#obsessed with the historical discrepencies too

[noknowshame]

not over this btw. this guy got the literal actual "monsters in the stories they tell their children" treatment

look at what they did to my boy phineas

😭I already thought that the 1718 Nassau trial I’ve been researching was #girardcore but then it turns out that the ringleader of the pirates who got arrested was Scapegoat Mechanism’ed by Woodes Rogers so hard he literally got incorporated into a Bahamian festival as the surrogate victim

[dyrewrites]

Before Deluca -- Preamble and Links

Before we begin…

The tale I am to relay contains violence, blood, sex, death, impossible agonies, beauty, romance and, above all; deep and drowning obsession. It also spans a few centuries, starting on the cusp of the 18th and ending somewhere around that of the 20th.

Now, during the earlier centuries we’re to cover, magic was hidden, it being the Age of Secrecy and all. So try not to come for me if I mention we used oil lanterns instead of shimmerstones or wisplight. I was not in charge of the lighting. I will also be taking certain liberties in my telling, which I hope will be understood as artistic and not held against me as a lack of knowledge or ability.

We spoke in the early years in a manner too stiff and tangled for modern tongues, with all the thee’s and thou’s and forthwiths and, to be blunt, it is a nightmare to look back on. So I will be omitting those speech patterns, although you are more than welcome to imagine them in all the appropriate areas. Language-wise, we really did mostly speak English. It was the one language we were both fluent enough in that any idiosyncrasies would not be lost. However, we had many conversations, and arguments, in our native tongues that I will do my best to translate as needed…though I cannot guarantee they will make much sense.

As for any other historical inaccuracies, or time discrepancies, I ask that you keep in mind I am but one man and these are my personal memories, which are quite old as of now. If any of it truly bothers you I will be more than willing to discuss it after you have lived through the better part of two centuries as partner and plaything to a jealous melodramatic brat.

Yes, Lucy, I said brat—and I hope you’re reading this.

I feel it is also important, dear reader—paramount perhaps—that you know this is a tragedy. There will be moments where it does not appear one, where you are absolutely certain it can’t be.

But it is.

Ever the optimist, I thoroughly believe there is a happy ending to this tale, my tale, I simply haven’t found it yet.

Now, let us begin…

(the chapter list will be unruly very soon, so it's going under a cut)

//will be updated every Friday//

Beautiful Stranger

His Claim

Fiamma Eterna

Under a Royal Moon

The Sea Witch

Danse en Rouge

Afterglow

Never as he seems

Memories in Blue

Sonata by Moonlight

Rock and Sea and Fire

Deep Blue Nothing

--

→Before Deluca Taglist<-

// feel free to ask to be added or removed ^.- //

@watermeezer @starbuds-and-rosedust @thespacelizard

@your-absent-father @mr-orion @cowboybrunch @olliexwrites

@rowanmgrey-author @the-golden-comet @wyked-ao3 @leahnardo-da-veggie

@lychhiker-writes @aziz-reads @mthollowell-writes

[esther-dot]

Rhaegar either a) convinced her he could take her as a second wife or b) actually did marry her in secret

I have always thought of Elia as Catherine of Aragon and Lyanna as Anne Boleyn.

In spite of Anne’s characterisation as an enchantress and a whore, she was not any of those things. Henry pursued her relentlessly, and her own father and uncle encouraged him. Anne was clever and wilful, and refused him for years, but when the pressure became too much she convinced to Henry marry her, because at least that way she wouldn’t be discarded like all his other mistresses.

Anne had no choice but to submit to him.

The annulment (it was not technically a divorce) was horrible for Catherine and her daughter, and nearly caused a war, but from Anne’s perspective it was the best deal she could have gotten. She did what she could to secure her future and her daughter’s. If any of her baby boys had lived, history will be singing her praises.

So, what choice did Lyanna have? If she said no, Rhatgar would have taken her anyway. She could not help Elia, and obsessed with prophecy Rhatgar would have found another girl to impregnate. If Lyanna somehow convinced him to marry her, in the hopes of a annulment...good for her. She had every expectation her and her baby would be protected, she wasn’t counting on Robert winning. She wasn’t counting on Aerys murdering her father and brother, because who would do that?

I am not justifying the “morals” of her actions. I am just saying between getting r*ped and left with a bastard child and choosing to believe he could take her legally as a wife, the later was not the worst outcome for Lyanna.

Btw, Henry was famously “romantic”, and an accomplished musician than composed poems, songs, and love letters to his wife Catherine and to his numerous mistresses.

Also, I am a great fan of Catherine of Aragon, she was a flawless Queen, and Elia Martell deserved better.

(continuation of this convo)

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this @minitafan! Historical parallels are helpful because they remind us to allow some nuance to these situations. This part “what choice did Lyanna have? If she said no, Rhatgar would have taken her anyway” is definitely something to keep in mind. Perhaps Lyanna was doing the best she could in an unwinnable situation? After all, Rhaegar made his interest in her public, he (so weirdly) wasn’t concerned at all with what the great houses/lords thought, so she had no reason to believe he would prioritize much beyond whatever the hell he wanted to do. 

Also, I think most entertainment minimizes what it would actually be like to live under the authority of a king, and our fandom certainly refuses to engage with the power discrepancy and possible consequences of offending a prince.

Whatever view we take on R/L, we can all agree about Elia. 💔

[maximumphilosopheranchor]

After the latest news about Becoming Elizabeth decided to write down my thoughts and feelings on everything about the show we have learned thus far.

The things I like

Costumes - they look great, better than I dared to hope for, so if nothing else at least it will look well and we will have a good material for edits.

“And then he told me the story and I realized it hadn’t been because I never knew what went on during her brother’s reign. I never knew about this relationship she had with Thomas Seymour”, “I think I felt exactly the same and we started doing some research into Elizabeth. Our starting point was we all think we knew who Elizabeth I is. She’s a total icon. But actually, we really don’t” - honestly, I empathize with this so much, I didn’t know either before I started to read about her, to research her. And I think many people assume that they know everything about Elizabeth, like how many times we have read whiny comments that Elizabeth is overdone onscreen, that she’s boring, that there’s nothing new to show about her and blah, blah, blah while in fact these people know very little about her and her life. And I’m glad that the creators voice it.

The creators seem conscious that Thomas Seymour abused Elizabeth and we can expect them to portray it accordingly.

The character descriptions that were released last May for the most part sound accurate enough.

The prospect of the second season (maybe, if the first season turns out to be good).

The things I don’t like/make me worried

Alicia looks nothing like a teenager - ok, ok, I realize that it may seem that I’m obsessing over it too much BUT visuals are important, they influence our perception and especially portraying such a sensitive situation like the Thomas Seymour episode in Elizabeth’s life. If they are going with the Elizabeth-had-a-crush-on-Thomas-Seymour take - and I’m sure they are - and make her behave and act accordingly then Alicia’s mature adult looks may create a discrepancy and play a negative role in the perception of this situation despite the creators’ good intentions, and I’m afraid that instead of Elizabeth being an underage victim she may come across as a guilty party, seductress betraying her stepmother that historical fiction (and not only) often makes her out to be. Of course, writing and acting matter more, and perhaps writing will turn out to be good and Alicia - a great actress but I would feel safer if Elizabeth at this stage of her life had been portrayed by an actual teenager (if not necessary a 14-year-old).

Elizabeth “often made terrible hormone-fuelled decisions” - still concerned how this is supposed to play out.

“Ambassador Guzman”

Absence of William Cecil (although if the full cast list has not been announced he may still show up)

[no-psi-nan]

Extra Love Stories of Psychics Volume 2

Experimental Censored Edition

Chapter 3: Kuriko Time

Months after Akechi first made the suggestion, Saiki decides to find out whether being a girl for a day might give him better control over his ESP for a while and serve as a break.

Akechi is excited to test his theory and meet the Kuriko-chan he's only ever heard about. Surely having Saiki as his girlfriend instead of boyfriend won't be much different... Right?

Full chapter on AO3. T-rated version below the cut. More info about the Experimental Censored Version here.

Censored content: A couple of off-color jokes and toned down some of the descriptions of kissing.

"Saturday mornings are so lovely, don't you think so, Kusuo-kun~? Perhaps I am still riding high on the excitement of our date last weekend, but today feels full of promise somehow! And on that thought, I'd like to thank you again for indulging my mystery-solving hobby~! Even though I cannot share the conclusive psychometric evidence that we gathered, for obvious reasons, it is still just incredibly satisfying to know with certainty that the theory I proposed in my last podcast episode was almost entirely correct! For an island to disappear in such a mysterious fashion without being used as a geopolitical display of military strength, there must have been some natural cause behind it. Without tectonic activity or any calamitous storms within range during the alleged timeframe of the disappearance, the only other reasonable explanation could be the impact of a meteorite or other such large and/or very dense chunk of space debris. And there are no official space agency records of the event due to the concurrent solar flare setting the monitoring equipment on the fritz! However, to discover that my theorized space debris was actually my beloved Kusuo-kun returning to Earth after a day trip to the moon…! What a fantastical surprise!!"

[Sorry about that.]

[Sometimes you just need to reach terminal velocity and headbutt a small island out of existence to cope.]

[Good grief, I didn't think anyone would care since the island was uninhabited…]

"Ah yes, I'm sure you weren't aware of Ψoogle Maps at the time. There are so many satellites canvassing the Earth's surface today that it is almost difficult to recall a time when it would be lunacy to ask for and receive high quality aerial images of almost every location on the planet as a civilian! With such easy availability of extensive geographical data, there are many hobbyists who peruse historical maps to seek out interesting changes over time. And occasionally, some discrepancies are remarkable enough to merit reporting as a mystery, thereby catching the eye of amateur investigators such as myself. Therefore, I would highly recommend greater caution when choosing to obliterate natural features."

[What a pain, I know… ]

[I was thirteen at the time. Not exactly thinking of all the consequences. You know how it is.]

"I do! Such a turbulent age… I certainly lacked the capacity to alter the face of the earth at the time, but I did quite enjoy perpetuating my own brand of chaos. I distinctly recall classical conditioning several of my schoolmates to perform amusing disruptions under certain conditions, which I then used to great effect during the middle school graduation ceremony… I'll simply say that the planned distribution of graduation videos after the ceremony was called off."

[Seriously?? You're not going to give any more detail?]

"Correct. I do believe that was the origin of the rumor that I could exert mind control, even though classical conditioning is simply a practical application of psychology, no powers necessary. It was a fairly harmless prank, overall, though I do believe I may have unintentionally chained one behavior too many and accidentally gave one student an unusual obsession involving pencils and tap dance."

[I'm pretty sure that's worse than what I did.]

"Hahaha! Luckily for them, the standard No.2 pencil is vanishingly rare these days, and so I expect that this should pose even less of a problem as time goes on. However, if you do find yourself faced with the urge to smash into another notable geographical feature, I'd suggest crashing into a volcanic surface vent, such as a geyser or deep sea thermal vent, or perhaps into an existing fissure. Then the expansion of the opening is easily explained by existing natural phenomena, via hydrothermal expansion or tectonic activity."

[That's a good idea.]

[I haven't needed to do anything like that lately, though.]

"I'm so very happy to hear that, Kusuo-kun~! This sort of behavior is often born of long-term frustration and anger, simmering resentment building up to an explosive release. While you must still withstand the ongoing pressures of hiding your ESP from society at large, most of the other stressors have been greatly reduced for you since moving here, haven't they? I've noted much improvement in your overall mood and well-being, which in turn has made me feel more upbeat as well~!"

[Yes. I'm glad… ]

[Though that does remind me of something you suggested earlier. That could be good for my health.]

"Kusuo-kun…? Surely you don't mean–"

[In fact, it seems like today might be a good day to try being Kuriko.]

"R-really?? Oh– oh wow!! To be able to experience your powers of transformation again…! And this time I'll be able to witness the process since I won't be setting up a game simultaneously!"

[Nope.]

[No one is allowed to watch me transform. It's a pain to do.]

"What…? Are you very much certain, Kusuo-kun? Only I had been looking forward to learning more about your transformational ability and you know I've never been of delicate constitution and so would be much less susceptible to the body horror that is likely involved. Additionally, I have many theories about how your transformation ability functions and I would absolutely love an opportunity to confirm, deny, or refine them!"

[I know, Touma-kun.]

[But you're still not allowed to watch me transform, good grief.]

"Would you feel more comfortable if you were to videographically record the transformation and show me afterwards?"

[Absolutely not. Nice try though.]

"Damnit."

[Go work on your podcast, love. It sounds like you seriously have lots of ideas for it knocking around.]

[I'll be back as Kuriko before you know it.]

"Ughhh… I suppose I might as well. You're correct in that the hyperfocus is likely to hit once I begin the task. Still, I am feeling quite disappointed. Dejected, even. In fact, I do suspect that this broiling cloud of dark emotion can only be banished by a sufficiently large number of sweet kisses from a beloved…"

[Is that so?]

[Well, I certainly can't just leave you here pouting like that.]

[Guess I'll have to give you your kisses before you break out the puppy eyes.]

"That's entirely correct and I demand my ransom~! Ahaha– hehehe, mmmmm~! Ohhh, your lips always feel absolutely lovely on my face~! And– oh…! Mmm, neck kisses~! Particularly lovely, I think these are shaping up to be my favorite kind of kiss, Kusuo-kun~! Hehehehehe, alright, alright! I've been mollified, and you may proceed with your secretive transformation. I simply cannot wait to meet Kuriko! I must admit that I have imagined what she might look like and am eager to see this iteration of you!"

[Hey. What sorts of unrealistic expectations have you been coming up with??]

"Perhaps I'll show you a few of my sketch concepts afterwards…"

[ … ]

[You know, if I heard anyone else was thinking up girlsonas for me, I'd be disturbed. Good grief… ]

[But it's about par for the course with you.]

"And you still love me, right~?"

[And I still love you.]

[Give me a kiss before I go?]

"I'll give you several… Mmmm~! And one on the lips for good luck! I do hope a stint in your Kuriko form proves as regenerative as I've theorized."

[Mmmm~!]

[I do too.]

—————

"…And that, my fellow mystery aficionados, is why it is always prudent to carry along a roll of packaging tape when conducting investigations! Next up, I would like to address the topic of urban exploration, which, as thoughtfully brought up by self-proclaimed avid listener milehighmom43, is often required for independent investigative searches. Naturally, such an activity does carry its own risks along with rich rewards and a certain delicious thrill, so I will henceforth discuss some key considerations to– ah, it seems like my eyes have been covered by some mysterious intruder who managed to escape my notice until just now. Perhaps some teleportation was involved, hmm~? I'll stop recording here and edit out this bit because I would very much like to confront this cryptic personage and perhaps receive a few smooches from them…"

[Hehehe…]

"AHHHHH, THAT'S NOT KUSUO-KUN'S VOICE, WHO IS– Oh! O-oh… Oh wow, umm…"

[Touma-kun??]

"Ahh… hehehe… h-hello K-Kuriko-chan…!"

[Hey. Are you seriously speechless right now?]

"W-well, uhh…! It's just that– umm, ahahaha… It's just that you're– you're really cute hehe!"

[Oh.]

[Th-thank you… ]

"And, haha– ummm, your… your hair is– pink! Uhh, hehehe, it's always– it's always pink, but now it's, ahh… pink. Um… pink-er…? Haha, uh… actually– actually less pink…?"

[Heh. Yes, my hair is a lighter shade of pink now.]

"E-exactly! Ahaha! C-cute!! And, ummm, hehehe, you're–! You're really, haha, really s-small? Ahh, uhhh– shorter, shorter than me, a-at least!"

[Another astute observation.]

[It doesn't help that you've been getting taller lately, good grief.]

"But, umm… ahh, hehe, why are you– why are you, um, wearing a school uniform…?"

[Couldn't think of anything else to wear. I haven't been Kuriko in ages… ]

[I guess I should've looked in Aiura's closet before transforming, what a pain… ]

"Ummm, that, uh… Th-that can't be… uhh… comfortable? Right? Ahaha…"

[It's fine.]

[It's not like any of my normal clothes will fit right now.]

"W-well, ummm… hahaha it's just– it's just that, uh. I was– I was hoping we could… ehehehe! Um…"

[Heh. Take your time.]

"Ahaha! Ummm, I– I was hoping that, that we could c-cuddle, maybe…! And, and– ah… I, uh, think that… umm… it might be… hehe, more comfortable, if you– ahhh… if you, hehe, umm maybe w-wore some of– some of my… hehe! Some of my… pajamas…! Haha, they should– ummm… they should fit– fit better than your… than your usual ones…!"

[Amazing. You seriously can't even string a proper sentence together right now?]

"Y-you're… you're, ummm… really cute…"

[Incredible.]

[Well, I would like to cuddle… ]

[I'll borrow your pajamas as you suggested.]

[ … ]

[Are you seriously covering your face and giggling right now?]

"Hehehehehe…! Y-your voice is so different!! In my head!! C-cute!!! And– and, ummm, I think if I– if I saw you un-undressing, I might, ah– I might just faint. Hehe…"

[Heh. Fair enough.]

[ … ]

[Here. You can uncover your eyes now, Touma-kun.]

”Oh, thank you Kuriko-ch– …oh wow!!!!! Ummmm hahahahaha, K-Kuriko-chan…! You– you, ummm… hehehe… you look so… you look so cute in my pajamas… hehe, ummm… they're– they're still a little… ahaha, a little big on you. And that's–! Ahhhhh, that's so c-cute…!"

[ … ]

[What a pain. Do you think you'll survive it if I gave you a hug right now?]

"!!!!!! Ahahaha, hehehe, ummm…!! It's– it's alright if I don't…!!"

[ … ]

[You are being very silly right now. For the record.]

[But I do want to hug you… ]

"P-please?"

[ …Well, alright.]

"O-oh wow…! Hehehehehe, mmmmm~! L-lovely…!! Mmm~! M-my… my g-girlfriend Kuriko-chan~! So, mmmm~ s-so soft~! Hahaha~!"

[ … ]

[Your heart is beating so fast… Calm down, love.]

[Here, close your eyes, okay? Relax, Touma-kun… ]

"Mmmmm… Kuriko-chan… th-thank you…! Mm… you– you smell lovely… ahhh…"

[Hmm, that was almost a normal sentence.]

"K-Kuriko-chan, I can't– I can't feel you… in my head? Y-your psychic broadcast?”

[Huh, seriously?]

[Hmmm… Let me see something… ]

[[ ( Telepathy ) ]]

[ … ]

[Ah. My telepathic range is a lot smaller now. Only about 20m each way, I believe.]

[Good grief, you were right about being able to control my powers more easily in this form, Touma-kun… ]

[That must be why I don't have any psychic overflow right now.]

[I guess I could try to project some of my feelings on purpose, hmm… ]

[[ ( Psychic Broadcast ) ]]

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[Oh shit, are you okay?!]

"Oh woooooow… wowowowowow!"

[Touma-kun??]

"Feel love and feel loved and feel love and feel loved and feel love and feel loved and oh woooooow…! That's my Kuriko-chan and Kusuo-kun and Kusuo-kun and Kuriko-chan and…! Love love love love love love– won't you marry me? I could be Saiki Touma… Oh wowowowow–"

[[ ( 24 Hour Restoration ) ]]

"Whew!! Okay, I feel v-very much better now, thank you, K-Kuriko-chan!"

[What the hell happened??]

"C-covering my eyes so I can think!"

[What a pain, I'm so sorry…]

"…Not to worry, darling, I'm fully recuperated now! I do believe you overestimated the strength of your usual psychic broadcast, love. It's a very subtle feeling, typically, and this was the emotional equivalent of a vehicular collision! Well, it likely wouldn't have caused any permanent damage even if you hadn't restored me, just a temporary fit, like being momentarily blinded when a strong light is flashed in your eyes. Oh wow, but it was worth it to feel the depth of your love for a moment… Ehehehehe…! But perhaps it was a little bit out of line to immediately propose marriage haha… I simply couldn't resist while under the influence of so much love…!"

[Good grief… ]

"Don't worry! I'm just feeling very affectionate. See? I'm doing just– ohhhh, I almost f-forgot you're Kuriko-chan right now! I'm– I'm going to need a little t-time to get all of my wits back together…"

[Seriously??]

[How are you so much more flustered when I'm like this?]

"K-Kuriko-chan, you're new to me…! I'm used to Kusuo-kun. I've studied his body language for years! I know how he's going to move as soon as he decides to do it, and often I even have time to fantasize what it'll feel like before he even touches me. You have much the same body language now, to be sure, but your body is different. I can't read you as easily now because I keep getting distracted by some new detail I hadn't noticed! Your eyelashes are longer like this, your fingers slimmer, your heart beats a little faster, your body hair is barely there and your skin is a little cooler to the touch… I had followed you for months before we became friends, and we've developed more familiarity and intimacy slowly since then. There's never been so much new information for me to process all at once! Please be patient with me, Kuriko-chan…!"

[Good grief… ]

[Take as much time as you need, Touma-kun.]

[You're cute like this too.]

"R-really??"

[Yes.]

[I'd like to kiss you. Would you mind?]

"N-n-no, p-please do!"

[Heh. Such a sweet blush.]

"Mmm... A-ah…! Even y-your lips are softer, Kuriko-chan…!"

[Do you like it?]

"I– I like everything about you s-so far…!"

[Hey. That's too cute!]

"H-hehehe… Mmmmm… K-Kuriko-chan…"

[Oh, is that sound your stomach?]

[You did promise to make us lunch today, right?]

"I did, but… I don't want to let go of you now! Perhaps we should order in…"

[Absolutely not. I heard you thinking about crêpes just now.]

"Damn."

[Heh.]

[Well, what if I hug you from behind while you make the crêpes?]

[I can bring over anything you need with my telekinesis.]

"Yes!! That is a very reasonable compromise! To cook while being held by my beloved Kuriko-chan…! Oh wow!!"

[Stop being so cute, good grief. I'm going to have to kiss you again.]

"P-please do…!"

—————

[These crêpes are absolutely fantastic, Touma-kun!! Seriously, they're so so good~!]

[Mmmmm~!]

[Maybe I should have agreed to marry you after all…]

"K-Kuriko-chan!! P-please don't tease me like that!! Just listen to my poor heartrate accelerating!"

[Okay, I'll listen.]

"Kuriko-chan… I do very much enjoy cuddling while we eat, but actually putting your ear up to my chest like that can only exacerbate my arrhythmia…!!"

[Hehehe… ]

"I must admit that I am feeling quite victimized by your teasing, Kuriko-chan! Especially after working so hard to cook you a delicious meal while you distracted me with the warm press of your body against mine! Such grievous and traitorous mischief against your poor, defenseless boyfriend…"

[Angling for more kisses?]

"W-well… i-if you think that might be reasonable compensation, then umm… well, I c-certainly wouldn't be opposed…!"

[You're really blushing, huh? So cute… ]

"Mmmmm~! Ehehehehe…! Kuriko-chan~! M-maybe we can j-just keep kissing like this~?"

[Hmm…? Did you have some other plan for us today?]

"W-well, I had thought we could do a battery of tests to see if your powers are truly easier to control like this. B-but I'd r-really rather c-cuddle and kiss right now, please?"

[Where's your scientific integrity, Touma-kun~?]

"The only science I care to study right now is your t-topography…"

[Touma-kun!! That's scandalous!]

[ …But I would like some kisses from you.]

[With my telepathy radius tighter, I don't have to use my germanium ring while we cuddle.]

[So I can hear your thoughts while we kiss~ ]

[That's the only thing I don't like about kissing so far.]

[I don't get to hear you talk when you kiss me with my ring on, what a pain… ]

"Do– do you really like to hear my voice that much??"

[ …Yes? Obviously?]

[Your voice is only a pain when you're hyperfocused. Because your thoughts get too loud and fast.]

[But the rest of the time, I like listening to you talk.]

[Your voice is… soothing. Familiar. I feel safe when I hear you.]

[Your thoughts are so dense that they're almost white noise for my telepathy. You block out all of the voices that are farther away, and that makes it easier on me.]

[And I seriously learn a lot from listening to you.]

"Oh wow… snf… Are you certain you don't want to marry me right now…?"

[Touma-kun… We're in our pajamas, love.]

[Wouldn't this ruin whatever grand plan you probably have for your real proposal?]

"While I won't deny that I've dreamt up a great many proposal plans over the years, I've recently come to realize that the only sort of proposal that is worth anything is the one that receives a 'yes'."

[Ahh, so you're trying to catch me unawares, huh?]

"No, of course not! Please don't misunderstand me, Kuriko-chan! There is no attempt at subterfuge when I ask you to marry me– it's simply that I shouldn't like to waste any time in marrying you once you decide you're ready. It takes a minimum of several months to plan even a reasonably small wedding, of course, and it's quite likely that we'll need to include Miko-chan in our arrangements, which I imagine will extend that timeline even further…"

[You're… you're seriously thinking about that…?!]

[Touma-kun, I need you to know that I love you so much right now, good grief!!]

[Please kiss me!]

"M-my pleasure!! Mmmm~! Ummm, p-please give me a minute…!"

[ ? ]

Oh, mmmm, your cheek is much softer and rounder, Kuriko-chan! I feel like I can keep kissing your lovely cheek for half a lifetime, reserving the other half, naturally, for your other cheek~

[T-Touma-kun…!]

I'm glad you can hear how much I'm enjoying you, love! I'm so intrigued by the spectacularly warm and solid bulk of you in my arms, just as strong as I'm used to but padded in a different way that makes you feel softer against my body. I'd very much like to squeeze you tight if you don't mind, Kuriko-chan!

[Please do…!]

Hehehe, my darling Kuriko-chan~ I'll try to squeeze you with every scrap of strength in my arms, knowing that it won't hurt you and you may not even feel it! But I hope you do, I hope you can feel at least a fraction of the delight that fills me when I get to hug you close~

[I do feel a little pressure when you hug me like this… mmm… it's very nice… ]

I'm so happy to hear that, love! Oh, but I do miss your little psychic broadcast, as I'm sure you would have such a lovely purr for me right now~ But you're humming for me quite nicely in the back of your throat to show me your enjoyment, and that pleases me so! Hehe, I simply must cover your lovely neck with kisses~!

[Mmmmm…! Touma-kun…!]

[Good grief, when did you get so smooth??]

[You could barely put a sentence together earlier!]

Darling, you know my thoughts are typically quite fast and often concurrent, making them uniquely difficult for you to parse. For you to understand me properly, I have to reduce the volume of my own thoughts. And to do so, I must at least partially enter a certain state of meditative flow. It's a trick I've been practicing lately to communicate more effectively with you via telepathy~ An additional benefit of this semi-meditative state is the sense of calmness borne of focusing on my own breathing and such, which is limiting the amount of new information I'm perceiving at once from you.

[Clever… That's my Touma-kun!]

[Hehehe… I wonder if I can still fluster you like this~?]

I consider myself to be fairly disciplined, but you are certainly welcome to try, Kuriko-chan~! There is simply no downside that I can see: should I remain focused, that will be a tremendous boost to my ego, and should I fail, I'll get to enjoy the sweet affections of my beloved~! Mmmmm, those are truly some lovely kisses, your lips are so soft and gentle on my skin… Hehe, I'll happily tilt my face so you can kiss anywhere you like~! Oh, your mouth feels so good against my mouth… Ahh, you're moving down my jawline and I'm feeling quite excelle– ohhh, love, your lips on my throat are absolutely intoxicating…! Ahhh, mmm–! Ahahaha, wow wow wow!!

[Mmm…~ You taste wonderful, Touma-kun~!]

[Like victory, hehehe… ]

"Y-you've won this round, K-Kuriko-chan! P-please let me sit down, my knees are feeling quite wobbly at all this attention!!"

[Heh. I'll carry you this time~ ]

"O-oh wow!! Kuriko-chan, I'm swooning~! Oh, what a treat to be carried so carefully by my lady love~!"

[It's only natural that I carry you like this~ ]

[You're my prize, after all.]

"K-Kuriko-chan!!! Ehehehehe~ When did– ummm, when did you b-become such a f-flirt?!"

[When you started tripping all over your words.]

[It's easier to say embarrassing stuff like this when you're being even sillier, heh.]

"W-well, uhhh, hehehe that makes me– that makes me happy, haha!"

[Heh.]

[If I set you down on the couch, can you kiss me some more?]

"Ahhh, abs– abso… hehehe! A-absolu… ummmm… yes!"

[Pffft! Hahaha!]

[Maybe I'll kiss you first. Since you're being so cute.]

"Ehehehe, ummm, p-please do!! …! O-oh, hahaha, uhhh, y-you're really climbing onto my– my lap, huh? Ehehehe…! W-warmmmm… C-can I please– can I please hold you? …Ahahaha, mmmmm, I'm, I'm uhhhh, haha I'm going to take that as a y-yes! Mmmmm~! M-my Kuriko-chan~!"

[Seriously so cute…!]

"Ahhh, mmmmm, hehehe! P-please, a little more– ummm, a little more to the right…! Ahaha, mmm, yes!! That's v-very, ummm, very nice, K-Kuriko-chan, hehe~! …Y-your turn!!"

[Yes yes yes!]

Ohhhh how can I relax enough to be coherent with my darling Kuriko-chan's strong arms wrapped carefully around my neck and her soft body pressed close like this?? No, I will focus solely on covering her with the sweet kisses she heartily deserves! Hehehe, look at you turning up your face for me expectantly~! Yes, I would like to kiss your pretty cheek! Mmm, so marvelously soft and I can feel the shift of a wide smile under my lips~ Your eyes are so gorgeous up close, love, I wish we didn't require the barrier of your glasses between us… Oh, but I can still trail kisses across the bridge of your nose, cutely scrunched with surprised delight, and treat your other cheek to the same affections~ Will you tilt your head up for me, Kuriko-chan? I'd love to kiss your neck! Ahh yes, just like that my darling, now I can trace along your jaw and down your lovely throat again…! I must admit I am so utterly entranced by the little sounds you're making for me right now, the most charming little coos and hums I've ever had the pleasure of hearing~! Ahh, I'd like to kiss the top of your head if you don't mind! …Oh, you really liked that, didn't you darling? Well, I'm happy to indulge you with many many kisses on your soft pretty fluffy hair, mmmm~! Ehehe, you're giggling so sweetly for me~! I'm taking note, love– I'll make sure to treat you to kisses like this every day~!

[Hehehe~ Mmm… ]

[Please do~!]

"Would you– would you mind if I, ummm, if I pet you, hahaha? J-Just a bit, please? To try to– to try to get used to your b-body?"

[You don't need an excuse, Touma-kun.]

[Seriously, you can pet me as much as you like.]

[My body may be different, but I always enjoy your touches… ]

"O-oh! I'm– I'm happy to hear that, Kuriko-chan…! Th-thank you! Ahhh, th-the curve of your spine is much as I remember, though each jut of your vertebrae is obscured somewhat, and your pose on my lap is necessarily altered due to your change in height… Your shoulders aren't as broad, but I can feel that your trapezius is just as sinewy and powerful as I recall~ Oh, to slip my hand up the back of your neck is lovely, and I simply must dedicate a little time to combing through your hair and caressing your scalp, as we both so enjoy~! Such indulgence, what a treat, dearest! Ah, here are your limiter entry points! Yes, the hardware feels identical, as expected. And, hehehe, your appreciation of my touch here is unchanged as well~ Let me see your face, Kuriko-chan? I want to hold your darling cheeks in my hands and caress along your lovely features with my thumbs~ Yes, just like that, and your smile is irresistible, I simply must kiss your lovely mouth…! Mmmmm~ Such luxury~ Captivated by your gorgeous eyes again… Truly I am so fortunate to have the privilege of knowing you this deeply and sharing such intimate trust, Kuriko-chan!"

[ …Me too.]

[I seriously love you, Touma-kun… ]

"Oh darling, I love you too!"

[Mmm…~ ]

[Hehehe…]

[ … ]

[Hmmm… ]

[Do you like this body more, Touma-kun?]

[Since it's softer?]

"While the soft give of your body in this form is certainly charming and lovely, I do also very much enjoy the comforting solidity of your usual form, Kusuo-kun! It's a treat to be able to stroke and caress any of your forms, but let me point out that your typical body is… hmm, how shall I put it? Let's say 'more texturally interesting'. Your muscles, your hair, your veins, they're all rather occulted this way, smoothed over in a fashion that is perfectly pleasant but not quite as stimulating, due to the lack of detail."

[ … ]

"Yes, that was simply a complicated way for me to say that I love and enjoy both of your forms in equal and different ways, hehe! Though I do also delight in your feline form… In fact, I suspect that I'll find any form you take to be marvelous in its own fashion~ Though this fact takes a very distant second place to the reality that the part of your body I enjoy the very most are the parts that remain the same no matter what shape you're currently residing in: your mind and your heart. You're the Kusuo-kun I've always loved, and the Kusuo-kun I've had the pleasure of knowing better and better over time, no matter what you currently look like or the name or gender or even species you're sporting at the moment."

[T-Touma-kun… ]

"And that you're revealing different aspects of your thoughts and personality as Kuriko is a lovely treat, I must say! It seems like you are less burdened with shame over expressing your emotions and making specific requests this way, perhaps because of the slight role-playing aspect of inhabiting a different form. I very much approve, and I believe being more expressive as Kuriko may function as a sort of learning experience for you as well– perhaps you'll be more bold about communicating your feelings and desires in your everyday form if you see that doing so as Kuriko does not cause the negative consequences you instinctively fear."

[ … ]

[Good grief… perhaps you're right… ]

[I do feel a little more confident… ]

[Thank you for… ]

[ … ]

[ …For letting me try this. Without making fun of me.]

[Not that I think you would. But… ]

[Well. Thank you for making me feel safe enough to experiment like this. Good grief.]

"Awwww, that's absolutely my pleasure, Kuriko-chan~! Thank you for trusting me with this new and delicate side of yourself, love. I know it's not easy for you! …Oh darling, shall we change the subject? It's only that you're getting a little sniffly and I know you prefer to work through emotions more privately…"

[Yes… ]

[Thank you, Touma-kun… ]

"Mmmm… What would you like to do next, love? We watch a movie, or read, or play games perhaps, or perhaps test out the new limits of your abilities in this form?"

[Hmmm… ]

[ …What a pain. I don't want to stop cuddling with you… ]

"To be quite frank, neither do I!"

[ …How about we play on the Wintendo Swatch? I can still sit in your lap if we use the Toycons.]

"That does sound like a stupendous idea, Kuriko-chan~!"

[You can pick the game, Touma-kun.]

"Hmm… How about Splendid Sibling Smasher Supreme? I do believe that I've almost figured out your Nario strategy on some of the gimmick stages!"

[Deal.]

[ …Should we make a bet?]

"Oh? Would you like to~? You're well aware of my proclivity for accepting challenges, after all! What's your proposed ante~?"

[More kisses.]

"Hehehe, that was a rapid response indeed~ I accept those terms, love~! And I'll look forward to enjoying many of your kisses~!"

[Tch. So cocky… ]

[One more kiss, and then I'm going to kick your ass at Sibling Smasher.]

[And no items. They're such a pain.]

"Ehehehe, mmmmmmm~! …Perhaps I should accuse you of nefariously distracting me in order to gain the upper hand and demand a few extra kisses in compensation…"

[Now who's being underhanded?? Good grief… ]

—————

"By the way, how are your energy levels currently, Kuriko-chan?"

[Terrible. I've barely gotten any kisses… ]

[Aren't you supposed to let your girlfriend win more often?]

"Didn't I?"

[ … ]

[Hey. Don't disrespect me!]

"Hahaha, I jest, I jest! …But in all seriousness, do you feel as though remaining in this form for a few hours has had a perceivable effect on your energy consumption, or are you experiencing a typical level of fatigue for this time of day, taking into account the very low-impact activities we've performed so far?"

[Hmmm… ]

[I do feel a lot less tired than I usually do.]

[It seriously helps that my telepathy range has shrunk so much!]

[Like this, I can only hear Kaido when he's in his room, but not when he crosses over to Kuboyasu's.]

[I'll be able to hear Aiura and Toritsuka when they're in here as well.]

[And I should be able to hear into Nendo's room. But I've never been able to hear his thoughts anyways.]

[It's… incredible to be able to count the voices in my head on one hand…!]

[And I like it better than the total silence of the germanium ring… ]

[It's good for sleep, but feels a little lonely when I'm awake… ]

"Oh, that is absolutely spectacular news, Kuriko-chan! I'm so incredibly elated to hear that you can reach a comfortable telepathy range this way without totally cancelling the power! How is your vision, currently? Has your x-ray vision's rate of depth change been altered at all by your daytrip in this form?"

[That… is a good question.]

[Luckily I have the perfect test subject here~ ]

"Ehehe! Kuriko-chaaan~!"

[Heh! Let me see… ]

[[ ( X-ray Vision: Hold ) ]]

[ … ]

[Touma-kun… Good grief, it's so nice to be able to see you for more than a few seconds at a time… ]

[ … ]

[Your eyes are such a lovely dark violet… almost black.]

[But when I sweep up your bangs up like this, and light shines into your eyes, there are so many shades of purple… ]

[Seriously beautiful… ]

[And your dark eyelashes make your eyes pop so much… Did you know that people think you wear mascara…?]

[Your nose has this cute little upturn… I always want to kiss it when I see it. Mm~ ]

[And I like the warm, honey-blond of your hair… I missed it when I had my green glasses before, what a pain… ]

[Hehehe, your cheeks are very pink right now~]

[Even I know that's unusual for you. I might just have to kiss them~ Mmmm~ ]

[And look at this. I'm barely sweating at all! It really does take a lot less effort this way~ ]

[ … ]

[You're really really cute.]

[Hehehe, you can't even look me in the eyes right now because you're so flustered.]

[I'm glad. That's how I feel with you sometimes too, good grief… ]

[A little turnabout is fair play~ ]

[Mmmmm~!]

"Ahahaha, m-my K-Kuriko-chan…! Hehe, ummm… ahh, so– so lovely~! Ehehe…! Mmm~!"

[Silly… ]

[Thank you for this idea, love.]

[I've seriously had a lot of fun so far…!]

[And I still feel like I have a lot of energy left!]

[This could be a nice treat… every once in a while… ]

[Like a little vacation… ]

"I'm– I'm always happy when, umm… hehe, when I can help in– in some way!"

[Cute… ]

"W-would you also like to experiment to see if your psychometry has been affected? I'll admit that while psychometry is a highly effective power for solving mysteries and provides a fascinating look into the past, I do wish you were able to control it more easily. I would like very much to be able to hold your hands without the barrier of your gloves, and without forcing you into sensory overload, my poor dear…"

[What a pain… I'd like that too… ]

[I seriously want to be able to hold your hand… ]

[ … ]

[But being Kuriko has helped with my other powers. Maybe I'll be able to avoid using immersive psychometry like this.]

[Let's see… I'll take off my glove and just–]

[[ ( Oh no ) ]]

The cheek in her hand the hand on her cheek was warm warm warm soft body on her under her against her supporting her and being supported and her eyes were closed but they were open and Akechi's smile as he leaned into her hand as she held his face was blissful and stretched her cheeks and stretched her cheeks and they flushed with heated pleasure as the thump thump thump of their heartbeats accelerated and their thoughts were love love love love love and their lips brushed and their lips brushed and she was putting her hands on her waist there were hands on her waist and hands on her cheek that she held and it was so much too much TOO MUCH–

[Ahh!!]

"Oh darling… I'm presupposing that the effects of your psychometry abilities remain unchanged in this form based on your reaction…"

[Yes… dammit… ]

[Good grief… I was really hoping it would be better… ]

"Well, it was worth the experiment to me… I did truly enjoy your touch for that small moment…!"

[Oh Touma-kun… ]

[You… deserve so much more than that! Seriously!!]

"Oh Kuriko-chan… I very much appreciate the sentiment, but you indulge me in so many other ways that there should be no doubt in your mind of my ecstatic joy at being with you!"

[ … ]

[I guess you do always seem happy when we're together.]

[I just wish I could do more… what a pain… ]

"Kuriko-chan, that is simply the most natural feeling in the world when you love someone! That desire to do more, to help more, to be more… Is there any truer expression of love?"

[Heh. …I guess you're right again.]

"The real trick is discerning when you can and should do more. Self-destruction via overexertion does more harm than good, and sometimes people don't want help. I certainly learned this lesson the hard way with my parents! No amount of alleviating external factors or logical thinking could resolve the petty squabbles of my parents, because they were borne of a fundamental incompatibility, and that is something I am certain not even ESP could correct."

[ … ]

[I'm sorry Touma-kun. That must have been such a pain… ]

"Don't you worry, Kuriko-chan! You really brightened my day when we were kids! After you fixed my bullying troubles, school even became a marvelous escape for me from my home. Difficult to believe, perhaps, but certifiably true! The rumors of ESP that followed me after that granted me a sort of carte blanche – I was able to refocus my energy and redefine who I was and who I wanted to be. And it's all thanks to you Kuriko-chan! So it is my most fervent hope that our little home here can be your safe space now, where you can let go of your troubles for a while and rest and heal, my poor beleaguered darling."

[ … ]

[Well… you've been successful.]

[I do always feel safe here. With you. But also with all of our friends.]

[It's been wonderful… I seriously never thought I could be this happy… ]

[Heh. You're giving me emotions all over again. What a pain… ]

"Haha, that is rather inconsiderate of me, isn't it, love? Not to worry, we can certainly change the subject again! For example, what shall I make for our dinner today, darling?"

[Let's go out.]

"…Really? Have you tired of being Kuriko-chan?"

[No. I'm going as a girl.]

[ …And maybe you can, too.]

[If you wear one of your new skirts, we can see how many people we can fool into thinking we're lesbians.]

"Ahaha, ummm… w-won't we be– won't we, uhhh g-get 'galpalled', ehehehe?"

[Not the way I'm going to be acting. I seriously want to show you off.]

"K-Kuriko-chan??"

[You're really really cute!]

[And nobody in this town knows who Kuriko-chan is. So a little PDA is fine.]

[Er. If that's okay with you…?]

"Absolutely. Yes. Veritably. I am– I am ridiculously excited at the thought of being openly wined and dined by my beloved!! Please excuse me in advance if I end up stuttering and tripping over my words! Having a girlfriend is new to me, and wearing a skirt is new to me, and doing both in public is… Ohhhh, you can clearly gauge my opinion by the saturation of my blush and the pitter patter of my heartbeat!!"

[Hehehe! What a pain, you are seriously too cute… ]

[I may have to kiss you a little more before we go get ready~]

"W-wonderful, ahahaha…!"

————————————————————

If you enjoyed this, please let me know in my inbox, in the tags, or in the replies~! It’s a lot of extra work to make the censored editions, after all!

[goldenkamuyhunting]

In 268 Tsurumi thanked Ariko's dad for his and his son's help in hauling bodies from the Hakkoda Mountain. This happened in or before 1902 according to the timeline, when Ariko's dad was killed. Then the fanbook went ahead and said Hakkoda Mountain Incident happened in 1903. Is this just a mistake in the fanbok?

The truth is we don’t know.

I mentioned this topic in a post and in the reply to an ask but to dig into this better than I did before as the scene in itself is even more messy than what I wrote previously...

... in real life (not in the timeline) the Hakkōda Mountains incident occurred on January 23, 1902.

The Ainu joined the researches for survivors and corpses on February 9 and remained there until April 22, 1902.

The manga, when referring to it in chap 195, doesn’t mention the date...

...so when the fabook came out and the timeline on the fanbook reported it as happening in 1903 it was completely possible that Noda had decided, for plot reasons, to change the date (he does change some historical facts sometimes).

For years we also had no idea of when the Ainu incident took place and the first to tell us the date was the fanbook timeline (1902).

Then this arc came out and messes started.

Chap 267 confirmed that the incident with the gold took place in 1902...

...and so far so good.

But then chap 268 happened and this one is a mess that clashes with the timeline in the fanbook.

That’s because chap 268 has Tsurumi say that Ariko senior and junior took part to the Hakkoda mountains operation, which means the Hakkoda mountains incident had to happen in 1902 (like in real life) or earlier but it can’t happen anymore in 1903 or Ariko’s dad would be dead by then.

Okay, let’s assume it’s a mistake of the timeline and, if we trust chap 268 it’s not the only one because the lack of Tsurumi’s sleeves points at how Koito was kidnapped BEFORE the incident with the gold and not after as the timeline implies... and okay, this could be another mistake but that’s more.

As you can see not only Kikuta but Usami too is there to listen to Tsurumi as he says that Ariko senior and junior both took part to the operation in the Hakkoda mountains.

Yet in chap 195 Usami had no idea Ariko was there and Kikuta didn’t tell him ‘you dummy can’t you remember Tsurumi talking about it?’

And there’s more because Tsurumi isn’t the only one who talked about Ariko with Usami, Kikuta did it as well (chap 269).

Usami had to know him as the son of one of the Ainu killed and one of the heroes of the Ainu who took part to the resque operation which was pretty important... in fact in chap 195 he was appropriately impressed... (and besides, it seems weird he would forget something Tsurumi said...)

Long story short, the mention of the Hakkoda mountain incident is a mess as not only it clashed with the timeline (and in this case we can wave it off as the timeline making a mistake) but with the plot as well because previously Usami was depicted unaware of who Ariko was.

So if Noda wants to keep it and declare that the timeline was wrong, he would do better to at least remove Usami and replace him with Tsukishima. The exchange would now be between Kikuta and Tsukishima and would have a different tone as Usami is cold and uncaring while I doubt Tsukishima could be equally uncaring but it can still work.

Of course this opens the problem of... where’s Tsukishima? Because if Tsukishima is doing something useful right then Noda might not be free to move him around.

Anyway the whole thing is a mess.

Probably something here, be it Ariko or the mention to the Hakkoda mountain incident or Usami’s presence, were a ‘late addition’ so Noda had to twist things a bit. Since the past mistake was on the skin count, which also involved Ariko stealing the skins (later corrected in the volume) I wonder if the late addition is Ariko who maybe wasn’t meant to be part of the plot or be included in it that early on.

Plot changes of course are a thing that can happen and when you serialize something weekly it’s hard to check everything so you’re sure there are no mistakes in the continuity.

Said so, I hope Noda will realize the discrepancies and find a way to fix the whole thing in the volume version but, even if he doesn’t manage to, I still think he’s a great mangaka and that mistakes just can happen because he’s also human so let’s not hold it against him.

Really, he has to do a lot of research and documentation and this sort of mistakes tend to pass unobserved even to editors (you need to be someone LITTERALLY OBSESSED WITH SMALL DETAILS *chough* like me *chough* to notice...) so it’s completely excusable.

[sunshinevanfleet]

summer ‘78

c h a p t e r  t w o - the after party

[disclaimer: none of the images in the banner/any graphics belong to me, all credits go to the respective owners; all i’ve done is edit the images. please excuse me in advance for any historical inaccuracies/discrepancies, i was not alive in the 1970′s. i’m doing my best to research, but i’m not checking every minuscule detail. all events and characters in this series are fictional, or used in a fictional manner.]

a/n: i know things are going a little slow at the moment, but the action will pick up later! i’m also planning to have longer chapters as the series goes on. hope you loves enjoy!

word count: 2.5k

summary: y/n runs into a familiar face at the gvf afterparty.

warnings: swearing

Saturday night came faster than you expected. Your shift had been dead, presumably because the whole town had run off to the Greta concert, while you were stuck working. The day before, you begged your father for hours to let you off for one night. Hours of groveling later, you still ended up bored in the shop, selling absolutely no records. In fact, the only thing you sold all day was a single magazine to some little boy who’d come in at about five.

Closing at nine couldn't come fast enough, and your head was pounding by the time you finally got home. Heather said that she and Jackie would meet you behind the concert venue at 11, so you had a couple hours to get ready and nurse your headache before you went to the party.

You downed a couple of painkillers when you got home, then made a dash for the shower. The steaming hot water soothed your muscles, and you hummed along to the thrum of your brother’s music playing on the other side of the wall. Once out, you raked a brush through your tangled hair and then wrapped a towel around yourself.

Staring into your closet, you couldn’t decide what to wear. You eyed your favorite pair of bell-bottoms, but decided you would probably get too hot. With a huff, you flopped onto your bed and eyed the ceiling. Why were you even going to this party? You really didn’t mind staying in…

As if on cue, the phone on your nightstand starting ringing off the hook. You jumped, then rolled over and grabbed it off the receiver, twisting the cord around your finger as you brought it to your ear.

“Hello?”

“Y/N!” Heather’s voice was high and excited on the other end. You could practically see her disheveled appearance, all smeared makeup and dark hair in sweaty tangles. The energy of the concert carried through in her voice. “When are you coming?”

You glanced at your clock. It was 10:37.

“I don’t know. I can’t find anything to wear,” you sighed in frustration.

“Just put something on!” came Jackie’s voice. “You’ll probably take it off by the end of the night, anyway!”

You wrinkled your nose at her suggestion. “Absolutely not.”

“Wear something sexy!” shouted Heather, her voice muffled from being away from the receiver. You grumbled under your breath; how were you going to deal with your drunk friends coupled with your headache all night?

“Okay. I’ll be there in a few.”

You hung up and stared at your closet. It looked barren, like all of your decent clothes had gotten up and walked away. It felt like the universe was telling you to stay home, but you had no choice but to go and make sure your friends didn’t get into any trouble.

Finally, you settled on a simple t-shirt and jean shorts. You weren’t trying to impress anyone, anyway. You fluffed your hair, tucked a bit of money and your house key into your back pocket, then slipped downstairs and out of the house without making a sound.

-

You squinted in the darkness as you approached the back alley of the venue. You spotted your friends instantly—Jackie’s electric blonde hair was hard to miss anywhere, glowing white in the dark. You saw Heather, leaned over a guardrail batting her eyelashes at a security guard. Pushing through the other people crowded outside, you joined both of them.

“I’m sorry, but the name Heather Navarro is not on this list,” the security guard was saying. You blinked curiously, catching sight of Heather’s exasperated expression. The defeat on her face told you that she wasn’t used to security guards doing their jobs correctly.

“What about Jackie Mitchell?” Jackie asked.

The guard shook his head. “Sorry ladies.” He shrugged at both of them, then glanced at you. “What’s your name?”

You blinked. “Uhh, Y/N Y/L/N. I doubt I’m on there either.”

The guard flipped through his list, then glanced back up at you. “You said Y/N Y/L/N?”

“Yeah.”

The guard scribbled on the list, then nodded. “You’re right here. Says you’re VIP. Come on in.” He flicked open the little metal gate, then stepped out of the way.

You stared at him in disbelief. You were VIP? “What? It must be—”

“It must be really decent in there,” Jackie cut you off. “Are we allowed to come in with her?”

The guard eyed you, “Do you know these girls?”

“Yeah,” you nodded. “They’re with me.” You offered a half-hearted smile, and sighed in relief as the three of you walked past the guard and headed for the back door of the venue.

“I can’t believe it! I never thought someone would have the same name as you,” laughed Heather. “That’s kinda freaky.”

“Kinda? That’s really freaky,” replied Jackie.

“Yeah,” you agreed, leading the way down a dim hallway toward a room where you could hear music thumping steadily. Already, you noticed the pungent smell of weed, and the odor of dozens of people drinking alcohol. You were searching for the bathroom, while Heather and Jackie were gushing about being able to get in so easily.  

“Can we stop at the bathroom?” you asked, your hand stopping against the bathroom door knob.

“Can’t we just meet back up when you’re done?” Heather asked innocently.

You huffed, brushing your hair behind your ear. You glanced from the pleading face of Jackie to the clueless face of Heather, then you conceded. “Fine, but if you guys ditch me…”

“We would never,” Heather breathed, slinging her arms around you and planting a kiss on your cheek.

“Come find us when you’re done,” Jackie gave you a quick hug, then they were off.

You were hoping to find silence in the bathroom; your head was pounding furiously. It felt like your skull was shrinking with every sound, but you were unlucky enough to find out that the bathroom was just as busy as the party down the hall.

Girls crowded in the mirror, layering on lipstick and fluffing their hair carefully. Others were sat on the counter, smoking while gesticulating animatedly. You could see bare legs beneath the stall doors, hear heels clacking against the floor, and smell cigarettes mixed with floral perfumes. All of this worsened your headache, and your skull was screaming at you by the time you finally got into a stall to do your business.

Once finished, you trudged down the hall and into the party to find your friends.

The foggy haze of smoke clouded your vision as you waded through the mess of people in the room, searching for either Heather or Jackie in the crowd. Knowing the two of them, you probably wouldn’t see them for a couple of hours. They’d be off smoking pot, or hitting on the band, or taking body shots.

Sighing, you pushed past a couple of drunken people and found a lonely couch in the corner, occupied by no one. Relief flooded your senses instantly, and you took a seat while you played with the hem of your shirt and cradled your head in your hand, closing your eyes. The last thing you wanted to look like was a total loser at this after party, but your head was killing you. Tuning out the buzz around you, you took a deep breath and massaged your temples. If you just let yourself relax, you’d feel better. You would be fine, find your friends, and have a good time. Or at least, that’s what you were telling yourself.

As you nursed your aching skull, you didn’t even notice the palpable silence that had fallen over the room. Even the drunks had stopped their slurred blabbering, and you glanced up to see Jackie running at you, her shocking blonde hair mussed and her eyes an irritated shade of red. Her face was bright and open, her mouth wide in an expression of disbelief as she grabbed your hands and sat on the couch next to you.

“They’re here!” she hissed, her voice cutting through the thick layer of silence that had fallen over the room like a blanket. She grabbed your chin, directing your face to the other side of the room, where you could see the crowd shifting slightly.

The first one to catch your eye was the lead singer; you could recognize that from his very demeanor—that smile and his tufts of curly hair coupled with the way he gathered the attention of everyone. The room felt his energy instantly, like a spark that ignited the very souls of everyone in his vicinity. You felt short of breath as you stared at him, even the glimmering of his sequined shirt in the royal blue light of the room not enough to pull your eyes away from his face. At first, you had questioned Jackie and Heather’s obsession over the band, but already you could feel their hypnotizing vibe, just from one look.

He looked vaguely familiar, like you’d seen him in a dream. Something like deja vu.

“Who’s he?” you asked, quirking an eyebrow as you glanced at Jackie. She was as enamored by him as everyone else in the room, and you couldn’t blame her. He was mesmerizing.

Jackie’s voice fell to a whisper, “That’s Josh.”

She said nothing else as Josh blended into the rest of the crowd, effectively disappearing in the ghostly light of the room. Plumes of smoke clouded your vision slightly, but you waved your hand in search of the rest of the band. You could see a bit of a crowd forming by the door, probably waiting for the rest of the band to show up.

Still, you could feel the electricity in the room; the excitement felt by friends, roadies, groupies, and randoms alike. The hairs on the back of your neck stood erect in anticipation—if Josh could have this effect on you, how would it feel to see the entire band? You wished desperately that you would’ve been able to see them in concert. Even for one song.

“God, I can’t believe we’re here,” whispered Jackie. You met her dreamy-eyed gaze, her brown eyes looking hazier than they had a couple minutes ago. The atmosphere of the room had even become intoxicating enough to drown out your headache.

Another moment passed, and in came the rest of the band. Jackie filled you in quickly. The first in the succession was Sam, the bassist of the band. He was stunning, glowing in an almost ethereal manner as the blue light haloed around him. He crossed the room gracefully, moving out of the way for the next member of the band.

He was Danny, all sweet smiles and dark curly hair. He greeted everyone with the warmth of a close friend, offering hugs and small-talk to everyone that turned to him. He brought a certain warmth to the room, something that made you feel like you were in a familiar place. He felt like an old friend, even from across the room.

You pulled your eyes away from the doorway for a split second to say something to Jackie, and when you looked back you had to do a double take. You recognized the fourth member from work the other day—Jake!

You couldn’t believe it; your eyes bulged out of your head as you stared at him. No wonder he was in town, he was on tour with his band! You could’ve laughed at yourself. He did say he had a pretty awesome job, and you hadn’t believed it at the time.

“Earth to Y/N?” Jackie waved her hand in front of your face, trying to catch your attention.

You glanced at her, “What?”

“That’s Jake. He’s the guitarist.”

“I know who he is.”

“What? How?”

You shook your head, still in disbelief. “He came into the shop the other day.”

Jackie’s jaw dropped. “Oh my god! No wonder your name was on the list!”

Your eyebrows pulled together. “What? How could he know my full name?”

“Are you joking?” Jackie stared at you as if you’d just grown wings. “The shop is literally called Y/L/N’s.”

A shocked laugh fell from your lips as you realized she was right. But what was the chance that Jake had even remembered you, much less decided to make you one of his VIP guests? It was one in a million, if that.

“I’m sure it was just a coincidence,” you waved it off, your face brightening as you caught sight of Heather approaching. She fell onto the couch, on Jackie’s other side with a wide smile and glassy eyes.

“Did you see them? Amazing…” she relaxed into the cushions, crossing her legs as she lit a cigarette and stared out into the crowd. She was blissed out, her eyes empty, eyeliner smudged softly around her eyes, and her mouth slightly ajar as she sat there. She was hauntingly beautiful, and you knew how she could get her way so easily.

Jackie turned to speak to Heather, but she was cut off by the sound of a voice familiar to you. “Y/N!”

Your head turned so quickly that you thought you’d get whiplash as you caught sight of Jake approaching. You practically jumped out of your seat, your face heating up as Jake opened his arms for a hug, like you two were a couple of old friends. His embrace was warm, and he grinned brightly at you as he pulled away.

“I was hoping to see you here.”

“Really?” you wondered, unable to stop the smile that came to your lips.

“Yeah,” Jake laughed sheepishly. “I had you on the list just in case. Told you my job was decent.”

You began to reply, but Heather felt the need to interrupt. “How do you two know each other?” She blinked at the two of you, looking suspicious.

“We met—”

“A few years ago,” Jake cut you off, winking discreetly at you as Heather glared daggers at you. You gaped at him for a second, and he looked amused.

You rolled your eyes, then turned to Heather with a sweet smile. “Yeah,” you said casually. “Never knew you were in a band, though,” you said sharply, watching the amusement dance in Jake’s eyes.

“Wasn’t that important at the time.” He shrugged. “Why don’t you introduce your friends, Y/N?” His tone was facetious, and you forced a false smile at him.

“This is Heather,” she offered her hand, but Jake pulled her into a hug. “And Jackie.” He shook Jackie’s hand, then watched as Jackie scrutinized you.

“I thought you two just met the other day,” she frowned.

“We did,” you caved, giggling at the look on Heather’s face. “Jake was pulling Heather’s leg.” You threw an arm around Heather’s shoulders, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Love you, H.”

She wrinkled her nose at you, and took a long drag of her cigarette as she pouted.

“Now, where’s the rest of your band, Jake?”

tags: @mr-stank-i-dont-feel-so-dank @gretavanfic @chocolatealmondmilkshake @mountainofthesunn

[love-sapphirerose]

10 Toxic Anime Couples We Wish Would Break Up Already

https://www.cbr.com/toxic-anime-couples-break-up-worst/

What a feeling it is, to be in love. It's a popular belief that there's someone out there for everyone, a Yin to every Yang,  a lid for every pot and so on. The same can be said for anime characters and there's nothing like seeing two characters with great chemistry deciding they belong together. 

Unfortunately, not all relationships are created equal. In fact, there are many that are downright toxic. Incompatible, inconsiderate, mean-spirited, abusive, or just wrong on so many levels, here's some examples of anime couples that make you wonder why these characters haven't just broken up already. 

10. SASUKE AND SAKURA FROM NARUTO AND BORUTO

It's no secret that Sakura has been in love with Sasuke for a long time. It was even a dream come true for Sakura when the two were put on the same team together, but from day one the romance between them has always been one-sided. Sasuke originally had little to no interest in Sakura. Even after she admitted her feelings in tears, Sasuke seemed to care very little about her.

It continued this way even after Sasuke attempted to kill Sakura and yet despite that, the two eventually got married and had a child. Unfortunately for poor Sakura, Sasuke is a bit of a deadbeat who's rarely ever home to be around his wife or daughter. If their relationship has proven anything, it's that Sakura has the patience of a saint.

9. JOSEPH JOESTAR AND SUZI Q FROM JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE

The second JoJo may be a master of Hamon techniques and outwitting his enemies, but he has no understanding of romance or matters of the heart. Joseph met Suzi Q when he trained with Lisa and they were later married at the end of "Battle Tendency."

Joseph is guilty of being consistently inconsiderate to Suzi, losing his temper when she forgot to tell his friends he was actually alive and keeping her in the dark about their daughter's condition during "Stardust Crusaders." However, his worst act was during "Diamond is Unbreakable," where it's revealed Joseph had an affair with Tomoko Higashikata, who would bear his illegitimate child. They surprisingly didn't divorce, even after that. 

8. GOKU AND CHICHI FROM DRAGON BALL Z

Maybe this one was doomed from the start, considering Goku thought marriage was a kind of food at first. Goku may be DBZ's most powerful warrior, but his skills as a husband and family man could use work.

Goku's mind is focused solely on fighting and getting stronger, which leaves little time for things like spending time with his family or getting a job to support them. It's not that he doesn't care for them, it's more that he doesn't understand that they need him on a personal level. On the other side of things, Chichi's high expectations of Goku cause her to often lash out when she feels he's not doing his part. Between Goku's naïve, free spirit and Chichi's angry outbursts, it's clear they're just not compatible. It says something when even someone like Vegeta somehow makes it work with Bulma.

7. ODA AND KICHOU FROM NOBUNAGA TEACHER'S YOUNG BRIDE

A relationship between a student and a teacher is already bad. It's much worse when the age discrepancy transcends time itself. Oda is a middle school teacher whose life gets turns upside down when Kichou, a 14-year old girl from the Sengoku era, appears before him and reveals he's actually a descendant of the historical figure Oda Nobunaga and claims to be his bride. The rest of their relationship is summed up by Kichou trying to get Oda to make babies with her. 

It's about as uncomfortable as it sounds. Despite the fact Kichou is supposedly much older than her appearance, that doesn't take away from the fact that she looks like she's 14 and watching her try to force herself onto Oda feels wrong for so many reasons. 

6. KYOUSUKE AND KIRINO FROM MY LITTLE SISTER CAN'T BE THIS CUTE

There's absolutely no reason why these two should even be together. Kyousuke and Kirino have no chemistry. In fact, most of their interactions are just arguments and verbal abuse. Yet somehow, even though there were many girls that surrounded Kyousuke that would make for a better romantic interest, he ultimately chooses to be with Kirino for seemingly little reason.

Already it's a bad Tsundere romance, but addressing the elephant in the room makes this go from uncomfortable to extremely icky. They're also brother and sister.

5. ERIKA AND KYOUYA FROM WOLF GIRL AND BLACK PRINCE

To be fair, Erika did bring this on herself by lying to her friends that she and Kyouya, the most popular boy at their school, were dating. However, Kyouya takes advantage of this situation by going along with it, on the condition that she becomes his pet. The rest of this anime showcases just how sadistic and cruel Kyouya is to Erika, abusing her and humiliating her at every turn.

For some reason, over time Erika genuinely starts to love Kyouya and wants him to reciprocate her feelings, even though he continues to treat her like trash and withhold any kind of affection. If anything, these two are the very definition of an abusive relationship. 

4. SEJI AND MIKA FROM DURARARA!!!

This romance involves a love triangle with a severed head. That is not a joke. Mika fell in love with Seji one day. However, Seji had no interest in her. Mika didn't give up though, going so far as to stalk Seji and eventually get surgery to resemble the same severed head Seji loves. After finding out the truth, Seji accepts Mika but makes clear that he will ditch her if he ever finds the real head.

The reason these two just don't work as a couple is that there's no love between them. Seji doesn't care about Mika, he's just using her to replace the head of Celty while Mika is completely fine being used as long as she's with him. There's an obsession on one side and manipulation on the other.

3. LADD AND LUA FROM BACCANO

Every couple has their way of talking intimately to their partner, but Ladd goes a little too far with Lua when he describes the ways that he'll kill her. Anyone else would find the fact that Ladd is very clearly a psychopath horrific, but Lua is almost blissfully unaware of the situation to a disturbing level.

To Ladd, Lua is just his plaything. Love isn't the word one would use to describe their relationship, they're less like a couple and more like a kidnapper and a hostage with Stockholm syndrome.

2. ENJI (ENDEAVOR) AND REI TODOROKI FROM MY HERO ACADEMIA

There's a loveless marriage and then there's this horrorshow. Enji, also known as the #2 hero Endeavor, only really married Rei so that he could have children who had both his fire quirk and her ice quirk. His hope was for a child that could surpass his rival, All Might. 

The abuse Enji showed Rei and his children to reach this goal was violent, to say the least. A lot of it was left simply implied, but what is known is that it was so bad that Rei was driven to the brink of insanity,  and burned her own son. Shoto Todoroki. Afterward, she was committed to a mental hospital. All of this was the result of Endeavor trying to satisfy his own ego.

1. LOUISE AND SAITO FROM THE FAMILIAR OF ZERO

Louise and Saito are probably one of the most infamous examples of a Tsundere romance. After accidentally summoning Saito to her world from Japan, Louise makes the poor boy her familiar and proceeds to verbally and physically abuse him for any little thing.

Even though he's very clearly a human, Louise treats Saito more like an animal. Eventually, the two begin a relationship, even though nothing really changes in their relationship. Why they decide to stay together is a complete mystery, since their relationship feels both disingenuous and neither side does anything to earn the other's affection.

[send-doods]

Sekiro Character Analysis

Character: Doujun/Dousaku

Game: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Company: FromSoftware

Timeline/Outline

Disclaimer: The timeline created below is a matter of combining both videogame lore and historical facts in relation to the Sengoku era; as well as facts in relation to the possible mental conditions. This is only a character theory timeline and is not meant to impede or force any opinions. The purpose is to help fellow writers and artists.  

Doujun/Dousaku belong to Fromsoftware. 

Timeline coverage: Due to the games manner of concealing time, dates, and ages— this frame will go by Comic/Manga & Game. This covers roughly a 15-20 year timeframe based on the comics description. 

Name(s): Doujun (道順)   

               Meaning: Path, teachings(Buddhism) - obedient; docile; submissive

                Dousaku ( 道咲 )   

                Meaning: Path, teachings(Buddhism) - to bloom; to come out

Age: Unknown however based on events through the game and character’s within, a reasonable estimate is between 29-35 in game. 

Occupation: Former Seeker Bomb Monk(sect of the warrior monks), Ex-disciple of Master Dogen, Presently hired healer/experimentalist in the Ashina dungeons. 

Quest: Located in the Ashina Dungeon Entrance. 

Pre-Comic/Isshin wins the war and is Lord of Ashina

Origin-  Unknown, however, based on historical facts in relation to Japanese Buddhism (specifically the Zen and Hossō Sects due to Senpou’s design inspiration). Monasteries have their own rules including how they run and ages within ranks (similar to samurai and foot soldiers). Based on average monkhood ordination, Doujun would have entered the monastery around 10 years old and would become a novice monk. He would have also partook in nanshoku with a nenja(elder monk) to learn religious teachings as well as the rank or specialty that was expected. 

Theory: One can Assume Doujun’s mentor’s name was Saku. Otherwise this mentor has been remained nameless. 

Based on attire, Doujun was taught and trained to be a warrior monk as the art of a Seeker/Bombthrower. 

Study: Buddist Monasteries, despite religious discrepancies would have a small group of monks who practiced in “Buddhist Healing” with Kampo influences. Not only did they heal fellow monks, but were also hired by courts and locals to heal and perform medicinal research. 

Assumption: Based on Doujun’s Kimono colouring, he was one of the few in that group.

During the Comic:

Important Lore Note for this section: Appearance note outside of what the timeline goes over: Unlike the other monks at Senpou Temple, Doujun’s pupils are still apparent with a steel silver hue and not “glassed over” or has a “Clouded Silver appearance.” Meaning he did not become host to the larvae despite the monks forced consumption of them(unknown if it was physically eaten, injected ect ect)

Reasoning: Due to the Monks consumption of centipede larvae.

Based on: 

* In the infested text, it's clear that having "worms" is a blessing to the monks and being "chosen by the worms"  (which can be assumed is a larvae being able to parasite the host and grow). The parasitic insects attack/feed off properties that make up melanin(organism pigmentation) causing the loss of eye/skin pigmentation ....Then when they are "blessed" as the Centipede grows it obviously will need other nutrients and take advantage of the host completely.

Regarding Ape and Hainbei: Matured centipedes can skip the development stages of the Larvae like the Guardian ape, therefore feeding into the host itself. 

* Not only are the monks glassy eyed but so is the Great Carp. If you visit the great carp corpse when you kill it, the larvae resides where its stomach was. Either the Carp had been fed the insects or the were in Fountainhead from the start.

Baby centipedes are described as being worm-like.

Due to the comic status is ongoing (7/15/2019) not much can be written regarding this section except Doujun’s trauma and eventual mental split.

Lore: The Senpou monks had been stealing away children for decades to use in the trials of recreating the Dragon’s heritage and in turn making a Divine Child of Rejuvenation for immortality purposes. 

Theory/Thought: Doujun, trained as a seeker would be more or less out in the field “spiriting away children” being oblivious to what was going on in experimental sanctums as well as main hall. Based on his innocence later on upon Dousaku deceiving him, it can be believed that the children really were being taken to the temple grounds to perform "virtuous deeds."

Isshin’s Discovery: Upon the lords discovery of the monks encouragement in the teachings of immortality— corrupting the Buddhist beliefs to worshiping the centipedes, Isshin barricaded and refused the monastery, referring to them as degenerates.

At this point the secrets have spilled and to Doujun’s horror not only discovers the truth in regard to the children but also discovers the Temple has turned their backs on Buddha in their search for immortality and use of the Rejuvenating Waters— specifically witnessing the corruption of the centipede.

Doujun & Dousaku

Fact: In order to fully understand the trauma the character went through, you need to step into what we know. This character has a severe case of Dissociative identity disorder. 

Definition: Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a diagnosis characterized by having two or more distinct people, each with his or her own identity and personality, that alternately take control over a person. This disorder may be caused by intense trauma, such as ongoing physical abuse, sexual assault, and/or emotional/psychological abuse/event that occurred at a younger age. It’s believed to be the brains coping mechanism for the victim to escape of leave the traumatic memory/situation. 

Note: The development of the personality does not happen immediately at the time of the event but can occur some time afterwards depending on the victim.

It is clear Dousaku becomes the personality that takes on the role of Doujun’s former life with the Senpou monks beliefs and as they slowly warped it into an obsession for immortality. His strategies and teachings align with the corrupted beliefs of the monks. 

Doujun’s self is left as a naive but clever personality, doing whatever he can as a student to eagerly please his masters. to become an enlightened disciple of medicine. 

It can be determined Dousaku left the Temple in fear of what the temple had become.

Mentions in-game that can be assumed to be prior to the game's timeframe

Lore: Doujun was a Disciple along with Emma to the great Master Dogen. Dogen’s teachings are speculated to be leaning more towards scientific healing and discovery.

During the time in which Doujun was under Master Dogen’s studies is when Dousaku’s personality fully developed and “emerged” and convinced Doujun that the other physician was mad and expressed extreme jealousy against Dogen. (this can be a reference to how medieval Physicians and Buddhist heals often would rival one another) 

Since Dousaku has claimed himself as the superior personality, it can be assumed he was the one to be hired or set to task by Ashina nobles to work within the dungeon, experimenting on creatures in the hopes of discovering ways to better assist Ashina in winning the war over her lands. 

Based on the reaction of betrayal Doujun expresses to Dousaku during their quest, it can be conceived that he was easily manipulated into thinking he was searching for a “treatment” with the rejuvenating waters sediments. 

In-Game

This is a part in which I do not feel needs to be heavily touched on but will make small mentions.

It is made evident by the time Okami reaches Doujun, he is beyond helpless, fully consumed into Dousaku’s manipulations. Over the time of the quest it can be seen Doujun starts to come to a realization that he has not only been fooled, but is in a position in which he can not escape. 

Reasoning: The consistent need to confide to Okami over his doubts & lack of enthusiasm towards Dousaku and upsetting disbelief to the first experiment he performed in the questline.

The consumption/Injection of Red Carp eyes and the effects: 

Reasoning: The descriptions of the Red lump, Red-eyed Carp, Doujun's conversations of his experiments and questline as well as the description of creature/individuals who have red eyes. Also the fact the Demon of Hatred ends up with red eyes and Isshin’s explanation of Shura.

"Those with Red Eyes are dangerous and filled with rage that is difficult to control through the power of man alone. They do, however, fear the flame above all else."'

"Red Eyed Carp are considered incomplete creatures, Carp with only eyes that are red cannot become “masters”."

Theory: Red eyes are not only an after effect of those whom have consumed some form of stagnated rejuvenating water but ALSO who are consumed by a sense of failure/incompletion/defeat that turns into an endless rage causing their eyes to glow. Thanks to The experimentations of Doujun/Dousaku it's noticed that despite being experimented on, the person you send to him will not have red eyes until after you receive the bloodstained letter.

Note: Based on how much of a victims madness of their misfit circumstances has consumed them will determine the glow intensity until they are too far gone to come back from madness.

This concludes that in the despite Doujun’s fears, he felt that he not only failed himself but his master as well. This is why in the end he desperately in a frenzy attacks you, for the sake of failing his master. 

Feel free to DM me if you are interested in the sources I used, any questions or feedback :)

[prism-rush]

Road to SSS 8 Summary! Hiro vs Kazuki?! The Duel of Destiny on Ganryu Island.

As promised, this is quite long because I thought it deserved it. 

Everyone goes to Kyushu! By coincidence! 

But before that (according to Sakyo’s card story) Sakyo and Ukyo go and see their first Over the Rainbow show in Kyoto after Ukyo picks up a flier... 

Sakyo is basically smitten over Kazuki at first sight and becomes obsessed with him and how awesome the show was. Later he tries to copy Kazuki’s moves but just can’t seem to get them right. (Just before this in Sakyo’s card story it was established that Sakyo can usually copy anything after seeing it once, as he wins a game of nine-ball on his first go.) Sakyo and Ukyo realize that Kazuki’s moves must be way more complicated than they initially realized. Sakyo says he wants to go see Over the Rainbow again and Ukyo agrees. 

Skip forward to Over the Rainbow in their dressing room before a show in Kyushu. Hiro, Kazuki, and Kouji are about to enjoy Kouji’s cooking together when Kazuki brings up the duo tournament again. Hiro says it’s just not his style and tries to brush it off, but this time Kazuki is having none of it. (His card story reveals this came up because just earlier Kazuki watched Hiro give a solo interview in which he described street-style as “barbaric” and his blood has been boiling since then.) Kazuki presses Hiro for a clear answer, but Hiro replies that not giving an answer is his answer. Hiro goes on to say that by being the Prism King he has a responsibility to his fans and can’t do anything that might ruin his reputation. Kazuki then accuses him for talking down on the street-style, but Hiro denies that too. Finally, sick and tired of Hiro avoiding the conversation, Kazuki challenges Hiro to a duel. Hiro attempts to get Kouji to mediate the situation, but at this point Kouji has come to believe that the two of them need to work this out on their own. 

Over the Rainbow perform their concert as normal, being the professionals that they are. However, after the concert Hiro finds that Kazuki is gone, leaving only an official letter of challenge to Hiro in his wake. 

(Kazuki’s card story reveals that Kouji actually helped Kazuki write the letter. Kouji asks if there is anything he can do to help them, and Kazuki tells him the best thing to do is to just keep being best friends with the both of them.) 

Meanwhile, Sakyo and Ukyo have actually come all the way out to Kyushu intending to see Over the Rainbow for the second time. Although Over the Rainbow’s performance may have fooled most of their fans, they actually didn’t fool the twins. Both Sakyo and Ukyo notice something is off between Kazuki and Hiro compared with the last time they saw them. 

Still, being the diehard fanboy that he is, Sakyo decides to wait outside the venue with Ukyo hoping to get a chance to talk with Kazuki after the show. Ukyo warns him that there is no guarantee they’ll get to see Kazuki, but still Sakyo frantically practices what he will say to Kazuki if he does. And to their surprise, they do see Kazuki. But any plan to approach him is quickly put to a halt when they see the raw anger on his face as he storms out. The twins now fully realize something is wrong and decide to follow him instead. 

(Note: The dialogue for this scene in Sakyo’s card and the main story dialogue are completely different. In the main story Sakyo drags Ukyo after Kazuki, but in Sakyo’s card story they discuss it together before deciding to follow him. Usually there aren’t discrepancies like this but...)

So the twins follow Kazuki, even after he takes a bus, goes all the way to the ocean, builds a raft, and sails to Ganryu Island. 

(Ganryu Island is an island between Kyushu and Honshu and is apparently where a historical duel once took place back when it was called Funajima. Yukinojo’s card story is actually a history lesson about this.)

Kazuki waits an entire day on Ganryu Island without moving, and so do the twins. (For the most part. I think it’s implied that they went to get some snacks at one point but ran out.)  Just when Ukyo is worried Sakyo will disturb Kazuki with his stomach growling, Hiro finally shows up. 

(Without scouting Hiro’s card I’m uncertain what took him so long. But it should be noted in the historical duel one of the members was late as well.) 

Hiro asks Kazuki if he’s changed his mind, but Kazuki replies that he wouldn’t be still waiting here if he had. So the duel begins. 

At first Kazuki is just showering Hiro with attacks as Hiro just lays back and takes it. But Ukyo notices that Hiro is watching, waiting for an opportunity. Finally, Hiro deals a savage blow against Kazuki only to have Kazuki... not be effected at all. Kazuki thanks Hiro for finally getting serious, and from here on the real battle begins. The two fight it out at full strength until neither of them has the strength to fight anymore, while all the while the shocked twins watch the entire thing from the bushes.  

Kazuki seems beat, but Hiro tells him that he’s the real winner since he actually waited an entire day for him. So Hiro can’t call this a victory when Kazuki hasn’t been eating and sleeping properly. But Kazuki says he doesn’t actually care who won or lost and thanks Hiro for the battle. 

Hiro says that Kazuki was able to reach him with his true feelings through their fight. But now it’s Hiro’s turn to do the same. The two head off somewhere else. 

Hiro takes Kazuki to the church in Kumamoto where he grew up. 

(Note: It was night at Ganryu, and all of sudden it’s daytime again. So I guess they were fighting until sunrise? But wait, Amakusa in Kumamoto where they’re going and Ganryu Island where they were are pretty damn far apart. So I hope Kazuki got some sleep in between. But like. Somehow the twins are STILL following them so...? ??? Anyway. I’m just gonna hope they all slept on the train maybe...)

Hiro goes up to talk to a sister who immediately recognizes him and is ecstatic to see him again. Both the sisters and the kids at the church have all been following him on his path to becoming Prism King. While Hiro is distracted, Kazuki takes a moment to speak directly with the twins. Much to their shock. 

Kazuki says he noticed them at the show and has known they’ve been following him the whole time. He let it go since they weren’t hurting anyone. But sensing that Hiro has something important and personal to tell him, Kazuki politely asks the twins to leave them alone. Ukyo had began to realize that same situation was happening as well, and agrees that he was about to suggest the same to Sakyo. But before they go the twins get the opportunity to introduce themselves. A very flustered Sakyo asks Kazuki to battle him someday, and Kazuki agrees. 

With the twins gone, Kazuki goes back to join Hiro and the two enter the orphanage in the church. It’s here that Kazuki finally learns the story of Hiro’s past (the one we originally learned in Road to SSS 4). About how Hiro once used street-style prism shows as just a way to hurt other people, so he can’t help being reminded of that time of his life when he encounters street shows again. After hearing this story, Kazuki apologizes for pushing Hiro so hard and says he won’t bother him about the duo tournament anymore. But Hiro says he’s not done with his story yet. He goes on to say that his battle with Kazuki just now was the first time he’d ever enjoyed street-style battling, and he learned how truly fun it can be study your opponent’s tactics and figure out how to attack. He asks Kazuki to be his partner in the KIZUNA BEAT CLIMAX after all. Kazuki is over the moon, but Hiro has one condition...  

So there was actually a B plot to this event that I haven’t mentioned yet. All of the Edel Rose boys are in Kyushu too. They were invited by Yamada-san to do an event in his hometown of Hakata. They arrive to find they have been called to do a show at a local skating rink which has been struggling due another bigger skating rink. And what’s more, that other rink is controlled by Schwartz Rose and when people show up for lessons they are shocked by how difficult they are and stop enjoying prism shows. So the boys both have to save the rink and get the local kids to remember prism shows are fun again. At first it seemed like Kakeru and Yukinojo couldn’t join them because they had other commitments (Yukinojo had to see a performance and Kakeru had work) but it just so happened they were both going to be in Kyushu anyway (...what a.... coin... cidence.....) so they just meet up later. 

So the Edel Rose boys are about to perform their show at the rink, when all of a sudden a whole bunch of kids from the church orphanage show up to see them, having been invited by a mysterious person named “H”. Kouji is there too, but when the boys ask where Hiro and Kazuki are he avoids the subject and starts talking about the KIZUNA BEAT CLIMAX 3rd round instead. (Which is taking place in Kyushu of course how conv...) They all agree to go to the tournament after their show is finished. 

So everyone shows up at the KIZUNA BEAT CLIMAX in Kyushu. Everyone except for Alexander, Louis, and the other members of the Shuffle I think? Joji is there because Jin sent him to spy on the competition or something. Even Nikkanen is there, because he’s still on his journey to see all the KIZUNA BEAT CLIMAX shows. It’s unclear whether he’s able to meet up with Leo or not. I guess the Edel Rose boys heading to Kyushu was kinda last minute, and/or maybe Nikkanen doesn’t have a phone in Japan. (I would believe that.) Of course the twins are there too, taking the opportunity since they came all the way out to Kyushu anyway. 

The show is almost at its end when the last pair takes the stage, and to everyone’s shock it’s Kazuki! But even more shocking is his partner.... the mysterious masked man Two H!

(Even though he was mostly using it as an excuse to hide the real reason, I guess Hiro’s image actually was a legit concern for him. So that’s how he solved that problem.)

And so all the boys watch in awe at Kazuki’s amazing duo show with this mystery man who is somehow very in sync with him. (It’s actually implied that, except for Kouji of course, the only person who realizes that’s Hiro is Yu ahah.) The 3rd KIZUNA BEAT CLIMAX win goes to Kazuki and Two H! 

Back in the dressing room, Kazuki tries to congratulate Hiro but the very stubborn masked man insists on staying in character. They share a handshake on a job well done, with Hiro excuse me Two H gripping a bit harder than Kazuki as he thanks him for not giving up on him.

The end. 

[onlineimvucreditsgenerator-blog]

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[theministerskat]

What were the inconsistencies with Roger?

Oh love, there are so many! The ones I’ll point out here are about when he was born. So get comfy and read on if you’d like!

Spoilers abound for the books and novellas …

According to DG’s official timeline on her website:

Roger was born in 1941.

Jerry MacKenzie disappears on October 31, 1941.

Jerry and Marjorie die in the bombing at Bethnal Green, March 3, 1943.

Okay, accept that all as fact, right? Yeah, no …

Roger says in chapter 1 of Dragonfly In Amber, “The Reverend … adopted him at the age of 5 when his parents had been killed in World War II; his mother in the Blitz, his father out over the dark waters of the Channel.”

The Blitz happened between September 1940 and May of 1941. So, if his mother had been killed then, and Roger was five at the time, then he would have been born sometime in 1935 or 1936, way sooner than 1941.

Okay, well, maybe DG meant a blitz and not “The Blitz”. Fine, I’m not a WWII historian (or someone writing a book about characters in WWII), so maybe you can casually refer to any bombing as a blitz. But …

In chapter 98 of The Fiery Cross, we have this exchange between Roger and Bree:

“How old were you when she died?” Brianna’s hand floated up to rest over his.

“Oh, four, I think, nearly five.”

The Bethnal Green bombing was in March of 1943, the year his mother died, that means Roger would have been born in 1938, him being almost five is key here. (Side note: If this “almost five” bit is accurate, this puts us closer to an exact date more than anything else. When it’s “almost my birthday”, I think within a month, so I’m thinking he was born in March.)

Also in chapter 98 of FC, Roger tells Bree in pretty good detail about the events of the day when his mother was killed, much greater detail than if he would have been born in 1941, and at max two years old. He says he knew his name and address, and after conferring with @futurelounging and @muykonos, no two year old would know that stuff.

All of this information comes from Roger, negating the actual Bentham Green bit. But I’m taking that from DG herself and it’s an actual historical event, so it has to be right in my mind. So, are we supposed to think Roger is misremembering his own past? Are we to believe the Reverend didn’t clear up dates for him? Sorry, but I just can’t buy into the idea that Roger is an untrustworthy narrator.

What supports the 1941 birthdate, you ask? Well in May 1946, Claire meets Roger for the first time, and he’s old enough to read comics at the time. Then in Dragonfly In Amber, chapter 1, Claire says she hasn’t seen Roger since he was 5 years old. Correct me if I’m wrong, but in the books Claire doesn’t see Roger after coming back through the stones. So that fits that he was five the last time she saw him in 1946, if he was born 1941. But then again, that was three years since his parents died and according to Roger, he should have been 8 at that time.

We do get some info from Jerry and Marjorie regarding Roger’s timeline in A leaf on the Wind of All Hallows. Roger was conceived after Jerry joined up, and Jerry and Marjorie saw The Wizard of Oz before that. That means he was conceived after August 1939. This bit, lines up with the 1941 birthdate in my opinion.

So yeah, there are the major points to Roger’s messed up early life timeline.

It kind of boggles my mind that there can be this many disparities and questions for arguably the #2 POV character in the series.

I don’t know how to explain it, well actually I do, DG needs a damn editor. How do I, as someone who picked up the books just one year ago, know the discrepancies and inconsistencies better than a paid editor, or even DG herself? It doesn’t make sense.

I can’t even make a good guess on when I think Roger was born, March 1939 or March 1940 I think make the most sense.

What’s your guess? Let me know!

Huge thanks to my @otheroutlandertales sisters who put up with me all day discussing this, and my obsession with stuff like this every day. And an extra thanks to @muykonos and @abbydebeaupreposts for sending all the tidbits they found too!

[rebeccajordan092]

Readers are known to criticize discrepancies in settings.  Accuracy is one way of eliminating criticism, the other is making up a setting. As the creator of the location, you have freedom unfettered.  Louise Penny in Still Life used the village of Three Pines, then again in subsequent books. If you’re writing a series keep in mind that what’s there stays there unless you change it. Because it’s fiction, combinations of real settings and envisioned ones work too. Knowing your readership helps determine if you’re writing augmented murder mystery fiction or fantasy. My Lieutenant James’ work is in New York (real) though I moved his residence to Winburg ( made-up) for The Numbered Cups Mystery.

Setting includes many details; weather, proper street names, rivers, building structures, entertainment venues, visible landmarks, and often all sorts of descriptions.

If you don’t want a history book, limit interspersed description. Tidbits of historical information and fitting anecdotal stories enhance, obsessive details detract.

When you feel good writing in the chosen setting keep it up. Readers will enjoy that too.

I’ve placed characters in Washington, D.C., Arizona, New York City, a college town in Ohio, New York City, and In Nashville. They seemed very comfortable there and I liked spending time there too.

[kontextmaschine]

This is at least one notch better than the usual “everything in culture is actually about Trump and his eeevil” hogwash.

(“Hogwash” means “shit”. You know, what hogs roll about in, as if to bathe?)

More than that tho, it moves me to put on my kontextgoggles and look at Stephen King in relation to his period of American culture.

King’s work always reflected on the culture around it, if only by the print era pulp-prolific tactic of filling pages by shoehorning every stray thought you have into whatever you’re writing at the time (Colin @spacetwinks reports his latter-day works are full of transparent, charmingly Maine-centric axe-grinding).

But his “golden age”, say, Carrie to Needful Things, was in the 70s-80s period that, if my cyclical understanding of history holds (it does) resembled the one we’re currently going through, so it’s particularly worth considering now.

One significant thing – as the cities were emptying out, to the point of memory-holing that the US had been a predominantly urban country since the 1930s, King’s work focused on rural small town life, often about outsiders moving into said. Pet Sematary, for example, it’s very significant that the narrator moved out to the sticks – long driveway off a truck route, charming local historic ruins, undeveloped enough to still show traces of precolonial life – to raise a family.

(A thing to do would be to contrast King’s use of of rural New England with Hawthorne and Lovecraft’s, but tbh I don’t know them that well)

Similarly, I occasionally hear guffaws that Cujo has a whole subplot about cereal branding, but it just serves to remind that Vic is a yuppie who moved out of NYC to protect his young family only to confront the fact that the countryside is actually uncivilized and bestial too. There is some woo “reincarnated spirit of evil” in there, but all the fundamental threats to his family – unreliable transportation and sparse services, unmanaged wildlife, irresponsible white trash neighbors – are real rural dangers.

There’s a lot of stuff about gender relations and changing expectations of marriage. In Sematary, the narrator’s wife grows alienated, channeling her attentions away to others; before Gage he revives her cat. For fear of abandonment he goes further and further to hold on to a family – embittered wife, bad seed child, evil cat – the last generation’s men might have abandoned themselves. In Cujo, there’s lingering issues with recent infidelity.

(You laugh about how 50s-80s High Literature was so obsessed with adultery, but if not “orienting your life to duty, purpose, order vs. orienting it to animal sensation and personal satisfaction”, I dunno what period art should’ve been concerned with.)

The Shining is very much about a guy born into the old dispensation – that men create and carouse and mount their genius to chase their passion while women tend the home fires – dealing with new expectations that he be an emotional provider to his wife and child, that he act as a supporting character in their life-plots rather than the reverse.

What else? It, and more grounded companion piece The Body (known in adaptation as Stand by Me) honestly strike me most as a exploration of the Boomer-era “generation gap”, how the culture of the previous generation may have brought about the “broad middle class” ‘50s but was unsuited to address the problems encountered there.

“To beat this evil clown, we’ve gotta gangbang our chick friend” seems weird as hell, but “to progress, we’ve got to create a New Adulthood that doesn’t define itself against childhood but instead adds sex” is pretty much the Boomer story.

(Also, people who live in group houses shouldn’t throw stones.)

Carrie is very much about the ‘70s reintegration of a long-isolated religious fundamentalism to a mainstream that had only grown more secularized and libertine (appreciably more so than in the “family values”, “bourgeois bohemian” 80s-90s, which was the synthesis of this opposition) since. Particularly, it layers the discrepancy in mores – showing your dirtypillows vs. not, say – over an even deeper gap in worldviews, between bucket-of-blood materialism and a numinous, supernatural world.

And that’s just the stuff I dignify as serious. Carrie, The Shining, Firestarter, and I guess The Stand all focus on psychic/telekinetic kids, which is a reminder that the 70s were full of woo, ESP was a serious topic, and the idea of the “gifted child” started out a lot closer to today’s “indigo child”.

(I like to think that Bill Murray’s researcher in the stylistically thrownback The Royal Tenenbaums was a callback to Venkman’s “negative reinforcement” introduction from Ghostbusters, like “back in the day we went looking for psychics but instead we just discovered autism")

[imagitory]

D-Views Special: Top 5 Best Disney Cheapquels

Evening, guys! Tonight we’ll be doing something special for D-Views – a top 5 list! Many reviewers like to do lists of different movies, and I figured it’d be fun to give it a try.

Disney sequels – there are a lot more bad ones than good. Most of the recent sequels to Disney’s animated fare were produced by DisneyToon Studios, an offshoot branch of the animation department that has solely produced direct-to-video films. These films also have a pretty bad reputation, to the extent that many scornfully designate them as “cheapquels.” I may or may not talk about these films or the films that inspired sometime in depth in the future, but for now, let’s go ahead and count down the Disney cheapquels that I have seen and actually liked all right. If your favorite doesn’t appear on the list, it is possible that I either haven’t seen it (like in the case of Leroy and Stitch) or didn’t like it as much myself. Here we go!

First, let’s start with a few honorable mentions. Bambi II, although it doesn’t completely match up with the first movie and has a pretty predictable story, gives us some depth to Bambi and his father’s relationship, which wasn’t discussed much in the original. Beauty and the Beast and the Enchanted Christmas is more of a guilty pleasure – I watched it a lot as a kid, and although I acknowledge it’s not that great, the music still brings me a lot of childish joy around the holidays. Return of Jafar also has some nostalgia factor for me since I grew up with the Aladdin TV series and actually really love the angle of Iago being our main character with a story arc. Still, the animation is definitely more on the “TV series” level than a movie, the music isn’t that great especially compared to the original, and I don’t think that someone who didn’t likewise grow up with the TV show would be able to fully accept Dan Castellaneta playing the Genie instead of Robin Williams. Plus the idea of the villain coming back seeking revenge is…yeah, pretty hackneyed. Return to Neverland has a really good cast (the actors for Peter and Hook especially are spot-on replacements), pretty good animation, and a creative story line, but the music is extremely dated and doesn’t fit the movie and the octopus just...ugh. Just ugh. Now that that’s out of the way…here’s my list!

5) Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins

Admittedly this movie is less of a sequel and more of a spin-off to Toy Story, focusing around the adventures of the fictional character Buzz Lightyear that inspired the toy in Andy’s room. It looks and feels like a pilot for a TV series (which it is), but to be honest, I think this movie pilot is the best thing that series ever put out and I still find it incredibly entertaining by itself. I really like the new characters introduced – the spunky redhead princess Mira Nova, the bumbling, bookish janitor Booster, the cynical, trouble-making robot XR, Buzz’s cocky partner Warp Darkmatter, and the gruff Commander Nebula. Then you have our villain and Buzz’s archenemy, the evil Emperor Zurg. Admittedly Zurg is completely opposite to how I’d always imagined the character to be upon seeing Toy Story 2 (basically I saw him as Darth Vader with red eyes and purple armor), but even I have to admit, he can be very funny. I still would’ve personally preferred a more menacing and complex villain, but I can see the appeal of a villain like this too, particularly in a movie that’s clearly not taking itself too seriously. Hell, at one point, Zurg says he’s going to fire his laser at “the planet of widows and orphans,” and Buzz growls at him, “You fiend!” and nobly tries to fight back – as if that planet is actually a real thing. That is just amazingly ridiculous.

4) Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World

Before all of you jump down my throat…let me explain. Pocahontas is a film that I personally enjoy for its music and its visuals, and not much else. I find the characters uninteresting, the story standard and predictable, the romance to be bland and devoid of chemistry, the events to be so unlike the history in question that it shouldn’t salute it at all, and the messages to be very heavy-handed in their delivery. Generally speaking, I don’t care for Romeo and Juliet plot-lines as well, so Pocahontas overall was just not made to appeal to my sensibilities. Strangely, though…Pocahontas II actually kept me entertained. Sure, the animation is miles below the original, and there is really only one song that I would say is really good (“Where Will I Go From Here?“ and its reprise), but everything else I can’t help but feel is done better in this film than in the previous one. Rather than being conflicted about whether to marry or not or about falling in love with this Englishman she barely knows, Pocahontas is conflicted about how much to adapt to this new world she’s entered and how much to stay true to her own heritage.  She’s gone to England as an ambassador trying to forge peace, all the while knowing that everything she is works against her. Not only is her race considered savage, but she is also a woman, in a land and time when men are seen as superior. In the first film, I found Pocahontas’s conflict to be pretty weak, since it’s clear from the start what her path will and should be, but in the second film, she has to compromise between two extremes rather than choose one option or another. This already shows much more thought in both the story and the main character. Also, I know some people will hate me for this, but I like John Rolfe infinitely better than John Smith, as Disney heroes go. Smith I’ve just never found that well-developed of a character – he’s basically every over-the-top heroic Mel Gibson performance you’ve ever seen, except that in the beginning he’s shown to be a little racist (and after that it’s NEVER addressed again, like it never happened – he never even apologizes or vocally acknowledges to Poca that she’s right or something). But Rolfe has a definitive personality with both flaws and strengths. He’s uptight and a little sexist at first, but he always asserts and retains his honor. He will stand up for the disenfranchised and try to find a peaceful route however he can, rather than just barreling in. He’s a little awkward and overly proper, but when he cares for someone, he can be warm and affectionate. He’s introverted and thoughtful, and he understands the proper time to be honest and the proper time to give someone their space. If you like John Smith, that’s fine – but I honestly think it was really mature of this movie to depict someone moving on from one love to another, which had never really happened in a Disney movie before. We came close with Megara in Hercules and Anna in Frozen, but their first romances are depicted as just flat-out bad. But there were good moments with Pocahontas and John Smith (even though I personally never cared about them), and they did both sincerely love each other – they’ve just changed into different people and realize that they belong in different worlds. And although I would never claim Disney’s films portraying Pocahontas have ever been close to historically accurate, Pocahontas II I still feel comes closer than the actual history than the first one does. It embraces the setting of London in that period – it doesn’t shy away from the fact that women were looked down upon – it depicts actual historical figures (sorry, Radcliffe doesn’t count: the real Radcliffe most assuredly was nothing like that) – Pocahontas actually goes to England as a peace emissary like the real historical figure did – there’s even a horrific scene featuring a bear baiting, which was a real thing from that period.

3) The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride

Yes, I know this was based on Romeo and Juliet. Yes, I did just say I hate Romeo and Juliet storylines in the last section. And I still do. In fact, this is the thing I like least about this film. But the biggest credit I can give to this film is that although it’s based on Romeo and Juliet, there are notable plot discrepancies between this film and its predecessor, and many of the main characters from the last film don’t do much in the story, I still found enough to enjoy in this for me to recommend it. I like the main characters, Kiara and Kovu, and the chemistry that forms between them – Romeo and Juliet stories so often have very little behind them except “Oooh, a forbidden love, how exciting!” but these characters do actually have moments together...having fun, having discussions, and learning and growing through their experiences together. It helps us see them as an actual couple, rather than just a pair of two flighty, hormonal teenagers. I like the conflict Kovu has to come to grips with – that he has been raised to idolize and follow in the footsteps of a monster, and that he must turn his back on everything his family has taught him. I like the conflict Kiara has to come to grips with – that her father is casting out the one she loves, that war between the two prides is imminent, and that she has to stand up to her father to protect a pride of lions that have always been her enemies. I like Zira as a villain – no one could be a match for Scar, and admittedly the “woman scorned” is a trope as old as dirt, but the song she has in this movie (“My Lullaby”) is just as sinister as “Be Prepared” and it perfectly sets up how obsessed she is with avenging her pain against Simba. On the note of the music…it’s really good! It starts off with “He Lives in You,” which was written for a bonus Lion King CD called Rhythm of the Pridelands and of course later appeared in the Broadway production, but it also introduces memorable new tunes like “Upendi” and “Love Will Find a Way.” Of all of the Disney sequels, this soundtrack is by far the best, and the animation isn’t half bad either! The scene with Kiara trying to escape the fire actually gets really suspenseful and scary.  

2) Cinderella III: A Twist in Time

I’m sure many of you expected this to appear on the list. This movie is widely considered to be one of the very few good Disney direct-to-video sequels out there, and…yeah, it really is a legitimate surprise! I’m not the biggest fan of Disney’s animated version of Cinderella (I much prefer Ever After and the 1998 version), but I do think it’s a classic and I enjoy some of the “twists” (haha) that this sequel did on it. Not only does it help us develop our main love interests and their relationship more – not only does it develop the king into a sentimental old man who sees his deceased wife in this young girl his son brings home – not only does it develop our villains and even turn one of them into a very likable anti-villain – but it also takes a story that should be dead on arrival and makes it kind of exciting! The animation at points is pretty impressive too, especially in the climax. I admit that I still find Cinderella and her prince pretty bland in this movie (hell, they STILL DON’T GIVE HIM A NAME! COME ON!), I find the music really lackluster, and of course the story by itself is pretty silly and contrived, but all things considered, it’s much better than anything I expected.

1) Aladdin and the King of Thieves

This film is sort of a season finale for the Aladdin TV series, and as those go, this is easily the best send-off that show could’ve gotten. I think it’s one of the best send-offs for a kids’ show ever. Unlike in Return of Jafar, a good deal of money and time was put into the animation, making it a good step up from the usual TV animation we were used to seeing from the creators, and the music was a good step up from Return of Jafar too. My personal favorite song in the film is the opening number “There’s a Party Here in Agrabah,” but I also found “Out of Thin Air” very sweet and “Welcome to the Forty Thieves” and “Are You In or Out?” very catchy. I also really like the story centering on Aladdin and his father and find it very relatable. Cassim dropped out of Aladdin’s life, but Aladdin still wants him to be in it, and although Cassim wants the same, he’s constantly flaking between his selfish King-of-Thieves-like desires and his more paternal Father-like ones. And believe me, this is something I greatly relate to – I have first-hand experience with a parent who never really knew how to be one and so therefore constantly flip-flopped between being affectionate and completely and totally selfish. Despite this, though, you do still see the genuine caring there, even if Cassim doesn’t always know how to express it, and I can’t help but feel for both Aladdin and him when they realize that they belong in two different worlds. Although they come to that conclusion, though, they know that they love each other and wish each other the best. That’s a pretty great ending. There are definitely some things wrong with this movie – most notably, the lack of action for Jasmine and the extremely drawn-out focus on Genie and his jokes – but I still find this movie really entertaining. Its action scenes are excellent and creative, and the emotion hits home for me in all the right ways. It is everything I ever could’ve wanted from the Aladdin TV series.

[michaelfallcon]

Meet Taika: The New Adaptogenic Canned Coffee From Kal Freese

Kal Freese is a two-time Finland National Barista Champion (2013, 2015) and part of the founding team at Sudden Coffee in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sudden Coffee helped launch a new category of specialty instant coffee—a wholesale rethink of the product that is still making waves around the specialty coffee world. Freese left Sudden in 2017 and is now the co-founder of Taika, a company that is today debuting a new line of ready-to-drink adaptogenic infused coffee beverages.

Taika, which means “magic” in Finnish, is launching with three plant-based coffee beverage offerings: a sugar-free, keto-friendly macadamia latte that Freese says “tastes like melted coffee ice cream,” an oat milk latte, and an unsweetened black coffee. All contain the same adaptogen blend of Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Ashwagandha, and L-theanine designed to balance out the effects of caffeine and to, according to Taika’s website, keep the drinker “calm, focused, and clear.”

James Hoffmann—the London-based coffee vlogger, author, product spokesman, and World Barista Champion—is one of Taika’s early investors. He tells Sprudge he’s excited to work with Taika for several reasons.

“Firstly, and most importantly, they’re focused on the destination, where coffee takes you, how it makes you feel. Secondly, they really understand what great tasting coffee is and how hard it is to do well. This means that the moment they told me about the products, I wanted them in my fridge at home and at my office too. Most of the time I drink coffee because I either enjoy the taste or because I want focus and productivity, so that Taika does both without compromise or making me choose makes it incredibly compelling.”

Not bad as far as introductions go, but we just had to learn more. I spoke with Kal Freese digitally and asked him a range of questions about Taika, adaptogens, price points, and what he sees as the future of coffee.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. 

Hey Kal—thanks for speaking with Sprudge. How long has your new project Taika been in the works?

Kal Freese: I started working on Taika with my co-founder Michael Sharon in early 2019. Unlike most other CPG companies, we started by selling the coffee to our friends and their offices in private beta from the very first batch. This allowed us to get immediate feedback, iterate really rapidly, and sell over 50,000 cans before even launching publicly.

What’s in a can of Taika?

Both Michael and I love coffee (surprise). Alas, over the past few years caffeine started giving us nasty side effects many people are familiar with: anxiety, jitters, and heart palpitations. Decaf wasn’t the answer: most of the time we wanted some caffeine, but not too much.

This is when we learned about L-theanine and other adaptogens—natural plant extracts and functional mushrooms—that support the body’s ability to deal with stress. We started researching and experimenting with these compounds. Adaptogens turned out to be a game-changer in balancing the caffeine and reducing the side effects.

However, keeping a bunch of random capsules with you and remembering to take them every time you have coffee sucks. So we set out to create a coffee that’s absolutely delicious and perfectly calibrated with the highest quality adaptogens so there are no compromises.

We only use FDA GRAS certified natural plant extracts and functional mushrooms that have legit scientific evidence validating their effectiveness and safety. They also have a long history of demonstrated use in many cultures. For example, L-theanine is naturally found in green tea and has very robust evidence proving its effectiveness in working synergistically with caffeine.

We were also frustrated with so many other delicious drinks being so full sugar. We wanted to make Taika authentically good for you by not adding any sugar. Instead, we use a combo of monk fruit and allulose, a naturally-occurring rare sugar that’s found in figs and wheat. It’s almost as sweet as sugar but has 10% of the calories and no impact on blood sugar.

Most canned coffees are actually too high in caffeine: around 200mg per can. For most people, this much caffeine is counterproductive as it creates too much stimulation. Based on scientific research and our tests, the ideal amount seems to be around 100mg per can. During our R&D process, we ended up developing a method which we’ve now patented for adjusting the naturally occurring caffeine in coffee. We use this to dial the caffeine for every batch we make.

How important was it that this coffee product tastes like *good coffee*?

Taste is the most important thing. Our focus has always been on taste, health, and wellness—in that order. Right now, most beverages are either delicious or healthy but rarely both. We wanted to create something that’s both uncompromisingly delicious and authentically healthy.

Our coffee is roasted by 49th Parallel in Vancouver, BC. They’re one of my absolute favorite roasters in the world and I’ve been working with them since 2015. Their direct trade sourcing practices are among the best and their roasting is consistently on point. If you’ve ever been in a cupping with me, you might have heard me complain about underdeveloped roasts. That never happens with 49th.

What category does this product belong in? Are there any other companies doing something similar?

Roughly speaking, Taika straddles two categories: premium ready-to-drink coffee and functional beverages. That being said—taking a step back, we see this massive trend emerging at the intersection of taste, health, and wellness. Functional foods, plant-based meats, keto cereals, and similar products are seeing rapidly growing demand from consumers who want easier ways of living proactive, healthy, and joyful lifestyles. We call this stealth health.

Stealth health means creating products that are uncompromisingly delicious, authentically good for you, and tap into existing behaviors like your daily coffee ritual. We believe that there’s a huge global demand for these stealth health products, so we’re starting by reimagining a beverage that’s a global commodity and gets consumed more than 2 billion times a day: coffee.

Tell us about the price point—when Sudden launched it was $6 per cup and the big question was how to scale and bring that price down. Is this a consideration with Taika?

After working in coffee for more than a decade, I started to see this big discrepancy between the specialty coffee industry and the mainstream consumers. We in the specialty world are obsessed with the origin: what makes our coffee special. However, for the vast majority of people, coffee is a functional beverage that can also taste nice. Over indexing on the origin alienates us from consumers who care more about functionality, ritual, and convenience. Billions of people in the world are physiologically dependent on coffee’s functionality but I’ve seen virtually no brands trying to improve this.

Instead of the origin, Taika is focused on the destination: how the coffee makes you feel. This doesn’t mean we don’t care about the origin. We work with 49th Parallel to source amazing single-origin coffee and do everything in our power to make sure the sourcing practices are top-notch; we just don’t put all that in front of the can.

There are plenty of origin-focused premium cold brews at the $5 price point. Taika is not an answer to the lack of good coffee, but rather to an abundance of it. We believe that for anyone looking to get more out of their coffee, we deliver significant value that justifies that price point.

The $6 price point lands us squarely in the mid-range of functional and CBD beverages, with Vybes ($8) and Dirty Lemon ($10) picking up the upper end of that range.

There’s a lot of magical language on the can itself. Is there a balance between magic and science when it comes to adaptogenic coffee products?

One of our customers in NYC made a point that it felt almost magical to get a case of delicious yet healthy macadamia latte delivered to her within two hours in the middle of a pandemic, especially when a typical Amazon or grocery delivery now takes several days or a week.

This is the perfect example of the “wow” experience I love to create for my customers. I closed my cafe in Helsinki and started Sudden Coffee to make great coffee more accessible on a bigger scale. With Taika, we’re building the version 3.0 of what I call “scalable hospitality:” leveraging technology to accentuate the product experience and enable our customers to connect with the brand in a fun and accessible way.

In the beginning, I put my personal number on the cans so people could text us feedback and order more. It worked so well that we decided to put the number front and center. We’ve had some hilarious philosophical discussions with people trying to figure out whether they’re talking to a bot or a human. It’s fun and weird—a pretty good substitute for not being able to go to your local coffee shop right now.

You’re debuting Taika during an unprecedented historical moment—has the launch strategy changed?

In early March, more than 80% of our revenue was coming from office customers. That disappeared overnight with the shelter-in-place order and we completely pivoted our beta to a DTC approach.

We were originally planning on launching in April and decided to push that back by a month. I know this is a really hard time for a lot of people, including a huge part of my beloved coffee community. It feels weird to be launching a new product now because there’s so much uncertainty and so many people are suffering on many different levels.

On the other hand, we’ve been running this private beta for over a year and the feedback from our friends and beta testers about the benefits of calming, immunity-boosting WFH coffee has been unequivocally positive. We feel like providing this product and a fun, lighthearted approach to the space at this time is a way for us to help people cope. To address concerns around social distancing, we also launched two-hour contactless deliveries in SF, LA, and NYC.

In addition, for every case sold we’re donating a case to our heroes, the frontline medical workers. So far we’ve handed out over 1,200 cans. If you know someone in the frontlines in SF or NYC who could use coffee, shoot us an email at hello@taika.co.

Where will this be available?

Taika is currently available for contactless local delivery within two hours in SF, LA, and NYC and select retail stores, including Erewhon in LA and Bi-Rite, Rainbow Grocery, and Good Eggs in the Bay Area.

What’s the next step?

Growing our team, expanding our retail presence in SF, LA, and NYC and starting working on some new, exciting stealth health products beyond coffee.

Thank you. 

Follow Taika on Instagram and visit their official website. 

Zachary Carlsen is a co-founder and editor at Sprudge Media Network. Read more Zachary Carlsen on Sprudge. 

Meet Taika: The New Adaptogenic Canned Coffee From Kal Freese published first on https://medium.com/@LinLinCoffee