#Michaels testers are to so much fun to use | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

professionalvalkyrietrainer · 1 year ago

Text

Assignment 3 Playtesting

In this blog we will be talking about my playtesting experience as a developer for Crab-splosion. There will be three part of this blog with the first part being the first playtest I did that took place at 11th of October, the second part being the second playtest I did that took place at 18th of October and final part being the last playtest I did that took place at 24th of October.

Prior to my official playtesting, me and my group will need to come up with a couple of things that will assist us during our playtesting sections, that being a playtesting script that needs to be recited to the play tester before the playtest begins, a pre-playtest questionnaire and a post-playtest survey.

Luckily, all of these have templates that were provided to us and all we had to do its just to add in some specific-questions for our game like asking how they felt about the rock-paper-scissor combat system. Among my group, I was tasked with coming up with the playtesting script while the other group member worked on the other materials. In order to do this, I did look into the Chapter 9 Playtesting of Game Design Workshop by Teller Fullerton for some ideas. I found that in page 285 and 286, they talked about how a playtest script can be written and how it can be divided into 5 distinct parts, being Introduction, Warm-up Discussion, Play Session, Discussion of Game Experience and Wrap-up (Fullerton, 2018).

After looking at the script template provided to us which was based on Making Games More Fun: Methods for Playtesting Games by Bill Fulton and Michael Medlock, I can clearly see that the script has well covered all 5 parts mentioned within the book so I decided to only slightly modify the script by reinforcing certain aspect as well as adding a basic how-to-play to the deep playtesting part of the script.

First Playtest

With that out of the way and my teammates done with making the survey and questionnaire on Google Form, we begun our playtesting for Crab-splosion. The first playtesting session took place during the IGB220 tutorial session of week 11. In this playtest session I took a more laid-back role acting only as a note-taker instead of being the host of the playtest. We managed to get 3 play testers to playtest our game that day, which is a humble beginning for out target of 10 play testers at the end of all playtesting sessions. I managed to take a good chuck of feedback from players and all of them are stored within a document that is shared among our group so that everyone can put in their notes. The following is the note that I took down and complied during the playtest session:

I added a list of priority fixes for the game as well as the game is it not in its complete form so me and my teammates think that we should focus more on these aspects to ensure our game is more functional during the next playtest.

Second Playtest

After a week of fixes and tweaks, we have arrived at our second playtesting session that took place during the IGB220 tutorial session of week 12. On top of that, we also lucky enough to get an additional play tester during my IGB283 tutorial for the week, which I will be focusing on for this session of the blog as it is my first time hosting a playtesting session.

I first begun by reciting the playtest script that I prepared and got self-aware by how unfunny I made the playtest script even though my initial goal is to make it quirky. Nevertheless, I digressed and moved forward with the playtesting. After reciting my script, I pulled up the google form link for the questionnaire for the play tester to fill up and answered a couple of questions that he had for the questionnaire.

After that, I launched the demo and let the play tester had a go with it. While he was playing through the demo, he asked some questions but I have to refuse from answering some of them as it might affect the playtesting data if I have given him too much information. At the meantime I am taking down all the feedback that he gave. After the playtest ended, I also prompt whether he will be interested to proceed to deep playtest in which he accepted. I proceed to explain him the basic control and system of Crab-splosion and we had another 10 minutes of playtesting and discussion regarding the game. In the end, I would say my first playtesting session was a success with just a couple of minor hiccups. After writing down all his feedback and compiling everything, I ended up with the list as shown below:

In the end, we managed to get 2 play testers during this week's playtesting session which added up to 5, half of what we are trying to achieve. We will be relying on the Halloween Playtesting party that is taking place next week for the rest of our quota.

Final Playtest (Halloween Party)

After cutting up several levels and features from our demo due to time constrains, we finally had our final demo ready for our final playtesting session which is also a Halloween party hosted by the IGB 220 lecturers. This took place during the lecture in week 13 and has more people attending when compared to a normal tutorial which means more chance for us to get play testers. In this session I managed to host the playtesting session for two different play testers, one within the party and the other during an after party I had with a couple of other fellow IGB 220 students.

After my previous disappointment with my playtesting script, I did went back to revamp it a little. After that, I believe I had a more comprehensive script and my performance during these playtest does reflect on it. Together with my experience running playtest, I believe this playtest session is more successful than my previous one. The best part would be the fact that I got to let a less experienced gamer to playtest the game, which gave a better insight to Crab-splosion as a person with minimal game knowledge, which really gave us feedback that we might not get otherwise. The following would be the playtest notes that I have complied for each of the playtesters:

In the end, we only managed to get 4 play testers during the party. This also made me realize that a playtesting session will always take longer than 20 minutes to complete, which I believe is the main reason why we didn't manage to get a lot of people to playtest. Hence, I think for any future playtest one thing to consider would be to restrict the playtest to a time limit so that it doesn't get dragged too long, causing in a overall lesser play tester count. Nevertheless, we have still gotten 9 play testers throughout all three playtests which is one short from our target but way over the required amount so we were happy with what we had.

With that, I have completed the second last blogpost for the semester, its hard to think that I have gone so far from no post to having 15 posts and one more for the final week. I will be doing a postmortem for Crab-splosion next week so for the last time, Stay Tuned!

References:

Fullerton, T. (2018). Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games. ProQuest Ebook. Retrieved from: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/qut/reader.action?docID=5477698

#playtesting

0 notes

remmushound · 4 years ago

Text

Curse of the Clan chapter 65 FINALE!!

Tags: @scentedcandlecryptid @selfindulgenz

“LEOOOO!” Michelangelo ran over to Leonardo out of breath, colliding with his brother before he could stop himself. “Leo Leo Leo Leo Leo Leo—“

“Woah woah woah!” Leonardo laughed and put both hands against Michelangelo’s shoulders to keep the excited turtle at bay, “Where’s the fire?”

Michelangelo took a long, deep breath. “I traded face painting for a snail and traded the snail fir a painted rock and I traded the painted rock for a cane and I traded the cane for a ball and I traded the ball for a basket of muffins and I traded the basket of muffins for a kitten and I named him Klunk!”

Michelangelo shoved a tiny orange and white kitten in Leonardo’s face; Klunk gave a tiny mew and batted curiously at Leonardo’s nose before quickly being pulled back against Michelangelo.

“That’s great, Mikey—“

But Michelangelo was already running away again on the trail of a bright butterfly, which left Leonardo once more wandering in search of something to do. Everywhere he looked was something new— young yokai playing games or families swimming in the river or flying flips through the air either on wings or paragliders. Everywhere they all seemed to be having the time of their lives. None of the activities caught and kept his attention though until he happened to look over to an ice cream cart manned by a slime yokai. The current customers were a calico nekomata and an old rat.

“Dad?” Confusion came first, and then came a sneaky, mischievous grin. He rubbed his hands together not unlike a supervillain, “Ohhh this is good~”

Slowly, like he was walking across a cloud, Leonardo glided behind a tree. He pulled himself onto a higher branch to get a vantage point, watching as Splinter and the strange woman passed under; he caught a snippet of conversation.

“I can barely handle my four boys; I don’t know how you manage so many!”

“It’s not all fun and laughter that’s for sure, but most of them get adopted really quickly…”

Leonardo jumped the next tree over, silently cursing himself as a falling leaf made Splinter stop and look up. His nose twitched, eyes narrowing just the slightest bit as he stared directly at Leonardo, but perhaps not seeing him; Leonardo remained like a statue.

“Splinter, what’s the matter?” The woman came to up wrap her arms around Splinter’s arm, looking up and trying to see what he saw.

“Nothing.” Splinter said quickly, “Just thought I saw something.”

Slowly, with Splinter dragging his feet, they moved on. Leonardo saw no point in hiding anymore. Before they could get far, Leonardo dropped down in front of them.

“So do I get to be the flowergirl?”

“AH!” Both rat and cat screamed, but Splinter quickly fell to grabbing his sandal and repeatedly slapping Leonardo with it. “YOU! DUMB! DIRTY! YARO! Scared me half to death!”

Leonardo bunched himself at the assault, laughing harder with each slap as he did his best to protect his face. “I’m - sorry! It was too good to resist! Besides, flower girl is more for Mikey, I wanna be ring bearer!”

“You get to be NOTHING!”

“Now That’s just unfair!”

Splinter swung his arm around the cat to guide her quickly around Leonardo, trying his best to ignore his son's taunting presence.

“Was that your son?” The cat asked, trying to look back and steal another glimpse of Leonardo.

“Don’t look at him and maybe he’ll go away.”

***

“RENET!”

Renet stopped long enough to look around, giving a curious hum at the familiar voice. “Michael?”

“ME!”

Renet gave a startled yelp that was quick to turn into giggles when she recognized Michelangelo had come up from behind and wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.

“HUG! Hi Renet!” Michelangelo skirted around to her front, smiling brightly, “I traded face painting for a snail and traded the snail for a painted rock and I traded the painted rock for a cane and I traded the cane for a ball and I traded the ball for a basket of muffins and I traded the basket of muffins for a kitten and I named him Klunk!” Klunk gave a soft meow. “Also! I caught a butterfly and traded it for a balloon and traded the ballon for an ice cream cone do you want it?”

Michelangelo offered a strawberry ice cream to Renet, who accepted it with a confused but excited smile. “Uh… thanks. I’ve never had ice cream before!”

She looked over the frozen treat for a curious moment, then took a big bite out of it before Michelangelo could stop her. The cold immediately seized her body and she brought a hand up to cover her mouth against the drool that tried to escape from the shock.

“Mm… cold.” She shivered, wiping her mouth once more before she let herself giggle.

“You’re supposed to lick it, not bite it.” Michelangelo encouraged.

Renet did as asked, swiping her tongue across the length of the dripping ice cream, “Mm! It’s good.”

“It’s ice cream, of course it’s good!” Michelangelo beamed, “What are you doing out here? I didn't think you left your mansion all that often.”

“Yeah I uh… I don’t.” Renet said with a giddy laugh, “Today’s actually the first day. I’ve never seen the sun before.. It’s just as beautiful as I imagined. But hot…”

Renet swiped a few beads of sweat off of her forehead. Michelangelo gasped and, out of an innocent want to help, went to grab the back of her wheelchair to push her. Renet pulled away from the attempt, rolling back around to face him while Michelangelo looked confused, and then startled at Renet’s uncomfortable expression.

“Actually I can roll myself.” She said slowly.

“OH! I— I’m sorry!” Michelangelo squeaked, head shrinking, “I was just going to bring you into the shade…”

Michelangelo motioned to the shade of a nearby tree and Renet started to roll herself over to it while Michelangelo trailed behind.

“I’m sorry.” He repeated again, “Was the hug bad too?”

“O-oh, no, you’re fine just… don’t grab my chair unless I ask you, okay?”

Michelangelo nodded quickly. “Yes Ma’am! And thanks again for, you know, making sure we don’t burn a fiery death in TCRI.”

“Oh yeah, no biggie.” She nodded; the ice cream in her hand was quickly disappearing. “I really enjoy being out here with all the sun and the grass and the bugs! Maaaan I love the bugs!”

“I didn't get out much as a child either.” Michelangelo related, “It was so fun when I got to learn about all the critters and— and watching the stars and the sun rise! And it never gets old because it’s always so different!”

“Well I’m glad to finally experience it.” Renet finished off her cone and then rolled a little further so her front was in the sun; she closed her eyes against the warmth, the light bouncing off her scales in a flashy display, like sunbeams on water. Her skin seemed to glow radiant like light amber, the baby blue headscarf catching the breeze. “The wind is like the sweetest honeydew on my skin… and it’s like I can taste the colors of the world!”

“Well, if you wanna enjoy even more of the world…” Michelangelo started, rubbing his head, “Maybe you want to come eat with me and my family?”

Renet opened her eyes and looked to Michelangelo. “I’d love to!

***

While his brothers were exploring, Donatello was content to stay at the table near the girls. He had been away for so long that there was a seemingly endless amount of social media he needed to catch up with, so he took the opportunity to get a head start on it. Occasionally April or Sunita would throw a shrimp or a burger his way to use him as a taste tester, but he didn't mind. Scrolling was certainly working up an appetite.

Something hit him in the face. Donatello groaned and reached up, having to swipe a few times before he was able to pull it off, and when he did he was hit with a wave wave of confusion. It was a cherry blossom flower— not just a petal, but a full, blooming flower! Even as Donatello held the stemless thing in his hand, it seemed to open a little wider, the dew drops on its petals dripping down and dampening his palm.

Donatello looked around and saw no tree, nor anyone carrying such flowers that could have been lost. Carefully, his fingers traced along the pink curves, soft as melted butter. He stood up, and when he did, he looked down. In the grass just ahead of him was a trail of flowers, blooming before his very eyes and stretching toward the warmth of the sun. The trail was expanding closer to him until the flowers came to him, gentle stems tickling his ankles as he lifted his feet to see the spectacle better. The blooming flowers led to a golden rift at the end of the trail, similar to Draxum’s except with flowers instead of vines. A rift identical to the one that had rescued Donatello and his brothers from The Sea of Trees.

“I told you your brothers would come.” Said a familiar voice— the kirins voice!

And then the flowers were gone, and so was the rift, and so was the voice.

“Don, food’s done.” April called, then put a hand on her hip and gave a frustrated huff when it seemed Donatello wasn’t listening to her.

“Y-yeah, be there in a second.” The hand that once held the cherry blossom felt empty now in its absence, and it took Donatello several long heartbeats to turn back to his meal. “Thanks April… it looks great.”

“It better!” April laughed, “Then again I’d bet anything looks great to you given the past two weeks you spent alone.”

“Yeah…” And Donatello looked to the table and saw a basket of berries sitting there for him, shining with a heavenly glow, “Alone.”

#the End #Leo lives to bother #and Mikey lives for his new kitten #Kirin makes a reappearance #tmnt #teenage mutant ninja turtles #rottmnt #tmnt au

15 notes · View notes

singledarkshade · 4 years ago

Text

Making A Family

Summary: Long before Gideon and Rip started their Psychic Detective Agency, they were two very different children looking for a family.

Author’s Note: Part of the Psych Verse with @incendiaglacies, this is a prequel showing Rip’s backstory.. Hope you enjoy. Part One – Michael And Mary Michael Hunter was sitting in the den with a large book when the new volunteer was shown around. He glanced up briefly, just so he knew who the new woman was before returning to his book.

“And this is Michael,” Mrs Underwood said getting his attention, “Michael, I want you to say hello to Mary Xavier. She’s our new helper who started today.”

“Hi,” Michael said softly before turning back to his book.

“I’m going to be taking some of the children to bake cakes this afternoon,” Mary spoke up making him look up again, “Would you like to help?”

Michael stared at her for a moment before shaking his head, “No thank you.”

Pulling his book back up, he glanced over it again a few seconds later as he heard Mrs Underwood talking softly knowing it was about him.

Sighing he tried to read again not wanting to talk to anyone.

Mary frowned as she looked back at the little boy curled up in the corner reading. After the death of her partner, she’d needed something to help her fill the time they would normally spend together. After a chance meeting with Colleen Underwood, who ran the children’s home, she agreed to volunteer with the children. Her role was to help them with homework, read stories to the younger ones and do cooking classes some weekends. Teaching them to make both meals and cakes which she hoped they would enjoy. She enjoyed spending time with children but didn’t feel she could commit to taking any of them. Not at that moment. She thought she might in the future when she was ready to share her home once more.

“What a polite little boy,” Mary said, “Is he shy?”

“Michael just had to return from his last placement a few days ago,” Colleen explained, “The mother found out she was pregnant and with two kids of their own already they felt they couldn’t keep Michael.”

“Oh, the poor boy,” Mary sighed.

Colleen nodded, “Anyone who knows that boy knows he would be amazing helping with a baby, he’s a protector, but it is the family’s choice.”

“I suppose it is,” Mary grimaced, “It just isn’t easy to see that little boy look so sad.”

The other woman shrugged, “Unfortunately, it’s something that I see a lot and Michael has had a few placements not work out for one reason or another. It’s not really his fault but he blames himself.”

“How long has he been at the home?” Mary asked, not sure if she should ask.

Colleen sighed, “He was found about three years ago wandering the streets. We think he’d been living on them for almost a year.”

Mary stared at her in shock, “At five years old.”

“The little he told us,” Colleen grimaced, “It appears his father left him and luckily some older kids looked after him.”

Glancing back once more to where the little boy sat, Mary hoped Michael would open up at some point.

*********************************************

Michael grimaced when he walked into the kitchen for a cup of water and found Miss Xavier in there cleaning up after her cooking lessons. Ignoring her, he went to the cupboard that held the cups they were allowed to use and filled it half-way.

“Oh, it’s good you’re here,” Miss Xavier smiled, “I need a taste tester.”

Michael froze and suddenly found a chocolate cookie in his hand.

“Tell me what you think,” she said, “It’s a new recipe I’m trying out.”

Slowly he took a bite, a smile touching his lips unbidden at the rich chocolatey taste.

“From that look,” Miss Xavier laughed, “I take it my new recipe is a success.”

He nodded and she chuckled, taking a seat and grabbing a cookie for herself. They ate in silence and when he’d finished, Michael drank his water.

He paused then whispered, “Thank you,” before leaving the room.

The next week Michael sat in the library hearing some of the others heading down to the kitchen for cooking with Miss Xavier. He thought back to the cookie she’d given him to try and part of him thought it would be nice to try the baking lessons but then he risked liking her. Liking people was a bad thing because they always left him, and he ended up on his own.

“Michael,” Miss Xavier’s voice startled him, “Can you come and help carry some things from my car? I’m running a little late today and could use some extra help.”

Knowing Mrs Underwood would scold him if he didn’t, Michael put the bookmark in his book and placed it down before following her to the carpark where several of the kids were all waiting to grab a bag.

Michael wondered why she needed so much, as he watched her pass bags to each kid (the younger ones getting the lighter things). Taking the final bag, he walked into the kitchen and placed it on the table.

“We’re making cakes for tomorrow’s open day,” Miss Xavier told him, “Would you like to help?”

“No, thank you,” Michael shook his head before he quickly left the room not wanting anyone to try to make him to stay.

He hated the open days when prospective parents would come and look at them like they were zoo animals. They would take them home and, in his experience, would always send them back. Finding his spot in the library again, Michael buried himself in his book.

The open day meant the place was noisy and Michael did his best not to listen as it made him remember all the times he was sent back. He looked up surprised when Miss Xavier placed a plate and cup on the table before she took a seat on the beanbag beside him.

“I guess these days aren’t something you enjoy?” she said softly.

He shrugged, glancing at the piece of chocolate cake sitting on the table beside him.

“That’s for you,” Miss Xavier assured him, “I didn’t want you to miss out.”

Michael gave her a small smile, “Thank you.”

They sat in silence for a while before Miss Xavier asked, “What are you reading?”

Michael passed it across.

“James and The Giant Peach,” she smiled, “I like that one.”

Shrugging Michael said, “It’s a little easy but I like the story.”

“Well reading can be about what we enjoy,” Miss Xavier told him, “Personally, I like to look at cookery books for fun.”

“That sounds…” he paused before finishing, “Okay.”

Miss Xavier chuckled, “I like to cook and make new recipes so I look at ones already there to see if I can put my own spin on them.”

“Is that why you cook here?” Michael asked, “To try out new recipes?”

She nodded, “I love to cook and I’ve no one at home to cook for.”

“Where are your family?” Michael whispered.

She sighed sadly, “We were in a car accident several months ago, I was the only one who walked away.”

Michael slowly took her hand, “I’m sorry.”

Giving him a warm smile, Miss Xavier squeezed his hand, “I should get back downstairs and make sure everyone has cake.”

As she managed to get herself out of the beanbag chair, Michael found himself saying, “Do you want help?”

Smiling at him, Miss Xavier nodded, “I would be very grateful for your help, Michael.”

*********************************************

Over the next few months, Mary found she spent a lot of time with Michael. He began to help with the cooking lessons and, although he was quiet, she found he was also extremely smart. At nine, he was reading well beyond his years and had a keen interest in computing and electronics. Mary began to find him books that she knew would interest him and every so often managed to get a smile from the boy.

She understood why he was sometimes sullen, especially when there were prospective parents in the home, he’d been ‘sent back’ a few times and didn’t want to ever be in that position again.

On those days Mary would normally find him something to do and as time passed began to wonder if she should take him in. She’d often thought about being a mother, they had planned to have a child before the accident and Mary found herself wondering if she could do it alone. Could she take responsibility for the little boy? She knew how often he had been rejected by prospective parents and knew that if she took him in then Mary had to be sure that it would work. But every time she saw him, she felt herself smile and loved seeing him light up with every new book she brought.

Michael sat in the library reading his book, keeping out of the way as there were some people looking for a child to join their family floating around. The door opened and Michael pulled the book up so whoever was there didn’t try to talk to him, surprised when a plate with a cookie was placed beside him.

Looking up he saw Mary and felt himself smile a little. He liked her, she always made him feel good and she never made him eat anything he didn’t like, unlike some of the other adults he’d known. She even gave him permission to use her first name which few adults ever had.

“Thank you,” he said softly as he picked up the cookie.

Mary smiled, “You’re welcome, Michael.”

He was surprised when she sat beside him, and put his book down realising she was going to talk to him.

“Do you want to come and join everyone in the dayroom?” she asked him, “There’s lots of cake to be eaten.”

Shrugging he told her, “All the people looking for kids are down there. Other children need a family more than I do. I’m fine here on my own.”

Mary gave him a strange look before she said, “Well, I was thinking that perhaps you’d like to become my family.”

“What?”

She shrugged, “I lost my family too and I miss them. I thought we could be that for one another.”

Michael stared at her for a few minutes before asking, “Why me? Doesn’t one of the other kids need you?”

Mary smiled at him, “You are such a wonderful little boy, Michael always thinking of others. That’s why I want you to be part of my family because you are you. Would you like to live with me?”

Michael tried to force down his hope because he really liked Mary. She was so nice, and he always felt safe when he was with her.

“I’d like to,” he whispered.

Mary reached out and took his hand, “Then I will arrange everything.”

Michael looked down at their hands before looking up at her, “Can you go now?”

Squeezing his hand, Mary grinned at him, “Of course.”

Michael did his best not to get his hopes up as he sat in the library holding onto his book, not reading a word as he waited for Mary to let him know if she was going to give him a home. He didn’t remember having a real one, the foster homes he’d been in before had never been bad, but he always knew they weren’t permanent. This however felt as though it could be and Michael was desperately trying not to get his hopes up.

The door opened and he looked up to see Mary standing there smiling at him. He stood slowly and walked to her.

“Why don’t you go pack your things,” she said to him, “And we’ll head home.”

“Home?” Michael whispered.

Mary took his face in her hands, “Our home.”

Impulsively Michael wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her tightly. Mary held him close for a few moments, letting him go the moment he pulled back. Running back to his room, Michael pulled the few things that belonged to him into the bag he’d kept at the bottom of his drawer. He didn’t even check if he’d missed anything, because he didn’t care, and scampered downstairs where Mary was waiting for him with Mrs Underwood.

“Well, Michael,” Mrs Underwood smiled at him, “I want you to be good for Mary and help her like the amazing boy I know you are.”

Michael nodded.

Mary took his bag before offering her hand, “Are you ready?”

Nervously Michael took his hand and allowed her to walk him out to her car. Sliding into the backseat, Michael stared at the home watching it become smaller and smaller before it disappeared.

Mary drove up to a white house with a small garden and stopped the car. Michael followed her inside and into the room he didn’t have to share with anyone.

“I know it’s plain,” Mary said as she placed his bag onto the bed in the corner, “But I didn’t want to try to decorate it without your help.”

“Decorate it?” Michael asked.

Mary nodded and took a seat on the bed, patting the spot on her side. Michael sat as she asked and waited.

“This is your room, Michael,” she told him, “I want you to be comfortable here, so we’ll decorate it whatever way you want. And,” Mary continued before he could say anything, “I know how much you love to read so we will have to get you some bookshelves to fill.”

Michael looked at her surprised, “You don’t have to.”

“Yes, I do,” Mary wrapped her arm around his shoulders and gave him a quick hug, “Because this is your home from now on. But first thing first, let’s have lunch then you can decide what colour you want the walls to be.”

She gave him another quick squeeze before leaving the room to make them lunch, Michael remained on the bed for a few minutes a smile appearing on his face as he realised that this might work out this time.

*********************************************

Mary sat on the couch waiting for Michael to return home from school. She was relieved that he was getting dropped off by his friend Henry’s mother today. It was almost a full year since Michael had come to live with her, and it had been good. It took Michael some time to settle in, but he seemed to have become used to her and this house. Mary worried how he’d take the news she had.

Holding the envelope in her hands, Mary looked up when she heard the front door. Michael was a quiet child, he didn’t thunder in and stampede around the room.

“Hi, Mary,” he appeared in the living room after putting his bag, jacket and shoes away, “I got an A in my maths test.”

Mary smiled slightly, “That’s wonderful news.”

“You look worried,” Michael noted with a frown, “Is something wrong?”

Mary patted the cushion at her side and took a breath, “Do you remember me telling you that I had a job interview last week?”

Michael nodded.

“Well,” she smiled, “They offered me an amazing job and I really want to take it but…”

When she hesitated Michael asked, “But?”

“It’s in America,” Mary explained, “In a place called Central City.”

“Oh,” Michael whispered before he stood, “I’ll go pack my things.”

Mary caught his arm stopping him from leaving, “Michael, wait. Where are you going?”

“You have a new job,” he reminded her, “And you’re moving to another country. This means I have to go back to the home.”

“Oh, no,” Mary whispered, “You didn’t let me finish. I’m not going anywhere without you. You’re my family, Michael. Which is why I’m giving you these today and not on your birthday like I planned. Then we decide together if we’re going to go.”

Confused Michael took the envelope and slowly opened it, pulling out the papers he stared at her in surprise.

“You want to keep me?” he whispered, as he gripped the adoption papers tightly.

Mary smiled, “I am never letting you go, Michael. If you want me to be your mother?”

Michael suddenly threw his arms around her holding on tightly, Mary held him close feeling his tears soak her shoulder.

“So,” Mary said softly when Michael finally let her go, “What do you think about me taking this job?”

“I don’t care where we live,” he whispered, “As long as I get to stay with you.”

*********************************************

The first thing Michael thought about Central City was how bright and sunny it was. To his amazement, their new house was close to the beach which was something that intrigued Michael having never seen a beach outside of picture. The only holiday he’d had with Mary was in the Lake District and other than that Michael had only known London.

Their new house was much bigger than their old one, Michael’s new room was about three times the size of the old one, with a small balcony instead of a window. Mary assured him that she wanted him to have this room, but he always had to be careful on the balcony. He promised he would be and was looking forward to sitting in the sun reading a book.

“Michael,” Mary called to him, “Lunch is ready.”

Running downstairs Michael found Mary had made sandwiches from the supplies they’d picked up in the grocery store in the airport.

“Eat up,” Mary told him, “We’ve still got to unpack your boxes and get your room in order.”

Michael nodded and started to eat. He felt Mary watching him and looked up questioningly.

“What do you think of our new home?” Mary asked.

“It’s okay,” he shrugged, “But,” he continued feeling he should say something good, “My room is nice.”

Smiling at him, Mary stroked his hair affectionately, “I’m glad you like it. I know this is a very different place from London, but we’ve got a few weeks before school starts so we have time to get this place just how we like it and explore Central City.”

“For the best cake places,” Michael nodded knowingly.

“Precisely,” Mary chuckled, “I need to know where will be best for us.”

Michael had never liked school much, but he tolerated his old one. He’d even managed to make a few friends there, but his new school was completely different. The other kids all looked at him as though he was some kind of alien, he learned quickly not to answer questions as they hated that and then there were the ones who made fun of his accent.

The work was boring, but he didn’t want to ask for anything more to do because that would mark him as even more of an outsider than he already was.

Michael found a place he could sit at lunchtime and read in peace but four weeks after he started the school, his hiding place was found by some of the kids who thought it was smart to make fun of him.

He’d learned a long time to ignore bullies, the last time he hadn’t the other kids regretted it because before the home Michael learned to protect himself. Mary always assured him he was safe with her and if there were issues then he should talk to her first.

Michael didn’t want to burden her at the moment. They’d just moved to a different country while she was trying to get caught up with her new job and look after him.

But he also knew if he did what he wanted to do, then it would burden Mary more. So, he sat and listened to them.

And then suddenly a yell came from nowhere, “Shut up,” a scream came in a similar accent to his own before a blur attacked the leader.

Michael watched the tiny girl with long hair sink her teeth into his tormentor’s arm not realising just how much this moment would change his life.

#fic #legends of tomorrow #rip hunter #mary xavier #ripfic #psych au verse #family

4 notes · View notes

rebeccalartfoundation · 4 years ago

Text

Printmaking 3 - Creating hardground etching plates

Today’s class started off with a tutorial with Brian.

Feedback sheet from tutorial.

We discussed what my project was about and found it very useful having to relay my concept and see if it was coherent. I received positive feedback regarding my concept but need to make it clear how my final pieces will be presented in the exhibition space. I will need to draw some sketches of the space to help visualise and work out ideas of how I want things to be presented.

Creating plates

‘Any acid-resistant coating used to make an etching is called a ground. In the past a great variety of different grounds were used, and each master had a personal formula. Most of them had wax as a basis, combined with various oils and varnishes’. - Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2021.

Lyman Byxbe, Weed Lace, 1933. Etching.

I had wanted to try etching with hardground after being inspired by Alice’s beautiful hardground plates. The plates I believe were made from Zinc and were polished with varnish before placing the hardground.

Brian showed us two methods for hard grounding:

First method

- Graphic chemical liquid is brushed onto the plate and left to dry. It dries quite quickly and is the most straightforward process.

Second method

youtube

Video of melting wax for hardground

-The more fun method! The plate is warmed on a hot plate and paraffin wax is melted on the surface. Once dried, the plate is lit by flames and reacts with the fire, creating a shiny surface ready for etching. I wanted to be through and went over some spots but learnt it is not advised to do that as it can make the plate sooty. After the plate has been fixed, it is wiped down to remove soot and ready for etching.

youtube

Video of fixing the hardground

Brian had suggested to do softground to create softer pencil like lines like my drawing of hand in my sketchbook, but the ground would be too soft to take home. Due to time restraints I went with hardground, which will produce sharper lines but feel it would still be effective and interested to see how it will turn out.

Preparing design

Michael Landy, from Nourishment series. 2002. Etching on paper.

Ideas for second hand plate, drawing inspiration from my textile performance 2 and Henry Moore’s lithographs. I was also drew inspiration from Michael Landy’s depictions of weeds from the Nourishment series, researched from Unit 2.

Sketches for original plan of featuring both plants for larger plates

Final plate designs

Once the grounds were set, I began designing the plates. The plate of the hand with chamomile, lavender and St John’s Wort was designed during the studio practice session but I was more stumped on the design for the other plate. I wanted it to be a pair and feature a hand again, so drew hands in different positions using myself as a reference. I had originally planned to feature plants again but from my tutorial with Brian he recommended a contrast in design. This led to the idea of drawing pills to represent the medication and the contrast of using pharmaceuticals to natural remedies. I decided to go for an open hand with pills for contrast against the closed hand. This contrast can be viewed in different ways by the spectator. Is it a sense of freedom? Or reliance? I created marks and the sketchy line work using a mixture of thin and bolder lines with the drypoint tool.

Test Plates

Before putting my hand plates in the acid bath, I had two tester plates to see what effect I would wanted from the acid bath. I had created a bird design, inspired by Tracey Emin’s bird prints and my own trace monotype of a bird from our first term of printmaking. The second design of the eye was to explore how solid areas of etching would print, as well as stippling. The goal was to explore different types of mark making and how they would develop in the bath.

Process with Acid Bath

*Health and safety* Given tutorial by Brian and what to do if acid gets in eye. Eye wash for 15 mins, alert tutor then taking to hospital. If get on skin, mild sting but can be washed off. Have to wear gloves and googles in room with acid. Rinse plates and gloves thoroughly with water after taking plates out of the acid bath.

Once the design has been etched, it has to be placed in an acid bath for the lines to be engraved into the plate. The acid bath has a mix of nitric acid with water with the ratio 7:12. I had placed the some the smaller test plates in first and let it develop for 5 minutes before rinsing off with water. After rinsing, I added finer lines and placed them back in the bath for about a minute to produce finer lines. It was important to time how long the plates were in the bath due to ‘biting’ where lines would become bolder and merge together due to the acid eating away.

Happy with the results, I then moved to placing the bigger plates and left them in for 8 minutes to develop. After taking them out, I added finer lines of the threads and placed it in for a minute to produce a variety of line weights. The plates are then rinsed off thoroughly with water.

Once happy with the plates, I went downstairs to clean the varnish off with methanol.

Plates after hardground/varnish is off.

* Health and safety * Had to be done in a fume cupboard due to toxic fumes.

Test Prints

It was coming towards the end of class so I had to print quickly. I used an oil based etching ink however it was very stiff so had to dilute with oil to loosen. Next I buffered away the ink with scrim but not too much so the lines still held ink. The test and bigger plates came out very well and happy with that the lines and marks through.

Reflection

What went well- Overall I am extremely happy with how the plates and test prints came out. I had achieved my goal of creating cohesive plates that were relevant to my concept regarding mental health and plants and also exploring markmaking through print. The prints shows the desired line weights I was after and has clarity. I had not done hardground etching before and it was great to learn the process behind it.

What didn’t go well/problem solving- Time management. The prep time takes a long time, longer than expected. But I am happy that I made the decision creating my plates to how I wanted it instead of rushing. I didn’t want to comprise the design. Unfortunately this only left me a very short amount of the time to do the test print once but I am happy with the results. I had wanted to print the larger plates side by side but didn’t have a larger piece of paper prepped. One of the prints is slightly cut off due to paper size but made the decision to do that so I could see how both plates printed in that session.

What would I improve on/do differently- I feel I could’ve been more loose with the etching and explore more vigorous marks but I was tentative. I was also worried if that would’ve made it less clear. However I’m still very happy with the design and the sketch look I was going for.

Next steps

Last printing session next week. My aims are:

-Relief print with lino stencil to pair with face fabric print

-Hardground etching prints- Prints of hands. Including ghost prints to make set of two or three on paper.

-Medication packets- transfer dye using heat press at start of lesson

A lot to do and requires planning. I have liaised with the textiles department to use their heat press machine at 9.30 am. I have estimated it will take about an hour but shouldn’t take as long and hopefully not miss too much the start of print making (which starts at 10). I aim to print my hardground etching plates first and then focus on the relief print on fabric.

Bibliography

Encyclopedia Britannica. 2021. Printmaking - Etching | Britannica. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/printmaking/Etching#ref397199. [Accessed 07 June 2021].

2 notes · View notes

myonechicagoworld · 4 years ago

Text

CHICAGO FIRE – TWO FAMILIES (S01E07)

[children cheering]

Teacher 1: When can we go back inside?

Chief Boden: We have to check with the gas company, ma’am, and

they’ll tell you when it’s safe.

Teacher 2: Ms Simpson, I was looking for Leonard to get the keys to

the shed. No one’s seen him.

Teacher 1 (Ms Simpson): Oh, God.

Chief Boden: Everyone, stop. We’re going back in.

[dramatic music]

[door breaking]

Matt Casey: Leonard!

Down here?

Call out!

Christopher Herrmann: You guys smell anything?

Are we sure they cut off the gas lines?

Kelly Severide: Oh I shut it down myself.

[bubbling]

Matt Casey: Smells like chemicals.

Crystal meth! Masks on!

[coughing]

Christopher Herrmann: Really, Leonard, with the kids up there?

cutscene

Kelly Severide: [grunts] Ah.

Chief Boden: Okay, everyone, listen up.

Everyone on scene will have a baseline drug test.

Today.

Otis Zvonecek: Happy Thanksgiving.

Chief Boden: Uh, huh.

Leslie Shay: Hey, Chief, Dawson and I didn’t go down there.

Chief Boden: I don’t care.

Anybody on the premises. We’re gonna want to know

how much any of you may have in your system.

Leslie Shay: Okay.

[indistinct radio chatter]

Chief Boden: Hey. How you doing?

Boy 1: Pretty good.

Chief Boden: Seen you around a few times.

Boy 1: I live around the corner.

I like to watch.

Chief Boden: Yeah, I remember you saying.

Well, you’re welcome to come down to Firehouse 51

anytime you’d like a tour.

Boy 1: Can I ride on the truck?

Chief Boden: Maybe.

Kelly Severide: Hey

Leslie Shay: Hey.

Kelly Severide: I may have taken something this morning.

Leslie Shay: Toradol?

Kelly Severide: Stronger.

Leslie Shay: What?

[scoffs] Michael Jackson couldn’t have handled those.

Where’d you get those?

Kelly Severide: Will it show up on the test?

Leslie Shay: Will these narcotics show up on a drug test?

Kelly Severide: [sighs]

-Title Screen-

[kissing sounds]

Hallie Thomas: Hey.

Matt Casey: What?

Hallie Thomas: Seriously, why don’t we do this more often?

Matt Casey: Okay.

Hallie Thomas: [giggles]

[kissing sounds]

[knocking at door]

Peter Mills: Uh, Lieutenant, you got some visitors.

Matt Casey: They’re early.

Hallie Thomas: My sister has ruined more nooners for me than the

rest of the world combined.

Matt Casey: You had a lot of these growing up?

Hallie Thomas: How do you think I put myself through med school?

Matt Casey & Hallie Thomas: [laughs]

cutscene

Girl 1 (Lexi): Come on, Aunt Hallie. It starts in five minutes.

Matt Casey: Uh, oh, what do we have here? VIP guests for the

parade?

Girl 1 (Lexi): Aunt Hallie!

Lady 1: Hey.

Matt Casey: Hey, Viv. Hey.

[kissing sound]

Lady 1 (Viv): How ya doing?

Matt Casey: Can’t complain.

Lady 1 (Viv): Good. How’s um… how’s your mom?

Hallie Thomas: Viv!

Matt Casey: No, it-it’s fine. She’s um… she’s doing all right.

Thanks for asking. Now who’s gonna bring me back

some candy?

Girl 1 (Lexi): I will!

Matt Casey: Yeah! Hey, tell your mom you get to eat as much as

you can fit in your mouth.

Hallie Thomas: [laughs]

Lady 1 (Viv): Riightt.

Matt Casey: You guys have fun.

Lady 1 (Viv): Bye.

Girl 1 (Lexi): Bye

Matt Casey: Bye. See you when you get back.

cutscene

Gabby Dawson: Look at you.

Peter Mills: Restaurant tricks.

Gabby Dawson: Impressive.

[marching band music]

TV: 25 members… [continues speaking indistinctly]

Mouch: Look at these chumps.

Joe Cruz: Are you kidding, man? Parade detail is great.

Mouch: Peter Mills, hold your arm up.

Now keep it there for five hours. That’s what being in the

parade is.

Joe Cruz: Mills, the Shriners… they throw out candy… you clean

up, man.

Otis Zvonecek: Now, listen, I know you guys are gonna give me

crap for this.

Christopher Herrmann: Go on.

Otis Zvonecek: [sighs] I want to start a podcast.

Christopher Herrmann: What the hell’s that?

Otis Zvonecek: Well, when I record myself being equal parts

charming and brilliant, and then I put it up on

iTunes, and people subscribe, and they follow

me.

Christopher Herrmann: A mute would be better at that than you.

[laughter]

Otis Zvonecek: [feigns laugh] It’s gonna be a ‘Day in the life of a

Chicago firefighter’ sort of thing.

Mouch: We have a slow day, and you’re just gonna reinforce the

stereotype that all we do is sit around and eat.

Otis Zvonecek: You got a problem with it, Lieutenant?

Matt Casey: Go for it.

Chief Boden: Drug tester’s on his way. And again, this is mandatory.

Capp: Hey, Chief, there’s a kid outside looking for you.

Chief Boden: Thanks.

Good. You came on by.

Boy 1: You said it was cool

Chief Boden: It is, it is.

What’s your name?

Boy 1: Ernie.

Chief Boden: Ernie?

Chief Boden.

You hungry, Ernie?

cutscene Chief Boden: Hey everybody. This here is Ernie. He’s gonna be

eating some turkey with us.

All at the round table: What’s up, Ernie?

Christopher Herrmann: Hey Ernie.

Peter Mills: Hey, I need a sous chef, Chief.

Get over here, little man, we got a turkey dinner to

prepare.

Chief Boden: Go ahead.

Peter Mills: Come on.

First thing we gotta do, taste this gravy. Tell me what

you think.

Boy 1 (Ernie): Good.

Peter Mills: It’s good.

Christopher Herrmann: Where’d you find that mutt?

Chief Boden: I just… want to see what’s going on with him.

Christopher Herrmann: You catch a vibe?

Chief Boden: I’ve seen him at two different fire scenes.

Christopher Herrmann: Chief, if we got a firebug here, you know

it’s next to impossible to prove anything.

Chief Boden: Can you just spend some time with him? See what

we find out.

Christopher Herrmann: Yo, Ernie. Don’t let Mills here make you do

all the work. He’s what we call a candidate.

You know how there’s all those rungs on

the ladder? He’s the bottom one.

Peter Mills: Oh.

Christopher Herrmann: Come on, I’ll give you a tour.

Hadley: Hey, heads up.

Kelly Severide: Hey, what are you doing here on Thanksgiving?

[alarm beeps, PA buzzes]

Elise Mills: Reinforcements.

[door opens]

(Over PA): Truck 81, Ambulance 61. Multiple gunshot wounds, 1542

Elmwood Park.

Peter Mills: Hey, would you put the turkey in?

Elise Mills: Sure.

Peter Mills: Thank you.

Mouch: This meal is very important. Kid you should stay…

Peter Mills: Forget that. Come on.

Christopher Herrmann: Chief.

Chief Boden: Yeah, I got him.

Ernie, stand here.

Joe Cruz: Let’s go, let’s go!

[doors shut]

[engines start]

[sirens wail]

Boy 1 (Ernie): [laughs] That was awesome.

Chief Boden: Always is.

[sirens wailing]

[horn honks]

Joe Cruz: Someone stepped on the anthill today.

[sirens wailing]

Victim 1: [groaning]

[gunshots]

Matt Casey: Get down!

[gun shots]

[truck door shuts]

[gunshot]

Joe Cruz: Oh!

Gabby Dawson: (into radio) Ambulance 61. I need a 10-1 at

Elmwood Park.

Matt Casey: You okay?

Otis Zvonecek: Yeah.

Gabby Dawson: (into radio) They’re still shooting here.

Dispatcher: (over radio) Copy that.

[gunshot]

[glass window shattering]

Otis Zvonecek: Where the hell’s the CPD?

Victim 1: Help me, I’m bleeding!

[groans]

Joe Cruz: [shouting in Spanish]

[gunshot]

Joe Cruz: [yells] Hey!

[gunshots]

Matt Casey: [whistles]

Truck, ambo, move.

Gabby Dawson: Get ready to move.

Matt Casey: Crawl out the other side.

[truck door shuts]

Matt Casey: Cruz!

Joe Cruz: Yeah!

Matt Casey: Move the truck forward, so we can use it as a barrier.

Joe Cruz: On it.

[gunshots]

[truck door shuts]

Leslie Shay: Let’s go. Come on.

[dramatic music]

[gunshots]

Victim 1: [groaning]

Gabby Dawson: Hey, man, you awake?

Victim 1: [groaning]

Gabby Dawson: All right, turn him over.

Victim 1: Ah! [groaning]

Gabby Dawson: Ah, I got three holes, only two exit wounds.

Victim 1: [groaning]

Gabby Dawson: Get him a backboard.

Teen 1 (Latino Kid): Yo. Yo! There’s another kid over there by that

tree.

Gabby Dawson: Two… Three.

Victim 1: [groaning]

Gabby Dawson: All right, you got this, Shay?

Leslie Shay: Yeah.

[siren approaching]

[tires screeching]

Christopher Herrmann: Shooters are in the window!

Police Officer: Police! You’re surrounded.

They’re heading north. Go, go!

Stop! Police!

Gabby Dawson: Hey, you hurt, buddy?

Victim 2: [groaning]

Joe Cruz: Leon?

What the hell are you doing here, Leon?

Victim 2 (Leon): [groaning]

Otis Zvonecek: You know this guy?

Gabby Dawson: All right, this is a through by through. You’re gonna

take this 4x4, you’re gonna hold it…

Victim 2 (Leon): [winces] Chill!

Gabby Dawson: Sorry. Keep it from bleeding, and then you’re

gonna wait for the next ambulance, okay?

Joe Cruz: I got it. Let it go.

Victim 2 (Leon): [groaning]

Joe Cruz: To hell with this.

Victim 2 (Leon): Yo, you trippin’, man.

[grunts]

Otis Zvonecek: Cruz, what’s going on?

Joe Cruz: Move!

Victim 2 (Leon): [grunts]

Matt Casey: What are you doing?

[siren wailing]

Victim 2 (Leon): Hey…

Joe Cruz: Help him in.

Victim 2 (Leon): Take it easy, yo.

Matt Casey: Cruz.

Joe Cruz: He’s my brother.

[truck door shuts]

cutscene

Chief Boden: So you’re trying to tell me that the CPD doesn’t know

how to handle a shift change?

That is unacceptable. I had five firefighters walking

unprotected into a damn turf war. Our turnout gear

is not bulletproof.

Yeah, well, I suggest that you figure it out.

Uh, huh, yeah.

Yeah, I’ll hold you to that.

[knocks on door]

Connie: Chief. They’re looking for you in the common room.

cutscene

ER Doctor: The bullet went through without hitting any bone. He

should be fine.

Joe Cruz: Can I talk to him?

ER Doctor: No, I gave him something to sleep, but after that…

Matt Casey: Wanna stay here?

Joe Cruz: No man, I better not.

Man 1: Doctor.

ER Doctor: Be right there.

Matt Casey: Thank you.

ER Doctor: Sure.

cutscene

[chopping]

Elise Mills: [scoffs] Can you hand me a slice of bread?

Kelly Severide: Yeah.

Elise Mills: [grunts]

Kelly Severide: Really?

Elise Mills: [groans] It’s supposed to keep your eyes from tearing

up.

Kelly Severide: Doesn’t look like it’s working.

Elise Mills: It never does. I don’t know why I keep doing it

Kelly Severide: All right, let me give it a shot.

[claps]

Elise Mills: You’re gonna tear up.

Kelly Severide: I don’t think so.

[chopping]

Kelly Severide: See?

Elise Mills: Mmhmm [laughs]

Kelly Severide: I’m good.

All right, okay, let me try a piece.

Can I help you?

Man 2: Yeah, just uh, point the way to Chief Boden or whatnot.

Chief Boden: I’m Boden.

Man 2: Dan Jenkins. Ensurtech. I understand you have a situation

here.

Chief Boden: Yeah, sorry to make you work Thanksgiving.

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): Yeah. It is what it is. I just go where they tell

me.

Well, I got a few bucks on the Cowboys

game, so let’s get her done

[exhales]

Chief Boden: Do you want to set up in the…

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): Who’s first?

TV: AIDS and HIV. What we found today… [continues indistinctly]

Elise Mills: Hey.

Peter Mills: Hey. You, uh… you put the turkey in?

Elise Mills: Of course.

Peter Mills: And you tent the white meat with foil?

Elise Mills: I taught you to tent the white meat.

Peter Mills: Okay.

Mouch: You’re in my spot.

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): Which one of you is Joe Cruz?

Joe Cruz: I am.

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): Fill ‘er up.

Joe Cruz: Hey, uh, does it matter if I had a ton of pancakes this

morning?

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): It matters if they were made of crack.

Peter Mills.

Peter Mills: Yep.

Thanks.

[TV announcer continues in the background]

Mouch: [sniffs]

[pen clicking]

Christopher Herrmann: Hey, Chief said you live around here.

Boy 1 (Ernie): Over on Racine.

Christopher Herrmann: You got any brothers and sisters.

Lucky you. All I got was my brother’s crap

after he put holes in it.

What about your folks?

Boy 1 (Ernie): What about ‘em?

Christopher Herrmann: They around?

Yeah, look, my old man was in and out

too, so I know.

Let’s go get…

Boy 1 (Ernie): Mine’s in jail.

Christopher Herrmann: I’m sorry. You get to see him at all?

Boy 1 (Ernie): Nah.

Grandma don’t drive.

cutscene

[honking horn]

Leslie Shay: Ugh! Joining the parade would be faster. Can you

move?

Gabby Dawson: Ooh, I can t…

[tires screech]

Shay & Dawson: Whoa!

Gabby Dawson: Jeez, Shay, relax.

Leslie Shay: Sorry.

Gabby Dawson: We could toss this pork rinds to the kids.

[horn honks]

Gabby Dawson: Oh, check it out.

[indistinct arguing]

Gabby Dawson: Whose fault do you think it is?

[indistinct arguing continues]

[parade music in background]

Leslie Shay: Woman’s. It’s always the woman’s.

That’s why I’m happily single [clicks tongue]

Gabby Dawson: [laughs]

[horn honks]

cutscene

Joe Cruz: Dude!

Otis Zvonecek: I know it’s a goat, but it’s our goat.

Joe Cruz: Oh, Shay, you got a visitor.

TV: Now we return with another story…[continues indistinctly]

Leslie Shay: Hey. Look what the cat dragged in.

Mouch: Cat brought pumpkin pie.

Leslie Shay: Hey, Clarice.

Clarice: Mmm. I hope this isn’t totally inconvenient.

Leslie Shay: No, no, no, of course not.

Clarice: I just… I, uh… I wanted to say thank you, you know, today

for that, I guess

[chuckles]

Leslie Shay: Oh, of course.

Clarice: It was just so good to see you. It was really good. I was,

uh… I was blown away.

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): Gabriela Dawson.

Gabby Dawson: [claps]

Leslie Shay: Oh, checking for meth. Mm, you know.

Can I get you some coffee or something?

Clarice: Decaf.

Leslie Shay: Okay, have a seat.

TV: Schools plan to open at regular times after the holidays. If you

witness… [continues indistinctly]

Otis Zvonecek: Hey, can I borrow you for a second?

cutscene

Otis Zvonecek: Okay, and uh, three, two, one.

And… [whispers] Recording.

Hi, I’m Brian Zvonecek, and we’re picking up where

I last left off.

Oh! Look who just walked in. It’s firefighter Randy

McHolland, better known around Firehouse 51 as

Mouch.

Mouch, where’d the nickname come from?

Mouch: Do I need to talk loud or just normal?

[button clicks]

Otis Zvonecek: Just talk normal.

Mouch: Normal.

Otis Zvonecek: Yeah.

Mouch: Got it.

Okay.

Otis Zvonecek: Okay.

Mouch: Alright.

Otis Zvonecek: And, uh, three, two, one, and…

[whispers] Recording.

Mouch, how are you doing today?

Mouch: Do I need to push the button, or you just want me to…

[button clicks]

Otis Zvonecek: [stutters] No, no, just, uh… you just… just… just

talk normal.

Okay?

Just…

Mouch: Normal.

Otis Zvonecek: Be normal.

Mouch: Okay, okay, okay.

Otis Zvonecek: Okay. And recording [sighs]

How ya doin’, Mouch?

Mouch: Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.

Otis Zvonecek: Yes! So, tell us about the nickname.

Mouch: Uh… Okay, uh… Oh okay, it’s… it’s… there’s… there’s two

halves to it, right? So you got… you got over… over here,

you got half man, right?

And then, uh… Over here, the other half would be, um,

half, uh… Couch I guess

Otis Zvonecek: [sighs]

[knocks head on table]

Gabby Dawson: Okay, cool.

Yeah, well you tell mom to save me a piece of

cobbler.

Okay.

Yeah, I love you too, Antonio.

Okay, you tell him happy turkey day for me.

Bye.

[phone beeps]

[TV announcer in background]

Gabby Dawson: Clarice.

Clarice: Gabriela.

Gabby Dawson: Uh, I don’t mean to butt into your business or

anything, but… [sighs]

Leslie’s in a really great place right now, and

you’re… [inhales] pregnant.

It’s Thanksgiving. Why don’t you go home and

spend it with your husband?

Clarice: I just came by to say thank you.

Gabby Dawson: Yeah, and you did.

cutscene

Kelly Severide: Is there some masking agent I could take?

Anna: To throw off a drug test? Today? Come on.

Kelly Severide: Look, I’m… I’m… I’m looking for a way out here.

What… What about uh, poppy seed muffins or

something like that? I heard that that can…

Anna: Do you have 70 of them? Because that’s what it would take.

Look, I warned you. Please leave my name out of this.

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): You Severide?

[phone clicks]

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): Fill ‘er up.

Kelly Severide: [kicks desk]

cutscene

[keypad dialing]

Joe Cruz: Leon. Hey, you picked up.

How you feeling?

Leon: Terrible, yo.

They said they’re keeping me overnight for a test or

something.

Joe Cruz: Yeah, no, I’m sure that’s only a precaution.

Hey, listen, I get off my shift at 8am, so I’m gonna come

pick you up.

Leon: Yo, if you’re gonna be all up on me, I’ll just take the bus.

Joe Cruz: Si, esta bien {translation: Yes, it’s okay}. No BS, no

speeches. I just wanna get you home.

Leon: Fine. 8am.

Joe Cruz: Yeah, I’ll see you then.

[phone clicks]

Joe Cruz: [snaps fingers]

cutscene

Peter Mills: Oh!

Dawson, Otis & Herrmann: Ooh.

Christopher Herrmann: Holy mackerel.

Peter Mills: Mmhmm.

Gabby Dawson: Oh.

Otis Zvonecek: No I wouldn’t do that if I were you.

Gabby Dawson: Boden will kill you.

Christopher Herrmann: Whoa, whoa, you’re not carving that thing,

are you?

Peter Mills: No. What do you think I’m crazy?

Leslie Shay: Hey, where’s Clarice?

Gabby Dawson: Uh, she said she had to get home.

Leslie Shay: That’s weird.

Gabby Dawson: Yeah, well, she always was.

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): Cowboys, channel 4.

Chief Boden: Ah, now we’re talking

Mills siblings: [laughter]

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): Missing a sample, Chief.

Chief Boden: Who?

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): Kelly Severide.

Chief Boden: Let’s see what the holdup is.

Christopher Herrmann: You joining us?

Boy 1 (Ernie): If it’s okay.

Christopher Herrmann: Ah, are ya kiddin’ me? I’ll set the table.

Come on.

Joe Cruz: I’ll call everybody to chow.

Christopher Herrrmann: Whoo!

Hallie Thomas: Hey.

Matt Casey: What happened to your sister and the kids?

Hallie Thomas: They ran into a bunch of families from their school

and got a ride home.

Matt Casey: That’s too bad, I was gonna put ‘em in the gear.

Hallie Thomas: I know. That was sweet. We’ll do it next time.

Matt Casey: Okay.

Hallie Thomas: [chuckles]

Matt Casey: How was it?

Hallie Thomas: It was great actually.

Matt Casey: Yeah?

Hallie Thomas: Yeah. I don’t know how she does it, but they’re

amazing kids.

Joe Cruz: Chow, chow.

Matt Casey: Turkey time.

Hallie Thomas: I’m… I’m meeting my parents at the club.

Matt Casey: Stay for a bite.

You’re staying for a bite. Come on.

Hallie Thomas: [giggles]

Matt Casey: I insist [chuckles]

Hallie Thomas: [giggles]

Matt Casey: Watching your weight?

Hallie & Matt: [laughs]

cutscene

Kelly Severide: I-I put it down, and I don’t know what I did with it.

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): We got food and football. Could be worse.

Right?

Peter Mills: Okay, we got cranberries, gravy, that stuffing is the sh…

Uh, sorry. Ernie, that… that stuffing is really good.

Dig in.

Chief Boden: This is the best-lookin’ bird that we’ve had in years.

[knife clanking]

Chief Boden: Okay, what are we gonna name it?

Christopher Herrmann: Aw, jeesh.

Elise Mills: Name it?

Chief Boden: Yeah. Always name the bird before you eat it. Usually

after an old girlfriend or boyfriend or something.

[laughter]

Elise Mills: Ah, interesting.

Gabby Dawson: That’s funny.

Joe Cruz: How ‘bout Leon?

Otis Zvoncek: You want to name the bird after your own brother?

Joe Cruz: After today?

Otis Zvonecek: Leon it is.

[alarm beeps, PA buzzes]

(Over PA): Squad 3, Truck 81, Engine 51, Ambulance 61.

Kelly Severide: Here, Jenkins, I’ll hit it when I get back.

(Over PA): Home residence fire, 6542 Cook Street.

Christopher Herrmann: Gotta go, kid.

Joe Cruz: Let’s go, let’s go!

[squad door shuts]

[engine starts]

[sirens wailing]

[indistinct arguing]

Christopher Herrmann: Turkey fire, guaranteed.

Matt Casey: Ugh, what happened?

Lady 2: Uncle Brad is what happened.

Man 3 (Uncle Brad): I know how to deep-fry a god damn turkey,

Sharon. You put in too much grease.

Lady 2 (Sharon): You can’t fry a beer can turkey.

Matt Casey: Is everyone out of the house.

Lady 2 (Sharon): Duh.

Man 4: Why aren’t you putting out the freakin’ fire?

Matt Casey: Engine’ll be here any moment. Cruz, cancel.

Leslie Shay: All right, is anybody hurt? Is anybody burned? You

guys okay?

Gabby Dawson: Okay. Guess we’re gonna go back and eat.

Otis Zvonecek: What?

Lady 2 (Sharon): I told him, “If you put a beer can in a bird’s ass, it’s

gonna explode.”

Man 3 (Uncle Brad): And I told you, you dumb bitch, if you bark at

me…

Man 4: You son of a…

Lady 2 (Sharon): Kick his ass!

Otis Zvonecek: Whoa!

Man 4: [grunting]

Man 3 (Uncle Brad): I’ll get…

Otis Zvonecek: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hey!

Lady 2 (Sharon): Kick his ass, T!

Peter Mills: Down!

Christopher Herrmann: Knock it off!

Man 4 (T): Oh, God. My snowmobile.

Peter Mills: Get back!

[mini explosion]

[dramatic music]

Matt Casey: Vent the back.

Window.

[grunting]

[glass smashing]

Matt Casey: Door.

[hose spraying water]

Kelly Severide: All right, let’s wrap it up.

[train passing]

[door shuts]

Man 3 (Uncle Brad): Let me go.

Man 4 (T): [straining]

Matt Casey: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

[horn honks]

[truck beeping]

Peter Mills: Hey, yo, Elise.

Elise Mills: Turkey’s in the fridge with the stuffing, and um… the rolls

are out, but they should be alright.

Peter Mills: Thank you for your help.

[indistinct radio chatter in background]

Elise Mills: You look just like that picture of pop, you know that?

[kissing sound]

Elise Mills: See you tomorrow.

cutscene

Otis & Cruz: Oh! Yeah.

Joe Cruz: Mmm.

Peter Mills: Hey, whoa, wait, let me heat it up. Give me ten minutes.

Otis Zvonecek: Yeah, we got a microwave, just…

Peter Mills: Mi…pssh. Microwave?

Give me ten minutes. It’ll be worth it.

[game announcer in background]

Mouch: [sighs]

What’s the score?

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): Nothing, nothing.

Where’s Kelly Severide?

Mouch: [sighs]

Kelly Severide: Let’s gas up.

Tony: We got ¾ of a tank.

Kelly Severide: Let’s do it anyway.

cutscene

Chief Boden: That’s right.

Boy 1 (Ernie): That’s cool.

[knocks on door]

Joe Cruz: Hey, you wanted to see us, Chief?

Chief Boden: Yeah, Ernie here has been waiting to sit behind the

wheel of an honest-to-God Chicago fire truck.

Do you think that you could arrange that?

Joe Cruz: Only if he doesn’t try to take my job.

Chief Boden: Hmm.

Christopher Herrmann: [chuckles]

Joe Cruz: Come on, Ernie.

Chief Boden: Oh, and uh, give me back my helmet.

Enjoy.

Christopher Herrmann: [sighs]

Chief Boden: And?

Christopher Herrmann: Ah, his dad’s in prison, and his mom is

gone and probably an addict. He hasn’t

seen her in years. He lives with his

grandma, and from what he says, she

ain’t all there.

Chief Boden: Do you think he’s an arsonist?

Christopher Herrmann: He needs an outlet. He’s looking for some

control in his life. Maybe that backpack’s

got something incendiary he tosses into a

dumpster, and he gets a high watching us

roll up. It fits.

But am I sure?

Just be careful.

Chief Boden: Of what?

Christopher Herrmann: Don’t replace a kid you lost with a kid you

can’t save.

cutscene

Chief Boden: Hey. So how was it?

Boy 1 (Ernie): Cool. Can I go for a ride?

Chief Boden: Yeah, someday.

Answer me something, Ernie. What do you carry

around in that backpack there?

Boy 1 (Ernie): Stuff.

Chief Boden: Stuff?

Can I see it?

Boy 1 (Ernie): Why?

Chief Boden: Just curious is why.

Boy 1 (Ernie): It’s mine.

Chief Boden: I know it’s yours. I just want to see what you got

carrying around.

Boy 1 (Ernie): No.

Chief Boden: Why are you getting so upset?

Boy 1 (Ernie): Because you’re making fun of me.

Chief Boden: I’m not making fun of you, I promise.

Boy 1 (Ernie): Yes, you are!

Chief Boden: Ernie, calm down. I want to help you.

Boy 1 (Ernie): Get away from me. You don’t know me.

Chief Boden: Hey, hey, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Boy 1 (Ernie): You don’t know anything!

Chief Boden: Calm down.

Boy 1 (Ernie): Bitch.

[engine turns off]

Kelly Severide: [exhales] Uh, coming right up.

[game announcer in background]

Mouch: [sighs]

cutscene

Peter Mills: Oh baby.

[alarm beeps & buzzes]

Peter Mills: [sighs]

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): [sighs]

(Over PA): Squad 3, Truck 81, Engine 51, Ambulance 61.

Kelly Severide: Hey, sorry it took so long.

Man 2 (Dan Jenkins): Sh…

Kelly Severide: [chuckles]

[sirens wailing]

Chief Boden: (into radio) We got at least ten cars at mile marker 54.

We’re gonna need more of everything.

[sirens wails]

Lady 3: Over here! My husband… please, you have to help him.

Chief Boden: Gonna get that truck?

Joe Cruz: I got it, Chief.

[radio chatter]

Lady 3: It’s my husband. His neck is bleeding.

Gabby Dawson: What… what’s his name?

Lady 3: Craig.

Gabby Dawson: Hey, Craig, can you hear me?

Are you hurt anywhere else besides your neck?

Okay, I need you to remove your hand so that we

can take a look, okay?

Oh, arterial bleed. Shay, can you give me some

4x4s?

Leslie Shay: Yep.

Gabby Dawson: Just give me everything we got in the ambo.

Victim 3 (Craig): [coughing]

Matt Casey: There we go. Okay just head over to the median.

[radio chatter]

[indistinct shouting]

Man 5: Bert, you okay? Why don’t you step out of the car?

Lady 4: My son is in the back!

[indistinct shouting]

Victim 4: Somebody, please! Help us!

[groaning & grunting]

Matt Casey: We got a pin-in over here!

Ma’am, you okay?

Victim 4: [whimpering]

Matt Casey: Cover up.

Victim 4: [whimpers]

[windscreen smashing]

Victim 5: Carol?

Victim 4 (Carol): [whimpers]

Victim 5: Carol, are you okay?

Victim 4 (Carol): [groans] Yeah.

[indistinct shouting]

Gabby Dawson: [grunts]

Victim 4 (Carol): [screams]

Victim 5: Carol, oh my God!

Matt Casey: Sir, we’re gonna get her out. We’ll get a paramedic

here as soon as we can.

Victim 5: She’s having a baby.

Victim 4 (Carol): [panting]

[screams]

Victim 5: Do something!

Matt Casey: Okay, we need to move this car and get this door

open!

Victim 4 (Carol): [panting]

[screams]

Matt Casey: Lift.

[firefighters grunting]

All: And lift… And lift… And lift… And lift… And lift… And lift…

Joe Cruz: Okay that’s good.

Matt Casey: Strike.

Strike.

Firefighter: All right, sir. Get out.

Victim 4 (Carol): [whimpering]

Matt Casey: (into radio) Dawson, Shay?

Leslie Shay: Hey, we gotta get a tow truck in here to clear a path for

the ambo. This one’s gotta move now.

(into radio) Shay here.

Matt Casey: (into radio) Yeah. I need you guys up next to 81.

Leslie Shay: (into radio) We’re stuck here, Casey. Arterial bleed.

Mic’s open.

Matt Casey: (over radio) Uh… (into radio) I got a woman about to

give birth on the highway.

Gabby Dawson: (into radio) Is the baby crowning?

Victim 4 (Carol): [whimpering & panting]

Matt Casey: (over radio) Yeah, I can see the top of the head.

Victim 4 (Carol): Oh God, he’s coming! I can feel him coming

[screams]

Gabby Dawson: (into radio) Okay, you’re gonna have to do this,

Casey.

Victim 4 (Carol): [gasping]

[groaning]

Victim 5: Continue breathing, honey.

Matt Casey: Otis.

Victim 4 (Carol): [whimpers] Oh, God, he’s coming!

Leslie Shay: Hey!

Hey, hey! Clear this one first!

Matt Casey: (over radio) He’s coming!

Gabby Dawson: (into radio) All right, Casey, tell me what you see.

Victim 4 (Carol): [whimpering & groaning]

Matt Casey: (into radio) I can see the head. It keeps coming out and

then going back.

Gabby Dawson: (into radio) Tell her to push.

Matt Casey: You gotta push, Carol.

Victim 4 (Carol): I am.

[engine revs]

Victim 4 (Carol): Ahh!

Leslie Shay: Here. I’ll swing the ambo around.

Matt Casey: Go, Carol!

Victim 4 (Carol): [screams]

Matt Casey: Push harder!

Victim 4 (Carol): [continues to scream]

Matt Casey: Okay. One more big breath and a push.

Let’s do this.

Victim 4 (Carol): [groaning]

[screaming]

[gasping]

Gabby Dawson: (into radio) Casey?

[ambulance beeping]

Matt Casey: (into radio) Dawson, he’s not crying. I don’t think he’s

breathing.

Victim 4 (Carol): [sobs]

Gabby Dawson: (over radio) It’s an obstructed airway.

(into radio)You have to put your mouth over the

baby’s nose and mouth and breathe for it.

(over radio) It’s just like CPR.

Victim 4 (Carol): [weeps]

Matt Casey: Okay.

Leslie Shay: Okay, get your leg up if you can.

Gabby Dawson: All right, sir, can you walk?

I got you.

Victim 4 (Carol): [panting]

[sobbing]

Gabby Dawson: (into radio) Casey.

Victim 4 (Carol): Is he okay? Is he okay? [sobs]

Gabby Dawson: (over radio) Casey?

[indistinct radio chatter]

[baby crying]

Victim 4 (Carol): Oh my God.

Leslie Shay: All right, let’s get him in.

[baby crying]

Victim 4 (Carol): [crying & laughing]

[baby crying]

[firemen applauding]

cutscene

[indistinct chatter]

[cheering]

Peter Mills: This is it.

Joe Cruz: This is what I’m talking about.

Otis Zvonecek: All right. Yeah.

Chief Boden: Great shift, men. Proud of all of you.

Leon, your time is here.

Joe Cruz: Hey, uh, Chief, maybe another name?

Chief Boden: Sure.

Mouch: Call it “Jenkins, the piss guy.”

[laughter]

Chief Boden: Jenkins it is [laughs]

You’ll be pleased to know that all your tests came

through negative on meth or any other drug.

Gabby Dawson: All right, yeah!

Otis Zvonecek: God bless us, everyone!

[laughter]

Christopher Herrmann: Damn, Peter Mills. You were not kidding

about that stuffing.

Joe Cruz: Hey, Chief, don’t be stingy with the turkey!

Chief Boden: Get outta here.

Gabby Dawson: You know what your first delivery means, Casey?

Everyone buys you a round.

Matt Casey: Sounds good.

Chief Boden: Dig in!

Come on!

Christopher Herrmann: All right!

Matt Casey: I want the leg, Chief.

Christopher Herrmann: Give me some of that corn.

Joe Cruz: Yeah, I gotta get some of that stuffing.

This looks incredible.

[all chattering]

Kelly Severide: Don’t eat all that!

All: Oh!

[laughter]

All: Happy Thanksgiving! [all cheering]

cutscene

Otis Zvonecek: (podcast) [sighs] A lot of people out there are

probably wondering why we do this job. Um,

and it’s true. Some days are bad…

Leslie Shay: What were you gonna do?

Kelly Severide: I don’t know.

Leslie Shay: I don’t know who this is, Kelly, but it isn’t you.

Kelly Severide: Do you want a ride or not?

Leslie Shay: You know what? Happy Thanksgiving.

[door slams shut]

Otis Zvonecek: (podcast) We grope around in zero visibility, hoping

we grab onto an arm or a leg, and we pull

someone to safety.

Matt Casey: He was so small and I-I-I gave him my breath, and...

and he… he opened his eyes, and he started crying,

and…

[sighs] I mean, th-the little guy was alive. I was a part

of that.

[exhales]

[kissing sound]

Hallie Thomas: [exhales]

Matt Casey: I want us to have a baby.

Hallie Thomas: I know.

Matt Casey: No, I…Soon. Now.

Hallie Thomas: I don’t know if I’m ever gonna want kids.

I want them because you want them but if I’m

being honest, I just…

Otis Zvonecek: (podcast) Sometimes you can search through an

entire room, come up empty. And you hear

about the kid you missed under the bed…

Joe Cruz: I’m supposed to pick up a Leon Cruz.

Nurse: Checked himself out an hour ago. Left with three guys.

Otis Zvonecek: (podcast) I don’t care who you are. I don’t care how

many years you’ve had on the job. You think to

yourself, “How did I miss it? How come I didn’t

reach just a few feet further?”

[door opens]

Clarice: I can’t do it.

I don’t love him. I mean, I can’t have a child growing up like

that.

Leslie Shay: Come here.

Otis Zvonecek: (podcast) No doubt, there are days you want to pick

up your helmet, and you wanna chuck it in the

lake.

Chief Boden: Hey, Shonda.

Yeah, I know I didn’t call Thanksgiving. I’m… calling

now, so…

Shonda, please. Put Jimmy on the phone.

[phone beeps]

Otis Zvonecek: (podcast) Some days, you get to see things that no

one gets to see…

Cindy Herrmann: [whispers] Hey guys, dad’s here.

Luke Herrmann: Daddy!

Kenny James Hermann: Daddy!

Cindy Herrmann: Go say hi.

Christopher Herrmann: Hey, what is this? [laughs]

Hey. Ah.

Cindy Herrmann: We thought we would celebrate day-after

Thanksgiving, since you were on shift.

Christopher Herrmann: That’s uh… Thanks guys.

Otis Zvonecek: (podcast) A wife grateful you dragged her husband

to safety, a grown man dripping like a faucet ‘cause

you saved his son. And every once in a while, you

get to see a baby take its first breath in the middle

of a ten-car pileup with lights and sirens and a

whole group of firemen standing around just

clapping till it hurts.

Those are good days.

Matt Casey: Two shots of whiskey, please.

Gabby Dawson: Oh, well, well. The guest of honour.

Matt Casey: I heard you were buying.

Gabby Dawson: Ya heard right.

Thank you.

Gabby Dawson: Congratulations.

Matt Casey: Thanks.

[glasses clink]

Gabby Dawson: You okay?

Matt Casey: Yeah. I’m good.

Otis Zvonecek: (podcast) You want to know what I’m thankful for?

I’m thankful because I have two families. And not

too many people can say that.

[button clicks]

- end -

Definitions:

Crystal meth = known informally as meth, ice or glass. It resembles shiny “rocks” or fragments of glass of varying sizes. It is known more formally as crystal methamphetamine (recreational drug). The drug is an odourless, colourless form of d-methamphetamine, a synthetic psychostimulant (psychotropic substance with the capacity to stimulate the central nervous system). It increases dopamine production in the brain and has similar effects to cocaine. It is highly addictive, and long-term use can lead to verbal problems and impaired motor skills.

Nooners = an event that occurs in the middle of the day, especially an act or instance of having sex.

Shriners = Masonic society

10-1 = Fireman/firemen needs emergency help

4x4 = Emergency first aid 4x4 gauze pads

14 notes · View notes

writerofshit · 5 years ago

Text

Secret Santa:X

(This is half headcanon, half fic, all fun times and emotions)

(Shoutout to the Penthouse discord server for help on some of the gifts, would have been lost without you)

The last Christmas they have in the penthouse, Ryan brings up Secret Santa again. It’s partly a joke, partly a nod to the nostalgia that’s been eating at all of them the last few months. He brings it up when they’re all gathered in the living room, watching Gavin try and prove his stealth abilities in Hitman.

(“Just because you can be stealthy in a video game doesn’t mean I’m letting you come with me.” Jack had said at the beginning of it all.

“If I get silent assassin you have to take me!”

“This is your fourth run through!”)

Anyhow, Ryan brings it up, all nonchalant. “Remember that year we did Secret Santa?”

“No?” Jeremy says honestly.

“Before your time.” Michael says with a smile, patting him on the head.

“It was fun. We should do it again.”

(”Goddamnit!” On screen, Gavin dies again.)

The next day they have a meeting of all the ‘movers and shakers’, as Geoff has taken to calling them. He announces that Secret Santa is yet again a thing, and no, Matt, you can’t get out of it. There’s no budget, because they all have access to more money than they know what to do with.

They throw eleven names in a hat and go from there. Geoff calls first pick because he’s an asshole like that, and his choice picks next, so on and so forth.

“Just get your shit done by Christmas, and we’ll do it then.”

Geoff pulls Gavin, and only panics a little.

The kid has everything he could ever want, what’s he really supposed to do? He considers what he might need, ends up crossing ‘bulletproof vest and a helmet’ off the list because it feels a little impersonal. He could do liquor of some sort, but he suspects there will be enough of that floating around on Christmas day.

He considers a camera, knows Gavin is into that kind of shit, but he’s lost a lot of knowledge in that department over the years. The only person who knows enough is Gavin himself, and that kind of defeats the point.

He ends up going for a new pair of gold shades, because the old ones are pretty worn out after six-plus years, and he’s almost positive Gavin has lost them. (Probably in Ryan’s room, but that’s neither here nor there) He gets a pair that have diamonds along the arms, and even though they’re ridiculously expensive he thinks it’s worth it.

Gavin adores them, has them on within 30 seconds of unwrapping them. He pokes himself in the eye, and that feels like a bonus to Geoff.

Gavin pulls Trevor, and while he plays it off at first “Oh, this will be easy, I got this person for sure!” he absolutely has no idea what to do.

There’s a weird bit of time where he tries to get to know Trevor better. He learns absolutely nothing new, despite following the guy for almost a week.

There’s a night he lays in bed with Ryan, bitching about this whole thing. “What the hell do I do? This was terrible for me last time, why would you suggest this?”

He ends up calling Barbara from the Roosters to try and figure out something, who promptly makes fun of him for not knowing anything about the guy he’s worked with for years. She does give one bit of new information, so he goes with it.

He gives Trevor tickets to the next Motocross event, because it’s apparently something he’s into. He throws in a NASA t-shirt as a joke, a nod to the world Trevor left behind.

Both items go over well, Trevor immediately pulling the shirt on over what he’s already wearing. He won’t shut up about Motocross for the rest of the day, either.

Trevor pulls Ryan, which he’s immediately terrified of.

He knows Ryan well enough to know that there won’t be any serious repercussions if he fucks it up, he won’t get gutted over a poor gift choice. But he also knows he’ll get that weird stare Ryan does when he’s pretending to consider whether or not to hurt someone. Plus he won’t live it down from the rest of the crew.

At first he goes to Gavin for help, because apparently nobody is taking the ‘secret’ part seriously. Gavin absolutely refuses to help him, mostly for the laughs. He knows Gavin’s getting a kick out of watching him squirm over this, which is so unfair. Then he asks Jack for help, who just shrugs.

“You’re a smart guy, Trevor, you’ll figure something out.”

He does, sort of. He gives Ryan a 24 pack of diet coke (because what else?) and an actually beautiful rainbow knife. It seems pretty heavy duty, and he knows its right up his alley. He also throws in some earplugs as a joke.

“So you can tune out Gav’s idiocy whenever you need.”

“Come on, Trevor. I’ve had years of practice at that. The knife is gorgeous though.”

Ryan pulls Alfredo, and he’s not too worried about it.

Alfredo’s their go-to sniper these days, and a new sniper rifle seems pretty obvious. Maybe a gift card to Ammunation or something? It does feel a little lackluster, even to him, so he brings it up to Gavin one night, while Gav is still debating t-shirts from Amazon.

“That’s a bit boring, isn’t it?”

“You’re buying a NASA shirt for an ex-aerospace engineer. I’m gonna need you to rethink your stance on this one.”

“Nah. You gotta do something better for Fredo, he deserves it.”

Which. alright, then what the fuck is he supposed to do? He gets his answer the next week when he sees Alfredo on a motorcycle for the first time.

“I’m going to teach you how to actually ride that thing.” Which is good, a chance to catch up and hang out. Bad, because Ryan’s method of teaching is ‘learn by doing’ and does in fact result in shouting.

Ryan still gives him the sniper rifle, which he is far more excited about.

Alfredo pulls Fiona, and it’s the first time he marginally regrets joining the crew.

He’s got no fucking idea what she’d like, what gift she’d appreciate and not hit him over. He tries to be casual about asking around, hoping someone might have better insight. The rest of the crew catches on immediately, and they flood him with false information.

“She loves chocolate. Favorite Halloween candy, in fact!” Michael tells him, but the grin he has says otherwise.

“She mentioned something about wanting to learn a new language.” Jack says seriously.

“Get her an English to French dictionary, she’ll love it.” Gavin tacks on.

“French, yep. She definitely wants to learn that one.”

Lindsay is the only one who actually helps him. “She’s been known to enjoy a drink or two.”

By sheer luck he happens to walk into one of the thousand arguments Fiona has with Michael over the whole ‘Halloween candy’ debacle, and he knows immediately that's a bad route to go down.

He ends up making a gift basket full of liquor mini’s and various candies. He makes sure not to include any chocolates, and throws some extra blowpops in, just to be safe.

Thankfully, she does appreciate the thought he put in, and she says she’ll only share with Alfredo since everyone else is an asshole.

Fiona pulls Lindsay, and it’s not hard to figure out what she’ll like.

She considers something chaotic, the two of them wreaking havoc on the city together. It makes sense. She also thinks about organizing a ‘girls day’, getting all the ladies of the crew together to go out and fuck some shit up. There’s a lot of logistics involved in that one, including convincing some of them to be out in the field like that.

It crosses her mind to bring Lindsay to a shelter to play with cats, because if there’s one thing Lindsay likes more than chaos, it’s cats. That’s also a bit of a logistical nightmare, not to mention the strength it would take to pry her away.

In the end she goes with cat merch. It’s a basket full of goodies, including a mug with a cat holding a bi-pride flag, a dress with various cartoon cats on it, and a cat necklace that has her birthstone as the body.

It’s beautiful, and Lindsay just about cries. She too, immediately changes into her new clothing, and she drinks everything out of the mug for at least a month.

Lindsay pulls Matt, and at first she panics.

She knows him fairly well, but like... He’s a real weirdo, what’s she supposed to do with that? She wonders what games he could use, if there’s anything he hasn’t bought himself.

Her confusion lasts until she mentions it to Michael. (Only after he let it slip who he’d picked.)

“Are you fucking kidding me? Matt’s the easiest goddamn one!”

“Bullshit! Name one thing you know about M.att B.ragg!”

“He eats like shit! Give him a box of donuts and he’ll lose his fuckin mind.”

Her response of “Oh my god.” is barely heard.

She spends a week trying out different recipes, much to Ryan’s delight. He’s happy to play taste-tester while she finds the perfect flavor combination.

She winds up going with a double chocolate espresso concoction. Matt is, of course, super stoked about his cupcakes, and damn near has to fight Ryan off to protect them.

Matt pulls Jeremy, which is pretty much a slam dunk.

Whiskey is the obvious choice, one he’ll absolutely go with, thank you very much. Who said taking the easy way out never got you anywhere?

And it would have, if it weren’t for Geoff.

There’s a debate that happens about a week before Christmas, something about the necessity of going to the liquor store. Michael and Jeremy are firmly pro-trip, and Geoff just wants them to “stay home and do some goddamn work. Besides, it’s not like half of you guys aren’t buying each other liquor anyway. In a week I’m sure we’ll be fully stocked.”

Which, alright. Fuck Matt then, huh? He’d genuinely thought it was a good idea, a mix of thoughtful and practical.

He decides to pair the whiskey with- well, it’s kind of a joke gift, but at least he won’t be accused of only buying liquor.

He commissions a customized cowboy hat. Half purple half orange, split right down the middle. There’s a neon yellow buckle on it, and it’s the ugliest thing Matt has ever seen in his life.

Jeremy loves it though, thinks it’s goddamn perfect. He wears it for the rest of the day, and for the next heist.

(Michael is less enthused.)

Jeremy pulls Michael, and that-

That’s harder than it should be.

He and Michael have been doing this... Whatever the fuck it is for over six months now, and they haven’t goddamn talked about. Not really. They’ve had moments,sure, here and there when they’re both drunk and thinking far too much about it. Reminding each other that they’re happy, that this is a good time, wouldn’t change it for the world-

But there’s still nights they sleep alone and they don’t talk about why. They still don’t really mention it to anyone else, even if they all know. Jeremy still doesn’t know how to answer when someone asks what the deal is with him and Michael.

So it’s hard, right, to come up with a relationship- appropriate gift. Too jokey and he’ll feel bad. Too serious isn’t their style at all. Plus like… how’s he supposed to do that in front of everybody? Just because they know there’s something there doesn’t mean they need to put on a show.

He settles on the obvious, nice bottle of tequila and a couple of shot glasses. It’s not exactly personal, but it’s good enough to show the room.

Later, in a quiet moment they can steal away, Jeremy offers to take him out the next night.

“We’ll do the bar thing, just you and me. My treat.”

“Oh yeah? You’re buying my drinks all night?” Michael asks him with a sly grin.

“I uh- I’ll get your drinks for as long as you’ll have me.” and it doesn’t come out exactly right, but they both know what he means by it.

Earns him a smile and a sweet kiss, and that alone is worth it.

Michael pulls Jack, and he runs through a few options.

He considers buying her furniture, because he knows she'll need it when they all finally do move out. But Jack has a good head on her shoulders and probably already has that shit on lock.

He looks into custom shelving, for all the knick knacks she's collected over the years. He could get it designed in colors she'd like and shell out extra for lighting and all that shit. But she doesn't have a new place yet, as far as he knows, so that's kind of a bust.

He could give her what amounts to a gift certificate, an offer to pay for whatever she wants made, but that seems kind of… Empty?

There's the age old alcohol gift, but that's been done before, and is probably being done by almost everyone else.

He mentions to Lindsay how weirdly difficult it is to buy something for Jack, get’s zero advice but somehow helps her figure out the whole Matt mystery.

In the end he decides to help her out and piss her off, a little bit of a win-win kinda thing. He buys her a couple of new shirts, bold and flowery and almost as bad as Jeremy’s Rimmy Tim shtick. He hates them but he knows she loves them, so it’s worth it.

He tells her it’s because her old shirts gotta be falling out of fashion, an opinion she is not happy about.

But it’s fine, because he also gets her tickets to fucking Disney World, of all places. He even offers to go with her, which she absolutely takes him up on.

It’s more fun than he expects, and it’s a really good chance to actually spend some time with her. He hadn’t realized it had been so long.

Jack pulls Geoff, which.

It’s no secret that Geoff is a sentimental bastard when it comes to the crew. It’s exactly why he’d spent months talking to her about the possibility of selling the penthouse, trying to figure out exactly how everyone would react, trying to figure out how he would react to not having them all so close anymore. She spent countless nights listening to him wonder what it meant that he wanted his own space.

Objectively, he was probably a bad person but his love and fierce loyalty to the crew made up for that, in some ways, right? So how can he kick them out, how can he do this to them, he’s being selfish-

And she had just explained to him that he had to do what was right for him. That it was understandable. That he was right, they could all use the opportunity to be a little more independent. She was looking forward to having her own space, and in time the rest of them would too.

So when she pulls Geoff’s name, she knows she’s gotta lean into that a bit. She could get him some books, some puzzles maybe. He’d mentioned off-hand that he missed having the space for them, because the kitchen table was always covered in some sort of crew shenanigans.

She does get him those, because she knows they’ll get some use.

But the big thing is the collage.

She’s had pictures of the crew on her phone for years, dating all the way back to her and Geoff in a shitty apartment. She’s got some of Ray, curled up on the couch with a DS in his hand. Gavin and Michael wrestling one drunken night. Ryan, nodded off on the couch after a heist, face paint still on and a complete mess. Jeremy trying to teach Matt something resembling self-defense. Lindsay cuddling a stray cat she had taken in. Trevor and Alfredo in matching clothes, playing up the ‘twin’ joke that had been going around. Fiona in that bright yellow suit, modeling for her Instagram.

There’s one she gets at the last minute, gets somebody from the support team to take right before their latest heist. It’s all eleven of them, full heist get-up, masks and obnoxious fashion choices and guns tucked here and there. They’re in the boardroom, running through it one more time before they take off, and in retrospect, it’s probably the last time they’ll do that in that room.

She sets that one in the middle, surrounded by all of these moments from the last 12 years.

“For your new place, when you find it.” Jack says.

It’s beautiful, and it makes Geoff cry. It brings some sniffles from a lot of them, even if they all deny it.

Leaving the penthouse isn’t the easiest thing for any of them, but it’s the right move. After all, they’re still a family.

#ks writes #fahc #fahc headcanon #ragehappy #christmas in july yall #i honestly love this a lot and hope yall do too #jeremichael #tagging those boys for Reasons

29 notes · View notes

adrenalineguide · 4 years ago

Text

Fiat 500X Sport: It’s sexy, it’s nimble, it’s…

Words and Pics By Michael Hozjan

Canadians can say arrivederci to the Fiat 500 as it has been axed from our shores. It may have been agile and a hit to drive, especially the Abarth rendition, but the small three-door hatchback was hungry for fuel and way too pricey. None the less permutations of the Fiat line continue and if you you’re looking to get away from the same old same old squarish compact suvs and crossovers, you can’t get any rounder or different than Fiat’s 500X. Guaranteed you won’t loose it the shopping mall.

Fiat’s all-wheel-drive 500X subcompact crossover went through a refresh last year, adding a new Sport trim model in the process. Differentiating darling of the group, from the other three trims are 18” wheels (the 19” units on my tester are a $575 option), body colored door handles and fender flares as well as new, cleaner, front and rear fascias with LED lamps. Adding flare to the Sport moniker are twin chrome exhaust tips and new for the 2021 color pallet, Rovente Red.

It’ll cost $32,245 to get into the entry level Pop version which includes a rear back up camera, 7-inch infotainment screen the usual Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with Bluetooth connectivity. Like the Trekking and Trekking Plus the Pop rides on 17” wheels. At $33,245 the Trekking adds automatic headlamps with cornering fog lights, quilted cloth interior, deep tinted glass and a 1 year subscription to SiriusXM sat radio. The top of the line Trekking Plus at $34,245 will get you pampered with heated leather front buckets, a premium Beats 8-speaker sound system (also available on lesser trims), navigation, and park assist.

All four trims share a new 1.3L, DOHC turbocharged engine and platform architecture with the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk. The new mill incorporates the latest iteration of MultiAir technology valve-actuation as well as engine stop-start technology. The result is a peppy four cylinder that develops 177 horses and an impressive 210 lb.-ft. of torque driving the four wheels through a nine-speed automatic. Sadly that’s where the European (and even more so the Italian) touch disappears, as there is no standard tranny available.

Interior

The Sport is as appealing inside as it is outside. Continuing with the Sport motif are aluminum-faced pedals, a thick, flat-bottomed steering wheel and well-bolstered buckets. Cloth seats are standard, but my tester came with the optional Alcantara inserts with red piping. Nice touch, there as comfortable as how good they look.

A new instrument cluster with easy-to-read graphics is among the interior’s upgrades and is the centerpiece of a well-executed, uncluttered dash. The steering wheel mounted controls are large and easy to manipulate. A mode selector knob on the center console gives the driver the ability to select one of three settings depending on road conditions. The 7-inch screen is easy to see, even on the sunniest days. Every 500X has two USB charge ports at the bottom of the center stack.

There’s a two fold advantage to the Fiat’s design and the high seating position; the large glass, gives you an unobstructed view all around and excellent front and rear head and shoulder room. Two full sized adults wouldn’t have any issues in the front, even on long trips, but I could without the round bolster at the bottom of the rear bench. The Sport’s interior touches are tasteful and worth the $500 premium over the standard Trekking.

Cargo capacity is low, even for a subcompact SUV with just 14 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 32 cubic feet when they're folded.

On the road

This Fiat is another one of those vehicles that you don’t need gobs of horsepower to have fun. It’s the perfect vehicle to go scurrying about town in stop and go traffic. The 500X is peppy, it may not be the quickest wagon in the segment but driving enjoyment is far ahead of most of its competitors. The Fiat's suspension is comfortable for highway cruising and with the wheels pushed out to the corners, our pothole infested roads and highway seams go almost unnoticed. It could use a little more stiffening to make lakeside curves more enjoyable and add some sport to the equation.

Oh and yes it is more fuel-efficient than the 500. I averaged an impressive 8.4L/100kms. While this may not seem like calling up Guinness Record book people, it was far better than what I got with the smaller 500 a couple of years back.

I do wish manufacturers would stop NOT giving us spare tires. The 500X comes with a two-tiered floor in the back and granted, it is nicely finished. Compressed air, or miniscule compressors do little when you’ve bent a rim hitting a pot hole or had a blow out in the middle of nowhere on a dark stormy night. A donut sized spare is available for $295 and that does not include the tow eye, another $95 option. Ouch!

The Achilles heal

At this point you’re probably asking how much. The base Sport starts at $ 35,700 adding the 19” wheels (see above) the Advanced Driver Assistance package ($1,795) which includes adaptive cruise, auto high-beam, blind spot, full-speed forward collision warning, lane departure, lane keep and rain sensing wipers, the Cold Weather Group ($495) includes heated front seats and wiper de-icer, nav ($700), and the Alcantara seats ($895) brought the tag up to $40,200 not including freight, dealer prep.

As enjoyable as my time behind the wheel of the 500X Sport was, justifying 40 large for a subcompact SUV is hard. The Fiat is as much a fashion and design statement as well as telling people who you are. Is it worth it? You be the judge.

#fiat #fiat500x #subcompact #suv #crossover #renegade #trailhawk

1 note · View note

i-want-candy · 5 years ago

Note

the flynns, tiana and simba, aquata and attina

Candace and Phineas

I already told you this but I want everyone else to know: Phineas was the first person that Candace came out to...like officially.

Because they are pretty close together, they were each other’s playmates like all through their younger years. Candace used to make Phineas dress up and they’d go on all sorts of wacky adventures like play at being pirates and sorcerers (problematic but they were kids c’mon) and all sorts of fun games.

Candace definitely worries a lot about Phineas getting hurt or something happening to him. This is part big sister instincts in general, part Phineas being EXTREMELY likely to hurt himself, and also, lowkey, abandonment issues.

Now that Phineas has a cool new brother to hang out with, Candace is VERY jealous and really misses when it was just her and Phineas and he would bug her after school and she would ignore him...those were the days. She’s worried now she’s just been replaced.

Simba and Tiana

Simba loves Tiana, so much. This might stem from the fact that he remembers her when she was a baby and he was a little kid and he was like...so obsessed with her whenever her parents came over for dinner.

Back in the day, especially over the summers, Simba would bring his clothes to get mended by Tiana’s mom whenever he inevitably fucked them up bc his mom would yell at him.

Tiana stopped using Simba as a taste tester years ago because she’s pretty sure he doesn’t have any taste buds left bc he eats food when it’s too hot and also says everything is literally amazing that Tiana makes.

Sometimes, they have friendly cooking competitions...by friendly I mean they often end with someone getting food thrown at them and god bless anyone who tries to judge.

Attina and Aquata

Aquata somehow manages to stress Attina out both the most and the least. The most because she is definitely the one closest to getting them all exposed. The least because she is the least drama of all of them.

Does Aquata like horror movies? Have I asked this? I hope so, because I really love the idea of Attina, Andrina, Aquata, and Alana just binging liek every single Michael Meyers movie and then scaring the shit out of each other for the next week.

I think Attina and Aquata deal with their grief and problems in very similar ways...by ignoring it and pretending everything is fine. This is why, on some levels, they get on so well because Attina is naturally very non confrontational. She will yell at her sisters about grades or coming home late or not coming to dinner, but when the going gets tough, Attina retreats a lot of the time. I just think they might be very similar in that way.

When Aquata was little, Attina was the best at getting her to laugh because she made this one dumb face that Aquata just couldn’t not laugh at. Sometimes, on very special occasions, she will whip it out again.

#headcanons #ugh babies #the flynns #the flynns stuff #tagging this bc that's who im on #ohphineas

2 notes · View notes

themeparkitect · 6 years ago

Text

Launch date!

Hey! Take a look at this:

youtube

That’s right, the 1.0 version of Parkitect will release on November 29th. Most notably, it will add the Campaign Mode to the game! The campaign spans 26 scenarios with unique and varied settings and is played on a world map with branching paths that gets gradually revealed and comes to live as you progress.

All of the campaign parks have been designed by Silvarret and Joshua Tjarks, so you can be sure they are very nicely decorated.

Launch price

As announced previously we will increase the price with the release of this update. Our final price will be $29.99 / €24.99 and should come into effect across all stores around November 28th.

Since this has been asked before: of course the 1.0 update will be free for you if you already own the game or buy it at the current price. You won’t have to pay extra for it.

Future

So what will the 1.0 release mean for the future of Parkitect? During December and early January we expect to be 100% busy with talking to press and players, the inevitable hotfixes and taking a bit of time off over the holidays.

Beyond that we will of course continue to support the game with patches and updates - there’s some more features and content for both creative players and management players that we’re excited to start working on as free updates! However, these updates will happen whenever we have something ready to show instead of on the fixed weekly devlog/monthly game update schedule that we’ve used for the past ~4 years.

Thank you!

Finally, a HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped us to get this far! This game wouldn’t exist without all of the Kickstarter supporters, and it would have been a much smaller game without all of the Early Access supporters. And of course thanks to everyone who has worked on this game over the years - there have been so many people: obviously Garret, for taking on the risk of working on such a big game with me; Tim and Luuk, who have contributed enormously to the community surrounding this game and did an amazing job with working on the game itself; Gabby, who was always there to help with absolutely anything we needed help for; Gordon for bringing his unique music style to the game that makes building coasters so much more fun; Em, Rachel and Maris for creating thousands of sound effects for all the different things in the game and figuring out how to make them sound good; Fabrice for designing new scenery pieces when we ran out of ideas; Silvarret and Joshua for designing probably the absolutely nicest campaign parks; Marlon, M. Joshua, Michael and Trudy for the trailers and promo art; and of course all of the game testers and community moderators over on reddit and Discord!

Thanks <3

#weekly

67 notes · View notes

florafaunaandeldritchhorrors · 6 years ago

Text

instead of a chapter this week, here’s my writeup of how the first session of DIE went with my group. (sorry) (hopefully this is as entertaining)

In 2007, Tomb of the Worm King, a high fantasy-in-space mmorpg, launched. Three months later, it closed before the Worm King raid was even released. During the beta, the developers grouped testers together into artificial guilds... and after the game fell apart, our group of testers tried to homebrew a trpg system in order to keep playing. Needless to say, it didn’t go well.

It’s 2027 now.

Below the cut: everything my players are not allowed to read. Starting with the DM prep I did, if you’re planning a game and just want to read that.

Prep:

It wasn’t feasible for me to bring my laptop to the space where we play, so I had to try to write down everything that I wanted to remember for the session that wasn’t already on the cheat sheets.

Things I ended up needing that I prepped: short versions of who to give the archetypes to, the long list of monster special abilities to create a custom fallen on the fly, rules for the Dictator targeting multiple people, melee/close/medium/far range rules.

Things I prepped and didn’t need this time, but probably will: God Debt rules, other ways to bring a Fallen back (taking memories sounds rad).

Things I forgot and wished I had written down: That the Neo’s systems coming online is supposed to be dramatic and have visual effects, that the book recommends offering a major miracle in the first encounter.

For Fair Gold, I tried to clean some pennies but ended up tarnishing them. Luckily, the person who’s condo complex we play at had some gold spray paint and we did that after the first session. For cheat tokens, I’m using popsicle sticks marked on one side, because the world’s oldest board game used them instead of dice, and Kieron says he like using weird dice but it gets confusing.

Oh, and we ended up making folded name thingies for our personas, like we were still in middle school. That was a good idea.

The Cast:

Franz Gibson, a volunteer firefighter who quit his job as an accountant after he found out his wife was cheating on him with his boss. Has twin 7-year old boys who he misses terribly, and only weekend visitation. Was 17 in 2007. Playing Whylock the Enlightened, a Godbinder. Core desire: feels out of place in real life, more out of place in the game.

Sophia Twist, a Dickensian orphan who was 12 in 2007 but pretended to be 17. Inspired by Tomb of the Worm King, went to school to become a computer scientist, but decided not to go into game dev and became a cyber security expert. Playing Intel, a Neo. Core desire: I’m guessing her parents.

AJ Bryant, a culture reporter by day and youtuber by... afternoon? Started as a Let’s Play channel, but came out as a trans man and started transitioning a few years into it, and ended up doing a lot of leftist reactions to current events. Was 16 in 2007. Broke up with his boyfriend of over 4 years just under a year ago, and spent six months completely out of it. Playing Jett, a Dictator. Core desire: wants the privacy he was denied when he became a minor internet celebrity young.

Thomas Bryant, an accountant who hates being called Tommy. Was 14 in 2007, which made him the group baby. Worked at Walmart for a long time, but eventually went back to school to get his current job. Has been on and off with his boyfriend Michael for four years, and was planning to break up again, except Michael’s mom just died. Ouch. Playing Genevieve, an Amazement Knight. Core desire: not sure, but maybe boredom? Boredom got him to go back to school, and he is playing a knight of surprise.

Tripp Declan, a skeezy used car salesman and former frat boy. Was 17 in 2007. The less said about his attitude towards women the better, but his core drive is a fear of getting older. Playing Flip, the magnificent Fool.

Elena Forbes, who in 2007 was 21 and secretly a developer monitoring the group’s dynamics. After Tomb of the Worm King shut down, revealed her true identity to the group. Recently laid off just before a game shipped, so her name won’t be in the credits, so she can’t claim the game on her resume. Many years ago, warned Sophia not to go into game dev. Artistically frustrated. The Master, of course.

Yes, I named my persona by mashing up two characters from The Vampire Diaries, knowing no one else at the table had ever watched it.

(setting it in 2027 turned out to be a mistake, because whenever I prod people for popular culture they get vague because we don’t know what people in 2027 will be watching/reading/playing. but also, most of our players were 10 years old in 2007, and pushing back our teenage years back too far would be weird. and I wanted that where-did-my-life-go feeling from the comic.)

The Session:

During persona generation, I make sure to say Elena lives in a place with a space like the room we were playing in. I also take the hit as the person who falls prey to the Geek Social Fallacies enough not to kick Tripp out for being a creep. There’s an interesting divide between the players who work out their personas aloud and the ones who want to have a nearly-finished product before they say anything.

During character creation, when Tripp reads the beginning of the Fool’s character sheet aloud everyone groans at “their friends have to deal with the consequences”. This will probably happen with a lot of groups, if you give the Fool to the obvious candidate.

We ordered food in between persona generation and character creation, but we actually ate it in between character creation and getting sucked into the game world. This worked out great because doing character creation entirely in character was a bit much for me, so we ended up eating dinner as our personas instead. Turns out Franz has the same nut allergy as his player, but his sons love peanut butter. A modern tragedy.

After being sucked into the fantasy world, Elena transforms into Vesuvia, High Priestess of the Worm King and recognizable NPC from the old game. I don’t highlight that she transforms after grabbing her die hard enough, and have to make the other dice glow in order to prompt my players. Thomas tries to grab Tripp’s die when they’re the only two left, and I almost want to let it happen, but then I imagine running Tripp as an Amazement Knight and... nope.

Before the fighting starts, Thomas’s sword tells him to look at the door opposite the one the Fallen use to enter, ensuring that he’s surprised. I don’t give him a disadvantage on initiative, but when he ties with someone, I make him go second.

The first encounter reskins the Fallen as the Xenomorph ripoffs from Tomb of the Worm King’s starting zone, except they’re cybernetic in a way they weren’t before. After the first round of combat, a knockoff Xenomorph queen appears—the final boss of the only raid that the game launched with. Elena’s sent it as part of the first encounter to demonstrate that she’s done with old content. It’s time to get to newer things.

The Neo hasn’t read her character sheet completely and is very surprised when I tell her she has a slot in the back of her neck. Her AI System is more fun to act as than the Knight’s “aggressive” sword. The Lady of Ashes—the Godbinder’s fire god—is more fun than either. (Luckily he only casts fire spells this session, so I get some time to think about his other two gods: Brightbearer and the Master of Windows.)

After they defeat the Fallen, Thomas opens the door his sword pointed out to him earlier revealing... the Academy, part of the game’s starting zone. End of session. We go spray paint some coins.

Plans:

Give Sophia a chance to save her parents. Give Franz a chance to one-up James. Tempt Tripp with beautiful women. Unsettle AJ with the fact that as a Dictator, he doesn’t have any more privacy here than in the real world.

Tomb of the Worm King didn’t give the players spaceships, just teleportation pads for jumping between planets. Give players a choice between hopping between pads to get to the final encounter or going overland to find and defeat those guarding the pad that brings them straight there. They’ll encounter similar encounters, but with different texture.

During the final encounter, Elena reveals that Vesuvia was always supposed to defect and help the players defeat the Worm King. All they need to do is agree to stay, and they can finish the raid, and then keep playing. Keep playing forever. Oh, and she’s not going to agree to leave.

#broken silence #diecomic #dierpg #?#sorry about no chapter this week but this is what i've been doing #my writing

2 notes · View notes

xseedgames · 7 years ago

Text

2017 End-of-the-Year Q&A Extravaganza Blog! #1

It’s time for our first 2017 End-of-the-Year Q&A Extravaganza! We’ve got a bunch of these we’ll be posting over the holiday break, so please look forward to them. Now, let’s roll right in!

We have answers from:

Ken Berry, Executive Vice President / Team Leader John Wheeler, Assistant Localization Manager Nick Colucci, Localization Editor Liz Rita, QA Tester Brittany Avery, Localization Producer Thomas Lipschultz, Localization Producer

Question: Has selling your games on PC worked out for you so far? I know supporting the PC platform is a relatively recent choice for XSEED. - @Nate_Nyo

Ken: Being on PC has been great for us as it allows us to reach anyone anywhere in the world regardless of region or console. We were probably one of the earlier adopters in terms of bringing content from Japan to PC as we first published Ys: The Oath in Felghana on Steam almost 6 years ago in early 2012.

Brittany: I love working on PC. The work involved is greater than working on console, but I feel like it's a bigger learning experience, too. For console, the developers normally handle the graphics after we translate them, and they do all the programming and such. For PC, everything falls on us. I wasn't that experienced with Photoshop in the beginning, but I think I've gotten a lot better with it over the years. We can also receive updates instantly, and since I talk with our PC programmer through Skype, it's easier to suss out our exact needs and think of ideas to improve the game or bring it to modern standards.

Question: What non-XSEED games do you praise the localization for? - @KlausRealta

Brittany: Final Fantasy XII. I love everything about Final Fantasy XII's writing. I'm also a big fan of the personality in the Ace Attorney localizations. I'm still playing Yakuza 0, but you can feel the passion of the localization team in the writing. There are some projects where you can tell the editing was phoned in, and then there are games where it's obvious it was a labor of love. All of these games have a color I aspire to.

Tom: Probably going to be a popular answer, and not an especially surprising one, but I've got to give props to Lost Odyssey. It's hard to deny the timeless quality and absolutely masterful English writing that went into basically every line of that game's massive script, with the many short stories being of particular note. That game really does represent an inspirational high bar that I think most everyone else in the industry will forever strive to reach in their own works.

For a more unexpected answer, I've also got to give mad props to Sega for their work on Monster World IV. As a Sega Genesis game released digitally in English for the very first time less than a decade ago, I guess I was kind of expecting a fairly basic "throwaway" translation -- but instead, the game boasts a full-on professional grade localization that's easily up to all modern standards, brimming with charm and personality. It's really nice to see a legitimate retro game being given that kind of care and attention in the modern era, and it makes it very easy for me to recommend (as does the fact that the game is actually quite fun, and is sure to be enjoyed by anyone who's played through all the Shantae titles and really wants to try something else along similar lines).

John: I played Okami on PS3 earlier this year (before the remake was announced), and I was awed by how skillfully the team handled text that is chock full of localization challenges like quirky nicknames, references to Japanese fairy tales, and regional dialects. I was especially amused to see a reference to "kibi dango," the dumplings Momotaro uses to bribe his companions in that famous story. We dealt with the same cultural reference with STORY OF SEASONS: Trio of Towns.

Nick: My go-to response is always Vagrant Story, because it’s the game I credit with getting me really interested in a career in localization. Before that point, I had enjoyed games for their story and characters, but hadn’t realized just how much the specific word choices and tone contributed to a reader’s perception of a story as a whole. The gents behind VS’s localization would go on to be industry luminaries, with Rich Amtower now calling shots in Nintendo’s Treehouse department and Alex Smith being synonymous with the highly regarded prose of Yasumi Matsuno’s games – including the cool and underappreciated Crimson Shroud for 3DS, and Final Fantasy XII, which as anyone who’s played it can tell you is a stellar localization. Having spent a lot of time with FFXII’s “The Zodiac Age” remaster this year, the care and attention to detail put into the localization still blows me away. The unique speech style of the Bhujerbans (with...Sri Lankan inflections, if memory serves correctly) sticks with me, because I knew that I myself would never have been able to pull off something like that so deftly. I guess you could say Vagrant Story started a lineage of games that’s always given me something to aspire to as an editor.

Final Fantasy XIV, which I’ve been playing this year, also has a very good localization, especially considering the reams of text that go into an MMO of its size and scope. Michael-Christopher Koji Fox and his team have done a bang-up job giving life and personality to the land of Eorzea, and I’ve enjoyed seeing how the localization has changed in subtle ways as time has gone on. The initial “A Realm Reborn” localization sort of cranks the “regional flavor” up to 11 with heavy dialects and vernacular, but in subsequent expansions, they kind of eased up on that and have found a good mix between grounded localization and the kind of flourishes that work well in high-fantasy settings.

And, while I haven’t played it in a number of years, I remember Dragon Quest VIII having a really great localization, too, with ol’ Yangus still living large in my memories. Tales of the Abyss was fantastic as well, and both DQVIII and Abyss delivered some really brilliant dub work that showed me how much richer one could make characterization when the writing and the acting really harmonized. I still consider Tales of the Abyss my general favorite game dub to date. The casting is perfect, with not a bad role among them. I also want to give mad props to Ni no Kuni’s Mr. Drippy, just as a perfect storm of great localization decisions. Tidy, mun!

Question: How hard is it to turn in game signs and words to English for Japanese? Is it as simple as going in and editing text? Or as hard as creating a whole new texture for the model? - @KesanovaSSB4

Tom: We refer to this as "graphic text" -- meaning, literally, text contained within graphic images. How it's handled differs from project to project, but the short answer is, yeah, it involves creating a whole new texture for the model. Sometimes, this is handled by the developer: they'll just send us a list of all the graphic text images that exist in-game and what each image says, we'll send that list back to them with translations, and they'll use those translations to create new graphic images on our behalf. For other games, however (particularly PC titles we're more or less spearheading), we'll have to do the graphic edits ourselves. When the original PSDs or what-not exist for the sign images, this is generally pretty easy -- but as you might expect, those aren't always available to us, meaning we'll sometimes have to go to a bit more trouble to get this done.

John: The best practice is to review graphic text very early in the localization process because it takes effort to fix and can throw a wrench in schedules if issues are discovered too late. On occasion, it is too difficult to change ubiquitous textures, especially those that might also appear in animation. This was the case with "NewTube" in SENRAN KAGURA Peach Beach Splash, which the localization team wanted to change to "NyuuTube" to make the wordplay clearer to series fans.

Question: With the Steam marketplace becoming increasingly saturated and being seen as a greater risk to publish on in recent times, what does XSEED plan on doing in order to remain prominent and relevant in the PC gaming space? - @myumute

Ken: It is indeed getting harder and harder to stand out as hundreds of new titles are releasing on Steam each month. We are working our way towards simultaneous release across all platforms to help leverage some of the coverage from the console version to get more attention to the PC release, so hopefully that's something we can accomplish soon. For PC-exclusive releases it continues to be a challenge, but at least they have a long tail and even if it's not an immediate success at launch we know it can continue to produce sales for years to come.

Question: What was your favorite film that you saw in 2017, and why? - @Crippeh

John: I'm way behind on movies this year (haven't seen Disaster Artist, Phantom Thread, or Get Out, for example), but recently I've enjoyed both Star Wars and Lady Bird. I expect I'll watch my favorite film from 2017 sometime in 2018.

Ken: Wind River. Mainly because of Jeremy Renner's performance and how many quotable lines he had.

Liz: Get Out for horror mindblowing amazingness, Spider-Man Homecoming for genuinely fun comic book movie, and The Shape of Water for Guillermo del Toro. Guillermo del Toro should always be a category.

That’s it! Stay turned for blog #2 later this week. Here’s a preview of the kinds of questions we’ll be answering:

Question: Have you ever considered selling the music CDs for your licenses stateside? - @LimitTimeGamer Question: If possible, would you please consider researching and localizing classic Korean-made PC xRPGs? - @DragEnRegalia Question: Do you have any interest in pursuing the localization of any of the large, beautiful Chinese RPGs that have been hitting Steam? Or are you focused exclusively on Japanese titles? - @TheDanaAddams Question: What inspired you all to do this kind of work in the first place? Also, what’s the story behind the company name XSEED? How did you all come up with it? - @TBlock_02 Question: What was everyone's favorite game(s) to work on this year? - @ArtistofLegacy Question: What's everyone's favorite song from the Falcom games you've released so far? - @Crippeh

#XSEED #Q&A #Localization

81 notes · View notes

weekendsabo · 4 years ago

Text

Email Journal - Friday, November 30th, 2018

Well, I’m not going to sell my ticket, and I may be able to find someone to go to the show next weekend. I’ll ask Luna tomorrow when I see her, but she will most likely say no. Whatever. More than likely Polo will be the one to come with me, but that will be fun for sure! If I can’t find anyone to go, and polo does go, then I will just crash at his house. It’ll be cheap and easy. If by some miracle someone does come with me, I will get a room/airbnb. Either way, it’s going to be a great weekend with Erika, Ralph, Polo and possibly Isaac. I’m excited. Always nice to see them! It will be my last time going to Cali for a while.

Alright, I just went through the past year of spending and I spent $5600 on just alcohol. Plus whatever cash I used to pay for drinks and stuff. That is just ridiculous. I can’t do that anymore. I could have a fully functioning woodshop, or a motorcycle, or a new guitar and a bunch of pedals. I will do better from here on out. I will not drink more than two beers if I go out. Its so bad, I can believe it, but I can’t at the same time. I know I have a problem and it just got out of hand. I need a change of pace and change of scenery. It’s going to be a good year. I’m feeling determined and making small changed to improve myself. I definitely want a home gym. Nothing crazy, just a squat rack, bench, a bar and some weights. And an exercise bike. Running is great but it’s going to kill my knees for sure. I have some time to do it, but a bike would be great. Then I can alternate lifting and cardio every day. Get into good shape is all I want. I was so close last year and I just gave up. No more giving up. No more thinking of what I should be doing and not doing it. If I think it, I have to do it. I would like to snag one of these big calendars for my room so I have something that I look at every day to keep me on track! If I keep going with the running, and not have to many fail days, I will be back to running a 5K by the end of January. Two months that’s it. The time is going to pass either way, might as well make the most of it!

I have to go to Huntridge and ask her out. Still can believe I forgot her name. It’s ridiculous. What do I remember? She will be graduating with a Bachelors of Philosophy in two weeks. Her golden dog fish who is 3 years old that she got when she was 18 or 20. Her cat Michael who she gives massages to every day. She likes to stay home and chill and smoke and is okay with it. Brown hair and brown eyes. Her favorite philosophers are Descartes and another that I have written down at work.

Gabby. Birthday is Nov. 26th. We have definitely talked before I deleted my FB. Graduating with a Bachelors of something. Business, but not the numbers side of it. More people management. Brother plays in a band that I forgot the name of. I don’t know if she has any pets or anything. We’ll see how tomorrow goes at Rebar. Get a couple beers and just talk. At the least, we can start the conversation about the show and how her brother played. If I didn’t want to be home early tonight, I would go to that show. Also not down to pay the cover.

I should try to get home early and go to the lighting of that house and possible meet some people. Then go to the store for dinner things. AND if I stay in tonight, I will definitely play my electric and jam on that. I’m just not stoked on my guitar but whatever. I have to switch it up so I don’t forget how to use the pedals. I should really sit down and may a reverb and delay that I like with what I got. I know I can find my sound in there and it will be tight! Get my fuzz toned in and I thing I will keep the metal zone pedal in my chain just for the joke of it. It’s not a bad sounding pedal, just ridiculous. AND if I don’t spend so much on booze I will be able to get some more pedals. Nothing crazy, but it’ll be fun to mess around with stuff.

I will get a desk this weekend. And get that stuff set up for sure. I should try to make it a goal to have an EP out by New Years. Do 5 acoustic songs. I will get some roughs done this weekend and talk to Kristin and Shea about doing a part on a song. I’m hope they will be down! And possibly get Austin in on Sax, or bass. Scrounge up an acoustic base. Why not get someone on all the songs. It could be calls Something Duet’s. Maybe. I kind of want to do an album like the Meladia album. We’ll leave that for next year. Find a way to power my laptop with a battery pack. Hike up somewhere and write and record a song. Would be really cool. I will probably do an album with fruity loops as well. I can do some cool guitar sample with crazy reverb/delay effects.

I won’t stay too long at Starboard tomorrow, just enough time to see them and talk a bit. Stay for one beer, and smoke them out. It’ll be good! Home by midnight.

I have one month to fill out that entire planner. I think I can do it if I really want to. Ill figure out how many days are blank then figure out home many I have to write a day to get it all filled out. My guess is 5 per day. That would be 155 days filled out. I know I have a bit left to fill out. It would be so cool to get it all filled up before I start a new one. I’ll make sure I get the new one before the new year. I bet I can find a cool one. I should work on getting all the rest of my journals filled up, but priority is the year planner.

Its crazy how just writing everyday changes how I feel. It gives everything validity. Or just makes all my actions and thoughts accountable. Like I said, nothing is real until I get it out of my head. I can think whatever I want, but it’s not real. I mean, my thoughts are real to me, but that doesn’t matter. Not that it doesn’t matter, it just means I can think whatever I want and it doesn’t affect anyone but myself. And I have a hard time caring about myself most of the time. Probably why I binge drink and eat and smoke and consume. I just want to feel something and those are easy ways for me to feel anything. Even if it is just drunk/full/high. It’s something. I know If I keep up with the exercising I will be feeling something and that something is positive and improving my life. I have to keep with it. Stay determined and disciplined. Get used to this new way of life because I have to change. Not all at once, but over time I will make the changes and habit that I need to live the best life I can. Right now I make enough money to have a place to myself, a car, a bus and still have money to spend how I like and if I spend right I can save a good amount of money. I don’t know if I will stay in Boulder another year. I’ll start looking for a place to rent a couple months before my lease is up and see if I can find anything good downtown. I still don’t know about that, but by then I will be a different person on not just getting hammered all the time. That will stop. I want to retire at a decent age and be healthy enough to enjoy it.

December start tomorrow! Can’t believe it’s already December. It does feel like it’s already the middle of December though which is weird. It’s going to be a good month.

Goals. Minimum $1,500 in the bank on new year’s. Get that check engine light fixed. Get that EP recorded. Get under 200lbs. No fast food at all. Eat lots of veggies and fruit. I’m definitely getting my bass this month. It has to happen! Get the bus pretty cleanout would be great! Its free and fun and has to happen.

Man, it would be so great if we got out early today, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Ill text her after lunch that I’m going home after work. Ask her if she wants to join the lighting of the house and the Christmas tree and if she wants to make some pizza! It would be fun. Watch a movie or something. Make her listen to all my songs. Definitely not going to do that, but it would be great. I just want people to listen to my music. I won’t get famous or anything, but if I can make some peoples days or just their hour of that day, I will gladly keep writing and releasing music.

I’m excited to use a power washer! I’ll do the BBQ and the chairs and get them inside. I shouldn’t have left them out so long. They’ll be alright I feel. No harm no foul.

Sushi lunch was delicious. It was cool seeing Dan and Martin. I hope they do invite me to sushi next time they go. But the nigri today was delicious. I don’t think I’ll get the Philadelphia roll again. The cream cheese is just too much. Ill get one of the tuna rolls instead. I feel okay with my decision to sit where I did. They didn’t invite me over so it’s okay, I really did want to just have lunch by myself.

Christmas presents. Grandma is getting a sweater. I’ll ask Mel what to get Makayla. I may get her a studio whatever anime. I think she will like it. Mom I have no clue. Dad I have no clue. Zeb I have no clue. Mel I have no clue. Maybe just do gift cards with a nice card? I just don’t know! I do want to get all this done the first week of December so I don’t have to worry about it.

White elephant party is coming up as well. I don’t know if I’m going to do the pictures. Probably should. I still think it’s funny. We’ll see. I’ll take some testers this weekend.

I definitely need to get some lube. And a new you know what. I think the stainless steel one, or a glass one would be best. I’ll be excited to get one. I’m excited to have a girl play around with it. Should be nice. I can’t wait to be in a relationship where I can basically hug and kiss that person whenever I want if they are okay with it of course. But I feel I wouldn’t be in a relationship with someone like that. Like Bob and Emily, they don’t have hardly and PDA, but I’m all for it. I mean, I don’t want to be making out right in a crowded bar, but I want them sitting next to me so I can hold their have and just be touching them in some way.

Man. What if Bridget does come over and we get comfy on my couch and end up hooking up. Or not even hook up, but I don’t know. It would be nice to just give her a massage and just intimately touch someone. We would really have to talk about things afterwards and see how we are both feeling about it. I don’t know if I would want a relationship with her. It could be fun for a while though. I am really trying to not go out and if I had someone that lived close, and it wasn’t a crazy drive to hang out it would be awesome. We get along very well and always have a good time together. I wonder if she is interest. I’ve asked this questions so many times, but never ask her. Because I’m not sure I’m ready to have that conversation. I really don’t know how I feel about it. I’m pretty down. I would probably have a lot of fun with her and I know she would be super understanding about my little problem.

I can’t believe that girl nailed it, but I did not like that she came to Starboard. It’s fine. I’m not going to hang out with you, but you’re more that welcome to be there. She paid the cover as well so good for her.

Maybe I will just get a bottle of tequila and not beer? Just do a few shots. It’ll save on calories for sure. Maybe get some soda water and lime? Keep it simple. Or diet squirt sounds good. We’ll see how I’m feeling, but that would be better than a bunch of beer. Stupid delicious beer. I love/hate you. Or maybe I’ll just not drink and smoke a ton of weed and call it good. Bust out the bubbler? That could be fun for sure! Yeah, no alcohol tonight. Maybe. I hate that I just can’t say no and have it be the final answer. I don’t have very good self-control and it sucks. How did this happen. Why don’t I have an discipline? It’s all my fault, I can’t blame anyone except myself for it. It’s crazy how little of it I have. I’ll get better. I was so good in Vermont cause I didn’t have access to going and hanging in bars with people for any of that.

If we get out early. I will run home, change into my running gear and walk over to the house, then go for a run from there. Run up to Bicentennial park then back down. It would be pretty nice! I highly doubt Bridget will come over, so It’ll work out okay. And Maybe Ill just make some jalapeno poppers with pepperoni in the middle? That sounds pretty delicious! I don’t have enough jalapenos. I have enough pizza sauce for a pizza, all I need is some mozzarella. Maybe get some pineapple? The ones they have at Albertsons are small and don’t look too good. Mozzarella at the very least. Finish up the parmesan I have. I’ll clean out the fridge today as well. Get it all cleaned up and cleared out so I can see what I have. Sunday, I’ll get food for the week so I’m not eating out every day at lunch. It just so easy, but so bad for me. Oats for breakfast, salad for lunch, and something light for dinner. I’ll make a soup or just come chicken and veggies for dinner. Nice and easy. I have chips so I can do some nacho style thing for dinner. Maybe do like a pork roast and make tacos with it? That would be delicious. We’ll see. I haven’t really thought too much about it yet.

It’s crazy how much I listen to music but don’t write about it at all. I guess it’s just there and I don’t need to get it out of my head, but I should start writing about it. So here we go. Right now I’m listening to this band Space Mountain. Just super chill rock, the vocals are familiar, but I can’t place it off the top of my head, but they are cool. I heard guitar, bass, there’s an acoustic in there, drums, and possibly an organ. I like it a lot. I’ve been listening to a bunch of Into It. Over it. Not a bunch, but the same 2 albums over and over and they are so good. I watched their audiotree and Evan Weiss is so good. Pet Symmetry is so good too. But Into It. Over It. Is where it’s at. I’ll probably jam them on the way home so I have something to sing too.

I really want to get better at singing so I’m going to have to really start practicing without just singing along with other people. I’m sure it helps, but I can’t sing by myself. I have to learn what notes I can sing and how to do it. I’ll find a download of the ladies singing lessons and practice them every day. It will work. If I do it every day there’s no way I won’t get better. Then I’ll take IDLES mentality and just write songs about whatever I want. It’ll be fun. I’m excited, then I can get a band together and be the front man of it. Definitely want to write sing along parts and have dancey music. I want people to move around to the music I play. I also don’t listen to music of people I listen to on audiotree, and I should do that cause I check out a lot of cool bands on there and just don’t check them out. I will start to make a playlist of the music I listen too to start incorporating it into my spotify jams. Cause I get stuck on bands and it’s okay cause I really enjoy what I’m listening too, but I can broaden my horizon musically and just listen to a more diverse range of music. It’ll be cool.

Maybe for lunch I will do egg salad with some crackers? I have to eat those eggs if they are still good. It has to happen. I can hard boil them all on Sunday and be set for the week. Get some celery, red onion, mayo, mustard, jalapeno and obviously pickles. It would be delicious and not to calorie dense. Then once I get through the eggs I can do a week of tuna salad in a salad? More veggies for your buck!

I should save it for after I ask Huntridge girl out. My mind will just be in that mode where it doesn’t matter and I just have to get it done. But I have been teasing myself all day today with Reddit. It’s just so easy to have a quick peak, then I want another and another, and before you know it, I’m just doing it cause I can. At least before in the bus it wouldn’t be dry all the time which is nice cause it’s a whole different would when I’m not death gripping it. I have to stop doing that for sure. Okay new policy. Just no more death grip and no more checking things out. Like I said. I f I want to get it done I have to just use imagination. It will help me out a ton. It’ll make appreciate more girls a lot more.

If Bridget doesn’t come over, I’ll take a bath. Maybe pick up some cheap bubble bath at the store. That would be nice. I should start taking baths with just my phone light and door shut to keep all that warmth in. preheat the tub for sure. I can’t believe how cold it was making the water so quickly. So yeah. Ill spray the tube down first and keep doing it while it fills up to keep the tub from cooling off the water. I bet them make tubs that have heaters in them. I bet it wouldn’t be too hard to convert a tub to do that since that guy just had those heating cables around his steering wheels. Tubs are cast iron I believe, so it should be able to heat up and retain that heat without a whole lot of work. When I buy a house I will look into it and see what’s up with it.

It would be so tight to have a Jacuzzi and a pool, but I would settle for just the Jacuzzi. One like Emily’s parents have is would be perfect. And it looked like I could find one for a couple thousand. It’s expensive, but not out of reach. It would take some time to save up, but it would be totally work it! I would probably go in it every day. Wake up early. Exercise. Jump in the Jaquz. Outdoor shower it. Then breakfast and get ready for work. It would be perfect. That’s what I want in my life and it’s not even that ridiculous. Within a year and that’s happening.

That and getting motorcycle. That will be my next big purchase for sure. Well, a guitar first, then a motorcycle. Ill get signed up for the class in a couple weeks so I have the money to get the helmet and stuff.

I’m going to go simple with just a t-shirt and flannel. I’m hesitant on the flannel cause it just super cliché, but whatever. I’ve been wearing them for like over 18 years. I feel like I’m grandfathered in, but nobody knows that. We’ll see. I’ll come up with something good.

I’ll get a Christmas list written today with stuff in the $30 range. It’ll probably be all kitchen stuff, but it’s all I really need. Or want. I don’t really “need” anything. It’s all want. Pizza stone. Sharpening stone. A high wall sauté pan. Immersion blender. Food Processor. Kitchen aid. A carbon steel pan. Dutch oven. I am going to have to get a propane tank. But that won’t be too much I think. Like $40 at the most.

Well, like I said. Bridget was very likely a no show, so that make my night a lot easier. Home to change then head right over. Depending on the time I get out there. I may just run to the store first, then check out the lighting of the lights. That might be the best option. Then head out for the run after that. The run will only take about 30 minutes plus I’m just super chilling tonight so it works out for the best this way. Just need mozzarella cheese and possibly some bubble bath cause I’m feeling frisky. Maybe do some butt stuff in the tub. That could be fun! We’ll see. Either way, its going to be a good night. I’m excited. I may try to hit people up and invite them over, but at this point I feel it is way too late to do that. I don’t care to do that. I went for just one person and did my best so its okay. I will get may social fix tomorrow for sure, then I will be set for a week. I am excited to see the parade tomorrow. I should pick up my G-ma to come as well. I’ll think about it, but as of right now it is a no. I don’t want to hassle around with that at all. It’s a lot of work especially with meeting with Tsvet and James, who I am excited to see! I’ll ask them about their holiday and all that fin stuff!

0 notes

dipulb3 · 4 years ago

Text

2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain first drive review: Go butch or go home

New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/2021-mercedes-benz-e450-all-terrain-first-drive-review-go-butch-or-go-home/

2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain first drive review: Go butch or go home

How do you sell a wagon in the US in 2020? Make it look like an SUV. Traditional station wagons continue to fall out of favor with American customers, yet higher-riding crossovers keep on selling like hotcakes. With that in mind: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon is dead; long live the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain.

The All-Terrain joins the Mercedes’ US lineup as part of the E-Class’ 2021 model-year update. It’s essentially the outgoing E450 wagon with 2 extra inches of ground clearance, standard air suspension (previously an option), some rugged-looking body cladding and butch new bumper treatments. Overall, the look really works; the All-Terrain is definitely handsome, though I’m not sure if all the cladding works against my tester’s rich shade of Cardinal Red. In any case, this crossover-like updo makes a whole lot of sense for the E-Class, better positioning it to take on other high-riding luxury wagons such as the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo V90 Cross Country.

2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain is ruggedly handsome

See all photos

You can only get the All-Terrain in E450 4Matic guise in the US, meaning it uses Mercedes’ 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 engine and all-wheel drive. The straight-six engine is the same one you’ll find in a number of Benz’s other products, producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, in addition to a supplemental 21 hp and 184 lb-ft from the 48-volt EQ-Boost mild-hybrid system.

With its ample low-end torque and smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission, the E-Class All-Terrain is super nice to drive. This wagon pulls away from stoplights with authority, thanks in part to the extra torque boost from the mild-hybrid tech (Mercedes estimates a 0-to-60-mph time of 5.1 seconds). What’s more, EQ-Boost irons out the action of the stop-start system, meaning I’m more likely to leave the fuel-saving function activated as this tech isn’t usually my jam. This helps the portly, 4,350-pound E450 All-Terrain return respectable EPA fuel economy estimates of 22 miles per gallon city, 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.

The All-Terrain is the kind of car you wouldn’t think twice about putting hundreds of miles on in one sitting, knowing you’ll arrive at your destination as relaxed as when you left. The standard adaptive air suspension takes a lot of the credit for that balance and composure, mitigating larger impacts from broken pavement and generally delivering a solid, serene ride. Pro tip, though: Skip the 20-inch wheels you see on this test car. Good as they look, they allow for small initial impacts to be felt through the chassis. Plus, the surprisingly aggressive 245/40 front and 275/35 rear Pirelli P-Zero summer tires kind of go against the whole take-me-anywhere attitude of the All-Terrain. This E450 comes standard with 19-inch wheels and 245/45-series tires at all four corners; that’s definitely the way to go.

Methinks you won’t be doing much off-roading with these 20-inch wheels and P-Zero summer tires.

Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz

On the other hand, throw the All-Terrain into Sport mode and the air suspension hunkers down, the steering adds a bit more weight and those sticky tires offer lots of grip while cornering. In other words, the few folks who might’ve otherwise bought a standard E450 wagon will be happy to know this thing can still hustle when provoked. And if it’s performance you’re after, AMG has you covered.

For what it’s worth, the All-Terrain has Offroad and Offroad Plus driving modes that raise the suspension and reduce throttle sensitivity, but I don’t recommend venturing too far off the beaten path in one of these wagons — especially if you’re rolling on 20s. Much like the new Audi A6 Allroad, this E-Class is an All-Terrain in name and appearance far more than in ability. Have a dirt road on the way to your campsite? Great, have fun. Want to hang with the Jeeps on the trails? Break into Mercedes’ headquarters and steal the E-Class 4×4 Squared instead.

Also like Audi’s new Allroad, the E-Class All-Terrain is an absolute tech powerhouse. On the driver-assistance front, the E450 is available with full-speed adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capabilities, active steering assist, lane-change assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping tech and Mercedes’ new Exit Warning function, which will alert you if an object is approaching when you’re parallel parked and about to open your door. (Cyclists will thank you.) The only bad news is that none of this safety gear is standard, so be sure to add the $1,950 Driver Assistance Package.

The All-Terrain’s cabin is mostly flawless, and all 2021 E-Class models now use Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment tech.

Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz

The E-Class upgrades to Mercedes’ latest MBUX infotainment tech. A pair of 12.3-inch screens span two-thirds of the dashboard, the left display acting as a digital instrument cluster, the right one serving as the main multimedia interface. Like MBUX’s integration in other Mercedes-Benz models, you can operate the software via controllers on the steering wheel, a touchpad on the center console, voice commands — “Hey, Mercedes, I’m cold” — or simply by touching the screen. I’m all about the latter, especially with the system’s quick responses to inputs. Also, you should totally spring for the augmented reality navigation overlays ($350) because they make finding destinations a cinch.

Aside from the tech update, the E-Class’ interior carries over largely unchanged, which is fine by me. This is an incredibly comfortable and stylish cabin, with nice details like open-pore wood, real metal finishes and a gazillion different ambient light choices. Front and rear passengers have lots of room to stretch out, and there’s 35 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats. Fold ’em down and you’ve got 64 cubes at your disposal.

There’s just one itty-bitty-teensy-tiny problem with the new E-Class’ interior, and it isn’t specific to the All-Terrain: the steering wheel. For some weird reason, Mercedes removed the thumbpad controllers for the infotainment system as well as the physical buttons and scroll wheels for the volume and menu controls. Instead, there are little capacitive-touch sensors which take getting used to. The four-way swipe pads for the screens aren’t so bad, but the slider bar for the volume is infuriating. I inevitably always end up going too far up or too far down, or I press too hard and mute the whole thing. I’m not sure why Mercedes opted to fix what wasn’t broken.

Long live the longroof.

Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz

But like I said, that’s a minor complaint in an otherwise flawless cabin, one that can be optioned to the gills with amenities like massaging seats, wireless phone charging, heated armrests and lots of different color and trim combinations. There’s even a $1,100 Acoustic Comfort Package on the options roster, which offers increased cabin insulation and special acoustic glass. If silence is your definition of luxury, then this is a must-have add-on.

The 2021 E450 All-Terrain costs $68,650 to start, including $1,050 for destination. Load one up like the car you see here and you’re looking at $84,790. That’s a bunch of money, but it falls in line with Audi A6 Allroad pricing. The Volvo V90 Cross Country is the most affordable of the bunch, however, and it offers a lot more ground clearance. Plus, I think the Swede is the best-looking wagon of the bunch.

Really, though, it doesn’t totally matter if the All-Terrain can out-Allroad an Audi. What matters is that it makes the E-Class wagon more appealing to US shoppers. If these off-road duds even manage to convince a few people to pass up a GLE-Class SUV in favor of longroof life, that helps ensure a brighter future for all Mercedes-Benz wagons — the holy-grail AMG E63 included. The new E-Class All-Terrain is no better or worse a wagon than the old E450. But if some added cladding and an air suspension is what it takes to move these in the States, then I’m all in favor of a little off-road cosplay.

0 notes