#imagine if i put this much effort into my life eh

[tategaminu]

“They are both equally important to each other and their development but Rayla is the one who gets the insults…”

What’s even more annoying about this is not only does Rayla get ridiculed for something Callum also does, that particular set of fans will also straight up deny that Rayla is Callum’s priority. “Oh, he would’ve found a way to connect to the Ocean with or without her as motivation. There were other factors in him deciding to do dark magic again.”

No. It was about Rayla, and pretty much only Rayla.

THIS

What kind of bs is "there were other factors" like my guy!! are you watching the show with a blindfold on? sure, he probably wanted all of them to get out of the boat but Rayla was the trigger

A thing I have also seen in fandoms is people trying to invalidate male characters' feelings for a girl, for whatever reason I don't understand. I will always find incredibly beautiful a male character treating a female character as an equal, not as the fairer sex or stuff like that, as an equal who he loves, and we see this with Callum, he has never ever treated Rayla as lesser than him, she's his priority alongside Ezran and that's super beautiful. I will always have a soft spots for guys being the most lovable and protective people towards their girls you know? not because they are girls but because they know they deseve love, so seeing people totally invalidate that feels so wrong to me.

S5 and S2 parallel each other, in S2 we saw Callum connect to an arcanum because he did ark magic for Rayla, sure he also did it for himself to feel useful but it was mostly to save Rayla, season 5 shows it even more clear. We only see Rayla and Callum wanting to scape when they see the other in danger, the reason Finnegrin even wants to throw Rayla to the leviathan is because Callum punched him because he was hurting Rayla, and he was hurting Rayla because he tried to beat his ass for hurting Callum.

We can see Callum letting himself get beaten and still refusing to do dark magic and give the spell to kill Domina away, it's only when Finnegru says he will feed Rayla to the fishes we see Callum BREAK. He tells him the spell right away. He could have invented a different spell but he was too desesperate to save Rayla he told him the whole truth. He could have done dark magic any other moment but it's after this moment when he does, and then he goes straight up to save Rayla, then just as in season 2, he figures out the arcanum after doing dark magic for her, but this time also thanks to the poem A LOVE POEM who he recited before in ep 1 TO RAYLA. The proof is all there like seriously, he can figure out the arcanum because he loves her, it is as clear as day.

He tells her "I would do anything for you" which it's directly shown in this whole episode. Callum is terrified of doing dark magic, not only because it breaks his morals but because he's scared it could make Rayla dislike him and because it would be an step further for Aaravos to possess him, (tho I'm not sure if he fully knows dark magic is what allows Aaravos to possess him at all, maybe he suspects it) we can see how people like Claudia who do way too much dark magic lose a bit of themselves, Callum is probably afraid of that as well and yet he still does because Rayla is more important to him than whatever the consecuences might be.

There are people out there who believe he wouldn't risk the world for her and stuff but c'mon, this guy would risk the entire universe, he is extremely loyal and proctective, his love for the ones closest to him make him twist his morals because he treasures them more than anything (Rayla and Ez that's it). Rayla has been shown as his achilles heel and we will see even more this plays out. I can't believe there are people who can't see it, everyone has their own way to interpret media sure but somes things are just SO clear, like imagine looking at Zym and going "I don't think he is a dragon, he could be a rat", no.

In a summary, I want people to cut slack on those two, mostly Rayla. It would be cool to treat her like an actual good written character and not trying to invalidate her or her relationship with Callum. The show characterizes them and their relationship so well, they are such complex people and I can't believe we have to deal with those kind of comments.

[heavencanbeaprisontoo]

You're Too Sweet

(Imagine) Tommy x Reader

WC: 650 I do adore Tommy with a streetwise, cutthroat woman, but imagine him with the opposite. Warnings: Angst, longing, pining, it's biblical, mate. References to Tommy being toxic, and obsessed.

You're just too sweet for him. Even the Devil would judge him for the way he longs for your touch.

He watches you from afar, even as he's right next to you. Pushing you as far from him as he can without putting his hands on you. God knows he can't trust himself if he ever did. You sit beside him at the Garrison Pub, lips painted red and your dress a pale blue.

You take a drink of your whiskey and pull a face, earning a bark of laughter from Arthur. Arthur, who's playing the role of bartender, had warned you that it would be too much for you.

"I can't stand another sip of it, would you...?" you turn to him with pleading eyes. Those pretty little doe eyes are watering from that nasty gulp you took.

Tommy's mask never slips. He steals your glass and finishes your whiskey for you, making an effort not to press his lips to the scarlet mark you left on the glass. He swallows the bitterness that you can't take, pretending not to notice it lacks the usual sting.

You smile, and combined with your watery eyes and the way you look in that dress, he's worried he might lose this battle with his demons tonight. All he wants to do is take you by the jaw and kiss you. Hard. Press you to him and find somewhere quiet where he can separate all that keeps you away from him. His nerve, your dress, whichever comes off first.

The fact that you can't see the battle in him only makes it more pathetic. "I feel so silly for even ordering it. Suppose I'm not ready for a mean drink, eh?"

"Sweetheart, you can hardly stand wine," he sets down your glass. Tommy turns the glass in his hand, thumb grazing that scandalous mark, staining the pad of his thumb with your lip tint.

An elbow to his side is as mean as you'll get. You send him a toothy grin, "I have to live it up while I can, and that means trying new things."

Tommy shakes his head, "And that means whinging through a shot of whiskey and gagging on my last cigarette?"

The sound of your laughter pulls a half-smile from him, "Yes! I can't indulge in these for much longer you know." You hardly drink, you don't smoke, and you've never done a rotten thing in your whole life by his standard.

A part of him wants to shut you out from it all. Rescue you from this world you've said you know to be unfair. If he had known you before Grace, he would have. Now he knows that the only thing keeping you clean is his hands staying off of you.

You precious thing, whose smile pulls at the dull strings of his heart.

A sweet woman, you remind him of the life he wanted to have before the war killed who he used to be. That Thomas Shelby could have loved you right. He would have moved you out to the countryside. Or a flat somewhere clean. That Thomas Shelby would have come home with flowers everyday, would have given you kids after making you a proper wife. He would have never been as good or as sweet as you, but he would have been able to try.

This Thomas Shelby can only watch you. Savor the sweetness that comes his way from you... A sweet, kind, good woman. One who he will love till the day he dies but could never be so selfish as to bring into his arms. Not with the way you flash your engagement ring.

"Promise me something, eh?" he puts his hand on your shoulder but he stand to look at you. There's no way he can do both at once and not ruin the moment. "Promise me that if he's ever rotten to you, that you'll say something to us."

He closes his eyes as your hand covers his, "Goodness Tommy, are you really so worried about lil' ol' me?" You lean over in your seat and place your lips to his cheek.

"You really are too sweet Thomas Shelby."

[chris-prank]

stumbled across ur blog and love ur writing sm!! i have such a thing for pathetic yanderes…. ty for ur service 🙏🙏🙏

wouldn’t it be funny if hero reader and dr. seraph met at some random place outside of hero’s “working hours”?? like what if they both just happen to be waiting in the hour line DMV line and hero reader is in their casual clothes (sweats or something) and notices first and is like shitshitshitshitshitshit LOLLLLL

It's an honor for me to serve the fans of pathetic yanderes 🫡

I realize that I didn’t specify it in the first part of Dr. Seraph story, but he actually never got thrown in jail! Also, in my head, this world has cartoon superhero logic, so no one can recognize Dr. Seraph when he is not in his crazy scientist attire. So in this situation I imagine Vincent being the one recognizing the hero, either it’s because he had stalked them before or their identity is widely known. Despite that, your idea has so much potential for funny and awkward moments, I love it!

･*:.｡..｡.:*･*:.｡..｡.:*･

He had lost count on how long he had been waiting. 40 minutes? One hour? He didn’t really care anymore. Compared to his criminal life, waiting in line at the DMV was a pleasant breeze. Thinking of the breeze, he had luckily brought his white cardigan, which now protected him from the morning cold.

His fingers mindlessly ran over the golden feathers embroidered on the sleeves as he stared at some rocks on the ground, lost in thought.

“Excuse me?”

A voice called out to him. Pulled from his reverie, Vincent turned his head while answering.

“Y-yes?”

That’s when he was met with you. The love of his life hero who has been fighting him and his boss for years. There you were, in your civilian clothes, waiting in the same line as him!

OH SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT. WHAT ARE THEY DOING HERE? DID THEY RECOGNIZE ME? AAAAAAAAAAH!

Many more obscenities were silently screamed in his mind as he stared at you, his face quickly turning red as a tomato. He was so absorbed by his internal panic that he didn’t even register what you had told him. You were surely warning him to not make any sudden moves and to put his hands up.

“I’m s-so sorry, b-but I didn’t quite catch what you said…”

“I just wanted to tell you that I really like your cardigan, the embroidery on the sleeves are so cute.” Your eyes darted away from him and he swore your face got a little flushed as you repeated yourself.

Was he hallucinating? Did the years of working with toxic chemicals finally affected his brain? He stood there, his mouth agape. If you hadn't noticed how red the man was before, you surely did notice now.

“I love your sweatpants!” He blurted out.

There was an awkward silence for a few milliseconds, as Vincent realized the words that had flown out of his mouth, “N-Not em everyone can pull them off…”

“Really?” You chuckle gently, “I’m glad you think so… Actually when I saw your cute outfit I got a little self conscious about my “no effort day” fit.”

“What?! But you always look good no matter what you wea— I mean, I’m sure you do… not that I would know eh eh…”

Wow, he was really making it worse for himself wasn’t he? At that moment, he wanted to sink into the ground and disappear… Now that he thought about it, he should try to create something that allows him to do that.

After some more chatting, you shook his hand and excused yourself for bothering him. He told you not to be sorry and that he was happy he got to talk to you, for no particular reason of course.

As Vincent continued to wait for his turn to come up, he opened and closed his fist. He mentally noted to scrape off the bit of your DNA that was left on his palm, back at his laboratory, as a souvenir.

･*:.｡..｡.:*･*:.｡..｡.:*･

I hope you didn’t mind me slightly switching things up and liked my response! 🙏🏻

[yuzurujenn]

[2024.08.29] FS Life Extra - Yuzuru Hanyu PROFESSIONAL Season 2

Interview: Hanyu Yuzuru

“I realised that there was still so much potential left”

Hanyu has completed his 2nd year as a professional athlete. Having completed his first solo tour, "RE_PRAY," it appears that he has explored and elevated his expression to a higher level, both as a producer and as an artist. However, the responses that he spoke of were unexpected. From this valuable long interview, we explore where Hanyu Yuzuru is now in his third year as a professional and the state he is aiming for.

(Interviewed in Sendai on June 17, 2024)

Q: Let's start with the recent activities, starting with Fantasy on Ice's Makuhari and Aichi performances. What was your overall impression?

A: Well, after all, since I did my own solo tour, my awareness as a professional, my sense of who I want to be as a skater and the kind of effort I want to put into shows have become much more solid. In that sense, even though it was "Fantasy on Ice," I think I was able to approach my performance with a completely different sense of responsibility than I had up until last year.

Q: Was it due to the experiences and feelings accumulated during your second year as a professional?

A: Although it has only been two years, my sense of responsibility for the show, my gratitude for everyone's willingness to come to see me and support me, and my desire to cherish and respond to their expectations have all become stronger. Even though it was not my solo show this time, I felt that I performed with the same passion. Maybe because I was with other skaters, this feeling was more prominent in my heart, and I felt that I had indeed changed since becoming a professional skater.

Q: Do you feel differently in solo shows and shows with other skaters?

A: Until last year's Fantasy, I strongly felt that sense of comfort that comes with it being "Fantasy on Ice”. However, for example, there were certainly physical challenges, like having to do a quadruple jump in the Opening, but this year, rather than feeling that sense of comfort, I thought more about what it meant to skate here, and treated each program sincerely. However, after all, the seniors have gradually retired, such as (Evgeni) Plushenko and Johnny (Weir), and while Stéphane (Lambiel) is still here, (Nobunari) Oda-kun was not in A tour, and I felt that I have become a more senior, prominent figure in “Fantasy on Ice”. In that sense, I did feel a sense of responsibility. I felt that I needed to lead where I could, and the performance expected of me was no different from my solo show. And while skating, I was also thinking about the meaning of performing two programs, so in that sense, looking back now, this atmosphere was probably what I wanted to convey in Fantasy this time. As for the collaboration program, I performed “Meteor” with a sense of nervousness, as Nishikawa-san (Takanori) was also very passionate about the song. And I think because I was able to echo his passion with my skating that a sense of power and agility was brought out in that program.

Q: "Meteor," which was also the insert song for "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED," is a song that holds a lot of meaning for you as well?

A: Yes. It is one of my favourite songs, but since I like it so much, it was not easy to imagine myself skating to it. On the contrary, if it is a piece I am not familiar with, when someone says to me, "Please skate to this," I can still think about how to skate while listening to it. But, because it is a piece I am already very familiar with, I will think, "Eh, I already have this image in my mind, but I need to build the skating from here?" In that sense, because I like it, it is even more challenging to skate this program. I remember it being very difficult.

Q: I heard that it took you about four weeks to create the choreography.

A: It really took that long (laughs). After all, Nishikawa-san has very strong vocals, and I had to think about how to match that. And because I’m so familiar with this song, I could hear all the different sounds, so I needed to decide how much I should express. I also wanted to stay true to the image of the original work as well as the feelings that Nishikawa-san himself would have singing this song, but since I was the one skating, I also wanted to value the image I had in my mind. It was really difficult as there were so many complicated elements entangled together. When I was choreographing, I kept thinking, "This is not right, that is not right."

Q: It's because you have a strong attachment to the song.

A: It's really difficult.

Creating a program that starts from the feet

Q: The program included choreography that evoked a story. Was this choreography inspired by your desire to value not only the music but also the story that had influenced you?

A: That’s right. The story is of course important, but I also didn't want it to become like a theatrical performance. If I focus too much on the story, it will easily become too theatrical and lose the essence of the music. When I choreograph, I always try to "avoid making choreography that can be put into any program." I believe there must always be a unique relationship where the choreography is essential to the music and the music is essential to the choreography, so, while valuing the story, I was very conscious of expressing the image, rhythm, and melody of the music. 

Q: The gesture of putting Tori (the bird-shaped pet robot that the protagonist got from his childhood sweetheart) on the shoulder made me think, "Could it be…?" even though I’m not familiar with Gundam.

A: Yes, yes (laughs). The main character (Kira Yamato) is bound by the past, but he has to fight because of the expectations placed on him. I am not the type to be overly tied to the past, but I think I can understand that sense of obligation to fight while carrying expectations. It doesn't matter if you want to do it or not, it's like you have to continue on as part of your mission. When I skated with those feelings, I thought that if I expressed too much of myself, it wouldn't fit the music. Considering various things, I was hesitant to make the choreography with Tori at first, or to make it a point like "That's the scene", but going back to what I said earlier, when I thought about "what can only be done in this program", I thought "But, this is Kira, and it's "FREEDOM", so if I thought about it properly, I thought it's better to include it. If there’s a part that leaves an impression, it would make it easier to recall the story. I thought it would be easy to convey to the viewers, and I thought it would not only satisfy my own feelings, but also satisfy those of the viewers. I put it in while considering the balance.

Q: When I first saw it in Makuhari, I didn't know who choreographed it, so I thought the choreographer must be a fan of Gundam...

A: Haha, he is (laughs). But I think that's a program that typical figure skating choreographers wouldn’t be able to do. When I’m creating choreography myself, I often notice that I tend to start from the feet. For example, "Ashura-chan" was like that, and "GIFT" too, where I build the choreography by setting the rhythm with the feet first and then adding the upper body movements. So, the upper body doesn’t lead; often, it takes a while for the upper body movements to come together. In figure skating, it’s more common for choreography to start with the upper body and then add steps or turns as needed. Since I start with steps and turns, my programs probably end up being a bit different from what you might expect from a typical figure skating choreographer. Because I’m aware of this, when I create something like "Messenger of Ruin" or a program for a solo show that’s more like a typical figure skating program, I sometimes think the opposite, "Lead with your upper body!"

Q: You remind yourself of this.

A: Yes. Otherwise, it might not feel like figure skating. I think about whether I should focus more on picking up the melody, or if I should create parts where I don't pick up the melody to make it feel more like figure skating.

Q: Is this approach of creating programs starting with your feet related to what you said before about your tendency to catch the sounds of bass and drums when listening to music?

A: Ah, yes, I do catch them. It's partly because of that, but it's also something that figure skaters generally don't do with their feet. For example, this time I had my own part in the finale of Fantasy, “High Pressure,” and I had to improvise differently each time, as it would be too fast if I had to pick up all the sounds of the percussion with my feet (laughs). But I did it unconsciously, and I have always liked doing that kind of thing since I was a little kid. So, it is not something that a typical figure skater can do, but something that only a person who likes music and can hear sounds very well can do. In that sense, I guess I am a bit more like a dancer.

In addition, I believe that my style may have been influenced by Alexei Yagudin and Kurt Browning. Yagudin's "Winter" (2001-02 season short program) has that famous toe step, and if you ask me whether it’s about capturing the sounds, I think it’s more about matching the gradually rising violin sound to create a climax. I just adapted that approach to fit with the rhythm. Kurt Browning, on the other hand, focuses more on capturing the rhythm than the melody and is very precise. The beats and rhythms that are difficult to hear are visualised in this way, changing how the music is perceived. It’s like experiencing music visually. I was greatly influenced by Kurt in this respect. So, I was influenced by both Yagudin’s use of toe steps to emphasize the melody, and Kurt's footwork that fully expresses the sounds that are often unnoticed and hard to capture. I think my style was formed in this way.

In fact, when I was creating "Meteor", I watched a lot of Yagudin's performances because I really had no ideas (laughs). Speaking of which, the initial feeling was very similar to Gladiator. In the opening of Gladiator, he turned his body holding a sword like this, and I used that as a reference. When I was creating “Meteor” for figure skating, I wanted to present a very cool choreography, and when I thought about what a cool choreography is, the first person that came to my mind was Yagudin.

Q: So, the cool image you had was Yagudin.

A: Yes! I also like Plushenko very much, he is incredibly cool, but it’s not so much about the choreography, but rather the strong aura he exudes from within. As I get older, the more I listen to music, the more I can see the world that Yagudin wanted to express. I’ve only come to realise just how skilled he was now.

Q: In the past you were absolutely crazy about Plushenko.

A: That’s right. I always thought his overwhelming aura was so cool! But this time when I was creating “Meteor”, I was quite influenced by Yagudin's style. The toe-steps at the end of the interlude, just before falling to the ground, was completely Yagudin. The rhythm was a bit different, and the use of arms was more Hanyu-like, but that kind of footwork was definitely Yagudin, at least to me.

Q: I’ll watch it again later.

A: Please do! (laughs) It influenced me a lot. After the intro, when the singing starts and at the line ‘Frozen~’ (凍りついた~♪), the way the legs are spread out and the body is turned is something that Yagudin often used as well.

Q: Yagudin is scattered everywhere.

A: Yeah (laughs). I always watch it thinking, "I was influenced by him." (laughs).

Q: The costume is also very elaborate.

A: Yes!

Q: How was the design decided?

A: I first gave an image concept of the kind of design I wanted, and then having the designer to create and complete the design based on that.

Turning trouble into opportunity

Q: What about the decoration on the shoulder?

A: That was just a coincidence, really! Even the similarity in colour to the Gundam model that came with the limited edition of Nishikawa's "FREEDOM" CD was a complete coincidence.

Q: That's amazing!

A: I originally had an image of that colour as well, but when I first received the costume and checked it, the colour was much whiter and a bit of a lighter blue. At that point, I didn't know about the plastic model, but I was thinking that, “It would look better if it was darker", and then, during the costume check, I accidentally hit my forehead and got covered in blood (laughs). So, the costume got covered in blood as well, and I had to get it washed right away, but because of that, I was able to say without compromising, “Please make it a bit darker”.

That incident left a permanent scar, but I couldn't help but think it was a fateful injury (laughs). If I hadn't ended up covered in blood, I probably wouldn't have said anything. The colour was originally a lighter blue. So, it might have all worked out for the best in the end.

Q: Is your forehead okay now?

A: Although the scar is still there, the pain has mostly subsided. However, I still feel some pain when a large drop in atmospheric pressure occurs. Also, when I turn over while sleeping, it rubs against the scar, which can be a bit painful. But, while skating, I don’t feel any pain, and it’s nowhere near as painful as when I sprained my ankle (laughs).

Q: You have had many painful injuries in the past.

A: Yes, only painful injuries (laughs).

Q: Also, I think "Danny Boy" in Fantasy has evolved even more than ‘notte stellata’.

A: Wow, thank you!

Q: What did you do to make it even better?

A: I studied a lot about how to use my body and how to express myself in April. 'Danny Boy' was where I could most clearly showcase that. I gradually came to understand how to use my feet in jazz, how to incorporate the sound of the piano into my body, and how to pick up the nuances of the rhythmic fluctuations that I could feel as someone with a strong sense of rhythm. That’s the program where I could express these most easily.

Q: So, the evolution of your performance in Fantasy came from that study.

A: That’s what I would like to think (laughs).

Q: I thought the program was good at “notte stellata”, but it was even better at Makuhari, and I was really moved. The lines were also very beautiful.

A: Thank you! I’m so happy! Indeed, in such a program, the more delicate the way you show the lines of your body, use your arms, and how you connect your body with your arms, the better. It’s about wanting to use big movements, but not using the full range of motion, while still having everything perfectly controlled and in the right angle. It’s something you have to master for it to look good. Conversely, the more you master it, the better the program becomes. I feel it’s similar to programs like "Ballade No. 1" or "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso."

Q: Until last year, you only skated one program. Why did you decide to skate two programs now?

A: When I was offered to perform on the show, I had already planned to skate two programs. After being told, "For this Fantasy, these are the song choices for you to collaborate with", I listened to those songs and thought, "Ah, one program probably won’t be enough." After all, many people know about my solo ice show, and for those who spent almost the same or even more money to watch Fantasy, I felt that I couldn’t just perform one program. I have such a sense of pride that I didn't want them to feel that it was insufficient. When considering how to maximise audience satisfaction, I felt that two programs would be the best approach.

But it was really hard... In ‘notte stellata’, in the first program it was a triple axel, so I didn't need to do a quad jump. But for the opening of Fantasy, I had to do a quad jump right after I got on the ice, which was really challenging (laughs). Naturally I had to prepare on land, as I also need to be ready before stepping onto the rink. But there was no 6-mins practice on ice, so it was really hard to do a quad jump right after getting onto the ice in that state... It was really tough even from the warm-up stage. Then I had to perform "Danny Boy" soon after that, so I was really exhausted.

Q: Now that Fantasy has ended, I think you finally had a chance to take a break. But are you already gearing up for the next stage?

A: I’m really thinking about various plans and keeping my antennae up. I can't go into details, but I have to do a lot of work. In that sense, it is a very challenging time for me.

Q: Are you in the stage of preparing various things now?

A: I guess you could say I'm in a phase where I'm actively putting things out there, rather than just nurturing ideas. For me, rather than accumulating ideas and then releasing them all at once, I tend to be better at inputting and outputting simultaneously. It's kind of like improvising choreography while listening to music. My expressions were born while being influenced by something. So, whether it's about planning or doing a photo shoot, most of the ideas that come to me are often inspired by the music on the spot.

Q: I always wondered how you gather your input.

A: Surprisingly, it's manga, and of course games. Recently, I've been reading some philosophy books and papers, so I might be spending a bit more time on such texts these days. I actually don't hate reading papers, and I read about two a week. It doesn't have to be a long paper, a short one is fine, and when I'm not feeling like it, I just read the summary (laughs). There are times when I just read the introduction and the conclusion and think, "Oh, I see, that's what it was about," but even so, I think just acquiring that knowledge will increase my range of expression, or broaden my perspective, so I try to make a habit of reading.

Q: How do you find papers to read?

A: When I was making RE_PRAY, I read a paper about game storytelling. The article analysed what was contained in the storyline of a game, and finally concluded that games have these characteristics. The paper was about how novels have this kind of storyline and these characteristics, but games instead have this kind of storyline and these characteristics. I read a lot of such works while creating RE_PRAY.

Behind the scenes of RE_PRAY

Q: How was the RE_PRAY tour for you?

A: I really learned a lot. It wasn't a one-month tour, but a series of performances over a longer period at several locations, so my mental state and my perception of "ice story" were completely different each time, and the reactions and feelings of the people who watched were different too. This tour really made me realise just how closely expression is linked to one's state of mind and background.

Q: The lighting and projection mapping were also very cool. In that regard, I felt a sense of novelty.

A: It made me realise again that there is still room for improvement in the field of ice shows, in terms of the use of lasers, projection mapping, and even lighting. I wasn't able to participate much in the production of "GIFT" (the first Ice Story). I didn't have the time. I was also working on "Prologue," so we didn't have many meetings.

Q: After all, it was being done at the same time as Prologue.

A: That's right! That's why I didn't have time to attend many meetings, but in RE_PRAY, I was more involved in the direction, visuals, and many other things, and in the process, I realised that there was still so much potential left. Conversely, I also realised how much that I hadn't been able to do before.

Q: The animation was also cute. Like (8-bit) pixel art.

A: I had a meeting with a designer who creates pixel art, and we decided that this would be good. When we think about games, they're not just limited to pixel art; there are so many games now with incredible realism. Nowadays, there are many games that are almost like movies, resembling real people, but still, I wanted something that would make the concept of game easily understandable for those who come to watch skating and ‘Yuzuru Hanyu’, and convey it in a way that’s straightforward. We thought a pixel art approach might be effective for that purpose. Although I really love realistic games and initially wanted to go with a more realistic style for the title screen, we ultimately decided that we wanted the audience to feel a bit of nostalgia when they saw the screen. That’s how we ended up with the pixel art design.

Q: It's very cute, I hope you will release merch someday.

A: Sure, we will, please buy it (laughs).

Q: I'm looking forward to it (laughs). Also, in “Prologue”, you performed “SEIMEI” at the beginning of the show with jumps like in competitions, but in “RE_PRAY”, “Messenger of Ruin” was placed at the end of first half of the show. And it was a free skate composition.

A: When I skated "Roncapu" at the end of first half of "GIFT," it was pretty tough, and I went into it thinking, "No, this isn't possible," but I managed to do it at the time... I wonder why I made it (Messenger of Ruin) into a free program (laughs).  

Q: To challenge your limits (laughs).

A: Really (laughs). When I was writing the story, or rather, once the structure was in place, I already had in my mind that 'this is definitely the music for the free program.' It wasn't about my stamina or anything, I just did it because I thought it was the best choice. But people around me were saying things like, 'Will you be okay? You were shaky even in the short program'. But I felt that it was precisely because I was shaky that I was able to fully express "Ruin", so I was like, "It's okay, it's okay to be shaky." I believed that “since I’m close to breaking down, the expression will come through”, but looking back now, I realised I was being really reckless.

Q: But even after doing all that crazy stuff, you kept moving without taking a break during the intermission.

A: Yes, I have to keep moving, really... I used a huge amount of spray to keep my hair in place. I used a really strong spray, so much so I couldn’t comb through it, and if I try to force it, the hair might all fall out. The comb would often break too. So, I had to wash my hair. First of all, since my fingers couldn’t get through the hair with shampoo, I had to use conditioner first to dissolve the hairspray before I could use the shampoo. One round of shampoo is not enough, so I had to shampoo twice, then apply conditioner again, making it a total of four washes. Instead of using a shower, I had to stick my head into the basin (laughs). It really took a lot of time, and after that, I had to dry my hair, style it, warm up, and then go out right away. It was really hell (laughs).

But I wanted to change the stiff hairstyle to a new state to make it look like it never happened, or rather, I wanted to change the atmosphere itself. The theme of RE_PRAY itself is "Starting from saved data", even though I had gone through the route of "Messenger of Ruin" (Save Data failed, Act 2), but I should start from where the data was saved, so in terms of the timeline, it means I should be back to the time before Act 1. Therefore, I couldn’t just restart with the image of being exhausted with messy hair after "Messenger of Ruin".

Q: You have to go back to the initial state.

A: Yes. Since I should be in the initial state, it needed to look like I wasn’t tired at all, and start with a completely different atmosphere as if ‘The data is loaded', so in my mind I had already decided to 'undo all the hair setting and start over.' In my simulation, I thought I could do it in 20 minutes, but it took longer than expected... So as soon as “Messenger of Ruin” was over, I took off my shoes, but it took about 5 minutes to take them off, then I went to the waiting room, where another 7 minutes passed. Then I managed to wash my hair in about 10 minutes, and from there it took me about 5-7 minutes to set my hair, warm up for 7 minutes, then put on my shoes immediately. It was hell.

Q: You said on a TV program that if you take a break, fatigue would hit you hard, but it seems you didn't even have time for rest.

A: Yes, that’s true... If I stopped to rest, I would realise how tired I was, so I tried not to stop, but, well, I didn't even have time to rest in the first place (laughs).

Q: I was going to ask you when you realised this, but I didn't expect this (laughs).

A: Haha (laughs). But because I was doing that in RE_PRAY, I knew that if I stopped, it would be over. Notte stellata 2024 is another example. There were three programs, "Notte (Stellata)", "Carmina Burana" and "Danny Boy", and I had to think about how I could maintain my physical condition without taking a break between those programs. Just like when I was doing my solo show RE_PRAY, I was constantly trying to keep my body in top condition for the next program.

Q: It's evolution through experience.

A: Yes. So, in a sense, this Fantasy feels the same way. I was always on the move.

notte stellata 2024 “I hope everyone will be happy”

Q: And about 'Notte Stellata 2024.' Regarding the collaboration with Mao Daichi, was it decided first to include 'Carmina Burana', or was the collaboration with Mao Daichi decided first?

A: Daichi-san came first. It is very difficult to decide who to collaborate with in the first place. Considering that the brand 'Yuzuru Hanyu' has a strong impact and there are many people at the venue who come to see “Yuzuru Hanyu”, it is very difficult to choose someone who can attract equal attention. While thinking about this, we thought "It would be better if the person could sing and dance as well. So Takarazuka Revue might be a good fit." When thinking about someone who could captivate the audience just with their aura in Takarazuka, we thought it would be great if we could ask Daichi-san.

Q: I see. And “Carmina” is one of the songs that fans have been asking for as a program they want to see someday.

A: Yes, "Carmina" is a piece with strong religious overtones, so it was difficult to use it as my own program. It could be seen as a difference in religious views.

Q: That is indeed difficult.

A: That’s right. I had always wanted to use it, but I thought it would be difficult to use it for my own program, but the producer (of “notte stellata”) sent me “Carmina” and said, “Go with this”. So rather than me choosing the song, it was decided by the producer from the beginning. He wanted me to skate to this, and collaborate with Daichi-san on this. So, the song was already selected and arranged. And I was determined to do my best.

Q: The worldview and aura were amazing.

A: When I saw “Carmina,” I knew that I could not do it alone. Each of us had a clear role to play, and the collaboration was something we could not have done without each other, so that was a good thing.

Q: I had the impression that “notte stellata 2024” was brighter than the first show, with a more positive aspect. At what point did you decide to go in this direction?

A: After last year's “notte stellata” was over, we had already talked about the possibility of doing it again next year, and at that time I was already thinking about making it more cheerful to some extent. Last year, I was too much affected by the 3.11. It was the first time for me to deliver a performance to people on March 11, after all, I rarely meet people on March 11, and I was often at home on that day. This year, however, I decided to do my best not just for my own personal feelings, but also to express my wish for the people who suffered from the various disasters, including 3/11 and the Noto earthquake, to “cheer up” and be healthy.

Q: Since I am also from Tohoku, I thought the first time would still be difficult to watch, but this year, I felt much more hope and positivity, so I was somewhat relieved.

A: Just like with RE_PRAY, I’ve been reflecting on what I really want to convey, and not just what I want to express but also “what I hope for”. I’ve started to think more about how I want things to turn out and what I need to do to express it. Of course, there are certainly things I want to convey and express, and many ways to do that, but I’ve gradually started to think about what I want the audience to feel and how I want them to react. This is true for both ‘Meteor’ and ‘Danny’, it’s not just about pushing my own emotions onto them; rather, I feel like I’ve started to view things from a broader perspective and think, “I want the audience to feel this way, so it’s okay to express it in this way.”

Q: In RE_PRAY, when you said that “everyone (the audience) is a player”, is that what you meant by that?

A: Yes. This is my recent theory, but when I read a novel or a manga, the dialogue and narration of the characters are ultimately spoken in my own words, or rather, in the voice of my own inner thoughts. There are voices of voice actors that I imagine, but in the end, it's my own voice that resonates in my head. It's the same with games; the story progresses, but the player who advances the story is myself, and that's what makes games interesting. In figure skating, since there are no words, and it's a form of physical expression without language, there’s a lot left to the viewer’s interpretation. This is why there is a greater freedom of interpretation, and this is also why some parts are difficult to understand, and this difficulty in understanding also allows for a greater degree of freedom in the feelings that can be received. I want people to enjoy this aspect, which is at the core of RE_PRAY and Ice Story.

For example, skating to 'Danny,' the way it is received in 'Notte' compared to 'Fantasy' would be completely different. With the various programs leading up to "Danny Boy", the way it's being perceived changes, the way the music is heard also changes, and of course, the lighting is different too, and I think that’s what makes skating so interesting, and Ice Story is always seeking for that. But, until now, I've often said things like, "It's so different depending on your emotions," or, "I have this image in mind, but I want you to see it as you feel it”, that being said, I feel like maybe I can guide the audience a little more too. I think that the idea of ​​"I want you to go a little bit in this direction" came out strongly in "Notte."

Q: Will ICE STORY continue in the future?

A: Yes!

Q: You said in RE_PRAY that "the end is the beginning of the beginning," but do you have any new plans other than Ice Story in the future?

A: I am thinking of various things.  It's difficult to be specific, but entering my third year after spending two years as a professional like this, I’ve realised just how much I was lacking. This second year made me aware of how shallow the things I’ve been taking in so far. Therefore, I want to incorporate a wider range of information and study various things more deeply. I hope to gradually expand and deepen my expertise. I think that will contribute to expressing figure skating in a way that is uniquely me. For example, there are very ballet-like expressions, very dance-like expressions, and very figure-skating-like expressions. Rather than having these exist in a half-hearted way, my goal now is to study properly how to express myself in a way that is in line with the theme.

I am not skating alone

Q: Finally, some Q&A that aren't about the show. How do you maintain your motivation after becoming a professional athlete? I guess it is different from competing.

A: I guess it's the expectations that people have of me... Honestly, what is it... I don't really have much time to think that "I really love skating!" After all, practicing skating is tough, and it's also hard to practice without anyone watching. But because people have high expectations of me, I want to live up to their expectations and go beyond them. I guess that's my goal, or motivation. Q: Are there any plans for SharePractice in the future? A: I would like to do it, and I thought about doing it before, but the security issues are really difficult! I really don't want to cause trouble for the rink. Q: How about not doing it live? A: That would be better. But you know, if it's not live, I can't interact with the comments and such, which is a bit sad. It’s SharePractice after all. But I do hope to do it again someday. Q: And speaking of Hanyu-san, you’ve always been very proper at greeting people, but what does greeting mean to you? A: Thank you. After becoming a professional, I have come to think more and more that “I am able to skate because of the support of the people around me”. It's the same for production, ice making, management, promotion, and so on. I really feel that the power of people is involved in many things. I’ve come to realise again that I am not skating alone, and I’ve been reflecting on how much I need to be grateful to the people around me. Q: Also, congratulations on becoming a GUCCI ambassador. I also saw the photo exhibition "In Focus: Yuzuru Hanyu Lensed by Jiro Konami" in Ginza. Have you become more interested in fashion?

A: I don't have much interest in fashion (laughs). I have no intention to wear so-called fashionable things on a daily basis. I'm no Steve Jobs, but I don't usually put much thought into it too. Or rather, it's not like me. It’d be strange if suddenly it's like, "Wow, Hanyu has become really fashionable!" (laughs). Q: Why not take this as an opportunity? (laughs).

A: This year I turn 30, which is a milestone (laughs). But I feel more comfortable in a jersey that allows me to move around freely, I want to feel more athlete-like in that regard. Q: As you just said, this year is a milestone for you, but what is your ideal image of your 30s?

A: When I was a teenager, I used to say, "30 is an old man" (laughs). I remember being scolded by (Miyamoto) Kenji-sensei, like, "30 is not old!" (laughs). When I was a teenager, I had a strong impression that skaters in their late 20s were getting less and less able to jump and losing physical strength. So, I thought that 30 is old in competitive figure skating. But now that I'm learning about different training methods and ways of expression, I'm starting to think, "That’s not so old after all." So, I want to continue to improve my skating, express myself better, and evolve in life. Hehe, I'll do my best in my 30s. Q: Yuzushenko (ゆづ シェンコ) has also grown up. A: Yes! (laughs)

Q: Lastly, please give a message to your fans.

A: From now on as well, nothing will change. I will work hard as always!

Source: FS Life Extra PROFESSIONAL Season 2, pg 50-65 Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594622488 https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594622771

[phantomphangphucker]

Phic Phight - Too Fine Too Be Normal

@lexosaurus @hannahmanderr @zombiemerlin

When outsiders have to deal with any member of the weirdo trio it really is best to just roll with the punches. Plus, Orson actually LIKES his techy internet buddy; so what if he’s some kind of superhero pharaoh or something?

Orson blinks at his screen, not for the first time feeling confused and baffled over TooFine’s chat comments.

TooFine: brb gotta go eat a bat, nightshade found the plant paint I covered her fruit tree in

He’s assuming what the guy means is that ‘nightshade’, TooFine’s friend, is trying to hit him with a baseball bat. Strange and extreme but at least this time he’s not claiming to have ‘accidentally fallen into another dimension’. Whenever TooFine leaves suddenly it’s always wildy outlandish stories. Certainly there’s no way he thinks Orson actually believes them right? Yes it was very funny anyways. Reading TF’s impressive imagination always made him feel a little better about life, like even if your life is simple and plain you can bring some crazy into it with your mind.

Sometimes though, it’s clear he’s actually telling the truth, like that one time they were on voice chat and Orson dad popped in to try and convince him to let him teach him how to hunt again, Orson liked meat but he had zero desire to actually go and kill things. But TF started talking guns too, apparently that thing about TF’s in person friend having parents who made weapons was very much true. TF impressed Orson’s dad, meaning his dad now approved of the friendship. At least TF didn’t bring up that ‘ectoplasm’ stuff while his dad was around, the last thing Orson wanted was his dad thinking all his online friends were crazy too. His dad definitely didn’t believe the claim that TF’s friends parents also had a modified military vehicle they used on the actual road; something about how military treads can’t be used on roads because they’re too damaging. TF followed that up with ‘our roads can withstand some pretty heavy artillery’, Orson’s chuckle and eye roll probably convinced his dad that TF was screwing around with him a little.

Either way, hopefully TF gets back in time to keep helping him with this stupid drone he’s trying to build. He’d love to be able to go get the mail without having to actually go outside, so much wasted effort when he’d rather be gaming or reading. Then he gets a voice chat request, the voice that comes through is not TF’s

“Oh shit hey, you actually picked up, wow I can’t believe he made an outsider friend. Weird”, this new teen clears his throat, “okay so, Nightshade actually might have knocked him out in a fit of rage? So he’ll be a bit- hey! No! Put that down! You don’t get to hit him again just because I’m protecting his PDA!”.

TF actually used a PDA? Such old tech? Why? Weird.

“Emilie is PINK! PINK!”.

The boy teen groans, “ugh. Goths. Anyway, while he’s out, he give you any ideas for a good birthday gift? I’ve been banned from giving him weapons or explosives, and the last time I got him a souped up hard drive he hacked the federal government and filed the presidents taxes for some insane reason”.

Orson blinks, “I think he’s been talking a lot about electric cars and electric bikes? What happened after he… did the presidents taxes?”. He really just wants to know where this guy was going to take that level of bullshit.

“I’d rather ideas that don’t require me to steal my rich arch enemy uncles credit card. And eh, nothing much, just got abducted by some secret service folks up into the Appalachian mountains for some ‘one on one’ talks time. He got some new wicked scars out of it even, one looks like a hockey stick! I don’t even have one like that yet! But hey, what’s life without a few abductions here and there? The gov loves shooting me!”.

Orson makes a face, alright so were TF’s friends just as bad as him? Shaking his head, “get him a lock picking kit then, in case anyone abducts him with handcuffs or something”. What the actual hell? He absolutely has to google this.

“Oh that’s not bad-oh hey buddy! You good? No lumps and bumps? No booboos or owies?”.

“You jerk, I’m fine. Why is she still armed!”.

“Emile. Is. PINK”.

“It suits her!”.

“She’s a black apple tree! Pink is never her colour!”.

Oh so the goth did actually name her plants, odd but not insane. And yeah, a hacker did actually do the presidents taxes… weird. There’s no way that was actually TF right? Was he friends with an actual hacker?

“Oh T I totally voice called, or whatever, your online buddy? It seemed like the chat was recent and shit so you know”.

“Man, you are way too overprotective and way too much of a mother hen for a dead guy. Gimme that”.

“Hey at least dead hens can shoot laser beams out of their mouths, way cooler than living ones”.

TF clearly has his… PDA back, “you’re still working on that ‘let me be lazy’ drone right?”.

Orson blinks, “yes, but real talk, did you actually file the presidents taxes?”.

“Oh my zone! DP you shit head! Ugh, look the guy was trying to embezzle my towns funding to buy another yacht, so I figured hey why not forcibly report all his off shore accounts and that weird charity donation to a Russian network. I also might have gone after all his staff too? They weren’t impressed but I call anarchy and how was I supposed to know his people would actually not suck at tracking people?”.

“T, dude, I’m pretty sure the federal government and the goddamn president have better tracking than those G.I.W. morons”.

“Are you going to fix Emilie or what!”.

“Never”.

Orson flips through google results a little more and yeah, a ton of people got hacked for taxes… Hell Orson even stumbles on a whistle blower data leak about ties to Russia that he nopes out of real quick. “TF bud, that’s super concerning”.

“Heh. Fair enough and- oh shit!”. There’s an actual explosion over the line. “Hey, you wanna actually witness shit for a change, because good goddamn. DP! Have you been skipping sleep again! Why is the goddamn sleep god throwing a building at us!”.

What.

You know what.

Fuck it.

Orson sends the zoom invite, it’s accepted immediately. It’s actual pure chaos. There’s shouting, what looks like a sentient star cover blank wearing a mask in the sky, a glowing black and white teen throwing actual everything forbid bath bombs at the thing in the sky. TF looks like he’s from freaking ancient Egypt, with a helm on and everything. Then a bunch of glowing vines shove TF out of screen, a girl in a green and black body suit with a freaking cape chasing after.

For a second he’s wondering if TF is playing a massive prank on him and somehow created a hyper realistic superhero show set up. The… PDA is pointed up at the sky as the voice of the guy who started the voice chat shouts, “I HAVE MIDTERMS! WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO!”.

The blanket creature shouting back, “SLEEP!”.

“Oh yeah I guess I should have seen that one coming”.

Okay so. TF’s friend, whose parents make weapons, is a superhero or something? Google to the rescue.

TF shouts, “why are you stabbing me! There’s a god in the sky! Fight him!”.

“Naw, UnderGrowth actually likes Nocturne, since sleeping humans aren’t actively polluting Mother Nature”.

“Fuck that stupid grass stain”.

“I’m going to end you”.

Orson blinks at his phone, DP, Danny Phantom. A real person, in a real town, that looked like a real superhero. It’s that rumoured haunted town actually, a real haunted town. What the actual hell? Is he friends with a superhero or sidekick? Who’s also a hacker? And eats a concerning amount of meat without getting sick somehow? Has all the stories he’s been getting, and not reacting strongly too, been real??? Alright, okay, gotta play it cool self. He probably actually thought Orson was taking him seriously and has decided that Orson passed some kind of weirdness meter test. This was basically almost an identity reveal wasn’t it? Holy crap he’s involved in a real life comic book secret identity reveal.

The ‘Nocturne’ guy gets blasted into a wall, DP pelting It with eggs he got from somewhere. The Nocturne holding up a massive canister over Its head, “YOU WILL FAIL IF YOU DO NOT SLEEP!”.

“Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit”, TF comes sorta back on screen, grabbing up his PDA, the ‘facial markings’ don’t look like make up, it looks like it’s part of his skin. “Okay okay, so that right up there is a massive thing of halothane vapour from the looks of it, fun. So we’re all probably gonna pass out here, feel free to disconnect if shit gets boring”.

Orson squeaks a little, “boring? You get up to some insane shit. Why is a… sleep god? Trying to knock y’all out?”. Roll with the punches, gotta roll with the punches. Freak out later.

TF snickers, “DP doesn’t get enough sleep and has been frustrating this ghost since he formed. God’s am I right? Ha!”.

“Get back here you!”.

“Oh for crying out loud! I’ll fix your freaking plant okay! Ugh!”. TF gets smacked into a wall all by the plant girl anyways.

Orson eyes the parts of his drone before looking back to the screen, “why are you helping a random friend you made, build a drone when this crap is going on?”. Because it seriously has to be asked.

TF uses sand to push himself out of the wall rubble, “eh, normalicy is nice and shit, plus you’re impressively chill. I bring up sneaking into a death gods liquor cabinet and you just give me a ‘that’s nice, have fun. Don’t hospitalise yourself’. Sure, Red’s chill but she’s more DP’s friend”, smirking, “and his ex, plus she rides a hoverboard and shoots ghosts so…”.

Oh okay, so there’s a fourth one. This is completely insane. Whelp. Guess he’s in it now though. Orson shrugging, “I’ve always been a pretty laid back guy, though this is definitely the craziest thing I’ve seen. Way worse than that chic on drugs or something who was trying to bite people”.

“Oh yeah drugs are bad, way worse than hacking regardless what the government has to say about it”.

Then the canister explodes, giving Orson a serious anxiety spike as bits of metal impale in things and gas starts going everywhere. DP actually does a comedic salute in the air before just falling to the ground. The Nocturne guy looks very pleased with Itself and actually wraps around the probably unconscious teen, hissing at the plant girl when she tries to approach.

TF cringing, “stupid obsessive ghosts. DP looks like he’s been bent like a shrimp”, TF moving his PDA camera and yeah the black and white teens position is kinda shrimp like.

All Orson can think to say is, “great, now I’m hungry”.

TF laughing while hurling a fist full of sand, “HA! Yeah sushi would be great right now”.

“You disgust me”.

“NONE SHALL DISTURB HIS SLUMBER!”.

Was it normal for ‘villains’ to seemingly baby heroes? Because that’s what this looks like. Nocturne literally just wants the black and white teen to sleep, that’s it. Weird. And then freaking pillow monsters??? Start storming the screen, TF and Nightshade/plant girl doing battle with them. The zoom gets cut out so Orson is just going to assume the device got broke.

…

Okay.

So.

That happened.

One question, well many really, but why is someone so tech focused going with a freaking Egyptian theme? Nightshade made sense, he’s pretty sure even her ‘code name’ is actually a plant. And DP was, well, a literal ghost so the Phantom name made sense. Weird that ghosts were actually real still. Yes he’s seen some stuff about them on the news occasionally but it still seemed so far fetched. And he’s pretty sure he saw some people dressed up as DP at last years comic con.

Weird.

Very weird.

Well. Nothing for it now. So he sends TF a message asking if he’s good. It takes multiple hours but….

TooFine: we’re good, DP’s still out cold and has been abducted into a sleep gods lair but like, we good. Sleepy Blanket won’t try to skin him like some people.

OriOri: that’s good? I mean, his skin would probably make a poor blanket?

TooFine: HA! Thats the kinda joke DP would make! He’ll be proud

TooFine: he’ll be proud whenever he wakes up

TooFine: and when Sleepy Blanket stops acting like a crazy dragon protecting its horde

TooFine: and when he finds his way back to the land of living

OriOri: it’ll be a while

TooFine: good. He really should sleep more

TooFine: the dumbass

OriOri: if he gets so little his pissed off god then yeah. That’s impressive actually

TooFine: you have no idea. Anyways, tots sorry for dipping on your little project. I’d offer Techy’s services as make up but he’s an idiot with newer tech

Orson has no clue who that is and isn’t going to ask.

OriOri: at this point I’m more curious why the heck you went with an Egyptian theme for a guy who hacks the federal gov and makes visual horror games

TooFine: eh, it would be kinda weird if a reincarnated pharaoh wasn’t Egyptian themed, you know how it is. Technically you don’t but you know you know

Orson sighs, this was so weird. But he is so not going to let on that he never believe the shit TF said.

OriOri: I guess? Now do you know how to better connect female usb c to an hdmi, cause it’s pissing me off

TooFine: *snort*

TooFine: but of course I do. Debendint on how far you need the connection to work you might have to bike something from scratch. I tots got blueprints and they are definitely not stolen from the fbi terror investigations unit. Definitely not.

Orson was probably going to get arrested one day because of this, but screw it, TF was fun to talk too and made his mostly boring life more interesting. Not interesting enough to ever consider moving to the guys nightmare town though. Not a chance in Hell.

End.

Prompts: Tucker fucked up. Hard. But it’s like, how the hell was he supposed to know that hacking the federal government was a bad idea? Nocturne takes a liking to Danny and decides to help teach him a lesson, whether Danny wants it or not. Outsider POV. Tucker makes a new online acquaintance, and will casually allude to the crazy shit he and his friends get up to while ghost hunting. The new acquaintance thinks Tucker is just embellishing the truth, until…

[kanmom51]

JK live 5 August 1:41 am KST

Part 2

*cr./To the creators of the media used in this post.

For those who missed out on part 1:

Before I start with part 2, brace yourselves. This one is packed with clips that are a MUST to see. Seriously. This was such a long live but it was so enjoyable because of JK's hyper mood at start and his adorable quirkiness throughout the whole live. It was a pleasure to watch and this post has a few lovely moments from the second half of the live. My suggestion is do take your time and watch the clips. I can assure you, you will not regret it.

Did we call part 2 Makguksu blues?

We sure did.

And this, my friends, is why.

JK, right through the second half of this live, is dreaming of eating his dish. Stopping from some music at times, or singing, or pondering, but mainly dreaming of eating. Man is hungry. Stomach growling hungry.

So, at the point we left him he's telling us again that he wants to eat.

And he's really struggling. So much so he's imagining himself making the dish.

First hour obsessing over messing up at the concert.

Next hour (well overlapping too) contemplating and obsessing over making himself something to eat.

Tries to move on with music, going to the bathroom and to refill his drink.

Talking/singing in the background. - a JK usual.

When he comes back he seems a little pensive again.  Nodding head once in a while.

Opens up one of his Spotify gifts – the mic he got, trying to figure out how to connect it.  He puts it away to charge a little.

WE have a few relatively quiet minutes. He’s thinking, not talking.  Music playing, he’s on his laptop, mood kind of feels like it’s a little heavier than before, even if before he was hard on himself most of it was vocal and done with a smile.  Now he becomes more pensive.

Singing to Malibu nights by Lany.  He knows the lyrics off by heart!!

So, remember this?

And this?

And quite the coincidence... song playing at 1:18 hr. of the live. Now that WAS a coincidence. But funny how the universe seems to always align for them, eh?

He asks us if we know a playlist called Life sucks. 

Malibu nights is on that playlist as well.

Definitely in a mood.

It could also be the adrenaline rush just winding down as well... Probably the combination of both.

Convinced himself to eat later in the day (says tomorrow, but it is already tomorrow, lol).

After a few minutes he’s back to reading comments, reads a comment asking for him to play Winter bear, he’s looking for it and then plays it.

And he starts to interact with the comments again.  Someone tells him their grandmother said he’s so beautiful and he smiles and says thank you, bowing as well.

Asks if he should watch some covers of Seven – good decision to lighten his mood.

So now he’s vibing to Seven. 

And he starts adlibbing – his fave thing to do and something he’s great at (mostly) – and it's about the concert again, lol.

So yeah, still not over it.  Lol.

Ok, and he does this:

Ahhhha, literally.🤣🤣

Doing the Seven cover is good for him. It does lift his mood slightly.

JK again looking at comments around 10 minutes in to listening to seven, and of course,

What in the actual fuck? Again bloody Ian in the comments. And again JK, not amused saying:

JK is literally like :

And with these fans you know:

Goes back to the music. 

Back to the adlibbing for food. Man is damn hungry.

And he's back to the comments.  Asked if he likes cupcakes, says he doesn’t really eat them much, but he tries to say it in English. 

You can see he is really trying with the English. Making the effort!

Comment: Would you like to collaborate with latino artist?

JK: Idk. Didn’t think about it (answers in English again).

JK: Should I go to sleep, I want to go to sleep now.  But then he tells us that if he ends the live now he’ll go make himself makguksu and that’s why he isn’t turning the live off, lol.

I want to eat makguksu so much, giggling.  That’s why he isn’t ending the live.

And did he just say DAYMN?  Like with the accent and all? Lol.

And now telling this to us in English. Because this is the vital piece of information that EVERYONE needs to know. HE WANTS TO EAT MAKGUKSU!!!

Ok, so this is hilarious.  He says, in English I’m HANGRY.  I’m assuming he meant hungry, and that was the translation, but could he have actually meant hangry?  Lol. I mean, with the level of frustration being so DAYMN ravenous, perhaps he is already HANGRY. LMAO.

Ok, so as I was writing these lines, well more like half an hour after (but who's counting?), RM had his live and among other very interesting things he shared with us, he happened to drop this little tidbit:

Is Joon telling us he's the one giving JK English lessons?

I mean, it would make perfect sense.

And explain JK's use of slang words rather than a cleaner English. Words like cause and daymn and hangry.

And if we are already on the subject, do we remember who was also getting English lessons at the surprisingly and very coincidental time as JK?

Let me jog your memory.

A certain someone who happens to live in the same complex that Joon lives in. A certain someone that told us he's getting lessons in English as well. At night. Kind of when JK was getting his. Ooh, coincidences galore.

I wonder if they all sit together in JM's lounge drinking and trying to have conversations in English. Or perhaps drinking and watching Friends without the translations.

Guess it's time to move on...

Next he listens/watches to Boynextdoor cover of seven.

Thinks they are cute and then shows us the signed album he received from them. See? That shelf was his signed debut albums.

He wants to go eat makguksu, again, he needs to go, he is a real soldier hanging on not giving in.

At this point, around the 2 hour mark he’s really had enough, he wants to end the live (has been wanting to end the live for several minutes already), go wash up, but then says he’ll listen to another couple covers.

He tells us he likes the covers that also rearrange the track.

JK: I want to go eat, but I really can’t eat. 

So for the next 20 minutes it’s all about he has to go to sleep and we have to go to sleep, but then he needs to sing with the spotify mic.

Ok, so his reaction with this mic was bloody hilarious. He kept getting a fright from it, and his reactions priceless.

First when turning it on.

🤣

Now that he has the mic it’s like he gets a new wind and he starts another round of karaoke.

He wants to seeing a calm song.  Easy song.

Enjoys making gluk gluk sounds with the mic. Asmr, he loves it, lol.

Sings All of my life – a song he is already familiar with.  He sings it karaoke, quite differently than his cover 5 years ago. 

But before, he needs to go find the lyrics.

This song meant a lot to him back in 2018.  I feel like it’s still emotional, but much has happened since, water under the bridge.  He even sings the last verse, the one about the breakup. The one he made sure not to sing back then. 

He shares with us that he had issue hearing the key (in the song) and that his ears are off since catching the cold.

He then sings Sofa, brings the speaker up closer to hear it better. 

Watch the clip!! This time JK gets a fright from the speaker. His reactions. He is absolutely adorable. Precious.

We are adlibbing again.

And then it’s really time to end.

It’s just “it’s really time to sleep now.”  “bye” and he’s off.  Well, not before he once again has a jump scare from his mic.

And then good night and good morning and bye and he’s gone.

Can’t help wonder if he gave in and went to make himself to eat or went to bed, lol.

So, there we have it,

Almost 2 and a half hour live.

First half – upset about messing up at the concert.

Second half – I want to eat makguksu.

Lots of adlibbing, all about messing up at the concert and wanting to eat makguksu.

That's pretty much it.

Oh, and how could I forget?

I’m done gaming, noo more gaming, no more gaming room, I dismantled it all, and not even doing the live in that room to make sure you understand I am no longer gaming. PERIOT.

Wait, you think that's the end of it?

Hell no.

After JK turned off his Weverse live, the man, who told us he's going to bed, was suddenly curious and decided to go live on TikTok. Again.

This bellow being a link to his first live a couple days back:

And now, after disabling the gift option (and making a point of telling us so in this last live):

Yep, now I'm done!

Woohoo!!!

All up to date on JK's lives.

I'm ready for more lives JK.... Bring them on...

[gracingtodd]

ok so i have this thing in which, every time i gain a new hyperfixation, i imagine the characters as k-pop idols so here is basically my word vomit of how i think the aftg characters would be as k-pop idols and random scenarios i think they would be in because math class SUCKS

KEEP IN MIND i have literally only read like a third into the first book so 99% of my aftg knowledge comes from either

1. lurking on the aftg tag on social media

2. watching the book leo’s 2-hour long aftg video

3. ao3

and 4. reading goodreads review, so please excuse me if the characters feel ooc I AM NOT AN EXPERT so anyways here it is

1. neil josten: definitely that one k-pop idol who korean fans hate but international fans love. man’s definitely created a twitter/tiktok account dedicated to defending his members (especially a certain andrew minyard) that somehow managed to blow up so he’s basically living a double life lmao. he gives me main dancer energy but i feel like he could also be a main rapper

2. andrew minyard: he would be the k-pop idol that everyone thinks is untalented and unskilled and like makes everyone so confused as to how he debuted but then suddenly actually put effort into performing one day and everyone’s like “holy shit he’s actually GOOD???” he gives me all-rounder vibes ngl but i feel like he’d be a good singer (please tell me if he’s like canonically a shit singer or smth that would be so funny)

3. kevin day: leader obviously (though i feel like the foxes would have that thing where there’s like a leader and a co-leader ykwim?) but anyways probably the one that’s like really blunt and critiques the other members during practice which some stans hate bc yk but also a good portion of the fandom would really appreciate bc his criticism and borderline insults actually help the members improve pretty well. leader, main dancer, lead vocals probably

4. nicky hemmick: the guy that you either love or hate, there is literally no in between. honestly seems pretty likable at first but then makes some low key messed up jokes that puts people off. really talented tho, possibly ace/allrounder. he also would eat gg choreos up

5. aaron minyard: the “normal” minyard (he very much is not) prob the one that the cishet girlies love bc he gives off “mysterious bad boy” energy when he’s literally a fucking nerd lmao. STAN ATTRACTOR literally the felix of this hypothetical k-pop group. i feel like he and andrew got scouted to be a k-pop idol while they were buying groceries or something and were like eh why not and auditioned for fun just to actually pass

that’s all i can do for now because my next class is starting in literally 2 minutes uhh if i get more ideas for the other characters then i’ll probably edit this or make a thread or smth idk

[alyjojo]

Thinking of You - May 👩🏿‍🍳2024 - Taurus

Whole of their energy towards Taurus: The Hermit

Feelings: Knight of Cups rev

Intentions: 2 Cups

Actions: 8 Pentacles

Past love came out as I was shuffling, could be a past life connection…which is like an intense attraction you can’t explain, you don’t even know this person and it’s like someone lit a fire inside of you. Good or bad. They could be crazy! But they got you acting crazy…or actually, that’s switched, you got them acting crazy. Feeling crazy anyway. Or it’s an ex, maybe a missed connection or something. You’ve been alone for a long time, they have, or you two just haven’t interacted in a long time. They’re crazy in love with you though, this person misses you often, and you dream of them, there’s definitely a past life or soul tie kind of connection between you.

To describe them we have Indulcement & heavy Virgo energy. They could be a smooth talker, someone that could sell ice 🧊 in Alaska, very persuasive, or the connection between you may have been one of temptation 💋. It’s possible they’re with someone else - thus The Hermit, or this could’ve been a sexually charged connection that never really went anywhere. Maybe just attraction and nothing else. They fell in love though, or they think they did anyway. I do get that *normally* this person is pretty chill, boring even, a hard worker, reliable, they’re a “good kid” and maybe for you they did some things… or that’s switched. Someone turned the fire on, or that’s just the effect you have here 🔥🥵

Their feelings are delusional. They think about you constantly, but it’s not clearly, they’ve built you up into some romantic figure of their imagination that you/they are riding in on a white horse and whisking the other one off into the sunset or something. It’s not real, and it’s not you, but someone is definitely looking at you like the man/woman of their dreams and they long to make it official - 2 Cups. Which is sweet. Not the most realistic (especially with all of this earth energy), but sweet. Would they feel that way in reality though, eh 🤷‍♂️ It’s not really them either. Whatever happened before was short and fleeting, they never intended to have feelings for you, and here we are. Actions are working their ass off, I think literally - work. They either are a boss at their job, or that’s their goal, and somehow you’re part of this. It’s like if they rise up the ladder, you can’t deny them? Idk man, this person lives in a delusion of sorts, but are they wrong is the question…I don’t get unhealthy or toxic. Actually, I get a very strong connection no one expected, possible past life something, Eternal Love at the bottom, *and* a divine pair now out on the table. Queen & King of Wands. I see it’s Hermit, and has been for some time, but I don’t think it’s possible that’s going to last much longer. You’re on their mind 24/7.

Oracles:

Indulcement 😧

Persuasion - Bribe - Temptation

Alliance 🤝

Trust - Honest - Compatibility

Messages:

Their side:

- This was only temporary for me.

- You are EVERYTHING to me 💯

Your side:

- Loyal

- ✨ I see you in my dreams ✨

Possible signs:

Heavy Virgo, Aries, Leo, Sagittarius & Cancer

If you’re dealing with:

The World, 5 Wands rev underneath is conflicts resolved in many different relationships or parts of your life, even the inner conflicts we don’t talk about - no matter who it is. This feels more like a larger shift than a particular experience, everything has changed from how it was, both in your own life and that of others. Closure. Very positive energy though 🌎

Aries - working on a literal home possibly, or at home, putting more effort into the relationship, or even working towards taking this to the next level - if romantic, you could be getting serious

Taurus - loves you from afar - thinks you’re mad at them, but they’re not mad anymore

Gemini - happily out of a toxic relationship or a committed thing - with you or otherwise

Cancer - playing it safe with you bc you’ve stabbed them in the back before /switch

Leo - either an excitable friend at work with good news, could be work bestie, or if a relationship - they’re aiming for long term ❤️

Virgo - King & Queen of Wands again, whew, you’ve done something spicy to a Virgo for sure 🥵

Libra - could be a single parent or someone that’s really been struggling - they’re doing much better now and things are looking up

Scorpio - pissed at you over secrets, or you’re giving them the silent treatment /switch

Sagittarius - leaving behind sneaky/unaccountable bs, making an attempt *now* which…after the hurt of course, or one of you has left for this reason - could be to avoid it

Capricorn - difficulties conceiving, could be having some kind of fertility treatments - if not, then there’s a contract or plan doesn’t go to plan

Aquarius - giving up some thing else in order to make this work, could be giving you something literally, a gift or loan 💵 because they don’t want you to end something/it - Death rev, there could be a bribe of some kind even, or selling something

Pisces - wants to come back around or see you again, but they’re taking they’re time & not rushing anything

[giggly-squiggily]

Okay I saw that requests (limited) were open and after I saw your prompts given to me, Omg I can’t get the look of Maxie getting pedicures out of my head! That’s so cute! But considering how ticklish his feet and toes are~ hehehe 🤭 I need to see that. Archie’s taking pictures and everything!

(I can’t quite blame him though, I accidentally kicked my pedicurist on my prom day as she was scrubbing my feet. That was not ideal, poor girl 😭)

(Also I’ll be doing BOTH of your prompts in the very near future! You can be sure of that! They’re both ADORABLE. Thank you for sending them both in! Love you!) -@magma-queen

Ahh, Queenie!!! It's always a treasure to see you! :D Maxie getting pedicures is canon, no one can tell me otherwise aiejajkejakrlejr And absolutely- you KNOW Archie's getting all the photos! I've gotcha covered, friend!

(OH SH- ajrjearjkejkrj It happens! I've never gotten a pedi myself- I hate my feet being touched; gives me the ick personally- but I can only imagine how tickly they are akjeajkrjkeajrk

AHH I'm so excited! Take your time of course and write when you feel up to it! There's never any rush or pressure :3)

CW: Feet tickles

Cloud 9 (Taglist Peeps):

@thatbigbisexual29 @gladdygirl18 @cupcake-spice13 @sarahmaystock5578 @rachi-roo

Maxie, despite what anyone will tell you, did not have luxurious taste. He simply enjoyed parts of his life with an additional flair, that’s all.

Self care just happened to be one of those areas.

“Enjoyed your bath, princess?” Archie grinned from their shared bed, watching his husband return, toweling his hair. Dressed in a silk robe and matching slippers, combined with the fact Maxie had his baths by candle light and filled with all sorts of fancy bath products, it wasn’t too far off of a description.

That didn’t save him from earning a towel to the face though.

“Hush. You’d enjoy baths too if you bother taking one.” The redhead sat down with a small grin, already knowing what was coming. Seconds later, he was pulled into big arms, his sides pressed into and giggles rolling over his tongue.

“Oi, who are you calling a smelly sailor! I take plenty of baths!” Archie defended, pausing his words but not his fingers. “I bathe everyday with that good smelling body wash you keep in there! Feel me- I’m soft!”

“I nehehhehever shahahahaid you stihihihink!” Maxie laughed out, twisting in Archie’s arms and catching his hands. “I just mean you’d like baths too if you put more effort into them. Light some candles, throw some bath salts in, things like that.”

“Eh. I’ll stick to showers. I’m already sitting in salted water all day when I’m out to sea.” The sailor grinned before pulling Maxie into his arms, breathing in his freshly applied cologne. “One of us is gotta be the prima. I’ll leave that to you.”

“And just who are you calling a prima?” Maxie huffed, trying to glare. His gaze only met chest as Archie pulled him against his heartbeat, laughing softly. “I’ll have you know I’m just as rough and tough as you.”

“Dearie, you get those peddy things.”

“Pedicures. So? I like to look my best.” Maxie fumed some, pulling his slippered feet further together subconsciously. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing love. I only jest.” Archie leaned down and kissed him, an unspoken apology passing between them. “I just find it cute, how much you enjoy these things.”

“Again, you’d probably enjoy them too if you went and got one done.”

Instead of a playful retort, Archie seemed to think. Humming to himself, he ran a hand along Maxie’s back as he considered. “These boots do take a toll on the ol’ dogs…”

“And it’s relaxing. Plus they give you champagne.”

“I’m in.” At the mention of booze, Archie seemed to perk up like a puppy. Maxie laughed, hugging his husband close.

“Alright, alright. I’ll plan a date.”

~~~

Right off the bat, Archie was uncomfortable.

The salon was nothing like he was used too- everything shiny and smelly, bright colorful walls and chairs for miles to see. Pokemon and their trainers alike walked too and from, giggling amongst themselves as the techs painted their fingers and toes with color. Looking at the chairs for the peddy-things; he had a sneaking suspicion he wasn’t gonna fit such narrow seats.

“Is this your first time? No worries, sir. Our techs are the best in the Hoenn region! We’ll make you feel right at home!” The young woman greeting them was very nice, one of the few things keeping Archie from leaving on the spot. The other was Maxie’s comforting hand on his lower back, centering him and reminding him he wasn’t alone in these strange new waters. “Follow me, we’ll take you to our couple’s suite.”

“Couple’s what?” Archie asked, raising a brow at Maxie, who blushed some.

“I figured you’d want your first time to be just us- hush, don’t look at me like that.” Maxie shoved him lightly when Archie grinned, cheeks hot.

The “room” they were led to was a small private area cut off from the rest of the clients, separated by a half wall and containing two salon chairs. Waiting for them were two more techs standing by. Near their feet, an Espeon and an Umbreon lay.

“We like to provide our guests the comfort of eeveelutions if desired.” The younger tech explained, their Espeon rubbing against their leg as it woke. “Would either of you gentlemen be interested?”

Archie looked at the alignment of tools waiting for him, something like dread curling in his gut. “Sure, why not?” Beside him, Maxie squeezed his arm.

~~~

“Well, blow me down…”

Turns out the pedicure wasn’t as torturous as he imagined. If anything, Archie had never felt more relaxed in his life.

With an Umbreon curled in his lap, he sat back with a lazy grin as the tech worked away at his feet, melting away his aches with each scrub and polish. The seat was unfortunately a tad too small for him, but the heater in the back warming his spine made up for it tenfold.

That and…

“Aheheha! Ahehahahahhahahaha! I’m sohohohrry! I’m so sohohohorry!” Maxie was a giggling goon nearby, the Espeon in his lap purring away as his tech went about her task. “It tihihihickles!”

“Pfft, and here I thought you’d be used to it by now!” Archie laughed, moreso at his husband than anything. “Is he always this ticklish coming around?”

“Everytime.” Maxie’s regular tech-Inko he learned, grinned at him, eyes crinkling. “It’s always a pleasure having him though. He’s very giggly, but he doesn’t kick too often.”

“Wish I could say the same at home.” Archie laughed along with her, blowing a kiss at his husband. “Hehe, hang on, lemme get a video!”

“Doohohohn’t you dahhahare! Ahehahahah, Ahahahrchie!” Maxie tried to cover his face as the sailor whipped out his rotom phone, searching for the record button. Unfortunately for him, Espeon decided this was the perfect time to wake up and climb his chest, purring in his face and nuzzling his chin. “Ah! AHehahha, Ehehehespeon pleahhahhase!”

“Smile!” Archie cooed, giving up on videoing and taking a picture the second Maxie’s hands came down. A few more snapped and he finally had his perfect picture. “I’m gonna use this as my wallpaper…as soon as I figure out how.”

“Ahehahahhahsk for hehehehlp lahahhater-ahh dohoohohn’t seheheht it uhuuuhhp!” Maxie gave up fighting, sinking some in his seat as he carried on laughing through his appointment, hiding his face in Espeon’s fur as his ears burned red. Archie fell in love with him all over again.

~~~

“Well, that was rather nice. I see why you like going here.” Archie felt like his feet were made of air. Gone were year old calluses and in return toes painted a bright ocean blue. He debated on getting red but decided to stick with good ol’ team Aqua. He loved his husband, but he needed to represent.

“It was, and it’s a lovely place. Sorry they didn’t have any champagne today though.” Maxie walked beside him, hand in hand as they strolled along the boardwalk towards home. “I know that’s what you were coming for.”

“At first, yes. But after that cute sight I saw today, I got my fill.” Archie snickered, earning an eye roll and blush from his husband. “Thanks for taking me with you, Maxie. It was fun.”

“Heh. It really was.” Maxie paused some when they walked past a crepe stand, his stomach growling. “Say…”

“I got it.” Archie was already pulling out his wallet. “Chocolate Banana?”

“You know me so well.” The redhead laughed, making Archie’s heart do a hundred little flips.

Yep. Definitely making this an annual tradition going forward.

Thanks for reading!

[theminecraftbee]

Yeah, I knew it was unlikely for anyone to partner with a spirit from the start like Grian does, in fact my first idea for this was "episode where xB gets possessed by the spirit of Hiding or something and plot twist the episode doesn't end with him defeated, the monster is invisible by definition and after its conflict is done it can't be caught, plot twist xB stays like that for the rest of the season peacefully somehow, I guess that could mean somehow being a full magical girl who's just undetectable instead of having a transformation sequence, this could also power up his ability so Scar eventually forgets he even has that guy to look out for..." and then I couldn't think of any situation where a character whose whole plot point is staying hidden would do anything to cause the heroes to notice it enough for an episode to happen anyway, and then I imagined that first burst of all of them escaping, off to do various chaotic things, and then the one that's based on some concept that's naturally peaceful and quiet all along just calmly floats along until it finds someone who's used to being quiet and would be happy to be rid of what little attention he does get, so I thought it would be funny if the two just met and instantly agreed fully or however partnership works, like before the monster attacks have happened enough that xB even knows about them, you know?

That plus the "mysterious helper who may or may not know all the secrets but either way ends up not being a threat" trope and the "unremarkable background character with an inexplicably dedicated fandom" trope, it would work just as well to have him start appearing at any time but it feels funnier/more fulfilling to be able to look at this imaginary anime and have at least one frame of every single episode where he's visible!

oh hmmm that's actually a fun one. and to be fair, i think xb would be... rather happy to slip into the background, honestly. sure, this is all... a lot more than he'd prefer to deal with. but watching scar's crew deal with it has given him SOME idea of how to handle the fact he still has a spirit around, and being able to be invisible sometimes... it's useful. it's useful!

i think maybe he shows up in the background of some support group episodes afterwards and if you aren't paying attention it's hard to realize what's happening.

however i'm honestly still not sure how early in the plot we can have a spirit partnership here? i think maybe. xb is an early possession victim (maybe one of the first ones blackbird interferes with?) but the spirit escapes. xb sort of just slips away without letting anyone help him quietly because he manages to get unpossessed but he just KNOWS people are gonna be weird about the fact the spirit escaped. plus, he has unlocked a little more of his magical potential now. he can just... make himself disappear. he doesn't know why. it's not a partnership, so much as a potential he already had that, like a few other members of the plot (bdubs being out big example), due to a combination "wishing star getting closer" and "spirit possession", he can do even more.

and it's... nice. sometimes it isn't nice - he basically can't go out to eat unless he's with someone else, the waitstaff will forget he's there, and actually for anything he needs to be remembered for it's kind of a pain, but in a lot of life he just... slides in the background now. and if he really, really wants to be noticed he can mostly turn it off? but eh, he's an introvert anyway, as long as his small circle of friends still talks to him, he's fine. keralis and hypno and beef haven't forgotten he exists yet.

(hypno nearly forgets once. it makes xb's hair stand on end. he puts more effort into his side of the friendship with him for months afterwards. hypno's bemused. "you never texted back so quick before. what's gotten into you - monsters making you remember your mortality?" and it's... easier than the actual answer to go with that. hypno says xb should go to the support group again. xb doesn't say: they won't remember i'm there too if i don't make an effort to talk the whole time.)

its later in the plot, after... i had a timeline somewhere, but i think at LEAST after bdubs joins the squad and DEFINITELY after the "the magical girl crew fights the military" incident. it's then that the spirit of hiding reappears, and, drawn once again to xb's magic, despite the fact he's arguably more resistant to possession now, turns up where xb is.

and like... look. xb really, really doesn't want to get possessed again. because as nice as fading into the background is, he just... he doesn't want...

and they find themselves at an impasse.

xb gets this guy, is the thing. compared to other spirits, this guy doesn't do that much. it just... makes it easy to forget itself. to forget other people. and there's a horror in that, too, but there's also... xb can relate. before all of this started, he would have thought he'd be content to be entirely forgotten as well. it's just, the brief moment when someone he was close to had no recognition in his eyes -

"hey," xb says to the spirit that does not want to leave but that he doesn't want to let possess him. "hey. change of plans. how about we make a deal? i think there's something we can both offer to each other."

two days later, he slips into keralis's door and, once he finds the man, quietly sobs. he never says why. afterwards, he goes back to almost-normal. almost. if you aren't one of his friends, at least. his friends are... concerned. he's up to something.

xb assures them: he won't interfere that much. not his style. also, if he WERE to get noticed, he's pretty sure he might get dissected or something? so. much better to just... adjust from the background when he can.

he's sure it'll turn out fine.

[ayumicchi14]

GAKUEN K -WONDERFUL SCHOOL DAYS-

Fushimi Saruhiko route

EVENT 05

Sorry for the late update. Life has been so hectic. Here's the fifth event translation

Konohana Saya: (Okay, since the class is over. Let's head over to the club)

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Oi."

Konohana Saya: "Eh? Me?"

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Right. After changing into the gym clothes, come to the courtyard after school."

Konohana Saya: "Eh, courtyard? What do you mean by changing..."

Konohana Saya: (Maybe it's a job from blue club or student council)

Konohana Saya: (Ah, maybe there's a training! Let's put up the spirit and go)

*Courtyard*

Konohana Saya: "Fushimi-kun, as promised I've come changing in gym clothes."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Ah, finally you came. For now I'll give you the cotton gloves and shovel."

Konohana Saya: "T-Thank you. So we will training using these things?"

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Huh? What are you saying? What we are going to do today is weeding."

Konohana Saya: "Eh, Weeding? Is that blue club works?"

Fushimi Saruhiko: "This is not blue club works. It's discipline committee member works."

Konohana Saya: "I see. But, I'm not a part of discipline committee..."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "You're my pair so it's okay. I've already told the captain and there's no problem."

Konohana Saya: "Where's the other discipline committee member?"

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Divided in half. If we're thinking about the school's width, and we're not splitting into groups it won't end."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "I'll do from here. You can do it from that corner."

Konohana Saya: (I don't have a time to refuse... but, he also helped me on my test before...)

Konohana Saya: (Alright, let's help him with the weeds!)

Konohana Saya: "Okay, I understand."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Damn it... why these grow so much. There's no way the discipline committee can finish it all alone."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Oi, don't be lazy."

Konohana Saya: "Okaayy. The grass takes a lot of effort to pull out."

Konohana Saya: (If I do every inch of it, it will takes a lot of time)

Konohana Saya: (Heigh-ho!)

Konohana Saya: (..........)

Konohana Saya: (Eh? Didn't I just pulled out here?)

Konohana Saya: (Maybe it's my imagination?)

Konohana Saya: "............"

Konohana Saya: "Fushimi-kun... the grass is just keep growing and growing."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "What are you saying? How can that be possi—"

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Wha..."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "The grass is growing this much... You, what did you do!"

Konohana Saya: "N-No, you're wrong! It grew on it's own!"

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Tch... we have to re-pull it all over again."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "!?"

Konohana Saya: "The flowers is blooming!"

Konohana Saya: *giggles* "Fushimi-kun is holding a flower somehow looks cute."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Shut up. Rather than that... the grass stopped growing."

Konohana Saya: "Ah, you're right."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "....You, just what did you do?"

Konohana Saya: "I didn't do anything. The grass that should be pulled out just growing, and it keeps growing."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Hmmm..."

Konohana Saya: "What's wrong?"

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Isn't it your power just now?"

Konohana Saya: "Huh, really!?"

Fushimi Saruhiko: "I don't have a definite proof, but by the time you're laughing, the grass stopped growing."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Maybe it's not directly, but it sure has connection with something."

Konohana Saya: "So it was my power... I see... so that was it."

Konohana Saya: (I'm glad that I've get to know about my power a bit)

Konohana Saya: "Thank you, Fushimi-kun."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Huh? Why did you thank me? I don't understand."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Look at your surrounding. This is not a time to say that."

Konohana Saya: "T-The grasses... are growing a lot than before."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Tch... what a terribly incompatible power to weed grass."

Fushimi Saruhiko: "Oi! I won't let you go home until it's over. Self restrain yourself so that your power don't activate."

Konohana Saya: "Understand, I'll keep my best!"

Konohana Saya: (In the end, it took until night time, and I've caused a trouble for Fushimi-kun...)

Konohana Saya: (I wonder how can I control it)

Konohana Saya: (I don't even know when my power coming out. Can I do something about it....)

[letsberealgenz]

7 rules of life

Let’s keep it sweet, simple and short just for you.

Gratitude

How do you expect to receive more in life when you’re not even grateful for what you have right now? It is so important for you to express gratitude daily in fact have a gratitude journal. Write down everything and everybody that you’re grateful for. In fact you can incorporate this verbally through meditation. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone eh!

Live in the now

Inspired by Eckhart Tolle by his magnificent book “The Power of Now” changed the way I look at life right now. With the fast pace of technology there’s no “stop” sign for us in fact it’s symbolized as a “delay” in today’s world!

Therefore it’s ever important for us to appreciate the now moment for the now. To give the best version of yourself to the person right in front of you and to give your full attention to the thing that you’re working on now. Yes I know it’s so important to have that future vision as well because that’s what we are working for right? But we need to find the fine margin of balance between now and later. That’s when I believe we would strive as a balanced human species.

Read

You know what they say:

“Readers are leaders.”

It doesn’t have to be a fixed timeline, pick up the right book anytime you can and even if it’s for a minute that’s okay! You’re still putting in that effort for yourself. It is the intention that counts at the end of the day and this is a fact!

Journal

Honestly if you Google the benefits of journal right now, there would be tons of materials out there that would show you how life-changing it is but the real game changer is how journaling improves your mental health for real.

If you have not pick up the habit of journaling yet I am here to remind you journaling feels so therapeutic in fact how it helps to clear your mind and free that mental space that you’ve been stacking on for quite some time. It even boosts your productivity because instead of being in your head, now it’s on a piece of paper. What a relieve man! Try it out.

Action

If you’d ask me the greatest remedy of success in fact if I have to choose the best #1 trait of all successful people it’s definitely this. Consistency is the key. Take action everyday that aligns with your true purpose and goals. If you do it repetitively enough you’re winning the long game for sure. Do you know why?

Most of the generation today lives for instant gratification. They need to see the results now. They want to achieve big now. They want to win big in life in the shortest timeline. But ask the experienced individuals who wins big in life for the longest timeline? It’s always the person who stayed consistent to his/her routine. You fail. You get up. You still do it. You succeed. Great you still do it. You learn. You improve. Rain or shine you still do it. Do it every single day and I am sure the win is yours my friend. It’s just a matter of time and how dedicated you’re to keep going even if you don’t see the results you want!

Family, friends & loved ones

We live in a world today where we are getting more distant from one another for sure. With the pressure of succeeding in life. With the pressure of making it in life and all the added social media expectations we tend to take the people whom support us, whom love us and whom would do anything for us in this world for GRANTED!

It’s sad to even think about how connected we are more than ever today just through our fingertip but the reality speaks different. Don’t you think so? How often do you call up your mom or dad to check up on them? How present you’re while spending time with your family? How often can you sacrifice your personal time to spend time with your loved ones?

The key here is to do anything but just remember it’s never hard to pick up your phone and ring your loved ones and let them know how much you love them and et cetera. In fact if one call is too much for you, a text wouldn’t hurt right? In fact imagine how would the receiver feels when they receive that “ping” notification from you? It’s that thought that counts at the end of the day. Crazy to even think that it takes less than a millisecond to do that!

Nature

This is one of my best habit that I’ve picked up in 2023 not going to lie! With my work revolving all through online it took a toll on my mental health. There’s no stop sign for me. It felt like living in a box or should I say a maze? Hmm but anyway the point is nature helped to restore that vitality my being needed. The stillness that comes with nature is impossible to put into words because it’s infinity.

The serenity, the tranquility, the peace, the silence and most importantly how can one simple act make you realize so much in life! It made me to question about my life motive. It made to realize how fragile life it. It made me to realize how temporary everything is. It made to realize how we need to fall in order to rise. It made me to realize how important was it to actually stop and look around. It made me to realize a lot which is one of the best thing that has ever happened to me. In fact I would credit nature for the creativity that I am unlocking every single day. It’s amazing to even think about it! I have so much to say but so little time.

But yeah spend time with nature as much as possible and you shall feel the words that I’ve typed coming alive into your life.

Yours, Asrajjit Kaur

[amazingdudesblog]

Dreamworks, What is Happening?

Now DreamWorks hasn't always had the best track record, let's just be honest. But recently, it's been telling that they and Universal have been in a slump in terms of their decisions, no matter what type of those decisions are. You all already know how Ruby Gillman left a bad taste in my mouth, considering the writing could have been a straight shot into something emotionally investing, with Chelsea being redeemed and finding a family in the Gillman’s after being alone for so long. But they didn't do that because we just had to have an irredeemable villain, because it worked with Jack Horner, why not do the same trick and dance with Chelsea/Nerissa? The unfortunate truth is that this just left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths. Now, while some did not mind this, let's just be honest and say it would have been best if they went with the more emotionally investing ending to the movie. But that's only part of the problem when you have the fact the marketing (which wasn't much at all either) spoiled the twist. Now I knew going into this movie Chelsea was gonna end up a villain, no surprise there, but the thing that made this movie crash and burn for me was the fact that this spoiled twist did not lead to anything much more. Sure you spoiled the twist either way, but with Chelsea being redeemed, you would at least have a very emotionally driven ending, and a positive message that's anti-war, anti-prejudice, and shows the value in one young woman showing compassion to another in hard times, and making her see that things don't have to be the way they are if they truly made an effort to change things by sticking together. I mean hell, my rewrite ends with them becoming practically sisters. But no, there is no touching ending where the girl who was alone with her revenge driven mother for most of her life, before that mother died trying to get a weapon to wage war again, finally got a friend in another girl who, even as she was trying to kill her, knew on the inside she was still just a child who's been through a lot and wasn't going to let her become a monster because of the conflict between their people. There was no ending where the grandma who thought of another species as monsters finally sees how wrong she's been and wants to make things right. No. It ends with an even dumber twist where the girl is actually the mother, and she's put in a cage and mermaids are actually just evil creatures. Big victory for nuanced writing, eh? And to make matters worse, universal decided it would be best to put this movie out during the time when spider-verse, elemental, transformers, Indiana Jones, and the flash were all also playing in theaters. You know what would have been a smart time to release the movie? September 1, no kids movies were releasing in theaters at that point (seriously go check) so maybe while ruby wasn't the pinnacle of writing, it at least would not have been stacked against spider-verse and elemental especially, thus you'd have a fun movie for the family and maybe it could have at least made its budget back. But no, release it around the two other animated movies that are obv gonna be more beloved by audiences bc they have arguably more stellar writing, and are obv gonna be suggested to more audiences bc they stuck with the viewers in a positive way, meanwhile the only way ruby stuck with viewers in a negative way with people thinking “well that was lame, I would have liked for Chelsea to be redeemed and become genuine friends with ruby, would have made a sweet and sincere ending.” Now this obv isn't the case for everyone, but come on, most of the audience would've probably left the movie on a more chipper note if this happened instead. So, take marketing that spoils the movie and isn't very prominent either way, writing that's about as bland as you can imagine, and a release date that can be described as stuck between a rock and a hard place, you have a box office flop that made not even 50 mil throughout it's entire run. Part 2 of this post coming soon, where I will talk about Orion and the dark and megamind

[ofmermaidstories]

really appreciate the effort that u put into making reader as gender neutral as you can- and how u don’t add descriptions to how reader looks. i cant tell you how many times i’ve had to stop reading an x reader fic that mentioned reader having blue or green eyes, blonde hair, etc. (or when they describe reader as being paper thin). like yeah some people do have those features but NOT everyone…and the ppl who don’t have green eyes and blonde hair (etc) features wanna be included in x reader fics too u know? anyway. yeah. thanks. <3 love your writing btw!!!! 😅

LOL, hi! i will continue to try my (very human) best with the neutrality. 🌷 it’s the charm of the x Reader niche! neutrality with personal descriptors—because you’re trying to cater for as much of the audience as you can, within whatever role you’re giving the Reader in your fic! whether that’s assigning them as a trope like a Pro Hero, or a Childhood Friend, or giving them a specific background that’s important (and informing) to their identity and thus their experience of the world at large—like a POC, or being plus-sized, or living with a disability. Going through a illness, or a life-changing event—idk, i think these are all types of specificities that add more nuance and fun to a piece without dictating a Reader’s shoe-size.

because!! this is the thing!!! specificities are fun—but they’re fun when they’re insertable. humans are at once emphatic and selfish, LOL; we can imagine losing our entire town in a war, or our mother in a tragic building collapse, or being marginalised in a way that we might not otherwise be—but mention we go through all that and that we have piercing amethyst (non-Quirked) eyes at the same time? eh… LOL.

i consider x Reader fics to be their own genre, with their own genre-rules. second-person pov, scant personal descriptions, etc etc. and because i find it fun, i give myself extra rules (it’s fun to me!!!!! reeee!!!!!!!)—like, for instance, there are certain words i either won’t use to describe our Reader or our Reader’s actions, or will use sparingly, depending on the context: like pretty. giggle. delicate. curvy. jeans!!! (i personally think they can be indicative of a size range, depending on how Reader is wearing them, but maybe that’s me projecting bc i hate jeans and i wish they had never been invented <3) just stuff like that! stuff that makes me pause and go, hmm, okay, what kind of person/image is this suggesting to me? using second-person POV to write in gives you so much like, room to play with, when it comes to describing how someone might view themselves/be viewed by others. especially with a romance, where all we want is to be seen! it’s a great opportunity to be like, okay, maybe i don’t want to be seen for how prettily i can giggle—maybe i want to be seen for how easily i laugh with other people.

however,,,, (and this is a big however) i (me, merms) do think that i (again, me, merms) can say this stuff simply because writing with those aforementioned rules makes writing these x Reader fics in general more fun for me (merms). and it’s fun for me because i’ve had my amethyst-eyed, white-haired character days. when i’m not working on fics, i’m busy chipping away at my original fiction, third person, where we have green-eyed skinny blonds and curvy girls with long wavy dark hair like—any and all need for description i have, i get it out in other ways LOL. which means i can afford to approach x Reader fics as a different type of challenge. i would never begrudge (the often younger) writers who are here because it’s fun, and want to write about a Y/N who has amethyst eyes and white hair. Y/N has always, always been their own character—the specificities we give them (or don’t) has always just been in service of making it easier to project onto them. an adventure is an adventure, and at the end of the day it doesn’t matter the cloak we’re wearing for it—as long as we get to the end of it safely. 🌷💕📖

[alybur635]

wedding anon was busy. Some thoughts lee and gai would just be crying a lot probable more specifically gai and also when they give speeches. I don't think the wedding would be big just them and their loved ones. I can see both naruto and neji picking a really beautiful spot. Maybe where they can see the sun set in the distance. Naruto asks iruka to be his dad at his wedding. I think maybe neji would ask gai too (sobs)

Neji would def put in a lot of effort to look good. He's marrying the love of his life of course he fucking would. Naruto the same. Ummm idk if they do like the vows at Japanese weddings or not. But if they did it would be really beautiful neji's would be really poetic i just know it. Everyone would just be having a good time and congratulating them. Naruto is all happy and smiley would get very emotional and cry neji just admires how much he really loves naruto. Smily softly. Iruka would also be crying a little.

Ehhh i couldn't really think that much if im being honest tried my best lol

1.Tears of youthful joy out of Lee and Gai on the wedding day, for sure!!! They're just so happy for them, they have to let them know! Also we all know Naruto asking Iruka to come to the wedding as his father, but you will not pry Neji asking Gai to do the same for him over my dead BODY! Gai was one of the first adult figures in Neji's life he could approach, you bet he asked him to step in the place as his father for the wedding.

2.You read my mind anon, how did you do that? Because I've sat here and imagined a nejinaru wedding and thought the EXACT same thing!! It wouldn't really be much bigger than a celebration with close friends and family, and held at a super pretty spot too.... mayhaps even around the same area (or close by) to where Naruto first asked Neji out, eh?? I could even see it being held somewhere by a lake or an open field,,,, plenty of space and a clear view of the sunset and stars,,,

3.Yes. They both are pulling up to that wedding looking their damn best because they wanna look stunning for one another! Also anon yes, there are vows exchanged with japanese wedding ceremonies! You're so right, Neji would be really poetic with his, little show off /j Naruto's probably wouldn't be as poetic, but they'd be the right words. The kind of words that make Neji's heart warm up,,,,

As a bonus anon, I do also imagine that while Neji and Naruto are having all the lovely time together as their friends all pitch in to prepare for the wedding, I just KNOW that prep time was at least a bit chaotic (it's all of their friends and the sand siblings pitching in, you cannot tell me there isn't at least SOME silly chaos happening). It's just silly chaos that pans out to make the perfect wedding day in the end, especially in Neji n Naruto's minds!

[tetrisfinished]

sometimes things happen to you that are so incredibly powerful in their effect that your ONLY way to deal with that moment is to power through it as if it did not just shake your world but rather put it away to unlock when you're ready to face it.

this sort of thing happened to me yesterday. with esi.

yasir and i are not well - i mean our marriage. physically we're alright. mentally, i think my health is taking a bit hit - in an effort to heal you might have to hurt and open the wound to dry...

but i digress.

we are not well. and my three year old son is an INCREDIBLY sensitive kid it seems.

like mother, like son, eh?

every time yasir is not with us when we go somewhere, esa asks "baba not coming?" or "where is baba?". and once in a while for certain things, that's understandable.

but the amount of times that this has been happening recently....obviously with our home environment and this and all the other things my tiny innocent little human witnesses....it's taking a hit on. him too. he's almost at a point where he's stopped asking this question. i remember once he asked a few months ago, when in truth it wasn't even really a question.

more like a statement "baba not coming". and i said "no, baby, i'm sorry baba is not coming".

and he quite literally hung his head in sadness in his little carseat.

i asked him what was wrong - "no, nuffin' (nothing)". and then i asked him if he was okay - "no, nuffin'"

that moment broke me. i cried through my drive to wherever i was going....all the while trying to make sure that esa didn't catch on.

and the next moment that completely shattered my whole entire world happened yesterday.

and i'm finally allowing myself to deal with it now.

yesterday yasir decided to go out with his buddies for the day instead of spending the day with us (his wife/kid) and going to my sister's place for a dawat she was holding for my cousin/his wife (who just mashallah completed hajj!).

the minute yasir left and the door closed behind him, esa (who was already sitting and playing with something on the floor prior to this) turned around to face away from me and almost quietly said "go away mama, go back to werkin'".

i haven't been able to deal with that. and even now as i think about it, i'm having a hard time composing myself enough to even write this down.

i'm having a tough marriage, but esa's just missing his father's presence in his life altogether.

and i can't imagine what that must feel like to a three year old. i cannot imagine what his little brain is thinking or how it is computing this information.

i cannot imagine and i dare not imagine what sort of wild conclusions he's making for himself. and i cannot - for the life of me - think of a worse thing that any parent could do to their child.

my kid doesn't deserve this.

i have to be better for him. and maybe i don't have to fix my marriage for him, but i have to try and be better for his sake. i have to fix my contribution to the toxicity that is only far too common in our home life.

it's not okay. this is not okay. how do you undo three years of nastiness for a pure little tiny brain.

i will pray for myself and my son and if anyone is reading this tonight, i implore you with all of my heart to say a prayer for us too.

we need it. we need them all.

much love,

-k