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ironunderstands · 9 months ago

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2.1 was so good holy shit (spoilers, obviously)

GOD THEY ATE AND IM SPECIFICALLY GONNA TALK ABOUT HOW WELL THEY WROTE RATIO IN THIS BECAUSE IM FOAMING AT THE GODDAMN MOUTH IT CHANGES HOW YOU VIEW EVERYTHING BUT IN A GOOD WAY.

so, let’s start from the beginning in 2.0 I want to walk you through my experience of it

ratio mean to aventurine, everyone gets mad. I feel weird about it, pre-2.1 I come to the conclusion that he got used as a plot device in that scene, since being racist contradicts his core motivations and the dialogue is awkward and has no real reason behind it, I chalk it up to bad writing but ultimately forgive it because 2.1 seems centered around Aventurine so they need setup for that

2.1 drops, my bsf plays the update throughout the night and we are losing our shit. He gets to the part where Ratio “betrays” Aventurine. I fucking lose it, I try to reconcile this with my preconceived notions of ratio, they don’t match up at all, his behavior that whole time doesn’t in the slightest. I am confused, I wonder if I have been wrong about him this whole time, if his whole speech on the Space Station and his character quests were some kind of fluke. I mean it could be in character? Knowledge of how a stellaron works could save millions if not billions of lives, invaluable information which Ratio would have trouble turning down because of its value. It still feels deeply wrong, Ratio isnt a backstabber, and he wouldn’t so easily bargain with Sunday over information he has no confirmation of (and could likely obtain in some other way).

The story continues, me and Haseeb (aforementioned best friend) are still pissed, I’m losing it because my favorite character just did something so unforgivable and out of character and I feel like a complete and utter idiot for interpreting a character to be a good person when they so clearly weren’t. Well, I (luckily) was so so so so so so so wrong about that, as it was all a setup, a plan devised by Aventurine to distract Sunday and forward their goals. I’ve never been happier, and suddenly every weird behavior, every “this doesn’t make sense” goes from “bad writing” to perhaps one of my favorite retroactive twists in fiction.

Ratio belittling Aventurine for his background doesn’t make any sense, I mean we literally saw the guy give a whole ass speech about how he believes all people deserve access to knowledge and that everyone is capable of being creative and having intellect, but that they just have to try for it, and if they are incapable of it, he DOCTOR Ratio is there to lend a helping hand. To cure the galaxy of stupidity, something which he views as not the lack of knowledge but rather the misuse and misinterpretation of it, how he depises the Genius Society because they mostly do not try and use their intellect from the betterment of other, and actively guide/encourage other scientists (and in Hertas case the researchers at the space station) to view knowledge as some sort of prize or commodity rather than tool. This notion is what causes Screwellum to acknowledge that Ratio is more like a medical doctor than a scholar. And this notion is something Sunday Isn’t Aware Of.

Sunday doesn’t know who Ratio really is, he may have heard of his various exploits, but Ratio has a reputation for arrogance, bluntness and insensitivity, something which Ratio plays up to the nines. The 2.0 scene with Aventurine goes from seemingly massively OOC for Ratio to him actively playing up his negative reputation to play into Sundays perceptions of the pair for their plan. Ratio->

a) makes it seem like Aventurine fucked up and he’s mad at him for losing the cornerstones, something which Sunday would see and go “hmm they don’t like each other

b) this “oh I can drive a wedge between them” notion gets worse (although in their case better) when Ratio brings up Aventurine’s (not entirely accurate) background. Sunday now thinks he has leverage over Aventurine and even more of a chance of getting Ratio to betray him. Ratio also makes it seem like he just learned this information by stating he “did his homework” and this supposed unfamiliarity with one another would give Sunday more confidence to try and drive a wedge between them

c) this makes it seem like the IPC are unaware of the Families constant surveillance, as it looks like they are having an important conversation in a private room, which would make Sunday think they are unaware of his eyes and ears everywhere

Now let me qualify this notion with more evidence because you could still try and argue that the deal Ratio and Aventurine struck was post 2.0 argument

Topaz (my glorious Queen). At the end of the 1.4 (or was it 1.5?) Belabog quest she has a conversation with Aventurine in which he requests for her help in Penacony, and we do not get a confirmation on if she said yes or not. Until 2.1, in which the the Topaz (and Jade) stone in in Aventurines possession, meaning she took him up on that offer prior to 2.0 because how else would he bring multiple cornerstones there, which we know there are many because Ratio says he lost the cornerstones, not just his own. Topaz would not give this item up easily or on a whim in between 2.0 and 2.1, meaning she would have to be let in on his plan prior, meaning the plan was formed prior. Since Ratio was also assigned to this mission keeping him in the dark would make negative sense and actively undermine their collaboration, something which he brings up in their fake argument

2. The Final Victory Lightcone. I originally thought this scene to be after their argument for complicated reasons, the most important of which being the minor snippet of conversation we see between Ratio and Aventurine during the first time we meet Acheron. Aventurine mentions 3 chips, Ratio doubts him, and the lightcone description starts with Aventurine questioning his doubt and firing three shots, a perfect correlation that made me place the order of events in that way. However, we get to see the snippet of conversation between Aventurine and Ratio in game, right before they meet Sunday, not prior to the lightcone events. However, they are still clearly connected for aforementioned reasons, just in a different manner, let me explain. Now we know the three chips reference not bullets but the three cornerstones, and Ratio openly expresses his doubt because the family is always watching (something which I will get into) and because a part of him does doubt this plan will go well. However, Aventurine prior reminds him of the events of the lightcone with the three chips. My interpretation is that Aventurine took that gamble in the lightcone to convince Ratio to go along with his crazy plan since if he can win a game of Russian Roulette with an unwavering smile on his face he an insane gamble means nothing to him (ratio doesn’t buy it because it’s ratio but the sheer audacity or you could say the “charming audacity” makes him go along with it). In my opinion this scene only makes sense pre-penacony, due to the timeline of events, which is why I believe it the reason for the events in it has to be Aventurine trying to convince Ratio to join in.

3) The family is always watching. During the 2.1 story quest it gets brought up several times in many different ways that it seems like the family has eyes on everything and everyone. Sunday’s fuckass bird is everywhere, and the man himself (minus being a goddamn biblically accurate angel) is covered in eye shaped shit and possesses close ties with the Harmony, which lends itself well to a character that knows things considering the Aeon itself is a conglomeration of many different perspectives. He fucking perception checks Aventurine, when the crew goes to look for info on firefly they learn the dream pools monitor people’s vitals and everything, even producing a dialogue option where the trailblazer states they feel like their every move is being watched. Topaz gets stalked by bloodhound members upon arrival, I could go on. TLDR Sunday knows almost everything that’s going on in Penacony, this is what leads him to believe the traitor is within the family, and his access to knowledge is something the IPC 100% knows about. I mean they have been presumably attempting to try and get it back for a while, and they would reasonably extensively try and learn everything about it. The Family notoriously hates negotiating with them so the IPC either learning and/or coming to the conclusion that the Family is watching their every move isn’t a ridiculous notion. If this conversation was genuine, if Ratio truly wanted to discuss this matter with Aventurine, why would he do it in a likely wiretapped, not very soundproof room where any passerby could hear Ratio loudly exclaim that Aventurine lost the very important cornerstones and that he is also one of the most despised groups in the galaxy because that would really do numbers for both their reputations. If you think about it, this not being staged is an incredibly stupid blunder on Ratio’s end (minus the deliberate OOCness) because of all the places Ratio could set up a very important meeting he does it in one of the worst places ever.

4) The dialogue in the scene. It’s awkward, it’s so awkward and the whole “also my family died I didn’t get an education” seemed so tacked on the first time I watched it. Knowing now, it seemed so tacked on because it was, Aventurine had to shove the info in there somewhere and their incredible conversational skills decided that was the best part in there. Ratio fucking leaving before Aventurine is even done talking goes from a “huh weird” to a “wow he is really playing up this arrogant scholar role”. And if Ratio is playing the arrogant scholar, Aventurine is playing the dumb, helpless, blonde to a T. Losing the cornerstones and acting nonchalant about it, letting Ratio insult him so callously and letting the insults slide, talking absolute nonsense at the end about random things that don’t matter, sadly lamenting into the distance that he’s alone again. Bro is playing it up and I live for it. They also and play up these personas in their little adventure prior to meeting Sunday, Aventurine asks stupid questions like wondering about the species of the bird that make up the statues and talking about how he wants to play in the sandpit and even insulting Sunday a bit, behavior that would make Sunday think him unprepared and unserious rather than cold and calculating. If Aventurine does that well, Ratio plays up his arrogant, uncaring scholar persona to the nines. He insults any and every decision or thing Aventurine does, loudly sighing of how happy he is to finally have some peace and quiet when Aventurine leaves his sight for 0.00008 milleseconds, pointing out his sarcasm, beefing with a random Pepeshi bodyguard no reason, pointing out his sarcasm, just the exaggerated way he talks in general, and suggesting he admit Aventurine into the Genius Society (even Ratio wouldn’t stoop so low as to suggest Aventurine was worthy of that).

Moreover, this is really, really tragic because I do think there are several moments of genuine banter and fun the two share “Ratio, you’re huge!” was not added to the script to enhance the plot guys. And obviously Aventurine knows most of Ratios behavior is acting, however he has such severe trust issues, and Ratio is so damn straightforward and blunt that he worries the man was serious about some of it which just breaks my heart. Soft Ratio please add it give me one conversation, the note at the end of 2.1 doesn’t count it’s too short.

Ultimately, knowing what I know now I can’t help but view the 2.0 conversation with Aventurine as being anything but staged, it simply makes no sense otherwise, and it happily obsolescent Ratio of his sins. This was a bit incoherent I honestly just wanted to rant (if you couldn’t tell haha) but I hope you enjoyed it regardless. I need sincere Ratio more then I need oxygen and I’m not afraid to say it.

#honkai star rail #hsr spoilers #aventurine #dr ratio #aventio #i love 2.1

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my-rose-tinted-glasses · 2 months ago

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This was the hardest monthly wrap up I ever had to do because I forgot about it until like two days ago and my brain is not at its best and I'm tired so I can't really write a lot. So anyway as usual, spoilers and opinions below, read at your own risk.

QL - Currently Watching

🇹🇼 Blue Canvas of Youthful Days [2/12] - I really like the look of this show and all the art. I'm not yet sold on the main couple as a possible item but I really like the characters individually. I adore the second couple. The scene with the hearing aid was beautiful and I like the fact that it's not about the couple. Perhaps in a bl from a different country this would be about them finally being able to communicate, but because Liu knows sign language, it's simply about helping Tan Yin. Don't know why but I really liked this.

🇰🇷🇹🇭 Eccentric Romance [8/12] - It's not the worst thing ever but at several points during the episodes I find myself asking, what am I watching?

🇹🇭 Every You, Every Me [4/8] - This show constantly surprises me. The different stories every week and the aspec rep was how they got me at first but now I'm invested in the meta and the absolutely adorable mains. And this show is just so gorgeous to watch.

🇹🇭 Fourever You [5/16] - Beautiful Pond. Cute Earth. I'm annoyed. Hopefully the next couple is better in terms of storyline.

🇹🇭 Jack & Joker [8/12] - Can they just get together first and then give me all the drama? I'm okay with that. I actually liked Love Mechanics, so give it to me. But Jack is all over the place with his behaviour, he says Joke is family and they seem to have a shared view of the future, and they sure behave as if they're a couple, but then he hides things from Joke, supposedly 'for his own good'. I feel for Joke, because he's being jerked around by Jack.

🇹🇭 Kidnap [8/12] - I love Ohm. And that is the one and only reason I'm still here.

🇰🇷 Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo [6/8] - I'm obsessed. I think about this show way too much. It's painful and beautiful, brilliant writing and visuals and I need it to be over but I don't want it to end. I think we're gonna have a second time skip since they are not in our present yet and I just want to see them happy.

🇰🇷 Love in the Big City [4/8] - Obsessed in a total different way. This story is like an open tab in my brain at all times. I'm dreaming of edits and gifsets. I think of Young and my chest tightens. I'm having a hard time writing about the second part of the show because it's just so much, although it feels lighter than the novel. I'm dreading the next part.

🇯🇵 Love is a Poison [7/10] - I love it here. Everything about it. This being Shiba's first love sure explains a lot, and the onsen date was amazing. I think the actors are nailing this.

🇹🇭 Peaceful Property [10/12] - I've said enough about it. I'm here for TayNew and trying to just ignore everything else.

🇹🇭 Perfect 10 Liners [1/24] - And so it begins. Every gmmtv boy is here and they are all playing engineers. They got two Flukes and everything. I wish Force wasn't once again an asshole jock and Book the clueless fool but I guess that's too much to ask. This is the couple I'm least interested here so I want to see the rest.

🇹🇼 See Your Love [3/13] - Taiwan just doing giving all the rep with disabled characters and as usual a parade of bl actors. It's fine for now.

🇯🇵 Smells like Green Spirit [6/9] - I love Mishima. I think the scenes with him and Kirino are always great. I'm still not totally on board with the romance but I'm somewhat fascinated with Yumeno.

QL - Finished

🇹🇼 First Note of Love - I feel like I need to rewatch this as a binge because I think this format didn't help this particular show. Although I like the mains and I really liked the actors, their romance never truly clicked for me. I need more of the sides. The language banter was my favourite thing about this.

🇹🇭 I Saw You In My Dream - This is super cute. They are all adorable and they actually communicate. Ultimately I was a little underwhelmed about the concept.

🇹🇭 Monster Next Door - It's fine. I like Big and he was great here. But I've already forgotten everything about this.

🇭🇰 Our Golden Times - I watched it. It was okay.

🇹🇭 Reverse 4 You - Pretty show. Good concept. Not great execution all the way through.

Dropped / On Hold

Waiting to binge - 🇹🇭 The Loyal Pin | 🇹🇭 Apple | 🇻🇳 Teenager Judge

Rose Watches OJBL

Same Difference aka Docchi mo Docchi (2014) - I don't even know what to say. It's not good. That's it.

Others - Watched

🇯🇵Densetsu no Head Sho| 🇰🇷Black Out | 🇯🇵Double

Upcoming Shows - November

As usual my ask box is open. Have a wonderful weekend💜

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crysta1ized · 10 months ago

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a theory on ep11’s preview

firstly, if you’ve guessed/ theorized that non was still alive, you get 10 points!

if you also guessed that perth would help him (in that case, thanks to tee) you also get 10 points!

knowing that tee helped non escape, was definitely a plot twist. he basically lives at his uncle’s mercy, is forced to work for him and has to follow every single one of his orders so his father doesn’t die. which is a pretty shitty situation!

we saw previously that he showed guilt after non got busted for the fake accounts instead of him, but to help him escape from that very uncle? you’ll never fail to surprise me, tee!

after that, tee gives an envelope to non and tells him he’ll get him out of there.

now, what is in this envelope? my first thought was obviously money. but i also thought, what if it was a plane ticket? it’d be safer for non to get the hell out of bangkok (or even thailand) to be sure the uncle and his men could never get him. a one way flight, non leaving without looking back.

i think that with the help of perth, tee could’ve gathered enough money to pay a ticket. i mean, that would’ve benefited tee a whole lot too. non forever out of his hair, not causing any more problems. disappearing without a trace. his uncle thinking he got rid of the troublemaker.

but what happened to mr keng then?

firstly we have no idea of the extent of his injuries. we guessed that non’s were only bad enough to knock him out on the roof, but the uncle might as well have killed keng for good.

i mean, he was hit with a car, which is way worse than a few punches. in the best case scenario (for him, cause i want that bastard dead), he only got a few bruises, but the most logical one would be that his legs are broken, as well as a few ribs maybe (depending on how hard the car hit him).

if we assume he’s alive, like non (which i seriously doubt), i don’t think tee would’ve helped him at all. he’s already risking everything to save non, he wouldn’t try saving both, especially because keng doesn’t mean anything to him. he probably never even had a conversation with him.

so in my opinion, we won’t see the teacher ever again, unless he found another way to escape, such as being rescued by the police as his disappearance could’ve been noticed after some time.

now onto the fun part!

white is seen entering the arcade place, where we’ve already seen non & phee meeting up and making out at.

which means we’ll finally get teewhite whole’s backstory!

my depressing theory is that we’ll get a cute little montage of their love story, and they’ll show us how cute they are, with their little puppy love, opposites attract shit just to snatch it from us right after.

mark my words, they’ll make us love teewhite and after those little flashbacks with bright colors that distracted us for a moment, we’ll get back to our depressing and dark present.

4 possibilities after that:

best case scenario: while we get a contrast between the past and how in love they were and acted, nothing terrible happens. tee explains to the group what was revealed to the viewer in the flashbacks, that he ended up helping non and that he’s still alive. he righted his wrongs and while white is shaken up, he’s glad tee isn’t just a bully who guilt tripped a kid into money laundering, he did feel guilt and saved him from his uncle.

same as above, tee reveals everything to the group but white doesn’t forgive him. he feels betrayed and mad that tee hid that from him for so long. in white’s eyes, tee is no longer someone he can trust, or hide behind.

tee dies

white dies

while i believe those 2 last options can happen, i don’t think they’d happen at that moment. tee’s reveal scene will probably be at the beginning of the episode while the following one with phee & new may happen soon after, which is why those 2 options seem less likely to happen then.

new is clearly urging phee on to shoot.

but how? in the last scene of ep10, fluke is the one who has it and he clearly doesn’t want to let it go. he let white out of his grasp and is now pointing it at tee.

but fluke is clearly out of it, and is the one suffering the most from hallucinations, which made him shoot top even though his only principle was clearly to never act, to keep his hands clean of anything that could prevent him of becoming a doctor. too late now!

someone could take advantage of his delirious state and while he’s distracted, take the gun from him, like white, who’s on the ground, kinda behind fluke and now out of his sight. which is when phee could take the gun, as he’s the unofficial new leader and appears trustworthy as he just exposed new.

but who is phee pointing the gun at?

i think it’s most likely fluke. he’s clearly losing his mind and the hallucinations are making him aggressive, like top. which is why they may have to kill him before he kills someone else.

phee clearly wants to make the right decision, surely wants to kill him or just hurt him because fluke is an active threat. but tan just wants to see them all gone! he clearly has nothing to lose left, now that phee exposed him, this is his last chance to avenge his brother.

alternative theory:

phee might be pointing the gun at someone else.

according to how tee’s revelation ends, especially how non’s story ends, something might happen after that.

phee wouldn’t be pointing the gun at someone who didn’t deserve it, who wasn’t a threat to the group.

so why would it be tee? in my opinion, non escaped the country, end of story. but maybe something happened to him just before he could get out. then new would get mad at tee, blaming him. tee fights him. then he would represent a threat. or maybe the hallucinations come back and he gets violent.

then of course new would be happy to see phee shoot tee, who was the whole reason non even got involved with dangerous mafia shit in the first place.

the last scene is new, lighting a cigarette.

why would he be smoking in the middle of all this? like he has time to do that?

maybe it’s just a meaningless scene they’re throwing in the preview so they don’t have to spoil too much stuff.

but, still, new is the only one who's going through with his plan, and he wouldn’t waste time on lighting a cigarette! unless it’s truly chaos, and like we know, he smokes to de-stress.

creepily, when i saw the scene the first time, i thought ‘this is his last cigarette. they’re holding him at gunpoint and they allow him to smoke one last time before they pull the trigger’ because he’s clearly shivering. but that may be way too far as i don’t think any of them would shoot anyone in cold blood if they weren’t actively threatened.

but a more plausible theory would be that they’re forcing him to smoke. in the scene where new is urging phee on to shoot, phee looks at him ‘like, what the fuck?’ like he’s not liking new telling him what to do at all.

maybe then, phee doesn’t shoot anyone, not fluke, not tee, but instead turns on new and points the gun at him. maybe phee really doesn’t want any kind of revenge for non anymore as his brother became too violent for his liking. but phee wouldn’t shoot new.

he could however hold him at gunpoint, and force him to smoke one of the drugged cigarettes, one with an X. maybe so he isn’t an active threat to them anymore, urging them to kill each other and to cause more chaos. they’d be on equal ground as he’d start hallucinating too.

what do you think?

#dead friend forever #dff #dff theory #dff the series #thai bl #dff ep 10 #dff white #dff new #dff tan #dff phee #dff jin #dff fluke #dff top #dff por #dff tee #dff teewhite #dff pheejin #asian lgbtq dramas #lgbtqia

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sapphicrow · 5 months ago

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Re8 Characters as Crane Wives Songs!

Karl Heisenberg- Take Me To War

I think he would be this song because it’s very violent and argumentative, as he is. Also. The man literally is jam packed with the desire for a revolution and his design is heavily influenced by WWII elements. It’s a very simple connection, but suiting.

Donna Beneviento - Unraveling

I think this song reminds me of her not because I imagine her exactly as the serial romantic that the narrator of this tragic tale is, but because of the fact that she has dealt with a lot of loss in her life. Between the death of her family, then anyone she may have had in the village when Miranda ordered them to be massacred, as well as earlier her humanity. The idea of unraveling, or losing it per se, alludes to her characteristic mental illness. Shes off the rails, we love that for her, and so does this song. One of the main lyrics in the song is “But now my love is gone / and I am left unraveling” and I just feel that encompasses how she’s been abandoned to her dolls to wither out of sight. Also the song goes tailor, gardener, then carpenter and she is all of those things which I find to be a rather seemly match.

Salvatore Moreau - Nobody

Now, the artists themselves describe this as a queer tragedy, but I think I can yank it out of context a bit to fit the silly. Now, this song states over and over again how “nobody ever loved me like she tells me she does” and I feel that is a very manipulative statement. Moreau does not have much of a back story, but one of the original concepts for his character was that he was to have the woman he loved melded to his back in a somewhat perverse fashion where she would be forced to stay with him. This idea is encapsulated by the obsessive and toxic nature of the relationship this song portrays. If you really want to have a think about it, you could imagine it was the woman herself trying to justify Moreau’s actions to herself. However, I was thinking more along the route of how Miranda surely had to lead this poor fish on for him to be so devoted. I don’t mean romantically, but she most definitely was more involved to begin. Nobody ever loved him like she told him she does. That doesn’t mean she does, but it does illustrate how she taunted him with the idea of a mom, leading him to create this familial illusion in his twisted mind.

Alcina Dimitrescu- Tongues & Teeth

Now this one was a little tricky, I was torn between this one and The Wolf but I feel this one gives more of that cruel seductiveness we have come to associate with Lady Dimitrescu. This song is very blatant. “And when you come in quick to steal a kiss / my teeth will only cut your lips, my dear” I love to imagine our lady as a woman who relishes in her power, not one who is insecure in it. She will not shy away from her own strength, nor will she temper it for anybody. Tongues & Teeth tells it like it is- should you wish to be hers, you are going to get hurt. End of story. She’s going to hurt you. This is no accident, this is no fluke. She is violent in her very nature. But on the contrary to that, this is a warning. This gives you the courtesy to flee. I think she would want you to at least be willing to be broken by her in some capacity, which is why she would even say anything in the first place. Also. I think the song is a banger and I’d like to bang her.

Cassandra Dimitrescu- Show Your Fangs

Cassie is a huntress, a conclusion made among fans due to her final fight being fought within the Dimitrescu castle’s armory. She is strong and has a fierce playful energy to her, going as far as toying with Ethan with her lil “RAH!”s that admittedly did scare me a few times. I view this song as a sort of feminine war song. “I’m not your highness, a damsel left helpless by fright / I am a lioness, fierce as I walk through the night” Out of the three sisters, she is certainly the most combative. In addition to the obvious associations, I believe that the line stating that she is not your highness is a sort of jab at the title of countess. She wants nothing to do with that power. She is wild and bitey and feral. She is in no way a ‘proper’ lady. She refuses that idea outright and I mclove that for her.

Bela Dimitrescu- Steady, Steady

We all imagine Bela as the perfect, shining golden child of the Dimitrescus. She’s responsible, respectful, and just overall a polite little lady. But I think she’s more wild than that. The duality of this song orchestrates this view wonderfully. Sang in a slow, deep melody; “Steady, steady, you know when you’re ready.” This shows her prim side, I also like to imagine this as her mantra muttered between deep breaths as she goes to present her work to her mom. (She’s always well received, but she over thinks it a lot.)

And then the other side of this song goes in a more frantic, rambunctious tune; “I’m swimming in this dress like a child in her mothers clothes/ This ring around my fingers like a chain around my throat” and while I suppose the original intent was to allude to an unhappy marriage, I think we can point it towards the subtle resentment Bela holds towards her responsibilities and how she feels as though she’s not the right person for the job. Bela deals with a lot of impostor syndrome on this matter. I just think this song gives both sides of our dynamic blondie. (Alternatively for Bela, Hard Sell)

Daniela Dimitrescu- Icarus

Originally, Icarus was a tale of a young fool who got too close to the sun. It is also the tale of a boy who wanted Apollo BAD bad. Daniela feels very youthful and naive to me, she was locked up after all. I think that her mother acknowledged that she was desperate for outside interaction and that this was a threat to her, thus her seclusion in the library. However, in the end, her delusions of romance had her get just a bit too close to Ethan. “My love will fall with grace,” says the song. And so she did. She flew too close to the sun. Plus this song is super spunky and that gives Dani vibes.

Mother Miranda- Never Love An Anchor

Okay so. This song speaks of a shitty shitty relationship, one that’s maternal evidently. I believe this is symbolic of Mother Miranda’s connection with the lords. Heisenberg, who wound up in her control against his own will, shown respect solely for his success as a subject. Donna, demented and alone, was taken under her wing only for her to be defenseless when Ethan attacked. Alcina, mighty and beautiful, but weak and insecure in her own mind, left to yearn for her favor. Moreau, grotesque and ruined by Miranda’s hand, then allowed to spoil further as his desperate need for her love went unfed.

“Do you ever think of me and my two hands? And wonder why they never soothed your fevers? And wonder why they never tied your shoes? And wonder why they never held you gently? And wonder why they never had the chance to lose you?” On a separate note, I think this could be something Miranda thinks to herself as she fights for Eva. If her consciousness is trapped in the megamycete, it stands to reason that she is conscious in there. I wonder if Miranda ever worried if Eva could overhear the carnage she was causing for her. I wonder if she spoke to her, apologizing for not being a good enough mom. I wonder if the guilt would overwhelm her to the point she was crumpled on her lab’s floor, weeping against bare earth and mold, begging her to forgive her. Hm. Food for thought.

Bonus! Mirancina- The Moon Will Sing

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aeithalian · 1 year ago

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brought to you by walker scobell's correct opinions

okay so this is super unhinged but I've held this opinion for a long time and I was reminded of it when Walker Scobell adressed it in an interview and I need to yell it from the rooftops - Percy Jackson would absolutely kick ass in a fight against Harry Potter. And I say this as a lifelong fan of both series (who obviously knows which author is better).

But it's more nuanced than that. Because apparently I can't be normal about things.

Here's the thing: Percy and Harry both serve completely different purposes as the protagonists of their respective plots. Because Percy's special. Harry's not, at least in the ways that matter. Hence, Percy would absolutely kick ass.

Allow me to explain. We're in the great position here of both stories being set in the "main character has to go learn how to harness their power" archetype for both characters, (Percy at Camp Half-Blood and Harry at Hogwarts) so luckily, this also gives us a pretty good idea of how skilled they are in comparison to their peers.

Percy, over the span of the series, and even in the first book alone, excels above his peers. He's the child of the second most powerful god in the pantheon, he's given a prophecy and a quest almost immediately upon arriving at camp (a privilege other campers have to wait years for), and at the point we've reached in the canon books, is one of the most powerful demigods ever. Like, his power level is compared to that of a minor god, he's a respected leader, and he beat the god of war in single combat at age 12 based on (mostly) skill alone.

But Harry, in comparison to his peers? Painfully average in most regards. Every single life-threatening situation he was in throughout the entire series required some fluke of nature/magic for him to get out alive. As a baby? Only survived by some ancient magical loophole. Book 1? Use of aforementioned magical loophole. Book 2? Sure, he saved the day but he also almost died, but didn't because Dumbledore sent... a bird. Book 3? Harry's mastery of the Patronus charm is one of maybe three exceptions to this rule in the entire series. Books 4, 5, and 7? Magic loophole!!!! And let's be real - Dumbledore saved Harry's ass multiple times in the book 6 climax, but I'll let the bygones be bygones and not question Dumbledore's methods. My point being: Harry sucks at most things. But, you know, at least he's self-aware about it.

Now before anybody comes screaming to me, I know that Harry's not dumb as a rock, or anything. Yes, he's good at DADA, I am aware, thank you. But let's be real - if the aforementioned magical loophole didn't exist, Harry would not have survived a good 80% of his altercations in the series, considering the aforementioned magical loophole literally only works against one person. To be real, he also wouldn't be in those life-threatening altercations to begin with.

FURTHERMORE. They both fall into the "Chosen One" archetype, right? But here's the thing: Percy is powerful in his own right, and being the chosen one isn't what makes him powerful. Harry, on the other hand, is powerful because he's the chosen one, because of all the mysticism built around an arguably average person of middling talent. He's only special because of the whole "[Voldemort] will mark him as his equal" thing from the prophecy.

Even if you assume that an average demigod and an average wizard hold about the same power levels (which, honestly, I don't think you can say, but for the sake of the argument, that's what we're going to go with), the pure fact of the matter is that Percy is like a Dumbledore-level demigod, and Harry is a Michael Yew-level wizard. (Who is Michael Yew, you may ask? To which I say: exactly.)

Are you catching my drift? Percy kicks ass against Harry because he's more powerful. It's as simple as that.

But allow me to extrapolate further, because I fear that some may take this to mean that Harry is a bad protagonist. He's not, he just serves a different narrative purpose as a character. Imagine if you were to swap Percy and Harry into each others' stories:

Harry would probably die in the first PJO book. As an untrained wizard with at most, one year at Hogwarts under his belt, he'd probably die in the initial fight against the Minotaur. Done deal. Sure, you could take it a step further and assume that he does carry good problem-solving skills in moments of high stress, so maybe he could have made it out of that fight alive, but he's probably toast from that moment on. My main point is that Percy's skills that get him through his first quest are inherent. He doesn't necessarily have to practice to have heightened battle senses, water powers, and sensitivity to the Mist, all things that helped him survive. Harry simply does not have those things, and as a wizard of about the same age, doesn't have the skill set to match those powers with his own magical abilities. And by the end of the series, assuming Harry doesn't die immediately, the last book is one long, big battle, and Harry's one-on-one combat skills aren't necessarily bad, but if I have a hard time remembering how many times Harry was in a duel against a fully trained wizard and won in his own right, what makes you think he could beat ultra-powerful Titans like Percy did?

As for Percy - Put him in the climax moment of the first HP book against Quirrell. Harry survived that moment by using the aforementioned magical loophole, but Percy would have probably chopped Quirrell's head off within the first five minutes. No biggie. No moment in the first three books comes to mind as a situation that would have given Percy a ton of trouble at around the same age. And the fact that I think that Percy would definitely give Voldemort a run for his money in a one-on-one duel in the second half of the series should really say something.

Again, that's not to say that Harry's a bad protagonist. I think that their respective power levels serve their respective plots well! Imagine how boring the PJO series would be if Percy wasn't powerful enough to go head-to-head with Titans, or how boring the HP series would be if Harry had no problems beating Voldemort ever.

It's also interesting when you consider the implications of what being the Chosen One means in their respective universes. Percy knows he's the Chosen One, and he's actually more offended when Rachel suggests that he's not the hero of the prophecy, rather Luke is. Harry, on the other hand, has a hard time believing he's the Chosen One, because he knows just how generally unremarkable he is aside from the fact that he keeps surviving against all odds. Percy is the typical Chosen One, Harry is not.

And that gets even more interesting when you consider how they interact with their peers once their "Chosen One status" becomes common knowledge. Percy, who spends most of his time on quests, doesn't interact with his peers much on-page (meaning we don't see him go through everyday life like we see in the HP series), but that aside, he's generally well-respected. People are in awe of him. People know who he is, and have decided that he is deserving of his claims to fame and power. Harry, on the other hand, is generally not respected to the same degree, and people have a hard time believing him when he tells them about his close calls with death. Adults, specifically, find his stories unbelievable, because to them, he's untrained and not significantly powerful. And you know what? They're completely right.

I tend to also see that manifest a lot in their personalities. Percy, as the Chosen One, tends to struggle a lot with the fact that there are a lot of expectations placed upon him. People come to him for help all the time, and the gods tend to take him for granted, so he ends up with this very 'leave me alone let me live my life in peace' kind of thing going on. Harry, on the other hand, struggles in the different way of, as I said before, never being believed, and while he also struggles a lot with expectations, has this issue that he doesn't, nor will he ever, live up to them because that's not who he is (insert rant here about why Harry becoming an Auror was so out of character, and why he should have become the DADA professor instead, kindly fu JKR). Harry isn't some overpowered godling, he's just some random kid, placed well enough in society that Voldemort took an unhealthy interest in him.

I'm getting off track here. But my point stands: while both Percy and Harry serve the Chosen One protagonist archetype, they are inherently different characters and serve different purposes. Harry is atypical, and doesn't succeed in his own rights as much as you'd predict from a YA protagonist, regardless of the fact that he's got an über-powerful failsafe button. Percy, on the other hand, is a much more cliche example of a main character, being overpowered and wildly successful with barebones training.

Now, this is not me saying that PJO is a cliche YA story. I would never say that, because Rick Riordan is a masterful writer who still incorporates Percy's struggles as a person into a world where he's considered extremely powerful (meaning he's not a Mary Sue). That, and the fact that Percy isn't actually the 'hero of the prophecy', but the main villain is, is what should disprove that statement in a split second.

All is is basically saying that, while Percy would absolutely whoop ass against Harry, that does not mean that Harry is a bad character. Harry is, I think, the only kind of character that could fit well enough in the HP series for it to be considered a fulfilling story (insert rant here about how the final fight in movie 8 is stupid and Harry could have never held his own in a duel against Voldemort for that long, and completely missed the point of the finale of book 7 and it's been pissing me off for years).

Anyways, yeah, point made, come yell at me if you think I'm wrong, but I don't think I'm wrong.

More (mostly TOA) rants here if you want them.

#riordanverse #pjo #percy jackson #rick riordan #percy jackon and the olympians #walker scobell #harry potter #percy vs harry #percy jackson vs harry potter

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yuriisclumsy · 1 month ago

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𝖯𝗋𝗈𝗅𝗈𝗀𝗎𝖾, 𝙰𝚌𝚝 𝙸𝙸: Dvalin & the Wind Born Bard

First Chapter | Last Chapter | Next Chapter

𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗈𝖿𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝖻𝗒 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗌 𝗍𝗋𝗎𝗅𝗒. 𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 3839

Authors note: Guys are you excited!? One step closer to uncovering the mysterious quest given to [Name]! I won't take more of your time, onwards you go!

The rustling of the branches and the noises of my mad voice is heard throughout Windrise; even the slimes did not want to mess with me.

“AHHHG!!” I threw a tig at the big tree, frustration getting the better of me.

You may be wondering, why are you mad?

Well, my dear friends, I have been trying to make these powers of mine work for the past THREE hours.

Am I mad? No.

Am I frustrated? Ehh…

I think the best word to describe this feeling is jealousy. For whom, might you ask?

For Sirius. I am extremely jealous of Sirius right now.

I already tried touching the statue of the seven for its corresponding element as he did. It did not work. Tried telling the system to give me powers; total failure. I even asked the old and wise tree if it could give me powers! …It decided I was unworthy of its recognition.

So now I am left with no powers, and a will to punch something so hard it could travel all the way to Celestia.

“Ahg!” I aggressively kicked the tree, and in response, the tree let a branch fall on me, “ow–!” I rubbed my head for the pain to go away. “You think you're so mighty, huh!? Well, how about you come here so I can beat you up!” I yelled at the tree.

With a big sigh, I plopped on the edge of the tree on the grass that tickled my sides. I looked up at the branches of the tree; hatchlings were chirping at their parents to feed them; a squirrel running to hide the nuts in its mouth for when winter came around.

This was a rare moment where I could just…relax. Having Paimon’s never-ending dialogues – even the city’s loud gossip of Stormterror – made it difficult to find a window of silence like this one.

Thinking back, how did I end up here? What was the last thing I saw before coming here…? I was making grunting noises with how hard I was trying for a memory to pop up and give me a clue. In the end, I came up with nothing.

I wasn't one to forget things easily. So why are so many of my memories blank? This has been an issue ever since I awoke. I had just ignored it until now, thinking it was nothing but a fluke. But now, I think it’s not just a coincidence.

“Ahg…If it’s not one thing…it’s the other…” closing my eyes harshly wanting to forget this topic entirely. Remembering my original goal for coming here, I opened my eyes; reading the book I borrowed from the Scary Witch, Lisa is why I am here.

I reached for the book that I left forgotten at the side of me and began reading. ‘Teyvat’s History 38th Edition’… I skipped all the chapters I knew from the previous edition. ‘The beginning of Teyvat’, ‘The Archons’, ‘Nations’… ‘The…Divine City’? I don’t recognize that name. Did Amalia talk about this…? Hmmm… No, not that I remember.

I flipped the page and began reading.

In the far right corner of Teyvat stands a ‘nation’ that is different from the others. Not only is it ruled by a god that is not an Archon, but is also controlled by the heavens themselves. The nation is called the “Divine City,” in accordance to its link with the divine; and its ruler, ‘her Grace’, a god above the Archons, making sure that all is orderly in the realm the mortals roam.

A fancy way of saying it is Celestia's domain. I snorted at the thought of the Archons bowing down to this, so-called, ‘Grace’. That’s one way to keep them humble… I wonder if the story will take us there.

Before I could continue with my immersion, I saw a bright light from the corners of my eyes. I raised my arm to shield sensitive eyeballs from it; the light grew bigger until it dissipated into nothing.

With curiosity, I quietly closed my book, slowly standing up. I made small steps to get a better look at the side of the tree where the light came from. Please tell me it isn’t another one of those creatures. I don’t have Sirius to defend me! I leaned my body where only my left eye was in view.

At the foot of the tree stood a person. It was a boy; he wore a green cape and a green hat with a white flower attached to its side. With a lyre on his hip, he stretched raising his arms up towards the clouds, and breathed in the air that surrounded him.

“Ghn! Ahh… What lovely weather we have…” his head turned towards my direction, “don’t we?” I hid behind the old trunk as fast as it was humanly possible. He had already noticed my presence, so what was the point in hiding?

I don't know how dangerous this boy could be. Even if he was small and meek, this world is a testimony that nothing it’s what it seems. Trust me. The slimes were cute too at the beginning, up until they tried to eat my hand when I tried to pet them.

The boy didn’t seem bothered by my reaction. Humming to himself, he placed the lyre that was on his hip up to his side. He strummed a few cords before his eyelids closed, preparing to play a song.

“There was once a tale of a nation like no other…” he began, and I listened in. “A land far right of the confines of the world, ruled by one far above the Archons, and with blessings from the heavens above.”

Wait, this is…

“The Divine City, they called it; the place where the divine descended, and a place where war could not wage. With hopeful hearts, mortals from all walks of life ventured to the city to find a refugee from the raging war.”

“To most, this was the only place where they could find true peace. But their hopes would soon be shattered, as the city too, would soon be dragged into war at its climax by jealous gods who fought for a seat in the heavens."

"Witnessing the devastation the city endured from the war, its ruler made a compromise with the heavens for a chance to save the people from such horrors; they had lost too many lives already, and they couldn't let this continue."

"The heavens granted the wish, but in exchange, they would abandon all favoritism they had, and never step foot there again…” The notes started to dissipate, marking the ending of the story.

“...And so, this place was sealed off from the world which had opened its doors to refuge,” the music died a while after he finished his tale.

That’s…it? What about the city now? What happens next? Is it still off-limits? Will the story take me there? When our eyes met I realized I had left my hiding spot. Shoot!

“Seems I again caught the interest of a curious star,” the boy said, glancing at me.

“What..?”

“Hahaha! Don’t worry about me and my ramblings,” he diverted the subject. “Tell, what is the name that was given to you?”

Mother said not to trust strangers, especially weird ones. He must have noticed my skepticism because he went into a thoughtful state.

“How about this, I’ll introduce myself first, and then you can introduce yourself if you want! Ehem!” He prepares to give the best introduction to have ever existed. “I’m Venti. A humble bard and three-times-winner of the “Most Popular Bard of Mondstadt,” at your service!”

Venti…like, the Anemo Archon…? Oh…. OH NO.

“Hello…Venti,” I greeted with bullets of sweat dripping down my forehead as my head was in complete chaos.

This is the Anemo Archon, THE Anemo Archon! My body tensed up as I slightly bowed in a careful manner BECAUSE A LITERAL GOD WAS IN FRONT OF ME! I should calm myself down before I raise suspicion on myself. Bowing with such formality towards a bard is weird in the first place.

I tried smiling, which turned out to be more awkward than I wanted it to be, “it was enjoyable… The song I mean.”

With pride, Venti smiled, “I’m glad my performance was up to your standards!” He placed a hand on the tree and looked up, then he started to comfort the tree, “Poor dear friend of mine. She should have been nicer to you.”

“Y-YOU SAW THAT?!??!” This could not be happening to me right now!

“Of course I did,” Venti stated it like a fact. “It was quite sad seeing the way you treated this old friend of mine.”

[Internal dialogue of panic with second-hand embarrassment].

“We’re almost there!” a high-pitched voice said.

My saviors!

“Paimon!” I yelled excitedly as I skipped a few steps towards my traveling companions who had come in the right direction.

“Huh? [Name]! What are you doing here?” she questioned, then she looked at Venti. “There you are, you sneaky bard!”

“I was beginning to wonder if you two would even follow me,” Venti said as Paimon and Sirius got closer. “You three know each other?” He asked.

“Yup! [Name] right here is our other travel buddy,” Paimon explained. “Now, [Name]. Why exactly are you here?” And here I thought she would forget about me.

“I was here to read this book,” I took out the history book and put it on display. “I was about to read it…but then Venti showed up out of nowhere and startled me.”

“Whoops,” he scratched his head. “Guess I owe you a song as an apology.”

“...Can I request the story of the song?”

I want to know more about that city. And if Venti is a god, he should know far more than these history books, I glanced at the book.

“Why of course!” I smiled at my ticket to unlock a new place. Take that you stupid game restrictions!

“Venti, I know more about the Anemo god,” Sirius told the wise bard.

“You speak of the God of Anemo, Babatos?” Venti clarified. “He disappeared from Mondstand a long time ago. Unlike Liyue’s and Inazuma’s respective gods are still present, but Mondstadt has seen many a moon since they last saw their own god.”

Disappeared, my a-s. You’re standing right in front of us.

“Why do you wish to know about the God of Anemo? Does it have something to do with Dvalin?”

“...Uh… Uhm… gods are…” Paimon’s feeble mind tried to come up with an excuse.

“Someone told me about Dvalin’s past,” Sirius said before Paimon fried her own brain. “They mentioned the Anemor Archon, so I wanted to know more about him.”

“Hmm… Just how is it that everyone sees Stormterror? I’m quite curious. That said, there’s no need to rush…” he looked at the side, “I have not been back in a while, it seems there are a few who are unhappy with my arrival.”

As we looked to where Venti’s gaze was fixated on, a strong gust of wind blew towards us, almost making Paimon go flying.

“I can’t…open my eyes…” Paimon said as she grabbed onto my cape. “What is that!? It looks like a ball with a tornado inside it!”

In the story, I remember fighting an Eye of the Storm after meeting Venti at Windrise. That thing is far more dangerous in person.

“That’s an Eye of the Storm!” I yelled, trying to ground my footing. “Sirius!” He looked back at me, “Be careful with it!”

“Got it!” He took out his Dull Blade and readied his defensive stand to launch forward.

“I’ll help as well!” Venti said as his bow materialized. “You two,” he glazed back, “stay behind the tree. And don’t come close, it may get vicious.”

“Right!” Paimon yelled back and pulled me with her, meanwhile Sirius and Venti fought the creature.

Watching fantasy fights in the flesh is interesting, even more, if those characters have a different way of fighting that defies the ‘real world. Venti’s style of archery is unique from what I’ve seen on Earth. His movements feel relaxed and free; ideally, you want to be as stiff as possible from what Amalia told me when she trained.

The screech of the Eye of the Storm signals its defeat. The creature disappears into small particles of dust.

“Finally!” Paimon and I went out of our hiding spot. “That thing sure had a fighting spirit, that’s for sure.”

“Seems that the dragon wasn’t the only one affected by the change of winds...” Venti spared a few more seconds on the place where the Eye of the Storm was last. “Now then, you were saying someone had told you about the dragon?”

“Oh! Lisa told a lot about Dvalin. Something about him being mad that the people have left him discarded, and that the reason the situation has gotten to the level it did was because of both sides being violent against each other,” Paimon reiterated to Venti what Lisa told them about the dragon.

“Is that so? Quite the scholar I must say, Lisa.”

“Wait, is that true?” I asked.

I don’t remember the game saying anything about Dvalin being mad at Mondstadt for abandoning him.

“She’s not wrong. The conflict has reached this point, only because both sides have resorted to the use of force. His hate, however, does not stem from the people not making tribute to The Four Winds. Nor was it born from his own nature, but instead came about as a product of his degradation.

“Degra… what now?” Paimon tried sounding out the word.

“Degradation, Paimon,” I repeated.

“I–I knew how to say it, you don’t have to mock me!”

“Oh, yeah? Then, pray tell, Paimon, what is Degradation?”

“That’s…uh…it means…degragation is…”

“Degradation, not degragation,” I corrected her. “In this situation, it means that Dvalin has been suffering for a long while...”

“Really…?” Paimon looked concerned for the dragon.

“The black blood flowing through his heart has been torturing him for years. That’s what's allowed him to be led by the lies of the Abyss Mage.”

Agh…those guys are as much a pain in the butt as the Fatui. Can’t they leave a nation to breathe for a second?

“Abyss Mage? Isn’t that what we fought back when we investigated the Temples of The Four Winds?” Sirius said to Paimon.

“Huh-hu! Those are some pesky creatures! But they do seem to have some level of intelligence to have made a plan this big.”

“Isn’t the Abyss Order an organization?” I asked Venti.

“Correct. The Abyss Mage, along with other abyssal creatures, are an organization comprised of non-human beings. I’m not sure where they come from, all I know is they despise mankind,” Venti made sure to emphasize the hatred the Abyss Order has towards Humanity.

“Do they really hate humans that much?” Paimon shuddered a little.

“I mean, they are trying to manipulate Dvalin,” I said.

“Dvalin isn't the only one who they have control over. Many hilichurls out in the wild take orders from them and act as their weapons,” said Venti. “Before arriving here, I too was like Dvalin, cursed and left to waste,” he turned to look at the Windrise tree, “but now before us stands the Symbol of Mondstadt’s Hero, the place from which Mondstadt rose.”

“Being here with you beneath this great tree feels like when the tear was purified earlier. Like the poison is leaving my body…”

That sounds…romantic. Well, he is a bard.

“Mmmmm… Feels much better.”

“So…how exactly did you get poisoned?” asked Paimon.

“Ahh… that would be because I tried to communicate with Dvalin back in Whispering Woods, but was…interrupted…” Sirius scratched his head with an awkward smile. “As a result, not only did I not manage to help Dvalin break his curse, but instead, I was also infected myself.”

“Oh, ah…that… That was…us?”

“Don’t drag me into this,” I glared at him,” I wasn’t the one glowing with Anemo.”

“Yes, it was you!” Venti looked directly at Sirius. See? Not me. I wasn’t the one dumb enough to continue adventuring when a dragon was on the loose. “So, to make up for it, you lot are coming with me to the Cathedral!”

“Excuse?” I let out.

Paimon tilted her head, “the Mondstadt Cathedral? To do what exactly?”

“Oi, don’t ignore me.”

“To claim a certain “Holy Lyre der Himmel.”

“And why do I have to go?” They started walking away from me.

“Hello!?”

Why do I keep getting into situations like this…?

We returned to Mondstadt City some time ago, and we’re currently on our way to the Mondstadt Cathedral. Much to my displeasure. I tried leaving a few times but was caught by either Paimon's or Sirius’s puppy eyes that would stare at me, making me feel guilty for leaving.

“Why am I following again…?” I complained, I dragged my feet as we walked through the streets of Mondstadt.

“Because, [Name], you have left us ever since he came to Mondstadt. We are supposed to be travel buddies!” Paimon exclaimed.

“Exactly, travel buddies. And since we’re not traveling, I want to have my alone time, thank you very mucho.”

“Hehe…” Venti giggled, while Sirius snickered.

“What are you laughing about, mister?!” Paimon thumped in the air.

Venti let go of an airy laugh, “It’s nothing, really. I just find your relationship to be endearing. You two might even be considered siblings.”

“Thank you, but no thank you,” I rejected the idea of being Paimon’s older sister.

“Ewww! Not with her,” Paimon gave me a nasty look.

“Oi.”

“Paimon would never stoop as low as to admit that [Name] would be a reliable sibling!” She crossed her arms. “And even less that her cooking is amazing!”

My mood fluttered at the unintentional compliments. “...You think my cooking is amazing?”

Paimon’s little eyes wide at the realization of the things she wouldn't admit aloud. “Uh?! What? No! Paimon didn’t say that your cooking is the best Paimon’s ever tried!”

“Aweeee, Paimon…” I pinched her cheek like a doting mother. “You don’t have to be shy about complimenting my cooking skills.”

“Agh, stop!” she pushed my hand away, “and wipe that smug smile off your face!”

“No can do~,” I said singly.

“Paimon will show you not to mess with her!” Paimon quickly flew over, but I stopped her by the head, rendering her unable to move and with her small arms swinging back and forth trying to hit me.

“Calm down you two,” Sirius intervened just like the older sibling he is in our friend group.

“I’ll get you next time, just you wait…” she glared at me, and in response, I stuck out my tongue.

“So…”Holy Lyre der Himmel.” What is it?” Sirius asked Venti to get us to focus on something else.

“It is one of the most treasured items in Mondstadt. It’s the lyre Babatos used to play. With it, perhaps I can help Dvalin draw his gentle nature back out of this nightmare he’s going through.”

“Can a lyre really stop Stromterror from causing more damage?” The subject had been successfully changed.

“Of course. I’m the best bard in the world,” he puffed his chest. “There’s not a single song I don't know, no matter if it’s from the past, present, or future.”

That ego is really hard to break. I wonder if he's able to sing songs from my world…

“Look me in the eyes. Do you not find me trustworthy?”

“Look into my eyes. What are you hiding?” I looked deeply into Venti’s eyes, making him a bit uncomfortable.

I know what you are…

“The color of your eyes is like the sky in my hometown,” said Sirius.

“Hahaha, that one doesn’t work on a bard.”

Are these two just straight-up flirting?

“So…how can we get the Holy Lyre?” Paimon asked.

“It’s said that it’s enshrined deep within the Cathedral, somewhere safe,” Venti explained as he reached the level of the Cathedral, standing right outside its doors. “I’ll go take a look around. You can come if you want.”

“I’m good,” I rejected his invitation.

“Really?” Paimon got a bit sad, “you don’t want to come with us again?”

“Please don’t give me that sad look…It will make me feel bad.”

“Good! You better feel guilty for not spending any time with us!” She crossed her arms.

Well, now I don’t feel bad at all.

“Paimon, leave her be. She is still as new to Mondstadt, as she is to Teyvat. She doesn’t remember any of this, or if she even was from here,” Sirius reminded Paimon.

“...” Paimon looked at him and then frowned, “Oh, who is Paimon kidding? You’re right” She turned to me and apologized, “Paimon’s sorry… Paimon just missed you being with us…”

I paused for a moment, maybe regretting what I was about to say, “...How about this, I’ll stay right where I am until you guys return.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“...Okay. But Paimon better see you here when we return! Or else…” she threatened.

“O-K,” I signaled with my fingers.

“We should head in now. The more we delay, the more Dvalin suffers,” said Venti.

“You’re right,” Sirius said, then looked at me sternly, “Stay put. Paimon, let’s go.”

“Yes, sir!” And like that, they left.

“...”

Did Sirius just tell me to stay still like a dog, or am I imagining things?

I sigh in defeat, “...just need to wait till they’re back. It can’t be that difficult of a task.”

Ding-Ding!

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me…” I just had to open my mouth. I looked around to locate the screen that would always show up after the sound but found none. Had it been a false alarm? Looking at the people surrounding my area, I saw no one confused about a random alarm going off–although that might be Mondstadt's nature. “No one’s impressed by the sound, that’s for sure.”

Where did the sound come from? I inspected my surroundings again. Maybe I had missed something? I looked to the left, then to the right, up, down, spun around. I looked like a lunatic. Still, nothing I saw was out of the ordinary. Strange… I closed my eyes. Perhaps it's because I didn’t get any sleep last night.

Then, sparkles rained down. My eyes followed, landing on the old stone floor where a trail made of tiny particles began to form. The trail glowed towards the stairs leading down to the lower areas of Mondstadt, trying to pull me towards them.

But I refused. I promised Piamon I would be here when they came out, and I will fulfill that promise.

I sat on the stairs leading up to the cathedral, moving around a bit, before settling my head down on my palm. And then another notification appeared.

[Your target is near!]

My curiosity was strong, but my loyalty was stronger… But, would taking a peak be that bad? Oh-oh.

“...Sirius, Paimon… Come fast…”

𝚃𝚊𝚐𝚜: @udretlnea, @taurus-caeli, @humongousoperatorhairdoopera, @aesir1, @creationmage, @savedpostsnotmain, @melanistium, @dontlookatmepreetyplease. Comment if you want to get added into the Tag section for The Divine City: Story. Related Series: Sub-Stories Arcs for more information about this AU.

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#reader insert #reader input #sagau #genshin impact x fanfic #sagau genshin #genshin sagau #genshin impact sagau #genshin isekai #genshin impact isekai #the divine city #blond traveler #venti #paimon #aether #dvalin #stormterror

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jariten · 11 months ago

Text

My Favorite Manga from 2023: Part 1

And now that the themes are over and done with, here are my general favorite reads from 2023:

夕暮れへ (Offshore Lightning), Saito Nazuna [Drawn & Quarterly, trans. Alexa Frank]

柔道部物語 (Judo-bu Monogatari), Makoto Kobayasho [Kodansha Bunko ver.]

ZERO, Taiyo Matsumoto [Shogakukan Bunko ver.]

Midori no Uta: Shuushuu Gunfuu/Lü Zhī Gē - Shōují Qún Fēng (緑の歌 - 収集群風 -/綠之歌 -收集群風-), Yan Gao

動物たち (Doubutsu-tachi), Panpanya

月館の殺人 (Tsukidate no Satsujin), Noriko Sasaki & Yukito Ayatsuji [Shogakukan Bunko ver]

I will skip the latter three titles as I already talked about them in earlier roundups, but let me once again say that they're very good and I enjoyed them so much.

I always seem to find a work that gets stuck in pre-order purgatory and in 2023 Offshore Lightning finally made it out. After Talk to My Back and The Sky is Blue With a Single Cloud I was really looking forward to seeing who Drawn & Quarterly had picked this time. Of course I wasn't disappointed (and surprised that it was a one-shot collection I had been half eyeing in Japanese for a while). Saito Nazuna delivers some poignant stories about families at a breaking point as well as life and death. I was personally very taken by In Captivity and House of Solitary Death, which are the more recent stories in the collection.

I got my sports manga fixes in this year too. First one I had hyped myself up for for years and the namesake of a previous favorite...the oft referenced in the Makoto Kobayashi-verse: Judo-bu Monogatari. When Sango Jugo (whose name is literally the kanji numerals 3 5 15) gets tricked into joining his school's low ranking Judo club. After surviving a brutal hazing ritual it would seem he's only sticking around out of spite, but after what seemed to be a fluke win could it be that he actually got a talent for this sport? Thus begins Jugo's 3 year journey as a high school Judo athlete. I already knew that Kobayashi is one of the best sequential artists in the game but I'm just blown away over and over by him andhis mastery of the comic format. Add the trademark outrageous visual comedy and the charming cast of characters; I rank it with Slam Dunk as one of the few manga that get physical reactions of true excitement and happiness out of me. (In fact, Makoto Kobayashi is named as one of Takehiko Inoue's influences)

I also finally read Matsumoto's ZERO which had intrigued me since the editor's afterword in Ping Pong that described the two works as related. And I don't know where to begin, blown away, entranced, had me thinking and wondering, absorbed in one sitting. The bunko edition also included extras from the 2018 edition like a editor's and author's retrospective, and a short comic written by the scriptwriter of Takemitsu Samurai, Issei Eifuku who was around for the development phase of ZERO.

#my scans #recommendation corner #roundup #long post

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velvetshirtnumber3 · 11 months ago

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Predictions for DFF:

Por is already dead.

Fluke’s paranoia is gonna get him killed.

White is going to save himself (heavy final girl vibes)

Tee gets killed in an act of bravery to make up for his transgressions.

Top gets killed while possessed.

Tan and Phee were not involved in Non’s diss appearance. One of them is collateral damage, or the other one is the second killer.

Jin is being haunted by Non’s spirit who had a crush on him. He will probably have to make a sacrifice in some way to be free from it.

These are great predictions, and having watched episode 4 its really interesting to see how they've panned out!

Poor Por....he's certainly dead now. Though I will not entirely rule out Non's spirit possessing his body and using it to try to kill the others, because I think that would be equally interesting and disturbing.

Fluke's paranoia definitely will hurt him at some point...I don't think he fully trusts anyone anymore, and separating himself in any way from the rest of the group won't end well for him. I thought that with Por's death he might change his behavior, but nope. He might care about his friends, but it seems not more than saving himself and his future.

You know, I really hope White does save himself. I think he's definitely capable of it, plus he seems like a genuinely nice person and I don't want anything to happen to him.

I really think Tee would be willing to die to save White, at least. Over the course of the series so far, he has become less and less likable, with his implied actions in the past. His only redeeming trait is that he seems like a decent boyfriend. Those I think it would be more meaningful for his character to sacrifice himself to save his friends or because he was truly remorseful. I think the sole reason I kind of want him to survive (at least for the moment) is because him dying would really hurt White. Plus at this point in the story, I think White's grief would make him more susceptible to getting killed (as anyone's would) and I really don't want that.

So you seem to be right on the mark about Top! Possessed ✔, Shot (apparently) ✔. Honestly the fact that they cut right before seeing if Fluke shot him doesn't give me confidence that he actually killed him but that is next week's episode so for now that is what happened and there is no evidence to the contrary.

I think you are correct about Tan and Phee not being involved in the disappearance of Non. I don't think either of them has really been targeted specifically. The only times the figure has gone after them has been when they were with someone else (I think). As for the other part, I feel like Tan just gives off collateral damage vibes...like you just look at him and think, "There's a good chance that you would not survive in a horror movie" and that is essentially what they are in. I have definitely seen a lot of posts about some of Phee's suspicious behavior so he definitely could be the second killer. He is at the least hiding something that is causing him to act weird. I kind of feel like if he is the second killer that there will be some people who survive. He just seems like he wouldn't kill people who don't deserve it (like White), at least to me.

One think I really wonder about Jin is his place in all this, which I think will become more clear as we see more about the past. Jin was part of the group in the past involved in something happening to Non, so depending on his part in it, he could be one of the targets. But it does seem like Non had a crush on him, so he might not be a target. I don't how much Jin cared about him; Jin was one of the people in the beginning insisting on not watching the old tape so he definitely knows something about what happened to Non, and it hasn't really stopped him being friends with the group. Though Jin leaving to go the U.S. (if I remember correctly) could be him trying to leave them behind. As for a sacrifice, I wonder what it would be....

Thank you so much for the ask!

#dff the series #dff #dead friend forever #dead friend forever the series #dff predictions #dff fluke #dff por #dff white #dff tee #dff top #dff tan #dff phee #dff jin #dff episode 4

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rotworld · 1 year ago

Text

22: Bits and Pieces

(previous)

another corner of the drift begins to crumble.

->contains gore, body horror, parasites, religious content.

There’s something sharp in your throat.

“Peace, angel. There is nothing to fear.”

Still, you flinch and try to fight. You’re still weak and lightheaded, accomplishing little more than uncoordinated flailing. A gentle hand pushes you back down into the frigid puddle beneath you. “It’s me, courier. It’s alright. We’re just making sure the venom runs its course.” That’s Jamie’s voice, clear as a bell, but you’re hearing it in your head. They cradle your face in their hands and you realize their lips are crushed against yours, their tongue coaxing you into opening your mouth wider. The sensation of the fluke against your soft tissue is unpleasant, countless pseudopod appendages splayed and wriggling. Jamie slides their thumb and fingers around your neck and rubs your sensitive spots, making you shiver and relax.

You have to tell them about Bachman. About Anchor, about the Ripper—

“I know,” Jamie whispers into your mind. “We’re connected right now. I saw everything. We have a lot of problems right now, but I’m just glad you’re alright. When the malfunction hit and you just vanished, I…well. No point in worrying about something that didn’t happen, I guess.” You feel a twinge of warm fondness. “Do you know how I found you? I was driving and your car kept drifting in this direction. I’ve heard stories about courier cars but I’ve never seen it in action. It likes you as much as I do.”

You exhale sharply in amusement. Jamie gives the sides of your neck another squeeze and you feel the fluke easing back out, its hard, carapace-like shell digging into the inner lining of your throat. You focus on what comes next rather than the uncomfortable sensations of the fluke retracting. Go to the University. Get help. Deal with Anchor, somehow.

“Your car didn’t get through the malfunction unscathed. I think it’s alright, but we might want to see a mechanic sooner rather than later,” Jamie muses. “And…your hands…”

You glance at your fingers. The frostbite started at the tips but it’s spreading slowly, engulfing your nails. It doesn’t hurt. All you feel is tingling numbness. The Road Ripper did this to you. He must’ve known you weren’t really dead.

You sag in relief when you feel the end of the fluke slip out of your throat with a wet pop. Jamie moans softly, tongue twining with yours one last time before they pull away. Their smile is bittersweet. Their eyes are red and bloodshot, irritated from rubbing and crying. “Hey,” they say, their voice thin and hoarse.

“Hey,” you say.

They stroke your cheek. “The Verlindans say they’ll follow us to the University. Might be kind of nice, having escorts.”

You laugh weakly. “The more the merrier,” you say. “Maybe we actually have a shot at this—”

Agony explodes throughout your chest. The pain is swift and searing, thrumming heat and razors under your skin. There is smoke in your lungs, smoldering ashes in your throat. The God of Nelton is a convulsing snake, twisting and shrieking inside you and it’s screaming. You can’t hear yourself think over the shrillness of its terror and suffering.

“Nelton,” you gasp. “Nelton is burning.”

[NOW PLAYING ON THE RADIO: BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BY LOW ROAR]

Jamie drives. You’re incapable of anything but writhing in agony and giving directions through gritted teeth. You strip off your outer layers. It’s hard to imagine you were ever cold before, because all you know now is suffocating heat. Your blood feels like it’s boiling and your skin itches and throbs with blisters it doesn’t have. The journey is the worst, longest several hours of your life. The God of Nelton screams and wails and you cup your hands over your chest helplessly, unable to do anything for it.

The Verlindans follow. You catch glimpses of them along the road—loping and galloping animal shapes. The largest of them have hooves and white tails, and antlers scraping dangling branches. They keep pace easily, sticking just within sight like guarding herd dogs.

You smell the smoke before you see it, every breath full of sparks and heat. The fog is dark like storm clouds ahead, billowing, black plumes rising above the treeline. You know what you’ll find but part of you is still hopeful, still in denial, until the welcome sign looms into view, caked in gray ash. The scent of savory meat is masked by the stench of flesh burning.

This was not a normal fire. The devastation has a clear path, a nearly straight line of scorched ground and charred, crumbling buildings. You pass down silent roads with one side pristine and untouched, the other little more than blackened steel skeletons and half-melted mountains of debris. The city has come to a standstill. People stand among the wreckage and in the streets, frozen, dazed and confused expressions on their faces. Some are crying silently, tears streaming from their wide eyes. They’re stopped at windows, in shop doors, leaning out of their cars, as though all of Nelton has halted in time.

Jamie panics when you start pulling at the door handle, trying to leap out of the car while they’re driving. They find an empty place to pull over and you’re already halfway out, staggering through rubble, through broken glass and fallen beams, through motionless people gaping at the sky as in wordless horror. You follow the trail through town, up a hill that was once green and grassy. The God of Nelton pulses weakly, guiding you in strangled, pained whispers. There is nothing left of the church

But there is a man lying among the kindling that was once pews and floorboards, unearthly beautiful and miraculously unburned despite the destruction all around him. Malachi kneels beside him, cradling his head and chest. He wears a white, flowing robe like a stained glass angel. His hair is black silk splayed like a veil around his head, delicate, loose curls framing his tranquil expression. You look at him and he looks up at you with weary, half-lidded eyes, gold like amber and blazing like the sun. There’s a curl of recognition, of love, in your chest. The man smiles. This is him, you realize. This is the God of Nelton.

And he’s dying.

“Angel,” he whispers. His voice is gently cupping hands around your heart, holding you like the most precious treasure. Words you can hear and words you can feel, heavy with restrained emotion. “My angel. You came back to me.” Malachi weeps softly. The God of Nelton hushes him gently and reaches with a weak, trembling hand, touching his cheek. “My most precious ones. Can you forgive me for my imperfections?”

You kneel on his other side and he reaches for you, just as slowly, with the same painful tenderness. “I don’t understand,” you say. “You—you look okay, you don’t look like you got hurt.”

“I did not want you to see something unpleasant,” he says. “I wanted you to remember me like this. Consider it my last selfishness.”

You’re aware of movement at the edge of your vision. The people of Nelton gather around the ruined church, utterly silent. You see Jamie with them, their expression one of fear and revulsion before it softens into understanding.

The God of Nelton makes a hoarse, rattling sound when he inhales. “I was taught that God is good and kind. That his house is one of many rooms. Malachi, will you promise me…” he wheezes, his face contorting in pain. Malachi whispers something too fast and hoarse for you to understand, leaning into the palm cupping his face. “Promise me that…you will keep the door open. And do better than I have done. It is better…always better, to choose…where…”

His eyes shut. His lips are parted, unmoving. The God of Nelton looks so peaceful, as if he is only sleeping.

The illusion falls away gradually, like a curtain slowly opening. You aren’t kneeling in wood and plaster but a sickening slurry of liquefied flesh. Bubbling, blistering puddles of skin and seared tissue coat the ground. The church’s innards are charred viscera and they are quivering, shuddering with an awful, hissing death rattle before falling still. The God of Nelton’s robes fade from white to smoldering black and visceral red, sheer fabric becoming translucent, fleshy membranes before your eyes.

You turn away, holding onto the face he showed you instead. You smell smoke and death. As you stagger out of the corpse of the church, a layer of stiff, sticky skin peels away from your legs. You sit with Jamie in the grass, watching the river. It’s red, now that there’s nothing to stop you from seeing it as it truly is. This corner of Nelton was alive once, the soil flesh, the trees sinew. The God of Nelton grew and grew, and fed the whole town with his body.

The deathlike stillness that settled over Nelton lifts. You hear shouting, screaming, wailing, as though everyone has suddenly woken from the same frightening dream. Some run. Some risk the road on foot, unwilling to stay even a second longer. Some, more than you expect, stay. They gather around Malachi with bowed heads and tearful gratitude. They take turns approaching the dead thing that once dwelled in all of them and say their goodbyes.

“There’s going to be a shift tonight,” Jamie murmurs. “I think it’s related to all the anchorware malfunctions. It’s doing something to the Drift. Making it even more unstable.”

You nod wordlessly. That must be on purpose, you think. Even if someone else puts the pieces together and figures out what’s happening, who’s responsible, they’ll never reach Anchor before another shift whisks it away. You both watch the impromptu funeral procession, unwilling to intrude. The pull at your heart is uncomplicated; you have only one home again. No other voice chimes in to reassure you. You never thought you would miss it.

“So many people stayed. I didn’t expect that,” Jamie admits. “I thought half the town would’ve made a run for it by now, gotten the hell out of here. Maybe they’re in shock.”

For most of them, there’s no reason to run. This has always been their home. You saw it in only brief flashes and pulses of understanding. You don’t know how to explain it. But you know Nelton was not held together simply by the whims of a god desperate to cling to anyone it could.

After some time, you see Malachi. He lays the God of Nelton down upon the charred ground and stands slowly, as though sleepwalking. The people of Nelton make room for him to pass. He wanders out of the church looking lost, looking back and forth with tears streaming down his face. When his eyes meet yours, there’s the dimmest spark of hope in his eyes.

“Courier,” he says. He approaches quickly. You see Jamie flinch, like they’re thinking of coming between you, but they only frown. His eyes are soft, mossy green. No longer gold. No longer glowing. “Can I…” He sinks to the ground clumsily, kneeling beside you. “Your—your piece of him. Please, I…please.” He can barely speak through his tears.

There is no voice anymore. No feelings of love or gentleness. But you do feel that second heartbeat, slow and weak, fading. You don’t know how long it has, what it even means for it to cling to life. Jamie called it “little more than the tip of a finger.” Still, you nod, and Malachi looks like he might fall to pieces.

“Thank you,” he whispers, over and over again. “Thank you,” like you’re handing him the world’s most priceless treasure. He kisses you. You think of the Feeding of the Multitude and how different this is; no fanfare, no ritual, nothing but a sense of mourning. His lips move slowly against yours, one hand braced against your shoulder, the other on your cheek. You can taste his grief. Every soft movement of his mouth beckons something inside you, calling your fragment of divinity home. You don’t feel the unpleasant squirming sensation of something trying to escape. It fades as though dissolving. There is one last shared emotion, one last desperate pulse of affection—angel, spoken like an apology—and then it’s gone.

Malachi pulls away slowly. There’s a flash of gold behind his eyes, gone when you blink. He’s still crying but he seems soothed now, able to collect his thoughts and swipe his sleeve across his face. “I saw what he saw through you, but it was already too late,” he says quietly. “Our anchorware ruptured. Everything Bachman came here to fix and adjust went up in flames.” He looks from you to Jamie, pleading. “I want to help. Tell me what I can do.”

“We’re not sure what we’re doing,” Jamie admits. “We were going to try and find the University, but I’m starting to think that’s a mistake. Anchor is moving fast. The University’s existence is already somewhat precarious. It might not even be there anymore if they set off the anchorware there.” They shake their head. “The Verlindans followed us here. We need to talk everything over, make a plan. There’s going to be a shift tonight so none of us are going anywhere.”

“You’re welcome here,” Malachi says. He smiles softly when Jamie raises a brow. “I know. The last time we met, I didn’t exactly make a good impression. But the laws haven’t changed. You’re guests and you’ll be provided for. I promised him…” He trails off, glancing back over his shoulder, and swallows hard. “Let me make amends,” he says quietly. “Rest tonight. We’ll discuss our next move with the Verlindans. Maybe the morning will bring us some clarity.” He looks to you with hesitation, guilt marring his features. Then he looks away.

The Verlindans aren’t happy about delaying the journey to Anchor another day, but Malachi’s promise that the people of Nelton will join them soothes tensions. Malachi brings you and Jamie to a small country house on the outskirts of town, not far from the church. It’s sparsely decorated and simple, lots of rugs, wood floors, and antique furniture. The upstairs is a carpeted loft space with a skylight window and a shelf full of books you expect a priest to have: theology, philosophy, a leatherbound prayer book with an embossed cover. On the bedside table is a picture frame with two smiling boys inside.

One is a much younger Malachi in his teenage years, his hair trimmed just a bit shorter, his smile bright. The other, standing shoulder to shoulder with Malachi, long, black hair curtaining shy eyes and a small, secretive smile—

Malachi snatches the frame, cradling it to his chest. He clears his throat. “Is this alright?” he asks. “Not too small or stuffy?”

“It’s fine,” Jamie says absently, poking around the bookshelf.

“Good. Let me know if I can get you anything. There’s food. That’s not a threat, by the way, we have plenty of, ah. Normal food. Even now.” He lingers at the top of the stairs, fidgeting self-consciously. Eventually, he notices your stare and follows your gaze down to the picture frame. He smiles sadly. Somewhat hesitant, he holds it out for you to take. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” he murmurs. “I always thought so. It was love at first sight for me.”

They were complete opposites. Malachi wasn’t a particularly tall or broad-shouldered boy but he made the God of Nelton look delicate. Malachi was bright and shining, wearing his heart on his sleeve with slightly crooked teeth and dimples. The God of Nelton was a skittish shadow, standing just slightly behind him. But they stood close to each other, relaxed and comfortable.

“He was an orphan. Dumped at the side of the road, the same way some people dump animals. You could say that was the first miracle—this was his home all along. A preacher looked after him. The preacher at the church I went to at the time, actually.” He pauses, his voice becoming strained. “I’ve heard that it’s different for all of you. Sometimes, there’s no hiding where you come from. Sometimes, it doesn’t show until puberty or even later. He was thirteen and I was fourteen. That’s when it started for him. We thought they were sores, or tumors. Something like that. The preacher only saw it once, early on. He told him it was a sign of sickness in the soul. Demonic possession. So he started…cutting them off.”

The room is silent. Jamie is holding a book open but they’re not looking at it, glancing back at the two of you with pity.

“He thought that if anyone saw, if anyone knew…he was so afraid. I would help him sometimes. I made sure nothing got infected. I made up stories. Getting hurt playing soccer, or riding our bikes. I would clean the wounds and bandage them and I would hold his hand when he cried. But we couldn’t keep up. They grew faster as he got older. It happened so fast. And one day, he asked me…he said…” Malachi pauses to wipe his eyes. His smile is trembling and bittersweet. “He asked me, ‘What have I done to deserve this punishment from God?’ And I told him he didn’t do anything. The preacher was wrong, he didn’t understand a gift from God when he saw it. Because that’s what he was to me.”

You hand the picture frame back to Malachi. He takes it with a whispered, “thank you,” and holds it close. He tries to say something else but he can’t make the words come out. So he nods instead, looks at you meaningfully, and ducks his head as he goes back down the stairs. The space where the God of Nelton used to sit, nestled in the soft tissue embrace of your chest, feels achingly empty.

(next)

#rotpeach writes #goretober #the drift

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evita-shelby · 1 year ago

Text

Love's a State of Mind

Chapter 6

Cw: angst, sex, feelings

Taglist: @thegreatdragonfruta

Yes i did use the smuff-mas one-shot to make up the last part of the chapter lol

Feliz Navidad y'all

Every day begins and ends the same for the next week.

He calls in the morning to check up on her, the moment he leaves his office ---doing the work he would have done in Sydney--- he comes to spend the rest of the day with her and leaves, very reluctantly, at the end of the day.

They talk, he tells her about his day and both fight the urge to be more than friends like madmen.

It all changes the night before her procedure. They watch her comfort telenovela on the sofa that’s more comfortable to lay on than sit on, and she leans on his shoulder leading to him wrapping his arm around her, before the episode even ends they’re spooning as of nothing had ever changed between them.

“I should go, you need all the sleep you can get for tomorrow.” He said gently prying her off him before they do something they’ll regret.

Eva would usually agree and see him to the door where they’d stand there both secretly wishing for a kiss goodbye like before.

“Could you stay with me. Just for tonight?” she finds herself hating how vulnerable she sounds. Even worse she’s turning to look at him as she speaks and feels pathetic because he can see exactly why she wants him to stay.

But she’s scared, and she wants him and there was nothing more comforting in the world than him holding her as he does now.

“Yeah, if you want me to.” Robert agrees and adjusts himself as Eva buried her face in his chest. He’s stripped off his button-down shirt and despite the slight discomfort of his buckle and trousers, being like this felt like heaven.

“We could find the best in their field if you want.” He suggested and she shook her head. Robert tucked her under his chin and stroked her hair understanding exactly what she was afraid of.

“This one’s the best in California. It’s a stupid worry, I know.” She murmured into his chest. “Impossible for them to fuck up something they do so often.”

“Said the same thing when I had knee surgery, I think.” Rob points out, reminding her of how nervous he’d been after reading up all he could on the procedure and several horror stories of people who didn’t recover from it. “We should sleep, we, you, sorry, have long day tomorrow.”

It had been a bad idea.

In a moment of vulnerability, Eva had asked him to stay with her and he had.

Robert had offered to stay in the guest room or sleep on the floor, but Eva had shaken her head and asked him to sleep with her.

There was too much history between them for this to work. He couldn’t forget her no matter how much he tried, and she couldn’t move on because their last night together resulted in the worst-case scenario.

Had anyone told him he’d be here holding her because they’d have to see a doctor for an embryo that didn’t form, Robert would’ve siced security on them.

But here he was holding his ex-girlfriend who used him to keep her company above the water because tomorrow they’ll pretend nothing ever happened and go their separate ways.

“I was wondering where my pajamas went.” The Fischer Morrow heir comments as tried his best to remember they were over and the sex they had last week was merely a fluke.

“I had intended to give them back, but then I remembered you still have some of my panties and I thought they were worth about the same, in sentimental value at least.” The dark-haired woman moved slightly as she got comfortable, and he pretends he’s fine when her ass brushed against his dick.

“Sorry.” She said before moving away to prevent it from happening again, but it would once Eva fell asleep.

“Don’t apologize, remember when I was high on painkillers after my surgery?” Rob would be lying if he didn’t miss all those times they’d cuddle and end up fucking because the accidental stimulation was enough to drive him fucking insane.

So many times where she’d rub against him ---on purpose as well as in her sleep--- and he’d be waking up rock hard and wanting nothing more than to fuck her good morning.

But they can’t do that, because after tomorrow it is over for good.

Or so they’ve been telling themselves this past week.

“Oh, how could I? You were like a very horny puppy most of the week.” She answered bemused. She’d been on edge all evening, terrified about tomorrow even if the procedure was rather simple and the doctor the best in California. “Slept on my tits because you said your pillows were lumpy.”

It was good for her to regain her usual good humor. Even if it drudge up memories that had the both of them wanting to regain what they lost.

He wanted to, but he had agreed to her terms because he didn’t want to push. She’d used him and she didn’t feel worthy of him, and Robert has disappointed his father enough to know he’s a fucking dumbass when comes to love.

His father would never forgive Eva for making a fool out of his son, but Robert was never on the same page as his dear old man.

“Please, those six weeks without sex was a nightmare for you too, Evie.” Robert pointed out and fought the urge to rut against it like a horny teenager.

“I missed you.” Evie admits and does something worse than grinding against him, she seeks out his hand and holds it like she used to do when she was troubled.

“I missed you too.” Robert admits as he interlaced his fingers with hers and held her tightly.

“I know I said I didn’t want us to give us another try, but ---” she stops herself fighting with the proud part of her that thinks she knows what’s best for the both of them.

“A do over would be nice. Once you’re recovered, if you need time to come around to it.” He didn’t let her change her mind and once again considered not going to Sydney this week.

He didn’t need to think about it, he’s had plenty of time this week. Robert had wanted his pound of flesh that day at her office, but then he ended up looking forward to seeing her each evening. Even as ‘friends’ he couldn’t imagine a better person to share his life with.

“No dream sharing this time.” Eva sets a new boundary; one he doesn’t pretend to agree with…for now.

“Agreed.”

This time he is the one rubbing his growing erection against her ass and this time they don’t stop doing it. Between her presence and knowing there’s still hope for them, Robert can’t seem to get himself under control.

Never been good at self-control, anyways.

“Doctor didn’t say anything about not having sex before the procedure, you know.” She supplies as a sigh escapes her lips.

“We don’t have to do it, Evie.” He protests half embarrassed at their predicament. The other half of him is letting his ex-girlfriend ---or just girlfriend since its inevitable that they’ll be getting back together by morning--- take his hand under her shirt and very obediently playing with her tits.

That time last week in the dining room had been a frantic fuck, of thinking that just one last time would be enough. Right now, it was knowing that desire won’t go away and why the should they deny themselves something they desperately needed.

“What I wanted you to fuck me, Robert?” such a crude question she said as he slid his free hand past the waistband of her sleeping shorts. “What if I told you the merely feeling you like this has me thinking about all those times we fucked until I couldn’t remember my own name?”

And she wasn’t lying, her pussy was wet and hot as his fingers toyed with it.

“Then I’d say your wish is my command.” His father was right in being disappointed with him, Robert could never live without Eva and this week had only proven it.

Robert’s hand leaves her chest and with ease he freed his aching cock from its confines as he entered her from behind with a groan.

No woman had been able to satisfy him like she did, and now he knows no one ever will.

He rocks against her, takes his time seeking ti make the night last as long as possible. Knowing Eva she may change her mind by the time the sun rose.

But for tonight, he is hers, she is his and nothing exists beyond the moment.

“Did you try to forget me like I did?” he asks thinking how she’d pretended not to care that his latest conquest had kept calling last week.

“No, didn’t want to.” She shook her head as he reminded her no other person could ever make feel like this.

They were made for each other, if such a thing existed. As if they had always been lifetimes ago.

He didn’t believe in soulmates, but she did.

“Then why fight it, why push me away, Evie?” he asks and clenched beautifully around his cock and Robert thanked his lucky stars there was no need for caution tonight.

“I don’t want to hurt you again.” The brunette answered as she lost herself to the pleasure.

As much as he wanted to make it last, it isn’t long before he takes her over the edge with him.

He hasn’t let go of her, not yet. “You won’t hurt me, I’m not as fragile as you think, sweetheart.”

#eva smith riley #robert fischer x oc #robert fischer smut #eva x robert #love's a state of mind fic

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snowydragon10 · 9 months ago

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I think we're approaching this... "Chapter" of the Showgrounds Saga from the wrong direction

Theory Time!!

(It's a bit of a long one, so take your time)

Ok, so we've all been thinking - most of us at least - that this would be SMG3's Focus Arc and his turn to get character development and/or Trauma via a big movie event, but it's not what we expected. When I asked myself why, I came to some questions and theories

So, we've seen the pattern so far, SMG4's Perfection, Meggy's Idolization, and then WotFI happened, which I think was SMG3's Chapter.

I think what happened was that WotFI was his main event. Instead of building up to the tension, they swapped it and had the big event first with the development after, henceforth all of the focus episodes after WotFI regarding his shop, his selfworth and his place with the Crew.

So, "If SMG3 already had his fair share of Puzzle/Adware interference, then who's the focus for this chapter?" You may be asking, and I have the theory:

It's actually Us the Audience

Think about it! There's always some kind of connection between each Movie/Chapter moving towards the next one! In IGBP, while rescuing SMG4, how did Meggy fight off SMG3? Her splatfest skills (Former Splatfest Champion Wren)!! In Western Spaghetti, what did SMG3 have that added to his character from that point onwards? His bombs (Coffe n' Bombs Cafe)!!

So now, what's one connection with WotFI and this one? We the *Audience* are allowed to add our input based on the situation! (The Heist Plan Votes and the Video Reviews!!)

Not only that, BUT when WotFI finished and we got that post credit scene, Mr. Puzzles didn't address just anyone. No, he wasn't talking to SMG4, he wasn't talking to Luke, Marty, or SMG3; he was talking DIRECTLY to us the *Audience* at the 4th wall!

Adware KNOWS that we're finally picking up the hints and pieces!! He finally acknowledged that we're ready for our turn!!

When the first movie came out and he appeared as that keyboard malware virus (when we dubbed him Adware), we didn't think much of it. We thought it was a one-off, a fluke, something to further the story via typical SMG4 Weirdness.

It wasn't until the Western Spaghetti movie hype was building up that everyone realized that there's a pattern happening. That was when fans started pointing out, "Hey! There's something Fishy going on (Ha), and here's the hidden clues to prove it!!". We became suspicious of that damn symbol, and became more vigilant... and then WotFI happened!!

(Addition: I feel like Adware was beginning to test how ready we were when we got that one Steam Link with Tari in an empty room and the TV at the front of the train. Yeah, it was to hype up the movie, but it was also almost like a... puzzle, you could say)

Which could explain why this time it isn't a movie event that lasts for one week, but instead nearly over an entire month! I theorize that Winston wants to test us for some reason, and for that, he needs to collect information. Information like maybe a certain interactive website with reviews. You can't get the audience involved with just a single movie, just saying. Plus, the fact that he said endless entertainment all Saturdays forever? Who's the most involved in that specific detail, hmm?

Also! The theme! Granted, I don't have much proof for this one, but the theme I've noticed is Nostalgia. Blue's Clues isn't something very important to any of the characters that got kidnapped (minus 4 hating content farms) but it can be something that a lot of us have a fond attachment to! Which Adware could use to his Advantage! What better way to get good reviews than to target what the audiences like?

(4th wall sidenote, after that TV song jingle, Winston glances over to the screen directly at Us)

Also, notice how weird it is that the Crew Members that got kidnapped are popular among the fandom? You know, characters that we've gotten attached to? (Don't tell me Bob doesn't have a fanbase of his own). Every time a "Victim" is targeted, their close friends end up getting dragged into the mess.

SMG4 (3, Megs and Mar)

Meggy (Tari, Mario, Axol, DESTI)

SMG3 (Eggdog got a Cameo, 4, Bob??)

Us (Our favorite characters)

....

So, all of this to say, we need to stay on our toes, especially for this chapter. Be wary and all of that. I may be overthrowing it, but hey, theorizing is fun!! What do you guys think?

#smg4 #I think I covered everything I thought of but if I missed something I might add it on later #insert charlie conspiracy board meme

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kitsune024 · 1 year ago

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Crossovers

Danny Phantom

The Boy King and the Dark Knights by @imjustkindaherelove | Chapters: 29/? | Danny & Jason, Age Regression/De-Aging, ghost king-more like prince, good parent Jason, funny misunderstandings, Identity reveal How Light Carries On (Endlessly, Even After Death) by BumblingBeesAndWillowTrees I Chapters 3/3 I Completed Eldritch Danny, Danny Adopts Jason Todd, Haunted House Dig Three Graves in Apartment 31c by @faeriekit I Chapter's 6/6 I Completed Danny has the role of Willis Todd, halfa Jason The Red Hood's Big Bad Guard Demon by @the-stove-is-on-fire I Chapters 1/? I Danny/Jason, Ice Sculptor Danny, Danny freaks Jason out here lol, High and unhinged Danny, Scarecrow's Fear Toxin oh lazarus, how did your debts get paid by @hollowmashiro I Chapters 1/1 I one shot Danny/Jason, Pre-Slash, Codependency, Soul Bond, Mind the Tags

Star Wars

When Sanity Runs Out by heretoday898 I Chapters 30/30 I Completed Roy & Jason, Bamf Jason, Canon Divergence, Fix it

Supernatural

Two Lives, One Soul by Spnfandom8 I Chapters 10/10 I Completed Dean & Jason are twin brothers, Bamf Dean, Bamf Jason

Jason's Favorite Vacation Spot: Death by @super-sock | Chapters: 18/18 | Completed Basically Jason dies again and comes back again and it keeps happening, Crack and Angst, Lazarus Pit

The first time was a fluke. The second time, okay, there were extenuating circumstances. However, a third time? This was getting suspicious. --- Jason keeps dying. He becomes more acquainted with the other side. Nobody really knows what's going on.

ghost story by @envysparkler | Chapters: 7/7 | Ghost Jason Todd, Fix-It, Whump, Batfamily, Grief/Mourning

Jason Todd dies in Ethiopia. Well. Kind of.

The Wayward Boy by @zootopon I Chapters 3/3 I soldier!jason, Jason Todd Grows Up, BAMF Jason Todd, Maturity, Personal Growth, Jason runs away from home

Jason’s 15. Not old enough to drink but still knows enough to break a man 10 different ways before they could blink. If that doesn’t make people question Bruce’s psychological state as a person, let alone a parent, then he doesn’t know what will. He runs because he's not needed anymore. Because Bruce took away everything that ever meant anything to him, leaving him as just plain old Jason Todd. He runs because at least he can keep his head held high.

Who I am. Who I’ll Never Be by @zootopon I Chapters: 32/? I Jason Wages War, Bamf Jason, Artemis/Jason

On the run from the Justice League and the Bats, Jason prepares to wage war on those he once considered family. They took something from him, he intends to take it back.

JT's Auto Shop foxykyuu15 I Chapters 28/28 I Jason Todd is a Member of the Suicide Squad, Time Travel, Alternate Universe, bamf Jason

There are two locations in Crime Alley that everyone knows are neutral territory: JT's Garage, and Flag's Bar situated two blocks over. The Alley's run by a Ghost story who goes by that very name and lives up to every rumor told about him. Whether this be the blood running down the streets of the Narrows during the gang war waged for the Alley or Ghost's merciless hits against those who defy his order. Even the kind smiles and open rooms without strings attached offered to the citizens of the Alley are true. Its been this way for three years now. Ghost has taken over Mask's territory, ran Penguin out, and shut down Two Face's operations. He has worked long and hard enough to secure a foothold & establish a system under his Code. And it works. It does. Three years is also enough time that Spoiler and Signal, the two newest Bats, begin to get a little too curious to see who the elusive Ghost really is. (Jason hadn't wanted to get involved with the Bats this time around. He wanted to clean up the Alley, work on cars with Santana, and maybe smoke some weed and drink some beer on the weekends when he wasn't out doing crime-lord shit. Fuck.)

Totentanz (La Danse Macabre) by Balrog_Roike | Chapters 1/1 | one shot Lazarus Pit, Possession, Dark fic, Horror, Ghosts

"Vengeance is nothing but justice long overdue..." The Lazarus Pit thinks so, too.

The Daughter of the Water by @chucklesbuckles I Chapters: 1/1 I one shot Lazarus Pit, White Haired Jason, Eldritch Jason-of a sort, doesn't say in tags - Possession, Dead Jason?

“To walk the world!” it croons, bright gold spilling over it’s cheeks, highlighting the springy white curls crowning it’s head. It bends, cold wet hands cradling Talia’s face, wiping her tears away. It places a soft kiss to her forehead, tucking a loose curl of hair behind her ear, torchlight eyes burning. “Thank you for the body.”

Call on Me by @wellthatjusthappend I Chapters 3/? I Clark & Jason, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff and Angst, Clark accidentally end up parenting, AU - Canon Divergence, Canon-Typical Violence

It wasn’t that Clark had never thought about having kids, but when he did it hadn't been like this. "Clark... Superman, help."

Bookmark Series

The Phoenix Never Dies by ForceMage56 I Part 1-4 I BAMF Jason Todd, Jason's in Arkham, Talia al Ghul/Selina Kyle, Torture, Psychological Torture, angry Jason, Angst, Jason's had enough

#jason todd #fic rec #fanfic rec #red hood #jason todd fanfiction #dcu #ao3 fanfic #star wars #jason todd fics #jason peter todd #dc fanfic #batman #red hood fanfiction #dc fanfiction #dp crossover #spn

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weiying-lanzhan-fics · 1 year ago

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Players gonna play by Scrippio

Absolutely loved this story! It made me laugh out loud many times and was a joy to read 🥰❤️

Also lots of in-depth storylines for the other characters as well!

Quotes:

Wei Ying goes through his pockets and tries to figure out if he has anything that he can pick the lock with. You know, if he could remember how to pick a lock.

He’s only managed to do it successfully the once, so it might have been a fluke, now that he thinks about it. Maybe he’s never successfully picked a lock, maybe he just brute-force opened it after a few weeks of messing with it.

“Can I help you?” someone says, behind Wei Ying.

And just when Wei Ying was going to see if brute force would work in this instance as well. Again, classic.

Wei Ying pastes a smile on his face and spins around.

He almost spins right back around because Jesus Christ, that is an attractive man. And Wei Ying is a raccoon gremlin trying to break into a fucking closet. Fuck.

Wei Ying forces his smile wider.

“I’m Wei Ying? The new director for the theater club? I’m supposed to be meeting with them soon and I wanted to get a better feel for the space?” Wei Ying says.

He swears, he’s not trying to ask questions, but he’s been thrown solidly off his game and now everything out of his mouth sounds like a valley girl impression.

————

“So,” Xichen says, once Lan Zhan sets out the tea.

And then he waits.

Classic mistake.

If he thinks Lan Zhan is going to pick the topic of conversation, they can just go ahead and sit in silence. Lan Zhan loves silence and he’s getting less and less of it as Wei Ying has started popping up with alarming regularity.

There’s no stopping him now that he knows where Lan Zhan’s desk is, and he’s just as likely to be in the dining hall or the library. Lan Zhan doesn’t know how Wei Ying keeps gaining access to all of these places without a campus id.

Not that Lan Zhan…it’s just that—he—there’s never any warning of where Wei Ying is going to be, so Lan Zhan has to be ready to be ambushed at any given moment. He’s so tense all day that his entire body hurts by the time he gets home.

T, 68.5k

Summary:

In which the Gusu University theater club is looking for a new beginning, starting with a new faculty advisor (Lan Zhan) and a new director (Wei Ying).

#wangxian #wei wuxian #wei ying #lan wangji #lan zhan #the untamed fic #wangxian fic rec #the untamed fanfiction #untamed fic #mdzs fic #modern au #college setting

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liugeaux · 10 months ago

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The Best Games of 2004 | 20 Years Gone

A long time ago, in the late 00s, I REALLY wanted to be a Video Games Journalist. I was writing and podcasting for local tech website Techpedition and we even worked our way to E3 2009. I was able to parley my mask of legitimacy into getting a couple dozen free games from publishers, but was never able to break into the "business".

It's fine, I've still paid super close attention to the industry and have a handful of podcasts that I follow. One thing that I missed out on was creating the end-of-year best-of lists that have become so popular with pundits of video games. Partially because I didn't have a big enough outlet for it to matter, but more so because I didn't have the resources to play all the relevant games within their release years to render a judgment.

I typically get around to playing all the games I'm interested in, but it usually takes me about 2-5 years. It's partially a time thing but mostly a budget thing. So, what this is, is the beginning of my trip through the last 20 years of video games. I'll be creating a top 10 list for the last 15 years and going forward, I'll post a new list every year of the top 10 from 5 years ago. That is assuming I keep up with it, lol.

These will be written as if they were published the year of the list, so there will be no references to future games or better sequels, etc. Let's get started. Travel with me back to the year 2004 which, news flash, is now 20 years ago.

#10 - Metroid: Zero Mission

Not only is Zero Mission a solid remake of the classic original Metroid, but it succeeds at both making it feel modern and ultimately super-playable, which isn't something you can say about the old NES game.

#9 - Prince of Persia: The Warrior Within

Much more agro than its predecessor, The Warrior Within builds on the foundation of the standout Sands of Time and smooths out a lot of the jagged edges, specifically in the combat department. Your mileage will likely be tied to how much you like Godsmack-itude, but POP2 is a great sequel.

#8 - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Paper Mario was a weird novelty and shadow follow-up to Super Mario RPG, but despite its clear creative direction, it was missing the character needed to fully succeed in the RPG space. The Thousand-Year Door has character in spades, and it will charm your staples off.

#7 - Sly 2: Band of Thieves

Making Sly Cooper into an open-world heist game took what was a decent platformer to the next level. Where the first game was a solid third place behind Ratchet and Clank and Jak and Daxter, Sly 2 makes the argument that it's a top-tier Sony series. Each mission matters and each of its characters is special.

#6 - Pikmin 2

Better than its predecessor in every way, Pikmin 2 shows the first game's primary game loop wasn't a fluke. The addition of Louie, as a second playable character who's played simultaneously with Olimar, adds a heightened level of stress, making each recovery mission a manic exercise in task prioritization.

#5 - Halo 2

Is Halo 2 as impactful as Halo: Combat Evolved? Not really. The story isn't stellar, and the surprise Arbitor missions are little more than a pallet swap, but dropping the proven Halo action onto the Xbox Live service is game and industry-changing. I'm not a multiplayer guy, but I enjoyed the single player and I recognize how important Halo 2's success is to gaming as a whole.

#4 - Mario vs Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong '94, on the Game Boy, is secretly one of the best games of 1994. Mario vs. Donkey is Nintendo fleshing out that idea and making an addictive puzzle platformer. It starts out simple and sweet and ends hard and satisfying. Had this been the direction the Donkey Kong franchise went rather than Rare's DK Country series, SNES games may have had a very different trajectory.

#3 - Spider-Man 2

Licensed games always suck. Movie tie-in games always suck. Spider-Man 2 is an anomaly on top of an anomaly and it's 100% powered by the Swinging mechanic Treyarch built for the web-crawler. It feels SO good to swing around NYC that it's hard to believe Spider-Man as a character wasn't created specifically for video games.

#2 - Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

R&C3 is undoubtedly a great game, I'd even say damn near perfect, but its placement this high on the list may seem a bit weird. That's where my opinion comes in. I'm a huge 3D platformer fan, it's probably my favorite genre. With that factored in with the depth and polish of this shiny new Ratchet game, #2 on the list doesn't seem so outlandish.

#1 - Half-Life 2

There's always talk of "importance" when it comes to works of art. Abbey Road is important, Michelangelo's David is important, and even A Clockwork Orange is important. Video Games, a medium that's still technically in its infancy, has only a handful of important titles. I'd say Half-Life 2 fits the bill. It's use of physics as a gaming mechanic is as technically impressive as it is clever. It's an FPS but it's not "just an FPS" and the mood and tone established throughout are as compelling as that of Blade Runner. Half-Life 2 is a stunner that will be studied for years.

Notable Omissions:

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - I've never liked GTA games. I respect their scope and ambition, but when it comes to playing them as games, GTA titles just stink.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - I've never gotten into the Metal Gear games and the more people yell at me to play them, the less I want to.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap - This one technically came out in North America in 2005. So, with me being from the US, It will hit next year's list.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords - I might end up playing this one eventually, but as of 2024 I have not.

What are your favorite video games from 2004?

See you next time. Cheers!

#Half Life #Half-Life 2 #Sly Cooper #Ratchet and Clank #Mario vs donkey kong #spider-man 2 #halo #paper mario #The Thousand Year Door #Prince of Persia Warrior Within #Metroid Zero Mission

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