#my scripts are not THAT clean XD

[kingcreativityau]

Hi, I was wondering if, because you aren’t planning on working on this any time soon, you would be willing to release any notes you had on the story. I’m curious about how the story ends and so if you had anything on that it would be really appreciated.

Hi!

I'm willing to spoil a bit of the story for your curiosity, so here you go!

So what I planned to do was to do a bit of more backstory bits and the Split itself (personally one of my favourite moments)

And then to go on with the main story. Some main bits:

Virgil's nightmares terrorizing them all. Turns out baby Patton has some power over them though. Also, Janus can fight them.

King pitting Janus and Virgil against each other. Manipulating Virgil, having lots of talks with him. There's one moment where he pretends to be twins 'breaking through' and throws some shade about Jan, so Virgil (already being on the edge) actually goes to fight him.

Lo keeps staying in the middle. Being the glue to hold it all together.

There's still some doubts about our local snake though.

Then King separates them for a bit later on. Lo stays on his own with Pat and King steals baby Patton to, well, torment him a bit. Some stuff ensues. (also one of my personal favourites). Anyway, Virgil goes to attempt to rescue him later.

Let's say Shadow Virgil plays some role in there. And that kickstarts the plot of there actually being hope to fix this mess :)

And then there's the second half of the story. Which I like even more but I think that's enough spoilers for today :)

Hope you liked it!

[reikurusu]

🎧🎶Shuffle your favourite playlist and post the first five songs that come up. Then copy/paste this ask to your favourite mutuals. 🎶🎧

Bestiieee!!! Hi!

Lol, I don't have Spotify or any of those music apps where people make playlists on. I once put 3 albums on my phone (Midnights by Taylor Swift, Flicker and Heartbreak Weather by Niall Horan) so I'm going from those songs, so this is going to be very limited xD

Everywhere - Niall Horan

Karma - Taylor Swift

High Infidelity - Taylor Swift

Paris - Taylor Swift

Heartbreak Weather - Niall Horan

WAIT! I have a bunch of music on my pc, though! I have no idea what's there because I never listen to it and I've collected it over many years so guess that'll be fun as well! Who knows what'll pop up! Not me!

Demons - Imagine Dragons

Put A Little Love On Me - Niall Horan

Rock Bottom - Hailee Steinfeld ft. DNCE (tf? I don't remember this)

Labyrinth - Taylor Swift

Animal - Racing Glaciers (I FORGOT ABOUT THIS AND IT'S SO GOOD!)

Natural - Imagine Dragons

Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry <3

Fire Fire - Flyleaf

Eye To Eye - A Goofy Movie (LOL WHAT??)

Fight 'Til The End - Jack Savoretti

[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 02x15 - Shurimon's Book of Martial Arts / Big Trouble in Little Edo

Previously on Digimon Adventure 02: Miyako met a cute boy over the summer who actually seemed to like her. Unfortunately, due to him being questionably canon, she was not allowed to keep him.

Shamelessly stolen from Dragon Ball Abridged. Again! This keeps happening to her. Michael only liked her in the dub, Wallace exists in a nebulous canonical space, and Ken only has eyes for Daisuke.

Don't worry, Miyako. I'm sure it will happen one day.

In any case, did you know that Miyako has a new Digimental? In case you forgot about it because the movie was so rad, here's another episode dedicated to her cool new Armor Evolution.

We open on the Digimon Kaiser perched atop his Airdramon, flying over the moon. Briefly reminding us all that he exists.

Wormmon: Ken-chan, you're taking over this area this area too? Ken: Yeah, since all those other kids stopped showing up for the last few days, it's been open season on new territories! It's great! Kaiser: Huhuhuhuhu... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Zooming out over the Kaiser's new acquisition, we see a Japanese castle below him.

Meanwhile, in Odaiba, Daisuke's taking a bath with Chibimon to wash all Cherubimon's inner void gunk off of him. Chibimon erupts with laughter and writhes in Daisuke's arms.

Chibimon: Daisuke! Daisuke: Ahaha, hey now, stay still! I can't wash you like this! Chibimon: But it tickles! Ahahahaha! Daisuke: (whispering) Hey, don't yell so loud. They'll hear us.

Suddenly, Chibimon tackles Daisuke's face and pushes them both under the water. When they surface, Chibimon's aggressively tickling Daisuke in retaliation.

Out in the living room, Daisuke's parents are laughing at a loud program on TV and don't notice. But Jun's in the kitchen drinking milk, and she overhears all the shouting and hooting coming from the bathroom. She walks into the hall, staring at the bathroom door and looking concerned.

Jun: He's... laughing to himself in the bath...? I hope that kid's okay....

These days, she'd probably just think he was watching TikToks on his phone. But in 2002, this was weird!

In the dub:

Wormmon: Those kids can forget this area. It's all yours, boss. Emperor: Huhuhuhuhahahahaha! (Cut to Bath Time in Odaiba) Davis: Veemon, hold still! I still have to clean the dirt off your toenails! What have you been doing!? Tap-dancing in a frying pan!? Quit wriggling around so much, would ya!? DemiVeemon: I can't stop, it tickles every time you (unintelligible due to Davis talking over him) Davis: Let me at least wash under your arms! You don't want to stink, do ya? DemiVeemon: Not under my arms! That's work! Can't I just be stinky!? Davis: (playful) No way! All my girlfriends will think that stink's coming from me! (Veemon suddenly tackles Davis and starts tickling him) DemiVeemon: TICKLE TICKLE TICKLE!!! Davis: Haha! No fair! I'm supposed to be washing you! Stop it! I'm gonna bust a gut in a minute, so get off me! (In the kitchen, Jun notices) Jun: Huh? (Jun goes into the hall) Jun: It could be just my imagination, but I think my family's gone nuts.

Not sure why Jun ropes her parents into that punchline. They're clearly laughing at a funny show on TV.

"Tap-dancing in a frying pan" got me. XD Very colorful phrasing.

Meanwhile, in the Redub... there is no Redub. We're back down to two scripts.

Cut to Miyako's apartment, where she and Poromon are watching the news.

Reporter: In international news, the manhunt continues in America for runaway child Wallace. Several hitchhikers reported seeing him in the custody of these three Japanese children, whose faces were captured on gas station surveillance cameras. An international investigation is pursuing the possibilty that these children may have abducted and trafficked him overseas. Reporter: In other news, two months after the sudden disappearance of child prodigy Ichijouji Ken-kun, the search is still ongoing. Police believe he may have been wrapped up in some larger affair. Continuing their investigation--

The TV suddenly switches to a samurai cutting down another with a sword.

Red Samurai: GACK!!!

Poromon watches the action with rapt attention, while a blush slowly spreads on his face. Miyako, on the other hand, is not amused. She whirls around to see her father standing in the doorway, holding the TV remote.

Miyako: HEY!!! I was watching that! Father: Isn't it past your bedtime? Hurry up and get to bed.

In her dad's defense, Miyako already knows way more than the police do about what happened to Ichijouji Ken. It's not like this was valuable intel-gathering. She's staying up past her bedtime just to stare into the dreamy eyes of the photo they had up on the screen.

Miyako puffs out her cheeks angrily, but she bites her tongue and stands up. Suddenly, her brother backs into the living room wrapped in towels and carrying a hair dryer. Not watching where he's going, he trips over Poromon, kicking the little guy a couple feet across the floor.

Brother: Ack! Don't leave your stuff lying in the way! Miyako: (irritated) I know!

Miyako picks up Poromon and storms off in a huff.

She's absolutely in the right on that one. Brother was walking backwards into the living room and just expecting his path to be clear. And doing that even though he's still wet enough from the bath that he needs to use a hair dryer on his glorified buzzcut. All so he could watch samurai shows on the TV while drip-drying onto the living room floor.

100%, he is the one creating the unreasonable imposition here, not Miyako.

In the dub:

Reporter: And now for a news update. Kenneth Ichijouji, boy genius reported missing for the past two months, has still not been found. Police believe that he plotted his own disappearance and are continuing their investigation even though they have not had any solid leads so far.

Calling him "Kenneth" makes me want to throw things.

The channel change is a little confusing. After the one samurai slashes the other and the shot changes, they add the sound effect of the TV turning off. So, did Dad change the channel or did he shut off the TV?

Poromon: Huh? Yolei: DAAAAAAD!!! I was watching that! Father: Dads have dibs on the remote, especially when it's your bedtime. Yolei: Mrrrrgh.... (Yolei gets up; Brother trips over Poromon) Brother: Pick up your toys! I almost fell on my butt! Yolei: Looks like my space has been invaded! Hmph! (Yolei storms off)

That last line from Yolei is a little clunky. It almost sounds like she's trying to make a Space Invaders joke but that makes no sense at all. I think it's just a really awkward line.

Miyako goes straight to bed and... whips out her D-Terminal to contact her friends instead of sleeping. Yep. That checks out.

Each of the Chosen Children receives the message in their rooms. Iori and Hikari read it silently; Only Takeru is considerate enough of the third-person audience to read it aloud.

Takeru: "Let's go to the Digital World tomorrow. ~Miyako"

Daisuke is the last to be seen receiving the message. He smiles, then closes his D-Terminal.

Daisuke: Heh. Lights out! Chibimon: Ah!

The boys turn out the lights and go to sleep.

I'm sure this has come up before but just in case it hasn't, I want to point out that Taichi and Hikari are no longer bunkmates. Apparently their parents have decided they're old enough now for separate rooms, though Hikari has nonetheless still somehow managed to take the top bunk in a room built for one.

I guess she just likes sleeping high off the ground.

In the dub, Yolei's email is rewritten in English, though all we see are the letters "Make s".

Yolei: (thinking) My brother is getting on my nerves. Let's go to the Digi-World tomorrow! Cody: Yolei's brother needs us! Kari: Hehehe.... T.K.: "Make sure you all get lots of sleep! You'll need it to fight the Digimon Emperor!" Davis: Hmm... Better snooze! DemiVeemon: Or we'll lose!

Basically the same, apart from Cody's inexplicable random treachery. He doesn't even know what happened and he's already taking Brother's side! Rude!

Fun fact, this is actually a form of sexism! One of the ways sexism manifests is in the kneejerk reflex to assume that women are inherently wrong before you've even considered their position or opinion. "I don't even know what the topic being discussed is, but I disagree with you nonetheless."

Cutting over to the castle town in the Digital World, we find a lone Gekomon sprinting through the streets.

Gekomon: EMERGENCY-GEKO!!! EMERGENCY-GEKO!!! EMERGENCY-GEKO!!!

Inside the castle, a TonosamaGekomon sleeps soundly

Gekomon: MY LORD!!! MY LOOOOOORD!!!

Fittingly, the word for that is the 殿 tono of 殿様 tonosama. Gekomon is screaming, "TONO!!! TONOOOOOO!!!"

Gekomon throws open the door and hurries into the room, screaming and flailing.

Gekomon: WE HAVE A HUGE CRISIS-GEKO!!! HEY!!! WAKE UP-GEKO!!!

TonosamaGekomon slowly opens their eyes and turns their head to look at the screaming Gekomon.

Gekomon: A Dark Tower's been built nearby-geko! TonosamaGekomon: WHAAAAAAT-GEKOOOOOO!?!?

That gets them. TonosamaGekomon throws off their blankets, leaping to their feet and screaming in surprise. They pull a rope near their bed, activating the platform their bedroll's laid out on, which reveals a secret elevator. The platform rises while Gekomon struggles to avoid falling off the side.

Gekomon: ACK HANG ON!!! LEMME ON LEMME ON LEMME ON!!!

TonosamaGekomon continues to raise the platform, heedless of Gekomon's plight.

In the dub:

Gekomon: Listen up! We got big trouble! You better believe it, and it's really a doozy! (Cut to ShogunGekomon's castle) Gekomon: (offscreen) SHOGUNGEKOMON!!! Ugh, he's probably wearing those earplugs again. SHOGUNGEKOMON, WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY!!! (Gekomon bursts into ShogunGekomon's room) Gekomon: AHHHHHH!!! WAKE UP!!! THIS IS NO TIME TO ZONE OUT!!! IT'S A TOTAL DISASTER, I TELL YA!!! (ShogunGekmon opens his eyes and looks at Gekomon) Gekomon: Digimon Emperor has put up a Control Spire! ShogunGekomon: WHAAAAAAT!?!? NO WAAAAAY!!! (ShogunGekomon pulls the rope and raises the platform) Gekomon: HOLD ON!!! Could you wait 'til I get off this thing!? I'm afraid of heights!

They added a couple jokes into the dialogue but otherwise it's a pretty straight adaptation. The only notable difference is that Dub Gekomon wants down from the platform while Original Gekomon wants up.

At the top of the elevator, the Dark Tower comes into view. They play a fun bit with the Tower's reveal, cutting back and forth between the Tower itself and TonosamaGekomon's horrified reaction shots, playing notes of....

I don't know exactly what it's called, but it's a familiar Japanese tune I often hear associated with Japanese theater? Two clicks from what I think are hyoshigi and then one long drum note? I'm not very good with music.

But they cut back and forth between the Tower and TonosamaGekomon freaking out, with each shot of the Tower being another note.

Gekomon: It's just like the one I saw earlier in Morimori Forest-geko! TonosamaGekomon: (panicking) GEKO!!! So the Digimon Kaiser has finally made it this far!?!? (wailing and crying) GEKOOO-HO-HOO!!!

Down in the streets below, Mushmon and Floramon villages look up at the Tower in horror. It begins, as Evil Rings rain down from the structure, coming for them all.

An interesting note about the forest. Gekomon is referring to the events of Mimi's first spotlight episode. It's hard to tell whether Gekomon refers to the mysterious woods Mimi and Miyako ended up in as Murimuri Forest or Morimori Forest, as both have... possible meanings.

無理 Muri means "impossible" or "unreasonable". Murimuri Forest would mean, like, the impossible woods. Magical forests are a staple of Japanese pop culture; In fact, we literally had one of those last series with the Pinocchimon arc.

But it's just as likely that they're just... being silly. 森 Mori... is the word for "forest". Morimori Forest is 森森の森 Morimori no Mori, which is just a fun, goofy name to give a place that doesn't really need a more complicated meaning.

In the dub, they don't do the fun musical samurai notes thing. The background music continues as normal while the show cuts back and forth between shots of ShogunGekomon reacting and the Spire.

(Spire) ShogunGekomon: GADZOOKS!!! (Spire) ShogunGekomon: THIS IS HORRIBLE!!! (Spiiiiiire) ShogunGekomon: The Digimon Emperor's got his hot little mitts on our territory! NYAAAAAAGH!!! Gekomon: We gotta do something or we're gonna be slaves for the rest of our lives! ShogunGekomon: Right! Facing him is like a piccolo going up against a tuba! Gyogh, I'm too tired for this!

Without the playful musical bit, the Spire reveal just feels awkward.

They do, however, capture the vibe of the unmitigated panic sweeping through the scene. Neither TonosamaGekomon and ShogunGekomon are putting on airs; They both come across like they're about to start ugly crying at the sight of this thing.

The dub takes its first commercial break here, at the ominous sight of the Digimon Emperor's forces threatening ShogunGekomon's village.

The next day after school, the junior team meets up in the computer club to discuss the Kaiser situation.

Takeru: I'm worried about what the Digimon Kaiser might have been doing lately. Hikari: He hasn't faced us in person ever since he made Agumon Dark Evolve. Miyako: That's true, but he is still taking over new areas.

Miyako pulls up the Digital World map on the computer, showing the Kaiser's expansion of his territory. Gray and white squares are shown turning into an ocean of black squares, spreading from right to left. I remain confused on what the difference between gray and white squares is.

Daisuke: Heh. What, he's too busy to play with us? Iori: He could be plotting something. Daisuke: In that case, we should make the first move. Takeru: Yeah, we have to recapture at least one of the Digimon Kaiser's areas! Group: Yeah!

Good meeting, everybody. It's time to get in there. The Chosen Children line up and raise their D-3s to the computer screen. Miyako gives the command.

Miyako: Digital Gate, Open! Chosen Children, let's roll!

And just like that, they're gone. Into the Digital World for business as usual.

Returning from commercial, the dub re-establishes the scene by yelling at Davis.

Yolei: It's about time, Davis! Let's get moving! T.K.: I'm kinda worried. The Digimon Emperor has really started to move faster! Kari: I know one thing: He's not afraid of us or he wouldn't keep fighting after losing all those battles. Yolei: LOOK!!! Kari: Huh? Yolei: This is what I'm talking about. We'd better take the spin out of his wheels and fast! (Yolei shows them the map) Davis: Well, I'm all for that. I'm not going to let that brainiac get the best of us! Cody: Yeah, he's plotting something big. I can feel it. Davis: If I were an evil genius, what would I do? T.K.: He may have the brains but we have the brawn! We've got to at least take one of those areas back from him! Group: Mhm! (The kids prepare for transit) Yolei: We're gonna teach that Digimon Emperor a lesson once and for all! DIGI-PORT OPEN!!!

There's a lot of "Let's get him, ra-ra!" in both versions, but the dub skips the interesting point that the Kaiser hasn't shown his face in a while. He used to show up every episode to taunt and jeer and have wicked banter with the children. But ever since the MetalGreymon incident, he's become reclusive. He's still doing his thing but he's stopped showing his face. Why? What is he up to?

Arriving in the Digital World, the Chosen Children get their bearings in the Gekomon castle town.

Armadimon: Where are we-dagyaa? Patamon: What a weird place.... Hawkmon: It's just like what we saw on TV yesterday! Hikari: The Kyoto Uzumasa Studio?

Hikari stares straight into the camera as she asks that question. She's fourth-wall breaking.

Toei, the entertainment company that produces Digimon, owns what's called a "studio park" in the Uzumasa area of Kyoto. It's an amusement park themed around the Edo period of Japanese history, which doubles as the film set for live-action samurai movies.

Miyako: So this is some kind of Edo village, is that right? Iori: No, this has to be the Digital World. Look at that.

Iori points out the Dark Tower in the distance, looming over the village.

...I mean, there was one of those at the Dark Ocean too, buddy. But I guess Iori doesn't know that.

Takeru: Oh, you're right.

Upon noticing the Dark Tower, the Children suddenly realize that they're being watched. Pairs of red eyes are on them from hidden Digimon in every direction.

Takeru: Daisuke-kun.... Daisuke: Yeah. Looks like we aren't alone.

The tension hangs in the air as the wind blows across the sand at their feet, kicking a small dustcloud into the air.

In the dub:

Gatomon: The dust is making my whiskers twitch! Armadillomon: This place is weird! Patamon: Not to mention old! Hawkmon: It's reminiscent of the samurai era back in ancient Japan. Kari: (stares into camera) It could be a film set from an old TV show. Yolei: My dad watched one of those last night! Cody: I think this is definitely the Digital World. See that? (Cody points out the Control Spire) T.K.: It's a Control Spire! That's a sure sign. (Suddenly, everyone notices the red eyes) Cody: What was that!? Yolei: Yeah, red eyes give me the creeps. T.K.: This looks bad. Davis: What are they waiting for!? They already have us surrounded!

Davis asks a valid question. They lost the element of surprise by dragging their heels for so long.

The Kyoto Uzumasa Studio was one of those elements that the dub was just fucked on. There was no way to just name-drop the studio and expect American kids to know what they meant by that. But they did a good job of translating the reference here.

The wind blows by; One last moment of calm before the storm. Suddenly, the Mushmon and Floramon pour out of the buildings and the river, surrounding the Chosen Children in an instant.

Floramon is a Child-stage Data-attribute Plant Digimon. Mushmon is a Child-stage Virus-attribute Plant Digimon.

They and Mushmon are from the Wind Guardians V-Pet, and were seen during the Pinocchimon arc of the original series as Pinocchimon's put-upon subjects. Pinocchimon shot a Mushmon in the face with a revolver! It was Too Hot for TV!

Narrator: Floramon! A Child-stage Digimon whose face resembles a flower. Their special attack, a spray of pollen that causes the recipient to lose their will to fight, is Allergy Shower! Narrator: Mushmon! A Child-stage Digimon shaped like a poisonous mushroom. Their special attack is a small mushroom bomb called Poison Smash.

Once the rundowns are out of the way, the Floramon and Mushmon squads open fire.

Floramon: ALLERGY SHOWER!!! Mushmon: POISON SMASH!!!

The Chosen Children somehow run for their lives despite having been surrounded a moment ago. With mushroom bombs and willpower-sapping pollen everywhere, the Partner Digimon take this opportunity to show off some cool new moves.

V-mon: BOOM BOOM PUNCH!!!

V-mon hurdles the blast from a Poison Smash and spins his arms in circles, blowing away the pollen in front of him. He pours into the enemy ranks, knocking several out of the way.

Patamon slaps a Floramon in the face several times with his wings. It is not a named attack.

Armadimon: SCRATCH BEAT!!!

Armadimon punches the shit out of a Mushmon, which is a named attack.

One Floramon charges at Tailmon.

Floramon: ALLERGY SHOWER!!! Tailmon: CAT'S EYE!!!

Tailmon's eyes glow pink, paralyzing Floramon in place. Their Allergy Shower fires straight up into the air, then comes back down on top of them. Suddenly, Floramon collapses, reclining on their back.

Floramon: I quit. I'm too tired for this. Nap time!

Hey, whatever works.

In the dub, Davis takes back his question about why they haven't attacked yet.

Davis: (thinking) Me and my big mouth. Floramon: (rundown) We're Floramon! We may look like flowers but watch out! Our Rain of Pollen will make hay fever seem like a walk in the roses! Mushroomon: (rundown) We're Mushroomon! You definitely don't want us in your veggie omelet! We may be cute as buttons but our Fungus Cruncher will leave you scratching your head. Floramon: RAIN OF POLLEN COMING AT YA!!! Mushroomon: FUNGUS CRUNCHER!!! (Veemon hurdles a Fungus Cruncher and attacks) Veemon: Stand back! Move it! Coming through!

The rundowns fail to explain that Rain of Pollen will rob its recipient of their will to fight. Veemon does not use a named attack here.

Patamon's wing slapping and Armadimon's Scratch Beat are cut. I guess they were too violent.

Floramon: YOU'RE NO MATCH FOR ME, GATOMON!!! Gatomon: Oh, yeah? CAT'S EYE HYPNOTISM!!! (Floramon freezes and then gets hit by pollen) Floramon: I'm too tired to play anymore. I think I'll take a nappy now.

Not only do we no longer have the context that Floramon's pollen robs its recipient of the will to fight, but Floramon doesn't even fire the attack off. The pollen that hits them comes right out of nowhere, while the naptime reaction seems to just be credited to Gatomon.

Hawkmon, too engages an enemy Digimon. A Mushmon runs in parallel to him and takes a shot.

Mushmon: POISON SMASH!!! Hawkmon: FEATHER SLASH!!!

Mushmon throws four poison mushroom bombs at Hawkmon, who pulls the feather off his headdress and throws it as a shuriken. His feather pierces through each of the bombs, detonating them in succession before any can reach Hawkmon.

Mushmon: Gah... I'll remember this!

Mushmon runs off, leaving a triumphant Hawkmon to-- What's that noise? A rustling in the wind alerts Hawkmon. He turns to look and spots the shuriken flying through the air, then jumps back to evade it.

Hawkmon: A shuriken!?

Hawkmon looks up to see someone hidden up against a tree using a camouflage cloth to conceal themself. Realizing they've been made, the assailant casts the cloth aside and reveals themself.

Igamon is an Adult-stage Data-attribute Mutation Digimon hailing from the Digimon World video game. Their name is taken from... well, from Iga. The town of Iga in the Iga Province was the origin for the art Iga-ryu, which we commonly refer to as ninjutsu and which Igamon practices.

Narrator: Igamon! An Adult-stage Digimon who's trained themself in places all across the Digital World. Their special attack is a gigantic shuriken called Iga-ryu Shuriken Nage.

投げ Nage means "throw". This is one of those rare attacks that's actually named in Japanese instead of gratuitous English. Given the Digimon in question, that fits. It'd be weird to give English attack names to Igamon.

In the dub:

Mushroomon: FUNGUS CRUNCHER!!! Hawkmon: HAWK BEAM!!! (Hawkmon destroys the bombs) Mushroomon: Ack... I'm not getting fried! I've had it! (Mushroomon runs away)

As usual, the dub misses the sound of the incoming shuriken. Hawkmon's alerted to it by psychic premonition.

Hawkmon: Hmm? ACK!!! (Hawkmon dodges the shuriken) Hawkmon: Who did that!? (Enemy Digimon reveals himself) Hawkmon: (rundown) I should have known. That dart belongs to Ninjamon! He'll attack at the most inappropriate moment. He's a very vulgar Digimon if you ask me.

Well, that's rich given what's about to take place.

The dub referse to Igamon as Ninjamon for simplicity's sake. Easier than trying to explain fit an explanation of Iga into the episode. They also gave him this shrill, high-pitched weenie voice in place of Igamon's deep, confident warrior voice.

Igamon talks like the blood of many Digimon has stained his hands and Ninjamon talks like he's not touching you, not touching you, not touching you.

Igamon bounds onto the wall in front of Hawkmon.

Igamon: So, you've managed to dodge my shuriken. Seems you've got some spirit in you. But the next one won't miss. Miyako: From what I can tell, it would seem you're a skilled shuriken wielder. Igamon: Huh?

Igamon turns and sees Miyako leaning against the wall, looking cool and dramatic. She pushes herself away from the wall and holds up two fingers.

Miyako: But you're only second-best in the Digital World. Igamon: What? Then who's number one?

Hawkmon condescendingly shakes his finger at Igamon. HIm and Miyako are unapologetically doing an Edo period movie right now.

Hawkmon: Tsk tsk tsk. That would be me. Miyako: Let's go! DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

It's time to break out the Digimental of Purity! Miyako didn't get to use it all movie and now that the show is back, she is chomping at the bit for some Shurimon action.

In the dub:

Ninjamon: Ha! So I managed to miss you this time. So what!? I was just practicing! But next time, I'm going to split some feathers! Yolei: If you think you're the top ninja, think again! Ninjamon: Huh? Yolei: I'm sorry to tell you but you're number two on the food chain. Ninjamon: Come on! What birdbrain calls himself number one!? Hawkmon: Hehehehe... I'm afraid that has to be me. Yolei: Try him and see. DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!!

Decent. Neither Hawkmon nor Yolei manage to capture the performative action-movie coolness that their Japanese counterparts are giving off, and instead deliver their lines normally.

Once Hawkmon armors up into Shurimon, it's time for this shinobi showdown to begin!

As soon as he's finished evolving, Shurimon sends his right-arm shuriken straight at Igamon. Igamon hops to avoid it, but it lands in the wall Igamon had been stabbing on and definitely wouldn't have hit Igamon. Bad throw, Shurimon. You screwed up your moment of badassery.

Igamon: So you wield the shuriken too, huh?

Shurimon retracts his shuriken with a comical spring byoi-yoing sound.

Shurimon: Indeed! Igamon: I don't like that.

Igamon throws a shuriken low, baiting Shurimon into leaping over it. Then they pounce, meeting Shurimon in the air and drawing their katana.

Igamon strikes three times as they pass each other in the air, but none of their strikes hit home. Shurimon parries each attack with his shuriken hands until momentum carries them past one another and they land atop the opposite walls.

Miyako: EEEEEE!!! YOU'RE SO COOL, SHURIMON!!!

It's nice that Miyako's having fun but she won't be able to enjoy it for long. She suddenly notices a horde of Mushmon and Floramon at the end of the street, who've found her.

Mushmon: There she is! Floramon: Found her! Miyako: AHHHHHH!!!

With her Digimon presently preoccupied, Miyako has no options but to run screaming for her life while pursued by the horde.

In the dub, they're still giving Shurimon hydraulic machinery noises over his vines extending and retracting. In all the fun of the movie, I totally forgot that the show's dub was trying to convince us that Shurimon is a robot.

(Ninjamon hops over the shuriken that probably wasn't going to hit) Ninjamon: WHOO!!! That's a pretty fancy move, but I'm not afraid of you! (Shurimon retracts his shuriken vine) Shurimon: Wanna see some more? Ninjamon: How about this one, big shot!? (Ninjamon throws shuriken, Shurimon jumps, blade clash) Yolei: GO, SHURIMON!!! You're better than the movies-- Huh? (Yolei spots the horde of enemy Digimon) Mushmon: FUNGUS CRUNCHER!!! Floramon: RAIN OF POLLEN!!! Yolei: AHHHHHH!!!

Mushmon and Floramon call attacks even though all they do is charge Yolei and chase her away.

As a funny note, I had to listen a few times to catch "big shot" because, in Ninjamon's shrill, high-pitched voice, it sounded like he was calling Shurimon "bitch app".

While Miyako runs for her life, the others have remained grouped up. Their Digimon continue fighting back relentlessly against the horde with still-shots of each Digimon firing their special attacks.

V-mon: V-MON HEAD!!! Armadimon: SCRATCH BEAT!!! Patamon: AIR SHOT!!! Tailmon: NEKO PUNCH!!!

With the scene re-established, Tailmon kicks us off.

Tailmon: There's no end to them! Hikari: Every Digimon in the village must be under his control by now! Miyako: GUYS!!! RUN!!!

Miyako, pursued by so many, comes running down the street. When the others see the size of the horde pursuing her, they scream and run too.

Miyako: WAIT FOR ME!!!

Down a nearby alley, a Gekomon pops up out of a manhole.

Gekomon: All of you, this way-geko!

At the head of the group, Takeru initially passes the alley by. But he stops and goes back, inspecting the alley with the second of the group, Iori.

Takeru: Gekomon!? Gekomon: Come on, hurry up-geko! Takeru: (calling to group) THIS WAY, GUYS!!!

Descending into the sewer, somehow Hikari managed to squeeze in between Armadimon and Iori going down. Probably Iori being gentlemanly. No sign of Tailmon either topside or below, though. Maybe she's holding the camera.

Daisuke takes this opportunity to complain that this is breaking his immersion.

Daisuke: A manhole? Why would there be a manhole in the Edo period? Iori: Because this isn't the Edo period. It's the Digital World. Miyako: NO ONE CARES, NOW GET MOVING!!!

Iori is the kind of joyless buzzkill that would say "Because it's just a movie" as the answer to a plot hole. I support Daisuke's valid criticism of the Digital World's set design.

Lastly, Miyako calls out to her Partner.

Miyako: (English) SHURIMON, COME BACK!!!

On a nearby rooftop, Shurimon and Igamon are locked in melee combat. Igamon's blade clashing again and again against the shurikens on Shurimon's hands. Hearing the command, Shurimon bounds into the air and spins his feet shurikens like helicopter rotors to fly away.

Shurimon: This match will have to wait! Igamon: (intrigued) ...Shurimon, huh?

Aww, he's made a rival!

In the dub:

Veemon: VEE HEADBUTT!!! Armadimon: DIAMOND SHELL!!! Patamon: BOOM BUBBLE!!! Gatomon: LIGHTNING PAW!!!

None of the attacks get cut this time, so I guess Neko Punch and this instance of Scratch Beat were fine.

Gatomon: They're under his spell! Kari: There's so many of them! How can we possibly free them all!? Yolei: Help, you guys! These bugazoids won't give me a break! (Everyone else starts running too)

Thanks, Gatomon. I hadn't realized they were being controlled until right this moment.

The gag where Miyako screams at the others to run but then gets mad when they do so doesn't make it into the dub.

Gekomon: Come on! You can hide down here! T.K: Huh!? (T.K. doubles back) T.K.: Gekomon!? Gekomon: Hurry it up before they findja! T.K.: (calling to group) WE CAN ESCAPE DOWN BELOW!!!

When Takeru passes the alley, there is a single frame of him suddenly spotting Gekomon. The dub perfectly times T.K. to go "Huh!?" right at that spot and it's great.

Davis: A manhole cover! I wasn't under the impression that they had those things in ancient Japan. Cody: You've got to realize that this is the Digital World. Anything can happen here. Yolei: WHO CARES!?!? Quit talking and hustle down, okay!?

Solid.

Yolei: Wind it up, Shurimon! We've gotta move! Please, we've got a schedule to keep! Stop fighting and come on! (Shurimon quits the fight) Shurimon: Sorry, but duty calls and so does Yolei! Ninjamon: We'll see each other again!

...we've got a schedule to keep? What?

I do like the play on words for "wind it up".

Escaping through the manhole, we find the Chosen Children receiving an audience with TonosamaGekomon.

TonosamaGekomon: So you must be the Chosen Children? You took good care of my Gekomon and Otamamon before-geko.

One Gekomon and Otamamon pair peeks out from the group.

Gekomon: I really appreciate what you did for us back then-geko. Otamamon: Tama! Miyako: Oh, that was you guys?

Silent flashback to the Morimori Village episode, when Mimi and Miyako were being chased by the Gekomon and Otamamon horde.

Miyako: I see. So you actually live here in this village? Gekomon: We support the lord of the castle here-geko. Otamamon: Tama! V-mon: By the way, do any of you know where the Digimon Kaiser is? Gekomon: I don't think he's here-geko. Otamamon: We only saw Evil Rings come flying and take control of everyone's minds-tama. Armadimon: So those of you in the castle were the only ones that were safe?

The Gekomon and Otamamon all nod, with tears in their eyes and various utterances of "Geko" and "Tama".

Gekomon: (crying) We don't want to be made to serve the Digimon Kaiser again-geko. (Gekomon whips around to face TonosamaGekomon) Gekomon: WHAT SHOULD WE DO, MY LORD-GEKO!?!? Otamamon: My lord-tama....

Otamamon's verbal tic causes them to refer to their Tonosama as "Tono-tama" which is cute.

TonosamaGekomon considers the question before him

TonosamaGekomon: At times like these.... Gekomon: At times like these.... TonosamaGekomon: ... Gekomon: ... Children: ... TonosamaGekomon: We sleep!

TonosamaGekomon flops over and goes to sleep, causing everyone to do comical face vaults. Useless-ass Perfect Digimon.

In the dub:

ShogunGekomon: On behalf of the Gekomon, we thank you from the bottom of our horns. If you hadn't shown up and come through for us, we'd still be servants of the Digimon Emperor! Gekomon: We appreciate what you did for us! You saved our lives! Otamamon: Yeah! Yolei: You guys are a lot nicer than the last time I saw you. (Flashback) Yolei (V.O.): You sure were evil. Not that I'm blaming you. I'd be pretty mean too if I had a Dark Ring around me. But that's all over with now and we're friends again! (End flashback) Yolei: Tell me, is this where you guys are living? Down here beneath the ground? Gekomon: I'm afraid that's true. It's the only safe place to be.

I'd assumed that the sewers had taken us to the castle but the dub suggests we're in an underground bunker. I suppose either is possible.

Veemon: Can you guys give us the inside scoop on where the Digimon Emperor is hiding these days? Gekomon: Hasn't shown his face around here yet. Otamamon: Yeah, he's been incognito! The Dark Rings just flew right in here and brainwashed everyone in sight! Armadillomon: That means the Digimon Emperor knows where you are and he can find you again.

That's not what that means. Armadillomon, why are you trying to give them nightmares? This village wasn't singled out to hunt down the Gekomon.

Imagine taking a single egg and marking it with a star before placing it into a carton, then putting that carton in a truck with a hundred other cartons. Then someone plows into the truck and smashes all of the cartons.

The egg you marked with a star was destroyed, but it'd be a stretch to say it was a purposeful action to spite your egg specifically.

Also, I'm not sure what "inside scoop" Veemon thinks these guys can give us about the Emperor's recent movements. He asks the same question in both versions, but it's awkward when Dub Veemon implies these guys might have some sort of insider knowledge about the inner workings of the Digimon Empire. Weird choice of words.

Gekomon: We don't want to be the Digimon Emperor's slaves again! That was way too awful! (Gekomon whips around to face ShogunGekomon) Gekomon: SHOGUNGEKOMON, DO YOU HAVE ANY GOOD IDEAS!?!? Otamamon: What should we do!? ShogunGekomon: That's simple, my little friend! Gekomon: Uhh, what do you mean by that? ShogunGekomon: ... Gekomon: ... ShogunGekomon: Uh, well.... Children: ... ShogunGekomon: We sleep! (Everyone face vaults) Gatomon: (sarcastic) Oh sure, that'll help.

The dub adds their own punchline to the end of the ShogunGekomon laziness joke. Which is basically the same punchline but conveyed through American eye-rolling sarcasm instead of Japanese physical comedy.

Everyone leaves the useless TonosamaGekomon alone to sleep. Unfortunately... we are not alone.

Igamon slides upon the ceiling panel above TonosamaGekomon.

Igamon: Huhuhuhuhu....

They drop into the room a lot more audibly than I would expect from a shinobi-themed monster, making not only a whoosh but a plop as they hit they ground. They then continue to make noise by talking to their sleeping target, brandishing an Evil Spiral.

Igamon: You too will serve Kaiser-sama!

TonosamaGekomon wakes up, opening their red eyes now under the Kaiser's influence. And they let out a furious roar. By this time, Igamon is tucked away back up inside the ceiling. With a smug grin, they say:

Igamon: He's next....

Referring, of course, to their new rival Shurimon.

The original takes its commercial break here.

In the dub:

Ninjamon: Heeheeheeheehee yahahahahaha! (Ninjamon drops into the room) Ninjamon: I'm sorry, but snoozing on the job's counterproductive! (Ninjamon attaches the Dark Spiral to ShogunGekomon and returns to the ceiling) Ninjamon: He's yours, Master!

The dub also takes its second commercial break here.

Both Igamon and Ninjamon laugh to themselves unstealthily and then whoosh-plop into the room and start talking shit to their unsuspecting target. Terrible ninjas, the both of them. This mission succeeds only because Tonosama/ShogunGekomon can sleep through an earthquake.

While TonosamaGekomon is sleeping, the Chosen Children discuss the situation.

Iori: In any case, our first priority must be to destroy the Dark Tower. Daisuke: No problem! We'll just Armor Evolve and knock it right out. Right, V-mon? V-mon: Yeah, these guys we're fighting are all weak. Piece of cake! Daijoubui!

大丈夫 Daijoubu is a very common Japanese phrase. It means "Are you okay?" or "I'm okay." I'm feeling good. I've got this. I'm in good health.

If you're worried about someone, you might ask them, "大丈夫か Daijoubu ka?" And if they're fine, no problem, then they might tell you, "大丈夫 Daijoubu."

V-mon's name is spelled ブイモン Buimon. There is no Japanese letter for V, nor are there any native Japanese words that use that sound. There's a couple ways this has historically been handled in Katakana for foreign words that require a V sound. For their part, Digimon spells it out as ブイ bui.

So here, V-mon is making an untranslatable cocky pun when he declares 大丈夫い Daijoubui.

He also jinxes them. The castle around them suddenly quakes heavily.

Hikari: Ah! Takeru: An earthquake!?

Miyako curls up and covers her head.

Miyako: NO!!! EARTHQUAKES ARE SCARY!!!

But soon the tremors cease.

Hawkmon: Calm yourself, Miyako-san. It's already passed.

Miyako looks up, seeing for herself that the room isn't shaking anymore. She can rela--

Gekomon: (throwing open the door) EMERGENCY-GEKO!!! Our lord is out of control! Group: EHHHHHH!?!?

This is not going to be 大丈夫い daijoubui.

In the dub:

Cody: First, before we do anything else, we have to destroy the Control Spire. Davis: Aww, that's no problem at all! All we have to do is Armor Digivolve. It's a cinch! Don't you think so, Veemon? Veemon: Yeah! Besides, we're not talking about what you'd call big muscle Digimon, you know? Most of them would rather toss a salad instead! Hehehehehehe.... (Building shakes) Veemon: WHOAAAAAA!!! T.K.: IT'S AN EARTHQUAKE!!! Yolei: Ah! I hate earthquakes! It reminds me of my brother waking me every morning! (Tremors stop) Hawkmon: Don't worry, Yolei. You can relax. It's all over now. (Yolei tentatively unfurls) Gekomon: (throwing open the door) THE SHOGUN'S COME UNGLUED!!! HE'S TEARING THE PLACE APART!!! WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DOOOOOO!!! Group: WHAT!?!?

Untranslatable pun is untranslatable so the dub has to go their own direction with it, and... I don't really understand what they went with. I don't get what he means when he delivers "They'd rather toss a salad" like it's an epic burn. Is it because they're vegetables?

Similarly, Yolei saying she hates earthquakes because they remind her of her brother waking her up is another gag that you have to think about too much for it to really be funny. Like. I get it. Shaking, her brother shakes her awake, which she is comparing unfavorably to being in an earthquake because... she hates her brother? I guess?

Outside, TonosamaGekomon rampages through walls and buildings. They crush everything in their path while projecting their roaring song throughout the village.

TonosamaGekomon: (singing) GEKOOOOOOMOOOOOON!!! GEKOOOOOO-HOHO-MONNNNNN!!! GEKO GEKO GEKO!!!

Emerging from the castle, the children immediately spot the problem.

Takeru: Ah! An Evil Spiral!

TonosamaGekomon is a Perfect-stage Virus-attribute Amphibian Digimon. This one, though lazy, is nonetheless a lot nicer than the one Mimi, Taichi, and Jou encountered back in their first adventure through the Digital World. We probably don't have to beat them into a coma. Just smash the Evil Spiral and we're good.

Narrator: TonosamaGekomon! As the name suggests, this Perfect-stage Digimon is the lord (tonosama) of the Gekomon. They destroy their enemies with an undulating low-frequency tone using their special attack, Kobushi Tone.

Pretty sure we talked about this last anime but Kobushi Tone is a play on words. 小節 Kobushi means an undulating melody, while 古武士 Kobushi means a feudal warrior, such as a samurai. I'm pretty sure TonosamaGekomon's entire reason for existing is this pun.

While TonosamaGekomon rampages, the Gekomon sound the alarm. They evacuate into the village with whatever they can carry. One Otamamon gets caught underneath a basket and can't get out. Directly in their mad lord's path, they scream for help.

Otamamon: HELP ME-TAMA!!! (voice breaking) DON'T LEAVE ME BEHIND-TAMAAAAAA!!!

V-mon doubles back and lifts the basket off the Otamamon's head.

V-mon: Are you okay!? Otamamon: T_T Tama....

This one traumatized Otamamon is really selling the intensity of this situation.

In the dub, they seem to have gotten the words but didn't realize that ShogunGekomon is supposed to be singing. He rampages while just yelling angrily.

ShogunGekomon: GEKO!!! GEKO!!! GEKO!!! GEKO!!! T.K.: Oh no! Look, he's got a Dark Spiral! T.K.: (rundown) I've seen him in action before. ShogunGekomon is an Ultimate Digimon! You may think he just toots his horn, but he can play a note so flat, it'll flatten everything around him! (Gekomon rings alarm bell) Gekomon: GEKOMON EVACUATE BEFORE YOU GET STEPPED ON!!! (Otamamon gets left behind) Otamamon: SOMEONE HELP!!! PLEASE, I'M STUCK, I CAN'T GET OUT OF HERE!!! Veemon: I gotcha!

T.K. has not seen ShogunGekomon in action before. He was with Matt finding Izzy while Tai and Joe were going through that episode with Mimi.

With that Otamamon safe, Gekomon and the children stare up at the out-of-control master of the Gekomon.

Gekomon: Even our lord is under his control-geko....

Gekomon turns to the children to implore them to help.

Gekomon: Please-geko! Save our lord-geko! Takeru: Yeah, we'll take care of it. Patamon: Careful, Takeru! The others are here!

Down one street, the Mushmon horde appears. The Floramon show up down the other, pincering the Chosen Children between then.

No more running. It's time to fight.

Daisuke: Alright, let's go, V-mon! V-mon: Got it! Daisuke: DIGIMENTAL UP!!! (Raidramon Armor Evolves) Takeru: Let's go, Patamon! Patamon: Yeah! Takeru: DIGIMENTAL UP!!! (Pegasmon Armor Evolves) Hikari: DIGIMENTAL UP!!! (Nefertimon Armor Evolves) Iori: DIGIMENTAL UP!!! (Digmon Armor Evolves)

And by fight, I mean two straight minutes of stock animation evolution sequences. Hey, this is a magical girl anime. It comes with the territory.

In the dub:

Gekomon: The shogun's being controlled by the Digimon Emperor! We're in trouble! (Gekomon turns to the children) Gekomon: He's big and obnoxious, but we like him! Can you do something? T.K.: Huh? Of course! Just leave it to us! Patamon: T.K., step it up! They've got us all surrounded! (Mushroomon and Floramon hordes appear) Davis: Come on, Veemon; Let's plant these guys! Veemon: I'm with ya! Davis: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Raidramon Armor Digivolves) T.K.: Take 'em down, Patamon! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Pegasusmon Armor Digivolves) Kari: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Nefertimon Armor Digivolves) Cody: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Digmon Armor Digivolves)

Solid.

Last on the list, it's Miyako's turn.

Miyako: Let's go! Hawkmon! Hawkmon: As you wish.

Before Miyako can say the words, a shuriken comes flying through the air.

Hawkmon: Look out!

Hawkmon shoves Miyako out of the way. However, the shuriken wasn't aiming at her; It plants itself in the ground a couple feet to her right with a note attached. The note is written in DigiCode.

Hawkmon: This shuriken.... (Hawkmon takes the note) Hawkmon: Igamon! Miyako: What's it say? Hawkmon: It's a challenge letter. Miyako: (action movie serious business) Challenge letter!

Miyako is adorable in this episode. XD She's so happy that this is the adventure du jour.

In the dub:

Yolei: Let's join the troops, Hawkmon! Hawkmon: Of course! (Shuriken! Hawkmon silently shoves Yolei out of the way) Hawkmon: There's a note on this dart. (Hawkmon takes the note) Hawkmon: ...from Ninjamon. Yolei: What does it say? Hawkmon: He wants to challenge me. Yolei: What kind of challenge?

Hide and seek. What kind do you think, Yolei?

Low-key but it bugs me that they keep referring to the shurikens as "darts". I was a kid when this was airing. We may not have recognized shuriken as a terminology unless you were a super nerd but we all knew what ninja throwing stars were. Ninja caricatures were very popular in the U.S. during the 90's and early 00's.

This was a time when Saturday Morning Cartoons were practically obligated to have one ninja villain in the mix. If you didn't have a ninja villain somewhere, were you even an SMC? Shit, one of the most popular cartoons was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. We were familiar with these concepts, albeit only in caricature.

While Miyako and Hawkmon are off dealing with that, the rest of the Chosen Children engage the Kaiser's forces.

Hikari and Takeru challenge the main problem of TonosamaGekomon.

Pegasmon: SILVER BLAZE!!! Nefertimon: CURSE OF QUEEN!!!

Firing beams of energy from their faceplates, Pegasmon and Nefertimon converge attacks on TonosamaGekomon's topknot, where the Evil Spiral is mounted. Their shots simply glance off, however.

Takeru: Ah! No good! It didn't come off!

Down below, Daisuke and Iori are dealing with the Child Digimon hordes. A group of Mushmon surround Daisuke, brandishing their Poison Smash bombs.

Daisuke: H-Hey... Hold on now....

How he got separated from Raidramon is unclear but they don't remain separated for long. Raidramon swoops in and knocks the Mushmon flat with a tail sweep.

Raidramon: Daisuke, hop on! Daisuke: (English) Ehehehe, thank you!

It doesn't take the Mushmon long to get back on their feet. They open fire immediately.

Mushmon: POISON SMASH!!! Raidramon: THUNDERBOLT!!!

But Raidramon's lightning breath makes short work of their bombs.

While Daisuke's dealing with the Mushmon army, Iori faces the Floramon.

Iori: They're coming. Digmon: And they're all in one spot. BIG CRACK!!!

Fracturing the ground beneath their feet, Digmon's Big Crack swallows up the Floramon mob.

In the dub:

Pegasusmon: EQUUS BEAM!!! Nefertimon: CAT'S EYE BEAM!!! (No effect) T.K.: I can't believe it's not working! Kari: He didn't even yawn!

They have a new name for Curse of Queen, rather than calling it Rosetta Stone.

Davis: Whoa! Just mellow out, guys! (Raidramon swoops in and tail sweeps all the Mushroomon) Raidramon: Need a lift? Davis: Yeah, I have enough vegetables! Mushroomon: LAUGHING SMASHER!!!

Poison Smash is now Laughing Smasher for some reason instead of Fungus Cruncher, while Thunderbolt is nothing. Raidramon just roars and spits lightning.

I think Davis's line was supposed to be "I've had enough vegetables" but it comes out awkwardly.

Cody: They're coming! Digmon: I'll put them in the garden where they belong! ROCK CRACKIN'!!!

Digmon's one-liner is a lot stronger than Davis's. He uses Rock Crackin' to plant the Floramon. That's pretty good.

While the others are fighting their battles, Igamon waits right at the spot they promised to: The castle's roof. Before long, a kite approaches the rooftop carrying Shurimon and Miyako.

Shurimon: (dramatically) Shurimon has arrived! Igamon: I've been waiting for this!

As soon as Shurimon frees himself from the kite and touches down on the roof, Igamon rushes him.

Igamon: OUR BATTLE HAS BEGUN, SHURIMON!!! Shurimon: Prepare yourself!

Igamon and Shurimon leap into the air, clashing blades as they pass one another before landing on the rooftop. Behind them, Miyako floats by on the kite.

In the dub, Yolei and Shurimon quip about Ninjamon's choice of duel location on their way up.

Yolei: What do you think he's doing up here? Shurimon: Meditating? Yolei: Yeah, right! WAKE UP!!! Shurimon: (dramatically) I accept your dance invitation. Igamon: Good, then let's boogie!

Despite intending to boogie, the dub cuts the initial blade clash between Shurimon and Igamon.

Shurimon: Now! Miyako-san, hurry up and get inside the castle's tower! Miyako: Okay! Shurimon, make sure you win this!

Igamon hurls a shuriken at Shurimon, which Shurimon deftly deflects.

Shurimon: Leave it to me!

Shurimon extends his right shuriken at Igamon. Igamon hops over it, landing atop Shurimon's own vine, then rushes for his face.

Igamon: GOT YOU!!! Shurimon: What!?

Miyako makes it inside the tower just inside to see Shurimon fail to keep his promise, falling past her with a comical:

Shurimon: GWAUCK!!! Miyako: SHURIMON!!!

Though he goes by so fast that you might miss the detail that Igamon has Shurimon in their grasp and is piledriving him.

After skipping the opening clash, the dub starts back up with Yolei's line on the kite.

Yolei: Come on! Knock that little twerp's socks off! (Shurimon launches his shuriken at Ninjamon, who pounces onto his vine-arm) Ninjamon: Missed me! Shurimon: Hrm? (Yolei watches them fall) Shurimon: AHHHHHH!!! Yolei: Hey, you're supposed to win this!

The action here is a little confusing. Cutting out the line where Shurimon tells Miyako to take cover inside the tower causes Yolei to suddenly be in a new location for no clear reason.

Also, a large shuriken suddenly appears embedded in the roof beside Shurimon between shots because Igamon's deflected attack was part of the cut material.

Meanwhile, Hikari and Takeru are still confronting TonosamaGekomon, who has finally noticed that they're under attack.

TonosamaGekomon: Ehh... KOBUSHI TONE!!! HAHA!!!

Pegasmon and Nefertimon shoot straight up into the air just before the sound waves coming out of TonosamaGekomon's horns reduce a chunk of the castle to rubble.

Nefertimon: That was too close. Hikari: We can't defeat a Perfect level by ourselves!

Takeru observes TonosamaGekomon for a moment. And then his eyes scan over to the Dark Tower. ...what if....

Takeru: (thinking) That's it! If we could lure them over to the Dark Tower.... Takeru: Hikari-chan!

Getting Hikari's attention, Takeru points to the tower. He doesn't need to say any more.

Hikari: Got it!

With that, a plan is made.

In the dub:

ShogunGekomon: MUSICAL FIST!!! (ShogunGekomon destroys a chunk of the castle) Pegasusmon: That was close! Kari: There's no way we'll be able to defeat an Ultimate on our own! T.K.: (thinking) Somehow, we've gotta get him to destroy the Control Spire! T.K.: Let's move into position! (T.K. points) Kari: Huh? Ah.... (Kari looks where he's pointing) Kari: It's perfect, T.K.!

Solid.

Taking position in front of the Dark Tower, Hikari and Takeru bait TonosamaGekomon into firing.

TonosamaGekomon: KOBUSHI TONE!!! Takeru: NOW!!! MOVE!!!

Nefertimon and Pegasmon quickly vacate, leaving the Kobushi Tone to slam full-force into the Dark Tower. The Tower instantly crumbles under the attack's Perfect strength.

Takeru: WE DID IT!!!

In the village below, the Evil Rings snap off of all of the battered Mushmon that Raidramon beat up. And also all of the Floramon trapped inside the Big Crack.

Floramon: What was I doing?

Over at the shinobi showdown, Igamon calls an attack for the piledriver.

Igamon: JOTEN SAKAOTOSHI!!!

上天 Joten means upper heaven or ascending into heaven or... something to do with up and heaven. There are many uses. 逆落とし Sakaotoshi means to plunge headfirst towards the ground. So putting them together like this means "Plunging headfirst from the heavens above".

As the ninjas fall together, Shurimon suddenly extends his leg vines up into the roof of the castle above, planting his shurikens. At the same time, Igamon's Evil Ring suddenly snaps off.

Shurimon: BUNGEE JUMP!!!

Shurimon uses their stretchy vines to jerk themselves back upwards, using the whiplash to toss the disoriented Igamon off of him.

In the dub:

ShogunGekomon: MUSICAL FIST!!! T.K.: It's coming! GET OUT OF THE WAY!!! (T.K. and Kari part; The attack destroys the Dark Tower) T.K.: Wow! Check it out! (All the Digimon in the village are freed) Floramon: Suddenly, I feel like my sweet little self again! (Shurimon plants his legs into the roof above) Shurimon: I'm sorry but this is your stop. (Ninjamon's Dark Ring suddenly breaks off) Ninjamon: Huh? Shurimon: Watch that first step! (Shurimon tosses him)

Neither Joten Sakaotoshi nor Bungee Jump get attack names in the dub.

The Evil Spiral can continue to function even without a Dark Tower, so this isn't over yet. But now Daisuke and Iori are free to join Hikari and Takeru in the fight against TonosamaGekomon.

Yes. Just those two.

Takeru: It's up to you, Daisuke-kun! Iori-kun! Daisuke: We'll take care of it!

I don't know why it's up to them. Now that we have backup, this seems like a good opportunity for Sanctuary Bind. But I guess Hikari and Takeru are breaking for snack time. This was not a reinforcements call; It's a shift change. The two veterans are citing seniority and clocking out early; The new hires can deal with the rest of this shit.

Raidramon: LIGHTNING BLADE!!!

Raidramon calls down a bolt of lightning into his horn, then fires it straight into TonosamaGekomon. The bolt electrocutes TonosamaGekomon, momentarily stunning them.

Digmon tunnels down into the ground.

Iori: I'm counting on you, Digmon! Digmon: Leave it to me! GOLD RUSH!!!

While TonosamaGekomon is stunned by the Lightning Blade, Digmon fires his drills. I do not know why he was digging a moment ago. It did not contribute anything to this fight.

Struck by the combined force of Lightning Blade and Gold Rush, TonosamaGekomon collapses into the ruined buildings, defeated. Albeit still with an intact Evil Spiral on their head.

Iori: We did it! Daisuke: Huh? Where's Miyako? Raidramon: Hawkmon's gone too. Daisuke: Where did they go?

They had other business to attend to. The better question is where Hikari and Takeru went.

In the dub:

T.K.: Well, he's all yours now, Davis! Davis: Gotcha, T.I.! Raidramon: THUNDER BLAST!!! (Raidramon shoots) Cody: You know the drill, Digmon! Digmon: I'll make him eat dirt! GOLD RUSH!!! (Combined attacks KO ShogunGekomon) Cody: You did it! Davis: Hey, where's Yolei!? Raidramon: Hawkmon's missing too! Davis: It figures. She's always up to something!

...is she? That came out of nowhere.

T.K. fucks off just as unceremoniously as Takeru did. I really do feel like this KO would make more sense if they trapped Tonosama/ShogunGekomon with Sanctuary Bind first. We know it can work on Perfects for a short time.

So what did happen to Miyako? Well, she and Hawkmon are still... busy....

Igamon: IGA-RYU SHURIKEN NAGE!!!

Running along one of the castle's walls, Igamon throws not one but four shurikens at Shurimon.

Shurimon: MOMIJI OROSHI!!!

But Shurimon has four shurikens too. He spins all four of them to deflect Igamon's weapons.

Meanwhile, a very confused Miyako points out the elephant in the room.

Miyako: The Dark Tower's been destroyed! Why are you still fighting!? Igamon: There cannot be two wielders of the shuriken!

The Evil Ring may have compelled Igamon to fight us at the start but all that rival stuff was completely sincere. This really is a duel over who is truly worthy of the shuriken. That is a thing that is happening separate from the Kaiser.

No two ways about it. We're going to need to beat this guy's ass.

The dub cuts Igamon's shuriken throw and Shurimon's deflection, beginning this scene on Yolei.

Yolei: Hey fellas, I hate to inform you but the Control Spire's been destroyed! Fight time is over now! Shurimon: Sorry, Yolei. This is between gentlemen. Ninjamon: Well, we're one short. So let me introduce you to a few I've met!

Shurimon's the one who spells out the sincerity of this--

Oh you fucks, that's clever. Holy shit. I just got why this is the direction a Shurimon episode went in.

Shurimon's the one who spells out the sincerity of this duel for Yolei instead of Ninjamon.

Igamon: IGA-RYU OUGI BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!!!

Fuck me, that is a mouthful.

As mentioned before, イガ流 Iga-ryu is the martial art of the shinobi or ninja. 奥義 Ougi means secret, mysterious, etc. 分身 Bunshin is a doppelganger or counterpart to one's self. And then 術 jutsu just means skill, art, or technique.

So this attack is the Iga-style Mysterious Cloning Technique, which produces eleven illusory clones of Igamon.

The twelve Igamon quickly surround Shurimon, running in a circle. At once, they all call their next attack.

Igamon: (horde) IGA-RYU SHURIKEN NAGE!!! Shurimon: KONOHAGAKURE!!!

Those familiar with Naruto may know this one. I'm not; I just know it's a thing there from osmosis. But 木の葉隠れ Konohagakure means "Hidden in tree leaves".

木 Ki means tree and 葉 ha are leaves, blades of grass, pine needles, etc. So 木の葉 ko no ha are the leaves of a tree. And then 隠れ kakure means hidden or concealed. Ko no ha kakure or konohagakure, hidden in tree leaves.

Shinobi-ass Digimon refusing to follow standard attack naming conventions and making me teach a Japanese course.

Shurimon creates a tornado heavy with fallen leaves in his place. The heavy gale winds surrounding him pick up the thrown shurikens as well, mixing them in with the leaves and whipping them around harmlessly.

Igamon: What!?

Then the winds die down, letting the leaves and shurikens fall harmlessly to the ground. There is no sign of Shurimon; He vanished from the center of the storm. Igamon is so astonished that their technique expires and the clones all poof into oblivion.

The dub doesn't call the cloning as an attack, but instead continues on from the sharp exchange Ninjamon just had with Shurimon.

Shurimon: Sorry, Yolei; This is between gentlemen. Ninjamon: Well, we're one short! So let me introduce you to a few I've met! (Ninjamon clones himself) Ninjamon: Haven't you ever heard of multiplication!? (The Ninjamon throw their shurikens) Shurimon: NINJA WIND!!! (Shurimon's winds deflect the shurikens and he vanishes) Ninjamon: Where'd he go!? (All the clones suddenly poof)

Konohagakure does get a dub attack name, however.

From high above Igamon, Shurimon calls out a warning. Revealing his position and once again proving that these guys suck at being shinobi. That's what you get when you try to re-enact a samurai movie from the wrong art style.

Shurimon: IGAMON!!! PREPARE YOURSELF!!!

How about Igamon doesn't prepare themself and you just stab them in the back of the head while they're still trying to figure out where you went? How about that? XD

Igamon grabs their katana, readying themself for the coming attack.

Shurimon: KUSANAGI!!!

Drawing the large shuriken from his back, Shurimon hurls it down at Igamon. Due to an animation error, the Kusanagi on his back mysteriously regenerates a couple frames after he throws it, though it disappears again a few frames after that.

Igamon draws and swings their sword in one fluid motion. Blade strikes blade, breaking Igamon's katana in half and sending their blade flying.

Kusanagi lands, embedded in the ground in front of Igamon. Defeated, Igamon falls to their knees.

Shurimon: This match is over. Igamon: Next time... Next time, I will defeat you! Remember that!

Igamon tells some lies to salvage their wounded pride and then vanishes with a smoke bomb. Say goodbye to Igamon, everybody. We will never see them again. They know better.

Miyako: AHHHHHH!!! SHURIMON!!! YOU WON!!! YOU'RE SO COOL!!! I LOVE YOU!!! Shurimon: Eh!? (blushes) ...Miyako-san....

There are a few words in Japanese for loving someone or something. The one Miyako uses here is the word that one of her colleagues is named after: 大好き daisuki. It's a pretty well-rounded word that can be used to represent platonic love, romantic love, love of a possession or place, etc.

Essentially, a general-purpose "I really, really, super-like xyz" as opposed to 愛してる aishiteru which is unambiguously "I want to give you couples smoochies and pick out drapes."

Nonetheless, that was an intimate expression of fondness for her partner. And. Y'know. Miyako. So that left Shurimon feeling super-embarrassed.

In the dub, Shurimon's line plays off of Ninjamon saying he was practicing multiplication.

Shurimon: I prefer subtraction! Ninjamon: Huh!? Shurimon: DOUBLE STAR!!! (Ninjamon's sword breaks against Shurimon's Double Star) Shurimon: Who's number one? (Ninjamon falls to his knees) Shurimon: Come on. Don't be a poor sport. Ninjamon: The next time we meet, I'm going to turn you right into a dishrag! 'Til then, pal! (Ninjamon vanishes in a smoke bomb) Yolei: Shurimon, have I ever told you you're the coolest guy I've ever met? Shurimon: Huh? (blushes) Oh... Yolei....

There will not be a "next time we meet". But, unlike the Dagomon episode, that is not the dub's fault.

The "Haven't you heard of multiplication?" "I prefer subtraction" exchange is some solid children's cartoon badass dialogue. It's a shame Shurimon didn't get to do something to make the other clones disappear himself, because that would have been a great place to put that retort.

The exchange is strong but they don't quite have the right animation to go with it.

As for the 大好き daisuki exchange, I don't think Yolei gushes hard enough to justify Shurimon's reaction. The intensity of the sentiment is there but she's too matter-of-fact with it.

The dub picks this spot for their third commercial break.

While Miyako's wrapping that up, the other kids are still figuring out what to do with the loudly snoring TonosamaGekomon.

Hikari: ...they fell asleep. Takeru: (incredulous) Seriously?

Even the Evil Spiral is no match for TonosamaGekomon's laziness.

Shurimon appears, spinning his Kusanagi as a helicopter rotor and carrying Miyako.

Iori: Miyako-san! Where have you been all this time!? Miyako: (shrug) Around. Gekomon: Please-geko! Can you remove the Evil Spiral now-geko?

We could, but Daisuke has a better idea. He points at the large head stalk that the Evil Spiral's mounted on.

Daisuke: (playful) That's too much hassle. Let's just cut off their chonmage instead. Gekomon: YEEEEEGH!?!? WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE SAYING-GEKO!?!? Daisuke: I'm just kidding-- Huh?

Not only is Gekomon throwing an absolute fit over this suggestion, but all the other Chosen Children are glaring at Daisuke too.

Gekomon: STOP-GEKO STOP-GEKO STOP-GEKO STOP-GEKO STOP-GEKO STOP-GEKO STOP-GEKO STOP-GEKO STOP-GEKO.... Daisuke: W-What did I.... Gekomon: AWFUL-GEKO AWFUL-GEKO AWFUL-GEKO AWFUL-GEKO AWFUL-GEKO AWFUL-GEKO AWFUL-GEKO.... Hikari: (disappointed) You're so cruel, Daisuke-kun.

Hikari turns away from Daisuke and crosses her arms, though she's clearly playing up her outrage to mess with him. Takeru shoots her a knowing smile.

Daisuke: B-BUT I SAID I WAS JOKING!!! HIKARI-CHAN!!! IT WAS JUST A JOOOOOOKE!!! OWAAAAaaaaugh....

Opening one eye, Hikari peeks at the look Takeru's giving her. Then she chokes. She can't hold it in any more and starts laughing.

Alright, so to explain what just happened to Daisuke....

A 丁髷 chonmage is a style of topknot worn during the Edo period by samurai. It was a symbol of their office and status, only to be cut off when they retired from their post. To forcibly cut off someone's 丁髷 chonmage is to violently disgrace them from their office.

That was the joke Daisuke was allegedly making. He was making an awful suggestion on purpose for the absurdity of it, but his joke was then taken seriously by Gekomon who reacted appropriately to someone proposing we disfigure and disgrace their lord.

Or he sincerely suggested that and is now frantically backpedaling, but I do buy that he was joking poorly. It's the look on his face when he proposes it. That is the look of someone who is saying something outrageous on purpose to get a rise out of others.

Either way Hikari played along to have a little fun at Daisuke's expense. Play shitty games, win shitty prizes.

In the dub:

Kari: Gee, it looks like the big guy's all crashed out. T.K.: (sarcastic) That's rare! (Shurimon arrives, carrying Yolei) Cody: Haha! You're back, Yolei! We were worried about you! Where have you been? Yolei: (shrug) Just here and there. Gekomon: If you'd be so kind, we'd appreciate it if you could take the Dark Spiral off his head. Davis: How about we chop it all off? He needs a haircut anyway! Gekomon: WHAT!?!? YOU CAN'T DO THAT!!! THAT'S HIS PRIDE AND JOY!!! WITHOUT HIS TOPKNOT, HE WOULD BE BALD!!! Davis: Calm down! I'm kidding. Gekomon: IF YOU THINK IT WAS BAD BEFORE, JUST TRY CATCHING HIM ON A BAD HAIR DAY!!! Davis: What did I do? Kari: Davis, sometimes you're so insensitive! Davis: AHHHHHH I'M SO SENSITIVE I USE A SPECIAL TOOTHPASTE SO MY TEETH DON'T HURT WHEN I EAT ICE CREAM aggggggggh....

Solid. They do a surprisingly good job of playing the 丁髷 chonmage bit straight despite not having room to explain the specific role that a 丁髷 chonmage serves in samurai culture. "He would be bald and mad about it" is a pale imitation of the actual concern here but it works for the purposes of Gekomon's explosive reaction.

Also, Davis frantically confessing to dental sensitivity got me. XD

Once we're all done having a good laugh at Daisuke, it's time to finish this. Takeru takes charge.

Takeru: Alright, team! Aim for the Spiral! Pegasmon: SILVER BLAZE!!! Nefertimon: CURSE OF QUEEN!!! Raidramon: BLUE THUNDER!!!

Pegasmon and Nefertimon converge their lasers on the Spiral. The spikes on Raidramon's back crackle, summoning down lightning and then shooting it into the Spiral as well. Once their powers have converged, Digmon and Shurimon fire their non-beam projectile-based attacks for that shattering impact.

Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!! Shurimon: MOMIJI OROSHI!!!

Digmon's drills and Shurimon's shurikens join the assault. It takes all five of them together, but the Evil Spiral finally breaks off of TonosamaGekomon.

Down below, Gekomon and Otamamon are crying by TonosamaGekomon's side.

Gekomon: T_T My lord-geko....

Then TonosamaGekomon awakens, sitting up just a little to look at everyone gathered beside them.

TonosamaGekomon: What's wrong with all of you-geko? Why are you crying-geko?

Gekomon and Otamamon continue crying. However, this time, it's tears of joy.

In the dub:

T.K.: Let's zap that Spiral with all we've got! Pegasusmon: EQUUS BEAM!!! Nefertimon: CAT'S EYE BEAM!!! Raidramon: THUNDER BLAST!!! (Beams converge on the Spiral) Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!! Shurimon: DOUBLE STAR!!! (Combined attacks break the Dark Spiral. ShogunGekomon wakes up) ShogunGekomon: That was a great siesta. Anything good happen while I was out?

Both Lightning Blade and Blue Thunder are Thunder Blast. Eh, I guess they're similar enough.

Cut to the Digimon Kaiser's control center. The Kaiser watches the Chosen Children big the Gekomon farewell.

Gekomon: You really, REALLY helped us out! TonosamaGekomon: You took care of everything! Daisuke: (smug) No, no need to thank us, really!

Daisuke says that, but he waves a fan with a Japanese flag on it that he's acquired just for this imagery.

Takeru: He's getting really into this. Miyako: (rolls eyes) He's getting carried away.

Ugh, those cringeworthy samurai movie nerds. Amirite, Miyako?

Iori: And after he tried to cut down the lord, too. Hikari: Well! Let's head home! Daisuke: Take care!

Wormmon approaches the Kaiser, who's watching this unfold in silence.

Wormmon: Those kids got the better of you again. Kaiser: Hmph! They can do as they please. (to screen) Go ahead and enjoy this. After all, none of you could possibly comprehend my plan. Huhahaha HAHAHAHA!!!

Yep, the kids were right from the start. Ken's not showing up in person to these things anymore because he's got something new cooking in the oven. We close here on that ominous line.

In the dub:

Gekomon: We're just so glad you're back to normal again! ShogunGekomon: Of course I am. I just had a nap. Davis: You're cool! By the way, I really like your haircut! T.K.: Talk about changing your mind all the time! Yolei: (rolls eyes) Yeah, that's Davis in a nutshell. Cody: Hey Davis, maybe you should get a new hairstyle. Kari: (joking) How about a topknot? Davis: (serious) If you like it, maybe I will! Wormmon: It looks like the DigiDestined have defeated you again, Master. Emperor: Well. Perhaps they think they have, anyway. Those half-wits have no idea what they're up against. I'm just putting them in position. There's no way they'll figure out my master plan because I'm just way too smart for them. Huhuhuhahahaha! Narrator: What is the Digimon Emperor's master plan? Perhaps he'll reveal it on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!

Narrator has guessed wrong about so many things lately that now he's just straight-up pitching Maybes into his next-episode teases.

Where was Mimi and why wasn't she here today? PERHAPS she will rejoin the core cast on a permanent basis on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters! (Spoiler: She will not.)

We lose Miyako's flagrant hypocrisy, so that's a shame.

The Kaiser's final lines are some classic bad guy dialogue, but I guess he had too many lip flaps because the Emperor is vamping the shit out of it. What is "I'm putting them in position" supposed to mean in this context? Also, you're not supposed to say "I'm too smart for you" out loud when gloating. That's the subtext. XD

Assessment: It's interesting how much of a Mimi episode this is given that we just had a Mimi episode one movie ago. Not only are the Gekomon associated with Mimi specifically but, as I suddenly realized mid-fight, there's something very Purity/Sincerity about the reveal that Igamon and Shurimon are samurai dueling for real, and not because of the Kaiser.

I like how Miyako got all caught up in the COOL SAMURAI MOVIE aesthetic but also doesn't want to admit it and even makes fun of Daisuke for getting carried away. As mentioned last episode, Mimi's Crest doesn't come naturally to Miyako. She's not earnest and forthright with her feelings like Mimi. There is a degree of fakeness to Miyako, like there is with most people.

"Just being yourself" doesn't seem like it's that complicated of a virtue for a Crest, but no. Actually. It's not common for people to 100% wear their hearts on their sleeves like Mimi does. The new kids don't perfectly fit well with this second set of Crests they're inheriting and have to work for them.

(I honestly think Daisuke would be a decent candidate for Purity.)

Her dad and her brother like samurai movies, but Miyako's too cool for them. And yet it's clearly a guilty pleasure, as she lets her Purity out and gleefully engages in one with Shurimon when nobody's looking. Before putting her Purity back in the box and sheepishly refusing to talk about it once she gets back to the group.

I don't think this particular detail comes across in the dub. In fact, I think it might have gone over the dub team's head, that guilty pleasures and the relationship of that concept with Purity is what the episode's about.

But I will say, overall, that the dub did a much better job with this very Japanese episode than I expected them to.

In any case, this is a very good Mimi Episode despite the absence of Mimi herself, and also a very good Miyako episode.

[did-i-do-this-write]

Assuming that you are playing your own ask game: :D

Cappuccino: Share a fact about your writing process and I'll share a fact about mine!

Earl Grey tea: What's the best compliment you've ever gotten on your writing?

I am, in fact, playing my own ask game, but you may be able to tell that I'm doing it very slowly, at my own pace 😅 regardless, I appreciate the ask! XD

Cappuccino: Share a fact about your writing process and I'll share a related fact about mine!

Fun fact time! I write my whole draft in brackets until I'm ready to make the final, complete "clean" version. All my dialogue is written in script form until I re-write it for my final draft. It helps me get out of my own head when I get stuck because I know that it's all temporary and none of it matters, because 90% will be erased by the end.

Earl Grey tea: What's the best compliment you’ve ever gotten on your writing?

Not necessarily one compliment, but two of my besties leave detailed reviews on every chapter of Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest that I share with them. It's not so much what they say that stands out, but just the fact that they take the time to respond to literally everything that gets their attention. It's just so special to me. Shout out to @cara-kira and @bafflement, you guys are my heroes.

[riverianepondsims]

Hey, hey, guess what I stumbled upon, or what I've managed to figure out: Boroughsburg has payphones!, and they've been there since the beginning, duh! Any clue on how to make them work? I've tried to get them functional with your mod's script, but it seems like they need more than that, but I'm clueless, honestly haha!

Hey there Josh, Apologies for it being a while since you originally sent this...I've been caught up in a flurry of work for the last long while. This turned out to be a novel 📝, so I'll hide it under here:

So the payphones in Boroughsburg are likely deco items, so they are there for visual appeal but do not have a function! The ones that I posted were the same, they were originally deco items. What I did to make them work was even more simple than a mod, but honestly so tedious! Wall phones already exist in TS3 (can you believe my surprise that they don't have those in TS4??), so I cloned a wall phone to start. Then I imported the mesh for the payphone I wanted to overwrite the old one, as well as the textures. The next thing to do for items like this is to add geostates. These seem to be at least somewhat unique to TS3 and sims game creation-spaces in general, so it was hard to learn how to do this or what in the world a geostate is. They're present in a lot of TS3 objects, starting from the base game. For example, the bookcase getting more or less full based on how many books are in it, food plates getting slowly more empty until they are completely clean when the sim is done eating, pizza slices disappearing, drink glasses becoming empty when the sim is done (some of these are geostates, some are effects), the phone handset disappearing from the phone when the sim "picks it up" etc...there are so many more but these are just some examples. How these work, at least from a CC creating standpoint, is modification of the mesh in TSR Workshop. When you set the geostates, you are telling the game to remove certain polygons/parts of the mesh when needed. So the entire mesh is there, but parts of it disappear and reappear when told to. So the handset on the payphone when not in use stays, but when a sim interacts, that piece of the mesh disappears. The handset sims actually use is another default object called from somewhere else, like the mop sims use to clean puddles that they carry around in their pocket everywhere XD Setting geostates is a painful clicking activity. You need to de-select each individual triangle that you want to disappear for a geostate. Some objects have more than one (like bookshelves). With certain meshes, it is enough to drive one up a wall. Simple enough but definitely one of the most annoying CC creation tasks! This is also something important to keep in mind that with objects that have geostates, they will be invisible in-game if you don't make sure to set up their geostates. Even if you don't plan to make them dynamic (eg, a bookcase that never gets empty or full, just stays the same no matter how many or little books are added), they need to have all faces selected for their geostates or else they will be invisible in-game. This is luckily easy, there's a shortcut to select all at once (the exact shortcut fails me, but I'm pretty sure TSRW tells you when you're in the editor). This was a long winded half-rant about geostates but I hope this (and maybe this tutorial here) helps give you an idea of how these work @joshttewloves!

📝

[silverolivia-upsidedown]

Hello! Just me back and being a huge nerd about the Eliksni So, while we don't have an actual official conlang for them we do have a VIBE for how their language might be written out by the design team. And it's been under my nose this whole time!!! Join me for this journey and exploration <3

First off let's take a look at what I've been seeing most places.. like, 99% of all the language we see is basically given to us like this...

(Yes, I might have obsessively taken a screenshot every time I see the in-game language DONTJUDGEMEOKAYTHISISASAFEPLACEFORSPECIALINTERESTS >.< But what we see here are probably something like a single word, or a word/symbol that has a meaning like the way that the Chinese alphabet has meanings for each letter. It could also be a tagger's name, but then that brings up all sorts of wonderful questions like WHO IS TAGGING THIS SHIT xD which is really just a nothing burger as much as it's a wonderful idea. It could also very much be a sort of... Like... you know how when you get a rubbermaid bin and you write like... "Christmas ornaments" on it, but then end up get rid of what's in it and just write the new contents next to the old contents? I feel like that might be what a lot of these are. Like the OFFICIAL, clean looking one says like, "Ether Tanks: Medium". And then the new spray paint next to it says something like, "Short Term Produce" or whatever. Or maybe it's like, the shortform name of the crew that this belongs too for shipping and redistribution, ala a quarter master trying to keep track of everything. 🤷

But I'm digressing. Here are those formal script and then the messy next to it.

Anyway. So the other way we see the language in very small snippets is like below, where we see there is a strong (but with notable variance) inclination towards a horizontal writing style instead of vertical. We can also see the general vibe or, um.... flow of the text and individual letters and how they deferrer when they are basically typed out and printed nicely instead of freehanded on the side of a wall.

Okay.

We have our baseline. Let's get into the weeds.

First of all we should not take into consideration a few of these for the rule of vertical vs horizontal because many of these are actually just turned on their side. And in general (and really what this whole post is about) right now I am focusing on the way the design team has decided the language should feel when it's written out. So very briefly, I am going to go over some not in-game official bungie material with Eliksni script on it, since I feel like this I have too, even though I kinda feel like, unless they specifically say "this is how it looks", the in-game art design is always going to be more... official? I don't know. We press forward!

There's more, but I think you get the idea. And yes, I included the Cayde comic because I feel like there's some interesting things in there.

Anyway, moving right along. I want to bring attention to two thing in particular. The first is that I don't think we should dismiss certain small lines in the spray paint versions as drips. I think they are part of the form.

I think they have meaning like in Japanese or other languages where each character has a story or a meaning and changes the way a word is said and also how that word might be used or changed when interacting with other letters/symbols.

The second thing is that there is a lot of repeating/flipping of the decals and in-game assets. But even with that, that I think there is a definite flow with the way the letters are allowed to smoosh into one another, but on a design level, while I think there are some basic rules, I feel very strongly those rules went into making the original script/decals/assets that the devs now use, and that when they go to write something like this...

they are literally just copy/pasting or going "qwertyuiop[]\';lkjhgfdsa" on the keyboard. Now, on to the exceptions of which there are three (as far as I've seen). For this next part I humbly request that you forgive my waxing poetically and also indulge my theories, I promise they are actually based in reality xD The first, and most exciting, and the reason I even posted this, is that I finally noticed the flags on the skiffs! And they.... have a FONT... And actual in-game font... and I think it was a happy accident the devs rolled into some fun lore.

This...

is house of dusk... but the FONT that whateverthissays is in is ABOSLUTELY in the style of House of Winter.

Now, I have two thoughts about this. The first is the happy accident I was talking about before which is that the original skiffs were all done in the design for House of Devils... and House of Winter in D1. But then they needed House of Dusk, who are mostly all the house of winter peeps who scattered after The Final Attempt (battle of six fronts). So they just recolored the House of Winter stuff and BOOM, they can keep the old assets and just recolor them.

The second idea, and one that is a DEEP LORE thought, that I don't think bungie actually cares enough about their lore to connect the dots for: is that as mentioned in a lore tab where Variks and I believe Fikrul are talking, there is a mention of a second "High Speech". And to me, it would make a LOT of sense for there to be a written version of that High Speech that would be a bit more flowery and have different characters. I think it would also make a lot of sense for that more special text be what things like House symbols are made out of, and also what one might put on their flags... like on that skiff.

The second is this little guy... he's very new and I only saw it recently, and I'm nearly 99.99% sure it's eliksni, only because there is a break in the "C" in the center and that's VERY eliksni.

That and it's on a crashed ketch that was in a mission we played within the last year lol

But this is.... totally different from everything else we've seen, and I honestly am totally stumped. It might actually be a representation of the influence that humanity has on the Eliksni. And that many eliksni (especially those in house of dusk) feel disconnected from their heritage, and more connected to the ruminants of humanity's golden age, and earth in general.

The other interesting little thing is something I found on a ketch that I managed to get on top of before it despawned. (at least that's what the file name makes me think I was trying to convey >.< past me is a dumbass and says "Oh, I'll know what this means later" spoilers, I never ever know lol)

Again, this is... just completely different from what we've seen before. Even the letters are different. The way they are grouped is new. I just wish I had more of stuff like this.

But theory crafting aside, we can really get an impression for how one could replicate or imitate the flow of the language. That's it! Thank you for coming on this little meandering exploration of the in-game text ^^..^^

[amynchan]

When you finally let yourself relax into a new label and look back and see "oh wow all of that makes a bit more sense lol." Except, instead of a "new" label, it's one you've been tentatively using for years because it seemed right, but now it feels a bit more right. For example,

When I was younger, I asked my grandpa if I could ride on a nearby roller coaster. He told me it "would cost a pretty penny." I proceeded to look all over the parking lot for a penny, found one that was pretty banged up, and told him I'd clean it and make it really pretty. I was dead serious.

Whenever I stayed the night over at my grandparents' house, we always used the same blankets. I was told that it was polite to fold them up after we were done using them, so I'd go around the entire house and fold up every single "this is a blanket that a grandchild uses" blanket. I still do that, tbh.

As a child, I was told to make sure I rinsed all of the food off my dishes. It wasn't until last month that someone informed me that I was practically washing the dishes clean. I've always been confused as to why people don't wash dishes by hand, and now I realize that I took the instruction a bit too literally.

When I discovered meal prep, I was absolutely ecstatic. All of my food prepared at the beginning of the week, and I knew what was in store, and it was great. Still have trouble conceptualizing that people get bored with the same food every day tho.

Giving kindness is normal. Getting it is weird. What's the procedure? What do I do? Please tell me the script.

Whenever my younger siblings were in distress, that was the only time I could be affectionate to them. I had a script to follow. Figure out the root of the problem. If I can fix it, fix it. If I can't, find the person who can and get them to fix it. Everything else was straight up, terrifying, uncharted territory where everything I did was wrong somehow. Did not realize that this was confusing until much later. ^^;

I've always had a problem with people talking over each other and constantly interrupting each other. It's to the point where I literally check out of conversations for a while when I get overwhelmed. Check out, then stammer, then go utterly silent. I get the sense this is not neurotypical.

Evidently??? My therapist thinks???? That my reactions to secondhand smoke and the smell of marijuana may be an autism thing???? Hyper sensitivity to certain senses?????? Thing is, the doctors won't test me for allergic reactions, so idek. Doctors, please test me. I wish to know why I doubled over coughing my lungs out and was in immense pain when one of my students walked through the door. I literally couldn't breathe for half a day afterwards and still had to keep pushing through.

Whenever I get overwhelmed at a friend's house, I like to organize their dishes. Repetitive motion with clear progress goes brrrrrrr.

If you interrupt me while I'm doing my homework, I will go feral on you. And then I won't be able to regain my concentration. And then I'll cry.

I always have to use music to get started on projects or to time myself on them. I have timed ambiances, playlists, lofi (timed and not timed), and the Ghost Hunt OST for difficult mathematics. It helps me filter everything else out so I can focus and not get interrupted.

Yeah, no. Do not interrupt me while working. It's very frustrating. More than that, it's overwhelming, and then I gotta focus on two difficult things at once (whatever I'm working on plus figuring out how to politely interact with the Distraction while not getting mad).

Anyways, yeah. XD Autistic things. Aren't they fun.

(obviously this is just my own experience. different people look different in all of this)

[oasisdawn]

Uberhood Gameplay!

Alright, so I have been wanting to have a little uberhood gameplay for sims 2 for a while now and I finally set it up to play. It is half an uberhood though. I've only attached the 3 base game hoods+downtown+bluewater village and all university+vacation destinations.

These updates will be longer than my sims 3 ones and therefore I will send them out maybe once a week or once every two weeks. I'm planning on just releasing one season in one household with each update.

Broke Family - Round 1

This was always my favourite household to play as a kid and kind of want to capture that nostalgia with this gameplay.

Classic prompts, it is also nice to see Brandi and Dustin interacting positively on their own.

There you go! Now Beau knows how to walk!

Brandi's starting wishes are flirt with someone and meet someone new. Which means I'll be on the look out for passerby's.

uh-oh

I went ahead and added the rest of the Langerak clan (Dustin, Iliana, Parker and Zelda) into the hood and set them as family with Kaylynn. Now that I think about it I hope what I did didn't break Pleasant house's pre set event xD

This is Parker Brandi is greeting, Kaylynn's older brother. She has no chemistry with him so we'll be looking elsewhere for that flirt.

Yes, yes. Beau is a musical boi!

First baby bump!

Dustin getting scolded in front of Angela xD happens everytime in the first day of these guys.

Dustin had a wish to have first kiss with Angela and there they go!

Boy did they move fast xD Thanks acr

As scripted Angela came for a sneak out that night but Dustin was exhausted. Between pregnant Brandi and taking care of Beau, he had a lot of responsibilities at home.

Brandi wanted to talk with Dustin and here they are.

2nd baby bump!

oh, man I forgot I had that miscarriage thing. She's sleeping now though we're good.

It is not easy being a single pregnant mother of two boys.

But she managed to teach Beau to potty without using smart milk as no one has enough points to get it yet xD

Alright, first chance card. Let's go with Ritzy Shops.

Nice! Good job Dustin! You are a natural born criminal xD

As you guys know the clean uberhood hoods don't have townies but I added them. I used the townie stealth hood to add Strangetown ones and added Veronaville ones one by one. VV guys have their own names but ST ones are randomized though I know this one here is known as Gerard Landry.

Between everything I forgot about Beau's birthday and he grew up in the doorway xD honestly I can't be assed to do a whole cake thing for it in this household. Maybe Angela will get a party xD

Meanwhile Brandi was busy looking for a job. They have a 150 bucks in their account and she needs to work. Medicine pays well and she already has some cooking skill so why not?

Beau and Dustin getting along talking about the criminal life xD

I like the fact that these guys start so close to having a friendship and I'd like to cement it. She started by having a little chat with Dina.

I spotted Gilbert and again she has no chemistry with him so our search for a partner for Brandi is still on!

End of part 1! See you on the next part which will still be the Broke house as I'm playing till the season turns to winter.

[psych---ologically-deranged]

psych commentary 1x15

Scary Sherry

franks, kulchak, roday rodriguez, hill

"The best show creator in the world" "As long as he keeps signing our cheques"

Landis spare me

There was a version of this script where scary sherry turns out to HAVE really jumped, & KK was the one to say she shouldn't die, more interesting

instead of her being impaled on a unicorn.

The door falling on her was NOT planned & she just went under it

The original script was 79 pages!! It should be 50

JRr: I got you saying "damn girl" KK: We were wondering who was going t oplay Gus this week bc he's so much hipper than before (Ig jrr's scripts are different that just SF')

GOOCH!!!

Jamba juice

They used the same actress from the first episode, the sexy girl

Network to JRr: Take out the liquid kitty scene, I don't think that's possible JRr: It did. To me, actually.

DH has been asked irl if he's budd from cosby

The entire episode is bubilt on this bit right here

Her bedroom with stffed animals & chad michael murray

Gooch!!! I love her I wish we got more of her

JRr: That is my mother's maiden name

Mel Damski

Make DH say things that long & multisyllabic He had his lines on his computer screen

John Landis WHIPPING the keys at him

DH's nepheew pla.yed young gus somewhere... & then got cut

IN THE ORIGINAL SCRIPT BIANCA WAS BEHEADED JRr: the axe of a suit of shining armour fell on her & the head actually bounced down the stairs.

That toaster cooming down the wall XD KK I love her

Reallly good crying & JRr is barely holding on XD

"the legendarytar ppits of santa barbara" Tar pit It's a very small tar... right off the road, right off of state street

First dream sequence! Young shawn & gus got out of the car & say the whole thing & gus was still dressed as lando

SF: There's the sample case that doesn't get enough play DH: Oh no it gets enough play trust me. That's a heavy case!

My black ass

Never want a shawnvision on another shoe again

Green day shawn vision changed a million times & just went back to the initial one

Poor stunt actor, bleeding all over the place

JRr: Now there was also in the original draft, there was a little more to alice & doreen's relationship than what meets the eye. KK: Oh that's right JRr: They were actually a little bit closer than just best buddies. KK: Are you saying they were lovers? JRr: They were actually lovers. We took it all the way. Especially with beheadings. SF: The tone of the episode changed ever so slightly KK: But I like how you're making your connection here that this relationship is close to yours & gus's relationship JRr: Right. Super tight. I can see why they didn't have them be gay lovers comparing to gus & shawn.

It IS nice to have lassiter on the other side

Like a little baby orphan

Supposed to have a cooking montage :(

XD fih screensaver

it's hard to play drunk DH: When I play drunk I like to actually get drunk KK: Do you really? DH: I'm joking

Gus with Henry & Shawn I love brought flan XD Flan & flan, then flahn & flaan, & together it's flaan.

virile virile man.

cleaning up both the flan

CB improvised this? JRr responded: That was creepy John Lanis, offscreen: YES IT WAS *quiet*

Magic Head

Never see the dog

I love how the writers are just cracking up girls have friendship rings, "friendship" rings

She could walk upright in the gutter

SF: I should know, I used to work at the haunted mansion

Juliet's car XD

Oh yeah the score is always good, horror stuff is great

Oh yeah, rent the sme stairs & just redress it

Lanis fighting he really wanted the dolls

I like the headset

Triped & fell into the alice in wonderland bit

The colours

the hands, all them laughing in there

"I put my foot through this paper, how will I get it out"

lassiter before you

they're just laughing at the belt

cuts his finger XD

Why woul you make the deleted scene SHORTER

Network didn't want shawn leaving gus in the building

trying not to swear XD

gus tossing them a fortune cookie

Ooh the bloggers caught him say dulé (unless it is dule or d'andre)

American duos!

[dracota]

So I went ahead ans was irresponsible with money. Not a lot but a little.

Mostly on kitten toys when i meant to only get kitten food.

I did also get a few things for the Halloween aesthetic project. there are some other things that i would love to get but... i need to do a little over time first. XD mostly there is a cute wig that I think would work.

I still have to sell/give away the 40 gallon fish tank & stand so i have filming/photo space. I am hoping that my neighbor will want it and the 3 ten gallon tanks and the 3-4 one gallon tanks and all of the gear... in as is condition for $100. I'm never going to get them up and running again and they seem to have a few already so I am hoping.

As Is because only one 10 gallon is clean. The 40 gallon has mold in it. If I have to clean it it would be $100 all on it's own. and wouldn't be available until late October.

I already have all the decorations I could need for now. Being a lover of Halloween since birth and a goth in high school means I have acquired enough bits & bobs on my own over the decades. My friends that 'got over' their goth self's giving me some of their old stuff also helped.

The outfit... that one might be a little tricky. I have an idea of what I want to wear. But I don't know if it will really work or if I'll have to dig around for alternatives. I don't want to do a lot of outfit changes. Mostly if I have a hand full of outfits then I can just film a bunch of different segments in one outfit a day and then just mix them up as I post.

Tho personally I would like to just have one standard Look.

I have already grabbed my name on a few other places. and a domain or two. And then there was a super cute Halloween tarot deck. And the hot glue gun.

I need to work a lot of over time I think. Technically I can do 5 hours each week, but I'm not sure if now that we have enough people in the dept if that is still the case?

I'm just really hoping that I get everything long before October. Because there is nothing like setting a supper fast deadline for yourself when you are depending on things being mailed to you internationally.

I also have to figure out keywords, a script and god knows what else.

[lilpotatjj]

A/N: My first Pedro fic *cries in gay* and it's sooooo sweet and lovely♡♡♡ writing this was soooo much fun. I hope u enjoy it and by the way I just ad non canon story just for the plot.

WARNING: if u can't handle fluff and sweeeet sweeet pedro skip, otherwise enjoy and scream silently 🤭 reader is shy, lots of kissing and did I say sweet pedro? Ehm...hint of a panicattack

Wordcount: 1,6k

Proofread? I tried xD

Masterlist

Dirty Coincidence

"1:30 pm fu'ff'(ck)! I'm 'f'(t)oo la'f'(t)e!" Cars and people pass you by as you run along the path with a Hot Dog in your mouth, without looking back or paying much attention to the road. *I'll never have a chance at one of these roles if I get there too late!* you thought.

With a bang you run into someone big and you both crash to the ground. "fuuuuck.......!" your eyes fall first and foremost on the mess you have made. "oh my god I'm so sorry!" Your eyes widen as you realise whose jacket you have just soiled. "ah....o....oh my.....holy sh.....I'll clean the jacket I'm really really sorry!"

A light laugh is the only response from the man facing you.

"I don't believe it. I just ruined Pedro Pascal's jacket...." you whisper to yourself and still can't believe who is standing in front of you.

"It's not that bad. Leave it, but you should look where you're going in the future, pretty lady!" You turn bright red at his words and look at your watch in shock. "Damn it! I have to go! I'm really sorry, but it was nice to meet you!" A thoughtful Pedro looks after you and just shakes his head in amusement.

"The day is off to a good start huh?" He smiles and continues on his way.

You stand in front of a large building and stare at the huge windows. "Let's go then...if it's not already too late"

With big quick steps you look around the entrance hall and walk briskly to the reception.

"I had an appointment 10 minutes ago...I'm really sorry I'm late but I had a little accident on the way here..." You literally have a cold sweat running down your face. The lady at reception looks at you and smiles kindly as she holds a phone to her ear.

"Neil, your 1:30 appointment has arrived, shall I send them to you?.............ok" After a short pause she looks at you. "You can go to the back, aisle 2, room 4, left side. Neil is waiting for you there. He says you shouldn't worry. Your audition partner for the text samples hasn't arrived yet either".

A deep sigh comes out of your mouth and you nod, walk towards room 4 and knock. The door opens and Neil looks at you with a relaxed smile.

"Welcome, step in" The two of you are talking about the first scenes and script while you are waiting for your co-worker when the door suddenly opens.

"there you are, then we can start now!" Neil says and your jaw almost drops to the floor when you see who is coming in.

Immediately the blood rushes to your cheeks as the handsome, attractive man looks at you in surprise. "What a coincidence, we meet again so soon" Pedro comes to you and gives you his hand to greet you.

"ah....ehm...hi...." That's all you can say and smiling speechlessly, too uncomfortable with the whole situation, grabbing his hand.

"you two know each other?" Neil looks back and forth between you.

"well....something like that" Pedro smirks and grabs his script. The two of you start working on the text phases and, despite the situation beforehand, you quickly get into your characters. Together you rehearse for over 2 hours and Neil is visibly thrilled by your natural appearance.

You take a break and go to the cafeteria together.

"your jacket....-" "Don't mention it" you were about to start, but Pedro interrupts you, stuffs some fries into his mouth and looks at you.

"you live here?" He asks

"I just moved here and I don't know my way around yet" you dig into your salad. "is that why you ran like that?" he teases you with a cheeky smile. "hehe......yeah. i got lost first. now i know where we have to go." You can't help but keep looking at him. "working with you is pretty entertaining so far" you try to stay relaxed and put some food in your mouth.

"I think you did a pretty good job" Pedro finishes his fries. Without noticing that you are smiling at him almost dreamily, you continue to eat. "thank you...."

You two can easily inspire Neil and start shooting a part of season 2 in The Last of Us together.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

It has been 4 weeks since you both got the roles and you are more than just a well-rehearsed team. Today we start filming a flashback for Joel 10 years ago in which he met another woman besides Tess because of the work situation.

The scene wants a kiss, which has to be shot as authentically as possible. For Pedro this is less of a problem as he has already shot different scenes with such a situation but for you? Primere! Great, and then also with him. You get into it and everything goes well until then. You can almost hear your heart beating, why?

You're excited.....about the scene? ...Pedro? The audience with all the cameras? Your gut feeling knows this quite well because it is totally tingling. Then it happens and the first kiss is perfect. For the shoot?....no not for that....Your breathing almost stops and you are far too nervous to continue, you run completely out of breath towards the toilet. A dumbfounded Pedro remains standing. Pedro looks after you silently and just stands there in confusion.

Once in the toilet, you gasp for breath, almost as if you are having a panic attack. You put your hand over your mouth, completely lost in thoughts, as you realise how you feel about Pedro. "not him......" There is a sudden knock at the door. "Y/N, are you okay?"

"y....yes...I'm f..fine" your voice totally shaky trying to put the words together.

"can I come in please?"

"n...NO!....i mean...fuck..." You finally open the door and look halfway at him with your cheeks all red. He comes in, closes the door behind him and looks at you calmly.

"Do you want to stop work for today? When you feeling sick we can take a break"

You just shake your head. "No...that's not it" You grab your left upper arm. Pedro eyes you piercingly, almost as if he hears all your dirty thoughts, and comes much closer to you.

Your heart is about to explode and you can't help but approach him too.

Your gaze full of longing to be closer to him, he silently granting and you slowly close your eyes. His breath is clearly perceptible, you kiss him tenderly on his lips, he continues to respond to the kiss without hesitation and plays along with your sweet lips. You detach yourselves from the kiss without looking at him. "I'm sorry....."

"you are a really sassy girl" he says with a sweet smile and carefully kisses again, more intensely and a little more dominant that you are both completely out of breath. "

We have to go back. The others are already wondering where we are" he winks at you, but you can't concentrate on anything else. Bright red, you return with Pedro and are obviously no longer in the mood for filming, so Pedro makes a deal with Neil to get the rest of the day off.

"Do you want to come to my place?" he asks you casually, without any ulterior motives. You nod shyly and the two of you finally head home to him. When you arrive, you just stand there, which makes him smile. "Don't worry, I won't bite, make yourself comfortable... I'll make us some coffee." He disappears into the kitchen and returns shortly afterwards with two coffees in his hands. Both of you sit on his comfortable couch and sip the coffee.

"we are making good progress with the work"

"yes........" you stare at your coffee. He senses your discomfort and looks at you sweetly. "in the kiss scene.... was that your first?" He scrutinises your reaction. "because you're so damn shy"

"Yeah...sorry...." you look down at your legs and pinch your jeans.

"it really doesn't have to....god damn it you're so cute"

Your head is already all messed up and you bite your lower lip, which is not hidden from him and he looks directly at your sweet lips. His fingers sneak under your chin, forcing you to look at him. Without asking you, he kisses you tenderly and carefully, which makes you relax and accept his sweet kiss.

The two of you can't detach each other, but you only separate to catch your breath and engage in another seductive kiss between your lips that screems for so much more. "you want more....?" he asks you but instead of awnsering you just kiss back, lick over his lips which makes him open his mouth and your tongues both fight for dominance.

You let out a sigh and finally you part, face to face, gasping for air. "You're a damn good kisser" Pedro looks at you, slightly messed up, but he signals for you to snuggle into his arms. Shyly, you lie down in his arms and rest your head in his neck, which is why you can smell his wonderful scent with every breath. "if you need anything just let me know" Actually you need a new panty right now but you just nod and cuddle up to him more. He gently strokes your back without being intrusive. "I can't believe I fell in love with you clumsy" he smiles.

You cling to him tighter. "I... think I love you too..." you say and he kisses you on the forehead, smiles cheekily.

All this just because of a bump 4 weeks ago!

If you want a part 2 with or without smut just comment or request me :3

[theflyingkipper]

WOAH!!!!!! THATS A NICE BOOK KIPS, MAY I SEE WHATS INSIDE!!!

I meant to answer this last night but I fell asleep LMAO Here is the Thomas book I picked up on my birthday.

You can still see the yellow Goodwill sticker on the spine since I forgot to take it off.

Despite this book now being ~20 years old (copyright says 2000. I am also not a big fan of the passage of time), Its very clean, unwrinkled, and no one has written their name in this book.

There's three stories in the book, all from season 5 with images right out of the episodes. The test says "freight cars", so they used a US adapted script.

I remember reading book adapted versions of thomas episodes as a kid. Kind of ironic how they come back to the storybook medium back from the screen XD to a degree, I think it detracts from the experience a bit- but at this time we couldnt go watch an HD remaster of an episode on youtube whenever we wanted- and you couldnt take a giant clunky VHS and CRT television anywhere. But a paperback book of your favorite episode can go with you wherever your little self goes.

There's a few more books in this collection of adaptations including Edward's Exploit and something titled "Diesel 10 means trouble", which I can assume would have images right from the TATMR movie

This is definitely outside the usual scope of things I post. Although its very fun to hunt for old Thomas media and toys, I don't think my newly opened bank account would agree x_x

[michaels-office-hours]

The shallow issue.

Harvey Dent is shallow. And also underused.

SPOILERS!!!!!!

In a vacuum, would you have known what his fate was? No. Good! They did that part right.

In a vacuum would you have known he’s a man with anger issues about to snap after one thing a little too big pushed him over the edge? I seriously doubt it.

Now I will compare the show to BTAS in a few ways? Likely more than seems… unbiased. But it’s more because they actually did the things I liked and I’ll explain that more later. But for now? I’m not saying this show is trash. What I’m saying is the foreshadowing was executed better.

BTAS Harvey Dent was a man who wanted to clean Gotham up, fix the town. And he put that weight entirely on his own shoulders, because he couldn’t see anyone else doing it.

Under the weight, and the strain of seeing just how bad Gotham is? He started slipping, the mask genuinely slips! And we see Big Harv, his anger issues and guilt, and shame, but mostly rage, personified.

When he eventually snaps? These are his two sides.

Caped Crusader Harvey Dent is a man who “Wants to clean this town up!”™️…. Catch the difference?

That’s totally cool!! I actually love that! Having a politician that is against corruption, but is himself corrupt? That’s brilliant. But when do we see this? Having his main motivation be a lie, at least to an extent? That’s an excellent start to a very fascinating character!! More please!

Where is this seen? … well…

Maybe I’m blind? But not very often.

Barbara doesn’t like him. Which we’re supposed to trust Barbara… unless this is a vacuum, and then we don’t know to trust her until the Harley episode.

He acts shady sure, but do many people know how coast cases work to spot that?… bruh I’m talking to the Batman fandom. Of course y’all know. So that one is good. 10/10 don’t change it.

He tends to jump in front of cameras to pledge his case? But that’s the scripted thing of what he “wants” not what he wants or how he thinks.

So we actually see very little of that.

Okok next point.

Caped Crusader Havery is a man with anger issues.

He threw a snow globe at his assistant. That was it.

I mean he looked mildly grouchy at things other times. But not really in a… “oh crap he’s gonna snap” way.

Which- no I’m not gonna help by over diagnosing anger issues. That’s hurtful and unhelpful to those who have them, and straight up harmful to those that don’t. Anger is a normal emotion, it’s ok to feel it.

So he has one instance of it (I’m counting things before he snaps btw. After that he has a LOT XD and btw? You go my dude. Lolllll)

Caped Crusader Havery was pushed into a deal with Thorne, because he was down in the poles.

Very good idea! I actually love the take that this version of Havery? Brought his accident upon himself by doing the very thing he preached against.

BTAS was hurt because he was clean, and Thorne wanted to teach him a lesson for daring to do that.

So the difference is very striking! Very new and fresh! And I LOVE it!

So how does it play out?

Thorne bribing him is a longer lead up than Harvey having Thorne lord it over him…

I just… why?????

Like yes suspense.

But it’s more suspenseful to have Thorne finger on the trigger behind Harvey’s head, than going “we should make a deal with that guy”

Idk why they held off. They should’ve made the deal the same episode it was brought up! More time for Harvey to squirm, and possibly make mistakes, and possibly show those anger issues he allegedly has, and more time to show how dangerous Thorne is. Setting him up as a fake final boss.

Ok I won’t try to fix things too much in this post, that’ll be the next one. Anyway.

Caped Cruiser Harvey split into a very cold, and angry man, and a man who was very sad for what he had done.

Ok so uhm… I have OSDD. Hi. I know what it’s like to have people in my head. This is done so badly no offense to those who relate.

BTAS Harvey was said to have DID, I don’t personally agree? The fact the two sides talk is a little more in line with OSDD? But other than that it’s pretty solid. A traumatic event in his childhood, caused a split. Which was found later in life and that alter eventually took over.

Caped Crusader? Cant decide between if he has a very bad anxiety issue, or if he really suffers from a personality disorder. (I say suffers because bro has an alter that makes him kill people, and he can’t control it without outside help. That’s suffering)

DID and OSDD don’t come on later in life. They have to start between the ages 2-7. And yet we never see an appearance of “the other guy” before the big split.

Aside from the chase through the docks, a couple moments at the prison, the moment where Batman stopped him, and mayyyybe the moment in the glass? That one is hard to tell. Those are the only times we see the meager personality in the show.

All of these are after the big freak out. And after the accident.

Harvey having PTSD and anxiety, making him lash out in moments of high stress, fear, and anger? Believable. Especially after what he went through.

Harvey having DID or OSDD? …. I’m not really seeing it coach.

Now that’s my experience. I would like to hear others!! Let me know if I’m being too single sighted.

Caped Crusader Harvey is controlling, and manipulates situations to best fit him.

Did I throw this last one in here because I wanted to end on a positive?

Yes. Yes I did.

I love this so much. I love how the coin is used to goat people into making decisions too quickly. I love how he always gives the person heads, aka the good answer. I love how Barbara uses it on him later.

I. Love. This.

More of this pls. Isgkehgdkhgkeg

Caped Crusader Harvey dies.

I nearly forgot this.

I’m sad.

I love Diedrich Bader, Two Face is my favorite villain, I genuinely liked how he was characterized in this, I just felt he needed more screen time.

But I’m actually ok with him dying……. I say while pulling teeth.

Ok I’m actually very unbiased on the rest? This pisses me off as a fan. He’s my favorite sue me.

I do like it narratively though. …… if it weren’t for a few other things in the show.

But I’ll go into that in another post ;]

The Batman: Caped Crusader’s Harvey Dent is shallow

Good but shallow

There’s many ways to fix him. That would actually tighten the series together and help a lot with a few other things.

Btw no I’m not saying “make it more like BTAS” I’m saying you didn’t use the time wisely, and there’s a MILLION small, time efficient, subtle ways you could’ve set this up better.

So yes I’m asking permission to rant. If anyone wants to hear this. I wanna go into how I actually agree with the characterizations, I just think they need a little extra polish to help them really shine.

Full disclosed? I do like BTAS better. But I really do enjoy the different views Caped Crusader gave! So I want to talk about that show, not comparing it to what came before.

Also I’ve seen way too many hot and cold takes.

“You’re stupid if you like [blank] , the old stuff didn’t do that” sit down and shut up until you can form an opinion in a constructive way.

“The new stuff is amazing! No issues!! If you critique it you’re [idk man some insult]!” Also blatantly false. A 10 episode time frame is NOT enough at the best of times, add in the budget cuts? This is good at best. Defending it like this means there’s no improvements. Criticism is good and needed! And also the creator’s probably won’t see this post. So it generally won’t hurt their feelings I promise.

Anyway. Anyone interested in something far too long? XD

[pokemon-ash-aus]

Critique is most valuable when an artist ASKS for it. You didn't ask, and people are acting like you're ungrateful.

I get not being into something, especially a fan work. But sometimes you have to look at something and ask what it's SUPPOSED to be before giving someone advice about it.

Is this supposed to be a structured series of AU comics, or whatever that first anon wanted? No? Then telling you to MAKE it that wouldn't even be a helpful criticism. People really forget fan work and social media in general can be for FUN.

I like your AUs btw, I'm just mad at the poor critique etiquette from some of the anons you got.

It is very strange lol

I can see where they come from, i have an adundance of AU's that i seemingly make zero content for.

But the issue with that is- I do.

Some of them are strictly story driven, making comis doesnt feed into it the right way a comic does, and sometimes its the opposite.

I could try to make a fully fledged out FT Fic but nothing can compare to how i draw it out.

But this is the the opposite for something like the Genderfluid AU. Sure you can get pictures of how they all look, but nothing can compare to the raw feeling i put out when writing it instead.

Not to mention, this all takes a lot of time XD

I aint no professional, im an amatuer artist and writer that was strictly self taught. I cant churn out 4 clean coherent comics in a day, nor can i spit out weekly fic updates at the same time.

I do this for fun, and im so greatful for the traction that I do get.

And heres the thing, i dont mind criticism even if i dont ask for it.

*Your Posing looks a bit off* *Hey this part was too fast paced* *I think you need to rephrase this.*

Are all very valid criticisms imo. But to look me in my eye and say that the AU's i make and create shouldn't be made because their isnt enough content, isnt a criticism. Its a demand.

I aint no pack mule Or working cow.

Saying "Oh i wish there was more for this AU* is vastly better than "None of your au's have ckntent, why do you make more."

The content i churn out is all inspiration based. Sometimes i have a fully fledged out script for a comic and sometimes i just wing it cause im in a certain mood.

I cant speak for everyone, but im sure its this way for many creators As well.

But thank you for sticking around and liking my au's :3 i really appreciate it!

[blazingstaro]

An update! LOTS O' DOTS IN STORE!

YOO GANG! Just letting you know that I'm still alive!

In fact I'm cooking up some real special stuff! It's currently in the scripting phase, but once I've gone far out enough, I'll get to drawing a whole bunch of this goodness and blasting it onto here!

You guys can thank Mags for this LOL This funny little catboy has given me a pile of content to give you guys while I'm fixing up DotS behind the scenes!

Once again, thanks for the help lil' guy XD He's been helping me out a lot, and has actually slipped over some really handy lore stuff that's become quite essential to DotS' story. He's been a good boy, I pROMiSE—

Just look at him! Totally innocent—

—ANYHOW! There's been some lore advancements/changes as of late, so DotS is going to need a little more time to bake than I expected. However these changes are AWESOME! And for episodes I've already written, it'll only require some tweaks or additions!

All the episodes I had before outside of the first story arc have basically been wiped clean, so I have an incredibly large and flexible clean slate to work with! AAH— so refreshing to have the old junk finally out of the way! (Main story beats remain intact, however! Just going along a vastly different approach and negating unnecessary content)

Problem with that though is that I have to basically rewrite/script most everything from the ground up following that first arc EEEEGGHHH— So yeah it's gonna require a little more time due to all that, but A LOT lately has been falling right into place, and my sweet little mystery puzzle is coming right together at last <33

It's a lot of work, but it'll pay off big time because this is the best version DotS has ever been! I just want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before I start producing pages of the main story again!

I accidentally hosed myself over 5 years ago by starting off so hastily before I had fully built my world. Then again, I initially expected this to be just a fun little diddly side thing and not a deep journey into the soul instead LOL

SO YEAH— that's why I've been quiet lately! Been busy writing a whole bunch, fixing some more things, and pumping out this side comic project! I'll have a separate post to give you guys the skinny on what I've had cooking in the kitchen for the past couple of weeks!

OH and I finally recovered from that stupid cold! (Not allergies turns out— some kinda super cold BLUGH)

AT LAST, I LIVE AND BREATHE AGAIN!

[smhalltheurlsaretaken]

do you think the jedi prohibit 'frivolous uses of the force'?? because i see it a lot in fic but i swear i distinctly remember obi-wan using the force to pull a literal chair over lmfao

Yoooo, I've been wanting to write a post about that for like a week xD Okay, so here's the thing: I started answering this one, confident that I knew where the use of the word 'frivolous' came from - but it turned out that I was wrong, so I'm actually a bit baffled about its origin. But here goes:

(@cacodaemonia I know you were interested in this topic?)

No, I don't think the Jedi prohibit that. I don't think the Jedi even have 'frivolous' use of the Force as a concept. The idea that they prohibit it, or at least frown upon it, is very likely rooted in the AotC scene of Anakin levitating a piece of fruit.

Wookieepedia cites that scene and that scene only on the topic of frivolousness in the page on Telekinesis.

But the word frivolous isn't used in that scene! Who came up with it? Obi-Wan being grumpy about Anakin levitating the fruit could mean just about anything. Maybe Jedi frown upon showing off in front of a diplomat you're meant to be protecting in a professional way. Maybe Obi-Wan and only Obi-Wan disapproves of Anakin levitating stuff because he kept doing it around the apartment as a kid, just to be a little shit. Maybe Jedi frown upon playing with your food with the Force, which wouldn't necessarily be linked with it being 'frivolous' but just with 'don't be gross.'

Now I thought it came from the novelization using that specific word, but it doesn't! The novelization is based on the original script as opposed to the dialogue in the movie (it actually came out before the movie, so that's why) and the scene is longer in them both and seems to confirm what I said about how it could mean a lot of other things (because he isn't just levitating it originally, he's playing with it):

(novelization)

PADME: You did that? [ANAKIN looks up - wide-eyed innocence.] ANAKIN: What? [PADME scowls at him. PADME jabs at the fruit - ANAKIN subtly moves his hand and it lifts up from the plate and hovers in front of her.] PADME: That! Now stop it! [PADME laughs. ANAKIN laughs. She reaches out for the fruit - it loops.] PADME (continuing): Anakin!! [ANAKIN moves his fingers. The fruit flies into his hand.] ANAKIN: I'm not really supposed to do that... for fun, I mean. If Master Obi-Wan were here, he'd be very grumpy. [ANAKIN is pleased. He cuts the fruint (sic) into several pieces and sends one back to PADME. She bites it out of the air and laughs.]

(script)

Even taking Anakin at face value, this does not say there is an Order-wide ban on 'frivolous' uses of the Force. Again, maybe Force-assisted food shenanigans are frowned upon. Maybe Anakin isn't supposed to mess with people with the Force for fun. Maybe it's just Anakin assuming, as he sometimes does.

I think 'frivolous' might come from one of the EU books - it's not from No Prisoners (the Karen Travis TCW book) though, so I have no idea who might have used it in that context first??

Anyway, the issue in fic is that 'frivolous' is often confused with 'casual.' Hence the Obi-Wan thing imo.

One, 'frivolous' is judgy - it gives it a sense of sin, something that the Jedi... don't seem to have that much of a concept of? Dressing 'immodestly' isn't condemned, for example. I don't see the Order as a whole (there are sticks in the mud everywhere) having a thing against a concept as vague as 'frivolousness.' I mean... Yoda? His whole idea of fun is to mess with people and cackle, and his teaching methods include massive trolling, teasing the grown-up Masters with his gaggle of kiddos and whatnot. You cannot tell me Yoda never tugged on somebody's cloak to make them trip.

Two, frivolous and casual aren't the same thing. Obi-Wan pulling the chair falls into the casual use category imo - and yes, we do see him and others do this kind of casual stuff many times! (Off the top of my head: Obi-Wan grabs the map-ball thingy from the map-reader in AotC - in front of younglings, so there's no fear of a bad example being set - Yoda calls his stick to his hand in AotC, Obi-Wan pulls a chair in TCW s2, Jedi call their lightsabers to them all the time - though it's usually in combat settings, so it doesn't necessarily count, Obi-Wan closes a door in AotC - I think Ewan was the one who thought it'd be neat to do it? Idk...)

And I don't agree that "it goes to show their hypocrisy" or whatever. What, because we assume that's what Anakin meant in the AotC scene and because we assume it's 100% an Order-wide thing, and we assume that the Jedi would view using the Force for daily tasks as frivolous, then every single instance of Jedi using the Force for simple every day stuff is hypocritical?! Even though floating freaking fruit around somebody's head and pulling up a chair are absolutely not the same thing? The latter is something you would do no matter whether you use the Force or not - pulling a chair is a normal thing to do. Playing with fruit around someone is a rude thing to do. There's a difference whether or not 'frivolous' stuff is frowned upon.

And also, using the Force is a natural thing. The Jedi do it like they breathe - it's all around them and they're aware of it constantly, and it's not always something they can turn on or off. It's natural that they would use it for daily stuff, and the level of respect that comes attached with using it would necessarily vary from one Jedi to the other. Just look at Quinlan. What, jumping out of a gunship to make an entrance isn't frivolous? Well, Quinlan is a Master, so his views on it are just as valid - just as Jedi - as anybody else's. (Plus Obi-Wan - the Council Member - gives him grief for being late, not for just for being ridiculous, so again - rudeness.)

I can see some Masters being against using the Force with carelessness - and yeah, I can also see some Masters being against using it in a 'fun' way - because you have to be careful with that stuff, but it probably would generate debate. There wouldn't be a definite consensus on what is too much and what isn't.

If "the Jedi all frown upon casually using the Force" is something that Lucas intended to convey in the movie, please correct me and give me a source.

Though it is also entirely possible that Obi-Wan was meant to be a bit hypocritical about it - because he and Anakin have their tensions, and as somewhat of a parental figure it's only natural that he would scold Anakin for stuff that isn't that big of deal, or that he himself has done, because that's what every person who's ever been in charge of a younger person has done at some point. So sure, maybe Obi-Wan scolded Anakin for being too casual with the Force? But I still don't see it as a Big Rule that is in the Jedi Code That Must Not Be Violated and that get you Shamed and Shunned if you dare to have fun with the Force.

(Honestly, it reminds me of 'your Lightsaber is your Life' thing, and Ahsoka and Anakin both separately whining that their Master was going to kill them for losing/breaking theirs. There's a certain level or respect and care expected, the Masters (or... only Obi-Wan and Anakin, lol) nag a bit, aren't always careful enough themselves, the kids make a big deal out of it in front of other people, but ultimately there are zero repercussion whatsoever for actually failing to follow the Master's nagging. Like, Jocasta tells Ahsoka Anakin would totally understand, and it's Ahsoka who insists he wouldn't and makes it into a big thing.)

Again, having Masters tell their students to be respectful of the Force and not to treat it like a joke? Sure. Showing off with the Force in a rude manner being called 'frivolous,' and it being a bad thing? I could see it. Having Masters get pissy about pulling chairs, closing doors or whatever - about doing things you can do with your hands with the Force instead? Maybe, but it wouldn't be an Order-wide thing.

One thing's for certain, we never see a Master directly scolding a student for using the Force casually in the Prequels, the OT or TCW, much less calling it 'frivolous.'

So yeah, gimme Jedi levitating stuff to clean up under the furniture xD