#journey vs hazard

[skeietonspice]

My love letter to Chapter 2 remix! It felt so good to play on that map again. It brought back so many memories. I still remember the exact place I got my first ever solo win on that map.

[lucilassie]

There's always a higher point. 🏔 🧗‍♀️

[tobiasdrake]

Dragon Ball Daima 01x12 - True Strength

Here we go. Presumably this will be Vegeta vs. Tamagami, Round 2. Good luck, Geets! You got this!

(I am going to laugh so hard if Goku has to fight the Tamagami for him.)

Alright, so how do they resolve Vegeta being eaten by the hydra?

Huh. "It was a fakeout; He never got eaten" wasn't my first guess. I had my money on either "Vegeta goes Super Saiyan and breaks free" or "Goku has to fight the hydra".

But this is what I was talking about.

Now that we don't need to manufacture the illusion of a desperate cliffhanger, Vegeta turns Super Saiyan right away and the hydra is no longer an issue. He was only letting himself get punched around for the sake of fabricating dramatic tension last episode.

The episode still tries to play it as an arena hazard for a bit. But even then....

Vegeta just hits the hydra really hard one time and it immediately fucks off. It was never, ever really a threat to him or Goku despite all the screentime spent pretending that it was.

So, that was lame. But now that Vegeta's stopped letting himself get beat up for funsies, the real Vegeta vs. Tamagami fight can begin in earnest.

I love how much more blunt and direct Vegeta's fight with his Tamagami is, as opposed to Goku's. Vegeta's always been more of a warhammer to Goku's scalpel, and you can feel it in their fights.

Goku spent his battle leading the Tamagami around in circles and capitalizing on openings in their guard, while Vegeta just powers in there and tries to break through.

Meanwhile, Duu.

Despite his dull personality, Duu is kind of perfect as a Buu-like fighter.

At this point, I think the narrative function of the three Tamagamis has been made clear. Both why these boss fights exist and why there's three of them, specifically. With everything else in Makai being beneath Dabra/Cell in power, the Tamagamis act as yardsticks to showcase how Goku, Vegeta, and Duu relate to each other in ability.

These three entities alone are beyond Dabra/Cell. By conquering them, Goku, Vegeta, and Duu assert their place in the pecking order as entities beyond the beings that are Dabra/Cell but relatively close to one another.

...rude. This is Goku erasure. He's standing right there, guys.

Neva being able to make them go Super Tamagami is a twist I did not see coming. But one that makes perfect sense, and I love it.

Out-of-nowhere Kuu showing up with the chocolate bars to rejuvenate Duu's motivation is such an old-school Dragon Ball moment. XD I love that this is the finisher that brings Duu vs. Tamagami One into its endgame.

This is the best headbutt that anyone has ever delivered in cinematic history.

I was skeptical about Duu's ability to potentially carry a final boss fight and I recant everything. Duu's such a fun fighter, I love it.

Though I still think Duu and Kuu are going to fuse. Goku and Vegeta vs. Duu and Kuu seems inevitable. I also half-expect these two lunkheads to end up ruling Daimakai or something.

Even if they are the Final Boss, there's no way the show kills them off. They're too innocent and joyful.

It's a good thing Goku didn't get this Tamagami because he'd be screwed.

BUT FORTUNATELY KUU IS A SUPER-GENIUS ARE YOU KIDDING ME

I LOVE THESE LUNKHEADS

ONLY ONE BRAIN CELL BETWEEN THEM BUT KUU PUTS IT TO GREAT USE

I love them. I love their whole little family. I want only good things for them.

I hate how similar these forms are. Without seeing the lightning crackles here, you would have no way of knowing that this....

...is supposed to be Super Saiyan 2.

(Wouldn't it be funny if Vegeta obtained Super Saiyan 3 in this series? Which would mean retroactively he had it all along in GT or Super or what have you but it was so outpaced by those shows' new forms that it didn't matter?)

With a title like "True Strength", I really thought Vegeta was going to have to go on like an inner journey to find the strength within himself to bounce back here. But nope, he was just taking an ad break. XD

We come back from commercial and he powers up immediately (this time to Super Saiyan 2) and gets right back in the fight. He just. XD He just needed. Hahahaha. He just needed a moment to talk to you about our sponsor, HelloFresh. Hahahahahahahahahahaha.

OH MY GOD I WAS JOKING

I WAS MAKING A FUNNY SHITPOST

THEY ACTUALLY DID IT

THEY ACTUALLY MADE IT SO VEGETA HAS RETROACTIVELY HAD SUPER SAIYAN 3 IN THE SEQUEL SERIES ALL ALONG

...

This definitely should have had some sort of "Vegeta discovering the true meaning of strength at the bottom of the ocean" mind journey or something to lead into it. This was achieved way too easily.

He cracked Super Saiyan 3 halfway through doing the ad read for NordVPN.

"Are you worried about your wife's corporate surveillance network reporting back on the websites you visit? Well, if you're like me, you want a good-- huh. ...yeah, that would work. Anyways, you'll want to protect your privacy online...."

But then. It is Vegeta. This is how he operates. He gets free skill points whenever Goku levels up; They're just set on a time delay.

In seriousness, Bulma at least offers some explanation. Like most of Vegeta's power-ups, he unceremoniously bridged that gap offscreen. He's been sitting on it and waiting for a good time to show it off.

Vegeta likes to go away for a while and then come back with new abilities that Goku already achieved, but he often at least gets to reveal them in big exciting moments. His key strength is his ability to consistently follow in Goku's footsteps where all others eventually fade into obscurity.

Playin' the Hits

There's something sincerely funny about Vegeta trying to demonstrate how cool he's become but the best he can come up with is to plagiarize something Goku did that one time.

Oh, and also a little bit of Frieza plagiarism. Keeping his arms folded across his chest while fighting exclusively his legs is something he stole from Frieza. Though he was dead at the time that happened, so this might just be a little bit of Frieza's influence on his early development showing through.

Playin' the Hits #3, at least, is a Vegeta original.

It's always been kinda funny to me the way subsequent Dragon Ball materials make the Galick Gun out to be, like, Vegeta's Kamehameha. His signature beam attack that he whips out when he needs to smash someone with overwhelming force.

He only actually did this once in the series. Unlike Goku, Vegeta generally doesn't stick to a single technique as his go-to signature move. He doesn't have a Standard Arsenal of attacks. He's like Piccolo; Constantly trading up and leaving old moves in his dust.

And then closing on copy/pasting Goku's final exchange with the Tamagami from four episodes ago in this very series.

Possibly one more for the road? I am like 70% certain this is from the anime version of Super Vegeta vs. Semi-Perfect Cell? It definitely looks familiar.

IDK

Daima was the last series that Akira Toriyama worked on before his passing, but to my knowledge, we don't know where the series was in its development when he passed on.

But I can say that, in my opinion, a lot of Vegeta vs. Tamagami Two feels like a Toei fight, not a Toriyama fight. Especially its incredibly derivative conclusion.

OH YOU SNEAKY SON OF A BITCH.

SPECIFICALLY THIS ONE.

I HOPE YOU CHOKE ON YOUR TRICK QUESTIONS OLD MAN

I failed this Tamagami test and I'm mad about it.

[deliciousangelfestival]

Tears In His Ferrari || Chp 6 - B.Barnes

Character: Bucky Barnes x Farmer!Reader

Summary: Bucky Barnes, used to a life of luxury, takes on farm challenges in a bet with his father. Mud-stained Ferraris and a rustic farmhouse lead to unexpected personal growth, guided by the stern mentorship of Y/N, a farmer making his city-boy life difficult.

Theme: Fluff, Slice of Life, Heart-Warming.

Main Masterlist || If you enjoy my work, please consider buying me a coffee on: Ko-fi

Thank you to anyone who gave a like, reblog, and left a comment. It motivated me to write more. 

Chapters: Chp 1, Chp 2, Chp 3 , Chp 4 , Chp 5 , Chp 6 , Chp 7 , Chp 8 , Chp 9 , Chp 10 , Chp 11 , Chp 12.

Bucky's journey into livestock care proved to be a comedy of errors. The sheep, cows, and chickens seemed to have a personal vendetta against him, kicking and nudging every chance they got.

His struggles became a source of amusement for his viewers, who were entertained by Bucky's hilarious encounters with the farm animals.

As Bucky showcased his farming misadventures in his vlogs and live streams, the comments section flooded with laughter and cheeky remarks from his audience:

Viewer 1: "Bucky vs the Farm Animals: Who will win? Place your bets!"

Viewer 2: "This is better than a sitcom! I'm here for Bucky's farm follies."

Viewer 3: "Next sponsorship: a crash course in animal whispering. You'll need it, Bucky!"

Amid the laughter, Bucky was inundated with sponsorship offers, each attempting to address his newfound occupational hazards.

Brands promoting painkiller sprays, band-aids, and even protective gear wanted to ensure Bucky remained intact despite the kicks and pecks from his feisty farm companions.

In one of his live streams, Bucky showcased the various products, adding his own comedic twist, "Alright, folks, after being kicked in the behind more times than I can count, our sponsors have come to the rescue! Say hello to the 'Bucky Farm Survival Kit.' Got a kick? Spray some pain relief, slap on a band-aid, and you're good to go. Now, let's see if these things work..."

As Bucky delved into the world of milking cows, he found himself facing a task more challenging than he anticipated. Sweat dripped down his face, and the effort required to extract milk from the cow left him visibly exhausted. Unbeknownst to him, in the midst of the struggle, Bucky instinctively pulled his shirt to wipe away the accumulating sweat from his neck.

Little did Bucky know, this unintentional move caused a momentary frenzy among his viewers. As his t-shirt hitched up, revealing a glimpse of his well-defined six-pack, comments flooded the chat:

Viewer 1: "Who knew farming could be so steamy? 🌾😍"

Viewer 2: "Forget the cows, I'm here for Bucky's abs workout!"

Viewer 3: "The real milk we're getting is from Bucky's six-pack. Thank you, cows!"

While Bucky grappled with the intricacies of milking, his viewers seemed more interested in the unexpected display of his physique.

Y/N strolled into the scene, her expression nonchalant as she addressed Bucky who was in the midst of his live stream. "You need to check if the cow is comfortable, Bucky. Happy cows produce better milk."

Bucky, still catching his breath from the milking endeavor, nodded in agreement. However, his enthusiasm dimmed when Y/N's gaze fell upon his unintentionally exposed six-pack. Expecting a compliment, Bucky was taken aback when Y/N's response was far from what he anticipated.

"Put on sunscreen if you want to be shirtless," she remarked with an unimpressed tone and a cold expression that sent ripples of laughter through the live chat.

Viewer 1: "Y/N with the reality check! 😂"

Viewer 2: "She just killed the vibe. Well played, Y/N!"

Viewer 3: "Note to self: Farming is not an excuse to skip sunscreen. Thanks, Y/N!"

Viewer 4: "Y/N just ended Bucky's shirtless saga. RIP six-pack dreams."

Viewer 5: "I guess farming isn't a thirst trap after all. 😂"

The unexpected interaction with Y/N added an amusing twist to Bucky's livestream, making his farming escapades even more entertaining for his audience.

The guy who taught Bucky chuckled, noticing Y/N's departure and Bucky's surprised reaction. "Looks like she has a sense of humor after all. You're in for some fun times here."

Bucky, still amused by Y/N's unexpected laughter, grinned. "I guess so. I'll keep that in mind."

As the guy continued with the instructions, he suggested, "You know, it might be easier to handle the cows and lambs if you use a horse. Y/N's got a good one. You can ride, right?"

Bucky, eager for a new experience, nodded confidently. "Absolutely. I'll give it a try."

Eager to try something new, Bucky followed Samantha's directions to the horse barn. There, he found Y/N taking care of the horses. Samantha greeted him warmly, "Oh, you're here for the horse. Y/N is just around the corner."

Samantha looked like she was preparing to leave, gathering a few things. Bucky, ever the polite guest, asked, "Are you heading out?"

Samantha nodded, "Yes, just a quick trip to the market. If you need anything, feel free to ask Y/N. She knows her way around here."

Bucky smiled appreciatively, "Thanks, Samantha. Have a good trip to the market."

Y/N, engrossed in her task, Y/N seemed in harmony with the magnificent creature before her. Her rhythmic patting and soft whispers with the horse showcased a deep bond.

As Bucky approached, he marveled at the scene, captivated by the tranquility surrounding Y/N and the majestic white horse.

The horse, bathed in the soft glow of the barn's interior, stood tall and regal, its coat a pristine shade of white that gleamed even in the dim light. The gentle sway of its mane complemented its graceful stature, creating an image of elegance and strength.

Taking a moment to absorb the beauty of the horse, Bucky greeted Y/N. "Hey, hope I'm not interrupting anything. I heard you have a horse that could help me with the cows and lambs?"

Y/N turned with a friendly smile, "Not at all. This is Snowflake. She's a gentle one. Want to give it a try?"

Bucky eyed the majestic Snowflake, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Sure, I've ridden horses before. It's been a while, though."

Y/N handed Bucky a worn but well-maintained saddle. "Snowflake is quite patient. Take your time, and don't worry. She'll sense if you're uneasy."

With Y/N's guidance, Bucky carefully saddled up Snowflake, adjusting the stirrups to his comfort. As he mounted the horse, he couldn't help but admire the view from this elevated perspective.

Y/N offered some advice, "Hold the reins gently and guide her with your knees. She's responsive, so you should be fine."

Bucky nodded, ready to explore the farm from a different vantage point. Sensing Bucky's intent, Snowflake shifted slightly beneath him, a subtle indication of their newfound partnership.

Y/N shared a tidbit about Snowflake, "My father gave her the name Snowflake. But you could change it if you want."

Bucky pondered for a moment, observing the horse's reaction. "Alpine?"

Snowflake, seemingly content with the proposed change, responded positively.

Y/N grinned, "Seems like she likes it."

Bucky chuckled, "I could change her name? You make it sound like this horse is mine."

Y/N teased, "She's yours. I'll just add it to your bill."

Bucky playfully rolled his eyes, "Thanks." Then he asked,"Your mom seems like she's going to leave."

Y/N paused for a moment before responding, "Ah, it's today."

"Today?" Bucky questioned.

Y/N explained, "You've never been to the market, right? Let's go."

Arriving at the market, Bucky was taken aback by the lively ambiance. The bustle of people, the colorful displays, and the rich aroma of fresh produce filled the air.

Amidst the crowd, the distinct sound of laughter reached Bucky's ears, and he spotted several middle-aged women, including Y/N's mother, engaged in cheerful conversation. The lively market presented a new facet of the rural life Bucky was gradually becoming a part of.

Amused by the scene unfolding in the market, Bucky couldn't help but be curious. "Why are the moms standing there?"

Y/N, wearing a sly smile, replied, "Just watch."

A sharp 'PIIIP' of a whistle cut through the air, drawing everyone's attention. In what seemed like slow motion, a muscular man with long blond hair emerged, effortlessly carrying a sizable salmon on one shoulder and a box of shrimp on the other hand. Y/N leaned toward Bucky, offering an introduction, "His name is Thor, a fisherman, and also a fireman. And today, is Thor's Day."

Thor, the charismatic figure of the market, greeted his customers with a charming smile, "Ladies."

The moms erupted in cheers, expressing their excitement. Bucky watched as one exclaimed, "I'll buy the salmon today."

One mom exclaimed, "Did you see the way he carried that fish? Like a Greek god!"

A more enthusiastic mom shouted, "Move over, salmon! Thor is the real catch of the day!"

Observing Thor's presence, Bucky couldn't help but feel dwarfed. His usual charms seemed to pale in comparison to the charismatic fisherman.

Thor, spotting Y/N, enthusiastically raised his hand, "Y/N, my friend!"

Y/N nodded in acknowledgment and pulled Bucky along, explaining, "Let's go. Thor is a friendly man."

As they walked away, Bucky couldn't help but notice Y/N's lipstick and blush. It seemed Thor had a fan in her too, adding a humorous touch to the unexpected encounter at the market.

Y/N, with a playful smile, introduced Bucky to Thor, the charismatic fisherman-fireman who had captured the hearts of the local moms.

"Thor, meet Bucky. Bucky, meet Thor," Y/N said, savoring the amused expression on Bucky's face.

Thor extended his arms in a grand gesture, welcoming Bucky with an engulfing hug. The warmth of the embrace only served to emphasize the considerable size difference between the two men, leaving Bucky momentarily stunned and playfully deflating his pride.

Thor chuckled heartily, "Welcome to the neighborhood, Bucky! If you ever need a hand with anything, just let me know. We're all like a big family here."

Bucky, regaining his composure, managed a nod and a grateful smile. "Thanks, Thor. I appreciate it. And, uh, nice fish!"

Thor's eyes twinkled with amusement, "Ah, the mighty salmon! She's a beauty, isn't she? Catch of the day!"

Regaining his composure, Bucky responded with a half-smile, "Well, it's not as glamorous as hauling in a big catch like you, Thor."

Thor chuckled, "Ah, but every venture has its charm. Farming, fishing, it's all part of the tapestry of life. By the way, how's the farm treating you?"

Bucky, appreciating Thor's friendly demeanor, shared a brief overview of his farming journey, making light of his encounters with livestock and the challenges he faced.

Thor listened attentively, offering encouragement and a few lighthearted anecdotes from his experiences.

Thor clapped Bucky on the back, "Farming, huh? That's a hearty job. You gotta be tough as a bull to handle it. But trust me, it's rewarding. I've got a small garden myself. Tomatoes and peppers, you know. Adds a bit of spice to life!"

Bucky nodded, appreciating the friendly advice. "Yeah, I'm still figuring things out. But it's good to know there are people like you around."

Thor beamed, "Absolutely! We look out for each other here. If you ever need fresh fish or some veggies to spruce up your meals, just give me a holler. And if you're up for it, we should get together for a workout. Gotta keep the body in top shape!"

Bucky chuckled, glancing at Thor's impressive physique, "Yeah, that sounds like a plan. I could use some tips on how to be as... robust as you."

Thor roared with laughter, "Robust, eh? I like that! Anytime you're ready, my friend. We'll turn you into a farming god in no time!"

Bucky, still riding the high of his positive day, received a call from his best friend, Steve Rogers. The cheerful tone of Steve's voice was infectious, and he quickly inquired about Bucky's new life in the countryside.

"Hey, Buck! How's farm life treating you?" Steve's voice echoed through the phone.

Bucky shared the highlights of his day, from learning to tend livestock to meeting Thor and experiencing the lively market. However, Steve's next revelation dropped like a bombshell.

"Oh, by the way," Steve casually added, "you remember Kate, right? The supermodel Kate? Well, she's been on a mission to find you. And guess what? She knows where you are, and she's heading your way!"

Bucky's heart skipped a beat, and panic set in. "Wait, what? Why is she looking for me? I'm not prepared for this! Steve, what do I do? I can't meet Kate like this!"

After thoroughly enjoying Bucky's flustered reaction, Steve teased, "Guess you made quite an impression, pal. Brace yourself for some Hollywood glamour in the countryside!"

The call ended with Steve's laughter ringing in Bucky's ears. He raced about Kate's expectations, wondering if he appeared presentable in his worn-out farm clothes.

Bucky took a glance at the mirror, questioning his choice of attire for the day. The smell of the countryside, mingled with the scent of animals and sweat, suddenly became more noticeable, and Bucky couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy.

As he anxiously awaited Kate's arrival, Bucky couldn't help but wonder how this unexpected visit might alter the course of his newly adopted farm life.

Author Note:

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Hey everyone! 🌟 Your input means the world to me.

If you've got any cool ideas or prompts, whether for this fluff series or any other series, feel free to share them with me!

Just drop them in my ASK/SEND REQUEST box.

Can't wait to hear your awesome suggestions! 🚀💬

[random-thought-depository]

Reading William Hope Hodgson's "The Night Land."

Oh, cool, I found a free copy of William Hope Hodgson's The Night Land online! It sounds like very much my kind of thing! I'm a little bit more than halfway through the book so far. I read a bunch of the fanfiction on the Night Land website before I found it, so I thought it'd be interesting to see how the actual novel compares to the fanfics. I'm a little more than halfway through the novel now, and so far I'm finding that it fits significantly better with my sensibilities than the fanfics, which is interesting cause the latter were presumably written by people much more culturally similar to me (2000s and early 2010s going by the publishing dates on the website vs. the original novel being published in 1912).

The language and style used are intended to resemble those of the 17th century, though the prose has features characteristic of no particular period, such as an almost complete lack of dialogue or proper names.

This gets cited as one of the big barriers to getting into the novel, and I've seen comments on the Night Land website to the effect of "Yeah, the setting's cool, but Hodgson was not a good writer on a technical level" and a lot of people quit reading the book when they see the first chapter or so. Admittedly, I skipped the framing section and went straight to the parts about the far future sunless world... But I don't have this reaction! Like, yeah, the lack of dialogue and very minimalistic characterization is weird (we don't even get the far future viewpoint character's name, fans often call him X), but it's an interesting and cool kind of weird! It feels like I'm reading a text from a different culture with different literary conventions, which is very appropriate! The lack of dialogue gives the narrative a sort of Temple Grandin thinking in pictures feel.

My immediate quibble with the setting based on reading the description of the novel and some of the fanfics was it feels like a waste of the potential of the premise if the big danger from the Night Land is creatures. This is a perpetually dark world where the sun is going out! It would logically kill you with cold and hunger! It would need no assistance from space vampires and mutant yeti orcs and whatnot to kill you! In fact, being in any kind of danger from an animal outside the Redoubt implies an implausibly human-friendly environment for a world like that; its surface would logically be colder than Pluto and kill any unprotected animal instantly (I rationalize it as the Night Land's sun isn't quite dead and still has significant output in the infrared + the Redoubts are in a very deep lowland that's warmer than the rest of the planet; the Night Land has a ground cover of "moss bushes" in places and there's even a forest, which would fit with that if its plants have evolved to photosynthesize using infrared light outside the range of human vision).

The actual description of the crossing of the Night Land in the novel feels congruent with how I'd approach the premise of such a world. Cold is cited as a hazard of the Night Lands. When X finds Nanni, she is starving ("And I opened my left hand, and lookt at the hand within my palm, and surely it was utter thin and wasted"). There are dangerous creatures, but it feels ecological, not Manichean. X isn't primarily a combat-oriented hero; he's fought a few monsters so far but mostly he avoids them and tries to not be noticed by them, y'know, as a smart member of a prey species would. He calls them "evil," but it feels like plausibly basically an emotionally loaded way of saying hostile/dangerous to humans. His journey through the Night Land is mostly just walking

Night vision goggles are apparently a lost technology to the people of the Redoubt, because X's armor doesn't have them. There's a section where he has to cross a place of complete darkness, where there are no volcanoes to provide dim natural light. He has to cross it blind (I suppose he can't use a flashlight or electric lantern because of not having any with batteries that would last through the journey and/or fear of attracting attention from Night Land predators - Hodgson may have simply not anticipated electric lights with portable power sources?). At one point he takes a dangerous fall, and after that dares not walk in that darkness; he crosses that country crawling on his hands and knees. When he comes to a place with a source of natural light (so he can walk normally again) he describes the light as something like "marvelous" or "wonderful."

Another thing I like about the novel is it takes the same approach I talk about taking to fiction about a generation ship here. The fanfics tend to situate the Redoubt firmly in the context of a longer history, but in the novel (you can notice it from reading the excerpt here) it feels like by X's lifetime humanity has lived entirely within the Redoubts for so long that they have only a very dim cultural memory of any other existence. They have a cultural memory that the Redoubt was built, that humans existed before it, that there used to be a sun, but it's been so long that feels to them like

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” - Genesis 1 (King James Bible).

When X gets his past life memories back at 17 he thinks of a line from an ancient poet of the Redoubt who describes some slow-moving monster as something that has been there since the beginning of the world and he goes like "No it wasn't! I now remember a time when that was not part of the world!"

"I would time and again dispute with our learned men; they being in doubt as the verity of that olden story of the Days of Light, and the existence of the Sun…"

Sounds like lot of the people of the Redoubt (a lot of the most educated people, even) don't think the sun was real!

"In the Bright Days there was a thing called the Sun, it was like a great lamp in the sky, and it gave light and warmth to the whole Land, so the whole Land was like the Fields, and humans could live everywhere in the Land. But in time it dimmed, and humans built the Redoubt to be a place where they could continue to have light and warmth and food as in the Bright Days, and retreated into the Redoubt to dwell only therein till the end of the world, and the sun dimmed until it ceased to give forth light, and the Land became the Night Land."

I think to the people of the Redoubt that might sound a lot like:

"In pain you shall bring forth children..."

"... cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee...

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread..."

I can totally see there being a treatise in the Redoubt's records titled something like "Against the proposition that human inability to see in darkness is evidence of the past existence of the Sun," arguing that humans might have started out as a Night Land species and then lost night vision after building the Redoubt because abundant artificial light removed selection pressure against night-blindness.

There's an interesting tidbit from one of the website's essays: all the food of the Redoubt is vegetarian, and when X and Nanni are out in the Night Land it does not occur to them that they might hunt and eat animals. From the novel, and I interpret this as the thought of the seventeenth century guy we're ostensibly getting X's narrative filtered through:

"And here, as it doth occur unto me, I do ponder how it did be that we had no thought to slay any small creature for our food; but, mayhap, we had no knowledge of this way; for surely, they did not this thing to my knowing in the Mighty Pyramid. … in verity, [X] never saw … meat in all the time of that far Life that I do wot of."

X so far seems to have sustained himself on his expedition entirely with highly concentrated low-volume expedition rations he brought with them from the Redoubt. Naani, who is starving, has been eating "the moss upon the rocks, and odd strange berries and growths" to prolong her survival in the Night Land, but it did not occur to her to hunt and eat an animal.

I think these people have no cultural memory of human carnivory. They just don't have an intuition that animals can be food for humans.

In one of the fanfics a couple of Redoubt humans are given meat by an entity of the Night Land they've allied with, and initially object in terms of something like "eating something's flesh is almost as bad as consuming its soul," but I like to imagine that if a human of X/Nanni's time was offered meat they'd be reluctant to eat it in a more primal following mother's wisdom kind of way, which they might articulate in terms of morality or propriety or hygiene but would really be at its core a "that is not food, I don't want to put that in my mouth!" reaction (I suspect eating meat would sound pretty gross to a human who's old enough to grok the concept but hasn't been accustomed to the practice by acculturation and/or experience).

"Kill an animal to eat its corpse? As... as a creature of the Night Land would? A human can do that without being harmed? A human can be nourished that way? Aren't animals dirty and full of bacteria?"

One of the essays on the Night Land website said that the novel's perspective on sex and gender "apparently combines the worst sugar-sweet Victorian idealism with the philosophy of John Norman's Gor," so I was braced for something pretty rancid. I'm only halfway through so maybe the bad parts are still ahead, but, uh...

Maybe I'm being a poster person for how sexism can go down a lot easier if it's benevolent, maybe I like "the worst sugar-sweet Victorian idealism," but, uh...

X is not at all the kind of guy that statement led me to expect! Like, yeah, X may have some somewhat concerning attitudes about sex and relationships and women if I take his words at face value, though I'm inclined toward the reading that we're not actually getting a direct view of X's ideas and attitudes, we're getting X's ideas and attitudes as interpreted by the seventeenth century British man he was in a past life who's ostensibly the actual viewpoint character. I don't mean to suggest that the people of the Redoubt couldn't have gender ideology and gendered practices that would be distasteful or disturbing to modern liberals, but given that they're a hyper-urbanized high-tech society (the ultimate urban society, the Last Redoubt is literally all one building!) I don't think it makes sense for them to have a gender system like trad patriarchies (since the latter reflects the material conditions of primarily rural societies centered on agriculture with high child mortality rates and relatively inconvenient birth control) and I think they'd probably have relative gender equality (since I think relative gender equality is kind of a natural consequence of low birth rates and mechanization and the Redoubt's society is so old it's almost certainly in equilibrium with its material conditions). If I had to pick the sexism that shows up that I think is most likely to be authentic Redoubt society sexism, it'd be the thing where only men are allowed to leave the Redoubt; "sperm is cheap so men may be expended, fertile wombs are precious so women must be protected" seems likely to be a long-enduring kind of sexism that may exist across societies with many technological conditions. Anyway, my point is, uh...

X reads as a fundamentally really sweet and good person!

"Now, while Naani did sleep, I stript off mine armour, and took off mine under-suit, which was named the Armour-Suit, and a very warm and proper garment, and made thick that it should ease the chafe of the armour. And afterward, I put on the armour again; but the suit I folded and laid beside the Maid; for, truly, she was nigh unclothed, by reason of the bushes and the rocks, that had rent her garments all-wise. And I stood watch for the Maid, the while that she did slumber; and surely she went ten long hours. And I walked upon this side of the fire-hole and now upon that… … … For she did wear the Armour-Suit, and surely it was loose upon her; but yet very pleasing, being close-knit. … and her little feet be bare, and so that they made my heart new tender to look upon them; for truly she was utter lost of foot-gear… Now, before that we should do aught beside, we must contrive that Naani have some gear for her feet; and to this intent, I did make a sure search into the pouch, and surely I found that there did be a change pair of inner shoes, that were made to go within mine own shoes of the grey metal. And at this I was wondrous glad, and did make the Maid to sit upon a little rock, while I made a fitting of the shoes. And, surely, they did be utter big and clumsy upon her little feet; so that I was in surprise to know how great is a man, beside a Maid. But in the end I had a cunning thought, for I cut off all the side of a strap, throughout the length of the strap, very thin and careful, and so had a lace to tie the boots around the tops, which were soft and easy for such a purpose. And after that, I stood away to look at the Maid, and neither she nor I were truly pleased; for, indeed, she was too pretty to be so hid and muffled. Yet we were glad otherwise; for now she might go without hurt to her feet. … And we went twelve great hours in the bed of the olden sea, and did eat twice in that time. And surely the Maid did grow utter weak and weary; for she was not come proper unto her strength; yet she did make no odd saying to tell me of this thing. But indeed, I did know; and I stopt in the thirteenth hour, and took her into mine arms, even as I should carry a babe; and I went forward with her…"

Daaawwwww! :qq: He's adorable!

I actually found it kind of refreshing after the fanfics, which tend to have less likable protagonists. I feel like actually reading the novel pegging The Night Land as dismal and grimdark gets it wrong; in its assumptions about human psychology it's actually pretty noblebright. I think it's actually arguably an example of what the "hopepunk shouldn't be about utopian settings, it should be about hope in dystopian settings" people want.

Like, I get it, this is extremely played straight knight/damsel stuff, but, uh, you can model X as not particularly sexist and it would still make sense for him to relate to Naani this way as a function of compassion. He has protective clothing, a weapon, wilderness survival gear, food, is well-nourished, and has a living city to go back to. When he meets Naani, she is the last survivor of her people, she has spent the last IDK month or three watching her world be destroyed and then slowly starving alone in the dark, she seems to be more-or-less just be walking around in regular civilian clothes with no special equipment to help her survive, she has inadequate thermal protection in a difficult climate, and and she's malnourished. X doesn't have to be a sexist to treat her as a vulnerable and needy person, she is a vulnerable and needy person!

I think you could flip the genders of that section and with a little tinkering (e.g. the shoe size difference being read as a racial difference instead of a gender difference) it would have psychological verisimilitude and fem!X would also seem quite endearing to me! Actually, maybe I should try writing such a gender-flipped version of some of X's and Naani's interactions, it might be an interesting short writing exercise!

Speaking of X being unironically a very good boy, the book also pretty much explicitly tells us he's good about consent! Though, of course, it articulates it differently than a modern author would...

"Yet she did turn her mouth from me, and did put her hand above her face to ward me off, the which did grieve me; for truly, I did heed alway that I should never thrust my love upon her in her lonesomeness; but only let it be to her for a shield and for all comfort unto her heart."

"And presently, I felt her to stir in mine arms; and I loost her somewhat; for I did be always very mindful that I impose not upon her dear liberty of maidenhood."

And, like, not to talk shit about some old webmaster who's been dead since 2014, but TBH the guy who wrote that essay honestly gives me worse vibes than X does when it comes to how he talks about gender and sexuality and women. Like, he could have just pointed out that Naani surviving what she went through is easily as or more impressive than X's journey through the Night Land and that she is a vulnerable and needy person compared to him for very concrete material reasons that don't inherently have much to do with gender, he didn't need to go on a tangent about how he thinks action heroines are a dumb idea that included unironically using the term "alpha male" for a human man. I don't remember X using "slut" as a derogatory term for a woman or talking about a woman's virtue in terms of her chastity, but those are things that show up in that guy's writing. The crowning moment of awesome he gave the heroine in one of his stories was trying to look dignified as she got gruesomely killed, which feels like a horrific on the nose parody of patriarchal gender expectations for women (properly decorative unto death...) but I got the impression he just unironically thought that was a cool heroic death for her.

He also says that Naani "is a dummy, a picture, an ideal without guts, with no character whatever ... This is the great flaw in the heart of The Night Land, and must be addressed," and I really don't agree. I mean, she doesn't get a ton of characterization, but nobody in this does; this is a book where the protagonist doesn't even get a name, it's actually not obvious to me that she's less characterized than X. And I get a definite sense of a personality from her behavior! She's a lot like X! Her having survived alone in the Night Land as long as she did implies cleverness and psychological strength (OMG for real this poor woman was probably so scared and felt so alone and is probably so traumatized...), this is a "similar people attract each other" dynamic. Their interactions make me think of that "and so, they were both bottoms" meme. They are both people who have self-sacrificing acts of service as love languages, and they're kind of having a contest of doing self-sacrificing acts of service at each other and trying to argue each other into accepting the better deal. But they are also pragmatic problem-solvers who want positive-sum outcomes, which keeps this from becoming toxic, they will come to compromises e.g. "we'll take turns wearing the cloak" and "this is stupid, let's just share the blanket and both be warm." As a person who's like this, I find this very relatable, and it it's also very endearing to me!

As a person who's never seen a low support needs autism symptom list that didn't make me think "that's me!" this novel reads to me as a very autistic text. The way the unusual format evokes a kinda thinking in pictures style of storytelling, the way people are characterized by their concrete actions, the very concrete acts of service oriented love languages of the protagonists...

These barely characterized people feel relatable to me, in the way I talked about here, where I feel more represented by people who think like me than by people I just happen to share a race, ethnicity, or gender with.

After X has a monster encounter (with a dangerous creature called a "Great Grey Man," I get the feeling the Night Land fauna is more than a little All Tomorrows-ish) and is victorious:

"And I turned me then away, and went off into the night, going swift and cautious, and bearing the Diskos cunningly and almost, as it were, with a love for that strange and wondrous weapon that had so befriended me, and slain the foul Grey Man with one stroke. And I had a feeling that it did know me, and had a comradeship for me; and I doubt none will understand this; save, it might be, they of the olden days that did carry one strong sword always. Yet was the Diskos more than the sword; for it did in truth seem to live with the fire and the flame of the Earth-Current that did beat within it."

Yes, yes, object personification in autism...

I think one could make a really neat animated film adaptation of The Night Land! I have some ideas for how I'd do it if I could that I think I will post tomorrow. To try to approximate the atmosphere of the novel, it would be in the format of an old silent film, without dialogue, mostly just images and music, with some use of cue cards to establish context (the trick would be to come up with a stylized form of animation that gives an impression of the darkness of a sunless world while still allowing the viewer to see the action). It would develop Naani's side of the story more, making it an equal symmetric companion narrative to X's - and, in service of that, it would take some liberties with the original text, trying to really bring out the dramatic potential of the fall of the Lesser Redoubt and drawing inspiration from Nigel Atkinson's excellent fanfic A Mouse In the Walls of the Lesser Redoubt, though I wouldn't precisely follow that narrative either. I do very much prefer Atkinson's take on the abandonment of the Lesser Redoubt, as a kind of mass suicide by people who knew they were doomed and preferred to get it over with quickly; I think that's got more drama and verisimilitude and is kind of more respectful to the people of the Lesser Redoubt than the novel's version, where it's just "some Night Land gribbly got into their heads and made them walk out into the dark." An element I would add, original to me, is that the people of the Lesser Redoubt did have a plan for survival, albeit one they knew probably wouldn't work but undertook in desperation: to walk en masse in a caravan across the Night Land to the Great Redoubt, the location of which was known, though no-one had made the journey in a million years, and hope their distant cousins would take pity on them and let them in...

Maybe in five or ten or twenty years I'll be able to actually make this thing with some Sora-descendant program...

I know something that would make good music for it:

[loseiso]

Been a BIT since speaking about my op journey I'm in the middle of Luffy vs Katakuri (Luffy and Brulee are in Nut Island)

WHOLE CAKE??? PEAK??? Literally everyone told me it gets peaker here in whole cake i didn't believe them but??? What the the fuck???? Holy shit???? This arc is actually insane

Luffy vs Sanji might be the best fight and episode and scene i was sobbing holy shit? I was a bit iffy if Sanji was still my favorite since his writing has been very... questionable after Enies Lobby (although he was pretty good in Punk Hazard and Dressrosa!) but I think this arc solidified him as possibly one of my top 5 characters ever

Nami was WILDING and good for her this is how i expected her second arc to go with her probably being the second strongest straw hat when Sanji was done out of the group who sent to wci. Her reaction to the fight was prefect and her casually turning like every homie into her servant was awesome? And also I'm pretty sure she's the first straw hat to defeat a emperor crew member against Brulee so! That's my queen

Brook my goat the MVP he got all the Ponegliffs and broke the mother carmel photo 🙏 plus fought big mom and didn't do any damage to her but hey he survived a good while against her! He doesn't do that much besides that two things but those two things were like. The biggest things to happen that isn't related to the Sanji plotline

CHOPPER definitely the weakest out of the crew who went but he still played a good role capturing Brulee with Carrot and grouping everyone together!

This is a small moment but I loved how Sanji decided to leave saving the sunny to these two even though they're among the weaker members he had complete faith they'd win :))

SPEAKING OF SANJIII AGAIN his backstory? Fuck you Judge? Bless Sora and Reiju. I feel so bad for his brothers as much as they suck the didnt choose to be heartless. But it also makes Sanji even better like? Even though he hates Judge and his brothers he still wanted to save them just UGH I love him.

Luffy is classic greatness but this was the arc where i accepted that he is be top 5 protagonist. Him declaring he won't be pirate king without Sanji and his plan for the tea party. AND HIM ACTUALLY STARVING HIMSELF UNTIL SANJI CAME OUT? Plus him lying to his crew that he was fine in the mirror world just so they wouldn't worry UGHHH THATS MY FUCKING CAPTAIN I LOVE HIM

Pudding is sweet and I feel bad for her. Sanji being the only person to actually like her makes me so sad and the way she's still acting like she wants him dead. I want to hug her.

Big mom has lived up to the HYPE. She's so whimsical but that whimsy is also lowkey horrifying? And the way she got her devil fruit... has kinda concerned? What i gathered is she ate Mother Carmel and that's another way you can get devil fruit powers? (Which I'm assuming is how Blackbeard stole Whitebeard's DF...? By eating smth in him?)

Katakuri seems to be the main antagonist Luffy needs to defeat. He's alright, he's cool and his doughnut scene humanized him (I'm assuming like Pudding big mom found his face gross) alright I'm confused how his devil fruit isn't a logia like. It works exactly like a logia.

Brulee is kinda funny with how she's just constantly being tormented although

The rest of the big mom pirates are really boring though like usually one piece is good at making the antagonist crew memorable but most of them are just... There?

Hope kinda foreshadowed Smoothie, Oven, and the other two i can't remember their names as being big antagonists but all of them are not important besides Perospero (who should be dead)

SPEAKING OF DEATH- I doubt Pedro is dead but I guess we'll see when the arc is done! If he is actually dead then... wow. I wasn't super attached to him but his possible death would be fucking awesome?

Carrot is sweet, she's cute, but she feels a bit forced into the story. I feel bad for her though

The firetank pirates are cool i love bege he's a nice guy. Vito however? He's the BEST-RERO. Him fanboying over Germa 66 is so cute 😭 and the way he acts like a uncle to Pez when Chiffon gave him the baby. He's so precious if anything happens to him I'll kill myself.

LASTLY THE GOAT, KING, JIMBEI. Being reintroduced riding whatever and calming down big mom, realizing that if he did the wheel thing his crew would suffer so delaying leaving big mom, getting his crew to get the snails in the sea to help disguise the ship, the green room scene, rescuing nami and luffy, his prep talk to the crew mourning Pedro, and best of all him officially leaving during the tea party Yeah I think he's an S tier character.

This truly is peak and the best arc 😭 my only wish is that Zoro was here i KNOW he would've been as pissed as Luffy to see him give up on his dream.

[lucky-clover-gazette]

prince's gambit highlights & annotations

chapter 15

indented text is from the book. some quotes have commentary, some do not. some comments are serious, and some are definitely not. most of them will only make sense to people who have read the series. and, like, there are spoilers. so please read the books first if you're interested!

also: part of the reason i'm doing such a close reading is to study cs pacat's style, especially in terms of how she does romance and erotica. there are "craft notes" that might seem weird, like i'm being redundant or restating something rather than analyzing, but those are more things that i want to remember/take away from the writing!

i'm going to tag these longer posts with "sam reads capri" in case anyone wants to read them all at once.

this is a google doc i wrote with overall content warnings for the captive prince series. it's not perfect, but i do think it's important to include.

A month ago, he would have expected, much like the men, that the prisoners would be dragged before Touars, the truth loudly proclaimed, the Regent’s dealings exposed before all. Now . . . Damen could just as easily envisage Laurent denying any knowledge of the culprit, letting Touars find his own way to the Regent—could practically see Laurent’s blue-eyed feigned concern for the truth, followed by his blue-eyed feigned surprise when it was revealed. The search itself would work as a delaying tactic, would draw things out, would take its own time. Deception and double dealing; it seemed sufficiently Veretian. He even thought, if Laurent held to his purpose, it could be done.

damen’s approach to the nice vs. good theme is slowly changing, at least in war strategy…

Because it was impossible, he allowed himself to imagine, just once, what it would be like to face Laurent as a man . . . if there had been no animosity between their countries, Laurent journeying to Akielos as part of an embassy, Damen’s attention superficially caught by the blond hair. They’d attend banquets and sports together, and Laurent . . . he had seen Laurent with those he cultivated, charming and edged without being lethal; and he was honest enough with himself to admit that if he had encountered Laurent in that mode, all golden lashes and needling remarks, he might well have found himself in some danger.

this paragraph makes me crazy!!! they could have it so much easier!!!!! also, damen likes blondes mention… have we gotten any mentions in book 2?? i think this might be #7

Laurent said, ‘I’m afraid you don’t have time.’ The tone was limpid. Damen said, ‘Thank you, but I came because I heard the horses.’

laurent is such a bitch. damen is not trying to have sex with women right now, and he knows it, but he still teases him about it. just because

‘I couldn’t if I wanted to. A batch of blond Vaskians really would get me disinherited. I’ve never,’ said Laurent, ‘with a woman.’ ‘It’s very pleasurable.’ ‘You prefer it.’ ‘For the most part.’

he has an exception though. hypothetically. in case laurent was wondering.

also, i like how laurent can actively plot to overthrow his uncle but heterosexuality is where his culture draws the disowning line. i know it’s a joke but it’s still just a very funny way to understand vere’s culture

‘Auguste preferred women. He told me I would grow into it. I told him that he could get heirs and I would read books. I was . . . nine? Ten? I thought I was already grown up. The hazards of overconfidence.’

not auguste being the straight cousin at thanksgiving… also i love the little hints to who laurent was before all the trauma. sassy little nerd child

On the verge of a reply, Damen stopped. That Laurent could talk, endlessly, like this, he knew. It wasn’t always apparent what was behind the talking, but sometimes it was. Damen said, ‘You can rest easy. You are ready to face Lord Touars.’

“you talk more when you’re nervous”

He tried to picture Laurent at thirteen, and experienced a total failure of imagination. It was just as impossible to imagine him fighting in battle at that age as it was to imagine him trailing around after an older brother he adored. It was impossible to imagine him adoring anyone.

gut punch of a last line there

‘Can you deny that you have under your protection the men responsible for the attacks, and that you have coached them in an attempt to throw blame onto your uncle?’ The words fell like the blow from an axe. You can outplay him, Damen had said, but it had been long weeks since he had faced the power of the Regent. It occurred to him, chillingly, that the captured men could indeed have been coached for this moment, just not by Laurent. Laurent, who had therefore brought Touars the very rope that would hang him.

context: shit, but also, it's fine. was patras's aid always the intention, or more of a contingency plan in case something like this happened? or did laurent predict this exactly?

Laurent said, ‘You have me as an enemy for that. You are not going to enjoy the experience.’

‘If I submit to your soldiers, and give myself up to my uncle’s justice,’ said Laurent, ‘what happens to my men?’

book 3 foreshadowing

‘So I will. Out of loyalty to your father and your brother, your uncle has treated you with leniency you never deserved. You have repaid him with scorn and contempt, with negligence in your duties, and with wanton disregard for the shame you bring to your family. That your selfish nature has led you to treason does not surprise me, but how could you betray your uncle’s trust, after the kindness that he has lavished on you?’ ‘Uncle’s immoderate kindness,’ said Laurent. ‘I promise you, it was easy.’ Guion said, ‘You show no remorse at all.’ ‘Speaking of negligence,’ said Laurent.

“speaking of negligence” YES

He lifted his hand. A long way behind him, two Vaskian women detached themselves from his troop and began to ride forward. Enguerran made a movement of concern, but Touars motioned him back—two women would hardly make a difference here one way or the other.

laurent calls for the help of women and the women are promptly underestimated. i continue to be fascinated by laurent and women, in general, throughout this series. also this is foreshadowing for book 3

It was a man, brown-haired and lashed at the wrists and ankles like a boar to a pole after a hunt. His face was caked in dirt, except near the temple, where his hair was clumped with dried blood. He wasn’t a clansman. Damen remembered the Vaskian camp. There were fourteen prisoners today, when yesterday there had been ten. He looked sharply at Laurent.

uhhhh i don’t remember what’s happening here

‘It’s four of your scouts,’ said Laurent.

sooo laurent stopped the flow of information to touars and the fort? to blindside him?

And Damen remembered a chase across a rooftop, dropping laundry on the men below while the sky above wheeled with stars— ‘Your rabble of clan alliances, or Akielon mercenaries, no doubt.’ —remembered a bearded messenger falling to his knees in an inn room— ‘You’d like that, wouldn’t you?’ said Laurent. —remembered Laurent murmuring intimately to Torveld on a perfumed balcony, gifting him with a king’s ransom in slaves. The scout was saying, ‘—carrying the Prince’s banners alongside the yellow of Patras—’

NICE (minus the slaves part but we’ll unpack it later)

Alone of all the men Laurent did not lift his eyes to the hilltop, but kept them trained on Lord Touars. ‘I have a choice?’ said Laurent. You planned this! Nicaise had flung the words at Laurent. You wanted him to see! ‘Did you think,’ said Laurent, ‘if you threw down a challenge to fight, I would not accept it?’ The Patran troops filled the eastern horizon, bright under the noonday sun. ‘My scorn and contempt,’ said Laurent, ‘are not in need of your leniency. Lord Touars, you face me in my own kingdom, you inhabit my lands, and you breathe at my pleasure. Make your own choice.’

LET’S FUCKING GOOOOO

‘This would have been easier,’ said Damen, ‘if you had told me earlier what to expect. In the mountains. At the Vaskian camp.’ ‘I didn’t know who it was,’ said Laurent.

yeah, rare “laurent is surprised by a plot twist” moment with aimeric

‘What was it, do you think, that Orlant found out, that got him skewered on Aimeric’s sword?’ Orlant, thought Damen, and suddenly felt sick.

:(

[era404-skib]

(Somewhat silly) Idea on an Alliance & Toilets vs Mothership Battle

So, before I lay out the battle concept, I need to state one theory I believe:

The Mothership is incapable of directly harming others. I believe it serves as a massive power bank / core for the Astros, hence why it didn't teleport in instantaneously like every other Astro - the amount of energy it holds is so high that it takes a while to transport that. Ramming isn't an option either because of its long teleportation time, and even if it could ram, it would risk cracking its defenses, releasing its energy and nuking itself from the force of the impact. Biting is probably not an option either as (a) we've never seen an Astro extend its neck as far as I can remember and (b) it would risk someone like TTV slashing off the neck and killing it. It's able to defend itself by the soldiers it powers and the heavy armour it has.

Now, for the battle concept. Here's where the silly part comes in: I'd like to briefly recount the Milky Way Wishes segment of Kirby Super Star Ultra.

To summarise it very shortly, Kirby has to go through some different planets to reach NOVA, this big machine thingamajig that grants whoever activates it a wish. Right as Kirby is about to make his wish to resolve an ongoing issue, Kirby is knocked to the side by Marx (no, not Karl) and his wish is stolen and Marx becomes fucking God in an effort to try and destroy Kirby. Kirby destroys NOVA from the core out because jokes on Marx, KIRBY is God, and he launches Marx into NOVA and then both it and Marx explode.

Now where this relates back to skib:

I want to see a scenario where TTV teleports TSpeaker back and TCam either escapes or TTV comes back for him. All the non-titan Alliance and Toilet members call a truce - so basically every single standard soldier and toilet they can fit with the Matriarchs, Elites and mutants leading the way as they invade the mothership through an opened door. They KNOW there's some sort of trap inside, otherwise the surrounding Astro troops wouldn't have let them in so easily - but desperate times call for desperate measures. Episode ends on their entry, with the door dramatically shutting behind them, engulfing the army in darkness.

The next episode shows us a POV from TTV - a small camera was attached on each of his little spiky things at the top of his screen so the viewers can look around the streamed footage from all angles (think of it like the 360° view on Google Streetview and Google Earth). TTV is seen teleporting TSpeaker to the Speaker Base (finally showing us what it looks like too :D) and comes back for TCam but can't find him anywhere. Suddenly, GT flies in, followed shortly by the containers attached to the helicopter skibidis. GT was searching for the G-Squad (they went in the mothership alongside the Aliiance) and a confrontation nearly breaks out between the two when TTV receives a message from the TV Scientist telling him to ally up with GT. VERY begrudgingly, the two form a temporary truce, as TTV defends the containers whilst GT breaks them open and attaches his "arms" and "legs" (moreso claws but whatever).

The next episode opens back on the mothership door shutting and the combined army being engulfed in darkness. Suddenly, there's a jolt as Polycephalies rips open the door, chucks it away without a care and jumps in. In the quick upgrades and repairs he received he has a massive expansion of screens and speakers that can extend from his back. Polycephalies and every single camera and TV in the army shine their lights as bright as they can, revealing a very large inner system of the Mothership. They begin to journey through the darkness as they discover zones that vastly differ from eachother - some are rusted, scrappy and are full of spikes and other hazards whilst others are clean and well kept but have extremendefense systems in place. Gradually, the population of the army begins to whittle down.

The next episode cuts to TTV and GT once more (now from a POV cam, not a TTV spike cam), GT finally assembling his upgrades and leaping into battle. Suddenly, a large metal structure teleports in at TTV's feet. TTV gets the memo and picks it up. He is able to twist one of his arms and takes it off safely, attaching the new one in place while hanging the detached regular one on his back. The POV looks at his tablet and flickers onto a livestream from inside the arm - showing Scientist TV having the time of his life controlling it. The arm powers on and begins to revolve at extreme speed - just as a large astro comes rushing towards TTV at lightning speed, which is quickly matches by the built in reaction speed of the arm, which drills into the Astro, leaving a cloud of scrap metal and dust. The arm turns into a trident and curves at the edges slightly - before stabbing the Mothership's spinning ring at a perfect angle. The rapid spinning comes to a stop and the Mothership can no longer fly - so TTV sets her down on the ground, only because there's Alliance members in there, vice versa with GT. In the same moment, multiple bomber Astros try to rush into TTV at that same instant speed with acid - but the reaction speed of the arm is too fast for them. It turns into an Entrapper Astro arm and picks them up before hurling them at the Astros nearby. All the Astros in the region have been destroyed, so TTV and GT stand by, remaining vigilant.

The next episode cuts back to the army inside the bunker, its numbers slowly dwindling. Suddenly, dozens of tiny Astros appear - and start knocking out the army one by one at rapid speeds - too fast for anyone to kill. The G-Squad, Matriarchs, Polycephalies, Elite TV, all the other TV's and the most units and toilets each could carry are the only ones that manage to speed off and shut a large door. The army is now faced with a large core area - many astro troops and defense systems await them and guard the core. I couldn't be arsed to write a full fight scene so just pretend they managed to maneuver around the defense systems and killed the Astros (perhaps Elite TV controlled them and made them fight eachother). They make it to the core, which is completely unprotected, and turn off the armour on the control panel, making the mothership and easy kill. The army, who felt the shake of the mothership being set to the ground, know a titan is out there - and know its TTV as he's uninjured. The TV's send a signal to him to cut open a latch now that the armour is gone and TTV does so. The army scrambles out before TTV picks up the mothership in one hand. Suddenly, TSpeaker flys in - not upgraded, but quickly repaired with some backups the speaker faction made for him prior to the Astro fight - helping TCam, of whom he has finally located, to come over. TTV let's the other two know of the truce with GT, and the 4 focus on annihilating the Mothership. TTV loans some energy to all the others - TCam now has enough to keep going, GT's core now glows again, and TSpeaker is hypercharged.

In the last second, the Astro Emperor (or juggernaut as alot of people call him) tries to stop them, but little does he know, his panic to save the Mothership has cost him his life too. The Titans and GT release core beams in unison - GT spams orbs at inhuman rates, TTV uses the absolute fucking obliterator, TCam uses the flamethrower and TSpeaker uses the beam. They hit the Emperor in unison and its shield completely breaks - and once the combination of all the core attacks hit him, the Emperor crashes down directly onto the Mothership. The Mothership begins to encounter multiple fatal errors from the crash and is about to power off to enter recovery mode and signal for more Astros to come and save her - but TCam, hellbent on vengeance after his injuries, attaches his jetpack to the Mothership and sends it flying back to space where it came from. Unfortunately for it, it doesn't seem to make it as before it surpasses the Atmosphere it explodes like a firework with the power of a nuke. Episode ends.

[dailycharacteroption]

Planar Tour Guide: Positive Energy Plane part 4

(art by Nele-Diel on DeviantArt)

Adventuring

While the Positive Energy Plane is  a place of life and new genesis, it is tied with it’s negative counterpart as one of the most hazardous planes to actually try and visit, and one could argue either one beats the other out based on whether you think the oppressive hunger of The Void beats out the deceptive assumptions made by those who assume Creation’s Forge is benign just because it is made of raw healing energies.

Beyond the plane shift spell, parties need to have planar adaptation in their arsenal to even dare go to this plane, limiting it to mid to high-level storylines, though there are ways to get around this, namely involving natural portals and those rare pockets of minor positive dominance, but given how rare and small they are, such adventures are likely very location-based and short-lived at best.

But of course, with the plane itself (as well as many of the locals) being so hostile, one has to ask… what would a party of adventurers want with plane?

As mentioned in previous entries, The Furnace’s inhospitable nature makes it the perfect place to store things that a group of heroes don’t want falling into the wrong hands. Evil artifacts, the soul cages and dread armor of liches and graveknights respectively that they can’t yet destroy (which has the added benefit of trapping such undead on a plane so inhospitable to them that their cell is likely the only place they can exist in, if that), monstrous or divine prisoners, and so on. If bargained with properly, the jyoti can be made to agree to be the wardens of such things, though it might be tricky to convince them to give it back if the party needs it for plot reasons if said wardens think they cannot be trusted with it.

Speaking of which, another related reason to venture to the plane might be to extract said artifacts or prisoners, either to use them for personal or plot-relevant reasons or gain information from them, and so on. Naturally, the jyoti wardens of such assets are inclined to politely deny direct requests AFTER they’ve put a spear in your throat, so when need is great, a heist or raid may be what is needed to get the goods out.

For all its straightforward role in the cosmos, the Positive Energy Plane is abound with mysteries of it’s own, ranging from the half-forgotten history of the conflict with it’s denizens and the gods and/or the sceanduinar of the Negative Energy Plane, answers to great mysteries of how the cosmos functions (like, if the plane is an infinite source of quintessence and positive energy, why does the Antipode river feeding it exist? And so on. Not to mention scholarly beings such as manasaputra and the turuls might have rare collections of knowledge which the party may need to unlock some great mystery in their own journey.

Despite it’s destructive potential, the Positive Energy Plane is still a place of healing, and the most potent necromantic curses or blights might find their cure in this place, making it worth the risk for the desperate.

The plane’s role in the birthing of new souls means it is at least partially culpable in the existence of not just every hero, but every villain that has ever lived. As such, a prophecy of a birth of such a legendary figure might spur some to try and witness that soul being created, and either enjoy the event or maybe try to stop a great evil from being ever conceived, (or preventing someone else from doing so) but such an act brings into question a lot about morality, predestination, and nature vs nurture. All of which can be awful or fascinating depending on how it is approached.

Of course, sometimes Creation’s Forge comes to you instead of the other way around. While the jyoti rarely leave the plane, they might if some event on another plane demands it. Meanwhile, both manasaputra and turul alike have a long history of guiding and manipulating mortals, all of which may draw the party to the plane once the truth is revealed.

That’s a decent spread of hooks and suggestions there, but that will do for today. Tomorrow, we’ll wrap things up for the week with the conclusion! Look forward to it!

[pir4te-king]

Exploring the World of One Piece: Why This Anime Stands the Test of Time

Since its debut in 1999, One Piece has grown into one of the most iconic anime series in history. Created by Eiichiro Oda, this epic tale of pirates, adventure, and friendship has captured the hearts of millions. But what makes One Piece so enduring, and why does it continue to resonate with fans across generations?

A World Like No Other: The Grand Line

One of the biggest draws of One Piece is its richly imagined world. The Grand Line, the stretch of ocean where much of the story takes place, is teeming with mystery, danger, and wonder.

Diverse Islands: From the floating sky island of Skypiea to the fiery Punk Hazard, each location is a masterpiece of creativity.

Dynamic World-Building: The world evolves alongside the story. The influence of the World Government, revolutionary movements, and pirate alliances adds layers of complexity.

Characters You’ll Never Forget

The heart of One Piece lies in its characters, particularly the Straw Hat Pirates.

Monkey D. Luffy: The ambitious and lovable captain with a dream to become the Pirate King.

The Crew’s Diversity: From Zoro’s swordsmanship to Nami’s navigational genius, every character brings unique skills and emotional depth.

Memorable Villains: Figures like Doflamingo, Crocodile, and Kaido are not just obstacles but fully realized characters with intriguing backstories.

Themes That Resonate

At its core, One Piece is about more than just treasure hunting.

Friendship and Loyalty: The unbreakable bonds between the Straw Hat crew set a powerful example of camaraderie.

Chasing Dreams: Luffy’s determination to find the One Piece inspires fans to pursue their own aspirations.

Freedom vs. Authority: The ongoing battle between pirates and the World Government explores themes of liberty and oppression.

Humor, Action, and Heartbreak

Eiichiro Oda masterfully balances light-hearted comedy with jaw-dropping action and emotional depth.

Laugh-Out-Loud Moments: Luffy’s antics, Chopper’s innocence, and Usopp’s tall tales provide constant humor.

Epic Battles: The series boasts legendary fights, such as Luffy vs. Lucci and the Marineford War.

Heart-Wrenching Moments: Who can forget the emotional weight of the “Going Merry” farewell or Ace’s tragic demise?

The Legacy of Eiichiro Oda

Eiichiro Oda’s commitment to storytelling and artistic excellence is unparalleled.

Foreshadowing Mastery: Plot twists and revelations often pay off years after being introduced.

Unwavering Vision: Despite its length, Oda has stayed true to his original vision for the story.

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Watch (or Rewatch)

With over 1,000 episodes and a Netflix live-action adaptation, One Piece is more accessible than ever. New fans can dive into the series, while longtime viewers can revisit favorite arcs.

One Piece is more than an anime—it’s a journey filled with laughter, tears, and unforgettable adventures. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the series, the story of the Straw Hat Pirates offers something for everyone. As Luffy would say, "I’m going to be the Pirate King!"—and One Piece reigns as the king of anime.

Are you a One Piece fan? Share your favorite moment or character in the comments below! If you’re just starting, let us know which arc you’re most excited to explore.

[lakesbian]

Outsourcing au thoughts because I don't have and don't want a fandom blog and your undersiders thoughts are nice

Anyway undersiders Pokemon au team themes/types

Taylor: While the obvious choice is bugs, thatz wrong she runs normal monotype, probably 2 set up sweepers with guts or guts equivalent, (staraptor and zangoose as two very common pokemon with flavor about punching up a stupid amount and being solitary as they grow stronger but stil seen as not much. Also zangoose bitter rivalry vs the knife snake). Buneary that never ever evolves because she received it as a gift from Emma and she sorta kinda hates it. Hisuian zoarark to lean into the half feral, rabid, violence from the outside looking in while actually utilizing trickery and plans to not get stomped into the ground. She barely scrapes by when her setup sweeps fail and has very little plan outside of that though <3. Unrelated but Danny has a komala that interacts with Taylor more than he does

Lisa: Poison/Psychic mashup. Leans status team with only a single heavy hitter in the form of either an alakazam or gothitelle. Probably runs a mirror coat+counter wobaffet. Other than that, she has a crobat she inherited from her brother. It bites her very often and she pretends not to notice while still letting it drink her blood because I love irony(metaphor? probably a metaphor). I want to give her poipolr because it seems fun but alas alternate dimensions

Alec: Slaking. This bothers Taylor. Also, a Shedinja that he gets later with Aisha's ninjask. Rotom that possesses whatever electronic would be the most inconvenient for everyone else, and a mawile. He only gets three at most though+that Shedinja because he doesn't have to take care of it. I was originally going to lean into the more fucked up fairy types like grimmsnarl, shiinotic, and the aforementioned mawile, but that seemed too consistent. Heartbreaker is a fairy type trainer though and Alec got the mawile from him

Brian: Some big ol guys. He has the most theoretically dependable and consistent team in a defensive sandstorm+hazard team. Gigalith to set up sandstorm, aggron or sand stream tyranitar as an ace, with a metang as a secondary attacker. Bronzong for screens. Either an orthworm or skarmory for hazards. The team loses effectiveness very quickly when someone sets up a different weather effect because he doesn't have a way to set up sandstorm again

Rachel: Dogs. Arcanine, stoutland, snubull, houndoom. These two aren't dogs but she also gets either an ursaluna of an obstagoon. She has the most type coverage of any of the undersiders and does very well against anyone she does battle, but the commodity nature of battles and overall softness of the universe in pokemon mean she should have the luxury to not the engage in violence, so she just runs a breeder+shelter somewhere on a ranch and never meets the undersiders except maybe Taylor looking at some puppies

Aisha: She doesn't have a consistent theme besides bright, attention grabbing, and probably fast. Confident about a noivern+Jolteon+a very very loud bronzong. Probably a ninjask. I then get significantly less confident about a haunter and mimikyu.

Lily: Escavalier. Let's then lean into the precision with a mienshao and medicham. That's all she has when first meeting the undersiders, but she gets a bisharp and hisuian litigant later. March has an accelgor and it's her pokemon that wants to skin suit lily's Escavalier due to the whole stealing armor thing that accelgor and Escavalier do. March is still stalkery but it takes the form of keeping her in a basement. Lily starts as a gym trainer, Legend's probably, and wants to run the league circuit, but no shows the tourney after the first match to hang out with Sabah

Sabah; Not a battler, doesn't go on a journey so does the whole pokemon civilian thing of only 1-2 pokemon. Those are a mimikyu she makes costumes for and an aradios.

this is entirely a 'dude. you could've just made your own post.' situation particularly because i know jackfuckall about pokemon, but my sweet friend scarf Does know about pokemon, so this is now Guest Answer Hour where i showed them the non-spoiler bits and outsource my responses from them. under a cut because the ask itself is already long enough

taylor: i can't legally repeat what they said about this one because it wasn't very nice but the gist of it boils down to "picking Not bug types for taylor is trying to be subversive for no reason, yes the bug-themed character would use bug-type pokemon, come the fuck on"

lisa: gothitelle is a good pick, she runs mind games & support pokemon because that's her role on the team. doesn't type-limit herself but does pick an aesthetically and functionally coherent team. aiming for the intimidation factor and then to pull the rug out beneath her opponents feet. also see this scarfnote

also the more that I think about it the more that I think Yeah Lisa would absolutely have perish trap as an option for her team. you kinda have to if you’re a gothitelle user I mean you don’t have to but since that’s the only good shadow tag pokemon it’s a nice option even if it’s not your main draw Lisa’s whole thing is that she, like Brian, does not have much firepower, but she’s incredibly perceptive/charismatic enough to trap you on the field and talk you into a corner until you’ve made your own bed and it’s too late to bounce back. perish trap is a team archetype that relies on smart positioning and stalling, both of which are things Lisa excels at

alec: trying to avoid the fucked up fairy types is again subversive for no reason. only has one pokemon because he's too lazy (read: chronically depressed) to take care of more, and it's a hatterene (googled 'fairy type' and went for the first aesthetically-pleasing result he saw). how well it meshes w/ him is a pleasant coincidence. he named it something really stupid to the point where people question if he even cares about it but it's his best friend and they cuddle together every night and also own matching pajamas. had some kind of tiny cute fairy pokemon before he left heartbreaker but couldn't take it w/ him when he left, subsequently memoryholed it forever

brian: i'm just gonna. quote them because i understand next to none of this

"extremely reliable and dependent" cannot work with a monotype/weather team im sorry but pigeonholing yourself into one theme only makes your weaknesses more apparent. Brian’s team would be one that primarily consists of pivot pokemon that can take/redirect hits so that his teammates can get in a safe position. pokemon with defensive abilities/type immunities/substitute/protect, etc. all of those would be the Most Consistent pokemon that can eat hits from opponents while allowing the other undersiders to set up safely. the only pokemon I agree with on your lineup is orthworm, because of the earth eater ability + shed tail. other pokemon would be gastrodon for storm drain, amoongus for powder immunity/spore/rage powder/regenerator. Brian’s pokemon are constantly switching in and out of battle, he does not have much in the means of firepower, but that’s okay because he doesn’t in canon either. AND gholdengo I literally wrote that and forgot to put it lmao. good as gold is an insane ability + ghost/steel typing is solid defensively. this would probably be his only avenue of offensive pressure with make it rain, but I can’t see him using it too too often as, like I said, he’s pivoting a lot. if he reads a status move incoming, he’s sending that thang out he would also probably have an intimidate user on hand since those work really well with switching teams, but I can’t think of a great one off the top of my head right now

also tacking on my own addendum that brian's deal is "guy who is trying so hard to LARP at being pragmatic and normal and responsible despite repeatedly making some sort of objectively batshit risky decisions" so he's 100% like. super dependable consistent team but with a bit of flair he repeatedly tries to pull off nuts-specific shit with. and also he runs that shit like the military

rachel: the scarf verdict is dogs. all dogs. all dogs and you are out of your mind if you think she has anything but dogs. this is her Thing even more than bugs are taylor's thing. most offense-heavy & aggressive team. has Literally Every Dog Pokemon. all of them. has an arcanine that used to be brian's but she was so fucking insufferable about criticizing his care of it that he just fuckin' gave it to her

aisha: theme is "most annoying little fucks humanly possible." Annoying Little Freaks Menagerie, just like she collects in canon w/ the heartbroken. bright and attention grabbing is...the opposite of what she does while fighting? so absolutely not that. impidimp (duh), sableye, approximately 13 phantumps, and one (1) shiny yamask that may or may not be her dead best friend. and yes, she does let it possess her sometimes for fun!

[lucilassie]

NEW WORLD

[luxtax]

Hi!! I was wondering: how long have you been a professional?

While I have artistic skills, I am JUST BARELY entering the paid-professional world and I find it very daunting. I aspire to charge the prices you charge, but I'm worried about jumping in too deep when I don't even have a following yet, haha!

When you were starting out, what kind of prices did you charge? Are you glad you picked that level? Were people receptive to it? How long did it take for you to get where you are?

I'm sorry if you've answered these questions somewhere, but I could not find these answers ;w;

Also, feel free to ignore this - no hard feelings! I'm just impressed with you, and I'd like to get where you are some day (:

Hello! Don't worry this isn't a bother at all and I'm always happy to answer any questions people have! Of course art is subjective and what works for some people might not work for others so keep that in mind! This is general advice from my own life/journey and can/should be adjusted to fit you and your specific skill/level/life.

Now with that out of the way, I've been doing art commissions on/off since I was about 15/16ish. I've always had side jobs to stay afloat until about 2+ years ago. In 2020 I went fulltime with art and started considering myself professional. However, the second you take a commission it becomes a job, you got paid for a service and you're entering the professional world vs the hobby world. You have to take it seriously and understand that being your own boss comes with many benefits as well as hazards. Being diligent and disciplined while also maintaining your work/life balance with your physical and mental health in mind is harder than it looks. However, it CAN be done, don't let it deter you just be mindful.

I 100% encourage everyone/anyone to give it a try if that is your dream. It is very daunting and I implore you to take your time with it. Building an audience is really important, but so is loving your craft. Creating art YOU want to see in the world, depending on what kind of art you do there are a lot of options available.

When I first started out, like many artists I severely undercharged for my work. Three things should be taken into account when you're doing commissions -- 1. how long does it take you? Hourly rate. Make sure you're making at least minimum wage. 2. Skill level. Now this is subjective, but if you hone a craft you should charge more for it. Art is something you can always keep striving for improvement on. As your skills grow, so should your price. If you get more diverse with your species, styles, backgrounds and so on. All of that has to play a part in pricing yourself. 3. Market. The market fluxes, what is your audience? What is your market? I believe marketing is more than half of the battle of being an artist. Art is subjective, everyone has an audience somewhere. However, finding that audience and marketing to them effectively can be a challenge. Each website has analytics that help with engagement -- especially as a starting artist. Each website has a best time to post, what content does best, how responsive people are and so on. These are things you can research but it will also involve just a lot of trial & error.

People were not always receptive to my work, I've failed 100+ times and I will fail 100+ more. Art and being a creative in general is a lot about failure and refusing to give up. If something doesn't work out, you have to adjust and try again. It's the blunt reality that I know a lot of us don't talk about, nobody likes to fail but when you create something new and original that's just par for the course. So don't be afraid of failure, it'll happen and it's okay. Just try again, there is no perfect time to put yourself out there. Remember set manageable goals and standards, take care of your body (seriously stretch and take breaks. Don't draw on pure white. Like take care of yourself you only get one body. Art is taxing labor) and ALWAYS ALWAYS celebrate your small victories.

It took me many years to get where I am at now, but I caught a lucky break after putting in a ton of work. Optimizing my posting time and staying extreme consistent was a huge part of my success. Marketing skills are your BEST FRIEND. Art is a lot of skill, luck and marketing. If you keep trying at it and working towards your goal eventually you will get it to work. The key is consistency, patience, and gradual growth.

I believe in you and every other aspiring artist, take that first step. Failure is nothing to fear, it's growth and experience points.

[laresearchette]

Wednesday, January 03, 2023 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: ISHURA (Disney + Star) I CAN SEE YOUR VOICE (Global) 8:00pm WE ARE FAMILY (Global) 9:00pm SISTAS (BET Canada) 9:00pm

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

CBC GEM YOUNGER (Season 4)

CRAVE TV THE EMPEROR (Season 2, Episode 1) THE TRAITORS UK (Season 2, Episode 1)

DISNEY + STAR HAMSER & GRETEL (Season 1) INCREDIBLE ANIMAL JOURNEYS (Season 1) ISHURA (Season 1, Premiere Episode)

MARLIES HOCKEY (TSN4) 4:00pm: Cleveland vs. Toronto

PWHL HOCKEY (TSN/TSN5) 7:00pm: Minnesota vs. Boston

NBA BASKETBALL (SN Now) 7:00pm: Bucks vs. Pacers (SN1) 7:30pm: Thunder vs. Hawks (TSN3/TSN4) 8:00pm: Raptors vs. Grizzlies (SN1) 10:00pm: Heat vs. Lakers

THE OTHER SIDE (APTN) 7:30pm: The Tillicum Health Centre in Nanaimo, B.C., has a dark history that has left spirits trapped inside its walls. Through traditional medicines and song, the team, alongside Lee's friend, brings calm to the angry history the building has endured.

SPIRIT TALKER (APTN) 8:00pm: Shawn collaborates with Knowledge Keeper Robert Hope in assembling a community teepee in Enoch Cree Nation. His spirit session brings forth words of comfort for a friend and insightful guidance from a loving grandfather.

CAUGHT! (Discovery Canada) 8:00pm/8:30pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Jewel thieves use their imagination for huge scores; ATMs face brutal assaults from heavy machinery to get to the loot inside; during a daring attempt to rob an armored car, one driver becomes a hero. In Episode Two, roadways and waterways are full of hazards, dangers and accidents waiting to happen; traffic cams, cell phones and dash cams get it all on video when sailboats crash into piers, a woman steals a cop car, and a cow-carrying convoy spills its cargo.

GOOD WITH WOOD (Makeful) 8:00pm: The three finalists race the clock to assemble a kitchen island with functional cupboards and doors; their handmade custom kitchen accessories may be a recipe for success and a path to the crown.

GHOST HUNTERS OF THE GRAND RIVER (APTN) 8:30pm: The ghost hunters visit The Grad Club at Queen's University in Kingston, where a local student helps them substantiate a century of lore and reports of paranormal occurrences on the campus.

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 9:00pm: Leafs vs. Ducks (SN360/SNWest) 9:30pm: Kraken vs. Flames

PAWN STARS DO AMERICA (History Canada) 9:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Rick, Corey and Chum wrangle some wild deals in the Lone Star State; the guys test-drive a 1968 Buick Riviera, become riveted by a blacksmith's anvil collection, and meet up with NFL legend Emmitt Smith.

THE HONEYMOON (Crave) 9:00pm: Adam whisks his new bride Sarah to Venice for a honeymoon, but Adam's gross best friend Bav tags along. A charming gangster Giorgio falls for Sarah, sending Adam and Bav across the border on a drug-dealing mission.

[psychicllamamagazine]

Transforming Waste Management in Orlando: The Story of Javis Dumpster Rental

Introduction

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, waste management plays a pivotal role. For cities like Orlando, where growth and development are constant, effective waste management is not just an operational necessity—it's a community imperative. Among the heroes of this narrative is Javis Dumpster Rental Orlando, a company that has been transforming the waste management landscape in Central Florida. With a commitment to excellence and https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/11h03frwqr&uact=5#lpstate=pid:-1 eco-friendliness, Javis has rapidly become synonymous with responsible disposal practices.

This article explores the remarkable journey of Javis Dumpster Rental in Orlando, the innovative strategies they’ve employed to transform waste management, and how they’ve built trust within the community. Ready to dive deep into this inspiring story? Let’s go!

Transforming Waste Management in Orlando: The Story of Javis Dumpster Rental

Waste management isn’t just about collecting trash; it’s about creating systems that promote recycling, reduce landfill reliance, and ultimately contribute to environmental sustainability. Javis Dumpster Rental has embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly. Founded with a mission to provide reliable dumpster rental services while prioritizing eco-friendly practices, they have shaped their operations around three core principles: efficiency, sustainability, and community engagement.

The Early Days of Javis Dumpster Rental

Every great story has humble beginnings. Javis Dumpster Rental started small but quickly gained traction by focusing on customer satisfaction and environmentally conscious practices. Their founders understood that the key to success lay in listening to their clients’ needs and continuously improving their services.

Understanding Local Needs

Orlando is a unique city with diverse neighborhoods and varying waste disposal requirements. Recognizing this diversity allowed Javis Dumpster Rental to tailor their solutions effectively. They conducted surveys, engaged with local residents, and studied patterns of waste generation across different areas.

The Rise of Eco-Consciousness

As more people became aware of environmental issues like climate change and pollution, the demand for responsible waste management surged. Javis responded swiftly by implementing green initiatives such as recycling programs and working with local charities to donate usable items instead of sending them directly to landfills.

Innovative Solutions for Waste Disposal

One standout aspect of Javis Dumpster Rental Orlando is their innovative approach to problem-solving. They didn’t just offer dumpsters; they provided comprehensive waste management solutions that included:

Single-use vs. multi-use dumpsters: Offering various sizes tailored for projects ranging from home renovations to large events. Recycling partnerships: Collaborating with local recycling facilities to ensure materials were processed correctly. Educational resources: Providing clients with information about proper disposal methods for hazardous or recyclable materials. The Services Offered by Javis Dumpster Rental Orlando

Understanding the ins and outs of dumpster rental services can be daunt

[enginehub]

A Beginner’s Guide to Maintaining Your Engine with the Right Spare Parts

Engines work tirelessly. Engines take on every challenge—heat, friction, pressure, and time, whether in a car, truck, boat, or industrial machine. Day after day, engines power our journeys, fuel industries, and keep the world moving. But like anything that works hard, they wear down.

That’s where engine maintenance comes in. Not just as a routine task but as a way to ensure longevity, performance, and reliability. And at the heart of maintenance? The right spare parts.

Some see engine spare parts as just pieces of metal, rubber, and plastic. But in reality, they’re the difference between a machine that lasts and one that fails at the worst possible moment. A vehicle that takes you home safely or leaves you stranded. A business that runs smoothly or suffers costly downtime.

Let us talk about why choosing the right engine parts is not a technical decision—it is an investment in performance and peace of mind.

Cost of Cutting Corners While Buying Engine Spare Parts

Picture this – You are driving down the highway and feeling the hum of the engine under the hood. Everything seems fine and suddenly a strange noise comes out from under the hood. A warning light flashes and the engine sputters, causing your heart to sink.

That is the reality of using the wrong parts. It does not happen immediately. However, subpar components wear down to cause unseen damage. A cheap oil filter might not catch contaminants properly. An inferior timing belt could snap prematurely. A counterfeit spark plug may lead to misfires as well as inefficiency.

It is tempting to save money by opting for cheaper alternatives. However, the long-term costs far outweigh the short-term savings. Repairs and total engine failures stem from inferior parts.

The Power of Genuine Engine Spare Parts

Each engine is a precisely designed system. Each part is made to fit and function in perfect harmony with the rest. The smallest mismatch can throw off performance. It can lead to inefficiencies and safety hazards.

Here is why genuine spare parts matter:

Perfect Fit – Authentic parts are designed to match factory specifications. They ensure proper operation without unnecessary strain.

Longevity – Superior materials mean longer-lasting performance. They reduce the need for frequent replacements.

Better Efficiency – Properly fitted components optimize fuel consumption, power output, and emissions.

Safety First – A poorly manufactured part can cause engine failure. It leads to dangerous situations on the road or in industrial settings.

Think of it like this: Would you trust a low-quality replacement heart valve in surgery? Probably not. An engine is the heart of a machine—it deserves the best.

How to Choose the Right Engine Spare Parts?

Not all spare parts are created equal. Knowing how to pick the right ones can save you from unnecessary headaches and expenses.

1. OEM vs Aftermarket – What is the Difference?

OEM parts are made by the same company that built your engine. They’re guaranteed to fit and function as intended.

Aftermarket parts are produced by third-party manufacturers. Some are high quality, but others cut corners in material and design.

Always opt for OEM or approved aftermarket brands with a solid reputation for critical components.

2. Check the Part Number

A slight difference in specifications can lead to compatibility issues. Verify the part number with the recommendations of the manufacturer.

3. Material Matters

Cheap metals and low-grade rubber degrade faster. They lead to early failure. You must look for high-quality and heat-resistant materials. These materials can withstand extreme conditions.

4. Buy from Trusted Suppliers

Counterfeit parts flood the market. They are indistinguishable from the real thing—until they fail. Purchase from authorized dealers or reputable suppliers to avoid costly mistakes.

5. Be Wary of Prices That Seem Too Good to Be True

If a deal looks unrealistically cheap, it probably is. Genuine parts come at a cost. However, they save you money in the long run.

Recognizing When Your Engine Needs New Parts

Engines do not break down suddenly—they send out warnings. Ignoring them can lead to major failures.

Signs It is Time for Replacement Parts:

Strange Noises – Knocking or high-pitched whining could signal damaged components.

Reduced Performance – Loss of power or increased fuel consumption.

Leaks or Unusual Smells – Oil or coolant leaks are signs of trouble.

Overheating – A failing cooling system or a faulty thermostat can lead to overheating.

Dashboard Warning Lights – Modern engines have sensors that detect failing parts—never ignore warning lights.

Catching these early can mean the difference between a quick fix and a complete engine failure.

Important Engine Spare Parts You Should Always Maintain

Certain parts require regular inspection and replacement to keep your engine in top shape.

Filters 

Prevent contaminants from damaging internal components.

Clogged filters reduce efficiency and increase wear.

Belts and Hoses

Timing belts control valve operation. They can cause engine damage if they fail. 

Serpentine belts drive essential accessories like the alternator as well as water pump.

Coolant hoses prevent leaks in the cooling system.

Spark Plugs and Ignition Components

Crucial for proper combustion in petrol engines.

Worn spark plugs lead to misfires.

Gaskets and Seals

Prevent leaks and maintain engine pressure.

They wear out due to heat as well as friction.

Engine Oil and Coolant

Lubrication as well as temperature control are important for long engine life.

Using the wrong type can lead to overheating.

The Right Way to Maintain Your Engine

Regular maintenance is not about replacing parts—it is about keeping your engine running at peak performance.

Follow the Manufacturer’s Schedule

Do not wait until something breaks. Proactive maintenance saves time as well as money.

Use High-Quality Fluids

The right oil along with coolant keep internal components protected.

Pay Attention to Warning Signs

Catching issues early prevents major failures.

Keep the Engine Clean

Dirt buildup can lead to overheating as well as reduced efficiency.

Trust Professionals When Needed

DIY repairs are great. However, some jobs require expert knowledge and tools.

Investing in Quality Pays Off

Your engine is more than metal and moving parts. It is the power behind your journeys. Treating it with care means reliability and efficiency for years to come.

The choice is simple: Invest in the right spare parts or pay the price later.

Your engine works hard for you. It is time to return the favor.