#give these nice career criminals a break

[fauvester]

reading Jade City and its sooooo so so good and sooooo fun and soooo oc-ish but I got to say man. getting to the end of book 1 and its looking bleak. this shit isnt even fun anymore

[simmeradventures]

Boba Legacy Challenge (TS3)

I have taken a break from sims 3 and while I am still working on my lepacy, I sometimes need a break and so look for more challenges. @tomatosoupcat posted a Boba challenge and didn't see a TS3 version so decided to covert it. THIS IS NOT MY IDEA AND I MIGHT NOT BE THE ONLY ONE. I kept within the theme and didn't write a massive story to them but did try add a creative spin.

GOOGLE DOC!!!

Gen 1: Brown Sugar

Leaving home is tough, but you will always have mum's cooking to keep you safe.

Traits: Couch Potato, Natural Chef, Green Thumb (Randomise The Rest)

LTW: Bottomless Wine Cellar OR Master Chef

Career: Nectar Maker OR Culinary

Skills: Cooking, Gardening and Nectar making

Colours: Brown, White

Master LTW

Marry a sim with 2 matching traits.

Max out skills

Gen 2: Blueberry

The farm life was nice, but there's a great big world waiting for you.

Traits: Non-Committal, Loves The Outdoors (Randomise The Rest)

LTW: Seasoned traveller OR Grand Explorer

Career: Part-Time Jobs Or Skill Based Profession (after quitting business job)

Skills: Fitness or Martial Arts (or both if your fancy), Scuba diving

Colours: Blue. Purple

Reach level 3 of the business career before quitting to travel

have a one night stand on your travels

never marry

Travel until child is a young adult

Max skills

Gen 3: Matcha

You've seen the world, but now all you want is a career and a forever home...or mansion.

Traits: Ambitious, Snob, workaholic (Randomise The Rest)

Careers: Any (based on degree)

Skills: logic (plus whatever is related to the degree.)

Colours: Light green

Go to university and graduate

Befriend and date co-worker (either break up once you reach level 10 of career or get married.)

Go to the spa every weekend

Complete LTW

Max Career

Max Skills

Gen 4: Passionfruit Mango

All work and no play so pick up a guitar and play anything you want.

Traits: Socially Awkward, Family Oriented, virtuoso (Randomise The Rest)

LTW: One sim band OR Rockstar

Career: Music

Skills: Guitar, Bass, Drum, Piano

Colours: Yellow, Orange

Play instruments throughout childhood

Date and marry someone with the Avant Garde or artistic trait

Go on art dates (museums or a cute art café)

Complete Career

Max Skills

Gen 5: Sakura

You are a party girl, but also a lover girl.

Traits: Flirty, Family Oriented, Hopeless Romantic (Randomise The Rest)

LTW: Master Romancer OR Master Mixology OR Surrounded By Family

Career: FREE PASS

Skills: Mixology, Charisma

Colour: Pink

Have a high school BFF

Sign up for online dating and date 5 sims (and fail)

Marry BFF

Complete LTW

Gen 6: Dragon fruit

Who needs love when you could rule the world?!

Traits: Evil, Childish, Irresistible (Randomise The Rest.)

LTW: Heartbreaker OR Gold Digger OR Emperor of Evil

Career: Criminal

Skills: Charisma, Athletic

Colours: Dark Red, Purple

Marry a wealthy sim and have them get into a "tragic accident."

Have a negative relationship with children

Max career

Max Skills

Gen 7: Taro

Never give up on your dreams even if life throws a baby at you.

Traits: Genius, Cat person (Randomise The Rest.)

LTW: Scientific Specialist OR Become A Creature Robot Cross Breeder

Career: Based on LTW

Skills: Science, Handiness, Logic

Colours: Light Purple

Join after school club (idk if its a mod but there's a chess club, can add other ones through Nraas)

Go to university and drop out when pregnant (if not using mods or using mod that allows you to go to university in hometown then drop out and then get pregnant 

Work part-time till the baby is a toddler

Go back to university and graduate

Adopt a cat. 

Gen 8 Lychee

“You're always on that damn phone!” and “I hate normal people.” made a baby 

Traits: Unflirty, Loner (Randomise The Rest.)

LTW:  Blog Artist OR Forensic Specialist

Career: Based on LTW/ Free pass

Skills: Social Networking, Science

Colours: Pink, White

Have a plant sim

Max Skills

Max Career

Gen 9: Thai Tea

Sometimes it's good to look back. Spread the founder’s love of food! 

Traits: Adventurous, Perceptive (Randomise The Rest)

LTW: Star News Anchor OR Professional Author 

Career: Journalism OR Writer Profession

Skills: Writing, Photography, Cooking

Colours: Orange

Visit France, China and Egypt to collect recipes 

Throw dinner parties (once a season.)

Max Career

Max Skills

Gen 10: Sunset

Humans have been fun, but everyone knows the supernatural have the most fun.

Traits: Hopeless Romantic, Good  (Randomise The Rest)

LTW: Master Mysticism OR Resort Empire

Career: Based on LTW

Skills: Scuba Diving, Alchemy, Painting

Colours: Purple, Red, Orange

Fall in love and marry a supernatural (if you choose resort empire LTW then you have to marry a mermaid.)

Decorate home with your art.

[lucy4242564]

.cowboy like me.

Chapter 14

May these memories break our fall

~Long live the walls we crashed through, I had the time of my life, with you~

At the count of three the two of them plunged into the cold water below.

It was fun.

Lilah felt free.

It was her last good memory there, she just didn’t know it yet.

Is some of this HOLY cringe? yes. But there’s nothing but angst after this chapter and I needed to give the happy couple one last fling… cause Lilah kind of becomes a villain 🫣

“I mean, there’s no point in me dropping out this late in the game.” Lilah explained. “I already have my bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and I can just start an internship somewhere this summer.”

 

“So you’d be staying in Atlanta for a while then.” Daryl commented.

 

Lilah was taking the leap and pursuing a career in crime scene investigation. After her incident a year ago, she wanted to become more involved with helping track down criminals, she wanted to feel like she could make a difference. Her biggest obstacle would be her boyfriend though. Daryl had no interest in moving to Atlanta. The city was not for him and he loved his quiet life in the mountains.

 

Of course he supported her passion. He just hated how far away she was.

 

“Would it be so bad to move?”

 

“Hell yeah.”

 

Why did he have to be so stubborn?

 

Lilah cared so much for the man in front of her, but sometimes she wished she met him after college. When things were secure and she didn’t have to worry about bouncing back and forth places.

 

 

Lilah tossed her head back while a shot of whiskey rolled down her throat. It was her 24th birthday and she was celebrating the best way she knew how. In a semi-full bar with mostly people she didn’t know until three years ago. Her family flew down and her brother wanted the experience of a ‘southern club’. Naturally she had no clue. Paul on the other hand.

 

“How many shots was that?” Her boyfriends voice asked as his chin rested on her shoulder.

 

“Don’t matter, Barbie’s celebratin’” Merle responded for her.

 

She’d definitely had more than enough to drink, but it had technically only been her second shot of the night. Lilah was feeling great.

 

“Exactly! I’m celebrating! ” Her words slurred as they came out. She could hear Merle’s distinctive laugh, which made her laugh.

 

“Y’needa drink some water.”

 

“You need to get me some then.” She hated how much she loved the feeling of being drunk. It only made it worse with the older Dixon there to egg her on.

 

“Tell’im blondie.”

 

“Shut up bro!” Daryl yelled, which earned him a pout from his girlfriend.

 

“Be nice! At least he’s having fun with me!”

 

“Somebody’s gotta drive yer drunk ass home.”

 

“My daddy’s here!” It was technically true. He was just also drinking.

 

Lilah was very proud of herself, because with her brother’s help, they’d convinced both their parents to come out for a little while that night. Truthfully, she wasn’t expecting them to drink at all, but her dad had definitely thrown back a shot or two.

 

“Don’t care, yer comin’ home with me.”

 

“Then get me some water.” When he disappeared to the bar, Lilah winked at Merle and bolted off to a different area.

 

“Lyle!” Paul came up with a shit eating grin on his face. “How drunk are you?”

 

“Why? Who sent you?”

 

He tilted his head, “No one? I just wanna know if ya gone enough for me to play a song without’cha gettin’ all embarrassed.”

 

A stupid laugh left her mouth. “Daryl’s trying to make me drink water because he thinks I’m too drunk.” She explained. “He’s not wrong, I’m very drunk. Which is why I’m avoiding him.”

 

“Bet.” Was all he said before running off towards the band.

 

This might have been one of the best nights of her life. At least in recent memory.

 

Her dad was playing pool downstairs with some guy Lilah didn’t know, Landon wandered around with his new camera capturing so many things she knew she wouldn’t want to be reminded of, Brittany was in a corner talking to her mom about something, Merle sat at the bar, and Daryl was… somewhere.

 

Probably scanning the room for her.

 

“Lilah, your friend Paul said happy birthday and he’s thought of you since this song came out.”

 

A voice from the stage called out causing her face to go bright red. She may have been drunk enough to not get embarrassed by a song, but that didn’t mean she wanted her name announced throughout the bar.

 

Before she could run away, Paul came and grabbed her hand to pull her closer to the stage.

 

Despite missing the first few lines, she wanted to hide her face when her ears absorbed the song.

 

“Sent her down south for some higher education  
Put her on the fast track, to a law degree. Now she's comin' home to visit 
Holdin' the hand
Of a wild-eyed boy
With a farmer's tan”

 

Lilah shoved him playfully and began walking from the middle of the room. She knew if she was trying to hide her face away while she was drunk, a sober Daryl definitely was.

 

She made eye contact with Brittany and mouthed his name, wondering if she’d seen him. With a stupid grin she pointed towards the exit.

 

Checks out.

 

As she left the bar, she drunkenly danced over to his truck, assuming that’s where he was. “Thought you were going to get me some water.” Lilah teased as she walked up to the rolled down window.

 

Letting out a puff of smoke he raised a water bottle from beside him and held it out. “I saw ya run off after I left. Then that song came on and figured you’d walk out.”

 

She stuck her tongue out, “Well don’t you just know me so well.”

 

“Paul’s been playin’ that album since it came out. Surprised he ain’t forced ya to listen to it already with how much yer over there helpin’ out.”

 

Lilah walked over to the passenger side, opening it, then sliding in beside her lover. “I mean,” she began in a teasing tone. “I do love a southern boy drawl.”

 

“Shudup.”

 

 

“Do you want kids one day?” Lilah asked from the passenger seat of Daryl’s truck.

 

They were on their way to go fishing that evening and the air had been silent the entire ride thus far.

 

The question made Daryl look away from the road temporarily to see what emotion her face was portraying. It was unreadable though, he hadn’t had enough time to really study it. He swallowed before answering, “As long as you do.” A soft, breathy laugh left her chest. “Do you?” He pondered.

 

She did respond right away, instead Lilah studied the sun setting in the distance. Ever since Cam had been born, the more often she thought of kids. She probably thought more about children then getting married.

 

Lilah always wanted children. She loved kids, so much. In her heart she felt like she was meant to be a mother.

 

When she went to get her birth control replaced the month prior, she had considered talking to Daryl about the topic then to determine whether or not she actually wanted to get back on it. The logical part of her brain knew a kid would be a lot right now though. It didn’t stop her from thinking about how perfect a little mixture of them would be.

 

“More than I want a lot of things.” She admitted.

 

The answer shocked Daryl.

 

He knew a lot of women wanted children eventually. Lilah was just so independent and determined for a career, he didn’t really consider children to be something she wanted a lot. Maybe eventually, but nothing she would be looking forward to.

 

“How many?” Was all he could think to ask.

 

“As many as you’ll give me.” Lilah gave Daryl a flirtatious side-eye then scooted to the middle of the seat.

 

Daryl’s face flushed. Never in his life did he think he’d look forward to having a kid, much less multiple. With those eyes though, he’d give her whatever she wanted.

 

 

Daryl was dragging Lilah along to some hunting raffle event. He was only doing it to use her for more entries so he’d have a better chance at winning.

 

Her only condition, which wasn’t really a condition since they both benefited from it, was stopping to get coffee. Recently she’d unintentionally become reliant on an excessive amount of caffeine. It was way more of a need than a want at that point.

 

“Ain’t gettin’ none’a that girly crap. Don’t drink it.”

 

“Daryl, I know what you drink.” She held out her hand for his card to be placed in it.

 

The weird status quo about Starbucks and their drinks being perceived as girly irritated her. They were just hand crafted beverages. If you want a plain, boring, coffee that’s whatever, but personalizing a drink shouldn’t have been considered girly.

 

Which is exactly why he was getting a personalized ‘girly’ drink.

 

When she handed him the iced coffee, he gave it a weird look. “Why’s it cold?”

 

“It’s just a plain coffee with cream but iced. It enhances the flavor.” She lied.

 

He hummed before taking a sip, not saying another word. Once he was a quarter way done with no complaints she smirked in his direction while getting out the truck. “How’s your upside down iced caramel macchiato?” She asked as they began walking to the entrance.

 

“My what?”

 

“Your upside down iced caramel macchiato? Your drink?”

 

“Thought’chu said it was just a coffee.”

 

“Thought’chu said you didn’t drink that girly crap.”

 

 

 

“C’mon, you’ll be aight!” Daryl yelled from the river below.

 

“Give me a minute!” Lilah hollered down at him.

 

She’d watched a lot of the friend group jump from the bridge and into the water effortlessly in the past. Lilah just never had the guts to do it.

 

This time was different though. Daryl dared her to do it and she couldn’t back out now.

 

“What are you doing?” She asked Brittany as she crossed over the side to hang off with her.

 

“You jump, I jump remember?”

 

Lilah couldn’t help but laugh at the call back to seeing ‘Titanic’ in theaters together. They used to reference it all the time, but she never thought they’d ever actually be jumping anywhere.

 

At the count of three the two of them plunged into the cold water below.

 

It was fun.

 

Lilah felt free.

 

It was her last good memory there, she just didn’t know it yet.

Chapter 15.

[katsushika-division]

ARB Birthday Special 2024: Akihisa Mashiro

~~ October 19th ~~

“Nothing is not only nothing. It is also our prison.”

Login Lines:

“Seems like we have an unexpected visitor. How quaint. Now explain why you are here or else.” 

“A gift? Ah yes, it seems like that time of year has once again sprung upon me. I suppose thank you for the present.”

Voice Lines: 

“Another year has passed and again Touya wishes to celebrate my birthday. Frankly, today is just another day for me. I had hoped to let it pass without any sort of merriment. *sigh* I should’ve known Touya counts down the days to our birthdays. He’s dedicated. I'll give him that.”

“As much as I hate admitting it, I'm surprised I can still move as well as I do. My long career as a hitman left me with many injuries some of which should have left me disabled especially those given to me by that damned Black Dahlia. Still, I refuse to let it drag me down.” 

“Even my parole officer wished me a “Happy Birthday” today with that aggravating smile of his. The man truly gets off at having three of the worst criminals ever chained like dogs to him. He’s quite lucky I’m not able to make him regret many of the things he’s done so far.” 

“Mother, sometimes I wonder if you’re staring down at me from above. Do you shed tears at what has become of your son? A killer with a body count high enough to reach the heavens. *chuckles* I suppose I won’t ever know since I won’t be joining you up there in heaven Mother when I finally croak.”

“Hello, Touya. Yes yes, how foolish of me to forget my birthday. You do know I don’t entirely care for it, right? Frightening how you can switch from cheerful to mad at the drop of a hat Touya. *sighs* Fine but only because you insist on giving me a gift. So let me see it.” 

“How did you even make this Touya? You shouldn’t have been able to sign up for the class. Just be careful Touya. I dare not imagine the frenzy people will throw when they realize ‘The Sweetheart Killer” is next to them. It is a nice gift Touya. Thank you. I truly appreciate it.”

“Here to deliver a gift Rintaro?  Knowing you? You came here just to tell me that you burned the backyard again and after last year’s gift, I’m hesitant to see what you got me this year. You shouldn’t be breaking any law at all Rintaro. Are you trying to get caught? Fine, hand it over.”

“This is a jab at my age isnt it Rintaro? You little shit. Closer to 50 or not I’m still in better shape than most other people my age. I’m 205cm Rintaro of course my bones crack at that height, especially after the things I’ve done. …Go, just go, just staring at you is starting to piss me off.”

Touya Lines:

“Happy Birthday Hisa-Chan! You almost let it pass but don’t worry I remembered! I don’t care it’s your birthday and we’re gonna celebrate it Hisa-chan! I refuse to let you or Rin-chan’s grumpiness stop you from celebrating your birthdays! Now you’re gonna accept my gift whether you like it or not. *giggles* So here! I hope you like it!”

“Ta-da! I took a ceramics class a while back and I know you like coffee so I made you a mug! Come on Hisa-chan! You know I’m really good at make-up and it’s not that hard to disguise myself. Aww I just wanted to make you something special tho. It is, isn't it? The skull is a nice touch if I do say so myself. No problem Hisa-chan~!”

Rintaro Lines:

“Happy Birthday you old bastard. What else could I fucking be here for? What’s that fucking look for? Wow, see if I ever break any fucking laws for you again. I’ll break any law I fucking want Old Man and dont worry your grouchy ass I won’t get caught. Now here. Enjoy it or whatever.”

“…Pfft! Hahahaha! Come on Old Man, you're closer to 50 than 40. You’re no fucking spring chicken anymore. Besides, don’t pretend I can’t hear your fucking bones creak every time you stand up. Like damn Old Man you’re really living up to your title. So I got you some damn Icyhot for your old ass. Ha! Later!” 

[wonderfulworldofmichaelford]

Psycho Analysis: Gus Fring

(WARNING! This analysis contains SPOILERS!)

Breaking Bad is known for its fantastic cast of characters, all of whom have some level of critical acclaim and iconic status. Seriously, go to Wikipedia and go to any character’s page from the show (basically every major character has one) and look at the “Reception” part, pretty much all of them are universally beloved. Chief among that crowd is the only villain in the show to give our rascally villain protagonist Walt a run for his money, the criminal mastermind that is Gustavo “Gus” Fring.

If you think I’m going to do anything other than add to those heaps of praise, you’re surely mistaken; I love Gus as much as anyone else who has seen the show. But where most are willing to overlook certain aspects of the character that don’t work so well because he is cool and gay, I acknowledge those flaws and love Gus anyway. We are not the same.

Motivation/Goals: Gus is a businessman, plain and simple. Be it Los Pollos Hermanos or his secret meth business, Gus wants perfection in every aspect of his professional life. That being said, he’s a pretty fair boss, and if you pull your weight you will be rewarded; he treats his employees at Los Pollos Hermanos so well that you know the show takes place in a fantasy world, because no boss is that nice. And he was way too lenient with Walt all throughout that man’s career working with him.

Of course, Gus is also driven by revenge. Don Eladio, Hector Salamanca, and the rest of the cartel are responsible for the death of his lover Max, and Gus refuses to rest until the entire operation has crumbled, with only him left standing tall and Hecor lefty broken and crippled to be finished off last as he’s the one who pulled the trigger. It’s a very classic villain motivation, and it helps give a little bit of sympathy to a character who is otherwise too cold and mysterious to really delve into the mind of. At any rate, it makes it very easy to root for Gus and cheer him on as he plays his supposed superiors for suckers and orchestrates their downfalls all while coming up with dozens of plans to cover his own ass.

Performance: Giancarlo Esposito has such an air of elegance and menace to him when he’s playing Gus. You can really see why he man ended up typecast after this, playing cunning antagonists, because he really kills it here. He does have one incredibly major flaw, though: He’s not a native Spanish speaker like Gus is. This leads to pretty much any point where Gus is required to speak the language falling flat, especially since most of the time he’s up against actors who are actually fluent and even if you’re not a native speaker you can pick up on how clunky he is in comparison to Michael Mando or Tony Dalton.

Final Fate: Gustavo Fring got outplayed by both Walter and Hector, and the result is perhaps one of the single greatest villain deaths of all time.

As many have pointed out, it is genuinely hilarious how Gus hated Hector so fucking much that he refused to die in the same room as him. And hey, maybe this isn’t very accurate to how a person would realistically look after taking an explosion directly to the face… But it’s one hell of a cool visual. Sometimes it’s better to check realism at the door for the sake of symbolism and cool prosthetic gore.

Best Scene: I think it is genuinely hard to top Gus’ awesome moments, even if he doesn’t ever really get an entire episode of focus. I think his crowning moment, the moment where we as an audience and Walt as a character learn that us is not even remotely fucking around, is his silent preparations before he comes up to his lackey Victor and violently slits his throat in “Box Cutter,” before equally silently getting dressed once more. Right before leaving, he simply says, “Get back to work” before leaving a stunned Walt, Mike, and Jesse behind.

There’s also Gus taking down Don Eladio and all his capos in “Salud.” It’s such wonderful, beautiful vengeance, and it’s all made better by the fact Gus poisoned himself, went to the bathroom, neatly placed a towel on the floor and knelt down on it, and then induced vomiting. This man would pick the fruitiest way imaginable to save his own life.

Finally, there is his scene in “Fun and Games,” the first and only time we see Gus just out enjoying himself. We get to see him pretty obviously flirting with a sommelier, but as soon as the man leaves for a moment Gus makes the decision to commit himself fully to his mission and rule out the possibility of love again after what happened to Max. This is the moment where we see Gus fully become the man we know him as in Breaking Bad, and it’s honestly pretty tragic. He could have been happy if he’d just let go some of his hate, and maybe he’d even still be alive.

Final Thoughts & Score: Gus is one of the best villains ever to grave television, and considering he’s in a show filled to the brim with some of the greatest villains ever devised, that’s really saying something.

Part of what makes him so genuinely great is just how utterly unknowable he is. Over the course of both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, he is almost like a god of the criminal underworld, untouchable and mysterious. What very little tidbits we get of his past paint a conflicting picture that could mean any number of things, and at every other point he manages to command respect and fear from all those around him, with those not wise enough to do so ending up dead by his masterful machinations. It ultimately makes the single scene where we see him not doing business, the one where he flirts with the man at the bar, so much more impactful. We see that Gus has rejected his humanity, his chance at ever being happy again, so that he can be consumed by his work and his vengeance. Gus is what he is by choice.

It’s why, even if it’s not really “good” that Walt won, it is so satisfying and cathartic. Gus spends his screentime pulling off superhuman schemes and feats of vengeance, orchestrating the deaths of the entire Salamanca family and his own cartel superiors, and yet he is done in by an absolute bumbling buffoon of a criminal like Walt. It’s a classic case of David and Goliath, with the untouchable adversary being taken down due to viewing his foe as so far beneath him that he didn’t realize he was screwed until it was too late. Gus was sadly too smart for his own good, never bothering to consider the erratic chemistry teacher could ever pull off anything big enough to defeat him.

With all that, Gus gets a 10/10. With how much I love Gus and how I consider him one of my favorite villains ever, you might be wondering why I didn’t bump him up to a 10.5 to denote him being a cut above the garden variety 10. Well, Gus has one issue with his character that I feels really hampers him in crucial moments: His inability to speak Spanish. Giancarlo Esposito, despite being an absolutely fantastic actor in every other regard, does not speak Spanish and needs his lines given to him phonetically. Native speakers have called his accent stilted and unnatural, and it has led to moments that should be epic and powerful such as his monologue to Lalo before killing him becoming nonsensical gibberish to trained ears. Considering that character is a native Spanish speaker, this is an absolutely unforgivable and glaring flaw. It certainly doesn’t ruin the character, but it does hold him back just a little bit.

But it really does speak volumes that as soon as Gus is taken out, the quality of the villains just plummets. The final season has Walt facing off against a bunch of Nazis and fucking Lydia, the annoying businesswoman. The final season is still peak, but boy are those villains living in Gus’ shadow. In spite of his flaws (or, well, his singular but rather major flaw), he’s still one of the greatest villains in television history, and is up there with Walt and Saul as the greatest villains in the series.

[raineandsky]

#77

The sidekick avoids the gaze of the two heroes in front of them. It feels awfully like an interrogation, sitting at a metal table in a bare room like this. They’re starting to worry that they’ve done something wrong, and they’re about to be absolutely obliterated about it.

The first hero smiles at them. “You’ve come far, [Sidekick],” she opens. “The agency’s finally given us the go-ahead to let you into the city for your first assignment.”

The sidekick’s gaze snaps up to her in disbelief. All their hard work is, finally, finally, paying off. “Really?”

The first hero nods brightly. She opens her mouth but the second hero beats her to it. “You have a big decision to make,” he says brightly. “You need a hero to accompany.”

“That’s why I’m here,” the first hero butts in quickly.

“And me,” the second adds immediately after.

“You’ve shown a lot of promise in your training, [Sidekick],” the first continues with a stark scowl thrown the other hero’s way. “I’d like to offer myself to accompany you in what will inevitably be a wonderful career that carries you to being a hero.”

The sidekick stares at her with wide eyes. They weren’t expecting to pass training this early, and they certainly weren’t expecting heroes to offer to tutor them. They currently have a script tucked under their bed that they were going to use to convince people that they need a sidekick.

“No, no, she’s got it all wrong,” the second hero cuts in quickly. “No, you don’t want her. You want me.” He grins a little too wide. “I know all the little secrets of the city. I can teach you everything there is to know about this place.”

“No,” the first hero snaps. “He’s got a criminal record.”

The second hero’s eyes practically pop out of his head. The sidekick’s dart between them in acute alarm. “I was a teenager!” he cries.

“I know you’re not a violent kid,” she continues over his incensed howling, pointedly focusing on the sidekick. “I can show you all the good we can do with pacifism.”

“That– That’s nice,” the sidekick says dumbly. The heroes’ arguing is making them a little nervous, frankly, and they’ve no idea how to handle adults acting like children. “I’d like that.”

“I can do that too!” the second hero practically shrieks. “Peace is easy! I also catch the most criminals—never a boring day, ha—and I can show you the—”

“Give them a break, jeez,” the first hero says with self-assured calm. “It’s up to you, [Sidekick]. It’s the criminal” — she smiles softly — “or me.”

“The criminal record is a thing of the past,” the second hero says quickly. “I can show you how to have fun as a hero, unlike goody two-shoes over here.”

“Being a hero is dull sometimes. There’s no point in lying about it.”

“Obviously it is. That’s why you enjoy it where you can.” His gaze turns a little too harshly onto the sidekick. They involuntarily shrink away a little bit. “Right, [Sidekick]?”

“Um,” is all they can get out.

“It’s a big decision,” the first hero says, getting to her feet. “You think on it, and come back to me when you’ve decided, alright?”

“You can come to me too,” the second hero adds. He mirrors her as the chair scrapes across the floor behind him. “Come find whoever you want to work with, yeah?”

The sidekick nods mutely again. They’re not entirely sure what to say to all this.

The heroes let them out with feverish promises that they’d both be the perfect hero to accompany into the city. The sidekick agrees awkwardly and skidaddles the moment they can break away.

The script under their bed is crumpled up and tossed in the bin. Two heroes are in the market for a sidekick—and for them. They need to look back over their test scores, see if they can figure out what they did to make a pair of heroes clamber for their attention like this.

That can wait, though. They have a big decision to make.

Which hero do they spend the next ten years working with?

[tobiasdrake]

Ace Attorney 4-3, Investigation 1. In keeping with Gavin being surprisingly friendly for a prosecutor, I love the way 4-3 spins directly out of our developing relationship with him specifically.

Klavier Gavin is the only prosecutor ever to voluntarily hang out with the protagonist prior to the big conclusion of their arc. Some prosecutors have showed up to hang out in future titles; In fact, Gavin does too. But this is the first time we've actually been able to get to know them before the showdown.

And you can see why, too. Gavin's not only the friendliest prosecutor. He's also the only one who. Like. Has a life outside the courtroom. Other than Edgeworth being a sentai fanboy, I guess.

This one's going to have to be in two parts.

Rockstar prosecutor Klavier Gavin is a rockstar. So we're going to set a chapter of the story at a rock concert. His rock concert. What a great idea.

OH YOU CAN BARELY TELL THAT A MAN WROTE THIS

The least believable thing in the entire Ace Attorney universe is that the Gavinners somehow have a successful rock career. Rock is a counterculture movement, giving voice to the unheard.

It is physically impossible to get any farther from counterculture than literally cops. This is it. The extreme distant end from counterculture. Who the hell would buy cop-themed rock?

The Daily Wire wishes conservative media was as well-received as the Gavinners.

It's especially bizarre when you consider that we're in the Dark Age of the Law, a period of time when the criminal justice system is so widely known to be corrupt and brutal that pop culture came up with a name for it while it was still happening. Everyone knows that the justice system is broken and exists solely to persecute the innocent but we're all gonna buy tickets to watch a bunch of cops play guitars and cheer for how cool prosecutors are.

Nonetheless, this is such an unassuming setup for a murder. Why would there be a murder? We're here to make music. We're here to make cop music. Can we have one nice evening? But no. Gavin and his guest star Lamiroir take the stage and....

It does not go well. In fact,

It goes aggressively not well. Fortunately, the victim lives long enough to tell us that Lamiroir saw him get shot.

Romein here speaking in code to give us a riddle to solve. I usually hate cryptic moments like this when characters use a short window of opportunity to speak in cryptic tongues rather than deliver useful information. But with Romein, it makes sense. The man has been shot and ours is not his first language. He's wracking his brain right now to find correct enough words to use.

In any case, this sets up our crime for chapter 4-3. A classic Whodunit in an enclosed space - complete with a vanishing killer who somehow teleported out of the room despite us breaking in through the only exit moments after the gunshots were heard.

A limited number of people have access to this backstage area and half of them are cops. One of them shot Romein LeTouse. Which means now would be a good time to talk about the cast of characters involved in this case.

We have two sets of characters here. First is the guest singer Lamiroir and her entourage.

The mysterious and lovely Lamiroir, a famous international singer who is probably the real reason all those people are here. Come for the legendary international celebrity but also cheer for the fucking cops so they don't get mad and shoot tear gas into the crowd.

Siren of the Ballad Lamiroir is easily our most interesting character in this case. Not originally from her "home country" of Borginia, her entire persona is a manufactured illusion.

As well as her manager and translator Romein LeTouse whose name makes me sad that our local salad buffet place shut down during COVID. He's one of only two people involved with this case who can interpret for Lamiroir, who speaks only a foreign language. That's a problem, seeing as he's our vic--

Oh, never mind, she can speak Japanese "English" just fine. They were doing that for publicity. Convenient!

And her blind child pianist Machi Tobaye. He and Lamiroir seem like they make for quite a pair. These two, I can believe having a famous musical career. Machi, incidentally, can "also" only speak his native language just like Lamiroir but I'm sure that won't be important.

These two characters form an inseparable performance duo from a foreign land, whose relationship with each other and their late manager will carry much of the intrigue for this case.

The other key set of characters would be our cops.

Of course we have Ema Skye, our embittered forensic scientist whose talents are wasted as a field detective. Of course, she's definitely off the suspect list on account of the fact that she was with us when the gunshots were heard.

There's Prosecutor Gavin who is having the worst day. He probably didn't dunit but then again it wouldn't be the first time, would it?

And Detective Dickhead. His hair truly must be seen to be believed. He is attempting to pull off the Japanese Thug Pompadour in a way that can only be described as, "Hello, Officer."

Just like Ema, Gavin and Daryan both have airtight alibis as well.

It's hard to get a stronger alibi than "Thousands of people saw me onstage while the murder was taking place."

AND THEN THERE'S THIS ASSHOLE

That's it. That's all we get. Glimpses of the Golden Fucko as he bazingas around dodging attention. Okay, dude. Way to not look suspicious, I guess.

That's it. That is our small cast of characters aside. It's not a lot of people to look into. In fact, Mysterious Golden Fucko aside, nobody seems capable of fitting everything we know about this mystery.

Continued in part 2.

[notquitejiraiya]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. spread the self-love ❤

Alrighty then. This is gonna be tough and has required some thought, but let’s do it:

1. Strangers (Sand Sibling-Centric, Mature)

In Strangers, we see the sand sibs join together as a trio for the first time in almost three years as they make their way across Europe together, all battling their own issues and struggling to accept their shared sense of loss.

It is, by far, my favourite I’ve ever written. I had so much fun planning and writing it and it’s become my favourite little universe I’ve made. I am so proud of it, and it has my favourite final line of all of my stories. If you love Sand Sibs, please give Strangers a go!

2. Grandmaster (ShikaTema, Temari-Centric, Explicit)

Grandmaster is the prequel to Strangers. It follows Temari growing up to become one of the world’s top chess players, and the influence of her (tough and testing) family and her fellow player Shikamaru Nara on her life and career.

It is not yet complete on ao3, but it is my pride and joy in terms of my ShikaTema fics. So much time and effort and love went into this fic. It is my world building child, my best attempt at OCs and I am so proud that it exists. There is so much of my soul in this story, and I’m overjoyed to see people are liking it so far. Thank you very much to those who are currently reading it!

3. 9/10 (ShikaTema, Mature)

9/10 is a oneshot set in our world that centres around Shikamaru, who was on a trip with his friend but has branched off from them for some peace and quiet. Whilst on his own, he becomes acquainted with the strange lady next door.

It’s not my personal favourite fic I have ever written, but I do think it’s the fic I feel most proud of. It was the first story I truly felt like I was writing just for myself, and I think it’s one of my best; it’s certainly my best oneshot, and I’m immensely happy with it.

4. CHESS (ShikaTema, Mature)

CHESS is a story about the friendship and eventual relationship that develops between Shikamaru and his new therapist, Temari.

And no, it isn’t “problematic”. Don’t even think about coming for me about that — I simply do not care — just read it and find out. That said, please do mind the tags as it does touch on certain topics some may be uncomfortable with.

Now, I don’t think CHESS is even nearly my best work, but it would be criminal not to put it in a top 5 of mine. It’s a part of my blog’s “brand” at this point, if I were to have such a thing. If people have read just one of my stories, they’ve probably read CHESS. It came from an important place to me and it turned into the beast it is and I’m proud of it, even if my writing has evolved since then. For that, it deserves top 5 without a doubt.

(PS: yeah, I still regret capitalising the title on ao3 but I’ve committed to the bit now. We aren’t turning back.)

5. Ripples (ShikaTema, Mature)

Ripples follows two wedding guests taking a break from the festivities.

I wasn’t sure what to list as 5, but I decided to go for another oneshot, and Ripples is my second favourite of my oneshots. Nothing deep, nothing sad, nothing particular silly, just them and a lake and some stones. I have very happy memories of writing this fic and despite it being a few years now I still think it’s nice.

.

Whoever sent me this ask, thank you! It was a lot of fun to think about. Hope you all have a lovely day ♥️

[inkribbon796]

Egotober 2023 Day 20: The Musician's Apprentice

Summary: Nate has a great idea, with unfortunately some bad timing.

Prompt: Music

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Nathan Sharp essentially had two homes. His actual house in Gainesville and then the open road whenever he did his yearly tour. Mostly he toured, even for a little bit, to keep his “friend” fed and out of trouble.

Mare, the demon who was in lockstep with Nate and his musical career. A symbiotic relationship. And also the reason that Nate was banned from the country of Ireland, because if Mare and Anti were in the same city for a prolonged period of time people died and houses burned.

So Nate was on a strict no fly list to the entire country, even though Anti could find Nate and Mare whenever. But Nate didn’t make the rules, he only suffered under them.

He was on his way home when he called Bing, he’d done a bit of thinking over the last year or so.

Nate texted Bing. “Got a moment?”

Bing was slower to text back than usual. “Yeah, what’s up, dude?”

“Wanna talk about someone, would rather do it without a paper trail.”

Nate got his luggage into his home, and got his dog all excited when Bing appeared into his house through his laptop.

Nate jumped, his dog barked.

“Glad you’re back,” Bing said.

After Nate calmed his racing heart, he sat down. “Yeah, thanks. We gotta talk about something.”

“We do,” Bing said.

“I want to take on an apprentice,” Nate said.

Bing clapped his hands in front of his face once. “You’ve got the worst timing. Who and where are they?”

“They’re the kid of a friend of mine, got the best gift I’ve probably ever seen,” Nate said.

Bing took a deep breath, “Dark is on a rampage in Egoton, he is reacting to Marvin moving here. And you are giving me a second apprentice to worry about.”

“Shit,” Nate said, wiping his hand down his face. “Does it make it better or worse that his gift is very visual and I’m not the only one who’s spotted it.”

“Take me to the kid, we’ll go from there,” Bing said.

Nate rolled his eyes, grabbed his phone and his dog and on the way texted his friend what was going on and to meet him at a secluded park.

Bing shot into the driver’s seat of Nate’s car as he started the car. Nate tried not to jump, failed, and started the car. He turned some music on.

“Heard the Coalition has some apprentices,” Nate said.

“Well, a bunch of us had ‘em for a while. We only got around to breaking it to Silver.”

“You got one, some science guy? He’ll play nice with mine.” Nate said.

“Yep, Logic, he’s great, if he tries to tell you he’s a reformed criminal, don’t believe him, it was minor eco-terrorism,” Bing had the gall to smile at him as he said it.

“How much are we talking?” Nate asked.

“Not much,” Bing said. “Great kid, smart kid, trying to get him off crime before Google and Dark scoop him up.”

“Alright then,” Nate said. “Should be fun, Mare will love the guy then.”

They got to the park and Nate introduced him to his friend, and his sixteen-year-old son Thomas.

Nate liked Thomas, he was a bit excited.

Bing seemed to like him too but to Nate it always seemed like Bing regarded most humans with lukewarm acceptance. He was never too upset or too enthused.

Thomas loved seeing his dog again and Nate’s dog loved being outside with people.

Thomas was naturally excited to meet Bing, and after some pleasantries started up a little song from a play he was practicing for school. After a little warm up, the park around the warped and changed to look like a setting from the musical number. Even Bing was watching it happen, which Nate hadn’t been sure would happen. Bing and Google were naturally resistant to visual and auditory illusions.

As Thomas sang and performed Nate watched a slowly growing look of dread creep up on Bing’s face as he stared more and more intently at Thomas.

The song ended, Nate and Thomas’s father clapped.

Bing stared before saying, “Okay, if it was up to me, you’re basically hired. We’ll talk about a suit, I’ll talk to Jackie and Silver.”

“Really?” Thomas said.

“You’re too dangerous to let Dark, or worse Deceit, just scoop you up,” Bing said.

“Oh, I don’t want to work with them,” Thomas said.

“Perfect, come up with a name, I’ll see about a costume,” Bing said and then looked at his dad. “And you need to sign and look at some forms. I’ll have Silver, Jackie, and Nate send them to you.”

“Yeah, I’ll read over those,” Thomas’s dad said.

Bing was pleasant enough but when Nate went to leave he looked a lot less pleasant. “I think I know how Silver feels now, you’ve made me an actual branch leader.”

“You’re welcome, how much is Silver going to hate this?” Nate sighed.

“Oh very,” Bing had a laugh in his voice, “he’s going to be pissed, but I’ll talk with him. It’ll be fine. Besides, a friend should keep Logic out of trouble.”

Nate got a text message and smiled when he read it. “Iridescence. He’s already picked a name.”

Bing smiled back. “Oh, he’ll fit in.

Bing left at that point and Nate went home to finally relax before Silver would figure out what was going on and call him.

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball Super 074

How do people sit like this?  Without tipping over, I mean. 

Are all the conversations they have only five seconds long? 

Last time, Jaco let a dangerous space criminal escape to Earth.  He suspects that it’s the Great Saiyaman, so he tracks him down and starts shooting.  Little does Jaco know that the Great Saiyaman is actually Son Gohan.  I mean, he’d find out a lot sooner, but Gohan’s having trouble getting his helmet off, because he was flying Cocoa back to her apartment, and she’s clinging to him too tightly out of fear.

But Gohan finally does unmask and Jaco explains to him just what is going on.  Watagash is a “mind parasite”, harmless on his own, but capable of inserting himself within a host body and giving that body incredible strength.  Watagash feeds on darker emotions, so the more evil you are, the more Watagash gets out of it. 

Which proves that Great Saiyaman couldn’t be under Watagash’s influence, since he wasn’t going on a rampage or anything like that.  I think Jaco just saw a new character in West City and jumped to conclusions.  Or he actually believed that tall tale Bulma invented about a thief stealing the spare Great Saiyaman costume.  Either way, he put two and two together and got five.

Gohan wants to contact his father to help recapture Watagash, but Jaco wants to keep this under wraps because he doesn’t want his superiors to find out Watagash escaped due to his carelessness uh... I mean, Jaco’s on a secret mission.  Yeah, that’s it.  In exchange, Jaco promises not to tell anyone about Gohan’s little affair with Cocoa.  Gohan denies that it’s anything like that, but Jaco’s convinced.  He resents that Gohan has better luck with the ladies than he does.  Don’t hate the player, Jaco.  Hate the game.

So with that out of the way, Gohan takes Cocoa back to her apartment where they can rehearse her scene, which was why she approached him in the first place.  But why?  Gohan’s playing the Great Saiyaman in the new Mr. Satan movie, but he’s only performing as the lead stuntman. Wouldn’t Cocoa need to rehearse with the actual star, Barry Kahn?

It’s like this.  Barry wants revenge on Gohan and Videl, so he’s manipulated Cocoa to help him break up their marriage.   Last episode, Barry made a big to-do about offering Videl his autograph, and she refused him in front of his fans.  Also, Gohan’s stuntwork seems to be impressing the director more than Barry’s star power, and his ego can’t stand to be upstaged even a little. 

So he told Cocoa to go approach Gohan about rehearsing her scene at her apartment, and then to kiss him.  Then he called up a photographer he knows to capture the whole thing on film.  Cocoa doesn’t like this very much, but she’s just a pop idol.  This role as Great Saiyaman’s love interest is her chance to break into acting, but Barry threatens to torpedo her whole career if she defies him. 

So she has to do this, but what Barry doesn’t know is that Cocoa discovered Gohan is the actual Great Saiyaman, the one who appeared in Satan City several years ago.  Also Gohan’s the Goodest Boy, and he’s so darn nice to her that she gets upset and can’t go through with it. 

And Gohan’s so darn nice that he manages to comfort her even though he doesn’t know what’s going on.  He thinks this is about her struggle to balance multiple careers, and he relates this to his own struggle to be a good father, husband, son, and guy who knows aliens. 

Which... really does sum up the whole character.  It’s such a quick moment in a rather complex story, but it’s what makes Episodes 73 and 74 so good.  His whole life, Gohan has tried to be everything for everyone.  His mom wanted him to be a scholar, so he became one. Piccolo wanted him to be a warrior on the battlefield, so he became one.  And I’ve often said that by the end of DBZ, he’s managed to walk that fine line and succeed in both paths, and now he’s basically done with that dilemma, right?

Wrong.  With each new relationship Gohan enters into, he adds more roles for himself.  That’s how he became Great Saiyaman in the first place.  He needed a way to foil violent crime in Satan City without it getting in the way of his high school education.  No one pressured him into it.  Everyone talks about Gohan getting pushed to do this or that by Chi-Chi or Piccolo or whoever.  But no one even knew he was fighting crime until he told them.  And he didn’t have to invent a superhero identity.  Videl was fighting crime and going to high school without a disguise, and everyone just went along with it. 

And this is what can frustrate the fans, because we want to see this Gohan or that Gohan, but he never completely puts any one role back in the box.  He never stopped being the badass from the Cell Games, or the reluctant Z-Fighter from the Saiyans Saga, or the nerd from Orange Star High.  For my part, one of the things that’s frustrated me about this viewing of Dragon Ball Super is how he asked Piccolo to whip him back into shape, yet he keeps going on with his life like nothing has changed.  We’ll eventually see him training with Piccolo, but it’s weird that it never comes up in this episode, where he’s trying to be a stuntman on top of all the other hats he’s wearing.

But that’s not a plot hole, or an oversight.  It’s a feature, not a bug.  The only reason it’s more noticeable in Dragon Ball Super is because Gohan has a lot more roles to juggle than he did in Dragon Ball Z.  The solution is not for him to “pick one”.  This is why those edgy fancomics always miss the mark.  They’ll have Cell murder Videl and Pan to push Gohan into becoming a dedicated fighter, but that doesn’t “fix” the character.  All you’re doing is chopping off parts of the character that made him work.  It would be like making Chewbacca shave his fur. 

And this is what makes Barry’s scheme such a potent trap for Gohan.  He’s too naive and too gentle to suspect a trap.  Cocoa tries to get him out of it by leading him up to the roof, where Barry’s photographer won’t see him flying off the roof.  But she kisses him anyway, probably just because he’s such a cool guy.

But Barry was a step ahead of Cocoa, and he’s been staking out the roof this whole time, just in case the photographer missed the shot he wanted.  When he sees Gohan fly away after the kiss, he’s shocked to learn that Gohan’s the real Great Saiyaman, but he figures it’s just one more secret he can use against him.  Wow, Barry is a super mega dick.

So he takes the photos to Videl the next morning, and Gohan’s more worried that Barry was following him all night. As for Videl, she doesn’t buy into this.  She knows Gohan’s not cheating on her, and she knows Barry’s a huge creep, so she won’t play his game.  “Look, I married this big cinnamon roll.  Of course girls are going to throw themselves at him.  That just means they’re smart.  I knew what I was in for.”

Barry can’t handle this defeat, so he pitches a bitch until Gohan finally makes him leave.  But even when he’s getting tough with Barry, he’s still a sweetheart.  He’s like “Barry, I still like your movies, but you’re being kind of a jerk right now, and I want you to leave before you wake up my daughter.”  I’m surprised he didn’t offer Barry a soda before he goes.

And while Barry is stewing in his own juices outside... a certain creepy alien crawls up and enters his body.  I forget how Watagash works exactly, so let’s just say he went up Barry’s butthole. 

Inside, Gohan’s is about to explain the photo of Cocoa kissing him, although Videl seems to have forgotten the whole thing.  But then Barry smashes through the wall and clobbers both of them and takes Pan.  When Gohan comes to, he finds Barry carved a note in the wall, daring “Saiyaman” to meet him at the TV station.

I want to remind you that this isn’t like when Baby from GT possesses a character and basically wears their form like a suit.  It’s also not like when Baby lays eggs in victims and changes their personalities to make them loyal to him.  Barry still thinks of himself as Barry and this is all his idea.  I think it’s reasonable to assume Watagash is pulling some strings, but Barry doesn’t even know Watagash is in his body right now.  He has no idea how he got so strong, but he’s enjoying it too much to care.   Maybe Watagash is just influencing Barry more indirectly.  Whispering suggestions into his subconscious, or tweaking his hormones to make him more aggressive.  But the point is that this “Kidnap Pan” business is all Barry’s idea. 

Anyway, Pan’s having the time of her life up here, and she made a poopy. 

When Gohan shows up, Barry transforms into some sort of ape-like creature.  Is this Super Saiyan 4?

While Gohan fights Barry, Videl flies up to the top of the building to fetch Pan.  So you know, a pretty typical day for Videl.   No wonder Pan’s so happy to be on top of the TV station.  She probably goes here every other day. 

“Did you go back to the TV station again?”

“Heee glklfhsjsgdshj! :D”

“Babies aren’t supposed to be up here!”

“Babboosfhjweeeeee dada”

So Gohan makes short work of SSJ4 Barry, and then Watagash does a second transformation, which makes Barry look like a Shadow Dragon.  Look, Watagash, kidnapping and blackmail are one thing, but I draw the line at making callbacks to Dragon Ball GT.  That show sucked.

I just want to point out here that this giant monster form is only possible because of how truly evil Barry Kahn is here.  Like, I’m sure Watagash could get even more powerful if he took over someone like Frieza, but it’s pretty telling that a civilian could get Watagash to this level.  Barry is just that big of a dick.

Meanwhile, the crew from the studio find out about this fight and they haul ass to the TV station to film it for the movie.  The director thinks he can use all of this, which I’m pretty sure is a standard trope for fantasy adventure cartoons that do a “goin’ to the movies” episode like this.  I’m pretty sure real life directors can’t just call an audible and film random stuff that would change the entire story.  I mean, for one thing the lighting out here isn’t great. 

Soon enough, Jaco shows up to help, but his giant space gun would kill Barry along with Watagash.  Gohan tells him not to do that, even though Jaco says Barry is too far gone to be saved.  I’m not sure Jaco would know that for certain.  Also, if killing Watagash were an option, why was Jaco bringing him in alive before this mess started?

But all Gohan cares about is Pan.  If they have to kill Barry to stop Watagash, then Pan will see it, and he refuses to let that happen.  Gohan knows what he’s talking about, because he’s seen lots and lots of death as a child.  His dad died in front of him twice.   He won’t let that happen with his own kid.

But Barry won’t make that easy, because he has giant eye lasers now.  Gohan eats a hit and it tastes like pain.  With a side of agony.   On a sesame seed bun of hurting.  I’ll stop now.

Cocoa’s horrified by all of this, but Videl’s steady as a rock.  It’s not that she isn’t worried about her man, but she has to be brave for Pan’s sake, and Gohan helps her be brave, which is what makes their marriage work.  Gohan Fights Frieza Dot MP3.

Somehow, Gohan hears them cheering for him from up in the sky, and I can’t help but wonder why no one else from this show is sensing this all-out super battle going on right now.  I mean, several powerful warriors actually live nearby.  But then again, I guess they figure Gohan’s got this.

Hell yeah he does.  Super Great Saiyaman!

I’d like to think Gohan’s rocking Super Saiyan 2 under the costume, but I’m pretty sure he’s not.  It’s just that this is such a good Gohan story that the only thing missing is some sweet SSJ2, the form he invented.  But he probably doesn’t like using that one for a lot of reasons, so I get it.  Also Barry’s a chump who doesn’t deserve the honor. 

Bokutachi wa Tenshi dot MP3... in Spanish!

So that takes care of that.  Gohan is reunited with his family, Watagash is heading back to space jail...

And Jaco drops Barry Kahn’s naked, unconscious, decontaminated body somewhere.  He’ll be fine.

We then flash forward to the opening weekend of the movie, and... holy shit that promotional art looks amazing!  I never had much interest in the movie itself, since it was just a plot device.  I mean, this was around the time Batman vs. Superman was all over the place, so I just assumed they came up with “Great Saiyaman vs. Mr. Satan” as a way to spoof that idea.

But look at that flier! This totally looks like a badass movie where a sentai hero is squaring off with a world-famous lucha libre star.  Great Saiyaman is doing all his cool poses and high kicks, and Mr. Satan’s ready to get his big huge mitts on him and just twist him into a pretzel, just like he did to Cell.  

Wait, I just realized.  Do you think Cell is in this movie?  I mean, he’s gotta be, right?  There has to be a flashback to how Mr. Satan saved the world from Cell, like some two minute scene of them going at it in the middle of nowhere.  You’d need a scene like that to make it clear that Great Saiyaman’s got his work cut out for him.

Wait, I just remembered.  Doesn’t everyone already know Gohan is the Great Saiyaman?  I mean, he unmasked at the 25th Budokai.  I was trying to think of cool stuff they could work into this movie to set up his backstory, and that led me to the tournament.  Oh well.  The point is that now I want to see this movie!

Anyway, Barry’s been thoroughly humiliated through all of this, and now he has to do promotional tours for a movie containing actual footage of Gohan kicking his ass, except everyone thinks he played the hero.  He knows Great Saiyaman’s secret identity, but he can’t do anything with it because if he tells anyone, Cocoa will reveal that he was the monster.  Wait, how does she know that?  Anyway, I think Barry just wants to get through this and move on with his career. 

Anyway, Chi-Chi and Goten loved the movie, but Goku fell asleep in the theater.  I always kind of got angry at Goku about this, but as a fellow forty-somehting, I recognize the siren song of naps. 

Chi-Chi is livid, however.  “How much did Marvel pay you to say you hated this movie, you shill!”

So yeah, what makes Episodes 73-74 so much better than Episodes 71-72 is that the focus is squarely on Gohan’s character.  What I mean is that he’s thoroughly Gohan the whole time.  The plot is kind of cliche, what with Barry’s over-the-top villainy and Cocoa’s infatuation with Gohan, and the whole “My wife saw me kiss another girl what will I do?” thing.  That, and the whole “We’re making a movie about (x) is pretty tropey.  Hell, this isn’t even the first time Gohan was a stuntman in a Great Saiyaman movie. 

But it works because Gohan is the guiding light for the story.  He’s too caring for his fellow man to allow the stuntmen to be hurt, so he ends up becoming the lead stuntman.  He falls for Barry’s trap because he’s too nice to suspect treachery, but he’s also too kind and too loyal for Barry’s trap to work.  He fights Watagash/Barry because he’s too worried about his daughter’s safety, and he keeps fighting because he’s too worried for Barry’s life to let Jaco handle it. 

And hell, in the end, he probably doesn’t mind Goku sleeping through the movie.  I mean, he knows what his dad is about, maybe better than anyone.

Compare this to Episodes 71 and 72, where Goku is so bored he hires Hit to murder him just so they can fight.  That’s dumb.  It’s meant to showcase Goku’s character, but it gets the whole thing wrong.  Most of Goku’s rivals were trying to kill him in the beginning, and he won them over as friends who don’t try to kill him.  The Goku/Hit rivalry is all backwards, where Goku sees how hard it is for Hit to fight under tournament rules, so he tries to arrange a situation where they can fight on Hit’s terms.  No, that’s dumb.  If Hit wants to join the fun then he needs to learn how to fight on Goku’s terms.  The solution is for Hit to get good, not wait for Goku to pay for a suicide pact.  And don’t even get me started on Vegeta trying to wimp out of training drills. 

Anyway, “Great Saiyaman vs. Mr. Satan”, five stars, no notes.

Meanwhile, on his way back to headquarters, Jaco stops off at the same ramen booth he ate at in Episode 73 and.... wait, is this story starting over?   Let’s get out of here. 

[kudosmyhero]

Untold Tales of Spider-Man (vol. 1) #1: To Serve and Protect?

Read Date: January 29, 2023 Cover Date: September 1995 ● Writer: Kurt Busiek ● Penciler: Pat Olliffe ● Inker: Al Vey ● Colorist: Steve Mattsson ● Letterer: Richard Starkings ● Editor: Tom Brevoort ●

**HERE BE SPOILERS: Skip ahead to the fan art/podcast to avoid spoilers

Reactions As I Read: ● newbie Spidey ● web air cushion ● I didn't really need a visual of how sweaty Peter gets under his mask…

● Hey, it's George Stacy, not yet retired! ● the highlight on Spidey's mask just makes the front of his whole face look pink. it's… odd ● Spider-Man asks to become a cop but then realizes it won't work ● nice panel of Captain Stacy gazing out the window after Spidey has left

● hmm, Spidey name-dropped Benjamin Parker, and now Capt. Stacy is asking his sergeant to bring him the files for Benjamin Parker and for Spider-Man. will he start piecing it together? ● Spider-Man goes after the Scorcher to bring him to police to prove himself a "good guy" ● but Scorcher sets the building on fire, and Spider-Man realizes that people could be hurt by his actions; he webs a water tower to douse the flames ● Spidey is so small in this run--hasn't fully grown yet ● he turns in the Scorcher, but he gets yelled at by a cop. Stacy intervenes and explains to Spidey that he disrupted a very carefully planned operation; the Scorcher was actually supposed to have escaped, because he's working for a bigger fish (or maybe an Octopus, hmm?) that the cops want to catch ● poor Spidey. just trying to help ● aww, and now Peter is sick ● 👏👏👏

Synopsis: Spider-Man has finally found a new costumed criminal known as the Scorcher, who has been using his flame-throwing armor to steal experimental electronic designs from various research and development companies. The Scorcher is unhappy that the novice hero has come to interrupt his mission. As the wall-crawler battles his new foe, the authorities and a crow gather below the building. Thanks to the editorials J. Jonah Jameson has written against the wall-crawler, the mob begins to get upset that the web-spinner is involved. Ultimately, the Scorcher manages to burn through one of Spider-Man's web lines, sending him falling to the ground below. In order to save his life, Spider-Man quickly webs up a cushion to break his fall. However, the angry mob tries to attack him, prompting the young hero to flee to the rooftops. There he discovers that the Scorcher and his army of minions have escaped in the confusion. After recovering his camera, Peter Parker pulls off his mask so he can give himself a moment to breathe. Thinking about all of his recent troubles, he wonders why this all has to happen to him.

The following day, Peter goes through his daily routine fraught his mind fraught with problems in both his personal life and his career as Spider-Man. When he wakes up in the morning, his Aunt May is worrying over the bills that have arrived in the mail. When Peter offers to do something to help, May tells her nephew that he is already spending too much time on his part-time job at the Bugle and fears that further time away from his studies will impact his grades. At school, Peter tries to keep his mind on his schoolwork. In chemistry class, Flash Thompson and his friends huddle together and make fun of Peter for being so focused on his education. Later, when Peter turns in his photos to J. Jonah Jameson, who is delighted to have pictures of the battle between Spider-Man and the Scorcher. Much to Peter's dismay, Jonah intends to use them to spin his opinion that the two were working together. This latest bit of depressing news makes Peter reflect on the direction his life has taken. He recalls how simple things were when he was being raised by his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. His life all changed on the day he was bitten by a radioactive spider. Gaining the proportionate abilities of a spider, Peter developed the identity of Spider-Man in order to make a career in show business. This came to a tragic end when Peter refused to stop a thief from getting away. That same man later murdered his Uncle Ben. This caught him that with great power comes great responsibility, and from then on, Peter used his powers to fight crime. Since then he had a number of run-ins with various super-villains. His thoughts are interrupted when Betty Brant gives Peter his check for the photos. He is about to muster up the guts to ask her out on a date when J. Jonah Jameson comes bursting into the office with an idea on how to spin his recent batch of Spider-Man photos. When Jonah mentions the warrants out for Spider-Man's arrest, Peter thinks to himself that these warrants wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Jameson's influencing authorities with his negative editorials. However, this suddenly gives Peter some inspiration and he tells Betty that he'll talk to her later. She is surprised when Peter suddenly kisses her on the cheek before rushing out of the office.

Changing into Spider-Man, Peter swings down to the local police precinct. There he sneaks into the office of Captain George Stacy. He tries to convince Stacy to make him an official police officer, pointing out that he helped capture villains like the Vulture and Sandman, and how he helped solver the Ben Parker murder. When George points out that the wall-crawler would have to go through the proper channels -- which includes revealing his true identity and going through the police academy -- Spider-Man realizes that he cannot do that for fear of what the revelation will do to his Aunt May. Without any explanation, Spider-Man says he can't do that and leaps out the window. Curious about this encounter with the wall-crawler, George calls his sergeant and asks him to bring the file they have on Ben Parker's murder. As he swings away from the police station, Spider-Man thinks about how unfair this situation is, confident that he would have made a great police officer. When he returns home and shows Aunt May the check he got from the Bugle, the elderly woman is delighted by the money as it will help her make her mortgage payment for the month. That's when Peter overhears a radio report about the Scorcher attacking and East Side Chemical Warehouse. Making up an excuse about leaving his homework at the Daily Bugle, Peter rushes off to change into Spider-Man and face the Scorcher.

By the time Spider-Man arrives at the chemical warehouse, he overhears the Scorcher reassuring one of his men that they will pull off this robbery even though the police have surrounded the building. Although Spider-Man has the element of surprise, things quickly being going south when the Scorcher lights the building on fire. While he and his minions are protected due to their fireproof outfits. At Scorcher's mercy, Spider-Man quickly notices that a hole in the roof has revealed a water tower on the roof. Dodging one of Scorcher's flame blasts, the wall-crawler fires a web line at the water tower and yanks it down on the burning building. With the inferno put out, Spider-Man quickly knocks out Scorcher and drags him outside. Instead of being celebrated as a hero, the police are upset that the web-slinger has interrupted their operation. As it turned out, they wanted the Scorcher to escape so they could track him to his employer. As Spider-Man is being scolded, not far from the smoking remains of the Osborn Chemical plant, a mystery man holds onto the case of chemicals that the Scorcher had come to steal. Not knowing what to say, Spider-Man makes a meek apology and swings away. Although the other officers are furious that the wall-crawler is getting away, George Stacy is convinced that despite his interference, the young man is just trying to do his civic duty. Later, Peter has been brought to bed as he has developed a cold after his battle with the Scorcher. He is watching the news about Spider-Man's battle, unhappy how it was received negatively by the press. That's when his Aunt May enters the room and turns off the television, suggesting that watching such violent stories will impede his recovery. As she leaves, Peter laments on how everyone is even more angry at Spider-Man than ever and wishes that -- just for once -- things would go his way.

(https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Untold_Tales_of_Spider-Man_Vol_1_1)

Fan Art: Spider-Man Unmasked Profile Upper body by Nightwing780

Accompanying Podcast: ● Amazing Spider-Talk - "Revelations"

[peppertaemint]

Did you see that SMs ceo posted a picture with Lucas, and now he's posted a dance video on ig...

I know I'm making a big leap from one picture to a worst case scenario but I swear, if Taemin (and possibly Baekhyun's) first project back after the military is superm just so sm can bring Lucas back from purgatory I'm gonna be so pissed. They don't deserve to have their first project back, that is already definitely gonna get more than enough hate just cause it's superm and people are assholes, also marred by that guy's scandal. I really hope I'm wrong😭

There are a lot of rumors going around about SM's CEO Chris Lee. Some are saying he's on the outs with the company and that might be why he's suddenly done this Lucas thing (kick and scream on your way out?). Nothing is confirmed, however.

The IG post + Lucas' dance practice give the impression of a soft launch back into his idol career regardless, but what we don't know is what that would actually look like. I don't care enough to check what he was dancing to (new or old? group or solo?) but I basically agree with you. I think it's gonna be the height of awkward if SuperM comeback immediately with Lucas. WayV have been operating without him, so why should SuperM — the very best of SM — have to include him?

And yes, selfishly I don't want TM or BK anywhere near him. Or Kai. Istg he brought out the worst, bro-y side of Kai that was blah and cringe. One criticism I have of SuperM is not letting Kai and TM's relationship show too much. Maybe this was their own choice or producer's choice, but even just a smidge more to break up the macho bro crap would have been nice. I mean, we even had Anons here saying they weren't really close! That shows the lengths the production went to highlight other dynamics.

My gut instinct was that they might launch him into solo branding since he clearly has a huge fanbase still and to date there have been no criminal charges against him. That doesn't mean he's not morally bankrupt or creep or whatever, but from their side, he might be "clean enough" because he's a popular, handsome idol. Sigh.

What actually happened with Lucas? I don't think anyone can argue he wasn't a creep. Yet, there are a lot of "debunk" threads and personally, I can't make heads or tails of any of it. We're in the disinformation age, after all. The truth remains elusive. Let's not forget he admitted wrongdoing, though.

[sinkingtime]

Wait wait wait wait. You just inspired a new AU, which I will tentatively call "child soldierless", i.e. what if everyone joined Batman as an adult.

Because that wage worker? That's Jason. He just happened to have been wearing a red hoodie at the time.

He does leverage his newfound rep into a succesful criminal career, but eventually gets in too deep and goes to the Bat for help. Bruce had forgotten, and didn't even notice he was down one batmobile. He does help, and Red Hood does join up.

Barbara is easy, basically free. The old halloween party, Batgirl cosplay, party crashers, that all works just fine if she's an adult.

Or alternatively, if we want Oracle: she always wanted to be a cop like her dad, the (ideally jokerless but that's not crucial) accident happened and now she can't, so Batman gives her a job. In this version I guess Jim helped set that up? Would be nice.

Dick's also easy. The Graysons were murdered on his 18th birthday, because he was specifically being framed for it. Batman and Robin's first outing is now to help clear his name.

I guess I have to acknowledge that he used the family's colours and called himself Robin, but I really wanna move him into Nightwing without breaking up the batfamily or getting another Robin, because:

Kate and Betty Kane were originally invented to be Bruce and Dick's love interests, respectively. Obviously the former can no longer do that, having become his cousin and also gay, but Betty still can. And wikipedia lists her as Flamebird, which is the identity of Nightwing's sidekick, so of course I want them to join up for that reason.

I guess Kate had always been Batwoman? Her family became Bruce's closest family after the Monarch Theatre Deal, they trained together, etc. And then Betty always wanted to join up, she never let her because she was "too young" but eventually they admit she's not anymore. Something like that, I guess.

Tim's not gonna be costumed. Instead he got a private eye agency, Red Drake Investigations. He tries to research the batfamily more or less to test himself. Didn't really expect to uncover their identities so easily. He sends Wayne Manor a file with his findings, the weaknesses that let him figure it all out and how they can improve their security.

At first Batman worries this'll be a new villain, but it ends up becoming an ally.

The League of Assassins also doesn't use children. They do train them, but there are no missions until they're old enough. Talia's idea, Ra's keeps telling himself it's just a phase, she'll get over it one of these decades.

Damian turns out to be a good person despite everything, so that all his targets either manage to escape or there is nothing left of their bodies. At first it seems to be fine, since nepotism, but eventually it becomes clear even he is subject to judgement, leaving him no choice but to fake his death and run away to Gotham.

If Dick's not given up the "Robin" mantle yet, I guess this is the time?

Helena and Stephanie were childhood friends, as well as daughters of rival crime bosses. The two families are more civil than they'd normally be, for their sake. Maybe their fathers joke about "if only you'd had a son instead", sometimes.

But the mafia princesses also hate crime, and they team up to destroy both their organizations. This works, but it leaves them homeless, whereupon the batfamily takes them in.

Cass was the one to kill Damian. They thought it'd be fine, since he was a failure, but it quickly become clear that his grandfather still cared, despite everything. Talia had no choice but to hunt her down, to avenge her son. The last thing she told her was "go to Gotham, seek the Bat".

She didn't know he was enjoying even more nepotism, she just thought he was a good choice for former assassins to be given asylum, and a new purpose. And she's right.

I also want her to think Damian is the only one in the group that has never killed anyone. With their various criminal backgrounds and personal tragedies and whatnot, plus the fact that she hardly ever talks, it shouldn't be too difficult to maintain that misunderstanding.

Duke was a repairman for the company that happens to maintain the bat-signal. He was doing that during a stormy night when lightning hit it, then arced to him, giving him his powers. That thing probably contained illegal radioactive materials or something.

“commandeered” bruce that’s just stealing. bruce that’s grand theft auto. bruce.

[sim4eventmode]

51- Remodel (Replayable): Remodel your kitchen [BG]

52- Remodel (Replayable): Remodel your living room [BG]

53- Remodel (Replayable): Remodel all the bedrooms [BG]

54.- Remodel (Replayable): Remodel the bathroom [BG]

55.- Remodel (Replayable): Remodel the living room [BG]

56.- Remodel (Replayable): Remodel the exterior  [BG]

57.- Remodel (Replayable): Remodel the whole house! You don't need to roll for an added challenge. Delete every object in the home and create a shell of the house. You cannot erase or add exterior walls, but can manipulate interior walls. Use as much money as you have available to you. [BG]

58.- Add a Room (Replayable): Add an art gallery [BG]

59.- Add a Room (Replayable): Add a garden/greenhouse [BG] and optionally [GH]

60.- Add a Room (Replayable): Add a shed / workshop [BG]

61.- Restyle (Replayable): Give one of your Sims a new outfit!  [BG]

62- Age Gap Romance: You will need an elderly sim for this--you can create or pick a family with an elderly sim. If they are married, divorce immediately. You want to find love, but no one in your age cohort seems to be doing it for you. Romance and marry an adult or young adult. [BG]

63- Single, About to Die, but Ready to Mingle: Create an elderly sim with the noncommittal trait. You're not getting any younger! There's no point in marrying--you're on death's doorstep as it is. But you've always been that Sim who's always dating somebody. Choose five Sims of any age group available for dating. You must romance, become their partner, go on at least one date, and then break up with them. You can remain dating the last partner if you wish.  [BG]

64.- Adopt a Pet! (Replayable): Adopt a pet of your choosing [Mrow]

65.- House of Death: Pick a household with at least two sims. Ensure the two sims are at least both young adults or older. One sim should maximize writing in order to get the book of life, for which they will write the second sim's name in. Your Non-Writer Sim is haunted by death. No matter what they do, death seems to be around the corner. Kill this sim as many ways as you have access to (base game has 9 deaths, 10 if you're playing an elder). Every time your sim dies, the writer sim brings them back to life with the book of life [BG]

66.- Born Sexy Yesterday: You've been obsessed with space your entire life. Join the scientist career. Your goal is to find an alien to fall in love with and marry, and maybe even get to Sixam! [GTW]

67.- I Am A Normal Human Being Just Like You: Create an alien sim. You've been sent to the Sims planet to see if there are any useful resources, but you've lost track of your mission and have become obsessed with sim food. Max out your cooking and gourmet cooking skill, and complete the chef career track. [GTW]

68.- The Cop and The Criminal: You will need a married set of Sims to complete this. Change their careers so one is a cop and the other is a criminal. Your criminal sim has fallen into a life of crime the same time their partner has decided that policework is the path for them. While at first your criminal believed this to be a waking nightmare, it actually has made your criminal work much easier because no one suspects a cop's spouse. The criminal has told the cop spouse that they're actually a painter (painter, money launderer through the art industry. Is there really a difference?. Reach the top of each careers. The criminal needs to have the painting skill maxed out and some paintings on the wall to help sell the idea that they're a painter. You should also have a suspicious number of very nice paintings/sculptures in your house.  [GTW]

69.- Landlord Economy: Pick a new household and save up money to buy an unoccupied house as a rental property. (Or kick a house sim out if none are unoccupied.) Notate the cost of the house when you buy it. Delete everything in the house and remodel it for twice the value, and portion it out so you can rent it to other Sims. (With a shared community space for facilities but separate bedrooms for each renter). Charge the maximum possible for rent. [FR]

70.- Leader of the HOA: You have decided that you are your community's leader! Reach maximum friendship with everyone in your neighborhood. Create a club of everyone in your neighborhood (basically making an HOA) and Max out the groups upgrades. While this is going on, do not influence the Neighborhood Action Plans (NAPS). When you have finished making friends and created your club, begin the repeal process and select NAP Programs that benefit your household above all else. [EL]

71.- Ambition Eats Morality: Find a house with a couple, and have a child. Give this child the ambitious trait. You grew up in a household where you were expected to achieve. Your parents believed that a strict routine would set you up for life. In terms of the child's character value they should have the positive traits of manners, responsibility, and emotional control, but the negative traits of empathy and conflict resolution by the time they reach young adulthood. Give the child a curfew and the parenting should be rather strict. In adulthood, sign them up for university with the end goal of a lawyer career. In young adulthood, being pushed to strive and be better, you are a star student but a terrible friend. You can maintain one positive friendship with this sim, but you tend to make enemies wherever you go because you're willing to step on others in order to get ahead. Go to university to become a lawyer. Once graduated, join the lawyer career and reach the top of the career as fast as possible, and have at least 10 declared enemies. You've reached top success, but it's only when you're crowned the victor in a game your parents made up, you realize what it cost to get here, and you wonder if it had been worth it. [DU]

72.- The Host With The Most: Find, create, or conceive a Cheerful sim. Age them up to Young Adult if necessary. You are just happy to be here, and you love making friends and having social gatherings. You will be hosting several different parties, and it's important that your sim is reasonably skilled enough to pull these parties off by having the correct skill points. Ensure that your house is equipped to host several different kinds of parties. Make 15 close friends. Host and get at least silver on a dinner party, a house party, a spooky party, a dance party, neighborhood potluck, a pool party. Optionally, you can do a family reunion if your sim has enough family to host a family reunion. (And of course, if you do not have a DLC that contains one of these parties, feel free to skip them!) [BG] [Spooky Stuff] [GeTo][GT][FR]

73.- The Lord of Babysitters: Find, create, or conceive a childish sim. They can be a teen or adult for this event. You've always had a knack with children--they find you funny and you find them adorable. Get a job as a babysitter and reach the top of the career. Create a club with at least 5 children sims. Develop the club to its maximum potential, and include children's activities. Build a space in the childish sim's house for their little babysitter's club. [GeTo]

74.- The Klutz on a Mission! Find, create, or conceive a sim with the clumsy trait. You've always been a little clumsy and your entire life you've never let it slow you down. You've been dreaming of the jungle your entire life. Choose/change to the the Jungle Explorer aspiration, which you will complete by the end of the event. Save up 20,000$ for your vacation which you will go on by yourself. Max out your Selvadoradian Culture skill as well as archeology skill. Befriend 5 people in Selvadoradia. Buy a camera and Take 2 photos in each area of the game to great a photo-gallery. These photos should each be unique in some way. Collect each of the rare fruits in the area and one of each artefact. When this and your aspiration is complete, return home. If you have not already, create a public museum lot for you to display your artifacts and photos, or remodel an existing museum to accommodate the wing. [JA]

75.- The Collection's Museum: Create/renovate a public museum with enough wings for each kind of collectable in the Sims, so that it can be put out on display. Include a bookcase for writer Sims to bring their written books into. (If you have encountered an event that's asked you to build this lot, consider this event complete. Draw a new event). [BG]

76.- The Creative Spark: Find, create, or conceive a sim with the creative trait and choose / change to the writer aspiration, which must be completed. Your passion is writing and vacationing. Save up 10,000$ and gain at least writing level 9 to write mysteries Go on as many vacations in as many worlds as you can muster. Buy a laptop to keep in your inventory. For each location you visit, write a mystery book. You're effectively doing research vacations to create a realistic setting for your books. [BG]

77.- Romance is My Middle Name: Create, Conceive, or find a sim with the romantic trait. Love is in the air! At least, you're PRETTY sure it is. Change your romantic preferences to be non-jealous of all aspects. You've always wanted to be a writer, and there's nothing you adore more than a good romance. Raise you writing to be high enough level to write romance books, and create a writing nook with items that make the environment flirty. How do you plan on getting good stories to write romances on? Why, by going on dates of course! While you do not have to ask anyone out (you can if you want) you must reach 50% romance with 5 Sims and go on at least one date with each sim (you do not need to be officially dating any of these sims). After, you can write a book with the narrative of using your date experience as the foundation for your romance novel. [BG]

78.- Sauna Please! (Replayable): Build A sauna in your sim's home  [SD]

79.- Bowling Night!: Build a public bowling alley or renovate a public lot to include a bowling alley. [BN]

80.- Galactic Roads, Take Me Home: Create a toddler alien sim and their adult alien parent(s). Your family first came to Simgea (Sim Earth) as ambassadors to make peace and learn about the humans. However, your parents crash landed into distant Strange Town, ruining any equipment they might have had. What's worse? Your parents were stranded and your mother/can-conceive-child-parent was pregnant with you! The town was surprisingly welcoming to your parents. They taught them about the humans world, and helped deliver you. While Strange Town did not have any resources to get back to Sixam, the town helped locate neighborhood close enough to a science laboratory. Giving your parents funds and direction, your parents set off to start a life and maybe one day make it back to Sixam. Settle your alien family in any desert world (it reminds them of Strange Town, they're sticking with what they know). Both the parent Sims should be fairly career oriented but neither can be an astronaut nor a scientist. Your parents are otherwise very loving and protective parents of their alien child (you). Growing up, your young sim should be focused on the sciences. When they reach young adulthood, age up the parents to elderly. Your young adult sim should go to university for sciences to ultimately join the science career. When finally a scientist, they should put all efforts into getting back to Sixam to report to your homeland what had happened, and that their ambassador mission was a success. Strange Town is a ghost town now, but there are plenty more interesting places with nice Sims for the aliens of Sixam visit. [GTW]

81- ABDUCT ME: Every since you were little, you've dreamed of being abducted by aliens. But you're not the kind of sim who's smart enough to make it in the science career (or maybe you are, but you're sure you aren't) By raising your logic to 7, become focused, and and using the search for truth on a telescope to get abducted by aliens. [GTW]

82 - The Mother's Daughter is The Mother's Daughter: (Kidnapping cults tw) You are The Mother's Daughter (The Mother is referencing Strangerville's storyline). Create a sim with a floral aesthetic, and build her a simple home with an elaborate greenhouse. Reach gardening 10, and complete the steps to getting the forbidden fruit to create plant sims. Plant this forbidden fruit to grow a tree and grow it indoors so it's growing all season. Eat this to become a plant sim. When it wears off, eat another fruit. When your sim is a plant sim, it is time to act. Befriend 6 homeless Sims and 1 sim that lives on a lot ( a homeless sim is defined as not currently living on a lot) and ask them to move in with you. Turn these new sims into plant Sims. Narratively, the Daughter is enchanting and kidnapping people to turn them into plant sims. Create a club for your eight Sims, as you have effectively created a plant cult! Make sure each sim in the cult has at least 5 in the wellness skill and access to wellness items--which, alongside gardening, is their main club activity. Now switch households to the family you had taken a sim from (the family of the 1 sim that lives on the lot). Pick a young adult sim or older for this next part. You family member has left suddenly to join the plant cult! You're determined to put a stop to this, but nothing you do can bring your family member back. Move out of your home and into Strangerville by yourself. Quit your job and join the military in vain hope of getting more access to whatever is going on in this town. Change your aspiration to the Strangerville mystery and complete it. The only way to save your friends from The Daughter is to deal with The Mother. When The Mother is dealt with, you can go and ask your family member sim to move back in with you, which they will, as the hold The Daughter had has weakened enough. The rest of the Sims remain with The Daughter, still fully enveloped in this madness. As you play Event Mode, should you ever get invited to join The Plant Cult you must always say yes, travel to the Plant Cult's lot, and eat the fruit to become a plant sim, and take a fruit to grow your own tree on your home lot. Whenever you play Sims in the plant cult, you must always maintain them as plant Sims. The only way to free them from being a plant sim is if another family member/member of the household travels to The Daughter, declares her an enemy, and wins in a fist fight against The Daughter. Only then can they leave the club and stop maintaining themselves as a plant sim. [STV][GeTo]

83- Oh Baby!: For this challenge you need a household of at least one sim capable of getting pregnant, and one sim identified as male. You and your male partner have decided it's time to expand that family, but you're taking a unique twist. You must have a child per each different way to have a child: Woohoo, Science Baby, Adoption, and Abduction! Alien Abductions can only get male Sims pregnant. It is advised to go down the scientist career for the satellite to contact with aliens, and then also have a level 7 in logic, become focused, and use the telescope to search for the truth.[BG], and optionally, [GeTo]

84- Everything is Numbers: Find, create, or conceive a sim with the Genius trait. Sure you could have gone into tech or you could have been a scholar, but instead you've decided that you're going to use your intelligence for the greater good by joining the detective career track. Reach level 5 in the detective career track. Make friends with at least two of your coworkers. At level 5, skip work for 2 days in a row to trigger getting fired. Narratively, you were fired unfairly because one of your coworkers set you up to fail. Pick one of the coworkers you're friends with and declare them your enemy and reach max rivalry with them. Join the criminal career and choose the Oracle branch. The side of good has failed you, so you'll be the evil genius you suppose you were born to be. [GTW]

85- You Cried: Create or conceive a sim with the gloomy trait, and a sibling that will end up as a ghost. Your whole aesthetic is the rainstorm, of darkness and gloom. Build small house on a medium lot or bigger, dedicating much of the space to nature. The house should look like it was renovated from some kind of an abandoned building. You've fully accepted your gloom as a part of you and embrace what beauty you manage to find amidst your sorrows. Though your sibling has passed on, they still haunt the place they died, an abandoned building that everyone seems to have forgotten about. You renovated the place as best as you could, and live comfortably with your sibling. As a gloomy sim, you get boosts to creative skills such as painting or writing. Pick one of these passions to create sad paintings or sad books, maxing out the respective skill. Have the lot challenges spooky and off-the-grid. Befriend 10 ghosts. (Wednesday is Ghost night, so you can meet ghosts at bars on Wednesday nights) [BG]

86- You're being Hysterical!: Conceive a sim with the Goofball trait. Reach maximum mischief before becoming an adult to gain the Authentic Prankster Reward Trait (High School Years). You refuse to be serious, and your parents always said it would be the death of you. And now, it really is. Dare 5 Sims to streak, Become a partner in crime with one sim if possible (to be partners in crime the other sim must also have that high a level in mischief). Clog 5 drains at 5 different households. Get a part time job but play hooky as much as financially possible whilst completing these tasks. When all above is complete, trigger the playful emotional death: death by Hysteria. Click Here To Learn How to Boost Playfulness to trigger death by Hysteria. [BG]

87- Find My Zen? You mean a Zen-Headbutt! >:(: Create or conceive a sim with High Maintenance (there is only one Townie that has this trait). You've always been, as they say, a little dramatic about the little things but have no fear! Surely with a little meditation even you will finally be able to reach your calm! Reach level 10 in wellness. You are then going to purchase a lot to create a spa so that everyone else can reach a level of calm and clarity that you've managed to get. Create a club with wellness activities as the main goal. Have 3 different gatherings at your spa and help people relax and take a load off!  [SD][GeTo]

88- The Angriest Decorator: Find, create, or conceive a sim with the Hot-Headed trait. Anger is your brand. From your personal aesthetic to your house everything is red, fire, and hot. And it looks GOOD. Have a 5 in athletics but join the Interior Design career. That's right. You might be all muscle and pure rage but your absolute passion is interior design. You want to bring out the personality of your fellow Sims in the way that they design their houses. Reach the top of the Dream Home Decorator Career. [DHD]

89- THE END IS NEAR! Create or conceive a sim with the paranoid trait. You don't trust ANYONE. The world is going to end and you need to be prepared! If this sim lives with anyone, move them out to live by themselves. Create a underground bunker with a hidden entrance and have Simple Living Lot Trait. You're determined to be a self-made sim who does not want to rely on the outside world as much as possible, growing food and raising animals in order to take care of yourself. Try to keep as much of it underground as possible. [STV]

90- Confidence is Key: Find, Create, or conceive a sim with the Self Assured Trait. You've always known that you were destined for something great in your life. You've always loved dancing. From ballet to hip-hop, you're destined for the stage. Max out the dance skill and successfully perform each type of unique dance that you have access to. [BG] and optionally, [GeTo][FR][JA][HR][HSY]

91- The Gauntlet of Yuck!: Create or conceive a sim with the squeamish personality trait. Much like the unfortunate heroes of Greece, you too must undergo a gauntlet set up by a cruel god named "Player Character." Now, you do not need to do this all at once. You can space them out. Squeamish sims get uncomfortable from a handful of unique experiences, and your goal is to trigger each and every one. - Go to Granite Falls and collect insects - Invite a sim over or to a public lot to go fishing together (narratively, they've invited you out to catch fish and for some reason you could not say no) [OR]

Mount a fish you catch and put it in your house (you should get an uncomfortable moodlet by getting too close)

Clean your house!

Have someone walk in on your squeamish sim

Get in a fight with someone!

Keep a room dirty enough to trigger the "icky surroundings moodlet."

Make nectar

Buy a chime and view it

92- What Manic Actually Means: Find or conceive a sim with the erratic trait (it is better if you do not create a new household for this event) You've been the good one all your life. You got good grades, volunteered, and have generally been seen as a model sim. But now that you're a young adult, you're on a journey of self discovery. You're going, as they say, off the rails as you try to find yourself through self expression and experimentation. Radically change your style of clothes, hair color and style, give them tattoos. Change their aspiration to Renaissance Sim which you will complete by the end of this event. When the aspiration has completed, your sim feels confident in who they are and can settle into a career and a partner if they so choose. [BG]

94- Happy Winterfest: Have a baby with Father Winter while also saving up 60,000$. When this baby becomes a young adult, move them out to an empty lot with $50,000 and built them a Winterfest themed house! As Father Christmas' kid, set up 2-5 new holidays.

95- The Four Seasons: Create 4 Townhouses/Houses on a lot with For Rent with each one inspired by spring, summer, autumn, and winter. [S]

96- Tiny Home: Select a household with at least 1 adult. As you've grown older you've fully embraced the maximalist aesthetic, while everyone else calls it hoarding. Renovate the house with copious amounts of clutter, fully embracing the color and chaos. Produce a child if you do not already have one and raise them to be a young adult. As this child, growing up in this sensory overload of a house has all but driven you crazy. Now that you're a young adult, you're overjoyed at the prospect of moving out. Move out and set up a tiny home, with a clear focus on minimalism. [TL]

97- Friendship is Magic (Replayable): It's a little lonely isn't it? Meet a stranger and reach maximum friendship with them. [BG]

98- I'm Leaving You: (Replayable): Much like your fuse, life is short. Reach 50% rivalry with a partner and then divorce / break up with them. [BG]

99- All by Sim-Self: Create a sim that looks like you! [BG]

100- The Sylvan Glade: Find the Hidden Lot called The Sylvan Glade in Willow Creek. When you get there, use " testingcheats true " and then also, " bb.enablefreebuild " cheat to build something on the Sylvan Glade lot. (You can build whatever you want, but if you want direction, build a gazebo). When you're done building, save and exit the game in order to turn off free build. [BG]

[satans-lil-d3mon]

0-44 😁😁😁💕❤️

0: Height

5’4

1: Virgin?

Nope

2: Shoe size

9

3: Do you smoke?

Weed, yes

4: Do you drink?

Occasionally yes

5: Do you take drugs?

Just weed

6: Age you get mistaken for

Shit it’s all over the place lol mostly 18 or 23

7: Have tattoos?

Yup!

8: Want any tattoos?

I want my entire body covered ♥️

9: Got any piercings?

Yes!

10: Want any piercings?

Would love more if my body didn’t reject them!

11: Best friend?

A girl I met in school in grade 7

12: Relationship status

Taken <3

13: Biggest turn ons

Possessiveness, obsession, stalking, consistency

14: Biggest turn offs

Bad hygiene, when actions don’t match the words

15: Favorite movie

The notebook

16: I’ll love you if

You’re totally obsessed with me, possessive of me, stalk me, in love with me and only me, don’t give up on me.

17: Someone you miss

My little cousin Max

18: Most traumatic experience

There’s so many but one that’s always been a major trama was when I was out 12 I was home alone with my younger sister and someone was trying to break in so we thought but then they just started throwing hand grenades at the house.

19: A fact about your personality

When I love, I love hard

20: What I hate most about myself

The way I see myself

21: What I love most about myself

My strength

22: What I want to be when I get older

Happy and in love

23: My relationship with my sibling(s)

Good relationship with my younger sister, but my older sister the relationship is non existent

24: My relationship with my parent(s)

Good I’m close to both

25: My idea of a perfect date

Picnic, watch the sunset and just lay under the stars talking

26: My biggest pet peeves

Lies, cheating, no communication

27: A description of the girl/boy I like

Nice, sweet, amazing, mature.. just perfection!

28: A description of the person I dislike the most

I don’t know who I’d dislike the most, if you’re shit I just remove you from my life and forget about you I got no time to waste my energy on disliking or hating people

29: A reason I’ve lied to a friend

To protect a surprise birthday party

30: What I hate the most about work/school

The way the bosses treat/speak to me and how underpaid I am

31: What your last text message says

“Meeting is at 11am”

32: What words upset me the most

Hmm that’s a good one I’m not sure, words don’t mean much to me actions hurts more

33: What words make me feel the best about myself

I don’t know tbh

34: What I find attractive in women

Personality

35: What I find attractive in men

Personality

36: Where I would like to live

Nice quiet place far away from everyone in the middle of the woods or country

37: One of my insecurities

Not being enough or good enough

38: My childhood career choice

Criminal investigator

39: My favorite ice cream flavor

Chocolate

40: Who wish I could be

No one

41: Where I want to be right now

In bed sleeping :(

42: The last thing I ate

Tacos!

43: Sexiest person that comes to my mind immediately

My lover <3

44: A random fact about anything

Uhhh, I brush my teeth in the shower 😅

^^ <3