#only its battle royale soccer

[animentality]

I have no clue what blue lock but your blog makes me want to watch/read it

A WIN FOR THE GAY AGENDA YAAAAAY

[treameast]

Live Streaming Sports on Streameast: WWE, Soccer, Boxing, and Formula 1

In today's fast-paced digital world, sports enthusiasts no longer need to rely on traditional cable TV to enjoy their favorite matches and events. With platforms like Streameast, fans can stream major sporting events directly from their devices, offering a convenient way to follow live matches and competitions from anywhere. Whether you are a die-hard wrestling fan, a soccer fanatic, a boxing enthusiast, or a motorsport lover, Streameast has you covered. Let's dive into how Streameast has become a go-to platform for streaming WWE, soccer, boxing, and Formula 1 live events.

Streaming WWE Live with Streameast

Professional wrestling, particularly the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), has a massive global following. With its larger-than-life superstars, dramatic storylines, and electrifying matches, WWE events such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble draw in millions of viewers. However, getting access to live WWE streams can sometimes be tricky due to pay-per-view models or region-based restrictions.

This is where Streameast WWE comes in. Fans can easily catch every chokehold, suplex, and finisher in real-time without the hassle of cable subscriptions or limited broadcasting. Streameast allows users to enjoy high-quality streams of their favorite WWE matches, providing smooth and uninterrupted viewing experiences for wrestling enthusiasts.

Soccer Match Live Stream on Streameast

Soccer, the world’s most popular sport, is often the focus of millions of fans across the globe. Whether it's watching the World Cup, Champions League, Premier League, or La Liga, soccer fans crave access to live matches. However, depending on the country, accessing these games through traditional TV channels can be restrictive.

For soccer fans who are constantly on the go or simply prefer streaming, Soccer Match Live Stream on Streameast offers a perfect solution. Whether it’s a highly anticipated Champions League final or a mid-season derby, Streameast provides access to all the major soccer matches, allowing users to stream them live in high definition. The platform ensures that users never miss a goal, a penalty shootout, or a dramatic last-minute save, making it a must-have tool for soccer fans worldwide.

Boxing Enthusiasts: Streameast Boxing Live Streams

Boxing is another sport where fans often struggle with finding reliable streams, especially when it comes to big title fights. Pay-per-view costs can be steep, and not all cable packages offer access to premium boxing matches. This is where Streameast Boxing comes to the rescue.

Whether you're gearing up for a heavyweight title fight or an undercard bout, Streameast provides boxing fans with a way to stream live events at their convenience. With access to live streams of major boxing events, viewers can stay on top of all the punches, knockouts, and thrilling finishes. Streameast makes it easy for boxing fans to stay connected with their favorite fighters, offering a smooth and reliable streaming experience.

Formula 1 Live Stream on Streameast

For motorsport enthusiasts, few events are as exciting as Formula 1 races. The high-speed action, strategic pit stops, and breathtaking overtakes make F1 a must-watch sport for adrenaline junkies. Unfortunately, Formula 1 races are often geo-restricted or available only through specific sports packages, leaving many fans without access.

With Formula 1 Live Stream on Streameast, F1 fans can enjoy the thrilling spectacle of the Grand Prix without missing a beat. Whether it's watching Lewis Hamilton battle Max Verstappen or catching up on qualifying rounds, Streameast delivers every twist and turn in real-time. The platform ensures that fans have access to a high-quality streaming experience for every lap, crash, and overtake, making it an ideal option for F1 lovers.

Why Streameast is a Game Changer

Streameast is an invaluable resource for fans of WWE, soccer, boxing, and Formula 1 because it offers high-quality streams for free or at a much lower cost than traditional services. The platform is accessible from multiple devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones, making it extremely versatile for users on the go.

What sets Streameast apart from other streaming services is its user-friendly interface, fast loading times, and a wide array of sports coverage. Whether you're in the mood for a WWE match, a soccer game, a boxing title fight, or a Formula 1 race, Streameast ensures that you can stream the events seamlessly without annoying interruptions or excessive buffering.

[miyamiwu]

Minor Blue Lock spoilers!

Saw one tweet comparing Blue Lock to Kuroko no Basuke, and I'm just... NO. NO, NO, NO.

Not even close.

I loved KnB as a 14-year old, but looking back on it now, that show was more fantasy than actual sports. It has a lot of impossible moves. And on the rare chance that it was possible, it was too much to expect it from high school players.

Blue Lock, on the other hand, doesn't have such science-defying plays. The characters get one realistic weapon (dribbling, spatial awareness, flexibility, speed, etc.), which they then slowly hone.

Sometimes they upgrade their weapons physically (Bachira's steadier center of gravity, Nagi training his body, Gagamaru trying out a diving shot), and sometimes it's mentally/psychologically (Isagi's metavision, Naruhaya copying Isagi, Barou devouring Isagi, Reo moving on from Nagi).

The one "superhero" power I can think of is probably Reo's chameleon (which is also similar to Kise's), but so far I haven't seen him do anything out-of-this-world with it. (I've only read up to c192 of the manga btw.)

BLLK and KnB are completely two different genres. There is really nothing to compare.

And on that note, you can't actually compare Blue Lock with any other sports animanga, either.

Blue Lock is listed under the sports genre, but I think that first and foremost, it's a horror/battle-royale type of story that just happens to use soccer as its medium.

You also can't compare Blue Lock with Haikyuu. Haikyuu is taking the traditional high school sports genre route and excelling at it, while in Blue Lock, the kids don't even go to high school anymore 😭

From what I know, there's really no other sports animanga like Blue Lock. That's not to say that it's the best sports anime by default just because it's unique. What I'm saying is that Blue Lock is like a new genre of its own... Save your comparisons when another sports anime using battle-royale elements come out.

[fanboyscribbles]

A bit late on the first impressions, but here are my top picks for #Fall2022. #SpyxFamily. The second cour is in and I'm just happy to have something light to look forward to every Saturday night. The first cour was all about intros and defining the dynamics of the Forgers, which is why this new cour I love even more. We see more blunders and how their family relationship blossoms, especially with the addition of Bond. Also, killer OP and ED, no skips at all. #MobileSuitGundam #WitchFromMercury. Didn't expect to add a gundam series to the watchlist but the first ep left such a big impression with its show of art and animation. It definitely has that signature political theme of the gundam franchise, so I'm quite intrigued about the ban on gundams, why they call Suletta a witch, and how things will move forward. Also, YOASOBI?? WOW. #BlueLock. This got me interested so early on because it's been announced for a long while and the pre-ordered figures are adding to the hype. True enough, the first eps provided context on Blue Lock itself and how it trains the best forwards in Japan to form the ultimate super team. It's chaotic, high-tension, kinda like Battle Royale only it's soccer/football. #ChainsawMan. Probably the most hyped new title this season, it certainly lives up to it. The killer art, the concept of an experimental devil slayer unit under the police force, the fan community, the crazy antics, Denji and his relationship with everyone else, and Pochita!! I need to see Pochita again!! #MoreThanAMarriedCoupleButNotLovers. High schoolers playing house and they're being graded for it. It's an interesting concept that feels like it's straight from a fanfic. Needed something light and this semi-slice of life fits in perfectly. Watanabe Akari vs Sakurazaka Shiori, who'll win over Yakuin Jiro? Tune in to find out. Lol #UzakiWantsToHangOut. S2's here and while there's still some teasing, I'm more invested in Uzaki and Sakurai's relationship just like Asai and Sakaki. Will they or won't they? Hihi Prior to these, already purged some titles such as the Tanuki girl, C Danshi, and the palace raven. Look out for the next batch! Got recos? LMK!! https://www.instagram.com/p/CkF_MI3oSX_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[pop-cloud]

Alright world building headcanons here we gooo!!

- There are a couple of big celebrations on the crob universe, the main ones are GCL, Christmas and the anniversary of the cookie kingdom ( the anniversary of ovenbreak for us) First let’s start with GCL, it’s like the soccer World Cup but like, just running, so it has a few tournaments and every 2 years the big championship starts, it last for about 4 months and the winner gets their own CL season and then their own GCL season, it’s a pretty big event in the cookie world, next we got the anniversary of the cookie kingdom, it’s celebrated with a big banquet where all the cookies are invited to feast to their heart’s content! It mainly celebrates freedom for the cookie kind. And last we got Christmas, friendship and family is a big deal in the cookie world so Christmas is a big celebration, every year there’s a big party in the cookie castle, it could be a concert or a grand ball.

- Magic candies aren’t made, they’re actually manifested through extreme emotions, for example if a cookie is feeling extreme happiness or sadness they have a possibility of them getting a magic candy, cookies who get magic candies are very respected because they often manifest during one’s greatest achievements or during a near death experience

- There are a lot of competitive sports in the cookie world! There are a few that are only available during specific seasons (custom run, battle run, etc) But Trophy race is one of the biggest of them! It’s mainly popular because everyone can participate, everyone can test their skills by running with a partner and trying to get the most trophies.

- You know costume gacha? Yeah it’s basically a super high class boutique (but they don’t scam you) A lot of super epic costumes are actually tailored by them! How do they choose the cookie who gets a costume, no one knows! They just randomly announce names of various individuals in the message board for them to come to the boutique.

- There are two types of currency in the cookie world, coins and crystals, coins are used to buy daily necessities like food, clothing, hygiene stuff, etc, while crystals are used to buy things like chests and treasures, stuff for competitive sports

- Family is a big thing in cookie “culture”(?) So it’s celebrated having siblings and parents, this includes found families too!!

- It’s not uncommon for children to have works in the cookie world, but it is frowned upon if the child is being employed for something dangerous.

- Since music can be used is technically magic and can be used as a weapon, its use is regulated by the royal magicians, it’s very dangerous if you don’t know how to control your own magic!!

- there are two types of establishments in the cookie world, public ones and cookie-owned ones. Public ones are managed by the royal court and don’t have an single owner so everyone can volunteer to work there! While cookie-own ones like their name, are shops that were made by a cookie, for example Avocado’s cookie smithy, since she owns it she has full control of it, whereas the milk well or the jelly bean farm are public buildings where everyone can volunteer to work there

- There isn’t a lot of religion in the cookie world (well apart for the whole pastry cookie church stuff) But it is common knowledge that there exists 5 elemental gods (Fire spirit, wind archer, you know the main 5) there are a few worshippers but more than religious figures they see them as “leaders” sort of

Hahah this is all I got for today, let me know if u would like to hear more!!

[ingek73]

Stifling, Toxic and Racist—Duchess Meghan Never Had a Chance at The Palace

Royal editor-at-large Omid Scobie sounds off on the outdated practices and attitudes within the royal family that left the Duke and Duchess of Sussex forced to make a change.

BY OMID SCOBIE

MAR 10 2021, 3:20 PM EST

I remember the feeling of frustration well. My work on an extensive biography of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Finding Freedom, was coming to an end. After hearing countless stories from multiple people close to the couple about how they felt unsupported and unprotected by the institution of the monarchy, it was time to address the matter with the palace side. A chance for them to respond.

“This is nonsense. … We did absolutely everything [for Meghan],” the senior aide told me over the phone. I asked for examples. “Everybody welcomed her, and she was given all the support she needed,” they continued. I asked again. “They forget how accommodating we were when it came to navigating the duchess through her first steps [as a working royal],” the aide added, somewhat curtly. I had several conversations like this over the weeks that followed—each party, be they from Clarence House, Buckingham Palace, or Kensington Palace, for the most part seemingly baffled by the Sussexes’ grievances. Finally, I took what I had and moved on.

Well over a year has passed since these calls, and the full severity of Harry and Meghan’s situation has finally been laid bare. Sitting in front of Oprah Winfrey, the duchess tearfully opened up about her darkest days as a working member of the royal family. Unprotected, undefended, and left to face a near-daily barrage of hateful commentary and negative stories, Meghan revealed how her circumstances had, at times, seen her virtually stuck indoors for weeks on end. Lunch with friends could have momentarily lifted her spirits, but social outings were dismissed by royal family members and aides who said it would be better to lie low. Her image was “everywhere right now,” they told her. Her isolated existence stood out in particular to her worried mother, Doria Ragland, who during a summer 2019 visit to Frogmore Cottage was surprised to discover that neither she nor her daughter was able to go out into Windsor town to pick up coffees. “You’re stuck in here,” Doria told Meghan at the time, according to a source.

The Oprah interview was the world’s first time hearing Meghan describe the true toll of the palace’s “no comment” policy when it came to dealing with inaccurate press coverage. One report that caused Meghan particular upset was the November 2018 allegation that she’d made the Duchess of Cambridge cry during a children’s bridesmaid dress fitting for her Windsor Castle wedding. Though the palace knew the claims were untrue (and that it was, in fact, Kate who made Meghan cry), Meghan was repeatedly told that it would not be possible to set the record straight, despite it being a story that fed into a stereotype-laden narrative. Other royal family members were often afforded more sympathetic support when it came to dealing with inaccurate press (officials even issued a statement to deny Kate’s use of Botox in July 2019), but both Harry and Meghan felt they did not have access to this same privilege.

The couple’s exasperation came to a head in January 2020, when Kensington Palace urgently requested that Prince Harry cosign a statement against an “offensive” newspaper report stating Prince William “constantly bullied” the Sussexes before their decision to step away. “Well, if we’re just throwing any statement out there now, then perhaps KP can finally set the record straight about me [not making Kate cry],” Meghan emailed an aide, asking why side of the story public image was never considered important to anyone. But, as with many requests made by the couple, her suggestion was ignored. The Duchess of Cambridge, she was told, should never be dragged into idle gossip.

Meghan’s state of well-being deteriorated as the institution refused to defend or protect her during her toughest moments. Talking to Oprah, Meghan revealed that her mental health was so fragile during her pregnancy that she “didn’t want to be alive anymore.” She turned to senior staff—including the palace’s own HR department—but her plea for help in January 2019 was repeatedly shut down. It’s not a good look for the family, she was told. Even friends who wanted to help her or speak up in her defense were regularly reminded by palace aides to keep quiet. As the cruel commentary, racist attacks, death threats, and negative tabloid stories piled up—and the institution continued to ignore the problem—Meghan later likened the experience to a friend as “death by a thousand cuts.” Her reference to an ancient Chinese execution method was no coincidence.

For the millions around the world who watched Meghan share her story, some of the experiences shared were perhaps all too familiar. Princess Diana revealed in several interviews that she considered suicide during her marriage to Prince Charles and spoke candidly about her battles with bulimia and mental distress, both of which were ignored by the institution of the monarchy. Sarah, Duchess of York, was also open about how the pressures and loneliness that came with palace life led to her own struggle with eating disorders.

When Kate quickly found public adoration as the Duchess of Cambridge, the palace would proudly tell members of the press that lessons from the past had been learned. “There has been a concerted effort to ensure that history never repeats itself,” one senior staff member working for the Cambridges told me in 2014. Yet, here we are in 2021, with a very real image of Britain’s oldest and most revered establishment once again engaged in neglect and gaslighting, and dismissing mental health.

When Kate quickly found public adoration as the Duchess of Cambridge, the palace would proudly tell members of the press that lessons from the past had been learned. “There has been a concerted effort to ensure that history never repeats itself,” one senior staff member working for the Cambridges told me in 2014. Yet, here we are in 2021, with a very real image of Britain’s oldest and most revered establishment once again engaged in neglect and gaslighting, and dismissing mental health.

This time, however, race—or more specifically, racism—plays a major role. Harry and Meghan’s revelation that a member of the royal family (not the queen or Prince Philip) had expressed “concern” over how dark the skin of the queen’s great-grandson might be, left many, including Oprah herself, openmouthed. But for those familiar with the institution—which on Sunday celebrated the diversity of the Commonwealth realm’s population of 2.4 billion—it comes as less of a surprise. This is an establishment that only last week briefed The Times of London that Meghan wanted to be royal “the Beyoncé way,” and that the help offered to her included establishing the queen’s Black equerry (a senior attendant, if you will) as a “mentor.” Princess Michael of Kent’s ignorance regarding wearing a blackamoor brooch during her first encounter with Meghan is a reminder that even racial sensitivity can be lacking within the family. An establishment that, as Meghan herself explained, has yet to learn the difference between rude and racist press coverage. The stiff upper lip, no matter how painful the attacks, was expected to remain impossibly rigid at all times.

The palace has continually proven itself to be unable to empathize with any person who crumbles under the pressures of its outdated and unreasonable expectations.

But when does forced silence turn into abuse? Ignoring gossip and drama may fall under the royal family’s famed (but questionable) “never complain, never explain” mantra, but expecting the victim of racism to remain voiceless while sections of the press call her “ghetto,” “straight outta Compton,” and “un-royal” borders on complicit with the attacks. As does refusing to learn how to identify the existence of the very racism that fuels them.

If it’s not considered appropriate to acknowledge racism or racial ignorance when aimed at a mixed-raced senior royal, then how should the 54 countries of the Commonwealth and its predominantly Black, Brown, and mixed population feel about the realm’s figurehead belonging to an institution that claims to celebrate “diversity” but in practice appears to uphold white supremacy? And if the lack of awareness Harry described to Oprah is true, then were race-related public duties, including Prince William recently calling out racism in British soccer and Prince Charles speaking out about racism in architecture in 2000, simply performative? It’s hard to forget that across the full lineup of working royals, all failed to acknowledge last year’s Black Lives Matter movement, which saw just as much protesting across the United Kingdom as the United States.

A brief, 61-word statement shared on behalf of the queen by the palace on March 9 revealed that the family is “saddened” by how challenging recent years have been for the Sussexes. But with the note also admitting that the family are somehow only just learning of the “full extent” of the couple’s experiences, isn’t it all a bit late? With yet another “commoner” leaving the House of Windsor emotionally battered and bruised, the palace has continually proven itself to be unable to empathize with any person who crumbles under the pressures of its outdated and unreasonable expectations. A glass-half-full view is that recent events could perhaps serve as a catalyst for change (and I hope they are). But given Harry’s own admission that his family is trapped within a “system” so fearful of the British press and public that they’re often unable to live up to their own ideals, is it actually time for us to just finally set them free?

[lluvguts]

Cool Blue ; Chapter Eight

⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚

real or a fable

⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚

☽ warnings : blood

☽ fic masterlist

☽ a/n: holy cow! we're almost at 5k!!!! this is WILD! give it some love on ao3

⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚

"Giulia."

She kept ignoring him. Tugging his arm with more urgency down the busy Portorosso streets, Giulia stumbled forward leading the way past the steadily filling marketplace that often set up during lazy weekday afternooon's, when the sun would sigh and nestle in its array of thin clouds, warming up for the Summer evening. Alberto watched faces blur by him as Giulia walked--ran--down the gap between two older men propping up their fruit stands with old tablecloths and narrowly missed a child's soccer ball that rolled into her path. She kicked it aside, an inconvenience, the child's peal of laughter drowning out her sandals hitting the ground, kicking up dirt.

Alberto sighed, squeezing her fingers around his own. He tried again, gripping her wrist so she'd stop.

"Giulia."

She whirled around, strands of her vibrant hair falling loose from the wide-toothed clip at the nape of her neck. It was one she'd gotten at these very farmer's markets, carved from driftwood that always smelled like home. One hand on her heaving chest, fighting to catch her breath, she finally locked eyes with her brother. She'd been so caught up in it, in the rush to see him, his Luca, that everything around them didn't matter. A long, tender look in Alberto's bedroom, a drink with her eyes, taking in his colors underneath the pool's water, the shimmering scales, all of it. This he knew, this was the way he had acted those first few times--the vastness of their wonder.

Giulia closed her eyes at the hot breeze that blew past the sweat of her brow, then opened them. "Yes?"

The square was crowded, men and women alike hauling baskets of produce while their children and pets trailed behind, tiny fists clasping artisan jewelry or other trinkets and things to sell. She stood by a wooden cart, littered gracefully with hand-painted flowers and swirling blue vines along the old planks, inside was bursting with basket after basket of ripe stone fruit. Her wild gaze traveled over to the peaches and nectarines, glancing between the other carts and booths lining the street to see where the owner of the delicious fruit had wandered off to.

"Giulia, don't," Alberto groaned, covering his eyes with one sweaty palm to hide the embarrassment as Giulia snickered and slipped a speckled plum into her deep pockets, then tossed a peach to Alberto. "This is a bad idea."

"Hmm," Giulia eyed another peach, bruised ripe beneath the weight of its own sweet flesh, and decidedly snatched it up for a bite. A gush of juice dribbled down her chin and the freckles on her knuckles. Her eyes sparkled and with her mouth full, smiling while she spoke. "Having second thoughts?"

"No, I'm thinking that you stealing from Signor Matteo's spring harvest is going to cost us."

Giulia let the large seed sit between her teeth, almost in contemplation, spat it out onto the cobblestones, then wiped her lips coated in syrupy peach nectar. He could smell it on her. "How do we know this is Matteo's? I thought Papa said his wife was out of town, and wasn't doing the Il mercato ortofrutticolo this year!"

"No, no that's not right," Alberto shuffled closer, nervously checking with quick glances at the opposite carts. The juice on Giulia's fingers was drying in the sun overhead, making Alberto's stomach growl. He looked down, feeling the fruit in his hand, roughly the size of a baseball. The fuzzy peach skin tickled his palm. "She was just at the Pescaria yesterday!"

"How would you know where she was if you're always hanging around Luca, huh brother?"

Alberto's thumb dug into the peach, wincing when his thumbnail broke the skin and juice seeped under his fingers like a wound. Above, a lone cloud flitted over their faces, momentary relief from the unrelenting sun that made their bare shoulders peel. Everything swam around him as Giulia said it, making everything hot and uncomfortable and all of those things Alberto wasn't good at identifying. He wanted to clean his hands, quick. He needed to. Needed to rid himself of some sweet thing, the smell that slipped without warning into his nostrils then up into his brain, where all he could think about while Giulia debated stealing another plum was Luca's soft scales. His scent. Salty, giving you something to think about, to know it's presence there resting among your thoughts, but underneath held a sort of sweetness, like caramel. He blinked and the feeling was gone.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea," Alberto pointed to the emptying marina, with everyone excited for the farmer's market. "Going out there. Especially now, like right now. He'll notice we're gone when the whole town's out here. Is Papa going to--"

"Who cares what Papa thinks," Giulia wiped her sticky hands on her shirt and hugged Alberto tight. He knew she was only trying to cheer him up but he wasn't in the mood. "All that matters is this." She retrieved the polaroids from her pocket, flashing Luca's lithe blue form from under the pool at him. His chest ached.

Giulia didn't wait for Alberto to agree, or to argue, she instead picked up his hand again and they resumed their hurried pace down the street, pockets heavy with stolen fruit. The wind picked up the closer they were to the shore, where fishermen's boats floated, casting deep melancholy shadows over their faces and chests, but Giulia only smiled. Alberto moved in a trance, bare feet hot and dry from the dirt dusting the stones under his heels, soaked in sea water, the careful brush of the wind kissing his downcast lashes. Then finally, on solid ground again, still holding Giulia's hand now wobbling for balance as the boat hitched with a sort of excitement with the two reaching for purchase on the wooden sides.

He was still holding the peach in one hand, mushy in some parts and filling the ocean air with its smell. He should have went back home, for the paints. Maybe the sketchbook. But he guessed it didn't matter now. Like Luca would want to be drawn, or even looked at, after all that had happened.

"You good, 'Berto?" Giulia waved a joking hand over his face, and Alberto blinked back to the present moment with her hovering over his hunched frame. "You're gonna have to steer this thing. I take the orders, you catch them. I don't know the first thing about boats."

Alberto shook his head to clear the weird feelings that wrapped around his shoulders like that ratty old towel and sat down, adjusting the oars to start rowing.

"Now," Giulia began, running up to the bow to prop one sandal there, scanning the calm waters. "You said he's at the island?" She was the perfect picture of an old sailor, minus the overgrown facial hair and battle scars. He chuckled silently to himself.

"He probably isn't there now."

"Why? Wait, doesn't he live underwater? Why would he even be at the island in the first place?"

"You're asking too many questions, Giulia. I don't know why he hung around the island so much."

"Well, if he's there because you're there, then won't he show up?"

"You're making it sound like he's some sort of stray cat we're trying to lure into our back patio," Alberto snorted, pulling the oars forcibly toward his chest.

Giulia barked out a laugh. "Is he your little pet? He likes you soooo much that he follows you around?" She got up on her toes and jumped around, teasing him. The lavender in her hair slipped from behind her ear and she caught it, picking the periwinkle buds.

Alberto's ears flushed red, and he looked away. "Giulia, stop it."

Giulia flung the lavender petals into the churning water, smiling as they caught the boat's current and drifted by, pastel purple freckles on the ocean's royal blue cheeks. "Luca loves me!" She tossed more petals, voice low and mocking. "He loves me not!"

"I said stop!" Alberto stood up and let the oars fall into their slots. "You're being so childish right now!"

"Why are you blushing then?" Giulia sneered.

He held up his hands in defeat. "I-- I don't know!"

"Haha! So you admit to it then, no?" Giulia held up one hand in victory, the tiny petals falling around her wild hair and waist in a frenzy against the current, the whispering wind.  I don't admit to anything, Alberto wanted to bite back, but his eye caught movement on the left side of the boat, a dark mass looming along the top of the water, then disappeared deep under, as if an afterthought. Giulia droned on, plucking petals and discarding them into the rumbling waves, completely oblivious to Alberto as he craned his neck to stare into the water, growing anxious.

"He loves me!" Giulia shouted with flourish just as a torrent of water crashed over the left side of the boat, her teasing cry ending in a panicked yelp. She toppled over onto the floor, the boat rocked with the weight of something new, something looming over on all fours, dripping seawater and growling low.

Alberto freed his death grip from the edge, rushing over. "Luca!"

His scales were dark, a harsher blue under the sun and flashing in droplets of water. Giulia's eyes widened as Luca crawled closer, his lips pulled back to reveal a glinting set of teeth. Alberto stood motionless, stunned at what lay before him. Luca's tail thrashed angrily just inches from his knees, the water dripping off his flared fins looking tense, almost in warning or something else, and watched the droplets drip off his lean muscles and onto the boat floor. It was a mess of blues and greens until finally Alberto got a grip and took ahold of Luca's shoulder. It was slippery and rough, that was something he was used to. But Luca's scales were also wet, but not with water. Like he was sweating.

"Luca, stop!" Alberto pulled on his shoulder, feeling the tendons under his grip falter at the sound of his voice.

"You...love him?" Luca demanded at Giulia. He leaned forward to put weight on his forearms, his claws digging into the planks below, cracking, splintering wood. "He's...He's mine."

He's not thinking straight, Alberto realized. It must be...his heat. He didn't like the word, it made him think of a dog or a gripey old cat and not the boy in front of him.

"I...what?" Giulia said, breathless. She looked over the sea monster's shoulder to Alberto, losing some of her inital fear to stare, confused, at him. "I love who?"

"Him!" Luca spit back incredulously, flicking a glance at Alberto and giving the other boy a chance to see the bright yellow eyes. They were haunting they were so wild and terrified.

"Well, yeah I love him. He's my brother," Giulia frowned and shifted back and away from Luca. She got to her feet and went to Alberto, putting her head on his shoulder. Luca sniffed the air and turned around, burning eyes flashing between the two with his lip curled.

Luca's shoulders fell, his muscles unclenched, until he was in a sitting position. "What? But...you said you loved him! I heard it!"

Giulia elbowed Alberto in the arm. What a great reunion, eh?

"It's okay, I was just mocking this dummy over here. You didn't have to go all feral," Giulia joked, and Alberto held in a shudder for her ignorance.

Luca's features softened, holding more sadness than relief when he tipped his chin up to gaze into Alberto's warm cheeks, watery green eyes.

Alberto stared at him, not letting anything pass over his face so Luca could see what he was feeling underneath. He watched the water travel in rivulets down his chest, a few stray lavender petals catching on and gathering at his waist, where thin lines of crimson dribbled down in a puddle on the floor.

"What happened to you?" Alberto asked quickly, his heart beating faster at the sight of the irritated red patches all over Luca's stomach and waist, even more so over the scratches and the pure, dark blood. Giulia followed Alberto's eyes and she held in a gasp, stiffening next to him.

Giulia reached her hands out in the empty air, as if to catch Luca. "Oh! You're hurt."

"Don't touch me!" Luca shrieked, flinging away from Giulia's fingertips. He winced at the pain, clutching one arm along his waist to catch the flow of blood. It dribbled and made horrible plinks into the pool of water at his feet. Luca whimpered, gingerly tracing the scratch marks with bloody claws, and curled up in a ball on the ground.

"It burns," Luca whined, pressing his stomach with his eyes shut.

"We have to help!" Giulia took Alberto's hand and waved her other one in the air. "There's a first aid kid at the house!"

"There's no way we can take him there!" The longer they waited here, Alberto knew, the blood would eventually stain the wood and leave the siblings at an even greater risk for harboring Luca in the first place. "Everyone's gonna know."

"Oh, Alberto will you stop thinking about yourself for just one dammed second and look at the sea monster dying right in front of us?"

"He isn't dying, Giulia! Those are shallow, minor cuts at best. Maybe he's got magical monster healing properties, too! Who freaking knows?" He was worried, beyond worried, and he wished his words hadn't come out so...unflinching.

"Why don't you ask him?" Giulia asked, feigning concern with an exasperated hand to her chest. "Oh, wait, don't ask him, because he isn't even conscious! Which is exactly why we need to help him!"

Alberto's heart raced, staring at Luca's form on the boat floor, and the blood beneath his hands. "How are we even supposed to get him into town?"

Giulia scanned the few contents of the boat, pointing to the plastic tarp Massimo used when it would rain.

"I'll take that, pass by Il mercato ortofrutticolo, wrap him up and carry him to the house, say he's something we bought there, I don't know!" She searched his face, frustrated but worried.

From their right, Luca shifted onto his back, complaining of the heat.

"Go to him," Giulia pushed Alberto toward Luca. "If he won't let me near him then I'll just try and help get us back."

"You can't--"

"Alberto..." Luca whispered from below. He looked down at his weeping stomach, a growl mixed with a cry rolling off his lips. "I didn't mean to do it..."

"Hey, it's gonna be alright." Alberto crouched, eye level with Luca, holding out his hand for him to take. Luca looked at his fingers outstretched with hazy, half-closed eyes and subtly reached to grab his index finger, cradling Alberto's whole hand to his chest.

"We'll help you."

[marvelandponder]

Oh golly gosh, I'm very excited :D! Question, if you could rewrite of the EQG movies, which one, why, and how?- Human Sunset Anon

Hey again, friend! Your questions are so fun! ::whistles:: Now that’s a fun writing exercise.  Alright, I’ll play by the rules: Only the 4 EQG movies, not the specials? And, let’s say I can’t add a song without taking one away. Sound fair? In that case, I choose Equestria Girls, the first one. Out of the four movies, I personally think the first one is the weakest all around. Simple as that.  As for the songs, I’m taking out This Strange World and Time to Come Together.  Let’s have some fun! Got way, way too long, so it’s under the cut. 

We pick up at the tail end of Princess Twilight’s coronation. Twilight’s just become a princess and let’s say she’s worried now about what kind of leader she’ll be. She resolves to live up to Princess Celestia’s example.

Cashing in a song right away: new opening number. Let’s call it All Hail, where Twilight sings lead vocals with an ensemble of her royal subjects. The ensemble sings about how great Princess Twilight is, putting pressure on her, while Twilight sings about how amazing Princess Celestia is and how much she wants to be like her.  Princess Celestia invites Princess Twi to Canterlot to introduce her to her role as a princess, and as she follows Celestia around like a puppy dog, we see her doing some cute stuff like trying to copy Princess Celestia’s mannerisms. Note that the castle’s filled to bursting with reminders of Celestia’s greatness, like stain-glass windows of her legendary battles, loyal royal subjects, etc.  As they get to bed in Twilight’s old student quarters, Spike tries to convince Twilight that taking her tea the same way as Celestia isn’t really necessary to be a great leader. Twilight admits she knows, but she has to live up to Princess Celestia’s example. Growing up, she only ever wanted to be like her teacher. 

But she’s not a student anymore, Spike. She has to live up to the crown she was given. 

But as we know, a mysterious hooded figure had other plans.

The crown’s stolen. Let’s throw in a little more action since we have royal guards, and a new recruit named Flash Sentry (sent from the Crystal Empire to guard Twilight now that she’s a princess) rushes in to save the crown, but no luck. He’s a bit bumbling and Twilight can’t quite catch her. Like, in canon, Sunset Shimmer escapes through the mirror with the crown.

This is a matter of national security. Twilight caused an international incident on her second day. Fantastic. Couldn’t be going better!

Let’s be good little writers and setup that the magic in Twilight’s Element of Harmony is extremely dangerous in the wrong hooves. Let’s just say the Element of Magic reacts... poorly to being misused. And to unworthy hosts (which, even though she’s used it before, makes Twilight nervous because what if she’s not worthy to be a proper princess?).

When Twilight tells Celestia about the thief, Princess Celestia’s a lot more startled and upset than we saw her in canon. She composes herself, but it’s clear that this Sunset Shimmer is a touchy subject for her, and when she reveals Sunset’s her failed protégé, Twilight’s shocked and more than a little nervous by the word failed. If Sunset could fail the princess, why couldn’t Twilight?

Portal scene is pretty much the same, except it’s set in Princess Celestia’s private chambers where she’s kept the mirror all this time. 

Twilight goes through, Spike follows, cue freak-out over bodily changes and lack of magic. 

But thank god, there’s a school! Twilight’s incredibly comforted by the academia of it all (and can admit she’s already missed being a student). And, hey, new friend! The human Flash Sentry here. The dude’s a bit bumbling but he can show her around, protect her from, well... threats. Or try to, anyway.

In lieu of This Strange World, let’s have a villain song to reintroduce Sunset Shimmer. A mirrored reprise of All Hail where Sunset changes the lyrics and gets real pissed when the ensemble of students (led by Flash) sings the praises of their beloved Principal Celestia. She sings stuff along the lines of you wouldn’t think she’s so great if you knew her like I do.  And towards the end of the song, we see Sunset gaining the ensemble under control, so they’re singing the lyrics she is. And what’s worse, the Rainbooms are backing Sunset up. They’re her lackeys. 

Instead of turning the Rainbooms against each other, Sunset’s enlisted them as her own personal entourage. Sunset’s manipulating all of them to stay by her side out of fear. I won’t get into the specifics, but there you go: the Rainbooms are sided against Princess Twilight and she has to get close to each of them to figure out what’s going on. And, what’s at stake at the Fall Formal. 

And when Twilight enters to be the Fall Formal princess, Sunset takes her aside in that Dark Shadowy Intimidation corner. Princess Twilight has to know: what’s her past with Princess Celestia? Why did she run away to another dimension? (How did she fail to be what the Princess wanted?)

We get the same explanation that Princess Celestia gave, but mirrored. Sunset tells her her precious Princess isn’t all she’s made out to be. Sunset’s still egotistical and power-hungry, and that caused her fall, but she was just trying to live up to what she thought Princess Celestia needed her to be as a princess. And after all that, Celestia cast her out, from her perspective at least. Twilight and Sunset compare notes a bit on their different upbringings. Sunset concludes Twilight’s never going to beat her because she’s running a fool’s errand: You’re never going to be like Princess Celestia.  And, of course, that devastates Twilight.  But she’s still driven to help the Rainbooms because they’re so much like her friends. Through getting close to each of the Rainbooms in cute little bonding scenes where Twilight recognizes what’s unique about each of them (with Rainbow, her competitive drive out on the soccer field; with Pinkie, her passion for putting on school dances that bring everyone together again, etc.) that then leads to Princess Twilight inspiring them over to her side by recognizing their strengths and individuality. Cafeteria song happens. 

And we jump right ahead to the night of the Fall Formal. The girls get ready together, kind of fearing what Sunset’ll do but knowing they’re stronger together. Flash promises to be on the look out for them, since he’s got a bone to pick with his recent ex. You should also know by now he’s not the love interest in this movie, just a helpful good friend who’s Done with Sunset’s shit, maybe more than anyone. He can tell them why he broke up with Sunset, how they had good times but that she was getting so reckless and he wasn’t about to stand around while she hurt other people. The Rainbooms can now relate.

So then at the dance, we get to the crowning ceremony hosted by, of course, Principal Celestia. She seems to favour Twilight, which we see for a brief visual moment, hurts and angers Sunset. It’s tense, but after a moment of suspense, Twilight wins. 

But, of course, Sunset’s was never one for democracy. She steals the Element of Harmony crown from Principal Celestia and we’ve got our demon.

I’ll cheat and say the score is playing a darker orchestral version of her villain song. She mind-controls the student body with some kind of fear magic, including Principal Celestia (and Vice Principal Luna). When they go through the portal, they’ll be alicorns. Her army will be pretty much unstoppable.

So, now it’s up to Twilight. Who really deserves the crown? 

Maybe she failed her friends. Maybe she can’t keep everyone safe, and can’t live up to Princess Celestia. 

But when she sees Sunset forcing a mind-controlled Principal Celestia to bow to her, it clicks. It should never be about being better than or just like Celestia. They’re their own rulers. And Twilight’s only going to win her way.

She empowers her friends to work together with their unique strengths, and even if they’re just scared high school teens facing off with a demon, they’ve got each other. And they believe in her because she believes in them. Let’s say the magic inside the crown starts to react when Twilight starts leading the Rainbooms that way. When they’re working together, even just to distract Demon Sunset, Sunset’s fighting to keep the crown on her head, but think, like, Thor’s hammer Mjölnir flying through the air when summoned. 

The thing flies forward and it looks like Demon Sunset’s going to intercept it but Flash Sentry catches it in time and is able to its rightful owner.

With the crown back, Princess Twilight uses the power of friendship to un-zombify the students and staff while Sunset slowly de-transforms, bowing in front of Princess Twilight.

Disgusted that she turned into a monster, a teary-eyed Sunset fully expects Twilight to do her worst on her, cast her out, but Twilight offers down her hand. She says she knows Princess Celestia and Sunset hurt each other. Maybe... Celestia isn’t so perfect after all. But the reason Sunset failed the Princess was the way she went about it, trying to rule by fear and ego. But she should know it wasn’t because Celestia didn’t love and believe in her---Celestia still has the mirror in her private chambers. She’s still waiting for you to return, Sunset. 

Sunset refuses the offer to return. She wants to, but she has a lot of work to do here... 

In the little falling action scene, we see Princess Twilight back in Equestria, receiving her first friendship letter from Sunset Shimmer. We see that things have been hard for Sunset post-Fall Formal, a lot of people still can’t trust her. But she’s slowly paying her dues, earning back the Rainbooms’ trust, and learning to accept love day by day. She’s been inspired. 

Princess Celestia asks if Sunset’s okay, and Twilight says she is. Princess Celestia says Twilight’s succeeded where she failed, and that she suspects Equestria is in great hooves. Twilight will be an even better princess than Celestia herself. 

TL;DR: We’re leaning way into the character stuff that I wanted to know more about in Equestria Girls. I wanted Sunset and Twilight to talk more about their different perceptions of Princess Celestia, and their time with her. I wanted to see the contrast between their leadership styles, and who they’ve become as people, and play that up even more. And for Twilight, I wanted her to take away something. In canon, she only really seems to learn that she can handle her new wings. It would be nice to see her struggle with something relevant to her life in Equestria, you know? She’s always put Celestia on such a pedestal, so Sunset’s the perfect antagonist to challenge those beliefs in Twilight, and force her to realize she has to be her own princess.

Could probably still use work if it was a serious story I was putting together, but hey, it’s just a fun ultra long brainstormy kind of thing! So I hope that was fun for you!

[wearetakingthehobbitstogallifrey]

Kdrama recs Part 2

Hello @camsthisky and anyone else who cares! I do apologize for the delay on this post--it has only been 84 years since Part I of my kdrama recs, I know, and I thought about going for a full century but this is me finding a way to de-stress after watching the first episode of I-Land alkdjfadlksj I’m gonna die of heartbreak but whatever

Speaking of heartbreak, there is a lot to be found in Korea’s wonderful historical dramas, so like, be warned—or, if you are an angst-loving monster like me, settle down for hot guys and good cries

Let us begin! (or, if you want romantic modern dramas see Part 1)

1. Scarlet Heart Ryeo/Moonlovers: 

aha ahahahahahaha *weeps* You may have heard people talk about this show. You may have heard ME talk about this show. This thing was my first kdrama ever and it RUINED ME 

Disclaimer: I have seen this show once and rewatched it twice and on the rewatches I can never quite make myself watch the last 4 or 5 episodes because things get tragic and messy and I get mad. HOWEVER there is a lot of good in the first part of the show and because this thing was all the rage in everywhere but Korea itself, there’s like over 300 fanfic for it and several good fix-its, including one by my good friend @thelonelybrilliance

Ok so anyway this show which could also be called An Abundance of Princes starts with a young woman from modern times getting thrown back into ancient Goryeo during an eclipse and finds herself in the body of Hae Soo, the cousin of the wife of one of the princes, and thus she gets embroiled in royal affairs which are, quite frankly, a mess. See, the evil eyeliner prince (whom I love even when he’s the worst) is plotting with his mom to get the Crown Prince out of the way aka dead BUT who should return to the Palace but the 4th Prince, Wang So, who has spent at least half his life living as hostage to a powerful family. 

So has a scar that cuts across his eye and which in this society makes him a horror to look at or smthing idk he just looks extra hot to me but anyway he wears a mask and is known as the wolf dog (or as the MURDER ANGST CUPCAKE thanks @abadpoetwithdreams). He might seem a little rough around the edges at first because his life has been hell but he really just wants to love and be loved okay people need to be nice to him wtf

Other princes include: 

    1.  the Crown Prince, Wang Mu, a good egg, not particularly charismatic but he tried to protect his lil bro when no one else would

    2.  the 8th prince, Wang Wook, who reminds me of a fellow named Shane and I don’t mean the cowboy

    3.  the 10th prince, Wang Eun, a dumb adorable spoiled bby (played by Baekhyun from EXO)

    4.  the 13th prince, Baek Ah, a tol soft boi, an artist, a BAE, a BRO, a SHIPPER ON DECK

    5.  the 14th prince, Wang Jung this son will fight everyone he’ll fight himself he just loves to fight! Not always wise but he’s a good boy and I like him a lot 

    6.  just realized I skipped the 9th prince but nobody cares 

One quick note is that IU plays Hae Soo, and I enjoy her a lot in the first half of the show where she is still spunky and rebellious...sadly her character kind of falls apart/gets too weak for my liking as the episodes progress

The MAIN reason why I feel it my duty to recommend this show to everyone despite the fact I have never met anyone who wasn’t traumatized by it is LEE JOON GI

Yes, this man:

 I mentioned him in the previous rec post—he played Bong Sang Pil in Lawless Lawyer (AND IS NOW CURRENTLY STARRING IN FLOWER OF EVIL WHICH WILL BE ON ANOTHER POST AHDFOIASDHGALDSKJF FRIQ I AM IN LOVE WITH THAT MAN) 

BUT SERIOUSLY LOOK AT HIS PHOENIX EYES!!! HIS RAZOR SHARP FEATURES! HIS BIG ADORABLE EARS! HIS BEAUTIFUL EXCESSIVE BANGS! 4TH PRINCE WANG SO LOVE OF MY LIFE

SOMEONE PROTECT THIS BBY

2. Hwarang: Ok so right off the bat I am going to smack down a disclaimer that I can’t stand the female lead. TRULY CANNOT. Thus, I don’t like the romance, and only care about the love triangle as far as it just shows how sad and lonely one of the guys is. (Also there are scenes of dumb old men plotting and I don’t like them either). At the end of the show, I am happy that the one guy is NOT stuck with the female lead as his wife. Good for you sir

Sounds like a show to steer clear of then, right? WRONG. This is a show that you skip through because the scenes that are good? Are GREAT

Picture this: It is the Silla era of Korea, and the queen is ruling as regent in place of her son, who has been hiding all his life because everyone wants to kill him. Well, son is now grown and must soon come into the light and take the throne. Queen who both wants her son as king but also really likes being queen decides to do everyone a favor and form an elite fighting squad out of all the prettiest and most talented sons of nobles in the land, with the idea that they will be loyal only to the throne, and thereby keep their dads from plotting to destroy everything. 

Let me tell you something, these ARE the prettiest boys in the land. Good hair, good jawlines, beautiful smiles—the cast lineup includes Park Hyung Sik and his cute lil elf ear, Park Seo Joon, Taehyung (yes from BTS!), and Choi Minho from Shinee, plus two other actors who are lesser known but who are drop-dead gorgeous. Anyway. Sorry, but they really are all beautiful. 

The fun thing is they don’t all get along right away, a few of them are VERY much opposed to the other for various reasons, but they all have to bond and become brothers in arms. And what they don’t know is that the real king snuck in and is one of them. 10/10 I would die for the boys! (also Tae has an older half-brother who is a lower rank than him but whom he looks up to and that makes for cuteness and pain) Once you skip the boring or annoying parts of the show, the rest has so much delight, laughter, and oops pain, lots of pain. I want to go re-watch. 

Two other things I should mention about the show: a super soft side romance between secondary characters and a game of, as they call it in the show, HOT SOCCER 

^pretty boy 1 (with the cute elf ear sadly on the other side of his head)

^pretty boy 2 (sad cheekbone bby) and pretty boy 3 (happy cheekbone bby)

^pretty boy 4 (the prettiest of them all, and he knows it!)

^pretty boy 5 (aka Taehyung danced around the set of a historical drama and made everyone adopt him as their bby) 

3. Faith/The Great Doctor: This is a longer kdrama at 24 episodes and they didn’t have much of a budget so special effects aren’t the best or anything but I just got really attached to all the characters? This is another modern girl goes back in time but UNLIKE SHR it actually has a happy ending, so if you need a historical drama cleanse after that tearjerker/enrager, this could be it for you

Eun Soo has to navigate the ancient kingdom, keep people believing she is a heavenly doctor with special powers, and keep Choi Young alive so he can fulfill his promise of returning her to her own time. The problem with that is Choi Young does have kind of a death wish because of reasons—

Eun Soo is a plastic surgeon who would really like a rich handsome husband one day but them’s the breaks for you, aka she has had no luck in that department. Back in ancient Korea, Choi Young (played by Lee Minho in sadly the only role I really love him in) is a high-ranking beloved captain who can fall asleep anywhere. Oh he can also make electricity with his hands! :D

The story begins when the sleepy sad captain tries to escort the new king and queen to their palace. This was during the time period when ancient Korea was basically a puppet kingdom/tributary of ancient China (Yuan). The king (who is very smol and lacks confidence, but still has a good heart for his country) lived as a hostage in Yuan for many years, and his wise tol queen is a princess of that land, and someone needs to sit them down and make them talk because they actually love each other a lot. Anyway, when the queen gets injured by assassins, Choi Young goes searching for a legendary doctor, winds up in modern Korea, and steals both Eun Soo and a SWAT shield, because hey, it looked cool I guess

Lots of fun things in the show: Choi Young has a crew of soldiers who are BEYOND loyal to him, and while he doesn’t think much of the king at first because he’s been burned by kings before, they slowly become bros and shippers on deck for each other. Eun Soo does not lose her spunk or loyalty unlike other people I could mention *cough*HaeSoofromScarletHeartRyeo*, and it cracks me up when she curses people out. There are also a bunch of people (mostly bad guys) running around with special powers or gifts, including a flame lady and a flute boy, and the latter wears delightful anime wigs, keeps his sword in his flute, and plays his flute to kill—literally! I love flute boy very much 

sorry it’s black and white but DO YOU SEE THE SWAT SHIELD

4. My Country: A New Age:

ANGST ANGST ANGST PAAAAAIN BUT ALSO BEST INTRO BEST FAVES BEST ACTORS

Picture this: two young men, who both hail from childhoods of trauma, who grew up together and are best friends, and who are tragically forced apart and end up on opposite sides of a conflict that threatens to upend the current rule of the kingdom. This IS the star-crossed brotp you’ve been waiting for!

Seo Hwi is the son of a general who died a criminal, and all he wants is to live simply and earn enough rice take care of his younger sister, who has seizures and a sweet crush on Hwi’s bestie. Hwi is the best softest most loyal boy with a good and true heart, a great deal of courage, and a talent for wielding a sword, and just wait till you see the best one-shot fight scene ever of him in battle, it is INCREDIBLE! (He is played by Yang Se Jong, who I now want to see more of) Hwi has an abundance of charisma points in that he picks up a small band of loyal soldier friends and they become the best little found family, lots of brotp-ness in this crew—do not mess with any of them because they will all FIGHT you

Seon Ho meanwhile is the illegitimate despised son of a powerful nobleman, only tolerated because the legitimate son died. Seon Ho loves his friend and is very protective of his friend’s little sister who crushes on him but his dad is a high class grade A power-hungry jerk and that causes complications of course. Seon Ho also has a good heart, he’s a gentle soul really, but he always gets stuck in bad positions and unfortunately makes a couple of difficult/bad choices so he hardens himself as much as he can but the consequences always kill him and he just wants to save his friends and destroy his dad and the stupid hierarchy that treats bastards as lesser. WHY IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK? 

Seon Ho he is played by Woo Do Hwan who has so much talent I die so many times over in this show just because of the way he portrays Seon Ho like that sad sad boy is one of my favorite characters evER! Is he problematic? At times maybe but I am HERE for him he just needs LOVE AND AFFECTION AND AN ABUNDANCE OF GOOD FRIENDS BUT INSTEAD (SOMETIMES THRU HIS OWN FAULT BUT HE ADMITS THAT) HE JUST SUFFERS AND SO I SUFFERRRR

*grabs a towel and dries up my tears*

Hwi also falls in love with a woman named Hui Jae (or was it Hee Jae i can’t remember) and they are very cute together, she’s pretty cool but the show’s one failing is arguably that they kind of underuse her in the plot as the story goes on? But I still like her and she still has a good role, and she is both brave and kind and not afraid to step in or tell people off, also keep a weather eye open for patching up scenes! 

Oh yeah, eVERYONE in this gets hurt/stabbed/shot/bloody, such a shame they have to take their shirts off to clean and bandage the wounds ;)

Last character I must mention is Bang Won, played by Jang Hyuk in his second interpretation of the historical figure. Bang Won is the fifth? son of the guy who becomes emperor/king, and he has his own plans for the country, so when Hwi catches his eye, he recruits him to his cause.  What you need to know about him is that he has issues with his dad, is slightly unhinged, and cannot and should not be parted from the fan that he constantly carries around with him. Gotta say, Jang Hyuk is FANTASTIC (heheheheheheh) in the role, able to convey all kinds of emotion in the rise and fall of his voice, in the tilt of his head, the tears of his eyes, the flick of his fan. Give this actor all the awards! 

To sum up: if you like to cry for days after watching a drama, if you like excellent heart-wrenching brotps, if you like conflicted characters, if you like amazing music and setting and plot, if you like guys with good hair and arm muscles (and 

abs, thank you shirtless scenes what) this show is a Must Watch 

DID I SAY STAR-CROSSED BROTP I MEANT SWORD-CROSSED BROTP ADKJFADLSKJFLKJDFALKDGKLJL </3

~

Ok I was going to leave the historical drama post at this for now but...I’m going to cheat a little and include the one historical C!drama I just finished.Yes folks I am talking about:

5. Nirvana in Fire:

Ok so maybe the switch from kdrama to cdrama makes you uncertain. Maybe the fact that this show has FIFTY-FOUR EPISODES makes you go hell no I don’t have enough time for that. Well if you overlook this show for those reasons, you are making, and I do not exaggerate, the greatest mistake of your show-watching life!

Look, first, this drama has one of the best, most intricate, most satisfying plots in history, with like 20 characters you would die for, and second, the episodes are only about 42 minutes each, which is shorter than most kdrama episodes, so you can deal.

Once upon a time there was a general/family who were just too good to exist in corrupt old China, so naturally they were framed for treason and there was a giant massacre and everybody died, including the eldest prince who was like um dad maybe this is all a horrible mistake and the king was like no u are the mistake. Sad times.

One of the many younger princes named Jing (A NOBLE HEART, if not always the cleverest) returns home from wherever he was, finds out that not only did his prince brother die, but so did his best friend/brother in the whole wide world, Lin Shu, son of the general. Because he insists on the innocence of said bros/family, Jing becomes an outcast prince and is shuffled off to fight in wars where he can’t cause any trouble. Meanwhile, Princess Nihuang, Lin Shu’s brave, awesome, amazing, wise, incredible girlfriend, refuses to marry anyone else, and because she is too cool to be messed with, nobody tries to banish her

Cut to I think eleven years later, when the two most powerful princes are vying to be the crown prince and heir to the throne. They both try to recruit the aid of a renowned clever and sassy strategist named Mei Changsu, to help them with plotting and PR and such.

Well little do they know that Mei Changsu is actually the not-dead Lin Shu, with a completely new face (for reasons), and that Mei Changsu is a chess master setting up a long con for the dual purpose of obtaining revenge/justice for the dead and of raising Prince Jing to the throne, since Prince Jing is the only man with a good enough heart and strong enough will to make China a better place for all the people. But just to make it hard on everybody, Mei Changsu is dead set on not telling anyone who he really is—again, for reasons. He is not always successful in keeping his secret.

I literally don’t know what else to say because there is so MUCH to say, so many characters to love, and I mean LOVE. How do you get a cast this good? How is everyone so different yet so important? How do you feel bad for the emperor even when he’s slimy? How do you have to stop yourself from rooting for the prince who would destroy some of your faves? I can’t praise the charisma and acting talent in this show enough! And the music! IS GORGEOUS!

1 strategist too sassy for his own good and too clever for everyone else’s good + 1 prince who loves his mom and his dead best friend and his dead older brother more than anything else in the world + 1 gentle wise mom + 1 eternally loyal princess who would defend her loved ones with the sword if necessary + 1 sassy Elrond healer man + 1 grumpy sulky baby who loves being a better fighter than almost everyone + 1 loyal to the death, brave badass general who is going to have a stress breakdown if the strategist doesn’t take better care of himself + not 1 but 2 good boys who deserve to be protected but who are willing to throw themselves into battle if necessary + 1 antagonist tiger prince who I love and am not ashamed to say it = THE BEST OF TIMES

^he hardly ever wears his hair down but when he does <33333333

*checks calendar* how soon is too soon rewatch something, asking for a friend

[tabloidtoc]

OK, November 23

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Jeff Bridges opens up about the fight of his life 

Page 2: Contents 

Page 3: Contents 

Page 4: Lori Loughlin’s life behind bars -- Lori’s been having a hard time adjusting to her new reality

Page 6: The holiday season will look a little different for Prince Harry this year -- originally the plan was for Harry to travel to England around Christmastime and Meghan Markle reluctantly agreed though she was far from happy with the idea but now with new travel restrictions in place due to Covid-19 she’s told him there’s no way they’re leaving California which is crushing for Harry who was looking forward to spending the holidays with the royals especially since he missed out last year and he’s been horribly homesick these last few months and he misses the holiday traditions he grew up with even though he loves his life in America with Meghan and son Archie 

Page 7: Newly single Kelly Clarkson has been swooning over country crooner Brett Eldredge her collaborator on the flirty new Christmas tune Under the Mistletoe -- they spent lots of time together in the studio and on the phone and really bonded while they were cutting this sexy song, Brad Pitt’s most recent ex-girlfriend Nicole Poturalski has started talking to friends about what happened between them in detail and it’s an embarrassing mess for Brad who prides himself on privacy, after 16 seasons as colleagues and sparring BFFs on The Voice Adam Levine and Blake Shelton are besties no more because there was a lot of talk between them about keeping in touch and hanging out after Adam left the show but amid lingering tensions neither has made an effort and Adam may not even be invited when Blake marries Gwen Stefani

Page 8: Ever since Sofia Richie split for good from Scott Disick she’s been out every night with some really shady types to the dismay of her dad Lionel Richie who is not liking what he’s hearing about her partying and dating habits -- Sofia has already jumped into a new relationship with Cha Cha Matcha founder Matthew Morton and is hanging nonstop with his crew -- Lionel thought breaking free from Scott would mean a calmer life but it just sees like she’s gone off the rails, Betty White is already gearing up to celebrate her 99th birthday in January with a low-key yet reverent bash, she’s been linked to several Hollywood hunks of late but Lily James just wants her old beau back and she’s regretting breaking off her five-year relationship with Matt Smith -- since the split she’s been linked to Dominic West and Armie Hammer and Chris Evans and the onslaught has only made her miss Matt more -- Matt’s always had her back and Lily knows she made a mistake letting him go but Matt feels duped regarding all the rumors about her and other guys but she swears nothing happened and that she misses him

Page 10: Red Hot on the Red Carpet -- stars wow in romantic ruffled gowns -- Keke Palmer, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kirsten Dunst 

Page 11: Lupita Nyong’o, Halsey 

Page 12: Who Wore It Better? Renee Bargh vs. Alessandra Ambrosio

Page 14: News In Photos -- Paris Jackson posed for a portrait in Beverly Hills days before releasing her debut solo album 

Page 15: Adam Brody with his newborn son in Malibu, pregnant Jinger Duggar stepped out in Venice with husband Jeremy Vuolo and their daughter Felicity for lunch, Lady Gaga on stage at a drive-in concert in Pittsburgh 

Page 16: Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell headed out for brunch with one of their twin daughters in Encino, Camila Cabello held on tight to one of her three pups while chasing another one who escaped from his leash in Miami, Pierce Brosnan playing golf in Hawaii 

Page 18: DJ Diplo took a dip in the ocean in Miami, John Legend took his Ford Mustang out for a spin with wife Chrissy Teigen and one of their dogs in Beverly Hills 

Page 19: Bella Thorne and boyfriend Benjamin Mascolo in Rome, Scott Disick was Ace Ventura for Halloween in L.A. 

Page 20: Ruff Life -- stars show love for their canine companions -- Ariel Winter and her latest rescue Cobey, Jamie Chung and her dog, soccer star Alex Morgan with her dogs Kona and Blue 

Page 21: Nev Schulman cuddled up with Dancing With the Stars partner Jenna Johnson’s dog Ziggy, PLEASE ADOPT, DON’T SHOP  

Page 22: Shawn Mendes on a walk in Miami, Kate Mara stopped by Target with her daughter, Ellen DeGeneres dressed up as a nurse who is her favorite superhero 

Page 24: Skai Jackson headed to rehearsals for Dancing With the Stars, Elizabeth Lyn Vargas of Real Housewives of Orange County gave a tour of her home, Joe Jonas strolling daughter Willa around the neighborhood 

Page 25: Thomas Brodie-Sangster attended the premiere of Stardust a biopic about David Bowie in London, Donnie Wahlberg and Steve Schirripa filmed a scene for Blue Bloods in Brooklyn 

Page 26: Taking over duties from Prince Harry his stepmother Duchess Camilla arrived at the Field of Remembrance to commemorate those who lost their lives in the armed forces in London, Amber Heard enjoyed a hike with her dog in L.A., Renee Elisa Goldsberry and Sara Bareilles and Paula Pell and Busy Philipps filmed a scene for Tina Fey’s upcoming series Girls5Eva in NYC 

Page 27: Offset delivered free food to voters waiting in line on Election Day, Ciara in Seattle 

Page 28: Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes have finally become husband and wife in a low-key ceremony in the backyard of their L.A. home with just a handful of family and close friends like Steve Carell and Emma Stone were in attendance -- Ryan wore jeans with a button-down shirt while Eva wore a red dress from her own collection -- now that the party’s over Eva and Ryan have been talking about having a third child

Page 29: Reality hit Love Is Blind hooked viewers with its OMG premise but the show’s married cohosts Nick Lachey and Vanessa Lachey were decidedly less riveting and their presenting style was laughably wooden and stiff and while the duo is slated to return for the show’s second season Nick and Vanessa have been put on notice to spice it up, Tori Spelling is freaking out at the prospect of her husband Dean McDermott spending six months alone in Toronto which is the same town where he cheated on her seven years ago -- Dean has signed on to star in Canadian TV show Lady Dicks and while Tori should be thrilled that that he’ll be bringing in some income for their often-struggling family of seven she is preparing for the worst 

Page 30: While it appears Nina Dobrev and Shaun White have spent 2020 in hardcore flirt mode Nina’s friends have cautioned that this is a dead-end romance because Shaun shows up and posts pictures of them on social media but the fact is they’ve barely spent any time together and they hook up and then he goes back to his own place -- Shaun rarely invites Nina to either of his two Hollywood Hills pads and is proving his flaky reputation is legit, things are looking up for parents-to-be Kit Harington and Rose Leslie after a rocky start to their marriage the two are finally in a happy place -- Kit has stopped boozing and this baby has put a fire under him to be more accommodating and besides helping update and baby-proof the couple’s 15th century countryside manor Kit’s been more attentive to Rose in every way, Love Bites -- Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi split, Maya Erskine and Michael Angarano are engaged and expecting, Ashlee Simpson welcomed her second child with husband Evan Ross 

Page 32: Cover Story -- Jeff Bridges: I’m not giving up -- how the beloved star is coping during his brave health battle 

Page 36: Katherine Heigl why she disappeared -- the reason Katherine walked away from the spotlight ad how she found her way back 

Page 38: Home Alone turns 30 -- in honor of the holiday classic’s milestone anniversary secrets and trivia about the movie and its stars 

Page 40: Feel the Burn -- fitness fanatic Morgan Coleman is here to take your home workout up a notch 

Page 42: Healthy Holidays -- how stars stay fit and feeling their best during the festive season 

Page 46: Style Week -- Olivia Culpo has teamed up with her siblings on an exclusive collection for Macy’s 

Page 48: What’s Hot Right Now -- Madewell wants you to Make Weekends Longer with its new sustainable MWL collection 

Page 49: Steal Her Style -- Drew Barrymore 

Page 50: Dress the Halls -- festive pieces to rock through the holidays even if you’re celebrating at home -- AnnaSophia Robb 

Page 54: Entertainment 

Page 55: Q&A -- Jake Tyson

Page 58: Buzz -- Just weeks after Kim Kardashian West was slammed over her 40th birthday bash Kendall Jenner received similar criticism for throwing a jam-packed soiree for her 25th birthday 

Page 60: Sound Bites -- Cameron Diaz on having a baby at 47, Conan O’Brien on the props that were stolen from his late-night set, Sacha Baron Cohen joking that he and his wife Isla Fisher are not A-listers, Anne Hathaway on the embarrassing ways she handled the lockdown 

Page 61: Florence Pugh on her close relationship with her Black Widow costar Scarlett Johansson, Christine Quinn on not being bothered by negative comments, Chelsea Handler on crushing on New York governor Andrew Cuomo 

Page 62: Horoscope -- Lisa Bonet turned 53 on November 16 

Page 64: By the Numbers -- Colin Jost

[jaspersspx040]

Exactly How We  Enhanced Our Top Soccer Prediction Sites In One Week(Month, Day)

Seattle Seahawks Squeeze Past The Washington Football Team To Clinch Playoff Berth

The winners of each continental competitors contest the FIFA Club Globe Cup. As opposed to stopping play, the umpire might allow play to proceed if doing so will certainly benefit the group versus which an offense has actually been devoted. The referee might "recall" play and punish the initial offence if the anticipated benefit does not follow within "a few secs". Also if an offense is not punished due to benefit being played, the wrongdoer might still be approved for misbehavior at the next standstill of play. The umpire might punish a player's or replacement's misconduct by a care or dismissal. A 2nd yellow card in the very same video game leads to a red card, which leads to a dismissal. A player given a yellow card is said to have actually been "booked", the referee composing the gamer's name in their main note pad.

the sphere made use of in this game, a filled with air oval with a bladder consisted of in a casing usually made from natural leather. Haskins got the start, as well as threw for 295 lawns with one touchdown as well as two interceptions, because Smith was recouping from a calf injury experienced the previous week in Washington's sway the San Francisco 49ers. The final four groups vying for a championship game have actually been established. Texas A&M missed out on making the College Football Playoff despite only losing one video game during the season. Covering university sporting activities for the Early morning Information for more than a decade plus a great deal of various other things in previous lives.

Released in 2018, the Healthy and balanced Sport Index incorporates the very best available information and professional evaluation while permitting customers to tailor sport-by-sport outcomes via their own health and wellness top priorities for engagement.

It's a source to help youth sporting activities coaches develop individual development in their players.

The device aids moms and dads, kids and other stakeholders make informed decisions based on their priorities to make sporting activities a healthy and balanced as well as positive experience for youngsters.

Healthy Sporting Activity Index For the first time, the general public can determine in one area the family member advantages as well as threats of taking part in the 10 most prominent high school children as well as ladies sports.

See as.pn/ coaching to view panel conversations on the worth of trains advertising social and also emotional skills.

Oklahoma Secondary School Football: The Oklahoman's Champion, Semifinal Choices

If a player has been disregarded, no alternative can be prompted in their area as well as the gamer may not join additional play. Misbehavior might happen at any moment, and also while the offences that constitute misconduct are noted, the interpretations are wide. Particularly, the offence of "unsporting behaviour" might be used to handle the majority of events that breach the spirit of the game, even if they are not noted as specific offences.

WR DeAndre Hopkins goes in depth concerning his touchdown catch and also clarifies the value of this win for the group. LAFC eliminated the 3rd Mexican Club in the 2020 edition of the Concacaf Champions Organization as well as they will certainly attempt to finish the prominence from Liga MX groups in the competition as they head to the final to face Tigres UANL.

" We delight in that moms and dads and also loved ones will currently have the ability to see their students play in the game. QB Sam Darnold called the win "an impressive sensation." He was reliable, avoiding turnovers and also tossing the round away when under pressure. As Adam Gase said, "There was no panic." If the Jets choose to trade Darnold, this was the sort of performance that will appeal to suitors. Inquired about the Trevor Lawrence speculation, Darnold said, "It does not influence us." Russell Wilson balanced just 4.6 air backyards per effort Sunday as the Seahawks again focused on fast passes to battle Washington's strong defensive front. Per ESPN Statistics & Info, that was Wilson's cheapest standard given that the 2015 opener as well as third-lowest of his career. Wilson balanced 7.3 air backyards per attempt last week against the Jets after balancing 8.2 over the first 13 weeks, 10th-highest in the league because period.

What's the oldest football team?

The Arizona Cardinals, formed in Chicago in 1898, are the oldest team in the National Football League.

gallery Arrivals Before Giants Dec 13, 2020 Cardinals players show up to MetLife Arena prior to the Week 14 match against the Giants offered by Bose. gallery Arrivals Before Eagles Dec 20, 2020 Cardinals gamers get here to State Farm Stadium before the Week 15 match against the Eagles offered by Bose.

Much like the Big 12, I have actually improbably survived two bouts of realignment. Don't bother the 24-point blowout loss that the Combating Irish experienced in the ACC title game versus Clemson. The board offered Notre Dame approval based upon earlier sway Clemson as well as North Carolina. When the CFP option board unveiled its final rankings Sunday early morning from Grapevine, Notre Dame (10-1) got approval for the fourth and also last playoff area, simply ahead of the Aggies (8-1). Texas A&M and train Jimbo Fisher made an enthusiastic College Football Playoff instance Saturday by winning its regular season ending over Tennessee.

Several of the leading potential customers in the country have yet to introduce their destination. Saturday's scores, paired with the absence of nonconference video games this year, are mosting likely to cultivate unmatched reactions to the Playoff choices. Alabama completed 11-0 in SEC have fun with a championship win, led by Heisman candidates Najee Harris, Mac Jones and also DeVonta Smith. The University Football Playoff board showed it will never ever give Group of 5 groups like the Bearcats, Chanticleers a fair shake. Smith is attempting to become the very first WR to win the Heisman given that 1991, but he needs to beat teammates Mac Jones and Najee Harris. Military was the first team to approve a bowl quote, to the Self-reliance Dish in October, however opt-outs as well as linkups left it without an opponent. Points will remain the same for as lengthy as individuals keep imitating only the big bettingloupe.com/ leagues issue and like the kids are an adjunct.

On the 15th Sunday of the NFL's 2020 period, 33 Alabama graduates hopped on the field. As wintertime climate embed in around the country, the Chargers-Raiders competition in a dome in Las Vegas can enable unusual names such as limited end Darren Waller to bring your fantasy group to the champion round. Smith saw at least three targets in all 9 of his beginnings, yet he managed to allow under 30 yards in every one of his video games this year. Surtain might have given up a 50-yard touchdown in the 2020 SEC Championship Game, yet that was truly one of minority poor plays he had all period long. He is a physical corner that trails just Hodges-Tomlinson for the majority of forced incompletions amongst Power 5 outside corners. As you might have seen in the 2021 PFF NFL Draft Overview, Surtain's best quality is his press abilities, and also this year has actually verified that. He comes in at No. 1 among all FBS cornerbacks in press-coverage quality.

Sheriff Strategies To Proceed Search For Seekers On Xmases Day If Required.

Who is the ref who blew Saints?

These fans didn't care. Referee Bill Vinovich looks on during the NFC Championship game between the Rams and New Orleans Saints on Jan. 20.

The Rule currently express measurements with approximate metric matchings, though use royal units remains popular in English-speaking countries with a reasonably recent history of metrication, such as Britain. The ball is spherical with an area of in between 68 as well as 70 cm, a weight in the series of 410 to 450 g, as well as a stress in between 0.6 and 1.1 conventional ambiences (8.5 as well as 15.6 pounds per square inch) at sea level. In the previous the round was comprised of leather panels stitched, with a latex bladder for pressurisation but modern balls in all degrees of the game are now artificial. A game is officiated by an umpire, who has "complete authority to implement the Laws of the Game about the match to which he has actually been appointed", as well as whose decisions are final. In many high-level video games there is also a fourth authorities who helps the referee as well as might change another official must the demand arise. The fundamental equipment or kit players are needed to wear includes a t shirt, shorts, socks, shoes and sufficient shin guards.

The Pitt side protector racked up 20 total stress in his video games against Notre Dame, Clemson, Virginia Technology and also Boston College, the 4 ideal collections of deals with in the ACC this year. McNeil played 87% of his complete snaps at heads-up nose tackle this year, making his manufacturing nothing except incredible. Only one player considering that 2014 has actually produced a greater PFF grade at 0-technique than McNeil's 90.5 this period. Kinnard preserved his status as one of the leading takes on in the run game this year, raising his run-block grade from 89.1 in 2019 to 92.3 this period.

Who hasn't won a Superbowl?

There are now 12 NFL franchises that have not won a Super Bowl after the Eagles earned their first title in 2018. The Bengals, Bills, Browns, Cardinals, Chargers, Falcons, Jaguars, Lions, Panthers, Texans, Titans and Vikings have not won a Super Bowl in their history.

The Crimson Tide and Battling Irish will certainly meet for the 8th time in the background of the collection that dates back to 1973. Alabama trails, 2-5, in the previous pairings but came away with a victory in the most recent matchup between both teams at the 2013 BCS National Championship in Miami, Fla . Discover resources and possibilities to get included as well as play football. There's no Michigan-Ohio State to highlight the normal period's final complete weekend, yet high risks and negative blood aren't difficult to locate. Sun Belt commissioner Keith Gill is being a lot more proactive regarding making cases for his teams, with Coastal Carolina and Louisiana both ranked. A previous college quarterback, Coen concerns the Wildcats after 3 season with the Los Angeles Rams.

[littlepanduh-writes-365]

Day 44

Title: “Paradigm Shift”

Description: During a gaming session, Sooyoung gives some exciting news that makes Hyejoo think about her life.

Features: Sooyoung X Hyunjin X Olivia Hye, slight Hyewon(Loona)

Word Count: 2,325

Tags: Fluff | College AU

(image from Pinterest)

“Yo, Hyejoo. Wanna join for some Mario Kart tonight?”

“Sorry, Hyun. I’m kinda busy tonight. Maybe another time?”

“Gang Beasts tonight? Sooyoung’s joining, too.”

“I’m not in the mood. Sorry. Maybe another time?”

“Hyejoo. Come join us for some Rainbow Six.”

For once, Hyejoo is interested, but there’s a blank document in front of her and its paired midnight deadline convinced her not to play.

“Sorry, Soo. I have a paper due at midnight. Next time?” The college student genuinely wishes she didn’t procrastinate this bad. 

I know it looks this way, but the three sisters aren’t that distant with each other. After Sooyoung and Hyunjin left for university, they didn’t see each other as often, but still bonded through online gaming.

It all started when they were younger. Sooyoung had granted Hyunjin the responsibility of taking care of her Nintendogs when she went to a summer camp. Usually Hyejoo, too young to play, would sit next to her and sometimes they switched off taking care of the Sharpei they virtually adopted. 

As they grew up, their tastes for video games changed as well. Sooyoung mostly grew out of them, having to take care of her younger siblings and started pursuing dancing. Of course, during college, she wouldn’t hesitate to join in party games, like Just Dance and trivia games. Hyunjin became a sports star, but still played video games. She enjoyed low-stress, life simulation games, but also occasionally played FIFA with her teammates. 

Hyejoo had a funny relationship with extracurricular activities. Growing up, she was always dragged into watching her sisters’ dance recitals or soccer games, so she tended to have low energy. She tried dance and soccer and actually showed potential in both hobbies, but had no interest or motivation in either. By the time she was in high school, she only continued what she enjoyed, which was just playing video games. She specifically enjoyed shooting and battle royale games, but she could play anything. 

As both Sooyoung and Hyunjin transitioned into university and adult life, they tried their best keeping in touch with their youngest sister. When video calls became awkward, Hyunjin brought up the idea of playing Mario Kart online together and talking through Discord. Sooyoung had to go buy herself a Switch and Hyejoo didn’t like the idea of spending more than 30 minutes talking to her sisters, but the experience was a pleasant surprise. The two older siblings couldn’t help enjoying the serotonin boost they would get when hearing competitive Hyejoo screaming and threatening them with embarrassing secrets from the past when Hyunjin threw a Blue Shell or Sooyoung Bullet Bill-ed past her. An hour passed and Hyunjin was ready to log out, but couldn’t resist it when Hyejoo asked, “One more round?” 

The gaming continued when Hyejoo went to university. Even though it wasn’t their style, the three of them would play whatever was popular and multiplayer, whether it be PUBG or Smash. 

Eventually, scheduling time to play with Hyejoo was a little unsuccessful. In her last year of university, she became busy with school and actually became more social. You could catch her playing intramural soccer or at the dance studio. She was even dating someone and worked at a nearby bakery. Hyejoo could’ve made time for her siblings, but replaying the same courses and campaigns for hours wasn’t stimulating enough for her. 

Tonight’s a little different. It’d been nearly 2 months since she spoke to her sisters and Gowon was scolding her to spend time with them. Even though her computer was starting to run slow, she downloaded the new zombie game Sooyoung mentioned and logged onto her Discord account.

“Nice of you to finally join us, Hyejoo.” Sooyoung naturally scolds her first. 

“I know. I thought you were going to abandon us.” Hyunjin spoke in a higher tone and it made Hyejoo cringe. 

“Stop being fucking dramatic, Soo. I’m busy with school.”

Hyunjin scoffs. “You’re busy dating your Minecraft girlfriend. I see you online.”

Hyejoo scowls. She turns around, making sure said girlfriend wasn’t in the room. “She’s my real girlfriend, too, you know?”

Sooyoung just chuckles. “I’ll see it when I believe it. When are you introducing her to mom and dad?”

“I don’t know. Maybe during the next holiday?”

“Can you bring some snacks from your work?” Hyunjin shoves herself in front of the camera, as if trying to corner her little sister. 

“Hyun, that’s not important.”

“What's more important than bread?”

“Kim Jiwoo. That’s what’s more important than bread.”

Hyejoo pinches the bridge of her nose. This was why she didn’t like talking to her sisters for more than 30 minutes. 

“As if, Sooyoung. Jeon Heejin is more superior than Jiwoo, but bread is always on top.”

“You say that now, once you get married, you’re going to change your minds.”

There are two gunshots. 

“Hye! Why’d you shoot us?! We’re on the same team?”

“Can you two simps shut up? I just sacrificed 6 gigabytes of space to play this game with you two.”

To Hyejoo’s surprise, Hyunjin’s avatar punches her character and Sooyoung takes her out with a headshot. Hyejoo’s about to seek revenge until Sooyoung starts talking again. 

“Yah. I’ve seen your Instagram story posts. Once you two get together, you’re gonna be whipped for her, too. It’s in the Ha genetics.”

“For fucks sake, I am dating Gowon! And why would anyone be proud of being whipped?” Hyejoo starts shooting at her sisters but they run away from the lobby before starting a campaign. 

It always starts with small talk. It usually consists of their jobs, what they’re doing on the weekends, and each other’s girlfriends. Hyejoo liked hearing from her sisters, but she couldn’t help but feel a little pathetic hearing about their numerous plans while she just wanted to get through school. Conversations like this is where they found out that Sooyoung became a manager at a well known dance school. The last time they talked, Hyunjin was talking about taking Heejin to Disneyland. Hyejoo was slightly jealous because she wants to spoil Gowon, too, but with the minimum wage she’s earning, she can only afford the new gaming mouse Gowon wanted. 

Like always, she’ll just listen. Listen and shoot. Maybe she’ll learn a new lesson from the mistakes her sisters laugh about, but she’s too busying carrying the team for the most part. 

The three have just finished a round when Hyunjin asks for a break so she can eat. Hyejoo checks her phone to see a few texts from Gowon. 

Sooyoung opens a conversation. “Hey guys, I need to tell you something.” 

“Go right ahead,” Hyejoo says before chugging some water. Hyunjin just hums before biting into some pasta that Heejin brought in about 15 minutes ago. 

“I haven’t told mom and dad, yet because we’re still thinking about it,” Sooyoung takes a deep breath, “Jiwoo and I want to try for a kid.”

Hyejoo stops looking at her phone. She stares at Sooyoung through the screen. “Oh damn. Really?”

Sooyoung offers a smile. Hyejoo can’t help but soften up at the honey dripping out of her sister’s eyes. “Yeah. She keeps talking about how cute her students are so I brought up the conversation. We’re gonna start going to fertilization clinics and adoption centers to see our options. I don’t think anything’s going to happen in the coming year or two, but I just wanted to let you guys know.” She sighs. “I’m kinda excited actually.”

“Congrats, unnie!” Hyunjin lets out a chuckle. “The idea of a little Jiwoo running around and doing taekwondo flips sounds adorable.”

Sooyoung whines. “What about a little Th-ooyoungie dancing in the living room?”

“Don’t ever use that fucking voice again.” Hyejoo grimaces in disgust. 

Hyunjin didn’t spare a pause for disagreement. “I second that.” Sooyoung never used aegyo so it was slightly unbearable hearing that. 

“Whatever.” Sooyoung sighs. “It’s just— it’s kinda surreal thinking about having a kid.”

Hyejoo also agrees. Maybe it’s because she’s looking forward to building her career or the fact that she doesn’t know where to begin in taking care of a kid that the idea of her own children seems foreign. She’s thought about adopting a dog, but a human being?

Hyunjin asks Sooyoung about the logistics, like the future of their current jobs and who would carry the child if they decided to not adopt. 

Hyejoo listens, but her mind gets clouded thinking about a little Sooyoung or Jiwoo running around and giggling and maybe even playing with a little controller. Hyunjin will compete to be the favorite aunt, but she’ll share with Heejin. She knows Gowon will be a better aunt than her, but she still wants to be a part of that kid’s life. Even though she wasn’t the most active, she wants to take that future kid to the park and kick a ball around and teach them pranks. 

The idea warmed Hyejoo’s heart. 

For a second, Hyejoo zones back into the conversation. Sooyoung eggs Hyunjin about finishing dental school so she can start her own family, too. 

Then it hits Hyejoo. 

It’ll still be in the far future, but maybe she needs to grow up a little more. There’s going to be little Sooyoung and soon enough there will be a little Hyunjin. 

Hyejoo needs to stop cursing. Maybe she needs to go home more and keep her parents company. She’ll learn how to cook something besides instant ramen and fried rice. 

Things are going to be different. They’re all growing up. Sooyoung’s moving up positions. Hyunjin is going to finish dental school. Hyejoo was going to graduate soon. 

Hyejoo was more than used to being away from her family during the school year, but then it hits her. 

The two neighboring rooms back home were going to be empty. Her two sisters are eventually going to stop coming home for holidays. 

The three of them are not going to play video games.

It’ll no longer be just the three of them. 

Hyejoo let’s that sink in a little. The days of shooting zombies and racing around Nintendo tracks and visiting each other’s islands will significantly lesson.

The maknae suddenly feels guilty of declining all those game requests. Although all reasons were valid, she feels like she should’ve made more time for her sisters.

She hears Hyunjin whining at something Sooyoung said. Hyejoo flinches a smile, remembering how fifteen years ago, they were bullying each other at the playground.

Some things didn’t change. 

And maybe some things still won’t change.

The future is uncertain and maybe she shouldn’t think too much about it.  

At least she has the present. She can still play with her sisters now. She can play with them next week, next month. 

“Hye? Are you okay? You’ve been pretty quiet.” 

Hyejoo tried to think of a snarky comeback, but couldn't think of anything. Surprisingly, her ego doesn’t get to her and just comes clean. “Yeah. I’m just thinking about a little Sooyoung. It’s kinda cute actually. Congrats, Soo.”

Her two older sisters just stare at her through the camera. “Wow. It must be late. Hyejoo’s being nice. Let’s just do one more round and call it a night.”

Hyejoo scoffs. She wants to curse, but holds herself back. 

-

“You guys down for a few rounds of Smash?”

“Sounds good. Is Hye joining?”

Hyejoo puts down her phone. “Gowonnie.” She nudges the girl next to her. They were watching a variety show together while snuggling. 

Gowon just hums, a little engrossed in the show. 

“I’m gonna go play with my sisters. Is that okay?”

Her girlfriend just smiles and rolls her eyes. “Why do you even ask? You know I’m going to say yes.”

Hyejoo doesn’t want to admit that she just wants to be chummy. “If you had plans in mind, I was just going to reschedule.” 

Gowon just shrugs. “I mean I’m craving fried chicken, but that’s not worth rescheduling.” She then shoves Hyejoo off of her. “Go.”

The younger one grumbles, but makes her way to their gaming room. 

As she turns on the light, she admires the room they have created. On one side, her girlfriend has a pastel setup. It contrasts her black black setup. 

An idea finally sparks in her head. She walks back outside and peaks back into their small living room. 

“Gowonnie, do you want to join us?”

--

“Are you really her girlfriend?”

“Of course she’s my girlfriend. She wouldn’t have been playing with us for the past hour if we’re not dating.” Hyejoo puts her head on Gowon’s shoulder. Hyunjin and Sooyoung are entertained by their little sister’s webcam showing an abandoned chair while Gowon’s webcam showed Hyejoo being soft and protective of a bright and rather crunchy lady.

“She’s not paying you with credits or diamonds or something?”

Gowon giggles. “That sounds like a better bargain.” She turns to her girlfriend and pats her head. “I’m tired of carrying you. Starting next month, I’m expecting 2,000 Battle Points or I’m going to stop doing your laundry.”

Hyunjin chokes on her water. Sooyoung’s jaw dropped. 

Hyejoo pouts. “Park Chaewon.”

“Wow. I like her already. I think mom will like her, too.”

“How did you meet such a nice person, Hye? She’s pretty, too. I didn’t know you had it in you.”

Gowon smiles. “Thank you. It’s nice to know Hyejoo’s siblings are nice.” She turns to Hyejoo. “You should learn something from your sisters. Forget it. I’m upping the payment to 4,000 Battle Points.”

Hyejoo pouts and gives a quick peck on Gowon’s cheek. “Can I pay you with love instead?”

Hyunjin gags. “I don’t know if I’ll get used to this.”

“She got that from you, Hyun. Don’t deny it.” Sooyoung scolds her younger sister.

“You’ve been dating, Jiwoo-unnie longer! She got that from you!”

Gowon giggles. Hyejoo can’t help, but admire her girlfriend. She pleased how well things were coming along. 

--

Socials: Twitter | Curious Cat

[nvgotd]

The Non-Violent Games of E3 2019

Following requests on Twitter, I’ve compiled a roundup of all the non-violent games announced and showcased at E3 2019. Hoping this can become an annual thing.

There are 41 games here across a variety of platforms, so without further ado...

Afterparty

Developer: Night School Studios Platforms: PC, Mac, Xbox One Release Date: 2019

Milo and Lola are best buds who recently died and find themselves in Hell. There is only one way to escape: outdrink Satan and he'll let them return to Earth. This point and click adventure sees you on the bender of your afterlife where you'll play beer pong, flirt with Satan and change the very structure of Hell.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Developer: Nintendo Platforms: Switch Release Date: March 20, 2020

The latest entry in Nintendo's charming life sim series starts on a deserted island. Players begin with nothing more than a tent, but must craft enough materials and cultivate the land until they can build an entire village -- all while repaying their debt to the insidious Tom Nook, of course.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey: Discovery Tour

Developer: Ubisoft Quebec Platforms: PC Release Date: Autumn 2019

Following on from the Assassin's Creed Origins version presents players with a combat-free version of Odyssy's Ancient Greece. They'll be able to explore it at will, or follow tours and suggested paths that will teach them about various aspects of life and culture at the time. This time around, there are also quizzes to see how much you have learned. It will be released for free, with a standalone version for people who don't own the game.

Catan

Developer: Asmodee Digital Platforms: Switch Release Date: June 2019

The digital adaptation of this classic board game is coming to Nintendo Switch. For those who haven't played, a landscape is randomly generated, its terrain and the produce gained from it is split between players, and your task is to build the biggest settlement. Trade with players to get the resources you need to build towns and roads, but be wary of whether the items you give them are helping their own progress.

Circuit Superstars

Developer: Original Fire Games Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Release Date: 2020

In the absence of a new Micro Machines, Square Enix Collective is publishing this toy-like top down racer. Players control stylised cars in a series of circuit races where they need to consider their pit stop strategy rather than just floor it and hope to reach the finish first. Vehicles will range from classic cars to rally and trucks.

eFootball PES 2020

Developer: PES Team Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One Release Date: September 10, 2019

The long-running Pro Evolution Soccer gets a slight esports-driven name change this year, but still aims to deliver the most realistic football available. The Master League mode is being revamped, and a new mode Matchday appears to tie in with real-world matches, calling on players to choose a side and hope that their team's victories help them in-game.

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

Developer: Mediatonic Platforms: PC, PS4 Release Date: 2020

Published by Devolver Digital, this colourful outing is essentially a Battle Royale game... but without combat. Players control one of 100 little blob people and strive to survive a series of obstacle courses like climbing a hill with boulders falling towards them or crashing through bricks walls that may or may not be solid. If you've ever watched Takeshi's Castle, you get this idea.

Forza Horizon 4: Lego Speed Champions

Developer: Playground Games Platforms: Xbox One, PC Release Date: June 13, 2019

The Lego Speed Champions expansion adds a whole new region to the best-selling racer where everything is made of (you guessed it) Lego. Players will also be able to hop into Lego vehicles, race around Lego tracks and smash through Lego walls and trees. Because Lego means everything is awesome (And now that song's stuck in your head. Sorrynotsorry).

FIFA 20

Developer: Electronic Arts Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch Release Date: September 27, 2019

This year's FIFA revamps key systems like shooting and AI defending but also adds a brand new FIFA Street-style mode, Volta. This veers away from the realistic, straightforward football we're used to and invites players to be more creative in matches where teams have between three and five players rather than the usual eleven.

Flight Simulator

Developer: Microsoft Platforms: PC Release Date: TBA

Microsoft's hyper-realistic aviation simulation returns after more than a decade, this time rendered in impressive 4K visuals. Sit in the cockpit of faithfully recreated vehicles and fly around the world.

Fujii

Developer: Funktronic Labs Platforms: Valve Index Release Date: June 27, 2019

This virtual reality title allows you to explore three of vibrant and serene landscapes. As they wander through them, each with their own distinct environments, they can help bring each one to life by watering plants, touching certain objects and interacting with creatures. They can also collect seeds on their adventure and use them to grow an exotic garden of their own.

Garden of the Sea

Developer: Neat Corporation Platforms: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive Release Date: June 10, 2019 (Early Access)

In a game described as a mix between Harvest Moon and Pokémon, players are given a cottage on a small island and are free to live out their life how they see fit. They can grow plants and crops in their garden, or explore the island and meet the native creatures. Unlike Pokémon, interacting with them doesn't require you to battle them in any way -- simply stroke them, feed them and generally befriend them.

Genesis Noir

Developer: Feral Cat Den Platforms: PC, Mac Release Date: TBA

Technically, this game depicts the Big Bang that started our universe as a gunshot from a cosmic being, one that kills the protagonist's love interest... but since the gameplay does not involve violence and the goal is to prevent her death, I'm going to give it a pass. This stylish adventure sees you exploring Earth from the eyes of someone who exists outside of the universe. The emphasis is on exploration, interacting with the world and generating art as you do so.

Harvest Moon: Mad Dash

Developer: Natsume Platforms: PS4, Switch Release Date: Autumn 2019

An even more casual spin-off of the already laid back Harvest Moon series, Mad Dash is a colour matching puzzle game at its heart. Players are presented with a field seeded with blocks of different coloured crops. Combining those blocks to form larger squares helps the crops grow larger for more points -- for example, combine four cabbages to make one big cabbage, then four big cabbages to make a giant one. Rack up as high a score as possible before the time runs out, and you can call in a friend with co-op mode to help you.

Heave Ho

Developer: LeCartel Studios Platforms: PC, Switch Release Date: Summer 2019

Published by Devolver Digital, this wacky physics-based platformer gives you control of a strange looking creature with two exceedingly long arms. Use the simulated physics to build momentum and swing or flip across the screen to grab hold of the terrain. Only by mastering the mechanics will you complete each course. You can also have up to three friends join in, but coordination will be key to reaching your goal.

Hyperdot

Developer: Tribe Games Platforms: PC, Xbox Release Date: 2019

This minimalist action arcade game is all about dodging. You control a single dot (a HyperDot, if you will) trapped in a circular arena with enemies, projectiles and other hazards. Simply guide your dot around the empty space to avoid any collisions and survive as long as you can. The campaign will have over 100 different levels, each with their own dangers, and a multiplayer mode will challenge you to outlast your friends.

Just Dance 2020

Developer: Ubisoft Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Wii (no, really) Release Date: November 5, 2019

If you haven't heard of Just Dance before, it's a Rayman Raving Rabbids minigame that's got out of hand (true story). In the minigame, players copied the choreography on an on-screen characters in time with the music. Ten years, 28 games and spin-offs, and countless music licensing deals later, you have Just Dance 2020.

Lost Words: Beyond The Page

Developer: Sketchbook Games Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Release Date: December 2019

A 2D platformer set entirely in a little girl’s diary. Players use the words on the page as both platforms and tools to solve the various puzzles that block her progress. The game also has a beautiful story written by Rhianna Pratchett.

Madden NFL 20

Developer: Electronic Arts Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One Release Date: August 2, 2019

New to this year's Madden is Face of the Franchise: QB1, a "personalised career campaign" that allows players to create their own college quarterback and lead him to NFL glory. There are ten licensed college teams, along with all the most popular teams in the league.

Mind Labyrinth VR Dreams

Developer: Frost Earth Studio Platforms: PSVR, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift Release Date: Out Now

Another virtual reality exploration title set in a variety of imaginary landscapes. Mind Labyrinth VR Dreams is designed to be a meditative experience, where each world is inspired by a different mental state to help players "find their emotional balance". Environments range from a calm and lush forest to a perilous world of flames and tornados.

Mosaic

Developer: Krillbite Studio Platforms: PC Release Date: 2019

This dark and brooding adventure centres around a lonely man living a repetitive life in an overpopulated but ever-expanding city. Players experience his life, from the daily commute to working at a faceless megacorporation. All seems meaningless, until one day strange things begin to happen and the man's life changes dramatically.

Night Call

Developer: Black Muffin, MonkeyMoon Platforms: PC, Mac, PS4, Switch Release Date: 2019

A murder mystery noire game where you play a Paris taxi driver. Players must assist with the police investigation by getting their passengers, including potential suspects, to talk during their journey with you. But try not to scare them off, as you still need to earn enough money to pay your bills.

Per Aspera

Developer: Tlön Industries Platforms: PC Release Date: 2020

Another title about colonisation, but this one is set a little closer to home. Per Aspera tells the tale of a mission to colonise Mars, but in addition to the management side of things there is a strong narrative about the hardships of leaving your world to build a new one. Players must explore the Red Planet to find the resources they need to terraform the environment and survive, and make decisions carefully and strategically if they want the colony to prosper.

Planet Zoo

Developer: Frontier Developments Platforms: PC Release Date: November 5

From the makers of Planet Coaster and Jurassic World Evolution comes a management title that, perhaps quite obviously, puts you in charge of a zoo. Care for your animals, customers and staff as you try to run an efficient zoo, unlocking more and more exotic creatures as you progress.

Read Only Memories: Neurodiver

Developer: MidBoss Platforms: PC, Mac Release Date: 2020

Announced this week, this is the sequel to the acclaimed cyberpunk point-and-click adventure 2064: Read Only Memories. Players will search people's memories as a telepathic detective aided by the titular Neurodiver as the pair search Neo-San Francisco for a rogue psychic who is breaking people's minds.

Roller Champions

Developer: Ubisoft Platforms: PC Release Date: Early 2020

Set in 2029, this colourful game imagines a world where the most popular sport is the titular Roller Champions. Players compete in teams of three as they race around oval tracks trying to score as many goals as they can, while racking up as many laps as possible. There is the ability to tackle, but also the ability to dodge in stylish fashion.

Skatebird

Developer: Glass Bottom Games Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux Release Date: TBA

Since we're unlikely to ever be getting a new Skate, one indie is working on the next best thing: Skatebird. This skateboarding game features all the tricks, flips and kicks you expect, but the rider is a little bird and everything he's skating on has been made from household objects. The Kickstarter for this was announced earlier this week and already passed its goal of $15,000 (currently near $24,000).

Spiritfarer

Developer: Thunder Lotus Games Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Release Date: 2020

In this cartoonish but touching adventure, players take on the role as the ferryman carrying recently departed souls on to the next world. While the souls are of human beings, they appear as animals that represent their personalities. Players can befriend them, develop relationships, and expand and improve the houseboat carrying them to the other side in a story that drives a message of acceptance.

Spaceteam VR

Developer: Cooperative Innovations Platforms: TBC Release Date: TBC

A virtual reality adaptation of a mobile game previously covered on NVGOTD. The concept is much the same: a group of players are aboard a spaceship, each in charge of certain controls labelled in made up space jargon. Each player is given a set of instructions that relates to another players' controls, but they don't know who. The only way out to find out is to shout out "Soak the Ferrous Holospecturm" or "Set the Sigmaclapper to 0" (for example) and hope everyone else is paying attention. If the team fails to follow instructions, the ship crashes.

Starmancer

Developer: Ominux Games Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux Release Date: Q1 2020

Starmancer is a building and management game that sees you constructing and maintaining a space station, but rather than playing some invisible God-like being (i.e. yourself) like you do in The Sims, this time you have a role to play. The game casts you as the station's AI and tasks you with sustaining a crew of colonists as they attempt to reach a new world on which they can build their home. Once the colony is complete, players can send out their humans to mine asteroids, trade with other factions and even explore ancient alien ruins.

Steep

Developer: Ubisoft Annecy Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One Release Date: Out Now

Another previous NVGOTD recommendation, this extreme winter sports title from Ubisoft is still going strong. This week the publisher announced a free new map set in Japan, giving players a whole new course to master.

Supermarket Shriek

Developer: Billy Goat Entertainment Platforms: PC, Xbox One Release Date: July 9, 2019

Don't worry, that's not blood -- it's paint. I was confused too. Supermarket Shriek is a kart racer (of sorts) where you control a man and a goat in a shopping trolley. Designed to ideally be played by two people (one as the goat, one as the man), each person has a microphone and must scream into it to turn in their direction to steer around a variety of complicated courses, all set in unsuspecting and previously tidy shops. There is, of course, a two-button control scheme for players who want to try it themselves.

Telling Lies

Developer: Sam Barlow Platforms: PC, Mac Release Date: 2019

From the creator of the superb Her Story comes a fresh live-action narrative adventure with far grander ambitions. Players explore videos stored on a hard drive stolen from the National Security Agency as they try to understand why the four characters have been played under electronic surveillance. As with Her Story, they can search for keywords to access new videos but this time they need to piece together timelines and events to interpret what they have seen.

The Curious Tale of Stolen Pets

Developer: Fast Travel Games Platforms: PlayStation VR, Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality Release Date: 2019

This single player adventure game is a puzzle-centric affair set on tiny floating worlds that come from the imagination of a child and their grandfather. Players grab, push, drop and spin objects found in each world searching for clues that will reveal what happened to the missing pets.

The Elder Scolls Legends

Developer: Bethesda Platforms: PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, iOS, Android Release Date: Out Now

This digital card battler sees you pitting monsters and creatures from the world of Bethesda's hit RPG series against each other. The big E3 news for this game is a new expansion, Moons of Elsweyr, introducing new cards and a storyline themed around the home of the cat-like Khajiit people.

The Good Life

Developer: White Owls Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One Release Date: Autumn 2019

Positioned as a "debt management life RPG", The Good Life puts players in the role of New York journalist Naomi, who has to move to a small British town to pay off her debts. The only way to do so is ben taking pictures of what happens in the town and reporting on them, but the closer she watches the local inhabitants, the quicker she realises that all is not as it seems.

The Lord of the Rings: Living Card Games

Developer: Fantasy Flight Interactive, Asmodee Digital Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Release Date: August 8, 2019

Another digital card battler, but one based on the timeless works of JRRTolkien. Inspired by the real card game, this uses the animation and interactivity of video games to liven matches up. Players collect a deck of heroes from across Middle-Earth as they battle the forces of Sauron in card form.

The Sims 4: Island Living

Developer: The Sims Studio, Maxis Platforms: PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One Release Date: June 21 (Desktop), July 16 (Consoles)

The newest expansion for The Sims 4 gives players the chance to build their dream island palace, as well as watch their Sims take part in more tropical activities. They'll be able to kit out their characters in local island clothing, instruct them to lounge on the beach, or encourage them to befriend the native dolphins. There are also water sports, like canoeing, swimming and surfing, plus occupations to train up for, like the beach-cleaning conservationist.

The Wardrobe - Even Better Edition

Developer: CINIC Games Platforms: PC Release Date: June 7, 2019

The Wardrobe is a point-and-click adventure inspired by the classic LucasArts titles like Monkey Island and Day of the Tentacle. It tells the story of Skinny, a boy died from an allergy to plums (that he didn't know about) and became a skeleton that lives in his friend Ronald's wardrobe. Skinny secretly watches over Ronald and helps him in life, but events force him to reveal himself. Even Better Edition adds joypad support, more achievements, a new save system and other improvements.

Totem Teller

Developer: Grinning Pickle Platforms: Xbox One, PC Release Date: 2020

Described by the developer as an "antinarrative video game", Totem Teller puts you in the role of a muse seeking inspiration. They roam the land in search of lost folklore, investigating strange distortions and retelling stories to any listeners they gather around them -- or allowing the stories to be forgotten forever. The surreal painted visual style gives it a storybook feel.

Way to the Woods

Developer: Anthony Tan Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Release Date: 2020

This beautiful game sees players controlling one of two deer wandering through a post-apocalyptic landscape in search of safety. As they explore the ruins of civilisation, they'll encounter other friendly creatures such as racoons and cats, but a black goo that corrupts everything it touches continues to spread around them. Only by solving puzzles and finding new ways forward can they hope to escape.

Yoga Master

Developer: Oxygene Media Platforms: PS4 Release Date: Summer 2019

Developed in collaboration with professional yoga coaches, this game features more than 150 different poses for players to master and a variety of serene environments to practice in. There are over yoga programs to follow or you can create your own, and the game will be regularly updated with new content.

[danwhobrowses]

Tinfoil Discussions - Pokémon anime: Alola, Galar and the Fate of Ash Ketchum

So here’s a new tinfoil discussion, one of a different franchise. The One Piece Wano content got a whopping zero attention but who cares? I’d like to discuss this, especially given the uncertain nature of the upcoming series. I must warn you, there are spoilers in this, deep level spoilers. I’m not just talking about the events of Episode 138 recently released in Japan, I also want to discuss the nature of Episode 140′s title. If you wanna know about that stuff, Bulbapedia is a good shout.

The Stuff We Know Last week on the aftermath of Episode 137, Pokémon teased a new anime series, alluding to the fact that all regions would be visited in some manner. Leaving it at that, many things have circulated, the main question is: Is this the end of Ash Ketchum’s story? After all, Ash is on the precipice of winning the Manalo Conference, Alola’s first Pokémon League, all that’s left is to defeat Gladion - who has put off the search for his lost father to fight in the league but more on that later. The final title of the Sun and Moon series has not been announced, all we know is that by Episode 140, Guzzlord will hop dimensions onto this world. The Potential End of Ash Ash Ketchum has been the main protagonist for the anime for over 2 decades, I was a boy watching him, Misty and Brock travel Kanto. On every (official) region however, Ash has fallen short of the Pokémon League, sometimes poorly, sometimes impressively. Many people thought last season in Kalos would be his time, and many of those people were angry when he didn’t, so Alola can be seen as retribution - second attempt and all. Should he win the league, the question is what then? Winning the league should enable Ash to fight the Elite Four, but it may be considered a stopping point since it means that Ash has no true reason to continue resetting. So is Pokémon planning on closing time on Ash Ketchum? The movies have not followed his anime journey anymore and there is so much you can do. Personally, this is a worrisome thought but - because there’s always a but - I don’t think this is the route they should or will go. The Outcome of the Manalo Conference The Manalo Conference is the name of the Alola League, and it’s expected to end next week.  Frankly, I have felt that this conference was a sham, a true vanity project from Professor Kukui. Now I’m not saying that Kukui is a bad guy, he’s just a bit vainglorious; he made a Pokémon League - having failed to defeat Lance in the Indigo League at least in the games - based off the architecture of a Pokémon School where he has like 6 students that learn nothing and have an underground X-Men facility, he lets just about anyone enter it regardless of the Island Challenge and what does the winner get? To fight his Masked Luchador alter-ego. The man puts himself on a high pedestal, but worse than that this league is tailor made for Ash to win. His only major opposition is the finalist Gladion - who has no reason to fight the ‘Royal Mask’. We also could’ve buffed some of the side character teams with Oranguru for Mallow, Drampa for Mallow or Lana, Dewpider for Lana, Clefable for Lillie, even Bewear for TR, but we didn’t, never really giving any of Ash’s companions a chance at making an impact. Narratively Ash is the only person who should win the league, since Kiawe and Hau had not enough attention to be considered viable and Guzma was the generic ‘bad guy who underestimates Ash’ who Ash always beats. The league also doesn’t feel like the right setting, since Ash doesn’t even have a full team and the final is not a full battle. Lillie, who is great but not a battler, made it further than Kahili - in the games an Elite 4 Member. That is the extra silliness we get on top of Ash’s ‘strategies’ (which involve Pikachu’s Electroweb not working like Electroweb and Rowlet’s Featherdance not working like Featherdance) and the fact that Gladion can use Items mid-battle to grant Silvally unfair advantages. But despite my opinions, the conference can still go either way. Because really, Ash doesn’t need the league to fight Kukui, the last time he fought ‘Royal Mask’ was on a beach, and Gladion doesn’t need the league to find his father, but we are reaching a point where a winner seems to be close to decided. Currently, despite both being 1-1, Ash is on the front foot, he’s only lost his most inexperienced Pokémon and it was to Gladion’s Pikachu-equivalent, he knows that Gladion has got Lycanroc for last and his Pikachu still stands against Zoroark, but this is not our first rodeo, we fully expect the finale to be Lycanroc vs Lycanroc, so who comes out on top? Option 1 is Ash, obviously, Lycanroc hasn’t beaten Gladion’s Lycanroc so it can be due, Ash goes one better than Kalos and wins undoubtedly the easiest League he’s ever signed up for in front of his mother. Option 2 is Gladion, like Alain’s Charizard against Ash-Greninja, Gladion’s Lycanroc maintains a perfect record against Ash’s, being the more experienced battler and Ash loses his easiest league in front of his mother but saves his crowning achievement for a proper challenge and liberates Ash to continue challenging gyms and resetting per region. Before the episode title for 140 was announced, these seemed to be our only options, until Option 3 Option 3: Guzzlord Guzzlord appeared in a random 2-parter to market Zeraora, but it seems to be coming back around. Guzzlord secretly seems to be the key to some character resolution, primarily the status of Gladion and Lillie’s father Mohn - who has been missing since falling through an Ultra Wormhole. Guzzlord can also be key to sparing Ash the restriction that comes with the League Victory but also prevents the disappointment of Ash losing. If Guzzlord intervenes the final outcome of the battle, then there is no winner. Ash didn’t lose but he didn’t win, and he carries momentum to get a victory with his magic changing z-crystal to best Guzzlord with his friends once and for all, and it allows Ash to still do the bi-annual reset. Guzzlord’s appearance also can lead to Magearna, Bewear and Team Rocket’s Mech being utilized, loose threads that will hopefully surface (though I’m stumped as to the status of Shaymin, why can’t Mallow just keep it?). Out of the three options this does feel like the better one, because Ash hasn’t earned his league victory yet. Why hasn’t Ash earned the League Being a Pokémon archivarius, I can cast my mind back to past leagues. Indigo was hard, the rules were stupid and we were basically robbed of a rival battle thanks to Charizard’s Laziness, the Silver Conference saw Ash be edged out by Harrison and his Blaziken to promote Hoenn, Ever Grande saw Ash lose to eventual winner Tyson in a tough Pikachu/Meowth fight, Lily of the Valley had Ash bested again by the eventual winner, the OP Legendary user Tobias, the Vertress Conference stepped back and had Ash lose to clumsy, forgetful Cameron thanks to a Lucario evolution and Lumiose had Ash overachieve by losing to the seemingly unstoppable Alain. Out of all of those leagues, the best arguably for me would have to be Sinnoh - the second longest league with 7 episodes to reach the semi finals, Manalo being 10 and all previous being 6 - because every battle Ash had to fight for it; Nando, Conway, Paul (considered one of the best Pokémon battles) and Tobias, he used the full power of his arsenal to do it, which sold that Ash was giving it his all, we got to see Pokémon old and new shine from it, and full battles for at least half of Ash’s battles. The thing that also makes it stand out to me is that there’s no excuse; Ash doesn’t have a fancy one of a kind form like Ash-Greninja or Dusk Lycanroc, he doesn’t have a Legendary Pokémon like Meltan/Melmetal and he doesn’t apply a tactic that shouldn’t work or the same motion of Pikachu quick attack everything and then iron tail - like I know there’s only 4 moves but he always starts with Quick Attack and it drives me insane! It’s stuff that’s inspired rather than convenient so all that Ash is left with is his mettle. Comparing that journey to this one, where Ash beat Faba in less than 4 moves in a 1v1, 2-Hitted Hau’s Decidueye while absorbing a nonsense amount of damage and a fakeout loss to beat Hau, and bested Guzma by really lucking out on Golisopod’s Emergency Exit, it doesn’t feel right now does it? Ash’s League Victory should be a triumph that pushes the extent of Ash’s team, strategy and connection to his Pokémon, against true challenges where either one has a chance at besting him, that is why all the Post-Sinnoh conferences have not been ‘it’; Sawyer, Trip, Guzma and Hau were never really given the threat that they could beat Ash, in fact Sawyer only beat Ash once and it was excusable by him having Ash-Greninja dysfunction. Compiling all of this into account, it should be clear that even if Ash does win this league, it is not what it’s meant to be. The Galar Series Question So Galar is still going to be a thing, we just don’t know how. What is this new series after all? It could just be a side series, it could be a means of bringing older companions to Galar or it may even follow Ash in Galar and some other characters who’ll entwine with him a la Alain and Mairin. Possibilities are endless until the answer is concrete, but in this person’s opinion I still believe Ash would embark in Galar. Would not miss the chance to Dynamax Pikachu for love nor money, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they heavily divert from the game’s plot like they have for Alola. Galar seems to revolve its gym system in a similar manner to Football (or Soccer if you’re overseas and well, wrong), it’s heavily televised like a League, which means that if they go this route Ash would be thrown into a heavy limelight, which can be restrictive, so I kinda expect that to be toned down, I will also expect TR to return with Bewear (or maybe a Nurse Joy kinda deal with another Bewear) and Marnie to probably be a companion. So of course, that answers my closing statement Are we closing the Book on Ash Ketchum Stupidity and failures aside, Ash is undoubtedly an anime icon, and I would find TPCi and TV Tokyo foolish to give that up, especially when other franchises have brought back the OG Digidestined for TRI and Goku & Friends for Dragon Ball Super, Ash has mileage but perhaps not in the same routine past series have followed. Each new setting is a new adventure and even small things can influence a unique dynamic - like even making Ash 11. People may need to think outside of the box, pick the qualities of what has passed, but that’s a good thing! Change is scary yes but that doesn’t mean you drop something entirely, Pokémon have enough IP that they can make Non-Ash series too, if they want to they can expand their market that way, just don’t give up on Ash Ketchum. This is not how his story should end, it would insult the character and the storytellers of the past to do so. But I wouldn’t worry too much about this happening, the best we can do is sit down, enjoy the show, and bide my sweet time until I get hired by them hope that sense prevails over a quick ‘shocking headline’. So that’s my piece, if you have opinions don’t be shy, but also be respectful, this is only stuff I’m feeling at present, by the passage of time new information may alter opinion.

[newstfionline]

Headlines

Mexican Police Protest Against Joining New National Guard (Reuters) Officers of the Mexican federal police protested on Wednesday against the newly created National Guard, saying their superiors had threatened firings if they did not join the security force, in which they face pay cuts and loss of seniority benefits.

Central American officials avoid focus on immigration (AP) From the steps of his church in this Guatemalan border town, the Rev. Fernando Cuevas has watched the flow of migrants evolve from massive caravans that filled the nearby plaza to small groups of families arriving by bus to scramble aboard rafts waiting to carry them to Mexico. What hasn’t changed is the Guatemalan government’s attitude toward migrants. In Tecun Uman recently, there was no sign of authorities even making a show of trying to dissuade people from crossing into Mexico illegally aboard rafts. “Having no immigration policy is also a policy,” Cuevas said. “There are too many conflicts of interest to stop migration.” A major reason for their silence: The countries of the so-called Northern Triangle rely heavily on the money their citizens send home from abroad. In Honduras, remittances totaled more than $4.8 billion last year--more than 20% of gross domestic product, according to its Central Bank. In Guatemala it was more than $9 billion, and in El Salvador some $5.5 billion.

Honduran Fishing Boat Sinks; 27 Dead, 9 Missing, 55 Rescued (AP) A fishing vessel sank during bad weather Wednesday in the Caribbean off Honduras’ northern coast, and at least 27 fishermen were known dead, the Central American country’s military said. Nine people remained missing and 55 others had been rescued.

Thousands marvel as total eclipse darkens Chile, Argentina (AP) Tens of thousands of tourists and locals gaped skyward Tuesday as a total eclipse of the sun darkened the heavens over Chile and Argentina. Tourists from around the world gathered to witness the cosmic spectacle, which began in the morning as the moon crossed in front of the sun and cast a shadow that passed over a tiny uninhabited atoll in the South Pacific and headed to South America. Chile and Argentina were the only inhabited places where the total eclipse could be seen.

Argentine Soccer Giant River Opens Stadium to Homeless as Winter Bites (Reuters) Argentine soccer club River Plate opened the doors of its Monumental stadium on Wednesday to give shelter to people living on the streets, as temperatures fell during the Southern Hemisphere winter and a biting economic recession exacerbates poverty in the South American country.

Captain who defied Italy and brought rescued migrants to port is released from house arrest (Washington Post) Over the weekend, the captain of a humanitarian rescue vessel defied Italian orders, docked at a port with 40 migrants aboard, and was swiftly placed under house arrest. But her detention lasted for three days. On Tuesday, a judge in Sicily pushed back against Italy’s hard-line response to the case, lifting Carola Rackete’s house-arrest orders and indicating that she saw no grounds for the charges. Rackete, Judge Alessandra Vella wrote, had been “saving shipwrecked individuals at sea” and “fulfilling a duty.” Rackete, who has become an emblem of resistance against Europe’s closed-door stance toward migrants, still faces legal jeopardy, and she will be questioned next week in a separate inquiry into whether she aided illegal immigration, according to Italian news outlets. But Vella’s ruling dealt a blow to the Italian government’s broader effort to limit migration by punishing rescuers who bring their boats to shore against orders.

Volcano erupts on Italian island of Stromboli, kills one person (Reuters) A volcano on the Italian island of Stromboli erupted on Wednesday, releasing hot trapped magma in a powerful explosion, killing one person and enveloping the popular tourist destination in ash, witnesses and local officials said.

Erdogan Says a U.S. Refusal to Give F-35s to Turkey Would Be ‘Robbery’ (Reuters) A refusal by the United States to hand over to Turkey the F-35 fighters jets which it has bought would be “robbery”, media reports on Thursday cited President Tayyip Erdogan as saying in a dispute over Ankara’s purchase of Russian air defences.

As Rahul Gandhi resigns, India’s founding dynasty nears an end (Washington Post) Rahul Gandhi announced his resignation as president of India’s main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, in a move that could mark the end of the country’s most storied political dynasty. In May, the Congress party, as it is better known, suffered a humiliating defeat when voters delivered a landslide reelection victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP. Gandhi’s resignation leaves a void at the top of his party and epitomizes the broader disarray of India’s opposition, which has no leader who can match Modi in stature and popularity.

Putin Says Ready to Step Up Dialogue With U.S Over Disarmament: Paper (Reuters) Russia is ready to step up dialogue with the United States over disarmament and strategic stability, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, adding that he discussed these issues with his American counterpart Donald Trump in Japan.

Tornado Hits Northeast China as More ‘Extreme’ Weather Strikes (Reuters) A tornado swept through the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning on Wednesday, killing six and injuring 190, the state broadcaster said, amid a series of “extreme” weather events that government forecasters have linked to climate change.

Australian Student Missing in North Korea Released From Detention (Reuters) An Australian student who went missing in North Korea has been released from detention and has safely left the country, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday.

Heavy Rain in South Japan Causes Floods, Mudslides, Blackout (AP) Heavy rain caused flooding and mudslides in southern Japan on Thursday, injuring four people, damaging dozens of homes and leaving hundreds of others without power.

US, Taliban Scramble to Rewrite Draft on Troop Withdrawal (AP) Taliban and U.S. negotiators are scrambling to rewrite a draft agreement that will outline the withdrawal of American and NATO troops from Afghanistan and a verifiable Taliban guarantee to fight terrorism ahead of an all-Afghan peace conference Sunday.

Iran warns it will take the ‘next step,’ increase uranium enrichment Sunday (Washington Post) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his country would increase uranium enrichment to whatever level was needed beyond the cap set by the nuclear agreement unless its European partners provide some relief from U.S. sanctions.

Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein: The Dubai royal ‘hiding in London’ (BBC) Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein, a wife of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, has left her husband--a highly unusual move for a senior royal in the UAE. The princess is now said to be hiding in a townhouse in central London. Sources told the BBC she was in fear for her life as she prepared for a court battle with her husband. Princess Haya was his sixth and “junior” wife. He reportedly has 23 children by his different wives.

[itsawhumpthing-blog]

Bad Things Happen Bingo #2: Sports Injury

(What a great prompt and a perfect excuse to bring an old universe out of mothballs! This is an alternate reality in which Canada is good at soccer and has its own, pretty decent professional league; Kathy Fox is the first woman ever to sign for a Canadian professional men’s team, and Patrick Hatley is her childhood friend and rival)

(There should be a picture of my bingo card here, but tumblr won’t let me do that right now, so I’ll have to add it in later)

"You all right, Fox? You're walking kinda funny."

Nothing brings Katherine Fox down to earth quicker than having someone worry about her. She straightens her back and nods, adjusting her gait. "I'm fine. I think I slept funny." Her teammate gives her a dubious look.

"You slept funny on your ankle? Are you a flamingo?"

Laughter ripples through the Royal Windsor side of the tunnel- on the opposite side, the Quebec City players remain studiously silent, all but Patrick Hatley, who snickers. "It's called nerves, Fox!" he calls across the gap.

He looks just as relaxed as always, grinning that same dumb grin with his canine teeth sticking out, rocking on the balls of his feet with his hands on his hips like he's king of the world.

"Whatever helps you feel better about yourself, Hatley," she replies blandly, and he smiles and nods like that was exactly his intention. Not nerves, that much she's sure of. Kathy Fox doesn't get nerves. Her left ankle may be hurting, and it may have been hurting ever since she woke up this morning, but it's definitely got nothing to do with nerves.

After all, she's been looking forward to this game for months.

The atmosphere is already hot as they walk out onto the field. The chants are in French, of course, and therefore unintelligible to Kathy, but the venom behind the words is a universal language. Forty-eight thousand people (the attendance hasn't been announced yet, but this game could never be anything but a sellout) bounce in unison, rattling the old stadium's metal bones right down to the field. The away support is impossible to miss, sequestered as they are in the north corner with three rows of empty seats between them and the home fans, and they're doing their best to be heard above the chaos. 

The perfect atmosphere, in other words, for a late-season battle for first place. Kathy soaks it in, smiling, as the rituals get underway. She shakes hands with Quebec City's captain, calls the coin toss, and kicks off under a hail of boos.

"We're gonna psyche them out," Coach Leo had said in the locker room. "Start strong and fast. If we can dominate possession for a spell, keep them on the back foot, the crowd will get antsy. Score first, and they might just turn on their own team."

This was a well-documented phenomenon with Quebec City's supporters.

"We are not playing for a draw here. A draw will be the same as a loss, got that? They'll still be ahead of us, and their run-in is easier than ours. We're attacking."

Kathy doesn't mind that he was looking right at her for most of that speech. She's the captain, after all.

And she gets Coach's gameplan off to a good start less than five minutes in, sending number seven down the wing with a daring through ball. The crowd goes nearly silent until he blasts into the side netting, then express their relief with a shower of sarcastic applause.

Then suddenly they're cheering again, louder than ever, as a series of impressive one-time passes split the Windsor midfield all the way to Kathy. Her sore ankle almost lets her down, but she puts on a burst of speed to dispossess her Quebec counterpart.

He looks surprised, as they so often do. Sometimes it's nice to be a woman in a man's world.

"Don't wear out your stumpy little legs, Fox," says Hatley as he positions himself for the throw-in. He'd had a good run on goal, but he doesn't look too fazed by the lost chance.

"Don't waste your breath, Hatley," she replies.

He runs for the ball when it's thrown in and bounces a pass off his number ten. Dragging the ball through a wall of defenders isn't exactly his strong suit, so Kathy is somewhat taken aback to see him dodge past three of her teammates and suddenly find himself one-on-one with the keeper. The roar of the crowd builds to a peak; he goes for the bottom right.

It's a brilliant dive, and it just barely deflects the shot around the post.

The roar diminishes only a little.

"That was sloppy," she admonishes the defenders as they arrange themselves for the corner. They're all young, and the youngest is only nineteen- Akela Donovan from Toronto. He looks sheepish.

"Forgot he was fast."

"Don't forget again."

He nods earnestly.

The corner comes in high, with a dramatic curve. Patrick "Hat Trick" Hatley jumps for it, Windsor's goalie leaps to catch it, and three bodies collide in midair. The ball trickles away from the goal line, and Kathy lunges for it, clearing it away downfield.

"Fucker! That was a foul!"

Not Hatley's voice; he was never the type.

"Penalty!"

She backs away, not wanting to be associated in any way with the knot of Quebec players crowding into the referee or the knot of Windsor players trying to drag them away. Instead she glances towards the jumbotron, trying to get a sense for what just happened. Did Windsor's number four drag Hatley down? Was it the goalie? There's no good view, and the ref is unimpressed.

Play resumes. The crowd is livid; the curses thrown by the spectators in the fieldside seats can easily be made out through the roar. Hard to say if the gameplan is working yet; they're definitely provoking a reaction, at the very least.

The pain in her ankle is getting worse- now it's a deep, biting ache, and it's getting distracting, which is dangerous. One absolutely egregious pass to no one makes her suddenly wonder whether she should ask to be subbed off.

*Give it five minutes*, she decides, gritting her teeth.

It's an end-to-end game, much more so than Coach Leo wanted- he's getting red-faced on the touchline, and Kathy knows that at the next stoppage he's going to ask her what the hell is going on.

Hatley, on the other hand, is having one of his best games of the season, splitting their defense open with ease, and the frustration on her teammates' faces is starting to get to Kathy as well. It just figures, that he's playing like this while she's flailing.

She should really see it coming, what's about to happen. But she doesn't.

It's the thirty-sixth minute, four minutes into the five she's allowed herself. Her ankle doesn't want to bear her weight; she forces it to, exploding forward to beat her Quebec counterpart to a high ball, and makes what must be her best pass of the night to her number six. But his touch is poor, and the ball is gone from in front of him before he has a chance to recover.

Everything happens very quickly. Windsor's right fullback is backing up, trying to anticipate the Quebec winger's run, but the opposition player suddenly stops in his tracks and delivers a superb cross.

To fucking Patrick Hatley.

With a clear run at goal.

Akela Donovan is the only one near. "Go! Go!" Kathy screams, uselessly, sprinting after them. The crowd is on its feet- the stadium is vibrating- Donovan is three feet behind, he's not gonna make it, and Hatley is turning for the shot.

Donovan lunges in with both feet. Patrick goes down like a sack of potatoes, all six feet five inches of him, and Kathy stumbles in her tracks. The pain in her ankle is gone.

Her heart drops. She runs.

In the silence that's descended over the stadium, two sounds can suddenly be heard with terrible clarity. One of them is Akela Donovan, babbling in incoherent horror, and the other is Patrick Hatley, screaming.

She gets there first, falling to her knees beside him. "Patrick!"

"Hh... Kath..." His body is twisted, his fingers digging into the grass, but he opens his eyes to look at her. His gaze flicks downward.

"No, don't look at it," she gasps, grabbing his hand. "Look at me."

It's hard enough for her to see it, to see that brilliant right foot twisted to the side, looking so defiled, so wrong. And the blood... it's a testament to the amount of pain he's in that he obeys her immediately. She holds his gaze, and his hand, which clutches hers in a vise grip.

There are people all around them now. A voice is yelling for a stretcher. Kathy tries to smile. She wants to punch someone. "It's fine. It's not that bad. You... you should be ashamed of yourself, diving like that."

He tries to smile back. "You're... the one who... fell for it," he manages between breaths.

For a second she can almost believe that he'd fake this just to mess with her. Then the physios are there, and she's pushed aside, and Patrick just barely manages not to scream again as they lift him onto the stretcher.

The sound that comes out instead is almost as bad.

There's no faking that.

It takes Kathy a moment after she stands up to realize that Akela Donovan is already gone. She wonders if anyone spoke to him. She wonders if she can trust herself to do it.

All the spirit has been sucked out of the stadium; the game finishes dismally, with a 0-0 draw. As bitter a point as any Kathy's had in her career. She goes through the motions of sportsmanship afterwards, feeling aimlessly angry and very much like she shouldn't talk to Akela Donovan.

But there's no getting around it; he approaches her in the locker room once everyone else has left.

"Fuck, Fox, I'm sorry," he says, and the misery in his voice and on his face seems genuine. "I fucked everything up. I-"

"Don't apologize to me, Donovan. I'm not the one whose career might be over."

His face goes gray. "Over...?"

"Yeah. Or shortened. Missing a large chunk, at the very least. You-" She can hear the venom starting to seep into her words, and she cuts them off, waving her hand. "Now's not a good time to be talking to me. I know you didn't do it on purpose. Go on, get moving."

He does, quickly, and she follows.

The verdict comes through only a day later; Akela Donovan is suspended the rest of the season. Four games. They'll miss him, but Quebec will miss Hatley more.

She calls Patrick in the morning.

"Apparently it's pretty gnarly," he tells her with forced nonchalance. "The bone went right through the skin. Just popped right... ugh, fuck."

"You can't even describe it," she teases, grinning.

"Take off."

"How are you, though?" This is the loudest that she'll ever voice her concern. Patrick clears his throat.

"Well, uh, it hurts." He pauses, as if to let this sink in, before continuing. "I'm just trying not to think about it too much, because I won't know if I'm out for six months or forever until after the surgery. So until then, why worry?"

It's clear from his voice that he is worrying. "Shit."

"It's the fucking worst."

A commiserative silence fills the air for a few moments.

"I'll come and visit tomorrow," Kathy says.

"While the rest of your team flies home to Windsor? Don't be stupid, you'll miss training. You're the captain."

"We've got a bye week anyway. I'll get another hotel."

"Well, okay," he concedes quickly. She almost laughs, but it occurs to her that he might not even be aware of what just happened. She lets it go.

"I'm gonna eat breakfast now. I'll see you soon."

"Yeah, see you soon, Kathy."

No more than a minute after she ends the call, her phone is ringing again. Donovan, says the call display. She has to admire the kid's guts, at least.

She answers it. "Donovan. What's going on?"

"I'm doing what you told me to."

"Oh yeah?" She can't remember what she told him to do. Fuck off, maybe?

"Yeah. I'm going to apologize. I just thought you would want to know." There's a note of uncertainty in his voice; this is definitely new territory for him. She almost feels sorry for the kid.

"That's good. Good luck." It's tempting to tell him not to expect too much, but she knows he's not stupid; he must have come to that conclusion already.

However, she does take one precaution; once he has hung up, she texts Patrick.

F: Expect a possibly unwelcome visitor at some point today

H: What, you're arriving early?

F: Donovan wants to come say sorry

H: Oh

H: All right

She sighs as she puts the phone down. She's scared- on her childhood friend's behalf, and in general, a sort of all-encompassing dread. Was it wrong for her to put on a cheerful face, to banter with him like nothing was wrong, when she's this afraid? And if she's this afraid, what must he be feeling?

She slips the phone into her pocket and reaches for her shoes.