#but i might modify it a bit more to try and be true to the characters???

[razzle-zazzle]

homoerotic fight scene, you say? Added tension of being engaged AND a possible traitor, you say? Even more tension over that being the person that you thought you knew better than anyone else in the world hiding things from you, you say?

YES EXACTLY. JAY IS SO MAD COLE IS SO MAD AND STRESSED JAY IS STRESSED NEITHER OF THEM IS HAVING A GOOD TIME IN THAT ARENA. I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THEY'LL BE ABLE TO PROPERLY RECONCILE. CHEN IS GIGGLING IN HIS SEAT THINKING HE'S GOT THIS WHOLE "if my son-in-law (to be) won't turn against the other ninja i'll just turn the other ninja against him" THING. MAYBE EVEN COLE WINNING MAYBE EVEN SKYLOR USING BORROWED EARTH POWER TO MAKE COLE WIN WHILE APPEARING UNINVOLVED. IT'S GONNA BE SO SO FUN FOR ME FR FR

[alittlebitofloveliness]

PLEASE write more mini fics about ponyboy and curly i love them together

Hi anon! This is the first of the PaperCut asks I'm cooking up, so I hope you like it. Sorry it took so long!

****************

Curly Shepard knows he’s the hottest person alive, which is good, because he needs this to go well. 

He’s got a pair of Tim’s jeans on- they’re a bit long, but unlike his own they don’t have any stains- and he might pay for that later but right now it doesn’t matter. His muscle shirt might’ve belonged to Tim at one point or another too, but right now the important thing is that it shows off his arms. Gotta show off his gains if he’s gonna get a date for the rodeo this weekend. 

He really needs a date for the rodeo this weekend. Angela had bet him three dollars and a pack of kools he couldn’t find one and he was determined to prove her wrong. Also, he doesn’t have the scratch to spare if he loses- he’s trying to save up for a nail gun. Dally Winston told him a week ago about a guy in New York who used a modified nail gun as a weapon, and Curly wants to try it.

So, the date. He’d considered asking Catalina Perez- she’s been making eyes at him for weeks, and despite what Angela thinks he isn’t completely clueless- but he doesn’t really want to take a girl out. Girls are fine, but he’s gotta be like…nice and gentlemanly and shit and it's so boring. Besides, Angela just said he had to find a date. She didn’t say it had to be with a girl. 

There’s only one person he actually wants to ask out. Of course, Ponyboy will probably tell him to fuck off, but he tells Curly to fuck off a lot and only means it like a third of the time, so it’ll probably be fine. 

Curly flexes once more in front of the mirror (for confidence) and sticks his switchblade in his pocket. Momentarily he considers grabbing a jacket, but he didn’t spend the last three months beefing up his arms just to cover them with sleeves. Besides, it’s not that cold yet.

Angela’s in the living room with Sylvia, and he promptly decides he does not want to hear them rip him to shreds for his very cool outfit, so he climbs out his bedroom window instead. It’s good practice for gang stuff, he tells himself, because saying he doesn’t want to feel the sting of Angel’s judgemental gaze feels a lot like cowardice.

Once he’s outside he runs into a problem: he’s finally psyched himself up enough to ask Ponyboy out, but unfortunately he doesn’t have any idea where to find him.

Ok, that’s not completely true. Truth is, the guy is pretty predictable on account of his grumpy ass older brother keeping him on a leash shorter than Angel’s temper. Tim didn’t keep half so close an eye on him, and he’d done things Ponyboy probably hadn’t even dreamed of.

It wasn’t like Pony was any sort of goody two shoes. No, Curly didn’t like teacher’s pets and he liked Pony something awful. Pony just…wasn’t as dumb as him, that was all. And he had more to lose, with the state breathing down his neck and all. Curly could respect that.

He’d try the movie house first, he decided. Shit Ponkid liked movies, and anytime he went with him Ponyboy would get all pissy if he said anything about Paul Newman. (What did Pony like so much about that guy anyway? He wasn’t even that tuff looking and he talked like a soc.)

When he shows up, the movie house is empty except for a pair of socs getting handsy in the back row, so he makes his way to the library instead, hoping the old lady behind the desk has forgiven him for time he spilled Pepsi over half the books in the history section (it's not his fault ok? He got distracted.)

This time, his detective skills are as flawless as his face, and he spots a familiar head of reddish hair in the back corner near the biology section, Pony’s shoulders curled in his familiar slouch. The sight of it makes a familiar warm feeling start in his chest, like how good whiskey goes down, a feeling Angela had explained to him two days ago was ‘what a crush feels like, dumbass’ with an eye roll and a not so gentle swat on the head. Much as he hates to admit it, it’s a fairly common occurrence. He’s good at describing feelings but not naming them. Angela feels nothing, but knows what things are supposed to feel like. It works for them, even though Tim calls them weird for it. 

“Hey Ponykid!” His voice is too loud for the library and he knows it, but what’s the old bitch behind the desk gonna do? Kick him out? He could kick her ass.

Ponyboy scowls. “Shut up!” 

“You goin’ to the rodeo this weekend?” Shit. Curly had meant to build up to that, honestly he did, but Ponyboy Curtis has a way of getting him to act like a prize idiot instead of his usual cool, suave self. He hates what this crush is doing to him, and also never wants it to stop.

“No.” 

He goes back to his book. 

Rude.

“Why not?” Curly presses, leaning on the table in a way that makes his arms flex just the way he practiced. The moment is wasted though, because Pony doesn’t even glance up.

“Because.”

“Because why?” He should’ve known better than to come to the library. The only time Pony ever gets proper mad at him is this godforsaken hellhole.

“Because Angela told me you were gonna ask me out,” Pony shuts his book, a shit eating grin crossing his face, and fuck this was not part of the plan. Curly can feel his cheeks flushing and he’s not for the first time he’s glad his skin is dark enough it won’t be obvious. If Pony- or anyone else for that matter- had any idea how much he made Curly blush he’d never hear the end of it, “and she paid me a pack of kools not to say yes unless you ask again after this weekend.”

“She- she what?”

That had to be cheating. Even Tim would have to agree that was cheating, or racketeering or- or something. She was rigging their bet against him. Worse than that she’d told Ponyboy he was gonna ask him out, and now Ponyboy was prepared with his smirk and that face and whatever cologne he’s wearing which smelled so good it should probably be illegal.

“Sorry,” Ponyboy grins, not sounding sorry at all. He climbs to his feet, and Curly is suddenly acutely aware of how close they are, almost chest to chest. Pony’s maybe three inches taller, and Curly finds himself having to look up a bit into his eyes, “guess you’re gonna have to try again next week.”

Then he leans in and kisses Curly on the cheek. 

Curly’s brain melts. 

Pony must see it, because despite the slight flush on his pale cheeks, he manages to look completely smug as he turns away.

“Now fuck off, would ya Curls? I’m tryin’ to read.”

[ipostwhatiwant1202]

Them as Bridgerton Scenes: Confessing

note: different quotes from different scenes will be spliced together/modified to fit the character.

Leo:

"Why can't you just look at me!?"

"Because I fear of what I'll do!"

Leo's blue eyes grew to look frightened. You went on a date and were excited to tell him all about it. The person was wonderful to you all evening and you looked forward to seeing them again. You were until Leo refused to hear anything at all about how your night had went. It was odd, he was always willing to listen to you.

It happened a few weeks ago that you were playing truth or dare with the turtles. April introduced you to them a few years ago, you and Leo became attached at the hip. He thought highly of you, and you him. A game of truth or dare came about and Casey dared you to kiss Leo as payback for your dare on him. You weren't one to back down so you kissed who you were dared to. But there was a problem.

Something changed in Leo. He grew distant, cold even. He felt himself choking when he saw you and unable to look you in the eye. The kiss meant nothing but meant everything. He had wanted to kiss you for so long but you didn't seem to feel the same. You continued on dating while he stayed back and watched you.

"What are you saying? Leo, you haven't even looked at me in weeks! Why?" You pleaded, walking closer to him.

He kept his eyes on the ground. "I can't tell you."

"You can't or you won't?" You whispered. You were met with silence. "Answer me!" You shouted.

"I am a gentleman!" He shouted back. "My father raised me to act with honor, but that honor is hanging by a thread that grows more precarious with every moment I spend in your presence." His voice dwindling to a whisper.

"I don't understand..." You whispered, your eyes finding his.

"I have spent so long trying to feel less, trying to be the kind of man society expects me to be. And for a moment, I thought I had succeeded." Leo bit the inside of his lip, his eyes casting down to the floor. "But these past few weeks have been full of confounding feelings. Feelings like a total inability to stop thinking about you." He slowly looked up, his eyes shining. "About that kiss. Feelings like dreaming of you when I'm asleep. And in fact, preferring sleep because that is where I might find you. A feeling that is like torture, but one which I cannot, will not, do not want to give up." His eyes became determined.

"I-I...I don't know what to say." You whispered. "I thought," you swallowed, "maybe you forgot that."

"I could never forget that." He whispered back, leaning down so his eyes were level with yours. "I could never forget that rush, no matter how hard I try."

"Leo..." You breathed.

He leaned in and closed the gap between your lips. You knew you 100% owed Vern.

Raph:

"Will you please just tell me what's wrong!?"

"Will it shut you up!?"

You and Raph had known eachother for a long time. You met one night at the park. You were riding your dirtbike (or other device) and he decided he would challenge you from the shadows. It wasn't until you hit a rock and flew off the bike that you saw his true form. You were instantly drawn to him because of his difference.

Your friendship blossomed and you looked forward to meeting him every week, doing different activities like dancing or just walks. You exchanged numbers and talked every moment you could. You considered him to be your best friend. His family even liked you and accepted you, you were happy for the first time in a long time. Up until two weeks ago, anyway.

Raph had been acting stranger than usual. Not saying much, acting like you were genuinely annoying him. He was brushing you off and making excuses to not see you. You finally had enough and went to the lair to confront him for his odd behavior. You didn't expect him to get this angry about it, however. You poked the bear too hard.

"God, Raph! You're so childish! Why is it so hard for you to talk like an adult? You need to grow up!" You snapped, walking toward him.

He huffed and rolled his eyes. "I am grown!"

"Then show it, dammit!" You snapped. "Tell me why you now hate me."

"I never said I hated you." He mumbled.

"Then what is it, Raphael!?" You shouted, shoving his arm. "I can't play these games with you!"

"I love you!" He shouted, his eyes widened. "I’ve loved you from the moment we raced each other in that park. I've loved you at every dance, on every walk, every time we’ve been together and every time we’ve been apart." His face softened, he ran a hand over his face. "Ya don't have to accept it, you don't have to embrace it or even allow it. Knowing you, ya probably won't." He swallowed, moving closer to you. "But ya gotta know it in your heart. Ya must feel it, because I do. I love you." He whispered.

"Raph...I didn't know." You whispered, putting a hand on his arm. "I wouldn't have pushed you."

"I know I'm imperfect, but I will humble myself before you, because I can't imagine my life without ya." He whispered back. "Y/N, I mean it."

"Prove it." You muttered, your eyes finding his green ones.

Raph reached and cupped your face, pulling you into a kiss. You were thankful for that night in the park.

Donnie:

"You're avoiding me."

"I'm not, I said I'm busy."

Donnie was, for a lack of better terms, a strange guy. He had a way with words and a way with actions. Geeky charm, if you will. You found yourself drawn to him the moment April brought you to meet the turtles. Dare you say, you considered him to be your best friend. You had a lot in common and he always treated you kindly.

He was always willing to help you with anything you needed. You enjoyed listening to him ramble on and always valued his thoughts and opinions. He offered a safe place for you to go when you needed to escape and you were a great listener. Donnie liked that about you, he trusted you and you him. You could both be yourselves without fearing any judgment.

The strange thing was that he was suddenly shutting you out. You figured it was because he was stressed but he was completely fine with April. He also didn't offer to help fix your laptop without you asking like usual, he wasn't acting like his usual self. It was starting to weigh on you. You felt like you did or said something to offend him.

"You're not too busy for April, not even Casey." You replied, crossing your arms. "Did I do something or say something?"

"No." He simply said, not looking at you.

"Donnie, you're obviously upset with me about something." You stated, putting a hand on his shoulder. He moved away. "You're mad at me."

"I said I'm not mad." He stated again, standing up.

"Then why are you acting like this?" You pleaded. "I promise whatever it is I'll fix it!"

"You vex me." Donnie admitted, his body turned away from yours. "You are the bane of my existence. I did not ask for this, to be plagued by these feelings. Being driven to distraction everytime you walk in a room." He peered over his shoulder, his eyes on the floor. "I have never met anyone like you. It is maddening how you consume my very being." His voice had gone to just above a whisper. His eyes had become glossy. "I burn for you. Every scar, every flaw, every imperfection." He swallowed. "I love you."

"Donnie..I-I had no idea.." You whispered, walking towards him. "All this time..?"

"All I find myself being able to breathe for," he turned around and walked towards you, "is for you."

"Just kiss me." You breathed, reaching up to embrace him.

Donnie captured his lips with yours. You felt like a real prince/princess.

Mikey:

"How could you do this to me!?"

"I said I'm sorry!"

You were putting yourself back into the dating scene. Mikey was all for helping you and listening to your troubles. He even helped you ready for the dates and hyped you up. He always wanted to hear all about what worked and what didn't. He just wanted to make sure that you were going to find someone to make you happy.

Mikey was harbouring a dark secret, he deeply felt for you, more than a friend should. He couldn't stop thinking of you. He hated you going out with other people, despised it even. But he couldn't tell you that because he couldn't give you what you deserved, a normal life.

Casey introduced you two, and while Mikey was always flirty, he found himself smitten right away. He tried to be a gentleman and treat you right, hoping you'd get the hint, but you never did. Instead, you treated him like you did his brothers. It stung but he never wanted you to know, but you found out anyway, you only caught the end of the conversation.

"I really liked them! They were kind and-and treated me nicely." You snapped. "Why would you lie to them?"

"I didn't." He stated, his eyes on the floor.

"But you did! Mikey, I'm not dating anyone!" You huffed, pinching the bridge of your nose. "I would be if you hadn't of said that."

"I lied about the dating thing but nothing else." He mumbled.

"What?" You asked, walking closer. "What do you mean about nothing else? What else did you say?"

"Everything I told them was true. I can't stop thinking of you. From when you wake up to when you go to sleep, and your dreams. My thoughts of you never end." He whispered, his eyes brimming with tears. "With you, conversation has always been easy. Your laughter brings me joy." He slowly looked up from the floor. "To meet someone beautiful is one thing, but to meet your best friend in the most beautiful of people is another." He sadly smiled at you. "I want a life that suites us both...So," he swallowed, "tell me you feel nothing and I'll walk away forever."

"Mikey...Since when..? Why?" You whispered. "Why did you wait to tell me?"

"Because I'm tired of pretending and I can't continue acting as if I don't love you." He replied, reaching out and grabbing your hands. "Because I do. I love all of you."

"I love you too." You whispered.

Mikey's hands went around your waist and pulled you into a kiss. You walked in just in time.

[lopposting]

translation notes on deleted lines + why translation is truly so important

[long post]

Hello everyone... As I'm sure you've seen, the deleted lines here that were leaked have been a wrecking ball on both this fanbase and my heart!!! (thank you to the users who put that together.)

OKOKOK more translation notes!!! This is a little too out of my level in Korean for me tbh, but I'll try my best to explain my point of view.

기억은 없지만 저 역시 당신의 아들임니다. I may not remember, but I'm still your son.

Pino is using the form Dangshin (당신) here and not father (as in 기억은 없지만 저 역시 아버지의 아들입니다?), probably because he isn't directly talking to Geppetto, and it's a general formal version of "you".

Grammatical notes aside and getting to the main point, this line shows that translation is SO finicky and SO important

This line is such a completely crazy example of how translation can change an entire story; how one word can make something entirely different.

Let's look at that line with the two different interpretations.

기억은 없지만 저 역시 당신의 아들입니다. I may not remember, but I'm still your son.

Alternatively, where 역시 (yeokshi) is interpreted as "TOO":

기억은 없지만 저 역시 당신의 아들입니다. I may not have [his] memories, but I'm your son, too.

Here's the thing... "but I'm still your son, too"...

that "too" changes EVERYTHING. That little three letter word, at the end of that sentence changes everything, and has the power to steer an entire story. Because why would he need to add the "too" modifier if Geppetto only had one single child?

At my level, I cannot say that it's one or the other with 100% certainty. Translation always requires some form of interpretation, and either one is "accurate". But, as you know, a translation being "accurate" is often not even enough. [note: In the process of writing this post, and giving it some thought. I would say that yes, considering the context, the second translation is more accurate (because in this context he is referring to Carlo's memories when he uses the word "역시") ]

Deleted lines are deleted for a reason

Over the many days I've been deliberating over this (lol Lies has taken me heart and mind), I've realized that maybe I've gotten caught up in a bit of survivorship bias. As in, I think I was focusing on the content of the deleted lines, and not that they were deleted in the first place.

[Among other reasons,]

I think these lines were likely deleted because the (almighty gods) Developers wanted to keep it more ambiguous and up to interpretation whether or not P is Carlo. It's a very intriguing choice. That being said, I really appreciate that people shared this so we can see the creative decisions that were even made in the first place.

I'm reminded of Antonia's letter, because I still find it that profound. (she really was the best ;_;) When she sees Pino, she doesn't mention carlo at all to Pino, lady Antonia just treats him exactly as he is.

And her final letter is so touching. Perhaps guessing what complicated emotions Pino might be feeling about his relation to Carlo.. she tells him, not that he is or isn't Carlo, but that

"Whether you are that child or not -"

he is worthy of love and that he is precious.

"Whether you are Carlo or not, You are precious to me."

Director Choi's message on the Special Release Vinyl:

This is from discogs, the quality is hard to read so I've transcribed this portion here.

Lies of P harbors a plethora of concealed enigmas and artful subtleties, and there are no wrong interpretations to them. Piece together the scattered fragments and unravel the puzzle to craft a narrative of what is true to you. ... With sincerest regards, Lies of P Director CHOI JIWON

Seems to directly confirm that some things being left up for interpretation is by design. Very very neat!! I love it!! :)

[purerehua]

how about ricky letting y/n to dress him up or letting her pick his ootd for their random dates? ><

studded

pairing ⇆ zb1 shen ricky x reader

genre ⇆ fluff ; established rs ; date night

wc ⇆ 435

cw ⇆ none i think

"i think you're getting carried away babe."

ricky stays as still as possible, examining himself in the mirror as you run around his walk-in closet searching for more accessories. as you help yourself to a sunglasses drawer you find, you reply back to him.

"what do you mean? you look hot!"

"well yes, thank you. but don't you think the studs are... a bit much my lovely?"

you enter his proximity again, this time wielding a pair of balenciaga sunglasses and a vision. but upon hearing ricky's observation, you realize he might be right.

you dressed ricky up with his usual fashionable monochrome style in mind, but a bit of your own excitedness to dress him up had clouded your own awareness of fashion dos and don'ts. in your eagerness to see ricky in something edgy over fancy, you turned him into... er something. studs everywhere even nineties' goths are shaking in their boots. tentatively, you place the shades on ricky's face to complete the look and he looks so ridiculous you can't help but burst into laughter.

"my bad, i thought it'd be... edgy or something!"

"i feel like we're past edgy, y/n. do you want help?"

"no, i got this! i'll fix this i swear. i just need..."

ricky watches you walk away as you trail off, once again way too serious about his ootd. but as strange as he found it, he loved you and this endeared him too much to really care. true to your promise, you ended up modifying the outfit, making sure all the accessories and accents don't clash with eachother. leaving ricky in a fashionable suit equipped with a tie that held silver chains, charms, and of course studs.

you excitedly once again, placed the sunglasses on ricky and did a fun little showcase of jazz hands to present ricky to his reflection. he stands around for a bit, trying out different poses and teasing you by looking way too deep in thought.

"well?!" already (lovingly) annoyed by ricky's showyness you exclaimed as he continued to pose.

"heh, it's so good y/n. you did so well, i look so handsome. right?"

"of course you do, you're my boyfriend. my boyfriend is always handsome."

the tips of his ears turn pinkish and suddenly ricky is all humble and bashful. you laugh at how quickly his demeanor changed before you glanced at your phone and realized you'd be late for your dinner reservation if you guys didn't leave soon.

"alright let's go handsome, we're gonna be late."

"okay okay, you're right. but next time i get to dress you up, beautiful."

[lyinginbedmon]

I know full well that I've got an uphill struggle when it comes to marketing Various Types, because it's 2024 and everyone already uses Origins and thinks it's the bee's knees (and to their credit, Origins is a good mod), so you'll forgive me for harking on about VT but I do earnestly believe that it is more than viable as a competitor of the aging popular mod.

All this was true as well back when what is now Various Types was part of Various Oddities (which itself enjoyed some considerable popularity whilst Origins didn't share space in the same modloader), but I'll try and break it down a bit to drive home why I think it's worth giving a look:

First, it doesn't work like Origins. In Origins, you choose (or are randomly selected) a "origin", of varying levels of "impact" usually between 0 and 3. Depending on server config, you might get another one after dying, but that's it. This means the range of gameplay is only as diverse as the datapack in use, because each player is locked into just one component.

Various Types, in stark contrast, actually presents the player with a full-blown character creation system. You choose a species, which is similar to an origin, and are then able to choose templates that modify it. Moreover, those templates can be stacked on top of each-other, in different orders and with different results. So whilst the range of gameplay is still limited by datapack, it is roughly combinatorially massive. The default species and templates that presently ship in the alpha, by itself, theoretically offer up to 286 builds (template conditions permitting). The server has a "power" setting that helps to constrain how drastically overpowered characters can be, but the variations possible without even breaking 5 power are staggering against the dozen or so origins that Origins ships with even today.

This ultimately means that players are always able to be at least a little different to one-another. Even if they share the same species as the foundation of their character, an Insectile player is quite distinct to an Aquatic one.

Even among the less-impactful templates, a Gravekin Orkin (essentially a still-intelligent zombified piglin) has some stark distinction from a Reptilian Orkin (roughly a lizardman). Though personally, I'd rather not get on the bad side of either one of them, especially if they just heard me call them piglins...

Secondly, and by absolutely no means least, the core component of the mod (the character sheet) has intentionally been constructed such that it is incredibly easy for others to expand beyond its current and original confines.

Want to build a magic mod and need to track what spells people have and how much mana? All you need to do is register a couple things to the right registries, and it'll work just fine. Want to build a class system on top of it and player an Othall Ranger or Muckie Druid? Same thing, same ease.

In essence, and with no shred of hyperbole, Various Types has the capacity to be the foundational element of any conceivable per-player customisation mod. Just as long as people give it a chance.

Thirdly, the laborious devotion to clean visual aesthetics. I'm not gonna give Origins much sheet for this one, it's very much a product of its age from when Minecraft didn't really support anything that wasn't a texture rendered on a repeating dirt background.

But Various Types really fits in with the more recent era of Minecraft UI. The character creator screen alone really deserves a look. Each species can be given a distinct background to complement its lore or function, such as the Crioch species being from the End and therefore having an End City as their background, versus the sunny green forest background used by the Overworld-native Linn species.

Every species, template, type, or ability can even be given custom lore text. All of them. The sheer volume of options for RP alone are staggering.

Oh, and did I mention that your avatar is visible in the creator screen? As well as the character sheet display screen?

Which doesn't sound like much on its face, you can see your skin in your inventory screen all the time after all. Except that's not actually a player being rendered in either screen.

It's a custom entity. With a custom model. That can play animations.

Every time you open that screen, your avatar will wave at you to say hi. Stick around on it long enough, and you'll even see them strike a pose right out of a fighting game or casually sit down for a moment.

You can even see what your build will look like in full on the character sheet screen before you finalise it.

And that screen is itself no slouch. It prioritises clean minimalism whilst still giving access to every detail of a given build.

Which is great, but especially so because Various Types has four favourite ability keys (which you can assign activated abilities to quickly and easily from the ability menu, from which you can also just click on any ability to activate it) and absolutely no limit on how many abilities you can have. Passive OR activated.

It's really more comparable to the UI screens of Minecraft Dungeons or Legends than anything on offer by any other mod in the same niche.

Seriously, go check this mod out. It's in alpha right now, but more or less the only thing missing from it is just more abilities, and I've got a list as long as my arm of those to implement.

[dicenote]

I just had a terrible idea for a roleswap between my four fav dn characters so here we go

Lawliet "L" Wammy (age: 18)

A brilliant student but a bit of a shut-in

Spends all his time either in school or locked in his room on the computer

True Crime fan before it was cool

His father Quillsh is proud of his impressive grades but really wishes he'd go out more

A bored Shinigami (maybe Ryuk? idk about swapping the Shinigami) directly hands L a Death Note because they thought he'd have fun with it.

L immediately uses it and his detective skills (along with his connections online) to solve cold cases.

"Light" (age: 24)

Real name: Tsuki Yagami

A mysterious, faceless detective who works alongside his mentor "Asahi" to solve cases that seem fun.

"I am the Light that will purge Kira's darkness! I am Justice!"

^^Total drama queen. The maniacal laughter with his voice modifier is just *chef's kiss*

Has no problems with using criminals to get results, but Asahi will often call him out on his more questionable choices.

Officer Misa Amane (age: 23)

During the Kira case, her alias is Misaki Anai

Just recently hired on the NPA

Often gets sent to fetch people coffee, much to her dismay

Wants to protect innocent people, but is unsure about her stance on Kira most of the time

Works on the Kira Task Force alongside Light and the other NPA officers

(Maybe Aizawa's the chief in this timeline? Idk about putting Quillsh on the NPA, it might be more fun to see how Kira would operate without that inside info)

Pretends to be Matsu-Matsu's manager to keep an eye on him

(She has way too much fun with the manager gig and hates having to pass it off to Mogi later. Or maybe she's a lot sneakier during the Yotsuba arc. idk)

Touta "Matsu-Matsu" Matsuda (age: 22)

Not-so-successful model (but he's having fun with it)

After finding a dropped Death Note and reading the rules, he figures out that Kira must have one too

He uses secret messages to find Kira on a Kira fansite

The two of them try to crack cases and go after criminals together

I'm still debating if Matsu gets the Shinigami Eyes. If he thinks it's the only way he can be useful to Kira he might do the trade. But also I want him to live so 😭😭

He's a pretty good cover for L once the two of them meet in person- L can pretend that he's made a friend in school to keep his father off his back

[prokopetz]

I will be running a session of eat god for looney toons action. I was thinking about gags at 2am and have some questions. Where would the bit in roger rabbit of him getting out of the handcuffs be? What about when popeye socks someone a mile away? Lastly where does seduction resulting in heart eyes end up?

Thinking about traits i can only think of cute (puppy dog eyes sustained action?)

For arts i find it rly interesting there isnt one for sneaking on your tip toes and hiding behind objects

Another is when a character get serious and eat their spinach or booze and get really good at punching things or very strong and buff for a few minutes more than mighty might be needed

Another that i want your take on is like You refute the lie of typical social procedure which reflects the ability to radicly change tone from serious to funny or to calm or getting mad and riling people up i think of bugs distracting elmer and then they end up laughing forgeting about there animosity for a bit Feel free to split this all up. Ty ty ily

Broadly, quick sight gags don't require an Art – they're just the sorts of surreal details you might describe after rolling a successful test that's been enhanced by the expenditure of Obstinacy. The forthcoming 0.3 revision of Eat God clarifies what those effects actually do as follows:

When you spend Obstinacy in this way, you may optionally include surreal details in your description on a success, as the laws of God briefly loosen their grip on you. Such details might include bodily distortions, moving in impossible directions, or the literalisation of figures of speech. These manifestations won't allow you to accomplish anything you couldn't without them; however, with a suitable description, they may allow you to ignore effect penalties that would ordinarily apply to your Result. This can't push your final effect modifier higher than +0, and it's up to the GM how large a penalty – if any – your description offsets.

Offsetting the effect penalty for trying to hide somewhere it shouldn't really be practical to hide is a good example of what using a surreal description to ignore an effect penalty might look like in practice.

More pointedly, remember that player characters in Eat God are not literally Looney Tunes characters; they're sword-and-sorcery fantasy monsters whose powers just happen to operate according to cartoon logic. You're not obligated to describe their operation in terms of Looney Tunes tropes; like, you can if you want to, but don't let yourself get hung up on cases where that doesn't hold true.

With respect to punching things at a distance in particular, the forthcoming 0.3 revision of Eat God includes revisions to several Rebellious Arts (mostly powering them up a bit), including the following rewrite to the Art of Ubiquity:

You refute the lie of separation. For as long as this Art is sustained, you may act upon creatures and objects at Near or Far range as though you were at Touch range. You may act at Near range in this way as you wish; doing so at Far range causes the Art to end once that action is complete. Acting at a distance in this way doesn't cause you to move, but you suffer the consequences of your actions (marking Stress, etc.) as though you were actually within Touch range of whatever you acted upon. The GM is free to invent an explanation for this, but isn't obligated to do so.

It's not quite punching things from a mile away, but then, God-eaters are very small, so it's operating on a similar relative scale.

With respect to being supernaturally cute, that's just an off-label version of the Trait "Striking Mien".

Finally, regarding the proposed Art, the problem there is the same as with having an Art for breaking the fourth wall: making doing tonally incongruous shit a special ability with a defined cost creates an implicit obligation to stick to a consistent tone whenever that ability isn't in play, which probably isn't a reasonable expectation for many of the sorts of groups who would be interested in playing Eat God.

[largishcat]

hi! i saw your post a few days ago about meditation, and i wanted to ask if you have any tips on how to get started, or if you'd like to share your experiences if you're comfortable. I've been trying to get into meditation since forever, but i have chronic "think too much worry too hard" disease and none of the apps ever worked for me....

(general disclaimer i am not an expert etc) so weirdly enough, meditation is actually great for sufferers of “think too much worry too hard” syndrome, although it really seems like it shouldn’t be. a while back, I had a massive, terrible depressive episode, and one of the major symptoms i suffered from was getting caught in negative thought spirals that I couldn’t get out of. it felt like my brain was dashing itself against my skull like a caged animal. terrible time. i turned to meditation out of desperation, and it really did help me. i credit 3 things with enabling me to drag myself out of that uhhhh 18 month depressive episode

dropping out of college and moving across the country

keeping up a daily meditation practice

getting a job at a bakery that I hated but did force me to go outside and interact with people

the thing about meditation is, it won’t make negative thoughts go away, but it will a) decrease the gravity of them, and b) it will make you less scared of them

because negative thoughts are, in fact, scary and they can hurt. repressing that shit is a genuine way to prevent harm to yourself, ESPECIALLY if you are prone to negative thought spirals. what meditation did for ME was it allowed me to not spiral. a negative thought would happen, but it would not catch in my brain like a hook anymore. it would happen, and then I would move on, and it was fucking great

this has already gotten long but i do have some tips!!

dont bother with the fuckin apps they’re all corporate bullshit these days. i DID use headspace when i was first starting out, but that was years ago when they still gave you the entire first module for free. there are free guided meditations on youtube, use those. they’ll teach you the basic techniques (counting, noting, visualization) just as well

make it easier. with yoga, if you can’t get into a pose, they’ll tell you to do a modified version. it’s the same. there is this very basic meditation exercise where you breath slowly and count to ten. one in, two out, etc. and you just have to get to ten without being distracted. when i first started meditating, I couldn’t fucking do it. i could NOT make it to ten without getting caught in a spiral. so i made it easier. i counted to two, over and over again, until i got the hang of it

it’s all about the breath. some bozos (headspace guy) will tell you you can breath however you want, this is NOT TRUE. it’s the breath that guides you into the meditative state. i guess it’s possible for you to achieve it if you’re breathing shallowly, but i know it’s way easier when you do the traditional deep, slow, gentle breathing. it literally forces your body to relax and your heart to slow

make sure you’re at a point in your life where you can afford to be emotionally tender. this is the warning label i was talking about. if you have stuff to bring up, it’s coming up, and it won’t be super great. you are GOING to be in your feelings for a bit. it lasts a few days to a couple weeks. if your life/work is very stressful and likely to press on that bruise, decide if it’s worth it. and make sure you’re prepared to do self care. you have to take care of yourself like you have the flu, essentially

you aren’t getting the full benefits until you achieve the full meditative state, and it might take a minute to get there. so, in my experience, there are like three states you pass through during each session. 1) there’s the more or less awake state, when you’re first starting. this is when you first close your eyes and start concentrating on your breathing. it’s very easy to get distracted during this stage, and you might even get stuck here as you’re just starting out. 2) the next stage is the BAD TIMES stage, this is when the bad feelings are going to trickle up to the surface. keep breathing through it, use whatever technique you’re practicing this session (noting, visualization, just plan counting) and keep going. you DONT want to stop at this stage, you will feel terrible. but the good news is you probably won’t get stuck here. 3) the final state beyond that is true mediation

you’ll know when you reach the correct state because it’s awesome. i experience it as a sense of coolness and lightness, like im full of crisp fall air. i think other people might experience it as warmth? it’s probably different for everybody. breath becomes naturally deep and you stop being bored. just breathing and existing become perfectly fulfilling activities (that’s the altered mental state, babyyyy). thoughts may be gone or they may still be drifting around, but none of them will seem dire, your breath is more interesting than them. and the great part is you can hang out here as long as you want! coming back up is as easy and wriggling your toes and opening your eyes. or you can just fall asleep from here if you’re doing a bedtime meditation. even a few minutes in this state is so nice and restorative, and the sense of calm lingers

this turned into an essay, but i hope this was helpful!

[dryococelas01]

Tumblr Power Poll Q10.1: Tiebreaker

Current results

Q1: How many power categories? 2

Q2: What categories? Breaker/Stranger

Q3: How powerful? Mid tier, rating 4-6. As this poll was done under a reblog, it may be neccesary to redo.

Q4: What type of Breaker? Fate Breaker. Benefits after you transform, consequences when you transform back. A focus on action and consequences.

Q5: What type of stranger? Tie between Warp and Nox. Runoff vote in another post

Q5.1 stranger vote runoff. The power is a warp stranger. (strangers who can avoid attacks, danger, or slip through defenses by way of bent rules, distortions, otherworldly details or disruptions in the standard rules. )

Q6: is the user mentally modified by their power? Yes, the power has imposed a delusion on its user.

Q7. Is the user physically modified by their power? Tie between no and minor mutation

Q7.1 runoff vote. Results - no mutation

Q8. What is the power?

Breaker state transforms the user into a 4d object. In this state it can interact unusually with light and sound, ‘fold’ itself to sneak through objects, hide objects/people within itself and other such weird 4d shenanigans. It can avoid attacks by ‘bending’ in usual ways, for example. Also can be very disorienting to look at. May have other capabilities to be voted on in the future.

Q9. What is the benefit of transforming?

The transformation is severely disorienting to watch, in a manner the user can direct. Those afflicted may be afflicted enough to vomit, get extremely dizzy for a long period, etc. This allows for an easy ambush.

Q10. What are the consequences of transforming back?

Tie between Dimensional disorientation and Residual Transformation

Q11. What is the aesthetic of the Breaker form?

Tie between glass and static

Today's Votes

Q10.1 Tiebreaker

Q11.1 Tiebreaker

NEXT question will be about the nature of the power induced delusion. I've thought of 3 potentials so far, but some need more thought put in and I want at least two more options. Haven't had much time to think today.

(False) split personality (believes the 4d form to be a seperate individual, and so any actions performed in each form cannot be attributed to the other. They are not actually different individuals, power just prevents the mental link. Sortof believes they are in a hulk situation without actually being in one.)

Objectification (user essentially believes other people are objects, akin to p-zombies)

True form (user believes the 4d object is their real body. Results in a lot of recklessness with the human form)

I will accept suggestions.

Not sure what other questions there even may be too add. Tbh, I think after the mental vote we will be done.

Unless people want to go further and design a cape around the power?

Q10.1 tiebreaker. What are the consequences of transforming back?

Choices are:

Residual transformation

- parts of their body remain in 4d for a short while post transformation. This means that part of them might try move in ways others won't, maybe a bit of their eye is still transformed and they can't see properly, a bit of muscle still transformed in a way that prevents it working. The shard will not allow this to be fatal, but it can result in unusual movements, partial paralysis and partial loss of senses.

Dimensional Disorientation

- for a good while after the transformation, the users brain still thinks in 4d. This causes extreme disorientation and clumsiness, as they try and do things like move their legs in a direction they physically can't go, or walk through gaps half their size. It also means they can't quite comprehend other things movements, which can be deadly in battle.

And a fusion vote

A fusion

- for a while after the transformation, part of the users body remains 4d. This specifically targets neural tissue. In some regions this will just result in paralysis or sensors loss, but in others it may result in the user believe that section of the body is still 4d and attempting to interact with the world as if it is still 4d, even though it isn't. Part of the brain still thinks of part of the body as if its 4d, if that makes sense.

[cateringisalie]

So there’s a new translation mod for FFVII – one that includes cut-content and is leaning on developer commentary for how to translate into English. That’s a thing. It also is using Compilation and Remake as guidance on the translation. That’s… that’s bad? Like, if you prefer Final Fantasy VII as it was released on the PSX and don’t like what Remake has been doing to the story, a lot of people are really quick and willing to tell you to not worry. The old game is right there. And it is… sort of.

There’s a whole bunch of issues with the original game in this sense. There is the game as released on the PSX which is harder to source now thanks to the nature of physical releases that old (they can be found but can be pricey). There’s the PC port which is ostensibly the version you can mostly easily get – though the PC port changed a few minor things, and the Steam/PS4/Switch release changed a few more things. That’s not even getting into how the Japanese release of the PSX game is missing a few bits and pieces the US/rest of the world PSX version has (namely Ruby and Emerald Weapon, the escape from Nibelheim) which lead to the Japanese re-release of the US version as Final Fantasy VII International. So, saying you can just have the original game is a bit flippant if we’re being strict about what that means. It feels additionally off that people are actively modding it to “fix” the translation but with an eye to keeping it consistent with the Remake and Compilation.

Which is just… if Remake is a sequel to Advent Children as people love to speculate, why should the original game be consistent with a modified universe in its future? If Remake is a drop-in replacement then why does it change so much stuff that you need to alter the original translation to fit with it?

What even is the necessity of a new translation?

(some might here point out Reminiscence of FFVII included on the AC DVD as a point that there is scope for a new translation. And sure, the Japanese text is done as subtitles and maybe its a little different to the PSX version. But its basically beside the point. Handful of examples and unlikely whoever got the job of subbing the documentary was unlikely to go boot up a PSX just to replicate the dialogue as originally displayed)

People are very eager to buy into the idea that FFVII was badly translated. While it is true there are spelling mistakes, grammar errors, some peculiar though minor terminology switches, a few misleading lines and the odd point where someone will say something utterly nonsensical… the US release of FFVII is great. Oh, its not got the same translation and localization quality as FFVI or Vagrant Story sure, but its not wrong in any meaningful way. Friends of mine have played through the Japanese FFVII and in their estimation the tone and characters and meaning of the experience tallies very close to the translated PSX version. No translation can be perfect – you don’t think we have this many translations of Don Quixote because this time we’ll get it righter than the previous versions, do you?

Translation – and localisation – is an art. The latter’s need to more blatantly alter cultural aspects that would be obscure in the West has eroded over time thanks to increasing familiarity with other cultures. It’s still essential as some cultural stuff just doesn’t come across (like, I know some would know the answers, but some of Persona 5’s test questions are completely outside common knowledge and necessitate looking up the answers. The test questions are pretty clearly completely non-localized) – and you can either replace if possible or going to have to stick a big asterisk beside the item. Translation, though, aims to capture the spirit of the original. This, incidentally, is a thing I remember from the introduction to the copy of Don Quixote I have – this translation was trying to capture Cervantes’s voice and how it would feel to read in the original language in another language.

And by – admittedly – anecdotal evidence, FFVII’s US version works absolutely fine. But I think there is a method to illustrate there’s nothing wrong with the original translation:

The desire for Compilation consistency I understand but don’t appreciate, but Remake consistency is baffling.

A more interesting question to me is this: you, as a FFVII fan from the PSX days, likely sought out Advent Children as soon as it leaked. Fan subs were rendered pretty quickly and a certain amount of US fans likely watched the film before it was officially out in Japan (given the choice was watch it immediately or wait 7 months for the official dubbed release). Did you – in all honesty – not understand something that happened in Advent Children because of how FFVII US portrayed the story?

Was any character radically out of step with the depiction (excepting Cloud whom the creatives have admitted is OOC and then there’s a whole book to try and justify this). Was any character outright unfamiliar (excepting the remnants, Denzel and Moogle Girl – all added to the film without precedents in FFVII)? Sure, Rufus surviving is something of a surprise, but no version of the PSX release ever implied he had. Tseng’s a more nebulous point but even then neither version says he’s alive or dead. If you did steer well clear of subtitles and bittorrent at the time, same questions when the dub was released.

Given reaction at the time, no one was lead into a state of confusion or voiced some op-ed about how the PSX version of FFVII let them down when they came to watch Advent Children. There are bits and pieces of corrections/clarifications certainly – some honestly thought Tifa wore shorts in the PSX game, the nature and sizing of materia had a consensus but you would find outliers and AC presented a consistent size. About the only excuse I will allow for is if you played FFVII PSX and never found Yuffie or Vincent and yet here they are as part of the case. Fairer, though given their presence in the manual they weren’t hugely secret (something older FF fans got annoyed about at the time. Also, also if you had the real early subs with “Shion” instead of Tseng and not knowing “Agito” meant hideout and thinking the Forgotten Capital had an actual name or “Sierra” instead of Shera. You know, faults with the fansubs which were done in absurd haste anyway).

There was a lot of valid criticism of what AC wound up as and what its legacy has been but no one familiar with FFVII could not get a handle on what AC showed. And any part that you were confused over (and there are some) is a fault with AC/the Compilation not FFVII.

AC, incidentally, originally came with an animated short – since replaced with One the Way to a Smile – Case of Denzel. This older animation was called Last Order and more closely tied itself to Before Crisis – the mobile phone-centric game no one really talks about and has a lot of very strange plot adjustments that largely never got picked up. Not least was the expanded Turks cast (more than Veld and Cissnei) and their presence in most major incidents of most of FFVII’s cast’s pre-game lives. The point of LO was an action thing of Zack on his way to Midgar with Cloud but also a brief recreation of the burning of Nibelheim. LO is fascinating in that when it altered the scenes inside the reactor, fandom as a whole objected. This is why its not on Advent Children Complete discs.

The objection is small but kinda pivotal even if you can introduce reasons why it shouldn’t derail anything (and yet, Genesis is still allowed in Crisis Core somehow) – Tifa is awake when Cloud reaches her and the two share a brief conversation. Its small but that’s an issue with how FFVII works isn’t it? Sure, she can assume it was a delusion/dream/blood loss but Cloud’s also meant to be afraid its already too late for her. Oh, also he has Mako-eyes already.

So hey, LO in direct conflict with FFVII. And FFVII won. LO was ejected and never comes up the same way as the rest of the Compilation.

BC I can’t talk to much as the experience of trying to watch the story on youtube is not fun. I can say it reasonably weirdly introduces Weiss and Nero as SOLDIER recruits (so that’s why these members of the DC cast just kind of show up in CC to connect into DC) as well as the afore-mentioned expanded Turks. And has Cloud also have Mako eyes pre-capture (as with LO) and be some weird other kind of infantry guy. But no discussion or fic relying on BC is in open conflict with how FFVII told its story. Any inconsistencies stem from BC meddling with the backstory.

Its also worth noting here that FFVII – like every FF up to X was conceived of as a single instance (sorry FFIII is not connected to FFVIII, the previously popular FFVI to FFVII connection amounts to nothing. The FFVII and FFVIII references in FFIX are meant to be there but like as… jokes? Nods? Reference humour? Its cute. Like putting FFVII references in Parasite Eve 2. And like how FFVII has Xenogears references. And the FFX-2 to FFVII connection is terrible). There’s the weird and undeveloped maybe FFVI-2 but that seems to have gotten no further than a battle mock-up. All this extra sequel and prequel stuff was never considered during FFVII’s writing (and why would you? Yes, allegedly CC was based on an idea at the time of FFVII’s writing, but that doesn’t magically convey it established canon status if it wasn’t reworked to an unclear degree and released as a game a decade later. Even it was fully-formed, that’s a fault with CC as released and not FFVII. Far more interesting is how Parasite Eve and Xenogears were both discarded or rejected ideas before anything like the released game was conceived. Like how Resident Evil 4 produced at least three other games during development).

Dirge of Cerberus used to vie for worst additional element. And maybe it still does depending on your attitude. But as the third Compilation release (ignoring the book), the western version still relied on the FFVII PSX version for context on what was going on and how it related back to familiar characters. Deepground are unfamiliar! Pretty sure the Japanese audience didn’t know about them prior to this game either. Here are Nero and Weiss and maybe you can feel better for knowing they came from BC, though that’s a slim victory – likewise Grimoire (yep. Another BC one. Squeenix clearly absolutely care about your understanding of the universe and that’s why this weirdly key game was never localised. It could have been at the cost of CC). All the Omega Weapon, Proto-materia and chaos ramblings are all new. The tsviets and the fact the Planet has internet is something of a new reveal is it not?

And last of the Compilation is Crisis Core. Now, admittedly, Zack seems OOC here! Or maybe because it’s a prequel you feel he’s OOC in FFVII PSX. Which… that’s not how writing works if you are being honest. If Zack seems OOC to someone when playing FFVII PSX this is a problem with at least CC and possibly BC as well. And sure, maybe you would struggle to get him to match to his presentation in FFVII PSX as a writer. Hard to have sympathy when this unnecessary story was greenlit. You played yourself Squeenix. You walked into this situation with open arms.

People tend to gloss over what happens to Aerith here, but any conflict between how CC relays its story and how FFVII PSX presented it does not stem from a translation issue otherwise the problems would be wider reaching (see also how Aerith acts in Remake which is far, far closer to FFVII PSX than CC). You can claim that Aerith is no different, but her actions in FFVII PSX feel unlikely for the version of her wandering in CC to ever do and vice-versa. Like, her physically rushing into events in FFVII PSX being a thing you don’t see her do in CC (aware of the justifications for this too and they are absolutely awful).

And maybe you can justify why she is like that to yourself, you can’t blame the translation for why this is happening. A better translation will not smooth that shift and the mod adhering to Remake or Compilation will still conflict with what her polygonal model does on screen versus what it might now say.

What even is the point of restoring cut content?

I have heard that a chunk of the difference between Remake and FFVII US can be found in the cut or dummied text on the PSX disc. So we should all be happy its back because it was always supposed to be thing way.

Things are cut for reasons and blind restoration is not good by default. The most coherent theory I’ve ever seen for the FFVII cuts are timing and flow at the start of the game. And given FFVII PSX goes very, very fast and Remake is noticeably slower and time-consuming, it makes sense as a reason for the cuts to be made. Midgar is an oppressive atmosphere to make reaching the world map expansive and awe-inspiring.

Cuts can also be for bad ideas. Sure they got to the point where the text was in the resource files, but a whole tone of stuff gets into these (seriously, if this is new to you what happens is they pack all the data into big resource files and these are shipped out as is with the game. Things don’t tend to get pulled out once integrated because it’s hard to be sure all the places something is referenced. Hence dummying the text rather than stripping it out. You can’t be certain you found all the locations and the file-size difference is negligible) and is unused because of changes in attitude. Putting this back in does not increase understanding or consistency. No version of the PSX game was released with all this cut content in place – not ahead of Advent Children and not ahead of Remake.

There’s no expectation a player should ever be aware of what was removed before release. Knowing it won’t increase your appreciation of the PSX game. In truth it will only serve to champion the authority of the now de facto writer of the series and every one of his decisions. I find it highly contentious that he should be considered nearly the sole arbiter – and adhering to his attitude feels like it has been done with a mind towards a case that Remake is the superior version because the PSX game was hopelessly compromised. Which I would hope is pretty clearly not the case. The text was dummied out in Japan as well, again, both versions of FFVII PSX share the same mood, atmosphere and tone.

Cuts can also be made because those with more authority don’t like what they now say about character or events or attitudes of the characters. Restoring this risks throwing even more out.

I do understand broadly what the hope for this kind of thing. Make the game default Aerith instead of Aerith (and I am fully aware the game internally calls her Aerith before the prompt which then defaults Aeris in. This is a trivial bug all things considered. Plus, you do know the game has a basic expectation of you renaming the cast on your own whims, right? This was a thing right up to FFX at the last. Dictated party names was purely if you wanted them/to refer to them in conversation with others. Now you get no choice to personalize the game). Dig up the old honeybee inn scenes. Dig up the old Highwind scene (maybe. Not sure that ever got anywhere). Get some insight into the future of Remake by finding a late on conversation which alters the perception of FFVII PSX (but, I mean, people have extracted this text ages ago. You can go read it now if you want). But more than a “better” translation, the cut content will skew the experience of playing the game.

FFVII did not have the “best” translation or localisation – this is true. It did however capture the spirit of the game as released on PSX and in truth the case for a new translation is a handful of mistakes and a prevailing notion that it was always bad (and just… people aren’t careful or really seem to get what they’re messing with. I tried Because once and got weirded out by Reno and Rude changed to Leno and Lude – no official material reflects that change so why?). And no one familiar with the game was lost with Compilation entries for any reason other than those entries failed to set things up properly or forced new details into an existing story (or relied on an unreleased phone-based video game or a book that wasn’t due to be translated. These are faults of Squeenix’s business operations not a video-game from 1997).

(for localisation examples. So FFVIII has a weird fixation with hot dogs which is kind of just funny on the face of it. You can make them part of battle prep if you want. But… are they hot dogs? Zell looks like he's eating one in the end credits but to me it looks more like Yakisoba Bread. As in, what is localised in English as Hot Dogs was either Yakisoba bread or potentially simply bread in the Japanese release. Not wholly more sensible even in Japanese but not quite the same absurd feel. But I reckon the translators were stuck on what to replace it with until they saw the ending and make a judgement call. In 1999 getting across the concept of bread was going to be tricky. A more recent game likely wouldn't sub the food stuff given your audience has a better bet at understanding what it is)

Sure, some stuff didn’t make it through translation. I know people like that Aeris has a nick-name for Cloud that is totally absent in English – a shame, but its not a fundamental loss; their interactions are clear enough and the shippers still latched on just fine to the romantic potential between them.

The distinction between Reeve and Cait Sith’s voices doesn’t come across very well, but that’s a factor you would struggle to do purely in English text in any case. Didn’t make the reveal any less of a surprise though did it?

There is nothing in FFVII PSX that prompted the inconsistencies of the Compilation – that’s on those (mostly) same writers not remembering, not caring, or desperate to include a plot that required massaging, breaking, or ignoring how the PSX game said things worked or happened (see: Genesis at Nibelheim). The fault lies with the Compilation however much you personally may like it. Inconsistencies with Remake are likewise Remake’s fault and while you can turn up some elements that were created and critically discarded for the 1997 release, their restoration in Remake doesn’t make them any better ideas now than then – and it certainly doesn’t cover the fate ghosts (or whatever they are) or Sephiroth’s intro being a million times less effective at threat than FFVII PSX.

Any similarity between the dummied text on the PSX disc and the additions to Remake’s dialogue means is that the person with the final say-so on what is included has absolutely changed since 1997 and with it the character of the series. Even he wasn’t right all the time or made the best decisions, but he remains an oft-excluded (and completely from the development of Remake) critical part of why this game has a remake at all. I will of course be accused of being a purist and nostalgic, but again I must reference a friend who noted that the only reason people were so excited by Remake was via nostalgia and perhaps curiosity about other people’s nostalgia. Their nostalgia and positivity is seemingly more valid to others than my nostalgia and negativity.

FFVII PSX means a lot to me. And maybe Remake means a lot to you. I can’t take that away from you, and my experience with FFVII can’t be taken away but it feels like it’s getting tarnished. It is hard going when FVII PSX seems to only merit mention in context with Remake, with Compilation. Not in context to itself – the context it was created for. A single story with a start and end. Characters given as much background and detail as they needed to work for their roles. A game so many embraced. People were not calling for a Remake for so long (originally) for any reason than wanting to see the same thing but prettier (forgetting its dismissal in some contexts on release for being style/graphics over any other quality. Somewhat ironic). Entirely possible the desire post Compilation was to “fix” FFVII for consistency with the Compilation (which is a pretty distressing notion!) but the whole game’s legacy and fandom and popularity is because of the PSX game not in spite of it as so many seem to treat it now.

Yeah, it’s not as pretty, yeah the controls are clunkier and battles are slower.

But.

Its story and how it used different styles of cut-scene depending on context were considered and effectively chosen. It built character and told story with words and battles and animation. The polygonal figures are not realistic (until they need to be. To make sure the scene will impact you as intended) but perfectly able to convey the emotions they need to. It has mistakes, it has jank. It has some terrible plot shifts in places. Yes, you can leave the end of the world hanging for months if you want to breed and race chocobos. But it was still the start – the foundation upon which everything else was built, it was still a success. And not one part of the Compilation or Remake would have been considered for a second if it had not been a success. It is not a first version for which a second version exists that lead to all the add-ons.

No new translation is ever going to change that situation or truly improve on the experience from 1997.

[rae-arachne]

🕸the spider's gaze: horror film reviews🕸

Welcome to the spider's gaze, where I pluck something from the Cave of Carnography and see what it has to say about drugs, sex, violence, and the human condition. Tonight's film...

American Mary (2012)

(Does the Dog Die) (🏴‍☠️)

Horror: 4/5 (Very gory at times but only rarely horrific)

Horny/Homoerotic: 3/5 (the sex is not very sexy. the surgery and blood however...)

Good as in well constructed: 2.5/5

Good as in I like it: 4.5/5

Overall: A-

Summary: American Mary is a movie that is obsessed with the body and the things people do to it. It sees sex as violence, surgery as sadism, and extreme body modifications as love. It's part the story of an impoverished medical student overcoming the sexism of the medical field to do great things, and part the story of the birth and death of a monster. It is a modern classic to me.

The movie opens with close up, almost erotic, shots of a turkey having surgery done on it to the sound of classical music, so you know you are in for a ride right away. We soon learn that Mary is a medical student who is the granddaughter of a Budapest immigrant and is plagued with financial troubles. These troubles are relieved one night when she goes into a strip club looking to become a dancer, and leaves as an emergency, off the books surgeon and extreme body modifier. At first reluctant to accept this role that has been thrust onto her, Mary soon dives in head first after being assaulted by one of her professors and subsequently dropping out of medical school and taking revenge on her assaulter.

This is where a lot of people might be turned off of American Mary, and see it as another "woman scorned" story, and that is definitely valid. But what I love about it is that it never seems like this story line removes Mary's agency. She never becomes a complete monster or loses herself. She does plenty of fucked up shit, and becomes petty and dangerous and sadistic, but she also tries to help people become their "true selves" through the power of extreme body mods. She really feels like an underdog trying to improve the world with the skills at her disposal.

Dr.Mary Mason (if Frankenstein can be refereed to as a doctor, so can Mary) is a slasher on the order of Norman Bates and honestly should have been just as impactful. Unfortunately, this movie came out about 10-15 years too late for that to have happened. She is iconic and unique in everything. Katharine Isabelle pulls off the complexity and contradictions of the character beautifully and makes her unlike any "woman turned monstrous by the patriarchy."

Personally, the character of Lance, who becomes Mary's bodyguard, is my favorite. I love a big softy who is capable of incredible violence, and this line gets me every time. It is delivered perfectly.

I do agree that the ending leaves something to be desired, as does the toxic straight-yuri plotline that goes nowhere. Dr.Mary is eventually killed by the husband of one of her clients after he finds out she has been "dollified". While this does have thematic appropriateness (the theme of men only valuing women when they can provide them with sex) it does feel anticlimactic. This is a movie that leaves you wanting more in a bad way. If Mary had miraculously survived and disappeared into the night, Michael Myers style, that would have felt more complete. As it is, it feels a bit disappointing that she can never escape patriarchal violence.

It is still a love letter to the alternative freaks, creeps and sickos trying to make it in the world, and something of a comfort movie to me.

[innerchorus]

How do the various adaptations of The Heroic Legend of Arslan compare to each other and the original novels by Yoshiki Tanaka? I'm specifically interested in a general comparison of the manga adaptations by Chisato Nakamura and Hiromu Arakawa.

Oh man, this question probably warrants an essay to answer it properly, and tbh I don't think I'm in the position to do it because 1. I still haven't read Nakamura's version in full and 2. there isn't a translated version of it available either, which makes it a lot harder to compare nuance (I have to run the pages I'm interested through a translator first to try and decipher it).

I used to think that Nakamura's manga was a very straightforward adaptation of the novels, but recently realised that's not the case. I'd apparently only read a little of it before because I think it was back when I was still avoiding spoilers. But I've learned Nakamura wasn't afraid to add scenes if she thought it would benefit the characters in some way (see additional conversations between Isfan and Zaravant, and Hilmes and Irina). I feel as though Nakamura is sensitive to the emotions of the characters and that's what's driving these scenes; she wants to show the connection between them and, in some cases, make them feel better. There's also the incident where Elam and Alfarid encounter Sam, which is presumably used as an opportunity to show that Sam has a good heart even though he's ended up with Team Hilmes.

Both Nakamura and Arakawa will cut or abbreviate stuff at times. So in Nakamura's manga, Isfan's night raid got cut and Guiscard killed the mage instead. Perhaps she thought it best for the pace of the storytelling? It's not a major plot change, but it does get us through that section a bit faster. Arakawa's manga also doesn't adapt every novel scene. For instance, in the novels there's a scene where Hilmes rejoins Zandeh in the final stages of the hunt for Team Arslan as they near Peshawar Fortress. Arakawa didn't include it, opting to show a panel of Hilmes travelling fast, obviously heading back to pursue his prey, and then later he and Zandeh are shown together when they confront Narsus and Alfarid. Why did that scene get cut? Again, pace maybe (the same as the missing Hilmes and Zandeh scene before Hilmes sneaks into Peshawar), or Arakawa didn't like how sarcastic Hilmes is to Zandeh there and decided to omit it on that basis, lmao

As for more major changes, I'm inclined to say Arakawa's manga has more of those, certainly now we're heading towards the conclusion. Nakamura's manga stays closer to the novels than I'm expecting Arakawa's to as far as the ending of Part 1 (Book 7) goes, though the final scene of Book 7 is absent, allowing for it to feel more conclusive. But I think it's obvious at this point that Arakawa's version is already modifying novel events in a bigger way, and is probably aiming to answer some questions and deal with all outstanding plot threads by the end, so I'm excited to see where that goes. Just don't kill off my faves, please.

On the whole, Arakawa's tweaks feel like they have been very carefully considered to stay true to the heart of the novels and preserve the characterisation. I still have to translate the extra Hilmes and Irina scenes from Nakamura's manga, but I am amused that Tanaka directly said 'Hilmes didn't go and talk to Irina at this point in time' and Nakamura said 'yes he did'. Nakamura seems slightly more wilfull about doing what she wants in this respect (but again, she doesn't make big, plot-altering changes... even the added stuff with Sam slots neatly into the novel canon plotline without causing ripples).

You might have seen this post already, but @colleyuriko discussed a specific instance with regards to the tone difference of the Daryun and Narsus relationship in Nakamura and Arakawa's versions, regarding Daryun's comment about Alfarid (my reblog here with some of my thoughts too). I think that's worth a read.

Nakamura's manga takes 13 volumes to reach the end of Book 7, while Arakawa's version will hit 19 next month when the next volume is released and obviously hasn't finished yet. So from that alone I guess Nakamura's treatment of canon is briefer than Arakawa's (even allowing for some of the content added by Arakawa, such as early scenes with Etoile).

Obviously, there are stylistic differences in the art etc, but those are self-evident so I don't think I need to go into them. Hopefully this has at least started to answer your question!

[simlicious]

Use of AI in my patterns

I've got a comment on my latest post that I want to address properly:

"Please dont use image generators. They use a lot of water and power and just. Its disrespectful to us artists who had our works scraped and thrown into the sludge maker."

Thank you @cats-n-witchcraft for voicing your concerns in a friendly and respectful way.

I've thought about this a lot and also had a long talk with a friend to dive into the topic a bit more and mull everything over. Since it is a long answer, it's under the cut! There is also a poll at the end of the text.

The use of AI-generated images is a very divisive topic with extreme opinions on both ends, some pleading against and some for the use of AI. I do not have an extreme opinion but I am somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. Maybe it has to do something with my age or my personality type in that I always try to see things from different perspectives and like to find a middle ground in a lot of things. I understand both sides and think that both sides have some valid arguments pro and contra AI.

I definitely think AI use should be regulated and artist's work should be protected. But I also see merit in AI as a tool and in a way to enable creativity in people who aren't artists in the traditional sense with talent, years of practice, or formal training.

What I find horrible is people abusing AI to make fast money, image resource sites getting flooded with the stuff, people not disclosing the use of AI and just showing general scammy behavior. That's just not acceptable. I also think that AI companies have a huge responsibility to reinvest money in environmental projects to make up for the large use of resources. If this is not viable, then the whole business model should definitely be thought over.

Governments should step in and make clear rules regarding AI.

I will happily lend my signature to any ongoing petitions regarding this (feel free to link some in the comments if you have some).

I have always been a curious person and I like to try out new technologies. But I will now stop more often and think "do I need to use AI for this?" I might occasionally use it but I am by no means a power user. AI images are bad quality-wise and it takes work to make them usable or presentable and it does clash with my sense of perfectionism anyway. I only use two different AI image generators, the free Chatgpt with Dall-E 3 that comes integrated into Bing Copilot, and Photoshop's Firefly AI which Adobe claims was not trained on copyrighted materials (hopefully it's true). So far there are only a few occasions I've used them for. They include generating an avatar for a website, a few plumbob images, and a few bizarre Sims 4 caricatures because I was surprised that the AI knew the concept of Sims. I also thought that experiencing that and knowing how such images tend to look helps to spot them "in the wild" so you know what's AI and what isn't.

When I first tried AI, I was enticed by the novelty of making these unique images that I had not seen before anywhere else and was enveloped by the "wonder" of it (that has since worn off).

TBH it is super frustrating to have ideas but not to be able to execute them. I love making patterns for the Sims 3 but I really suck at making them from scratch, I tried a lot but I dislike the outcome of the majority of them and I do not seem to have the skills nor the patience to get to the level of surface pattern design skill required that would be acceptable quality for my perfectionistic brain. So figuring out this way of creating patterns without having to fear copyright strikes because I modified some assets (which is a really big thing in Germany where I live and people get made to pay a shitton of money for copyright infringement) was like a drug for my brain. It is hard to resist its satisfying pull.

I will try harder to find other ways that do not involve AI before considering AI as an option.

I'm sure lots of people try out something they are curious about and that is not really good for you, and we do not make good choices in our lives all the time. Maybe your personal questionable choice is in another department, but there are and will always be people who have different opinions and condemn our way of life in favor of another. I try to make choices that benefit the planet and environment and do not hurt people, but I am not 100% consistent, just like 99,9% of people on this planet, but I try and I care. Generally, I feel sad that we tend to accuse individuals of their behavior instead of accusing the big corporations and governments that are the real cause of the problems.

It can lower our self-esteem and make us feel inadequate because We can see so many areas in which we are not living up to someone else's standard. We have to choose our battles. Generally, I think we should not shame others for picking different battles or having different opinions. We never know the whole picture or reasons for other's opinions and behavior, especially of people we interact with online. We can engage in dialogue to foster understanding though and this is the way to go, and it is why I wrote this long wall of text. Thank you for reading my wall of text!

I want to close with a poll about what you think about the use of AI-generated images in my patterns.

Whenever I may use AI-generated assets/images in my patterns or other CCI will disclose this in the pattern download (if I know they are made by AI). In any case, I would only sporadically make use of AI!

[aparticularbandit]

Things I like to play around with re: Ryoko/Junko backstory but probably won't use:

Secondary heir to a great family (similar to Byakuya, Sonia, Fuyuhiko).

Useless/Unwanted spare (her mother was only meant to have one child but had twins instead whoops).

Mukuro remained the sole known daughter of her parents; Ryoko was either left somewhere to die and got picked up by one of the maids/servants who couldn't leave a baby abandoned somewhere or was given the the servant to raise on her own as a back-up in case something happened to Mukuro or Ryoko was given to a servant with explicit instructions to have her killed and the servant just. didn't. (This gives credence to Junko's comment that she was born into despair.)

Ryoko and Mukuro didn't know they were twin sisters until later and grew up only sort of as friends. (Mukuro was probably encouraged to bully Ryoko because, you know, servant's kid and all that.)

But Ryoko has her dad's hair, and there are enough rumors about things that Ultimate Analyst Ryoko Otonashi figures it out.

Ryoko tells Mukuro, who absolutely doesn't believe her (and maybe doesn't want to believe her for reasons (if you want to go Despaircest route)). But Mukuro asks her dad about it (he says no) and then asks her mom about it, and her mom breaks into tears, which tells her the truth more than her dad ever did.

After this, Ryoko and Mukuro are inseparable. Mukuro requires her sister bestie to go with them on big trips. (Her parents encourage her to bring a friend! Her dad wants her to bring someone from her super elite school (reader's choice if that's the Elementary Division of Hope's Peak), but Mukuro only ever wants to bring Ryoko. It's possible this was true even before they found out they were sisters, too.) Her dad hates this.

Mukuro's parents very clearly understand that Ryoko is their other daughter. Her dad hates her. Her mom is just glad she's not dead.

Fenrir is an assassin group. They are not in the market for middle school children applicants. It's likely they were meant to kidnap Mukuro - or that their dad hired them to kill Ryoko and Mukuro joined up with them instead. (Mukuro spent three years with Fenrir? So 7-9th grade? Probably?)

This only increased their dad's hatred of Ryoko, and eventually, she ran away.

At this point, we have reason to believe Yasuke was orphaned, so Ryoko probably went to hide with him. (And then they both ran further away because if her dad knew anything, he would know the first place to look would be with Yasuke.)

Ryoko became Junko for two reasons: 1) because different name and different appearance would keep her dad off their backs and 2) Ultimate Fashionista level modeling career means they have enough money to live off of.

Mukuro finds out about Junko on a mission. Probably finds out that there's a scandal involving her. Leaves Fenrir. (It's possible the scandal involves their dad? This makes the most sense.)

Junko and Mukuro slaughter their parents and the entire family complex. Mukuro starts the slaughter probably re: scandal involving Junko and Junko steps in, not offering mercy to their mother or her adoptive family. Their mother didn't care about them enough to save her, and if her adoptive family had known better, they would have killed her instead of trying to keep her alive. It would have fixed the whole thing. Mukuro would have never needed to know, and it would have spared them all of this pain.

I play with this as I go, but this is like. probably the general shape of what's in the back of mind re: etc. And then might use bits and pieces of this in stuff.

I'd be modifying it a bit in The Thin Line Duology because Chiaki but. It's a good way of making sense of the tiny stuff Junko says with regards to her past, explains why she would have a different last name as Ryoko (as well as why she'd want a second name as Junko, even though stage name is just as good an answer there), and then also gives me nice parallels with the Warriors of Hope and your parents abused you and now you have to kill them to level up.

(It also gives a good reason for Despaircest hints in canon coming from the case of oh no you're my sister but these feelings are already here because I didn't know. Which. Admittedly. I still don't like. And won't be writing because I don't ship Despaircest and have no intention of writing it. Ever. But reader's choice, there's a spot for that, I guess.)

I just. return to these thoughts frequently.

[parabelllvm]

Today on "I woke up late for work and now I am pissed off on my way to work", I'm going to talk about Brodi's tattoos/runes.

So these markings are typically hidden under sleeves and what not. one arm is leagues more decorated than the other but Brodi regards them both with the same amount of weight. Both rune segments are in some sort of pattern, but only the right is incorporated into the tattoos.

While they don't have specific elements ascribed to them ( because Brodiaea honestly doesn't need them to use multiple elements ), they do have enhancements and near-permanent glamour runes woven in. Some of these enhancements have burnt out and faded completely ( hence the gaps between trains of runes that they have on their arms ) or have been crossed out entirely ( lines through certain runes ) but they haven't gotten around to replacing them. This makes them a bit awkward to read, as they're meant to be sentences that give them that power. However in the same vein, it gives these runes new meanings and alters what they are meant to accomplish. I'll cover only the left set now because it took me way too long to do any of this so... the right set will take just as long

LEFT ARM: 5 SETS OF SENTENCES. If some of these sound like affirmations, trust me when I say they're not. Brodi has to carve them this way or else they won't do anything ( because they are runes for them )

ORIGINAL: I am nameless and tuned to this realm, roots reaching deeper than light, deeper than dark, deeper than the deep.

UPDATED: I am. Tuned to this realm, my roots reach deeper than the light, deeper than the dark, and deeper than the deep.

The first is a reference to their connection to the realm and their connection to Ailmtinne'eadhe. It's more of a... confirmation of what is already true rather than establishing that. This string is soul deep. The "I am" is intentional, and is meant to represent that they are technically considered a higher being. This part is less for their more humanoid form and more for the other form that they have

ORIGINAL: Coming into existence burned into my soul like ashes that covered all faults--to drape the skin like a barrier.

UPDATED: The harm of coming into existence scorched away from my soul should be like ashes that conceal the truth--to drape over my skin like a cushion

This is their glamour and it is not soul deep! As you could probably tell, this one has been modified countless times to reach something that they were satisfied with and better reflected the tone of which they carried themself. Brodi is a very private person and they have... ( justified ) issues and problems when it comes to what they actually look like unglamoured. The glamour is very intricate and attempting to look through it will feel like looking through a cloud of ash. If they are overwhelmed, it will collapse; it takes a lot to accomplish that, though

ORIGINAL: The limits of the mind and body that constrict me no longer

UPDATED: The limits of the mind and body fail to restrict me; No longer do I breathe against this realm.

Okay now this? is the meat and potatoes of their enhancements and allows them to kinda... fuck around and very rarely find out, for lack of better words. The nature of Brodi's magic has grown to be a bit uncontrollable and try as they might to manage it all on their own, they need additional help with it. They can withstand it but they just don't want to be overwhelmed by it so these runes help funnel it to add an extra omph to whatever they do or whatever they cast. This one is not soul deep but has been fortified to be in a constant state of "You'll have to cut of their arm for them to not have access to it."

NEWLY WRITTEN: Joined to another, I break apart their strings of fate and tie them with my own

This is their bond Nùnmai, their counterpart. It's a two way street and acts as a line of communication between them. Through this rune Nùnmai is permitted access to some of Brodi's non-elemental magicks and allows her a deeper connection to Ailm + the land. On Brodi's end, it provides a deeper connection to the sea and the infused pools that Ailm has created--directly or by proxy.

ORIGINAL: There is no beauty in wrath, or in flame, and if I succumb to it, let it be by sound body and mind.

UPDATED: There is beauty in wrath, in flame, and if I succumb to it, let it be by sound body and mind -- complete and whole.

This is soul deep is and is probably the most invasive of the runes aside from their glamour. Brodi is very paranoid about being forced to shift, period. I'll go into detail to... why that is and what they are at a later date ( likely after right arm rune post ) but, needless to say, it's lead to many identity crises. They're not very keen on shifting into some larger than normal beast simply because they are able to or someone wills it. It's the same principle as their glamour, in that they want full control of who sees them and what they see them as.