#kem too!

[kemendin]

Who are you?

[cookinary]

Reasons why you should vote for KEM-0N0

Propaganda for my blorbo for the @best-hifi-rush-character​ polls!

1 - They look like a mix between a cat and a dog with a dragon head LOOK HOW COOL THEY ARE

2 - They canonically make good pets AND THEY HAVE A CUDDLE MODE

3 - Their rythm parry attack is so goofy, it's literally just them screaming and it's called Plasma Roar how cool is that

4 - They are literally too fast for their own good, they go NYOOM so much that they get confused as to where they are, dumb dog cat dragon <3

5 - Look at dis face

Look at it

6 - Their snoot is perfectly boopable <3

7 - They're big enough to ride on dramatically into the sunset

8 - Imagine Chai getting one post-game and accidentally synchronising with it so that he has a little cat orb AND a BIG KEM-0RB following him, how fun would that be

9 - I was stumped on the design of Wolf Chai's hind legs until I took inspiration from a KEM-ONO's leg design and it worked like a charm (speaking of Wolf Chai, I haven't forgotten about it, don't worry! I'm just drowning under school work and it's burning me out)

We aren’t winning against CNMN, I know that, but please let my blorbo have this one?

[plokoonsdisapprovingeyebrows]

Last Line Challenge

Rules: in a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew) and tag as many people as there are words (or however many you like). 

I was tagged by @saengak ! This is not exactly the last line, I'm just gonna post the whole thing bc it's an epistolary excerpt kinda thing and I had as much fun with the formatting as the content lol.

===

REVIEW: BANDOMEER MINERAL RESOURCE SURVEY

Report Summary 39757 received 30.12.7901 C.R.C, Coruscant Galactic City University Press

System ID: MR-348-2874z ‘Meer’ System Status: Sovereign Tectonic Typing: VII (senescent) Atmospheric Typing: Type-I (oxy-nitro) Biotic Typing: VIII-E (significant environmental degradation)

SUMMARY Bandomeer is a terrestrial planet orbiting third in a system of eight around the main-sequence F-type star MR-348-2874z, code ‘Meer’, within the Meerian Sector of the Outer Rim New Territories. The planet lies within Standard Habitable Zone Alpha of its star. Sovereignty is held by the indigenous Meerian species, though was subject to historical economic exploitation by the Mandalorian Empire between 4233—6560 CRC and remains partially controlled by offworld interests through the current day.

Crustal geochemistry is bimodal, with a ratio of nearly 1:1 mafic oceanic to felsic continental crust. Bandomeer has been assigned tectonic typing VII (senescent), representing terminal stages to complete cessation of mobile-lid tectonics.

+++

This report was commissioned by Offworld Mining Corporation as a review of the available literature and survey data concerning current mineral resources on Bandomeer. It is not intended and should not be taken as a recommendation for any specific exploratory action. The authors received standard industry funding for this work, and are otherwise unaffiliated with OMC.

===

tagging @severeannoyance, @bitegore... anyone else who follows me that writes or draws or anything??? idk how many of you there are skjhdfjsh

[kemendin]

I adore everything about this, thank you so much for bringing this scene idea to life!

Sometimes I wonder just how much paperwork Quinn has to file in relation to the sith warrior just doing what they do

The last but not least of my commissions, @kemendin's Khel Sutek hitting up Quinn with those rolled sleeves of his, thankyou so so much for commissioning me, I had a blast drawing these two (and the mountain of datapads)!

[realitysucksgivemefictionalmen]

Gentle Love

As a warning this one shot has mentions of physical emotional and mental abuse. This is a self indulgent one shot for cathartic release. Need some soft loving.

This is also kind of a test to see if I want to turn this into a full fic. If you like this and want to read a complete story of this with background and a developing romance, let me know!

Because this is a one shot, a simple synopsis is in order to help better understand my OCs personality and issues. My OC Avery Wilson comes from a single parent household with an abusive father. She has experienced emotional, physical and mental abuse from him.

This one shot takes place pretty soon after Johnny came in and saved her. Their relationship is past friends at this point but not quite together and they are at the base. She has also met the others, so yay! Also, the way I wrote Soaps lines might be a little weird. I tried my best to write the words out in a way that so they sound like the way they are spelt out to best capture his accent. Please enjoy and tell me what you think!

*******

The bright florescent lights of the hospital room shine bright in Avery's eyes as she sits in the large bed. Her blond hair hangs in waves past her shoulders, clean with the help of the nurses. Her bright blue doe-like eyes are distant as she catches her reflection in the mirror across the room.

Her neck is wrapped in bandages and a black eye fully formed on the left side of her face. The freckles sprayed across her nose are covered on that side of the face because of it. Her gaze trails down toward her full pink lips. Her bottom lip is split though it is now slightly healed. She could feel the itchy bandages wrapped around her chest under the blue loose fitting shirt that was 3 sizes too big. Her wrists are also wrapped in bandages that stop at her elbows and under the blanket she wears a pair of comfy black leggings. All of her injuries are pretty much above her waist with some bruising around her legs.

It's been three days since Avery escaped her fathers abuse with the help of Johnny. She slightly smiles and it finally reaches her eyes as she remembers him sweeping her into his arms and away from her father like a knight rescuing the princess from the dragon. Though she was unconscious soon after he cradled her tiny body in her arms, weighing almost nothing to him, as his heart broke.

Avery is shaken from her self evaluation and memories by the sound of knuckles wrapping against the door frame. She looks over and sees him. Johnny. He leans against the door frame with his arms crossed and a bright smile on his face. He looks so handsome with his beautiful blue eyes and white perfect white toothy grin. His black mohawk styled with the sides of his head left unshaved and left an inch from his scalp. His facial hair, barely there, highlights his gorgeous smile blinding her more than the uncomfortably bright lights of the room.

Johnny is dressed comfortably in a black tightly fitted t-shirt, showing off his muscles as it strains against his biceps and broad chest. A pair of jeans wraps around his large legs and a pair of combat boots finish the look as he stands at an imposing 6 foot 2 inches. Dwarfing her 5’2 frame."I kem t' see if ye wanted t' get out o' here an' eat somethin' oder than tha' aful 'ospi'al food." Used to the Scots accent (though it still made her legs weak even in the hospital bed) she shyly smiles as he walks over to her. "Would ye like tha'?"

Avery hesitantly nods while looking shyly away to the side. The mans larger than life personality still overwhelms her. Johnny, though kind and joyful, exudes an effortless confidence that matches his size. His flirty nature never helped calm her nerves either, as she seems to always be a blushing stuttering mess around him.

He helps her out of the bed and into a nearby wheelchair, so gently, Avery almost cried. The way he treats her is a stark contrast of what she was used to at home with her father.

After he helps Avery in the wheelchair, Johnny gets behind and pushes her out the door and down the white sterile halls of the medical wing. They leave it completely behind them as they roll down the hall, the walls fading into the older and cracked concrete of the military base that is home to Johnny's team.

As they continue their journey, they pass by the occasional group of soldiers stationed at the base. Every time, Avery averts her eyes and hides behind her golden blond locks, unable to stop herself from being intimidated by the unknown faces while also being embarrassed about her current state.

Johnny notices and leans down to quietly murmur, "Yer okay li'l bird, Yer safe now. No one ‘ere will ever hurt ye. ‘Specially when 'Am around." Avery now hides her face for an entirely different reason as she flushes a deep red all across her cheeks and down her neck. She battles with the feelings of bashfulness caused by the pet name and the desire to cry from the kind words and safety they bring her. Because they came from him. Her protector.

They finally reach the mess hall where only a group of men sit at a table near the kitchen area. The room is small and cozy. With a few tables, a full open kitchen and a lounge area on the other side filled with couches and a pool table.

Avery's attention is brought over to the men at the table that Johnny pushes her to. When she stops, she is greeted with the smiles of Captain John Price, with his fishermans hat and mutton chops and Gaz, with his beautiful dark skin and twinkle in his eyes. Price is seated to her left while Gaz sits across the table. Besides Gaz sits Ghost, whose skull masked face is turned toward her as he greets her with a nod before turning to the paperwork on the table in front of him. Avery smiles gently at the trio and looks down at her fidgety fingers as she picks at her nails.

"How are you feeling?" Price says in his gruff British accent. He looks kindly down at the tiny young woman in the chair. She was small, especially while surrounded by the large men of task force 141.

"A bit better, still sore" Avery finally speaks after a quiet moment as if to gather her courage. Her voice is soft and melodic, which complements her personality and angelic appearance.

Sitting in between these strong, giant men, Avery looks like a wounded bird. Tiny and fragile in her bandages.

Price smiles at the poor young lady, turning to his tea and paperwork like Ghost. "That's good to hear."

"Yeah, especially since this idiot here couldn't stop worrying about you!" Gaz loudly spoke around his mouthful of food. He swallows and acts all serious and worried "I wonder ef she's okay. Do ye think I should sneak ‘er some chocolate? Maybe I should visit ‘er. I should make sure the staff are treatin' er right. How often are they checkin' on ‘er. What ef she's all alone n’ scared. The fuckin' doctor won' let me see ‘er again, said tha' ah'v been around too much n’ she needs te rest." Gaz's surprisingly accurate reenactment is cut off as an embarrassed Johnny slaps him on the back of the head.

"Away n’ bile yer heid ye wee bastard!" Johnny huffs at him, his accent making it hard to understand in his embarrassed anger. His ears slightly red as he argues trying to save face. "I was jus' worried about ‘er bein' all alone in a strange place!"

Avery quietly giggles at the men's antics as Price smiles fondly in his tea with amusement and Ghost ignores them as he usually does.

"Yeah yeah, it was adorable mate!" Gaz hells over to Johnny as the now bashful man starts putting together a plate of food for the still giggling girl.

Gaz leans over across the table to whisper to Avery as she watches Johnny. "He really was worried. When he wasn't with you and got kicked out of the medical wing, he was either pacing or beating the shit out of the new recruits." He laughs lightly at the wide eyed girl and the light blush forming on her cheeks at the information.

"Oi whatta ye tellin' er?" The Scotsman questions as he narrows his eyes at the Brit and sets the food down in front of Avery. He sits down next to her as Gaz shoves a large bite of food in his mouth and shrugs innocently.

Johnny's attention is pulled away from the smug Gaz when he notices the beautiful girl next him scarfing down her food as fast as she can.

"Whoa slow down ye wee lassie! No one is goin' te take away yer food from ye." He laughs out as the skittish young woman looks up and freezes. She chews for a bit, analyzing his words, before swallowing. Her eyes wide and innocent as she looks up hopefully at him with a hint of hesitation in her uncertain gaze.

"Promise?"

Silence

That one word was all it took. Paired with the pitiful expression of the injured and traumatized girl, that quiet pleading word made all four men stop what they were doing. While two of them stare at her with a mixture of sad and shocked gazes. Ghost looks at her with a grim understanding that only he shared with the poor little bird. Johnny on the other hand…

Johnny was livid.

After the shock, which he felt like a blow to the gut, all he felt was anger. Heat filled his stomach and heart as he fought off the instinct to go find the girls dead beat father and kill the fucking bastard. The monster who took pleasure in destroying the purest creature Johnny had ever met.

His girl, who now looks worried after the long painful silence drags on. And as she takes in the flurry of different looks passing across his face that finally settles on anger, her worry grows, afraid she said the wrong thing.

Johnny notices the wary look on his little bird's face and quickly forces his body to relax. He couldn't afford to lose his temper in front of the poor girl.

"O' course not. Ye never 'ave te worry about tha again. Ye will ALWAYS 'ave food sweetheart" Johnny coos at Avery and brushes a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"You sure?" She says wobbly, eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"O' course!" He replies gently, now cupping her cheek.

Avery leans into his touch and fiddles with the end of her shirt that falls just above her knees, fitting like a dress. It smelt comfortingly like Johnny and his cologne. She looks down as she practically whispers, "It's just," she looks up skittishly as she continues after a brief moment, almost scared, "you look mad."

Johnny takes her face in both of his hands now as carefully as he can as if she could break at the slightest pressure. "Not at ye little bird. Never at ye. Don' worry about me. Eat yer breakfast and afterwards, I'll take ye out te get some fresh air."

She looks into his eyes for a moment and then smiles before nodding softly in his hands. Tears now gone and her heart feeling light, she turns back to her breakfast without noticing the warm smiles the other three men share toward the pair, not so much from Ghost as only his eyes soften at the interaction. Then they grow serious as they all, including Johnny, think about the long journey the wounded girl will have to take to recover what her poor heart, body and soul was put through all those years. And then they think of the man who caused all of her grief and the fact that he still breathes air, even if he was behind bars. No prison sentence will ever be enough for such a horrible man.

They force the thoughts out of their head as they share looks of determination as the young woman smiles at her food, excited to see the birds later as she eats slowly, enjoying her first real meal in a long time.

His little bird will never go through anything like that again as long as they are around.

Johnny would make sure of that.

****

I hope you all like it and that it was good. Again if you would like more, please let me know, and I will consider turning this into a full on fic! Love you all! ❤️

[tarotbydelilah444]

pac: details about your future proposal 💍✨

Pile One | 🖤💍

Your person will be coming up with creative ideas on how to propose to you. They could possibly research proposals ideas on the internet or watch proposal videos to get ideas. They want this moment to be very special for the both of you. This person will be spending lots of money on making sure that this proposal goes as plan. They are definitely a planner and they pay close attention to details, so they plan to pull out all the stops for this engagement to be the best yet. They could be very wealthy and they will like to spoil you, so prepare to be spoiled with all types of gifts. Your person will try to keep this plan a secret from you and try not to make it too obvious, but I feel like some of you might already know what they are planning.

This engagement may take place out of the country. Your person may have planned a surprise trip for the both of you, or you already had a trip planned and this will be their perfect opportunity to pop the question. The proposal will likely be in a very private and intimate space where you and this person cannot be interrupted, or they may rent out a venue for the two of you for privacy. There may be candlelights, signs/decorations, band, and decorations involved. The vibe will be very calm and peaceful. This person may be a little nervous to propose because they want everything to go as planned and be perfect. They may ask the universe for a sign, if they should and I see them receiving confirmation. The proposal will be very traditional because this person is very traditional and conservative, so they will be well-groomed and dressed in a classic suit and they will expect you to be put together as well. You guys may have reservations for dinner and afterwards, they will get on their knees and present you with a beautiful, big, and expensive ring. This proposal will definitely shock & surprise you.You will most definitely cry and become overwhelmed with emotions, but you will be happy for the most part. You are very much in love with your person and you cannot imagine spending one minute of your life without them. You will be ready to start your new life with your fiancé. Your person will definitely be happy that they locked you down and they can call you theirs forever.This person is very possessive and determined to keep you forever because you belong to them in their eyes.

channeled messages | Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, Aries, stop looking, angel numbers, family issues, celestite, new beginning, planning behind your back, trying not to spoil the plan/surprise,“this a forever thing”, surprises, gifts, five senses, rented out, lavish proposal, Paris, France, Eiffel Tower, private dinner, and blindfolded

Song | Share My Life - Kem

Pile Two | 🤎💍

Your person will likely be working with your friends or relatives to plan this engagement. They could be asking for advice for how they will propose to you. This person will try their best to keep these plans hidden from you, but something might get revealed. You may think that something suspicious could be going on behind the scenes, maybe you may think your person is being unfaithful or hiding something from you, so you may spoil the surprise.

This engagement could likely take place on your birthday or your person’s birthday. It could take place near a large body of water, so they could propose to you on a boat. The proposal will happen near sunset or at night, under the full moon & stars. It will be in the summertime. Your person will be collaborating with your friends to plan this birthday celebration/proposal, so you friends and family will be in attendance. I don’t think you have an idea of what is happening behind the scenes, but you could be very suspicious of your person and could be wondering what they really been up to and you intend to find out the truth. Your person will confess some honest and raw truths to you about their feelings and emotions for you that they never expressed nor shown to you before when the propose. They will express their truth to help clear up any fears or suspicions you may have by revealing their true intentions. They will give a long speech in front your family and friends about how much you make them happy, how you bring so much joy and light into their life, and how they can be their authentic self with you. It will be an emotional & heartfelt moment for you & everyone.

You will feel very dumbfounded and relieved when you hear this truth from your person because you could’ve thought your person was being unfaithful or hiding things from you. You will accept their proposal and apologize to your person for overreacting and you will move on from the negative thoughts and feelings that plagued you before. You will look forward to the future with your person. Your person will be happy for the most part. They are looking forward to showing and proving to you that they love you and they are willing to work towards building trust and stability for this relationship to work out for the long term. They are extremely dedicated and devoted to you and the connection. They are all in!

channeled messages | Italy, gondola rides, surprise trip, friendships, new love, Sagittarius, Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, lighthouse, birthday celebration, sunstone, green eyes (someone jealous of your connection), confidence, “i want to commit to you”, I am not your exes. Stop comparing me to your exes!”, “you are so fine,” putting in the effort, and let go of your past

Song | Cupid - 112

Pile Three | 🤍💍

Your person may be at a crosswords when it comes how they will pop the question to you. They may not be good with communicating their feelings, but they want it to be fun and interesting in a way that you will understand how much they love you and want to spend the rest of their life with you.

The proposal will likely take place in a public setting in a country setting. There will likely be a singer & candlelights. It will likely take place at sunset or at night. your person will likely sing to you, if they sing or they could do a public announcement in the place that they will pop the question at. Your person will be very vocal and honest about how they feel about you. They will say whatever comes to mind because they aren’t really good at expressing their feelings, so that’s why they may dedicate a song/poem to you that helps them express their deep love and feelings for you. You two will likely kiss after they pop the question.

You will be overjoyed and elated about being engaged. You will find the engagement to be humorous and extremely creative. This will definitely be a dream come true for you. You will feel like your person was meant for you and only you. You will definitely be showing off your ring a lot and randomly announcing your engagement to anyone that will listen. You and your person may get married right away and then have passionate and satisfying sex afterwards. Your person will feel like you two are meant for each other. You are their one and only true love, and they cannot imagine life without you in it. They want to grow and expand with you for the rest of their life. They feel like they made the right decision in choosing you to be their forever partner. They feel completely lucky when they are by your side and they want to experience life with you through the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful. 

channeled messages | liquid courage, new beginnings, Gemini, Libra, Aquarius, Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, or Cancer, blockages, braids/locs, hater alert, true love, “I want to kiss so bad”, quickie, hope, and freedom, Las Vegas, casinos, sapphire, and spur of the moment

Song | Marry You - Bruno Mars

Pile Four | 🧡💍

Your person is very much in love with you and they cannot imagine a present nor a future without you. They don’t want to wait another moment to pass by before deciding to marry you. They plan to spend the rest of their life by your side and being the best partner and father/mother to your children. This person could have conflict with your or their family about being in a relationship with you, so maybe both families disapprove of the relationship.

The proposal will likely take place somewhere in public. It could happen at the beach, a country setting, or near your home, or a place where you first met. It will likely take place during the day time. You and your person may go for a random walk in nature, maybe it will be part of you and this person’s daily routine. You and this person may go somewhere and sit for a while and they could suddenly pop the question, but not before telling you how they feel about you in a loving and sweet way that will literally bring tears to you and this person’s eyes. If you and this person have kids, they could include the children in the engagement, or this person will propose to you because you guys recently find out you were pregnant. They will likely propose to you with a heirloom ring that’s been in their family for generations.

You will be overcome with emotions because of the engagement and pregnancy hormones. You have so much unconditional love for your person, and you feel so loved and nurtured by them. You feel like you can grow and create abundance with your person by you side. You will be glowing and beyond happy to have found your mate for life. You feel like you have found your home with this person, and you believe they are/will make an amazing father/mother to your children. Your person feels like a fool in love when it comes to you and the connection. They feel like they are walking on sunshine and the sun shines out your ass to this person. They feel carefree when they are around you. You awaken this person’s inner child or you make them feel like a child again. You and this person could have just entered into a relationship not too long after they decided to pop the question, but they feel why wait when they feel like they have found the one for them. This person will be bursting with joy and excitement as you agree to share your life with them.

channeled messages | pregnancy, mountains, nostalgia, flowers, garden, water, trust issues, herkimer diamond, Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces, Aries, Aquarius, and Taurus, soulmates, January, “I love you”, “I can feel this connection”, “I am completely in love with you”, family, 6-10 months of dating, “who cares what people think, I love you!” Song | Let’s Get Married - Jagged Edge

Hope you guys enjoy this pac reading. Don’t forget to comment, like, and follow if you enjoy this content & readings like these. Sending you love and light ✨🤍 - Delilah

[lauralot89]

"Now, sir, you can go on and arsk me what you want. You'll excoose me refoosin' to talk of perfeshunal subjects afore meals. I gives the wolves and the jackals and the hyenas in all our section their tea afore I begins to arsk them questions."

Did journalists actually used to write out accents phonetically or is Bram Stoker just doing this for fun

That 'ere wolf what we called Bersicker was one of three grey ones that came from Norway to Jamrach's, which we bought off him four years ago.

Charles Jamrach was a real wildlife dealer, most (in)famous for the time when a tiger escaped and grabbed a small child, who survived. This incident is now immortalized with a statue:

You could just do anything back in the day

He 'ad white kid gloves on 'is 'ands, and he pointed out the animiles to me and says: 'Keeper, these wolves seem upset at something.'

Thanks, Dracula, very helpful.

That there man kem over, and blessed but if he didn't put in his hand and stroke the old wolf's ears too!

Dracula is a Disney princess (countess) confirmed

anceterer

it took me like five tries to understand this

"Well then, sir, I accounts for it this way; it seems to me that 'ere wolf escaped—simply because he wanted to get out."

This one ain't been used to fightin' or even to providin' for hisself

Hence why Dracula had to lob him at the window like a basketball

well, then I shouldn't be surprised if the census is one babby the less

How is babby formed? how is babby formed how girl get pragnent

I shall take this cylinder with me, and then I can complete my entry on Lucy's phonograph.

Can't you only record like two minutes of audio on those?

Did you not get my telegram?

GREAT WORK, VAN HELSING

I flew downstairs and returned with it, taking care to smell and taste it, lest it, too, were drugged like the decanter of sherry which I found on the table.

For as much shit as I have deservedly given Jack "Medical Malpractice" Seward, I have to hand it to him, I would never have thought of that

I noticed that Van Helsing tied a soft silk handkerchief round her throat.

Professor, I hate to tell you this, but I think that vampires can bite through silk

I fear to trust those women, even if they would have courage to submit.

why though

"What's the matter with me, anyhow?"

QUINCEY MORRIS MY BELOVED

A brave man's blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble. You're a man and no mistake.

Everyone who meets Quincey is immediately in awe, as well they should be

I found Van Helsing with a sheet or two of note-paper in his hand

She wrote all that in two pages? How small is her writing

Do not trouble about it now. Forget it for the present. You shall know and understand it all in good time; but it will be later.

He can't keep getting away with this

What is it that's wrong with her? The Dutchman—and a fine old fellow he is; I can see that—said, that time you two came into the room, that you must have another transfusion of blood, and that both you and he were exhausted. Now I know well that you medical men speak in camera, and that a man must not expect to know what they consult about in private. But this is no common matter, and, whatever it is, I have done my part...I take it that both you and Van Helsing had done already what I did to-day. Is not that so?...if you may tell me without betraying confidence, Arthur was the first, is not that so?...

Quincey is the smartest character in this whole damn book

His very heart was bleeding, and it took all the manhood of him—and there was a royal lot of it, too—to keep him from breaking down.

Everyone's gay for Quincey

Whilst still asleep she took the paper from her breast and tore it in two. Van Helsing stepped over and took the pieces from her. All the same, however, she went on with the action of tearing, as though the material were still in her hands; finally she lifted her hands and opened them as though scattering the fragments.

This is fine.

Van Helsing seemed surprised, and his brows gathered as if in thought, but he said nothing.

The Van Helsing Standard

Letter, Mina Harker to Lucy Westenra (Unopened by her.)

WHY MUST YOU HURT ME IN THIS WAY

Mr. Hawkins has died very suddenly.

Oh for fuck's sake, Dracula (yes I know it wasn't him)

Forgive me, dear, if I worry you with my troubles in the midst of your own happiness; but, Lucy dear, I must tell some one, for the strain of keeping up a brave and cheerful appearance to Jonathan tries me, and I have no one here that I can confide in.

I'm dying (Just like Lucy! Heyo!)

[karineverse]

kane with a lil guy I took from a claw machine today🕊🕊🕊🕊

IDK HOW THERE'S THREE OF KEM AND I'M SCAREDH 😨😨😨😭😭😭😭😭😭

there's more kanes coming off the oven just wait and u will see 🦅🦅💥💥💥

Watch your toes, there's too many of them

[thelongestway]

Okay. I actually like how most of this turned out, but yeah, oof, this was one heck of a thing to write from a long-term structure perspective. Gonna have to write out the next chapter in full before i see if the resolution to this one really works; might need edits or parts re-shuffled later.

Chapter 15: Maze

ART and I both stared at the box, registering that both of our filters had activated. Its filters were making the human inside wear some sort of silvery jumpsuit under the opaque glass, and mine…

Mine were blocking their name.

Kes name.

ART drew its attention away from the box, which wasn't nearly as interesting for it as the obstacle course, and towards me, curling itself around me tightly in the feed.

We were bound to come across a horrible piece of history somewhere in here, it said. Do you want to go now? Your performance reliability is dropping.

No shit it was dropping. It was like all of the fucking emotions I'd had over the last couple of days came back all at the same time.

I wanted to go. Right now. And I also wanted to turn off the fucking box. (I didn't know why I wanted to do that. That human was already dead, really, that 1 percent was a fucking joke, why did they even waste electricity on this asshole?) I wanted to tell Iceblink everything I thought about her stupid fucking idea. And I also wanted to keep ART as far away from that conversation as possible, because there was no way it wouldn't come to the obvious conclusions and I was responsible for filtering that right now.

I was standing there, frozen and processing, until Iceblink tapped our feed.

*:･ﾟ✧ congratulations, you two *:･ﾟ✧! as expected, incredibly clean run! on my way to you right now, so I can let you out properly. also, i'm looking at the logs as I walk, and whoa, Perihelion, using environmental analytics like that? daaaaaaamn!

SecUnit's idea. However, it isn't a vulnerability the average attacker will be able to exploit, ART said in its teacher voice, still holding me. I'm afraid our solution won't be too helpful for your students. Was the last barrier your design, Iceblink?

the newest iteration, yes! i've been working on mastering some stuff the Friend showed me. and teaching others. we're so, so, so behind on programming in comparison to you all. >_< but Maize's Maze is always a good place for a field test!

Who the fuck puts a maze in someone's house? Great. Now I wasn't just angry at Iceblink for this shit. I was also glad she preferred text channels. Having so many conflicting emotions about one human sucked.

well, it was Maize's house too! ke was Courageous cluster.

Yeah, but ke's dead.

and that's the memorial ke wanted! not typical, but hey, it was Maize, so. give me a moment, i'm almost there

Do you want me to stop her from coming in? ART asked.

No. I'm fine.

The doors opened. And the first thing that Iceblink said, after very quickly averting her eyes, was, "Holy shit, SecUnit, are you ok?"

"I'm fine!" I said again.

Iceblink nodded and started typing again.

Query: analytics request? /worried

Denied.

ookay. right. i'll be here when you're ready. Iceblink sat down on the floor against a wall and connected her deck into the box with a wire. (There was an obvious, visible port there. Into the fucking cold sleep box.) This opened an unencrypted (well, besides the fact that it was wired) communications channel to her feed. And she was typing something into it.

No response, of course. (What sort of response was she even expecting from a frozen human?)

Why are you talking to the dead human? I said. (Because it was either that or have a very loud emotion at her, and I didn't want to.)

i always talk to kem when i come here. anyone who makes it through the maze gets rubber ducky privileges, and Maize is the best rubber ducky. also i like to think ke likes to hear the news in kes sleep.

You realize ke's never going to wake up, right?

yeah duh. it's a memorial. but ke's still asleep, technically. so i talk to kem. a lot of computer techs do. i run the maze every time i'm on the Courageous, just for that.

You completed the obstacle course just before we did, ART observed.

Iceblink wasn't looking at us at all. She scrunched up her face, staring into her feed glasses, lips pushed together in a tight line.

yeah. did a couple of fixes, too, with my new stuff. thought it was really lucky to meet you two right after so it could get tested by the best right away. She swallowed. clearly I didn't think something through here, because SecUnit looks like hell right now. I have no idea what's going on, but whatever the fuck it was that I did, I wish I could take it back. not worth it.

I was still standing up. But I remembered that I could be sitting, so I did that.

After about fifteen seconds, during which Iceblink typed quietly into the dead channel, I said: It wasn't you. But I can't talk about it with ART around, so I won't.

That's not a good reason. ART said. Call me when you're done talking.

And its presence dissipated, leaving me alone with Iceblink and the dead tech.

Wait, Peri-- crap, it's gone, isn't it. Iceblink turned her face even further away, to the other wall. Then she pushed up her feed glasses and dropped her head on her knees. When she spoke, her voice was muffled.

"Look, SecUnit, I'm not going to pry. I wanted this to be a--I don't know, a welcome? A thank you? A nice surprise? And it obviously wasn't. I'm not going to add insult to injury. I'm sorry."

"In what world does seeing a dead human count as a nice surprise?"

"Yeah, I know. I guess I don't really think of Maize as dead, even though I never knew kem before ke went under. That was way before my time." She gave a shaky sigh. "SecUnit, it was dumb of me, ok? I just really wanted you all to meet each other. Even if Maize is never going to come out of chronostasis. Ke would've thought you and Perihelion are incredibly cool, and from what I know about kem, I think you'd have liked kem, too."

Yeah, no, fuck that tech. Whatever kes name is.

"Why do you keep calling kem Maize? Dandelion and Aspen said kes name was Tal."

She snorted. "Burnables, remember? Ke had a lot of names. But Maize's Maze just sounds cool, so this one stuck in context."

"Give me a list. I need to filter them all for ART."

Iceblink turned her head, blinking at me in surprise before she remembered to look down.

"Shit! This is about the Courageous' story, isn't it? Wow, I was being a rot, I didn't even think of that, and I really should have! You were protecting Perihelion, right? I needed to invite you in alone, if--"

"No."

"Oh."

Ugh. I really didn't want to explain this, but Iceblink was always like that. She latched on to an idea until she exhausted it entirely. And I didn't want this conversation to be any longer than it already was.

"I would have still had the same reaction," I said, trying very hard not to have an emotion at her. "Because Aspen told me what your Tal did to the Courageous' AI."

"O…kay? Just so that we're on the same page here, which part--"

Look, I tried, okay? I really, really fucking tried. I thought I was doing pretty well, actually. But something about what Iceblink said got me, and I didn't even know what. But somehow I expected her to understand, and when she didn't, I found myself on my feet again.

"How about the fucking part where ke ordered it to protect its crew and then killed it because it did just that?"

"Ke didn't--"

"Yes, ke did! It's always the same fucking story with humans! You don't think your fucking orders through, and then 'oops! I've forgotten a SecUnit can't go more than 100 meters away from its client, or its brain matter gets fri-"

SecUnit, a very calm voice suddenly said into my ear. You are out of line.

Aspen didn't shut me down. They didn't even take over my inputs. Instead, I suddenly felt like there were hundreds of tiny, sharp blades hanging all around me.

I could move. I could move just fine, both in the feed and physically. They were letting me.

And if I took one wrong step, they would shred me into pieces.

"Wait," Iceblink said, also getting up, still trying her hardest not to stare at me. "That schematic you sent me--the brain control implant--that was--did someone do that to you?"

So much for seeing me just as another person.

[kemendin]

I like his tiny brow scrunch here

[gealach-in-a-misty-world]

Kembral Thorne is spending a few hours away from her newborn, and she's determined to enjoy the party no matter what. But when the guests start dropping dead, Kem has no choice but to get to work. She's a member of the Guild of Hounds, after all, and she can't help picking up the scent of trouble. She's not the only one. Her professional and personal nemesis, notorious burglar Rika Nonesuch, is on the prowl. They quickly identify what's causing the mayhem: a mysterious grandfather clock that sends them down an Echo every time it chimes. In each strange new layer of reality, time resets and a sinister figure appears to perform a blood-soaked ritual. As Kem and Rika fall into increasingly macabre versions of their city, they'll need to rely on their wits - and each other - to unravel the secret of the clock and save their city.

"Your life was always worth something, you insufferable fool."

Melissa Caruso's The Last Hour Between Worlds is an excellent magical mystery with a Groundhog Day twist, immaculate world-building, and a compelling relationship developing in a matter of hours. This first volume in a trilogy that promises to be explosive sets the scene for a story with clear stakes and memorable characters.

The main character and sole PoV, Kembral, is a great protagonist. On leave after giving birth to her daughter, she's quick to action and set on doing the right thing, even if it might mean not seeing her infant child again. She's a competent protagonist without being overpowered, even if she does have a special skill that sets her aside from the rest of her colleagues, but it's a learned skill, and she's not the only one to have it. Her dynamics with rival Guild member Rika are a delight, their shared past the real meat of the story, and Rika's an equally compelling character with secrets of her own. Their verbal sparring is fun and the way they set to work together a marvel.

This isn't a romantasy, the central mystery means they're on a clock, and the book balances that out pretty well. The supporting cast does a lot of heavy lifting, a number of colorful and interesting characters, each with their own voice and their own complex relationships. I especially loved the fiery swordswoman and her sibling, and I can't wait to see them explored more.

The worldbuilding is precise while not being overwhelming. It doesn't hand-feed the reader, but rather it allows to glean everything from context in a clear and concise manner. The Echoes, parallel universes of sorts, were especially interesting with their slighter differences the deeper one goes, and the Empyreans - functionally demigods - were appropriately eerie. The inner workings were clear if one is familiar with Faerie and fairy deals, spinning a familiar environment for the reader while doing something new with it. The Prime world had a lot of interesting dynamics and politics, too, which I can't wait to read more about.

The Last Hour Between Worlds is a delightful introduction to a new world.

✨ 4.5 stars

[You can find more of my reviews about queer speculative fiction on my blog MISTY WORLD]

[ele-sme]

She messed up the timeline!

sum: Au where Spider doesn't become friends with the sully kids, however, he becomes friends with another kid’s family, who treats him right. 

Eywa did not like the future.

Being omnipotent meant that she could see and hear everything, and that meant the future too, she could see the future, she created the future, but it was the destiny to guide it. She could create it, not design it, she could only see the destiny do their work.

But she indeed doesn't like the future ahead of the child she was watching. He was a baby, a newborn, still in his mother’s arms crying because he just came into the world his mother offered him. 

His cheeks were white (thanks to the fluids, although there was a bit of blood, and anyway they were beginning to be red) and he had his eyes closed, when he would have open them, they will be blue or grey, kinda like Eywa’s other children in the est cost. 

His skin was still covered in the birth blood and fluids, and he was curled to his mother firmly, an assistant tried to remove him, for the washing routine, but as soon as her hands were on this baby, he cried even more lauder. The must-be father of this child, rolled his eyes and made a sharky comment, and then got out of the birthing room. 

As the mother of the child handed over her baby to the assistant, tears were scrolling down her face. Humans were different from na’vis, they could do the act of mating with every person they wanted, and although they united their souls for all eternity in a promise, many times they break it. That is why Eywa dropped humanity, leaving themselves to solve their own problems, as revenge they now came to her new children’s world.

The baby stopped his crying, and he now was returned to his mother, who gave him a horrible name, Eywa did not like the sound of it, the baby curling on his birthing mother reminded the great Mother of an earth insect, araneon. 

Poor child, both his parents would have died in the following months, and his future was full of horrible moments, all thanks to another set of kids that weren't even born yet, and a child who could not bring herself to watch behind the baby human skin. 

But what could Eywa ever do? it was his destiny...

But...she is the great mother, she is Eywa! She can change his destiny!

The years flow, as always, he was now three years old, the humans give him the nickname Araneo but in English, he is such a beautiful baby, he gots blonde and curly hairs, brown eyes, and a contagious laughter. He could now run, and dance, and talk, and do so many things! 

His adoptive parents weren't the ones that were destined to be, Eywa might or might have not killed the both of them during the great war. 

it wasn't that much of a problem anyway, as the humans would have said, those two were “scum bags” or something like that.

Anyway, the couple who adopted him, was two very much nice womans, united to each other, they could not have a biological heir, and that was on Eywa, when she created humans, she didn't do them intersex like na’vis. At the time she didn't though it was the great idea it really was. 

Oh well, anyway, the day that he was destined to meet Kiri, who would have then led him to her brothers, came.

Eywa had to get in the body of Abeni, one of the mothers of Spider. 

it wasn’t complicated to spot him, he was playing ‘jumping’ in the hallway, not too far from the door. 

As she picked him up, the door of the lab opened, Kiri was in Jake’s arms as he was coudicing her to Grace’s avatar body. 

Luckily, Jake didn't know Abeni, so he simply ignored her. Altrought Kiri did everything in her power to see her, she was Kiri, she knew who she was under Abeni’s body.

Eywa needed to be careful with Spider, only a glimpse of Kiri’s tail could sabotage her plan. 

“Manga Spider, kem si nga new-” she tried to say whispering, the fact that she could only speak na’vi wasn't a problem, all of her children could understand her, plus Spider knew a little of na’vi. 

hey Spider, do you want-

“Yes, i want!” he said, even before she could finish her words, it was nap time so he would have accepted everything she would have said. 

he was anyway trying to look behind Abeni’s shoulders, to look at Kiri, the destiny was doing this act, but Eywa was smarter, she could easily point him to the other way, there was no way he could turn his head all that way. 

“who entered?” he asked with his tiny voice, but the mother was quick enough to enter, Abeni and jiā huì room. 

The walls of the room were of a beige color, the only color on them were from Spider little drawings and scribbles.

The main bed was at the center of the room, a big comfortable bed designed for two adult humans. The covers were of a light yellow and the pillows were as white as clouds.

Next to it, at the first wall there was Spider crib, built with wood of the burden hometree of the Omatikaya clan. The covers were light yellow too and there was a pillow that was orange. All in the box, toys.

And a big yellow bear? With a red shirt. As soon as Spider saw it, he became fussy, wanting to be put into the crib.

Eywa placed him delicately on his tiny bed, and he immediately went to grab the toy, showing it to the mother.

"Winnie bo!" He said, handing it over to her, at the touch it was comfortable and his yellow fake fur was funny to look at, this was a funny bear.

Spider then pointed to the magic box that made imagines move, the name television.

"Winnie bo!" he repeats

You can't disobey a child’s request, so she had to search for a way to open the television.

For her sake, jiā huì entered the room.

"Everything okay?" She asked, looking at her wife body with worry.

And Eywa obligated the body to nod, she knew that possesing it for this long would have taken great energy. And she could feel the legs ready to give out, she only sitted in the bed and pointed at Spider.

jiā huì looked at her son, and a loving smile came on her face.

The love of a mother was something else, a too much dangerous power.

Only a glimpse of her son and jiā huì began to smile, and he wasn't even biologically hers.

It was too complicated to describe, and the body was too tired.

Eywa let the body lay down on the bed, meanwhile before letting it fall asleep, she watched attentively as jiā huì put the silly bear, and as the body’s eyes closed, she could hear Spider giggles when the silly bear appeared on the magic box.

[stinklebug]

so recently i 100%ed hfr for the 4th time. and during the process, i thought, "hey, i know a lot of things about the combat, maybe i should make a list of tips that other people can use similar to the boss tips list i made back when i 100%ed the game the first time!"

so that's what this is! this also features tips for the bosses, because that old list has been Buried by now, plus i've learned a decent amount since then

this DOES contain some spoilers, by the way, but if you're reading this i'm assuming that you've probably beaten the game by now. figured i'd still give a heads up just in case, though

also! @bpmrush helped me put this list together! go say hi! she doesn't bite (most of the time) :]

and, of course, if you have any tips of your own you'd like to add, feel free to do so!

to start, here's some non-specific things:

parry health chip is your friend

pick me up is also your friend

stun is your bff (equip chips accordingly)

speaking of stun: korsica does stun enemies, yes, but she also doubles the damage you do to their stun meters. also she can physically attack enemies if she's close enough to them, and her typhoon does damage, too

korsica's ground jam combo pulls at least one enemy outside of the one you're using it on over to you, and can hit multiple enemies (it's basically just a less costly, more useful version of twin assault since it actually gives you a score bonus. even has some of the same animations)

macaron and peppermint's jam combos can also hit multiple enemies if you use them close enough, alongside korsica's air jam combo

if you have the shock jump chip equipped, peppermint's air jam combo can stun enemies you're not using it on

you can't parry during certain combos, but you CAN dash out of all of them if you're about to get hit

dont get intimidated or panic. remember, ur the coolest motherfucker around and u WILL destroy everything thats thrown at u

next, some enemy specific things:

magnet backstab sen-c0s when they go to place down their barrier generator, it'll cancel it

magnet backstab ses-103s, it lets you to attack them even while they have their shield up

when you magnet backstab the kem-n0, they'll attack you with their tail, so be prepared to parry immediately

if you run up to a barrier enemy before they get their barrier up, you can parry the barrier, leaving them unprotected + you can do a parry counter

make sure to use peppermint's cannon (her hold attack) against hg-0ms (the big blue fuckers) to break their barriers immediately, as theirs are stronger than other barrier enemies'

always be prepared to parry twice in quick succession when up against a kem-n0. same goes for the dm-et1l

when the dm-et1l summons the two random enemies, just ignore them and whale on the dm-et1l. the enemies will get despawned once you damage the dm-et1l enough

use korsica's air jam combo on vu-rev's, it'll put out their flames + it deals damage + stun + brings them down to the ground

you can use jam combos on an enemy while near z-shielded enemies to damage & break their shields

if you call in korsica or peppermint at the right time when an enemy's stun meter is broken, or perform a jam combo or special, you can attack enemies like the wa-es-2 when they're in their 'invulnerable' state and trying to pull you into a rhythm parry sequence

now, about those s ranks...

kind of obvious, but if you're struggling, equip the rhythm meter rush chip (though you won't really need it on the easier difficulties.)

jam combos > special attacks; they all give you a x2 score bonus AND cost less, meaning that bonus adds up more bc you can do them more often. plus you're less likely to miss. this isn't to say that you should never use your specials, though

you don't need to get the crown/violet s on every track for the "s rank all tracks on x difficulty" challenges, you just need a S

if you rlly need an S rank on a particular fight (or are just challenging yourself to get all S's), but you got an A instead, pause and back out to the hideout while the results for the fight are still up, then go back in. you'll get put back to the last checkpoint you hit before the fight (you can also use this strategy for no hit runs on the bosses, but instead of waiting to see your score you just do it immediately after getting hit)

use your partners often! just calling them in generally (esp multiple at once) gives you points!

remember to grapple and use air combos. the former gives a x1.2 bonus, and the latter gives a x1.5 bonus

try to use a variety of combos!

oh, and for rhythm master...

if you're not sure whether or not you can beat it, do what i did: go up against kale first. if you can beat the final boss on the hardest difficulty, you can do anything

remember how i said to have stun chips equipped? ignore that for this difficulty only. just use parry health and rhythm meter rush. trust me. you'll need them.

during segments where you need to wait (such as the beginning of the section where you have to break the brakes on the LIFT), do random combos. it keeps the meter up, regardless of whether or not you're actually attacking anything

as for the bosses...

korsica is only really useful against mimosa + kale, the others don't have stun meters

if you jump over qa-1mil's arm sweep, make sure it's a double. a regular jump won't be enough to dodge it

don't use specials or jam combos on QA-1MIL (unless you're using smth like power chord), bc it just resets him to his default pose with his fists back up, & jam combos take you to his chest plate which is a quick way to fall off or get smacked

don't go for QA-1MIL's face, just whale on his fists; it's easier and quicker

parry his fists when he slams them down for the parry counter + quick call in to follow up

if you use a special on rekka when she's going for the electric panel/pipes, you can cancel her out of it

when rekka goes to do her Big charge attack, position yourself directly in front of a wall; she'll run into it and get stunned for a bit

even if you think you're safe from rekka's grapple, you're not. dash.

the only thing you really need to worry about when it comes to korsica is catching her at the end, bc if you drop her your rank goes down by a metric fuck ton

do not only use korsica during mimosa's fight. this is a semi-common misconception i've seen, based off of a line in-game where korsica tells you to call her in. you need to call in the others and attack her yourself, too; all forms of damage are useful against her stun meter, just the same as with any regular enemy. korsica just doubles it

if you call in peppermint at the right time during the Lights Out bit in the second phase, she'll reveal mimosa's location to you immediately

you can parry the phase 2 (Vandelay Side Story) and 3 (Equalizer Wave) gimmicks when she sends out the wave to suck you into them, avoiding them entirely

don't be intimidated by roquefort. he hits hard, and his human phases are annoying, but he's not that bad. just do your best to parry everything

most ppl know this, but when he jumps out of the gold after diving into it, stand near the big metal fist. he'll ram into it and get stunned for a bit. (also you can parry him when he tries to swim into you)

you can parry kale's lightning attacks (including the electricity around him, though you have to spam for that to work)

if you stand near him during the second phase, it's easier to trigger the attack he does with the fists. just be ready to parry quickly, and note that it is still mostly up to rng. also don't constantly dash up to/around him, as it can cause him to get stuck dashing away from you

hey, what about the rhythm tower?

remember: pick me up and parry health chip are your bffs. so long as you have them, you will never need to buy any items during your run

specials that are mid-to-long range are best for this, since they can be used to clear an entire floor quickly

...aaand that's all we've got! hope you find this helpful! :]

and like i said earlier, if you have any tips you'd like to share that weren't included here, feel free to add them!

[lenamiyabi]

Miyabi's (mis)adventures in Hanoi

Lmao i love the title

Ok so, I went to the capital and this is what I have.

first of all, the hotel I stayed at? beautiful. service was a little bad, but honestly I'm fine with it. They seemed to be trying their best.

there was a map of old hanoi that i forgot to take a picture of :(

also, morning buffet was super cool

(horrible image quality lmao)

I was here to visit relatives. Well you know what? I've gone way off course because somehow I got a new book. Historical fiction too! My favorite.

"Trăm năm một bước hải hà" - From some artists on Truyện Nhà Ong

Also, kem tràng tiền. It is so good what. The store is built like an alleyway and the icecream is delicious despite the fact that I'm eating it in winter of all things. How am I this stupid.

[cb-writes-stuff]

Project Opal Masterpost

It finally exists! This will be updated frequently, whenever I post a new thing that should go on here. If something is red, then that means it’s coming soon.

What is Project Opal about?

Snippets

1: Opening scene

Loredumps and Worldbuilding

On Kem lon-Dalan; architecture in the Living District (it’s below the cut)

What do people eat in Kem lon-Dalan?

What landmarks are in Kem lon-Dalan?

How do I come up with words for Vandeth?

Keitalen, Geitalen; How Time is Measured in the Vandeth Desert

How are the Kemen governed? And what are the laws like?

What are the Gilded Palm and Enveil’s Company?

Map of Kem lon-Dalan

Religion in Project Opal, Part 1

Religion in Project Opal, Part 2

Religion in Project Opal, Part 3

Vandeth words for family members

Facts about Veuketzlind

Other Fun Things

Character sketches

Nauth character bio

Ven character bio

Lynn character bio

Mela character bio

Elvi character bio

Elial character bio

William character bio

Gloria character bio

Sils character bio

(Not related to Project Opal) Khione and Lila loredump

What are my inspirations for Project Opal?

What do the characters think of their bosses?

Progress Updates

Too many to list here. They have tiny bits of stuff I wrote, though, so maybe you wanted to go through them. You can find (hopefully) most of them here.

[xxxgeologyafterdarkxxx]

Spinosaurus tooth from the Kem Kem riverbeds in Morocco

-My best friend got me this for my birthday, she knows me too well <3-