#cargo cult cooking...

[magnetictapedatastorage]

"oh! i'll do that thing where you use a paper towel to wipe a really small amount of oil on to a pan so that it... cooks the food better! yeah!"

hm. frozen pierogis did not like that.

[jarenka]

In "Vader lives" plot I really like to see him interacting with other people. These interactions may vary widely because of person's experience with Vader and their stance on high-ranking imperial defectors. I don't think there will be a lot of people thinking that Darth Vader can change his mind and become a good person. There are people who think that Vader is too dangerous to live and Rebellion should execute him for their own safety. There are people who think that Vader's crimes are too serious to be pardoned even in exchange for crucial information about Empire. There are people who think that it's more important to have this crucial information about Empire than to properly punish Vader. There are people who think it's really useful to have such a famous Imperial as a defector (they are very disappointed that Anakin don't want to parade around in Vader's suit and talk about his defection in media).

I think former Imperials will be even more hostile to Anakin than regular rebels who didn't suffered from him directly. I think a lot of them have a mindset "I served Empire but at least I'm not like all these Truly Evil Empire Fanatics like Tarkin, Vader and so on". Also I can also imagine their anger over the fact that Vader is very civil with rebel now, he can interact with people without terrifying and killing them! Why can't he do it with Imperial military.

Also, Anakin trying to live normal life, there are a lot of things he can do again and have fun. He was angry and miserable for 20+ years. Now he can watch holodramas/go to the theater/draw/cook/whatever. People around him either don't believe that he likes painting and doesn't plan to lead former Imperials, or think think he is lying about being Darth Vader. Also people expect him to be super religious in a very weird way. Whatever their culture have as "this creepy and really intrusive person from a religious cult".

Once Rebel Alliance Intelligence even send to Anakin one of their agents in disguise of former Imperial officer who wants Vader to join them to fight Alliance. They want to know if he can be convinced to follow this path. For their total surprise Anakin pretends to know nothing about Vader. He is like: "Wtf? It's a joke? I am just a regular cargo pilot. Vader died on the second Death Star, everyone knows it". He was so convincing that agent started to question his own sanity. After it Anakin hit agent on the head an carried him to local militia or whatever they has. He genuinely thought it was an imperial officer.

[thelediz]

Sonic Underground episode 33: Healer

I’m watching Sonic Underground in search of inspiration to finish a fic I’ve been writing forever. It’s a sad state of affairs. See the recap of the first three episodes here, if you're interested!

The plot (for want of a better word): There are rumours of a derobotociser! Bartleby asks Sonia to come along with him to see if the rumours are true, but Robotnik has heard the rumours too, and sends Sleet and Dingo to find out what’s going on. Can the secrets of the derobotocisor be true?

I ate well this episode, folks. I choose to believe it's consolation for the last.

This episode begins with an interesting foible that exists across Sonic media: Robotnik and Eggman both create robots that have personality and free will. When they make mistakes (or see someone dressed up like a robot making a mistake), this isn’t seen as a software bug or flaw in the programming, but a behaviour to be corrected. Aside from setting the scene, it’s not important to this episode, but it’s an interesting… He robotocises mobians to remove their free will, but creates robots that have free will. It’s an interesting dichotomy that no media I’ve ever seen has bothered exploring properly.

So after a quick mission check-in with the triplets, the episode begins properly with Bartleby being invited to “witness a miracle” by a guy who just screams Cult Leader from his white robes to his calming ASMR voice. He is giving a free demonstration of a derobotocisor at an aristocrat’s estate. Bartleby is amazed… but Robotnik, who has also gotten a hold of an invite, is concerned. He sends Sleet and Dingo to figure out what’s going on.

But first, he’s noticed the triplets’ robot disguise where no robot should be, and gets Sleet to go deal with THAT first. I have to hand it to Manic, he does some pretty smooth malfunctioning robot acting to get everyone out of that situation.

In the meantime, Sonic and Sonia are escaping after a mostly-successful mission, but get sidetracked at the sight of a robotocised servant. And not just any robotocised servant: Lady Windemere, Sonia’s foster mother. Sonic points out they can’t help her. It’s a harsh reminder after like… twenty-something episodes of not dealing with the realities of robotocisation.

So when the triplets get back home, Bartleby has left a message to tell Sonia about the invitation, and while Sonic is doubtful, Sonia is excited and says they should go check it out. This sets the tone for the rest of the episode.

The Cult Leader is Titus, and he refuses to allow anyone to see the derobotocisor before the ceremony. But he called Sonia beautiful, so she’s immediately fond of him. Sonic is rightfully suspicious. Manic is too busy stealing Bartleby’s stuff to care, until Sonic tells him to put it all back. So the Sonic Underground is performing as per usual.

CYRUS. We get to see the Resistance Intelligence room, where everyone is basically a Cyrus clone and we’re not really supposed to notice, and he gives the Sonic Underground a blow-up Robotnik balloon that they toss around during

The song: We’re the Sonic Underground. Which would actually be a really good opening to a music show in universe, and it’s got a good beat, so I enjoy it, yeah. Nothing to do with the plot, and clearly only in the episode for contractual reasons, but whatever.

The actual plot Cyrus has cooked up is stealing from Robotnik’s supply cargo. I think it’s building on the zombie-robot thing from Episode 12, but I’m not going to think about that, because icky. The point is, the Resistance needs the triplets to distract the cargo security while they grab the supplies.

I… suspect this episode should have been earlier in the run. Because we see Sleet do something he hasn’t before, but which would make some earlier instances of Dingo somehow communicating with him from a distance make more sense. He gives Dingo a headset, which morphs with Dingo, so they can stay in communication while he spies. It’s a small detail, but it’s just another nice addition to the whole thing that I appreciate.

I was going to say I kind of like how Sleet and Dingo talk to each other this episode (well, I prefer Sleet’s tone over the usual) but then Dingo-in-fly-form lands in Sonia’s hair and it’s a little creepy so that’s a thing.

The derobotocisor appears to work! If you ignore the fact the ‘saved victim’ sounds like a bad amateur pantomime actor pulled off the street when he thanks Titus, you can understand why everyone is immediately breathless.

And I would take a second to remind everyone of just how huge this is. Up to this point, robotocisation has been IRREVERSIBLE. It is a public execution, and everyone is at constant risk of it unless they toe Robotnik’s ever changing lines.

If this machine was real, it would literally take away the MAJORITY of his threat against the people of Mobius. Everyone from the aristocrats down would ONLY have Robotnik’s poor governance and the SWATbots—which the resistance are quite capable of combating—to use an argument for his continued leadership. In the world we have been introduced to… he would not last.

And everyone in this room knows that. THIS IS HUGE.

But Sonic is still suspicious. He needs to know more. Because he is Uncle Chuck’s nephew and KNOWS this stuff.

Sleet is also suspicious because he doesn’t buy the act. And rightfully so, because when Sonic goes to take a closer look, Titus basically says “Sorry, patented and trademarked, no public good thanks”. And again, in the world we’ve been introduced to, that is just SO MANY VARIETIES OF STUPID and basically proof it’s a con and Sonia, if you were half the politically savvy genius this show wants me to believe you are, you would know better.

Not because I don’t think Capitalists would exploit the situation like that—they absolutely would—but if this machine was real, it has the power to change the war. A good capitalist would be trying to sell this to the highest bidder, forget the public good, BUT by inviting the Sonic Underground to this event, he has shown his hand to the Resistance. A resistance that has previously shown itself to use some very dirty tactics for the greater good. And even our heroes have proven they will do whatever it takes (except stealing) to stop Robotnik. Dude, if you don’t share your tech with the Resistance or IMMEDIATELY get Robotnik’s protection, your days are numbered in single digits.

Idiot.

But Sonia believes in capitalism is a bit emotionally compromised from seeing Lady Windemere earlier, and so defends his right to make money, while Titus insists he uses the money to fund more research, which allows him to ‘prevent robotocisation’.

Honestly, I’m glad Robotnik and Sleet order the SWATbots to attack the mansion because I don’t think I could have handled much more of this con.

But just in case the con is legit, the Sonic Underground save Titus (and Dingo who’s chilling in Titus’s hair) and take him to a shelter. Sonic is stressed because he doesn’t believe any of this, Manic has taken his hands off (he’s not Chaotic Good. He’s so Chaotic Neutral), and basically only cares about the fact that Sonia would be mad if she found out Sonic hasn’t bought the bit.

Sonia, in the meantime, wants to pay Titus and get immunised, so she can rescue Lady Windemere. And you know what…? I’m not even mad. I can’t blame her. Not in this.

Hope is a wonderful and terrible thing.

Despite Manic's reluctance, he and Sonia go get the money while Sonic's busy.

And Titus immediately shows he’s a conman to the audience by saying “A fool and their money”. But he also immediately gets his comeuppance when Dingo transforms back to normal and Sleet shows up too. Dude’s busted.

Side note, this episode has some really great shots in between the poor animation. Dingo legitimately looks intimidating in this scene, it’s so good.

As Titus (and more importantly Sonia the politically savvy leader) should have seen coming, Robotnik LOVES the fact he’s running a scam, and instead turns the light show into a portable robotocisor. He threatens Titus into playing ball, as he did with Sleet and Dingo back in the day.

Meanwhile, Sonic’s been doing his digging, and finds the ‘robotocisation victim’ from earlier. He learns the story, complete with the guy insisting the scam was harmless, because all they were doing was scamming money off the aristocrats and after last episode Sonic has no leg to stand on to object to that but Sonic is unimpressed. But before he can do more than scowl about it, Titus calls his friend and explains the new situation. He doesn’t see Sonic slowly simmering in the background, but the friend is quickly assured that if either of Sonic’s siblings are hurt, he will be too.

Yeah, Sonic’s scary when he’s angry, in case you forgot.

For reasons I don’t understand from a character point of view, Titus has a change of heart just before Sonia’s robotocised, and sacrifices himself to push her out of the machine. But whatever, it means they get away safe.

And as an added bonus, because all the main characters (including Robotnik) were focussed on that whole scenario, the Supply theft went completely unnoticed and the Resistance has won the day. The Hedgehogs exchange awkward glances and pretend this was totally intentional.

…and I am so grateful, because I needed that episode after last. It was… I mean, it was flawed, but even Sonia’s foolishness in believing the con was actually excusable in context. The only change I would have made on that front is showing more emotion and how the threat and consequence of robotocisation makes everyone in the city act in ways they wouldn’t otherwise. Because if they’d done that, I might have even bought Titus saving Sonia in the end.

Another good episode, guys. Appreciate it. Onto the next.

[direwombat]

Its that time of the week! Tagged by @socially-awkward-skeleton (thank you~)

Tagging: @adelaidedrubman, @strangefable, @inafieldofdaisies, @detectivelokis, @baldurrs, @purplehairsecretlair , @confidentandgood , @kittiofdoom, @fourlittleseedlings, @poetikat, @gaeadene, @aceghosts anyone else who has something they want to share today! (But no pressure, as always)

been wrestling with ch 1 of kneeling at the crossroads so here's the rewritten intro~

In the dark cold of the Stranger's bunker, Deputy Sybille La Roux can finally breathe. Her teeth still chatter from the bone-deep chill she feels after spending who knows how long in her wet uniform, but it’s nowhere near as violent now that she’s in dry clothes. The old purple flannel is soft and well worn; the cargo pants are so loose and baggy that they’re nearly falling off her hips. But beggars can’t be choosers, and after everything that’s happened, she’s just grateful the man didn’t hand her over to the cult like he said he should.

The faucet drips at a steady tempo and the fluorescent lights buzz at a similar frequency to the ringing in her ears. She claws at the sink basin, leaning heavily over it and sucking in heaving breaths as she resists the urge to vomit into it. Lifting her head, the world spins just enough to get her stomach to lurch. There’s no way in Hell she isn’t concussed, but without a doctor, there’s not much she can do about that at the moment. 

She stares at her reflection in the cracked and grimy mirror. Not like she’s in much of a better state, herself. A deep gash, freshly stitched cuts across her forehead just beneath her hairline; less deep lacerations are scattered all over her face, including one slashing vertically over her lips; and throbbing in time with her pulse are the freshly bandaged second-degree burns that spread across her shoulder.

Heat. Fire. The smell of cooking flesh and agonizing pain of having to flay oneself to escape the burning chassis.

She winces and grits her teeth. Her head throbs at the memory -- or at least she thinks it’s a memory. It’s too vivid not to be. How and why she ended up ripping off a patch of her shoulder in a burning machine she can’t quite recall, and as she tries to dig deeper for context, all she draws is a blank. She remembers slogging through the mud. 

She remembers the haunting chorus of Amazing Grace echoing out into the night. 

She remembers Earl opening the doors to Joseph Seed’s church. 

And then nothing. Everything after that is just…gone. She tries to dig deeper, but the harder she does, the more it feels like she’s grasping at smoke; reaching out to grab the shadow lurking in the fog only to come back empty handed.

A dull pain settles in her temples and she takes that as her sign to give up. For now. Things will come back to her. She just needs to give it some time. Besides, all things considered, it could be worse. None of her injuries are debilitating. Sure, some are more painful than others, but all should heal in due time. Her maman always said to count her blessings where she could.

But she still looks like Hell.

“…and Hell followed with him.”

Pain stabs just behind her eyes and she physically recoils from the image of Joseph Seed pointing at her. Her heart pounds in her chest, panic forcing a shot of adrenaline through her veins. She needs to move. She needs to run. Her grip on the sink tightens. Every muscle in her body tenses, but she has nowhere to go.

Bile rises in her throat and she chokes it out into the basin. Her gums burn. Her eyes are bloodshot and watering. The thick, yellow, wad of spit and acid is tinged red with blood.

She hastily twists the knob, cupping her hands under the stream of lukewarm water and drinking deeply. It sloshes uncomfortably in her empty, cramping stomach, but it’s worth the soothing balm it provides. 

Everything hurts, but she endures nonetheless. 

She drinks her fill and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand when she’s done. The water stopper squeaks as she closes it, and the roar of rushing water returns to the rhythmic plip plip plip of the faucet’s steady leak. 

She can’t say she feels much better. But she also can’t say she feels any worse. She’s functional, and she’ll take equilibrium over deterioration any day of the week. 

Combing her hair with her fingers, she makes a feeble attempt to tame the mess of her short, dark, locks. Then, after drying her hands on her jeans, she ambles out into the rest of the bunker, looking for the man who pulled her from the river.

[thankfulguy]

A Practically Perfect Day

Everything about it was practically perfect.

got 96/100 sleep score from my smart watch.

woke up on time right before my alarm went off at 5:30.

got to caribou for Japanese at 6:00.

read the Bible

studied Japanese for over an hour

wrote a blog post

got to work not long after 8:30 (it's my goal, nominally, to be online by 8:30)

made progress on the bug I'm hunting for today.

met with a mentor dude and learned some cool stuff from him.

got to take 2.5 hour deviation from the regular day to go vote in my district (I moved and didn't change my address ... yet.)

got to visit my mom randomly and drop off some cooking utensils I'd borrowed for potluck last Sunday.

got chipotle for lunch.

got back and continued to make what seemed to be meaningful progress on the bug.

Got to to talk to roommate about random cool stuff

got to do a meaningful length of workout (although not as long as as smart watch's suggested workout said I should)

my feet didn't hurt after running 4.2 miles!!!!

got to watch a few episodes of a show with roommate

ate well below my calorie allowance to keep weight management plan on track

remembered to take my vitamins

remembered to do laundry

It's days like this that I sort of wonder... Why? Why can't every day be like this? Would the goal posts just move further away, or would I become complacent?

This day wasn't perfect in some sense since I made some mistakes:

I forgot to take my laundry out of the dryer and roommate had to dump it on the counter. (sorry roommate.)

I still dawdled this morning a bit as I was getting started with work.

Regardless, the right response to days like these is not to go and commit self-cargo-culting and looking into the past week for what lead up (although there's nothing wrong with doing that intrinsically), but rather to first be thankful.

-.-.-.

what I wonder about in this dichotomy between thankfulness and seeking to optimize is the role that the hand of God plays. Most atheists would probably just say "dude... you slept well last night, which helped your focus, and let you be super productive. it's as simple as that"

I raise you, "why did I sleep well last night?"

"probably the Fairlife protein shake you had. You usually sleep better when you have one of those before taking melatonin."

And then it gets into the question of why I chose the protein shake. In truth, I was hoping that I'd get another data point on protein shakes helping with sleep, as it seems to be 50/50 that when I have them before sleeping, I sleep much better. Buuuut, it's probably closer to 80/20 that nights where I slept exceptionally well I had a protein shake before. (Statistics can really be somethin' sometimes.)

But there I go cargo-culting myself... The reality is more likely that it's only effective if I have the protein shake like an hour before bed and that the protein shake consists of milk protein. Probably because it has extra melatonin. Right now I take 3 mg of melatonin an hour before bed, but maybe protein shake plus melatonin means moar-mel for me. Or rather in me.

(that sentence doesn't work, but oh well.)

It's the small coincidences that some say "STATISTICS!" and others say "PROVIDENCE!". I want to say "PROVIDENTIAL STATISTICS!!" But I'd of course lean towards providence.

Aside: which is more important: the head of a noun phrase or a tail adjective? Just in terms of intuition, it would make sense that the head would be more important. But as in the above sentence, "providential" is provided in addition to the head of the phrase. Maybe it depends on the sentence. :edisA

-.-.-.

You see how my heart works? I know the truth, that it's God's providence, and yet I still prefer to look in the immediate past and instead explain things entirely in terms of the things I did leading up to the success.

My public confession is that I'm thankful for this day. I'm thankful to God for productivity and "good days".

-.-.-.

But what about the "bad days"? We know as Christians that there are so many blessings to count even on the "bad days". And the blessing probably shouldn't be mainly perceived as "we need the bad days to make the good days good."

It does seem like good/bad is not the right categorization system for our days, since it would seem that the bad reasoning of the last sentence of the previous paragraph is generally true, objectively speaking. Because bad days are not good, we can define good days in terms of criteria for bad days, or bad days in terms of criteria for good days.

But all days we feel God's blessing, although in my stubbornness and obstinance to sensing God's grace in my life, I don't feel God's blessing on some days. Maybe that's what makes a day an actual bad day.

My public confession is that I'm thankful for the bad days. I don't really understand why, and I don't like that I need to be thankful for them, but if they exist, and if they are placed in the timeline of my life, then I'm thankful for them.

-.-.-.

Thanks for reading.

[dearophelia]

mmkay so I’m needing a kick in the ass for NaNo. Here are my characters, they are on a cargo ship called the Fortuna in a fairly built-out universe. Ask me things about them?

Kai Blackthorn: the Captain; a scoundrel; mid-50s; No Kings But Us + Be Groovy Or Leave, Man; cybernetic leg; shoots first, asks questions later; badass with a trenchcoat and blaster; she/her (fc: Mariska Hargitay)

Harlow Juniper: the Speaker; second in command; telepath; early 30s; Sparkle, Sparkle, Bitch + Fortune Favors The Bold; knows A Guy; universe is strangely on her side when it comes to luck; she/her (fc: MJ Rodriguez)

Liselle Rowan: the Engineer and ship’s mechanic; platonic #married to Kai; late 40s; Close The Portal + The Rhythms Of Fate And The Tickings Of Time; priest in a machine/AI cult; they/them (fc: Danai Gurira)

Bryony Rosewood: the Doctor; combat medic; late 50s; You Are Not Alone In This Uncertain Place + This Is Not A Dream; copilot, apparently; keeps a gun in her field medic kit; sniper when it’s called for; she/her (fc: Michelle Yeoh)

Phoebe Willow: the Muscle; late 40s; knives > guns, but proficient in both; Reason To Live Juice + God Is A Goddess; that trope of someone pulling a thousand guns out of skin tight pants; tis only a flesh wound; she/her (fc: Lena Headey)

Thalia Maple: the Pilot; also the kid; early 20s; Broke Is The Beginning + Protect Your Ecosystem; breaks ship systems to Go Fast; designated cook; autistic; she/her (fc: Joséphine Jobert)

Diana Valentine: the Heir; running from an arranged marriage; early 30s; The Dark Night Of The Soul + The Hell Train; actually a useful passenger; does dishes; undercover; she/her (fc: Margot Robbie)

[simptasia]

(Because I love when you do these so much) Could you please insult Benjamin Linus?

[rubs my hands together] who could forget dear rat boy???

ma! maaaa!!!! there's a weird fucking man outside!! BLINK MOTHERFUCKER!!!

"ben is an emotionally arrested virgin" - our lord and saviour michael emerson...... paraphrased

disclaimer: being a virgin isn't bad. it's funny because it's ben [squeezes him like a dog toy]

lemme just get this outta the way: juliet [kick] danielle [kick] alex [kick] charlie [punch] sayid [punch PUNCH] and last but not certainly not least,,, locke [taser blast to the balls]

look, i love ben but he of all people gets TWO happy endings (while sooome characters get none) so i will enjoy the cathartic thought of all the other characters beating him like a pinata

how ben's sick brain thought this would go:

arrange for ur crush's boyfriend to be killed

invite her over to discuss work but it's ACTUALLY a date. cook her a ham dinner. have a few of ur top buttons undone, of course. also imply her bf wants to fuck ana lucia aha you see, you are so clever, you have the big brain

reveal her bf's dead body to her

tell her she belongs to you

????

pussy!

with the added bonus of the undignified waddling up the hill after you've done objectifying her existence, well done

WHY THE FUCK WOULD JULIET MAKE YOU SOUP YOU DERANGED WEENIE???? you're not her ex, you're a freak [ben slides his hand close to juliet's] thats going in the lost cringe compilation along with charlie dancing in a nappy and jack saying "if i was hitting on you, you'd know it" get the fuck outta here, you are never getting ur little possum hands on those blessed mommy milkers

he eats like a victorian ingenue eating cucumber sandwiches

his cargo pants create the illusion that he is shaped like a pear. he is a bruised pear, not even fit for juicing, just throw him away

he watched kate and sawyer have sex in a cage. also he put them in cages. he also made kate wear a dress. his daughter's dress. what the actual fuck is wrong with you

where are your glasses. where are they!! do you even need them??? (i enjoy the concept that ben can't see most of the time)

"(⊙_⊙) i used to dream once" ur doing this on purpose, aren't you

"[sees ass porn] good lord..." benjamin linus, you don't get to kinkshame people. you of ALL people don't get to do that

he's not very fond of telling the truth. he's a wee bit of a fibby boy. also he got charlotte's birthday wrong, the dickhead

his response to alex having a boyfriend is to have him sent to a seizure inducing brainwashing room. sir, respect your daughter's agency. also don't torture teenagers. "oh but she might get pregnant" ah so ben would rather brainwash a kid than maturely discuss birth control with his daughter. fucking coward. oh hey, another reason he's incompatible with juliet, a fertility doctor

we only saw his fat tits once. fucking tease (and it was in [gags] stranger in a strange land you bastard)

he's an actual not hyperbole cult leader. feels bad, man

lowkey wanna fuck your mom AND you killed your dad? how DARE you validate freud!!!

also i've heard that murder is wrong

ben is one of my favourite characters

let's point and laugh at him

[princeasimdiya12]

Talentswap-DR1 Kids with V3 Talents

So I came across a post made by @mythgirlimagines who gave some headcanons that featured the kids from the first game with talents from the V3 game. I really enjoyed the idea and I began to think of my own headcanons for each kid and how their lives would be different with their new talents. So with their permission, I was able to come up with this. I hope you like it!

Sayaka Maizono as the SHSL Adventurer

As a kid, she spent all her time at home since her dad was always working and her mom passed away.

She found comfort in watching TV programs that showcased different countries and cities and loved seeing the people having fun together.

Wanting to find happiness like those people, Sayaka began to secretly wander around her home city and partook in sight seeing and trying new foods.

She also practiced interacting with the people and asking them different questions.

After getting enough practice, she began traveling around different parts of Japan before making her way through the Asian countries followed by the rest of the globe.

She vlogs her travels by uploading pictures and videos of the food, fashion and festivals in each place she visits.

The popularity of her vlogs has resulted in her gaining contracts with multiple tourist companies who want her to visit their cities to boost tourism.

Mukuro Ikusaba as the SHSL Pianist

Mukuro doesn’t really care about playing the piano. She only took it up because her sister insisted that she do something useful with her life

She spent most of her freetime practicing the piano and would perform for hours on end to see how far she could go before exhausting herself.

She’s won multiple awards and critical acclaim for her performances but they mean nothing to her if they didn’t come from her sister.

When Junko decided to become SHSL Despair, Mukuro began to channel her talent to her sister’s instruction.

Her music can manipulate the emotional states of anyone listening to her and increase it based on the melodies she performs.

Ex. A somber tune can make people into sobbing messes while an aggressive song can make listeners become hostile and violent towards each other.

Junko would use her sister’s talent to either influence new followers or to dispose of unlucky victims.

She mainly wears a slim black dress when she performs on stage.

Leon Kuwata as the SHSL Tennis Player

Just like in canon, Leon doesn’t like his talent. Particularly the heavy training that’s involved.

He mainly uses his tennis player image to become a celebrity.

This involves staging photo sessions with him posing in his tennis uniform or performing cool moves for the camera.

He mainly performs solo and the few times that he partakes in a doubles match is if his partner can boost his image.

This has resulted in him getting into arguments with them because of his lazy nature.

He ended up in multiple flings with various fangirls which tarnished his image as a celebrity.

His wardrobe consists of a white polo shirt with orange stripes, shorts and a red sweatband. 

Chihiro Fujisaki as the SHSL Maid/Butler

(As to avoid potential discourse, I’m going to gloss over their backstory and headcanon them as genderfluid)

They find cleaning and organizing rooms to be mentally relaxing.

They take pleasure knowing that a clean house or room will become much refreshing and comforting to their client(s).

Most people are surprised that someone as small and fragile like them is capable of doing multiple chores and duties in a single day.

They prefer to work behind the scenes or with as few people watching over them.

Chihiro often has difficulties when it comes to making public announcements to large groups.

Some days they dress up in maid uniforms while other days they dress up as a butler.

Their specialty when it comes to cooking is making perfect creme brulee. 

Mondo Oowada as the SHSL Artist

As a professional artist, Mondo can make a variety of artworks.

His area of specialties include sculptures and murals.

Despite making tons of money with his artworks, he secretly dislikes the rich people who buy his pieces due to their snooty personalities.

He initially hated his talent because he was hoping to be good at something that was more manly or cooler.

His big brother was the reason for why he became an artist to begin with.

Having been Mondo’s main parental figure their whole lives, Daiya wanted to ensure that his brother would have a secure career that he could be proud of and that he wouldn’t have to risk his life for. Just like he does as a gang leader.

After his inevitable death, Mondo took his art career more seriously to honor his big brother.

He wears cargo pants with a white tank top and has a paint splattered bandanna around his neck.

Kiyotaka Ishimaru as the SHSL Aikido Master

He took up aikido believing it to be an ideal practice of mastering self control

He devotes most of his freetime to studying the different forms of aikido aswell as the religious aspects tied to the skill.

At his old school(s) he became popular for taking down various delinquents who would terrorize his defenseless classmates. But what really moved everyone was how Kiyotaka invited each delinquent to join him so that they can master self control and change their lives for the better.

He ended up becoming the president of a large club dedicated to aikido.

Despite his popularity, Kiyotaka is still very awkward at friend making as all he can discuss is his general studies and aikido. 

All of his relations with his peers are purely professional.

Hifumi Yamada as the SHSL Anthropologist

He started out by watching foreign cartoons and dramas and wondered how different they were compared to the ones shown in Japan.

This led to him binge watching multiple foreign shows while taking notes and analyzing the cultural norms displayed in each show.

His hard work paid off when he landed a spot on a TV show where he showcased his research and the popularity for each show in their respective country.

He does most of his research in his hometown but sometimes he’ll travel to specific cities either to showcase new research or to analyze a TV show/movie production.

He dreams of being remembered as a hero who was able to connect every culture and bring world harmony.

He often reaches out to Sayaka in the hopes that they could do a travel collab together but she politely denies his requests using various reasons.

Celestia Ludenberg as the SHSL Inventor

She uses a steampunk lolita ensemble whenever she makes public appearances and speaks with a Victorian accent.

She’s able to maintain her composure when she’s in an environment with an exceptionally hot temperature.

Celestia takes pride in being able to take apart the most mundane of household appliances and rebuild them into something better and praiseworthy. 

Several companies have already commissioned her to make service drones.

She’s willing to make any invention that’s requested provided that the client can afford her extravagant prices.

There’s rumors that she’s been secretly making inventions that can brainwash people and turn them into her obedient servants.

She’s openly expressed interest in studying Kyoko’s existence but the robot makes it clear that she doesn’t want to be involved.

Sakura Oogami as the SHSL Entomologist

While she underwent extreme training thanks to her family’s profession, she has caused conflict among them for refusing to continue the fighting legacy in favor of her true passion.

She’s earned the nickname “The Mountain Woman” on account of how she’s always spotted hanging out in the mountain range studying bug life.

Sakura earned publicity by researching every individual insect found in Japan and how they interact with one another in their ecosystem.

Sometimes she allows the more dangerous insects and arachnids to bite/sting her so she can develop an endurance towards their toxins.  

She also does environmental activism by stopping companies from illegally destroying the forests.

In her spare time, she enjoys meditating in the middle of the woods or by waterfalls.

Aoi sometimes asks if Sakura could lend her some of her butterflies for her magic shows.

Junko Enoshima as the SHSL Supreme Leader

She’s a cult leader. Plain and simple.

Using her analytical talent, Junko can analyze any person who’s unfortunate enough to talk to her.

By lending her ears, she gives them the impression of a person who genuinely cares about them and their problems no matter how pathetic they may be.

Most of the people who are drawn to her are often poor unfortunate souls who have been hurt by society or loved ones.

Wanting to fight boredom, she used her initial members for manipulation games and mental torture to see how powerful her charismatic personality can be.

She uses her findings to establish herself as a prominent figure of the 21st century.

A figure that can guarantee dramatic change if her subjects are willing to follow her commands.

When she decides to become the SHSL Despair, she uses an alternate persona via Monokuma to broadcast messages of despair and hard truths to the listening audiences.

And to keep Hope’s Peak and the police from catching on about her plans, she makes it so that she runs an exclusive club for intellectual and high class individuals. 

Makoto Naegi as the SHSL Astronaut

Despite being average, he wanted to show everyone that it’s possible to accomplish the extraordinary even if you’re ordinary.

He loved the idea of going to space and seeing the beauty of the stars and the Earth down below.

Ever since middle school, he’s been training his body so he can be prepared for space travel.

He’s studied different star systems but he has difficulties when it comes to mechanical engineering and repair.

The closest he’s been to space was traveling in ships that reach high enough for him to experience zero gravity.

Despite being the youngest member of the space program, all the staff members adore him for his bright personality and his eagerness when it comes to completing missions.

In his free time, he tries to learn English and Russian should he be assigned to work with astronauts of the US or Russia.

Kyoko Kirigiri as the SHSL Robot

Her creator was her grandfather Fuhito who wanted an heir for his engineering business.

Her design was modeled after his young granddaughter who had died alongside her mother.

Having familiarized herself with the ongoing grudge between Fuhito and Jin, Kyoko can’t help but wonder if her creation was born out of spite.

She’s willing to follow along with her grandfather’s wishes but she does question if her actions are because she was programmed to follow them or because she herself wants to do it.

She’s built with a titanium body armor that can endure any extreme forms of damage along with providing her with super strength. 

Given the right resources, she can also hack any computer system and gain access to any information found in said system.

Jin had conflicting feelings about allowing Kyoko to enter Hope’s Peak due to her bringing up feelings of anguish for his lost daughter and needed to be pushed by his dad to accept her.

She prefers to stay in the background analyzing the actions and behaviors of her classmates but she will show no hesitation in using force to resolve potential conflicts. 

Byakuya Togami as the SHSL Cosplayer

In this reality, he lost his chance of becoming the Togami Heir and was banished from the family.

He still wanted to make a name for himself and decided to pursue a career that no one in his family would cross paths with him in: cosplaying.

Initially, he was depressed for a month after losing his big chance and immersed himself in anime shows to drown out his depression.

In a way, he found inspiration by watching the protagonists who continued onward and decided to make new paths for themselves despite failing to achieve their initial dreams.

If he wanted to be like them, then he could try dressing like them.

He only watches anime that has an enriching fantasy setting or has historical themes

Using what was left of his money, he funded a public fashion show that displayed the elaborate costumes of famous anime characters.

He became a big hit and was given sponsorships to produce more cosplays. 

He has a love/hate relationship with his talent. On one hand, he prides himself in being the best at cosplaying. But on the other, he hates it because it’s a reminder that he lost his right to be a Togami.

Touko Fukawa as the SHSL Detective

Having grown up reading mystery novels, Touko became familiar with the cliches and expected tropes found in each given mystery.

Before going freelance, she served as a secretary for a private detective.

When looking over his cases, she pointed out the familiar patterns for each case while explaining her reasonings behind her deductions. She ended up being right 9 times out of 10.

The PI decided to give her simple cases that involved family drama and cheating spouses to test and expand her knowledge.

Eventually she would be hired for more extreme cases involving drug rings and murder.

Because of her abusive childhood and upbringing, Touko still has Dissociative Identity Disorder and created Genocider Syo as a coping mechanism to protect her.

But rather than killing people like a cliche yandere, Syo shows up whenever Touko ends up cornered or captured by dangerous criminals.

While she has no idea what gloomy got herself into, Syo has no issue with thrashing the low lives who would threaten her existence.

This has often led to the criminals becoming seriously injured or even being killed as a result. When it comes to the latter, Syo takes special care to ensure that it looked like an accident or that the criminal died by someone else’s hand.

This unfortunately resulted in Touko having a bad reputation as a loose cannon detective.

The detective decided to cut ties with Touko to maintain his business but ensured to tell her that she has what it takes to be a true detective.

She still thinks badly of others and is quick to point out the negative qualities associated with that person.

Yasuhiro Hagakure as the SHSL Assassin

The reason he got into assassination was to own up for his mistakes.

When he was 13, his gambling habit led to him and his mother losing their house and having to live on the streets.

Wanting her son to learn responsibility, Hiroko called in an old friend who had ties with the local yakuza and requested that he give her son a job.

Unbeknownst to the two, the only job that the friend could offer was being an assassin. And wanting to make his mom proud of her boy, Yasuhiro accepted the job without telling Hiroko.

After years of brutal and life threatening training, Yasuhiro became the clan’s go-to hitman and was handsomely rewarded every time he successfully got rid of a clan enemy or someone who couldn’t pay their debts.

His preferences for killing involve drugging the victims with slow but lethal poisons or attacking them when they’re alone. His appearance requires him to be extra cunning as to avoid being detected.

Eventually he was caught by the authorities but was contacted by Hope’s Peak who learned about his unusual career. 

He was given two choices: he could go to jail for his murder or he could attend HP so that his talent could be studied while also receiving the school’s protection. Even a moron like Yasuhiro knew what choice to take.

When he went to tell his mom the good news, he found that she disappeared without a trace. Some say that Hiroko left out of shame when she found out about her son’s crimes, others believe that she was kidnapped and killed by revenge driven enemies. Regardless of the rumors, Yasuhiro has a gut feeling that she’s still out there and he intends to find her to make things right.

He uses the SHSL Fortune Teller title to keep his assassin career a secret.

He still maintains his carefree and ditzy personality both because no one would ever expect him of being a professional killer and so that he can keep pushing forward in life without falling into complete despair.

His baggy clothing and dreadlocks make it easy for him to hide knives or bottles of poison.

Aoi Asahina as the SHSL Magician

Ever since she was a little girl, Aoi loved everything about magic.

She read different types of fairy tales and myths so she can learn more about it and use them for her shows.

When she first started, she would perform tricks for her brother Yuta and would ask for his input regarding each performance and how she could improve herself.

Her costume is based on the classic witches mixed with a magical girl theme. (Think along the lines of Little Witch Academia).

Her magic shows put alot of emphasis on spectacle and enchantment so the people watching could fall in love with the concept of magic.

When she has the time, she bakes her own special donuts and offers them to a certain number of lucky participants.

Despite her friends and family encouraging her to participate in competitions, Aoi doesn’t feel that it would be right to use her magic tricks to compete for publicity.

She wants her magic shows to be an inspirational thing that brings happiness and wonder to the people watching.

She enjoys performing for children and often performs at schools, hospitals and orphanages.

The trick she’s best at performing is the underwater escape challenge.

[tyra-greydawn]

Recruitment

Teldrassil One Week After the Fall of Gilneas

The tide of bodies didn’t rush down the dock. It meandered. Gilneans, every one of them a refugee from a nation that Lordaeron on the list of fallen kingdoms. Kaldorei healers moved through the throng healing wounds and bestowing blessings as best they could. Harvest witches and newly minted Gilnean druids helped where they could but there were too many injuries. There always were. The number of ships bobbing in the ocean while they waited their turn to unload their human cargo meant that wouldn’t change.

Tyra had never seen a night elf before the evacuation. One loomed over her now. A woman in plain robes. The purple skinned behemoth smiled. Tyra’s wide eyes looked up at her through long, filthy, matted hair. She was too awestruck at seeing something so alien to react. “Ishu-al-dab?” She finally said, hoping she remembered the greeting correctly. The priestess laughed softly.

“Let me see your bite, little mockingbird.” She asked. Tyra lifted her left arm. The blood-stained bandages made it plain to see through the ragged hole in her sleeve. The kaldorei laid her hand over the wound and murmured an invocation. Tyra didn’t understand a word of it besides ‘Elune’. When the hand came away the ache of bite was gone. Tyra turned her arm this way and that. She flexed her fingers. She finally unwrapped the cloth and stared at the pristine skin.

“Oh, hey, I feel – “ She was going to say ‘better’ but the priestess had moved on. Tyra wanted to get to her. Maybe she could help! She could be another set of hands and eyes! A friendly face! But the crowd swept Tyra onto land. Trapped by the crowd, she trudged along with them through the purple-pink glow of the teleporter, across bridges, and to the Howling Oak. The noise was constant. Families sobbed in grief and relief. Teenagers bragged that they would be the ones to make the Horde pay. As soon as one shipload’s worth of survivors quieted down the next would arrive and the whole process would start over.

Tyra was overwhelmed. She stepped outside of the Oak and slumped down against it. She should cry. She’d lost everything. Her home. Her friends. Her parents. Even if she found them here, would they accept her if they knew she was cursed? She couldn’t survive losing them a second time. Her thoughts haunted her as she sat and stared at the moon.

“Excuse me, Miss.”

Tyra swiveled her head to look at who was speaking. It was a tanned, broad shouldered human male. She didn’t recognize the uniform. He smiled. She didn’t.

“It’s too much isn’t it? The noise?” He asked. Tyra bobbed her head. It was easier than talking right now. “I understand, believe me. I know what you just went through is fresh in your mind, but I was wondering if you’ve ever considered being part of something that’s more than just you.”

Tyra narrowed her eyes in suspicion at the man. Her voice cracked with dehydration and disuse. “I don’t want to join your cult.”

“Cult. That’s a good one.” The man said through a smile. Tyra pulled her knees up in front of her, wrapped her arms around them, and glared up at him. She wanted to be alone. He was ruining it. The man’s smile faded. He knelt and laid a printed flyer down on the ground in front of her. “I can tell when I’m not wanted. But read this when you have time. If you don’t like what you see use it to start a cook fire or something.”

Tyra stared at the man’s back as he walked away and reentered the Oak. She read the paper when he was finally gone.

The Alliance Navy wants you!  Take the fight to the Horde! See the world!  Mechanics and aviators needed! Join today!

Every time a new group of refugees arrived, she looked back at the paper. She didn’t sleep.

----------

The sun had just crested the horizon when Tyra joined the line on the dock. She stood quietly, shuffling forward, toward the sea now instead of away from it. She stared out at the Kaldorei ships. Had they kept unloading during the night? That would have been crazy. How many more people were out there?

“Hello, miss.” A sailor with skin like scarred leather was staring up at her from behind the table he was sitting at. This was it. No going back.

“Um. Hi.” Tyra tried to smile. Should she smile? Scowl? Brag? Or –

“Name?” The sailor asked. His attempt at a reassuring grin was sabotaged by the missing teeth.

“Greydawn. Tyra. Um, sorry. Tyra’s my first name.” Tyra said. Her left arm itched.

“It’s alright.” The sailor said. He wrote a note on the page in front of him. He looked over the dirty, slim girl. “You do know this is the navy, right? Sail around, meet interesting people, kill them in sword fights, all that?”

Tyra laid the rumbled recruitment flyer on the table, “It says you need pilots.”

The sailor laughed. “Aviators, Miss Greydawn. The pilot steers the ship, the aviators fly the planes. But I need to ask a few more questions. First, age?”

“Eighteen.” Tyra lied.

The sailor raised an eyebrow, shrugged, wrote on the paper again. “Trade, if any?”

“Coppersmith.”

The pen moved across the page again. “Are you cursed?”

Tyra froze. She hadn’t paid attention to the people ahead of her. Had there been any afflicted Gilneans? How had the others answered? Would they let her join if she was? Would she be sent back to the Oak? She kept her voice steady when she finally answered “No.”

The sailor checked a box. He waved his pen toward the end of the dock, “Head that way and up the last gangplank on your left. That’s _Turalyon’s Fury. _She’ll take you to Stormwind. You have until she departs to change your mind or change anything on the page here. After that it’s in the bureaucrats’ hands and may as well be carved in stone.

Tyra nodded again. The seagulls seemed to get closer to her the closer she got to the Fury. She boarded, flopped down next to a hatch. She wanted stay awake to watch how the ship ran when it departed, but the combination of exhaustion and the warm sun was too much. She fell into a deep, nearly comatose sleep. When she woke up Darnassus was nowhere in sight. She was committed.

[princesses-and-pioneers]

Personal Player Character Compilation

Despite all my theorizing, I play games a lot more often than I run them. For personal record keeping and if anyone else wants to know, here’s a list of all the characters I’ve played. Only counting characters I personally created that actually saw play at least once.

GURPS

Beryl Delamontaigne, human aerokinetic. Powers include 60mph flight, restraining whirlwinds, and compressed air blades. Colorblind. From a modern superhero campaign, Summer 2018, 1.5 sessions.

GLOG/Moonhop

Elfsa Solo, elf alchemist. Purple hair, preference for ice bomb potions, very fine with getting her hands dirty. From a fantasy TotSK campaign, Winter 2018, ~4 sessions.

Lisamarie Chardonnay, human telemancer. Cheerful, ostentatious, and scarily intense con-woman. Sports an all-pink wardrobe and infinite bag of glitter. From a fantasy dungeoneering/pointcrawl campaign, Winter-Summer 2018, ~12 sessions.

Meimi Sigurdsdottir, human paladin. Imposing and tough. Devoted to a bizarre spiky scorpion furniture fire cult. From a fantasy whalepunk islandcrawl campaign, Summer 2018, 2 sessions.

Delilah, purple human garden wizard. Intelligent, scheming, and amazingly diplomatic via words and baked goods. Soft spot for innocent bystanders and genuinely good people. From a fantasy hexcrawl campaign, Summer 2019, 4 sessions.

Marbelle, facetaker science wizard. Precise and deadly, but absolutely enjoys complex dangerous plans with high risk/high reward. Will literally eat the rich. From a cyberpunk Gardens of Ynn/heist campaign, Fall 2019, ~6 sessions.

Sun, dryad snake master. Supportive mom to her snake kids. Experienced fighter. Prefers to make friends when possible and always have a backup plan. From an Operation Unfathomable campaign, Fall 2019, 2 sessions.

W-349 “Double”, clockwork skeleton summoner. Paranoid bastard, carries magical scythe as often as possible. Face of the party and very observant of others, but impulsive. From a Hellwalkers campaign, Winter 2020-?, 6 sessions.

DnD 5e

Trunera Tohil, space (wood) elf tempest cleric. Level 3. Nautical sailor and navigator from ocean planet, cleric of local storm deity. From a Star Trek-ish sci-fi campaign, Winter 2018, 1 session.

Ilana Essen, wood elf hunter ranger. Level 4. Forest wanderer kidnapped into party by quest patron, crack shot with a bow. From a political fantasy campaign, Summer 2018, 2 sessions.

Parisa Almeida-Silverleaf, half-elf archfey warlock. Level 1-3. Half-orphaned street urchin tricked into a deal with a fae queen’s agent. Killed by the Caves of Chaos minotaur. From a fantasy KotBL campaign, Fall 2018, 3 sessions.

Tisiphone Marinos, half-elf vengeance paladin. Level 3-6. Rising star of city police force and magical SWAT team, incidental ally to party after failed retrieval mission. From a fantasy KotBL/abysscrawl campaign, Fall 2018, ~9 sessions.

Leilan Rhou, eladrin arcane trickster/fighter. Level 6. Former street urchin turned spy-mage from a faraway kingdom. From a fantasy West Marches game, Spring 2019, 1 session.*

Penny, goblin trickery cleric. Level 3. Member of orc/goblinoid tribe. From a fantasy monstrous campaign, Spring 2019, 1 session.*

*Note: these games fucking sucked and I don’t want to talk about them unless it’s to rant. The characters are here strictly for record keeping.

Allegra “Legs”, water genasi moon druid. Level 1-5. Fishing villager drafted into the army and deserted in moral protest, now a chaotic mercenary and future forest witch. From a Saltmarsh campaign, Fall 2019-Winter 2020, ~14 sessions.

Cora Ibarra, tiefling ancestral guardian barbarian. Level 3-?. Deeply religious and honorable militiawoman blessed by ancestral spirits after near-death experience. From a fantasy city campaign, Summer 2020-?, 6 sessions.

Lancer

Zenobia Kontos, lancer and pilot. Experienced cargo pilot and team melee specialist (Metalmark). Self-confident, patriotic, and somewhat impulsive. I don’t know how to classify the campaign, Summer 2020-?, 7 sessions.

Other

Sapphire, birdfolk mage. Former cook before The Incident, knows spells Grease, Heat Metal, and Heal. Anthropomorphic wings. From a gonzo fantasy homebrew campaign, Summer 2019, 1 session.

[razorblade180]

Lasting Embers pt14: Training Day pt2

[Atlas SDC headquarter CEO office]

*A man in his early thirties wearing a business suit in the Schnee family colors sits at his desk writing. His hair swooped back and cleanly shaven. Pretty in shape, like a bulkier Neptune*

Secretary:*creaking open door* Whitley, your special guest has arrived.

Whitley:Thank you Julia; please send her in.

*a women with black leather pants and dark combat boots walks in. Zipped up black jacket jacket and wearing aviators; gold trim on the seams of her clothes. Not to mention a ridiculously long auburn ponytail*

Whitley:Hey Illia, how’s the weather treating you?

Illia:Cold as usual *removes glasses* I see you’re on a first name basis with your secretary now; about time.

Whitley:*smirks and stops writing* You haven’t changed since your last visit. You’re a bit late; stop by lunch areas to flirt with my cook again? She’s been talking about you.

Illia:*sits on his desk* Can you blame her? Anyways, I’m here on the usual business mostly. *lifts his chin and examines his face* you eating well? Any death threats or loss of sleep? Death by stress or malnutrition isn’t something I can protect you from.

Whitley:*chuckles* I’m fine, I’m fine *moving her hand* What about you?

Illia:Eh, the usual. Killing the bad guys and taking life a day at a time; all before anyone knows they’re in trouble. *puts a file on his desk* oh, there’s an assassination attempt on your life being planned by the way.

Whitley:Of course, another person mad I banned Faunus labor or is it more sister related? *opens folder to see faces of men in grey hoods and red veins near their eyes and hands* You think cult members would look more inconspicuous....

Illia:They’re currently in a warehouse a little ways up north of here. A splinter group that has their own way of trying to please “Salem the great and powerful” They obviously know about Weiss so....

Whitley:They’re going after her loved ones yada yada yada. She’s getting such an ear full when she comes back.

Illia:You think she’s okay?

Whitley:If you can survive our house then you can survive anything. So, how are you going to deal with these lot.

Illia:Don’t have to myself; I’ve been put in charge of training a newbie. This is no real threat so she went on ahead to despose of the problem. Shouldn’t take her too long.

*knock knock knock*

Whitley:That was fa-

Illia:*draws her weapon* too fast.... stay back.

[Warehouse]

*pretty vacant except for crates and blueprints everywhere. A table in the middle with four cloaked figures around it*

Thug 1: Are you sure this is gonna work? Like I get he’s not a huntsmen or anything but I heard this guy has taken down other people before us.

Thug 2:Idiot *flicking him* unlike the others we have an actual plan. We’ll strike right in the middle of traffic go rain bullets down from the building above.

Thug 3:Yee the boss left us in charge of this operation while he and two more go off and secure something else. Uhhh I forgot what kind of a play he was making.

Thug 4:*young women’s voice* Honestly why did I get stuck with you three? He said he was making a power play; rumor has it the branch of the cult is essentially history. That’s why he’s gone to hunt down the winter maiden. With access to the relic and the SDC fortune then he’s top dog. Rumor has it that the maiden might be somewhere hiding in Menagerie.

“Well isn’t that interesting news? Thanks for the info.”

*everyone reading their rifles*

Thug 1:Who said that!?

“Guns? Aren’t you for members of the Children of Salem; shouldn’t you be having grimm serve you with those gross veins of yours? Or did your boss not trust you enough to lend you some”

Thug 4:Show yourself!!! If you think hiding in the shadows can-

*a chain flies out and wraps the gun. Pulling it to the side and shooting the first thug right through the chest*

Thug 2:Shit!!!! *freaking out* what the hell is going on!?

“The shadows are sort of my thing. I could show you my face sense I’m not allowed to leave survivors but.....I need practice.

Thug 3: Stop toying with us you crazy bitc-ugh! *blood dripping down the mouth*

*a chain out of the shadows with a metal tip finds its way into Thug 3*

“Cat got your tongue; or heart?” *reels his body into the darkness*

Thug 2: *dropping his gun* Okay we give up! We’ll tell you everything we know; I swear!

......

“When did your boss leave for Menagerie?”

Thug 4:Yesterday, by airship! I think a cargo one?

“Hmm I think I can catch up to that. Thanks for information.”

Thug 2:Are...are we good?

*chain wraps around both of them tying them up. A figure of a woman in her early twenties and wearing a similar outfit to Illia. However the seams are white to match her white tiger ears and dawns a black mask reminiscent of the white fang.*

“No, you’re far from good.”

*picks up the rifle*

•

Illia:*opens up the door quickly and jumps back to defend Whitley* State your name and- Weiss?

Weiss:*slightly taller and dressed more like her sister. Hair style like her mother yet somehow looking just like her normal self* Well that was one way to be welcomed home. I guess I should expect nothing less from-

Whitley:*runs up and hugs her* Hey dork, you look like mom.

Weiss:Ugh, you’re one to talk *hugs him tightly* I half expected you to be rocking a bushy mustache.

Whitley:When hell freezes over.

Weiss:Ooo do I have a story for you later. *chuckles*

Illia:If you’re here then does that mean... *scroll rings* Uhhh hello?

Blake:Hey stranger, you miss me?

Illia:.......*tearing up* Blake?

Blake:Who else? I know it’s been awhile but I’d at least thought you’d have my number saved. Just letting you know that I’m home; I’m finally home.

Illia:You’re already back in Menagerie!?

Blake:*sitting on top a palm tree looking into her house window* Yep, no one knows yet besides Adam’s family. *watching a certain monkey Faunus hard at work running her organization* that’s about to change though.

Illia:I didn’t realize he knew you were back. I came out to Atlas for nothing!?

Blake:No, he wasn’t home. His daughter said he was already going on another trip; he’s probably going through the same shock you are. Anyways just also calling to tell you that there’s probably gonna be a celebration when everyone realizes I’m back. As of now your job is to come home and relax with your old friend my sinister shadow.

Illia:*chuckles* As you wish High Leader Belladonna; save me some food. *hanging up* well better go get my recruit and- *scroll rings* speak of the devil. *answering* so how was your first solo op Sienna?

Sienna:*taking off her mask as she watches a warehouse burn. Her maple tan skin feeling the cold air as her short black hair catches the wind* I wish it was someone place warmer; had to heat myself up. Everything here is done but we sort of have to head to Menagerie right now.

Illia:Why do I have a feeling it’s for a different reason I want to go back?

Sienna:I’ll tell you on the ride there but uhh let’s keep this one extra off the books please? It involves my mom.... *wiping blood of her mask and chain* not that I’m too worried; her and Jael are tough. Just wish dad was there for sure.

[Jaune’s Yard]

Yujin:You’re mine! *swings her blade, barely missing Adam’s head* crap!

*abandons her sword to keep up the pressure with high speed jabs and kicks. Not giving him any room to breath*

Adam:*bobbing all her attacks as he tries to back up* interesting choice when fighting a superior opponent. Keeping the flow of a fight yours to maintain at the cost of your weapon. *catches a punch and knees in the gut*

Yujin:*cough* You know me, always coming up with ideas! *goes for rib shot but he dodges back*

Adam:Well points for- *aura discharges from her punch and knocks him back*

Yujin:Ha! *runs up and kicks off of him to send him either further back* (that should be enough distance....)

*picks up her sword and makes it glow an intense white. Flames emerge from hit*

Yujin:Here goes nothing..... *unleashes 3 slashes our pure white flames* sunslice....

Adam:*Smiling* Not bad...*moon slices through all three*

Yujin:Tsk *slices the oncoming attack* still not enough to out do yours huh? Okay...*switches to gauntlets*

Ruby:She’s pretty good with that sword; it’s almost her size yet she can swing it one handed. Almost reminds me of Qrow....

Jaune:Probably because everyone chimed in and told her about his moves. He might be gone but a bit of his flare isn’t.

Ruby:......*smiles* Good, that’s really good to know.

Yang:*soaking in the fight that’s in front of her. Seeing her daughter counter blade strikes with punches; displaying moves all too noticeable to her as her dad’s handy work*

Jaune:Enjoying the show?

*Yujin’s fist catching fire. Another aura filled punch scattering the flames as the embers dance around her. Not messing a step when avoiding Adam’s relentless bullets and cross slashes*

Yang:I wish....I wish I could’ve helped create this. *somber smile* look at our kid go; she’s in her element right now.

*Adam jumping over a sweep kicking and blocking an assault of jabs. Sparks flying off his sword*

Yang:And I didn’t help with any of it.... I feel a little bad.

Jaune:Are you kidding? Yang, you might not have been here but plenty recordings of your training days are. She won’t admit it but I know she’s watched every single one to be even remotely as good as you.

Yang:*shocked* Really?

Jaune:*Nodding* Yujin did everything she could to deny hand to hand combat; to be separated from you. No matter how hard she tried though she knew if she was gonna be huntress that eventually she’d have to come to terms with you have a legacy with rich insight. To be a little more like herself she’d swallowed her pride, and started acting a little more like you.

Ruby:Makes sense; she looked very angry fighting you hand to hand but also a little thrill. If I had to guess I’d say it was probably because she finally got to see where she stood.

Yujin: *Jumping back for distance, trying to catch her breath* Come on Adam, *huff* my mom tire you out. (shouldn’t be long now) no holding back *raises her gaurd*

Adam:*sword glowing* Says the one breathing deep. You’ve grown a lot Yujin; I’m proud. However, I think this might be your limit.

Yujin:Well let’s find out!! *bumps her first together and charges at him.*

Adam:This won’t kill you but it’s not gonna tickle *dashes towards him swinging his sword down at her*

Yujin:*smirks*

*a giant thumb erupts from the clash. Dirt and dust flying into the air as everything fall quiet*

Ruby:Huh....well would you look at that? Guess she has learned from you.

Yang:*jaw dropped in awe* You...you told her the story didn’t you?

Jaune:Maybe once or twice....*smiling*

Adam:*completely caught off gaurd, a familiar chill runs through him* .......heh this takes me back.

Yujin:*gripping his blade tightly before the impact. Her eyes shining bright lilac* Gotcha...

[ariadnelives]

Chapter 2 -- The Wedge

[Missed chapter one? Check it out here! If you’re new to the series or you’ve just fallen a little behind, go catch up here! Otherwise, welcome back! Oh, and make sure to join our discord server! Chapter can also be found @ ao3

“I hear we made quite a score today!” Ariadne and her team were greeted upon their return to the pirate space station Ship Trap Island by the crew's live-in medic, Sasha Deathsbane.

On Ariadne's crew, names were bestowed based on an impressive accomplishment. For example, Sasha once successfully revived her older sister, Pilar, who had clinically died for over a minute after exposure to the vacuum of space without a pressurized suit or helmet. That's how she earned the name “Deathsbane,” and how Pilar earned the name “Spacebreather.”

Sasha, who had been short for her age up until about a year previously, was now about the same height as her sister. Despite the four-year age difference, they looked so similar it was often difficult to tell them apart. They had the same reddish-brown skin, the same tall and wiry frame, the same dark almond eyes, even the same warm brown hair, shaved on the sides and pulled back into a ponytail.

There were only three significant differences in appearance between the sisters. First, Pilar's torso and arms had a number of tattoos on them, the most visible of which was a dark spiral starting on her shoulder blade and winding around her left arm, while Sasha was completely bereft of ink.

Second, the sisters had wildly different fashion sense: while Pilar preferred casual, loose-fitting, colorful sleeveless shirts that lent themselves to mobility and baggy, worn pants with too many pockets and holsters attached, Sasha preferred to dress in dark blouses and form-fitting jeans that showed no sign of either wear or tear, that is, when she wasn’t wearing medical scrubs.

Third, the way they carried themselves made it hard to confuse the two even from a distance. While Pilar might stand with her weight on one leg, arms crossed, head cocked to one side, Sasha always stood perfectly straight with her hands folded behind her back.

Sweettalk and Taryn began unloading crates from the back of the freighter safely anchored in the ribcage-like docking bay of the station. Ghostrunner and a few other Whiptails got to work stripping down the ship for parts.

Sasha asked, “Any interesting new spices or seasonings for Cookie?” Some of the crew's names were a little more straightforward than others. Cookie, for example, earned her name by being a truly excellent cook.

“It's mostly tech and construction stuff, honestly,” Sweettalk replied. “A few food replicators. We don't have the energy to run them, but I'm sure the soup kitchens will be glad to have them.”

“A lot of clothes,” Taryn explained, lifting a crate of what looked like socks. “Some for the wardrobe, some for the donation pile.”

“I, uh, put a little something aside for you,” Sweettalk said in a hushed tone. “We're still on for tonight, right?”

Sasha's eyes went wide and she hissed, “Shut up, she's right there!” She gestured at Pilar, who was holding a pair of socks from Taryn's crate in each hand, comparing their weights.

“Oops. Now I get to see you blush,” Sweettalk whispered, then grinned and winked playfully.

Sasha resisted the impulse to smile. “That's not funny, Zee,” she insisted, only half believing it.

“You know,” Sweettalk said, pointedly loud enough for Pilar to hear, “I miss when you used to come out on jobs with us, Deathsbane. The Whiptails aren't the same without you!” Sasha scowled at her.

Pilar responded almost automatically without breaking eye contact with the very important sock-weighing process she'd become focused on.

“Medic can't go into the field. If she's injured, no one else has the expertise to patch us up.”

“She could train an apprentice,” Sweettalk suggested. “I mean, we could use her on the squad. She takes after you, and you're the best there is!”

Sweettalk had no idea whether or not Pilar was “the best there is,” since there are no strict criteria for measuring the quality of pirates, and frankly, this was the only pirate crew Sweettalk had ever served on, but she was also a master of flattery and she knew Sasha felt cooped up on the station all the time. She hadn't been out on a job in almost two years, and she spent most of her time off-station with Pilar and Ariadne close by.

“If we find a job that requires a medic in the field, I'll consider it,” Pilar said flatly. She put down the argyle socks in her left hand and held up the warm-looking black tube socks in her right hand triumphantly. “These are the ones,” she said, walking into the corridor that led to her quarters.

“I tried,” Sweettalk said. She looked down the corridor to make sure Spacebreather was gone, patted Sasha on the behind, and walked back to the cargo hold to fetch another crate.

Sasha blushed fiercely again, but not quite as powerfully as she had blushed when she noticed Ariadne had walked up behind them a few seconds earlier.

The two locked eyes for two very long seconds before either spoke. It was Ariadne who broke the silence.

“I… honey, I've got too much on my mind to process whatever that was right now. I promise I'll react  to it in a couple of days.”

“Are you going to tell my sister?” Sasha was still frozen in panic.

“I'm not a spy.” Ariadne shrugged. “And I'm definitely not a narc. You're a big girl and your sister doesn't need to know everything you do. You'll tell her when you want her to know.”

Sasha's expression loosened a bit. “Thanks, Ariadne.”

“I was a teenager once, you know,” Ariadne muttered, wandering towards the corridor. “Taryn, you've got a hair appointment with Fastwing. Sasha, take over unloading crates.”

Ariadne disappeared into the corridor and Sasha unfroze. “You were a teenager two months ago,” she called after Ariadne, “you know, technically!”

“Don't take forever in that cargo hold,” Ariadne called back. “Strip that ship of everything useful. I'm having a bad day and I want to blow up whatever's left of it after dinner.”

***

Ariadne got to her quarters and slid open the door, which had two posters tacked to it. Each one advertised a reward of 50,000 credits for any information leading to the capture of the pirate Ariadne. One of them had a rough sketch of the actual Ariadne's face on it, the other bore a sketch of Pilar. Pilar's poster listed all of her tattoos, piercings, and scars as “distinguishing characteristics” that could be used to identify her.

Both posters listed the subject as “Ariadne.” Such posters were pinned to many of the crew's doors. Often, one of them would make sure to be heard using the name “Ariadne” during a robbery, so that the authorities could never make a clear profile of the actual ringleader. Ariadne and Pilar's posters were by far the most common, but getting a wanted poster of your own face under the name “Ariadne” was considered something of a rite of passage that most crewmates achieved eventually.

She found Pilar slipping off her combat boots and slipping on a pair of fresh black tube socks.

“I don't have the energy to deal with all this, azúcar,” she said as she slumped facedown onto the bed, mumbling inaudibly into the mattress.

“Can't hear you if your face is buried in solid matter,” Pilar commented as she admired her new socks.

“I think we did too many things today,” Ariadne said, turning her head so her words might escape unhindered by cushion.

“Watching the news before the robbery was probably not the best idea we've ever had,” Pilar agreed. “Maybe we should take a few weeks off, clear our heads a little bit? One of the girls can act as captain while we're gone.”

“Maybe Deathsbane?” Ariadne said. “I mean, she knows all the rules and protocol. Hell, she helped write them.”

“I mean,” Pilar said, laying back on the bed next to Ariadne and staring at the ceiling, “why wouldn't she come with us? It's always been the three of us, you know?”

“Honestly? I'd want her there with us too”—Ariadne, seeking comfort, put her hand on Pilar's stomach and Pilar reflexively cupped Ariadne's hand in her own— “but we're not just her friends. You're her big sister and I'm her sister-in-law, and her boss, you know?”

“Your point?” Pilar asked with no particular inflection.

“She's usually relaxed and easy-going, but lately, that girl's been more tightly wound than a, uh, I don't know, something that winds, but someone wound it too much. I'm sure she could use a chance to cut loose without us around.”

“Maybe you're right,” Pilar conceded, “but I don't know about making her acting captain. That doesn't sound very relaxing to me.”

“What about Sweettalk?” Ariadne offered. “She seems to be showing leadership potential.”

“Ugh,” Pilar scoffed, “no, not her. She's been driving me up a wall lately. For one thing, she's cocky, and for another, she keeps pressuring Sasha to go out on jobs with the Whiptails.”

Ariadne rolled her eyes, although Pilar couldn't see this because she was still looking at the gray ceiling. “Is she pressuring Sasha or is she pressuring you?”

“I know my sister,” Pilar sighed, “and I know she's as fed up with Sweettalk's cock-of-the-walk attitude as I am.”

Ariadne hesitated for several seconds before responding.

“Between the cult thing and all that burgling we just did, I don't even have the energy to think what you just said is hilarious.” Ariadne yawned. “I'm going to close my eyes for a minute or ninety. Can your arms find their way around me by the time I wake up?”

Pilar was feeling a bit worn out herself. “If you say so, querida.”

[importanttigercreation]

Welcome to the news channel of the Angry Nature, Today we will tell you about Mount Yasur Volcano,Tanna Island, Vanuatu,, Sukurajima Active volcano 👇 https://youtu.be/FDxlqzpRPSg Mount Yasur is a volcano on Tanna Island, Vanuatu, 361 m (1,184 ft) high above sea level, on the coast near Sulphur Bay, northeast of the taller Mount Tukosmera, which was active in the Pleistocene. It has a largely unvegetated pyroclastic cone with a nearly circular summit crater 400 m in diameter. It is a stratovolcano, caused by the eastward-moving Indo-Australian Plate being subducted under the westward-moving Pacific Plate. It has been erupting nearly continuously for several hundred years, although it can usually be approached safely. Its eruptions, which often occur several times an hour, are classified as Strombolian or Vulcanian. A large lava plain creeps across the valley at the base. The glow of the volcano was apparently what attracted Captain James Cook on the first European journey to the island in 1774. Today, the mountain is a sacred area for the John Frum cargo cult. Members of the cult revere John Frum, a deified messenger who foretold the bringing of wealth to the island by American forces, and believe he resides in Mount Yasur with his countrymen.  The village of Sulphur Bay, the center of the movement, claims the volcano as part of their territory The current eruption has been ongoing since at least 1774 and has been characterized by Strombolian and Vulcanian activity. More recent activity has consisted of Strombolian activity and gas-and-ash emissions  which continues during this reporting period of March through August 2021. ATTENTION: All videos are taken from open sources. The selection is based on publication date, title, description, and venue. Sometimes, due to unfair posting of news on social networks, the video may contain frames that do not correspond to the date and place. It is not always possible to check all videos. We apologize for any errors! Thank you for watching, don't forget to subscribe our channel, We Wish you good Weather, #Mount_yasur_volcano #vanuatu_volcano #angry_nature #tanna_island #eruption #volcano_2022 #volcano #explosion #lava

[sadisweetomi]

Roblox says Apple is not evil

It is kind to developers, its mum and fluffy bunnies

Online gaming platform Roblox has shunned other developers who hate Apple’s App store rules and demands for money and jumped on the side of the fruity cargo-cult.

The Tame Apple Press has rushed through Roblox’s press release because it shows that not every developer is sticking pins in wax effigies of Tim Cook or lighting candles on vinegar jars.

Roblox claims that Apple’s store offers privacy and safety benefits to its users, supporting the iPhone-maker's bid to beat an appeal by Epic Games in a key US antitrust case.

Apple's process for review and approval of apps available on the App Store enhances safety and security, and provides those apps greater legitimacy in the eyes of users," Roblox said in a legal filing on Thursday.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is probing key revelations from the antitrust trial between Apple and Epic Games.

As you might expect, the relationship between Roblox and Apple is more friendly than that of other developers.

Epic Games argued that Apple had given a free pass to Roblox, whose app lets people pick from a selection of games to play.

An Apple senior director described Roblox's offering as "experiences". Soon after, Roblox changed descriptions on its website to "experiences" from "games" and called itself a metaverse company.

Roblox says Apple is not evil

It is kind to developers, its mum and fluffy bunnies

Online gaming platform Roblox has shunned other developers who hate Apple’s App store rules and demands for money and jumped on the side of the fruity cargo-cult.

The Tame Apple Press has rushed through Roblox’s press release because it shows that not every developer is sticking pins in wax effigies of Tim Cook or lighting candles on vinegar jars.

Roblox claims that Apple’s store offers privacy and safety benefits to its users, supporting the iPhone-maker's bid to beat an appeal by Epic Games in a key US antitrust case.

Apple's process for review and approval of apps available on the App Store enhances safety and security, and provides those apps greater legitimacy in the eyes of users," Roblox said in a legal filing on Thursday.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is probing key revelations from the antitrust trial between Apple and Epic Games.

As you might expect, the relationship between Roblox and Apple is more friendly than that of other developers.

Epic Games argued that Apple had given a free pass to Roblox, whose app lets people pick from a selection of games to play.

An Apple senior director described Roblox's offering as "experiences". Soon after, Roblox changed descriptions on its website to "experiences" from "games" and called itself a metaverse company.

[caltropspress]

RAPS + CRAFTS #3: Alaska

1. Introduce yourself. Past projects? Current projects?

Hi my name is Tim. I am a rapper. You might know me as Alaska, but chances are you do not know me at all. I have been making rap music since the mid-1990s. I was part of a collective called Atoms Family and a group within Atoms named Hangar 18. In 2004 Hangar 18 was signed to the Definitive Jux label. We dropped two albums. One which was good and one which was meh. After the label and group fell apart I started a weird career as a solo rapper who teams up with different producers to form different groups (Crack Epidemic, Words Hurt). The most recent group is named Cargo Cults which is myself and Zilla Rocca. We dropped Nihilist Millennial approx. one year ago. I am currently working on a few projects including the follow up to Nihilist Millennial.

2. Where do you write? Do you have a routine time you write? Do you discipline yourself, or just let the words come when they will? Do you typically write on a daily basis?

I am a husband and a father. I have a full-time job and I am currently enrolled in a Master’s program at NYU. I write whenever I have a spare moment. I usually write in the morning, it is when my mind is most clear and I can give the job the most attention. I have found that I am also the most creative at this time. I am usually writing with a project in mind. As I mentioned earlier I tend to work on projects with one producer. Usually they will give me a gang of beats. I will sit with them and start to write to them. I usually write 4-8 bars every morning. Which means I am usually writing a song a week. Typically I have an idea of what I want to say. I find that the words are always pouring out, but I end up throwing a lot of them out. At this point in my career I know when something is right. It is only at that point that I move on to the next line.

3. What’s your medium—pen and paper, laptop, on your phone? Or do you compose a verse in your head and keep it there until it’s time to record?

I write on my phone. Sometimes I will write in my head but it always ends up on the phone because I am old and my memory is shot.

4. Do you write in bars, or is it more disorganized than that?

I usually write in bars. Sometimes when I am just listening to music, cooking or doing something else a line will pop into my head and I will jot it down in my phone as something to use later. Most times those ideas get tossed.

5. How long into writing a verse or a song do you know it’s not working out the way you had in mind? Do you trash the material forever, or do you keep the discarded material to be reworked later?

It depends. I have scrapped entire albums before because they did not work. Usually it is anywhere from a half a verse to a half of a song. I usually take that material and put it into a running file of ideas to potentially reuse. However, if I do not reuse the idea by the time the album is done I throw them out. I have found that sometimes you have to just let it go. Once everything is precious you can get stuck.

6. Have you engaged with any other type of writing, whether presently or in the past? Fiction? Poetry? Playwriting? If so, how has that mode influenced your songwriting?

I used to write for a few music websites including one that I founded called SYFFAL (shut your fucking face and listen). I have also attempted to start a book on a few occasions detailing my career as a failed musician. I do not know if this helped my writing, but I find that the more I write the more ideas I have.

7. How much editing do you do after initially writing a verse/song? Do you labor over verses, working on them over a long period of time, or do you start and finish a piece in a quick burst?

I am editing throughout the entire process. By the time I get to the end of a song I usually have anywhere from 16 to 40 bars of material that did not make the song. This material ends up in the list I mentioned earlier. I tend to take whatever time is needed. Sometimes songs come together in a few hours, sometimes it takes a month to get through a verse. I view writing a song to be like working on a puzzle. You can force the wrong piece into a spot, but in the end the puzzle is not going to work. You just have to wait until you find the right piece. You know it when you find it. It clicks right in.

8. Do you write to a beat, or do you adjust and tweak lyrics to fit a beat?

When I am working on a project I write to beats. I want to make sure that the words and the flow match the soundscape. When I come up with random lines more often than not they are not written to a beat. If I end up incorporating it into a song I usually have to make edits so that it lands in the pocket.

9. What dictates the direction of your lyrics? Are you led by an idea or topic you have in mind beforehand? Is it stream-of-consciousness? Is what you come up with determined by the constraint of the rhymes?

I usually have ideas of what I want to discuss going into a project. Once the project starts I usually let the beat pick what the topic is going to be. A lot of what I am writing is just me trying to figure out the world around me or a reflection of the inputs. For example, with the Rammellzee song. There was an exhibit of his work at Red Bull Music like two summers ago, I used to go to it all the time on my lunch break. So spending all of that time around his work, and watching the videos of him discussing his philosophy about art is what inspired that song. I added a line at the end about being someone who dons the mask, meaning the mask of Rammellzee. I thought of this idea about doing art for the sake of purity of one’s soul, which is what I always felt Ram was doing and it is what I wanted to do. I would never put myself on the same level as a god like Ram, but at the same time I was writing this song, I was watching all of these Star Wars YouTube channels and there was an episode about this Boba Fett story line. The story followed his armor as it was sold from one person to the next. I liked that idea and how it connected with Rammellzee’s obsession with armor and wanted to incorporate it into the song.

10. Do you like to experiment with different forms and rhyme schemes, or do you keep your bars free and flexible?

I do enjoy it but I am not really concerned with it. I used to be obsessed with it, but I realized that was just to cover up the fact that I didn’t have much to say. I started looking at artists like Andre 3000, who can do all of the technical stuff better than everyone else, but he no longer needs to. He is more concerned with what he is saying and the ideas. He still drops some flex in here and there to remind you what he can do, but ultimately he is serving the song and the vision. That is how I approach it now as well. I am more interested in making a good song than I am in showing people how clever I am.

11. What’s a verse you’re particularly proud of, one where you met the vision for what you desire to do with your lyrics?

I really like “All Power to All People” from the Cargo Cults album. At the time when I wrote it there was so much chaos, it was shortly after Trump won, so the trolls and racist assholes were on full display and the resistance grift was at full force. There was a lot of blaming social media, free speech, and shutting down ideas. A lot of hand wringing about how it was the worst time in American history. I wanted to address those ideas head on because they are so wrong. I wanted to show how important maintaining these values is. I wanted to show all of the ways that the things that we were suddenly vilifying because they brought us temporary discomfort were essential to freedom and giving voice to the voiceless. I also wanted to examine how silencing ideas gives them more power. Moralists never seem to learn this. Once you let an asshole like Milo or Richard Spencer say what moronic bullshit they have to say they are exposed for the shithead idiots that they are. They become powerless. When you give them the power of your fear they win. They want the spectacle because the spectacle is all they have to offer. You do not defeat bad ideas by shutting them out, you defeat them by exposing them as bad ideas.

12. Can you pick a favorite bar of yours and describe the genesis of it?

There is a bar on the title track from the Words Hurt album Soul Music for the Soulless where I say “Watching stranger things and hanging upside down like Poppa Large”. It is a little line in a bigger song but it has been my favorite line for quite some time. I don’t really remember the origin of it, other than it has a few layers to it. Stranger Things has the mirror world called “the upside down” and in the video for the Ultramagnetic MCs song “Poppa Large,” Kool Keith spends a portion of the video hanging from his feet upside down. I don’t know why but it is still my favorite bar ever.

13. Do you feel strongly one way or another about punch-ins? Will you whittle a bar down in order to account for breath control, or are you comfortable punching-in so you don’t have to sacrifice any words?

I punch in all the time. I have zero issue with it as long as you can perform it when you get on stage and the punch is not obvious. We are trying to make the best song we can. If that means a punch, so be it.

14. What non-hiphop material do you turn to for inspiration? What non-music has influenced your work recently?

I don’t spend much time with hip hop in general these days. I actively avoid it because I am writing so much. I find that when I am writing and listening I subconsciously bite what I am listening to. I tend to mostly listen to Jazz and podcasts. When I am seeking inspiration I will usually read.

15. Writers are often saddled with self-doubt. Do you struggle to like your own shit, or does it all sound dope to you?

I used to when I was trying to impress others. After the second Hangar 18 album which was meh, I made a promise to myself to a. Only make music for myself, I don’t care if anyone else likes it as long as I do, and b. To only make music if I have something I want to say or if it is fun. From that point on I have had zero self-doubt because I was making exactly what I wanted to make and doing exactly what I wanted to do. There is a passage in this Carlos Castaneda book talking about self-doubt and how it is a self created and a construct of our ego. I think when you go into something without ego, even if it fails to achieve what you hoped, you can accept it for what it is and that allows you to be present and enjoy what you are doing.

16. Who’s a rapper you listen to with such a distinguishable style that you need to resist the urge to imitate them?

Shit, so many. Woods, Castro, Zilla, Alex Ludavico, Theravada, Blueprint, Moses Rockwell, it goes on and on. It is why I don’t listen to rap that much anymore. I mean I check it when it drops but I no longer obsess over it because too often it leaks into whatever I am working on.

17. Do you have an agenda as an artist? Are there overarching concerns you want to communicate to the listener?

Outside of making myself happy there is no agenda or concern.

RAPS + CRAFTS is a series of questions posed to rappers about their craft and process. It is designed to give respect and credit to their engagement with the art of songwriting. The format is inspired, in part, by Rob McLennan’s 12 or 20 interview series.