#Korey Grate

[focusgroupentertainment]

Chioke Dmachi Drops Explosive New Single 'Yo Bro'—The Pride Anthem Shaking Hollywood!

YO BRO Ft. Chioke | Photo By Jeff Langlois Chioke Dmachi’s highly anticipated single Yo Bro has officially dropped, and it’s making waves as the ultimate anthem for self-love, confidence, and living unapologetically. This bold track, with its powerful bass-heavy production, is turning heads across the industry. According to the AP press release, Yo Bro is available on all streaming platforms…

[dearest-departed]

apology dinner for ashley tonight. it looks like my misery transcends my own psychological threshold and does its best to take everyone down with it. heh

one thing about us, is i think.. no matter how horrible we are to each other, the mental ramifications of it don’t seem to last longer than 12 hours. as stupid as it is to admit, im grateful for that. id never get this with anybody else. i’m disgustingly lucky to share my life with someone who will understand me for me.

oh! we finished love island season 3 today. spoiler alert, olivia and korey won but they didn’t even stay together for three months after the show. will and kyra on the other hand, still together about 3 years later. i was really rooting for korey and olivia, those assholes let me down

we’re watching a new show, nothing reality this time. but i’m liking it a fair amount so far. cheers to ashley for putting me onto something new. and i’m hoping we’ll start the other seasons of love island soon.. but we’ll see.

that’s it for now. i’m having a really hard time with the whole “it’s not up to you whether or not you get to spend time with your sister” part of this system shit. it’s fucking me up. HA

[explorer-entity-korei]

Welcome to my humble abode across the multiverse. I am Explorer-Entity Korei, traveling the universe with my Lover-Entity by my side.

Here I cataloge my travels along with any other interesting bits of data I find within, and outside, the simulation. I have a tag system for easy sorting, which I will put below.

#[Broadcasts From Other Travelers]: Posts of other Travellers and friends.

#[Broadcasts From Outside The Simulation]: A catch-all tag for anything outside of the simulation, such as art, animation, and other aesthetics.

#[Important Knowledge]: Tidbits of knowledge, usually from outside the simulation.

#[For My Lover-Entity]: Love letters or other things I think my Lover-Entity would like. I show my eternal gratefulness for them being by my side.

#[Transmissions]: A tag for any of my roleplay or in-character talks.

Safe Travels amongst the stars. -Korei

[chiokedmachi]

Yo, what’s up world! 🌎 It’s #Chioke here, and I’m beyond excited to share that TODAY, **Friday, September 13**, my new single #YoBro is officially out! 🎉 This song has been such a journey—from writing, recording in the studio, building an amazing team, mixing, mastering, production, to visuals The photography, hair, makeup, costumes, studio sessions—every bit of energy was put into bringing this song to life for YOU.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who listens and supports my music. 🙏 @ReverbNation everyone taking time to check out #YoBro—this song is an authentic, fun, and honest expression. I hope you vibe out, share it, and just enjoy!

To all my listeners from **New York** to **Brazil**, **Moscow** to **LA to Milan**, I see you! Shazam-ing my music all over the world—thank you for following and supporting. There’s so much more to come! 💫

**Yo Bro** out now!

Much love,

Chioke

Performed By: Chioke

Writter: Chioke Dmachi

Production: Chioke Dmachi/ Korey Grate

Mixing and Mastering: Crossworm

Photographer: Jeff Langlois

Creative Director: Vaughn Lowery

Styling: Marc Little John This Man brand

Hair: Darico Jackson

MUA: Dani Garcia

Location: JGV Studios, Los Angeles CA

[rozeliyawashereyall]

Her fav gemstone would be garnet and bloodstone!

And, I'm ngl man.....Korey is gonna start SOBBING—

But fr– she is so so grateful and happy that she got this?? Like she would actually kill someone if they so much as implied taking it away from her. She's always checking up on it every few minutes, making sure everyone is safe.

Though she's probably gonna be using it the most— especially with how often this gal gets into fights.

This leveled up Korey's friendship with Amber let's fucking go

This WILL be drawn, trust.

So, this is an idea I got from a conversation on the Bug Army Discord server:

Amber runs up to your Bug, her arms gangling with enough necklaces for every Bug in the Hive.

“Hey!” she calls out to you, handing you one of the pendants, it was shaped like your favorite insect and carved from your favorite gemstone. “I made these for all of us. With so many hunters hanging around the Hive, I know it’s only a matter of time until someone gets in trouble, so if you’re ever in danger, and too far away, just smack this really hard on your hand or the ground. Watch.” She took a pendant of her own, a firefly made of Moss Agate from around her neck and smacked it against a tree, summoning a swarm of fireflies.

“The fireflies will lead us right to you. I… I hope you like it!”

Describe your Bug’s pendant, their reaction upon receiving it, and maybe a scenario where they need to use the pendant!

@rozeliyawashereyall @willowve01 @asmrbrainrot @kaiamtt @iistxrmyskyii @insignificant-anarchy @stxph-artist @aspenm00n @keyaartz @fangsshadow @rustycopper4use @piffany666 @dreamyshape @idontevenknow7878 @lunaritychuwolf @little tlesiren79 @castbracelet240 @strayharmony943 @proxdragon @tiefling-chaos @threeweekinsomnia

@recated @wilderrorcard @diamondzoey @fennaboysenberry @lunnats

@lightdragon789 @pinkcocopuff-aqualoid @itsargyle @not-5-rats @astralbulldragon13

@ccstiles @puffin-smoke @fruity0salad @takashishihoin @megapugman

@reefhastoomanyaccs @kaydenskiwi @greaysharkboi @itzscribz @blingzyya

@atonalasmr @headstrashdump @gatorboys22

[jardinsdeminuit]

😃Yeah i'm the same person who have send you a comment on your Archive Of Our Own page. I'm always happy to talk about Lyla, it's very sad than this game will never make it into the west because it's hilarious has hell. Vince is a misogynistic piece of crap, and while i thought than he have some redeeming quality he have treat Shirien like a sock. I have fall for him in a moment, when he was showing cute sides like blushing or using a soft voice , but my god his route was so boring.

Hi again! I absolutely agree with you about Vince. I think the first thing he does in his prologue is see Shireen standing in his room and think to himself, “Why the hell is this WOMAN talking to me?” Man was grating on me back then. Also, I found it hilarious when Theodore was trying to persuade him into doing the drinking game with him at the welcome party, and the way he managed it was by wording it as a “battle” and the winner as a “war trophy”. Like how fragile is this man’s masculinity? We love us some casual misogyny in our games xD

“Like a sock” brings up a very interesting mental image, but I wouldn’t put it past him :’)

The rest of your asks are under the cut! Warning to others for mild spoilers for the game and mentions of potentially triggering topics eg. violence, sex, misogyny, etc

I guess it goes both ways in terms of the countries. One country is no better than the other for the way they treat their sexes, although Lugan is still worse in my eyes for what they did to Crydelle and the Royal Family. Could Vince be seen as a starter route, I guess? They’re usually my least favourite in games, since they mainly exist to introduce the world, so I guess if I treat Vince’s route like that, it might be better.

Now you’re making me super, super curious as to what happened in his childhood. Man, these people need to work their issues out instead of projecting them onto their love interests xD Then again, you are talking to someone who’s played Diabolik Lovers, and if it’s anything like what the triplets went through in their childhood, then oof. You already compared Rolan to Kanato, and he does seem like he’s living as a child in an adult’s body. I loved the bit when he was creeping on Shireen and the Tenshu-sama was like, “RIGHT, I think that’s enough!”

Yeah, I didn’t imagine it would be based off real European politics xD Just the stereotypes. Just like Shanasa is clearly supposed to be Saudi Arabia, or at least reminiscent of Arabian Nights, what with the interlinking stories and everything.

Korei and Kirei are honestly my favourite duo so far. Kirei is just a big himbo walking around with his boobies out, and Korei is too sweet (plus Kazuyuki Okitsu my beloved). It seems like a fluff route sandwiched between the sexism and trauma of European Night and Arabian Night, which I hear is very steamy and has the most plot in it :’)

Same! I think the main motivation for getting through Vince’s route is getting to Arabian Night and starting Laizel’s route xD Even though I can’t unhear Carla Tsukinami every time he speaks. And nooo, I like Jemil! He may be an asshole from what I’ve seen so far, but he is kind of hot underneath that veil, so he gets the pass. Well done to Otomate for including yet another pseudo-incest route in one of their otome games. Thankfully, him and Shireen don’t seem close at all, and are only adoptive siblings because the same dude took them both in. Shireen doesn’t consider Aisha her sister, despite the fact they’re in the same position and have been together for longer, so I can overlook this one :’)

I haven’t seen the Aisha glitch yet, but I’m looking forward to it loool

[atvrvxia]

why  do  people  fall  in  love  with  you ?

because you make them happy. falling in love with you is as easy as breathing. you make everyone grateful to know you and loving you is a privilege. the only greater privilege is to be loved by you

because you make them happy. falling in love with you is as easy as breathing. you make everyone grateful to know you and loving you is a privilege. the only greater privilege is to be loved by you

tagged  by  :   @immrtale​

tagging :   @chrryjuice ( romeo ), @fervour ( korey ), @ofdreamland ( harley ), @ncwkings ( finn ), @exposurc​ (  montana )

[binarystarkillers]

Hey. I want you to know something. I love you, and you are so amazing and sweet and funny and you care so much about your friends, and you're such a good author. I love talking to you, like honestly it makes my days so much better, and I wait eagerly for you to get off of work every day :) You are the best and I know you're going to go far in whatever career you pick in life, as long as you keep yourself determined. I love ya

KOREY. OH MY GOD. I actually just teared up a little.

That is so incredibly kind of you. I love you so much, and I’m so grateful to have you in my life. You’re the sweetest person, and I wish I could give you the biggest hug. I love you so so much. 🥺🥺

[oppulcnce]

He could only smile as she spoke, what to her may have been a rejection and explanation of why they shouldn't be together; but to him all he heard was how she loved him. About why she was scared of how much she loved him. And how much she loved him...Kaius was actually surprised by it all, she'd put some thought into this. She recognized her feelings, then talked herself into not acting on them. He wondered if she would have ever said something- no. Knowing her she'd have gone to his death bed and only whispered it to after he'd have passed.

"Wow...and you expect me to find someone who loves me more than you," he said with a chuckle, his cheeks red and hurting from how high they were being pushed up on his face. "Well I can't beat that," he said placing his hands on either cheek, "But I'll try- you terrify me, your every movement, your every action is as if you're about to disappear and I don't believe I'd function well if anything were to happen to you." He said trying to pinpoint when he fell for her... Hells...All those years ago, Kaius didn't help take care of the kingdom because he believed he was the most qualified or believed it was his right, but because it was hers and knew she'd come back. And he wanted more than anything to see her achieve her goal. Was it before or after then?

It could have been before. She'd kept up with his wit, she'd been kind to the soldiers...But that wasn't love, the way she and the darkness looked at each other then was love. When did he start looking at her in such a way? Was it when she led the siege on the castle? Was it after she died and that relief he felt from her resurrection been from love? Was it their first time ditching their duties to hide in the gardens? Was it one of the times where he carried her from the library back to her chambers? Was it seeing her in a gown for the first time and along with the room frozen from her beauty?

"I don't need children, and if I ever feel so desperately for one, I am sure that one of the children in the orphanages we made would be grateful for a home," he said as his fingers moved to play with the ends of her hair.

"Don't choose for me Korey...We do not need to be married, I don't need the title of king. What I do need is to figure out how we can fit together with these feelings inside of us, so let me choose to love you." He said before looking at her, the question in his eyes clear.

May I kiss you?

Korey stared down at her hands as they were pulled from the water. Most of the dirt had been washed from them save for whatever had wedged itself under her nails. In just two short days, she'd have to be queen again. Dirt under her nails wouldn't be acceptable. Even if she hadn't wanted her visits to be unnecessarily grand events, they would still expect perfection from her. She couldn't be this version of herself.

For now, she just watched as her fingers dripped, sometimes onto her boots and sometimes onto his and sometimes onto the stone in the small space between them. Looking at Kaius as he apologized to her wasn't possible just yet. It wasn't as if she'd handled the situation any better. She'd run, too, hadn't she? Though she had the excuse of her tour and wanting to get to it as soon as she possibly could, she'd done it without telling him. She'd made it impossible for him to see her even if he'd wanted to. He wasn't the only one who needed to apologize, but she couldn't seem to find her voice to stop him.

And it only got worse from there. Suddenly he was praising her and what she did, reaffirming his pledge to her with such fervor that it made her heart ache. Had she not been so afraid of what it meant, the reaction would've been the opposite. She prayed to the gods that she was more of a peer to but still saw as authorities that he was doing it to let her down easy though. She prayed that he only wanted to make the rejection sting less for her. That would be best for both of them. Easier, too.

When she finally found the courage to look up at him and face what she'd brought upon herself and saw him dropping to his knee, she wished she'd never said anything. She wished she'd never wanted him to know what her love meant, that someone else had come along to teach him that. He could be with that someone. They could have a proper marriage. Whoever that someone was could give him things that she knew she never could.

Knowing that he wanted her, too, knowing that he was willing to be with her made this all so much worse. If he'd rejected her and didn't feel anything, continuing on would've been simple. Her agony would've been quiet and constant. She'd simply watch from afar as he found what he wanted and take comfort in the fact that he had it, that he was happy. That would be enough for her. It was all made so much worse by the fact that they both wanted this now. There was a chance. They could be together.

She looked down at Kaius for a few long moments. Frozen. She didn't know what to do. Her heart was telling her to just give in and take what she wanted, that she could finally have love and be happy...but her mind was telling her that it wasn't fair. He deserved more. She knew he did. Accepting him, taking the marriage he'd asked her permission to pursue from him, would be selfish. As much as she wanted to for her own sake, Korey refused to do that to the man she loved.

"Stand up." She began, reaching down for him to encourage him to his feet. "Please," she didn't want it to sound like she was making demands. She didn't like doing that to anyone, much less Kaius.

Taking a deep breath to steel herself for what she had to do, it was her turn to take his hands this time. Looking up at him, she swore for a moment that she saw the sun. He was the light in her world. Regardless of what her schedule looked like, her days truly began and ended with his morning greetings and his evening farewells. So what she was about to do was infinitely harder than even confessing her feelings to him in the first place had been.

"I want you, too. I do. I want you more than I've wanted anything since-" she stopped herself, not because it was still difficult to speak of the love she'd lost even years later this time but because this wasn't about him. This was about Kaius. "So what I'm about to say doesn't mean that I don't, and it's not about following rules either. I don't much care who I'm expected to be with. I won't marry someone I don't love just for the sake of politics. I'm not sure I'll ever marry at all. I-"

That wasn't what this was about. Korey released his hands and shook her own out before pushing them through her hair. "When I told you that I love you, I did it because I'm not sure you realize how you deserve to be loved. You shouldn't be loved only for what you've done. You should be loved for who you are, for the fact that you are good and kind and honest. You should be loved because the way you wear your heart on your sleeve without even realizing it and by only ever saying what you mean and acting only on what you believe is- it's beautiful. Your conviction and your strength and your steadfastness- it all isn't just admirable, Kaius; it's inspiring. You inspire me every single day. You make me better, not as queen but as a person. There are days when I think to myself that I'd never be able to do any of this without you at my side."

She took his face in her hands and dared to step closer, so the two of them were just a deep breath in away from touching. "I want you to find someone who loves you like that and can give you everything you deserve because whatever my motivations used to be, this kingdom does have to come first for me now. I can never put you above all else. I wish I could. It's what I want for you, for someone to be able to treat you like the sun rises and sets with your presence every single moment of every day. And I can't- you want a wife, and I'm not even sure if I can have children. I'm not...natural, so I can't be sure if I can ever be a proper wife to anyone, and it would be unfair of me to take all of that from you even if it would make me so, so happy." Korey swallowed against the lump in her throat. All she had to do was be strong enough to get through this, though that was proving easier said than done.

"I want you more than anything, and if I'm to die, I'll love you until the day that I do, but I'm not good enough for you. So, please, please remember what I've told you and what you deserve and find someone who is."

[cryptids-and-muses]

Hi! I'm so glad we started talking, all those months ago! I think you reached out to me, and I'm really grateful for that! I really enjoy talking about headcanons and crossovers and all of our ideas, and I love listening to your rambles. Keep being awesome, and take your time with your writing. When it comes time for it to come out onto paper, it'll be amazing, I know it.

KOREY I’M CRYING

You mean just as much to me and you’re wonderful to talk with. Not to mention how supportive as smart you are. I’m truely lucky to be your friend

[focusgroupentertainment]

Yo Bro Release 9.13.2024

YO BRO! Ft. Chioke Music Production: Performed By Chioke Writter Chioke Dmachi Production: Chioke Dmachi/ Korey Grate Mixing and Mastering Crossworm ArtWork Photo Credit: Photographer Jeff Langlois Creative Director Vaughn Lowery Stylist: Marc Little John This Man brand Hair: Darico Jackson Make Up: Dani Garcia

[unknownunseenunheard]

Okay. How to send all my love in 500 characters? Hi da. Firstly, I'm so grateful that I know you. Since I met you(and consequently the rest of my Tumblr friends) I've gotten so much happier. I almost always have people I can talk to, and I have so many people I've bonded with and trust because you(and Tumblrbot) dm'd me. So thank you do much for reaching out to me all those months ago. You didn't have to, but you did and I'm so glad you did. 1/?

I- I- I-

Korey, I’m glad to have met you too. You’re kind and awesome and funny and talking to you is like a breath of fresh air.

Bickering with thee is fun, and I feel better for knowing you. I wouldn’t take back a single moment, because you’re amazing and I love thee so much. I’m lucky we’re friends too. I appreciate you, each and every moment. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

[iteration-anomaly]

In an instant, a clawed hand grabs at Korei. It lifts them as the being rears up high above the ground. The beast looks upon the korvax and the disdain they hold is obvious.

-{{ I have killed others for lesser actions but I will let you live... do not push me, or you won't be getting out of here completely unscathed. }}-

Their words are grating and almost impossible to understand through the loud static that surrounds them.

[Upon entering the small camp and laying down on the bed, everything from today finally catches up to them. They let out a muffled cry, which slowly begins to dissolve into sobs, static overpowering their speech parsers. They bury their face into the pillow so no one could hear them.]

{{... Couldn't help Tulos.. Couldn't help Aether and Tartarus.. I'm nothing but dead weight on this search.. Can't do anything right..}}

[Over time their mumbling and static slowly dies down as they fall asleep, excessive exhaustion hitting them.]

[When suddenly they're woken up by a splinteringly loud explosion. It shook the landscape and rattled the foundation, knocking things over. Korei nearby tumbled from their lopsided bed and into the dividers. Their core hammering away with electricity as they get up and rush downstairs to a window to see the cause of the loud noise.]

[And then they see it. A freighter falling through the atmosphere, flames and smoke streaking behind it like a fireball. It's exterior too burnt to see any recognizable features. It feels like it's falling in slow-motion, too slow to be of lower gravity or gravitational anomaly. And in the blink of an eye, it speeds up, crashing into the ground with such force that it felt like the foundation was going to collapse. Lights flicker and go out completely from the electrical wave sent out from the crash. Korei had curled up and covered their head, and for a long moment, there was nothing but dead silence. There's an underlying fear telling them to stay there, stay there until someone reaches out, but instead they get up and travel out to the crashed freighter. They're not sure how far away it is, but its smoke and fire tell what general direction it's in.]

[They begin to run, dodging creatures and rocks as they scale the red terrain.]

[They run, and run, and run. How far away was this? It looked miles away. They couldn't stop now. They needed to get there now.]

[Run.. and run.. and run. They don't know long they've been running, time feels like it's slowed, they can feel their fans whirring; their carapace straining as they exert themselves. Their steps getting clumsy.]

[And run... And run.... And.... Run... Time stretched on forever.. They're never getting any closer.. They're trapped... Trapped in an endless cycle...]

{{I failed.. I failed everyone.. Space, Andromeda, Anomaly, Tulos, my freighter team, Aether, Tartarus.. I failed everyone..}}

[Run... And run... And.... They collapse..]

[... All seems dark. They don't feel anything. They don't feel the ground beneath them, or the wind blowing against them. All seems dark.. Are they dead? Are they nothing but an echo?]

[And suddenly they come to their senses. They lift themselves up off the dusty, red ground, looking at their hands as if they never had them before. They're alive?]

[And what lies in front of them is the scrap of a freighter, freshly shot out of the sky. Between the smoke and blast marks, they could barely make out a distinct purple color. They felt something twist in them, as if their metaphorical heart lurched. No, it couldn't have been... It can't possibly be--]

[The shape, the color... This is the MS-8-Spacial; Their lover's freighter.]

[chiokedmachi]

I’m thrilled to announce that my new single, "Yo Bro," is dropping on September 13th, just in time for New Music Friday! 🎉 This track is a bold, bass-heavy anthem about owning your confidence and embracing who you are. It’s been a journey crafting this song, and I’m beyond excited to share it with you.

Your support has meant everything to me, and I can’t wait for you to hear this one. Mark your calendars for 9/13/24, and let’s make this release one to remember!

Thank you for being part of this journey with me—your energy and love keep me going.

Much love,

Chioke

Music Production:

Performed By Chioke

Writter Chioke Dmachi

Production: Chioke Dmachi/ Korey Grate

Mixing and Mastering Crossworm

Photographer Jeff Langlois

Creative Director Vaughn Lowery

Styling Marc Little John This Man brand

Hair Darico Jackson

MUA Dani Garcia

JGV Studios, Los Angeles CA

[iamdatfilmbitch]

When They See Us, Part Four

I was not ready for part four at all. In the first few minutes alone when Korey Wise hears he’s been found guilty on multiple charges, I died inside. That could be a testament to Jharrel Jerome’s acting, he was phenomenal this entire episode and the entire series. I felt the anger in Korey’s soul when he lunged towards the prosecutors, screaming “YOU LIED ON ME!” I felt the fear in his heart about having to go to jail. All he wanted this whole time was to go home. But little did I know that he wouldn’t see home for about another 13 years, the longest sentence of the five boys.

This episode alone taught me a lot about the legal and prison systems. For instance, Korey was the oldest of the boys at 16, and because of this, he was legally able to be charged as an adult. At 16, Korey can’t buy cigarettes, he can’t drink alcohol, and he can’t legally consent to sex, but he’s an adult when it comes to prison sentences. The stupidest shit I’ve ever heard. So while the other four boys were sent to juvenile detention centers, Korey was sent to Riker’s Island. He was surrounded by men maybe twice his age and twice his size. The other prisoners beat him up senselessly. Guards just stood by and watched; nurses just patched him up and sent him back to his cell. No one was any help. 

Korey’s mother finally comes to visit after some time. She explains that it’s hard to get from Harlem to Riker’s Island. She tells him that she doesn’t have any money to add to his commissary account. I can’t believe prionsers have to pay for stuff like hygiene items or phone calls, and those like Korey who can’t afford it just have to go without it. Korey asked his mom if there was anything he can do to help, which crushed me. Imagine being a child, wrongfully imprisoned, and you’re trying to console your mother instead of the other way around. He tells her that he’ll request a transfer. Hopefully he’ll be moved to a jail closer to Harlem so that she could visit more, and maybe make this a little easier on her. But Korey went from being 7 miles away from Harlem to 352 miles away, as his transfer sent him upstate to Attica Correctional Facility.

At Attica, Korey is violently beat up yet again. The other prisoners heard he was a rapist, and damn near killed him for it. Korey learned at Riker’s that it’s safer to go to solitary confinement than the infirmary, so he requested this at Attica. We watch him heal, grow older, and grow crazy inside those four lonely walls. He begins talking to his transgender sister Marci who isn’t really there. Later on, he finds out she was murdered, a heartbreaking and common thing in the transgender community. We also see Korey suffer when the air conditioning breaks down, naked and burning up in that solitary box. There’s a moment of relief as a guard name Roberts befriends Korey. Roberts provides him with reading material and playing cards, and even lets him work in the facility as a janitor. The air conditioning comes back on, Korey’s scheduled for a parole hearing. Things are finally starting to look up for him. But then the parole board requests that he take full responsibility for his crimes before continuing the process. All hope is lost as we know this is something Korey cannot do, and I don’t blame him one bit.

Korey continues to go through the vicious cycle of the prison system: he requests transfers to try to be closer to home but still ends up far away. At each new facility, the other prisoners damn near kill him, and he requests solitary again. He still refuses to admit to his crimes and stops going to his parole hearings, deciding to just serve his maximum sentence. Eventually, Korey ends up at Auburn Correctional Facility where a prisoner named Matias Reyes recognizes him from a fight they had back at Attica. Reyes, seemingly a changed man, apologizes to Korey for that fight, and later on admits to the rape of the Central Park jogger! With the help of Manhattan prosecutor Nancy Ryan, Korey was set free, and all five boys were exonerated of all crimes in 2002. In 2014, they received a $41 million settlement from the city.

Although these men received a big settlement, no amount of money could make up for what they went through. They never received an apology from Trump, the police or the prosecutors involved. These assholes still don’t think they did anything wrong. They think Reyes was just an accomplice to the original five, even after he admitted and it was proven that he acted alone. I have no faith that the justice system will change. But I’m still grateful for this show because I know it’ll spark change within our community. Everything those corrupt cops did was illegal, and if we educate ourselves on our rights more, we can use that against them. If we educate ourselves on our finances more, we can afford lawyers who will take them down. Thank you Ava DuVernay and everyone involved for resurfacing this story. To Antron, Korey, Yusef, Kevin and Raymond, we see you. You are not the Central Park Five, you are the Exonerated Five, the Innocent Five. We stand by you and all the other Black and Latino people criminalized by the system ✊🏾

When They See Us, Part One

When They See Us, Part Two

When They See Us, Part Three

[thegreatpikminzx789]

The Silver Warrior - Etrian Odyssey IV: Chapter 3

Ao3|Wattpad Summary: The Refulgent Guild gathers in the Outland Count's room to discuss some recent news about what's happening, and an investigation seemingly going nowhere is now tasked to them. Previous Chapter | Next Chapter AN: Slowly... getting... things done... Haven’t even updated this thing since 2018, that’s how much life has distracted me. Also sort of my own fault for having multiple projects, but still. More than likely gonna write the rest of the plot down for this one, before I lose any track of where I’m going with it. I also did have an idea for Albert to be an Imperial Scribe and not an Imperial who fights, as I had came up with last night and still somehow managed to keep in my head til this morning. Also also; Zesiro (merely mentioned by name) (c) @theshatteredrose

Just as swiftly as they left their guild house, Kibigami, Logre, Shirota, Wufan, and Baldur entered the Count's room, as the other members of the Refulgent Guild turned their heads at their arriving guild members and prince of the Cloudy Stronghold.

"Heya guys! Hello Mr. Prince!" Anai called out, waving her hand in greeting. Shirota waved back while Baldur made no motion to wave back, but still greeted the purple haired Medic, knowing she'd probably pester him unless he actually said hello back to her.

Shirota wastes no time moving over to where Korey is, who smiles upon seeing her again, motioning for the dancer to sit beside him. "Boy, am I glad to see you again, Korey. Today felt like I was on a wild ride..." The Dancer greeted as she sat next to the brown haired Highlander, hearing him chuckle.

"That's usually exploring the labyrinth in a nutshell, Shirota. How does today make it any different than the last?" He inquired, causing the dark skin Dancer to giggle in return. "There's always a time and place for discussing such a topic, isn't it?" Korey's eyes gazed away, as if to contemplate her words for himself...

Well, when she puts it that way, yes. Yes there is a time and place for it. Just not now...

As Frederica and Shirota greeted each other, the Fortress couldn't help but feel like they were missing someone, looking around the room and recounting the numbers of guild members in the room. "What's keeping Albert so long? He should've been here along with Baldur and the others..." Sakuma groaned, rubbing her hand on her head as if feeling a headache coming on, before feeling Baldur place a hand on her shoulder in reassurance.

"Don't stress out about it." The prince declared. "He will arrive in due time. No need to worry about him too much."

"I wholeheartedly agree, Prince Baldur," The Count spoke, overhearing the conversation between the Imperial Prince and the Fortress. "After all, it's rare to see him stray so far from you, or Logre." He continued, noting the rarity the Imperial Scribe's quite rarity to not be around the two people he's known.

Eventually, the late Imperial shows up, a bit out of breath. "Sorry I'm late, everyone. Had to... settle a little dispute that occurred at the tavern on my way over here." Although Baldur was a little confused over what he might have had to do over at the tavern, the Count easily dismissed his tardiness.

"It's alright, we wouldn't start without you." The Count beamed, as his dog, Margarita, barked as if in agreement. Taking a deep breath and took a few seconds to calm himself, Albert closed the door and leaned against the wall behind him as the Count begins the meeting.

"Now then, let's get to the reason I have brought you all here tonight," He begins, before taking a deep breath, likely to reassure himself of what he's going to tell the Guild standing before him. "As of two weeks from the day the Heavenbringer was defeated, the Explorer's Guild has been getting reports of explorers, both old and newcomers to Tharsis, being kidnapped-"

"K-Kidnapped?!" Kurita interrupted, her surprise quite warranted. The Count turned to face Kurita and nodded, before adjusting his attention back to everyone. "As much as I'd hate to admit it, the seemingly hundreds of reports of how these kidnapped explorers vary quite drastically. Sending guards to these spots just isn't getting us anywhere closer to finding who may be responsible for the kidnappings."

"If they varied so much, why not get the witnesses to just explain how it went?" Yukina inquired after the Count finished his explanation. "We tried doing so with a couple of them, Ms. Yukina, but with so many explorers around, anyone can claim they were witnesses and give us false information. Getting actual information could end up taking months before we'd track who kidnapped the explorers!" The Count argued, rubbing his hand against his head in an attempt to keep his anger in check.

It was clear the Count was getting tired of hearing these reports, and that it has become such a massive burden to his time when he could be focusing on other matters... Margarita placed her head on one of his arms, in an attempt to calm him down. The Count picked up her up and petted her for a little bit, making an effort to calm himself down.

"And at that point, who knows what would happen to the kidnapped adventurers? We have little information on the kidnappers to know what they're planning, or what they're likely after..." The Count spoke up, after taking a moment to relax himself.

"As much as it pains me, I sincerely hope that those kidnappers will be brought down for what they've done. If they hope to put Tharsis' name in vain, then your guild will ensure that does not happen!" His reassuring smile was all that was needed to bring at least some of the people in the room at ease.

"Of course we won't let such a thing happen. If there's one thing I believe in, is that we can work together to stop this." Wufan commented, as a few guild members nodded their heads as if agreeing with the female Vessel. The Count can see their determination in their eyes to stop the crimes being held in Tharsis.

"Pardon me, Count," Baldur pardoned, seeming to have something on his mind. "but has anyone... specific, have any information on why these kidnappings might be happening? With so many people in our guild, it would be in our utmost interest of finding information as quickly as possible to search more effeciently." The Count, although surprised at the Princes' sudden interest, happily beamed.

"A most excellent question, Prince." The Count hummed. "She should be arriving very-"

Almost as if on cue, the sound of the doors opening interrupted the Count mid-sentence and caused everyone to turn their attention to a Nightseeker making their way to the center of the room. Her skin, unlike most of the Nightseekers, was brown in color, hair as white as snow, and from what some of the guild members could glimpse, her eyes were blue in color. She strangely wore clothing meant for male Nightseekers, as her outfit was dyed in red.

"Ah, just in time." The Count hummed, placing Margarita beside him. "Everyone, I like you to meet Elma. She's the one who brought this kidnapping situation to my attention." The Count introduced the Nightseeker.

"I dunno Count," The orange-haired Fortress spoke up. "She looks more manly than womanly. And I've seen female Nightseekers before, she does not look like them whatsoever." Sakuma argued, soon having her eyes meet with the Nightseeker's blue eyes.

"I could say the same about you, ma'am, but I'm not one to judge based on one's appearance." Elma commented, quickly proving Sakuma wrong the moment she spoke. "Besides, this suits me much better than the clothes a female has to wear as a Nightseeker. It keeps me warm and less likely to make me prone to freezing." She continued, noticing Sakuma's eyes easily glance at the ground after the Nightseeker finished speaking her thoughts.

"...O-Okay, I take it back. Sorry about the confusion..." The Fortress apologized, barely hiding her shame as she heard a couple of her guildmates chuckle at her, most particularly, Anai and Miak, the blue haired Vessel. "So, if Elma here knows about the kidnappings, what are we supposed to do, Count?" Frederica asked, seeming to move on from the small situation that occurred.

"Glad you asked that, Miss Frederica. I would like for the Refulgent Guild to work alongside Elma as a mission to stop the kidnappers before this effects the explorers outside Tharsis." The Count explained. "We have no confirmation on what the kidnappers look like, so I'm afraid-"

"Pardon the interruption, Count," Albert interrupted, with a rather questionable tone of voice he doesn't express all that often. "Are you really suggesting we team up with this... random Nightseeker, who may or may not be one of the kidnappers in question?" He inquired, possibly flabbergasted by the mere suggestion of someone joining with the Refulgent Guild to help in this investigation.

Elma glared at the questioning Imperial Scribe, but refused to say anything regarding his question. Although everyone didn't have a chance to express their thoughts on the matter, it didn't help that they had no idea on what the kidnappers are like, so it wasn't wrong to simply place Elma in good light right away just because she was the one who brought it up to the Outland Count. Albert did prove that he was the essential smarts of the group, as much as Anai hated to admit that fact.

"As the Empire's Imperial Scribe, I'm afraid there's a line I have to draw when it comes to working with strangers; especially if that involves kidnapping." Albert continued, getting a scoff from the black haired female Imperial standing next to her. "Oh, knock it off, Albert. It's rude to just assume something of someone we don't even know yet!" Lysandra argued.

Gods, the way this woman argued with him was already grating on Albert's nerves. "And I'm just doing what's best for us, and for Tharsis, Lysandra! I don't need any of your back sass, miss-"

The sound of a weapon hitting the wall interrupted Albert and Lysandra's argument, turning their heads to see Logre standing right beside them. "Will the both of you be quiet and stop arguing? We're getting nowhere when you're bickering each other's heads off!" Logre growled, getting frightened faces from both Imperials.

"Sorry, sir..." The two swiftly apologized, gazing away from Logre. Logre's face soon shifted into his casual grin he always had when he was still called 'Whirlwind', lowering his weapon and sat back down, satisfied now that the argument diminished.

"Well, that's one way to settle down an argument..." Yukina commented, turning her attention back to the conversation at hand, noting to herself never to get on Logre's nerves like that.

"Hiraku may have doubts about Elma, but welcome Elma to guild with open arms!" Hiraku hummed, as the light blue haired Vessel nodded in concurrence. "S-Same here. It would be better if we just set aside our doubts and work together to stop these kidnappers before the whole town gets flipped upside down with the lack of explorers." Miak added, timid though she may be.

The Outland Count then turned to face Korey, about to ask him something. "You don't need to ask twice, Count." Korey hummed. "We'll bring those wrongdoers to justice and see to Tharsis' safety." He added as Shirota and Frederica nodded.

"Excellent, I knew I can count on you guys." The Count cheered with excitement. "Margarita and I wish you all the best of luck out there, and to stay safe from those kidnappers. They may target you at any time, so don't let your guard down for a second!" He added with worry clearly evident.

Margarita barks, as if in agreement with the Count. "Got it. We'll do our best!" Anai said, rather confident they'll handle this task.

"Well then, this meeting shall be adjourned." The Count declared, with the assignment explained to the guild before him. He followed it up with, "The search will start tomorrow, so get some shut eye, everyone."

With how late it was, it would be rather risky to attempt to acquire information right away. That would also be prime time for a kidnapping, especially if a victim were too tired to be expecting anything. Bigger in terms of numbers should hopefully make things less difficult for the kidnappers to get a drop on.

The Count turned to discuss with the white haired Nightseeker. "Elma, feel free to accompany the Refulgent guild in their home for the night, should it be easier for you."

The Nightseeker seemed to take the recommendation to heart. "I'll take up that offer, Count. Beats having to constantly rest at an inn..." Elma hummed, looking at Korey, who seemed to quickly get the idea just from her looking at him. He nodded, as if to give her the go-ahead to stay in their guildhouse.

Everybody starts chatting to themselves as all but a few individuals make their way back to the guildhouse. The Count called for Margarita and the canine followed him obediently to a room away from the racket. Sakuma gazed out the windows for a bit, before standing up at last, sighing as most of the noise seemed to leave the hallway.

"I've never thought such a day would come when explorers would get kidnapped from here of all places... Here I thought we brought peace and quiet after what we pulled in the Cloudy Stronghold..." The fortress spoke aloud.

"It's not that rare of a dirty tactic, if I may be honest."

Korey's response surprised Sakuma, turning to face him.

"People will do anything to cause some sort of chaos. Whether it involves getting information on treasure, kidnapping loved ones, hell, even holding them for ransom..." The highlander continued, speaking like he had been in one of those situations before. His eyes drifted back to the floor, glancing at the ring he had worn since his many travels.

"Oh..." Sakuma seemed to catch onto what Korey felt, almost feeling sorry that she may have brought back terrible memories. "S-Sorry if this is bringing up any horrible memories, I didn't mean-"

Korey shakes his head,  motioning for the fortress woman to calm herself. "It's fine," He reassured her. "I've moved on from those past events. Right now, the most that we can do is locate the source of the kidnapping, and sever it right at it's roots."

The Highlander motioned for Elma and Sakuma to follow him, since they'll need all the sleep and prep they need to start the search. Logre soon followed behind them, as well as Baldur.

"Say, my Prince?" Albert called out to the Imperial Prince, as the blue haired Imperial Scribe approached him. "What is it now, Albert? We're going to be left behind if we don't hurry up." Baldur groaned at the Imperial's persistence.

"I know it's not in my personal power to bring back mentions former Imperial allies, but..." Albert began. "Do you think that Silver-cladded Imperial will ever show up again?"

It had been some time since that Imperial left to explore the land outside...though the crash was what made it difficult for him to swallow. Considering that Imperial was one of his favorites, alongside Logre... It was hard for him to tell if someone even lived the airship crash or not, and he personally didn't want to cast light on something so slim of a chance.

"Who knows, Albert?" Baldur sighs, slowly beginning to walk into the hallway, with Albert beside him. "The only thing to go off of is a silver armor that Imperial named Zesiro found. And while both me and Shirota are praying that she's alive somewhere, why do you ask?"

The Imperial seemed to muse that question to himself for a while. "...I just wanted to reassure myself that everything will be alright, that's all. I miss seeing her every day back in the Stronghold..." He replied after they exit the Outland Court's building.

"So do I, Albert," Baldur sighed. "But none of that matters here and now. Let's table this conversation for another time. Now, let's get some shut eye and prepare to help out for the mission ahead."

The princes' calm, yet assertive voice seemed to bring Albert out of his nearly focused state. "Yes, my Prince." Albert replied, seeing the prince catch up with the others before catching up with them.