#hq forgotten trio

[femmmie]

ianthony prompt: Anthony competing for attention for an oblivious Ian vs a protective cast over their papa ian hehe

ooh I love it! I've written a fic like this before, it's called 'A little bit of madness' and it's from Shayne's perspective. I'm always happy to write this dynamic because I'm a truther for it lmao!

After the funeral roast, tensions were definitely lowered. The cast and crew treated and saw Anthony more like their peer in stead of some external CEO. He was truly a part of the new Smosh.

New Smosh, or 'new new Smosh' as Anthony liked to call it, was arguably one of the best eras the company had ever known. The quality of the videos was high, the audience loved it and they had a blast filming.

Even so, people had not forgotten the past. Anthony wasn't entirely off the hook. Especially Ian's biggest supporters - Arasha, Chanse and Shayne - were keeping an eye on him.

Everyone saw it, it was so obvious. Ian and Anthony were in love. But the current situation was too good to change. This golden era of Smosh brought everyone so much joy, you didn't want to change a thing about it.

Anthony would look at Ian with big doe eyes, enthusiastically clapping and laughing whenever Ian did anything, and encouraging everyone to join in.

Ian would actually smile and laugh, with such a carefree demeanor, nobody had ever seen him like this. And he'd look at Anthony whenever he wasn't looking (which wasn't very often) and you'd see him breathing in, in wonder, like, 'is this real life?'

"Ian, let's go to our meeting," Anthony said, walking into the room at Smosh hq.

"Let's go!" Ian replied.

They vanished into Ian's office.

"Shouldn't he get his own?" Chanse commented with one eyebrow raised. "They sure are in there a lot."

"I'm happy my estranged dad is back with the milk and all…" Arasha weighed her words. "But I kinda liked mine and Ian's father/son time. It's been cut short by a lot lately."

"It seems like we have no choice but to set in action Plan Goblin Mode," came a voice out of nowhere.

Arasha and Chanse looked around and were startled. Shayne had appeared out of thin air. He stroked an imaginary goatee.

"Plan… Goblin Mode?" Arasha asked with her deadpan face and a serious tone.

"Yes. We have to make Ian realize that he doesn't have to be Anthony's sidekick again. He's the boss and Anthony can either go with the flow or suck it!"

"Yeah!" Chanse and Arasha answered like a little two-person army.

Shayne looked at them and his signature funny face appeared. He whispered: "Let's Do This!"

In the meantime, Ian and Anthony didn't have a clue that a plot was being hatched.

"I'm so happy that we have this level of trust with the cast, it's so refreshing not having to do everything my- ourselves, like, they are handling it!" Anthony was peacocking his swole arms behind his head and stretched his legs comfortably. "And it's all because of you, Ian."

"You know me, a great leader and president," Ian joked. "But forreal, I especially love Shayne and Amanda's podcast, they are handling that 100% and it's one of our best money-makers. If we can scale that…"

"Let's take it slow. There have been enough changes this past year, now it's time to focus on what truly makes you- us happy."

"Yeah," Ian smiled. "I really liked Let's Do This, though. I'd love to see that show restored in some way."

"Absolutely, we are going to make it work! But, Ian?"

"Yeah?"

"What are they doing?"

"Who -oh."

Three heads were pressed to the outside of their office window. Ian gestured for Shayne, Arasha and Chanse to come in.

"Hey, what's up?" Ian looked at them with annoyed fondness.

The trio got in position, and started to dance. Shayne did a beat-box, Arasha vibed along and Chanse began to rap and sing:

"Anthony, you're back, we had a blast at the roast

But you got to know we love Ian the most

You already have Ian in love with you

So now it's time to let us hang out with him too!"

"Put that on your tattoo!" Arasha added.

"Okay that's enough!" Ian said, trying to hide his laughter. "Get outta here!"

They left the office and Ian gestured apologetically at Anthony.

"Kids these days…"

Anthony had that look in his eyes again. "Ian, I know it was a joke, but is there some truth to the love thing?"

"What? Oh, that.. well.." Ian tried really hard to inspect the wall behind Anthony.

"Because it's true for me too.. Ian, please look at me?"

"Anthony-" Ian stammered. "Can we, can we talk about this somewhere else?"

"Yeah, we can. But you know, if Shayne and Courtney can make it work, why not us?"

"You're kinda right…"

The guys looked at each other, and something very heavy pulled them in, like gravity, and they were standing closer and closer to each other. Hands trembling, lips quivering.

"Anthony…"

"Damn, our plan backfired!" Shayne said with a mischievous smile.

"You mean it worked?" Courtney walked into the room.

"Yeah," Shayne replied and kissed Courtney on her cheek.

"This needed to happen," Chanse said. "The sexual tension was distracting everyone."

The only one not cheering was Arasha.

"But our father/son moments…"

[gravything]

Leverage s1 goes SO HARD. I’d forgotten.

in e2 they’ve all already picked up how Nate’s strength is alloyed with his brittleness and Eliot in particular is already poking it.

in e3 someone from Eliot’s past goes “I’m glad you found a family.” (he goes “…those guys?”). Parker is seeing plan shapes.

e4 has such a complicated unresolvable discussion about morality vs rules vs faith vs spectacle that I won’t pull one simple thing out to try to summarize it. The Very Pointed Sermon from the priest is so so good, a prime example of how when the crew helps a client, the client often (always? I can’t remember) has a strong moral viewpoint that isn’t always fully aligned with theirs (not that the crew is always fully aligned, either, it’s just usually played for fun), and sometimes surprises them and complicates the solution they’re envisioning, even before weird stuff happens to twist the plot. The writing in this show is so chewy, even aside from the different ways each episode’s con gets introduced.

e5, Parker comforts a nervous client by saying “sometimes bad guys are the only good guys you get”—does every episode in s1 have the thesis embedded in it? I bet it does. and e5 leaves the trio on their own for a bit, too. so early!

I’d forgotten it’s Hardison’s place in Chicago they first take over—orange soda 2Ls lining the kitchen counter, but it’s otherwise pretty sparse. The LA HQ he provisions is a whole other thing.

for all that I usually remember or try to sell this show as “funny goofy with a surprising depth” it’s actually kind of…the other way around. or both. its heart is incredible and sooo many lines are very funny and it’s tropey and it *can* be background TV and it can reach out and poke you in the soul.

[nanaarchy]

Hey. So. Reblogging this post again. I may or may not have spent the night doing... research.

Here's a list of every canonical Mr. Lancer fact.

And yes, I did re-watch the show for this. And re-read the comics.

No canonical first name. He's just Mr Lancer. Surname comes from a café near Nickelodeon HQ.

Crossdresses for fun, and then uses a photo on his desk of him crossdressing as emotional blackmail. Wore a red wig and a pink sparkly dress.

Owns a green tuxedo suit with a blue undershirt that he wears for prom events. Honestly pretty cute.

Huge fan of Shakespeare, and organizes the Casper High theater performances. Quotes plays a lot. Thinks Danny is a surprisingly good actor (when given a script. Danny can't improvise for the half-life of him).

Has both striped-pink and Shakespeare-themed underwear.

Super close to Jazz. She trusts him more than any other teacher, and he supported her every step of her education. She comes to him to talk about Danny. 10/10

"Ahh, everybody's mood has lifted, as though some gloomy malevolence has been shooed away. Your disappearing act worked marvelously," is an actual quote from the show. He unironically talks like this.

Despite being bald, he’s so hairy it's concerning. So much back hair. Shaves constantly.

Good friends (and silly rivals) with Tetslaff.

Has a Casper High Ravens coffee mug.

The staff alternates hosting the Halloween Haunted House every year. He thus has a very high tolerance to jumpscare horrors.

Hates pop music.

Literally suspended everyone who skipped class to go to Ember's show.

His license plate is “LNCR.” He drives an old blue car.

His biggest fear is not understanding basic math. Hates the sound of nails on a chalkboard.

Teaches English and History (and occasionally Maths). Also taught Astronomy as an elective. Might be an overall course coordinator? He's also the Vice Principal, right under Ishiyama.

Also, one of Lancer's main staff offices has security cameras, apparently? It's a very pink office with a globe and a few chairs. It shows up every few episodes in season 1 as a surprisingly consistent background. It's where he does his PTA meetings.

Was stuck in a closet for a whole weekend. RIP

Was the one that initiated school-wide ghost drills and actual ghost protection (even if the safety measures started off a little lame).

Collects tiny trains in his basement, and has a blue train conductor outfit to match. Calls the model town “Lancerville.”

The first male cheerleader at Casper High, and possibly the district. Main organizer of Spirit Week, and full of school spirit.

Loves meat, and made a BBQ for the teachers when Sam insisted on the vegan menus. This was, I might note, right before ghosts first showed up.

Handcuffed C.A.T test answers to his wrist.

Was honestly really disrespectful towards minimal wage jobs, especially those that worked at the Nasty Burger. Not cool, Lancer.

In the TUE timeline, was forgotten after he died :(

Swears in book titles. All books are context-relevant, so that the themes, characters, or double meanings of the title apply to the situation.

Buys his own Christmas gifts. Also, he has a fireplace, and his living room is so brown.

Horrible reputation amongst students, mostly because they think he's very lame. Really bad at addressing bullying, somewhat because he also suffers it. He's constantly busy with students calling him for stuff.

Has a metal plate with his name to make his desk look fancy. Also has a framed photo with three rebel students, which might imply he used to be a foster parent or something of sort.

Commits tax fraud! All adults in Amity Park do. I'm led to believe it's to cover up the financial costs of ghost disasters, but the reason is never confirmed. Also openly refuses to cooperate with the feds (GIW) until they threaten him with his tax crimes. Love that he's anti-fed. Good for him.

Canonically a pro gamer. Loves old sci-fi and talks to himself while gaming. Beat the main trio. Goes to the arcade when he can.

Honestly pretty biased at first; especially towards the jocks, because of aforementioned hyper school spirit. He also gave the worst detentions, including physical labor. Behavior improved as the series progressed, thank goodness.

Happiest when he sees his students succeed. He is so proud of them, he wants nothing but the best for them in life. He actively tries to help them study and gives them so many chances. Amazing.

Led the school trip with Tetslaff. She made him wear a bear costume "to keep the kids happy and take their minds off the disappearances." He did it without hesitation. He was SO concerned for students when they started disappearing :(

Reads books on teenage behavior and teen jargon, such as "How to Sound Hip for the Unhip." That's very skibidi rizz, no cap.

Loved dry white toast. Of course he does.

Genuinely concerned Danny wasn't eating enough. Also went out of his way to make sure that Danny got to the safe area during a ghost attack.

Tried to roll a boulder up a hill like Sisyphus and almost succeeded.

Uses a fire extinguisher to protect his students from a monster. Hell yeah.

Also used to be paid per grade, which is in itself a terrible system. Thus sees his students' failures as a measurable reflection of his own.

Has a very nice bathroom at home, actually. It's teal with some checkered patterns and a deconstructed flower painting. Good design.

Helped run Dora's beauty pageant, which went horribly wrong in every way. Has three lines in that episode and he speaks Old English the entire time??

Also tried to start a school radio, which also went horribly wrong.

Used to like the Fenton parents, but not as much now, both for letting Danny "slack off" and repeatedly targeting him with ghost weapons.

Surprisingly, almost as tall as Jack Fenton.

Take this, use it for any blorbo reasons.

I'm so obsessed with canon Mr. Lancer. He's a gamer. He dresses in drag. He's fat with lots of body hair. He has a vanity plate of his own last name. He was Casper High's first male cheerleader. He's committed tax fraud

[weathertheraine]

Here’s my hot take of the day ksjdfhksdfhk. Tanita³ agenda folks. Damn Tanaka, Coach Ukai lets you have THREE sensible boyfriends?

I gave third-year Kinnoshita a little mullet because I think he deserves it. Expect more of him.

Bonus:

[seishue]

[akascow]

me watching hq/snk vine compilations bc theyre funny despite not knowing most of the names and pausing everytime to look em up bc my dumbass can never remember any more than like 4 ppl in animes HAHA

[the-water-writer]

𝙵𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚜

Without ocs:

Shellington at some point had the smallest crush on Dashi but since has faded

Tweak pulls all nighters 24/7 and has a f*cked up sleep schedule

only Professor Inkling and the Vegimals have normal sleep schedules to be honest

none of them are straight. Maybe Professor and I'm not talking about the vegimals (I view them as children) but besides them none of the are straight. Half of them are bi or pan.

bi Peso and Shellington. bi Peso and Shellington. bi Peso and Shellington. bi Peso and Shellington.

never let the disaster trio (Tweak,Kwazii and Dashi) play a horror game. Screaming,cussing,raging it's not pretty

Dashi probably did Cheerleading in high school and college. Probably a flyer too

half the crew are theater kids. I just feel it in my bones

when the crew travels to land Shellington still can't drive to save his life. Captain,Dashi and Tweak are probably the only responsible drivers

Professor is too old,the vegimals are too young and small,Peso is scared of driving a car and Kwazii is just.... a whole other story

With ocs!

Rory/Vix:

Tweak and them have necklaces with the other's initial

Tweak was caught by Dashi and Kwazii looking at photos of Rory and were both like "gae"

the 2 took a shot out of left field and bet if Tweak was seeing someone (needless to say Dashi became $15 richer)

Rory is often seen wears bandanas like Tweak of the octonauts blue or the same color of Tweak's

the 2 reunited when it was Rory's birthday where their friends took a polaroid pic of Tweak and the crew at the arcade they were at and put it with a gift card (Rory never ran so fast)

Rory is basically the octonauts version of girl in red.

Kwazii once locked them in a closet. I won't speak of what happened during and after (rip Kwazii)

Annielyn:

She is the most clumsy person you will ever know.

She can dance without a problem but when she has to walk 12 feet in the lab she nearly faceplates on the floor.

and everyone wonders why she's got like 16 bruises on her body. It's cause she's falling every week.

Rip Shellington's sanity cause poor guy's gonna get teased 24/7. (Mainly by the disaster trio)

rip Ann's too. The trio coming at her too.

I mean how could anyone ignore the two's red faces when they're just standing by each other???

Ann is probably is a gossip bug and knows almost everything about the people that went to her college

WORLD'S MOST F*CKED UP SLEEP SCHEDULE

one day she'll go to bed at 11 wake up at 6 then the next go to bed at 3 wake up noon.

peso is worried about that.

she snuck "adult drinks" once and some how didn't get caught???? Captain and Professor still don't know about it

the amount of shit her and Tweak do around the ship is ridiculous. Stole Dashi's camera,Decorated Kwazii's room with fake spiders and webs,once replace all the photos on the ship with shitty ass remakes of em its just all over

Ann painted her bedroom in the ship and her chair in the HQ cause she got bored. Captain didn't really care

the amount of times this poor girl has been forgotten on the ship when the entire crew has to go out is kinda hilarious.

Like sometimes Dashi,Peso or Shellington will like be deep in thought and just go "We forgot Ann on the ship." And everyone would just go silent for like a good minute or 2

Dashi,Tweak or Captain will check the camera on the ship and see Ann doing a just dance in the HQ just to spite them

[shapeshiftinterest]

mao mao heroes of pure heart Christmas gift exchange

for @maomaosrealfamily

wishlist: Mao Mao, Badgerclops, and Adorabat ice-skating; Mao Mao struggles

______________________________________________________________  

story under the read more

These Blades are for Skatin’ (also on AO3)

���Do you even know how to ice skate?“ Badgerclops asked, helping Adorabat lace up her skates.

After their usual daily patrol and a fight with some ice dragons that’d been too close to the valley, the trio had decided to take a break at the recently frozen pond.

‘‘Well, no.” Mao admitted. “But it looks fairly simple, and I am a master of the blade.”

Badgerclops gave him a look, picking Adorabat up and setting her on wobbly feet. She threw out a ‘Thanks, Badgerclops!’, fixing her scarf and waving at the two before trudging through the snow toward the pond.

“Dude, just because you use a giant knife-“

“It’s a katana!“

“-And know how to throw littler knives-“

“Wha- those are kunai and you know it! Stop calling them kniv- mmphm!!“

“- does NOT mean you know how to ice skate.“ Badgerclops finished. Mao narrowed his eyes at the other, pouting around the finger being used to shush him.

The cat smacked it away, waving his hand dismissively.

“If my sister Minori can strap kitchen knives to her ballet flats and use them to dance-carve her name into a piano, I’m pretty sure I can do something as simple as ice skating.” He said confidently, already lacing up his own skates.

“I’m sorry, your sister did what now?“

Mao ignored him and made his way to the edge of the pond.

Among the other sweetiepies he saw Adorabat, who’d already made it to the other side and was talking with her dad and some classmates. Eugene was holding her wings and skating backwards, slowly pulling her across the ice and explaining how to move.

With one last glance to make sure the area was secure, the sheriff took a step onto the ice-

“GAH!!“

-and immediately slid forward into a split.

Thighs burning from the sudden stretch, Mao fell over onto his side and hissed, one skate on the ice and the other still in the snow.

A little ways behind him he could hear Badgerclops laughing. He grunted, pushing himself into a sitting position and shakily using Geraldine to stand upright. At least the sweetiepies were too preoccupied to pay attention to him.

"Oh yeah, a real master of the blade, pfff hehehehe.”

Mao glared at his co hero. "As if you could do any better.” He grouched.

“Actually,“ Badgerclops said, hip checking the other and walking onto the ice. “I can. Watch and learn, dude.“

And with that sassy remark, the deputy pushed off, gracefully gliding across pond and weaving in and out between the sweetiepies.

He did a couple loops around Adorabat and Eugene’s group, making a turn and skating backwards, one hand clutching his beanie and the other tucked into his jacket pocket.

Mao’s mouth fell open, watching in surprise as his friend leapt over Chubbum and went into a backwards spin. He did a few more tricks before sliding in front of the other and striking a pose.

“Who’s the blade master now, Mao Mao?“ He said smugly.

“Wha- when did you learn how to do that?!“

Badgerclops shrugged, “Rodeo classes.“

“That doesn’t-“

“Badgerclops, that was AMAZING!!“ Adorabat exclaimed, swooping in to rest on his shoulder. “Can you teach me how to do that?“

“Of cour-“

“A-Adorabat!“

The trio turned to see Eugene huffing and puffing his way towards them.

“Get down from there, you could get hurt!“ He wheezed.

“But I hang here all the time?“

Eugene made a concerned face and adjusted his glasses. “Yes, but your skates could get caught in his jacket if they slice through. What if you fall and twist your ankle!“

Adorabat pouted, “It’s fine! Badgerclops would catch me first, right Badgerclops?”

“You know it.“ He said, offering her a fist bump.

Meanwhile, Mao was still trying to stand on the ice without using Geraldine as a crutch. His latest attempt had ended up with him face planting and Kevin skating over his hand.

“Oops! Sowwy, teehee.“

Eugene sighed and helped Mao up, basically attaching the cat to Badgerclops’ other jacket arm.

“How about this, Little Gem. If you get down and come with me, we can get hot chocolate.”

“With tiny marshmallows?“

He smiled. “Yes, with tiny marshmallows.“

“Wait, hot chocolate? Can I go with y’all?“ Badgerclops asked, hand already prying one of Mao’s gloved paws off of his arm.

“If you help teach the Sheriff how to skate I’ll bring you both hot chocolates.“

“Deal! Let’s go, Mao.“

“Wait, Badgerclops, that’s too faaaAAAAAAAHHHH!!“

The taller of the two grabbed his friend’s hands and sped away, while Eugene and Adorabat sat on a bench and started untying their skates.

After about an hour Mao had started to get the hang of it, after 2 hours he could skate from one end of the pond to the other without holding on to anyone.

The Sky Pirates had shown up about ten minutes in, but Badgerclops blasted their ship before they could set anchor (it would have broken the ice if it’d landed). 

The four, having jumped off beforehand, had been promptly ambushed by wave after wave of snowballs. The attack, lead by Adorabat and some of her classmates, forced the pirates to retreat, and turned to an intense snowball fight between the five year olds. (One of the snowballs hit Mao in the skates, nobody admitted who the thrower was.)

Him and Eugene had switched places halfway through, that way the bat could teach Mao how to turn and the deputies could enjoy their hot chocolate together.

“You’re doing great Mao Mao.“ Eugene said, the Sheriff’s hands holding his wings tightly as the shorter of the two slowly spun them around. “Just turn your heel like that- yes. Aaand, perfect!”

“WHOOOO!!! YOU DID IT MAO!!“ Badgerclops hollered from his seat, already on his 3rd cup. Adorabat was huddled in the front of his jacket and trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue.

She would have yelled something too but she’d burned her mouth after drinking her hot chocolate too soon.

“And with that, you know the basics of how to ice skate. Congratulations, Sheriff!“ Eugene sneezed. “Ngh. Let’s go inside, I’m freezing my wings off haha.“

“You go ahead, I want to practice spih- ah- aH- ACHOOO!!“

Mao sniffed. “Y’know on second thought yeah, let’s go inside.”

The two made their way to the deputies and returned the skates, all four of them returning to HQ.

______________________________________________________________  BONUS:

based on the headcanon that Eugene has multiple jobs, as well as takes multiple shifts, he’s an instructor for basic ice skating for this fic and usually teaches the kid classes

Eugene and the sheriff’s department have a good relationship, you can take that as either

him, Mao and BC being in a relationship (OT3)

him, Mao and BC being friends (no ships)

or Badgermao being friends with Eugene (OTP + friend)

Sometimes he has sleepovers at their house

originally I was going to write more Badgermao vibes and like, maybe a flashback thing where Mao and BC met as kids at an ice pond

Mao gets ignored by his sisters/ dad (they brought him) while they skate

he ends up getting lost and meets Badgerclops, who teaches him how to skate and they hold hands/ arms, get hot chocolate, make a snowman, maybe have a snowball fight with Gerald

Mao has a line like ‘I know how to ice skate! My friend taught me how when we were kids.’ but because it was so long ago he’s basically forgotten how to do it and BC teaches him all over again

[ghost-pasta]

The Team Phantom HQ

I've got an idea in my head where they* have a hang out spot that's basically a mobile home in forgotten lot somewhere.

(they* = the main trio and Jazz's freind group that I mentally give her "Spike" from the first episode is in the freind group. Jazz does DnD with her freind group on Saturdays in the gang out place.)

It's got a bathroom, two bedrooms that doesn't have a beds in them, and a couch with a fold-out bed frame in the living room section. It's got video games and table top games in it.

The two "bedrooms" hold stuff for the different freind groups. One room for the trio and the other for Jazz and her freinds.

I feel like jazz would talk to danny about telling her freinds, and they'd make it this whole meeting/intervention thing they'd do at the hang out place.

(Jazz would totally make a google slides/power point presentation)

(and main trio would help her make it, and by that I mean they'd hello her make it funny and add slide animations)

She opens up the presentation and the title card is just "Danny Fenton is DEAD (except for when he isn't)"

I like the idea of the place being a secret and not even ghosts know about it except 3. Johnny13, Kitty, and Clockwork(obvi)

Johnny and Kitty after the whole shenanigans they do just start coming over. (Kitty didn't know about it until johnny told her because jazz invited johnny over for a study or dnd session while they were dating once) (They play DND on Saturdays now)

[kaitoujokerscans]

The Night the Silver Cape is Set Ablaze CH10 (END)

<10> The Night the Silver Cape is Set Ablaze

"How is it that you're all here!? I thought you were at Riviera!" Noir demanded to know.

Queen produced an item from her pocket as she answered him. "We used this."

"W-What is that...?" asked Noir dubiously.

"It's Grandpa's latest invention, the Image Card!" Queen held the card up. Once she did, the face of the card showed the three thieves talking amongst themselves. It was the same footage as what they had seen on the TV screen just earlier.

"Noir, you were watching what happened to us hours ago. We figured out what you were scheming. Queen used her sword to slice apart the shutters, and then we used this to leave behind a fabricated recording!" Joker shouted, pointing his finger.

"Grr... That's what you did!?"

"You lured the two of us into Riviera HQ under the premise that we'd be able to fight you. But you weren't there. Thus it was only natural to assume that you had laid a trap," explained Spade logically.

"Confound it... Silver, did you know about this!?" Noir turned around to see Silver Heart grinning wide.

"Of course I did. I realized as soon as I saw the screen that they were using my new Image Card. I only perfected it a few days ago — fresh out of the workshop. No matter how much you scouted out in advance, you wouldn't have known about it."

"Mmmrghh..." Noir disgruntledly clenched his fist and grit his teeth.

"Phantom Thief Noir! We've won!" Joker tossed an advance notice at Noir. "I'm taking the Lachla Crown!" he proclaimed.

But Spade and Queen begged to differ.

"That's not happening. I'll be the one to steal it."

"Excuse you, it's obviously going to be me."

"No way, the treasure's mine!"

"It's mine!"

"Mine!"

They had pulled off a brilliant strategy only moments before, yet now the three of them had started to quibble like idiots. That did it.

"Quiet, you nitwits!"

Noir's angry bellow brought the trio's attention back to him. "!!?"

"Silver! I will never give the treasure to you!" Noir picked up the crown.

"...!?" Suddenly everyone's eyes were on Noir. In his other hand, he was gripping a stick of dynamite.

"Noir, don't...!" Shocked, Silver Heart started towards him.

"Stay back, Silver!" Noir's harsh cry made Silver stop in his tracks. "This crown is the hidden treasure of Lachla. Long ago, we were ordered to get rid of it. If it's going to fall into your hands anyway, I'd rather destroy it by my own hand!"

"Ghh..."

"The treasure...!" Joker took a step forward.

"Joker!"

"That's dangerous!"

"Shut up! I can't forgive anyone who would just waste treasure like that!" Joker cast an angry glare at Noir.

"Heh heh heh. You've got some nerve, Phantom Thief Joker. This time you won't be granted a free minute!"

"I won't need it!" Joker promptly threw a card.

With a wave of his cape, Noir whacked the card down. "It's futile!"

"Grr..." Joker shot off a series of cards. "Shooting Star!" The cards shone brightly and flew straight towards Noir, but these too were knocked down in vain with a light wave of his cape.

"Heh heh heh, your attacks don't work on me."

"Joker!" Spade and Queen exclaimed.

"This is my last resort. Here goes!" Joker shouted, and fanned out cards from his pocket in front of him.

"Ha ha ha! I told you, it's useless!" Noir twisted the end piece of his spectacles and changed them into sunglasses.

"Straight Flash!"

That was the moment.

All of the playing cards strewn across the ground emitted blinding light. Joker had made it so every single card was part of his Straight Flash! The light from below wasn't blocked out by the sunglasses and hit Noir's eyes.

"Gwah!" Noir recoiled, and that very moment, Joker swiped the crown out of Noir's hands. "How...!"

"Heh hehn. Weren't you the one who said not to let down your guard, old man?"

"Mrrrgh... Curse you, disciples of Silver..."

"We've learned a bunch of things from Master. One of them is 'knowledge can't beat experience' — so even though I lost against you, it still gave me experience!" Joker boasted. Behind him, Silver Heart smiled.

"Well said, Joker. That's exactly right."

"Aha..." Noir got up gently and walked towards the fence around the deck.

"Noir...?"

"Silver, I've already quit being a spy. I have nothing more to lose..." said Noir, and slowly lifted up the dynamite he was holding. Silver Heart saw him take a lighter out of his pocket and shouted.

"Don't! Noir!"

Silver Heart bounded toward him, but he was a split second too late. Noir lit the dynamite fuse. Sparks sizzled from it.

"Holy crap!"

The three disciples grabbed onto Balloon Gum that Joker had inflated and floated up.

"Master, hurry up!"

But Silver Heart and Noir were still entangled and were rolling about on the ground, restrained by the deck fence.

"Silver, let me go!"

"I won't!"

"Rrrrgh...!"

Silver Heart twisted his arm up, and the dynamite fell out of Noir's hand.

"...!"

At the same time, Silver Heart pushed down Noir with all his might. The two of them lost their balance, and then—

BOOOOOOOOOOM! The deck exploded. A pillar of flame erupted, and the whole area was filled with a curtain of smoke.

"MAAASTEEEEEEEEER!"

"MASTEEERRRR!"

"GRANDPA!"

The wind blew the smoke away. The trio scanned the deck from the sky, but there was nobody to be seen.

"This can't be happening..." Joker was about to jump down, but Spade and Queen stopped him in alarm.

"Don't do it, Joker!"

"It's dangerous!"

"But Master is..." Joker's eyes blurred with tears.

Below them was a panorama of dark, nighttime ocean. White foam sprayed off it. The only sound was the billowing of the waves.

—But then, something happened.

"Look at that...!" Spotting something, Spade shouted.

"...!"

There was a small boat at the coast up ahead. They could see a dimunitive silhouette coming up over the side of it. Queen hurriedly took out a pair of binoculars and took a look. "It's Purple-san!"

Through the binocular scopes, she could see Purple in a diving suit lifting herself onto the boat. Purple pulled on a rope that extended out into the ocean, and up came a pink mass enveloped in Image Gum. It burst with a pop, and from within appeared Silver Heart and Noir, soaking wet.

"Master!" Joker and Spade shouted at the same time.

Purple dragged the two onto the boat and then waved a hand their way, as if to tell them not to worry.

"Sheesh, what were you thinking?" Purple asked the two reprovingly. Silver Heart and Noir coughed loudly, spitting out water before they choked on it. Then they exchanged glares at each other. Flames from the explosion must have caught Silver Heart's cape, because it was in tatters.

"Noir! My cape burned to a crisp! This is your fault!"

"Excuse me!? Who asked you to save me!? In the first place, this is your disciple's fault!"

"Come again!? I won't forgive you for this!"

"That's what I should be saying! I haven't gotten my revenge yet!"

"I don't care about your revenge! Once we reach land, fight me again!"

"Fine by me! I won't die until I bring you down!"

They had forgotten all about the explosion that just happened, and now the pair were quarreling and tugging on each other's faces. Any dignity they had as a legendary spy and legendary phantom thief had left them.

"...Well, I guess they're fine if they've got all that energy," sighed Purple, and started up the boat's engine.

Drifting in the air, the trio watched as Purple's boat putted away to shore. Queen commented.

"Looks like Grandpa is still conscious. I think I heard him yelling. I hope he's okay..."

"He's fine. There's no way Master would be done in so easily."

"Yeah, that goes without saying."

Joker and Spade smiled a little. Peaceful expressions crossed each of their faces.

"Though..." Joker started with a grin, "You were a real piece of work back there, Spade. You were shouting 'MASTER!' so desperately."

Then Spade scowled back at him. "You're one to talk! I saw you tearing up, you know."

"Huh? That wasn't nearly enough to make me cry!"

"Oh, I wonder about that. I seem to recall you crying and wailing 'sorry' after Master spanked you a hundred times back in the day."

"That happened because you snitched on me! I remember that!"

"Switching out Master's hair tonic with adhesive was way out of line!"

"I seem to recall that you were the one who suggested pulling the switch in the first place!"

The pair glared at each other. Above them hovered the Sky Joker and Twin Thunder Shark. Hachi and Dark Eye, who had come out to get them, watched as they argued. Beside them, Queen sighed.

"They never change. Let's go home, Roko!"

The two of them floated up to the biplane tethered to the Sky Joker. Meanwhile, Joker and Spade were still feuding.

"Joker-san, let's go!"

"Spade-sama, if you don't leave off, you'll get a fever..."

Once Hachi and Dark Eye called to them, Joker remembered something and addressed Hachi. "Oh, right! Hachi, did you make that?"

"Ah, yes... I made it as fast as I could..." Hachi produced a water bottle. Joker took it and held it up.

"Hey, Spade! This is Riviera made according to the recipe I just took! You like it, right?"

"Huh...? Yeah, I like it."

Then Joker chugged it down and smiled with satisfaction. "Ahh, that was delicious! Riviera is the best thing for after a caper! If you really want, I can let you have a sip!"

"H-Hmph! I'm fine!"

"Oh, really? Mmm, tasty! This is the best!"

"Enough already! I swear I'll take that recipe from you next time!"

"Heh heh, bring it on! I'll be ready for you!"

Glaring at each other, Joker and Spade exchanged fighting words. Hachi and Dark Eye sighed as their argument continued on endlessly in the background. Watching over the two rivals, the moon glowed quietly...

FIN

The Night the Silver Cape is Set Ablaz

Author: Naohiro Fukushima

Original Work: Hideyasu Takahashi

Thanks for reading!

[blackwinged-silversolace]

// Ooc: Headcanon // Sephiroth // Verse: Crisis Core // Apartment/Homebase Aesthetics - Objects of Sentimental value //

I Imagine Sephiroth living in an offshoot building that is, or is nearly connected to Shin-Ra HQ.

The structure --designed to fit the needs and standards of healthy living would offer activities from-- Top of the line Gyms and Rec facilities, common areas with group activities and entertainment equipment, spas, etc....

They are issued to active SOLDIER members and are done-so according to rank. The higher ranking, and the more awarded and praised a member is, the more permissions and luxeries are to be received/given access to.

This structure, is meant as a permanent residence... (until retirement (if so--in their mind- you are lucky/ useful....and so: you are deserving enough) or you are unfortunate: made into a test subject, exiled, or have died in combat)... for the members of their military unless given special permissions to live in another part of the city/or if given extended 'family' leave-of-absence.

Sephiroth's place here, I picture, as the "private penthouse" equivalent of say, a hotel for 'the rich and elite'.--- though he does not acknowledge this status, at least not often.

It would be thrice the size of your average, first and second class Soldier living quarters. But feel several times more vast than this, and though it would be neat, with expensive modernistic furnishings, unique geometric patterns in mirrors and tiles, mute-monichromatic tones from gray to black....and illuminated with remote-controlled fixtures that are almost always: dimly lit, but nonetheless warm and with natural toned colors to the lights... They appealingly contrast with the muted palletes. Make less demanding the monolithic furniture shapes in a way that shimmers over every metallic/intimately-hemmed edges, that it welcomes, and yet...intimidates any guest that is rarely invited.

Yet... For all of this it feels much the opposite of anyone's home. Why? Not because Sephiroth had not chosen every item he wanted in the dwelling. He chooses them carefully, with deep thought as to how it would fit the bigger picture. They are personally, and as far as he could guess....publicly appealing and expensive, and every piece fits together as if the whole unit were pulled from an advertisement within a catalogue formed by his own mind.

But there is no visible signs of a person living here. No framed photos, no dish left out to dry a bit too long, no fabric wrinkled, no cords peaking from out behind their appliances... It is a dry, immaculate, and lifeless place. But it is his only one, and though he is rarely able to spend any lengthy amount of time within... It is his to control, and clean-- from the cracks between books on his shelf, the near-emtpy refrigerators and pantries, all the way to the folds between each items of clothing foldedand hung just so within their spaces. -- It is, within every inch, without clutter, displeasing stains and tarnished memory.

That is unless you are too look between pages of certain books; gifts from professor Gast... Their paper folds hiding secret treasures, notes passed between two comrades he knew as friends, pictures of a trio-elite that no public eye would ever witness, awards won as a silver haired boy who had innocent dreams now forgotten, and much more....

[starsfic]

The Traffic Light Trio Plays FNAF

Summary: A promo of a fic where when Xiaojiao gets her hands on a Western horror game, she and the other two decide to play. (I had to cut it short because it was getting a bit long and I wasn't sure if Youtube had a data limit.)

Snippet under cut:

“GUESS WHAT I FOUND!”

The sound of the HQ door banging open, followed by Long Xiaojiao’s yell, startled the two boys in the middle of their game. Both groaned as their avatars were sent over the cliff. As the GAME OVER screen flashed, Qi Xiaotian and Red Son turned to glare at Xiaojiao. She either did not notice or ignored the glares, scrambling down the stairs to proudly hold aloft a tablet. “It’s your tablet,” Red said blandly. “The one I repaired last week.”

         “Not the tablet!” Xiaojiao said, turning it on and pressing a few buttons. “This! They finally released this game in China and from what I’ve heard in the US, it’s pretty good.” She turned the screen so both boys could see.

         “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” Xiaotian read out loud. A brown bear animatronic stared out from the screen. “It looks like a horror game.”

         “It is a horror game.” The young man winced, sinking in place. She winced as well, remembering what she had forgotten in her haste. Xiaotian hated horror games. “But don’t worry Xiaotian,” Xiaojiao said, regaining her bright smile. “I’m sure it can’t be that scary! Look at the cute animatronic!”

         Red considered the animatronic. “You and I have different ideas of cute.” He commented. Xiaojiao glared at him and he backpedaled. “But it is just a video game. One game wouldn’t hurt.”

         Xiaotian considered the animatronic. Secretly, he agreed with Red Son. The animatronic wasn’t what he would call cute. More like terrifying. But it was just a video game and even if it were a horror game and it was currently approaching sunset, it probably wouldn’t be too scary. “Alright. Pop some popcorn.”

         Red saluted, hopping off the couch to head to the small kitchenette.  As the fire demon worked on snacks, Xiaojiao plopped down on the couch. Pressing a few buttons on the tablet and then on the remote, she soon had the game pulled up on the TV. Red returned with popcorn and their favorite drinks. “Who goes first?”

         Xiaojiao held up her hand and without waiting for a response, pressed NEW GAME.

         An image of a small office popped up, fashionably decorated with old posters of three animatronics- a bunny, a bear, and a chicken- a desk cluttered with monitors, and a whirring fan. Two large doorways were on either side. “Nice,” Xiaotian muttered, leaning into Red’s side, his nerves already showing. The fire demon wrapped an arm around him.

         A phone rang. Xiaotian yelped. The other two gave him glances and he sheepishly chuckled. The phone rang for another moment before it picked up. “Hello, hello, hello!” a male voice said. “Hi!” Xiaojiao said in response, bouncing in place.

The male voice continued, introducing himself as the previous night guard. Then he started the greeting. Xiaotian tensed at the message of ‘damage or death has occurred’. Red’s arm kept him from jumping though. But the demon made a matching face at the mention of stuffing. “That’s not-” he protested. The other two shushed him as the message came to an end.

“Conserve power and avoid the animatronics.” Xiaojiao pressed the button to pull up the monitor. She hummed as she flipped through the cameras, coming to a stop at the one facing the stage. The three animatronics were there, posed nice and neat. “Aw, look at those guys.”

“Still terrifying.”

         “Hush.” At that moment, the camera glitched. “What?” Xiaojiao said, raising a brow. Xiaotian yelped when the glitching faded, revealing that all three animatronics had turned their heads, now glaring at the camera. “Okay…”

         Xiaotian whimpered.

-_-

         Night 1 was the easiest night, with only the bunny and the chicken moving. Neither had come near the doorway more than once, much to Xiaotian’s relief. Xiaojiao, however, was more disappointed. “Your turn.” She grumbled, tossing the tablet at Red.

         He caught it with an unpleased noise.

[silver-wield]

The Promise Analysis (Cloti)

Sorry about that, Nonny, I relate the promise between Tifa and Cloud to some of the stuff that happens during their resolution and went full tin hatter on it.

Ok, spoiler warning for ppl who haven't played (I tag FF7R spoilers as final fantasy 7 remake spoilers) and it's gonna be a long one so prepare to scroll.

Also, this is one person's interpretation of the scene, so if you disagree that's cool and we'll agree to disagree.

You're also gonna have to excuse the janky quality on some of the screens, I'm grabbing them from Youtube and it's frustrating af trying to get the exact moment I want.

Other analyses if anyone's interested.

Shinra HQ vision scene (Cloti/plot analysis) 

Chapter 3 (Cloti reblog) 

Tifa character analysis 

Aerith Resolution (plot analysis/theory) 

Train graveyard (not really an analysis, but I got some sweet screenshots of Cloti) 

Clotiscrew tunnel analysis 

Cloti reunion analysis 

Now, strap in and enjoy the ride.

Recapping for anyone who's forgotten the basics – cause I assume by this point you're ok with spoilers and me pointing that out is kinda dumb lol

So, chapter 4 and it's mission time with the trio – I love these dorks, especially Wedge, he is my child and if he's dead Imma riot. Jessie is off being sneaky and it's up to Cloud and co to play tag with the security team.

As Charlie Biggs (if you got the ref kudos) explains the plan, Cloud looks up at the night sky — which is a whole lot different to the one we fade up to and I personally wonder what it was about that sky that made him recall the promise to Tifa. Was it just the fact he'd been talking to her and it was his first time he'd paid attention to it? Before that he was under the plate and before that he was in the reactor, so I guess it's safe to assume this is his first chance to relate the two things.

Ok, after the fade in, we're treated to a pretty damn romantic set up. The water tower, the night sky and lil Cloud waiting for Tifa.

In the OG it mentions he waited for so long he started getting really cold, but he stuck it out because he wanted to see her and hoped she'd show. That's an OG lifestream detail not in the first OG promise scene, but let's assume for now it's gonna get a callback in the Remake. That means bby Cloud has been sitting there waiting for Tifa for a while now.

Ok, call her a thirteen year old bitch if you feel good about yourselves here, but she's thirteen and her dad is super overprotective. He stopped Cloud from playing with Tifa after she had an accident at 8 that wasn't Cloud's fault and in fact if he hadn't been there she'd have died on the mountain because nobody would've known where she was. Ok? Ok.

So, he's been waiting, and it's clear he's nervous – he looks so fucking cute I just can't stand it! Nervous fidgeting, balled fist, head down, mouth pulled into a pretty grim line. He thinks she's not coming, but still he's waiting for her.

Sorry, just to further hit home the above points. That is the face of a boy who is desperately hoping the girl he likes is gonna show, but has half given up hope. There's sadness in his eyes and a tensing along his jaw line. This boy is disappointed and my heart breaks for him.

Going back to that focus in on Cloud's eyes before the flashback and we can see here the massive difference mako makes to the colour. Cloud's eyes are a deep blue, while his mako infused eyes are blue/green. I get why he goes on about them a lot because he's probably not used to seeing them like that yet; maybe he never will be. Tifa's comment was about the look in his eyes – which I touched on in a comment I made while replaying. Tifa isn't focused on the colour, she's dismayed he has such a hard look in his eyes and when you compare the look in this boy's eyes, it's clear to see what she's getting at. This Cloud is the real Cloud and he is soft as fuck and trying to look tough.

GODDAMNIT!! There's way too many good moments to grab for this analysis! Look at this precious boy! All but folding under the weight of disappointment! But, what's this in the bg? Our heroine, here at last!

If anyone anyone tries to say Cloud didn't have a great stonking crush on Tifa as a kid then please tell me what this means if it isn't he's gutted he's waited and waited and she didn't show.

We don't know why she's late – maybe Remake will clear that up for us – but I'm guessing she couldn't sneak out or maybe, judging by the amount she's dressed up, she was doing the typical girly thing and couldn't decide what to wear, asking herself if this is a date and second guessing why Cloud called her to the water tower – which is known as a romantic meeting place. Whatever the reason, she's thirteen, sheltered – thanks to her dad – and naturally shy. Maybe she worried herself into a state about whether she should go and had to find her courage to meet Cloud. She likes him just as much as he likes her remember. It's canon, don't argue.

Now, her face is this bit is out of focus, but that's nothing to my weirdly myopic eagle eyes – it's a very specific gift. Tifa's smiling. That we can tell even before she's fully in shot. There's a bunching of the cheek muscles that tells us that. She's pleased he's still there. Obviously, she can't read his body language, but she'd probably be a bit upset to realise she upset him. Because she's not actually a bitch like some people like to claim. Sorry, but she's thirteen. How threatened are yall that you gotta call a thirteen year old girl a bitch and try to erase how important she is in Cloud's childhood just to further your own ends? Seriously, get help.

Sorry for the janky, but this is a transition between focus so it's not gonna be great anyway. Here we can see Cloud's expression when Tifa says heya. Eyes open, wide with surprise. She showed. That's what his face is saying. He's trying hard not to show his emotions too much – I mean he is still Cloud and too cool for all that nonsense – but he's relieved. Maybe his heart even skips a beat, but I'm speculating. Her greeting is casual, reserved. Tifa. She’s being cute even though he’s not looking because she wants him to think she’s cute.

Tifa, ever respectful and respectable sits the right amount of difference away that both encourages Cloud she's interested in being near him, but doesn't over encourage him and make him think of her in a negative way. She's likely cultivated this on purpose – she's the mayor's daughter so she's always got to be proper – because she's got a lot of male friends and having any of them get the wrong idea would be bad. You'll notice in her other flashbacks where the boys feature that she's not sitting too close to any of them and they're running around her, not touching or anything. They're satellites that revolve around her because she is untouchable to them. Because she's the mayor's daughter and has to be a good girl all the time. This is further evidence that goes towards Tifa's overall personality. She's very careful and respectful to people. She doesn't go out of her way to offend anyone unless she has no choice. Though she's a skilled fighter, she's very slow to anger and tries to look on the bright side as much as she can, despite the tragedy in her life. (I'm gushing, I know, but she's such a great multifaceted character and way more than the tropes people shove on her to make her into nothing).

Where was I?

Right. So, in direct contrast to their later conversation during the chapter 14 resolution, here we see Cloud with his back to Tifa and her with her head tilting, inviting him to confide in her. Yes, there really are that many awesome parallels purposely inserted in this game and that's why you need to take more than one look.

From her face we can conclude she's optimistic. She's smiling and doesn't look like someone who's expecting a bomb to drop any second – Cloud if you only turned around you wouldn't have gone through this shit. Sure, you'd have likely died when Sephiroth came to town, but hey, you'd have gone out with your childhood sweetheart lol

What she's probably expecting is for Cloud – who has purposely invited her to the watertower hot dating spot – to ask her out. And since she's there and dressed up, we could conclude she'd accept him.

Cloud is trying to find the cool words he wants to say that'll motivate Tifa to miss him, maybe even push her into saying, “No, don't go,” because even though he's fourteen, Cloud is no good at talking to women. This is just one of his character traits. It's why we wanna strangle him over the Triangle. Bby Cloud is hardly better than adult Cloud, but at least bby Cloud knows he likes Tifa.

Bomb dropped. Kaboom. Poor bby Tifa. Look how disappointed and upset she is. She wasn't expecting this one bit! She looked so hopeful in the seconds before Cloud's hesitant declaration, only it wasn't the kind she hoped for. I wouldn't go so far as to say she's crushed, but she's upset, that's for sure. Her brows have come together and she's turned away from Cloud because she doesn't want him to see how she looks in this moment. She's trying to put a brave face on it, but bby Tifa isn't as good as her grown up self. You can see the mouth trying to form a smile, but the eyes have a different expression in them.This is again seen in chapter 14 when Tifa tries to put a brave face on for Cloud before breaking down. 

Shots fired! Tifa goes for dismissive and succeeds! Never mess with a girl with a crush lol

Cloud was trying to get a reaction out of her, but she got one out of him instead. Brave face wins. Well, what did you expect? She's the mayor's daughter and raised on being proper.

He stutters that he's not like the other boys – so cute – and shows off his lofty dreams. He's trying so hard to impress her. He only has these dreams because of the incident when they were smaller where her father said if Cloud can't take care of Tifa then he has no right being around her. This is what drove Cloud to distance himself from Tifa and her friends. Talk about shoving an inferiority complex and identity disorder on a kid. I get it, the mayor was worried about his daughter, but Cloud didn't deserve the bear the brunt of his anger and blame. Still, the fact that nine year old Cloud took that, held onto it for five years and still decided to pursue Tifa by becoming a SOLDIER has huge meaning for them. He was nine. Ok, for argument's sake let's say he didn't have a crush on her, but they were friends and he was told he wasn't good enough to hang with her. So, thanks to propaganda he gets it in his head that SOLDIERS are the best and if he's one of them he'll be good enough for her father to let him see Tifa again. We're not told at any point – nor shown it – that Tifa is only interested in Cloud if he's this elite who can impress her. Remember, she already likes him. Look at what she's wearing compared to him ffs. This girl – again – dressed for a date with Mr Oblivious. Yes, I'm rolling my eyes. Yes, I want to smack him upside the head. Yes, I know he's 14, I meant adult Cloud.

Back to it. The look on his face here is one of “she thinks I'm like the others? I'll prove I'm not. I'm better than that. I can be next to her if I prove myself.” At this point, he's definitely gone from wanting to be around her in a friendship capacity to borderline romantic. I mean, he did call her out to the watertower. Did I mention that? A few times? Because it's significant. He's frustrated she compared him to her friends – no she didn't friendzone him, she likes him. He thinks she friendzoned him. Kids are frustrating and the adult versions aren't much better.

Shots fired part two! Points to Cloud this time! Smug lil fucker, I see that smirk!

Okay, so Cloud says he's gonna be like Sephiroth and at this point in time Sephiroth isn't batshit crazy, he's someone to be admired. Tifa to be fair, doesn't sound impressed, but she's humouring Cloud. Then, she says, “Isn't it hard to become a SOLDIER?” And Cloud replies with “Yes, so I won't be back for a long time.”

Okay, now. This is definitely to get a reaction. The smirk on his face is saying that he's partly getting her back for her earlier shot and partly trying to goad a reaction from her because he thinks he didn't get one before – this is why eye contact matters.

Tifa, for her part, doesn't look happy. He's got a reaction out of her, but it'd be really super helpful if he was facing her to see it. Because he isn't, she can get away with a breezy reply that makes him think she doesn't care.

I'm sorry, can I just say serves you right and leave it at that? Seriously, Cloud, don't mess with girls when you can barely form coherent sentences most of the time. What did he expect? She'd throw herself on him, clinging, crying and begging him not to go? Probably. Once again, our angsty hero is on the backfoot in their conversation. This is why eye contact matters. He's looking a bit gutted at her reaction. He likely hoped for more and got far less than he wanted. It's no wonder he goes to Midgar and doesn't approach her when he comes back as a grunt. He's carrying this presumed disappointment around with him that stops him from seeing her. (I can't really go more into CC events since I haven't played it and I've only seen a few bits and pieces, but what I got from it was Cloud is an idiot.)

Tifa asking if he'll be in the papers is both a brush off towards his baiting and also she's trying to encourage him. This is his dream. He called her out of the house late at night to tell her – just her – that this is what he's gonna do. Of course she won't stop him. She's not that kind of girl. She's supportive and kind. She doesn't understand that Cloud's doing it for her – I honestly don't think it enters her mind at any point until he reveals it OG during the lifestream sequence. She's pretty much as oblivious as he is and assumes they're just really close friends and her attraction is all one sided; same as he does about her.

Ah ha! Tifa thinks, realising that Cloud's lukewarm effort to be in the papers won't be enough to satisfy her. If Cloud's going to become a SOLDIER, then he'll be a hero – like Sephiroth. What do heroes do? Save people. He said he won't be home for a long time, but there's even less guarantee he'd come back at all, and she wants to see him again, even if it's just once. She can't leave Nibelheim. As the mayor's daughter she's got responsibilities to the people there – even though the town is dying out and nobody new is settling. Eventually, she'll be the only person her age left and maybe never hear from any of her friends again. But, she can't leave. She can't abandon the people. She'll be left, alone and lonely, until everyone’s gone. Her life wasted. But, she could see Cloud again and that makes her optimistic. Maybe she wouldn't mind the time so much if she thought she'd get to see him again. See that at least he's pursuing his dreams and he's happy with the direction his life took. Maybe she'd get one grand romantic gesture in her life if SOLDIER Cloud could save her.

Confused boi is confused. From Cloud's pov, he doesn't understand this odd request. He hasn't thought about Tifa saying everyone leaving means she's alone. He's only seen this from his pov, so he can't see why Tifa would need saving or how he would even know she needs him. He doesn't realise it's her way of trying to get some guarantee they'll meet again.

I mean, we can see he's trying to understand her. He's actually turned to look at her this time and his expression is searching, like he's looking for clues why she said this. He also invites her to explain by making a verbal cue.

And now that Cloud has her full attention – you know, the thing he was trying to get all along – he doesn't know what to do with it. He's flustered and awkward, and she's cajoling and turning on the charm, which she likely has in spades because mayor's daughter. I know I say that like it's a personality trait, but in part it is. She's had to learn decorum and everything that goes with it. She needs manners and good behaviour. She has to be just enough of an extrovert that she can attend functions – because even though I know I said the town is dying, they still have a reactor and that means they still get visits from important people. She can't show her dad or town up. In the Resolution analysis I made I said she hasn't been allowed to show emotion for five years since she arrived in Midgar, but it's very likely she's never been allowed to show much emotion. She's gotta be the doll. So, since she can't show she's sad, she goes for positive, and Cloud's frowning because he's not sure how he'll keep this promise she wants so bad and if she isn't interested in him then why is she asking for one anyway? Remember, they just did a do-si-do with each other's feelings acting like they don't like each other.

But then, oh look! Oh look! In the face of Tifa's unrelenting cheer and optimism, Cloud starts to smile. Eyes soften and the slightest lift at the corner of his mouth. He's starting to like the idea of being her hero. And it's just once and maybe from that one time save things would move forward for them. He's definitely not opposed to the idea – especially since he's the one who brings it up with Tifa later and she's pretty embarrassed at the reminder. The confusion from before could be because he thought she wasn't serious, but looking her dead in the eye – this is why eye contact matters – he sees she's serious. She wants him to be her hero. She wants to see him again and even offers a get out clause by saying “just once.” He doesn't have to do it forever or whenever she wants, just once. So, she can have hope she'll see him again some day.

And now we're back with the big idiot, who squeezes his eyes shut as he remembers Tifa in the bar earlier saying she feels trapped. Guilt likely pinches. Maybe he wonders if this was a hint she wanted his help – I'm wavering on this because she does say later she didn't expect this kind of thing when she asked for his promise – but if we go by choice of words alone it's leading. Then again, bby Tifa uses the word trapped, so it could just be a word that she feels comfortable using to describe her feelings. How we speak is made up of specific words we go to that feel right when we say them. It's just one of those things and why not everyone speaks the same even when they're from the same region or you have friend groups where you speak one way and other groups where you speak another.

From the dev pov I'm assuming it's meant to be a callback to the promise, but I wouldn't put it on Tifa doing it purposely to encourage Cloud to help her. If that makes sense.

And we close off with Cloud clenching his fist and resolving to help Tifa. To keep his promise.

At no point do we have confirmation from Tifa that the reason she asked Cloud to make a promise was to get a favour off him.

Conclusion

This is actually a very tragic scene from Tifa's pov. I've seen some people say this is because she's a young girl acting like a fairy princess, but I can't marry that idea with the gritty themes FF7 portrayed, and Remake does still hit those notes. Tifa is a young girl who had her romantic hopes dashed and she's looking for some kind of consolation from the boy she likes. He's leaving her. They're all leaving her. She'll be alone. She just wants hope that she'll see him again.

Is it manipulative? Yeah, ok, if that's how you see it. She's thirteen. Did I mention that? I'll say it again. She's thirteen, and one of the last people her age in town. Soon, she's gonna be the only one her age. She's lonely and doesn't want to lose everyone in her life. If you say that's manipulative by asking her crush make a promise so she can have hope she'd see him again, then go off I guess.

And let's touch on hope. Tifa is someone who has a lot of enduring hope – this is why I initially linked the ask to the resolution scene because the theme of hope runs through both. Tifa gets knocked down a lot. She's almost died several times, lost people close to her when they left town, lost Cloud when he left and still found a way to go on. She was never a damsel or trying to be one. She's wearing a cute dress because Cloud asked her out. She thought it was a date. Or she wanted it to be. And since when does wearing a dress make someone a weakling? Or does it only apply to Tifa because convenience?

After Cloud leaves, Tifa begins training every day. She learns from a master and develops her skills until she's at the peak. I mean, you've seen her fight. She kicks all the ass.

She wasn't sitting around like a damsel waiting for an opportunity for Cloud to come and save her. She got on with her life. She was happy at times, sad others. It was normal. She missed Cloud, I know that much from CC. She dressed up – again – hoping he'd be part of the group inspecting the reactor. She was disappointed when he wasn't there.

The promise between them wasn't about furthering a childhood romance or making Tifa someone Cloud couldn't get over. Neither of them was aware the other had feelings. It was awkward mutual oblivious crushing that clearly carried on for another two years until Cloud showed up with Zack, but didn't appear before Tifa because he’s that kind of idiot.

And what happened during the trip? Well, a lot of stuff, but the thing I know about is Sephiroth went batshit cray cray and slaughtered everyone in the town and then burnt it to the ground. He nearly killed Tifa. Cloud was there and that's what we see in his headache flashes about “I let you down again”.

He carries a lot of guilt about not being Tifa's hero, which is why he tries so hard to protect her. He made a promise to her that part of him believes he hasn't kept, but if it wasn't for him, she'd be dead. Again. He did save her. And he keeps on saving her. Not because of the debt of a promise but because he wants to be her hero. The real Cloud that's hidden deep within him, the one that made the original promise, the one that almost died saving her and got stuffed in a mako chamber for years until Zack rescued him, that Cloud wants to be Tifa's hero.

That's why after he recalls this moment – and it's one of the ones where he doesn't have a headache at all (just thought I'd mention that because certain people go on about how a specific scene is all Cloud not headachey Cloud whatever) – that he becomes focused on helping Tifa. He opens up both to her and others – check the camaraderie with the trio after the mission and him offering to walk Wedge home. 

This recollection of a promise is the first step for the real Cloud to finding his way back. That's why it anchors his development and that's why his and Tifa's relationship will never be less than something deep and meaningful.

[another-sonic-blog]

The Dark Prince: Chapter Five: Fake It Until You Make It

         Shadow had grabbed Sonic by the neck and slowly took the breath out of his lungs. Sonic hated to admit but he had grown weak. He didn't run like he used to, he didn't save countless cities anymore making him lose his abilities. This wasn't Shadow's case, the past years Sonic wasn't training, Shadow had been going into complicated missions, training and getting better. He was aware that if Shadow wanted, he could kill him right this moment. He needed to play his cards properly.

Shadow threw Sonic effortlessly, making an impact and landing next to a barely-walking up Silver. It only took a few seconds for him to understand what had been going on. He didn't take long to create a ball of energy around his hand, making the ropes around it expand so much to the point of breaking. Carefully, and making sure Shadow didn't notice, he proceeds to do the same with Amy's ropes.

Sonic stood up but this time he wasn't alone. Silver and Amy next to him. Silver wanted to fanboy so hard at the moment. His all-time favorite hero, the blue hero, the blue blur, the hero of speed, Sonic the Hedgehog. He was right there standing next to him. And the pink demon, Resistance Icon, Amy Rose on his right. But right now, it wasn't the moment.

"Last call Shadow, you can still back down," Amy said as she pulled out her hammer out of thin air. "Me? Back down? I am going to ask you the same question...I am may not be able to take you all at the same time but something is for sure...I WILL take SOMEONE down with me."

Silver took a step forward but was stopped as soon as he felt Sonic and Amy's hand holding his wrist, preventing him from taking any other step further. He took a quick moment to look at them, and they both shared the same green eyes. The moment Shadow spoke, they both knew what he meant by 'Someone', he meant him. The most naive of the three, Amy and Sonic knew Shadow's fighting style, his manners. They might get out with a broken bone and some scratches. Silver could be another story. Shadow could be even more dangerous as they were aware that he possessed a Chaos Emerald with him.

"I am just going to say this one thing Shadow..." Sonic stepped forward, "You have made mistakes in the past, and you have worked so hard to redeem them...are you really going to give up on everything you worked so hard for?

"...you were a worldwide hero, every day you would save people. You made a mistake and gave up on the world when it needed you the most...do you really think you are one to tell me on whether I should give up or not?"

.

.

.

Now what? What is there supposed to do? By this time, G.U.N. had gotten their hands on the 'Zoombot' liquid. In a couple of days, they will process it as a weapon and in a year the world as we know it would come to an end. Silver and Amy stayed quiet on Sonic's underground secret layer.

"How did you know where we were?" Amy was starting to feel dizzy, maybe because she wasn't eating properly and talking was the best way to separate her mind from the pain.

"The old wrist communicator I had with Tails suddenly started to beep. It didn't take long for me to realize that he had sent me specific coordinates of place. I assumed it must have been an extreme emergency...that's why I went."

And then it was quiet again.

Until Silver stood up from his place. There was no time to waste, he needed to act.

"Silver, I admire your enthusiasm, but we just can't move without a plan," Amy said as she saw him walking up the stairs. "I can't just sit and do nothing!" Silver added.

"I was just like you kid, always ready to jump into action. Sometimes I wished I could go back on time; sit and do nothing...I would have saved a lot of people's lives that way."

Silver expression changed suddenly. Although Sonic was just a few years older than him, Silver knew that he had the experience that he didn't have. He probably never will as well, his future was dying and maybe it was about time he sat down and listened to the past once in a while.

"We now have to think of a way to take back the 'Zoombot Formula' and prove my innocence." Amy was in deep thought, thinking of the various ways everything could go wrong and right. Formulating plans was part of her job as the Resistance Captain, but now right now it seemed that that ability of hers went away.

"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot you were a law fugitive."

Click.

Amy had an idea, and she made it obvious as clapped her hands together.

"I think I've got it!"

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.

.

The plan was set but their stomach wasn't. They knew that at this rate, someone of the trio would end up in the hospital due to malnutrition. Silver was too tired and stayed back to get some sleep at Sonic's layer. And so, that leaves for Amy and the blue one to go find something to eat.

They have decided to go back to Hasvely, now that the G.U.N. agents had left the town, it was safe for them to get some supplies. Tomorrow their plan was going to get in motion and although they didn't want to talk about, maybe it was the right time to do it.

"Amy?"

"Yes?" Amy turned around to face Sonic as they walked side by side through the small village. Sonic stopped on his tracks and softly grabbed her by her hands.

"When all of this is over...Would you like to go out sometime?"

She was definitely not expecting this.

It was always her asking him and not the other way around. She stopped doing so whenever Sonic would stop showing up at their dates. He would either 'forget' or he 'had to save the day' again. She had forgotten when was the last time they had hanged out together.

Thinking about it just made her more angry at him.

"Whenever I would ask you out...you refuse or you will just not come...You disappeared for five years when we need you the most...and then you come and-"

Amy stopped breathing for a second as she noticed Sonic's true intentions. He wanted to kiss her, he wanted her pain to go away and he thought that that was the best way possible. But it wasn't one thing about him was that he never knew how to properly act around Amy or to show that he cares to the ones around him.

He remembers always mocking Shadow for being so edgy and for always putting up a facade. Without him realizing that he too was being a hypocrite about it. Always acting so cocky and confident. Always pushing the ones he loves away by making stupid remarks about him being better than them.

And it seemed that Amy was the only one who could see past that. The one who could stick to him through everything because she knew that the 'Fake Sonic', wasn't the Sonic he really was.

But he was so stupid, so selfish on his own pain that he was even capable of pushing the one that loved him the most.

"I have no excuses for my horrible behavior...I was so stupid to think that even after all that I have done...you would still forgive me...I am-"

But Sonic couldn't finish up his sentence as he felt wet lips touch his.

Amy Rose was kissing him.

Amy had to admit that she may be doing a mistake. That may be her body, mind, and heart weren't on the same page. She loved Sonic, she indeed believed that all that love that she felt all of those years couldn't disappear just like that.

But then, there was Shadow.

She had to admit, that she had fallen for the Dark Prince.

But he wasn't the right one for her. She was heartbroken and wasn't thinking about the pain this might cause others later on. However, she didn't want to think about him, not now, not ever, not anymore. As of right now, only Sonic and she existed on this awkward but kiss.

Teeth clashing once in a while, tongues moving all over the place. Amy really didn't know what to feel nor what to do. She was inexperienced and so Sonic but she felt comfortable as soon as she felt his hands around her waist.

It was an upbrought end. The pooping of their lips made it a bit awkward, the blush on their face was evident and they tried not to look at each other but the air had changed suddenly and they both knew that right now wasn't the right time to talk about their feelings. Just like Sonic said, after all of this over, they would have a date and so, until then...

It was a secret.

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Amy was walking down G.U.N's HQ's hall. The plan was simple, Amy needed to keep Shadow and G.U.N's Commander busy while Silver and Sonic searched up for the Zombot Liquid. According to Silver, his powers may be strong enough to destroy the Liquid. It wasn't the best plan, but

'Fake It Until You Make It' had just begun.

Amy was waiting. Her hands were handcuffed and above the metallic table. Cameras watching her every movement and a mirror in front of her, knowing damn well that there were was someone behind it watching her as well. She expected more of G.U.N. to be honest.

The door opened suddenly and walking in was Shadow on the front, the Commander in the middle and a new face appeared, well not so new. She would recognize that face whenever she sighed knowing now why these days have been so crazy for her.

"You want me to take off the other eye too, I see."

Infinite had taken off his mask to show his true face to Amy Rose. A very distinct face. Amy could never forget that yellow eye of his, his quills still tightly tied down and as always, proud as ever. However, something was different.

"It seems like you want answers, but I will need something in exchange."

He said as he took a sit in front of Amy, Shadow next his right and the Commander to his left.

"Very well, I need information in exchange for a few minutes of my time." Infinite put his hand together as he softly opened his eye. "But first..." Infinite was fast to pull out a knife and stabbed G.U.N's Commander through the heart. It was an instant death, his face touched the metal table in one movement creating a sound that dances through the whole room. Shadow didn't even flinch a second, as if he knew that this would happen.

"Now.." He said as he cleaned his knife with a piece of clothing. "Let's begin."

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.

.

Silver and Sonic had just begun to look around the place. They never expected for G.U.N's HQ to be this big. Underground, secret places, the whole place seemed to be from another world. "Amy must be talking to those guys right now," Silver said a bit uncomfortable at the current clothes he was wearing.

"Yeah, we gotta be careful. If this doesn't work, Amy would be in prison for life." Sonic pulled up his G.U.N Helmet. The goggles made him impossible to see clearly, so once in a while he needed to put them away in order to see.

"For Chaos, how do these people deal with such heavy garments?". Silver really just wanted to go back to the closet where he knocked out two agents and took their clothes away, just so he could say sorry.

"How is that yellow fox doing?"

Two other guards walked past them, talking and Sonic immediately stopped. "He hasn' been eating, its sad to see him die like that."

Sonic looked at Silver and he nodded as if he could read his mind.

And so, they parted ways.

.

.

.

"Why are you doing this?"

"It's not really that deep. At first, I just wanted you to suffer as I did. I wanted to make everyone feel the same way I did... Because when I wanted redemption, what did the world do? Turn the back on me. I don't care about G.U.N, I don't want anything but to make this world drown on their own mistake...and then resurrect into a new one." Infinite was talking to Amy so casually as if they were in a coffee shop.

"So you basically want the Zoombot Liquid to start a war?", Amy said seriously.

"No, I am going to end all of the war them. Everyone who wants to follow is welcome, but whoever stands in my way would be Zoombot-fied. I would bring the world together everyone will submit under one ruler...Everyone would adore me. And the world will know peace."

Amy knew at that moment that Inifte had lost any logical reason. Now nothing matters to him but conquer the world. Amy knew that there was no stopping someone who would fight doing what they think is 'right'. She had to see this through the end.

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.

Sonic has already walked past several corridors and checked out multiple doors. He was already getting tired but the thought of giving up on Tails never crosses his head.

It wasn't until we went to the underground section that he was finally able to see his old time friend... or at least he thought they were still friends... and Cream together on the same cell.

Sonic opened the glass door as delicate as he could and used his fake ID to open the prisoner's cell. Tails and Cream looked at him confused, waiting for answers.

Sonic removed his helmet along with his goggles and Tails expression had changed.

"You always have my back don't you?"

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Silver was scared. Totally, and in-revocable. If he could, he would of have taken a bathroom break. A lot of pressure on him, but more than anything the thought of failing terrified him the most. We took him a good 15 minutes for him to reach a black room. Two agents were guarding the entrance and don't even bother to move an inch. Silver was fast enough to use his psychokinesis on both guards making impossible for them to

move and made them smash into each other. As they fell into the floor, Silver knew that they were both unconscious. He whispered a low "I am sorry." He took the opportunity to steal the agents' ID and used to open up the door.

He wasn't expecting anything of this at all.

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"Is there no other way around? Do you really think people are going to start loving you after all of this?" Amy tried her best to not jump out of her sit and kick Infinite on the face. She looked at Shadow really fast. She got what she needed from Infinite, it was Shadow's turn now.

"And you Shadow? What's your motive?"

Shadow sighed and looked at Amy with annoyance. " I think I have told you before..."

"Your explanation wasn't enough."

"It was enough for me."

"Do you really think so?" Amy raised her voice and things were escalating quickly. Their argument became heated by each passing moment.

"I think its time for a break. Do you guys want something to drink? Water? Juice? Coffee?", Infinite stood up and used this as an excuse to leave the room and give the two some private time. Amy sighed knowing where this was going.

"I want water."

"I want water too-"

Amy's eyes opened wide, her expression changed and in disbelief, she looked at the one in front of him.

"You are not Shadow."

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Next Chapter: https://another-sonic-blog.tumblr.com/post/185969897730/the-dark-prince-chapter-six-goodbye

The Dark Prince: Chapter Six: Goodbye

Previous Chapter: https://another-sonic-blog.tumblr.com/post/185967014480/the-dark-prince-chapter-four-believe-in-him

The Dark Prince: Chapter Four: Believe In Him

[nakukatti]

Himura Satsuki

Full name

Himura Satsuki (last name, first name)

Preferred name/nickname

close friends: Satsu or Tsuki

Generally referred to as

Satsuki or Himura

Other names

Koharu (Fake identity she used in the past)

Appearance.

FACECLAIM: - SEX: Female HEIGHT: 170 cm WEIGHT: Something between 69-75kg BUILD: She is toned. She has visible muscles on her arms and back because of sword fighting and training. HAIR: Dark maroon, almost black. Her hair is straight but has small waves at the ends. When loose, her hair reaches over her but. She has bangs that are shaped like a ‘V‘ so more hair in the middle and a little shorter hair on the sides. SKIN: She is on the darker side of light skin and has neutral undertones. EYES: Her eyes are teal/light blue. Has long eyelashes, slight parallel double eyelids on both eyes and slightly prominent lower lid. Her eyebrows are thick and end just before the arc of the brow. MOUTH: She has a round upper lip (no noticeable cupids bow) her upper lip is slightly bigger that the lower one. Satsuki’s mouth is not small but definitely not wide. Her upper lip appears a shade darker than her lower lip. NOSE: Straight nose and normal sized nostrils. HANDS: Hands are normal sized for someone her size. The skin on her palms and fingers is rougher due to her work with swords. Her nails are trimmed, but not to the point where you could see the skin under the nail. FEET: Is said to have a man’s ( or monkeys) toes, as she has longish toes. SCARS: Some old little scars here and there from training and fights over her arms and torso. In the future she will have a bigger scar in her face due to a gunshot to the outer corner of her right eye at the battle of Toba-Fushimi . CLOTHES: Mostly men’s dark grey or black hakamas and neutral toned kimonos, but uses women’s decorated kimonos over them (still tucked in the hakama) usually black with brightly coloured decorations with the left side on her but the right side draping down. Has a wide collection of haoris in a variety of different colours. Wears same kind of shoes as Shinpatchi (Jikatabi?) but in dark indigo colour. (Western inspired clothes are in the works)

Speech.

VOICECLAIM: Sora Amamiya (the voice of Akame from Akame ga kill) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzaV5Mdjwus VERBAL TICKS: She has a tendency to swear a lot when angry. LANGUAGE: Japanese and a little dutch ARTICULATION: Speaks with good articulation and usually with a serious tone/voice. But might lose her serious tone if she is just chilling with her friends and she happens to be stress free. When speaking dutch she stutters and “umm”s a lot. EDUCATION: She was raised to be a wife for a highly educated heir. So she is quite knowledgeable in some areas like politics (comes in handy when she is on undercover missions and/or tries to create political dividing inside the enemy factors) LAUGHTER: Her usual laugh is just a smile and a small “hah/heh”. When she is drunk she might laugh more and freely.  GRUMP: Sneers when angry. BREATHING: Might sigh when frustrated.

Mannerisms.

FACE: She tends to have a slightly smug expression on her face. EMOTIONAL OUTBURSTS: Is calm and collected most of the time. But has outbursts when the negative emotions she has been bottling up break. She closes herself in her home and might cry for hours until she has no more tears to shed. She refuses to show sadness/anxiety/fear because she does not want to be seen as “weak”. She wants to act tough with the Shinsengumi members to be seen as equal and not as a weak woman in need of protection. HABITS: Cracks her finger joints and knuckles sometimes. Or spins her kiseru pipe in her fingers POSTURE: Stands straight. WALKING POSTURE: Her posture is quite straight but her shoulders might be lazily/carelessly slumped. SITTING POSTURE: When she is delivering a report or on some other official business she sits in seiza. But when relaxing her posture is all over the place and usually leans onto something. PERSONAL SPACE: Loves her personal space, but if someone wants to hug her or pat her on the back she doesn’t smack them away. SPACIAL AWARENESS: She is very aware. As she sometimes does undercover missions that might require stealth.

Health:

DIET: She eats every food that she is served, is in no way picky. But her favourite sweet is anko mochi. SLEEP: Sleeps in 3-4 hour periods but will get her 8 hours of sleep if she is not on a mission. She wakes up on instinct and checks that everything is ok at her house or at the hq. EXERCISE: She trains with her fans or swords when she has the chance, but doesn’t like to train alone. Sometimes trains with her dog Yoshirou. ACTIVITY: She works and trains hard but knows that if she exhausts herself she is of no use. CLEANLINESS: Satsuki is very strict about cleanliness, but not to the point of pointing out the uncleanliness of others. She just simply wants to keep herself and her home (or her room at the hq) clean and neat. ODOUR: She as a slight scent of wisteria and yuzu. And a hint of tobacco. NARCOTICS: She uses or has used opium, tobacco and alcohol. She no longer uses opium as it is highly illegal (she used it a couple of times at Yoshiwara) ADDICTIONS: She might use a lot of alcohol but she is actually addicted to tobacco (hides it well though) INJURIES: Will lose most of her sight from her right eye and gets a scar on her face from a gunshot at the battle of Toba-Fushimi. She will have trouble adjusting as her depth perception gets worse but she will learn how to deal with it in time. 

Personal.

INTROVERT/EXTROVERT?: Ambivert OPTIMIST/PESSIMIST: She is a healthy mixture of both. GENDER: Female SEXUALITY: Bisexual ROMANTIC: She just wants someone to hold her and run finger through her hair, someone to watch the rain or the moon from the veranda. So yeah, she likes romantic things, but hates getting gifts because she feels that she has to buy something of equal value to the giver of the gift. MEMORY: Satsuki has a normal memory, though writes a lot of lengthy reports to keep the little details from her missions from being forgotten. PLANNING: Plans mission from start to finish, but her life? Nope. PENSIVE: She carefully considers her options, but if it is now or never she usually takes it if there will be no harm for the shinsengumi or her friends. INTUITION: Her disregard of her own life, causes the shinsengumi members some worry. Her intuition is usually correct even though the execution might seem utterly reckless. PROBLEM SOLVING: She is average. GOALS: Would want to be recognized as a full-fledged member of the Shinsengumi or even get promoted as a captain of her ow division. ANXIETY: When her friends are threatened or if a member of the shinsengumi is in danger. OVERWHELMED: When she loses a loved one. Or something bad happens that she can’t prevent or can do nothing to help. SELF-HELP: She deals with negative emotions badly, usually alcohol or tobacco is involved. COMFORTS: Those silly little back and forth bickering’s and snarky remarks thrown between her and the baka trio or other captains, when she receives a letter from Sachiko.   BAD HABITS: Smoking, drinking and her disregard of her own safety. PHILOSOPHY: Shinto

The Past.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS: She respects her parents and is forever thankful for them. But she wanted to decide her own fate. SCHOOL: She did well on her poetry and calligraphy lessons. Though her ikebana teacher said that she has the talent and grace of a cat; “She would rather see the flowers and the vase on the floor and be outside in the sun.” ADOLESCENCE: Satsuki became really independent and was frustrated when she was forbidden from sword fighting and other “un-lady like activities”. She hated when she was treated like a frail little flower and not as an equal like her older brother. She wanted to attend Hayato’s kenjutsu and strategy lessons as she was not satisfied with just the arts and obedience she was taught. She eavesdropped her brothers lessons as often as she could and practiced her sword fighting with a bamboo stick at night. But when she got caught by a servant she got scolded so bad by her mother that her ears rang long after that. LEAVING HOME: Her parents found a potential husband for Satsuki when she was 15-years old. They had found an 18-years old Ichirou, an heir to a wealthy and powerful family. Her family would have gained respect and influence from this marriage. She had liked him, but the thought of marriage at that age and the responsibilities that came with it scared her. Two months after their introduction she ran away. Satsuki took  her father’s two iron tessen fans, his horse and her brothers clothes and ran to Edo. FURTHER EDUCATION: Kenjutsu at Shiei hall and tessenjutsu by herself. FIRST JOB: male servant at Yoshiwara LIFE EVENTS: The events that affected her life the most were when she ran from home, when she learned from the death of her would-be-husband and when Kondou accepted her to Shiei hall as a student. Also her time at yoshiwara had a deep impact on her. LOOKING BACK: She sometimes thinks what would have happened if she’d never ran from home and actually had married. She does not regret her decisions though.

Relationships.

FAMILY: Her mother Fuyuko, father Kenta and older brother Hayato.  FRIENDSHIPS: The shinsengumi captains and officials and Sachiko the courtesan from Yoshiwara. Of course Chizuru too. FRIENDS IN NEED: She listens the worries of her friends and offers a shoulder to cry on. She will fight anyone who hurts her friends, or at least tries to ruin the culprit’s reputation from the shadows. NEEDING A FRIEND: She does not want to bother anyone with her worries, but will tell about them if the friend inquires persistently: (”Stop pretending. I know something is up”) but tries her hardest not to cry in front of someone. ANNOYANCES: Satsuki deals with arguments calmly, unless someone hits her under the belt (insults her family, friends or her person or brings up something from her past) usually just walks away when she has heard what the person she is arguing with has to say and lets them cool down and tries again to reach a peaceful solution. ROMANCE: Satsuki tries to show her interest with flirting and by making lovingly friendly snarky/sarcastic remarks. She would also try to spend more time with them and offer her help with their tasks. MARITAL PROBLEMS: Satsuki would try to deal with these kind of problems the same way as any other argument. ADVERSARIES: Things that would turn her off of a friendship or a relationship would be spinelessness, disrespect and disloyalty. STRANGERS: She treats strangers with respects if they treat her with it in return, if she is treated with disrespect she will treat them coldly. FUN STUFF: Drinking nights at Shimabara and training/sparring together with her friends. BEST FRIEND: She plays no favourites, but she can talk to Sachiko about everything in her letters (She could talk to the captains and Chizuru too if she’d realize that they wouldn’t treat her any differently for being “weak”) LOVE: this is not yet decided. (I ship Satsuki with Shinpachi, Harada, Yamazaki and lowkey with Saito. But if you have ships of your own in mind lemme know :3) RESPECT: She respects disciplined, cunning and strong opponents/enemies.

Interactions.

MINGLING: At first she just observes, but after that will be comfortable with new people. OPENNESS: As open as the chamber of secrets. Will only open up when she breaks down or if her friends convince her to share her worries. GENEROSITY: Will gladly help you with your tasks if you ask and will spar with you if you want to. JEALOUSY: Is jealous when the person she fancies is clearly attracted to a different person or if they spend more time with someone else. But does not act out the jealousy. Might pout when nobody sees. AFFECTION: Satsuki shows her affection with actions and words, se does not believe in gifts. DISTASTE: She shows her dislike to a person by treating them coldly but with respect. Will make almost mean snarky remarks about them. ETIQUETTE: She sticks to etiquette when in formal happenings or when in the presence of higherups. RESPONSIBILITY: She always takes full responsibility of her actions. LEADER OR FOLLOWER: When she needs to follow she follows, if she needs to lead, she leads. PARTY TRICKS: She tells good stories and sings. Won’t do it while sober though. FLIRTING: She will be lowkey flirting left and right, but it’s usually harmless.

Life.

CAREER: Does intelligence gathering, undercover missions and sometimes does rounds with the captains. Her coverup career is seamstress, she sews haoris and upon request kimonos or uchikakes. BOSS: She has a deep respect for the leaders of the shinsengumi (though she despised Serizawa) DUTY: Satsuki has a great sense of duty. POLITICS: She favours the shogunate but understands the discontent of the ones who favour the emperor. COMBAT SKILLS: She can and will fight you. She Is good with the sword, but her speciality is her tessenjutsu. HOME: Usually her small home is neatly organized but if Yoshirou has decided to play, it might be a mess. COOKING: She can cook rice and red miso soup and that’s about it. CLEANING: Satsuki is very clean and neat and does chores when she needs to. PETS: A male Akita inu named Yoshirou. LAW: One illegal thing she has done is using opium which is made highly illegal by the shogunate. Also theft when she stole a samurai’s Katana and wakizashi. MEDICAL: Is not afraid to see the doctor if she needs to. WORRIES: The continuing conflicts between the shogunate supporters and the imperialists. PARTYING: If drinking and eating at shimabara counts as partying then yes. HOBBIES: She reads and does calligraphy. She also sews.

[mechagalaxy]

Sten Hugo Hiller - 627184: Mountain Climbing Mecha Combat #1408

(By Sten Hugo Hiller - 627184) Mountain Climbing Mecha Combat #1408 Brought to you by ANN Highlighting the January 3367 Anzu Zoo Chrono This time the Gaming Authorities decided to promote the 15 ton suicidal "White Lightening" (Anzu) Mech, and they felt a Chrono was just the thing. Commanders fighting on the eight tallest tops were allowed to bring one other non-Anzu Mech along, -provided it massed no more than 20 tons. -On K9 they got an unlimited Chrono instead. Much have been said about the Anzu over the years. While it can get up to speeds no other Mechs can match, it suffers from bad Precision, low armor and Dodge, and no shielding whatsoever. Add in the tendency it have to blow itself up, and it is understandable that many Commanders prefer to stay well away from them. But it is nearly as cheap to buy and upgrade as the Red Ant, and those two models (as well as the Craftsmen Nephilax) are the only Mechs that can be upgraded using only Ferrite and Bioptics. So while Anzus are far from my prefered rides, there are four full dozens of them in the hangar just for the times when they are supposed to shine. We were yet again summoned to appear on K3, and since it was a Chrono where every point counted, the Anzus were called up. They  ran over to the arena immediately, and scant seconds later the top was ours. But not for long. Yusuke Paul Okabayashi from Myth and Legends Team Banzai arrived before the first scoreround and blew us off the top. Some probing showed that despite the Penner he used on point, there were a lot of Anzu`s behind it. How many were unclear as we never got past his fourth line. Other contestants trickled in, and while some of them had forgotten to check the rules of combat, at least a handfull had brought Anzu`s in numbers. Time after time we were dispatched from the slopes, a couple times  down to the lowest possible foothill. But agonizing battle after battle we managed to crawl back up to the slopes. And in the end, the early points we had gotten assured us a place in the second rank when the prizes were given out. Some footage we had gotten made it possible to figure out that this events highest scorers had been: Div 1 487+ (11 Commanders): Claude Poirier, Winters Coming (+9930) 2: Bernard Johnson 3: John T Mainer 4: Fabio Favaro 5: Shawn Wretham 6: Gary Muenzel 7: George Warren 8: Jay Fleharty 9: David Buchanan 10: Chad Leon Baker Div 2 -486 (25 Commanders): Sherriff Leary Wretham, W&D HQ (+8640) Div 3 -368 (13 Commanders): Yusuke Paul Okabayashi, M&L Team Banzai (+9100) Div 4 -238 (17 Commanders): Luc Lachance, Ronins (+16610) Div 5 -175 (14 Commanders): Tarandriel, Death`s Revenge (+4160) Div 6 -139 (16 Commanders): Neves7again, Black Star Bandits (+8190) Div 7  107 (17 Commanders): Albores Jam, M&L B.C. 13th A.D. (+1190) Div 8 -72 (16 Commanders): Cora Soco Hiller, TI.o.M.T. (+2570) Div 9 -40 (23 Commanders): Scottie Scott, Ronins 2 (+1800) On the eight highest tops, where mainly Anzu`s were to be used 6(1S)+7(1S)+8(G)+11(2S)+10(2S)+12(G,2S)+13(G,3S)+11(3S)= Three Golds, fourteen Silvers and sixty-one Bronzes were awarded to Commanders who clearly had non-regular formations when the event ended. Total Contestants: 152 Total medals claimed: 128 (of 135 possible) Compared to the recent Rainbow event, the participation was reduced by twenty-three Commanders. And the imbalance between the tops raised its ugly head again. This time a total of seven Bronzes from a trio of tops ended unclaimed and had to be returned for resmelting. However, the unclaimed Bronzes on Mount Olympus might well be laid at the feet of the Gaming Authorities as a result of the stringent  entry requirements they had for the highest top in this event. The highest score achieved in this event was on K2 where Sherriff Leary Wretham from Dragons & Warlocks Headquarters amassed 71 950 points. Biggest gap to the runner-up was on K4 where Luc Lachance from Ronins won by a margin of 16 610. And on K5, a latecomer got a Bronze without scoring even a single point. Five of the Golds were decided by magins in excess of 8000, but we also had two Golds where the difference were below 2000. One of them was decided by just 1190, -less than one scoreround on the top. But was the fight for the rest of the prizes closer? Best way to find out is to look at the differences between the medal tiers in this event: ..Silver to Bronze....Bronze to nothing Div 1 ......5180......…….......N/A Div 2 ......8230...…............1400 Div 3 ....12600...…..............N/A Div 4 ......8190...…..........12560 Div 5 ......9810...…..............N/A Div 6 ......6860...…............1320 Div 7 ......2380...…............1560 Div 8 ......3420...…............2660 Div 9 ......6720...…............1880 This time we had solid to impressive walls all over. One of the Bronzes and one of the Silvers had a five-digit difference, and none of the contested medals were won by less than 1300. This became another of the "none" events. None of the clans won more than one Gold, none of the Golds went to unaligned Commanders, and none of the last events winners managed to claim a follow-up Gold. Upcoming event: Krampus Here we are back to being allowed to use only a single model of Mechs again. This time it is the 70 ton Krampus who is to shine on the eight highest tops. On K9 there are no restrictions whatsoever. Event ends January 8 between 2130 and 2200 New York Time