#sinspawn gui

[tampire]

Seymour's Win / Seymour's Loss

[criticalhitgaming]

Sinspawn Gui - Final Fantasy X HD Remaster (Boss #12)

[softdrinku]

I fould this collage app called Orenji.

[dailybestiary]

Updates & Article Announcement

Hey all!  I know I’ve been away for a bit, so here are some updates:

My next article: Has been announced! This is the one I was working on back in January/February on a pretty tight timeline (and during an 11-day international vacation to boot—thank God for Wi-Fi).  I can now share that it will be appearing in Pathfinder Adventure Path #134: It Came from Hollow Mountain by Mike Shel.  I just found out the preorder page is up, so please, please consider picking up this volume. Oh, and I hope you all like sinspawn…

This gorgeous (with a side of gorge) cover art from is Ekaterina Burmak.

Podcast appearances: Once again I was lucky enough to be on the Laughfinder podcast—and not just as a special guest this time!  Longtime listeners will remember my blood feud with Baltimore-area radio personality Aaron Henkin (who must henceforth be referred to as “national Edward R. Murrow Award-winning radio journalist Aaron Henkin”).  He was going to be late for a show, so I sat in and played his character…until he arrived. Part 1 is here (if you’re short on time, check out the fireworks 59 minutes in); part 2 (with me firmly back in the guest seat, and some bonus ska!) is here.  (Remember, NSFW.)

Actually, come to think of it, I never told you about my April appearances on Laughfinder!  You can find them here and here.  Or hell, just click on my tag.

Speaking of radio, what about my…?

Radio show: On hiatus for part of the summer—they’re doing renovations to the studio.  As soon as I’m back on air, you’ll know.  And as for hiatuses…

The Daily Bestiary: Yes, blogging will resume.  No, not sure when.  But it will resume.  I love you guys too much to abandon you and we have too many cool monsters from Bestiaries 5 and 6 still to go.  See you soon!

[beefbloodcinnamonrolls]

How Final Fantasy X left me with so many emotions.

This is my first time playing a Final Fantasy game.

AHHH HA-HA

Tidus's antics either left me stunned or amused. Like whining about food in the underwater ruins then nearly choking to death on the food Rikku gives him. Launching the Blitzball into the sea, and kicking that one kid's into the plains along the highroad. Play fighting with Waka while Yuna was making her case to the Ronso, whatever the hell was happening in the background of one of the temples and just so much more. Nice character. Very Himbo.

HA-HA

Fell in love with the soundtrack after hearing the Besaid theme.

HA-HA

First time crying was when Waka was telling Tidus how much he reminded him of Chappu and then receiving Brotherhood.

HA-HA

I laughed when Tidus told the priest at the temple he didn't give a damn about their traditions and wanted to help Yuna.

HA-HA

Valefor is best girl. She killed Anima and the stone defender before Mt. Gagazet. She was the last one I sacrificed.

HA-HA

I was surprised to see chocobos powering the S. S. Liki. I also liked running in circles with the kids before their mom scolded them. The Jecht shot took what, 50 tries?

HA-HA

Felt a little heartbroken after failing to save Kilika. At least I got to save that one kid on the docks.

HA-HA

Got to the woods and "Calm Before the Storm" hit me like a ton of bricks after not hearing it for years.

HA-HA

Not fair how the boys start the race before you can move.

HA-HA

Damn the Luca Goers.

HA-HA

Ifrit is best demon dog/boar thing. He killed Spherimorph after it got stuck on fire spells. Loved how he carried Yuna on his shoulder.

HA-HA

Luca was fun to explore, especially when I got to annoy the reporter lady.

HA-HA

I believe in the Aurochs, even if I never won a game or scored a goal. Blitzball unfortunately combines the two things I'm bad at, sports and math.

HA-HA

As soon as I saw Seymour I thought, "villain".

HA-HA

I kept wondering when O'aka XXIII was going to pay me back the 400 gil I loaned him. Apparently he just gave the money to a random Al Bhed woman. Regardless, I was overjoyed to see him freed from jail and cried when he told the story of his sister.

HA-HA

I enjoyed walking through town with Yuna on her and Tidus's first date.

HA-HA

What do you mean 5,000 gil for one cutscene???

HA-HA

I cheered on as Kimahri punched Yenke and Biran.

HA-HA

I felt so disappointed in myself for letting Waka and the little fan section down.

HA-HA

Sure hope I don't have to fight that big demon thing Seymour just called up.

HA-HA

Achieving victory on the highroad with Tidus lying dead on the ground.

HA-HA

Guilt consumed me as I watched the chocobo feather flutter to the ground after getting pushed off the cliff by the Eater.

HA-HA

I decided to name my chocobo, Henry.

HA-HA

The Dark Magus Sisters kicked my ass and all I could do was watch.

HA-HA

I didn't know I was ordering a death sentence on Gatta or Luzzu, I just wanted to give Gatta sensible advice. At least Lulu got to hear the truth and Waka got a good swing in before Luzzu got sliced in half.

HA-HA

I forgot I had Yuna's Nulshock ability so Sinspawn Gui was probably a lot harder than it had to be. I forgot I had most of my abilities a lot of the time so I just kept relying on Haste.

HA-HA

When I first heard "Wandering Flame" I felt this immense sorrow and sense of failure. The Crusaders fought so hard only for it to all amount to nothing. Wondered what anyone could do to beat Sin. Hearing Gatta scream and breakdown hit me hard.

HA-HA

Ixion is best electric unicorn. Once I remembered his element was lightning the Thunder Plains were much easier.

HA-HA

Why can't I pet the little lemurs bouncing around Djose Temple, Square??? They were begging to be picked up!

HA-HA

I went back around the map before the final battle and those two guards who pretend to arrest you are probably my favorite NPCs. Along with O'aka of course.

HA-HA

Yuna's little bedhead incident got a laugh out of me. It was nice to see the party joyful for once. This was the point when I started to get invested in them.

HA-HA

I really wanted to see the Moonflow at night.

HA-HA

Yuna's shoopuf story was adorable.

HA-HA

I hated Tromell, especially the way he yanked Yuna around.

HA-HA

Going back to Guadosalam I felt bad for the Guado, especially when the Blitzball player apologized on behalf of them all. I enjoyed Tromell's suffering though.

HA-HA

I was against Seymour's marriage proposal from the start.

HA-HA

I cried three times at the Farplane. First with Waka talking to Chappu while Lulu looked on. Then with Yuna talking to her parents and asking Tidus about his. And finally with the parents who were visiting their son after Operation Mi'ihen.

HA-HA

Now that I think about it the concept of the Farplane is kinda messed up.

HA-HA

I was very tempted to choose the third option when Lulu warned Tidus not to fall for Yuna.

HA-HA

I HATE love the Thunder Plains. Between getting ambushed every five seconds and the lightning strikes I haven't been this frustrated with a game since the sliding walls in the Spirit Temple in OOT.

HA-HA

Guess who didn't swing back to Besaid for the Jecht sphere.

HA-HA

I did cry when Auron told Tidus that Jecht does indeed love him. Was nice to see Jecht's changes throughout the story because of Braska's and Auron's influences.

HA-HA

I almost died to that damn Crawler. Luckily Lulu was able to finish it off with Thundara fury before its big beam.

HA-HA

I laughed when Kimahri flipped the snowmobile over.

HA-HA

That temple lady saved all of Spira when she went through Yuna's luggage because Seymour was rushing her around.

HA-HA

I also laughed when Kimahri shoved the priest outta the way. Well deserved.

HA-HA

Perhaps the battle would've gone a lot smoother if I remembered Rikku could steal the guards potions.

HA-HA

Shiva is best ice lady. So she died to Anima, she at least got her revenge against Seymour during the final battle when he got stuck on Blizzaga.

HA-HA

First surprise was seeing O'aka warping. Second surprise was having to actually run from the guards.

HA-HA

Stupid goddamn Yeti bitch from the lowest depths of Hell.

HA-HA

I cried when Kimahri said Rikku should be Rikku at the bottom of Lake Macalania.

HA-HA

I cried when Tidus was talking to Sin. His voice was so tender it felt like the most heartfelt conversation he and Jecht ever had.

HA-HA

Wandering through the desert and picking up those potions, I began thinking the Al Bhed weren't so bad after all.

HA-HA

Poor Kimahri...

HA-HA

Goddamn, son of a bitch Cactuars. At least I got to kill one before the end.

HA-HA

I don't know what Rikku got stuck on, but Tidus had to roam the desert by himself with this strange noise in the background.

HA-HA

Uncle Cid's funny. I will permanently have "Ye haw! Here We Go!" and "The final showdown with Sin-" burned into my memory.

HA-HA

Guess who didn't explore the other rooms in Home before the door shut.

HA-HA

The thing that hit me the most during the big reveal was how sorry Not Valefor looked when Tidus asked her why.

HA-HA

The fight against Evrae was pretty fun, too bad the armor I bought barely helped. Thank goodness for Al Bhed potions.

HA-HA

Yes, the cutscene of storming Bevelle is cool, but boy was it a nerve wracking experience with no save spheres. Stupid flamethrowers, stupid robots. Auron was the only one I had left and he was nearly finished. Luckily his armor break ability was enough to destroy the final robot. I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

HA-HA

I smiled when Kimahri helped Tidus open the door.

HA-HA

Bahamut is best dragon boy. I was in awe of his strength down in Via Purifico and he took the heat most of the time. I liked the way Yuna stood timidly behind him and the way he looked down on her.

HA-HA

I chuckled when Auron commented: "I hate this place".

HA-HA

Despite the whole betrayal thing, I was glad to see Isaaru and his brothers upon returning to Bevelle. Out of the gate Bahamut nuked Not Ifrit with his overdrive and pretty much handled the whole fight until Shiva took over for Not Bahamut.

HA-HA

Good thing I read a YouTube comment about using Phoenix Downs on Evrae Altana.

HA-HA

Is it wrong that I just spammed the Aeons against Seymour?

HA-HA

Water boy and dancing girl big dork couple.

HA-HA

They really just photoshopped the Grand Canyon into the background of the Calm Lands didn't they?

HA-HA

Someone's slipping those chocobos sips of red wine because they're veering off course like tipsy ostriches.

HA-HA

Did you know you can learn Lulu's level three spells before Zanarkand? Spares Tidus from having to get his head repeatedly bashed by the stone guardian.

HA-HA

Yojimbo is the best cheapskate. I slipped him 600,000 gil in order to kill Sin and onwards he cheated me out of Zanmato. At least Yuna petting his dog is cute and the fact that it followed him to the grave is sweet.

HA-HA

Maybe getting pissed when Yenke and Biran called Kimahri hornless is what got me through the fight. Along with high potions and the music.

HA-HA

I cried at Braska's final message for Yuna. Gotta love supportive dads.

HA-HA

Which's more twisted? Mt. Gagazet or Valak Mountain?

HA-HA

Fuck Seymour Flux. Worse than Yunalesca. Did you know if you keep using the Aeons you can restart Tidus's and Yuna's turns? First Strike is a miracle worker.

HA-HA

That janky frame rate on the waterfall made me feel nostalgic for PS2 era graphics.

HA-HA

BIG CHUCHU!

HA-HA

The trials in the caves were fun.

HA-HA

The Sanctuary Keeper was a tough battle until I realized casting Reflect on it stops it from healing.

HA-HA

I straight up bawled during Yuna's goodbye message to the party. First with her and Rikku hugging and when I realized they are cousins. Second thanking Auron for bringing Kimahri into her life. Third was learning that Kimahri hugged her after Braska's death and her begging him not to leave after delivering her to Besaid and saying she likes his horn. Fourth was telling Waka and Lulu they're her big brother and sister and reminiscing about their childhood in Besaid. Finally thanking Tidus for letting her experience her first love.

HA-HA

The background music staying on in Zanarkand gave me this feeling of determination along with watching the pyreflies float about and thinking of the Fayth in the wall. I wanted to avenge them.

HA-HA

I cried over young Auron begging Braska not to go through with destroying Sin.

HA-HA

Hopping around the Spectral Keeper was fun along with the Tetris puzzles.

HA-HA

Yunalesca wasn't as hard as I was expecting her to be. I did die the first time because I removed Zombie. Yuna's Holy was largely responsible for finishing her off along with Shiva. I sure as hell wasn't sticking around for Dark Bahamut.

HA-HA

Ya know, Sin is kinda cute when you look at it from the front.

HA-HA

I smiled when Cid hid his crying. Yuna must've really looked like her mother at that point. Rikku was really impressed with Waka for apologizing for his racism against the Al-Bhed.

HA-HA

I stuck with Tidus, Auron, and Yuna for the final battles. Just felt personal that way.

HA-HA

The City of Dying Dreams gave me similar vibes to Agniratha.

HA-HA

I take back all my hard feelings against the Thunder Plains, the goddamn Nucleus is the 9th Circle of Hell compared.

HA-HA

Jecht's battle was truly amazing. "Otherworld" got my heart pumping and I was on edge the whole time. One scary moment was when Jecht nearly nuked the party, but thankfully I had saved my one and only Mega Elixir. Yuna was the one responsible for defeating Jecht with Holy. They really needed the HD graphics for one frame of Tidus crying over Jecht.

HA-HA

Up until the moment I had to choose who to sacrifice I was in complete denial over the Aeons' ultimate fate. It was a bittersweet feeling in the end. I was happy they were getting to rest, but heartbroken that they were leaving Yuna.

HA-HA

I expected to cry during the final cutscenes, but Auron's "death" hit me the hardest. I kinda forgot he wasn't alive to begin with.

HA!!!!

Final Thoughts:

I had zero expectations for what this game would be like. What I certainly wasn't expecting was it to become one of my favorite games of all time. Those five star reviews were right: it was an emotional journey. Bracing myself for a divisive X2. All and all I'm glad I chose it as my first Final Fantasy. Can't wait to see what else the series has to offer.

I'm going to try VIII next. I'll stumble my way through it but I'll probably have a good time regardless. I hear it's flawed but I like a good underdog and besides, I love XB2, if you wanna know what my tolerance for goofy stuff is.

[zanarkand-babes]

Me, sobbing while looking for content of my boy: his last name is stormsurfer tag him with it you don't need to double tag it with just his first name the og sinspawn had the name first you animals this is my boy erasure

[dalimoor]

Yes, I did stall in the fight with Sinspawn Gui for like a million years so Seymour could get his Overdrive. Was it worth it? Totally.

Also having him gain S.Lvs at the end of the battle is a real troll move. Now I have to imagine what his area on the Sphere Grid would look like and be sad ‘cos we never get to see it.

[greenmagic-oilspill]

MATT WHAT'S YOUR FONDEST MEMORY FROM A NON-XIV FINAL FANTASY

OH MAN...

When I first played FFX in 2001 I was 9(!!!) years old, and so I had NO idea what I was doing. I fled from like every battle and somehow got through all of the bosses. Except for Sinspawn Gui at Mushroom Rock (took many tries to get lucky) and then Seymour’s first boss fight. It took me a MONTH of just trying to fight him over and over again because I didn’t know the concept of fighting the random encounters to level up. I was at my grandma’s house when I finally beat him - I think I only had one character left barely clinging to life when he died to a tick of poison. I cheered. My little brother cheered. I remember how much I was shaking and paranoid about saving the game ASAP afterward.

But also, on the same day-

My grandma, about Lulu: why does that lady have her boobs out

[cygnahime]

FFX Liverebloggening Part 2

Starting from wandering into Besaid Temple for the Cloister, because Tidus worries about complete strangers and doesn’t care about rules. What a good boy.

I used to have such troubles with the Cloisters. I remember calling my friend in desperation at Kilika to get me unstuck. Now, of course, I know them by heart. Poor Lulu, trying to lecture Wakka and suddenly there's someone with the face of her dead boyfriend staring at her. That would throw anyone off. I love Yuna's outfit in FMV. It's so pretty. I mean, Yuna is also very pretty, but I love how the fabric goes. Her hair is darker in the Remaster. What's up with that? I love seeing Yuna interact with Valefor. It's really good how her summon animations involve her doing it too. They're not just combat devices for her. Yuna's second lines, and she's already both taking everything on herself and subtly resisting what she thinks are unfair restrictions. That's good characterization. "Do you think I can become high summoner die in the most effective manner?" What a conversation to have with someone you just met and are kind of attracted to! Yuna, honey. Honey, no. Wakka thinks there's no way Yuna would make a move on Tidus when she's going to die. Little does he know, she wants to live what's left of her life to the fullest. She's subtle about it, like a Good Girl, but she definitely expresses her interest after this. I love Tidus's dream. It's so weird. ...Fuck off, Jecht. No one wants to listen to you. Is this the real Jecht speaking through dreams, or just Tidus's mental image of his father? Either way, pretty damning. Lulu is upset, not entirely justifiably. What was Wakka supposed to do, leave the guy on the beach and hope he died of thirst before disrupting their mourning? That's just silly. It's unfortunate, but it's not anyone's fault. The unspoken: Yuna's leaving Besaid for the last time; we're not making her leave alone. (I mean, except for when we come back immediately for Valefor's Overdrive. And later, for the Jecht Sphere. And theoretically even later than that, to beat Dark Valefor. But they don't know about any of that.) Do they not have magic in Zanarkand? That would be inconsistent with it having been a land of summoners, but Tidus seems confused about Lulu's black magic. Of course, it's really all about introducing the player to magic, but you know, Watsonian vs Doylist, gotta go Watsonian where possible. Except when dealing with misogyny/racism/homophobia, because in that case the creators don't get to hide from my wrath. Dude, O'aka, of course my clothes aren't clean: I'm wearing them! It's a long, sweat-soaked trip from Besaid Village to the boat. Also, everyone in this game appears to have only one outfit, and Tidus certainly does. Spiran ecology count: several chocobos, harnessed to provide human transportation. Poor things. Talking about Yuna having "noble" blood makes me wonder if there are other descendants/family members of the other High Summoners out there, maybe in Bevelle, and if they have any kind of position of privilege. Wonder what Yuna's life would have been like if Kimahri hadn't found her... Probably not as good. Braska knew what he was about, making Auron promise to take her away from all that. "You know, our meeting like this must be the blessing of Yevon." Yuna, was that a line? It sure sounds like a line. Yuna understands the sailors wanting to attract Sin's attention to keep it away from Kilika, because that's just what she's doing too, albeit on a larger scale. So of course she forgives them. Love how Tidus can still hold his breath/breathe water while unconscious. Spiran ecology count: a pair of dolphins, who hopefully escape the Sinspawn. The Sending, aka the most beautiful necromancy scene in video game history. I wonder how many non-pilgrimage summoners there are around to do these things, or if everywhere except maybe Bevelle is reliant on whoever happens to be passing through. Apprentice summoners have to learn from someone after all, don't they? Poor Lulu has forced herself to become resigned to Yuna's death. She doesn't want it, she doesn't like it, but she is in some ways as tied to Spira's culture as Wakka is, and she's been drowned since birth in the philosophy that accepting death is the greatest good - after all, if you don't accept death, you become a fiend, and that's horrible, isn't it? You don't want to hurt the people you leave behind. If it's inevitable, you have to accept it. Meanwhile Tidus is struggling to comprehend that for the people of Spira, this is just another day - a disaster, yes, but not something they can stop for, or they'd never get any living done. Aw yeah blitzball kid! You live your dreams, kid! Fact I just discovered: you can examine blitzball players with square before the game tells you it's possible. You can't do anything about it, but you can see who they are. And here's Yuna, definitely coming on to Tidus in the best way she knows how. Tidus doesn't get it, because he's a doofus, but I think Wakka definitely does. So you know it's obvious. At least, it is if you know Yuna is saying she wants to be around Tidus for the rest of her life. I love...Yuna running up the stairs instead of starting off the race. It shows her mischievous side, which can get lost among all the noble self-sacrifice. She's still seventeen and a little silly. Leveling early on is a delicate balance; you want to get stronger, but ability spheres are at a premium and everyone comes up on new abilities pretty fast. Lulu definitely feels like everyone around her is projecting the dead onto each other, and she's the only one seeing them as themselves. It's not just about Chappu; it's also about Yuna trying to be her father, associating Tidus with his father. Those dead can't be replaced either. Oh hey it's the Asshole Squad. I'm going to kick their asses, no matter how often I have to reset. That's what my team deserves. Yuna definitely saw a version of Jecht who was on his company manners, and also, the second time, who had become less of a jerk. But the company manners had a lot to do with it. People can be very different with other people's kids. Dona appears, in her clothing-term-used-loosely. I really softened up on her my second playthrough -- once you know she also is planning to die at the end of her trip, she becomes more complex. After all, it would be a kindness to beat Yuna, wouldn't it? That said, I love Yuna gently sassing the shit out of her. "But I would never dream of questioning your ways, either, because I am more polite than you."

[mezzopurrloin]

Mezzo Plays Final Fantasy X: Part 1

"Listen to my story."

Here we are, my first actual screenshot LP. This is the tenth (or somethingth) game in the Final Fantasy series, originally released on the PS2. I'm playing the HD Remaster on PC, specifically. It's a nice linear RPG with a deeply involved plot. I'll try to avoid giving away any spoilers until they're revealed in the story, but some things you might have already heard. And obviously, if you don't want to be spoiled for this almost 20 year old game, don't read any further.

"This may be our last chance."

To Zanarkand

I'm not gonna try and link too much music, but this one has plot relevance.

Anyway, let's meet our hero. He's a sports star getting ready for the big game tonight. Some fans pass by and ask for an autograph, which he freely gives out.

I'm going with his canon name of Tidus. This is the first FF with full voice acting, but also included the option to rename the main character. The end result: No one ever, throughout the entirety of the game, refers to Tidus by name. It's very awkward and very noticeable. Thankfully they fixed this issue in future Final Fantasies.

On the way over, he passes by a poster of his father Jecht. He just disappeared out of the blue about 10 years ago, and has been missing ever since.

Game on! Tidus and his teammates are ready to blitz.

But on the coast, something emerges from the water... The game continues as the creature moves forth and begins destroying the city. Eventually the two meet and Tidus is forced to flee from the destroyed stadium.

Then he runs into Auron, the guy who saw the thing surface. Tidus and Auron seem to already know each other, but there's no time to reminisce on that now.

We saw this mysterious child a little bit earlier, when Tidus was signing autographs. They freeze time somehow and impart a few cryptic words of advice: "It begins, don't cry." Then, they disappear.

Sin launches a tentacled beast from its watery sphere, and that creature looses scales all over the city. Auron hands Tidus a sword, "a gift from Jecht" as he claims.

Battle time. These Sinscales are extremely weak, and go down in one hit from either Tidus or Auron's swords. Unlike some other FF games, this one's battle system is solely turn-based rather than being both turn and timing based. The little bar on the right shows the current turn order, which can change depending on circumstances. Right now all you really have at your disposal are basic attacks. Auron's heavy katana makes a very satisfying 'chop' noise when you smack something with it.

Chop down a few of those and you meet Sinspawn Ammes, the tentacled thing that loosed them. It's supported by a few Sinscales and will cast the spell Demi on you.

This spell looks pretty dangerous, and it can be in some circumstances, but its damage is always equal to 1/4 of the target's current HP, so it can never kill you. Tutorial boss and all that.

Speaking of tutorials, here's a new battle mechanic. When the orange bar under a character's HP/MP display is full, they can unleash their Overdrive. These are similar to the Limit Breaks of FF VII, and are slightly different for each character. First Auron can blast the field with his Dragon Fang...

Then Tidus can follow up with his Spiral Cut.

There's a lot more to say about Overdrives, most of which I'll save for when we get more. Anyway, as Tidus and Auron attack the Sinspawn it gradually loses tentacles, until it eventually dies. It'll drop your HP a lot with repeated Demi casts, but all it does is spam Demi so it can't kill. Plus you have a few potions in case of emergency.

They head closer to Sin, but find themselves stopped by a swarm of Sinscales.

The key to this battle is not to waste time attacking the Sinscales, as more will approach. Instead, you want to destroy the loose fuel tanker, causing it to explode and take out all of them at once.

The piece of road they were standing on is uplifted toward Sin, and there appears to be no escape.

Auron and Tidus are both sucked through the portal.

Tidus finds himself swimming through what looks like the ruined stadium. He finds what appears to be Jecht nearby, but it turns into a younger version of Tidus as he approaches.

"I thought about a lot of things...like where I was, what I'd got myself into. I started to feel light-headed...and then, sleepy. I think I had a dream. A dream of being alone. I wanted someone -- anyone, beside me...so I didn't have to feel alone anymore."

He awakens in this old ruin. Auron is nowhere to be found.

Thankfully, unlike most RPG heroes Tidus actually can swim. He moves toward the ruined temple, seeing if he can find anyone.

This sphere marks our first save point, and a good stopping point for today.

[tampire]

Venom / Contamination on Son and Mother

[courage]

i was playing ffx and i was at operation mi’ihen and just defeated sinspawn gui and then i got a green screen during the cutscene right after and had to quit out of the game. i apparently need to update my graphics driver but for some reason the geforce app won’t let me in. i’m frustrateddddddddd.

[painsrequiem]

Let’s take a moment to appreciate this blue-haired beast.

He has enough strength to hold off Sinspawn Gui at Mi’ihen to prevent it from going on a rampage while everyone is recovering from Sin’s attack.

With his bare hands.

And while I don’t have a gif to properly show off such strength, Seymour not only successfully holds it back, but even pushes the Sinspawn backwards a good distance with a strong shove.

[bubble-bones]

Ah there it is. The inevitable rage quit.

Fuck you, sinspawn gui

[pastcloudfromffvii]

multiples of 10 fr the ff asks

10 overall favourite character?how the Fuck am i supposed to answer This questioni think i’m gonna have to go with auron. his story twist punched me in the gut like an absolute bitch the first time i played through

20 if you could replace any one of the protagonists with yourself, who would it be?AHAHAH MY DELUSIONAL ASSi’d relive gaia again probably i’m not gonna lie. it’s my absolute favourite game of the lot for Several Reasons.

30 least favourite boss fight/battle?it’s either one of the JENOVA battles, or the fight against sinspawn gui. the JENOVA battle that comes directly after aeris’ death? the boss music doesn’t play lmao it’s just aeris’ theme. and when i played through 10 for @luciomainmutual​ the first time, i spent a literal hour on sinspawn gui bc i forgot the sphere grid was a thing at all lmao

40 square enix lets you make a prequel or a sequel. what game do you make it for?let me make a prequel for ff7 that combines the good bits of crisis core without entirely retconning last order lmao

50 favourite vocal final fantasy song?it’s a toss up between real emotion and the hymn of the fayth. i don’t pay all that much attention to the vocal songstho the skies above was really good 

60 if you got the chance to work on an ff game what would work would you do?hopefully a combination of character development and writing so the teams at square enix will stop fucking treating women like dirt fucking assbags

[straane]

Motherworld (Ch.3/?)

Title: Motherworld

Author: strane-stelle

Fandom: Final Fantasy X

Central characters: Tidus

Rating: 12+

Chapters: 3/?  Chapter 1  Chapter 2  Chapter 4

Word count: 2809

Summary: “The fayth said it’s pointless to keep dreaming. The dream will disappear, he said. What did he mean?” After a long journey, Tidus finally gets to go home.

Warnings: Ton of OCs; idk, drug references??

Other comments: credit goes to @shuyiin​ for the idea.(or virtually the star player himself @leviathkand)  

Chapter 3 – Go with the Flow

"Someone order a wacko? With a side of 'runs in the family'?"

To be sure, it was a clichéd line, but it certainly got the attention of all seven Abes, as Tidus joined them a couple of minutes late in the changing room. Not that he wouldn't have turned heads in any case – he would, everywhere he went – but he'd fallen right back into his old bad habit of listening in.  

Nella shot up from the bench at once, beaming; to throw her arms around him. Tidus fell back about two steps – she was a head taller, and made of hard tricep and nothing else. There was a great sincerity about the gesture, hefty as it was – she was one of the two who had not uttered one bad word about their now scandal-ridden teammate. At worst, she had seemed worried.  

"Welcome back!"

Feeling ever so slightly patronized, and not for the first time today, Tidus quickly broke away and responded with a simple thanks. Granted, he knew that the extremely kind and extremely talented midfielder had meant no disrespect. Nella gave a wide smile – with something resembling relief or anticipation; perhaps both. She had changed her hairstyle, from shoulder-reaching dark curls to clipped darker curls with red streaks.

"Look, we're sorry," a less keen voice breathed over Nella's vast shoulder, irritated. The voice belonged to Edge – also the owner of a well-suited name. Everything about the man was pointed and pallid: eyes, hair, face, personality. The eldest on the team, at 36; he was hardly any sage or father figure, more like a drunk grandpa – disapproving of anything and everything, and starting petty disputes over anything and everything – sometimes, it seemed, his own opinion. In the pool, inexplicably, he'd then transform into a fantastic team player. "What'd you want us to say? What do you think everyone else is saying?"

Tidus didn't have to think, nor did anyone in the room. Teri shifted awkwardly in the corner, moving a strand of her inky short hair; with others mirroring her movements – there was never any telling whether their capable if rather reticent captain was about to say something. But this time Edge beat her to it, adding with a more placid tone, "Well, it's good to see you alive."

Everyone gave approving nods, and resumed practice preparations in a collective synchronized motion, encouraging Tidus to claim his usual spot on the bench as well. Although, after receiving a couple more welcome-backs and a domino effect of apologies, he'd barely gotten around to pulling the zipper on his bag, when he felt obliged to stand up again and spare a few more words. And again the room went frozen and silent.

Tidus rubbed his temples. "Hey, guys... I know it's a lot to ask, but can we not do this whole 'awkward' thing? You know I liked it a lot better when I was just the... y'know, talentless new kid who made the team 'cuz of his dad and nothing else..."

"That was almost two years ago," Nella reminded him, suddenly defensive. "You've more than proven yourself since and you know th--"

"Yeah, I know that," Tidus agreed. "And that was the fun part, proving myself to you guys! Because I knew I could! Just give me another chance, okay? Or even better... let's just focus on practice and not me, okay? Those Duggles are going down," he slammed a fist into his palm, with half-earnest enthusiasm, "right?"

There was a string of half-hearted nods, and a couple of excited ones. That was good enough for Tidus.

Lately, Tidus had began to compartmentalize. Sure, he had witnessed an eerie sight on his very doorstep less than a week ago – heard it talk, even – and if nothing else; for Tidus himself, it had served as a final confirmation; vanquisher of all remaining doubt: Spira was real. He had not hallucinated anything, nor indulged an escapist fantasy or started to believe his own lies – it was all real. And sure, he still missed that place – terribly – this was about as far as he could look back, before it simply became too much. And sure, his life here remained unchanged; messy and vaguely melancholic; with new rumors sprouting up at every turn like Sinspawn; his recently expanded PR team refusing some 90 interviews per day; his plentiful caretakers studying his very breathing for signs – any signs. Even all positive remainders of his old life would appear exactly that: old. Worn-down. Ill-fitting.  

But what was he to do? Since the fleeting encounter with the fiend from the other side, he'd not had the pleasure of beholding any additional otherwordly visions, nor had he heard voices or run into any mystical hooded children telling him not to cry (and boy, did he at times want to). So what if a dying demonic animal had transcended time and space just to tell him hi, how did that help him in any way? He'd certainly not been able to help the poor soul. If he didn't know how to reverse the stunt, what was the point of chewing it over?

And just the day before, in a passing moment of clarity, Tidus had finally found a solution. He had finally resolved in his heart to do what he should have done from day one. What Leo referred to as damage control, he would dub making the best of here and now. He would once again let go, surrender to the flow; tag along on a journey he'd never planned to take. He would moderate his responses to Dr. Cidron's questions; eventually phase them into retraction and denial. He would nod along as needed. He would heed Leo's every command. He would play with the Abes again. He would live a life; he would be his old self again.

In the depths of his soul, he would know the truth; in his heart; he would always treasure Yuna. But for now, to save his skin – he'd wear his old one. He didn't have a choice; it was the only thing he could do – he'd give in, he'd accept, he'd believe. He'd allow it to be true.

This was his new reality, and he was stuck in it for good.

--

The post-storm reconstruction had recently extended over to the pool area as well. The Abes' temporary practice field turned out to be a quite a far cry from what they were used to: a far smaller and simpler watery orb – a puddle almost – filled with; seemingly; lower-quality liquids. The proportions, the layout, Tidus observed; trying hard not to get snobby at a time like this; were all almost beginner-level. Not a lot of room for improvement, he couldn't help but indulge a smidge of that snobbiness, quite literally! Oh well, he then figured, wasn't going back to the basics his plan in any case?

They'd been marching to the pool entrance in a near-perfect line; the air still a bit strained for casual chat, when Frion suddenly broke the formation and ran to Tidus's side. Tidus turned his head in anticipation, and the white-haired youth hesitated a moment before whispering, just as they reached the gateway, "You cleared all the... tests, right?"

There was one thing that Tidus was determined never to 'confess'; not even to steer suspicions; or to give an easy excuse, and it was forbidden substances. He'd done well with Sin's toxin back on Besaid – and here it was again on everyone's lips, whether he liked it or not – but these were totally taboo; his no-good drunkard dad would've disapproved. Well before his own breakthrough; as Tidus vaguely recalled; there had been one case with a particularly nasty sort; one that would simultaneously enchance performance and cause hallucinations. In the end, the offender; a slightly older player if his memory served; had barely lived, and happily admitted to having made a terrible mistake. The incident had since been swept under the rug – mercifully – as a dirty black spot in the oft-glamorized blitz history. But for every blitz fan and every sports magazine that tried their best to forget, there was also one of each that remembered – and that wanted to know the truth about the more recent events; the truth about 'the toxin'.      

"You think I'd be here if I didn't?"

Leo, Bern, Dr. Cidron and even Evy were all watching from the stands; Leo looking as though he wanted to produce a forbidden substance from his person right away; Bern buried in a book, sparing a listless glance now and then; Dr. Cidron trying to decide whether to cheer or worry or both; and Evy most definitely settled on cheering – she was as big a fan as ever.

Shortly before Tidus's disappearance, the blitzball powers-that-be had approved for test runs a new type of game-supplementary machina: a set of minuscule earphones and mouthpieces that allowed the players to communicate during the game. As it turned out, the technology had been freshly confirmed as official equipment to be used at the coming Jecht Legacy Cup (a Jecht Memorial Cup relaunch). Tidus had actually conducted one of the test runs himself – a mere week pre-Spira – naturally; as not too long ago he'd been the go-to poster boy of the new blitz generation. On that account, figuring out how the device worked was not the problem – and there wasn't really a problem – only a momentary feeling of mixed nostalgia and detachment as Teri very deliberately handed the headset to Tidus at the pool entrance. He really was back.

Technically, Teri was only the team captain, not the coach – but she effectively did double duty just as Wakka had, as their actual coach was far more interested in his 90% ownership of the team. Hirans, who in Tidus's opinion bore a striking resemblance to Kinoc, was neither a sportsman or even sportsmanlike in any way imaginable, and it was only by some clever navigation through bureaucratic technicalities that he'd been able to snatch the title of coach at all. He'd also been notably absent from Tidus's now infamous press conference, and had since practically gone into hiding, by the looks of it. Dreams or not, Tidus mused, people here sure loved to pretend: fake coach, nominal agent, lazy bodyguard.

"Alright, hope everyone's loving the widgets," Teri addressed the team as they swam into the pool, her own expression betraying a certain level of reservation. There were some cautious murmurs of approval, echoing through everyone's heads – Edge and Arret were covering their ears, apparently fearing that the microscopic gizmo would fall right off at the first wrong movement. Tidus could hardly believe that in something at least, he was actually ahead of the curve (and definitely no thanks to Spira). Juggling two blitzballs above his head, while others still bombarded Teri with questions, he was as ready for some tussle as could be.

"Hey," Nella suddenly gave Tidus a gentle nudge on the shoulder – startling him, and making him lose the ball, "you belong here. You always have." Tidus tried to scrabble for the runaway ball with his both arms and one leg, too; only to fumble the attempt. He gave her a nervous chuckle, which she returned. He appreciated the sentiment – but there was something about the passing moment of clumsiness that suddenly filled him with stress.

The first half of the practice was just alright. Tidus was on the same team with all of his harshest doubters, who also happened to be the ones struggling the most with the new technology. He was hardly at the top of his game himself, still feeling a little disconnected with the environment, and not only because it had recently shrunken in size. The other team, in turn, almost seemed to be going easy on them – or him – sometimes bordering on unprofessional levels. (This was not going unnoticed by Leo, either, judging by his rather lively body language.) The teams mostly relied on basic commands such as 'Catch!', 'No!', 'Come on!', 'Go Riona!' – which would've been easy enough to convey by the traditional non-verbal methods – and at times there was confusion as to who was addressing whom. The first ten minutes were far from a disaster, just markedly tame and tortuous at the same time – and goal-free. Goal-attempt-free, if one squinted – and not because there had been such high-caliber, evenly matched skill on display.

Bern, Dr. Cidron and Evy all departed for work after the first half – of course, Tidus would've been the work, had it not been for Leo's request to meet the boy in private after the practice. Tidus thought he saw the agent exchange a few words with Evy before she turned to leave – an apology for the press conference? The man could feel empathy?

Inexplicably, even the more skeptic fellow Abes seemed to have warmed up to Tidus by the half-time break – after he'd done literally nothing to deserve it. Perhaps nothing was more than enough – whether they'd been expecting him to start selling bags of powder mid-match, or just have a customary nervous breakdown, Tidus wasn't sure, but they were all giving him pats on the shoulder and even sparing some compliments, 'Still got it!'; 'Well, you are full of surprises!' What 'it' and 'surprises' referred to; and how exactly they'd been involved in the most uneventful practice session of all time; Tidus also wasn't sure, but he did feel heartened by the very subtle clap of hands that Edge indicated towards him.  

The second half began in somewhat more vigorous spirits, when the opposing side went on the maximum offensive within the first ten seconds. Tidus finally got something to do as he near single-handedly managed to fend off the first scoring attempt, by throwing himself hard against one of the goalposts – and poor Nella, who'd been floating right up there stalking the goal area. Even with the increased resistance from the lower-quality liquids, and her matching if not greater body weight, she was flung quite a distance across the field, all the way to the pool entrance; which she thankfully didn't hit.

"Nella!" Tidus yelped after her, along with the others. "Are you okay?"

They never got a clear answer. From the other side of the pool, they could just see Nella straightening her back, unharmed; shaking her head a little and then starting towards them – only to lose sight of her completely, when there was a sudden outpour of something swift and green, swimming up from behind her and towards them. The headsets immediately turned into a hearing hazard.

"What...?! What are-- are those... fiends?!"

"How'd they get in? Wha-- I haven't seen one in years!"

"Nella!" Tidus shrieked, but there was no time to wait for a reply. Neither was there time to think – the swarm was huge, huge enough to block their single exit – and the fish's apparent entry point. But his fellow Abes were no cowards, and Frion had already grabbed one of the four practice blitzballs floating about – it was time Tidus took a leaf out of Wakka's book as well. Out of the corner of his eye, Tidus could see Leo in the stands, tearing out his hair in absolute horror.  

The battle with the aquatic beasts was brief and chaotic. Tidus and Frion took out at least a dozen each, Riona joined in with a third ball after a failed escape attempt, and Teri had just located the fourth makeshift weapon when – just as quickly as they had emerged –  the swarm began to vanish; dissolve into those bright, tailed lights.

This time, there we no parting words – the creatures faded away in near-complete silence, with only a distant sound of streaming water flowing through their technologically enhanced ears. Everyone seemed to be doubting their own senses – what exactly had happened, and why were they having an adrenaline rush?

"Hey," a shaky voice then spoke, and nobody seemed to care who it was exactly, "where's Nella?"

Tidus whirled around wildly. All eyes were on him.

"I..."

But she was gone. Nella was gone; without a trace, as abruptly and as definitively as the swarm of infernal fish that had ambushed her. The pool gate loomed bleakly on the other side of the field, not too far from them in the tiny watery sphere, tightly shut and empty of intruders.  

Tidus felt a sudden thwack against his back, then another, and then; with one grip of his collar; Edge span Tidus around, tightening his grab as he struck his teammate on the chest, "You what?! What'd you do?! Where is she?!"  

Teri tried to break the two apart, but her arms were still trembling, and she received a thump on the shoulder as well.

Tidus was as shocked as anyone. The blows had barely hurt.

"I... I think she went to Spira."