend to me. I'm glad that you've gotten somewhat into Touhou because it gives us more room to interact. You've really been there when I've needed you. Often you apologize and say you don't do enough but you've done so much for me. You're special to me.

Hoche: Through all the struggles I've gone through you have been very supportive of me. You have been a level headed voice of support and advice. I think that if it were not for you I would have been worse off in many different circumstances. Aside from that you are a very talented writer. I find myself stunned by some of what I've seen you write. Thank you for everything you've done for me and for being my friend.

Zane: You always show me cool warhammer things and that's special to me. I also really like Nyalter. I love ocs in general, but I think you have done a phenomenal job in giving her a life and story that is uniquely hers. I find it to be quite inspirational and it really pushes me to work harder on my own original characters.

Amber: I have mentioned this before but you were the first person to welcome me into the community. That is always going to be special to me. During that period when you left I teared up a fair amount because it felt like things would always be so different with you gone. I'm very glad that you came back. I really like all your ocs. I'm glad Eri isn't gone but I'm also really happy to be seeing the opportunity for your other ocs to shine as well. They're all fun, but I'm particularly a fan of Anna.

Kay: You've given me some of the advice that has helped me the most when I have been in a bad spot. I can't thank you enough for that. You've stopped me from making really bad decisions. You've also just been a fun and supportive friend. I am very interested in your Reimu and the story arc you've created with the hakurei god.

Swigg: I know we haven't talked much lately. I think our schedules don't line up the best. But you recently mentioned trying to get back into Tumblr. I'll be very happy if you do. Your ocs are fun and you put a lot of love and care into the canon characters you write. I think you add a lot to the community.

Sethy: I didn't know it for a while but back in the Fate community I followed your arknights blog and admired you there. I'm super glad I have gotten the opportunity to meet you and to become your friend. I think that all the things you do are so cool. Like you're a vtuber that's incredible. I always wanted to stream but could never work up the courage. You also know the creators of all the walfas I love. I just think its so cool. You have such a history within the community. I know that you suffered a very bad tragedy this year. I don't believe I was in a good enough headspace at that time to have provided you with the support a friend should have given and I deeply regret that. I just hope you're doing well.

Noka: I think you're a real sweetie and also really funny. I'm glad to see you posting on your sfw blog a lot more again because I really love seeing you on my dash. I'm hoping that we can do a lot more threads in the future because its always fun to write our muses together.

Minnie: Maybe the only person with the same brain worms as me. I know that lately we have not talked much but I hope you are doing well. I just wanna say that I really love your art.

Aurora: My apprentice and buddy, hehe. I know I haven't been around much but I want you to know that I'm glad you decided to join the rpc. You're so full of ideas and kindhearted. You have such phenomenal oc ideas and have such a talent for making danmaku. I think someday you may be the centerpiece of the community.

Sats: We haven't spoken too often but like Amber you were one of the first folks to interact with me in the community. Alongside that I find your writing to be phenomenal. As are your headcanons. The work that you put in to research, especially on folklore, is just so inspirational. It drives me to want to learn everything I can.

Momi: Hey Momi. It's been a while since you've been around and I miss you a lot. I know we still message on discord occasionally so its not like I can't reach out to ya. But I just miss you being in the rpc a lot. You were such a great writer and always doing something fun. But I imagine you've got a whole bunch of difficult challenges ahead of you. I've heard the career you're pursuing is really rough. I hope that you're thriving in it though.

Sarience: You've always been a good pal to me. I have a lot of fun writing with Neka in both forms as well as your other muses. There's a lot of asks from you I haven't answered yet. I'm really sorry about that. It feels disrespectful. Still I hope to be able to do more in the future. Thank you for always being interested in interacting with my muses, even when I was very new and unestablished.

Kyo: I really really like everytime that I see you on my dash. You write your muses in such a fun and engaging way. I hope that we get to interact a lot more in the future. I also know you've started something new in the last few months, not gonna be specific since I'm not sure if you've shared that part of your personal life on Tumblr, but I wish you the best of luck at it. I think you're going to succeed hard!

Ran: Ran I guess I just first wanna say I consider you a really good and special friend. When we've spoken you've often alluded to social anxiety and feeling like you've said embarassing things. So I want to restate that I've never been put off by what you've said and I love talking to you. As well as roleplaying and doing boardgames. I have so much fun pairing our muses up our causing wacky hijinks. I haven't seen you on your blogs much lately. Maybe I've just missed you but if not I hope you return to the rpc soon. It's not the same place without you.

Metal: You've been a long time friend to me by this point. Longer than a lot of folks on this list. I really appreciate that a lot. We haven't talked too much lately but I hope you're doing well. I also know not all of our fandoms sync up but I'm always down to interact anyways.

Nep: Hey Nep I haven't really seen you on Tumblr lately. I'm hoping that's just because we've been active at different times but if not I hope you're back soon. If you're not, I hope you're happy wherever you are. I think that you're real fun to write with and you've got original characters I'm excited to do much more with. I also believe that you had an event while I was gone that I'll hopefully be able to catch up on sometime soon.

Koi: I know I've not been around much lately but I hope that you're doing well. I've not really been in the headspace for horror lately but you're very good at bringing a unique horror flair to things.

Plumber: Hey we don't really personally know each other all that well but you're always making fun and wacky posts that I love to see on my dash. It feels like the rpc would be a lot less fun without you here. You also seem to be an incredibly kind person.

Kaali: A friend I've had for quite a while now but that I don't talk to enough. Sorry about that I'm just genuinely not the best with conversations. I have mad respect for all the work you put into your original characters and into your ideas. Like you really pull out all the stops.

Awoo: I've admired your ability to create interesting and fun original characters a lot. Several decisions I've made to develop my skills as a roleplayer have been inspired by you. I know you've had some mental health struggles of your own and I haven't heard from you lately so I hope you're doing alright wherever you are.

Sades: During some really difficult moments you were there for me when not many other people were. I'm always going to appreciate that. You're also the reason I got into Touhou. Which means that without you, chances are I woule not have met the vast majority of people here or found a community where I feel I belong.

Cobalt: I am always ecstatic when I see your posts on my dash. I love your Chen and think that you're a lot of fun. I have not been around much but when I have been I've seen you talking about things like not feeling you have much to do in the community. I can't make decisions for you but I do want to say that I think you are a fundamental piece of our rpc. I would be sad not having you here.

Teeps: I was shy about approaching you at first but you're incredibly cool. A lot of the fandoms you are in I'm not in but your posts get me interested in them anyways. Like I have no clue who that green sonic character is but you give her such an energy. I'm real glad to know ya. As far as the 2hu rpc goes you've been around a lot longer than me and I love hearing your own personal that you've developed.

Cait: I need to pop in and catch your streams more. I think that you're very cool to see on the dash. I especially love the way that you write your Sakuya. I really cherrish her interactions with my Reimu.

Sev: First of all. A while ago you sent me a very kind message wishing me well in my mental health struggles. I was not in the best place then so I did not appropriately respond. So thank you for that it truly meant a lot to me. I believe that you put a stunning amount of work into the characters you write, giving them so much detail and layers. Its inspiring and I just really want to appreciate you for it.

Hanafuda: You haven't been around much and last we spoke you alluded to a rough spot. So I hope if you ever see this that you're doing well. It was always fun having another Miko on the dash for mine to banter with. I also looked forward to seeing more of the other muses you played. Maybe someday you'll return.

Frozen: Everytime I see one of your posts it makes me smile. Honestly you've got some of the funniest jokes in the fandom. Some I don't get but I still feel they'd be hilarious if I got them. Also I have noticed you often commission art for other people. I find that to be a very sweet and kindhearted thing. So I consider you to be the heart of the community.

Fox: I don't know you very well but I've recently seen your multimuse popping up and it seems very fun. So I want to get to know ya in the future.

Chiru: We've not really spoken but I think you make some really great posts. Very well written headcanons and roleplays. So I just wanna say I'm always happy seeing you on my dash.

Draco: you're not in the touhou fanbase but you have been a long time friend. I haven't heard much from you lately so I hope you're doing well. I'm here if ya need me.

Sturm: I think that all your fairy posts are incredibly. You truly are a star of my dashboard. Hopefully someday we'll interact more. I'd like that.

Xana: You seem to have so much lore for your blogs, its really cool. It seems you've been around a long while so there's a lot of history. Someday I'd like to sit down and hear all about it from you. I also find your writing to be quite fun.

Jacob: we don't interact too much but I'm always excited to see someone posting walfas images. So that has always made you stick out in my dash and brighten it. Hope you're doing well.

Geisthonoredferry: As of yet, I don't believe we've interacted. But you're always liking my posts thst's something I really appreciate. Hopefully sometime I can get to know your oc.

Carp: Last I saw you were in a rough spot so I hope things are well now. You're newer to my dash but you seem very kind hearted and jovial. Also your ocs sre red as hell and go've got good face claim tastes.

Crim: You're a real cool friend with a lot of cool ideas. I love any interactions that our muses have together. Although my favorite is Kutaka/Eiki because it's somehow both a very obvious ship and yet a rare one. I think that they are very cute together. I also like the sisterhood of Reimu and Kisume. It's an unexpected but fun dynamic.

Mugenri-mun: I don't believe I know your screen name but you've been real supportive of me through my hardship and gave me a person to speak to. I would not be in as good a place without you. Also I'm glad someone is repping Len'en.

Kcmeiji & Closedheartedgirl: I wanted to note you both as you are both Komeiji blogs thay popped up and then disappeared while I've been got on hiatus. I just think that's a bit disappointing. The Komeiji are some of my favorites.

That's about all I have to say. It was kind of tough to word it all out but those are things I want y'all to know.

[bumblepony]

Thank you for tagging me @adhdprincess Tagging @march-flowerr @two-birds-alone-together @becomethesun [Empty Q's are at the bottom of the post]

1. How many works do you have on AO3? 75

2. What's your total AO3 word count? 434,796

3. What fandoms do you write for? TLOU

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Unexpected Consequences : 327

Like You Were Always Meant To Be Here : 306

Glitch in the Code or Playing Video Games with My Uncle and Dad : 183

A Soul For Sale Or Rent : 164

After The Rain :126

5. Do you respond to comments? Yes, as much as I can. But I am bad at remembering, so if I get a notification and don't respond right away, my brain forgets it exists. Thank you, ADHD.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? I think its a tie between these two.

Life is pretty cruel For a touchy feely fool

We're Only Going So Far

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? Maybe this one. Boy I Was Back Then

8. Do you get hate on fics? No, not really. I had one fic that got some hate but it was pretty minimal. I don't even have that fic anymore; I planned to rewrite it but never did.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Yes, Yes I do. All kinds, but generally, it's soft smut; I don't do a ton of really out-there stuff, not that I am yucking anyones yum, just not my style. I have M/M pairings and M/F I haven't really explored F/F yet but I plan to just haven't got around to it yet.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? Yes, I do. So far, only one has been published its TLOU/Firefly Turn On The Red Light . I am working on another right now for TLOU/LOTR

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? No, not that I know of.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? Nope.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? Yes, actually a few,

14. What’s your all-time favorite ship? So, it's not really a Ship because they are actually together, but Bill/Frank is my favorite ship from the video game. I love that the HBO version actually gave us a relationship with them.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? Probably my Henry & Sam Live Wip. Like, I want to write it, but it's going to be a lot of work, and there already is a great writer, @becomethesun, who is writing one that is amazing. It's called collaborators .

16. What are your writing strengths? Uggg, I guess my ability to come up with ideas for stories.

17. What are your writing weaknesses? My ability to finish writing those ideas.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? I do it from time to time, but I try to get help from someone who actually speaks the language.

19. First fandom you wrote for? Technically The Heralds of Valdimar, but that was all through Yahoo email with my friends when I was 15-16 years old. My only published stuff is on AO3 TLOU.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written? Shit I think it's a tie with

A Soul For Sale Or Rent

Glitch in the Code or Playing Video Games with My Uncle and Dad

----

To copy on mobile, hold and press the text below and tap "Copy". Feel free to use the pic at the top of the post as well!

1. How many works do you have on AO3? 2. What's your total AO3 word count? 3. What fandoms do you write for? 4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? 5. Do you respond to comments? 6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? 7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? 8. Do you get hate on fics? 9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? 10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? 11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? 12. Have you ever had a fic translated? 13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? 14. What’s your all-time favorite ship? 15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? 16. What are your writing strengths? 17. What are your writing weaknesses? 18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? 19. First fandom you wrote for? 20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

[n7punk]

okay i finished da:v here's my full spoilers thoughts but the summary is: good game, recommend if you've liked any of the da or me games

first of all, games ranking because i think that tells you a lot:

without mods: dai > dav > dao > da2

with mods: dai > dao > dav > da2

(closer to 2 decades than not post-release, da:o feels unplayable without the increased walk speed/distance and faster animations/combat mod among over QOL tweaks. oh my god a single backstab takes so fucking long) nostalgia also definitely plays a factor so this might change in a few years or if i replay dao and realize either wow i do love it that much or wow this is Just Unplayable lmao

overall i liked it. gameplay was fun, the story was good, i love the companions, and the only glitches i ever ran into were graphical ones with stuff clipping into cutscenes that wasn't supposed to be there.

i don't like rook as a protagonist as much as i like any of the other bioware protags, but that fully could have been the fault of the way i played them, so when i eventually do a replay (probably after a few weeks/months to see if any dlc releases. and after it gets mods so i can unlock all appearances without needing to recollect them LMAO would new game+ fucking kill you bioware) i'll see if i like them better. it's not that i dislike them there were just multiple times where i was like. why are people looking to this rando to fight a god. like the warden makes sense, they're one of Two grey wardens left in the country. hawke no one looked to until they had stepped up in a lot of small ways. and they were also nobility, and only became the champion of kirkwall after they took it into their own hands to save the city because it's their city too! and the inquisitor people literally believe was appointed by god (and for understandable reasons). rook does have a somewhat heroic backstory written for them but i don't know... it felt like varric would have a thousand better connections that are proven to choose his rook and he chose. this random person who made a hard call once that had relatively small consequences versus. literally he could have chosen hawke like! whatever that's my largest gripe with the game so that shows you how good it is overall lmao

(purple rook does remind me a lot of hawke so im just going to make that my headcanon why varric chose them. hes a sentimental bastard)

also why does he call them rook. i felt like that was never explained. maybe it was a codex i didn't read, because i didnt read most of them lol, but it wasn't even clear to me if that was a nickname they had before or a title he gave them, and it never paid off in any way? like a "checkmate" joke would have been goofy but i don't get the significance of it at all.

i knew 100% going in varric was going to die. as soon as he got stabbed i texted meta like THERE IT IS. and then i woke up and he was there and i was like huh. i guess that was the fake out and itll happen later. well. lol. i didn't clock that exact twist but i kept forgetting he was even in the game and when he did show up i was always like. what is wrong with you. we have magic. you got stabbed by the dagger and now you're wah im not fit to fight after months but harding just Touches it and gets magic powers? what's going on? and then the reveal happened and it was like oh yeah that makes sense lmao. i know something was Wrong. that said im not taking it as rook hallucinating or whatever. they were literally in the fade, i do think his memory was there and it wasn't just solas fucking with their mind and speaking through him. replaying it i'll look for times when companions see rook talk to him. i know apparently a writer was saying stupid shit about rook talking to themself on bluesky but i haven't looked at what it is.

i love harding and taash and bellara so much. and neve and teia too (i fucking love teia). the boys are. there. lmao no i love them too (especially davrin and assan) but i dont LOVE them like i love the others. and evka and antione were cute together. i mean i really like a lot of the characters, it's part of what makes the game strong, because it's a very ME2/ME3 style type game that's about gathering allies versus inquisition where you're directly hunting corypheus yourself and just gathering what you can as you go peripherally, so all those allies NEED to be good to make it work.

i think locking in a companion death after you've done all that work with their factions and personal quests is Stupid but whatever, they're definitely going to come back next game even if i think it's as an enemy. overall the climax quest was cool, i did all the side quests but the fact you get to face off against hezenkoss and aelia and shit if you DONT is cool as hell

oh and i liked the map style. similar to DAO's larger areas, i think, but expanded because we have the tech and resources to do that now and it worked really well. i loved dock town especially. it felt like what da2 COULD have been if it had the development time. a lot of this game did, tbh. i love the story and character potential of da2 but it's at the bottom of my list of games just because it's not really that fun to replay. i've sunk hundreds of hours into dai and dao. i think i've played my canon inquisitor like 4 times with only mild variations in addition to my other inquisitors and half dozen wardens.

the lore drops in this game were GREAT and a couple things came up where i was shocked like oh. oh you PLANNED that huh. there were fucking hints to this 15 years ago. i am so curious at what point they "knew" this stuff. like before this game came out i would have sworn up and down that they had Not come up with the elves becoming mortal due to fen'harel locking the corrupt elven gods behind a veil stuff in DAO and i still think that's likely, but now i would believe otherwise too.

i think they maybe had more big-picture stuff with the elves' war with the titans - because they've been hinting at this titan storyline the whole time - planned, but like, solas certainly didn't exist yet you know lol. idk! maybe.

the elves = spirits reveal went so hard for me, specifically, because ive always been interested in untangling the lore so i Combed over trespasser and there's a codex in there where the inquisitor views a memory of two elven lovers, personified as light, dancing together and intertwining their souls in a dazzling display, and as soon as i heard i was like THATS WHAT THAT FUCKING WAS. they were spirits!! so that's why i say they had to 100% know all of this lore stuff by the time of inquisition and probably knew like half of it in dao.

(side note, if you hang around the shadow dragons merchant long enough, she says she came to tevinter as a slave from denerim. she! was part of that slavery sidequest for the city elves in dao!! that's so fucking cool the continuity in this game goes so hard!!! whatever things they didn't plan, they tied back to get little things like that and it's so cool. versus inquisition which is just like. oh knight enchanters exist. that ancient forgotten arcane warrior skill that only the warden knows and was lost to time? actually the humans in orlais developed something even stronger. fuuuuuu anyway)

i want to know what the fuck is going on with valta. okay here's my thing. i get why harding was upset about the titans because solas essentially stole her peoples ability to dream and do magic which is fucked up. but also. the titans mind-controlled them??? like. solas is anti-slavery honestly in his mind he was probably freeing them. idk having played the descent i was just like the titans are NOT a thing to be mourned but i guess we'll see. i have a feeling harding is also going to be a statue in the next game if she was your sacrifice and im VERY curious if that was something dalta actually chose or if it Happened to her as either a natural evolution (like a blighted creature always turns to a darkspawn) or the titan inflicting that on her as part of its plan/instinct. this game kind of solved all my lore questions about the elves and the blight and so all that's left for me is some aspects of the titans, whatever the fuck the devouring storm is, and maybe more clarity on the real story of andraste but i feel like i have that pretty on lock lmao. she was a human mage in contact with a powerful spirit/one of the evanuris and she died for it. case closed. mythal was up in there somewhere but probably not andraste herself.

the devouring storm tho. ive been wanting more on the qunari than anti-communist propaganda and we're finally starting to get it. the hints towards par vollen next game have me excited. i dont really want rook to be a multi-game protag (as you can probably guess) but i'll just do a second, stronger playthrough if that ends up being true to import the world-state of.

speaking of world states. ok. actually one sec.

i also want to know what's going on in kal-sharok. they say they're like the darkspawn but they can't be blighted/wardens because 1) then davrin or a grey warden rook would be able to sense them and i brought neither of those things to that quest but i feel like i would have seen it mentioned by now and 2) they can't be blighted because there's an expiration date on that (i think it's 20 years) and there are a ton of dwarves way older than 20 in there. it is possible only some of them are blighted or they stopped the practice, like maybe just the rock-knockers still do it, but the joining ceremony is also implied to be blood magic and dwarves cant DO magic anyway and i dont think enough of them would survive the first 20 years to sustain a population so like. i don't think thats the answer i think they would have died out. so what does "like the darkspawn" mean? the darkspawn are normal creatures that get blighted and end up serving it. the blight came from titans. i think kal-sharok is like the darkspawn in that they opened themselves up to their Local Titan and let it lowkey take over them (see: mind control) and it helped them fight off the darkspawn. maybe just by moving rock, maybe with red lyrium even exerting some influence over the blight. maybe just being somewhat connected to the titan let them sense where the darkspawn running around in it were and let them survive. they clearly dont know a lot about the titans but their armor is literally made to make them look like statues carved out of stone and theyre worshipping their oracle statue like COME ON.

anyway, world state

so again, i think another protag would have been stronger, but if they WERE determined to make a new one, i did like what they did with the inquisitor's role. the inquisitor, even post-disbandment, is a powerful figure. having them leading the armies fighting off the blight down south makes a lot of sense. i like that they came back at the end, it felt like they were doing the best they could with making them appropriately present without having them be on screen much to say wildly out of character things for your personal inquisitor lol. the lines they had written for them were perfect for my inquisitor, though.

i do think it's weird the inquisitor even considers talking solas down after they've made the choice to stop solas at any cost?? but whatever, overall i really liked it and seeing anerra again was yes 💖 it'll work well in the next game too because the inquisitor WOULD stay in thedas to help rebuild it post-blight while rook, who at least has proven themselves and is no longer a rando lmao, goes to face the devouring storm. they're getting old now they just want to fix their house so they can sit in it 😂

it did annoy me they had you pick the LI and then their NAME wasn't even spoken. especially since if you romanced certain companions - iron bull, blackwall - they're intimately tied to factions in this fight. im sure if they romanced solas it comes up a lot more but i dont care about that lmao. BUT that goes back to the "this is the inquisitor's fight" thing - i cannot imagine most solavellan inquisitors stepping back and letting someone else go after him.

morrigan is such a babe also i loved her coming back. pretty sure this makes "mythal" the only character who has appeared in every da game. having isabella back was SO GOOD tho she's living the best fucking life. the fact fenris never showed up is such a missed opportunity and im not accepting the "well he had so many possible endings it would be hard to account-" they didn't even let you choose if bull stayed with the inquisitor or left to join the qun they are MAKING decisions on what version of events they want to keep as the canon going forward and they could have - should have - made the call here. and i have no problem with them making those calls! just commit lmao. anyway

one thing this game did great: making your rook matter. the fact i was a shadow dragon and qunari came up a lot. i was able to pull on inside knowledge and translate stuff in qunlot. i like that a lot. it's something they fumbled in inquisition lmao.

one thing it did bad: which companions you pick for quests (aside from the final one) just doesn't matter. they don't even appear in cutscenes (which was weird & jarring), they barely have comments to make throughout or in the overworld, and i dont think it's even possible to gain disapproval outside of amin story quests. like in da2 i would literally plan shit out like okay, im going on quest involving slaves, ill bring fenris to gain approval when i free them. im going on something where i'll probably side with mages, time to bring anders. none of that here. and like im not saying i want there to be more options to lose affection, especially when it felt harder to earn in this game (i did every single quest in the game and only maxed like. two people. everyone else was nine), but i wanted them to have opinions, you know.

bonus: god they fixed companion dialogue in this. now whenever they get interrupted mid-banter they always pick it back up and you get the added banter convos around the lighthouse for pairings you normally wouldn't bring out with you! so that helped flesh the companions out. and god i cannot emphasize enough how much i love some of them. ASSAN. i did not expect it going into this game but every time he was on screen i was just like BABY thats my BABY that's my little BOY

anyway. good game. very interested where they're going with this. felt like a fitting conclusion to that story arc and im very attached to my inquisitor <3

[zarrella-hisone-and-only]

Hey!!! I see your a new writer and I guess I should start you off! Could you make s small drabble of a black fem reader being a helper at the training camp! 💖😂. A little bit of info(lol sorry I'm a little bit picky) The reader is one of Japan's best blockers. She is very short spoken and enjoys watching other players better(fyi she is a new manager for Nekoma) Sorry if it's a lot!!!

Don't worry lovie! This sounds like a real fun writing piece! Hopefully you enjoy this!

Miss Jumpy

Summary: Y/n L/n, one of the former top blockers in female volleyball. She happens to be the small time manager for Nekoma High.

Warnings: None!

Word Count: (620)

════════════════════════════════════════════

Y/n looked up to the sky as you sighed a low breath of exhaustion. You've spent most of your day running around helping the rest of the girls with preparing snacks and helping the team you managed for. Nekoma High, they were really good in your opinion. And well their main rivals were Fukurodani and Karasuno! It was almost time for dinner and yet you still haven't seen Lev or Kuroo.

You muttered small words of affirmation to yourself as you scurried around the place in search of the two. I mean-you had to make sure they ate before the cafeteria closed for the night! Or else they'd go to bed hungry! That wasn't any better!

You heard some volleyballs in the distance, whipping your head around you saw a the lights were on!

"I wonder what's going on in there.." you whispered under your breath.

Moving closer you heard voices. Kuroo, Lev, and a few others.

"Hm?" You peeped your head through the doors and watched as Bokuto spiked the ball, shooting it straight past a tall blondie. You flinched at the sound of the ball smacking the ground harshly.

Kuroo looked to the side and spotted you. "Oh, hey Y/n! What are you doing here?"

You straightened your back and stared right at Kuroo. Nervously you starched the back of your neck. "Oh, I j-just haven't seen you and Lev and dinner yet.. I-I got a little worried.." Your voice was timid and small.

Bokuto smirked and walked over to you looking down in your eyes. "Whose the shorty?" He asks looking back at Kuroo blatantly.

You were short, maybe even tiny to be exact. Compared to the guys int he gym you were a mere pebble sitting on the side of a busy road.

"I-" You were interrupted by Kuroo.

"She's our new manager. Go on, don't be scared, introduce yourself!" He reassured you with a wide smile.

You nodded at his words and spoke up. "My name is Y/n L/n!" Your voice still had small hints of nervousness.

Bokuto smiled and nodded his head. "You might know me as Bokuto!"

The rest of the guys introduced themselves to you.

"Uh, well I guess I should be going now.." You were about to walk away till Kuroo called after you again.

"Hey Y/n wait!" You turned back and looked at him, he continued. "Could you help out with some blocks and spikes? Our friend Tsukishima here needs the practice, same with Lev!"

"Oh. You need my help?" You looked rather flattered emphasizing 'my'.

He nodded and you smiled walking inside. Kuroo directed you over beside him in the blocking line. By the means of it, it seemed like Bokuto was being blocked by three people.

Akaashi set the ball and up went Bokuto. He was tall and strong, you leaped up a few seconds earlier than Kuroo and Tsukishima just to match up the height. In seconds your eyes widened at the sight of contact. Bokuto spiked the ball right at me. Did he really think you were as weak as you looked?

You swiftly placed your arms position into a stronger stance. The ball bounced off your palms and back onto the other side of the net.

"What the-" Bokuto was flabbergasted at your block.

"Hah, did I forget to mention, Y/n here used to be one of the best blockers in Japan!"

You sheepishly smiled at Kuroo's claims.

The boys and you all played a few games, you set up a few times and others you spiked.

It was getting pretty late so you decided to go shower before bed. You waved back at the boys leaving the gymnasium.

[dorizardthewizard]

Galactik Football season 3 rewatch, eps 19 - 21

Episode 19:

Hush Sharky: I should've picked Mark, nothing exciting will ever happen following Thran!

Is that meta

Well this romance between Mark and Nina-8 is progressing quickly huh

Nina-8 says it's hard for her to trust others hmmmm

And there we have it, an explanation for Ahito's sleepiness – he stores the Breath within himself, which can wear him out. Pretty cool, although it does bring up some questions. Does his dad do that too, since he has the same problem? How did that excess get released before he started playing Galactik Football? Why is he just doing better now I don't think we ever actually covered that in season 2

OK imagine you're chilling having a normal conversation and your friend just does a backflip out of nowhere. I would definitely be reacting like D'jok hahah

Thran: I'm coming with you Clamp! Clamp: No, it's too dangerous!

Thran: But the writers said it's MY turn to have a fun adventure with the pirates!

Thran really said, if the writers aren't gonna give me any interesting sideplots, I'll do it myself! RESPECT.

Artegor (completely deadpan): I am excited. It doesn't show?

HE'S JUST LIKE ME FR FR

Ahito covering for Thran is so cute, of course Thran would let his brother know

Why ARE the Paradisia girls referred to by their numbers?

Huh, this data link thing that the Paradisia players do is pretty cool

This hack for the space port entry code is pretty dumb but it's fine I'll just insert some star trek technobabble here in my mind. Aaaaand done, GO THRAN! And yaaaay Thran the Pirates fan gets approval from the man himself

A rare corner kick!

I don't know anything about football but this goalkeeper goal seems kind of bullshit to me. Like was that necessary?

NOOOOO WARREN :( Barry calling it an end of an era, I guess it's not just the Snow Kids who get that press treatment after losing a match. But the Lightnings haven't been to the finals in three seasons and Warren is probably getting older :(

Team Paradisia slayed though

Awww poor Nina-8 :( Hmm what plan is Nikki-4 talking about, I don't remember much after the Paradisia tournament. I do like the conflict between the two, they may be twins but Nina-8 has a much softer personality than Nikki-4. And with her not being on the team until D'jok left, I wonder if she was already trying to distance herself from them a bit and try to live her own life. Which is pretty symbolic for an identical twin.

Well Mark's love drama has more potential than the love triangles they were doing until now, if only they'd given it more screentime and development

Hush Sharky is kind of underreacting for a journalist who just found out a galaxy-class footballer and his coach are in cahoots with the leader of the pirates

Again, the budget of this show might be low, but they actually have quite a lot of locations and the background art is always really good.

Sonny taking his mask off on Paradisia because he saw some plants sfjkdfssf that was unnecessary, he's so extra! And they're lucky the weather conditions are still perfectly fine for humans.

Episode 20:

I guess Mice Delight is delicious to robots only haha

D'jok Mei and Micro-Ice being besties ahhhh I love it

Mice is playing a delicate game? Since he lied to Zo-leen so he could hide he's going to meet Yuki, what are they implying there?

Oooo 3-2 to the Xenons! The Rykers really gave them a run for their money!

STEVENS INTERVIEW! STEVENS IS GONNA TALK EVERYONE SHUT UP!!

OH THEY FUCKED UP HIS DUB VOICE. NEVER MIND.

But seriously Callie should get a raise for finding them LOL, nice little animation touch of him looking around the whole time he's talking to her. Sir you would be harder to spot if you weren't wearing your football kit. It's ok, yeah I know the animators don't have the budget. Hang in there, buddy

Stevens top scorer in the cup!! It might seem strange with him not having a flux, but it seems reasonable to me considering the Pirate's style of play. They always score at least one goal in their games, and he's pretty much always the one who does it. For other teams, the goal scoring is a bit more shared between different players. Plus it's still early in the cup.

KING. I LOVE THIS INTERACTION. Stevens keeping it real even before the Technoids showed up, I'll say we've had some good Pirates moments this season

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm are they suggesting Micro-Ice is two-timing between Zo-Leen and Yuki? Uuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhh.................

And since when was Zo-Leen all over Micro-Ice again anyway? She seemed just friendly during the Paradisia tournament

Why is this friendship between Harvey and Lord Phoenix actually kind of cute?

Awwww the Snow Kids are the best Yuki fanclub

These seats at Genesis stadium aren't actually seats, it's more like an amphitheater and they're not very comfortable. No back rest!

I love Stevens's goals, obviously he can't just use the flux to smash it so his style is more technical

ASHDFJSDF in this season you can hear the Pirates celebrating (and also grunting while running?) and it's so silly, they just gave them stereotypical gruff pirate voices

Games between other teams are funny because there will be like. Exactly one new animation in the whole game. Literally everything else is stock footage

This soundtrack slaps by the way

The Pirates goalkeeper's signature head shake lol

Sorry guys I love Yuki I really do but you know who I'm rooting for

The Elektra's flux confuses me, it looks solid enough for them to ride on it?

This season is really just dunking on Barry whenever they can huh, Artegor's laugh and trying to pass it off as nerves SDJFKDFS I LOVE HIM THANK YOU VOICE ACTOR FOR NOT LEAVING

Oooo that water skating trick does look really cool! I like that since season 1, we've seen more creative fluxes

Well as much as I love the Pirates I'm happy for the Elektras, and Yuki! She's come so far from her nervous self in season 2 and I'm so proud of her

TIA SECOND TOP SCORER YESSS!!! I would go back to check if the number of goals is actually correct but I cba

If I had a nickel for every time a romantic breakup has happened this season at the taxi stop with one of the parties telling the other to forget about them, I would have 2 nickels. Which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice.

AND NOW MICE IS HAPPY JUST BECAUSE ZO-LEEN KISSED HIM?? YUKI ALREADY KISSED YOU IN SEASON 2! YOU JUST FORGOT ABOUT HER NOW? YOU DIDN'T EVEN CARE FOR ZO-LEEN This love plot with Mice is so stupid I can't even be bothered to comment on it anymore.

Episode 21:

D'jok seems to be perfectly back to normal and on friendly terms with the others as if nothing happened. Compare to season 2 where Rocket's Netherball stint had consequences and his return was not so smooth!

Ahito you couldn't think of a better excuse for Thran leaving? 😂 I do feel like we could have had a better reason in the story for Thran ending up with the Pirates, it IS a bit weird that he says he has to go on a mission with them but he doesn't actually have a reason to, and this is before the SEMI-FINAL. That's a bit too important to be sneaking off because... you just want to?

I need this screenshot in good quality

I love that Bennett being the hacker guy is a thing that's consistent throughout the season

Lord Phoenix somehow grabbed literally all of them at once sijfsdkdk except Harvey. Fuck robot rights I guess

Warren coaching time! I love how he's always willing to lend a helping hand for these things, whether it's giving D'jok a talk about what's important in season 1, trying to get Rocket out of Netherball in season 2 or helping with training here. What a guy, truly Mr. Galactik Football

Huh, that's an interesting little way to use the Lightning's flux. It's like static electricity keeping them together

sfdkjdsf I would do this too. Actually I do do this to my short friends. I'm also short but they're shorter so I gotta take my wins when I can

Micro-Ice and Tia duo! I love them I wish we saw more of them as a fun pair, they would get up to such hijinks together. Sibling vibes!

Emo Mark hours

Well, you tried Mice. Maybe try to get him to open up about his problem instead of just trying to cheer him up?

Clamp: No, that's not it, it's- Sonny: What is it, Clamp? Say something!

Clamp: BITCH I WAS ABOUT TO BEFORE YOU INTERRUPTED ME

Nice one Brim Simbra, I like that we got to see him actually doing something lol

This dilemma about Adim and Aarch's relationship due to her being league president was never mentioned before, why did they never consider this? Should've built that up earlier instead of that random Artegor plot

Lord Phoenix: Paradisia was such a beautiful planet

Idk man it doesn't look THAT bad right now, the UK looks like that every day

I can't show the video because I used my 1 video per post limit for Stevens talking but there's this super fucking weird segment where Nork says the Elektras-Paradisia match will be the first all female semi-final ever, and Barry dreamily says this is a "fantasy" GFC? And Nork is like "you said it! Team Paradisia...." in this dreamy way again and Callie has to cough and change the subject? Hey what the fuck was that???? This season tried to be more blatant with the girl power messaging but then puts in moments like this?????

YAAAAAAY XENONS TIME

Wait Thran is in this teamup shot? Did he already get back?

Oh I really love this interaction between D'jok and Luur before kickoff – no intimidation dance from the Xenons, just a meaningful handshake between a guy who almost plummeted to his death last season, and the player that saved him. Idk if the writers were intentional with this but if so, it's a really nice example of subtle writing and events of the previous season carrying over.

Wait yeah the Pirates aren't back yet! In which case, Aarch is pretty chill for a coach who is missing a player for A SEMI-FINAL MATCH. Eh I guess at this point he's just given up with these kids

Oh damn Brim Simbra actually died, I like that they went through with that so the explosion on Paradisia had consequences. Could have also opened up some interesting avenues with the new flux society leader in season 4 – maybe he'd want to do things differently?

But it's also kind of hilarious that Brim Simbra's very last action as flux society leader... was to delegate the galaxy saving to Sonny Blackbones yet again LOL

[hatters-workshop]

I got really into reading a fanfic the other day, to a degree that I haven't been absorbed by fanfic in a very long time. And I left a comment on each part of the series, because I really enjoyed it and wanted to show my appreciation, and because I know that fic writers are fed by comments, and it's only polite when they've given me hours of enjoyment.

But for once I happened to look at some of the other comments, and I saw one that has lived in my brain rent free since. The author had split the fic into multiple sections, looking at different characters' perspectives on what was going on in the main narrative. They were building a rich world within the existing one of canon, and fleshing out characters that are otherwise background to the main narrative. They had said in the notes that their intention was to do this, and that while it may be a little odd when you're getting updates for current reading, that eventually they felt it would make for better reading as a completed piece.

The comment that is living in me though, was one that, while efforts had been made to phrase it politely, basically said "don't you think you owe it to your readers to progress the main plot by now? Stop focusing on the other bits and give us the main plot!"

The author handled it very well and told them off in their replies, but I just couldn't get over the entitlement. So I feel like I need to speak up, as I do think that the attitudes to fanfic dynamics have changed. So to be clear:

Fanfic writers don't owe you anything.

They do not owe you regular updates.

They do not owe you narrative directions that you like.

They do not owe you ships you like or scenes you want.

Unless specifically requested, they don't want negative feedback or "constructive" criticism. Don't like a fic? Click out of it and move the hell on.

They do not owe you their time and effort and energy.

They are writing something that they feel is interesting, with their own time and energy, and for free.

They are being incredibly kind by sharing what they write with others. You are privileged to get what they create, and therefore you are not owed anything further.

Think of it like this: someone you know has a games console and they bring it round when they visit and let you play the games they own. Would it be fair for you to start demanding that they visit more often, even when they're tired, so you can play on it? Or for you to demand that they buy the games you want to play? Or for you to say actually, you don't like the colour of their game console and should get the other colour?

Guess what happens in both those scenarios? They're going to pack up their stuff and go home, and you won't get to read their fic or play their games any more.

I know that for me, entitled fic readers killed my urge to write, when I was a prolific teenage writer. I was 80% though a longer story when my updates slowed a little. An entitled commenter told me that I was the reason fanfic was dying, because I wasn't updating as often as they liked. 15 year old me really struggled with that, and I never posted another chapter to that story, even though I was really excited about it. I still know how that story ends. No one who was reading it does, though. Because of one jerk's entitlement.

So yeah. Feed your favouritr fanfic authors with comments, but remember: you are incredibly lucky that they've chosen to share their work with you. Don't shit on them and don't demand more than you deserve, as you may just find that they cut you off at the source.

[thisisevenharderthannamingablog]

The Chess Game

Throwing my immediate post-watch thoughts onto paper. I'm sure the fandom has thoroughly chewed all of this over long ago, but I enjoy the thinking-and-writing process. It's been a while since I watched something that made those bits purr. (I haven't gone looking for meta on the show yet because I wanted to sort out my own thoughts when I had just watched it - like I said, I'm sure lots of people have covered this territory!)

Having been pretty well spoiled for the show ahead of time, I spent the first half of the season trying to guess what Korn could actually be after by bringing in Porsche. His stated reasoning early on makes no sense, especially when you know about Namphueng, and nothing happens in the plot to support it. The only character who ever tries to buy Porsche off is Vegas, and that's only because he's obsessed with one-upping Kinn. Were the writers just making it up as they went? Would not be the first time I've seen that, I used to watch Once Upon a Time ffs.

However. Assume a method to the storytelling. What motivates Korn? Bearing in mind that the purpose of a system is seen by what it does, not what it claims to do, at mid-season the nature of the two houses, the buildings and the systems, started to make me think.

Korn is a controller type. His goal is stasis, to maintain the closed nightmare that is his family -- which includes the minor branch -- under his control in perpetuity. Gun isn't his opponent; he's a part of the system working the way Korn wants it. So why invite the chaos incarnate that is Porsche into a place where "we don't like chaos here"? Why bring fire -- the element that changes things! -- into your water-drenched world?

Because competition makes you stronger.

Korn lives for the exercise of soft control, for knowing that he's pushed someone to do as he likes without any visible effort, just a metaphor and an emotional knife, but how do you know you've actually got that unless you test it? The game doesn't start when all the pieces are on the board; the game starts when your opponent sits down.

That's Porsche. To make things more interesting, Porsche only has one piece when play begins - Chay, his king, who must be protected at all costs. After that, all he has are the pieces he can take from Korn, which he starts doing in episode 2 if you want to count Kinn's attraction to him, or episode 3 at the latest.

The characters and their roles as I see them:

Porsche makes friends among the bodyguards. Definitely pawns.

He gets Khun away from his TV pacifier, out to where real human things happen. I have assigned him a bishop role. For one, he moves slantwise to everyone else. For two, in the Austen-esque social milieu from which we get a lot of our romance tropes, in a family with three sons one inherited, one joined the military, and one joined the church.

Kinn falls in love with him. I went back and forth on his spot because I really liked the idea of him and Vegas as matched rooks, but I'm going with queen. In theory he should be the most powerful of Korn's pieces, if Korn wasn't a dumbass and Porsche wasn't so damn attractive. (Kinn loves people so damn hard, can you even imagine if Korn had let his son love him instead of whatever the hell this is?)

Chay takes Kim, a knight both on account of his relative freedom of movement and his position defending Chay, whose thematic role is to incarnate innocence. In both of the big fights, he fucks off and lets the rest of his family fend for themselves, and I love that for him.

Big literally dies for Porsche, earning himself the other knight role, that is some straight-up medieval romance.

Tawan by elimination is the queen's bishop. I'm not entirely happy with that position, although like Khun he is ummm diagonal to conventional sanity? His failure is due to Porsche's influence at a bit of a remove, since (if I followed this correctly) it was jealousy over Porsche having Kinn that led Tawan to messing up Vegas' plan? Whew.

In a move Korn definitely does not predict, Pete (now one of Porsche's pieces) gets promoted and takes Vegas out of play. Previously the most predictable character on the board lol. I'm leaving Vegas as a rook. An angry, angry rook.

That leaves Gun to take the other rook position, the piece Korn holds in reserve until the last possible moment because it enables him to try for a last-ditch castle maneuver when it looks like he's about to lose. Whether or not he succeeds is arguable.

Nampheung is Korn's king, the protected piece who makes no moves through the entire game.

And Porsche doesn't even know he's playing. I think the only character who has any clue what kind of game Korn is actually at might be Kim, and he doesn't know the whole thing.

Now, about the endgame.

Writing TV season finales is hard. You seldom know whether or not you'll have room for more story, so you have to tie up enough open threads to be satisfying while leaving yourself room to maneuver if you get another season. You can read this finale in at least three different ways, and I admire the freedom the writers left themselves while still providing something that stands as an ending.

When he fakes his own death, Korn is already almost out of pieces. He's got a pawn or two (Chan deserved a better boss), his king and his second rook. Everybody else is either dead or on Team Porsche. Korn's doing something he proves to be good at throughout the season, stalling for time. He repeatedly gives out a taste of truth seasoned with lies and sits back to see if it works. In this case, he uses the time (I'm fairly certain) to set up the attack on Chay, which if it had succeeded would have won him the game. It fails, so all Korn has left as a strategy is to keep on playing for time.

In the final confrontation, all Porsche has to do to win is take his mom and leave, but he doesn't know that. Whatever Gun was about to say would have changed the nature of the stand-off -- would have been something that could finally be objectively confirmed? -- so Korn makes the sacrifice play and kills him, continues to make him the scapegoat.

In terms of the pieces, Korn is now in the position Porsche was at the start of the game. Gotta love it. But where does that leave us, the viewers?

You can read the finale as Porsche having been checkmated. He and more importantly Chay have been subsumed into Korn's system and will henceforward be susceptible to his power. Note that I don't think that projection is particularly in character. Since Kinn and Porsche are together, the two-house system is effectively dead. Porsche twice affirms that his loyalties are not with any branch of the family but with Kinn personally. Show Kinn an option that doesn't mean his family gets killed, and he is out of there. The whole setup that Korn constructed is a shambles. But that's a lot of inference, so if you like the tragic aspect, I think the reading can be found.

You can read it as Porsche being in check. He and Chay are in a staggering amount of danger now if you think about it, but he hasn't necessarily lost the game. He has not lost Chay, who if anything seems to have solidified his other defender (and the one character who, like I said, might actually have been able to give Porsche some advice in S2 -- I'm so sad.) He still has a lot of his captured pieces. What's more, he knows where Nampheung is, and it will be difficult for Korn to disappear her again. Given that she never speaks, her expression does a lot of work in their last scene together; you can read it as there being more happening underneath than she lets on. This one is my preferred reading; they didn't give Porsche the phoenix motif just because it looks cool.

You can also read the ending as a stalemate or indeterminate in that neither player can do much right now, and it's one of those stupidly long endgames that drag on turn after turn. Porsche still has Chay etc., but right now there is no way for them to get Nampheung free. Korn is out of other pieces, but he still has her. Korn might be thinking at this point that as long as he has her, he can resume his manipulations, get back a few of his lost pieces (or recruit new ones). He keeps the game going by giving Porsche the minor ring, knows from Porsche's own example that it is possible to play right up to the point of a win from this position. He might be absolutely loving this?

So there are my thoughts on the chess metaphor.

[accirax]

Disventure Camp All Stars Power Ranking (Round 17)

Episode 18, the last episode before the true finale begins (presumably)! As we seemingly walk down memory lane, will the cards play out as expected? Or will we be blindsided yet again?

In case you haven't seen my previous power rankings, the Power Ranking Format is essentially a way of ranking how well each player is doing in the game. So, in essence, this is a long form way of predicting who I think will be eliminated from the competition in the next episode. There will be spoilers for last week's episode (obviously) and its power ranking, so make sure to read that first if you don't want to be spoiled on how I ranked our last boot. If you want more clarification on the rules, that first post will help you out as well. Furthermore, I'm going to be spoiling the preview for next episode, so if you want to go in TOTALLY blind, save this for later. Let's go!

Recap - Grett's Elimination

Current Score: 74 acquired/109 total

(Points versus @venus-is-thinking: 25 acquired/34 total)

Howwww was it not Riya?

Well, at the very least, I seem to have a talent for choosing who Riya's meat shield will be and correctly putting them right behind her in the rankings. But, wait, for the sake of that metaphor, shouldn't they be in front of her? Either way, Riya is causing others to take damage to fuel her success, which was directly portrayed in last week's episode.

Anyways, Grett. Absolutely one of the highlights of the season, even if it became pretty obvious to me that she wouldn't be making it to the absolute endgame. I'd expected it to be Riya in Episode 17, followed by Grett in Episode 18, but it makes enough sense to me that it could be flipped the other way a--

HEY, WAIT!

SPOILERS FOR MY OWN POWER RANKINGS!!!

Trailer Analysis

I don't know how much analyzing the trailer is really going to change my predictions, but there's a lot of interesting stuff in it anyways.

Yooooo, Emily's got the Miles Edgeworth bright red sports car! I assume her and Trevor are going somewhere to further their season-spoiling quest, Trevor likely ditching work while doing it.

So, given Jake's hair, I think we can safely assume that this scene happens after the dialogue scene shown at the end of the trailer. I'm also going to guess (given that it isn't dusk/nighttime) that Jake gets another hair tie at the start of the challenge, given that he's shown with his ponytail there.

I initially assumed that this was part of the challenge, but the challenge takes place in the maze from the s1 face your fears challenge. So, I guess this is just an effort to distract Connor and help him have fun? It's nice to see that Ally can still get along with the guy.

Alright, so the challenge seems to be assembling the outfits of a contestant that you were close to, the items of clothing hidden throughout the maze. Also, there's some sort of mechanic that lets contestants shock each other using the shock collars. Jake is holding Tom's gloves, and Ally Ashley's hat, so that's who they're doing. The other two figures both appear to be men. I have to assume Connor is doing Alec, because, like, who else? But also, who the hell else would Riya do...? Fucked up if they both have to fight for Alec. Possibly more fucked up if Riya has to do Connor while he's still in the competition.

Oh my god, Riya does have to do Connor; those are his glasses right there. Imagine if Riya starts ripping his clothes off to save time. Probably not the reason why Connor would have wanted that to happen.

"Here. It'll keep it from falling." "How's it look, doc?" "It's giving." "Giving? Giving what?"

Ah, more classic Connor old man jokes. I don't really know how a hair tie on top of a bandage would possibly be giving, but, you do you, Jake.

Power Ranking

#1: Jake

Jake is not going to be eliminated. He's the only season 1 character left. If there was a threat of him being sent home by Ally or whoever, I have no doubts that the writers would simply create a challenge that he would win to make him immune from going home. Also, he's going to win the season. Thank you for your time.

#2: Connor

Alright, on to the actual difficult decision of the power ranking. Really, Connor is the one who's manifesting this second place position for me. He's the one who keeps saying that he's going to beat Riya in the war between them. With this much hype leading up to it, that has to mean that he places better than she does, right?

The tricky thing here is that, right now, there are two heroic boys and two villainous girls. No matter how you slice, it you're going to wind up with a final 3 containing two of one and one of the other. However, I do think it's more likely that they'd have two "heroes" in the finale than two "villains." I already think it's obvious that Jake is going to win, but if it's Jake versus Ally and Riya, they should just hand him the $3mil three episodes early. Keeping Connor in the game will leave some level of suspense in the air, as well as keep the whole finale from becoming Jake vs. the Forces of Evil. (DC and SvtFoE must be kept away from each other at all costs. Letting their insane shipping energies combine would create a love triangle so endlessly potent that it could wipe out entire countries.)

Really, Connor's main issues come down to his injury. In this episode with a very active challenge, I have to imagine that it'll keep him from winning immunity. Thus, Riya, and possibly Ally as well, will likely be voting for him. And then, even if he makes it to the finale, we face the problem of "how can Connor be an engaging finalist if his broken ankle basically starts him dead in the water?"

This episode is easy enough to let slide, given that there are plenty of advantageous ways the vote could shake out. Ally could agree to vote for Riya with Connor and Jake, Riya could agree to vote for Ally with Connor and Jake, or Riya and Ally could split their votes (like Riya on Connor and Ally on Jake) leaving Connor and Jake as the majority. And, even if Ally and Riya do vote for Connor, there's always the possibility that he could win a tiebreaker to stay in the competition. Venus came up with that as an idea for how their "war" could end, and I think that could be pretty interesting.

As for the finale, I think it's fine if Connor doesn't have much winner equity as long as him bowing out at 3rd place finalist paves the way for a dynamic final duo to close out the season. However, that part really depends on who's becoming part of that duo with Jake. Speaking of...

#3: Ally

I really, really think that Ally will be in the finale. The finAlly, if you will. However, between her and Connor, I think she would be the more likely one to be eliminated.

Something that Venus reminded me of is that this is the last episode before we check in with the Loser's Motel. Thus, whoever is eliminated here will be a part of that episode, as the most recent move-in. I already said last week that it seems like Connor probably doesn't need to go to the Loser's Motel, as he wrapped things up with Alec when Alec was eliminated. Between the two of them, I think it'd be much more valuable to let Ally finally talk more with Hunter and Tess, as well as seeing the reaction to her on social media, than anything Connor would be doing there. Giving Ally the Loser's Motel episode to finish out her character journey could be helpful, so that she doesn't have to fight for screen time with Jake and the other finalist (lol) in the finale. Ally could serve as the main character of that episode.

I guess I could also see it making sense to have Jake beat Ally now? With a Jake/Connor/Riya finale, maybe the direction they'd take it is that Jake already won his interpersonal battle, so while Riya and Connor fight things out (with Connor beating her to get his spiritual win), Jake gets to focus on his own game to come out on top. Although, that does then make it seem like Jake and Connor would be the final 2, which is a pretty non-hostile conclusion to this overly dramatic show. Also a not-at-all-tense one, when one competitor is almost double the age of the other and hobbling on one foot.

I don't really know why I'm trying to argue so hard that Ally is going home. Perhaps I'm pre-justifying it for when the person right behind Riya in my rankings goes home instead of Riya again. But-- say it with me now-- it HAS to be Riya this time, right?!

#4: Riya

I really don't see how Riya gets out of this episode alive. Like, yes, in-universe, she could probably win immunity again. But, even in-universe, I feel like Jake and Connor would legit rather let Ally win immunity by losing their own chances tackling Riya to the ground to prevent her from winning again. And then what, she winds up in a 2-2 tiebreaker? That she definitely loses to Connor, and almost certainly Jake if she were to fight him as well?

Riya is not a finalist. I refuse to believe that she will be. I really, really don't think that, after everything, they're going to let her into the finals again. It makes so much more sense for her to go down at final 4. With only one chance left, I really hope the writers finally take her out this time.

Alright, well. Not much to say with this one, given that I really don't think that Jake is going home and I really think Riya is. Please let that be right this time. For everyone's sakes.

[eldritchsurveys]

1218.

Are any of your friendships on a fine line? .

If I search your room, will I find birth control? >> You don't really have to search. It's right here on my nightstand.

Do you expect any of your ex’s to call or text you? .

Have you ever witnessed a birth? >> Animal ones. Where’s your favorite place to be when you feel depressed? >> The Configuration. Outworld, I guess I just prefer to be in my room. Which is where I usually prefer to be anyway.

Are you currently looking forward to tomorrow? >> Not particularly. Nothing special is happening tomorrow.

When was the last time you held someone’s hand? .

Have you ever faked sick? >> I have never done this.

Do you wear hoodies to bed? >> I've done it before, especially in the winter since we can't afford to properly heat this place.

Are you currently wearing jeans? >> I am not.

Do you buy eggnog around the holidays? >> If I remember. I do love a good eggnog.

Have you gone to a coffee shop within the past week? >> I have not.

Would you like to be able to read thoughts? >> I would not.

Are you often the last one to understand a joke? >> Not often.

Your first black eye: Did you give it or get it? >> I don't think I've ever had one, and I've certainly never given anyone one.

Do you think baseball is a dying professional sport in America? >> I don’t know, and I definitely don’t care.

Does playing the guitar make a guy more attractive? >> I think artistic skill is generally attractive, but even if I’m attracted to the skill level or the virtuosity of the player, that’s no guarantee I’ll be attracted to the player as well.

Have you ever slept in a tent, indoors or out? >> I have. What does your hair look like at the moment? >> It looks like a buzzcut.

Are you mad right now? >> I am not. Who did you spend your summer with last year? .

Did you eat a cookie today? >> I haven't, but I might have a couple of lemon shortbread cookies later.

Have you heard of wreck this journal? >> I have, but not recently. Do they still make those?

Do you know any one who lives in California? >> I do.

Have you ever been told you were a good writer? >> I have.

What do you put on your baked potatoes? >> I don’t make baked potatoes.

Have you ever been on a farm? >> Sure. Last three texts on your phone are from? . What are you listening to? >> Nothing. Are you one to take naps? >> Occasionally. I do tend to get really sleepy in midday. Did you ever have braces? >> I did not.

Have you kissed anyone in the last five days? >> Not outworld.

Are you afraid of flying? >> Not at all, I love flying.

Do you have freckles? >> I do not.

Do you have plans for today? >> Just some gaming. Oh, and my laundry.

Would you rather date someone five years older or five years younger than you? .

Why aren’t you texting the last person you kissed? .

If you had to live off one type of fruit, which would you pick? .

What were you doing at 7:45AM this morning? >> I'd just gotten back from my walk, and the next thing I did after I changed clothes was get some cereal and put Frasier on to watch an episode whilst eating said cereal. So, one of those things. What was the last thing you drank? >> Black tea.

Where did you get the shirt you’re wearing? >> It's just an undershirt, it came in a pack from like Target or Meijer.

Do you plan on sleeping in tomorrow? . How often do you drink Monster? >> Never.

Are you easy to get along with? >> I suppose that depends on the disposition of the person trying to get along with me.

Are you short? >> In comparison to some people, sure.

Can you ever get enough of mac ‘n’ cheese? >> I most certainly can get enough of it. I'm really particular about mac and cheese, I don't like most varieties.

Are you allergic to nuts or dairy products? >> I am not.

Do you have trust issues? >> Something like that.

Is there someone you want to let go of? .

Do you think age matters in relationships? >> Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t.

Has anyone ever called the cops on you? >> Not on me specifically, no.

How old are you? >> 37. Did you talk to someone until you fell asleep last night? >> I did not.

Do you go to church every Sunday? >> I don't go any Sundays. Can you recall the last time you liked someone? >> God, I would so love to know what this feels like... About a billion fictional crushes did come to mind, though. If anything, I'll always have those~

Do you like your height? >> I have no feelings about it. It's really unremarkable.

Is the last person of the opposite sex you texted single? .

Could you go a week without brushing your teeth? >> I don't think so, that would feel and taste and look so awful. What day is it? >> Thursday. Are you usually awake at midnight? >> Ideally not. The firecracker fervour has finally died down, so now I'm back to being asleep before midnight, thank the fucking gods. Does it get really cold where you live? >> Not recently. The climate here has kind of flattened out in recent years; milder winters, milder summers. Although, of course, winter is still too damn cold for me personally.

When you get home from school / work do you change into your pjs right away? >> I change clothes whenever I get home from anywhere.

Have you ever been peer pressured to smoke pot? >> People did try to peer-pressure me into it, but it just doesn't work that way for me. When I did eventually try it, it was just out of curiosity.

Have you ever played the game Sims 3? >> Sure.

What is the temperature currently in the town you live in? >> 69° (nice) Fahrenheit (20° C).

Do you ever actually drink milk alone? >> I don't.

If you don’t have one already, would you consider getting an iPhone? >> I have no interest in iPhones.

What year were you born in? >> 1987.