#i love talking about my brainrot

[frostedclock]

What is powder monkeys about ? Is there a story ? What does MK do ?

Powder Monkies is an Au that I thought of after some fever dream I had with a pirate Wukong going off on adventures in his youth. So I tweaked it to be after his Sail to the West. There isn't quite a story yet, just a bit that I'm working on right now. (Fanfic in the works, drabble somewhere in the Powder Monkies tag I'd have to track it down again)

The main thing it's about is Wukong and his crew, which includes people he's picked up (or found as a baby in MKs case). They stop along a bunch of islands in their travels (Including the Port of Clouds which is the heart of the Celestial Empire run by the Jade Emperor).

MK is Wukong's current first mate and is in training to become Captain when Wukong feels like finally retiring.

Hope this helps ☺️

[musicawizard]

and I wouldn’t have it any other way <3

[samijey]

Jey Uso talks favorite Sami in the Bloodline segments (x)

[polar534]

Was anyone going to tell me that Rook and Neve mirror each other's phrases depending on who you choose to dismantle the ward? Or was I just supposed to find that out myself after my 2nd full playthrough?!

First of all, I'm ill. Thank you writers. You deserve so much better than you get. To make up for that, I'm going to gush about the writing and more importantly the performance of the actors I got to experience said writing through. I think this post I want to specifically focus on Rook, since so many people have taken apart the Category 5 event that is Neve's full romance plot. But trust me, at the end of this analysis I plan on touching on something I haven't yet seen from the Neve romance takes. And if it is out there, it's not getting nearly the attention it deserves.

I think it's absolutely fascinating the character development that happens for Rook specifically if you choose Neve and subsequently she gets blighted. Despite all the personality choices you can make in regards to the romantic scenes. (Shout out to the Stoic option breaking my heart every time during the Eclipse scene.) One thing Rook is for Neve, always, is there. Rook makes sure to let Neve know, out loud and through their actions, that they are there. They'll always try to be there, even when they might not be fast enough, when the tables turn or when gods break promises. Now I'm not sure about the other VA's performance because I've just been running through this romance as one character, but Bryony Corrigan does an absolutely phenomenal job of breaking my heart in the aftermath of Tearstone Island. Through her performance you can really begin to see the flipside of this coin. The other reflection in the mirror.

If any companion speaks to you about Neve, Bryony does a fantastic job of letting the emotion come through her small lines just enough that it sounds like Rook is really on the edge of tears. Ask Rook about their plans, or what they have to do next? Fine. Can handle that. She will get the job done. But ask her about Neve? Reassure her that they'll find her? Suddenly Rook is the smallest person in the world. Her voice cracks, she's hardly even able to thank Davrin or Bellara for their support because she is actively choking back what sounds like tears.

Don't even get me started on the animation rigging for Rook when you DO find Neve and she reveals just what happened while Rook wasn't there.

Look at that devastation! I can tell they turned up the rigging specifically to make sure that no matter what your Rook looks like, you will KNOW just how broken they must feel in that moment. (Regret Prison could never.) Rook wasn't there and Neve had someone in her head. Someone who used her to break her own city.

(Important note that this animation will NOT play for just a normal companion rescue. Rook is only going to be this devastated when it's someone they love. In a normal run you'll get more of relieved and happy grin rather than whatever pathetic, wet beast looking thing this is.)

Moving forward, the very next time you can choose the 'Romantic' option, Rook will reflect in some way that they 'lost' Neve. That is not something you can change. You, as a player, CANNOT change the fact that a romantically involved Rook will see the time spent apart as an overwhelming loss. They lost Neve. Once you do click the 'Romantic' option however, the dialogue will change to some variation of 'found'. Which reflects exactly what Rook has dedicated themselves to proving to Neve. That they will be there. That they will always try.

That spoken dialogue doesn't stop the choices from showing what Rook is really feeling however. In their mind, they lost her. Neve is desperate to remind Rook that they can't even consider her being there as a win. Not while they still have so much left to do. And yet? It doesn't stop Rook from believing it anyways. That is the win in their eyes, no matter what comes next.

The only thing that can come close to getting that final win now is killing Elgar'nan, and I'm feral for the fact that Rook's view of killing the last blighted god can, canonically, become revenge for what he did to Neve. (On top of saving the world of course)

You'll get further 'lost and found' references in the dialogue after. Again, I feel like it's really important to see that it is Rook saying all of this. It has nothing to do with your choices beforehand. If you choose the romantic option, this is what Rook is truly feeling. It becomes canon to whatever kind of Rook you're playing. They wouldn't know what to do if they hadn't found Neve.

(Bryony Corrigan you have me on the floor with this entire sequence. From the line above to: "Every moment." To "I'm right here. I promise." It knocks me to the floor. Every time. Insanely heart-wrenching delivery.)

Lastly in the post credit scene of the Blighted Neve storyline, 2 of your 3 options can include one final instance of the 'lost and found' wording that is so prevalently a theme for Rook in this version of events.

(Fun fact, the non-blighted version of the same scene will of course, also throw a nod to the theme of 'lost and found'. "Finding you was a lost cause.", As well as an option to tap into Rook's own feelings in regards to that theme: "That place, I was so lost...")

So why is this so interesting to me? Why does the mirrored dialogue from the very moment that scene starts mean so much to me? It's pretty simple.

In Neve's experience, lost things don't just come back. I think it's absolutely fascinating that her storyline, romance or not, has a nebulous theme around the idea that lost things don't just come back. In Neve's experience, once something goes missing, it's gone. The city will move on without a spare thought. That's why she tries to be the difference. To be the one that finds things. If you're hunting for people who are taken she will always make sure to slip in a line about the fact that even if you're too late, she intends to find them anyways. She will provide closure, a follow-up to whoever might need it. It's about the small temporary wins. It's the cynic with a heart of gold that's so deeply imbedded in her character.

You're supposed to play as the one that helps slowly change that idea. Rook is meant to be the exception to the rule Neve has held tight in an attempt at survival for so long. (Along with all of the other companions of course.) Rook is the 'found' part of lost and found. They're going to find a way through any situation. Whatever it takes.

So yeah, when Neve comes in to Rook's room during the non-blighted storyline, of course she's completely shaken by the fact that Rook is actually there. That they came back. That they found a way to come back. 

But on the flipside, what you can discover through the writing and through the incredible work by the VA, is the fact that without Neve? Rook can also become lost. The fact that the other came back at all means the world to them BOTH. The fact that they will mirror each other's thoughts, the very idea of coming back at all being a parallel to being lost and found, it's a payoff to something that gets set up at the very start of the game.

When they needed to find someone, Varric went to the best damn detective he had ever met. Neve Gallus, the local expert, the one person in Minrathous that people turn to when things or people go missing. In the same breath he'll introduce Rook as their expert on trouble. The very same kind of trouble that Neve knows to avoid and yet always finds her anyways.

Because lost things are always meant to be found. And Trouble isn't always a bad thing.

[dragonbma]

[TW: Burns]

Aiden’s Creeper used Self-Destruct. Regigigas took 60 damage. It was super effective!

Ok but seriously Aiden chill out bro. You literally committed regicide and like ten minutes later attempted reggiecide.

[soundop-central]

The one time Soundwave tops...

here's the og!

[jontaro-kun]

That one time a pose study (looking at art of pretty women and telling myself I was being productive) turned into Portia

[broken-heart-raven-queen]

I just remembered that we have DAYS of Aaron Minyard's life stolen from us for when the police took him after he took away the trash (smashed beautifully a rapist head into pieces) and mind ypu that in those days he just experienced one of (if not the) most traumatic experiences of his short life.

[selemina]

To the person that said to check out Animation VS Minecraft : How dare you, and you were right. It's great!

[mikashisus]

connections between venti and arlecchino that i found particularly interesting, a rambling 🗣️

ARLECCHINO STORY QUEST SPOILERS‼️‼️

(these r just some cool things i found kinda sus and interesting. this was for fun.)

1. first, my thoughts on clervie — specifically what she says in response to learning about mondstadt:

2. the similarities between arlecchino and venti regarding “freedom”:

venti fought for freedom that was earned, and eventually became the god of freedom shortly after he earned said freedom.

he also tested vennessa. he tested her by saying he could grant her freedom and waited to see if she would leave the cell with him, but she didn’t. she stayed and showed him how freedom was meant to be earned, not given. venti was more than satisfied with her answer and left.

venti has shown time and time again that he believes freedom is meant to be earned. at least, that’s how i see his character and his ideals.

now i want to bring up what arlecchino said towards the end of her story quest. i find it interesting how she also believes that freedom is meant to be earned, not given.

pretty interesting.

3. now for my own personal rant and theories:

“freedom” itself is always being mentioned in this game. it started in mondstadt, the nation embodying freedom. the god of freedom himself entered the fray and showed us what freedom truly meant.

liyue was “freed” from their own god, who saw it time to step down from his position as archon and left the task of ruling & protecting liyue to the humans.

wouldn’t say there’s much freedom in inazuma tbh. unless you count the people being “freed” from the vision hunt decree and the sakoku decree.

nahida being freed from the hands of the sages/akademiya.

furina being freed from her curse and the act she played out for 500 years.

i wonder if we’ll see any freedom in natlan too.

ANYWAYS, ALL THIS TO SAY (i didnt mean for this to become a venti rant, i have constant venti brainrot) — i believe that venti and freedom play an ENORMOUS part in the lore of the game and we haven’t seen anything yet.

i am a firm believer that venti is one of the most important characters in this game. bro has lore in literally every nation, maybe with the exception of fontaine (iirc, there hasn’t been anything in fontaine calling back to barbatos).

he even has lore in the chasm and enkanomiya, which says A LOT. i haven’t finished the remuria world quest yet, so idk if there’s any lore about him or istaroth sprinkled there too. tbh i wouldn’t be surprised if there was.

everything always comes full circle when it comes to venti. he’s everywhere, which is pretty cool to think about when you realize that he’s supposed to be the embodiment of the wind, which is everywhere all at once and can hear everything.

which brings me to my last point —

4. this voiceline from arlecchino about the wind.

hmmm.. 🤨

[sunnyknight-original]

My masterpiece is complete, enjoy it…if you dare…

This took a while but enjoy my 52 slide slideshow that somehow has plot twists for some reason! It’s newbie proof too! I explain quite a bit of background that most people probably already know, but its concise enough I feel

(Twiggy don’t look at this I SWEAR 🫵 wait till Monday)

[idunnowhattowriteheretbh]

HIVE short story yipeeeee :D

NOT CANON STORY BTW‼️‼️‼️

HIVE belongs to @braisedhoney, I recommend checking out Captain's acc and also @talesaboardthehive to see canon lore

This story contains some headcanons and there are also ideas from @beartitled about the HIVE (bumblebee dogs, honey pipes, etc.)

And also it is mainly from my hivesona's pov

Anyway have fun reading it :D I'm not sorry for possible grammar mistakes /silly

Late Night Walk

The HIVE was never silent.

During the day you can hear crew talking in the many halls of the ship. Conversations, jokes, laughter, arguments, cries, you name it, you hear it. Sometimes even in the vents when someone went up there, usually followed by startled yelps as they were caught by COLONY.

There are some calmer places to rest when someone is tired or needs to focus on something, you can rest in spots like the honeycomb nap rooms, or the library.

In the morning and evening it is a bit quieter, but not that much, the sound of crew waking up, finishing their duties, or preparing to go sleep can be heard. Its not that loud as it is during the day though.

In the night, most people would expect you could hear a needle fall because of how quiet it would be, but that wasn't true.

The HIVE was never silent.

Late at night you could hear the soft humming of the ship, or the buzzing of many of the mechanics on the ship, or if you pause around one of the many honey pipes you can hear bubbling. And throughout the night you can hear different sounds, like a door opening and sleepy footsteps, or rarely; the bark of one of the bumblebee puppies.

In its own way, it was interesting to listen to all of the sounds. It was calming and it was a way to keep themselves busy when Sol wasn't able to fall asleep like right now.

They listened to the humming, with a bit of imagination you could hear a rhythm in the humming. Kind of like a heartbeat, but that probably wasn't true. The ship didn't have a heart did it?

Along with the soft humming they listened to the quiet buzzing of their lamp on the table. They could've turned on their radio to listen to whatever channel would be able available, but they didn't feel like listening to a radio.

To be honest, they didn't feel like doing anything. They weren't able to fall asleep for the past 30 or so minutes and they have given up on trying to sleep.

Sigh.

They might aswell get up and go for a quick walk. That could help them fall asleep later.

Yea. They could grab something warm like milk with honey to help them sleep....or coffee with honey and work on the armours-

Either way, taking a walk won't hurt.

After a moment they stepped out of their sleeping quarters and looked around. The lights were dimmed and there wasn't anyone in the hallway. It was quiet.

With a sigh they let the door behind them close and locked the door with a keycard, then they started walking to one of the kitchens nearby.

It didn't take them as long as it usually did. Only one door which was surprising, but not like they minded. It was nice not to get lost for once.

After walking into the kitchen, Sol quickly looked through the snacks cabinets and didn't find anything they would like to munch on. Their

Hmmm.

They weren't feeling like eating anything right now.

Might aswell take a walk while they're out.

Upon hearing footsteps getting closer to the kitchen they quickly got out of the kitchen and disappeared in the nearest door. It led them into a hallway. Oo this one has green walls. That's not something you would commonly see on the honey themed ship.

The hallway changed directions few times and they had to go through multiple doors. One of them even lead to the cryo, no idea why there, but it sometimes happened.

Footsteps echoed through the hallways as it took them some time walking in the dark hallways, where the light source came from the dimmed lights and the honey pipes, before they got to the spot they wanted to go to.

One of the big windows that let in the soft light of the stars was on the wall to their right and they walked to it to gaze out into the space. The protective barrier that was around the ship was visible a bit behind the window along with the stars.

They loved to look into the space through the big windows that were around the HIVE.

One would think that windows and space isn't a great mix but the sight out of them is amazing. You just have to make sure the windows are strong enough.

Stars, planets, galaxies, meteorites, supernovas, whole planet systems and more were a sight to die for though.

Sol especially loved to see how colourful the space could be despite how they sometimes got existential crisis over how the space was big and empty.

They liked to space out (pun intended heh) while gazing out of the windows in the living room like places on the ship, not listening to what was going on around them and focusing only on the beauty of the space outside.

It was interesting and amazing to see what could be found there.

When something interesting like a new planet was found, then for the next few weeks it was the main topic in conversations, and the more curious and adventurous crew members even went down onto the planet to do some things to help Leander gather more information. Sol was apart of those expeditions few times and it was always fun.

Most of it was done by drones though to ensure safety. As far as Sol remembered there weren't many accidents on strange planets but it didn't hurt to be safe.

It didn't take away the excitement from how the space could be amazing, in fact, for them it made the unknown even more interesting.

Sol's workplace where they worked on their projects, like the weapons and now also armours, always has few posters with something about space and they even have some in their quarters.

They couldn't remember from where they got it and how long, but one of the posters were about stars and constellations that can be seen from the Earth and they sometimes try to find some of the stars. Sometimes they were successful and sometimes they weren't able to locate some of the stars.

They sighed and put their hand on the window.

(Open the image for better view)

The stars shimmered with soft glow and they stayed there, staring at something that kind of reminded them of the milky way.

It was a pretty sight and they would never get tired of it, it was always beautiful.

The company of the silent stars was welcome after one of the more busy days on the HIVE. The soft humming could be heard along with the bubbling of the honey pipes and they stood there, enjoying how calm and quiet everything was.

The HIVE was never silent.

They took a deep breath and smiled. There was a nice warm feeling in their chest as they continued to watch the space.

Even when they sometimes missed their time on Earth they wouldn't leave the HIVE. They have gotten used to the chaos on the ship and they loved to be here. They love the space and the HIVE with all the occupants. Maybe it was a little foolish to be this loyal, but they had truly found a home here.

The HIVE was their home and they would risk their live to protect it along with others on the ship.

[ickyalienxx]

I NEED FRIENDS WHO LIKE ST AND BYLER SOOO BAD ADUFHSIALnbSHAKAMXNXJBS

[svtskneecaps]

dude i fucking love how this server has communication as its premise and built into its fucking core. i fucking love that. bc it's one thing to be like 'this server is about multilingual communication and cultural exchange!!' bc that could present in any NUMBER of ways but like. with the federation and the eggs and a common shared goal they all decided WE ARE A TEAM. and like, ok,

when baghera was sus of jaiden because of the thing when pomme died and jaiden had been the reason baghera left her side for the only time that day, i wasn't even worried. i wasn't worried bc i was like "we just wait. because i know they will TALK TO EACH OTHER." and I WAS RIGHT. TWO DAYS LATER IT WAS ALL CLEARED UP AND BAGHERA WAS HELPING HER OUT WITH CUCURUCHO

and the ordo theoritas is functionally a secret organization. it would be SO EASY to gatekeep the lore, on grounds of "the federation is always watching and anyone could be a spy" and yet the ordo theoritas says that, like bad SAYS THAT, says OUT LOUD, "anyone could be a traitor" and then turns around and goes "hey person i've had a few days' worth of conversations with, here's a detailed rundown of everything we've learned about the island's mysteries, and the secret location of the ordo base". SOFIA was supposed to be secret from everyone, and for a little bit she was. but now like, the ordo theoritas is showing her to everyone. it would be SO EASY to hide things and to gatekeep things but they just. don't do it. here's the supercomputer!!!! don't forget to grab her waystone so you can come back anytime!!!

bad learns something. "i need to tell forever/cellbit/baghera". forever figures out a new way to protect the eggs, and he gets it to everyone within days. cucurucho tries to have a secret conversation and the entire server knows about it almost instantly and there are three people buried in the walls reading the subtitles and giving each other meaningful glances

i love it. i love it. miscommunication plotlines drive me up the fucking wall and the fact that i wasn't even SCARED when jaiden and baghera could easily have angled into an angsty tangled web of that and instead just MET WITH EACH OTHER AND EXPLAINED EVERYTHING AND CLEARED THE AIR ALMOST IMMEDIATELY was so fucking breathtaking. and this is a multilingual server. this is a MULTILINGUAL SERVER. i love it. i love it so much i want to cry. it's a server for communication and people Communicate, it would have been SO EASY to slip into monolingual factions and stick to the familiar but they DIDN'T. they DIDN'T. WE GET TO HAVE A THEORY TABLE WITH SO MANY LANGUAGES SITTING AROUND IT. we get to have conspiracy walls in every language!!!! idk sometimes i forget how fucking CRAZY all this is, like the scale of what they've accomplished

so yea thank you to quackity and the qsmp admins for this, and thank you to the streamers for hearing 'this is about connections' and taking it ENTIRELY to heart, and also thank you to whoever the fuck decided to give quackity's school class the job to look after a fucking egg to learn about parenting. bc holy shit. holy shit.

[strikacy]

here's my piece for the @paradeofseasons fanzine ! 🌾 💖

this was my first ever zine, and i'm so happy with how it turned out !! everyone involved put a lot of effort into it :) and we got to geek about this beloved series so that's a plus💖

this was truly a wonderful experience :) also, go check out the full zine !!

[still-a-dreamer-even-now]