#but to summon a social media boost

[flannelepicurean]

Fic Excerpt: Holiday Rush

Okay. So. Not that long ago, I started finally doing a Coffee Shop AU in the DBZ space, and it got completely out of hand (like they do) and became a dystopian-humor meditation on corporate customer service work, with light smut. Also, the latter half of it turned into a Christmas/holiday special, because...it got completely out of hand, and by then, it made PERFECT SENSE for Frieza to put them under an insane holiday sales rush challenge with the abolition of the heinous indentured servitude contracts for Raditz and Vegeta as the year-end prize.

I have NOT finished the entire piece in time for this Christmas, because there is A LOT of it, and I hope to have it completed in time for next year.

But SWEET BABY GOKU IN A GODDAMN MANGER, I really, REALLY need y'all to come with me on the journey of "Goku's 'True Meaning of Christmas' Speech, and the Subsequent 'Spirit Bomb of Social Media' Event" moment. AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!😂😂😂

Here go:

Goku grumbles a fierce, “This isn’t right,” and turns off the blender.

Vegeta’s heart stops. The floor tilts. “Goku,” he pleads, “Goku, no...wait...don’t go! DON’T LEAVE US, GOKU!”

Goku marches out from behind the counter, heedless of Vegeta’s anguished wailing, strides to the center lounge, kicks a stack of magazines from a low, circular table in the Chipper Chat & ChillⒸ Zone, and leaps atop it. Waves to Puar at the DJ station, and raises his hands as a triple volley of air horn sound effects blares throughout the shop. 

In the stuttering hush that descends, Goku calls out, “WOULD YOU PEOPLE LOOK AT YOURSELVES?!”

“Goddammit,” Raditz whimpers into Vegeta’s hair.

“Chums,” Goku pleads, “this isn’t Chipper! This isn’t Cheerful! This isn’t holiday! Don’t you see what’s happening? Can’t you see what you’re doing?” 

A portly gentleman in the crush by the front snaps, “I’m trying to get a fucking coffee!”

Goku flings a double-underline of athletic arms and emphatic palms toward the counter, hits the customer with a heartfelt, “And they’re trying to give it to you! Don’t you understand?” He looks around at the crowd, reminds them, “A lot of you are regulars here! You know these guys! They’re YOUR guys! And you’re their Chums! But you’re not acting very Chums right now, you’re acting like dicks!”

Vegeta slumps forward, rests his forehead in his hands with a massive sigh, and Raditz follows, keening against the top of Vegeta’s head.

Goku explains, “Okay...you may not know this, but these guys are corporate wage slaves—and I mean literally, it is only just barely technically not illegal, but I’m telling you, I’ve seen the paperwork, and it is fucked up. But you know what? They still come in here every day—EVERY DAY—and try to give you a good experience!”

A green-skinned guy swathed in black, with heavy eyeliner and skull-shaped beads stacked up his antennae quips, “What about the pointy one?”

Goku raises an eyebrow. “Vegeta?” Sweeps a puzzled gaze over the crowd. “I mean, he’s always been pretty cool.”

A woman in a festive sweatshirt with blinking lights fires back, “OH, NO HE HAS NOT!”

Vegeta lifts a weary gaze and heaves a deflated “Hey, I’m trying, okay?” over the counter.

Goku points out, “And I’ve seen some really good comments on the customer satisfaction survey cards, so it seems like that’s working out, huh?”

A throaty voice only a little like Bulma’s calls out, “Yo, he didn’t even yell at that dude who just said he was shitty!” from somewhere near her position in the throng.

Heads perk up in the crowd. A ripple of chatter begins anew, with more question marks than exclamation points.

Goku’s fingers flex as though preparing to fly across a whole fleet of blender buttons. His frame begins a subtle bounce on the balls of his feet as he calls out, louder, “And Raditz assistant manages the heck outta this place! If you were in literal corporate bondage, would you spend extra time keepin’ it fun?” He throws a wide shrug at the assembled patrons, inquires, “Who here hasn’t enjoyed at least one wild specialty drink at Chipper Cup?” Aims a finger into the mass of holiday shoppers, rings out, “You! You there! Bro with the phone!” 

Vegeta’s voice clamors, “Yeah, please stop filming this, Phone Bro,” just as Goku continues, with twinkling zeal, “Didn’t you show up like a hundred times for the Cotton-Eye Joe?”

“Yeah,” the man answers, with a wry twist of expression that slews the crisp shape of his goatee, “that thing was gross as fuck, dude.” 

Goku returns a wilding grin. “But it was funny. Right?”

The man pauses, wide-eyed. Then drops his head and slips his phone into the pocket of his down vest with a contrite, “...Yeah.”

“And you started that viral video challenge because of it!” Goku chimes into the space. Demands, “How many new followers did you get from that?” and immediately steams on, “This is what I’m saying, people! The guys at Chipper Cup don’t just serve it up hot, and chill, and smooth, and whipped, and steamy, and—”

Vegeta snaps, “Goku!”

Goku shouts, “They spread cheer!” 

A bouncy co-ed with tinsel worked into her nearly floor-length twists, and a parade of glitter dazzling above her wide, dark eyes squeals, “And that’s the true meaning of Christmas!”

Goku pauses. Considers. Responds, “Well...kinda. But NO!” He whirls toward a new zone of the sales flow floor set, his face a grim citadel. “The true meaning of Christmas is CORPORATE CONSUMERISM. For the people you love!” He pulls his fists against his chest, presses the shoppers with his earnest insistence, “And everybody out here loves those two handsome, hardworking baristas back there... So come on and start corporate consuming so we can save their Christmas!”

The shop erupts in a resonant clamor of cheering. 

Goku raises his arms aloft, commands, “Faithful ChumsⒸ of Chipper CupⒸ! Lend us your social media! Reach out deep...far into your networks! Give us your hashtags! Post your selfies! Take pictures of your beverages! Send them to EVERYONE YOU KNOW! Boost our signal, Chums! Raise our Chipper Cheer Championship ChartⒸ levels! Like to charge! REBLOG TO CAST!” Phone cameras strobe and dazzle like fireworks as he bellows, “FILL THIS COFFEE SHOP WITH HOLIDAY SPIRIT!”

“Oh shit,” Vegeta mutters, a sheen of sweat catching crystal chill from the open door. 

Raditz grips his shoulders briefly, fires a determined, “We can do this, we got this,” and marches to the counter. Gestures for Bulma, instructs, “Stay close for a sec.” Snags Goku by the front of his apron as he jogs back toward the smoothie station, proclaims, “If we pull this off, you son of a bitch, I have no idea what I’m gonna do, but until then, no more wild cards. You gotta do exactly what I say, got it?”

Goku beams back a snappy, “Yes, sir!”

Raditz sweeps an arm over the full team, “That goes for everybody! We’re about to get the holiday rush of the century up in here, ‘all hands on deck’ doesn’t even begin to cover it! But we’ve all put in too much work, and we’ve come too far, and we’re this close, we’re this close, and we’re not gonna give up! And let’s be real—that was a great speech, Goku, but it’s gonna get ugly in here, and we gotta keep ahead of it.” He shakes his head, lays down a grave, “There’s no backup coming. There’s no clocking out early. We’re not gettin’ out on time, we’re not gettin’ overtime, or holiday pay, or any of that. We’re down to the wire.” He decrees, “This is it. But we’re a team. We can do this.” 

Vegeta’s features settle from apprehensive tension to a kind of thoughtful admiration. “You...you really are a hell of an assistant manager, Raditz,” he affirms.

Raditz looks over the gathering throng with grim determination. Squares his shoulders and rumbles, “Not tonight.” He vaults over the counter and stands tall in front of the milling crowd. Declares, “Tonight...I’m gonna manage!”

[theforbiddeneden]

Metal Hammer Magazine December 2023 Enter The World Of Sleep Token - Revista Metal Hammer Dezembro 2023 Entre no mundo do Sleep Token

"We'll never see the band at this level again" Sleep Token fan Benji Purdy

A deep, distorted voice is coming through the PA of Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre.

“Do you think they want you to cry?” it’s saying. “Do you think they like it?”

A second voice, lighter in tone but still distorted and oddly inhuman, replies.

“Not as such,” this one says.

“I think they just want to know that I am feeling something, feeling what they are feeling, perhaps.”

The audience in this ornate, 800-capacity venue stands silent, entranced by the voices. The band onstage are masked metal sensations Sleep Token, tonight playing their first headlining show in the City of Angels as part of their month-long North American Rituals tour.

The dialogue that is playing out around us is hugely significant to everyone in this sold-out crowd. It marks the first time crowned frontman Vessel – the lighter voice – has broken his silence in public. The deeper voice he’s communing with belongs to Sleep, the god-like entity at the heart of the band’s lore. As the conversation continues, you could hear a pin drop.

“Do you think that this amount of crying is healthy for you?” Sleep asks.

“I don’t know,” comes Vessel’s response. “But at least I feel something. If I don’t feel anything then why would I even do this?”

At this, the crowd lose their minds and a wave of mania ripples across the floor. That the voices are pre-recorded doesn’t matter. Nor does the fact that this isn’t, strictly, the first time it’s happened – Sleep Token have been doing throughout this tour. But modern metal’s most enigmatic band have done something they’ve never done before: they’ve cracked open the door and given us a tantalising glimpse into their inner world.

This show isn’t the biggest Sleep Token will play this year. In December, they will headline London’s Wembley Arena. But Los Angeles, together with New York, is one of the epicentres of the US music business, and the buzz that’s surrounding the anonymous band suggests that America is paying attention to them.

More than that, La La Land has always had a thing for cults, from the Manson Family to Scientology, as well as the countless smaller ‘spiritualist’ groups that operate in the city today. An anonymous, masked British band with their own mysterious, quasi-religious mythology? LA never stood a chance.

“There is a new atmosphere at these live shows, an electricity,” says Benji Purdy, an American fan who also acts as moderator on the band’s official Discord server. He first saw Sleep Token when they supported metalcore act Issues on a 2019 US tour. After witnessing their headlined show in Portland, Oregon a few days ago, he says they’re an entirely different beast this time around.

“We’ll never see this band at this level ever again,” says Benji. “They are catapulting themselves.”

2023 has been the year Sleep Token’s cult success went fully overground. On January 5, the band released Chokehold, the first single from then-upcoming third album Take Me Back To Eden. Twenty-four hours later, they chucked in another new song, The Summoning. By the time the track hit TikTok, videos of listeners reacting to the genre-defying sound were reaching users around the world, with some even hitting a million-plus views.

Their social media profile was helped by celebrity boosts from Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor, Architects singer Sam Carter and Lorna Shore’s Will Ramos. And in May, they announced that Wembley date. All 12,500 tickets sold out in just 10 minutes. Sleep Token had officially become a arena band.

Chris Lody, a Sleep Token fan based in Coventry, set up a subreddit for the band back in 2018 after discovering they won their nomination for Best New Band at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods. The same year, he saw their first headline performance at St Pancras Old Church in front of 150 people. He’s had a front row seat to their dizzying rise.

“To go from that to Wembley in December, it’s incredible,” says Chris. “Creating the subreddit was a bit opportunistic really. Nothing like it really existed and I wanted to see what other people were saying about the band.”

It took a while, but fans eventually began to head to Chris’s Reddit page to share their own interpretations of Sleep Token’s music, art and lore. After the release of Chokehold and The Summoning, the page exploded with new users.

“The volume of people posting day-to-day is massive now,” says Chris, adding that it has grown from around 6,000 users to 34,500 at the time of writing. “We’ve had to take on more moderators just to maintain a bit of order.”

Much as the fandom has expanded, so too have the opportunities afforded Sleep Token. This summer, they stepped up to festival headliner status in the UK, with appearances at Portsmouth’s Takedown in April and Manchester’s Radar in July. Radar organiser Joe James admits they lucked out with the timing of the band’s booking.

“We got them at that sweet spot that every promoter dreams of,” he tells Hammer. “We’re a festival that wants to book progressive, contemporary music. Sleep Token tick all those boxes: they’re doing something fresh and are at the top of their game at the moment.”

Headlining the first day of the festival gave the band a full “limitless” rehearsal time, which in turn resulted in a truly headline-worthy performance.

“It looked and sounded amazing,” Joe enthuses. “They are so massive now, but they don’t behave like they’re blowing up just yet. I truly think they’re the next Download headliners of the new breed.”

It’s 4pm in Los Angeles when Hammer arrives at the El Rey Theatre, and queues are already stretching around the block in both directions. Some fans have brought chairs and blankets to sit on, while others are propping themselves up against the walls of the venue, clinging to the scant shade to avoid the glare of the Californian sun.

Amy McLaurin and her friend Sarah Hibbert are standing at the venue barrier. They’re from Virginia, and arrived at the El Rey at 9am, despite having fast-track passes that guarantee them priority entry.

“I found them on TikTok,” she says of how she discovered Sleep Token, with a nervous smile that suggests she’s worried any gatekeepers will leap out and chase her away at any second.

The pair saw Sleep Token for the first time a couple of weeks earlier in Baltimore, but couldn’t risk booking flights to come more than 2,000 miles to repeat the experience. It’s doubly impressive because Baltimore was Amy’s first ever gig, full-stop.

“I’d never really found an artist I loved enough,” she says. “Right now they’re everything I want in music. I listened to rock before Sleep Token, but not much metal – I’ve actually discovered more metal through them. I also met Sarah at the Baltimore show and we both decided to fly here.”

“They make you think about things you otherwise wouldn’t want to talk or be open about,” adds Sarah. “These songs can mean something different to everyone, a universal pain we all feel but some might be less able to express that.”

Vessel famously doesn’t do interviews – the only one he has given was to Hammer in the band’s early days – but their fans have been more than happy to pick up the slack. Sleep Token’s official and unofficial social media channels are full of running narratives, memes and jokes.

It hasn’t all been deadly serious, either. In April, a fan-filmed clip of an audience member at a gig in Sydney letting loose a “sinister” fart during the quiet part of the song Atlantic went viral. Similarly, after the release of The Summoning, a section of their fanbase dubbed Sleep Token “metal’s sexiest band,” largely thanks to lyrics such as

"THEIR MUSIC TRANSCENDS THEIR PERSONALITIES" SLEEP TOKEN FAN CASSIE KNOX

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“THERE ARE SECRETS LEFT TO BE UNCOVERED”

Daniel Owen is the man behind the artwork of Sleep Token’s first two albums, 2019’s Sundowning and 2021’s This Place Will Become Your Tomb.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST COME INTO CONTACT WITH SLEEP TOKEN?

“Around early 2018. I ended up becoming one of their lead visual creatives from [that year’s single] Jaws through to This Place Will Become Your Tomb, and some initial development on Take Me Back To Eden.”

HOW MUCH OF A BRIEF WERE YOU GIVEN IN EACH CASE?

“The briefs behind each project have varied greatly in scope, but usually only restricted to a few lines – in the case of Sundowning per song - or a paragraph to explore the central idea of This Place Will Become Your Tomb. Symbolism throughout history has always been a communication method that encapsulates a sense of power and reverence; my work for the project has always aimed to champion atmosphere while masking a considerable amount of intention below the surface. “One example would be the Sundowning sigils as a whole: being informed by the passing of time and mirroring the positions of a clock face, referencing the namesake of the album. Individually, each sigil was a cipher I'd developed that represented a hidden selection of elements relating to the singles that later served as artwork – eventually all would be removed from streaming services and become an intentionally forgotten to reflect one of the central themes of Sundowning and its primary cover. A beautiful part of working with a band is that there's an unparalleled level of bravery involved with taking the kinds of creative choices that many are too hesitant to pursue.”

SLEEP TOKEN PUT HIDDEN ‘CODES’ IN THEIR SONGS AND IMAGES. ARE THERE ANY SECRETS IN YOUR ARTWORK THAT FANS STILL HAVEN’T DISCOVERED?

“There’s certainly some things I’ve left seeded within my work that’s ready to be pulled from the future if I’m called upon. There are still some secrets left to be uncovered.”

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‘Or are you really here to cut me off? Or maybe just to turn me on’ and ‘I would be lying if I told you that I didn’t think that I could be your man / Or maybe make a good girl bad,’ combined with a raunchy bass drop in the song’s second half. This sexiness is something the band have leaned into on this US tour. During The Offering, members have been seemingly kissing through the masks, reportedly prompting a suitably ecstatic reaction from the crowd each time.

There are other, more wholesome displays of fandom, from fluffy crochet plushies to homemade necklaces. A video of guitarist IV putting on a cowboy hat given to him by an audience member at a gig in Dallas has yielded close to two million views on TikTok. Back at the barrier at the El Rey stands Cassie Knox, who has come to LA from Houston, Texas. Cassie has now seen the band eight times, including at Radar in the UK.

“Sleep Token have a big thing about community,” she says matter-of-factly, when we ask whether it gets lonely following the band on tour. “I met two girls last night in San Diego, they’re here with me and we’re also going to Anaheim [the next gig on the tour].”

While every fan has a personal answer for what Sleep Token mean to them, Cassie’s response seems to be shared by many. “They taught me self-love,” she says, holding a sign stating as much.

In May, shortly before the release of Take Me Back To Eden, several select fans were invited to an exclusive listening session for the album in London. Chris Lloyd, who runs the Sleep Token subreddit, was one of them. He won’t divulge too many details of the event, but offers an anecdote that highlights the band’s dedication to keeping their enigma intact.

“We got there and there was just this stage with curtains,” he says. “They opened at the start of the album and we thought there was a Vessel mannequin just in a chair. It was really dark and there were loads of smoke, but it was really exciting. Then right at the very end of the session, the ‘mannequin’ stood up and it was actually Vessel – he’d just sat perfectly still the whole time! It was insane.”

The band show no sign of changing their minds when it comes to preserving their mystique. Hammer’s request for an interview with Vessel is, predictably, turned down. But this anonymity is something that their devotees embrace. The golden rule of Sleep Token fandom is to never, under any circumstances, divulge or speculate on the members’ real-life identities. Still, that hasn’t stopped some people trying.

“The mystery surrounding the band will always be a key element that draws people in,” says Discord mod Benji Purdy. “It’s a rabbit hole and people love diving into them. But I have found that since [2021 album] This Place Will Become Your Tomb, there has been a culture shift within the fanbase between those who want to respect the band’s wishes to stay anonymous, and those who have a general lack of respect and think the band don’t care.”

This ring of secrecy is intact today. Before the show, Hammer is sitting at a table in the taco restaurant adjacent to the El Rey. We can hear and see the security manager briefing in front of the venue.

“Tonight’s show is Sleep Token,” the security manager says, marching along his ranks like a general on the eve of battle. “Their whole deal is that they are anonymous. If anybody – anybody – tries to go where they shouldn’t, you MUST. STOP. THEM.”

In reality, transgression seems to be the furthest thing from anyone’s mind. The people queuing outside the El Rey are here to Worship, after all.

“Their music transcends their personalities as individuals,” Cassie Knox tells us. “Everybody has a part in this music, and from the messages that the band have put out, it seems like that’s exactly what he [Vessel] wanted.”

By the time the doors open, the excitement is palpable. Airport-style security gates mean everyone is thoroughly searched before entry and it seems half the audience has brought along trinkets, gifts and signs in their own expression of Worship. One fan has turned up with a bouquet of roses so big it is seen engulfed her head. They all make it through security without issue.

While some fans have been dressing up in full Vessel cosplay elsewhere on the tour, there’s no such regalia tonight, although many have covered their faces with painted Sleep Token sigils. Equally, it’s striking just how youthful the crowd is as a whole.

“It’s been like this the whole tour,” reveals Matt de Burgh Daly, guitarist/keyboardsist with support A.A. Williams, as he sits down next to Hammer to grab a bite pre-show. Williams and her band previously supported Sleep Token on their 2021 UK tour, and now they’re on these US dates, suggesting they’re within the headliners’ circle of trust.

“It’s funny actually,” Matt says between taco bites. “This is actually one of the smaller shows on the tour, I think. But we’re pretty nervous.”

Oh?

“Yeah, our drummer’s broken his arm – he’s having to play Def Leppard style!”

With its art deco exterior, crystal light fixtures, chandeliers and blood red decor, the El Rey Theatre feels more like it should be hosting a seance than a metal show. It’s not your typical dive venue. But where Sleep Token aren’t your typical metal band, sonically or visually.

From Hammer’s vantage point, a dark balcony overlooking the main floor, it looks like nearly everyone is adorned in some kind of Sleep Token memorabilia, be it t-shirts, hoodies, or even smaller items like necklaces or homemade earrings. A queue stretches from the merch stand to the barrier throughout the entirety of A.A. Williams’ set and right up until Sleep Token themselves appear.

Sure enough, the headliners’ arrival elicits a frenzy of activity. An extended shriek of pure ecstasy greets the band as they march onto the stage, and it’s not long before the audience is singing along ardently, tears literally streaming from some fans’ eyes.

Detractors may point to the prevalence of piano ballads in Sleep Token’s sound, but there’s no shortage of heft in tonight’s set. Chokehold is explosive, its pendulum riffs cutting through the air like a buzzsaw. Hypnosis has the booming, almost floating menace of a great Deftones track, fans waving their arms wildly throughout.

Even in terms of physical presence, there’s a marked difference from the band that toured in support of 2021’s This Place Will Become Your Tomb. Back then, Vessel seemed like a solid, rooted entity, his movements stiff and minimal, clinging to the mic-stand like he was tethered to it. This time out, he’s a ball of kinetic energy, bouncing, dancing and stalking his way backwards and forwards across the stage, even dropping to do push-ups during The Summoning. Bassist III and guitarist IV are similarly lively, headbanging furiously and commanding circle pits and walls of death with finger gestures and head nods.

The Take Me Back To Eden songs are especially visceral live. Vessel skitters across the stage during Vore like someone having an ancient entity, switching between howls and soulful melodies before intoning the song’s key lyric: ‘I want to give you all, but nobody else will ever go?’

For all the excitement, background chatter falls away completely when segments of conversation between Vessel and Sleep play out. The distorted voices discuss everything from the fandom to the role the masks play in their mythology.

“In order for all of this to work there has to be a certain boundary in place,” Vessel says, his unearthly, pre-recorded voice spilling from the speakers. “They need to be able to project themselves onto this, without anyone else’s identity getting in the way. In turn, I need to be able to show my true self to them in a way that does not compromise their ability to connect.”

There’s certainly no shortage of connection as fans roar along to the likes of The Summoning, The Love You Want and Alkaline, some moved to tears as the music takes on new dimensions, the closing rave-metal thrust of The Offering ending the night on an exultant and triumphant note, before Vessel clasps his hands in thanks as Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) plays incongruously over the PA.

So where next for Sleep Token? In a year where they have notched up a Top 10 album in the UK – Take Me Back To Eden peaked at No 3 – and sold out venues around the world, it’s hard to say exactly where the ceiling could be for them.

“I could easily see them playing arenas here in the States within two years,” Benji states. “The demand here is insane – as seen by the number of people who’ve lined up at every almost every show of this tour.”

For a British metal band to break into the US market is no mean feat, and the buzz and excitement Sleep Token are generating here is starting to catch up with the noise that surrounds them back home.

Equally, their pop sensibilities enable them to serve as a gateway, their success on TikTok showing they don’t just appeal within the metal sphere, but to wider audiences whom then tumble further down the metal rabbit-hole after discovering them.

Uniting newcomers and dyed-in-the-wool metalheads alike, Sleep Token are a new breed of band, transcending genre boundaries by simply refusing to stay in one, and backed up by a mystery and spectacle all their own. They are as at home supporting Slipknot and Architects as they are appearing at festivals like Reading and Leeds – testament to just how influential and breakout they’ve become.

Crazy as it may seem, 2024 will likely be an even bigger year for Sleep Token, and they’ve already booked some of the world’s most iconic venues in that period. With Wembley Arena and Alexandra Palace shows in the diary for next April, Sleep Token will be looking to cement their place at the top of the mountain. How long before the Worship of Sleep Token becomes a religion?

SLEEP TOKEN PLAY WEMBLEY ARENA ON DECEMBER 16. TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN IS OUT NOW VIA SPINEFARM

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MASKS REVEAL THE ARTIST’S VISION

Mario Garvera and Beatrice Rebondi are MysteryStar, an art studio specialising in masks, costumes and accessories. They also created the Vessel mask

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND IN MASK-MAKING?

“We’ve always been drawn to the dramatic and theatrical aspects of expression, along with our shared love of music. We have produced thousands of pieces together over the decades. We never make replicas of our masks; they are, and always will be, one-off characters, created especially and never to be repeated.”

HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED WITH SLEEP TOKEN?

“In early 2019 they were looking for a workable mask, as they hadn’t found anything wearable that could work onstage yet. We provided [Vessel and Sleep Token’s management] with several sketches and worked out together how to keep Vessel’s character essence and vision, while creating something that could work on a human head and be practical onstage.”

WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES?

“It took several modifications, especially around the shape of the head. We had to accommodate certain parts of Vessel was adamant were integral parts of the full-face mask for the photoshoots and a mouth - less one for tge stage perfomances. These were the first two masks that we made for Vessel.”

WHY DO YOU THINK WE FIND MASKED BANDS SO FASCINATING?

“Masks have always been important to humans since perhaps the beginnings of civilisation. Ancient tribes created masks, for recounting their history and transmitting knowledge of their young; for healings and for warding off their enemies. In addition, it could be because masks are a created expression of the artist – the one - who created it, as well as the one who wears it – and as such reveal something of the artist’s mind and their vision.”

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CR:

Transcription English Version from theforbiddeneden

[margarrivergod]

I’m bored so i’m here to recommend some of the brain rotting fics i’ve read recently(all on ao3):

BSD:

A Dolls House by Abyss_In_Wonderland_likes_sexy_cannibals

Rating: M

Warnings: NA

Description: “Chuuya and Dazai get trapped inside of an ability made sigil. Now there's a creepy lady telling them that in order to get out they need to complete five tests. If they don’t pass they’ll just stay there forever or die, but no biggie, right?”

this is a high favorite of mine, the author does a PHENOMENAL job at characterizing the characters, plus the story is *chefs kiss*🤌🏼 i pray that they’ll write more skk fics in the future!!

the liars house by burgundytshirt

Rating: M

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Description: “Dazai, Chuuya, and four others are trapped in a cursed house where you cannot lie—each time you lie, you lose an organ. In seven stages, they are asked deeply personal questions that need to be answered in order to escape. Welcome to The Liar’s House.”

Dare I say this is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, skk fanfic?!? Like holy shit this is SO GOOD! This is a translation of the original, which is in mandarin, but it’s 12/10 regardless!!

TGCF:

Thank You For The Venom by xoTsundoku

Rating: E

Warnings: Underage, Graphic Depictions of Violence

Description: Mu Qing is guarded and hollow after losing his mother but he's content in his darkness until he moves in with the Fengs, and a light pierces his comfortable solitude in the form of his soon-to-be stepbrother. Two people who can never be together fall in love.

There’s a tag that’s reads “pseudo incest” and idkw but i found it to be the funniest shit lmaoo. But in all hknestly I REALLY like this fic. I still reading it currently but i’m bulldozing through it. I also believe the author does an amazing job at characterization while tying them into a modern au

Bad Intentions by bizzybee

Rating: E

Warnings: NA

Description: “Despite their hatred for each other, renowned cook Feng Xin and first-timer Mu Qing co-judge an amateur cooking show with a strong following on social media. As filming wraps up, Feng Xin is set to go on an international tour for the release of his debut cookbook. Their public relations coordinators team up to devise a plan that will not only jumpstart sales of Feng Xin’s book, but also boost Mu Qing’s rising fame and satiate the thirst of their shared fans: They will accompany each other on the book tour. Together. As a couple for the cameras. Whether they'll kill or kiss each other first is anybody’s guess.”

This is the first fengqing fic I’ve completed and it will forever hold my heart it’s SO GOOD! My emotionally cknstipated boys thrown into a cooking au!

if you can’t summon the flames directly from hell, store bought is fine by buthgoth (GremlinGirl)

Rating: E

Warnings: NA

Description: “Shi Qingxuan gets more than he bargained for when he steals a candlestick from a mysterious magic shop's private collection. A haunted apartment may be the least of his concerns, however. The demon he awakened is ancient and hungry, and it seems Shi Qingxuan might be his new obsession.”

Have I mentioned how obsessed I am with butchgoth’s work?… YES! this is the first fic of theirs that i’ve read and one of my faves. If your a beefleef stan then PLS read this fic plus their others!

as if by destiny by debwriting

Rating: M

Warnings: NA

Descriptions: “Hua Cheng stumbles upon the mysterious Midnight Cafe. He enters for a much-needed meal, and stays for the enigmatic owner, Xie Lian.”

A cute hualian coffee shop au with a twist!

MDZS:

Back to Bite One by diamond bruise

Rating: E

Warnings: NA

Description: “or, lwj, wwx and a couple of lan disciples get stuck in a haunted manor”

this one is cute and a tad angsty (like i wanna ram my head in the wall cause y’all r dense lol) but nothing too serious imo

RAWR! is I Love You in dinosaur by FireAwayy

Rating: E

Warnings: NA

Description: “Xue Yang has spent a life running only to find himself as an animal wrangler at Jurassic Park. He spends his time managing previously extinct monsters, and loving every second of it. Until Xiao Xingchen shows up.”

i love this author i love this fic i love this author i love this fic i love this author i love this fic!!!! if i couldn’t make that clear enough

Furry Porn Costs Extra by Fireaway

Rating: E

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Description: “Lan Xichen is the CEO of one of the richest companies in the world. He's efficent, savvy, and altogether bored. Lan Wangji is a ruthlessly efficient police officer with the highest moral code of anyone who had ever donned the uniform. Jiang Cheng is living day to day, getting by with his art. And when that doesn't work, robbing people blind. Wei Wuxian is the thief who hides behind a guileless smile and his uncanny ability to simply vanish when needed. What happens when their lives intertwine with one another? Will they find the answers they're looking for, or will they end up losing more than they ever bargained for?”

If i didn’t make it clear enough this author writes lovely fics! this is my fav Xicheng fic to date, it has its serious plot plus the humor is spot on (there is no actual furry porn)

Thicker Than Water by athena_crikey

Rating: M

Warnings: NA

Descriptions: “A disaster, is Lan Zhan’s first impression as the bike squeals to a halt on the far side of Song Lan’s car. The man riding it – and he’s tall, and lanky, and sure-footed – hops off and locks it to the car’s back door. The back door of a police vehicle. He pulls his helmet off to reveal long, sweat-soaked hair with a shaggy undercut, bright grey eyes, and a smile that launches like an arrow straight through Lan Zhan’s chest. No, he thinks, watching this trainwreck of a man shimmy between the narrow space dividing Song Lan’s back bumper and the next car’s hood like he’s doing some kind of dance step. Absolutely not.”

I absolutely ADORE athena crikey and her work- ALL OF IT!! this one in particular is one of my favs- here we have a modern cultivation au with my fav neurodivergent duo

Every River, Every Stream by athena_crikey

Rating: E

Warnings: NA

Description: “Wei Ying, rookie architect and chronically unable to prioritize his love life, in a moment of madness turns out to be tested for compatibility with famous new entertainer Lan Zhan, struggling with the after-effects of chemo. Unexpectedly matched with a man on a very different career trajectory, he's presented with a litany of unappealing choices. Oh, and also love.”

Another work by dear ole athena. This was the first fic I’ve read of hers and it will forever be a strong favorite.

Post Mortem by Cataclysmic_Calamity

Rating: E

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Descriptions: “Life is a horror movie sometimes. You ignore all the warning signs. You end up standing there in the final scene, covered in blood, contemplating your life choices. Wei Ying is used to that. But it’s harder when you’re in love with your best friend.”

If you guys are heavy into the tgcf or mdzs fandom than you’ll know exactly who this author, Evie, is. She wrote NPAB and The Soul Remains, along with a bunch of other beautiful fics. BUT MY GOD THIS ONE!!! I never see anyone talk about Post Mortem and I will proudly say this is my fav Wangxian fic, and one of my favorite fics period. The story is wonderful, characters r well written, beautifully paced, plot is to die for(lol). She’s an amazing author all in all so check her work out if you haven’t!!

[earlgraytay]

I kind of want to make a youtube video about how Cult Of The Lamb gets cult dynamics right in ways that Honey I Joined A Cult just doesn't

but a) I suspect it'd be gut-wrenching to make and b) I'd have to engage in a meaningful way with Honey I Joined A Cult, which I really don't want to do because I find that game's approach sickening

the gist is: COTL puts you in the position of middle management.

the vast majority of the people who harm others in irl cults [I define "cult" as "an organization, usually religious or political but not always, that treats its members the way an abuser treats their victims"] -

the vast majority of people who do genuine harm in IRL cults are not the Cult Leader who Lives In A Compound and are cynically aiming to suck as much money out of their followers as possible. these folks still exist, dgmw- Qanon is proof of that- but these days they're outnumbered by other kinds of people: cult middle management.

a) small-scale cult leaders who are driven by a profound commitment to a toxic belief system and/or a mental illness. they genuinely believe what they are saying, and they think it is worth it to hurt other people to live their beliefs. they would be abusive even if they weren't trying to start a religious/ideological cult, dgmw, but there are easier ways to scam people these days. they honest to god believe what they're saying. which means that they think they're middle management between their followers and God/spirits/fate/the cycle of reincarnation.

b) a small community of people whose mutual toxicity creates an abusive dynamic between them that has most of the features of A Cult. a leader can spring up out of a group like this, but it's just as likely that this kind of group can go on forever without one. because of how this dynamic works, most people aren't consciously thinking about how to extract money/social power from the other members of the group- they're mostly just happy to have found "other people who think like them". so they hurt other people in the same ways that a) and c) cult "leaders" do, to keep the group on the same path.

c) middle-management in a cult that has grown over the years until it operates like a business rather than like an isolated compound of weirdoes. plenty of cults now have things like "communications departments" and "mass media outreach plans" (and yet still send unpaid volunteers out as missionaries, for Some Reason). the vast majority of pastors and local leaders in a cult like this are unpaid volunteers. they do what Church HQ says, because they genuinely believe in the cult and the cult's mission. they're getting screwed over by HQ, just as much as any other member- but they have some control over the money and power that being a traditional cult leader gives you. a tiny sliver of the pie.

in COTL you are in this kind of middle-management position. despite being The Cult Leader, you are not running the show. The One Who Waits is. and The One Who Waits demands sacrifices- sacrifice of your time, of your talent, of your loyalty, of your power and arguably even your money. your followers are a convenient means to pass these sacrifices down the line to a third party.

even if you play a totally clean game of COTL where you are the best and kindest person you could be, you never sacrifice a follower, you never demand that they eat poop or sleep on the ground or marry you, you never extract money from your followers or send them on missions that could get them killed- and to be clear, this is probably the least optimal way to play the game- you are still taking Narinder's orders, and you are still constantly making sacrifices.

If you play the game clean, you're forced to sacrifice yourself, over and over again. you have to grind more to get money and resources because you're not getting them out of your followers; you're depriving yourself of some significant advantages (like the combat summons and the huge XP/faith boosts from sacrifice rituals). at the end, Narinder even demands you sacrifice your life to free him. (and of course, pretty much all players will call BS and fight him off, but the fact remains: he expects you to screw yourself over for his benefit.)

You extract resources from your followers primarily so that you can continue doing what Narinder wants you to do. Your crusades, your base building, your follower gathering- all of it is for the benefit of someone who sees you, quite literally, as a sacrificial lamb. someone who saved your life, but only so that they could screw you over more.

and your followers don't want you to play the game clean. they beg you to do all kinds of underhanded stuff so they can prove that you care about them enough to ask them to make those same sacrifices. make them eat poop. make them not sleep. make them do a specific task. they want you to hurt them, because your faith demands sacrifice. if you're not making them sacrifice, they don't keep the faith.

you're a vulnerable person who got sucked into a cult. now you have power over other vulnerable and frankly unstable people. but that power is limited, contingent on doing what the actual leader of the cult says, and fragile. it can be taken away from you at any time. you have to pass the buck along to your followers to keep that power. make them sacrifice everything, just as you have.

you could argue that the Lamb is a), b), or c), but whatever you argue, the Lamb is still middle-management. you're not trying to extract money from your followers for its own sake; your arm's just as twisted as theirs.

that's a lot more realistic than I expected from a game like COTL, and the beautiful thing about it is, it comes 100% from the game's roguelite mechanics. gameplay and story combine in COTL to really flesh out a (PG-rated! quirky and cute!) version of a toxic real-world dynamic. it puts you in the position of someone in the real world who's leading a cult under the guidance of the real leadership. and there are moments- gut-wrenching moments- where you're made brutally aware of the power you hold over your followers and the consequences of misusing that power.

...........I can't engage with Honey I Joined A Cult for more than a few minutes at a stretch, because that game makes me physically ill. as far as I can tell it does not do this. it's as focused on what cults do as Theme Hospital is focused on what doctors do. it's a money extraction simulator for its own sake, all the things your cult does are cheap laughs at the expense of the followers, and while it may be more "realistic" about what exactly your cult does all day in some ways? it's ... it makes a joke out of cults in a way that I find grotesque and deeply dangerous.

.....if I make this video at all, and I'm scared to do so, I should probably just stick to the COTL angle, huh?

[drowninginabactatank]

Via S T Gibson's instagram:

"You didn’t really think I was going to pull ODD SPIRITS from circulation forever, did you? 😘

ODD SPIRITS is a prequel novella that takes place six months before the events of EVOCATION, exploring how Rhys and Moira met and what exactly David did to end up Rhys’ bad books. If you like haunted houses, marriage in trouble romances, and the opposites-attract trope, you aren’t going to want to miss this one! The wildly talented Eleonor Pietera, illustrator of the EVOCATION cover, is back to provide stunning interior illustrations. It will rerelease from @/angryrobotbooks this October (she’s a Libra 💅)

You DO NOT need to read ODD SPIRITS to enjoy EVOCATION, however they do make for an excellent pairing.

ODD SPIRITS was the first book I ever self-published, and I’m excited to revisit it. This beautiful new edition will be fully edited for consistency and continuity as it becomes part of the larger Summoner’s Circle series, and it will also be professionally proofread and sensitivity read.

I’ve learned so much about pacing, POV, and sentence structure since originally publishing this book six years ago, and I’m eager to bring the story into alignment with the rest of my body of work. I’m particularly grateful I’m able to remove plotlines in which Moira was biphobic towards Rhys, and in which Rhys’ bisexuality was treated like a twist reveal. At time of writing, I thought I was Bravely Tackling Real World Issues, but I ended up just reinforcing stereotypes for the sake of shock value. Most authors never get the opportunity to revamp old work, so I’m thrilled that I’m so lucky.

This re-release wouldn’t exist without your sparkling enthusiasm for my work, so thank you so much for reading my books and boosting them on social media and telling your friends about them!

Follow the link at my bio to pre-order (don’t forget today is the last day to get 25% off on B&N!) to to request an arc!"

[alliepeachfan]

Hey guys! This is my first post on here so I might put some of my OCs on here! I hope you like them!

My No Straight Roads OC: Mariah Qwartz

Name: Mariah Qwartz

Age: 20 yo

Gender: Female

Species: Human

Hair color: Light Brown with purple highlights

Eye color: Blue 

Powers/abilities/styles/gifts: She is an excellent dancer having started at the age of 4. She also incorporates dance moves into her attacks with strong batmas and graceful pirouettes to dodge attacks. 

Weapon(s): Her microphone which she can use either at close range or launch it at enemies further away. She can also use it to send supersonic sound-waves to either confuse or knock back the enemy. She can also sing to boost her team's morale or heal them.

Hometown: Vinyl City

Personality: Mariah is a kind and charming woman with a passion for music and dance. She enjoys many forms of dance, but ballet became her bread and butter. She often experimented with incorporating ballet dance into various genres of music from Country to Jazz, but she had one dream: to combine ballet dance and rock. She also has a combined personality with BBJ; a bit of Mayday's hotheaded nature and Zuke's logical thinking side.

Strengths: She is a natural born morale booster!

Weakness: Her beauty causes opponents to easily underestimate her.

Family: Aside her parents and siblings, her only known family member is great-aunt Tatiana. They have had a rather strained relationship and was made worse once Mariah pushed Titania off the stage when she was being pulled off by her relative. However, the two would reconcile at the end of the game.

Friends/relationships:

Mayday- Mariah and Mayday have a very close bond as friends after she was comforted by her and Zuke after the argument between her and Tatiana and offered a position for her as a singer since she sounded great. Mariah accepts, and returns the favor by protecting her against any threat possible. However in the fight against 1010, she is consistently irritated by Mayday's gushing and even said during the fight that if, "she didn't shut up, she would beat her over the head with a shovel". Mayday is further shocked when after the fight Mariah kicks the head off one of the bots before angrily walking away. However in the fight against EVE, the two would have their chance to work together and reconcile. She even consoles Mayday after the final defeat

Zuke- Mariah and Zuke have an equally close bond, especially after the incident occurred. He does seem to show a little interest in her, but does respect the fact she's not ready to date again after a different incident happened (not between the two of them). She even stands up for him in his confrontation against DK West and even delivers a few rhymes of her own.

Kliff- She initially distrusts him, but really hates his guts when finding out his true intent near the ending.

DJ Subatomic Supernova- She doesn't seem to speak much to him, although when she shares her knowledge about Pluto with BBJ; she immediately catches his eye. After he summons her close to him, he examines her, asks for her name, and invites her to go out with him. When the battle starts, he puts her up on a smaller Saturn platform to protect her from harm. Luckily, she is able to rejoin the group in time to deliver the showstopper. He does agree to start off as a friend after the whole ordeal.

Sayu- Mariah does admire Sayu for her outfits, but is mortified upon seeing her in her reverse mermaid form. Afterwards, she is met by the kids behind the bot; Remi, Tila, Dodo, and Sofa, who are big fans of her dance work (especially her electronic ballet video). She is the last one to leave as she is signing autographs and taking selfies with each of the kids.

DK West- Mariah doesn't care for him at all, considering what a jerk he was to Zuke. After Zuke defeats him, she decides to get at him further and post a social media status saying, "There's a new king of rap and his name is Zuke West!" and smiles as she hears his agonized cry.

Yinu and her mother- Mariah initially considers Yinu's mother control over her child to be barbaric. But afterwards, she is pleased that she has simmered down. As for Yinu, she is impressed by her musical talent at such a young age. Yinu greatly admires Mariah and considers her a legend in dance. Her mother even asks Mariah to dance for them while they play before she leaves. Mariah happily agrees and even gives the duo an autograph afterwards. 

1010- She has had a major dating nightmare of these guys. She clearly instructed her date (the one in the white) that it was to be a one-on-one date. However, unknown to her, each member had a chance to swap spots. She would only find out the truth after the pictures of the date were posted. The only way they could be told apart were the colored wrist-bands. Angry for being tricked and fearful for what kind of backlash she might get; she dumped them. When she and BBJ confront the group, the group immediately recognizes her and attempts to win her back with their flattering compliments. However, she bitterly responds with, "Does a toe miss a hangnail? Absolutely not!" To further her level of spite, she kicks the head off one of the members after the fight before storming off. But, she does forgive them a little while after they reclaim their district, but on the condition that they'll have to restart as friends (she's not ready to go back to dating yet).

Eve- Mariah does admire EVE greatly and considers her an inspiration for fashion and music; although she is shocked that she would set Zuke's hair on fire in the past. After EVE is consoled, Mariah approaches her and tells her how much she has meant to her and humbly asks for an autograph. She is surprised when the great artist admits that she has been an equal inspiration for her dance techniques and agrees to swap autographs. 

Tatiana- As explained earlier, Mariah intially has a strained relationship with Tatiana and it's made worse when Mariah stands up for Bunk Bed Junction. While Mariah believes that Tatiana is being too stubborn to disclose her rock star past; Tatiana believes that she's being a rebel. However; the two reconcile after they team up against Kliff to stop the satalite from crashing into the NSR tower. Aside the incident; they actually are very close.

Likes: Ballet, Fashion, her friends, her family, her fans, music

Dislikes: Kliff, Tatiana (formerly), 1010 (formerly), being underestimated, being restricted, people who disrespect music, being lied to, dating

Fears: Forced to start dating again

Hope you guys like Mariah!

[lordfrezon]

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

9/10

Yeah that’s right, it’s a full ass review for a DLC, this game is making it onto my GOTY list, it’s popping off.

Short review: If you liked Elden Ring, here’s 40 more hours of it.  It’s dope AF, go play it.

Longer review: Shadow of the Erdtree (henceforth Shadow) is the expansion to 2022’s Elden Ring.  As has become expected of FromSoftware, their DLC is extremely well made and Shadow is effectively another game. Pretty good value for $40.

You continue your journey as the Tarnished into the Scadutree (scadu being pronounced shadow, the more you know) where a missing/dead demigod has taken up residence.  It’s your job now to find him and maybe help him but more likely kill him because you’re the goddamn best at murder.  You travel around this land, realizing that it’s real messed up, and decide to fight people about it.

Unfortunately for you, the people you’re fighting kick your ass.

If you’ve heard anyone talking about Shadow on ye olde social media, you’ll likely have heard how goddamn hard it is, and they are not wrong.  The bosses in Shadow are all on meth.  They move faster, hit harder, and are more unpredictable than nearly all those in the base game.  There’s only like 3 bosses in Elden Ring of comparable danger to those in Shadow.  This makes for some awesome-ass fights, as you get to learn how these losers act before demonstrating that you’re just better than they are in every way.  After they kill you a hundred times but you get them in the end.

As always, while the bosses are the main attraction, the game is mostly taken up by exploration, and exploration remains great, probably even better than in the base game.  There’s the traditional dungeons and random drops to find, new weapons and spells, the whole thing, but Shadow really shows off the art direction of Elden Ring with multiple “Breath of the Wild” moments, where you come over a hill to see a gorgeous vista that yes, you can go explore.  It’s a beautiful, if dark and foreboding, world.

There are a few flaws I want to discuss.  First, same thing goes here as for base Elden Ring, game is hard and punishing, not for everyone but definitely better than any Dark Souls.  Second, there’s some new design decision.  There’re two collectable items in Shadow that boost up your damage, resistance, and those of your summons.  These are near mandatory to collect all of if you want to engage with the later game content, and while many of them are pretty easy to find, this leads into my primary issue with Shadow, the level design.

Shadow is huge, there is so much to discover, so many cool things exist, it’s great.  But there’s an issue in that about half the map is effectively impossible to find without a guide.  Soulslikes have issues with needing a tab open to know what’s going on, either with lore or with gameplay, and Shadow increases that significantly.  Want to know how to find these cool bosses?  Well you might get lucky and find the single hole that leads to this area but probably not, so you go and open up a new tab to look up where things are, which spoils you for some other thing, and you’re still not sure what the area you’re looking for is even called so you waste time looking around and...

It's a real issue and one that was present to a lesser extent in the base game.  I am not someone who needs handholding, I will happily ram my head into some difficult challenge in a game until I win, but when experiencing those challenges requires me to spend minutes or hours wandering around hoping I find the singular small path, something is wrong.  There are NPCs that help a bit, but unlike the base game it’s not always apparent where they are, and the hub area doesn’t include any of the new NPCs (which makes sense but still makes it hard to find them).  When many of them have cool quests (that lead up to one of the best boss fights in the franchise), it’s frustrating that to have the full experience I have to de-immerse myself from the game.

But still, the gameplay is plenty fun, and I had a great time with all but one boss.  Elden Ring as a whole continues to demonstrate that FromSoft gets good worldbuilding and design principles.  Here’s to whatever they come up with next.

[lagmennet]

Morocco Boosts Border Security with Ceuta on September 16

On Monday (September 16), dozens of security troops were sent to the Moroccan town of Fnideq, which borders the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. Online messages in recent days have urged individuals to cross the border into Europe on Sunday. Groups of people, particularly Moroccans of all ages and Sub-Saharan Africans, scattered after responding to social media summons. Activists reported that several…

[ucoolcamping]

Yaoqi David Guo: Innovation Over Imitation

The recent release of the AAA game Black Myth: Wukong has captured the attention of gamers worldwide and has trended on numerous social media platforms. This game, developed by the Chinese company Game Science, has generated significant anticipation among players due to its outstanding graphics and meticulous attention to detail. In the gaming industry, more and more developers are focusing on excellence and striving for perfection. In the mobile gaming sector, strategy games generated $355 million in revenue in 2023, with independent game development companies performing exceptionally well. The developers behind this success, Top Games Inc., prioritize the development of high-quality games. The team members adopt a data-driven approach combined with OKR (Objectives and Key Results) and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) methodologies, achieving excellence quietly and effectively.

Yaoqi Guo, also known as David Guo, is the CEO and co-founder of Top Games Inc. He is recognized for his forward-thinking and innovative approach in the gaming industry. Anticipating the rise of mobile gaming from browser games in 2012, Guo formed a team of professionals to focus on developing mobile games. In 2017, “Evony: The King’s Return” aired during the Super Bowl, significantly boosting its recognition. The game’s high quality and immersive strategy experience earned it a steady rating of over 4 stars on major platforms. In the first quarter, it won the prestigious NYX Silver Award in the NYX Game Awards Season 1. By September, “Evony” ranked 5th among mid-core games in the United States, according to Data.ai. It concluded the year by winning the Samsung Galaxy Store 2022 Best MMO Award.

Technological Advancements and Market Growth

In 2023, the global mobile gaming market revenue reached $76.7 billion, a 22% increase from pre-pandemic levels, indicating steady recovery. Projections suggest further growth, potentially surpassing $100 billion by 2028. The U.S. remains the highest revenue market, maintaining $41.7 billion in 2023. While mid-core game revenue has dipped, it still constitutes 59% of total market revenue. Casual games have shown robust performance, with hybrid casual game revenue growing by 30% to $2.1 billion. The mobile gaming market demonstrates strong growth potential, driven by technological advancements and increasing consumer spending.

Embracing Emerging Technologies

Guo advocates for integrating AR, VR, and MR technologies into mobile gaming to enhance immersion and interaction. These technologies can create interactive environments, boosting the realism and appeal of gaming experiences. The combination of wearables and games has attracted players seeking immersive experiences, prompting large companies to invest in developing headsets and other wearable devices.

Innovation Over Imitation

Guo emphasizes the importance of innovation in game development. He criticizes developers who focus solely on fast development and copying successful games, arguing that such practices disrupt fair market competition and erode player trust. “Why do major game companies like Blizzard consistently release iconic games loved worldwide? Because great game designers understand that only novel ideas can lead the online gaming market,” Guo stated in a 2011 interview. “Evony,” with its unique game mechanics, has enjoyed lasting popularity, accumulating over $200 million in downloads. The game's appeal lies in its rich learning and strategy elements, allowing players to summon historical figures from different civilizations, enhancing both entertainment and educational value. Additionally, its robust social system fosters strong connections among players.

The Evony team regularly introduces engaging events to keep players interested, such as the recent “Season 10 Battle of Chalons Event” and “Constantinople Ultimate War Season,” which spans six continents. The top 256 alliances from each continent will compete in the Battle of Chalons, beginning at the end of the Constantinople Ultimate War Season.

Leadership and Global Success

“Evony: The King’s Return” showcases Guo’s expertise and leadership. His forward-looking approach and embrace of new technologies have positioned Top Games Inc. as a leader in innovation. Under Guo’s guidance, Top Games Inc. has released a diverse portfolio of popular titles, including “Plague of Z,” “Mafia Origin,” “Alliance of Glory,” “Kings Legion,” “Infinity Clan,” and “Dream Journey Makeover.” Benjamin Gifford, Vice Development Director of Evony and Vice President of Top Games Inc., spearheads development efforts. The company’s games reach a global audience, available in over 150 countries and 26 languages.

[cubicdesignzdm]

Maximizing ROI: Effective Strategies from Leading Digital Marketing and SEO Agencies

1. Set Clear Goals and Stay Focused:

Before you embark on any digital marketing campaign, plant your banner firmly in the ground. Set achievable and relevant goals. Whether it’s lead generation, brand awareness, or conversions, clarity is your trusty steed.

Tip: Don’t chase every shiny object. Focus on what truly matters. If your goal is to conquer the social media realm, ride forth with purpose. If it’s conquering search engines, saddle up for SEO glory.

2. Channel Mastery: Less Is More:

Picture this: You’re a sorcerer with limited mana. Would you scatter your spells across every element, or would you master a few potent ones? The same applies to digital channels. Focusing on fewer channels can yield a higher ROI.

SEO Magic: Make sure your content is top-notch and speaks directly to your audience’s wants and needs. Use SEO strategies to boost your content’s visibility on search engines, bringing in more organic traffic. When your content strategy and SEO work together, you’ll climb the search rankings, attract better leads, and boost your digital marketing returns. 

3. Test, Optimize, and Refine:

In the alchemical laboratory of marketing, experimentation is your philosopher’s stone. Test different potions (a.k.a. campaigns) rigorously. Mix ingredients, tweak proportions, and observe the bubbling cauldron.

Multitouch Attribution: Understand the journey of your audience. Did they first encounter your brand through a social post, then a search ad, and finally a retargeting email? Multitouch attribution reveals hidden paths and helps you allocate resources wisely.

4. Quality Over Quantity: Content Alchemy:

Your content isn’t mere words; it’s alchemical gold. Craft it with care. Each blog post, video, or infographic should resonate with your audience like a magical incantation.

Personalization Spells: Tailor your content to individual preferences. Use dynamic content, personalized emails, and targeted messaging. When your audience feels seen, they’ll follow you like loyal familiars.

5. Channel Optimization: SEO Elixirs for Long-Term Returns:

One key technique for maximizing ROI through channel optimization is to tailor your SEO strategies for long-term returns. By conducting thorough keyword research, optimizing website content, and building quality backlinks, businesses can improve their organic search visibility and attract relevant traffic to their website. 

6. The Magic of Retargeting:

Ever had a spell fizzle out? Retargeting is your second chance. When users visit your site but vanish like smoke, retarget them with precision. Remind them of your enchanting offerings.

Pixel Potions: Install retargeting pixels on your website. These magical markers track visitors and allow you to serve ads specifically to those who’ve shown interest. It’s like leaving breadcrumbs in the digital forest.

7. Allies in Influencer Realms:

Forge alliances with digital influencers. They’re the bards of the online world, singing your praises to their loyal followers. Choose influencers whose magic aligns with your brand.

8. Conversion Sorcery: Landing Page Enchantment:

Your landing pages are sacred circles. Optimize them like ancient runes. Clear calls-to-action, persuasive spells (copy), and intuitive designs—these ingredients summon conversions.

9. Data Divination: Analytics and Insights:

Peek into the crystal ball of analytics. Understand user behavior, bounce rates, and potion consumption (click-through rates). Adjust your spells accordingly.

10. Social Alchemy: Engage and Conquer:

Social media isn’t just about posting cat memes (although those are delightful). Engage with your audience. Respond to comments, host contests, and weave community spells.

11. The Quest Never Ends: Continuous Learning:

The digital realm evolves faster than a phoenix reborn. Stay curious. Attend webinars, read scrolls (blogs), and learn from other wizards.

Remember, fellow marketer, you’re not just casting spells; you’re shaping destinies. May your ROI be as abundant as a dragon’s hoard!

If you’re looking for a partner to elevate your brand online, Cubic Designz might be a great fit!

[senstless]

Splinterlands SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGE - Show casing Bronze Cards taking down Silver level!

Featuring Bronze League Summoner and Monsters in Action!

The Matchup - Where Rules Sets, Splinters and Mana Collide

The Rule Sets

Watch the Match Here

MANA: 28

Ruleset: Standard: No modification to the standard gameplay rules and mechanics.

SPLINTERS: Water, Earth, Life, Death, Dragon

Initial Rule Set and Mana Gameplay Thoughts

Rulesets Not much to talk about here, standard rule set doesn't have anything that requires additional thought or planning. It isn't really any changed cards becoming more powerful, or having a bigger weakness that needs to be considered. It should be a none of that for this matchup

Mana Honestly I remember a time where 28 felt like a big mana, but no it actually starts to feel small and constrained. I think I'm getting used to playing so many higher man of cards today feel like I need somewhere in the range of 38 to 50 to feel like I can get my optimal items in. 28 should still be high enough to allow almost any approach, the only truly limiting that's going to be done is on ultra high mana cost cards, anything over 10 will be difficult, and actually likely to create a disadvantage

Splinters Splinters are almost wide open just missing fire. Fire would be a great one to play in this rule said considering how powerful it's sneak and opportunity lineups can be in the sub 30 mana cost matches. Otherwise there's plenty of options in all the other splinters to put together

Summoner THADDIUS BROOD My go-to summoner when I'm playing against a potential Earth line up and I am not playing Earth. That negative one health and negative one magic is a really nice combination

First Position CURSED WINDEKU Hard to beat a decent melee card that has thorns in first position. Sometimes the thorns don't come into play while other times it can be a game changer on its own

Second Position VENARI MARKSRAT I wanted to boost any cards that I could potentially. I was hoping for an opportunity attack or potentially a snipe attack to help give it a boost to both my first and third position

Third Position RIFTWING Riftwing is a great play here after it gets weaponed trained for three arrow damage. It is potential to give boosted for both speed health and the damage if things go correctly for me. I love having a car that adds health via scavenger plus has a higher speed and flying which means it's likely to get missed a couple of times

Fourth Position ZYRIEL That wasn't sure when I first bought this card instead of to use it but weapons training is my approach in 70% of matches. The ability to add High attack volume to otherwise not attacking cards that tend to have higher health or armor for their mana cost is a no-brainer

Fifth Position CLOCKWORK AIDE Love this card. There's very few sneak magic cards so it provides a great rear tank, boosts everyone's speed, and has seven armor for those opportunity and sneak attackers to get through while delivering three arrow damage it's going to pick up in weapons training

Sixth Position CORPSE FIEND I thought it was likely that I'd be going against sneak so why not put this here just to have one more attack get wasted before reducing my armor

Opponent Lineup & Match Play

Summoner HELIOS MATRIARCH Interesting play, and not one that I used too much. It's biggest benefit is that it can summon those Gladius cards. If you take note it is a level 5, which aligns with silver decks and above I believe.

BAAKJIRA While only a level 1, it's void plus slow and 11 health makes it very devastating. After getting weapons trained it's going to be a heavy hitter as well. I feel fortunate now to have thorns in first position

KULU MASTERMIND Really a great card. Opportunity, high speed high health and high damage plus weapons training means it's really going to help turn my opponents line up into a heavy hitting mainly attacker

VRUZ Great card at this level. At the level I have it it doesn't have martyr but now that it does it's going to provide a nice boost to the surrounding cards when it gets knocked out

ISGALD VORST

One of the least favorite cards to see when my opponents lineup gets revealed. It is a real juggernaut with high-speed, damage, armor and decent health with opportunity and bloodbust. That combination means it's likely to be adding stats via bloodlust early and often. If it gets boosted with murder as well it could be really hard to take out

Round 1

Round one starts off and while I have six monsters versus only four they definitely have the upper hand in speed. They go ahead and get the first three attacks gone before I even get a chance. I lose all my armor on clockwork and also lose corpse fiend. As my turn comes around I do deal out some heavy hits and knock out Baakjira before finishing the round by taking the majority of mastermind's health.

Round 2

Round two starts off looking good for me. I quickly knock out Mastermind leaving them only to monsters. Vruz as quickly knocked out providing a martyr boost to Osgald Vorst. Things look like they're turned into my favor but Vorst knocks out cursed Wendeku and triggers bloodlust. This translates into one missed by the end of the round. It currently has six melee damage 7 speed and 6 health left. It will be attacking first the rest of the match and dealing significant damage.

Round 3

Around 3 starts off with it Knocking out Markscrat triggering a blood loss for both sides. I get very lucky in this round and I manage back-to-back hits that take away the armor and drop his health down to four. I was only a 50%, followed by a 40% chance to hit so the fact that I head back to back was a huge break in my favor, and I need to give the RNG got a hug

Round 4

It has almost enough melee damage to take out rift water at 13 health but it misses its attack even with its greater speed due to flying ability on wristwatcher. That small Miss chance really was powerful. I continued to run good as both of my attacks hit yet again. The stats are the same it was a 50/50, followed by a 40% chance to hit. I know I've been on the other side of these screaming at the RNG on why it hates me and wants me to lose the match. It clearly could have gone a different direction.

If my opponent managed to hit riftwatchers and drop its health down to five, while evading to attacks I believe I'm likely to lose this match given the speed differentials and the fact that it will trigger blood loss and add armor each time which requires a hit to clear before reducing health.

Thoughts - and Chances to Win Again

Well I'm happened to win this match, I'm not so convinced it had to do with my lineup being better as it did my opponent being fairly unlucky for consecutive hits when my mis percentage was so high. I will probably likely to select the exact same lineup if given the opportunity again, I just think that it is a higher probability that I lose more than half the matches if I ran this 100 times.

~~@senstless

[rainsmediaradio]

FY 2023 End Year Overview/Beginning of FY 2024 Loading Perspectives

FY 2023 End Year Overview/Beginning of FY 2024 Loading Perspectives

FY 2023 End of Year Overview/Beginning of FY 2024 Loading Perspectives by Dr kenny Odugbemi

Fy 2023.Concluding year end Bicameral legislative deliquescent and beligerent character status-quo Multilevel legislative and executive dichotomy without proper checks and balances Checks and balances outweighing separation of power Power drunkenness' excessively eroding through power curson between executive, legislative and judiciary Redirect to public potential energy on Federal executive and legislatures assembly upper and lower house jettisoning State executive council Ineffective and inefficient governance, delineating roles and responsibilities across the board Lack of understanding of different parties manifestoes by general public citizenry Populace not feeling third arm of government the local government network A recent executive order of 50% public transport, and zero Rail cost but tickets registration left at mercies of unpatriotic rail staff selling tickets, thereby rendering government orders ineffective and inefficient across the board, living gullible citizens in suffering mode. Policies audacious, repulsive and reactive Workability of government defrauding National treasury Destructive public service delineated from 1975 public structure Present civil structure with no knowledge transfer,deficent character formation No Nationalism,no prosperity syndrome Federal structure untrained,uniformed with third world mentality No demographic value driven policy deployment Character missing in our leadership structure Destroyed family values Destroyed justice system with no equity, values less religious structure There can not prosperity without character Education at ground zero level Fy 2024 public outlook Revival of good foundation system MDA's are not yet elected but defrauded yet managing elected membership Culture not predating power coordination Civil service with reformed search engine Political classes are moving away from their idiosyncrasies Correct valuation of Service delivery with global metric system Restructured recalibrated MDA'S deliverables with clear objective mechanisms committed deliverables, collaborative and corroborative efforts not missing out on proper synergy at all levels of governance structure Repositioning of government linkages in translating government programs with state machinery buying in repositioning all local government structures to be more effective and functional Governors freeing local governments to boost performance levels Enablement of LCDA's to be more accessible to populace just like Lagos LCDA network Recalibrating and restructuring Rural economy throughput Rural development inniatives Re-energizing strengthening collaborative local government network with fund readily available by the State for meaningful local government development Mentoring and guidance for future leadership Fatherly figure and true motherhood at family level Sound ecosystem based on sound value system through inspiration, motivation and right influence but political class, with parental influence not outsourcing to social media, public agencies and religious setup Christianity and Islamic injunctions Education curriculum changes to reform political class in government network Transformative religious institutions not summoning on political issues Good influence of Leadership by not emptying public treasury when there is a change of leadership Maintaining decorum and discipline with good tenets No civility, no productivity, no prosperity Introducing sanctioning mechanisms Maintaining pricehood in judiciary Judiciary more functional by not accepting prices from offenders to overcome good judgement Consequence management Reforming institutional frameworks that regulate good behavioural patterns Transformative, reformative institution, Nigeria call to obey in accordance to our National anthems to protect our sovereignty Reformed by becoming good citizens to produce good and credible leadership with integrity to offer good governance for a good dividend is democracy Read the full article

[rgs-savant-praytell-airor]

50. 50. 50. 49

2012 Peter. Young. Power.cross

Amats. Jfk.rp. justin12 blue.pa

Obama. Kevson trump.gw robert.k

12 dikriz. Scitz. 2012. Mike.tasc.dre

Kp. Ts. S. X.

Invega.nde.ciggwe Electricity

Truth.spirit. dario.mansion

Mom pain. 199g gma.eld.unc.fb.twit.ut

Rih. Magdelin

P1. Soulmate

Anal angel hs son

Enoch elijah 2001 feeds into 2012 imagine.

So does robert karla blue bones etc.

Juiced by the scitz jfk jesus kevin mansion.

Empowered authorized by Young I'm 12.

Focus on dick riz flesh(remember I glowed in prison) and calling forth summoning commanding amats.

Invega and connection to mom pain(spirit of all women) bowing ciggaweed, braces off teeth breathing or talking and anger authority one with the lungs and cali count down focusing all the girls as one furthering the power of the scitz. Then 199g gma etc electricity and heaven and radiation and the lotto and social media. All scitz power embodied by the dick riz 12 tribes summoning amats or more scitz. Also childhood the endless shadow game sodomy lying feeding 2012 pain and the angel son feeding 2012, and the 12 blue and youth 12apostles go hand in hand and funneled into cv stomach heaven pushing the scitz and or amats.

Boosters include

Trump.gw feeds into obama then powering jfk upholding 2012 me america. The angel army traveling back in time threwout history we are more than them nutrients of the scitz america john. Also remember the formula of the army as ive written b4 starting with the flow of ciggaweed or tar lungs breath faith forever ever ever tumor(rawscitzpower) combined with natasha.mikeburns.uncle1bill. Infused with all the power of the mental hospital visits relationship birds and daddy 1* mill blue faith and 20 savages then 77 savages of bodyguard romans. Also mewtwo(oldman) sword(amgel of wrath) and the riz.

Remember and know what your surroundings mean and of course the body parts and its scitz definition as I said, a good amplifier is remember left leg hillsong dre right leg justin catholic church, catholics stay in one place hillsong walkes the long way home aka judgement, you can just stand and move your knees and the paradox will amplify the scitz or and amats, remember the dick riz flesh and rgs blood and reparations black white equality even how the Spaniards raped the Spanish and reparations of American rapture authority emboldened faith as you rotate or smoke or meditate. Also remember grayson blue adamentium 300 mill breathes when breathing and drinking water.

P.s. when people talk just judge them as negative because most of it is coffee or gossip and amplify the faith as you smoke and or w.e. movie your seeing or television in real life, you judge them by saying they sinned and adding momentum and power as you smoke to the original judgement and leave them with a seed in their heart of fate or pour it all into them if you judging them, like waves of energy flowing into the main conduit leaving behind a small wave to whoever or whatever passed by in their heart but also know its a seed.

P.s.

50 50 50 49 tyhomas invega elec

Riz,butterfly2,locust/mill ,jerk,elecbud,anal high school angel son

.......

123321 1221

Jelly fish / meg

12 12 12

Good rotation for an itch.

And Mike burns, natasha, uncle encounter, p.a. salute we repent.

As a boost to the itch

.......

Remember blanco Moreno boriqua, the chip 😂 scitz scitz scitz

Jacob israel Abraham

Forever ever ever

Everlasting to everlasting.

.......

Shining light endure if, Touch not mine annointed

Chipy.

... ..

Also withe the 50s

Ridgewoodmansion,kevmansion,manhattanbunker,mike/robcrib,hostelfish,1722/dariomansion

..... ..

Things to remember in the shadow game as they all lie for that high.

50s

All your souls belong 2 me, all scitzos must bow/isaiah most pain, killer of mexico/isaiah great weapon, p.a. rider swat storm blue law,root of david Nancy 50g bail elec brain weed pain of all women/ obey, grayson 2012 azazel kiss ass leak Carlisle hospital runaway attempt athletes foot,

Then rotation justin dad etc etc sons etc etc 2012 obey.Grayson apocalypse of elijah, great beef chop weapon. Judgement to wormwood.

.........

North Korea South Korea Japan

Blanco Moreno boriqua

Christain Islam hagakure

1 billion man army

Black flags of Afghanistan mahdi

1g reign and the immortal soul race

........

Don't forget my precious locust army

Staff.Manasseh ephraimT.s. fans.

.........

Biggie smalls da dondada aka king of Saudi arabia

[hotspotseo]

10 Essential On-Page SEO Techniques to improve Your organic Ranking

In the vast realm of online marketing, there's a secret recipe that can magically boost your website's visibility – it's called search engine optimization (SEO). Among the myriad of SEO strategies, on-page techniques hold the key to unlocking higher organic search rankings for your web pages. In this blog post, we'll take a journey into the heart of on-page SEO and uncover 10 indispensable techniques that can make your website shine in search engine results.

The Art of Keyword Research and Optimization

Picture this: keywords are the compass of the SEO world. They guide you to the treasure – higher rankings. To begin your quest, you'll need tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs. These tools unveil keywords that pack a punch in search volume and are gentle on the competition. Sprinkle these golden nuggets into your page title, headings, subheadings, and content, but don't overdo it – keep it natural, like a flowing conversation.

Crafting Content Fit for Kings

Imagine a world where your content reigns supreme, captivating both users and search engines. Google's wizards love valuable content that fulfills user desires. So, summon your creative spirits and concoct engaging, informative, and relevant content that covers your topic inside out. Don't forget to throw in some images and videos to keep your audience spellbound.

Titles and Descriptions: The First Impressions

Titles and meta descriptions are like your web page's wardrobe – they've got to look good. Your titles should be snappy and carry those keywords like prized gems. As for meta descriptions, they're like the enchanting whispers that persuade users to click. Remember, while meta descriptions might not possess direct ranking powers, they are the gatekeepers to a higher Click-Through Rate (CTR).

Heading Into the Heart of Headers

Think of headers (H1, H2, H3, and pals) as the knights of your content – they organize and defend the realm of readability. Use these tags to structure your content logically, and don't forget to slip in some keywords for good measure. Let your H1 tag proudly bear the main keyword, introducing the topic like a gallant knight announcing their presence.

The Journey of the URL

Ah, URLs – the road signs of the internet. Keep them simple, yet descriptive, as they guide both travelers and search engines to your digital destination. A neat and tidy URL structure whispers sweet promises of user-friendliness and relevance.

Image Optimization

Images cast a spell on your content, captivating the eyes and soothing the souls of visitors. But beware, heavy images can slow your website's dance. To keep the rhythm smooth, compress those images and give them meaningful names. Don't forget to add some magic words – alt text – that not only assist the visually impaired but also work as potions of SEO goodness.

The Weaving of Web Links

Inside or outside, linking is the thread that weaves the web together. Internal links take explorers to hidden chambers within your website, while external links introduce them to other realms of wisdom. But hold your horses – every link must have a purpose, providing value and relevance to your content.

A Mobile-Friendly Quest and the Need for Speed

In a world where smartphones rule, your website must don a mobile-friendly armor. And swiftness – that's the steed you ride upon. Equip your website to be mobile-responsive and keep an eye on your loading speed. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights are your trusty companions on this quest.

Sharing the Magic on Social Media

While not a direct spell for ranking, social sharing does sprinkle some stardust on your content. Cast a spell of sharing by adding those social buttons, encouraging visitors to spread the magic. A dash of social engagement can brew up an enchanting potion for improved visibility.

User Experience and Engagement

The grand finale, where user experience becomes the ultimate enchantment. Bounce rate, time spent, and clicks – these are the whispers that echo through the SEO forest. Create a realm of seamless experience, where users wander and explore, finding themselves lost in your content's charm.

In the grand tapestry of SEO, on-page techniques are the threads that bring your website to life. By conjuring the perfect keywords, weaving captivating content, adorning titles and headers, and mastering the magic of URLs, images, and links, you'll unravel the mystery of higher organic rankings. So, venture forth, oh digital knight, armed with these on-page spells, and claim your rightful place atop the search results. Remember, this journey is ever-evolving, so keep your senses sharp and adapt your techniques as the algorithms weave their own tales.

[patromlogil]

Body Mind and Soul - Update 3

Tag List: @mightnightmooon @strawb3rry-tea @mushroomcupp @craftingkitty13 @bagels-of-chaos @imma-potatoo @dimension-hopper @sanderdarksides @gabseliblack @shitposts-and-shit @thecrowslullaby @hummingbirdspark @nadiestar

Soulmate!AU - You glow when you touch the skin of your soulmate for the first time. You stop glowing after your first kiss.

Summary - Logan glows when he accidentally touches a bartender. The problem is he’s married, and doesn’t subscribe to this whole soulmate nonsense.

>>Master List<<

Like/reblog/reply to >>This Post&lt;< to be added to the Tag List

A/N - I am so so sorry it's taken near enough to 12 months for this update that we might as well say it's been a year. There's been many things but those aren't important right now, what's important is - it's finally here! And I have plans for this fic. I intend not to take as long with the following chapters but still thank you for your patience, and hope you haven't given up on me.

It took longer than I would have thought to find this bartender. Certainly, there are enough variables surrounding the incident to make it last longer than a day or two; Remy’s level of intoxication, his preference to pay in cash, his complete refusal to ever take a receipt. It’s difficult enough to find where we even were that night, then he would need to figure out which figurative needle in the haystack of bartenders was the one we’re looking for. That’s assuming he even still worked there.

For two weeks I’ve effectively been under house arrest, forbidden from even passing by windows, waiting for my husband to return home. I can’t even remember when I last had so much time to myself; Remy’s work hardly comes with days off.

Typically our mornings start with a meeting with Remy’s social media manager and my personal assistant. A good few hours spent talking about every plan they have for the next six months, what’s working, what isn’t, whether someone beat him to it, and an average of three meltdowns. Then there’s a hasty lunch, usually ordered in, before Remy rushes off to create his content, and my assistant will usually have some sort of itinerary for me with my own tiresome social obligations.

Then in the evening there’ll be some gala, or clubbing, we’ve even been to a film premiere or two. Usually it involves alcohol and coming home with Remy very drunk, and I’ll have a migraine.

He insists it’s all essential towards growing the brand. We have to keep up the idea that we were meant to be together. It boosts his following and makes us more appealing to sponsors and advertisers. As much as I dislike this nonsense, it’s what’s paying for our house and lifestyle so I endure.

This has been my schedule for so long, I’ve barely known what to do with myself besides struggle with the anxiety that comes from not being productive. There’s only so much reality television I can handle before it starts to make me physically ill.

My relief now Remy’s finally found him is ineffable.

He’s currently sat at our kitchen table opposite Remy who summoned him to our house for negotiations which my husband insists on doing himself.

I’ve always favoured the rote learning method for myself; the repetition helps to cement things within my memory. I am not a visual learner, so I’m not surprised that I barely recall what the bartender looked like in the few seconds I’d seen him before having a jacket thrown over my head, so I’m grateful for the chance to stand back and observe my ‘soulmate’

Average build, if I was to guess, maybe an inch or two shorter than myself. He’s wearing a yellow t-shirt with jeans, very casual but he sits with his hands folded and his lips cocked to one side as though he’s laughing at some secret joke. Short brown hair is brushed to one side, half hiding his left eye while darker patches of skin cover the left side of his face. His eyes are quite interesting, the right is a brown, while the left is a sharp blue.

And of course, he’s glowing.

Remy suddenly stands, shouting at the bartender and pointing to the door.

“Get the hell out of my house!”

Oh dear. I really should have been paying attention.

To his credit the bartender doesn’t even flinch, barely hiding an eyeroll before he speaks.

“It’s a reasonable request.”

“It’s a piss-take!”

“I deserve to get to know what I’m giving up”

Okay, this has gone far enough. I place a hand on my husband’s shoulder as he takes a breath to shout something back. Most likely something vulgar that I really could do without hearing.

“Let me handle this.” I insist.

He goes to argue but with a glance at our guest he shrugs my hand off and swears under his breath as he moves aside. Remy doesn’t take people disagreeing with him very well.

I pull out the chair and sit down on it, taking a good look at this man.

Loathsome as I am to say it, I can feel him. Ever since he entered our house, the thrumming buzz beneath my skin has become worse, as though it’s responding to his mere presence. I don’t like it. It’s uncomfortable like the silent buzz of a fluorescent bulb and I barely remember how it felt to not feel like this. I want it gone.

“What exactly do you want?”

There’s a look of intrigue in his eyes as he looks between Remy and I.

“Dates. With you,” he turns towards Remy, “Unchaperoned.”

I nod. “Reasonable.”

“What! Logan-!” Remy blurts but I hold up my hand to silence him.

“How many?”

Again the bartender looks past me to my husband with a slight smirk. “Fifteen.”

“You can suck my ass!” Remy practically tries to launch himself forward but luckily I hold an arm out to stop him.

“Remy, shut up or get out.”

He pulls back but doesn’t leave. The bartender is smirking again. Fifteen isn’t a serious request, clearly. He’s obviously trying to rile Remy up which I would be mad about if Remy wasn’t constantly chasing drama.

“Five.”

For the first time since he arrived, the bartender’s eyes land on me and embarrassingly I feel my breath pause for the briefest moment. I barely blink as he looks me up and down, breathing through his nose as he tilts his head to the side.

“Ten.”

“Six.”

“Seven. Every other day for two weeks.”

Despite his casual outfit, the jeans are rough and worn and there’s a hole in the bottom left corner of his shirt, he holds himself like an academic lecturer. He sits tall in his seat and has an air of knowing the people he’s talking to have little to no interest in what he has to say.

It’s really not what I expected.

“You understand we can’t do anything publicly.”

“Discretion is my middle name.” While I have met many people with ridiculous names at Remy’s side, I genuinely hope it’s not literal. “We could even have a first date now.” His glances over to Remy, “This is a wonderful house, and I’d love a tour.”

A wind-up merchant. Wonderful.

“Fuck you!” Remy snaps, crossing the kitchen and slamming his hands on the table again. “You don’t deserve to-!”

My hand on his shoulder stops him and he turns to me.

This man is crass in his delight at my husband’s discomfort and I’m hardly thrilled at the thought of showing him around our house, but he has us over a figurative barrel here. He has what we want, and if he wishes to start on the first part of our deal so quickly then it’s in our best interest to act swiftly.

“You did want to go to the gym.” I say pointedly.

Remy sputters, gapes, turning between myself and the bartender as he tries to think of a reason as to why this is an awful idea but when nothing comes to mind he huffs, heads for the door, stopping in the doorway.

“I want him gone before I get back.”

[oriigirii]

Streamer MC headcannons with the brothers 💞

"You were quite a known face on social media back in the human realm, playing games, doing unboxings, just vibin in general, fans around the globe looked forward to your streams a lot! However, considering the sudden (unannounced) invitation to the exchange program, you had to leave all of that behind out of the blue. It wasn't as bad at first, but you have to admit you do miss the feeling of being able to do goofy shit online. Luckily for you, with the advance technology of Devildom and some spicy magic, the internet had synced with the human realm, and thats when you decided to finally re-enter the streaming scene. How will the brothers react upon seeing your peculiar past time?"

Head empty, No thoughts aside from the brothers just bothering the MC while they stream so here you go haha

Warnings: None, just crackhead energy and a lotta mispellings

Gender: Neutral!

Hotel: Trivago

* [ ಠ╭╮ಠ ] Lucifer *

{How did he know about your career?}

I honestly don't see him as someone who goes on the internet a lot

(He screams boomer to me, change my mind)

He doesn't have the time either, he's too focused on work!

So him finding out is gonna take a while

But! He did find out the hard way when shrilled screaming was heard from your room when he was passing by with some paper stacks in his arms (courtesy of Diavolo)

This man felt his instincts kick in, he ran as fast as he could, papers forgotten, and he immediately slammed your door open. Splinters scattering around, your door definitely damaged, as his eyes held a glare and his demon form was out, wings spread in a threatening display.

He was ready to beat someone's ass as he had thought someone had hurt you in here.

But all hes met with is you, infront of your chair and PC, and a game over on the screen...

To say he was unamused was an understatement cause you just lost your internet priviliges for giving him a heart attack (He said it was because you were being rowdy and noisy but with what you saw you knew that wasn't the case)

Good luck tryna puppy-eye your way to his heart to let you continue streaming lol.

If by some miracle you managed to wriggle your rights back from his hands, he'd warn you not to be so loud next time.

You already learnt your lesson though~ (Hopefully)

{How does he feel about your streams?}

Not everyone's the same, so if you were the shy soft streamer who does more art streams or something akin to a podcast, you can bet that Lucifer will be putting you on while he works, he kinda knows your streaming schedule at this point and if you were running late, he'd force one of his brothers to take over your dish washing duties or any chores you were stuck with

If you were the loud obnoxious meme type, hed still try to watch out of curiosity, and as much as he appreciates that you were getting comfortable here in Devildom with how you laugh and joke around, he still can't approve of it. Its too loud, its much like his brothers energy and he has enough of that already, so he probably doesn't watch as much.

He has countlessly came to your room to shush you and at this point your fans had made a compilation of each time Lucifer had barged in to tell you off

Look he likes it when you scream, but not when hes in the middle of work okay--

At this point, chat has deemed Lucifer as dad and you as their mom/dad.

If he ever catches wind of this he'd definitely be teasing you in private for centuries to come.

Overall fine with it, as long as don't do something stupid on stream.

* ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ Mammon*

{How did he know about your career?}

I would say he found out by him crashing into your streams midway but that's too predictable, hence why you've Mammon-proofed your bedroom during streaming hours!

Thanks to our wizard daddy, you have managed to cast a simple lock spell on your door and as well as a sound proofing

You love your broke idiot, but you did wanna keep the tone of your stream today a bit more chill, you wanted to have a proper Q&A with your fans to hopefully clear any bad vibes around your 3 month disappearance.

When Mammon has learnt your door was locked he definitely was a bit pissy, he knocked on your door loudly even and was calling out for you to let him in, but to no avail.

Bro he's scared.

He usually was allowed to enter, and you usually answered if you did need to be left alone for a bit, so just leaving him hanging got his mind racing and he had to press up his ear on the wooden door to try and hear if you were okay

When this continues on he finally resorts to getting help, but the only one in the house ws Levi, so he kicks down HIS door.

Levi boutta summon Lotan for interrupting him honestly

But as Mammon exclaim you weren't answering and he worried for your wellbeing, Levi rolls his eyes and scoffs,

"Idiot Mammon, they're streaming don't bother them…"

Streaming? why didn't you tell him???

Rude much.

He did huff and now was forcing his way to use Levi's PC for a moment

Can Levi stop him?

Nah.

He was busy on his console, and if he stood up now hed be breaking his world record so he was at a terrible state so he just resorts to threats of him drowning the Avatar of Greed if he does anything stupid on his PC.

He immediately logs in to your streaming platform and he watches for a bit,

You were more dolled up now just to look decent on stream, and he felt this jealousy rise as you interact with your chat, especially to those saying I love you's and stuff, and you even said it back? the audacity! You were his werent you? Were you replacing him with these nobodies?

He huffs as he realized that those who paid got their message highlighted, and thus, he starts donating. (Mind you this was Levi's account...)

"Mcccccc Open the dooorrr"

"Ill behave i promiseeeee"

"Cmon pleaseeee?"

Chat is c o n f u s i o n

NGL, they thought Mammon was a creepy stalker and red flags were being waved everywhere

but as chat was pondering who the hell he was, you can only sigh and look at the camera with that unamused expression, but ugh! you just KNOW hes doing that kicked puppy expression of his, and maybe it really wont be so bad

So you snap your fingers and say, "Okay MonMon, its open, Im giving you 3 seconds"

Mammon wasnt deemed to be the fastest out of his brothers for nothing

As soon as you got to '2', you were already tackled by the white haired male and chat went wild.

Now that you've shown your life in Devildom, maybe its time to introduce chat to your boyfriend no?

{How does he feel about your streams?}

You get paid to sit infront of a camera, do I have to say anything else?

But really though, as much as he enjoys the thought of getting so much cash from something so simple, he prefers the joy of being able to proudly exclaim that he was your first man!

ohhhh he thrives on the salt of your overly attached stans

but for those who fully support you, he always feels so mushy and shy when they say the ship you guys so hard

The fanarts has him WEAK (he may or may not have saved a few)

You usually do streams alone, but now you've allowed the door to be left open to let Mammon join whenever

Chat pogs when he enters with so much confidence, only for it to crumble when you kiss his cheek on stream.

Overall finds it fun to spend time with you, but just dont play scary games cause Lucifer might hang him upside down on stream.

* ▘▂▝ Leviathan*

{How did he know about your career?}

He is honestly the most attached to his D.D.D and he catches wind of almost anything going down in the internet, so your 'revival' being hyped up was something he definitely saw and he was just s wo o o ned

His Henry 2.0? a famous streamer?

Were you truly a blessing gifted upon him or was he dreaming?

He definitely didn't bring it up at first as he didn't wanna make it a big deal, but you notice hes been more in his head lately, and you have tried asking him what it was but to no avail.

You have to corner this little snake if you want answers and he eventually admits that he knew of your persona online and was incredibly shy to ask you to stream with him

He's a streamer himself afterall but maybe he doesnt stream as much as you do nor does he have as large of a following, so his intrusive thoughts attacked him and made him think that maybe since he wasnt as famous he didnt deserve to be in the same stream as you

Please tell him to join you and gib him kiss U3U

He'll absolutely m e l t

But now, as you make the announcement to your viewers and Levi to his, the internet explodes as a special collab stream was hapening between the expert gamer and avatar of envy of Devildom along with the beloved exchange student and streamer of the human realm

Your usual viewers reach between 10-15k, but as you start stream, that number boosts higher and beyond

Before streaming though, Levi was incredibly nervous, he'd picked the games for you to play that he knew you would enjoy with him, but his mind kept racing about whatthe fans thought, he didnt wanna disappoint them

But you had to remind him that whatever they say will not matter in the end as this was merely for fun, this was YOUR stream and you guys were gonna do what you want and nobody can have a say on it. (Maybe except Lucifer)

You usually talk for him with your bubbly personality, and to calm his nerves, he hs your pinky wraped around his where the camera can't see it.

Regardless, his thoughts subsided as you two delve into your stream that lasted a solid 7 hours, you definitely promised your chat that you and Levi will be doing more streams together from now on.

Once the cameras cut and yall are left alone, Both of you collapse on bed, and despite you being asleep already, Levi was just far too giddy as everything dwells on him.

Having a player 2 by his side now had never felt so intoxicating and he as just so lucky to have you.

{How does he feel about your streams?}

He obviously adores it, although some streams he wouldnt join just so he can play games on his own

He's still an introvert afterall, he needs his alone time

But he prefers that alone time with you, his Henry.

So when youre about to go stream, he kinda becomes a bit pouty, but with a simple promise of kisses (and maybe even more if youd like) he would let you go, but his attention would disappear from his game altogether.

He might just end up watching you instead

May or may not, at some point, just chat you and ask if its too late to join you

You do allow him to join you and play from the comforts of his room as both of you can simply play via internet, you give him the comfort to not turn on his mic or webcam either and you have no idea how he appreciates that.

Will definitely fight someone online when they start claiming you as theirs (-cough- stans) Please make sure it doesnt escalate to him summoning Lotan

Although the comments would often get to him, and as much as he can fight them online, he still does find himself pondering if they were true, so you need to give him a lotta lovin and reminder that he is your player 1 and no one else can ever fill that place.

------

Wow 3 brothers this time, what an improvement, anyways hope yall enjoy! I think its pretty clear who I simp for depending o nthe length of each lol, but do let me know if you guys want a part 2 for the rest of the brothers, or even the undateables!