#cygnus entertainment

[linuxgamenews]

Colossal Cave getting upgrades and further support in 2023

Colossal Cave exploration puzzler game has a new update roadmap and trailer for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. This is all due to the ongoing effort of developer Cygnus Entertainment. Available on Steam with 85% Positive reviews. Sierra On-Line founders Ken and Roberta Williams proudly delivered Colossal Cave to the world on January 19th, 2023. So now they are unveiling a robust roadmap outlining the exciting updates. All are due to come in 2023 and beyond. Take a look at their latest trailer. Which also features praise from some of the most respected figures in the gaming industry.

The new Colossal Cave from Roberta Williams

The ultimate 3D interpretation of the original text adventure game has released multiple patches. Doing so since launch thanks to the welcomed feedback of their loyal community. Cygnus Entertainment plans to continue this support through 2023. While adding quality of life additions throughout the year.

Some stand-out elements of the roadmap include:

Several development updates for Colossal Cave improving quality of life, small bugs, and more

New ports in early Spring for Steam VR are also in the works this spring

Upcoming community-focused efforts include:

Giving back to their adventurers with giveaways. A company culture of direct developer to player communication

Connecting with the Colossal Cave community both online and off. Attending events including Too Many Games. Also the longest running video and board game convention on June 23-25, 2023

Ken and Roberta plan on delving more into the inner workings of Colossal Cave. Due to give their audience a 360 sense of what the game's all about.

Wander into an amazing fantasy realm full of magical beings and endless potential. Trek through miles of underground mazes gleaming with gold and gems awaiting discovery. Solve complex puzzles throughout the Colossal Cave caverns. Collect valuable treasures and mystical items before returning home at the end of an journey. The Colossal Cave fantasy adventure by pioneer developers Ken and Roberta Williams. The exploration puzzler game is available on Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. Priced at $39.99 USD / £33.50 / 38,99€ on Steam. Plus the game is also Steam Deck Verified.

[retrocgads]

UK 1998

[lightning-and-sparks]

Can you share anything about Roland’s wife or anything else you want to share about thorns?

I’m not sure why Roland’s wife is the big talk but fair enough. She’s a Dancinite and they’ve been married 20 years and are still not bored of each other

Anything I’d like to share is a dangerous question 🤭

Some inspiration for Eternyx in thorns was the city from The Crow and I found myself going back to it in my head. Cygnus city is coastal because I live in a coastal city and I’m pretty close to New York and Staten Island vibes are fun.

A lot of the characters made for Thorns are inspired by real people so I hope that makes them feel real and like individuals.

Cygnus was not supposed to come back🧍‍♀️

My favorite part (bc no one asks /j) was the one Wander chapter at the beginning or the London Calling part where it’s like “taking back the Tower.” I did that part during winter break and had a lot of fun freezing my ass off.

Kit Korzo was my favorite character I got to make up and I enjoy every scene he’s in. I’m still working on drawing all of them eventually.

For a rough estimate, I want to say each chapter takes me anywhere from 10-15 hours from the outlining, drafting, rework and edit stages. Scenes are cut and remade to the point I get confused and have to watch what I say.

Thorns has been both my saving grace and torture. Now that I’ve been doing this for a year (unbelievable ugh) I feel like it’s a big part of who I am on here. As much as I love it I really want to branch out and try other things. I’m debating streaming (my friends are being forced to help me) bc idk I’ve always felt like an entertainer and I’d love to get to do that. So hopefully you can get to know me past the fic if you want and see who I really am. Streaming jd may be a challenge but who knows.

As always, asks and DM’s are open and I’ll try my best to get to everything.

[cosmica-galaxy]

I wrote a little thing with Vee and Cygnus! (I hope I’m not too off-base with Vee’s character.) I like your characters a lot and your work was absolutely an influence in making me start writing fics of my own.

(Oh, can I really not put a read-more in a submission? Boo.)

—

“Purpose of visit?” asked the security guard outside the TV Titan’s hangar.

“I’m to deliver an item to engineer Sixteen-Sixty-Eight,” replied the TV-unit ahead of Vee.“Make that two of us,” said Vee, holding up a package that looked very similar to the one being carried by the other TV.

Vee was not displeased to have been called to the Titan’s hangar, but was a little surprised that someone of his calibre was being asked to essentially be a courier. It felt like a waste of his skills. At least he wasn’t alone in this duty.The two TVs didn’t need to announce their serial numbers to the security guard or to each other; their proximity enabled them to perceive each other’s yes-I-live signal, containing their serials and other official designations. 

Ah. The other TV was Fifty-Twenty-Two, officially a diplomat to the other two factions, and well known to be in disgrace as a field agent. Vee wondered if this menial job was a punishment for Twenty-Two - and if so, what had he done to earn the same?

Vee and Twenty-Two signed themselves into the Titan hangar, and accepted the visitor passes handed to them by the security guard (clipping them onto their lapels). As the hangar bulkhead doors opened, the two TVs entered the hangar side by side. They nodded to each other in greeting.

“I like your chevron,” said Twenty-Two. “Very chic. Oh - your serial ends in 5. So that’s a numeral V?”“Thank you. It is indeed,” replied Vee. “In fact, that’s my nickname among friends.”

“I have such a nickname myself. Some call me Cygnus.”

“Like a swan? Why is that; do you hiss?” asked Vee.

“It’s been known. It’s actually for the Twenty-Two in my serial - a friend thought it looked like ‘two little swans’.”

Both TVs turned the corner to enter the main hangar space, and made their way along the network of walkways and gantries to where the engineers were currently clustered. The engineers were evidently mid-break: two of them were sparring on the main walkway at the Titan’s head height, surrounded by the remainder of the crew spectating. The Titan itself observed the duel, evidently entertained by what it saw.Vee and Cygnus approached the cluster of engineers, receiving and parsing the collection of yes-I-live signals, until they located the lead engineer, Sixteen-Sixty-Eight.

“Engineer Sixty-Eight-” began Vee.“Oh, such ill timing,” said the engineer. “This match was just getting good. Thank you for bringing these.” 

Engineer Sixty-Eight accepted the offered packages from Vee and Cygnus, nodding to each TV in turn.  

Vee and Cygnus watched the combatants to see what Sixty-Eight meant by the fight ‘getting good’. …It might have been good by the engineers’ standards, but the two agents (one current, one former) were underwhelmed. The engineers’ steps shuffled rather than danced confidently, and their blade strikes were hesitant, almost shy. They’d be able to take out a surprised and unarmed skibidi, to be sure, but both Vee and Cygnus felt that a TV really ought to be able to do better than that. 

Vee noticed Cygnus’s blades twitch and ever so slightly protrude, as if spoiling for a fight, before Cygnus reeled them back in. (“As a diplomat, you really should conceal your disdain better than that,” thought Vee.)

Eventually, one of the engineers triumphed over the other, moving their blade in past the other TV’s failed block. “Do you yield?” asked the victorious engineer.“I yield,” said the defeated one. Both combatants stood and retracted their blades, before fist-bumping in recognition of each other’s skills. The Titan punched one fist into its other hand’s palm in appreciation (gently, to not overwhelm its tiny comrades with the sound).

“The Titan enjoys watching us spar,” explained engineer Sixty-Eight to Vee and Cygnus.“I do indeed,” interjected the Titan. “It’s something I can’t participate in any more, but I can still enjoy vicariously.”

“We’ve time for one more match before we really must get back to work,” said Sixty-Eight. “Could I play the winner?” asked Cygnus. Cygnus was evidently raring to show these nerds how it was done, Vee thought.“Bring it on!” said the engineer who had won the previous match. “I was getting bored from the lack of challenge.”Cygnus and the engineer (Twenty-Four-Fifty-Six, specializing in the Titan’s electrical systems, according to their yes-I-live signal) stepped forward from the ringed crowd into the fighting space. 

The two TVs performed the ritualized motion of 'introducing’ their blades – bringing them together until they were almost touching, then pulling them back slowly and smoothly – before stepping back and assuming combat stance.It was barely a contest - Cygnus all but danced rings around the electrical engineer, provoking a chorus of admiring static buzzes from all spectators. Even Vee was surprised by how caught up he found himself in watching the action.

“Do you yield?” Cygnus inevitably asked.“Gladly! I yield,” replied the engineer, displaying an amused emoticon - evidently glad to have met their match.

“We’d better be on our way,” said Vee to Cygnus, once the outcry of appreciative static noises had died down. 

“We shouldn’t keep these engineers any longer.”“Oh, but Five, do you really not have time?” asked the Titan. “It’s not often I get two agents in my hangar at the same time. I would like to see you and Twenty-Two spar.”

Vee noticed Cygnus’s screen light up with excited white noise. (“Oh, you don’t know what you’re getting into, do you?” thought Vee.) “Who am I to turn down a request from the Titan?” said Vee. “Twenty-Two, do you accept?”

“Absolutely,” said Cygnus. “Let’s duel.” 

The two TVs took their positions and deployed their blades to perform the ritual of 'introduction’. To Cygnus’s surprise, Vee’s blade emerged from the back of his wrist, rather than the inside.

“Oh - you have a uncommon type of blade housing,” commented Cygnus. “I’ve never sparred with anyone with that model. I welcome the challenge.”

The two TVs faced each other in combat stance, then began. Vee moved unhesitatingly, slicing through the air at Cygnus and pulling their blade just short of what would have been a debilitating blow in a real fight.

“You weren’t ready, were you?” Vee graciously gave Cygnus an out.“…No, I wasn’t,” replied Cygnus. (Vee slightly hoped the diplomat appreciated his action.) “Well, now you’re all warmed up,” said Vee, returning to combat-ready stance. “Show me what you’ve got.”

Cygnus fought hard and well, but Vee fought harder and better still, thrusting and parrying as though this was what he was born to do. The engineers watched in rapt delight, making static buzzes of appreciation often.

“Do you yield?” asked Vee, their blade held just short of the strike that would have ended a real fight.“I yield,” conceded Cygnus. “Beautifully fought, Five.” Cygnus accepted Vee’s offered hand to get back on their feet, and the two TVs shared a fist-bump.

“Maybe you could even take on Palindrome,” said one of the engineers (Fifty-One-Seventy-Four, specialising in the Titan’s coolant systems, according to their yes-I-live signal).

“Who or what is that?” asked Cygnus.

“That would be me,” said another engineer. Their yes-I-live signal showed their serial to be Ninety-Seven-Seventy-Nine, making their nickname’s meaning obvious.

“We mustn’t keep you,” said Vee. “Sixty-Eight already said there was time for one more match, and that was two matches ago.”

“…I’ll allow it,” said Sixty-Eight. “We’re ahead of schedule enough, and we rarely get to see Palindrome in action.”

Both Vee and Cygnus wondered just how much of a challenge this Palindrome could be - the other engineers had seemed amateurish enough.“Alright,” said Palindrome. 

“I’m a busy engineer, so I’ll spar both of you at the same time.”

“That’s…” Cygnus began, unsure how to finish the sentence.“…Supremely confident of you,” Vee finished.

“No, merely self-aware.”The three TVs performed the ritual of introduction - Vee and Cygnus both looking at Palindrome’s blades to see if there was anything unusual about them that might give the engineer an advantage. Nothing that they could see.Vee moved with precision and was shocked when Palindrome parried his move almost as hard as his initial attack. Cygnus had even less success, forced to go on the defensive and becoming less and less able to even try to get a hit in. 

Even with two against one, Palindrome ran rings around both agents. 

“Do you yield?” asked Palindrome, a blade poised at both Vee and Cygnus.“…I yield,” Cygnus said.“As do I,” added Vee.

“That was… certainly something.” (The Titan clapped softly in appreciation.)“Best of five?” suggested Palindrome. “I’ll even give you two points each to start.”

“I… think you’ve already made your point,” said Cygnus.“I quite agree,” said Vee. “We’ve taken up a lot of your time as it is. But thank you very much for the opportunity.”

The two visiting TVs said their goodbyes to the engineers and the Titan, before moving to exit the hangar. They wordlessly transmitted a question to each other - just what had that engineer Palindrome trained in before becoming an engineer?

–

AKAJSJKDJFKKHJKJ! LENSMAN!! THIS IS FUCKING AMAZING!!!THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUCH A TASTY TREAT!!! *SHOVES THIS WHOLE POST INTO MY MOUTH*

[amphiptere-art]

Remember asks are open.

RBB. travels of the cube.

This ask series has been modified slightly. It is now simply a collection of sporadic travel events with a couple of asks afterwards or perhaps before to flush out the in-between. The current event is stop ya silly siren. Where after Blue Moon was saved from drowning in the sea has now latched onto the main mast terrified. Captain Eclipse and Sun were able to figure out a way to calm down Blue Moon and allow him to help by being their wind. You're currently going down into the ship with the mysterious navigator moon.

Cruel copy.

This is a Lord Moon world. Where everyone has technically die but been brought back from the dead without their memories. Or at least fragmented memories. Causing confusion and stress. The latest events that happened were Wizard went with gladiator to return werewolf to Butler by going to Witch. Gladiator left soon after while Wizard stayed behind and tried to talk with Butler. The conversation was going okay before it wasn't and Wizard left. Butler is now having a crisis.

Empty cup ask

This is the world of Honey and Cider. A Lord Lunar universe with the added twist that the servant eclipse isn't pretending. They are very much sentient but are very broken due to trauma. The wither storm has dragged you into the fray because he is bored. Right now everyone is attempting to figure out how to entertain honey and cider. While also entertaining the guests that the void has dragged in. The current guests being a pod of Mers.

Blue Moon and black star show

This is the main storyline ask Tumblr. And is the only Tumblr where I might be selective with asks, and will update with actual written story.

This takes place sometime in the future. Approximately probably about a week after RBB-earth finally came to the daycare. You can ask all characters in red blue and black. Although I'm going to mainly focus on Black Star Blue Moon and RBB Earth. Currently you guys have convinced a black star to leave and try and get help. Blue Moon has been talking to some of the asker's about their new strange behavior.

Sulky star cluster

This has reblog conversations. Which makes it so that character in that conversation is unavailable for asks. Although they will have conversations as long as it is set up properly.

This is a star holder Glam Rock Freddy world that has been taken over by black Star. Who has made it a refuge for Eclipses. There is the ones black Star directly took into the Plex, and then others who came along and set up a city outside of the Plex. Currently Cygnus is talking about repairs in a reblog conversation. Rigel is getting his bike repaired with sundown eclipse and those that live with him. Antares is at the library with Honey, Cider, and chapter trying to enjoy himself.

Stardust arcade

Completely unattached to tsams. It is a unique cast of characters trying to figure out how to be nice to everyone. The world is split between new AI and old AI. Robot rights have just started to get settled. But the new AI are making it a struggle for the old AI. Making it a struggle of verses with only you asker's and blood moon the therapist in works.

Ask the amph greater universe.

This also includes all role plays I make. Meaning that reblog conversations happen more often.

I decided to change up this thing to just be a general area to ask any of my characters. Whether they be DCA, Tsams, or fantasy. This is a place for you to ask whoever you want in an environment where they are in their universe. There's nothing to update because I just made this. This ask blog is not timeline sensitive. hopefully. I do like to consider the asks before. This ask blog can also be crossover sensitive. Meaning that to some extent, All crossovers are cannon within this ask blog.

In many of my asks your physical. The only difference is that in most it is your avatar, while an RBB it is the cube.

Also I will note some of these asks blogs are semi-story. Meaning that the previous ask is taken into consideration. This includes RBB-TfTC, CC, Empty cup, And maybe atAGU. There's only one ask blog that is selective. That being BS&BM ask. And that's mostly for a plot purposes.

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

Hello! I hope you've having a great day. Thanks a lot for updating When Harry Met Tom. I almost lost hope for that fic and was pleasantly surprised after seeing the update notification. It's the first and my most favourite fic by you. I first read it years ago when I was new in the HP fandom. You're still my favourite author after all these years, I'll let you know.

(But, well, your characters and metas influenced my opinions of the HP world a lot. So you can imagine how my discussions with normal fandom people turned out. And it's all your fault, you mad woman.)

That being said, your and Vinelle's Amulette d'amour is shaping up to be my second most favourite young TMR-era fic. I love how you two have made Alphard an actual person. Cygnus is a delightful terror. And Tom's meanness probably entertains me far too much than it should. So I'm afraid to ask, it's not abandoned, is it?

Hey anon, glad you enjoy the fics so much after all this time!

And nope, neither fic is abandoned.

Look, @therealvinelle, praise!

[ask-the-amph-greater-universe]

Fantastic idea: Vescor is Infero’s comfort big guy. So she’s gonna finds out about the Cluster. And she’s just gonna pop in and say hi. Knowing damn well how much most Eclipses hate Montys. She is doing this for her own entertainment.

Big frantic no. Black Star is definitely very against it. The others definitely snarl and gripe. There isn't a lot of good things with Monty's. Their attitudes just don't mix. Rigel being the less inoffensive because of just his world line. Antares hates her. Cygnus is grumpy. But this entire time. Black Star is probably in the most sternest voice they have ever heard. Saying no no no! He is practically attempting to shove vescor out of the Plex and into the town. Telling them very sternly the inferos already got the group all grippy. He's already got a ton of stupid dimensional mishaps. He doesn't need another. She can bother the eclipses in the city. There's plenty there. Please don't mess with there friends.

[izzythehutt]

Hello! I just wanted to say that I really love In the Black and Black Mask! I adore your take on the Black family because to me it makes so much more sense than the usual Walburga and Orion casually Crucio-ing Sirius at every mistake take. I really enjoy seeing how history tends to repeat itself in terms of familial relationships, because it's something I see often on families. Also most of their relationships with one another are complicated, and never clear cut.

I loved the most recent chapter, it was honestly hilarious. Ted is absolutely the hero of this chapter, he's the only sane man there and I love how he takes the Blacks being well... The Blacks, in stride. Also Dora just latching onto Cygnus was wonderful and him getting offended when Dora said "but I thought you didn't like us?" was so funny. Seeing Walburga break down was so painful, I think in part because she always appears as strong. Sirius calling her Mama and then hugging her was so wholesome. Also, his 'Reason You Suck' speech to Arcturus had me gasping with both awe and horror in real life because all of these characters are so alive they feel like actual people. Your dialogues are absolutely brilliant, and so much of their personalities shine through from how they speak and react to things.

Also I absolutely love Colette, she's definitely someone who keeps Sirius grounded. Her touching his wrist and telling him to speak to James was so intimate, it felt much more intimate than a spicy smut things or things like that. It reminds me of Pride and Prejudice where there's not actually much PDA going on, but it's infinitely more romantic to me because you can feel the affection between these two people. Also, Colette just shamelessly kissing Sirius in front of everyone (including her own parents!) and calling him darling got me grinning.

I'm excited to see how her parents will react (her mother in particular), because Fabienne (I'm sorry I can't remember her mother's name) strikes me as not having much hope for Colette as long as she marries a respectable pure-blood wizard because she set her sights on Rabastan who is a second son, thus unlikely to inherit, instead of someone like Evan Rosier who is already the head of the family. But then Colette went and snagged the heir to one of the most powerful families in Britain.

I'm sorry for the long comments. Kudos <3

This is a very sweet comment! Thank you!

To be compared with Austen is so flattering, because tbh she is a major inspiration to me in general as a writer and storyteller and in particular for this story. I was re-reading a section of the story and realized that I had flat out stolen phrases from Austen/Austen adaptations (1995 P&P in particular.) Sorry, Jane!

Sirius's rant to Arcturus was peak Reasons You Suck speech, good use of the trope.

I'm glad you enjoy my interpretation, I find it far more interesting (and frankly, fun) than the popular fanon portrayals of over the top abuse and crucio-ing etc.

It's become a bit of a sticking point for me, because I've been accused directly/publicly of putting the blame for the dysfunctional family relationships on Sirius/white-washing abuse more than once. Which I resent, a bit—I don't think I've ever presented the Black parents as healthy or good (though they are entertaining in their problematic manipulativeness at times and I can't deny that I do occasionally play that for laughs.) What I've tried to show (with mixed success, clearly) is that Sirius's coping mechanisms are the product of their bad parenting and don't actually make him a happy/healthy person because he still loves his family, in spite of them being objectively awful. Which I think is probably relatable to many humans on the planet? There's a desire for a relationship with our parents.

As it's a version of characters who never appeared in canon, I would call my softening of them "alternative character interpretation", though I will maintain until the end of time that there's nothing in BSDU characterization directly contradicted by canon.

[star-named-riddle]

(it's over 1k, I told you I was dropping the microfic bit)

Day 3 - Birthday

He despised his birthday, she knew that much. He had know hers from the beginning, even before she had joined his ranks, proud that Cygnus was of his eldest daughter. So proud he had made a point of mentioning it to Lord Voldemort that first year she had been out of Hogwarts.

So proud he had invited the Dark Lord himself to their dinner party for the second year she was home to celebrate it.

By then, she had begun her studies under him, but his birthday remained a mystery to her. It had taken her years to figure it out.

She knew how old he was, she had deduced his exact age from the gap between her father and him at school. She figured he had been born later in the year, like her, otherwise he would have been a year more above her father at Hogwarts. But month and day eluded her still.

Men like Abraxas, who had shared a dorm with Lord Voldemort, were either far too loyal or far too scared to share the information.

Bellatrix huffed at the thought of her conversation with Abraxas. The man had been positively cryptic about the matter. She had dared and tried to pry into his mind to collect whatever memories his reminiscing stirred up. She had found herself on the harsh end of an ice blue glare.

“You’re good, but not that good, Bella.”

She had not apologised.

“Why do you want to know? Drop the matter, it’s of no use to you.”

Bellatrix had bit her tongue inside her mouth at that. What was she supposed to tell him? That she wanted to give their master a birthday present? That she wanted to wear pretty underwear for her lover to peel off of her on that night?

She had even entertained the thought of tracking down the records from the orphanage where Lord Voldemort had lived as a child, and quickly found the error in her ways as she found the place to be not only a ruin, but also one owned by Lord Voldemort himself.

Who had found her self-appointed mission funny for a little while. He teased her mercilessly about it, going so far as to whisper a taunt in her ear as he placed his own birthday gift around her neck during her last birthday.

“Pity you can’t wish me happy birthday on the actual day, Bella.”

He had kissed that spot behind her right ear that they both loved, but the sting of the taunt had not diminished. His smile on the mirror had been positively wicked. And he had laughed at her attempted glare.

She had finagled his zodiac sign out of him after weeks of trying. She amused him with her perseverance on the matter. And she was well aware that he had given it to her as a boon. She had uncovered important information concerning the Aurors, and her master had seen it fit to reward her.

The problem was that being a Capricorn born in 1926 left her with ten possible birthdays.

She had been inclined to think him a child of the solstice. She was, after all, a child of the equinox, and to think them so compatible, meant for one another by the stars themselves, fed her ego in a way she was unlikely to admit.

He had chuckled, deep in his chest, once he found the thought in her mind.

He wasn’t born on Christmas either. She had tried that last year. She had given him a small box as she sat down on his desk, feet dangling off the floor, and a coy smile on the corner of her mouth.

“We don’t usually exchange gifts, Bella.”

“It’s not a Christmas gift, my Lord.”

He had toyed with the box then, turning it between his long fingers, appreciating the anticipation painted across her face.

“It’s not my birthday, you rotten creature,” he had said, his playful tone alone making up for her disappointment.

Still, she had turned twenty-five last September, and her self-appointed mission had been going on for three years. Which was two years and eleven months longer than she had planned for it to be.

She had three possibilities remaining. The 23rd, the 27th and New Year’s Eve. And judging from his sour mood on every December 31st she had been near him, she was willing to bet that was his birthday.

He did despise it, she knew that much. He had never celebrated it in school, Abraxas had told her. Her father had mentioned they were mostly absent on the day, given it was during Yule. Most of his schoolmates were home celebrating with their families, some overseas even, while Lord Voldemort remained at Hogwarts, alone. Cygnus had never seen anyone wish him a happy birthday, even a belated one after the school break.

Bellatrix did not know why her master disliked his own birthday so. Or why his mood seemed to be appeased every time it was clearly established that the dinner parties were about the New Year. And not himself.

She had thrown dinner parties over the last three years during those suspicious ten days. Never on Christmas, which was spent at Black Manor or Grimmauld Place, and never on New Year’s Eve, which was traditionally spent at Malfoy Manor ever since she could remember. And over those dinner parties, there would always come a moment when she was alone with Lord Voldemort in some corner of the room. Every time, he had smiled down upon her and whispered “not today”.

She had considered throwing such dinner parties on the 23rd and on the 27th, but those days had ruled themselves out this year.

She had gone Muggle hunting on the 23rd, so that she would have targets for a new spell Lord Voldemort meant to teach her. She had daringly remarked that maybe she ought to put bows on her newly acquired test subjects, and he had laughed wholeheartedly.

“First and foremost, it is not my birthday, Bella. Second, should you ever gift me Muggles still breathing, not mangled, and not a piece of information to make up their lack of worth to show for it, I’ll be sure to let you know the extent of my disappointment.”

Bella laughed in response, and made sure every single Muggle met a gruesome end during her lessons.

On the 27th there had been a dinner party at the Selwyn’s. She had worn a deep green dress that clung to her shape, and dainty underwear. The Selwyn family kept a zoo of sorts, one they liked to offer a tour of every year, showcasing the new beasts they had bred or purchased. Bellatrix had plans for herself, her master, and the hour the tour would last. She had not hidden his gift in her garter, though, as she was mostly sure of his birthday then.

Still, he had taken his time appraising her clad in nothing but underwear. His fingers traveled over the silver embellishments on it, steadying over the silk bow that closed her bra at the front.

“Is this your idea of a birthday present, Bella?”

“It’s not your birthday, my Lord, is it?” she had replied, confident on the answer to that question.

He had answered her by pulling the bow undone, and taking her against the wall.

Today was different. It was the 31st, and it was his birthday. He would be moody upon his arrival at Malfoy Manor, and she would make sure to lift his spirits before midnight.

She tucked his gift in her garter.

Also on AO3

[dxsole]

‘ good morning, adults! ’ (anna to any and all columbary peeps around her lol)

🌞 GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE! | Not Accepting.

There's a collective groan from the Columbary agents currently splayed on the community couch— specifically Cygnus, Pavo, and Apus.

"Aquila's not here." Pavo mutters out— it's not so much that he didn't like Anna, but he was probably the only one still skeptical about her presence. Then again, he didn't trust easily, which is a good trait for an assassin to have. Regardless of his very good point of not entertaining a civilian at their headquarters, Apus places her entire hand on his face, pushing him and his scowl away. "Ignore him. He's cranky." She croaks out.

"—We're sooo hungover Anna." Cygnus chimes, voice cracking and so utterly pitiful it sounded like he might burst into tears. He chances lowering his sunglasses to get a better look at her before letting out a choked sob. "The sun is so bright!"

"Shut up Cygnus, you're so fucking loud—"

"—Ambos son putas!"

[linuxgamenews]

Colossal Cave re-imagined into native support

Colossal Cave point and click adventure game launches on Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. This is also the result of the work from developer Cygnus Entertainment. Which is available now via Steam. Colossal Cave is the key 3D version of the original text adventure. Along with Linux support, thanks to a developer comment on Steam earlier this month.

We have the Linux steam deck version going. I'm not sure if that same version will run on a normal linux computer.

The Unity based game also shows Linux support via SteamDB. Which is far better than the dev's earlier statement about following wishlist support. Kudos to Cygnus Entertainment for making it happen. Infinite wonders await in Colossal Cave. Well, at least for those seeking true adventure. Doing so in a winding maze of underground caves. Storybook beasts coming to life as living creatures, ready to be life long friends or foes. Complete complex puzzles while wondering through massive caves full of various dangers and unique treasures.

Colossal Cave Launch Date Reveal Trailer

Collect every item and explore deep into the cavern before venturing home after a fine quest. Colossal Cave empowers heroines and heroes to adopt the same bold spirit as the original title. Due to bridge the gap between two generations of eager adventurers. Iconic developers Sierra On-Line founders Ken and Roberta Williams’ are back with a new company, Cygnus Entertainment. They are also ready to create more amazing projects like the seminal classics. Also including a class of 2020 Video Game Hall of Fame recipient, King’s Quest. As well as Space Quest, Phantasmagoria, and many others. The duo were awarded the Pioneer Award at the GDC 2020. Along with the Industry Icon award at The Game Awards in 2014. They continue their legacy and build a new dynasty, with Colossal Cave as the hopeful beginning. Colossal Cave point and click adventure game is available on Steam. Priced at $39.99 USD / £34.99 / 39,99€. Including support for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC.

[frogtax]

Cedric Babineaux // Cavalier Odile, Cygnus

ANOTHER former-antagonist from our demon: the descent game - in current day hes gone through a lot of changes, from what demon lives in his soul to his demonic title, but originally he was an infiltrator working for Paradise Entertainment and the angels within the organization 🦢

[sulky-star-cluster]

To be fair, I'm pretty sure Cygnus' damage is largely related to Bloodmoon mauling him… so the hatred is kind of justified? Parasites is a strong word though. Atlas and Citrus may come with Bloodmoons. The two are smart, but their Bloodmoon are the "protectors" of the family. So there is a high chance one of the twins will come with them while the other stays with their lunars. Hopefully Rogue since he is into gardening and could handle getting the blood substitution plants situated. And it would definitely be better to have the plants and not need them than a hungry Bloodmoon trying to eat someone's cat. And Black Star is entertaining Rigel I think.

Cygnus: Exactly.

Antares: It still doesn't mean that every blood moon is like the one that tore you to shreds. And even at that. That damage isn't from Blood Moon.

Cygnus: I don't care if it isn't from blood moon! Sun was a lucky ass who got to be repaired! Meanwhile I was ripped apart by a spell and left in the woods!

Glam Freddy: That sounds traumatic.

Cygnus: Apparently being busted by a laser is more traumatic.

Antares: I don't think it's the death that's more traumatic, but the experience is before and after it.

Cygnus: Whatever. These blood moons that come by better leave me alone.

Antares: I'm sure they will. But if you want to get help from these repairmen I would lighten your mood about it.

Cygnus: *grumble*

Glam Freddy: Well it this blood moon need help planting these flowers, I will help wherever I can. I want these new visitors to feel safe.

Antares: Agreed. Even if some of us have more sour attitudes, This place is a restart. We shouldn't be judging.

Cygnus: Agh! I hate your hundred years lord logic.

Antares: Well at least we're finally here back in the daycare.

Glam Freddy: It appears your friend has fallen asleep.

Cygnus: Apparently.

[unravellingsilencehq]

“Oh, Merlin, tell me, does THE SCALES get what she deserves?” She is NEUTRAL & CLOSED to finding out.“

— she walks through the world as ;

name → andromeda black pronouns → she/her identification → cis female year of birth →  september 1957 - september 1958 face claim → emma mackey blood status → pure-blood  sexual orientation → graysexual occupation → defence barrister at the department of magical law enforcement at the ministry of magic future information → member of the order of the phoenix, wife of edward tonks, mother of nymphadora tonks

— she is best described as ;

A GOOD BOOK you curl up with on a RAINY DAY. She is a FAMILIAR FACE in a large crowd & the GENTLE SQUEEZE from a SATIN GLOVED HAND. She is as SOFT as a FUR SHAWL & as GRACEFUL as a SWAN. Her voice is filled with WISDOM & MONEY, her body has experienced LUXURY, yet her eyes sting with the INJUSTICE she longs to fight.

— her story starts with ;

tw: death

A kind hearted woman Andromeda Black is considered by those who know her well to have a pure soul, though many people outside her circle are often too overwhelmed by the idea of her very famous family to even give her a chance to show it. The middle daughter of CYGNUS BLACK [father] and his wife DRUELLA BLACK [mother], Andromeda was raised at Brideswater Manor in the Hertfordshire countryside, cloaked by magic and woodland to shield them from the eyes of muggles. The house always felt somewhat empty to Andromeda, though filled with heirlooms and trinkets she could hear their voices echo. Her mother had never felt like a natural one to Andromeda, who always seemed as though she’d rather have had dolls rather than children she had to attempt to control. Her eldest sister BELLATRIX BLACK [sibling] was wild and the majority of her childhood felt like raised voices across the dining room as Bellatrix desperately tried to impress their father with grand statements and facts about their world, whilst their mother rolled her eyes and once again reminded her of her manners. With this great power struggle going on, Andromeda was able to fly under the radar, content with a book and to do as she was told much to the delight of her mother. 

Dutiful and quiet, she only caused her mother headaches when she reached her years beyond school, but in her earlier years she was her hand. Able to plait the long silver hair of her youngest sister NARCISSA BLACK [sibling] and entertain her older sister or the children they invited round their home with conversation she didn’t much care for but did to keep the volume down at parties. She spoke when she was spoken to and rarely had an opinion that passed her lips, just the way Druella wanted it. But what Andromeda did instead was listen, whilst Naricssa longed to impress people with her beauty and Bellatrix with her mind, Andromeda sat and watched. Noticed the things people commended and the things that wrinkled their noses. People in her world of The Sacred Twenty-Eight were only interested in hearing their own opinions repeated back to them, whilst her father’s friends at The Ministry of Magic, had grand ideas about building a more equal world, she watched her parents smile and nod about when she knew they couldn’t think of anything more awful, but unlike her elder sister, the pair had a very good poker face. 

Arriving at school after Bellatrix and her cousin EVAN ROSIER [cousin] were leaving, Andromeda was given a place in Slytherin. She liked to believe it was her intelligence and determination that had gained her a spot in Slytherin, but her sorting seemed to be both a blessing and a curse, as the people she’d known her whole life embraced her, and new faces didn’t want to get to know her. Although her family had quite strict ideas regarding blood purity, which Bellatrix had very publicly aired, Andromeda had never truly felt convinced.The idea her family was any better than any other magical families due to their lack of muggle blood. She was of the opinion that blood and money meant nothing and it was one's mind and desire to embrace and make a change that truly made the measure of a person. Andromeda believed that deep down her family were those sorts of people. Her mother was a beautiful and kind witch that was truly loved by their community, whilst her father had a brilliant mind and had done such good in his work at Wizengamot. Andromeda told herself their opinions were outdated and signified the time they were born into rather than the world today, and that a lot of the people she associated with were simply symptoms of that very issue. 

It was her duty and her wish to slowly change their mind and she did it by surrounding herself with people she thought she could potentially have common ground with. ADRASTEIA GREENGRASS [best friend/housemate] was from a similar background to Andromeda, from a Sacred Twenty-Eight family and with a mother who worked in Wizengamot with Andromeda’s father. She was the only person in Andromeda’s world that she felt comfortable chatting theories and speaking about law with who knew what it was like to be from the social standing that everyone hated. Her friends ROSALIE FLINT [close friend] was also from The Sacred Twenty-Eight and had designs on great love and being married whatever that meant, whilst LUCINDA TALKALOT [close friend] was not from a Sacred Twenty-Eight family, but a long established and respected one, who had dreams of becoming Quidditch Captain and living independently where her parents could no longer control her. There they were, the rebellious Slytherin girls hiding in plain sight where no one could notice them and their grand plans. But it was hard to show any rebellion in front of Narcissa and her friends, so relationships like her friendship with muggle-born EDWARD TONKS [close friend/potential love interest] had to be kept a secret, something which AMELIA BONES [person of interest/former rival], was more than too happy to point out. 

Graduating a prefect, a member of slug club and narrowly missing out on Head Girl, Andromeda was focused on what she would throw her weight behind. Despite her mother’s complaints that yet another daughter would not be joining the marriage market, Andromeda accepted a position in Wizengamot as an associate of defence barrister RODOLPHUS LESTRANGE [close friend/potential love interest]. Andromeda at first found him a cold man, who more than likely thought she had gotten her job through nepotism rather than having deserved it, but the more cases she worked on the more Andromeda proved her worth and the two formed a bond. She felt like his right hand and by the time they had taken the SILAS CRUMP [former client] case, she’d become his right hand. Losing his case was gutting to Andromeda; she had longed to see him walk free and had always been determined he was innocent of the slaying of BOOKER BAGNOLD [person of interest]. Her suspicions were further heightened when MASON TREMBLAY [person of interest] was convicted of the murder of Amelia Bones and was plastered in the press as Silas’ lover, which Andromeda knew to be false as he had a wife and child. 

Something felt wrong to Andromeda and she was determined to figure out what it was. Between cases Andromeda began travelling Europe in search of his wife KAMALI SKANDER [person of interest] or his daughter CORIN HALE [person of interest] in the hope she could at the very least disprove The Daily Prophet article and clear his name. To her surprise, Rodolphus did not seem to be as interested in challenging their client’s verdict as she was, something that was certainly uncommon as Rodolphus had always played to win. Andromeda knew that Rodolphus knew he was innocent and after graduating from his services and becoming a barrister in her own right, she began looking into Silas’ case without mentioning it to her former boss. Although Andromeda would love to focus on Silas, another case has become her focus. A young werewolf named JONATHAN REEVES [client] has sought Andromeda out to help build his defence after the disappearance of Andromeda’s close friend Rosalie. Although a cold case, Andromeda has noticed mentions of Rosalie as the three year mark comes closer. Wanting the case to be taken seriously by the Aurors, Jonathan is willing to work with them to find the person who hurt Rosalie, but is concious that when a young witch goes missing, the first finger pointed is always at the boyfriend.

— she is a LEVEL 6 WITCH & readied for war ;

[patrickoharaandco]

Cygnus Dolohov was nearing 40, successful, head of a business empire yet he was bored. He needed entertainment. So now he stood outside the upmarket restaurant and waited for his date: Lia, a young woman he'd arranged to meet from a sugar baby website. He'd been clear in his needs and desires from the outset. If she met those needs then he'd give her a very generous allowance to spend as lavishly as she needed.

The man smiled in recognition as a very attractive young woman approached him, matching the images from the site.

@thechiyonosakenyc

[daja-the-hypnokitten]

Jukebox reviews part 36! For context, see my post “A Project” under this same tag. If you want to see a full list of his EMCSA stories, they can be found here, sorted alphabetically.And if you want to see some of his drabbles, check out his blog at @jukeboxemcsa

King Pleasure Time

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7/8/2017                                       mc ma

I'd say this isn't how humans work, but then, "I can haz cheezburger" was a thing for *ages* so maybe it IS how humans work, just on a different scale. While we do see how Caitlin is effected by the brainwashing here, it just ... isn't in a spectrum that speaks to me? There's absolutely nothing I *dislike* here, just nothing that I find particularly to my personal erotica tastes. But if you're the sort to enjoy someone's opinion on a thing being changed by regular exposure to other people treating using one as just normal, of seeing snippets of a world that's changing by something "off-screen"? Give this one a go. 6/10 spirals. 

 Just Dumb

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7/15/2017                                     mc mf md

If ever I needed evidence that Jukebox is not as big of a Rush fan as LadyR, this story sure provides it. (If you're dropping astrophysics/astronomy that 99% of your audience is just going to take as "ah, that's ... some sort of thing in space?" and you don't go for HDE 226868/Cygnus X-1, I can make the not-at-all shocking conclusion that you aren't a Rush fan). Off of the topic of me being both a bit of an astronomy nerd (though I did need to look up the binary system Jukebox named, I only just dabble really) and having an ever growing love of Rush, well. This story feels perfectly grounded in something that could have happened at any hypnocon I've been to. It's lovely and sweet and hot in all the right ways. Though now I want to send Eden to a class on bimbo play so she can both be reassured that plenty of smart, clever folk enjoy the temporary reprieve from *having* to be smart and also learn the language she needs to express what she wants to other potential partners. 9/10 spirals. 

 Even the Stars Fall 4 U

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7/22/2017                                     mc mf ff fd

Another story with 4U, a heavily-brainwashed human. I still want to see how she got quite so thoroughly conditioned. And to learn more about these Masters. And just *everything* about this world. The constant narration of 4U, even as she talks about how perfectly she assumes a different role/persona is ... jarring, a little, though it *works* in the flow of the story. I just want more of the how and why. Especially in this story, where the conditioning of someone else is more a tag at the end than anything. 7/10 spirals. 

 Girls With Guns (Jukebox)

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7/29/2017                                     mc mf fd rb

Oh, this is an interesting one, and I'm left with more questions than answers about the Girls(tm), though I suppose that isnt' really the point of this story, though I'm sure the epilogue will have Implications. I ... am extremely put off by Ethan, by his posturing and aggression and just all of it - I've been on the receiving end of enough aggression from men who were just enough like Ethan, and have friends who have been hurt even *more* by men who reacted to discomfort with violence that I just ... I can't. I know what JB's going for here, and I"m sure it'll be cathartic for some folk, and just plain hot for others, but for me it just isn't. 3/10 spirals. 

 Head Games

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8/5/2017                                       mc mf fd

Ian, this is why I have a board game carrying backpack. Look into them, they're worth the investment. Also, Madison's place sounds like the house of a SCAdian Duchess I know... ANYWAY. I *love* the name Brian Shaw for a game company, A+ on cleverness there, Jukebox, and the game sounds like one that would be entertaining to throw together for a switch fight type game at a con sometime. And I appreciate Madison checking in before doing any sex-things, especially given we already had Ian's thoughts about caring so much about not being a creep making assumptions. it makes this all work, mostly, for all the consent could be better. I love the sense of how Ian's getting more and more caught by the game, too. 9/10 spirals 

 P. T. A.

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8/12/2017                                     mc mf ff md

Nope, I've known too many military wives - mothers! - over the years to not connect this to those folk, parents of friends, wives of my parents' coworkers... NOPE. I'm just not doing this >.> My brain is sometimes too good at connecting unrelated things 

 Opal Mantra

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8/19/2017                                     mc ff

Oh hey, it's the hypnotic opal ring back!  We get to see Piper and her unnamed Mistress from "Doesn't Really Matter" (and wasn't that rather a number of stories ago, it was posted almost 2 full years before this story was!) as they get inside an unsuspecting traveler's head. This one's in 2nd person narration, which is a little trippy given just how hypnotic opals are - there's a reason one of my partners gifted me an opal necklace for Christmas last year, the fire of it just catches the eye... *anyway.*  If you're like me and have a pre-existing association with opals being hypnotic, the 2nd person narration may, um, have an Effect (tm). But it's a good story over all. 8/10 spirals. 

 Up All Night

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8/26/2017                                     mc mf md

The step-by-step process here is fun to see, even if I tend to prefer less disjointed steps myself. "Some of it was things she knew even before he told her" is just such a good line, and the way she seems completely oblivious to the changes being induced before that line is so good. Even if Dylan is rather taking a lot of advantage. But having had those "I have to get this sewing done" nights, even if it wasn't for a grade, I wish I'd had someone to make my hands go on autopilot! (also between this story and Head Games, gosh, I'm getting the itch to do more sewing. Thanks, Jukebox, I think? :P I do have some linen waiting for me to get around to washing and ironing it...) 8/10 spirals 

 More Than a Feeling

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9/2/2017                                       mc ff cb

This is sweet in a slightly twisted way. Like, it completely goes against my view of the universe entirely, the idea that the universe could want to pair anyone like this, but still. Accepting that the world of Jukebox's superheroes and villains operates on a different logic than the world I know, sure, ok, I can work with it. The reality of a power cutting both ways is so good here, and I enjoy the reality of Ursula's instincts warring against Epiphany's mystical instincts. It's a lovely story, however Dilettante tries to warp things. 8/10 spirals. 

 Notepad

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9/9/2017                                       mc mf md

Sneaky sneaky, Kevin. Poor Sandy, getting caught up in that, though hopefully it can be happy for her. And the fact that seh's woken herself up before helps me believe her subconscious will still keep her safe; that said, I have Opinions(tm) about suggestions to trust a hypnotist. Trust should be earned, not taken like that. Still, the suggestions otherwise are HOT, and the concept of the words spilling onto the page and into her mind is. um. *yes.* Also something I've done and very much enjoyed before. 9/10 spirals.