#hello puppets reference by the way hehehe....

[pjberribear]

Here's my Halloween costume, Frank was originally going to be it but I didn't make him on time. So, I brought Wally out instead. Didn't had the time to make Wally's actual costume either.

Here he is! (Never took pictures of the process of making him at all.... I gave birth to him basically).

Here's the only image of him being bold haha!

Why are you posting in the middle of the night??

BECAUSE I AM THE NIGH-

Update: Took these on Halloween, was going to post these a few days ago but... My internet went out. Again. Weather is a bit hellish here right now. I'm not sure about these pictures tho... I look ugly.

Hey, the first puppet I made that haves original clothes and not store bought! I was working on this Goose tell four in the morning, barely had two hours of sleep. After that I had to go to work, (it was suffer).

I was watching Edward Scissorhands with my friend while making Frank as well, me and her was balling are eyes out. Forgot how depressing it was.

Anyways, have a great Halloween and don't get kidnapped by the midget himself!

[mtkay13]

im not op but im gonna bounce off on it still!!!! mt such a great analysis i love what youre saying about how the narrative in tyk works, how through recontextualization (either by the narrative itself, shifting angles at a later date, or the reader when rereading the novel) things come to light that were intentionally or by happenstance hidden before. many thoughts regarding narrative and how it works (and how zzs makes use of it). this topic specifically has my brain rotting since i first read the novel. tyk has always felt like a tragedy disguised as a comedy to me, youre putting it so well. anyway, this is not an analysis but your words (and also op‘s words) reminded me of the scene in ch.8 (i think) when wenzhou are in the forest and investigate these two sudden murders and follow wkx‘s underling into the abandoned graveyard. especially the scene at the graveyard, told through zzs‘s eyes, is so super interesting to me. i imagine in other wuxia stories this would be atmospheric, spooky, maybe intimidating and creepy. but zzs seems so unimpressed! he relays the atmospheric markers (he remarks on the state of the graveyard, mentions the rat with its red eyes, the single owl perching utop the branch, the odd fog) but narrates it in such a way that the first time reading it, it sounded jarring and almost comical to me. it gets even weirder by wkx starting with his ghost stories and trying to impress zzs, who continues to not be impressed at all. i feel like, since zzs is such a die hard jianghu fanboy, and this is basically his first time doing jianghu things (and he seems to be aware that this scenario is characteristically wuxia), he is basically not just narrating whats happening but also commenting upon it from the angle of someone who had higher expectations and is very eager to follow that path to its end to see what turns up, but doesnt really seem all that moved when happening upon these things in reality. zzs is not the usual wuxia hero, and tyk is very earnest in taking these differences and zzs‘s familiarity with violence seriously and has zzs react and act in authentic ways. like, when they find that murder scene in the woods upon following the scream, and immediately start their weird investigation-flirting-insulting and wkx goes and casually pulls that guy whos hanging in a tree to the ground so they can have a better look at it, and it just severs the poor guy’s head. thats so fucked up and strange!!!!! but its so downplayed its actually jarring!!!! its almost comical!!!!! anyway hello hi hello mt!!!! i didnt mean to write so much i just have a lot of thoughts hehehehe

hahaha hello!!!! Sorry I took so much time to respond!!

Yes yes to all this!! Essentially answering so this can be out in the open hehehe. One thing that I feel like reacting to, though---translating Qi Ye, I recently stumbled upon several references of ZZS being a "seasoned jianghu traveller" and having had a lot of experience in jianghu already; so I guess we can conclude that he does have experience in jianghu (only that he left it around 8-9 years ago) but that he probably always had a remote look at it, from the shadows from which Siji operated. This time, he gets to "play" too, in a way. I feel like, given how smug he tends to sound when bringing up Siji's skills and activities, he may have this sort of patronizing look on the "sillier", more "classical" strange wuxia adventures, which he has been able to watch but almost like a puppet master (since Siji controlled a lot of the politics etc) and his fun, curious, detached and "demystifying" approach could be reflecting that. Anyway, thank you so much for the thoughts!!!

[pollstuck]

-- gardenGnostic [GG] began pestering turntechGodhead [TG] --

GG: yo yooooooo!!!!!!! TG: whoa ok hey GG: so youre finally playing the game with flighty? TG: yeah TG: but she wont answer me GG: shes probably just exploring im sure she will come around soon.... GG: but its great that you got her out of there in time!!! TG: pretty much you have no idea how much i fuckin own at this game TG: i bested no less than three flaming tornados and broke a huge wizard GG: so how does it feel to be a BIG TIME HERO GG: mister braveybrave mcheropants TG: it feels like TG: i am in sports TG: all alone TG: and i am the star TG: its me TG: and then the big man comes GG: hehehe GG: but it turns out to be CRAZY what kind of basket ball this man plays! GG: ummmm...... GG: the HOOP IS ON FIRE... GG: ok i forget how it goes TG: no you got it TG: we're good TG: reference secured GG: yes!!!!!! GG: so now it is my turn to be the star! GG: i will be your hero GG: its me TG: wait what GG: i installed the game! GG: im connecting to you as the server player TG: oh man TG: this is ridiculous TG: i just set this shit up with flighty and now i got to do like TG: some double duty thing TG: i mean i own at the game and all but cant i just relax for half a second GG: dont worry! GG: you can keep playing with flighty while i just set up a few things GG: i figured id get a good head start to avoid all the drama you guys are always getting into GG: such a bunch of drama queens!!! TG: what TG: look i was getting my ass handed to me by my bro on the roof for like an hour and a half TG: i got served like a dude on butler island GG: (DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA) TG: wait does this mean theres a big meteor coming soon GG: yes! TG: when you activate the thing will it start the countdown and summon the meteor GG: itll come when it comes regardless of what we do GG: the timer really just lets you know when its coming TG: are you totally sure about all this GG: yes look here it is!

-- GG sent metor.jpeg --

TG: ok yes that image is definitely conclusive proof of something and is 100% understandable by anyone who looks at it TG: how big is this thing GG: it is REALLY REALLY big TG: like the size of rhode island or texas or what TG: i need some context to know how much crap i should be shitting into my pants GG: ok i dont actually know :( TG: well as if like one the size of a bus wouldnt kill me anyway GG: hehe yeah.... TG: wait hold on flighty is finally opening her stupid laptop TG: so do your thing i guess TG: have fun GG: thanks i will! (heart emoticon)

It's almost as if this broken AIR CONDITIONING UNIT was scaled to be a perfect fit for the ALCHEMITER all along.

WEIRD!

TG: hey wait GG: these darn birds are in the way! GG: what are they doing in your apartment anyway!!! GG: also they are adorable TG: i always keep birds in here its sort of my thing GG: ohhhhhhh GG: kind of like all those silly naked puppets are your bros thing? TG: no no thats irony this is like TG: sincere honest to god psychosis TG: im training to be a lame gothy supervillain GG: also i think i cant put it down because of the wires on the floor..... TG: ok TG: well maybe you should take the opportunity to put it somewhere that isnt stone cold ridiculous GG: i wish i played more games GG: this is hard!!!! TG: no its not GG: :P

TG: are you fucking kidding me

GG: oh fuck!!!!!!

TG: farmstink what the hell! TG: you could have used literally ANYTHING to open the doomsday doohickey up and you used the toilet??? TG: hello? TG: oh god TG: are you asleep

[thestarshiphope]

Kokichi what do you remember?

*Kokichi finds himself back on Earth, in his D.I.C.E. base*

So, is she here yet?

She’s at the door. Should I let her in?

Go ahead. This should be good for a laugh.

*Puts her mask on* Understood.

*Chiemi runs down and opens the door*

Beware, heathen! You are about to enter the realm of D.I.C.E.! The world’s puppeteers! Never before has there-

*Their visitor pushes past her*

H-hey! I wasn’t done!

I’m in a hurry and I’m not in the mood for monologues. 

Ouma Kokichi, I presume? 

Maybe, maybe not, Who’s asking?

Someone who has a vested interest in getting you and the other surviving Ultimates back together.

Psh. Why would I ever wanna rejoin those losers? 

They’re better off crawling back into their hidey-holes and moping around until the end. I’ve got bigger plans in mind.

Or maybe I’m just saying that and I’m really depressed. 

Who knows? I’m a liar, after all!

Yes, yes, it’s true. The handsome man standing before you now is none other than Ouma Kokichi, the Ultimate Supreme Leader, the head of a secret evil organization with over 10,000 members! And soon to be the most powerful group in the world!

…

A leader, maybe, but you’re a terrible liar.

Oh yeah? And what makes you say that?

Because, once upon a time, I had a classmate who they called the “Queen of Liars.” She made up grandiose tales about her life, just like you, and tried her hardest to pretend she was something she’s not.

The difference between you two?

She made it convincing.

…

Alright. Now you’ve got my attention…

Especially considering, if you’re referring to who I think you are, that would make you a ghost.

You’re not the first person to tell me that.

How interesting. Never once did I think I’d meet someone like you.

Wait…I don’t get it. Who is she?

Chiemi-chan, say hello to Kirigiri-chan. One of the last students of Hope’s Peak Academy and the former Ultimate Detective.

The…the lady that disappeared 50 years ago? I heard you were dead!

It’s like a sign of the apocalypse! The dead rising from their graves to walk among the living!

I can assure you, even at 71, I’m just as alive as the two of you. 

The most important thing right now is what I came to talk to you about. You need to return to Project Gofer.

Boss already said he’s not going! 

So they got their claws into you too?

This has nothing to do with what those in charge of the project want. I completely agree that what they said and did to get you to join was abhorrent.

But I’m not going to let you throw your lives away just so you can stick to some moral high ground

I’m a supreme leader of evil. I don’t give a damn about the moral high ground. 

But I also don’t go anywhere without my underlings.

Wherever Boss goes, we go. There’s no way he’d ever leave us behind just to save himself, no matter how bad things might get!

He’s just…so cool.

Furthermore, how dare you come barging into our base and start talking like that! As if you know anything about me!

…I’ve studied up on you, Ouma-san.

I know about you. I know your history, your real history, and you know who you sound like, don’t you?

Huh?

Don’t you think he’d say the same thing?

...I don’t like what you’re implying, Kirigiri-chan.

Of course you don’t. You’d rather lie to yourself. Lies make you feel comfortable, no matter how much it hurts.

Even when those lies lead to you shrugging off your responsibilities and acting as though you have all the entitlement in the world, just like the one person you swore you’d never emulate.

Okay! That’s enough! Time to hit the mute button! 

You better stop it, lady!

Why? You already know, don’t you, Ouma-san?

You’re going down the same path your father did. 

…

Don’t compare Boss to his father. They’re nothing alike.

You have their similarities, but I know you’re different. No matter how much you lie about it…

…you want everyone back together. You do care about them, just like you care about your friends here.

…

Alright. Well-played, Kirigiri-chan. I concede.

So what exactly what was your point in coming here, other than to psychologically assault me?

The other members of your organization are scattered across the country, right?

Yeah, they’re out fighting Red Rain. 

And it’s just you two here?

I’m…not old enough to fight with them. Besides, someone had to stay here and protect Boss.

And I couldn’t have asked for a better bodyguard! You’re the best, Chiemi-chan!

Hehehe~

I’m going to need D.I.C.E.’s help on this one.

There’s a list of people I need you to find. Some of them are close to your friends, but others may be more difficult to locate.

Can’t do it yourself, Ms. former-Ultimate Detective? You found us just fine.

I could, but that would take too long. Time is not on our side here. We have less than three weeks before the bulk of the meteor shower arrives.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell either of you what happens then.

...

...

I’ve already accepted the fact that I’m not going to live much longer, but I want to ensure somebody gets out of this alive. And I get the sense that you want to live, along with your friends.

I can get you out of here, but I need your help. Please.

...

I guess you do have a point.

I’ll let my underlings know what to do, but don’t think this makes us allies or something. I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you.

Regardless, I appreciate it.

*She hands him the list* Here’s everyone I need them to locate, along with the spot where we’ll be meeting. I’ve listed some of my contact information as well.

Let me know as soon as you find them. And please stay safe, all of you.

Got it!

We’ve done fine so far, lady. This’ll be no big deal. 

A fair point.

Now, I have to go. I have another person to meet with before the day ends. Thank you for your time.

*Kyoko leaves, closing the door behind her*

Who does she think she is, coming into our base and bossing you around like that! And she actually thinks she can-

It’s alright, Chiemi-chan. There’s no need to get so upset.

I’m j-just...

Th-the...the world ends in three weeks?

*Kokichi hugs her*

It’s alright. Your Supreme Leader will never abandon you, no matter what.

I know. Thank you, Kichi-sama.

You’re welcome.

But still...I wanna see what Kirigiri-chan has in mind for us all. She disappears for half a century and shows up with a plan just before the end? 

That’s just too interesting to pass up.

So we’re really going ahead with the mission she gave us?

For now, but make no mistake. I still have a plan of my own.

And first things first...I think we should pay a visit to everyone’s favorite pianist.

Understood. Let’s go!