#I hope you can get logged back in soon!! that must be annoying :’0

[ghosts-and-blue-sweaters]

Dear Ghosts,

It is with great sorrow (and a tad of amusement), and I am here to inform you that I have gotten logged out of my Tumblr account.

When I had attempted to put in my mail address and my keys to the door of my account, I instead had gotten logged into this one! An account that has been unused and long forgotten! Unfortunately, this event has stricken me with the realization that I do not know where I played my keys for the correct account.

Further attempts at breaking and entering into my own property shall be made at a later date.

I could have sent you a short message through Discord, but instead settled on writing you this letter, which I hope you will find at least a drop of amusement in.

I hope you are doing well,

Sincerely, your mutual Yukeet.

OH NOOOOOO MY FRIEND YUKEET

I will be anxiously awaiting the day you return once again <3

[annakie]

An Annotated Mass Effect Playthrough, Part Nine

Previous Posts: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Wheren we run out of sidequests, so we head back to the Citadel already.

With the quest log pretty empty, I didn’t feel like flying around the galaxy hoping to bump into something Hackett wanted me to do already, so let’s go finish up some of those loose sidequests and pick up some more!

I didn’t grab a screenshot of this, but one of the mods (faster elevators maybe?  Or MERe?  IDK!) COMPLETELY removes the scanning component from getting on and off the ship.

I don’t remember the exact origins of this, but one tick Annakie Shepard has is... she really really fucking hates being scanned.  And it probably was because of how long the scanning bit of getting on and off the ship here took, but I used to always try to outrun it if possible, or at least put up the effort.  I’m so glad it’s not here at all.

The only acceptable scan is Chakwas scanning her for medical reasons, and even that is just barely ok.

Anyway, here we are, freshly not-scanned, heading right down to C-Sec to... oh no what’s this?

Ah.  Yes.   Mikhailovich.  Here for inspection.

One of the reasons I cheat in Paragon points is that it’s nearly impossible to ever make Mikhailovich happy unless you don’t come back to the Citadel for a very long time.  So maybe I could have gone to Noveria and done the Paragon Point Cheat, but one cheat or another, doesn’t really matter.

The Mikhailovich encounter is another one of those things that didn’t have to be in the game, but is great worldbuilding.  Not everyone agrees with the Normandy being built, or the turian design, etc.   Mikhailovich is right that some of the things we built here could have been tested in a lab, you know.  It was a huge chunk of money, but it’ll be wrong later in thinking it’s a waste.  He also again shows that people aren’t sure that working super close with the turians is a good idea, which, again, he’ll be wrong about, but it’s a good thing to see differing opinions on a lot of things.

Anyway, I like this bit not only for that reason but to see Kaidan’s salute.

Finally, after lingering at the dock for who-knows-how-long while the Admiral inspected our ship, we get down to C-Sec, ready to...

Oh what’s THIS now?

Time for another interview, this one a little more voluntary.  

Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani, Westerlund News.

She’s a character I have very mixed feelings about.

On one hand, well, I used to love to punch her out.  And now I never do.

She’s clearly digging for an angle here in her interviews.  She’s reporting for humanity, not the council races or galaxy as a whole.  But answering her diplomatically here, she’s another character who questions you and what you’re doing, but doesn’t actually step over any lines.  It’s more when you get testy with her here, she gets touchy back.

It would be a shitshow with the fanboys I think if you took out the option to hit here.  But wow that moment... didn’t sit right, especially when it was an MShep doing it but it’s not a great look for Femshep either.  Nobody should hit ANYBODY unless it’s actually necessary.  Getting your feels hurt by a few tough, even unfair questions... does not call for punching.

Especially today when we’re already getting scary close to losing freedom of the press.  Being diplomatic with her really nets the best responses in 2 and 3, as well.

And maybe if we hadn’t just gotten raked over the coals by Mikhailovich it’d be less grating to then get questioned by a reporter.  But I find it interesting how the game keeps pushing and questioning Shepard, and maybe even trying to find holes where maybe Shepard or the Alliance isn’t completely right, or could be questioned.

Damnit, Chorban and Jahleed.  Just kiss, already, neither of you are trying to kill the other!!  

I do love that Chorban figures everything out based on your scans... just like... a couple of years too late.  Anyway, I already finished all the scans, no way I’m not finishing this quest with Chorban for that sweet XP.

And YOU, using a girl with no undercover experience and putting her in Chora’s de-- what’s that?  Conrad dies if I end this quest early?  SIGH.

Also... Gideon Emery.  So you’re fine.  All is forgiven.  I’ll do your dirty work.

Helena Blake!  I DEFINITELY won’t forget to go speak to her, get back on the Normandy, do another planet quest, realize I didn’t speak to her, then go back to the Citadel just to actually pick up this quest, then pretend later on in this update that I remembered to speak to her all along!

I mean, speaking as if I were someone who hasn’t played the next two games, this is DEFINITELY SUSPICIOUS right?

I guess in a way, we did pull our gun on Conrad all along.

Just give me the damn mods.

Honestly, I love this part of the quest because you can COMPLETELY fuck up by being too goody-goody.  I have probably had to reload after mindlessly clicking paragon answers more times than I care to admit.  This time, I remembered to not obey the law.

The second reason I wanted to come back to the Citadel is that after one planetary mission, Morlan’s Iconic Armor shop (which, again, is thanks to ME1Recalibrated) sells special armor for Kaidan, that looks like his ME2 armor, so he has his own unique look.  

A picture from later, once the armor texture is loaded correctly.  (Turns out it required a restart.)

I LOVE IT.  Thank you, MERecalibrated team!  Welcome to Kaidan’s look for the rest of the game.

Let’s head up to the presidium!

Whoops, shoulda brought Ashley along.  I’m sure whatever he wanted to talk about can wait til later.

BTW, that gif isn’t sped up.  

If you don’t have the console enabled and aren’t setting your out of combat runspeed to at least 800 whenever you’re anywhere you have a lot of running to do, then consider doing so.   I’ve found 800 is the perfect amount of fast without leaving me slamming into walls constantly

The annoying thing is that every time you have a major area transition or have to reload the game, you have to do it again, but after the first time it’s 4 keystrokes.

` then up arrow, then [enter], then ` again.

Also your companions may fall behind, but that’s only an issue for the places they have ambient dialog.  So mostly I start using it on the Citadel after going everywhere once, and then most of the time on the Normandy and sidequests.

Oh let’s talk to this nice lady.  Oh no, her sister has been kidnapped, how sad!

Well, the poor woman deserves my help, I’m sure it’s all on the up-and-up.  Sure, I’ll rescue your sister!  I’m glad we have this friendly relationship that will be profitable and non-lethal forever!

You DID know that Anderson and Udina comment on each major mission afterwards, right?  It took me more playthroughs than I care to admit to discover this.

Also, this is a kind of humanizing moment for Udina here.  He tells us how the council isn’t happy that we lost the prothean ruins at Therum, then Anderson stands up for us (we love you, Space Dad), and then he actually really backs off and says in a much softer tone “I know, I know.  But we all get judged on how you behave.”

And again, we’re not meant to love how he says it, but um, Udina is right.  Everything we do has repercussions throughout the Citadel, and sometimes the Galaxy.

Poor Liara, the only one left without an iconic armor in ME1.

Also, like Tali earlier, she hilariously has lines in quests we turn in or make updates to that she has no business knowing about.  I guess she read all the questlogs while traveling back to the Citadel.

While we’re here on the Citadel, let’s take a flycam visit around to the edge of the room, shall we?

So we’re heading out, towards this building, past the Mass Relay sculpture.

What you can see as soon as you’re near it and then over it, is that that building hides the seam where the water meets map.

From just beyond it, there’s the apartment-looking building, for whatever reason you can see through the textures on the other side, leaving just the roofs/floors visible (the slats).

It took quite a while to go this far, but eventually, you can find the invisible wall where the cars spawn from, and not long after, the map ends.  The map is very curved, btw, that’s no illusion.  There’s no chance you could see this far without flycam.

Looking back, you can see the bridges in the distance, but the Relay sculpture and where Shepard is standing is very far away, quite difficult to see even if the full-sized screenshot.

I love how huge these maps are.  It makes the illusions really work and the sense of scale works BECAUSE it is actually just... that big. 

Well, back to smaller issues.

Again, a great quest not only from a memorability perspective, but a worldbuilding one.

How does religion work in this galaxy?  Well, some people still have it.  Enough that there’s laws in governing how people are able to spread that religion.  I think that the council actually enacted a fairly sensible law here -- they cannot allow zealots to take over near the seat of government, but also people should be free to worship as they please.  

I myself am a person of faith who, despite being brought up in a HIGHLY Evangelical movement, now very much believes that people should be able to worship as they choose, (or not at all!) but also that faith is a private matter and shouldn’t be forced on others.  

So yeah, the hanar is being unreasonable, but should still be spoken to with respect.  It’s good that this particular hanar takes it well.

I am honestly dying to know how the hanar deal with the absolute proof that the Enkindlers were just... people.  I mean we saw the one hanar in ME3 react to Javik, but you have to think that the religion as a whole must get shaken up a great deal after the game ends.

Also... seriously read Mass Effect: Annihilation (the quarian ark book).

Anyway, I like resolving this peacefully and getting the hanar to leave peacefully.  Calling someone a big stupid jellyfish is hilarious in the moment, but not so nice once you think about it.  

Ah, Michael and Rebekah.

I love this quest because... it’s not cut and dry.

I don’t think either of them is wrong. I think they’re facing a tough choice and they both have good points.

For a long time, though, my response has been that it’s Rebekah’s body, her choice.  

But the funny thing was, this time when I was playing, I didn’t see this as just an allegory to a woman’s right to choose.  From Michael’s POV, it’s more of an allegory to Anti-Vaxx.  Obviously back in 2007 when the game came out Anti-Vaxx wasn’t nearly as much as a concern as it is now, so I love that this small part of the game actually grew more meaningful over time.  

Yes, there’s a SMALL chance you could hurt the child from the procedure, but a greater chance of harm if you don’t.  I had a harder time choosing this time, like, oh, am I going to lean a bit more towards being pro-choice, or pro-vaxxination?  I’m pro both of those things??

I still sided with Rebekah.  Mostly because I know the kid turns out OK either way.

Well, for a couple of years, at least.

Emily!  You changed your clothes!  What’s that?  You want me to plant bugs?  Won’t someone notice?

Guess not.  Not even this bug.

I’m sad that this is the last we’ll see of Emily Wong face to face.  But hey, a good reporter, and good person.  :salute:

Kahoku... thank you for finding out about Cerberus and telling us.  The first time we hear the word I think, in the game?  

You will be avenged.

Welp time to head up to the ship and go off on some sidequ--

I mean... Uh, time to go talk to Helena Blake, OBVIOUSLY.

(Also Liara you cannot climb that wall, stahp.)

I love them having just a bad bitch like Helena with her sneaky-plan to kill her business partners so totally above the board by Shepard, but hey, she’s just a concerned citizen giving tips to law enforcement, right?  She’s awful, and she knows it, and she’s cool with it.

Well, since Ashley magically appeared in the party without me going to the Normandy AT ALL, as long as we’re here, let’s go talk to Samesh Bhatia

A great moment for Ashley, remembering her friend, and treating her husband with so much care and kindness. OBVIOUSLY we can do this very easy thing for him.

Fuck, this just got a lot more complicated.

I love this quest because it puts you between a rock and a hard place.  Again, neither side is wrong.  Samesh SHOULD have his wife’s body back.  But it IS important research.

For a long time, I didn’t give a shit about the research and would get the body back, no matter what.

But so many more lives are saved with the research.  So this time I ask him to understand, and he does.  But it never sits quite right, either way.  

As my other SciFi favorite franchise* reminds us in one of its most poignant moments...  Sometimes the needs of the many do outweigh the needs of the one.

Okay now we’re heading back to the Normandy for the first time this update, and next time, back out into space!

*Star Wars is a Space Opera, not SciFi.

[refiningspacetime]

> THE TRADITIONAL GAME OF ASH CHICKEN [P2]

Hadean and Pheres have a long history of meddling with one another, starting when Hadean intervened with Pheres’s matesprit shortly after they first met - and rolling downhill ever since then in an ever-escalating war. Pheres’s solution to this? Meddle more intensively in Hadean’s life, until Hadean’s finally forced to admit that he can’t handle it and flees the scene entirely.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite turn out the way Pheres plans. It turns out that no one ever wins when it comes to games of ash chicken.

>CAST

invertedDissident | Hadean

refiningSpacetime | Pheres

gentleOssifrage | Kilran

PART TWO:

DAGINY,

under their false identity, Lannia / harebrainedLibrarian, messages Pheres in the aftermath to see what is happening. Pheres has been engaged in a long-term plan to sabotage Lannia's existing moirallegience, so that he can swoop in and serve as her functional rebound - helping her to better herself more than BB could've, and getting Emerel, who believes he needs a moirail, off of his back in the process.

--harebrainedLibrarian [HL] started pestering refiningspacetime [RS]--

HL: hello~! HL: I thought I would just check in on you~! Seeing how you must be having such a hard time right now~! RS: | ! | RS: | Oh | ! | RS: | I am Not Having Such a Terrible Time | But | Ah | RS: | Thank You | RS: | I have Been More Worried about You | Honestly | RS: | How Are You Doing | ? | HL: oh i'm doing perfectly well~! HL: but surely there's something wrong~! GO was being so awfully rude~! RS: RS: | Ah | RS: | It was Just a Little Tiff | RS: | GO is Rather | RS: RS: | Some Trolls Just Feel Entitled to More than Others | RS: | I Suppose It got a Touch Overblown | HL: oh no it didn't seem like something that was so terribly overblown~! i was oh so concerned~! HL: you have been so very sweet to me Pheres~! HL: i wouldn't mind lending you a listening ear~! RS: RS: RS: | That is So Kind of You | ! | RS: | Would You Really | ? | RS: | I |(edited) RS: | Would Hate to Be a Burden Upon You | RS: | I Just | Have a Great Deal of Feelings | RS: | | So Many | I have Been Told It Is | Ah | RS: | A Lot to Take In | HL: oh it's no trouble at all~! HL: i've been so grateful for a friendly word, and you've given it~! i'd love to return the favor~! RS: | Really | ? | RS: | You are So Sweet | RS: | I | RS: | Wouldn't Even Know Where to Begin | HL: please~! HL: don't worry about it~! :blush: i can set aside all the time i need for a friend~! RS: | Oh | RS: | My | ! | RS: | Well | Ah | RS: RS: | Alright | RS: | I Suppose I Don't Need to Explain about Kilran and I | RS: | It is Rather Self-Evident | RS: | But | Ah | RS: | I Suppose I Don't Need to Explain about Kilran and I | RS: | It is Rather Self-Evident | RS: | But | Ah | RS: | | I Had to Break Up with My Kismesis Recently | and I Suppose That is Why | Kilran's Illicit Fascination | has Struck Me So Personally | HL: oh dear~!! HL: that is quite rude~! HL: are you sure his fascination was pitch~! HL: it seemed to me it was quite murderous~!! RS: | | Oh | Ah | RS: | I am Certain It is Platonic | Haha | The Illicit was Just to Say | It is Rather Unseemly | RS: | to Want to Cull Someone for No Reason | HL: it really quite is~! HL: i hope that is put to rest~! HL: GO won't come looking for you, will he~? :0 RS: RS: RS: | Why Would He Come Looking For Me | ? | RS: | Haha | Ah | I Am Certain | That Would Not Be The Case | RS: | Over A Simple Internet Dispute | HL: i should certainly hope not~! HL: but we never do know what another troll is capable of~! RS: RS: | Hm | ! | RS: | Well | RS: | That Is A Thought | HL: it is~! HL: but i don't suppose you have all too much to worry about, do you~? HL: i'm sure GO is more reasonable than that~! HL: i hope so at least~! RS: | No | Haha | It is Silly of Me to Be Concerned | =:B | RS: | Thank You for that | Kind | Reminder | RS: | Kilran is Perfectly Reasonable | Underneath All of His Bile | RS: | So | It is Not Something I have to be Concerned About | I would Hope | Haha |(edited) RS: | | And I am Friendly with His Paleamour | RS: | So | Hopefully | He would Reign Him In | If He Were Not |(edited) RS: | And | By Hopefully |(edited) RS: | I Mean | RS: | He Would | I am Sure | ! | RS: | I am Fairly Certain |(edited) HL: well it's certainly reassuring to have that social insurance~! RS: | Yes | ! | RS: | Isn't It | ? | HL: it is certainly helpful~! HL: you do have other ways of protecting yourself yes~? HL: if i call correctly he is a shapeshifter right~? RS: RS: RS: | Um | Of Course I Do | ? |(edited) RS: | I | Do Not Think That He Cares That Much | About an Internet Tiff | RS: | I am Sure | ? | RS: RS: | Do You Think He Does | ? | HL: i would certainly hope not~! HL: but he also seems to me like someone who can smile quite well when he lies~! HL: so please be careful until we can say for certain~! RS: RS: | Of Course | ! | RS: | Heavens | I Just | RS: | Excuse Me for a Moment | RS: | I am Getting Emotional | But | RS: | It is So Kind of You to | Pay Attention to All of This | RS: | And Take Time Out of Your Day | to Speak with Me | RS: | I | RS: | I can't Say Many Do | RS: | And | People Have Been Being So Vicious about Kilran | RS: | I was Starting To Think | RS: RS: | Never Mind | What I Was Thinking | HL: what were you thinking~?!? HL: oh dear, has talking about all this upset you~? RS: RS: | Maybe a Little | I | RS: | Suppose I am Just Being Too | Emotional | | |(edited) HL: oh there's no such thing i say~! HL: you should feel what you feel~! RS: | Oh | ! | RS: | Oh | Heavens | RS: | | That is So Kind of You to Say | RS: | I Just | RS: | I Know I Keep Saying That | RS: | But It is Simply Outstanding | It's | RS: | | Thank You so Much | HL: oh it's no worries at all~! HL: RS: | =:) | RS: | I | RS: | This is a Little | Oh | I Hope It Isn't Too Forward | But | RS: | You have Been Awfully Kind | And | RS: | | I do Appreciate It | And the Fact You are So Interested in My Feelings | RS: | <> | HL: oh~! well~! RS: | Oh | You Don't Have to Answer | I am Sorry | RS: | That Was a Little Abrupt | RS: | And Right After | Well | You and | Lynner | | | RS: | I Suppose It was Insensitive of Me to Even Mention | RS: | But You have Always Been So Kind | and Intellectual | and Polite | Even in the Face of People's Ire | RS: | I | RS: | Thought It Ought to Be Said | HL: oh well~!(edited) HL: i think i will need some time~! HL: i mean, it is so soon after Lynner and I~! HL: but i'm very very flattered~! RS: | Oh | ! | That is Perfectly Understandable | RS: | And I Wouldn't Want It Any Other Way | RS: | There is No Need to Rush Into Things | Haha | And It Has Been Said | So | Ah | RS: | | Oh | I am Dreadfully Sorry | RS: | But | I Have a Customer Who Just Entered My Store | RS: | I Have to Go | =:( | HL: farewell~!! HL: good luck with your customer~! RS: | Thank You So Much | ! | RS| =:) | Good Light | ! | RS: | And | Thank You Again |

-- refiningSpacetime [RS] is no longer messaging harebrainedLibrarian [HL]! --

Pheres then promptly sends the message to Emerel, his matesprit, annoyed enough to try and get some advantage out of this situation:

-- refiningSpacetime [RS] is now trolling meganeNarcissus [MN]! --

RS: | Here |

-- refiningSpacetime [RS] has attached a text log! It consists of:

RS: | =:) | RS: | I | RS: | This is a Little | Oh | I Hope It Isn't Too Forward | But | RS: | You have Been Awfully Kind | And | RS: | | I do Appreciate It | And the Fact You are So Interested in My Feelings | RS: | <> | HL: oh~! well~! RS: | Oh | You Don't Have to Answer | I am Sorry | RS: | That Was a Little Abrupt | RS: | And Right After | Well | You and | Lynner | | | RS: | I Suppose It was Insensitive of Me to Even Mention | RS: | But You have Always Been So Kind | and Intellectual | and Polite | Even in the Face of People's Ire | RS: | I | RS: | Thought It Ought to Be Said | HL: oh well~! HL: i think i will need some time~! HL: i mean, it is so soon after Lynner and I~! HL: but i'm very very flattered~! --

MN: holy shit MN: wEll that EscalatEd RS: | Yes | It Did | RS: | So | I Will Give Her Two Nights | RS: | And Then Propose a Pale Date | MN: and if shE says no RS: | She Just Spoke to Me About My Feelings for Two Hours | Emerel | RS: | After Prying and Prodding For Me to Simply Open Up to Her | RS: | I am Fairly Certain She is Not Going to Say No | Haha | MN: wEll MN: .I.m glad its working out for you MN: what is shE likE RS: | Haha | Pale Romance | as I Said | is Remarkably Easy | RS: | | For Me | RS: | But | She is a Tealblood | RS: | She is Completely Awkward | RS: | But In a Charming Way | ! | And So Clever | She is a Librarian | So | Rather Like You | RS: | She Studies History as Well | ! | RS: | I am Evidently Collecting Historians | =:P | RS: | I Hope You Feel Flattered | MN: haha MN: .I. might just haVE to stEp up .MY. gamE in that casE RS: | | I shan't Object If You Do | ! | MN: .I. haVE to do somEthing to outdo all thosE othEr historians in your collEction RS: | Heavens | RS: | I Agree | =:B | You Must Prove Yourself Outstanding | to Stand Out Amongst the Crowd | RS: | But What | ? | RS: | Do I Get a Hint | ? | MN: hahaha MN: now it wouldnt bE a surprisE if .I. wEnt and told you what .I. was planning now would it MN: ;) MN: but itll bE grEat dont worry about that(edited) RS: | Winky Smilies Look Absurd | -- refiningSpacetime [RS] has attached here.jpeg! It's a picture of him beaming at his webcamera, eyebrows arched, slightly flirtatious. It'd be more flirtatious if he wasn't at his taxidermy table. -- RS: | I am Excited to Find Out | =:) | RS: | I have Missed You | By the Way | You should Come Visit Me | Outside of Your Swamp | Sometimes | Haha | MN: oh .MY. god --meganeNarcissus [MN] sent rightbackatyou.png! It's a picture of him in his kitchen striking his best seductive pose + smile combo-- MN: spEaking of MN: sincE thE musEum is still undEr rEpair MN: that mEans .I. gEt to traVEl for a bit if .I. want MN: guEss whos gEtting gracEd with .MY. prEsEncE RS: | Mm | RS: | Sipara | ? | RS: | Hadean | ? | RS: | Your Hair is Out of Place on the Top | RS: | By the Way | RS: | You Should Fix That | =:B | MN: hEy now MN: .I.ll haVE you know .I. chEckEd .MY. hair bEforEhand and its cErtifiably flawlEss MN: maybE .I.ll show you firsthand whEn .I. gEt thErE haha RS: | Nonsense | How can It Be Certifiably Flawless | When Neither of Us is a Certifier | ? | RS: | That Has to Be Done by a Professional | Emerel | =:P |(edited) MN: but what if .I.m .MY. own cErtifiEr MN: what thEn .PHERES. RS: | We have Had This Discussion | ! | One Cannot Certify Their Own Goods | RS: | It Has to Be Done by An External | Unbiased | Party | Who Does Not Have Any Profit to Gain Through the Analysis | RS: | Which is to Say | RS: | Come Visit Me | And I Will Check If Your Hair is Flawless | RS: RS: | And If It Stays Flawless | =:) | MN: uh huh MN: call .ME. crazy .PHERES. MN: buuuut .I. think you just might haVE a littlE bias thErE MN: but sincE you insist MN: .I. guEss .I.ll just haVE to pop oVEr and sEE if yourE thE rEal dEal cErtifiEr RS: | Nonsense | ! | I am Always Unbiased | RS: | And I Have No Profit to Gain | As I Said | =:) | So | RS: | Hush | MN: wE all know wE wouldnt want .ME. to haVE a hair out of placE MN: ;) RS: | Haha | RS: | Ah | RS: RS: | Right | ! | RS: | Haha \ RS: |* RS: | I Just Wanted To Let You Know | RS: | About My Successful Pale Foray | RS: | So | ! | MN: holy shit .I. missEd you MN: .I.m glad your palE foray is a rEsounding succEss MN: good job .PHER. RS: | I have Missed You as Well | RS: | This has Been a Very Long Break | Haha | MN: agrEEd MN: itll bE good to hang out RS: | It Will Be | RS: | | You Know | Um | Are You Busy Right Now | ? | RS: | Because | If You Are Not | I Could Call You | Instead | RS: | It Has Been | What | A Week Since We Have Spoken | ? | RS: | It Would Be Nice | RS: | I Think | RS: | Ah | If You Don't Mind | MN: not busy at all MN: hit .ME. up man RS: | Marvelous | RS: | =:) |

-- refiningSpacetime [RS] is no longer trolling meganeNarcissus [MN]! --

AUGUST 25TH: After a night of publicly shunning Hadean, Pheres feels some minor regrets - but mostly, he wants to set the record straight, in the most pointed way that he can.

-- refiningSpacetime [RS] is now messaging invertedDissident [ID]! --

RS: / I wanted to apologize / for the other night / ID: ID: huh. ID: and i thought the cold shoulder and pointed barb in the lowblood chat were signs you were still upset. RS: / of course I am upset / but there was no call to behave as I did / towards you / RS: / accusing you of acting ash was / unnecessary / ID: uh-huh. ID: well, i just can't seem to wrap my pan over why the two of you keep dancing around in this little hate circle is all. RS: RS: / =:/ / RS: / yes / well / we are all mystified by some things / RS: / it is a tragedy of life / RS: / are you going to insist upon continuing to stick your fronds into this / ? /(edited) ID: dnw, i had a nice chat with kilran and you don't have to worry about him bugging you ever again. ID: so. no need to stick fronds in to a matter that's resolved. RS: / ah / marvelous / ! / what about murdering me / hadean / ? / does that resolve that / ? / RS: / or / forgive me / I don't think he's out and out stated his desire for that / RS: / how is mauling / ? / =:) / ID: first you apologize for accusing me of ashing it up in here. then you complain that i'm not doing it right. ID: idk what you're wanting here pheres, tbh. =:'( ID: but he's not going to murder you. or make any jabs about maiming you. so don't worry about it. RS: RS: RS: RS: / are you attempting to be ashen / ? / just answer the question / spare me your wit / i am not interested / RS: / because if you are not / you need to /- stop -/ RS: / you told me once to say if something is bothering me / and this /- is -/(edited) ID: i'm trying to get you two to cut it out before kilran goes after you, sipara goes after him, prisma. idfk, blows us all up, and we're all a big ol corpse pile. ID: emerel probs gets involved too in there somewhere. ID: but fine. i'll stop! ID: and if you just ignore kilran like he's going to ignore you, it's all a non-issue. RS: RS: / you are amazing / RS: / heavens / RS: / would you tolerate someone speaking to you like this / ? / any time I type a message / and he happens to be online / ? / RS: / because experience says no / and I know that you / and everyone else thinks I am too meek / and too / oh / RS: /- servile -/ RS: / but then you object if I am not / ID: yeah, i'm trying to work on not punching everything that makes a comment that i take the wrong way. ID: ID: it's a work in process. but i'm p sure you do not want to be like me. ID: but. you said you're uncomfortable. so i'm stopping. lifting my fronds from the keys regarding you and kil. forbidden topic. RS: / don't phrase it like / RS: RS: / the problem here is not your meddling / if you wish to play ashen in my affairs / that is /- fine -/ RS: / the problem is that you are being unfair about it / RS: / you were not meddling when he was actively threatening me / you started meddling when I had the audacity to respond / ID: i've had talks with kilran. =:/ ID: and ullane was around for you to throw clubs at when he was saying he'd break your snout- ID: i guess i'm making excuses. ugh. RS: / ullane intervened until she became uncomfortable with the connotations of the relationship / by which I mean / with two strangers / RS: / if you would like me to ignore him / I can do so / if he finally will simply leave me alone / RS: / there is no amount of conversation from someone who has threatened you / and told you that you deserve to die in a helmsblock / that is actually friendly / RS: / it is a reminder that he can behave however he wants towards me / he can say whatever he wants / and no one will /- care -/ because he is brown / and he happens to spackle his words with enough hearts / that any objections on my part seem /- petty -/(edited) ID: i was unfair. and it was shitty of me to do. ID: so sorry for that. and sorry for last night too. ID: ID: and making you uncomfortable to begin with and just kinda. trampling on you anyways. RS: RS: / well / thank you / I was not behaving in a proper manner yesterday / either / RS: /so I suppose we are both in the wrong / ID: it can happen. i mean. ID: i've been pushing and being an ass about it. so you had a reason to be upset. RS: / well / ! / i was not being much less aggressive towards you / was i / ? / RS: / and you were / mm / RS: / trying your best / the intentions should be considered / if nothing else / RS: / so / my apologies for not taking that into consideration / RS: | And | Ahem | RS: | I Suppose I Shouldn't Have Attempted to Drag Your Good Name through the Mire | RS: | In the First Place | RS: | Given that Prisma is Your Friend | RS: | And You Have Your Own Complications Here | ID: yeah, well. intentions don't always make something good, so. ID: don't worry about being aggressive to me. ID: ID: complications. yeah, i guess so. ID: plus lately i've been having sleep difficulties so i'm not exactly. the most keen pan around. and i get. snappier and nastier. so sorry for that too. RS: | Perhaps Not | But They still Warrant Consideration | ! | RS: | And | Just Because Our Relationship is Contentious | at Points | doesn't Mean That You Deserve the Disrespect of Public Aggression | RS: | I am Sorry that You're Having Difficulties | Though | RS: | Please | Do not Apologise to Me | over That | ID: yeahhh we can. be at each other's throats a lil bit at times. ID: or a lot at times. ID: but uh. thanks for telling me you're uncomfortable and all that. and don't worry about apologizing to me about anything. RS: RS: | I | Regret Phrasing It Like That | RS: | Um | ID: it's fine, it's fine. ID: so. uh. anything else we should be talking about, or. RS: | Yes | It is Fine | RS: | But | Ah | Also | No | I Suppose It Isn't | RS: RS: | I don't Mind Your Meddling | It is | RS: | Aggravating | ! | But | Endearing | that You Care Enough to Wish to Meddle | ? | RS: | It was Uncomfortable | When I Thought You Were Leaning into Kilran's Perception | RS: | That I was Completely Unwarranted in | | Even Acknowledging the Fact He has Been Awful to Me | RS: | Or | Um | RS: | Doing Anything Except For Taking It | ? | RS: | But | You Apologised | And I Apologised | RS: | So I am No Longer Uncomfortable | ? | ID: well. good. i'm glad you're not uncomfortable and i'll watch for that stuff in the future. ID: and try not to do it. ID: so thanks for letting me know you're uncomfortable and. yeah. ID: sorry and. thanks. RS: RS: | Um | You are Welcome | And | I am Sorry | I have Gone and Made This Awkward | I think | RS: RS: | Ah | This is a Silly Question | I am Aware | RS: | But | RS: | We are Still Friends | Right | ? |(edited) RS: | Are You Alright | ? | RS: | You Seem a Little | Downcast | ID: uh. ID: ID: it's a story. and not a fun one, and probs not one you want to hear. ID: so don't worry about it. RS: | No | ! | You can Tell Me | RS: | I am Sure You Will Feel Better For It | ? | You Seem Stressed | RS: | And You have Been Trying to Help Me Out | RS: | It is Only Fair to Let Me Help You Out in Turn | ? | ID: i appreciate the thought. ID: seriously. but it's. y'know. ID: ID: an uncomfortable topic. for. ID: our kind of troll. RS: | Would You Rather not Discuss It | ? | RS: | Because | If You Would Prefer Not To | That is Fine | RS: | I am Not Pushing You | I am Just | RS: RS: | I have Heard Worse | I am Sure | Even If It is About | RS: | Something Uncomfortable | Say | Ah | Helming | ? | ID: ID: ID: yeah. err. i'm good with not discussing it. RS: | That is Fine | ! | Um | RS: | | Do Try to Find Someone That You are Comfortable Talking To About It | Though | ? | RS: | Because | It is Rather Unhealthy to Just | Bottle Things Up | ID: just, y'know. ID: er. had someone hurl some stuff at me that wasn't too fun to hear. or pics that were nice to look at. ID: ID: and i mean. idk. talking about the future with psionics. isn't always a fun time for either side. RS: | Which is Not to Say That You Have to Talk to Me Either | But | Um | RS: RS: | Oh | I am Sorry to Hear That | RS: | | I would Like to Say | What Sort of Person Does That | RS: | But | I Suppose That is Irrelevant | RS: | Were They Doing It Just to Be Cruel | ? | ID: yeah. but. uh. we were both being cruel to each other. if i'm honest. ID: but i wasn't the side dedicated enough to send. med pics. RS: | Well | Yes | I am Not Surprised by That | But | RS: | That Doesn't Mean They Should've Escalated | RS: | Or Sent You Images | ID: yeah, well. gotta drive in that whole. 'they can put your thinkpan in a jar' idea. RS: RS: | Well | That is | RS: | Absolutely Dreadful | RS: | Even If You were Being Cruel in Return | that still Did Not Warrant That | RS: | I Hope You Realise | ? | ID: ID: yeah. just been a lot going on. ID: ID: yeah, well. mmm. RS: | Don't Mmm Me | RS: | It is a Statement of Fact | RS: | People Like to Abuse the Fact We are Psionics | and We Can be Treated as Tools | RS: | There is Never an Excuse For This | It is Just Base Cruelty | and a Sign of a Small Mind | ID: yeah. and with pris eyeing up all this imp-y stuff, and that, and. other stuff. ID: it's been a lot and i've been. more of a jerk in some ways. ID: i mean. some of it is just usual jerk, but. also other jerk on top of it. RS: | Oh | Yes | the Imperial | Canary | Thing | RS: | | You are Under a Great Deal of Stress Lately | I am Sorry | =:( | RS: | From Every Corner | It Sounds Like | RS: | Are You | Ah | Taking Care of Yourself | ? | RS: | Trying To | ? | ID: uh. i mean. yeah. ID: other than the sleep. work in progress there. ID: and i'm working on getting over all the stress. so. RS: | Mm | Do You Know What Helps Me in Alleviating Stress | ? | ID: nope. what? RS: RS: | Ah | My Apologies | RS: | I was Dragged Into Another Conversation | RS: | Unfortunately | ID: =:??? you okay? RS: | Not Especially | ! | Moirails are An Abomination | and So is the Entire Concept of That Relationship | RS: | But | One Must Do What One Must Do | RS: | | I am Being | As Sipara Would Say | RS: | Petulant | Forgive Me | RS: | Ah | What I Do to Alleviate Stress | Haha | RS: | is Go Out | or Distract Myself | ! | =:) | ID: hey, sometimes you gotta vent it out a little. no bottling it up, like you said. RS: | | I Suppose That is Fair | =:B | ID: i try to distract myself, but then when i stop i just. return to whatevs i was stressing about? RS: | Hm | RS: | Why do You Think That Is | ? | ID: ...idk. usually something just. happens that reminds me of the worry. RS: | Are You Ever Actually | Addressing | These Worries | ? | ID: i mean. not all worries are. addressable. ID: i'm working on some of it with sips. ID: ID: and her. nerd knowledge. RS: RS: | Good | ! | If the Both of You Are Suitable | Then | Ah | I Suppose | She Might Be Able to Help You with More | than Just the Nerd Parts | ? | RS: | To Use Your Words | Not Mine | Haha | RS: | I Have Always Found Her Nerdiness Rather Endearing | In a Stupid Bug Way |(edited) RS: | What Sort of Worries Do You Have that You Think are Not Addressable | ? | ID: ID: uh. ID: it's impressive, at least. ID: but. umm. ID: ID: hard to describe. worries about myself, that's all. RS: | Oh | RS: | About Conscription | ? | RS: | I have Worried About That a Great Deal as Well | RS: | It is an Alarming Thought | Isn't It | ID: ...yeah. ID: p alarming. RS: | | I suppose the Best Suggestion on That is to Just | RS: | Think of the Worse That Could Happen | ? | RS: | Analyse It | Embrace It | Figure Out How You could Make It Less Awful | RS: | And Then | Think of the Best Thing that Could Happen | ? | RS: | Regardless of If It Can or Not | RS: | And Accept | You Will Likely Achieve Something in the Center of Those Two Things | RS: | It is Easier Said than Done | But That is What I Do | ID: well. i can. try. ID: whatever in the middle of those things is. ID: ID: thanks. RS: | It will Feel Impossible the First Time | RS: | But | Ah | Each Time You Attempt It | ID: i'm having trouble just figuring out which end is the worst. RS: | It will Get Easier | and Everything will Feel More Tolerable | with Each Attempt | I Think | RS: | Until It is Less Devastating to Consider | RS: RS: | Um | RS: | Can I Ask | ? | ID: ...brain in a jar or. like. ID: ID: idk. lab experiment. who knows what they do in programs. i mean. not like they'd ever tell us the scary bits. RS: RS: RS: | Um | RS: | | If It is Any Consolation | However Small | I Do Not Think | Ah | RS: | They Would | Put | Your Brain in Anything | ? | RS: |We Are | Lucky | Enough Not To Be The Sort Of Lowbloods Who | Ah | Are Useful | RS: | For That Sort Of | Thing | ID: fair. i don't know much about. ID: brain jarring. ID: ID: so yeah. i'll try it tho. RS: | I | Try Not To Know Anything About | Ah | Brain Jarring | RS: | But | Well | There Is Only So Many Times Someone Can Say | That Sort Of Thing | RS: | Before You Have To Gain Information | ID: i'm just. trying to get my info from sips. less graphic pics that way. ID: ID: soz if i'm like. y'know. making you uncomfortable with this topic. RS: | You Are Not | ! | RS: | If I Was Uncomfortable with the Topic | I Would Hardly Be Able to Stand Being Around Riccin | ID: fair enough. ID: but i'll, uh. let you go? i got food to eat and. stuff to think about now. RS: | Yes | Do Not Let Me Hold You Away from Eating | RS: | I Think Laledy Rather Expects Me to Distribute Food for Him Now | Anyway | Haha | RS: | | Feel Better | RS: | ! | Or Try | I Suppose |

-- refiningSpacetime [RS] is no longer messaging invertedDissident [ID]! --

[mel-animeland]

English Title: Sword Art Online II Genre: Action, Game, Adventure, Romance, Fantasy Aired Date: Jul 5, 2014 to Dec 20, 2014 Episode Count: 24

Synopsis

A year after escaping Sword Art Online, Kazuto Kirigaya has been settling back into the real world. However, his peace is short-lived as a new incident occurs in a game called Gun Gale Online, where a player by the name of Death Gun appears to be killing people in the real world by shooting them in-game. Approached by officials to assist in investigating the murders, Kazuto assumes his persona of Kirito once again and logs into Gun Gale Online, intent on stopping the killer.

Once inside, Kirito meets Sinon, a highly skilled sniper afflicted by a traumatic past. She is soon dragged in his chase after Death Gun, and together they enter the Bullet of Bullets, a tournament where their target is sure to appear. Uncertain of Death Gun’s real powers, Kirito and Sinon race to stop him before he has the chance to claim another life. Not everything goes smoothly, however, as scars from the past impede their progress. In a high-stakes game where the next victim could easily be one of them, Kirito puts his life on the line in the virtual world once more. My Anime List

Promotional Video

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So here a present you an other marvelous post on the amazing anime that is Sword Art Online. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy the series, however I also know some people are tired to see new post about it. Too bad got around watching it only now, you gonna have to deal with it or just close the page.

Again, I didn’t really looked at the premises before I started the season, I knew a little bit about it, like Kirito having a girl avatar during the first part, but not enough to tell me what will happening it the season. I also know the season bring mixed feeling (like the whole series it must be an SAO thing). I heard people saying the prefer the first season and the second wasn’t worth it and other who rather the second season. But I really wanted to get my own idea so I put every opinion aside I just watch it.

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Episode 9 Death Gun

If the 1st SAO season have a fantasy setting from episode 1 to 25, the first part of the 2nd season have a post-apocalyptic/steampunk setting. While I much prefer the fantasy one, and I was really happy to see it back in the second part of the season, the Gun Gale Oline (GGO) setting was a nice change and allow the use of fire arms instead of sword. GGO ind of remind me a the online side of Call of Duty. A-1 Picture did once again a really neat job with the design of the game. The different area of the map was interesting, a big map with different landscape.

the fight were interesting, but since we are talking about firearms, they are less visual than sword fight, to tell the truth the only decent fight the first arc of the 2nd season have, it’s the last one Kirito vs Death Gun, since the latter also had a sword it made the fight more interesting to watch. And the parallel they did, between the black swordsman and girly Kirito, toward the end of the fight, when Death Gun try to disappear was quite nice to see. Even if Kirito didn’t have his dual-wielding skill he could pretty much do the same, but with his pistol.

As said above, in the second part of the series, we are back to the fantasy setting in New Aincrad, where Sword Art Online and Alfheim Online meet, like I previously said I much prefer that setting being a huge fan of the fantasy story.

Episode 13 Phantom Bullet

The story of the first part of the 2nd season is as dark as the 1st season, if the antagonist of the 1st season was a man with a virtual mind, the GGO antagonist is a…serial killer. Kayaba as little to no empathy and doesn’t really care about human life, but he didn’t create the game just for the sake of kill people.The late game developer had a dream, it just happened people died when he try to fulfill his dream. If he really wanted to kill people, Kayaba would have been a red player not the leader of the leading team to clear the game, he could have probably even be the leader of the Laughing Coffin. The Shinkawa brother did what they did cause they could, yes one was seeking revenge, but after that it was more for the trill of killing during a the game. Shoichi, the oldest, was part of the Laughing Coffin, he was a red player, he killed people cause he knew he could and he will not get caught in real life, only the game would have been blamed. The “Phantom Bullet” Arc is the darkest of the whole series.

Episode 24 Mother’s Rosario

The two arc that followed the “Phantom Bullet” arc, “Calibur” and “Mother’s Rosario” could have been turn into OVA instead of being include if the season, same goes for the “Fairy Dance”. But if I have to pick my favorite it would probably be “Mother’s Rosario”. VRMMORPG game, video game in general, doesn’t always have a good reputation. Some say it promote violence and type for entertainment shouldn’t exist. However, in the last arc of the 2nd season, it show us game can of its good side. Due to her illness, Yuuki couldn’t go anywhere, she couldn’t meet anyone, she had to stay in a clean room to be able to fight everyday. The Medicuboid project, gave her the possibilities and the other one who wasn’t able to go to outside, forget about her illness for a moment, to meet new people, make new friend, to have a life – even if it was a virtual one – she would never be able to have. When the last episode came, I cried for the most part of it. It doesn’t really help I tend to cry easily, but Yuuki really touch me and the reason why they wanted to beat that dungeon Boss mean a lot, they wanted to leave a little bit of themselves behind, to leave a trace of their passage in this world.

  Episode 21 The Monument of the Swordsmen

Obviously, if I’m talking about the last arc of the season, I have to give some thought about the one before. “Calibur”…is… I really wonder what they were thinking with this one. I don’t care if it’s because they wanted to adapted it, if they wanted t stay close to the original source. The guy is already considered overpowered, do go and give it the most powerful sword of all time it will really not help him. That’s really the only thing I have to say about this arc. I really feel like they adapted this arc only to give Kirito Excaliber the legendary sword we see in “Fairy Dance” arc.

Episode 17 Excalibur

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  Episode 11 What it Mean to be Strong

Of course, like in all series there is thing that will annoyed me, in this one what annoyed me the most it’s probably the interaction between Sinon and Kirito. I like Sinon, she is really cool and quite strong despite her PDST BUT I really feel like they try to make use see them as a couple. Sorry but that’t annoyed me. Asuna might be really clingy, but she didn’t annoy me and she did laid across Kirito like Sinon did, not that Sinon was annoying, it’s really just the way she was acting with Kirito that annoyed me. For someone who was ready to beat his sorry ass during the game she is really friendly now. And like if this wasn’t enough, when Kirito present Sinon to Asuna and Liz he talk about Asuna like if they were friend…dude she is your girlfriend!! she will always be there for you no matter what you did, no matter how stupid you become, but nope let’s just say she is a friend. However this didn’t annoyed me as much as the whole groping/close-to-rape scene from the first season. If the VRMMORPG games can make the life people in terminal phase a bit better, it also can also bring the worst of the human nature out.

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well, yes

seriously…

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I really enjoyed the whole Sword Art Online series, I prefer the 1st season, but the 2nd season have interesting element. Hater can continue to hate on it, it will not change the fact that I like it and I hope for a 3rd season soon. I just wish the movie will not be a requirement to see it, cause I haven’t seen it (of course if I just finish to watch the 2nd season). I know the dvd/blue-ray will be release at the end of September, hopefully it will include english sub-title.

This conclude my post about the 2nd season of the anime series Sword Art Online. Hope you enjoyed you reading.

Did you watched the series? Let me know what did you think of it in the comment section below.

See you next time

Sword Art Online II English Title: Sword Art Online II Genre: Action, Game, Adventure, Romance, Fantasy Aired Date: Jul 5, 2014 to Dec 20, 2014…