#free fire new update full details

[matan4il]

Daily update post:

The IDF's spokesman in Arabic, Avichay Adraee, has shared a vid of a rare demonstration by Gazans, where they protest the ruin Hamas has brought on them, and demand for its leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, to releaste the Israeli hostages.

Regarding the 24 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza the other day, here are the details to the best of my understanding of how 21 of them were killed in one incident (based on reports on Israeli TV). It seems that the soldiers were preparing a couple of multi-floor buildings to be blown up, because these were close enough to the border, that snipers could use them to shoot at Israeli civilians without even crossing over. The soldiers were laying out the explosives, and there was a tank nearby, guarding them. A terrorist squad came out of a terror tunnel shaft that hadn't been located by the soldiers earlier, and fired an anti-tank missile at the buildings, triggering the explosives, which also caused the buildings to collapse. Every soldier who was inside, was killed. That was how 19 soldiers died. It took hours for a search and rescue team to retrieve their bodies from the rubble (including a group of fire fighters who had to be "drafted" in order to allow them into Gaza). The tank recognized the source of the fire, and was turning to shoot back at the terrorists, but they fired an additional anti-tank missile at it, and killed another 2 soldiers. Out of the 24 soldiers killed, 16 were already buried yesterday.

One of them was 35 years old Elkana Wiesel.

He left a last letter to his loved ones: "If you're reading these words, something must have happened to me. First of all, if I have been kidnapped, I demand that you do not release a single terrorist to free me. Our decisive victory is more important than anything else to ensure our safety, so please keep going full force to make our victory as decisive as possible. Maybe I fell in battle. When a soldier falls in battle, that's sad. But I'm asking you to be happy. Don't be sad when you say goodbye to me. Sing a lot, nourish each other's hearts, hold each other's hands and strengthen each other. We have so much to be proud and joyful over, we are a generation of salvation! We are writing the most meaningful moments in the history of our people and of the world. So please, be optimistic. Keep choosing life, all the time. A life of love, hope, purity and optimism. Look into the eyes of the people you hold dearest, and remind them that everything we're going through in this life is worth it. That they have a lot to live for. Live! Do not stop the powerfulness of life for a single minute! I was already injured during [Operation] Protective Edge. I had the choice to stay back. But I do not regret for a moment that I returned to being a fighter. On the contrary, this is the best decision I've ever made."

May their memories be a blessing.

A report from South African news site News24 claims the International Court of Justice will publish its decision on SA's request for 9 provisional measures regarding the war in Gaza this Friday (Jan 26). Israel says it has not received any official notification on this. In any case, the ICJ will be publishing its decision by Feb 6 at the latest, because that's when the time of several judges at the ICJ will come to an end.

For the second time this month, Israel has stopped Arabs from East Jerusalem, who identify as ISIS terrorists, from carrying out an attack against Israelis. Another terrorist attack was prevented from taking place yesterday, when the terrorist was eliminated

This is 19 years old Shay Levinson.

He was a star volleyball player, who believed in coexistence, was studying Arabic, and chose to play for the Arab team of a Christian Arab town situated close to his own. Here he is (standing third from the left) with his Arab team when they won the state championship:

Shay was believed to have been kidnapped to Gaza on Oct 7. Here are his Arab coach and team manager with his mom Shlomit Levinson (a volleyball player herself), holding up his hostage poster together:

It was confirmed the other day that Shay was murdered by Hamas on Oct 7, and his body had been kidnapped to Gaza, and is held hostage. His coach Sma'an said: "It's a very hard blow. This is a kid who was a part of our family. Our heart hurts. We're not functioning as a team. We're unfocused, we can't concentrate, training sessions have been canceled. We want to be by the family during these difficult days. We champion coexistence, sports brings hearts closer. Our language is common. We don't care about distinctions like Jews, Arabs, Christians, Muslims."

May his memory be a blessing.

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

[real-fire-emblem-takes]

still on your Birds of Prey thing i have two(ish) things this time around, though feel free to ramble on other details too even if it wasn't specifically asked or mentioned first off, full permission to do an entire infodump on the ocs you have for this so far, i am very curious about all the details you got collected be it details you've mentioned before, changed, or new ones in general, again full permission for you to go nuts secondly, maybe it could be where only certain weapons allow the potential for breaking when used at advantage in the weapon triangle? like you'd have to buy a more expensive and more bulky weapon that has the benefit of being able to break weapons but again is more expensive and probably harder to wield(either just high in weapon rank or just like absurdly heavy to make it hard for the user to double) idk how well it would work, i'm not exactly known for my "making good Fire Emblem gameplay" expertise so take it with a grain of salt (if i ever dabble in fangames maybe i'll get some experience but today is not that day) (also yeah it be me again, i am also realizing i might have a double standard of wanting to hear about people's ocs in this fandom but then worrying that nobody wants to hear about my own, so i might blab on the ocs i have thus far for my au i'm working on sometime (hopefully) soon, heck i could even include some of the unnamed ones since you've even mentioned some unnamed ones yourself and i still think its cool to hear about!)

BIRDS OF PREY CHARACTER STUFF (not updating this post anymore, if you wanna know more then ask about a specific character or wait for the demo)

Read as much or as little as you'd like! There is a LOT so dont feel like you need to read all of it

Gameplay Character

Aelix

The Main Character of the game. Only has Swords at first but also gains access to staves alongside either light or anima when promoting. Her bases are similar to that of a myrmidon but growths are very balanced. Idk abt the personal skill.

At the start of the game shes pretty normal and well adjusted. A little spoiled and naive but thats how most princesses are in media. Anyway, after her dad and brother die in front of her she starts having a bad time and swears revenge on their assassins, The Flock - a group that claims to be bringing power to the people by enacting a revolution against the Hendeyrn Nobility.

After a while, Aelix's need for revenge dwindles and she begins to notice that the commoners are kinda struggling in Hendeyrn, and in a few other supports, learns that Royumec Commoners are also struggling. Also, The Flock is soon revealed to be a ploy for the Royumec Military to invade Hendeyrn to gain more land and resources without suffering proper retaliation.

Route split occurs and Aelix can choose to 1) defend Hendeyrn and carry on her fathers legacy, 2) Switch over to Royumec out of either naivety or apathy, or 3) Go against both kingdoms and create a people focused movement to improve both kingdoms. 3 leads to the most playable characters leaving/being unrecruited and having to be killed in combat while also having the most maps and being noticably harder.

She should be at the club but now shes gotta avenge her father's death an navigate a whole ass war. RIP girl. Also Very Bi with Mary.

Reinhold ???

Your typical Early Game Crutch. A great knight with high HP and Skill, B in Axes and everything else is bad. Hes only good bc he joins in the prologue. Probably benched by chapter 12. Idk about personal skill. Stays on only Defend route. You fight and kill him on the other 2.

Extremely serious and very intent on preserving the King's Legacy, rather than improving the kingdom or supporting Aelix and Lucille through what is quite literally the worst time of their life. Like yeah hes also not coping well but omg hes actively making it worse for the girls. His perception of the King is also so very incomplete as seen in a certain lategame Rev map. Also directly states in several supports that every knight is conditioned to be a disposable tool for the royal family to use :(

Lenore D'Swigen

Early game flier. Highest res in the game, good speed and decent enough magic to use a levin sword later. Low skill but thats partially offset by the accuracy of swords. Kinda low strength tho. Physical bulk is low enough to take large amounts of damage from archers. Safe from shining bows tho. Can also reclass into anima mage and isnt terrible there. No clue about personal skill. Stays on Defend Route, leaves but comes back on Revolution Route, and becomes an Optional Miniboss on Reinhold's Chapter in Betray Route (You only get a Levin Sword for killing your best friend btw)

Childhood friend of Aelix and heiress to a prominent house of Hendeyrn. Energetic but really clumsy. Also is very intelligent. Plays cards with mary in their support while they gossip.

Kester ???

Really solid Lance fighter. High strength, Def, Skl and Hp. Everything else is low. Can promote into spellspear but only has a 5% Magic growth. Go Halberdier instead. Can also reclass into cav. No clue about personal skill. Stays on all 3 routes. Yay!

Extremely formal at all times, only loosens up with Gareth (Drunk), Kaen (Gets bullied by a teenage girl lmao), Henryk (3h style support chain where they state their issues in case you can't figure out the very obvious subtext) and the Revolution Route A support with Aelix (You're fired btw. wanna be friends now?)

Hal ???

Axe Fighter from Chapter 1. Highest Hp in the game, good Strength, Decent Defence and Luck, Okay Spd and Res, Bad Skl and only 5% Magic. No clue about personal Skill or Reclass options. Stays on All 3 routes! :D

Himbo Malewife who's straight up not having a good time knowing he has killed people. Loves cooking and cleaning and all that.

Niall ???

Most Thief Thief to ever Thief. Highest speed in the game, and also good skill. Okay Luck and Res and everything else sucks. Will chip enemies, steal items and be very evasive late game. Stays on Defend and Revolution Routes. Dissappears entirely on Betray Route.

Very Mischievous and loves pranks. Not much to say tbh. Also has a kill quote where he says hes gonna rob the enemy's corpse ig.

Mary Malheur

The early game healer. Joins Chapter 1 and is always available. C Staves and D Brawling. Has very solid mixed bulk that will only continue to get better, Good Strength and decent Luck. Middling Speed and Skill don't really matter when using an accurate and brave weapon type. Her base magic is enough for early game and you won't start feeling her low growth until midgame.

On top of all that, because she is technically a brawler, meaning she has access to Combat Arts. At Lvl10 unpromoted, she gains access to Defiant Dragon Art, which boosts her Def/Res/Luck by a decent amount until the beginning of next turn (and has a cool interaction with one of her promoted abilities). Upon promotion to War Monk, she gains the Solar Strike art, which restores health. At Max Level, she gains Phoenix Flight art. This is unlimited galeforce for just 12 hp. Like yeah she only gets 1 punch in and will probably be taking additional damage from counterattacks, but even then this is really amazing bc she can use her full 6 movement multiple times a turn.

But if you don't care about all that you can just reclass to wyvern instead.

Indecisive. Sleepy. Likes games. Has several supports that explore the pressure of the expectations placed on her because of her intelligence and potential. Also mentions that healing staves will just prolong and make the death much more excruciating when used on a nearly dead person without explaining where she got that knowledge from in her support with Harsent.

Thank you Mary for keeping the army together throughout the early game Aelix couldn't have done it without u. the midgame probably also. I wish you 2 the best on your wedding <33333333333333

Jaspar ???

The most armoured armour to ever armour. Highest Def in the game, high HP and Strength, Solid Skill and Luck, Terrible Speed and Res. Can also reclass into Archer for some reason. Recruited Chapter 2, Stays on Defend Route, but is an optional miniboss on both Revolution and Betray route. Technically can be rerecruited on rev route but its really hard.

Training obsessed bisexual weirdo(affectionate). Wants to be a really good Knight and be as helpful as possible. Really bad at dealing with the fact that everything will change and nothing is permanent.

Harsent ???

Cavalier. Very balanced stats. So balanced that her growths are somehow within 5% of the average for everything except magic. I didn't even plan this im just as surprised as you are lmao. Can also reclass into Sword Fighter. Stays on Defend Route, can be easily rerecruited on Rev and is an optional miniboss on Betray Route.

Very dedicated to being a knight. Several of her voice lines would imply that she would simply sacrifice herself if Aelix asked. which is. concerning.... Like 70% of the cast needs therapy tbh :(

Ricon ???

Early Mage. Amazing Magic and Res, Good skill, Decent Hp and speed, high base strength but hes a mage and has a low strength growth, also terrible defence and luck. Can reclass into archer (Shining Bow Niche 👀👀👀). Available throughout all 3 routes.

Loves Researching magic and teaching stuff to others. Very intelligent. Overuses magic for mundane things. Sir, a wind spell is gonna blow the clothes away before they dry. Likes sweets and is just a lovable dork who happens to look really intimidating.

Fletcher Holz

Early archer. High strength, speed and skill, low res and everything else is mid. Can reclass into Axe Fighter. Available throughout all 3 routes.

Just some guy tbh. Likes meat. Decent Chef. also hes transmasc.

Gareth ???

Brawler. High health, Decent Defence and everything else is mid. Combat arts include Beastslaying Art (effective against monsters) and Full Force Art (Extremely high might). Also gains Five Star Strike (Astra for 12 HP) at max level. Can reclass into Cavalier. Available for all 3 routes.

Massive Flirt. Takes very little seriously. Accidentally ends up acting like a father to Kaen and Niall.

Alastor von Belleau

This bitch. This asshole. Joins in chapter 4 as a Lvl 5 Troubadour. C Staves and E Rank Anima. Much faster than Ricon but also has lower magic and Anima rank so typically you'll only be seeing 5×2 in combat forecast and cant use any funky spells for a while. Substantially squisher than Mary but has a horse. Personal skill gives 20% extra exp gain to adjacent allies. Suspiciously dissappears a few chapters before route split.

This Royumec Noble enjoys baking and having tea and reading and going on walks and taking care of his horse and is great at taking care of others.

"Oh he sounds nice and helpful" Oh you fool. Thats what he wants you to think. The Royumec Nobility has created The Flock and assassinated Thades and The King. And this bitch is one of them. On the route split, it is straight up revealed that he was a part of the plan and acted as a spy. This asshole then tries to manipulate Aelix into betraying her kingdom.

"We were trying to improve the live of your citizens" (Lie, you were fighting for land and resources), "We actively chose to spare you"(Lie, why were your soldiers attacking Aelix and Co during Chapters 2, 3 and 4), "and your sister" (Ommission of information, you thought that the 16 year old would be easy to manipulate or intimidate into doing what you want), "You trust me, right? We're friends" (Half Lie, Aelix may have seen you as a friend but you certainly didn't see her as one), etc.

Obviously, on Betray Route, he is with you for the rest of the game; However, he actually joins you later on in the other 2 routes because he doesn't want to die (okay thats fair). Joins as a Strategist and can reclass into Trickster or Assassin. Has Great Magic, Res and Speed alongside decent Skill and Luck but terrible HP and Def. 7 personal strength is less terrible than you'd expect but you'll still usually see single digit damage when reclassing him to Assassin or Trickster.

Kaen Karamela

Your second axe fighter. Joins in chapter 5 and is available in all 3 routes. Highest Strength in the game, Good HP, Spd, Skill and Luck, Low Def and Res. Personal skill grants +1 Crit per HP below max. Can also reclass into Lance fighter to grab Vantage.

Kaen is the obligatory minor who really should not be fighting. Girl loves partying and also bullying grown ass men. Her 18th birthday will be a few days after one of the final chapters to specifically have her joke that she has fought in and ended a war before being able to drink alcohol. Canonically Lesbian.

Sarre ???

Early Sword Fighter. Joins Chapter 6 and stays on all 3 routes. Amazing Speed and Great Skill but Underwhelming strength and terrible luck. Can reclass into Axe Fighter.

Not having a great time after her husband left her. Is now in debt bc of his gambling and is trying to pay it off with mercenary work. Left her son at his grandparents so they can raise him while she works. has an arc that changes her for the better. idk how to explain it tho.

Isake ???

Early Light mage. Joins chapter 6 and stays on all routes. Great Defence and magic, Good Hp, Res and Luck, but low speed. Being a Light Mage, Isake gains access to various defensive spells such as Def/Res improving spells, Critical prevention, Draining magic and follow-up prevention. Can reclass into Anima Mage.

Very wise, Kind to all, Patient, Loves giving gifts, very perceptive, etc. Enjoys reading and bird watching.

Klara Varela

A midgame Dark Knight. Only available on Rev route. Only 5% strength and Magic growths but has great bases in those. Best Skl in the game, High speed, everything else is decent. Personal skill grants 1 stack of advantage to Klara if enemy can't counter. This also applies to Dark Magic summons and synergises well with seige tomes. Can reclass into Sorcerer, Halberdier and Spellspear.

Probably has the stongest endgame build (Chaos Style+Vantage+Luna+Ignis+Quixotic as a Spellspear) Ignis and Luna can activate on the same atk btw. High Skill + Personal + Chaos Style + Quixotic leads to her having activation rates in the 70-90% range. Vantage singlehandedly enables this build to work on enemy phase too. Enjoy seeing 50s most hits :). I think plus sized women should be allowed to be op.

(Community mage almost has this build but cant pull it off very well bc no Vantage, lower skill, probably no helpful personal skill for this build, much lower strength and Bulk too low to reliably take multiple hits in case of failure. Sorry!)

Everyone else is in a generally serious war game with political intrigue. Klara is in a comedy. She is a trickster who is constantly playing pranks on people and annoying most by being so deeply unserious. Extremely confident and knows her worth. Has exactly one serious conversation.

Runs the secret shop in all 3 routes but it doesn't have energy drops or spirit dusts because she eated them all. Also straight up drags a guy from the enemy army to fight for you against his will and treats him like her new bestie and drags him everywhere. He hates it. Queen. Love her. Hope she never stops. Tranfem, Aro and Ace.

Adam

Mid game Def and Rev route Wyvern Lord. High Strength, Hp and Def, Decent Skl, Low Res and Luck. Personal skill is a 20% heal after defeating an enemy.

A mercenary hired by Rosahel to help in the war effort. Loves murder a not normal amount. Also the guy that Klara forces into joining your side. That's about it.

Anna von Ernest

Only available in Betray Route. Still has Make a Killing. idk anything else.

You know her.

Henryk ???

This guy is so crazy. Joins in a late paralogue as a Trickster. Extremely Underwhelming stats for a late game unit: Lower strength and magic compared to other units, Middling mixed bulk, Skill and Luck. Only has good speed and Great weapon ranks (A staves, A Daggers). Like a thief but less extreme. Can also reclass into Assassin, Sorcerer and Dark Knight

"So the crazy thing about him is that hes a bad endgame unit who has warp and rescue access" Wrong! His personal skill, Unmask, is the crazy thing about him. He gains 2 stacks of advantage (+15 hit, 10% skill activation, 5 crit and 2 damage dealt per stack) while inflicting enemies with 2 stacks of disadvantage (advantage but reversed) if there are no b support or below allies within 3 spaces. King hides 4 Str/Mag/Def/Res and 10 Spd/Skl/Luck from everyone lmao. Already has an a rank with Thades :)

As i said in the last long FE:BoP post, Henryk managed to raise Thades from the dead somehow. The process was expensive and time intensive as it used dark magic, healing staves, advanced Royumec technology and surgical precision. At first, the dark magic was thought to have taken away some of Thades' agency and given Henryk a substantial amount of control over him and altered his memories, but that was soon discovered to be false.

Henryk likes to appear as unhelpful and incapable as possible to get out of doing work, but is completely fine with putting in effort for those close to him. He enjoys architecture and gardening and in all of his endings, he ends up being a famous architect.

Thades

Joins in a late game Rev route paralogue alongside Henryk. Same Class as Aelix and Lucille. Compared to Aelix, he has much higher Def and Skl and slightly more strength at the cost of much lower Res and Luck and Slightly less speed. Similar Magic and HP. No clue about personal skill. Can reclass into Falcon Knight.

So Unbelievably gay with Henryk. Very emotionally closed off. Hilarious how technically having their father die made him and Aelix get their partners. Anyway, his support with Aelix reveals that they never felt that close to each other bc he was always busy learning how to run things as crown prince while Aelix and Lucille were doted upon and constantly praised by their father.

In the final(?) Rev Route map, Thades has boss dialogue with The King (he came back) where he asks The King if he remembers a simple memory from when Thades was a child. The King says yes, but Thades reveals that the event went completely differently and figures out that The King hasn't been revived like him but instead is The S Rank Dark Magic being used to create a copy of one of noble's perception of him.

In both his Endings, he helps out with managing the restructured nations.

Ill talk about everyone else in later i had to rush this out for today lmao

also feel free to ask more questions, tell me your overall thoughts or even talk about your headcanons for the characters or how you imagine they look

Anyway time for question 2's answer: I figured that break maybe should only be for units with breaker skills (Halberdiers w/ Swordbreaker, Lightbearers w/ Shadowbreaker, etc)

To Do: Summer, Silvester, Yvette, Manon, Jed, Lex, Rosahel, Valstyr, Lucille, The King, Nikita, Siobhan, more characters when i think of them

[istadris]

Bend or Break : The Tipping Point

[Because people seem REALLY interested, here’s how Bend or Break would go if I made it a full fic.

Some details : in this AU, the timeline is (probably) much longer than in the actual movie; it takes several weeks for Mario to actually reach a decent fighting level, and as long for Luigi to get better at his own skills. Bowser takes over at least one other kingdom before reaching the Mushroom Kingdom.

Fair warning, it does not get better.

[EDIT] What happens in the meantime : The Strain ]

*

Technically, Luigi is free to leave.

Bowser has assured him so, and as the days go by, Luigi is more and more inclined to believe the king’s word above other’s.

Luigi’s cell isn’t locked anymore, he’s free to wander the castle except in some specific parts (fair, he guesses, given this is a military campaign after all), and if he were to ask to leave, no one would stop him. But they’re above the middle of the ocean, days away from the nearest land. Even if he made it there with a Clown Car or by swimming (Bowser asks him with a chuckle if humans can breathe underwater), he doesn’t know if he could survive the dangers of this world alone (he still wakes up at night feeling bony jaws chomping at his legs). So he stays, and tries to convince himself it’s only out of necessity.

Bowser has promised him that as long as Mario comes for Luigi, and Luigi alone, he would not harm him, and Luigi would be free to go with him.

So Luigi holds onto hope a little longer. He tries to not think about the king’s comforting presence in his darkest hour. He’s kept updated about reports. Summoned to the throne room for everything new about Mario.

He’s in the Mushroom Kingdom (and he tries again and again and again to get strong enough to leave). He’s still in the Mushroom Kingdom (and Peach tries desperately to find allies because as strong as Mario is becoming, he won’t be enough against an army) He’s still in the Mushroom Kingdom (and he’s breaking down slowly) He’s still in the Mushroom Kingdom, and he’s taking part in a local festival (Toad dragged Mario by force, begging him to at least relax one night, arguing that "you should know what to show to your brother once we’ve freed him!” and only Mario’s affection for his friend made him relent). He’s still in the Mushroom Kingdom, but rumour says he’s about to leave (Peach knows where to find allies, but it will be a long road. She has her first real argument with Mario when she tells him of her plan)

When Luigi learns Mario left with the Princess for another kingdom, on the opposite direction of the Darklands, he stops asking about reports. He stops talking about Mario altogether.

In the meantime, he has first grown weary and bitter. Snappish. He even talks back to Bowser, to everyone’s shock and horror, and maybe he’s just trying to give him a reason to hurt him so Luigi doesn’t have to think about the harshest pain he ever lived through. Instead, Bowser laughs and praises his bravery. This is what drew him to the human in the first place, he says : that beneath his frail and weak appearance, there’s a will, a fire that only needs to ignite.

Luigi doesn’t know if he believes him. But he finds himself craving the king’s approval. He wants to prove himself  worth of the attention. Bowser’s words have wormed themselves in his brain and he wants to show his value beyond his brother’s shadow. By the time he stops asking about his brother, he has started offering his services to his benefactor. He throws himself into work, first as a plumber, as he always did with Mario, but he finds himself a knack for engineering, and he works, and he trains, and he does everything to earn the praise of the king. By pulling his own weight, on top of being favoured by the king, Luigi endears himself to the troops and for the first time of his life Luigi is not “Someone’s Brother”. He is...himself. And it both terrifies, depresses and delights him.

At some point, Bowser tempts him with the offer of sending a message to Mario. On his word, he swears he will make sure Luigi’s brother would get it. The temptation is so strong. But what if Mario doesn’t answer? What if his answer is what Luigi fears the most ? So he declines the offer. He feels disgust at himself for his own cowardice, but he can’t bring himself to take that step and risk hurting himself more.

Bowser has grown fond of the human, in his own way. The more Luigi turns himself into a loyal subject, the more possessive Bowser feels of him. He is very, very careful as well : if Luigi came to learn the whole truth, he would definitely break, and Bowser realises he has no uses for a broken weapon, when he could shape this human into the perfect minion. How sincere he is in his intentions is left to the reader’s discretion.

But he makes sure Luigi feels at home. He's acting soft, gentle even, always threatening (the day Bowser doesn’t instil fear by his very presence is the day he needs to die) but in the way of a dragon protecting his hoard :

I can keep you safe. I’ll never abandon you. Be mine, and you’ll be the most precious of my treasures.

Luigi loses himself into these promises. He savours the attention of the king, he seeks his presence, he offers him the best he has to give. He melts under his touch and relishes in his affection.

And slowly, bit by bit, Luigi grows into a new man.

*

Meanwhile, Mario is falling apart.

Guilt has been eating him alive for months.

He should have held on just a bit more. He shouldn’t have insisted to explore this underground complex. He shouldn’t have decided to form their own business and find themselves strapped on cash to the point of getting reckless.

He should have held on Luigi’s hand just a bit more. Just a bit stronger.

Now he’s feeling guilty for taking so long. For not being better. He should be better, he has to be better. 

War is brewing on the horizon and Peach is looking for solutions everywhere, but he knows she counts on him more than anyone. He can’t let her down. She wants to help him find his brother, and they need allies for that.

He feels so angry at everything. At himself. At Peach, for being the reasonable one with so many people depending on her. At Toad, for being a good friend that nothing can keep down even in the worst circumstances. At Bowser. At every kingdom Peach contacts that answers with a refusal, preferring to submit to the Koopa King rather than face his wrath.

And at some point, he starts feeling angry at Luigi too.

Maybe it’s his only way to not drive himself mad with guilt. But insidious thoughts start slipping into his brain, and he can’t make them go away.

Why couldn’t Luigi hold on just a little bit more ? Wasn’t Mario as terrified in that warp zone? Why did Mario have to make most of the effort, to be the one to find the words to comfort his brother, why did he have to be the one to keep them together ??

Why does he always have to make efforts?? He has always looked after Luigi, always kept him around, he has never allowed himself to be apart from his brother longer than necessary -and Luigi never minded, didn’t he ? Always taking him for granted and being content with Mario looking after him, taking every decision, dealing with the consequences of both brothers’ mistakes.

He’s ashamed of these thoughts. He keeps them buried inside, swirling in his brain as he works himself ragged. He doesn’t dare to burden his friends with them, not when they’re doing everything they can to help him. He knows these thoughts are wrong. But they help him feel other emotions than sadness and guilt.

So he let them fester inside his heart.

*

When the brothers meet again, on the battlefield between two armies, it is a disaster.

Months of pent up stress, anger and resentment boil up to the surface and explode without any restraint.

Luigi is furious. He has waited weeks, months for Mario to come, and he never did.He had to survive, he had to find a way to be something without his brother. He was getting better. He was starting to be happy. And now Mario shows up and is trying to rip apart everything he has built, his stability, his protector, and for what? For everything to return to normal? Back to a life where Luigi is nothing more than Mario’s shadow? As if nothing happened? As if Mario didn’t give up on him??

Mario, for his part, is enraged. All these months of stress and guilt, all these wounds to train like a beast and manage to get back to bis brother, all the sleepless nights haunted by Luigi’s scream as he drifted away in the warp zone, only to find out he has been alive, healthy, happy all this time, and cosying up with the tyrant terrorising the kingdoms ??

They exchange angry, hurtful words, cruel insults they regret the moment they come out of their months but are afraid to take back. They can’t stop, they know they’re going too far but they can’t help themselves, this has been brewing inside both of them for too long and now they have to get it out, escalating to the point of violence.

Bowser has a vicious, delighted smirk when Luigi throws the first punch, aiming it at Peach (which he has grown to hate without having met her, for keeping his brother away) and prompting an instinctive protective reaction from Mario -which only enrages both brothers more. It devolves into a vicious brawl, an awful spectacle of anger and violence where there should have been a heartfelt reunion.

When both armies are forced to withdrawn, each monarch dragging their champion away, both brothers are devastated. They never meant to say any of these words, they feel horrified at the wounds they left on each other. They want to take it back, all of it.

They both fear they have gone too far for the other to ever forgive them.

Bowser comforts Luigi, soothes his sadness and strokes his anger toward Peach. If she had not insisted on resisting Bowser, if she had accepted her fate, Mario wouldn’t have had a reason to fight Luigi. Even now, he’s staying by her side because she won’t stop until Bowser is dead. And Luigi realises, he doesn’t want Bowser dead. He wants his brother back, and his king to reign supreme.

Peach, as much as she cares about Mario, has trouble seeing Luigi as his own person. She’s aware he is one, but she mostly considers him as Mario’s goal, his motivation. And clearly, if he has joined with Bowser, that means he is either not quite sound of mind or too dangerous to reason with. She insists to Mario that this is why they have to stop Bowser -because Luigi won’t leave his side as long as he’s alive. And Mario believes her, because if he doesn’t, he’ll fall apart.

What should have been a climactic battle soon turns into a long, harrowing campaign, as both brothers have now the same goal in mind: to get the other back by winning the war. No matter the price.

[kaidanworkshop]

Workshop Progress: Post Summer Update

Hello Workshop followers! We've been hard at work over the last few weeks separating and voting on the second set of lines from our VA, as well as completing another commissionship session with Mr. Warren this past Sunday. While usually we feature the work being completed by all three teams separately, we'll be summarizing the current state of the mod in a single long post for this update; as we approach the finish line in wrapping up the framework rebuild, more and more of our staff are working with the CK & Assets team to assist with build testing and finalizing various features.

So firstly, the benchmarks we're most proud of:

All assets have officially been replaced with high texture models! Everything from Kaidan's physical appearance, to his armor and weapons, to the little cherry tree you can marry him under, have been updated.

The CK & Assets Team have completed their rebuild on all but two quest frameworks -- specifically for his personal quest 'Blood and Fire' and his Mehrunes Dagon quest commentary. Our nickname, pronoun, and outfit systems are all functional as well. All of these quests are now ready for line implementation and beta testing.

As of our most recent VA session, we are officially over 50% done with the total script revoice, with 836 lines out of the original 1400 projected lines recorded. The final total of lines will fluctuate a bit to accommodate the extra lines being added for the aforementioned new systems, as well as the new platonic Autumnwatch acquisition route, but it shouldn't be by very much. We will update the community with a final total in a future 'community receipt' post detailing our full business expenditures.

We continue to operate solidly under budget! Using the formula outlined in our budget breakdown post, we have enough money for approximately 7 1/2 hours of Mr. Warren's services ($1885/$250), but the remaining scripts should be completed in approximately 5 hours. As we get closer to our final sessions with Mr. Warren and the final total for that budget surplus becomes more concrete, we will be able to hash out the details of what else the community can vote to have added in the 1.0 launch. You can read about a few of those ideas here, but feel free to submit your own ideas via our inbox or on our Discord.

So what's next on our plate?

Completing the last of the framework rebuild

Continued line implementation as voting and splicing permits, as well as necessary subtitle corrections and emotive animations to match the new lines

Staff bug and beta testing to tweak new system functionality, as well as editorial reviews by the Writing Team to tweak in-game journal updates and other miscellaneous text

Finalization of new dialogue for acquisition of Autumnwatch

Scheduling our final 2 - 3 VA sessions (woo!)

Getting distracted by Baldur's Gate 3

Our Community Team will be setting up another series of livestreams to feature lines from our third commission in the coming weeks. This round of scripts included his commentary on the main quest & factions (College of Winterhold, the Companions, etc), the dialogue associated with gifting him books and having him read some of them back, as well as his personal quest involving Shadowgreen Cavern.

Thank you again for all of your continued interest and support!

[celestialtrolls]

Alternian Locations Summary

Contents: A summary of all the Alternian locations I've created, with the full version and all details being visible on >>THIS PAGE<<

All locations will have it specified how well known/accessible they are, please feel free to use the bigger ones in your own worldbuilding/stories, and if you'd like any of your characters living there please please please feel free to ask!

Will likely be edited as time passes, but the most updated version will always be the toyhouse world settings page linked above.

Important context: For real world equivalent locations where I talk about the middle of the ocean, I often treat Alternia like it looks like this: The Inverted World (because I think it's an interesting way to parallel Earth)

Druzhale

Northern North Atlantic Ocean, Very Well Known, High Accessibility

A large military funded city with carefully planned and managed infrastructure, constantly under new development and seen by some as the military capital due to it's fleet-sponsored university and cosmodrome. There is a large police presence divided between currently-serving fleet members and subjugglators that have a very low tolerance for trouble and rebel activity. It is very prosperous with low homeless rates and comparatively good living conditions for all castes due to being a propaganda megaproject to encourage people to join the fleet.

Duskguard Encampment

Romania/Black Sea, Locally Known, Somewhat Accessible

A walled estate with a central castle, enough room for small farms and livestock that is able to be locked down and completely self-sufficient. Acts as a base for a locally known group of undead-hunters and most residents are people who have lost their homes due to the undead or wishing to train to fight the horde.

Ecclesia de Inanis

Algeria/Alboran Sea, Hidden and Inaccessible

An underground cave system of chambers and tunnels created by a deceased carnival, now inhabited by those who split off from Suits Carnival when Solitaire was usurped. The entrance is somewhere in the desert, and extremely difficult to find without assistance.

Enlightener's Bounty

Brazil/North-East coast of South America, Rumoured, Accessible Only to flying trolls

Large settlement spanning across the canopy of a dense rainforest. The base of operations of a religion led by 'the Enlightener', a safe haven for trolls with insect-based mutations like wings and carapace. There are a few tunnels beneath the trees, mostly for storage and emergency medical treatment, but regular flooding prevents access often.

Minanporo

East China Sea, Very Well Known, Accessible

Large and densely populated metropolis with a high crime rate, formerly a prosperous city with major contributions to the entertainment industry, political corruption and gang crime tore it down. Many high rise buildings, but most are in some state of disrepair and some are uninhabitable. The air is thick with smoke and fires are common from the unmaintained infrastructure. A tunnel system exists underground, but it is extremely dangerous, more so than travelling along the roads.

Novahurst

England/North Sea, Unknown

Small European-style suburban village with low population and unusual magical phenomenon.

Palace of Fuchsine

Far-East Mediterranean Sea, Well Known, Inaccessible

Large castle suspended far above the sea, tethered to the ground by magic and featuring a space elevator. The Grand Emperor lives here with his attendants and other people deemed important to have gathered there. It is almost impossible to reach without being specifically bought there via teleportation.

Plegeus

Saudi Arabia/Persian Sea, Regionally Known, Difficult to access due to inhospitable weather and terrain

An arid and mountainous desert region with very little life of any kind, with a small population of dragon-worshipping trolls living among the silent volcanos deep within.

Suits Carnival

West Northern Atlantic Ocean, Regionally Known, Accessibility Varies

Formerly travelling carnival which has now settled into a city with population in the thousands, almost entirely comprised of purple-blooded subjugglators, former subjugglators and those closely affiliated with individuals within the carnival. A large wall surrounds the entire city, with one main road leading in and through to the city centre. There is now standard housing and buildings, but a lot of citizens still have caravans or semi-permanent cabins. Infrastructure is in progress, but everyone has access to running water and electricity. Once a perigee, an event is held that invites those who live in nearby cities to visit for a festival and trade.

[Subject to change]

Tirnan'Maell

Ireland/Irish Sea, Regionally Known, Accessible during Spring/Summer

A large natural area of lake, forests and mountains that was mysteriously restored from a biohazard/waste dumping site. All urban developments on the site since have failed, and it is now a common vacation site for those seeking a break from the city, with small cabins and camping areas near the lake.

[demifiendrsa]

Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns – Official Noob Saibot Gameplay Trailer

The Mortal Kombat 1 expansion “Khaos Reigns,” will launch on September 24, 2024 for $49.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC, and for $39.99 on Switch.

“Khaos Reigns” includes new story chapters and “Kombat Pack 2.” A bundle containing “Khaos Reigns” and the existing “Kombat Pack 1” will also be available. “Kombat Pack 2” will not be available as a standalone character pack outside of the expansion.

Latest details

In Fire God Liu Kang’s New Era, a godly Havik from another timeline stole Bi-Han’s soul to create the perfect henchman: Noob Saibot. As Sub-Zero, Bi-Han was the Lin Kuei’s ruthless Grandmaster who dreamed of making his clan a dominant force in Earthrealm. As Noob Saibot, Bi-Han is dedicated to fomenting anarchy. He will not rest until all forms of authority are eradicated. Noob Saibot’s imposing moveset is on full display in the new trailer, including his use of teleportation to slam down opponents, ghostly projectiles that can detonate with explosive energy after attaching to foes, and the power to use an array of shadow-assisted attacks to take out enemies. The video also teases Noob Saibot’s Animality, the brutal finishing move allowing him to morph into a crocodile to annihilate his defeated opponents. The fan favorite Animalities will be available as a free content update for all Mortal Kombat 1 owners in conjunction with the Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns release on September 24.

[astrobolical]

A (Hopefully) Helpful Guide to What in "Hell" is Bad?

Part 2 - My Devils, Levelling, Skills, and Artifacts

Last Updated: Nov 2, 2023

I have a mild love of documentation (okay, it’s a problem) and I find it fun— so here we go! I’ve hopefully written out most of the options you’ll encounter while playing, as I know it’s been a confusing start with the game coming out in the state that it did.

And let’s be real here, most gacha-style games can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’re new to them overall. It happens, and with all the questions I’ve seen floating about, I wanted to maybe help someone out, as well as have some fun. Or this’ll flop, either way, still fun.

There will absolutely be things I’ve missed, or glossed over— or even gotten wrong— so feel free to ask about anything, tell me things, or correct me.

For full transparency— I have spent money on this game, but I have not “whaled” whatsoever. I wanted to test certain things, and I have a strong sense of curiousity.

Looking for another part of the game? Check out the other parts:

Part 1 - General Overview, Achievements and Contracts

Part 2 - You Are Here!

Part 3 - Chapters, Levels and Dark Sanctuary

Part 4 - Unit Types, Elements, Battle Boards & Battle Tips

Part 5 - Shop, Secret Shop, Inventory and Management

Part 6 - Secret Club (Adore), Secret Club (Unholy Board), Hell-Oh! Talk

Now, let's continue!

My Devils - General

For now, lets start with a general overview of the options you have— because there’s quite a few. We’ll delve more into levelling and upgrades soon. There’s a lot going on here, so I’ll give a brief explanation.

Information - Left Side

Name of the Devil (L-Grade devils tend to have an indicative word of the pose or version of them, as there will be multiple of them going forward)

Paraphilia - What gets that devil going

A brief explanation of who they are

The upside down crosses represent how many duplicates you’ve used to Evolve them (in this case, I’ve gotten four additional copies of Beelzebub)

Their rank and their current level

Their type— Light, fire, water, etc

Their range/style of fighting — in Beelzebub’s case he’s close range, but there’s others we’ll get to later when discussing battle

Stats — their current stats, such as attack, HP, their speed and how many enemies they are capable of blocking at once

Finally, icons that indicate their abilities— L-Grade’s have three of these, their normal attack, ultimate and a passive ability — we’ll elaborate soon

Information - Center

Floating next to the character is the artifact that’s currently equipped— if empty, the devil currently has none

The devil’s image

The first of the three square icons along the bottom, with the dripping heart, indicates the devils’ current affection/friendship level— this is raised by using them in battle (you unlock information, voice lines, comics, keys and tears through using them in battle)

The winking face will show you different expressions and voice lines as you unlock them through use

The magnifying glass will let you see their art fully, if applicable

Information - Right

In the top-right, you can use the options here to sort and choose to not show certain devil grades for ease of searching

A list of all devils you currently have, you can scroll through to see the information for each of them

A count of your devils out of all current devils available (for me 55/62)

They are ordered by rarity by default

Information - Bottom Options

Here’s where we’ll get into a lot more detail— I’m going to break these out into their own individual sections, so let’s get started!

My Devils - Raise

There’s some duplicate information on the left; so I’m not going to run through that again.

One difference, though, is that it shows you what the devil’s stats/level will become when you upgrade them.

What do you need?

All items that are required can be found along the right-hand side of the Raise screen, for levelling it’s simply Pure Gold and Crowley’s Magic Books (don’t worry if you don’t know where to get these yet!)

It shows you the Amount Required / Amount Possessed (i.e. 1,765 Pure Gold is required, and I have 769,263)

You can’t level in bulk, so be prepared to click level up as many times as you need/can— you can interrupt them while they talk, though! (I don’t suggest levelling devils like Phenix with your volume on if you’re not alone… just a warning!)

I’ve reached a milestone! What do I do?

Congrats— you’ve reached the first step of promotion! I’ll use Sitri for this example, because he’s still at level 20 for me.

To Promote a devil, it requires a bit more than just Gold and Books. Actually, it requires one of the most finite and slow resources you’ll find in WHB— Tears of Solomon!

It also requires a significant increase of Gold and Books— so you may need to do some grinding, but don’t worry I’ll tell you how soon if you don’t know. I’ll also talk about the items you find in this game further down.

You cannot continue to level until you promote your devil— and they will reach another milestone at 40, etc.

The costs will continue to raise as your devils get stronger. I highly suggest choosing a few to focus on, rather than attempting to do everyone at once.

Where do I find these items?

I'll be covering this in more detail when I reach these areas, but here's a basic breakdown.

Pure Gold - Completing levels, achievements, but primarily through Dark Sanctuary

Crowley's Books - Completing levels, achievements, but primarily through Dark Sanctuary

Tears of Solomon - Daily/Weekly Achievements, Daily Sign In Rewards, Shop, Various Mission Rewards (Look below for more details)

"Food" Item - Jellybeans, Gummies, Pudding-- you'll find all of these hidden away within the Dark Sanctuary

I seriously can’t find any Tears of Solomon?! Help?!

Don’t stress! As of the October 25, 2023 update, it’s not so bad anymore— additional ways have been added, and some limits have been upped. But here’s the main spots you’ll be finding these.

Guilty Gem Exchange House - 30 Per Day (Shop)

Pancake Exchange - 2 Per Week (Shop)

Necronomicon Exchange - 30 Per Week (Shop)

Daily Achievement - 1 Per Day

Weekly Achievement - 1 Per Week

96% “Affection” on your S-L Grade Devils - 10 per Devil

Mission Pass - 24 across various rewards

Event Shops - 30 per day (when available)

Daily Sign in - 24 over the course of 28 days

You can also get these from Solomon’s Levelup Support Pass in the shop— as it says, you get these rewards as you level up your account. There’s also a special premium reward for a price (if someone could remind me of how much this was, that’d be fantastic— I bought it after they lowered the price from the ridiculously high one they originally had).

Free Tears Rewards:

Level 10 - 5 Tears

Level 20 - 10 Tears

Level 30 - 10 Tears

Level 40 - 15 Tears

Level 50 - 20 Tears

Special Reward Pass Tears Rewards:

Level 15 - 5 Tears

Level 25 - 10 Tears

Level 35 - 10 Tears

Level 45 - 15 Tears

My Devils - Evolve

Here’s where you can put your duplicate devils to use! If you’ve gotten multiple copies of the same devil, coming to this screen will allow you to use the “Tealeaves” you get from the duplicates.

You can only Evolve a devil up to 5 times

If you've gotten a devil 6 times total-- congrats, you've maxed out their evolution

The benefits you'll unlock are listed on the lower left-hand side

Once maxed out, it will still say "Insufficient Tealeaves" even if you have them-- I'm not sure why they didn't change the UI

What if I get them a 7th time?

Easy! Excess tealeaves can be sold from your inventory-- that's coming up soon, as it's not very clear.

That’s really all there is to it!

My Devils - Skill

Hoo-boy, alright, here’s another place to use those Tears, gold, and another item we haven’t seen yet… but don’t worry, this isn’t something you need to worry about right away.

Getting skills to their third level is a good enough goal, at least when starting out.

Along the top of this screen you will see each skill a particular devil has available to it (the same you see indicated by icons on their information screen)

Tapping on one will switch your view to it, where you can view what it does, and level it up if you so choose

Most characters just have a basic attack and ultimate— but there’s some outliers

L-Grade devils also have an additional passive ability

And some odd characters, like Marbas, may only have one! (We just wheel him out and let him heal, it's fine)

But again, don’t stress about these quite yet— the game’s still new, we aren’t expected to have this all maxed out yet.

My Devils - Opinion

I won’t really dwell on this one — there isn’t much to say. Here you can find community opinions on the devil! It will tell you how many people have given their opinion, and show you the opinions on the right hand side.

You can sort them by likes (popularity) or how new they are— up to you!

Artifacts

These items you’ve gotten during your pulls in Contracts are essentially weapons for your devils— equipment that makes them stronger, and gives additional effects that can play a part during battle. Some are more useful than others, but reading what they can do is important.

Also, don’t be afraid to switch them up.

You can access your artifacts two ways— for now, we’ll focus on accessing them directly through the My Devils screen, so also explain equipping them.

How Do I Equip Artifacts?

Right beside the image of your devil, to the left of him, will be a circular icon, tap it!

If it’s empty, it will immediately take you to select from artifacts you own

You can tap on any artifacts you’re interested in to read more about them, including a brief story-like description and the artifact’s effect during battle

Below the image of the artifact, it will tell you it’s current stats— how much attack and health it’s providing to the devil you’ll equip it to

How Do I Change Artifacts?

Once you’ve equipped an artifact, it’ll show up in that same little circular icon beside them (with upside down crosses just like the devil— hint hint, they have the same mechanic)!

This time, it’ll bring up a menu that will show you your currently selected artifact, with its description, level and effect.

Below, you click the purple button labeled “Replace.” Now you’ll be taken to the same selection screen you encountered when selecting it to begin with.

How Do I Enhance Artifacts?

The same as above, you’ll want to tap on that circular icon again, and this time click the purple button labeled “Enhance.”

This will take you to a similar select screen… but there’s a big difference.

Artifacts require other artifacts, or an item called “Artifact Enhancement Stone” to level up, along with Pure Gold

Using Artifact Enhancement Stones is cheaper— it requires less Pure Gold, but chances are you won’t have all that many of them. That’s okay!

We’ll feed the artifact other ones you don’t need or want to use, unfortunately that’s just the way it is

DON’T use copies of the same artifact to level it, though!

Levelling these can be expensive— so you may need to grind some Pure Gold

Example of Cost:

For me to level a level 1 artifact to level 10, using only B-Grade artifacts as fodder, it will cost me 16,000 Pure Gold— and it only escalates from there!

How do I get Artifact Enhancement Stones?

You can get these from the shop or achievements!

They aren’t all that hard to build up, so don’t waste resources in the shop unless you absolutely feel you need to

They provide some exp, but significantly less than regular artifacts (at least from my experience)

I Can’t Level My Artifact Anymore?! - Let’s Evolve it then!

Yep, these also have milestones and caps just like devils— only it’s a lot less clearly indicated. Don’t worry if you didn’t understand what it wants from you, they don’t tell you well at all.

When an artifact is at its current max level, you need to select a copy of the same artifact to feed it. Once you do, you’ll be able to go back to levelling it until you reach the next cap, rinse and repeat!

That means, just like devils, you’ll need six copies of an artifact to “max” the evolution.

Unlike devils, though, its levelling is directly tied to it.

In Part 3, we'll cover Story and Dark Sanctuary!

[emocka]

Bedroom wedding

It was the biggest event of the year. Your wedding with Xiao from 6breeze.

But hell rained down. Your cake was destroyed from the fans, the venue destroyed from the stampede, your dress ruined because the jealous Xiao fans dumped red wine down it, the police arresting every single fan of sixth breeze, a small fire that burned the wedding gifts. You were crying Xiao screaming bloody murder at the people who were getting arrested, he friends trying to calm him down, the officator confessing what he had done.

So how did it end up like this?

- a week before the wedding-

Sunday

'X-xiao?' You stuttered quietly.

'Yes?' He smiled as he looked over at you.

'My viewers have been b-bugging me to get a special g-guest on s-stream.' You said very anxious and nervous.

You were a vtuber. A very popular one. You little character was a cute human wearing a very adorable butterfly jacket.The character had a small septum piercing and a spider bite piercing. A pair of butterfly wings attached to your character. They were black and teal.

Xiao choose the colors off the wings awhile back when you choose to update your look.

He also drew the current models hairstyle.

'When?' He asked.

You looked at him surprised. You thought he'd reject the offer.

'Is tomorrow ok?' You asked.

He nodded.

He knew this was coming. It why he drew up a design as well. He had it set up too.

His avatar wore a giant black Hoodie, hair the same color as his, the avatar had cat ear with piercing going through them.

---

Monday

The next day came Xiao was in the shared room setting up his model. He got it set next to yours. He had another motion capture camera next to yours.

You were very nervous your stutter getting worse. Xiao started up the stream.

He whispered in your ear. You nodded calming down.

'Hi guys!'

He smiled as the stream went into a frenzy.

---

Tuesday

You were adding the finishing touches to you wedding dress. You were a seamstress when not streaming. You made your wedding dress by hand. Same with the brides maid dresses. Hand made.

Xiao knocked on the door.

'Yes?' You said. You had your days were the stutter didn't show up.

He entered the room.

'Hey I have some seats reserved for wangshu if you would like to have a date night.' He said scrolling through his phone. 'After that we can go to the new desert shop that just opened up.'

He looked up. God you looked so beautiful. Pin cushion on your wrist tongue slightly poking out revealing a tongue piercing. Your tongue peiricng glittering in the light. It had a small butterfly stopper something Xiao got for your anniversary. It was a matching one to his ear piercing.

You looked up.

'Sounds great...ow' you poked your finger.

Great seamstress bad habit of sewing with out looking.

'Put that down. Come on let's get going.' He said. You nodded putting everything away.

The date was nice. It was relaxing. You were able to iron out a few details.

----

Wednesday

You looked lumine. Something had happened and you were in full panic mode.

'B-b-b-but th-th-they said it would b-b-be here' You stuttered out. 'I-i-i need the arch h-here!'

'Its ok. I have kaveh working on something. The wedding is this Saturday. He says he'll have it done by Friday. All he asks is that you be patient. Hell do it free. Think of it as a gift.'

You nodded.

'Hey I know this a a multi million mora private wedding you'll pull this off. Besides what the worse that can happen? A few late guests.' She said patting your shoulder.

Oh how wrong she was.

----

Thursday.

You stared at the venue door. You weren't picky you really weren't, but you had a very very bad feeling. So you demanded extra security for Saturday. The wedding planner tried her best to assure you that it would be ok. After some convincing you dropped the subject.

Xiao ripped the wedding planner a new one that fateful day.

---

Friday.

You gasped. The arch was pretty. Kaveh smiled.

'From your reaction I take it you love it' He said. 'I looked at the original one and changed the design a bit.'

'Thank you' You said. 'I'll pay you.'

'Please don't. Think of this as a wedding gift.' He said smiling.

'But you had to rush to make it' You started but he cut you off.

'Please dont.' He said.

Friday evening

That night you and Xiao were at the hotel across the street from the venue. Your wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses in the changing room at the venue.

You stared at the building the feeling getting worse. Xiao was in the shower.

'Why won't it go away?' You asked quietly.

'Why won't what go away?' Xiao asked causing you to jump. 'Sorry.'

'Its f-fine' you said averting your eyes.

Xiao was out of the shower towel around his waist. His hair was still dripping.

You hid behind your hands.

'Youve seen it so many times' Xiao said small smile appearing. 'Why do you hide everytime?'

'I-i don't know' your voice muffled by your hands.

Xiao just smiled walking over to you. Wrapping his arms around your body he looked at the building.

'What feeling were you talking about' He asked.

'I asked for more security on Thursday. Wedding planner said not to worry about what they have is plenty. ' You said looking up at him. 'I have a bad feeling that this wedding is going to end in a disaster. We spent so much money on it. Lumine agreed with me on the security when I texted her.'

Xiao nodded pulling away.

'Ill see what I can do. Go shower.' He kissed the top of your head. 'And wear this.'

He gave you something. You looked at it then him.

Xiao was a man with very few demands but he knew what he wanted and when he wanted it.

You smiled.

'Ok.' You said closing the curtains heading for the bathroom.

----

Saturday.

It was the big.

You woke up first. You didn't have to be up till ten and it was currently seven thirty. Xiao sensing you awake woke up as well.

'What's wrong?' He asked pulling you close.

'The feelings back' you said sitting up slowly.

Xiao followed the action pulling you into his lap.

'I'll take care of it' He said.

You nodded.

'Lets sleep a little more' He said kissing your cheek.

You smiled at the thought.

----

'Huh?!' Your mom was here? You never gave her an invitation. 'But she threw me out at sixteen. I haven't spoken to her in over ten years! Who fucking spilled! I haven't spoken to my family in ten fucking years! Who fucking told her'

You were mad. No one answering lumine leaving to kick your mom out. The other girls scrambling to figure out how.

The make up artist made a face before she turned you to face her.

You kept silent lumine returning holding what looked like an invite.

'She says she bribed the mail man for this. Turns out she lives next to me.' Lumine said.

You made a noise. The make up artist looked at you smiling.

'And done. What do you think?' She asked holding up the hand mirror.

You had turquoise eye shadow, the wings small but big enough to suit your face nicely. The inner eye lid had a nice green.

'Wait...did you color match my fiance hair to do my makeup?' You asked.

She nodded.

'Thanks.' You said.

She smiled back as you handed her the check.

'Have a lovely day and heres to a long and happy marriage.

With that she left. Lumine approached you.

'Come on love, let's get you in the dress. Everyone else is waiting for you.' She smiled.

'Lumine. Your the best maid of honor' you said.

'Aw thanks love come on' She said pulling you up.

----

You looked around the room. A strange noise coming from outside. The whole room dead silent. The officator not talking.

'Xiao...somethings not right' you said.

Xiao nodded. He had called for extra security but he felt the same.

You both looked out the window just in time for something to shatter it. A girl climbed through. Suddenly windows started breaking more girls climbing through even boys. You looked on in horror then heard a Crack. Looking at the door you cursed yourself quietly as the door broke.

This was a private wedding. Yes it was the main event of the year but it was private. Only your fellow classmates from teyvat university were allowed.

'XIAO NO! YOUR MINE' a girl shrieked running towards you.

More followed.

Suddenly the whole building was over run by 6th breeze fans. Your guests scattered around trying to handle everything. You looked over at the gift table. Some fan had set it on fire. You looked at the cake just in time to see someone knock it over. Fans grabbing bottles of wine. They ran toward you opening them. Xiao was suddenly carried off. You watched as the fans dumped the wine on you. You were in shock you just let them.

Aether, kazuha, kazuha fiancee rin, lumine, tighnari, and ganyu were on their phones calling for the police. Itto was trying to put the fire out with kuki and yan fei. Zhongli was prying girls off Xiao with venti scaramouche and cyno. Dehya was tackling the girls who had dumped red wine on your dress.

All of your guests were trying to get the entire thing under control.

You started crying the banquet of flowers falling from your hands so you could cover your face.

It went dead silent everyone looking at your shaking figure. You fell to the ground.

There you sat on the ground.

'I have something to confess.' The officator said. 'I- in my excitement- may have leaked the location and time'

You sobbed harder.

It was ruined. Three and a half million mora down the drain. Three and a half million mora you couldn't get back. All because some dumb ass decided to leak the location.

Soon the police arrived. They came in big numbers having been told what the situation was and how bad it was. Without a glance they started handcuffing the fans. Xiao had managed to escape the girls and run to your side. He tried his best to comfort you. Your wedding planner next to him.

He stood up and looked at her.

'Thanks to you trying to convince my fiancee that it was safe we now have no wedding ceremony! If you had just shut up and done something about her feelings we wouldn't be in this situation!' He began.

The wedding planner trying to utter an explanation but he wasn't having it. 'Don't you start I have her word. Next time someone says something you listen. And you!'

He turned to face the fans. Aether kazuha scaramouche, heizou and venti trying to calm him down.

'You are all insane! Your my fans?! Last I checked they don't make my fiancee cry! They don't destroy a wedding ceremony, they don't ruin a dress my fiancee spent two years working on. You will be hearing from my lawyers and you will be paying the damages.'

Xiao bent down scooping you up.

'Wedding is off. Someone call the cleaners tell them I'll pay them double if they can clean up this mess. I'll triple it if its too much.' He said walking away with you in his arms.

You were still crying. Xiao did his best to calm you down. He walked across the street to the hotel.

----

You were in the middle of the bathroom Xiao undoing the dress. It was stained from all the red wine.

'There we go' He said undoing the zipper. The dress fell off your body slowly. Xiao prepped the shower as you stood there.

The only thing that could be salvage was the garter. It was white with a turquoise flower sewn on it.

You removed it dropping it next to the dress. Xiao stared at you. You were a mess. Eyes red, make up running hair in a loose messy bun. You smelled of wine.

'Come here love' He said.

You approached him slowly. He hugged you.

'Let get you out of these and in the shower' you nodded doing as said while he stripped down.

You stood under the shower head crying quietly. Xiao hugging you trying his best to comfort you.

That night you slept breathing uneven. Xiao scrolling on his phone one hand one your back.

New of the wedding made it, news of your face being revealed to be the famous blind butterfly vtuber, news of your agency cutting ties with you due the incident, news of Xiao loosing his cool.

So he went of social media calling out his 'fans' the wedding planners company, the vtuber agency.

*I want to give a very big FUCK YOU to the people involved in today's disasters. Thanks to you I now have an inconsolable fiancee who won't stop crying. She not only lost her dream wedding but has also lost her vtubing career. Her streaming days are now over because you couldn't keep the picture off the internet. The officator is stupid for having leaked the location of my private wedding. The wedding planner for not listening to my baby girl. I'm beyond pissed. You don't crash a private event. You definitely don't pour wine down someone's significant other. That dress was coming in at a million mora. Trust me she had an official dress designer take a look at it. That was two years of work down the drain. Two year of work only for me to see her in it for an hour. You will be paying for the damages. You will make an apology to my fiancee and it better be a sincere apology. I'm canceling the meet and greet as a punishment to those who caused this disaster.*

He watched as the media went wild. 6th breeze sharing his post. The guests reposting it. Fans pleading begging him to not cancel the meet and greet. The vtuber agency you were signed with responding to the post stating you had broken an agreement in your contract. Xiao called bs doing what he could to save your favorite thing in the world.

Eventually he went to sleep pulling your figure close.

----

Morning came and you had your dress on the hanger.

Xiao had woken up because your side was cold. He sat up spotting you on the ground. You had several bottles of cleaner next to you. You were dabbing at the red stain trying to get it out. Tears stained your cheeks a bunch of tissues surrounding you all red. But the damage was to big for you to clean.

Xiao slipped off the bed quielty approaching you. He sat next to you grabbing a tissue to help you. You thanked him quietly. He just nodded and started dabbing at the dress.

After a few hours you threw your hands up in frustration.

'I don't even know if the dry cleaners can save this. I had the dress design in my art book for years! Now it's ruined.' You said.

'They can try. I know you spent two years sewing the dress together. I know you spent long hours working on it.' Xiao cupped your cheek. 'Come on let take it to them and see if they can save it'

You nodded standing up with him. Together you managed to get the dress off the hanger and in packed neatly in a duffel bag.

----

The dry cleaner lady smiled when she saw the dress.

'Yes my time to shine.' She said. 'I can clean this. It'll be a couple days. But I can get this cleaned off and looking like it just came off the shelf.'

Xiao nodded sighing in relief. You were in the car scared to come in.

'Leave me you number and I'll call when it's done.' She said.

Xiao did as told then left. He walked up to the car and entered.

'She says she can rescue the dress.' He heard you sigh in relief. 'Would you...like to get something to eat?'

You guys haven't eaten in the last 24 hours.

Yes full twenty-four hours of no food.

'Please' you said.

'What sounds good?' He asked looking at you.

'Good hunter' you looked back at him.

He nodded starting the car.

-----

You were in just a shirt when Xiao asked the question.

'Hey y/n' Xiao voice came from behind you. 'What if...we just got married here?'

'Huh?' You looked up from the book.

Xiao was in his shorts shirtless.

'What if we just got married in this room. My dad can officiate. We could have our guests in this room.' He said sitting next to you. 'No fancy dresses, no fancy building. Just us my dad and our college friends.'

You thought about it before nodding.

'I'll send a mass text to everyone. Come in what their wearing. Call zhongli.' You said grabbing your phone.

----

Lumine almost took the door off its hinges with scaramouche behind her. She was literally in her pj's scaramouche fully dressed in everyday clothes, aether right behind her, kazuha and his fiancee rin followed. Soon all the teyvat university students were here waiting.

Zhongli arrived smiling. Making sure everyone was settled he began.

---

'You may kiss the bride.' Zhongli said.

Xiao happily kissed you. Everyone clapping. He pulled away hugging you.

'Alright! Let reserve the Celestia building for a party! Lumine smiled.

'Are you kidding me?! You spent last night drinking heavily and suddenly your hang over is gone!' Aether said looking at her 'now your planning parties!'

'Joy killer!' She said pointing at him.

'We may be adults but that doesn't mean I cant kick your ass' Aether said launching himself at his sister.

You giggled as the twins fought.

'DONT FORGET YOUR VISIONS!' Lumine shouted as she tackled aether to the ground.

---

True to lumines word she reserved the Celestia building.

That night you guys celebrated your marriage. Everyone in casual clothes. Xiao had his arms around you. You were hiding in the corner smiling, watching everyone interact.

Cyno playing tcg with dehya, tighnari nilou and albedo discussing something, Jean Lisa kaeya and diluc talking, aether holding venti in a headlock to prevent him from emptying out the bar tap, lumine talking to zhongli who had nahidas hand ei right behind him. Childe trying to flirt with lumine.

Xiao leaned in close.

'While this is great I have a surprise for you' He said pulling his phone out.

You watched as he showed you a transaction. The name sounded familiar.

'Wait! Xiao did you?' You asked looking at him.

He nodded.

'I purchased your model just so you could keep it.' He kissed your cheek 'I argued with the agency for a bit before they agreed to let me buy it. This is my gift to you.'

You started tearing up thanking him profusely. He just smiled nuzzling your cheek.

----

You guy did redo the wedding this time with heavy security. Were you going over the top? Maybe.

You had guards at every single window, door, and bathroom.

Did your guests think you were going overboard? Nope. All guest brought their visions.

6th breeze fans had apologized, payed the damages.

Your dress was saved and you tipped the cleaner a big one as a thanks.

For the flower toss you just walked over to kazuha fiancee and handed it to her. Xiao did the same with the garter he gave it to kazuha.

You looked at the crowd.

Venti got drunk discovering his limit, he also got aether and Xiao drunk as well. Lumine was having too much fun with scaramouche. Childe trying his darn best to presuade an unsuspecting razor for a fight. Kaveh and alhaitham were doing....things in a private closet. Barbara was helping Bennett who once again fell on his butt because of a rock. Zhongli was holding nahidas hand keeping ei away from the kitchen. Cyno was playing tcg with dehya Candice and tighnari trying to keep the peace between the two players. Nilou albedo and diluc having a discussion.

Everyone had smiles on their faces happy and at peace.

Your fellow vtubers came along in their vtuber forms as well. You had signed a new contact with a brand new agency hence the new vtuber friends.

You smiled as PRETTY HAVØC came on watching people dance. Xiao stumbled over to you barely missing the chair.

'I'm so happy we managed to get the dream wedding' He said slurring his words. 'But im going to kill that idiot'

You giggled patting his cheek.

Yea this was better. But not as good as getting married in a hotel room. Everyone in their everyday clothes, pajamas, bathing suits (that was dehya having a spa day that morning she just jumped in her car).

'I think I liked the wedding we held in the hotel room.' You said to him.

Xiao looked out at the crowd agreeing.

'Lets start this marriage off with our friends' He said sitting up leaning over to kiss you.

Bonus!

You looked at Xiao test in hand. It was positive.

'This is real?' He asked looking at the test.

You nodded.

'How long?' He asked.

'Possibly a month and a half' you said fearing the worse.

You watched as he stared at the test before wrapping his arms around you.

'Thank you' He whispered.

You smiled into his chest.

You had a little girl months later. Her name was guizhong.

[satoshi-mochida]

Granblue Fantasy: Relink PS5 and PS4 demo launches in January 2024; playable characters Cagliostro, Seofon, and Tweyen announced

Gematsu Source

Cagliostro will be a playable character in action RPG Granblue Fantasy: Relink, and Seofon and Tweyen will join the roster as playable characters via a free update in April 2024, publisher Cygames and developer Cygames Osaka announced.

Cygames also revealed the Granblue Fantasy: Relink theme song “Good Night, Good Morning,” which is sung by Nao Toyama, and announced that a free demo will be available for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in January 2024.

Get the details below.

■ Theme Song

The theme song for Granblue Fantasy: Relink is “Good Night, Good Morning,” sung by Nao Toyama.

■ Primal Beasts

Primal Beast Managarmr and Primal Beast Furycane

Primal Beast Excavallion and Primal Beast Vulkan Bolla

■ Enemy CharactersId and Lilith

Gallanza and Maglielle

■ Game Overview

Genre: Action RPG

A completely unique action experience for every character!

Can be enjoyed solo or as a multiplayer experience with up to four players.

Coming to PlayStation 5/4 and Steam on February 1, 2024.

-Main Story

Traverse islands across the skies.

A diverse action game experience.

Assist modes available.

-Quests

Up to four-player online play.

Over 100 quests to embark on.

Including endgame content!

-Progression

Rich character customization.

An abundance of side quests.

Collectibles? You bet!

■ New Character

Cagliostro (voiced by Sarah Anne Williams in English, Sakura Tange in Japanese)

A brilliant mage who founded alchemy in the Sky Realm. She has learned how to achieve virtual immortality by regularly replacing her body with new vessels that suit her tastes.

■ Base Game Roster

■ Post-Launch Characters (Free Update in April 2024)

Seofon (voiced by Alejandro Saab in English, Junichi Suwabe in Japanese)

This man leads the Eternals, a group of ten weapon masters. Also known as the Star-Sword Sovereign, Seofon collects spirit swords from defeated opponents and channels that spirit energy to manifest them onto the battlefield. Arriving in an April 2024 update!

Tweyen (voiced by Giselle Fernandez in English, Yuuko Minaguchi in Japanese)

This world-class hunter is the bow master of the Eternals. Not only can her supernatural eyes pinpoint prey across enormous distances, she commands the ability to fly. Each magic arrow fired from her bow finds its mark without fail. Arriving in an April 2024 update!

■ Free Demo (PlayStation only)

A playable demo of Granblue Fantasy: Relink is coming to PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles in January 2024!

Enjoy a slice of the main story.

Playable online multiplayer quests.

11 playable characters available.

Earn rewards for the full game.

Learn the ropes through the tutorial mode, play a slice of the main story, and embark on multiplayer quests online—all for free!

Tutorial Mode – Get familiar with the controls. Mastery starts with picking up the basics!

Story Mode – Get a taste of the main story. Find out what happens next in the full game!

Quest Mode – A selection of quests are available. Undertake them on your own or with others online.

You can earn rewards for the full game by completing Story Mode and Quest Mode content.

■ Tune In to the Pre-Release Show!

Granblue Fantasy Showcase Part 2: Granblue Fantasy: Relink will premiere on January 11, 2024 at 2:00 a.m. PT / 5:00 a.m. ET / 19:00 JST. Read the full announcement here.

■ Original Soundtrack Details

The Granblue Fantasy: Relink Collector’s Edition is back in stock (Japan only). Pre-order from Cystore or 7net Online Shopping!

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is due out for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam on February 1, 2024.

Watch a new set of trailers below.

Boss Battle Trailer

English

Japanese

Theme Song Trailer

English

Japanese

Cagliostro Teaser Video

[plantcrazy]

Lost Children Progress Update 17/4/24

It's been a little while since I did one of these. I've been giving small updates here and there, but a big one once in a while is nice, and I enjoy sharing my progress. It's sort of motivating. You know? To look and see, 'Oh wow, I did a lot' or 'wow, I didn't accomplish a lot, but I'm proud of what I did do!' (Some chapters take their time to come together, other the ideas just flow on to the paper).

ANYWAY! You don't care about this. You want to know how long till the next chapter comes out, right????

So, will start with the elephant in the room: Ch.19. It's only 8 pages, which is why, despite the first 3 technically done (anything at 90% is just to digitalise & add text), I haven't uploaded anything.

It's about done. I'm just stuck on page 5 (and two panels of page 4). They're a flashback. A god-damned nightmare of a flashback to draw and... I don't want to do it TT , but for effect and impact, the story needs it >>

Otherwise:

(That should be 20/22 chapters done :P )

Part 1 is coming together swimmingly! With the recent addition of 2 new chapters and, I think, this is as big as part 1 will be getting. I'm finishing off tidying up how I want Part 1 to end at the minute, and then we'll have a small time skip to part 2.

(And maaaaaaybe I'll go back to the start and add an intro chapter to give more info on what the heck happened in the Triple Threat Ending to make Henry think screwing up the timelines and making a new one was a great idea. IDK. Still on the hedge about where to put this info)

Also! The poll I'm running looks like everything in one fic will win, for how it gets uploaded on A03. In two days time once the poll is finished I'll work on implementing those changes (, unless the poll swings back the other way again :P ).

Part 2:

The order of the first 9 chapters, take with a grain of salt. I'm still finalizing the order.

For the most part it's just detailed ideas of what I want to happen in each part + 4 chapters finished, 2 being edited.

'Standing on the Ledge' came out FANTASTIC. I cannot wait to upload that one. Personal favourite of the part so far. 2nd place going to 'Stuck With You'.

And what is that at the bottom? A familiar chapter name! Yes! We're getting back to the Wall. Slowly but surly our characters will be reunited with their frozen prisons, well-

Those who I haven't/ don't kill off~

*eViL lAuGhInG! >:D*

jk.

Or am I?

Anyway,

Part 3:

Part 3 is mostly a butt-ton of editing. It looks like most of the new chapters will land in part 2 (asides from 4), so part 3 will be similar to the original version, but not, given all the minor changes you're about to witness snowball into avalanche sized consequences!

^^;

Anyway, I've edited 4 so far dated them since it's going to be a while till we get to Part 3. That being said, given it's 85%ish editing, it should hopefully just be rapid fire chapter uploading when we do get there :)

I think that's about all I've got to say?

Er... you guys should be aware by now of the 'I'm in uni, chapters are as I have time/wrist able' disclaimer. So...

OH! Also, this is all going up on A03 (once the poll is done), so I can keep the readers over there who don't follow this Tumblr up-to-date with what's going on. So when you see a new chapter update in your inbox, don't get too excited ^^;

And finally, for you.

My dear read.

Who has read through my long waffle and sporadic episodes of evil laughter and fun!

I have an... 'opportunity'

*Snots* I sound like a Mafia boss with Liam Neelson's voice reading this allowed.

I left my colour coding in Part 2 (as I couldn't be bothered to remove it ^^; ), so... will have some fun with this.

Whoever can figure out who's POV are colours blue or green will get a free half or full body drawing of one character (SFW), of their choice (mine, oc, stickmin or another fandom (at my discretion)).

And we'll say... 2 guesses a person (either two on one colour, or one guess for each colour) to make it fair. (It shouldn't be too hard, there's only 12 POV's, and you've met them all but one coming in at Part 3.

OH!

And there will be three winners in total.

Good luck :)

(btw, I'm going to bed now, so first people with the right answers are the winners in case you all rush in here with your answers over the next... 10 ish hours...

Unless... you're the only person to read this far >> )

[ninhaoma-ya]

Get to know the fic writer asks!

1. Do you prefer writing one-shots or multi-chaptered fics?

2. Do you plan each chapter ahead or write as you go?

9. Do you comment on stories you read?

11. Link your three favorite fics right now (can be yours or someone else’s).

12. how does receiving or not receiving feedback/support impact you?

25. What fic do you wish you got more of a response on?

26. Which of your fics would you call your wildest ride?

And, free choice! If you want to do an extra one.

Thank you very much for the asks!

1. Do you prefer writing one-shots or multi-chaptered fics?

I prefer one-shots by a wide margin as I do not have the patience, imagination or self-discipline necessary to write multi-chaps (as evidenced by the vert slow going on the multi-chaps I have going on). It's also nice to just focus on one thing and make the whole fic about just that without worrying about plots or character arcs or other pesky details; how someone sees the summer, hidden fears and joys, the meaning of life.

2. Do you plan each chapter ahead or write as you go?

Pants! Pants! Pants!

I'm a pantser through and through. And as previously stated, I usually write one-shots, not multi-chaps, so I usually just write wherever my inspiration takes me.

9. Do you comment on stories you read?

For the most part! If I'm very, very tired I might not do it (or if the story isn't in my main fandoms) since I feel like I don't find the right words in the soup of my brain. But I do comment on all multi-chaps' chapters I follow when they update, and most of the one-shots I read. Be the change you want to see in the world.

11. Link your three favorite fics right now (can be yours or someone else’s).

Losing Time (You Can't Go Home Again) by @hyperbolicreverie which is just full of heart-breaking catharsis and time-travelling schenanigans.

trouble is a friend of mine by taizi where Sanji finds some new friends in the most unlikely of places

The Many Marriages of the Straw Hat Pirates by @ladycrimsonandblack where you have all the weddings.

12. how does receiving or not receiving feedback/support impact you?

I write mainly for myself, so whatever I put out there, I am happy with. However, feedback does make a huge impact on my motivation and might fuel the next piece I write. I have fics (and WIPs) that wouldn't exist without an innocent "wouldn't it be fun if…" comment left on my earlier work.

Receiving: You are my favourite person in the world. I will treasure your comment (gushing/constructive criticism/meanderings on what will happen next/whatever) and most probably will print it out and add it to my wall of People Who Keep Me Going. You liked my fic enough to leave kudos? took the time to comment on it? I love you. I love you. I love you.

When a fic doesn't get much engagement… well, depends on the fic. If it's a gen!fic I'm a bit miffed – but I still write these for myself so as long as it's out there, I'm mainly happy with myself (although I do stress like hell for the first week or so after posting and keep updating, looking for those sweet sweet dopamine-fuelling likes). And I know smut is less likely to get comments but when I see those hidden bookmarks, I do get a lovely fuzzy feeling. I see you and your horny ways. I wrote this for you.

25. What fic do you wish you got more of a response on?

I am repeating myself from an earlier ask game, but it's still Where swallows fly (the sky is burning). It's one of my favourite pieces and it was so much fun thinking about Sugar's time with the Family.

And of course, since Statistically Significant is a multi-chap (and I am bad at long-term motivation) and kudos can be left only once, every comment I get on updates fuels the fires for the next chapter…

26. Which of your fics would you call your wildest ride?

What an interesting question. On one hand, I have to say Where swallows fly again, since it's such a multi-layered work. On the other hand, the prompt-fics I do (Heart Pirates Week, Kinktober, Writers' Month…) jump around a lot, so you (and I) never know what happens next. Also, Coffee. Black. Please. started as a silly little coffee shop !AU one-shot that developed a life of its own.

And, free choice! If you want to do an extra one.

65. Tell us about what you’re most looking forward to writing – in your current project, or a future project

Currently I'm mostly looking forward to writing. I'm stuck in thesis hell (again) for the coming months so I won't have time to focus on fanfic.

But that said, I am very much looking forward to introducing some New Characters when Nami gets to her study exchange in Münich in the next chapter of StatSig. Any guesses as to whom that might be? ;)

Also, I have way too many ideas for fics that get dumped in my WIP-documents (one for each ship/fandom), growing them ever longer. Pls send help.

I'm still accepting (and hoping for) more asks as I try to procrastinate working on my thesis, so anyone reading this; feel very free to ask away!

Asks can be found here.

[miloscat]

[Review] Maneater (PS5)

The evolution of the shark game.

This recent indie hit is a great counterpoint to the Jaws games I’ve played lately, a modernisation of the concept in more ways than one. While those games necessarily traded on the beats of the vintage thriller film, this one borrows the aesthetic of sensationalist “shark week” documentaries, while updating the structure to a free-roaming open zone.

Like the Jaws games, the inspiration is mostly a framing device for violent shark action and adventure. The promo art gives the impression of gory realism but in practice it’s pretty cartoony which was a relief. The goofy landmarks and super powered mutations lighten the tone while the ever-present cheesy narration blunders over the line of obnoxiousness in delivering satirical one-liners.

The story, such as it is, involves an unpleasant fisherman who brutalises a baby shark for sport. You embody that shark as she grows and eats her way up the food chain to get revenge. Starting as a wee pup from her mother’s womb untimely ripped (which educated me on the fact of bull sharks’ viviparity), you level up while using the different resource points gained from eating particular fish and such to upgrade perks which affect your appearance and abilities. By the end you’ll be a mega-predator spitting electric shocks from your bite while leaving poison clouds in your wake or corkscrewing in bony armour plating.

I liked the customisation and gradual enhancement, as expressed and enabled by the side activities in each area. There’s collectibles to chomp and side missions all over the place, mostly eating a certain number of the abundant marine creatures or taking down boats. The control scheme is pretty different to what I’d played immediately before but I found myself quickly adapting to it; cruising around feels good and combat, while frantic, is coherent enough and well handled. A powerful if biologically impossible sonar helps you find things easily in the game world and later can be adapted as a combat technique.

The game world encompasses a number of distinct locations in an American setting adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. You start in a muddy bayou, moving to a polluted river, a canal-heavy golf course, then some coastal areas and the expanse of the gulf. They’re vibrant, full of life and detail, and for the most part they stand out from each other which is nice, although the game is maybe a little too heavy on coloured light shaders. There’s also grates that block access to caves and pipe systems if you’re too small, to encourage revisiting earlier zones.

The DLC adds a new zone and new postgame quests in the rest of the game world too, along with a new form that can blast atomic fire and an extra perk slot. The new content includes races, battles against other mutant creatures, and a greater emphasis on the projectile attack (bite an object then tail whip it at a target), the latter reminding me of Jaws Unleashed and its barrel-spitting (unfortunately not my favourite mechanic).

It’s a nice addition that’s worth getting, although it has its downsides. The framing device changes at this point, with the narrator becoming a right-wing conspiracy nut podcaster and the setting referencing a lot of popular conspiracy theories. The narration permanently changes for the base game world as well, and being accompanied by the constant and repeated unpleasantness of borderline actual racist dogwhistles is a very questionable choice. It’s supposed to be over the top and satirical but there are real popular platforms who spout crap as outlandish and harmful as this in reality (and even people who believe it), so it doesn’t really work as comedy. Luckily, you can adjust the volume of narration independently [to zero].

Comparing Maneater to its Jaws forebears… its Jawbears… really showed me how more advanced hardware technology can enrich a game experience. The underwater areas feel good to explore because they’re so populated, the world is big and seamless, and the shark controls well; getting these basics right makes the loop more engaging. Beyond that there’s some iffy stuff and the whole framing device and story didn’t really work for me, but on the whole this acquits itself well as an aquatic adventure.

[mycreativefx001]

Unlocking Creative Potential with Free VFX Elements: 4K-8K Stock Footage at MyCreativeFX.com

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These high-resolution files allow for greater flexibility in post-production, offering more room for cropping, zooming, and color grading without losing detail. With MyCreativeFX's offerings, creators can take full advantage of the latest in display technology and deliver work that is crisp and future-proof.

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By offering a broad range of free VFX elements, the site caters to all types of projects. Whether you're adding subtle effects to a corporate video or creating action-packed sequences for a feature film, you’ll find exactly what you need in the extensive library. All elements are designed to seamlessly integrate with your footage, making them highly usable for a range of editing styles and genres.

3. Easy Integration and Compatibility

MyCreativeFX’s VFX elements are designed to work with popular video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Adobe After Effects. This compatibility makes it simple for creators to download and integrate VFX elements into their projects with ease.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, these elements come with clear instructions on how to use them, ensuring that anyone can add professional-level effects to their content with minimal effort. The site also supports various file formats, making it accessible across different platforms and workflows.

4. No Cost, No Catch

One of the most attractive aspects of MyCreativeFX.com is that it offers these high-quality VFX elements for free. In an industry where top-tier stock footage and visual effects can come with a hefty price tag, having access to free, high-resolution VFX can make a huge difference to filmmakers and content creators on a budget.

The free VFX elements are available for personal and commercial use, offering ample opportunity for both hobbyists and professionals to integrate them into a wide range of projects. The website is designed to provide an easy download experience, without any hidden fees or subscription requirements—perfect for creators looking to streamline their workflow without sacrificing quality.

5. Regular Updates and New Releases

To keep up with the ever-evolving trends in the VFX industry, MyCreativeFX consistently adds new elements to its library. This commitment to providing fresh content means that creators can continuously access new, cutting-edge VFX that are relevant and in-demand. Whether you’re looking for realistic fire effects, futuristic glitches, or abstract animations, you can expect new content to be regularly available.

How to Use Free VFX Elements in Your Projects

Step 1: Browse the Collection

Visit MyCreativeFX.com and browse the vast collection of free VFX elements available in 4K and 8K resolution. Whether you’re looking for natural effects (like smoke or rain), or more complex effects (such as explosions or digital transitions), you’ll find a wide variety of options.

Step 2: Download the Elements

Once you’ve found the perfect VFX element for your project, simply click on the download button. The files are available in multiple formats to suit your specific needs and editing software.

Step 3: Import into Your Editing Software

Import the downloaded footage into your video editing program. For instance, if you’re using Adobe Premiere Pro, import the clip into your project timeline. Most VFX elements are designed to be drag-and-drop, so integration into your project is quick and intuitive.

Step 4: Customize and Composite

Once the VFX element is in your timeline, you can customize it to fit your needs. Use keyframing to adjust the movement of elements, apply color grading to match the tone of your video, or blend the effects into your footage using compositing techniques. The high resolution ensures that even if you need to zoom in or crop the footage, the details will remain sharp and clean.

For more info:- Video effects download

[ownorrib567]

The Lord Of The Rings Merry Christmas Pajamas Set

Here’s the updated description with the new link:

This Is My Christmas Pajama Cocker Spaniel Red Plaid Shirt

Celebrate the Holidays in Style with Your Favorite Furry Friend!

Product Overview: Add a cheerful touch to your holiday wardrobe with the This Is My Christmas Pajama Cocker Spaniel Red Plaid Shirt. Designed for Cocker Spaniel fans, this cozy shirt features a classic red plaid background adorned with an adorable Cocker Spaniel graphic and festive text. Whether you're lounging at home, snapping holiday photos, or celebrating with loved ones, this shirt is the perfect way to spread holiday joy!

Design Highlights:

Festive Charm: A heartwarming red plaid pattern paired with a delightful Cocker Spaniel illustration.

Seasonal Style: Bold “This Is My Christmas Pajama” lettering completes the festive look.

Premium Comfort: Made from soft, winter-ready fabric for ultimate coziness.

Why You’ll Love It:

Perfect for Christmas mornings, pajama parties, and casual nights by the fire.

A thoughtful gift for pet lovers who adore both their furry companions and the holiday season.

Combines comfort and charm, making it a must-have for any holiday wardrobe.

Product Details:

Material: Soft, cozy fabric perfect for winter.

Fit: Unisex sizing ensures a relaxed, comfortable fit for everyone.

Care: Machine washable for hassle-free maintenance.

Occasions: Ideal for holiday gatherings, lounging, or festive family photos.

Order now to celebrate the season in style with your four-legged friend! Looking for more festive pet-themed apparel? Explore our full collection on the Tee Jeep Homepage.

Let me know if there are any further updates you'd li

[psrhomeremodeling]

Transform Your Outdoor Space: Expert Patio & Deck Remodeling in Broward County

A well-designed patio or deck can dramatically enhance your home's outdoor appeal, providing the perfect space for relaxation, entertainment, and family gatherings. At PSR Home Remodeling, we specialize in patio and deck remodeling in Broward County, offering custom solutions that bring your vision to life. Whether you're looking to revamp an outdated deck or create a new outdoor oasis, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Why Remodel Your Patio or Deck?

Remodeling your patio or deck is more than just a facelift; it's an investment in your home’s functionality, beauty, and value. An updated outdoor area can increase your living space and provide a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor environments. With the warm climate of Broward County, having a functional outdoor space means you can enjoy year-round gatherings, barbecues, or quiet evenings under the stars.

Whether you need to replace worn-out materials, expand your deck, or introduce new design elements like pergolas or built-in seating, PSR Home Remodeling has the expertise to transform your outdoor area into a stylish and comfortable space.

Our Comprehensive Remodeling Services

At PSR Home Remodeling, we offer a full range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients in Broward County:

Deck Renovation and Expansion: From resurfacing old decks to expanding your existing space, we provide comprehensive deck remodeling solutions that cater to your lifestyle and preferences.

Custom Patio Design: We work closely with you to design a patio that reflects your style, using high-quality materials such as pavers, natural stone, or stamped concrete for a stunning finish.

Outdoor Kitchens and Fire Pits: Enhance your patio with an outdoor kitchen or fire pit, creating the perfect spot for cooking and entertaining.

Pergolas and Shade Structures: Add shade and style with custom pergolas, awnings, or shade sails, making your outdoor space comfortable even during the hottest days.

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Choosing the right contractor for your patio and deck remodeling in Broward County is essential to achieving the desired results. Here’s why homeowners trust PSR Home Remodeling:

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If you're ready to take your outdoor space to the next level, PSR Home Remodeling is here to help. Our expert team will work with you to design and build a patio or deck that enhances your home’s beauty and functionality. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us show you why we’re the leading choice for patio and deck remodeling in Broward County.

Discover how easy it is to turn your backyard into the perfect retreat. With PSR Home Remodeling, your dream outdoor space is just a call away!

[demifiendrsa]

Valve has announced Counter-Strike 2 for PC.

Counter-Strike 2 will launch for PC in Summer 2023 as a free upgrade to Counter Strike: Global Offensive.

A Limited Test will be held, and players will be selected based on a number of factors deemed important by the Counter-Strike 2 development team.  

First details

About

Counter-Strike 2 is the largest technical leap forward in Counter-Strike‘s history, ensuring new features and updates for years to come.

All of the game’s new features will be revealed when it officially launches this summer, but the road to Counter-Strike 2 begins today as a Limited Test for select Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players. During this testing period, we’ll be evaluating a subset of features to shake out any issues before the worldwide release.

Counter-Strike 2 arrives this summer as a free upgrade to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. So build your loadout, hone your skills, and prepare yourself for what’s next!

Read on to learn more about some of the features of the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test.

Responsive Smokes

Smoke Grenades are now dynamic volumetric objects that interact with the environment, and react to lighting, gunfire, and explosions.

Gameplay – Smoke now has the ability to interact with other gameplay events, creating new opportunities. Bullets and HE grenades can push smoke to briefly clear sightlines or expand occlusion.

Expands to Fill Spaces Naturally – Now the smoke will seep out of opened doorways and broken windows, go down and up stairs, as well as expand in long corridors and combine with other smokes.

Reacts to Lighting – In Counter-Strike 2 smoke particles work with the unified lighting system allowing for more realistic light and color.

Moving Beyond Tick Rate

Tick rate no longer matters for moving, shooting, or throwing.

Sub-tick updates are the heart of Counter-Strike 2. Previously, the server only evaluated the world in discrete time intervals (called ticks). Thanks to Counter-Strike 2‘s sub-tick update architecture, servers know the exact instant that motion starts, a shot is fired, or a ‘nade is thrown.

As a result, regardless of tick rate, your moving and shooting will be equally responsive and your grenades will always land the same way.

Leveling Up the World

From upgrades to overhauls, maps are cleaner, brighter, better.

Full Overhaul Maps – The overhauled maps have been fully rebuilt from the ground up, leveraging all of the new Source 2 tools and rendering features.

Upgrade Maps – These are maps that use new Source 2 lighting, including a physically based rendering system that produces realistic materials, lighting, and reflections.

Touchstone Maps – Classic maps with solid foundations that players can use to evaluate gameplay changes from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to Counter-Strike 2. These have improvements to lighting and character read, but otherwise haven’t been changed.

Source 2 Tools – The Source 2 tools and rendering features will be available for community map makers to make it easier to build, experiment and iterate. And stay tuned for the Source 2 Item Workshop, which will be available later on in the limited test.

Your Items in a Whole New Light

Bring your entire Counter-Strike: Global Offensive inventory with you to Counter-Strike 2. Not only will you keep every item you’ve collected over the years, but they’ll all benefit from Source 2 lighting and materials.

In addition to supporting legacy models and finishes, all stock weapons have been upgraded with high-resolution models, and some weapon finishes take advantage of these new models.

Hi-Def VFX

From UI to gameplay, all visual effects have been reimagined.

All of the visual effects have been updated in Counter-Strike 2. With Source 2 lighting and particle systems, there’s an all-new look and behavior for water, explosions, fire, smoke, muzzle flashes, bullet tracers, impact effects, and more.

Gameplay Visuals – In Counter-Strike 2 the most critical gameplay visuals have been redesigned with readability in mind. Bullet impacts can be easily viewed at a distance, and directional blood impacts (that fade over time) give you more information as you move through the world.

Environment Effects – Experience completely reauthored explosions, fire, C4 lighting, and more. Leveraging the Source 2 Engine and modern hardware, environmental effects in Counter-Strike 2 feature improved visual fidelity and greater consistency.

UI Effects – The UI in Counter-Strike 2 has gotten a complete overhaul, including fresh visual effects throughout the HUD. Not only do these improvements look nice, they also communicate important game state.

Accurate Audio

Reworked, rebalanced, and reverbed.

Counter-Strike 2 sounds have been reworked to better reflect the physical environment, be more distinct, and express more game state. They have also been rebalanced for a more comfortable listening experience.

There’s More to Come

The Limited Test only evaluates a subset of Counter-Strike 2‘s features, so that major issues can be resolved before the summer. But there’s much more to come. In just a few months we’ll reveal all of the details of Counter-Strike 2, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test FAQ

How do I gain access to the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test?

Players are selected based on a number of factors deemed important by the Counter-Strike 2 development team, including (but not limited to) recent playtime on Valve official servers, trust factor, and Steam account standing.

How do I know if I’ve been selected for the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test?

If you are chosen to participate in the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test you will receive a notification on the main menu of CS:GO. If you receive an invitation select “ENROLL” and begin your download. When the download is complete launch CS:GO and select the “Limited Test” option to play the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test.

How often are players added to the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test?

More players will be added to the Limited Test over time. Keep checking your CS:GO main menu to see if you have received an invite.

How long will the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test last?

Counter-Strike 2 is expected to ship Summer 2023. Please visit the Counter-Strike blog for up-to-date information on the limited test and future announcements.

What features are in the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test?

Initially the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test will offer Deathmatch and Unranked Competitive matchmaking on Dust2. Future limited test releases will offer other game modes, maps, and features.

I’m in the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test! How do I report bugs?

If you encounter bugs during the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test please send an email to cs2team [at] valvesoftware [dot] com and title your email “CS2LT Report”. In the body of your email please include a detailed description of the bug, reproduction steps, and any screenshots or other helpful information so the Counter-Strike 2 team may investigate.

Can I use my CS:GO inventory items in Counter-Strike 2?

Yes. All of your weapon finishes, stickers, and other CS:GO inventory items will be available to use in Counter-Strike 2. Please report any inventory item and weapon finish bugs you encounter using the previoulsy mentioned bug report process.

Can I modify my inventory items during the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test?

No. During the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test players cannot modify inventory items within Counter-Strike 2. This includes applying stickers, scraping stickers, using Trade Up Contracts, and other ways players can modify their in-game items. If you would like to modify your items you will need to do so in CS:GO.

Can I still play CS:GO while the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test is happening?

Yes. Please note, you will only play with and against other players playing the same version of Counter-Strike as you. Counter-Strike 2 players will play with and against other Counter-Strike 2 players, and CS:GO players will play with and against other CS:GO players.

Can I earn XP in the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test?

Yes. XP in the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test counts and will carry over to CS:GO.

Can I stream or make videos of the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test?

Yes.

Can I run or play on workshop maps in the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test?

Not initially. Stay tuned to the CS:GO blog for information about workshop map availability.

Can I run or play on community servers during the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test?

Not initially. Stay tuned to the CS:GO blog for information about community server availability.

I was banned in CS:GO. Can I use the same Steam account to play Counter-Strike 2?

No. Accounts with VAC or game bans in CS:GO cannot play Counter-Strike 2 on VAC-secured servers. Are competitive cooldowns shared across Counter-Strike 2 and CS:GO?

Yes. If you have a competitive cooldown in CS:GO you cannot matchmake in Counter-Strike 2 and vice versa. Can I participate in the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test on Linux or macOS?

No. The Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test is only available on Windows.