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jackdawyt · 5 years ago

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Your bird is back with another Dragon Age 4 News Update! 🐦

For the first time this year, I’m doing a massive monthly news recap of everything we learned about Dragon Age 4 going forward (JUST) in the month of March, because slap my arse and call me Andraste, this month was huge for Dragon Age 4 updates, we’ve got a lot of exciting info to get into!

(Romance Tweets)

Calling all romance fans, you can bank on Dragon Age 4 to fulfil all of your intimate desires, perhaps even more so than the previous games. Jon Renish, Foundation Programming Area Director working on the next Dragon Age had a few things to say whilst watching a romance scene script read through:

“Don't want to alarm anyone, but I'm starting to think 'Dragon Age' games might be a bit randy.” (March 3rd)

‘Randy’, according to the Oxford Dictionary, means ‘sexually arousing’ and ‘exciting.’ So, we can prepare for that, whatever that is! Jon continues his tweet thread with:

“Well now it's all sad and sweet and emotional. I was not prepared for this rollercoaster.”

In true BioWare fashion, we’re going to have a lot of sexy times, however, brought together with moving and character developing moments – y’know, the ups and downs of the romance as the relationship builds and grows throughout the entire game experience.

“Oh, nothing like that. Just watching a script read through.”

Jon confirms that this was indeed a script read through, as we can tell reviewing a potential romance scene. As a romance advocate myself, I am very interested in the direction romances will be going in for Dragon Age 4. That is something that I will especially be keeping my eyes on.

(E3/EA Play 2020 Update)

EA Play and E3 2020 are generally the most expected places to see a new Dragon Age 4 reveal trailer.

E3 2020 has been cancelled due to the current outbreak, however, we’ve yet to be updated on the status of EA Play 2020. Of course, it is most certainly cancelled since the tickets for the show were supposed to drop this March. But, we still don’t know what will replace the show.

The teams behind E3 2020 are supposedly working on a digital showcase to display new announcements that would’ve been revealed on stage. We can only assume that EA will follow suite and do the same for EA Play, making it a digital show, like Nintendo’s Direct conferences.

Regardless, this is something that we’re going to have to wait and see until EA speak out, and when they do, I’ll be sure to cover that in a news update. I feel we could have a Dragon Age 4 reveal, with an expected release of 2022/2023, but with everyone hectic right now, I’m unsure.

(C Virus Update)

Speaking of hectic... with the current outbreak, EA have spoken and shared a statement about health and safety during these times:

(March 13th) “These are challenging times for everyone. We’re working to look after our employees and their families, and make sure we’re doing the right and responsible things to fight this pandemic illness.”

Thankfully, everyone working at BioWare have been asked to work from home. Justin Masse, Experience Designer working on the next Dragon Age tweeted he’s “working from home until April 1st", confirming the length of this situation.

According to Crystal McCord, Associate Producer of Performance Capture and VO, working at home has been very productive for the team at BioWare as they have “exceeded all expectations.”

So, it’s great knowing that despite the crazy situation in the world right now, BioWare developers are staying safe, working from home and progressing hugely on the next Dragon Age title!

(Slack Server)

(March 13th) While Mark Darrah was working from home, he tweeted a picture regarding his tiling progression, as he’s currently redesigning aspects of his home. However, in the very corner of Darrah’s picture lies a laptop screen with a Slack Server revealing many Dragon Age development secrets!

The server shows plenty of channels for the BioWare developers regarding specific work notes on all aspects of progression. A large amount of the channels are abbreviated to “MOR_” - which is most certainly shortened from ‘Morrison’, Dragon Age 4’s current project title as we know.

This list of the channels are endless, and I could spend forever looking into what exactly they all refer to regarding the production of the next Dragon Age game. We have one channel called ‘mor_announcement’ - does this hint at a new trailer to soon be showed off, or is it an old channel since The Dread Wolf Rises teaser? Are they planning an upcoming announcement? Surely, they would be right? Is that anytime soon?

Another channel is called ‘mor_da_week’ which from what I can assume stands for Dragon Age week? We have a Dragon Age Day created by the fans and made offical by BioWare, but a Dragon Age week, that’s something I’ve never heard of...

And there’s just plenty of channels referring to Dragon Age 4’s current development, there’s even a bad design ideas thread, an ask Mark anything chat, approvals on key aspects of the game, marketing assets, and so on!

It’s a gold mine of tidbits, orchestrated by none other than Mark Darrah, the Executive Producer on Dragon Age. He has once more tweeted a cheeky little tease that may appear mundane, passing a blind eye to it, however, when you take some time and actually look at what he’s posted, it reveals a nug-ton of info we can speculate on.

(New Associate Producer / Jobs)

Illustrator and Creative Professional “Mad Bee” has returned to work at BioWare, they previously worked on Anthem as an Art Quality Analyst. However, this time around, they are an Associate Producer, most likely working on Dragon Age 4.

And, following that, BioWare are currently hiring! I’ve seen this news piece get quite the few news articles, but I figured I could break this one down better, rest in peace PC Gamer.

So, indeed BioWare are hiring for many roles at the company, the most prominent role is a ‘Technical Director’ for ‘the next major title in one of BioWare’s most prestigious franchises.’

Considering Mike Gamble, the new project lead for the next Mass Effect game tweeted this hiring out, I’d assume this position is needed for the Mass Effect team who are also in Edmonton, opposite the Dragon Age team.

What’s most concerning about this job listing relating to the future of Mass Effect is that, according to the job requirements, the applicant needs to have experience ‘developing, debugging and optimizing AAA multiplayer games on PC or console.’

To throw away my suspicion that Mass Effect or Dragon Age are going to have a heavy multiplayer experience, I looked at the other job listings located at Edmonton’s studio and I discovered other job listings, like an Engine Programmer which require the same experience of developing and debugging games, however, without the multiplayer element.

So, perhaps BioWare have two teams, one working on the main single player element and the other working on the much smaller multiplayer aspect? I’d be naive to not reiterate the fact that future BioWare games are going to be live service, however, we still don’t know to what extent that will look like.

(Tevinter Nights)

Patrick Weekes teased that Dragon Age 4 is most certainly in Tevinter following there Tevinter Nights Book plug, however, Patrick still calls the next Dragon Age game an unannounced project? Which I don’t understand because The Dread Wolf Rises teaser trailer at The Game Awards 2018 most certainly confirmed that a new Dragon Age game is currently in production and has been announced.

Unless Patrick is calling it ‘still-unannounced' because they’re planning an announcement soon...

I feel like Patrick is just joking at the fact that the next game is most certainly set in Tevinter, considering PC Gamer made an article a while back stating that Dragon Age 4 is set in Tevinter based on the Tevinter Nights book reveal, it made plenty of the BioWare staff and community laugh at their credulous Journalism. So, it could just be that.

Anyhow, March has actually been an amazing month to be a Dragon Age fan! We had the final issue of Blue Wraith and the release of the anthological Tevinter Nights!

Tevinter Nights dropped plenty of story hints for the future of Dragon Age. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy, as of which, I’ve created plenty of content regarding all of the story threads uncovered in the novel that you should check out once you’ve read the book for yourself, I’ve still got more to content to come from Tevinter Nights too!

However, if you have not read it and very much care about the future of Dragon Age, which if you’re watching this video, you most likely do. So, you should go and read this book because we learn A LOT going forward for the future narrative of Dragon Age. The book is a huge spring board for the next game, so go and read it!

(Blue Wraith)

The final issue of Blue Wraith launched and as much as I enjoyed it, the comic ended on a cliff-hanger!

The lead writers Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir are hopeful for another comic to come, stating:

The two also spoke in a comic-centred interview by Deconstructing Comics about the direction of their entire Dragon Age comics. That since Knight Errant, their comics are created to prepare for a hypothetical Dragon Age 4, but not as a prologue or a plot for the next game. Nunzio suggested that fans should instead look at Tevinter Nights.

Nunzio shared on BSN Forums that hopefully the wait for the next comic won’t be as long as last time. Dragon Age: Deception came out through October – December of 2018, whereas Blue Wraith came out through January – March of 2020. So, perhaps the next comic run could come mid-2021.

(Future Books/Comics)

Speaking of future books and comics, just after I finished Blue Wraith and Tevinter Nights, I was asking myself what’s next to look forward to regarding Dragon Age content. However, on March 23rd we got not one, but two book announcements coming later this year.

Dropping on the 13th of October, BioWare are revealing a new development book, charting the legendary game studio's first 25 years in a massive retrospective hardcover book at $39.99. Perhaps we’ll learn more about Dragon Age 4’s previous iteration, project Joplin?

Following that, on October 27th, the five Dragon Age graphic novels are being put into a massive collection for $29.99.

This book collects Dragon Age: The Silent Grove #1-6, Dragon Age: Those Who Speak #1-3, Dragon Age: Until We Sleep #1-3, Dragon Age: Magekiller #1-5, and Dragon Age: Knight Errant #1-5.

But not Deception & Blue Wraith? Potentially they’ve left these two out because Dark Horse wish to progress with these comics, foreshadowing more comics in the future to come?

(Reddit Leak)

Moving on to a slightly weird, and most certainly fake-but-take-it-as-you-will-update... we have a reddit leak showing many upcoming games release dates, with some actually being accurate. Dragon Age 4 is listed here, and according to this leak, it’s releasing the 15th of November, 2020. Again, most certainly fake, but take it as you will.

Speaking of fake leaks, a 2018 leak for Dragon Age 4’s contents has resurfaced, and oh boy is this thing fake. I feel like dissecting this thing as a separate video just for a laugh, but tell me down below if that’s a good idea or not.

With that, that’s all the updates we had in March! We’re three, almost four months into 2020, as crazy as this year has been so far. I’ve already created plenty previous news updates, so if you need to be caught up to date, or you’ve missed an update, or you’re just stuck inside and need something to put your mind at ease - I have a news playlist with every single major update regarding Dragon Age 4’s development, so be sure to check that out.

I hope you all are holding up okay and staying safe, distract yourself by telling me some of your own hopes for the next Dragon Age game, it can be anything you'd like to see! Personally, I'd love to see Vaea make any appearance in DA4!

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aftgficrec · 5 years ago

Note

Any fics that the foxs have powers or are supernatural. Like darkest minds and x-men type stuff. Or just have neil has abilities.

There are quite a lot of superpower fics in the fandom! Many of them are unfinished, but you can find the Darkest Minds AU you’ve been craving in ‘The Darkest Hearts’ previously recommended here. You can find Spiderman AUs here, ‘The Fall’ here, ‘We could be heroes’ here, and some with powers in the Urban magic post here. Below we included one recently updated incomplete fic and several complete ones for your enjoyment. -F

The Raven Academy by gladiatorgrl2703 [Rated M, 24462 words, Incomplete, Last Updated 2020]

Umbrella Academy AU. When Tetsuji Moriyama adopted seven superhuman children in 1989, he had every intention of making them an unstoppable crime fighting team, at any cost. The trauma as a result of his methods tore the family apart, killed one, caused one to disappear, and the remaining five got out in their own way.

Now, between their fathers death and the reemergence of their long-lost brother, the Raven Academy is tasked with stopping the impending apocalypse in any way possible.

(tw: abuse, tw: violence, tw: major character death)

Vigilante by freefall [Rated T, 1556 words, complete, 2017]

Andrew was just trying to get some ice cream and a pack of cigarettes. He certainly didn't ask to get trapped in a hostage situation. The would-be robber was waiting for the superhero Teflon to arrive. The only problem: Teflon was already there, without a mask and without his damn cigarettes.

Who Cares About Christmas? by CrownOfAloe [Rated G, 10459 words, complete Aftg Reverse Big Bang 2019]

“Look, I know we don’t really do Christmas as the Titans, but maybe we can go for it this year?” Neil said softly, “We can do the whole tree and presents thing?”

The Problem with Flying by TheBashfulPoet [Rated G, 4798 words, complete, Aftg exchange 2019]

Andrew has a problem and it starts and ends with Neil fucking Josten. At first, he was only annoying — always popping into Andrew’s life at the most inconvenient times and making it more complicated at every turn. Then he was amusing, a break from the mundane that were people and his daily life. But now, now he was just a problem — a problem Andrew was finding that he didn’t know how to handle or solve.

Or 3 times Andrew has to hide his secret identity from Neil + 1 time he didn't

(tw: comic book violence)

I'm No Hero by PaintedYertle [Rated G, 5708 words, complete, Aftg Winter exchange 2018]

Neil thought he would never see the day Andrew Minyard would laugh manically.

The Foxes are a team of reformed villains and henchmen, so it isn't much of a surprise to them when one of them slips back into old ways. It's up to Neil to tether Andrew back before he goes too far in the other direction.

(tw: violence, tw: scars)

Avengers Assemble by gluupor [Series, Rated M, 49441 words, Complete 2018]

part 1: Not a Perfect Soldier [8165 words]

A prologue for my Avengers AU, because how exactly did runaway Neil Josten become Captain America, war hero and national icon?

In which Neil is captured, makes some friends, undergoes experimentation, saves a lot of people, joins the army, spends some time in the South Pacific, and crashes a plane. More or less in that order.

part 2: It Always Ends in a Fight [41276 words]

Something has to be done. Science is advancing rapidly, creating enemies and weapons that standard security forces can't stand against. People are gaining superpowers, attack robots are being built, dangerous new chemical compounds are being engineered.

SHIELD director David Wymack has an idea: to bring together a group of extraordinary individuals to deal with the threats that no one else can.

He calls it the Avengers Initiative.

(tw: violence, tw: implied/referenced noncon, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: nonconsensual drug use, tw: nonconsensual body modification, tw: brainwashing, tw: implied/referenced suicide)

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dibblesnibbles · 5 years ago

Text

I have this really bad habit of starting on something and either never continuing it or never getting pass the outlining and coloring phases which ment it was never finishing and upload. So the following couple things are a few examples of my stupid little mistakes of where I completely stop working on it and forgetting about it...sorry if this post is formatted badly...I wrote this on my phone and it too late to go open my computer and fix it there

I started this lil comic in 2017 though sadly only page 1 of this comic was ever completely created. The other page where sketch out but they never got through the outlining and coloring phases which ment they were never posted. The comic itself isn’t being discontinued but it is instead being redone and rewritten as it’s original story was more like “go with the flow” type of story. This was also created during the time when majority of my ocs where either pichu’s or pikachus, though most of my ocs are still a mix of the two now there are more ocs that no longer are Pokemon like creature and are instead part of own created species/creatures.

The next two pictures are of my first comic Cursed Souls which was created in 2015 but was put on haitus and eventually was kinda discontinued(will explain in a bit) in 2017. Though unlike the WOS comic this one had at least 10 pages completed and posted. This comic was meant to be like a explanation to my ocs/fan oc and the world that they live. Though like the WOS story, this story was a “go with the flow” type of story too. Which ment that I made up the story as I finished the next page. Unsurprisingly that was a bad idea as I eventually lost the original plot of the story and lost insterest in it. I kept updating the last page I created with either “next page will be up soon”, “sorry but school has me busy so next page will be delayed”, or my favorite “the comic is currently in haitus but will be back eventually”. Of course all those phrase were mostly lies as I kept forgetting to work on the next page.... The first pic is page 1 and the second one is Page 10.

Remember how I said that CS was “kinda discontinued”? Well as of recently I had decided too continue that old comic but this time the story is being done differently too how it was originally done and now it has a completely different ending. Also art is now somewhat decent compared to how it was way back then. The name even switched to Broken Souls since I thought that it made more sense with how the new story’s plot is now. Though most of the characters are more or less the same there are a few new ones that have been added to the story to make the cast a little more diverse...

The picture below is the cover page to the prologue of the story...this is of course another thing that is different from the original story which had no such thing as a cover.

The final thing to this somewhat long post is not a comic but instead some project(was created in mid 2018, temporary put on hiatus at the end of 2018, and was restarted at the beginning of 2020) that I had been inspired to work on, though I won’t really say what it is as it’s still a secret that no one other than myself knows about it. So yeah I lied you won’t get a picture for this story but instead I can say that the story for this secret project has been completely altered from the original one and now has a completely new ending that is a bit complicated and convoluted with a little bit of a twist to spice things up.

I do want to say that when I made these things, I did it under the intention that no one would really look at them or would not have any interest in my stuff(exactly with how it is here on tumblr and twitter...I already had a bad history of tracing when I first started making...”art”...so I new from the start that I was making this for myself and only myself.

I did have some people watching my account though I was pretty sure that 90% of my watchers were either dead accounts or bots(the other 10% were the few friends that I somehow made)

Though knowing this, maybe that’s why I began to lose interest in making art as it be for no one in general(like it is now). Most of my friends that I made on DA are gone especially after the new update that site went through. Now a days I focus more on my school and video games than my own art, even started to question why I was still going to school...though now I’m to far into school too give up

Must stay neutral ya know and keep a decent grade so that I don’t lose my scholarships(the many few that I somehow have)

Really I completely don’t think I can function even remotely normal in this odd world if you want me to be completely honest. Though that isn’t something that you should know about me. Completely unnecessary information.

Jesus what the actual fuck

#small ramble #small rant #who even looks at theses anyway #do you look at theses sib?#bet you do #love ya sib person stranger thing

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ironwoman359 · 6 years ago

Note

Could you let us in on the wips you’re working on right now?

Oh, goodness. I have so many. But now’s as good a time as any to talk about all of them at once, I suppose! If you’ve started following me recently and haven’t read some of these, check them out, even though some of these haven’t been updated in awhile (like, over a year, some of these, oh my gOODNESS), I still love each of them dearly. They are my children, and they will EVENTUALLY be finished!

Here are all the stories that have more than one part released:

- Our Own Villain - What starts as a seemingly innocent trip to Roman’s room turns into a battle of survival and a quest to defeat a villain that Logan, Patton and Virgil never would have expected…Roman himself. Released: Prologue & Chapters 1-7. Last Updated: 04/24/2019.

- Paws and Claws - In a kingdom where practicing magic is outlawed and mythical creatures are being hunted, Patton is caught in the crossfire between the two sides of the fight. Only an act of pure, selfless love will lift his curse and return his life to normal…but who could ever love a monster like him? Released: Prologue and Chapters 1-2. Released on the sideblog @paws-and-claws-au. Last Updated: 04/14/2019.

- Lost and Found - Thirty years ago, the young son of the king vanished without a trace from the palace. So imagine the surprise of Roman, Knight of Sorsia when he discovers Prince Virgil locked in a cursed castle, deep in an enchanted sleep. He rescues the still young prince and brings him home, but the danger that stole him away still lurks in the shadows. Released: Chapter 1 (Castle of Whispers) and 2 (Coming Home). Last Updated: 08/18/2018.

- Fear of Falling - As Thomas matures throughout his childhood and youth, the sides of his personality develop alongside him, growing and changing over time just as he does. Fear Anxiety Virgil struggles to find his place among the others in the mindscape. Released: Chapters 1-3. Last Updated: 08/11/2018 (this story is on hold, I’m thinking of revising it in the future).

- Of Dusk and Dawn - Patton, a bright, bubbly, and curious fairy of the sunrise meets Virgil, a quiet, timid spirit from the shadow realm. The two have every reason to hate each other, not the least of which being their peoples being age old enemies, but naturally, they start to form a friendship…maybe something even more. But no one else can find out…they’d be in SO much trouble if they were discovered…. Released: Chapters 1-3. Last Updated: 03/28/2018.

AUs (with sideblogs)

*note that both of these are constantly ongoing, though lately the marvel au hasn’t had that many updates, while, the sanders sanctuary has been more active. This does not mean I’m abandoning the Marvel AU! If I put something anywhere on this post, then it’s a story I intend to finish.

- Sanders Sides Marvel AU - AU where Thomas is a mutant with the ability to manifest parts of his personality. S.H.I.E.L.D. discovers this ability, and before he knows it he finds himself in training to be an agent, and under consideration for something called the Avengers Initiative. Released: This story is told through a combination of posts formatted as S.H.I.E.L.D. files or correspondance, fic installations, and there is also an askblog, @ask-agent-sanders.

- Sanders Sanctuary AU - A G/t (Giant/tiny) AU where Thomas is a human who runs a sanctuary for borrowers with his friend Deacon. They start out small, but they have a dream to end inhumane treatment of borrowers, and they won’t stop until they’ve achieved it. Released: This story is also told through a combination of asks on the askblog, @sanders-sanctuary-au, and fics.

Stories that only have one part released, but that I want to continue sometime in the future:

- Tooth and Claw - Patton is a dragon who hoards something most dragons consider rather unconventional…stuffed animals. But one night, he finds something far more precious…and he can’t bear to leave the poor kiddo all alone. Future plans: I want to show more of Virgil interacting with what basically becomes his logicality dragon dads, I have plans for introducing Roman as a character, and I want to have some payoff for that backstory I set up with the dragon that hoards princesses.

- Secret Identity - Patton is a news reporter who has had several encounters with a winged superhero dubbed “The Guardian Angel.” This unfortunately puts him on the radar of some unsavory people, and he ends up kidnapped, grilled for information on the winged hero’s identity. Future Plans: I want to have Patton and the Guardian Angel beat the bad guys! Probably something involving another kidnapping scene and some good old fashioned “no please don’t hurt him hurt me instead” stuff that ultimately ends in their victory.

So yeah!

Those are all the stories that I currently have on my plate. Not even mentioning every time I decide to write a oneshot and post it, or the two ideas I have for more chaptered fics that I WILL not start right now because good LORD I have too many of them as you can see XD. But yeah, check out those works if they look interesting, or my other works of various types, you can find them all here. Thanks for the question, friend!

#taylor talks #my writing #asks and answers

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nanigma · 6 years ago

Text

Leon Fanbook Translation: Questionnaire Results

Link to the Takumi Fanbook

Introduction

Profile

Famous Lines

Relationships

Leon&Kamui + Words of Love

Daily Routine + Cooking Showdown

Fashion Check

Dream Change

Interview

Sorry for the wait, but there was just so MUCH text involved in this update. I think I spent about 10 hours total translating this over the past weeks. It had even more text than the Takumi version, since they added some additional comments and reader answers. Just one more update to go after this one and I’ll have finished it. Gonna take a break from translating for a while after I get back to the promised translations I couldn’t do in the meantime.

Part time job is still going and paying decently well. Still, more always helps, so if you’d like to support my work, consider buying me ko-fi or two.

- All the photos on this post were taken by the lovely @zaziki7

My comments in italics

Questionaire Results

Pages 40-41

Page 40

The part were you and me talk about Prince Leon!

When we commemorated the release of our Prince Leon magazine, we also send out a questionare through the official Nintendo Dream twitter account. For 10 days, from July 13th 2018 to the 23rd, we accepted 560* filled out questionnaires and will now publish the results. We will convey the intense and simply overwhelming love that Leon's fans have for him, their explanations for it, and the heartfelt well-wishes towards him.

*Interesting to note that Takumi had 627 questionnaries filled out.

Questionary Demographic

Gender = Backed overwhelmingly by women!

Graph

Women: 89,5%

Men: 7.3%

Unspecified: 3.2%

Age = Over 80% in their teens and twenties!

Graph:

Twenties: 50.4%

Teens: 28%

Thirties: 16.5%

Unspecified: 2.8

Fourties and older: 2.1%

These are the results. The percentage of Leon's female fans almost reaching 90% is a deviation that surpasses all imagination. Surely the percentage of women is as high as it is, because we were asking for a magazine. Conversely, isn't it sort of unfair that male fans of „Fire Emblem“ do not have a character fanbook appealing to them? At least that's what we think... Gentlemen among fans, raise your voice!

They already get 90% of the figurines. I think they are more than compensated.

Q1. (Of course Leon's most attractive feature is that pretty face of his!)

“What about Leon do you like? Please choose three options.“

Graph (no actual numbers given, so I'll just approximate)

His face: ~325

His voice: ~200

His heart: ~225

His outfit: ~75

His behaviour: >75

His strength: ~125

His retainers: ~25

Everything: ~250

Q1. Picking out the other answers:

“The way he uses magic!!“

Zola: “I-is this my cue?“

Odin: “Not you. Sit down.“

Other answers: How he feels inferior to his older brothers. It's quite human./ His slight clumsiness/ When he acts like an older brother/ How he is sweet to his brother or sister, even when facing them as enemies/ How he is kind to both his family and subordinates/ His lower eyelashes/ (English comment passing through) Smart, condescending, well written character, and a great unit to boot. His design with the black and purple designs reflect light beautifully/ How he always does his best to use his wits to approach others with nonchalant friendliness and to dodge the scrutiny of his opponents./How he is the kind of man, who, while not always used to flirting and occasionally showing surprise, will take the lead when it comes down to it and spoil his partner./ First answer repeats here for some reason/ How his character, face, magic and entire existence make him the very image of a stud. But I also like his less icy character traits a lot.

Q1. Picking out the other answers:

“His lower eyelashes!!”

Aqua: “Yes... Leon's eyes are quite sharp.”

Zero: ”That’s not what you should be paying attention to...”

Page 41

Q2. (Cute? Cool? In either case, he makes you want to protect him!)

“How would you describe your feelings for Leon? Please choose 3 options.“

Graph

Cool: <400

Cute: <450

Strong: >150

Healing: ~250

Want to snuggle up to him: <150

Hope to interact with him: >50

Beautiful (and other answers): <5

Other answers: Even though he is an excellent take on the old-school, collected hot guy, I always love it when his collar is inside out./ I want to spoil him/ I want to worship him/ I want to pat his head/ I want to support his feelings for Camilla/ I want to see his sleeping face/ I want to watch him from afar/ I think it's very human how he appears to be able to do anything, yet there are many things he cannot do/ etc.

Leon ol’ pal, there is actual support for your darkest secret out there...

Q2. Picking out the other answers:

“I envy your popularity!!“

Marx: “Who? Who could have left this answer....”

Macbeth: “W-Why are you looking at me?”

Q2. Picking out the other answers:

“I want to marry him!“

Elise: “Eh, then I want to marry him too!”

Camilla: “My... stealing isn't nice, alright?”

Am I really supposed to believe Elise is in her teens? Also, what is this family?

Pages 42-43

Page 42

Q3 (Those fleeting moments, where he breaks from his cold-hearted and unfeeling persona show Leon's true self!)

“Tell us which one of Leon's scenes and lines is the best of them all.“

1st Place (at 34.8%): Birthright Chapter 18 – Prince Leon of Nohr: His scene with Kamui after the map is cleared.

“... I lied, sister. I lied about hating you.“

2nd Place (at 20.5%): When doing a critical attack.

“Turn to dust already!“

3rd Place (at 18.2%): Prologue Chapter 1 – Nohrian Brethren: Scene with Kamui

“Eh!? My collar is inside out!? T- Then say so already...“

Other answers: Birthright Chapter 18: “The true blackness will paint over everything... your life, your future, it will all come to nothing...“/ Birthright Chapter 18: “That's quite the thing to say. If you keep looking, it should become obvious soon enough. Come on, I am already... this close after all.“/ A-Support with Odin: “It doesn't matter which world you go to, you'll always continue to be my retainer.“/ A-Support with Elise: “Yeah. Even if we only share half of our blood, even if all we are doing comes to naught.... so long as we accept each other, our bond will not be torn.“

Q4. (With the way it makes his pale skin shine, the Dark Knight outfit is far and away the most popular!)

“Tell us which one of Leon's possible classes (outfits) is your favourite!“

Graph:

Dark Knight: 79.7%

Sorceror: 0.6%

Butler: 0.4%

No percentages from here

Strategist

Dark Flier

Grandmaster

Others

Below graph box

Overwhelming approval for the Dark Knight! Straddling his horse adorned with golden ornaments, the armour carrying the elegance of the night sky, and the garments lightly dancing around his figure proudly represent the official outfit of Prince Leon! It's befitting of a king!

Translating this made me come close to crying from frustration.

Page 43

Q5 (The bond between master and servants are strong! Zero and Odin come at number one and two!)

“Tell us which character is your favourite besides Leon.“

1st Place: Zero (at 111 votes)

2nd Place: Odin (at 61 votes)

3rd Place: Elise (at 57 votes)

4th Place: Marx (at 45 votes)

5th Place: Camilla (at 38 votes)

6th Place: Takumi (at 36 votes)

7th Place: F!Kamui (at 32 votes)

8th Place: M!Kamui (at 30 votes)

9th Place: Foleo (at 21 votes)

While within the story, the bonds between the Nohrian siblings run deep, the popularity of Leon's group in general is superior even to that. But Zero has the most overwhelming support of them all. When adding in his personal history, one can't help but grin at seeing the viscously distant Zero having close banter with Leon. Surprisingly (?) big brother Marx beats out Kamui and gets into 4th place.

Pages 44-45

Page 44

Q6. (Most think he seems the type to join a social sciences type of activity like the student council! On the other hand, many also believe he wouldn't join any club at all.)

“If Leon went to a modern day school, what kind of club do you think he'd join?“

Graph

Student Council: ~70

None: >50

Literature/Literary Club: <45

Chess Club: ~35

Equestrian/Horse-Riding Club: >25

Science Club: >25

Gardening Club: <25

Wind Instrument Club: >20

Book/Reading Club: <20

Astronomy Club: >15

Tennis Club: ~15

Shogi Club: ~15

Chemistry Club: >10

Supernatural/Occult Club: ~10

Fencing Club: ~10

Art Club: 10

Other: History Club/ Basketball Club/ Board Game Club/ Mathematical Research Club/ Soccer Club/ Light Music Club/ Magic Club/ Theater Club/ Debate Club/ Broadcasting Club/ Science&Engineering Club/ Newspaper Club/ System Appliances Club/ Go Club/ Conversational English Club/ Table Tennis Club/ Tomato Appreciation Club/ Handicrafts Club/ Swimming Club/ Biology Club

Most answers we received weren't about any club activities, but the school council!! No matter the circumstances, he still gives off a regal image. On the opposite extreme, many were opting for him to not join a club at all, probably reflecting his attitude of wanting to make his own path without being tied down by other people. The other answers referred to his demonstrated rationality and reasoning with clubs such as the literature and literary clubs, or his desire to raise tomatoes with the gardening club. Within the 'Other' answers, there was certainly a theme centering around the „Debate Club“ (likely because Leon is skilled at fighting with words alone).

Q7. (So Leon really is the the indoor type? Books were his key item* all along.)

“You are going on a date with Leon! Where do you think you'll go?“

*dating sim reference

Graph

The library: ~70

An art gallery/museum: <50

Some kind of tomato plantation: ~45

A spot from which to gaze at the night sky: ~35

A high-class restaurant: >30

The cinema: ~30

A stylish café: ~25

An aquarium: <25

A planetarium: >20

A theme park: <20

Some Nohrian place: >15

His place: ~15

Others: ~140

Other answers: Watching a play at the theater/ The park/ The cinema (this was already in the graph?)/ A forest/ His home/ My Room (as in the Fates one)/ A flower field/ An antique shop/ Exploring the castle/ A place from which to watch the night sky filled with stars/ We'd have walks from the Sakurahommachi station in Nagoya, where I would drag Leon, who hates getting his feet wet, to the beach. We'd visit the Landmarktower in Yokohama and see the whole city sprawled out below from the viewing platform. Then finally, while riding a ferry's wheel, I'd want to watch as Leon would blush and become embarassed at failing to work up the courage to congratulate me on my birthday by the time we reached the top./ To an orchestra performance/ A botanical garden/ A horse ride/ A curiosity shop for tomes/ A haunted house

Some have clearly put more thought into this than others...

Leon love for tomatoes is carried by a deep knowledge of them! Speaking of, the library, art galleries and museums, are places that do the most to challenge his intellectual mind. Next is something normal people would never have thought of: A tomato plantation. Probably to go gather tomatoes. Enjoying your favourite person's favourite together must be a very fun activity. It makes us imagine Leon with a carefree smile on his face.

Page 45

Q8. (While his image is all over the place, the common feature happens to be the intellectual elite!?)

“If Leon were to enter the modern workforce, what kind of job do you think he would have?“

Graph

Something IT-related (including management): ~60

Scholar/Researcher: ~30

Lawyer: ~25

Company President/ Member of a Company President's family: <25

Company Employee: >20

On a Tomato Plantation: <20

Secretary: ~15

Teacher: <15

Company Manager: ~10

Marx's Confidant: <10

Government Employee: <10

Company director: <10

Librarian: <10

Doctor: <10

Bureaucrat: >5

Others: ~190

Other answers: Accountant/Whatever it is, he'd be wearing a suit/ Strategist/ Flower Shop Owner/ Human Resources/ System Engineer/ Diplomat/ Public Prosecutor/ Model/ Greengrocer/ Actor/ Employee at a pharmaceutical company/ Policeman/ Administrative Scrivener*/ Day Trader/ Playing in an Orchestra/ Bank Employee/ Designer/ Investor/ Translator/ Real Estate Agent/ Publisher/ Bartender/ He'd come from a good family, graduate from a famous university, find employment at a leading company and be a very promising newcomer there./ Idol/ Astronaut/ Free-lance Designer

*From Wikipedia: Administrative Scrivener(行政書士 Gyōsei shoshi)is a legal profession in Japan which files government licenses and permits, drafts documents, and provides legal advice around such interactions.

What overshadows the minority opinions are results strongly influenced by Leon's reputation as a schemer. He, who even during the plot stuck to his own methods and views, would surely acquire expertize the business world of our time and establish himself with his own abilities in the blink of an eye. Futhermore, most people see Leon at the top of some kind of organization, rather than below someone like Marx, when our previous impressions of him saw him as someone's number 2.

Q9. (The impression of him having a preferance for scientific subjects is strong! It's surprising to see English were it is... we assumed it would be German.)

So it's semi-officially confirmed that Nohrians are meant to speak German?

“If Leon was a teacher at a school, what kind of subject do you think he'd teach?“

Graph

Math: >100

Natural Sciences: >75

Chemistry: ~55

English: >45

Physics: ~45

Science: >25

Japanese ('Native Language'): ~25

History: <25

Biology: ~20

Social Studies: <20

History/World History: >15

Others: <30

Other answers: Economics/ Ethics/ Philosophy/ Civics/ Music/ Art/ Geography/ Magic

The impression that Leon is the science type was certainly shared by many, so as a result Math and the Sciences all stand at the top. His Strategist class (That is a tactician. Many have pointed out that in our age it would propably translate to being an expert speculator) also left quite the impact on these results. Although it's possible to say his love for books within the story has certainly been noticed, even when considering at answers for subjects like socials sciences, Japanese and English, the overwhelming majority still leans towards scientific subjects. While strict his methods would also be precise, so there can be no doubt he'd make an excellent teacher.

Pages 46-47

Page 46

Q10. (This is a bit biased, but it's the cool Leon we are talking about, so we want to hear his whispers full of sarcasm.)

“Tell us the one line you would want to hear from Leon.“

1st Place: “You really have the worst luck.“

2nd Place: “Turn to dust already!“

3rd Place: “I love you“*

*It shows both „Aishiteru“ and „Daisuki“ here, both of which are commonly translated as „I love you“. However, Aishiteru is a lot stronger in meaning than Daisuki. You wouldn't say that in everyday life even to your spouse of 10 years. It's inappropriate for all but the most dramatic situations. Like 'someone is dying' dramatic. This has been a language PSA.

Other answers: “How foolish“/ “My collar isn't inside out, right?“/ “My collar is inside out“/ “... Good grief, you really can't be trusted without me around.“/ “Jeez... looks like I have no choice. I'll protect you.“/ !You are pretty lucky.“/ “Eh... Sister you are sca-... Too close! You are too close!“/ “Do you want to eat tomatoes with me? Sister?“/ “I love you“/ “Are you stupid“/ “Despicable fool.“/ “Death shall be your redemption.“/“Look only at me, think only about me.“/ “I love you.“/ “Can I hug you?“/ Upon telling him his collar is inside out: “Ugh, say so earlier!“/ “I'll destroy you with black arts.“/ “Jeez, I'm no match for big brother.“/ “Pull yourself together, sister.“/ “Feel free to become Foleo's wife“/ “It's a lie that I hate you.“/ “That was well done.“/ “Welcome home.“/ “I want to eat your miso soup.“ *chokes*/ “Thank you for cleaning everyday“ (Maid setting)/ “How clumsy.“/ “You are always hard at work. I expect much from your services.“/ “Aren't these clothes inside out? Eh? That's how they are designed? Uhh...“/ “My collar is inside out!? … Tell me that sooner!“/ “Huh...?“/ “Traitors are a disgrace to the Kingdom of Nohr. Death shall be your redemption.“/ (In English) “I love you so much, please love yourself.“/ “You really can't do anything without me.“/ “Do you also want a tomato?“ (as in eating one)/ “Let's eat tomatoes together.“/ “I love it when you turn redder than a tomato.“/ “Don't say I have a woman's face.... I'd rather have you say that I'm cool instead of cute.“/ “Isn't your coat inside out as well? … Hehe, I'm kidding.“

Everyone's love is bursting from these answers. We can fully understand both the group that wants to be disparaged and the group that wants to be treated gently. Seeing just how many fans aren't satisfied with just a tsundere, but desire a cheeky little brother who verbally abuses them, we get the feeling we have found Leon's true appeal.

Kinkshame 100% appropriate.

Page 47

Takumi VS. Leon!!

Just like in this book, we also made a questionary to celebrate the release of the „Prince Takumi of Hoshido“ fanbook. Both of the questionaries included 5 questions pitting Leon and Takumi against each other. Although it appeared mostly like a popularity contest, we also gathered many responses and explanations that were overflowing with love. Although we have obviously published these answers in the Takumi fanbook as well, we will be publishing the comments that came with choosing Leon only in this magazine.

Q11. (Their popularity is almost exactly the same! Those who answered with something else mostly commented about how they „wanted to watch team X from afar.“)

“If you had to choose a side between them, which one would you pick?“

Graph

Leon: 45.1%

Takumi: 43.9%

Others: 11.0%

Q12. (Although they share many of the same habits and outlooks, it seems Takumi came out on top on this one.)

“Who do you think makes for the better father?“

Leon: 48.8%

Takumi: 51.2%

Reasons for choosing Leon: He praises Foleo from the dephts of his heart. He is able to truly accept him./ He hasn't known love from either of his parents, so he seems to put great effort into raising his child/ He seems very good at giving out praise!/ As a strategist he seems like he's be great at planning out child-rearing and lifeplans./ Because he seems to have an understanding of his child as a human being/ After apologizing to his son for rejecting him without even listening to his side, he is able to come to a mutual understanding with him/ Because he seems great at applying the carrot-and-stick method/ Because he is someone who holds his family dear. Together with his child he is able to learn from both success and failure and grow as a person./ Since he knows what he wanted for his own childhood/ He seems great at calming people down/ He seems the type to help his kids with their studies

Q13. (Just like with Question 12, Leon comes up short in the results. Could it be that he is a bit of a complex father figure?)

Could it??

“Whose son/daughter would you want to be?“

*I orginally translated this question wrong in the Takumi fanbook. The additional ansers here gave it context. I’ll correct it there as soon as I get around to it.

Leon: 43.6%

Takumi: 56.4%

Reasons for choosing Leon: While he is strict, he seems like he'd take care when teaching magic arts./ Although I also want to be Foleo's sibling, mostly I just want to be praised by Leon./ If I conveyed my love for him all sweet, I am sure he'd be grateful./ I'd have a beautiful daddy/ Because I could support Foleo no matter what his dreams were/ He seems very cold, but I think his love runs deep/ Because he seems the type to passionately devote himself to helping me study/ Human nature/ I want him to praise me by saying „That's my child!“/ He seems like he'd be a good hugger when he is in the mood to spoil/ He'd probably be a doting father/ Although he seems like he'd be a very careful father, I want to be there to see him be careless at times/ I want to see how his usually calm presentation as a father gets disrupted by his subordinates/ Because Team Leon has Zero in it/ Although he'd deny it at first, someday he'd become a father who understands his love for his child./ Because I want to have a knowledgable father/ Although cruel, he is nice to his friends and family/ It'd be fun being around Zero and Odin from a young age.

Q.14 (Their popularity is the same here, leading them to share perfectly identical results! There were several heated comments explaning the decision!

“If you could have one of them as your own child, which one would you choose?”

Graph:

Leon: 50%

Takumi: 50%

Reasons for choosing Leon: Although he'd be a bit careless, I can see him becoming a son worth boasting about./ I want to coddle him/ He'd be an obedient child growing up. Also, since he's grow up to be very beautiful I would want to dress him up a lot./ He would probably need to be helped out a lot, which is just too cute!/ Because I want to spoil Leon!!/ Because I want a well-mannered child/ I want to watch over him with a smile whenever he is clumsily rushing through life/ Because being both smart and friendly is very cute!/ Because I want to defeat Leon's unbelievable loneliness with praise!/ I want Leon to have more confidence in himself/ Until I die, I want to continue seeing Leon as an irreplacable presence in my life, more valuable than anyone else./ I hope to decrease Leon's inferiority-complex even a little/ Since he is starved for motherly-love, I want to be the one to show it to him/ Because I want to feed him lots of delicious tomato dishes/ So we can read lots of books together/ He seems to be the obedient, quiet type/ Since Leon's relationship with his mother can't be called good, I want to raise him lovingly this time around./ He|d be a smart, hard-working son to boast about/ Because I want to have him enter a boy's choir group/ He is just so cute!

Anyone else get the feeling some of these people would be better served with a doll than a child?

Q.15 (An indoor type like Leon can't hope to compete in this with an outdoor type like Takumi...)

“If you were stranded together on a deserted island, who do you think you could rely on most?“

Graph

Leon: 39.1%

Takumi: 60.9%

Reasons for choosing Leon: I bet he could do something with Brunhilde (such as harvesting fruit)/ I think Leon would be better at staying calm and make the right decisions during such circumstances. Then he'd use magic to light a fire, dig a waterway, cut down trees and gather materials to then use them to build a house/ I think he'd be able to stay calm about it/ Utilizing his vast knowledge, he'd likely be able to provide safe water and food./ Because he can grow apples/ Either of his retainers would give it their all/ Unlikely to panic, he'd be a calm guide/ He can make fire with magic/ As he is called 'Gravitymaster', he can manipulate the earth as much as he likes and provide a lifestyle that way./ Having magic that can manipulate gravity seems useful/ No matter what happens, I am sure he'd be able to use his knowledge to get by somehow. Plus, I am sure big siblings Camilla and Marx would rush in to the rescue.

So what do you think of the results of these 15 questions? We truly thank everyone who gave their answers within such a limited time. Although we think that there were a lot of unexpected questions relating to our modern way of life, but do you not agree that in this way we were able to more clearly solidify our image of Leon? If all of you continue supporting and showing your love for Leon... we can only call that the correct result.

-------------

Next update will finally be the last. It may take a bit to get out, but it should happens faster than this. I just realized I’ve spent over half a year on this project...I want to sleep 100 years..

#nanigma translates #fire emblem fates #fe14 #leon #fanbook #fire emblem leon

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vgperson · 6 years ago

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What Did I Translate in 2018?

#vgperson

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jarienn972 · 6 years ago

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The Right Place - Chapter Nineteen and Epilogue

For anyone who has been following this fic, you’ll know it was last updated in early October, 2018 and while my plans were to finish it at that time, it ended up being exactly one week before my mother passed away and I just couldn’t get myself into the right mindset to complete it. Then, a couple of months ago, the @csmarchmadness idea came along to help give us writers a little boost of confidence to finish those nagging WIPs and I decided to go ahead and tackle this story. (I’m a little late getting it posted today, but technically, it is still 3/22 here in FL as I’m posting)

I’ve loved this concept from the beginning as it took Emma out of her magical comfort zone to solve a real world crime, working alongside law enforcement colleagues in Portland, Maine. As I did with the opening chapters, I tacked the epilogue onto the end of this chapter to provide a fitting bookend.

This is the last installment of a nearly 80K word fic so it has honestly been a beast to write, especially since it ended up taking far longer to complete than I’d planned. You can read the entirety of this story on AO3 or FF.net or find the earlier chapters here: Prologue/Chap1 Chap2 Chap3 Chap4 Chap5 Chap6 Chap7 Chap8 Chap9 Chap10 Chap11 Chap12 Chap13 Chap14 Chap15 Chap16 Chap17 Chap18 I’m also tagging my cheerleader, @hookaroo who has been looking forward to the final chapter of this fic for a while now! (edited to add Tumblr link to Chap 18 after I realized it had never been posted on Tumblr. Oops...)

Saturday Morning – Portland Harbor

The tempest of the overnight thunderstorms had given way to a breezy, warmer Saturday morning. Hazy sunlight filtered through the window coverings of the McCallen's guest room as Emma was awakened by the persistent blip of notifications popping up on her cell phone, all of them informing her of the incoming text messages from Regina. According to the texts, Ursula would be waiting for them at the same Harbor front park at 9am with some updated news regarding her offer to return the Jolly Roger to her berth in Storybrooke's marina. While Killian wasn't keen on anyone else taking the helm of his beloved ship, he'd conceded to the basic fact that at the present time, he lacked the physical stamina to sail her back home himself.

Emma would have preferred another hour of sleep since it this was far too early on a Saturday morning by her opinion, but since they did have the drive home ahead of them, she begrudgingly swung her feet over the side of the bed. It wasn't a particularly long trip, but she still needed to be wide awake and she didn't want to get back too late. After nearly a week away, she was certain there would be a mountain of backlogged work awaiting their return. She noticed that Killian had already vacated his side of the bed, waking up before his wife to wander into the kitchen where McCallen had left coffee brewing for them and a note stating that he had ventured out the station to finish his paperwork from yesterday's major breakthroughs in the case.

Killian seemed a tad more upbeat this morning and even seemed to handle the walk from the parking lot down to the waterfront better, only needing to pause once to catch his breath. The Sea Witch was already waiting for them, scouting out a quiet bench away from the multitude of park visitors who were enjoying the pleasant start to what was shaping up to be a beautiful day.

"You're late," Ursula grumbled in greeting. "I thought you seafaring types were known for better timing?"

"My seafaring timing is as precise as ever," Killian replied, voice tinged with a hint of offense. "However, you should be aware that in this realm there's a thing called traffic."

"We would have called to let you know we were running a little late if we'd had a way to contact you aside from a conch shell," Emma reminded the witch.

"Cell phones simply aren't the most reliable where I come from," Ursula countered with a grin that Emma wasn't sure was intended to be jovial or sinister. "Anyway, I've made all of the arrangements to transport your ship as promised. My niece will not be allowed to interfere with the vessel's passage."

"May I ask what arrangements you've made?" Killian queried. "Who did you find to sail her or is the transport to be more of a magical variety? I prefer not to have someone inexperienced at the helm."

"I managed to round up a few of your remaining crew, led by your former first mate, Mr. Smee. It'll primarily be for show though as once it reaches open waters, I can push your little boat along a bit easier…" Killian frowned at her use of the term little boat in reference to his ship, but held his tongue.

"So, my ship should be back in the harbor by the time we reach Storybrooke?" Killian chose to ask instead.

"Should be. Your crew is on their way here as we speak. I managed to find a fisherman who was willing to bring them down here to retrieve the Jolly Roger, although you may need to round up some of those gold doubloons you have stashed to pay the man for his service."

"How generous of you to offer up my funds as payment," he quipped sarcastically, although he was secretly grateful for all Ursula had done. She'd already rescued him from a watery grave so having her assistance in returning his beloved Jolly Roger to her home port was truly going above and beyond.

"I assume you have plenty of funds hidden, pirate," Ursula responded while flashing a broad grin. "Anyway, I need to get out of here before this park gets any busier so that I can supervise the return trip. See you in Storybrooke, Captain."

"Aye," Killian responded with a nod and a smile as the Sea Witch turned to depart, leaving him wondering exactly how much gold she'd promised his crew. But as she began to stroll towards the water's edge, Killian recalled one additional thing he wanted to ask her. "Ursula?" he called to her before she was out of earshot, grateful when she turned to face him again. "One last thing, if I may?"

"And that is?"

"Would you have my crew sail a pass through the inner channel? Not too close to the harbor, but around this side of the islands so that I might see her off?"

"I suppose I could do that," she replied as she took a few steps back towards the Joneses so she wouldn't have to shout. "I would have to uncloak the ship though."

"For a few minutes, revealing the vessel should be fine. This far from shore, she may appear as merely an illusion to anyone who may catch sight of her," he offered, eager to garner even a momentary glimpse of his ship nearly a week after he'd left her abandoned offshore.

"I'll see what I can do. You may want to hang around the harbor for a while though," the Sea Witch suggested.

"Any idea of approximately how long it'll take?" Emma questioned. "We do still have the drive back to Storybrooke ahead of us."

"Give me an hour," Ursula stated, not waiting for Killian to offer his thanks as she departed without another word.

As they watched the Sea Witch vanish behind a pier, Killian dropped his weary body onto the bench before he collapsed.

"Guess we have a little bit of time to kill before we hit the road then," Emma chuckled before noticing the forlorn cast to his gaze when he stared out over the bay. "I know you'd rather be sailing the Jolly Roger back home yourself…"

"It's alright, Swan," he said with a faint sigh of disappointment. "In my current condition, I'm well aware that I lack the necessary strength and stamina to properly man the helm. I'd much rather that she be safely returned to port, even if not by my hand." She could hear the disparaging tone of his voice and decided to think of something to distract him.

"Well, I really don't want to sit here on a cold, hard park bench for an hour while we wait for your ship to appear. Can we go grab a doughnut or something? And how do you intend to see the ship from across the bay anyway?"

"I believe you have a set of of spyglasses – I believe you call them binoculars? Aren't they somewhere in the vehicle?"

"Uh, yeah, there's a set of binoculars somewhere in the back seat."

"Then those should be sufficient," he replied. "I do have to agree with you though that sitting here for an hour is probably not the best option. I know we aren't far from the ferry terminal so perhaps we might pay a visit to the shopkeeper? I'd like to let her know personally that I'm alright if it isn't too far out of the way?"

"I'm pretty sure it's only a few blocks down the harbor from here. I think Ms. Scott would be very happy to see you. Think you can handle the walk or would you prefer we drive?"

"I'm feeling far better today, but I still believe it would be more prudent to drive."

"Okay, then let's get back up to the Bug and we'll go see if Ms. Scott has the shop back open."

Ten minutes later, after the short walk back to the parking lot and a four block drive through busy weekend harbor traffic headed for the marina and ferry terminal, Emma parked her little yellow Volkswagen beneath the old service station overhang. Although there were lights on inside Scott's Mart, the Closed sign still hung in the window, but Emma noticed that it was now accompanied by a notice that the shop would be reopening Monday morning. Emma exited the car and strolled up to the entrance door, rapping forcefully on the glass to garner the proprietor's attention while Killian ambled slowly behind her.

"We're not open yet!" a female voice shouted from inside.

"Ms. Scott, it's Sheriff Emma Jones. I was here with Deputy McCallen a few days ago…" They heard some rustling from beyond the door and something akin to metal scraping against tile before the smiling face of Jean Scott popped up from behind the register counter. The shopkeeper's face lit up even more when she caught sight of the man in the black leather jacket standing behind Emma.

"Sheriff! My apologies for being so curt. Come on in!" Jean immediately unlocked the door and yanked it open for her guests, a mix of elation and gratitude expressed through her welcoming grin. "You're always welcome around here. Sorry it's still such a mess but I'm trying hard to get things straightened up and ready to get back to business. I know I owe you both a huge thanks. I heard from the other police officer – not the one who was here with you but the other guy… His name escapes me now…"

"Sgt. Haviland?" Emma offered.

"Haviland, yeah that's his name! He called me to let me know I didn't have to worry about Donovan Donleavy coming after my property any longer. He said there's a warrant out for his arrest, as soon as they can locate the slimy son of a bitch."

"Yeah, unfortunately it looks like he might have been tipped off somehow and slipped away on his boat sometime last night after the Toliver brothers rolled on him for having hired them to intimidate you, not to mention the kidnapping and stabbing of my husband," Emma explained.

"Well, when they find him, I hope they lock him up and toss away that damned key!" Jean exclaimed before turning her head toward Killian with a softening demeanor. "And you – I'm so glad to get a chance to properly thank you. If I'd have had any idea what those bastards planned to do… I don't think there are enough words in the whole English language for me to express my thanks. You may have truly saved my life that morning and I'm still mortified to think that it nearly cost you yours. I knew Donleavy was scum, but I had no idea he'd actually stoop this low."

Emma though she detected a faint blush creeping across her husband's cheeks as Jean Scott thanked him, but he was trying hard not to let it show. "It was the right thing to do, Milady," Killian assured her. "Neither of us knew that their nefarious plans went so far beyond robbery. I certainly must have had some luck on my side that morning, but the important thing is that the guilty parties are being held accountable and won't be able to harm you any longer."

Jean's head lolled to the side as she caught Emma's attention with a cheeky grin. "Is he always like this?"

"Pretty much," Emma replied, sporting a broad smile of her own as she watched the tips of Killian's ears redden as he flushed with an uncharacteristic embarrassment.

"How do I find one like him?" Jean sighed. "I'd love to have my own little British knight in shining leather." Emma found her husband's blushing even more endearing as he tried to brush off the compliment, realizing it was part of why she loved this man so much. Sure, he could be a total ass sometimes, but when the sweet, old-fashioned, chivalrous side would surface, she'd fall head over heels in love all over again.

"I don't know if there's a clone of him out there somewhere, but if I find one, I'll send him your way," Emma laughed. "For now though, we've got to get going. Now that the case is solved, we're finally heading home."

"Well, please have a safe drive back to your hometown and remember that anytime you're here in Portland, please stop by. It'll be coffee on the house! In fact, if you'd like one for the road, I'm pretty sure the pot is still hot. I've gone through plenty myself while trying to get this place cleaned up but there's more than enough to share. Would you like some?"

"I would absolutely love some coffee," Emma replied graciously.

"As would I," Killian said with a smile.

"Hang on a sec…" Jean scurried down a partially stocked aisle to her coffee shop counter and disappeared behind it. She popped back up a few seconds later with two tall paper cups of steaming hot coffee. "Either of you take cream or sugar?"

"No thanks," Emma replied. "We both take it straight."

Jean made her way across the shop to hand over the coffee cups to her guests. "Here you go. Hope it's not too strong for you."

"I'm sure it will be fine," Killian replied as he accepted her offering. "This wasn't at all necessary, but thank you."

"Anytime," Jean insisted. "Any time at all. I won't keep you from your drive home but I really do appreciate you stopping by. I'm so glad to see that you're alright."

"Good luck with getting your business back on track," Emma said as she shook Jean's hand before departing. "Hopefully things will go better now that there isn't a greedy developer breathing down your neck."

"Oh, there will be another," Jean chuckled. "It never ends around here, but hey, I know I'm in the right place for now. I'll manage."

Emma and Killian said their farewells to Jean Scott and had just started their drive back to the park when Emma's phone started ringing. Seeing that it was McCallen calling, she gestured for Killian to answer and as he did, he pressed the speakerphone button so that they could both hear the conversation.

"Hey, McCallen," Emma answered. "Sorry we missed you this morning, but we locked up before we left."

"I'm the one who should be apologizing," McCallen's voice responded through the speaker. "I had to run into the station this morning to finish up paperwork relating to this case and I was worried I might miss you before you headed home."

"Well, you haven't missed us. We haven't left Portland yet," Emma informed their friend. "Killian wanted to see Jean Scott so she could see he was alright and now we're on our way to the harbor front park so that he can see his ship off. The crew sailing it back to Storybrooke for us offered to make a swing through the bay."

"Alright then, can you hang around the park for a few minutes? I've got some new information you'll want to hear, but I don't want to deliver it over the phone."

"Oh, don't worry, we'll be there for a while. We still have about half an hour to kill before the crew sets sail," Emma explained.

"Oh, good," McCallen replied. "I can be there in about twenty minutes. I'd really like a chance to see that ship too."

"You'll see just how magnificent she is," Killian said proudly.

"If you can see it at all," Emma countered. "The ship is going to be clear on the other side of the bay and I have no idea whether or not my binoculars will be strong enough… You two can figure that out though…"

"Okay," McCallen chuckled. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

The stroll down to the waterfront from the parking area took a little longer this time but Killian had insisted on heading to the furthest pier where they would have the least obstructed view of the bay. There was still one barrier island that partially obscured the horizon, but Killian was certain that they would be able to see enough of the channel to get a decent glimpse of the Jolly Roger. He was quite certain of the route his crew would take and that it would provide a brief window as the ship emerged from the far side of the landmass, before she headed out of the bay and into open ocean.

A visibly exhausted Killian dropped his fatigued body onto an unoccupied bench near the end of the pier as Emma's phone buzzed with a message from McCallen asking where he might find them. She typed back their location and half-expected to see the young deputy arrive in full uniform. She found herself a more than a little surprised to see him approaching dressed in casual attire after he spotted them and waved from the boardwalk.

As McCallen got closer, Emma thought about how this inexperienced deputy had become such a pillar of strength for her this week. He'd been so involved from the beginning, eager to help her out in any way he could and always trying to learn techniques to help himself grow as an investigator. McCallen still had a lot to learn and of course, had some physical obstacles to overcome, but Emma couldn't help to think about what Jean Scott had said about being in the right place and how it applied to the deputy as well. What had begun for him as a seemingly routine case to identify a John Doe had blossomed into a multi-jurisdictional investigation of a corrupt land developer. While McCallen's role in the Donleavy case may have been minor, the deputy's name was forever attached to the investigation and it would likely make a huge impact on his career.

"Hi!" the deputy greeted them once he was finally within earshot. "I haven't missed anything, have I?"

"Not at all," Killian assured their young friend as he lowered the binoculars. "I've not yet caught sight of her but it shouldn't be long now."

"Don't worry," Emma added. "You'll know the moment he sees it. It's all he's talked about all morning."

"So, this is kind of a big deal, huh?" McCallen asked with a crooked grin, almost as a tease.

"She's been a huge part of my life," Killian replied. "In fact, she was my life for a very long time, before I met Emma." He failed to notice the way McCallen glanced at Emma with a look that seemed to ask Is he kidding?

"I think that what Killian meant to say is that he spent many years working on that ship before we met. He puts a lot of effort into keeping it ship-shape. But yes – sometimes I swear he treats that ship like a person…"

"It's a good thing she's not able to hear you speak such blasphemy," Killian feigned offense as his wife laughed it off.

"See - I share my husband with a ship," Emma chuckled, shaking her head. "Anyway, I know you didn't come down here just to talk about Killian's ship. You said on the phone that you had some new information to share with us? Is it news about Donleavy?"

"Well, yes and no…" McCallen began as he took a seat on the bench next to Killian. "We got a call this morning from the RCMP…"

"RCMP?" Killian interrupted with a confused query as he didn't understand the reference.

"Royal Canadian Mounted Police," the deputy clarified. "Sorry, I should have been more specific."

"It's alright," Emma insisted. "We usually just refer to them as the Mounties." She'd explain the reference further for Killian when they were alone.

"Oh, okay," McCallen continued. "As I started to say earlier, we, well, technically Sgt. Haviland received a call from the Mounties this morning letting him know that Donleavy's boat was located. Appears that it ran aground along the coast of Nova Scotia and by all accounts, was pretty beat up. Unfortunately, they found no sign of Donleavy. Haviland forwarded me a copy of the report. Guess he thought you'd already be back home if he didn't get in touch with you yet."

"I haven't looked at my email all morning," Emma confessed. "If he sent something there, I probably won't read it until we do get home – especially if it isn't giving us any whereabouts of Donleavy himself. At least we have an idea of where he escaped to."

"I do recall saying that he wouldn't get very far by sea," Killian reminded them. "The seas would have been far too rough for his minuscule craft. Even a sailor as experienced as myself wouldn't have fared well in that storm."

"Yeah, Donleavy was probably thrown overboard somewhere between here and Canada, before his ship crashed onshore," Emma suggested.

"There's still a remote chance he survived so the Canadians are going to continue their search to see if he turns up. They weren't entirely convinced that he'd survived either, but they're not giving up the search yet."

"Serves him right, if I do say so myself," Killian said with an eyebrow raised playfully. He lifted the binoculars to his eyes to survey the bay once again, scanning the horizon for a glimpse of the Jolly Roger. He stood as he caught sight of a set of familiar masts and sails materializing from beyond the inner harbor islands. "Ah, there she is!" he exclaimed with a huge grin stretching across his lips. "Such a thing of beauty…"

"Alright – you know I'm dying to get a look at this ship I've been hearing about. I mean, you've got the rings, the tattoos, the skull and crossbones pendant – there's definitely some kind of pirate obsession there so should I be expecting a pirate ship too?" Killian gave him a slightly nervous smile and Emma was practically biting her tongue as they both began mentally scrambling for a plausible explanation for the fact that Killian did indeed have have a pirate ship, and a marvel of one at that.

"Of course," Killian said as he offered the binoculars to the deputy and pointed to a distant location across the bay. "If you look out there to the northeast, you'll see her riggings just beyond that island." McCallen raised the binoculars and pointed himself in the direction Killian had indicated, his jaw dropping the moment he spied the tall ship on the horizon. He didn't know a lot about classical ships - he wouldn't have known a schooner from a frigate or a galleon, but this vessel looked like it could have sailed straight out of any pirate movie he'd ever seen.

"Wow! That's really your ship? It's definitely not what I expected, but seriously – you can sail that all by yourself?" Killian had to chuckle at the deputy's excited rambling.

"Indeed, I can," Killian replied proudly.

"That is so cool!" McCallen gushed, unable to contain himself. "What did you name your ship?"

"The J-…" Killian started to reply Jolly Roger, but something made him stop and reconsider, responding with the vessel's original moniker instead. "Jewel of the Realm."

"That's a really great name," McCallen told him as he passed the binoculars back to his pirate friend. "How did you ever come to own a ship like that?"

"Killian repairs and restores these old ships to keep them seaworthy," Emma jumped in with the most logical explanation she could determine. "And if you haven't noticed, he's a bit obsessive about his job."

"History deserves to be preserved," Killian stated, going along with Emma's lead. "And what can I say – I immerse myself fully into my work."

"Well, by the looks of it, you're very skilled at what you do! How do you manage to find the time as a deputy?"

"Don't have as much time as I used to so sailing has become more of a hobby now, but if you're ever in Storybrooke, I'd be honored to give you the full tour and a run about the harbor."

"I just might take you up on that one day, but since I have a tendency to get seasick, just admiring her from the dock would probably be enough for me," the deputy admitted with an embarrassed chortle.

"Well, my friend, if you ever want to try for your sea legs, my offer shall stand," Killian laughed as he raised the binoculars one last time to see if the ship was still visible but it appeared as though Ursula had already reactivated the cloaking. "Appears as though she has sailed beyond our purview."

"Oh, sorry… I'm guessing you're hoping to get back home around the same time as the ship?" McCallen wondered, not wanting to impede their plans.

"Yeah, that's sort of the plan," Emma stated as she glanced at her watch. "We definitely should get on the road soon, but Aaron, we really want to thank you for everything – for your help with the investigation into what happened to Killian... for opening your home to us. You've done so much more than you ever needed to."

McCallen's cheeks flushed as he tried to figure out how to respond to her gratitude. "Honestly, not many people have put as much faith in me as you did. I'm grateful to you for including me when you could have brushed me off in favor of letting Sgt. Haviland take over. I'm glad you didn't."

"You've got the instinct," Emma assured him. "You're going to be a great investigator."

"I guess we'll have to see how far a man with an artificial foot can get," McCallen said sullenly.

"As far as a man with an artificial hand can get," Killian insisted. "And that's as far as you desire."

Epilogue

Saturday Afternoon – Storybrooke

It hadn't taken Killian more than a few seconds after they'd exited the interstate before the gloved, wooden hand was discarded to the back seat in favor of his preferred attachment. Captain Hook was back and on his way home. By the time they passed the Welcome to Storybrooke sign at the edge of town, he was certain he could already smell the marine air again and began to imagine the sound of crisp sails flapping in the wind.

They finally parked in front of the Sheriff station nearly two hours after they'd left the Portland harbor and Emma was eager to find some lunch to appease her growling stomach. Maybe as anxious for food as her husband was to get to the harbor.

"Are you really sure you don't want me to heal you?" she asked as they climbed out of the Bug.

"For the last time, Love, I'll be fine. Aside from a few aches and pains – and a bit of general tiredness, I'm honestly alright. I assure you, if I change my mind, I promise, I will let you know."

"Okay, okay… I'm gonna call the family and see if they want to meet over at Granny's for lunch. I'm sure they'll all be looking forward to seeing you."

"Sounds good, but allow me a few minutes first?" he implored.

"I know – you're heading down to the harbor. Want me to drive you over?"

Killian smiled and shook his head with a subtle No. "I think I'd like to walk."

"Alright. If you aren't back in thirty minutes, I'll come looking for you."

The quarter-mile stroll from the Sheriff station to the dock was normally a brisk, five-minute walk for him, but today, it took a few minutes longer and he was clutching his chest tightly as he reached the gangplank. He pressed on with stubborn determination, pushing himself up the ramp and onto the deck of his ship. Reaching the helm, he leaned his aching body into the wheel to catch his breath, fully aware that he was not alone.

"Returned, safe and sound, as promised," he heard Ursula's voice call out from below the quarterdeck.

"Aye, thank you for your assistance. I do appreciate all you've done for me."

"You are one lucky pirate. Although I suggest you try to stay away from sharp, pointy objects for a while. One of these days, your luck will run out…"

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind," Killian said with a half-hearted chuckle. "Am I also to thank you for last night's events?"

"Afraid I've no idea what you mean," Ursula replied with a feigned innocence.

"Of course not," he grinned, lifting a knowing eyebrow at the Sea Witch. "Pardon my error, Love. Guess I should make my way over to Granny's pretty soon. Emma will send out a search party if I don't make it back. Why don't you join us?"

"As pleasant as an afternoon eating greasy diner food with the Charming family sounds, I'm afraid I'll have to pass. But as for you, I'm serious – watch your back, pirate. One of these days, you'll find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time and there won't be anybody around to save you."

He opened his mouth to reply, but she was already gone, leaving the words caught in the back of his throat. As much as he wanted to argue, Ursula was right. He belonged at Emma's side and that was honestly the only place he wanted to be.

Early Saturday morning – off the coast of Nova Scotia

It was late in the season for such a powerful Nor'easter and perhaps it was a foolhardy decision to be venturing out in such horrific weather but Donovan Donleavy preferred to take his chances upon the stormy seas rather than face the tempest that would be brewing at home if he hadn't run. He'd slipped out of the marina under cover of darkness before the authorities had descended. His sport fishing boat wasn't really designed for these conditions so he'd tried to remain as close to the coast as he could, but the howling winds and torrential rain kept blowing his battered craft further out to sea.

He was only a few miles off of the Canadian coast, estimating his position to be somewhere near the Province of Nova Scotia, but he was beginning to doubt he'd be able to reach a safe harbor. Rain lashed at the deck, making visibility near impossible as the ten to twelve foot swells pummeled the tiny boat. Donleavy clung to the wheel as long as he could until a towering, fifteen foot swell sent the vessel listing hard to starboard and it never recovered, capsizing in the cold waters of the North Atlantic.

He bobbed to the surface, struggling to keep his head above the waves as his arms flailed in futile attempt to grasp for anything that would keep him afloat. After a few minutes, he found his muscles tiring rapidly and he knew he wouldn't be able to tread water much longer. Of course, he still believed that drowning was far more dignified than the humiliation of watching his empire fall apart.

He was gradually giving in to the reality of a watery death when he felt something brush against his leg. Probably just a fish or a piece of debris from his boat he thought – until the offending object slithered its way up body and wrapped around his torso. While moments ago he'd conceded himself to drowning, suddenly Donleavy was in a panic as he recognized that he was being enveloped by a giant tentacle. He struggled only for a few moments, trying futilely to free himself as the tentacle constricted tighter - just before yanking him forcefully beneath the unforgiving waves.

#csmarchmadness #csff #cs ff #cs fanfic #The Right Place

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writersrealmbts · 6 years ago

Text

Bulletproof Melody Part 4

Description: Superhero!BTS: What happens when circumstances force you to team up with the infamous Bulletproof Boyscouts? Will you be able to beat the villain threatening all of you and your town? Or will you watch everything burn?

Prologue: Meet the Heroes

Warnings: (Mild?) Violence

Posted: 9/29/2018

Tags: SuperheroAU, Superhero!BTS, superpowered!BTS

Angst with little fluffs: 3,339 words

A/N: Well, Taehyung sat still for exactly one minute. Yay. In other news, I’ve written more for the Safe with Me sequel than I have for Pack Trials. This week has been...stressful. I really haven’t even been able to look at my WIPs since I posted Spring Day because of School. Which I’m about to go do homework for. College is a joy.

You knew something was wrong when you woke up. You could sense all of the boys powers downstairs, which was a slight relief, but you had this gut feeling that something was wrong. You sat on your bed for a moment, contemplating whether you were ready for more stress. Then again, either you could get it all over with at once or stretch it out painfully. You headed downstairs and found all of them in the kitchen. Jin was cooking again. “We’ll have to ask her when she wakes up,” Namjoon said in a final tone. “Ask me what?” You asked, tucking your arms around you as you forced yourself to step beside Jera and Eihwaz. They all jumped a little. Jera smiled softly at you. “Um, it’s just…without our normal base…” “You need a temporary base,” You finished the thought, moving him so you could lean against him. You felt more tired than before your nap if that was even possible. He was quiet for a moment, making sure you were comfortable. “Yeah. You okay?” You nodded a little. “Still waking up, I think. Anyway, you guys can use mine. It’s in the basement, farther down from the room I’m working in. I’ll have to program you guys into the security system though, so think of a little melody that you will be able to remember because that will be your password.” “Isn’t that dangerous? I mean, anyone can replicate melody,” Yoongi frowned. “But only true mimics can replicate a voice. As far as I know, the kind of super that can replicate a person’s singing voice is extremely rare and not located on this continent. And they’re a hero, not a villain. Besides, you also have to put in your thumb-print and know where to step.” You hid a yawn behind your hand. “Then…you can use the computers all you like. I only use them to send alarms to my work phone. Well, and for research.” As if to emphasize your point, your work phone buzzed in your pocket. You sighed and pulled it out. “Robbery on Third and Main. Police already have it.” You frowned at the screen as you looked at the other notification. “I need to go out.” “Why?” “Because I need to get something for the archive,” You scrolled through the description of the piece that the auction was advertising. “Cursed. I doubt it.” “Why don’t we get it for you?” “Because what I’m about to do is called ‘stealing’ in legal terms,” You replied, turning on your heel and rushing toward the stairs so you could get ready for your raid. “I’ll help you. I can look like other people.” Yoongi caught up and fell into step with you. You hesitated, glancing back at the others. “We’re supposed to be protecting you,” Taehyung said, stepping forward from the group that had also followed. “We can help it go more quickly.” You looked between him and Yoongi, then let your gaze shift to Jin. He nodded slightly. You looked at Hoseok. “I’ll follow you if you don’t take them.” He folded his arms. You nodded sharply. “Fine. Go get ready. Meet by the front door.” Yoongi and Taehyung hurried off to get their gear, which they must have put in the living room for the time being. “I’ll unlock the good old lair, just don’t close any of the doors or you’ll be locked out until I get back. Maybe longer depending on my state of mind,” You told Namjoon. “Just stay out of the black filing cabinets. The grey one has villain files, maybe my parents encountered this fire super, or my grandparents. There isn’t a method to the madness, but there might be answers in it.” “We’ll go through them, maybe even organize them. But no promises on the last part,” Hoseok said in a light tone. You flashed him a smile, then quickly pressed your thumb to the reader and gestured for them to wait. You glanced at the clue quickly, then quickly stepped on all the correct tiles to get across to the last door, humming your tune soft enough that only Mannaz would be able to hear it. The doors unlocked and you stepped inside, disabling the security system until the doors closed and blocking the doors from closing. “Alright, you can come through now.” You headed to your equipment room, closing that door behind you so you could change into your raiding gear. When you came out, Namjoon was always working on the computer and Jin, Jimin, Hoseok, and Jungkook had the drawers from the grey filing cabinet emptied onto three of the tables and were already starting to sort through. You left them to it, darting out and upstairs. Sowilo and Raidho looked over at you, finishing their muttered conversation quickly. “Ready?” Raidho grinned and nodded. “Where to, milady?” You showed him a map and then the museum. He became serious and nodded sharply, taking first Yoongi’s, then your hand. His eyes closed and then he jerked you both back and to a spot outside the auction house. Sowilo and you pulled him into a crouch behind the bushes, spotting a security guard. You eyed the building, knowing you had to steal the artifact for the greater good of everyone, but not wanting to steal it because you were supposed to be the good guy. “Here, so we can communicate,” Sowilo whispered. You took the in-ear device and put it in. “You and Raidho will infiltrate, I’ll keep an eye on security and advice on the best routes in and out.” “Different code names,” You murmured. He nodded. “Suga.” You nodded and looked at Raidho. “V.” You nodded again. “Athena.” They nodded. “You and V need to get beyond that window, just beyond it. It’s the spot with the lowest security. Once in, you need to get to the door on the east side of the room. I’ll advise further from there.” Suga handed V a bottle of water. “Remember, lower voltage because they can’t get away from it. We just want to stun them.” V nodded, holding out his hand for yours with a serious expression so unlike the one you first met him with. You firmly took his hand, stepping closer so that neither of you would stumble on arrival. He transported you both inside, then looked around with wide as. “Laser security,” You murmured. “I knew they updated their system. High tech.” “Get farther in and then I can help you,” Suga said through the comms. “Where are the guards?” You asked. “I’m distracting them, give me another minute. Why?” “Because if we aren’t visited by guards I could always disable the security system.” V nodded. “Alright, I’ll take care of the guards.” You examined the grid, then carefully started making your way through, humming softly. Right foot there. Duck under there. Between there. “Damn,” Suga muttered. You froze. “What damn?” “Oh, uh…” “Keep going,” V told you. “You’re really close. Just watch the beam on your right.” You hissed through your teeth and kept moving, watching your right as you moved forward, then carefully did a backflip the rest of the way out of the laser field. “What damn?” “Um, don’t disable the security system just yet.” You looked across at V, worried. He looked like he wanted to disown his teammate. “How about now?” “Yeah, go ahead.” You shook your head and quickly opened the control box, humming softly and then plugging in the codes to turn off the security systems all throughout museum. “Done.” “Right, door on the east side.” You and V hurried to the door. “Try not to get side-tracked, hyung,” V said, his tone slightly teasing. “Aish.” You shook your head. “I don’t want to know. Both of you just focus.” “Yes, ma’am,” They replied synchronously. You opened the door after picking the lock, and slipped into the new hallway. The power of the object washed over you and you froze. “V, do you feel that?” V nodded nervously. “Is that from what we’re getting?” “What?” Suga asked. “It’s weird, hyung. There’s this darkness and almost like a ticking clock but with every tick…” “V, stay here. Suga, there aren’t any guards ahead of me, are there.” “No. V should—” “Too dangerous. Now that I can feel the power from it, he shouldn’t even be in the building with me. But he is. Keep the doors shut, I’ll be back.” You started running down the hall, following the emission of power to the artifact. It was being held in a special room, locked in a safe. You tried to open it, using all the techniques you had picked up over the years before finally hissing in frustration and carding through your mental song library for a song that would work. “Athena? How’s it going?” “Shut up,” You whispered. You had nothing that would work. How did you not have a safe-cracking song? “Problem? You’re not moving.” “Have to make a song, shut up.” You took out the ear piece and started piecing together some sort of lyrics or chant that you could use. The melody was important, use some sharps on the important words. You would have to access some anger, it was the only emotion that would work quickly enough. You hesitated before you actually started singing. You weren’t sure it would actually work. It had to, though. “They tried to lock me out, but I broke in,” You started out, thinking of all the things that have ever made you angry. Villains, murderers, kidnappers…and so much worse. “And every time I turn around, they call it sin. Though they took away my heart, and locked it away, I crashed through the walls and cracked the safe. I hit them hard, like an axe hits wood, splintering pieces across the world. I melted through all the walls they tried to build, now there’s nothing in my way. Because I’m strong, I just cracked the safe!” Crude, yes. But the safe split in two, melting at the edges. You put the comm device back in your ear. “You two still alive?” “Damn. They’re going to need a new safe,” Suga commented. You tilted your head in agreement, getting out a special fabric to wrap around the artifact. “V, be ready to go when I come back. I might not have the clearest head. Nobody touch the artifact, though. Not even if I drop it. Just get the hell away from it.” “What sort of power was infused in it?” “Something very evil,” You murmured, wrapping the fabric around the object before picking it up. You screamed as visions swirled through your vision, terrible visions. You could hear both Suga and V saying your code name, panic rising in their voices. You watched your parents and Idiot get killed again. Saw Laguz surrounded by fire. Sowilo blinded. Tiwaz legs get crushed. Eihwaz bleeding out as he tried to help his brothers. Raidho drowning. Mannaz tortured with electricity. Jera locked in a room with no light or color, dying of hunger and thirst, his body broken and bloody. You hurried out of the room with the artifact in your arms, trying to think of something to help block the visions. V met you halfway, looking scared and worried. “Hurry,” you gasped. He grabbed you by your waist from behind and pulled you out of the auction house to where Suga was, grabbing his wrist and then taking both of you back to the house, thankfully coming out in the basement. You hurried toward one of the doors while the other boys looked up in surprise and alarm. “Override! Hummingbird 986!” “Voice print recognized, override active, door opening.” The extremely secure door opened and you rushed in, dropping the artifact in a case and unwrapping the fabric, then you closed the case and stumbled out of the room. “Door close,” You shouted. “Door close!” It closed and sealed shut. You dropped to your hands and knees, catching your breath and shaking from the power of the artifact. “Tinny?” Jera dropped in front of you and tilted your chin up to look at him. You could see the fear and panic on the faces of Taehyung and Yoongi now, talking to Namjoon and Laguz and telling them what happened. Jimin was in cat form, fur on end. Eihwaz was standing a couple feet behind Jera, watching both of you. Jera shook you a little. “Tinny!” You focused on his face. “You’re really handsome when you’re worried.” You dropped against him, falling asleep. ——— “Stupid. That’s what it was, stupid. I ask you to take care of yourself and instead you handle an artifact that makes you scream and alert the guards that you’re there and scares your teammates out of their wits. Taehyung just fell asleep, and he wouldn’t leave. Why do you have to be so damn brave?” You blinked a couple times in the light, then turned toward the ranting Hoseok who was obviously not expecting an answer. “And then you go and say something so ridiculous. Handsome when I’m worried. Does that mean I’m not the rest of the time? You’re going to be the death of me, you know that, right? No, you’d probably say something like, ‘if I’m the death of you, why don’t you just stop hanging around me?’ and then you’d try to break your promise and tell me what that other name means and I’d have to shut you up. Which wouldn’t be fun since I’ve spent a lot of time trying to get you to speak to me.” You rested your cheek on your hands, watching him mix some sort of poultice that made the room smell like mint and something else you couldn’t quite place. “I don’t even know how I would shut you up. I mean, kissing you would work but then I would never see you again because you would fly far away from me. If I just didn’t let you speak you would still disappear on me. There’s no way I come out a winner in this. And you know, we haven’t even had the chance to talk since we fought. We just sort of acted like it was okay, but what if it isn’t? I’m not telekinetic, I’m photo-kinetic. I’m just happy you’re alive, and just want to keep you that way but you keep throwing yourself under that stupid bus.” He set the mortar and pestle down a little harder than he needed to. He sighed, sounding worried. “What could make you scream like that? Yoongi played back the mission, showed us everything that happened. You didn’t look like you were in physical pain…and if it wasn’t physical it was likely mental. What if it damaged your brain? Or scarred you psychologically? You need to be more careful. You’re still young, your roots haven’t fully developed and damage can be really harmful to young trees. Plus the more you’re damaged the more things will feed on you and you can get diseases—” “I’m not a tree,” You murmured, smiling a little. He whipped around, relief flooding his features. “You’re awake, oh thank goodness!” He came to your side, checking your temperature and looking into your eyes. “You’re okay?” “You’re the one who was ranting and scolding someone who was asleep,” You replied softly, studying his face since it was so close. Why was his face always so close? And why the heck could you not stop looking into his eyes or at his lips? He just shook his head, huffing slightly. “I’m just glad you’re okay. Look, about earlier—” “It’s my fault. I snapped at you when you were just trying to be a good friend and look out for me,” You interjected before he could continue. He’d done so much for you. The least you could do was take the blame. “Everyone’s stressed. I just took out my stress on you.” His dimples appeared in the forced smile. You poked one, smiling a little. “Cute.” Worry creased his forehead. “You’re still delusional.” You rolled your eyes. “No, I just think dimples are cute. You have dimples when you force a smile, but not when you actually smile.” He sighed. “Stop scaring me.” “You’re scaring yourself, what do you need me for?” “To give me hope.” You flinched, looking at him. He met your gaze and nodded. “I need you to give me hope. Because if you don’t help us with this guy, we lose so much more than our base. You are the only hope we have right now.” You shifted so you were propped up on your elbow. “Nothing in the villain files?” He shook his head. “There were a few possibles, but once we looked into it more we ruled them out. Are you sure we can’t help you go through the records?” You looked away. “Let me think about it.” Somebody yawned off to the side, then made an excited sound. “You’re awake!” You smiled a little as Taehyung came over with a big, boxy grin. “We were really worried! But everything is okay now, right?” He asked, looking so hopeful and excited. “Well, relatively okay. None of us are hurt and our theft was successful,” You agreed, sitting up. He hugged you tightly. “You’re not hurt?” “I’m not hurt,” You answered, awkwardly patting his back. He pulled away and squished your cheeks before running out of the room, probably to tell everyone else that you were awake. “You handled that better than I thought you would,” Hoseok chuckled, sitting down next to you. “Why did he smoosh my face?” “He’s always been a little odd. Um, I hope you don’t mind, but we sort of ended up taking some of the spare bedrooms.” You shrugged. “That’s fine. I would have offered if I had been thinking straight.” Taehyung came back and dropped in front of you. “Are you still scared of me?” “No, Taehyung. I’m not scared of you,” You lied gently, noting the instant bloom of relief on his face. “Yay! We’re friends, right?” You nodded, not lying. You were definitely scared of him in the battle field, but you had no objection to being his friend. Hoseok squeezed your shoulder, then left. You tilted your head at Taehyung. “Sorry if I scared you earlier.” “What did you see?” He asked, suddenly somber. “Was it a bad memory?” You flinched back slightly. “What?” “There was a second before you started screaming, too long to be something physical or mental. You had to have seen something. Your eyes kept moving like you were watching a movie. What was it?” He took Hoseok’s place beside you. You took a deep breath and let it out. “My parents getting killed. All of you being tortured and killed. Other things. There were flashes of other things that just…were horrible, but they went by so fast I don’t think I realized I saw them until now.” “Are you scared it will come true?” “We have no reason to believe that it was a prediction. I think it’s more of a nightmare thing.” “Why?” “Because the villain that imbued that thing with his powers had the power of torment. It took me a while to place what it was, but I’m sure now. He must have been very…powerful.” “Do you think that artifact resurfacing has anything to do with the fire super we’re dealing with?” He asked, merely sounding curious. You looked at him. Gears started turning in your head. “Right now, it’s a coincidence. There’s no correlation. If another one shows up…then it could be more than a coincidence.” He nodded slowly. “You want me to keep an eye on it?” You reached over and grabbed your phone. “Come on. I’ll show you what to look for and how to handle artifacts that come up.” He smiled and nodded, following you through the door.

Masterlist. Part 3. Part 5.

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tkwrtnewsfeed · 6 years ago

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Newsfeed #108 December 3, 2018 (3 Ringarë)

MERRY CHRISTMAS: ANOTHER BOOK IS ON ITS WAY!

I know, it’s been awhile. I had to take care of a few things after the death of my father. He will be missed but I know he would have wanted me to continue my work (he told me as much prior to his death). Just would like to say that there are TWO of us now--two writers of stories based on the works of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.

Introducing “The House of Durin” by Deborah Meneghetti.

Tumblr: https://thehouseofdurin.tumblr.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-House-of-Durin-2262672203745024/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/de_crystalwings/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/de_crystalwings

It will be available in (get this) ENGLISH and ITALIAN! Yes, this venture is about to go multi-lingual (see below as well). See, I plugged that one, @fortunatelyclevercandy . Just for you, Angioletto 👼🏻.

To give you a little background on what is going on: This book is as it is described, ”The story of the heirs of Durin the Deathless”. Anyone who has read the works of J.R.R. Tolkien knows that the line of Durin runs deep so this will be an opportunity to explore it in depth. Like The Kingdom of the Woodland Realm Trilogy, The House of Durin is based on the works of Tolkien; put together from what he has left behind, as it were.

Eventually, both books will weave together in many places readers are familiar with and from different perspectives, you can imagine. The other two standalone books belonging to TKWRT (The Song of Seven Rivers @tkwrtsongofsevenrivers and Of Lords & Kings @oflordsandkingstkwrtbook ) will do the same thing. In the end, there will be several books telling different tales from the same world that at times meet each other.

Imagine: Girls thought of all this.

Moving on:

This year is the 3rd Anniversary of Book II: The Saga of Thranduil. It is hard to believe how far it has come. This year is special because someone has offered to translate it (and all the other books) into Polish (and possibly French). We are still working out the details and when that moment comes, read it here. Translation: We’re thinking about it.

UPDATE: TKWRT EXPANDS ITS AUDIENCE

Our demographics (according to emails and Facebook) show a demographic that was 18-65 but I learned that some people in my father’s home were into it and an 11th grader (and Tolkien fan) just requested a copy. I won’t say why an 80-year-old woman was interested in turning this book into a film about Thranduil because that would be something for the record books.

I don’t know what Lee Pace as Thranduil has done to women but it must have been something pretty remarkable for an 80-year-old to want him to return to the screen via Book II: The Saga of Thranduil. Wow, that’s just wow. According to a rumor, I had a four-hour conversation about Lee Pace and I have yet to figure out if I said anything that would offer a clue to why he’s so appealing.

Either way, TKWRT has been officially mainstream for some time now. Getting awesome reviews from people that keep asking me to have this thing published. Well, I can’t say for certain if that will be anytime soon, but I never said I wasn’t looking into it (on several fronts--I’ve made some friends along the way that could make that happen if you ask me nicely😉).

COMING 2019

As promised, there will be a sneak preview of the upcoming books

Reasonably since they are both connected by marriage to Book II: The Saga of Thranduil. But also another book will share the moment with them.

Most already know that this book is also here: @trenarnolegolaslasgalen and @tkwrtrilogylasttale (extended version). Yep, going to start working on the FINAL (as in, this will be the last book) in the TKWRT Trilogy. There have been some changes in the format so this is the main reason for a preview. The main reason is the additions made to the EXTENDED VERSION of Book II.

SURPRISE: IT’S BACK & ITS YOUR JOB!

What readers get to do is decide what will go into the final version of the original book. Some people like Legolas’ younger sister Isílriel and most adore the baby elves (and in this one, there are more). Some like the idea of Êlúriel surviving (which in order to have her daughter she would have to live a little longer. Whatever you like--however you like your “Thrandy”, you get some input. If I were you, I’d wait until after Book III: The Last Tale of Legolas Lasgalen for one reason--the last chapter of Book II is in the prologue and you might want to see that first.

Yeah, you’re going to really want to see this one.

No, seriously. What has Lee done to you people? You were once so normal. I don’t know. I hardly know most of you. Just trying to figure out this 80-year-old wanting to see a film about Thranduil based on my book with Lee Pace in it. Is it that serious? Really? I don’t see it.

So that sums up what has been happening since the last post. Still getting over my dad. It took me a couple weeks to get used to the fact I can’t pick up the phone and call him to tell him about all the things happening with the books. I have a few photos my family (who have yet to even call and ask how I’m doing--I’ll live) gave to me. It’s something. I know he’s somewhere looking over me; avoiding my mother who probably is talking everyone to death in the afterlife.

Until next time: Come for the story, stay for Thranduil. I know, I know.

#tkwrtnewsfeed #new book #new writer #the return of the house of durin #the house of durin #the kingdom of the woodland realm trilogy #all the book #based on tolkien #in honor of jrr tolkien #for jrr tolkien #writing high fantasy #welcome back to middle earth #enjoy your stay #you're gonna be here for awhile

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mechamark · 7 years ago

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Series Overview

We met 6 years ago at a tea house in downtown Syracuse, NY. What started off as two people too nervous to talk to each other quickly grew into a relationship that changed our lives. The first few years of dating we could only see each other once, sometimes twice, a week. So we talked every day and appreciated any moment together. Then, in 2015, Yuka graduated college and we moved from New York down to Washington, DC together.

We got settled into our first apartment and took in everything our new city of Alexandria had to offer. The house felt like it was missing something, though, and we adopted our first cat. We visited a local shelter and fell in love with a skittish two year old boy who took to Yuka immediately. That day, we brought home Meowamoto Musashi. He is a total boob and I love him.

We made it a whole two months until we decided to get our second cat. The day that we went to the shelter, there was an energetic kitten that got along so well with the other animals there. We wanted a friend for Musashi, who wasn't always as laid back as the picture above would appear. That day, we ended up taking home little Hinata, our sunflower girl.

So now we had our little family. We fell into a nice daily routine of going to work, coming back home to make dinner, watch anime, and hang out with the cats. After years of only being together once a week, this felt like heaven. I had been planning to propose to Yuka for quite some time, and during a trip back to Syracuse to visit family, I saw my chance. Calling all of our friends who helped us get together years ago, I brought Yuka back to where it all began. At Roji Tea Lounge, I asked her to marry me.

A few months later, on a foggy January morning in Alexandria, my mother and step father flew down to witness us get married. While we knew that we wanted a proper wedding, we wanted to start the Visa process for Yuka and felt that waiting a year and a half for the ceremony was a bit much.

We spent the next year and change planning out our wedding and our future. One night while on a date together at Barns & Noble, Yuka asked my thoughts on us moving to Japan to start a family. We talked over the pros and cons. Pros including the good education, health care, crime rate, and cultural aspects our kids would get. Cons being my having no Japanese language skill, what we would do for work, where we would live, Screw the cons, we would work it out.

We knew that if we were going to do this, we should do it while we are young, debt free, and can do it. Life is short. If it doesn’t work out, at least we will have a cool story someday.

We decided to take a trip to Japan, partly for vacation, partly to see if being there was something we actually wanted. The answer was a resounding “Yes” and we started to plan our move.

For my part, I enrolled in a Japanese language school and started studying as much as I could. But there would be some times where I had to focus on other things. You see, a couple months after a vacation, the wedding happened.

Once the wedding was over and we were back to our routine, we started planning hard for our move to Japan. Due to my contract at work, we had a date to aim for with June, 2018. The past year has been a whirlwind to get everything in order. Bringing the pets, getting my visa, Yuka job hunting, all the fun stuff.

We locked down a house in a city to the west of Tokyo and are in the process of packing and selling our things. On July 13th we make the big move.

This was all the prologue.

I’ll be maintaining this blog to update our travels with posts, pictures, and videos. The naming of the blog goes back to who Yuka and I are at heart; two kids watching anime, eating pizza, and hanging out with cats.

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ruthfeiertag · 4 years ago

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Explanatory Prologue

from https://www.freeimages.com/search/broken-camera[/caption]

Due to technical difficulties, I have fallen behind in my postings. And by "technical difficulties," I mean that my daughter, who tries to make sure I take care of my assorted devices, told me that there was an iOS update and that I should download and install it. So I did that, and I saw that my iTunes button had turned red and that there was now a magnifier button on my screen, and I'm hoping to get Meredith to explain the new Privacy settings to me, but everything else seemed pretty much the same. That is, until (dramatic music here, maybe from a tragic opera or a truly frightening horror movie) I tried to upload my recent photos for my next blog post, and WordPress told me, and I quote, "Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons." I figured that I had just not given the photo enough time to latch onto the WordPress media library and tried again. And WordPress said, "Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons," though it sounded snarkier and more smug this time.

I thought maybe there was something wrong with the photo itself, so I took a new picture of the page, re-edited it, and tried to upload it to my media library. And what did WordPress say? "Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons." This time I think it was gloating. It may have stuck its tongue out at me, but it happened too quickly for me to be sure.

Obviously, I needed help. So I tried the WordPress fora. I immediately found an old thread started by someone who had had exactly the same problem with which I was struggling. I was sure that I was on my way to resolving my difficulty, but alas! All the thread had to offer was that, at the time the question had been asked, WordPress itself was being glitchy and the WP Fairies were working their magic to smooth out the bump. I couldn't find anything more recent (and I was getting frustrated), so I sent my daughter a message, a cry for help, a plea for a light in the darkness of my blogging.

Now, Meredith is rather busy these days. She's working full-time, going to school half-time, and volunteering with her local CASA organization. It is, therefore, not unreasonable that it took her a couple days to respond to me. But here I encountered a wrinkle I had NOT seen coming: Meredith didn't know the answer. All of you who rely on your children to help navigate the often stormy seas of modern technology will understand how flummoxed I felt.

In desperation, I opened a browser window and typed in "Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons." One of the links I followed offered a list of file types that WordPress deems sufficiently innocuous to allow to cross its borders. "Huh," I thought, "maybe I should make sure my photos are still JPEGs." So after sifting through menus and sub-menus and randomly clicking on obscure options, I finally got my computer to confess that my new photos were NOT, in fact, JPEGs any longer. They were now something called HEIC. Apparently this new format saves space or something like that. I didn't really care. I just wanted my JPEGgy photos back.

The next logical step, it seemed to me, was to find out how to change my HEIC photos back into nice, tractable JPEGs. So back to my browser I went to ask it how to effect such a transformation. My research revealed that it was possible to do this in fifteen simple steps that I would be able to understand as soon as I got a degree in computer programming. This sort of "solution" is why I like my pens and copy machine.

Even if I could have figured out how to take my poor image through these multiple stations, I don't have the time to go through that process for every photo I want to upload to my blog. I was not happy. So I went to bed.

The next day I looked again for ways to re-dress HEIC photos in JPEG clothing, and after poking around on the 'Net for years — well, maybe months, possibly days —OK: a couple hours, I FINALLY stumbled on a link that told me I COULD GO TO THE SETTINGS OF MY PHONE AND TURN OFF THE HEIC OPTION AND GO BACK TO TAKING JPEGS. And here, my friends, I realized that I had once again fallen prey to one of the persistent problems with my brain: not knowing what question to ask. (I once spend two weeks trying to order a new power cord for my computer and could NOT find one anywhere. Eventually I found out that what I wanted was a power cable, but I didn't know to ask for one of those.)

In conclusion, I switched off the HEIC and restored the JPEG setting, re-took and re-edited the photos, and will now resume my "30 Inks in 30 Days" listing of a month of reasons to vote (really, if anyone is considering not voting, whether you agree with my views or not, please re-consider and vote. We all need to know what we, as a country, as a society, see as the direction in which we should take ourselves).

Thank you for reading. Stay well and safe and healthy.

Southern Poverty Law Center, "Family separation policy continues two years after Trump administration claims it ended." June 18, 2020.

David A. Graham. The Atlantic, "Are Children Being Kept in 'Cages"at the Border?" June 18, 2018.

Jacob Soboroff on the Rachel Maddow Show. July 6, 2020.

And for those who want say, "Well, President Obama did it first," please read Betania Palma. Snopes.com, "Did Obama Admin Build Cages That House Immigrant Children at U.S.-Mexico Border?". 2 July, 2019. I'm not saying it was right to do it at all, but Obama did not use these "cages" in the same way nor for the length of time that the Trump administration has been using them.

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gosatsuvns · 7 years ago

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Weekly Update #176 - A Look Back At 2017 & A Look Ahead At 2018

Tomorrow's the last day of 2017. With that in mind I have decided that, rather than postpone it until the 1st or even wait until next Saturday, I will use today's blog post to take a look back at 2017 and give you an idea as to what you can expect from us in 2018.

So, without further ado, let's see what we have managed to accomplish throughout this past year!

Unfortunately, this year, we don't have anything as big as the release of SHINRAI - Broken Beyond Despair to look back on. Nevertheless, there are a number of things I'm rather proud of.

At the beginning of the year, I was mostly working on SHINRAI's sequel, Withering Without Hope, updating the sprites for recurring characters like Raiko, Nobara and Henjin, for example. I generally worked on a lot of basic things in order to lay the foundation for our next game. Like the story and setting, planning the layout of the new location and starting to work on its design. If you have read one of our more recent blog posts, you might already know that the events of WWH will take place at the Ginmaku Movie Theater. I'm planning to finish the first background of the game as soon as possible so that you can have an actual first look at it.

Over the past 1 1/2 months, I've gotten back into WWH again and I'm planning to continue working on it over the next few months as well... as opposed to pushing it aside almost completely like I did around April.

Why did I do that, you might wonder... Well, that's because I wanted to focus solely on GENBA no Kizuna, the other project we are currently working on and which we officially revealed in June along with its main cast.

Up until that point, I had referred to it as our "dinosaur project" and by now, you should know why that is (at least if you've kept up with our blog posts over the last six months).

GENBA takes place at the Kaseki Residence, home of a world-renowned paleontologist. As such, it features a dinosaur-themed interior, but this "dinosaur theme" is also seeping into character designs and other things, similar to how "Halloween" was the theme for BBD.

GENBA is going to be shorter, a bit more fast-paced and more gameplay-oriented than SHINRAI, featuring a lot more interactivity. With the police actively involved in the investigation, the story being told mostly through dialogue, as well as the ability to experience it through the eyes of multiple characters, it will certainly feel rather different from our previous VN.

Nevertheless, it is still a murder mystery and it does actually connect to SHINRAI in very important ways. A topic I've talked about not too long ago.

With our focus mainly lying on GENBA for most of the year, we naturally made quite some progress with it. By creating a whole bunch of assets ranging from backgrounds to sprites and even menus, the game's foundation is laid now as well, to the point that we're getting really close to the release of a first demo!

That's really what most of our energy went into this year. We did pull off a few other things too, though.

For instance, after all this time, we now have our own website, which we launched back in June along with the GENBA announcement. It still requires more work and I really want to finally expand the sections for GENBA and WWH as well as add some other things to it, but that will be one of my goals for early 2018.

Outside of that (after an eternal back and forth), we have also decided to launch a Patreon page, which we did back in September. Through this, we hope to get enough funds together to eventually hire more people for our tiny team. At the moment, however, it's main purpose is to help us with covering the costs of GENBA's soundtrack.

Now, you might wonder, what exactly you'll get in return for supporting us on Patreon. Well, here's a quick list of everything you currently get access to:

- 3 character design sketches for the suspects appearing in GENBA - design sketches for Kenji and Misaki, 2 of the new characters in WWH - 3 full-length BGM tracks for GENBA - a look at the full script of GENBA's prologue - the first part of WWH's prologue - a post featuring unused BBD art + talk about visual clues - higher resolution & alternate versions of seasonal artworks + a whole bunch of WIP-looks

Things patrons can look forward to in the coming weeks: the final suspect character for GENBA, WWH's first BGM track, the second part of its script and more character designs. You'll also be able to decide through a poll who will be featured in February's Valentine's artwork. And, last but not least, early access to our GENBA demo!

Patreon is really about getting to see things way ahead of everyone else and being able to influence the stuff we do by offering suggestions. Patrons will be able to help us prepare the demo for its public release, for example.

Another thing I want to use Patreon for, however, is to post more WIP-stuff and other things I've always been way too shy and embarrassed about to share publicly. One big other thing patrons can look forward to, for example, is a post about our very first VN project which never got released. I will talk a bit more about how we got started and share with you some very old assets to give you an actual look at our early work from way back in 2011.

So yeah, if you're curious about those kinds of things, please consider checking out our Patreon page. Your support would be greatly appreciated!

I'd actually like to take this opportunity to once again thank everyone who has supported us thus far, whether it'd be through Patreon or any other means.

Throughout this year, we had some incredible things happen. From something as simple as getting new reviews on Steam to even receiving fan mail, both digitally as well as physically. It still feels strange and very surreal to think that some people actually enjoyed SHINRAI that much. People have even asked about possible merchandise, which is kind of shocking to me. But I guess that will be something to look into in 2018.

One of the greatest compliments I have received this year, however, is that SHINRAI actually inspired others to go forth and make their own stories. That's quite touching to hear and... I dunno... like I said, it's surreal. Sometimes it's really difficult to believe that this isn't just a dream. Because these are the kinds of things I have dreamed about for the longest time. For a big chunk of my life, actually.

Really, I'm deeply grateful for all the support we have gotten. People going out of their way to leave us a good review or even send us a message simply to show their appreciation... things like that truly make me happy and I couldn't ask for more. And they certainly serve to fuel our passion. I hope that all of you will continue to stick with us until our next projects come out, no matter how long it will take!

Which I guess brings me to the final point: what's in store for 2018?

Well, like I said before, our main focus will lie on finishing that GENBA demo. It was already supposed to be released in late November, which didn't quite work out. And although not much is missing anymore, we didn't make too much progress on it in December. Which is mostly due to the fact that December is always a really busy month. Aside of a lot of RL stuff, we had to take care of the seasonal artworks and... I admittedly decided to rather devote myself to WWH, simply because I was in the right mood for it. And while I plan to continue work on WWH, I will definitely get back to that demo now, too.

When will GENBA be finished in its entirety? That's a good question. To be honest, I was hoping to release it in 2018, but it's always difficult to assess whether or not that will work out. I can't foresee what kind of hurdles we might stumble into or how long exactly certain tasks might take. That said, I still want to make it my goal to finish GENBA in 2018.

Please keep in mind though that whenever I set goals such as this (even the demo release for late November), it's more of a way to motivate myself rather than me making an actual promise. Might sound like a lame excuse, but... I know that, even if I don't manage to make the deadline, I will still do my best to actually meet it, resulting in more progress than I would achieve otherwise.

If I tell myself that releasing GENBA in 2018 is impossible, so I'll just say 2019... I will make a lot less progress on it, because I'll have that "there's still time"-feeling in the back of my mind. That's why I think it's always important to set personal goals and work towards them as hard as you can. Whether or not you actually manage to reach those goals doesn't really matter as much as the amount of progress you have made once their deadline hits.

Of course, those goals should still be somewhat realistic, so that you can actually feel as though they're perfectly possible to reach. There is no point in purposely setting completely unrealistic goals. That might actually be more detrimental to your work ethic than anything else. But finishing GENBA in 2018 seems doable to me, so I do want to work towards that. Just don't be mad at me please if it doesn't work out after all, haha.

Anyway, this is starting to get a tad too long, so I should finally wrap this up. I will talk more specifically about our January goals in next week's blog post. Until then, please take care and have a happy new year!

And once again, from both Natsu and myself: thank you so much for your interest in the things we do!

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tinseltine · 6 years ago

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Tinsel & Tine :BLACKSTAR Interviews with Filmmakers

Tinsel & Tine's

5 QUESTION INTERVIEWS with BLACKSTAR FILM FESTIVAL FILMMAKERS

By Le Anne Lindsay, Editor

youtube

Post Update 8.15.18 Compilation of Post Screening Q&A from the filmmakers

The 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia gets underway shortly (August 2-5, 2018). To further shine a spotlight on the talented filmmakers screening this year, I asked several of the directors and/or writers in the shorts programs to answer the same 5 Questions, which resulted in varying and personal responses. Please see filmmakers answers below:

BEHIND THE DOOR: JOLA'S STORY Director Michael Adeyeye Writer Chioma C Ezeh When World's Collide Shorts Program Friday, Aug. 3rd 4:05pm United Kingdom, 2017, 9 min. North America Premiere

A story of loss, struggle and liberation. Jola, who was trafficked from her home country of Nigeria when she was a child, has spent the last decade being transported across different countries and cities. We begin to unravel the pieces of her individual story and her journey towards liberation. TRAILER

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Chioma C Ezeh: I think its important that the work I create is not only visually captivating but also improves peoples lives in some way and I feel honored that I was able to achieve this through BTD, as the writer and lead actress, it was crucial that the director and I shared a common understanding as to what we envisioned this film to be, and I think that's definitely been one of the great successes of this film - the fact that we were all so invested in Jola’s story and the possibility that this film could inform & add to the conversations surrounding Modern Day Slavery. 2.T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Chioma C Ezeh: As a filmmaker, I would say the place I really shine is when it comes to the “untold story” or when I get a chance to challenge or inform narratives. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Chioma C Ezeh: Of course a massive shout out has to go out to our Indiegogo supporters, and to my team, particularly our incredibly talented and supportive Producer Earleatha Oppon who has been with me from the very beginning and helped us get to BSFF! Our Director Michael Adeyeye, Costume designer Elleshia Flowers, our amazing actors Kingsley Amadi, Guy Samuels, Melanie Gayle and Clara Rose and Louise Davidson who supported this journey from its inception. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Chioma C Ezeh: We actually had a food scene where one of the characters brings Jola this plate of unpleasant food which didn’t make it to the final cut (we’ve since included it in our production diary which can be found here http://btdfilm.com/productiondiary.html ) and the idea here was really to further illustrate her way of life. Other than that, I remember after one of the scenes we were moving onto our final location, and we all eating and just talking really and suddenly that's when it all felt real for me that this vision was actually coming to life. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Chioma C Ezeh: It means so much to have been selected, to be included in a line up that celebrates Black Art and conversations in this way truly is an honor. CAL & V Director Timothy Offor Possibly, Maybe Shorts Program Saturday, Aug. 4, 12:00 noon United States, 2017, 13 min.

(Philadelphia Premiere) Shot primarily in one take, this film depicts a moment in the lives of two former lovers. Cal Reese, a movie star, fresh off a career comeback, returns to the old neighborhood in order to reclaim his one true love, Vanessa. To his surprise, Vanessa resists his advances, protecting her heart from another abandonment. Cal persists as they stroll down memory lane, deflecting the dissenting opinions of old friends and concerned neighbors. When they can go no further, Vanessa must decide whether the depths of old wounds run deeper than the waters of forgiveness. Click for Trailer

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Timothy Offor: The main inspiration for my film was watching my friends and even in my own experience as I transitioned from my late 20s into my early 30s navigate love and our relationships, specifically the ones that never seem to end. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Timothy Offor: I think I shine most at being able to deliver extraordinary emotions out of relatively ordinary circumstances. I was once told by a professor in undergrad that everyone is interesting. Therefore, when I see the ordinary things we go through in life, I look at it throw a cinematic lens and I am able to dramatize them and make them captivate you as you view. I believe this works because I relate to my work so much and I feel if I make it as it is relatable to me as I do to my cast and crew then that will translate to the viewers. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Timothy Offor: Big shout out to my entire cast and crew. Especially our lead producers Ian McClellan and Jheanelle Brown who were on the project long before and way after anyone else. I also want to thank professor USC Jed Dannenbaum who pulled me into his office and encouraged me to make this film with this style when I was at one of my lowest moments. USC Professor Richard Burton for mentoring me throughout the process. Also my aunts Mel, Jenny and Wendy who donated to us in order to make this film happen. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Timothy Offor: Although no food was eaten on screen, the entire cast and crew enjoyed a Trinidadian inspired spread for lunch, catered by my Aunt Debbie. Over a year later I'm still getting requests from crew members for her food. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Timothy Offor: It's an honor and truly appreciated to be a part of the 7th annual Blackstar film festival. This film has played at many festivals and obviously I haven't been able to attend all but I knew I would make this one work. I have a black & brown love story, I don't think that is often seen on screen, at least not with the approach we took. Blackstar is the place that is giving filmmakers like myself the opportunity to showcase our work without bias and for that I am grateful.

RECURRENCE PLOT: THE FAMILY CIRCLE Director Bryan Oliver Green Future Frontier Shorts Program Friday, Aug. 3, 12:00 noon United States, 2018, 14 min.

A crystal, memory-storing bracelet transports a young mother back to the day of her own mother’s traumatic death and challenges the notion that time flows in only one direction. World Premiere.

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Bryan Oliver Green: "Recurrence Plot: The Family Circle" is a film adaptation of the first chapter of Rasheedah Phillip's self-published novel "Recurrence Plot And Other Time Travel Tales". So clearly, the main inspiration for my film would be Rasheedah Phillips and her work. It was an amazing experience to finally collaborate artistically with such a good friend. Essentially, "The Family Circle" is a story about trauma, breaking cycles of destruction, and the struggle of modern black womanhood. It acts as a prologue and sets up the personal history/background story of Khepri, who becomes the main character for the rest of the novel "Recurrence Plot". 2.T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Bryan Oliver Green: As a filmmaker I shine most as a writer, director & editor. I adapted Rasheedah's work directly from the page in a way that best-served her story and her vision. As a director, I am very adept at pulling stellar performances from child actors and even individuals with little-to-no acting experience. One of my golden rules about directing is that it's typically better to tell an actor what their character feels and why, rather than simply telling an actor what to say or do. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Bryan Oliver Green: I had the absolute best team assembled for this project! Kevin Martin, another long-term collaborator, was my Director of Photography [he also DPed on my comedy "The Philadelphia Bicycle Vignette Story" nominated for best narrative short in BlackStar last year] he shot everything beautifully and really brought our vision to life! Sara Zia Ebrahimi was indispensable as a producer and AD, assisting me with the fundraising process. Derrick Woodyard wore so many hats and came with so much of his personal equipment on this production! He assisted Kevin as AC and gripped/gaffed for us as well. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Bryan Oliver Green: I also had a very dear friend of mine, Nia D. Minard [Imbitecurious Catering] provide meals for us for all three days. We graduated from Drexel together, and I've been a devoted fan of her cooking for nearly 15 years now haha It's great to be able to hire her professionally as the two of us progress in our respective careers over the years. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Bryan Oliver Green: Screening "Recurrence Plot" at BlackStar this year means more to me than I could possibly verbalize! I love the fact that I've been given the opportunity to screen at BlackStar two years in a row with two very dynamically different films [a comedy and a sci-fi drama] showcasing my range as a filmmaker & storyteller. I also love the fact that I announced my intention to put "Recurrence Plot" together last year at BlackStar in the Q&A following my screening of The Bicycle Vignettes, and exactly a year later it has become a reality!

FOUR DAYS IN MAY Director Deborah A. Thomas, Junior “Gabu“ Wedderburn, Deanne M. Bell August 2nd 1:15pm (Screens before Douvan Jou Ka Leve) United States, 2017, 41 min.

Four Days in May explores how state violence generates archives of both suffering and life by focusing on the 2010 State of Emergency in West Kingston, Jamaica. Locally dubbed the “Tivoli Incursion,” the joint operation of the military and police forces into Tivoli Gardens and surrounding communities in order to apprehend Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who had been ordered for extradition to the United States to stand trial for gun and drug-related charges, resulted in the deaths of at least 75 civilians. The film features community residents talking about their experiences during the “incursion,” and naming and memorializing of loved ones they lost. Click for Video of Thomas

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Deborah Thomas:To our minds, there wasn't enough attention being paid to the ongoing issues related to the Tivoli Incursion in Jamaica, and people's stories weren't being heard. It was too easy for Jamaicans to dismiss what happened as something that was in the past and something that had to happen to change the political system, but then they weren't addressing the victims of the incursion as full humans beings. The film was meant to add depth to the media reports that were dominating people's understanding of the incursion. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Deborah Thomas: I am, first and foremost, an anthropologist, and I am interested in the ways we can represent social worlds outside of books and academic audiences. Before I became an anthropologist, I was a professional dancer, and so always believed in the power of art to change people's thinking and hearts. As a filmmaker, I am committed to telling complex stories without offering easy solutions to problems, which is also the strength of anthropology. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Deborah Thomas:Of course, my co-directors Deanne M. Bell and Junior "Gabu" Wedderburn are amazing, as are the many many people who helped make this film happen, in Jamaica and in the US. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Deborah Thomas:Food? Lots of discussions over curried conch at Moby Dick's, my favorite restaurant in downtown Kingston. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Deborah Thomas: We're so excited to be part of Black Star's seventh year, in part because our earlier film, BAD FRIDAY, was in the first Black Star festival. We're honored to be able to return!!

ACCIDENTALS filmmaker Aisha Evelyna Family Matters Shorts Program Thurs. August 2nd 11am Canada, 2017, 12 min. (U.S. Premiere)

An estranged father and daughter come to terms with their frayed relationship during a tense road trip as they each limp towards the realization that neither of them is doing okay on their own. Click for TRAILER

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Aisha Evelyna: A little bit of August Wilson’s Fences and a LOT of Scandal. Yes, Shonda Rhimes’s “Scandal"- and the lack of father daughter relationships on screen- specifically with regards to black familial relationships that exist outside the crack head narrative, that are NOT comedy. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Aisha Evelyna: Not a director! (at least I don’t consider myself one right now lol) Where I hope I shine as a filmmaker is as an actor on screen. However, I plan on putting on a director hat for my next short film, Shoegazer, which I will also star in, because Shonda hasn’t made me a serious offer yet. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Aisha Evelyna: Shout out to my Director and Best bud - Natalie Novak, Producer Magician Mother Greatness- Elizabeth Fraser, Powerhouse Kevin Hanchard, Annie Fairfoul at We Make Movies Canada, John Marcucci for sitting through 10 awful first drafts, Farid Yazdani, Y.E.A.A, & ACTRA Toronto, & my mom for listening to me cry when making a movie was a wee bit too much for me to handle. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Aisha Evelyna: There are a lot of “Tim Bits” (donut holes) eaten while shooting this short. They were all eaten by me, and I loved every second of it. The next day- not so much. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Aisha Evelyna:Everything. The fact that people continue to find any kind of artistic merit in this film still continues to leave me incredibly humbled and in awe. Grateful is not a big enough word.

JUNIOR Director Tarik Jackson Family Matters Shorts Program Thurs. August 2nd 11am United States, 2017, 9 min.

A young black boy wakes up to a noise in the middle of the night. It is an attempted robbery at their comfortable, middle class home that gets thwarted by his father who has a gun. The police arrive and their investigation causes tension. Later, after a fishing trip, their car is pulled over by hostile police who think the dad is a criminal.

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Tarik Jackson: The project came together as a part of the feature film shot (available on DVD right now) directed by film school professor and mentor Jeremy Kagan. Kagan wanted to make a small project about how gun violence has affected black communities and reach out to me about making it happen. As soon as I heard about the project I instantly thought of the first time a gun was pointed at me. It was when my Dad and I were pulled over by two cops when I was 8 years old. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Tarik Jackson: I shine in a lot of areas lol. If I had to choose one it’d be working with actors, I really feel comfortable conversing with them and pushing them to the height of their creativity. I’m also really big on framing shots but I always make sure to work with a super talented DP who can expand my visual vision. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Tarik Jackson: First out shout out the best producer in Jacquin DeLeon who almost died twice putting this film together. My co writer Salim Lemelle who really helped me shape the story we were telling and make it feel as real as possible. My cousin/brother and DP Elijah Karriem who pulled off the best oner of my career in the opening scene. A’sia Horne who had to sit in session after session of our ridiculous notes for the edit. AJ Gannon who did all the post sound in his new in home studio. Jognic Bontemps who gave us an original 90’s sitcom style score. Actually I use some of the music he created as the theme song for my daily show TLDR on Mel Magazine. And last but not least the man who paid the bills Jeremy Kagan. (Tarik & Salim are also writers on the Web Series Melvin Gregg Presents Class)

4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Tarik Jackson: Nah not really. We ate when we were hungry. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Tarik Jackson: I’m amped for it. Some great filmmakers I came up with like Tim Offor (see interview above) and Chris Ortega are also screening in the fest so I’m excited to see their films play with the new crowd. And I love Philly, so having a reason to come to the city of Brotherly Love is always a blessing. This the second time I’ll be in Philly this year, I was out here a few months ago to visit my boy Steve Caple while he directed Creed 2, so to be back with my own film is dope AF. ZENITH Director Ellie Foumbi When Worlds Collide Shorts Program Friday, August 3rd 4:05pm United States, 2017, 15 min. North America Premiere

When an adopted Black Mennonite has an unexpected connection with a migrant worker, she is torn between her faith and her desire to explore the outside world. www.elliefoumbi.com

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Ellie Foumbi: I was inspired by an article I found about an African-American woman who was adopted into a rural Mennonite community as a baby. I saw direct parallels with my own upbringing when I first moved from Africa to the U.S. and attended a French school where there were relatively no other students of color. It was quite a culture shock for me. I struggled to find my place in this new society. With Zenith, I saw an opportunity to examine identity through the lens of race and family. I was also really interested in exploring the world of Mennonites, a community rarely depicted on screen. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Ellie Foumbi: I’ve been a cinephile since the age of five. I fell in love with the films of Claire Denis, Michael Haneke and Lynne Ramsey, among others. Visually, I’ve spent the last several years developing my eye as a director at Columbia University’s School of the Arts where my style has evolved immensely. My experience as an actor has also given me a lot of confidence when it comes to directing actors. I’m not afraid to throw away my script and to find new interesting moments through improvised work with the actors. I think that’s one of my strongest attributes as a director. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Ellie Foumbi: I had the most incredible team, starting with my cinematographer, Charlotte Dupré who was one of the first crew members to join the project. Our collaboration was one of a kind. I also need to credit the incredible producing team we had, which includes Sola Fasehun and Joseph Mastantuono. They each contributed very differently to this film. The cast was one of the best, I’ve ever worked with: Rudy Mungaray, Benton Green and Michelle Macau. Finally, I have to shoutout my editor, Dan Gross and my composer, Gavin Brivik. I was awarded a film scoring grant from ASCAP, which gave Gavin and I the resources to create a very unique score. This really helped elevate the film to another level. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Ellie Foumbi: Sadly, food did not play a part in our film. The entire film was shot in a house in upstate, NY. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Ellie Foumbi: It means everything. Up to date, the film has screened solely at international film festivals like BOGO Shorts and Zanzibar International Film Festival. It feels really good to bring it back to the States as this is our U.S. premiere. I’ve heard really good things about BlackStar for years and had many friends screen here. My team and I are honored to have the opportunity to share our work with a Philly audience. UR MINES Director Jeff Lucky Possibly, Maybe Shorts Program Saturday, Aug. 4, 12:00 noon United States, 2018, 6 min. US Premiere

On a single day in London, a jaded saxophone player and a frustrated photographer make a seemingly random connection as they bond over their common artistic and personal struggles.

I gave each filmmaker the choice of writing their responses to the 5 questions or creating a video to answer. So happy to present the first video! Jeff did a perfect job answering on camera in an awesome t-shirt!

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BLOOD RUNS DOWN Director Zandashe Brown Haint Business Shorts Program Sunday August 5th 11:45am United States, 2018, 18 min. East Coast Premiere

It’s the night before Ana’s fifth birthday and Elize wants to make sure all is in order to give her daughter the best celebration yet. Consistently weary from the never-ending job of single motherhood with no outlets for her own care, Elize searches for a place for her own peace and vulnerability. When Elize undergoes a frightening transition, Ana must decide between saving her mother or protecting herself in this haunting account of inheritance, daughterhood, and demons.

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Zandashe Brown: BLOOD RUNS DOWN is a deeply personal film, based mostly on my own experience living with a mother who was in the midst of a mental breakdown. On a larger scale, it's a story about generational trauma amongst Black women and girls, and the connection of that trauma to... well, I'll let you watch the film and see. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Zandashe Brown: I like to think I shine when I get to the script analysis. Communication is very important to me as a filmmaker, and the challenge of directing has made me a better communicator in real life. I really enjoy breaking down words and scenes - even if they're ones I've written, especially then - and expanding the subtext and motives and everything else behind the words into a larger universe. Then when I can bring that universe to the actors, have them expand it even more and explore the possibilities, I truly feel like I've started the process of creating something beautiful. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Zandashe Brown: I owe so much thanks to my mentor and producer Lauren Domino who really led me through the process of making my first real film (and encouraging me to submit to BlackStar!) I also have to give a very special thanks to my production designer Jesse Ray Guillory and co-producer Alexis Clark. The three of us spent many nights and days together crafting Blood Runs Down with very few resources. I'm thankful for what our friendship created. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Zandashe Brown:We’re a group of Louisianians so food is everything. All the time. Because we shot through the night and were already tired, we tried to make sure our meals and craft were light and boosted our energy. That can be a challenge when you’re in New Orleans surrounded by foods covered in all kinds of gravy, sauces, and ettouffee. It’s not that healthy options aren’t available to us, it’s just sometimes tricky to choose a veggie platter and hummus over a warm bowl of gumbo that someone’s mom could have thrown together. Thankfully, we all wanted to stay awake and made good choices. Plus, it’s Louisiana so... we're always gonna eat good. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Zandashe Brown: BlackStar will be my first experience screening a film outside of Louisiana so this is huge for me! It especially means a lot to screen for the first time at a festival that centers Black narratives and filmmakers. BLOOD RUNS DOWN is a film made for and largely by Black women. I trust that this very personal yet universal story will be warmly welcomed and honored by this community and I look forward to meeting so many other filmmakers with beautiful visions!

PARIS BLUES IN HARLEM Director Nadhege Ptah Family Matters Shorts Program Thursday, August 2nd 11am United States, 2018, 14 min. East Coast Premiere

Paris Blues in Harlem is the story of a young woman, Paris, and her attempts to save her grandfather’s insolvent Harlem jazz nightclub. Paris has a few hours to convince her rigid elder to accept a real estate agent’s briefcase with mounds of cash in exchange for his nightclub. But, as time runs out, he struggles to let go. With only a few seconds left, Paris is faced with a choice between legacy and money.

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Nadhege Ptah:My inspiration was in preserving the legacy of Paris Blues - a Harlem Jazz club owned and operated by Samuel Hargress since 1969, and has such a rich history. Gentrification and the shift in Harlem made it pertinent to capture this old Harlem legacy through film; particularly while the elders are alive to share stories while it still exists. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Nadhege Ptah: I shine on being truthful and genuine and encouraged my creative team to shine on their truth and talents to bring the story towards fruition. The process is really organic by meeting the creative team, discussing my goals, intentions and hearing their input on how to enhance it. I'm a stickler for meticulous preparation and creating a family atmosphere where respect and fun are in the mix so we can get out of our own way and let the artistic process shine and be the main focus. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Nadhege Ptah: So many people to name. Okay, let me name a few which are the: Producing Team ( Michele Baldwin/Actress, Lisa Durden, Frances Lozada) Executive Producers: Samuel Hargress, ideacoli, Actors: Charles Weldon, Tonya Pinkins, C. Truth, Arthur French, Doctor Bob Lee, Iris Gale, Set Decorator: Fabiola Didier, Set Design Assistant: Dawn Patterson, Director of Photography: Snyder Derival, Editor: Gaudens Zulu, Music Composer: Jeff Joseph Jeudy, Costume Design: Yvette P. Joseph, Makeup Artist: Felicia Graham, Hair: Alethea X. Graham and countless more. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Nadhege Ptah: Food is a huge component of filmmaking for me. If we don't feed the soul how can we expect them to do their best work? Also, I'm huge on healthy and meeting diverse palettes. I Iove to eat healthy and delicious food. I love to eat. I do my best on sustaining healthy options. Hence, for low budget films, it's a challenge. So, my producer Michele and I are very creative in constructing a meal plan that's not costly and healthy. I have cooked large meals myself for my past two productions with leftovers remaining. Vegetarian Chili, brown rice, baked barbecue wings, stir-fried vegetables Asian noodles, rice and peas, salad, Hisbicus punch juice, pasta salad, etc. Also, I've had restaurants sponsor food for private screenings, production and utilize the catered meal in the some of the scenes. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Nadhege Ptah: A huge honor. I have attended many years ago with friends and I was impressed with the selection of films and the overall atmosphere of the festival. So, screening at the Black Star Film Festival feels like I've gain access and I'm a part of a community of innovative storytellers.

XIN (Heart) Director Desha Dauchan Haint Business Shorts Program Sun Aug. 5th 11:45am United States, 2017, 12 min. East Coast Premiere

Xin (“heart”, in Mandarin) is the story of a woman haunted by the ghost of her mother after having been her caregiver and watching her succumb to Atypical Parkinson’s Disease. With the help of her therapist, she tries to gain clarity on the nature of the hauntings. tinahuang.com

We get the filmmaking team on this one! 1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Tina Huang (Writer/Co-producer/Actor): Firstly, this story grew out of my own struggle with grief: in 2014 my mother passed away after suffering from a degenerative disease. I had been her caregiver. I hoped I would move linearly through the known "five stages of grief." What I found was that grief is not linear; I often traversed backward and forward and got knocked sideways. I had nightmares, day dreams and thought I could still sense my mother's presence. I felt crazy and alone. I found some help in therapy and began to write. Secondly, my community rallied behind me. My loved ones and closest friends, especially my producing partner, Karla Mosley, encouraged me to write through the grieving process. I was hesitant to share my personal experience and cried a lot while writing. Surprisingly, at the screenings we've had, the film has resonated with people who have also experienced profound loss and numerous people have approached me after to share their own stories. I feel honored that people feel connected to our film and to the imagery. I realized that sharing my experience, a universal human experience, has a true healing power and my feelings of isolation have been shattered. Finally, I am first generation Taiwanese American and my stoic, immigrant parents didn't raise me to celebrate or express my emotions. In my life, I haven't seen many faces like my own on the big screen. I thought it was important to make a film with people of color. We need to see our stories represented. Because Xin is such a personal story, I needed a director with the sensitivity, vision and intelligence to tell a universal story and Desha was the right person. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Desha Dauchan (Director): I dive in to know and feel the heart of the story and allow it to guide my attention to detail at every step of the process. For Xin, we began with such a well-written and heartfelt script. Collaborating with Tina, the producer, actress and writer felt so organic. We found such easy common ground so often, knowing we were peeling back the layers of Elaine’s grief to uncover the source of her own personal haunting. All of that guided my directorial choices as I worked with my team of creative collaborators…from holding a very still restricted frame compositionally and giving way to movement as the character’s stagnancy begins to break a bit…to holding back on the triumphant feel of the drums in the score until it was earned in Elaine’s evolution…to encouraging my actors and then stepping out of their way for their incredibly connected performances. For me, knowing the heart of the journey drives the guiding and texturing of what we are creating. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Tina Huang (Writer/Co-producer/Actor): This project could not have been done without my producing partner, Karla Mosley who Co-founded 1:1 Productions with me. Our mission is to champion women of color in front of and behind the camera. Not only did she encourage me through the tough writing process, she is an incredible co-producer and co-star. We would like to give a shout out to Desha Dauchan, director, Felecia Hunter, producer, Chris Low, director of photography, Romina Rey, editor, our amazing cast, CiCi Lau and Jim Lau, and to all of our amazing crew. We would also like to give a HUGE thanks to all of our donors whose financial support made this entire project come to life. BIG love to our family and friends who supported us through to the end. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Tina Huang:Food does not play a role in our film but Craft services does! Since so many of our crew are originally from the East coast, we made sure to get a large tub of Twizzlers and everyone was happy with that! Down with Red Vines! 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Desha Dauchan: I so admire Blackstar Film Festival’s bold commitment to a richly curated program highlighting storytellers from the diaspora. I am grateful to be back and we are honored to be apart of this community of filmmakers. Tina Huang:I ditto Desha's answer. I respect the work BlackStar is doing in supporting and lifting up underrepresented stories. I feel absolutely honored to be a part of this festival and extremely grateful to be in this community of filmmakers as well. I cannot wait to share XIN (Heart) with BlackStar's audiences.

FAMILY of TOO MANY (فامیل زیادی) Director Maaman Rezaee Family Matters Shorts Program Thurs, Aug 2nd 11am Iran, Islamic Republic of 2017, 14 min. World Premiere

Bahar, an 8-year-old Iranian girl, believes she has caused the death of her grandmother. As she deals with her feelings of guilt, her parents decide to steal the grandmother’s body. As Baha’is living in Shi’a Iran, the family risks everything when they spirit the body away in the middle of the night so that they can perform their prohibited religious rituals.

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Maaman Rezaee: The film is about a persecuted religious minority in Iran, one that I grew up in, and their struggle with obtaining the most basic rights, like that of burial rituals. I have heard similar stories growing up and they've always moved me. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Maaman Rezaee:I really enjoy collaborating with others and how the end film is never what you pictured in the beginning but is a result of the creative energy everyone brings to the table, whether it’s a constructive energy or not. It’s as if the film takes a life of its own. As someone who also spends a lot of time writing, and usually in solitude, this collaboration is what I’m looking forward to as I go through other phases. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Maaman Rezaee:So Many people were involved in the making of this film. As it states in the credits, many of these individuals, whether working on the crew or supporting us financially, didn’t want their names to be mentioned in the credits due to concerns for their safety. This film was challenging in so many ways, both in preproduction and production, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of everyone involved, credited or not. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Maaman Rezaee: We had Persian food on one of the production days. And I don’t know about anyone else on set, but I remember enjoying the food that day on a different level. As if the flavors and smells took me back to Iran, where the story comes from. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Maaman Rezaee:This is my first time attending Backstar Film Festival but I’m beyond excited to have the film premiere in my current city and at this festival. It seems to bring the community together under the same values of telling stories that matter and of people that are rarely represented in mainstream cinema. And that’s the exact image I had in mind while creating Family of Too Many.

NIGHTS OF AUTUMN Director Majestic Tillman Here On Out Shorts Program Sunday, Aug. 5, 2:30 PM  United States, 2018, 13 min. World Premiere

When Cameron returns to his childhood home to visit his sister Mira, he is confronted by his stepfather Marcus, forcing him to confront his tumultuous family history.

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Majestic Tillman:My main inspiration for my film was an idea I got wondering what lengths I would go to to protect my little brother. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Majestic Tillman:I mostly focus on acting and screenwriting But for this project I chose to direct it as well. Where I’m strongest at in my directing is how I can relate to an actor and explain the reasons behind where their character is going what they are doing. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Majestic Tillman: I would like to shoutout RougeFX for helping me to film this project. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Majestic Tillman:We had craft services from a local cook named Deirdre Kelly who cooked for us on our night shoot. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Majestic Tillman:For me it’s a form of recognition from my people who are trying to make it in the same field I’m in, and it’s exciting to know that people take my art serious.

BLACK LIGHT Director Justice Singleton Here On Out Shorts Program Sun. Aug. 5th 2:30pm United States, 2017, 11 min.

This film, set in Los Angeles, is about Kasim Jordan, a skateboarder and aspiring filmmaker who, after getting kicked out of his home, begins to explore Hollywood and the dangers his mother has warned him about.

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Justice Singleton:My inspiration for my film still is Trayvon Martin’s death and the results from it. I felt the need to respond to the madness by writing a feature film. When executive wanted know how my film would look I ended up directing this short first. Ultimately, the main inspiration was really being drawn in by the pain and anger of how mothers feel when they lose their children. In response their children become heroes and martyr for a vast movement. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Justice Singleton: I feel I shine as a filmmaker because I see the whole picture. I’ve been in various positions on and off set since I was young. I understand the whole entire process and the humility and care needed to collaborate with others. Directing has taught me compassion and patience. My greatest gift is having a talent for fine details. Finding a shot or frame or moment that’s very unique and touches an audience. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Justice Singleton: So many people uplifted Black Light such as my Director of Photography Laterrian McIntosh, costume designer Sami Martin Sarmiento, my talented actors Elijah Reed and Lola Albright. Of course, my parents, specifically my mom who nurtures a lot of my ideas! 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Justice Singleton: I eat a lot of junk onset, anything with hot sauce or something sweet involved! But for my people, had my grandpa make hot dogs or burgers. Really, if I want anything on set it’s soul food all the time! 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Justice Singleton: For my film to screen at this festival sincerely means a lot. I worked very hard to keep these ideas and dreams alive. To share BLACK LIGHT with others is a true blessing because I know we all share the same emotions and guilt involving black lives and how much they matter. This festival has always been known for being very black-centric and artsy, it’s cool to be apart of this BlackStar crew!

WHITE KNUCKLE Director Xavier Coleman Free RangeShorts Program Saturday, Aug. 4th 10am United States, 2018, 23 min.

When a serial killer begins targeting the gentrifiers of a dwindling, historically Black neighborhood, three young adults attempt to determine the murderer’s identity… before they’re next. TRAILER

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Xavier Coleman: In 2014, I moved to the neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York. Once referred to as "Little Harlem,” Bedford-Stuyvesant is a historically black, working class community previously known for containing the highest concentration of black homeowners in the country. When I finally arrived in Bedford-Stuyvesant, however, I noticed the extreme extent to which the Black community was being pushed out as a result of gentrification. And as the community was fading, so were the cultural elements and diversity which made the neighborhood so historically significant. I began to wonder what the cultural consequences of gentrification might mean for Brooklyn and cities like it around the world. This investigation ultimately led me to begin writing a horror film. The horror genre, and the slasher subgenre in particular, has always been a powerful tool to explore and critique American suburbia and expose its hidden dangers. Thus, it seemed to be an ideal framework with which to unpack the repercussions of gentrification for by inverting the genre’s suburban tropes within an urban setting. 2. T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Xavier Coleman: Absolutely love writing dialogue, and its something I want to continue to hone as I move forward as an artist. In terms of directing, constructing a rhythmic storyboard with my DP, Connor, and then editing it into existence is also something that gives me a lot of life. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Xavier Coleman: Big shout out my core team, best friends and co-creators - A.D. Tess Raih, Cinematographer Connor Lawson, Producer Philip Champagne, Producer Miranda Kahn, and 2nd A.D. Miakoda Gale! Another shoutout to the mentors who have supported us: Monkeypaw Productions, Tonya Lewis Lee and Molly Conners. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Xavier Coleman: I utilized food as a cultural signifier and a tool of character development in White Knuckle. Considering the way businesses and consumption are such a benchmark of gentrification as they cater to specific demographics, it made sense to unpack some of our films themes via food and beverage. In terms of what specifically is portrayed - you'll need to see the film to find out! 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Xavier Coleman: Being at BlackStar means I'm following in the footsteps of some my favorite artists who have been associated with the festival in the past; people such as Arthur Jafa, Bradford Young and Ava DuVernay. And it means I'm moving alongside of the next wave of amazing filmmakers, of which there are too many that I admire to name. Being a part of BlackStar feels like I'm on the right path.

IN THE FIELD Director Tesia Walker Haint Business Shorts Program August 5th 11:45am United States, 2017, 14 min. Philadelphia Premiere

In The Field follows an ambitious local reporter, John Landon, who witnesses a police-related shooting of a black girl outside a toy store on Christmas Eve. John is tasked with interviewing the girl’s family to get the scoop that will bring him national fame. However, he finds that getting the exclusive involves more than just being there first. TRAILER

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Tesia Walker: It's been a tense past several years in America. I wanted to make a statement along with the co-writer, Bobby Kruger. We wanted to add to the conversation of police and their relationship with the Black community. But we wanted to do it in a way that hasn't been seen before. So we decided to play with some aspects of horror and sprinkle it throughout the film. Because some of these tragedies that do happen are a bit horrific in a way. 2.T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Tesia Walker: I believe that stories pick their filmmakers, not the other way around. I am good at recognizing the stories that I should tell. I just feel it right in my core. On set, I love working with actors. I am totally a director's actor. It's a collaborative effort from script to screen. When an actor can give it that little special something, or add something in the moment that hasn't be thought of, it's like pure magic for me. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Tesia Walker: I want to thank Bobby Kruger, EJ Argenio, and Ryan Daveport, for giving me the opportunity to tell this story with them. They saw my film, Search Party, and recognized that we shared the same creative vision. I am eternally grateful for my amazing cast for slaying it over long hours in the cold: Tyson, Sally, Bobby, Antonio, John, and Shaakirah. Everyone from the camera team, editing, art department, the grips and gaffers, wardrobe, sound, locations, transportation, my AD, and production assistants--you are amazing!!!! 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Tesia Walker: You can always expect someone to be holding a cup or eating a snack at some point in my film. We had on camera snacks in one of the shots, but I am pretty sure at some point I started munching on those because waiting and eating go together on a film shoot. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Tesia Walker: I am really honored, especially because I have heard such great compliments from other filmmakers about Blackstar. Very excited to be a part of this dynamic festival!

FALLOU Dir. Alassane Sy When Worlds Collide Shorts Program England, Senegal, 2017, 31 min East Coast Premiere

Fallou is the story of a young man who has been sent from Senegal to London by a marabout linked to an extremist group. Fallou will discover London’s energy, music and people. He will make new friends and eventually make a choice: stay faithful to his marabout or embrace the exciting life of this new city.

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film? Alassane Sy: The confusion people have between Islam and terrorism. The many reasons why someone would want to join the dark side of extremism. These are the reasons why I wanted to bring an African perspective to this subject. 2.T&T: Where do you really shine as a filmmaker? Please expand upon directing to include the aspect of the directing process where you know you are most on point? Alassane Sy:When I have a story in my mind and a script that is open enough to improvise and use what the environment has to offer, then I am happy and feel like I am really creating something, not just following what has already been written. 3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at BlackStar. Alassane Sy: We shot this film with only £3000. So it required a not necessarily super experienced team, but a passionate and dedicated team. The list is long, but the entire cast and crew were just amazingly talented artists (singers, dancers and others) to make this happen. Without them, this film would never happen. 4. T&T: Does food play a part in your film? It can be something you like to eat on set, while editing, some great Craft Services, a scene involving food or a restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Alassane Sy: Thieboudiene (favourite Senegalese dish), made by one of the main actors of the film, Khadime Manè (Badou in the film), was the secret of this whole shooting process. 5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 7th Annual BlackStar Film Festival? Alassane Sy: I think just the name”Blackstars” is enough for any black filmmakers to feel like they are at the right place. With a film or without, I would be happy to assist or contribute in somehow to this great initiative.

In preparation for #Blackstar18, I sent these interview questions to many of the filmmakers screening short films, because it seemed to me since their work is shown in blocks, it would be nice to highlight each individual director and/or writer. However, that doesn't mean I can't give some love and attention to a filmmaker debuting his first feature length film - Menelek Lumumba's film "1 Angry Black Man" had its World Premiere in Philadelphia during #BlackStar18 CHECK OUT HIS 5 QUESTION INTERVIEW

BLACKSTAR FILM FESTIVAL 2018 AWARD WINNERS

JURIED AWARDS Best Feature Documentary Douvan Jou Ka Leve (Gessica Généus) Best Narrative Feature Jinn (Nijila Mu’min) Best Short Documentary Nuuca (Michelle Latimer) Best Short Narrative Where the Water Runs (Dubois N. Ashong) Best Experimental Film Fucked Like a Star (Stefani Saintonge) Best Youth Film (Ages 11-18) blu blak (King Ali Emeka) Best Youth Film (Ages 19-22) I Have Something to Tell You (Tshireletso Phalatse, Kagiso Baloyi, Rethabile Milisi) 21st Century Global Inclusion Awards for Emerging Voices: Narrative War Paint (Katrelle Kindred) 21st Century Global Inclusion Awards for Emerging Voices: Documentary Birth of Afrobeat (Opiyo Okeyo) AUDIENCE AWARDS Favorite Experimental Film: Fucked Like a Star (Stefani Saintonge) Favorite Documentary Feature: The Feeling of Being Watched (Assia Boundaoui) Favorite Narrative Feature: Jinn (Nijila Mu’min) Favorite Documentary Short: Black 14 (Darius Clark Monroe) Favorite Narrative Short: Where the Water Runs (Dubois N. Ashong) Favorite Youth Film (11-18): Beyond My Skin (Aniya Wolf) Favorite Youth Film (19-22): Hot and Bothered (Leah Byrd)

I knew BLACKSTAR FILM FESTIVAL founder Maori Karmael Holmes moved to LA to work for Ava DuVernay's @ARRAYNow before the 2018 #BlackStarFest, but just came across this interesting behind the scenes interview via @Generocity - https://t.co/01o9lZrtgy

— Tinsel & Tine (@tinseltine) December 1, 2018

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