#now we get to the fun bit where I let them choose the next path they want to take

[tracle0]

DnD murder mystery !!SOLVED!!

My players did it and I'm so proud of them :)

[pensat-i-fet]

Too good for you (Rúben Dias x Reader)

**Welcome to an imagine that wasn’t requested but that was inspired by one of my dreams (but then I really only kept a tiny detail from the dream). This is a bit spicy, a bit angsty, also slightly toxic and everyone (but Kepa, who has a little cameo because the one in my dream was Juan Mata and how random is that?) is an asshole. But I think it’s fun! It was one of those where I let the story go where it wanted to go. I didn’t choose any of this. The story chose its own path and that’s cute. Enjoy! ❤️**

Word count: 4030

Masterlist

Wattpad

Another day, another photoshoot. But this one was pretty special. You had worked for Armani before, walking their show and doing some catalogue work for them. But this time it was a campaign they wanted you to be a part of and that was huge for your career. And the paycheck was going to be pretty decent too.

Also, you were shooting with a football player so you knew that your work was going to get a lot more exposure because of his presence. And it was a player you actually knew, which could make the shoot pretty interesting. Whether it’d be in a good or a bad way was to be determined.

"Come here for a sec so we can double-check it all fits nicely".

"Sure", you said, following the stylist. "Is the player here already?"

She looked at you with a knowing look. "No, he's a bit late. Traffic is pretty bad".

"Cool. We'll wait then".

Fittings were done quickly and so you moved to hair and makeup. The look was pretty natural so that was done quickly but with it being an underwear shoot, the makeup artists had to make sure to apply makeup all over your body. And it was while they did it that Rúben showed up.

"Hello everyone, sorry I'm late".

His voice made you look up from your phone. Rúben looked you up and down and for a second you felt a bit self-conscious standing in front of him, and a crew of 20 people, in just a thong and a bra. As if he hadn't seen you in less.

While he was getting ready for the shoot, you put on a robe and sat down next to him.

"I thought you wouldn't make it".

"Bad traffic. I wish I had gotten here early. I might have volunteered to do your body makeup".

"Of course you would have".

"Do you want to do mine?", he whispered.

"I want to be home before midnight so hurry up".

"By home, you mean your place or mine?"

Rolling your eyes, you got up to check if there was something nice you could eat. Catering at these shoots was usually pretty good if you got to the table before all the good food was taken and only the dry carrot sticks were left.

"You didn't tell me you knew him", said your agent.

"I don't know him. I know what's in his jeans. It's different".

"Is it going to be an issue?"

"Why should it be?"

"I don't want you to mess up this big opportunity. Who knows how your career could develop after this".

Yeah, and you want the commission that comes from big-money jobs like this one.

"I won't mess up".

"How did you even meet him? I thought your friend played for Chelsea".

"At a party. It doesn't matter".

Yes, your friend played for Chelsea. But he had nothing to do with you meeting Rúben. As you said, that happened at a party. You didn't even recognise him at first. You just noticed a hot guy approaching your friend group and decided to start dancing with him before Gina, who had been staring at him all night, could do it first. Your friend group also consisted of people you didn't like that much. It was a fashion industry thing.

"Do I look good?"

Rúben was now next to you, wearing the underwear picked for the first few photos you needed to take. And yeah, he looked alright.

"As if you need me to tell you how good you look. You already tell yourself every morning when you look in the mirror".

"Is being confident a sin?"

"No", you said, getting closer to him. "Being arrogant is".

"Then we're both sinners".

"Sinning can be fun".

"It's fun when I do it with you".

That last sentence was whispered in your ear and you had to try hard not to blush. So you left him to go get changed into your first outfit.

"Wow! You don't need me to tell you how good you look either but I will".

You turned your hips slightly, letting him see how good you really looked while you pretended to adjust your panties with one of your hands, making sure Rúben's eyes followed your movements. "I mean, anything is an improvement from the skin colour thong I had to wear for fittings and hair and make-up. Least sexy piece of underwear you'll ever see. This", you said, pointing at your current outfit, "is a lot better, right?"

The way Rúben stared at you gave you all the answers you needed. "Believe me, seeing you in your underwear is always a pleasure. No matter the colour or design. But this…", he was now touching the little piece of lace that adorned the sides of the panties you were wearing. "Can you keep the clothes you wear at shoots?"

"Not usually but I think with underwear is different so maybe I get lucky".

"I'm feeling very lucky at the moment", he muttered, still staring at the fabric he had touched.

The photographer interrupted the moment, asking you to actually do your job. How inconvenient. And so you and Rúben moved to the shooting area and listened to the ideas the photographer had for the shoot.

You had actually been excited to shoot with Rúben. First, because you thought his look complimented yours really well. Sometimes you were paired with male models that looked so odd next to you but you and Rúben looked great together. Then there was the fact that you already knew him, which meant you were a bit more comfortable doing a more intimate shoot like this one. And of course, you wanted to see him. He mentioned you texting him if you visited Manchester but you had been travelling a lot and didn't get to see him in person ever since that party in Lisbon.

You also expected your chemistry to be good. At the party, you two connected immediately and felt incredibly comfortable in each other's company the whole night. So this should have been the same. But Rúben seemed to be struggling a bit.

"What's wrong?", you asked him during a small break.

"Well, it's a bit challenging to be this close to you while you wear almost nothing, you know?"

"Control the hormones, Dias. You're acting like a horny 15-year-old. Though I guess men never get over that stage. At least not mentally".

The pieces from the collection were stunning but a few were very impractical. Putting them on felt like you were doing a puzzle. And you could only imagine how difficult it would be to take them off, especially in specific situations where you'd be in a hurry to get rid of the underwear. But they did look good.

"Can somebody help me?", you called and heard the curtain move just seconds later.

You didn't even turn, used to random people helping in those situations. "I can help with that".

"Rúben, you shouldn't…".

"Shh".

You could feel his finger untangling the straps and doing the clasps. But before you could turn to face him, he bent down to kiss the side of your neck. When his hands went to your hips, you forgot for a second where you were and just leaned back into his touch. But a noise made by the crew startled you and you separated from Rúben quickly.

"We're working. We can't…".

But he wasn't listening anymore. He just grabbed your face so he could kiss you and you barely allowed him to touch your lips.

"My makeup. How am I going to explain it being smudged?"

"Are you wearing any?"

"Are you serious? Of course I am".

He leaned forward, impossibly close to you, and stared at your eyes. It was hard to keep eye contact but you managed. He then moved to your lips and smiled. "Yeah, I guess I can see a bit of product there. But it can be reapplied, right?"

"Stop it", you said, pushing him away from you and leaving the changing area.

Yeah, you could understand now what he meant by the shoot being challenging. But you were professional and a couple of hours later, you heard the magical words it’s a wrap.

“Where are you staying?”

The voice startled you and you held onto the shirt you were buttoning up for dear life. “Rúben! You can’t come inside. I’m getting changed”.

“I just spent 3 hours with you by my side wearing the smallest underwear I’ve ever seen in my life”.

“Really? You need to go out more”.

He rolled his eyes, before staring at your bare legs. “Besides, I’ve already seen everything there was to see”.

“It doesn’t mean you can see it again”.

“Not even if I say please?”

This time, you let him get closer and kiss you. And of course, you left with him. Much better than going back to the hotel.

                                        **

Back in London, you continued working non-stop. The Armani campaign was about to be released and some other brands wanted to work with you before that.

And for the second time in a month, you got to work with someone you knew well. But this time it wasn’t Rúben, but your friend Andrea.

“I love your hair”, she said the moment she saw you.

“Thanks. I had to cut it for a job but I’m really into this style”.

“Looks amazing on you”.

Catalogue shooting wasn’t the most thrilling part of being a model but it was pretty simple. And the crew you were working with was always fun to be around. So when it was time for a break, you all ordered food and chatted about everything and nothing while eating.

“Are you free this weekend?”, asked Andrea while you were getting ready to carry on shooting.

“I think so. Why?”

“Kepa has this event and I can’t go so we thought you could go with him. It’d be good for networking and all that”.

You met Kepa after working with his wife Andrea and became really good friends with both of them. It wasn’t the first time he had invited you to an event but…it was usually events that Andrea was attending too.

“I don’t know if it’s the best idea. I’ll be there as what? Your husband’s companion? What if people start to make up rumours?”

“It doesn’t have to be weird. Plus, it’s a very informal event. There might not be any press there at all and there is no need to dress up. It’ll be fine”.

“I’ll think about it”.

And that you did. Andrea kept sending you info and it really was a great opportunity to network. Also, the topic for the event sounded very interesting so you really wanted to go.

That’s how you found yourself arriving at the venue with Kepa by your side.

“Are any of your teammates attending the event too?”

“Why? Are you interested in any of them?”

“Kepa…stop. We’ve had this conversation before and no, I don’t like any of your teammates. None of them is my type”.

“You’ll break their hearts”, he laughed.

Kepa was busy talking to some people he knew so you decided to walk around saying hello to everyone. And that was when you saw him.

“What are you doing here?”

Rúben turned when he heard your voice and a big smile appeared on his face when he saw you standing in front of him.

“I was invited to the event. You?”

“I’m here with my friend”.

The word friend made him frown. “Another model?”

“No. Actually, another footballer”.

Rúben started to look around until his eyes fell on Kepa, the only other player that was currently there. “Him?”

“Yes, he’s my friend. Any problems?”

“You can do better than him”.

You laughed, not believing what you were hearing. “He’s married to my friend. We’re just friends, you idiot”.

“Is she here too?”

“No, she’s busy today. That’s why I’m here”.

“Big boy Kepa can’t go to places alone? Does he need you to babysit him?”

“Have you always been an asshole or am I just noticing? Don’t speak like that about my friend”.

Spotting Kepa, you left Rúben standing alone, staring at you while you walked towards your friend. His eyes never stopped following you around the venue and you could tell. But you avoided him.

Rúben kept trying to get your attention but you pretended not to notice and it was driving him insane. So when it was just you and Kepa standing next to the food, he decided to go introduce himself.

“Hey there, mate. Nice seeing you here”.

Kepa stared at him. They had never interacted outside of the pitch. “Sure. This is my friend…”.

“I know who she is”.

Kepa looked at you, frowning. So you had to clarify the situation for him. “Rúben and I did a shoot together recently. You’ll see it soon”.

“Right”, laughed Kepa. “Well, good to see you too. We gotta go…”.

“Maybe we could chat for a second”, he said, looking at you.

“Maybe I want to go with Kepa instead of chatting”.

Kepa kept looking from you to Rúben and then back, not understanding anything that was happening but if you wanted to leave, he was going to help you.

“She’s right. We need to leave now before my wife gets back home”.

When Rúben saw Kepa grab your hand to lead you to the door, his jealousy grew even more. “You have to make sure you finish before she gets back?”

Hearing that, Kepa let go of your hand immediately and before he had time to say anything, you had already slapped Rúben’s face.

“Don’t you ever insinuate something like that about me”.

Kepa had two options. Following you or copying your actions and slapping Rúben too. But even if he would have loved to do the same as you, he chose to follow you since people were getting closer to see what was going on. And his team had enough dramas to worry about.

"What was that about?"

"I would like to know too".

"Did he bother you at that shoot? You could complain to the brand or something. And if he's harassing you…".

"Kepa, I appreciate you worrying but it's nothing like that. I…I met him at a party a while ago and we hooked up. And then we met at the shoot and hooked up again. But I don't know, he was acting like a jealous boyfriend or something. And saying that about us…who does he think he is?"

"You were right to slap him. I wish I could have done the same".

You shook your head. You weren't an aggressive person. Actually, you avoided conflicts as much as you could. But hearing Rúben say that was too much. You couldn't not react.

Kepa invited you to stay over for dinner and you were a bit wary to say yes until you saw Andrea was back. She was fuming when she heard what had happened.

"Well, the good thing is you don't have to see him again".

"Actually…", her words made you realise you had to see Rúben again. Very soon. "We need to do an event to promote the campaign. I can't say no, Andrea. It's the biggest job I've ever done".

"You have to go", said Kepa. "Don't let him affect your career. Just pose with him for the red carpet or whatever and then you can stay away from him".

"Yeah, I'll do that".

But it was easier said than done.

                                        **

Rúben had tried his hardest to apologize. He didn't even know what got into him to talk to you like that. Well, he knew. Jealousy. But what right did he have to be jealous?

Still, he apologized on social media and even sent flowers to your agency. But got no response from you.

"This is what he'll wear", said the stylist, bringing the suit Rúben would wear to the event. "So we have to pick something that goes well with it".

You tried ten different outfits and none pleased the Armani team. But then you spotted a little black dress that no one had looked at.

"Can't go wrong with an LBD, right?"

They turned to see you holding the dress and one of the stylists shrugged. "Might as well see how it looks on. With those long legs of yours, it should look fine".

So you tried it on and it fit like a glove. The exposed back and the length gave it the sexy touch the brand wanted. You were promoting underwear not coats. But the front was more conservative, so it was sexy but still classy.

They paired it with some black heels and someone put your hair up in a messy bun to see how the neckline looked. You looked absolutely perfect. And you couldn't help but smirk thinking how it was going to drive Rúben insane.

But the first person you saw at the event wasn't Rúben, it was Gina.

"Hiii! Oh my God, you look gorg!"

Her smile was so fake, you feared she would get a migraine from the pressure on her jaw.

"I know".

"And you got to work with that hottie you slept with that one time. Where is he? Still single, I guess".

"I guess. But he told me he doesn't like obnoxious blondes so maybe don't waste your time".

"You're always such a bitch!"

"Not always, Gina. You just bring out the worst in me. Such a talent!"

Everyone was getting ready for the red carpet and it was then that you finally saw Rúben. He stood next to you but didn't even acknowledge you. Was he for real?

Once on the red carpet, he turned quickly to look at you and placed his hand on the small of your back. Your bare back. It was easier for you to just smile at the camera even if you didn't feel like it but he managed to do it as well.

You kept turning to show your outfit, placing your hands on his arms, shoulders or even chest.

"Stop moving", he whispered. His hand never leaving your back.

"I'm just doing my job. But nice to know the cat didn't get your tongue. Or were you just waiting to talk until you could accuse me of being a homewrecker again?"

"I messed up and I tried to apologize".

"Try harder".

The photographers thanked you and you started to walk away from the carpet, knowing Rúben was right behind you. When you turned your head to see him, you could see the way he stared at your body. He noticed you looking at him so we walked faster to catch up with you.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say something like that. I don't even know why I did".

"It was a very disgusting thing to say about someone you barely know".

"Again, I'm sorry. Please, let's pretend it didn't happen".

"Hi! Ruben right?", hearing Gina's voice, you closed your eyes to try to get rid of any murderous feelings.

"Yeah. Do I know you?"

She was now looking at you. "Be nice and introduce your friend".

"Who's the friend? You?"

Her fake laugh made you cringe. "She's so funny. Hi! I'm Gina".

"Rúben. Are you a model too?"

Oh God… "No silly, but do you think I could be one?"

"She's just an influencer who follows anyone with over 10k followers on Instagram around. If you slept with her, the whole country would know before you even finish".

Seeing Rúben's face made you laugh. He looked so uncomfortable.

"We gotta go, G. Everyone wants to see the stars of the event".

"You're just the accessory. He is the star".

Now she was showing her true colours. "Better than being the one that got a pity invite".

After a couple of seconds, Rúben caught up again.

"Are you going to roast me too?"

"You would deserve it as much as she does. But if you want to be told how amazing you are, Gina will be here the whole night".

"I have to be with my fellow star".

"Not your accessory?"

"I don't think you'd ever allow anyone to treat you just like an accessory".

"No one should allow anyone to treat them like that".

The whole night you had to be paraded around telling people about the collection and just hearing over and over again how great the campaign was. You knew that already. The photos were everywhere you looked and they were terrific. You knew that photographer was good but seeing the results in front of you made you realise how truly lucky you were to work with her.

"Do you like them?"

"Yes. These will be on my showcard for fashion week for sure".

"What's that? The card, I mean. I know what fashion week is".

"It's this little card with a couple of photos and my measurements. I have to take them to castings to give to the casting directors so they have all my info if they decide to hire me for the job".

"Interesting".

"You could model when you retire from football, you know?"

Rúben raised an eyebrow. "I don't know. I feel ok taking my own photos but working with photographers is weird".

"They stop you from doing stupid poses so it might be weird but look at the result".

He would have said something about your insult but could just stare at your fingers drawing invisible lines over the photos. Your fingers moved along the lines his muscles created and you seemed hypnotized by what you were doing.

He leaned towards you so he could whisper in your ear. "You know you can touch the real me too if you want to, right?"

"And yet you only get to touch me in the photos".

"You sure?"

His hand was now back on the small of your back and he could see the goosebumps caused by his touch. After looking around to make sure no one was there, he leaned down to kiss your shoulder and you kept staring at the photos trying not to show a reaction to his touch. But also not moving away, craving more.

"What's your favourite photo of the campaign?", you asked, interrupting the kisses that were now getting closer to your neck. And you knew once the neck kisses started, it was game over.

Rúben looked around at all the photos. "That one".

You looked at the photo he pointed and it was one of you with your back to the camera. You were topless so your back was as exposed as it was at that moment and you couldn't stop smiling seeing the rest of the photo.

"Is it my beautiful profile you like?", you asked, copying the pose so he could see the profile twice.

"Sure. But that thong…that's the sexiest piece of lingerie I've ever seen and I've seen a few. And of course, it looks even better because it's you wearing it".

"Do you want to know a secret?", he nodded. "That's what I'm wearing tonight. They let me keep the whole collection".

"You're kidding".

"Shame you won't be able to find out if it's true or not".

You left the room but not before turning to see Rúben unbuttoning the top button of his shirt. Yes, you were driving him insane. And no, he wasn't going to find out if you were telling the truth or not. Should have thought twice before pissing you off.

                                        **

After that event, Rúben tried to contact you but you ignored him. So he had almost given up. That was until he had to play against Chelsea. He obviously didn't make a great first impression in front of Kepa but perhaps they could talk, man to man, and fix that. So when the match ended, Rúben tried to find him quickly to talk to him with the excuse of needing to shake his hand after the match.

"So, your friend…".

"She's too good for you, brother. And you messed up and she doesn't give second chances. Sorry".

[neon-vocalist]

hey guys! chapter 4 out now! there were a couple odd translations in this one, so i did my best, but for the lines that i really changed, i added puroeng's original translation in the notes just in case. here's the doc, here's the video, and the script will be below the cut!

[Scene: Kamikou courtyard, the day of the festival] Unknown female voice, offscreen: Oh… Mizuki!

Mizuki: Ah..?

Footsteps. Kanade and Mafuyu appear onscreen.

Mizuki: Kanade, Mafuyu! Welcome!

Kanade, standing next to Mafuyu: Ah, um… thank you for inviting us.

Mafuyu: There’s a surprising amount of people… it’s a lot…

Mizuki: Unlike MGA {Note: Miyamasuzaka Girls’ Academy}, our school doesn’t require a ticket to enter, so quite a lot of people come! Our classroom has been full since morning!

Kanade: I see… Ah, by the way, will it be okay if you don’t help out your classmates?

Mizuki: Yeah! I worked morning shift at the reception, so I’m free now!

Kanade: I see. Good to hear that.

Mafuyu looks from side to side. Mafuyu: …Maybe Ena is still helping out her classmates.

Mizuki: Probably! …I— still haven’t had any contact with her, so I don’t really know—!

Kanade: In that case, it could be quicker to go to her class stall directly.

Mizuki: Ah… you’re right! Then, text her ‘we’re coming to you,’ and—

Footsteps.

Ena, offscreen: Sorry for the wait!

Mizuki gulps, looking anxiously for Ena. Mizuki: (...We’re not talking right away. Act natural. As usual.) Mizuki: …Huh…

A dramatic drum boom plays as Ena appears onscreen for the first time, frowning, in a bright red shirt that reads AUTHENTIC IKAYAKI 3-D. There are pulsing rays around her to emphasise her presence. Mizuki looks at her in confusion.

Mizuki: A…authentic ikayaki?   {Note: Puroeng chooses to translate “honmono,” 本物, as “real,” which, to be fair, is a legitimate translation— the word can mean authentic, genuine, or something akin to the English “real deal.” I prefer “authentic” here. Also, translation softwares all seem to think “honmono” means “serious,” and I laughed for a good 5 minutes at Ena’s shirt hypothetically saying “SERIOUS GRILLED SQUID” before I sought a better translation.}

Kanade: That’s very… straightforward…

Ena: Ahhhh, jeez! This is why I hated this T-shirt! The whole class got carried away and made this design…

Mizuki: Ahhh… uhhh... well… well it’s not so bad, kind of…

Ena: Hey! Such half-hearted comments are so annoying! If you’re going to tease me, at least do it properly!

Mizuki: Eeeh? You’re making no sense~!!

Kanade: …But you look good in that T-shirt, Ena…

Ena: Eh..!!

Mafuyu: …She’s flustered.

Mizuki: She’s happy about the compliment, but being in that T-shirt… that confused face, huh~

Ena: Hey, now! I don’t need you to speak for me! Anyway… Now that we’re all here, let’s get going! Where should we go first?

Mizuki: Mmm… Ena’s class’ ikayaki stall is interesting, but… It’s not time for lunch yet, so let’s check out places as we go!

Kanade: Yeah…

Mizuki: Well then, let’s go! Today… let’s have fun!

Ena pauses, looking pensively at Mizuki. Ena: (...Mizuki seems… a bit different. Surely… it’s related to what they sent me yesterday. I’m curious too, but… I’ve decided to wait for them properly. Let’s all have fun together today.)

[Scene: Kamikou hallway, decorated for the festival]

Students’ voices and footsteps roar in the background. Mizuki stands, concerned.

Mizuki: (...I guess it’s still scary to go around the school with them…. But…)

Kanade: Um, what they're doing here is—?

Mafuyu: It says “Everyone’s transformation SHOW!”?

Female voice, offscreen: Ah, Mizuki—! Yoisaki-san and everyone too!

Mizuki: Eh…

An stands next to Akito. An is smiling and waving, and Akito stands beside her with a typical unbothered expression. An: Everyone, welcome to class 2-A!

Mizuki: Ahhh, it’s An and everyone—!

Kanade: Shiraishi-san, it’s been a while!

Akito, to Ena: So you really came…

Ena: That doesn’t hurt anyone, does it? I’m a student here, after all.

Akito: I’m not saying it’s a bad thing.

Mizuki, to An: Ahaha, so how is your class doing? Getting many customers?

An: Yeah!! It’s packed!!

Mafuyu: What exactly is your class doing?

An: It’s a photo booth where you can dress in all sorts of costumes! Some of my classmates love making clothes, so they created all kinds of outfits!

Kanade: Wow… there are so many different kinds of clothes…   {Note: This is probably the translation of mine that strays the most from Puroeng’s. They translate it as “Oh, it’s true that there’s all kinds of outfits.” Take your pick.}

An: We have dresses, Chinese clothes, maids, and even aliens! You can be anything you want! Please try it if you like!

Ena: Hmm… Since we’re here, we might as well try it!

Mafuyu: You just want to take some photos, don’t you, Ena?

Ena: I didn’t mean that! We could make some memories, right?

Mizuki: …Memories… Right. Let’s do it then.

An: So, Kusanagi-san! We’ve got four more customers! An, smiling with her hands on her hips, begins shoving Mizuki towards the door.

Mizuki: Eh? W-Woah! An, hey, you’re being too pushy!

[Scene: Inside the room where Class 3-C’s play is taking place]

Kanade: It’s been a while since I last watched a cultural festival’s play…

Ena: Me too. Well, most plays in cultural festivals are all just inside jokes that end up falling flat, so they become painful to watch…

Mizuki, grinning: Don’t worry about that! It was Rui who directed this one!

Mafuyu: I see. Kamishiro-san…

Female student, offscreen: Thank you for coming to the “Full Moon World Tour” today! The show will be starting soon!

Kanade: Ah… it’s about to start. I wonder what the story is about.

Tsukasa: “Now… Let’s head to the moon, let’s go! We’re gonna make this full moon world tour a success at all costs!”

Students, offscreen: “Here we go! Let’s send Dr. Tenma to the moon!”

Ena: Huh?

Students, offscreen: “One… two… three!”

Tsukasa: “Wooooooah!!!! Break through the atmosphere and reach the moon!!!”

Kanade: Eh? He’s headed straight for the audience…

Mafuyu: …He landed headfirst onto a moon with his face drawn on it…

Kanade: Amazing… He’s stuck right in there…

Ena: Wait, is this a moon tour or moon destruction?

Mafuyu: Well, with this development… it stays true to the original work.

Ena: For real?

Mizuki: Haha, typical of Rui and Tsukasa-senpai~

[Scene: Kamikou hallway]

Kanade: …I was surprised. I never expected that the earth would get invaded by the moon’s residents…

Mafuyu: Yeah, it made me think about the state of humanity.

Ena: Really…? It felt like a total waste to me…   {Note: Puroeng translates this as “I felt like being swung around a lot, though.” I don’t know what that means.}

Mizuki: Ahaha! It’s cool that we all had different impressions, isn’t it? Mizuki looks affectionately at their friends. Standing across from them, Kanade and Mafuyu smile back, while Ena has a more serious expression. Mizuki: It’s so fun… just like I thought it would be.

Ena: Ah… Hey, Mizuki, why don’t we visit your class next?

Mizuki’s face falls. Mizuki: Huh?

Ena: The escape game sounds fun, so I’d like to check it out!

Mizuki: Ah… S-sure! Let’s go, then!

Kanade, Mafuyu, and Ena smile at Mizuki. Fade to black.

[fcmn]

So, I decided to talk about Downpour DLC of Rain World, because, why not?

I'll talk only about More Slugcat Expansion part of DLC, because Co-op and expeditions that were added is just great, I don't have anything to say about them.

Also I want to make clear that everything said here is purely my opinion and I don't force anyone to agree on it, and also spread hate on anyone who disagree on this opinion.

SPOILERS!!!

So, Downpour. An Expansion, that added 5 new characters to play and 5 new campaings to expirience, and yet, there's something I don't like about it. So let's talk about everything one by one.

1. Slugcats

Gourmand, Artificer, Rivulet, Spearmaster and Saint. Five new scugs, five new ways to play the game. I really like how fun they are, really, they all powerful and unique, you have to adapt for every single one of them. But this coin has two sides. Fun and power we got, cost us the idea of vanilla Rain World, the fact, that we are almost at the bottom of a food chain, we can overpower every threat, but with pure strugle and effort, not just because we have the ability to make everything go kaboom. I can't say I dislike the gameplay of new scugs, but I can't say I purely like it. The same creatures and threat that we encountered as vanilla trio, doesn't feel the same way for new squad, they can arguebly easy kill anything. I do believe, that there is a golden line between fun and philosophy of Rain World, it is probably possible to balance every scug in a way, that they will feel more natural for the eco-system, but still being fun to play. I'm not a developer, nor a game-designer, it's just my opinion as a player.

2. Story

This is something that I started to think about not so long ago. Each of the new campaings, except Saint, has a pretty similar pattern: Go to FP, listen to some dialogue, go into new region and get your score screen. Why is it always Five Pebbles? You have to visit him in order to progress the story. Which isn't true for Hunter, Monk or Survivor. I mean, as a new player, you'll visit him to get a basic understanding of what are you even suposed to do, but when you know where do you need to go, you can get to the ending without visiting Pebbles or Moon. You could say, that it makes sence for them to go to Pebbles, because they have to receive something from him. Fixing ID drone for Arti, giving Riv the ball, opening gate to outer expanse for Gourm and taking thr pearl put of Spearmaster. For SM, I'll say right now, that it is logical for him to visit Pebbles in prder to progress, he is a messenger. Probably it is the same for Riv, but I still have a filing that it could be done differently. Though I think it should be different for Arti and Gourm. As a Gourmand, it doesn't make sence for Pebbles to give him a mark of communication at all, he could just sent him out of his can and show him the direction to the Outer Expanse via the Overseers, much like Iggy does guide Monk and Survivor to Looks to the Moon and then to Five Pebbles. For Artificer, since she's next after Spearmaster, of which visit FP wasnt happy at all and he could just lock the karma gates to FP region like he did with Outer Expanse, so no one could enter his structure and distract him. Sofanthiel (ID drone), could be more useful in this scenario, he could act as an Overseer of sorts, pointing out threat, flashing images of Chief Scav and Elite Scavs as warnings and he could lead to the alternative way into Metropolis and also, I would give player a bit different route to the Chieftain Scav arena, the route that would make a visit to Atop the Tallest Tower mandatory for going forward, and the Echo there would give player a choice, proceed with the path of violence or choose a path of Ascension, which, in my opinion, does fit the "What fate a slugcat?" phrase.

Saint is just worth a whole another post to just talk about him, because he gives off mixed signals for me. But I can say, that, I love his campaing.

Overall, I do think that downpour story is good at some points, for me at least, but I also think, that it could've been done a lot better.

3. Five Pebbles.

I do like the new character of Five Pebbles, it does waves away almost everything pre-Downpour FP showed us, byt it's still a great character with good tragedy story. Five Pebbles and other Iterators being more human-like is a good thing for me. Five Pebbles being more similar to humans with his personality is something I like, because you can grow a bond with him through out the story. From SM's campaing where he is an angry teen who just pushes everyone away, all the way to the Riv's campaing, where he is more mature, regretting everything he's done in the past, not seeking forgivness upon himself. Seeing him first time in Saint's campaing and listen to him barely able to speak is... Heavy. It is a really emotional moment and I couldn't hold the tears, looking at the way he speaks and trying to listen his favorite pearl, even though it's already showing sings of decay, slowly fading out.

4. Sliver of Straw.

It's more about Challenge 70 being uncanon. I do dislike this statement and I think, it wastes a lot of interesting things to discuss because of it. All the theories about Sliver and Saint, also about Iterator's abbilities just fell into nothing. I personally love the theory about Saint being THE triple affirmative, created by Sliver herself to ascend her and probably others, but, it just happend too early, before Sliver was able to share the news about solving their great problem, and that's why she fought back, as Saint tried to ascend her. I just love this theory and I hate the fact, that it all just nothing more than a silly headcannon, because of how Challenge 70 is considered non-canon >:(

That's all I have to say about Downpour. Sorry if there was too much hate of just straight up nonsence, these are just my unfiltered thoughts on the DLC. Also I am, by no means encouraging you to spread any form of hate towards Downpour developer team or Videocult themselfs, they all did a massive job to bringing this Expansion to life and I am happy we do have it at all.

[toadcroaky]

im trying to absorb info abt tcoaal from your blog and i think ive picked up on a lot, but would you mind describing what the different routes are? like burial, decay, etc.?

Warning I’m fixing to go on an insane tangent.

ok so like there’s only 2 chapters out rn and the first chapter ends the same but in chapter 2 there’s 2 (3 kinda) choices you can make that drastically alter the ending. (There are 2 main paths but like 5 endings some are just barely different I’ll get into that in a minute)

In the basement when you have your parents tied up ready to sacrifice to the demon (they deserve it trust me) both siblings get a choice to essentially “choose” eachother.

Ashley has to chose to trust Andrew alone with their parents when he asks her to go get all the money off their moms credit card. She knows their parents always liked him more because he’s more outwardly “normal” and is scared they’ll convince him to turn on her as soon as she leaves. If you choose to trust Andrew, that’s one step closer to the Burial ending, what some people consider the “good ending” (it’s subjective, there’s still another chapter to release so we don’t know for sure!)

but if you choose to pitch a fit and say you don’t trust Andrew alone with them Andrew gets PISSED and is like I’ve already killed for you we literally have our parents tied up at gunpoint and you STILL DOUBT ME?? and that triggers the Decay ending which some consider the “bad ending” (again it’s subjective since we don’t Really know what will happen in ch. 3)

But even then, if Ashley chooses to trust Andrew and leaves he is also faced with a choice. Immediately his mother starts questioning him and telling him it’s not too late to turn on Ashley and let them go they would help him get a job, get back on his feet, etc. (keep in mind they’ve already betrayed him once by selling them both out to organ harvesters and then collected on faulty life insurance on the both of them)(like I said they deserve this)

Andrew gets the choice to either accept or decline his mothers olive branch. Now BOTH of the siblings have to choose eachother in order to get the Burial ending, but only one has to fuck up in order to get the Decay end. Basically if Andrew chooses to “accept” his mothers olive branch he straight up tells her he would if he could but Ashley has already drug him too far down to quit and he hates it and he hates her but this is how it has to be. He resigned himself to hating her for the things he feels he “has” to do and is bitter about everything and is ready to burn everything to the ground.

This is the ending where when Ashley has a vision where he chases and violently kills her with his butcher knife. Now this is where the decay route get interesting. There’s a third choice earlier in the game where in Andrew used Ashley’s gun she stole from the warden to shoot a hot man who’s been following them there’s a “Shoot.” And a “SHOOT!!!!!” Option, the later being Andrew emptying the entire clip into the guy so now they have no bullets.

Flash forward, if you get the decay ending then as Ashley is being hunted through her dreamscape by Andrew, if there’s bullets in the gun she can choose to defend herself and kill him. Or. She can put the gun down and let him kill her. Picking this option Andrew still kills her but it’s.. cleaner than if she couldn’t defend herself and she also says the saddest line in the ENTIRE game;

“Bye-bye Andrew, I had fun!”

And he turns to cradle her cheek before saying “I’ll see you in a little bit.” before slotting her throat.

I didnt play the Decay ending but that fucking broke me watching a play through.

I much prefer the Burial ending, which is where both siblings choose each other and say fuck social norms, what has society ever done for us we only have each other. Andrew is much friendly and open in this route and is unbothered by the act of butchering and eating their parents corpses. Even Ashley is shocked that he has next to no reaction to this and says he’s acting different. This is because in this ending Andrew chooses to unmask and is no longer concerned with what’s “normal”. (Even though he’s still concerned with avoiding any and all consequences to their actions, this is a core characteristic of his)

After they eat their parents Andrew suggests she try for another prophetic dream and this time he wants to try it too so they lay on their parents bed holding hands with the demonic trinket clasped between them.

In this route Ashley can have 2 different dreams and depending on how you do a certain puzzle in her dreamscape, unlocks the INCEST ROUTE (AKA the best route and I’m not even saying this for horny reasons it’s just true) doing this means they both share of vision of them post-coitus etc etc. I’m sure you’ve seen it.

They both wake up and Andrew is BEET RED and begs Ashley to tell him they would never do that. Note that for once HES giving her all the veto power implying that he wouldn’t be able to stop himself if she offered. You can say “Never” or “Never say Never” the former giving you the no-incest or Sane route and the latter obviously doubling down on the incest lol.

And yes you can still do the burial route and not do incest, this is called the “Sane” route and basically Ashley just has some weird puzzle dreams and Andrew sees nothing. The only difference is Andrew isn’t as friendly and playful with her as the incest route and ch. 2 ends.

So basically as of chapter 2 there’s 5 different “endings”

Burial

> Incest or Sane

Decay

Gun with no bullets > Andrew kills Ashley violently

Gun has bullets > Ashley kills Andrew in self defense OR allows him to kill her and he does so quickly.

I should also add that in Decay no matter what happens with the gun Andrew is always implied to kill himself right after he kills Ashley. He refuses to be separated from her and expects to see her in whatever version of the afterlife he believes in.

Anyway I’m sorry if this is incoherent but I just LOVE talking about this game I could do it all day if there’s anything you’re still curious about let me know!!! There’s also YouTube play throughs but I definitely recommend buying the game it’s so worth it.

[help-imanartistt]

GOING INSANE

so my brain keeps drawing genloss parallels to songs now so...

I could write an essay on both of these in full but I'll spare you for now...

THE MAIN CHARACTER - Will Wood

I can imagine a great little animatic to this hehee if only i could animate 😭

I imagine the person talking in the bridge is Hetch and then everything after the 'it's nothing new' line is Ranboo responding. Just this whole idea about loyalty and not breaking out of Showfall's grasp and the way that you can kinda connect the 'court fool' and 'the witches' to sneeg and charlie. Also the whole thing about 'doing what we need to to get through' implying that Hetch is also under some sort of control from the founder and also trying to belittle Ranboo for their decisions even though they weren't his own. Then the 'it's nothing new' line referring to the you guessed TIME LOOP. (I LOVE TIME LOOP SO MUCH ITS SO SILLY)

Leading back into the chorus. The creators not being seen as people gets called back to there 'So God forbid I'm seen just as an average human being'. This line also eludes to 'The Hero' like Ranboo being given a role and now they're expected to live up to what people think of them. Ranboo commenting on Hetch's two faced nature with the whole 'I mean imagine if antagonists lacked any evil scheme' bit and how he truly believed Hetch was going to save him. And you can kinda see the last line ('I'm the main character and you have to like me') as a way for Ranboo to justify all the pain he's gone through like "it would all be for nothing if they didn't like me" kinda thing.

COUNTING SHEEP - Crane Wives

I am not convinced this song was not written about genloss/j

This I imagine is the restarting of the time loop. with 'morning coming a day too soon' or thinking that you're dead and to quote the show that 'it wasn't supposed to be like this'. Back in the tiny room being the cabin.

I'll skip the chorus and get to the next verse for now...

The sunlight filtering in and Ranboo's dread of waking up has started to set in as it means that he is going to experience everything all over again. The sunlight could also be referring to the ending of ep 3 where he can see sunlight leaking in from outside but still chooses to ignore it. This could also imply that he was never fully broken out of Showfall's control until the end just so Showfall could get him to follow the story they needed. This leads into the cycle beginning again and the alarms ringing being his awareness that something is wrong and he will be stuck again forced through the same fate over and over. At this point I'd imagine that the mask has turned on meaning the something in them that is fast asleep is themselves and this fear of trying to break free sets in. I also imagine the 'it's a losing battle' line to be representative of Showfall almost mocking Ranboo as he struggles to grapple with reality (him yelling no as the mask turns on again in the first ep).

SO THE CHORUS

Having the wool pulled from your eyes is to see the truth. The mask in this case we can refer to as the wool. I'll let this kind person pn Genius to explain the whole sheep metaphor...

You see where I'm going here??

It's basically referring to how as soon as the mask has relinquished some amount of control and Ranboo is able to see how others are being controlled and deceived ergo eating their fill of sheep. I also really like the whole analogy of sheep because like the whole idea of those trapped in Showfall's control being unable to forge their own paths and make their own decisions. This also aligns with how the Showfall employees are just drones doing whatever the founder needs them to.

ANYWAY UHH THATS BEEN MY SECOND 600 WORD ANALYSIS HAVE FUN GUYS. (can you tell I'm an English student yet...)

[wowowwild]

Ok so I've played through all of the first game now so I'm just going to ramble on for a bit. I was previously familiar with all but the last case.

Tbh if you don't go in a wrightworth shipper you aren't very likely to come out as one. The first game has it's moments, but I'm hoping the following games are more concrete bc I wouldn't want wrightworth to be a thing at this juncture. Miles has too much personal development going on, he's not ready for that. Also, different than I was expecting: Miles seems more into Phoenix than vice versa and I thought it would be the other way around. Phoenix has that undying optimism for Miles (which may be hurting their case actually), but it's not convincing as romantic interest for me. Not that I would say it's impossible he's interested, it just hasn't developed much yet.

I like the overall theme/lens to view through of leaving, being left, and choosing to stay (my personal interpretation, and I am in no way writing a complete thesis paper here).

The first instance is in Mia's death. You could argue Phoenix's choosing to stay starts with Larry, but I think Mia's death is where it really takes off. Mia's death is a consequence of her choosing to stay (she chose her path and stuck to it), and the consequence of her death is leaving. Phoenix and Maya are the most notable of those left behind. Phoenix is the one with the power in this situation and he chooses to stay (with Maya). He consistently chooses to stay with Miles, his belief unwavering.

We learn that Miles left and is choosing at first to stay leaving. In the Powers case he seems to be beginning to be choosing to stay and makes the decision more thoroughly during his own trials. His decision to stay with Phoenix and his morals. At the end (we all know what happens next) he chooses to stay by leaving.

At the end of Miles' cases, Maya leaves, but her leaving is really more about staying. She is leaving now so she can stay later, more staying by leaving.

Ema and Lana have the benefit of doing the leaving staying arc over the course of a single case. Lana left her morals and subsequently her sister but Ema chose to stay and so Lana had a place to come back to. Ema assures her during the trial that no matter what they'll still be sisters and showing once again she is staying. Had Ema chose to leave, Lana would be in jail and their relationship would never recover. Had Lana chosen to stay leaving the result would be much the same.

Rip to Gummy in RFtA. Phoenix is constantly roasting him, the guy (temporarily) loses his job, he has the worst timing imaginable. Love my boy.

I really like Angel Starr and Jake Marshall. They're such compelling characters and their gimmicks are fun. I feel like no one talks about them but at some point in the future expect many reblogs featuring them (idk when anything will pop out of my queue, it's got close to 500 in it so I keep having to up how many it posts daily)

Phoenix really sets up the 'Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth chooses death' with his 'you can either let what happened kill the prosecutor in you or let it grow' paraphrasing obviously bc I cannot be bothered to find the exact words but I knew as soon as I saw it.

I need someone to get Larry some help. idk if anyone can help him, but someone ought to try.

Not actually related to my play through but I got a 'let the parrot take the stand' shirt and it's my new favorite article of clothing.

I don't have any other thoughts off the top of my head so that's it for now, but my other statements i started live blogging are under (#game posting) and I have decided I will continue to live blog as I go through JFA

[ratasum]

So some more COHERENT thoughts now that I'm awake.

I didn't dislike the chapter. I think if I had any complaint, it's that it ends very abruptly. I've seen some reads that it was fixing depression with the power of friendship, but I really felt a LOT more like it was, please tell your friends when you need help, they will be there to help you. The commander doesn't seem fixed, just... more ready to reach out when they need it.

YMMV, of course, everyone reads things differently. But that was how it felt to me, especially having BEEN in a position where I refused to ask for help. It took the people around me offering support once the struggle became known to let me realize I even could.

But like I said, the very abrupt ending was a little disappointing? I'd have liked to have seen the last bit end with them fleeing from the mine, then regrouping to reconsider options.

Maybe getting to revisit places from the personal story that were meaningful. For asura their krewe, for charr their new bandmates, etc. Things like that to better emphasize this idea that people have always been there.

I remain a bit giggly about Taimi and Gorrik exclusively bc I've basically been writing them as a thing with Everything with the Dragonwatch Krewe anyway. So like I said last night, the polycule grows. Qirri would like you to meet her girlfriend, her girlfriend's boyfriend who is also HER boyfriend, and their other boyfriend.

But yeah. All in all, I had fun, even if it ended much more abruptly than I would have liked.

Trying to think if I had any other complaints... I would've liked to be able to pick ALL the memories. The choice of Cinder felt really weird even if it got some GREAT Chul-Moo being a dad moments. We didn't really get much time with her at all and while what happened was tragic, it just... I don't know. I liked Cinder from what we got of her, but I don't think the characters had enough of an emotional connection. I feel like Trahearne and Eir would've been good choices to put in there.

An option to choose to take no date at all. I know some characters are any of several combinations of aroace, and in the case of mine and Jenn's characters, Garrus would've taken Agaue anyway. And Qirri went with the krewe. Being able to say something like "I don't need a date; I'm happy to go with my friends" would've been nice.

And the pathing in the tunnels was weird. We kept getting lost.

While I too am disappointed it wasn't directly revealed what the next thing will be on the docket, I do feel like that was fully intentional. We're still getting oni attacks, so the thing we fought wasn't even the Main Big Bad. It was just something that may have been working for it. That honestly just interests me more, but again, YMMV.

[psylockexs]

A starting point Pt 2

Caution: Explicit picture included 🤭

Olive led the trio to a hatch in the floor which had a small ladder. One by one, they filed into the tiny room. In the center, there stood a table and chairs and to the side was an everchanging sigil. Olive clicked her fingers, causing the sigil to change color. At the same time, her outfit seemed to change completely.

No longer was she wearing her casual clothes, but she was showered in jewels. Her marks were on display, and her eyes bore a weighty look to them as if she was seeing much more than just the people in front of her.

Morg: Whoa, you look different 😮.

Olive: My divining form. Come, sit.

 They all sit down at the table 

Lore: Wait, won't Nyon join us as well?

Olive: No. This is too advanced for his low skill level. He may be talented, but he can't stretch beyond what he can handle.

Lore: Fair. So. How does it work?

Olive: her deep brown eyes seem to swirl Hmm. Your mother seeks interesting interesting people. Tell me, Morrigan. Has your mother told you about any of them?

Lore: shakes her head Sadly no. Even though she promised to share info, which never happened.

Olive: Well then, let's look at them, shall we?

Olive then projected the images she could see in her mind's eye to the others. It was almost as if they walking in Olive's shoes. Right there, observing 😮.

Olive: Ahhh. Aphrodite has a sister, huh.

Min: Aphrodite? Like the woman of myth?

Olive: Fun fact: Aphro in human myths was actually a witch! How about that? And this young lady is her sister.

Morg: She looks so...normal.

Olive: Beyond that. She's much more. She is capable of using crystals like cards.

Lore: Distributing her power in the crystals. Ingenious. Is Aphrodite around then?

Olive shows the next image.

Olive: She is. Here she is, in all her glory.

Min: Urgh, why all the pink?! 😦

Olive: Heh, that's just how she does it. She is a witch of love, after all. Same as Mikhail, but not as devious. And she deals with all aspects of love, not just the carnal side.

Lore: Their faces. They're from the South?

Olive: Correct. La Ciudad. Nice place, actually.

Morg: Who else are we looking for? Min-ho mentioned a guy with blue hair.

Olive: I know who you speak of, but I can't trace him. He's as good as you are at tracking, Min-ho nods in Min-ho's direction. He knows how to hide.

Min: Damn.

Lore: Fine, then. Niko and Mikhail. Where are they?

Olive's lips curled up in a mischievous smile. Lorelei did not like that one bit...

Lore: Don't smile like that. What is it?

Olive: Well...it's just that they're probably not in any way to be found. 😏

Lore: I don't care! The world is kinda depending on them! So, where are they?!

Olive: Well then, don't bite my head off...but it seems their alpha has an interesting way of welcoming her new mates. 😏

Everyone groaned as Olive laughed her head off. It wasn't her fault. She did warn Lore that they weren't available but Lore wanted to see anyway. If she wanted to swim in dangerous waters, who was Olive to stop her? 😆

Lore: Was that really necessary?!

Olive: Hey now. I did say they weren't decent, but you insisted. So 🤷‍♀️.

Lore: I didn't insist shit! And why are you divining on them if that's the case then?!

Olive: I can't choose where the trail will lead. It's up to me to pursue it or not. Are you going to sit here and question my morality, or will you pick up these threads?

Lore: just sighs, annoyed but she knows Olive is right

Morg: If this is the case then, I think you've given us enough to continue the path. I, for one, would like to get this started right off the bat.

Min: Agreed. Though, I'm really only support. Someone's gotta do it.

Lore: Alright. Well, in any case, thank you for the leads Olive.

Olive: You're welcome. Best of luck.

The trio exited Olive's house, bidding farewell to Nyon as he opened the door for them. The kid went to see his mother as she took a moment to regain her energy.

Nyon: Will this work, Mother?

Olive: It has to.

Nyon: Are you sure you can trust them with this?

Olive: I have no other choice, son. This is something that must belong only to us. It will be a painstaking process, but it must be done. They are our only hope.

Nyon: I hope you're right, Mother. If our lives are teetering on whether cards are to be found...

Olive: It is indeed grave. A human must not find those cards. There will not be a second Hunt. Not on my watch.

Back in San My...

Min-ho went over everything in his head. There was a lot to take in; tarot cards, divining, necromancers. Hemomancers! Too much! And what was that slip of the tongue from Olive earlier? Olive didn't seem like your typical crazy caster, but there was no way she didn't mean something by what she said.

Min: Was it true?

Lore: What?

Min: What the lady said. Daydreaming about sleeping with me. Did she mean me, or Morgyn? 🤨

Lore: What does it matter?

Min: It matters, Lorelei. It might seem insignificant to you, but it's important to me. If we're gonna be doing this, I'd rather not be second guessing anyone.

Lore: Ok. Well, why does that matter? At least from her mouth, anyway. She might be a necro-wielder, but doesn't mean she's right. Maybe she just said that to cause havoc.

Min: No one says things like that without it having meaning. 🤨

Lore: Well, it doesn't mean anything...I think.

Min: Hm. Anyway. Good night, Lorelei. walks off

Lorelei walked back, shrugging off the whole conversation. She had no time to thinking about such trivial things when there was much to be done. Olive had given her the locations of the others she needed. It was more than she could ask for at this juncture, so she had no time for other things.

But...maybe some of Olive's words rang true. I mean, anyone would be a fool to deny Min-ho looked good. Morgyn's not too bad himself. In fact, when we look at it, Lore is literally surrounded by hunks. She is so far the only girl in the pack! Damn, what a crown to wear! But what good is that if their existence is depending on pieces of cardboard being found by the superhumans first?

One thing was true. This is not a walk in the park. It could take days. Months. Years. Centuries. Maybe Lorelei isn't meant to do this 'mission' alone. Maybe it's to be spread across the ages. She hoped it wouldn't take that long, but something in her mind brought her attention to the mailbox. The mailman certainly didn't come by at that time of night, so who the hell was it?

'In order to seek what you're looking for, and put an end to Maria's schemes, you must settle in Ravenwood. Find the deck, Morrigan. A human must not decipher those cards. Not even one. Nyon Specter.'

And so it begins...

[benis-chillin]

Backlog Reviews 2024: Fallout New Vegas

Platform: PC

April 27th, 2024-June 23rd, 2024(didn't finish)

Been a minute, hasn't it?

As I noted at the end of my Metroid Dread review, I took a break from my backlog to let my carpal tunnel settle for a bit, and it did, even as I played Resident Evil: Deadly Silence on an old DS Lite whenever I had to wait 15 or so minutes while my mom tanned on the way to my plasma donations. After that, I decided to try out Fallout: New Vegas since it was a small game in terms of space, and it was a Christmas gift from a friend.

My first impressions were a little rough, as I got used to the sometimes awkward controls, and I got vilified within my first little bit of being in Goodsprings because I decided to shoot what I THOUGHT was a wild animal…That ended up being owned livestock, so I had to kill the owner in self-defense.

Then I had to kill a guy who saw me kill THAT guy, again in self defense.

Maybe it was my face? Idk.

Anyway, I finally got my vibe going when I discovered the console commands, and activated God Mode, thus allowing me to settle into a dream of being an invulnerable cyborg cowboy who's sort of a lawful neutral, with no restraint about killing bad people, and helping out where he can. This path led me to doing things like slaughtering the Powder Gangers after they killed an entire town, save the Ghouls from the Nightkin and achieve their goal of rocketing towards a new land, and I ultimately helped Boone kill the person who killed his wife, leading to him joining me and becoming my heterosexual life partner.

Wandering around was also a big part of the fun, finding new shit to do while classic songs on the radio fuel the atmosphere. I got Johnny Guitar stuck in my head a few times, but the immersion was worth it.

All of this is well and good, and I was enjoying this feeling of forging my own path…Until I avenged myself and got the people who had mugged me. Then the game just kinda lost all momentum. So I figured, "Okay, time to wrap it up." and looked up the quickest ending, which was the House ending.

And I couldn't bring myself to finish it because it was not only kinda long in its own right, but also went entirely against what I'd been doing this whole time. It felt wrong and gross for the character I had created, and I was only doing it so I could finally be DONE with all of this nonsense.

It reminded me of my first time playing Shadow the Hedgehog, and just doing a regular story playthrough. I wanted to do a more heroic playthrough, but often got stuck due to various factors. I wanted to destroy all of the Black Arms in Westopolis, but I had to just get the goal ring because I can't find them to this day. I wanted to save Cream in Cryptic Castle, but I couldn't find her. I got tricked into thinking the switches in Glyphic Canyon were a necessity, but that was just for the dark path. I got an evil ending, but I didn't WANT that. The game advertised itself as letting me choose the ending, but rarely have I ever gotten one that was satisfying in that scenario…Or even the ending I was TRYING to work for.

And that's how I felt about New Vegas. I lost the immersion once my character's goal was completed. And maybe someday, I'll come back, load up an older save, and do what I want to do. But for now, I'm gonna leave it alone.

6/10

Next time, my air conditioner is out, so I need to do some games I can sit in front of my window unit to play until the weather cools down a bit or we get it fixed. Thus, inspired by the recent trailer trailer for Metroid Prime 4, I'm doing Metroid Prime Hunters! See ya then!

[capt-wayan]

Chapter 1

I was once a dreamer who wanted to be someone great in the future. As a kid back then, I have a lot of things I wanted to be, to do and to achieve. Well who wouldn't? I think every kid does. But as I grew up, things become uneasy. Life isn't easy as it is and choosing a path to pursue for a life makes it more difficult. I always wanted to be a doctor or medically profession person but thinking about the time, money and blood I may spend throughout the journey, I may not be able to make it, so I chose another profession that lingers around me since I was in Senior High School and that is to be a Seafarer.

The journey I had throughout my academic years was a BLAST. I met people that helped me realized that I am in the right place and time. Special scream for my solid college bestfriends, Kim Prado and Nowell Aldovino. I met these two back in my first year in Lyceum International Maritime Academy (LIMA) in Batangas. The two of them were originally bffs and when I get closer to them, I instantly knew that they will carve a special memory in this path and in my heart. Even though I made a lot of friends, best of friends, special friends, no one can ever replace them at the top of it well in this case, college term.

Everything may seem so easy for me but nah, it's not because I  admit I am not really good at a certain subject, math. I first got my 2.00 grade in college because of it. But when I received it, I was a little bit hurt since I will not achieve the grades I am looking forward anymore but the hell I let it be as it is. Life won't stop because of something like that. You know, some things you wanted to be won't be in the place you want, sometimes it is not there but it is in some place where it really should be. You just have to accept the fact that everything will not go as planned.

Yes, my college life was fun and memorable but not always. There will always be an obstacle in every place I am in. I got into a fight with a professor whom I am friends with back then but I am glad that we are not anymore since it's not good to my health as well lol. She is a she and this she shits my second year. Although my grades wasn't affected, my personality does. Here goes one of the stories: There was once a leak of answers in her quizzes which she taken a SUPER BIG deal out of it since she said it was still a CHEATING well I agree with that since cheating is still wrong. SO, the thing is that the one who was caught said that the answers came from his secret admirer from our section BUT our section is all BOYS and I am the only one who is openly GAY, YES I AM PROUD GAY. So, this bitch immediately assumed that I AM THE ONE WHO LEAKED THE ANSWERS. When I don't really know the one who got caught. What the f**k right? She silently attacks me with her tactics which didn't affected me since I somehow find her subject easy. I knew, we all knew, my classmates that she is pertaining to me when the topic is heated and being talked about. I feel attacked back then since I am being attacked silently. But when the SECRET ADMIRER was caught, I didn't even get an apology for my preference being innocently attacked. And until now, that SECRET ADMIRER, and that PROF, I held grudge against them. Sorry not sorry but I do.

I shared so much in this chapter. Update next time.

[psychronia]

Oooh. This could be fun. Well, let's take a crack at exploring it at least.

For starters, if the siblings are ride or die, I imagine Azula would firstly be way more possessive of Zuko, which means she drives both Ty Lee and Mai away more; she doesn't need them and doesn't want Zuzu to need them. But on the flipside, she would also help him refine his firebending a bit more, even if it means her own training lags a bit. And all this might actually be enough for her mother to be more up to the task of gently guiding her in the right direction.

Everything comes to a head when Azulon demands Ozai sacrifice Zuko. Azula had the stomach to stay and listen to that, but she's so much more protective that I can see her at least try to take him to straight up run away to save his life. Not...sure what this leads to, but if nothing else, they might be able to have a short adventure outside the palace while mom is banished and Ozai takes over.

Where things get interesting is when Zuko gets banished. I...don't think Azula can do anything to actually change that, but how she reacts will be very interesting. The bad timeline is ironically if she decides to join him for his banishment because then she'd be there during the initial Avatar hunt which is...bad news for Aang.

So instead let's say Azula has to stay at the palace, but immediately shifts her focus to taking on missions in foreign locations. She and Zuko naturally stay in touch and meet whenever they can during this period. During this time, Iroh can also guide Azula unto a better path outside the influence of his brother. A few years pass this way and we have the plot happen with Zuko finding Aang as usual.

The next difference is Azula immediately joining Zuko to help him capture the Avatar and help him regain his honor. I imagine Zuko sends her news and they work together to conceal that information. What'll be really fun is Azula being a girlboss during the various conflicts with Zhao. It would be MUCH harder both for Team Avatar to get away, but also for Zhao to act against Zuko.

It would also be incredibly sick for Azula to join Zuko with a mask from a different character in Love Amongst the Dragons. Though Aang might...have a harder time getting away unless they're both knocked out instead of just Zuko. Uh...let's put a pin in that and say they do for now.

Zhao's assassination attempt on Zuzu would certainly infuriate Azula, even if she doesn't believe her brother would die from that. I doubt that he'd aim for her life, considering how important the princess was, so she's not able to join Zuko on his operation. Instead, I'll say she's working closely with Iroh to sabotage the entire attack on the North Water Tribe. Not sure what exactly would happen, but I'm sure it would be awesome.

The truly tricky part is with Ozai ordering Zuko and Iroh's capture by Azula. Firstly...would that even happen with Azula's weaker standing with him? We don't really know of any fire nation soldiers of merit besides her, so maybe, but maybe she'd also be held responsible. I guess either way, Azula is joining Zuzu and Iroh as fugitives, since she's either directly punished for forced to choose between her brother and her father. In a Ride-or-Die timeline, the choice is obvious, which could be a great moment for her.

Azula is, ironically, a much more terrible influence for Zuko during their travels and will encourage him to do a bunch of the robberies until they and Iroh split up. They might even rob Than and Ying in this timeline because of it. Alternatively, Zuko might also be a good influence on her and she might finally be able to calm down to interact with normal civilians more...civilly. Eventually.

She might need a few different rounds of practice first.

The troubling thing is...there's no hostile Azula to bring Iroh and Zuko back together. So if we make up a third party Fire Nation hunting party to be the threat, maybe we can do that? There's also not many people with the same level of menace as Azula either. It's a tough call. Without her to drive Aang their way, Zuko won't end up running into him either. As a placeholder plot beat, let's just say the Fire Nation has some other hotshot general chasing them. Definitely subject to change though.

After that, we can roughly put them on the same path into Ba Sing Se as before. Azula meeting Jet could be quite funny, now that I think about it. They live a more relaxed, low-key life for a while. Azula being a pretty-but-extremely-awkward poster girl for the tea shop could be fun. Not to mention her being a real nuisance during the date with Jin-assuming she doesn't block the poor girl entirely. But the main question is...where Zuko and Azula are on their respective redemptions. Because this is where the biggest make or break moment is.

Either we follow the original plot with Zuko doing a good deed and having his fever or Azula's influence means he doesn't save poor Appa at that moment and they turn it into some kind of trap against Aang. I really don't want that second one and I'm the one writing this though, so I'm gonna say they do the good thing.

Funnily enough, Azula's conflict is gonna be even worse than Zuko's so assuming they both come down with a fever, Zuko will wake up first and join Iroh in tending to his sister. Either that or she's only stuck to her one ideal of standing with Zuko and thus doesn't feel a thing either way. That's kinda depressing though.

The real silly thing is that Azula not being an antagonist force loyal to the Fire Nation means she isn't there to take over Ba Sing Se, nor does she return to the Fire Nation to report on the Day of Black Sun plan.

So, uh....I guess the good guys win and the siblings either stay Ba Sing Se civilians? Maybe there's a power vacuum back in the Fire Nation after Ozai is defeated so they have to step up to stabilize things. I'm confident that this version of Zuko and Iroh would be fine making Azula the new Fire Lord with Zuko as support.

...

So uh, yeah. That's what I got. Not exactly a full redemption because, surprise surprise, Azula was a very important part of Zuko's amazing redemption.

If they ever made it back to the Fire Nation as redeemed royals, I imagine Zuko would invite Azula to defect with him and she'd say yes without a doubt.

I need to see an atla au where zuko and azula just randomly decide to be loyal to each other at the tender age of 0 and 2 years, respectively… like, azula came out the womb and zuko was like “yeah i’m gonna be w u forever ur never getting rid of me” and theyre together until their dying days, theyre evil together, they’re good together, they win together, they lose together, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s together!! they’re evil together then they both become good together and they get redeemed together! boom, all of atla fixed

[stormy333]

Day Four!

Welcome to Day Four!

Best childhood memory? This is the question of today. Oh dear this is going to be interesting! Let's get into it. 

Honestly I can't choose between these two specific memories so I am going to tell you both of them because both of them are hilarious and made such an impact on me, well one of them made more of an impact on my poor brother. Anyways we'll start with that one since I just gave a tiny spoiler.

Memory #1

Let's go back in time. It was a christmas morning I think I was like 3 or 4, you'll have to bear with me here it was over a decade ago. We always went to my grandma and grandpa's house on christmas after opening our gifts at the house. This particular memory is actually on video somewhere I just have to find it again but anyway. This year Our grandparents got me and my brother power wheels. I got a princess car with Ariel, Cinderella and Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty decaled on it and my brother got a dirt bike. Totally amazing but oh my gosh I was honestly a really evil sister okay? My brother is four years older than me and ya know I'm glad that now we're older the past is the past but honestly this story will probably be a warning from him to his kids about me and my kids. 

So anyway we were all excited about these and grandma and grandpa had this nice big yard with one of those old well pumps in the middle of it. Gosh, this place was the dream and the best part was that my Grandparents, mom and aunts, and uncles rebuilt it when they first moved in? I think if I remember correctly. So anyways I loved the house and the yard it was dreamy. But thats not the memory we're going for here. Back to the story. 

After we got our power wheels we took them for a spin. Do you guys see where this might be going? Well if not then trust me um this gets... interesting? 

So we're both driving along having fun and everyone's watching us. Somewhere along there I got an evil idea. And this is on film! My brother and I were about to cross paths, I could have swerved to avoid him. He was coming from one side of the well and I was coming from the other. When I saw him coming I floored that little princess car and t-boned my poor brother! and then that's not even the worst part I kept going! My mom, grandma, and aunt all trying to get me to stop and all the guys my dad, my grandpa, and uncles all laughing because what kind of little girl does a hit and run and laughs about it? 

All I have to say is thank God I'm a better driver now than I was as a kid.

Memory #2

This memory takes place when I was a bit older than the christmas one, I don't actually remember a lot of details from this one but I remember enough of it to share it.

Okay so heres the deal before we took over the church that my dad pastored there was another pastor and family (Obviously) but I grew up in that specific church so I was best friends with the pastors youngest daughter because she was closest to my age. This happened at their lake house when I was having a sleepover with my friend. So onto the memory. 

I'm low key scared of small boats. What does that have to do with anything? Well heres the deal my friends brother, she was the youngest of three, the brother was the oldest. Well the brother took me and my friend out on the lake. Now I don't remember what inspired this little adventure onto the lake but I do very clearly remember us getting stuck in the middle of the lake with no paddles because of something happening to the motor? And I don't remember exactly but he was either telling us horror stories or shaking the boat or honestly maybe both? But I know by the time we got back home I was terrified, I don't know how we got back or if my friend was as scared as me but to this day I still can't get on a small boat. One thing's for sure though this story will be passed down to my kids just because looking back on it it's truly a great a memory.

I hope you all enjoyed the post, comment below your favorite memory if you want :)

Until next time Loves💙

[allzelemonz]

Seeing Stars: Simon X Male Reader

Prompt: Kinktober Day 9: Toys Pronouns: None mentioned; Reader referred to as 'boy' and ‘man’ in dialogue Physical Sex: AMAB Rating: E/Smut Warnings: Toys, grinding, Simon hates dildos and thinks he's too good for toys, mentions of Negan loving his wives, anal plug, handcuffs, prostate massage, rough sex, both of them are switches but Simon's more of a top, Negan needs his Lieutenants to loosen up, asexual author that had to do a lot of fic reading to figure out how toys work Summary: On a run with Negan, the Saviors happen across a sex shop and bring home the lot. Being Negan's right hand, Simon and his S/O get first pick.

It’s the last thing he’d be looking for on a run. The very last thing. But when Negan spotted the store from the road no one dared to say a thing. The man loves his wives, that’s for sure. Judging by the amount of packages, boxes, and bags and grabs he’s planning to have quite a lot of fun. And when he throws a box to Simon with a wink when they’re in the cabin of the box truck, the Lieutenant can’t help the red that spreads all over his face.

When the trucks come in through the gate you wait with a few other Saviors, ready to unload the goods. Simon jumps down from the tall truck and makes a beeline for you. Typically he deals with whatever Negan’s told him to do or yells at a few of the workers, so his path to you is a bit unsettling. His face is red, all the way up to his hair.

“Simon!”

The yell from Negan stops him dead in his tracks. Judging by the smirk on Negan’s face, he’s the reason Simon’s blushing himself as red as a strawberry.

“Get your man and come unload this truck!”

Simon looks over to you, meeting your eyes in a ‘he’s fucking with us’ warning. You press your lips into a thin line. Of course he fucking with you. You make your way towards Simon and he turns to walk with you all the way to Negan.

“What is it?” You ask as you walk.

“Negan likes his jokes.”

“There’s my favorite boys!” Negan smiles wide as you near. “Now I gave Simon a little something, but I thought you’d wanna choose something together.”

The confused look on your face only makes Negan smile wider. He backs up and gestures to the big truck they’d ridden in.

“Go ahead, open it.” He says.

You glance to your side where Simon is standing, hands on his hips and eyes on the ground. Carefully, you round to the back of the truck and undo the locks. Gritting your teeth at whatever Negan has in store, you throw the door up and reveal the loot inside.

Sex toys, lingerie, lube-- they raided a sex shop. Your eyes dart between the piles of boxes and bags.  Negan walks up behind you and puts an arm around your shoulders, the smile on his face never leaving.

He gestures broadly with Lucille. “Look at all this shit!”

Negan chuckles as he walks forward to the truck. He fiddles around in one of the boxes closer to the edge and pulls out a mostly blacked out box. He throws it to Simon.

“You two are gonna have some fun tonight!”

He looks between the two of you as Simon’s flush of red returns in full force. His eyes are focused on the box, a picture showing the product on the front. Negan walks closer to him, leaning in as if telling a secret.

“And that’s an order, boys.” Negan whispers, loud enough for you to hear. “You two gotta loosen up!”

He turns his smile to you and winks before walking off towards the compound, Lucille swinging at his side. Simon throws the box on the ground and kicks it under the truck once Negan’s out of sight. His hand returns to his hips as the redness begins to leave his face. You take a step forward, leaning over to look inside the box Negan had grabbed from. It’s full of the same product, all vibrating dildos.

“I take it he already had his pick?” You sigh. “So you get next?”

“Let’s just go. We don’t need this shit.”

Simon reaches up to pull the door back down, but you reach out and stop him.

“Have you ever used this stuff before?”

“You damn well know I don’t need any of this shit!”

“Simon, at least lube.” You argue, grabbing at one of the bigger boxes and pulling out a multipack of lube. “Spit can only do so much.”

“It gets the job done.” He argues, taking the pack and throwing it back in the box.

“I only fuck you like once a week! I’m the one that’s gotta deal with your dick most of the time.” You pull yourself up into the truck. “We’re getting lube.”

“Fine, fine! Just keep it down.” Simon crosses his arms, peeking around the truck.

“Simon there is not a man in the world that hasn’t used lube.” You pull a box down from a stack. “Granted, some might use it for cars and shit. You get the point.”

“Just pick something and get out of there.”

You hold up a box. “I can either pick something that will embarrass the hell out of you, or you can get up here and help me find something that’ll make us both see stars.”

The sight of the toy in your hand urges Simon into the truck. He swipes it from you and throws it back in the box, his eyes glaring down at you.

“What about this?” You hold up another box that Simon scoffs at.

“If we’re gonna do this we’re sticking to our own dicks.”

You sigh. “Then pick something.”

“Oh, I’ll pick something.” He mutters.

“You pick one for me, I pick one for you.”

Simon’s face goes red again for a moment before he sighs. “Fine.”

You both start to look through the boxes. There’s a lot of toys, most of which aren’t much use between two guys who have now sworn off dildos. You happen across a larger box that feels heavy. The price tag is almost $200, so it’s gotta be decent. Something that Simon wouldn’t normally go for, but with a little persuasion he’ll do it-- and he won’t regret it. Simon’s rummaging takes longer. He’s not the biggest fan of Negan’s little show and how invested his boss is in his sex life. He eventually finds something, two things really, that he’s actually excited to use.

The two of you close up the truck and watch as Negan sends each of his lieutenants to have their pick, the rest goes to the market. Simon and you walk back to your quarters, keeping your boxes hidden from one another. The discreet packaging makes it easy, most of the boxes have a flap on the front that cover the image and description so the box is just plain black. It certainly keeps Simon’s face from going red.

Once you close the door behind him, Simon drops the boxes on the couch and makes for his bottle of gin. You put your box on the side table and wait for him to get his first sip. He sighs and hangs his head, tired from the long day.

“We can do whatever you want.” You offer, eyes trailing over him. “We can do the toys later.”

Simon looks up at you, a twinkle in his eye. That mischievous twinkle you usually only see when he’s screwing over one of the other group’s leaders.

“Whatever…” He sets his glass down. “I…” He walks to you. “Want?” His hand goes to the side of your face. “Really?”

“You have an hour, then I’m using that toy on you.”

Simon smirks, then connects your lips in a kiss. His hand moves to the back of your neck to keep you close as he hungrily presses into you. He leads you over to the couch, blindly throwing the boxes aside and pulling you down with him.

“You know,” He takes a heavy breath. “I think I might use them now.”

He leans down to grab at the smaller box. You watch as he pulls out a pair of handcuffs, padding on the inside and everything. He raises his eyebrows and nods at you to give him your hands. You oblige, holding out your arms. He grabs you left and fastens the cuff around it before cuffing the right, he then pulls you towards him as he brings your arms over his shoulders so your hands are fastened behind his head. You’re very secured in his lap now, the hardness in his pants very clear against your ass.

“Now this, I like.” He smirks and gives you another digging kiss. “But I’m not done.”

The second box is easier to reach, it’s taller and Simon can pluck it off of the ground without disturbing your position. You lean back and allow him room to open it. This time he pulls out a genuine toy, an anal plug. It's a swirled one with a large spherical bump just before the flared ring on the end for easy removal. It’s not long enough to get at the deepest nerves inside of you, but enough to make you want Simon to replace it with his dick after enough teasing, and that is likely his goal.

He has a grin on his face as he watches your reaction, he pulls you back against him and his hand is already letting the box drop to the ground and moving behind you to tease your ass. He moves his fingers along your hole, daring to sip inside. He stops abruptly.

“You know what we forgot?” He chuckles.

You groan. “Damn it.”

Simon removes his hand as he continues to chuckle. He holds it in front of your mouth and you take each digit, one at a time, and suck until they’re well coated in spit. He returns his hand and wastes no time in plugging a finger inside. You gasp as the muscles adjust and he hooks his finger, adding another soon after. He brings his hand back to spit on it a few times before returning it to stretch you out again. Just as he’s entered a third finger the sight of him starting to suck on the plug makes a tingling start inside of you and your dick twitches as you cum in your pants.

“Oh, that’s it.” He whispers.

He rocks his fingers inside you and moves his lips to suck at your neck as you ride through your high. When he feels your dick soft against his stomach again he removes his hand so he can switch the plug over. He manages to get it past your waistband and it pokes at your stretched entrance. He gives a more gentle kiss as he pushes it inside. It muffles the moan that mixes with a scream as the toy stretches you further. The ball at the end enters you after a bit of force from Simon and you begin to lose feeling in your legs, thankful that you’re not standing.

Simon is starting to get it now. He doesn’t have to have his dick inside you or your’s in him to get off. Seeing you come undone with little effort on his part is a trip in itself. The way you’re made to cling to him because of the cuffs while your body shakes against him from pleasure makes him come close to the edge himself. He has to hold himself back from grinding into you as you try to move enough to get the plug to rub some friction inside of you. He brings you into another kiss instead. A teeth clashing kiss that allows you to move enough until you’re rutting against Simon.

He comes undone just as you did before, creating a mess in his pants. You hook the cuffs around the back of his neck to pull him closer as you readjust yourself, trying to get the plug to hit a decent spot. Simon stops you, bringing your arms away from him and pushing you back onto the couch. The impact as you fall back hits the plug deeper inside you, the ring even starting to press inside. He unfastens the cuffs and brings your arms behind you to restrict the use of your hands entirely as he cuffs you again. Your mind is still foggy from the hit of falling backwards and it takes you a moment to register the new feeling of Simon sucking you off.

His head is already bobbing by the time your body gets to focus on the sensation. He takes all of you, there’s a vague feeling of hitting the back of his throat that makes you thrust up to meet him. The thrusts make the plug move just enough to get the sensations from both sides and the feelings from straining against the cuffs behind your back make you mutter his name as you cum deep into his throat. You fall back, flat as you can as Simon sucks you dry and licks his lips when he’s done.

Your head spins and you screw your eyes shut as you try to get some amount of bearings. The feeling of the anal plug being pulled out makes you open them long enough to see Simon lining himself up. You close your eyes, wanting to savor this. Simon fucking you is always something to look forward too, but after all this build up you’ve never wanted anything more. His dick slides in easier than it ever has, even in the days when you had lube to spare. He sheaths fully into you and lets your muscles adjust around him. He hooks his arms around your legs, lifting you just enough so that when he drills into you he hits right into your prostate. You can’t help but open your eyes to watch as Simon hits his rhythm. There’s sweat on his brow and his eyes are locked in on his dick slamming into you. You only wish he’d taken off his shirt for this.

After a few minutes of Simon building up until he’s desperately fucking into you he cums again, this tiem inside of you. You make light effort to meet his sporadic thrusts as he rocks through his high. He leans forward and lays a kiss on your forehead as he pulls out. Just as he breaks the kiss you feel another, familiar pressure poking at your ass. Simon presses the plug back into you, much easier than before as it’s now aided by his own seed. You arch your back with the motion and Simon has to gently hold you in place to properly get the plug in place. He unfastens the cuffs and helps you sit up, holding your head up so he can kiss you again.

“Your turn, if you’re up for it.” He whispers.

“Did you think you were gonna get out of it if-”

“If I made you see stars?”

“It’s your turn to see stars, Simon.”

The blush spreads across his face and over his head again and as the stable feeling returns to your head you reach over to the table to grab the box you’d picked for him.

“Pants off, on the bed.”

He raises his eyebrows. “That an order?”

Your glare answers his question and he promptly does as he told with speed he wouldn’t even have for Negan. He lays comfortably on his back, twiddling his thumbs. You swirl your finger, indicating for him to lay on his stomach and obliges with a grumble. You prep him first, sitting on your hand and stretching him out as he did you, just gentler. He’s relaxed as your fingers stretch him out. As much as Simon loves a good, rough fuck, he also like when you treat him like glass and when you give him every ounce of your attention. That’s why you picked the toy you did.

You move to lay beside him so you can see his face. His eyes are closed, but he opens them to look at you. When you remove your fingers he groans and shuts his eyes again. You press the toy against him and slowly insert it inside until you know it's pressing right where it should. Simon’s fists are gripping the sheets from the stretching the toy brings. And when you turn the deceive on his mouth opens in wordless pleasure. The prostate is getting attention it never has before. You slowly up the settings as he gets used to the vibrations until it’s on the highest mode. He curls and presses into the bed as it sends him over the edge and he messes the sheets beneath him. He lets out a guttural noise as he does and his fists grip the sheets so tight that his knuckles fade into white. You turn the toy off as he begins to settle back down and you slowly pull it out.

He sighs. “What was that?”

“Prostate vibrator.”

His breathing is heavy as he tries to regain his typically threatening composure. Instead of speaking he just reaches his hand out for you to take and he squeezes.

“As soon as I can,” He takes a shaky breath. “Breathe again, you’re getting it.”

“Is that a threat?”

He sighs in response. He’s never been so spent in his life. Such a tough guy, laying helpless in his bed and seeing only stars.

[dash-n-step]

A long post but something I just really find interesting from a gameplay perspective about that snowgrave route is that it's literally impossible to bumble your way into completion. Which is kind of obvious considering how nobody knew about it for almost a whole day, and the very specific areas and items you need to collect but just... consider that, right?

Like sure maybe you find Noelle's ice skill to be useful, and you might backtrack a bit so you can see what she says about stuff, you might even think you're genuinely helping since the end of the battles do say "Noelle has become stronger".

But then comes the multiple layers of dialogue choices:

The ferris wheel is almost harmless, maybe you just like the idea of Kris and Noelle hanging out again. Childhood friends and all that, even if the second insistence sounds rather forceful, it's not completely out of nowhere.

There's the dating shoes dialogue, which is like, alright maybe you REALLY like the idea of Kris and Noelle hanging together, everybody's got their preferences and this choice is in a normal playthrough as well.

Then you immediately get to the ring that "strangely" costs precisely one dollar more than your total money

Though hey, benefit of the doubt, the item does make Noelle stronger and maybe by saying "Get It" enough times the guy will lower the price or a wacky dollar will show up out of nowhere.

Until Noelle freezes the guy to steal it.

At this point you have to realize something is wrong, but hey, EVEN MORE benefit of the doubt, maybe you think things are going alright.

Until you head straight to the lightning puzzle.

There's very little leeway to justify what comes next: Noelle holds the button for Kris and then quietly considers stepping off and letting them fry. Even if you somehow bumbled your way to this point you either call out how weird she's getting or condone it as an innocent impulsive thought.

And if you do let that slide, the music from this point immediately shifts and now the enemies are actively running away, and you have to search them out in a large map, car puzzles noticeably frozen over as well.

But hey EVEN MORE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, maybe you just really like the battle system and want to get stronger.

So I think the first true "oh this player has to know what they're doing" point is when you get to the second mouse puzzle.

All this time, with a bit of imagination, an isolated player could theoretically believe they've been building Noelle's confidence or even her relationship with Kris considering their past. However in that case, someone accidentally getting to this point would choose "Let's solve this puzzle together", and immediately you're back on track for the normal path, music's back everything's wacky and fun.

It's only by choosing the other option, multiple times, Proceed - Proceed - Proceed - Proceed, as Noelle gets backed into an electric wall, is the player stripped of that plausible deniability. You have to know that you're going down a bizarre route, and that there's very little comfort along the way.

And even then the game gives you a few breaks:

You have to go back a long way to get the ring from Spamton

You have to equip it despite the strange debuffs of actually hurting Noelle while she has it

You have to get into the fight with Berdly (again while not choosing the option that you've simply been protecting her from him, or even people like him)

You have to pressure her to use a spell she clearly doesn't feel comfortable even acknowledging on her own classmate with the one word effect: Fatal

At which point you're truly locked in with the choices you've made.

And I just think from a game design perspective where often you have to consider what the most unfamiliar player might do, it lets you deliver certain punches well.

To an extent you can't blame someone for misinterpreting certain gameplay options, it's almost like not knowing whether a game has fall damage and then a game calls you out for a poorly calculated leap of faith. But when you've designed it so there's only one way, a hard way, to do something, you can properly lay on how much of what is happening is entirely on the player.

What also fascinates me is that this is only Chapter 2, we have no idea how this plays out for the rest of the game, how if in some messed up way choices like these actually lead to better circumstances later on or if there are dire consequences to making these choices, despite the advertised "one ending".

[mademoisellehypergamy]

✨ CREATING A PERSONA FOR HYPERGAMY & SOCIAL CLIMBING  ✨

The votes are in and “Persona” won! Ladies, get the notebooks out. Class is in session. And this is gonna be a long one.

Be honest with me: Are you currently your ideal woman? The majority of you will probably answer honestly and say no. And there’s nothing wrong with admitting that. The harsh reality is most women on their hypergamous journey aren’t even close to being the ideal woman they aspire to be. Hell, the average woman (hypergamous or not) will probably live her life never being able to become that woman, if we’re being completely honest here.

I believe every hypergamous woman should create and adopt a persona. You are who you believe to be. When I was younger, my teachers and parents told me I was academically gifted. So guess what? I believed the same! That pushed me to work even harder in school. Same concept applies here. You are who you believe to be. A persona isn’t a “fake” version of you. It is you. Your ideal person. It is malleable, so it can change at anytime. Just like you changed throughout your life.

STEP 0 - WHY YOU SHOULD ADOPT A PERSONA

✨Not Everyone Will Win the Birth Lottery. But that doesn’t mean you can’t rewrite your past, and repave your future path. Let’s face it: some of you were born into bad circumstances; abusive families, poverty, toxic relationships, obstacles and barriers, etc. And some of you are living lives currently that you aren’t satisfied with: stressful job, health issues, bad environment, *insert sob story here*, blah, blah, blah, woe is me!  But should your current and past conditions get in the way of your hypergamous journey? No! Absolutely not. 

✨You Can’t Be the Same Basic B*tch Forever. Okay b*tch, when you were being “true to yourself” in the past, look where it got you. Probably in a less than favorable situation. Congratulations for being an authentic basic b*tch! 🥳😊

Ladies, change is necessary. When you started your hypergamous journey, you underwent a change. Are you saying your hypergamous self is fake? Of course it isn’t! It’s still you, just an “elevated you”. One that is more aware and knows what she wants. 

✨ Most People Don’t Even Know Who TF They Are. It’s sad, but true. Most people are lost and suppressing their true desires and personality. I’m here encouraging you ladies to create your ideal persona and to become this woman. Because this woman is who you are deep inside, who you want to be. Stop hiding her! Create her, and become her! As long as this person isn’t harming anyone, there is no reason you shouldn’t chase your dream self.

STEP 1 - CHOOSE & CREATE YOUR PERSONA

This is the fun part ladies! Time to choose and create your new persona!

✨ What Kind of Woman Do You Aspire to Be?  Have fun with this ladies! What kind of woman have you always dreamt of becoming? Is she wildly intelligent and beautiful? Or perhaps she has a heart of gold and is adored by all?  Nothing is off limits. This is you.

For those of you who are truly struggling, below I have included a few examples of common personas. If you don’t know where to begin, choose one as the “foundation” and build on it. Make it your own!

*Disclaimer: Anyone that I mentioned/included below is simply for inspiration. Not all of these women are hypergamous. This is just for inspiration*

1. The Socialite/ The “It” Girl: This is the girl that everyone knows. She’s always at a party with a glass of champagne, wearing the latest styles, and living the BEST life. She’s glamorously unattainable and few have access to her, but somehow she’s a part of every social circle.

Inspiration: Jamie Chua (https://www.instagram.com/ec24m/)

2. The Traveler: This is the girl that travels constantly. Whether it’s across the globe or to a different state/town, she’s always on the go! No one seems to know how she funds her lifestyle because she always appears to be traveling and never working. Her pictures are always on point and high quality, with a combination of bikini pictures, relaxing scenery, exotic foods, and endless hotels.

Inspiration: Jennifer Tuffen (https://www.instagram.com/izkiz/)

3. The Influencer: Think of the ultimate Instagram Baddie; perfect body (usually because of surgery), full lips, carefully applied makeup, nails always done, hair on point. She is sponsored by all the clothes brands, and lives lavishly. She’s always out at a restaurant and traveling. Typically dresses in more revealing clothes/lots of bikinis.  What differentiates her from the Socialite? The degree of elegance and class. While the Socialite gives you an “heiress” vibe, the Influencer is more on the “flashy celebrity” side.

Inspiration: Kaylar Will (https://www.instagram.com/kaylarwill/)

4. Femme Fatale: She rarely posts on social media, but when she does, it only makes you question her existence more. This girl is beautifully sensual, and her social media only reveals bits and pieces of her life. She is an entire mystery, no one knows about her private life. One day she’ll be flying from London, the next she’ll be visiting an art gallery  She’ll sometimes post images of gifted roses with poetry captions. She oozes seduction and dark mystery. 

Inspiration: Dita Von Teese (https://www.instagram.com/ditavonteese) Now I thought long and hard about who to choose for this one, and if you take a moment to look at Dita’s IG account, you will understand why. You will notice that the ONLY thing she posts about is her clothes/lingerie brand or things relating to business. She reveals nothing about her personal life. Every post is promotion about her business. In fact, the last time she posted something about her “life” was on October 8th when she posted her CAT modeling another designer’s scarf. She’s a very discreet woman, and it works in her favor.

5. Girl Next Door: You know that basic b*tch that’s SUPER popular for no reason? This is her. From her Starbucks to her Tiktoks, she’s just your average girl living her life. In a way, she isn’t a threat because she seems approachable, relatable, and friendly enough through social media. Something about her aspires others that they can achieve a similar lifestyle. She’s terribly basic, but somehow, it works. 

Inspiration: Loren Gray (https://www.instagram.com/loren/)

6. Exotica: *This persona is best suited for women of color* She is exotically beautiful and unique. She is a trendsetter, not a follower. She has an air of heightened sexuality, with a touch of grounded-spirituality. Something about her is wild and untamed, and she oozes excitement and adventure. 

Inspiration: Monica Leon, or “Danger”. Now if you’re in my generation, you may remember the reality show “For the Love of Ray J” (which was ghetto btw💀). To this day, one girl that I will NEVER forget on that show, was “Danger”, the girl with the tiger tattoo on her face and that NO ONE liked, but Ray J was obsessed with. Although she no longer is on Instagram (and has since legally changed her name), I still believe she naturally embodied that exotic and mysterious woman persona. I recommend watching the show for free on Youtube just to observe her (and only her because the other women were pickme’s  💀)

7. The Luxurious Diamond: This woman is the epitome of class and elegance. She exudes femininity and grace, and holds an air of mystery by only showing us bits and pieces of her life. What we see is soft luxuries, wineries, beautiful clothes/scenery, and a life of comfort. She balances a mature, elegant, ladylike presence, with subtle girly-youthfulness. 

Inspiration: Г-жа Анисимова   https://www.instagram.com/creme_de.la_femme/

✨How Does She Look Like? From her hair to how she wears her makeup, be able to create a vivid description of her appearance. Being able to do this will show you where to work on with your current appearance.

✨Personality We all have traits about ourselves that we don’t like. This is your chance to identify your traits that you love and maximize them, while also working on the aspects of your personality that are a bit more problematic.

It’s important to recognize that some “negative” traits are not really negative. Society just shames us for them. For example, “The Socialite” persona may be polite, but that doesn’t mean she’s super open and friendly with everyone. Not everyone is her friend, and she is naturally unattainable. So why would she be super friendly to everyone? Some may call her “standoffish”, but I call it “selective”.

✨Past Self? Not a Problem.  So let’s say you had a less than perfect childhood and endured a lot of trauma. Not a problem, just reinvent your past! Now I’m not saying to straight up lie and make up a crazy story about how you grew up with billionaire parents and traveled the globe. I’m saying adopt a realistic story that’ll help you on your journey. 

For example, if your date were to ask about your past, instead of telling him how tragic your childhood was and how you were homeless and abused by your parents, and no longer have a relationship with them, you can say: “I moved around a lot as a child (“homelessness”), so I really enjoyed being able to interact with a lot of different people (make the negative seem positive). My parents still move around a lot, so it’s hard for us to meet (explains why you aren’t in contact with your parents). 

Reword and reframe, ladies. Not everyone needs to know everything.

STEP 2 - BRING HER TO LIFE

✨Remove. You cannot embrace your new persona, your new IDENTITY, if you are still stuck in the past. And that includes past connections that do not serve you. Some of your old friends (college friends, childhood friends, etc.) are not meant to accompany you on this journey. And that’s OKAY. Same with other toxic relationships in your life, family included. You will have to decide who to keep, and who to distance yourself from.

✨ Social Media! I’ve mentioned this in an earlier post, but social media is the easiest way for you to push your new persona. You control the content that goes on your social media, so even if you haven’t fully embodied your new persona, you can sure as hell fake it on social media. 

- Unless your persona is a socialite/influencer type, avoid posting too often. - Be consistent; if you retouch your images, make sure its consistent with all your photos. - Be mindful of what people tag you in/post about you. You know that “friend” who always posts the ugliest pictures of you? Yeah. They’re not your friend, hun. 

✨Dress. The. Part. Okay, sis. You can have the personality down perfectly, but if the look doesn’t match, no one will buy it. Your look is the first thing people notice, so invest in it. It doesn’t cost a lot, especially with fast fashion sites like Shein that sells clothes for $5. Just be able to keep up the appearance.

✨ Immerse Yourself in the Environment.  Looking the part and having the right personality is not enough, ladies! It wouldn’t make sense for you to be a “Socialite” sharing pictures of you eating at Red Lobster and Olive Garden every night. It wouldn’t make sense for the “Traveler” persona to share only bathroom selfies in her apartment. You have to live like the woman you aspire to be, and that includes placing yourself in those environments.

If you are not in the place financially to do so, learn to project the image without spending money. Ex: If you can’t afford to go to Hawaii, go to your local beach and take bomb ass pictures. Don’t tag the location. People will automatically see a beach in your picture and assume you are on vacation traveling. Get creative, ladies. 

✨You Owe Them Nothing. Ladies! Remember you don’t owe anyone anything. Not an explanation, not your time, nothing. So if you are living this new persona and people are asking questions you don’t want to answer: don’t. This is your life. 

STEP 3 - YOUR PERSONA WHILE DATING HYPERGAMOUSLY & SOCIAL CLIMBING

So now that you have created your ideal persona, and taken the steps to incorporate it into your life, how can you use your newfound persona to aid you on your hypergamous journey and while social climbing?

✨Infiltrate New Circles. Your persona should be someone exciting and enticing. People love befriending people who are happy and adventurous. Use your persona to befriend others and enter new social circles. You can do this through: - Social media; follow similar accounts to yours and interact with them. - Activities related to your persona; Let’s say you adopted the “The Luxurious Diamond” persona and started visiting wineries. You may notice when you go that there are regulars; identify the regulars and use your common interest of wine to strike a conversation. -Interest groups; join clubs/groups that help you reach your goals. For example, “The Traveler” may have always wanted to travel to Bali, but didn’t want to go alone. She joins a travel group to meet other likeminded inviduals and meets a travel buddy. This person ends up introducing her to others who also enjoy traveling.

✨ Be a Chameleon. You should  never be set on just one persona. Like I said earlier, your persona should always be malleable. You should be able to change yourself to your benefit, and always be open to expansion. When it comes to dating, a man may “want” a certain type of woman, but the secret is that most men just want a woman who is open to possibilities.  I remember a man who used to be on my roster who loved music. This man was always insisting on taking me to operas and symphonies. And he too was a musician (I really don’t like dating musicians, but that’s a topic for another day), so whenever he was performing he would have me sitting in the box so I’d have an “undisturbed” experience.  Now ladies, I’m not into music AT ALL.  But I was open and willing, and guess what? The man adored it, and he adored me even more! He spoiled me like crazy and would serenade me with music he wrote about me because I was his “muse”. Although I ended up ghosting him, I definitely appreciate a good opera now! 

✨Be Larger than Life to Entice. The attractive part about these personas is the fact that it feels almost fake. The image that is portrayed is almost mythical, like something out of a fantasy. You can’t believe this girl is traveling so much, or you can’t believe this girl still has a social life in the middle of a pandemic! It’s unbelievable, but that’s what makes us so intrigued. Men especially love fantasy. That’s why many men have a “dream girl”, a woman that embodies their physical and emotional fantasies. They love the impossible. It’s also important to remember that you are always being watched. People see you, whether in person or on social media, and when they see someone or something more interesting than their mundane life, curiosity will get the best of them. They’ll be drawn to you and want to know you.

✨ The Persona Advantage. Creating a persona is supposed to help your journey. The purpose is to reinvent yourself into someone who will help you better navigate your hypergamous life.  For example, if you are trying to get into more exclusive, affluent circles, creating a persona who is skilled in social and dining etiquette would be more beneficial than a persona that’s an Instagram Influencer. Being an Instagram Baddie that wears Fashion Nova won’t help you at a Charity Gala. So be sure to think of what you desire in life to shape yourself into that. Don’t just become someone who won’t get you to where you want to be. 

This post will definitely have a Part 2 in the future, but in conclusion: You can be whoever you want to be as long as you play the role. Be an actress in your own life, and live the life you desire.

Well ladies, I’ll be away for Valentine’s day weekend. Wishing you all a wonderful and safe weekend ❤️ Lots of love.

Follow my IG for more: @mademoisellehypergamy