#hell yeah you funky little dragon man!!!

[b0nelessdoodles]

that feel when the ship goes canon 🎉🎉🎉

non-meme version of the smooch and also the rip cause holy shit i love him

[direwolfrules]

Oh my fairy godmother I am so happy you are post about Ever After High!!! Do you have any fanfic or au ideas involving them? Like, what if one character had another destiny or what if they were in the Star Wars universe?! It’s just interesting to think about!

Hey! Glad to see we share another fandom interest!

So, I have this barebones post for what I would have done as a crossover between g1 Monster High and Ever After High.

As for general fanfic ideas I have a few. I shall now list them in varying levels of detail:

1. A Very Charming Groundhog Day Year:

Basically, the Charming siblings time loop back from a bit after Dragon Games but before Epic Winter to the day before the school year started (the day of the Family Ball in the books). While it would be kinda angsty, the best time loop fics are usually crack fics, and this would be no exception (if I ever wrote any of these things).

So Daring, Dexter, and Darling are all initially in states of panic and anxiety. Daring, he was in the middle of a quarter-life crisis and now has to deal with everyone and their fairy godmother thinking he's Apple's Prince Charming.

"Daring Charming, more like Distressed Charming, am I right?"-- Dexter, who should get to exhibit asshole little brother energy more often, as a treat.

Speaking of Dexter, he's panicking cause of all the awful stuff that's going to happen during the school year and also because now he has to go through the nerve-racking ordeal of asking out the girl he likes all over again.

Darling's in hell because everyone and their fairy godmother expect her to be this perfect little damsel, again, which is just- ugh. There are days she wishes she could carry her sword around with her, and they're most days. Also, she never got to talk to Apple about their True Love's CPR, which is just tragic.

The loops go on for a while, some constants in them include: Darling freeing herself and helping little Good-Enough Charming get one of their grandfather's trophies for the scavenger hunt, Dexter and Darling teaming up to kill the changeling and free cousin Charity (sometimes Daring helps but he's content to let his siblings have fun for once), Darling accidentally on purpose flirting with Apple and Apple experiencing several degrees of gay panic, Dexter fumbling asking out Raven for the first time (he's really such a dork, just a funky dude), and the Charming Siblings teaming up to make Milton Grimm's life a living hell.

In one loop they secretly film him playing with his toy unicorns and his action figure of himself and they hijack Blondie's mirrorcast to play it to the entire school.

After several loops a Monster High crossover happens, and so in every loop after that the Charming sibs, who have grown incredibly gremlin-like after experiencing the insanity of the school several dozen times, make sure to drop monster slang when it's just them and Cupid. Like:

Darling: "Wow, Cupid, that top looks clawsome."

Daring: "Totally, it's freaky fierce."

Cupid: "What?!"

Darling: "That top looks nice on you. Anyway, we gotta run."

Dexter: "Yeah, see you later ghoulfriend!"

I have some other half-baked ideas for this one but it'd probably be it's own post.

2. Murdoch Mysteries-ish AU:

This one makes no sense if you've never watched the hit Canadian Detective Show, Murdoch Mysteries. Or maybe it makes some sense, idk. Instead of a modern AU, we have a 1895 detective AU. It's barely an idea, I have no idea if I'd even keep this in the fantasy setting of (an 1895) Ever After or not.

Dexter is the Detective William Murdoch of this AU, the man with no game and beautiful blue eyes who women keep inexplicably falling in love with. He's observant and a little strange but he's also a brilliant detective. One of the major differences though is Dexter is the disowned son of old money parents.

Raven's the Dr. Julia Ogden, the outspoken, independent, and compassionate coroner helping solve cases and being amazing. Her rich, controlling mother doesn't much approve of her life choices but old Mrs. Queen can suck it. Raven and Detective Charming have a clearly mutual attraction but they're both hesitant to act on it cause what's a romance without a good slow-burn.

Hopper's the Constable George Crabtree of this AU. Listen, the everyday George matches Hopper's human side, and writer George matches Hopper's frog side. I will not elaborate, because I really cannot. Just feel the vibes, cause the words aren't coming.

I'm not 100% sure who'd be the Inspector Brackenreid. Part of me kinda wants to make it Professor Badwolf, and then I could make Milton Grimm the asshole commissioner. Coach Gingerbreadman is the Inspector of Station 5, the rivals of Station 4.

Daring is heir to the Charming family fortune. Golden boy, everyone loves him, wants more than anything to be able to talk to his little brother in public, but their parents would disown him as well if he stepped out of line.

Apple is one of Raven's housemates at Sisters boarding house, run by Bella and Brutta Sister. She was once courted by Daring, it was at the point where people were expecting an engagement announcement any day. That's when they suddenly broke it off, with no explanation (the explanation is Daring's in love with another girl and Apple's in love with his sister). Snow White and her husband barely agreed to let her move into the boarding house, I honestly have no clue how Apple managed to pull that off but good for her.

Idk, Darling's a vigilante. She's got the same deductive genius as Dexter, she just doesn't have the same ability to join the police force. Inspector Badwolf is tired of his cops being outdone by the mysterious White Knight (yeah, yeah, I made Darling into Victorian-era Batman). Couldn't the White Knight patrol Station 5's territory? (The answer is no, because Darling really wants to catch a glimpse of her twin and also because Sisters Boarding house is in Station 4's territory and sometimes she likes to secretly crash with her girlfriend).

3. The Destiny Cycle AU (AKA: Ever After High but the Rebel Movement is an actual Rebellion AU):

What it says on the tin. Raven discovers the book is fake before Legacy Day. Her and Dexter, who in this AU is believed to be Ashlynn's future Prince Charming because someone made a good post about the potential dynamics that could cause and I love it, set out to uncover what other secrets those in charge are hiding.

Basically, in this AU Ever After is a dystopia where the Royal Families tied the survival of their dynasties' rule to their stories. Like, magically tied them. The Fates themselves have been bound by the magic of the Destiny Cycle. Ever After's Destiny-bound citizens are forced to repeat the same stories as their ancestors, all because Happily Ever After doesn't include a revolt or the institution of democracy. All stories are repeated as a precaution against anyone figuring out what the ancestors of the Royal Families did.

Taking some inspiration from the SDCC Raven Queen doll's letter from her mother, the Evil Queen discovered the truth about the Destiny Cycle, said "not my kid you bastards", and proceeded to try to break the Cycle's bonds. Her taking over other stories and cursing Wonderland was an attempt to stretch the probability bonds of the Destiny Cycle's magic to the breaking point.

Stuff's gonna go down and basically these kids know time is running out until there's a war, cause the only way to avoid being offered up as a lamb to the slaughter is to overthrow the whole system.

God, I really gotta make this into it's own post as well now. But here's a basic rundown of some stuff I'd include:

Dexter and Raven being young and in love and just all the secret romance feels

Snow White knows about the Destiny Cycle, but Apple absolutely does not know.

Apple being born blonde is a sign that the Evil Queen's schemes loosened the grip of the Destiny Cycle, at least for a moment.

Ashlynn, Hunter, Dexter, and Raven as secret rebel leaders.

The backgrounders will have actual roles dammit! (Looking at you Lawrence Bonecrusher III, aka Orc Boy).

An exploration of artificial Destiny Cycle "True Love" vs. real True Love, featuring Apple, Daring, and Darling.

C.A. Cupid, sent by her godly family to infiltrate Ever After and cure it of the Destiny Cycle, because it's interfering in the domains of the gods.

A unique Monster High crossover idea that I will elaborate on in another post.

These children absolutely end up having to kill someone and it scars them forever.

As for different destinies AUs or Star Wars AUs, I haven't really given them much thought.

I think, in a Star Wars setting (possibly Old Republic?), Raven would be a Jedi padawan descended from a long line of Sith. Instead of Mirror Prison, her mom is dead and her Force Ghost is bound to a giant, mirrorlike piece of kyber crystal. Uh, not 100% sure who her master would be.

Darling would also be a Jedi padawan, and Maid Marian would be her Master. Maid Marian gets into custody battles over this kid with this old Jedi Watchman known only as The White Knight. She'd still have her time-slowing hair flip, in this AU it's just a unique way of activating the Force Slow ability.

[hell-drabbles]

can u expand on companions relationship with the healer devils? would they be friends with any other devil?

There's not much I know about the other healer devils, since I don't think we've met them in the main story, but here is my vague thoughts that are pretty much subject to change.

I uh, I do go on a tangent. There be a loooot of words. If anyone has little headcanons about the healer devils and the companion interacting, by all means, tell me. I love hearing it.

So, the companion, stiff and semi-reckless as they are, they pretty much have those older sibling vibes going on. Can and will get fiercely protective of the people they care about, as I've written before with their weird, weeeeird relationship with Ra-on. That being said, I would imagine that the healer devils have a certain set of priorities that would keep them from distracted by their own desires, or at least have them restrict themselves in such a way that they don't act first on what they want but what others need. By this point in time, I would imagine that the Companion is ready for every type of demon weirdness, so they were ready for something that will grate on their nerves.

Yes yes, they're real weird, as is every other devil in Hell, but these healer devils don't treat the Companion like an after-thought just because Ra-on is there. I would imagine that the Companion had a minor injury on them because of Ra-on obliviousness, and the healers immediately focused on their injury and passed by Ra-on to heal them, or at least make sure it isn't worse. Don't know which healer it'll be, but it'll be someone.

I'm pretty sure that the devils under Lucifer initially were infatuated by Ra-on, but they don't really let this infatuation get in the way of their purpose in life. Ra-on doesn't get special treatment if they're not heavily injured. I would imagine this infatuation would be quick to fade though, because their priorities allow them to see Ra-on from a distance in a way that every other devil doesn't. They're able to see the bigger picture in that way, and they end up seeing the patterns. The subtle ways Ra-on subconsciously manipulates people to grab more attention. And the jealousy. Oh the jealousy. They see that too.

So, in a weird way, they're kind of glad that Lucifer doesn't react all that well to Ra-on, so their distance to him can be excused as just them following the will of their king. And this awareness of Ra-on is something that they can talk about with the Companion. Mind you, they don't rant and trash-talk Ra-on, they talk about him to the Companion from a place of concern, which is something the Companion deeply appreciates.

Out of all the devils, I would imagine the healers are most aware that Ra-on and the Companion have a home in the human world. As such, they're not going to force them to stay here.

But yeah, sorry about that Ra-on tangent, but it is important to the Companion that the healers have a distance but don't put on rose-tinted glasses around him. That they keep to their boundaries and Ra-on's. Because man, the other devils just keep wearing him down under the excuse that "it's what you truly want, right? I can feel it," further feeding into his learned helplessness.

Anyways, Gamigin is that certain kind of optimistic air-headed-ness about him that makes the Companion ruffle his hair. Never change, you funky little dragon. Can and will give him head noogies if he's being a cheeky thing, all the while smiling. At first, was certainly off-put by just how loud his is, but eventually they come to understand his loudness comes from the sheer amount of love and hope he has for the people around him. He's loud because his emotions are just that strong and it becomes endearing to the Companion. Will only tell him to pipe down if they're suffering from a headache or migraine.

Gamigin, in turn, I feel would be the kind of just, always want to be touching the Companion? Not in a sexual way, but in that cat/dog kind of way? You get what I mean? Pet behavior. He has pet behavior written all over him. Wants to be pressing shoulders, or brushing past them when he can, like tapping on their back or shoulder to get their attention, or even just calling their name just because he likes it.

Though, the first time Gamigin tried to lick up the Companion's tears(probably of pain, they're not much of a crier and if they do cry, they tend to hide away), they kicked him instinctively, because they do not like anyone or anything suddenly approaching their face. They've been in a number of fights here and back in the human world, so they're kinda primed to protect their face first, ask questions later.

"Are you 75% bladder?" Was pretty much the first they said to Jjok, because I'm very sure they scared him because Jjok said something that offended them that caused him to pee. And afterwards, once the annoyance dies down, it becomes a "Alright, let's get you to bed, little old man," just to annoy him. And even grabs him by the scruff like a cat when he's being extra cranky. But that's about the extent of how they annoy him. The Companion is pretty well aware of how the stress basically permanently cut down his stamina, so they don't really think he's an old man. Jjok is pretty well tuned to the Companion's crankiness, especially when the bad mood stems from just being mentally and physically exhausted. So, he'll usually attempt to try and open an opportunity for the Companion to just relax somewhere, even if all the attention ends up scaring the piss out of him.

Now, Lucifer, well, you already seen the way they interact with one another. It's the equivalent of watching two cats from different colonies relax in the same spot until they just, become friends. They're both enjoy peace and quiet, and if they want to be truly alone just for a bit, all they have to do is ask and they'll both respect the other. Of course, considering how Lucifer was when he first treated Ra-on, the very obvious distaste upon the first meeting put a real sour taste in the Companion's mouth. But, given Lucifer's attempts to get to know Ra-on better so as to get rid of this bias, the Companion was willing to let it slide with a sigh. If he's dealing with it, then the Companion won't rip him a new one verbally. At least he's trying, unlike the other devils who are more than willing to give Ra-on their affection based on that connection to Solomon, all the while claiming they're just seeing Ra-on for who he truly is.

Certainly, it's a different kind of bias, but still, it's a bias and it's annoying to the Companion all the same. Judging Ra-on because of his connection to Solomon and not because of his own person, that gets to the Companion.

And Lucifer being Lucifer, finds it endearing, watching a friend defend another friend he doesn't particularly like. So, because of the way the Companion acts around Ra-on, Lucifer would start inviting the both of them together, if only so they're both comfortable when in his presence. And it was a good thing too that he did that, because then he could compare Ra-on with the Companion vs Ra-on without. Without the Companion around, Ra-on becomes a little more reckless, and so things just, slip. He's a little more clumsy, a little more easily hurt and more easily brought to tears.

The Companion isn't an awkward person to talk to and isn't the type to fill the silence up with words just to distract themselves. In fact, they're not a nervous individual at all, and their self-confidence is certainly a thing to be admired. Makes them feel not at all fragile, and that makes Lucifer inclined to be around them more. Sure, sure, he likes the general noise his people in Paradise Lost make, but even he gets tired of it, especially when they're clamoring for praise from him.

Once the Companion's initially distaste goes away and they get a general grasp on how Lucifer is as a person, it becomes easy for the both of them to just enjoy the little things while being in the same place. Out of all the devils, Lucifer would probably be the one to understand that most of their anger and frustration comes out of a place of love and not loathing. Will not treat them like a child that's interesting to watch.

I know that Ra-on will eventually do something that'll temporarily drive the Companion away for a bit so they don't break his nose. Perhaps brought up an old argument, imply that the Companion has always looked down on him, or just berate himself during an argument because it's better to make yourself small and harmless. Either way, Paradise Lost is a land that Ra-on feels like doesn't welcome him, and yet the Companion doesn't look out of place at all in here. It's going to get to him and it's real fun to think about.

I don't know much about the other healers honestly. Companion is likely very grateful for the rules and head-up coming from Marbas about what sorts of things they can and can't do. Sure, they raise an eyebrow at how easily horny he gets, but at least he's not outright jacking it in front of them, so he can be as horny as he wants. Morax, the Companion gets real concerned for sometimes, but eventually comes to accept that this is just his regular state of being, as unhealthy as it was. They get a sense of "regular injured" Morax and "overdoing it injured" Morax. That's not normal, what happened? Type of thing. And Buer... I think it's a rather professional type of relationship, where when chaos happens, you can see Buer and the Companion just, sitting it out, eating their snacks and perhaps playing a board game when it looks like the chaos will be lasting longer than usual.

[the-cryptographer]

Finished Mass Effect 2 as well.

This game did get me a bit more invested in the worldbuilding. Idk, I think it retains a lot of the basic jarring gender existentialist issues that were in ME1, but I admit the like... emotional resonance of a lot of the ambient dialogue on Illium and Tuchanka - the conversation with Aethyta - made it come together in a way that felt harder to dismiss.

I think the same goes with the Quarians. idk, in the context of dragon age you can still see the sort of anti-nomadic and anti-indigenous settler-colonialist sentiments come through in the dialogue about whether Tali needs to regain the homeworld or move on. But the extra levels of sci-fi, the fact that the Quarians are the creators of the Geth, really do sort of distance it from real life in a way I feel more inclined to engage solely on the merits of the text. And it really helps that the Tali loyalty mission was so standout. The way she defends her perspectives to you. The way the game rewards you ultimately not for taking the right side on the political conflicts of a culture you are not a part of, but for showing up to support and protect Tali and respect her wishes about her dad while she is under scrutiny by her own people. It was very emotional - honestly everything I wish we had gotten from the Merrill character quests in DA2 - and it gave me a pretty clear picture for why she is the favoured romance for the more straight dude part of the fandom.

Am super excited to replay her character quest with Legion as part of it too. idk, love that funky little geth dude.

I did come around on Miranda, even before she tells the Illusive Man to go to hell in the final quest. Idk, she didn't become less objectionable on a personal level exactly, but she does gain depth and did ultimately make me appreciate her part in the story.

Yeah, really glad I installed the Jack romance mod to restore the cut content with fshep. Was worried I was jumping the gun thinking she'd be the character I went feral over but, nah, I was exactly right. Truly she is like Fenris and Sera had a horrible horrible child with all his angst and all her emotional volatility and I love love love her so much. I admit her romance is def the like creepy da2 lis and zevran brand of trying to tongue someone whose agency is undermined by having nowhere else to go after repeated exploitation, but something something what were you doing at the devil's sacrament? At least you don't shove her into a wall directly after she has a ptsd episode and assume that's consent.

idk, for things i disliked: the da2 style dialogue wheel of saying shit I never would have predicted really continues and is tbh worse because exhausting the questions on the left side of the dialogue wheel sometimes results in shep making wildly contradictory points that are really not compatible with one another at all. idk, i was basically reloading every major conversation twice trying to find the options that actually seemed to come together into the character I was actually trying to roleplay.

more than one loyalty mission fell apart for me on the sudden moralising about who is okay to let your friends kill after an entire mission of gunning down hundreds of people. idk, i have individual opinions about how safe it is to let some of those fuckers keep running around with their heads attached vs others, and also opinions on who it is mentally healthy for the companions to act out their murder impulses on, but these two opinions do not always match and in almost all cases shep is so high handedly moralising about it I want to slug them.

ammo management in this game kept being a huge pain in the ass. there was absolutely no rhyme or reason I could tell between missions that overloaded me with so much extra available ammo that I was drowning in it, vs missions that were so stingy with it I was almost out of rounds on my third non-preferred weapon by the end of it.

[sparkanonymous]

Found the other part of the season. Let's go!

⚠️ Spoilers for episodes 11-20!

Episode 11: The Shape of Motion

I know I've already said both of these things, but; ugh, back in the land of killjoys, and I like this funky little bop in the administration.

Why would they put that out into the world in front of the people that give them jobs? Sure, they're finding their life really boring (because it fucking is), but like... that seems really dumb.

I like how Sora and Arin are hiding their faces with pieces of paper, but still keep their hoods on and have the gi on as well. They're very clearly ninja, but no one notices.

More Lloyd visions.

Why'd Wyldfyre take out that thing from her hair? She looks... kinda weird without it.

Lol they so stupid

They took dragon horns? That must have hurt like hell.

On screen death? That's kinda ballsy.

The Craglings being there but not saying a word is so odd.

Ah, man, Rapton came back!

I mean, he did say that he still hated the ninja, so idk why Lloyd ever thought he had switched sides.

Rapton reminds me of a more evil Grunkle Stanley.

Lloyd, that's rude to say to a source dragon lol

It seems odd that the Ninjago Dragons Rising writers would tie the very existence of Ninjago to source dragons. It kinda just feels like a cheap way of making these dragons far more important than the regular ones, especially when this was never previously mentioned within the original series.

Tournament of Elements mentioned.

I'm gonna be honest, I thought this episode would have more to do with grief and Kai, considering her was lost last episode. Yeah, nearly all of the ninja have dealt with grief multiple times over, but you're telling me that not one of them, not even Nya, is especially sad at the concept that Kai could possibly never come back? I might've missed an episode or something, but I swear this is in order...

Episode 12: Enter the City of Temples

Euphrasia's really cute. I hope these next few episodes have ore to do with her.

Yay, Geo!

When was invisible man introduced?

Beatrix is back.

Why are those little dragons giving scrolls to so many random people?

Why wasn't Wyldfyre considered a "real ninja"?

Here we go; Kai grief!

Why didn't Sora know about this friend of Arin's before the merge? She's known for at least 5 years now; this had to have come up in conversation at some point before now.

Ah, so Zane was learning Rising Dragon technique. That was epic.

I know I should've asked already, but... where's Cole?

Lol, Lloyd being surprised when they said no to his request.

Zane getting ready to fight only to be stopped by the girl dragon master. Ugh, he's so cute.

Oh, there's Cole!

Lmao Zane you're such an asshole sometimes. Euphrasia is there, dummy 🫶

I like the ninja with the bandanas. But they skimped out on Cole; wasn't he the first to wear a bandana a long ass time ago?

"The solution is you... go away." I like this guy. He's funny.

The elemental master of shade just... being there. Lmao

They're gonna be banned for life.

Now I'm wondering why they weren't invited... there's gotta be some screwy reason.

If Sora is the elemental power of tech (however that's an element in any way) does that mean she could potentially fuck with Zane? Sounds more like something Jay would end up doing, but idk.

It's funny how the person raised by dragons (Wyldfyre) is arguing with someone who used to be scared of them (Cole). "Dragons are the safest and most solid thing to stand on ever-" My guy, you are arguing with the master of earth. She would have totally made fun of him if she had known him back in season 1 of the original series lol

Bleckt is gonna kill this kid.

Woah, Roby is totally hitting on Wyldfyre. Wow.

Oh, he says "jk" out loud... ohhh...

Ah, so the friend before the merge that was only just mentioned this episode - Frak - randomly appears... do they have an elemental power?

Episode 13: They Gather for the Feast

Ah a backstory for Arin and Frak.

Why do they keep bringing up Arin's Zane haircut.

Frak's got good taste if his favorite was Cole.

The element of quake? I mean... I guess?

Cole thanking Frak for teaching Arin to bake. That's gonna do wonders for him lol

Oh, does he like Nya? Please don't end up being a creepy crush like Jay...

Poor Bleckt...

I'm kinda surprised Zane hasn't told Roby to shut up or something.

So... do Wyldfyre and Roby become an actual thing? Or is Roby gonna be a massive douche?

Oh, man... someone's gonna steal that winning cup and take everyone's elemental powers... probably Beatrix...

Aw, of course snail leader guy is master of plants!

Of course Cole goes rushing towards the food lol

This is definitely giving some strong tournament of element vibes... at least kinda. There's definitely a lot of changes so far, but I can still somewhat feel it...

Ooh, so Jordana is somewhat possessed? It must've taken a lot for her to even try to ask for help, especially from Sora.

Oh my god, is there even gonna be a tournament? There's way too much tension and there's just no way that no one is gonna get kicked out of it.

Oh, that's Xeatrix? Why is she literally just a clone of Beatrix?

Wait, wasn't she given a scroll and allowed entrance at the beginning of last episode? I'm confused.

Where's Geo? He's an elemental master.

Lol Nya realizing how awkward Jay made things at random dinners.

Zane having to close the door after Wyldfyre came in.

Man, they seriously tried to kill Lloyd.

Lloyd, you've been close to unmasking this guy so many times. Just defeat them.

Why would Lloyd pick up the weapon?

So they sent out multiple bots, but none of them were successful? Wow, what a waste of bot.

Oh, was it all a ploy to get rid of the snail guy? How dare they... I have a feeling it was Bleckt, since he showed distaste in the snail guy's flowers, but that could obviously just be a way to get everyone off the scent trail. (I love this guy, but I cannot for the life of me remember his name.)

Okay, but if he did do it, why the hell would he just... admit all of that?

Wait, would Jay show up? I would've thought that he would've stayed in land killjoy, even with the invitation. He said in an earlier episode that no one was supposed to know he had lightning powers, so...

Episode 14: Inside The Maze

Backstory time?

Poor Cole, being traumatized by dance.

I think Cole is pretending not to know the steps just to try and get out of it lol

I like Jaya to an extent. They don't bring me joy like my non-canon ships do. They actually make me kinda... cringe? At least in this episode, because what the hell was that? Idk

We know Jay's been missing since the merge. This has been repeated... a lot the last season.

Zant-tanz. That's snail guy's name. I'm gonna forget it again.

Why are all of the other teams wearing the same uniform, but the main cast of ninja are allowed to wear their regular outfits?

Why did Sora flinch when Arin's hand whipped out? She knows he would never hurt her.

Him missing his parents is gonna be even stronger than it was before, isn't it?

Aw, Wyldfyre is so cute when she has a crush.

Why's Ryu so peeved?

The fact that Cole and Geo found each other by reaching for the same piece of fruit and touching hands... that's romance trope number 1, man.

Ugh, Geo and Cole are so adorable.

Jordana totally saw Sora's cat ears lol

Uh oh. Frak is gonna be a reason for Arin to feel like he can't trust Sora, because she's totally gonna warn him, but Arin said that Frak was his best friend, so he's gonna trust him over her. Or I'm looking too far into it, and this is me guessing something that's more likely to show up in a fanfic.

Are they allowed to set up things like that in the guest rooms? I know it's a way for Nya to try and let go of her grief, or for hope to find Kai and Jay, but I feel like that's gonna stripped down and it's gonna make her really upset.

Having the elemental power of bubbles must kinda suck. Bubble ares far too fragile to be powerful in any way.

Poor Zane... he's gonna get his ass handed to him.

"Now, Zane; if you would-" So they can control if there power is taken? Or was Roby just saying that?

Ugh... poor Zane. He dearly misses his power.

I thought because the guy was quick it would make things on him fade more quickly, including Zane's ice just melting into a puddle. But since Sora's pointing out, it must be fishy?

"Maybe Wyldfyre's right." Dude you dispelled by they shouldn't use rising dragon technique before. You're just salty that one of your teammates lost. I thought you said it didn't matter if you won?

Of course, Nya's next.

Wait, Jay? Why would he even show up?

So Nya's gonna lose.

Why is Geo being focused on here for his reactions? Did Cole tell him about Jay or what?

Okay, I don't care if Nya cares deeply for Jay. She would still beat the shit out of him if duty called, and duty is calling!

Okay, but wouldn't that count as cheating? What?

I like how the other ninja are totally encouraging Wyldfyre's bragging.

So now Nya gets the power of lightning... That's gonna fuck with her.

Okay, why would Nya tell him that? In front of so many people. First, he wasn't gonna say it back, because he doesn't have his memories so it feels weird for her to say that anyway. Second, the second hand embarrassment is strong with this one...

Why would Kai and Bonzle try to talk to this person? Wouldn't they warn the rest of the forbidden 5 and get them into trouble?

What the hell is Ryu supposed to do with this connection?

Episode 15: United We Fall

So is this a vision? Or a flashback?

Why is Cinder smiling like that? That must mean Raz is lying.

Ah, it was a flashback.

So I was wrong when I thought it was Arin who's goodness would be killed off. It was Jay off screen.

Uh oh... So Arin will go out looking for Jay while the others compete in the tournament, Jay will bring him down with him, and Arin will still not be able to find his parents.

Holy shit, Nya nearly obliterated Zane.

This tournament thing could totally be used to be a cool video game.

Cole's so proud of Lloyd.

Wyldfyre's gonna get her ass beat and she's gonna feel so guilty when she loses.

Of course they didn't prohibit the gong of shattering. Most people probably didn't even know it existed. It should have been disqualified as soon as they pulled it out, though.

Of course Cinder's doing that. Well, bye, Wyldfyre.

Zane protecting his fellow ninja. It's cute, but I bet he was recording the whole interaction and could have shown it off.

Whoa, Geo interacting with part of the main ninja group.

Uh oh, Arin and Ryu are so gonna get kicked out...

Oh, Raz is gonna manipulate Arin...

Why would Arin believe that? He knows he can't trust Raz, so there's no reason for him to believe a word that comes out of his mouth. Unless there's some sort of coincidence that leads him to believe it.

Also, the fact that we have only 4 episodes of the season left... they're cramming a lot of this information into the finale and hopefully promising a season 3.

Episode 16: Truth and Lies

if that was Raz's goal the whole time, then he wouldn't have been in Imperium all those years ago, before Beatrix and Xeatrix's father was killed.

Yeah, Raz is full of shit. But he knows he's gotten into Arin's brain.

Couldn't Cole just bust down the cave in himself?

"Master Wu did say; unity can save us." "Do you think he was talking about driving through a rock wall?!" Cole and Nya duo on the top lol

Zane just gently putting a hand on Lloyd's arm to congratulate him.

So Sora's gonna tell the truth about Arin failing his object spinjitzu during the time he needed it to work most, and that's what's gonna make Arin believe every word Raz says? Wow.

Poor Euphrasia.

Arin is gonna trust Frak all the way down to joining Raz...

That just sounds evil, Frak.

Op, here we go.

Lloyd and invisible man duo. I didn't realize they were friends...

Cole being slightly insulted by the "flirts with dirt" line lol

Of course Frak is going against his idol.

So did Raz pay them to make obstacles that would clearly benefit his team or something?

No you don't Raz.

How many monasteries are there gonna be?

Episode 17: The Sword Shatters

Kai dogging on Jay lmao

Y'know considering Bonzle is with Kai, they haven't given her much to do.

Zane, don't say cringe ever again.

At least Lloyd's aware of his chances against Xeatrix.

I like how Geo is helping Roby with his little statue.

Ah so Roby is definitely a bad guy.

Wait, was that Frak's pie?

I like how Cole is helping Frak out. It's nice.

Poor Frak... although, I feel like this'll lead him to trying to help defeat Raz in the end.

Arin, that's the worst way to phrase that question when around someone who is obviously crushing on him.

Yay, good job Geo!

Oh, no, poor Geo...

Why would Lloyd hit her in the direction of the sword he didn't want her to grab?

Lloyd's visions are definitely driving him crazy.

One hit with a giant sword is enough to take Lloyd out? How powerful was that sword?

Episode 18: Clues and Suspects

What was up with that sword? Why did it knock him into a coma?

Even Geo in the background is pissed.

Why are Wyldfyre's words enough to get a rise out of Xeatrix? They were kind of lame...

Also, why wouldn't they have blocked Xeatrix's powers while in the cuffs? Wasn't there a vengestone concept a long time ago that did that exact thing?

Except Sora didn't turn on Arin. Sure, it hurt his feelings that Sora didn't fully believe in his power, but they were in crisis mode at that point and couldn't afford a slip up. She helped him, regardless of how little it may make Arin feel. I feel like this whole thing could've been better written, like if they had been given a longer season, they could fully make Arin not trust Sora for various reasons. But since they were given 20 episodes, and wanted to split up the season a little at 10, they didn't have enough time to write out this arc, and now it makes Arin look really childish. (Yeah, they were making him childish to begin with, but now it's just getting worse.)

I really like Arin, but this whole trust arc makes me not like him very much.

Okay, so is Mr. Frohicky watching Fritz and Spitz? I mean, I don't know who else would, but still.

Good, at least Frak knows better, even if he trusts Raz.

Cole is so proud of Sora having his powers.

Does Raz really believe this is the way to defeat the ninja? He's losing his allies with the way he's doing this. I thought he was supposed to be cunning and smart.

Wyldfyre and Roby's relationship is complicated and... kinda cute?

There's no way Bleckt didn't notice that...

You're just now getting that feeling, Arin?

Take a wild guess, Arin.

This sucks for Lloyd just because now he has to deal with his visions without being able to escape them.

Nevermind. The source dragon saved him from them.

Bad at improv? I thought Cole made those quips on the spot in the original series.

Yep, it's definitely Bleckt. He's not making it subtle.

So Cole's gonna steal the mech that was potentially his mother's. I wonder how that'll go.

Is that our first look at what Lily looks like? Or did I miss something by not watching the last few seasons of the original series? Still, I like how - even in canon - Cole never truly escapes his mother.

Still a load of bullshit that Cole was able to do that, but whatever.

Episode 19: The Final Game

Oh, now I finally get it. There's only 3 of the forbidden 5 that are banished because one of them was actually allowed to escape while the other somehow managed to possess Jordana. Maybe Sora will slowly figure that out?

Who else could it be, Cole?

Woah, Wu's voice.

No way did Wu actually cause it. He probably just thinks he did out of guilt... or maybe he did. I'm usually wrong about my guesses.

"Hydration recommended." That's not my Zane. He would not have said it like that. Give his personality back.

Man I like how Wyldfyre got the answers by throwing the book down and having exposition walk right up to her.

Sora's definitely gonna get her ass handed to her.

Of course Sora figured out to do that.

Can Roby even read that language?

Prediction for next episode: Arin's gonna somehow betray the ninja and join Raz for literally no reason.

Episode 20: Elements of Betrayal

(I'm probably not gonna have as many notes now that we're at the end.)

Did you ever doubt that, Arin?

Here we go with Arin's betrayal...

As cringe as it is, Roby and Wyldfyre are so silly.

Kai coming back with Bonzle. Epic.

Kai must be so confused lol

And there he goes...

Cole should've tackled Bonzle in a big ol' hug too.

Sora dragging Lloyd off.

For Wyldfyre's sake, I do hope that Roby comes back in a future season, if there is one.

That source dragon blade is pretty cool.

Well, if Raz can't bring him back to his parents, what then? Will Arin just... go into hiding? I mean, what else would he be able to do? If the ninja can't do it, and Raz can't do it, then no one can. Unless we're introduced to new guys in this potential new season.

I really do think that Arin's kind of an idiot, but... whatever gives us more plot.

That's all! I'll post the finished pieces as soon as they're don, so... probably this weekend.

Dragons Rising: Season 2

I'm a little bit more nervous to watch season 2; I like watching things that make me feel happy, and from the brief spoilers I've gotten about this season, this is probably gonna be more sad than anything... But I'll try.

I will be continuing to work on the two pieces I was working on before, so check the bottom of this post if you want to see my progress! (This goes for my season 1 notes post, too, by the way.)

⚠️ Spoilers for episodes 1-5!

Divider by cafekitsune

Episode 1: The Blood Moon

New Jordana look, huh? I don't really like it right now, but I can grow to get used to it.

So are the lines on her face just... permanent?

Good to know Raz has night vision.

Jordana is clearly scared about all of this... I wonder how long it will take for her to switch sides.

The bad guys always seem too distracted, intentionally taking their time to get to their targets. I kinda understand why it was that way for the little phone video in the beginning of the episode, since it's such a cramped space to work with and the movements might cause motion sickness. But with every other fight? No.

Wow, Ryu grew up quite fast.

Fugidove? In 2024?

Holy fuck, the news reporter remembered Pixal? Most of the ninja didn't even remember her. Actually, practically nobody in Ninjago city. He's either a super fan, or the writers completely forgot that fact for this season.

Is Intelligent George a parody on someone? I can't tell.

Did Sora really have to spell that out? Did they just... not think that that people watching the second season had already watched the first? I feel like spelling it out like that will make people not want to go back and rewatch the first season to see what they missed.

Also, with how much bigger Ryu is, I would've thought more time had passed. The way Sora had said that line makes it sound like she just unlocked her true potential instead of it being like... a few months ago or something.

Okay, so now we're on the "Arin really wants elemental powers" thing. He seemed mostly fine with that last season. What changed?

Arin, if you're looking for someone to be talking about those still lost in the merge, why the hell would you watch a Youtuber who only wants to talk about the ninja to sell merch? There are plenty of people that you could talk to; the people you're currently around would be far better to talk to about this. I know that they don't have the solution right now, but they are far more likely to come up with one before a fucking Youtuber.

Sora and Arin are such good friends. Even if their interests are completely different, they still partake in the other's activities, especially when the other is looking blue.

Poor Frohicky, lol

Zane would have already heard and figured out these figures of speech back in like... season 1 or 2. But he's still cute. I like that Kai and Zane are playing the video game together.

The layout of this game makes me think of the TMNT arcade game. Nice touch.

Hm... so Lloyd's getting more visions... or he's having a nightmare... or both?

So... Zane and Sora are gonna get taken down. Is Arin going to rebel, betray them? Beatrix is clearly coming back, which I figured would happen after she disappeared into that merge-quake at the end of last season.

Wu watching over his nephew is nice, but... where's Garmadon? Sure, Wu is probably more iconic and a better teacher, but Garmadon is Lloyd's father. I want to see him again... would he have the same golden glow that Wu's ghost does, or would he have a purple glow or be a purple void?

Also, where's Nya? I don't think I've seen her at all this episode.

Why is Arin's voice so soft now? It's like he's constantly whispering into the mic?

Kreel not even denying that she tried to make their mech explode back in episode 1 lol

Wait is the junkyard ghost Wu?

Wow, that was a small investigation montage.

I like Ryu's teenage model over the baby one, but he reminds me a little too much of Toothless.

That old lady shaming those throwing away a good dragon... but not taking the dragon? Oh, come on; she would've totally tried to take Ryu back home with her. It's an old lady thing.

Oh my god, Arin stop self-pitying; this is not the time.

Arin, they will be proud of you; you're a ninja.

Lloyd's gonna have a heart attack.

Woah, the camera during this fight is really wobbly. It actually feels like Arin, Sora, and Ryu are in danger.

The actual panic in Lloyd's voice.

Give me the smoke guy's name. I need it. He's really cool.

Episode 2: Shattered Dreams

Wait, the writers of destiny are still a thing? I would've thought that they would have disbanded after it was proven that writing the future didn't actually mean anything.

Their idea of fun is bagels? Yeah, I can see it.

Wait, so their entire religion isn't completely founded on made up bullshit?

Lloyd, why would you drink that?

Sora, you sound like Raven Queen.

Arin, that's robot-ist. In front of Zane? Really?

Y'all are in broad daylight. So much for being ninja.

Everybody judging Sora's graffiti, including Zane lmao

Hitting Zane in the head with a non-magic teapot lmfao

The Gong of Shattering is such a terrible name.

Poor Arin, lol

Oh, no. This is Arin's undoing. He's gonna hit the gong in order to try and get an elemental power, he'll turn evil, and then fight beside Raz. I'm calling it now!

I really enjoy Percival's character now. He's learning, he's helping out, and he seems to be kinder than when he was under Beatrix's rule. I think the rebellion was good for him.

The Master Writer was so scared, he didn't even try to run. Wow. Anyone will let the bad guys overthrow them, huh.

Euphrasia should seriously train with the other ninja; she's far too weak to be looking after a kingdom alone. (Yes, I know that they're making all the ninja really bad at fighting to make it look like the smoke ninja is way stronger than them, but still.)

It's not called the Blood Moon for anything good. Is it ever?

You're supposed to be sneaky; that glowing green spinjitzu is not sneaky in any way.

Why did Euphrasia have to say that? She could have looked relieved instead of saying that terribly said "Thank goodness your okay!"

Zane, that doesn't answer shit. A written language can't look evil. That's the dumbest shit I've ever heard.

Should Euphrasia even be here to save the Master Writer? She's using a crutch. Actually, does literally everybody have to be here for this? Bigger groups are hard to be stealthy with, and most of them aren't really being useful. They should've picked three to go in while everyone else stays behind as back up.

So Raz was the reason the worms turned evil last season. Hm...

I'm still not over it. Why is Ryu here? It should've been Lloyd, Arin, and Zane; Lloyd because he needs to confirm his visions, Arin because he's really foreshadowing something, and Zane to confirm the stupid language thing. Euphrasia would've been a good choice to bring if she wasn't using a crutch. Everyone else is just... here for no fucking reason except to just listen to the Master Writer. They're not really hiding, so any of the wolf-masked characters could easily find them. They didn't bother animating anyone except Lloyd and Arin going up the wall; they all just kinda teleported. This is bothering me so bad. (Not everyone has to be here to listen. The three that would've gone could've spread the information off screen so it didn't become too repetitive.)

See, I fucking told you. Now Lloyd's having another panic attack.

Why did the gong only affect the wolf-masks? Is the detail I missed that they have to be wearing the wolf mask to be affected by the gong? That seems dumb.

Lmao Kai

Woah, Zane glitching.

Episode 3: Beyond the Phantasm Cave

Wait, where did Kai's mech come from?

Of course when Lloyd asks for an answer, the source dragons come.

Wow, that source dragon from season 1 is so convincing, he convinced the other source dragons within seconds.

Why wouldn't Sora believe Lloyd after all of this?

Aw, Kai checking on Wyldfyre.

Nya, you trained under Wu for how long? You would know that, yes. He would bring you guys somewhere based on half-understood dreams.

Why is Zane always the one to keep an eye on the ship? Ugh.

"Now it sounds like the rotor sneezed!" Lmao Lloyd

It's sweet that Sora and Arin are talking to each other about fond memories, but... why? This came out of nowhere, and they just arrived at their destination. The writing here feels a little clunky.

Aw, now they all have grappling hooks.

Wow it sure took those snake things a while to come out to try and kill them.

Uh oh, Kai's powers not working very well...

Is this like the future telling ice thing in the original series?

Sora that is quite clearly static. How the hell did you think that was Kai?

Oh man, it's all their worst fears...

Oh, shit... The Jaya thing I've seen fanart for.

Poor fucking Nya... this is foreshadowing.

They have airjitzu. They could take the jump a lot more carefully.

Episode 4: Force From The East

Ooh, finally! Back to Cole.

God, Geo and Cole are so fruity.

That was a mouthful of exposition. They could've had a mini flashback of that moment from last season when Cole left and followed Wu. Sure, Geo didn't see that, but this show has never shied away from showing other character's perspectives during flashback sequences told by another character.

Geo being worried about Cole.

They're such an artistic family.

Bonzle is gonna make Geo panic.

Kai and Nya working together is sweet.

Me, too, Arin. Me, too.

The dragon speaking English instead of using telepathy or whatever.

"Should we... ask them what they want?" "Sure. What do you want?" *Gets obliterated* Lmao

Geo's so silly.

Finally; Cole comes to the rescue!

Bonzle's hiding something... I'm not sure what just yet. But she knew that they could leave when they previously couldn't.

Why does Zane have a Frohicky plushie? I'm so confused.

Why isn't Cole surprised to see Zane?

"- why do you have a frog-man-doll?" "It is a long and barely comprehensible story." I love them.

So that's why I thought the Glacier reunion was so... weird and terrible. They're in the middle of a chase scene.

I like how Zane tries to decipher what the problem is by examining his face... I'm so normal about this pairing, I swear.

I like how this episode is split into the stuff that Lloyd and crew were doing and Cole and family were doing, but I focus on just the Cole and family stuff. Mostly just Cole and Geo. They're family is really sweet and care about one another so deeply. Fritz and Spitz need more to do, though; they're kinda just... kids in the middle of everything, but they seem to be as strong and fast as the rest of their family, so... idk

Episode 5: The Spell at the Waterfall

Ah, the Zane and Frohicky side of the plot.

I understand what Frohicky is trying to accomplish, but Zane has already gone to him if he has a problem with the things he's doing. That's just the kind of guy Zane is. This tactic might have worked better with Kai or Lloyd.

Zane whacking the bad guy with the stupid fucking doll lmao

Why wouldn't Bonzle have told them earlier? Lmao what a mouthful.

Oh, so that kinda makes sense... kinda. For Bonzle to know when the could leave. But she would've sensed that opening a long time ago, and probably would have looked more worried throughout the beginning of last episode.

See? The entire Cole and Geo family is artistic.

Bonzle met Master Wu?!

Kai and Nya are so epic.

So, wait. i thought Wu would have taken her to meet the ninja, but I guess not?

Aw, Cole and Geo getting emotional about Bonzle's story.

"This reminds of the old days. Count me in." "That's what I'm talking about." Ugh... I love them too much...

So is one of the source dragons helping Raz? Or am I going crazy?

Of course, there are some critics I have. But I'm liking this so far, even with how often Lloyd was getting panicked and the amount of foreshadowing to future episodes I was getting. Still a little nervous about what's coming, though...

Current Progress:

[strwpup]

i am a dragon. i am trans. i have gotten stuck due to curiousity several times. and i own this part of town

[killmebythebeach]

Oli is in a snivily cage, imprisoned for his crimes of afterlife.

Love that trope of "Oh my gosh [horrific event]" "wait, does that mean [selfish arbitrary thing that happens to come out of it]?" Anyway Oli won afterlife I will hear nothing of it

It pained my heart that he terrorized Gem's village. Just a little.

I'm SO PISSED he didn't make more afterlife vids fucker got the VAMPIRE origin and that was the ONE original I wanted to see make a reappearance (maybe he streamed it though idk)

HE GOT STUCK ON LIZZIE'S ENIGMA MACHINE THAT TRAPPED JOEL SGJKVD.

Is he an angel when he's trying to bring Sausage back? If so: what the hell is that skin. Also he's lonely :( Oli plays off desperate loneliness well (edit: he's birb)

PEARL HAS HER DOOR NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT HOW TO OPEN SGKNDSJK also WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?!

I also love that this probably means Pearl was a god this whole time or she became god after dying. So a) Xornoth seeing god and going "Yeah ill terrorize that" or b) Pearl becoming god and deciding to go to Scott's perfect little afterlife to cause havoc

FIGHTING FARMER QUEEN SHE STILL IS A FIGHTER WE WIN THEEEEESE anyway fucked up god "just sleeeeeping" Pearl my beloved hope she makes more appearances. She really went "No <3" and then iseakied him.

Very glad afterlife Oli is empires Oli btw. I want him to join the stratosphere war so bad. "I don't know how many lives I've got left!" Ooooh

Glad he used the actual empires map I think. Also is he always in a Hawaiian shirt or is that new?

. Did he refer to himself as goated with the sauce.

THE EVERMOORE?! DOESNT LIKE HIM?! Like I know everyone is warned of the fog but a FROG?!

Oli gets the monster hunter achievement when he kills that pillaged at spawn. How is this man alive.

Is Oli like. Well?

Skrunkly.

WHAT KIND OF FUCKING RAVINE IS THAT?! WHY DOES IT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE DEEP DARK?!

Once again. Is Oli okay? Like.

I'm pretty sure while he's talking about people drawing him he's taking jab at Joel, which is always welcome.

WHY IS THERE THERE A MUSIC NUMBER LIKE ITSLL PROBABLY BE AMAZING BUT OLI.

Everyone: oh my gosh! What happened to the dragon?!

Oli: *speed running music*

^ this is what I've gathered from this part so part

Idk who Zeuz is but he's funky. I want to make a cool guardian design of him and Oli. I feel like I'm watching the sage in an 80s fantasy movie with puppets watch an anime protag.

... I like the strider.

"I've pearled before-" everybody! Enderrail.... ENDERRAIL... ENDERRAIL!!!

"I'm gonna take you to BED. BATH. AND! BEYOND!" I have to encorperate that into my daily phrases. Oh yeah, the egg.

Friendly reminder: the first episode was a whole server event where everyone went to the end and saw the egg and dragon gone. Oli is gonna lore something... I feel it in my bones.

PIX'S BRIDGE!!!

Hc that Oli was in the credits for hundreds of years and that's why he never ran into anyone (ignore that he ran into spawn campfire before killing the dragon)

Oli on his racoon Tommy arc. This makes Gem Techno and I find that hilarious she should kill people. Wisps for the Wisp god or something idk haven't been here in a while

I don't know why I didn't notice Oli had a good voice? Also Gem walking up the stairs during that is peak comedy

Probably nothing (maybe it's like a setting or smth to turn off achievements) but Gem didn't get the achievement for picking up the egg

Also ??? Did Gem break that block under him?! Is he in Fwhip's place or elsewhere or ???

Okay question answered however Fwhip what the fuck. Really hoped Gem and Fwhip teamed up for that one. Also is the Sheriff just. Taking prisoners?

Idk I don't do live blogging but this was a special occasion.

[prof-peach]

If you could cross over two of your favorite games, which would you choose? Please explain, why that crossover would be a good match.

Oh you’re going to regret asking this one, I’m bout to GET SERIOUS.

So Pokemon, obvs, I love the whole world it’s built in, but the games imo are REALLY boring, I haven’t enjoyed one a lot since gale of darkness, the main ones just are a little too linear obvious plots, pretty standard setups for story and style. Speaking of style, the games lack personality, the models aren’t animated well, moves have no dynamic energy or visual difference at times, and the turn based battle style just feels kind of, I don’t know, old? Slow? Just doesn’t suit what I enjoy personally, gives me a FInal Fantasy vibe and I just cannot stand the speed at which things happen in those games, plus not into 3rd person ‘let’s build a team of people’ much, but that’s a problem for another time. With this all in mind, the game I wish would happen is like gen20 Pokemon, far future sadly, I doubt I’d see it in my lifetime but god I’d be happy if I did!

Ok so take the newest Zelda graphics, the visual treat that was BOTW, open world, puzzles, not JUST combat, you got side missions, hunt the chickens, find missing pets, parcels, items, whatever. Love it! The horse taming?! Amazing you funky little game. Now take the bad guys and beasts from that. And put Pokemon in instead. Give them the diversity, the life and believable natures that BOTW gave the animals, I followed a frog in BOTW for 15 minutes, and it was a great experience, it felt like it was believable. Above world spawning, ACTUAL difficult gameplay, rare spawn rates, make dragons hard to get again, cmon, it’s too easy now, make it so we need a certain set of Pokemon for certain tasks. Water types big enough to carry you will be able to get you to new areas, rock types that can help you climb mountains faster, or break through blocking boulders. Actual towns with more than 4 houses in them, shops, barns, farms, homes. Like little link with the heat, maybe ice types would struggle in volcano areas, or bug Pokemon not be so comfortable in gale force winds. Give the weather more of an effect on your partners. Mounts, don’t even get me started that Pokemon Let’s go had you able to ride any of the larger species, but swsh did not???? Bitch please, give me my rideable Pokemon. The wild area too was far too closed, limited, online was laggy and a mess, camping is limited, let me do more with my team. Pokemon for me is all about the actual creatures, how they live with humans, and the many wonderful things they’re capable of. Yes of course it’s cool they can fight, but like what else you know?

I’d love a game that lets me buy a plot of land, maybe plant things, custom build things. I’m a sucker for the fallout4 settlement builds when they’re modded to hell and back, they’re fun! It can be a really calm and creative process. If I could do that and skip the main campaign and all the battles for a bit? Amazing, it sound perfect for me. I am that distracted hoe collecting flowers while the kingdom burns in the background. Side quests are everything to me. Let me give homeless people enough money to get them in a home? Let me adopt Pokemon that are stray around the town? Plz oh plz bring me a Pokemon game that allows me to work WITH my team to do more than KO other species. I want to save and buy a plow for my buddy gogoat, and grow amazing foods to sell to get currency to spend in decorations, to spoil my team. Give me actual game consequence, if I ignore that sick and injured Pokemon I find in the wild, later maybe it’s family don’t want to help me out with a different problem, too stricken from grief. I am all about the average bits, the old women who need help, the lost pets board in town, the general day to day stuff. Let me get cosmetic items for the Pokemon I keep, cute outfits, special gemstone items, let me actually live with them, or even feel remotely like they’re realistic.

Ok so in game, if it’s looking like BOTW it’s pretty beautiful but also stylised, I’d have it so you can send out a maximum of 3 Pokemon from your 6, using bumpers and such to throw them out. If you hit the trigger you switch from controlling the human trainer, to the Pokemon you’ve targeted with a standard lock on targeting system. You then can be the leader, but be the Pokemon. You could technically defeat the game without a human if you wanted, which incorporates the mystery dungeon games I think, and caters to that crowd. I’d love to see the use of attacks out of battle, things like using water gun to grow plants, using ember to start a campfire faster and stave off the cold. There’s no consequence to Pokemon anymore, and I think that’s where it’s lost me. I have to admit I miss the days of a poisoned pokemon fainting if you don’t heal them soon enough, I miss gym battles that were actually tough, damn, try picking charmander in red and beating brock without grinding in viridian forest first, it’s not easy. And I loved that. Yes it’s a child’s game, it will never be difficult again, but god it’d be nice to have a bit of a challenge, or maybe a difficulty setting, so some could play it with hostility turned off, great for kids, or you can be n adult like I know so many Pokemon fans are, and play it on expert mode and ACTUALLY have to work hard to beat the game. Alternate skill trees anyone? Train gun a fire type to ACUTALLy combat water moves?? Please! Cmon! It frustrated me that every challenger has pretty much a systematic set of moves to use to win. Grass opponent? Fire attack spam until you win. It’s dull, so at least with very difficult tricks to either find or learn in game would make it more achievable if you can send that fire type in and I don’t know, train them so much the heat evaporates the water mid-battle and you suddenly have a shot at winning. Pokemon has taught me that if you work hard enough you can achieve something, but the games just have such strict ways to win. Feels wrong.

In terms of battling, let us BE the Pokemon, let us learn to dodge, train our speed, train our defence, make a team of truly tough Pokemon instead of just, average? Some species have a cap on their skills, a squirtle has lower stat points than a Charizard, but you can’t ever change that? Let me choose the Pokemon I believe in, and let me work with them until they’re just as good, if not better than the game tanks. This would also make online battles more interesting. Everyone picks the top trio. Fairy, dragon, legendaries. And yknow what? It’s boring. That one IRL fight with the monster Pacharisu that won in the world tournament with follow me and the situs Berry? Unbelievable, I love that little rat so much because of this, so let us all have a chance to build a team that’s strategically viable, strong, and potentially a winner formula, even if they aren’t fully evolved, or the biggest Pokemon in the world. Yeah maybe you have to grind way harder with your unevolved Pokemon, but you get to the end game and win, because you put love and time into species that you enjoy, not just good fighters.

Unfortunately I am beholdent to Todd-idiot-Howard, and I love the Eldrescrolls and fallout games (before they got dumb, not that I don’t play the new ones. 76 I’m looking at you, you big asshole game.) honestly I hate online games, so none of that junk, just a good old fashioned open world sandbox game is plenty. Games for me are an escape from others, not an invitation to socialise. To each their own of course, and I do play online games sometimes, just pretty short lived ones, over watch and rdr2 for example. Would they be sometimes better on private servers? Yes of course, fallout76? Want to play with others? No. I do not. Please leave me alone. And if you buy a private server you’re feeding the monster that is Todd Howard, the man the myth the asshole, then we’ll get more bad games like 76. I just so desperately want the Pokemon company to see what a beautiful potential game they’ve got on their hands, that could be suitable for far greater audiences, but instead they’ve focused on the kids. It’s fine, it’s functional, but it’s lost to the fans from day 1, that are all 20+ years old now and want something meatier to play, something far more broad and inclusive. I also hate that there’s no wheelchair option in any Pokemon game. Like cmon, it’s not hard to include that.

In short, BOTW + Pokemon, with a sprinkle of open world sandbox to it, less fighting, more fun. Or, at least both options. Sure, go fight everything, great, but I want to farm carrots over here with 6sunflora, plz let me have some peace.

Edit: I forgot about harvest moon, chuck some of that in there too.

SECOND EDIT: someone in the comments mentioned to put this in Unova? Plz love yourselves, this game would be ALL MAPS. Stuff one singular location, this is the ideal game, put every map in it, join them, put islands in, make them more explorable, more detailed!

[yamchaas]

Welcome back to Jessie Yamchaas drink and episode reviews- Today we will be reviewing- Episode 71 of Dragon ball Super and Green Tea topped with whipped cream cheese concoction I saw in a youtube video late last night that disturbed me, keep reading if either of these intrigue you-

First things first, I had to make my drink to accompany my episode rewatch, here he is in all his glory:

Looks wise? Not the prettiest drink, slightly “shreks swamp after the honeymoon” vibes, but looks don’t matter- it’s about the taste. Taste wise? This shit disgusting, what in the actual fuck- Janice, girl, you said this was nice in your video what is this- The whipped cream cheese sits on top of the bitter tea so your first sip is straight up just this weird cream cheese and then you get bitter tea and its fuckin bad- 0.5/5, won’t make again.

Okay now we have that horror out of the way lets move on to something less terrible, surely- Yamcha playing baseball :)

Okay, first things first- animation. WHERE THE HELL IS YAMCHA’S CAKE? WHERE HE FUCKIN THIGHS AND HIS BUTT AT? BASEBALL TIGHT PANTS ARE WONDERFUL BUT WHERE ALL THE MEAT GONE?? YAMCHA ALWAYS HAD MEAT BRO, HE ALWAYS HAD JUICY THIGHS BRO 😭- Okay but with that out of my system there no other glaring issues with the animation in this episode, sure some of the distant shots are funky but I’m not bothered too greatly by that, it’s actually fairly well done- I especially appreciate the scenes where they focus on Yamcha’s technique and of course the cool wolf shot sings to me so all and all no complaints beyond Yamcha being too small.

As for plot, Champa and Beerus are having a “friendly” match between universes 6 and 7, hijinks ensue- This is filler, there’s not much plot to speak on.

Utterly in love with the line from Yamcha that he left Tien and Chiaotzu behind, super funny and a nice little throwback to the Res F movie- Also, they’re married <3 But I do just have to say it does utterly flummox me that Tien is not included in this episode, there’s genuinely no reason for him not to be here and I can’t help but to imagine how fun the episode could have been if Tien was on the universe 6 team to even out the numbers- They never gave us the Yamcha/Tien rematch at the tournament so it could have been a fun way of giving us some kind of rematch and banter all these years later, but sadly they just didn’t take the opportunity- Also no Tien Baseball Tight pants 😭😭 Disappointing.

Whis and Vados look nice :) Vegeta being obsessed with topping Goku once more, nothing new here. Gohan’s a sweety, also nothing new here.

Now some positives: Yamcha being so encouraging and a good team leader is very sweet to see, love that actually. I also love that they made these amazing warriors not very good at something that isn’t fighting, like it’s comical but it’s also nice in a way? Like yes, Goku is unbelievable in so many ways but he struggles to learn baseball- Its nice to be reminded these characters have flaws and struggle in different aspects of life, just like regular people do too- Really like that.

Love them incorporating Yamcha’s use of spirit control into his baseball skills, it’s just fun and cool, no complaints from me at all.

Piccolo being good at baseball is cute and I like it.

Now on to everything else-

This episode truly hurts my feelings, it’s so unnecessarily mean for no reason and I know people might say “but doesn’t he technically win? and wasn’t he better than everyone?” Those are the only scraps he gets- Literally Yamcha speaks in a total of 10 super episodes and this is the only episode that we could even vaguely call a Yamcha episode and it’s just a joke on him 90% of the time-

18 questioning if Yamcha should be captain and being nasty about his skills truly fucks me off- Like he’s been the best baseball player on earth for 20+ years, the show acts like Yamcha is completely useless and it just grates on me- Yamcha trained with King Kai, he can hold his own against the ginyu force- He’s not weak. He’s just plainly not!! Sure he’s not Goku level, or even Piccolo, but that’s okay, because he is human!! He’s still an amazing martial artist and baseball player and he’s also a good friend with a kind heart. The show playing into the useless pathetic Yamcha memes is cheap. It’s just cheap.

As for the he weird, kinda implied Bulma/Yamcha stuff in this ep HATE HATE MALICE BITE KILL- Actually fuck off. The blush pisses me off so bad-  Like Yamcha has never acted hung up on Bulma, he was a bit annoyed when Trunks was a tiny baby, which was fair! But other than that he just treated her like a regular friend, no unrequited love. Also I’m pretty sure this is the nicest Bulma has ever been to Yamcha... Ever. In like the entire series as a whole. So... That’s telling.

Also supers insistence that Yamcha’s this cocky, smarmy guy will never cease pissing me off! The Yamcha we leave in Dragon Ball Z has been remarkably chill and humble for years, so why now is he suddenly a dickhead again? This is more prevalent in other episodes but does feature here too. Bad writing- Bad characterization. Bad.

And it ends on the dead fucking Yamcha meme pose- Because of course it does. Because it’s cheap and it’s nasty and that’s all there is to it. They took a character that used to be a main character. A loved character. And they played into the dudebro, abridged series, meme-ifcation to get cheap laughs rather than give this character the dues he deserves. They literally couldn’t even give him one (1) episode. This is actually worse than the fucked cream cheese green tea drink- By a large margin.

NOTABLE, QUOTABLE:

“C’mon let’s see some pep in your step!”

“Wow- It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Yamcha this fired up!” 😭😭 Dude seeing Yamcha confident and excited and Goku being so happy makea me 😭😭

“Let the Yamcha show you what it’s like to dominate on the mound-” I’ll let The Yamcha dominate on my moun- *Comically large hook snatches me by the neck, pulling me and my computer chair off stage*

“The wolf fang pitching fist ball-” Tien, I need you to kiss this man on his dumb mouth, please.

“Yeah for a washed up fighter that’s not bad.” 18 I GOT MAD LOVE FOR YOU BUT IMMA THROW HANDS WITH YOU BITCH IF YOU KEEP THIS UP- “But Jess she’s a powerful android and you’re some chick-” Yeah but don’t you know the power of love is the strongest force in the world? Also I grew up in the country and have reserved farm strength so 😤

“It’s an honour to have this of bat” Cabba I dont know what the fuck this means but I’m fuckin happy to see you mate- You a good boy!! “Watch closely master, I’m going to hit this and prove I’m worthy of your teaching-’ stupid lil bitch ass vegtea don’t deserve this sweety 😤

“What are you even doing here, I’m totally out of my league, at this rate I’d be lucky to walk off the field alive... C’mon Yamcha, keep your head in the game, we are going to win this.” TIEN IF YOU DONT GENTLY AND SWEETLY BRUSH THIS MANS CHOPPY MULLET FROM HIS FACE AND SWEETLY KISS HIS LIPS ON GOD-

Winning shot of the epsiode:

Thanks for tuning in to my review of drink and episode uhhhhhh see you again uhhhhhhh if someone gives me a drink and a episode to watch :)

[lethal-liability]

Ari's ranking of Imagine Dragon's discography

Here's something literally no one asked for! Anyway rankings are out of 10 and I'll have album stats at the end. Also any songs in the EPs that would later appear on Night Visions are just going under the album. I know that'll screw with their averages but I don't really care.

Imagine Dragons (2009) average rating: 7.2

I Need A Minute: 6/10 A nice fun song I used to like dancing around my room to. The lyrics are completely incomprehensible but I guess that's the point, I like it. The vocals are just a little bit too low

Uptight: 7/10 Funky beat, I really like the synth. I didn't listen to this one much as a kid but I really missed out this song kinda fucks.

Cover Up: 7/10 Some more funky bass and synth, getting into some of the more poetic lyrics that I like from them. Pretty solid.

Curse: 9/10 This 👏 was 👏 my 👏 favorite 👏 song 👏 back 👏 in 👏 the 👏 day 👏 Here's where my bias comes in cause this one gets an extra point purely for that. The lyrics don't really make sense but I would lay up at night coming up with complex amvs in my head to go along with it :) Still holds up to 11 y/o Ari's love.

Drive: 7/10 Again, another one I never really listened to as a kid. It's a pretty good, relaxing song, really different from the rest of the upbeat songs on the EP.

Hell and Silence (2010) average rating: 6.75

All Eyes: 6/10 Another funky song, nothing really special but pretty solid

I Don't Mind: 4/10 Honestly not a fan of this one, the synth is kinda annoying and the lyrics are kinda irritating

Selene: 8/10 Idk what to say I just like this song :)

Emma: 9/10 Honestly pretty much the same as Selene but with a chiller vibe, I like the raspier vocals. Extra points for that nearly yelled bridge HELL AND SILENCE I CAN FIGHT IT

It's Time (2011) average rating: 4.2

Tokyo: 3/10 Look I'm a sucker for funky synth OKAY. I don't speak Japanese but I don't have to to tell you Dan's pronunciation is really cringy. Deducting points for the kinda fetishy lyrics too.

The River: 8/10 This is one of those songs I like to listen to when I'm sad to make myself sadder so I can cry my feelings out. It's got a pretty, soothing melody and nice lyrics.

Leave Me: 2/10 This song used to make the feminism leave my body as a kid but I just can't bring myself to really do that anymore lmao. Come on Dan, that's two kinda gross songs on one album :/

Pantomime: 2/10 I. Really did not like this song as a kid. Like I had a playlist on youtube of all their music except this song. I was right.

Look How Far We've Come: 6/10 Hearing this song for the first time in like nine years was an experience. Not a bad song but dome of the lines are a little clunky.

Night Visions (2012) average rating: 7.33

Radioactive: 9/10 Ya know this is the song that got them famous and for good reason. It's a good song and great amv fodder.

Tiptoe: 8/10 It's gonna be harder to write about these songs going forward because these are ones I listen to regularly so I know I like them but yeah. Good song.

It's Time: 10/10 Radioactive may have been what got them famous but this was their first real big single and it was my favorite. I'm a big sucker for a mandolin and I think this is where they started to lean more into the folky sound than the synthy sound.

Demons: 9/10 Another one of their songs I used to listen to to cry and I don't listen to it much anymore because of that but it's still a good, poetic song that hits me in the feels.

On Top Of The World: 6/10 My mom had this as her alarm when I was in middle school so I couldn't listen to it for a long time. The lyrics are a little heavy handed sometimes and a little incomprehensible at others but it's an alright little tune.

Hear Me: 8/10 This album is a little confusing because they include some of their older synth heavy songs alongside their newer folky songs, but I won't complain with this song. Frustrated 13 year old me loved this song because I, too, felt that no one ever heard me when I talked. Ya know, 13 y/o things.

Amsterdam: 7/10 I have no idea what this song is about but it's pretty good.

Every Night: 5/10 This was their first and last try at what I call a "first dance bait" song. Ya know like Perfect by Ed Sheeren or Marry Me by Train? It's alright, just really heavy handed.

Bleeding Out: 10/10 Oh emo eleven year old me ate this edgy shit up. Is it a grimdark? Yes. But that's a plus for this song. This song makes me wanna scream every time I listen to it I BARE MY SKIN AND I COUNT MY SINS AND I CLOSE MY EYES AND I TAKE IT IN

Underdog: 6/10 Another cute song, not much to say about this one, it's alright.

Nothing Left To Say: 9/10 ANOTHER another song I cry to, this one still hits home for me. It's pretty and soothing but the lyrics are still heart wrenching. The instrumental at the end is nice and I like to fall asleep to it.

Rocks: 8/10 A nice upbeat song that is a little repetative but it's only about a minute long so it doesn't over stay its welcome.

Working Man: 5/10 This song isn't on spotify so I don't get to hear it often and I actually hadn't heard it in a while when I listened to it to do this. It's kinda trying to be a 9 to 5 type song but it doesn't really do it for me.

Fallen: 8/10 Another song I hadn't heard in a while since it's not on spotify but I'm more of a fan of this one. Another amv bait song to me but one with more of a triumphant vibe to it. I really like the vocals in the chorus.

Cha-Ching ('Til We Grow Older): 8/10 The hook of this song, cha-ching x3, has a big potential to become really annoying like some of their later songs (cough cough, Thunder) but they actually somhow make it work. This song hits me a lot harder now than it did as a kid cause god. Yeah. They're so right. We are all living until we grow older.

Smoke + Mirrors (2015) average rating: 9.06

Shots: 9/10 Hell YES my favorite album finally let's get into this shit. Anyway songs that make me wanna lay in a field of wildflowers. Well the music, the lyrics are pretty depressing. But that's what makes a great song ya know.

Gold: 9/10 Songs about the rich losing their humanity? Hell yeah. I fucking love the percussion and the synth in this one too.

Smoke and Mirrors: 10/10 The under appreciated masterpiece of this album in my humble opinion. Everyone always talks about Dream as the best song on the album but I really think it's this one. That yelled OPEN UP MY EYES gets me all the time I just really really love this song.

I'm So Sorry: 9/10 Real sexy bassline on this one. I can't tell what the fuck this song is about but I don't care because it goes pretty hard.

I Bet My Life: 8/10 I like the gospel vibes, especially the backing vocals, some of them out-sing Dan a little bit. This one also hits a little harder now that I'm grown up a bit.

Polaroid: 8/10 Another one with cool percussion, some of the lyrics are lost on me but I get the overall vibe of it.

Friction: 10/10 I have no clue what that string is at the beginning of the song but man does it fuck hard. God actually everything in this song goes pretty hard, I'm especially a fan of the vocals.

It Comes Back To You: 8/10 Nice chill song, I feel like this is one that's gonna hit in a few years. Not much to say about it tbh besides I like it.

Dream: 10/10 This song really does live up to the hype even if I like other songs better. It's really poetic and well composed. You really just have to listen to it to get it tbh.

Trouble: 8/10 The piano at the beginning is a little grating but it gets better. Again not much to say about this one, it's solid, just not one of my favorites.

Summer: 8/10 Another sexy baseline, another set of incomprehensible lyrics. I like it.

Hopeless Opus: 10/10 This one's a little weird but it was my favorite for a while. I like weird. Idk if anyone would agree with me but this one was kind of a self fulfilling prophecy, this really was a hopeless opus since, in my opinion, they've yet to make album as good as this one. Also. Guitar solo.

The Fall: 10/10 I like to put this song on when we get the first cold snap of the year after summer :) It's just really chill and I like the vibes and the vocals

Thief: 10/10 AAAAHHHHHH SONGS THAT MAKE ME WANNA RUN THROUGH THE WOODS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

The Unknown: 9/10 Cool percussion, I like the intermediate piano, it's a nice touch.

Second Chances: 9/10 I like the strings and the vocals. Another nice chill song.

Release: 9/10 I like that this one is completely acoustic, it's a nice send off for a great album, if a little depressing.

Evolve (2017) average rating: 5.5

I Don't Know Why: 10/10 I have wanted to choreograph something to this song for the fucking longest time oh my god. I really love the vocals and the synth in this one.

Whatever It Takes: 5/10 This one's alright. It's not great but it's definitely not the worst. Perfectly average pop song.

Believer: 10/10 I am a little bit biased with this one because I use it for my OCs a lot but like. It's a really good song. And I don't watch TV so I haven't gotten it ruined for me by commercials.

Walking The Wire: 6/10 I hadn't listened to this song in a while and it's really not as bad as I remember. I guess you can really tell that he was having marital issues when they made this album and that didn't really connect with me back then. But I'm kinda into a little bit of it now.

Rise Up: 4/10 Another really average, inspirational pop song. I like the raspiness of Dan's voice in most songs but it sounds so over processed in this song I can't stand it.

I'll Make It Up To You: 3/10 Wow okay never mind the marital issues vibe is coming back real heavily in this one. Idk it's just such Straight People vibes, I don't like it :/

Yesterday: 1/10 I associate this song with someone I don't talk to anymore and really wanna forget so it's kinda running at a deficit already. But. Um. It's not a good song otherwise. It's another weird song but something about this one just doesn't work.

Mouth Of The River: 7/10 I think I liked this one when it came out, idk why I stopped listening to it. It's pretty good. Not great. But I like the river imagery. Well. I like river imagery in general.

Thunder: 2/10 hhhhhhhhhhhh why did they think this was a good idea. Probably their most notorious song, I know a lot of people cite it when they say Imagine Dragons makes shitty music. I just think it's tragic that this is one of the ones that got super popular for some reason. However as someone who teaches children's dance classes, however annoying you think this version is, you haven't heard anything until you have to listen to the KidzBop version twice a week for a year. Not a complete 0 because I do like some of the vocals that aren't. That Part.

Start Over: 6/10 Another one I hadn't heard in a while, but it's pretty groovy. Not as heavy handed as some of the other songs, and that flute in the chorus is pretty cool.

Dancing In The Dark: 8/10 I like this one a lot, the processing on the vocals is a little wonky but I like the vibes.

Next To Me: 4/10 Yeah this was the "please don't divorce me" song. It's. alright. Really heavy handed, they probably should've waited to release this one but you know.

Origins (2018) average rating: 4.8

Natural: 10/10 Another one I'm biased for because I associate it with a beloved OC. But It's still a good song. I like it.

Boomerang: 5/10 Another song that just has an awkward hook with awkward delivery.

Machine: 9/10 I like this song a lot more now that I know the band is really outspoken about their experiences with mormanism and escaping it. But the irony of a song with a nonconformist message from a pop band is not lost on me.

Cool Out: 5/10 Idk I don't have much to say about this one. It's alright.

Bad Liar: 4/10 Oh boy more divorced dad energy. Hhhhhh I'm getting burnt out on this. For the record I have no problem with people going through things like this, I'm just not into these vibes in my music, especially when they're super desperate like this.

West Coast: 3/10 East coast supremacy. Also why are you trying to be Mumford and Sons.

Zero: 4/10 You know, the Ralph Breaks the internet song? God. That sure was a movie. The song is better, but not by much. It is fun and bouncy but I don't like listening to it too often.

Bullet In A Gun: 5/10 I used to really like this song but now I just associate it with an embarrassing character I used to stan so :/ I do still like the lyrics even if I don't listen to it anymore.

Digital: 3/10 I can't tell if this song is pro or anti technology??? And the electronic melody is annoying.

Only: 4/10 Hhhhhh I'm so tired. I don't like this one.

Stuck: 2/10 idk man. bad.

Love: 3/10 Really trying hard to be the Beatles here. :/ That's really not a compliment.

Birds: 5/10 This one's kinda nice, a little more original but like. I'm so burned out on this theme. hhhhhhhh

Burn Out: 10/10 Speaking of burn out. lmao, no I actually really like this one. I just recently listened to it kinda intently for the first time and I just. Wow. The second verse really gets to me. I feel like this song has a lot of the poeticness I liked from Smoke + Mirrors.

Real Life: 0/10 Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh obligatory "PHONES BAD" song from the folk pop band. At least when Bastille does it they don't literally say "turn your phone off!" in the song. I'm so tired. I'm gonna take a nap before I listen to the next album.

Mercury - Act 1 (2021) average rating: 7.46

Okay I'm still tired but let's do this. Also I've only heard this album like three times so far so this ranking is most definitely gonna change as I listen to it more.

My Life: 9/10 Holy shit this song is fucking heart wrenching and I first listened to it at like just the perfect time for me to ball like a baby listening to it. Literally my only gripe is I wish the tempo would've picked up a little bit earlier.

Lonely: 9/10 This song is equally fucking depressing but it's upbeat and I eat that shit up. The vocals are a little weird sometimes but I really like the pre-chorus a lot.

Wrecked: 8/10 Okay so this album is just gonna be gut punch after gut punch huh? Look, I was really going through some shit when they dropped this album so I like really connected with a lot of it. But yeah I like this song.

Monday: 4/10 Alright. Not a fan of this one. The metaphor is kinda cute I guess, even if it implies that like literally everyone else things your sweetheart is fucking insufferable. Actually. Who tf thinks monday is the best day of the week? Like what kind of person? But, uh, musically, it's kinda annoying.

#1: 7/10 Self-care babie!!!!!!! Okay but this is a nice song. Yes we all need to learn self love it's a fucking journey babe.

Easy Come Easy Go: 9/10 I really like this one, it might be my favorite on the album. My only gripe is the bridge/3rd verse/whatever it's called is a little bit clunky

Giants: 8/10 god DAMN those vocals. This is another kinda weird song but I'm into this one like I am with Hopeless Opus.

It's Okay: 7/10 Honestly I'm kinda tired of hearing "it's okay to be not okay" Like yeah I've been depressed for most of my life now I think I got that at this point. But I am a fan of "I don't want this body, I don't want this voice, I don't wanna be here but I guess I have no choice." Like damn even my gender crisis? Y'all are really just hitting all my nails from the past year right on the head huh?

Dull Knives: 9/10 OKAY ROCK RIFF I HEAR YOU, I just wish it would've lasted through the song instead of going slow again during the second chorus. But yeah, songs that make me wanna scream in the woods in the middle of the night.

Follow You: 8/10 ME AND WHO???????

Cutthroat: 9/10 HELLO AMV BAIT I MISSED YOU I wish it was longer. Also, love Dan's screamo debut I wish he'd just fucking scream his throat raw more often.

No Time For Toxic People: 4/10 okay I think we've established that I'm not a fan of completely unsubtle songs so I don't think it should be a shock that I'm not a fan of this one. The music doesn't really save it either.

One Day: 6/10 M E A N D W H O ? ? ? Not as much of a fan of this one as Follow You though.

Additional Singles but only one's I've already heard because fuck you there are so many of these

Battle Cry: 6/10 I thought this one was from some soundtrack but idk. A transformers movie I think? I can't find anything on it. Anyway, okay song. I like the line stars are only visible in darkness. The rest of the song is kinda repetitive

Born To Be Yours: 8/10 I like this song a lot. I have no idea who Kygo is but I'm a fan of this beat. For the record, this is more something I would use for my first dance.

Destination: 6/10 Another song I haven't hear in a while. I enjoy the vocals from the other band members. But it is an itunes sessions song so it's a little messy, probably could have been better if they'd recorded it as a regular song.

I Was Me: 7/10 A nice sad acoustic song, not much to say, I like it

Levitate: 6/10 This one is from that Jennifer Lawrence Crisp Rat movie no one saw. It's okay. I like the sci-fi vibes.

Lost Cause: 4/10 This one is from the Frankenweenie soundtrack of all things. This is another grimdark edgy song, but it just doesn't have the staying power to me that Bleeding Out did.

Monster: 8/10 This song was my fucking jam as a kid and was the song that got me into Nightcore in middle school so you know it's important to me. Still a big fan of it.

Not Today: 7/10 I actually saw the movie this was from, Me Before You. I would say this is another first dance bait song but I think they were just trying to match the vibes of the movie. The song is better than the movie though. In case you were wondering.

Ready! Aim! Fire!: 7/10 continuing the trend of songs from soundtracks, apparently this song is from Iron Man 3? Seems kinda weird to put a song about rebellion and revolution in a movie about a billionaire 🤔🤔🤔. Anyway it has a more electronic, industrial sound than most of their stuff which i appreciate. Still have to deduct points for being from a marvel movie though oops.

Roots: 10/10 Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh I love this song. Another another biased one because I associate it with one of my OCs but like. It's a good song.

Sucker For Pain: 5/10 Ya know that song from the Suicide Squad soundtrack? The masochist anthem? It's alright, I mean Dan's part is probably the best, the rap is okay I guess, I'm not a huge rap fan so I don't really know what constitutes a good rap. I guess the appeal of this song was all the big names but it just gets tiresome that there's a new voice every 30 seconds. Really gimmicky but Lil Wayne's part is kinda funny so I'll give it that.

Warriors: 8/10 More amv bait, another one I could've sworn this was from some soundtrack but I can't find anything on it. Pretty solid song.

Who We Are: 6/10 This sing is from one of the Hunger Games Movies, I can't remember which one though. Anyway it's fucking incomprehensible but I like it.

Conclusion

Okay so in order from Highest to Lowest ranked the albums and EPs are

Smoke + Mirrors: 9.06

Mercury - Act 1: 7.46

Night Visions: 7.33

Self Titled: 7.2

Hell and Silence: 6.75

Evolve: 5.5

Origins: 4.8

It's Time: 4.2

See and this is completly objective because if you had asked me to rank my favorite albums I would've put Night Visions above Mercury 😠 I did have a good time going back and listening to a lot of old songs I hadn't heard in forever

anyway I'm tired and this post no one asked for is over 3k words so I am going to bed good fucking night

[moviestorian]

Queen on Fire - Live at the Bowl 1982 concert (Hot Space Tour) LIVEBLOGGGGGGGG

As promised! :) Initially I was supposed to go directly from Montreal to Wembley, but dear @his-majesty-king-mercury convinced me to do Live at the Bowl before, and I’m glad she did!

Background: The concert is dated at June 5, 1982. As I wrote in the title, it was part of the Hot Space tour and was initially supposed to be played at Arsenal Stadium in Highbury. A day before the gig Freddie had a nasty fight with his then-boyfriend who had bitten him between a thumb and forefinger.

Let’s begin! - ugh Hot Space - but hey, it's gonna be fun! It's Queen, and Queen always puts the bestest live shows! - oh wowzie, this is mah first liveblog since April, long time not seen right? - my pizza's ready, my coffee's ready, my dip is ready - I think I can start watching now - Ooo wow, this concert lasts an hour and 43 minutes? I would die if I had to play on stage for that long - I can already feel the enthusiasm!!! The ENERGYYYY - FLASH AAAAAAHHH AHHHH - they're leaving the plane and look so hella cuuute - oh hi Crystal! oh hi Phoebe! Great to see you all! - gotta say... Freddie's outfit is fabulous. - Brian: plays the guitar and jumps the Crowd: HELL YEAH - I'm only 3 minutes in and my current mood is: fuck the critics whoever trashed Queen and disrespected their music skills - WE WILL WE WILL ROCK YOU - I love the fast version, slaps 100 times harder than the studio version - Deaky looks awesome in blue, I mean I already noticed that when I watched Rock Montreal, but let me reiterate - It's only been 5 minutes but let me tell you...not enough zooms for Roger - Freddie's in a good shape and form... not that I'm surprised - ROGER - cute red little scarf on mah boi's neck - THE FIRST FREDDIE AND ROG INTERACTIONS, I LIVE, I'M HAPPY - "hello everybody" "hey hey hey" good time to miss Freddie - Action This Time... Anyone surprised that it sounds better live than on the album? - ROGER'S VOCALS HOTDAMN - Brian's hair is floofy as usual... why am I acting like it's an unusual thing - I really really miss hearing Freddie and Roger together... POWER DUO - the synths get introduced... I neither love nor hate it tbh - okay not Queen related but the pizza is not bad, for a frozen one - Freddie, you feeling too hot for that jacket? And you Deaky, too? Get undressed, babes, I certainly don't mind - Play the Game! I love this song... Also Freddie playing on a piano is a blessing to us all - He really puts his soul into this one... Bless this man - Brian's backing vocals always sound so soft... My tenor angel - THANK FRICKING GOD THE SYNTHS IN THE BACKGROUND ARE BARELY AUDIBLE - LOL FREDDIE - he put a towel on his head I'm XDDDD what a legend - this and the famous plastic bag is a thrilling saga - AAAAA YOOOO - LMAO at Freddie throwing his...water?beer? at the audience - *Hot Space apologist speech* :P - we're at the funky part, I guess... - Brian and John's synchronized movements :)))) - ah okay it's Staying Power... I forgot what the song sounds like - Roger in black... I'm swooning - Roger has a nice closeup view on Freddie's butt, I mean back :D - This is not bad, but I'm gonna bet that I'll forget what this song sounds like again in less than two hours - John's haircut is cute and adorbs :D - OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - Somebody to Love!!!!!!!!!!!!! - The intro...sounds so sublime, soft, and raw at the same time - I love that it sounds slightly different, depending on the concert - This is really emotional... We shall see how it goes, but so far it surpasses even the god tier Montreal version! - Forgive me for not saying too much now... I'm fully sunk in the sheer beauty of this sincere performance - Love Roger's drumming and the crowd clapping to the beat! - "I like it" ME TOO FREDDIE - I wish we could hear Roger a tiny bit better! I love the crescendo part - That was beautiful :') - Now I'm Here!!!! asjgashasashjgas - I love it when they perform it at higher speed - The jumping crowd fairly represents what my brain cells currently look like - I hella love Roger's drumming in this song - well not just this song but y'know - Freddie...what was that??? WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THAT FINGER??? - hehe you can tell that Brian's very into it :D - Brian trying to get Roger's attention... Rog is, however, fully dedicated to his drums :D - Freddie lying down after the song is a post-exercise or post-dinner mood - "Let's play a game" YES SIR - yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah - "Go pretty boy, go" I'm SOFT - hear that bassline? YES ME TOO - (it's Dragon Attack if anyone's wondering) - Freddie Mercury: lead singer AND fitness instructor - wish I could make some screencaps, alas I'm watching this online so it would take too much effort so here we are - Fred, let BRIAN PLAYYYY nooo don't distract him! - out of context those cuts and shots look like John is jealous of Freddie and Roger XDDD this is gif and meme worthy (around 39 minute) - btw probably no one is interested because you came here for the Queen concert liveblog, but I got my period and I'm starting to feel it - IT SUCKS - ooooo Brian speaking! His voice is so soothing, I could listen to him all day and it would probably calm my nerves - acoustic guitar...I'm already in - WHY SO QUIET THOUGH - Love of My Life, I'm cry - Everyone's singing along from the very first line... this is beautiful - Everyone united by this song's pure beauty :))))) I'm not crying you are - Do you sometimes think about Brian playing the acords for this gorgeous track and there is no Freddie sitting beside him? - Yeah, I hate myself for that thought too - I might be a little bit emotional - No wonder it was this particular song was the one that finally convinced Bri's father to FINALLY accept his son's career - Brian's gentle smile I'm :') :') :') - *clap clap clap clap* SAME - We're at Save Me now... Are we doing a crying compilation or what? - This is almost as bad as the Queen Forever album I recently bought.. TOO EMOTIONAL - Don't get me wrong, I ADORE Save Me - But this is too much - Almost 50 minutes in and Freddie's voice is still STRONG AS A BELL - Remember what I said about the "fuck the critics" mood? Yeah the mood is back - Even the cute Roger/Freddie interaction almost makes me cry I'm agsahjhsAAAAAAAAA - I need a more lighthearted now BLEASE - I'm a tough cookie but when I have Queen feels very little can help! - Is this Back Chat? OH GOD - Please bring me back to the crying mode, I DIDN'T MEAN THIS - (I'm sorry Fidan and all the Back Chat fans over there, I'm not a huge fan of this song :-*) - We get a nice view on Roger's back, though *Lenny face* - The synths sound like a main theme for some mystery-drama tv show from the 1980s XDDD - I forgot how long this song is... - Get Down Make Love *insert Lenny face again* - Okay I gotta admit... lyrically this song is a mess and borderline cringey in the first verse, but I really like it musically - I GIVE YOU HEAT - I GIVE YOU MEAT *three Lenny faces* - Okay, let's just listen to the song and pretend we all forgot the English language, maybe? - That mid parts always makes me feel like I'm about to be abducted by aliens - Thank God I don't do drugs, I would start thinking I might be hallucinating - I assume that Brian's guitar solo starts now? - Nice intro! - And Roger gets time to breathe, the boy needs his oxygen - Actually, this may be one my favourite of Brian's guitar solos? - Brighton Rock :))))))))))))))) - Brian's hands are very pretty - oh noooooo - an error? - poor Bri - that disappointed guy who screamed "No" when the guitar stopped playing :D - thankfully he issue quickly got solved! - hi Roger, nice to see you back <3 - It's Roger's time to shine! - YEs, Under Pressure! - The Montreal version is gonna be hard to beat, though - Let's see - uu I like Fred's red jacket! - ...do you have any shirt underneath, though? Naughty boi - he does not LOL - "HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH" - let me tell you again...Roger's mic is definitely not turned loud enough - This is great but still, I prefer the Montreal one - That beer always amuses me XD - Freddie, you want us to slap your ass? - Oh no, he's just announcing Fat Bottomed Girls XDDDD - "I was just a skinny lad" the editing team: cuts to the camera angle which shows Brian first and Freddie after him - Roger's "oooh" is funny because he's really into it :D :D :D - Freddie is now a pole dancer, he changed profession - The crowd, always cheering when Freddie gets undressed :P - I sense Crazy Little Thing Called Love incoming! - yes it is Crazy Little Thing! - Freddie's joke about the three guitar cords XDDD - This song always slaps - "she drives me crazYY" - ReAdY fReDdIe - FREDDIE PLS STOP FCKING YOUR GUITAR - this is pretty - BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY YEAH - he sounds so soft :)))) - and now so raw - "Momma UwU" - can't unsee this fricking meme now ajsdhjgdhjds - My favourite guitar solo :')))) - they actually played the video??? - I miss spaniel haired Deaky tbh - *instense drumming* *fireworks* - Oh Brian is wearing this cool shirt he also wore in Montreal! - jumpy Deaky...too bad you can onnly see him from the distance - GONG - that was sexy - Roger hitting that gong in the black outfit is sexier than shirtless Rog hitting the gong, change my mind - TIEE YOUR MOTHER DOWN TIEE YOUR MOTHER DOWN - There's only some 15 minutes left... The time always passes so quickly when I'm watching a Queen concert - Another One Bites the Dust! I've been waiting for thiiiis - Deaky: happy jump - He knows it's his time to shine - wait a second, when did Roger change his shirt? - I need a good closeup - Freddie be like *imma slap my thigh now* - ooo I see Roger's Japanese shirt now! It's pretty cool! - Brian looks great too - Those flashing light are kinda migraine-inducing, thankfully I don't have an aura today - SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER heartattack - Looks like Freddie is flirting with Red Special :P - they're going absolutely crazy XD - WE WILL ROCK YOU DRUMLINE INTENSIFIES - LOL the sombrero on Freddie's head :P - ups mr editor dropped a frame - And now we're truly heading towards the end... I'm gonna start associating We Are the Champions with farewells soon - Well done, boys - I know I say it every single time - But you can't stress this enough - :)))) I'm glad I did this liveblog - They look exhausted but very satisfied :))) - Bye bye!

Next time I’ll be doing Wembley 1986, hopefully soon!

Tagging all the people who expressed their wish to read my ramblings. :) Enjoy!

@his-majesty-king-mercury, @x5vale, @radio-ha-ha, @mephisto92, @39-brian, @melisa-may-taylor72, @silapril, @kitty-rushes-in, @lydiannode, @an-abyss-called-life, @litsy-kalyptica, @importantmuggoophero, I hope I didn’t forget anyone! ^^ Comments are nicely welcome! :3

[onceuponalegendbg-ouat]

Thoughts During OUAT Series Finale: The Final Battle

Yeah, you heard me. Series Finale. Season 7 is a spinoff as far as I’m concerned. Let’s get this stupidity over with. At least it looks better than Descendents though. ....Sigh, ok that sounds abrasive....I’m going to miss this show, don’t get me wrong. 

Let’s do this one last time, ya’ll. 

Oh wow Pilot flashbacks. Season 1 flashbacks. Good times. Remember when this show was complete and utter magic. 

“Time of great upheaval.” ......Ok then. 

Thought that was Gideon for a sec. He about to die though. 

Ah! Starting with Henry. Where you at boy? Oh look, SB looks populated again! She in the hospital? Wha...... Oh a regular psych ward. ......Whoa ......OH HELL NO! FIONA IS THE MAYOR NOW!?! .....I shouldn’t be so surprised..... OH HELL NO HENRY IS REGINA’S KID YOU BACK OFF!!! Well...I’m unnerved. 

And here’s the sneak peek that was released today because someone on the team is a complete moron. Regina worried about Henry is my aesthetic. Oh and hi Baby Neal. ....Is Zelena back in Oz? 

He’s not...your son....you sneaky B****! There was some funky camera work there that makes everything uneasy. Nice. Ok, you need to stop calling her Miss Swan. Only Regina is allowed to do that. Quit trying to replace Regina!!!! ....I mean, granted, you’ve been more interesting to watch than Regina this season but omg you are not going to take her son and her co-parent away from her! SQ BroTP! 

There’s Z! Escape....Oz? CGI definitely improved. 

What did she do to Belle? 

JASMINE AND ALADDIN!!!!!! YES REGINA! RESCUE YOUR SON AND BRO!!!

Tank Top Emma! Jailbreak! 

Uh, as sweet and lovely as this speech is Hook time is of the essence so if you and Charming could get moving that would be swell. 

Henry is trying so hard. 

Whatcha doing Gold? Geez so Fiona made it where Belle just straight up “abandoned” them. And made herself the central maternal figure in Gids life. .....You evil witch. 

Oh hey EQ!!!! ....Ok...my three favorite witches/queens teaming up is all I needed in life. 

She’s going to push him down the stairs.... and yep. There it went. His foot was literally right on the edge, and then he turned his back to the stairwell. Of course she was going to push him. Although, she apparently still has her magic. 

She freakin tried to break his neck!! WTH! You know....I completely forgot the fact that Henry is her great grandson. 

You know....this dragon just reminded me that we have not seen Mal or Lilly, or even mentioned them, since the end of season 4. .....A&E completely forgot about them. Unless of course this dragon is Mal? 

Fiona you evil conniving witch! Your photoshop skills aren’t even that good! But you know what’s funny. That’s exactly what I always wanted Belle to do. Ditch Rumple and go on an actual adventure like she always wanted. Like, the only problem, really, is that she left her son. That part isn’t cool. 

Fiona is like that voice in the back of your head, man. 

NO! EMMA DON’T! YOUR FAMILY IS GOING TO DISAPPEAR!!! DON’T DO IT! Really? You show Hook but not any of her other family? Not, you know, her mom and dad, Regina, or August, or any of the other six or seven people that mean something to her? 

Sup Tiger Lilly. You talking reunited in death or what, girl? 

She’s trying to add to her orphan collection with Henry is seems. 

That sharing a heart thing comes in handy. And we all knew Hook would be fine. Hook, it would be preferred if you took Regina and Z and Snowing with you. The more people that are trying to convince her the better. But I bet the writers are only going to send Hook because screw Emma’s family. (Yes, Hook’s a part of her family too but this is so dumb.) 

Also, “Hello there, Mommy.” ......pfft

I recognize this apartment. 

“Henry’s her son too.” .....Henry has four mommies. (Counting fake Momma Fiona.) Kids needs therapy. 

Dang it they’re cheating! Playing the scene from the pilot, reenacting.... it’s just so cute! I can’t! I’m a sap! 

“What are you up to, grandpa?” That’s still weird. “She betrayed me...again.” I mean, that’s a given. 

CHARMING’S SWORD! 

Is EQ sacrificing herself!? Oh my god....my baby.... YOU GO GIRL! BE AMAZING!!!!! THROW THE BEAN! 

Emma!!!! 

Seriously, throw the bean already.....or is it still not in top shape? Either way, Emma believes and just in the nick of time, honestly. 

That was bad CGI. The book, I mean. Where’d Gid- oh, there he is. And Fiona has completely dropped the charade. Good boy, Rumple. WHOA HOLY CRAP! HE JUST - DID HE JUST - ........Her curse! It’s undone! He did something right in Season 3. It only took three more seasons for it to happen again. 

YES HENRY!!!! 

Are you kidding me.....twisted ankle....? Belle continues to be useless! REUNION!!!!!! And what do you know, they’re in the street for the final battle. 

...... SQ Bro Moment of beauty. 

Oh wow, they actually brought the whole inner Dark One thing back. Never thought they’d address that for Rumple. 

Ok Emma, the speech can wait. 

So they killed her off. .....No, there’s no way. Also, there’s not even a tear in her shirt. HENRY TLK!!!!!! oh my god....that actually made me tear up a little.... That’s it. That’s what this show is about. That moment right there. Henry got to save Emma. 

Gideon’s a baby again? ....ok. Shrug. I’ll roll with it. 

And there’s the book. Aw Snow. I’ll let the cheesiness slide because yes. Yes. 

Arendelle! Neverland! Wonderland! JASMINE AND ALADDIN! 

Aw, they got an actual house! Henry with his Moms!!!!! CS in the Bug! Aw Regina and the Dwarves! Aw EQ and Wish!Robin! Zelena and Robyn! 

....L-look at this family....look at them! This...this is... 

Hello, little girl.... here we go again it would seem. Yeah so that’s not a spin off I’ll be watching. 

Ok. Well....I guess this is it you guys. Wow. I...genuinely don’t know what to say. Ya’ll know more than anything that these last couple seasons have not been easy. There have been some hard times and some moments where we all wanted to storm off and never return to watch this crazy, tolerance testing show. But we kept on, whether due to curiosity, some strange loyalty to the show, loyalty to the actors. I’m sad that the journey had to falter so much toward the end but I’m still glad I watched the show. 

This is my last Once review. And I wish all you Oncers out there, those staying and those leaving, the best. Love you all. Bye! 

[frost-felon]

Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: Last Episode + Some Final Thoughts

   ...What a ride, huh? You know, I never could have expected it to turn out this way--much better than the previous episodes had led me to believe. For all its problems, ARC-V truly did have many shining moments, from its awareness and focus on characters and world-building, to its particularly spectacular displays of Entertainment and even partial-Meta Dueling, to even just the quiet moments brought about by some of the EDs. I’ll never be able to fully get over the show’s lacking points, but I can say that, thankfully, I was laughing (smiling, hah) and enjoying myself in its strengths, its endeavors, and even, miraculously, its ending. Here’s why:

   ♪ I couldn’t stop laughing, smiling, just trembling with excitement throughout the episode. Even with the clearly bullshit new duel content, I was kept on the edge of my seat and amused, rooting for both Yuya and Reiji to do their bests as our fantastical leads. Truly, Yuya and Reiji are, if not masters, completely exceptional in regards to Entertainment Dueling.

   ♪ Yuto. Yugo. Yuri. Despite their fates, they were more lively here, more involved, and it was great to see. Honestly, I’m halfway to tearing up for them, both in joy and sadness. Really, one of my biggest wishes was for them, and Kurosaki Ruri, Rin, and Serena to be separate from Sakaki Yuya and Hiragii Yuzu, respectively, and while it pains me to not see them be able to live independently, to be fully free of Zarc and Akaba Ray’s death grips on their individuality, I have this feeling. The feeling that they’ll be okay. Things are, hah, quite likely to be weird for them regarding the multitude of relationships each is involved in, and some consequences have been avoided, but...it seems they’ll be able to live their lives peacefully, enjoyably, even with these circumstances. I’m thankful for that, at least.

   ♪ Sawatari Shingo, my-oh-my. He may not have been able to do much in these ending episodes (though certainly not as little as Tsukikage, ha ha, who was he again?), much less this one, but I loved his contributions here. I will miss you, oh lovely, egotistical, ambitious, brave, hit by ups-and-downs-in-terms-of-character-writing, worthy rival, Neo New Sawatari Shingo. God bless his creation. (On a more serious note, I’m...alright with his appearances in this episode; I wish he could have done more, been more, but I’ll take what we were given with a smile and a shitload of fanfic searches/chapters at my fingertips. What say you?)

   ♪ THE MAN, GONGENZAKA NOBORU, deserved more screentime and importance in this episode. Seriously, what the hell? With at least one ED devoted to the Yuzu & Yuya & Gongenzaka relationship and one with a heavy focus on it, why couldn’t we have gotten at least one scene just or mainly focusing on that relationship and Gongenzaka’s importance? Why did they have to completely ignore his importance in the lives of Yuya and Yuzu to just have him do nothing in the episode besides sit in the crowd and stand with the others at the end? Would it have been that difficult to fit something in without killing the pace/cutting valuable content?! I just...that’s one of the more disappointing things about this episode.Though disagreeable, it was understandable for Sawatari, but Gongenzaka deserved better, damn it; the writing made me care about him less in these past 30 episodes or so, but looking back at the the beginning, and seeing how they built him, I wish, and I yearn. I can’t be the only one, yeah?

   ♪ Shuzo. I’m glad they actually cared enough to go back to him at least, and to bring back his importance with the Epilogue Arc and this episode, to an extent. I almost cried, and I definitely whispered in a watery tone something along the lines of, “Oh, Shuzo...” I’m glad that, even if the Kurosaki family can never be fully complete (including Shun & Ruri’s parents, if they were simply carded and not killed), Shuzo has his daughter back.

   ♪ Yusho, and Yoko--Yoko didn’t do much, but I’m aware that, story-wise, she didn’t really need to. I’m still a little mixed on her, but I’m glad that they never fully forgot her and let her have moments in this arc and this episode. Yusho, at the end was...well, really, his appearance saddened me, because I really wanted to see that Yuya VS. Yusho duel. Frick, that would’ve been sweet! Glad he got to end it with his smile, Yuya’s, and mine.

   ♪ Akaba Leo--a man who has committed so much wrong, has understandable (though very misguided) reasons for what he did, who suffered from some bad writing, but nonetheless was very interesting and kept my attention (as some readers would know). In the end, I’m satisfied. Oh, there’s no doubt in my mind that he deserves a bit more punishment, a few more consequences, but I assume those would happen naturally post-series, so I’m not too unimpressed with that particular piece of his handling. I also felt that his contributions in this episode went over with me well (though I laughed when they reused one shot).

   ♪ Reira, and Himika. The business going on with Reira is very funky, and I didn’t quite enjoy what happened to him/her (<-- and that issue seems to have divided the wikis, interestingly; can’t blame ‘em, I am too). I hope, at least, that Post-Series!Reira gets to be individualistic and with free will, to fully complete Past!Reira’s character development and story arc. Anyone interested in writing some fluffy Post-Series!Reira stories? As for Himika, I’m satisfied with her overall inclusion and in this episode. I do felt that she could have done more, but like Yoko, her continued presence during most of the story wasn’t necessary, and I respect what we do have of both.

   ♪ I have so many questions that will never be answered, unless we get a movie or something. But what’s the chance of that, really? Maybe we’ll get an OVA or two. What was Zarc like, before he fell into villainy? How did he get the Extra Deck-Respective/Dimensional Dragons, and what was most of the composition of his deck before becoming the Supreme King Dragon? How much were the lives of the previous-series’ characters that weren’t shown affected, and did they even exist [besides those like Marufuji Ryo(u), who were mentioned in Freeze-Frame Bonuses]? Where in the hell did Roget go? Please, I would like some answers, even if they’re vague.

   ♪ There’s so much more I could say, but I think I’ll end it here--I can always elaborate and discuss my other thoughts in later posts. So, I’ll just ask a single, closing question, with a single, eager answer:

   Where do you go, when the fun has just ended; where can the fun begin again?

   Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS!

[tthad]

Party Crasher

When Sarah first saw him she thought it was someone’s idea of a sick joke.

 “Jesus, who would do that?”

 Alphonso handed Sarah a Coke and looked over at the guy she was staring at.  He was dressed in blue jeans with holes in the knees and a black t-shirt sporting some symbol or design that was too faded to read.

 “I don’t get it, who’s he supposed to be?” Alphonso said, suddenly not so self-conscious about his own less than stellar attempt at a pirate costume.

 “Look at the face.  Doesn’t it seem familiar to you?”

 Alphonso looked again, trying to match the kid with any of the teen celebrities he’d seen on tv, but still came up with nothing.  “Is he one of the Jonas Brothers?  Cause in my defense, that shit’s pretty dated.”

 Sarah scowled at him exasperated.  “It’s Bobby Reynolds.”

 “Holy shit.”  Alphonso said, suddenly remembering the photo that had been circulated around school when Bobby first went missing; this kid was the spitting image, even down to the way his brown hair hung in front of his eyes like a visor. 

 “What is it, some sort of latex mask?  How the hell did he even make the thing?”  

 “I don’t know, but it’s incredibly fucked up.  Can we go outside for a bit?  I don’t want to be around this.”

 “Sure.”  Alphonso said and took Sarah by the hand heading for the backyard.

 ***

 “This really takes me back.”  Emily said, plucking another Dorito from the giant plastic bowl in front of her and washing it down with a swallow of punch.  “Explain to me again why it is we’re taking this little stroll down memory lane?”

 “Because I promised my parents I’d keep an eye on things and make sure my little brother and his friends didn’t trash the place while they were gone.” Callie said.

 “I don’t understand how your folks even knew that he was throwing this little shindig?”

 “He posted about it on Facebook.”

 “Kids these days have absolutely zero skill in the art of subterfuge; gotta put everything online like a bunch of amateurs.”

 “We would’ve totally done the same thing if we’d been able to.”

 “Oh no, not me sister.  Don’t you remember Becky Rapowski puking in the back of my VW Rabbit after downing half a bottle of Capitan Morgan at prom?  I’ve kept that shit secret to this day.”

 “You told Karen Waller about it in Art class.”

 “Well yeah, but nobody else.  Didn’t want her thinking I was the one who ralphed in my car.” 

 “I’m just trying to be a good big sister.  There’s no way my parents would’ve let him have this without some sort of supervision.”

 “Christ Cal, is this what we’ve come to, high school chaperones?” 

 “Afraid so my dear.”

 “The fucking humanity.”

 “Hey, at least we haven’t had to hold any hair back or break up a bunch of make-out sessions.”

 “Like I said, kids these days...so disappointing...”

 ***

Roach looked over the business card again, scrutinizing the legibility of the phone number and email address underneath the bright green logo that read, Head In The Clouds: Recreational Liaisons.  

 “I’m still not sure we should’ve gone with such a funky font?  What if our customers can’t read it when they’re, ya know, impaired?”

 “No man, trust me, you have to grab people’s attention.  Don’t want folks to think we’re selling life insurance or aluminum siding.  This little beauty here...”  Chris said holding up the small, cardboard rectangle. “Demands that you sit up and take notice.”  

 Chris still liked to think of himself as a showman even after ditching his former moniker and going back to his real name.  It seemed a bit strange to him after all this time, but he’d simply woken up one morning and decided that he no longer wanted to be the clowned prince of refuse.

 “Okay, but are you sure we should be passing them out at a high school party?” Roach said.

 “This is a prime market partner, and it’s not like we’re doing anything illicit.  Hell, we should be commended for providing a valuable service and helping keep these youngsters from getting into an accident trying to score tacos while under the influence.”

 “Somehow I don’t think their parents are going to see it that way.”

 “You’re the mastermind and maestro behind the scenes that got this brilliant plan started; now it’s time to let me go and perform my promotional schmooze magic and we will be golden.  I promise to be discreet.”

 “Alright man, do your thing.”

 “Thank you.”

 Chris filtered his way into the crowd and started chatting up a knot of kids playing some sort of drinking game in the living room and Roach watched him and crossed his fingers.  When he first came up with the idea he’d considered not including Chris, afraid that he wouldn’t take it seriously, but in the end Roach couldn’t imagine doing it without him.  

 Even if the whole thing ended up falling flat on its face, at least they can say that they did it together.

 ***

  Sarah tapped out a Marlboro from the pack in her pocket, lit it, and turned her head to blow the smoke away from Alphonso.

 “You okay?”  Alphonso said.

 “Yeah, seeing that kid just freaked me out.”

 “Me too.”

 “I can’t believe someone would dress up as Bobby Reynolds.”

 “People pull all sorts of stupid shit on Halloween.  The anonymity and accepted mischief tends to bring out the asshole in folks.”

 “I guess, but after what everyone in this town went through I just...oh shit...”

 “What?”

 “I think I just saw Shaun Haller.”

 “Who?”

 “A guy I had a couple classes with and kinda knew in junior high.  He and Bobby were close.”

 “Think he saw that kid yet?”

 “I don’t know, but I think someone oughta warn him in case he hasn’t.”

 Alphonso nodded and the two of them started walking towards Haller.

 ***

 Shaun wasn’t really sure why he’d come. 

 He was exhausted from working a double shift and mostly wanted to crawl into bed, but he’d barely been out anywhere in weeks and the few times he had it usually involved going to a movie by himself.  It seemed like a good idea not to let himself become a total hermit, if only to avoid the pointing and whispers from folks around town, but now that he was here he didn’t know what to do with himself.

 “Hey.”  Sarah said, tapping Shaun on the back of the shoulder.

 Shaun turned.  “Oh, hey, how’s it going?”  He’d seen the girl before, even had class with her in eighth grade, but couldn’t remember her name and was hoping desperately that she didn’t pick up on it.

 There was a tall guy in loose jeans standing a couple feet behind her who suddenly came forward and Shaun wondered if he knew him too and was starting to think his memory might be going.

 “Hi, I’m Alphonso.”

 “Do we have Physics together?”  Shaun said.

 “Nah, I’m actually a Senior.”

 “Shit, sorry.”

 “No worries.”

 “So…”  Shaun said, digging his hands into his pockets and trying to seem nonchalant. “Looks like half the school showed up to this thing; think I saw two different guys dressed as Star-Lord.”

 “There’s actually three of them.”  Alphonso said.

 “Well, I just got here.”  Shaun said.

 “Seen anyone else?”  Sarah said.

 “I saw an Affleck Batman and a girl who I think was supposed to be Daenerys Targaryen, though she looked more like a blonde Xena with a couple of plastic dragons on her shoulder.  Oh, and there was a chubby guy with a baseball hat that I think was supposed to be that curly-headed kid from Stranger Things.”

 “Nobody else?”  Sarah said.

 “Like I said, I just got here.”

 “Listen, we gotta tell you something.”  

 “Um, okay...”

 “There’s a guy at the party dressed as Bobby Reynolds.”

 “What?”

 “I know, it’s really messed up.  I just thought you should hear about it before you accidentally ran into him.”

 “Where is he?”

 “I think I saw him headed downstairs when I went in to use the bathroom.” Alphonso said.

 “Did either of you talk to him?”  Shaun said.

 Alphonso shook his head.

 “No way, I didn’t want to be anywhere near that asshole.”  Sarah said.

 “Do you think...I mean...could it actually be Bobby?”

 Sarah started to say something and then stopped.  The idea that the person she’d seen might be the real Bobby Reynolds never occurred to her.  In her mind Bobby had long ago become a ghost, the kind of local apparition that permanently haunts a place.  She wasn’t sure if he was really dead, but felt certain that he’d never be back, that he couldn’t possibly come back, because it was the only thing worse she could imagine than the specter of his memory hanging over the town.

 “I have to see him.”  Shaun said.

 “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”  Alphonso said.

 “I promise I won’t freak out or anything, but I need to know.”

 Sarah put a hand on Shaun’s shoulder.  “I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now, but however this turns out, wouldn’t you rather it not happen in front of a bunch of people at a party?”

 “...I need to know...”

 “Okay.”  Sarah said and Alphonso looked at her like she’d just gone insane.  “But we all go together and Alphonso and I are gonna stay between you two until we know what’s what.  Agreed?”

 Shaun nodded.

 The three of them headed down to the basement.  There was a soft orange glow from party lights tacked to the wall next to the staircase that transitioned to vibrant purple strands hung like a curtain from the ceiling at the bottom of the steps.  Shaun heard music, some pulsing club song that was popular a few years back, but turned down so low that it was just barely audible.

 When they hit the landing at the bottom Alphonso motioned for them to wait.

 The only people in the room were a couple of guys throwing darts and the kid dressed as Bobby sitting slouched in a beanbag chair in the corner of the room. Alphonso said something to the dart players and a moment later Shaun saw them shrug and he and Sarah moved aside so they could go upstairs.

 Shaun stepped into the room and stared at the kid on the other end.  Even in the violet tinted light with his head tilted down, Shaun could still tell that it was Bobby.  The way the boy’s high cheekbones curved into his jaw and his nose slanted slightly to the side there was no mistaking him.  

 The kid didn’t look up at Shaun or acknowledge the others and Alphonso made sure he stayed between them, though neither had made any attempt to cross the room. Sarah looked at the boy and then at Shaun trying to gauge their expressions, but each was completely blank as if they were playing a game to see who could remain still the longest.

 Shaun was sure it was really Bobby, but there was something about him that wasn’t quite right, and it took Shaun several minutes to realize what it was.

 This boy looked exactly like his memory of Bobby, right down to the scabs on the knuckles of his hands that he’d gotten the week before he went missing when Bobby had wiped out on his bike while he and Shaun were riding back from the comic shop.  

 It was the face of the kid everyone had searched for staring back at him, not Bobby the way he ought to be now.

 Shaun glanced over at Alphonso and Sarah to see if they’d realized it too, but they were both still looking at him waiting to see what he was going to do.

 “Bobby?”  Shaun said.

 The boy with Bobby’s twelve-year-old face stood up, eyes glinting beneath that dark fringe of hair, and smiled...