#and left me wondering why i didn't just play one of those instead lol

[taffywabbit]

oops i accidentally wrote a review for zelda II: the adventure of link

(originally posted to Cohost on Feb 22, 2024. you can ignore this if you want, i just wanted it archived somewhere before that site disappears)

Finally beat Zelda II for the first time last night (I forced myself to finish it before starting Splatoon 3's Side Order DLC, because I knew if I didn't push through to the end of the Great Palace THIS time then it'd be years before I tried beating it again. This is probably my 4th or 5th attempt at this point). Not that this is a particularly hot take by most people's standards, but I don't think it's all that good, at least from a gameplay standpoint.

I don't regret playing it though, because I think I'm finally able to put my finger on the stuff I actually disliked about it vs the stuff that was honestly fine, or even (very rarely) actually good? I'm kinda fascinated by it, honestly. Sequels where they immediately screw around with the first game's formula (to mixed results) are neat! FE Gaiden is another example that comes to mind (hey they should give Zelda II the Shadows of Valentia treatment, that could be really cool actually).

Obviously Zelda II has a reputation for being kind of a rough experience. It's an NES game, and NES games are often susceptible to being frustrating, buggy, hard to control, or overly punishing. Sometimes, all of the above! And for what it's worth, the original Legend of Zelda was a tough and sometimes very cryptic experience as well. But I feel like the two games are challenging in drastically different ways, and I think TLoZ ended up being the formula that was retained in the long term primarily because its method of challenging the player overall did a better job of inspiring curiosity and exploration. Despite narratively being a direct sequel (with a really badass story premise that is unfortunately not really conveyed at all in-game) Zelda II took a different approach to nearly every element of the original's gameplay, which is a pretty bold move I suppose. Whether or not it succeeds at anything is fairly subjective, but it's undeniably had a lasting impact on the series, as well as the people who grew up with it (and then they went on to make some really excellent mid-2000's flash games inspired by it that I frankly enjoyed a lot more than this... and also a weirdly solid licensed Adventure Time game on the 3DS? I should go back and play that sometime, it's really fun).

Where to start with this...? Uhhh, the EXP-based leveling system where you choose what stats to put your points into is interesting! It creates a risk-and-reward system for fighting enemies instead of avoiding them, whereas in most other Zelda games besides BotW/TotK, the only reward for killing monsters is "they are no longer bothering you while you solve puzzles, and also sometimes they drop rupees/hearts/ammo". It also introduces a bit more player choice in what areas you'd like to get stronger in first, which is cool! I just wish it actually mattered in a way that let you feel powerful for even a moment. Instead, leveling Life (which is functionally just defense) is never enough to actually make you feel like you can afford to take a hit - the expectation seems to be that leveling Attack, Life, and Magic is something you do purely to keep up with how badly every single thing in this game wants to stomp you into the ground and soak up a million hits and waste all your magic. You CAN skip out on leveling one stat to prioritize another, or even try to evade tough combat situations entirely, but if you aren't leveled enough and in the exact things the game expects you to be WHEN it expects you to be, you'll immediately bump into some new asshole who jumps out of nowhere and can cut you down in 2-3 hits. Leveling doesn't make you tangibly stronger, it merely keeps the game barely playable.

This actually ends up being the core problem I have with Zelda II's design, far more than just the combat being clunky and overly punishing or the levels being visually samey and super hard to navigate. In most Zelda games (and also in a lot of other RPGs!), you get a better sword or a new power or item, and it opens up exciting new options for both exploration and combat. In Zelda II, you level up or earn a new item/spell, it's useful for maybe 20-30 minutes, and then it's immediately nullified. Wow, you got the Fire spell! Now you can finally deal with Tektites and Basilisks (which are immune to all other attacks) on the way to the next area! Well, I hope you had fun with that, because Fire doesn't work on most things you run into afterwards.

Easily the biggest game-changer is when you unlock the Downward Thrust sword technique, and finally have another option for combat besides just crouch-hopping and poking monsters with a dull butter knife. It's satisfying to use, it looks cool (by this game's standards), and it even has some utility for crossing hazards or defending yourself against swooping enemies! Cool! Unfortunately, they don't let you play around with that for long either, before nearly every enemy you see starts rolling up with helmets or shells that make them immune to attacks from above, and you never really get anything like that again (the Upward Thrust exists later, but it's far more situational and frankly not very fun or intuitive to use). Rather than feeling like you're being given tools to overcome challenges and stay above the difficulty curve, it feels like you're constantly just slightly underequipped for everything (even if you grind to earn extra stat levels) and any edge you're given is swiftly taken away from you. (Except the Reflect spell, which is ALWAYS a banger after you get it because it makes your shield Actually Do Its Damn Job after nearly every enemy starts shooting projectiles you can't block. Good work, Reflect spell.)

I feel like I grew up hearing plenty of people talk about the overall difficulty of Zelda II, though most of the complaints about its puzzles were surface-level jabs about the short cryptic NPC text, and none of that prepared me for just how ridiculously obtuse its mandatory puzzles/secrets can be. I genuinely have no idea how anyone would EVER find the Life spell - pretty much your ONLY source of healing outside of towns, since there are no hearts to pick up in this game - without some kind of guide. I was FURIOUS when I finally looked up where to find that lady's mirror and discovered that you have to walk into one of the houses, go over to the table that looks EXACTLY like every other table in every other house in the entirety of Hyrule, crouch, and press B, and you'll just pull the mirror out of nowhere. This type of interaction does not exist ANYWHERE else in the game and there's no in-game hint to indicate that you should try this. Absolutely maddening.

This and its predecessor are both games that seemingly expect you to have the physical manual on hand to help you find secrets, but at least in the first game, the way the game was designed was consistent enough that you COULD feasibly find your way to the end of it without a guide. Bombable walls in dungeons always being located in the center, things like that. It had rules and it could generally be trusted to follow them. Zelda II, in comparison, has a final level (the Great Palace) in which there are numerous rooms that look IDENTICAL and if you make one wrong turn you can go through the entire [very difficult and dangerous] dungeon on a path parallel to the one you need to be on, only to hit a dead end and be able to see the spot you're supposed to be reaching on the other side of a wall. Except you would also never KNOW you need to get there, because it looks like another dead end full of monsters but there's actually a completely invisible hole somewhere in the floor over there that drops you into the hallway leading towards the final boss. Also there is no map. TLoZ had a map. I don't know why this game doesn't have a map. Possibly because if you try to look up maps online, most of the dungeons feature non-Euclidean spaces? Idk, even a Super Metroid-style grid map would've done wonders here.

The combat is... fine? I truly don't understand how anyone thinks it's GREAT though. Zelda II is kind of like a version of Castlevania where you don't have a whip and instead have to stab everything at extremely short range, and also sometimes enemies have shields so you have to crouch sometimes to stop them from blocking you. It feels tense and high-stakes but only because, as I mentioned earlier, you really cannot afford to take stray hits in this game. Most enemies chew through your health at an alarming rate, even with the Shield spell active, and there's almost no way to replenish it unless you use a Life spell (which costs a huge chunk of your magic, possibly softlocking you if you end up in a place that requires other spells to progress). I got better at the combat over the course of my playthrough, but I never felt like I got good at it - most of my victories against strong enemies felt like pure luck and there were rarely consistent strategies for success. All of this combined with the fact that Zelda II has limited lives (and I mean LIMITED - there are only six 1-UPs in the entire game, which can each only be collected once) and getting a Game Over anywhere outside of the final palace will send you all the way back to the starting area, and it makes for an incredibly stressful experience. Even making use of savestates to lighten the fear of death can only do so much to improve it.

Overall, I think that Zelda II is a game that has a lot of really promising ideas, but then just absolutely flops when it comes to the execution. I didn't have a better way of organizing these but here are a few examples of elements I DID particularly like, even if they didn't always stick the landing:

I like the idea of the RPG leveling system in theory, but wish it was more empowering in practice and actually let the player make meaningful choices instead of just being required to survive. Choosing to hold off on a Life upgrade and instead save up just a little longer to boost your Attack feels awesome, until you time one of your inputs wrong and get destroyed. In a game with better-tuned difficulty and combat, this system would be great!

I REALLY like that Zelda II introduced a magic system to the series! I think it's cool as hell to have Link learning and casting spells to protect himself, solve puzzles, and exploit enemy weaknesses, instead of relying purely on items. (It's honestly weird to think that a system I associate so strongly with classic Zelda gameplay has only actually showed up in 4 of the games?? I guess you could consider the runes/hand abilities in BotW/TotK to be kind of like modern spells, or the slowly-refilling energy gauge in ALBW to be the most recent iteration of a Magic Meter, but both are highly debatable. Anyways I just think they should let Link shapeshift into a fairy again, that was cool.) But most of the spells in this are fairly situational and your access to magic refills is so limited that you rarely have the freedom to experiment with the spells' secondary functions (hey did you know the Spell spell turns most enemy types into slimes? that's wild. I wish I'd known that sooner).

The overworld functioning like a traditional JRPG, with top-down exploration broken up by semi-random enemy encounters, was something I honestly didn't hate. It's a little weird for Zelda, sure, but I could see it working well to support other systems in a more polished game. Overworld encounters that switch you into a type of gameplay other than turn-based JRPG combat are something I've always been fascinated by!

Anyways, weird game! I'm glad I finally got closure so I could figure out how I personally feel about it, independent of whatever the random youtubers I watched as a teenager thought. And now I never have to play it again :)

[whateverisbeautiful]

I was curious about how you think a reunion will go with the group if we ever get one. I don't think Rick and Daryl's reunion should go that smoothly. Especially given the state of their relationship when Rick disappeared. I also wonder about Maggie and Michonne. Some fans like to bring up Negan but I hope the Grimes family never sees him again.

Thanks for asking about this. This one is interesting because there are a lot of in-show and behind-the-scenes factors that could impact which route the reunions take. I wrote out a few of my opinions on it below and somehow I still surprise myself that my thoughts are never super brief lol. ⬇️💗

If the reunion is just a single scene then I think the writers will want it to be positive vibes only and won't allow for them to address a lot of the unresolved history between the characters. I think Rick and Daryl's reunion will likely be smooth both because tptb would want to reinforce the fans' love for the brotherhood but also because Rick will feel like Daryl did something invaluable by watching over his kids while he and Michonne were away.

Knowing that his kids were able to be taken care of by a family member they love would mean a lot to Rick and probably make him feel more forgiving for how things played out between him and Daryl before he left. Especially if he gets the sense from Michonne that Daryl was one of the few people there for her after he was gone, that also would make Rick feel like they can put opposition aside because Daryl was there for his family.

I'm not saying the past should all be swept to the side tho or that Rick isn't the type that would want to address some things because especially watching him in season 9 before he left, he wasn't against calling things out. But I could see the franchise choosing to have a more kumbaya feel for the reunion if all they have is minimal screen time with the characters.

However, if at all they get a bit more screen time to reconnect then it would be nice and realistic to see some honest conversations about how they left off. Especially with Maggie.

Now the Maggie reunion with Rick and Michonne is one I could see being a bit more rocky. Because with Daryl, he and Rick got to at least hash some things out in that pit before Rick's departure and Daryl and Michonne were close and on good terms before she went to bring Rick home. (Honestly, Daryl and Michonne felt like closer confidantes than Rick and Daryl imo, since Rick and Daryl always read more like brothers than best friends to me, but that's a whole other conversation lol. Like pretty much all of season 8 and early season 9 Rick and Daryl's relationship was not in a good state. That's also why I'd be interested in seeing Michonne reunite with Daryl just as much as Rick since they always had a really solid loving friendship). But Maggie seemed to end on not the best of terms with both Rick and Michonne.

Like I could picture that when Rick was taken and having all that time alone to reflect, he probably felt like Maggie must really have strong issues with him if she decided she had to orchestrate a whole plan behind his back.

And then Maggie and Michonne also didn't seem to reconcile after Rick's departure to the point that when Maggie left she didn't let Michonne know. I'd be so curious what Michonne knows about that bridge day. If no one ever told her exactly how those events and schemes played out that day, I could see that being hurtful to now find out that part of why she had to go without her husband for years was because their friends were crafting plans behind their backs, especially when Rick was headed home himself and then got derailed when Daryl offered to take him home instead.

But it's also been a lot of years, and I think Rick and Michonne understand that growth can occur and so they won't hate or chastise people for what happened. I think they'd both be more focused on starting fresh and building a life with their kids. But some apologies from Daryl and Maggie would still be nice. Especially considering Maggie realized Rick and Michonne had it right that Negan being locked up was actually a fitting punishment and was killing him worse than actually killing him would have. Accountability is rare among certain characters, especially when the ones they've hurt are Rick and Michonne, but it still would feel necessary to include it if the story is given more than one scene for a reunion.

And as for Negan, I very much agree with you, anon. I personally have no desire for any of the Grimes family to be seen with Negan again. I've seen that some feel Rick has to see that Negan got 'redeemed,' but that wasn't even what Rick was aiming for. He kept Negan alive to honor Carl's vision but Negan wasn't thrown in a cell to one day get out and become a valued member of society. Rick intended for him to rot in that cell as a consequence of his many deplorable actions. So I could almost see it stinging a bit for Rick to see that Negan got to build a life all while Rick was taken from his life because his friends wanted to kill Negan and then didn't even end up going through with it.

I think Rick would be perfectly happy with him and his family never crossing paths with Negan again because Negan is important to some viewers but he is not on Rick's radar like that. Everyone Rick most needed to reunite with he already reunited with in TOWL. So if they do reunions with the rest of the group it could be interesting but also, like many have voiced before, team family sorta stopped feeling like a tight-knit family after a certain point. Not even in a condemning way because it happens, but they all started to do their own thing and build their own lives. I can think of a few characters that even left or pulled away while Rick was still around and was already content with not seeing him much or ever again.

And so I'm just glad that we already got to see Rick and Michonne reunite with each other and their kids since that's they're heart and these four are the ones who will be most involved in each other's everyday life now.

[petrichor-idyllic]

Hi! I'm nervous this is my first requests and you have already so many Minhoxreader so if you don't want to don't do it! but I was wondering if you could do a scenario with a more calm, mother like reader rather than the usual spice and fighting one? (Although those are really good too!) where Minho has a big crush and the others like to tease bc reader is dense. I really like how you portray everyone so thank you so much in advance! Hope you have a great day 💕

I am honoured to be your first request- don't be nervous, I will try my best to give you what you want :))

With some recent attempts, I am realising that I clearly have a character type that I write lol, so these type of asks allow me to add some variety.

Also, I am assuming that this is fem!reader because you used the word "mother" instead of "parent", though if I'm wrong let me know and I will change this to be a gender neutral reader.

BLIND EYE

MASTERLIST | MINHO MASTERLIST

SUMMARY: See above. Fem!Reader x Minho. Takes place before the arrival of Thomas. More movie based.

You were the first Glader to arrive in the Maze, and the only girl. With the help of Alby and Newt, you run the Glade. You take your job seriously and are the mother-figure of the Maze. Though, your business has led to complete oblivion on your end, especially when it comes to the Keeper of the Runners- who is desperately trying to get your attention.

WARNINGS: Inappropriate language, mild thirsting/simping from Minho, teenagers attempting to flirt.

You have the entire Glade under your thumb.

It wasn't by choice, more like circumstance above anything else, but you rose to the role.

The first month in the Glade was surreal. You didn't know anything; where you were, who you were, why you were there. It was just you and a dumb dog- you'd named the dog Buddy, but the future Gladers prefer to call him Bark.

Back then, the Glade was nothing more than an empty field. You left the safety on the first day, only to chicken out when you heard growling somewhere in the depths of the walls.

Fuck that.

You jumped out of your skin the first time the Doors closed. You thought at first you were trapped inside, but you quickly learnt that the Doors are your friends. They're keeping the Grievers out.

After a couple of days of laying in the grass and playing fetch, you ventured out again. And again. And again. You spent your nights building some, admittedly not very stable, structures after it rained one night, and the trees in the Deadhead didn't make for great shelter.

You'd figured out pretty quickly that this was a strange and elaborate punishment for one person. Maybe it was a dumb hope, but you woke up everyday, for thirty days, praying someone else would join you. Sure, you felt selfish, but you didn't want to live in fear in isolation anymore.

But you would, you could have- if you had to.

You learny in that long month, that you're a strong person- level headed, calm and smart.

But still when Alby popped up in the Glade, you were thrilled that you weren't on your own anymore, even if you were stuck with a panicked teenage boy.

Then Nick. Then Newt. Then Minho. Then Zart. Wiston. Gally. Jeff. Clint.

Boy, after boy came up and the dawning feeling that you were left in a sea of testosterone wasn't a problem you'd anticipated. Not only that- you were the captain of it. Of course, doing this on your own isn't an easy task, so, you enlisted Alby as your co-leader. And Newt as your second-in-command after you lost Nick.

The first year was rough. It took you forever to sort out roles and rules and how the place should be ran, but it took more trail and error than you wanted.

But eventually, with more boys and will power and all the time in the world, the Glade became a fully functioning mini-civilisation.

All because of you. And Alby, but mainly you.

He's a nice foil to you- sometimes aggressive, physically intimidating and willing to hurt people when necessary. He's not scared to enforce the consequences of breaking the rules.

By comparison, you come across as a more of a mother figure- nurturing and collected, helping Gladers with their problems and making sure things run smoothly.

You hand picked the Keepers yourself. Some more obvious than others, but your best decision by far was making Minho Keeper of the Runners.

He's perfect for the job. In the early days, you were in charge of the Maze- you had the most experience with it, after all. But Minho far exceeded your skills- fast, smart, observant and strong. He shows promise where the other Gladers lack it.

He's also the only Keeper you let pick his men. Anyone can garden or slaughter animals if they're up for it; you just dictate what they're best at. After all, you can do it all- you had to when you were on your own.

But Minho is better than you at Running. And you can see that, so why should you or Alby say otherwise?

Obviously, you get the final call. But you very rarely question his judgement. Even arguing and shutting down Alby when he does.

Maybe that's why Minho likes you. You hold him highly and with more respect than most. Obviously, it's not exactly unheard of for Gladers to have crushes on you. Minho is no different.

Well, except he kind of is.

Normally, the crushes die as fast as they start when they realise that you're busy and emotionally unavailable. But not Minho.

He's always been attracted to you- your stability and skills. You juxtapose his reckless actions and quick thinking with your deep consideration and calming atmosphere.

He'd watched boy after boy fail to impress you, when you're so naturally impressed by him that he doesn't even need to do anything. You respect him for what he does, and the feeling is mutual.

Though, you're a bit dense.

It's probably because you're always getting hit on, or maybe you're used to Minho's naturally flirty personality, but no matter how hard he tries to hint at something more, you remain oblivious.

In fact, you are the only person that has failed to notice that he's completely smitten with you.

"Earth to Minho," Newt clicks his fingers in front of his friends face, "anybody home?" Him, Minho, and Ben sit at one of the makeshift dining tables, all in a row.

Minho swats his hand away. "Shuck off, man."

"You could always just tell her, yanno, instead of staring at her like some kinda freak."

"Yeah," Ben chuckles, "and we need some entertainment- watching you get rejected could definitely provide that."

Newt leans around Minho to punch the boy in the arm. "Shut your bloody mouth, shank."

"What? She rejects everyone."

"Yeah, but she likes Minho."

"She does?" Minho sparks up, looking at Newt and raising an eyebrow.

"Well, not like-likes, I mean she might, but I just mean that she respects ya- you guys, yanno, get along, init."

Minho pulls his lips into a thin line. "Great, thanks, Newt- real eye-opening."

"Well, I'm just sayin'. If anyone has a shot with her, it's you, mate."

"What are you shanks talking about?" Minho just about jumps out of his skin when you approach. He didn't even see you leave his sight because he was too distracted by the conversation to even realise you'd snuck up behind them.

"Oh, uh, nothing," he tries to play it off.

"We were talking about you, actually," Minho shoots Ben a stern glare, only to get a wink in response.

"Oh, yeah?" Your tone is playfully and unassuming. "I'm nothing, am I?"

"No, that's not what-"

"Have you guys even eaten yet?" You blink at the empty table in front of them, immediately distracting yourself from whatever they were saying.

"Uh, no," Newt clears his throat, "we were waiting for the queue to die down a bit. But-"

"Well, I'll get you guys something to eat," you put your hands on Minho's shoulders, making him jump as Newt and Ben exchange a knowing look. "Can't have my best Runner going hungry now, can I?"

He looks up at you like you're the stars and the world combined. Like an old stray dog admiring it's owner whose given him everything and nothing could ever compare to what he's witnessing. You're so close and warm and your goal is always to support him. And the other Gladers of course, but he desperately wants to believe that it's him above all else.

And you haven't fucking noticed.

Again.

You walk away, making your way over to Frypan's Station and ignoring his complaints as you slip behind the counter, taking your time to make the dishes yourself.

"Dude," Newt scoffs. He's never been more entertained than watching Minho watch you. It's like seeing a whole other side to his friend. "You're shucked."

With Newt's, and Ben's (but mainly Newt's) advice, Minho had decided to pick up to hintsa and flirting. Except despite being naturally quick and witty, you make him nervous and stuttery.

And you're still oblivious.

"Hey, (Y/N), you look good today."

"Oh, thanks, Minho. Someone's in a good mood today."

But he keeps trying.

"Hey, do you wanna eat together later- feels like I barely see you."

"Oh, yeah, that'd be great; I'll get Alby to join us- we can discuss your progress on the Maze."

And again.

"New Greenie up today, you reckon you'll be able to take a break from baby sitting to have a drink with me?"

"Oh, yeah, maybe. If I'm not too busy. Oh! It might be a smart idea for you to tell the Greenies about the Maze- might help them understand a bit more- good idea!"

And again.

"Yo, Newt said you got some new clothes from the Box, haven't seen you in them yet- I bet you'll look great, as always."

"Pfft, shut up, man- they'll be the same as all the rags I normally wear."

And again.

"You know, I'm so happy to have you as a Leader. You're incredible at it; Alby should think himself lucky to have you helping him make choices."

"I'm only doing my job, the same as everyone here. You don't have to praise me for that."

And- well, you get the picture.

It's been months. Literally, months since he decided to up his game, and he's about to start ripping his hair out.

So, after returning from the Maze one night, he's had enough. He doesn't even bother going to the Map Room. He immediately asks where you are and marches over to your hut.

The knocking at your door startles you. You were simply changing your shirt after an incident helping the Slicers.

"Hey, (Y/N)? You in there?"

"Minho?" You pull your shirt over your head and grab the door in a hurry, opening it. "Is everything okay? Shouldn't you be-?"

"I need to talk to you," he blurts out, stunning you slightly.

"Right, okay. Yeah, of course, come in." You step aside and he he pulls his lips into a thin line, internally attempting to psyche himself up for what he's about to do.

He slips past you and you speak. "Do you want me to shut the door, so we can talk in private?"

"Uh, yeah, please."

"Okay," you nod, shutting it behind you and turning to face him. "What's going on?"

"I don't- shuck, okay, I just- I mean-"

Concern dances across your face, stepping towards him at his flustered state. "Is everything okay? You seem stressed; you know you can tell me anything, Minho. That's what I'm here for. Has something-?"

"I like you!" He snaps, throwing his hands up.

You blink, confused. "I, uh, like you, too? I mean, you're one of our best and you're very important here."

"No!" He groans, hands flying to his hair in frustration before he calms himself. "I don't mean... I mean I like-like you, like as in I think I might even be in love with you. A-and I've been trying for so long to hint at it, but you just- either you're ignoring it or you genuinely haven't noticed- but I have to know, okay? You can reject me and things can go back to normal, but I can't go on like this."

You stand in shock.

Okay, so, you may or may not have also developed a crush on him. Your higher affections towards him haven't been because you just thought he was great at his job, but because you do have stronger feelings towards him.

You're just busy and have created these rules for yourself to not date anyone. And since Minho has never flat out said it like most boys confessed to you- you have genuinely remained oblivious.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Minho asks, pulling you out of your trance. "Shuck, you're not saying anything. Shit. I'm sorry, let's uh, let's just forget this ever happened and-"

You step forward, catching him off-guard as he turns to face you more. "You like me?" Your voice is soft and almost gleeful as his eyes flicker to your lips.

He sighs. "Of course, I do. How could I not?"

You hover in front of him, feeling nervous for the first time since you came up in the Box. Your noses brush for a second before you have the courage to move in.

Pushing your lips against his, he kisses back immediately, his hands coming to your waist, pushing in the years of feelings he's been tormented with.

After a few seconds, you break.

"Take it you like me, too, then?"

You smile at him, giving a small smile before kissing him again.

Back again with more Minho whilst fighting through my illness. I've got a break off of work coming up so I should be able to write some more, so expect some more requests.

Hope you enjoyed :))

[asaka-lucy-dr-rc]

RAIN CODE Fan Meeting Report ③

From the second reading to the end of the of the daytime program.

Previous posts:

RAIN CODE Fan Meeting Report ①

RAIN CODE Fan Meeting Report ②

⚠️This is a looong post and contains spoilers! Only read this if you have already played RAIN CODE and have time.

After introducing the merchandise sold at the event, Fukuhara, Suzushiro, and Ishikawa gave a reading performance. The reading was a direct reenactment of the game's dialog from Chapter 1, when Halara's forensic forte was first shared with Yuma, so I will just leave out the details.

After that, KENN joined in and the four VAs gave a reading performance. This was a re-enactment of the part after the Mystery Labyrinth in chapter 2, where Kurumi gave Yuma information about the homunculus and Yuma shared it with other detectives of the Nocturnal Detective Agency. Yakou's lines were replayed by playing the voices in the game, and Fubuki's and Vivia's lines were simply omitted. In the actual story, Vivia mentions Death God here, implying that he knows Yuma is possessed by Shinigami, but those lines were left out, and Shinigami forced a punchline by being a bit silly instead. I remember it ending with a meta-statement like, "The most mysterious thing is that Fuzz Head's voice is heard even though he is not here."

I forgot to mention in my previous post that the entire script for the reading was done by Spike Chunsoft staff, and Kodaka was not involved at all. (From the way he talked, it sounded like he didn't even supervise it). So the story itself was not something worth explaining in detail. Just the VAs' performances were really perfect and wonderful :)

------

The next segment, "Kanai Ward Citizen Survey", featured a game in which the VAs predicted which answer to a three-option question would receive the most votes from the audience. The audience was treated as Kanai Ward residents, and voting was done by clapping their hands. The person who best predicted the audience's answer won a book token printed with the main artwork of the RAIN CODE Fan Meeting.

The first question was as follows:

Q1.Which Forensic Forte would you use if you could? 1. Halara's Forensic Forte 2. Desuhiko's Forensic Forte 3. Fubuki's Forensic Forte

Maybe they dared to make it easy because it was the first question, but clearly Halara's abilities are too limited compared to the versatility of Desuhiko and Fubuki's abilities 😅 so the VAs predicted that it would most likely be either 2 or 3. And here's the result of their choice:

(The VAs were given placards to hold up to answer the questions.)

Then, the option that got the most votes from the audience was "3. Fubuki's Forensic Forte". To which the VAs said, "I knew everyone wanted to rewind time." lol

The level of popularity was Fubuki > Desuhiko >> Halara.

The next question was this:

Q2.Who is the detective you want to be your boss? 1. Yakou 2. Halara 3. Yuma before losing his memory. (Number One)

When Kodaka saw these options, he immediately commented as follows:

But Suzushiro said "Isn't Halara too strict? Yakou seems to be very subordinate-minded." Then Ishikawa said, "If I were to become Halara's subordinate, I would like to see Halara looking at pictures of cats."

(The gesture of looking through the gap is what she actually did on the stage!)

And here's the result of their choice:

I was so convinced by Ishikawa's opinion, but she actually raised Yakou's number. (She betrayed us! 😂)

Only Fukuhara chose 3 and was asked by the MC why:

(He really loves Yuma!)

Then, Kodaka commented as follows:

Fukuhara countered, "But don't you think it's good that he only shows his true face to me!?" (He seemed to imagine what would happen if he became Number One's secretary or entourage 😄)

But whether his arguments did not resonate with the audience or were simply not popular enough, the option that got the most votes from the audience was "1. Yakou".

The level of popularity was Yakou > Halara > Number One.

Q3.Which organization would you prefer to join? 1.World Detective Organization 2.Amaterasu Corporation 3.Resistance

Kodaka saw these options and again immediately commented.

(That's true 😂)

The VAs began to discuss these options and which organization would give them the best chance of survival. However, all of them are very risky 😅 WDO's work is fraught with danger (as a lot of detectives were actually killed in chapter 0), and workers in Amaterasu would be executed if suspected of rebellion. Of course, the Resistance is always fraught with danger!

After such discussion, here is what they chose:

When asked by the MC why they chose Amaterasu Corporation, Ishikawa and KENN replied:

(Becoming an Ama-Pal developer is certainly a fairly peaceful option 😆)

Fukuhara replied that the reason he wanted to join WDO was because of his love for Yuma, and Suzushiro said she wanted to use Forensic Forte.

And as a result of audience voting, the most popular option was "1.World Detective Organization".

The level of popularity was World Detective Organization > Amaterasu Corporation >>> Resistance. (FYI, WDO and Amaterasu were almost equally popular. WDO was slightly more popular).

Last Question: Which line do you want Shinigami to say? 1. "Kyahaha! Down the rabbit hole we go!" (JA: きゃっきゃっきゃ！　いざ、迷宮入りーーーー！！) 2. "Luminous darkness! Shining rainbow! Glorious stellar spiral! Bello Fresco Grand Finale!" (JA: ダークネスシャイニングファビュラスレインボービューティフルマックススクリューラブリーフレッシュグランドフィナーレ！！) 3. "I hope he dies with his upper body stuck in the pond." (JA: 池に上半身が突き刺さって死ねばいいのに)

*As for the third, I don't remember where Shinigami said it, so I made up the translation myself. I used "he", but it may have been said to a female character. The first and second should be correct because I checked the English version of the videos on YouTube.

As for the first line, KENN mentioned that this line was memorable, but I need to make some explanations so that you can see why he said it. This line is said by Yuma and Shinigami enter the Mystery Labyrinth, but it differs considerably between the Japanese and English versions. If I translate the original Japanese line into English, it should be like "Now enter the Labyrinth!" However, in Japanese, it actually shares a meaning with another word that has a different meaning, but if it were put into English, it would lose that meaning, so it was probably changed to something completely different. In Japanese, when things are left unresolved, the thing is described as having entered a labyrinth. So KENN commented that he found it interesting that a word that was originally used in this sense was literally used in the sense of entering a labyrinth.

The second line is the one that Shinigami says at the end of Mystery Labirinth, when she reaps the soul of the true culprit:

Kodaka said it was based on the scene when the main characters perform a special move in the Pretty Cure series, a famous Japanese anime for girls. Suzushiro said that she searched for videos of Pretty Cure on YouTube and used them as a reference for her performance. When I heard this, I remembered that the title of the music played in the scene is "Heart Catch! Convict! Convict!" in the OST. I think "Heart Catch" is based on a title of one of the Pretty Cure series: HeartCatch PreCure! - Wikipedia

By the way, for Japanese Otaku, "heart catch" is also a word with a different meaning. I know the correct grammatical order in English should be "catch heart", but Japanese otaku dare to say "heart catch" when a cruel character grabs someone's heart (as an organ). So I think the reason for such a music title is a cross between the Shinigami harvesting the soul scene and the cute image of Pretty Cure.

Sorry for the long explanation! 😣 And my memory is a little fuzzy as to which answer the VAs chose here. I think 2 was the most popular. And in fact, 2 was the most popular among the audience, and Suzushiro actually read the line out loud!

The level of popularity was 2 > 1 >>> 3.

As a result of this game, it was Suzushiro who was the best at guessing the audience's answers! She received the book token and declared that she would use it to buy some RAIN CODE books :)

------

In the next segment, "RAIN CODE Maniac Quiz", the audience answered super-geeky questions about RAIN CODE. All questions were true/false and the audience answered by opening their fist for true and clenching their fist for false.

The audience was first asked to stand, and the person who made the mistake was treated as having left the quiz at that point and was seated. And when there were only a few people standing, the game was over. Those who stayed until the end received limited edition merchandise. (They received a card that looked like a pass).

This quiz was full of really difficult questions! 😅 There were 7 questions in total. I encourage you to see if you can answer them.

The questions were as follows:

The tallest person in Amaterasu Corporation is Dominic. True or false?

2. It is in Chapter 4 that Shinigami shows the pose in the following image. True or false?:

3. The word "WINE" is written on the label of the wine bottle* used in the case in Chapter 2. True or false? * The bottle was used as a prop for a play by the Aetheria Academy Theater Club.

4. The cat in the photo Halara was looking at in Chapter 1 had blue eyes. True or false?

5. The color of Pucci's stuffed bear* was white. True or false? * It is the stuffed bear that was sitting on a chair in Pucci's room in Chapter 0.

6. The load capacity of Ama-pal is 120 kg. True or false?

7. In chapter 1, the amount Halara asked for as the price for helping Yuma was 5,500,600 shien. True or false?

The order of the questions may differ from the order of the actual quiz, but in any case, only those who answered all of these questions correctly were eligible for the prizes.

The correct answers are written at the very end of this post!

------

Finally, the participants gave their closing remarks. The VAs all said that it was the first time they had seen the fans since the game was released, and that it was nice to know for the first time that these people love RAIN CODE.

Ishikawa said that even from the stage she could see some fans wearing merchandise shirts or carrying Shinigami bags, and felt that RAIN CODE is really loved.

Fukuhara said that he was very happy because this was the first time he had been able to talk with spoilers. (He had been on the RAIN CODE introduction live stream before RAIN CODE was released, so he had had many opportunities to talk about RAIN CODE, but this was the first time he had done so with spoilers).

The following is Kodaka's final comment, which I tried to write as accurately as possible:

"It took six years to make RAIN CODE, and as you can see from the credits, there were a lot of people involved in making RAIN CODE. I was nervous about releasing it because it was the result of so many people's efforts, and I was worried about whether how many people would like it, but I am glad that there are a lot of fans who have gathered here with such enthusiasm. I am sure that RAIN CODE will have new developments and other things to come, so please continue to support us. Thank you very much."

After the closing remarks, Shinigami's announcement began. Shinigami then asked the audience, "Did you have a great time?" and the audience responded with applause 👏👏

------

Correct answers to the RAIN CODE Maniac Quiz! :

1.✅ True. (Dominic's height is 225 cm (7'4").) 2.✅ True. (You can see this pose in the result of the second Shinigami Puzzle in Chapter4.) 3.❌ False. (It was labeled LEQUELR.)

4.❌ False. (Black is correct.) 5.❌ False. (Pink is correct.) 6.❌ False. (100kg is correct.) 7.❌ False. (5,500,800 shien is correct.)

How many questions did you get right? I got the third question wrong and dropped out 😝 (In a post-event interview in the media, Kodaka said he did not know the correct answer from the first question. lol)

This is the end of the daytime program!

Next:

[iantimony]

not quite the last tuesday of 2024

except it's Wednesday! Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, Happy Chanukah to my fellow yids, and happy normal-ass day to everyone!

listening: I have compiled the ultimate 2024 Tuesday playlist in which I put every single song (or one song from an album) that I mentioned in my weekly posts this year! it is Nine And A Half Hours Long and has such hits as Borodin and Kendrick Lamar!! enjoy if you dare!

playlist!

TDH live cover of don't let me down….very good

reading: It’s hard to fathom the selfishness of our graduate students, linked in a grad advocacy group chat that I'm in. like. it has to be rage bait right. it's so insane to read. don't touch if you don't want to be angry. it's really really stupid. the luxuries that we all crave in grad school, like being able to afford to visit parents. ok.

Ancient faeces reveal how ‘marsh diet’ left Bronze Age Fen folk infected with parasites: dunno why I read this but sure

List of classical music concerts with an unruly audience response: came up in a conversation about the Rite of Spring and I wanted to see what else. really funny. "The audience threw program notes at Cowell and clambered onto the stage, leading to a large physical altercation and the arrest of over 20 audience members."

I Can’t Stop Watching This Woman Revive and Swatch Old Nail Polish: very charmed by this. the color in the header image is really really pretty.

fanfic: On Being Female (nomadicwriter): Discworld fanfic about Carrot! really cute.

watching: watched "Shiva Baby" with some friends. this movie stressed me out which I know was the intended response, but, augh! I know all these women IRL! extremely painfully NYC Jewish.

last min knit & handmade gift inspo for procrastinators (starcrossedknits): when I briefly thought about making some shit last-minute and chose to buy candles from a local shop instead.

the crochet hunger games: how a star shaped blanket broke the internet (Cinema Knits): yeah. yeah. good conversation about what accessibility actually means.

Exposing the Honey Influencer Scam (MegaLag): making it so that closing the "no deals found" popup window resets the affiliate cookies is DIABOLICAL.

playing: did the last dnd for the year - as much as I bitch moan and gripe I have enjoyed running for this group, I am realizing.

making: I have mailed out sooo many holiday cards so I think I can probably post this now. the holiday card of 2024!

that one is slightly larger (5x7) to be framed for my mom; the rest were a respectable 5.5x4.25 (aka a sheet of standard paper cut into quarters; I love my guillotine so much). ignore how different the nose is, I definitely did not manually smudge out a mistake on every card.

these were done using Charbonnel block printing ink in ultramarine. Here is an example of the shitty speedball water-based ink:

I don't actually mind some texture but ughhh the patchiness. and printing more than two or three in a row was a fucking nightmare. the oil-based ink is definitely way easier to work with but the drying time on it is INSANE. days and days and days. I gave up and just handed them out/mailed them as they were even though they could still technically be smudged, and I bet when they arrive the ink will still not be totally cured, so fair warning to everyone who receives one from me, lol. no idea how to speed that process up - I was reading that it could be because it is a water-washable oil-based ink, which is crucial for me working from home without a real setup or solvents but apparently that compound can drastically increase drying time? I dunno. I tried zapping one in a very low heat oven for a bit which didn't help, and I saw something about using cornstarch so I might try that tonight. I also wonder if an oil paint fixative spray would help??? I tried to do some googling and reddit-searching about it but didn't see anyone trying that, and I don't really want to commit to a whole can of the stuff just to try it out…

eating: made Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins with Oat Streusel Topping with, you guessed it, leftover cranberry sauce. technically from thanksgiving but it was the canned stuff and looked and smelled fine, so. the muffins are just okay, a little dry, definitely edible though. I got like 15 muffins out of it rather than the stated dozen. also had Chinese food for Christmas Eve, as is customary :-) otherwise I am scraping by this week as I'll be out of town for two weeks visiting family starting on Saturday.

misc: the year is coming to a close…nearly there…..might post the last Tuesday of the year on Monday instead because the last day of the year happens to fall on a Tuesday, so that way my yearly round-up summary can be on the 31st! wow! exciting!

[randomnameless]

A Minor dispute.

Put it behind you. Deal with it.

No, this isn't related to devoted fans and their discourse lol (even if i had to take a jab at them with the title lol)

Ike: I have to ask, Sephiran. What are you after? What’s this all about? Sephiran: Why do you wish to know? You would achieve nothing by learning my reasons. You would help no one. I lost faith in lesser beings, and desire an end to them. That’s all. Ike: So why did you save me on that day? Sephiran: May I ask you a favor, Ike? Tell me how you feel about it now. Can you bear recalling those horrific memories? Ike: Yes… I’m fine, now. But I suppose at the time I wouldn’t have been able to take it. Sephiran: All beings endure tragedies for as long as they continue to live. It has always been the case that suffering is unavoidable. And this grim reality plays out over and over, in every country, under every ruler… As long as there are beings who feel, they will feel pain. Ike: So what? We should all just give in and die? Put it behind you. Deal with it. Sephiran: Do not make light of this… Ike: I’m not. Sephiran, I’m extremely grateful that you once helped me through a terrible time. But we have to accept that occasionally we all have to deal with hard times. I’ve had pain, I’ve had suffering, and I have gotten up and moved on. I don’t try to forget what happened that day. I just accept it… And neither that or anything else will ever stop me. Sephiran: You are a strong man, Ike, son of Gawain. But not everyone is as strong as you…

This scene is unlocked if you've seen Ike's FB.

Of course, Ike here doesn't know the fuck he is talking about, as he later expresses by wondering why Sephiran is suddenly called Lehran (maybe if the game left Miccy/Yune talk to him before the start of the map, instead of letting him do all the convo it would have been different?).

So, in a way, it isn't as callous as Ike telling Lehran to put the genocide of his people "behind him" or to "deal with it", because he doesn't know what Sephiran is talking about.

But in a way, I have the feeling if Claude or Petra told Dedue to "put the massacre of his family" behind him or to "deal with it", Claude or Petra would have received a certain amount of shit, even if, when they would have said those, they wouldn't have known what the fuck Dedue went through.

Anyways, Ike later learns what, or who, Sephiran is, and talks to him. Maybe he will apologise for his callous words, spoken when he didn't realise what he was talking about ?

Ike: Sephiran... I mean, Lehran... Lehran: I can't apologize enough. I was so terribly mistaken, and now there's nothing I can do to help. Ike: Don't worry. Lehran: What? Ike: Wanting to do something that matters is enough. Sometimes, how you feel is more important than how you act. Lehran: Ike I... there's no one that I think more highly of... Ike: No time for compliments. We still have work to do here. Lehran: Yes... yes we do.

Lehran apologises for having wanted to destroy the world (and drops Altina in a trashcan because Ike is now the person he thinks the most highly of!) - and in the general scale of things, yes, Sephiran has much to apologise for, so he better start pulling his weight and try to make up for having tried to kill everyone.

But the "your people were genocided? No biggie, deal with it!" is completely ignored - or it is, again, another example of Ike talking shit and the game convoluting himself to make sure he never faces any consequences, even if, in this situation, the consequence would just have been an apology, like the one he gave to, iirc, Mordecai and Lethe after calling him subhumans but not realising calling someone "subhuman" was insulting.

Sure, the line he gives after the fight against Sephiran still holds value :

Ike: If death is what you really want, then I’m not going to let it happen on my watch. I don’t care what you’ve gone through. I don’t care how much you’ve suffered. What you’ve done is unforgivable.

It's not because you suffered, or went through the worst humankind can offer, that you can inflict the same on people!

When Lords like Marth, Seliph, Leif, Roy, Eirika, even Elincia try to understand people and what led them to act as they did - without ever giving excuses or wondering if they could walk with their respective antagonists - Ike here refuses to understand, and only condemns.

Is it because Ike isn't a Lord, so he isn't concerned with some general "making sure this situation never happens again"?

But then, he is the one to say those :

“But, even the dumbest creatures will love their family, their friends and… even love others. They will all have things that they can’t afford to lose.” “We know that we’ve messed up. We’ll do our best to avoid more war and to make peace our highest priority. Ashera, just give us one more chance. All we ask is for one more chance.” “You were like a mother to all of life– Your children still require a mother like you. When you watch over us, we don’t always do things that make you happy and sometimes we even disappoint you. Still, I think we would like you to continue watching over us. How about it?” “We all need to work hard to accept each other. As long as we don’t try and run away from our mistakes, then I’m sure we’ll be able to see each other again one day.”

How can you do you "best" to avoid more wars, if you don't even understand why the current one started, or don't care about the reasons that led the fucker who started this current war to, well, start it?

How can we talk about acceptance if we don't "care" about what the others live through?

So, on top of writing a check his ass can't cash - since he will leave Tellius and not be there to "avoid wars" or make sure people "accept each other" after promising the goddesses "we" will exactly do that - Ike's words here are empty.

-> In a nutshell, Ike reveals with those battle quotes and conversations that he is not ruler/leader material - but we knew that since RD's start since we followed Miccy and Elincia - and more importantly isn't the kind of person asking "why" things happen, they just happen but somehow everything will work out when it will happen again - because the why, or the cause, wasn't identified - and I think it's a perfectly fitting answer for the Tellius Saga and the larger Branded "issue" : we will never know why it happens, it just happens.

(can we say the epilogue, with Ashunera returning, is an ultimate "fuck you" to Ike's empty promises at the end of this chapter, since it starts with another war happening in the background?)

---

Back to that nonsense of a battle convo, I find it really interesting how Ike is basically thanking Sephiran for having wiped his memory when he was a child, to help him "deal" with the fact he witnessed his father stab his mother, because at that time (when he was a kid), he wouldn't have been able to deal with it.

But then, Ike tells Sephiran to "deal with" the tragedies he witnessed and lived through...

After thanking him for sparing him the "deal with it" step- he now asks Sephiran to take - when he was a child.

WTF?

Ike explains how he is thankful, but he ultimately had to "got up" and "move on" from the pain, and accept it. And that's precisely the point, Ike managed to take on that pain, "get up and move on" thanks to Sephiran's own meddling and help - else, by his own admission, he wouldn't have been able to "take it".

But now, he asks Sephiran to take his pain, without any magic amnesia to help, and deal with it?

And while I hate the idea of trauma olympics, grown-up Ike (even in POR) can now deal with the fact his dad killed his mother thanks to Lehran's magic amnesia - but he tells Lehran to deal with and get over - 1) the genocide of his tribe, 2) assassination of his great (etc) granddaughter because she had his blood, 3) the loss of his powers for a crap reason and the knowledge that laguz are bound to "die" if they mingle too much with beorcs as he personally witnessed it, 4) severe depression after realising he is not a laguz anymore but not even a beorc since beorcs will use pitchforks at him even if they regarded him 10 seconds before as sage, and the rest of Tellius' general fuckery? - without magic amnesia or plot hax?

Reyson was very close to pull something similar in FE9 when he tried to erase people in the Forest using "ancient magic", but abandoned the idea when Leanne was found - if PoR!Ike learnt that, would he have told Reyson to "get over" the heron genocide and Naesala's betrayal?

Of course not, because I'm pretty sure Ike knows, before meeting Reyson and even picking Leanne, what happened in Serenes.

And in RD, when he says those words, he doesn't know (but he later will!) that Sephiran is a heron.

Tl;Dr :

Supreme Leader's "minor dispute" is frowned upon by everyone, even if she might genuinely not know about what Nemesis did that made Rhea so enraged, in a doylist reading, Supreme Leader is a character who ignores a genocide to push her own specist agenda.

Doylist reading of that RD scene is, Ike telling Sephiran to man up and deal/get over the genocide of his people - but unlike Supreme Leader, when he comes to learn the truth of Sephiran's despair, he dgaf.

Thankfully, this scene is only triggered if Sephiran survives, so Ike can later explain his behaviour : he doesn't care what kind of suffering Sephiran endured, since nothing justifies what he was trying to do (kill everyone).

Even if the thing he should care, but doesn't want to, is, for part, a genocide.

[marshallpupfan]

Marshall Merch Update! (Jan. 29, 2023)

Much to my surprise, most of the stores near me actually got the new Aqua Pups merchandise in rather quickly! And, much to my luck, I was able to get all of the ones of Marshall!

(Well, except for one, but I'll mention that one at the end.)

First off, his new vehicle! Typical for Marshall toys, there's an extension on the back that can shoot out a water projectile. Interestingly, most of the fins (such as the one on top and the two further back on the side) actually move. And the plastic covering the cockpit slides down, so the little figurine can rest inside the vehicle and such.

It's pretty cool! It's just a shame his new vehicle was completely wasted in the TV show. That's season 9 for you.

Next up, the Marshall & Dolphin play set! Typically, this figurine looks a lot nicer than the one that comes with the vehicle, but this time, I can hardly see much of a difference between the two.

In any case, as you can see, Marshall is meant to fit on top of the dolphin, thanks to a little groove on the fin that goes between the figurine's paws. This is so he'll stay on while the two are zipping across the floor with the wheels on the bottom. Unfortunately, the platform I was using wasn't level and both kept falling over, so that's why it's at an angle in my pic. 😅

Third, the new True Metal vehicle! I was pretty surprised my store had any at all. Usually, I can never find any of these until months later. lol

I've shown this before, but I figured I'd include it again. It's a cool plush, with my only complaint being that, unlike the previous dolls, they didn't include his pink paw pads. I've always thought those looked cute on the pups, so it's a shame they left that detail off. Ah well, that's no deal breaker. as it still looks great in any collection!

Well, outside of a pool toy I don't own yet that's also based on Aqua Pups (pic at the end of this post), that's pretty much it for the new merchandise! Sadly, I don't think they made any mini figurines in the mystery boxes based on this sub series, as they decided to create ones instead for the franchise's 10th anniversary. Those just have the pups in their regular outfits.

You know, I didn't expect to get to add these to my collection so fast! And, as always, I have to wonder what new theme they'll release next; another new sub-series, or will we start seeing toys based on the upcoming Mighty Movie? Whatever it is, I look forward to finding out!

[joeytalyor0108]

My Honest Review On Metal Lords (2022)

I finally going to make a review of Metal Lords...yay...

To get to the point, Metal Lords (2022) is an meh film. It's not bad but it's not really good either. If you just want to watch it out of fun, go ahead. But in my opinion, I don't recommend this film to a metalhead or anyone. The plot is basically about two "friends", Hunter and Kevin, who get into Battle of the Bands and tried to find a bass player.

First, the characters are meh in a sense of they are not rememberable (hell I already forgot their names lol). Kevin, our main character, is just a basic socially awkward teen who just wants to learn metal to impress his friend, Hunter (don't give me start it on him). We don't really have a lot of information other than he's in the marching band and live in an apartment. The side characters like Noah (the main singer of a trash indie band) and Skip (I think his the main bully) are bland, basic, and not rememberable. The only side characters I like are Robbie (so pure and protect him at all cost <3) and Dr. Sylvester (Hunter's dad) who is your typical religious ( which kinda fails since all of his actions in the film are actually justifiable) dad but love how he is so done with Hunter (one of my fav scenes). The only interesting character is Emily (who should have been the main character) who tried to deal with her mental illness/disorders in her daily life and loves playing the cello. Kevin and Emily's relationship is pretty wholesome tbh (didn't see the point of them having sex as the reason to start their relationship). In the most wholesome scene, Kevin told Emily that "even if there is something wrong with her, she's perfect for him" when she talked about how she hates herself because of the mental issues she had.

Then we go to Hunter...Hunter Sylvester... my favorite character (I want to die by saying that). Hunter is one of the most annoying, entitled, spoiled, and unlikeable characters I have ever seen. He treats everyone (including his "best friend", Kevin) like trash and wonders why nobody likes him (Luckily the only person he treats well is Robbie). This is probably the only one I kinda roof for the bully. When he gets bullied by Skip and his friends at Noah's party, Noah defended him telling Skip to back off and trying to help Hunter. Instead of thanking him, he cursed him off for no reason and told him his band is trash (not wrong but still) but his band will win the Battle of the Bands (Newsflash Noah's band won). He reminds me of those elitist metalheads who just got into metal and shame other metalheads for their music taste. He also treated Emily like shit just because she is a girl and she's "psycho" which lead to her beating his ass ( best thing that ever happened). The only reason why he didn't want her to be in the band was that a girl playing in the cello band, EW THAT'S GAY (crazy right); luckily he gets called out by Emily for having the gayest metal posters in his room. His pops have enough and send him to a behavioral center which is temporal due to Kevin breaking into the place and getting him out with the power of friendship (more of that later). All of this happens and being an asshole according to Hunter that "he did this of METAL" which let's be honest you just have mommy issues (his mam left him and his dad at least two years ago which I could see why). Lastly, his apology to Emily is very insincere and sounds like every youtube apology; at least his apology toward Noah is kinda and sincere and his band is pretty good (stop lying bro).

There is nothing really about this film but wishing they explore the town more I guess. The soundtrack is definitely the best part of the film, maybe because they put metal songs other than thrash and hair metal. It's just that Metal Lords is more of a forgettable film than a shitty one. Hell, this is just an excuse to make a Hunter Sylvester rant post (don't how people love him). Just don't watch this...watch Heavy Trip, Airheads, and Deathgrasm. They're was better than this (if you want to watch a movie which is Hunter as a girl but better go watch Málmhaus (Metalhead)).

(Little rant: love how the story tried to force Kevin to go back together with Hunter and tried to justify it even tho Hunter doesn't deserve him at all :) )

[ashadowofburnedoutstardust]

Random thoughts:

Because typing out the words random thoughts sounds slightly less childish than dear diary

Currently watching another one of my dreams come to fruition IRL yet again. I'm not going to share right now because it's still playing out but it is an interesting experience to have it happen again quite so soon though I'm used to it by now

Will probably share the dream when its done though

Have come to the conclusion that the predictive abilities I use when walking around in the real world possibly could have been used much more effectively, but then looking back I realise that I've always been using them instinctively anyway on a slightly different level to other people which is probably why everyone always found me kind of weird or spooky

I can remember when I was eleven we had a tutor come into class to introduce us to.......some type of graph curve? I don't remember I didn't pay attention in maths

(They kept trying to put me in the special extension math classes with the maths department head teachers, but it was never fun because I was always the only girl)

To create the data set he had us in groups of three; one person was the observer recording the results, one person would be making a guess, and the other would be providing what needed to be guessed at

Two people would sit back to back with cards that were three different colours. The first person would hold up a random coloured card of their own choosing, and the second person sitting back to back with them would try and guess which colour they chose with the third recording the results, each person took a turn at each role

The average correct guess rate across the classroom was about 3 out of ten (mine was 7)

As a result when the tutor went to create the graph using our data my little inclusion created a spike in the middle of his attempt at creating a nice upward curve

He tried explaining that due to the randomness of those guesses we had made that it typically that wouldn't happen......

Everyone kind of just turned around and stared at me lol

I really wish I knew what that thing was called, if theres any maths geeks out there that recognise this please ease my poor brain from wondering

I honestly didn't pay attention in Maths, I did always pass all the tests though which was weird. I somehow still absorbed the necessary information without any actual studying

I always spent most of my time daydreaming at school and staring out the window instead of doing any classwork at all which I would always get told off for, and then past the final test anyway

(I don't know if I've ever really "found my people" while living in this life)

I typically run at a high level of personal efficiency when left to my own devices and can find other peoples inability to maintain the same level frustrating

My ability for efficiency has been a useful tool that I've used to keep on top of things or catch up on things in a short amount of time, but others can also find me frustrating because I go at a faster speed than they do and to explain to them the place that I reached in my brain 5 mins ago, it takes them about half an hour to reach the same place, it makes socialising a bit difficult

To be honest I've never been formally diagnosed but lets face it there are a tonne of potential traits. The odd thing is that because of hyper self awareness I developed my own CBT method early on in life to correct what I didn't like using visual cues. It kind of surprised me when that therapy thing started coming out because I literally thought that's just what it was like inside everyone's brains and that everyone else did it too. Probably a contributing factor as to why I found everyone around a bit, um, less efficient

(Quick shout out to single mothers anywhere and everywhere, I know exactly how fucking hard it is, and you bitches are doing amazing, don't quit, you've got this)

Being a parent definitely taught me a lot of patience in that arena. I realised very early on that she was a little different and would take a bit longer to learn or understand new skills. I had to develop very particular systems to create a particular environment at home that was soothing and safe with a very specific routine. It wasn't until many years later that she was confirmed as HF but I guess a part of me always suspected

Thankfully I was able to utilise my "personal efficiency tool" to keep us above water most of the time, we would have never managed otherwise

When she was at home she was always happy and cheerful and calm, it was when we went out that she did not always quite cope with everything around her

Even trips to the mall required a very specific set of requirements, thankfully the ice cream place or anyone with balloons decorating their store were happy to give a little girl a balloon with their store name on it to wander around with

Given our small income at the time it meant I had to limit the number of trips and be very efficient at having planned ahead with shopping lists and having budgeted for it well in advance as the free balloon meant we also had to buy the expensive ice cream, but she would get her items and then happily walk along playing with her balloon while I carried everything else. When you don't have anyone around to babysit for you while you go do these types of things its an entirely different type of management when you have to account for how the overall experience will affect the person accompanying you as well. It's a lot to have on your mind at all times and not everyone can keep up with that. I suppose that why nearly all of my family members have had to learn a lot very very quickly given her circumstances because despite knowing she was autistic they didn't always adhere to the advice I would give them on what to do, it seems they are finally gaining a level of understanding of what I have been doing for so long and why its been so hard doing it on my own

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

[night-faye]

Wukong has ZERO CHILL he is going to roast Macky into melting all that ice on him 😂 but ow, bud 😭 yes, we do indeed wonder if Wukong is throwing shade back. Could Macky have said something about Wukong screwing back to the Monk? You might be wondering "anon why are you so fixated on lines repeating" it's what they DO. Some are narrative parallels, some are Season 4 that makes you go "oh so this is why you said all that earlier that pretty much didn't show up in S3" it was coming :)

"I couldn't care less about what the LBD wants." Ugh, my guy. You know it's pointless trying to tell people that, but thanks. I will chew on every one of those lines. Also. BRO WHERE IS YOUR CHILL. Sorry I know you're a frozen salmon right now, but "the Samadhi Fire is my last hope" also Macky: *LITERALLY BREAKS THE RINGS* sir. SIR. my brother in mammal, you are quite sincerely on a ticking timer before the ice consumes you back into the grave. WHAT were you thinking??? I don't think he's thinking at all. that noggin of his is too shaken up and he's swapping plans on the fly as soon as he hears the rings are with MK. my guy, they were going to do the ritual later anyway, or well, they already started, but were you allergic to waiting to ask politely for someone to use the fire on you? eh tbf, it was better they didn't rip the fire out of Mei to put into Wukong so. can't say it's THAT bad he forced them to finish it without Wukong.

Very optimistic take on Wukong's expressions there! Could be, but he doesn't inspire much hope in that lol. I think it was him feeling guilt about keeping secrets and leaving MK back in S2. And maybe some secret ShadowPeach past that *gets dragged off stage* *claws back onto stage* Ep 10!! Parallels my beloved, *reaches out for you* Him AND Mei I- *screams over the ocean flooding on me* SPECIAL. You will know the scene when you hear it. and see it.

"Don't get in my way, kid. I don't have time for you. I'm just here for the Samadhi fire, then, I'm done with you all." 😔😔😔 it's ok, let him think the fandom even cares about the fact he seriously wants nothing to do with this or interact with the Gang on purpose ever again and has decided hunting down MK is not as fun as it was in the first two seasons. Speaking of, he technically did neither as they came to his play and he was looking at the sky in his intro, as if waiting for Wukong to show up before MK popped up instead. he was even backing up to leave.

actually new thing because our friend Macaroni really isn't right in the head. he was in a mech and all trying to take the rings? when he just destroyed the fakes thinking they were real? and would've what, left it at that until that light shone from the altar? we know he doesn't want to bring em to LBD, unless if that was a moment of weakness/confession because of Wukong, and decided "ok maybe she's my last chance if I give them to her" because HE sure can't use them alone if he removes them from the altar. so WHAT CHANGED to make him force them to finish the ritual? unless if it was another test for MK and he was not impressed with the power. "So THIS was the Monkey King's great plan?" It wasn't actually, but how curious that you think so. "How do you still not see that he has no idea what he's doing." some villains drop false statements to complain about society that the hero denies bc they were biased extremists all along. other villains drop truths based in backstory that gets confirmed by Wukong and everybody else there, including the story and it's not meant to be bashing, but rather a character trait and flaw that also has a reason and its okay, it will get better. I'm 0.0 like that meme of slow head turn wide eyes at Macky's final emotional break. he's FULLY lost it here, amazing. this is the most vicious he's ever been oof. gotta also love his shadow shark moves and YES you caught that stressed twitch in his eyebrows!! he's walking pretty slow and heavy, bc of the weight of everything with battling emotions and decisions or bc of the weight of the ice? 🤔

It is so late at night I have no thoughts to articulate, so take this

Thought I will say this bit: I took it as he knew they were fake?

Like, the way he splays them open, stares at them, and then goes "Hm" as he narrows his eyes. and then when Wukong starts talking he glances back at him and raises an eyebrow, almost like "I know him too well, and he seems way too confident for these to be the real rings"

And then of course Wukong digs in the LBD dagger, which gets Mackaroni angry, so him breaking the rings wasn't so much meant To Break The Rings, but more. They were what were in his hands when Wukong started mocking him about LBD, so he broke them to take out his frustration. both at Wukong and at the entire shit situation he's in

and then Ne'zha going "they were fake?" and wukong owning up to it is just icing on the confirmation cake at that point

[semi-imaginary-place]

ffxiv on to shadowbringers full spoilers

i joined ffxiv right around 5.2-5.3 so i actually got super spoiled on shb

really they're putting the gate at the lake and not in the special crystal tower zone where the raids were.

... are those unique animations? that wasn't the default run. wow you can really see how the funding has improved since arr.

oof that bloom effect my eyes are suffering for making a pale ass character dressed in white. the one time in videogaming history where the bloom is narratively appropriate.

so ardbert in shadow. uh i don't recognize the narrator voice. oh hey minfilia haven't seen you in forever. so why did player character get whole body teleported when all the other scions left their bodies behind. (or is the pc secretly collapsed on the source)

now i could go for the map marker.... ooooor i could run around the entire map. boooo the devs thought ahead and blocked me off.

they killed off the brenon clone immediately D:

i can't tell if it's lore significant or not but the crystal exarch's arm doesn't have the lighting effects crystal usually has. like most of the crystal in ffxiv is kinda glowy and a little translucent but the arm is matte like paint. maybe it's a graphics limitation thing idk.

is it me or does the crystal tower look different. i don't remember those basalt looking formations. there's fluffy amaljaa! was initially confused because underground is the WORST place for an herbarium but if the problem is too much light i guess it makes sense. having giant grates in the library seems like a bad idea. hmm the naming scheme seems sharlayan. why is the marketplace called universal music? its a good thing i know most of these terms from other ff games and shab spoilers otherwise if you threw like 7 new race names at me i'd cry. once again the lack of guard rails is concerning. why are the hortorium and sweetsieve no next to each other. a lot of wroght iron and glass.. art noveau? is this entire city built over silvertear lake?

great now the writers have a precedent for timetravel

exarch described feo ul as "kanojo"

ghostbert angst. i joke but i do find this sort of stuff compelling. oh that clears it up, so his title changed. because i just heard that the warriors of light killed the shadowkeeper and caused the Flood but arbert was also going around calling himself the warrior of darkness, and i didn't connect it until now but it was all them. hey this is that melody that plays whenever the pc does something heroic, played prominently in the ultima and around the end of 2.0 but here its real slow and sad.

did the faeries take over ishgard???? especially curious is the faeries are the equivalent to the sylphs. and rak'tika is the shroud equivalent. limsa was gentrified lol. what im curious about is the habitable part of novrant is shown as both an oval and a circle and i don't know which map is right.

exploring lakeland and uh is that a giant lake monster? yeh that's a giatn lake monster. why's there a road at the bottom of the lake. you guys have extremely nice outdoor furniture. like damn going to spend the budget on nice furniture instead of having a roof.

Crystarium architecturally reminds me of my highschool pet worldbuilding project about a magic crystal floating city filled with telepathic shapeshifting immortals.

shb could have been its own game. Post apocalyptic fantasy about civilization on the brink feels like a pretty standard premises minus the light and dark swap. Writers went wild with the worldbuilding. So glad i watched ffxii and xenoblade so i know what a hume is

Theres also how the crystarium is built over silvertear lake the center of all magic. Although middy isnt on the first, then why are there dragons dragonish things around. I wonder how much shared history there is between the source and the first since right around silvertear actually is the elezen homeland and thats where the elf bandits on the first are hanging out trying to reclaim their homeland.

[sakiaii]

Armored x Magic girls ‘title forever work in progress’ 3rd era

this era starts with a story in 4th kingdom. this kingdom differs from other in a way that they don't use magic which is around them but absorb it instead with their bodies being like batteries. magic users will often meditate trying to break their limit. story follows a girl that wants to join a special school, despite them also providing basic education they're also like a clan where those that want to stay can dedicate their lives to their interests. the kingdom has 3 problems and i'll go more into that in dedicated post. their king passed away and the youngest heir is stalling the ceremony (btw his older brother was exiled) spoiler he wants to resolve the issues first so that when he accepts the crown it will be a new beginning for the kingdom. he also wants to join the 3 kingdoms alliance but do to issues they don't want to be seen as policing this kingdom so he needs to deal with this if his kingdom is to truly join the alliance. on rare occasion a really powerful army shows up to save the day flying on the sky like dbz characters with many in the kingdom suspecting it's the secret guard of the soon to be king but they're actually from the alliance and their leader is dun dun dun the younger daughter of 1st era eye patch girl.

and that's why this is the 3rd era even tho there was no transition from 2nd but this stories are happening more then 20 years at least (ok just realized somethings are off maybe even more then 50 lol ) in the future from the 1st era's finale.

me saying how this stories are in the future and now i have to talk about next stories which are set in the past xD

a lot of other stories are about 4th kingdom's past

from it's starting days.

to stories where some women, different face keeps showing up and sacrificing herself in the face of tyranny to inspire next generations. could she be Irene. spoiler or maybe 3rd shadow whose a necromancer, maybe.

there was one with time travel but it had nothing to do with shadow. these are kinda unpolished fantasies.

few forgotten stories had monster hunting groups (inspired by mmo i played where the best gear was red and veterans could still be one shotted in raids if tanks skill was on cooldown xD ) and there was another planet where alien ships from 1st era crashed and whatever was on them changed the eco system and cities are now in spheres as outside is too dangerous.. just realized this one also had hunting groups lol and armored 1st era girl shows up here as apparently raven armor device is also among the crashed ships (umm idk this part didn't always sit well with me)(this story actually got recreated few times and in some versions it was earth and raven died in some version through time travel they meet and future Raven had broken system in left arm that makes you wonder what happened)

few things we find out in 3rd era is how Crimson castle actually had an army of red eyed vampires sleeping in their caskets.

also the 2nd kingdom will be more aware of something stirring up, the ancient vampires were awaken because of that and 1st era ruler girl has twin granddaughters one story could be how one of twins was send to earth as means of protecting just one heir as danger lurks and her mother's family all vampires and as well as you the audience would not know that and think she normal with her family being confused and comedically trying to figure out if that's really the case as it is rude to ask "so what are you?" xD

also there's a girl who can see magic. it's an ability of extinct race but some rare people have the gene. in her story a portal with monsters was opened and her friend kicked her out as it was closing and she stayed to hold them off.

and then the bards get a story of their own. but this are modern so they focus more on singing and in their story the kingdom didn't want to cause panic but there was a dangerous horde so bards organised a festival of concerts to distract but also help with gathered magic and as the magic sight girl who was commander of army sent to deal with hoard saw blue magic on the sky she saw it also meet with the red magic from opposite direction and ordered alarm as she flew in that direction much to everyone's confusion and then defeated looks from the bards and their principal as alarm went off then a wave of magic exploded breaking windows and we see principal holding a shield with her room filled with glass and everything tossed around she approaches the window and as she is looking down at people in the city she hears bells, a dragon and drums and sees in the sky multiple arrivals going in that direction and she herself joins them in the sky seeing flying ships, witches, dragon, 3rd kingdom's aircrafts, flying armies. and everyone gathered in front of a sphere there is banging coming from it as someone steps up and says "you did a good job but we're all here now" "you can rest" and the banging stops and sphere vanishes.

and then the finale happens 🥳

PS: 2nd kingdom had so many secrets did you know that in mountain chain there was another castle and a bunch of young dragons. compared to 2 ancient they're like cats next to lions.

[cinderella-ish]

Truly no one asked, but I'm too excited not to blabber on about the reasons behind the design choices! 😅

Along a Pitch-Black Path

So, this is my attempt at writing an Akito-centric darkfic/tragedy. The premise is an AU where her initial slice to Tohru's arm was accidentally fatal. The ink is obviously symbolic of Akito's inner darkness, and I found an ink splatter with a strong diagonal "slash" in it to place directly over her body.

The One Who Stays

This was by far the hardest banner to make. Neither the title nor the premise really have any clear imagery, the premise being "What if Yuki didn't run after Kyo and instead stayed to comfort Tohru?" Additionally, the tone of the story is angst & whump with a hopeful ending (apparently my thing lol), which isn't easy to communicate in a banner. That said, I'm really happy with how it turned out! It went through a few iterations before landing here. The background is obviously representative of the bond (and those who are reading along know why), and it's a Yuki-centric story, so he's naturally present. The title quite literally refers to Yuki staying, but it comes from a quote from Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveller's Wife, which is "It's hard being left behind. I wait for Henry, not knowing where he is, wondering if he's okay. It's hard to be the one who stays behind." I think, in its full context, it connects to Akito struggling to let go of the bond, and Tohru's ability to relate to her due to her own fear of being left behind by her mother and now Kyo, which is why I included the anime screenshot of Tohru coming to sit beside Akito.

Bloom Within Us

Full disclosure: part of me is a little worried that this banner is a little too dark for those who're reading the fic. But it's also the most cheerful-looking and bright banner of the bunch somehow? The premise of this work is "What if Tohru didn't survive her fall from the cliff?" The fic focuses mostly on Kyo, and he and Saki are the two characters who struggle the most with Tohru's death but ultimately connect over their love of Tohru and shared grief. It's sad with a bittersweet ending/hopeful overall tone, so I didn't want a banner that was especially dark or gloomy. Anyway, it depicts Tohru in chapter 11 at the end of her funeral, just before her body is cremated, when the mourners have filled her coffin with yellow and pink chrysanthemums. Even though it's such a sad scene in the story, I think it's a really beautiful image, and it's really the root of the whole story - how does Tohru's death change the way everyone else's lives play out? In addition to depicting that scene, the banner obviously connects literally to the title (which is also kind of the theme of the work, that, to quote Murakami, "People leave strange little memories of themselves behind when they die." Tohru's dead, but she changed everyone's lives forever, and there are ways she still touches every part of them. Her special qualities take root inside of them and bloom within them.). She's memorialized in the story with a flower garden, and flowers come up between the characters a lot, too, as ways of showing care or optimism.

like the flowers and the bees

So... this is a smutty oneshot collection, so what I could represent in the banner is pretty limited lol. But obviously, the title is literally depicted. It also is a companion piece to Bloom Within Us, so lots of flower imagery makes sense. Also, I like the idea of a oneshot collection being represented by a flower garden - each is unique, but they all go together in a way.

Of Lost Cats and Half-Shadows

For this one, I just updated the version I made back when I first posted the fic. My biggest intention was to let people know it was a Furuba/JJK crossover, so I included the two couples the fic focuses on (and their stories parallel each other!!!). Because JJK is about exorcising physical manifestations of curses, I wanted to show the Zodiac curse manifested, so I used a screengrab from the anime of when Yuki's curse breaks, represented again by a rope. Additionally, the enso is an important symbol and practice in Japanese Buddhism. (Side note: both JJK and Furuba explore Buddhist philosophy!) The enso has many layered meanings, but the ones that most connect to the themes of this fic are those of enlightenment - something which Gojo has already achieved in JJK and which is symbolically represented in Furuba by the end of the cycle of rebirth with the breaking of the curse - and the beauty of impermanence. The title comes from a Murakami quote in Kafka on the Shore, "What I think is this: You should give up looking for lost cats and start searching for the other half of your shadow." Obviously, it's a reference to Megumi (shadow boy) and Kyo (cat boy) who are the two protagonists.

ichigo ichie

Impermanence is also a major theme in this fic. Tohru's trying to end the cycle of the Zodiac curse and Haruhi's trying to end the time loop that has her and the host club trapped. (Side note: I'm actually super excited about the ways this fic will let me explore some of the magic in the Furuba universe with the addition of the body swap magic from your name.) Instead of an enso, I used cherry blossoms to represent impermanence. The main relationships in this story are Tohru/Kyo and Tohru&Haruhi&Akito. And, like most of my stories, grief is a major theme in this one. New to me, though, is the Japanese folklore that'll be at the center of the conflict. (Like I said, I'm really really excited for the ways I'll get to work with magic & the supernatural in this fic!) Ichigo ichie is a Japanese saying roughly equivalent to "once in a lifetime meeting." The literal translation is more like "one lifetime, one meeting." This will play out in a more literal sense at the climax of the story, but "ichigo" is also the Japanese word for strawberry, and both Tohru and Haruhi are known to like strawberries.

lovers alone wear sunlight

This one is pretty straightforward. In this series, there's sort of a strong divide between before the curse breaks and after. Tonally, this banner is more in line with the after. But since the arc of the series is hopeful, and the title is optimistic, I'm going with it. I used a screengrab from the anime of Tohru and Kyo as adults, kissing, and added a sunflowery border to one side.

That Day in the Rain

Again, pretty straightforward. This is a small section of a (free stock image) watercolor painting of someone walking down a path in the rain toward a house. I liked how the tree branches could feasibly be those at Shigure's house, which is the location where most of the canon-divergent events in this series take place. Since the series will span from light angst with a dash of fluff all the way to heavy tragedy, I wanted something relatively neutral, tonally, that wouldn't be out of place at either end. Also, I just thought this was a really nice painting.

Instead of writing, I spent some time making banners for my fics and series. Nothing yet for my JJK oneshot - if I write more, I'll make a series banner.

All banners were designed in Canva (free version), and all component images came from Canva or Pixabay except:

character designs and anime screenshots are from series wikis

one background image is from an iStock photo free trial (the rope background from "The One Who Stays" - typically $15)

Feedback welcome! I'll be adding these to my social media posts for each work later today and will be using these on fic posts going forward!

[rassvetsky]

Make It Proper

part one | part two

robert "bob" floyd x fem!reader

"I was raised to love, you know? Not just love— but to love well. And my ma always told me that I should make a lover feel special, treat her even better if she treats me right." One of your hands went up then, to cup his face as an offering of solace. "I don't know if I succeeded in makin' you feel that way yet, but you're special to me. And I intend to respect you as such."

[4.8k] | fluff fluff fluff, lovesick bob :(, dude's so in love it's insane, anyway unprotected sex lol, cunningulus, fingering, and more of bob being absolutely adorable he's literally the sun itself. dedicated to @hangmanapologist because robyn you need to marry me

reblog and/or like for a kiss, feedback much appreciated! not proofread. also @alinasmcu i hope you like it loml

Robert showed his true nature in subtle ways.

With the way his hands laced with yours as he held them both against the gear shift while he drove, with the excuse of "warming them up" as if the weather could get any warmer. Like when a quiet 'aww' escaped his lips upon the sight of a squirrel by the trees on your way to the restaurant he told you all about, despite trying so hard to appear a bit more serious, at least. Or like all those times that you caught him stealing a glance and then smiling to himself, acting as if his attention was on the menu he held instead. He ended up exchanging fun facts about the squirrels with you however, and the genuine smile on your lips worked as a clear indicator— he didn't have to act as if he's someone else with you.

Needless to say, the date was wonderful. An absolutely delicious bottle of Rosé in your glasses, stories exchanged for hours and cheeks hurting from smiling a bit too much. It was perfect, he was perfect— a true gentleman by all means, with the way he never made you question his respect towards you, and listened so attentively that you found yourself skipping over your words whenever you saw that beautiful smile reach his eyes.

He was in the middle of a story about Phoenix not-so-accidentally kicking Hangman on the balls when you suddenly reached for his hand over the table, curling yours over his with a smile so beautiful that for a moment he forgot where he was, unsuccessfully trying to hold back a smile from breaking out. He reached in a bit closer to the table then, lifting your hand to press his lips against the pulse point on your wrist, eyes on yours all the way through. "Where was I?"

"Hangman trying to play it cool," you replied straight away, caressing his hand so delicately that he could feel his heart beating against his ribs forcefully. "God, I wish you had a video of that."

"Me too, but he's oddly against videos like that," he chuckled. "Something about 'em being forever, I don't know. I don't really listen when he talks."

A soft giggle left you. "Good for you, it's not often that he says anything useful outside of missions anyway." you sighed, free hand going forward to join the other. "I have a lot of Jake-induced traumas, unfortunately."

He didn't reply to that, but instead, lifted both of your hands this time, nuzzling his face against them with a tender smile on his lips, eyes closed momentarily. "I missed your touch," he sighed out. "I hope that's not weird."

"It's barely been a week, Floyd, keep it in your pants." you chuckled, brushing your fingers against his skin, watching the comfort in his expression carefully. Your fingertips slid over his lips, witnessing them part upon your gentle touch, and it took all sorts of self-constraint on your end to not just push a little further and feel his tongue against them. Almost as if he could hear your thoughts, he hung his head a little; and you could feel the curl of his lips against your palm when he smiled right against your skin. "What's on your mind?"

"I'm just— surprised, I think."

"Why's that?"

"When we all first got together, I didn't think I could be friends with you." he spoke with his voice barely above a sigh, and you probably would've had problems hearing him if you could focus on anything else around you, other than him. But all of your senses were directed straight at Bob, as his gentle eyes trailed over the streaks of the oak table. "You're so— you're like, beaming. Whenever I look at you. I try to find you in the room and you're over there, laughing and having fun and you just look like… the beauty that you have inside and out, it makes you look like you could make a grown man cry."

His eyes met yours then, a questioning gaze directed at you as if he was waiting for your confirmation on whether that made sense or not. You bit back a smile, watching as Bob brought your hands back down to the table, covering them with both his palms. "Is that a bad thing?" you asked, smile giving away the lighthearted nature of your question.

"No! No." a chuckle left him. "Just kinda felt like you wouldn't be interested in me while— you know, you could hang out with someone else."

It squeezed at your heart how precious he was; with his carefully picked out words and eyes unafraid of being vulnerable; it was clear that he felt comfortable enough to not restrain anything about himself around you.

You promised yourself that you would never break his heart, right then and there. Unbeknownst to you, he was doing the same when you met his eyes, his shoulders light with the amenity your company brought.

Even after all those hours spent on that same table, Robert wasn't ready to let go. The date was amazing, probably the best he's ever been to— and just the thought of calling a halt made him uneasy. He wanted to hear more of your stories, anyway!

But the genuine happiness in your face whenever your eyes met told him that there'd be plenty of time to tell all the stories possible, to know one another in a level in which nobody else does, to carry that trust with your entire soul. He felt at ease, knowing that your attention belonged to him, and his to you.

Which is why he didn't regret anything when he pulled up by your door, engine of the car still rumbling through and a street light illuminating just enough of your smile. "Guess that's it, huh?"

The sweet sound of your laugh tugged at his lips to widen his grin. "Hey! That sounds like you're leaving forever."

"Nope, don't you worry about that. I'm not leavin' ya anytime soon." he spoke, hand reaching out to caress your cheek with the back of his fingers, so gentle as if you'd break apart easily. "I had the most wonderful time. Thank you."

"I should be thanking you, Floyd." you shook your head, giggling to yourself before taking his hand in yours, pressing your lips right against his palm with a fond sigh leaving your lungs. "And perhaps I should thank you upstairs with some coffee?"

The embarrassment was evident in the way his cheeks flushed immediately, as he chuckled a bit to himself. "You were the one who told me to keep it in my pants."

"Pervert," you laughed, shaking your head to both sides before reaching in to press your lips right against the tip of his nose, pulling away with a grin. "Coffee and conversation. We don't have to do anything else, you're free to set the pace. Whatever makes you comfortable, Lieutenant."

A soft exhale burned through his lungs, pure appreciation in his eyes as he stared at you. In a way, be felt cared for— with how you let him know that you respected his boundaries and such, and God, he wanted to slap himself for being a coward and not talking to you anytime sooner. It had barely started, whatever it was between you two— and he already regretted not just jumping on you and bombarding you with love from the first moment he laid eyes on you, at the beach right by Hard Deck.

His entire body was still hot with the earlier flush when you led him through your living room and even told him which couch was the most comfortable —you even cared for his butt, he thought—, and he watched you beeline to the kitchen in order to prepare some coffee for the both of you.

Bob didn't sit down straight away, instead choosing to walk around the living room a bit— the whole area felt personal, with the photos on the walls and plants well-cared for. There was a photo of you— no, the child you right in front of a Fokker Dreidecker fighter aircraft with your arms crossed across your chest and a bright smile on your lips, another one with you and a bunch of other aviators, with your helmet snug between your arm and waist. And a lot more with what he supposed, family and friends.

He wondered if he'd ever get to have a photo of you and himself around here somewhere. Maybe taken during a trip to the Mediterranean coast, maybe with his arms around you, maybe with him in a suit reserved for the most important day in a person's life—

"Your coffee is ready, my lord!" you exclaimed happily, ignoring the fact that he visibly flinched when you suddenly appeared by him —or probably that grin on your lips was the indicator of a sinister plan, did you mean to scare him?— and he took one of the mugs from you with gratitude. "I see you've found my shrine."

"Is that you?" he asked, pointing to that picture of you in front of the old aircraft. A chuckle left you at that and you nodded, earning a soft laugh from him. "A Dreidecker? Somebody knew what they were doing before joining the academy."

"Every child has a fascination with something." you spoke, getting a hold of his free hand to lead him towards the couch, a content smile on your lips. "I just acted on it, I think. I was devastated to find out that they don't use those planes anymore, though."

He laughed and laughed, eventually laughed a bit more as hours passed through the both of you in a blur. He spoke to you about his childhood, that tiny park on the way back home from school in which he used up all of his daily allowance buying girls taffy apples, his neighbor's scary German Shepherd whom he eventually became best friends with, those specific cookies that his mama used to make once a year which he couldn't ever get the recipe for, his first kiss, first fight, first pet and eventually, although not exactly the topic, the first time he saw you. And how you managed to ignite a fire within his soul that he didn't think was possible.

Your mugs were long-empty, the beige foam of the coffee left behind to dry by the peak of the porcelain; but the conversation was far too enticing to break apart for a refill. You were close enough to see the tiny, rare freckles on top of the rosy glint he carried on, the pads of his eyeglass sitting snug on both sides of his upper nose, the oceans and seas and a thousand lakes he kept in his eyes, and the kindest smile anyone has ever offered your way.

Robert was beautiful. Beautiful in the way he put his feelings out to words, beautiful in the way his hand found yours on top of the couch, beautiful in the way he leaned in to press his lips against yours mid-story just because he thought the sight was too pretty to hold back from. You smiled up at him then, a bit awestruck, before your arms eventually found their way around his neck just so you could lay your head on his chest.

He still felt like his heart would burst whenever you moved so close.

"D'you wanna stay the night, Robby?" you asked, voice a bit muffled by the shirt he wore. He was taken aback for a split second before you decided to continue. "You could hug me all night."

"Ah, God— you have no idea how happy that would make me, sweetheart." he chuckled a bit to himself, thankful for the position of your head because he could feel his cheeks and neck burning up. "If, well… if you're okay with that, I don't see why not."

"Yeah," you sighed, peaceful. "I'm more than okay with that."

Bob genuinely didn't know what to do with himself when he opened his eyes in the morning, only to find himself buried against your skin and the soft, sleepy exhales you let out surrounding his entire being. With all your limbs tangled together, it was hard to pull the blanket up to cover your shoulders but he managed to do it, before pushing himself up on the bed a little to lean against the frame. He could see you better in this position.

But his innocent little plans of watching you sleep and going crazy all by himself were cut off short with the little yawn you let out; he noticed how your arms tried to tug him back on top of you, yet he persisted. He had a clear view of you being absolutely adorable and in your most vulnerable state —and you trusted him with it, the thought got him all fuzzy inside—, he wasn't going to give up the chance to engrave it into his mind.

You let out an incoherent mumble, causing his smile to get wider as he hummed back, hand gently reaching your face to push away the strands of hair on the way. "Gonna wake up?" he hummed, now opting to caress your cheek with the backs of his fingers. "C'mon, I missed you. Get up."

"You missed me?" you yawned again, sleep still evident in your voice and you hadn't even opened your eyes— yet a smile found itself home on your lips anyway. "We've been sleeping."

"Yeah, and I missed you in my sleep." matter of factly, he declared. "In fact, I might drop dead right here if you don't kiss me in the next ten seconds."

Your sleepy giggles mixed up with his, as you rubbed your eyes a bit before slowly pushing yourself up for your lips to meet his cheek. A dramatic exhale left him after that, as if his life truly depended on that kiss alone, and he finally gave in to your constant tugs. Now with your arms around him and with his face buried on your neck, the two of you could relax again.

"Thank you for lettin' me stay." he mumbled against your warm skin after a while of serenity, and your first response was carding your fingers through his hair to massage the nape of his neck.

"I was the one who offered you to stay."

"I'm blessed." he chuckled, before raising his head a little to plant kisses across your chin. "Truly blessed with you."

"Getting all sappy after a night together?" your teasing tone had him hiding his face on your neck again, and the gesture was so heartwarming that you had to bite back a wide smile from breaking out. "Wonder how you're gonna get after a different kind of night together. Although, you did say it's not proper, didn't you?"

"I said it wasn't proper in the car!" lifting himself up on his arms above you, he pouted down at you. "Without even taking you out on a date. I'm not raised that way."

"Care to elaborate on how you were raised?"

The momentary scrunch of his nose as he looked away to think was sacramental to you, to say the least, and when he looked at you again with that familiar shy smile, you knew that he was going to blurt out the sweetest words the humankind has ever heard.

"I was raised to love, you know?" he was down on his elbows now, too close, but not nearly close enough for you. "Not just love— but to love well. And my ma always told me that I should make a lover feel special, treat her even better if she treats me right."

One of your hands went up then, to cup his face as an offering of solace.

"I don't know if I succeeded in makin' you feel that way yet, but you're special to me. And I intend to respect you as such." the way he got a bit quieter towards the end in embarrassment was so endearing that you chuckled to yourself, fingers brushing against the flush on his cheeks as he not-so-snugly followed your touch.

Robert was so perfect to you. With his hopes, fears and everything that he believed in; he was so pristine. And now with his cerulean orbs staring right back at yours with a boyish expectancy and thrill, elbows holding his weight up just so he wouldn't make you uncomfortable with the pressure— you couldn't think of anything else but kissing him.

And that's what you did— a harsh tug to the back of his neck just so his lips could meet yours, feeling one of his arms snaking around your figure to hold you so delicately as if you'd break apart. Perhaps that was one of your favorite traits of his, the care— how he's so gentle, so careful with the way he picked out his words and held you, touched you. He never failed to make you feel like the only person in the whole wide world, like nothing else but you could ever matter to him.

The way he kissed you back was tentative, as if he wasn't sure where exactly that kiss would lead. But you couldn't help a quiet whimper leaving your lips when he experimentally grazed your lower lip with his teeth, the sound giving him enough courage to nibble on the soft flesh before finally letting a bit of his weight rest on yours, all close and warm. The arm which he was still using to keep himself up moved downwards with that, feeling your body through the thin layer of clothing that covered it and gently leading your thighs around his lower waist.

It made him feel like your bodies were made for one another. How electrifying, he thought.

Neither of you were in a rush, it seemed, when he pulled away with a radiant grin only to tug your t-shirt upwards. You moved in sync with him to get rid of the article of clothing, your upper body completely bare before his very eyes— but not even for a moment did you think of hiding yourself from his curious gaze. Bob's hand found yours, lacing your fingers together before he let his lips latch onto the skin of your neck, leaving short little pecks all the way to the valley of your breasts. A soft sigh left you, stomach churning with anticipation and the type of flutter that you missed so much.

"You'd tell me if you wanted me to stop, yeah?" his eyes were so bright when he looked at you again, chin millimeters away from your stomach and you nodded, giggling a little. "Good, that's good. 'Cause, um— you're so pretty and I jus' wanna kiss you all over, to be honest."

"My heart's gonna burst if you don't keep going, Floyd." you whispered back, earning a lovesick glare from him before he bit down on your skin, right by the side of your waist— pulling yet another giggle out of you before he could get rid of the rest of your clothes.

He made a quick work of it, letting your underwear fall to the ground with his hoodie —yours, actually, you never thought that your oversized comfy hoodies would come in handy like this— following suit. You traced the outline of his pecs with your fingertips, and the way he sucked in a deep breath only egged you on to continue.

You followed along the barely visible happy trail, hooking a finger on the waistband of the boxers he wore to sleep, teasingly pulling on it a bit before letting it snap back into place. "This won't be fair if you have a mind to play with me, sweets." he spoke, trying to sound all intimidating— yet he sounded like he was barely keeping it together, a smile tugging on his lips as he stared down at you. You smiled back at him, head tilting innocently.

"It's really not fair at all that you're still not touching me where I need it," you mumbled, the sweetest of all pouts on your lips which he desperately wanted to kiss away— but instead, he returned to his former position, face hovering over your hip bones only to plant kisses on the twin peaks. "Rob, please."

"Patience," he hummed, his lips now on your upper thighs, carefully letting one rest on his shoulder as if he was testing how it'd feel wrapped around him. He seemed to like the idea though, since before you knew it, a playful glint was evident in his eyes while he stared at you and softly blew on your bare core, taking mental notes on your reaction to the sudden cold. "You need my touch here, is that it?" you nodded rapidly.

"S'okay sweetheart," the way his breath hit against your core with each of the words he let out was about to drive you absolutely insane. "Gonna take care of you, don't worry."

And Bob was a man of his word.

Because the second his lips met your clit, he was grunting and panting against you and God, you wondered if he knew just how much he affected you. With soft whines leaving your lips, you tried to buck your hips up a bit to meet him a bit more forcefully, but he already had two arms wrapped around your upper thighs— he easily pinned you down again, only to let his tongue run through your folds with a drawn out hum. The taste of you taking over his senses drove him to the point of insanity.

"Fuck, Robby, keep going— please keep going." you whined out, continuous sounds leaving you at that point— and Robert absolutely basked in them, the pride of knowing just how good he was making you feel making all the blood rush to his cock, painfully hard against the mattress— just like that evening in the car with you on his lap, lips all swollen from the harsh nature of the kisses you two shared. "Why the fuck are you so good at this—"

His method of shutting you up was a bold flick of his tongue against your clit while he let go of one of your legs, only to push your folds apart with his fingers and spread your essence with his middle finger. It slipped in rather easily, allowing him to push in a second one— and you were really thankful at that moment that you never noticed just how big his fingers were, otherwise the thought would've made you a lunatic.

His fingers got caught on a slow yet steady pace, and he took your slightly distraught state as an opportunity to push his body up and to plant his lips against yours. His fingers did wonders inside of you, but magically, his lips felt even better— the amount of emotion he poured out into the gesture had your senses flooding with nothing but adoration towards him. Swallowing your moans and whimpers, he curled and uncurled his fingers, exploring you until hitting a spot that felt just right, and the way you shook against his hold left a grin on his lips, into the kiss.

You were surprised by how unphased he was, completely focused on his task of bringing you pleasure while he could very well get it all over with and call it a day— he didn't budge even when you clawed on his back, wrapped your arms around his shoulders just to pull him impossibly close. He didn't budge when you broke the kiss away just to tell him —in explicit detail— what you wanted him to do to you, and how much he was affecting you.

If only you could hear his internal screams, though.

His lips were by your neck by the time the constant twitching of your legs and the warmth taking over inch by inch started becoming the indicator of an upcoming orgasm, and he could feel it from the way your walls clenched around his digits so hard— the thought of you clamping down on his cock like that pulled a soft sigh out of his lips, drowned out by your constant drawled out moans. "Shh, that's it," he whispered, lips right below your ear now. "Gonna come on my fingers, yeah? That's a good girl, so loud and pretty for me."

And if the abuse of your sweet spot wasn't effective, his words definitely did it— lighting up the sparkler waiting to erupt, making an overwhelming mix of clarity and fogginess take over your entire mind for the minutes to come. He helped you ride it down as gently as he could, still whispering sweet nothings to your ear before pulling his fingers out. And to your absolute surprise, he pushed himself up a bit, putting on a show of how he licked his fingers clean— with eye contact all through.

Bob was going to be the death of you.

So you only gave yourself a minute or two to catch your breath before pushing him down on the bed, wet core sitting snugly right on top of his clothed length when you straddled him. He stared up at you, expression a bit surprised, maybe even starstruck with how a smile won over so quickly. "I was getting to it, you really lack patience—"

"Rob, sweetheart, you take too long," you huffed out, earning a chuckle from the other as he grabbed your thighs, squeezing the flesh under his palms. "Did you want my heart to burst or something?"

"A taste of your own medicine."

"Oh, shut up. Not funny." you spoke, still laughing a bit nonetheless. Getting up on your knees to pull his underwear down just enough to pull his length out, you gave him a couple of jerks, palm tight against his flushed pink tip moist with precum. "You have no idea how much I've been wanting this."

"Is that why you asked me to stay the night? How scandalous—"

"Robby!"

"Alright, alright," a breathless chuckle left him, eyes trained on the grip of your fingers around his length and the way you lined him up with your entrance. His eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head when he first felt your warm core on his most sensitive spot, the glide through your folds and the shaky breath you left out. He wasn't in a much better situation himself, afraid of letting go of the breath he held just in case his lungs would give out— but he decided to speak up again nonetheless, still a lot of things to say but never enough time. "For the record, me too. I thought about this a lot."

"Did you, now?" your voice was nearly shaking when you started sinking down on him, a slight hiss leaving your lips. "What'd you think about?"

"Thought of you exactly like this. On top of me, starin' at me like that— drove me crazy."

"Just the thought drove you crazy?"

"Yeah, you do that to me, baby."

"Aha! Oop— here we go. God damn it—" the sight of Robert, all soft with his hair all over the place and a spatula in his hand was incredibly endearing, but watching him try to balance blueberries on top of the stack of pancakes for five minutes now wasn't exactly your desired breakfast activity. You were drained and starving— the blueberries could fuck themselves.

"Bob, we're gonna eat 'em anyway," you whined, elbows against the kitchen table when he turned around to flash you a smile which quietly told you not to worry about it. You were too hungry to not worry about it. "I'm gonna die. Feed me or I'm calling the cops."

Taking your words for granted, he turned around again, this time with the plate which he worked so hard for —and you appreciated it! Just wanted to appreciate it faster, is all—, watching another blueberry roll down to the plate with a sigh before setting the plate down on top of the table. "I swear I'm better at this."

"Balancing blueberries is a shit skill, I wouldn't be disappointed if you weren't."

"Hey! Stop disrespecting my skills!" with a dramatic sigh and a roll of his eyes, he pushed his glasses up a bit on his nose, sitting down on a chair right next to yours as a soft grunt left him. You giggled, letting your head find its spot on his shoulder and feeling an arm wrapping around you securely— and a kiss to your hair, of course. "I'd walk through fire for you and you're out here judging me for trying to make the perfect breakfast."

"Any breakfast would be perfect with you!"

[loovsoobs]

Library Confessions / 최수빈

꒰⚘݄꒱ “Was it a moment of weakness or courage? You couldn't tell”

genre: fluff setting: best friends!; soobin x gn. reader!; university au! word count: 704

Synopsis: You and Soobin are “studying” at the library. You’ve had a crush on him for as long as you can remember, and can’t help, but be distracted by his presence. Which Soobin notices as well. 

a/n. hi! This is my first fanfic that i’m publishing on tumblr. I haven’t written anything in a very long time, so take this as a warm up c: The text was not proof read, sorry lol. But I hope you enjoy <3

You look up from your book yet again to find Soobin laying on the table with his arms serving as his pillow. His eyes were just scanning the room, and his hands were playing with the strings of his hoodie. You wondered why he insisted on tagging along when he fully knew you needed to study, and wouldn't entertain him. He wasn't the type to always need a conversation, but to sit in the library for hours with you, without doing much had to be so boring. He did bring his own books, which did surprise you. Usually you study alone, since Soobin isn't the most studious type. He usually either refuses to come with you, or sits around procrastinating as much as he can, which was the case today. You had to admit though, the sight of him was adorable. Bored out of his mind, with his own homework spread out in front of him, but left lonely with disinterest. You chucked, which brought Soobin's attention to you. He pouted "What's so funny, y/n?"You just shook your head, still smiling. "Nothing". He shifted his position, now resting his cheek on his hand. You couldn't help but notice that he was closer to you than before. It made your stomach drop a little. You couldn't deny your crush on him any longer. You were infatuated with him. Even though you came here to study, you couldn't remember a single sentence of the book you were reading. All you remember was stealing occasional glances at Soobin. How his hair falls on his forehead, and how he scrunches his nose when it tickles him. How he puffs his cheeks when he's particularly bored in the moment. All those gestures, all his details are almost engraved into your brain. Now sitting across from each other, closer than before, you can't help but feel nervous. You've been best friends since high school, and yet every time you're in his proximity you can't help but feel nervous. "Are you making fun of me" He said, and it felt like the time resumed again. You didn't even realize the trans you were in made it seem like time stopped. "I would never do that" You said sarcastically. One thing about your friendship, is that bickering was guaranteed. Another thing was this indescribable tension you felt around him, and tried to play it cool by making fun of him. Maybe your love language was deflection. Who knows. "Oh yeah? Just like you'd never actually focus on what you said you'd be doing. This is the 5th time I caught you doing anything else, but reading this book you supposedly needed to read for tomorrow" He said in a sarcastic tone, and you could instantly feel your stomach drop and your cheeks heat up. So he noticed you looking at him. Why didn't he say anything earlier? Was it weird? A thousand thoughts raced through your head in that exact second. "What are you thinking so hard about?" Soobin said, after a moment of silence, as if to break the tension. And for a brief moment you considered telling him the truth about how you felt. You looked around, and although your university's library wasn't the most romantic place to confess your long held crush, you couldn't help, but notice it's charm and how much time you've spent starting at Soobin instead of your homework here. It happened every time he joined you. "y/n?" He looked at you from a lower angle, pouting. "hm?" you hummed,  pretending as if you didn’t hear what he just said. "what are you thinking about?” His tone was now intrigued. He was starting directly at you, and was even closer than before, leaning in over the wooden table. When did he move? Your heartbeat sped up and you didn’t even notice your tongue blurring out the answer to his question. "You" You said. Was it a moment of weakness or courage? You couldn't tell. You could feel your cheeks getting redder. You stared back at Soobin. His eyes now wider. That was it, the cat was out of the bag. The milk was spilled, and there was no going back. "I like you" you finally admitted.

[ngmn2002]

Do these songs have a connection & a hidden meaning?

Suspicious. His last sentence makes me go ??? I remember first time I read this I was like: liar says there is a traitor. It's YOU. Then ch 71 came out and I started crying while he was disappearing and apologized to him... but like why? I was too emotional back then..... Now, while in my senses, I don't trust this little speech you gave. it's super sus. You're up to something, right? you even look so proud and in high spirit while talking. playing with red Hakujoudai and saying serious stuff when it's in your hand as well, like Tsukasa does with red koku, twins I'm telling you.

Hmm... who told him that or gave him the paper? Or... like... from where did he get the knowledge about this thing? He even 'summoned' the elevator/a similar one when he left No.6's boundary with Nene & Sumire ...? ......

Why....? ......... Yugi twins edition-TBA we still need the hand hold to make the scene complete and for fun, only with Kou, it's the leg hold. duh. not that I care. but it made me laugh. so I added this

This whole thing... ehhh.... can't wait to see something like it happening between a certain pair of twins. The reference is already there, even.

With Tsukasa in Aoi's place, maybe? Though, I think Amane-kun will be more 'wow' than Akane-kun.

Kou getting used by her and nat. lol Imagine if he told Teru about this guy, but nah. Akane may be the one to do so, while Kou is just... nothing. I wonder why Kou doesn't hate this guy who fooled him or goes out for revenge against him like his deal with Tsukasa. Unlike, Tsukasa, he really hurt you and used you as a toy. wired. should I call him stupid at this point or not? Funny thing is that nat went this same 'team up' way with Akane to use him, too. Haha, funny he didn't get his way that time. ~

Used to have high hopes in this thing...

Pretty strong words, Sumire-chan. Still can't get over them, but from the point of view of a girl who lived a life like hers, it's completely understandable. poor thing.

HAHAHA. This thing is so funny to me because of lots of things. Let me get back at you for once, Hanako-kun. ~ so he really does trust Tsuchigmori with *his* Kannagi

........... ........... ........... ok, I see you. ~ so funny now Tsu hit him hard in ch 105 lol

........... This is the place Nene was taken to in the red house, right? Yeah... all is there is girls cursing the living and their fate.

Expected a much more of a reaction to be honest.

AHAHA. shouting that in front of Amane-kun who is a fan of the idea of imprisoning those he loves is too funny.

~ ~ ~ you hurt his feelings a bit, Nene-chan

Hmm........ Is Aoi included or not? anyway, him facing away like this tells you something is 'off'.

I just wonder why didn't he do that from the very start. Is it to make sure Aoi's deal is done? so then... the severance will happen? ...... Like... he knew a huge thing will happen yet he was... acting normal. Though, I still consider the respect he showed for Nene and how he went with her idea instead of getting her to destroy Sumire as he wanted.

Yet again, back when I read this thing for the first time I went: it's your planning! You knew everything! You...!!! Then again, ch 71 hit me hard and I went: sorry, Hanako-kun! uhhh..... why am I that way when I'm emotional? I need to work on changing that.

Ok, so... this art... I have to assume these destroyed lamps mean the destroyed yorishors/or the numbers that are no longer appointed (there is 2 No.3, one is cracked and the other is not), anyway, seeing Hanako that way, he is the who is going to leave his place with his own hands I assume? He is the one destroying his lamp and... 'eating' it... eating his yorsihiro destroying his yorishiro himself? Would that really happen at some point........? ...........

Please have mercy on me. No.6-Sumire part 2, here we come, MAYBE. The funny thing is that um... whenever I imagine the thing that happened between Tsu & Amane... it starts normal... with them talking... maybe in that room Tsu is usually in...? in Hanako's boundary...? anyway... Amane finally 'talks'... Tsu is happy with that... then things start with Amane kissing Tsukasa's seal... I mean.. destroying a yorishiro starts from there (objects)... No.6 kissed Sumire's neck... anyway... then... then... then... more talking while Amane maybe... starts with the hands... fingers... Tsukasa is laughing and enjoying the whole thing... they keep on talking... Amane saying some... stuff... then... for the sake of my sanity... I will stop in there. Every single time this is how things end up. Things get... heated pretty quickly.... for some reason..... it's hard to imagine a thing like that without...... uh...... so I just stop...... uhhh... writing this..... my hands are shacking... and I'm laughing like crazy out of embarrassment.... like.... please..... there are lots of stuff get mixed with my little imagination.. ghost hotel... the lovers' suicide little thingy we've seen so far... and ch 100 art......... some other things.... it's all too much........ HAVING AMANE NOT HOLDING BACK IS COOL AND ALL... BUT SO SCARY!!! I'M SORRY!! BUT LIKE... THERE IS NO LIMITS TO WHAT HE MIGHT DO!!! and Tsu will be giggling to himself, enjoying the show of Amane not holding back... enjoying his face... everything he does.... I better stop.

For the sake of my remaining sanity, I won't talk about ch 71.

Will only mention a little tiny thing...

Look how similar they are... if a thing similar happened with Tsukasa at the end... I... T.T Not to say... Hanako-kun said he granted Nene's wish in a 'classroom' in ch 1, ch 71. A nice detail.

So cute!! Who could of guessed thousands of 'I love you' won't affect her, but 'I hate you' would so bad! ♡ I happened to read a little story about 2 who were in love, when the man confessed, his beloved told him 'I love you' is too huge of a word, she won't believe it coming from his mouth too really into their relationship, so he asked her what should he say then, when that's how he truly feels, she shook her head and told him a 'I hate you' is more believable to her, it's a really lower stage from 'love'. Then, after more time passed, he confessed to her once more, that time saying 'I hate you', so she would believe him and won't see him talking huge words without fully understanding them or meaning them, and she did 'love' his confession. They got married soon after. 'I hate you' became their 'I love you', to the point whenever she gets mad at him, a 'I hate you' charm is all it took him to make her heart flutter. until one point, they got into a heated argument and he shouted 'I hate you' making her blush and hug him, being no longer mad at whatever they were shouting about. What she didn't know, is that in that time, he really meant his words. Of course, it was just in the heat of the moment he said that, and in a shock of what he said, he didn't ever think he would say 'I hate you' while fully meaning it.

Adds more suspicion than answers. yet again talking about No.1. Also... look how things developed.. you're taking Hanako to No.1's boudary yourself, Teru. lol

The emptiness of losing your most important person... feeling left behind... hurts a lot. I wonder at times, for Hanako-kun who lived the miserable feeling of being left behind.. he did that same thing to Nene and took the choice without considering her feelings. Or maybe he did, and really thought she will forget about him so easily. Only for her to leave everything behind and come to him. I see he must have been pretty shocked. To see what he really means to Nene-chan and how much she is willing to give to be with him. Tsukasa was really right to call him out on the fact of 'what about what she wants'.

............

wonder how Mitsuba got to take that pic and when exactly...? This boy and M 2.0 really have a thing with the red house

Uhhhh... if it's Tsu I will.... cry too.......

Let's finish things with lovely little Tsu! ♡

Random Stuff

So... giving this manga a really fast look... I want to read it thoughtfully again someday These little things stood out to me...

Hanako and keys....... please stop.. I can't take it. This little pose of his mocks me a bit. you want to know about my key so baaad?~ realllllly?~ just haaaang there.~ there seems to be a lock in there too? if that won't make me go even more crazy her brooch is also there. for some reason.

Everything as in... 'everything'? then how come you didn't know his future will change? or that it's different from what's in his book, even? his inference with supernatural stuff (the clock) while you call him 'normal' While this 'everything' is not so reliable for me at this point, I'm still interested to see you back at some point to tell us more about this 'everything'.

Never gets old. ~

I wonder how come Kou didn't tell Teru Hanako-san put a seal on his staff or how Teru supposedly didn't notice the seal on it with it right there in front of his own eyes many times until now. Did he see it's best if it stays sealed like that for Kou's sake, despite it being like a 'family treasure' to the Minamotos?

Talking about Teru looking after Kou...

He keeps a close eye on Kou, to the point when Kou skipped class, he was there to see about it...

but when Kou stayed after school to hang out with an 'evil spirit' as Teru calls it, got beaten by Tsukasa... he was nowhere to be found.... how come? it would be funny if he didn't ask about Kou's injury after he got home or if Kou was like: yeah.. I fell down. haha.

Hmm... Tsukasa is selfish? How come? Please... I'm crying in here and want him to think about HIMSELF more. Not too 'wise' of you miss, you should know better. Not to say... she is talking as if she doesn't put herself that category. The deepest part of that category. How funny.

I wonder juuuust a little why she would show some nice gestures from time to time with others...

like the mokke or even Mitsuba 2.0, while she goes around stating she doesn't care if all case to exist at the end.

Nene is not an exception. She even talked about her in person. In front of her- let's be friends/I don't want to harm you. Behind her back- I don't care for her, even if she doesn't want to keep going in destroying the Yorishiros, I won't give her a choice, then I don't care if she died out of it. .....................

Another thing... she seems to take Nene's hands in hers quite often... which kind of makes me wonder...

Nene didn't ever question her hands heat, or said they are cold or whatever. She appears in photos normally, even ... hmm... something about her is different from usual 'ghosts'. she is not a living, yet not a ghost... fine. who cares.

Ok, to cool off!

Ehhhh.... perfection.......

Let's keep going!

Hmm... doesn't this apply to ch 86? or... does a cheek kiss count? ...... or were they supposed to have it back then? after all... Hanako-kun really seemed to be about to do that, but was holding back I guess?

Hmm... really deep words. kinda reminds me of this...

Anyway... these...

Huh? You queen of luck. Won't say more.

forgetting about the whole -boy/girl- thing because I just feel it's misleading at this point... what do you mean sir?! ............. I'm just laughing, if anything, looking forward to see the lovers' suicide ............ this thing... when you don't want to see things in 'some way' but you're forced to, anyway. it's mocking.

Ok, now... p.p arc related little stuff

Defensive lovely Nene-chan!

This boy and keys... again... STOP!!!

T-T

Can perfectly see Tsukasa & Nene in here.~ But oh, we got a similar thing with them, hehe...

uhh... how lovely...

what a nice feeling...

Then do a thing about him, instead of just threatening little him then crying later because of how 'helpless' you are. Prove your attitude to me, Kou-kun. Not with words, tho. I'm already sick of that.

Still feeling bad Tsu was left out from all this fun!!! Ahhh!!! He would love to be a part of this!! WON'T HE?! That wasn't fair!!! WHY wasn't Tsukasa asked to come join in this, huh?! At some point Amane-kun can say "I had these tickets to go watch a movie with my lil bro but he doesn't like theaters, so would you come with me, Yashiro-san?" then "we need students to volunteer to clean the pool, I asked Minamoto 'Yashiro-san' even Mitsuba 2.0 is there! and we still need more participators" THEN GO TO YOUR SUPPOSED -THE CLASS NEXT DOOR- TWIN"!!!!!! UHHHGGG!!! This thing makes me angry!! I get maybe we weren't supposed to see Tsukasa with others too much back then, or even the twins together too much.. but like... that's not fair....... let the boy have some fun!!!

................... ok... enough of that........... didn't expect I will talk this much about it.......

Oh... some deep words, again....

At times I really wonder... If Tsukasa had some other goals out of letting our guys in this perfect pic world, beside that obvious 'grant M 2.0 wish' one destroy No.4's yorishiro... maybe he wanted them to get what kind of reality they actually live in, see how they would react.. will they still want it? reject it? try to change it? Hanako-kun is a special case, isn't he? I think maybeee... to Tsu... this was also a push for Hanako-kun into the right direction! get him to open his eyes to some of his hidden desired and actually.. at some point.. voice some of them out!

In addition to everything, maybe he said that influenced by their p.p arc experience. Tsu even got Nene-chan to lean some cool lessons in the little experience/the wish of No.4 thingy. How cool of him.

I don't know how to put this thing... but all I will just say is that Tsukasa maybe was after hitting too many birds with one stone out of the p.p thing. He must be proud of his work at this point. Lots was achieved in that arc, especially on the HanaNene side and MK, which also seem to Tsu's interest kind of. This boy... a true mastermind, have to say. looking at 12 y.o Tsu... am I surprised? not at all.

That being said, let's welcome our cute little mastermind kitty-boy!~ no matter how much time passes, I'm so in love with this whole scene.

So, yeah... I really do sympathize with Amane-kun in here. I mean... his little brother is soooo irresistible~ let's admire him together, Amane-kun!!!

yessss, just like this! . . .

Due to pic limits, some more stuff will be added in a 'reblog'.