#glad to have a backup option at least

[nylarac]

a potential dress option for my sister's wedding 🧐🧐 thinks about it

[tacticaldiary]

Sacrifices

Pairing: John Price x Reader

Genre: Hurt/Comfort

They’re surrounded and she’s the only person who can pull off the stunt required for the extractions team to do their magic. Defying her Captain’s orders was well worth the punishment if that meant said Captain and her teammates left this hellhole alive. Even if there was the possibility that that would be without her. 

Masterlist

“The evac team’s swarmed, can’t land until the roof is secure!” Gaz yells out while barricading the door the three of them burst through for cover. Price grits his teeth, cursing. 

Gunshots ping in the distance. This was supposed to be a simple mission. Capture the leader of an enemy organisation and transport him back to base for questioning. 

The only issue was the intel they’d received had been compromised from the inside, an ambush waiting for them instead of their target. Gaz, Price, and her were the three people from the Task Force dispatched, the operation needed to be done without raising any alarms, after all. A smaller unit made sense. 

Until it didn’t. The ambush had been brutal. 

Gaz took a shot to the leg and Price, two bullets to the shoulder to his firing arm. She was the only one unharmed. The room seems to be for some kind of storage. Metal racks line the walls, a single light illuminating the space dimly. 

“The roof is their primary focus, they know that’s where they’ll try to extract us from.” Price says, leaning against the wall. He does not flinch, does not wince or show any signs of discomfort from his wound aside from the sweat on his forehead and the pale complexion of his skin. Gaz isn’t doing much better, lowering himself down to get his bearing and inspect his leg. 

“Our options are stay here until we’re found, or take a room full of uninjured, armed forces all at once.” Gaz grits out, rolling up his pant leg. 

She’d been silent this entire time, thinking about their next course of action. The other two were injured. They’d be expecting them to strike as soon as possible, knowing they were desperate to escape. 

The other two wouldn’t be any good standing their ground. Gaz couldn’t walk, and Price wouldn’t be able to shoot accurately. This was her family. Her teammates, yes, but she loved Gaz like an annoying little brother, and Price...

Well, he may be her Captain, but at the end of the day, he’s also her husband.

The decision comes without any hesitation. Grabbing her rifle, she checks her ammo and reloads, the clinking of the bullets catching the attention of the other two. She checks her knives, feeling their gazes on her, and when she finally straightens up and catches Price’s narrowed gaze, she knows he’s figured out her plan of action. 

“You’re not to act without orders, sergeant.” He says, low and authoritative. It’s his Captain voice, the one she and the others obey without question on the field. 

This is the first time she’s chosen to disobey it. 

“We don’t have a choice.” She says, slinging her pistol into its holster. “I’m the only one not out of commission. I can clear the roof, buy you some time at least.”

Gaz goes to interrupt but her husband beats her to it. 

“Stand down, Sergeant.” He orders, knuckles white around the shelf he’s gripping.

“Negative, Captain.” She responds calmly. 

“I’m giving you a direct order-”

“Yes.” She cuts him off. “I’ll get the evac team in, they’ll send backup.” 

“Sergeant-!�� There’s a hint of something other than his stoic command when she approaches the door, something akin to alarm and worry. Even Gaz snaps his head to look at the Captain. 

“Price. Gaz.” She nods to each of them in turn, then gives Price one last look. Her rough, professional exterior cracks for a moment, the sad but determined smile she offers him might be the last one he sees, and the thought makes his heart plummet hard. “I’m glad to have worked with you.” She turns to John. “Love you.” 

He abandons her title and calls out her name angrily instead, pushing off the wall to march towards her. She knows he’s going to grab her, force her to stay and think of something else if he caught her. Hell, he might even decide to go out there instead of her and that was simply unacceptable. She slips out the door, slams it shut and bolts it closed from the outside, trapping them in. 

Two pairs of arms pound on the door, two muffled voices call out her name, one frantic, the other fearful and angry.

She leaves them behind, extracting a frag grenade from her belt. Stealth was one of her specialties, and even more so now that she’s working alone. Slinking back, keeping to the shadows, she finds her way to the staircase leading to the roof. Cracking open the door, she peers out to assess the situation. 

Counting 15 men, armed and alert, she takes a deep breath, pulls the pin out of the grenade, throwing it out. 

The moment it explodes, she throws open the door, takes three men out, and dives for cover behind a stack of sandbags. Men bark out shouts and orders, bullets rain around her. Another grenade sails over the bags, taking out a handful of them.

Hauling herself over the bags, she shoots down a few more of them, lunging to change covers. 

A sharp pain stings straight through her forearm. 

Another one through her right calf. 

Biting back a cry, she situates herself behind the second stack of sandbags. Less than half the men left. She could do it. She wasn’t doing this for herself. She was doing this for Gaz.

She was doing this for Price. For her husband. 

The person who loved staying in bed with her on their off days, the man that treated her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Price was someone she would never find again, and she was grateful for every moment they spent together. In bed lazy, taking a walk outside, lounging around at the beach, cuddling on the couch. Every moment with him was special, and she would not, she could not let him die like this. 

Trapped in a fucking setup. 

Summoning up the will, she throws her last grenade and opens fire, dropping man after man. Bullets scrape across her skin but she barely feels them. 

She aims for the last man, the roof bloodied with corpses when he throws down a smokescreen. Eyes watering, she coughs, moving to get out of the cloud, when she feels an arm lock around her neck. 

The man snarls, grabbing her in a headlock and squeezing. She chokes, scratches at his arms but his grip is relentless. Dark spots dot her vision, and she can feel her thoughts slip away. 

‘Clear your head’ John would have told her. ‘No situation is inescapable, you just need to figure out the routes to escape.’

Escape. Get the evac team in. She was so close. 

She reaches down and grabs at her legs until her hand curls around the last knife she has tucked away. Yanking it out, she jams it into the man’s arm and shoves him away, stumbling to increase the distance between them.

Cursing, the soldier points his gun at her with a sneer, hatred clear on his face. Unarmed, she looks for a weapon; her gun had been dropped in the struggle. 

There’s a beat of silence where neither of them move, then the soldier bark out a laugh and pressed the trigger. 

The bang makes her flinch as she ducks, preparing for the incoming second shot that would take her out. 

Nothing comes. 

Nothing but the thump of a body and arms pulling her up to her feet with an exclamation of her name. She starts to put up a fight, but then realises that the hands that hold her do not hurt, but are familiar and warm. 

“I’ve got you.” A smooth, gravelly voice. “Easy does it.” 

“John?” She gasps out. Over his shoulder, Gaz limps in on the scene, declaring it clear. A hand pressed to his ear, contacting the evac team via comms.

Now that the adrenaline starts to ebb away, she feels the full effects of her decision hitting her hard. She’s bleeding from a lot of places. 

Her cheek, her calf, her forearm, the side of her stomach. Scraped and bruised, still gasping for oxygen from being choked. God, she just knows there are going to be bruises around her throat tomorrow by how sore it is. 

Her knees buckle, but Price catches her, lowering them both to the ground. “I’ve got you, love.” He mutters, laying her down and looking her head to toe to chart her injuries. “Bloody hell.” He curses at her state. “What the hell were you thinking? Took us ages to break outta that goddamn room.” He snaps, glaring down at her. Among the anger, she can see worry and panic swimming in those eyes of his. 

“Needed to get the roof clear.” She breathes out, clutching onto his wrist. “Did it, didn’t I?” A weak laugh that Price does not find amusing at all. 

“We need a medic!” He yells over his shoulder to Gaz, who nods and relays the information over. “We’re talking about your actions later.” He informs her firmly, eyebrows drawn tightly together. “But you’re alright for now. You’re gonna be fine, you hear me?”

All she can bare to do is nod, squeezing her eyes shut, her entire body hurts and-

“Shit, ouch.” She hisses through her teeth, eyes flying open. “Did you just pinch me?” She says incredulously.

“I need you to stay awake, love.” Price says firmly. “Eyes on me, yeah? Keep talking. Don’t you dare close your eyes.”

“Is that an order, Captain?” She tries a weak smile. 

“It’s one you’ll listen to, that’s for fucking sure.” His grumble pulls out a small laugh from her. She doesn’t have to wait long, it seems because the humming noise of the chopper fills the air soon enough, the evac team lands safely on the roof. A swarm of people rushes out of the chopper towards them. 

The three of them are loaded onto the helicopter, medics on them, shouting to each other and measuring out syringes of medicine. 

Price looks at her the entire time, watching her as if she might disappear again. She knows she’ll get a talking to when they land, a harder one from her Captain, and a more worried one from her husband, but she can’t bring herself to care. 

They were all alive. 

Price could berate her as much as possible, she’d never regret saving their lives, even if it had meant trading her own. 

Requests Are Open!

(17/06/2023)

[bots-and-cons]

Hello! How have you been? Hope you have been doing okay lately your writing is really good love everything you make

Reader with nyctophobia (extreme fear of dark) getting terrified after all the lights on base turn off during a strong storm outside

And the Autobots (you're free to choose 3 <3) who didn't know about reader's phobia and tries their best to comfort and reassure them

A bit short sorry!

A/N: I decided to do this as a group thing, rather than separate, since it seemed like the easier option. Just Optimus and Bee this time around, I didn’t really feel like writing about anyone else. I kinda feel bad that I haven’t posted in weeks, but I’ve been really busy with IRL stuff.  I’m doing good though, and I’m glad you like my stuff. Good request, enough information, not too much either, so no worries if it’s short

•None of the autobots had ever even heard of such a phobia

•It was very rare for the base to go totally dark, at least for a longer time, since they had backup generators and all that jazz, but for some reason they took their sweet time turning on this time

•You’re trying to assure yourself it’s going to be fine and that the lights are going to turn on any second now

•They don’t though, and Optimus is starting to notice your panic, since he has only very little trouble seeing in the dark

(•I’ve now decided cybertronians have night vision, Idk if that’s canon, but I don’t care)

•You’re starting to panic, and you can feel your breathing getting more and more shallow

•Optimus asks if you’re not feeling well?

•You just straight up tell him you’re terrified of the dark and you’re starting to feel like you’re going to have a panic attack

•Optimus thinks about it for just a moment, and turns on his headlights

•He asks if that’s better, and you just nod, feeling yourself calming down just a little bit

•Optimus tells you it’s okay to be afraid, and he appreciates that you told him, so he knows what to do if this happens again

•Bee also comes into the room, buzzing at Optimus and asking why he’s got his lights on?

•You tell Bee it’s because you don’t like the dark and Optimus just wanted to make you feel more comfortable

•Bee of course then turns on his lights too, wanting to help you as well

•You find it kind of funny that they basically have these lights on their chest that they can turn on whenever they want to, mostly it just looks funny though

•Bee and Optimus are wondering what you’re laughing about, but they’re just glad you’re not feeling as panicked anymore

•The lights eventually come back on after a while, but until that happens, Optimus and Bee stay with you to make sure you’re feeling at least a bit better

•You just talk, and it makes you feel a bit more at ease, since it takes your mind off your fear and gives you something else to think about

[20dollarlolita]

Hi friends,

it's absolutely okay to use disability aids if they help you, and you are allowed to be the one who decides if they will help you.

I spent Christmas in a non-weight-bearing cast, and a friend of mine suggested I use her backup wheelchair so that I didn't have to use crutches for the whole time. I was initially resistant, but I'm glad I got over it.

It made a huge difference. It allowed me to work my job with minimal accommodation, and allowed me to be independent outside of work. I was able to go out and shop for holiday presents. I could leave my house and not worry about if I was going to get too tired to move. It was better for my body, because I wasn't putting my entire body weight on one hip or leg. It helped me be treatment compliant, because I didn't have the constant temptation to put my foot down and put a bit of weight on it. It allowed me to carry things and shop on my own. I was able to work at my job, make sales, and earn commission. The only work-related things I needed help with was to have us move our office plant (whose name is Randal) and to get help carrying large or heavy boxes. My doctor had approved return-to-work paperwork that said I had to sit down for 75% of my shift, and with a wheelchair, I was easily able to do this without going on disability or medical leave.

Here's a collection of pictures of me, not being stuck on the couch in my house.

And people, both friends and customers, were so very weird about all of this.

A lot of people questioned if it was some kind of overkill, because many people who can't bear weight on one leg will use crutches or a kneeling scooter. Other people commented on how inconvenient is had to be, and how difficult things had to be when I was using a wheelchair.

And I realized that other people saw me, compared their level of ability to what they thought mine was, and decided that using a wheelchair was difficult and inconvenient. What I saw was what my level of ability would be without the wheelchair, and what it was with it. Carrying a drink wasn't doable via wheelchair, crutches, or kneeling scooter, but I'd be unable to carry a drink in the wheelchair and people would see it as a huge inconvenience. (BTW the answer is just to get boba at a place that seals the lids on, carry it in your lap, and punch the straw through once you're at a place where you can set it down. Boba lids are wheelchair-friendly).

I think people see "wheelchair" as the ultimate in disability, but for me it was freedom to take care of myself. People want to save using a wheelchair for when you absolutely cannot function without it, but you deserve to be happy and not just to function.

And the fact is, if people are unable to judge my disability aids by understanding the options to them, and if they're only able to judge my mobility aids by comparing their personal ability to how they'd feel using my mobility aid, then there's no way whatsoever that someone else can judge if I actually need it, or not. But I deserved to be using the thing that gave me the most freedom, impacted my life the least, and was the least damaging on my body.

Anyway, I've spent the morning trying to convince someone I know who broke their leg that using a wheelchair is better than staying at home on the couch. I'm not making a lot of progress with that, so hopefully I can make some progress with my friends on the internet who might be going through something. You deserve to be comfortable and happy, and not just to exist. If you do things that take care of your body, instead of hurting it by refusing to take the help that you need, you'll be able to function better. Wheelchair isn't a bad or dirty thing, and it doesn't have to be a means of last resort. You can use it if it helps you.

[leoneliterary]

Oh gods, I love and adore the new update! My new grey horse Dust (bc it will leave them in the dust, is grey and unassuming at first glance, but also pure diamond) is already a favorite, even if my MC is slightly afraid of horses and not very good at riding. Aretas offering PRIVATE RIDING LESSONS and MC making not even one dirty joke to Merikh about it shows how serious the tension is, though. The cliffhanger is just mean, bc we don't get to sass big bad brother back. Not even a "you smell better, don't worry about me leaving you for him, wow he looks like a paler imitation of you".... I just imagined letting Desma loose on miserable big bro Labadon, but somehow that feels like bullying. ... Is that on purpose? He feels so arrogant and desperate to put down the bastard child, that it feels a little pitiful and insecure instead of evil, though I of course dislike and disdain him a normal and healthy amount, for his crime of a personality. But back to the important bits, Aretas is being smooth right back and I wasn't sure he'd have it in him. But so worth it, bc I already got a shovel talk from his mom! (a pretty mild one for now, thanks Teacher Alim) Aretas looking pained at Daddy Labadon's grand speech about his father's supposed greatness and aspirations and unsubtle attempt at baiting his king was greatly appreciated and the option that simply says "Blame Merikh" when asked why we couldn't ride? It was so .. tempting, I don't know how anyone can choose another. It's just such an impulse control defying little red button that all imp MCs just HAVE to press. And the reaction did not disappoint in the slightest! I laughed so hard! And then it got better, bc Merikh is just as clueless as you and my MC is learning that omg, he's actually just a grumpy little good boy. You just gotta adopt him. Sorry Sutek, sullen grumpy warrior slots are filling up really fast... I also loved cheering for Sefu and Sefu being so friggin POLITE and well behaved. I love when they show that they can be mature and competent at the same time as being total loving idiots. Desma feeling insecure was really hurting my kokoro, but then it got funny again when she asked "but are they REALLY brothers, how can we ever know?" Never change, best sister girl, my MC will steal horses with you and bury bodies. Their own horse, but probably other people's bodies. I do feel a tiny bit worried about Tamu being alone and trying to find the guild traitor preparing a take over without backup, though. Please let him be ok or at least let Gally have his back a little! This whole update had so much comedy potential with the right choices, it was a delight to read and totally worth staying up till after midnight! I love your writing style, it really hits me in all the best feels! Thank you for persevering, even through difficulties and I will honestly forever love your story! May all the cake, coffee and cookies be with you! As well as muses, time and motivation! I would offer a shoulder massage, but I can't reach through my screen anymore! All my love and adoration!

I always love your in-depth reviews, charcoal!! And thank you for such high praise!

Yeah, Merikh's big brother isn't the most well-adjusted, but whether he's just a pathetic weasel or a real threat, you can be the judge.

I wonder how many of y'all picked the 'blame Merikh' button. I had to give y'all the chance for some petty revenge, lol!

Judging by my asks, most of you chose the grey horse that you got to name.

Sefu really was on his best behavior, but good catch about Tamu. Wonder what he's up to while you're away. Desma is going through it, but she's being so mature and putting it aside to come on this hunting trip...

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it and had a laugh or two at some of the choices!

[fallen-goldfishcracker]

I've been thinking obsessively about my gladiator!Hunter au for the past 24 hours straight- so take some random plot drabbles!

Hunter is sixteen/seventeen ish at the start of the story, although he doesn't know his exact birthdate or age. He has been a professional gladiator for at least a year, training at a ludus gladiatorius (a gladiator training school- currently unnamed) in a province countryside near Rome/

He was abandoned by his mother at the age of seven or eight, and was picked up a few years later by a group of slavers, and sold to very small gladiator trainer/manager- called a lanista- to compete as essentially canon fodder in small provinces.

He survived somehow, and began getting more skill and kinda-sorta-almost fame, and around the age of 13 was sold to the ludas gladiatorius just outside of Rome.

What type of gladiator was he? I'm glad you asked! but this answer is gonna get a little long, so I'm putting it under the partition.

There were several types of gladiators, all of which had different fighting styles and armament, and were suited to different opponents. At the moment, I am unsure which type of gladiator he was. His combat style in canon is very light and agile, and he is semi-lightly armored; I want to represent that in this au with giving him those same traits and abilities.

-the lightest and most agile gladiators were the Retiarius; these guys:

They wore next to no armor besides a manica (arm guard) on one arm and a galerus (shoulder-guard) on the other. They fought with a trident, weighted net, and dagger, and were largely looked down upon, even more than already sub-human gladiators, especially if they belonged to the specific subset of retiarius, called: retiarius tunicatus, who were especially "shameful" and "effeminate" because they wore (can you believe it??) clothes. For shame.

Their main paring in the arena was the more heavily armored: secutor

However, I'm not sure if I like the look for my boy, Hunter- and the fighting style doesn't super call to me, so I'm not sure.

The second option is a rarer type of gladiator called a veles, or velites (skirmishers, in English). Because they are so rare, information on them is a little lean, and most mentions of them are from the Total War Wiki, soooo. I'm going to do my best with what I know.

They fought with a small, round shield and a six ft long spear (hasta in Latin), and were lightly armored. They were also given a sword as a backup, should the spear fail or be lost. They were a latter addition to the gladiator games, based off of a subset of the Roman infantry of the same name. In contests, they would be paired against other velietes.

Like I said, there's not a lot of information on them, which is definitely a con, as it makes design a lot more difficult. But-

Look! Wolf Boy! That is definitely a plus.

As I mentioned, the velietes are based off of an actual subclass of soldier in the Republic, pictured above on the left. We can see the spear, sword, and shield, and he also has a tunic and the wolf cap thing which slays. The right one is a warhammer figurine, but listen, supplies are thin. I can assume, using my very limited historical knowledge, that, as gladiators were, essentially performers of the likes of the despicable actors, they would dress as some sort of caricature of the actual soldiers, with the same weapons, and I propose keeping the wolf beanie as it slaps, but the tunic probably would have been ditched for something more revealing, like on the right.

(gosh that was long why didn't a make this a separate post good heavens why)

Whichever type of gladiator Hunter was, over the course of one or two years he would have sparred 5-7 times in an arena, as well as several times at private functions/ banquets depending on his popularity (spoiler: he is pretty popular). He's also the youngest (scout to be made-) professional gladiator, which is very appealing for a lot of people. Everyone likes an underdog, right?

When not sparring, he endures a harsh training regiment at his ludas gladitorius (still unnamed) under his lanista- who I think should be a character from the show but I do not know who at the moment. Although popular and well-liked, he's a very high flight risk, so his freedom is extremely limited. He basically lives and works and exists at the school, except for when he is rented out for contents and arenas 3-4 times a year.

Sometime during the story he gets spotted at a contest by Belos, (that's right lads you knew he was going to show up. You knew it). Belos is a affluent, high-ranking general in the Roman Army, and attends the contest, and becomes very interested in Hunter.

A few months later, Belos celebrates the ten year anniversary of his brother's death with a gladitoral munera, three days of gladitoral combat and feasts, and rents out gladiators from Hunter's ludas gladitorius, mainly because Hunter looks very similar to his dead brother,(wink wink) and Belos is the emperor(ha) of healthy coping. At the end of the munera, Belos buys Hunter from the lanista to become his personal guard, and boom- we have the Golden Guard dynamic from the show!

Small baby headcanon's that don't really relate:

Hunter is a pretty good pickpocket, from those few years on the streets, but if he got caught he was royally screwed because he can't lie for the life of him.

His favorite color used to be red, but since his time as a gladiator he doesn't know his favorite color anymore. During his time under Belos, it becomes yellow.

When he was younger, he tried to run away twice, and because of that was branded on his arm or neck (maybe with the letters FVG, for fugitive??). With Belos's permission, he cut off/hacks it off after he's bought.

His favorite foods are those little honey cakes sometimes served at the banquets the night before gladiatorial contents. The first time he was important enough to go to a public banquet, he ate so much food he got himself sick, and now at banquets he doesn't eat much, to give himself a better chance the next day, but he does have a honey cake if they are provided.

He thought gladiators were super cool until he became one. Think like, a little kid's obsession with superheroes.

He's still sort of scrawny, especially for a gladiator, who were fed a lot of bulky food to give them some fat to cushion blows in the arena, but he has a good amount of muscle, and after he leaves the arena (and maybe after Belos???) he starts filling out more.

Lastly, at sixteen years old, he still hasn't lost all his baby teeth! (even with how many times he's been socked in the jaw)

I'm hoping to work in more characters later, right now I am frankly obssesed with gladiator!hunter and gladiator!hunter only, but I do have some ideas for Hexsquad + the CATT's, so hopefully I'll be able to expand on that.

Anndddd that's that babbbby take the my disorganized rambles for 24 hours of hyperfixation. And yes, I am writing this because if there's one thing I'm good for it's hyperspecific au's of my loveliest boy.

:D

[thefirstknife]

Something I'm confused by: Why didn't Ana & Elsie try to kill Clovis on Europa?

Does this leave Clovis vulnerable or even willing to Xivu Arath's influence? Is that something to worry about?

Is it even possible to kill him in his Europa network? Does he have Backups? Also where does this leave Banshee irt risks of a Clovis hijacking?

As well as why not shut him down? Would Elsie need him or at least resources that he can only access once the Glassway portal to the Vex Forge Star becomes relevant/needed? Maybe keeping him around for a post Final Shape plot?

I like Clovis as a villain, and I am glad to see them keep his voice around via Rasputin.

It's really unclear, but from what's been implied, Clovis AI is really hardwired into the facility on Europa and probably can't just be quickly deleted. Clovis uploaded himself with the most high quality and high tech option possible at the time, including being able to keep all of his memories. The Clovis AI is literally a full unaltered copy of him as he was in the Golden Age and isn't an Exo upload.

He probably not only has backups but also various failsafe systems and other stuff that we probably don't know about that made sure his AI stays safe infinitely on Europa and is impervious to tampering. He was only genuinely afraid of Xivu Arath's tampering which sort of implies that damaging or overtaking the AI is not something we're capable of doing and maybe only Xivu is.

Also, deleting him from Europa would basically be killing him yeah. I don't think Ana is ready to go that far just yet. And of course, the probem is that no matter what, he is still the best source of Golden Age data and resources. If he were willing to share, he would probably be an asset to us so there's always some sort of hope that we might get there eventually (though with Clovis I genuinely don't think he would've ever been interested. He is simply not a character looking for redemption).

It's also very possible that he will continue being a pest to us beyond Lightfall and into Final Shape, yeah. He's a very curious case for an antagonist in that he's not actively doing anything wrong to us, he just has plans and those plans are concerning but he's still a necessary evil that we kinda keep around and hope something will eventually motivate him to help us.

[irl-l-l-o-y-d]

Hey, I know this is sudden, and I'd elaborate, but TL;DR, I feel like Ninjago definitely needs some kind of military force, coast guard or a SWAT team at minimum, particularly when dealing with situations like your dad and his army. They can't keep relying on the Ninja all the time, right? Backup options are usually a good idea, redundancy is important in a lot of cases. And even if said military force or coast guard wouldn't stage a pre-emptive landing on Garmadon's volcano island thing, some coastal defenses would probably mess up another Garmattack. And if the Ninja get caught up in something else, someone's gotta handle stuff in the meantime, right? Thoughts?

Holy- My guy, you are RIGHT! You are so right!

Even if the ninja squad wasn't built up of teenagers, it's a LOT of stress on someone. I mean- We do have a basic police force, thankfully, but they more solve crimes within the city itself and not exactly help with bigger, immediate threats.

If there was, at least, a sort of buffer? It'd help reduce the damage of the city by a TON.

But, alas, we're stuck with what we're stuck with.

I'm glad someone has similar thoughts.

[cloudbattrolls]

Cylindric Sonata - Part 2

Jastes Verdan | Civitrecce | Present Night

This drabble is preceded by Cylindric Sonata - Part 1 and is part of The Mind Electric plot.

Jastes’s power was still suppressed by the room’s lining (the same as the door’s, to prevent anyone’s psiionics from interfering with the helms). None of his lockpicks would function without a mechanism to fool or a bolt to pry out; there was nothing for him to work with, the entire device internal to the door itself. He hadn’t imagined such a situation; a flaw to correct for the future. 

The yellowblood sent another message to his ride and activated his cloaking tech just as feet thundered by and cursing sounded from outside the door before two trolls stepped in moments later, clearly in the middle of a conversation.

“Maybe it was that company mechanic!” Shouted the cerulean he’d seen earlier. “I passed them in the hall but didn’t see them anywhere else, and the scanner’s been used recently!”

“Calm down, Narvat.” Said the oliveblood man accompanying them in a would-be patient tone of voice, one currently taking a bit of strain. “This was an in-system hack, they’re saying; someone who already had our codes. Internal sabotage, that’s why the screen’s dark.” 

The greenblood confidently waved at the shorted-out monitor wall.

Jastes’s pointy ears pricked at that. So that blueblood probably was who he’d implied himself to be. Why would he hack his own factory’s security feed? Revenge? Or had he been covertly looking for something?

For someone?

The yellowblood felt a chill.

“I don’t care.” Snorted the blueblood. “All that matters is that we don’t look like fuckups; I don’t want Latrai coming down on us.” 

The olive rolled his eyes. “Because she’s been so scary, what with extending our breaks and raising paid overtime.”

“Oh sure, kiss her ass.” Narvat shot back. “You can’t trust someone who’s basically a rebel.”

Only the dire urgency of staying hidden kept Jastes from laughing.

“Okay, Nar, I think it’s time for lunch before you start going off on anyone within ten feet of you, huh buddy?” Said the olive conversationally. “Let’s go try that new stir-fry from the canteen courtesy of the boss I totally don’t like at all, cross my heart.”

The blueblood grumbled but allowed themself to be led out…until they stopped in the doorway, turning back around with a suspicious expression. Jastes held his breath.

“Nar.” Said the olive, a bit exasperated.

“I’m just saying, we should have the room checked! You never know.”

“Yes, whatever, I’ll ping security if it’ll shut your piehole.”

The two kept bickering as they walked out of sight, having not realized in their busy conversation the faint gust of movement from someone slipping by them before the olive thought to shut the door. Jastes was grateful - not for the first time - that he was small and slim.

He was also glad he hadn’t had to ask his ride to cause a distraction so he could escape. Sometimes Xineck was a little too enthusiastic about such things.

He paused before the door he’d first come in earlier, realizing he would almost certainly set off an alarm by going through while cloaked. Hacking the security system was even more of a non-option by this point.

The lowblood sighed internally and pinged his backup after all. The maroon’s later smugness was a necessary price to pay for what he needed.

A minute later, a small white raptor-like dragon barged in through the sliding glass doors, shrieked, and started to tear up the place. The receptionist yelled and cursed, reluctant to hurt what was obviously a lusus, and babbled for help from security. 

Trolls came running from deeper inside the factory and with everyone’s attention on the dragon kicking over a potted plant and flapping its wings while screeching, Jastes became visible again and slipped out the door.

Unfortunately, his sudden reappearance would likely be noted on the security feed unless it had still been compromised by the blueblood’s hacking. At least he didn’t look like himself, and he was cloaked again, dodging around trolls on the busy sidewalks who couldn’t see him. 

The blueblood would be delayed in looking for him, after what he’d done to the man’s system. Perhaps he’d gone a bit over the top…but if it worked as a deterrent, it would have been worth it, though he’d played more of his hand than he preferred to.

His greater concern at the moment was Latrai. If she was as smart as she seemed, she might put together some idea of who he was.

Yet there was also something strange about the blueblood, he mused as he reached the less crowded back alleys, shadowy in the wake of the tall buildings. 

If he really had been looking for Jastes in particular, why hadn’t he stopped him when he first set foot in the helm room? He’d assumed at the time that he’d tripped some sort of hidden sensor on the retina scanner or by walking through the door, but now he wasn’t sure. 

The man had seemed startled to find him at all, though clearly pleased and working off a preexisting agenda.

He’d have to find out just how much the former owner of Starsight knew about him, and stop its current one from learning anything at all. 

The yellowblood turned his cloaking off, glad to before it started draining his energy to dangerous levels. He was already feeling hungry.

“Hey, what’s a little oliveblood like you doing on lowblood turf?” Drawled a familiar voice.

Jastes turned with a small smile to see Xineck leaning on the beaten-up van he drove, parked at the end of the alley he stood in near a dumpster stuffed to the brim. The skinny maroon had six horns and a messy mop of hair that almost never got trimmed, along with a cigarette in one hand. He wore a tattered red hoodie and faded black jeans, contrasting Jastes’s neat gray mechanic’s outfit.

“Better be careful, there’s lots of scary psiionics who could - ”

“That stopped being funny a while ago, Xin.” Interrupted the yellowblood, as he had several times before. The taller man took a drag off his cigarette before replying. 

“You never started being funny, so I don’t wanna hear any shit. Get in before I have to look at your fake face any longer.”

Jastes obliged, carefully grasping the partially broken handle of the van’s shotgun door as he pulled it open.

“What about this one bothers you?” He asked evenly as he settled in the cracked leather seat, fiddling in the door’s side compartment for a snack.

“For one thing, it’s ugly like all your faces, and for another thing, you look like ass with straight hair.”

Jastes laughed softly, casting a glance at the messy back of the van as the other lowblood started the car after a few tries and curses. 

“Is your lusus back yet? I don’t see him.”

Xineck grunted as they began moving, becoming part of the downtown traffic.

“Pops will be fine. He can use the exercise.”

“I’m sure he can.” Sighed the yellowblood. 

He almost never let his own lusus out in the open without cloaking tech, fearing for his safety. As far as he was aware, none of his enemies had the faintest idea what his guardian was, but you never knew. Guinea pigs weren’t the most common of caretakers, and unlike Xineck’s lusus, his father wasn’t much of a fighter.

They sat in silence for a bit as the maroon made his way through the crowded roads, and it started to rain lightly.

“So, what’d you find?”

Even though the car had been relieved of any imperial trackers or listening devices long ago and was regularly swept for any new bugs, Jastes instinctually hesitated.

“It’s true.” He said after a moment. “So far, Latrai is as good as her word.”

Xineck groaned.

“Fuck me, are we gonna end up helping a highblood after all? No one is gonna like this.”

Jastes raised his eyebrows.

“They don’t need to like it, as long as they cooperate. If she succeeds and the business does well, better than others that rely on helms, it will set an example.”

Xineck rolled his eyes. “Fucking incredible to me that you believe that. Highbloods hurt us because they want to and they can get away with it. Turning a profit is just a bonus.”

“I don’t have to be told that highbloods like hurting people, Xineck.” Said Jastes quietly.

An awkward silence stretched between the two men.

“You make me fuckin’ wonder sometimes.” The lower caste man said at last. “Still trying to act like they can be reasoned with.”

“They can. With the right leverage.”

The maroon shook his head, apparently giving up the argument.

Jastes was fine with that. 

He didn’t expect the resistance to agree with his beliefs. He knew many of them had lost far more than he had, suffered in ways he would never know.

Yet his detachment from some things let him look to the future and better protect them as only he could, though no one except the man beside him knew what his power truly was.

Hints of glowing green flashed in the psiionic’s eyes as he stared at the windshield wipers constantly beating back the rain. Unlike most trolls, his did not cast a steady, organic light.

Instead they shone with the flickering LED quality of a machine. 

[couldbebetterforsure]

Still haven’t been able to start chapter 10 of Engage yet 😔 Life just doesn’t want me playing this game. Well, screw you too life!

Anyways until I get the time to continue I can at least give you my thoughts from the chapters I did play!

The opening is so entertaining! It plays like a Saturday morning cartoon opening and that is NOT a complaint! While I have said many times male Alear is the one I’m more fond of I chose female Alear because whenever I do first runs/main runs of games that allow gender choice for the player I always go with the female option. I also named Alear after my real life name, which I typically only do once I do my main/true run of a game. But this time around I decided I’m gonna have my true run Alear stay named Alear. But my true run won’t be until all the DLC is released. Right now we’re talking about my first run!

Prologue: What is this music so unsettling for????? Seriously, the song that plays on this map is so creepy! The little cutscenes within the chapter itself were pretty, I especially liked the first engage moment with Marth! Straightforward map against creepy purple dragon guy.

Chapter 1: Clanne, Framme, and Vander: “Oh noble and wonderful Divine One, we’re so glad you’re awake!” Alear, dragon who just woke up: ???????? Alear has the appropriate response to sudden zombies, we run from those suckers! But no worry folks, I’ve got years of zombie ass kicking experience from a land called Ylisse, this won’t be any sweat! But then I learned it would be some sweat because Engage has a somewhat different way of handling battle stuff. It was a bit hard to get it started but it’s fun! And Vander was here to do his job and keep my low level self alive. And we get officially introduced to my man Mar Mar! The chapter ends with us meeting Lumera (MOM!!!!!!!!)

Chapter 2: What better way to get used to all the new mechanics than by fighting our dragon mom? When she engaged with Sigurd she hit like a TRUCK! Vander was hanging on by a thread after blocking attacks for me. Framme, sweetie, you’re adorable but you hit like a marshmallow! Clanne, my little dude, meanwhile was out here getting a dozen crits. It really is adorable how much Lumera wants to be with Alear again. I can’t imagine how it must feel like, waiting for 1000 years for your beloved child to wake up so you can talk and eat and spend time together again. I’m so weak to family stuff….

Chapter 3: We start the chapter with interest dream/flashback(?) of red Alear. Ooooh creepy grin there. MOTHER NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! It’s too soon!!!!! I know I know people will say we’ve only had her for one chapter but like I said I’m super weak to family stuff. I also was plenty attached to Mikoto back in Fates too. Also it was Alear’s voice acting that really sold it. Like WOW that was some incredible work to sell me on Alear’s grief. I actually looked up male Alear’s version of this scene and that destroyed me! Getting a bit ahead of myself, first off battle! And we got three new friends in Etie, Boucheron, and ALFRED 😍😍😍😍 As I said in another post, I really did think Diamant would be my man but Alfred showed up and said “remember how much you love the earnest sweethearts”? Boucheron is sweet and was a decent tank, I really like the whole backup mechanic. Etie is out here testing my notorious luck with archer units but she’s cool so I’ll try my best with her! And Alfred my main man!!! I actually didn’t get to use him that much this map 😂 But I already fell in love with the bits of his personality he showcased. Anyways, hello there mysterious murderous hooded girl!

Chapter 4: The Somniel is a gorgeous place! I love that it’s so pretty and bright to look at but also not as annoyingly big to explore like the monastery was in 3H. Firene’s battle map music is so pretty I love just taking my time through this map as I listen to it. We get more pals in this newest chapter in the form of Celine, Chloe, and Louis. Celine is so good and she was terrifying when I engaged her with Celica. I love Pegasus units and Chloe was a great addition to that group, especially with her dodging. And Louis was SUCH a good tank, I love that armored units have the special gimmick of being immune to break! Also the Alfred-Sigurd combo was amazing, my man is just galloping across the map! We end the chapter getting our item and weapon shops, AND we our time rewind mechanic! Heck yeah! And we meet the mysterious little Veyle who saved our ass! I really love her swan look it’s cute!

Chapter 5: Gasp! A wild living Fire Emblem mother! With a name and face too!!! And we meet mystery evil lady Zephia! I really appreciate the change up to the way chests/locked doors work in this game. Anyone can open a chest without needing a key or ability and similarly if you can just break down locked doors. As someone who hated using keys because I consider them a waste of inventory slot, I love the change! And while I love the units with special lock picking abilities I’m glad this game made it so that you’re not forced to make/use one. We got ourselves a clothing shop and blacksmith to join us on the Somniel! A shame the outfits are only for the Somniel. Speaking of the Somniel I got to play around with the features in the ring chamber and the polishing mechanic is funny. The bond ring gacha is a fun little thing and I am glad it strictly only uses in game currency. Plus, SOMMIE!!!!!!!! Tiny adorable puppy looking baby!!!! That I can feed and pet and dress up!!!!! I named it Benji for this run but when I get to my main run I’ll stick with Sommie as the name.

Paralogue 1: FUCK YEAH!!! New villager unit!!! Listen I know villager units tend to be a pain in the ass to level up and use but I adore them to death! And not a single one of them has failed me yet! Jean is so adorable, a tiny little doctor in training who is ready to punch! I like that they make him ready and able to heal from the start so it’s not as bad to train him as it would typically be with his unit type. And bless, when I saw this map was a “keep the villagers safe” one I was already getting ready for the headache. But Jean and his dad did a good job keeping the villagers healed on my behalf, leaving me free to kick ass and take names. Also why did Firene abandon all the British people on this one island? 😂

Chapter 6: Yunaka is so funny! I love her energy, her voice mimicking thing, the way she’s blatantly hiding being a killer, her silly quotes and puns. And she’s a thief unit too! I really like the whole “thieves’ daggers have poison” thing. Pain in the ass to get hit by but really nice when dishing it out myself! Also we get Micaiah this time and holy shit does she provide a healing boon! Our very first fog of war map of the game and I didn’t make too many dumb mistakes! Heck yeah! Nothing much to say for this chapter, a straightforward map and funny story content. Ooh and we meet again Veyle! Why are you randomly here? Oh and after the map went back to the Somniel and got the Three Houses bracelet! Dimitri my gentle hearted baby boy, so good to see you, I missed you!!!!!🥹🥹🥹🥹 And Claude, hi there!!!😄 Oh and I guess you’re here too Edel 😒

Paralogue 2: Ahh here’s our latest Anna! And unlike the last game she actually gets to take part in supports! Interesting that they made her a little kiddo this time around. Also I looked up her growths, why the heck is she an axe user if her magic growth is that good???? Welp I mean she’s been doing pretty okay with her axe regardless for me since she’s actually been coming through on getting strength for level ups. But I had to restart this map a couple times because I couldn’t keep this girl alive. She takes hits like tissue paper…But I like how spunky she is!

Chapter 7: We hop on over into Brodia and Alear nearly gets shot in the head along the way. And we get to meet Alcryst! The way his whole apology is so completely at odds with the pretty cool way he’s introduced was hilarious! Also his retainers are so pretty!!! Alcryst is another bow user but he’s also a crit machine for me. Alcryst: “I’m sorry I am such a pathetic failure 😞 *massacres a dozen enemies* Why am I so useless?” Lapis is really good at dodging and pretty speedy too! Citrinne is so pretty looking and magic wise she’s fine but my Clanne is honestly more solid, but my gosh she can NOT take a hit! I mean yeah she’s a mage but even by mage standards my girl can’t be hit. Looks like we get to meet the circus crew for this battle! Hortensia seems interesting so far, kinda bratty from the looks of it. Goldmary’s personality was not what I expected like she seems soft spoken but she’s also sounding kinda rude too? Everything about Rosado is great from his pretty hair to his adorable wyvern to his utter confidence in his cuteness. And ooh Hortensia has an evil version of an Emblem? I wonder what-*sees that it’s Lucina* FREE MY DAUGHTER YOU CIRCUS FREAKS!!!!!! Luci, baby, don’t you worry mama’s gonna save you!!!!! Taking a peek at Lucina’s abilities and geez that shit’s terrifying. I was so careful with how my units were advancing because I did NOT wanna get hit by everybody and their mother with Lucina’s special ability. We didn’t get to free my baby girl in the end 😡😡😡😡 I’ll save you Lucina I swear!!!!!!

Chapter 8: Oh so Veyle is looking for a missing sibling huh? Okay I already can tell where that little plot point is going! We get to meet Diamant, a handsome lad for sure! Sorry Diamant I really was gonna make you my main beau but Alfred has stolen my heart! But since I’m saving Alfred for my main run I’ll still S support you for this run! You know assuming none of the other fellas catch my eye more. We also get to meet Diamant and Alcryst’s dad, Morion, who was definitely NOT what I was expecting. I do like that despite Alcryst being so self deprecating and all that it doesn’t look like it comes from a lack of love/parental favoritism. We also obtain our boy Roy along the way! And he’s got some nice goodies for us as an Emblem! I love how hard they’re leaning into the fire stuff. And geez this is the chapter of introductions huh, now we’re meeting Ivy and her squad. Ivy looks super pretty and super spiky too! I like how she rides her wyvern side saddle. And she’s got a red version of my son Leif, so you know I’m gonna kick her ass to save him! Kagetsu looks adorably out of place compared to how goth Ivy and Zelkov look but I love how cheerful he seems! Speaking of what an *interesting* gimmick Zelkov has going on. And shit here we go with another intro from Amber, one of Diamant’s retainers! What a….goof. Seriously he’s such a weird little goof from the introduction onwards. Diamant himself hits hard, and I do love me some swords. Gotta say of the three Kagetsu was the scariest. A promoted unit and that stupid crit level of his!!! But we managed to get my boy Leif back and I am sooo eager to use him I love Leif so much! And from the sneak peek I saw of his abilities he looks like fun! I really like how the ending scene shows Diamant is just as nervous as Alcryst but in a different way. But yeah, Morion is TOTALLY getting his ass killed. Also yeah, why can’t I become a dragon Intsys?!?!?!?!??!?!!!!!?!?!?!

Chapter 9: Yup what did I say about Morion? Well he might not be DEAD dead just yet but I have little hope for him. Also wow was NOT expecting Hyacinth to be a punchy dude. And WOW dick move making Ivy have to get herself killed to buy you time to escape…We get Diamant’s other retainer in this chapter in the form of Jade, and she looks and sounds super cool! And she also was stealing a bunch of experience from my squad until I could reach her and recruit her 😞 Kagetsu was once again the scariest fucker of this map but my boy Alfred crit his ass to oblivion! That’s my sweet flower prince!!! Nice of Alear to let Ivy and her squad escape with their lives. Just as it was nice of Ivy to tell us where to go!

And so that’s where I am, waiting for the chance to continue with chapter 10 onward. Haven’t been able to set aside the time to play, which I am so annoyed about because I am really having fun playing Engage and want to continue. All I’ve been able to do since finishing chapter 9 was getting the update and just working on some supports, leveling up, bond ranks…That stuff.

Anyways that’s all I have for now! Hopefully will get to update with my thoughts for the next chapters soon!

[ocean-anchored]

Dear future self... December 27, 23

Dang I wanted to write last week before I started forgetting things but let's do a quick recap to catch up on the last two weeks. After my last posting.. I went for sushi with Kamber which was great. Friday after I went to the hitman game with Shane which was a nice chill night. Saturday I went out to Barrier lake & did a beautiful hike with Nova, it was such a perfect day. Really needed that, then that evening had a facetime with Marc which was also nice. I enjoy his company, he's a sweet guy & I'm glad to have him in my life as a friend again. Sunday went to church with mom, then to the Peter Lougheed house for lunch with her which was really cute. I think I mentioned in my last post that Troy had come to the trivia night, on Thursday Kamber convinced me to text him about buying him a beer so I did that night. I gave him an out, an easy way to say no to going out 1:1 in case he wasn't feeling it but he said he'd definitely take me up on the offer so that was exciting. We exchanged a very few short messages back and forth for a bit throughout the weekend. So back to sunday, then after lunch with mom we went to the centre street church choir with Steven & amanda which was nice. It was actually pretty good, beautiful music. Then on Monday Kamber and Shane came over before the hockey game & we went with Amber & Naythan. That was really fun & was a blast to be with them all, we had a great night. The next night I just gamed with Steven for a bit. Somewhere through this time, Nathan had started messaging me on LinkedIn which we were having pretty good conversation & he had asked for my number. He was really great with chatting, very engaging & we got into a lot of deep topics right away. He had asked to hang out & we established our ages... hes 45. Definitely up there but I was surprised with how easy it's been to talk to him. on Wednesday we went to The Himalayan for food, which was good. He's really sweet, very funny and witty & we get along really well. We talked a lot & laughed but had some good deep conversation as well. Then Thursday - my non date with Troy. I picked him up around 7pm and we went to Bank & Baron which was a pretty nice place. All around I thought it went pretty well. He talks a bit fast but I really got to know him a lot. He was pretty good with conversation & it flowed both ways. We have some things in common but he's very interesting. He's hard to read honestly. He comes from a small town and moved a bunch so there's things that I feel we'd collide on or at least maybe they don't fully line up but I also have just been keeping an open mind & not having any expectations. We hung out for 3 hours so that was nice, he said he had a great time too at the end of the night. After that I told myself that I wouldn't text him, if he was any interested then he would have to reach out since I felt like I had done all the work & chasing to get us there. He did text me the Saturday night something about twitter because we laughed at how twitter deleted my account & I was super funny. Anyway since then which I understand with the holidays that it's really busy, but I get one text back from him a day if that so it's been hard to talk to him & again I seriously can't tell with him. I'm going to just leave it, if he doesn't say anything about NYE then I'm not going to force anything. I certainly am not forcing anything anymore. On a side note which I'll get to anyways, but I was supposed to hang out with Conner again somewhere in this timeline too, I might have talked about it in a last post or two but I ended up just being like dude I'm not interested in being a backup plan or option so let's just leave it at that, he did apologize & somewhat take accountability that he's completely lacked consistency & communication the last like month even which we both said no hard feelings but I'm just so done with trying to force people to hang out.

[roadtodeltarune]

Earthbound Beginnings: Final Week

It's surreal to make this post, but I finished Earthbound Beginnings! I knew I only had an hour left in the story, but with all the grinding and leveling up, I thought I wouldn't finish in time. Especially when you consider it took me 3 weeks overall to play the game, plus me getting distracted by the Pokemon DLC.

Well, to continue my experience, play through, review, whatever you'd call this post: I last left off right before Mt. Itoi.

I heard tales of Mt. Itoi and how difficult it was. In some ways, it was easier than I thought but also harder. First, I leveled up Carrot (NinTen) to the low 30s with Beet (Teddy), then I went through the cave, got our new weapons, and went to the mountain house.

Several things happened there I want to touch on. First, I love Potato (Ana) and Carrot's relationship development, from friends at first sight to admitting their love and dancing, it was all very sweet. Then, we were attacked by a giant robot. Onion (Lloyd) came to our rescue, but Beet was too injured to continue. This made me a bit annoyed. While I loved having Onion back, Beet's time on the team was too short, and I feel like his section was a bit of a waste of time.

Anywho, with Onion back, I started leveling him up. In fact, my goal was to get Carrot to level 36 and Onion/Potato to at least 32. It took me a long while. I had to heal lots at the house cause of all the strong enemies, but Potato's Beam Y helped a lot, especially with the Grizzly Bears. I also decided to go back to Ellay to fight the BB Gang. I got 3 Flame Throwers for Onion, one to use, one for backup in our inventory, and one at home in the closet. Since they can break, I wanted to be prepared.

Once we were strong enough, I pushed on toward the lake. Thanks to the leveling, we weren't in much danger. I found the whirlpool in the lake and decided to jump in. Luckily, that's what I was supposed to do. In the submarine, I was worried it would be another Duncan's Factory, but it was peaceful. Then I found EVE.

Eve was a great addition to the team, reminding me much of Beet. I figured that maybe this meant Beet would rejoin at some point? With Eve, we leveled up a couple more times and then found the Sea Pendant- I gave it to Potato. But then, we fought another robot.

I'll admit, I knew EVE would die, that was spoiled for me by wal throughs, but I didn't expect to get so emotionally detached to her. She was so powerful and so helpful, and all she wanted was to protect us. And she was powered by a melody.

After EVE fell, I figured surely Beet would appear and join the team again, but he didn't. And with EVE gone, the mountain was much worse. Up until now, the mountain has been hard, but I have been able to fight back. Even against Grizzly Bears, strong enough to one-shot my party members, I was starting to outspeed them and survive their attacks, but now it was crazy. The peak of Mt. Itoi was horrible, and I'm glad I never had to climb it again.

I got the final melody from the grave and then went to Magicant. I reorganized my items and went to the Queen.

The scene with Queen Mary was beautiful. She finally regained her memories, revealed the truth to me, and accepted her death. Just like Beet and EVE, another ally is gone. It's up to us now to stop Giygas.

We returned to Mt. Itoi and went into the cave, to find the parents. It was a little disturbing, but it hardened my resolve.

Now, it was time for the last battle...

I didn't look up this fight, wanting to do this on my own. I figured it would be like a normal fight, but it wasn't. Potato went down, then Onion, then Carrot. And at that last turn, I realized I had a new option in my menu: "Sing".

My second attempt wasn't much better. On my third turn, I realized I should have set up my defenses on the first turn. Everything was out of order, so I reset.

My third attempt was the final attempt.

I started by having Carrot use Defense Up B and Potato use Psi Shield B and I had Onion guard. This combo buffed us up enough to tank his hits for a few turns without guarding. I then went on a cycle of guarding, Singing, and healing when needed.

The first few turns were mostly healing. I learned from my second attempt that singing wouldn't work until he finished his monologue.

My method worked, however; and I was able to beat Giygas, sending him back to his home!

It was in this final battle and while watching the epilogue I realized something. Beet and EVE are all about dealing damage, but Beet and Queen Mary said it themselves, we need to believe in our friends and use the power of love. The melodies were her memories of love, broken into eight parts. Most were twisted for evil by those who rejected love, like Giygas, but some were used for love like EVE and the Canary Village. When put together, the full song is the power of love, the love of a mother, of friends, of family, and even the romance between Carrot and Potato. This love Giygas rejected, turning him into a creature of hate.

"When you think about it, this series is all about love. And those who understand it, and those who don't." - Mswordx23 from the YouTube comment section

One more thing though. I have an issue and it's that I had to name Beet at the beginning of the game. He was barely in this game! If they ever do a Link's Awakening-style remake, I'd love it if Beet was introduced earlier in the story. I used to think the same about Onion, and my idea was to have him replace Pippi, but I think Pippi should stay. Instead, I think It'd be fun if we got to name NinTen, Pippi, Lloyd, Ana, Teddy, and EVE since they're all party members.

Thanks to anyone who's been reading this. I might just be talking to the void right now, but this journey is something I've really wanted to do, so I ain't stopping here.

Before I leave this game behind and put it back on the shelf, I'm going to walk some retrospectives, reviews, and the sort, get some community feedback, as well as see if there's anything I left out that I want to touch on. I don't know if I'll make that a separate post. I plan on it, but there might not be enough for me to work off of. We'll just see. So expect either that or an update once I start Earthbound/Mother 2.

[keefwho]

August 31 - 2023 Thursday

10:40 PM

Forgot to do my thoughts today, oops.

All that's on my mind right now is the recent drama my friend is having with a previous friend/love interest. I'm in my own head in ways I know are wrong for lack of a better word. I understand the situation and where everything is at between her and him and myself but my jealousy is flaring up anyways. I feel jealous because she made it sound like she really missed out on something she wanted, potentially better than what I'm offering. Like she wishes she could go back and take that path instead. I'm sure thats not true but thats just how I'm feeling. The feeling itself is valid but I know better than to act on this unless it doesn't go away. But my bet is that it will pass in time. This seems like it's stemming from me not valuing myself like I should since I'm basically assuming I'm just the backup option when the reality is it's not that simple.

I guess I've been devaluing myself in general lately. One symptom of this is requiring a lot of reassurance and validation but when I do get it, it's never enough. No amount of external reassurance will help how I feel, at least when I'm unable to accept it. I've definitely gotten plenty lately but sometimes it slides right off of me even though I'm trying my hardest to take it to heart.

Today I had a sausage burger and rice for breakfast. I peeked at some streams until it was work time. During my stream I did my warmup and worked on my friend's late birthday gift. Afterwards I did some yardwork since I hadn't mowed for awhile. In the shower I got pretty degen and DMed my bestie about it, I'm glad I did instead of bottling it up. Lunch was a broccoli pizza. I hung out in a fairly annoying call while doing today's request and I didn't work any more after that. I played Transport Fever 2 touching up details on a Hyrule map someone else made and I played HOI4. I hopped in Vrchat a little bit to test out the locomotion app I got and ended up hopping with someone that really got on my nerves because they won't stop talking. Not long after that I hung out with the bestie and was told the drama.

There's lots of reasons I feel shitty about myself lately but I'm trying to focus on action I can take rather than the thoughts themselves.

[zoemanning]

Honestly, Zoe was a little apprehensive about having to be around her mother in law, yet she was aware that if Mrs. Keaton got even a whiff of her being in town and actively avoiding her, she'd probably find a way to confront her. She'd skipped out on Thanksgiving but she was sure that not showing up for another holiday might make things harder for her wife, which only really left her with one option. "If you need backup for Christmas, I can come with you, if you want. I was thinking about flying to Seattle to see my mom, but I can just go the day after." She offered.

Feeling Erica squeezing her hand, Zoe was at least more hopeful now than she had been. They hadn't been on the same page in so long that it was least nice to know that they were getting somewhere now. "Good. I'm glad you're done running because uh..you might need more help with Nikki anyways. She mentioned wanting to join a covenant, and I tried to talk her out of it but I don't know if I helped or made it worse."

@ericaxmanning

"Yeah, she's a treat." Erica breathed, glancing away. Because they both knew that Mrs Keaton was a handful. Erica had barely survived Thanksgiving with the family, glad it was all over. Though that just meant that Christmas was nest. Who thought it was a good idea to put two holidays so close together? People needed tome to decompress from the last encounter with their families. "At least we're on the same page about that." Though of course Erica would have to make an appearance at Christmas, however what Zoe did with her time was entirely up to her.

When Zoe's hands took up her own, Erica's heart skipped a beat. She squeezed gently, savoring the familiar feeling. She'd missed Zoe so much, perhaps even more than she'd let herself admit, knowing that admitting that would only make things hurt more if they really were over. "I promise. I'm not going anywhere." @zoemanning

[dipperdesperado]

WRITING STORY COLLECTION CHAPTER 12 - Retooling

Sandra looks back from the driver's seat. Fuck. Is everyone okay?

Grohl takes a deep breath. "As good as I can be, given the situation."

Everyone is worse for wear. Riley and Zoe just give a small nod to her.

"We'll be out of the woods soon. Promise," Sandra says, flooring it.

As the tires start to skid on a turn, a couple more military patrol vehicles skirt around the bend.

Sandra looks through the rear view mirror. "Looks like we got company!"

The team looks back and sees the lights from two cars peering back at them.

"Shit! Do we have anything in here to fend them off?" Zoe says.

Her and Riley start frantically looking around in the back.

As the cars start to close the gap, someone leans out of the passenger window with a megaphone. "Pull over! We will not let you get away!"

Fucking hell. Sandra cranes her neck towards the back. "Did y'all find anything?"

"Nothing's in here!" Riley replies.

Grohl starts to climb towards the back. "Look for secret compartments or something. There has to be at least a couple of weapons here."

Holy shit. We're really about to have a shootout. "Has anyone here ever shot a gun before?"

The car is silent. Great.

"Okay, well, if you find one, I'll give you a crash cour-"

The car lurches forward as one of the pursuers ram it.

"They're on us!" Zoe yells.

"Yeah, we know!" Grohl replies. "The fuck are we gonna do?"

"I have an idea, but it could go horribly. If I explain it, you might try to talk me out of it. So, just let me do it."

Zoe looks up from trying to peel back floor panels. "That sounds dangerous and like it could backfire."

"Probably, but it's better than trying to have a shootout with the cops."

"Okay, do it," Riley says. Zoe and Grohl nod.

Sandra nods her head and takes a deep breath. She looks through the mirror and sees the two cars speeding up toward them. Her eyes dart back to the team. "Y'all might want to hold on." She breaks and swerves the vehicle to be perpendicular to the road. The pursuers, still barrelling ahead, try to break but slam into the side of the vehicle. Their cars crumple at the front, with one of the people, the guy who was hanging out, getting flung out. The crash rocks the vehicle, but since it's military-grade transport, it ends up mostly unscathed. The force shakes everyone up, disorienting them for a bit.

"Is everyone okay?" Sandra says, shaking off the dizziness.

Everyone stumbles up. They all give nonverbal cues to let Sandra know they're not dead.

"Great. Let's get outta here."

Sandra drives off as smoke and fire create a blockade on the road behind them.

The team arrives at the hideout from way back before they met the informant.

"We made it, folks!" Sandra says, climbing out of the vehicle.

Zoe jumps out of the back and stretches like she just woke up. "Oof! That was insane. I'm really glad we didn't have to really fight too much with those guys."

Riley and Grohl are right behind her, hoisting a bagged-and-tagged General.

Riley puts one hand on Zoe's shoulder. "Look, if we had to, it would've been fine," He gestures towards Sandra. "We have Lady Liberty on our side!"

"Shut up, and let's go inside."

Once inside, Grohl and Riley affix the General to a chair, and everyone rotates taking showers. Once Grohl, the last person, comes out of the bathroom, everyone else is sitting at a table, with freshly uncanned food. "Oh wow! I don't think I've ever been this excited to see canned beans!" he says, a sly smile on his face.

"Haha. Sorry I wasn't really able to stock up any farm-to-table options, hope this is to your liking," Sandra says, sliding him a can as he sits down.

"Seriously, thanks."

"Okay, so...what next? We definitely can't really pursue the story the same way," Zoe says, swallowing down some beans.

Sandra shifts in her seat. "Well...I was thinking about it...and it seems like...we're going to need some backup."

Grohl squints. "Back up? Like what?"

"We should go talk to the Blades."

"Whoa whoa whoa. Those guys are actual terrorists!" Riley says, standing up.

Sandra laughs. "Yeah, 'terrorists' who actually saved our lives the last time we were in a pinch... I mean, why were we so willing to take him," she says, gesturing to the General. "But a group that's fighting the system directly is too extreme?"

Zoe gestures at Riley to calm down. "I mean, we're probably already considered terrorists at this point."

Grohl groans.

Sandra's eyes light up. "Exactly! And this way-"

"Whoa whoa", Zoe says, stopping Sandra. "I still have my reservations. I mean, I barely remember them getting us out of that prison, but I still don't want to know if we should go in that deep!"

"What?! What I'm telling you is that we are already that deep. I mean, ask the guys we've beat up, the two cars that crashed into us."

Grohl chimes in. "It's one thing to escape. It's another thing to attack." Riley and Zoe nod.

"But if we don't attack, then we're going to get attacked!" Sandra says, now standing up herself.

"I hear ya, but I just figure there's another way to broach this." Riley says, shrugging.

"So all of y'all feel this way?"

Everyone nods.

Fine. "Okay. how about this. We go to the Blades, connect with them, and see if they can help us out. Even if we don't work with them directly, it's better for us to have them in our corner than to not. Is that cool?"

After a small huddle, the rest of the group gives their approval. Sandra smiles.

"I do have a question." Grohl says.

"This feels like it's going to be more of a statement, but go on."

"Why don't we just connect with Liberty? I'm sure they could help us out."

"Liberty's vibe is more subterfuge and self-defense. The Blades are more diverse in their tactics."

Zoe sighs. "That makes me worried again."

Sandra shrugs. "I feel like we'd rather need that energy and not have it than have it and not need it. Anyway, let's get some sleep... we'll head out in the morning to meet them."

"Good morning," a soft voice says, almost like a dream.

...huh? Sandra gets a tang of iron in her nostrils and jolts up. Sitting next to her bed is SLASH, in their full glory. Sandra reaches behind herself, to try and grab something from under the bed.

"Hey hey, there's no need for that. I just wanted to talk."

Sandra sights. I probably couldn't take them anyway. "What-how are you here?"

"I had a feeling that your crew would do something insane eventually, so I've kept tabs. You all went dark for a bit until you ended up somehow getting to that research facility."

"How'd you know where we were?"

"A story for another time. Either way, with all of the noise you all have made, I'm not so sure you can go back to your normal routine. With that in mind, I'm hoping we can work together, since our goals are more aligned than ever."

"The enemy of my enemy...Interesting."

"Well?"

"Good thing I just convinced the team to work with y'all. I had the same idea--let's work together!"

"Great. Really your people, and meet us outside in an hour. Grab whatever supplies you want or need--we're going to have to raze this site."

"Raze??"

"This place is compromised now...you've probably come back to this place too many times. You'll need to find another base."

"Fuck. Okay. And what do you mean, we?"

"Some of the other Blades are taking care of that transport vehicle... You left a trail... and so we're going to help clean it up."

"Thanks."

"Yeah. Meet us outside, in a few. And...take another look at that military guy you have locked up...he wasn't looking too good when I came in."

Sandra nods.

[crinkled-emotions]

2022 Wrapped (almost 2 weeks late)

Hi everyone!

2022 was... fucked, BUT apparently I wrote a lot of fic!

Let me do what I usually do and seperate it per fandom, because apparently I have a little type A in me.

My AO3 is CallMeG, which is where you can find all of these fics!

I only posted a couple of 9-1-1 fics this year, but that’s mainly because I ran out of writing steam pretty early in the year (read: January). I know we say we don’t do it for the comments or the reblogs or the love, but it definitely helps and I was feeling really discouraged. So, here we go;

Tides

Buck has fears about being on Eddie's will if anything were to happen to him.

Or,

Ed Sheeran's "Tides" if I let Buck do what he wanted.

-

(Before I Save Someone Else) I Have to Save Myself

The radio sitting on a nearby plastic table crackled to life. “…come in incident response…” Buck’s eyebrows shot up at the same time Bobby grabbed the radio. “Come in dispatch.” “This is Eddie Diaz, come in incident response.” OR The dispatch fire fic everyone's writing.

-

Breakfast in Bed

Eddie has three options; 1? He can roll over and go back to sleep. With a preteen and a toddler, it's definitely desirable. 2? If he can just... roll Buck over a little... one of his favourite things is a sleepy blowjob. It's a good option, it's been a little while. Or... ooh, a third option? He's new! Option three it is...Eddie has three options; 1? He can roll over and go back to sleep. With a preteen and a toddler, it's definitely desirable. 2? If he can just... roll Buck over a little... one of his favourite things is a sleepy blowjob. It's a good option, it's been a little while. Or... ooh, a third option? He's new! Option three it is...

-

I was surprised at how quickly I fell in love with the original Top Gun in June, and then how fast I adored Top Gun: Maverick in July when I saw it for the first time... and the second. The third was New Year’s Eve, I watched both movies back to back and I have no regrets.

I started writing for Top Gun: Maverick around the time I lost my pop, who had been a big influence on my childhood, so it was a way to cope and it has continued to help me heal. I’m just so glad people have enjoyed the fics!

Let’s get on to the list!

(Swimming) In the Floods

Rooster was fine for the first twenty-four hours after he got home. He had a hot shower, he hugged Maverick, Phoenix told him he was the biggest dumbass and then kissed his forehead.

Then things... things got a little dark.

-

Daderick

He skedaddled out the door at lightning speed, a blur of aviator sunglasses and pornstache. Amelia muttered traitor under her breath and Maverick sent her a look. God, why couldn’t Rooster have done this when he was a kid? Then at least Mav would know how to deal with it. The worst he’d done involved a bottle of vodka and a piano- Story for another time.

-

Truth or Dare

Get a couple of drinks into them and the Navy's best Naval Aviators turn into teenagers. OR How Bob found out once upon a time, Rooster and Phoenix did a thing. Also, Hangman might have a crush. But that's between him and his right hand.

-

The Prequel

or,

Rooster and Phoenix had sex, then it got awkward. Hangman is being Hangman, and Halo can't stop laughing.

-

... Baby One More Time

Phoenix's sixth sense is knowing when something's wrong with someone in her team. or, Rooster goes down with a stomach bug and the rest of the team try to work with it, around it, and, when it all gets too hard, they call in backup.

-

The Ache

"I saw your post about the fic ideas and I was thinking of 2 for Top Gun: Maverick.

One where Rooster gets a head injury. Nothing to worry about, or so he thinks😏"

Or

Rooster is an idiot. An idiot with everyone's best interests in mind, but he's still an idiot.

-

Top Chicago

1 2 3 4 5 6

How Rooster ended up in Chicago, Maverick isn't 100% sure. What he is certain of, however, is that Bradley is hurt. And he needs him. OR A Chicago PD/Med and Top Gun: Maverick crossover.

-

(And I Can’t) Breathe

1 2

"Number two is just kind of a classic sickfic idea. I was thinking like everyone is a bit sick, and then just as they all get over it, Rooster starts sniffles, a small cough here and there. No one takes any notice" - Tumblr anon, aka my favourite person right now

"Hey! What about a chest infection fic?" - someone in my first TGM sickfic comments. Also my favourite person right now.

-

G Stretches Her Fingers (Completed Tumblr Prompts)

There are 16 fics there so far plus the ones I haven’t put there lmao, I’m not going to post every chapter. It’s purely sickfics.

-

Assholes (and all things doctors aren’t supposed to be)

Rooster is very, very unwell, however he also has one fear that will make him crumble to his knees. It's up to Maverick to get him to the doctor. When it doesn't go to plan, Phoenix and an unlikely source provide support

-

Red Desert (heal our blues)

Bob knew he was sick before he went to the Hard Deck with the rest of the team. When Hangman is the only one sober enough to help him out, he's expecting the worst.

-

Daggers (in Firefighter Uniforms)

When Maverick realises his team is struggling after the mission where he nearly died (again) and Rooster refuses to get into his jet, he makes the decision to ask a favour from an old friend.

Bobby Nash is more than happy to oblige, allowing the Dagger Squad into Firehouse 118. Most of his team are on board.

Oh, and Hangman would probably flirt with a wall if someone left him alone too long.