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CN Schedule for November 14th, 2003, showcasing when the final RJ episodes aired
Just like the second to last episode from the week prior, these episodes did not re-run on Sunday; being replaced instead with a season 1 re-run
#whtrj#robot jones#whatever happened to robot jones#summer camp#rules of dating#season 2#cartoon network fridays#cartoon network#cn schedule#old cn schedule#cartoon network schedule#old cartoon network schedule#cnas fandom#cnas#fandom wiki
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R1999blr is missing out on a lot of things going on in the CN story, including expanded Oliver Fog lore on his parents. And boy is it a lot.
Meet Arthur Fog, Oliver's father. Honestly the first time I heard his name I went to a lot of conclusions on what the name Arthur might be significant for - a character’s name can mean a lot, and if Oliver's is a reference to Oliver Twist, what do we have with the NPCs. My first thought was King Arthur, especially given Oliver's relationship with A Knight. King Arthur is a British folktale character, especially originating from Welsh mythology (see my previous analysis on Oliver as to his Welsh background) and is said to be the defender of Britain in her most horrible times, befitting of a Fogwalker and Arthur’s role in the 2.3 story (not spoilering much but let’s just say he has a role to play in London).
However, I think there's another person Arthur was named after, and this is something I only noticed when transcribing the story since the English dub is always made before the English translation, and the playthrough I watched had English voices. There's a bit where Arthur makes a deduction, and Brimley responds…
221B Bakers Street is known for being the residence of fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. The writer of Sherlock Holmes was, you may have guessed, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. So I’m guessing Arthur has some inspiration from Conan Doyle.
It is unclear when 2.3 takes place. Maybe it will be more clearer to me when it drops in global, I’m not sure. The way tuberculosis is referred to makes this even more difficult to figure out. I’m guessing this was before Oliver was born as there is no worry about WW2 - in that case somewhen before the year 1937 (we know Oliver was born in 1937 because his era takes place in 1953 and he would turn 16 years old that year). It also takes place after WW1 - Brimley references “the Great War”.
Arthur himself is a very fascinating character with his quirks. He, like all Fogwalkers, champions cleaning out air pollution, although it seems that Arthur is the one who has had the most success - again, no spoilers for the story. Arthur himself is the apparent man in charge of the London Atmospheric Clean-Up Committee.
Arthur, much established by Oliver’s note that he only remembers him for his terrible jokes, does have a strange sense of humour. He has a tendency for calling things by long names much to the disdain for others - e.g. the London Emergency Relief Centre for Special Tuberculosis Patients. He appears to be quite calm and collected, but gets excited and eager when he realises something, or in one case doesn’t get enough sleep.
Arthur is also incredibly inventive and a MacGyver type of person, making a machine to combat fog using rope, a car horn, a watering can, a fish bowl and a chamber pot. Brimley notes that due to the way he acts when excited, some people might consider him insane.
Arthur’s a man who sticks to schedules. He tells Tooth Fairy that he plans to spend the three weeks before the Uluru Games to clean up the London fog, devoting each week to a different thing. Finally, he manages to accomplish this task.
Brimley’s voicelines give Oliver’s mother’s name as Margaret Fog. I’m going to be honest, I’m not sure of any Margarets she could be a reference to given the time period. She only appears in mentions.
My understanding of Margaret Fog is that she was the one more involved in Oliver’s life. While Arthur was working, Margaret was the one who would be involved in Oliver’s upbringing and all the things he liked such as football.
Overall though it’s really nice of R1999 to introduce us to Arthur and Brimley, as well as Margaret’s actual name. It really does make me wonder if we’ll meet her someday.
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[CN] Victor’s Cold Winter Date (Eng Translation)
⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 凛冬之约, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡
[Translation under the cut]
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
【Subbed Video】
[anika’s notes]: I do very very very highly recommend to watch the video for full immersion + absolute god-level voice acting + the gorgeous music pieces!!! ༼;´༎ຶ ༎ຶ���
youtube
—
【Prologue】
I behold My homeland disappear in the daylight, and emerge in the night. I behold The everlasting power engrain within the vast blood of my people. I behold A snow-white rose bloom in the winter, And I behold as it withers in the winter – each petal sailing across the ocean, To a kingdom no one can reach.
—
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
—
【Chapter 1】
As the night gradually deepens, the heavy curtains in front of the window are drawn by the attendants, veiling the silvery, meandering moonlight.
I take a deep breath and push open the doors to the royal bedchamber engraved with a luxurious imperial coat of arms.
Inside the bedchamber, my newly wedded husband, King Victor, is fast asleep.
Not long ago, at the behest of my father, Duke William, I was betrothed to Victor.
Regrettably, before the ceremony could be held, my parents died of ailing health.
However, the wedding was not delayed due to the unexpected tragedy, and the ceremony proceeded as scheduled, with the Church as witness.
After all, to those people, what mattered the most was not the protagonists of the wedding, but the wedding ceremony itself.
–– That’s right, it’s not just me; even the king, Victor, is not held with significance in their eyes.
After all, it’s known to everyone in the capital that the royal family’s influence is eroding with each passing year. And since Victor succeeded to the throne, he remains in a coma all year round and is merely a puppet in the hands of the Church and nothing more.
The elusive fragrance of beeswax pervades the air in the room. I step on the soft woolen carpet and draw closer to the bedside. [1]
Lately, the capital has been shrouded in a haze of doubts and suspicion regarding the disappearance cases, and it was not the appropriate time for grandeur. Therefore, after the hasty wedding, I was ushered into the imperial palace.
And tonight marks the third night I’m spending alongside His Majesty, the King, who’s been in a state of perennial coma.
Victor is still in a deep slumber.
The light from a few candles illuminates one side of his profound features, while the lingering shadows dance across his face as if with fondness.
Throughout the generations, the kings have always been in robust health. But during Victor’s reign, his health has been continuously plagued with illness.
It seems even the gods cannot bear to be too cruel to him. His illness has only brought a touch of frailty but has not marred his looks.
I inhale softly and sit on the edge of the bed, propping my chin up as I gaze at Victor in his slumber.
MC: ...why are you still sleeping?
I’ve already started to grow accustomed to this— the bedchamber echoing only my own whispered monologues.
MC: I thought the Church was so wary of you because you had some secrets that were unknown to the outsiders.
MC: Now it seems your biggest secret is that you were born this good-looking.
I crack a joke to myself, which also lightens my mood considerably.
MC: When I think about it this way, being married to you is far better than being forced by the Church to marry one of those evil, rotten old men.
In addition, within the palace, at least, there are no hypocritical relatives and those ever-watchful eyes—
I have enough space to contemplate my plan for revenge.
MC: Revenge... revenge... MC: But how can I go about taking revenge on the Church...
Clutching a corner of Victor’s blanket, I cover my face with it in anguish.
The Church conspired to murder my parents.
Because my father was a leader of the reformist faction, they extended their malicious hands targeting my family.
And this marriage, which was arranged by my parents, is now being wielded as a means to threaten my life.
As I ponder on this, the resentment in my heart swells. I heave a sigh, deciding to change my mood and say something interesting.
I sporadically recount some happy and entertaining anecdotes from the past, treating Victor as a well-behaved “sleeping beauty doll.”
MC: ...in autumn, you know, there wasn’t much to do. Winter, in comparison, was way more fun. MC: When I was young, what I loved doing the most was building little snowmen in the courtyard of the duke’s mansion after it snowed. Look, I could make them this big—
Of course, Victor can’t see any of this, and there’s no hope for a response either. After mustering the spirit to prattle on for a while, all I am left with is endless emptiness.
I tug at the corners of my lips, forcing a smile, and as if driven by some strange impulse, I reach out and poke Victor’s face, wishing to get him to have the same expression as me.
MC: Sigh, it’s no fun. I won’t say anything more. ??(Victor): Why won’t you say anything more?
An icy voice suddenly sounds in my ears, carrying with it the raspiness of just being awakened.
I turn my head and nearly let out a scream.
MC: Y-Your Majesty... when did you...! [2]
I’m not sure when, but Victor has regained consciousness at some point. Leaning on a soft pillow, he rubs his temple with one hand.
Victor: I’m conscious, not revived back to life.
MC: ... I’ll sincerely obey Your Majesty’s command!
In a low voice, I respectfully offer him a curtsy. Victor seems to find my behavior amusing, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Victor: The term of address was “you” even just a moment ago. A certain someone changed her tune rather quickly. [3] MC: I’m not “a certain someone,” I am... Victor: I know, Duke William’s only daughter. MC: [surprised] Eh...?
Victor: At the age of seven, you received a scolding for building a snowman with the servants. When you were nine, you had a quarrel with a parrot and suffered a crushing defeat––
MC: Wait a minute, you... you heard all of that?
Victor: You’re too noisy. It’d be hard not to hear, [breaks into a coughing fit] cough, cough...
His words are cut off by a cough. I hastily pour a cup of water and offer it to him under his scrutinizing gaze, keeping silent.
I can’t help but break into a cold sweat.
Could it be that... all the past events I casually mentioned, all those self-deprecating remarks, and even... did he really listen to everything?
But, two days ago, when I plucked up the courage to poke his face, he didn’t react at all... So, when did he actually become conscious?
A vague, looming sense of oppression involuntarily makes me shrink my neck, and I tentatively open my mouth.
MC: ...you know about everything regarding me?
He tilts his jaw slightly upwards, studying my features. His eyes are submerged in the shadows cast by the candlelight, reminiscent of a predator in the dark night.
A good while passes before he eventually accepts the cup, speaking in a tone that is neither amiable nor impassive.
Victor: I do.
I nod and, after a rapid mental calculation, make up my mind. I take a step forward, wearing a small smile on my face as I speak.
MC: Including the fact that I was sent as a spy by the Church?
Victor: [seemingly chokes on water] …
Victor: Are you aware of what you’re saying?
MC: Yes, I’m aware.
I wish to work together with the king to bring down the Church.
And when working with a person like Victor, being transparent and honest is the first principle.
I crouch down at the edge of the bed, looking up at Victor from below.
MC: Your Majesty, I don’t want to hide anything from you.
MC: Prior to our nuptials, my parents were brutally attacked by the Church due to their advocacy for the reformation of the Church.
MC: The Church, to exploit my worth, spared my life and assigned me to spy on you.
Victor arches an eyebrow, clearly still assessing the credibility of my words.
Victor: Continue.
I press my lips together and lower my head, trying to convey my utmost sincerity.
MC: ... I’m unsure of to what extent you know about me, but I’ve never once considered surrendering to the enemies who murdered my parents.
MC: Now, in terms of both sentiment and reason, we are a family, and I cannot betray my husband.
MC: So... Your Majesty, will you take me under your wings?
I blink my eyes at him with a pitiful look, not knowing whether Victor would buy into it.
Victor: …
As if in need of a moment to compose himself, Victor seems to momentarily avert his eyes before he turns them back to me again.
Victor: Family... you seem to have accepted your new identity quite readily.
MC: Besides you, what else do I have to rely on?
MC: On the contrary, even after hearing my confession, if you’re unwilling to help me, I don’t have anything to lose.
I flutter my eyes at Victor.
MC: Your Majesty, I’ve already got nothing left to lose.
Victor holds a straight gaze on me. In his eyes, while there is finally a hint of recognition, it’s more as if he is peering into the past through me.
Victor: ...I will help you.
His well-defined hand sweeps my loose hair strands back for me. But before I can breathe a sigh of relief, the next second, my chin is cupped and pivoted to face him.
Victor: The prerequisite is that you can offer sufficient value to me.
His grip is surprisingly strong for someone who has just regained consciousness. As our eyes interlock, his penetrating gaze intently scrutinizes my innermost thoughts.
Victor: In your eyes, your husband, whom you’d never met before, is nothing more than a puppet who remains in coma year-round, isn’t that right?
Victor unfolds his hand to me, revealing a gem as vividly red as the human heart in his pallid palm, and then he encloses his hand—
In the blink of an eye, the signs of illness are shed off his face, and a rosy hue colors his cheeks, and he seems to be bathed in a divine light.
MC: This is... do you know witchcraft?!
Victor places the gem back in its case, then casts a brief look in my direction, apparently turning a deaf ear to what I’ve said.
Victor: This doesn’t concern you.
He slowly curls his lips, and his pupils, akin to the deep sea in the darkness, are as profound and enigmatic.
Victor: There’s a set of clothing on the bedside table. If you want to prove that you’re not just a noble canary—
Victor: Tomorrow morning, change into it and accompany me out of the palace.
──────────
[Notes]:
[1] Beeswax is often considered a symbol of “eternal love” in Eastern cultures.
[2+3] During her monologues in the 1st quarter of the date, MC was addressing Victor by “你” (informal ver. of ‘you’) pronoun. But the moment he butts in, i.e., gains consciousness, MC immediately switches to “您” (courteous/ respectful ver. of ‘you’) and the respectful address “Your Majesty,” which he teases her about here, haha.
Point to be noted: MC doesn’t switch back to the informal terms of addresses until the 3rd chapter of the date, when they’re already in love and inseparable for the time being. ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ
—
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
—
【Chapter 2】
While I’m still struggling with myself, Victor has already closed his eyes again.
Victor: You can sleep anywhere you want; just don’t make any noise.
MC: ...Yes, Your Majesty!
The idea of having this mysterious and aloof king sleeping next to my pillow feels more chilling to me than freezing in the cold itself.
I don’t hesitate at all. I swiftly grab a pillow from the bed and get prepared to spend the night on the sofa.
But it turns out I actually overestimated my ability to withstand the cold. Before the clock hands have even moved a few notches, I quietly tiptoe back to the bed, hugging the pillow.
MC: [to herself] It’s just that the weather is too cold. I just want to feel a bit nice and warm—
With a huff, I murmur in a soft voice and gently lift the coverlet to slip inside.
Once I’ve got my body settled comfortably, I cautiously look towards the person on the pillow next to me.
Victor isn’t awakened by my movements. Even in the darkness of the night, his skin is luminously white, his features handsome— he is reminiscent of a sculpture crafted from snow.
Considering this person’s track record of feigning sleep, I simply watch him quietly without making any more rash moves.
As I continue watching like this, my mind inexplicably begins to wander.
Although just moments ago, I kept addressing him as “my husband” repeatedly, when I look at Victor’s cold and handsome demeanor, I always find it difficult to connect him with that identity.
In my impression, the image of a husband and wife is like that of my parents. So, in the future, will Victor and I also be joined at the hip and inseparable like that?
Thinking about that reserved and unsmiling face, I can’t help but get chills.
In his eyes, I seem to be nothing more than a “useful person.” But what value can I provide for him?
The more I ponder, the more my head throbs, and it’s not until the horizon starts to turn slightly pale that I eventually drift into sleep.
──────────
With the break of dawn, I promptly get out of bed and change my attire. Victor has woken up as well.
Seemingly noticing the dark circles under my eyes, he arches an eyebrow, lifts his hand, and tosses a cloak over to me.
Victor: It seems like while your courage is not at all small, your confidence sure is lacking.
MC: I just don’t wish to unnecessarily show off in front of you.
I fasten the cloak tightly and purposely straighten my neck.
MC: Your Majesty, please lead the way.
We exit the palace through a small gate, cross through the commoner’s district, and Victor leads me straight into a small house.
──────────
Going from the small house into the cellar, and after navigating through a labyrinth of winding pathways, the cramped field of view suddenly opens up to a wide panorama.
Everyone: Your Majesties.
I never anticipated that the entire hall would actually be filled with guards, all standing in a perfectly ordered formation.
— To pull together an assembly of so many armed personnel, Victor must have spent a substantial amount of time, hasn’t he?
I’m hardly able to restrain my inner shock as I think back to the frequent news in recent years of nobles associated with the close-knit sects being removed from power or inexplicably meeting tragic ends. Now, it seems...
Every single person, myself included, severely underestimated this “dying” king standing before me.
At this moment, Victor picks something up from the long table, and it’s only now do I notice that there are all kinds of torture equipment laid out on the table.
The appearance of these torture instruments is menacing, and at their tips, dried blood remnants are still visible.
Practically, the moment I get a good look at them, the reeking of blood and rust assaults my nostrils. I subconsciously cover my nose and mouth, tightly gripping the cuff of my sleeve.
Subordinate: Reporting to Your Majesty, these are the “refining” equipment we found at the scene.
Subordinate: But those people are as cautious as rats at dusk; we’ve only found these pieces of material evidence so far. The remains of the blood sacrifice are still being sought.
Victor nods calmly, and once the arrangements are made, the guards depart in an orderly manner through various secret passageways.
Victor and I are the only ones remaining in the large hall. I make a conscious effort to restrain myself from looking at those torture instruments, regulating the rhythm of my breathing.
MC: Your Majesty, did you bring me here to witness something so horrifying to disclose some kind of truth to me?
Victor: Face has turned pale, but still got some courage.
A smile tinged with what appears to be praise appears on his face, as he takes out from his bosom the gem that resembles a human heart from last night.
The crimson light radiating from the gem spreads across his cheeks, eerie yet bewitching.
Victor: The purpose of all these blood sacrifices is to provide energy for this “Blood King Crystal.”
My eyes widen in incredulity as I stare at the pulsating vivid red in his hand, sensing a faint inkling of what it might signify.
MC: When you hold this Blood King Crystal, your complexion appear rosier, and you don’t cough as much...
MC: Could it be that the Church officials want to extract energy from commoners to enhance their physical strength?
Victor: Not the Church; it’s the Royal Family.
Victor doesn’t shy away from nodding his head. He stares fixedly at the red gem that provides him with strength, but in his eyes, there is only icy coldness.
Victor: The vitality and longevity of successive kings across the dynasties were all due to their possession of the “Blood King Crystals” that were assembled from the lives of countless ordinary people.
Victor: The Church refines it, and the Royal Family uses it, thus resulting in the Royal Family being controlled by the Church from then on.
Victor: And anyone who uncovers this secret will die.
My thoughts go back to my parents, as well as the reformist cabinet ministers— could it be that they all had...?
My heart immediately falls into a valley.
I close my eyes for a moment, then fix my gaze firmly on the unwavering king before me, a king who has endured extreme hardships and made sacrifices to stand where he is now. [4]
MC: Your Majesty, currently, there is a significant following of the Church among the populace. We must find the evidence of the blood sacrifices and bring it to light for everyone to see.
MC: I will carry on my parents’ legacy and work alongside you to find evidence of the Church’s blood sacrifices.
In those forever serene eyes of Victor’s, I see the glint of a smile.
Victor: [assuredly with obvious happiness] It appears you’ve perfectly inherited the chivalry and wisdom of Duke William.
MC: Well... it’s not entirely that. Whether in public or private matters, it’s only right that I stand by your side.
I wink at him, half-jokingly breaking the somewhat somber atmosphere.
MC: After all, I’m not only the daughter of Duke William. I am your wife and, more importantly, the queen of this country.
Victor: Is that right? It doesn’t seem to me that a certain someone possesses the temperament of a queen.
MC: Regarding that... I will work hard, so you can’t keep teasing me all the time.
Victor laughs in spite of himself and reaches out his hand, gesturing for me to take his arm.
Victor: [laughs helplessly] Very well. My Queen, we should return now.
──────────
After coming out of the subterranean passageway, we follow the same path back. We were in a hurry when we came here. It’s only now do I take notice of the surroundings.
In the nearby roadside, peddlers are selling fresh produce, while in the distant square, a group of less fortunate are circled around a fire, warming themselves and singing songs.
The streets in the commoner’s district are intersected, narrow, poverty-stricken yet bustling with life, in stark contrast to the overwhelming dead silence of the royal palace.
I hardly ever left the mansion, so I find myself unable to resist taking in the surroundings repeatedly.
Victor: Does the Duke’s daughter find these things interesting?
MC: ...no, no, I’m just looking around in passing, that’s all!
Victor’s hand offhandedly adjusts a corner of my cloak. He takes a long stride, veering from the route back to the palace and heading in a different direction.
Victor: That path is too narrow. Let’s stroll this way and get some fresh air.
We slowly stroll along, taking in the surroundings as we walk. Not far ahead, there is a dilapidated small tavern. Victor gestures for me to take a look.
Victor: I just suddenly recalled that you mentioned being curious when you were little and licking the snow with a fork.
Victor: During winter, the iron cups in the tavern also have an element of sweetness. You should try it some other time.
My scattered thoughts, fluttering around like wild and untamed grass, suddenly drop to the ground, and I can’t help but choke.
MC: ...Your Majesty, are you teasing me?
There is a slight curve at the tip of Victor’s brow as he gently curls the corners of his lips into a smile.
Victor: [laughs softly] Perhaps I am, or perhaps, it is a sincere recommendation.
MC: Could it be that you’ve drawn that conclusion after experiencing it firsthand?
Victor: You could say that.
Seeing him take the bait, a massive smile spreads across my face.
MC: So, speaking of, does that mean that you’ve also stuck your tongue to an iron cup in the past?
Victor seems to choke on his words for a moment. He shoots me a wordless look and walks forward, paying no mind to me.
MC: [teasingly continues] So, did that really happen? Did it happen or not...
We’ve almost circled the area surrounding the palace. Victor is tall and has long legs, but from the beginning, he has maintained a matching pace with me, making it so that I can always touch his shoulder by simply turning sideways.
The weather is very cold today; my hands and feet are freezing, yet I deeply breathe in the bitingly chilly but liberating air.
Even though I cannot purchase any dubious items to bring back to the palace, and even though I know the end of this path leads to the imperial palace that holds me captive—
But perhaps because I have someone walking alongside me, I feel surprisingly at ease.
In my sight, obscured by the chilling breeze, I see Victor squatting down and petting a skinny kitten at the corner of the alley.
The cat stretches its body and lays down lazily under Victor’s hand, meowing. Victor smiles, and both of them then look at me together.
Victor: [extremely softly] The winters in the future won’t be as chilling anymore.
──────────
[Notes]:
[4] The idiom used here is “越王勾践,” which came to life from the true story of King Goujian. I’d encourage you guys to just even google and see the small wiki on him if you can. This idiom in and of itself is the essence of the date in terms of Victor’s perseverance, and how he imposes suffering on himself for the constant reminder of what it is he’s fighting for by refusing to use the “Blood King Crystal.”
—
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
—
【Chapter 3】
Victor soon announces the news of him regaining consciousness to the masses, sending waves of shock to everyone across the country.
Amidst the reigning turmoil among the Church and the nobles, he proposes visiting the prominent noble households.
In my capacity as the queen, I rightfully visit every noble residence with him, where we find numerous correspondences implicating the collusion between the nobles and the Church.
The nobles kept the letters for the purpose of blackmailing the Church, both sides engaging in mutual exploitation, but they never once considered that there could be one day when they’d have to face the consequences.
Using the letters as a starting point, a series of pivotal evidence regarding the Church’s blood sacrifice is unearthed through Victor’s thunderous methods.
I, on the other hand, use my identity as an orphan of the reformers to help him win over the newly elevated nobles. More and more people begin to rally to our side...
When a former subordinate of my father hands me a letter, as if in tacit agreement, both Victor and I simultaneously realize that the final piece of the puzzle has fallen into place.
It’s about time for the verdict to be pronounced.
──────────
Tomorrow, Victor will convene a National Convention to expose the crimes of the Church to the masses.
I can’t fall asleep, so I rise from the bed and pace around the bed chamber in my nightgown.
Victor: [laughs helplessly] If memory serves me right, the person set to address tomorrow is not the queen; it’s the king.
He is lying in bed with drowsy eyes. Turning towards me, he speaks in a low, raspy voice, infused with a teasing tone.
MC: ...I didn’t realize I’d wake you up despite the carpet being so thick. I guess I’ll just go outside and sleep elsewhere.
As I drape on my outer garment and am about to head outside the chamber, my wrist is suddenly gripped from behind, pulling me back onto the bed.
Victor: [in an overwhelmingly sensual tone] You’re the queen. Where do you plan on sleeping when you look like this?
Tangled up in my thoughts, I have tousled my hair, causing it to become disheveled. Victor sighs, who then picks up a comb and sits behind me.
Victor: [switches to an overwhelmingly tender tone] Dummy. What is there to be nervous about?
The moderate pressure on my hair pacifies my restless heart. I rub my ears, which have heated up, trying to shift the topic of conversation to conceal my shyness.
MC: In the past, when my father would go to visit the king, my mother would become anxious like this and often wouldn’t even be able to eat anything.
Victor: So, what would happen next? I’m afraid the duke probably wouldn’t let his duchess remain in a constant state of worry.
MC: Mm-hmm. Whenever this kind of situation arose, my father would always hold my mother’s hand...
As I speak, I immediately begin to regret it a little. It feels like I’m sending a rather awkward hint.
Without waiting for me to dwell on more embarrassing thoughts, Victor’s hand has already enveloped mine, and the warmth from his palm flows to my icy fingertips.
His temperature is reminiscent of dandelions in a garden, floating gently, landing on my face and neck.
We are the puppet king and queen, husband and wife in name only. Even though we reside together in the same bedchamber, we’ve never been this intimate.
I feel a sensation as if a feather quill is caressing my throat, making it impossible for me to conceal the true feelings harbored in my heart.
Reflexively, I tighten my grip on Victor’s hand and turn to face him.
MC: Victor, to be honest, even though I never mentioned it before, I used to think you were quite unfeeling.
Victor: There was no need to say it; it was written all over your face.
Victor: Also, not addressing me as “Your Majesty” anymore?
MC: In any case, you are not going to hold it against me now, will you?
MC: During this period of time that I’ve spent with you, running here and there together, I’ve come to realize in every passing moment that I hardly knew anything about you before.
MC: For instance, in the case of those Church henchmen, according to the old laws, their families should have been exterminated, but you chose to exercise your discretion and grant amnesty to those who were unaware.
MC: And regarding the commoners who have fallen victim to the blood sacrifice, you’ve been supporting their families with long-term financial aid.
MC: You always project an image of keeping people at a thousand-mile distance, but in reality, there is also a tender side to you.
A flicker of astonishment crosses Victor’s eyes, but he simply tightens his grip on my hand.
Victor: [with a very evident hesitation in his tone] It sounds like... getting to know me is something that brings you joy?
MC: Yes, it does. I wish to know you even better— the past you, the present you, and the future you.
I gaze deeply into his eyes.
MC: But you’re so encumbered by everything. I can only utilize the little time you set aside for me each day to learn about you amidst the calls of the people.
Victor: ...MC.
Victor’s eyes tighten, and a heartfelt and regretful emotion swirls within them.
MC: I don’t wish to rob you of your time because of my selfish desires.
MC: So, after the National Convention concludes, and when you’re no longer so busy...
I draw in a breath, low and slow. And like that, just like the first time I met him, I lay bare all my yearnings and affections before him.
MC: Reserve some time for me, will you? Not in your role as the king, but as my husband. Share your stories with me.
MC: Will you, Victor?
All my thoughts translate into clumsy words, pouring out like the way winter grass eagerly awaits spring rain, confessing everything I have in me.
Victor continues gazing at me like this, until that gaze of his becomes infused with almost sorrow and a reluctance to part.
Before I can decipher those cryptic code words, he has already cast his eyes downward, veiling the emotions within.
Is this a silent rejection? I exert myself to force a smile, intending to crack a joke to ease the situation, but then he speaks first.
Victor: [if a person’s voice alone could shatter one’s heart, I swear this would be it] There’s no need to wait till later. Let’s do it now.
In astonishment and jubilation, I look up, locking eyes with his sincere gaze.
On the night before the pivotal moment in destiny, I finally witness Victor’s wordless confession.
──────────
The following day, the National Convention proceeds as scheduled.
Attired in royal robes, Victor stands at the forefront. Below the platform, countless eyes, some treacherous and others devout, are all converged on him.
Victor: In my capacity as the king, I stand here only to declare one thing.
Victor: The mysterious disappearances in the capital over the years have all been caused by the Church.
The earth-shattering statement stirs up a commotion among the people, and the followers of the Church appear visibly unsettled.
Victor: The Church extracts energy for the “Blood King Crystal” through the massacre of civilians in blood sacrifice rituals.
Victor: As for the particulars, I will leave it to the Knight Commander to elucidate.
The attendants toss numerous sheets of paper into the crowd off the platform, each containing records of clear and unmistakable evidence.
In a matter of moments, the crowd transitions from initial silence to restlessness, ultimately erupting into an agitated uproar.
It turns out that the matter of the true culprit behind the disappearance cases has been an enduring emotional anchor for the people, completely overturning everyone’s cognition.
Some hurling curses, some wailing, and some even charging to express their scorn at the Church...
Amidst the chaos, only Victor’s voice, his calm and powerful words, continues forward with a steady resolve.
Crowd: Overthrow the Pope, give us back our people! Overthrow the Pope, give us back our people!
As the chants and shouts cease and amid the furious uproar of the crowd, the Pope, who is ringed, calmly casts a glance in Victor’s direction.
The Pope: Silence. Dear Compatriots.
The elderly Pope walks slowly to the center of the platform, an inscrutable and chilling smile playing on the layers of wrinkles on his face.
The Pope: His Majesty speaks the truth. The Church does indeed extract energy for the “Blood King Crystal,” and the blood sacrifice of civilians has truly occurred.
The Pope: However, all these casualties and deaths stemmed from the demands of the royal family!
The Pope: Throughout history, every king has relied on the “Blood King Crystal” to survive, and even our righteous and dignified king, His Majesty, is using it at this very moment!
The Pope: The very purpose of the “Blood King Crystal’s” existence is to secure the longevity of the king. Without a king, who will lead the country? How can the kingdom have a future?
The Pope raises the scepter high, directing it towards Victor.
The Pope: Your Majesty, the Church has been faithful and devoted to the Crown for all these years. As you pronounce judgment on the Church’s sins today, do you not feel a sense of guilt?
The wrath of the masses below the platform has no outlet after his manipulative and distorted speech, and their eyes shift to Victor.
Silent inquiries and judgments flood the eyes of the crowd, prepared to tear everything to shreds at any second.
The noble king, however, has maintained his impassive demeanor from the beginning. He lapses into a moment of silence, gazing into my eyes.
Amid the scrutiny of the spectators below, I lock my eyes with him, and in that gaze, I see the very same expression of unwillingness to part that I wasn’t able to discern last night.
But at this moment, I seem to understand its meaning.
Holding back the bitterness in my eyes, I take a step forward and speak in a loud voice.
MC: What the Pope said is true. The kings of the previous dynasties colluded with the Church for their personal gains, resulting in the slaughtering of civilians.
MC: However, the Blood King Crystal has never been a precious treasure, but rather a curse.
MC: As each king became more reliant on it, the health of the royal descendants suffered increasing repercussions, which led to an even deeper dependence on the Church.
MC: His Majesty has been working tirelessly to put an end to these nefarious activities, solely for the sake of the future of this country.
MC: As for the Blood King Crystal...
I close my eyes, my eloquent speech coming to an abrupt halt. This elicits puzzled murmurs from the crowd off the platform.
At this time, Victor walks to the forefront of the stage.
He retrieves the vivid red gem from his bosom, and the blinding luster falls on his chest, projecting an image as if blood were coursing through.
Victor: Behold, the Blood King Crystal.
Before anyone can comprehend, Victor swiftly exerts a slight force with his fingertips, and the Blood King Crystal instantly disintegrates into fine fragments in his hand.
Pope: You...!!
Countless crimson red powder, reminiscent of blood, streams out from between his fingers, and his complexion has already turned a shade of pallor.
The elixir of immortality, amassed from the sacrifice of countless human lives across generations of kings, the venomous sac upon which the Church depends for survival, has been completely eradicated before the eyes of everyone.
Victor: Those deserving of being brought to reckoning, not a single person will be spared.
Victor: That includes the Church, as well as the Royal family.
He unfurls the hand that holds the Blood King Crystal. His palm now only holds a thin layer of gemstone powder, and he allows it to be carried away by the northern breeze.
Victor: Henceforth, dust will return to the earth, and blood will be bestowed upon the people.
Victor: I shall personally redeem the filth that has accumulated for far too long.
—
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
—
【Chapter 4】
In the wake of the National Convention, Victor instigates a series of reform policies to root out corruption, setting off a massive surge across the country.
He works tirelessly day and night, paying no heed to my attempts to dissuade him. There is an urgency in him that I don’t want to understand, a rush that drives him to get everything in order.
Throughout this time, I’ve been seeking out renowned physicians from everywhere, but all I’ve received are negative answers filled with a mix of dread and despair.
Until one day, he slips back into a coma again, and even the duration of his coma seems to be stretching longer and longer as the days elapse.
And all I can do, or more accurately, want to do, is simply to remain by his side.
With his eyelashes hanging low, a gentle shadow falls upon that beautiful yet pallid face, and it seems even his breathing has become very light.
As I gaze at Victor’s side profile in deep slumber, I can no longer find the same relaxed and carefree state of mind I had when I first stepped into the royal bedchamber.
He is no longer someone who could have confined me, the husband I had never met before, but rather my beloved with whom I have been through thick and thin together.
My only wish is for him to open his eyes and look at me, share some dry jokes, and then walk with me through the streets and alleys again and observe how people are living nowadays...
Victor’s life began wither away the instant the Blood King Crystal was shattered. All he can do now is expend every ounce of the remaining warmth.
He knew the consequences better than anyone else, yet he still orchestrated his own ending with his own two hands.
I remain by the bedside, tightly holding onto his hand. I can’t tell whether I’m trying to comfort him or myself.
MC: [sobbing] Victor...
Tears well up and stream down my eyes. A hand reaches up to caress my cheek, gently wiping away those tears.
Victor: Why are you crying?
Victor has woken up at some point without my notice and is now frowning as he looks at me.
Quickly, I wipe away the tears in a haphazard manner, the corners of my eyes stinging from the abrasion of my forceful fingertips.
MC: I’m alright. Are you hungry? What would you like to eat?
Victor doesn’t answer. Instead, his gaze passes over my shoulder and settles on the view outside the window.
Victor: It’s snowing.
It’s only now do I take notice that the imperial palace courtyard has already been blanketed in snow, transforming into an expanse of pristine white.
Victor: Weren’t you most fond of building snowmen when you were a child? Why not give it a try now?
MC: But your health...
Victor: [in an even tender and heart-wrenchingly weaker tone] It’s just building a snowman.
I press my lips together. The truth is, I have long grown to despise winter, and I don’t like building snowmen anymore.
After the death of my parents, the attendants who had been my companions from childhood to adulthood were all substituted with the informants from the Church, and the duke’s mansion became eerily cold and desolate.
The winter season I once loved became increasingly colder as time went on, and I no longer had the desire to go out. Warmer seasons began to become more likable to me.
But none of these are worth mentioning to Victor. Because this winter— it is marked by the moment I met him.
I nod.
MC: Of course.
MC: In that case, I must show you the snowmen-building skills I’ve honed since childhood!
I force a smile and step outside with Victor after donning our outer garments. He tucks my hand into his cloak.
Victor: A certain someone was shivering in the cold during the last outing, and she still forgot to bring her gloves this time.
MC: I did it intentionally. Otherwise, how could I get Your Majesty to help warm my hands?
With this said, I slip my chin into my cloak, and the smile at the corner of my mouth instantly fades away.
Victor’s hand is much colder than mine. Taking a deep breath, I grip his hand even tighter, and together, we step into this pure white world.
──────────
The chilly breeze howls as Victor and I tread through the snow, neither of us uttering a word. [5]
Reminiscent of a wanderer losing its way, the mist hangs over the frigid ground and eventually dissipates into the pale grayish expanse above.
Victor suddenly loosens his hold on my hand.
Victor: Didn’t you want to showcase your skills to me? Why aren’t you going yet?
I cast a brief glance at the mounds of snow under the trees, nod in silence, and reluctantly let go of his hand despite my heart breaking. [6]
MC: Well, Your Majesty, please wait for just a short while.
I tighten Victor’s cloak for him, then dash to the snowdrifts and begin building a snowman.
My hands move at a blazing pace. There is only a single thought circling in my mind right now, and that is to swiftly end this time-wasting game and return to his side as fast as possible.
To add to my woes, the newly fallen snow proves challenging to shape, much like bleached wool. Despite my vigorous efforts to press the snow together time and again, the snowballs continue to fall apart, each and every time.
A mix of vexation and restlessness churns in my heart. I have nearly exhausted all the strength left in my body to mold the snowballs, and both my hands are now aching from the cold.
Victor: [with endless helplessness] Dummy, no one is competing with you for first place. There’s no need to be in such a rush.
Subconsciously, I pause in my movements, turn my head, and find him gazing at me with a serene expression.
The urgency and anxiety in my heart seem to find equilibrium, and my hands unconsciously settle into a steadier motion.
Regrettably, the snowman I end up crafting doesn’t even qualify to be described as “adorable.” Even so, Victor earnestly lowers his head, observing it with the bearing of a connoisseur appreciating a gem.
Victor: To create this shape without it falling apart is indeed a testament to skill.
His teasing remark elicits a chuckle from me. I pick up a twig and walk over to him.
MC: There’s still one last step, but it requires Your Majesty and me to complete it together.
Placing the twig in his hand, I then hold onto his hand, and together, we draw eyes and a mouth on the snowman’s face.
Victor chuckles softly, and conversely, he grasps my hand, guiding it to make strokes.
Victor: You’re holding so tightly; its eyes are all crooked now.
Looking at the snowman with its enlarged eyes due to our modifications, I’m just about to crack a few jokes when I notice a touch of weariness on Victor’s face.
MC: We’ve almost completed the snowman. Would you like to rest for a while?
Victor: I know a tavern. Come with me.
We’ve arrived at the alley where we met that kitten before. It has undergone a complete transformation, and the newly opened tavern is bustling with patrons.
It’s a snowy day, and the tavern is filled to capacity. I initially thought that there would be no seats available. However, the owner leads us straight into a room.
MC: Huh? Did you reserve the room with the owner in advance? But you weren’t...
Victor brushes away the snowflakes off my head, seeing through my puzzlement.
Victor: I arranged it in advance, yes.
Victor: Since I didn’t know when I would be awake, I told the owner beforehand that I would have this room reserved for as long as it snows.
The fire in the hearth produces a crackling sound. Victor’s facial features are enveloped in the cloud of heat, his eyes gentle.
Victor: I just thought that one day, I would take you out to see the snow.
We sit on the terrace, sipping the warm wine. Amidst the aroma of wine wafting in the air, he speaks in a soft tone.
Victor: I did stick my tongue to a cup in the past. It happened when I was five years old and had a taste of my father, the king’s red wine in secret. My mother, the queen, had gotten quite the shock.
MC: Eh? What are you talking about...
Victor: Dummy, aren’t you always clamoring about wanting to hear my stories?
He says it as if it were the most natural thing, as if this were merely an ordinary winter day, as if we were an ordinary married couple offhandedly conversing about our everyday life while enjoying a drink and keeping ourselves warm by the fire.
The north breeze makes my eyes sting, but I still force myself to smile as I look at him.
MC: So, it turns out that His Majesty was a dummy, too, when he was five years old. How about when you were six? What was it like?
Victor: When I was six...
In the back-and-forth questions and answers, more than twenty years of Victor’s life have become etched in my mind.
I dare not listen. I can’t help but feel as if once I’ve heard everything, he will leave me. And yet, I listen carefully to every single word.
I listen to the way he speaks each word— the way his teeth collide, the way his two lips meet, the way the nuances of his trailing notes alter between closing and releasing.
Victor: Next, it’s the day when I got married to a certain someone.
MC: ...there’s no need to tell the next part of the story. After all, the stories related to me have only begun.
Victor pauses, but doesn’t follow up my words with a playful remark.
MC: ...Victor?
Victor: What’s wrong?
I shake my head, and when I open my mouth again, the name that has been lingering on the edge of my lips and weighing on my heart spills out involuntarily.
MC: Victor.
Victor: Mm, I’m here.
He tacitly acquiesces to my almost naïvely foolish behavior, responding to my call of his name over and over again. It feels as though, if only I can keep confirming like this, the hole in my heart would be filled.
MC: ...Victor.
This time, he doesn’t speak. The silence forces me to stop.
MC: [sobbing] I just want to know... what can I do to make you stay... [7]
Victor sighs softly and beckons to me.
I lean over and nestle in his frigid arms.
As if he can no longer support the weight of his long, ink-black eyelashes, he casts his gaze downward. His nearly translucent skin appears as if it’s about to blend with the sunlight.
Victor reaches out and touches my cheek, his finger pads caressing the contours of my face with utmost gentleness, as if sketching my features.
His fingertips carry with them the chill of death, making me shiver involuntarily.
Slowly and stiffly, I weave my words together, but the sentences that come out of my mouth are still shakily out of tune.
MC: [teary-eyed x1] Victor, do you find it a little chilly? Maybe your cloak is too thin?
MC: [x2] The fire is obviously burning so strongly, and the mead is also very warm... [8]
MC: [x3] Look, there’s a kitten on the eaves over there. Isn’t it the one we met that day?
MC: [x4] It looks so lively today. Seems like its frame of mind is as cheerful as ours.
When I utter the last sentence, I hear his gentle sigh.
At the same time, the laughter of playful children chasing each other, the chatter of young people, and the sighs of emotions of the elderly can be heard amidst the wind and snow.
Victor: Hear that, the sounds outside.
The sunlight seeps through the terrace, haloing and enveloping the surroundings with a layer of warm and bright haze.
Bathed in that glow, my body’s consciousness returns little by little. I tightly clutch his hand, no longer shaking.
MC: [x5] I can hear it. It’s almost New Year, and the streets are bustling and serene.
Victor: The snowfall this year is promising. So, the harvest will be abundant next year.
MC: [x6] Yes, people will become more affluent and happier.
Victor: You will be a part of it all, too, and that’s really good.
I bury myself in his chest, silently listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat, one beat after another.
The heartbeat in my ears, following its rapid pace, begins to grow increasingly feeble. A realization dawns on me, and I force myself to lift my head and look at him.
He is akin to a wan rose, wilting before my desperate eyes that seek to make him stay, withering within my outstretched arms as I reach out to hold on.
From limbs to blood, to the light in his eyes— bit by bit, the luster fades.
My king entrusts the future of this country to me, and then he steps out of time, heading toward eternal peace.
I gently incline my body, kissing his peacefully closed eyes.
MC: ...good night.
This time, I don’t receive any response from him, but the snowstorm suddenly ceases.
The curtain of the evening has already descended, and the vermillion sun sinks below the horizon. The final ray of the splendid afterglow thaws the ice and snow of the land.
MC: Victor, I will take you to witness the tomorrow of this kingdom.
──────────
[Notes]:
[5] The exact phrase here actually was “冷风呜呜作响,” which literally means “the chilly breeze is producing a mournful sound”-- the “呜呜” used here is the onomatopoetic word for “sobbing/ wailing.” wanted to include this note as an example to gush about the brilliant atmospheric descriptions LZY writers use, e.g., the picture painted here echoes that even the nature is mourning at this slow, rather unfair, transition, mirroring the heroine’s and LZY’s pain of parting. ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ
[6] The expression used here is “依依不舍,” one of my favorite phrases and hated ones to translate LOL. You’d usually see this phrase being translated as “reluctant/unwilling,” but it doesn’t even come close to expressing the depth of its meaning. The phrase means “reluctance to part with sb you love/ being broken-hearted at having to leave,” with an underlying tone of “wanting to be with that person regardless,” -- and I tried to retain the OG meaning without being too wordy haha~
[7] Not sure how much of the sentiment I could make it come across in the translation—the term (留住) MC uses here literally means “ask sb to stay/ keep sb for the night/ ask them to wait.” the beauty of it lies in the fact that it expresses such a multitude of emotions— desperately wanting to keep sb in your life despite knowing it’s not up to either of you so you want to know if they can wait for you even though you know it’s not possible~ ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ
[8] Mead (蜂蜜酒), also known as honey wine, is a type of alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey mixed with water and other fruits. You can google it to know about it in detail if you want LOL.
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#you guys probably already know how I’ve been screaming about this date since release haha.#it actually sits very high in my most favorite date list hahaha. and naturally as much as i wish to go on a screaming parade#- i just don't have the time right now. I'll get back to it later and do a thread on twitter B/C I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO TALK ABOUT~#MESSIAH ARCHETYPE AT ITS FINEST. GOD FALLING IN LOVE WITH HUMAN TROPE AT ITS FINEST. YOUR NAME IS A SPELL TROPE AT ITS BEST#this date is everything EVERYTHING literally EVERYTHING— JUST UHHH#mlqc victor#mlqc li zeyan#mlqc#mr love victor#mr love queen's choice#恋与制作人#李泽言#love and producer#mlqc cn#mlqc spoilers#mlqc translations
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[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Rumors & Secrets – Season 2: Threshold (阈值)
⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️
This post contains a detailed spoiler for an R&S that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~
Lucien followed the doctor's pointing finger to a line on the report— a small amount of abnormal PTEN gene sequence in the cells.
“Although the abnormal PTEN is only a small amount, irreversible cancer development may occur if your deterioration continues."
"The speed of deterioration is closely related to the frequency of Evol use, so it is recommended to reduce the usage of Evol as much as possible in the future.”
Lucien nodded occasionally, his heart not experiencing significant fluctuations. This day had been expected, and it had arrived as scheduled.
[T/N] It’s advised to read S2 chapter 45 first because this R&S sets between S2 chapter 45 and chapter 51 timeline-wise. I usually translated the main story first but translating this first makes more sense chronologically AND will provide extra pain for S2 chapter 51~
ALSO, after reading the R&S please head up to S2 Chapter 51, the pain is more complete with the main story~
[Chapter 1]
“Professor Lucien, the latest clinical trial report results are out, and they are still not very promising.”
This not-so-good news didn't come as a surprise to Lucien. He nodded and said, “Ah He, you've worked hard these past few days. Take a good rest over the weekend, and next week, we'll come back to discuss improvement strategies.”
“But we've already improved almost every aspect,” Ah He swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue and glanced at Lucien's composed profile. “In addition, two new deteriorating patients have signed the drug trial observation agreement. Here are the records.”
Lucien took the file and opened it, quickly scanning the text inside.
“The first patient is forty-two years old, an Evolver with superhuman vision. Diagnosed with glaucoma seven years ago, their vision started deteriorating significantly six months ago. After genetic screening, it was confirmed that the condition was caused by deterioration.”
As he turned to the next page, Lucien's gaze froze.
....The second patient is a Water-type Evolver, but the symptoms of deterioration are widespread malignant lymphoma.
“Based on previous cases, the direction of Evolver deterioration should be closely related to their own Evol attribute,” Ah He showed a puzzled expression, “and this patient's symptoms were an exception, with a more unstable rate of deterioration than ordinary patients. Perhaps this could be a discovery in the study of deterioration illness.”
Lucien glanced at the photos of the young man again. Although his impression wasn't deep, he quickly found this person in his memory – he had appeared in one of BS's Evol modification experiments many years ago.
“The individual cases don't have high reference value. We need to expand the sample group and continue to watch for similar cases of deterioration.”
“Understood, Professor.”
Back in his office, Lucien spread out the two reports in front of him. The deterioration index line graph in the first report steadily increased over time like most of the patient data he had seen. However, the line graph in the second report suddenly spiked at a certain point in time after a long period of stability.
Lucien unlocked his computer screen, and a medical report appeared on the screen. The diagnosis result, highlighted in red and bolded was glaring and prominent – “Gene Deterioration Detected.”
The deterioration level line graph in the report progressed steadily, almost identical to the first half of the line graph of the second patient on the desktop.
As the report page slowly scrolled upward, a profile picture gradually appeared in the upper right corner.
He glanced indifferently at his own face in the photo, closed the document, and leaned back in his office chair, closing his eyes to rest.
The heart within his chest cavity beat steadily, just like every other day, strong and composed. No changes appeared to have occurred, yet hidden beneath the surface, there seemed to be an undercurrent that was difficult to detect, waiting for an opportunity to stir things up.
His brief reverie was interrupted by the ringing of his phone.
“Hello, Mr. Lucien. Your latest lab test report is ready. Please come to the laboratory during business hours to collect it.”
[If you remember- In S2 chapter chapter 31-1 Lucien mentioned that his situation regarding blood disease is unique. From this R&S I guess what he means by unique situation is that his deterioration wasn't REALLY bad until he started to overuse evol, mainly for the sake of protecting MC. This evol overuse will get worse in S2 chapter 51 :D]
-
[Chapter 2]
“Have you experienced any discomfort in your body recently? Have you used Evol?”
“Everything has been normal. I've used Evol a few times, but not excessively,” Lucien quickly counted the number of times he had used Evol in his mind over the past month.
It was around seven or eight times, within a manageable range.
The doctor pushed the report in front of Lucien with a serious expression. “Your deterioration had been well-controlled previously, but this time, there are changes in various indicators. Platelet count has decreased, and there might be a slight impact on your clotting function. Additionally—”
Lucien followed the doctor's pointing finger to a line on the report— a small amount of abnormal PTEN gene sequence in the cells.*
“Although the abnormal PTEN is only a small amount, irreversible cancer development may occur if your deterioration continues. The speed of deterioration is closely related to the frequency of Evol use, so it is recommended to reduce the usage of Evol as much as possible in the future.”
Lucien nodded occasionally, his heart not experiencing significant fluctuations. This day had been expected, and it had arrived as scheduled.
(T/N: PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene that plays a critical role in regulating cell growth and preventing the formation of tumors. And since his platelet count is decreasing, it'll be HARD to stop his bleeding)
The hospital wasn't far from the bioresearch institute, and he reached his office right on time for work. As usual, he opened his computer and pulled up the latest clinical reports on anti-deterioration medications that he had just received in his email.
Among the patients participating in the clinical trials, 42% showed some level of deterioration control after taking the medication, with 8% experiencing particularly positive results. However, for nearly 58% of the remaining patients,...
The research on the medication had been ongoing for nearly a year, yet it still couldn't achieve the expected efficacy. Lucien carefully examined the data on the screen, tapping his fingertips lightly on the desk.
Incomplete Evol genes could lead to abnormalities in the human body, but why would the highly praised “evolutionary” Evol genes lead to such destructive deterioration?
Could it be that Evol eliminates those who cannot withstand its power? Or is the deterioration of Evolvers, to some extent, a part of the world's evolutionary process?
Some vague thoughts raced through his mind, and Lucien allowed them to linger, making a mental note as he continued to focus on the report in front of him.
As the sunlight gradually intensified, shifting towards the other side of the skyline, Lucien took a deep breath, preparing to take a short break.
Just as he closed his eyes, his ears picked up three quick knocks on the door. The third knock was slightly heavier, a habit unique to Pete.
“Come in.”
The door swung open, and Pete briskly walked up to the desk, handing over a stack of research reports.
“Professor, there have been new developments in the experiment data regarding the neuronal position for maintaining neuron function. Detailed results and data are all written in the report. We can start the next phase of experiments tomorrow.”
Lucien quickly glanced at the data and results on the report, and he smiled.
“The results are even better and faster than I had imagined. After work, you can take everyone out to celebrate. Consider it a team-building event, and the institute will reimburse it.”
“You should join us too; the rapid progress of the experiment owes much to the insights you've given us. Everyone wants to thank you.”
Lucien paused for a moment, then continued nonchalantly, “Make a reservation for one more seat, and thank you for your hard work.”
“Sure thing! I'll go inform the others right away.”
After Pete left the office, Lucien shifted his gaze to the dormant screen. He saw his own blurry silhouette, and the lingering smile on his lips confirmed his fleeting good mood.
Maybe... He agreed a bit too quickly just now.
Lucien shook his mouse, and a dense data set appeared on the screen again. It was an observation report from NW on unusual energy fluctuations within Loveland City, as well as the strange phenomena they had generated. This report piqued his interest, and according to the original plan, he should have worked late to finish this research tonight.
However, occasionally participating in such activities could be beneficial for teamwork. Lucien hesitated for only three seconds before saving the document and shutting down the computer.
-
[Chapter 3]
“Swoosh-”
The clear water rinsed away the remnants of liquid in the test tube, and a momentary daydream washed over his relaxed mind. The scene from this morning when he left home reappeared before his eyes.
As Lucien opened his door, the opposite door also swung open, and a girl rushed out with a box of milk in hand. Her hair was slightly disheveled, clearly a result of rushing and not having time to tidy up for work.
He smiled faintly, but strangely, she seemed completely unaware of his presence and focused on her phone, anxiously waiting for the elevator.
In the next moment, the girl's figure seemed to “disappear,” but the elevator remained on the top floor, not descending.
He was briefly taken aback but quickly realized that this was likely the phenomenon caused by the energy fluctuations he had recently seen in the NW observation report on Loveland City. The unknown energy disturbance in the vicinity had created a “rift” in spacetime, and the girl was merely a projected illusion.
The sound of glass clinking brought Lucien back to reality, and he noticed that the test tube in his hand had bumped into the beaker.
“Professor, are you feeling a bit tired? Maybe I should take care of this for you,”
Lucien smiled in response to Pete's concern and began placing the lab equipment into the washing machine. “No need, nothing is pressing right now. I'll consider organizing equipment as a form of rest.”
Although the work on hand was never-ending, under her supervision, he had already learned to carve out some breathing space for himself.
During moments of complete relaxation, unexpected thoughts often diverged in his mind, which brought him happiness. However, lately, whenever he tried to clear his mind, the girl's image and voice would involuntarily “visit” him.
Seeing the slight, involuntary upward curve of his lips, Pete gave him a knowing look and half-jokingly asked, “Professor, are you going on a date later?”
“She's been quite busy lately.” Lucien subtly concealed the thoughts he had inadvertently revealed just now and continued, “Pete, have you chosen a topic for your thesis?”
“It's almost ready. This time, I plan to research 'Using Evol Energy to Stimulate Brain Cells for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment.' I'll put together a formal document for you to review.”
“I remember you were interested in brain memory restoration and extraction before, and you had many intriguing ideas. Are you not planning to explore that area this time?”
“Afterward, I reconsidered. There's more literature available on Alzheimer's disease, and the current market demand is higher. It seems like a more prudent choice.”
Lucien's gaze shifted slightly, not missing the hint of regret that flashed in Pete's eyes.
“I actually think that if it's a topic that interests you, you should give it a try,” Lucien blurted out his most direct thought, receiving a surprised look from Pete.
“What everyone else is doing may be the safer choice, but it's not necessarily the best choice.”
“Uncharted territory doesn't always equate to a dead end; it's just that, in many cases, people tend to instinctively seek the safer path.”
“But in research, the most valuable quality is the persistence to explore and seek knowledge.”
On the way back home, Lucien continued to contemplate the events of the afternoon.
In the realm of scientific research, aiming for safety was not necessarily a mistake; it often led to higher success rates. So, when he made that suggestion, it wasn't solely from an objective standpoint but also a personal desire that the researchers he had mentored could challenge more difficult domains.
Suddenly, a faintly familiar sweet fragrance wafted to his nostrils. He followed the scent and turned to see her favorite cream puff shop.
“Maybe I should buy one and give it a try.”
A few minutes later, Lucien sat on a park bench holding a freshly baked cream puff. He wasn't particularly fond of cream puffs, but the idea that had occurred to him a moment ago had struck without warning. Before he could contemplate the reason behind this thought, his body had already acted on it.
The cream puff, still warm inside its paper bag, emitted a subtle fragrance. He took a gentle bite, the crispy outer shell giving way to the creamy filling, creating a delicate taste on his tongue.
This cream puff wasn't overly sweet and the sweetness that could be detected was minimal.
This subtle sweetness triggered dopamine, and an inexplicable sensation gradually spread from his chest to his limbs. It seemed like his brain had received this pleasurable signal, making him feel considerably more relaxed.
So, this was what she meant by the happiness brought by sweets.
He slowly savored each bite of the cream puff.
Lucien knew that an irreversible change had occurred within himself.
[This behavior of trying new things and impulsively doing something feels like 'my time in this world won't be too long anyway' :""]
-
[Chapter 4]
Inside the research lab, the mechanical hum of instruments droned on rhythmically, and the stark white lights cast a cold silver gleam on the metal plaques with “NW” written on them.
“Blood pressure stable, sinus rhythm normal, no adverse reactions.”
“According to the drug's suggestions, he will act according to our instructions after leaving this lab.”
Lucien glanced through the glass at the person lying on the observation room bed.
“Conduct thorough post-experiment observations, don't overlook any minor irregularities.”
“Alright. Also, Professor Lucien, your ETL-147* drug trial application has been approved, and you need to sign the liability waiver.” The lab technician handed the paperwork to Lucien, looking somewhat hesitant.
“Are you sure you want to personally participate in the drug trial? Although we've conducted preliminary human trials, we haven't done large-scale clinical trials yet, and there are certain risks involved.”
Lucien quickly signed his name. “Trying it myself is the only way to discover areas that may need improvement.”
[I was right about Lucien experimenting on himself with that drug :"D. Anyway, ETL-147 is the same drug from S2 chapter 45]
“Once you've decided, you'll need to receive the injection within the confines of NW with someone present, as per the regulations.”
“Then let's do it now.”
Declining the researcher's offer to assist, Lucien skillfully rolled up his sleeve and disinfected the area. As he watched the liquid in the syringe decrease, he blinked slightly, concealing some contemplation.
“You can go ahead, I'll observe here for half an hour. If there are any issues, I'll reach out to you.”
He watched the researcher leave and then lowered his gaze to his arm, which had a tourniquet in place. Testing the drug on himself wasn't solely for drug research. He could increasingly feel that something was changing within him, hiding and flowing in the gaps of his nerves, elusive and slipping out of his control.
That's why he needed insurance.
He didn't wait for half an hour and left the observation room. The solemn and cold corridor echoed only with the light sound of his footsteps. Each corner had a circular surveillance device with a flashing red indicator light, watching his unhurried steps. He paid little attention to them as he arrived at Archive Room 8.
“Authentication personnel, Lucien. Authorization Level: Three.”
With a beep of an electronic tone, the door to the archive opened for him.
Rows of gray filing cabinets stood in order. He walked deeper into the room, stopping at the second-to-last row. From one of the shelves, he pulled out a file box.
“Blood Disorders and Deterioration Case Files.”
He opened the lid and browsed through the materials inside. During his involvement in the research of anti-blood disorder drugs at NW, Lucien had seen most of these files. As he turned a page, his slender fingers paused.
“Code **, deterioration level reached as high as 95%, reversed deterioration after ** experiment, and after a period of observation, full recovery of human functions, deterioration level reduced to 7%. Detailed information requires special-level clearance to access.”
Looking at the encrypted data, Lucien's lips curved upward without a hint of a smile. He returned the file box to its original place.
It seemed there were quite a few deals he could make here.
-
[Chapter 5]
“To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower. Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour. A truth that’s told with bad intent, beats all the lies you can invent...”
(T/N: From the poem Auguries of Innocence written by William Blake. For Blake there's such thing as white lies. Because 'A truth that's told with bad intent' is worse than any lie, because some lies can be well-intentioned)
Under the camphor tree swayed by the autumn breeze, he softly recited verses from the book. Sensing the girl in his arms gradually breathing deeper, he closed the book and gently brushed a strand of hair from the corner of her eye.
In the warm breeze, Lucien slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the familiar cold white ceiling of his office, feeling a slight sense of déjà vu.
This was the fourth time in these seven days that he had dreamt of her.
Since the deterioration, he had hardly experienced any physical discomfort. However, the frequency of thinking about her had increased significantly. He didn't resist this feeling; in fact, every time he thought of her unintentionally, the neurons in his brain transmitted a sense of pleasure to every cell.
He ran his fingers over his knuckles; the wounds from his struggle with GR had scabbed over, but she still applied bandages to them cautiously. Lucien pressed his temple to clear his mind a bit, then returned to his desk, opened a document, and entered the latest date.
“Dreamt of her in a dream, vivid memory of dream content, but ruled out as a recollection.”
After recording this, he opened his email.
This was the latest data on energy fluctuations within Loveland City. On the vast map of Loveland City, there were numerous unusual energy fluctuations. After comparing the fluctuation charts for each period, he noticed the locations where fluctuations were concentrated at different times.
Approximately 36 days ago at around 18:39, Central Park. He and the girl had gone to the night market in the park after work, and they had dinner at a street food stall.
Approximately 27 days ago at around 12:25, the Life Sciences Institute. She came to bring him lunch and, in passing, asked him about the topic for the next program.
15 days ago at 23:48, his apartment. To celebrate the upcoming weekend, they stayed up late watching a movie and didn't return home until very late. She stood at his doorstep and bid him goodnight.
Nine days ago...
The light from the screen reflected a coldness in his pupils as he stared at the map with red markers blinking in different locations.
The center of the fluctuations, once again, was that source of power that had captivated countless people—CORE.
The more beautifully the flower bloomed, the more it attracted annoying flies.
A sudden sense of irritation welled up within him.
What would it take to keep those ill-intentioned insects away from this deeply-rooted flower?
“Snap.”
The light sound shattered the silence as the pen fell to the ground and rolled twice before coming to a stop by his feet.
That sudden absurd idea had torn away all pretense, revealing the raw instinct in its entirety.
— If she had her own path, she shouldn't be trapped by him.
— Don't restrain yourself with rationality, look at your true heart.
Perhaps that dream had already given him a hint. The scales in his heart had gradually tilted away from reason, moving in an unexpected direction.
— She withstood all the wind and rain that came her way, growing resiliently into someone he found truly remarkable. He couldn't encase her within his protective glass cover.
— Are you really don't expect it? Really don't want to possess her? Humans are inherently greedy. Indulgence is human nature.
Lucien felt as though there was a consciousness from a deeper layer detaching from his body, standing at a higher vantage point, watching with keen interest as the two voices in his mind continued their ongoing debate.
Perhaps his own deterioration graph had already started its inexorable ascent towards an unpreventable height, progressing towards the final moment that could arrive at any time.
He suddenly realized that he wasn't as averse to facing that moment as he thought. All the changes in his body were intriguing, both evolution and destruction.
Cells and genes evolved over countless years to adapt to their environment, giving birth to more complete species. However, the incompleteness of the Evol gene led to human deterioration, going in the opposite direction of evolution.
Perhaps Evol held a meaning deeper than “evolution” and “power,” a meaning that no one, including him, had yet to comprehend.
His phone vibrated suddenly, bringing the storm in his mind to an abrupt halt. The girl's name accompanied a text message that appeared before him.
“Do you have time tonight? I found a new barbecue place on Huapu Street.”
“Of course, I'll pick you up after work.”
Perhaps he shouldn't see her now; if he did, this imbalance might intensify rapidly.
But why not indulge in something that brought him happiness?
Lucien closed his eyes.
This self-observation finally introduced more significant variables.
-
NEXT STOP-> [S2 Chapter 51]
#first heart disease now CANCER??? pg you should stop giving this man every diseases known to human#SOO excited translating S2 ch 51#mlqc lucien#mr love queen's choice#mlqc cn#mlqc spoiler#mlqc#mlqc translation#mr. love queen's choice#mr love lucien#mlqc xu mo
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Vampire Siblings
Writer: 日日日 (Akira)
Character(s): Isara Mao, Sakuma Rei, Sakuma Ritsu, Anzu
Translated by: jewwyfeesh
Disclaimer: I translated this story from the CN version of the game, which means that it has been double translated (JP > CN > EN).
Rei: Oooh!! Ritsu!! GOOD~ MORNING~ ☆
Season: Autumn Location: Track and Field
Mao: Mmm~ The feeling of fulfillment after a good prac! It’s really amazing~ ☆
Oh, thankies. Is this isotonic drink for me, Anzu? You’re becoming more and more ‘Producer’-like with every passing day~
Seems like you’ve been running after lots of other units besides us Trickstar lately.
There there, you’ve worked really hard ♪
But yeah… even though I’m one to talk, I still think you should take care of your body and your schedule. I’d feel really guilty if you pushed yourself too hard and something happened to you.
Never mind. Let’s go home, Anzu. Today’s my turn to ‘send you home’, so I’ll make sure that you get home safe and sound.
Though… lately, it seems like I’m always the one sending you home…? To the point where I’ve even gotten to know your family fairly well.
Sometimes I’d even stay for dinner…
But I’m not complaining. My family’s the kind to do whatever they want. As such, we don’t really spend a lot of time together. So… It’s nice being with your family.
I wonder if it’s because I can do things like household chores all by myself?
Everyone tends to think, “Oh it’s fine if we leave Isara Mao alone, nothing will happen to him”, but my younger sister has always been coddled and spoiled by our parents…
Hmph, would it be better if I tried to act a little more spoiled? But the second I come back to my senses, I’m back to taking care of others again. I feel old.
You’re also someone like this, so please be careful. You can also lean on me sometimes, you know~?
Eh… I’m meddling in other people’s business again…
It’s about to become a bad habit of mine, forget it, forget it… It’s pretty good to be relied on by others, but I’ve been ‘like this’ since I was young.
It’s because of Ritchan, my childhood friend~ If I leave him to his devices, that guy literally won’t lift a finger to do anything. When it got to a point where I couldn’t stand it anymore, I could only go and help… I’d help and help and help till I became ‘a meddler and a half’ ♪
You know Ritchan, right? Knights’…
Ahh, so you’ve also taken care of him before. He’s always so lazy, you literally can’t ignore him~
…Eh? You’re saying Ritchan’s over there?
Ah, call for the cat and he shall appear… where is he~?
Ah! Goodness! This guy, sleeping outside without a single shred of protection!
One day you’re gonna get pickpocketed, what are you gonna do then…? I reckon he fell asleep after lunch, and slept ‘all the way’ till now~
HEEEEY— Ritchan!! Don’t go sleeping in places like these, you’ll catch a cold ya know~?
Ritsu: ……Mmhhghhh? Huh… Maa~kun…? Wh… don’t wake me up…
Mao: Of course I need to wake you up. The school gates are gonna close soon, and if we don’t get moving we’ll be locked in. Our school has always been particularly ‘strict’ about these kinds of things.
Ritsu: Eh~ …Well, whatever. I could just continue sleeping here and save myself the trouble of having to come to school tomorrow. The more I think about it, the better of an idea it seems~
I’m really sleepy, so just leave me be. No matter how much I sleep, it’s never enough…
Mao: You… you haven’t changed one bit…
Hm? Eh? What are you hugging? It’s not a bolster… right? A tree stump? No, that seems to be a person…?
Ritsu: What?
Rei: Huu… snzz… ♪
Kekeke… Little baby~ Be good~ ♪ Go sleep~ ♪ Uuuu ♪
Mao: Ahh~ Taking a closer look… isn’t this Ritchan’s older brother? Why are the both of you snoozing together? Seems like you have a really good relationship~
When I got to know Ritchan, this person was always overseas, so I didn’t get to know him very well.
To be exact… I only found out he existed after I enrolled in Yumenosaki Academy. Ritchan doesn’t talk about his brother very often, so I got a little worried…
Who knew that the both of them were actually so close ♪
Ritsu: …Maa~kun, do you have anything sharp? I think staking him in the heart would definitely kill him.
Mao: N-no, you can’t just go around killing people. Eh? Do both of you have bad blood? In that case, why are you sleeping next to each other?
Ritsu: I don’t know what this thing was thinking, nor do I have any interest in finding out…
More than anything, I want to bury this thing six feet below and wipe my hands of it ‘as though nothing happened’. Now. Immediately. The faster the better.
Rei: E-eh? What happened, is it already time to say “good morning”? Ah? Where am I?
Ritsu: Yo. Why are you sleeping next to me, huh? You reek of mould, so stay further away from me. What happened, how are you still alive?
Rei: Mmmhh… My mind’s all fuzzy just after waking up… don’t ask so many questions at one go…
What’s there to rush, hm…? Re-rest a little… yawwwwn… ♪
Ritsu: No. No sleeping. I’ll kill you.
Rei: This tone… one that shows no mercy, even to one’s own blood brother…
Oooh!! Ritsu!! GOOD~ MORNING~ ☆
Ritsu: Don’t hug me! You’re so annoying!
Okay but spit it out. Why were you sleeping by my side? Depending on your answer, you could be demoted from “someone who seemed to have been a brother previously” to “stupid bug”.
Rei: Even if you don’t demote me, it’s a bit much, don’t you think?
Nothing much… It’s just that when I was leaving for home, I happened to see Ritsu sleeping. I was worried that you’d catch a cold, so I used my body warmth to warm you up. This is a big brother’s love ♪
Ritsu: Is that so? I understand, you don’t need to say anymore. Complete waste of Earth’s oxygen.
Maa~kun, could you help me get some cement from the warehouse? I want to solidify this thing in there and let it sink to the bottom of the ocean.
Rei: We’ve just woken up, and yet Ritsu’s already trying to get rid of me!?
Mm~ Anywho! The elderly aren’t quite suited for outdoor camping… My whole body’s sore and stiff…
Ritsu~ could you help massage my shoulders please ♪
Ritsu: Didn’t I tell you to shut up? You stupid bug.
Mao: Okay okay… as brothers, you guys should try to get along well. Though, let’s leave the fighting and the shoulder massage aside, yeah? We’re really about to be locked in school.
Rei: Oooh, you’re from Trickstar… It’s already this late… Thank you for waking me up. Ritsu~ it’s been a long time since we brothers walked home together hm~?
Ritsu: Brother? I don’t have a brother, though?
Rei: Don’t deny your brother’s existence with such a deadpan expression… That’s a bit much, even for a younger brother, don’t you think? I’ll start crying…
Ahh, I can’t… My tear ducts are getting weaker as I age… Uuuuuu~
Mao: Ahaha, I think I kinda understand your relationship, Sakuma-senpai.
Ritchan, the more you talk, the more others are gonna think “oh he’s just in his rebellious phase”, so maybe it’s better to not talk altogether?
Ritsu: Damn it… That isn’t the case at all. I had only wanted to throw this annoying ass thing into the trash bin. Whatever, it doesn’t matter anymore.
Maa~kun, you want to send them… send the Transfer Student home, right? Hurry up and go, don’t worry about us.
Rei: Mhm, please be careful on your way back. Who knows what kind of demons will be roaming at this hour – for example, vampires… and the like… ♪
Mao: Yep. I’ll be careful. The both of you too; no more fighting, okay? Hurry up and go home~
Rei:
Mm, I’ve always been praying that I’ll have a close relationship with Ritsu! We’re brothers after all ♪
…Ah, Ritsu? Where did you go? Hey— Ritsuuuu~
Ah, he dashed off at the speed of light. He really does hate me, huh? Hehehe ♪
Wait a minute, I am also more active at night! Well, when it comes to hide and seek, I’m not about to lose to a ‘novice’ ♪
Aaah… Running around like this under the night sky, it really reminds me of our childhood ♪
Ritsu: D-don’t chase after me!! Didn’t I already say you’re annoying!? Did it completely fly over your head, you infuriating Anija!?
Rei: Excellent, excellent… he’s finally willing to acknowledge me as his brother. Anyways, we take the same path back home, my super duper adorable little brother…
Translator's notes: [1] The original CN term here is 「菜鸡」, slang for "complete, total noob". I translated it to novice, a synonym. Personally don't think Rei would call Ritsu a "noob".
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Here's some more Cartoon Network schedules from 2023, from June 5 to October 22. A lot of change occurs, most notably the loss of not just 6pm, but 5pm, with Adult Swim consuming more hours as we face the harsh, bitter truth that kids just do not watch kids television anymore. But adults do get nostalgic for the kids programming they grew up with, as seen by Adult Swim launching a Checkered Past block in the hours they just gained, with various 90s/00s CN shows (but some notable absences, like The Powerpuff Girls, and I feel like there's a lot to explain there that I don't feel like doing right now). Adult Swim even takes ACME Night with them, if perhaps rather reluctantly (you think they wanted to air Legally Blonde on the network?). It's weird seeing the CN schedules so stubby.
At least CN finally gets a new show: Tiny Toons Looniversity. Cartoonito gets one too, the Craig spinoff Jessica's Big Little World, which, like Craig, got cut short in 2022. Just 20 episodes for that show. Summer Camp Island got rescued by CN from the HBO Max purge, making CN have to air five whole new seasons (including the last season that HBO Max abandonded) throughout the Summer.
Another big change happens mid-September, with the old Turner playout system being retired in the wee hours and replaced with a new Discovery playout. What should have just been a simple change to on-air (including the Discovery rating bug coming to all of the Turner networks and lack of split-screens) became a whole mess, with a lot of shows randomly removed, replaced, or rescheduled. Adult Swim and Boomerang I think got it worse. Took a few weeks to recover, and by that point, it's Scoobtober baby.
You also see CN start to bring back even more shows that perhaps didn't get the greatest treatment while they were still running. Perhaps they're nostalgic for the 2010s, perhaps they're disguising the fact that they don't have much to air. And it's clear Gumball is the new Teen Titans Go when it comes to being overplayed...
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hi, just wanna say that without the essays and analysis people as you have published here, I wouldn't love Kiro as much as I do nowadays, he's my precious sunshine. I don't really expect anything from Papergames as a company, so I'm keeping my little treasures regardless of what's gonna come out of it in the end. do you plan in the future to explain what you think ended up going downhill with the direction of the game you have briefly mentioned?
Hello @ladyjune26! Thanks for the ask and being so very patient with me on answering. Here are the major complaints/pet peeves I have with what Papergames has done and continues to do to lessen my love of the game and their treatment of Kiro as a main love interest: *WARNING* LOTS OF RANTING AHEAD
Kiro always being the "odd one out of the bunch" in regards to karmas: Honestly, why did Papergames think it was a good idea to do this? I can tell which love interest they favor most over Kiro just from looking at the karma illustrations during group events. It's almost like they use a different filter on them or use a different artist completely to draw his karmas cuz his stick out like a sore thumb. A perfect example would be from last year's Xmas/New Year's event (Modern Rhapsody) where all the guys get stylish hairstyles and Kiro gets the short end of the stick. They forgot he's a main love interest and now he's just an afterthought. Another example is the Valentine's event where all the guys get kiss karmas and say "I love you". All the guys have open-mouth kisses with their eyes open and once again they don't do that with Kiro. IS IT REALLY THAT DIFFICULT TO BE CONSISTENT!?!?! MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!!! Plus, why can't they ever draw MC in gorgeous outfits or hot and intimate scenes with Kiro? She constantly looks plain and boring in many of them. Her relationship with Kiro is no longer friends anymore. THEY'RE LOVERS!!! Also, no creativity. There's a lot of karmas where they draw the same old stuff in them like a teddy bear, daisies, sunflowers....COME ON!!! THOSE AREN'T THE ONLY THINGS GOING FOR HIM!!! 'The Versatile King' my ass!!! Don't make statements like those if you can't even fulfill them. If they need ideas for karmas I have plenty...no wait, they already used them for the other love interests which leads to the next point.
Kiro has been reduced to a minor character/NPC role: In season 1 main story, Kiro had the least amount of screen time. I remember a Weibo post where a CN player calculated how much total screen time he had and it was 80 minutes! I haven't exactly tested if this was true but I've seen many CN fans mention this. Also, throughout season 1, his major plot points were all put into Rumors and Secrets and they're still doing it in season 2. And don't get me started on how much repetitiveness on certain aspects of his character...ISTG, I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MANY METAPHORS ABOUT A BEAR IN MY LIFE!!! Starting to see the pattern now?
Nothing gets changed when Kiro fans address issues: There was a time when during one of Gavin's bday karmas, his fans were hounding customer service to add the gingko bracelet to MC's wrist and within a very short period of time, it was done. However, whenever Kiro fans want something changed, nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, gets done. A while back, there was a magazine advertising the game and for some very strange reason, they typed Kiro's name wrong and his birthdate. The entire Weibo page was just post after post about it. There's no excuse for such a small mistake which could have easily been avoided.
His karmas are released last: Whether it's the Fragrant Sunshine ERs, solo Wish Tree events, or in general, Kiro tends to be the last one scheduled. So far, he has not had a single free SR/SSR karma this year and it's already July. When the first kiss karmas were released several years ago, Kiro was once again the last one released.
Storyline and character arc: Are they ever going to address how Kiro can change into his silver-haired Helios form? Why does he have those markings on his right arm and how can they appear and disappear whenever? Is he ever going to find his master KEY? Why does Kiro look so much like his master KEY who was the previous Helios? Does that mean KEY also had blue eyes? What is this mission they keep teasing about? HELL, HIS ORIGINS!?!? There's been no story development whatsoever and they keep reusing the same stuff in the chapters. What happened to all that awesome character development in the first half of season 2? Crumbs keep dropping but it leads to nowhere. Here's a hot take: Westmoon had a much better, cohesive story overall. I am forever sad that it's over. If it isn't already obvious, the writers are heavily milking the main story. As much as I don't like season 1, at least it was more entertaining and mysterious especially when MC "died" and ended up in Winter World where all the love interests didn't know her. They should have continued from there. It would have been interesting to see how the relationships developed and MC ended up staying despite everything. Did she have to go back to the "main world"? There's just too many questions or maybe I'm being too analytical.
Dates that coincide with Main Story: For real though. Whatever happened with that? I remember there were a handful of these dates that follow-up with events that occurred during the main storyline (i.e. Light Pursuit- God tier date👌and Clinic date). PG completely did away with them for some reason. It gave so much insight and fleshed out Kiro's character more. I have yet to see a SINGLE date in season 2 that does this.
That's pretty much all the major issues I've come across. There are others but I've done enough nit-picking. However, don't let my opinions sway your enjoyment of the game. If you still like it, then please by all means, continue to play. Hope you have a wonderful day and take care!
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Here’s the Cartoon Network schedule for Monday, November 1 to Sunday, November 7, 2010.
First off, let's talk how many shows there are on the schedule. 34 SHOWS are on the schedule. in 2023, CN only airs about 13 shows a week (not including ACME Night or Cartoonito, but definitely better than how it was back in 2021). But let's take into account that the schedule is broken down into 4 sections at this time:
Section 1: Weekday Morning Anime
This was where the anime (Bakugan, Beyblade, Pokemon) aired, might also include some action cartoons (Ben 10, Hero: 108, Hot Wheels) aired.
Section 2: Old Cartoons during Mid-morning/Early Afternoon
You'll probably remember in your youth, when you were "sick", These shows aired during that time, semi-recent cartoons that ended aired at the time (Lazlo, KND, Gym Partner, Chowder), some imports (JT, Garfield), and Tom and Jerry.
Section 3: After School Cartoons
I would consider 2pm the start of the After-School hours, although some schools don't let kids out until 3pm. Some imports (JT, League of Super Evil), some older, but beloved, toons (Billy & Mandy, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Courage), and the 6pm hour was a rotating slot (This month had live action shows at the 6pm slot) that would be followed by some primetime shows, or Garfield.
Section 4: Primetime
This was the gem for CN at the time. Mondays had the newest hits, notably Adventure Time and Regular Show, other new toons like MAD and the underrated short-lived Robotomy, Canadian toons like Johnny Test and Total Drama World Tour, and reruns of Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays were the days that they aired Live Action shows, Tuesday was the more serious side (Tower Prep, made by Batman writer Paul Dini), while Wednesday had the more wacky side (as in it felt like TruTV's live action of the time) of Live Action Shows (Destroy Build Destroy, Dude, What Would Happen?, and Hole in the Wall, the one that had the families, not the FOX version). Listen, I know Live Action didn't belong on CN, but I was 5, so I remember them fondly.
Thursday was a repeat day for Monday, as they previously had a new Thursday night block before Mondays were the night. but Friday is where all the new Action shows aired. Shows like Generator Rex, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Star Wars: the Clone Wars, and Sym-Bionic Titan all aired on this night.
If you missed anything on Friday (besides Batman, but who didn't watch Brave and the Bold on Fridays), they all aired on Saturday Morning, in between anime like Pokemon, Beyblade, and Bakugan. Saturday also had a couple Pokemon episodes that led to a Pokemon Movie.
Speaking of Movies, Cartoon Network had them, Saturdays at 8pm is when the Flicks aired. This week, Flubber reran. (the movie with Robin Williams playing a Scientist who creates some Flying Rubber), that would later air next day at 7pm.
Also, yes, this was when back when CN had the 9pm hour. CN had that hour up until the next month. I really miss primetime CN, and how it was scheduled like this.
Here’s what was new that week:
League of Super Evil - Monday at 2:30p
Johnny Test - Monday at 7:30p
Adventure Time - Monday at 8p
Regular Show - Monday at 8:15p
MAD - Monday at 8:30p
Robotomy - Monday at 8:45p
Total Drama World Tour - Monday at 9p
Tower Prep - Tuesday at 8p
Hole in the Wall - Wednesday at 7:30p
Dude, What Would Happen? - Wednesday at 8p
Destroy Build Destroy - Wednesday at 8:30p
Batman: The Brave and the Bold - Friday at 7p
Ben 10: Ultimate Alien - Friday at 7:30p
Sym-Bionic Titan - Friday at 8p
Generator Rex - Friday at 8:30p
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Friday at 9p
The Super Hero Squad Show - Saturday at 6:30a
Beyblade: Metal Fusion - Saturday at 7:30a
Pokemon DP: Sinnoh League Victors - Saturday at 8a
Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Gundalian Invaders - Saturday at 10a
Run it Back (a show recapping a week in the NBA, not a really notable CN show) - Sunday at 8a
#Cartoon Network#Johnny Test#Pokemon#Tom and Jerry#Chowder#Hero: 108#Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated#Courage the Cowardly Dog#The Garfield Show#Adventure Time#Destroy Build Destroy#Hot Wheels Battle Force 5#Tower Prep#The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy#Ed Edd n Eddy#Hole in the Wall#Sym Bionic Titan#Total Drama World Tour#MAD#Star Wars: The Clone Wars#Dude What Would Happen#Ben 10 Ultimate Alien#Generator Rex#Regular Show#Robotomy#cartoon network schedule#schedule#2010#November 2010#WarnerMedia
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New Event PV
youtube
New Operators
Catherine, 5* Welfare Artificer Supporter
This machine is a bit old, but it still runs like a champ.
Bobbing, 5* Ritualist Supporter
If anyone finds themselves shivering, please come closer to me.
Vina Victoria, 6* Arts Fighter Guard
"Victoria" ...I know a lot of people care more about this name, not me.
But so what? I'll make them accept it sooner or later.
The one thing they desire from me, that's what i'm going to smash into pieces.
Operator Outfits Update
4 new additions for the Witch Feast brand
Explosive Blue Flame - Blaze
Starry Night Sky - Bassline
Witch's Swing - Popukar
The Shadow of the Dark Moon - Degenbrecher (21 OP)
Announced outfit reruns
Series III and IV Witch Feast outfits (Kazemaru, Iris, Lee, Quercus, Whisperain, Fiammetta, Dorothy)
Epoque outfits of Vigil, Młynar, Bagpipe, Ashlock, Absinthe, Nearl the Radiant Knight, Rosmontis, Passenger, Honeyberry, Sora and W
Wingbreaker - Texas the Omertosa
Bloodline of Combat outfits of Skadi the Corrupting Heart and Specter the Unchained
~136 other outfits as part of Rhodes Island Fashion Review
Operator Modules Update
Catherine being part of the Artificer Supporter branch immediately gets her module
CRA-X module base effect increases the deploy limit of Catherine's devices by 1 and reduces their deploy cost
Bard Supporter branch gets 1 module type
Stainless and Horn get their second modules
The base effect of their new modules are unknown at the time of writing
Events and Stories
Ending A Grand Overture, A Victoria side story event
"The orphan of the late king returned to the homeland, and banished the demons as king"—— The tale of swords and kingship ends here, as Vina steps into the unknown beyond the pages of a book. Silent old kings and fairies in the shadows, the people who cry out and the old friends who look back, All waiting for her to make a choice, to step into a future.
Operator Archives update for Stainless, Bassline, Papyrus and Absinthe
Record Restore update for Il Siracusano
IS#5 expansion update, scheduled late October for CN
Misc Stuff
Added the ability to freely change the skill and module of support operators you borrow
Annihilation #28 - Cityway 66, annihilation mission with Come Catastrophes and Wakes of Vultures enemies and mechanics
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Just a update /brain dump
Unseasonably Cold For California 🥶
Still gonna get my miles today, I'm currently just over a 2 miles-a-day average for the month. My Bestie and I have plans to walk a parking garage later this week for 2 reasons, one being to get out of the rain and the second, to add some stairs and inclines to our miles.
I have been having some major SI joint dysfunction. And I suspect it's because I have a high level of inflammation, due to 3 weeks of shitty shitty sleep. I feel like a frail old woman and sitting of any kind hurts and it's definitely blow to my brain & body.
Between the emotional impact of seeing hate, misogyny and racism win in this election, and the pending million dollars lawsuit my brain and body are both sucking. Factor in the time changes and the cold... I'm thankful it's not a full auto immune/fibro flare. Take any wins i cn at this point.
Hubby came home from his trip with his bestie well-rested and very happy.
Kiddo (14/ASD) is still navigating a general education highschool biology class he shouldn't have NEVER been placed in, but he wanted to stay in it because the schedule change options were not in his favor either. He's carrying a C, with no work/grading modifications, with lots of help here at home, and I'm BEYOND fucking proud of him. We plan to paint his room this weekend. Minecraft themed.
Redgrasshopper is still working and navigating an injured arm from overuse, and we have a dinner out planned for the 4 of us (hubby, BF, kiddo, and i) on Wednesday.
Holidays will be as low-key as I can keep them. Dinner here with my Village for Turkey Day + my uncle. I typically send Thanksgiving cards out vs Xmas cards but I'm not feeling it this week.
That's about all I got right now. But it feels better to get it out.
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The Boomerang UK Schedule from the 26th of November to 2nd of December 2012
Taking a small break from Cartoon Network to post a throwback Boomerang schedule from the early 2010s. I specifically chose this era for mainly two reasons:
It's Nostalgic
It's a lot easier to find accurate archived listings from the 2010s than it is for the 2000s (at least from my experience)
Anyway, the first thing you'll have noticed by now (if you're aware of the main channel's state at that time) is how many more shows are actually on compared to Cartoon Network UK's. Sure, it's not exactly good, but it's somewhat better I suppose.
Another noticeable difference is the presence of a Cartoonito weekdays block running between 9am and 12pm. I don't even know the thought process behind this one. Why was Cartoonito on Boomerang when they already had a channel of their own? Besides, it's not like Boomerang's ratings at the time were doing badly, so what's the deal? It just seems odd to me. Thankfully, this didn't last very long, and was probably discontinued very shortly the following year (or the year after idk).
As for programming, we have a decent number of shows that were on that week. A little disappointing (as a fan) to see only one weekday evening slot for OG Looney Tunes, and also very weird seeing fewer Tom & Jerry airings (both Tales and the Theatrical shorts), as I recall seeing them on-air a lot more often later that same decade. I've also noticed that rather than endless airings of Scooby-Doo/Tom & Jerry, Boomerang UK REALLY LOVED The Garfield Show for some reason. I mean, the show alone took up A THIRD of the late-night slots, as well as constant marathons and special events as you can clearly see from the chart itself. Aside from that however, we do have a decent mix of both old and new shows, though the balance may have been a little off (still better than what we have today). Most of the remaining Hanna Barbera classics (apart from Scooby-Doo and Tom & Jerry) were relegated to graveyard slots (between 4am and 6am), and if you wanted to watch them but didn't have access to a working DVR, you very much had to either wake up extremely early, pull an all-nighter (NOT IDEAL) or just give up.
And for those wondering, yes, this is where Skatoony & Cramp Twins moved to after being pulled from the main network. They were also being shown on CN Too if I remember correctly. Not the best use of their overnight slots if I'm being honest. And just to quickly clear things up, "Casper (2009)" is referring to the show Casper's Scare School, which was a CGI cartoon that had a 3 YEAR GAP between seasons 1 and 2.
Yeah, I'm very much done here. Take care!
#cartoon network#classic cartoon network#warner bros#hanna barbera#uk tv#top cat#tom & jerry#the flintstones#boomerang schedules
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Onto Bubbler...
Before it starts I wanted to say I have beef with Nino in this episode cause he makes his best friend's birthday about his hurt feelings and it's annoying and he didn't even get him a present
It was actually pretty nice of Plagg to try to give him that present
We love Sabine on this blog
Did Nathalie not even try to get him something herself??? She practically raised him!
Y'all should throw a small party at school if a house one isn't gonna work
Marinette is beyond thoughtful for MAKING him a gift.
EVEN CHLOE DIDNT REMEMBER IT WAS HIS BIRTHDAY???
Are you seriously telling me Paris's Teen Sweetheart didn't have a fan club that is celebrating his birthday at all? He's not getting letters in the mail? Or fans coming up to him at school? Or MORE people telling his dad to throw a party/throwing one for him??? This episode is just. Idk man.
Marinette has been a called a push over in the last two episodes (and this is the SECOND EPISODE) so it's amazing to see how far she's come!!!!
ADRIEN HAD A PHOTOSHOOT SCHEDULED ON HIS BIRTHDAY? THATS SO UGHHHHHHHHHH AND DURING HIS LUNCH BREAK TOO
Bro. Nino says he's gonna go to Adrien's house and Marinette and Alya are in the background. Cut to only Marinette and Alya at Adrien's house. Did Nino get lost????
Alya can you please tell Adrien later that it was from Marinette?
NATHALIE YOU SNAKE
Wild how Gabriel really did come out to talk to Nino. Ohhhh he wanted to make Nino an akuma. Gotcha.
DONT SIT ALONE AND BE UPSET NINO. THIS ISNT ABOUT YOU. BE WITH ADRIEN. HE WAS JUST TOLD ON HIS BIRTHDAY THAT HIS BEST FRIEND COULDNT EVER COME AROUND HIS HOUSE AND YOURE JUST GONNA WALK AWAY??? GO BACK TO SCHOOL TOGETHER AT LEAST????? Speaking of, that photoshoot was super quick? And why was he dropped off at his house? No way lunch break is that fast???? Go to school??????
Ugly ass akuma
Gabriel seriously made an akuma who specifically hates and is mad at him 🤦🏽♀️
What even counts as an "adult" here? 18+ or like out of university or like old enough to have kids or-
I'm a Nathalie hater I dunno yall I can't believe her this episode.
Just a weird ass akuma
This being his first party makes me wanna cry.
NINO IF YOU TURN ON A SLOW DANCE BECAUSE CHLOE ASKED YOU TO THEN YOU DONT KNOW SHIT ABOUT ADRIEN. HE WAS VISIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE EARLIER THAT DAY WHEN SHE WAS UP ON HIM OH MY GOD.
NO ITS THE ADRIENETTE SLOW DANCE SONG NO NO NO
I think Ladybug should be allowed to use her power selfishly like this more often.
Did no one hear when Ladybug said "yours truly"??? It was pretty loud
No one knows how old ladybug and chat noir even are so people might be imagining they're also just stuck in bubbles lol. Oh god, if Adrien and Marinette were adults then they wouldn't be able to transform like that out in the open and THIS COULD HAVE BEEN SUCH A GOOD PLAN TO TRAP THEM OR FIND OUT THEIR IDENTITIES HAWKMOTH JESUS. What you have to do is: Bubbler brings all the bubbles together so you can see them all in one spot. Have Bubbler WATCH, not just throw a party. If someone inside transforms then great! You know who they are. But if LB and or CN show up anyway then you know they're not an adult and that whittles down your search BY A LOT.
Girl is pretty brave for writing "Love, Marinette"
Nathaniel has some Shuichi energy hm
Cool moves...
"But adults keep children, safe, and protected. They care for their kids, they love them!" "Most adults do, anyhow." JESUS CHRIST WAY TO GO STRAIGHT FOR THR HEART
Him throwing his staff for her to swing her yo-yo around was completely unnecessary-
You can really see how the stakes change between the beginning and end of the show. "Oh I'm stuck in a bubble for awhile and just have to wait an hour at most to go back to my normal day" to "oh the world is ending"
Adrien is such a good boy...
One day- NO ONE HOUR of no adults and suddenly every thing everyone is trying to mail will be late for another week. Huh
Marinette didn't take the credit 🥺
"You're amazing Marinette, someone Adrien will see that too." Cut to not even a full season later Adrien leaning back in Marinette's desk chair, "You're amazing, Marinette."
SOMEONE GET THIS BOY A LEGIT BIRTHDAY OR SO HELP ME
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(image above could very well be wrong and inaccurate in some way due to a lack of solid sources, so take it as a "reconstruction" on what the schedule MAY have looked like by then)
The Cartoon Network UK Schedule for March 2009 (exact date unspecified). This one's better than the autumn 2007 schedule (and a little better than what followed in September of that year).
A nice variety of both old and new programming being aired alongside one another, with most of the older shows taking up the mid-day and night-time slots, which makes sense. It's really odd seeing KND get more airtime than Foster's, though it wouldn't be long until the former was removed completely, save for Cartoon Cartoon segments (aired until 2011). What's also weird is Robotboy getting only ONE timeslot (5am), knowing how often it would air in the years to come (2009-2011; 2014-2017).
This also serves as a reminder for just how much Cartoon Network LOVED Ben 10 in the late 2000s and early 2010s, especially in the UK. There's a reason I colour coded Alien Force and the 2005 show to the same colour and that's partially to highlight the airtime they were getting, and this was after Alien Force had JUST premiered in the UK (took them a year for some reason), along with Clone Wars. Chowder, Flapjack and The Secret Saturdays hadn't premiered yet, and probably didn't for another several weeks.
I may have yapped too much. Maybe I'll do one for September at some point, if I can find the complete weekly schedule for it somewhere (my best chances are with the CN UK website through the Internet Archive, that itself is a fairly reliable source for anything between 2009 and 2015). Perhaps I can even show you just how terrible 2012-2014 truly was!
#cartoon network#classic cartoon network#cartoonnetworkschedule#2000s cartoons#billy and mandy#cartoon network uk#ed edd n eddy
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[CN] Victor’s Carbon Pen and Glass Bead Event (Day 6)
⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for content yet to be released on the global server! ⌚
✦ thursday || friday || saturday || sunday || monday || tuesday || wednesday
【High School Affiliated to Loveland University Second Year (Section 1) Semester Schedule - Tuesday】
✄┈┈┈┈┈┈
[MATH]:
Beginning with the morning self-study session, Old Gao naturally walks into the classroom, naturally hands out an impromptu quiz, and naturally starts grading the papers.
“Where’s Empress Dowager Hu? Has Old Gao ‘usurped the throne’?”
Victor remains as immovable as a mountain. After coming up with a tentative answer to the questions in his heart, he immediately takes out the exercise books for the other subjects–– realizing that if he doesn’t start now, he won’t have any opportunity to write throughout the day.
“Our Vic seems to be working hard. He’s even expanding into other subjects in the morning math study session.”
Old Gao unfolds the exam papers with a bright smile, “Children, your homeroom teacher is on leave today, so you’re all mine.”
“And of course, the evening self-study session also belongs to me.”
—
[MATH]:
Observing Old Gao’s extraordinarily casual explanation of the complex question and his naturally upturned lips, Victor very cautiously and deliberately marks this question—
There’s an 80% chance it will appear in the end-of-month exam.
—
[SPORTS]:
Strange Tales of Loveland High School Five (V):
Upon the completion of the weekly one-kilometer fitness test, the running track would give rise to peculiar species contorted in various poses.
Pale and gasping for air, they would be in desperate need of water. Yet, among them would be rare individuals with handsome and exquisite appearances who would continue to carry themselves with grace.
“Whew, still alive.”
The next second, Victor’s face turns slightly pale. He notices the PE teacher bringing out the sit-and-reach apparatus.
—
[PHYSICS]:
After enduring an exceptionally dreadful “knowledge oppression,” Victor decides to broadcast some relaxing content during today’s lunchtime radio session.
In harmony with the melodious Symphony No. 41 in C Major, he begins reading excerpts from the Homeric epics.
—
[CHEMISTRY]:
“A and B might have an innate tendency to react when brought together, although the time for their reaction differs. C and D will never yield any results no matter how long they’re together, and E needs to be catalyzed to have any connection with F.
Many things in the world are like this, and in reality, human connections follow the same principle. You require a significant amount of destiny to have that serendipity with someone.”
Hearing the teacher say this, Victor’s mind is filled with a distant silhouette.
—
[CHINESE]:
“Sir Vic, do you really think the world will end in 2012?”
“What do you think the apocalypse would look like?”
Victor doesn’t say anything. He simply reaches into his desk and takes out a math book in a very natural manner.
Amidst a chorus of agonized groans, that man walks in once again.
If the apocalypse were to happen, it would probably be a day filled with eight consecutive math classes.
—
[ENGLISH]:
A comforting listening test.
Brother Ying, in a rare feat, has managed to secure the computer lab, so he assigns something practical for everyone to do.
—
[BIOLOGY]:
The power that erupts from silence should not be underestimated.
— After the teacher’s first burst of anger, the biology class has a 100% attendance rate.
—
──────
✧ next stop: Wednesday
─────────
#HHHHH “SERENDIPITY” HHHH REMEMBERING THE VERY FIRST THING HE TELLS YOU ABOUT WHEN YOU START THE GAME AS A NEW PLAYER😭#haha i kid you not when i tell you THE ENTIRE SCHOOL GUSHES OVER HOW HANDSOME THIS LITTLE GUY IS -you’ll find out tomorrow what i mean lol-#I MEAN WHO COULD BLAME THEM AKSJSJSDGFG LITERAL PERFECTION IN ONE PACKAGE FROM LOOKS DOWN TO THE SKILLS 🫠🫠#also why are these teachers such bully LOL like literal evil aksjsjsdgfg ( ≧Д≦)#mlqc victor#mlqc li zeyan#mlqc#mr love victor#mr love queen's choice#李泽言#恋与制作人#love and producer#mlqc cn#mlqc spoilers#mlqc translations
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Not sure if you follow Brian Miller’s Twitter account, but it’s worth exploring for cartoon fans as he has decades of experience, especially with Hanna-Barbera and Cartoon Network.
With the recent MeTV Toons hype, he shared this CN schedule from 1999, and while I’m definitely looking forward to the new channel, I much prefer this. Look at the variety and proper scheduling. Still plenty of time for classics, but they mostly focus on the heavy hitters during daytime hours and leave the less-popular ones to late at night for insomniacs/tapers, while their new, increasingly awesome originals are making more of a dent on the channel. Meanwhile, there’s still room for killer acquisitions and sister series, like Warner’s shows and Toonami. There’s literally something for everyone here.
I really am looking forward to MeTV Toons and getting the chance to see certain shows that are harder to find- Histeria, whaaaa- but this is what I loved about CN’s glory days and what I want now. A bit old school, a bit modern, a tad funky.
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Will we ever see the deleted from the CN epilogue again? Because, uh, I kinda loved it 👀
i did too. sad it had to go, but happy with the results. you will see it again. it was dismantled and reconfigured for the next book.
here's the original - knock yourself out:
COME NIGHTFALL: EPILOGUE V1 DELETED SCENE
[WARNINGS: Come Nightfall: Epilogue spoilers (duh), 18+ smut]
WC: 4200
***
And so, everyone lived happily ever after forever and ever in the childhood kingdom where nobody dies.
The end.
…Kinda.
I.e., Everything was back to normal.
Also sorta kinda fucked up.
“Back to normal” meaning between the hours of sunup and sundown, not much had changed. Victoria and Mystery Man hadn’t returned since the day of The Plan. With more bandwidth to breathe, I resumed cooking, cleaning, reading, training with the wolfpack, and knocking off bucket list items with Jake before his move to LA. Charlie’s law of the land meant I had to check-in periodically. However, Harry's death had made him detached— and consequently, lenient.
Only between the hours of sundown and sunup was I kept on a short leash. All nighttime affairs had to be scheduled and preapproved by the old man. Otherwise, I had to be home before dark.
No problem. I was always home. Ready. Waiting.
Nighttime was when the “fucked up” part came in.
Edward would slip through my window after Charlie went to bed. Every night he risked being caught by the wolfpack to stay with me. Every morning I kicked him out before the sun rose. In between, I would lie in bed with my (ex-boyfriend? lover? partner? mate? Ugh) vampire until I fell asleep. Sometimes Edward and I would read— bells hooks and Baudelaire, respectively— only speaking to recite striking quotes. Sometimes we would split earbuds and listen in silence to mixtape CDs we burned that day. Sometimes we did and said nothing— only held each other. When Edward would tremble I would lay his head over my beating heart, and he would soften and still. When I would cry Edward’s cold tongue would lap up the tears trailing down my throat, and the warming, icy venom would sink me into a state of serenity.
Apart from the reassurance his presence gave me, he was a great nightmare deterrent. Because of him I had basically managed to wean myself off the sleep meds. (Now I kept them stowed away. They seemed to upset him.)
Not as to say the nightmares disappeared. Whispers of terror still snagged on the thorns of my mind. The woman with the rosary, Irina’s decapitation, Laurent pouncing for the kill, Victoria’s green sparkles—all had rotten roots that had wormed deep in my psyche.
Of these, the most terrifying were ones where I would discover that Italy had never happened. Edward had never come home. I would stumble into the bathroom and stare back at the hundred-year-old lady in the mirror. Despite decades passing— graying my hair, wrinkling my face, decaying me slowly— those grieving goldstone-brown eyes remained unchanging. My wrinkled, knobby hands would scratch at the mirror, hoping to climb inside some alternate reality. When that didn’t work, I would start hitting the glass, desperate to shatter my reflection—
Cold arms calmed my thrashing. Edward would wrap himself around me, muffling my breaths. His fingers, warm from my body heat, would caress the bare skin underneath my shirt, scattering oxytocin through my body as he whispered, “It’s okay. Shh. I’m here. You’re safe.”
It never made sense. Of course he wasn’t here. He couldn't be. I would tell "him" this through frantic whispers starting along the lines of, “No, you’re not, not real, not—”
“Shh, Bells, you’re awake, I am here—”
—and end with an aching, desperate plea: “Edward, don't go, I need you.”
Need you. Need something . Need a break. A breath. Release. For all life’s normalcy, the raging chaos behind the scenes still set me on edge. I was too tightly wound even with the extra bandwidth. So many lines to toe with so little time: sunup, sundown; live, die; together, apart; hold on—
“Let go,” he purred.
His freezing lips latched onto my breast again.
Cursing, my hands fisted tufts of his hair. Between rhythmic sucking, his soft tongue lapped at the stiff peak of my nipple. The vibrations from Edward’s moan sent pinpricks scattering across my skin. My heart raced under his touch.
This morning, jolting awake from a particularly nasty nightmare, I’d kissed him full-force in the darkness of dawn, desperate for a taste after decades of growing old alone. Slices of sunshine now spilled across twisted bedsheets and our bare skin. How long had we been here? How the hell had Edward managed to go from vestal vampire to this with just one kiss? Maybe this wasn’t real after all and—
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. Breathe.”
He kissed a path to the other one, swirled his tongue around the stiff peak, and suckled. Electricity crackled through my core at a fever pitch.
Okay. Real. Too real.
I tried to breathe. No, really. But Edward was a master at sucking. Go figure. Bonus, he remembered exactly what I liked and how. Bonus bonus, venom felt way better than I remembered. Rainbow fractals pulsed and whirled in the sunlight while flashes of hot and cold needled the flesh where his tongue touched.
So, breathing? Impossible. Ragged breaths always devolved into frantic panting. And when his fingers once again rubbed the soaked spot on my cotton shorts—
“God,” I gasped, back arching. “Too much.”
“You’re so sensitive now.”
“It’s—” I shuddered on the downstroke “—been a while.”
“A long while?”
“Since before you left.”
“For me as well. —Breathe, Bells.”
“I can’t. Breathe. When you’re doing. That.”
A wicked grin stretched across his lips. His eyes glinted a subtle pink in sunlight. “I can stop if you—”
“Nonono.” I seized his wrist to hold him there, right there. “Don’t stop, don’t stop; please don’t stop.”
He chuckled. “Me? Never.” Even preoccupied, I managed to scoff. “Not now. You’re close. I can feel how close you are.” I rutted against his fingers, trembling at the vibration of his growl. His teeth tugged my earlobe. Feral whispers flossed through my brain, almost drowned out by my breaths. “Close. Wet. Hot. Mine.”
“Mine, mine, faster— like that—"
“Yes. Come. For me. Breathe. Let go—"
A delirious giggle burst from my mouth. “Shut up.” I slammed my foot into his thigh. He laughed too. “Damn you. I’m letting go.”
“You’re doing no such thing.”
“I’m doing my best,” I said. He snorted. “I don’t need your frickin advice.”
“Suit yourself.” Edward concentrated his circular strokes to give me friction where I craved it most. The slippery cotton rubbed against the swollen bud at the top of my folds. Trails of fire spread down my thighs, so searing I twitched and squirmed. “Tell me what you need.”
I groaned. “I need…”
“What do you need?
“I need…”
“Say it.”
My hand roamed down his chest until I brushed the tented fabric of his boxers. “I need…”
Stiffening, Edward jerked his hips back.
“Edward.”
“Isabella.”
“I need to touch you. Please.”
“I appreciate your generosity.” His laugh was tight and hoarse. “I don’t have the control for that.”
“Then you touch you.”
“And touch you? I would have even less control.”
My exhale bordered a whine. Even in my delirium, I knew my request had been a longshot. For all the strides we had made during our relationship, Edward never let me touch him. Ever.
“Then can we…can we do…that thing…we used to do?”
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
“S-San Francisco. The night we…”
“That doesn’t narrow it down.”
I huffed. There were few games Edward loved to play more than getting me to open my unfiltered mind. Especially in bed.
“I wanna…watch,” I blurted out. “I want to watch you touch yourself.”
Edward’s hand stilled. Wide-eyed, his gaze roamed up to my face.
“Oh.”
Needless to say, my sexuality superseding my shyness was a rare occurrence.
“Please,” I said. Hot blood blazed across my cheeks; my head pounded. “Please. You can watch me.”
“I…” I swear he’d be blushing if he was human. “I…” His uncertain sigh bordered a groan. “I don’t think I can—”
“Yes. You can. You’ve done it. Multiple times.”
“After months of practice.”
“Which you clearly haven’t forgotten.”
“I seem to recall not twenty minutes ago an imminent danger of you spontaneously combusting if I didn’t touch you.”
I chortled. “It won’t help me if you’re still wound up.” I placed a hand on my chest to illustrate my point. “You know how it goes.”
“I’ll take care of it later.”
“Take care of it now.”
I reached for him again. He chuckled, intercepting my hand and placing it in the space between us.
“Do you know what would make me spontaneously combust?”
“If I ripped off your limbs and tossed your body on a burning pyre?” His eyes narrowed. “Oh, you mean sexually? Uhh…”
“Not being able to kiss you.”
“That was my second guess.”
“I want— need — to kiss you, Bells.” His voice ached with desire. “God, the only thing that would make me lose more control than burying my everything inside of you would be not kissing you at all.”
“I… I did kiss you.”
Noting the hesitation in my tone, he said, “I respect your condition. Forever or nothing. I’m coming to terms with…that. I am trying.”
“I know you are,” I said softly.
“In the meantime, if a platonic relationship with you increases our odds of being together in any form, I will do it; if satisfying you sexually increases our odds of being together, I will do it. I will do anything you wish. But if your wish is to satisfy me… ”
“Kiss you, huh?” Nervousness— or fear?— boiled up into my throat. I leaned in close until our foreheads touched. Breathing him in usually calmed me down, but now it made me shake. I rubbed my arousal-slicked thighs together. I wanted to resume. So bad. He move to seal our lips, but I said, “Sir, I believe that is against one of the several tenants of Edward Cullen’s Ground Rules for Vampire-Human Sexual Relations.”
“Indeed. Which I still expect you to follow. If…” Shier, softer, he added, “In the event that you consent to kiss me, of course." I bit my lip. "I know. I know it’s different for you now. Perhaps for that reason you don’t want to, but for me—”
Before shame could overtake him, I smothered his mouth with mine. Shuddering, he whimpered. I stole his sound with another kiss. Another. I could live in his mouth. I could drown in his venom.
Just when his kisses turned urgent and aggressive, I broke and whispered, “I'll kiss you. I’ll come for you. I'll follow the rules. I’ll let go. For you. I will. If you come for me. Please, Edward.”
He didn’t answer, only cupped my cheek and pulled my mouth back to his, fierce and hungry. Seeing his willpower unravel made my veins zing with adrenaline.
He said, “I’ve missed you; god, I’ve missed you," and stole another deep kiss.
“How much?”
“Very much.”
“How much?”
Edward captured my lips again. A slow guttural thunder erupted deep inside him.
Mine. Mine. Mine.
“Show me," I commanded.
He didn’t move until I detangled myself from him (another ground rule: no touching). Using the same hand that had touched me, he slowly grasped his shaft through his boxers. A bead of precum darkened the fabric.
Heart racing, I moved my hand back between my legs. For a moment his eyes closed, his lips ghosting words as he listened to the slick sounds of my silk-drenched fingers stroking my slit. My heartbeat thumped so hard my whole body seemed to quake.
He swallowed. Froze. Swallowed again. This was a common sight when we first started getting intimate— venom flooding his mouth in waves. I slowed, watching for warning cues in his slipping control.
Only when I stopped did his midnight eyes snap to my face.
My breathing ceased.
When his hand began to move, so did mine.
Eyes black, he watched me, unblinking. My fingers circling my clit under the fabric of my shorts. My licking my lips. My hooded eyes watching him touch himself. He was grinding into his hand. Pumping up and down. Faster. Stroking himself. To me. To my cadence. Our rhythm. Our scent. Us. I slipped a finger into my scalding heat, imagining his cold length buried inside me, and rode my hand in breathy gasps. Every cell in my body vibrated at the frequency of his growl; I gripped the bedsheets to keep from reaching out. An exquisite burn licked my insides as though I were being pulled up to the pits of an erupting volcano; god, I—
“I’m going to—”
“Me too.”
“Bells.”
Ripples of heat surged through my veins at the desperate hush of my name.
“Edward, Edward...”
“Come for me, love.”
“Yes.”
“Come with me.”
“Yes, Edward—"
When the heat hit the tips of my fingers and toes, everything shattered. Lights flashed. Energy crackled. I threw my head back and cried out as waves of lava melted my spine and my skin and the rest of me. Venom lit my veins on fire. My jaw wired shut, desperate to bite down on something. From far away, Edward’s muffled groan and seams ripping snapped me back to reality. His erection throbbed in his vice grip, growing damp at the head as pulses of come saturated the fabric. A strangled growl rumbled in his chest.
We collapsed together as the last of my orgasm prickled like a cold sweat into a warm, sparkly afterglow. The flush in my cheeks made my head pound. Our ragged breaths filled the air.
He panted, “Kiss me,” just as I rolled over and seized him by the undershirt. We consumed each other. Cold velvety lips slick with cinnamon venom opened to mine. I sunk deeper into his mouth. Edward hitched my leg around his waist, and our hips rolled in sync. The rhythmic creak of the bed quickened. Between our scent, our tongues, our come, it was too much, too good…
“I love you.”
“Again,” I begged between kisses.
“We’re on a schedule.”
“Let’s reschedule.”
“Not again.”
“Why not? They’re vampires. They can reschedule till the end of time.”
Though he broke our kiss to speak, his hands kept kneading my curves on their own accord. “Be nice. They’re awfully anxious to see you.” His lips attacked the delicate, sensitive flesh where my jaw met my neck; I shivered and moaned. He brushed away a strand of my hair as he spoke. “They think you’re still avoiding me, you know. You’re giving them the impression you’re angry at us.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not that I…”
Looking up, he cocked a brow. We held our gaze.
I groaned. Edward chuckled under his breath. Defeated, my head slumped against his.
Edward repositioned us and laid back against the headboard. Tucked into him, I waited for the room to spin back into place. Colors and shadows breathed into each other. The world felt loud, though I swore it was only us on earth. Edward kept combing my hair while he waited for my confession.
“Okay, fine. I’m kinda angry.”
“Understandably so.” He added, in a softer voice, “I will say this. They know as I do how valuable this second chance with you is. If you are angry and need to tell them how you feel, they won’t blame you for doing so. They will listen.”
I rubbed my brows, blotting out fantasies of cursing and screaming and throwing things at the vampires’ stupid perfect heads.
“What is there to say? Carlisle and Alice knew about my history with Victoria. Alice knew James wanted me. I mean…”
“Yes.” Edward’s response was cool. Figures he’d be upset with them too. The only thing he hated more than reading everyone’s mind was being blocked out. I wondered if he knew I had told them not to say (or think) anything.
“They still left. How could they—” I huffed. I drummed my fingers on his exposed skin. It felt like they were casting little lightning bolts. “Whatever. Never mind.”
“It is not ‘whatever’. I think they would rather you share your feelings than ignore them altogether.”
“I won’t ignore them. But this treaty is bigger than how I feel. I’d rather be diplomatic until everything is squared away.”
Edward chuckled. “Well, I won't argue with that. A bit of diplomacy never hurts. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar anyway.”
I sighed, going limp as the last of the venom burned off like glowing embers. Eyes glued to the ceiling, I watched colorful patterns pulse across the shadows.
“Who’s really the fly here?”
I felt Edward’s eyes on me. He didn’t reply.
“Whatever saves the shapeshifters. Whatever buys me time.” My voice was soft. “Plus, it would be great if I didn’t have to smuggle you into Forks every night.”
“Don’t mind me,” he said with a grin. “I enjoy the smuggling. It’s the ‘kicking me out’ part I dislike.”
“That’s just as much for my own sanity as it is for your protection. I have a lot of feelings about…everything.”
However badly I wanted him, each day brought fresh fear. Sometimes I cried. Sometimes I had panic attacks. Sometimes I angrily swore at myself for letting him back in my bed.
No matter what my reaction, in the end, I would pace my room and smell Edward on my sheets and turn my phone over and over in my hands, resisting the urge to call him and beg him to come home.
It was so hard to push past the fear.
“I know.” His expression turned solemn but didn’t lose its kindness. “I appreciate that you have made space in your life for me. I certainly will not take that for granted. Neither will the Cullens.”
Warmth crept up my cheeks at the thought of facing them. My hesitation for visiting stemmed from places other than anger.
“Do they know?”
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
“About us. Our situation.”
Edward snorted. "Do we know our situation?”
Sure. It was everything. It was nothing. It was normal. It was deviant. Beautiful. Ugly. Perfect. Messy. Chaste. Salacious. Ugh.
I drew in a long breath.
“Alice obviously knows,” he answered. “Carlisle has connected enough dots to draw vague— not inaccurate— conclusions. The sheer fact that you and I have been granted temporary amnesty from the Volturi’s law gives my family reason enough to suspect our relationship is exceptional. Beyond that, they know nothing. Alice and I have been tight-lipped in the face of their curiosity. I believe they hope you and I will come out and tell them. When we’re ready.”
Though he said that last part quietly, it relieved me that he said it at all. I didn’t want him to think I was rejecting him. I just wasn’t ready. To…mate. Ugh. Gross.
“What will we tell them— when we’re ready?”
“I should think that would be up to you. As much or as little as you want. Depending on what you want.”
“Everything. You know what I want.”
“Then I suppose we’ll tell them everything.”
“When we’re ready.”
“When we’re ready.”
Any unspoken questions we could let die in the silence—for now. Tangled in each other, the oxytocin sparks prickling between us made me forget where I ended and he began. He lazily stroked my foot with his. I nibbled his neck. Though too quiet to hear, I could feel him purring.
It was perfect and strange. Real and not real. Everything that had once felt natural to us now required reexamination. Was this natural to humans? To vampires? Was this bonding? Was this what had caused our crossing the Point of No Return? Maybe I knew the answer. Maybe I had always known.
I pulled away, bushing.
“Then I guess,” I said, hesitating to remove my hand from his chest, “maybe we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. With…this. Us. You know. Just…in case.”
Edward hummed a sigh. His foot stopped rubbing against mine.
Not knowing what the hell that was supposed to mean, I quickly added, “I just don’t know… I mean, I-I—I love being with you. I want to be with you. But I know you’re not comfortable with this whole…thing we have going on. I’m not either. I don’t want to push you. Or me. That’s all.”
“You took the words right out of my mouth.”
I perked. “Really?”
“Well, I would have put it more eloquently—"
“Dramatically,” I corrected.
“—but yes,” he said in a more jovial tone than I was expecting. “I value you. I am committed to you— to us— in whatever form that takes. I will respect and support your choices, whatever they may be, however they might change. But you are right to be cautious. Our…bond—” he drew out the word as if experimenting with the sound of it “—may prove fatal for us both if we misstep. I am delighted to hear you expressing some modicum of self-preservation.”
He seemed less delighted when I rolled off of him.
After a moment laying next to each other, staring at the ceiling, I placed my hand on his. His thumb brushed the backs of my fingers.
“What will we tell them now?” I said.
Edward shrugged. “Whatever you want. Or nothing at all.”
“Ooh. I like that idea,” I said. Our relationship had been put in the spotlight enough. I was ready for some privacy. “Let them talk.”
“Gladly.” An evil glint accompanied his crooked smile. He kissed the tip of my nose. Then my forehead. I ached for him.
“How long do you think we’ll be able to keep it up?” I joked.
“About ninety seconds,” he said, and flashed a grin. “But I’ll be rooting for us.”
“Me too. Maybe we’ll make it a hundred and eighty seconds.”
“I believe in us.” He rolled over and sat up, facing the window. Edward blinked as if dazed. “If we’re heading out, I suppose I should get cleaned up. Shall I meet you back here in—”
“Don’t go.” At the soft command, his eyes glittered like dewy dandelions. I looked away. “You stayed too long. The sun’s up. The wolves will be starting their training soon.” I grimaced. More to myself, I added, “I should tell Sam I won’t be there.”
“You train with them?”
“Yes.”
“What does that entail?”
I got up to dig around the cardboard box in my closet. “First, we run routes—they do about twenty miles, I do a little over half on a good day. Then they do an extra fifty as wolves. Then they go off and do sparring or train phasing, and I…” I didn’t finish but noticed Edward’s subtle glance at the bow in the corner. “Then brunch. Then weightlifting. Then yoga. Then meditation—”
“Good lord.”
“Then lunch. Then meditation again. Then snacktime and games— boosts morale. Sometimes we have strategy sessions. Or we break off into patrol shifts. Here.” From the box, I flung an old pair of his briefs at him.
He caught it while he studied my face. “Do you patrol?”
“Just the house, really. Once or twice around Forks. I also help create some of the trails out at Old Quil��s.”
His features darkened. With that old concern lacing his tone, he said, “You really shouldn’t—”
“Yeah, well, I do,” I said. Softer, I added, “We all pitch in. That’s how it works.”
A beat of silence passed. I kept digging until I held one of his flannels in one hand and his sweater in the other.
“I’m sorry.”
Resisting the urge to sigh, I said with the faintest hint of humor, “You’re doing a good job making it up to me.”
But Edward wasn’t looking at me. Boxers still in hand, he had trained his gaze on my bow and arrows. This wasn’t the first time I caught him sneaking glances at them. I could practically hear the gears turning in his brain. Questions fomenting. Conclusions festering.
“Bells…”
My heartbeat tripped over itself.
“Hm?”
As soon as he turned to catch me staring, his fear flickered into an even mask.
“Do you mind if I shower here?”
“Not at all.”
I shook the two articles of clothing; he nodded to the sweater. Dropping the flannel back in the box, I nabbed a fresh towel and tossed him it. He slung it over his shoulder. When he rose, it draped over most of him—his lean chest, covered by a thin ribbed undershirt, and his now-stained boxers.
“Thank you kindly, miss.”
Taking the sweater from my hands, he leaned in to kiss me. Fear clawed at my chest; I turned my head and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Impassive, Edward gave me a nod and brushed past me.
I grabbed his hand.
Don't go.
“Thank you,” I said softly. When he turned to look back, I gave his hand a squeeze. I pecked his cheek. Then added, blushing, “I…um…I kinda— I mean, not kinda, I do …”
“Think I’m great in bed?” he guessed jokingly.
I laughed. “Sure, sure.”
Edward’s cocky smile told me he knew the real end of my sentence.
“I’ll save you some hot water,” he promised. “I know you like your showers hotter than the devil.”
I snorted and blushed harder but said nothing. Edward disappeared within the second. From the bathroom, I heard the shower handle creak and water spilling from the showerhead.
Shaking out my nerves, I ambled downstairs for some coffee.
#come nightfall#come nightfall outtakes#asks#twilight renaissance#twilight fanfiction#the twilight saga#bella swan#edward cullen
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