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targaryenrealnessdarling · 1 year ago

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It's Who We Have | Part One

Summary: Who knew the little girl in the green coat would change everything? | Word Count: 5.7k~ | Warnings below the cut!

General Taglist | Billy Washington Taglist | Series Masterlist

A/N: The coat story is based on a real story that happened to me when I was in primary school. Also the age of consent in the UK is 16, and this chapter does mention being intimate at that age. If this bothers you, you're welcome to click away. Primary School = Ages 7 to 11, Secondary School = Ages 11 to 16, Sixth Form = Ages 16 to 18

Warnings: bullying, underage drinking, angst, mentions of sexual intercourse (reader is of legal age), Billy being a general twat

It started with a rain cloud.

It was at a time when he was still excited to be in the passenger seat of his Mum's old Ford Focus. When his enthusiastic little feet still didn't touch the bottom of the footwell. His curious, wide blue eyes watched the world go by, following the shadow of the car as it zipped by the older kids, who were trusted enough to walk to school by themselves.

Year 4 was no particularly exciting year. At the tender age of 8, Billy was highly introverted, but a perpetual watcher of other people as well as his immediate surroundings.

He noticed the little things that other people didn't, like how electricity hummed in the walls of his bedroom, how the space between the grass was worn down into a man-made path and how, on the dot, every night at 8pm a man walked past his house grunting down the phone in a low baritone, swinging his suitcase at his side with every wide step.

His parents noticed how perceptive he was when he'd slip away upstairs as he heard the metal click of the gate with Lana's late return home. Knowing that an argument was about to ensue between his sister and his dad.

His mum, intent on breaking up and being the buffer between two extremely large personalities, often neglected her quiet little boy upstairs. But it wasn't entirely her fault.

Lana, a teenager through and through, intent on creating hardship wherever she happened to be with her actions and words, was incessantly butting heads with both of them.

He could hear the low rumble of thunder even over the revs of the car. His mum always drove in too low a gear.

His mum laughed lightly when Billy looked up at the dark, looming cloud hanging over his school as rain smacked against the windscreen.

"Ooh dear. Good job you've got your raincoat, eh?", she smiled, turning her steering wheel to slide into the school car park.

"What did Miss Warren say it was called?", she prodded.

Billy could barely see his mother over the high collar of his coat.

"Cum…ulo…nimbus", he recalled from memory sweetly and quietly, making his mum's crow's feet tick against her eyes as she smiled.

"There's nothing to be nervous about, darling. It's just a new school year".

His mum's soft pat on his head didn't comfort him.

Though the same people would be there, it would not be the same teacher.

Miss Warren had seen how quiet Billy was and nurtured the few words she could get out of him. He remembers her fondly. How she had curly chestnut hair that one might describe as unruly, and always had a floral scent about her when she'd kneel next to him and ask if he could recite the last sentence of his book to her.

It was the only good thing about school, he thought.

Year 3 had been difficult. He didn't do well when he was forced to socialise.

Other children had thrived in regularly seeing others. Forming friend groups, squealing with delight on the playground and the girls giggling and whispering to each other about who they were going to talk to that day.

He held his mum's hand loosely at the gate, where the headmaster was filing the children of all years and ages into the main part of the school.

She knelt beside him, zipping up his coat as the rain pelted against the concrete.

"I'll pick you up after your club, okay?"

Billy nodded once, disappearing past the threshold of the school with a downwards gaze and a comically large bag hunched high on his shoulders.

It started with a rain cloud.

He knows now that it was silly, the reason his now best friend entered his life.

When he first saw her, she was on the verge of tears, standing to her feet and looking down at herself completely covered in mud. Her lips quivered, looking at the group of established friends with horror as they rushed away, their shoes smacking on the wet ground.

He hadn't realised he'd stopped until she took a sharp breath in, clearly trying not to cry, looking down at herself.

Her small hands tried to push the mud off her green coat, but only served to smear it around. He could hear her shudder her breath, frustrated, and began to whine with increasing volume. Her book bag, once blue, was completely sodden.

And on top of all that, rain continued to hammer down on them, which only made her more upset.

Billy fiddled with his hands nervously, looking around immediately for an adult, to no avail. Thinking with terror, that he might have to approach her.

It wasn't even because she was a girl. For they were at that tender age where it didn't matter. That they were just children, trying to figure out how to exist in a world that seemed brand new everyday.

He hiccuped on her own breath with tears as he stood before her.

"Are you okay?", he asked nervously.

She could only shake her head, her eyes full of fear, her face and hair completely wet through.

"My mummy's going to be cross with me", she replied feebly, looking down at her coat, though waterproof, completely smeared with earth.

At the time, Billy thought, he couldn't argue with that logic that she was so upset at the thought of what her mum would think when she came home, covered in half-dried mud, having been pushed by the rowdy Year 6's.

He also thought, that he hadn't seen her last year, and that this was the first experience she'd had in her new school. And that he, if in her position, would be no different. Snivelling and crying before they'd even taken the register.

He grimaced as he picked up her book bag, slick with earth and without thinking twice, took her cold, wet hand and led her with him to the toilets before registration started.

Billy's big eyes flitted between the signs for 'boys' and 'girls' when presented with the toilets.

He decided to spare her the embarrassment, and took it upon himself to lead her into the girls toilets, despite the heavy blush on his face.

Seeing the inside of the girls toilet, while not much different, felt utterly forbidden.

But all he could think about right now, was the little girl he'd led in, and how to make her look presentable, and to get her to stop crying.

He used what felt like a tonne of blue hand towels, wetting some to get the majority of mud off her and the rest to dry her coat, seeing the rich green colour beneath again finally.

She still sniffed quietly, rubbing her tired face and choking on her breath every now and then. He gave her one blue paper towel to dry the remnants of her tears, the tissue rubbing painfully on her skin.

But ultimately she let him help her.

And Billy couldn't remember feeling as useful to someone as he did right now.

Once her book bag was clean, he gently handed it back to her. And she finally lifted her reddened eyes to him, her lips still quivering slightly, or perhaps she was cold from the onslaught of rain.

"That's better"

She nodded at him, looking down at herself to see her coat was now only slightly dirty.

It was almost unnoticeable, her tiny, meek 'thank you'.

He held her hand in solidarity as they entered the classroom together. Coming alight when he told her where she could hang her coat up and sitting beside her, in line with the girl, boy, girl boy rule their new teacher had put in place.

It took her a few hours to warm up to him. To everyone really.

But he saw her again the next day, his feet swinging excitedly in the passenger seat of his mum's car at the prospect of seeing her again. The clouds Billy was scarcely able to pronounce were now gone, a light grey overcast instead on the early September morning.

Her coat was clean, a bright green as it was the day before.

She still seemed nervous as he bounded up to her, his curious eyes searching hers.

"Was your mummy angry?" he asked.

She looked down at her shoes, shifting her weight, not wanting to reply.

And Billy had his answer.

He watched her lift her head to meet his eyes again, her hands wringing together nervously and her voice all quiet.

"Can I sit next to you again today?"

Billy had grown out of hand-holding by Year 6, realising that he, as a boy, and her, as a girl, were supposedly from different worlds.

But it never felt like it.

Secondary school was daunting for all Year 7's. But Billy, tall for his age and towering over everyone else, felt more self conscious than usual that he stuck out so much.

His sandy blonde hair flopped against his forehead. Another measly early September, confined to a classroom to be patronised and talked at for several hours, passing the time only by making colourful cover pages in their exercise books.

"Billy!"

He couldn't help but laugh as she ran through the school gates to him, looking quite different in the secondary school uniform than he saw her last, which now felt like a lifetime ago.

Realistically, he only saw her the other week as they walked home together from the corner shop. Then, she'd been in jeans and a jumper.

Now, in her school mandated skirt and blazer, he thought she looked more like a young lady now than ever. And briefly, it terrified him.

The prospect of getting older.

The idea that they might drift apart.

He brushed her waved tendrils from her face, exhausted from the effort of running with her cheeks all flushed, with that squishy appearance that many associated with Year 7's.

If anyone didn't know then both, they'd think they were in different years.

"Got 'em?", he asked with a lazy smile.

She rolled her eyes, rifling around in her bag, "Um, yes? When do I ever disappoint?"

He laughed as she ripped three Starbursts from her packet and piled them in his hand, "Only three? Thought we were mates".

She gave him a look, popping one into her mouth, "You are my mate, hence why I gave you three".

They walked together, collecting their timetables for the term ahead, rolling the sweets around in their mouths.

"I don't get these room numbers", she mused, "have you got science in S27?"

"Yeah, Mr White".

"That's alright then, I'll just follow you".

"Don't follow me, I've got no clue where I'm going either".

She smiled widely, "guess we'll get lost together then, eh?"

He let out a puff of air in laughter, tugging lightly on her ponytail in soft teasing, "bad luck to be late to your classes on the first day, ya know".

"Well then they should have a map", she pouts, smacking his arm lightly.

Looking back, he wasn't surprised how close to her he felt. For as pre-teens edging that fine line into puberty, when everything is confusing, new, scary and exciting all at the same time, he saw her more often at school everyday than he did his own parents.

She was a constant.

Most days they'd walk to school, spend break times, lunch times, and even the twilight hours after together. Always chatting mindlessly about whatever teenagers did talk about.

It was difficult to address though, that the older they became, the more the powers that be were intent on separating them.

Girls and boys weren't meant to be friends.

They were meant to like each other, hold hands, blush and kiss each other.

They were meant to have different classes, teaching different things. Boys were taught how to keep themselves safe from STIs, and the girls were taught about their monthly cycles, though many of them had started already, as well as how to prevent pregnancy when they were on the cusp of exploring their intimate, sexual selves. With hormones raging so hard that they couldn't think straight.

They were separated for PE. Even in the subjects they were offered to take.

It felt like everything was against them.

And in this forced separation, Billy was then forced to make friendships in other boys, as shallow and surface value as they were.

He felt as if he'd been missing out on this part of growing up, as he sat against the wall at lunch listening to his mates harp on about mindless teenage things. Like who was going to lose their virginity next, and if their parents would find out if they found out they'd swiped a packet of fags from their mum's handbags.

It wasn't like they didn't talk anymore.

There were the summer holidays, where more often than not, he found himself on her doorstep, asking her Mum if she could come out.

And she always delighted in seeing him. Even if it had barely been 24 hours since the last time.

But with the highest of highs, came the lowest of lows. And September would inevitably roll around again.

He sometimes saw her on school grounds between classes, having done the same thing and forced herself to make a group of friends. Though it was as clear to him that she didn't have anything in common with them, and just smiled and nodded at anything they said in an attempt to not show on her face how lonely she was.

She was solitary in nature.

And when he glanced at her across the assembly room, where the foldout chairs were lined up so everyone could eat, her eyes were distantly looking at her hands clasped in front of her, idly picking at her cuticles. Her friends were turned away from her, chatting with wide smiles and booming laughter to themselves. Making plans and giggling at inside jokes, all while her sandwich laid untouched rolled in cling film in front of her.

He thought, she must have been able to sense someone was watching her, as she moved her head. But never looked at him.

While Billy's friend group stayed with the usual characters, hers evolved. And every few months it was a new cast of people.

He saw she made the effort, and really tried, but that with every passing day, her energy wavered and eventually they'd grow bored of her and pretended as if she didn't exist other than to fill the empty seat beside them.

But he still walked her home, even if she said she didn't want him to. In silence if need be.

Eventually he began to notice, more so now than ever, that she was really a woman in disguise. That she was wiser than he thought she was, more grown up. That she thought about the future ahead of her and was careful to take calculated steps in order to get there.

At the fair age of 16, Billy, his features set into crisp lines, hardened by puberty, his muscles sitting wiry on his skin and taught without really having to try, realised that he had done her a huge disservice by merely accepting this forced separation with a stiff upper lip.

That she needed someone true and gentle, honest and no-frills. Something her girlfriends were unable to give her.

That she wanted someone to try for her friendship.

As he had all those years ago.

They began to take the long way home, through the gap in the hedges, into Cranstead Fields, the tall grass tickling their legs through their uniform.

"Are you embarrassed of me?" she asked suddenly, pulling her hair tie out. Billy's eyes ran over her loose hair for a moment before replying.

"No, why?"

"Because we barely talk to each other in school anymore", she replied, unable to hide the bitterness from her tone.

He had to accept that her words were true. They rarely crossed paths inside the school gates, and their conversations in between were shallow and empty, void of all authenticity and emotion.

It wasn't enough to have acceptance from one teenage girl, apparently.

But he didn't appreciate being called out so callously about it.

"Yeah, well I've got my mates".

She laughed through her nose, "Yeah, saw you smoking behind the bike sheds. Gonna get you killed one day, you know".

He furrowed his brows at her, "Smoking?"

"No, your mates"

She laughed at his confused expression, "course I meant smoking, you wolly".

There was a silence between them as they brushed past the white painted lines on the field, where a football pitch had been drawn.

"I don't mind you having mates Billy. I just miss you".

"Really, cos it seems like you do mind", he bit back. And he watched her raise her gaze to him quickly, "just cos you don't have mates doesn't mean I can't".

Her lips hung in shock that he could say something so cruel.

And that he carried on.

"Do yourself a favour and do what other girls do and get a boyfriend or somethin'. Save you hanging about with me moaning all the time".

He didn't feel bad about it until the moment she disappeared past her mum at the front door of her house, intent on being away from Billy's harsh words as quickly as possible.

"Tell your mum I said hello, love", her mum smiled.

But as soon as the door was shut, even the thick double glazing couldn't muffle the loud, destructible tirade of her mum's anger.

And he felt the hot whips of panic at his neck, that he'd done and said something wrong.

And yet, despite that, never said sorry for it.

Billy thinks now that he remembers the most from this part of their friendship because the most happened.

But he realises now that it's because of guilt.

It follows you, like a kind of trauma through your life, without the repercussions of the person you've hurt.

And god, he watched her get hurt a lot.

After that, she didn't even really try. She flourished in solitude, keeping herself company wherever she could while Billy and his mates reaped the benefits of being young and dumb.

It was also when he appeared. Like a fucking virus. Always finding people when they have their guard down and their hearts low.

Even though they were in the same year, he had this air of arrogance about him that he thought he was much older, more sensible, and could be taken more seriously.

And with the absence of Billy in her life, she accepted any chance of feeling wanted with open arms.

She wanted to feel important to someone.

Billy would never forgive himself for that.

He simply watched from afar, not realising how invested he was, more often than not from the bike sheds as the boy who was trying too hard wound his web so tightly around her it must have felt comforting for her to some degree.

To be choked by affection, to some, is a kind of affection.

After Easter break, having not spoken to her directly for some months now, Billy had realised something had changed.

The boy who had wound his web tight, seemed to do so with plenty of others too. As boys of his age were known to do.

She'd rush out of school so quickly, staring at her feet, that often she was the first one out the gates and Billy, even if he'd wanted to, couldn't keep up.

He knew where she was going anyway.

He was assured when he saw her leaning her head on her arms crossed over her knees, under the large chestnut tree at Cranstead Fields.

She heard him approach, and turned her head away, sniffling quietly.

He swallowed over the lump in his throat as he sat beside her, not speaking.

And a long, long moment passed. As if all that time apart had lessened that trust, and it would take more than a mere moment to patch it back up.

"Is it him?" he asked.

Her clothes rustled as she nodded. Her breath hiccuping in her chest the same way it did when he saw her all those years ago, covered in mud.

"What happened?"

She wiped her face with her sleeve, a bit of makeup coming loose.

"What do you think happened", she bit back, annoyed and heartbroken all at the same time.

He briefly forgot, that for girls it sometimes felt like more, like so much more, to give yourself to someone for the first time.

Only to have the trust squashed as quickly as it was to slam a book shut.

She sucked in a breath as he stroked her back comfortingly.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

After a moment, she raised her eyes to him, all red and puffy, her face all hot from crying.

And he felt his heart break for her.

Behind this girl, who was suffering in heartbreak, believing that her first love and first time had now been entrenched in misery, he caught a glimpse of the girl she had been, when they were inseparable.

He tutted, "Come here".

He bought her head to his chest softly, his hand drifting to her shoulder to encourage her to hug him, to let it all out.

And she did.

She hugged him tighter than she ever had before.

A teenage boy part of him felt embarrassed. But another, fought to stay here like this with her.

Until eventually she said pitifully, "I don't want to go home".

And he realised that it wasn't just the boy she was upset about.

Luckily Billy's mum delighted in having her around at his, even offering that she could stay if she wanted to, as Lana was away at uni and wouldn't be using her bedroom til the summer holidays.

And though he could see his friend was tempted, she mostly refused, knowing that at some point she'd have to return home. To what version of her mum, she didn't know.

But it didn't mean she never took them up on the offer sometimes, when things were really bad.

Yes, he got teased endlessly by his mates.

But it didn't matter. Because he felt like he had her back.

Sixth Form proved to be a happier time for both of them.

It felt more free, laid back than the shackles of secondary school. Hindered by school uniform and calling the teachers 'sir' and 'miss', here it was all backwards they thought.

The prospect of free time to a bunch of excited teenagers, on the cusp of adulthood, was exciting.

He felt like it was just like old times.

They sat together in the common room in their free period, sharing the cheapest thing they could get from the canteen, which was four flimsy slices of toast. That and an orange Fanta from the vending machine.

They'd both somehow formed into new people over the summer holidays between Year 11 and Sixth Form, wearing different things every day and giving each other a glimpse into their truer personalities.

At first, it was just two of them.

And eventually four, then six.

A solid friend group.

She had two girls at her side most of the time, Libby and Ami. The first blossoming Billy would ever witness of his friend into womanhood would be the way she formed these friendships so naturally, in contrast to the shallow ones she'd had in secondary school. Which now seemed so long ago.

He had his own mates of his own sex. Ami's twin brother Abi, Harry (who's real name was Barry but never told anyone) and the most recent addition to the group, Paddy.

It was a friend group of the truest intentions. They laughed, joked, and were never far from one another. Many nights they spent at Cranstead Fields, huddled under a tree, passing bottles of WKD around and some horrendous smoky whiskey Paddy had managed to steal from his dad's liquor cabinet.

But there were special moments where Billy and her would just sit and observe, nursing a bottle between them.

"Bet you Libby and Abi are necking each other off by 1", she smirked, gesturing with her head to them as they sat together across the grass, Libby inching herself onto his lap with every swig of alcohol.

Billy laughed, "I don't think I need to bet on that", he replied, pushing the hair off his forehead as it touched his eyelashes.

"You need your hair cut", she smiled.

He gave her a look, "Who do you think I'm trying to impress?"

"I dunno", she shrugged, "you never tell me who you've got your eye on".

He pushed the WKD into her arm and she took it, smirking as she sipped it.

"I suppose…there's a girl a year up…", he murmured.

"See! I knew it!" She exclaimed, "Wait, Year 13? Who? Tell me".

He rolled his eyes at his friend's curiosity, "Rebecca".

He laughed when she scrunched her nose in disgust.

"Her? She's been out with a few Year 12's, hasn't she? Proper little cradle snatcher".

Billy laughed, louder than he anticipated, and when he opened his eyes again, his friend was already looking at him. Her eyes all glazed over with the amount of alcohol she'd had already.

"Leave off. You asked", he grins, blinking quickly once he feels his head clouded with dizziness.

"Well", she passes the drink to him, "I wish you luck, you'll need it".

They briefly look back to Libby and Abi, who are now embroiled quite blatantly in kissing one another, Libby nestled in his lap and her hand at his jaw.

In the distance Paddy kicked a ball around with Harry, as Ami watched between them, not an ounce of sexual tension between them.

Their knees touched and both quickly looked at each other, as if horrified that they hadn't realised how close they were.

It was dark in Cranstead Fields, but she felt she could see the way his eyes reflected the distant street lamps, how they seemed to fit over her face, and how he pressed his lips together and swallowed nervously as he moved a piece of her hair from her face to tuck safely behind her ear.

Was is the alcohol? This weird feeling in both of their stomachs? The airiness in their heads?

Was it only now that he saw that she had nice eyes? That he could see the contours of her collarbone, and the curves against her skinny jeans?

That his friend, was a young woman.

He only remembered sighing against her lips, turning his head to the side as he pressed against hers. How small she seemed compared to him.

She tasted of cheap vodka, but then again, so did he. And he wasn't entirely paying attention to the taste of her, but to the feeling of her.

It wasn't either of their first kisses. But it certainly felt like it.

He felt his chest go tight as her hand moved to the front of his hoodie, holding the fabric in her palm, as his tongue parted her lips.

When they pulled away, he still felt her presence on him.

Her hand slowly slipped from his chest, her eyes looking at him with trepidation, her lips kiss-bruised and swollen. Both of them looked at one another, unsure what to say, and trying form words over the whirring and melting feeling of drunkenness in their brains.

"I, uh…I should be getting home", she said quietly. And Billy nodded, now drunk on another feeling that had taken root deep in his chest.

He saw her off at her doorstep, hands deep in his pockets, not knowing whether what they'd done should be addressed or not. Or whether their brief kiss was the result of simply having too much to drink too quickly.

She had her answer though, when Billy turned up to Sixth Form the Monday after, hair trimmed, with his arm loosely around Rebecca's shoulders. He spoke to her closely, making her laugh and stroking her hair behind her ear, as he had done to her the Saturday before.

Though they remained close. Remained friends. There was an air of something unsaid.

Something that appeared whenever she saw him with her. Pressing his lips against hers, threading his fingers into her long, perfect hair and keeping one hand perpetually around her thigh.

When Rebecca, or Becky as Billy lovingly called her, finished her A-Levels to move onto Middlesex University to do Psychology, she felt horrible that she was relieved she was gone.

Felt that she had him back, even if it was only sometimes.

She knows now, that nothing good lasts forever.

She thought he'd be happy for her, when she got her UCAS email that she'd gotten into her first choice of university in Manchester.

But he always managed to surprise her.

"The fuck are you going to uni for? And so far away as well, you don't even know anyone there", he almost barked the words at her, not wanting to admit that his heart was hurting at the way she looked so wounded at him.

"So what? It's the course I wanted to do and-"

"And what? You just gonna leave me here doing fuck all, are you?"

"You can do what you like, Billy!", she shouted back, matching him now in frustration, "I'm sorry that I am pursuing what I want to do!"

Don't leave me behind.

Please.

"What about your mum? Hm? You just gonna leave her on her own?"

She scoffed, "my mum doesn't give a fuck where I am half the time, you know that".

"Yeah, I'm feeling like I don't really know you at all lately", Billy muttered under his breath.

"The fuck is that supposed to mean? I wasn't going to just forget about you. I'd come visit and-"

"You know what, forget it. Do what you like, I don't give a shit".

She stood there, taking his words like hits. Each one hurting more than the last, opening the hole inside her wider.

She thought, he must not know what he's saying. She never knew Billy to be this cruel, apart from in secondary school.

But he was young then, he was smarter than that.

Wasn't he?

Her eyes filled with tears, blinking quickly, taking a step back from him like he'd burned her.

She tried her best to remain strong on her face.

"Just because I don't want the same things as you, Billy, doesn't mean it's pointless".

When Billy just stood there, mouth half agape, like everything had just caught up with him, she shook her head.

"Keep in touch, if you can be bothered".

She said it as coldly as she could, not looking back as she walked away from him, quickly wiping her cheeks. With each step, the pit widened in her chest. Feeling as if the string that had inextricably connected them since that fated day in Year 4, was prone to snapping irreparably.

His words rattled around in her head the entire journey to Manchester. How horrible they were. And how a person she'd considered a friend, could speak to her like that.

After everything that had happened between them.

Moving to a new city didn't feel like starting over. It merely felt like burying something at the bottom of the garden, the grass disturbed, and having to look at the patch of earth as a reminder of what once was.

It was hot again in London.

Billy stared at his phone for most of the evening, waiting for a text from Becky, to tell him that she was moving back in, or that she'd thought things through and decided not to move out.

No such text arrived.

"Put your fucking phone away or I swear to god I am funnelling this pint down you, like it or not", Paddy laughed as he slid into the booth, sliding one pint over to Harry and the other to Billy.

"He's still moping", Harry smirked, which earned a glare.

"Becky again?" Paddy prodded.

Billy sighed, clicking off his phone and turning it face down, "None of your fucking business".

"Woahh! No need for that, is there? C'mon, get it down ya"

Each of them took a healthy sip of their pint.

"You too, don't be on your phone!" Paddy nudged Harry, trying to get a peek at his phone.

"Fuck off"

Paddy grinned, "Aw, is it a girl?"

"No, it's fucking Abi, you twat".

"S'alright, we don't judge, do we Billy?"

Billy grinned over the rim of his glass in response.

"He coming?" Billy asked.

"Yeah, apparently with Libby", Harry replied, thumbs moving quickly over his screen, "we'll facetime Ami later, when she's awake".

Both Billy and Paddy's eyebrows raised as they looked at each other.

"Together?" Paddy prodded, but Harry only shrugged.

The local pub was mostly empty, with most people outside trying to catch the last bits of sunlight, and getting mauled by mosquitos in the process.

For the most part, Billy watched Paddy and Harry with a smile on his face at how they teased each other talking about trivial things like football and what the hell was going on between their two old friends who kissed in Cranstead Fields all those years ago.

It was a good distraction.

But being with them, made him think of her.

Paddy leaned over, eyes on the door of the pub, "there they ar-oh shit".

Billy furrowed his brows, "What?"

His friend was about to open his mouth again, but it was interrupted by Libby poking her head around to the booth, "Hello! Oo, it's like the gang back together, isn't it?" she smiled.

At her side, Abi, who slid his hand around Libby's waist.

Billy opened his mouth to say hello.

But then he saw her.

And his mouth went completely dry.

He saw her eyes scan the opposite side of the booth, smiling at Paddy and Harry first, and he swears his heart drops into his stomach as she shifts her gaze to him.

The smile on her face falters.

But not completely.

She catches herself halfway, and it resurfaces.

He can't help the way he studies her as well, like she's a whole new person. Wearing a summer dress with a denim jacket hung on her shoulders, hair down. Her features have matured, but she continues to keep that glimmer of mischievous youth in her eyes.

It was like seeing her for the first time.

"Mind if I sit?"

Billy Washington Taglist: @fan-goddess @assortedseaglass @chainsawsangel @xxxkat3xxx

#billy washington x y/n #billy washington x oc #billy washington x reader #billy washington #billy washington smut #billy washington fanfic #billy washington fic #billy washington x you #trigger point billy washington #trigger point series #trigger point fanfic #trigger point bbc #ewan mitchell #ewan mitchell characters #billy washington fluff

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frankiesmileshow · 1 year ago

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Crystal Project Review

Ive been having a lot of fun with Crystal Project, a well made FF5-inspired RPG. The combat is very tightly designed and the exploration aspect is top notch. The art style put me off a bit at first, but I think it grew on me over time.

The game does a great job of slowly uncovering its breadth and letting you break its sequence through curious exploring. Lots of fun to search every part of its gigantic map for secrets. This is a game that loves hiding secrets within secrets within secrets. You might even occasionally stumble into a late game area, and exploring carefully could lead to finding items meant for the end of the game, giving your party a significant early game boost.

Exploring will often lead to surprise optional boss battles that are completely out of your league - but dying has few consequences in the game (you just lose a bit of money) and dying from bosses has no consequences at all, so you rarely feel truly punished for having explored too far, and its always worth it to have a peek at a boss battle.

Don't expect too much of a story. There is one, but it keeps a very light touch, this is mainly a game about exploring and fighting monsters. It does have characters and some personality, but dont expect something dense story wise.

It manages to avoid feeling like an open world game - it feels more like a linear game that just lets you break out of the confines of its intended path if you explore enough. It strikes a very good balance between having direction and having freedom. The world map just keeps expanding as you play, leading to many little shocks about the games' scope, a feeling you might be familiar with if you played Elden Ring.

The games combat uses a very well balanced, strategic system. Battles give you a lot of information to let you choose your actions carefully - you can see any enemies' next action in advance, and you even know who the enemy will attack next (notice the dotted lines in the screenshot above). Manipulating the enemies' current target is actually one of the fundamentals of the game- enemies choose their next target based on a "Threat" system which is entirely open to you as you fight, and many classes have abilities to help you manipulate this. Some class abilities also depend on the current threat state of a character - for instance, the rogues' many powerful skills only work if they are considered an enemy's bottom threat, and will otherwise always miss, which requires careful actions on your part.

The class system will be familiar if you played Final Fantasy 5 - you obtain new classes by exploring the world and finding large crystals, each unlocking a new one. The classes set a characters' stat growth on level-up, equippable items, main abilities and all have a unique "Innate passive" which are usually quite powerful (for instance, the base Cleric class receives a significant boost to all healing spells).

You can also add the abilities of a secondary class to your characters' moveset- like adding a clerics' healing spells to your Samurai. There is a lot of fun to be had mixing one class's abilities with anothers' passive boost - for instance, one class has an ability which makes the first action this character makes in a battle always target All enemies or All allies, allowing you to either massively boost your whole party or nuke the enemy party with a powerful spell usually meant for a single foe.

There are also passive abilities you can unlock from any class and assign regardless of a characters' current class, limited by a point cost system. These can range from a boost to max HP, to adding a poison effect to any weapon attacks, to allowing your character to equip a shield regardless of their class.

You can get very creative with the games' class system, there are countless ways to mix and match character abilities and classes to figure out some powerful strategy. The endgame has several challenges that might require you to make custom party setups just for them, turning the combat system into something resembling a kind of puzzle - though one with many possible solutions.

Boss battles have a way of feeling like a desperate struggle of improvising as your strategy falls apart - then winning by the skin of your teeth. This happens a lot. At least half of the boss battles for me ended with most of my party dead, and being one or two turns away from a full wipe-out.

I think the only real misstep is the games' analogue to chocobo breeding, introduced at the very end of the game. It feels tedious, I gave up on it after an hour of wasting my money on food for the creatures and not getting anywhere. Luckily it seems to be completely optional.

All in all I recommend it to anyone who likes FF5 and who likes RPGs that have a focus on exploring. Visually it might look a bit basic, but underneath that is an extremely robust game.

#game development #rpg #indie rpg #crystal project #final fantasy #final fantasy v #game review #video games

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x-transparency-x · 5 months ago

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What personality type is Chirin from Chirin no Suzu / Ringing Bell?

Hello fellow reader. You're probably familiar with the 16 personality types. I've watched Chirin no Suzu / Ringing Bell several months ago and rewatched it recently and wanted to find the personality type the main character Chirin most likely has. I'll be primarily using the book, Sanrio adaptation and to a lesser extent the Kamishibai adaptation as reference points.

Note: Since this is an evaluation on Chirin's personality and the fact he goes through a lot of character development, there will be spoilers. Feel free to click the links on any of the adaptations if you would prefer to know the story before any spoilers.

In order to find Chirin's personality type, I figured it would best to start with the cognitive functions (I'll be providing titles for the different sections of this post considering how long it is to make it easier to skim through specific parts).

What are the cognitive functions?

Simply put, the cognitive functions are a theory that was pioneered by Carl Jung and are all about how your mind processes information and reacts to the world around you. Each personality type has a dominant function, auxiliary (or secondary) function, tertiary function and an inferior function. Every personality type has a sensing function, an intuitive function (both are perceiving functions), a thinking function, and a feeling function (both are judging functions) but whether each function is focused outward or inward varies between each personality type.

Here are a couple good references for the cognitive functions.

Perceiving Functions

Extraverted Sensing (Se) Se users are highly attuned to the present moment and like to use their five senses to take in information. Se users are also amazing at created an exciting atmosphere for the crowd thanks to their use of five senses allowing them to have awareness of what others enjoy. Se can also be shown through both a preference for more sophisticated tastes and high energy thrills. Dominant function of the ESTP and ESFP.

Introverted Sensing (Si) Si users rely on past experiences to determine the actions they take and will use said past experiences as a comparison to the present. Tend to have excellent memories especially with what matters to them the most and can be nostalgic and sometimes hesitant to new ideas. Dominant function of the ISTJ and ISFJ.

Extraverted Intuition (Ne) Ne users are the champions of brainstorming and have helped pioneered some of the most unconventional yet awesome concepts you can think of and can also have a knack for finding connections in areas that can be drastically different at first glance. Dominant function of the ENTP and ENFP.

Introverted Intuition (Ni) Ni users are focused inward and use their instincts as a guide in life. In contrast to the Ne user's love for exploring multiple paths Ni users prefer to stick with what their gut says is the best path. Ni users can also be excellent on following through their goals and picking up on what are the ulterior motives for others. Dominant function of the INTJ and INFJ.

Judging Functions

Extraverted Thinking (Te) Te users focus on logic and reason in a pragmatic sense, preferring what is the most effective way to get the job done, especially within the context of a group. They can be very charismatic and plenty of Te users enjoy going to leadership roles. Dominant function of the ESTJ and ENTJ.

Introverted Thinking (Ti) Ti users rely on their own logic and reasoning and are excellent at gathering information on the inner workings of a system. They rely less on concrete statistics and much more on what logically makes sense to them. Dominant function of the ISTP and INTP.

Extraverted Feeling (Fe) Fe users rely on ethics to form their decisions and are heavily driven towards helping their community and can be very self-sacrificial. They are also very empathetic to how others are feeling and act conscientious in return. Dominant function of the ESFJ and ENFJ.

Introverted Feeling (Fi) Fi users are heavily attuned to their own feelings and highly value authenticity over conforming to the group. They prioritize their own moral compass instead of established ethics and rules. Can be very empathetic towards individuals who have been in similar circumstances they've been in and can also hold sentimental attachments to objects and people. Dominant function of the ISFP and INFP.

As mentioned before, each personality type has a function that's sensing, intuition, thinking and feeling. In addition, two of these functions will be extraverted and two introverted. Your dominant and auxiliary functions also determine your tertiary and inferior functions.

For example, if you're an ISTJ, your dominant function is Si and your auxiliary function is Te. Your tertiary function is the opposite of your auxiliary function and your inferior function is the opposite of your dominant function, which means for an ISTJ they would respectively be Fi and Ne! Notice that for an introverted function its opposite would be extraverted in return.

To put it simply: Se pairs with Ni Si pairs with Ne Te pairs with Fi Fe pairs with Ti

Also note that for dominant and auxiliary functions one will be extraverted and one introverted. Same goes with tertiary and inferior functions.

What types have what cognitive functions?

INTJs, ENTJs, ESFPs, and ISFPs all have Se, Ni, Te, and Fi INFJs, ENFJs, ESTPs, and ISTPs all have Se, Ni, Ti, and Fe INTPs, ENTPs, ESFJs, and ISFJs all have Si, Ne, Ti, and Fe INFPs, ENFPs, ESTJs, and ISTJs all have Si, Ne, Te, and Fi

Now despite each group having the same cognitive functions, they are all stacked in different orders. ISFJs and INTPs have the same cognitive functions but their different stacks (Si, Fe, Ti, Ne for ISFJ and Ti, Ne, Si, and Fe for INTP) leads the two to process and take in the world differently!

What are Chirin's cognitive functions?

Going through all the cognitive functions and going by the story presented in the book, Sanrio film and Kamishibai, I can safely say Chirin does NOT have Ti or Ne. He isn't the type to rely on internal logic or curious about the inner workings of systems nor is he the type that likes to brainstorm or find connections in the most unexpected places. And because cognitive functions are always complemented by their opposite we can also remove Fe and Si. This leaves Chirin to have Se, Ni, Te, and Fi.

Chirin's personality type

Now all that's left is to figure out how the cognitive functions stack up.

If Chirin is an ESFP that would make his dominant function Se and inferior function Ni, however given that Chirin is very determined when he has a goal to reach and demonstrates impressive degrees of willpower makes it unlikely Ni would be his inferior function. At the same time Se doms aren't the type to isolate themselves when in major guilt like Chirin did in the original book making him unlikely to be an ESFP.

If Chirin is an INTJ that make his dominant function Ni and inferior function Se, however given that Chirin is very curious about his surroundings even as a lamb, to the point he wears the titular bell because of his tendency to get lost, and has demonstrated high levels of dexterity and quick reflexes make him unlikely to be an INTJ.

If Chirin is an ENTJ that would make his dominant function Te and his inferior function Fi, however given that Chirin is well aware of his own feelings and heavily affected by losing his mother even as an adult make it unlikely for Fi to be an inferior function. At the same time, he doesn't show interest in taking on a leadership role or repressing his feelings like many high Te users making him unlikely to be an ENTJ.

If Chirin is an ISFP that would make his dominant function Fi and his inferior function Te. Going by the book, Sanrio film and Kamishibai adaptations, Chirin is heavily guided by his own inner emotions. He judges others on a good vs. bad instance (explaining his initial hatred and desire to kill Woe) and follows his emotional gut over thinking things through. He demonstrates heavy sentimentality towards the individuals he cares about, most notably his mother but even realizes too late he has also come to view Woe in a similar way. Having Fi dom also puts him at odds with the other sheep who are very much synonymous with Fe. In the Kamishibai adaptation, a mother sheep warns her lambs to be careful in case Chirin decides to kill them, displaying Chirin's decisions as a very non-conformist path compared to the other sheep. The Sanrio adaptation also shows him trying to save a mother bird's eggs and refusing to kill a mother sheep and her lamb because both are instances that reminded him of the trauma he has gone through, emphasizing with both instances on a personal basis. Chirin having inferior Te can also be seen in him having a subconscious desire to become a stronger creature as a reaction to going through a tragic experience. Despite his attempt to give a cold and aloof demeaner as he gets older, he's deep down a tragic soul struggling to properly grieve over losing his mother and later Woe, the latter being also a double whammy of guilt on his end. As a result, Chirin is very likely to be ISFP.

Whew, that was a long post, but I hope you enjoyed it! It was a lot to type, but I still had fun putting this little essay together!

#my posts #blog #mbti #cognitivefunction #cognitive functions #16 personalities #16 personality types #chirin no suzu #ringing bell #chirin's bell #chirin #sanrio #takashi yanase #lamb son #ram son #long post

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hiddenvaldis · 7 months ago

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Headcanon 01: Hidden at Plain Sight

A girl had not signed up for a pirate life, but a pirate life is what she got. Taking to it like a shark took to water, there was never a desire to look any other way. The thrill of adventure and danger, the fulfilled greed with all the wealth of the world available once it crossed her path. The life of a swashblucker suited her particularly well, so it was a life she wanted to keep.

With an occupation as dangerous as her own, thinking long term was a luxury that many could not afford, so she made sure she could afford it. Once Valdís took upon her pirate shaped crown she began the meticulous job of creating safeguards and precautions to ensure her continued survival.

One of such safeguards saw her setting a particular ship aside to disguise as a merchant ship. Countless threads and months of planning culminating on a ship that would be welcomed in any port, unlike the rest of her fleet. An unusual action, at first glance, but one she had thought about thoroughly on the time spent between organizing her crew.

Raids were well and good, but they did not have any regular schedule as they tended to attack any ship they came upon but— Surely there were better methods? Surely she could make it all more efficient? Usually manned by a loyal crew, the Water Dancer is meant to slip into port unnoticed to sell wares acquired in Caribella through legitimate enough means and to gather gossip from passing merchant ships. Possible routes, possible cargo, little crucial details slipping through loose lips at the assumption of safe harbor. Crucial little details to be sent by raven back to the Sea’s Peril for further analysis and to match it to the information bought from the Thieves’ Guild and street urchins across Taravell with the end goal to find the perfect prey.

The Water Dancer serves a secondary and tertiary purpose as well: to both keep up to date with Lysaran innovations that might benefit the Armada and to buy luxury goods that they cannot easily acquire through raiding. Valdís enjoys her luxuries, yes, but amusingly enough these goods are used for the most part to bolster her crew’s loyalty. Good behavior is rewarded, great feats of loyalty doubly so. A girl is well aware she cannot buy unending loyalty, but she can use luxury and rewards to build upon what exists until it is more harmful to betray her than it is useful. A careful measure of the carrot and the stick emphasizes this point by the long drawn brutality that she imposes on traitors.

Every once in a while, Valdís leaves her first mate in charge for a week or two and commanders the Water Dancer if an interesting rumor reachers her ears or if she desires some anonymity, for who will believe the feared Wavebreaker has made her way into the heart of a city that would sooner see her in chains than free?

It is rather helpful that she cleans up well, and that getting rid of the sweat and muck accumulated during her time at sea turns her into a seemingly different person at first glance.

#headcanon.#or my excuse as to how she can be found in Eterna and do threads there #zen be proud of me I mentioned dirt

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arginnit · 8 months ago

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yknow I do a lot of thinking about myself and I've come to the conclusion that I'm just not a very passionate person in general. I despise the notion that, to pursue a career, you must be passionate about it or have some sort of personal drive for it and stuff. I despise it because, if that where the case, then I just wouldn't do anything.

I like drawing and I'm really good at it, I've been doing it my whole life and hopefully I will keep doing it.if it's a defining trait of mine according to every single person that has ever met me, I'm the girl that draws. but I don't think I have a passion for art itself.

Im deeply uninterested towards aspects of art that many hang the whole definition of the word on.

i like drawing because I allows me to put the images I have in my mind out in the real world. enjoying art or being an artist I feel carries a different weight from that.

I don't want to be an artist, at least an "official" one. i don't want to live of my art, that sounds miserable.

I'm a year away from becoming an IT technician. i don't really care for it, but it's relatively easy and will give me some nice job opportunities.

I'll probably study something else later, become some brand of engineer or maybe dive deeper into programing, but I don't really care about either. this Is another issue I suppose with my broader way of thinking but i care about money.

when I image my ideal self, maybe 5/6 years into the future, I see a small apartment on my same town, nice furniture I picked myself and enough disposable income to dine out at least every other week.

miserably low standards aside, I don't care what I do to get there, I don't plan on doing more than is needed either. going above and beyond is exhausting and normally isn't worth it.

i guess a truly passive course of action like that could end up badly but as someone who was quickly punished for being above the rest in primary school and subsequently rewarded on secondary school for taking the easy path Every single time by still standing out because half of my classmates wouldn't even show up half the time I've decided that that's how I shall continue to behave.

I'm not passionate, I don't intend to be, it's gotten me nowhere before, but maybe that's cus I was too young. i don't know really

#wddy #personal

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99999-damage · 1 year ago

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Remembering Castti and Ochette's crossed path and the final chapter leaves me questioning the following (major spoilers for the entire game's story under the cut):

What exactly would have happened if Ochette didn't save Castti from Vide in time? As far as i can recall, the antagonistic characters' actions were influenced by what the Book of Night stated. But in Castti's case: there was no human that could provide with the book, and even if there was, she had already denied it when she traveled with Trousseau.

Is that why Vide directly approached her through that weird endless forest path? He basically trapped her in there and she had no choice but to accept in her mentally weakened state. What would have happened if she accepted before Ochette came in? Would she had gotten Vide's blood somehow and become like shadow Hikari? Would she be lost to the same unknown world Tanzy was transported to?

Did Vide know she was chosen by Dohter already and wanted to easily dispose of her? I say this because when you take each traveler to their job shrine the respective god says "Chosen *job name*..." and you can't get those special skills on the other travelers despite having those secondary jobs.

I think it's also worth bringing up the banter Castti has with Throné while on the path to Lostseed. I know the banters are written in a way that you don't need a specific continuity to each character to see them, but it doesn't matter if you already beat Castti's third chapter (which is when she remembers everything), she still doesn't recall being with Trousseau in there. Was her temporal lack of memory something that also lured Vide somewhat for some reason? We see that Claude's failed vessels have next to no memory, for example one of the vessels is a woman who is there because she was originally looking for something in that place, but she never remembers what it was and doesn't know how long it's been since her search started.

Maybe this is a question that gets answered at some point but i can't remember lol. Help. Does anybody know why Vide dragged her in particular to that path, beyond the fact she is the one character who has pretty much seen the most pain out of everyone else in the party?

#octopath traveler 2 #castti florenz #ochette #throné anguis #hikari ku

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pikespendragon67 · 1 year ago

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And Now, The Long Awaited "Pikes Check-up" Fall 2023 Edition!!

Decided to make it a habit to type out my current interests/progress in life in case I find it difficult to jump into conversations with friends

Let's begin, shall we?

Current Life Events

It's been over a month and I still haven't had my annual review at work so if I don't get it by the end of December I may go nuts. Need to either get a better position in this firm, get better payment, or probably find a job somewhere else because wow working 8 hours (which is essentially 10 due to traveling & 1 hour lunch break) is not worth $20 an hour [i'm in CA so that's like barely above minimum wage & i gotta keep other expenses in mind].

On that note, I do have an interview for a state job next Friday (though I hope my coworkers/supervisor don't find it odd that I dress as usual on casual Fridays) and I keep getting calls from legal recruiters, so that's a good sign. Might try a probate firm since I enjoyed being a loan signing agent.

Brother and sister-in-law are hosting Thanksgiving this year! This will be the first time in decades where my parents don't host (and even then, it's mainly just a few family friends instead of actual blood relatives when they host. Think the last time I've been to a family Thanksgiving was when I was 7?) I get to properly meet my niece-in-law instead of just seeing her at the wedding. Sadly no nephews-in-law, so I might need to cut back on the gaming talk

Next party event for me is White Elephant with IRL friends, then for Chrimbus my parents & I are gonna go see my godparents for a week. Finally a week vacation (I need better hours too OTL)

With every passing day I think of gender being wonky so hopefully one day (when I'm financially stable to be on my own comfortably and without the fear of losing things) I can figure it out. Right now I'm thinking of using Bishop as a secondary online name but we'll see if that sticks.

Possibly maybe could go to Japan in April? Mom said she's organizing an event with my brother's old high school and she might be able to get my dad & me to join. Though I'd be a complete weeb, so I feel like I'd be rude to folks in Japan, I'd still love to go.

What I'm Playing

As much as I love Sea of Stars, I was getting antsy to play something else. (Especially when I heard the requirements for the true ending). SO, I decided to swap over to Digimon Survive since my brother got it for me for Chrimbus last year. I would've played it at launch but of course Xenoblade 3 came out at the same time and then I got lost playing Pokemon Scarlet then Hi-Fi Rush then Octopath 2 then replaying 999 then Ghost Trick then Sea of Stars-

But yeah I'm loving the character writing so far in Survive (I'm on part 3 most likely going to end with the moral ending) and the Digivolutions keep me on my toes. I don't think there's a branching system like in the Zero Escape franchise/AI The Somnium Files, so I'm not sure if I'll do a repeat playthrough. Gameplay itself has an isometric camera like FF Tactics so it can be a bit wonky placing your units to attack enemies. Plus I like how this game actually tells me what path I'm taking (hint hint Triangle Strategy before New Game+)

I also just got Super Mario RPG but the timing for action commands feels off? I press when the exclamation point appears but apparently I have to wait for the attack to actually connect. Weird

Then for games I'm watching through LPs because of time/funds/my wrists being god awful so it's hard to play games, I just finished watching Judgment and I think Yakuza Like a Dragon still holds the award for the game that made me cry the most but damn this also had good moments.

I'm also now watching P5 Tacticia (might get it if I can get used to Xcom gameplay) and man I can really make a babygirl meter based on the older dudes in P5 (going from Kasukabe to Sojiro probably)

New PFP that I've named Hattagan c:

Finally, man I might want to sell my PS5 despite it being my graduation gift from 2021. It's uncomfortable to play it with my current chair (as I like to usually play games lying down to help my back), and with me working full-time now, it's difficult to find motivation to play when I get back home. I'd need to connect to my work's Wi-Fi to take advantage of remote play, unfortunately. And while I could get a longer USB cord to keep the controller charged or get a bean bag or something, my room's way too small for that configuring & I'd have to keep unplugging the console when we clean every other week. Most of the games I want to play are already on Steam and are playable on the Deck, so I might use that instead. (Though I pray Ghost of Tsushima and Gravity Rush 2 get ported, then Yakuzas 4-6 are made playable for Deck).

Current Collection Wants So Far

Ever since I've garnered my own funds, I've made a habit of collecting fan things. It usually boils down to plushies (mostly Pokemon, but now favorite characters as well), games to collect (currently Switch, GBA, DS, 3DS, and Vita since I'm not really playing my PS5 for PS4 games anymore), Fire Emblem Cipher cards, and now DVDs for series/movies I like because I can't trust streaming services these days. Don't know if I'll be able to do Pokemon cards because I just collect for art & characters I like. Plus with how the Paul brothers ruined that market, I'd prefer to not dip my toes in that. When I get my own place, hopefully I can get other consoles to collect for. (Also I'm not planning on getting everything; mainly just games that pique my interest).

What I'm Watching

Last week, I saw the new Digimon 02 movie dubbed. Glad that Davis, Veemon/Ken, and Hawkmon reprised their roles. The only real issue I had was Armadillomon having the Stitch voice instead of the usual Texan accent. Other than that, Digimon's movies has this weird air of trying to market to nostalgic fans by telling them to move on from Digimon. I get folks didn't like the ending of the original 02 for shipping reasons, but the DigiDestined still had their Digimon as adults so I think it's a bit mean to say adults can't have Digimon or that they should stop having them. On that note, I felt like the "villain" could've been more terrifying if they actually showed how messed it up it was. (Like you're expecting me to believe it created Diaboromon just by it saying it watched the events on TV?)

So along with me nearly finishing Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (just have 2 episodes left since I decided to binge last night), here's what I'm watching in the fall 2023 anime season

needless to say i am going insane so i'll at least give some highlights

Paradox Live: I got into the series for Saimon back before the anime came out (I think it was a few months before Buraikan were officially revealed?) and wow the songs are great. You might've noticed me posting some of the groups like TCW, AKYR, etc. So far the animation for the series is self is pretty good, though they're changing a few story beats from the audio dramas. Like man we're getting starved on AKYR content. In terms of my favs, they're Saimon, Haruomi, Hokusai, and Shiki with Anne getting an honorable mention as well

Undead Unluck: I love the fast-paced humor and animation. I think the director for the Monogatari series is working on this and it's paying off in spades.

I'm dreading next week's episode of Jujutsu Kaisen and I'm praying that when Hiromi's in the anime that he'll get a good casting for both sub and dub (my hopes are Akio Otsuka and Joe J. Thomas, but that's personal bias talking). If he ends up dying I might drop the series.

Black Jack appeared in episode 1 of Pluto and that got me so stoked. Like I know Black Jack and Astro Boy are both Tezuka, but still.

Everything else is great, mind you, but my mind can only process so much. I'm also hoping to see Boy & The Heron when it comes out because Robert Pattinson actually voice acts in it, so here's hoping he gets other opportunities like that.

I'll most likely edit this post to add some other things, but yeah, that's my current status atm!

#long post #pikes rambles

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alynnl · 2 years ago

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Octopath Traveler and Class Balance

In the two playthroughs I’ve done of Octopath Traveler, I’ve learned a great deal about how the game works. I likely don’t know all there is to learn about the technical side of it, but there’s an observation I’ve made that’s worth noting.

To start with, each character has their own unique beginning class. No two are alike. Some of them fill similar roles. Hunter and warrior are attacking types (with hunter also having useful debuffs,) cleric and dancer are supporting classes, Apothecary is both healing and debuff, thief is focused on debuffing and quick attacks, scholar deals in magical attacks, and merchant is sort of a jack of all trades.

Even with the addition of secondary jobs by finding each God’s shrine (including the secret jobs) - balancing your party is still a key part of gameplay because of how they work.

In other RPGs with a class-change system, one has the ability to technically make all your characters the same class, and dominate the battlefield with a specific set of moves.

In Octopath Traveler, however, only one person may use a secondary job at a time.

This leads a player to carefully consider which secondary class best pairs with each party member's stats and starting class abilities to get the most out of their party setups. It also leads one to consider how they spend their skill points, to get the support abilities that would best go with that character. (Physical Prowess on Olberic, and Snatch on Therion for instance.)

Breaking and boosting makes it important to have a varied party, so one can buff, debuff and hit enemy weaknesses to get the best outcome.

Knowing which stats affect different actions changes how one plays as well. (M. Attack for magically inclined units, M. Defense for cleric’s healing, Phys. attack for melee users, speed for thieves/Aeber’s Reckoning.)

With all the consideration of classes, skills and support abilities, it’s possible to make any team work for the player.

OCTO and PATH? Each one has a healer, a damage dealer, someone to earn money or items, and a good spread of elements to hit those weaknesses. Also, all path actions are possible.

Guys and Girls? Each team still has a healer, and coverage of elemental and physical enemy weaknesses.

Noble and Rogue starter classes? There is still a balance of physical and elemental damage, with the addition of all path actions also being possible.

Octopath Traveler is truly one of the most flexible class change systems I’ve seen. There are still multiple ways to cheese battles (even bosses) with the right setup of support skills, equipment and secondary jobs, but there’s a lot more that goes into it than changing everyone into a job that makes all others obsolete.

(Although the idea of Oops all Warmasters and Oops all Sorcerers is amusing.)

Mechanically, Octopath Traveler was a fresh take on turn-based and job-based RPGs, and I look forward to seeing how the sequel steps up on improving the formula (and hopefully keeping the parts I like about it similar enough.)

#Octopath Traveler #observation #meta post #gameplay ramble #Lynn observes video games #unadulterated praise for the Octopath Traveler mechanics

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phanfictioncatalogue · 1 year ago

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Fic Titles In Different Languages Masterlist

adiós (ao3) - philsmeatylegss

Summary: five times dan bought flowers and one time phil bought flowers

anocht, beidh muid (ao3) - werebothstubborn

Summary: when phil walks into a dingy bar on the outskirts of galway, he's not sure what to expect - least of all, a beautiful, irish-speaking fiddle player named dan.

Chez Nous - cityofphanchester

Summary: Dan’s stressed, Phil’s comforting.

doppelt. (ao3) - schnaf

Summary: The big wheel in Manchester. The big wheel in another Manchester. Phil's disappearance. Finding Phil - twice. Dealing with Doppelgängers. That's not exactly what Dan expected from their first meeting. But in the end, being with Phil is all that matters.

Embrasse-moi Près (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Phil has always been a hugger

Gamos (ao3) - auroraphilealis (peachrosepetals)

Summary: Phil manages to get himself cursed by the God’s again, but this time he won’t tell Dan what he did wrong, and Dan’s left to figure it out for himself. Modern Day Greek Gods AU

in vino veritas (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: in vino veritas: latin - ‘in wine, truth’

it’s 9pm and they’re already halfway through a bottle of merlot.

Jardin d’Eden - wavydanrises

Summary: "They made it just in time, thanks to Dan covering the last part of the path with Nathan on his back and clutching onto his shoulders. He set him down and planted a kiss on the top of his head.

“Run kid, if you get inside before the bell rings, we're free men!”

Nathan giggled and hurried to the gate, where a teacher was standing.

“Hi I'm Dan, Nathan's dad, I'm assuming you're his teacher?”

“Yes, I don't think we've met yet,” Phil smiled. “My colleague Lisa usually does the openings.” "

Or the one in which Dan is a single dad managing running a flower shop and dealing with his five years old son, and his new teacher is very easy to like

je reviens vers toi (ao3) - basl

Summary: Oh no! There's only one bed.

kairos (ao3) - uselessphillie

Summary: (greek, n.) - the perfect, delicate, crucial moment; the fleeting rightness of time and place that creates the opportune atmosphere for action, words, or movement

(a 2009 fic. sort of.)

L'Histoire Française (ao3) - danfanciesphil (thejigsawtimess)

Summary: Since he can remember, Dan has had a bad experience with teachers. When desperate times call for him to take a job as a TA at his local secondary school, he is dreading the experience. Cue Phil Lester: eclectic, vivacious History teacher whom the students and teachers adore for his fantastical, unique methods and sincere passion for his job. Dan was expecting all sorts of drama in his new job, but falling for a member of the faculty was not part of it.

La Vérité Nue - lovebuglester

Summary: 'Charles-de-Gaulle airport was empty of anyone speaking English, as far as he could hear, and that relaxed him. It was barely prime time for small talk about the different between Parisian and London weather.' Dan gets snowed into an airport in paris, basically.

le tour de ton coeur (ao3) - Iittlesparkle

Summary: The bus was about to kick off when Phil saw a lanky man running alongside of it. His curly hair was sweaty, sticking up to his forehead, and his face red. Phil thought it was weird for someone about to do le tour de France. He could hear the guy mumbling from the open window next to him, but he was probably French as Phil couldn’t understand what he was saying.

“Putain de bus ! Arrête toi bordel !’’

or the Tour de France AU you didn't know you needed

Mon Cœur S'ouvre à Ta Voix (ao3) - auroraphilealis

Summary: It’s taken Dan a year to work up the courage to really discover why he keeps slipping into something he doesn’t fully understand, but now that he’s discovered that he’s not alone, he’s ready to find a solution, even if that does mean accepting a Dom into his life. Thank God Phil is there to save him when things seem like they’re about to go wrong.

Mon Chaton - chocolatesaucelester

Summary: Neko!Dan and Dom!Phil.

no te de miedo vivir algo diferente (ao3) - witchpersephone (tothendoftheline)

Summary: VFX artist Phil likes company parties, but an expensive tequila bar is so far from his usual scene that he has no idea what's going on. Luckily, bartender Dan is happy to educate.

Spiagga e Gelato (ao3) - Azure (Fancy_Ravenclaw)

Summary: Two rivalling ice cream vendors on an Italian beach sneak off together on their lunch break every day.

Tu étais courageux! (ao3) - phanburnhamizzard

Summary: Dan and Phil are lost in the streets of Paris trying to find the venue for their next Interactive Introverts show. This begins a day of stomach wrenching stress for Phil, who is already carsick from the bus travel.

#phanfictioncatalogue #phanfic #phan #phanfiction #masterlists #fictitles masterlist #fictitles #otherlanguage

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devsgames · 2 years ago

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Game Dev is kindof the only think I’m interested in career wise but it seems so hard to get into. Do you have any advice on how to get more into the arena?

I'll be real: depending on your personal context and career goals, a career in game dev can be very difficult to land. Depending on the discipline and position you're applying to you might be applying against dozens, hundreds or thousands of other candidates.

Is it the most efficient system? No.

But is it a good system? Also No.

Anyway, how to get your foot in the door depends a lot on context that's difficult to cover based on an ask (e.g. your living situation, ability to move for work, ability to work at exploitative job in a similar position to gain experience, access to educational supports, what discipline you're applying to, where you want to end up, what your country's post-education system is like, your ability to support yourself while doing it, etc.). I've ran mentorships almost exclusively about focusing in on all this stuff because to know what actionables to take to land that career is so specific to your personal context and goals, so there's unfortunately there's little general advice I can offer that is applicable enough for everyone's situation. :(

Take my own experience: I was fortunate to land my first job in AAA through networking, learning skills via post-secondary education (also I'm a white person who attended college for Game Design in a country where post-secondary education is partially funded by the government, so I've got a lot of inherent privilege there not found elsewhere). Even then there was a period of a few months where I wasn't convinced I'd ever get an interview, and was more or less just biding my time and coming up with backup plans. I know people who landed careers right out of college, or never even went to college in the first place. It's all a wild crapshoot in some cases!

Some disciplines (like Design and Art) are often in low supply and high demand, while other disciplines like UX Design and User Research are in high demand and low supply, so your mileage will also vary a lot depending on what career path you choose and how lucrative it is.

Obviously I'm not saying it isn't worth pursuing a game dev career at all, but it's very important to know there's lots of work and serious effort involved in getting there and just how much depends greatly on that context!

Generally speaking if I had to think of tips for someone considering a gamedev path I might say:

Gamedev isn't a career path to pursue if you want an easy and typical 9-5 to put bread on the table. I've seen people who treat it as an easy-to-get 'gimme' job and put the minimal amount of effort in, and it never works out for them.

Practice the craft a bit first before you decide to pursue a career in gamedev; you might find you like games but actually don't like the work at all, or that it's something you would prefer to treat as a hobby instead of a full career. Without trying it out first you won't know!

Get comfortable with working with other people and building their ideas. People tend to enter gamedev to build the games they wanna make but 95% of any gamedev studio job will be working with others and being a conduit to make someone else's game or vision, especially in the beginning of your career.

For some general tips on getting ready to apply for jobs I'd recommend also checking out this ask where I talk about portfolios and networking - both are super helpful to put you in a position to be ready to apply to jobs and hear about opportunities!

The good news is that getting your foot in the door to the industry is typically the hardest part. Once you've landed a studio role, transferring between companies is typically much easier than landing your first job, and you'll have many more options to expand out elsewhere since you have established experience.

The other good news is that if we're just talking base gamedev skills there has never been a time when game development has been more accessible to people! There's tons of tutorials, free engines and assets online to help you build a solid skill foundation and play with the craft a little bit. It won't land you a job necessarily but these sorts of things are great for getting your toes wet with gamedev and building those base skills early or at your own pace for if you decide to hit the ground running with it!

Sorry it couldn't be much more specific about it, but I hoped this helped a little bit :)

#asks #ask #gamedev #game design #game dev #game development #indiedev #video games

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funkymbtifiction · 2 years ago

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Hi Charity! Thank you for helping me with my type. I have read a bit more on ENFJ and INFJ in your wordpress, I have something I want to consult you about if that's okay.

It's not as if ENFJ doesn't feel right for me, but there is something I feel not Ni enough. I have read in your blog here and you mentioned that Ni users often visualize something completely before even taking any action. That Ni users usually plan out the entire story before writing with little revisions if any at all. I don't relate to that.

That is how an INJ writes, not how an ENJ always writes, because their Ni is somewhat under-developed in most instances. It is less complete, less structured, and less inflexible as a second function. My ENFJ friend writes things from time to time and she says things just "come" to her and she will finish the story and see how her Ni pieced together symbolism and stuff without her even being aware of it happening. She just knows it will all come together, and it does.

I'm not a dedicated writer but I do want to write sometimes. I have this seed of story inside my head. I have a theme and direction of where things will be going, but as I learn more about something else - politics, history, languages - they influence that story.

This doesn't rule out Ni secondary.

I ended up never made it past third chapters. I don't know if I'm distracted or simply doesn't possess enough interest to finish it.

Maybe you're not a novelist. Maybe you are a short story writer.

Let say I really want to write something. I will have a story from the beginning all the way to the end. Everything converges into underlying theme. I need to have a fully fleshed out world-building in place first. Because I need to be able to envision my fantasy world vividly before I can write.

This would be consistent with strong NiSe interplay. Needing to "see" it and its scope first.

I feel like this sounds more like Ne approach? Although my INFP friend seems to be more free with her writing than mine.

Us Ne's just sit down and write and let the plot go wherever it wants, because any plan gets thrown aside for whatever whims come to us in the moment. Most of my character and plot generating happens in the process of writing something, not before or after (I'll be on chapter two and an idea comes to me that will be important in chapter six, so I leave myself a note). It's all part of how Ne is unstructured and open to anything, even if it means that when we get up the next day, our main character is no longer a marine biologist but is a skydiver and wow, that would make the plot cool, can I keep anything I wrote yesterday? ... nah. (This is more Ne-dom than INP, but you get the picture. Even SJs are flexible.)

For work and life it's the same thing. I do not really have a clear sense of purpose. I mentioned in the last ask that I dream of better world and to build it for my people. I do not have the clear idea of what that 'world' is or how do I make it happen. I can see company and how that can create a job. Then I could use the revenues I gain from it to create a welfare system for my people - housing, education, immigration support. Then we can extend our reach to include political and environmental movement. I can see it quite clearly, but I don't know if I will have enough willpower to see it through. It feels almost as if I can see the end of the tunnel but I'm stumbling in the dark, trying to walk without tripping. I cannot relate to that Ni superpower "I instinctively know what I will need to do". For me, it feels more like 'I need to see this happen, but which path I need to take?'

That sounds spot-on with aux-Ni to me. I asked my ENFJ friend what she plans to do with her psychology degree, if she's going to open a practice, and she said, "I don't know... I just know that this is what I need to be doing, and when a door opens, I'll go through it and know it's the right one." She has no clear future mapped out, she just knows the steps she needs to be taking and that it will come into view at the right time.

For a job, it's the same thing. I am currently working as a sales rep for a small company. I feel listless working here. I mean, the company is great. A lot of opportunities for growth, nice team and a great boss. I know it in my gut that this doesn't bring me closer to my goal. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel like my entire being is pulling me away from this job. I feel like I'm walking on the wrong path.

ENFJ. Unconscious "this is wrong, I need to be elsewhere" thinking.

My ESTJ sister told me I'm being unreasonable (she called me Wanda Maximoff of Earth 2022 of all things!) She said there is nothing like a 'right path'. She said what I am being stubborn in my goal and I should consider something more accessible. I was like 'that's not an option. It must be this thing I envisioned!' I never understand how my sister and friends 'explore' what they want in life. I know what I want and what I want to explore isn't what I want, but how to get what I dream.

Your sister isn't ENFJ, and you are. She explores and learns through doing and you need structure and an idea (Ni).

I really can't imagine living without working toward it in some capacity. There was once when I was Fe-Se looping, maybe? I felt like there is only here and now and I lost my vision. It is the worst. Imagine having to live day by day without any purpose. I feel like I can't do anything except accept that I won't see my goal happen. I can't envision anything. All I can see is a misery. No future, no nothing. I was near suicidal at that time because I can't see a way forward at all. It also doesn't help that my ESTJ sister doesn't care enough to help me through it.

Aww. I'm glad you got out of your loop.

I don't know if this is Ni related or not. I want to date and have larger friend group but I can't see us being together for the next 10 years so I don't feel all that excited ... There was this guy who recently hitting on me. He looks great and has good job. But I can't foresee us being together in the long run, so I keep him at arm's length. I don't want to invest in a relationship that won't last. Is there anything here that disproves ENFJ? I just feel like I'm not Ni enough...

Nope. It's all consistent with ENFJ.

Another thing I wonder, would door slamming be common for Fe-dom? I have low tolerance toward stubborn people. I was having a political argument with my ESTJ sister and I never have enough energy and desire to change her thinking. It feels like a lost cause ... I have heard that Fe-doms are good at influencing people and get people in line. But I'm very impatient and I feel bad for it. I feel like I should be more assertive and quick witted so I can influence my sister toward the right thing. I also feel like I'm a bit cruel to people. If I hate someone, I have no trouble shutting them off or even bullying them.

EFJs are very assertive in trusting their feelings, and patience is a virtue rather than automatic. ;)

#question #enfj #mbti

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kiwiwola · 2 years ago

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Happy Nya

Alright it's 2023, I've had a mocha, taken my pills, and have to go back to work tomorrow so its time for a manic new year goal shitpost A fun alternate escapist future I've created and been dipping into when I need to imagine another tomorrow to get through today is one where I find a PT benefited position that would cover my health insurance, take up tattooing part time, and idk some other art stuff on the side. Profitable? Maybe. Feasible? Probably not. But its my favorite escapist fantasy flavor of the week, or for the past three weeks, at least, so I'm going to ride this one for the serotonin until I run it into the ground and have to face reality again. I have a sketchbook with paper I don't love (it kind of...crushes, or compresses, in a way I don't like, kind of like newsprint paper), so I've decided I want to try and fill the pages by drawing a single thing per page (ideally, a single large thing, so I can practice drawing with my arm instead of my wrist, more). I figure this will help use it up in a way that that will actually help me practice a thing I usually struggle with. I still want to do my og new years plan of like..do physical therapy again, get stronk enough to move into weightlifting without injuring myself, get stronk and do drawings without injuring myself, profit. I don't have a clear path of action for that one, or a lot of excitement, tbh. But it's probably the most feasible one. Also should go to the dentist. Embroidery is really fun! Takes a lot of time but I've been enjoying it lately. There are other things I like doing, and am capable of doing, like my job. But I am letting myself, in the brief afterglow of this new year, imagine what it would be like if i made these things secondary to telling stories I felt like I needed to tell; making creatures I felt like I needed to be seen, or shared, or given to others who would care for them and, hopefully in turn, feel cared for by them. I am dreading tomorrow, when I will have to ask my brain to again fit into a certain shape, make certain faces, certain phrases. To pretend I care about things at the same level I did a year ago, when really I am afraid I am losing the capacity to care for them at all. These last two holidays have allowed me to breathe a little; remember a little. I am afraid to forget again, because I know it will happen. The spreadsheets, the forms, the emails--I'll soak them up, they'll become my night and day. And there''ll be nothing left of me, for me. In the space between today and tomorrow, I allow myself the necessary belief that tomorrow can be different. That I won't find myself here again, found, but too late, always in the final moments of an intermission between scenes of a never-ending show.

#sunday night vibes at like 300% over here #every cell of my body screaming it doesn't want to go into work tomorrow #trying not to preemptively check my work email tonight #dumb fish stuff #therapy stuff

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theninjabooknerd · 4 months ago

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Mystery Novels with Female Detectives

For those who are looking for stories that revolve around strong female detectives here is a list of 7 novels that may interest you...

#1 Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia

Genre Elements:

Black queer female detective story

Harlem Renaissance historical fiction mystery

Amateur detective story

Appeal Elements:

frame/ setting: 1920s opulence mixed with ominous suspense

characterization: action based story, not about personal growth of the characters

pacing: fast paced mystery

storyline: focused on historical realities, and exterior events

Summary:

"In the heart of Harlem, young black women like Louise Lloyd are ending up dead. As each new victim appears, Louise’s neighborhood becomes more on edge. After an altercation with a police officer gets Louise arrested, she is given an ultimatum; help the police solve the case, or end up in a jail cell. Louise has no choice but to look into these murders, but in doing so, has put herself in the path of a murderous mastermind," (Penguin Random House).

#2 The Maid by Nita Prose

Genre Elements:

Neurodivergent Female detective

Amateur detective

Appeal Elements:

frame/ setting: clever cozy crime mystery

characterization: character based, the protagonists inner world is the main draw of the story

pacing: slower paced

storyline: Intriguing look into the life of a neurodivergent woman turned amateur detective

Summary:

"Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for her job as a hotel maid. But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find him dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black — but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?" (Penguin Random House).

#3 The Verifiers by Jane Pek

Genre Elements:

Asian female detective story

Modern mystery

Amateur detective

Appeal Elements:

frame/ setting: Humour mystery in a modern setting

characterization: focused on external interactions between main character and secondary characters

pacing: faster paced

storyline: a light hearted mystery with an exploration into immigrant family traditions and expectations

Summary:

"Claudia Lin is an amateur sleuth in the 21st century. Claudia just landed her dream job working for Veracity, a referrals-only online dating site. Her job is to verify that people really are who they say they are. But when one of her clients disappears, Claudia breaks protocol to investigate and winds up in over her head," (Penguin Random House).

#4 Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Genre Elements:

Older Adult amateur detective

Asian female detective story

Modern mystery story

Appeal Elements:

frame/ setting: Humor and heartwarming story entwined with a modern suspenseful who-done-it mystery

characterization: events focused book with switching points of view

pacing: fast paced

storyline: intriguing clever mystery mixed with emotional and humorous situations that create a found family.

Summary:

"Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops, she swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would do a better job than the police possibly could. Vera knows the killer will be back for the flash drive; all she has to do is watch the increasing number of customers at her shop and figure out which one among them is the killer," (Penguin Random House).

#5 A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas

Genre Elements:

Gender swap Sherlock Holmes retelling

Historical fiction mystery story

Private detective

Appeal Elements:

frame/ setting: suspenseful and horrifying by showcasing women's voiceless in the Victorian Era

characterization: events based historical retelling with intermingled developing romance

pacing: faster paced

storyline: An examination of Victorian gender roles meets a gender bent re-telling of the famous Sherlock Holmes mysteries.

Summary:

"With her inquisitive mind, Charlotte Holmes has never felt comfortable with the demureness expected of the fairer sex in upper-class society. So, when the city is struck by a trio of unexpected deaths and suspicion falls on her sister and her father, Charlotte is desperate to find the true culprits and clear the family name. She’ll have help from friends new and old — a kind-hearted widow, a police inspector, and a man who has long loved her. But in the end, it will be up to Charlotte, under the assumed name Sherlock Holmes, to challenge society’s expectations and match wits against an unseen mastermind," (Penguin Random House).

#6 Jackal by Erin E. Adams

Genre Elements:

Combined modern mystery, supernatural entity, and horror story

Amateur detective

Black female detective

Appeal Elements:

frame/ setting: tense and ominous tone in an unwelcoming atmosphere of a southern American town

characterization: character based novel where the main character returns to their hometown and confronts their inner trauma.

pacing: slow paced mystery horror

storyline: A supernatural mystery meets a discourse into the racism, classism, and prejudice present in the American south.

Summary:

"Liz Rocher is coming home for her best friend’s wedding. But on the day of the wedding, the couple’s daughter, Caroline, disappears. As a frantic search begins, with the police combing the trees for Caroline, Liz is the only one who notices a pattern: A summer night. A missing girl. A party in the woods. She’s seen this before. As Liz starts to dig through the town’s history, she uncovers a horrifying secret about the place she once called home. Children have been going missing in these woods for years. All of them Black. All of them girls. With the evil in the forest creeping closer, Liz knows what she must do: find Caroline, or be entirely consumed by the darkness," (Penguin Random House).

#7 Fire Keeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Genre Elements:

Indigenous (Ojibwe) Canadian female undercover police informant

Modern romance mystery

Amateur detective story

Appeal Elements:

frame/ setting: suspense and romance

characterization: begins as a character focused novel but switches to focus on the action as the mystery unfolds

pacing: slow to start, and but quickly turns into a faster pace

storyline: a coming-of-age romance meets a discussion into the realities of life for Indigenous communities across Ontario who suffer from higher rates of substance abuse and addiction.

Summary:

"Eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, Daunis puts her future on hold to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team.

Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into an FBI investigation of a lethal new drug. Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, drawing on her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source. But the search for truth is more complicated than Daunis imagined, exposing secrets and old scars. At the same time, she grows concerned with an investigation that seems more focused on punishing the offenders than protecting the victims.

Now, as the deceptions―and deaths―keep growing, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she’ll go for her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known, (Amazon Books)."

#bookadvisory #readers of tumblr #reading community #readers advisory #mystery books #female detectives #female empowerment #women of color #neurodivergent #neurodivergent women #gender bent

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