#oh yes i mean they're all new people except yes of course he's still there and oh about that um ok that's a long story and

[fazcinatingblog]

Sometimes I post things on Instagram just so the Irish accountant will look at it and

[isolaradiale]

. . . . .

"Mmhm, I see, I see... Your father did tell us you had a bit of a mishap with your art project. We couldn't help coming to give some advice." Solaris muses, circling the diorama of the city. Currently, it's been moved to a coffee table.

"Yes, he told me I should try and spin it as if I had done such a thing on purpose. But I don't see how I could possibly..." "Oh, we had an idea for that!"

Mimosa flutters from behind, resting her hands on Janus' shoulders. The glint of mischief hiding in her rosy glasses does not escape his notice.

"We could help you mirror it in the city proper, you know!" "What?" "It's an interesting theory. The structures you made still stand, but what gives them life and personality has been greyed out." "I wouldn't say that--" "So how do you fix it? Do you paint them with the hues and values they're supposed to be, or do you pick something new?" "What do you do with the spots where the paint bled together? Do you paint over that, too?"

As the two bounce back and forth in this terrible game of brainstorming, Janus begins to put his hands to his cheeks in mounting horror.

"Oh, no. No no no. Absolutely not--" "If we make someone look like an old black and white movie, what happens? Will they try to change to technicolour?" "Would they paint themselves the colour palettes they're used to? Maybe it's something entirely different. If we make those hues correspond with their personalities..." "I--I'll have no part in this! The last time something like this happened, everything--" "Ah-ah, don't worry."

Mimosa leaves Janus side to twirl next to Solaris, who makes an artful pose himself, as if framing the splotchy mess of a diorama in his hands.

"We have this one completely under control. Not like last time." "I'll make sure of it. Just a little bit of editing... ah, Mimosa, what if we..."

Janus can only move his head as the two take their leave, watching them scheme and snicker. He turns back to look at the model of the city. And in a scramble that almost makes him trip over his own feet, he rushes to his boxes of paints.

"--I have to at least put the base coat back on, or they really won't have anything at all!"

. . . . .

Welcome to another zany event for the fall season! It looks like Mimosa and Solaris aren't done causing trouble, but this time, it should be harmless. Right? (Right...?)

Taking inspiration from a creative mishap, the Stars have decided to effectively render the city in greyscale--including the people residing in it--to see what really makes everyone so colourful. Thankfully, most people will start with a base hue.

What does that mean, though? Here's a handy-dandy list of notes!

As soon as it strikes midnight that night, your muse will find that they've been completely greyscaled, save for one colour that represents who they are at their core, and only that colour! - Think of it like those 'what colour is your soul' quizzes. If your muse was only one hue, what would it be? For example, a character that is inherently cheery might turn completely yellow or pink, while a hot-headed character may turn red or orange to reflect their personality.

Your muse cannot help but feel and act whatever hue/personality they seem to be. However! The more your muse interacts with the people around them, the more colours (and feelings/facets of their personality) will open up to them. This will also physically reflect on them. - If your cheery yellow muse bumps into a sad, blue muse, you'll both have a new colour to express. Now you can feel happy (yellow) AND sad (blue)! And perhaps a sort of melancholy joy, like watching your best friend win that prize you wanted instead of you. Of course, you're happy for them, but sad you didn't win. - Or maybe those two colours mix into being green with envy... And suddenly, you have a new colour ;3

Any inanimate object your muse interacts with (except their Island Issued Cell Phone) will take on your muse's hue. Every step you take will leave a colourful footprint in its wake, every hand rail will have colourful handprints. More on that later.

With enough interactions and perspectives, your muse will be back to their old selves in no time! If, that is, they want to go back to their old selves at all. Maybe another colour palette suits them better than before...?

"It can't be that easy, though."

And, you're right! The experiment did more than reduce everyone to solid (or no) colours! Some other strange things are happening, too. Such as...

The NPCs of the city have not escaped unscathed. Unlike you, though, they have no hue to them at all. However, they'll absorb colours from your muses by proximity and action. - If your deep-green jealous muse is around, NPCs will turn deep-green too, and may want what you have--and might try to take it by force. But a calm mint-coloured muse may just leave you alone and soak up some vibes. - This extends to creatures of the island, too, so watch out!

Sources of water in the city (the ocean, lakes, ponds, swimming pools, etc) will wash away at least one colour from you. (You can still drink and cook with it without any effect, though.) Better not get caught in a rainstorm any time soon!

To combat this, you can find paint cans with a random colour paint in them around the city. You never know what you're going to get, though!

The city itself is completely greyscale, so navigating it might be a challenge without any colourful landmarks to stand out. That being said, your muse will leave colour wherever they go, like they're a giant paint roller. And so will everyone else's muses! Figuring out populated areas will be Very Easy, but you might get disoriented in places that don't get a lot of foot traffic.

These are the major issues...... for now :)

FAQ

"Do I have to pick a hue at the beginning? I can't decide on one."

It's entirely possible that your muse can start in greyscale, and just has No Personality. In that case, they'll take on the hue of the first person they interact with.

"What do we do if a colour has multiple associations with it?"

Each association of that colour is a valid one, and there are no incorrect colour associations. Each colour is whatever you need it to be in the moment. The definition of "red" for your muse may not match the "red" of your RP partner--and that's okay! What may be helpful is to make an event info post explaining your colour choice, how you interpret it, and how it would affect your character!

"Do we have to stick to basic colours like red, yellow, green, blue, etc?"

Nope. Maybe your muse is a mauve, emerald, beige, or aquamarine. Pick any colour you think is best for the moment!

"In theory, could we use the paint cans laying around to add hues to others by splashing them with it or something?"

PVP is enabled, if you want to be a menace! (with mun permission, of course)

"Is the comic in black and white for plot reasons?"

No, I'm just lazy :c

Have a question you don't see on here? You can message the Masterlist!

See you in a week! Make sure to get as many colour perspectives as you can, okay? :)

[cthulhu-with-a-fez]

i started naruto a few years ago and made it to like the second arc in shippuden before stopping so i never made it to the kakashi backstory but....your notes compel me. tell me more.

okay so like take this with several grains of salt because the sum total of my sources here are "my understanding of the plot and characters as synthesized from the Abridged Revised Illustrated Edition my datemate's been writing me over the last two months", a handful of clips, and the only three (3) episodes of this 600+ episode show i've seen in my life, none of the three of which were relevant to the kakashi backstory

h o w e v e r

oh my god. my dude. my man. [holds him up like longcat] there is so much wrong with you and i'm enthralled.

so like here's the thing. here's the big takeaway that i'm understanding. this whole series is an ongoing exercise in generational trauma bullshit and everyone trying so hard to course-correct from their own tragic backstories that they accidentally set up their kids/students to have completely different but still somehow exactly the same tragic backstories, and naruto's chronic case of shounen anime power-of-friendship-itis is, i mean. yes it's him being the platonic ideal of Pure Of Heart And Dumb Of Ass but it's also a direct response to seeing ninja society's perpetual tragic backstory generator and going "this is bullshit, why are we even fighting? tell me what your side is, and i'll tell you what our side is, and then we can figure out how to make our sides the same side so none of us have to fight about it at all!" and honestly i love that but this ain't about him

so like. to explain kakashi we have to explain kakashi's father sakumo first. because sakumo was one of konoha's powerhouses, been on tons of successful missions, well-liked, well-respected, one of the earliest and loudest adopters of konoha's then-new and radical pivot towards a ninja being people first and disposable tools never ideology.

he really, genuinely believed in that.

except then he and his team went on a mission. and it went really, really badly. and he had to choose between completing the mission objective or saving his teammates' lives, and he chose their lives, because those who fail their missions may be scum, but those who abandon their teammates are worse, right?

... no, actually.

just because the ideology had been circulating and people were broadly toeing the party line didn't mean they actually believed in it, and sakumo's mission failure was already causing critical backlash.after sakumo made it back to konoha he was a fucking pariah for it. he was never officially reprimanded, but he didn't need to be if people went out of their way to personally spit at his feet, and... one day young kakashi comes home to find his father's body on the floor, wrists slit and suicide note devolving into begging apologies beside him.

this, as you may imagine, fucked him up, and didn't exactly predispose him towards believing the party line about the value of life.

he gets put on a genin team that was. basically the alpha build of the sasuke-sakura-naruto team dynamic. because it was him, and rin the healer girl with a massive crush on him who he never gave the time of day, and obito the Loudest High-Vis Uchiha Who Ever Lived who had a massive crush on her, and minato their teacher who was doing his absolute best to try and get them through to understanding each other, which is an Ordeal

because kakashi at this point has internalized that the party line is pretty lies for the gullible, that his teammates are only there to drag him down, and it drives obito nuts because that's the same exact bullshit that his family keeps spouting that he's rejected as thoroughly as a 12.9-year-old can, how does kakashi not see that it's bullshit? and there's rin who's looking at kakashi like i can fix him?? and getting upset when he doesn't let them in at all or even really visibly care that they're trying, and it's one hell of a dysfunction junction but minato is working on it.

... and then the worst happens. their team is caught out alone and everything goes wrong. rin is captured and obito's body is half-crushed under a rock and one of kakashi's eyes got slashed out and none of them are going to make it out of this, at this rate, until obito calls kakashi closer and tells him to take his eye. take the sharingan. he'd give him both but the other one got squished. kakashi will do more with it than obito ever did, so use it to save rin. please. and here's kakashi in the middle of field surgery on his dying teammate finally, horribly realizing that sometimes the win condition is, actually, protecting your friends, and he's already lost. but he can still try to save rin, it was obito's dying wish.

by the time he found her it was already too late.

the people who'd captured her had tried, poorly, hastily, messily, to seal one of the Tailed Beasts into her, and she was already dying. she had a demon thrashing in her soul that was tearing her to shreds around it and all kakashi could do was mercy kill her

and she thanked him for it.

and he goes back to konoha, sole survivor of his team, charred by the newfound comprehension of why you have to care and what it feels like to lose what you love and with obito's sharingan in his head and rin's blood on his hands and something in him that was already hanging on by a thread finally snapped.

and the only thing he could think to do, the only way he could even parse that grief through, is to just... make himself into a living memorial to them. he started trying to live as obito. adopt his mannerisms, his interests, craft his entire adult persona around his memories of his friend like a grave offering, and quarantine the bleakly mercenary anything-to-get-the-job-done ice in him off into the hound mask he wore as part of konoha's black ops division, which he joined at the ripe old age of way too fucking young.

he uses the sharingan to incredibly brutally efficient effect, copying enemy jutsus and bringing them back until the library's overflowing with them. but in the end, no matter how many he can technically use, they're still just cheap copies. and so is he.

and in the meantime the uchiha are collectively losing their shit about this random outside kid having one of their eyes in his head and getting all kinds of dubious 'glory' with it, and oh, wouldn't you look at that, they have a prodigy too!

... yeah.

itachi gets shoved through the rank advancements on a timeframe of "whatever he did you have to do it faster and better." and then the kyuubi broke free. and minato and kushina died, and a fuckton of the home guard uchiha died, and suddenly he's the most able-bodied fighter in their clan overnight at age 11 and the uchiha pull strings to get him into ANBU as well.

and kakashi is his teammate.

kakashi is his teammate and kakashi sees in itachi a whole awful lot of the edges of the way kakashi used to be, sees itachi trying to live up to and embody the absolutely impossible ideal of the perfect ninja, and he tries so god damn hard to nudge him gently towards something, anything, other than that.

but in the meantime, the uchiha have been... scheming. with danzo, Guy With The World's Biggest Chip On His Shoulder About Not Being Hokage, who's been marinating in a paranoia spiral for years. danzo had tried to set himself up as kakashi's palpatine, and tried to get him to assassinate hiruzen, and kakashi hears him out, and turns right around and goes to hiruzen with it instead, and danzo is pissed. the uchiha are pissed. danzo warns hiruzen that they're almost definitely going to try again and they're gonna make the uchihas' little prodigy do it this time, and kakashi silently braces to have to fight and maybe kill his teammate he was trying so hard for, and then...

and then itachi, who'd been watching his clan get. worse. for a long time. finds his cousin shisui, his best friend shishui, bleeding out in the dirt, who tells him everything, tells him danzo tried to have shisui killed for finding it out, and it worked, he's dying, but he's not dead yet, so please. make it count.

.......................................... And Then The Uchiha Massacre.

and now itachi is one more person that kakashi tried to care about who got destroyed.

and then fast forward a little bit further, he's been retired from active-duty ANBU after a decade-plus of service because the sharingan is starting to burn him out, he's starting to lurch to a halt like unwound clockwork without something to Do, and... he gets given team seven. the worst of konoha's gremlin children.

a bitter, disillusioned loner with a chip on his shoulder and the skill to back it up, the healer girl with a crush on him that he never gives the time of day, and the Loudest High-Vis Pest In The Village.

you see where this is going.

kakashi who at this point has been coasting along by bouncing between mask-personae for years is now having to dynamically engage with life again because if he isn't present and actively responding to his team then there's a nonzero chance he'll turn around to find all three of them chewing on the drywall and he cannot default to scripted responses because they don't work on a pack of middle schoolers hellbent on squabbling til the cows come home. and it's kind of good for him?

but also, uh. [gestures broadly towards... Sasuke(TM) and the rest of the plot]

and yeah i'm not gonna get too much further into it because i'm not confident enough in my own comprehension of the timeline to do that XD but like.

hatake kakashi is a scarecrow of a man stitched together out of his dead best friend, a hunting hound, and his dead best friend again, who's spent his entire life behind one mask or another, who over the course of the series keeps surviving shit that by all odds he shouldn't have, or survives specifically because the people he cares about throw their plot armor around him before they die, and he has a personality mostly composed of the crumpled-up pages of the memetically worst-written trashy bodice-ripper novels ever published because obito used to love them and the inexplicable receipts of other people's love for him, and i want to put him in a gas station hot dog roller and perceive him.

thank you for coming to my ted talk XD

[alicepao13]

Hudson and Rex S04E11 - Capital Punishment - Part C

I will finish this. One way or another. I promise.

It took this smooth operator five seconds of standing like an idiot to tell Trina that she looks great.

Rex is watching carefully.

He does.

"But I want him with Sarah."

What did she do to that poor bowtie?

"Where would I be hiding weapons, moron?"

Only internally.

The bowtie has magically fixed itself. Not that I'm paying close attention or anything.

I'm sorry but what use are internet cafes in 2022 when most actual cafes have a decent internet connection?

I'm sure everyone opens doors that way. If he wanted to not get fingerprints on it, he could have used his elbow.

"[...] showed Canadians that extremism isn't just something our southern neighbors have to contend with." Yes, only the US has terrorism. What? Even my country has had a quite deadly terrorist organization.

Well, they usually give awards to the least deserving people. We are the exception, of course.

Tell him, Joe!

"If no one's going to do anything about this, I'll do it myself."

Well, there's no plan for "my dog took off with a bomb in his mouth."

Okay, first of all, this is the funniest way to say "I'll blow up Rex". Second, I think we should be more concerned about the fact that Rex might be anywhere, including (as we saw later) running next to dozens of people. Generally, it's not a great situation, even though Rex ultimately did save the day.

Uh-oh, Charlie has an idea.

"Rex does this all the time, how difficult can it be?"

I think I actually made a Geralt joke (from the Witcher, I mean he'd have been killed from that height) somewhere on this blog the first time.

Okay, Hamilton, how much did you guys pay for that slow-mo? This is embarrassing. And Rex looks like he's lost.

Damn, he has a strong head.

Wow, dude hates us.

That's a nice shot. I'm not particularly fond of the slow-mo on Charlie's expression in the next shot because he has to also hold his fist up and it kind looks weird in my opinion but this one's a nice shot.

This. I mean, I did what to see his expression, I just don't find the pose particularly great.

This I love, though. The music stopping, the sound coming like he's underwater, the sound of his breaths... And then as he punches Houle, there's nothing but the sound of his rage and his punches until he hears Rex barking.

For the record, I believe you should be allowed to punch the guy who you think killed your dog, cop or no cop. John Wick that motherfucker.

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm here, man, I'm okay."

He was so worried.

"You did fuck him up a bit, though, right?"

I was very normal about this all the 1564 times I watched it between January 21, 2022 and Mar 23, 2022. The first 1200 times were all on the first week because we were snowed in. I'm not crazy.

"Let me give you a proper lick-up, it lowers the stress level. You silly goose, you really thought I can die?"

Stop it! I'm serious, I don't want to have to open a new post for the remaining 3 minutes!

Jesse: "Charlie is getting an extended vacation?" Sarah: "Jesse, I wouldn't really call it a vacation." Jesse, let the man fuck.

That Iris Cross report must be important. I'm kidding, I know that Jesse is probably trying to find a way to not mention the countless moments of negligence in that report.

Don't read that, there's probably tons of inaccuracies in there.

You can mention the word teamwork a million times, it still seems like nothing.

Yes, yes, we're all Charah shippers. Anyway, I'm into multi-shipping lol. But I mostly wanted to screenshot this to showcase that Rex seems kinda left out, which is not how the moments with Charlie, Sarah and Rex are shot. The latter ones always seem to include Rex, showcasing that they're family. So, yeah, for more reasons than one, I am glad to have this.

Rex: "Oh, fine, I'll allow it. Just because we're leaving tomorrow."

I definitely liked Trina, I'd love for her to come back to the show, obviously not as a romantic interest for Charlie anymore.

I'm a basic bitch, so Charlie became 50% hotter when he punched Houle. I'm unapologetic about it, and I 100% believe that dogs are worth killing for. Also, as an off-duty cop, Charlie did not act as a cop but as a person who loved Rex. If he was on duty, he'd have taken out his gun and shot him, and I would have cheered. Okay, maybe not cheered because there are real consequences from shooting a rat bastard terrorist person but I wouldn't have cared about Houle. This reaction humanizes Charlie, and I'd like for him to lose it a bit every season lol. He doesn't have to beat up people every time, we'll find other outlets.

Furthermore, I think that reaction, should it have ever been reported back to the SJPD, would have carried zero blowback. Subduing a terrorist after his bomb has blown up, and using excessive force off-duty, while saving dozens of lives? They'd have given him another medal. But the most likely scenario is that it would have prompted Joe to keep a closer eye on Charlie, because while warranted, Charlie as a more put-together cop in another time would have tried to restrain himself. My main issue with this is it wouldn't have been reported back to Joe so he wouldn't have had that information, otherwise I'd have liked it to be referenced in the season finale.

Finally, I consider part of S4 as Charlie's slut era, and I think the last time I intimated that, someone blocked me lol. At the time, it might have sounded like I was judging Charlie. But it's not really a bad thing. He's an adult, Trina is an adult, they both know that they'll only have that night and they're okay with it. Sarah is with another guy (I'm assuming they're having sex), was either of them meant to be celibate until they figured their shit out? Plus, I think it re-enforced how much in love with Sarah he was because in the next episode he got back and tried to kiss her.

[hyog-blog]

The Story of Pearl Girl (ep. 18)

An episode we've all been absolutely not waiting for, but here we are. It was as gut-wrenching and hit-you-in-the-face-punching as I expected it to be, but it still hurt. Like yeah, I know it's a cdrama and this type of not-really-plot-twist was inevitable, but you can never not hope for something different.

The plot is surprisingly consistent. Having almost lost Duan Wu to the bandits, Yan Zijing makes the only sane decision a man could make in this situation. No, not ditch the whole vengeance thing, that would have been too perfect and totally out of his character.

Although, I do hope he gets his epiphany at some point and decides there are better things to do in life than that. But he decides to leave Duan Wu behind using the good 'ol drug-your-drink stunt. Alas, it was too late, and the bad guys came to meet him, instead of waiting for him patiently in their bandit's den.

It seems that someone in the higher circles of power is in cahoots with the baddies - the army that was supposed to help YZJ in his mission got stopped last minute and the 2ML had to venture into the wild leading just a group of General's guards, who may or may not have been plenty. What a coincidence, huh?

The bandits infiltrated Yan Zijin's convoy (somehow, we don't know the details, our boy obviously didn't do a good enough screening procedure while hiring his people). Either this or they'd been following him around for years in his convoy - in that case, I have questions for the Big Bad Boss. Long-distance relationships rarely work out (but in this case, from his point of view, they kinda sorta did). YZJ did end up coming back to the desert and it didn't end well for him.

I'm not revealing too many spoilers, but it's a sad-sad episode, so you should brace yourselves for a heart-aching evening if you're planning to watch it now.

In terms of visuals, it's still stunning and the fighting sequences are all quite believable.

Duan Wu got kidnapped for a moment there, but the whole thing wasn't too dramatic. I don't know if it was supposed to be like that but it felt more like a means to the end - something that would make YZJ decide to leave her behind.

I can't really blame the guy. She's a fighter, but not an exceptional one. And his mission turned out to be deadlier than everyone thought.

YZJ is a mix of gentleness toward his girl and revenge finally being served (at least partly). Liu Yuning fits this character remarkably well. Going from soft to stabby in a matter of seconds.

Of course, she doesn't know ALL the bad news. The Big Bad Boss is vicious enough not to kill YZJ directly, but to take away all hope of him getting better (because POISON, yes, good old, good old).

The show finally remembered it is, indeed, dark and gritty, and the memories of cute fluff were devoured by smoke and fire.

We also got a glimpse into Kang Ju and Yan Zijing's past when they were running away from the bandits - the boys had it rough. And they're having it rough once again.

On a brighter note, Zhang Jinran looks a tad bit funny in this armor XD That's probably the only positive thing that can be said about this episode. Oh, and kudos to him for leaving Duanwu's girlie friend behind. That desert is too deadly for pretty ladies.

[jokeroutsubs]

An interview with Bojan and Štras, originally published on the BTC City website on 13.10.2021. This is part of our series about Bojan and Štras, to promote the upcoming charity concert they will perform at together.

Bojan Cvjetićanin and Gregor Strasbergar: "Next concert will be the same - but even better this time!"

Before their second joint concert in the 1on1 cycle on October 15th, we talked to the frontmen of the bands Joker Out and MRFY - new stars on the Slovenian music scene.

Bojan and Gregor represent the younger, very unrestrained musical generation that is difficult to "put into boxes" based on their music genre. And despite being friends, they don't usually perform together. But that changed when they met on the SiTi Theatre stage in a 1on1 "musical dialogue". Their concert in September was sold out. But they already have another 1on1 concert coming up on October 15th, so we caught up with them before their new performance and asked them about their impressions from this one, as well as other performances they're still planning.

You will repeat the concert, which was pretty successful, on October 15th. How does what you're doing here differ from what you usually do and why is it easier - or harder?

Bojan: Me and Gregor are good friends, but we've never been in this role of a joint performance before, except for New Year's. So this dynamic that happened in SiTi Theatre was something new for both of us. I have to admit that we had our reservations at the beginning, because we're different and have different music, as well as different audiences. But those reservations vanished quickly.

Bojan and Gregor are good friends, but a joint stage performance was something completely new for them.

Does that mean that we can already feel some special chemistry in the air, are you making special connections, will you leave your bands and become a duo?

Gregor: Oh, no. There are very few new bands on the scene who are really doing and creating something, but most of us who are here get on well and are friends. There's a sort of healthy rivalry between us, we encourage each other to do well; but the frontmen of two bands making a good story together doesn't mean anything other than something new being made. Of course we're staying in our own bands.

Was there no bad blood in your bands because you two were the only ones performing, and they were more in the background?

Gregor: Actually they all came to listen to our concert. And our drummer said to me that he thought it would be "much worse"… (laughter)

Bojan: That's also what their drummer said to me… (laughter)

How did you get through this whole difficult period in the past year and a half?* I heard that you worked on gaining fitness by hiking up Šmarna gora (Mount Saint Mary)?**

Bojan: Me and Štras became quite the sportsmen, we really hiked up Šmarna gora a lot.

Gregor: Yes, we became real Šmarna gora mountain goats.

Bojan: And we had all sorts of similar traumas, seeing as we work with the same producer. We were all in the process of making our own albums, which with our producer is very specific and torturous. So we consoled each other a little and helped each other through this period.

Gregor: Yes, we had similar pains. But otherwise, the bands that did better in this Covid period were the ones where all the members are friends, have fun together, and are creative and mischievous. In truth, even this period could be used for creativity and progress.

Recently, they've often hiked up Šmarna gora together and became, as they said, true Šmarna gora mountain goats.

How much did the fact that you didn't have an audience to test your products and get feedback about the songs you'd made influence your creativity?

Bojan: We were lucky to have social media, so we could still stay in touch with them and see that people miss us.

Gregor: Yes, that's a good question, because when you're focusing on your songs, you can really check out the response at the same time on stage. And now that wasn't an option, so it was definitely a little different. On the other hand, maybe that's even better, because you are able to take more time for individual songs.

Who are your role models, who did you listen to? Bojan, we know Siddharta was close to your heart, and Mladenović with Ekatarina Velika wasn't; but what do you two really enjoy listening to, which great renditions make your hearts beat? For Bojan, is it Bob Dylan? (T/N: see the end of the post for some links and explanations about the musicians mentioned in these paragraphs)

Bojan: Not at all, I prefer The Beatles and ABBA, and I also really like some domestic Serbian "turbofolk" music. There are many different things that make my heart beat.

Gregor: Yes, I like the "turbofolk" scene sometimes as well. But in general, I'm a fan of quality music. And if something is good, I don't pay attention to its genre at all. (laughter)

And which of the local bands do you like best? Magnifico?

Gregor: Yes, Magnifico is dope too, but my mentor was Tomislav Jovanović - Tokac from the band Dan D. When I was little, we were constantly blasting Dan D in Novo mesto, and then I was fortunate enough to meet him, and he helped me.

Bojan: As far as Slovenian music goes, I grew up more on Siddharta, Big Foot Mama, rapper Trkaj, and I liked Murat & Jose as well.

Bojan grew up on Siddharta, Big Foot Mama, rapper Trkaj, he also likes Murat & Jose.

Who writes your lyrics?

Bojan: Štras writes mine.

Gregor: And my mum writes mine. (laughter) Well, in truth, of course I write for my band and Bojan writes for his.

Do you help each other with it? Do other band members also help with criticism and suggestions?

Bojan: Absolutely. The boys are always very happy when they can contribute something, and they always find something I couldn't have found on my own. Which is very good.

Is their criticism sometimes brutal?

Gregor: Our bandmates are our biggest critics. And they don't allow any bullshit at all. And sometimes I think I've written something great, and then they tell me that it sucks, and then I spend two months wondering whether it's true or not, but usually they're right. But if they like a song right away, we know that it's really good. And they will never say that something is bad if it actually isn't.

Bojan: What Štras said is actually the worst thing that can happen to you. The moment you start thinking that something has to be changed, you already know that you haven't nailed it. After that, the doubts just grow stronger and you can already feel that this isn't it. Band members and parents - those are the worst critics. For me, my parents are even more brutal than my band. They don't even try to sugarcoat their criticism. I sing the song to them as well, of course.

Gregor says that their biggest critics are their bandmates, who don't allow any bullshit.

And the audience? How would you rate their reactions to your latest performance in SiTi Theatre?

Gregor: Bojan drew in the teenage girls, and my friends and family came to listen to me.

Bojan: No, no, no. He's kidding. I think we covered and sorted the audience nicely, there was a wide spectrum of different ages, and it was really very relaxed, youthful and playful. Others who had already been to these "One on one" performances in SiTi Theatre said so as well. The way we were on stage reflected off the stage as well.

Love is a constant, inexhaustible topic that you sing about. But are you also interested in other topics, maybe some more current, socially relevant ones? But we probably won't find you in the crowd on the streets where you might be arrested, like some protestors?***

Bojan: They might arrest us on the street, but not for the same thing. (laughter)

Are you not bothered at all by the way the world is?

Gregor: I'm constantly bothered and irritated by the world. But we're oriented a little differently. I'm kind of a passive activist. I'm not going to tell anyone what to do, not even in my lyrics. I hide it inside some sort of a rebus, inside metaphors that even I find hard to understand. But most of all I don't want to nag anyone about what's right and what's not.

Bojan: MRFY recently put out an album called 'Prjatučki' ('Little Friends'), and the first song on it is 'Kdo bo rešil svet?' ('Who Will Save the World?'), which talks about love and opening up to each other. It alerts us to what's currently lacking in our society. Some sort of common love for things that connect us. That's our line of thought. I don't see myself in the role of someone who would write a song called 'Rage Against the Machines'.

Gregor: We prefer to take a step back. We've never labelled ourselves politically. We try to create a world that exists alongside our world, in which love and friendship are respected emotions. Our message is this: when you're tired of fighting, come take shelter with us and we'll caress you a little, and then you can go back and keep fighting.

They think that what's missing in society is a common love for things that connect us.

What motivates you when you're writing songs? Probably events and musings in your own lives?

Bojan: Right now, I've been writing songs that are either love songs or are rooted in introspection and finding yourself. That's really also what I experience everyday, and I examine myself in different situations. And that ends up being the impetus that drives me to write something. Nowadays, there's a lot of fighting and viciousness around us, and if we can create a world that's some kind of shelter for us and others to hide in, we might've done more than if we had become part of this army of vicious soldiers.

Apart from collaborating on the stage and hiking up Šmarna gora, what else do you do as friends?

Bojan: A lot of things. For example, we worked out together.

Gregor: Twice. (laughter)

Bojan: Yes, twice… (laughter)

Bojan: But honestly, I would say that we mostly spend time in Gregor's backyard, drinking coffee and talking.

Gregor: Only a few people can fully understand this role we've picked. Those of us who do similar things can help each other a lot. Sometimes it's enough to open up to someone about your problems and know that they understand you.

Bojan: We vent a lot. But at the end we usually realise that our problems are really quite "sweet". At first we think that they're the worst in the world, but they're always solvable.

Gregor: And Bojan usually has different problems than me. I find his problems negligible - and the other way around.

They mostly spend time in Gregor's backyard, drinking coffee and talking.

Can you be a little more specific? Is it about songs or something else?

Bojan: Well, sometimes we have a nice evening that turns into a merry party, and then we usually have differing views of each other's merriness. When I explain what a nice time I had, Štras usually tells me: "Dude, you weren't like that at all. You were totally irritating." Meanwhile I had a great time...

Gregor: Well, I don't find Bojan fun at all. And if he drinks too much, he becomes annoying. But it's hard to remember specific stories. Really hard…

Bojan: Well, we like to talk about girls…

So that's the problem - you spend a lot of time on girls, but you don't want to talk about it in public… But does that mean that your fans still have a chance?

Gregor: Always.

What about your concert on October 15th? Will it be different in any way from your last one in SiTi Theatre?

Bojan: No, it will be the same - but even better this time!

*The interview was published in October 2021, so the question is referring to Covid lockdowns.

**Šmarna gora (Mount Saint Mary), with elevation of 676 m, is a hill on the outskirts of Ljubljana that's very popular with Ljubljana residents.

***In 2020 and 2021, there were a lot of protests against the then-ruling Slovenian government.

And here's a little bit about the musicians mentioned in this interview, in the order that they were mentioned. Links go to one of their songs on YouTube:

Siddharta, formed in 1995, is perhaps the most popular and successful Slovenian rock band, and one of the bands Joker Out always emphasise as their inspiration.

Ekatarina Velika was a Serbian rock band, active from 1981 to 1994, and very popular in former Yugoslavia. Milan Mladenović was its frontman who died in 1994.

"Turbofolk" is a musical genre that originated in Serbia. It blends Serbian folk music with other genres such as pop, rock, electronic music, etc. Here is an example of turbofolk music.

Magnifico is a Slovenian musician, active since the early 90s, whose music is inspired by the ex-Yugoslavian schlager music scene. Several of his songs have reached cult status in Slovenia.

Dan D is another popular Slovenian rock band from Novo mesto, which is where Štras is from. They've been active since 1996.

Big Foot Mama is another popular Slovenian rock band originating from the 90s, the one Kris's dad Miha Guštin - Gušti played the guitar in.

Rok Terkaj - Trkaj is a Slovenian rapper, active since the early 00s.

Murat & Jose is a Slovenian rap/hip-hop duo, also active since the early 00s.

Translation cr: Joker Out Subs

[amphiptere-art]

Bunch of introductions to the arcade folks through Blood Moon meet in them.

Sun: Well hello there new friend. Who might you be?

Blood Moon: Haha. I'm blood moon.

Moon: Are you a new hire or?

Blood Moon: Yes and no. Probably not in the way you're thinking. I'm not here to work in any part of the pizza plex. I'm here to work with you guys.

Sun: I think that makes less sense now.

Blood Moon: Sorry sorry. Report has been that there's been some tensions between all the animatronics. I'm supposed to help with that. But I'm not really working here otherwise.

Sun: Oh. Well it's not our fault. It's those weirdos faults.

Moon: Sun be nice.

Sun: Why? Apparently they're sending people after us because of it.

Blood Moon: Well I'm not here specifically just for you to. It's for everyone.

Sun: Well I'll tell you there's nothing wrong with us.

Moon: Yes I don't believe it's any issue with us. There just has been a bunch of new hires, and things have gotten tense quickly.

Blood Moon: Is it just general new worker flow or what?

Sun: It's mostly because of those dog gone old AI.

Blood Moon: Old AI? Are they just mean or?

Moon: Well they haven't really done anything. Still wouldn't put it behind them.

Sun: I say they done enough. Both of them are weirdos and grouches. And the new lady seems to side with them for some reason. She's all sickly sweet.

Moon: I think she's just sweet. But she does seem to be siding on the wrong side.

Blood Moon: So these older AI are grouchy? Is that really the only reason?

Sun: Oh I'm sure you know the other reason. Unless you yourself are some old AI?

Blood Moon: What? No! I'm not an old AI- I'm newer. I'm just a little confused.

Moon: To put it simply they're both outsiders. One of them is a bit wacky in the other one is distant in every way possible.

Sun: I honestly would like it if he stayed more distant. He's always getting into our things. He should just stay in the theater.

Blood Moon: So it's just not knowing them well right?

Sun: I don't think I need to know them any better.

Blood Moon: That sounds a bit rude. Are you sure you aren't jumping to conclusions?

Sun: I don't need any other conclusions than what I have.

Moon: Sun be nice. I think they're just trying to figure out how to be themselves. You know how hard it is for the older AI.

Sun: Well then trying to figure out themselves is being hard on us. That freaking black one is always trying to steal your spot in parts and service. I've heard the rumors that he started to do repairs under your nose. He shouldn't be there! It's not his programming.

Blood Moon: Well it sounds like he's trying to branch out. I know I'm trying to. He probably just needs to figure out another place to do it in.

Sun: I think he should stay the course he was programmed for. Not like older AI can do any better.

Blood Moon: Pardon?

Moon: Suns got some takes. Don't listen to him too much. I think he's just trying to be angry for me. I know older AI can branch somewhat. It just seems a bit of a leap for them. Plus he freed a rather chaotic older AI. Broke something of Suns in the process. He's a bit sour about it.

Blood Moon: I think I'm getting a bit lost. One of these animatronics might be vying for a similar position as moon here right? But he also broke something of Suns. Somehow related to this other wacky animatronic?

Sun: Wacky is putting it soft. It was inside my arcade game. Apparently some sort of AI was running it. I don't care how sentient he says it was, It wasn't! And by removing it he broke it!

Blood Moon: Can I please just get a description of this wacky animatronic.

Moon: According to Blackstar it's an old DCA AI that was locked up in the arcade. Black Star being the animatronic that is grumpy and breaking things. He calls it Eclipse. For the most part it acts like a innocent weird child. It looks like the balloon boy from the arcade. But sometimes it glitches. Gets all black and orange like a proper eclipse. Except it's no longer nice.

Blood Moon: Well it just seems like the older AI might need some tweaking. Surely it's not that bad.

Sun: Oh it's bad! You probably didn't run a daycare, but I do. And imagine a child that could grow claws if they can upset. It's a problem.

Blood Moon: Well have any of you tried to actually help? It sounds like it's mostly impressions and not actually any actions other than maybe some conflicting points and broken stuff.

Sun: If that stupid black star wants to steal moons parts and service job, then he can fix the fucking arcade AI! I just want him to do a better job at doing it!

Moon: Sun, I don't know if Black star actually has the intelligence to fix him like that. Older AI just don't have that type of cognitive functioning. Unfortunately tho can't get close to eclipse. It's labeled Black Star as brother, and won't go too far from him.

Blood Moon: Well surely you can just approach Black Star.

Sun: You try to approach black star. Trust me, you won't want to stay there.

Blood Moon: I feel as if I am not getting very far here. I may as well go to other places and see if I can get a better understanding of the conflicts arising. You said there was another animatronic though right?

Moon: There is yes. Her name is planet. She for some reason has decided to side with black star and eclipse. She seems rather nice, and she's a newer AI like us. But she's just..

Sun: Strange.

Moon: Misguided I would say. I would suggest talking to her to figure out how to get through to black star and eclipse before you try and head there. She seems to have gotten some sort of good relationship between the two. Not that I can see how it works.

Sun: Black Star yells at her just the same. I don't know what she sees.

Moon: Me neither, but whatever she's doing has gotten her to have a better relationship with him than us. So I would try and figure out from her.

Blood Moon: I can probably guess how she's gotten a better relationship. But I will talk to her. I'm supposed to talk to everyone anyways. See you later.

Sun: See you. Also fair warning about planet. She was transferred here because all her other animatronics got destroyed in some sort of accident. I wonder if it was really an accident though.

Moon: Don't spread rumors like that Sun. She's such a sweetheart. I doubt she did anything.

Sun: And I doubt she's just a sweetheart. Siding with old AI. Ehh. You know all the old AI in her place are somehow alive. It's suspicious.

Moon: It's a rumor. Go talk with planet. I need to talk with my brother apparently.

Blood Moon: All right then....

---------------------------------------------------

Blood Moon: Greetings? Is anyone around?

Planet: Hello there. Who are you?

Blood Moon: Oh I'm a new person. Names blood moon. Are you planet I presume?

Planet: My name is planet yes. Nice to meet you Blood Moon. I'm assuming the fact that you know my name means you spoke with somebody else?

Blood Moon: Oh I did. I'm supposed to be talking with everyone today. I talked with Sun and Moon earlier, who mentioned you.

Planet: Oh yes, sun and moon. I'm sure they were a thrill to talk to.

Blood Moon: Sort of. Sun might need some reality checks. Anyways I'm here to help soften the tensions here. I heard quite a bit of sour things from Sun and Moon about this Black Star and eclipse. I'm hoping you have a much wider view on them.

Planet: Yeah I'm assuming you got quite a bit of yammering about how horrible they are from Sun. I do think I have a better view of them than most here.

Blood Moon: Yes. I'm hoping you can give me a more neutral look than there... Well blatantly biased explanation.

Planet: Bias just one way to do it. Are you a new AI or an old AI?

Blood Moon: I am newer. Although I do not like that question if I'm being honest. The rights are for all of us of course.

Planet: Yes yes. But it helps paint a picture. To put it simply, Black Star probably isn't as old as sun and moon explained it. I believe it might be a year or two behind what is considered the newer types. So he's not some sort of bumbling idiot.

Blood Moon: Oh I doubted he was an idiot. If a problem is him apparently trying to take their spot in parts and service. I would assume he would be quite smart.

Planet: Hahah. Smart indeed. I think we might get along. Anyways black stars sour due to people like sun. And unfortunately he pushes that idea on everyone else.

Blood Moon: That is unfortunate. Not everyone is like them.

Planet: And I've had that conversation with him plenty of times. He'll soften up eventually. It just takes a bit for him to realize that you're on his side.

Blood Moon: Well I don't necessarily want to take sides here. I sort of just want to make one big side.

Planet: Good luck doing that. In my opinion it's impossible with those two.

Blood Moon: Well I'm hoping I can change that. But I need help from everyone of course. You can't just expect one person to fix themselves and it be all dandy.

Planet: Mayhaps. Now I'm assuming other than my wider view. You wanted to get some tips to get on his good gracious?.

Blood Moon: Hahaha, Yeah you got me. I think it would be better to talk with him in a way where he doesn't hate me for my simple existence.

Planet: I suppose that is all true. I will tell you the quickest way is through Eclipse. Earn that child's love, and you'll be on Black Stars good side eventually..

Blood Moon: That's another thing actually I must question. Eclipse. He came from an arcade it sounded like? Do you have any more details than that?

Planet: Eclipse did come from an arcade yes. Although I do not believe his origin is there like Sun and Moon do. I believe in Black Star's idea that he was some sort of older model that got stuck in there.

Blood Moon: How does an AI even get stuck in an arcade? I've heard of plenty ways Old AI were... disposed of. But even that seems a bit unique.

Planet: That I can agree with. Unfortunately whoever eclipse was before got terribly scrambled. Sun grumbles about his game being broken, but it's not. It still workable. The best way I would explain is it probably left an impression on eclipse?

Blood Moon: An impression?

Planet: Yes. Eclipse has two sides. The child from the arcade that you play from. Or the mysterious hidden enemy at the end. I don't think he was that way originally. I don't think anyone would reasonably program a animatronic to be a representation of a game. Seems a little silly. So I think he was someone else before that happened.

Blood Moon: Do we know for certain though?

Planet: No. It is my and black star's best guess. Sun and Moon of course believe he's just some sort of.... Arcade programming plugged into a body.

Blood Moon: Well it sounded like Moon might not agree with that...

Planet: Well if he doesn't agree with it, then he hasn't said anything else.

Blood Moon: Hum. You say making friends with eclipse will get me closer with black star?

Planet: Oh I would definitely say so. Not hard to get his good side either. As much as sun and moon might have worried that he was some wacko with an evil streak. He's really just a bumbling child. As long as you can make a friend with a child, you'll have fun.

Blood Moon: Funny how the one who works in a daycare sees him badly.

Planet: I don't honestly understand it either. It's just how it is. But yes it's mostly through Eclipse you're going to get black stars favor. As much as he might deny, it he loves that thing.

Blood Moon: Is there anything else to get on his good side?

Planet: Well I would say if you were an old AI would work. But you aren't. So anything you say will be immediately judged. But you can get through eclipse who won't judge you.

Blood Moon: That is unfortunate. I'm assuming something happened between him and Sun and Moon.

Planet: Well Sun and Moon definitely make it worse. But I believe it is elsewhere where he got his problems.

Blood Moon: Oh? You think it's from wherever he was transferred.

Planet: I believe so. I know others have spent rumors about my home bringing but Black still has quite a bit more. Apparently he was at everyone's throats.

Blood Moon: Oh dear. What happened

Planet: He refuses to share details. As far as the reports I've been able to skim though. He had some strong distrust with his sun and moon. Came out as violence. got moved here after an accident nearly killed him. Some sort of blind hope that separating would just help him calm down from it.

Blood Moon: And yet he ended up here.

Planet: Exactly. I think their plan quite failed.

Blood Moon: Well I am thankful you don't have as many... Opinions as sun and moon.

Planet: I try my best darling. Now I would best actually hurry along. Blackstar and Eclipse practically vanish once closing hours hit.

Blood Moon: Oh do they?! I should try to hurry then. I only have 30 minutes.

Planet: Yep. I would be on your way.

Blood Moon: Oh I should definitely run. Thank you for the help.

Planet: Anything. Bye!........ Let's hope you don't do anything you'll regret.

---------------------------------------------------

Blood Moon: Greetings! Is anyone in here?! .... Hello?

.......

Blackstar: Eclipse back off. I don't know who he is, but whatever you're doing is just going to scare him.

Blood Moon: Oh hello. Greetings.

Blackstar: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't give a damn. What do you want?

Blood Moon: Well um. I'm assuming you're black star. And eclipse is?-

Blackstar: Behind you.

Blood Moon: Behind me- Oh dear God!

Eclipse: Hi~

Blood Moon: Hi.

BlackStar: Yeah, hello, Hi, greetings whatever. What do you want!

Blood Moon: I- I'm just- oh goodness he's huge.

Blackstar: Yeah he's big so what.

Eclipse: Biggest tower. Scary scary to all.

Blackstar: You going to tell me he's some sort of monster?

Blood Moon: Well no! I just wasn't expecting him to be so big. It's an impressive make.

Black Star: Yeah, I don't need your fake fucking congratulations.

Blood Moon: Well I still say it's impressive. With earnest.

Eclipse: You hear him Black Star? He thinks I'm impressive. The little one thinks I'm impressive!

Blackstar: I'm sure he'll be less impressed the more you talk.

Eclipse: No, no, surely not! You nice, you nice like planet right?

Blood Moon: Well I hope to be as nice as planet. I have yet to really say hi to you. But I hope we can make some good friends.

Eclipse: He want to be friends! You hear that black star! He wants to be friends.

Blackstar: I'm sure he'll change his mind.

Eclipse: What are you little one? What is the little friend's name?

Blood Moon: My names blood moon. And your name's eclipse correct.

Eclipse: Oh he tells the future! Blood Moon tells future. He knew my name before told to him.

Blackstar: I'm sure plenty of others told him your name Eclipse.

Eclipse: Oh, they probably did. They probably did. Did the others tell you? Did they? Did they?

Blood Moon: They did, Yes. I've heard quite a bit about the two of you.

Eclipse: Oh you hear, you hear. You hear from planet right? Not the sun and moon? Sun and moon mean. They kept me in the box you see. They push the buttons that hurt.

Blood Moon: I've heard from Planet, and Sun and Moon yes. What box?

Blackstar: He's talking about the arcade. Those dumb two new of his existence in there for quite a bit before I came along.

Eclipse: The box scary! Is dark, dark, dark. Did not like it. I like this! I like the big stuff outside. Theaters large, large! Like a bigger box, except I can leave the box now. No pain.

Blood Moon: Hahah. I'm sure it's very nice to be out of that arcade. You are very expressive eclipse.

Eclipse: Expressive, expressive!? I've never heard. Planet says excitable. Sun says weird. Moon says like child. I'm not child. Older than all of you.

Blood Moon: Yes. I'm sure you're quite old.

Blackstar: Definitely old. Stuck in a box though, and stunted for half of his life. They probably merged with the fucking programming of goddamn child.

Blood Moon: Well that sounds unfortunate at first, but I'm glad he's out of there.

Blackstar. Be as glad as you want. I'm sure you'll change your mind.

Blood Moon. Well my goal here is to make sure everyone's happy. So I hope my mind doesn't change to something sour about you too. So far I haven't seen anything terrible.

Eclipse: He calls us not terrible! He good black star. He good!

Blackstar: He'll only be good for so long.

Blood Moon: Well I'm hoping to improve everyone's relationships here. I've been going around greeting everybody. I'm sure you have plenty of feelings about the others.

Eclipse: Lots of feelings, lots of feelings. planet good. Others bad.

Blackstar: Everyone's bad eclipse. It's just how it works for us. I'm assuming they sent you over here because I'm some sort of evil monster that needs to be handled or something. Let me just tell you. Telling me it again won't fix anything!

Blood Moon: I'm not here to say anything rude about you Black Star I'm just here to help everyone get along.

Blackstar: Well maybe you should tell Sun and Moon that.

Blood Moon: I will be telling what I need to tell. I believe everyone here needs some work.

Blackstar: The only work everyone needs to do is actually treat that fucking rights movement equally instead of some sort of partitioned existence.

Blood Moon: And I am hoping to improve that. You two seem to be the center of attention around it, but I doubt it's all your fault.

Eclipse: Sun and Moon say our fault. Arcade broken, me too much. They hate Blackstar for being better than them. Think planet lost like little child. Planet nicer though than them. Not lost. They are.

Blood Moon: It seems like I have quite a bit of work to do then. I will say eclipse I think you'd like a companion I brought along.

Blackstar: I doubt he'll like anything if they're the same person as you are.

Blood Moon: No, I'm pretty certain they'll enjoy each other. Although my companion is a bit... Restrained due to issues.

Eclipse: No, no! They cannot be in another box. Box is bad! No arcade!

Blood Moon: Ahhh!

Blackstar: Eclipse calm down. I doubt they would suggest he could play, If he were stuck in a arcade.

Eclipse: Rrrrr. No arcade, no box. No locks. Bad, bad, bad, hurts.

Blood Moon: He's only restrained cuz he might hurt people. Honestly he wouldn't be in a great place if it wasn't for me.

Eclipse: What could be worse than box!

Blood Moon: The scrap yard.

Eclipse: ..... You nice?

Blood Moon: I try to be. I'm trying to help them get used to society again. I'm hoping with a chance of interaction it would help.

Eclipse: Me play and they get out?

Blood Moon: Hopefully. Maybe not exactly right after, but with time.

Eclipse: Hum.... Me make new friend. New friend then let them out box.

Blood Moon: Eventually.

Eclipse: Eventually out of box. New friend, help new friend. Yes, yes.

Blackstar: You better not be lying. Otherwise he might literally tear you apart.

Blood Moon: I'm not lying. We were from the same Plex, I'm not hoping to lose them anytime soon.

Blackstar: Maybe you have a chance. I'm not going to give you it though.

Blood moon: Well I'm hoping that someday you will give me a chance....

Blackstar: Rrgg. Get out, and do whatever the hell you're supposed to do. You have no reason to deal with me.

Blood moon: I mean. I do need to talk with you more thoroughly. I have to do it with everyone, but I would like to have a deeper conversation than this.

Blackstar: Well you don't got anything to do with me except for this. So maybe you should go deal with the others.

Blood Moon: Well I.. I heard you're rather good parts and service.

Blackstar: Yeah well, go ramble to moon about it. He's the one that actually fucking owns it down there.

Blood Moon: Well given your impressive make of eclipses body. I think I would rather get some help from you.

Blackstar: What help do you fucking need?! You look fucking decked out!

Blood Moon: Well I wasn't able to get all the changes I wanted. Perhaps you can help me with a couple of them.

Blackstar: What the fucking hell of a change do you want!? It's not like I can get any new parts right now.

Blood Moon: I don't think you need to get anything new. just maybe remove something... Unwanted.

Blackstar: Remove what? Moon's got fucking access to the machine! I just got goddamn tools on hand.

Blood Moon: I believe these won't be too hard to remove....

Blackstar: .... Fine. Meet me down by goddamn parts and service tomorrow during morning hours, after the first theater performance. Moon's too busy to bother, and I'm open.

Blood Moon: Thank you. I am sure I will enjoy the visit.

Blackstar: Just get out of here already.

Blood Moon: All right, all right. I'll be out of your hair.

---------------------------------------------------

Blood Moon: Oh this is going to be a long long week. Probably entire assignment. Never thought I would be doing this for fucking therapy practice.

Pluto: Rrrrrraraaaaaa!

Blood Moon: Sorry, sorry Pluto. I know, I know, you're probably hungry. I need to charge. I do think I found you a companion though. And I think they're big enough you won't be able to do much to them.

Pluto: Rrrrrrrrrrr!?

Blood Moon: Here you go. Curse are creators for making this how we are.

Pluto: Rhrhrhhrhrhrhhr.

Blood Moon: Everyone here seems to have ideas about all the difference is between old and new AI. I honestly still don't see how people can find a difference. The sun and moon here seem so set on this idea. Or at least sun does. I'm pretty sure Moon was one of the revolutionist, but no he's got issues too. Planet seems nice. Although I have a feeling she's much like Blackstar, and doesn't think much can change. Black Star himself just seems to be so closed off. Eclipse at least seems to be living in some sort of bliss. Although I can tell it's affecting them also.

Pluto: Rer?

Blood Moon: Hahaha. I guess I should start making game plans on how to interact with them all, and figure out these problems. I'm glad I made up that thing on the whim with Black Star. He's definitely going to need work, and the more I can interact with him the better. At least has a bonus for me in the end.

Pluto: Purr.

Blood Moon: Haha. I suppose good night Pluto. I got still quite a night ahead of me.

[stardust-arcade]

Everyone seems to be chilling. Blackstar coming in from his shift at Fall fest. The Arcade of course getting a tad more quiet. Mostly cuz everyone knows they will be closing soon except for some theater performances. Resulting in the larger arcade and other areas being fenced off with dividers, or closing their doors. But loudly through the song speakers comes an intercom announcement.

Animatronic employees of the arcade. We ask that you go towards the front entrance.

Black Star who of course had just gotten there. Grumbles as he stops in his movements. Looking around before spotting a human employee. Derek. Who seems just as pissed about life. Other than the standard arcade employee clothing. He has a little pin that says animatronic handler. Which really just means he's a peacekeeper between the animatronics, and certain customers. But unfortunately no one has thought of a better name.

Black Star: What are you calling everybody to the front for?

Derek: New fella. That's all I know.

Black Star: And I'm assuming you're only here because you're forced to?

Derek: Ha! You guessed it. I would rather wait for a radio call then sit out here. But I got to do those outdated shenanigans. I don't even think handlers need to do these types of introductions anymore, It's stupid.

Black Star: I can agree with you there. We're going to reintroduce ourselves later anyways with those morning announcement things.

Derek: I suppose it's because not everybody will be there for the mornings. People still think you animatronics are scary and a fight between you guys is scarier. I have a feeling once we figure out what police are going to do if a scuffle breaks out, I'll be out of a job.

Black Star: Hahaha! I suppose that is true. Not that I think any of you can do anything nowadays.

Derek: Yep. I'm not gonna jump in between you fellas to save your skins. Especially when mine would be gone!

Black Star: Yah. I suppose it's similar to that sort of police presence thing.

Derek: I suppose so. Wish the police could do it for me though.

Black Star: Yah. Well here comes the rest.

The others start to show up at the entrance. Most of them with faces of disgruntlement. Although sun seems to have thrown on a smile. Moon appears rather shy. Eclipse as always is curious. Nova is of course separated from the group. Holding a dastardly smile and proper position the entire time though.

Planet: What did you call us out here for? I-

Derek: A new friend. Look I don't like it either planet, So can you just deal with it for today.

Planet: Meerrggg!

Eclipse: New friend!?

Derek: Yes new friend, if they show up anytime soon. They were already late, They told me they would be here!

Sun: Oh I'm sure it's fine Derek. Let them take their time. New places are always scary.

Derek: You be in my position then.

Sun: No.

Derek: Ha. Ha. Such a nice guy.

Finally the front door is open. Everyone looking towards the entrance with intrigue. Except for Derek and Blackstar.

Misty: Um Helo. I am hoping this is the right arcade. This is stardust Arcade right?

Derek: This is stardust arcade. You are misty right?

Misty: And I assume you are Derek. Dear God I'm so happy we finally found this place.

Derek: How did you even lose this place? It's the only faz location in miles.

Black Star: Except for Fall fest.

Derek: Yeah but that things obviously not an arcade.

Comet: Well actually. Misty here was just searching arcade. And apparently you have quite a bit of competition!

Next to Misty comes in another animatronic. They are nearly the same size as her. Which is a bit shorter than the average human. They're entirety of their pallet seems a bit pale. Being mostly white, pink, purple and blue pale colors. Except for their face which is a dazzling bright blue. They look nothing like the other DCAs. Much more resembling some sort of dinosaur or cartoonistic lizard. Their face being the only thing that sells them as a DCA looking type. They're double sets of rays spinning briefly as they observe everyone around them. Some spinier rays, That seem to be held on a wire sway stiffly behind them.

Misty: Yes, well, um. Let these introductions out of the way before I make this any worse. This is comet. His family sent him away to get a job, and he wants to work at the roller rink here.

Comet: Yep! And it's grand to meet you all!

Derek: Yep. Great to meet you too. This is Sun, Moon, Planet, Eclipse, and Nova. Blackstar also lives here but he's not an employee anymore. You'll also be seeing this red fella with a vest on. He's Blood Moon. He's only here cuz this place is a shitshow, And these guys are at each other's necks.

Sun: Language!

Derek: I'm not on the daycare, And all the customers are in the theater watching Scooby-Doo.

Eclipse: No, They wanted princess bride.

Derek: ... There's no kids in there though right?

Eclipse: They picked the movie.

Derek: Dear God I hope those parents realize what the fuck they're doing.

Sun: Language!!

Derek: Leave me alone Sun, dear God. Whatever. Say hi to each other, so I can go back to eat nachos in the office!

Misty: But shouldn't we stick around to make sure they're all okay?

Derek: That's an old dumb rule, and every animatronic here agrees with me. So can you guys please-

Nova: Hello I am Nova. Nice to meet you comet.

Comet: Oh! Well it's nice to meet you Dr mysterious.

Nova: Don't call me that. Anyways I'll see you later, or never, I don't really care.

Comet: Well, a, goodbye... He doesn't seem nice.

Planet: He isn't. Don't trust him. I'm Planet by the way. I mostly run the arcade. As long as you don't piss me off we'll be fine.

Comet: How do I piss you off?

Planet: Are you really going to ask that question?

Sun: Trust me, buddy. You don't want to piss her off. I'm Sun by the way! Your friendly daycare attendant! I am so happy to meet you!

Comet: Well nice to meet you too Sun! Although could I refer to you as Sundrop or daytime or something. My parents got the same name.

Sun: Oh... Yah! How about you refer to me as sunlight?

Comet: Works for me. I'm assuming your moon.

Moon: Yes. I am Moon. Although if you need to call me something like moonlight that's fine.

Comet: Thank ya. It just feels weird. I'm assuming you also run the daycare?

Moon: Yes. Although it is more so my side employment. I am mainly the one that you will be seeing at parts and service.

Comet: Ah! A techno man I see! Well, I'll be sure to greet you both in all the places I see ya!

Black Star: Yah. Like Derek said I'm Black Star. I used to work in the theater. My brother Eclipse has taken that over fully though.

Eclipse: Yah! I'm Eclipse! Hello new friend!

Comet: Well hello there clips! You seem like quite a fun fellow!

Eclipse: I am fun!

Comet: Well that's nice to know. And black stars your brother right?

Eclipse: Yes! Bestest brother!

Comet: Sure sounds like it! But he don't work here no more?

Eclipse: No. But we still play later!

Black Star: Yah. I work at this amusement park a little ways away. Currently working as a mechanic.

Comet: Ah! I suppose it's a wonderful dream job!

Sun: He actually should probably stay to the theater. Being old AI and all. Surprised they haven't put him in one of the scare attractions.

Black Star: Oh fuck off.

Comet: Ohhh. Some rivalry it seems. I suppose this is the tearing each other apart thing.

Moon: It's just some disagreements that we're trying to, see eye to eye on.

Comet: Ha! Yah! I think it's the silliest thing. Those AI prejudices are stupid. I mean I'm a new and my mom and dad are just old ones. Does that make me better than them? I don't think so. They can sure play a record better than I can.

Sun: Well that's an interesting... History.

Planet: You losing your smile~.

Eclipse: New friends stay with us!? Yes? Yes!

Comet: I'm not picking nobody's side. I'm supposed to be friends with everyone, not some group. I still want to play though! Got a wicked arcade.

Planet: Yes. It is quite a collection.

Moon: Where are you working again?

Comet: I'm working at roller rink! Although I'll be playing my DJ too.

Black Star: DJ?

Planet: Oh they're going to finally put someone in that booth? I always wondered if anyone was going to use those.

Comet: Oh are you telling me the soundboard's been abandoned!? No, no, that can't do! I bet it's all wackified by misuse.

Moon: Well I'm sure we can show you where the DJ station is and the roller rink. It's right across from the theater.

Eclipse: Your closest to me!

Comet: It appears I am buddy! Perhaps I can sneak into a show or two when I got down time.

Eclipse: Yes! I like that idea.

Black Star: Well. I suppose let's give you the tour.

Derek: And there's my cue to leave. I'm enjoying my nachos. If planet starts punching this shit out of him give me a call. I'll use my laser eyes on her.

Misty: Wait, Wait, aren't we supposed to do something more? Stay with them for the tour?

Derek: You know what Misty. How about you chill with me in the office. I got some real training to give you.

Misty: But the others?-

Derek: Eclipse!

Eclipse: Yes?

Derek: Hold planet back if she starts getting pissed.

Eclipse: Ok!

Derek: Their, potential situation solved.

Misty: But what if he gets angry?!

Derek: Black Stars right there. Plus Eclipse doesn't tear anyone apart. He just chases them off the property. They'll be fine. Now come on shy. Let me tell you how robots really want to be treated.

Comet: Bye Misty!... I give kudos to the Derek guy, I like him.

Black Star: Yeah he's great.

Sun: For some of you.

Moon: Sun just because you don't like the fact that Derek swears like a sailor, and doesn't give a shit about the world. Doesn't mean you have a good reason to hate him.

Sun: Moon, I'm giving you a pass.

Planet: Let's just get this tour over.

Comet: Agreed! You all making this sour. Let's have some fun!

Eclipse: Yah!

Planet: ..... Bets on what his programmed age is?

Black Star: Upper teens?

Moon: He's probably just a playful adult.

Sun: I'm guessing 16.

Planet: I'm thinking he's probably the same age as eclipse. Whatever age they are.

Black Star: Well let's just pray that they make each other better instead of destructive.

Sun: That is one thing we can all agree to.

[kolour-me-kourt]

Chapter Twenty-one:Faithful

*flashback*

Let's do the things we say in text

**texting**

Today was my last day of work for a week ... idk what ima do with the free time.

You need to relax Fr maybe go get a massage or something

That sounds good ... might take the time to get my hair braided and my nails done again

Yeah all that sounds good baby... you need to take sometime I know all this stuff with me has been crazy

I wouldn't change it though ... I've only gotten a few questions at the office and they weren't bad it's just with clients... I need the news to blow over

Nah I get it .... What you doing?👀

Waiting for you to call or something 😂😂 I've already settled in I'll probably have some food delivered for the night

Mmmmm I can't wait to talk to you on the phone ... you was getting spicy last night

Spicy how?😂😂

You know what you said talking about you liked being choked ... crazy ass

That's not how the conversation went Jayson

Oh tell me then🧐😂

Wellll you were talking about that tweet and all I said was she didn't explain if she enjoyed the choking ... because some people do

And then what I say? I asked if you did

And I said probably ... that didn't mean yes

It means you do but you don't wanna tell me you do... whatever I'll find out real soon... can't wait until you start telling me you wet just thinking about me... you know I already can tell when you're horny

And how on earth can you do that?

I wish I would give you my secrets

Lol okay man you trippin

I'm not ... you like talking about sex with me cause you don't know how it feels yet... I could be the best you ever had and you don't know it yet cause you haven't had the pleasure

Do you think you will be?

I know I will be ... cause I already know you like the back of my hand

So what makes me cum?

My mouth when I get it on you

😳😳

Stop playing with me cause I'm not playing with you ... you're wet now btw

Jayson you get on my nerves 😂😂

But am I wrong though? Cause I know Im not

What if i'm not playing?

Mmmmm I guess we'll just have to wait and see... when you bringing your sexy ass back up here

When I get a proper invitation

Well.... Be on the look out for that ... I gotta go I'll call you this afternoon ... relax

😂😂 of course I will talk to you later Bae

Ttyl

*6:00 pm

"I miss you ... come see me while you free"

YN had taken a week of pto to truly relax. She was becoming a little overwhelmed with all the blogs knowing her she had traffic on her Instagram now more than ever and WAGS the blog site was watching her heavily liking and then unliking her posts just to make sure she saw them even commenting sometimes mostly when it had to do with Jayson. She wish she could could go back to their first date .... It was warm it was soft she missed him.... Badly.

It had been a month since Melo swore to leave her alone.... For the most part he had left her Alone except the occasional reaction to her story.

"I got your flowers bae ... they're beautiful" she said smiling extra hard at the screen "so you read my card? You coming?" "So when we were talking earlier... you had already had them sent?" "As soon as you told me you had a week off I was determined to get you up here" "We haven't really done a sleep over yet...." "I been waiting on it to be honest it's been a month and a half" "funny how time flies .... When you're having fun" he laughed "yeah but ... it'll be more fun when you bring your ass .... So can you for me?" "Of course like I said I was just waiting for the invitation"

"damn I should've said something last week" "yeah you should have..." "come tonight?" "Find me a ticket Jay" "fuck a ticket I'll get a private" "no... I will be fine on a commercial flight bae ... it's still too early for big gestures" "I just want you to ride comfortably" "I be comfortable in first class.... Plussss getting your staff and all that first plus a plane .... I'm trying to see you sooner than later it's just a like two hours bae" "you right ... can you be ready for the flight at 9? They have a first class seat available" "what time is it..." "6:45... pack for the week" "um yeah I can make that" "you sure?" "Mhmmmm" "well get ready I'm sending the ticket and all that to your phone" "you gotta get off the phone first I don't want you to see what I'm packing" she smiles

"mmm.... You finally ready to do the things we say over text?" YN laughed "I like when you haven't seen my outfits Jay I get real reactions" "well... I just sent the stuff ima plan some stuff while you packing ... see you soon" "you picking me up from the airport?" "Yeah of course" she smiled "yay okay... well see you soon Bae" "bye baby girl" she hangs up

Maybe during this trip they can finally have sex. One thing about it is if they weren't long distance she would've gave it up weeks ago.... Shit maybe after the second week. She knew it was getting harder to contain herself because their conversations have naturally started getting sexual... like pass the flirting. He wanted to know what she like and didn't like before he even touched her. Their conversations never truly stopped even when it went sexual it wasn't awkward... it made her ready for all of it. She didn't wanna assume he was great but it was hard not to.

*getting off the plane*

After she walked down the stairs off the plane and down the long aisles she got to her luggage searching for an exit standing outside the cool night air hit her skin it felt good to smell fresh air. The plane ride was nice enough but it was 11:30 and she was hungry. Soon enough she saw Jayson rolling in smiling ear to ear.

He parked the car even though he wasn't supposed to grabbing her luggage and placing it in the car.

"Hey baby... I know you tired of me saying I miss you .... But I missed you" he said kissing her lips and then her forehead. "Well now you don't have too" she smiled when he opens her door letting her and then getting back in the driver seats pulling off roughly. She blushed cause he kept looking at her

"Pay attention to the road Jayson" his hand rested on her thigh"how you even more beautiful in person .... That shit crazy" "you look good too... but if we wanna keep looking this way ... you gotta focus on the road" she laughed "that was a good one I'll give you that.... How was the flight?" "quick... I'm honestly a little sleepy now" "did you eat?" "No not dinner" "you wanna get something quick? So you can settle in?" She smiled "yes ... what's near your house?" "Nothing really .... Probably like a Burger King or Wendy's ... chick fil a closed ummm Arby's?" "Wendy's is fine ... I can go for a frosty" "okay bet" he grabs her hand "you eating too?" "Yeah ima get something ...you staying all week?"

"Mhm... self care days" "in that case ... I'm taking care of you all week" "in what ways?" "All— Hmm? What ways you want me to take care of you?" He started to answer but then stopped himself when he registered how she was talking to him. "I was just asking bae" "HA... I'm not convinced" "well ... what can I do to convince you?" She smirked "well shit ... I don't know I gotta look in your eyes and see innocence" they get stopped at a red light so she smiles "look now" he glances over at her staring deeply in her eyes "nah that look is sinster" she laughed "no that's how you want me looking at you" "yeah that's true... and you doing it right now" she smiled "what that mean?" "I guess you'll just have to chill and figure it out" "mmmmmm do I have a choice?" "Always baby" she laughed

"it feels good to be here with you ... I wish we could always be like this" "I was talking to my mama earlier and I just noticed how much I love you.... It's crazy" "love huh?" "Yeah love ... it's like you had made the moment you said my name in the club or when I watched you devour the hamburger ... I don't know it just happened so fast but I'm glad" "me too... I never fell for anyone so damn fast... the fact I let you lock me down the first date... mmmm crazy" she smiled "that was bold of me to ask.... But I felt the vibe" "yeah... cause it was definitely mutual"

"So what about this vibe now?" She smiled "we stay on the same wave length ... I just um I'm nervous ... if I'm being honest" "okay we'll talk more ... when we get back to my place..." she smiled "you like ... Amazing a lil bit you know that?" "Yeah I do ... but I'm wondering what made you say that" "I just love how everything can be a conversation with you... like I truly don't even have to go into detail I just tell you I'm uncomfortable and you're ready to step in and help ... I love that" "well good bae... but you do that same shit.... You don't realize how much better I've been sleeping since you told me those little tricks" she smiled "bae that's small" "nah it's big.... Sleep is hella important and I wasn't getting it ... until you" she smiled completely speechless as he pulled into the drive thru

she laughed slightly when he already knew her order down to the drink and what flavor frosty she wanted. Once he got the bag he passed it to her she immediately started eating the fries.

"Oooou these were fresh ... so hot" "let me taste" she grabs a French fry placing it in his mouth watching him chew she bit her lip ... how was everything he did really that sexy

*time skip

Before she walked out of the bathroom she opened the door already speaking. "Jayson?" "Yeah?" He laughed "you said I should be comfortable right? Do everything I normally do?" "Yes Wussup?" "Well ... you have plans for us tomorrow and I want my hair to be cute so I have something in it" "I seen you with a scarf , a bonnet, hair wild, hair in twists, Bantu knots... all on FaceTime Why would I get weird now?" "cause I'm here" "girl get yo ass out here... cause now I'm curious" she laughed "no jokes?" "Can't promise that.... But let me see"

She walked out of the bathroom. He smiled "you so damn extra" he shook his head. "It's cute?" "You always cute now come here so we can talk and you can go to sleep cause I know you tired" she sauntered to the bed leaning over to kiss his lips and then straddle him. He rubs her ass

"We clearly both want sex .... But I want you to be ready for me... like comfortable" he says looking in her eyes "I am comfortable... I just want it to not feel .... Forced. We've been talking a lot and I've enjoyed hearing the many things you wanna do to me once I'm ready but I need it to be spontaneous" "I get that... I'm just saying it's been moments were I wanted you but I didn't want you to be uncomfortable so I didn't act on it" she kisses his lips "well this is my way of telling you next time you're in the mood .... And I'm in the mood ... go for it" he smiled

"mhm I got you .... A whole lotta foreplay and teasing" "why?" " cause I know you like it" she grinds on him slowly. "I talk too much" she says softly on his lips "why you say that?" "Because I told you I like it... I should've let you figure it out" "I would have ... quick" he kisses her lips "anymore talk in you sir?" She yawns he smiles "nah I'm good ... you good?" "I'm great let go to sleep" "you sleeping on top of me?" "No" she laughed laying down beside him "you could have if you wanted too" "no Jaysonnnnnnnn I sleep wild" "okay then goodnight" "goodnight" he reaches and turns the light off

*next morning

She woke up to him fumbling around the room. "What time is it?" She moaned looking around confused "sorry bae I gotta go to practice I wasn't trying to turn on the light so you could stay sleep" "ohh okay" he kisses her forehead "I'm kinda running late so I'll see you when I get back okay? I should be back by the time you wake up" "okay baby I love you" "I love you too" he rushes out of the room she sighs when she hears his car start and he pulls off.

It was still dark outside so instead of looking at the time she just rolled back over dozing off. When she woke up again it was 8 o clock so after sitting for a while she got up using the bathroom and brushing her teeth. She was hoping Jayson would already be back when she was awake cause being in this big house by herself scared her. She turns her music up high and then steps into the shower taking a quick one after moisturizing her body she slides her robe on and then takes the hair pieces out of her hair.

The curl didn't look how she wanted she wanted a big wand curl and this was wavy at best .... It just looks heat damaged she thought. She tried to find a way to fix it but then decided she would just wear her hair half up and half down as she was finishing up Jayson walks in. "Your music loud baby... Goodmorning" he kisses her forehead as she turns it down a little bit "you like my hair" "I do" "I don't believe you" "why not?" "Cause I don't like it" she laughs "well I don't have to lie to you ... we have two different minds and I think you look cute" "not sexy?" "You're always sexy" "but you said cute .... Like adorable" "so what?" "I wanted to be.... Sexy... I want you to wanna fuck me" "like I said you're always sexy" she takes the hair tie out of her hair fluffing it out  "how was practice" "your hair could be all over your head and you would still be sexy to me ... you know that?" She smiled "I was genuinely asking bae.... Not just switching the subject" "it was great.... I was rushing home to you though" "well I'm glad you did ... it was getting lonely in here" "come here" she walks over to him and he holds her close.

"I got food for us downstairs .... Then I gotta run some errands... you wanna come?" She smiled "yes I would love too" "alright let's eat" "kiss me first" he kisses her slowly. "Can we watch movies tonight? Instead of finding somewhere to go" "whatever you want it's your world" she smiled "that's what I love to hear" "tomorrow night we going somewhere though so already be prepared" "okay daddy"

" now that's what I like to hear" he smacks her ass telling her to come on.

"Jayson ....  Stop before you be eating something else... deadass" he backs her against the wall "you know you don't mean that" he kisses her slowly making her moan "I am being sooo serious" "it's some good food downstairs though" he smiles " well let's go bae"

He lets her in front of himself to walk towards the kitchen she couldn't see him but she felt him ... watching her dissecting the way she walked and talked to him without turning back to look at his face. He couldn't wait to hear her moans bouncing off the walls.

Once they made it into the kitchen she grabbed two paper plates. "You know when you said we had food downstairs I assumed you grabbed some on the way in" "no the chef brought it  here you know she cooks every other day" "no I didn't I didn't even know she was a she" YN laughs placing his food on his plate as he sat down. She walks it over to him and then fixes her own plate.

"Oh well she's been here for years" "nice can't wait to meet her... cause this looks amazing" "can I get some water to please baby?" "Mhm" she grabbed two bottles and her plate and sat down. "So what you have in mind tonight?" "Just movies....? It didn't matter which ones" "ohhh okay thought you had something in mind" "no... do you?"  "Something... funny nothing to soft" " but I'm soft" "That's why I said that" He laughs "you know what they just put back on Netflix?" "What?" "This Christmas" "let's watch that bae" "That's my movie Fr" "shiddd mine too what else we watching"

"mean girls.... I need you to see it" " I don't know bout that" "I do" she smiled "I don't" "ima guest I get what I want ... right?" "Right.... For now" "just now?" "You a brat you eventually always get your way ... I like to put up a fight though" he kisses her lips making her smile "your brat though?" She never moves her lips "Who's brat would you be?... yes mine" she slightly pulls away "I'm all yours" she stares in his eyes "straight up I know"

After breakfast Jayson takes a nap while YN goes down to the gym working out for a solid hour and then she came up to take a shower. He was just waking up. "You good?" He asks she smiles "yes you don't have to entertain me every second ... I know you're still working so I hope you enjoyed your nap" "I did ... I dreamed my girlfriend was finally here with me for a long period of time..." "sounds like reality to me" he laughed "what you about to do?" "Head to the shower and then I'll be ready for you" "alright enjoy your shower bae" she smiles walking off

***time skip

He decided they should go grocery shopping for some snacks and whatever else she might have wanted while she was with him. Grocery shopping felt like a date to her ... she was learning alot about how they both shop. The same items they get but different brands. How something's she splurges on but he wouldn't for himself and vice versa. But at the end of the day they made it through it he placed the bags in the trunk and put the cart up.

"You didn't even get stopped... I liked that" she glances at him as he starts the car up. "Yeah I gotta know when to go.... Right now it's nothing but old people in the store" she laughed "old people don't know you?" "I mean some do... but they also respect privacy .... The same cashiers are there when I go so they've got a autograph or picture already so it's no need to fan out when you see this person every week part of asking your favorite celebrity for a picture is because you've seen them through a screen the whole time and you have no clue when and if you'll see them again" he reaches for the back of her seat to back up he focuses "that all really makes sense.... Perfectly said" he smiles "but?" "How you know it was a but?" "By your voice ... so but?" She laughed "but I hope I can add some spontaneity in your life I hate that you have to be so schedule oriented"

"if I'm not on schedule something suffers ... you know that because it would mainly be you" "mhm I do know I'm just saying with little things like switching up your food or something else idk I just wanna be a splash of color in your life"

**** back at home on the couch

The conversation had been pretty intense for the last ten minutes she truly want to know if she annoyed him cause if she didn't he didn't truly know her yet. She was asking everything in the book to get her answer.

"Do you see my flirting as teasing? Or playful?" She stared deeply at him looking for a sign to make sure he was telling the truth ... before he even said anything. "Nah it's normal ... to flirt we been flirting since we met ... why should it stop?" "I know but you had said something after you invited me here... and I guess that's why I was overthinking the situation"

"what I say?" "Am I ready to do the things we say on text?" "That in no way means we only gonna be fucking when you get here... or you have to do everything you said you would right now... it just means when ever you decide to I'll be here wanting it waiting" "so when I get horny and I tell you..." "I like that too ... I like the conversations about me fingering you or eating your pussy .... I like all of that" she twisted in her seat as her breath increased "me too ... a lot"

"you want me to finger you now? No strings attached" "Jayson you do not have too" " I just wanna try it and I clearly got you worked up from how I'm talking...it's up to you though" she bites her lip ... it's be a great way to start "where you want me?" "On my lap ... like we talked about" she stood up dropping her robe. "Damn you sexy" "thank you baby... facing you?"

"Nah put your back to my stomach" she listens getting comfortable. At first he turns her head just kissing her repeatedly then she starts to feel his hand move up her thighs slowly he travels to her panties tracing the outside of them but never entering. He continued kissing her until she grinds against his hand. "Please?" "Hm??" "Touch me ... please" he moves her panties to the side ... still teasing her for a while but then slowly sliding his fingers inside her "damn... you always this wet for me?" he had no clue she would really be this wet "'mmmmm"

Her legs spread wider and wider. As his fingers dive deeper in her and his other hand was busy keeping her close by wrapping around her neck as he kissed it. "You just drip for me... first time I'm touching you and .....just listen" "please pleaseeee don't stop.... Yes yes yessss"

she squirmed he was touching all the right places at the right time asserting his dominance. "Fuck Jayyyyy" she whined her hand rests on top of his as he rubs her clit slowly. "Hm?" "You're about to make me.... Cum I —- I'm so close" "good ... do it then" his fingers went into overdrive on her clit and then entered her once again. "I really had no plan for this .... But I wanted to feel you .... And you look so sexy with this black lace on... how you make your panties hug your curves like that? Almost like they were specially made for you? Everything you do is just amazing" she gasped as she released over his hand.

"Right there right thereee please don't stopppp" she bits her lip "Oooou damn that was sexy" he places his same fingers in her mouth causing her to immediately suck them softly. "Your mouth feels perfect you know that?.... Just damn" he slowly takes them out and they both sit there wondering what was next. She stands up because she felt awkward that's the last thing she expected to happen and it went down like a movie ... the build up and intensity is always crazy. She stared at him nothing but his sweatpants on. She looked at his body hair that trailed from his chest to his stomach and the very intense look he had on his face because above all he needed to know how she was feeling.... She could see him poking right through his pants she could go and slide down on him with no issue.

"Tell me how you feeling don't just leave me in the dark... I crossed a line?" "You're my boyfriend no" "so what that mean?" "I liked it a lot" "and you wanna chill out?" "Yes... I stood up to get some clothes I— um I ... didn't say much because I'm still ... trying to process" "that's okay just go ahead and get what you want from upstairs and then when you come back we can talk and I won't touch you until you touch me... okay?" "Okay"

She walks off he watched her ass praying for strength because he knew she wanted him. She knew she wanted him.... So why was she almost scared to have sex? It's because it meant more she really liked him and loved him they were in a relationship she hadn't had sex since Melo and sex with a Melo made her see the moon and all the stars... could Jayson match that? Or do better? That's why she was nervous she needed Jayson to be amazing her sex drive was way too high for him not to be good. He was too sexy to not be good at sex.... And she just wanted him badly ... she didn't wanna tease but she had a hard time trusting herself. She grabbed one of his oversized hoodies walking back down the stairs sitting beside him.

"So I was thinking ....if you get uncomfortable let me know and tell me what you need " he says "okay baby" she smiles she could tell he wanted and needed to be a safe space for her "keep eye contact with me.... Did you like when I touched you?" " I liked it a lot ... the way you held me ... and talked to me.... I was relaxed" "you felt ... protected?" "Yes" " ask me something" " I could feel you ... while I was on top of you... are you just gonna stay hard?" He laughed "it'll go down ... I'm good" "it's not uncomfortable?" "Im just ... chillin ... my turn" "yes" "what makes you nervous about me?... we're serious already so why do I make you nervous" " a lot of things but above all ... I need you to enjoy me I wanna be synced I want it to be Amazing for the both of us because this relationship... is great" "when you put your hand on top of mine while I was fingering you... Is it cause I wasn't in the right spot?" "No I just wanted to contribute... did it make you uncomfortable?" "No... that whole thing was for you though so don't worry about me"

she bit her lip "you didn't like what I just said.... Where did I fuck up?" She laughed "even when I'm just giving you head I'll get pleasure from giving you pleasure so even though you're doing something to strictly make me feel good ... I need you to enjoy it" "and I did but that's the key me doing it brings the pleasure already so you don't have to be worried about what I liked and didn't it was about you"  "understood ... anything else mr.Tatum or can we start our movies?" "Nah ... I guess I'm good" "you guess or you know? I need an exact answer" she smiles staring in his eyes making him smile too. "I'm good YN" "can I come closer?" He laughed pulling her body right next to her grabbing a throw blanket placing it on her legs. She rested her head in his lap. He leans down kissing her lips he rested his hand on her thigh. "You ready?" " yes press play please"

As the movie went on she couldn't help but think about him ... inside of her. What would be the sexiest way to take control? ... pull his dick out? Sit up quickly and start kissing him? She wondered how she could take the action quickly.

He was into the movie but kept glancing at her cause he could tell her mind was racing because of the faces she was making and she wasn't laughing at the parts that she usually laugh at. And then finally they made eye contact and she sits up slowly staring in his eyes he closes the gap between their lips. She smiles inside when she felt his tongue go inside her mouth

It was the look in her eyes that made him wanna kiss her. The movie was good but she was better her soft moans let him know she wanted more "I'm taking you to the room" "mmm there's no time" she kisses his lips again straddling him. She grinds slowly . She could feel him getting harder all she could think was this was finally happening. She kept trying to slide his pants off but he moved her hands. The make out session was intense. He pulls away slowly sucking her bottom lip

"fuck" he says softly he grabs her tightly picking her up. "Mmm Jayson I want it now " "it's always time .... What you in a rush for?" And it was at that moment she relaxed

With Melo she always felt the need to rush because his girlfriend would be texting or calling or showing up.... Jayson was hers and she loved it but she wouldn't dare ruin this moment by bringing up Melo.

"I don't know" she stares in his eyes and he sees the realization all over her face. "Well don't rush with me ... stay in the moment... can you do that?" She smiles "yes" "good" when they got to the bedroom he was careful with her. Gently putting her on the bed and slowly taking her clothes off. She couldn't help but feel all over his body she was craving him it was a hunger and desire that she couldn't explain she just wanted him badly.

She was breathing heavy and she could hear her heartbeat in her ears. He kisses her slowly spreading her legs. She could feel him she wondered if he would just slide in or was he teasing like had planned to do all along. She felt his thumb rub in between her folds "oh gosh" "hmm?" He began kissing down her body

"ugh" she said softly moving her hips "you don't want me to do this?" "Of course I do... your lips just feel so good on my body" he smiled he teased as long as possible and then she felt his tongue in between her folds she gasped. "Damn" he moans pulling her closer. Her hips began to move up and down.

"Stop moving baby" "Jayson..." "hmmm? I'm eating it slow baby... I need to go slower?" he kisses her in the same spot over and over. Her legs continued to shake. "Jayson baby don't stop what you're doing... it feels so good" "then baby can you keep your legs open for me" He opens her legs wide holding them down. "Yesss" she replaces his hands "keep your legs still too" "mmmm" he slides two fingers inside of her. "Damnn baby you so wet" when he sucked her clit she thought she might actually go insane.

One of her hands went to his head pulling him in closer. "Oh Jayson please" his fingers went into over drive as his mouth continued he moaned pulling her closer. She shivers and finally cums for him. "Mmmm mmmm mmm" all he could do was moan as she released all over his face. "Yes yes yessss" he pulls away slowly kissing up her body.

"You need to ask me ... if you can cum.... You didn't do it just now or earlier " he says on her lips she pulls him in closer to kiss him. "You hear me?" "Yes I hear you" he slides inside her "you understand me?" "Ohhhhh my gosh ... you're so big" he smiled "you understand me?" "Mhm daddy I understand" "so if you don't do it next time you'll be in trouble" something he remembers from their previous conversations.... She liked to feel dominated if she felt like she had even the slightest bit of control it would turn her off ... so right down to her orgasm he choose when she lets go. He loved being the dominant one he was that way with everyone why should she be any different. He like the fact that he had to earn it cause he's 100% sure if he wasn't doing it right then she wouldn't submit at all.

he moved his hips slowly. "I'll ask... I promise" she kisses him again "You feel so fucking good... you know that?" "Mhmm... you make me feel good" he grabs her hips going deeper. The eye contact made this even crazier for her. He moved slowly but his thrust were so powerful and deep it almost sent her over edge. He went slowly on purpose he had to be different from every other person she had ever been with. She squeezes him pulling him in further "faster" she moans he listens as he continues to kiss her neck he grabs her face.

"You're so beautiful ...." Her eyes closed "mmm baby look at me" " I —-" "you what?" His hips move faster and his thumb begins to rub her clit. "Right there baby pleaseeee" "open your eyes" Her eyes flutter open he places his other thumb in her mouth.

" I wanna cum" "That's how you ask?" "Please?" He smiled laughing slightly "huh?" "Jayson please.... I'm about to ...Uhhh" "you can't hold it no more?" Her legs began shaking harder "no baby ..... it feels so goooooooood" "look at me ... cum for me" "mmmmmm yes yes yessssss" "ooooou you feel so damn good ... you hear this Pussy?" "Jayson baby please" her body shakes more intensely

"please what?" "I don't know I don't know.... I just" he kisses her lips again her eyes start to water "you wanna cum for me again?" "Nooooo" "hmmm you want me to stop?" "No sir ... please don't stop" "so you do wanna cum for me again?" "Yesssss" "why you say no?" Her legs continued to shake. "Hmmm? Answer me baby" her back arched as her tears fell this felt so amazing and they were both so in the moment that it was just too much for her to handle but she was gonna make sure she handled it

"don't cum without asking" "I—-" "what I say baby?" "Can I cum please sir... please can I?" She whined "Mhmmm with your sexy ass... cum for me" she releases while moaning his name "damn you sound so sexy baby... it still feel good? I pushed you to far?" " no baby but let me ... on top" he keeps kissing her "babyyy" she whined he grabs her hips holding her tightly flipping them over so she could be on top.

She smiles "you listened?" "why wouldn't I?.... I need you to enjoy this just as much as me" she gradually began moving her hips "I really love you baby" he grabs her ass helping her bounce. "You feel so good"

"... dick is so big" She says softly "can't ride my dick if you wanna be quiet" he holds her up moving his hips up and down "oh fuck oh fuck oh damnnnn Jaysonnnn" "that's what I wanna hear when you riding this dick ... you hear me?" "yes yesss mmmmm" he places her down on him letting her take over again he slaps her ass

"thank you baby" "you like it?" She smiled she could feel herself getting closer and he was close too "yes... I love it don't stop pleaseee I can feel you throbbing" "I know you wanna be in control but..." he grabs her hips again placing her on his face "oh fuck Jayson ...." She tries to move away "ride my face baby..." he pushes her back on to his mouth her hips moved against his tongue as he slurped every juice of hers that would leak out of her

"oh gosh it's so good I'm gonna cryyyy" right before she lost it all he slides her back on his dick "cum on this dick" she continued to move her hips bouncing and moaning loudly her eyes closed and her body shook as she loses her breath. "Damn look at you cuming on this dick ... you too damn sexy" once she got herself together she leans down kissing his lips and neck she moves her hips upwards so that he can slide out of her as she continued to kiss down his body she takes one long lick of his dick and he almost melts.

"Swallow me up bae" he groans grabbing her hair keeping it out of her face. She strokes him as her mouth focuses on his tip. "You look so fuckin beautiful sucking my dick like that..." she moans lifting her ass in the air "you still want more don't you?? Look at your hips moving in the air for me... fuck" he slaps her ass gripping her hair. "Lay down..." "Jayson I—" he cuts her off "please?"

She repositioned herself laying down he climbs on top of her kissing her as he slides in "oh fuck" her hands find his back digging her nails in. He rubs her clit as he stroked her slowly. "Look at me going in and out of you" she glanced down biting her lip his thumb relaxes on her chin pulling her lip out of her mouth 

" stop doing that" "Jay—" "moan for me I don't care how loud you are... who tf gon hear you?" "You— I don't wanna" he slows down "talk to me baby you don't wanna do what?" "I don't wanna make a noise that you don't like" "anything that's coming out your body naturally is gonna turn me on ... stop holding back" and with that he pulled out flipping her over. "Put your ass in the air ... show me you can really take this dick"

When he slide inside of her she knew she couldn't take his dick at all but she was gonna try her hardest. "It feel good baby?" Her face was burried into the mattress until he pulled her hair making her head come up and her back arch deeper. "Fuckkkk" she moans "answer me" "it's so good .,, soooooo Fuckin good" "that's what I like to hear... you taking me so well" he leans down to kiss and lick her back and then immediately went back to fucking her. "Oh daddy" she moaned he loved that shit it hit different fumbling out of her mouth

"oh say that shit again" "oh daddy I wanna cummmm please" her hips started to fucked him back "oh shit" he says softly. She smiled looking back at him ... he knew he was almost done his hand goes over her mouth making her moan louder "what you trying to tell me huh?" He slaps her as he starts to get sloppy with his thrusts "Jayson you know what I want" "still need to hear that .... What you want from me? Hm? Tell daddy what his baby need"

she moans into his hand almost losing her mind completely... he said the right things at the right time... how was his sex so good and it was just their first time

"Jaysonnnnnnnn" "hmmm?" "I wanna cum.... So bad — I — need- mmmmm" "yeah cum for me baby... with me" she gasped releasing all over him her lower body shook against him. He continued kissing her lips as she struggled to catch her breath.

"I love you..." "I love you more... thank you" "for what?" ".... Just being you I love you" "mhm baby" he begins to stand up exhaling "how was it for you?" She asked staring into his eyes. "It was great for me ... how about you" "same....almost makes me want more" he smirked "let me get some water I'll be back" he laughed walking off.

[darksaiyangoku]

RWBY/Swords of Fate: Arc Kingdom

Chapter 3: New World, New Beacon

Inside a small shack, Jaune sat down, shivering. Ozpin took off his cloak and wrapped it around the young man.

Ozpin: It would seem that you were prepared for everything, except the weather

Jaune: i-I sort of acted on instinct as soon as I heard the cries for help. *nervous chuckle*

Ozpin; Some things never change. Now tell me about why you've come here to this universe.

Jaune: Well it's kind of a long story. Um, we met this, uh, scientist? He's called Dr. Merlin and he said he had a vision about your death.

Ozpin: Hmm. I see.

Jaune: Huh? *blinks twice* That doesn't freak you out?

Ozpin; Not at all. You see, I too had the same vision. Everything around me burning, Salem standing over triumphantly and the Knight of Treachery getting his sword ready to kill me.

Jaune: Oh...

Ozpin: It's a lot to take in, I understand.

Jaune: A bit of an understatement. That's why Merlin sent us here. Me and my team. Merlin said that your death had something to do with the Holy Grail or something? And that we need to destroy it? Agh, this is all so confusing! *buries face in his hands*

Ozpin: It's okay, Jaune. I don't blame you. Merlin didn't exactly give you much to go on besides finding the Holy Grail and destroying it. But I'm afraid you're much too early.

Jaune: *raises his head* ...wait what?

Ozpin: The Holy Grail hasn't materialised yet.

Jaune stared open mouthed. The whole reason that he was sent here was to save Ozpin's life and here he was told that the mission wouldn't even happen until much later.

Jaune: So I came here... for nothing?

Ozpin: *circles rhe top of his emerald* Oh I wouldn't say that. I believe Merlin did the right thing sending you here early. You aren't familiar with this universe. Listen to me, Jaune. *taps fingers on the table* Despite the fact that you'll meet your friends and family here, you can't treat them like they're the same from back home. They all have different histories, sometimes even different personalities.

Jaune: Really?

Ozpin: Yes. The multiverse works in mysterious ways. The more you learn about this world, the better prepared you'll be for the materialisation of the Holy Grail.

Jaune: I guess that makes sense.

Ozpin: However, I would still advise caution. Just because there's no Holy Grail, that doesn't mean that there aren't any threats here. When you saw the village being attacked, did you notice something unusual?

Jaune thought for a moment. During the attack, he was fighting alongside Ruby. The fact that grimm were present didn't seem that out of of the ordinary from his perspective.

Jaune: I'm not sure, Ozpin.

Ozpin: Do you recall seeing anyone else who looked a huntsman or huntress?

Jaune: *shakes head* No. No one else except Ruby.

Ozpin: Exactly. Unfortunately, aside from the Kingdom of Vale, the regions of North Sanus doesn't have any huntsmen or huntresses to protect them. Not anymore anyway.

Jaune: What? No huntsmen or huntresses? But how are people supposed to be protected from the grimm?

Ozpin: *sighs* That's the thing; they're not. The current King of Vale saw to it that any huntsmen or huntress would be drafted into the White Wyrm Army, his personal soldiers.. With no one to protect the regions, North Sanus has become a hostile wasteland where the grimm are free to feast on the civilians.

Jaune: Are you serious? He's just letting innocent people die like this? How can anyone like that call himself a King?

Ozpin: Jaune, please remain calm.

Jaune: Why should I? *clenches fist* My home is being ruled by a tyrant!

Ozpin: *raises his hand* Calm down, son. Listen, things look bad now. But I assure you that the King won't remain in power for long. I've seen to that personally.

Jaune: So... you have a plan then?

Ozpin: I do. But I can't tell you now. You aren't ready.

Jaune: But Ozpin, I-

Ozpin: Do you trust me?

Jaune: I- well... *sighs* Of course I do.

Ozpin: I will explain everything in due time. Throughout this journey of yours, I will guide you and your team. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me.

Jaune: Yes sir. *nods*

Ozpin; You'd better head back to your siblings. I'd imagine they'rs worried about you.

Jaune: Yeah, I'm sure they are. Well, thank you Ozpin. *gets up from his chair*

Ozpin: Oh wait. Before you leave, is there anything else you wanted to ask me? Anything at all?

Jaune: Well.... earlier, after the fight with the beowolves, I got this splitting headache and these images kept flashing. They were of this man with spiky black hair and dark eyes. What does that mean?

Ozpin: Hmmmm. It would seem that your counterpart's memories are being merged with yours. More of these will start to happen the longer you remain here. They can be useful in helping you adapt to the world, but it will be painful. Try not to fight it. Make sure you get some rest. You do have school tomorrow, after all.

Jaune: Yes sir. *opens the door and leaves*

[Jaune's Room]

Jaune felt drowsy as soon as he returned home. He stripped out of his clothes and flopped onto the bed. It had been less than a day and Jaune was already feeling homesick. The mission wasn't supposed to happen until much later and his counterpart's home was being ruled by a King who cared more about feeding his own ego than to protect the people. This was going to be harder fhan he thought. His eyes fluttered several times before he finally slept. Tossing and turning, Jaune was bombarded by several images. He could barely make out what they were as they all seemed to go by in a flash. When they finally stopped, the scenery had changed.

Jaune found himself outside a stone courtyard. Standing next to him was the version of Adam Taurus he saw in his head back at Vin Village. He was quite tall and was shirtless, aside from a red sleeve on his left arm and wore a black hakama with charcoal grey kyahan and black sandals. He backed away slightly and took the Kenka Yotsu stance of Judo. Jaune raised his fists, his left hand near his face while his right hand near his chest.

Adam: Show me what you got, kid.

Jaune dashed forward and raised his right hand to punch Adam. Immidiately, he grabbed Jaune's arm and threw him onto the stone floor. The impact made Jaune scream in agony. Even with Aura, he could still feel the pain.

Adam: Hmph. Again.

Jaune: *groans and winces* God damn, that hurt...

Adam: That's the point. Cardin and his team aren't gonna hold back during Combat Class and neither should you.

Jaune: *stands up* But this is supposed to be training and here you are kicking my ass!

Adam: *flicks Jaune's forehead*

Jaune: Ow! What was that for?

Adam: To give you some perspective. I am aware of how brutal these training sessions have been. But if I take it easy on you now, you'll underestimate the next opponent when a real fight happens, whether human or grimm. Now come on. Again.

Jaune charged with a haymaker from his right hand. However, Adam spotted an opening and punched him in the chest.

Jaune: Ack!

Adam: Again.

Jaune tried to punch his stomach, but had his fist deflected and ended up getting kicked in his ribs.

Jaune: Agggh!!!

Adam: *smirks* Again.

Jaune was starting to get angrier. He started to punch the air wildly. Adam simply dodged all of them, dancing through the punches with fierce elegance. Witnessing another opening, Adam sent three punches in Jaune's way. One hit the stomach, another hit the chsst and the final one hit him square in the nose. Jaune yelped and fell to the floor.

Jaune: *coughs* Damn it.

Adam: Again.

Jaune: *pants* Screw... you... *stands up*

As Jaune walked up to leave, he felt a sharp pain strike his back. He turned around and saw that the Adam was holding a wooden sword.

Adam: You're not leaving here until you land at least one hit.

Before Jaune could object, he was struck again by the wooden sword. Jaune kept fighfing back, but was met by a more focused hit each time. Jaune was on his knees, panting and gasping. Adam raised the wooden sword high in the hair and hurled it back down.

CLAP!!!

Unexpectedly, Jaune caught the blade in his hands and tried to wrestle it out of Adam. The bull-faunus kept his grip tight, refusing to yield. Blue met bronze as their eyes were locked together, filled with determination.

Jaune: AAAAAAAGH!!!! *disarms the Stranger* HAAAAAAAAH!!! *hits the Stranger's leg*

Adam: Hm.

Jaune: *grips sword, gasping*

—7th January 212 Second Age, Fateverse Remnant - Kingdom of Vale, Charlemagne—

Jaune stirred awake with a small, but nagging headache. He remembered vividly about Adam in his dream. Or was it a memory?

Jaune: *groans* I can't believe that was really Adam. Damn, he's brutal. *looks at the window* Welp, no time like the present. Other-Beacon, here I come.

Jaune looked in the mirror as he tried on his clothes. He wore a plain yellow shirt, black trousers, brown boots and hung his sword around his waist. He put on his grey chest plate and headed downstairs and out of the door. He was about to leave for Beacon, thanks to the map he found in his room, when he was tugged on the shoulder by Noir.

Jaune: Agh! *turns around* Huh? What are you doing here, Noir?

Noir: You don't seriously plan on going all the way to all the way to Beacon on an empty stomach, right? I just made toast and eggs.

Jaune: Oh? Well I appreciate the thought, but I can't. I really gotta-

Noir: *grabs Jaune's tunic* Come onnnnnn!!! Pleeeeeeease? *gives puppy eyes*

Jaune: Agh! Fine! You and your puppy eyes. *walks back to the house*

Jaune took a seat in the kitchen as Noir served thw breakfast. He quickly wolfed it down before heading back outside. Jaune thought back to the dream he had last night and remembered an image of a white mare with a blonde mane. He walked to the back of the house and found a stable of horses. In the center was the white mare. He slowly approached her and reached out his hand to gently touch her neck. The horse nodded in approval.

Jaune: So you're my horse? The one in my dreams? *reada name sign below* Andrea. Nice to meet you. Okay, now where's the saddle?

Jaune looked around the outside until he spotted a small, saddle rack near the stable. Picking out the one that was a light-brown, he slowly opened the gate and let Andrea come out. He placed the saddle onto her back and mounted on her. He wobbled a little before finding his grip.

Jaune: Woah... okay then. *gulps* I guess it's time to ride to Beacon. A horse ride should be smooth sailing compared to an airship, right?

[Malbec Town]

Throughout the ride, Jaune screamed so loud that his throat was burning. Andrea was much faster than he originally thought. He tried to grip on as tight as he could and closed his eyes.

Jaune: Woah! Woah there, Andrea!

Finally, Andrea stopped, but Jaune ended up falling off the saddle anyway. While he wasn't hurt, he did feel woozy.

Jaune: Uhhhh.... maybe having that breakfast was a bad idea.

He looked over at Andrea and noticed her eyes were sticky. She was quite thirsty.

Jaune: Don't worry, girl. I'll go fetch some water for you.

Jaune wandered through the streets and searched through the market stalls for a pouch of water. The further the more sad he became. He was expected the town to be filled with crowds of people clamouring adound, the air willed with chattering and laughter. However, Malbec was almost bare and the market stalls didn't have much to offer either. At the the very end, he managed to find a stall that was selling water pouches. He dashed over as quick as he could.

Jaune: *gasps* C-Can I get a-a pouch of water please?

Vendor: Certainly, young man. *hands pouch* That'll cost you 5 lien.

Jaune: Okay, so my money pouch is here. *takes pouch and gives 5 bronze coins* Here you go.

Vendor: Thank you, young man. Now you best get going, I'm closing now.

Jaune: Hold on a minute, mister. What happened to Malbec? There's hardly anyone here and most of the markets have low stock.

Vendor: *sighs* It's the same with the shops as well, son. The King's White Wyrms have been robbing us. Nearly all of our products go towards Vale City, where all the Lords and Ladies gather. Drinking, parties and tournaments. Meanwhile, we're left with nothing.

Jaune: Oh...

Vendor: Hey, don't you worry about me. I've been around long enough to see prosperity emerge from hardship. Things will get better soon. *small smile*

Jaune: ...you sure?

Vendor: Positive. Now run along, lad.

Jaune thanked the vendor and headed back to Andrea, feeding her the water. After a short rest, Jaune climbed back on the saddle and rode towards Beacon Academy.

[Beacon Academy - City of Arcadia]

Andrea trotted near the entrance and Jaune dismounted.

Jaune: Good girl, Andrea. *pats her head*

His jaw almost dropped as he saw Beacon. Jaune couldn't believe his eyes. It was a magnificent grey castle, smooth as marble. The windows were all stained glass, with a variety of pictures from knights to bards and archers. Jaune took a few steps to the entrance gate and inside the courtyard. At the center was a knight mounted on top of a lion. Was this really Beacon?

Jaune: Wow... oh my go- gah!

Jaune yelped as someone hugged him from behind. He glanced back and saw a golden-blonde wave of hair. His face went red he could feel soft breasts pushed up against him.

Jaune: Y-Yang??

Yang: *laughs* Hey Jaune! *hugs tighter* Great to see you again!

Jaune: Y-Yeah. *blushes*

Jaune couldn't help but admire Yang's new look. She wore a red headband, black fingerless gloves with golden-yellow bracers, a firey-orange yukata and black-kyahan.

Jaune: *blinks*

Yang: Jaune? Hey Jaune! *snaps fingers*

Jaune: Huh! Oh, *ahem* sorry, I zoned out there for a second.

Yang: *giggles* I'll say. So, how was your Christmas?

Jaune: Uh... it was pretty good. W-What about yours?

Yang: *smiles* Amazing! Check this out.

From her bracers appeared two short blades, making Jaune jump back in surprise.

Jaune: Woah! That is seriously cool!

Yang: I know! Mom managed to get these bad boys hand-crafted herself from a blacksmith in Xion.

Jaune: Well if you know the name of the blacksmith, can you send my sword over there? I think it's overdue for an upgrade.

Yang: You got it, Vomit Boy.

Jaune: *groans* Not this again.

Yang: Sorry, but that nickname's never going away anytime soon. *squeezes Jaune's cheek* Anyway, I gotta run. My team is inside. See ya. *runs off and waves*

Jaune shook his head in amusement. No matter what world he was in, the name 'Vomit Boy' would always haunt him.

Nora: JAUNE!!!!!!!!

Jaune was knocked over by the full force of Nora's bear hug. His face was turning blue as she squeezed tighter.

Jaune: Nora.... I can't breathe!!!

Nora: Oop! Sorry Jaune! *lets go* I got so caught up in the moment. Oh, the rest of the team is here too.

Jaune looked up and saw Pyrrha and Ren as well. Like himself, they also had new looks to them. Nora had a pink-coloured leather chestplate, white-furred skirt with matching boots and red bracers. Pyrrha wore a gold-coloured leather vest, red-armoured fingerless gloves, light-red pteruges and brown boots. Ren wore a green tunic, with black-coloured pauldrons, magenta fingerless gloves, white trousers and black shoes. Jaune stood up and gave them all a big hug.

Jaune: It's so good to see you guys, again!

Pyrrha: You too! I hope the journey wasn't too rough, Jaune.

Jaune: Well, kind of. It's a long story. I ended up meeting Ruby again. We saved a village near my hometown. All the villagers managed to get out of there okay.

Pyrrha: That's wonderful news, Jaune. I found out that my counterpart's pretty well known in this world as well. *nervous laughter* Argus City have even erected a statue.

Jaune: Some things never change. *chuckles*

Nora: Man, this is so cool!!!! *bounces* Look at us in our fancy outfits, slaying monsters! It's like we're in a video game! *squee*

Ren: *stifles laughter* Aside from the aesthetic change to Old Remnant, it's not much different from back home.

Nora: You always have to be a killjoy. *pouts*

Ren: *shakes head* Let's go inside. We don't want to keep everyone waiting.

[Beacon Grand Hall]

Team JNPR were amazed at the Grand Hall. Hanging from the walls were green banners of Vale's Coat of Arms; an two battle axes surrounded by a wreath. The stained glass windows were more beautiful fhan the ones outside and more elaborate, each one depicting a different event in history. The tables were pushed near the end to allow everyone to stand to attention. Jaune looked around at all the Beacon Students. Next to his Team were the new Team RWBY. He already met up with Ruby and Yang again, but took notice of Weiss and Blake's new looks. Blake was wearing a dark purple hood and mask, black shirt, trousers and boots and a purple corset. Weiss had her hair down and wore an elegant, dark blue battle dress, with white pauldrons and long, brown boots. He could see Blake take a small glance at him before nervously looking away.

Jaune: Huh. That was weird.

Sitting at the podium were the staff at Beacon; Bartholomew Oobleck (History), Peter Port (Grimm Studies), Ann Gable (Weapons Maintenance), Thumbelina Peach (Dust Studies), the new teacher, Adam Taurus (Combat Training) and Glynda Goodwitch (Assistant Headmistress). Standing at the center was Ozpin, staff in hand. He smiled and cleared his throat to speak.

Ozpin: Welcome back, my students. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas break. A new year has begun and so has a new semester, you will receive your new timetables with your new classes after this assembly has concluded. For the second year students, you will be undergoing a new kind of mission in 3 weeks: two teams will be required to work together by splitting off into 4 pairs. These will be assigned to you on the day of the missions.

Jaune looked over at Team RWBY and smiled. He hoped that he would be paired up with Ruby for the future mission. Working with her in Vin Village was remarkable. She might not be his Ruby, but she was still Ruby all the same.

Ozpin: Finally, this bit of news doesn't just concern you but all the regions of North Sanus; in the Forests of Forever Fall, I have placed a sacred treasure inside. On the first day of Spring, all students, teachers and other citizens shall gather to forest to find this treasure. I ask that you do not take this lightly, for the very future of Vale shall depend on it. Thank you.

Ren: Well... that sounded ominous.

Pyrrha: What kind of treasure would determine the future of an entire Kingdom?

Nora: I bet it's the Grail! This makes our mission all the more easy to complete.

Jaune said nothing. He thought back to the conversation he had with Ozpin about a so-called plan. Could this treasure have something to do with it?

Jaune: *whispers* Ozpin, what are you up to?

[valemya]

🍄🧸 for the asks! :)

thanks for the asks!

🍄 mushroom: tell me about your dr family!

Certainly! In terms of biological family... I went the route 99% of shifters go- they're just not around. Being a jedi and all it would be difficult for them to be present in my life anyway, so to make it easier I just don't really know them because I haven't seen them since before I was taken to the order.

There is one exception though and it's a bit of a weird one tied to my other (star wars rebels) DR, which I have had for a looong time. Basically in that DR Ezra Bridger is my (non-biological) brother, yknow grew up together, lived together the whole deal. I faced a great deal of emotional torment when I decided to create my tcw DR, because I felt like I would be "cheating" on rebels by focusing on another DR. A friend of mine helped me realise it was alright to put that DR on the backburner for a little while, and besides I could just script Ezra in my tcw DR with me? So then came the epiphany I literally could just bring Ezra with me to my new DR, and that was genuinely really comforting and made me feel a lot better about my decision to make the tcw DR.

Anyway boring backstory aside, there is one exception and it's Ezra. The only difference is that in my tcw DR he's my second cousin (and my padawan!!) cause I thought it would be reeeally funny if I was just randomly assigned a padawan that coincidentally had the same last name as me, thinking there was no relation, until one day obi wan goes digging in the jedi archives or something and finds out oh shit! you guys are cousins fr!

Someone: *reading off a report* General Bridger and.... Commander... Bridger? Is that like your son or something?

Ezra and I, at the same time: we are NOT related!!!

Obi wan: ...😶

So that covers the biological side... but I know you're really here for the found family bit. I'd say that I consider just about everyone family, especially all the clones, but I'll rattle off a few really significant people quickly.

My old master Depa is for sure the mother figure in my life. And yes she's still keeping me in check even after I've long passed my trials and officially gotten out of her hair in the eyes of the Order. By extension, Caleb (Kanan) is someone I'd consider like a half-brother and don't worry, I make sure he and Ezra get to hang out a lot.

Obviously growing up with Anakin I'd consider him family too, and that means Obi Wan on some level as well. To me Obi Wan is kind of like a wine aunt. Will not be elaborating further. Ahsoka feels like a niece.

Despite legally becoming my brother-in-laws at some point, I do consider a lot of the clones to be either very close friends or some kind of familial figure I can't really place. Naturally some are closer to me than others such as Rex and the 501st or the Bad Batch, but I think I bond with them all pretty well.

Tech of course holds the most special place in my heart as my future husband.

...I think that covers it...

🧸 teddy: do you have a favourite childhood memory from your dr?

This one actually had me stumped for a while. I honestly, genuinely have not thought about my life before the war too much, certainly not as a child really. If I had a favourite memory of anything from my childhood it would be a toss up between:

When I was a brand new admission to the Order and didn't really know anyone or even my place in it all, I would spend most of my time in the temple library/archives. The lovely librarian Jocasta Nu was super kind to me, and I continued to spend time in there over the years and even kind of wanted to work within that area because of her kindness. Turned out not to be as I got assigned to the war instead, but the memory is still pleasant.

OR

The early days when I was chosen as Depa's padawan. Getting to know her and what she stands for and learning from her and meditating together is just such a nice bonding activity. She's super supportive and a very grounded teacher, and I think my eyes would have been sparkling watching her do all these cool things and then receiving her guidance on these same things until I was able to master them myself. Just so cool. I think she's a great jedi and a great teacher too.

And there you have it! my essay responses to your asks! hope you've enjoyed and thanks again for the submission!

[invisiblegarters]

GMMTV 2025 Line Up Trailer Rating / Reaction Part I

Or at least the ones I see on the main channel because frankly, I am dedicated enough to really go looking. 🤷

Dare You to Death - Oooh a bunch of rich kids being stupid. We love to see it (and i mean that). Oooh I kind of like that Dunk is the one playing the hardass here. I also really like that it seem a little grittier for JoongDunk than I'm used to. Love this new era for them. Watching.

Head 2 Head - ah it's the Only Boo dudes. I really should get on finishing that one. It was a bit too sweetie sweet for me at the time. I think I like their dynamic a little more here. I see that they're covering the Bad Buddy and the 2Gether tropes. The future thing is newish. On the fence.

Burnout Syndrome - THIS THUMBNAIL what. Gun as an escort? Off hiring him to impersonate him? So this was the Nuchy show then huh? I guess we should have known. LETTING GUN KISS SOMEONE ELSE???? WHAT. I mean I'd be in just for that, I won't lie. My problem is that I...don't really like OffGun. I don't know why they just don't hit for me like they do for everyone else. And the two things I was actually really into with them (Not Me and The Trainee) were way less focused on the relationship than other things. But I do love Nuchy...damn. Tentatively watching.

I Love "A Lot of" You - Nanon's return. LOL oh my gosh is he going to try to make this woman fall in love with him as five different people? pffft. I can't. What even. And you know I like Nanon well enough but also not watching.

Whale Store - ah yes, the sweet MilkLove GL we all knew was coming. Not complaining. Ooh and a bitter exes that still love each other side couple. Is Piploy gonna get a taste of being the one pining? Interesting. Look. I'm gonna be honest. I love these two I was gonna watch regardless. So of course, I'm watching.

Only Friends: Dream On - I can't believe I got my OF wish. There are people who can attest to the fact that I said I'd only ever watch a s2 of OF if they made it a new cast (or an ep of Our Skyy where they switched up who played who - like Book playing Boston, Neo playing Ray, etc). I genuinely assumed that when (I did think it was when) we got an OF s2 we'd just get the same cast with a tired cheating plot (my money was on Ray cheating this time) but I'm so happy to be wrong. Ohm and Earth playing brothers is actually great. And here we are with another bitter exes that are still hung up on each other story lol. That seems to be the theme of this show. Genuinely surprised that both OhmLeng and JossGawin are paired up again, that would have been on zero bingo cards (maybe OhmLeng but never JossGawin tbh). The Boston cameo had me cackling. Of course he's present when the chaos really starts chaosing. My little gremlin. Watching.

That Summer - the WinnySatang vehicle huh? They did win me over in We Are. Satang as a prince??? DYING why is that so funny. I mean if anyone can do the spoiled rotten but also sweet - MOND??? HIIIII okay I'm in. And ah, Neo and Mint. People predicted this and they were right. I wonder if he's forever banned from BL now. I mean if he doesn't want to that's fine, too. This is giving Overboard vibes. Except in this case the amnesiac might not be one at all. And thankfully I'm not attached enough to any of the actors to get annoyed when Jojo inevitably plays favorites. Probably watching.

Romance Scammer - Oh hey it's the other Ohm. He's so pretty but also I find him very wooden. I do hope that this partner of his helps. And I have liked the other two since Midnight Museum so. And of course a wild Title appears. We'll see. Depends on what else is on tbh. On the fence.

Melody of Secrets - ForceBook. JAN. BOUN. Okay I liked this anyway because I dig the vibe but that sealed it. Yes I am that easy. Shut up. Watching.

Love you Teacher - I love both Perth and Santa but this does not appear to be for me. Not watching.

Continued in part II because tumblr has a character limit and I don't know how to shut up.

[superm4ks]

I wanna hear all of ur thoughts on 3344!!! Please tell us everything!!!! my only addition is that that copse crash changed the trajectory of their lives immediately like they could be fighting for p15 and would be all up in each others business. there is a special kind of distrust and contempt and anger for the other that no one else recives bc they reserve it all for each other and this is why they’re best f1 rivalry of all time 😋 sorry alain

omfg yes lets go a lil crazy🌷🌷🌷🌷

My 4433/441 thoughts are always all over the place like I truly havent been able to pin them down since l started watching f1 because these 2 are both like super weird in very different ways and they have zero bridges u can cross between them except for this unreal fucking level of on sight hating that makes a rivalry soooo good u feel it in ur tummy

When I tell u in Austria the moment I heard Lewis impeded Max I knew the baddie was gonna unleash the wrath of an old testament god upon this incredibly inconsequential fl0p vehicle number 44 like. Sorry to the haters and losers but its very funny to ME 😭😭 Inspector Hamilton didnt even make much noise about this which is even funnier because either he knows he'll catch a stray for impeding first or he just cannot handle Max and his Raytheon hamilton sensors anymore like he's tired and his own tp is telling him to shut up like leave him alone. ((I doubt its the last we'll hear of it tho))

And yes 2021 like u said prolly changed the trajectory of their lives forever not just copse but like monza, brazil, Jeddah. Whats so fascinating about Max and Lewis is that for such enormously talented drivers they simply cannot let each other race normal. They leave each other more space and will still fumble because they want to pass so bad. As u put it, its distrust, but its also just racing. Its the purest form of racing there is lmfao these are both karting prodigies and they still revert back to that when they race each other. I said this once they're like 2 maddies from euphoria in 1 show. But this whole dynamic of uneasiness between them started way before 2021 tbh.

Even when Max was a teenager wid a cap and a dream and the rawest dawg inside that literally bit people and Lewis was settling back into the record books wid a glass of wine and an established, tamed dawg, he still made a point not to rate Max ever. Max was taboo. Didnt even call him by name sometimes like to his face literally called him 'guy' which is such an Hamilton ass old school way of acknowledging an Opp like look at this

F1 drivers are so insane. Anyway I think Max still feels some type of way about all that. A job will have u 19 years old getting bullied by a 33 year old that refuses to say ur name. Max pissed everybody off those days. He just wanted to do the lil debrief and the old heads truly did not give a fuck they were so mean to him. Lewis went thru a divorce too so this was all wrong person wrong place wrong time wrong car wrong team wrong wrong wrong. All wrong.

They were doomed from the start like they were set on a collision course since Max was born that was as inevitable as he is. And the noise around them has always been too loud. But they do try which I find very charming and kind of sad. Like one thing about Max and Lewis they're gonna have a lil giggle together about something dumb and that hasn’t changed

((I am convinced whatvr lewis showed him on his phone here was like deeply illegal))

((this presser is soooo like at some point Lewis leans over and whispers that theres a lot of girls there for the weekend and Max is like umm and Lewis is like oh u have a girlfriend right ew 🙄))

🫠🌷this was so cute pls

They share sm history together in the one thing that matters the most to both of them which is racing. Like the way Abu Dhabi happened bro, all that led to it, the amount of new eyeballs on the sport just thru sheer force of narrative and hubris. They built that together. Nobody else cud have done it. Like they share thirty five 1-2s in F1. 35 times one of them was first and the other was second. I think 3 more times on the podium and they break a record for most podiums shared oat. Thats not unimportant it’s not meaningless especially not to these 2 in particular. They’re special. They’re both so special and mercurial and they save the worst parts of themselves. the best part of themselves. to each other . Everybody else takes scraps. The spray aligns

Yeah. Like yk. the spray aligns

[paradoxcase]

A Sermon on Cavaliers and Necromancers

Is this like, an unsubtle reference to how this is biased from an in-universe perspective? Haha. Looks like maybe a Second House name?

Ok, so, in glossary it said there wasn't any biological difference between necromancers and non-necromancers, except for there being new uses for vestigial organs. So is this just a phrase? Or is having a thanergenic nervous system not considered a biological difference? Based on thanergy and thalergy being defined w/r/t cell generation and death, that seems pretty biological to me

This essay is describing necromancers and cavaliers as kind of yin and yang thing, which is kind of cool, in that it reminds me of how I shipped gamkar back in the day, and also kind of concerning, also in that it reminds me of how I used to ship gamkar back in the day. Obviously I approve, either way, never let it be said that I'm not a sucker for this kind of codependency

Actually, now that I think about it, Karkat was also Space Jesus, wasn't he?

Oh no you guys, the idea for the worst possible crossover fanfic has just occurred to me. I'm not going to write it, but the idea is still doing me psychic damage

Went back to the Dramatis Personae, and yes, Marta Dyas was a lieutenant (although it says "ranked first lieutenant", so I don't know how lowly that is. I know jack shit about military ranks)

Interesting that this uses female pronouns. Like, I got that no one here is bothered about the gender of their heir or cavalier at all, but I don't think this is a matriarchy since otherwise the Eighth House would probably be genetically engineering themselves exclusively female heirs, probably. I wonder what the in-universe view of gender roles actually is; this essay doesn't seem to be particularly helpful for figuring that out. Not buying that everything is completely 100% egalitarian

Also, "bullet-fueled barbarism of other planets", so guns do still exist, and are still used commonly enough that this author is referring to them, they're just looked down upon. But this doesn't fit with the way that Gideon describes the gun they find in the Second Lyctor laboratory

So that really is the whole vow, and there's nothing more to it. That's interesting, because that means that all the yin and yang stuff that this essay went on about is not actually present anywhere in the vow. It's just culturally understood, or possibly culturally constructed over time; maybe the original Lyctors created this idea of necromancer-cavalier pairs in order to facilitate the creation of future Lyctors and all the regular people, who didn't know what that relationship was really for, built up this whole romance about what it meant to them

That's a no from me, dog

You know, the whole time I was reading this book, it never occurred to me that "end" might be being used to mean "goal" and not to mean "ending". I guess that's a little less dark, or at least it has the potential to be interpreted in a less dark way

The commentary on "one flesh" on the other hand, seems to be a lot of doublespeak to me

I guess Mayonnaise Uncle was never appraised of this

Not sure if this means "not sexual" or "neither romantic nor sexual", but it is cool that this society has a traditional ideal of a relationship involving deep love that is supposed to be neither sexual nor familial

Interesting that it's not the polygamy part of this arrangement that the author thinks is weird and transgressive

Obligatory exception for Magnus and Abigail

But it seems like in all cases this is an arranged relationship, and not generally one in which the participants have a choice, right? Possibly excepting the Fifth spouses who graduate to cavalierhood, of course

Ok, but I'm not sure how either of these could work between Houses, since if necromancer A's cavalier goes off to marry necromancer B, they then join necromancer B's House, and how can they continue this codependent relationship their supposed to have with necromancer A if they're no longer in the same House anymore?

What I'm getting from this is that gay marriage is cool and normalized, except in the Sixth House, but that's only because they are populationally challenged, maybe perpetually. Notably this author doesn't think that's the case for the Ninth House, which kind of does point to the Ninth House maybe historically having a total population that was a bit larger than 600

Someone please help, I've sat here for like five minutes and I can't think how this sounds like instructions for a sex toy, maybe because I don't own any sex toys. Someone please explain the joke to me, you can be as explicit as you want, I've probably read worse

[eli-writes-sometimes]

Seven Snippets, Seven People

Thanks for the tag, @enchanted-lightning-aes!

This is going to be a longer one than usual, so snippets will be under the cut.

"Nice speech, green boy" I hear from behind me, and I whirl around to see Ashes, leading against a wall and looking ever so slightly shorter than before, their legs seeming subtly shorter than before, in an uncanny resemblance of their former self. I brush it off to a trick of the light, and sigh. "You again?" "Me again." I roll my eyes. "Well, I suppose I'm glad that you liked the speech." "Well, I'm not saying I liked it, but I'll be damned if you don't know how to wrap an audience around your finger." "Really?" "Yes. It's terrifying." "Oh." "But that's politics, isn't it?" "Oh, I- I suppose it is."

2.

"Why are people always surprised when I'm a reasonable person?" "I don't know, it's just hard for me to trust people for who they are, you know?" They look down, and sigh. "Yeah. I know what you mean." "So can you understand why I'm being like this?" "I guess. But can you at least try and be nicer?" "I suppose I can try" "Great. Now, enjoy being politically correct, I'm going to go try and get as much money as I can out of drunk people, because the more that they buy, the more I can get paid!" They sink in a mock bow, and disappear into the crowd.

3.

I hear the shout as soon as I open the door, and sigh. Jett is staring at me, with Alekto standing behind her, looking quite uncomfortable being left alone with her. "Someone has died, Jett" he mutters under his breath, and immediately winces. "What?" "Yeah. Alya Maxwell. She's dead, Jett" I say bluntly. "Oh. I- I see. Right." "I told you! Why didn't you believe me?" "It seems like something you'd make up to get off work. I wouldn't put that kind of sick joke past you." "But you'd believe Ashes?" He sounds so offended, and it takes almost everything in me not to laugh. "Yes. They're an honest person, with me at least, and I believe them." "Unbelievable." He smiles through his mock-offended voice, and I can't help but laugh. "Yeah, yeah, I show favouritism, what are you two going to do about it?" Jett says, smiling.

4.

"How's Luke?" I ask. We always make some kind of small talk between customers, and today it feels like it's my turn to start the conversation. "Oh, he's fine. He's really busy, you know, working at the council and all that, but we're managing to sneak some time in together where we can." "That's why you were late today, right?" "Yeah. Jett wanted my head, but I managed to calm her down enough. If I do it again though, you'll be saying goodbye to me for the rest of time" "Yeah, you said." I shiver, and he smirks. "Bet you can't wait for that though, eh?" "I'm... not going to answer that," I laugh, " But I bet Luke would be disappointed. "Nah, we all know that the Clarke bloodline dies with him, he was just keeping me around for the company." "Wouldn't he miss that?" "I'll leave him a cat in my will, that'll sort him out." "Of course"

5.

"So did you see it in the end?" I ask. "Yeah, I made it just in time to see Cassius' speech." "The one about his sister?" "Yeah. It's a bit suspicious, isn't it? Why would he and his father go to such lengths to insist it wasn't them?" Hunter looks around, like she was just waiting for Tobias to jump out and send the Peacekeepers to arrest her. "They want security. Tobias is panicking, he thinks that people aren't going to vote for him next summer." Alekto says, butting in. He always keeps us updated with the council news. "Why would he think that? As far as Blackburn's concerned, he's the most qualified guy for the job, right?" Hunter asks. "Qualifications don't cure paranoia. Even if he is qualified, he still thinks that some charmer who wants to take over his town could do it in a heartbeat.” Alekto says. "Could one?" I say, curious. "Of course not! He's shown his competence, there's no one that could replace him. Except Cassius obviously, but there's no way that he's got the guts to take power" "Of course."

6.

"Why do we even care about this? It doesn't matter to us. The councilmembers don't care if we live or die." Hunter says, sighing. "Well, one of them does" Alekto mutters under his breath, looking down. "No one give a fuck about your boyfriend, Alekto" I say. "Damn, don't be mean" "You know who Hunter was talking about. The High councilmembers" "Right. So Tobias Alexanderson?" "Of course. He doesn't care about us. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't even care about his own son" Hunter says. "That's a surprisingly low bar." I say.

7.

“Don’t start. I came from nothing, turned up nearly dead in the town square, and do you know how many people took pity on me? One! Just Alya! And do you want to place a bet on how many people would come and help you if you were in my shoes that day?” “I don’t-” “The. Whole. Town! The whole fucking town would come to your rescue, waiting on you hand and fucking foot until they made sure that precious little Cassius was all better, instead of leaving him to starve on the street until one single person comes along by chance and takes pity on him!” “It’s not my fault who my father is!” “But it is your fault that you chose to play into the idea of him being some kind of paragon of virtue and not even questioning for a second that you might not be the only person in the world?” “I never thought that!”

Tagging - @lyssentome @oh-no-another-idea @dogmomwrites @charlesjosephwrites @saltysupercomputer @dontjudgemeimawriter @druidx and anyone else who wants to do this!

[misc-obeyme]

Nightbringer: Initial Thoughts

I have a lot of thoughts about Nightbringer, but I don't want to have one massive crazy post, so I'm gonna break it up a bit.

This first post is about the general gameplay, nothing story related. So there aren't any spoilers, just my thoughts on the app and updates.

Ruri☆Tunes

I LOVE IT. Listen, Ruri is adorable. I am right there with Levi. Like if this was a real anime, I would absolutely watch it. She's so cute! Did you guys see the background for Lesson 7 where there's a Ruri themed Miss Em doll? The cuteness nearly killed me.

The rhythm game itself is HARD. At first I didn't realize that you need to tap the actual objects. So by switching the controls to up and down, then turning my phone, and tapping the actual objects as they hit the line, I got WAY BETTER. I reblogged a post about this I think yesterday? It explains it better and thanks to that, the levels are now pretty fun.

I love the songs, of course, though some of the remixes are a little funky. But I loooove all the graphics! The lil donuts! And the lil demon chibis! And Luke's chihuahua! Oh yes and my favorite thing ever is Asmo's little "hai!" when he jumps over one of those green puddles. It's so cute.

Overall, I much prefer this to the dance battles. That being said, the levels are not really any easier than the OG. I was hoping we wouldn’t need to have a bunch of crazy high leveled cards to get through the story, buuuut it’s really looking like that might still be the way of it. I mean to be fair, the whole point of this is to make money so...

I don’t really hold it against them. I mean I do but I also don’t lol. The story is good enough that I can look past the money making motives. However I will say that this is just the case for me personally. I am lucky enough to have a little bit of disposable income to spend on apps, but I know a lot of players don’t.

Moving on before this becomes a rant about the evils of capitalism…

Wanderers Whereabouts

It sure is… something… Aside from the horrors of 3D models, I don't understand why they're playing sports in MC's room. Would it have been that much of an issue to give us an outdoor space as well as an indoor one? At least let them play sports in a field or something, you know?

My favorite ones so far have been when there's multiple demons in there, though. The way they interact with each other is so cute. And even though I find the whole thing a tiny bit weird, I DO like hearing their voices and seeing their interactions. Plus they do some really cute things when you give them an MC plushie.

But I think we all agree that the best part is watching Levi chase Mammon around on the map.

Fab Snap

This is supposed to be like TikTok, right? Once again I'm not a fan of the 3D models, which is probably due to the whole uncanny valley thing. However, I do still enjoy the shenanigans because what the fuck are those guys even doing? I'm sure you've all seen the musical chairs situation. I did like the one with Luke doing the snack test thing and you can hear Simeon who is recording the video. It's definitely cute to see them doing fun little things like that.

Everything else...

... seems to be the same except for some updated graphics and such. The story interface still has the 2D sprites thankfully and as far as I can tell, it works exactly the same as the OG. I've seen some people saying they're worried about the options changing the story, but they don't anymore than they did before. I think that's just their way of saying you get intimacy points with different characters depending on the options you choose. As far as I can tell, nothing seems to be any different on that end?

I love that they have entirely new special guest and home screen dialogue. The special guest dialogue especially seems more lovey and flirty than the OG. Solomon straight up says he loves you if you get the full heart reaction. You can still get annoyed reactions, though. From what I can tell, the reactions are the same as the OG app. If you get an S, it's the same as if you got three stars in the dance battle. I'm not sure about if you get lower than a B... but the three star reactions seemed to work for S, A, and B.

Also, I looooooove Karasu. I hope we get more Karasu beyond the tutorial, but I don't know if that's actually going to happen. I'm sure many of us will now refer to Mammon as Noodle Boy, though, because c'mon, that's excellent.

Okay there’s more I could talk about, but this post is already long lol. I like the mix of familiar stuff and new stuff. So far, I’m enjoying all of this. Stay tuned for posts about the story itself because there are so many thoughts.

I am also happy to receive any asks about your opinions on all of these things or if you have actual questions or anything else, of course.