#Pilar Castle

[noticiasarquelogicasjaponesas]

El clan Nanbu tenía un fuerte. ¿Qué es un daimyō? La gama que los samuráis ganaron más poder son los señores feudales, el sitio histórico de shojujitate fue la residencia del clan Nanbu, construido en la orilla norte del río mabuchi en la prefectura de Aomori. Estaban ubicados en el punto estratégico de comunicación. - Sin embargo, el castillo estaba cerca de los caminos oshu kaido y kazunokaido, el lugar estaba limitado por montañas al este-oeste y norte-sur, los 300 a 250 m la dimensión del fuerte era de aproximadamente 90.000 metros cuadrados. Como resultado de la excavación que el arqueólogo llevó a cabo hasta el edificio de pilares del escape más grande de la región de tohoku, se extiende 18 tramos de 36 m de norte a sur de 42 m, la estructura ha sido de dos pisos de altura y los pilares de la puerta de 45 cm la fecha del castillo de 1539 en la era de Teherán. - Cerámica de alta calidad y artefactos culturales honshu Ainu, se han recuperado más de 4000 tipos de cerámica vidriada medieval dentro del sitio, de los cuales siete décimos son guerras vidriadas chinas. - En resumen, la forma en que se puede discernir a partir de los elementos recuperados en los restos de shojujitate datan de la cultura del período Murumachi y Sengoku en Japón. - - En resumen, la forma en que se puede discernir a partir de los elementos recuperados en los restos de shojujitate datan de la cultura del período Murumachi y Sengoku en Japón. - 南部氏には砦がありました。大名とは？武士が勢力を拡大した範囲は領主領であり、青森県の馬渕川北岸に建てられた南部藩の居城であった正寿寺立史跡は交通の要所に位置していました。 しかし、城は奥州街道や鹿角街道に近く、東西南北は山に囲まれた場所でした。 300 から 250 m の砦の寸法は約 90,000 平方メートルでした。 18スパン36m南北42mに及ぶ東北地方最大級の脱獄の柱建造物を考古学者が発掘調査した結果、2階建てで門柱45cmの城郭時代の1539年テヘラン時代。 高品質の陶磁器と本州アイヌの文化的遺物、4000 種類以上の中世の釉薬を使った陶磁器が遺跡内から回収されており、そのうち 10 分の 7 が中国の釉薬を使った陶器です。 手短に言えば、正寿寺立遺跡の出土品から、室町時代と戦国時代の文化が日本に伝わる様子がわかる。 - The Nanbu clan had a fort. What is a daimyo? The range that the samurais won more power are the sir feudal, the shojujitate historic site was the residence of the Nanbu clan, built in the north bank of the mabuchi river in the Aomori prefecture were located in the strategic point of communication. However the castle was near the oshu kaido and Kazunokaido roads, the place was limited by mountains to the east-west and north - south; the 300 to 250 m the dimension of the fort was approximately 90.000 square meters. As a result of excavation the archaeologist conducted to the pillar building of the largest escape of the tohoku region extending 18 spans 36 m north-south spans 42 m, the structure has been two stories tall and gate pillars 45 cm the castle date of 1539 in the Tehran era. High quality ceramics and honshu Ainu cultural artifacts, more than 4000 types of medieval glazed ceramics have been recovered from within the site of which seven tenth are Chinese glazed warres. In short the manner it can be discerned from the items recovered at the shojujitate remains date Murumachi and Sengoku period culture to Japan. ソース写真/source photo: https://www.town.aomori-nanbu.lg.jp/page/1543.html

[useless-catalanfacts]

Traditions are stronger than rain!

People from Igualada (Penedès-Central Catalonia) go forward with their pilars (climbing one person on top of the other, one of the ways to make the traditional Catalan castells or "human castles") under heavy rain.

The tradition takes place in the city's central square and marks the end of the castellers acts day for the Festa Major (local holiday). The "goodbye pilars" consist on creating two pilar of 4 people in front of the City Hall, and some other members of the group pull up the climbers using a faixa (the sash they wear around their waist) to get them up to the balcony.

Rain makes everything more slippery, probably for this reason the mayor (the one with white shirt and a black tie in the video) has had to stop the castellers from bringing up the next 2 people up, to make sure nobody gets hurt.

Video source: Castells en xarxa (Xarxa de Televisions Locals).

[berna12ful]

Los fanfics en medios oficiales

Hace poco se me han juntado dos obras en concreto que tienen mas en común de lo que parece a simple vista. Una es Deadpool & Wolverine y la otra Murder Drones.

Toda esta movida empieza por la última, Murder Drones es una serie que empecé a seguir por recomendación de un amigo y que poco a poco se ha convertido en una de las más divertidas que he visto este año y hace relativamente poco que ha terminado. El caso es que eso hace que quiera hablar de ella, ¿pero que coño digo? Osea, su mensaje es bastante simple, su lore esta oculto pero no es complicado de darte cuenta... Entonces, ¿que coño cuento de la serie aparte de que esta guapa? Pues igual ese es el punto, que está guapa y ya está. Es una serie super divertida con personajes si bien no muy profundos claramente fácil de encariñarte de ellos y con un montón de cosas que, aunque tengan luego cierto sentido en la trama y demás, están ahí por que molan y ya está.

Pues eso es lo que tiene en común con Deadpool & Wolverine, que es una película que está hecha para molar y estar guapa y ya está. Ambas obras son el resultado de sus creadores pasándoselo bien y punto. Si miro a ambas obras me doy cuenta que son lo mismo que un fanfic que podría montar cualquiera en el que juntan dos neuronas para hacer una historia con coherencia y usan o sus propios personajes o personajes de obras que les gustan para armar escenarios y situaciones molonas y que les gustaría haber visto en algún momento.

Ambas obras son. básicamente, una compañía grande llegando a las puertas de sus creadores con un ¿Quieres hacer algo con esto? Y ambos lo hayan usado para hacer realidad su propio fanfic en un medio oficial. Lo más gracioso es que estas dos obras no son las únicas que tienen estas características, una compañía de videojuegos que me gusta mucho y de la que suelo consumir bastante contenido lleva haciendo esto desde que empezó y se habla poco de ello.

ID Software ha sido un pilar en la industria del shooter en primera persona casi desde su concepción, pero lo más gracioso es que esta compañía técnicamente empezó con un fangame, en concreto, un port a los PCs de la época del mítico Super Mario Bros 3. La historia de esto se resume en que lo empezaron como proyecto personal, consiguieron una meta imposible, se lo presentaron a Nintendo y Nintendo les dijo que bonita tecnología pero que no sacaban ni de coña el juego en otra plataforma que no fuera de Nintendo, por lo que decidieron aprovechar lo que tenían para sacar Commander Keen. Lo cachondo es que el siguiente juego relevante de la compañía y uno de los primeros First Person Shooters jamás creados tuvo la misma idea detrás.

Wolfenstein 3D es un juego cuyo título mucha gente no se plantea que es así pues es una versión en 3D de un juego aun mas viejo llamado Castle Wolfenstein desarrollado por una empresa llamada Muse Software, lo cual convierte a uno de los primeros FPS de la historia en un fangame. Es muy gracioso por que es bastante obvio cuando te das cuenta de que tienes cosas como el puto Mecha Hitler como boss final cuando en el original ni existía el dictador como un enemigo o personaje en el juego hasta su secuela. Es un claro ejemplo de como la idea de ID Software a la hora de crear videojuegos es la de pasárselo bien y punto. Cosa que repetirían con DOOM pues muchas de sus características vienen de juntar obras y juegos que a sus desarrolladores les gustaba. Pero no se sentiría esto tanto como en Quake.

Un buen amigo, al que también le gustan los shooters clásicos o Boomer Shooter, se pasó Quake hace poco incluyendo sus nuevas expansiones, y le pasó un poco lo mismo que me ha pasado a mi con Murder Drones, que no sabía que coño es lo que lo hacía tan bueno... Hasta que su mente se abrió. Este amigo se dio cuenta que lo que hace especial a Quake, es que es el producto de sus desarrolladores pasándoselo bien. Desde los creadores de mapas como los diseñadores de enemigos y armas estaban jugando con juguetes nuevos y se nota un montón jugando, dando ese toque de solo pasártelo bien y ya está... ¿Pero es un fangame o un fanfic de algo? Pues resulta que su historia está basada en los mitos de Lovecraft hasta cierto punto, incluyendo el destino que tuvo el protagonista de esta historia que descubrimos en Quake 3 y Quake Champions, por lo que podría contar como uno, un fanfic donde el héroe de acción estereotípico, ese macho que suda testosterona se abre paso entre las huestes de seres cósmicas y corruptas por la influencia de un dios antiguo hasta matar a uno de los dioses primigenios desde dentro. Desde luego tiene ese aire.

En conclusión a toda esta ida de olla que me acabo de marcar, es que las obras que solo están hechas para que su creador se lo pase bien y ya está están ligeramente infravaloradas, muchas de ellas me parecen oro y son de mis obras favoritas de la ficción. Es como cuando empecé a leer fanfics, muchos parece alguien tratando de dar un mensaje, pero otros son claramente una persona pasándoselo bien y ya está y es un sentimiento tan sincero que, si logras conectar con él, es mágico. Gracias por leer mis desvaríos y espero haberos hecho reflexionar sobre alguna obra que encaje en estos mismos estándares y a la que tengáis cariño.

[bicsbec]

Player's Guidebook (ao3 link)

Kolivan had a roaring headache. He tried to blink it away, but that only made him dizzy.

“Representative?” Lurok’s stern voice came to him annoyed.

“You’re exceeding my patience, Lurok.”

“I come to you as a concerned citizen. Is this how you intend to keep your job? By neglecting it?”

“Your concern will be revised as soon as possible,” Kolivan gritted out. Lurok seemed smugly satisfied and exited Kolivan’s office at a near strut.

Kolivan shoved the report into a thick file labeled Lurok , where he kept all the poorly concealed militaristic agendas Lurok came up with. Sometimes Kolivan brought the file to Krolia so they could laugh at the increasingly ludicrous veils Lurok came up with over drinks. Krolia kept her own file.

Today, however, Lurok had pressed all the wrong buttons, starting with entering the office with a snarky reminder that it had been his “not too long ago” and ending with an almost blatant accusation of nepotism, Kolivan only having kept the position because of his entanglement with “the Altean bootlicker,” which was all kinds of rich —

Kolivan took a not so calming breath, dragging a hand along his face. The obnoxious beeping of a call came ringing, making his ears flatten. He answered without looking.

“ Darling! Wait—this a bad time? ”

Coran’s voice came like a wave of relief. A small smile pulled at Kolivan’s lips.

“Only a little,” he said, sitting up and opening his eyes.

“ I was just double checking for tonight’s plans. That is, if you’re feeling up for it. ”

Tonight. What had he agreed to again?

“ I certainly wouldn’t want to bore you ,” Coran said hurriedly. He was on the verge of rambling; he was insecure of whatever Kolivan had agreed to.

“You could never bore me, Coranic,” Kolivan said confidently. “Once I’ve finished here, I’ll head over. Don’t fuss so much.”

Coran chuckled, the blush on his cheeks a soft tinted blue through the call. “ Alright. I’ll see you soon, love. ”

“Yes.”

“ Bye-bye. ”

The call ended. He still couldn’t recall what he had agreed to, but he was sure he wouldn’t have done so if he hadn’t found it at least a little interesting. It didn’t really matter. Spending time with Coran always lightened his spirits, seldom a dull moment between them. 

He hurried through the paperwork on his desk, meeting requests and project authorizations and Blade deployments that needed special permissions. His temple throbbed, but he’d be home soon and that was somewhat soothing.

“Rest well, sir,” his secretary, Ubzir, said as Kolivan handed him the outgoing correspondence of the day. 

“I expect to, thank you,” Kolivan said with a half-smile.

It was odd, these courtesies. They were words that had no real use, no purpose other than well-wishing. They were foreign to the Galra tongue, still acclimating to their more recent role in history. It was clunky; it was nice.

* * *

He took a public shuttle to Altea, the thought alone of flying himself over being too exhausting. They dismounted at Pilar C, the closest to the Castle of Lions. The first time Kolivan had stepped foot on Altea, he’d first thought it was nothing short of a miracle. A planet that hadn’t been seen in millennia, had endured only the briefest period of Zarkon’s terror, brought back in a state of near intactness. Its allure wore off eventually, becoming just another on the list of places in need of help. Unremarkable until it wasn’t.

Coran changed all that. The Plaza, the Opera, the gardens, the ruins, the fields; places on a map. Places that now lit up in his head and made him smile. The word home came to mind, but he thought that had more to do with Coran than with Altea. He thought of Daibbazal as home too, but only when he knew Coran was waiting for him back at the apartment. 

Once reaching the castle, Gixu escorted him to Coran’s location, the rec room. It was dark, a group of people huddled around the display panel.

“Rep—uh, Kolivan just arrived, sir,” Gixu announced. Coran shot to his feet, Kolivan could almost feel the enthusiasm emanating from him. It was only a little too much after the day he’d had. Kolivan squared his shoulders and braced.

“Thank you very much, Gixu. You can join us, if you like,” Coran said, walking around the couch with the brightest smile.

“I’d hate to intrude, sir,” Gixu said rather anxiously. 

Coran waved the comment off. “Feel free, honestly. Or maybe next time.”

“Sure thing, sir,” Gixu tried for a smile. Kolivan felt like he should spare her from Coran’s attention.

“You’re free to go,” he said as pleasantly as he could. He wasn’t used to giving out gentle dismissals.

“Thank you,” Gixu said, in a breath that sounded like relief. She hurried out of the room faster than Kolivan expected. 

“Let the poor girl breathe,” he said, gathering Coran up in his arms. 

Coran chuckled, squeezing around Kolivan’s neck. “Sorry. It’s just—the more the merrier.”

“Right.”

“Right,” Coran grinned, melting Kolivan’s heart. He leaned up on the tips of his toes to reach Kolivan’s lips, smiling into the kiss. “Come on, then. Let’s get you settled.”

Huddled around the table were Curtis, Shiro, and Emi. The table itself was functioning as a map, the terrain’s relief projected onto the hologram. Kolivan wondered if he had walked into a Coalition meeting.

“Alright, here’s your interface,” Coran handed him a small screen. “Input your character information and this’ll keep track of your stats, like your health points, spell slots, skill proficiencies, and experience points.”

Kolivan tried to keep his face clear from confusion, trying to put together the missing pieces of information. He used to be a lot sharper, able to quickly find his footing in a foreign scenario. The years were gaining on him. 

“Right,” he said with a facade of confidence. Coran smiled brightly, clearly excited for Kolivan to be there. Kolivan willed himself to put everything together faster.

He sat down next to Emi, studying the map on the table. It wasn’t Coalition. There was no strategy in the position of the figures on the board. There was a die with more sides than Kolivan had ever seen and Curtis was leafing through a book, but Kolivan couldn’t make out the letters on the front.

The figures snagged in his mind. He’d seen them a thousand times maybe, but he couldn’t place them. 

His desk. His eyes had settled on one figure, Coran’s figure, for movements. Back when he’d been given the privilege to accompany Coran during his recovery. Kolivan’s eyes had been free to wander anywhere in that room, but they’d always settled on Coran and the little trinkets that surrounded him. 

The game was Monsters & Mana. He’d asked Coran about the figure once, since it was so different from the rest of his trinkets, and Coran went on a passionate rant about the game he'd played as a boy and even played once with the paladins and Allura. Kolivan had been a little enamored by the way Coran juggled talking and working with his hands or did his engineering calculations without seemingly fumbling either.

“Do you have your character ready?” Emi asked, somewhat timidly.

“Hm?”

He pointed at the screen in Kolivan’s hand. “Do you need help?”

Ever since The Incident, Emi had behaved more unnerved around Kolivan. Kolivan had never thought him to be a nervous man before that, so it wasn’t lost on him that Emi had developed some form of fear towards him. Perhaps he thought Kolivan resentful, which he wasn’t. But he did find the new way Emi jumped around him amusing. 

“Yes,” Kolivan said, genuinely grateful.

“Okay,” Emi smiled, his shoulders relaxing. “With which part?”

“All of it,” Kolivan said in a whispered tone. Emi’s smile reached his eyes, looking back to Coran who was answering Curtis’s barrage of questions. Emi knew now that Kolivan’s affections for Coran weren’t flights of fancy, but it couldn’t have been clearer to him than in that moment.

“Very well,” he nodded, “let’s start with your character class.”

They settled on klazgool, Emi reasoned that it aligned best with Kolivan’s instincts, decision-making during the game would come more naturally that way. The interface filled out a portion of the blanks with klazgools’ average statistics. 

“Name?”

Kolivan raised an eyebrow. “Kolivan?”

“No, no, for your character.”

“Is my name not sufficient?”

“Well, no, of course, it’s perfectly sufficient,” Emi said at a near ramble. “But you can name them something else if you like.”

“Like what?”

“Well, I named mine based around their backstory. Trick comes from a long line of mavens and is the eighth of his name, determined to pass on not only his knowledge, but his name as his fathers before him had done.”

“Is that in the Guidebook?”

“No, I made it up. That’s part of the game.”

“Kolivan,” Curtis called his attention over, “if it helps, I named my character Wimbledon, y’know, after the tennis tournament. I like tennis and it sounds fancy, mage-like. It can be as simple as that.”

“Understatement of the century,” Shiro chuckled. “You love tennis. Wimbledon is—and I’ve heard you say this—the most sophisticated word in your vocabulary.”

Curtis elbowed him playfully. “Well, at least I didn’t name my character Gyro. ”

“Look, technically I didn’t name him, but I stand by the decision made before me,” Shiro said with a shrug. “You can absolutely name your character after yourself, Kolivan. I know I would’ve.”

An echo of his headache was creeping back to his temples. They weren’t even playing yet.

“Look here, love,” Coran said gently, placing the player’s guidebook in his hand. “You can pick from the suggestion list here. Klazgools are natural born warriors with a penchant for traditional names, most have between these five.” 

He knew this meant a lot to Coran and he was determined to show him that he understood that. He wanted to try. 

“Kulda. That’s the name. Kulda the…Loyal, first of his name,” Kolivan offered Coran a smile, handing him back the book. Coran’s marks lit up when he smiled, absolutely endearing.

“Alright, is everyone ready?” Coran asked, taking his seat at the map’s control panel. “Then let the adventure begin!”

As it turned out, Coran had run a small portion of the game already; as the players had arrived, Coran had given them only bits of information. 

First had been Shiro: Gyro’s journey had led him to an old man that required a favor in exchange for information. A favor that took him to the entrance to a cave.

Second had been Curtis and Emi: Wimbledon and his companion, Trick, had been tasked with the retrieval of their town’s leader’s war hammer, their only clue leading them to a haunted mountain.

Finally, it was Kolivan, last to have arrived: Kulda had received a poem a few weeks after his sword, Blackrazor, had been stolen. A calling card from the thief that led him to the village of Yellowreach. The “feathered mound” the poem described was only a few miles away.

Kulda opted to investigate the surrounding area at the foot of the mountain, only to find a mage and maven poking around as well. They soon came upon a paladin at the entrance to the cave where they would “burrow away from the sun.”

Coran briefed them of their mission: each were tasked with the same goal—retrieve the three sentient weapons that had been stolen—and delve into the belly of the volcanic mountain, haunted by the demons and traps left behind by the rumored thief—a mage not seen in thirteen hundred years, having had disappeared into the mountain along with his legion of minions. While their allegiances were tied to different wills and masters, they had to work together to wade through White Plume Mountain and escape with their lives.

Coran took them through the cavern, erecting small armies of creatures to get in their way or setting up trap passages to either kill them or impede their progression. Kolivan noticed a growing frustration in Coran when they proved too clever for his puzzles, evident in the furrow of his brow, the notes he seemed to scratch out and rewrite, and the vengeful difficulty at which the puzzles seemed to increase.

The party wandered into a room of permanent darkness early on. The room was guarded by a creature of the night that preyed on the blood of weary travelers. Gyro executed the beast, finding that the old man’s request was under the creature’s protection as well: a trident, the “wave in need of rescue.” Given the choice to abandon the party, his mission complete, Gyro decided against it, being the noble paladin by their side.

Halfway through Coran’s cavern of madness, they emerge above a boiling lake encased in a bubble. A demonic combination of a puzzle and creature encounter, as Wimbledon and Trick faced an enormous crustacean while diverting all harm that would come to the bubble, the delicate barrier that separated the boiling lake from them. The crustacean’s defeat earned them Whelm, the war hammer they sought “past waterspouts double”. The duo remained with the party, thinking their chances of returning alive better if accompanied by the strength of their companions.

Coran seemed a little irked by the camaraderie the party displayed. 

Toward what must’ve been the end of that hell dungeon, Blackrazor found itself in the hands of a monstrous mage—“remaining to be won”—wielded more like a rod of magic than an actual sword. With the help of the newly rescued weapons, Kulda managed to subdue the crazed mage, but they knew it wasn’t their thief.

“Warily, you retrace your steps,” Coran told them. Kolivan surprisingly found himself tense and anxious, like he was expecting a real-life ambush. “Can you all roll me a skill check, please?”

“Which one?” Shiro asked.

“Stealth.”

“Shit,” Emi mumbled.

“Success or failure, fellas?” Coran prodded. 

“Is fifteen a success?” Shiro asked.

Coran frowned at his notes, Kolivan watching the tendons of his hand flex with the urge to edit something. “Barely.”

“Success,” Kolivan informed.

“Success!” Curtis cheered.

“Oh, quiznak ,” Emi whispered. Coran perked up immediately, ready to savor the words that would follow. “Failure. What happens now?”

 Coran grinned from ear to ear, something sadistic and vindictive in his expression. “Trick, you’ve tripped on the rocky path and triggered something. ”

“I cast Arcane Detection,” Curtis said hurriedly.

“Do you have spell slots left?”

“Yes.”

“Are your hands free? That spell has a somatic component.”

“One hand is enough,” Curtis said, checking his interface.

“Fine, you cast Arcane Detection,” Coran relented. “Your senses are flooded, the magic left by the mage extends itself through every crevice of the mountain. As far as your spell ranges, you can tell the path is laced in traps. Anything else you want to do?”

“Run,” Kolivan said.

“Are you crazy?” Emi looked at him, startled.

“There’s already something we’re unaware of unfolding, I’ve got what I came for and I’m not going to wait around to find out what you triggered,” Kolivan reasoned. “Coran, Kulda is running.”

“Wonderful, you run.”

“No checks?” Shiro asked.

Coran simply shrugged. This was borderline psychological warfare.

The party followed Kulda’s lead. Coran allowed them the false hope of spotting the light at the end of the dungeon’s exit, but something crashed upon Kulda’s shoulders, pinning him to the ground. 

“ I care not, former owners brave, what heroes you seek to hire. Though mighty, I’ll make each one my slave, or send him to the fire, ” a frayed voice croaked. A mage stood before them, features grotesque and stature small, much too young for someone over thirteen hundred years of age. “I, the one and only Keraptis, have waited a long time for your arrival. It seems it’s time I handle you myself.”

Coran straightened in his chair, typing something in his interface. Emi sat up as well, eyes wide and stuck to the screen in his hand.

“Fellas,” Trick said warily, “he’s lying. That can’t be Keraptis.”

“ Roll initiative. ”

The mage grew enraged at the suggestion, eloquent poems and long speeches vanishing in lue of a rampage. Kulda was prone, Wimbledon was down, Gyro had used his last spell slot to heal Trick; it wasn’t looking good for the unlikely companions. 

“I am him, he is me,” the creature rasped in a craze. “There is only one who set the trap to lure in my new legion of minions, and it was me. ”

“You are an impostor,” Trick insisted. “The real Keraptis was a Common-man.”

The creature hissed, lunging at Trick.

“You get a reaction for that, Emi,” Coran informed him.

“Okay, I want to do something, but it might end badly,” Emi said, looking around at the table. “Is that okay?”

“I’m good with that,” Curtis said easily. “These saving throws aren’t looking good.”

“I don’t think it could get that much worse,” Kolivan said with a shrug. “Go ahead.”

Shiro nodded in agreement, clearly still trying to strategize some solution. 

“Alright, I cast Fire’s Wick and I try to hold him in place.”

Coran wrinkled his nose at that. “Roll to grapple, contested.”

“Seven.”

Coran went from gleeful to dismayed. “Four.” Coran took a sharp breath. “Alright, you successfully hold on to him as the fire that was spreading from your hands engulfs him. You watch as he screams and writhes and catches on fire. It is not typical for a creature to be so flammable, but as Trick knows, the legion of minions Keraptis kept was an ill-advised one: mlarks, creatures particularly susceptible to fire, creatures that would surely grow mad and disfigured inside a volcanic mountain such as this one. Keraptis had long passed, the impostor before you a mere echo of his most brilliant minion. An echo that was now becoming a dangerous flame, roaring and consuming. What are you guys doing?”

“Can I run?”

“On the next turn, darling.”

“Well, I’m dying here,” Curtis said.

“Not if I can help it,” Shiro said stubbornly. “I pick up Wimbledon and start running to the exit.”

“Alright,” Coran said, turning to Emi. “You take some fire damage, being so close to the mlark.”

“And earn an exhaustion point,” Emi said, frowning at his interface. “I can’t run.”

 “The flames continue to spread, the heat from the walls rising, Gyro and Wimbledon are out of the cave in this turn if you keep running,” Coran said to Shiro, who nodded. “Love, you can move this turn. With your full range of movement, you can get just outside of the flames, but you can also try to get Trick away from the epicenter. You’ll take fire damage, but it’ll be reduced. What will you do?”

“Whelm and Wave are with Gyro and Wimbledon, right?” Kolivan asked.

“Yes.”

Easy enough. “I’m grabbing Trick and using the movement I have left.”

“Strength check.”

“Christ, Coran,” Curtis complained. It wasn’t even his check to make.

“Numbers, please,” Coran insisted. 

“Twenty.”

“ What? ”

“YES!” Emi nearly leaped out of his seat.

“About damn time,” Curtis huffed.

“Alright, alright. You heroically throw Trick over your shoulder, feeling him lighter than you expected him to be, and manage to get 45 cubes away from the fire instead of 30. The flames lick at your back and you take…two fire damage. Gyro and Wimbledon are now in the safety of the outside. Curtis, how are those saving throws?”

Curtis crossed his arms, somewhat defiant. “I’m telling this part.”

Coran conceded easily.

“As Gyro reaches the mouth of the cave, I see through heavy eyelids the first rays of the morning sun and the shifting colors of the sky as night becomes day. I draw a last peaceful breath as I realize we are out of danger, comforted in the arms of my paladin, and my grip on Whelm goes slack.”

“You died?” Emi whispered like it was a secret. 

“I failed my last saving throw, had two successes and two failures.”

Shiro cleared his throat, lacing his fingers with Curtis’s. 

“Aw, babe,” Curtis chuckled sympathetically, cradling his face with his other hand.

“Sorry,” Shiro sniffed, leaning his forehead against his husband’s. “We can keep playing, I just wasn’t expecting it.”

Kolivan averted his eyes, knowing the scene to be rather intimate. He imagined the loss of his companion was a rather sensitive topic for Shirogane. 

“Darling,” Coran got Kolivan’s attention.

“Yes, love?”

“It’s your turn, unless Emi wants to do something?” 

Emi shook his head. 

“I keep running, Coranic. Am I out of the cave yet?”

Coran smiled, one of his kind smiles, and sat up in his seat. “As you make your grand escape, the mlark’s growing flames close behind, you reach the safety of the outside. Victorious in your commissions, Gyro heads out with a heavy heart to deliver the trident to the old man and receive the information he sought, and Trick wanders home, missing his friend but able to complete the mission they had set out together to do. Kulda, both master and slave to Blackrazor’s will and wants, continues his duty to appease the sword and solidify his legacy as the first of his name. And that’s the game.”

“Cheers, Coran,” Emi said, standing up with a stretch. “It was a great game. What hour is it, by the way?”

“Late,” Shiro said through a yawn, looking at his phone. “Super later. Coran, can we stay in my old quarters tonight?”

“You can stay in your quarters whenever, my boy. They’re yours.”

“Alright, well, I’m turning in,” Emi said, stepping around Kolivan. “Goodnight, fellas.”

Shiro and Curtis followed shortly after, leaving Coran to clear the minis from the holographic display and Kolivan leafing through the Player’s Guidebook.

“So, what did you think?” Coran asked with excited curiosity. 

“It was fun,” Kolivan said easily. “I can also see why you’re so adept at battle strategy. I was very impressed.”

“Oh, uh, thank you,” Coran said, clearly caught off guard.

“You are also a very cruel Lore Master.”

That made Coran laugh. “Yes, I’ve definitely heard that one before.”

“Now, I’m going to bed. It’s been a long day,” Kolivan said, leaning over to kiss Coran’s cheek. “I’m not sure if you have any pending matters. Should I wait for you or...?”

“I’ll be right there. I just need to clear the table.” 

“Alright.”

Kolivan slipped heavily into unconsciousness, with only a vague impression that Coran had made it to their bed. The next morning, he woke to find Coran’s side empty. He must have slept in, the exhaustion from the day before a bigger confine than he had realized. 

“He lives,” Coran said from his desk. “I’ve never seen you sleep so much.”

“What’s the time?” Kolivan said, sluggishly sitting up and rubbing his eye. His eyesight was still trying to focus.

“Four hours past sunrise.”

“Hmph, great,” Kolivan stretched and dragged himself out of bed, causing Coran to whistle.

“I love when you don’t sleep with a shirt on,” Coran said with a sigh, making Kolivan chuckle.

“I never wear a shirt to sleep.”

“No, no. There was one time, early in our relationship, maybe the first time you stayed over. Massively disappointing.”

That got a good laugh out of him, making Coran brighten. He walked over to Coran’s desk and pulled a chair closer, crossing his arms and resting his chin on top. Coran’s eyes followed his movements, his hand instinctively reaching out and playing with Kolivan’s ear.

“Any meetings today?” 

“No, just paperwork, processing requests and the like,” Coran said, his eyes skimming over his filer screen. “Hey, I’ve been wondering about something.”

Kolivan’s eyes were closing again, Coran’s fingers digging at some wonderful nerve just past his ear. “Hm? What about?”

“Where did you get the name Kulda?”

Kolivan gave him a questioning look, managing to open one eye. “What do you mean?”

“I love you dearly, you know this, but you’re not the most imaginative man I’ve ever met, Van.”

Kolivan chuckled at that. “Hm, right. It’s a pet name—a pet’s name. I had a fyukl when I was a boy. Ma let me keep it even though feeding it would be difficult. Her name was Kulda. She was a very good girl.”

“A fyukl. I haven’t seen one of those in—”

“Ten thousand years?”

Coran gave him a soft smile, the kind that hid his lips behind his mustache, yet crinkled his eyes. “Give or take, yeah.”

“They were more common on my side of the universe, but even then, they were rare. I haven’t seen one since Kulda.”

“Kulda the Fyukl.”

“First of her name. So, that makes the klazgool second of his name, technically.”

“So, you had fun last night, right?”

Kolivan rose to his elbows and leaned forward, finally kissing the silly man he loved. “Yes,  I had fun.”

He tried to pull away, but Coran held him there, kissing him repeatedly until Kolivan couldn’t help but laugh against his lips.

“You’re sure?”

“I only do things I want to do, Coranic,” Kolivan said, pressing one last kiss to his lips and sitting up. “Speaking of, I’m going to get some breakfast. Have you had any yet?”

“Shiro had left some coffee in the kitchen.”

“ Coran. ”

“ Kolivan. ”

“I’m bringing you something to eat, too,” he said, walking to the dresser and pulling out some clothes.

“You don’t have to.”

“I’m going to. Stop complaining.”

Coran relented, knowing that insisting otherwise would only make them go in circles. 

Kolivan was never picky about what was stocked in the kitchen at any given time. He was used to his food being bland and of questionable texture, any diversion from that was always welcome. He leaned on the counter, eating his food while he waited for Coran’s cream to finish heating up.

“Good morning,” Emi said brightly. “Funny how we never run into each other in the kitchen.”

Kolivan nodded politely, still chewing his green slime. He wasn’t sure what the dish was called.

“Hey, I never said thanks for saving me last night,” Emi continued, as he moved to fetch his own breakfast. “I thought your obvious move was to leave me behind.”

“It didn’t feel obvious,” Kolivan said simply. “It’s what you said about instinct. It made decision-making easier.”

“And your instinct was to save me? Why?”

Kolivan scraped the last few bites from the bottom of the bowl and cleaned the dish, before answering: “I have nothing against you, Emi. And it seemed like bad sportsmanship to just leave you.”

“Oh,” was all Emi seemed able to say. “Really? Even after…?”

Kolivan took a breath. He could have all the understanding in the world for the reasoning behind Emi’s actions, but that didn’t mean it didn’t frustrate him.

“You were just doing your job. Like I did my job last night.”

“Well, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Have a good morning, Emi,” Kolivan said, grabbing Coran’s breakfast and heading back to their room.

He set the warm bowl in front of Coran, pushing away his digital filer. Kolivan had already known that it was a particularly difficult task to get Coran away from his work; he'd thought it was an admirable trait at some point. But as he grew to care about Coran, he realized it was more self-destruction than commitment that drove Coran to his work. 

“Kolivan, I told you—”

“Shut up,” Kolivan said, holding him by the jaw and kissing him. “Eat.”

Coran sat back with a blush that was spreading from his cheeks to his ears, his marks glowing lightly. 

“Alright, er, thank you—for, uh, the food.”

“It’s nothing, love.”

“How was your movement? I didn’t get a chance to ask last night,” Coran said, watching Kolivan take a seat at their bed and grab the book by the nightstand. 

“Fine until it wasn’t,” Kolivan said, searching for his spot in the pages. “Lurok had just left when you called yesterday.”

“Oh.” Kolivan didn’t have to look up to know that Coran was wrinkling his nose. “He’s usually harmless, though, right?”

“He remains so, yes. But he’s fucking obnoxious.”

Coran laughed at that.  “Sorry you have to deal with him.”

“Part of the job, unfortunately.”

“Well, I’m all done eating,” Coran said, tilting his bowl for Kolivan to see.

“Good. Let me know when you’re done with paperwork and the like.”

“Why’s that?”

“Believe it or not, I also find it massively disappointing to find you with clothes on in the morning,” he said, closing his book, having had very little left to read.

“Good grief,” Coran breathed out.

“I think I’ll head to the library, find myself something else to read. Pass the time.”

He looked up to find Coran somewhat dumbstruck.

“I’ll see myself out. Leave you to it.”

“Yes, right.”

It was only fair for Kolivan to play Coran’s game last night, following his lead and rules, since Coran had been playing Kolivan’s for far longer. Simple rules and high rewards that kept Coran from burning out from his workload.

Kolivan was sure it wouldn’t take Coran too much time to wrap up with work. And much to his delight, he was usually right.

[adz]

in brooklyn, go to mcnally jackson williamsburg, then walk to molasses and from there to unnameable books. spend too much money on stuff you’re not gonna read. on the way, hit Pilar for some rly good cuban food. arroz con pollo is fire. then hop on the train to st. marks in manhattan, get a tattoo, go to search & destroy and buy the worst outfit you’ve ever seen. osakana for sushi or veselka for ukrainian stuffed cabbage rolls. onward to burp castle or kgb or st. dymphna’s. this is Kit’s Guide to NYC

[adoracora-elizabeth]

The truth always comes out, chapter 45

Cora leaned against one of the pillars of Jackdaw’s Castle, one of the six follies that were built on the grounds of Downton. She had a perfect view of the castle itself. The guests were dancing on the dance floor that was a temporary build on the lawn. Robert had not spared any expenses on this wedding. He truly pulled all strings to transform Downton into an even more fairy tale place. She loved him for it, he truly made sure Mary would have the best day she could have. Seeing her oldest daughter walking towards Matthew in the church had filled her heart with so much gratitude. The moment they both said yes, she had shed a tear. Mary was growing up so fast, as were Edith and Sybil. Two of her daughters married, one was already a mum, and she suspected that Mary would soon follow.

She took a deep breath of the fresh air; she had one drink to many she noticed and that´s why she had escaped the party. Seeing Robert in his marvellous light blue suit was hard, she was longing to him with everything that was in her. She had almost crawled in him, when he had taken her onto the dance floor, after he had danced with Mary for the father of the bride dance. She realised that the amount of alcohol that was in her body did not help containing her feelings. When she saw Robert standing next to the orchestra, she had almost lost her composure, it was at that moment that she walked towards the folly. Why was he like a magnet pulling on her? It was frustrating that she was not able to let go of those feelings, and she started to question of she was just being stubborn and should give it a chance.

She had to walk back towards the party, they would notice she was missing. Using the pilar for support, she turned around back towards the castle, but bumped into somebody. Two arms wrapped around her, so she did not fall over. She instantly recognised his scent. "Robert?" She said in a surprised gasp.

Robert had put his hand around the woman's body to keep her from tumbling over. He had not seen her and wanted to apologise, but then he registered that he was holding Cora in his arms. Hearing her surprise gasp, made him step back. She was drunk, even in the dim light around this folly he could see it. She was swaying on her legs. Or at least she was very tipsy, she did not have the drunk smell hanging around her. He had never smelled that on her before, but he knew the smell. He had only drank one glass of champagne, but after that he stayed on the safe side.

When Cora felt Robert's arms letting go of her, she felt so much sorrow that it hurt. She stepped forwards and pushed herself against him. She got on her tiptoes and puckered her lips. She got no response.

Robert looked down at Cora's face, how much he wanted to kiss her, he did not do it. He needed to be sure, this was what Cora really wanted. It costed him a lot of willpower to keep his hands from roaming over her body. The way her breasts were visible in the low v neckline was irresistible. Did she wear this dress to provoke him? No, of course not, he said directly, she was not that evil. He put his hands on her face, one kiss, one kiss could do no harm. Could it?

Cora pushed her body against Robert's even more firmly when he took her face in his hands. Why was he not kissing her? Did he not want her anymore? She knew she wanted him; she needed him. Even if it was only for tonight. She needed to feel him. "Please kiss me." She said breathless.

"Are you sure?" Robert asked, it did cost him more and more effort to not crash into her tempting lips.

A deep and long moan left Cora's throat. Her hands moved up towards his face and she pulled him down. There was not a change for Robert to deny her this kiss any longer. The way their tongues found each other, was as if they never had stopped kissing. Robert cupped the back of Cora's head, to keep her as close as possible, while he sucked on her tongue. They were like teenagers, who kissed for the first time. They kissed like the world would end tomorrow. Cora melted against his body and her shape fitted perfectly against his. Their surroundings faded away and only them two existed. Nothing else mattered to them, then tasting each other on their lips.

Cora was the first one to pull back, she was getting lightheaded from the lack of air. She would have kissed him even longer when she had not needed to take that breath. Her chest was rising and falling in leaps and bounds. Robert looked down at her and he saw her breast going up and down with every breath she took. He felt his own chest rising in a rapid pace to. He needed more, this was not enough, he needed to feel more of her. He put his hands around her waist and lifted her up, walking her backwards against one of the pillars. Cora wrapped her legs around him, so he could hold her up under her bum.

He kissed every inch of Cora's chest that was not covered with fabric. He felt her hands move over his back, and every time he sucked at her skin, he felt her nails dig into his back. It was overwhelming to taste her again and he needed to taste more of her. He needed to know if her taste was still the same. Slowly he lowered her, so her feet touched the ground again. While his hands stayed on her body, he lowered himself to the ground and started lifting up her dress. She was wearing stockings, which he rolled down. Her slip followed soon, his fingers stroked over her core, his lips following his fingers. He felt her shutter from pleasure. He knew how to please her, and his tongue started working. Immediately he felt her fingers in his hair, slightly tugging on his hair.

Cora was overwhelmed with all the feelings that rushed through her body. She did not realise she had missed this that much. Waves of heat were whirling, and she felt she was coming close already. Leaning back against the pillar, she let Robert overwhelm her even more, not letting any thought into her head.

Just before Cora reached her high, she felt him slow down. Her hands were still locked in his hair, and she tried to get him to speed up. He did not, he even was starting to get up, he kept his hand down there and did not stop stroking here, what made her desire even worse, she felt herself almost burst. A deep moan left her. "Do not stop, please." She murmured.

Robert put his mouth on hers to stop her from talking. "Did you like that." He then said with a breathless voice.

"You know I did." Cora's words were more like a moan.

"Good." Robert replied, while his hand was kneading her breast. He felt Cora's hand trying to remove his belt, he helped her with it and the second his trousers fell down, he felt her hand on his manhood. It made him wobble on his feet. She pressed her core against him and whispered. "I want to feel you." Robert did not need more words and he let her guide him to her opening and with steady beats he moved in her. He did not need much, but he kept himself from falling over the edge, Cora needed a bit more time. When he felt her falling, he followed and, in that bliss, he rested his head on Cora's shoulder.

Cora moved her hand through his hair. "I have missed you." She said.

"Did you truly?" Robert lifted his head and looked into Cora's eyes. "Did you miss me? I have missed you immensely and I cannot picture a future without you in it.

Cora took Robert's tie in her hand and pulled him closer; she lifted her chin. "Let us not run to fast now, but yes I have missed you." She kissed him gently. Cora heard the band had started playing. It was time for the final hours of the party. "We better go back to the party. Before they start searching for us."

Robert took Cora's face once again in his hands. "Are you back?"

Cora still felt the effects of the alcohol on her, and she knew she had to be careful now. This evening had turned out to be a very pleasant one, but she realised that they were walking on very thin ice and should tread forward with caution. "We need to go back." was her answer. She did not know how to answer, she wanted to say yes, but she also knew that the alcohol was having a big effect on her state of mind.

Robert knew Cora was right by not answering his question. It was not fair to make her say the words right now. But he knew that tonight had showed that there was still something real between them and that there was a crack in their status quo. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14247899/45/The-truth-always-comes-out?__cf_chl_rt_tk=ws46TMX13OESZcWHVzQcOIzdwIxj47E._YKuYmeypyE-1693251602-0-gaNycGzNDVA

[savagesneversleepnyc]

NEW APOLLO

The lady would ask her son so distinctly if he wanted cheese cake after lunch. My mother would make a note of her thick BROOKLYN BROGOE.

The NEW APOLLO would be a temple of memory until I faced it many years later. I’d spent many years wandering downtown hoping to find it organically.

The OLYMPIAN known as APOLLO is an ancient form of BEAUTY. Music, poetry, light, vanity and ART, would all be things of their dominion. The NEW AGE that would be born of the sacking of this beautiful and pragmatic culture world assimilated into unified forms of new faith.

Much like the sages of old chose HEMLOCK over blades of hate, the old gods would choose to fold inward as well. The new sages would be told of a singular GOD of LOVE and LIGHT. A ONE WHO would eclipse the images and topple the pillars erected in their name. A great flood of blood and fire washed over forms of all shapes and cultures as the major forms of the NEW WORLD moved in unison to command a hand over all that it could supposedly save and take their land.

Many Pilar’s stood but the tenants of APOLLO never changed no matter what language or form that were taken. In pure paradox to a love supreme the forces of kings rode out and sought more land and glory the return heavy handed with. The brutes of change rain down words and arrows that threaten a hand that waits as another extends open in demands.

This LIE of FEAR is not FAITH. Greedy kings need moats and castles to keep them safe and dry from the world they enjoy the fruits of as the ones who labor endlessly in toil and harvest are left high and dry… with bellies full of empty ROYAL JELLY WORDS not FOOD.. On high taxes for crops their mouths are not allow to chew, for the boot on the nape of the neck of the crowns desires are the SALT LICK provided.

Once the fields grow sick from LIME and invaders fires scorched earthen march forward the small folk know to take a knee. As they are simple and wish only to be free. To this hand or that, it makes very little sense whose name is spoken of most high.

As kings and queens dreams require many things they are privileged to know and grow ambivalent to the needs of any other than the ROYAL WE… but the SOUR GRAPES they taste make BITTER WINE they KEEP and sip as the KHAN’S HORDE bang down the door.

4:06 am Hod YARDIE 9.6.24.003 OGE

PART ONE

DUEX

AS we grow old and slow it’s a thing of beauty to BEHOLD our NEW FLESH FOR OLD timers eyes…

But, the NEW APOLLO of our old form looms like a hand we seek gloved tasks. Our hands grow too fickle and brittle to play second fiddle to any and all who fall in our laps from STEAM ENGINE sleeper cars to CONCORDE jet ambitions, our fruition of state is greatly diminished as we finish the plate of LIFE we are invariably served..

But in our last supper of great consequence we eat humbly in a CONCORDE place of PARAMOUNT relevance, we wince in haste to taste the institutional gruel we fool ourselves into calling an elevated form.

As APOLLO HEIGHTS and flights of stairs in MOSCOW hostels we traded DEAD KENNEDY tapes for PSYCHEDELIC KREMLINS on the ARBAT street of dreams as the fading eye of the IRON CURTAIN drew sleepy…

PHANTOMS chase the living giving them bad dreams and supreme experiences. DOGS on short leashes with bleached teeth chew BONES of dried HYDEand JEKYLL, transformed into BASKERVILLE hounds who strut up avenues in CHELSEA.

Cold veins pump cold iron of cold plasma that boils in our toil to warm our keap. PEAT from the old bog is fragrant and dense as we collect our scrapes to throw in the pot and give thanks again. As tiny mouths sing the song of the family out of tune and squeaky, a tiny dust mite, mighty healthy sips from our pores more eager then a BEAVER to patch up a DAM.

As TALES of APOLLO and all cascade as shadows of points of light that we suppose them to be far away but touching our eyes with shards of DREAM GLASS that our DEMI cast off to the SEA.

As water to wine and coin to bread, we wake and labor but hunger for sleep and to be fed. A truth that fills our belly with stout fuel for the long road we must SLAG… for the DAWN we BREAK in NEW APOLLO’s name is a thing to behold be it a bebe’s first cry or the final gasp of air receive before returning into the LIGHT… 5:08am Wyckoff y TROUTMAN as the BIRRIA TACO truck closes for the night at last

9.6.24.0003 OGE

[market-insider]

Composite Strengthening Systems Market: Market Size, Share, and Growth Projections

The global composite strengthening systems market size is expected to reach USD 264.4 million by 2030, and expanding at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2024 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market growth is attributed to the rising demand for repairs and retrofitting of old buildings worldwide. Moreover, the demand for lightweight and sustainable building materials in the U.S., Canada, South Korea, and Germany is expected to drive the demand for composite strengthening systems over the forecast period.

Composite Strengthening Systems Market Report Highlights

Based on product, the Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) segment dominated the market and was valued at USD 117.7 million in 2023. The high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and lightweight properties of FRP composite strengthening systems make them suitable for strengthening concrete structures while adding minimal weight to the overall building.

Fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) products is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.0% over the forecast period. FRCM systems consist of a cementitious matrix reinforced with high-strength fibers, such as carbon, glass, or aramid. These materials offer high tensile strength, flexural strength, and crack resistance. They also provide excellent durability, fire resistance, and resistance to moisture and chemical exposure, resulting in the substantial growth of the product.

In 2023, Asia Pacific was valued at USD 67.3 million in the global market. In the Asia Pacific market, rising demand for buildings with higher sustainability in countries, such as India, China, and Japan, is expected to impact the dynamics of the composite strengthening systems market.

The composite strengthening systems market in Europe is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.1% over the forecast period. European countries have a rich culture of ancient and historic places such as castles, palaces, town halls, and churches. This results in continuous renovation activities related to strengthening of structures to preserve them. This is expected to keep the demand for composite strengthening systems market in the region over the coming years.

Central & South America is highly susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes. For instance, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), tropical storm Pilar of 2023 hit the Pacific coast areas of Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. These natural disasters are projected to increase the demand for strengthening solutions as part of risk mitigation strategies.

The composite strengthening systems market is moderately consolidated owing to the presence of several medium and small players around the world. Players in the market compete on the basis of quality, price, product performance, and technological innovation.

For More Details or Sample Copy please visit link @: Composite Strengthening Systems Market Report

Composite strengthening systems are used in buildings and infrastructural structures to increase their strength and load-bearing capacity. They are mainly preferred for retrofitting and rehabilitating aging structures as they help improve their service life. The majority of such retrofitting and rehabilitation projects are assigned to contractors who procure the composite strengthening system from the manufacturers and use it.

Some of the major raw materials used to produce composite strengthening systems include carbon fiber and E-glass fabrics. This is due to their high tensile strength, light weightiness, and durability of these materials. These materials improve the load-bearing capacity of the buildings without adding any excessive weight to the structures. Some of the major suppliers of raw materials are JPS Composite Materials, LeapTech, LLC., BGF Industries, Hexcel, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, and Solvay.

Raw materials that are required to manufacture composites include E-glass fabrics, carbon fiber, and others. The individual product markets are characterized by the presence of a large number of suppliers operating across the globe and catering to multiple application industries. However, few composite manufacturers are integrated into their operations and manufacture high-cost raw materials such as carbon fibers. These factors lead to medium to high bargaining power of suppliers over the forecast period.

The high cost of raw materials for composites is likely to challenge manufacturer’s procurement operations. Moreover, the growing demand for these raw materials by other manufacturing industries is likely to pose a challenge for composites manufacturers.

List of Major Companies in the Composite Strengthening Systems Market

Master Builders Solutions

Concrete Repairs Ltd.

Shanghai Horse Construction Co., Ltd

Blome International

Bhor Chemicals and Plastics Pvt. Ltd.

Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.

Sika Canada Inc.

Freyssinet

Gateway Composites LLC

Norcon Corporation

[sulan1809]

Vilões dos games que se redimiram

Em toda obra composta por heróis, há sempre aquele personagem vilanesco que chama a atenção por cometer crimes que causam desconforto nos telespectadores. Muitos fãs apreciam vilões que têm um backstory dramático, motivações complexas e significado profundo por trás das vilanias. Em resumo, há vilões que são tão simpáticos e identificáveis ao ponto de que eles merecem um arco de redenção. Na maioria dos casos, esses personagens são promovidos ao posto de anti-heróis, personagens sombrios, mas que são capazes de atrair mais atenção do público em comparação aos típicos heróis.

1 - Shadow the Hedgehog

Em 2001, Sonic Adventure 2 apresentou um ouriço antagonista que contrastava com os ideais heroísticos impostos por Sonic. Segundo Shadow, humanos eram vermes imprestáveis que estavam levando o mundo à ruína, e parte deles foi responsável pela morte da companheira humana dele, Maria Robotnik, a neta de um notável cientista, Gerald Robotnik. Dominado pelo furor, Shadow estava bem inclinado em extinguir a humanidade, no entanto, Amy Rose, com o poder persuasivo dela, conseguiu convencer Shadow a lutar para erradicar a verdadeira ameaça: Biolizard. Amy também clamava, que enquanto havia pessoas egoístas, ainda assim tinha pessoas com bondade em seus corações, e que não mereciam morrer. Isso desencadeou uma lembrança escondida dentro de Shadow, na qual Maria jamais queria vingança. Em resumo, Shadow, por ironia do destino, preferiu se opor ao plano de vingança do criador dele. Devido à natureza indiferente, Shadow prefere se distanciar dos outros, e ele tem uma rivalidade meio acalorada com Sonic, o típico herói azulado da SEGA, e um dos maiores ícones dos videogames.

2 - Sagat - Street Fighter

Sagat é um dos mais populares e icônicos personagens da franquia Street Fighter. O Imperador do Muay Thai, como ele é chamado, dedicou a vida dele inteira à arte marcial tailandesa, regido nos pilares da disciplina e honra. No primeiro torneio, ele foi desafiado por Ryu, um artista marcial japonês, e embora ele tenha vencido facilmente, Sagat não esperava pelo pior: Ryu, dominado pelo Dark Hadou da Intenção Assassina, golpeou Sagat violentamente com um Metsu Shoryuken no abdômen, causando uma cicatriz muito pesada. Sagat enlouqueceu e quis vingança, querendo pegar a cabeça de Ryu e colocar em uma bandeja de prata. M. Bison até mesmo prometeu a Sagat que ele teria a tão sonhada revanche com Ryu, mas não da maneira que o tailandês queria. M. Bison infundiu Ryu com Psycho Power e o instruiu a atacar Sagat, que em resposta, persuadiu Ryu a lembrar-se de quem ele era, que ele não era marionete de M. Bison, mas um guerreiro que luta honradamente. Depois da derrota de M. Bison, Sagat diz a Ryu que ele queria uma luta mais honrada da próxima vez que eles fossem se encontrar em um torneio...

Magus - Chrono Trigger

Hoje em dia, Magus é reconhecido como um dos melhores personagens de Chrono Trigger. Ele foi responsável pelo o que aconteceu com Frog, e até fez outros cambalachos, mas a verdade é que ele estava procurando pela irmã dele, Schala, de quem ele foi separado quando criança. Depois do confronto no Magus Castle, descobre-se que Magus não estava tentando invocar Lavos, o propagador do Apocalipse, na verdade ele queria extirpar a criatura mefistofélica, uma coisa que ele podia concretizar caso os amigos de Chrono decidissem colocá-lo no time, em vez de derrotá-lo.

Cecil Harvey - Final Fantasy IV

No começo de Final Fantasy IV, Cecil era meio que uma quebra de logica de um herói protagonista, uma vez que ele era o capitão de um grupo de Dark Knights que promoveu massacre desenfreado em uma vila, o que causou a fúria de Lydia, que considerava Cecil o principal responsável pela perda da mãe dela durante o ataque em Myst. No entanto, Cecil não iria ficar preso à causa das trevas para sempre, pois ele renuncia à armadura negra, tornando-se um Paladin, para devotar a vida dele apenas para causas nobres, como a justiça e a paz.

Riku - Kingdom Hearts

Você pode até discordar, mas Riku já foi um vilão e você nem sabia. Em um passado não tão distante, Riku tinha uma rivalidade amigável com Sora, no entanto, ele se enveredou para as trevas. Riku foi manipulado por Maleficent e Ansem, que se aproveitaram de todas as fraquezas e inseguranças do rapaz para manipulá-lo como um peão. Ele foi levado a acreditar que deveria usar o poder da escuridão para proteger os amigos dele, em especial, Kairi. No decorrer de Kingdom Hearts, Riku sentia-se repreensivo pelas ações dele, e ao reconhecer os erros que ele cometeu sob influência das trevas, empenhou-se arduamente para se redimir. Riku também está sempre disposto a arriscar o próprio pescoço para proteger os amigos dele, e enfrenta a escuridão dentro dele, usando o poder dele para o bem, mostrando o quão nobre é o coração dele. Riku evoluiu muito dentro de Kingdom Hearts, ou seja, ele passou de um jovem competitivo e inseguro, para um verdadeiro herói, aceitando ambas a Luz e a Escuridão, e usando ambos os poderes de luz e trevas para lutar em nome da justiça.

Meta Knight - Kirby Series

Meta Knight estreou em Kirby's Adventure, e antes dele se tornar o anti-herói super boladão que todos nós conhecemos, ele era um antagonista menor que servia ao lado de King Dedede para proteger um dos sete pedaços da Star Rod. Em Revenge of Meta Knight, ele veio com a ideia de dominar Dream Land para acabar com o estilo de vida preguiçoso dos habitantes de Dream Land. No entanto, Kirby frustrou esse plano, ao constantemente invadir Halberd e causar danos massivos à espaçonave. Meta Knight segue o código do espadachim honrado, e sempre oferece uma espada para Kirby antes mesmo do confronto. Quando ele é derrotado e perde a máscara, ele se afasta. No entanto, apesar dele ser um pouco distante, Meta Knight também acompanha Kirby durante as aventuras dele, e até teve um minigame dedicado a ele, MetaKnightmare Ultra, em que ele é o protagonista central, e Meta Knight percorre os mais variados estágios advindos de Spring Breeze, Dyna Blade, The Great Cave Offensive, Revenge of Meta Knight e Milky Way Wishes, em uma missão para enfrentar o guerreiro mais poderoso de todo o universo, Galacta Knight, que muitos de vocês pensou ser Kirby...

Knuckles the Echidna - Sonic Series

Ok, Knuckles não é necessariamente um vilão, mas no game de estreia dele, o equidna vermelho foi erroneamente associado a um vilão depois dele ter sido facilmente enganado por Eggman, que o fez acreditar que Sonic queria roubar a Master Emerald. Durante o decorrer da jornada em Angel Island, Knuckles tenta barrar o progresso de Sonic usando armadilhas e obstáculos meticulosamente arquitetados. Até que chega o momento em que Eggman anuncia que fez Knuckles de otário e rouba a Master Emerald. Knuckles não vê outra saída a não ser ajudar Sonic e Tails a deter o cientista megalômano antes que seja tarde demais. Depois que Eggman é derrotado, Sonic retorna a Master Emerald para Angel Island. Em débito com Sonic, Knuckles se torna aliado do ouriço azul em aventuras posteriores. Knuckles é um guerreiro excepcional, mas a irascibilidade exagerada e a mania de ser facilmente enganado por Eggman são os principais defeitos do personagem. Fora isso, Knuckles, é um dos três heróis principais, e ele é um dos personagens mais carismáticos e memoráveis da franquia Sonic.

Proto Man - Mega Man Series

Proto Man é o precursor dos Robot Masters e Reploids. Mas apesar disso, a construção dele não foi perfeita. Proto Man sofria de um defeito que poderia destruí-lo, e como os reparos pretendidos por Thomas Light alterariam a personalidade dele, preferiu esvanecer-se do laboratório, até ser encontrado por Albert W. Wily, que fez melhorias nele. Proto Man serviu Wily lealmente, ao ponto de que em Mega Man 3, os confrontos com Mega Man fizeram ele se questionar sobre as intenções de Wily. Proto Man salvou Mega Man no final de Mega Man 3, e traiu oficialmente Wily em Mega Man 4, ao resgatar Kalinka, a filha de Mikhail Sergeyevich Cossack. No entanto, ele ainda recusava-se ser ajudado por Light. Em Mega Man 5, Proto Man expôs um dos robôs Dark Man - no caso, Dark Man 4 - como o falso Proto Man, o que deu a Mega Man a abertura que ele precisava para destruir o impostor, e no final, Proto Man ajudou Mega Man e Light a escapar da fortaleza de Wily pouco antes da autodestruição acontecer...

Zero - Mega Man X Series

Para finalizar, vamos falar sobre Zero. Ele foi criado em algum tempo de 20XX por Albert W. Wily, enquanto Thomas Light criava outro super-robô, Mega Man "X".

Ok, vamos deixar que ele quebre a quarta parede e faça uma descrição sobre ele mesmo e o passado dele:

JPN - 俺 の 名前 は、 ゼロだ... 俺は世界征服を目論む誇大妄想科学者によって造られた超高度ロボットです… しかし、彼は俺があまりにも暴力的で不安定であると考えたので、俺を封印することに決めました… その後、俺は遠い未来��レプリロイドが人類と平和に暮らしていたところで再活性化されました… その後、俺はイレギュラーハンターのグループに発見され、イレギュラーのレッテルを貼られました… イレギュラーハンターのリーダーであるシグマは、これ以上仲間が犠牲になるのは許せないと単独で俺と戦うと宣言したのだが… 戦いの果てに、俺のクリスタルに謎の「W」の文字が現れた… 俺は完全に麻痺し、痛みで叫び声を上げました… シグマはその隙を突いて一撃で俺を倒しました… 戦いのその後は異なっていました: シグマはウイルスに感染してしまった…自らが魔王となってしまった…そして人類に宣戦布告した…一方、別人格として目覚めた私は……イレギュラーズハンターズに加入し、もう一人の超先進ロボット、ロックマンエックスを相棒にイレギュラーズとの戦いに臨む。

ENG - My name is Zero… I'm a super-advanced robot created by a megalomaniac scientist who wanted to take over the world… However, he thought I was too violent and unstable, so he decided to seal me away… Then, I was reactivated in the distant future, where Reploids were living in peace with humanity… After that, I was discovered by a group of Irregular Hunters, and I was given the Irregular label. Sigma, the leader of the Irregular Hunters, declared that he could not allow any more of his friends to be sacrificed, so he would fight me alone… At the end of the battle, a mysterious "W" appeared on my crystal… I was completely paralyzed and screamed out in pain… Sigma took advantage of this opportunity and defeated me with one blow... What happened after the battle was different: Sigma was infected with the virus... He has become the Demon Lord, and declared war on humanity... Meanwhile, I awoke as a different persona. I joined the Irregular Hunters, and another super-advanced robot, Mega Man "X", became my partner in the fight against the Irregulars...

PORT-BR - Meu nome é Zero… Sou um robô superavançado criado por um cientista megalômano que queria dominar o mundo… Porém, ele me achou muito violento e instável, então decidiu me selar… Então, fui reativado num futuro distante, onde os Reploids viviam em paz com a humanidade… Depois disso, fui descoberto por um grupo de Irregular Hunters e recebi o rótulo de Irregular. Sigma, o líder dos Irregular Hunters, declarou que não poderia permitir que mais nenhum de seus amigos fosse sacrificado, então ele lutaria comigo sozinho… No final da batalha, um misterioso “W” apareceu no meu cristal… Fiquei completamente paralisado e gritei de dor… Sigma aproveitou a oportunidade e me derrotou com um golpe… O que aconteceu depois da batalha foi diferente: Sigma foi infectado com o vírus... Ele se tornou o Diabo, e declarou guerra à humanidade... Enquanto isso, eu despertei como uma persona diferente. Entrei para os Irregular Hunters, e um outro robô superavançado, Mega Man "X", tornou-se meu parceiro na luta contra os Irregulares...

[bookishnerdlove]

Capitulo 226 CAPMEP

Lo devolveré Cuando un brazo fuerte se envolvió alrededor de mi cuerpo, mi visión cambió repentinamente. Cuando volví a mis sentidos, mi cuerpo se estaba moviendo. El paisaje circundante cambió rápidamente. “Ricdorian, ¿dónde está la puerta?” “Hace un rato, el techo se derrumbó y se abrió”. No era apropiado decir que una 'puerta' se abrió a través del polvo. Era un techo roto. El muro había sido derribado. En estas circunstancias, permanecer bajo tierra era una elección muy arriesgada. Entrecerré los ojos para que no me entrara el polvo y me tapé la boca con la manga. Luego bajé la mano y me desgarré la falda tan fuerte como pude. Tomando prestada la energía de la Rosa Azul, esto no fue demasiado difícil. Envolví la tela cortada alrededor de la nariz y la barbilla de Ricdorian. No es un incendio, pero no me parecía bien inhalar mucho polvo. Por alguna razón sentí que tenía que hacer esto. Como una persona con habilidades que superaron a los humanos, Ricdorian escapó del subsuelo en un instante. Me preocupaba que Chaser nos siguiera, pero encontrar un camino era la primera prioridad. “Iana, ¿conoces el camino?” "…… Sí. Lo memoricé más o menos. El complejo Hernim Castle y Domulit's Mansion. Y caminar por el Palacio Imperial ayudó. Incluso cuando los gigantescos pilares temblaban, no vacilé. “ Tos , Ricdorian. ¿Ves alguna estatua de ángel? Una estatua de piedra con una trompeta”. "Allí, creo que lo veo". Abrí el camino mientras Ricdorian me sostenía. “Corre en línea recta. ¡Continuar!" Extrañamente, no había nadie en el pasillo. A pesar de que escuché gritos tan fuertes. Parece que todas las personas que llegaron a este lugar habían pasado por este camino. ¿No encontraron la manera de llegar al sótano? Vi hace un rato que el camino por el que salimos estaba en medio de un techo roto. Tal vez fue difícil encontrar dónde estábamos. ¿Corrimos durante mucho tiempo? Un suspiro vino de Ricdorian. De alguna manera, sentí que sabía por qué respiraba con dificultad. “……Iana. Nos está persiguiendo. Era obvio quién era . Exhalé un poco. "¿Qué tengo que hacer?" Numerosos pensamientos pasaron por mi mente. Lo sabía con certeza. Nunca olvidaré la sensación de las cadenas y la gente que se llevaban. Sin embargo, "Ricdorian, ¿qué harías si fuéramos a escapar de aquí tomados de la mano con Chaser?" Ricdorian se quedó en silencio por un momento. Mientras tanto, sus piernas todavía corrían con fuerza. "...... Es la mejor opción en este momento, y la peor opción que no puedo evitar sentir". Ricdorian dijo con voz tranquila, excluyendo sus emociones. "Estoy bien. Si es tu voluntad. “ricdoriano”. “No es ser sumisa, Iana. es la fe”. Respiré, luego exhalé. "Si tú, como Gran Duque, juzgaras en este momento, ¿qué decisión habrías tomado?" “Le habría sostenido la mano”. Ricdorian respondió sucintamente. "Sin embargo……. Hay personas en el mundo con las que no puedes tomarte de la mano, incluso si 100 de cada 100 son todas beneficiosas. Black Rose es ese tipo de persona para mí, así que tal vez me atrapen las emociones. Las cosas son diferentes ahora”. En ese momento, un gran armario decorativo cayó y bloqueó nuestro camino. Dijo Ricdorian, saltando sobre él casualmente. “Iana, ¿tienes algún plan?” Estaba pensando en algo, así que le pregunté eso. Me quedé en silencio por un momento y hablé. "La carta de la Emperatriz contenía instrucciones e instrucciones sobre cómo usar la magia antigua allí". Fue. Lo que la Emperatriz arregló fue un 'pasaje' que podría conducir directamente a Kambrakam, pero esto era un poco especial, no el círculo mágico habitual. "Se dice que solo las rosas pueden usarlo". Eso significa que Chaser también puede usarlo. "Pero……." "¿Pero?" “Las palabras terminan en vagas. Pensé que tal vez solo la Rosa Azul podría usarlo. La Emperatriz me enseñó cómo usarlo, pero también me dio información inexacta. Ella nunca lo había usado ella misma. Como evidencia para respaldarlo, su explicación se sintió como si estuviera escribiendo el registro de otra persona, no el suyo propio. Quizás esta también era información que había escuchado de entre los fantasmas de los emperadores anteriores. "Entonces, las probabilidades son cincuenta y cincuenta". Fue el último favor y ayuda que me dio la Emperatriz. Tuve que usar esto. No, esta es la única manera. Miré por encima del hombro. "Deja a ese hombre, o si termina persiguiéndonos, ve con él". “Si vamos juntos…….” "Eso es más que un problema". Expondrá nuestro propósito. Entonces puede que tengamos que averiguar cómo realmente unir nuestras manos. Sin una conclusión, finalmente llegamos al lugar del que hablaba la Emperatriz. Debajo de otro castillo, había un enorme espacio subterráneo. Como para probar el tamaño expansivo, una puerta muy grande se interpuso en nuestro camino. Sin embargo, la puerta estaba entreabierta; quizás la enorme vibración que golpeó el Castillo Imperial tuvo un efecto aquí también. "¿Alguien llegó antes que nosotros?" "No. Eso no es. Iana. No siento ninguna presencia. Como dijo, no había nadie dentro del pasillo. No tenemos tiempo para mirar alrededor del enorme espacio en detalle. En el centro del salón había un círculo mágico de curvas geométricas, tal como lo había descrito la Emperatriz en su carta. Este es el antiguo círculo mágico del que habló la Emperatriz. "De alguna manera, es similar a lo que vi en Kambrakam". Observando lentamente la forma, noté que se parece al mural de Kambrakam. No había tiempo para mirar cada uno de ellos. "Ricdorian, ven aquí". Puse a Ricdorian a mi lado y respiré hondo. Pero por alguna razón, por un breve momento, la expresión de Ricdorian no parecía la correcta. Cuando volví la cabeza, estaba tan tranquilo como siempre. “Ricdorian, ¿tienes dolor?” “Ah… no. No, Iana. Él sonrió tímidamente, sus mejillas sonrojadas, como siempre. ¿Entendí mal? Negué con la cabeza y rápidamente levanté la mano. No tenemos tiempo. Doblé una rodilla y llevé mi mano levantada al círculo mágico en el suelo. ¡ golpe ! Hubo una pequeña vibración. Tan pronto como se generó el poder azul, no solo el piso, sino todo el salón vibró. -Humano……. En ese momento, la voz de Pudding se escuchó desde mi interior. '¿Estás despierto? ¿Estás bien?' Una neblina azul se acumuló como agua a través del círculo mágico hueco. En poco tiempo, la neblina que llenó el enorme círculo mágico irradió una deslumbrante luz azul. -¡Humano, Nyan! ¡Ese no es el problema! Nyan, tengo algo que decir, humano, ¡debes escuchar! Con la luz dispersa, Pudding me gritó apresuradamente. Quería que me dijera lo que estaba pasando, pero desafortunadamente no podía concentrarme. Fue porque vi a un hombre con los pies en el borde de la columna de luz azul que se elevaba hasta el techo. El cabello empapado en sudor y una brillante sonrisa en su rostro no parecían agotados o difíciles, a pesar de que estaba respirando un poco. “…… Cazador.” Él vino detrás de mí. Mordí mi labio. Al mismo tiempo, sentí un gran peso sobre mi hombro. “¿Ricdoriano?” “…… Haa, Iana. Tengo algo que decir. Que……." "¿Tú? ¿Por qué tu cuerpo está caliente? ¿Estás enfermo?" “Haa, lo siento. Ahora, está fuera de control…….” Obviamente, cuando me trajo aquí hace un rato, no tenía calor, la temperatura de su cuerpo era normal. Sin embargo, su cuerpo que se acercó a mí estaba inusualmente caliente. Las palabras que fluían de él eran como las palabras urgentes de Pudding, que de repente evocaron una profunda ansiedad y miedo. "¿Porque porque? ¿Por qué de repente eres así? Pero Ricdorian que sostuve no me dio respuestas. Las palabras no salían porque estaba conteniendo el aliento caliente. Su apariencia recordaba cómo tuvo una fuerte fiebre con medicamentos en la prisión hace mucho tiempo. Mi corazón latía con fuerza. "Espera, espera un poco y estaré bien..." “¡Ricdoriano!” Incluso en este momento, la luz se extendió constantemente. ¡ Y flash ! Cuando la luz deslumbrante se extendió y cegó mis ojos, cerré los ojos con fuerza sin darme cuenta. Sostuve a Ricdorian con fuerza. Por favor, no lo dejes ir. Por favor…… ! Pero cuando abro los ojos, veo un nuevo espacio pero... No había nadie en mis brazos. “¿Ricdoriano?” Rápidamente giré la cabeza. El lugar en el que estaba era el pasillo del primer piso cubierto de oscuridad. Estaba acostumbrado a la vista del jardín desde el costado del pasillo, pero encontrar a Ricdorian era mi prioridad. "Parece que se mudó por separado". Pero poco después, en lugar de la que estaba buscando, escuché una voz que no quería escuchar mucho. ¿Es así, Iana? Cuando giré la cabeza, vi la figura de Chaser de pie, medio sumergida en la sombra de un largo pilar. Había una distancia entre él y yo, pero Chaser no se acercó de inmediato. “No estés tan atenta, Iana”. Tranquilizándome, mostró las palmas de sus manos. “Porque no haré nada”. Simplemente sonaba como una tontería para mí. "De verdad." Por el contrario, retrocedió medio paso. Tratando de probar su punto una vez más. “Ahora sé por qué viniste aquí. Hmm, ¿estás aquí para romper la maldición de la Rosa Roja? “…….” "Ya veo." Chaser siguió hablando a su antojo, y luego fingí escuchar y puse los ojos en blanco. La situación hace un tiempo me hizo sentir mal, así que no podía ver bien. Pero nos mudamos al lugar correcto. Esto fue Kambrakam. Si vuelvo a encontrarme con Ricdorian aquí, no habría problema. Sí, no habrá problema. Apreté los dientes fuera de su vista. Para no dejarlo saber. "Ah, ¿estás tratando de restaurar la vida útil de la Rosa Roja?" Giré la cabeza. Por este momento, estaba agradecido por mi expresión indiferente. Porque nada se revelará en mi rostro tranquilo. "No te preocupes, no te molestaré". Sonreí amargamente. "¿Como puedo creerte?" "No te miento, ¿sabes?" Chaser bajó la mano y se echó hacia atrás. Luego extendió una mano y se tocó el pecho. "Entonces qué tal esto, con todo mi amor, te juro que no interferiré con tu propósito". Hice una pausa. Era un hombre cuyo amor quería ser reconocido por mí como el único amor verdadero. Aunque admití que sus medios y métodos eran torcidos, su amor era sincero. ¿Estaba apostando por algo así? Esa sinceridad se sentía bastante abominable aquí. “…… Tienes un talento natural para hacer que te odie.” Chaser se puso rígido por un momento, pero luego sonrió suavemente. “Tu ingenio que tienta suavemente a la gente es tu mal encanto. Si no me molestas, entonces ¿por qué me perseguiste? "Porque te quiero ver." “…….” “Incluso si no me miras así, realmente no te molestaré. Iana.” ¿Por qué? Se sentía como si Chaser se estuviera acercando, aunque todavía estaba lejos. “Porque, en primer lugar, iba a devolverte la deidad guardiana y decirte la última verdad. Esto es real." “ ¿ Verdad ? No seas ridículo. ¿Todavía tienes algo que decirme? Detenlo ahora. Ya no quiero escuchar nada de lo que digas. Me levanté lentamente. Justo en mi primer paso, perdí la fuerza y ​​terminé sentado en el suelo. Pero cuando levanté la cabeza, pude ver la figura de Chaser acercándose. La sensación de que se estaba acercando no era una ilusión. “Solo estaba tratando de devolverlo”. “Deja de jugar con las palabras”. "¿No quieres recordar?" "Y qué." "Tus recuerdos del mundo anterior". Me quedé helada. Lo miré rígidamente. AtrásNovelasMenúSiguiente Read the full article

[blood--king]

Dark frowned with a sad expression, he didn't want to make him feel bad.

"You did nothing bad. I am sorry if I made you think that."

He smiled a little and started to lull him. Dark slowly landed in front of the castle's gates. He thought maybe Kauze wasn't prepared to meet the king yet, but this was an urgent situation.

"Don't worry, we've just arrived. Maybe later you could tell me more about Japan"

Said with a great smile hugging the boy lovingly. After that, the soldier entered the castle, they were inside the throne hall, it was a beautiful room with red carpet and curtains, big windows, pilars and the King's throne but the leader of this kingdom wasn't there.

Dark let Kauze standing on the floor. "I wonder where he is..."

◢【🌌】 Nɪx. ( I think? )

[ Kauze had run away from his uncle after a fight, but he didn't expect that he could stop so far away, he had no idea how he ended up here, maybe his teleportation would have taken him too far. ]

[ He looked around desperately, until he finally found a man, which left him slightly scared, since he didn't know if he could trust him, since after everything that happened between him and his uncle, the little boy was a little upset with other adults. ]

— Uhg...

[ The child preferred to hide among the bushes, instead of talking to the man in front of him, he just hoped he hadn't made too much noise. ]

◢【🌌】 Nɪx

The young boy found himself at the gates of the Blood Kingdom. There was a particular man he saw; he was tall and was wearing some kind of steel armor, he had a short black hair and yellow eyes. He was pale and looked really tired.

This "soldier" yawned and went back inside the kingdom, or that seemed. Kauze heard a voice behind him.

"So, whom are we hiding from?" It was the same man, he was hanging upside down in a tree like a bat.

[useless-catalanfacts]

Everyone in this country is talking about what happened in the Coldplay concert in Barcelona (Catalonia's capital city), and honestly I must say it's very funny.

As we've joked about before, Catalan people in music concerts always climb on each other in the way of castellers (traditional Catalan "human castles/towers"). Well, a girl was doing a small version of it (it was only two people!!), and Chris Martin (Coldplay's singer) stopped the concert to admire it and said "it's the best thing I've ever seen at a concert".

Chris, this is nothing!

He's impressed by a 2-people tall pilar. It's funny to us because this is what castellers look like in festivities in Catalonia:

There can be structures of only 1 person in each floor (called a pilar) which is what people do in music concerts, or there can be other kinds of castells with more people. Here's some of the best ones I've found on a quick Google search:

Before anyone misunderstands the situation, we're not laughing at Chris Martin in mean spirit, we know he's not Catalan so he just had never seen this before. But it's funny to see something that for us is so normal amaze a foreigner.

Well, Chris, if you want to learn to climb I'm sure any of the colles castelleres (castle builder groups) will be more than happy to teach you!

[blackramhall]

Gli orrori del castello di Norimberga - Baron Blood Mario Bava (1972)

[blind-clockmaker]

[queen-rainy-love]

Hollyberry forces Dark Cacao Cookie to apologize to Clotted Cream for almost killing him. As they try to find him, they overhear Custard and Clotted Cream. Clotted Cream questions his dad about why they need the Soul Jams; Custard tells his son to shut up and follow the plan. Hollyberry and Dark Cacao Cookie backs away and are baffled by this.

So we would have to change a few things (due to not knowing what is going to happen in CO chapter 2). First, Clotted Cream would not know what the real plan of the Council (because it was stated that he knew in CO chapter 1). Second, the Ancient Heroes did give up their Soul Jams yet but it's set just before it's time for the Soul Jams to make the trip to the Republic. Thirdly, the Pure Lily boys and Clotted Cream's relationship is still "I'm not sure I trust you yet". And fourthly, Custard didn't make an appearance in the Vanilla Kingdom but he does here instead of Oyster.

Good? Good.

*Scene is set in the Vanilla Kingdom, hours before the departure for the Crème Republic. Hollyberry and Dark Cacao are having a slight argument.*

Hollyberry: Oh come on Dark Cacao! After all that Consul went through to get us to a solution, an apology is the least you can do.

Dark Cacao: It's no point in bringing it up once more. For me to give them my Soul Jam is enough.

Hollyberry: If the Republic will be our allies, we must treat them as such. And that means earning trust both ways. So an apology is needed. Come on.

*Hollyberry starts dragging Dark Cacao around the castle, looking for Clotted Cream. After a good twelve minutes, they finally see Clotted Cream talking with Custard.*

Dark Cacao: Who is that Cookie?

Hollyberry: I don't know but I do not trust him.

Dark Cacao: What happen to earning trust?

Hollyberry: Don't you get sassy with me. Come, let's speak with Clotted Cream.

*As they step closer, they can hear the conversation. Both hide behind a pilar to listen.*

Clotted Cream: I did get them to agree to give the Soul Jams to all Cookie kind but why were you so adamant on getting them? We could have found another way to stop Dark Enchantress Cookie.

Custard: Quiet. You have your role. Stick to it. If they figure out something is wrong, then it will the Republic's head they will want. Starting with yours.

*Clotted Cream swallows hard and nods. Hollyberry and Dark Cacao listen to the footsteps get lighter before stepping out.*

Hollyberry: The Consul...has a role?

Dark Cacao: Hmmm. We must keep an eye on him and that Council. Especially that one Cookie. He's up to something.

[cozy-constellations]

For the hours I spent watching Barbie Movies~

{Quote from Barbie the Princess and The Pauper}