#as mentioned in alt this is supposed to be a companion piece? to the one with elise and cupimon that i posted before lol

[azaracyy]

love is hell

[jhuzen]

Helloooooo. May I request an angst fic with comfort with Kazuha? I find not much angst Kazuha fic so.... If it is too hard, you can change to another character (or if you like so).

The idea here is... maybe.... forget a special occasion? Im bad at idea lmao, so you can write any idea you want

Thanksss so much

-UwU anon-

esteemed guest [gn/m.reader]

yo boi’s here to answer some requests because i have been pent-up from my workload ughhh. thank u UwU anon for this lovely request, i have been meaning to write for our dearest samurai <3, also this was supposed to be a normal “i forgot your bday” trope… but… the drama queen in me could never live that down. so please… bear with this dramatic one-shot, i hope you don’t mind the drastic trope change (pls don’t be mad). definitely did not write this while listening to susato’s alt theme serenade. ugh. her chara theme song is too good.

𖦹 moderate angst, hurt/comfort, non-linear style story, descender reader (i kinda miss writing for an otherworldly reader, which i remember the last one was xiao’s), mentions of death, i heavily romanticized loneliness

To wait is to face the bittersweetness of the lonely company. It is to welcome the nights of coldness with no one to keep you warm. It is to embrace what little left of time in between your meetings, always often ending in promises that are to be kept despite the odds.

To wait is to painstakingly nurse the hope within you that he will come back.

And to you, Kazuha is worth the wait. He always will be — from the very first time you and him met until the last breaths that you could manage should he be there for you on your death bed. Though you had every confidence that death is something not to worry about, it does leave you relatively concerned at the prospect of passing without even having to chat with your most endeared companion.

Kazuha was your everything, he pulled you out of that loneliness that you were slowly sinking into, giving into the depths with a warm embrace as you resided in the desolate islands of this broken apart nation. He was just a wandering ronin, hiding away from the prying eyes of the shogunate, and you were quite literally not from this world, taking refuge in an unknown place in a world you only took a chance at to flee from the atrocities of your own home.

Quite frankly, you and Kazuha were both rifts adrift at sea, only to find solace in each other’s loneliness and somber company, both grief-stricken and exasperated after being trapped in the throes of your own lives.

Your status from your home meant nothing now, but even that was something that you can forgive and forget as long as the samurai in exile was by your side, visiting you every so often with a small smile on his face, offering you the company that you can only long for after having it so cruelly taken away from you in your isolation.

So to wait… to wait was nothing. It was something that you can bear through — dressed in your finest robes, under that familiar big tree by the shore where your lonesome house stood, you would wait for him to make good on his promise of companionship.

But never had you expected that it would be soon that he would break his promise, leaving you by your prying thoughts that were so needlessly merciless, undying and full of doubts that ate away at you. You figured it was the loneliness that was plaguing you that must have caused it. It was madness — pure, unadulterated insanity where you had no hopes of climbing out of. It felt like a vortex pulling you in.

However this time, your samurai’s gentle hands would not come to hold yours to the rescue.

The first time he’d forgotten your promise was when you finally mustered the courage to share him a piece of your home world — a mere recreation of a dish from your family, which was honored by most people as it was prepared and ate by people of your status back then, in a way it was as if to introduce him to the family you’ve deserted, the family that would have loved him so, so much.

You’ve foraged through the entire island of Tatarasuna on that day, waking up before the sun could make an appearance just to make the most of the day. It was often that Kazuha would arrive by the day to have as much time with you after all, and the thought was enough to make you feel giddy. You ought to create a good Teyvat rendition of your family’s cuisine and so went on a trip, trying to find substitutions to the entire recipe (you’ve yet to see which ones were poisoned, considering the fact that your body can be a little bit different compared to the residents of this world).

Your heart was filled to the brim with elation and excitement coursed through your veins as you prepared your proxy delicacy in hopes to share a piece of yourself to Kazuha. He had done so much for you these recent months, and cooking a favored dish of his was one of the gestures that you can hardly forget. And you ought to return it with the same amount of love and care as the one you’ve felt from him.

You finished your dish with pure satisfaction — now all that was left was to wait for him.

And so you waited, and waited, and waited. Until the night fell with no traces of the ronin, leaving you perplexed.

Your gaze drifted to the dish that you created, finally taking a spoon and taking a good bite out of it.

Your eyebrows furrowed — there was something lacking, “…Hm. Not sweet enough,” you murmured before getting up to write down the things you could improve on.

That day passed in the company of nothing and a not-so-sweet dish.

The second time he broke your promise was the day you ventured out into the city of Inazuma. Although exiled, Kazuha made no reservations in telling you about the city of his beloved nation — it was bustling with people in the day, yet as quiet as a ghost town at night. Everyone worked on clockwork and always seemed to have a tight schedule to follow. Kazuha was a free-spirit and often moved against it, following the wind’s will and his for the most part.

You remember chastising him about the importance of punctuality, but Kazuha managed to weasel out of it by serenading you with yet another romantic poetry that held no destination nor a dedication. You often told him that clothing told stories of different variations — some told tragedies, some with honor, and some with the fiery passion of romance.

“I’m rather curious about this new form of storytelling…” you could feel your skin tingle as Kazuha’s hand ghosted over the nape of your neck, gazing at you with something you can only decipher as a gentle adoration that left a feeling that stirred within your core. It almost rendered you tight-lipped, only to realize that he was implying something.

You remember almost losing the composure of someone of your status (no doubt your family tutor would smack your palms if they saw you), eyes blown wide as your jaw stuttered out an unintelligible gibberish before sighing as the ronin laughed, “You’re… you’re lucky I know how to sew.”

“Is that an acceptance to my request?”

“I’ll make you the finest garment.” You assured him that time and sealed your promise with a smile, much like how he also promised to come back the next.

Your hands skillfully wove a thread through the hem of the sleeves — you figured taking an inspiration from your good friend’s clothing would be a way to incorporate the interwoven stories that you and him now share in this world. You would have to thank the seamstress of your family, with enough of your curious and persistence, he gave in and taught you the basics of weaving and stitching certain patterns into the fabric with a clean finish.

A fond smile crossed your face, surely despite the fact that Kazuha wasn’t able to fulfill the promised meet last time, he would make it up to you this time.

However even your self-assurance was cut short when the monstrous doubt decided to claw its way up to the surface from the deepest pits of your form, its canines sinking into you like an unforgiving beast in your home. It had you writhing in agony as the thought of your esteemed guest forgetting his promise — clutching onto you like a needy child unable to let go of its parent. It was a seed of doubt that you refused to entertain, but it was a persistent and intrusive thought.

Your frown was evident that day when the sky had fallen into soft hues of oranges and violets, the clouds crowning the sky and the sun ready to slumber like almost everyone in this nation.

The night was catching up soon and your esteemed guest is not present. It didn’t take long before a heavy feeling weighed itself on your chest, pushing you down into a familiar twinge of disappointment that you felt on the first

You remember coming back inside your abode that night, eyes narrowing as your gaze lowered to the robes you managed to finish. You tilted your head, immediately pouncing on the chance to scrutinize your own hard work.

There was a dissatisfied look on your visage, “Not vibrant enough,” you turned on your heel, brisk and swift before marching down to a much different part of the house, unable to look at your craftsmanship anymore.

The third time he had forgotten to make good on his promise, you were certain that Kazuha had long forgotten about you just as much. But there was a sliver of hope that thrived within you, a tiny flame from what little spark you have left.

A soft croon left your lips as you looked up on the moon, bathing in its soft glow that oversaw the entire nation. Your feet dug into the sandy shores nearby your desolate home, as the gentle breeze caresses your face. It was bittersweet that the wind reminded you so much of him. He spoke so highly of it and the wind itself embodied the freedom that Kazuha shouldered on his own.

“Third time’s the charm!”

You puckered your lips and blew into the leaf, barely managing to replicate the ronin’s music. Kazuha’s laughter went unnoticed as you looked at him with disdain and a face that absolutely just gave up, “Are you sure this is not a jest? I am quite certain plants cannot create music.”

He plucked the leaf from your hold and flashed you a sweet smile with mischief at the corners of his lips, “Hm? You lack technique, I’m afraid. Watch and learn.” And what you failed to do, he did so with ease and class, only rendering you speechless. You always did appreciate people that have talent, they were the best kind of people and your adoration for them never was lacking.

You furrowed your eyebrows as you tried to make sense of his apparent technique, only to be startled when Kazuha barged into your personal space, his lips almost ghosting over yours with that unyielding grin of his — so sweet and so gentlemanly, always leaving you at the edge.

“Shall I show you how?”

Your eyes never failed to drift to your companion’s lips, tempting and supple, curved perfectly into a smile that can knock the wind out of your sails. And yet being reminded of it now… does not aid you in the slightest. He was always just a strand of hair away, it was always a paper thin distance, it was like being lured into a trap but you were far more aware than the usual, and you absolutely loathed it now.

But even under the daylight, you closed your eyes and blindly walked into it.

“…Sure.”

Third time’s the charm, indeed, you would desperately believe in it just to see your beloved ronin once more. The company that you sought after being lonely for so long. And yet, as the soft waves caressed your bare feet, even with the crows that you’ve domesticated, you found yourself wallowing in the grace of loneliness once more.

You leaned over to your rippling reflection in the water with a pout as you stewed in the growing emptiness in your heart. You reached out a hand to touch the reflection, watching yourself distort as you concluded your final thoughts.

“Maybe it’s you… who is not enough.”

That night, you never bothered returning to your home.

Time was against Kazuha as he itched with want and longing. You were just an island away now that he’s here in the city. He managed to aid the traveler’s quest and had done his friend good service as he fought against the very woman that took Tomo away from him. And now that everything quelled, he wondered if you were alright — if you were still around and still waited by him under that tree like you always did.

And even then, that was the least of his worries. You may be just an island away, but even that can’t stop anything or anyone to disturb you… or even potentially harm you in the first place.

“Kazuha! Let’s go cel— ah? Already going?” The tiny floating creature by the traveler turned to him, concerned and confused.

Kazuha only gave an apologetic smile, “Forgive me for not being in the celebration, I have to check on someone.” He couldn’t afford not having you by his side, not after having to leave you on your own. He didn’t forget, he could never forget; you were the beaming priority at the top of his head constantly.

“Must be someone so important if you’re leaving so soon! Okay! Bring them over if you have time!”

Lucky was he that he didn’t even have to ask the Alcor’s captain as she already hailed a the anchored ship for him to take. The captain might have managed to pry a thing or two about you from the samurai, after all. And for how much work he’s done in being one of the heroes in Inazuma, Beidou figured this was a reward Kazuha would be deserving of the most.

And it only took a good few hours, even less when Kazuha didn’t bother waiting on the ship’s anchoring, already jumping down from the deck to the sandy shores. Just over that cliff was your home, where you would be, safely waiting for him with that smile of yours that he hoped to dream of in every slumber of his.

“Did you know my people can die from loneliness?”

His head rose from your chest, opening an eye to peer at you (you were generous enough to lend him your body as his bed for the moment after his exhausting trip from Liyue). Your smile didn’t quite reach your eyes at that time, and he wasn’t too fond of that, “What’s with this topic all of a sudden?”

“Hm? Ah. No. It’s just a fun fact.”

“Fun…?”

“Mm… I take it back.” You sighed begrudgingly, “It’s not a confirmed phenomena, however. It’s still partly a hoax. But people have seen deaths that come from the inside of our bodies, born out of nowhere but the constriction of their heart. I feel so bad for them.”

Kazuha nodded in sympathy — there was always something far more heart-wrenching at the thought of dying from loneliness. Though bittersweet, he was far more thankful that his friend went with dignity and honor. He perched his chin on your chest with a small smile, “It’s a good thing you’d never succumb to that then.”

Right. He may not have told you out loud, but it’s another promise that he forged. He will never leave you alone, and he made that decision the first moment he laid his eyes on you on that one faithful day. And Kazuha can only hope that you can be forgiving in his absence. He will tell you everything and apologize a hundred thousand times if it meant he can finally whisk you away from this.

“Though it’s sad… our world has always valued death. It’s a beautiful send off, y’know? Once we leave the plane of existence, our body dissipates in the prettiest flowers.”

Kazuha’s pace picks up as he shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts, perishing any form of doubt that tried to chase him in this seemingly hundred mile run.

His breathing was ragged as soon as he reached his destination, only to face complete emptiness. There was no disturbance within the air but the winds howled and he could detect a faint smell of something new. It was fragrant, almost like flowers.

The wind blew harder and he was faced with petals swirling around. His heart stopped.

Spring is still a good few months away from now.

A lone petal draped itself on his shoulder and he could barely stop the dread that soon rose through his throat as a sick bile. Bitterness burned through his throat and he could feel his stomach drop by a mile. He stewed in the silence as desperation slowly curled around him, strangling him so mercilessly.

Far too late.

Much like him back when his friend was ripped away from him by the threads of fate and life.

He fell down to his knees, unsure whether it was the weight of devastation or exhaustion that prompted him so. Numbness was slowly spreading in his body, like a poison that cannot even be stopped in the first place. His mind raced with thoughts of ‘what ifs’ of what could have been and what should have been, of what could have happened if he risked at least a day to see you once more.

“…I never forgot… I hope you knew that. I could never.”

“Ah… that’s comforting.”

In an instant, the samurai’s head shot up as he briskly looked over his shoulder and there you were, standing with a basket in hand. No doubt you’d have been foraging at this hour.

Suddenly, there was ease in his heart as he quickly stood up and ran towards you, soon finding himself completely entangled with you.

Warmth flourished in Kazuha’s chest as he clutched onto your robes tight until his knuckles turned white. There was desperation in his eyes and even he couldn’t lie as he prayed that this wasn’t a hallucination of some sort, that you were here with him and only him. And perhaps it was because he was able to save his nation from falling into a miserable fate, as his prayers were answered the moment he felt your arms wrap around him, warm, gentle, and comforting, like always.

He could feel himself getting lifted up and he refused to let go — not even just to look at you. He wasn’t one to take things for granted, especially not after the scare he just got.

“Welcome home, my most esteemed guest,” your voice was music to his ears, far better than what he could have been hearing in that celebration by the city.

“I deeply apologize for my tardiness,” he murmured into the crook of your neck, lips pressing a ghost of a kiss on your exposed skin. “I hope there is forgiveness and mercy in store for me.”

You only laughed, squeezing Kazuha in your arms tighter, just as equally afraid to let go as he is, “Of course… patience is a virtue any good host must acquire.”

“I have so much to tell…” and finally did Kazuha open his eyes, only to see the crew a few meters back, waving at him. “…And a few guests in tow.”

He finally leaned back to gaze at your face that he missed so much. In his opinion, no amount of photos can capture the absolute beauty your visage held, you were his beacon in his darkest moments, and no other person can measure up to the company that you bring him.

And you could say the same for him — even with the traces of exhaustion on your beloved samurai’s face, he exuded that gentle beauty that no one could hope to imitate in the slightest. Oh how you truly missed him.

“I’d be honored to have you.”

Kazuha hopes that you mean it in more ways than one.

[bangtanfancamp]

of Dusk and Summer

✨ Teaser 2✨

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∴one shot

∴masterlist

∴playlist/soundtrack

∴pairing: Park Jimin x artist reader

∴teaser length: 1.2k

∴word count: approx 30k +

∴rating: mature

∴genre: coming of age, high school au, bf2l (best friends to lovers), romance, angst, fluff

∴warnings: mentions of abusive behavior and dysfunctional family dynamics, loss, light smut- sort of? (Intense makeout- still SFW)

∴summary: Graduation and academic excellence is all Jimin has had his eyes fixed on for as long as he can remember. Today, it finally happens. Today, he finally walks the stage and graduates. Today, his goals finally become reality. Or at least, that’s what he thought-until the best friend he thought he knew inside and out shows up in his window while he’s getting ready, and his life is never quite the same.

Alt: Park Jimin and his best friend have one incredible night that changes what they are to each other forever.

𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚛 𝟷 ∴ 𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚛 𝟸

⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯

Ten minutes later, and against his better judgment, Jimin is lowering himself down the godforsaken trellis behind you and into his front yard with a backpack slung over his shoulder. His perfectly pressed and creased dress clothes have been replaced with his favorite blue jeans and a white t-shirt with a too wide collar that he snatched from his closet in haste. He grumbles as his timberland boots catch on the lattice and send a chunky piece of wood careening off the edge of the trellis. Another thing to add to today’s list of sins, he supposes. His mother really is going to throttle him when she gets her hands on him. He can’t help but sigh at the thought. At least if he dies, he dies in his favorite outfit.

As he slides into the passenger seat, he wonders if he should text her. He heard the commotion of his parents leaving ages ago, his mother adamant about finding good parking as she stuffed her precious yapping Pekingese in her too big purse and slammed the back door shut. The idea of them sitting there waiting for a son who never shows up makes his heart feel a little sick. So he sends something non-committal to his father, the calmer of the two- an emergency came up with a friend. I’m safe but i can’t make graduation. I’m sorry- mutes it, and shoves it in his pocket.

As you turn the engine over and begin to pull away, Jimin looks back over his shoulder and catches a glimpse of his cat’s warm terra cotta fur sitting in his windowsill. If it’s even possible, her sweet face looks confused to watch him go. Like she knows something is wrong about today. Jimin knows he’s projecting, but still, he swears he can almost hear her solemn meow as you turn the corner and he loses sight of both her and the way this day was supposed to go.

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An hour in, neither of you has said a word.

Not really. It feels strange. At some point, you’d begun playing a soft acoustic playlist in the background just to fill the air with something other than this sterile silence. Yet it remained suffocatingly still between you otherwise. Neither of you were even humming along or tapping your fingers- nothing.

The engine’s steady rumble and shaky, finger picked guitar strings remain the only sounds in the cabin as Jimin’s gaze stays pointedly focused out the passenger window. His fingertips make an absent minded profession of picking at the unraveling threads of his ripped jeans, and you try to pretend this doesnt hurt. The silence between you feels weighty, heavy- wrong. Full of all the questions he won’t ask and the answers you won’t offer.

You wish it wasn’t like this.

You wish you hadn’t had to come find him today. That things were different. That everything was different. You’re grateful that he’s here- truly, you are. It’s just that you wish you had been strong enough to do it alone. That you could’ve been braver.

That you weren’t such a coward.

That’s the one that stings the most. No matter how hard you try to push your troubled thoughts away, that’s the one that always ricochets back the fastest. You hate it. You should’ve figured out how to face this alone- but you’d been scared, and it made you selfish. You can’t help but feel guilty about the rite of passage you’d stolen from him today. You hope one day he’ll understand.

You hope one day he can forgive you.

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An hour and a half later, you find yourself on a patch of winding, interconnecting backroads so old they’re still just gravel. Tree boughs sweep low overhead in this forgotten area so far outside the city. You and Jimin had picked up some fast food at the last place you’d seen for miles not too long ago, but your bag remains folded over on the bench seat between you. You’ll eat when you get there, you think. And if your memory serves you right, it shouldn’t be too long now.

Jimin, to his credit, still hasn’t asked where you’re going as he munches unenthusiastically on his cardboard French fry. You miss the melodic sound of his voice. Especially now. It would’ve been a nice companion these last few hours. But you understand. You know him. Honestly, at this point, you’ve realized his silence is actually a gift. Jimin holds his tongue for no one, so the fact that he’s stayed beside you with little to no resistance this entire drive says a lot about how seriously he’s taking this, how important to him you are, and you’re grateful.

You know he’s upset and confused right now, and Jimin doesn’t handle feeling lost very well. It’s why he always pushed so hard in school all these years. He never could stand not knowing the why behind things. And he never handled irrationality well. So you’re sure spontaneously dragging him out of his bedroom on the biggest day of his high school career has set off more than a few alarm bells for him- yet he remains silent for your sake.

Jimin was usually a force to reckoned with in his own domain- every teacher at school knew it too. They all dreaded his inevitable irreverence and pushback when they required anything of him that he might deem unreasonable or poorly thought out. They knew good and well what a spitfire he was. He was passionate and loud about needing to understand, to be ahead of the game. It’s why he was such a brilliant student.

It’s why he should’ve been valedictorian.

That nauseous twinge is back in your gut, but you push it down as you turn down a particularly neglected road and something else swirls in your chest. Ivy and brambled blackberry plants have twined themselves around the rusted iron gate at the end of the lane in front you. The trees dip low and wild as you hop wordlessly out of the truck to undo the padlock chaining the ancient gate to the sunken wooden fence line.

The air here is so much lighter, so much cleaner than in the city, and a wave of nostalgia grips you so tightly you fear you may collapse. Eyes fluttering shutas your shoulders dip, you let the old memories overtake you as you still in the high grass by the gate.

You can’t remember the last time you were here, and the thought makes tears that you refuse to shed prick the corners of your eyes. Things should never have gotten this bad, you think- but here you are. Breathing deeply, you turn the numbers on the lock through sheer muscle memory and trudge bare legged through the high summer hay to push the gate wide open, your graduation robes abandoned hours ago.

Hopping back into the truck, you direct it through the gate like slipping through a portal into another world- a gentler world. A sweeter time in a simple place that was always kind to you, even when the rest of the world was harsh. You hope it will be gracious enough to accept you again now as you slip out yonce again to push the gate shut before driving you and Jimin a mile deep out into the center of the beautiful, wild, undisturbed hay field.

Shifting into park, you take a deep, trembling breath and turn off the engine.

“We’re here.” You whisper in the stillness.

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✨full fic coming soon! ✨

Are you guys getting curious yet? 👀 I certainly hope so . Also! Thank you to @itshardcandy for your sweet comment on the first teaser!!!! it was so encouraging to see. Thank you for sharing a little kindness ☺️💕💖✨

[alternativewinxcontinuity]

Winx Alt Con: Season ONE Recap:

Previously: (b.y.s.) 00, 01, 02

Week 03: Episodes covered – 08, 09

The day before Magical Mother's Day (The Day of the Rose) is a half day for Alfea students (as is the day after, to permit for travel times and inter-planetary time zones.) After seeing off Flora and Tecna, the remaining trio start planning what to they're going to do on the Day of the Rose.

Stella begins telling Musa and Bloom about a festival in Magix, mentioning the Red Fountain boys were planning to enter a race (which she knew courtesy of Sky). When Musa declines the invite, Stella asks why she's staying at the school. Bloom's staying for research, Stella's own parents are divorcing (something Bloom found out on her trip to Stella's wardrobe), but why is Musa staying?

After an insensitively worded question by Stella, Musa lashes out angrily, taking a swipe at the princess, the fairy of music confesses that her mother is dead, and after telling Stella to 'shut up,' Musa flees.

Stella looks like she wants to punch herself for her insensitivity, but Bloom talks her out of it, making a plan for Stella to apologise later, once Musa's calmed down. In an effort to cheer up the blonde, Bloom agrees to going with her to see the boys race.

While something seems a little fragile around the edges, Stella smiles happily and begins making plans, talking clothes, transport and festival sights.

The morning of the actual Day of the Rose, Bloom jolts awake, the question 'remember what' spilling out of her mouth before she has a chance to even realise she's awake. Stella pops her head into the room, already dressed to impress, and wanting to know who Bloom was talking to. (Apparently she'd heard Bloom calling out a few times from the next room and come to investigate.)

Bloom tells Stella what she can remember about her dream while she finds her own clothes for the day. (A strange glowing woman calling to her, telling her to remember. The voice familiar, like she'd heard it recently but can't quite place it.)

Out in the dorm's main room, they run into Musa on her way to breakfast and Stella quickly apologises. Musa, looking more worn than angry, accepts the apology, admitting she knows Stella didn't mean what she'd said how she'd said it. Musa goes on to mention that she was a little jealous of the other Winx all having their mothers, even Stella who, even though her mother wasn't sticking around in the same capacity, wasn't losing her forever.

The girls hug, letting their embrace translate the last unspoken words of forgiveness and support.

After Musa declines to join them again, Bloom and Stella let Musa know she is still welcome to join them at any time, or if she isn't up to crowds but doesn't want to be alone, they can absolutely cancel or cut short their plans.

Musa replies by shoving them out the door towards the breakfast hall.

In Cloud Tower the Trix seethe over their punishment, and decide to try again at revenge. (“They're first years! We're seniors! I won't let those pesky winged ***** get between us and the Dragon Fire AGAIN!... Darcy? What are you doing with that scrying mirror?”/ “That boy from Alfea, the one with darkness in his heart... he's going to the festival today.”/ “So?”/ “So, I think I'll go introduce myself.”)

In Magix, the two girls meet up with Sky, Brandon and Riven. They make their way through town, looking at various sights as they head closer and closer to the place the boys need to be for the start of their race.

While watching one of the early races, Riven takes a chance to proclaim his upcoming victory, and while Sky tells Stella he'll have to put the pedal to the metal to beat Riven, both Sky and Brandon treat Riven's declaration as nothing more than empty bragging, which annoys Riven who becomes increasingly hostile as the group approaches the starting point.

While Stella and Sky make goo-goo eyes at each other, Bloom and Brandon make awkward-shy eyes. Sky and Brandon begin taunting Riven about not having anyone to cheer him on, and the girls give the boys disappointed looks, telling Riven they'll cheer for him too.

This doesn't go over well with any of the boys, and before any of them can stop and think about what they're saying, all of them blurt out horrible things, the worst of which is Riven, who decides to jab at the sore point Bloom and Stella's words have revealed in Brandon's holier-than-thou attitude.

Riven declares that he'll not only win the race, he'll be escorting both fairies to the ball later in the day. Still riled up, Bloom enchants a vase to spill water over Riven, and only after he runs off, the other three laughing at his retreating back, does Bloom realise a line has been crossed.

Slowly it dawns on the other three, and the quartet stand there feeling a bit sick at their own actions.

It comes out that, as long as they've known him, Riven has always resented Brandon and Sky, and despite being one of the best in the school, Riven always acts like he has something to prove.

Bloom tells them they need to find Riven and apologise and the group heads out.

(Unseen nearby, Darcy laughs victoriously.)

While looking for their lost companion, Bloom is separated from the others, only to run into Timmy. Something in Bloom's instincts pings faintly, but she lets Timmy guide her back to the Square where their group was supposed to be gathering. On the way, Timmy asks what Bloom is so worried about, and the fairy tells him about the fight with Riven. Timmy offers Bloom a high-tech helmet to give Riven as a piece offering. Once Bloom accepts, Timmy points her in the right direction and tells Bloom no to tell anyone that he (Timmy) had given her the helmet.

Upon finding the others, who had found Riven in the meantime, Bloom admits to getting lost and (since it wouldn't be break her word exactly, and being suspicious AF) tell the others that Timmy had pointed her in the right direction. The others give her a funny look before telling Bloom that Timmy had gone home for the Day of the Rose.

Yelping, Bloom drops the helmet case and tells the others not to touch it, before explaining its origins. Riven scoffs “you think I need technological assistance to beat these losers?” Annoyed all over again, Riven leaves for the starting line.

Stella helps Bloom run a scanning spell, which alerts them both to the presence of dark magic in the device. Sharing a look, the remaining quartet try to figure out who would want to sabotage Riven. The girls come to a conclusion right away, while in the shadows, Darcy seethes, and decides to enact 'plan B'.

Riven, Brandon and Sky spend the majority of the race in the lead, until, right near the end, another competitor catches up, getting in the way of both Sky and Brandon, and letting Riven win by a landslide, the mysterious entrant comes in a close second.

While the boys were racing, Stella and Bloom went looking for the Trix, trying to figure out what the witches wanted, so they miss Riven's first real meeting with Darcy. (“Nice riding hero.”/ “Just nice?”/ “Well, (flirty look) when compared with the rest of you. (smoulder)”)

Unable to find any trace of the witches, the fairies head over to congratulate their boys on their race results.

That evening, the quartet enjoy themselves as the Rose Ball, while Riven and Darcy spend the evening getting to know each other, and staying far away from the others.

Waking in the middle of the night to a desperate shout, Flora finds Bloom shifting back and forth between her human and fairy form, calling out to someone in her sleep. Thinking quickly, Flora sets her phone camera to record, points it in Bloom's direction, and runs for Stella.

Despite being tired and cranky, Stella is more afraid for her friend, having never heard of someone 'partially' transforming their sleep before. Awoken by Flora's knocking on Stella's door, and curious about the lights on, Tecna and Musa come to see what's going on. Also unable to even guess what's going on, the four friends stand by Bloom's bed, uncertain whether they should do anything or not.

Bloom wakes up with a shout of 'Daphne!' to find her friends standing around her bed looking very worried. When she asks what's going on, Flora hands over her phone with the recording of Bloom's wavering sleep transformations.

The group debate whether or not to go to Faragonda with this, but after realising the time, decide to wait until morning.

Armed with a sketch of 'Daphne,' (drawn by Bloom because she is an artist damnit) Bloom and the others seek out Faragonda. In her office, Faragonda is shocked by the girls' accounts of Bloom's sleep transformations, and startles when she recognises her former student, Daphne, from the drawing.

Faragonda explains that Daphne was the Crown Princess of Domino, and a 'Nymph' of Magix until the Siege and Destruction of Domino roughly 150 years ago. When questioned what it all means, Faragonda admits she has a suspicion, but it seems highly implausible and she doesn't want to influence Bloom's perception of events concerning Daphne's attempts to contact her. (and possibly causing confusion with Daphne's intention.)

Faragonda directs Bloom to the Library to research Daphne on her own, telling her where to find the old year books from that time if she's interested in more personal aspects of Daphne pre-graduation.

After school, the girls head into Magix to check out the frieze of the Nymphs in the town centre, learning little in the way of new information, before returning to the school.

Where they realise they've been so preoccupied with Daphne, that they've neglected to study for their upcoming exam in the magical simulator room. The girls hold a study party and make sure they're prepped for their day long exam block in two days. (Bloom calls Brandon to cancel the 'not a date' they had planned, they agree to reschedule, school work being very important.)

The girls go over air, water and soil purification, magical fertilisation, plant growth, weather adaptations and so forth. By the time the exam arrives, they all feel they're as prepared as they can be.

Week 04

[anautisticdragon-blog]

Revisiting New Vegas: DLC

What I recall of New Vegas is how much I loved it, and for the most part it was more clever than it had any right to be. The stand out memories for me were how they handled stories of aging and the effects it can have, through the companions Raul and Lily. Beautifully done.

I'm putting together a small mod pack for my partner so she's able to appreciate these stories, too. I look forward to watching as she explores with the same wonderment I had, invested in all of those little stories and marvelling over how everything ties back into the main plot.

But what about the DLC?

I thought about this for quite some time. And the truth is? I'm actually skipping it. I think New Vegas is a better game without its DLC. I think it stands better alone, as a complete set piece, with just a little extra help from mods like NVInteriors to flesh out areas where the game is weakest.

You might be screaming 'WHYYY?' at me right now whilst punching your screen (I really don't think that's good for your monitor), so let's have a look at my decisions. Do keep in mind that there's going to be obvious spoilers ahead, so... Caveat lector, you know?

Dead Money

This was my favourite of the DLCs. From a story point of view, it had at least one likeable character and believable stakes. Not the greatest story ever told, but it was serviceable at the very least. Then there's the gameplay, though. Which is a painful, repetitive, tedious grind of death. Is that worth it for -- compared against the rest of hte game -- an average story?

I decided that... no. No, it really wasn't. I didn't want her to suffer through it. Whilst some do like the storyline of Dead Money (and I can understand why), I feel that we're all united in how much we Universally resent the gameplay of it. If she happened across this DLC too early, it could sour the rest of the game. For a first time player, it's just a bad idea.

Honest Hearts

Religion. Religion. Religion. Religion. Natives. Religion. Oh, you're going to brainwash the natives? I can't tell the natives not to listen to your quackery? I can't tell them about missionaries, conversion, and the shit you're pulling here by undermining their very culture? Good-O. Sod this for a game of soldiers. Where's that bloody choice and consequence, Obsidian?

Frankly, I wanted to imprison these religious zealots for their crimes against a fledgeling culture and save the natives myself, what I didn't want is a repeat of colonial America happening before my very eyes. That's not a fun time for me.

So, this one's out too.

Old World Blues

The biggest, most obvious problem here is that it's tonally incompatible with the rest of the game. It feels detached and entirely out of place with the rest of it, almost as if it were a different game entirely. That's a problem for me.

I like tonal consistency, I've brought it up before. There's really nothing in New Vegas that sets a precedent for primary coloured, toyetic scorpion bots and cussy AI appliances. It's funny, yes, but once the joke's worn off (which happens fairly quickly), it's just letting an average joke drag on for however many hours the content lasts for.

And then there are the scientists, oh dear. If I wanted to sit around listening to a group of smug, self-assured, sociopathic, arrogant pricks I'd watch Alt-Blight videos. Even the one whose role is the supposed 'good guy' of the bunch is just an utter arsehole. There's not a single, sole likeable character present. That's a problem for me, considering how much I dislike sociopathy.

So... Bad jokes, a failed attempt at being as clever as Fallout Tactics was, sociopaths, and... Uh... That's it. Pass.

Lonesome Road

Oh boy! I get to listen to an Alt-Blight-esque self-aggrandising, sociopathic lunatic tell me why everyone deserves to die and why all the world should burn in the never-ending fires of apocalypse. Good-O! This is why I don't like Chris Avellone, as not only is he a sociopath (which I've covered in the past with topics such as the Fallout Bible), but his characters tend to be soapboxing sociopaths as well. See: Kreia, Weeping Mother, et al.

The last thing I want is to sit around listening to an arsehole telling me why the world is horrible because people are too left wing, too bleeding heart, and how he wants to Make the Wasteland Great Again by nuking the hell out of it.

That's basically all Lonesome Road is. Listen to Avellone soapbox about the worthiness of evil and sociopathy. It's not new, really. This isn't a revelation. He even mentioned in a recent interview that he prefers 'clever' (sociopathic) evil characters to any other kind. It's just his nature. He's a born arsehole, so his characters are born arsholes too. Comes with the territory.

Oh, and if you kill his soapboxing sociopath and refuse to nuke anyone? A robot friend dies. Oh, and a race of monsters will overrun the wastes and kill everyone anyway... Whoop-de-bloody-doo. So the sociopath wins no matter what.

Choice & consequence, Obsidian. Somehow, along the way, they seem to have forgotten about their most important design ethos. Though Avellone pulled the same shit in Fallout 2 when he removed the good ending for the intelligent deathclaws just because he hated them and wanted to see them suffer (absolutely not kidding, guy’s a douche).

Do I think that my partner wants to listen to a soapboxing, sociopathic idiot, watch a robot friend die, and then learn that everything she does in New Vegas is pointless anyway? No, I really don't think that's necessary.

Cutting this out like a tumor.

Gun Runner's Arsenal

Where do I even begin?

Okay, first of all? Through bizarre and magical happenstance this Robotron has a shack full of specialised guns that even the Van-Graffs (specialised vendors and generally violent people) don't have access to. There aren't any guards or anything, really, so why hasn't this place been raided? And they aren't exactly running guns, are they?

So in order to fix this, I'd have to add in a lot of mods to make whatever this nonsense is feel like it has a place in the world. I'd have to improve the area to give it presence, add NPCs on paths that actually run guns, and have a few Gun Runner sanctioned affiliated merchants who sell their stuff. Then it'd feel more believable.

Except that the whole thing's a mess. You have GRA versions of guns and mods which are the same weapon but unique??? I don't understand the worth of this, really. To the first time player, this just serves to be a confusing bloody mess. And you can just up and buy these incredibly powerful weapons, which takes so much away from the joy of discovering something wonderful while out adventuring.

So, a confused, half-arsed, unfinished mess. One that's done far, far better by mods like AG's Supplemental Uniques and Weapon Mods Expanded.

Pass.

Conclusion

New Vegas is a brilliant game with a fantastic story. It has plentiful amounts of choice and consequence, enthralling stories to be a part of, and it's an all around good time. So the DLCs only detract from that and lessen it with bad, substandard content filled with sociopaths, unlikeable characters, annoyances, and worse. They don't really add anything at all.

So, when playing New Vegas, doing so without the DLC is always for the best. Unless, you know, you actually like sociopaths, feeling powerless, and unfinished content. I don't.

[lysical-secondary]

Is it weird that I kind of cringe whenever Jason brings up Roy and Kori? I just, don't like the first Outlaws at all. But I absolutely love the current one. The first one just destroyed Roy and Kori so much. Plus they're Dick's friends. Jason deserved his own friends and connections outside of other bat characters. Also Kori and Roy haven't mentioned Jason at all in Rebirth. They're back to loving Dick best (gosh I hope Lobdell never touches them again). I'd rather Artemis and Bizzarro -

2 be Jason's only focus when thinking about his friends/companions since this is their story. Plus from what I've seen Artemis and Bizzarro are doing a lot more wonders for Jason. People like what they like. But I personally don't want to be reminded of that awful prequel even if it is still canon. Kind of got the impression those three weren't so good for each other unlike the current trio. But that's me. =/

It’s not weird, anon. The original run of Outlaws was...yeah it was bad. I did not recognize any of them in that book. 

For better or worse it looks like the old run is still in continuity, but I’m honestly not sure how it’s supposed to shake out with the timeline and Rebirth and stuff. I’m kind of wondering with this upcoming storyline if the old Outlaws aren’t in continuity in ‘this Earth’ but that Jason instead has memories from an alt-timeline. 

I can’t really say much about the old run and how good they were for each other, as I’ve only seen bits and pieces. 

[maldithalangako]

It’s not yet Christmas day, but here at DreamCatcherGirl, everyday is Christmas.  For some of you who still figured out what tech gadget for a tech savvy like you, here are 5 affordable suggestions you might want to consider. We’re pretty sure that there are other affordable tech gadgets out there that weren’t mentioned on this post, so feel free to share your thoughts on the comments portion below.

Let’s do the shopping online! But beforehand, we want to shop until drop to save us from shipping fee, of course. For unlimited savings on your favorite stores here is ShopBack.

Once, you have your account, we can now shop on one of the popular online store here in the Philippines, which is LAZADA.

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Price: ₱ 329.00

Where To Buy: LAZADA

Rate: 💜💜💜💜💜

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1. Keyboard cups (Ctrl+Alt+Del) Type Tea Coffee Mug Set Drink Ware (Black)

These quirky CTRL + ALT + DEL design keyboard cups are perfect gifts for techie homemakers, or even the gadget-loving guys/gals in your life.

Its consist of 3 – pieces cups and 1 cup tray, made of plastic material, non-toxic, durable and available on white or black. Can be use for coffee, water or milk and for daily use.

I love its design and ideas for a simple cup made for a techie and unique person. I know this isn’t a gadget however its looks like one.

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2. LDNIO 6-Port USB Charger

Exquisite detail the necessary digital charger for modern home trip. You can now enjoy your pleasant journey with LDNIO A6702 6 USB 5V-7.0A Quick Charge Desktop USB Charger. It’s more convenient to charge, supported with a single 7.0A Fast Charging! No need to worry about your journey anymore because it’s easy to carry anywhere.

This LDNIO 6-Port USB Charger is on its compact portable size, high quality construction, has 100-240V input and 5v-7v output value. Available with 6 port for large charging needs and multiple gadgets. Claiming for max of 7A output, high charging efficiency, with built-in IC which is automatically recognizing your device and lastly, provides over-charge, over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature, short circuit etc. protections.

Its not indicated what is the actual size of this usb charger. Some say, its compatible with apple devices as well as with androids. For its price, not bad at all for the feature its claiming for wherein preventing the device from over-charging, fast charger, multiple usb slot available and auto-id-ing of your device.

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Price: ₱ 499.00

Where To Buy: LAZADA

Rate:  💜💜💜💜

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Price: ₱ 449.00

Where To Buy: LAZADA

Rate:  💜💜💜💜

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3.  SanDisk Cruzer Ultra 32 GB Flash Drive USB 3.0 (RED)

SanDisk is very known for its USB storage device quality here in Philippines. The SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive combines faster data speeds and generous capacity in a compact, stylish package. Spend less time waiting and transfer files to the drive up to ten times faster than with a standard USB 2.0 drive. With storage capacities up to 32 GB, the drive can accommodate your bulkiest media files and documents.

Its a USB 3.0, with 32 GB capacity, 4.5 x 1.1 x 7.8 (L x W x H cm) in size, weighing of 0.2 kg and with a 1 year warranty.

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4. Wireless Mini Bluetooth 6D 3200 DPI Optical Gaming Mouse Mice (Black)

Built with the highest quality materials, this mouse was designed from the ground up to satisfy the needs of the hardcore gamer with a high quality laser sensor that provides up to 3200 DPI. With macro programming function, define your buttons by yourself, making your gaming more expertly.

Perfectly designed to fit snugly under your palm, the ergonomic shape of the mouse gives users the most comfortable gaming experience ever, especially during the most testing of battles.

This wireless mouse is ideal for laptop and desktop companion. Look decent and modern designed, comfortable, Elegant, has ergonomic design ,easy to use and handy-dandy. Its wire length is 1.5 meters, has a LED backlit design (perfect for any working and gaming place especially at night time), has a 6 buttons (incl. Wheel Key,Left Button,Right Button,Page up,Page down,DPI Switcher), Compatible with any OS,  High speed:1600 dpi, 3200 use the small ‘DPI’ button to switch the speed, but sadly, its powered by a battery type: 2 x AAA which not included on its package. Better have a rechargeable battery for this one.

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Price: ₱ 438.00

Where To Buy:  LAZADA 

Rate:  💜💜💜💜💜

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    Price: ₱ 477.00

Where To Buy: LAZADA

Rate:  💜💜💜💜💜

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5. E-Table Foldable Laptop Cooler (White)

The Portable Foldable Laptop Table with Cooling System can be adjusted. This computer top comes with pre-installed cooling systems to prevent overworked laptops from overheating and adjustable features that further your comfort.

The Portable Foldable Laptop Table with Cooling System is spacious enough to place your computer mouse, cups, and pens.The durable table top is foldable for easy storage or to carry around! Although laptops are supposed to be rested on the lap, portable computers hate the idea of sitting on shaky uneven surfaces with hard knee caps to boot. Plus laptops do not necessarily work well on your lap, you’ll get less space to move around and you won’t be able to you use a mouse. Give in to gizmo demands with a Portable Laptop Table with Built-in Cooling Systems, USB Port and Mouse Pad.

E-Table is not just a laptop cooler, but it is great companion when you work, study, or play. It eliminates cramping, neck strain and crouching while working on your laptop. It provides a perfectly angled, ergonomic position for comfort and operation ease.

E-Table Laptop Cooler is the simplest of solutions—with built-in fan that can cool down your laptop significantly. It’s a simple solution in a classy, sturdy package. Best of all, this table laptop cooler is compatible with all types of notebooks—making for a snug, secure fit

Its made of plastic with metal support in leg hinges, desk dimensions: 31.5 x 28 x 3.61 cm, only 3.6 cm thin, and suitable for all notebook sizes

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Don’t forget to get you Rebates from ShopBack NOW!

Enjoy Shopping!

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Below PHP 500 Gadgets: 5 Tech Gadgets To Choose It’s not yet Christmas day, but here at DreamCatcherGirl, everyday is Christmas.  For some of you who still figured out what tech gadget for a tech savvy like you, here are 5 affordable suggestions you might want to consider.