#cause that's the title i'm working with

[msphagime]

Shitpost be upon ye!

[shady-swan-jones]

Drop your faves!

As promised, I'm compiling a Haladriel fic rec list. Since I haven't read every fic in existence, drop your favourite one(s) in the replies to make sure they're included. Preferably if they're ones that deserve more love than they're getting. Name is fine, I can find the links

[dead-loch]

[blade-that-was-broken]

So in this apocalypse au, how does barb/ thrash plan work since last I checked the whole plot revolves around the six strings. However all of the tribes and most of the sub-genres believe the pop trolls are all but extinct? Also since the rock trolls don’t know about the pop and putt trolls, I take it that poppy never got barb invite to invasion. So maybe in this scenario, cooper and poppy found out about the strings and tribes through other means and cooper wanting to know about others like him decide to leave their home and somewhere along the way they meet branch and his group. Although another scenario could be branch group while trying to find help/ stop barb ended up accidentally finding the lost tribe.

Also would branch grandma be alive cause I can imagine her being so happy to see her grandsons then with the exception of brach grab them by the ears and say where have you’ve been!

Oh boy, so I actually have a lot planned out but not much written in terms of story wise. I'm not sure how much people want to know explained vs. what is in the story itself so I am going to put this under a break so that anyone who does not want spoilers or know what is happening - does not have to know.

So be warned! SPOILERS AHEAD

DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SPOILERS

Once again! Spoilers!!

Last Chance !!!!!

I'm warning you!!

Thrash starts his Invasion LONG before Barb ever gets the idea. She's probably a child, maybe even a baby, when he starts. Although this concept started as just canon divergence, it has turned a bit more into an actual alternate universe, with slightly different rules on how things work, including, to some extent, the strings. Or just expanding on it.

The invasion does revolve around the strings. Thrash is under the belief that Pop Trolls are his biggest adversary and therefore, waits to go after them until he has gotten through the others. He does not know that Pop trolls numbers have dwindled due to the years of Bergens feeding on them. So he attacks the other tribes and takes their strings, using numbers and force to rule them. He takes out leaders or makes them scatter.

This is more of an actual invasion and war than in canon, which was more of kidnapping. The first tribe goes down due to surprise, while another scatters. There is a small alliance to fight back but after a while, the last string (aside from Pop's) has been taken.

In this au, the strings have some power individually as well as together. I'm not sure what individual abilities they have yet (will be open to thoughts cause this is something I should expand on) but when Thrash has five of the six strings, he can zombify his victims. It is just not as steady and intense as if he had all six.

So when Thrash gets the five of the six strings, he turns to find Pop and attacks them when they are fleeing the Troll Tree. It is a MAD HOUSE.

In the end, Thrash doesn't really get a hold of any pop trolls due to the Bergens, mostly, and the Troll Tree literally ends up exploding. So according to the world, it appeared that Thrash had killed all of them. Thrash knows he didn't do this, but he lets the world think he did because it makes them fear him more.

In reality, the pop trolls flee like they did in canon. The Putt Putt trolls do exist, although not in the same way that they do in canon, as Viva is not leading them. Peppy does escape with much of the other trolls, and none of them quite understand the whole Rock attack thing. However, this added layer of attack did make them far more careful and paranoid so although they are very happy and doing the best with what they have, it's not quite like it was in canon.

And as for Rosiepuff... uhm... at this point, lets just say Branch does not escape that trauma in this au. It might be worse actually /winces/

This au, at least so far, doesn't really have much in the way of the actual pop trolls and Poppy-centric. It is mostly about the other troll tribes and Viva. And the Bros of course. The Pop trolls have escaped the war and dystopian-rule ish for now so as of currently, the story does not really focus on them.

I'm not sure how much people want to know. Granted, I don't know when I will write this - or if I'll be able to finish it - but I do have a ton of ideas/plans and could explain so much. This au is more dystopian/apocalyptic and war-torn than canon ever even could have alluded to.

[imwritesometimes]

I'm trying so hard not to jinx myself but. I really do think I'm gonna have the march.ly wip ready to go before halloween. like. soon.........

[illdothehotvoice]

Is. Is Family from Super Mario Galaxy seriously not on the Nintendo Music app- AND ACTUALLY POST CANCELLED it seems the playlists are actually just Best Of playlists (at least for Galaxy) and if there's song missing you need to look it up individually!

[asonofpeter]

i wrote a book

[practically-an-x-man]

true ADHD is belting out Harley Poe songs while editing this chapter of Desert Song

[yo9urt]

i know やった is not considered to be part of the onomatopoeic/mimetic word family but it almost feels like it could be

[hotmess-exe]

the talk with my stand-up teacher was amazing!!! i'm prob gonna be bringing up that comedy debate show a shit ton in coming months :]]]

[eddsworldstuck]

"hey Joker, how's it going? with writing or just, anything."

i blacked out and wrote some of two different chapters for two different acts

[supercantaloupe]

beginning to not have fun with these opera bracket posts tbh

[high-voltage-rat]

Posting my RvB Project Freelancer playlist because I have brainrot about some of these songs and also crave public opinions on them.

This playlist was built with two things in mind- the badass space marine vibes, flashy fight scenes, and fast-paced action that embody the freelancer arc, for one. Some songs I included primarily because they contributed to this overall energy that Freelancer was based around. That feeling of flying through the battlefield, guns blazing, with no regard to the danger. The kind of confidence that lets you jump off a building without worrying too hard about how you'll survive the impact- that lets you face an entire base worth of enemies and still crack jokes as they surround you. The kind granted by a ranking system that tells you "you've been chosen. you're the better than the rest. you're on the leaderboard."

But the other motivation, in perhaps direct opposition to the first, was the set of underlying narrative themes that poisoned the Freelancers from within.

(Further discussion, Spotify link, tracklist, and choice lyrics under the cut:)

The ignorance, intentional and otherwise, to the purpose of their missions- to the Director's true motivations, to the ethical principles being violated with every step, to the thinly veiled lies. The need to prove oneself- to stay on that leaderboard no matter what the cost, to remain worthy of approval, of power, of support that could mean your very survival. The betrayal and infighting to remain on top, to right the wrongs done- the break between the agents who valued loyalty and those who valued morality. The manipulation by The Powers That Be to participate in and perpetrate the horrors of war, to stain one's hands with blood and commit horrible deeds which ultimately have no purpose- believing the lies of 'us versus them', throwing away your innocence and believing that it's all for the greater good, only to discover that the people you've done these horrible things to are no different, no more evil than yourself. Eventually breaking free from those influences, despite the potentially lethal consequences, and being left with the near-impossible task of trying to become 'good' again. All of these were themes I tried to keep in mind and channel in this playlist. Bonus points touched on were the impact of AI on their hosts' physical and mental health, the quest to gain justice, and the attempts to find peace and be better after it's all said and done.

I found that while my primary focus was on the Freelancers themselves, a fair number of the songs applied just as well, if not better, to the simulation troopers and even the soldiers of Chorus. I enjoy that this kind of highlights how the main message kind of echoes through all the RvB arcs. I also think it's a notable point that a lot of the songs that I used to portray the manipulation and abuse of the Freelancers by the men in charge have the real-world messages of highlighting wealth and social inequality and abuse of the working class by the rich. This isn't something necessarily explicit in the RvB canon- but the vast majority of military recruitment comes from their exploitation of the desperation of the working class. This real-world issue has echoes throughout the story- in the Reds and Blues, yes, but also in the Freelancers. They say multiple times, "The Director's given us everything"; they've been lifted up, granted a better life, but it all depends on remaining in line, staying in the good graces of those with power. They eat, sleep, breathe because of Freelancer- they live on the ship, spend their whole days submerged in it. One wrong step, and they're back to having nothing.

Anyway, without further ado, here's the playlist lmao

True Friends- Bring Me The Horizon

I wouldn't hold my breath if I was you // 'Cause I'll forget but I'll never forgive you // Don't you know, don't you know? // True friends stab you in the front

2. Go To War- NOTHING MORE

With every battle we lose a little more // Remember everything that we'd die for // You are everything that I'd die for

3. Only Us- Thrice

Finally when will it be enough // To find there's no them // There is only us // There's only us

4. Wicked Ones- Dorothy

This night ain't for the faint of heart // For the faint of heart, for the faint of heart // This night ain't for the faint of heart // 'Cause the faint of heart gonna fall apart

5. Saints of the Sinners- The Faim

When jokers smile and angels cry // We lose ourselves and lose our minds

6. All Eyes on You- Smash Into Pieces

Now the whole world's watching every move // Still your heart so much to prove // Fight for all the things that you believe in // Now the whole world's watching every move // Take your shot, don't act a fool // All you've got and all you'll ever need // Is one bullet in the chamber

7. Used To The Darkness- Des Rocs

Now would you pray before you twist the knife? // Yeah, would you take my hand and take a life? // I'm too damn young to give up on the light // I'm used to the darkness, I'm used to the darkness

8. Can't Go To Hell- Sin Shake Sin

It's no mystery, what can I say, we're blind by design // And history keeps getting paid to change it's mind // Some wounds will never mend // Divided by deception, but together we must rise // Deafened by the naive while we silence the wise

9. 12 Rounds- Bohnes

'Cause I fight for everything I die for // Everything I bled onto the ground sacrificed for // When the reaper comes knocking at my door // We'll be going 12 rounds

10. Hold Steady- The Glorious Sons

What ya think? // I do it for free? // Either you're lyin' // Or you must not think much of me // I gave you my soul // I gave you my bloody, ragged soul

11. Chosen Ones- Mountains vs. Machines

We are, we are the chosen // We are, we are the few // The end will never come // We are the chosen ones

12. I'm So Sorry- Imagine Dragons

So you gotta fire up, you gotta let go // You'll never be loved till you've made your own // You gotta face up, you gotta get yours // You never know the top till you get too low

13. Machines- All Good Things

Hands to the sky I swore I'd try // Searching for a better life // They would take us far from home // Far from all the things we know

14. The Kids Aren't Alright- Fall Out Boy

And with the black banners raised // As the crooked smiles fade // Former heroes who quit too late // Who just wanna fill up the trophy case again

15. Man or a Monster (feat. Zayde Wølf)- Sam Tinnesz

It's so hard to tell which side you're on // One day is hell, the next day is the dawn // The lines are blurred, you keep rubbing your eyes // The tables turn, now it's time to survive

16. Spaceman- The Killers

And you know I'm fine // But I hear those voices at night sometimes // They justify my claim

17. Down (feat. Trella)- Simon

All the secrets that I keep // Like a bomb inside of me // I've been waiting to be free // All the shades of who I am // Try to catch me if you can // I just slip right through your hands

18. Mars- Sleeping at Last

As life replayed, we heard a voice proclaim // "Lay your weapons down // They're calling off the war // On account of losing track // Of what we're fighting for"

19. What Are We Fighting For- The Federal Empire

The price of our freedom // Is blood in the water // We’re looking for hope what will it take // We keep on repeating // The fate of our fathers // Somehow there’s got to be a change

20. Follow My Feet- The Unlikely Candidates

There's a fork in the road in front of me // At the crossroads of identity // The Devil is standing to the left // He says "either way, they both lead to death" // And the high road's steady and steep // And the low road's easy and deep // Guess I'll follow, follow, follow my feet

21. Hysteria- Muse

Yeah, it's holding me, morphing me // And forcing me to strive // To be endlessly cold within // And dreaming I'm alive

22. Go Get Your Gun- The Dear Hunter

And to those who'll die, please try to understand // That for those who die, we tried the best we can // With our one foot in the grave // While the other one's kickin' its way right down to Hell

23. The Fear- The Score

I've battled hard with the face in the mirror // Every scar makes me dig down deeper // Push it 'til there's nothin' more // 'Cause I'm stronger than I was before

24. Lunatics and Slaves- Sin Shake Sin

Hate what they tell you to hate // Love when they say it's okay // Still, you have nothing to say anyway // And you don't even know you're a slave

25. Try Honesty- Billy Talent

Sew up my eyes, need no more // In our game, there is no score // Forgive me father, why should ya bother? // Try honesty, try honesty

26. Blood On Our Hands- KNGDAVD

So walk with me and you will see // That your enemy may be your remedy // 'Cause we all got blood on our hands // But we still got hope in our souls

27. Free- Mother Mother

A bloody war // Behind my eyes // I come out right on the other side

28. Back Against the Wall- Cage the Elephant

Blanket of silence makes me want to sink my teeth in deep // Burn all the evidence of fabricated disbelief // Pull back the curtains, took a look into your eyes // My tongue has now become a platform for your lies

29. Spirits- The Strumbellas

I spend a lot of nights on the run // And I think, oh, like I'm lost and can't be found // I'm just waiting for my day to come // And I think, oh, I don't wanna let you down

30. Blindness- Metric

I was a blind fool // Never complained // All the survivors // Singing in the rain // I was the one with // The world at my feet // Got us a battle // Leave it up to me

31. Champion- Barns Courtney

I've been on a long road // With the devil right beside me // Rising with the morning sun // It's a hunger that drives me

32. All These Things That I've Done- The Killers

Another head aches, another heart breaks // I'm so much older than I can take // And my affection, well, it comes and goes // I need direction to perfection, no, no, no, no

33. Imaginary Friends- Des Rocs

Do you wanna leave me here? // With you 'til the end, imaginary friends // Give in to the fire and the fear, the liar in your ear // And you'll never be lonely again

34. Dear Dictator- Saint Motel

And at the trial, there'll be no jury // And all the dead are going to play witness // Not too late to say you're sorry // It's too late to truly mean it

35. False Confidence- Noah Kahan

Why won't you take me seriously // Look at me all fucked up over someone I'll never meet // And I wonder why I tear myself down // To be built back up again

36. Villains, Pt. 1- Emma Blackery

I don't feel anything // Because I became possessed and obsessed // With the idea of revenge

37. Woke Up A Rebel- Reuben And The Dark

I am wild, I am lost // I am sick, I am damned // But I am holding redemption in the palm of my hand // So I tighten my fist // And sharpen my teeth // It's a promise I made // It's secret I keep

38. Revolution- John Butler Trio

So tell me family now what do you think // Watch it all go down the great big sink. // Watch how the scum it rises to the top. // Don't you wonder when it's all gonna stop? // Sometimes I wonder how we do sleep, // Serving the dodgy companies we keep. // All kicking and scrounging for the very first place // Dictionary definition of a rat race

39. Survivor Guilt- Rise Against

Carry on // Don't mind me // All I gave was everything // And yet you ask me for more // Fought your fight // Bought your lie // And in return I lost my life // What purpose does this serve?

40. Pressure- Muse

Get out of my face, out of my mind // I see your corruption // I'm not blind // I'll carry the burden and take the strain // And when I am done I will make you pay

Note for anyone who actually read this far or looked at the selections here: yes I know these selections and bands imply something very specific about me, and the idea of some of these more popular and overplayed songs being paired with my melodramatic write-up might be laughable. I feel the need to qualify by promising my taste is not just the basic "action movie trailer" vibes or early 2010s radio hits this playlist sort of lets on... but these are the songs that make me Feel The Vibes and part of the vibes is the inextricable fact that I watched the Freelancer Saga in 2011-2012 when I was an edgy teen listening to Linkin Park and Fall Out Boy on repeat daily. Just be glad I branched out more than I did 11 years ago for this one.

[anoseforrottenapples]

@honorhearted​

Continued from Here

Mary’s eyes dropped down the shawl Benjamin awkwardly offered her. “Aaah….” Her eyebrows rose slightly. “I was looking for that yesterday. I thought someone had made off with it, or it had somehow gotten mixed up with someone else’s laundry. You say Thomas brought it with him yesterday?” Her frown cleared up quickly. “Oh… oh yes. I sent it with him because it was raining yesterday, but it cleared up before he returned. He must have left it with you on accident.” Ben might be keenly aware that his appearance on this side of the camp was suspicious, but Mary mentally dismissed the notion. It was the middle of the day, and he had not abandoned his duties to come return her shawl so there was little anyone can say. Besides, it was not as if he was returning an incriminating piece of clothes. Shawls were used by most of the women and, unfortunately, often dropped or left behind on accident… especially when they had been borrowed by little ones who did not remember what they needed to return to their mothers. Mary was on the verse of assuring Benjamin that his presence is quite all right, as long as it was not imposing on his meetings with Washington. She should just thank him, and send him back to his side of the camp though. He had said that he was between meetings. She had no desire to hold him up, and make him late to one that was important. Before she could speak, though, the Major revealed his second reason for making the walk to her corner of the camp. "I also heard talk that Thomas' birthday is coming up soon. Is this true?"

A smile blossomed across Mary’s tired features, lighting up her eyes. Talking about her beloved son was always an easy way to bring out her best emotions. “Yes—it’s coming up in a few weeks. It's in April.” She did not give the exact date. While she knew it, exact dates meant little in the camp. Every day bled into another in an endless display of monotony, with precious little to break up the routine or change anything. The Major, however, seemed intent on at least making Thomas’s birthday a bit different. "I will not overstep if it isn't desired, but if I may...? Would you allow me to see that it's special for him? There is so very little joy in this camp for a child, and if you can ask him what he'd like, perhaps I can see to it that he receives it." Though her smile only faded slightly, Mary’s brows pulled together. “I would not want it to be said that special exceptions were made for Thomas. It would only complicate things… especially since he is not the only child in the camp.” The Major’s offer was very generous, however, and she was loath to turn it down… especially since she knew how it would affect the Major. Despite his reputation as a soldier, he could be quite sensitive and shy where Thomas was concerned. She did not want to do anything that might make him feel self-conscious about his paternal fondness for the boy, especially since Thomas valued his company as much as Benjamin did the boy’s.   “Perhaps… if you are free sometime around his birthday, you could take him fishing again? He enjoyed that very much the last time you did it—it was all that he would speak about for nearly two weeks.” Her smile returned in full force. “Though he might beg to allow a few of his friends to go along too. He has two other little boys that he plays with faithfully—the sons of another soldier’s wife.” Mary explained. Benjamin’s affection for Thomas had been noticed on both sides of the camp. The only way Mary felt they could avoid the grumbling that might stem on her side was if Thomas’s influence was used to secure a few other benefits for the children he befriended at least. It did not have to be anything particularly grand, but it would quiet some of the icy remarks about favoritism that occasionally followed her around. In his generosity to his friends, Benjamin did not always stop to consider how his actions looked to those existing outside his circle, and the conclusions that might be drawn from them.

[fightzaynfight]

i go fairly long periods of time not actually looking @ the z°wens tag on here and every time i take a peek in i'm just like

[todayisafridaynight]

[General fic, but Arasawa if you squint. 1990's Arakawa Family (Masumi Arakawa, Masato Arakawa, Jo Sawashiro)]

Masato wants to spend the day at the beach- so Masumi hears from Jo. Nowadays, it seemed as though the only way Masumi could hear from his son with through his second-in-command: if Masato really wanted a nice day by the sea, it seemed only fair to invite their family's courier to the trip.