#aurora transcription

[magicwhiskers29]

Yet another result of me being silly in dms with @alto-tenure... We're really asking the important questions here (context under the cut, sort of)

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Chapter 5: Star Sea - Newborn

Narrated by Nikki.

Narrator: When I open my eyes again, I'm back at the sea of stars, with Leonid still beside me.

Nikki: I'm stopping at anything... even when all the star trails and possibilities have been tried but failed.

Nikki: From here on out, I'm creating my own possibility.

Narrator: Afar, a star stripped of its light a long time ago suddenly starts shining dazzlingly as it approaches me and forms a star trail I've never seen before.

Narrator: In response to my wish, the stars have come together to create a star trail for me as it slowly but surely reaches out to me, eventually arriving by my feet.

Narrator: Every single star here has borne witness to my journey, and every single one of them knows the choices I've made.

Narrator: This is the sea of stars formed by the countless times I retraced my memories.

Narrator: I know... that at the end of this starry trail is a door that's waiting to be opened by me.

Narrator: Walking toward that door, however, I hear Leonid's voice coming from behind.

Leonid: As soon as you open that door, everything about this sea of stars will stay here on this side of the door... meaning that you will forget about all the stars here and your past self.

Leonid: Are you willing to trade in all your memories for this new path?

Nikki: Of course.

Leonid: Well, I suppose this is where we call it a day, then.

Narrator: His sleeves fluttering, Leonid stands rooted to the ground. His gaze fixed on the newborn river bed in the dried-up universe, he lets out a chuckle.

Nikki: Before my first journey, you told me that you would be waiting for me here when I've walked through all the star trails and woken the "factor" up.

Nikki: The fact that we're having this conversation means, I gather, that I've already done just that?

Leonid: An end is a new beginning. Show me the new possibility you brought about.

Narrator: With that, he vanishes into the sea of stars.

Narrator: But I'm not alone, because with every step I take along this new star trail, I reunite with one of my past selves.

Narrator: Those are reunions as much as they are confessions. Or, perhaps, those are promises to reunite.

"Nikki": Are we going to fail again?

Nikki: I don't know if this is going to work, but we've never let go of a chance as long as it seems promising, right?

Nikki: I already have a plan... I'm going back to a time before all this happened to look for the truth that the Ocean of Memories holds.

Nikki: I believe I'll find the answer one day, so long as I keep looking.

"Nikki": But you're going to forget everything, meaning you won't be able to take advantage of your hard work and experience. You'll be starting from scratch. Doesn't that make you scared?

Nikki: It doesn't, because my first wish will neither be changed nor forgotten.

Nikki: People love the world, enjoy exploring the unknown, and create beauty that lives through the end of eternity... and these are what I'm fighting for.

"Nikki": Do you think you'll be able to change everything with the "factor"?

Nikki: I have never been alone, though... because whenever I failed, I always manage to get back on my feet, recounting all the kind words from people.

Nikki: A game changer doesn't just suddenly show up, and it's never the creation of a single mind.

Nikki: It's the belief born out of all the memories. The belief awakened the "factor"... an unpredictable element.

Nikki: That is why I'm sure that the element holds the same belief that I do... that a miracle will happen, that civilization is here to stay, and that we must trust the human mind.

Nikki: Together, we will find every last Faith of Salvation on this continent.

~~

All of the Faiths of Salvation come together to form a belt that connects them all.

Following this winding yet sparkling path...

We shall eventually reach the dazzling stars.

~~

Narrator: Before I know it, I find myself at the end of the trail.

Narrator: The star trail that has taken me here has completely vanished, its pieces turning into a scatter of stars.

Narrator: When the gentle starlight showers down on me, I feel as though I were in the gentle arms of my past selves.

Narrator: Beyond the door, the newborn starlight grows still more dazzling by the second, as if sensing some sort of summons.

Narrator: That's our new destiny right there... of the making of all of us.

Choose "Let's open this door together."

You: Let's open this door together.

Nikki: This is where we rewrite the star.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

[todays-xkcd]

If any of you want to meet some cool local oxygen atoms, I can introduce you!

Solar Protons [Explained]

Transcript Under the Cut

[Colorful aurora in the night sky, with colors ranging from red at the top to green] [Black silhouette of Beret Guy standing on a grassy field next to a sign that reads:] Welcome Solar Protons! You'll love being part of our atmosphere! There's so much to do here. Try forming water!

[sonic-fankid-showdown]

The Sonic Fankid Showdown: Round 1!

These are the match ups for the first round of the tournament! The polls will go up this Wednesday, April 24th and will be active until May 1st for you all to vote for your favorite fankids!

Image transcript under the cut.

Blair Acorn Rose (@icednebula) v/s Comet the Hedgehog (@sonicanon)

Gina (@meetje-rotyourbrainhere) v/s Cipher (@altairsarts)

Comet the Hedgehog (@sonic-polis) v/s Sunny the Chao (@wereh0gz)

Wafer the Chao (@pokeypoqi) v/s Leonid the Cyborg Hedgehog (@deimostes)

Sakura (@estellardreams) v/s Leo the Hedgehog (@aexonn)

Nova Rose (@spicychimera) v/s Blur the Hedgehog (@muffin-gods)

Spike the Hedgehog (@valerytheweirdo) v/s Spark the Sable (@sci-twi)

Flicker Prower (@burning-stars98) v/s Scrap the Hedgehog (@the-gay-ghost-king)

Fletcher the Fox (@susahnasomething) v/s Amelia Solaral (@lethalbreadkills)

Violet the Hedgehog (@t4tsurge) v/s Horizon the Jackal (@scorpiolight-madd)

Mordred (@mephiles-the-jester) v/s Lapis (@time-of-your-life-au)

Stellar the Hedgehog (@emthimofnight) v/s Rapidfire-Harley Davidson (@confused-bagel)

Nymph the Cat (@einelitas) v/s Sasha the Hedgehog (@sapphanimates)

Star (@sonicgetsrawed) v/s Punchline (@iihavenomouth)

Pegasus (@transzsonix) v/s Chroma Prower (@m3tr0n0m333)

Saydee (@kuroshirae) v/s Echo (@a-crow-with-a-pen)

Neso the Hedgehog (@foolnamedjoey) v/s Aryan (@totaleclipse573)

Dill Picke (@sonilver-yuri) v/s Smith (@koreyeet)

Winter the Lemur (@sonicrewrittenau) v/s Alice (@invisableartist)

Whistle the Wolf (@khalewren) v/s Calamity (@alex-chullin)

Splotch the Hedgehog (@thefakehedgehogaroundhere) v/s Tom the Hedgehog (@ShadowAndSonic96)

Twitch the Child (@colorfulplasma) v/s Mav the Hedgehog (@val-va2)

Vallerie the Hedgehog (@so-called-egg) v/s Aurora (@adhd-sonic-the-hedgehog)

Ebony (@idrptr3) v/s Castor Niclaw (@spiritofrainbursts

Emmie the Hedgehog (@head---ache) v/s Silhouette Rose (@galacticghoste)

Tulip (@silvers-starrway) v/s Sunshine the Hedgehog (@yellowvixen)

Pacífica the Cat (@saku0115) v/s Midnight the Android (@kristhesheep)

Aster (@afuntimepartyy) v/s Beau D'Coolette (@mischeva)

Blitz (@jestopolis) v/s Juice the Hedgehog (@sonlc)

Jade the Hybrid (@carnation-damnation) v/s Autumn (@artist-fan146)

Kaiko (@somemismatchedsocks) v/s Gigi (@w0lp3rtinger)

Ember Robotnik (@the-sky-queen) v/s Sprout "Sept" the Jackal (@snowpearart)

See you on wednesday, everyone! And good luck!

[todayontumblr]

Wednesday, December 6.

At this time of year? At this time of day? In this part of the country?

Localized entirely within this blog? Well, yes. You better believe it. Unlikely as it may seem, Aurora Borealis is here. It is big, bright, and brilliant, and we have confined it entirely within the cosmos of this series of digital communications, for your viewing pleasure. So why not take some well-deserved time out this Wednesday, December 6, to marvel at the mysticism and wonder bestowed to us by the natural world. Don't say we don't spoil y'all. 

@prinnay

And while you're at it, please indulge yourself in quote possibly the finest one minute and eleven seconds ever to air on television, inspired by the magnificence of The Northern Lights, and, of course, steamed hams.

You can also find the complete transcript here for the sole purpose of memorizing each line verbatim, and reciting it to impress friends, family, and strangers alike. 

[purplealmonds]

Continuing to fire on all cylinders to make this Sky 🤝Mononoke collab a reality! 🐲⚖️🌊

Process GIFs and artist commentary below the cut. ⬇️

Left: Process GIF Middle: Just the background, cos I really like how it looks! Right: Illustration without the collab logo

And here are my notes on my inspirations and references. There's a lot of 'em, so instead of embedding relevant images one by one I put them in a callout sheet! For accessibility, I also included transcript (with bonus ramblings) below each sheet.

Ofuda circle modeled in Google Sketchup 2017, then lightly transformed in Photoshop to flare out. I tried my best to hand-draw these, but it the results came out really clunky and stiff. I figured if Mononoke shamelessly utilizes 3D in their show, I can too!

Krill and sky kid composition roughly inspired by the Ayakashi DVD cover illustration. On the surface level, the krill's black-and-red color scheme mirrored that of the bake-neko. Not to mention, in the world of Sky, the krill would be the best fit of a mononoke-like entity. The red background is also a nod to the red skies seen during a shard eruption in Sky.

Sky kid gesture based on the Festival Spin Dancer's Tier 3 poses and the Medicine Seller's iconic pose in the Zakishiwarahi episode as inspiration. This was the idea which springboarded this illustration into existence. I wanted to do my take of the Medicine Seller's pose, but in a more dynamic manner: rotate the pose to a profile position and set the ofuda in a diagonal, flared out arrangement.

Cape inspired by tenbin design featured in the 2024 Mononoke movie. This one's an interesting one - I wanted the cape to be a stiff material that doesn't "flap" when in flight - similar to the Aurora wing capes. It ended up looking like a kite of sorts, which I'm not entirely opposed to! I haven't had the opportunity to showcase the back view of this cape design, but I envision it having some mechanical aspects to it - the "wing" which are flared out in this illustration fold in like moth wings, and a little bell is attached to the "tail" part and it jingles a little whenever the sky kid flaps!

Bandana is based on the Scaredy Cadet's hairstyle from the Season of Assembly. Mask design utilizes the 2023 Days of Style mask and the Nintendo Pack mask as bases. Pretty self-explanatory. I basically went onto the Sky wiki and found the cosmetics that most closely matched what I was looking for. Then if necessary, I went to the Office space to do photoshoots to get the appropriate camera angles for them all.

Seasonal pendant inspired by the classic Medicine Seller's necklace and the eye motif featured in the 2024 Mononoke movie. Possibly the only one-to-one homage to the classic Medicine Seller design here, but his garnet necklace was too good of a match to the seasonal pendant. A side tangent: does the new Medicine Seller possess a necklace, let alone a mirror? So far all the shots of him don't feature it. Fascinating.

Dark dragon krill anatomy references a custom figurine crafted by @/escaflowne_n07 on Twitter. Until I found this, I was honestly at a loss finding reference for this - be it on the internet or during in-game photoshoots. The lighting on the krill in-game focused on its menacing silhouette rather than its structure. And not to mention, getting a close-up shot almost always set off the dark creature's aggro. I have no idea how this guy found the references to put this model together - well done!

Mantas, elder constellations, and sun dog references murals in the Cave of Prophecy. Krill aside, the overall illustration was leaning a little too much towards Mononoke so I tried finding opportunities to insert more Sky into it. Added bonus is that now there's storytelling in the background: during a shard eruption, a giant krill rises from the frothing waves of dark water to hunt down a flock of mantas.

Clouds behind the sun dog reference the ones featuring heavily in the Umibozu episode. This illustration has a lot of ocean theming, so I figured this would be appropriate.

Rendering style of the background is lightly inspired by the 2007 Mononoke illustration. Mainly having a 2D inked style to contrast with the more polished render of the sky kid. Funnily enough, this was a tertiary inspiration, which lead to the discovery in the next point!

Dark water waves and sun dog composition heavily references Hokusai's "The Great Wave". The waves were modified to be bottle-green of the Golden Wasteland's dark waters. The sun dog is in the spot where Mt. Fuji is in the original composition. these were all hand-drawn by the way! I merely emulated the style of the source material. As a side note, I also borrowed the spotted sea spray rendering for the krill's red spotlight.

Background pattern taken from the ofuda design featured in the 2024 Mononoke movie poster. Mainly to add some gritty texture to the sky. I worked pretty hard to replicate this ofuda design as a high-res asset so I wanted to use it more!

[elderberries-and-honey]

There wasn't much left to cover for the 1890's and I have decided to go ahead and say goodbye to the decade by wrapping things up in one swoop instead of a bunch of individual posts. Also, I apologise for how crappy some of these photos look on mobile so viewing from a desktop is probably best.

And with that, we are officially heading into the 1900's!

next / previous / first

Transcript Below The Cut!

Dear Diary, It has been too long since I’ve written, I know, even if it’s only for my eyes. The last six years have passed me by and I have no record of my life to show for it. So, I will vow it on this New Years Day to be better at it starting right now! And I will begin by recounting the last few years with the hope that someday, I can look back on these times with fondness. So much has happened, some splendid, some grim, but that’s the way life always goes, isn’t it? A constant upheaval, tossing you around from one thing to the next so abruptly; even the good changes can feel violent sometimes. And yet, I endure it; maybe I have even taken to embracing it. Life is funny that way, hm? Now, the last six years, well, where do I begin?

In 1894, Lawrence opened the funeral home. It was a little ironic, considering Valerie passed away that same year. She had been hiding her failing liver before we moved out to Windenburg, and passed on with her brother at her side. Beth and Oisin traveled to Wales together to attend the funeral; Lawrence, however, could not come away from work.

1895 was a much better year for our family We began it with Beth & Oisin's wedding! But little did we know, the best was yet to come...the birth of our Alison Aurora! Our family has never felt more complete but they could not be more different from each other; each of them unique in their own way. Oscar is our wild child, always in search of some sort of adventure. It’s as though he lives for being outdoors and running around; playing in mud and splashing in puddles. I believe he is the most like his father out of the three, a social butterfly with an inability to sit still. Our sweetheart, Atticus, is curious like his brother but reclusive like his mother. He is often shy and timid, but seems to have taken a real interest in nature, and I find him off in the garden often, studying the flowers and admiring their colours. We are alike in many ways, and spend the most time together; he was also to hardest to wean from my breast. Alison, or Rory as I call her, or ‘goofy girl’ as Lawrence calls her, has her father wrapped around her little finger. She like to keep us on our toes with her silliness; she loves to do funny dances when we play music on the phonograph. And, she has no problems keeping up with her brothers!

As for myself, well, my dearest diary, I am happy to say that I am now a working woman! I am a secretary for a local newspaper started by an Irishman.

all in all, i think we are very happy

[mellohiplays]

the way that i missed watching an aurora borealis tonight bc i was busy combing through D20 transcripts for all of riz and adaine’s interactions

the brainrot may be becoming too strong i fear

[ad-hawkeye]

Alkaid's Destiny's Call Endings

A transcript of each ending can be found below.

ASTRONOMER ENDING

Ever since he was a child, Alkaid has always harbored a profound fascination with the heavens above. Gazing into the sky, he could sense the endlessness of the world beyond the curtain of the sky.

When he grew up, he bought a small telescope, which shortened the distance between him and the sky. Through it, he could see beautiful stars traveling along mysterious tracks in space.

Eventually, Alkaid's unwavering passion led him down the path of becoming an astronomer. Countless complexities created a cascade of numbers, constructing a ladder that propelled him toward the stars.

There, he watched the birth and death of the stars as if he was watching the blossoming and withering of a flower.

FLORIST ENDING

After reaching the age of 18, Alkaid became the owner of a flower shop. He named his store "Aurora," a name he held dear, even though its profound significance remained a secret, intertwined with the threads of destiny.

He looks after the white roses, lilies, and daisies in his floral shop. He treats these delicate flowers as cherished companions, joyfully passing them into the hands of those who appreciate them properly.

"Do you have 319 white roses in stock?"*

"I'm afraid we don't at the moment. But you can leave your contact details and I'll call you to pick them up in three days."

"Okay. Thank you." The girl nods and leaves her contact information.

Alkaid takes the note and repeats her name under his breath - "Can I call you... Miss [MC Name]?

*March 19th is Alkaid's birthday.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER ENDING

Alkaid has visited countless places.

To him, the world contains both perils and marvels. In his eyes, the allure of a place grows exponentially with its danger and inaccessibility.

Fearless and resolute, Alkaid willingly embraces risk to experience the world on a personal level. He captures these extraordinary locations through the lens of his camera, cherishing them as souvenirs.

The sight of snow-capped mountains always leaves him awestruck. As Alkaid sets up his equipment, a girl walks into his camera frame. With a canvas in her hand, she trips over and falls down in the snow.

"It's too dangerous to traverse this mountain on your own," Alkaid says as he runs over to help the girl.

RACE CAR DRIVER ENDING

As the race car reaches its maximum speed, a whirlwind ensues. The boundary between life and death is so close, and fate can be heard screaming.

Alkaid can't say for sure why he fell in love with this feeling. It only lasts for an instant, but still leaves him in deep fascination.

When the car reaches the finish line, Alkaid's soul finally finds solace. Mr. McGrath, the "Best Driver of the Year", smiles gently as he received a starry candy bouquet.

"Congratulations, Alkaid!"

Alkaid looks at the girl. Again, he feels the thrilling sensation he'd just experienced. But this time, it faintly whirls around his heart.

He asks the girl, "May I have your name?"

"My name is [MC Name]," she replies.

PSYCHOLOGIST ENDING

Alkaid first became interested in psychology because he wanted to understand himself and other human beings.

Later on, he discovered that the world is a vast ocean where everyone is surrounded by water. People affect and are affected by each other. There is no shame in misfortune and feeling emotions. Reconciliation is a long process. Emotions, just like many things in the world, are contagious.

Although, ever since he became a psychologist, Alkaid thinks he's adapted very well.

"Next, please."

PILOT ENDING

Countless choices in life often originate from fortuitous encounters. Yet, this choices often carry a sense of destiny.

Planes mimic the graceful flight of birds as they ascend into the heavens. Bound by the pull of gravity, they persistently strive to soar higher and higher.

Whenever he soars into the sky and glides over the horizon, and whenever he sees a glimpse of the glow at the end of the world, Alkaid is reminded of one afternoon from many years ago.

Through torrents of rain and storms, he unfurls his wings, determined to fly into the heavens and safeguard the land beneath him.

[pamsimmerstories]

wolfgang is back home!!

transcription

[wolfgang]: heeeey! who missed daddy?

[halley]: daddy?! is it really you?! i’ve missed you soooooo much!!

[nova]: me too!!

[wolfgang]: what are you waiting for?! c’mere and give me a big hug!

[nova]: why does your boss make you work so much? i don’t like it!

[halley]: yes!! mommy told us you were traveling because of your job. find another job, daddy!

[wolfgang]: i’ll see what i can do, okay?

[wolfgang]: and you eris? not gonna hug me?

[eris]: no!

[wolfgang]: alright. i’m gonna talk to your mom and than we’re talking, just us boys okay?

[eris]: ....

[wolfgang]: i’ve missed you so fucking much, babe. i know i wasn’t there for too long, but fuck... i wanted to be here with you so bad

[aurora]: i’ve... missed you too

[wolfgang]: i’m so fucking sorry, rory. i... i guess i won’t ever apologize enough.

[aurora]: i know you are... we’ll... talk about it later, okay? now, talk to eris.

[wolfgang]: now it’s just you and me here... what’s going on?

[eris]: you know what, daddy

[wolfgang]: no, i don’t. if i did i wouldn’t be asking...

[eris]: you missed my birthday. our birthday

[something inside of wolfgang broke into million pieces. he missed his son’s birthday and he was upset with him]

[this made him remember of his own childhood without his father. it was different, his father died... but still... he knows how much hurts not having a father on special days]

[wolfgang]: i’m sorry daddy missed your birthday. i promise to be here for the next one, okay? now give me a hug because i’ve missed you sooooo much!

[eris]: you promise?

[wolfgang]: mhm

[wolfgang]: i love you and your sister more than anything, you know? if i missed your birthday, it was because i really couldn’t be here

[wolfgang]: and i’ll try my best for this to not happen again, alright?

[eris]: yes daddy!

[wolfgang]: how do you feel now?

[eris]: hungry!

[wolfgang]: *laughs* that’s my boy! let’s eat something

[sailorstarr-chan4]

KAGOME HIGURASHI IS A PRINCESS! 🎉

Has anyone done this yet, or....???? 👀

More Inuyasha/Yashahime memes: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25

Transcript below because shitty quality:

[Ralph Breaks the Internet Princess meme format:

Rapunzel: "Do you have magic hair?"

Kagome with luxurious hair in her face

Elsa: "Magic hands?"

Kagome purifying Kikyo

Cinderella: "Do animals talk to you?"

Kagome hanging out with Shippo and Kirara

Snow White: "Were you poisoned?"

Kagome poisoned by Mukotsu

Aurora: "Cursed?"

Kagome under Tsubaki's curse

Rapunzel and Belle: "Kidnapped or enslaved?"

Kagome kidnapped by Kouga

Rapunzel: "Do people assume all your problems got solved because a big strong man showed up?"

Inuyasha smirking]

[bloomingkyras]

While Aurora was playing with her piano, Someone knock her door. It was Sage who came to gave back her letter that she drop at the library.

Transcript under the cut:

Sage: Hi, u are Aurora, right? I'm Sage. I came here to sent back ur letter.

Aurora: Yes,I'm Aurora.My Letter?

Sage: [he gave back the Letter to her]

Aurora: Where did u found it? Thanks btw.

Sage: Ur welcome.U drop it at the library.

Aurora: I thought I already lost it.Thanks sent it back me,Sage.

Sage: I have to go now.Nice meeting u, Aurora.

Aurora: Wait..I haven't apologize u of what happen at the library.

Sage: It's ok. I already forgot about that.

Sage then left the her house.

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Chapter 4: Snowflake - Glow

Narrated by Nikki.

Narrator: Then, the snowflake necklace around my neck twitched and glowed a dazzling white light... before it turned into billions of snowflakes and took me out of the memory.

Narrator: I'm back at Miraland, where nothing but dead silence is left.

Nikki: Snow... It's snowing in Miraland, too.

Narrator: The unceasing snow seems to be penning a final chapter of the world.

Narrator: Clutching the snowflake necklace by my chest, I tread through the thick snow beneath my feet... slowly but surely.

?: H-hello... I...

Narrator: A tiny, laggy voice reaches my ears, jolting my body as I feel a tinge of hope.

Narrator: Could it be a survivor?

Narrator: Gathering my thoughts, I begin searching around.

Narrator: Finally, by a pile of rubble, I find a gadget all but completely buried in snow, with a protruding part of it reflecting light.

Narrator: Wiping off the snow sitting on it, I now see what the gadget really is... it's a broken camera.

Camera: Hi... Human. I am... Glow.

Narrator: This device is supposed to be able to communicate with the user, except it has lost that function and is only repeating one single preprogrammed line.

Narrator: The voice that came out of the camera is a pure female voice, reminiscent of a smiling girl. I break into a smile myself.

Nikki: Hi, my name is Nikki. I really like your name, Glow.

Narrator: She isn't able to respond to me, but I'm perfectly fine with that.

Narrator: At a time like this, her very existence and the fact that she speaks the same language that I do are not unlike telling the world that civilization will live on and that not all hope is lost.

Narrator: Suddenly, over this silent, icebound land appears a flickering aurora. Against the snow, its luster is reminiscent of that of crystal.

Narrator: The miracle-like beauty comes to this destroyed land, embracing the relics of civilization with gentle blessings.

Narrator: I carefully pick up the camera and train its lens at the sky.

Narrator: I know full well that the camera is too hopelessly broken to take any pictures now. Still, recalling what I've learned from Dad, I press the shutter button...

Narrator: With the hope that Glow would be able to see what I'm seeing.

Nikki: I'm glad I'm not the only one seeing such a beautiful aurora.

Narrator: Traveling with Glow, I come across many a place I've once seen. They are proof of the civilization that was once Miraland, and with them comes a flood of memories.

Narrator: Down the street was where we used to run around gathering materials to make clothes with, and by the lake in the forest was where the elf sang us a ballad.

Narrator: Throughout my journey, I came across a lot of interesting people, designs that are the brainchild of painstaking hard work, and faith in designs that made me strong.

Narrator: Some people left and never returned, while some just became strangers.

Narrator: The strangers who were once friends might turn around this way. They are exactly as I remember them.

Narrator: Am I just another passerby to the world? I always ask myself this question when I feel defeated.

Narrator: But every time I look back upon the path I came, it always hits me just how many unforgettable moments there are and how many design ideas those moments have given rise to.

Narrator: In Miraland, dreamland isn't the only place where one can find their wishes, for courage still allows one to change the world all the same.

Narrator: If I try hard enough, then perhaps that one day will still come when we all can walk in Miraland under the sun as we laugh and enjoy one another's company.

Narrator: Like shooting stars that decide to travel back the way they came to chase their dreams, the memories turn into starlight and speed through the boundless night sky.

Narrator: When the ice and snow finally fade away, colors slowly wash over the pure-white world. With it, melting the same way an ice spring would when spring comes, time itself once again starts moving forward.

Narrator: The tides born out of the starlight and snowflakes slowly become a staircase that leads into the distance.

Narrator: I quickly set foot on the staircase that's reminiscent of the aurora I saw as a child. Gaining a firm foothold, I dash into the depths of the sea of stars.

Narrator: Still swirling in the Ocean of Memories, the black hole stares at me like an eye as it cooks up a blizzard.

Narrator: Except I feel lost no more.

Narrator: With starlight gathering at the tip of my finger, I reach out for the hole and touch it.

Narrator: Then, following the dead silence that calls to mind the heartbeat of a new life, the starlight erupts.

Narrator: As the stopped time ripples across the land, the grand flow of the stars joins the cracks among the different dimensions of time.

Narrator: These different civilizations should have been on their respective star trails... yet at this very moment, they're attracting one another as they summon and sense one another.

Narrator: Finally, forming a most sparkling star chart, they glow dazzlingly together in a blast of light.

Narrator: The never-ceasing river that is history has left us with innumerable treasures in all corners of the world, connecting the past and the future with a unique path.

Narrator: Which is also what has led me this far.

Narrator: My journey hasn't ended, and I'm making my own decision from here on out.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 5

[todays-xkcd]

The HVAC bill for installing the Gulf Stream was enormous.

Iceland [Explained]

Transcript Under the Cut

[Cueball is standing in front of a board and pointing to it with a stick. In front of him is a long table with White Hat, Blondie, another Cueball and Megan sitting on the long side of the table (the same side, the one away from the reader) with Hairbun sitting at the end of the table furthest from Cueball. All are sitting on office chairs and looking at Cueball. On the board there are two figures and some unreadable text. The top figure is an skewed elipse with some dots inside. There is a label text beneath it. The next large figure depicts and island with a rift going down its middle. The rift extends on either side of the island. There is a label above it. Beneath this there is a box with four lines of unreadable textm and above it a heading. Cueball's stick points to the island.] Cueball: Okay, we'll make it an island on a mid-ocean ridge to satisfy the mantle people and the oceanographers. Cueball-like man: But what about my glaciers? Cueball : We can just pile them on the volcanoes. Hairbun: Don't forget that it has to be near a pole - I was promised aurora!

[Caption below the comic:] Iceland was designed by a committee of planetary scientists that was trying to satisfy everyone.

[a-queer-seminarian]

Poems for Palestine

Poetry empowers us to imagine liberation that we can then work towards, together. In the latest episode of the Blessed Are the Binary Breakers podcast, listen to — or read along in the episode transcript — Jewish, Christian, and Muslim poems by Palestinians and their supporters.

Some pieces explore the Nativity story through this lens: Christmas joy must break bread with pain, birthing solidarity with all oppressed peoples.

Listen wherever you get podcasts — or visit here for a direct link.

Image descriptions are in the alt text and below the readmore.

A photo of Professor Refaat Alareer with a quote from him reading, “We’ve never been to other parts of Palestine because of the Israeli occupation, but… our parents and grandparents — especially our mothers — have been telling us stories… Our homeland turns into a story. In reality we can’t have it, but…we love our homeland because of the story. And we love the story because it’s about our homeland. And this connection is significant. Israel wants to sever the relationship between Palestinians and the land… And literature attaches us back, connects us strongly to Palestine…creating realities, making the impossible sound possible."

A photo of Hiba Abu Nada with an excerpt from her poem "I Grant You Refuge" reading, "I grant you refuge from hurt and suffering. With words of sacred scripture I shield the oranges from the sting of phosphorous and the shades of cloud from the smog. I grant you refuge in knowing that the dust will clear, and they who fell in love and died together will one day laugh."

A photo of Aurora Levins Morales with an excerpt from her poem "Red Sea," reading "We cannot cross until we carry each other, all of us refugees, all of us prophets. …this time no one will be left to drown and all of us must be chosen. This time it's all of us or none."

A photo of Basman Derawi with an excerpt from his poem "His Name Was Essa" reading, "Essa means Jesus. My friend was neither God nor prophet, but a rebel soul and humorist, like Jesus. When Essa laughed, everyone laughed. I think joy was his gospel. …I can see him now sitting in heaven nodding, laughing."

[professionalranter31]

I cannot explain the visceral joy I would feel if we actually got to hear, read, or watch the transcripts that resulted in Overwatch being shut down

Because that moment, that moment is defining for nearly all of the characters on the roster in some way.

Sigma might’ve been found by Overwatch instead of Talon if they were still active at the time

So many of Doomfist’s potential plans relied on Overwatch either being crippled or dissolved.

Many if the agents like Tracer were completely barred from continuing their work in the same field just for a different organization. Lena lost the right to fly because of Overwatch being shut down

Winston I’m highly certain didn’t have a home and has been illegally living at Watchpoint Gibraltar for a long time with an illegally reactivated Athena

So many scientists and engineers couldn’t continue their work because they had worked for Overwatch, even if they were the top of their field. How many of them ended up working at the Arcology or Oasis?

The Ecopoint program being shut down must have hurt Mei so much. Because the data she got could be considered illegally gained because it used an Ecopoint base. And how many of those environmental researchers who were trying to save the world from Global Warming and Climate Change were barred from continuing that work? How many of them became ecoterrorists?

From what I can tell only two people didn’t suffer any consequences for working for Overwatch

Sojourn, who unlike the others wasn’t forced into retirement but got to choose to enter it, unlike Reinhardt, and then started doing vigilante work just like Blackwatch whose practices she had spoken out against. How many of former colleagues envy her that she was actually given the choice to retire?

And Mercy who is still allowed to work as a medic in places of crisis and do research. How many of her former colleagues hate she’s allowed to continue her work despite also doing work for Blackwatch?

And I’m willing to bet the reason it’s like that is because while the others who were called to testify did have some negative things to say about Overwatch they did also have a lot of positive things as well. But Sojourn and Mercy only had bad things. They both were known to have several complaints about Overwatch and Blackwatch, and that most likely bled into their testimonies. And the people of the UN clung to their testimonies and the fame that both of them had to use what they said to get Overwatch shut down. Perhaps if they had said things differently or something else Overwatch might’ve been allowed to continue to help people, to keep some of their programs active like the Ecopoints. Maybe the people who worked within would’ve been able to leave and still find work outside of Overwatch.

That last part is hypothetical, but dear god if they did something like that mini series that introduced Aurora to us but with the UN trial I would love it. That trial changed so much about many of the heroes within the roster and the world of Overwatch at large and I want to know everything that happened in it. Who testified, what evidence was brought forward, what secrets were revealed, everything.