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underforeversgrace · 2 years ago

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don't sass a sleep deprived ghost

DannyMay 2023 Day 17: Temper

title: don't sass a sleep deprived ghost

words: 1432

Complete

Excerpt: He was tired, he was over this, and he was so fucking done.

~~~~~~

“Dude, when was the last time you slept?” Tucker asked, eyeing the bags on Danny’s face.

Danny groaned and leaned his head against the locker, not even grabbing the books he needed for their morning classes. “Technically? About an hour ago. When was the last time I slept longer than thirty minutes, though? Like ten days ago.”

“Isn’t that when Ember knocked you unconscious?” Sam asked, frowning.

“Yes, how do you think I managed to sleep longer than half an hour?” Danny shot back with a weak grin.

“I don’t think being hit over the head so hard that you lost consciousness counts, bro.” Tucker said.

“Then we’re looking at over a month.”

“Danny!” Both friends exclaimed at the same time.

“I know, I know,” Danny said, waving his hand at them dismissively. “I don’t exactly control how many ghosts show up to beat my ass like a piñata, y’know? And my parents haven’t fixed the lock on the portal. So it’s just open.”

Sam sighed. “I’m worried, Danny. Half ghost or not, you need to sleep. If you were human, you’d probably be half dead by now.”

Danny frowned. “Yeah. If I was human. Good thing I’m dead then.”

Sam flinched. She hadn’t thought that sentence through and Danny - even a year since his accident - did not like being explicitly reminded his humanity was questionable at best. “Danny…”

“Drop it, Sam.” Danny said, irritation creeping into his voice in a way that made her spine tingle. Sometimes she had to stop and remember that Danny - goofy, silly, space obsessed Danny - was legitimately one of the most powerful beings she’d ever encountered. Only some god-like entities were stronger than him.

“Sorry,” she mumbled. He’d just cracked a joke, how had his mood turned so dark so fast?

“It’s fine. Maybe I can nab a nap during science class. I’m failing it anyway.” He grumbled, rubbing his eyes, the irritation already gone from his voice and replaced with exhaustion. She’d never seen him this tired. Should they be worried? A super powered, sleep deprived teenager with already questionable impulse control?

Sam fiddled with the wrist ray she always wore now. Hopefully there were no ghost attacks today. She didn’t want to have to fight something while Danny snoozed.

~~~~~~

Danny felt relieved. They had managed to get through all four morning classes without a single hint of a ghost. And! Because his teachers had all entirely given up on him and didn’t give a flying fuck about him, they let him sleep!

Yeah… he was definitely fine with the way his teachers had given up on him. This was fine.

Regardless, he had managed nearly three hours of sleep between all the classes and his ghost sense had not gone off even once.

Still, as he stumbled to his locker on his way to lunch, he could still feel the weariness all the way to his core. Sam and Tucker walked beside him, not so subtly glancing at him frequently. As much as he appreciated them being concerned for him - and he really did! - he didn’t enjoy the feeling of being watched, especially as on edge as he was. He’d been in at least six fights a day for the past month, ever since the lock on the portal broke.

“Fenturd!” A familiar voice called and Danny groaned. He did not have the energy for this shit today.

“Can we not today?” Danny said, turning around to face the bully.

“I got an F on my math test!” Dash shouted, picking Danny up by his shirt collar and shoving him against the locker. Dash was so mad he was red in the face and a vein was visibly bulging in his neck.

Great. Oh, look, they even had an audience, a semi circle of other students watching on in fascination.

“So did I. The hell do you want?” Danny responded as he forced his body limp, forced his body to not react to the assault.

“To make myself feel better.” Dash sneered, clenching his free hand into a fist and slamming it into Danny’s nose.

Danny yelped in pain, pressing his hand to his now profusely bleeding - and probably broken - nose. Apparently feeling Danny sufficiently wailed on, Dash released the smaller boy, who fell to his knees, still clutching his face.

Seriously? Danny has to get wailed on by ghosts and the dumbest fucking human he’d ever had the displeasure of meeting? “Fucking asshole,” he grumbled, though apparently he did so too loudly, Dash not yet out of earshot.

Dash turned instantly, an angry scowl on his face. “What was that, Fentwerp?”

“Nothing, Dash.” Danny said, pushing himself back to his feet, accepting the tissue Sam handed to him as she glanced at Dash in concern.

“No, no, please repeat yourself,” Dash said, getting back into Danny’s personal space.

“Check your ears, Dash. I didn’t say anything,” Danny insisted.

Dash practically growled in anger as he went to slam another fist into Danny’s face.

This time, however, Danny’s exhaustion caught up with him, and where normal people probably moved slower when tired, Danny routinely fought for his life and his instincts were far and beyond that. Immediately, Danny’s hand came up, catching Dash’s fist. Dash let out a barely audible noise of pain - which made sense, he had just done the equivalent of punching a brick wall.

“Lay. Off.” Danny hissed, tightening his grip on Dash’s hand threateningly before pushing Dash back.

Dash stumbled backwards, shaking the hand Danny had gripped. “Why don’t you make me, geek?”

“Danny…” Sam said beside him, tugging on his sleeve.

Even as she did that, though, Danny heard the students around him beginning to chant. “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

Danny let his backpack slide off his shoulder, landing with a loud thump on the floor. “Y’know what, Dash? I think I will.” Danny said, crouching down slightly and rolling his shoulders to loosen them, a more-than-slightly feral grin on his face. He was tired, he was over this, and he was so fucking done.

Surprise flickered across Dash’s face but he didn’t back down, raising both of his fists up.

“Fight! Fight! Fight!” The chanting continued.

“You gonna stand there and look stupid all day? It really is one of the few skills you’ve mastered.” Danny said, still looking a touch too feral.

Dash took the bait, lunging forward and aiming a fist towards Danny’s stomach.

Too easy.

Danny sidestepped him, hooking one of his feet behind Dash’s ankles and pushing while simultaneously driving an elbow into Dash’s back. Dash yelped as he fell, slamming his face into the locker.

A collective gasp went through the surrounding students. Everyone had been expecting Danny to get a tooth punched out or something, not for wimpy Fenton to nearly lay out their star quarterback.

“That the best you got, Baxter?” Danny taunted, stepping backwards.

“Danny, stop!” Sam called but Danny ignored her.

“Cheap shot, loser.” Dash spat back, getting back to his feet.

“So I’m fighting like you?”

Dash tried to rush him again and Danny just grinned wider. He jumped to the side and took one of Dash’s arms in both hands. He twirled both of them around, launching Dash back directly into the lockers.

Dash recovered faster this time and repeatedly tried to slam his fists into Danny’s face. Danny ducked and weaved, hands behind his back, letting Dash tire himself out. After several swings from Dash, Danny dropped and lashed out one of his legs, knocking Dash’s feet out from under him.

Dash fell and landed with a sharp, pained intake of breath, his back slamming against the linoleum floor.

“Where the hell did you learn how to fight like that, Fenton?” Dash wheezed, pushing himself up into a sitting position.

“My mom has three black belts.” Danny said, shrugging. It technically wasn’t a lie - his mom did have that, it just wasn’t where he learned to fight. “Now fuck off.” He added as he stepped around Dash, spinning the combination to his locker and grabbing his lunchbox.

People parted for him as he walked, many with shocked, open mouthed stares.

Sam and Tuck tagged along behind him.

“Seriously, Danny?” Sam hissed.

At the same time, Tucker said, “Nice one, Danny!”

He was still sleep deprived, he was still so over all the ghosts recently, but maybe now he could avoid fights of a human nature for a little while.

And less fights meant more naps, he determined as he laid his head down on the lunch table and promptly passed out, his friends his ever vigilant guards.

#grace writes #danny phantom #dannymay2023 #Dannymay #Day 17 #Temper

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beardedmrbean · 2 months ago

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Already dealing with sustained post-election ratings woes, MSNBC witnessed yet another embarrassment over the weekend when it finished behind the plucky TV startup NewsNation in the key advertising demographic of adults aged 25-54.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the liberal cable news network averaged just 17,000 viewers in the key demo on Saturday between the hours of noon and 7 p.m. ET. In comparison, NewsNation’s programming attracted an audience of 23,000 in the 25-54 demographic in that same time period.

NewsNation - the old WGN that rebranded as NewsNation in 2021 - also saw some of its time slots beat MSNBC by triple digits in the demo on Saturday. For instance, the noon broadcast of NewsNation Live Weekend pulled in 34,000 viewers in the 25-54 metric, besting The Katie Phang Show’s 13,000 in the demo – a 162 percent advantage over MSNBC.

Overall, NewsNation beat MSNBC in the key demo by 35 percent in the afternoon and early evening hours of Saturday.

Even though NewsNation, the upstart “centrist” news channel that bills itself as “News For All Americans,” notched an unprecedented demo ratings victory over its much more established rival, MSNBC still easily surpassed the Nexstar-owned network in total viewership.

During the 12-7 p.m. Saturday block, MSNBC averaged 262,000 viewers overall to NewsNation’s 58,000 – a difference of 78 percent.

Following Donald Trump’s electoral victory last month, disenchanted viewers have turned off CNN and MSNBC, while Fox News has seen its ratings surge. From the day after the election through last week, MSNBC averaged only 603,000 total viewers in primetime, less than half of its year-to-date average. CNN was also down 46 percent in primetime while Fox News was up 12 percent, nabbing 2.7 million viewers.

MSNBC’s flagship shows Morning Joe and The Rachel Maddow Show have also suffered record-low ratings during this post-election recession. Late last month, Maddow saw her demo viewership sink to its lowest point since 2015. Meanwhile, this past Monday, Morning Joe had its third lowest-rated telecast since its 2007 launch and the smallest demo audience in over 17 years.

At the same time, MSNBC executives feel that the network’s loyal viewers will return after the sting of Kamala Harris’ loss fades away and Democratic anger over Trump’s policies grows. This happened in 2016 when MSNBC’s audience fell by 41 percent immediately after Hillary Clinton’s loss, only for the channel to experience a sustained “resistance” surge in 2017 after Trump took office.

“A post-election dip in viewership was always projected and internal thinking is that it will pick up in the New Year, post-inauguration,” a network source told The Independent.

The same has also held true for Fox News. Following Joe Biden’s victory in 2020, the conservative cable giant’s primetime viewership fell by six percent. After Barack Obama won re-election in 2012, the network’s weeknight audience dropped by 13 percent.

Despite the startling ratings slump since Harris’ loss, MSNBC still showed year-over-year growth compared to 2023. The network averaged 807,000 overall viewers in total day and 1.3 million in primetime, finishing the year as the No. 2 network in all of cable (behind only Fox News) and up two and four percent, respectively, from the previous year.

As for NewsNation, the network still pulls in just a fraction of total viewers compared to the Big Three in cable news. At the same time, it has enjoyed double-digit growth in two consecutive quarters and saw its primetime viewership jump by over 20 percent compared to 2023.

#nunyas news

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xserenemeadowsx · 2 years ago

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Unconditional Love (Chapter 1)

By xSereneMeadowsx

Summary: (Bowser x Female Reader) “You show love through acts of kindness and understanding. If you force someone to be with you, they’ll grow to resent you,” she spoke with a fire in her eyes. “I didn’t ask you to lecture me! You will help me win Peaches back and I will do as I see fit!” He roared with irritation as his eyes glowed with fiery. Y/N is a young woman who works as a singer/waitress in a karaoke bar. One night, she meets the infamous Super Mario Brothers and learns of their adventures. Her world changes in the most unexpected of ways. From meeting a princess of mushroom people to meeting a king of anthropomorphic turtles, Y/N is in for more than she bargained for.

*Heads up: This takes place after the 2023 movie in a sort of alternate universe incorporating potential ideas for what could happen after the movie.

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Chapter 1

The cage swung and shook as the creature inside it paced and growled in anger. How could he, the King of the Koopas let himself be shrunk down in size and caged like a bird? It was ridiculous and humiliating! Bowser, the once feared and proud ruler of the Koopas, grumbled. He was sick of looking at the iron bars before him. To him, they were mocking and irritating. He did have his piano which he greatly enjoyed playing, but even so, it did nothing to appease him entirely. If only he hadn’t gotten lost looking into the princess’s deep blue eyes. The same eyes that showed nothing but hatred and disgust for him.

Bowser couldn’t help himself and be attracted to Peach, Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom. As he had previously described to his troops, her heart shaped bangs, her immovable tiara, and the way she would float in the breeze drew him in. Her hatred of him made him love her more as well. He had to win her heart back somehow. He wanted his happily ever after with the fairy tale wedding and to rule side by side with her. He sighed with annoyance when thinking back to the two plumbers that ruined everything for him. They had nabbed the Super Star and used it to beat him down. That was his star! He had taken it rightfully away from the Penguin Kingdom!

He shook his head and mentally spoke to himself. ‘No matter. I will get myself another Super Star…as soon as I get out of here.’ He sighed. ‘Kamek should have been here by now. I’ve been waiting in this darn cage for 3 weeks now! I’m over it already!’ He gently tapped his head against the bars, gripping onto them tightly with his claws as his red eyes closed.

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In another part of the world, Kamek, a fellow Koopa and wizard to Bowser, had been working on a spell to help free his lordship. He had seen his majesty get taken away as soon as the princess fed him a blue mushroom shrinking him in size. He then witnessed Toad, a mushroom person, picking up Bowser and putting him in a jar. He was horrified and frustrated to see his king be treated in such a way. He vowed to free his master as soon as he could. He needed the perfect spell to sneak in and get Bowser out. He had been hard at work perfecting a spell that would make him invisible and unable to track. It would allow everything he did to be silent as he moved around and figured out a way to free Bowser. He had worked on a spell that could, potentially, help break locks too. He hadn’t practiced the spell for very long as it was new to him. He hoped if he needed to use it, everything would go smoothly with it.

Kamek was very close to perfecting the invisibility spell now. He needed to make his wizarding hat invisible as it didn’t turn invisible like the rest of him, and his clothes did. He sucked in a deep breath and let it out, focusing again on the spell. He stood in front of a mirror hung up on the wall of his workshop, waved his wand and chanted, “Beetle dee do, beetle dee dawn. Make me an invisible spawn!” Green sparkles began to swirl around him from his wand and slowly, he started disappearing. As he stared into the mirror, witnessing his body turning invisible, he looked at his hat as it too began to finally disappear.

“Yes! At last! It is perfected!” Kamek jumped up and down in excitement. “Do not worry Sire. I shall free you soon!"

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“Ah man! I’m running late!” A young woman ran frantically around her apartment as she grabbed her work clothes packing them into a small duffle bag. Y/N knew her boss wouldn’t be happy with her being late. She had only had this job for a week, and they were extremely strict about being on time. She understood that well and always strived to be on time. Unfortunately, time got away from her along with sleep and she ended up getting ready much later than anticipated.

She had hurriedly fixed her (hair length and hair color) hair by curling it and applying basic but pleasing makeup for her eyes. She dabbed on light foundation and blush while putting on a neutral color of lipstick. She wanted to wear something that said natural, but not overbearing. She wasn’t one to wear heavy makeup, so she always did it lightly. Y/N sighed as she made quick work of zipping up her dress and putting on her 2-inch high heeled sandals. She grabbed her jewelry, a matching pair of earrings and necklace, and put them on. The earrings and necklace were silver in color along with her sandals.

Y/N practically ran out of her apartment as she grabbed her keys, purse, and duffle bag. She locked the door and made her way towards the elevators. She would’ve taken the stairs, but she didn’t want to risk tripping down the stairs. Never again did she want a repeat of what happened a couple of days ago in these very same shoes. It was so embarrassing, but she was thankful that someone stopped by to help her stand up again.

The elevator doors chimed open, and she stepped inside. She turned towards the buttons to press the first-floor button. The elevator began its descent only to stop after passing a couple of floors. She groaned as the doors opened and an older couple slowly made their way in.

‘C’mon, please move faster,’ she thought irritably.

The older couple took their time stepping inside, the man helping his wife in who had a walker. Y/N felt bad for getting irritated, but this was not helping her. She was going to be so late at this point. She knew it was her own fault though so she could only blame herself. She gave the couple a polite smile as she made as much room as she could for them. The elevator finished its journey to the first floor. As soon as the doors opened, Y/N bolted out of the elevator and outside of the building to her car. Thankfully, she was able to park her car in a close spot to the building. That didn’t happen too often with how packed the city could get with residents and tourists.

Y/N opened her car door and threw in her purse and duffle bag onto the passenger seat as she then ran around to get to the driver’s seat. Buckling her seat belt and turning on the ignition, the car sounded off and sped away from the parking spot. She looked at the car clock and realized she only had ten minutes to spare to be at work on time. She did her best to maneuver around the cars and to be first at any stop light. Not an easy thing to do, but she quickly learned the ways of navigating in no time.

Brooklyn was a city that Y/N never expected to move to. Sure, she thought New York would be an interesting place to visit, but to live there? She wasn’t sure about that. It was expensive and making a living in such an expensive place could prove to be difficult if you didn’t have a high paying job. She was very thankful and lucky to get such a break. She always loved singing and wanted to try to purse a career in it. Finding out about a karaoke bar called Heart and Soul Karaoke Bar greatly helped her.

Having done research online about the place, she was happy to see the mostly positive reviews from the customers and employees who currently or previously worked there. It sounded like they really took care of everyone and provided decent benefits to the workers. Y/N applied, had two phone interviews and one video interview. After the video interview, she got a call saying they would like to have her join their team.

Y/N was absolutely delighted in getting hired for the job. She knew this would be life changing both mentally and physically. It made her nervous that she would have to move away from her parents and family who all lived in (name of state/country). She had lived in the same area as all of them for so long. However, she was grateful for all the help she received in getting everything moved to the apartment she found in Brooklyn.

Seeing the bar in sight and seeing she only had a minute left, Y/N pulled her car into her usual parking spot, grabbed her bags, and dashed to the door of the restaurant as she locked up her car. She was grateful to have a fob for her car. She was greeted by her manager who stood at the podium with his arms crossed.

“Hi Mr. Winters,” Y/N said with a bit of an awkward smile.

“Y/N. You just barely made it here on time,” he said with some disappointment.

“I’m very sorry sir. I’ll do better next.” She looked into his brown eyes seeing them slightly warm up to her.

He gave her a small smile. He knew she was usually very good about being on time. This was obviously not the best day for Y/N. “Now that you’re here, go put your bags in the locker room and get up on stage. The musicians are all ready for you.”

“Yes sir,” Y/N said with a relieved smile. She thought her manager would’ve been much harsher with her.

Y/N made her way to the locker room, did the combination for her locker, and put her bags in. Before closing the locker door, she looked at the little mirror that hung on her door. She ran her fingers through her hair quickly. Satisfied that her hair didn’t look too wild now from all her rushing, she exited the locker room and made her way to the stage.

Lights illuminated the stage showing the silhouette of Y/N. Her (favorite color) dress shimmered under the lights along with her jewelry. She grabbed the microphone from the stand and said, “I deeply apologize keeping all of you waiting for me. Thank you for your patience!” She turned toward the musician at the piano and nodded her head to him. The musician nodded back and began playing. The violins joined in and soon, Y/N’s voice chimed in with the toon.

The words from her lips came out with much ease thanks to all the practice she had been doing. She spent a lot of time working on memorizing the lyrics. The musical notes from the instruments flowed in rhythm as she continued singing out the words of an artist from many years ago. As the song came to an end, the audience clapped and cheered.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!” Y/N smiled as she took a bow.

“Sing another song,” a voice called out from the audience.

Y/N got slightly flustered. Yes, she was to sing the song she finished, but then she was supposed to help the waiters and waitresses this evening. “Um, well…” She saw Mr. Winters give a nod of approval for her to sing another song.

“Okay. Sure, I can sing another song.” She went over to the musician on the piano and whispered in his ear, “Play the acoustic version of Iris By Jada Facer.”

The musician nodded in understanding and began to play the melody. Y/N had very much enjoyed this version of Iris. It was very calming and heartfelt to her. She closed her eyes and really began to get into the song and the piano sang its notes out with her voice. The song soon came to an end and applause could be heard.

“Thank you!” Y/N took a bow. “Would anyone like to come up on stage next?”

“I do!” A young man with auburn hair exclaimed.

“Come on up then! Show us what you got!” Y/N’s (eye color) lit up with happiness.

The young man stood up from his table in excitement and took the mic from Y/N’s hands as he reached the stage. Y/N stepped off the stage and quickly made her way to the locker room to change out of her dress and into her work clothes and shoes. After changing, she walked out of the locker room and grabbed her notepad and pen making her way over to her tables.

The evening had flown by quickly for Y/N. Since it was a Saturday, she knew the night would be extremely busy. Customers left and more kept coming in. It was the last hour of Y/N’s shift and she had to take a seat at an empty table.

“Hey now, no slacking off on the job,” Y/N’s coworker Maria said.

Y/N chuckled, “That goes double for you then. Says the one who is also sitting at a table.”

Maria laughed and Y/N joined in with her. “Oh man. I am tired. I can’t wait to get home into my pjs and snuggle under the blankets.”

“You and me both Maria. I am wiped out!” Y/N got up from the chair she was sitting in and stretched her limbs. “I’m glad we only have a little less than an hour left of-“

Before Y/N could continue her sentence, the front door opened indicating another customer had walked in.

Y/N walked up toward the front door, “Hi, welcome! How can I help you?”

The customer in question appeared to be very…out of sorts. He looked like he’d been through a heck of a day. His red shirt was a little disheveled and the overalls he was wearing only had one strap on. His red hat with the letter M on it was a bit crooked on his head. “Uh, yeah…we need a table…please…” His voice only proved how worn out he was.

Y/N gave him a confused look. “You and who?” There wasn’t another person with this man dressed in red.

“Huh?” The man turned behind him only to see he did indeed come in alone. “Oh no! Where’s Luigi?! He was right behind me a second ago!”

Y/N, sensing the urgency in the man’s voice, wanted to help him out. She turned to Maria. “I’m going to help him look for this Luigi. I’ll be back as soon as we find him.”

Maria nodded in understanding and Y/N then turned to the man. “I’ll help you look for him.”

The man smiled. “Thank you! I appreciate it! My name’s Mario by the way.” He held out his white gloved hand for her to shake.

“Y/N,” she introduced herself and shook his hand. “By the way, you might want to fix your overall strap.” She pointed toward his left shoulder.

“Huh?” Mario glanced to where Y/N pointed at. “Oh! Yeah, I should do that.” He blushed out of embarrassment and snapped the strap back in place. Y/N giggled at him.

Y/N and Mario then walked out of the restaurant and Y/N asked, “Where were you two coming from?”

“We had just finished up a job when Luigi suggested coming to this place to eat at. We came from a couple of blocks over here.” Mario started walking in the direction he and Luigi were coming from and Y/N followed behind him.

“I see. What is it that you two were doing if you don’t mind me asking?” The outfit made Y/N curious.

Mario looked up at Y/N who was a few inches taller than him. “Luigi and I are plumbers. We were fixing up a sink for a client before walking over to your restaurant.”

“Ah, okay.” Y/N looked down at him and then something registered in her mind. He did look familiar from somewhere. “Wait a minute…aren’t you and Luigi The Super Mario Brothers? I recall now seeing a commercial with you two in it.”

“Yep, that’s us. Always at your service.” Mario smiled at Y/N.

Y/N giggled, “Glad I could call you for help if it’s ever needed.”

“Anyway,” Mario said. “We’re almost to the house Luigi and I were at.”

It was a little more of a walk and then in front of Mario and Y/N was a tall white condo. It had large windows and when looking at the windows, a large chandelier could be seen.

“Wow, talk about high class,” Y/N commented.

“It is, but the folks are really nice,” Mario said. “Lu! Lu! Are you around here? Answer me!” He was starting to worry more about his brother.

“Luigi! Where are you?” Y/N called out.

“Lu! L-“ Before Mario could continue, a man dressed similarly to him but wearing green came out of the fancy condo.

“Mario!” Luigi said.

Mario ran up to Luigi and hugged him. “Mama Mia! You had me worried sick! I thought something bad happened to you!”

Luigi let go of Mario and looked down. “I’m sorry. I just realized I forgot the tools and so I came back to get them.” Luigi was indeed carrying the plumbing tools he and Mario used.

“Well, why didn’t you call me?” Mario asked, a little annoyed.

“I did try to call you, but you didn’t answer,” Luigi replied. “I really didn’t want to leave the tools behind and so just went back to get them anyway.”

“You did call me?” Mario felt around in his pockets only to discover his cell phone was not on him. “Ah…I must have left it in our car…” Mario looked embarrassed and awkwardly chuckled.

Luigi sighed. “Well anyway, I’m alright. Want to head over to the restaurant again?”

Mario turned to Y/N who had been silent during his and Luigi’s exchange in conversation. “Would the place still be open?”

Y/N smiled at Mario. “Yeah, it should be fine if you two still want to come in.”

“Uh, who is she?” Luigi asked confused.

“Oh! Sorry! I’m Y/N and I work at the Heart and Soul Karaoke Bar.” Y/N stuck her hand out to Luigi.

“Ah. Nice to meet you Y/N.” Luigi shook her hand.

“Shall we?” Y/N asked.

“Yes!” Mario and Luigi replied excitedly.

Y/N laughed. “Let’s a go then!”

Mario and Luigi looked at her puzzled.

“Sorry, I was thinking about your commercial again and I remembered you two had those accents. Couldn’t help myself.” Y/N giggled.

“I see,” Mario said smiling at Y/N.

The brothers and Y/N all made their way back to the restaurant and as soon as the door opened, Y/N led the brothers to a table. She grabbed a couple glasses of water and gave them to the brothers. She then took care of their food order and helped the chef that was still in the kitchen cook the food. Y/N wasn’t an expert in cooking, but she helped with what she could so that the chef and the other kitchen staff could be finished with their closing duties faster. It was much closer to closing time now.

Y/N brought the food to Mario and Luigi and asked, “Do you mind if I join you?”

Mario and Luigi shook their heads no.

“Not at all,” Mario said. “Thanks for helping me out earlier.”

Y/N sat down next to Luigi who sat across from Mario. “You’re welcome.”

“How long have you been here for?” Luigi asked.

“I’ve been here for a week. I moved up here two weeks ago,” Y/N replied.

“Ah. Where did you move from?” Mario asked.

“I moved from (name of state/country). It was…an interesting move,” Y/N said.

“How so?” The man in green looked at Y/N with his full attention. Mario did the same.

Y/N began, “Well…I almost lost one of my suitcases. I was flying out of my hometown and had most of my things delivered by air in the weeks prior. Anyway, I got on the plane, flew to Brooklyn, and landed in the airport. When I got off the plane and went to baggage claim, I couldn’t find my suitcase.

“I almost thought I had gone to the wrong baggage claim area. I looked at the signs to see that I was in the right area. I went to talk to some of the airport staff about my missing suitcase. They helped me out and then, as we were walking through the airport, I happened to spot someone with my suitcase.”

Mario and Luigi stared at her in anticipation as she continued her story. Y/N took in their expressions and laughed. “It’s not like I had anything special in it if that’s what you two are thinking. It just had my clothes and other personal belongings.”

“Ah, I thought maybe you would’ve been like a secret agent or something and the case would’ve had important information stored in it,” Mario gave Y/N a smirk.

“What, do I look like the secret agent type?” Y/N smirked back.

“I would say so yeah,” Mario said.

“Uh Mario, we should let Y/N finish her story,” Luigi said.

“Oh yeah. Sorry about that,” Mario apologized.

“No worries,” Y/N said, smiling. “So, the staff member that was with me, he and I walked up to the girl with my suitcase. The girl was so embarrassed that she made the mistake of thinking my suitcase was hers. Turns out, we had the exact same suitcase! We all went back to the baggage claim area and found hers.”

“Glad nothing worse happened,” Luigi said.

“You and me both Luigi,” Y/N replied. “Sometimes, people will have freakouts and blow up. I’m glad that the girl didn’t. She was very nice about it and kept apologizing to me about the incident. Turns out, she had a 13-hour flight and was extremely exhausted. I would be too if I had flown that long.”

“That’s quite the story,” Mario said. “I’m happy everything got sorted out for you and that girl.”

“Yeah, me too.” Y/N covered her mouth as she yawned. “So, tell me about yourselves,” She was very curious about the plumber brothers.

“Well, what do you want to know?” Mario asked.

“Anything you would want to talk about,” Y/N replied.

“This could take some time,” Luigi said.

“I think it’ll be worth it,” Y/N said optimistically.

“Alright,” Mario said. “Well, we did have an interesting event you could call it happen to us over a month ago…”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bowser groaned as he leaned against the iron bars of his cage. This was all too much. The waiting of being rescued was agonizing. He shouldn’t need rescuing. Trespassers and anyone else who dared get in his way should be the ones needing rescuing. Just as he closed his eyes and let his mind wander on how much longer it would be before anyone came to his aid, the door to the room he was in opened. Bowser opened his eyes and looked to see that no one was there. It couldn’t have been a breeze blowing by. The toads were always heavily guarding his room too. They wouldn’t let just anyone in. What, or who, could’ve opened the door? He tried to peer through the iron bars. Night had fallen and the room was dark, so it wasn’t too easy to see. Especially since the room had no windows.

“Sire,” a familiar voice called out.

Bowser furrowed his eyebrows. “Kamek?” He was a bit confused. He could hear Kamek but couldn’t see him.

Kamek saw Bowser’s puzzled expression, “I finally mastered an invisibility spell and put the guards to sleep.”

Bowser was impressed. “I see, good work.”

“Thank you Sire,” Kamek said. “Now, let me just get this lock figured out.”

“Make it fast,” Bowser said. “My patience is already wearing thin.”

“Yes, my King. I shall work at this quickly.” Kamek began fiddling with the lock and tried to use a few different spells to see if the lock could be broken. “Hmm…this lock is very different from what I expected.”

“Don’t tell me that I’m still stuck in here for another long period of time,” Bowser was beginning to rage. “I can’t take this height and this stupid cage anymore! Get me out of here!”

“I will Sire, I promise,” Kamek said trying to calm the king down. The spell that was still new to him came mind, “I haven’t tired that spell yet.” He looked at Bowser. “My King, please stand back as a far as possible in the cage.”

Bowser had a slightly nervous look on his face but did what Kamek said. He hoped this wasn’t going to be painful. He ducked down and held his head down.

“Yellow bellow light, grant me a key for this lock tonight,” Kamek chanted the spell. His wand glowed red, and a yellow light shot out of it and into the lock for the cage. The lock came undone and fell to the floor.

Bowser, hearing the lock fall, cautiously looked up to see that the door had been opened. He smiled the biggest grin he could muster, “Yes! Finally!” He pumped his fists in excitement.

Kamek’s heart filled with joy upon seeing Bowser happy. “I’ll change you back to your normal size at your place. For now, I will need to carry you.”

Bowser rolled his eyes, annoyed. He wanted to be big again now, not stay shrunken down. “Very well.” He figured Kamek would’ve done what he could and if this was all he could do for now, he would go along with it.

Kamek reached out and gently grabbed Bowser, holding onto him close to his chest. “We’ll be taking my broom out of here. It’s just outside of the castle doors.”

Kamek opened the doors with his wand and carefully got onto his broom while still holding onto Bowser. “We’ll be back home in no time.”

“Good. I can’t wait to be my normal size again,” Bowser said. “I have some plans in mind on how to get Peaches to fall for me.”

“Excellent Sire!” Kamek exclaimed. “I look forward to hearing all about them from you!” The two Koopas flew off into the night with the light of the moon as their guide.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In her room, Princess Peach awoke in a cold sweat. Her dream felt very real, and she had a sinking feeling. It involved Bowser succeeding in ruling over the Mushroom Kingdom and all of the toads becoming his slaves. She was sitting on a throne by Bowser as they both looked down at the toads working tirelessly to build a new kingdom. She hoped it was nothing more than a nightmare. ‘Please don’t be real,’ she mentally tried to calm herself down.

Perhaps she could invite Mario and Luigi for a visit. It had been a while since she last saw them. She knew Toad would be excited to see them again too. She decided first thing in the morning that she would invite the brothers for a visit.

Link for Chapter 2: https://www.tumblr.com/xserenemeadowsx/718697625594003456/unconditional-love-chapter-2?source=share

#bowser #bowser x reader #the super mario bros movie 2023 #mario #luigi #princess peach #toad #romance #adventure #fanfic

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dandelionsresilience · 10 months ago

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Good News - April 8-14

(Actually 8-12 due to irl obligations)

Like these weekly compilations? Support me on Ko-fi! Also, if you tip me on here or Ko-fi, at the end of the month I'll send you a link to all of the articles I found but didn't use each week - almost double the content! (I'm new to taking tips on here; if it doesn't show me your username or if you have DM's turned off, please send me a screenshot of your payment)

1. Interior Department Finalizes Action to Strengthen Endangered Species Act

“These revisions, which will increase efficiency by reducing the time and cost to develop and negotiate permit applications, will encourage more individuals and companies to engage in conservation benefit agreements and habitat conservation plans, generating greater conservation results overall.”

2. Young Puerto Ricans Restore Habitat Damaged by Hurricane While Launching Conservation Careers

“Corps members help restore the island’s environmental and cultural assets and volunteer in hard-hit local communities. They also gain valuable paid work experience and connections to possible future employers, something many young Puerto Ricans struggle to find.”

3. Australian-born cheetah released in Africa for the first time ever. Watch the heart-warming moment Edie is set free

““The Metapopulation Initiative will bring in appropriate males, probably two initially, to breed with Edie,” King says. “It’s those future cubs, and their cubs, that will ensure the legacy of spreading Edie’s genetics across the southern African metapopulation. And we will have also provided Edie – a wild animal, let’s not forget – with a chance of a life in the wild.””

4. Baby Bald Eagles Confirmed in 2 of 4 Nests in Will County Forest Preserves

“A pair of fuzzy eaglet heads were spotted popping up out of one of the nests this week, officials said. Two weeks ago, monitors noticed adult eagles feeding an unseen hatchling (or hatchlings) in a different nest.”

5. New Hope for Love for Japanese Children Needing Families

“The new system, established by a 2022 law, offers private childcare institutions financing to transform their business model into “Foster Care Support Centers” that recruit, train, select, and support foster parents, and assist the independence of children living in foster families. If a childcare institution becomes a Foster Care Support Center, the government will fund full-time staff members based on the number of foster households they cater to.”

6. Nexamp nabs $520M to build community solar across the US

“Nexamp, a community solar developer and project owner, has secured a whopping $520million to install solar arrays around the nation in one of the largest capital raises to date for this growing sector. Community solar gives renters, small businesses and organizations the chance to benefit from local solar power even if they can’t put panels on their own roofs.”

7. A natural touch for coastal defense: Hybrid solutions which combine nature with common “hard” coastal protection measures may offer more benefits in lower-risk areas

“Common “hard” coastal defenses, like concrete sea walls, might struggle to keep up with increasing climate risks. A new study shows that combining them with nature-based solutions could, in some contexts, create defenses which are better able to adapt.”

8. Rewilding program ships eggs around the world to restore Raja Ampat zebra sharks

“A survey estimated the zebra shark had a population of 20 spread throughout the Raja Ampat archipelago, making the animal functionally extinct in the region. […] Researchers hope to release 500 zebra sharks into the wild within 10 years in an effort to support a large, genetically diverse breeding population.”

9. Forest Loss Plummets in Brazil and Colombia

“New data reveals a decline in primary forest loss in Brazil and Colombia, highlighting the significant impact of environmental reforms in curbing deforestation. According to 2022-2023 data from the University of Maryland’s GLAD Lab and World Resource’s Institute (WRI), primary forests in Brazil experienced a 36 per cent decrease in deforestation under President Inácio Lula da Silva’s leadership, reaching its lowest level since 2015. Colombia nearly halved (by 49 per cent) its forest loss under the administration of President Gustavo Petro Urrego, who has prioritised rural and environmental reform.”

10. New Agreement Paves the Way for Ocelot Reintroduction on Private Lands

“With the safe harbor agreement in place, partners plan to begin developing a source stock of ocelots for reintroduction. Over the next year, they plan to construct an ocelot conservation facility in Kingsville to breed and raise ocelots. Producing the first offspring is expected to take a few years.”

April 1-7 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

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broadwaydivastournament · 10 months ago

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Will She Get a Tony Nomination?

Tony nominations are out tomorrow morning, and how am I coping, you ask? Like Madeline Kahn's (Not) Getting Married Today.

This season, eleven of our beloved Divas have opened a show on Broadway. In a remarkably overcrowded season for musicals, the competition is stiffer than ever, especially for our women of a certain age. Statistically, women over fifty (or even forty-five) are less likely to be nominated and/or win a Tony. I have done the math, I’ve crunched the numbers, I have a stupidly detailed spreadsheet, and the mean age for both nominations and wins of Leading Actress in a Musical is under 40. This is largely because the parts for older women just aren’t there in the same quantity as younger women. Since the Tonys began in 1947, only twelve women ov 50 have won for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. And two of them were Chita Rivera, so like… eleven, technically.*

*I have thoughts on why Bette Midler (oldest winner) should not have won but that’s a separate post…

That being said, let’s talk Tony likelihood. But wait, you say, what makes me (@droughtofapathy) remotely qualified to predict anything? Well, nothing. I’m just some stranger on Tumblr who doesn’t do theatre professionally. However. As of today, I have seen 209 Broadway shows, and by the time the Tonys roll around in June, I will have seen every new show eligible.

Also. I read the Tony Award Rules & Regulations handbook (all 26 pages) because why not?

Unlikely:

Andrea Burns (Featured Actress in a Musical: The Notebook)

Andréa Burns has never been nominated for a Tony before, and is unlikely to do so in a fiendishly overcrowded musical season this year. I love her dearly, and she always steals the show, but she would be entering as Featured Actress in a Musical, and it is rough out there, let me tell you. There’s probably over fifty featured roles for women, if not more (though most would not be serious contenders), and only maybe fifteen even considerable. Andréa Burns alas, falls short. She does basically nothing.

Emily Skinner (Featured Actress in a Musical: Suffs)

Oh, I love me a broad, but Emily Skinner is kind of your definition of a working actress who’s generally pretty well-employed, but not your top-line star, or even your go-to featured. I adore her, she’s wildly talented. And she plays bit parts on Broadway. Her roles in Suffs, an ensemble show at its core, are small and offer just a few opportunities to ham it up, but are not going to nab her a nomination. She’ll be one of almost twenty women on stage, with at least half a dozen meatier parts. Still. I am deeply obsessed with her whole performance and I need her carnally.

Jennifer Simard (Featured Actress in a Musical: Once Upon a One More Time)

Darlings, if you asked me this in the fall, I’d say she had a great shot. Was the show good? Nope. But was it fun? Yeah, it was pretty entertaining. Was Jennifer Simard the singular best thing about it? Oh, fuck yeah. She had audiences screaming and crying with laughter as Cinderella’s Stepmother (one of three Stepmothers in three separate shows on Broadway in 2023, and probably the one with the best part). Her “Toxic” is on youtube right now, and you need to see it. The vocals will blow you out of your seat. But it’s crowded, and that show did not last at all. Recency bias is against her. I don’t see it happening, but it’s the one in this category I would be most ecstatic about.

Long-Shot:

Uh, disclaimer, I will be seeing Uncle Vanya one day after nominations come out, so I'm just guessing here and don't quote me on any of this...

Lea Salonga (Featured Actress and Producer: Here Lies Love)

For the record, while I do think Lea Salonga realistically has less of a shot than Jennifer Simard for Featured Actress, I still put her here instead because she’s a beloved Broadway Diva who starred in a creatively innovative and novel show (that I hated it is, again, a separate post). I also don’t think the role itself is nearly large enough to garner a nomination, nor is it the sort of one-scene showstopping wonder that Katie Finneran was in Promises, Promises. So, unlikely, but hey, I’d love a win for Asians. She's also one of the show's many producers, which is more likely to net her a nomination. (Note: Lea Salonga getting a producer nomination for Here Lies Love is a likely for me, so move that down.)

Laurie Metcalf (Lead Actress in a Play: Grey House):

There are, I believe, eight leading actresses eligible for the Tonys, making this probably a four-person category, maybe five if they don’t hate women like they always do. And it is with great devastation that I report the four leading contenders are all white, blonde, screen actresses and I hate it. I hate everything about it. But I digress. Laurie Metcalf deserves to be nominated. Her performance was harrowing, unsettling, and so fucking weird. Grey House was an experimental horror play that didn’t open at the right time (mid-summer instead of Halloween? What the fuck?) and didn’t find its audience. But she had me in tears. If the world is good, and I doubt it, she'll get that fourth nomination. She's a Tony darling, so maybe?

Beth Leavel (Featured Actress in a Musical: Lempicka)

Almost no shot given the small part she has. The Baroness doesn't get much more than one heartwrenching 11 o'clock number at the end of the show, and little other chance to sing or shine. The book also doesn't lend her any opportunities to do much with the awkward and inelegant dialogue. But she's also a beloved industry favorite, so perhaps some miracle will happen? I doubt it. Especially given how the show's been received...

Jayne Houdyshell (Featured Actress in a Play: Uncle Vanya)

Jayne Houdyshell was a solid maybe/likely for me. Career vet with a great performance. I thought she'd get in. She got in for Music Man in 2022 and who the fuck saw that one coming? Yeah, she was good, but like…seriously? I mean, I know it was our first year back and all, but-- Actually, strike all that. I’m looking at the season list here and yeah, no, she deserved it. That tracks. I mean, I’d have put Luba Mason (heartbreaking) or Samantha Williams (a fucking delight) over her, but it makes sense. It was not a time in the world for downer stories. We needed levity and light and hilarity and that was Jayne Houdyshell. But apparently her part has been reduced in this production, so I'm amending my statement. Less likely than I thought. Sad times.

Anika Noni Rose (Featured Actress in a Play: Uncle Vanya)

Anika Noni Rose was our last hope of saving the Leading Actress category from the fucking white ladies with their A-list Hollywood names. But per the final eligibility ruling, she's featured. So there goes everything. Featured is just so damn stacked this year (and every year) that I don't know. But I swear, if I see the nominations for Leading Actress and it’s just a four-person box of white blonde Hollywood women, I will burn the American Theatre Wing to the ground.

Likely:

LaChanze (Producer: Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Here Lies Love, The Outsiders)

What a career transition this has been for LaChanze. From being nominated for Best Leading Actress in a Play in 2022 to winning TWO Tony Awards for producing in 2023 (Kimberly Akimbo for Best Musical and Topdog/Underdog for Play Revival), she’s on cloud nine. And now she’s back again with three more contenders. I think/hope Jaja gets a Best Play nomination. Out of the ten new plays, four are hard nos, but the other six are strong. Jaja's was fantastic. I loved this play. Strong and smart and well-received. It’s a decent, but not guaranteed, candidate. As for Here Lies Love, well… maybe. It was an ambition and creatively novel endeavor. I personally hated it for political reasons, but maybe it gets a nod? It’s a bloodthirsty year, but this show is shaping up to be one of the best-reviewed of the season. The most likely candidate would have to be The Outsiders, which may also be a moderate contender for Best Musical overall. However, having seen it, I hate it.

If She Doesn’t, I’ll Eat My Sondheim Hatbox:

Something something parallels, doomed relationships, exquisite performances, chemistry...

Kelli O’Hara (Leading Actress in a Musical: Days of Wine and Roses)

I know I’ve been saying it’s a crowded year for musicals, but this one was already locked in from day one. It is unfathomable to me that Kelli O’Hara would not be nominated for an eighth time. She has been nominated for every single role she’s had on Broadway since 2005. She is the darling of Broadway, beloved by all, genuinely kind, unproblematic, hardworking. If you’re going to love a (living) white blonde lady, this is the one. Aside from that, she’s going to be nominated because her performance was exquisite. Heartbreaking, ugly, excruciating, gorgeous. Her voice in this show was as close to an aural sexual experience as you will ever get. Statistically, she probably won’t win. Leading Actress in a musical has not gone to a closed show since Angela Lansbury in 1975. But she’ll be recognized.

Bebe Neuwirth (Featured Actress in a Musical: Cabaret)

Bebe Neuwirth back on Broadway in a beloved classic role of a beloved classic show. It is a match made in paradise. Fraulein Schneider is a wonderful, understated, deeply moving role. It’s been nominated four times for every Broadway iteration there ever has been. Thrice in featured, and was even considered a leading role in the original 1967 Broadway production (hello, Lotte Lenya). If the streak breaks with Bebe, I’ll riot. The circumstances, crowded or not, are favorable. Bebe is a veteran stage actress. Voters and audiences think of her fondly. It’s a Kander and Ebb. She got the biggest rave reviews I've ever seen, even as the show itself got panned. Right now, I would say there are three sure-fire nominees, and she’s one of them. I want her to win. I need her to win. I need her to be one of only three nominations this goddamn production gets. (Her, Skybell, and maybe scenic design, even though I'm mad about that too.)

#tony award nominations #emily skinner #andrea burns #laurie metcalf #jennifer simard #lea salonga #beth leavel #jayne houdyshell #anika noni rose #lachanze #kelli o'hara #bebe neuwirth

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remy2fang · 1 year ago

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More old art of F.A.N.G mains from 2022 to 2023. A continuation from a previous post:

Capcom Cup IX…my goodness, I remember it was absolutely glorious. And can you believe there were 3 F.A.N.G mains that qualified on that year?! First it was Mono of Puerto Rico 🇵🇷, Vegapatch of Spain 🇪🇸 , and Mortsy of Canada 🇨🇦 . At first I thought I’d celebrate F.A.N.G’s last hurrah at EVO 2022, but Capcom Cup IX was even more hype. I was rooting for all three of them.

Though sadly Mono and Mortsy had to face each other since they were in the same pool, but their mirror match was spectacular.

A fun bit from that same pool was that Mono helped Momochi (Cody) get into Top 16 by winning against Big Bird’s Ken. From then on, the two were dubbed Monochi 😎👍😎👍

Vegapatch managed to nab the #7 spot, so a F.A.N.G player made it to TOP 8 in Capcom Cup. He beat out EVO 2022 champ Kawano’s Luke. Yes, a F.A.N.G won against a Luke, and that Luke was played by an extremely strong player from Japan. Now THAT is something to talk about!

Yes, that’s me screaming like crazy there lol!

I must mention that Garnet of Italy almost made it to Capcom Cup IX. He would have been the third F.A.N.G player (I drew that picture before Mortsy became the actual third) to have make it. There would have been 4 FANG mains really lol. But he was outdone by Geeck-O’s Cammy. That is not the end of it though. Garnet is qualified for this year’s Capcom Cup X as a Dhalsim main. Yes, he did tried out A.K.I. because of the F.A.N.G affiliation, but her playstyle is not quite the same as her Master’s…and AKI is in serious need of buffs lol 🙏🙏, and the game mechanics can be overwhelming. So he went back to Dhalsim. Nevertheless, I’m rooting for Garnet because he was an amazing former F.A.N.G main. And don’t mind the error on my other Garnet fanart as my mind slipped away writing 2020 instead of 2022 😅😅

Sometime after Capcom Cup IX, Mono competed at EVO Japan 2023 and placed at the 5th spot against a total of 1,797 participants. There was also a Monochi moment. And just a few days after, Mono flew to Southern California and placed 1st at DreamHack 2023 at San Diego. Super awesome!

Yes, that’s two-time Capcom Cup champ MenaRD celebrating Mono’s birthday on that art.

One F.A.N.G main placed at 9th at Capcom Cup in SFV’s Season 1 in 2016. Three F.A.N.G mains at Capcom Cup was made possible in 2023, and one placed at Top 8. Hopefully we’ll get to see at least three A.K.I. Players in a Capcom Cup event by the end of SF6’s lifespan or even earlier than that 💜🤞🤞💜

#street fighter #f.a.n.g #a.k.i.#a.k.i #birdie #street fighter fanart #art by remy2fang #capcom cup #fgc #just me

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rjones000 · 9 days ago

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Decoding 2025 NFL Super Bowl LIX (59) Chiefs and Eagles in New Orleans, Louisiana. Predictions, Syncronicities, Connections by Simpsons? Addams Family, Despicable2, Village People, Trump Inauguration, Airplane Crashes

Sunday February 9th 2.9 9.2 2025 Moon phase: Waxing Gibbous Illumination: 91% Moon is 11.94/29.53 days old. El Eye EXE LiX 59 LIcks

2 years ago, 2023 these same teams competed for the coveted Lombardi trophy in Pheonix, Arizona where Rihanna performed her rituals at the Apple Half Time Show. And now a Savage reunion on the grounds of the Caesars SuperDome with "they aint like U.S. rapper, Kendrick Lamar and "kill Bill" songstress, SZA performing for Apple Half Time Show; "All the Stars are Closer." Including the Eagle landing in the Box, President Donald J Trump.

We can blatantly see the contenders in the playoffs when grouped together was about the Commanders, Chiefs, Eagles, and Buffalo Bills. Commanders otherwise known as Redskins...Indians motif surely stands out. But it can also look very Romanesque with Trump as the Eagle standard for Rome in Caesar's Dome. Dome of the Rock.

The Golden age is a reference to when Apollo returns and Saturn rules, as per Vergil's Eclogue 4 written before Christ yet foreshadowing the Messiah's in myths and legends of the Torah.

So how do the minions fit into all of this? Despicable movie 2 ends with a Village People scene for YMCA where Trump Inauguration Eve event pickled him pink with them singing on stage while he Trumped Danced. There is a clear chief and motorcycle guy with an eagle pinned on his cap. As well as the other aged Macho men fruitfully prancing in the background. In the movie Gru becomes an undercover agent of the AVL in a domed mall seeking the thief of the PX 4 formula. His leading suspect is Macho from Mexico. Yet the Eagle hair shop owner is falsely pinned for the dirty deed. But in the end, Gru's own science sidekick in allegiance with Macho, steals his minions to turn them into monsters. The Nasty fruity Jams was the antidote.

Also notice the hair style, brings to mind Trump hair. And they highlight the snake stapled to the 2 bills on the bar. This is the dawn of the Chinese New Year Lunar year of the snake.

There was a recent Migrant protest where Mexican flags were all up in it. There is also a Moose reference to tranquilizers where you'll see a moovie Welcome to Moosport with Eagle refernce.d. There is Pandemic allusions in the 6 foot social distances, injections, syringes of Covid19 in the PX4 serum that changes one into a puple course haired indestructible monster. While the Jam/jelly has the antidote like Monsters INc University has a similar refernce to jam jelly antidote to spike proteeins.

In the Addams Family Values movies, the Wednesday and Pugsley were grumpy campers who went savage as Indians who burn down the Colonizer's village. The J-ish boy is the chief while Wednesday dons the eagle on her head band. Earlier in the movie, Pugsley accidentally nabs an American Bald eagle with his arrow. Also the Uncle Fester's white home is burned down as well by his Gold digging psycho con artist wife who is found at a bar singing Macho Man by the Village People with sailors.

Are you starting to see the patterns yet?

On January 29 an Apache Black Hawk Chopper/Helicopter crashed into and AMERICA Airlines (Eagle) Passenger Jet coming from Kansas to Ronald Regan airport near the White House. More Indian symbolism. Kansas City Chiefs and Eagles in the Super Bowl and Trump set to be joining in.

Welcoome to Mooseport is aboout a President called Eagle who went through a divorce (Obama) runs for Mayor (Chief) of Mooseport. His contender is a plumber , by the way Saturn's metal is lead, Pb, Plumbus. They go back and forth as the winner. Fighting of the girl, Sally.

Storks has a scene referring to Junior and a football game. Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs is called junior. the go back and forth as to who won the big game on the elevator.

#simpsons #Minions #Trump #AddamsFamily #Welcome to Mooseport #Peterpan #Pocahantas #Freebirds #Eagles #Chiefs #KansasCitychiefs #prediction #game #superbowl #lix #year of the snake #lunar new year #chinese new year #Storks

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ivycorp · 2 years ago

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TFN 2023 - Art haul!

I am back home and I finally had time to put up all of the art I hoarded from this (and a few from previous) TFNation!

I had two very empty walls for over a year and I am finally able to say...

Things have changed - for the better!

I am elaborating more under read-more, but do look if you want to see close-ups & other cool things from multiple amazing artists!

I have been lucky enough to nab some art from Nick Roche (including the ES print set!) and Jack Lawrence (with autographsssss)

Once again I have gratefully spent my money at @coefore & @cissyswonderland stand on both some art (I put the prints from last year close because why not?), stickers (which now decorate my mirror, making me smile!) as well as the adorable set of bag and pouch :)

There was so much talent present??? dear heavens, it was a bliss to see so many amazing artists in one place!

I am trying to credit everyone in this post, but if you see something of yours I did forget to credit, please, DM me and I will update this ASAP!

@rheic-arts

@howgalling

Chess Pearson

David Cousens

Nick Roche

Jack Lawrence

@coefore & @cissyswonderland

@al3xolotl

And last piece of the show...

THE STICKERS!

(including stickers from last year's TFN ;))

@coefore/@cissyswonderland

@howgalling

Claudovel

I am honestly so happy to be surrounded by such an amazing quality work, and I do not regret a single penny - this community has such amazing talent, I am loving every single second of it!

#tfnation #tfnation2023 #transformers #maccadam #i am in love with everything and I still probably have some stuff hidden around that I forgot!#can't wait for next year!

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standupcomedyhistorian · 1 year ago

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He DID it—John Mulaney has WON the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special! 🙌

As you all know, I adore John (he's my third favorite comic), and I was able to see a version of this show when it was called From Scratch back in 2021 with my ex-husband (so...awhile ago haha).

I'm planning to do some articles about John in the near future. If you have any suggestions/requests, please let me know!

Oh, and Demetri Martin month fell apart (I was battling some seasonal depression amongst other things), but I do plan to focus on him in March.

Congrats to John on his well-deserved win (and another comedy special nabbing an Emmy that's connected to Bo haha).

I'm also psyched my prediction in July 2023 came true—Baby J was always my top choice! ✌🏼🐔

#john mulaney #emmy winner #this is his third Emmy win #so happy #i just knew he would take it #and you can hear why in my interview with Stucks #baby j #bo burnham #stand up comedy #emmys 2024

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writing-with-rain · 1 year ago

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"5 + 1 Things"

Bluepulse Week 2023; Day 2

Dec. 11, 2023

"Young Justice"

Summary: Bart loves the people in his life, and nobody would doubt that fact. But hearing the Bart Allen verbally professes that love was a rarity few people ever realized they had gone without in the first place. Jaime, however, was more than willing to say it, but never until he was sure he was ready. Or, 5 times Bart shows that he loves Jaime, and the 1 time Jaime says it instead.

I am very tired, it is very late, and this is very much not proof read - oops.

1. Bart; sharing food

Dating Bart, Jaime reasoned, was like having a Wild Card up your sleeve at all times.

The Speedster could be all kinds of predictable, but for the most part, the symbiotic hero had a firm understanding of what and why Bart was prone to doing something, or how he was going to do it at least. Having him as a partner for years, and a friend for even longer, meant that there were certain things that Jaime had come to expect: Bart would never be happy staying any place for too long, he never liked to share his food, he did not discuss his past, and if he thought it was funny then he was going to call Khaji Da “Buggy” until time itself came to an end.

Knowing even those few things is probably why his boyfriend’s behavior had seemed so off that day.

Bart had his days where he was quiet, a little more subdued. A little jumpier. Though he did well enough to hide it from everyone.

For the most part, Bart would lie through his teeth those days, parading a happy and carefree façade that would fool even the Big Bad Bat himself.

But Jaime knew better, tucked away in his bedroom with the speedster curled right into his chest, munching away habitually on the food he had nabbed on his way up.

Bart wasn’t all there that day, and Jaime could tell, so he was careful with his next moves. Slowly he slipped the textbook from his hands and slid it across the bed, using his one free hand to carefully shimmy Bart’s shirt up until he could see the exposed skin of his hip. And then he struck, one cold hand pressed right against the unnatural and inviting warmth of Bart’s own. And the effect was as instantiations as Jaime had expected, with Bart sucking in a sharp breath and kicking forward before he whipped around to face his traitorous boyfriend.

“Not crash, babe,” he warned, one hand wrapped on Jaime’s wrist and holding it away from his body.

“I said your name, like, 4 times.”

Bart blew a raspberry at him before deciding he could trust Jaime enough to return to his prior position, though this time his head rested against his partner’s shoulder so he could look Jaime in the eye. “I was focused.”

“On?” Jaime prompted, sneaking a quick kiss against the side of his head.

Bart seemed to stall for a moment before lifting the bag of food closer to Jaime. “If I was going to offer you some of my food.”

A lie, but Jaime knew the cue well enough – his speedster just wasn’t ready to talk about it. That was fine. But his actions still caught Jaime’s attention, because Bart was still a little stingy with his food, never fully shedding that “scavenger” mentality. But he made no comment on it, instead accepting a piece without fuss and another quick kiss.

2. Bart; seeking comfort

Sleepless nights were by no means a scarcity for any person involved with the Outsiders or the League, for anyone who had suffered, endured, and survived as much as any of them had.

Bart was no exception to this rule.

And sometimes Jaime caught himself watching his partner, the little down-turn of his lips as he spoke with someone.

He would never ask, but he had to wonder at times if Bart felt like he was speaking to ghosts.

If he recognized pieces of people he used to know and never would again when he talked to his friends, or when he watched Don and Dawn play.

It had to be jarring, if the bad dreams were any indication. And when Jaime had first learned what these dreams entailed, what these memories that haunted his partner were, he had fully expected Bart to get up and take off running. To see if he could escape all those thoughts until the sun was rising and his heart could no longer keep up.

And then Bart had made it very clear that first night he had woken up in distress – he had spent his whole life running in one direction or another, and all he needed to remind him that those memories weren’t there to grab him away the moment he opened his eyes was an anchor. Was Jaime.

Bart hadn’t even meant to wake him up, but the moment Jaime had asked what was wrong he had a speedster latched around his midsection like a panic-stricken panda. Arms hooked around his shoulder in a vice grip, too scared to lose Jaime in a puff of smoke if he couldn’t be 100% sure he was really there.

And Jaime had held him that whole night, speaking to him softly about any and everything even when he felt the hot drop of tears against the skin of his shoulder. He had just grabbed Bart harder and tried to think of another story to stop him from having to think about his past.

Even if it hadn’t made sense to Jaime at first - because Bart never showed anyone when he was losing it, or when he was facing a rough patch. He always had some smart remark or bad joke to divert everyone's attention or throw them off guard.

And the hero that donned the blue and black armor could already feel the way his heart tightened at the thought. That Bart, who had faced odds Jaime still struggled with imagining, had picked him of all people to be the one to comfort him.

So, Jaime wouldn’t mess this up. A promise he made to himself as Khaji Da finally spoke up in his mind to let him know that “The Impulse” had fallen into a much calmer sleep.

3. Bart; being a distraction

Bart, though, was not the only one who struggled.

Jaime was just as guilty as brushing aside much needed breaks, determined to balance every little aspect of his school, social, and hero life.

Sometimes, however, like now, as Bart stood in the doorway of the kitchen watching his partner and waiting to be noticed, it was very apparent that this balancing act was not Jaime’s strongest point. Instead, as he sat at the table and poured over his textbook, his dinner had long since gone cold where it still sat next to the abandoned dish on the now cold stove top.

Giving up on the idea that he may finally realize Bart had vibrated in through the front door he stepped up, chest to Jaime’s back before he reached forward and shut his textbook (slipping a piece of paper in to save his partner’s place; he wasn’t heartless). “Looking a bit moded there, babe.”

Jaime blinked up at him in confusion for a moment, like he couldn’t quite place who was standing in his living room. “When did you get here?”

“About 5 minutes ago,” he admitted, though it might have been longer he was not about to admit that.

He tried sliding his book back from Bart, who promptly slammed his hand down and fixed Jaime with an unimpressed look. Jaime argued regardless, “I have a test tomorrow.”

“You have a test in 5 hours,” Bart corrected, sliding the book back out of his reach and nearer to his discarded bookbag. “And you need sleep if you’re gonna pass it.”

Jaime only looked over to the microwave, squinting at the dull glow of the clock that ticked dutifully on the timer. He shook his head when he realized that Bart was correct, standing only to have his joints pop and groan in response. “I’m not ready to sleep.”

A lie, sort of. Jaime was tired, but if he laid down now his body was going to go to war with him over stiff muscles, and not even the scarab was going to be able to save him in the morning.

It was then that the soft strum of a guitar caught his attention, and he glanced over to Bart who was setting his phone up on the counter. He had that same self-satisfied smile that said he was up to something, but Jaime would cross the world a hundred times over for him, so it was likely nothing he would be unable to handle.

“C’mon Blue, dance with me.”

“You can’t dance, amore.”

“That a no?”

Jaime only smiled and shook his head, wrapping one hand around Bart’s waist and pulling him forward until they were chest to chest, and he could rest his forehead against his partner’s own. “I never said that.”

“Remember that when I step on your foot,” Bart chided, leading them both into an easy rhythm.

Things continued like that until the song ended and another began, one that had Jaime forgetting about his worries for the moment and cuddling up to his boyfriend closer than he had been, humming along.

His joints still moaned and popped every few moves, but they were mellowing out, and the sweet siren call of sleep was slowly making its way into his mind, ushered on by the soft music and the warmth of his quick-footed partner. A fact he was unable to hide any longer when he was forced to stop just so he could yawn.

Bart made no comment, only nudged Jaime forward until he was in his bedroom – where he made no fight when the Allen legacy gave him a gentle shove and sent him tumbling against the sheets.

Bart didn’t need to ask, and Jaime didn’t think twice when that tale-tell gust of wind rustled his hair and he felt far fewer layers than he had been wearing only moments prior.

“Get some sleep, I'll set an alarm so you can still shower. Just in case Buggy forgets,” he teased, stepping closer to place a kiss against Jaime’s forehead.

He wanted to say something other than the low groan of acknowledgement. Wanted to crack and eye open and say thank you or pull Bart into bed with him. But sleep had already won, aided by Bart, and Jaime was helpless against it.

4. Bart; staying

Missions and life and bad luck can happen at any moment, to anyone. And they always tell you not to feel guilty, or try not to, because everyone knows what sort of risk they open themselves up to in this line of work.

That isn’t stopping Bart from the gnawing guilt he feels right now sitting next to his boyfriend’s bedside who had taken a nasty beating trying to protect him instead.

Bart, who had been trying to move as many trafficked meta-teens out of the building as he could, had been a bright yellow and red target for the other men involved, even with his team working to take them down.

The intel had been slightly off, because with the weaponry and firepower provided at the base of operations there was no way that it was just some branch – they had found a major player in the industry, and none of them were ready to go to jail just yet. Determined to take everyone out guns blazing if they could.

Instead of raining Hail Mary upon Kid Flash with bullets, Blue Beetle (who had already suffered a nasty injury earlier in the fight) had acted on instinct in a moment and shielded Bart with his body immediately.

The next minutes had gone by in a blur as they Bart had dragged his partner to Baby, while his team rounded up and handled the rest of the men.

Seeing one of their own badly injured seemed to be the next kick they needed to get things wrapped up, and soon enough they had Jaime in a med bay bed, where he had not left for the last 2 days as Khaji Da silently and diligently made repairs.

Where Bart had not left in 2 days.

Not for a lack of trying on their friend’s parts. But Bart had made it resoundingly clear that he would be there the moment Jaime woke up, and if anyone had an issue with that then he wished them good luck trying to tranq him – he was not going anywhere.

And he kept to that. Ears tuned and studying the monitors at every little click or beep that something may have changed.

One hand intertwined with Jaime’s own, even as Bart slept.

Even as Jaime finally woke, trying to brush sleep away from his eyes only to find his hand held hostage by a sleeping speedster. “Bart?”

The sound of Jaime’s voice was enough to stir him, and his attention was full in less than a second. He looked like he had many things he wanted to say, before he puffed up his chest and looked Jaime straight in the eye. “Promise me you’re not gonna do that again.”

Jaime could only stop for a moment before shaking his head no. “I can’t - I can’t promise you that I won’t try to protect you in the future.”

Bart wanted to argue it, really, he did – but he knew he could not. Because he would have done the exact same thing. He still would if he had the chance, if he could trade places. Instead, he bit his tongue, pushing Jaime aside so he could crawl into bed with him. “I missed you.”

5. Bart; touch

Bart could be an enigma at times.

But this Jaime knew all too well. He could hold Bart around the waist, or hold his hand, his shoulders, etc. And in turn Bart would drape himself over Jaime’s shoulders like an expensive blanket, or he would mess with his hair. Anything that he could do to have some sort of physical contact with Jaime then he would do it.

But Bart hated being touched for anything medical. He hated people looking over him and prodding, asking questions. He hated the way that hands would linger too long during an exam.

He hated every moment of it. And after each exam Bart would refuse to touch anyone for the next few days. Even Jaime.

So Jaime made sure he always knew when Bart was due for another exam, or when he had been injured in battle. Ready to wait the days away until Bart came slinking to him and silently wrapped himself up in whatever hoodie he had stolen from Jaime’s closet.

But this wasn’t like those times.

Bart hadn’t been hurt in battle, or training. He wasn’t hopping continents or decades. He had just suffered a mishap at the hands of a ladder and bad luck.

And this meant Bart was refusing to go to Urgent Care or to get checked out by the Leagues own medical staff.

He was fine and he would heal – besides, he had warned Jaime, he hated when they touched him.

But the Reyes just could not leave it alone. He had heard the way Bart had yelled the moment he had hit the ground, and he could see the way he was holding his arm tenderly. Even if nothing was wrong and he was just overconcerned, he wanted Khaji Da to do his own scans.

But the bug wanted to test his reactions with physical touch, which left Jaime pleading his case before one less than impressed Bart Allen.

“Baby, mi novio, mi luz, please just let us take a look at it. We’ll be as fast as we can be, you know that.”

“You’re really not going to let this go, are you?”

“No, you really scared me, and it’s going to be on my mind all night.”

Bart stopped, shifting on his feet before hanging his head in defeat. “Alright, but only because it’s you.”

Jaime placed a chaste kiss against his lips before signaling him to sit on the shut lid of the toilet.

The scarab only needed partial control and his own armor, so Jaime was free to use his hands as he pleased, opting to hold Bart’s hand and rub his thumb against the back in soothing circles. His other hand rested limply against Bart’s knee, giving a gentle squeeze right before it lasted.

Khaji Da, for what it mattered (which was a lot) worked as quickly as he could to assess whatever damage might have taken place. While Jaime himself traced Bart’s skin through his jeans, slowly moving his hand further until he found one of the speedster’s scars through the thing fabric of his shirt.

Bart tensed at the contact but settled fast enough when Jaime continued to trace the shapes. It seemed to work in giving his partner something other than the exam to focus on, because Jaime could see the way that his eyes followed the movement despite his stiffness.

When he shivered Jaime moved away, knowing he was far too close to where Bart would be ticklish, and Jaime would never hear that end from Khaji Da if he began.

“Sorry,” Jaime mouthed, moving his hand down to the scars once more.

Bart squeezed his hand in return, pulling it closer to his body.

Thankfully a series of clicks sounded in Jaime’s head and the armor that had manifested itself minutes prior retracted back into the scarab.

“What’d Buggy say?”

“That your arm is going to be fine, and to stop calling him that,” Jaime said, pulling Bart gently up with him. “But icing it might still be a good idea.”

Bart scoffed, “yes, nurse.”

“I think I made a pretty good nurse.”

Bart cocked his head and studied Jaime for a moment before nodding slowly. “I actually,” he hummed, turning his head away, “I didn’t mind it as much since it was you. It wasn’t as bad as everyone else poking me.” Bart finally met Jaime’s eyes with a shrug. “It’s comfortable if it’s you.”

6. Jaime; saying “I love you”

That.

That had been enough to stop Jaime.

Even at the beginning of their relationship, it didn’t matter if Jaime had been the one touching him or checking his wounds.

It was a fact of life like anything else: the sun still burned; the world still turned; he still had a scarab fused to his back; and Bart Henrey Allen II despised anyone touching him for medical exams, no matter how minor they were.

“It really didn’t bother you?”

“Not this time, it was actually pretty crash.”

His heart beat a little harder for a moment and he stood straighter for a moment, proud of himself, and proud of Bart.

But the words that left his mouth weren’t planned – not that it made them any less true. They had been sitting heavy on his tongue for days now, and he had figured it was only a matter of time before they finally slipped out.

“I love you.”

Bart seemed surprised by that, but Jaime wasn’t done just yet now that he had begun.

“I love seeing the progress you’ve made, and the way your nose scrunches up when I try to wake you up early. Or the way that you give whatever you set your mind to every piece of you that you can. Or the way you sneak kisses before you leave when you think I’m asleep.”

Jaime stepped back, just far enough to get a proper look at his partner, right before his squished Bart’s face between his hands, standing there with his hands remaining in place regardless of being done. “Mi novio, Bart, I love you.”

For once it was Jaime’s turn to watch Bart’s brain start burning to catch up, words tripping over one another as he sorted his own thoughts. “I love you too, Jaime.”

Jaime grinned, wide enough it hurt, and he knew even his eyes were crinkled at the edges, but he didn’t mind. “i know, you say it all the time.”

#writing-with-rain #nicole writes #BluepulseWeek2023 #bluepulse #young justice #bart allen/jaime reyes #blue beetle/impulse

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kyndaris · 11 months ago

Text

Way to Dawn

There is something to be said of old turn-based games with pixellated graphics. For many, they hark back to the good old days where things in the world actually made sense. In these halcyon days, things were simple. There was not as much grey in the world because everything was black and white. Unfortunately, as time has passed me by, games have become grittier with worlds as drab and bleak as the one we face in reality. Octopath Traveler, however, is a series that knows exactly how to tap into the nostalgia we have for our childhoods.

When the first game released in 2018, I was immediately hooked. In 2023, the second game came out. Due to the fact I was drowning in far too many lengthy games that released in the back-half of 2022, coupled with an overseas trip, and a host of other compelling titles, I simply could not find the necessary time to sink into Octopath Travler II. Enter January 2024.

After finishing off a few key games like Assassin's Creed: Mirage and Spider-Man 2 over December, I managed to eke out some time to give Octopath Traveler II my undivided attention. 90+ hours of it, in fact.

While I started with Alfyn in the original Octopath Traverl, this time I decided to go with my gut and pick my favourite class in almost every single role-playing game I've ever had the chance to dabble in: a thief. Unlike the happy-go-lucky apothecary, Alfyn, Throne finds herself trapped in an endless cycle of death. Her opening chapter sees her scurrying through the sewers of New Delsta with three other members of her gang, the Black Snakes. As the chapter progress, we see the internal struggle among the members of the gang before Throne is then confronted with a long-time friend as both are keen to escape the chains that bind them.

Despite the bleak nature of this first part, Throne's story is still one filled with optimism as she fights for freedom and to break free from the cycle that has kept her trapped for all her life.

From there, I slowly recruited the rest of the Travelers, starting off with Temenos and Osvald. From there, I jumped on a ship to Beastling Island, recruited Ochette and moved to the Eastern Continent - nabbing Castti, Hikari, Partitio and Agnea. The journey took me all across the world of Solistia.

Later, as the game progressed, I would hop to and fro from both continents as I chased after each dangling story thread for my odd band of characters.

And while I liked all of the stores, the two that stuck out to me belonged to Partitio and Agnea. Possibly because of how positive their outlooks were, and how undaunted they were of the cruelties inherent in the world. I know others on the internet may disagree but given the state of the world these days, I was in the mood for something light-hearted and fun.

Let's start with the Dancer shall we?

Agnea is a girl from the village of Cropdale. Her mother was a dancer and, like her, Agnea dreams of becoming a star. Her story, although simple, sees her travel all across the world to show off her dancing talent and bring a smile to people's faces.

Along the way, she meets a colourful cast of intrepid performers from Gil to Giselle's Travelling Troupe.

Of course, it wouldn't be a video game without a villain. And Dolcinaea serves as the perfect foil to Agnea's optimism. Hers is a tale of hardship growing up in the deserts of Sai, being inspired by Cuani (Agnea's mother) and working hard to become a star to take her away from her roots. But while she views her past with disdain and wishes to eradicate it, Agnea is there to remind her of the people her actions will affect, culminating in a dance battle at the Grand Gala in the Merry Hills region.

Plus, there's some fruity goodness along the way with a few key lines between Veronica and Dolcinaea.

Who doesn't like an uplifting journey, anyways?

As for Paritio...where to begin?

If all merchants were like him, I'd think the world would be a much better place. Growing up in a silver mine, Partitio has experienced both prosperity and the depths of poverty when the former land owner of the silver mine takes back the land and levies a huge tax on the silver that is mined in the area. Crushed underneath the weight of oppressive capitalism, Partitio and his gang of friends push back against the enforcers (including a man named Giff - which felt like it was ripping off Biff from the Back to the Future series).

From there, Partitio seeks to do away with the devil that is 'poverty' and seeks out a means to make money but also give back to the community at large. He does so by buying the rights to the steam engine. But not before securing himself a grand sum of 80 billion leaves!

And instead of running away with the money, makes good on his promise to make the world a better place.

While there are some forums that declare Partitio as a capitalist in the truest sense (where human greed does not enter the equation and people know how to share the wealth), I thought many of his ideas somewhat left-leaning. True, he is no communist but Partitio is a person who understands the plight of the common-man and knows how to utilise the talents of those around him to the greatest benefit. More than that, though, he is filled with empathy for those around him and isn't shy to splash his own money around to improve the lives of those around them by 1. giving them a living wage and 2. not push people down in order to get ahead.

Plus, when his theme starts playing and the saxophone kicks in...you know you've got a winner on your hands.

I also really liked Agnea's Song of Hope theme. But I'm also a sucker for any fiddle or string instrument. Which is also why I'm in love with Throne's and Osvald's themes. And that is something else I wanted to praise about Octopath Traveler II. The music! My goodness, the music!

Both Octopath Traveler games are scored by Yasunori Nishiki and he is a genius when it comes to composing such great music. There is something so magical about all the tracks in Octopath Traveler II that I loved.

And that's saying a lot because I very much enjoyed the tracks of the game. Heck, I even bought the CD for the first game and had my mother play it while we drove back up from Melbourne.

The music also proved great at selling the emotion of the song and kept the story aloft, proving to be very poignant at several points. It always kept me engaged during the boss battles. Such a shame it was overlooked at The Game Awards in 2023. I'm sure Flute Guy would have kicked it out of the park if Octopath Traveler II had been nominated for Game of the Year. He certainly was living his best life when Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was nominated and was grooving out to Tears of the Kingdom.

But back to the story of Octopath Travler II. Like the first game, the stories of the Travelers are connected to a central antagonist. But whereas Galdera was a hidden boss hidden behind several side quests, after finishing off each of the Traveler's stories and the Crossed Paths storylines, the Travelers come together and ACTUALLY interact with each other.

When the world plunges into darkness, the Travelers soon piece together that the Moonshade Order was behind it all. Together, they set about re-igniting the flames scattered around the world before confronting the big bad: Vide after Oboro sacrifices himself to the God.

And like many games of the past decade, Octopath Traveler II is a game that explores themes of despair and hope through the lens of nihilism. In fact, I was reminded very much of Danganronpa. True, we didn't have a crazy antagonist obsessed with despair, but we did encounter individuals who saw a cruel unforgiving world and gave into the darkness (or Shadow) within their hearts to quell the suffering.

It's a sentiment I can understand. Humans are cruel. Wars are started for petty reasons, be they for resources or simple pride.

Worse, we turn a blind eye to certain inconvenient truths. Especially if they would only serve to make us feel bad.

Sometimes it's easy to think: what would life be like if humans were all wiped out from existence?

Our Travelers, though, are made of sterner stuff. Despite witnessing atrocities, they continue to fight for the dawn. In their hearts lay a glimmer of light - of hope - for a better world. And in a video game, their actions do bring on positive change.

Together, they drive back Vide and look to the future. Thus bringing a happy end to it all.

But while the overarching story might feel quite simplistic, the themes explored in Octopath Traveler II, I felt were especially poignant. In each Traveler's story, we got to see elements of our current world - be it corrupt bureaucracy, the inherent greediness in humans or their lack of care for the natural world. Each time, though, the Travelers managed to triumph over their foes and bring new understanding.

It's a story I can get behind. And it's probably why I fell in love with Partitio and Agnea's story (but also, who wouldn't want to fight a steam train?)

Gameplay-wise, Octopath Traveler II doesn't stray too far from the first game. It does, however, have a few tweaks that make the game fun and exciting such as Latent Powers and character abilities. For example, Throne is able to increase the strength of all characters at the start of battle when it's night-time. Hikari, on the other hand, has access to learned skills which can be gained by challenging NPCs scattered around the world.

This brings a whole host of different ways to play the game and to optimise the party. Even as weigh in on when to use brave points to unleash on our foes and break past their shields or to hoard them for a devastating attack later on.

Combined in this way, Octopath Traveler II is a marvel of a game. True, there were moments where I felt the story was a little bogged down, but I certainly enjoyed my time with it. Better yet, it never felt like it was a grind. The 90+ hours I sunk into it flew by without me even realising it as my characters levelled up and grew stronger with each passing hour. Beyond these factors, it also added elements of fruitiness between NPCs but it never tried to shove it in the player's face.

Still, in my head-canon, Dolcinaea and Veronica are a couple. As are Temenos and Crick (before his untimely demise - but he was giving off mass death vibes in Chapter 3. Just saying), Pala and Mikka, and possibly Castti and Malaya (although Malaya, too, is dead).

Plus, I loved the dynamics between all the Travelers with Castti being the mum of the group, Osvald the dad, with the others being chaotic siblings.

#video games #octopath traveler 2 #agnea bristarni #partitio yellowil #throne anguis #temenos mistral #hikari ku #ochette #mikka x pala #dolcinaea x veronica #castti florenz

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