#and also they can both be so fucking serious and stoic and badass and tragic

[boyfriendyke]

vash truly is one of the most characters ever. like. he's a normal guy. he's a gunslinger. he barely uses his gun. he's lame. he's a dork. he's the most badass character ever. there are two (2) different instances of him barking in the anime. he has an evil brother. he's cain and also abel. he's an angel. also an alien. he's good with kids. he's a staunch pacifist. he's naive. but also he's aware of how inconvenient his views can be. he's a staunch pacifist. and he's killed before. and he's everything to me <3

[trulycertain]

Just wanted to weigh in (belatedly) on your DA2 pt and say I started in the same boat. Played immediately after DA:O (like, 3 days?) and felt like it was trying too hard to be what O had achieved. Not as funny or compelling. But, like everyone else has said- it really is more relationship driven, and if you try to appreciate it as Origins, it really does feel lacking, doesn’t it? Love everything you’re sharing to this point on character analysis and broader POV on familial expectation 1/?

Oh, and also, my first pt I completely skipped Fenris, too. I was aiming to get enough gold to go on the expedition and by the time his quest came around I was like, “Nah, I’m good. I don’t need to go do this umpteenth side job.” See ya! And thus had a gap in my loading party screen the whole game XDDDD. Feel free to take a phone pic of your Hawke and share it with us if you’d like :D Also you should definitely consider doing some DA2 art :D

Thank you! I’m so glad you’re liking the rambling. It’s been an interesting experiment.

Oh, you too had the Mysterious Gap? *laugh* I did a lot of squinting and head-tilting my first playthrough, wondering if it was just my imagination or weird design.

I would definitely say that trying to make it fit my image of Origins meant it was doomed for me. It has its own charms, narrative and mechanics-wise. I will always be fond of it for introducing melee-mages as a thing.

One of the things I really enjoy in DA2 that isn’t explored nearly as much in Origins or Inquisition is how the companions in DA2 have been through A Lot, and the narrative is often quite unflinching about that. Trauma isn’t just portrayed as an angsty backstory you can infodump about and then go back to laughing with friends. Sure, they go for drinks and they make roots and they’re all badasses and a lot of them have a great sense of humour, but... they’re all bitter, and most importantly, they’re all allowed to be, which is not something I see in this genre much. (I need to make a separate post about that sometime.) They’re... difficult, at times, and obviously in pain, and not condemned for that.

I’d also forgotten how much I loved Anders - I really do, and this is going to hurt, and I’m still angry about how fandom treated Jennifer Hepler. I like healers and hurting, sarcastic characters (who knew?). And blonds. *cough* Do I think some of the mental illness metaphor is a tad heavyhanded and tasteless? Oh, fuck yes, that’s never been something I was comfortable with. Do I like him as a character? Yes.

Oh, also Fenris is not the way I thought he’d be at all, and he’s a lot more fun than I expected. I didn’t expect to like him, but I wanted to keep an open mind, and I’m warming fast. (And Emery’s voicing decisions with him are not what I expected, either. I really like that the guy who’s usually hired as muscle and spent years as a bodyguard has fancy enunciation, clearly got sick of hiding his intelligence when he was captive and refuses to do it anymore, and chooses his words so carefully. And then comes out with some of the most ridiculous jokes, even moreso than Anders - still utterly deadpan. “Smell the oppression,” dear god, man. Also that his voice is about six foot four and he’s about five-ten.) 

Also, finally getting to high approval with Isabela and Fenris and taking them around has been delightful. I absolutely understand why some people find their banters uncomfortable, and I might yet run into something that changes my mind - Isabela is unrepentantly pervy about some of the most inappropriate things - but it’s shown that she’ll back off if she’s asked to - see Varric’s objectification banter - and he seems to find her lack of pity refreshing and enjoyable. I love how she can almost always make him laugh, and how much they genuinely seem to enjoy each other’s company. Neither of them wants to be pitied for the pain in their pasts, and they both value freedom in very different ways. She’s also one of the few companions who he actually reaches out to, when he gets prickly. When they’re talking about the issue of mage freedom, she says, quite earnestly, “Let’s not fight,” and it’s him who makes a tentative quip about her guessing the colour of his underwear again and lets her change the subject. It’s an unusual, weirdly sweet moment. Despite making some decisions that may be selfish, Isabela is one of the most matter-of-factly kind, conciliatory companions in DA2, and that is an unexpected delight. And he’s one of the few companions who pays that back in spades (other than Varric and sometimes Anders).

On the other hand, I don’t miss the grimdarkness. You’re right, DA2 is less funny than DAO - and that’s because it’s less often allowed to be. They definitely had a tone they were going for, and sometimes that falls into Narm Charm with just how grim it is. Sometimes it feels like companions’ anger with each other is a tad arbitrary and inserted for the sake of Conflict(TM). And also, while I know for a fact he can do serious, stoic writing very well, there’s something tragic about having David Gaider in your team and not letting him go full-snark with his characters, even if he was head writer and I’m sure that was his tonal choice. I miss the “snarky and sometimes prickly but so often compassionate and rarely intentionally cruel unless you poke ’em” feel he brings that’s one of my favourite things about Dragon Age (Zevran, Alistair, Cassandra, Dorian). Sheryl Chee is pretty great at that, too. Inquisition, I felt, got the balance about perfect, and was noticeably lighter and sweeter than Origins or, especially, 2. 

And I would rather not have more quests with murdered women as a background narrative event. (At least in The Witcher, which is not immune to this, it became a full-on investigation and examination of the tropes rather than just a mood-setter that would be something to beat the protag round the head with later.) 

It was a great delight to me when I was wandering round the Deep Roads, ominous music and all, and got the Varric and Fenris, “What do you do in that big mansion all day?” / “I dance” banter. Because God, I needed that. (One of my favourite moments in Origins was exploring the seemingly endless, dark Deep Roads, and getting into a chat with Leliana about silk shoes by accident. That was when it truly felt like she and my Warden were friends.) I feel like Inquisition has a better balance that way; it has so many wonderful, absolutely brutal moments (I still find the “sometimes love isn’t enough” banter bloody hard to listen to), and so many wonderful palate-cleansers (arse-arrows).

This is actually one of the few games my mid-good PC can run! Pre-2013 there’s a half-decent chance. I doubt I could run Inquisition well. So here’s some Guin:

Kirkwall: A Summary.

And yes, I may... already be doodling. *cough*

[explodingpringlescans]

Haikyuu s3ep9 ramblings

Alright party people, we are almost done (for now)! ...That went way too fast, even though school started while I was still mid-season. I’m not a fan of that. 

Anyway, let’s get this show on the road, penultimate style!

Same.

But seriously, that was rough. Even though I 100% know what’s about to go down, seeing how miserable Tsukishima was here still hurt. (Arguably, it made it worse because I knew his hand was still gonna be hurting when he got back in the game!)

Can we just appreciate this flashback? All these hella tough guys from other teams who have just as much stake in the tournament all still made friends and helped each other out and they really made an impact on Tsukki and it just warms my cold, cold heart. (And it’s gonna make nationals hurt even worse lololololol (lamenting out loud))

My spoiled ass every time someone says “one more point” in this episode.

God<i>damn</i> my son got so badass. I’m so proud of him. But I also worry about the little dork. 

The Shookening(TM) part 2

Tsukishima’s complete lack of reaction is truly beautiful. 

I relate to this so hard. This was me watching my school’s basketball game this past weekend. “It’s just a game” tell that to the aneurysms I keep having.

I ONLY JUST PROPERLY MET NARITA AND I LOVE HIM

He so rarely comes in and he had to hold down the fort in the match of his life and did so well. I am so proud of him. I’m so happy that everyone else is proud of him too.

And now...

tfw you both wanna work past your problems but you gotta be Stoic and Cool(TM)

And now...

GAME TIME

IT IS ON LIKE DONKEY KONG MOTHERFUCKERS

And like...these two fuckin hated each other for so long and now look at them. They’re glad to be back on the same court. They’re ready to rock and roll side by side. They still give each other crap, but like..they’re almost friends. I don’t think we mention this enough. 

Meanwhile, in the eagle’s nest...

Shhhh.

Did you hear that?

That was the sound of a thousand fanfic writers rushing to their keyboards. 

(And holy fuck the size difference. Ushijima is like...two Shirabus in a trenchcoat.)

Shhh...

Do you hear that?

Now the fanfic writers are having a field day

I gotta wonder if this was intentionally written this way or if it’s the translators having fun because...come on.

(In all seriousness though, I really appreciate that the Shiratorizawa guys do actually trust each other. That’s my jam.)

OH FUCK BABY NO

GOOD BLOCK BUT /OW/ THAT’S GOTTA HURT

CHILD I’M PROUD OF YOU BUT PLEASE TAKE IT EASY

Even Tsukki is aware that he’s grown up a lot. Have I mentioned that I’m proud of him? Because I am.

:o

I gotta love audience surrogate Iwaoi lbr

I mean...I think “slightly” is an understatement, but that’s a pretty decent first impression, especially for earlier on. Also...Oikawa wears those glasses like a pro.

How about another shock for our commentators?

I’M ALSO VERY PROUD OF TANAKA

HE’S LEVELED UP A LOT AND THIS IS NOT APPRECIATED ENOUGH

Bleacher Report: Handsome version.

(I really hope Seijoh retains their powerhouse status. They’ve fucking earned it, dammit!)

salt.jpg

The animated form of the :s face

A feeling that I feel very deeply during March Madness

I can’t believe he actually picked his insulting nickname. What a couple of dorks. I love them. 

thirst.jpg

In all honesty, if I could get my hands on like...energy drinks in a pouch, I’d drink the hell out of them too.

Obligatory beautiful Ukai solely for my own enjoyment

OH DAMN SHIRABU Y’ALL DON’T FUCK AROUND IN THE SLIGHTEST

When you accidentally roast your captain in front of the whole team

...he’s very attractive and I hate everything

I can’t even make a “tfw” joke because I’m honestly a little puzzled as to why this, of all things, made him smile. Is he just amused that Shirabu was so blunt? Is he glad they’re on the same page? Who knows? Not me!

tfw your cold, stoic captain smiles and you momentarily see the light of god

(Reon is the only one who doesn’t seem surprised by his reaction and I want to know why. Plus we need to see more of him anyway. He’s a cool guy.)

If the whole volleyball thing doesn’t work out after high school, Daichi would have a promising career as a motivational speaker.

I had to get one good Asahi in here because I love him and there’s been a serious drought of the Jesus lookin motherfucker. His tsks have so much meaning. Even when he screws up, he looks good doing it and now he bounces back so quickly-

I’m proud again.

Mfw the ref makes a bad call

@ Tamaki come get your treasurer he’s playing hooky at a volleyball game

I BELIEVE I CAN FLYYYYYYY

I BELIEVE I CAN TOUCH THE SKYYYY

I’m pretty sure he’s like..solar powered. He never runs out of energy. Professor X would like to have a word with him.

...I love how so many of the characters are so good, but then the rest of the team is like “yeah he’s good but he’s an idiot. But he’s our idiot.” They do care, idiots or otherwise. It’s beautiful.

Remember that parallel between Washijou and Hinata that I mentioned? It’s back. The scene after this, and another scene in ep10, makes it seem like he’s lowkey impressed with Hinata, but after his experience and seeing that the old way works well and has for decades, he doesn’t quite want to admit that what he was taught and how he works might not be the only right way to do things. It’s...kinda tragic, really.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines, everyone is Really Feelin It. You can tell it’s getting real in any game by how lively the coaches get.

Now back to Bleacher Report!

YEAH

I love that even these two, the day after one hell of a hard loss, are still paying attention to what’s happening on the court, as though they might face Karasuno again. (But that is wishful thinking on my part. ...An unsanctioned game would be fun as hell to watch though.)

This is just here to be pretty. (And Iwaizumi checking on Oikawa out of the corner of his eye. U g h.)

Meanwhile, on the court..

Hinata can’t catch a fucking break. He tried, but his legs decided to just Not for whatever reason they do when you start to get tired. 

Daichi was facing the same problem, and then...

DO YOU HAVE A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT OUR LORD AND SAVIOR NISHINOYA

I MEAN LOOK AT THAT

THE GUY DIVES IN WITH -0.0 SECONDS TO SPARE AND GODDAMN SAVES THE DAY WHAT A GUY

NO ONE COULD HANDLE IT

(OIKAWA DEFINITELY COULD NOT HANDLE IT AND I COULDN’T HANDLE THAT DAMN FACE JESUS CHRIST I LOSE IT EVERY TIME)

And then Actual Jesus Asahi gets a moment in the sun god bless

(And god bless those muscles! The camera got a front row ticket to the gun show.)

Actual picture of me.

When in doubt, throw your middle blocker like a hot potato for a quick shakeup. They’ll never know what hit ‘em.

Meanwhile, in another time, Kuroo dispenses some Brotherly Wisdom to two giants.

And then..cliffhanger! (Good lord I could not imagine watching this live and having to deal with that cliffhanger omg)

(Also of course I end with my Main Guy because if the opportunity arises, I gotta.)

Alright, folks! We’ve just got one more ride for now!