#and jaakko of course too

[ilkkawhat]

Top 10 fictional characters? Answer in images/gifs?

first off, the core four, the four characters that will always be at the top. alan's in first place right now in my head just cause i relate to him on too many levels:

Alan Wake (Alan Wake)

2. Rose Tyler (Doctor Who)

3. Dale Cooper (Twin Peaks)

4. Nick Stokes (CSI)

and some others from various fandoms just to spice it up cause otherwise i was just gonna go with more alan wake characters lol

5. Miles O'Brien (Star Trek TNG + DS9)

6. Heather Mason (Silent Hill 3)

7. Louise Belcher (Bob's Burgers)

8. Jesse Faden (Control)

9. Niko Uusitalo (Sorjonen)

10. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)

[smimon]

200 followers giveaway drawings for @lintubintu ! You asked for a Häärijä-centered sleep pile and I give you two versions, one with washi tape and the other with more pile ✌

[koskela-knights]

IM BARKIN I AM LOOKIN LIKE AN ABSOLUTE

*quietly* mitä vittua

[koskela-knights]

Sometimes I can be really fed up with the slander and mischaracterization of the Koskelas. That and how people seem to (mis)remember everything about them. Yeah, in the long run, they sadly didn't play a relevant role and probably are considered minor characters to most people but some takes I've seen are just wild af.

And oddly, they seem to be the only characters who are both so invisible/not cared about and getting the wildest takes at the same time. Astonishing, really

A non-exhaustive list so far of takes and just basic things people forget/misremember/didn't catch:

They're being called hillbillies

They're being called hillbillies and that they'd vote right-wing (plz, they're anti-government and anti-authority af. Additionally I feel if they were bigoted and close-minded as the person implied, they would not have rented a trailer to Saga)

They're called stupid, middle-class adults trying to be a neighbourhood watch

They're called incompetent (are we gonna ignore they almost singlehandedly managed to keep Watery and Bright Falls safer thanks to their Cult???? Hello? The FBC literally put Scratch in a time-out-box and their agents got slaughtered left and right. Also, I'd like people who accuse them to try the same: juggle economic collapse in your town, having multiple jobs with supernatural dread and horrors and see how well they fare. The physical and mental toll that these things take are heavily heavily understated and overlooked.

Jaakko is a dad. (This can be found through the e-mails from Charlie & Charline to Uncle Ilmo, the thermos costume people talking about their dad, Ilmo calling Jaakko a stay-at-home-dad if you never talked to Ilmo at the monitoring station. It's hinted at Jaakko saying that family comes first in the profiling section with Saga

Ilmo is greedy (there was 1 negative review stating this. Honestly, if he rly was greedy he wouldn't "yeet" Saga's trailer rent like that. And while CW might be overpriced on some fronts, so are many amusement parks and clearly, Watery is suffering economically. They arent' exactly swimming in money lmao so ofc they try to do anything to uplift their town)

Jaakko absolutely hated being in the commercials and was lazy in them (at first glance perhaps, but you see subtle hints and smiles and laughs from him on many occasions proving the opposite. yeah, he might not be as into it as Ilmo but he must've enjoyed it enough to still star in it)

They're morally evil as seen in the concept art. (when I asked the person about where they got that claim, they ended up admitting it was from a dream lmao)

They're members of the Cult, the leaders even. This might feel obvious but apparently it isn't. Rose isn't the only one hunting down Taken. The Cult did it too. It was their main goal and they were the very reason Saga and Casey came to BF in the first case becos of their 'murder rituals'.

Alan wrote them to be good. (Honestly, I'm tired of the takes that Alan wrote everyone and everyone's personality. It completely robs every character of any agency or wit they have)

Echo Ilmo is the same Ilmo we see in Watery. (As far as I'm concerned, Echo Ilmo or 'the Cultist' died in the echoes.)

Ilmari is straight-up Ilmo. (While there's a manuscript detailing that the Dark Presence tried to turn Ilmo and Jaakko into Ilmari and Jaakoppi, doesn't mean they're the same person.)

YY Ilmari's personality being taken at face value. (If people even remember this character at all, people think that's the only version/personality of him. I'd say that YY is a biased piece of work becos of Seine/Zane is an unreliable narrator/director. Also on the Huotari Well it's explicitly stated that the Historical Ilmari said he was possessed by the Näkki. This can be up for interpretation of course. But I doubt he'd be exactly the same as the Ilmari we see in YY.)

People straight up forget that Scratch's cool jacket belongs to Jaakko. And even the devs went as far as to just completely remove the kalevala knights' logo from the jacket and the club's existence in the DLC

They're bikers. They're literally part of the Kalevala Knights Motorcycle Club. Again, yeeted out of existence with the DLC

People dunking on Coffee World. (Well, yeah clearly the park has seen better days. But again, if we consider what is happening around town and Bright Falls, the economic decline... it's tough out there and the Koskelas are trying their best with the terrible hand they've been dealt. And all things considered, they're doing pretty okay)

Ilmari Huotari erasure. In fan art, fanfic and fan vids he is often completely left out while he might have had the longest interaction with Kesä of all. He was literally the third listed actor in it. Yet absolutely forgotten.

[hotcat37]

Are you (ARE YOUUU) still doing the snippets? If so I’d love to see your take on 74 with the Käärijä ship of your choice!

this prompt immediately made me think of Hä and Kä in the It's Crazy It's Party music video haha

Cw for selfcest (but this depends on whether or not you see Khäärijä as selfcest at all 🤷‍♀️)

74: the past comes back to bite

Käärijä loves the fact that Tommy doesn't ask any questions. All he had to say was "please" and the Estonian began digging a hole into the Earth. Of course, that must have something to do with Tommy's own lust for blood as well but Käärijä still appreciates it.

He watches from the side as dirt starts raining down upon the yellow victim in the shallow grave. Käärijä's men loom behind him, silent as ever. The Finn finds comfort in their presence. But it doesn't ease the uncomfortable sensation brewing in his gut. Häärijä plainly stares right at him. Expression blank as always. But there's a glint in his eyes that unsettles Käärijä. This isn't the first time he's attempted to kill the annoying fucker, and he's too far gone to feel anything resembling guilt anymore, but something about the way Häärijä is looking at him still feels off.

Tommy shovels a huge scoop of dirt onto Häärijä's face and those intense eyes disappear beneath the Earth. Käärijä allows himself to exhale.

"All done." His brunette companion dusts off his dirty hands, panting from the effort of burying a body. "Let's go home, gorgeous."

Käärijä wordlessly accepts the hand offered towards him, allowing Tommy to lead him towards the truck. His bald trio get behind the wheel while he and Tommy take to getting on the bed of the vehicle. The fresh kill (hopefully this time successful) has left both of them feeling exhilarated. Käärijä and Tommy mess around throughout the whole ride back to the house, jumping up and down, pushing and pulling at each other to the sound of rumbling thunder. Käärijä is secretly glad that he found this deranged man. He doesn't understand half of the things Tommy says most of the time but the language barrier doesn't get in the way of their communication.

Hours later, Käärijä lies awake in the dark of Tommy's bedroom.

The Estonian is fast asleep beside him. Only in slumber does Tommy appear peaceful. Innocent almost, if Käärijä didn't know any better. The Finn slips out from underneath the covers, making his way down the creaky ancient staircase, an inexplicable pull leading him outside. He doesn't have to turn to know that Jukka, Jaakko and Allu are right behind him.

Rain splashes into his face, glides down the leather of his jacket and pants. Käärijä walks aimlessly past tree trunks and bushes. He doesn't understand what he's looking for until he spots yellow between brown and murky green. He audibly groans at the sight. How the fuck does this guy keep coming back? Käärijä has tried everything to get rid of him. Has killed Häärijä in progressively more cruel ways only for the yellow bastard to return to him every single time.

"Go fuck yourself, Häärijä." Käärijä scoffs, crossing his arms over his chest. The other man stares at him, completely still, wet bangs obscuring his eyes.

Asshole. Käärijä turns to leave, fed up with the version of himself he just can't get rid of, longing for the warmth of Tommy's bed. But he doesn't make it far before he's pressed up against a tree, the wind knocked right out of him.

"What the fuck-?" He stammers out when his eyes meet dull blue ones. Häärijä's face remains ever the same but this time Käärijä recognizes the glint in his eyes. Anger.

He laughs in the man's face, mocking, amused by the unusual display of emotion. "What's the matter? Mad that I buried you alive?"

Häärijä doesn't respond. What he does do, though, is lean in close and sink his teeth into Käärijä's neck. The dark-haired Finn yelps at the sting of pain, struggling against Häärijä's hands holding him in place. What the actual fuck? His grunts become more and more pained, Häärijä's teeth lodged deep into his flesh. It's maybe close to a minute before the yellow menace pulls back, leaving Käärijä bleeding and confused.

"What's wrong with you??" Käärijä squeaks out, face flushing. Häärijä has never touched him before. Never left a mark on him like this.

His counterpart of course doesn't say anything. Turns around to fuck off to wherever without a word. Käärijä slumps back against the tree, trembling fingers pressing into the wound in his neck. What the hell just happened? Was that Häärijä's way of telling him he's fed up with his constant attempts to get rid of him? More importantly, why did it leave Käärijä's dick hard in his pants?

[firstaidspray]

for Navy and Josephine pretty please

What are 3 of their irrational fears?

What are 3 foods they can’t live without?

How many friends do they have?

What are 3 of their irrational fears?

Navy: It's kind of difficult for Navy to be scared of things or for her fears to be irrational after being in the Dark Place, but I suppose her phobia/disgust of feet (will GAG if forced to look at them. It's also me projecting I do that), scared of a string on her bass snapping while she's playing/tuning, and fear of car crashes (especially after TJ). These are very mundane compared to what she's experienced in the Dark Place but they're something.

Josephine: Josephine has also experienced some Dark Presence related stuff but not nearly as much as her cousin. Her irrational fears include losing/breaking a tooth, wildfires, and drowning.

What are 3 foods they can't live without?

Navy: PEACHES!!!!!!!! Her favorite thing ever. Hard to find in the Dark Place, but occasionally she's blessed by a can of them. Pretzels, soft or crunchy, sometimes vending machines will have them in the Dark Place. Pizza, Tim always has it so that's good.

Josephine: Coffee isn't a food but she really can't live without caffeine, and Rose being a waitress at a Diner who makes the best coffee ever, well...she can't live without it. Chocolate, she's a big fan of sweet foods and you can't go wrong with chocolate (well, to me you can, but not to her. It's all good to her). Danishes, any kind if it has a sweet filling!! Oh Deer serves them and she loves them. Rose will sometimes make them at home too.

How many friends do they have?

Navy: Back in the real world, Josephine (even though she's her cousin) and Jillian are her friends, and TJ (her late boyfriend). In the Dark Place she's met Alan, her best friend, and Tim, her boyfriend and close friend. She also considers Tom a friend even if he weirds her out sometimes.

Josephine: Of course there's Navy, Jillian, and the late TJ. Then as she's lived in Bright Falls and helped through the investigations in AW2, Rose (her girlfriend), Saga Anderson, Alex Casey, and the residents of Valhalla Nursing Home. She's also like...acquaintances with Ilmo and Jaakko because of Jillian. Not super close but I think they'd grab a beer together.

Thank you for asking!! ���🩷🩷🩷

[fictionkinfessions]

For canon outfits: I've got a couple main outfits. The first one's the one I'm known better for, of course. Formalwear, more or less. Not entirely, of course, but close enough. A vest and suit jacket, appropriate pants to match. Later, though, I started wearing whatever Alan was, on account of, well. Wearing him. Now, I'm sure no one, least of all Ilmo, much appreciated me picking up Jaakko's leather jacket and wearing that around, but hey! Waste not, want not, and a guy's got to look good. Alan kept wearing it after I left, so he must've liked the thing too. The jacket was more comfortable, but didn't give off quite the same "gentleman murderer" air I'd been used to. -Mr. Scratch, Alan Wake

w

[critrolesideblog]

Caleb Widogast pushed his hair out of his face for the ei--nineteenth time in about as many minutes. Caleb and Essek were reading for pleasure this evening, with the aid of Comprehend Languages: Caleb the collected poems of Erdan Niemi, a famous Drow bard, and Essek, Die Waldhexe und andere Zemnische Volksmärchen. They were seated at opposite ends of one of the sofas in the tower salon, their legs in the middle not quite touching. But some time into Essek's reading, the repeated scrape of sweater against paper edge and rustle of hand in hair became too much for him to ignore.

It was a long time coming really. Essek recalled that it had been Veth who had braided back Caleb's hair for him, when they were in Aeor last. Since there was no Veth to braid it this time around, Caleb had fallen into the habit of roughly tying it back in a ponytail or bun, with varying degrees of success, depending on the amount of effort he put into it, which, lately, was middling, and tonight, none at all. There were times when the mess was charming: when Caleb shuffled into the dining room in the morning, stray locks framing his face; when he ran his hand through his hair in excitement at a new discovery; when some friendly wind caused wayward strands to brush just so against his lips. At the moment, though... Essek took a large sip of his wine and set the glass gently back on the table. "Caleb?"

"Hmm?"

Despite the response, Essek knew better than to continue right away. Caleb's head tilted up toward him slowly, but his eyes lingered on the page a moment longer. When blue finally met lilac, Essek took a  deep breath breath. "May I... braid your hair for you?"

Caleb blinked once, twice, three times, before his eyebrow and lips quirked up with a humor that was a little too insightful. "Well, if it’s bothering you..."

Essek gave a huff of laughter at being caught, before pressing his hands together in front of his lips, arranging his features into a semblance of solemnity. "It is driving me insane." Caleb laughed, as Essek hoped he would.

"I apologize if I have driven you to distraction," he replied, in a voice that sounded not remotely contrite. Essek averted his eyes and took another small sip of wine to provide an alibi for the warmth in his cheeks. "Please, by all means." Caleb pulled free the tie holding his hair in place, and with a small shake of his head, the copper strands fell down around his face and shoulders.

Essek gathered his composure, clearing his throat slightly. "Excellent -- ah, Liesl?" He said quickly, turning to the tortoiseshell cat relaxing in front of the fireplace. She opened one amber eye in response.

Liesl was Essek's right-hand cat. She had been standoffish at first, it was true, but it seemed Essek's years in politics were not wasted in the ruins of Aeor. "Liesl, would you please have Jaakko fetch me some additional hair ties and a comb?" Liesl, without raising her head from her paws, turned her gaze to the cat in question, all black and slender, whose interpretation of cleaning apparently included batting a piece of crumpled paper around the legs of a desk with incredible enthusiasm. At some unseen signal, he turned his attention to Liesl, and after a series of tail twitches, trotted off into  a nearby cat door. She turned her gaze back to Essek. "Thank you, Liesl. That will be all." She chirped at him in response and returned to her nap.

Caleb's eyes were back on his book now, but Essek did not recall anything in Niemi's works amusing enough to justify the grin on Caleb's face, which Essek now had an excuse to give due consideration. He did not think the braids that Verin favored in their youth would suite him particularly well, and they were a bit elaborate for a night in, besides. Perhaps just a variation on the Gwardanian-style braid Veth employed.

Jaakko returned in no time, the items required laid out neatly on a tray held aloft by his long tail, and, with one last small sip of wine, Essek rose from the sofa and moved to stand behind Caleb. He took a deep breath as he picked up the amber comb from the tray. There was no cause, he told himself sternly, for his heart to be racing as it was, which was, of course, a lie. He raised the comb above the copper strands. "I am going to begin now?"

"Ja, danke."

Whether the thanks was for the impending braid or the warning, Essek was not sure, but he drew the edge of the comb gently back along the scalp, carefully delineating a section of hair at the top of Caleb's head. He tied the sides and back out of the way, and if his face warmed at the brush of fingertips on neck, there was no one able to see it. He gathered up the hair closest to Caleb's face and divided it in thirds, before weaving the right third over the center and then left over center. He repeated the process, carefully gathering more strands in on the sides as he went. He was about halfway through with the braid, when Caleb leaned to the left without warning, nearly pulling the locks from his grasp.

"Pysy paikallasi!" Essek hissed, decades-old habit causing the words to spill from his lips in Undercommon, but it did not matter. Comprehend Languages was still in effect. "Mitä sinä teet?"

"I want some wine," Caleb explained, extending his arm to the side to demonstrate that the glass was just out reach.

"Did Veth allow you to move around when she braided your hair?"

"She never complained."

"Then she spoiled you terribly."

"Will you hand me the wine?"

"No," he replied sternly, gathering the strands into one hand, careful not to mix them up, and then leaning over and passing the goblet to its owner.

"You are a riot, Herr Thelyss," Caleb said dryly, but Essek caught a glimpse of a grin as he straightened.

"I am glad you think so. I have been thinking of taking my comedy show on the road when we are done here."

"You should ask Veth if she has any material you can use. Will there be a Mighty Nein discount on tickets?"

"Please, if anything, I should charge you all extra for the honor of heckling me."

Caleb gave a mock gasp. "The Nein? Heckle you? We would never."

"Ha! Tell me another one!"

Caleb's shoulders shook with quiet laughter.

Essek stopped gathering new hair into the top braid, braiding the remaining length of the locks together, and tying them off. He then shifted to the left and began the process again with a section starting at Caleb's left temple. From this vantage point, he could spy the gilded edges and precise black script of the book in Caleb hands (and what hands they were! Capable, as he knew, of both great destruction and healing. And, perhaps, from this vantage, he could also glimpse the stately sweep of his cheekbones, the curve of his nose, the strength of his jaw, but who was to say.).

"How are you enjoying the poetry so far?" He asked, affixing his eyes firmly to the task in front of him. He had not known whether Caleb enjoyed poetry, when he gifted it to him. He had doubted, though, that Caleb had much opportunity to avail himself of Kryn literature during his time in Rosohna, and Caleb had seemed delighted, even touched, by the gift. He did not seem to be making quick progress through the text, however.

"Very much so," Caleb replied after taking a sip of wine. "I imagine I am sometimes missing some nuance or cultural context -- Comprehend Languages is a bit of a blunt instrument -- but I am enjoying it even more than I thought I would. You almost made it sound dry in your description, when you gave it to me."

"Ah, no, not dry. Only, all young Drow are forced to read his works as part of our schooling, and it colors our enjoyment of it somewhat."

"I see."

"Do you have a favorite passage so far?"

Caleb did not respond right away. "Yes..." He admitted, at last, and added, "It is from the Courtship of Lael."

Essek nearly lost his grip on the braid as he fumbled the strands mid-crossing. He had forgotten the Courtship was so early in the text. "Oh?" He asked, hoping it came across as polite interest.

"Would you like to hear it?" Caleb's voice had a softer, deeper hue than usual.

"If you like."

There was quiet for a moment.

Caleb did not turn to the page -- he did not need to. He merely cleared his throat lightly, and began:

"My lover's skin is a field of stars. What bliss to wander among the heavens! Let me approach as a pilgrim from the dark. Let me worship on my knees before the holy light. Let no beacon go without a prayer from my lips."

Every opalescent freckle on Essek's skin was now a flame. He swallowed hard. "That--that was, ah ... evocative."

"Ja, I thought so too." Caleb chuckled.

Essek tied off the left braid and moved around to the opposite side. They passed the time in quiet, as Essek's dexterous hands, having found their rhythm, made quick work on the braid on the right. And if he had a new awareness of the freckles that made fiery constellations along the slope of Caleb's neck, he gave no indication.

"You know it is a good thing you are braiding my hair up, with us going deeper into the Genesis Ward tomorrow." Caleb said at last, as Essek gathered the braids and the loose strands left over in the back up into a neat ponytail, tying it off with Caleb's original tie. There was more than a little mischief in his voice. "I should hate for Devexian to see me for the first time in months with my hair a mess."

"You are a riot, Caleb Widogast," Essek drawled.

"I'm glad you think so."

.

.

.

----

Notes: Pysy paikallasi! Mitä sinä teet? -  Stay still! What are you doing?

[judgmentofcorruption]

Episode 4–Farewell My Friend; Scene 2

Judgment of Corruption, pages 109-115

The main base of operations for the Yarera Zusco Conglomerate was in Aceid, the capital of the country of Elphegort to the south of Holy Levianta.

Gallerian and Kayo—that is, Ma—visited its main headquarters in order to meet with Gusuma Yarera, Mira’s older brother and also the vice-president of the company that served as the core of the conglomerate.

“—As you requested, I’ve cleared the place of people. There shouldn’t be anyone who knows that you two are meeting with me here…Outside of my sister.”

Gusuma looked a touch displeased as he spoke to them, a cigarette clamped in his mouth. He was a big man with an unshaven face, sitting solidly in a ridiculously large chair.

“So, the screenwriter that was found innocent, and a judge who died in an accident in a snow field. Had no idea I’d be meeting with two people who’ve made front page news like this.”

To that Ma smiled and replied, “I’m surprised too. That the vice-president of the supreme Yarera Zusco Conglomerate looks like this much of a brigand.”

“A brigand, huh? Heh heh, I get that a lot. The ancestral head of the Yarera family was once a pirate, so I’m told. I take it as a compliment—So, whaddya want?”

Gallerian took a step forward.

“I wish to charge Loki Freezis for his crimes. I want to take everything he has done behind the scenes up until now and bring it out into the light of day—For that I would like your assistance.”

“Loki, eh…That cockroach that’s always hanging around my little sister. I had heard some unsavory rumors—How would you have me help you?”

Ma gestured by making a circle with her fingers, and then appealed to Gusuma. “Money, of course. …A provision of funds. We’ll need to hand more money to the head judge than the Freezis Conglomerate in order to win the trial.”

“So it’s a battle of bribes then. If that means driving Loki away from my sister and striking a blow against the hated Freezis Conglomerate, that doesn’t sound too shabby for me…However.” Gusuma crossed his arms and leaned back further in his chair. “If you’re going up against the Freezises, you’ll need a substantial amount of capital. It’ll be tricky for me to move that kind of money by myself. I would need to get permission from Mom—er, sorry—the president.”

“Can’t you persuade her, given that you’re the vice-president?”

Gusuma’s expression tightened in response to Gallerian’s inquiry.

“…The president is very moderate, politically. It’s her policy not to make waves with the Freezises as much as she can. Changing her mind on that—won’t be so straightforward.”

Ma gazed at Gusuma as he was deep in thought, and then suddenly cut in with, “—As I recall, the president has someone that she dotes upon like a son.”

“…Woman. You’re unusually well informed.”

“You come to catch a lot of gossip when you’re looking for content for screenplays.”

“…When the president was young, she had someone that she loved a great deal. In the end she and the man were never joined, and she married someone else—that someone being mine and Mira’s father…Apparently, even after marrying, the president continued to harbor affection for this other man.”

“Oh yes. The romance of a young woman of the Yarera Zusco Conglomerate. Exceptional material for the plot of a story.”

“—Well, the man she didn’t get with ended up marrying some other woman and had a child with her, but a little while later the airship that the whole family was riding on crashed. The child somehow managed to cling to life, but his parents died instantly. Worse, this ship was one developed by a subsidiary company of the Yarera Zusco Conglomerate. …I have never seen the president look so crushed, either before or since.”

“So she took in the surviving son?”

“It wasn’t an official adoption. There are a lot of things that made it complicated for her as the head of a large conglomerate. Even so, she doted on him tremendously. And I wound up getting along with him as though we were brothers. …But at some point he started getting deranged.”

Gallerian had been silently listening to their conversation to this point, but then suddenly lit up, as though having recalled something. “I see—you mean ‘Jorm Zusco’!”

“Very good, judge. I guess you would know that name. –That’s correct. He’s currently in prison, having received a death penalty verdict.”

“A serial murderer of young women…A violent offender who’s slaughtered over ten people. Publicly there’s no connection between him and the Yarera Zusco Conglomerate—”

“It was our only way of protecting the conglomerate. But the president is always worrying about him. Even if he wound up a murderer, to him she is just her precious son…That’s why.”

Ma approached Gusuma, and put a hand on his enormous shoulder.

Then she interjected, “We will release Jorm Zusco—As a condition, the president will grant us the funds we need.”

The person who looked the most shocked at that, moreso than Gusuma, was Gallerian.

“Don’t be absurd, Ma! Jorm is a serial killer! We can’t just let a man like that loose on the world—"

“My my. Calm yourself, Gallerian. Despite all your protestations this is our only option, seeing as how we have no alternatives.”

“But…It’s easy to say we’ll release him, but there’s no way we’d get clearance for that.”

“By ordinary means, sure…But if we have ‘special permit’ from the Dark Star Bureau director it’ll be a different story.”

“—That’s only supposed to be given out in times when we’re undertaking special plea bargains.”

“Indeed. That’s why we need even more money for Hanma’s bribe. But if it means saving the life of her beloved ‘son’—the president would gladly pay it, wouldn’t she?”

“…” Gusuma had been glaring at Ma through their conversation, but then his expression suddenly relaxed, and he boomed with laughter. “Ha ha ha! What a frightening woman you are. But…I kinda like it. How about it, wanna be my gal? You’d be the wife of the future president.”

“Sorry, but I’m not that fond of bears. I’ll have to decline.”

“I see. Disappointing, but nothing for it—Alright. I will tell the president of your conditions.”

“Don’t forget. We can only release Jorm after everything is over. So—I want a ‘deposit’ immediately up front. If Jorm is executed early, then we’ll lose everything. We’ll need to bribe Hanma to make a stay of execution.”

“Got it…Wait just a minute.”

Gusuma opened a drawer of the desk in front of him, took out a bar of gold, and tossed it to Ma.

“Is this enough?”

“That’s plenty. Thanks.”

Ma hurriedly shoved the bar into her pocket.

.

After leaving the headquarters, Gallerian started speaking to Ma.

“That lump of gold…How do you plan to hand that to the director?”

“You still shouldn’t meet up with Hanma. And it’d be unwise for me of all people to go to the Dark Star Bureau…I’ll have Hel take care of it.”

“Hel Jaakko…That haughty daughter of the historian Heaven.”

“On the surface, she works as a clerk at the Freezis Conglomerate. It won’t be that difficult for her to get into the Dark Star Bureau under some pretext of it being for her job or something. We’ll just have to take care that she doesn’t run into Loki.”

“Why is she willing to betray the conglomerate despite being one of their clerks?”

“It is precisely because she works there. She has seen much of the Freezis’ dirty laundry with her own eyes. She has a very strong sense of justice. And that in itself is why she was unable to bear being involved so considerably in their work. So…she joined with Bruno.”

“Bruno Zero. Is that Maistian your leader?”

Ma nodded.

“He is.”

“I was sure that you were the leader.”

“I’m just a collaborator. Like you. I’m going along with their plan because it aligns with my own interests.”

“How did you come to meet them?”

“This case wasn’t the start of it. …We’re old acquaintances, Bruno and I.”

“…That doesn’t really answer my question.”

“Men shouldn’t pry into every single detail. …Come, let’s move quickly. We mustn’t be seen.”

The two of them climbed into Ma’s automobile that she had parked in a back alley behind the headquarters.

.

Four days later, the Dark Star Bureau announced a stay of execution for the convicted murderer Jorm Zusco.

The reason being that “some new information had been found regarding the crimes he committed”.

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[waltzofevil]

AkunoP Question and Answer

Waltz of Evil, page 144-147

Q: You have the Deadly Sins of Evil novel series where many unique characters show up. How did you come up with the names for these characters?

A: I had several patterns I followed.

There are some where I made a pun on the name of the VOCALOID they’re based on.

Such as “Kagamine Len” --> “Allen”

I also coined names that were a blending of various words that had special meanings to them.

“Sateriasis Venomania”-->”Satyriasis”, which means “sex mania”, alongside “Nymphomania”. And then onto that I also added in the English word “Venom” which means “poison”.

 I also made puns on demons and gods from mythology.

“Arte” and “Pollo” --> From “Artemis” and “Apollo” that show up in Greek mythology.

After that, there are a lot of characters where I gave them a name based on the sound of the word, without any particular meaning.

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Q: The “Deadly Sins of Evil” series has had two publications at this point—please tell us if you have any stories to share about these two works.

A:

The Madness of Duke Venomania

A lot of women show up in this work, so in order to better learn the feelings of women I went to a lot of group parties. In the end I still didn’t really understand.

Evil Food Eater Conchita

A lot of food shows up in this work, so in order to better learn the feelings of food, I went to a lot of dinners. They were delicious. Of course one can’t understand the feelings of food.

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Q: The last “Vessel of Deadly Sin” that has yet to be made clear. Is that the “Golden Key” that showed up in Venomania, and the “Golden Powder (Golden Key)” from Conchita…? The “Vessel of Wrath” apparently also debuted in the “Daughter of Evil” series, but which scene was that actually in?

A: There’s only one that’s called the “Vessel of Wrath”. Whatever the era, its owner seeks to kill the holder of another “Vessel of Deadly Sin”.

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Q: Venomania used the power of the demon to transform like Kyle and Ney in the “Daughter of Evil” series. Is this transformation of varying degrees for each demon, and is it different depending on the individual?

A: The transformation of a contractor is something that all demons are capable of, but their abilities and power levels depend on the demon. “Lust” is able to fly and use brainwashing, but in terms of physical attack ability it’s not that strong.

“Gluttony” is able to enslave dead bodies, so it has no need to transform the contractor in order to use its power. It has physical strength that is second only to “Pride”, but perhaps due to its whimsical nature it seldom grants its contractor full use of its power. In the climax of the fourth installment of “Daughter of Evil” Ney was, in actuality, fighting almost entirely with just her own natural power, though she didn’t realize that fact.

“Pride” is able to grant their contractor an extremely high amount of fighting power, but unlike the other demons it has no other particular abilities.

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Q: The sorceress Elluka Clockworker did some wandering; can you tell us about her acts of mercy?

A: In all of the places that she went, Elluka would use her magic to save the people she met there without regard for whether they were rich or poor. Elluka would always say that she was just doing it “on a whim” or “to gain favors from influential people”. Even after several centuries had passed she’s never realized that she’s a softie at heart.

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Q: Who exactly is the historian Will Jaakko?

A: Will Jaakko (EC 353-405) is a Beelzenian historian. His grandfather was the minstrel Xenos Jaakko. As a result of all the anecdotes that he heard when he was young from his grandfather, he came to develop an interest “Vessel of Deadly Sin” that the Conchita family and Banica were said to have possessed. In 388 he married the author of the fairytale “Vampiress Vanika”, Sanan Neu. In his later years he published several works that advanced several personal theories relating to Beelzenian history and the “Vessels of Deadly Sin”, but these were not very well regarded publicly, judged to be absurd tales that were heavily influenced by his wife’s fairytales.

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Q: Ma shows up at the end of the Daughter of Evil, Venomania, and Conchita. She goes by the title of playwright, but as for her (?) true identity…?

A: She seems to have lived for a very long time. Other similarly long-lived beings have shown up in the story up to this point, so if you’re asking if Ma’s true identity is one of those…?

It doesn’t seem to be that simple.

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Q: (Venomania) Is the dress that Karchess used to disguise as a woman based on Elluka’s preferences?

A: Karchess’ dress for his woman disguise is something that he picked out himself at a clothing store in Lasaland. It’s different from the outfit that Elluka was wearing, so it’s probably based on Karchess’ preferences.

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Q: (Venomania) Did Gumina love Cherubim?

A: “She merely gave a lonely smile.”

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Q: (Conchita) Please tell us the story of the time that Arte and Pollo met Conchita.

A: After losing her mother, in her depression Banica would often stay shut up in the food storage in the basement. For Banica, as isolated as she was, her own room was too wide to be comfortable. That was around the time that she met Arte and Pollo. At some point the three of them had become good friends. However, bizarrely enough no in the mansion, not even Banica, can remember why the twins were there or when they started working there as servants.

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Q: (Conchita) How did the waiter of the “Graveyard” restaurant gather the Deadly Sins?

A: I honestly don’t know anything about how the waiter had the “Vessels of Deadly Sin” there. Perhaps you should be more suspicious of the run-away Chef.

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Q: (Conchita) So you said that you originally had plans for Conchita to be a “kaiju girl”. Please tell us about the original story that wound up getting discarded.

A: A certain family finds a peculiar creature. They name it “Conchita”, and come to keep it as a pet.  Conchita eats all of the feed they give her, and grows up rapidly. …Or rather, she gets too big.

They are unable to keep Conchita, as she has grown larger than the house that they live in. Having been abandoned, Conchita continues to eat things she finds on the wayside, and steadily grows bigger. The government decides to repel her, and fires missiles at her, but Conchita eats them.

At that time, an enormous meteorite is confirmed to be heading towards Earth. At this rate the Earth is destroyed. In order to protect the family that raised her, Conchita flies into the air alone and headed for space…

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Q: (Conchita) Lady Conchita’s name might have ended up being “Muraramurajakotasupopopo”. What is the basis for that name?

A: Ask Mr. Muzuri.

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Q: (Conchita) Tell us what Conchita’s daily life is like.

A: Outside of eating meals, a lot of the time Lady Banica works hard at her hobby garden in the backyard. The plants that she raises there ultimately get put into her meals. She hardly ever goes outside the mansion.

As for Pollo’s everyday work, he cleans inside the mansion, weeds the garden, feeds the livestock, washes his clothes, does athletic meets for the undead soldiers, and harassing Joseph.

Arte’s job is arranging for supplies and price discussions with merchants, management of the money, shopping for any daily supplies they’re low on, washing her and Banica’s clothes, running head counts of the livestock and dead soldiers, pulling pranks on Pollo, acting as Joseph’s assistant and also harassing him.

Outside of cooking and preparations for it, Joseph generally just rambles about aimlessly. As Arte and Pollo are always getting in his way and harassing him, he often goes down to hang around at the bar in the village at the base of the hill. But he’s a non-drinker.

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Q: (Conchita) Out of all the unique dishes that Conchita has eaten, which do you think she liked the most?

A: I would think it’s the one that made her cry with joy, don’t you think?

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Q: If you were going to contract, which demon would you pick? And please tell us your reasons.

A: I am a serious, just, and virtuous person, and so I have no desire to contract with a demon. I would prefer an angel with large boobs.

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Q: If you gathered all seven vessels of Deadly Sin, what would you wish for?

A: I’d wish for either eternal life, to revive everyone on earth, or girl panties.

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Q: What kind of story will the third installment of the Deadly Sins of Evil series be like?

A: I plan to depict KAITO as an even bigger scuzbag than ever before.

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Q: Tell us what you plan to do after this.

A: I’d like to get married.

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Q: Please give us one message to your readers.

A: Please marry me.

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About the “Daughter of Evil” Comic Adaptation

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Q: What did you think when discussion came up of making the “Daughter of Evil” into a comic?

A: When the novel came out there was a decent amount of people who were “interested in it but couldn’t read very well…”, so I guess I thought that such people would be pleased?

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Q: Please share the thoughts you had when you saw the finished manga.

A:  Basically the story was something that I came up with myself, but when I saw it in the manga format it was like I was reading it with the fresh emotions of being an outsider. And it also did things like supplement scenes that weren’t shown in the main piece, so I was able to simply enjoy reading it.

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Q: Please say one thing to the readers enjoying the comic adaptation of the “Daughter of Evil”.

A: I think this is a work that is enjoyable to read for both those who have already read the light novel and those who haven’t. I’d really like you to read it, at any rate!

directory

[finnishfun]

Suomen Mestari 3. - Unit 6. Grammar - Verbs

Some of these might have appeared previously, but they look a bit more “advanced”.

Verb+partitive kokeilla - to try Haluaisin kokeilla tätä uutta reseptiä. - I’d like to try this new recipe. kuluttaa - to consume Kuluttaako tämä auto paljon bensiiniä? - Does this car consume lots of petrol?

Verb+-lle ending  sopia - to fit Tuo paita sopii sinulle okein hyvin! - That shirt fits you very well! You can use this about time/plans too: Keskiviikko sopii minulle. - Wednesday works for me.

Verb+illative liittyä - to join Suomi liittyi EU:hun vuonna 1995. - Finland joined the EU in 1995. tottua - to get used to Oletteko jo tottuneet Suomen pimeisiin talviin? - Did you get used to the dark Finnish winters yet? sopeutua - to adapt On vaikea sopeutua uuteen kulttuuriin. - It’s hard to adapt to a new culture.

Verb+mihin osallistua - to participate Miksi et osallistunut konferenssiin viime viikolla? - Why didn’t you participate in the conference last week? Hanna osallistui kurssille jo viime keväänä. - Hanna participated in the course already last spring.

Verb+-maan/-mään joutua - to end up Mikko joutuu aina auttamaan pikkusiskoaan. - Mikko always ends up helping his little sister. panna - to put Isä pani lapset nukkumaan. - Dad put the kids to bed. pystyä - to be able to En pysty nukkumaan, koska on niin valoisaa. - I can’t sleep because it’s so light. suostua - to agree Jaakko suostui tulemaan töihin jouluaattona. - Jaakko agreed to come to work on Christmas Eve.

Verb+essive pitää - to consider Pidätkö minua ihan tyhmänä? - Do you think I’m really stupid? pysyä - to stay Sää pysyy aurinkoisena koko viikonlopun. - The weather stays sunny all weekend.

Verb+translative ryhtyä - to become Olen aina halunnut ryhtyä muusikoksi. - I’ve always wanted to become a musician.

[sininensalo-a]

He’s never been too good at gifts. Hoping for Berwald to assume the gift-bearing god role, Jaakko felt less pressure heaving on his shoulders. However, it does not mean he slacked off completely, and he did take his time to go through several options and select the perfect one. He wanted something practical, something that would remind the newlyweds of his humble presence in their lives, and possibly something that would get them to laugh a little upon unwrapping the mysterious package. Underneath a few layers of wrapping paper, there is a box containing something that caused the Swede to frown loudly and fret for his boyfriend’s life choices. There is a box with knives stuck into a peculiar knife holder. Of course, the box contains a small card (here’s to hope that Berwald let him sign a more heartfelt or at least nicer-looking joint wishes card) and a bottle of alcohol. He tried his best, alright.

@konigreich @ezusthiid

[smimon]

Meow there :3

Asking asks 👀👀👀👀; lemme slide some right in here :3

1. 5. 12. 13. 23. 24. 👀👀👀 (oh please tell us what you like the most :3)

Happy holidays 💛💛💛

Meow Jay 😊 happy holidays!!!

Artist end of the year ask game

1. Favorite drawing from this year

Oh dear oh dear, in terms of visual appearance only it must be this one Bojan from The Post 🥺 I used all my pretty Bojan credits on this one so all the other Bojans in The Post look barely recognizable lol

5. favorite little detail in a drawing you did

:D that would be my own hand getting a five from Häärijä here

12. fandom youve drawn the most for

Käärijä fandom of course! Not only this year, but I believe I haven't drawn this much for one fandom ever since middle school 🤯 this is just one of many ways this fandom makes me feel like I'm finally myself 🥹

13. favorite fandom to make fanart of

Probably Käärijä too, if only for the sheer amount of joy I see in the reactions 🥺 been a while since I drew anything else to be fair but it was also fun in the SpongeBob fandom back in the day 😊

23. favorite pose youve drawn

Already answered so I give you the second favourite, the screaming Jaakko alarm clock 🗣️

24. what do you like most about your art style

Expressions... The cartoony grimaces... Funny faces... Nonverbal communication 😩

They usually look the funniest in the first sketch hehe

Thank you for the ask! 💛💛💛

[ratinglong]

Sonarworks with waves nx

SONARWORKS WITH WAVES NX ANDROID

SONARWORKS WITH WAVES NX FREE

SONARWORKS WITH WAVES NX ANDROID

Reverse engineered that EQ using REW to generate PEQs for use in Toneboosters on android (comes with Morphit) and EAPO on desktop Measured the EQ shape I liked best using REW Bought Morphit (in UAPP) as I found it more neutral (stock) than Sonarworks and the above ~6 kHz especially depends on headphone seating and individual ear shape. Morphit EQs up to too high a frequency. Morphit allows target adjustment but limits it to a few fixed targets including Harman, "HiFi", "Studio" (less bass than Harman)

SONARWORKS WITH WAVES NX FREE

Both were perceptually more neutral (my preference) than the free internet EQs on my 5 or 6 headphones (YMMV) so were worth exploring further.īut both had some big drawbacks that I wanted to overcome: I measured Morphit (android) and Sonarworks (desktop) stock EQs and they did differ. I developed an EQ method that noticeably improves my headphone enjoyment so sharing it below in the hope it helps others. To get around this, you can pull the volume all the way down with the EQ on, and then bring it up to listening level to see if you like the sound. We tend to prefer louder mixes in AB comparisons. So adding any frequency boost will make the mix louder. You want to get a sense of the “average”.Īnother thing that can make this hard is that EQ changes the overall level. Trying to EQ on a super bright mix will lead to cutting treble too much. One of the challenges with correcting speaker response is the body of mixes out their have a wide range of spectrums. It helps to have a handful of tracks you like and can get familiar with. It should now sound like an “annoying” EQ is being put on the mix when you are actually removing it When you get it right, compare to the dry signal. In this case you are looking for areas where your annoying peak that you sweep isn’t quite as annoying as the adjacent frequencies. The inverse, correcting resonant dips is harder, but it can be done. When you find this frequency, use a narrow band EQ and pull that frequency down, by ear, usually just a couple dB. It will sound pretty gnarly, but when you hit a resonant peak, it will stand out. “Sweep” the frequency to while listening. This is tricky, but one way to do it if you have a true parametric EQ is to set a very narrow band. The other area are “correcting” unpleasant “resonances. This is usually pretty obvious and is subject to personal preference anyway. There are two broad conceptual areas: The overall tonal balance, highs to mids to lows. If you have access to a decent EQ, I suggest EQ’ing by ear to where you think it sounds good. is to only correct what has been seen to be an issue and to a target curve that works for me.įor me EQ works wonders but one really cannot make a HD201 sound like a HD800 on all aspects but can get the tonal balance close enough. This ends up with somewhat different EQ's than Sonarworks, Oratory or Jaakko (or other corrections) on the web but works well for me. Have a listen and sometimes make small changes (or big ones) and measure and listen again. When my EQ is made (analog, not really a digital DSP guy myself) I just look at my measurements and those of others and look for common factors. What I found was that 'exact' correction on a specific test rig is not the way to go and one can be many dB's off on another test rig or actual ears. In the end the result also depends on the target curve one aims for which as is also known does not work for everyone equally well and is listening volume (habit) depending as well. Large dips, peaks and roll-off is compensated for after all. Sure, there are problem areas that are improved of course. It's a bit like applying room correction measured at the couch and then listen at the listening chair (other position). What I found is that while you can get great measurement results compensating exactly what is measured on a specific rig and get a nice flat line on that particular setup with the exact same headphone on rig position it will be off when measured on any other rig as well as on any other head. I have been EQ-ing headphones long before the digital variants existed.

[koskela-knights]

EEAAO Connections

More meta! We're going on another long feel trip! Having watched AW2 videos, playthroughs, read multiple wiki pages & having watched Everything Everywhere All At Once (+ insightful meta posts and video essays) I see some overlapping themes and messages 👀 General/vague spoilers for the movie & spoilers for AW2 below

CW: mentions of suicide in red

+ additional Koskela feels & thoughts casually sprinkled in <3

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I'm going off the concept that there are countless possible loops/alternate timelines/multiple universes in AW2. EEAAO obviously deals with the latter: multiple universes where every choice you make branches off into another reality/universe.

Nihilism, breaking the cycle/spiral

One of the main messages the movie conveys is that yes, the universe may not care about us, our actions may and can be insignificant in the big scheme of things. But that doesn't mean we cannot choose love, for ourselves and others. As this post brilliantly pointed out: in the universes where the characters choose nihilism through negative actions and not care about others, they sorta ruin/worsen their own lives. But once the characters choose love and empathy for themselves and others, their lives improve for the better.

You can see similar thoughts reflected in AW2. If we go with the idea that the Shadows in the Dark Place (DP) are past Alan (they even are his 3d model) and perhaps even versions where he kills himself, haven't led Alan out of the DP or the Darkness at all. They're literally dead ends. But only once he begins accepting external help (Saga, Rose and of course Alice) is he able to advance out of the spiral. It's also his love for Alice that keeps him going after all those years.

(Which is a similar point made in this post where the post argues that it's not destruction (parallel/similar to pessimistic nihilism) that can help you break free from the spiral but ascension (//love, support from others))

Choices & love

Now, venturing more into Koskela territory (this is a Koskela love blog after all)

What I loved in the EEAAO is that some characters are aware of these multiple universes and even if not, they long for a universe that exists somewhere else. In this post it's outlined that Waymond, who's a rich successful businessman in one universe, still longs for a domestic "poorer" life with Evelyn, doing simple taxes and having a laundromat business. That's the life the main story's universe takes place in, basically. Just ughh, the idea that gets me that people will choose to be together in every possible universe, or that they'd choose one humble universe over any other version where they might be more "successful" but separate from one another.

And I feel this would apply to the Koskelas too. Those brothers are soulmates. @zephyrone01 said that if Saga could still profile Jaakko after his death, Jaakko would've probably said that he loved Ilmo and didn't regret any of it and <33

The Koskelas would love each other and die for each other but also desperately try to save each other in every loop, every iteration and alternate reality/universe. I've been thinking about what-ifs: what if one of them is aware of the loops, what if they're both aware or subconsciously know what will happen/can happen. They would try to prevent each other from dying. They would and they keep on fighting for each other but also for their town and the people that they clearly love. Ilmo and Jaakko wouldn't put all that money and energy into their various businesses if they didn't believe Watery and its people still have a chance.

@zephyrone01 and I've been discussing many such what-if scenarios. Maybe it would've been easier for them if they just packed their business, aware of how dangerous BF & Watery are, but that's not their way. Even if they know the dangers and the tragic future ahead, they are willing to fight for who they love, what they love and they'll desperately clutch onto the hope that maybe, just maybe the next loop will be different and more positive.

And maybe there's a reality where they left or gave up but other versions of them would be (subconsciously) reminded of these darker futures and realize that staying and fighting has a much better outcome, even if the stakes remain high and one or both might still die as a result. But they would still choose any of those universes where they stay and fight because they have each other and it would've been worth it anyway. Even if the pain of losing the other will be painful and unbearable, it means they loved deeply and cared dearly.

I have so many feelings about the Koskelas man 😭😭😭 I hope this post was somewhat comprehensible and cohesive.

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So yeah, TLDR: it's corny but love, empathy and compassion are the answer in every universe. Love for yourself and the people around you. It can help you get into the light. Maybe choosing this life is enough even if you don't leave the biggest impact because there are people you care about and who care about you too. And that's all that matters, really.

[beardedmrbean]

Taloussanomat (siirryt toiseen palveluun) reports that the Senate Group, responsible for managing state government buildings, is implementing an extensive energy-saving program at its properties.

This may result in changes to its buildings' indoor temperatures. The programme is intended to explore ways of controlling electricity consumption so that Finland can maintain electricity sufficiency.

"As a government actor, we have a responsibility to make sure Finland is prepared for the challenging winter that lies ahead. Energy costs have a significant impact on the state's finances, and steps need to be taken to curb cost increases," Jari Sarjo, President and Senate Group CEO, said in a press release.

The energy savings programme will be finalised in September, Taloussanomat writes.

In total, the Senate Group is responsible for around 8,700 state buildings.

Youngsters on Marin

Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) addressed her supporters on Wednesday at the market square in Lahti, and Helsingin Sanomat (siirryt toiseen palveluun) spoke with the people in attendance about the recent media attention on the PM's partying.

The young people present at the event seemed to support or at least understand Marin, HS writes, adding that many of them seemed to view her as a new kind of politician and prime minister, with whom it is natural to take selfies.

"She is perhaps the first politician that I can identify with on some level," 20-year-old Emmi Halsti told the paper.

Mariel Okas and Iita Laakkonen, both 17, said they felt the same way and were tired of the controversy surrounding Marin's partying.

"Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the older age groups are perhaps a bit obsessive with this stuff," Okas said.

Meanwhile 21-year-old Jaakko Martikainen told the paper that although he thinks Marin is a competent leader, she should perhaps choose her friends more carefully.

"She's doing a good job, but when her friends publish such pictures without considering the prime minister's position, maybe it says something about Marin's judgement," Martikainen said, adding that he is also highly critical of the media's role in the matter. In his view, the whole thing has become far too big of a story.

"It's a bit of a witch hunt again," Martikainen told HS.

Thermal autumn

Heavy rains in southern and central parts of Finland on Wednesday are expected to give way to warmer, sunnier days, Iltalehti reports (siirryt toiseen palveluun).

Although temperatures are expected to range from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius across much of the country on Thursday and Friday, the weather is set to change.

After the sunny spell, rain is forecast for many regions over the weekend. As temperatures dip, it is possible that Lapland's northernmost areas may experience the start of thermal autumn, IL writes.

"Next week already looks cool enough that we may be able to begin seeing the start of the thermal autumn in northernmost Lapland," Foreca meteorologist Jenna Salminen told the paper.

Thermal autumn is considered to have begun when average daily temperatures consistently fall below 10 degrees Celsius. Overnight frost warnings have already issued for parts of Lapland.