#and if you prefer to simply build up the base like me then the infinite mode is for you

[androgynous-agent69]

Decided to check out Voices of the Void last night and:

1. Turns out that the game was a free game on itch.io which I did NOT know (thought it was on steam and costed money)

2. I love that it mimics the fucking half life 2 source engine.

3. It has an infinite mode so my autistic ass can happily decorate the base without worrying about any story.

4. It has a robotic humanoid kerfus (as in the cat waiter thingy) assistant that has canonical genders (blue = female, pink = male, red = nb iirc)

5. It has mods

I really wish I checked out this game earlier because before this, the only 'exposure' I had to VotV was the damn thumbnail of a streamer's playthrough and my dumbass did not expect it to be what it actually was.

[pixiecaps]

psst hey do u have any sdv mod reccs/any tips on how to use them 👀

yeah! so for stardew mods to work you need to first install the smapi api.

you can either do that through their main website or nexus

neither option has any cons theyre just based on preference on how you wanna install it but theyre both completely safe websites.

after you properly install smapi you’ll have to go to nexus which is the main website for all stardew valley mods. you’ll need to make an account to install stuff i believe. you can find a wide range of mods here that serve a lot of different purposes.

if you haven’t used nexus to mod before then as i mentioned before first make an account then once you are looking at a mod make sure to check the requirements first. sometimes mods need other mods to work and you need to install those first. after you checked the requirements you head to the files section and click manual download. after that select slow download then wait for it to install into your files. then you move those files into the stardew mod folder. if thats not clear enough you can find a bunch of tutorial videos on youtube with visuals:)

since you asked for my recs i’ll give you the list of which i actually use all the time.

NPC Map Locations

- very basic mod. majority of mod users will have this installed and it just shows you on the map where each npc is at at all times.

CJB Cheats Menu & CJB Item Spawner

- these two sorta go hand in hand for me but of course you don’t need to have both installed. this is definitely a play style preference thing but i personally like having these cheats installed for any type of situation that might happen in game that i can’t undo otherwise without them.

- the cheats menu adds a lot more flexibility and well cheats to the game so for instance: infinite health, infinite stamina, give yourself money, instantly increase hearts with whichever npc, always catch every fish, warp locations, change weather, change time, freeze time, and a lot more. this uses the P key to open in game but you can configure that to another bind if you’d like.

- the item spawner is a lot more simple. does what it says and spawns whichever item you want. so basically you can press the i key and it’ll open up a menu with every item in the game and you can spawn in the specific amount you want of something and so forth. simple concept. i mainly use this for when i accidentally sell or gift an item i wasnt intending to and then simply spawn it back in. i also use it for decorating my house:3

Look Up Anything

- this is literally like having the wiki at your disposal at all times in game. extremely helpful for so many reasons especially as i personally always had the wiki open to check for information on items and npcs so having this mod made it a lot quicker of a process. how it works is you simply hover your mouse over whatever you want information on and click f1 and it’ll display all the information about that thing to you! so if you hover over lets say harvey and press f1 it’ll show you a menu with his birthday, his love & like gifts, your hearts with them and how many points till the next heart, etc.

Seasonal Outfits

- this mod puts all the npcs in different outfits for the seasons. its just cute

Elle’s Seasonal Buildings & DaisyNiko’s Earthy Recolor

- the seasonal building allows a lot more variety in structures like farm building and adding holiday decor to npc buildings. simple stuff that can make the game more customized

- with seasonal buildings you can also install compatible recolors which is what the DaisyNiko’s link is. it’s the recolor i personally use for my main farm when i play. this is because the vanilla game is very saturated and does hurt my eyes so having more chilled out tones helps. you dont need to install the recolor i use or any in fact if you like the natural look of the game but just know the option is there and there’s a multitude of recolors you can use to make the game look different:3

Friends Forever

- no friendship decay because itsa pain in the ass and i have no time to talk to the npcs all day. this is very play style based some people enjoy having to go and ensure they speak to npcs daily im just not the type.

Part of The Community

- creates different ways for you to gain hearts easier and passively

Mailbox Menu & Zilch’s Envelopes

- i really like the letters and the fact you can only read them once bummed me out until i found this mod which adds a whole menu for your mail where you can go back and see all the letters you’ve received. feel like it adds that additional touch and care to the whole mail system in the game.

- then to go along with that menu theres the envelopes mod that customizes it even further and makes all the envelopes of the letters have cute appearances and designs. look at this and tell me that isn’t the best thing you’ve ever seen.

Honorable Mentions

- Chests Anywhere

- CJB Show Item Sell Price

in conclusion…

I really suggest just taking the time and scrolling through the nexus mods website on your own. they have a specific category for stardew and you can filter it by most popular and see what you find yourself. since everyone plays differently you might find you enjoy the more technical code side and want to change something to do with that or you might just simply wanna change the npc portraits and make them look nicer. theres so many options on how to mod this game and i honestly could go on forever with mod suggestions but at the end of the day its up to you! so hope this helps and i hope you have a fun time modding.

[roadandruingame]

RAR Musings #28: Swords And Ladders, and when the fun begins

As I continue to lose my mind over dice mechanics, I struggle to quantify a simple question:

>At what point does using dice to gloss over the intricacies of a potentially infinite number of variables make sense?

And, the follow up,

>If a game is merely going through logic patterns and using dice to gloss over intricacies, at what point does the game simply become an infinite parade of randomly generated numbers? A Snakes and Ladders, where there is no meaningful input from the player themselves?

I recently theorized about exactly what people were looking for in class design. I'd realized many of my listed classes had overlap, not just with one, but sometimes two or three other classes, and debated having a "build a bearbarian" class system where players simply created the class features out of root traits, like Combat Trained or Politically Fluent, similar to my "build a bugbear" system for creating a unique monster. The idea was criticized by someone who wanted ready-made, easily recognizable fantasy archetypes, like Rangers and Wizards. While there's nothing stopping me from simply providing a set of ready-made classes, built using the Build A Bearbarian system for the sake of consistency, it did make me stop and wonder what exactly people get out of these recognizable archetypes.

It's not like I didn't understand it. I personally favor rangers, rogues, and warlock/necromancer types, (and elementalists, if I could find a game that did it right). But if I hadn't played the game yet, what pushed me to choose those character classes right out of the box? Simply that I find them cool?

Probably.

The way I see it, there are three major reasons why someone might pick a class archetype in a game:

Because it's cool. They enjoy the themes and imagery, and while they might find that THIS new version isn't actually cool, they're willing to give it a chance because of bias based on prior experience.

Because it's fun. This requires them to have actually taken the time to experience THIS version, and while some can be convinced that something is fun simply because they find it cool, whether something is actually fun is the true marker of how long they'll commit to doing this activity.

Because it's tactical. Meta-chasers will often mistake "doing it right" as having fun, and will continue to run treadmills and pick options they've long since soured on, if they ever truly found them enjoyable or cool at all, but for many, simply being 'the best' is cause enough to make a choice.

So when my friend demands that a ready-made, easily recognizable fantasy archetype like a ranger be available, it's because they find rangers cool. They may, in practice, discover that playing this variant of ranger isn't actually fun, but it'll give them a jumping off point to get into the game and harness their preconceptions of what they're supposed to do, and how they're supposed to do it.

Arguably, "building your own class" was what I was attempting to do by splitting off all the archetypal skills from DND's classes, so that you could purchase them by preference and create your own class, and classes were simply meant to be a lens through which to filter specific archetypal concepts. But what was I actually attempting to achieve by including classes? Was it just that DND had them? Or did I enjoy the concept of a class itself?

From the beginning, I'd wanted Road and Ruin to have classes, but that the benefits of each one would only be felt five levels at a time. A character would move through phases in their life, and have the opportunity to either continue to commit to their archetype, or be given the chance to evolve, and change. A soldier might find religion and become a paladin, and then later a cleric, or the reverse, a paladin becoming jaded and disillusioned, turning to darker powers with more immediate, faithless benefits. I still want the game to have this kind of storytelling component, so I think it's mostly just a question of how I present the option.

But back to the topic of dice.

It feels like every day, I see somebody new posting about how to handle social mechanics. "Social combat" is the generally-held attitude by many; that a conversation is something to be defeated, to be attacked and inflict damage, such that you finally get your way and 'win'. It's a laughable outlook, truly, and probably the main reason why social mechanics haven't been successful as an alternative to play in most ttrpgs.

But like actual combat, we find ourselves at Swords and Ladders: if the situation is resolvable by simply adding your character's modifiers and rolling a die, the same die every time, can the whole game not be foretold by generating an endless string of random numbers? What part of the game actually demands human interaction or intervention?

For many, social encounters are a way to flex their acting chops, the most widely acceptable form of meta-gaming in the hobby. "If you can make a good argument, and act it out, you get advantages toward winning". This, of course, shatters the 'immersion' when, despite this acting, a dice rolls a 1, and whatever vision you had of this conversation goes up in doritos-scented smoke. The same principle holds in combat, when players attempt to "roleplay" their victory pre-emptively to actually confirming it with dice, for much the same kind of results, but at the very least, attacks To Hit and taking damage represents a gradual loss or victory; "social combat" is often one-and-done with a single throw.

But back to dice: What exactly is attempted to be gained through using random number generation in these scenarios?

For one: the separation of player, from character. In order to prevent a player's foreknowledge, acting skill, or other such meta-benefits from influencing the game, dice are used to determine outcome instead. This goes both ways: if a character has been set up to be fluent in a particular skill, one that the player doesn't have themselves, the character, and game, will still be able to function. But, again, if the game and it's characters can simply play itself, through an endless string of random numbers, what exactly is the player's role in all this?

Two things occur to me:

If the game is not a challenge, a puzzle for the player to figure out and attempt to win, then perhaps the game is an experience; a rider has no influence on the operation of a rollercoaster, yet ride it they do, for the sake of the enjoyment the experience of doing so provides them.

If the game and it's story has the ability to go off the rails and crash, perhaps some mechanics are necessary to allow the players to force it back onto the tracks. They understand the concept of the consequences that'd occur if they failed, and can see it happen in real time, but are given the tools to, sometimes, if they're careful, make it right again.

These are difficult conversations. Part of the reason why dice are so antithetical to telling a good story, is because a good story follows reliable and predictable patterns, while a die, by nature, introduces the possibility of chaos. This all means that if you design a game for realism, realism says that in accordance with the odds, you will fail; when you design a game for storytelling, there has to be mechanics that turn those failures into successes, guaranteed. 'Balance' isn't simply modifying the realism components until they're unrealistic, but more fun to experience, it's about providing JUST enough get-out-of-jail-free cards that the players can spend them in pursuit of a good story, without having so many cards that it trivializes having to roll dice or the realism mechanics altogether.

But if the game is designed with difficult, crunchy realism as it's base, even if it's glossed over by narrative-driven, roleplay-enabling GOOJF cards (I need a better acronym...), there still begs the question of what degree of granularity is expected, or allowed for. If the system ALLOWS for the addition of small, granular advantages, then it either makes winning without them impossible, makes them so weak as to be not worth keeping track of in the first place, or limits the number of advantages applied to prevent blowout, thus making stacking of multiple advantages a waste of time.

As a ramble, what if advantages were spendable? I'd been operating on the idea of things like proficiency and specialization as being persistent advantages, with gear being a situational advantage, but things like spells physical actions costing magical and physical exertion if you didn't have ways to blow their statistics for failure out of the water were ways to "bridge the gap" and secure victory, but not in every situation, and not repeatedly and forever. Most would say the idea of spending proficiency or specialization on a per-day basis would be dumb, those are permanent and persistent advantages, but also: shut up, this is a game.

At that point, "spendable resource" at least challenges the player with admin authorization, "are you sure you want to spend this resource?" It enables the RPers to gloss over failures, to a limit, while also challenging the player to be aware of their available resources and not do anything stupid. But it also means that the capabilities of a team are dependent on how many characters, and thus how many resources, they have to spend. Bringing along an army of fresh-faced goons would mean infinite resources, so there'd need to be mechanics, such as 'fear of death' or 'waste of time' that discourages characters from joining such a venture.

The other possibility is tiers of difficulty, octaves where monstrous entities and characters with specialization can operate, with minor fluctuation that's glossable at cost, but that are so wildly unlikely that it'd prove unreasonable, perhaps even dangerous for someone of lesser aptitude to try it, but, importantly, not explicitly forbidding them from doing so. To make the odds so outrageous, and the consequences for the range of failure so severe, as to make most players dismiss it as a possibility and try to find a way around it. Potentially, by finding a specialist, or enlisting the help of a monstrous entity.

As another concept of spendable resources: What if proficiency, as a spendable resource, included the equipment needed to do it? That 'Medicine' as a proficiency, with 3 dots, meant that you not only had the skill to address three-dot injuries, but could spend those 3 dots to solve the 3-dot injuries, while also having the freedom to solve three 1-dot injuries? A location like a supply depot filled with medical supplies might be considered to have three, five, ten dots worth of Medical Supply, allowing you to spend those supplies instead of your resource dots. This handles the idea of micromanage-y supplies as well, by making the supplies needed to perform an action, the skill needed to do the action, and the physical, intellectual, and spiritual energy needed to fudge the results through improvisation or brute force, all operate on the same wavelength, while still being decidedly different variables.

If only some of these resources, like Medicine or Strength, recovered while resting, it would push players to decide what activities take priority, both rewarding and discouraging minmaxing, as effective characters can do the same action all day, but diverse characters can handle a wider array of tasks, switching from one to another as they become exhausted, over the course of sometimes days. Perhaps resting only rewards a number of points, and you choose which proficiencies you want to top up.

Finally, since story beats as a trope-powered predictable event are counter-intuitive to the notion of dice, why not make it a spendable resource too? That performing quests, looting items, making friends, earned you these GOOJF cards, these universal 'exertions' that brute-forced the story?

What if class mechanics also provided GOOJF cards, but only for mechanics that the character could have contributed to? "I wanted to move these boulders, but I don't have the strength," "Well I'm spending this Strength card to give you extra resources, because, you trained with me and the power of friendship." These cards would be spendable in a narratively-cohesive way, and only on allied actions, promoting teamwork, heroic moments, and, importantly, contributions from beyond the grave, if the player in question happened to die while still possessing influential cards.

The question still remains; is spending resources, and having to do bookkeeping for the remaining points you have left, actually fun to do? Perhaps. I'd hope so. It drags the player into the thick of things, deciding what's meaningful to do in the moment, and what's worth saving for later. It opens the door for different players to take the spotlight, for even activities that multiple characters are proficient in, and forces them to get creative regarding the use of their off-brand proficiencies. It helps define some limits on what a character can expect to do in a day, which should be a strong foundation in the development of a balance formula, which still carries with it the risk that a new player not understand when to push a roll and when to leave things be, but at least that consistency will make it easier to pick up than if everything was completely random.

It's definitely something I need to create a test case for. Determining the threshold of skill, in how it affects the likelyhood of a character having to exert themselves vs getting to perform certain actions for free, would be an important step, but also considering how character growth and skill purchase options could take a character into that territory is an important marker as well.

[sabraeal]

Come to Heel, Chapter 1

[Read on AO3]

Written for @obiyuki-beebs! When I asked just what she would want for her birthday choice this year, Hayley deliberated mightily between an Izananyuki ABO fic or another chapter of The Lone Wolf Survives, and ultimately decided...that she was very afraid of the potentially knotting in TLWS, and could I write the Izanayuki fic from my rare pair poll last year 🤣

On the training grounds his captains stand tall amongst their men, barking out orders with all the confidence of an alpha in their den. But when they stand in his-- a study is what they call it now, in these more civil times-- those proud shoulders droop, heads bowed and necks bared; a show of deference, the way base instinct demands. It is an enlightened age they live in, yes, one of carriages and etiquette and mobility between both station and inclination, and yet--

Yet, the animal is always there, lurking beneath the surface. The same play of dominance and submission acted out over a hundred thousand years, simply lacquered with the veneer of politeness. These men might play alpha amongst their petty kingdoms, might even be inclined to be so, but in here...

Well, all men are betas beneath their king.

At least, that’s how it is supposed to be. Things never quite go as planned with Shidnote. “Are you serious?”

His father might have taught him that a king says more by his silence than by his speeches, but it was his mother who educated him on the precise pitch of brow required for regal skepticism. “Do you think me a man given toward making such a jest, Sir Zakura?”

“No.” Most of his captains stand in his presence, no matter if Izana offers them a seat or not, but Shidnote hardly needs an invitation, sprawling in the chair as if it were his own. “But you would if you thought it’d get your brother’s dander up. Which this will, by the way.”

Long limbs creep across the carpet, boots settling just shy of his desk, and-- ah, the man might be beta by inclination, but he spent far too long as the leader of his merry band to fit easily back in that box. Even buried beneath the balsam and clove, the musk lingers in his scent, faded but never forgotten.

It might threaten another alpha, a weaker one, more prone to paranoia and less apt at inspiring submission. But under a king’s hand--

Well, there are few banes that cannot become boons in time. Even if this one takes particular joy in making himself a nuisance. “That’s hardly my concern.”

“Of course.” His aide’s scent is made all the sweeter by submission, but there’s not a drop of sincerity in it. “That Prince Zen will froth at the mouth at this whole business is simply a bonus.”

A defense would be tantamount to a confession; one Izana does not deign to give. “I prefer to think of it as character building.”

“Frothing at the mouth?” Shidnote shifts in his seat, too big for the chair to comfortably contain. One of the two in his employ that have such an issue, though Lowen bears it with infinitely more grace. “Or--?”

“My brother lacks the decisiveness required of his position,” he drawls, ignoring the grin that greets him across the carpet. “And the ambition. This will give him and opportunity to develop both.”

Shidnote’s brows do not so much lift as saunter up his forehead. “And here I thought that’s what you liked about him.”

“A second prince must know his place.” Which history has shown that his brother did not, at least when it came to certain young women working under their auspice. “But the left hand must be able to act independently of the right. I must know I can trust him even when he is not under my watchful eye.”

Zakura snorts, indelicate as ever. “I don’t know who’s going to make an alpha out of him first, you or that little beta he keeps chasing around.”

To frown would only inspire his aide to new heights of aggravation. Izana offers him his most beatific smile instead; a saint given form and seated behind a desk.

There is a certain satisfaction in earning Shidnote’s scowl, even if it hardly survives longer than a breath. “You know, this is going have her shitting in all your dinners too.”

His smile stretches to a grin, quite unbidden. “Will it?” he wonders airily. “I hadn’t even considered.”

A beta’s shift in scents is subtle, muted, but Zakura’s annoyance rolls over him likes a wave, alpha in strength if not in smell. “Just when do you plan to tell her? I’d like to be in a different country, if I can manage it.”

“Oh...” He makes a show of glancing at the clock at the wall. “An hour ago.”

“An...?” Zakura’s broad hand scrubs over his scar, a groan scraping out from beneath it. “She’s going to strangle you with the curtains before you even get through the door.”

“I must admit,” he drawls, rising from his seat. “I might like to see her try.”

When the door to the parlor swings open, his brother’s beta is right where she ought to be: perched upon the plush cushions of the sofa, ankles crossed and fingers knotted so tightly she might well be a gift. A what a present she makes with that scowl, the sweet fruit of her scent already gone sour, frustration fermenting it to bitterness long ago. He breathes it in the way his father used to drink wine, savoring the first coating across his tongue before downing the rest of the glass.

“Mistress Shirayuki.” Her brows draw tighter over that button nose, spiking her scent with only the finest annoyance. “I see you’ve arrived.”

“I did,” she says with the sort of restraint his brother has never learned to show. “Punctually.”

Butter would hardly melt in his mouth as he circles her, enjoying the way she stiffens. She does not turn her head the way an omega would, nervous and eager to please, but her gaze does track him, sharp as any hunter. “How kind of you not to keep me waiting.”

Her anger blooms between them, as sweet as citrus; it is a struggle not to savor the fruits of his labor. A beta may not be alert to the subtleties of her own scent, but an ill-timed sniff on his part would give up the game far too soon.

“You must be hungry.” There would have been no reason to arrange this meeting over the dinner hour other than to assure such a state. “Let me call for a light--”

“Was there something you needed from me?”

Izana’s steps stuttering beneath her steady stare. “Excuse me?”

“I assume you called me here for a reason.” The infuriating thing puts her back to him, both feet flat on the floor as she rises with all the authority she does not possess. “If not, then I won’t waste your time--”

His fingers close over the delicate cap of her shoulder, gently-- firmly guiding her back down to the cushion. His brother’s little beta has never shown the deference a girl in her position should, either for his title or his inclination, but truly, this was beyond the pale. “I didn’t ask that you look after my schedule, Mistress Shirayuki. I asked if you were hungry.”

She huffs, cheeks rounded like prey. “I appreciate your concern, but if there really is nothing, then--”

“I could go for something,” her shadow pipes from his corner, doing a poor job of playing invisible, as always. “If you’re offering, alpha.”

His musk might be drowned beneath that citrus and sugar, more dessert than omega, but it’s still a feat how that man has them all fooled. Even if the pitch and smoke didn’t wear through at the same as the evening hours, his irreverence gives him away, those cold, coin-quick eyes meeting his with all the challenge that lanky frame can summon.

But the man can keep his secrets for now. If only for the way it makes his mistress cave, the stern line of her shoulders softening even as her slender little fingers claw into the cloth at her knees.

“All right,” she relents, her sigh as good as her submission. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have a little something.

It would be nothing for him to call for a full dinner with all its courses, the dishes catered to the particular tastes of the two meant to partake, but Izana knows better than to flaunt excess before his brother’s little beta. It might be a feast that’s laid before them, but a humble one, made of sliced means and creamy cheeses and bread still warm from the ovens. And a half dozen other things besides, simple dishes that hardly required cutlery, the sort of delicacies one might be at ease holding between their fingers even before a king.

Not that such an idea would ever slow Shirayuki down. Oh no, by the time it’s all laid before them, she’s already reaching out, fingers brushing at the serving ware before he can get a word in edgewise. As if they were in some public commissary, rather than his own private parlor.

His hand snaps out, seizing that small wrist before she can wreak anymore havoc. “I haven’t taken from that yet.”

A protest clearly perches upon those pouted lips, but she subsides, albeit poorly. Not waiting for him to release her as she should, she slips her wrist from his grip, letting her offending hand flop down onto her lap. She keeps it there, fingers knitted tight while he reaches to fill his own plate.

It’s amusing to watch her play at civility, to pretend she does not devour the meal with her hungry eyes first. Courtesy’s shiny veneer wears as he picks at the platters on the table, careful to avoid the one she’d reached for first. For all her professions of humble origin, the girl has expensive tastes; the wafer-thin slices of beef would be a luxury in any household, especially in the craggy northern hinterlands.

“You’re going to ask me to do something, aren’t you?” she asks, ever impatient. “Something I won’t like. You might as well--”

“Pleasure first,” he informs her, heaping her plate high with the table’s bounty. “Business later.”

That sweet mouth of hers flattens, conveying just how much pleasure she takes in this little parley. But she picks up her knife all the same, dipping it in the dollop of cheese upon her plate and spreading it thick across a slice of bread. He waits until it just brushes her mouth to say, “Alphas eat first, Mistress Shirayuki.”

Her eyes widen, outrage shining clear. “But you...?”

Izana smiles, good humor and sharp teeth in equal measure. His brother’s beta might play the innocent, but she does not miss either meaning, setting her silverware back down on the table, knuckle blanched to bone where she grips them. Where his ears not as sharp as his nose, he would not have heard the soft growl hidden in her throat as he takes his first bite, a challenge made soft.

It is a struggle to keep his mouth from widening. A girl like that would make a good alpha if his brother had it in him to make her one. Not that Izana would allow it, even if he could. Alpha or no, a pharmacist would hardly make an acceptable princess. A diplomat, perhaps, but for what he will need her for...

Well, maybe one day that shadow of hers will oblige and do the job for him. The way the scent of smoke suffuses the room when his mistress does as little as brush his hand, it won’t be much of a hardship. Or a wait.

Izana smothers a smirk. Might as well help things along on that front. “Ah, but if you have forgotten your manners, you must be starving. Here.”

Pinched between the seam of his fingers, a ribbon of beef unfurls, glistening in the lamplight. The little beta does the same at the sight of it, her mouth half opened when he urges, “Eat up.”

Ah, now that brings her up short. “Excuse me?”

“Go on.” It’s only natural, his posture implies, a beta eating from the hand of her alpha. “You have my permission.”

Her spine stiffens, like prey backed into a corner. But there is no sting of fear from her, only the profound odor of offense, a little anger giving spice to her mild scent.

“That’s quite all right,” she manages, hardly any of the words grit between her teeth. “I’ll wait for you to finish.”

His own tease at that slender ribbon, nibbling at the thin filaments until slivers shear off against his tongue. It’s amusing how she watches him, jaw working in sympathy as his chews, the scent anger and hunger linger in the air in equal measure. How simple it would be if only she would give way, if she would only give him the obedience he was due as her alpha.

But, he must admit, it is more fun this way.

“There is no need.” His smile does not bare teeth, but her hackles raise as if it does. “You’ve been so patient, Mistress Shirayuki. Let us eat together.”

It is a compliment, a magnanimous show of generosity that his father would have died before giving, even to his own son, let alone a beta whose only claim is a disgraced bloodline and a questionable friendship with Tanbarun’s most useless prince.

And yet still she wrinkles her nose, fork chasing potatoes about her plate with about as much attention as his brother affords his paperwork.

“Obi.” Her shadow straightens, attuned to the barest change in her tone. Obedient and attentive, the way an omega should be for his alpha. A pity neither of them are. “You must be hungry too.” Her slender little fingers pluck up that roast, ribbons overflowing her grip. “Have some.”

It’s with caution that her shadow edges out from his corner, detaching from the wall with all the deference of a hound at the table. He even darts a glance at Izana, the perfect approximation of a humble omega, if only it weren’t so clear there was no question there, no plea for permission-- oh no, the man’s coiled for confrontation as he approaches, ready to reach for those knives if there’s even a flinch from his position.

Izana simply sits stock still, pretending as if he’s allowing it to happen, that her defiance depends on his indulgence. But when the alpha dips his head, taking the offerings straight from her fingers, dining straight from this beta’s plate as if she were--

Well, it seems as if there’s more work to be done. He had left it to his brother to tame his little pharmacist, but it’s clear that a beta cannot be depended upon to do an alpha’s job.

“I had a chat with your acquaintance,” he says, pitched just too loud for the space between them, startling her attention away from the alpha at her shoulder. “It was quite...enlightening.”

“Kageya?” Her fork drops to the table, forgotten, all her attention hanging on his words. A heady sensation, for its rarity. “You mean she was helpful?”

Hope burns bright in the forest of her eyes, a spark that so easily sets others ablaze, but he knows better than to feed it. Sweet as this little beta is, her wishes always come at too high a cost. “That remains to be seen.”

Her mouth rumples like parchment, his word a draft she would like to relegate to the bin. “What do you mean by that?”

“Lady Kageya informed us of a pharmacy run out of Hyatess. It is apparently where Toka Bergatt sourced many of her supplies. At least, the ones she couldn’t readily come by.” He glances at her, wary, as he adds, “If this information is true, then--”

Ah, when her eyes flare like that, it’s terrible how tempted he is to catch fire himself. “Then you’ll let her go?”

“No.” Her brow furrows tight over the freckled expanse of her nose, mouth opening with all the intent to argue, but Izana holds up a hand, quelling her quarrels. “With her willingness to help us, Elys has bought her life, but her freedom...there is much that woman knows, and in the wrong hands she could once again threaten the safety of Clarines’ people. But if this pharmacy has indeed thrown in with a traitor, and their connection leads us to him, perhaps I could consider...”

He allows her heart to fill in what his words cannot promise.

“Then can’t you just investigate that?” Ah, it is easy to see why his brother is so enamored with this little beta; she is just as impatient as he. “You’d know she was telling the truth if you only just--”

“Should we go up the Hyatess and simply ask if they have been committing treason?” She flushes beneath the weight of his raised brows. “An investigation will take time. And trusted agents. Ones that can blend in among the pharmacist there. Ones that are adept at earning trust quickly.”

“Ah...” If there is one thing the pharmacist is that his brother is not, it’s clever. “So this is what you wanted me for. But wouldn’t they not want to...er...with a...um...?”

“Trust a pharmacist so closely associated with the crown?” His mouth quirks at a corner. “Perhaps if I sent Garak, or even her assistant, that might be the case. But it seems, Mistress Shirayuki, that you have done quite well at establishing yourself as a person of note in the North.”

She blinks. “Me?”

“You.” It’s impossible to keep his grin from curling at the corners. “You might carry the distinction of royal pharmacist, but it seems that your reputation as a scholar of Lilias precedes you. And in the North, your closest known tie to the throne is...”

He glances pointedly to the alpha at her shoulder. She has the grace to flush. “That’s quite flattering, but still, I’m sure there’s someone who would be better...”

“There is no one better than you, Shirayuki.” He doesn’t mean to say the words, not with the earnesty he does, but the roundness of her eyes demands that he own it now that he has. “Your background is the best fit for this mission. Besides, it’s not as if you will be alone.”

Her brows raise. “I won’t? Who else could you send? Suzu? Ryu?”

Izana dismisses the names with a wave of his hand. “Hardly. They are both on projects Clarines considers high priority. No--” his mouth twitches, a warning he does not mean to give-- “I thought you might prefer an assistant instead of a partner.”

It is worth the wait for the words to catch up with her, for when they do-- “No.”

“No? Come now, Mistress Shirayuki.” Izana is not one to cajole, but it is worth it to see her scowl; if they were beasts in truth, her ears would lay flat along her head. “Wouldn’t you enjoy having me at your beck and call again?”

“Beck...?” She blinks at him owlishly. “You hardly listen to a thing I said!”

“I had other concerns at the time.” Trying to secure an alliance with Arleon’s younger sister, for one. “But this time, I promise...”

His lips unfurl into a lazy grin. “...You will have my full attention.”

[i-am-the-balancing-point]

I discovered a friend had been struggling to feed themself recently and since I‘ve been doing much better in that regard since my most recent whiny posts about struggling to consume enough food, I thought I‘d share some stuff that helped me as it might make things easier for others who are facing the same problem. Put it under the cut tho bc it might get long:

meal replacement shakes are your friend! I am thankful I discovered a bunch of the pre-made kind heavily discounted only. I hate their taste (thankfully I‘m able to just chug them in one go and have a sip of water after) so I reccomend you try a few brands to find a flavour you like if you’re able to. the powdered kind is also good but sometimes even just scooping that into my bullet blender is not manageable for me… if it is tho, I like to use plant milk, a double serving of the powder and frozen fruit. My preference here are frozen raspberries but you do you and know what you like best. pre-made protein drinks can also be a decent alternative if meal-replacement drinks are not available.

eat peanut butter by the spoon. not to sound weird but it has saved my booty countless times times. it’s high in protein and fat so a pretty good base to build from. works especially well to get me to a point where I can start making a more complex meal but I have very well just have it on its own or with a few crackers plus it’s really satisfying to just dig a big ass spoon into a new jar and eat that straight up.

instant rice, instant quinoa, instant noodles — anything that just needs to be put in a microwave before consuming is worth its weight in gold. if it comes pre seasoned all the better! my rice comes plain but I LOVE eating it simply with some healthy boy brand vegetarian mushroom sauce. you can also dress all of that with some canned veggies. especially a few tablespoons of canned corn or frozen peas, some pickled ginger or pickled baby corn won’t take a lot of energy to add but make most dishes infinitely more delicious and nutritious.

a special s/o to dal and instant curries. again, being able to simply heat a pouch of delicious spicy goodness is a god-given gift! dal can also be insanely easy to make. I just use a few tablespoons of quick cooking lentils, rinse them when I have the energy, and put them in a single-serving pot with ~5 times the amount of water, add in some tomato paste, garam marsala, curry powder, cumin seeds, chilli powder and veggie stock powder, a smashed clove of garlic if you’re feeling it, stir, put on medium heat for like 20 min and let it soften. when the time‘s up check if the lentils have cooked through and add more water if you like it soupier. finish with some fat of your choice. much tastier and more nutritious ✨

find some crackers or similar you like and something like almond cream cheese, hummus or a pesto you dig and go ahead and dip away. if you think about it it’s preeeetty similar to a sandwich, just less effort to make. I like saltines, rice cakes/corn cakes and grissini. they’re also nice vehicles for nut butters and or jams.

it’s okay to just eat bread from the bag. or the toaster. bread is tasty! munch on it. ♡

put nutritional yeast on everything

I hope these can be helpful in some way. It’s not much but sometimes it’s also about feeding yourself some easy decent snacks so you can get yourself to cook something more energy-consuming and sometimes your brain is just so exhausted that you’re grateful for someone else having done the thinking about quick solutions. Stay well ♡

[thevindicativevordan]

Any thoughts on Grant Morrison's Action Comics run? Beyond T shirt-and-jeans Superman being great.

That whole run reinvigorated my love of the character.

There have been numerous thoughtpieces about New 52 Superman, how he worked and how he didn't but these two entries really do a great job of summing up why Morrison's take on Superman was great. Morrison laid the foundation for a new generational Superman that DC completely fucked up and ran into the ground. I'll always be bitter about that, even if I had tapped out of reading the New 52 Superman books by the end due to how bad they got. Editorial and their idiotic mandates were what screwed over the potential of this take in my eyes.

Now I get that it wasn't to everyone's taste, but I cannot fathom how anyone could ever claim that Pre-Flashpoint Superman was better. If you liked Byrne's reboot better, your guy already got rebooted after Infinite Crisis. For someone like me who really enjoyed the Johns/Busiek era, that era's potential got spoiled after Johns & Busiek left, with New Krypton imploding and the awful Grounded taking it's place. When you get to the point where the best Superman book is the one starring Lex Luthor, it's time to reassess the franchise and figure out where the hell it went wrong.

Which is exactly what Morrison did. For this new Superman, Morrison mined all the best ideas of every Superman era to really give what I consider the ideal "base" for Superman. They also took pains to address common criticisms about Superman, working to correct his pop culture image. People have been complaining that Superman is "too perfect", "too unrelatable" for a long time, so Morrison addressed that. They gave Superman his balls back, and let him reacquire that Golden Age edge he had originally.

There are a lot of complaints you can make about Morrison's Superman, but I don't see how you could accuse this guy of being "flawless" or "bland". He definitely had a personality that you could describe, love him or hate him. Compassionate, but not a pushover. Clearly holding himself back, but unafraid to occasionally let loose. Flaws that were patently obvious, Clark had a temper here that could get him into trouble. There was a real showcase of anger here, of Superman being furious at the way people were treated by the rich and powerful, then doing something about it that I ate up.

I read this run just as I was coming into my teens and it hit perfectly for where I was in life. Did not want a Superman who would smile and tell me it gets better, I wanted a Superman who looked you in the eye and told you he felt that same anger, and then encouraged you to go out and do something about how you felt. That was what this run delivered in spades, and it expanded what I believed could be done with Superman.

While it totally blew my mind to see Superman acting this way the first time I read Morrison's Action Comics run, in retrospect it really isn't that different from how Superman has acted even under Byrne. One of the few traits I've seen carry across Superman incarnations in the comics is that he has a temper underneath that affable nature. "Don't tug on Superman's cape" as the old song goes. This run simply elevated that to the forefront of the character again, for the better in my eyes given I believe "Wrath" is Superman's Deadly Sin.

In fact, one of the strongest features of this run is that Superman gets actual character development over the course of the run, analogous to what Batman underwent in Morrison's Bat-Epic. While the Bat-Epic was merely Morrison re-canonizing Batman's entire history, and applying a retroactive character development storyline that culminated in Morrison's current Batman work, their Action Comics run had them attempt to craft something similar for Superman from scratch. What that meant was Morrison attempting to draw on the most important traits of every Superman era and incorporate those into this new take. So Superman had the Golden Age temper, compassion for the oppressed, and cockiness. The Silver Age supergenuis, proud scion of Krypton who cherished his Kryptonian nature, member of the Legion of Superheroes, and participant in stories that weren't afraid to get weird. Superman's wrestling with his place in the world, the importance of Clark Kent, and making journalism a key part of the character strike me as all being hallmarks of the Bronze Age. From Post-Crisis we got that Clark views himself as human and loves his adopted parents, considering them as equal to his birth ones.

One of the big frustrations for me with the endless origin stories for Superman, is that so many of them follow a predictable and stale formula where Clark puts on the suit and is essentially ready to go. Doesn't interfere with human affairs, is modest and humble, restrained in usage of his powers, it's like Clark has meta knowledge of what he "should" be, despite that he shouldn't have any foreknowledge of what a "superhero" should look like. He operates the same way at the start as he does in the modern day, and that's really boring to me. This Superman, because of the difference in powers and attitude, operated extremely different from his "present day" incarnation. Dangling Glenmorgan over the edge of a building isn't something a fully powered and mature Superman should do, but it works great to make his early days different and exciting to read about, it makes returning to that era something you can do different storytelling with. This run is the only time where I really cared that Superman is "supposed" to be the first superhero, because figuring out what that means here is a big part of how he develops.

We all know the common complaint that Superman is "too powerful" and that "nothing can hurt him" (funny how Thor never gets hit with those accusations), so Morrison made sure to show that this take on Superman could be beaten even if he could never be defeated. Events conspired to force Clark to use his brains as well as his powers to overcome the challenges in front of him.

Examples include him using his heat vision to fry Lex's equipment and escape the military, using his rocket ship to defeat Brainiac, and rallying the population of Metropolis to banish Vyndktvx. Not to say that Clark never used his brains before to win, but this run was very upfront and in your face about how important Clark's intellect is to triumphing over his foes. Can't take seriously the complaint that Superman is too overpowered when Morrison constantly showcased how even a very powerful Superman could get his shit wrecked by his Rogues.

Another example of Morrison addressing criticisms is Kryptonite. A lot of people poke fun at how convenient it is that pieces of Superman's homeworld follow him all the way to Earth. Isn't that a bit of an asspull? So Morrison made Kryptonite the power source of Superman's rocket, giving it a perfectly natural and believable reason both for it to end up on Earth, and for Lex & the military to get a hold of it since Pa Kent gave the military the rocket. That's still my preferred explanation for how Kryptonite ended up on Earth.

It also provides a better explanation for all the different Kryptonite variants. DC can handwave away the different types as a result of Lex experimenting or the different "forces" on Earth such as magic or the Speed Force or whatever creating the different variants. That to me is much more believable than Kryptonite travelling all across the galaxy yet still ending up on Earth somehow.

There have also been a lot of complaints about Superman's villains, and Morrison diligently set about reworking them. By far one of my favorite aspects of the run, was the villain revamps. Nimrod felt like a clean revamp of Terra-Man, making him into Superman's Kraven the Hunter struck me as a patently obvious route to go, wild no one has followed up on that or used him since. Metallo felt like a good synthesis of Johns take of him as an Anti-Superman weapon, and the sympathetic aspects of Corben's origin that are always there, I liked that Morrison didn't make him a total bastard before his transformation like Johns did. Brainiac got some sympathy added to him in that the collected worlds that were already marked for damnation, thus he was "saving" them in a fashion. Clay Ramses embodied toxicity as a wife-beater even before becoming Kryptonite Man, and I thought his backstory was a great way for Clark to still deal with "real" issues via a manner he could punch. Ramses is still the best take on Kryptonite Man. Vyndktvx felt like the greatest realization of the threat Mr. Mxyzptlk could pose should he decide to get serious since Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?, plus I'm a sucker for stories where superheroes fight the Devil. Drekken and Superdoom took the only interesting aspects of Doomsday (his ability to evolve and that he can kill Superman respectively), and were much more interesting characters.

And oh my God, speaking of Superdoom, that part of Morrison's Action run has aged like fine wine. I don't know if they caught wind of DC's plans for the character, or if they were just prescient, but everything that Superdoom is playing on is still sadly all too present. What Superdoom is as a character is a condemnation of what DC keeps doing with Superman: killing him off or making him evil.

When you realize what Superdoom (demand for a more violent and "realistic" Superman) and Vyn (WB/DC) stand in for, it makes the frustration Morrison is channeling much more palpable. Those two plotlines are all DC can think of to do with the character, returning to those again and again. Endlessly attempting to recapture the high of Batman and Doomsday beating the shit out of Supes in The Dark Knight Returns and Death of Superman. Overcoming these two obstacles is Superman's greatest challenge as conceived by Morrison, because both are out to corrupt and ruin the very idea of him. It's not just a physical death he faces, but a metaphysical one as well. Sadly it's a threat Superman just can't seem to lick in the real world, with more and more takes on "Evil Superman" coming.

Lois and Jimmy are great here, because Morrison actually made the investigative journalism aspect of Superman important. Lois is an active participant in the story, trying to break in to the base where Clark is being held by her father, competing with Clark for stories (I love how Morrison writes the banter between the two of them), and generally being classic Lois. Jimmy though benefitted from being positioned as a peer rather than as a kid in comparison to the two, something I wish the comics had carried forward. It looks like My Adventures With Superman is going with that interpretation at least, so I hope others do as well. Jimmy being Clark's roommate really adds to their bond, and I wish we had gotten more stories with that status quo.

Investigative reporter Clark Kent was so actively used here that it feels jarring reading other Superman runs where they tend to downplay and ignore it. Following Clark as he travels to different areas of Metropolis and actually interacts with people, instead of hovering above them as Superman, makes him feel human. Watching Clark actively pursue stories aimed at bettering peoples livelihoods, and seeing how those stories crossed with the superheroics, was one of my favorite aspects of the run. It's one unfortunately few other writers seem all that interested in, especially the New 52 writers who followed Morrison (I know editorial probably bears a lot of blame for that though).

Besides all that, this run was a lot of fun! The Legion of Superheroes showed up, their connection to Clark restored, and they got to play a big role in Clark's adventures! Krypto the Superdog! Martian colonies! Memorizing all of medicine, Superman performs a lifesaving operation! Lex using a "bullet train" to knock Clark out! 5-D imps! Rampaging robots from beyond! A Phantom Zone Halloween story! John Henry Irons suits up as Steel and kicks ass alongside Clark! Every Superman Rogue teams up to try to kill him, but Lex Luthor saves his life because that's a privilege he reserves for himself! Showcasing their trademark love for the Supermythos, Morrison took us on a tour of Superlore that demonstrated the depth and width of what could be done with Superman. Meanwhile the backups by Sholly Fisch excelled at giving us smaller, more human stories about Superman (the one where Clark meets Pa again via time travel "after" Pa has died always gives me a lump in my throat to read).

Ultimately this didn't get to be the foundation for the next generation of Superman stories as it deserved. Johns made New 52 Superman the scapegoat in Doomsday Clock for a lot of storytelling choices he did over in Justice League, something that pisses me off to no end. You want to tell me that this guy "didn't relate" to people, didn't inspire "hope"?

Like hell he didn't. This guy was Superman in every way that mattered and he deserved better than to be framed as the scapegoat for all the stupid decisions DC made about what to do with him. Greg Pak was able to do some great work with this version after Morrison, and just like how Gene Yang got a redemption work starring Superman, I hope to one day see Pak return to the character. Would love to read a Black Label Superman story by Pak that follows his take on young Superman.

All wasn't lost however. Against all odds, and Rebirth trying it's damndest to sweep everything under the rug, it looks like parts of this era have actually survived to the current Infinite Frontier era. With Morrison being heavily involved no less, both as an ideas guy and as an actual writer.

Superman & the Authority is explicitly Superman coming full circle back to the attitude displayed by his young counterpart under Morrison. Janin has outright said that the costume Clark wears here is reminiscent of the t-shirt and jeans era of Superman, and this book so far feels saturated with an energy level from Morrison I haven't seen in their work for hire since they left Action. Reaching old age and realizing he never really delivered on the high ideals of his beginnings, it's Superman putting together a team to hopefully succeed where he couldn't alone. Scathing in how it criticizes the superhero status quo, this has been extremely entertaining to read. Wish Morrison was writing 12 issues with this team, and that ultimately it will be up to PKJ to deliver on the potential is a drawback (although I've loved PKJ's Action run so far), but I'm glad to see DC finally treating Morrison and their ideas with more respect than was shown during Rebirth.

Jon meanwhile feels like an even more explicit attempt at redoing New 52 Superman. There's the updated new suit, designed to appeal to a new generation with it's streamlined look. Positioning Jon as a Superman who wants to tackle the "real" issues, with Taylor explicitly comparing him to Golden Age Superman which as I mentioned was an era Morrison tried to reincorporate into their reboot. There's the Legion of Superheroes connection which played an important role in Morrison's reboot. The rumors about Jon's sexuality are interesting, hinting that DC is willing to go outside the box with him in a way they never would with Clark. I'm excited to see what kind of Superman Jon ends up becoming, if he can deliver on the promise of the New 52 Superman all the better.

This run deserves to be remembered and to have the lessons it tried to teach respected. Probably my favorite mainline run on Superman, I hope more people come around to liking it as time goes on.

[i-dreamed-i-had-a-son]

Alright because clearly I haven't spammed my blog with enough posts about the Mandalorian, here are my thoughts written out.

The finale has left me very conflicted. The simple fact of the matter is there won't be a resolution to this confliction until after Season 3 premiers and I see what they're doing with it from here. It's in a very raw and tentative spot for me, because it could very easily go bad from where they left it, but upon further-further thought, I've moved beyond being largely disappointed and into more of a "I hope to God they do it right" stage.

Initially, I was thrilled with the episode. I, being mostly distant from Star Wars minus the original 6 movies (which I'm by no means obsessed with) and this show, absolutely did not call that Luke would show up--or R2, lol. Grogu's tender touch of Din's helmet, asking to see his face? Destroyed me. It was a very cathartic ending and an emotional wrecking-ball. But even in my temporary euphoria, I remember being confused as to why we didn't get to see the moment when Din and Grogu were reunited.

Then I thought about it some more, and I became...much less pleased. Why didn't Din ask to go with Grogu and Luke (or at least ask where they're going)? Why did he voluntarily give him up so easily? Why did he take off his mask in front of a room full of people and a literal stranger, thus seemingly turning away from a tenet of his Creed? I was frustrated that the narrative allowed these things to happen when the issues could have easily been avoided by having a reunion scene with Grogu and Din alone before going back to the main room and by adding a couple lines of dialogue. This left me worried that Grogu's story was over, that Din was no longer going to follow the religion he has thus far steadfastly adhered to, and that the next season would be spent having him become the reluctant ruler of Mandalore (another man-becomes-leader-against-his-will story when literally all he wanted, as he stated several times, was to save his son. And he just lost him). I felt that the show used fanservice to cover over the fact that they simply didn't have a narratively satisfying ending.

Looking at it again, not all of my issues are resolved, but I understand a bit more of why they did what they did with the story arc. In all honesty, for as much as I treasure the father-son bond between Din and Grogu, the whole plot of the show thus far has revolved around Din finding a Jedi to give Grogu to. Without that "transaction" actually occuring, the previous two seasons would have felt largely pointless. (Well, isn't the real point of the series about Din learning that Grogu is his son and that he doesn't have to give him up?) That's what I'd thought, but really, if that was the plot of the show, it should have ended after season two (with some changes to the ending). Din should've kept Grogu, and that final moment of "No, he's my kid, and he's staying with me," wouldn't leave anywhere else for things to really go, so the show could end with the "dawn of a new day" feeling of potential (where will they go from here?) and that would be curtains. It would work wonderfully as an ending, and I would have been happy with it, but we have another season (which I'm happy about). This means that the plot has to continue to move forward, and that also means honoring the plot that you've already set in motion.

Additionally, I'd like to emphasize what I've seen some people write about: ultimately, it was Grogu's choice to leave. Din refusing to let him go would be acting counter to all of what he had been trying to do--he was bound by Creed to deliver the child to one of his own kind, and that is what he did. Not only would Din refusing to let Grogu go ruin the trust they had established by denying him his choice, and also effectively invalidate the sacrifices he made on his journey (although he learned to see Grogu as his son, many of the sacrifices he made came as a direct result of attempting to fulfil his quest to deliver him to the Jedi, so refusing to do so would render those sacrifices useless to some degree), refusing to let Grogu go would also mean Din would be turning his back on his Creed. He delivered Grogu safely, and let him choose (as he chose on the Seeing Stone) to go with the Jedi.

And if Din were to go with them, there wouldn't really be much for him to do besides...stand around and watch? That's all he did when Ahsoka was working with Grogu--and that wouldn't leave any room for him to grow (nor make for an interesting show). He himself has expressed that he can't train Grogu and has always treated the situation as one that he can't participate in once he gives Grogu to the Jedi. Although they are ancient enemies, so it makes sense why he wouldn't want to just...hang around, I think it has more to do with the fact that in mentorship, you need to see your teacher as a parental figure, in a way (including in Jedi training--take Anakin and Obi Wan, for example). Din wouldn't want to be a distraction, nor would he fit in in that environment. His life wasn't nearly as fulfilling before Grogu came into it, but really, from both a character and a writing perspective, the only realistic choice is for them to part ways.

Also, it is a little short-sighted to assume that the show is only as good as the Din-Grogu bond is. We now have an opportunity to get closer to Din as an individual, which could be interesting, if they keep his character consistent. I think it would be a huge mistake not to bring Grogu back (preferably next season--maybe Ahsoka is right and he isn't good for training since he is too attached to Din? Luke delivers him at one of Din's lowest moments and we get a joyful reunion?? I would take that), but I don't think it's out of line to try to explore Din's character apart from Grogu.

In fact, it might ultimately be better. If the show can prove to us that we're not just there for the bond, but for the characters and their bonds, that's infinitely superior. And the show does need to avoid getting locked into just one thing. In branching out, it's trying to establish a stronger base for what it should build on later. It also keeps things varied, which makes them interesting.

The trouble is, where they go from here is what will determine a lot of the validity in that last statement. Changing the story entirely is a big risk, but that means the characters need to stay the same, at least largely, so that the audience feels that they are watching the same show. And some of the decisions made in the finale can go either way. When Din takes off his helmet, is he honoring his son's request, but thus putting love or emotion above his faith? Is he following his Creed by protecting his child (albeit only emotionally)? Is he turning away from his faith altogether and returning to the broken, lonely man he was before, but now without his Creed to guide him? Is he proving Bo-Katan right? Does he consider those he's with to be family (as they all just saved his child), including the Jedi stranger (because Din is giving Grogu to him, trusting him to mentor him and act as his parental figure), thus allowing him to remove his helmet by Creed? Did he not think of these things at all, and simply acted because his son is precious to him? Really, what does that decision mean for Din's character? The answer ultimately won't be known until next season. The same goes for the plot about the Darksaber. Will this end up being another reluctant-hero story (with the traits of the protagonist being reworked to fit into it), or will this be a refreshing subversion of the trope? We can't know until next year. (And don't even get me started on the "foreshadowing of Grogu as evil" stuff. We had better not see that. I don't need that angst...)

The largest source of my anxiety comes from not being able to imagine how they can work with the show from here to maintain the primary aspects of why I love it. I don't want any romance (but without Grogu, will they feel compelled to add some in?) and I don't want Din to become a typical tropey figure (but with the plot about the Darksaber being set up as it is, will they have the guts to avoid that?). Most of all, I want Din to get his son back, but to walk back that decision after only an episode or two would again make everything that came before seem rather unnecessary.

In summary, then, after oscillating wildly between conflicting emotions, I am just left to say: I can't figure out how they're going to do it, but ultimately, time spent worrying is time wasted. I have to just trust that they've got some ideas. The people in charge have proven that they know what they're doing before (Chapter 15 was excellent, for example) and although they aren't perfect, it would be premature to say it can only go downhill from here--they may well have a larger arc planned out that this proves to be an essential part of. It may well be horrible. It could be great. But for now, let's just make the most of what we have.

[lakemojave]

Supergiant Games: Same Bones, Different Skeletons

I just finished a retrospective of all 4 games by Supergiant on my twitch channel, and I have a few thoughts I wanna connect and questions I wanna explore. My love for these games is real strong and i could write a whole essay just gushing about them, but I wanna give some thought to what makes them so compelling: not just to me, but to damn near everyone I’ve talked to on their discord who feels the same. I myself rank Bastion among my favorite games ever, and Hades is climbing that list at a clip. And even though I could take or leave Transistor or Pyre, they keep pulling me back.

But I could talk a whole lot about each game’s appeal and waste a lot of time. I’ve gushed enough to my friends about how Bastion and Pyre’s rugged, apocalyptic atmospheres draw me in with their incredible vibrance to contrast. I could talk about how Ashley Barrett’s vocal tracks carry Transistor on their shoulders, or what makes Hades so much goddamn fun that the game doesn’t really need to be much else. But I realize that if the Supergiant library is so universally appealing to me, there must be some sort of connective tissue between them--some sort of fundamental similarity that makes them work. After thinking about it for more than five minutes, it turns out there are many; some are pretty obvious, and some less so. This brings me to the conclusion that the Supergiant library, with its four wildly distinct and different games, still follow a noticeable formula--one that is flexible enough to allow such completely different games.

Game Design

The Supergiant library are all essentially top down action rpgs, Transistor having the most elements of the genre. This is still a pretty weak connection, given how different they all play from each other. The only two that have much overlap in the most basic sense are Bastion and Hades, with the same general fast paced, real time combat. On closer examination, the two games have enough differences in the variety of mechanics at play, (Bastion with its multiple weapon slots and a shield, Hades with its sheer number of commands) that even they are hard to compare.

There are, however, several mechanics that the library loves to use. The first that comes to mind are the difficulty conditions: idols in Bastion, limiters in Transistor, titan stars in Pyre, and the pact of punishment--and arguably Chaos boons as well--in Hades. Their function is simple: increase your challenge for a little extra reward. Bastion and Pyre go the extra mile by fixing in world building elements to this mechanic; Bastion’s idols inform about the game’s pantheon, while Pyre informs about its, well, evil pantheon. The use of these conditions is indicative of Supergiant’s game design philosophy as a whole--you, the player, can make the game as hard or easy as it takes for you to have fun. The inclusion of infinite lives in Bastion or god mode or hell mode in Hades further builds on this point. This library is designed for all sorts of audiences, whether they want to be challenged by their games or simply immersed in the story.

Another repeating mechanic in these games are the use of challenge rooms, which started in Bastion as the training grounds and, to a lesser extent, Who Knows Where. In Transistor they are the sandbox test rooms, and in Pyre they are the beyonder crystal’s scribe trials. They appear in Hades a little more ambiguously; the infernal troves or Erebus rooms are not quite the same, but they serve a similar function. This function is a momentary break from the gameplay loop for a little extra reward, much like the previously discussed conditions. Transistor and Hades’ challenge rooms offer relatively negligible rewards; the sandbox rooms simply offer xp and unlock tracks for the jukebox, while the Erebus tiles offer double the reward for any normal tile. Bastion and Pyre go the extra mile by giving specific, long term rewards for their challenges. In Bastion’s training grounds, the Kid earns weapon specific abilities that are among the game’s most powerful; in Pyre’s scribe trials, exiles can earn character specific talismans that feed their specialization. For the most part, these rooms give the player a low stakes opportunity to practice, hone their preferred playstyle, and reward the effort, all while being completely optional.

Akin to these breaks in the game loop are designated resting areas/hub worlds. The Bastion, the Sandbox, the Blackwagon, and the House of Hades each offer a moment to interact with characters and lore, goof around with the environment, buy permanent upgrades, or just take a break. Transistor utilizes this function the least of the library, since it never once requires the player to enter the space. Pyre utilizes it the most since it has the most breaks in both frequency and number. In a way, this decision is both a game design and storytelling choice. Between all four games, perhaps excluding Transistor, this is where the majority of story beats take place. It is where the player can read up on some fresh lore or meet the ever growing cast of characters, and eventually grow to cherish them (as I often do playing this library). Without little breaks like these, the climactic or world/story shaking events that take place out in the actual playable space have no impact or narrative weight. The fact that all these sort of interactions are completely voluntary also rewards the player in the storytelling sense; by choosing to engage with the figures of the story rather than having that choice decided for them, the player feels as though they themselves have agency in the story unfolding.

Style

Perhaps the most distinct part of the Supergiant library, (and perhaps what I personally love most about it) is its aesthetics. There are few games that look, feel, and sound the way these games do. Yet, the four of them hardly resemble each other. Bastion is a rugged, frontier-esque sci fi apocalypse, Transistor is a sleek, cyberpunk apocalypse, Pyre is a high fantasy purgatory space, and Hades is simply stylized Greek mythology. It is a shock to remember, then, that these four games are all designed by the same artistic team.

I confess I don’t know much about art, so I don’t have anything too profound to say about Jen Zee’s art style, besides that I like it a lot. It is also worth noting that despite her spearheading art and character design for the whole library, each game still looks visually distinct, and not just in their overall aesthetics. Take the character design of the library, for instance. Bastion’s human figures tend to be short, stocky, with exaggerated facial features. Their colors are highly saturated, with a soft, almost blurry quality that gives a level of warmth to the fatalistic atmosphere. Transistor’s characters, barring Red, tend to be based around palettes centered around a single color, such as the Camerata red and the spectrum of the function character profiles. Pyre is the first of the library to use talking portraits, which contrast robed figures with stark color palettes and simple designs with unrobed figures with much noisier details. Hades is easily the most distinct of all four, using simple colors and thick outlines on all its characters. The most consistent feature of all their designs, as usual, is how wildly different they are. For Hades, Zee makes sure that characters only look alike in any way if they have some relation to each other, such as the Furies, Achilles and Patroclus, or Zagreus and his parents. On the whole, the versatility and variety in the character design is impeccable.

What I most enjoy about these games is Darren Korb’s soundtracks, which continue to vary wildly. From the closet-recorded Bastion soundtrack to the whole two and a half Hades score, Korb’s scoring keeps improving and changing in the 10 years Supergiant has operated. His music, which adds and changes motifs as each game progresses, contributes to the atmosphere just as much as the visuals do. Whenever he teams up with Ashley Barret to add vocal tracks to certain parts of the game, they always manage to place them at critical narrative or emotional beats, turning them into the games’ most memorable moments. The team goes one step further every game by incorporating a musician or source of music into each game, giving the music just as much character as the one performing it. It also sneaks its way into the aforementioned hub worlds by providing the player a means to play their favorite tracks whenever they want (except in Hades, where they have to pay in game for that privilege). In essence, Korb makes sure to give each game a distinct feel through its music, but familiar enough to connect the library in the player’s mind.

Just as Supergiant gets so much mileage from Korb and Zee alike, they also manage time and time again to make use of Logan Cunningham’s top notch voice over work. Originally the sole voice actor at Supergiant Games, Cunningham continued on from famously narrating Bastion as Rucks to remaining a ubiquitous voice throughout the library. His role as the Transistor in the game proper drives the emotional core of that game, and his role as the Voice/Archjustice proves to be a solidly effective, yet distant antagonist. In Hades, his roles are somewhat overshadowed by Korb’s performance as Zagreus, (which I’m still blown away he still had time to do) but his performance as Lord Hades is still excellent. Supergiant also uses Cunningham in Hades to sort of satirize how often he narrates for them by casting him as the narrating Old Man, then allowing Zagreus to break the fourth wall and acknowledge him. It is as if the team at Supergiant knows how much they use the same stylistic team, then mocking that same choice.

To other studios: learn from Supergiant

I’m running out of things to say and my ball of yarn that connects all these newspapers and polaroids on my wall is running thin. I would talk more about Supergiant really knows how to end a game and frequently does so in similar ways, or that their library is a masterclass in character-driven stories, but this little essay is long enough.

Instead, I wanna talk about how Supergiant does something right which so many AAA developers and publishers don’t seem to understand. To contrast with the Supergiant library, consider Assassin’s Creed, another franchise I have spent an embarrassing amount of time playing. This franchise releases a game almost every year, and in my experience, when a company does this, you tend to get the same pig with a different paint. From the original Assassin’s Creed to their most recent release, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the differences seem to be night and day. Combat and free running are far more complex than they once were, rpg elements to story and gameplay have been introduced, composers, writers, voice actors, and cast members have changed with each release, and the sheer size of the game has become staggering. Yet, in the 13 years and 11 main releases in the game’s history, (plus spinoffs) any change has not only felt incremental over time, but fundamentally insignificant to the skeleton of the game. Assassin’s Creed 1 and 2 play and feel differently, but the differences are subtle. The bones are different, but every year they assemble to form a vaguely Assassin’s Creed shaped thing. People who play games tend to hate this and frequently berate companies for this practice; Bethesda and GameFreak receive the same criticism that their games are so formulaic that their new releases might as well be carbon copies of the ones before it.

Yet, Supergiant Games, with its four games over ten years, has used essentially the same team and building blocks to make games that can hardly be considered interchangeable. Whether its the passion of this humble little indie studio or the sheer talent of this team, Supergiant takes the same pile of bones and assembles them in a different shape each time with care and attention. They are proof that a formula doesn’t need to be tweaked or altered or given a different coat of paint in order to be accepted; instead the formula needs versatility, the means to produce a fresh result each time. It also works best when we adore the result every time.

[diaryofabeautyfiend]

Small Time Witch (32)

S I X M O N T H S L A T E R

Vanaheim had been kind to you but it was time to make your next move. Loki had been pardoned on Asgard. The convergence was nigh and preparations for Malekith had begun. Asgard was fortified as a precaution. You thought maybe Malekith wouldn’t bother since the entire universe knew you had the stones. The small council was not so sure. They wanted you locked away in a secure location where he couldn’t find you. You wanted to fight. That’s all you seemed to want these days.

Malekith and Frigga have long been enemies. His brute murdered her when the dark elves invaded Asgard. You would only hide if she hid with you. Being ever stubborn she declined. You didn’t tell her what would happen but, because of your insistence, she could guess. “If it’s my time, it’s my time. I won’t hide.” Everyone in this family was ridiculously stubborn. You fit right in.

Loki fought you ad nauseam about expelling the stones. You refused to even entertain the thought until the convergence was over. He thought the stones were overtaking you. They changed your personality. You argued they just made you stronger and perhaps he was threatened by you. That never failed to spur him into a tirade about how dangerous they were and how no one knew what they were doing to you. The voice in your head told you otherwise. He would prattle on about how they seemed to speak for you. How you had changed. You never listened.

“Mortal are you listening?” It drove you insane when he called you mortal. Just a constant reminder that you were beneath him.

“I am. And I’ve asked you to please stop calling me mortal.”

“Well aren’t you? Are you now unable to die? Have I missed something?”

“As long as I have them I am.”

“And that’s why you shouldn’t have them. Where is my wife? You were not this war mongering battle hardened warrior when I first met you.”

“You prefer me weak? Too afraid of my own shadow?”

He knelt in front of you to look in your eyes. “I have never known you to be weak, Y/N. You were powerful enough.”

You laughed but the smile on your lips never met your eyes. “Just enough that I couldn’t ever take you.”

“Stop it. That’s never mattered to me.”

“Until I became stronger than you.”

He picked up a pillow off of the bed and smashed it into his face. He let out a deep growl out of sheer frustration. “Your new found obsession with power is exactly why I am worried. They need you. They are like parasites and you are their host. You feed them, darling. Of course they don’t want to give you up.”

“And what if I do release them? What then? Do we just wait for the next maniac to use them against us?”

“Then we keep them locked in the vault.”

“Oh yeah, because Odin’s vault has never been breached.”

“Only by me.” He hated fighting with you. Absolutely loathed it. You kept putting off the release of the stones but he wouldn’t give up. You were scared they would fall into the wrong hands. He was afraid they already had. The only other person who was in your corner was Odin.

Loki knew his father all too well. He was not interested in what you wanted but what your power could do for him. He treated you like his own sentient weapon. Your daddy issues completely clouded your judgement in regards to Odin. He doted on you. Called you his daughter. You lapped it up. When Loki or Thor would say something he would laugh it off and say they were jealous that he had a new favorite child. After Asgard was safe, they thought it was time for you to go back to Midgard for a while for an extended holiday. Maybe your family could talk some sense into you.

“My love. My little queen. Please don’t be cross with me. I am simply worried for your safety and sanity. Don’t you want to leave all of this behind? Perhaps we can start our family. I’ve longed to see you with child.”

Your voice was quiet, “That’s not my dream. It’s yours. You know how I feel about having children. Can’t we just go on forever having adventures?”

“Pet, I have had my fun. I just want to start a family and be settled. I don’t care if I ever ride into another battle. Children or not, I just want this constant upheaval to end. I quite liked our life on Midgard. I actually miss television. Why don’t we go back and rebuild our little cottage? Will you at least think about it?”

You kissed the tip of his nose, “I will. When this is all over, I will agree to take extended leave and visit my family.”

—————————————————————

The day Malekith invaded was like deja vu for Loki except he was not in the dungeon. The dark elves were unable to breech the outer reaches of Asgard so they moved on to Greenwich where he and Thor would meet. Against your better judgement (and certainly Loki’s), you jumped the portal to help Thor. You served as nothing but a distraction. Thor was nearly crushed by Malekith’s ship. Had it not been for Dr. Selvig, Thor would have been killed.

Your magic destroyed half of a library and a lot more property. When law enforcement arrived they thanked Thor for his help. You, on the other hand, were put in shackles and taken into custody. Thor tried to stop them but they were under strict orders from the World Security Council to take you in.

You tried to break free for your bonds but your magic wouldn’t work. “Stop resisting, Princess.” one of the Interpol officers shouted. They didn’t have regular guns pointed at you. They looked like ray guns or something you’d see in a sci fi movie. Thor rushed behind you asking where you were being taken. They muttered something about an Air Force base as officers held him back.

“I’m coming, little sister! Just hang on.”

They had you locked in the back of a van that was caged and padded. A thick metal partition separated you from the driver. The doors on the back were also thick metal. Three officers wearing helmets rushed in in a practiced military style drill. Keeping their weapons trained on you, one officer stood in front of you and pressed a button that magnetized your restraints. He stuck your hands to a small but sturdy loop on the bench you sat on. Another officer put a mutant inhibitor collar around your neck while the third jabbed a needle in your arm. “Nighty night, Princess.”

When you awoke your head was pounding. There was a jumpsuit on the small table next to you. On the floor were socks and slippers. The collar was pretty heavy and seemed to grab at your skin when you pulled. “It won’t come off Mrs. Odinson” a voice said. There was a speaker just above the door.

“Where am I?”

“Change into your jumps.”

“Where am I? Don’t make me ask again.”

“Change into your jumps, prisoner.”

You tried to use your magic but only a tiny spark flickered between your hands.

Your cell doors opened and a familiar face stood in front of you. “Ma’am. I’m Coulson. Come with me.”

“Wait. Aren’t you...”

“Dead? As in your husband killed me? Yeah. Something like that.” He stood in the doorway looking at you expectantly. “Unless you’d rather stay here.”

You followed behind him flipping off the speaker when you left. “Can you remove this collar, Coulson?”

“Please forgive me if I’m not super trusting.”

“Understandable I guess. Where are you taking me?”

“New York. Into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody. It’s the only way the US government will release you. Part of the MCA.”

“MCA?”

“Mutant Control Act. You’re an unregistered omega level mutant. Your powers, as defined by the government, are unlimited. You’re dangerous.”

“So when I’m on Earth, I am a prisoner?”

“When you’re on Earth? You think you’re leaving? You belong to us now.”

He took you along to an airstrip where you boarded a small plane. He helped you into your seat, shackled your wrists and ankles and bid you a safe flight.

——————————————————————

Thor was too scared to tell Loki you were captured. He would have been pissed at the both of you. If he thought you were in danger he would rip Midgard apart to find you. The only person he knew to contact was Steve Rogers.

In Tony’s infinite wisdom, he named Steve his successor of sorts. He called him the Chief Moral Compass of the company. That gave Steve all kinds of contacts and diplomatic immunity in 46 countries.

Steve met your flight at the base in New York. Coulson was thrilled to see Steve again but he wouldn’t release you. He got into the backseat and went with you to the facility where you’d be staying.

You waited for several hours in a holding room. You hadn’t eaten in a couple of days and your body was exhausted without the stones to prop you up. You fell asleep with your head on the table. Finally Steve came in to wake you.

“Hey, Y/N. You’re free to go. Get this collar off of her now!” he said to an agent.

“Can we grab something to eat? I haven’t had anything in a couple of days.”

He planted his hands on his hips and clenched his jaw. You were freaking Asgardian royalty and a human being. Surely that earned you some respect. He was livid. “Seriously, guys? You couldn’t have gotten her food? My apologies, Princess.”

“I would kill for a slice. Ever hear of Joe’s Pizza in Brooklyn?”

He smiled, “Best in New York. How do you know about that place?”

“I was in love with a guy from Brooklyn once.”

“Yeah? What happened?”

“He couldn’t handle who I was.”

Steve chuckled to himself, “Then he didn’t deserve you.”

——————————————————————

Pending a hearing, you were released to your mother’s care. You absolutely could not prevent Loki from coming any longer. When he landed you were sitting in the open space where your house would be built.

“This is the perfect spot isn’t it?” You were picking blades of grass and letting them fall through your fingers.

“Afelheim has ample space for cottage building. No cable though. I guess this rules out our extended holiday.” He sat next to you and you rested your head on his shoulder.

“I think this is our extended holiday. My hearing isn’t for another month.”

“You know what you did was careless and stupid right? Also incredibly arrogant. Thor didn’t need your help.”

“I know. I don’t know what came over me. It’s like I wasn’t thinking.”

“You weren’t. The stones were. While we’re stuck here, I’d like to get as many people as possible involved in removing them and healing you. That’s even if you can be healed. Your body could be riddled with cancer like poor Jane.”

“Well I’ve saved her from that fate.”

“Not yourself. If I lost you....”

“You’re not losing me.”

You snuggled against him and he kissed the top of your head. He no longer tried to hide his feelings from you. He was afraid. You just found each other again and he was afraid he would lose you. The old Loki would have run screaming. This Loki would fight for you. And, if he had to, he would follow you into Hel. Maybe he was selfish in that regard. He lost you once. Never again.

[maxismatchccworld]

Naruto Ninja Career

Created for: The Sims 4 by RayBreeder7

This is a Naruto-inspired ninja career i created with Zerbu's Mod Constructor. It was my first major project in Sims modding, so, please, bear with me. It has a six-stage main career track, then splits into four branches, which are (loosely) based on the paths of Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Kakashi, Iruka, Tsunade, and Obito(aka Tobi). Some charachters are crossed with others to make some of the careers. Each branch has four stages, and all end up with at lease a bit more than the standard Maxis careers at max level. Some are more lucrative than others, and the careers that require more skill development get higher pay(one even goes so far as to require max body fitness, like in the athletic aspiration). I only used Zerbu's Mod Constructor. I did not use Neia's Career Maker, but decided to include her framework file, just in case it is still needed. I hope you enjoy using it as much as I have! Enjoy!

Download: http://www.modthesims.info/d/637006/naruto-ninja-career.html

Get featured: https://maxismatchccworld.tumblr.com/

Main Career Track - Ninja The ninja world is in need of heroes! Answer this call! Be a legendary Hokage, Medical Ninja, teacher, or leader. Or, if you prefer to sow chaos and discord, you could choose the path of a deviant rogue ninja. The choice, young shinobi, is yours!: Level 1 - Ninja Academy Student Shift - Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM Description - You've gotta start somewhere! Here, you will learn the basics of being a ninja! Pay Rate - § 20 Skills - N/A Level 2 - Ninja Academy Graduate Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - Wow! You've graduated! But, what is this? More training? Shouldn't you be a genin now? And, what's this about skipping breakfast? It seems there's still more to do to proveyourself. Pay Rate - § 30 Skills - Fitness 2, Logic 2 Level 3 - Genin Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - FINALLY! With skill and a little teamwork, you managed to take the bells from your new jonin instructor. Sure, you're doing grunt work, but, at this rate, you'll soon be doing more important tasks. Pay Rate - § 45 Skills - Fitness 3, Logic 3 Level 4 - Combat Genin Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - YES! You've finally got your first important mission. You're escorting a VIP to his next destination. There's not supposed to be combat involved, but sometimes, you know what they say; Expect the unexpected! Pay Rate - § 70 Skills - Fitness 4, Logic 4 Level 5 - Chunin Candidate Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - As it turns out, your VIP was a target of elite ninja assasins from another ninja village! Your team held their ground, though, and, in the end, you managed to, alongside your teacher, emerge victorious! Now, they've entered you into the Chunin exams! With some work, and a little luck, you may soon be a chunin! Pay Rate - § 100 Skills - Fitness 6, Logic 5 Level 6 - Chunin Shift - Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM Description - YES! You've been promoted to chunin! From here, your career options become incredibly diverse! Medical nin, academy instructor, unsavory rogue, or even the road to Hokage! With hard work, dedication, and a little luck, you just might make your dreams come true! Pay Rate - § 150 Skills - Fitness 7 Logic 5 Career Branch - Road To Hokage: This is it! The climb to the top! Be the hero everyone looks up to, and run the entire village! Spread the will of fire, honored one!: Level 7 - Jonin Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - To become hokage, you will need to first climb up to the ranks of the ninja elite: the Jonin! From there, build your reputation among the ninja, and reach for the top! Pay Rate - § 250 Skills - Fitness 8, Logic 8, Charisma 6 Level 8 - Savior of the Ninja World Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - You've shown bravery and courage, and saved your fellow ninjas' lives time and time again. People are looking up to you as a hero. And, with the rise of the Akatsuki and the dawn of the Fourth great ninja war, the ninja need a symbol to rally behing... Pay Rate - § 400 Skills - Fitness 9, Charisma 7 Level 9 - War Hero Shift - Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 3 PM Description - You did it! Practically on your own, you vanquished the Akatsuki, ended the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and claimed your place in ninja history! Your place as Hokage is now practically guaranteed! Pay Rate - § 550 Skills - 8 Charisma, 10 Logic Level 10 - Hokage Shift - Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM Description - YOU DID IT! YOU'VE BECOME HOKAGE! ALL THE LEAF NOW HOLDS YOU IN THE HIGHEST REGARD! YOUR DREAMS HAVE FINALLY COME TRUE! Pay Rate - § 700 Skills - 10 Fitness, 10 Charisma (Also requires maximum body potential, like in bodybuilder aspiration) Career Branch - Rogue Ninja: Not all ninja play by the rules. Some even actively break the law. If you're sick of playing by the book, or simply want revenge against society for making you suffer, perhaps it's time to go rogue.: Level 7 - Runaway Ninja Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - The system doesn't suit you. So what do you do? Run away, of course! Though you won't come by money as easily, until you build a solid reputation.But, It won't be long before clients line up at your feet. You hope... Pay Rate - § 190 Skills - 3 Mischief Level 8 - Missing Nin Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - We got Bad News and Good News about your growing notoriety. Bad News:Your notoriety has put a death warrant on your head. Good News:Your notoriety has put work at your feet, and, thus, money in your pocket. Pay Rate - § 330 Skills - 5 Mischief, 8 Logic Level 9 - Akatsuki Member Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - Your notoriety has drawn the attention of the most infamous criminal organization in the ninja world; the famed Akatsuki. Now a member of their ranks, you've been assigned the job of capturing the ninja equivalent of WMDs; Biju, or Tailed Beasts. Get ready to fight as you've never fought before! Pay Rate - § 420 Skills - 9 Fitness, 8 Mischief Level 10 - Akatsuki Leader Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - The leader of your organization just fell for the weak, peaceful talk of the ninja of the villages, ultimately deciding to give his life to help those pathetic weak-willed fools. You, however, vow to end their pathetic charade as the new Akatsuki Leader. Let's get that Fourth Great Ninja War underway! Pay Rate - § 700 Skills - Fitness 10, Mischief 10 Career Branch - Academy Instructor: Every Ninja Starts somewhere. Help them on their way to the top! Who knows, maybe you might be placed in charge of a three ninja squad! Perhaps one or more on that squad could become a living legend, and bring fame to you, as well!: Level 7 - Instructor-In-Training Shift - Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM Description - You're being taught the art of teaching! Work hard, young Chunin! Soon, you will be responsible for the next generation of young ninja! Pay Rate - § 215 Skills - 4 Charisma, 2 Handiness Level 8 - Academy Instructor Shift - Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM Description - Time to teach the next generation of ninja the skills of combat, strategy, and even how to set traps. Get them ready, because people say another ninja war is very near... Pay Rate - § 325 Skills - 6 Handiness, 8 Logic, 6 Charisma Level 9 - Squad Leader Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - You've been promoted to Jonin, and instructed to lead a three-man-squad. Test your students, and, if they pass, guide them in their journey to become ninja! Pay Rate - § 460 Skills - 10 Fitness, 10 Logic, 8 Charisma Level 10 - Teacher Of A Legend Shift - Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM Description - One(or more)of your students over your career has become a living legend! And, as their instructor, you have gained similar status as well! Congratulations! Pay Rate - § 800 Skills - 10 Charisma Career Branch - Medical Ninja: Do you enjoy helping your fellow ninja? Do you have steady hands? Are you the type who prefers brain over brawn? If so, maybe you'd rather support your teammates from the side lines as a Medical Ninja: Level 7 - Med Ninja In Trainingt Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - You're now a Medic In Training! Work hard to study those herbs and techniques! You'll be a Ninja Nurse in no time! Pay Rate - § 220 Skills - 2 Gardening, 8 Logic Level 8 - Ninja Nurse Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - You're now a Ninja Nurse! And, just in time to treat wounded in the Fourth Great Ninja War! Do well, and, maybe, you might treat patients on the front lines as a full-fledged Med Ninja! Pay Rate - § 315 Skills - 4 Gardening Level 9 - Medical Ninja Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - You now get to leave the field hospital and tgreat patients on the front lines! You have also been given a scroll containing the secrets of a jutsu called Creation Rebirth. Study this jutsu, and, perhaps, new oppurtunities could come of it! Pay Rate - § 425 Skills - 8 Gardening, 10 Logic Level 10 - Medical Sannin Shift - Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM Description - The glorious elite of the med-nin, you have unlocked the full potential of the creation rebirth jutsu, even mastering the Strength Of A Hundred Seal. The rules of the med-nin no longer apply to you! You can even fight, whereas your peers are not so permitted! Pay Rate - §700 Skills - 10 Gadening, 10 Fitness

[twiceinadream]

“Promises, promises...”

Requested: Yup

Request: Dom! Jeongyeon x reader oneshots/imagines

a/u: I usually don’t write requests I get the day of, but I honestly needed Dom! Jeong in my life too. And there will be a second post later tonight, since I have seemed to overcome my writer’s block. Thank you to everyone who wished me well, I hope you enjoy. (Also it’s a Fem! S/O since I really had no idea what to write [sorry if you wanted Non-binary!])

Category: NSFW and Fluff

Word Count: 1.4K

Jeongyeon gave a quiet yawn, shifting in the warm, comfy confines of the snuggle pile they'd collapsed into. Finish a world tour. Promote their new album. Award shows and then collapse into a loving, snugly pile of fluffy blankets in the living room. Jeongyeon couldn't help but smile. Last time they had done this, it turned out so well they had all agreed that the next time they all needed a well deserved nap after their hectic schedules, they weren't too proud to cuddle up with each other and just fall asleep. Cozy. Comfy. A snuggle pile with best friends. Jeongyeon loved it.

Maybe it had been an hour? Maybe two? Regardless, Jeongyeon woke up when something shifted around underneath her. Momo- who mumbled something about jokbal in her sleep, and snuggled into Mina; squeezing her lovingly like a stuffed animal. Mina must have been vaguely aware of this or perhaps dreaming of something similar, because she had Momo securely wrapped up in her own arms, the two Japanese girls nestled together and snuggling quietly while they both slept. Jeongyeon herself was locked in an embrace with you when she'd found herself dozing off earlier in the day. You guys had shared a secret little kiss before falling asleep in each others arms.

Only now it wasn't your arms Jeongyeon found herself snuggled into. Oh it was still you, alright. You smelled strongly: like lavender and vanilla, something Jeongyeon would never forget. You smelled a bit like a Heaven, but somehow, during her nap, Jeongyeon had shifted position, and now found herself with your legs wrapped snugly around her neck.

And in front of her, only inches from her face was the opening of your skirt. And that's when Jeongyeon got a horrible idea. A horribly, wicked, terribly, naughty idea.

First, though, Jeongyeon slowly flipped up your skirt and lowered your panties, admiring the tight little entrance in front of her. Snug. Perfect and taut. The sweet little venus you sported had the soft musky scent of lavender. Jeongyeon licked her lips and quietly went to work.

The first kiss was gentle; a little flicker of her tongue across the tight seal of your opening. She took her time, tracing the tip of her tongue softly along the outer folds. She went slow- slower than she would have liked. But, no. She wanted to savor this, to take her time and enjoy it. She let your tangy flavor dance across her tongue and Jeongyeon slurped up every ounce of taste she had to offer. Still, delicious as this was, it wasn't the fun part. Not yet. Jeongyeon frowned and pressed her tongue in- twisting it about until she felt the- ahhh, the little pleasure button you was hiding.

She circled you's clit once, twice, and grinned wickedly when you shifted above her. Jeongyeon glanced up, and offered you a dirty smile. You had woken up, and now peered down curiously at Jeongyeon with bleary, sleep drenched eyes.

"Wha...what are yo-" you sputtered, only to gasp when she felt Jeongyeon's tongue circle around her clit once more. Jeongyeon flashed you another wicked little grin, and your eyes widened. The game was afoot! Nervously, you tried to shift you position; trying to squeeze your thighs shut to deny Jeongyeon access- but Jeongyeon was already far too deep for that.

Her tongue wiggled and slurped, teasing you into a helpless silent squeal. If you could, you would have reached down to push Jeongyeon away, but your left arm was pinned underneath Tzuyu- who gave a quiet snore in her sleep and yawned. You couldn't move without waking up the others, and you had to stay quiet, less you were heard. Jeongyeon you wicked, wicked beautiful human being. You blushed furiously and shot Jeongyeon a glare. Jeongyeon returned it, continuing with her horrific torture.

I'll get you for this...

Promises, promises...

Jeongyeon gave a wicked little grin, and her ears perked to the adorable little gasps and squeaks that whispered out over head. You were doing your absolute best to remain quiet; squeezing your thighs around Jeongyeon's head and trying to bite back the squeals of pleasure that trickled from your lips. But it was all for naught.

Jeongyeon had her right where she wanted her. Sinisterly, the idol flicked her pink tongue across the little pleasure button of your sex, teasing it in slow gentle swirls, around and around and around. The scent was unmistakable now; flooding Jeongyeon's senses and drilling her into a world of arousal she could barely contain herself. Still, you were the target- she'd have to take care of herself after her little prank was over.

Delicately, Jeongyeon kissed the pouty little lips of your pussy. She planted loving kisses, quiet kisses, flickering little fluttery kisses. Soft, tickling buzzing, bumble-bee kisses, and slow sweet suckling kisses. All the while, you tried remain still, biting at her lower lip and struggling to hold back whimpers as Jeongyeon slyly brought her closer and closer to a sticky orgasm in front of all of your guy’s friends.

You 'squeaked' helplessly as Jeongyeon found a particular sensitive spot, freezing in place and shutting her mouth a moment after wards. Tzuyu shifted in her sleep next to you, ‘Oh! No! No no no! Don't wake up, please don't wake up!’

You weren’t sure if you could handle the humiliation of Tzuyu waking up in your arms, while you were a stone's throw away from an orgasm!

Luckily, Tzuyu simply gave a quiet yawn, and snuggled in closer to you, resuming her slumber while you held your breath. Below you, Jeongyeon gave a terrible snicker and slurped her tongue along your sex from base to top.

By this time, you had stopped secretly begging Jeongyeon to stop. She didn't know what would be worse- if Jeongyeon continued; pushing you over the edge and into a honey soaked climax right in the middle of 'nap time' or if Jeongyeon did stop, leaving you whimpering and needy for the rest of the afternoon. The prankster of Twice, was clever as she was cruel, you would give her that for sure. You were being pressed closer and closer still. You could feel your climax building, and Jeongyeon had no intention of stopping!

Jeongyeon kissed and licked, lazily toying with your sex and not giving you a moment to catch your breath. It took so much effort to keep from squeaking and squealing at Jeongyeon's intense teasing, and for every lick Jeongyeon gave, you had to try twice as hard to keep yourself from crying out in pleasure.

Closer and closer still. Every lick Jeongyeon gave you, you could feel her pleasure building into an unapologetic crescendo. You bit your lower lip, nervously glancing around at Tzuyu to your left, Momo and Mina below you, and Chaeyoung to Tzuyu's left. The wrong move- the wrong squeak, and one of them would be privy to an act you preferred to remain private between you and Jeongyeon. Somehow that made everything hotter and everything that much more intense. It was all just so naughty and forbidden and taboo and secretive- you gasped. You couldn't stop yourself! Right here in front of everyone!!

Jeongyeon took it slow- slower than you would have liked; lazily lapping over the your needy treasure, and almost squealing herself when your body finally, finally gave in to the delicious torture. A small trickle of slick leaked out over Jeongyeon's tongue, and she greedily lapped it up, enjoying each and every helpless shudder quietly made. Above her, you kicked and twitched, but in absolute silence.

Even still, Jeongyeon could tell your naughty little climax had been a very powerful one. Something about doing your best to keep it a secret must have riled you up like crazy. Oh yes, you would get her for this- of that she was certain, but for now, Jeongyeon enjoyed herself, with her face buried between your thighs. The room remained utterly quiet as you were forced to have a hard, silent orgasm and Jeongyeon loved every second of it.

The second eldest grinned evilly, wiggling herself back up into your arms, as you laid there blushing wildly at the other girl’s terrible prank. With your arms still pinned down, there was nothing she could do to strangle Jeongyeon the way you wanted. Jeongyeon leaned in to kiss you quietly on the nose, and snuggled in against you, wiggling in to get comfy before falling asleep.

"Love you." Jeongyeon whispered softly, close enough so only you could hear. Not that anyone else was awake anyway. You huffed quietly. Sweet as that was, you knew there was no way you’d ever get back to sleep; your mind already filled with infinite possibilities for revenge.

[strawberryybird]

fic rec list! because i am loud

hello!! welcome to the little rec-list of the things i’ve been reading in my 3h ao3 corner!! i’m making this because i am simply unable to go for 4 1/2 minutes without talking about three houses!! 

the fics on here are just ones that i really enjoyed and so wanted to share! This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, there’s a few i’m missing out (because I think we’re All waiting with baited breath for the next troubles of the heart huh)

i so wanted to include. everything. But alas this got Long. So this is but a few! I list the rating and the ship here, but please mind any tags and warning listed on the actual fic! (and as always, mind your spoilers!)

(I have a preference towards emotional character-based one shots, and plotty gen long fic. These are just ones that I loved, and I fully encourage people to reblog with fics they loved and keep the train going! Just remember to add the rating and ship, if applicable! you can find more things that i liked on my ao3 bookmarks!! Happy reading!!)

The Cats of Garreg Mach by goldenteaset 

G / n/a | this fic is exactly the thing i was desperate to find in the aftermath of finishing 3h. those off-beat little gen fics about the environment of the world. It’s from the perspective of the cats of Garreg Mach, and is wonderfully done. the sheer amount of atmosphere in this little fic is incredible. The writing felt really light as a contrast to the forthright opinions of the cats! I really enjoyed reading it!! a beautiful piece of creative writing, a complete gem of a fic <3

although the axe is heavy by LuckyDiceKirby 

T / Dorothea/Edelgard/Byleth/Hubert | not to be overly dramatic, but this is my favourite 3h fic I’ve read. The primary plot is exploring Byleth’s perspective as she chooses - and keeps choosing - Edelgard’s path. It’s two parts heart-wrenching to one cup cathartic, and I love the hell out of this fic. Dorothea’s character especially feels so spot on, as does everyone, and the way they all interact is just beautifully crafted. All the little pieces of this fic fall perfectly into place, and the end picture hits me in the crimson flower feelings like nothing else. 

pieces of a heart by thehaakun 

T / Edelgard/F!Byleth | The Angst Is Strong In This One. It’s the moments after Byleth disappears at the battle of Garreg Mach - Black Eagle Bonding time searching for their professor, after Edie says something that broke my entire heart. Humor is how i cope now, because this fic robbed my of my emotions. this is long-winded for ‘it hurt me and i love it deeply for doing so’. The absolute despair this fic captures has been reeling in my head since I read it. It’s that wonderful emotive fanfic style of breaking down the way the text is formatted, and it works emotional wonders. Edelgard’s heartbreak broke MY heart !!!

Fragmented Bonds of Our Old World by Hierarchical 

M / Marianne/Edelgard, Annette/Caspar, more in fic tags | This fic. Oh My Sothis. It’s shaping up to be an absolute powerhouse and I’m waiting with baited breath (and infinite respect for the author, of course) to see where it’s going. (I’m copying my own comment on it oops) The things going on in this fic - fake dating spycraft framed through letter writing, political intrigue, the amazing dive into the overwhelming emotions of Annette in the Eagle Strike Force. I’m already ride or die for this. I’m a literature bitch at heart and the moment Marianne lied to her father over breakfast had me sold on following this fic wherever it goes. I’m so excited to see where it goes, because I’ll follow it forever. (also really really interesting looks at Annette and Edelgard. Really interesting.)

Statuesque by feebop 

T (Eventual E) / Edelgard/Hubert | I left such a loving-ramble comment on this because . i love this fic . so much. The writing is dense, but every single line has another bit of detail and it’s fascinating to read. It’s such an interesting take on Edelgard’s perspective - how she comments on every piece of interest. It builds this brilliant picture of a post-war world and how Edelgard moves through it. The dialogue between Hubert and Edelgard is just wonderful, and the entire fic has little chimes of humour that had me laughing away on public transport. (also features Manuela and Ferdinand’s ending, which is one of my favourites!!) 

The Hands of the Emperor by Abyssia 

T / Hubert/Ferdinand/Edelgard (but you could read as platonic i reckon?)| You know how the game doesn’t really address if Ferdinand knows what his father was complicit in re: Edelgard’s Backstory? This is the fic you’re looking for. The author mentioned Jane Austen as a tone comparison, and that’s a pretty apt description! Lovely, lovely details scattered throughout1 Combine Ferdinand’s Emotions being so well played through, and an Austen-themed writing style, you get this GEM of a fic. 

A Leading Lady's Love by arrslanaltan 

T / Dorothea/Edelgard | i would tell you how much i love this fic, but alas my heart has been overcome with tidal waves of love for it and i can’t possibly do more than sob in the corning, occasionally whispering ‘el is a top.. finally’. I love this fic So Damn Hard. Dorothea is wonderfully written and her voice absolutely shines. It’s a fantastic display of edelthea at it’s finest and I love this fic so much!!!!! SO much!!!!

we could turn the world to gold by softshocks

T / Edelgard/Byleth | I would fell half the universe for this fic. It’s beautifully written, crammed full of wonderful little details and so, so good. It’s set 10 years after CF ends which is something I haven’t seen yet in fic and it’s Wonderful in the highest order. This is a joy to read. I’d have more to say about it but honestly this work speaks for itself. it owned my heart from the outset because it’s a disguised road trip and I Love those v much, and then it turned out to be even better than I dreamed !!

Would That I by Cowboy_Sneep_Dip

G / Edelgard/Ingrid | I have a deeply lodged fascination for Edelgard/Ingrid and it’s this very fic’s fault. The command of language in this fic is fantastic, it’s so well written. Everything feels so visceral and the narrative hits the Perfect notes to make me 7 kinds of emotional about it. This is not a happily resolved fic and I’ve been thinking about it since I read it, because it’s staying so hard in my memory. It’s such a niche look into what a relationship between Edelgard and Ingrid could look like and honestly it hits pitch perfectly. It’s amazing. Genuinely amazing.

pls send my infinite love and respect to all the authors !! and also to ao3 for existing at all because it’s wonderful and i cherish what ao3 gives to the world!! <3

[paramounticebound]

Send me a symbol for five times… ||  ☁  five times my muse has thought about yours, and the one time they do something about it. || @fasciinating​ || accepting.

i.     He thinks that he might die between the pages of an ancient tome, covered in dust mites that eat away at him until he is nothing left but bones and faded conquest. This time, the secrets of fallen deities whisper to him, lead him further astray, though his physical form is rooted graciously in the quiet library. Yes, he’ll prefer to die here instead of in ruins. That seems more graceful, if not melancholic and entirely unrealistic. This is a gift, he knows, a privilege in the infinite rule of the digital era. A one-time opportunity. He wonders, briefly, what Spock would think of him, wasting away in a tomb of paper and ink instead of preparing for the upcoming rescue mission. Not logical, he answers his own question with the slight upturn of his lips– it’s gone as soon as he realizes it. Strange days, and strange thoughts, for a strange mission.

ii.     Loneliness is frigid.

How mistaken he was, as a boy, to believe it nothing beyond a sense of emptiness and lacking. That is untrue: to be alone is to be frozen twice, drowning in a Russian winter; at the mercy of the self, and at the mercy of the world. Banshees, these are, that scream when it’s silent and there’s nothing left to guard the sense of self. Khan realizes his foolishness as often as it arises: just enough to sting.

It’s when he stares out of small viewport, watching the stars pass by like snow, languidly splayed on his uncomfortable cot, that he defeats selfishness.

Is it comparable to his first officer? How the other man steers away from contact, from warmth; is it loneliness? Or is Spock simply better adept to the cold jaunt between worlds? Is it within the captain’s rights to lament his own trembling fingers and the pressure that wells?

Maybe it’s best not to think about it at all.

iii.     The piano is an escape, and one that he will never admit to. Here in the privacy of his room– such a loose term, it disgusts him– is where he deigns to forget and pretend and sacrifice self-destructive tendencies in favour of classical composition. Or rather it’s the love of expression, for even Khan believes in more than building empires and exacting revenge. Wagner’s Sonata in A Flat lazily floats through the room, clings to the ceiling, crawls up his spine until it’s not quite so rigid. He wonders, briefly and perhaps three minutes, fifteen seconds in, if someone might find his devotion to the key impressive.

Perish the thought. It’s irrelevant.

iv.     His fingers grasp at one of Khan’s fists until he opens it, the warmth of his body and the warmth of his blood uniting with the other’s. Something slithers down his spine, something that gnaws on each vertebrae until the captain is certain the jagged bones might break through his skin.

The warmth is like electricity, flowing from Spock’s touch to the pit of his stomach, lower, lower. Recalling this need, this after-battle release is toxic, it’s heavy. The weight threatens to sink him into the ground, where he might fall to his knees just to have it, just to taste–

A fire licks at him, teases until he suppresses it. This is the fourth time that he nearly loses control, and it always coincides with the stardate, and it’s because he’s damaged.

Khan is sure that his pupils are reptilian, animalistic, when his mouth refuses to betray him. Another bodily betrayal is all that he does not need right now– not even for his first officer.

His throat is a desert while he pulls his hand from Spock’s, conscious to disconnect the wires that shape his savage, primal nature. The captain, he can’t, not right now, not knowing that this is a gesture of comfort when he mourns and he can wash away the tarnish that he brings. He can’t and it makes him ache.

Khan leaves first, with something like a thank you on his lips, he’s too quick to vanish, leaving Spock confused– curious.. Only when he is in the safe haven of his quarters, out of sight from the curious gaze of his crew, does he remember to breathe. In the darkness of his room, haunting and empty, does he allow himself to burn.

v.     It’s sometime between the death of Rand and the way that McCoy looks at him, like he’ll flay him apart, as if his madness is tangible. Perhaps it is and everyone can see it. Pulling apart at the seams that still hold him together., fraying, splintering. Khan is burning, slowly, feels his flesh singe after every agonizing second, each day, each week that passes and they are doomed to survive near this catastrophe of a ship.

He’s trying to eat. It isn’t because he’s hungry, his body hasn’t been signalling to his brain correctly in days, but he knows that three– five?– days is too long. It’s not much, just a small portion of the dwindling rations, and it sticks to his throat, refusing to sink to his stomach. Nausea is the first thing he feels in a long while, something aside from sadness and the longing for the dead; it bests him.

Fingers interlocked in hair, pulling, tugging, anything to feel something else, eyes pressed shut so tightly that he can see the explosion of veins, stars against the darkness. There’s a tapping near him, knuckles against glass, and he knows better than to look. Even Spock, with his infinite restraint, hasn’t been able to hide the concern. Failing, falling apart; a failure. Loss is as infinite as the darkness between the stars. The captain is a cacophony of the things that don’t let him sleep, or eat, or think. For the first time in his life, his stone heart is weighing more than Khan down; he longs for the cold logic in interlocked fingers. His atoms yearn for it.

There’s a handprint on the glass, and he knows it’s not on the inside. His food has gone cold.

vi.     He’ll be a tidal wave, crashing into everything until everything is as ravaged as he is, an ugly thunder, the ash of a volcano invading lungs. Sometimes his darkness is not confined to the solitary hell within him, sometimes the fire that lives in the marrow of his bones cannot be contained. Sometimes Khan Noonien Singh is weak. At the mercy of his own vices, only enough liquor to paint his lips– he knows what he’s doing. He isn’t any braver for it, only more likely to shed his skin just enough for his secrets to seep out, into his eyes, onto his tongue.

The captain pores over his own misgivings first over the cold steel of his desk. Duties are proving difficult, paperwork forgotten (and who is there to chide him in the depths of space?) – like an itch, near his skin, just over it. He feels hot. It’s a stark contrast to the constant threat of chill over his bones.

Maybe– no one will notice. It’s too late, and no one else is adverse to sleep.

As Khan strides through the corridor, the work on his desk forgotten for now and likely for a long while, he drags the tips of his fingers along the wall. The uneven surface reminds him to rejoice over jagged sensations, the cut of glass, shrapnel six clicks away from what should have been home. He’s haunted, and likewise a phantom, but the whiskey should have cured that.

Sometimes alternate cures are better than hypos, sometimes he knows what he’s thinking. It’s the fury in the pit of his belly, at the base of his spine. Knocking on Spock’s door impatiently, the dim light of his quarters just enough to reveal a mildly perplexed raise of the eyebrow.

Captain–

The word sinks between them as the captain captures the other man’s mouth with his, pushing him back into his room, fingers interlocking. He practically hisses his need against a jawline, against the hollow of a throat. Teeth and tongue and a wayward hand pushing up the fabric of a shirt. He doesn’t listen to the door close behind them.

Sometimes, Khan is not in control of the situation.

[tallat-of-thralls]

Note on Astral Projection

This is not a post on how to do it, this is a post on reassurance for those whom have projected elsewhere and encountered... Oddities.

Even after years of periodic deep meditation, experimentation with psychoactive chemicals (do Not recommend), learning from yogis and gurus amongst other carny like mentors, and just my own practice in relatives terms, i cannot rightfully say that i am considered "experienced". There are no academic parameters that state you are experienced, there arent true degrees to attain nor controls to compare the experiences to. So, mind what i am about to express based on the principle of my own judgement (as biased and convolulted as it might seem...)

Let me first state that one of the principles, one of the sacred laws i follow (i follow about 13 give or take) is Tacere or "To be Silent". Its one of 4 (or five depending on the practice) rules of i learned as The Laws of the Magus. By the element water 🔻, it warns the practitioners on sharing their meditative or astral experiences. It expresses the urgency about refraining from speaking to others about your magical workings, lest they seek to undo you. Accept that sometimes it's better to say nothing and discipline yourself to avoid unneeded consequences.

With that in mind, Im not sharing any of my bizarre experiences. Its not something i talk about just because the very few times i did, i scared people. Most people dont want affirmation of their eldritch nightmares existence and prefer covering their heads with a sheet until that notion goes away. They dont like it when you tell them for what reasons you have the opinions that you do based off the principle of fluid and subjective factors. People scare easily even those who have been involved with the craft for decades.

Not every practitioner is comfortable with cross dimensions or wyrds or aethers or voids or anything outside the first three of the sephiroth and it is not your responsibility to show them that. Opening doorways just to say, "look what i found! This my new friend so-n-so in the xth sephirah. They like coffee and metaphysics." Dont do that... The amount of eyes usually scare the jesus into people whom are unaccustomed to working with extra planes. Even if you try to explain that your wrinkly, tentacle bearing, eyeball covered friend is equivalent to a stressed out ritalined strained and caffeine soaked college student. All they see is this mess of wiggliness too excited to speak coherently and may wreak havoc on their mind by chanting numbers.

Like in this dimension, understand that some of your friends are xenophobic because their upbringing taught them no different and dropping them into the middle of a advanced session of nothing but mathematics and tentacles will freak them out.

So, keep your dreams, travels, and other experiences to yourself or just use complicated metaphors to skip over the slimey bits.

Now, if youre a beginner and you are unsettled or excited by those possibilities that i had mentioned... I made the previous up. Those are just examples of what you *may* experience when traveling through some of the more intangible sephirah. Essentially, you would want to stay in the first two or three to start with. And when i say the first two, i mean the one you currently exist in (our plane the first sephirah) should be thoroughly explored and extrapolated from before you seek answers in another place.

Imagine travelling to a foreign country because you heard that the scenery is amazing without first researching the tourist points, land, people, or even knowing the name of the country. You just hop in transit and arrive in some random hamlet asking about hidden knowledge only confusing and frustrating the locals. You never learn anything and you were bit by several insects and now your tummy hurts. Same principle. Research and look into the experience you wish to have or beings you wish to encounter then come up with ways to attain that which you seek so that whatever you encounter has a foundation for which it can build upon.

Even if you're exploring the forest down the street from your house, be prepared to encounter local wildlife and stock up on supplies to ensure your safety. Im not only saying to supply honey to the fae that live there, im saying make sure you wear proper attire and have a snack and some water before hand and on you.

One of the things i have experienced from some of my more lengthy and arduous meditations that if i hadn't done proper preparations i came out of it so hungry I felt sick or so thirsty that i chugged water like i had hiked a desert trail. But if I had eaten light meal and properly hydrated im not distracted by my body's exasperation therefore allowing me to reflect upon what i had just experienced instead of rushing to the nearest open box to satisfy my afflicted hunger.

Now, i covered safety lets mold the prospect of successful projections.

The first three sephiroth (not including the one we live in) are much like what we know since it is so very close to the mundane that concepts will over lap....

As a side note, if you have absolutely no idea what the hell the sephirah and sephiroth are i suggest to research that. In short, its a conceptual design mainly used for categorizing fields of astral and celestial magic or manifestations based off of the Kabbalic Tree of Life. There are ten in total. We live in number 10 while the "godhead" resides in number 1. The typical astral projections travel to 7, 8, 9. The sephiroth 4,5,6 come directly before a "veil" that separates the top three from the rest of the tree. 1, 2, 3 are, in simple terms, existential planes that embody creation... That's the basics for the purpose of this post but there is a ton more on the tree of life and should be one of the first things you look into if you are interested in continuing the astral/wyrd/aether/celestial/sephiroth/extraplanar studies.

As i mentioned 7,8,9 are the sephiroth you'll spend most of your time projecting into. You really dont have to go much further from them, as all the sephiroth are, they are infinite in the universes that occupy them and you will find much of what you're searching for within them without confusing the f*ck out of yourself.

Sephiroth 4,5,6, are higher up on the tree and farther away from 10 but closer to 1. They are extremely intangible and physics does not make sense nor do the beings that live there. If you find yourself in the mess of geometric shapes and warped concepts, the most i can advise is not panic. Act like its the first time you watched the willy wonka tunnel scene and reflect on the horrors after coming out. Most likely you wont learn anything other than the thought of "Huh... That was weird and terrifying."

In any regard, you shouldnt share the experiences you met in 7-4 just because if it freaked you out imagine how others would respond if they even thought you came up with that on your own. They will stare at you the same way they would stare at any other intangible horror.

In short, travelling extraplanarly will change you. No ifs or buts about it, the concepts and images you will encounter will separate you from those who spend their entire lives in the bottom sephirah. Its both good and bad in my opinion. Good if you find what you seek, bad in the sense that you will be alone in these expiriences.

Last thing, this Doesn't make you superior. There is nothing wrong with those who practice the craft and decline to travel through the gates and rings. There is nothing wrong with refraining from the extra dimensional and wyrd. Not everyone has the need or desire to do so.

As i had said, each sephirah is infinite. There are many universes within the tangible places to explore without even having to leave our own sephirah.

Keep that in mind. Understand that projecting and manifesting isnt a vertical sensation. It can be a lateral exploration just as easily. You dont have to just go up, shifting side to side can be as informative and interesting.

As something selfish of me, im open to reading any of your experiences if you wish to tell some one. You can dm me or tag me in your posts about your projection stories and i will happily read them. No judgement, simply curiosity on my part. If you want me to comment on the experience just ask me in the post/message. Other wise i wont.

Have Safe Travels ☺

AethyrSecretary

[realityhelixcreates]

Lasabrjotr Chapter 47: Sixth Mask

Chapters: 47/? Fandom: Thor (Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe Rating: Teen And Up Warnings: None Relationships: Loki x Reader (Someday) Characters: Loki (Marvel), Additional Tags: Post-Endgame: Best Possible Ending (Canon-Divergent), A Lot Of Things Happen All At Once, You Might Have Been A Little Hasty,  Summary:  You gather up the courage to confess to Loki.

Through a sleepy haze, you realized that someone had entered the room with you. It wasn't Loki, but an unfamiliar woman-probably a healer's apprentice-who approached you and stroked your face.

“Just one more to go.” She murmured. “It's you, hmm? How unusual. I wouldn't have expected that of Asgardian aristocracy. Oh well. He's brought this on himself.”

She left then, without doing anything else, leaving you wondering, in your drowsiness, if she had just been a dream.

                                                                      *****

“Look, you can say that the royal family has a tradition of charity as much as you like, but we don't have a huge reserve of resources anymore.” Brunnhilde argued. “You can't just snap your fingers and get what you want. Where are we getting the money? Where are we getting the builders? Ours are all tied up in constructing the city! We don't have the bodies, we just don't have them!”

“I'll contract other humans to do it!” Loki suggested. They'd been at it for a few minutes now, working out kinks and blocks to his plan. “Humans built these things in the first place; they should know how it works.”

“They don't build them anymore! They build...I don't know, tasteful three-bedroom apartments, and things like that!”

“No, they do.” Thor interjected. “I've seen this 'reconstruction' Loki speaks of. I once visited Sweden on an Avengers world tour-press conference event.”

Loki snorted.

“Yes, I know, but it's not much different than a royal procession, is it? We needed the positive PR at the time. And they greeted me specifically with a longhouse they had built according to archaeological finds. They thought it represented Asgardian living quarters.”

Brunnhilde laughed. “Did you tell them?”

“Of course not!” Thor said. “They put so much work into it, and they were trying to honor me. It was a heartfelt gift. So I stayed there, and I 'consecrated' it for them. It's a museum now. But my point is; there are enough people who know how to build these things that they were able to do that, and it's not the only one they've made in modern times, so we should actually be able to hire contractors who know what they are doing.”

“Okay, but again, where are we getting the funds?” Brunnhilde continued. “This is a lovely plan, sure, but it's pure fantasy unless we get the cash!”

“I'll...just...figure something out.” Loki grumbled. “There's got to be some way a god can make money on this planet.”

“You could strip.” Brunnhilde suggested.

“I shan't!” Loki refused. “There must be something else, something less base. Besides, no one wants to see my flesh. Why don't you strip?”

Brunnhilde shrugged. “I could, but I'd be keeping the money.”

“How about you ask _____? She might have some ideas.” Thor suggested. “Honestly Loki, if you want to know anything about Earth, it's probably best to ask the locals.”

“Yes, yes.” He griped. “Fewer surprises, more involvement, I get it. When she wakes up, I'll present her with my idea, and see if she has any suggestions.”

“Do you have any meetings today?” Thor asked.

“Just a few. I'll get them done early, and we can discuss things over dinner. I wonder if she likes candles? I'll set a few out and see.”

Thor fondly watched his brother rush to his duties, still bursting with ideas. It had been a long time since he had seen Loki look so hopeful. This time would be better than the others, he was sure.

                                                                           *****

You woke fully, what seemed like hours later, all fuzziness and drowsiness banished. You felt great, in fact. When you swung your legs over the bed and hopped to your feet, there was no residual dizziness, and when you rubbed the side of your head, there was almost no pain.

The healing machines certainly did a good job! Maybe they were adapting to your alien physiology? Either way, you were grateful for it.

When you checked your tiny hand mirror-one of the trinkets that dangled from your domed brooches, it didn't seem like your face had gone back to normal yet, but maybe it would take more time. Or maybe, since the bones had already healed, they couldn't be convinced to 'heal' any further.

Either way, you should probably go let Loki know that you wouldn't need that wheelchair any more. In fact, you were going to just leave it here, so someone else could use it, if they needed it.

Everyone in the healing wing was busy with the mystery illness, so it was easy for you to slip out unnoticed. No one else had died from it yet, but no one had gotten any better either. You didn't need to pull any healers away from their jobs to send for Loki; you would just go find him yourself.

And while you were feeling so good and fresh, perhaps you should discuss your feelings with him as well. After all, if you got it out into the open, and let him reject you, then you could get over it faster and start fresh, without it all bubbling over in your mind. Better to just get it over with.

                                                                             *****

The last meeting was over, and Loki slumped wearily on the throne, exhausted by how many people still seemed to think they could live and make demands the way they used to. It had been so much easier when he'd been Odin. The people accepted his verdicts; they argued with Loki, lied to him, tried to manipulate him, as if constantly forgetting that he knew what they were doing. Or perhaps they simply didn't take it into account, perhaps they were just doing what they had always done, and were incapable of fathoming that anything had to change. But that woodenness, that rigidity always led to collapse in the end, and Loki meant to keep that from happening. They would have to learn flexibility.

But he was done with that for the day. Now he needed to drum up some candles for a nice dinner with you, and see if you had woken up yet.

Compassion. You clearly valued it, and so, he was going to show it. You would just love this plan of his, he knew it. He would show infinite kindness to these dedicated humans, and you would fall madly in love with him, and-

He was getting a little ahead of himself. It wouldn't be that easy. This was just one step in the journey to prove himself. You had seen the prince and you had seen a little bit of the god, but he still had to show you the man. Who was Loki, under all the titles and fame?

He looked up at the sound of the door opening, straightening up in the throne when he saw you quietly enter.

How swiftly the weariness fled at the mere sight of you! How his tired mood soared at the prospect of spending time with you. He thanked the Norns for you.

“Come, enter! I see you are walking on your own now. How do you feel? Do you hurt at all?”

You smiled at him. “Only a little sore, hardly at all. I'm walking just fine now, but if I have any problems, I'll let you know.”

“That's very good to hear. Would you like to take dinner with me? Formally, I mean, not in our rooms. I'll have something nice made, just for us.”

“You mean, like a date?” You asked, almost teasing. Loki sat up straighter.

“Well...if you want to look at it that way, I certainly cannot stop you. You can approach, you know. You don't have to keep your distance when I am on the throne.”

“I'm not interrupting anything?” You asked. “No more people to meet, no more problems to resolve?”

“Not for today. It's just us now.”

“Oh, that's good. There's something private I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Private?” That might be a good sign. If you wanted to open up to him, that meant you felt close to him, and trusted him. Something felt odd about this though. Like the hazy unreality of a daydream. Like you were reading from a script of things he wanted to hear.

He swallowed as you approached. Had your hips always swayed like that when you walked, or was he only noticing now that he had admitted his feelings to himself? Either way, it was doing things to him.

Thank the Norns he always had the prescience to wear long tunics...

“Loki...” You purred once you'd gotten close enough that he could hear you do it. “I need to tell you something. Now, you're free to take this as you will, I don't expect anything from you. But I can't hide this anymore.”

“Yes?” His voice came out more excited than he'd intended. Could it be?

You leaned over him, arms resting on the throne, and his pulse hit a fever pitch. His eyes torn between yours, your lips, the soft swell of your breasts under the modest clothing you preferred, the memory of which was still etched in his memory...

“I've been feeling strongly for you lately. I've come to care for you, and I think I might even be falling for you. I know that's probably not what you want from me, but I thought I should let you know.”

“No! That's exactly what I want from you!” The words burst from him like an inexperienced youth, someone so full of emotion that he could no longer properly manage it. He wrapped his arms around you and pulled you into his lap. “ I feel the same. _____, I adore you! I would do anything for you! Anything!”

Some tiny part of his mind nagged that this was too good to be true. The cynical part that didn't believe he deserved happiness. This was all happening so fast. But you had always been a little unpredictable in temperament; it was one of the things he liked about you. Perhaps you had simply realized how good he could be for you, and decided to go with it. How could he argue?

“Anything?” Your smile dazzled him, taking his attentions away from his doubts, the insistence of his lie-senses that something was off. “Then kiss me Loki. Have a well-deserved reward!”

You pressed your lips to his, filling him with pure, electric bliss. It drove every doubt from his mind; the slightly wrong scent of you, the suddenness of it all, the odd hollowness of your back, none of it mattered. Only the delightful experience of your mouth.

By the time he recognized his growing weakness, it was far too late to pull away, and he found he did not want to. He didn't want this moment to end; he was happy to die here.

It seemed you were going to make sure that he did.

                                                                                                                                                             *****

Heimdall rushed through the halls, face layered with concern. He did not recognize what he had just seen, but he knew it meant danger. People jumped out of his path, knowing that he, of all people, must be given the right of way. Few things could make Heimdall run.

“Your Majesty!” He cried, bursting in on Thor's solitary dinner. “I have seen danger in Asgard.”

Thor leaped to his feet. “What? Where? What is it?” He demanded.

“I am not yet certain. I have never seen such a being before, but someone has invaded the city. Every time I looked, her face was different, but I can see the strings of life she trails behind her. She is responsible for the illness of the workers, though I know not how or why.”

“Where is this being?” Thor asked, grabbing Stormbreaker, which he had leaned against the wall nearest the door.

Heimdall's orange eyes scanned through the walls.

“The throne room.” He said finally. “Hurry!”

                                                                                                                                                *****

You wandered the halls, seeking out a guard who could speak to you in a language you could understand. When you finally found one, he seemed very confused to see you.

“Oh, you must go in circle. Must get lost.” He said, when you asked where Loki was. “Throne room. That way, then that way, then that way. Two doors.”

You got fewer stares nowadays, most of the people in the palace complex having seen you often enough to no longer find you all that unusual. No one bothered you as you made your way towards the throne room, wondering if the murals had been finished yet. There would be so many paintings on the walls by the time the artists were finished, that you didn't think there would be a blank spot anywhere.

You found what you thought were the doors the guard had referred to, trying to remember if this was the same place you had met the king to sign yourself to citizenship.

Well. It was time to confess, and come clean. Maybe he would reciprocate? No no, it was best not to hold that hope. This was just to clear the air, so that you could move on.

You quietly opened the door.

You quietly closed the door.

It seemed you didn't need to wait for his answer after all.

[mobius-prime]

151. Sonic the Hedgehog #85

The Big Payback

Writer: Karl Bollers Pencils: Ron Lim Colors: Frank Gagliardo

So Eggman is quite peeved that Sonic stopped his plans to destroy Station Square via ancient water monster. However, he has a plan to get back at Sonic - and as with many of his previous plans, it involves a robotic duplicate of his archnemesis…

Sonic and the Freedom Fighters are in Station Square, which is in the midst of trying to clean up the mess left by the attack, being thanked and awarded by the mayor for saving their city. Suddenly, the ceremony is interrupted by the appearance of Silver Sonic II, which is significantly smaller in size than its original counterpart.

Sonic leads his robotic nemesis on a wild goose chase across the city to draw fire away from the innocents at the ceremony. Big snags Silver Sonic II's leg with his fishing rod, and Tails tries to attack it while it's stuck, but he gets knocked aside into Big as the mecha breaks free and continues its pursuit of its quarry. Sonic and it finally crash through a window into the ground level of a building that's been structurally compromised by the flood, something Silver Sonic II uses to its advantage.

The building falls on top of them both, and Eggman, watching from his base, cackles, knowing that Silver Sonic II is sturdy enough to survive such an impact. The Freedom Fighters desperately dig into the rubble only to find a hole in the ground beneath it, indicating that Sonic dug his way to safety through the ground. As he pops back out and continues to fight the robot, Nicole, Sally and Nate try to discern its potential weaknesses.

Damn, if Eggman somehow found an infinite power supply, why did he waste it on one measly little robot? You'd think he'd insert that into an Ultimate Annihilator Mk. II or something and get to work erasing existence. Sonic is shaken free from Silver Sonic II midair, and when Tails catches him, Silver Sonic II straight up jettisons his own foot into Tails' head as payback. Sonic becomes enraged at seeing his friend knocked out by the long-range kick, and this gives him enough strength to deal the final blow against his foe.

What indeed? Eggman certainly doesn't seem too fazed by Silver Sonic II's loss, as he installed a homing beacon in it for this very possibility, and intends to simply wait until the Freedom Fighters leave the city unattended and then waltz in to fix up his robot and get to conquerin'. However, the Freedom Fighters certainly don't seem too worried, leaving the city after saying goodbye to Big, who's heading back to the Mysterious Cat Country with Froggy in tow, and they hop in their aircraft only for it to immediately begin to careen out of control.

Sally orders Sonic and Tails to do some reconnaissance for signs of life nearby (why, I have no idea - they crashed like not even a mile from Station Square from the looks of it), and shoots Amy down when she tries to ask to go along. Nate, inspecting the damage, finds it to be the result of sabotage, and while he worries about who may have done it (the idea that it may have been, you know, Eggman, or the robot they were just fighting, doesn't seem to cross his mind), Eggman himself waltzes straight into the city like he didn't just try to murder everyone in it. Somehow he doesn't get immediately arrested on the street, and instead he finds his robot as planned - only Silver Sonic II is already repaired, and has been reprogrammed by Nate to serve as Station Square's loyal protector from now on! That's actually some damn good thinking on his part. Amusingly, Eggman races out with his former creation on his heels while shouting that "Payback is such a glitch!" which is maybe the closest this comic has come to actually swearing so far.

Home & Back

Writer: Karl Bollers Pencils/Colors: Diamond Rose Studios

The art in this issue is really bizarre, for some reason - it's credited in its entirety to "Diamond Rose Studios," without elaborating on who actually worked on what, and the art style, particularly the shading, is pretty noticeably different from the style of other artists for the comic. If anything, it comes across much more like amateur work you might find on DeviantArt rather than official art for a licensed video game comic. But hey, it's not bad art, so no real problem here. Oh, and Rotor's finally back! It's been so long since we've seen him… *checks back* twenty-four issues, in fact! We unfortunately find him now in a nasty predicament - his bathysphere is taking on water fast, and he's not having any success radioing for help. He thinks back on how his last few months have been - shortly after he left to find his family, he indeed found them safe and sound with the help of the Arctic Freedom Fighters.

This issue seems to take place just shortly after Eggman's return, because Rotor recounts how just recently his family all fell under the mind control spell again, once more trying to kill him and forcing him to run for his life in his bathysphere, which was then damaged, leaving him stranded in his current predicament. Honestly, I have to point out right now that the timeline of these early eras is aaaall over the place. Issues are constantly throwing out random amounts of time, claiming that X amount of months have passed between this event and that event, only to claim a different amount of time between similar events over here and there. I mean, I got the initial impression that Robotnik had only died a maximum of maybe five months before Eggman's arrival, and yet here Rotor is claiming it had been nearly a year? Then on top of that he apparently spent months hanging out with his family in the North Sea, easily making it over a year since Robotnik's death - and yet the timeline of StH#72 and beyond clearly indicates that mere days passed in between his leaving and Eggman's return, yet here he is, claiming to have spent months with his family unmarred by any negative circumstances. Even if you argue that maybe the mind control was a delayed effect and only started back up right around now during the Chaos fiasco, the early issues of this era seem to indicate that not more than a few weeks have passed between Eggman's arrival and the Sonic Adventure adaption - this is his first evil world domination plot since his return, after all. What I'm saying is that the amounts of time that various issues claim have passed between most of these key events just don't line up with each other at all, so you really have to take any character's claim of months or years between events with a gigantic grain of salt. I don't know why they didn't put more effort into maintaining a consistent "schedule" if you will of events, if only for consistency's sake, but then again this bothers me probably more than most, just because I have a strong need for narrative consistency in my own stories. It's just another one of those odd plot holes that we kind of have to ignore to get anywhere.

Rotor, having finished with his chronologically-impossible recounting of previous events, realizes that the water leaking into his bathysphere is coming entirely too close to a mass of live wires, and makes the decision to abandon ship, preferring to risk a long swim back to the surface.

Well, at least these friendly fellas have got his back. Hopefully we'll see more of him back with the main Freedom Fighter chapter soon, because having him head off to find his family honestly felt like an excuse to just get rid of him as a character for a while, and I resent that, because Rotor is a big chubby bro and we deserve to see more of him being a badass sweetheart.