#i have concerns about the design. all of it

[felassan]

David Gaider: "It occurs to me, after reading posts getting it spectacularly wrong, that there are a lot of misconceptions over how game studios organize and, in particular, who makes the actual decisions about what ends up in your game. Much of it is by folks who don't *try* to get it... but not all, surely. I'll explain it a bit, but a big caveat: I'm going to talk in generalities and roles. Actual titles vary (a lot) from studio and studio, and the bigger a studio is the more segmented their departments (and thus management) is going to be. Even so, most studios, big and small, kind of work the same. To start, you're going to break your devs up into at least three groups: design (what is the game? how does it work?), art (what will it look like?), and engineering (making it go). There can be a lot of cross-over and some departments that don't fit into a project structure (QA, Marketing, etc.)"

Rest of post under cut due to length.

"There's going to be someone in charge of these groups - these are usually called "leads" or "senior leads". The actual title varies. The Design Lead could be a Lead Designer, for instance, or it could be a Creative Director and a Lead Designer is what they call someone further down the chain."

"These leads all report to a Project Director, someone who's job it is to manage the project as a whole. Now, this part gets a little dicey. Depending on the studio, this role can be anything from more production-oriented (they control the schedule) to an outright auteur who micro-manages everything."

"More importantly, it's the PD who hands down the project goals to the Leads: the strategic goals, the needed features, the shape of it all, etc. The Leads then figure out how their department is going to tackle those, and work with each other. If the Leads conflict, it's the PD's role to solve it. How much autonomy or ownership those Leads have is, like I said, really up to the individual PD and that studio's culture. Even in the case of a PD who has a lot of authority over the project, however, they still report to the studio leadership (unless it's the same person, like in a small studio)."

"The studio leadership is going to be giving the PD their marching orders, often in the form of those strategic goals. If there's a publisher involved, that's where the studio leadership is likely getting those goals. The PD, then, ends up being the person who has to negotiate with everyone above."

"What does this mean? If the studio or publisher has concerns about the project, they're calling in the PD to explain. If the project needs more time or resources, it's on the PD to explain to them why and how and when. If there are a lot of layers above the PD... yes, it's a looot of meetings. So while the PD is managing up, the Leads are managing down. With big projects, that means managing the "sub-leads"... those in charge of the individual sections of their department. It'd be unmanageable otherwise, and the bigger the project the more of these there are going to be."

"What does this mean? Well, let's look at the way BioWare broke up Design (as of 8 years ago, anyhow). Design consisted of Narrative Design, Level Design, Systems Design, Gameplay Design, and Cinematic Design (who worked in tandem with Cinematic Animation, which actually fell under the Art Lead)."

"The sub-leads are handed their goals by the lead, and work out how they're going to produce their particular corner of the game and also, more importantly, how they're going to work with each other. Conflicts between sub-leads are handled by the lead, as are ANY conflicts with other departments. What conflicts could there be, you ask? Dependencies, for one. "I can't do X until Y is done, but Y is someone else's job". Or scope. "We need 20 doodads but the sub-lead said they only have time to make 10, what now?". Even outright differences in vision. Big projects means room for a LOT of egos. If you think this is easier with a smaller (or indie) project, the answer is "yes, but not really". The roles are still necessary but often get combined into one person. Or outsourced, and someone still needs to manage the outsourcing. Things fall off over-full plates. It's a different kind of hard. Anyhow, the point of all this is: the further you go down the chain, the smaller the box you can play in is. The less you have actual say over, and even then that say is subject to being overridden by ANYONE above... and must still play nicely with the needs and goals of the other departments. You also need to keep in mind that projects are constantly in flux. Problems that were thought solved need re-solving. The team falls behind schedule and scope needs to change. You are constantly in a dance, within your tiny box, trying to figure out sub-optimal solutions that cause the least pain. And there will be pain. Shit rolls downhill, as they say, and when the project encounters big issues that means those high up have the sad job of figuring out how to spread it out and who can afford to take the hardest hit. If you're that one, you take it on the chin and you deal. This is the job. Lastly, I'll re-iterate: not every studio works this way, exactly. The roles exist, sure, but are not divided up so neatly or as easily identifiable. Even so, this should give you an idea what "lead" and "sub-lead" mean... and perhaps help you imagine what it's like existing further down the chain."

[source thread]

[dollishmehrayan]

# “ME AND MY HUSBAND WE’RE STICKING TOGETHER.” ── .✦ ( this just a brainrot drabble of bruce wayne && mrs. wayne because I’m obsessed with this mini series ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ )

a/n: i love infecting this type of brain-rot into you guys omg like genuinely it’s a slight problem i have to stop for a while because it GETS to a point😭😭, anywayss here i guess 🧍🏻‍♀️tags: (bruce wayne x fem!reader/batmom)

© dollishmehrayan — ( all rights reserved to me. These works cannot be reposted, translated, or modified. Thank you for understanding dollies! )

The lights of Gotham’s grandest ballroom sparkled like stars fallen to earth, casting an ethereal glow over the sea of designer gowns, sharp suits, and dazzling jewelry. The annual Wayne Foundation Gala was in full swing, a spectacle of wealth and power that captured the city’s fascination every year. Reporters lined the velvet ropes outside, cameras flashing as Gotham’s elite ascended the marble steps of the historic venue.

But tonight, all eyes were on you and Bruce Wayne.

When the two of you arrived, the murmur of the crowd outside turned into a roar. The whispers started almost immediately, a ripple of surprise and intrigue as the media scrambled to capture every angle of your entrance.

You walked beside Bruce, your hand resting lightly on his arm. Your gown a masterpiece in midnight blue satin clung to your frame with an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly, the fabric shimmering faintly under the streetlights. The diamond earrings you wore caught the light with every step, but it was the confidence in your stride and the warmth in your expression that truly captivated the crowd.

Bruce, ever the enigma, looked every bit the part of Gotham’s most eligible billionaire and bachelor. His tailored black suit was immaculate, and his usually reserved demeanor seemed to soften when he looked at you. It was a subtle thing the way his gaze lingered on you as you ascended the stairs, the faint smile tugging at his lips—but the cameras caught it all.

The tabloids were going to have a field day.

Inside the ballroom, the air was heavy with the scent of fresh roses and expensive champagne. Crystal chandeliers hung high above, their light refracting in a kaleidoscope of colors across the polished floors. Bruce guided you through the throng of guests, his hand firm at the small of your back, as if silently promising to shield you from the inevitable onslaught of questions.

And they came, as they always did.

The whispers were relentless as you mingled, weaving through the crowd like threads in a tapestry. Who was she? Where had she come from? How long had she and Bruce been together? Speculation about your background and your relationship with Gotham’s most elusive bachelor flooded the room.

“She’s stunning,” someone murmured behind a raised champagne flute.

“But where did she come from? She’s not one of the usual socialites,” another voice responded, tinged with curiosity.

Bruce ignored the comments with his usual stoic grace, but you couldn’t help catching fragments of the conversations as you moved through the room. You were used to the scrutiny, though. Being with Bruce meant living under a microscope, and while the attention could be suffocating, you’d learned to wear it like armor.

“Smile,” Bruce whispered into your ear as the two of you paused near a towering floral arrangement. His voice was low and teasing, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. “You’re doing great, make sure to keep your eyes focused on the camera’s slightly.

You tilted your head up to meet his gaze, offering him a wry smile. “I wasn’t aware I was being graded.”

He laughed softly, his fingers brushing against yours in a fleeting gesture of reassurance. “You’re acing it.”, “really? Am i bruce??”

── .✦

Despite the intensity of the evening, Bruce never strayed far from your side. His presence was a constant, grounding you amid the whirlwind of flashing cameras and probing questions. Every time a journalist approached, Bruce would deftly redirect the conversation, shielding you from anything too invasive.

But the media frenzy outside was relentless. The headlines were already being written:

"Bruce Wayne’s Mystery Date Stuns at the Wayne Gala"

"Who is Gotham’s New It Girl?"

"A Love Story in the Making? Inside Bruce Wayne’s Relationship with (your name) Wayne"

As the night wore on, you found yourself on the balcony, stealing a moment of quiet away from the crowd. The cold air bit at your skin, but the solitude was worth it. Bruce joined you moments later, his jacket draped over his arm. Without a word, he slipped it around your shoulders, the warmth of the fabric a welcome relief from the chill, you weren’t gonna lie you got why every celebrity seemed to ‘hate’ paparazzi && fame.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice soft in the quiet.

You nodded, your gaze fixed on the city skyline. “Just needed a breather. It’s… a lot.”

He leaned against the railing beside you, his expression thoughtful. “They’ll talk. They always do. But none of it matters.”

You turned to face him, your lips curving into a small smile. “I know. It’s just… overwhelming sometimes, not used to this kind of attention..”

Bruce reached out, his fingers brushing against yours before wrapping them in his warm grip. “You don’t have to face it alone,” he said, his voice firm but tender. “Not tonight. Not ever.”

For a moment, the rest of the world faded away. It was just the two of you, standing under the Gotham sky, the distant hum of the gala forgotten. And as Bruce pressed a soft kiss to your forehead, you realized that no headline, no rumor, no amount of scrutiny could ever overshadow the quiet, steadfast connection you shared.

Inside, the gala continued, the music and laughter spilling out into the night. But out on the balcony, you and Bruce found something far more valuable peace, however fleeting, in each other’s company.

[urfavlarry]

—I’ll be watching you

A/N. this is my first ever time writing for arcane so I’m sorry if anyone is OOC, also you call Jinx “Calamity Jane” towards the end and as a sort of explanation I read that she (Martha Jane Burke, who was nicknamed that) would bring calamity (great harm) to anyone who made her angry or something like that so I thought it pretty much fit?? idk am I crazy?

Summary. A failed mission leaves Jinx emotionally shattered, and as her partner and the one closest to her, you offer your comfort.

warning. mentions of gagging, swearing, not proof read

"Y/N?" Sevika’s voice cuts through your makeshift bedroom, her tone steady and low, though you catch a hint of an almost unnoticeable smile she only ever reveals to people she trusts most— at least the genuine ones. “Yeah?" You respond, raising an eyebrow as you sit up, suspicion creeping into your thoughts at her sudden appearance.

“Silco is calling,” she announces, her tone turning serious as she gestures toward the door. “Says it’s urgent, so you better get your ass moving before he loses his patience.” As you stand, she claps a firm hand on your back, sending you on your way.

Your expression betrays your lack of enthusiasm as you leave. Nearly eight months into working for Silco, the experience has been nothing short of a rollercoaster .

You remember how it all began—how they found you. You’d been left for dead on the streets, your body beaten, hunger eating at you (as ironic as that sounded) until even your consciousness started to slip from you. Then, amidst the blur of pain and hopelessness, a voice broke through. “Hey, Sevika? Found a girl and she ain’t moving,” the voice had said, casual yet laced with curiosity, dragging out the ‘o’ in moving. It belonged to a blue-haired girl who crouched near your crumpled form. Before long, footsteps rushed closer and everything after that was a haze. What mattered now was that you were alive, under a roof, and surrounded by people who, if not outright kind, were at least kind enough in keeping you around.

Jinx had become the closest to you. Only a year younger, she often found reasons to drag you into her antics whenever she wasn’t trapped in one of her moods. She had opened up to you on more than one occasion, revealing fragments of her past that very few had the privilege— or misfortune to hear. On other days, she’d meet your concern with sarcasm or tell you to “fuck off” or whatever insult she decided to call you that day. Charming as ever, Jinx had a knack for keeping things...interesting.

As you approach Silco’s office you knock on the carved wooden door, finding yourself momentarily distracted, tracing the details of the design before the faint, muffled words, “Come in,” snap you back to reality.

Pushing the door open, you straighten your posture and try your best to keep your face as neutral as possible. “You called for me?” you ask, stepping forward to stand before the desk where Silco sat, a cigarette between his slim fingers.

The smoke quickly mixes into the air, making it harder to breathe but you endure it without complaint. In the background soft jazz plays, the sound leaving you in a trance, another world where things seemed better. Visions of elegant soirées, women in flowing gowns, men in expensive tuxedos, their laughter and movement going along with the tunes of a trumpet.

“Y/N,” Silco’s sharp voice snaps you out of your train of thougt and you blink, realizing you’ve lost focus, the tips of your ears burning with embarrassment. “Are you even listening to me right now?”

“Yes, sir,” you answer, though only half-truthfully. You’ve caught fragments of his words, something about Jinx and another one of her shenanigans, the details of which were already causing a headache to ripple through his operations.

“Good,” he says, exhaling a big puff of smoke before dismissing you with a wave of his hand. “Go.”

Without hesitation, you leave the office, heading directly to Jinx’s hideout.

‘What have you done this time?’ You think to yourself, a groan escaping your lips as your steps echo against the metal platforms leading to the heart of her chaotic sanctuary.

You soon spot her, nestled within her makeshift fort illuminated by warm, glowing lights. It looks oddly serene—a stark contrast to the whirlwind of chaos she so often brings. It’s the kind of space that might calm her restless energy when the world, or her mind, seem to turn against her.

You carefully step towards her figure which was huddled in a sort of ball, her eyes wide and brows furrowed with anger. She kept mumbling incoherent sentences and threats which you only caught certain words from. You croach next the girls small figure and observe her before speaking up.

“So.. Wanna talk about it.” You whisper, offering her yourself as a sort of vent book or punching bag for her to just pour everything out, which from your experience worked best for the both of you.

She only rolled her eyes in annoyance, whispering a harsh ‘Go away’ before turning your back to you.

The information you got from Silco was vague, however you pieced together that like always, she was only trying to help but sadly her cards weren’t in her favour.

“Listen, I know your upset and that’s completely valid on your end however don’t hold these feelings in. Okay, sweets?” A gentle hand lands on Jinxs’ back and everything came crashing down on her. She leaped into your arms, full on ugly crying and shaking from the built up tension. She yelled profanities and sentances left and right and all you could really do was listen and let her get it out.

You didn’t say anything for a moment, giving her the space to compose herself. Jinx sat back, her knees drawn to her chest, her fingers idly fidgeting with a loose thread on her pants. The raw vulnerability in her expression was something rare—something she reserved for no one but you and Silco.

"You done?" you ask softly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of your lips to help lift her mood.

“Yeah… yeah, I’m done,” she muttered, her voice raspy from all the shouting and crying. Her usual amount of energy dim, replaced by a kind of exhaustion that made her seem smaller than she really was.

“You wanna tell me what happened?” you asked, keeping your tone gentle but firm. You didn’t want to push her too hard, but you also knew that bottling things up would only make it worse for her.

Jinx hesitated, her fingers tightening around the thread she was pulling at. “It’s stupid,” she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I could help out because their plan was pretty fucking stupid, but instead, I just.. made it worse.”

She continued with a hint of guilt in her tone, eyes looking towards her fingers which her nails were scratching at. “The mission went to shit, and everyone was yelling, and I thought one of the new gadgets I made.. you know the one I showed you a few days ago? Yeah that one just went ‘boom’ and it destroyed a lot of the Shimmer. Sevika said I was insane, that I wasn’t thinking straight, but I was! She said I jinxed the whole mission but what can I say that’s what I’m best at! Haha Jinx jinxing a mission! Ironic ain’t it—”

You placed your hand over hers, stilling the nervous rambling. “Hey,” you said softly, meeting her red violet eyes. “You tried. That’s more than most people would’ve done. You’re not perfect, Jinx. None of us are. I mean were the ‘shitty lower class’ and not some pilties getting life handed on a golden plate.. But you care, and that counts for something.”

She didn’t respond right away, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Was Silco pissed?,” she asked, her voice sounding sore.

“At you? Probably a tiny bit.. buuut if I, your lovely guardian angel, goes with you and explain the whole situation I bet Sevika will be taking the blame by the end of the night,” you quipped, earning a small, shaky laugh from her. “He knows you better than anyone.. Silco, I mean. He knows your heart’s in the right place, even if things don’t always go according to plan.”

The two of you sat there for a while, the silence between you comforting rather than awkward. For now, she seemed calmer, her messsed up mind quieting. It wasn’t a permanent fix—it never was but it was enough for today.

“Thanks, Y/N,” she said after a while, her voice soft but sincere.

“Anytime, Jinx,” you replied, leaning back with a sigh. “Now, how about we get out of here? Maybe grab something to eat before Silco summons us both for round two?”

She chuckled lightly, wiping the last of her tears away. “Yeah, okay. Let’s go.”

With that, you stood and helped her to her feet, her hand lingering in yours for a moment longer than usual before she let go. You gently kiss her forehead, her eyebrows furrowing and making a fake gag sound before she kissed your cheek; “Go on, we’ve got some explaining to do Calamity Jane.” A smile crept onto your face as she skipped ahead, already sort of going back to her usual self. Others would think she was being ungrateful and bratty, however you know deep down somewhere in that storm of a heart and mind of hears she’s happy to have someone like you.

Someone that listens.

┊͙

© URFAVLARRY

DO NOT REPOST, TRANSLATE OR COPY ANY OF MY WRITING TO OTHER PLATFORMS

I DON’T CONSENT FOR MY WRITING TO BE USED TO TRAIN AI 🚫

[guppybibi]

Pairing: Kyle ‘Gaz’ Garrick x fem!reader

Synopsis: It was love at first sight, but Kyle will be nothing more but someone's right-hand man. It's alright though, he'll have his heart learn how to stop loving you.

Content: not proofread, alcohol mentions, one-sided love, fast-paced,,,

Notes: This took a while to finish huhu, Kyle will probably be ooc since this is my 1st time writing a fic for him! Honestly I'm not too sure if it fits the theme 😔😔 i kept postponing this bcus i didnt wanna write smth sad during xmas

Love is Doomed Masterlist !

If bliss was a human, Kyle believed it would be you. You were just a pinch away from being perfect, God’s favorite creation, as Kyle would describe you. Everyone just snickered at the sight of a big, strong soldier like him, acting like a lovesick puppy who just got his aching heart stolen away and locked up in a dungeon.

He yearned for you more than anything and firmly believed that no one can know you like he does. No one at all can love you like he does.

The only problem was that you were after another, your world kept spinning even in Kyle’s absence. He never mentioned anything about it, fake chuckles coming out of him as you chirped about the so-called man of your dreams. It made his ears ring and practically bleed, eyes twitching as he nodded for what seemed to be the hundredth time today.

He had never been introduced to this mystery man before, it wasn't any of his business so he kept it to himself. Though he wasn't going to lie, curiosity has been bubbling up inside of him and threatens to spill as the days go by.

He shouldn't be jealous, he doesn't have the right to be.

But doesn't he have the right to be concerned when you hand him an invitation to your wedding? He thinks you're moving far too fast! Faster than he can reach, you're progressing too quickly, not allowing him to even catch his breath.

Everything slips through his fingers quicker than he could've ever imagined, the moment his hand touches the elegantly designed invitation, he's suddenly at the wedding itself.

He's losing you, the longer he lets his feelings linger the more you get farther away. And he can't do anything about it.

“Speak now or forever hold your peace.” The officiant states, glancing over to the crowd. Kyle swears he has never wanted to say the words ‘I object’ more than ever in his life.

Yet in that moment, no words came out of his mouth. He just stood there in silence as other guests clapped joyfully, proud of the huge step in life you took. As the two of you kissed, Kyle felt like he was going to puke right then and there, maybe even right on the red carpet walkway.

You two were going to be together forever, and that word didn't sit right on Kyle’s tongue.

It's been months since your wedding and it's also been months since Kyle has spoken to you. Your attempts of reaching out to him have been deemed useless, with him not even bothering to acknowledge your messages. You haven't found the time to personally meet him face to face either.

He's probably just on an important mission. You told yourself, not wanting to assume that something bad has happened to him.

Kyle's strong, whatever he's going through right now, he’ll make out of. He promised. And Kyle has always been a man of his word, you can always count on him.

Together forever, you promised, you and Kyle’s pinky fingers interlocking together. It's stupid that Kyle’s mind automatically assumed that you meant it romantically, it's not your fault. It's his fault that he fell in love, such a stupid man he is. You never saw him in that light.

“You’ve drank, haven't you?” Price asks, his arms crossed with a mildly displeased look on his face. As if he wasn't on his 2nd pint of beer right now. “You’re not normally this aloof.” It's not like Kyle was putting in much effort into hiding it, but he does wish that his captain didn't point it out so bluntly..

Price sighs when Kyle doesn't respond, he forgot; Kyle’s a quiet drunk. Oh unless Soap is here, then that's a completely different story. “You’ve been refusing every mission given to you, mate. Don't tell me it's about your best friend..”

Kyle shook his head, but the look in his eyes told the opposite. It was embarrassing to admit that a strong and courageous sergeant like him was down over something so ‘little’ like unrequited love.

Psh..he's better than that, right? He should be better than that.

“It's nothing, I’ll get over it.” Kyle waves it off dismissively, but Price was having none of it. “And you'll get over it when, mate? In 3-5 business years?” The sarcasm in his voice seeped into Kyle’s veins like venom, mainly because he knew that he was right.

He couldn't sulk forever, or else he’ll get left behind. The world would keep spinning no matter what he does, even if he had the strength of a thousand gods, the world still wouldn't stop.

All he prays is that maybe next time, Cupid will hit the both of you.

[inubaki]

The Bite

In the beginning of days, before the permanent assignment regarding gender, he was only Adam. A human whom had fallen subsequently for the apparent Angel, one so possessive to claim both sides of Adam’s fate. Leaving his punishment to be neither and rendered ‘damaged’. Abandoned and discarded, Adam takes his fate crimes into his own hands. Hell was meant for the unwanted after all. ———

Note: This was my first Adamsapple fanart. And, of course, it’s omega-verse coded of how Adam became the first Beta. I suck at writing so this story I helped developed and commissioned the lovely writer @libby-for-life to do. This had been deleted before due to one of my nervous break downs. Hopefully this one will remain up. Thank you @yuugimoto16 for requesting this back. It’s not finished and I ripped up most of the art made for it but the story is still here. Please enjoy. ——

Adam found peace under the refreshing shade of a large, leafy tree in the Garden of Eden. Despite the warmth of the day, he was hardly aware of it, so absorbed was he in his thoughts. Samael had instructed him to wait in that exact spot, and Adam's anticipation was palpable, filling him with a joyful restlessness. Although he treasured Samael's company, he also had a pressing question that weighed heavily on his mind.

Adam's face lit up with a joyful smile when he heard the distinct sound of angelic wings approaching. The soft rustle of feathers grew closer until Samael landed gracefully beside him. "Samael!" Adam exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with happiness. The angel's lips curved into a warm smile, and Adam eagerly embraced him. "Hello, Adam. It's good to see you," Samael purred as he held the First Man close, conveying a sense of genuine affection and comfort.

"Now, you said you had something important to tell me?" Samael asked, and suddenly, Adam didn't look so happy anymore. "Yes...it's...about what the other angels have told me." He murmured. The Alpha tilted his head and waited for him to say what he wanted.

"It's about my presentation," Adam whispered anxiously. The angels were concerned about the fact that he hadn't presented yet but he couldn't make up his mind. He couldn't deny that he shared their worry. The angels had always emphasized that Alphas and Omegas were destined for each other, perfectly designed to complement one another. But a troubling thought lingered in Adam's mind: What if he didn't present as an Omega and chose to be an Alpha? Would Samael, the Alpha he admired so deeply, still desire him?

Samael seemed to sense his worries and he smiled as he brought Adam close. "Is that what this is about?" He rubbed a hand gently through brown locks and smiled affectionately. "I don't care what you present as, Adam. You will always belong to me." Adam blushed heavily but still looked uncertain.

The Archangel hummed before shifting Adam's weight to lay on him more. "It seems you don't quite believe your angel." He shook his head teasingly as Adam looked up at him guiltily. "I was just—"

"I think I need to prove to you that I don't care." Cool hands glided over his skin making Adam shiver. It always felt so good to be this close to Samael. "Now, be my good boy and hold still for your Alpha." Adam whimpered and obeyed as cold lips found his warm ones.

Samael didn't need to do much to take control, smirking down at him as Adam trembled in his arms. "Adam. I don't care what you present as. Alpha. Omega. You will always be mine. Always." Adam nodded as the angel found his way to his neck, sniffing the forming scent gland.

The First Man gasped, not used to the sensation of his very new scent gland being prodded at by Samael. "You already smell so sweet..." Adam groaned when he felt a tongue lick the gland before going to the other side of his neck to suck on the gland there. Adam was a moaning mess at this point, loving every bit of loving touch of his angel.

If he chose to be an Omega, then the right gland would disappear, and vice-versa for an Alpha. Samael chuckled deeply before he bit down on the right side of Adam's neck. The First Man moaned high and needy as blood, though he didn't understand what blood was, trickled down his neck. The red coating his skin and the grass below.

Samael bit harder, ensuring that it would stick before releasing that gland. Adam panted and whimpered, his eyes glazed as the Archangel moved him over to the side to get better access to the other side of his neck. "You are mine Adam. No one else can have you. Only me." And with that sentence said, Samael bit the unmarked gland.

This seemed to cause more of a reaction this time, his eyes widening and filling with tears of pain and pleasure. More blood trickled out as the Archangel bit hard and Adam shook as he was claimed in every sense of the word.

Samael let him go with a smirk, his human twitching in his arms. There. Now no one could have him.

Now, Samael was about to kiss Adam when suddenly he heard a booming voice yell, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" The Archangel's eyes widened when he saw Sera's glowing light fill the Garden. Normally, it was warm, if not a bit stuffy. This time Samael could sense how angry she was.

Sera approached them swiftly, and before Samael could react, she forcefully took Adam from his arms and held him tightly to examine him closely. The First Human whimpered and extended his arms towards Samael, seeking comfort from his mate. "Hey, stop! You'll hurt him!" The Archangel growled in frustration.

Sera noticed Adam trying to wiggle free and scowled. "Samael. How dare you taint our Father's work like this...you've...marked both sides?! How—how could you?! That was for his wife! Not for you!"

Samael tried to speak up but Adam had beat him to it. "Please...I wanted it...I—I need my Mate!" This only served to make Sera even more angry. 

"I'm ending this...this whore's game!" She cried. Samael tried to stop her, but it was too late, and he wasn't fast enough. Sera's hand glowed with holy light, bright and dangerous, and she forced it to Adam's neck. 

Samael and Adam screamed, their bond burning their bodies. Tears streamed down Adam's face as the holy light burned such a vital part of him shut. The hand pulled away before it was shoved back to his body on the other side of his neck.

"AAAARRRGGH!" Adam wailed out as the burning sensation returned. Samael would have tried to stop it if he wasn't in pain too, the connection severing and they both screamed as it was shattered.

"I hope you're happy Lucifer. You've ruined Adam. He no longer will be an Alpha or an Omega. He is something else. Something lesser." Samael could only watch as she took him away, tears clouding his vision. "You are not allowed in the Garden."

—————

Adam found himself awakening in the Garden, feeling a searing sensation in his neck as he sat up. His mind was foggy and he struggled to collect his thoughts. As he reached up to rub his neck, a sharp, shooting pain caused him to cry out in agony. As he released his throbbing neck, he gazed around, bewildered by his lack of memory and the confusion of the situation.

What had happened? What was going on? Why couldn't Adam remember anything? 

"Samael?" He called out, longing for the comforting presence of his angel. As he waited, he couldn't help but wonder why Samael was taking so much time to respond. Typically, his angel would appear within moments of being called upon. Maybe he couldn't hear him in the Garden?

"Samael?!" He shouted once more, straining to make his voice heard. He desperately searched for his familiar scent, that comforting blend of musk and angelic essence. Panic gripped him as he realized he couldn't detect anything familiar. He could smell the fruit on the nearby tree, the freshness of the air, and the vegetation around him. However, the elusive scent of the angels had vanished completely.

He felt tremors throughout his entire body, as if a fundamental part of him had been forcibly taken away. Adam had always been able to locate Samael by his distinct scent. But what if Samael was in the Garden and Adam simply couldn't detect his presence? Frantically, he wandered through the Garden, desperately calling out for Samael but unable to catch even a trace of his scent.

As Adam cried out, "SAMAEL!" tears welled up in his eyes, and he collapsed to the ground. He wondered if his nose was broken but hoped that if he could just get it working again, he could follow Samael's comforting scent. In a daze, he made his way to a nearby stream and immersed his head in the water.

Adam attempted to clear his nose by plunging his head into the stream repeatedly, hoping to restore his sense of smell. In his desperation, he even tried to inhale the water, but this left him coughing and in tears. Despite his efforts, he remained unable to detect Samael's scent.

Adam, in a desperate attempt to restore his sense of smell, smashed his nose with a nearby rock. Red liquid fell from his nose, and Adam cried out from the pain, but he still couldn't smell Samael. Adam let out a gut-wrenching sob as he cradled his body by the stream. His tears mixed with the red liquid and hitting the dirt floor.

Adam continued to sob and wail, his nose throbbing with pain and he hacked up the red stuff. Why couldn't he smell like he did before? Was he...broken?

"Samael...where are you?" Adam muttered as he drifted into unconsciousness.

————

The next few years were terrible for Adam. Lilith, his new companion, was specifically created for him. Despite feeling abandoned by Lucifer after he had achieved his goals, Adam made efforts to build a relationship with Lilith. While Adam felt uncertain about his emotions towards Lilith, he was determined to give their relationship a chance. 

Adam desperately attempted to win Lilith's favor, offering gifts, foraging for food, and enthusiastically presenting her with the most enjoyable activities in the area. However, despite his efforts, Lilith remained indifferent to his offerings, leaving Adam at a loss for what to do next.

Adam found that Lilith had suddenly become distant and uninterested in spending time with him. She would vanish for extended periods and only return when dinner was ready. It seemed like she preferred to keep her distance from Adam. When Adam asked her what he could do to improve their relationship, she bluntly told him, "Adam, you have a strange odor. It's not a natural smell...it's more like a fake scent. Besides, I can't even mate with you. What's the point with those ruined glands?" And with that, the conversation ended.

Adam could never alter those fundamental facts. Lucifer used to comment on Adam's pleasant scent, comparing it to the air before a storm enriched Eden’s soil. But his angel wasn't here now and he smelled bad to Lilitsouredpresented as an Alpha, or so he was told. The angels told him before they created Lilith that they didn't trust humans to decide their secondary gender since Adam caused so much trouble the first time. 

And his glands...he still couldn't remember how they got ruined other than it was painful to think about.

Adam wondered if Lucifer was still considered his angel. It had been ages since they had seen each other and Adam couldn't fathom what he had done to make Lucifer leave. Perhaps he had become too clingy? Lilith, ever the outspoken Alpha, had often criticized Adam for being excessively dependent on her time.

"I don't belong to you, Adam," she declared when Adam pleaded with her to stay for a single evening. "And I have no obligations to you." With a menacing growl that sent shivers down Adam's spine, she stormed away. It was a growl that Adam had never heard from Lucifer or anyone before. He couldn't help but wonder what he was doing wrong.

Adam wept for what felt like an eternity after she never returned. Although Adam's understanding of time was limited, he had spent three long, solitary months in the Garden. It was evident that something was amiss, but he was unsure of what had gone wrong and how he could rectify it.

As he lied under a tree, he suddenly felt sleepy. Very sleepy. He heard voices from all around him but he could only pick up a few words.

"Lilith ran—"

"Lucifer took—"

"Adam—do?"

He fell into a deep sleep. Adam awoke to the sound of laughter and whimpered. His side burned and he tried to scratch at it. "Oh? Are you finally waking up?" A woman's voice asked. It sounded unfamiliar so Adam opened his eyes.

The woman standing in front of him was stunning, with her cascading long, chestnut brown hair, captivating grass-green eyes, and a warm, comforting smile that made Adam feel a sense of ease. As he struggled to sit up, sharp pain shot through him, causing him to cry out. The woman gazed at him with concern and spoke in a gentle, soothing tone, "The angels told me that you were going to be sick for a while. But don't worry! I'll be here! I was told that I am your new companion!"

Adam blinked. A new companion? So...Lilith was gone. She had truly left. Trying not to cry, Adam asked, "What is your name?"

"The angels said you would name me!" She looked happy. At least that was something. He looked around for inspiration and saw that the evening had set. It was beautiful and soft, just like she was. "Eve. I shall call you Eve."

Eve smiled.

It took Adam some time before he was truly better again. Eve was with him every step of the way. Fetching him water and food and even sleeping next to him so they wouldn't be alone. It wasn't long before Eve excitedly told him that she had presented as an Omega. She turned to him with a confused smile and said, "Why do you smell so weird?"

Adam looked at his wife, he was told to call her this, with fear. She could smell how awful he was as well? No, he could fix this. "Can you tell me what's wrong with it?"

Eve nodded and sniffed his glands, or lack thereof, and frowned. "You just smell...wrong. I...don't know how else to explain it. And your glands...they look nothing like mine." She showed off her Omega gland and Adam had to stop himself from crying.

Her's looked beautiful, ready to be marked and claimed. Unlike his. His was forever ruined, and for the life of him, he couldn't remember! What was wrong with him?!

Eve must have noticed his distress because she smiled and hugged him. "It's okay Adam! We'll figure it out! I'm sure there's some way to fix it!"

Adam had never felt this kind of gratitude. Despite him being broken, his wife was staying with him. He smiled and cried out many times about how thankful he was for her and that he didn't deserve Eve. His wife simply held him as he cried.

He should have known things wouldn't last. 

One day, he came across Eve looking hot and flushed. He originally thought she may have eaten something she wasn't supposed to but on further inspection, he found that she was...ready to mate. Adam could help her. He knew how!

As soon as he came near, Eve growled at him, making Adam step back in shock. "You're not an Alpha!" She screamed as she threw rocks at him. Adam dodged them, begging Eve to explain whatever was going on. She was breathing heavily, her chest heaving as she glared at him.

"I don't want you! I want an Alpha! Not something fake!" Adam whimpered. He had never heard her yell and be so enraged before. "You said...it didn't matter that I wasn't an Alpha..." He said, bringing up their previous conversations.

Eve just scoffed and threw more rocks, demanding Adam be useful and bring her an Alpha because she wasn't mating with him. Adam felt his heart break as he stumbled away. Once again, he was broken and no one could stand that. 

First Lucifer. Then Lilith. And now, finally, Eve. Maybe it wasn't them...maybe it was him. Maybe Adam was the problem. Maybe he was always the problem.

The next two days passed and it only solidified his conclusion when Adam found Eve, Lilith,...and Lucifer all underneath a big tree. They each held the Forbidden Fruit, all eating and laughing as they rolled around together.

Whatever little hope he had of fixing things with Eve was now dashed. She clearly went off for good with better people, Alphas, and she didn't want him. He silently cried as he slipped away, unwilling to interrupt their happy moment. 

He finally collapsed to the ground near a familiar-looking stream. He looked at his reflection and grimaced at what he saw. Adam couldn't bear to look at it further and smashed a palm through it. No wonder everyone left. He hated what he saw too.

Suddenly, Adam felt himself gasp as he was no longer by the lake but surrounded by angels. He looked around confused as he looked around, wanting an explanation.

Sera looked down at him searchingly before nodding. "He is clean. He has not eaten the fruit." All the angels seemed to heave a collective sigh of relief. 

"W-what's going on?" Adam asked as he finally spotted Lilith, Eve, and Lucifer. All of them were bound in chains, struggling to get out. When Eve caught his eye, she smiled and yelled, "Adam!" He flinched away from her, remembering her earlier outburst. 

"Lucifer, you have defiled Adam, Eve, and Lilith. Not only that, you infected Adam's two wives with sin. How do you plead?" Sera's booming and judgemental voice said. Lucifer glared up at her.

"I plead nothing. I set those two free from you. Adam was given a choice but when he didn't make the right one, you punished him. You further punished everyone else by not giving them a choice! You've forced everyone into this mold and—" He was cut off when a gag appeared, silencing his voice. 

"I've heard enough," Sera exclaimed, her eyes fixed on Lilith and Lucifer. "Given that you were the ones who brought the abyss into existence, that's where you'll be confined. A desolate realm where creatures like you will fade into obscurity." Adam struggled to keep up with the conversation, his mind still in turmoil from his emotions, but he seized onto the final words: an abyss meant for those who are forgotten.

Isn't that what Adam was? Forgotten and unwanted? Broken? The abyss...sounded perfect. Adam watched as Sera opened a dark chasm, hot hair blowing from within. Lucifer and Lilith were being dragged towards the hole, his former wife's cries ringing in the air.

"You can't do this! We've done nothing wrong!" She screamed. Adam blinked as he realized he was losing his chance. With a burst of speed he didn't know he had, he launched himself forward.

"Adam?!" Eve yelled. Adam turned as he looked at them all. "Adam!" Sera commanded. "Get back here! You'll fall!" Adam looked down at the dark red pit and risked a glance at Lilith and Lucifer. Both were looking at him in surprise.

"A land for the forgotten, hu?" Adam said. "Sounds perfect for me." He smiled as he jumped in. 

"NO!"

A hand, Adam didn't know whose, tried to grab him as he fell, but they didn't reach him in time. As he fell faster and faster away from the bright light of the angels, he saw the hole close up. 

A land for the forgotten. I hope it stays that way forever.

————

Adam didn't know how long he fell for. It seemed like forever, and if anyone asked him how long or even to give an estimate, Adam would be unable to answer the question. Finally, he fell hard into sharp rocks and passed out. It should have been the end. No one was there in the Abyss and no one would help him off the sharp rocks.

But Adam was the first to Fall in the Abyss. If you close your eyes, and simply feel around you, you would realize that everything in the Abyss was connected. Like one big organism breathing together.

In Adam's weakened state, the Abyss rumbled. The rocks holding him crumbled and Adam slowly inched into the ground. The ground encased him, keeping his organs from spilling out as the Abyss tried to heal him and keep him from dying.

Adam lay there, breathing shallowly but unable to rouse himself, too weak to move. The Abyss seemed worried about his condition, a silent sentinel keeping him safe. Adam was now inextricably linked to the Abyss, a possession of its unfathomable depths.

As the years passed, Adam's consciousness slowly returned, and he began to perceive his surroundings more clearly. It was during this gradual awakening that he noticed a dark, slender, vividly colored object within the Abyss's embrace. Or what he assumed was an object until he saw the thin thing breathe. Adam needed to know what or who this was but his movement was limited.

The rocks moved the unknown naked entity closer as if sensing what Adam needed. The first thing Adam noticed was that they looked like a fox. A beautiful multi-colored fox mixed with a bee if Adam thought hard enough. They didn't look hurt. In fact, they looked to be getting stronger.

Beelzebub opened her eyes the moment Cain opened his and cried for food despite not being hungry. As Adam observed, Beelzebub stood up and gazed around, her inquisitive nature evident in the way her multi-colored eyes shimmered in the dark crimson surroundings. When her gaze locked with Adam's, she inched closer, propelled by an insatiable curiosity.

She sniffed and Adam smiled before he reached a hand to her snout. She blinked before giving him a sharp tooth grin. "Mother." She said. "Mother." She rubbed herself over the First Man and smiled.

Slowly, as the population of Adam's children increased, more manifestations of sin emerged. Mammon came into existence when Able desired something that belonged to someone else and chose to take it by force. Belfagor's emergence occurred when Cain decided to slack off and sleep in for hours instead of fulfilling his responsibilities.

Asmodeus was made when someone experienced lust instead of love for the first time. More and more popped up during that year until seven children all huddled around Adam.

Adam kept them close, eager to make sure they were well cared for. Despite his children being rough around the edges, some more than others, he still loved every one of them. But, Adam could feel the Abyss calling for them. It had been years and Adam knew the Rings were now done being made. The First Man wished for them to stay with him forever but he also knew that they were needed elsewhere.

As the number of The Sins grew, more creatures began to emerge, each of them essential to their respective Rings.

"Mother, do we really have to?" asked Asmodeus, renowned for his sensitivity, while Adam gazed up at him with a smile. Despite his towering stature, Adam always knelt beside Asmodeus so that they could meet eye to eye.

"Yes, my son, my children. The time has come," Adam nodded. Slowly, one by one, they all left the hole they were born in to begin what the Abyss needed from them. Satan, the most untamed and rebellious spirit of all, embraced Adam tightly before uttering, 

"I will come back as often as I can, Mother." Satan was not one for lengthy conversations, and his patience was easily tested. Yet, Adam was the only one who could soothe his fiery temperament.

"Go, my son. When the Abyss beckons, you must respond," Adam declared as Satan departed for his appointed place.

As time flowed relentlessly on, Adam dutifully fulfilled his role as the collector of souls destined for damnation. His weary eyes bore witness to the sorry state of those souls, each one a poignant reminder of their tragic and tortured existence. They were often so irreparably scarred by their own suffering that they unwittingly perpetuated the cycle of pain. Regardless of their identity or deeds in life, every soul eventually found its way to Adam. Whether they were conscious of it or not, he had embraced each one with a compassionate embrace, for he intimately understood the profound agony of being forgotten.

Adam was acutely aware that he couldn't cling to those precious souls indefinitely. Despite being filled with hurt and the longing to be forgotten, they were destined to find their own path in the Abyss. However, Adam remained vigilant, ensuring that they remained in their rightful place. The Abyss was home to a significant number of souls, a good dozen, all of whom Adam kept an eye on.

Then it happened. The sky split open with a blinding flash of light and a deafening roar. Something emerged from the heavens, hurtling towards the ground at terrifying speed. As it descended, Adam's heart raced, knowing exactly who it was even before they made contact with the ground. It was Samael, no, Lucifer, who had cast off his old name long ago.

Adam was instantly overcome by a searing, familiar pain that seemed to course through every fiber of his being, resonating with the very essence of the Abyss itself. The entire realm shuddered in response to his agony, echoing his torment as it always did, a cruel testament to the depth of their connection. And as always, the Abyss answered him. 

————

Lucifer Fell hard and coughed out blood on contact with the hard ground. His lungs burned and his body ached from his Fall. He was alone, Lilith Falling separately and...did she even Fall? Lucifer couldn't quite remember; he was disoriented, and he groaned as he stumbled to his feet. 

Or tried to. He stumbled backward and fell, his feet no longer feeling familiar. They no longer bore any resemblance to the normal feet he was created with; instead, they now bore a striking resemblance to the hooves of a goat. Dark black fur now covered his calves, and his feet had transformed into dark gray hooves that clumsily navigated unfamiliar terrain.

A flood of tears gushed from his eyes, overwhelmed by the torrent of events unfolding in such a brief span. Struggling to regain his footing, he rose unsteadily, managing to remain upright as he surveyed his surroundings. An encompassing sea of red dominated the scene. As he drew in a deep breath, a sudden, tangible sensation washed over him, enveloping his being.

A familiar presence he thought he would never feel again. A scent that seemed familiar and it broke everything in him just to smell it again.

"Adam!" he called out into the seemingly endless void of the Abyss. A deafening silence greeted his words. It felt as though the very fabric of the Abyss trembled at his frantic efforts to locate Adam as he staggered forward, unsure of where he was heading. It was as if Adam was omnipresent, yet completely elusive. His presence permeated the air, enveloping everything and nothing all at once.

"ADAM!" He cried out, and still, there was nothing, and yet he was here. Lucifer frowned and snarled as he broke rocks in his frustration. He even threw a rock toward a bush and yelped when it...catapulted back into his face. Blood poured from the gash on his forehead and the bush shook as if....as if it were laughing?!

This made Lucifer snarl at it, unsure if he was imagining such a phenomenon or if the Abyss was more alive than he realized. He huffed and finally moved on.

As Lucifer stumbled through the treacherous Abyss, every step seemed to bring a new danger. The seemingly sturdy rocks shifted beneath his weight, threatening to send him tumbling down cliffs onto the ground below. Unseen obstacles like sudden bushes and sharp thorns appeared out of nowhere, making every forward movement a potential hazard. The entire landscape was shrouded in a sinister red hue that seemed to sear into Lucifer's eyes, adding a sense of surreal dread to the already ominous surroundings.

Finally, Lucifer seemed to have enough and he used what little angelic power he had since his Fall and slammed it to the ground. He spread it through the rocks into the crevices and glared at his surroundings. "So, you think you can hurt me like this? Pathetic." He snarled.

As he stood amidst the ominous landscape, he was determined to exert his will upon it. Refusing to be dominated by the surroundings, he made a conscious effort to bend the dark terrain to his desires. With a deep breath, the once oppressive red glow no longer seared his eyes, offering him a newfound sense of clarity and control.

Lucifer tried to produce his wings and cried out at the feeling of them burning his body. Lucifer immediately stopped trying to bring them out. It would seem they would need more time to heal. 

As Lucifer trekked through the desolate landscape, his journey seemed endless until he stumbled upon a cluster of small, shabby huts. Cocking his head in curiosity, he witnessed the forlorn souls of the damned emerging from their dwellings to cast their eyes upon him. An immediate sense of disdain washed over Lucifer as he beheld them. They appeared to be a stark departure from his original creation – fractured and devoid of the splendor they once possessed.

He growled as one got close and he smirked when she whimpered and stumbled away. "Well, it seems you are all that's here, hm?" Lucifer asked, his sharp teeth on display and he reveled in the fear that crossed all the souls that could see him.

"Well? Isn't anyone going to tell me where I am or do I need to force it out?" The silence hung heavy in the air as a lone soul summoned the courage to walk up. The figure boldly stepped forward, only to stumble and fall to their knees as they approached Lucifer. It seemed almost poetic to Lucifer, seeing them on the ground, so fitting for the damned to be in such a lowly position. As the soul struggled to rise, Lucifer's voice cut through the stillness with a menacing growl. "Stay down there on your knees."

The soul nodded and stumbled over his words. "You are the Abyss. A place for the damned." Lucifer growled. "Tell me something I don't know. Now."

"I—We are all the souls in the Abyss that fell!" The soul stammered, visibly shaken. Lucifer's eyes swept over the gathered souls. "All of you? This is the extent of it?" They all responded with silent nods. A cold smile spread across Lucifer's face. "Well... I suppose you lost sheep need a shepherd, don't you?"

As the souls exchanged uneasy glances, a palpable sense of impending change filled the air. They all knew that the situation was evolving rapidly, and there was no stopping it.

Lucifer gripped the soul's hair, or what consisted of hair for the damned soul, and pulled them up. They yelped in pain. "Well? Get food for me. Now." The soul ran to retrieve what Lucifer demanded. Lucifer smiled as he sat down on a rock. Yes, he may have Fallen, unjustly in Lucifer's opinion, but he would make do with what he could of this place and he would do it his way.

He looked around at the frightened souls. Yes, it was clear to Lucifer that they needed him. He would rule over them and teach them what he knew and in return, they would serve him.

——-

That’s it for now. In the new year, hopefully we’ll finished this. Hope you guys enjoyed!

[sy-on-boy]

Spy x Family Damianya Manga Guide

This is mostly for myself to keep track because I keep on forgetting their chapters :D

(Paraphrased, brief summaries)

[Last updated: 23 Dec 2024, Chapter 108]

Chapter 8: Eden beginnings, Damian thinks Anya has a crush on him and looks cute, Anya punches Damian

Chapter 9: Damian stares at Anya in class and blushes, Anya apologizes to Damian, he develops a crush on her

Volume 2 omake: Damian’s original design is reviewed, but he looked too much like his dad so the editor requested to make him cuter. All of Damian’s notes are blacked out except for one saying he likes Anya

Chapter 15: Dodgeball chapter. Damain wants to become an Imperial Scholar or else his father won’t notice him. Anya says she doesn’t like Damian because he’s mean to her.

Chapter 16: Anya gets her first Stella by saving a drowning kid, Damian is jealous.

Chapter 17: Damian defends Anya's star from people saying she is undeserving of one. Anya learns Damian has a dog starts planning to get a dog for Plan B.

Chapter 23: Anya tells Damian she owns a dog. Damian doesn't care, but in the end indulges her by asking what's the dog's name.

Chapter 25: the Arts and Crafts/ paper Griffin chapter. "If they have love, they can soar through the sky!"

Chapter 26: Midterms exam, Damian makes Anya's signature face to tease her.

Chapter 28: George chapter, Anya defends Damian when George attempts to defame him.

Chapter 36: Anya and Becky go on their shopping trip. Damian sees Anya's smile and blushes.

Chapter 37: Imperial Scholar meetup. Anya convinces Damian to find his father.

Chapter 38: Damian admits that it's not like he hates Anya but gets flustered afterwards.

Chapter 42: The macaron/ Old Maid chapter. Anya panics when Damian wonders if she can read minds. Damian purposefully picks the wrong card because he can read Anya's face. Anya offers half of her macaron to Damian and he refuses.

Family Portrait light novel spin off, Novel Mission 1: Anya and Damian hold hands while hiding from the rain in a cave.

Chapter 61: The handkerchief chapter. Anya lets Damian borrow her handkerchief and gets a bolt in his place. Seeing this, Damian wants to tell the truth, but Anya stops him. Damian claims that the "A" monogrammed on his handkerchief is the "A" in "Damian". Anya mistakenly thinks Damian is going to pay her back with cake.

Chapter 66: Anya learns Yor knows Melinda and starts a battle of the friendship schemes. Becky gives Anya a yakisoba burger to hold in her mouth and instructs her to bump into Damian. Damian avoids her but the burger ends up on his head.

Chapter 67 Part 1: Anya pesters Damian about the cake and tells them their mom are friends. Damian thinks about his preschool secrets and Anya thinks she's getting some good Sy-on boy gossip.

Chapter 69: Start of bus hijacking arc. Damian prepared cake for Anya but his friends eat it before he can give it to her.

Chapter 70: Anya and Becky hatch a plan to tell the outside world they're being held hostage. A concerned Damian throws them a note asking them what they're doing. They tell him and Damian offers to be the distraction. Anya tosses their SOS message outside the window and is caught, and the terrorists place a bomb around her neck.

Chapter 71: Anya learns the bomb is fake. The terrified thoughts from her classmates overwhelm her, and Damian mistakenly thinks Anya is scared. Damian tells the hijackers to attach the bomb to him instead ("The bomb on her neck, attach it to me instead!"). They put another (fake) bomb on Damian without removing Anya's. Damian is terrified, so Anya holds his hand to reassure him it'll be okay.

Chapter 75: After they get off the bus, Damian apologies to Anya for making fun of her. Anya responds by saying Damian was "super cool" as well. She says Damian offering to take the bomb for her was a "hero move". Damian calls them friends. He reveals to Anya that he barely has a relationship with his parents.

Chapter 76: Anya reflects on meeting Melinda and thinks Damian's family is weird. Anya becomes popular for her heroics. Becky teases Damian about him getting jealous that someone is going to take Anya away. He shivers at the thought, then vehemently denies it. He insults Anya and she gets tear-eyed, so he says sorry and he'll bring some candy to make up for it.

Chapter 78.5 / Short Mission 10: Ewen and Anya get excited about space exploration and play together. Damian gets jealous and claims "When I'm a politician, I'll make it so people can take trips to the moon whenever they want". Anya seemingly doesn't hear him.

Chapter 88: Cake chapter. Damian decides to repay the handkerchief debt by giving Anya "the most elite tea cakes ever made, intended for royalty". Damian is embarrassed by the debt wants to do it in secret. Anya reads his mind and passes him a note telling him to meet her alone during break. Emile and Ewen assume she wants to fight Damian. Becky thinks it's romantic. Damian and Anya run away from their friends. Damian gets annoyed and thinks about tossing the cakes. Anya holds onto his arm and says "I don't want you to go! (Without giving me the cakes)". Damian is about to give Anya the cakes when Henderson confiscates the cakes and sends them to detention. They eat the tea cakes during detention. Damian wonders why Anya asked him to come alone if it wasn't to fight and Anya gets creeped out by his mental image of her.

Chapter 95: End of class gala. Beforehand, Anya asks Damian to dance and he refuses. At the dance, Anya and Damian both have multiple people asking them for a dance. Loid is secretly at the party. Anya reads his mind and hears that Loid wants her to pick whoever she wants to dance with. Anya declares she wants to dance with Damian.

Chapter 96: Ewen and Emile start a series of challenges in which the winner will get to dance with Damian. Anya finishes the first challenge with help from Loid, which concerns Emile and Ewen. Damian tells them they do this fair and square. The final challenge is a Damian trivia quiz which Anya gets points because she can read minds. Anya wins when she correctly answers who Damian loves the most— his father (seemingly without using her powers). They dance together. Anya tells him her father made her practice with him. Damian says he was taught by an instructor and admits to her that her family sounds nice. When Damian accuses Anya of reading minds because she knew specific trivia about him, Anya confesses that yes, she can read minds. Damian doesn't believe her.

Chapter 104: Damian asks if Jeeves is blabbering to his mother about "weird stuff" such as Anya.

Chapter 107: Winter festival chapter. The Forgers go to the festival and meet up with the Eden kids and their parents/caretakers.

Chapter 108: Anya tells fortune teller Melinda that she wants to be friends with Damian even though she "hates him because he bullies her". Anya tells Damian that his mom loves him too.

[rosieuv]

Project: Eden's Garden chapter 1 is so fucking good oh my god

btw spoilers here

go watch the official playthrough

Please.

Okay so ever since I saw the announcement trailer I was like "Diana's going to die first, I can feel it". It was something with her design, and her personality that screamed "early target". So when all that trial stuff was targeted towards her, I assumed it meant this was when she died: still chapter 1 but a bit later.

Now I think she's gonna die in chapter 2 from all that heroic monologuing. I also feel like Wenona's gonna play some kind of big role due to the way she acts. Possibly an antagonist? I'm not sure.

The actual contents of the chapter are long, with the official playthrough's being about 11 hours combined (and you bet I watched them the day they came out this weekend) yet the pacing still feels fine. A lot happens within both daily life, deadly life and the trial and I can in vision a timeline based on what happened on each day/part of day. The tournament thing was cool and how despite the murder not being in the new rooms, the fact that it would be impossible without it made it feel like it actually had a purpose, which I was a bit concerned about when the corpse was in the boiler room.

I wouldn't have guessed Wolfgang was the victim though but it makes so much sense. And Eva being the murderer. That was a whole bag of plot twists and they work very well. The rooms are cool, the concept of the whole locks thing is cool, basically everything is cool and Tozu is more interesting than Monokuma and he's definitely some drama kid that get rejected from the lead role and so some organisation thing that Wolfgang's father made (I swear he's going to be important in the future) and he was basically like "yeah just act all dramatic and stuff and scare the kiddies". Why Wolfgang is in this game though...idk. I feel like his father has to be important though, especially with the message on the back that for some reason took Damon so long to figure out when I figured it out very quickly: Wolfgang's father is an asshole and he is too. His animal is literally a sheep how the hell did he not realise this. I mean, the conversation with Tozu was cool as he doesn't appear often, but like, has Damon ever heard the phrase "Wolf in sheep's clothing?".

Okay here's my nitpicks:

some of the furniture models are a bit low poly which doesn't mesh well with the 2D sprites

3D textures are weird in places (Wolfgang's chair is the worst offender of this)

the line width is a bit thin in some of the new sprites and it bugs me because the artstyle typically has quite thick lines

this book is never shaded

the Damon thing I mentioned earlier

this bug in the trial where it fades out to show some kind of floor plan, and Damon is talking, but when the UI fades back in, for a split second it shows the mugshot of whoever was speaking before the fade thing (I can't find where this happens in the official playthrough but I swear it's real)

nobody realising the "thin bit of metal" was a hairpin until it was brought up as a lockpick in the trial like i realised that immediately

does Eva have a game console or a tablet? Pre-trial and at the start of the trial it was called a game console but towards the end when it was relevant, it was called a tablet? I can't find an image of it as the wiki doesn't have a gallery page for her (idk why) but I remember it looked like a DS from it's lid

there's only like 4 minigame section things in the trial: non stop debate, rebuttal showdown, the choosy one and the ending one. where's the letter one? i know there's more and i know this is probably so the programmers don't shoot themselves in the head, but still.

when did they have lunch during the last day? there was the tournament, the blackout, the investigation and then the trial and that was all about 5 hours going based on gameplay so if the investigation was at 9:45 ish and the trial ended 5 hours later, then it should be 2:45 and these poor people are starving! Well, idk about them all but Damon certainly didn't stop investigating to make lunch.

there's little inconsistencies with the art style/quality of the image in the CGs. The ending one with Diana sticks out the most to me: the lineart and shading look a little different. It's like a different artist from the rest drew it.

Okay more praise:

grace pulling the middle finger in her objection sprite

wenona

the music made by mark having a danganronpa motif in

the dummy thing in the execution

the whole scene where eva's true talent is revealed and her "oh shit" sprite

all the voice acting

the maths equipment in the execution

the thing with the calendars and the horses joke at the beginning

eva's free time events (it was shown in the playthrough)

the scenes with Tozu at the beginning of each day

the tree animation is sick

the thing with the footsteps

the thing with the blackout

everyone screaming one by one when they see the body

the beginning

the middle

the end

all those biblical references

Tumblr is going to have a field day with this game.

[devilart2199-aibi]

On my quest of consuming all Transformers media... or most lol. I have binged "Transformers: The Headmasters"! It's a great continuation of the original show. I enjoyed how they focused on a core cast for this one, but still hopped around sometimes.

I had forgotten that Fortress Maximus and Scorponok were rivals/equals! It's so interesting considering how Max is in IDW compared to Scorponok. Gives me lots to think about when doing my design of him 🤔 How will Cerebros mix in? I dunno haha.

Speaking of Cerebros! I really liked him!!! He was actually a good leader and tried to figure things out or stop things and was actually concerned for others. I was so shook when they said "you're the leader of the Autobots now" and Rodimus flew into space never to be seen again 🤣 Classic G1 Rodimus (outside the OG movie)

Also!!! Poor Chromedome 😭 this bot cannot escape his loved ones being killed off by a phase sixer 💀 Sixshot is so capable lmao. Magnus was done dirty OTL

Besides that, Chromedome is great! He gives me Hotrod vibes, kinda brash, has something to prove, young bot. He always wants to protect everyone and it's so cute 🥺

As for the other Headmasters, Hardhead is so fun and so is Highbrow!! He's a little enabler to Daniel haha. Brainstorm was probably my least fav out of them, but i just think I'm just so used to mtmte him. He was the mature one here.

The Trainbots are cool, wish we got to know them more 😔 also love the Decepticon Headmasters, they are so dorky 💜

Anyway, it was a fun watch and after reading quite a bit of the comics it was cool being like "Ah! That's where you're from!" Or "I know that guy!" Haha.

I just started "Transformers Super-God Masterforce" in hopes of seeing Overlord's first appearance 👍 much more anime vibes in this one.

Also! If you have a TF comic or show recommendation or one that's obscure! Pls share! :3

[solidwater05]

I'm watching a video about a nuclear reactor in Minecraft and I understand the nuclear part better than the redstone part. What the fuck is a monostable circuit.

[airocats]

[medi-bee]

isat pokemon au, my liege?

my rambling in tags

[swinging-stars-from-satellites]

girls is it scrupulosity if it's actually a justified concern?

[h-didanart]

Have any of you guys ever been doodling when suddenly you’re hit by the angstiest idea ever and so you start workshopping that idea into an au as an alternate timeline to see if it would fit with the au only to create an absolutely heartbreaking and depression inducing scenario, only for your brain to decide that’s not enough and end up creating that same scenario in your two other main aus so that you end up with three deeply traumatized versions of the same character?

Anyone?

No?

That’s fair

I call them the heartbroken trio.

We have a post-Everything Goes To Shit arc Scythe, around January ‘24 Bloody, and a post-Second Takeover Harvest. You may notice I called them by their actual names and not by their usual [insert trait here]!BM names, and that’s on purpose.

See, due to various circumstances in each of their respective timelines, their twins died.

They’ve all taken it very harshly, but express it in different ways, Scythe is more reserved yet more ruthless in her anger, Bloody has become extremely disconnected from everything, and Harvest is an anxious wreck. All their reactions are directly correlated to their twins’ death and how they perceived it.

Anyways, yeah.

New au//timeline thing. Yay?

Oh, and for your troubles

The guy who in his canon lost his twin being extremely conflicted about the newcomers. Cuz in one hand they are versions of versions of himself that he knows that he can relate even more to! But on the other hand they are versions of versions of himself that he knows that he can relate even more to.

Yeah :P

Might elaborate on these guys later

[anghraine]

My best friend and I moved in together with his closest friend from his MA program, and while I had met her before (the friend; my bff is a man), we hadn't spent much time together because I've never lived away from the West Coast (and only two years out of the PNW) and she's never lived outside of North Carolina and only briefly visited the PNW once, when she went to Portland last year.

It's been a delight to show her around the PNW and realize we need to explain things that are just sort of omnipresent in our lives. The bff and I were casually griping with each other about having to run an errand to Trader Joe's at an inconvenient hour, and were telling her, "it's okay, you can stay in the car and avoid the people if you want" and she was like "NO I MUST SEE IT, I'VE ONLY HEARD OF THEM" and nearly ascended to another plane when we showed her around the store.

The bff and I grew up in the same town in NW Washington (him for his first 18 years, me from 9 to 19) and he lived in Bellingham and Seattle for years before he went to NC for grad school (I went to the SF Bay Area for mine, a very different experience). Both of them are hardcore coffee aficionados, but he struggled with the different Coffee Ways of the South, so for the true PNW experience they want to tour various indie coffeeshops next.

Also, she adores Kaidan in Mass Effect and we were like, oh, is your passport up to date? We could take a trip sometime and show you your boyfriend's beloved English Bay. It's very beautiful :)

her: O_O

me: Actually, it's worth going to Vancouver BC for its own sake as well, it's truly spectacular. We used to go all the time as kids.

bff: And Victoria!

her: O_O

[dykesynthezoid]

One of the topic choices for a big final essay I have to write by Monday is comparing how Alexandra Kollontai and Frantz Fanon depict the role of women in revolution and I’m like yayyyy nobody will escape my criticism yayyy!!!

[true-blue-sonic]

I know for sure I've asked about this a long time ago before but I'm kinda back to thinking about how different the development of Espio and Silver's dynamics would've been in Rivals 2 if they weren't as quick to fully trust each other as they were in canon but remained "enemies" a bit longer and only really teamed up out of necessity. If their dynamic isn't already near-spotless following an inexplicable "for some reason I trust you" type conversation, there's more room (and requirement, really) for growth on both sides; in the original dynamic it feels more like if there's any growth to be had then it'd be solely on Silver, so this thought might also help find a balance

I recall having talked about it before as well, yes. I would say that Espio and Silver alike have quite a few vices that would make cooperating between them far more difficult: they're both tremendously stubborn, proud, opinionated, hot-heated, and just to the extent neither can let evil go its way. While none of those are necessarily attributes that are bad in the situation they are in, I can envision them clashing very badly because of those traits. Considering Espio is actively chasing Silver down to gather evidence of him committing a crime, Silver's hot-headed nature might cause him to fly right off the handle if Espio keeps pushing him about it. And Silver's haughty and rude attitude in turn might make Espio far less willing to see the best in him and try to trust him. I think it speaks to Silver's honest nature and Espio's ability to see the truth in it that they were able to cooperate so relatively smoothly in Rivals 2, but I can also envision many scenarios wherein things did not go so idyllically until far later in the game.

What you're saying next is actually a bit of an issue I have when writing my fics: I've joked before that Espio is "already perfect" because he's just... basically an expert at everything, haha! He completes his missions well, he's driven and skilled, and his overly serious demeanour as the Chaotix's straight man alongside his snark feels like more like comedy than a flaw or something that truly hinders him to me. Meanwhile, Silver is far more 'imperfect' to me: he jumps to conclusions, he can be uncooperative and rude out of nowhere, and even if he is always right in the end, the way towards that end can be tremendously rocky because of those personality traits. That was why I wanted Espio to also go through a development in Stories that made sense to who he is as a character: specifically that he follows Vector's rule to a T regardless of his personal opinion on the matter, which begins to clash with the fact Silver is very much guilty but did what he did for a good cause (aka not a black-and-white scenario at all). And since Silver plays a central role there as well, I think his flaws can play a role also: he doesn't want Espio to be walked over, but the way in which he conveys that (which is rude as hell) might make things worse at first. Vector might be even more pushy about Espio gathering evidence if he gets yelled at by Silver, and Espio in turn might feel needled and put under pressure from two parties now that demand entirely opposite things from him (in his mind). I think such a thing could help make their dynamic more interesting and also different from New Beginnings, while fitting with their personalities.